F0% ^OfCAllFO% 
 
 i 
 
 ,\W[UNIVEB% 
 
 j«KlOSANCElfj> 
 
 5 i 
 
 ^<?Aavaaiiis^ 
 
 o 
 
 -< 
 
 ;,OfCAllFO% .^,0FCAIIF0% 
 
 ?-. 
 
 .\\«UNIVERi//, 
 
 ^OAavaaiii^ '^CAavaaiii^ ^ijdnvsoi^^ 
 
 'fW/A. o<lOSANCflfj> 
 
 o 
 
 3b 
 
 
 o 
 
 ^■lOSANCflfx^ 
 
 o 
 
 "^/idiAiNniwv^ 
 
 ^^lllBRARYO/- 
 
 ^AltlBRARYQc^ 
 
 -< ii 
 
 ^-;^0FCAIIF0% 
 
 '^■JOJIWDJO'*^ 
 
 ^\WE UNIVERJ/A 
 
 
 ^lOS/VNCElfj^^ 
 o 
 
 "^aJAINd 3i\V^ 
 
 ;A;OF CAIIFO/?^ ^^WE UNIVERS/^ ^lOSANCflfj> 
 
 '^OAHVHflii^s^ '^(?Aavaan^'^ ^rjnowsov^ "^/sa^AiNn awv" 
 
 ^WLIBRARYO/-^ 
 
 '^aojiivjjo'^ 
 
 ^OF CAllFORi^ 
 
 ^CAavaaiiy^ 
 
 RVO/- <^IIIBRARYQ^ 
 
 Mi 
 
 . \V\t UNIVEB% 
 >- '^ — 
 
 o 
 
 o>:lOSANCElfj> 
 o 
 
 ^/^aJAINflJWV 
 
 ^J^lllBRARYO/: 
 
 ^;^MIBRARYQr^ 
 
 '%0JnVDJO>^ 
 
 ^tfOJIlVDJO'i^ 
 
 .\\^EUNIVERS/A 
 
 >■ — 
 
 <rii]ONVSoi^ 
 
 fOfiV ^OFCAllFO% 
 
 iii^"^ ^CAavaaiii^"^ 
 
 , ^WE UNIVERS/A 
 
 >- 
 
 < IN ^ 
 
 oo 
 
 ^>;lOSANCElfj^ 
 
 ^OFCAJJfOfiV 
 
 ;A.OfCALIF0ff^ 
 
 ,^WEUNIVERVA 
 5 
 
 ^J5i3DNvsoi^ %aaAiN(i]ftV^ '^OAavaaiii^^ '^OAavaaii-i'^'^ <rjuoNvsoi^ 
 
 lr^_ ^lOSANCElfj-^ 
 
 ^lllBRARYQ^ 
 
 ^IIIBRARYO/ 
 
 SOl^ ^aJAINflJi^V*' ^OJUVDJO"^ 
 
 ^d/OJITOJO"^ 
 
 ,^WEl)NIVERi■/A 
 
 v>clOSANCElfj> 
 
 ^J513DNVS01^ %a]AINn3WV' 
 
 ^^SMIIBRARYQ^ 
 
 o 
 '^<!/0JI]V3 JO^ 
 
 o 
 
 -Tt 
 O 
 
 -n 
 O 
 
 vj;lOSANCElfj-> 
 o 
 
 ■%a3AiNn]WV 
 
 ^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 ^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 ^OAavaaiii^"^ >&Aavaani'^'^ 
 
 ,^WEUNIVER5/A 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj-^ 
 o 
 
 , -< 
 
 ^/iajAiNn 3wv^ 
 
 ^OFCAIIFOR^ 
 
 ^OAavaani^ 
 
 iRYO/- <Al LIBRARYQ^^ 
 
 %0JI1V3J0'»' 
 
 . \Wt LNIVERy/A 
 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj->. 
 
 P . . . _ 
 
 CO 
 
 ■^/Sa3AIN(13Wv^ 
 
 ^^^IIIBRARYQ^ 
 
 ,^MlBRARYO/v 
 
 ^aOJIlVJJO'*^ 
 
 ^aojiivjjo^ 
 
 . ^\^E l)NIVERS/A 
 
 <rjl23NVS01^ 
 
 o 
 >■ 
 
 -;,0FCAIIF0% 
 
 ^(?Aavaan# 
 
 , ^\^E UNIVERS/A 
 
 ^lOSANCElfTx 
 
 ■<rill3NVS01^ 
 
 4? 
 
 ^OFCALIFOff^ 
 
 ^ i 
 
 ^OFCAIIFOSV 
 
 ^/ia3AiN(i3WV^ '^c'Aavaaiii'^'^ "^^<?A«vaaii# 
 
 , ^WE UNIVERS/A 
 
 <rjnoNVSoi^ 
 
 /ER% ^lOSANCflfx^ 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 I? 
 
 '^ 
 
 ■v/sa3AlN(l]i\v 
 
 ^lOSANCEtfj}> 
 
 o 
 
 I-- -I 
 
 ^'^lllBRARYO/^ 
 
 <^\mmof. 
 
 '^WJIWDJO^ 
 
 ,^OFCA1IFO% 
 
 C5 
 
 30 
 
 %OJITVDJO'^ 
 
 ^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 >&Aavaan#' 
 
 
 ^wsmmih 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj^. 
 
 
 .^WEUNIVERy/A. 
 
 cc 
 
 < — 1> ^• 
 
 "^/^a^AiNd^wv^ 
 
 vKlOSANCElfj> 
 
 o 
 
 ■<r?mNv^m:<^ 
 
 
 ^lllBRARYQr 
 
 ^0FCAIIF0R<^ 
 
 ^ >— 'P I- 5 
 
 >&AavHaiii^
 
 ^.Of LALIfO/?^ 
 
 ^OUAUFO/?^ 
 
 
 A\1t UNIVtK5/A 
 
 ^ o 
 
 .VlUVANUlfJ> 
 
 g ^^ — ^% 
 
 ^OFCALIF0% 
 
 ^ ^.OFCAllFORi^ 
 
 "^/iajAiNft^ftV^ '^OAavaaii-^^ "^OAavaan-y^^ 
 
 ^WEUNIVERJ/A 
 
 vj,lOSANCELfj> 
 
 o 
 
 <rjl]DNVS01^ %a3AIN(l-3rtV 
 
 ^^lllBBARYO/r ^tllBRARYQc 
 
 '^iOJIWDJO'^ "^tfOJITO J0>^ 
 
 ,^ME^JNIVERS//^ 
 
 ^lOSANCflCr^ 
 o 
 
 <riijoNvsoi^ ^/sa3AiNn3WV 
 
 ^tf£UNIVERj■/A 
 
 ^rjijDNVsm^'^ 
 
 vKlOSANCElfjv. 
 
 "^AaiMNflJHV 
 
 .~^;OFCAilF0% 
 
 ^OFCAllFOfti^ 
 
 . ^WE UNIVERS/A 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj> 
 
 o 
 
 ^CAavaan-5'^ ^OAavaan-^ ^J'juonysoi^ %a3AiNn3\\v^ 
 
 ^lllBRARYQc^ 
 
 ^,^tllBRARY(> 
 
 '^tfOJIlVJ JO^i^ 
 
 ^WJITOJO^ 
 
 , \\^E UNIVERJ/A 
 
 <ril]DNVS01^ 
 
 ^lOSANCElfXx 
 
 § ^^ ^rv 
 
 "^/^aaAiNnjwv" 
 
 ^tllBRARYO/r^ ^UIBRARYO/: 
 
 ^<!/ojiivojo^ ^<yojiiv:jo> 
 
 ^OFCAIIFO% 
 
 ^OfCAllFO%, 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^CAHVHflll-^'^ 
 
 '^^OKwmi^ 
 
 \«E UNIVER^/A 
 
 ■<r?l30NVS01^ 
 
 svlOSANCElfx> 
 o 
 
 AINillWV^ 
 
 ^OFCAllFOftj^ ^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 ^OAavaaiT^^ ^CAavaan-^"^ 
 
 .\yEyNIVERX/A 
 
 o 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj-^ -^^lUBRARYQ^ ^UIBRARYQ^ ^^WE UNIVER^/^ 
 
 "^Aa^AiNn-Jwv 
 
 %ojnvDjo^ 
 
 ^(i/OJIlVDJO^ 
 
 o 
 
 ^VlOSANCELfj-^ 
 
 %a]AINI13WV 
 
 .^WEUNIVERVa 
 ^ — -£> 
 
 o 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj-^ 
 
 , -< 
 
 ^Aa3AINn]WV^ 
 
 ^^OFCAilFO/?^ 
 
 ^OFCAIIFOP^ 
 
 jtiAavaaiii^ ^OAavaan-^^"^ 
 
 .^tfElNIVERS/A 
 
 ^lOSWlCElfx> 
 
 
 ■^/sa3AiNnmv^ 
 
 ^^lllBRARYOc 
 
 ^;^tllBRARYQ/: 
 
 ^.JOdnvjjo'^ 
 
 ^\\EUNIVERS•/A 
 
 oAclOSANCElfj> 
 
 %JI1V3J0^ -^fJUMSOl^ ^/ia3AINn3\V>> ^(!/0JllV3JO'^ 
 
 ^lllBRARYOx. 
 
