A LETTER SENT by the French King unto Monsieur de la Verune lieutenant for his majesty at Caen in normandy, concerning the most happy victory which he obtained against the Leaguers and Rebels in his kingdom, vpon the 14. day of March last past, according to the roman computation. Wherein is effectually set forth the truth of the Kings proceeding to the said battle, and the true number of both the Armies, and of those that were drowned, and taken prisoners in the same. Whereunto is adjoined the late agreement of the lords and states assembled in the Court of Parliament, holden in normandy since the said fourteenth day of March. 1590. truly translated according to the French copy. LONDON Printed by I. wolf for William Wright. 1590. MOnsieur de Verune, it hath pleased God to give unto me that whereto I had most desire, namely, that I had means to give battle to my enemies, having a sure confidence, that in being there he would graciously assist me for the obtaining of the victory, as it is come to pass this day. You haue heretofore understood, how after the taking of the town of Honnefleur, I came to cause them to raise the siege that they held before the town of Mullen, offering battle unto them, which in show they seemed to accept, they having in number twice as many more as I was able to make. But perceiving they would deser the matter till such time as they might join their forces with the five hundred launces which were sent unto them by the Prince of Parma, as they had done oft times before. afterward publishing abroad that they would force me to battle in what place so ever I was, and did think to haue recovered an occasion of more advantage against me, to come to encounter me at the siege which I made before the city of Dreux: but I was loth they should take the pains to come so far, but so soon as I was advertised that they had passed the river of scene, and also that they did turn the head of their battle towards me, I did resolve with myself, rather to raise my siege then to fail to go meet them before hand: and having understood that they were within six leagues( which is twelve miles) of the said town of Dreux, I departed on the monday before, and went to lodge at the town of Muncon court, which was three leagues from them, there to pass the river. On the Tuesdaie I came and lodged myself, where willingly they would haue lodged also, for their harbingers and marshals were then come thether to appoint them their lodgings On the morrow I did set myself in battle in a very faire plain, within one league of the enemy, which plain they had made ready for themselves the day before, whether also they came right soon with their army, but so far from me, that I had great advantage to seek them so farye of, being content that they should recover a village near unto me, the which they were glad to obtain. The night being come, we were all constrained to lodge ourselves, which we did in the nearest villages about me. This day having very early in the morning made means to know their intent, and what they would do, and perceived that they were all there present, but yet more farther off then they were yesterday, I then resolved to approach so near them, that of necessity they must needs join, as in deed it came to pass, between ten and eleven of the clock in the forenoon, where they came forward very bravely, until such time as their army was planted in a place somewhat convenient, where before they had not advanced themselves, esteeming it the best and readiest way to give the assault. The battle was given, wherein God would haue known that his power is always ready to help the right: for in less then one hour after, having cast forth their choler in two or three charges which they had made and abidden, all their horse men, began to take part with the King, utterly forsaking their infantry, who were a great number, which the swissers perceiving, yielded themselves presently to my mercy, rendering to me the colonels, Captaines, Souldiers and ensigns. The Launce-Knightes and French men on their side, had not leisure to take this resolution, for there was slain and rent in pieces more then twelve hundreth of the one, and as many of the other, the rest were taken prisoners, and enforced to fly into sundry woods and desert places, there to stand to the mercy of the country men. Of their horse-men there were about nine hundreth or one thousand slain, besides those that were drowned in passing the river of Dury, who were a great number, the rest that were better horst escaped by fight, but it was with great disorder, having lost, both bag and baggage. myself never forsook to follow them in chase, till they came near Mantz. There white Cornette I won, and it remaineth with me, and he which bore it is my prisoner, twelve or fifteen other Cornettes of their horse men were taken. twice as many of their infantry, al their artillery, many Lords pris●ners, and a great number slain, especially such as were Commanders, of whom as yet I haue no knowledge, but of this I am certain that amongst the rest, the county Egmont who was general of all the said forces, which came thither from flanders was slain. The prisoners all say that their army was four thousand horse men, and twelve or between thousand footmen, whereof I am assured the fourth parte is not left living. As for my parte it