 ^^^l■llBRARYQ<:. 
 i? 1 i^ ^ 
 
 o 
 
 ^OfCALIFOft)^ 
 
 ^OFCAIIFO% 
 
 C3 
 
 ^OAavaan# 
 
 ^OAavaalH'^'^ 
 
 , \WE UNIVER5/A 
 
 ^losmEifxx 
 g ^^ — .^ 
 
 <'513DNVS01^ 
 
 ■^/iasAiNnjwv* 
 
 ^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 ^^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 ^<3Aavaan-i'»'^ 
 
 ^OAavaani'^'^ 
 
 AWEUNIVERJ/a 
 
 .vWSANCElfj> 
 
 <rjijONVSoi^ %a3AiNn-3V\v^ 
 
 ^^tLIBRARYQr 
 
 %0JI]V3JO'^ 
 
 ^tllBRARYf?^ 
 
 33 
 
 AWEUNIVERJ/a 
 
 ^lOSANCELfj>. 
 
 ^iJlJDNVSOl^ 
 
 %a3AIN(13ftV 
 
 ^^WE■UNlVERS/^ 
 
 i 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj-^ 
 
 ^OFCAilFOff^ 
 
 ^OFCAIIFOP^ 
 
 .^MEUNIVERft^. 
 <s, — - 
 
 >- 
 
 ^■10SA.NCEI% 
 
 o 
 
 %a3AiNn3WV^ ^OAavaaiii'^ ^<?Aavaani'^'^ %13dkvsoi^ '^Aa3AiNn3HV 

 
 s 
 
 THE 
 
 "^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CIVIL WA 
 
 O F 
 
 Written in IT A LI A 3^, 
 
 ByRCDAVlLA. 
 
 Tranflated out of the ORigiJ\(^JL. 
 
 The Second Imprefllon , whereunto is Added a T A B LE. 
 
 In the S AVOr, 
 
 Pripted by T, ^. for Henry Herringman , at the ^kw 
 
 Anchor , in the Lower Walk of the "New Exchange^ 
 
 M. DC. LX XVIII.
 
 TO THE 
 
 E A D E 
 
 
 HIS A u T HO R is fo Cjenerally 
 Bfteemed in all Countries^ that 
 thofe who under jland not the Itali- 
 an, are glad to Converfe mth him 
 by an interpreter ; and even in 
 France, after fo many Hi/lories 
 as he there of the fame Times ^fe^ 
 vera! Imprefsions of this in their 
 Language have been bought ojf., vphereby rac may judge, they 
 thin\ Him to be hnpartial, and as Mporthy of Credit^ as the 
 be ft of their oys>n. J\(or hath He rpanted a due value here^ 
 for, our late Kjng, of ever (jlorious Memory fy whofe Com^ 
 mandy at Oxi^ord, this Tranflation ivas Continued and Fi^ 
 nilhed {though not begun ) read it there ^ mth fuch eager-' 
 nefs^ that no 'Diligence could IVrite it out faire^ f^f^ft ^^ f^^ 
 daily called for it : m/Joing he had had it fome years fooner , 
 out ofa'Beliefe, that being forevparned thereby. He might 
 have prevented many of thofe Mifchiefs vpe then groaned 
 under ; and which the Qr and Contrivers of them, had drawn 
 from this Original, as spiders do ^oifon from the mo/l whoU 
 fome Tlants, J he Truth is, their Swords had already Tran^ 
 fcribed it inEn^lidi^lood^ before this Ten had done it in 
 Englifh Inhe • and, it were not hard to name the very Ter^ 
 fons, by whom many of the fame Tarts were ABedover again 
 
 A 2 in 
 
 975430
 
 ,, To the READER. 
 
 in the Chit Wars of England ; the FaUion of our Presby- 
 terians ir* that Longer arliament, outvying thofe of theU\i^ 
 ^onots md of the Holy - League put together, llet, when 
 they hid follo)vcci the jleps of them hot h, as exaBly as they 
 could, thayn-ere out-vied themfehes by the Independents, 
 ivho far tranfc ended them all, in an unexampled Concluji^ 
 on, by the Horrid Murther of our ^yal Martyr, and by 
 enflaving the Kingdom under feveral Tyranies^ till His 
 Son's Miraculous i\ eftauration to His fusl IR^ghts^ "Re^ 
 jiored His Subjedls alfo to their Much aipiJIo' d- far Liber- 
 ties, ^uty I am not to Write a Preface, and therefore all 
 7 [l^all add^ is. That finding this BOOK fliU much fought 
 for, fince the former Imprejsion hath been Sold off, I ob^ 
 taind the Right of the Copy from Sir Charles Cottreli, 
 ( if\>hofe Work it tvas , all but fome Tieces here and 
 there in the Firjl Four ^ool^s ) ivith his Leave to Re- 
 print it , as 1 have no^v done, fo carefully, that I thinly it 
 hath not many grofs Faults • and, for thofe lejs confidera^ 
 hie, I doubt not but the obfervation of the Ingenious Reader 
 mil ea[ily find^ his care CorreB, and, I hope, his Candor par ^ 
 don them. 
 
 i#T 
 
 W 
 
 WW- 
 
 
 LICENSED, m^.i^. 1678. 
 KOGEK VESTKANGE. 
 
 i^i 
 
 j#
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 ?>fHE:K.%lCO CATE'RIS^O 'DAVILA. 
 The First BOOK. 
 
 I 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 N this Fuji BoohJ^fet dovon the Original of the French Nation : The Ele&ion 
 of their firU King Pharamond : The Infiitution of the Salique Lave : The 
 Rights and Prerogatives of the Princes of the Blood : TheSticcejJion of their 
 
 Kings to Lewis the IX. furnamed The Saint : The Dhifion of the Royal 
 Family into tvpo dijlinB branches , one called Valois , the other Bourbon : 
 The Jealoufies between them^ and i» ii>Me the fupprejjion of the Houfe tf/Bour- 
 bon : The original^ and raifing to greatnefs of place in the rooms of the Princes 
 of the Blood, the Families of G\jS&and Momorancy : The EmMUtions, and 
 Occurrences between them, in which the Guiles prevail. King Henry the Se- 
 cond is kjUed by accident in a Tournament : Francis his Son, a Touth ofwea^ 
 Conjiitution, fncceeds to the Crown : He gives the Government to his Mother 
 §lueen Caterine , and the Guifes : The Princes of Bourbon are offended 
 thereat: TheKingofN^vane, chief of the Family, upon that occafion goes 
 to Court, prevails little, goes from thence, and retires into Beam : The Prince 
 /7f Conde his Brother refolves to remove from the Government of the §lueen- 
 Mother and the Guifes : He is counfelled to make ufe of the Hugonots : Their 
 Beginnings and Do&rine : La Renaudie maizes himfelfchiefofaConJpiracy^ 
 and the Hugonots refolve to follow him : The Confpiracy is dtfcovered : The 
 King chufeth the Duke of GuiCe for his Lieutenant-General^ who without 
 much difficulty doth breaks, take and chajiife the Confpirators. 
 
 He Civil Wars, in which for the fpace of forty years together the 
 Kingdom of France was miferably involved, though on the one 
 fide they contain great Adions, and famous Enterprizcs, that 
 may ferve foy excellent Leflbns to thofe that maturely cunfider 
 them •■> yet on the other fide, they are fo confufed and intangled 
 in their own revolutions, that the reafons of many bufinelTes do 
 not appear, the counfelsof many determinations are not rightly 
 comprehended, and an infinite number of things notatall under- 
 ftood through the partiality of private Interefts, which under divers pretences hath ob- 
 jured the truth of them. True it is, that many excellent Wits have endeavoured to 
 
 B make
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 make of thefe a perfea: Story , by bringing to light fuch things as they have gathered 
 together with great diligence, and commendable indulby : Notwithftanding the diffi- 
 culties are fo many, and the impediments prove to be of fuch confequence , that in 2 
 multitude of accidents Call great and confiderable, but hidden and buried in the vaft 
 ruines of civil diffentions) his pains will not be lefs profitable to pofterity, who labours 
 todigeft them into an orderly method, than the endeavours of others formerly have 
 been. Wherefore, being in my infancy by Fate, that deftined me to a reftlefs life, tran- 
 fported into the inmoft Provinces of that Kingdom, where, during a long fpacc of time 
 which I lived there , I had the opportunity to obferve, and be an eye-witnefs of the 
 moft fecret and notable circumftances of fo remarkable palTages i I could not chufe a more 
 worthy matter, nor a more ufeful Study wherein to imploy my prefent Age, now come 
 to maturity, than to write from the very beginning, all the progrefs and order of thofe 
 troubles. And although the firft taking up of Arms, which hapned in the year 1 560. 
 was indeed before my time , fo that I could not be prefent at the beginning of thole 
 Civil Wars : neverthelefs 1 have diligently informed my felf by thofe very perlbns who 
 then governed the affairs of State ; fo that with the perfedt and particular knowledge 
 of all the following events, it hath not been hard for me to penetrate to the fitll root of 
 the moft ancient and remote ciufes of them. 
 
 This Story will contain the whole courfe of the Civil Wars, which brake forth upon 
 a fudden after the death of King Henry t\\t Second ■■> and varying in their progrefs, by 
 ftrange and unthought-of accidents , ended finally after the death of three Kings , ia 
 the Reign of King Henry the Fourth. But to form the Body of this Narration perfectly, 
 it will be convenient for me to look back fome few periods into the Original of the 
 French Monarchy i for the feeds of thofe matters which are now to be related , taking 
 their beginnings from times long fince paft , it is necefTary to lay a foundation, and to 
 explain all difficulties, that we may with more clearncfs come to the perfed knowledge 
 of modern things. But if in the performance of this my (b painful undertaking, I be 
 neither accompanied with eloquence of words, nor richnefs of conceit j yet being free 
 from thofe affecft^ions which ufually byafs the Pens of many Writers , I hope I (hall be 
 able to reach the proper order , and natural unfolding of thofe things which (having 
 been many years converfant in the Courts of Kings, and always adive in the firft Files 
 of Armies) I have learned of my felf by Experience and A(ffion. 
 
 Whilft the Roman Empire, with the tcrrour of Arms, upheld the Majefty of her Mo- 
 narchy, Cwhich with a large compafs embraced the greateft part of the known WorldJ 
 thofe few Nations, who, either defended with the generous fierccncfs of their own 
 courage, or by nature invincibly fortified , felt not the general yoak of flavery, being 
 reftrained within thofe Confines which necelfity prefcribed them , ftudied rather how 
 to preferve their own liberty in their native foil, than forcibly to invade the rights of 
 others. So in the Eaft, the Parthians had for a bridle to their fiercenefs the banks of 
 Euphratei •, fo in the Weft, the Germans for the moft part contained the force of their 
 Arms beyond the Khhi?. But afterwards, when the Dominion of the Romans, through 
 its own unbounded greatnefs, firft difunited it felf, or through change of ancient cu- 
 ftoms, began manifeftly to decline*, the barbarous Nations, ("that for a long time had 
 for their own defence only kept a Guard upon their Confines) the bridle being broken 
 and the bonds of fear fhaken off, affaulting on all fides the Roman Provinces , gave 
 beginning to new Principalities, and new Kingdoms. Hence it was that the fame of 
 fo many warlike people, till then wholly buried in its own obfcurity, began powerfully 
 to fpread it felf in the World ■■> and hence likewife it came to pafs, that ftranger peo- 
 ple, emuloufly getting pofTeilion of the moft fertile and beft Regions of the Univerfe, in 
 a (hort time changed them, not only in their Habits, Language and Cuftoms, but alfo 
 in their manner of Government, in their condition , and in theirnatnes : Co that all 
 parts being invaded by new Nations, and new Mafters, not only Britany from the ^ngif 
 that ufurped it, took the name of England ■■, not only Pannonia from the Humr, that- 
 ruled there , took the denomination of Hungarii i but infinite other Provinces in all 
 parts of the World had the like change i and even within the Confines of Itdy it felf, 
 the Longbeards gave the form and name to the State of Lombardy. 
 
 But amongft all thofe people, who, abandoning their native Country, endeavoured 
 to get new poffefTions, and ufurped others rights, there is not any one that for great- 
 nefs of Empire , well-policied Government , and unconquered Valour in Arms, and 
 above all, for length of time and continuance, can be compared to the French Nation. 
 
 For
 
 of France. The Firjl "Bool^ 
 
 For notwithftanding the famous incurfions of the OJlrogoths, the Vifi^oths , the Hun/^ 
 the Vandals, and the Longbeards ■■, yetfomeof them vaniflied like a flafliof lightning, 
 which dazling the fight with a fudden and unexpeded light, palTes away in a moment, 
 almoft unperceived : others had (b fmall a progrefs, that in a fliort time they loft both 
 their power and their greatnefs. But the Franks, after they had fought with, and 
 vanquiflied the moft glorious Nations, and made themfelves Lords of one of the moft 
 noble and beft parts of Europe, powerful in people, flourifhing in riches, renowned for 
 great and magnanimous adions, and glorious with a Majeftick Succetlion of Empire, 
 after the courfe of a thoufand and two hundred years , do continue at this prefent un- 
 corrupted in the fame kind of Government which at their firft beginning was by a lor-^ 
 mal and natural Law eftablifhed amongft them. 
 
 Thefe people which now call themfelves Frenchmen , and were formerly called 
 Jranks, whether they came long fince from the moft remote parts of /^^<», (as fome 
 among many modern Hiftorians have thought) or elfc had their firft beginning in the 
 bofom of Germany, fas the beft Writers have reafonably held i) certain it is, that when 
 the Roman Empire firft declined, they inhabited that Country towards the North which 
 lies upon the Khine between Bavaria and Saxony, and that FrancoMia to this time bears 
 the name of that Nation. Thefe people at firft, through terrour of the Romans, kept 
 themfelves together within their own Country where they were born, and ftreightned 
 in a narrow Territory, with great pains, provided neceflaries for life : but in progreft 
 of time, (as commonly tbofe which inhabit a cold Climat multiply without meafure) 
 they were increafed to fuch a number , that their little ill-built Cottages could no 
 longer contain them, nor (b fmall a Country afford them nourifhment. Wherefore (all 
 fear of the Romans being now ceafedj invited thereunto by the example of their other 
 neighbours, they refolved , by common advice , to feparate and divide themfelves into 
 two diftindt People i one of which fhould retain the wonted care and poffeflion of their 
 common Country i the other , expofed to hazard , provide by force of Arms greater 
 Commodities of living, and a more large and fertile Habitation. 
 
 This Confutation had no interruption in the end to which it tended, and the divi- 
 sion was made by a voluntary confent of every one. Thofe to whofc lot it fell to leave 
 their Country, although through generofity of courage accuftomed to the toils of War, 
 they feared not the danger of fo great an enterpriie > yet neverthelcfs they believed it 
 was not a defign to be remitted wholly to chance, but to be governed by mature deli- 
 beration, and weighty counfels. Wherefore being all affembled in the fields near the 
 River Sala , to coufult of thofe things which were neceffary for fuch an expedition, 
 and knowing well that a tumultuous and unfetled kind of Government could not con- 
 duce to the effecting their ends, they determined, before any thing elfe , to eftablifh 
 by univerfal confent the form of their future Government. And, as people accuftomed 
 for many Ages to live under the (ble rule of one Prince, knowing alfb perhaps, that the 
 qualities of a Monarchy are moft agreeable and beft proportioned to thofe that afpire 
 to great atchievements, and enlargement of Empire, they refolved to chufe themfelves 
 a King, upon whom fhould be conferred the whole authority of all. To fb great a 
 power was added this priviledge » That the Kingdom fhould be hereditary in the de- 
 fcent of him that was to be chofen > wifely forefeeing, that if from time to time they 
 fhould make a new election , it might eafily breed Civil difcord amongft themfelves, 
 which without all doubt would hinder the fuccefs of any enterprize whatfoever. So 
 (as the beginnings of things ufc for the moft part to bedircded with fincerity of mind 
 to their proper end, the publick good ) all ambition and private interefts laid afide, 
 they chofe by common accord for their King, Fharamond, one of the fbns of Marconir, 
 a Prince , not only by defcent, (being of the fame Blood, which that people were ufed 
 for many Ages paft to obey) but in vertue alfo •> being fingularly valiant, and inoft 
 deeply wife in the Government of affairs i confenting, that to his pofterity fnould defL-end 
 the fame power and the fame name, until a legitimate defcendent of his failing, the 
 right fhonld return to the people of chufing a new Lord. 
 