was but two thousand horse men and eight thousand foot men, but of these horsemen there came unto me since that I was in battle the tuesday and weddesday six hundreth horse. Likewise the last troupe of the nobility of Picardy, conducted under the Lord of Humiers, being 300. came unto me but half an hour before the combat began. It is a miraculous work of God who first gave me this resolution to assault them, and then by his grace so happily to accomplish the victory: to whom be all glory and praise. And that praise which under God is due unto me, I give unto my Princes, Officers of the crown, Lords and Captaines, and to all the Nobility which I found following the matter with such heat, and employing themselves so courageously, as their predecessors never left more fair ensample to their generosity, then themselves in this had done, to their following posterity,& though I can not but be greatly contented& satisfide herewith, yet herein I account them like myself, and the rather when they did behold that I would employ them in no other place then where myself made way before them: I haue ever more followed the success of the victory with my kinsmen the Princes of Conde, the duke of Monpensier, the county of Saint paul, the Marshall, the Grand prior of France, Aumont Trimouille, the lords of Giskey and of Greury, and many other Signiours and Captaines, my cossen the Marshell of byron remained in the body of the army to understand news of me, which fel out and, as I ever hope will, prosperously. You understand by this brief dispatch how well I follow these good beginnings, especially the ample particularities of this victory, whereof I was the more desirous in the mean while to advertise you, as loth to hold you from the pleasure which I know you will conceive thereof. I pray you impart these news to all other my good friends there about you, but above all to render thankes to God, whom I pray protect my good Lord of Veronne in safety. From the camp at Rony the fouretéenth of March. Signed henry. And underneath Potier. And on the superscription. To my Lord de Verron my lieutenant in the government of the Balywicke of Caen. AN ACT OF PARliament, for the taking of all the goods of al the Leaguers and Rebels, they complices and adherents, holden at Caen in Normandy upon the fourteenth day of March last past. 1590. By the Kings privilege. The true copy of that act taken out of the register of the said court of Parliament. truly translated according to the french copy. LONDON. Printed by I. wolf for William Wright. 1590. VPon the complaint made by the Kings attorney general, as also by the decrees of his said majesty, that the act of the Court which was before ordained and enjoined to the bailiffs, their deputies and other Officers, for the diligent proceeding in taking of the goods, movables and immovables apertayning to the Leaguers and Rebels their complices and adherents, hath since been neglected, whereby they ought to haue proceeded in the sale of the same movable Rents& immovables,& to haue all the money so gathered for the goods to the Kings use. Yet forasmuch as the said bailiffs with their deputies, hath so negligently proceeded in this matter until this present day, that there hath but little thereof come to the hands of the Kings receivers, the Kings attorney general hath therefore published the same in the said court of Parliament, and made request that it would please the lords and States assembled to grant redress therof. whereupon the said court granting right to the said request, hath ordained, commanded, and straightly enjoined all the bailiffs in their liberties, and their liefetenants in their precincts, speedily setting al other affairs aside, to proceed in the taking of the said goods, movables and immovables, debts and duties, with the names and actions of the Leaguers and Rebels, their complices and adherents, as well ecclesiastical as civil, noble and ignoble, of what quality or condition soever. And to take all their said goods and movables, rents, and immovables, and to make sale thereof to the uttermost penny, and all the money so taken to be paid unto the Kings receivers in every several province: and the same to be effectually done without favour, fraud or deceit, upon pain that the said bailiffs and their deputies for want of the due execution of the said Act, be severally condemned in the value and estimation of all the movable remoueables and immovables so appertaining to the said Leaguers. And to be further charged in sending Commissioners at their own proper coste to be appointed for the due execution thereof, according to the true meaning of the said Act. And to the end that the same may be done effectually, the said Court of Parliament hath ordained and enjoined all the said bailiffs and their deputies, every month to send into the several Courts of the said precincts, a true notice in writing of all the goods that they haue taken and sold as well movables, as rents and immovables, and therwith all such sums of money as they haue received for the same, to be paid from time to time to the Kings use, upon pain of the kings displeasure and such further punishment as by his majesty shall be thought meet. And to the end that no man shall be ignorant of this present act, the said court hath ordained that the same shall be Imprinted and published abroad, and sent to all the said bailiffs in their several precincts: and there published and registered: and the deeds of the said publication to be recorded and set up in their several Courts, that they may haue daily recourse thereunto when need shall serve. given at the Parliament holden at Caen in Normandy, the fourteenth day of March. 