 But-becaufe Authority without Hmitation commonly converts it felf into deftru(ftive 
 Kcentioufncfs, at the fame time that they eledled their King , they would eftablifh cer- 
 tain Laws, which were to remain perpetual and immutable in all times, and in which 
 fhould be comprehended in brief the general confent, as well in the fucceilion of the 
 Kings, as in every other part of the future Government. Thefe Laws propofed by 
 their Priefts which were anciently denominated Sal"-, and decreed of m the fields, 
 
 B a which 
 
 The Frinconi- 
 ans, a people 
 
 not I cing able 
 to fubflft in 
 iheir own 
 Country, ilTue 
 out in armed 
 multitudes, 
 and poi.efs 
 themfelves of 
 the C»lli»'». 
 
 chofen firft 
 King of the 
 FrfiicS at tb« 
 river <«/ , and 
 the Siliqus 
 LawslUbliih- 
 cd. 
 
 The Stiii, 
 Pticfts.
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil JVars 
 
 The Funks 
 began to cn- 
 viJe the Gal- 
 lu's in the 
 y:ar4i9. be- 
 ing then pof. 
 ttffti by :;,£ 
 Konuns. 
 
 r'ciidn the fe- 
 cond King, 
 m]Je liimfclf 
 M»i:erofB ;. 
 gi.i, anJ this 
 WIS firll con- 
 quered. 
 
 Mtrf'ut the 
 third Kin;;, 
 continues his 
 Cfmquefts as 
 fir as Fms, 
 and unites the 
 two Nations 
 into oae. 
 
 Princtsof the 
 Blood. 
 
 The AfTemhly 
 of the Statrs 
 hath the pow- 
 er of thewhole 
 tCingdoDi 
 The pre emi- 
 nencicsof the 
 HoyalFamilyj 
 Inheritance, 
 and Adn^int- 
 ftraeitin. 
 
 which from the river 5 j/j, take the fame name, were called Saliqus Lawsy and Cafter 
 the eftablKhment of the Kingdom) original and fundamental Conllitutions. After this 
 principal foundation , all other things rcfolvcd on that were neceffaty for the prefent 
 Government, and adTantageous to the dellgn in hand, having paifed the Rhine under 
 the condudt of their firlt King Vbararmnd , they betook themfelves to the conqueft of 
 the CjIu's , about the year of our Salvation Four hundred and nineteen, leaving the 
 Dominion of Franconia to the old Prince Marcnmir, 
 
 The Gallia's were as yet poffcflcd by the Koman Emperours , but much declined 
 from their firlt ftrength and grcatncfs, partly through C ivil dilfentions, partly through 
 the incurlions of divers barbarous Nations , by whofc fury they had been long time 
 much walkd and fpoiled v which was the caufe that the Franks Army found much left 
 difficulty in their conqueft than the Romans did formerly. Neverthclefs they were not 
 fubdued without great "refinance, and much time fpent. For the P\oman Legions ap- 
 pointed to guard that Province, being joined , for their own defence, with the G<i«/x 
 themfelves, held theiirft KmgTh.ndmund at a bay, till his end drawing near, he left 
 the care of the whole enterpri2e, and of the people, to his fon CW/j«. This man, 
 of a fierce courage , in the lirfl flower of his age, having many times fought with the 
 inhabitants of the Country, and having overcome and driven out the Roman forces, be- 
 gan to mafter that part of GMa^ which lying ncarclf to the Khim^ is by common con- 
 fent of Writers called Belgica. To him fucceeded Meroue, whether brother or fon to 
 Clodian, is not certain, but out of doubt, neareA to him, and of the fame race, con- 
 formable to the Salique Law. He with happy fucccfs advancing into GaUia-Cehica, 
 propagated the Empire of the Franks as far as to the City of furif : And now thinking 
 he had gotten enough to main-ain his people, and to form a compleat moderate Empire, 
 flayed the courfe of his Conquclfs j and having conceived thoughts of peace, joined 
 both Nations under the fame namej and with moderate Laws and a peaceful kind of 
 rule, founded and eftabliflied in the GuHia's, the Kingdom of the French. 
 
 This was thefirft original and foundation- ftone of that Monarchy i in which, as the 
 defcent of their Kings hath ever conrtantly remained in the fame Progeny, fo in all Ages 
 the firfi rules of Government have been moff religioufly obfcrved , neither power of 
 Command, nor authority of Laws lofingany thing, th'.ough time, of their firft ob- 
 fervation, and ancient fplendor. Thoft Laws ordained in the beginning by the uni- 
 verfal confent of all the people, exclude the Female Sex from the Royal Succeflion, and 
 admit only to the inheritance of the Crown the neareft Males i by which means, the 
 Empire of that Nation, by a continued and uninterrupted Succeflion, always remaincth 
 in the fame EIooJ. From the difpolition of tWsLaw, the Princes of the Blood derive 
 their name and privilcdges j for being all capable through default of the next heir, in 
 their order to fucceed to the Crown, they have in that conlideration great intereft in the 
 State, and the privilcdges of their families preferved with great reverence from the 
 people ■■> no time nor diltance of degrees prejudicing the confervation of that order 
 which Nature prefcribes them to the Succeflion of the Kingdom. Fot which caufe, 
 though in the courfe of time, divers families, through fundry accidents, have changed 
 their names i as fomc have taken the firname of F^j/w'j- , others of Bo«rZ>o«, others of 
 Orleans ^ oth&is oi Angolefme ^ ot\\txs oi Vendojifie, othcxs of Alanfon , and others of 
 Montpenjier; yet for all that they have not lofl the trace of their Royal Confanguinity, 
 nor the right of fucceeding to the Crown i but the pre-eminencies of their Blood, and 
 the fame priviledges are ever from time to time preferved to all. 
 
 And becaufe it is evident liow much they are all concerned in the cuflody and pre- 
 fervation of fb great an inheritance, of which they are all fucceflively capable, it hath 
 therefore ever been a cuftom , that the next of Blood fhould be Guardian to the Pu- 
 pils, and Governour of the Kingdom, during the minority or abfenceof the lawful 
 King. Reafon willing, that the Government fhould not be committed to ftrangers, or 
 thofc altogether Aliens, who might endeavour to deflroy and difmember the Union of 
 fo noble a Body ■■> but to fuch, who, born of the fame flock, ought in reafon to attend 
 the prefervation of the Crown , as their own birth-right. Nor is this Prerogative a 
 cuftomonly, but the States-General of the Kingdom (which AlTembly hath the power 
 of the whole Nation) having often confirmed it with their confent, and ordered it to. 
 be fo i it is fince become as a decreed Law, and a firm cflablifhed Conilitution. 
 
 The Royal Houfe then enjoys two. Pre-eminencies : the one in matter of Inheritance i 
 the other, of Adminiffratiqn : that, when any King dies without tnale-children v this, 
 
 when
 
 of France. The Firft "Boo^. 
 
 5 
 
 when the abfcnce or minority of the Prince requires fome other perfbn for the Govern- 
 Hient and management of the State. Thefe two Priviledges that are always inherent 
 in thofe of the Royal Line, have been a caufe that the Princes of the Blood have ever 
 held a great authority with the people, and had a great part in the Government of the 
 Kingdom. For they themfelves have ever been very vigilant in the adminiftration of 
 the Empire, which they elteemed, reafonably enough, as their own i and the people, 
 conceiving the Government might, at (()me time or other, fall into their hands, have 
 ever had them in great veneration i and fo much the rather, becaufe it hath often been 
 found by experience, that the eldeft Line failing, the Crown hath been devolved upon 
 the younger family. 
 
 So the Regal Authority having an orderly fuccelTion in the race of Meroues^ after- 
 wards in the family of Carotins ^ and laflly in that of the Capetts ■■, after many Ages, 
 Letvif the Ninth of that name poffeffed the Kingdom '■> He who for innocency of life, 
 and integrity of manners, was after his death de'ervedly written in the Kalendar of 
 Saints. Of him were born two fens i Philip the Third, llrnamed The Hardy-, and 
 Kobcrt^ the younger. Count of Cleremont, From Vhilip came the eldeft Line, which 
 enjoyed the Crown more than three hundred years, with the firname oi^ Falok : from 
 Hobert defcended the Houfe of Bourbon^ fb called (as it is a cuftom among the French^ 
 from that State of which they bare the Title, and enjoyed a long time as their own In- 
 heritance. 
 
 Now whilft the Houfe of Valois polTefled the Crown, the Houfe of Bourbon held by 
 confequence the rank of ftrji Prince of the Blood , and enjoyed all thofe priviledges 
 which we faid before by Law and Cuftom belonged to that quality. This Family, 
 great, not only through nearnefs to the Crown, but alfo in large pofleffions, abundance 
 oftreafure, reputation in war, and fruitfulnefs of ofT-fpring > producing likewife fre- 
 quently men of a liberal nature , and popular civility i eallly exceeded the limits of a 
 private life i and with the finews of its own ftrength, together with the favour of the 
 people, eftablifned it fclf in an cxceffive ftate of greatnefs : which begetting jealoufie, 
 and envy in the Kings, who were difpleafed at fo great an eminence and authority, 
 bred many occafions of hate and fufpition i which fometimes alfo brake forth into open 
 war. For Letpii the Elevcqth, King of Fr.f«(.-e, made war upon John^ Duke of Bo«r- 
 boK^ in the war intituled, Far thsCommonrvealth-., and Lm-M the Twelfth (though be- 
 fore he came to the Crown) tried the fuccefs of Arms with Fetrr of Bourbon ■■, and fo, 
 what by open defiance, what through fccret malice, the Kings of France grew daily 
 more and more jealous of the Authority of the Princes of Bourbon. 
 
 At the length, Fran^'n the Firlt came to the Crown v who in the beginning of his 
 Reign , led by the ardour and facility of youth , began with great demonftration of 
 aftedtion, to confer honour upon the chief Princes of the Blood > it feeming a thing 
 fuitable to that magnificence he fhewed towards all men , and to the greatnefs of his 
 mind, that thofe Lords moft nearly allied to him, fliould be moft exalted, both for the 
 honour of the Royal Line, and for his own particular reputation : And having obferved 
 in Charles of Bourbon^ (who was the firft Prince of the Blood j a generous courage, and 
 a genius fit for any employment , he promoted him to be High Conftable of France s 
 and refolved that all the weighty affairs and principal charges of the Kingdom, (hould 
 pafs only thorow his own hands, and thofe that were neareft of relation to himfclf. But 
 when he came to age more mature , the fervour of youth being paft , and finding by 
 being converfant in affairs, the reafons by which his Predeeeffors guided their coun- 
 fels, with how much greater earneftnefs he ftrove formerly to raife the Houfe of Bour- 
 bon, with £o much the more anxiety of mind he laboured now to abafe their exceffive 
 greatnefs. 
 
 Nor did fortune fail to ptefent anoccafion, wonderfully proper for the execution 
 of his defign. For there being a Proccfs at that time between Louyfe , the Kings Mo- 
 ther, and Charles of Bourbon, for the fame Dutchy which he then held, the King thought 
 with himfelf, that if he caufed Judgment to be given in favour of his Mother, and 
 deprived the Houfe of Bourbon of their fundamental revenues, the Duke would ealily 
 fall frcm that power and dignity which was chiefly upheld by fo fplcndid a fortune. 
 
 But Charles, having (by the proceeding of his bufinefs j difcovered the deceitful 
 pradtices of the Chancellor Antonio del Frato , by the Kings inftigation, againft him. 
 difdain of the injury, and fear of ruine, which was inevitably prepared, fo much pre- 
 vailed over him, that joyning fecretly with the Eroperour C^.?r/f/ the Fifth, 2.t\A Henry 
 
 the 
 
 The Royal ra- 
 ces J The M.- 
 ro»c, fj'</i, 
 Cdfrttu and 
 Viilcts,Si.Li.wii 
 the Ninth. 
 
 The Crown 
 continued in 
 the Houfe of 
 Valcis three 
 hundred years. 
 
 I515. 
 
 The Houfe of 
 Behrban being 
 rtx: to the 
 CrowDj and 
 grrwn to a 
 monllrous 
 greatnefs, wai 
 Ijated, kept 
 under, and 
 fupprcffcd bf 
 the Kings. 
 
 FMXeijthe 
 firftadvancecL 
 Chdrics of 
 'BnrliCK, and 
 afterwards 
 fuppriffeth 
 him ; where. 
 upon he rebei- 
 !eth.
 
 6 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 The Houfe of 
 
 dcftends from 
 otic of thofc 
 who irtutd out 
 of Tranr^Kt^ 
 with the 6rft 
 King li)Ara- 
 mohdj and pre- 
 tttidsiobe the 
 firftthacrecci- 
 VCtl Baptifni. 
 
 ^mt it ' Me- 
 Ticurcy . alter 
 the death of 
 B wrfrr, made 
 Hieh Corfta. 
 He. 
 
 The Houfe of 
 Cfci/f defcen- 
 ded from that 
 of/.trciti, rec- 
 kons in the 
 male-line of 
 their locenors 
 G-'iif'cy ofBut- 
 'rB.Kin^ of /«• 
 rnfytm • and 
 flievvs a pedi- 
 gree from a 
 datiohter cf 
 t^ ' Ui the 
 Cre»t. 
 
 the Eighth of En<iland, he began to confpire againft the Kingdom, and the very perfon 
 of the King. Which being difcovered , he was conftrained to flee, and afterwards 
 bare Arms againft him > and continuing that courfe, it fo fell out, that he was laft of 
 all General to Csfar in the Battel at Yatia--, where, after a bloody flaughter in the 
 the French Army, the K ing, invironcd by divers Squadrons of Foot, was at length 
 taken prifoner. For thefefads Charles being declared Rebel, and all his eftate confif- 
 cate •, and having within a (hort time after, at the taking of Koine, loft his life alfo ; 
 the Houfe of Bourbon fell from that envied greatnefs, which had caufed fuch jealoufie 
 
 in the King. , r f t i ^r , 
 
 This was not fufficient to ftop the perfecution now begun : tor although Charles were 
 unhappily dead without children , and though the others of the family did in noway 
 partake of his counfds i notwithftanding, the King, more fwayed with revenge of the 
 injuries paft, than the force of reafon > all the Lords of that Houfe, more through 
 hate of their name, than any delinquency in their perfons, were utterly deprived cf 
 all favour at Court , and wholly removed from the management of affairs. And al- 
 though this rigour was in timefomewhat kffened, and the Kings mind fo far mitiga- 
 ted, as to forget things part, and to lay by the ill opinion he had conceived of them i 
 notwithftanding he continued ftudioufly to endeavour to cut off all means whereby thofe 
 Princes might return to their former honour, and that power to which they were for- 
 merly with fo much favour advanced. 
 
 This fccret intention of the Kings was very well obferved by Charles Duke of Vew 
 dofme, the chief of that Houfe. Wherefore forcing himfelf with moderation of mind 
 to overcome the fufpition and jcaloufies that fo oppreffed his family, he refufed, du- 
 ring the Kings imprifonmcnt , to pretend to the Regency which of right belonged to 
 him •, and after the King was delivered, having retired himfelf to the quiet of his own 
 domeftick affairs, fought not to be recalled to any part in that Government in which he 
 knew himfelf fo much fufpeded. The reft of the fame Houfe following his example, 
 to flicw how much they were ftrangers to the wicked counfels of BoKrbon, by being fuch 
 ready Executors, though to their own diminution and prejudice, of the Kings inclina- 
 tions, voluntarily withdrew themfelves from all bufinefs that might breed any fufpition 
 of them i and ftanding retired, little troubled themfelve^ with the charges and com- 
 mands at Court ; among which, defpifing the little ones, they already perceived it was 
 impoftibje for them to attain to thofe dignities which they knew belonged to the great- 
 nefs oftheir birth. 
 
 The Houfe of Bourbon thus fupprelTcd, and removed from the affairs v there fprang 
 up under Francis the Fir ft, two great families, which within a fliort time got the whole 
 bufinefs of the State into their own hands v Momorancy and Guife, neither of them any 
 way allied to the Houfe Royal, but both the one and the other of very eminent Nobi- 
 lity. That of Momorancy keeps a venerable record of the eminency of their Anceftors > 
 for they do not only (hew a right defcent from one of thofe Barons that accompanied 
 the firft King Tharamond in the Salique Expedition i but prove alfo, they were the firft 
 among the French Nation, that received Baptifm, and the Chriftian Faith : wherefore 
 among other marks of Nobility, thofe of that family give this device : Veus primum 
 Cbrijiianttm fcrvet , as an undoubted tcftimony of the antiquity and piety of their Pre- 
 deceflbrs. From this ftock came Anne oi Momorancy, a man of great quicknefs of wit, 
 but a moderate difpofition , who, befides his natural dexterity and gravity, being ac- 
 companied with a fingular induftry, and exceeding patience in the various changes of 
 the Court, he knew fo well in what manner to gain King YrancU his affedion, that ha- 
 ving palTcd thorow other great charges, he was firft by him promoted to the Office of 
 Grand Mafter, and a little after the death oi Bourbon, to the dignity of High-Conftable, 
 and had then the Government of the War, and Superintendency of the Affairs wholly in 
 his own hands. 
 