1590. Signed. Godefroy. A Song of thankes giuing for the victory obtained against those of the League, in the battle fought at Saint Andrewes, by henry the fourth of that name, King of France and Nauarre. Translated out of French. WHY should I shut in foul obliuions den, The wondrous works that God for us hath wrought Nay first I will procure all Christian men, With humble hearts in deed and secret thought To render thankes and praises as we ought, For our deliverance from the Leaguers rage, Whose haughty pride the Lord did soon assuage. You golden skies wherein the signs do sit, Thou earth wherein both towns and towers stand, You seas whose ebbs and floods surpasseth human wit, harken a while to that we haue in hand, True signs of ioy we show throughout the land, God by our King hath cast these traitors down, Which by rebellion thought to gain the crown. Like as the Eagle bringeth from her neast, Her little birds to gaze against the sun, Thereby to prove the bad ones from the best, That other fowls to her no wrong had done, So God to try the faith in us begun, Sent forth our King, and strengthened so his train, That he triumphed when his foes were slain. Because they turned truth and iustice out, And dispossessed the lords anointed quight With murdering hand, when that they brought about, untimely death vpon that kingly wight, For their ambition and their cruel spite, Th'immortal God who lives for evermore, Both life and honor took from them therefore. Which by our King well executed was On them, their wines, and children young of age, Both fire and sword deservedly did pass, blood craveth blood, nought else may it assuage, Triumphant henry well performed this charge, His heart, his blood, and kingly prowess then soon foiled the force of those valnglorious men. Their strength was great, their malice three times more, Their skill and knowledge nothing to be blamed, Money and munition they had wondrous store, Their lusty looks unlikely to be tamed, No hope we had of conquest to be gained, save that the Lord did cast them in our hands, Hartelesse and fearful of our slender bands. Thy secrets Lord unto thyself are known, Our thankful hearts, we present unto thee, The glory of thy name, shall in our songs be shown, And for our King our prayers still shall be, That in his reign we may deliverance see, Of all our griefs endured heretofore, Which we full long in sorrow did deplore. Thy works are endless, perfect and holy, Iustice and iudgement is ever in thy sight, Thy truth cannot be overcome by folly, Thy hand revenging, grievously doth smite, Thou lovest iustice and all things upright, sin and iniquity thou wilt still confounded, But faithful men in blessings shall abound. To thee O Lord belongeth glory still, victory is thine, to thee all praise is due, My songs shall show thy wonders, and thy will, That babes unborn thy praises may renew, Such rare effects comes seldom in our view, We fought the field with courage bold and free, But Lord we grant, that victory come by thee, FINIS A new ditty of the state of France, according to the French ditty. O poor distressed Church of Christ, To whom shalt thou impart, What wrong the Leaguers offer thee, To wound and grieve thy hart, Which grievous thraldom, as I find, Springs through thy vnbeleeuing mind. mourn and lament for thy great sin, In humble wise seek God to please, That God if so thou do begin, These bloody warres can soon appease, And from thy strait captivity, Restore thee to thy liberty. He doth behold the haughty pride, Of those that are thy enemies, And all their glory which is vain, He setteth now before his eyes, Who by the puissance of his power, Will overthrow them in an hour. Well though thy members forced be, On earth afflictions for to bear: Though they and theirs by means of war, Are robd and spoilde and put in fear, Be sure thy grief shall shortly fear: And God with speed will sand thee peace. And though on earth thy ioy be small. Take courage now fear not their rage, For doubtless in the heauens above, God hath prepared thy heritage: Where thou with him shalt ever dwell, In endless joys that doth excel. unto our royal crwoned kings, Great wrong the League hath long time don, And grievous broils hath raised oft, Our country still to ouerron. And would perform on Burbons race, As to the Valoyes late in place. In prayer for thy King remain, Pray that God give him strength and might, The faith of Christ still to maintain, 'gainst foes for to defend his right. That all the Rebels may crave truce, Of our brave Prince and Floure de luke. For he a valiant king is found, he lives in love and fear of God, he strikes his enemies to the ground, And to them is a scourging rod, As at this day appeared right: Where God himself for him did fight. Tremble thou League and Gwizes grudge. For doubtless God on you doth lower, think not to scape his dreadful scurdge: You shall be punished by his power, For maugre them and all their might, The King was strongest in the fight. FINIS.