 But the Houfe of Lori7i«, from' which are defcended the Lords oiGuife, deriving their 
 original from great antiquity, reckon in the male-line of their PredecefTors, Gadfny of 
 BuUen : He who being Central of the Chriftians at the recovery of the holy Sepulchre, 
 attained in Afia by his Piety and Arms , the Kingdom of Jerufalem j and by the Mo- 
 thers fide, fticws a long continued pedigree from a daughter of the Emperour C/;jr/f/ 
 the Great. In this Family, flourifliing in wealth, and powerful in poffeilions, Anthony 
 Duke of Lorain obtaining the Soveraignty over his own people, Claudian the younger 
 brother, (a Prince of excellent vertue, and no lefs fortunate^ going fome little time 
 
 after
 
 of France, l^he Firjl "Boo^. 
 
 after into France, to take pofTelTion of the Dutchy of Cuife, gave fuch clear teftimony 
 of his condudt and valour in the Wars , that after the Battel of Marignan, wherein he 
 commanded the Almans, being found mofl: grievoufly wounded among thickeft of the 
 dead bodies, and almoft miraculoufly recovered, he ever after held the firft place of re- 
 putation among the French Commanders. But though both thefe Families had defer- 
 ved Co well, as it was not eafie to judge which fhould have the pre-eminence ; yet as 
 Guife was fuperiour in birth , and large polTeffions, fo the Conftable had the advantage 
 of the Kings favour, and chief management of the affairs. The truth is, as the con- 
 dition of the Court is ever various and unconftant , fo both of them towards the end 
 o{ Francis his Reign, pafled thorow many accidents of great hazard and difficulty. For 
 the Conftable, who was a chief inftrument in perfwading the King to credit the pro- 
 mifes of the Emperour Charles the Fifth, and to give him a fafe conduct when he was 
 forced in hafte to pafs quite thorow the Kingdom unarmed, to fupprefs the Rebellion 
 ztGannt: afterwards the Emperours deeds not any way correfponding with his words, 
 fell into fuch difgrace with the King and Court , that being noted by every one for a 
 h'ght faithlefs man, he was forced to abfent himfelf, and retire to a private life, to be 
 fecure from the perfecutions of his adverfaries. And the Duke of Gttife having without 
 Commiffion carried fbme Companies of fouldiers within theKingdom to aid his Bro- 
 ther, the Duke of Lorain, in the War againft the Anabaptifts, fo incenfed the King, 
 that he was likewife forced , by withdrawing himfelf, to give place to the adverfity 
 of fortune. 
 
 The Conftable and the Duke of Guife thus gone from Court , there came in their 
 places to the Government of the affairs, Claud d'Annibaut Admiral, and Francis^ Car- 
 dinal of Tournon v men that by long experience and induftry had acquired a great re- 
 putation of wifdom ■■> but of fuch private condition for their birth and fortune, that 
 they could never afcend to that fufpeded greatnefs , which the King , as dangerous, 
 abhor r'd in any fubjedl. 
 
 Some arc of opinion , that the King, a Prince of exquifite fagacity in timely difco- 
 vering the natures and inclinations of men, at fuch time when through pafled adverfi- 
 ties, he was grown to be of a difficult and jealous nature, made it his ftudy to fupprefs 
 and banifh from Court the Conftable and the Duke of Guife, whom before he fo much 
 loved, and fo conftantly favoured i fuppofing he could never reign abfolutely, nor rule 
 as he lifted, whilft he had men about him of fuch power and reputation, who were in a 
 manner able to balance his will. And as in the Conftable, that which moft offended 
 him, was his great experience, and too much knowledge, through which he believed 
 he could not conceal from him his moft fecret and hidden defigns : fo in the Duke of 
 Cuife, he was difpleafed not only with the eminency of his birth , but alfo the reftlef- 
 nefs of his thoughts ; perceiving in thofe of that Family adifpofition and inclination 
 ready to embrace any feafonable opportunity i and withal, an ability not unfit to ma- 
 nage any whatfoever weighty or dangerous defign. They add alfo, that towards his 
 end he gave fecretly this advice to his Son Henry the Second, That hejhould beware of the 
 excejjive greatnefi of his Subjects, hut particularly of the Houfe of GuiCc i n>ho, if they were 
 fuffered to grojv too higlj, would without doubt moleji the quiet of the Kingdom. Which, 
 though I dare not affirm, having no other teftimony than publick Fame, which often 
 proceeds from malice i yet it is certain, the things which fince hapned have added great 
 credit to that report. 
 
 But howlbever it were, Francis the Firft being dead, the new King Henry the Second 
 (inclined rather to follow the appetite of his own will, than the advertifements and fb 
 late example of his father) removed at firft da(h from Court, and from their places, 
 all thofe that before had any part in the Government, and fubftituted into their rooms 
 the fame men whom the deceafed King had taken occafion to difcharge of their truft. 
 Prefently were difmifTed from all employment the Admiral, and the Cardinal of Tour- 
 non , both of them privy to thofe fecrets which for many years were negotiated by this 
 Prince, and his Prcdeceftbrs ■■, in whofe room were called to the principal charges of 
 State Anne de Monwrancy High-Conftable, and Francis of Lorain, Son to Claud Duke 
 oi Guife. Thefe being made as it were Moderators of the Kings youth , and Arbi- 
 trators in the Court of all bufineffes of confequence, though they had feveral thoughts, 
 feveral ends and inclinations, yet in power and authority were in a minner the fame. 
 For the Conftable, a man ripe in years, a friend to peaceful counfels, andof a longpra- 
 <^ical experience in the Art of Governing, grew to an exceeding opinion of wifdom, 
 
 4nd 
 
 K^Kne of Mg' 
 mcrnncy and 
 the Duke of 
 Guife fall into 
 difgrace with 
 King FrUKCit. 
 
 1547- 
 
 Mo'Kvntitcjtnd 
 C*i/e are re- 
 called to the 
 management 
 of the affairs 
 by Henry the 
 Seccnd.
 
 8 The Hi (lory of the Ctvil Wars 
 
 and held the firrt place in the management of the affairs of State. But the Duke of 
 Cafe beinsin the flower of his age, ftrong of body, ot a noble prefence full of viva- 
 citv of courage and of a ready wit for any generous notable adtion, had the air and 
 favour of the Court i was admitted by the King to a familiarity of converfation, and as 
 it were a companion in all hispleafuresand youthful exercifes : fothat his afFedion to 
 the Conlkble was rather refpeft, and his inclination to the Duke of Cuife might ra- 
 ther be called acquaintance. Their ways alfo were very diiferent i for the Conftable 
 loving parfimony and moderation, with a certain kind of pride that ufually accompanies 
 old a^e flighting the applications of Grangers, oftentimes oppofed with his authority 
 the Kings liberality, and full of aufterity, and fevere conftancy, little efteemed the po- 
 pular applaufe. But quite contrary, the Duke of Guife, affable of fpcech, and popular 
 in hisadions, with oltcntation of liberality and pleafantnefs. laboured to win the affe- 
 dionsof all the fouldiers \ and by taking into his protedion thofe that were in necef- 
 Cty, fought to gain the dependency and affedlions of itrangers. Hence began (as it 
 often happens) to rife an emulation betwixt them i for finding they were equally lo- 
 - , • V ved and credited, they both laboured with all their power to get the advantage of each 
 t "ccnVh" "*" other in the Kings favour, and adminiftration of affairs. Wherein, befide their natu- 
 ^hrDilkc"/ ral inclination, they were upon all occafions animated by their neareft Allies : TheCon- 
 clifj " " liable by Jiiffer de Colig^uy, Lord of Chaftillon, his filters fon, who after the death of 
 Anttebattt^ was created Admiral oi France ■■> a man of fubtil wit and efteemed valour: 
 and the Duke of G«i/f, by his brother Charles, Cardinal of Lorain ■ who though he were 
 lingular in learning and gracefulnefs of fpeech, thofe excellent endowments received no 
 Httle luftre from his dignity and noble prefence. 
 
 Fortune was not flack in opening a large field to ftir up this emulation : For the 
 Emperour Charles the Fifth preparing a mighty Army to befiege Mets a place of ftrength, 
 which they pretend belongs to the Empire, but placed upon the Frontiers, ferves in a 
 manner as a Bulwark to France : and the greatnefs of the preparations ftriking a terrour 
 through all the Kingdom , it appeared fit that one of the Kings Favourites fliould be 
 chofen to manage the troublefom command of that War. But the Conftable being novy 
 aged, being above fixty years old, defiring rather to continue about the K ings perfon, 
 than to expofe the reputation he had already gotten to new hazards, feemed filently to 
 refufe the weight of fo great a charge. On the contrary, the Duke of Gk//>, who faw 
 there was no other way left to raife himfclf in favour and reputation above Momorancy^ 
 but by arms, being of a warlike genius, and great courage, fought openly that imploy- 
 menr. So the Conftable, glad of the advantage, to fee the life and reputation of his 
 Rival expofed to fuch danger , either giving confent, or not contradicting it, the de- 
 fence of Mets was wholly committed to the Duke of Guije i who with his valour and 
 conduA having fully anfwered the expedlation of all men , difcharging himfelf with 
 great honour in fo doubtful an cnterprife, remained in fuch reputation both with the 
 King, and all the French Nation , that afterwards , a General being to be fent into 
 Italy, to recover the Kingdom of Naples, there was no doubt but that charge fliould be 
 conferred upon him. And although the War of Italy was altogether without fuccefs, 
 cr but of little advantage, not by the Dukes fault, but partly through the ordinary de- 
 kH of the French Souldiers, partly through the unconftancy of Confederates j he never- 
 thelefs grew in greater authority and reputation than happily he would have done by a 
 viifirory. 
 
 For Philip the Second, King of Spain, to whom his Father Charles the Fifth had 
 furrendred the Government of his Kingdom, having brought an Army upon the con- 
 fines oi^ France out o( Flanders , and to divert the War of Italy, invaded Ficardy, the 
 Conftable who was Governour of that Province, was forc'd to abfent himfelf from the 
 King , and once more , againft his will, to try the fortune of War, when lofing the 
 Battel of S. ^dntin, and being taken prifoner by the Spaniards, to the evident danger 
 and great terrour of all the adjacent Provinces, the Kings Council thought it neceffary 
 to recal out of Italy the Duke of Guife to oppofc the fury of the Enemy, and to pro- 
 vide againft thofe dangers , and repair thofe loffes which the overthrow given to the 
 Conftables Army had occafioned : Which expeftation was fo fully anfwered, not only by 
 the expedition he made thither ^ but by the memorable fieges of Calais, Guines, and 
 Ihionville, that he was ever after without fcruplc thought as far fuperiour to the Con- 
 ftable, as the Vidor ought to be above the vanquiftied. 
 
 But the Conftable being in prccefs of time freed from his imprifonment, and returned 
 
 to
 
 of France. The Firjl ^Boo\. 
 
 to Court, it foon appeared, that the King began to renew his forir,er inclination to- 
 wards him : for, attributing his late misfortune to the uncertain chance of War, he 
 received him into the fame ncarnefs as before, and again made ufe of his counftl, by 
 which he was cafed (being wholly addidled to his pleafurej of the intolerable burthen 
 ofbiifincfs. whereupon the Duke of G«f/} , and his Brother the Cardinal of Lc/i^i;;, 
 the one in War, the other in Civil matters, of great reputation and credit, doubting 
 he would cafily recover his former power, if there were not fome ftratagem or impe- < 
 
 diment laid in iiis way i they refolved to llde with I>u>?j, Dutchefs oiValentinois s and 
 fo joining intereftsand a firidrleagueof fricndfhip, under the protedion of her favour 
 to maintain their own greatnefs. This Vun^ was of a noble Family, and defcended 
 from the Counts of PoiUiers^ endowed in her youth with rare and fingular beauty, of 
 a courtly ,lively,and graceful behaviour, of a flowing fprightly wit, and indeed adorned 
 with all thofe qualities that render young Ladies efteemed and favoured. She was 
 married to the Sencfchal of Normandy^ and by him having had two daughters, in a 
 fliort time after became a widow •, then that yoak fhaked off", letting her felf loofe to 
 the pleafures of the Court, (he prefcntly became fb abfolutely Miftrefs of the Kings afFe- 
 dions, that Che difpofed of him as ibe pleafed •, and not degenerating from her womans 
 nature, governed fo licentiouily, and with fuch greed inefs appropriated all the riches 
 of the Crown, that fhe became intolerable to the whole Kingdom, and univerfally ha- 
 ted of all men. For the Queen (although (he made fhcw of the contrary J through dif- 
 dain of being rivalled, was inwardly her bitter enemy s and the Nobility, who tlirough 
 her womanifh malice and pratSiccs, were many of them illufed, and difobliged, could 
 not endure to fubmit themfclves and their fortunes to her peevifh humour i and the 
 people ceafed not tocurfc her covetoufnefs perpetually, attributing the caufe of all their 
 Taxes which they fo groaned under, only to her avarice. 
 
 But the Gniffx ^ follicited only with the fear of falling from their greatnefs, fo 
 which they had climbed thorow fo many difficulties, having no regard to this univer- 
 fal hate, much Icfs to any other refpeft, refolved to fecure themfclves under her prote- 
 <ftion and favour i which in a fliort time grew fo partial on their lidc, that having mar- 
 ried one of her daughters to the Duke of Aumah their third brother, they united all 
 their powers to one and the fame end. But the Conftable foon perceived the fubtil 
 pradlices of the Gttifes , and not abfolutely relying upon his own ftrength , nor the 
 Kings favour, thought likewife of making his addrcffes to the fam.c 2?w«<? i and, as 
 the Gn'ifcs had allured her with the greatnefs of their alliance , to win and draw her to 
 his party by fatisfying her covetoufnefs, a paffion by which he perceived Ihe was no left 
 fwayed than by her ambition : Wherefore beginning to ufe her with great refpeft, to 
 gain her the fooner, at the fame time he gave her many rich prefents , and was fo far 
 tranfported with the defire of effeding his purpofe, that, all greatnefs of fpirit laid 
 afide, he refolved to take for his daughter-in-law, aNeeceof hers, whom he married 
 to his fecond Son Henry Lord of Vanville •, which was fb much the more unadvifedly 
 done, by how much Vijna already ftreightly united with the Guifes , really endea- 
 voured to maintain their power, and favour'd the Conlkbles defigns in appearance and 
 (hew only. 
 
 From henceforward it was in vain any longer to oppofe the greatnefs of the Guifer, 
 For befides the merits of their adtions, in the fame time that this contention was at the 
 highefl for fuperiority > Franch the Daulphine of France , and the Kings eldeft fon, 
 took to wife M^ry, only heir to the Kingdom of Scotland^ who was daughter to James 
 Stuart^ then lately deceafed, and Mary o{ Lorain, fifter to the Duke of G/w/i' and the brocher"of 
 Cardinal i fo great an alliance, that they feemed now to have the fame intereft with the- '^^l[l^^^l 
 Crown V in fo much, that nothing remaining to the Conftable and his, but the Kings niftrarorsof 
 ufual countenance, and fome natural propenfity of kindnefs to himi nor to the other anj''"'']",^ 
 Lords and Barons of Francs, but only the charges and offices of lefs confequence ; the Govemmtnr, 
 three brothers oi Guifs got into their hands all the principal dignities and chief Govern- ^heir"ai'i'ian[e 
 ments of the Kingdom., together with the Superintendcncy of all the affairs both Mar- with theDou 
 tial and Civil. P"'"- 
 
 Whilff thcfe things, which bufied the minds of all men, were agitated at the Court, 
 the Houfc of Bourbon, next of blood, and nearelf allied to the Crown, contrary to the 
 cuftom of the Nation, being in a manner deprived of all honours and dignities, fcl- 
 dom appeared, unlefs called upon by the neceflity of war , or in the exercife of their 
 charge in thofe few fmall Governments which yet remained in their Family. And 
 
 C though 
 
 mi>
 
 lo The Htjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 thoueh the Prince of ^wgwiw, one of the fame Houfe, fo advanced himfelf by his va- 
 lour and gcnerofity of fpirit, that the King was content to befiow upon him the Go- 
 vernment of his Army in Viedmont, where he won the vidory at Lerifola, and in di- 
 vers other occafions gained ftill greater credit and reputation : Notwithltanding, he not 
 living long his good fortune but little advantaged the opprefTcd and ftill-perfccuted 
 Houfe of iourboH i for he once dead, it remained abfolutely deprived of all manner of 
 ereatnefs or favour at Court. The chief of this Houfe were Antony Duke of Vendofme^ 
 * and'Lm'W Prince of Conde his brother, both fens to that Charles of Vcndofme ^ who 
 
 after the Rebellion of Bourbon^ and the imprifonmcnt of Francii the Firft, by his mode- 
 fty and rctircdnefs , in great part appeafed the hate which fo violently raged againft 
 
 the whole Family. i i • i , 
 
 Thofe of 'Bourbon feeing thcmfelves thus overtopped in power and authority by the 
 Houfe of G«//?, (being but ftrangers newly come out of the Houfe oi Lorain, which 
 lies between France and Germany) were not a little troubled to fee thcmfelves not 
 only deprived of all priviledges'belonging to their blood , (except that which could 
 not be taken from them , the right ot fuccetlion) but, whereas by the natural courfe 
 they iifed always to hold the firft place about the King i to be now, contrary to all 
 reafon and juftice, the laft : And their condition was yet more deplorable, by reafon 
 of the Kings rcfolutenefs and violent nature, not at all to be moved by the complaints 
 of thofe who fecmed in any way to oppofc his natural inclinations. In fo much, as 
 the Court lofing in a manner its natural unconftancy, kept ftill the fame face and form 
 of things-, the G«//f J- ruling all fo abfolutely, that none durftoppofe their power. The 
 Conrtablcs greatnefsafflided them not fo muchi but on the contrary, they exceedingly 
 grieved to fee him fo much fallen from his former height, and left in fuch a ftate, that 
 he was fcarce able to uphold himfelf For being joined with him not only by alliance, 
 but in friendftiip and interefts , they had yet hope by means of his favour to rife again i 
 at Icart to fome tolerable condition, if not to the power and authority their Predeceflbrs 
 had formerly enjoyed. So that now deprived in a manner of all hope, (which is ufualiy 
 a comfort to thofe in afflicftion) they became fo much the more fenfible of the hard- 
 ncfs of their prefent fortune. 
 ^,„„„, of B"t amongft thefe, Antony o^Vendofme, a Prince of great goodnefs, (and of a facile 
 
 ';"'*^^"« of quiet nature; bare his misfortunes with an excellent temper ■■> his thoughts being for the 
 \'LhT, he moft part bufied about greater matters : for having married Jane oi Albert, only daugh- 
 that was fa- (^r to Henry King of Navarre, and after his father- in-laws death, affumcd the Title and 
 theVh, mar-^ Arms of King i hc took upon him not only the care of the Principality of Beam , at 
 lieth Che the foQf of fhe Pirenean Mountains, (where he was abfolute Soveraign) but alfo ufed 
 the'"Ki"g of all manner of endeavour by way of accord, to recover his Kingdom, which the Spa- 
 ^'hr'he \l niard had long pofftfTcd by force, ever fince the Wars between Ferdinand the Catholick 
 hcrit^ the pre- King, and Leiviif the Twelfth. But the KXn^oi France, by whofe means it was loft, 
 had often, though to no purpofe, (being fo nearly joined to Spain) attempted the re- 
 gaining of it by force. Wherefore now thefe two great Kings being about a Treaty 
 for a genera! peace, he hoped likewifefo to be comprifed in the Articles of Agreement, 
 that his own ftate fliould be reftored to him » or at leaft changed for (bme other lands 
 of like value. He grew more pailionate in that defire, becaufe the Queen, his Wife, 
 had brought him a Son, who, in remembrance of his Grandfather on the mothers fide, 
 was called Henry ■-, the fame, who after the revolution of many miferies and irkfom 
 Wars, by fuccefs of viiVory obtaining the Crown, is now by general confent firnamed 
 The birth i>f Ibe Great : He was born upon the thirteenth of "December, in the year of our Salvation 
 D"c\t^ist' ■• 554* '" th*^ Town of Fan> , in the Vifcounty of Bearne, which is moft delicioudy fi- 
 intheTcrri-' tuatcd at the foot of the Ferineer. This birth, as it greatly rejoyced the Parents, (b 
 in?hevifcoun- '"^ fpurrcd them on, with all eagernefs, topurfue their deiigns for the recovery of Na- 
 tyof-SMB, a varre--, and withal xhtVAn^ Antony o{ Bourbon thinking he ftiould eafilier intereft the 
 King to include his reftauration in the Treaty, than obtain as Prince of the Blood any 
 dignity or Government in France, with fo much the greater patierice and mceknefs, 
 fuffercd the injuries caft upon his Family. And although the King, either ftill of the 
 fame mind to lefien the Princes of the Blood , or elfe meerly in anger to Antony, be- 
 caufe he refufed to change his Signiory of Bearne, and the reft of his poffeiTions in thofe 
 parts, for other Cities and Lordfliips in the Kingdom of Fc.?«ce, difmembred his Go- 
 vernment of Guienne, which he enjoyed as firft Prince of the Blood, and feparated 
 from it all Langucdoc^ a large and populous Province, together with the City oiT-holoufe, 
 
 and 
 
 tenfinns of 
 that Kipoc'oBi 
 
 Free Stitc.
 
 of France. The Firjl ^oo\, 1 1 
 
 and aiTigned the Government of thera to the Conftable i he notvvithftanding, difTem- 
 bling fo great an affront , without any fliew of being at all ill fatisHed, conftantly per- 
 (evered in his defign. 
 
 But LervU of Conde his brother, full of high thoughts, and of an unquiet fpirit, not 
 awed by fuch pretences, finding the narrowncfs ot his fortune could not maintain the 
 greatnefs of his birth, fpitefully vexed at his prefent condition , could not conceal the 
 malice and envy he bare to the Houfe o(Gitife, which in a manner devoured all the chief 
 employments of the Kingdom. Befides his own interefi, the difgraces laid upon the 
 Conftable, made not a little impreffion in him : for having married his Neece Elianor 
 de Koye, and made a firm League of friendihip with him and his fbn Momorancy^ he 
 efteemed the fupprellion of that Family an increafe and accomplifhment of his own mif- 
 fortunes. Thefe unquiet thoughts were ftill nouriflied in him by the Admiral of Cha- 
 JiiOoit, and his brother Mounfieur d'' Anddot : The firft, of an ambitious nature, but 
 withal, cautious and fubtil, let pafs no opportunity by ftirring up troubles, to raife 
 himfelf to an eminent degree of power : The other of a fiery difpofition, ralh by na- 
 ture, and perpetually involved in facftions, endeavoured by his example and perfwa- 
 fions, more to exafperate the Princes fury, which already had kindled fuch a fire in his 
 breft, that burning with hate, and made as it were defperate, his mind was wholly fet 
 upon innovation. 
 
 Such was the ftate of things , fuch the emulations and enmities amongft the great 
 ones, dilpofed upon every little occafion to break out into open diffention, when upon 
 a fudden fupervened the death of Hfwrj the Second, in the month of J^a/y, 1559. i55^- 
 
 This Prince had in the War proved the varioufnefs of fortune > and defiring at the 
 ]aft to eafc his Kingdom of thofe great expences and troubles, he wasperfwaded, join- 
 ing with the Neighbour Princes, to eflablifh a general Peace : to confirm which with 
 the mod lafting bonds that might be, at the fame time he married his eldeft daughter 
 EUzabsthto Philip the Second King of Spain^ and Margaret his only fiftcr to Fhilihert 
 'Emanuel^ YiMkeoi Savoy. But whilft thefe Marriages were celebrating, with all Royal 
 magnificence, and an univerfal joy in the City of farij •, Behold, the laft day of June, Hnn the jd, 
 in a publick folemn Tournament, running with headed Launces againft Gabriel Count t""* '1/ , 
 
 f » r ^ • r 1 • V-> 11 -1 • r- I 1 n Tournament 
 
 CI Montgomery^ Captam or his Guard, by accident the Vizor of his Helmet new open, hjM^wgom rf. 
 and the ftafF of his adverfaries Launce hitting him in the right eye, he was prefently hus^n.X^ng 
 carried away to the Hojlel des toiimellei, where, his wound being mortal^ the tenth of 16 years ol^ 
 Julyht pafled out of this life, much lamented of all men. fueceedstoths 
 
 Hsnry the Second being deceafed, there fucceeded to the Crown Francis , Dolphin 
 of France., his eldeft Son , being about fixteen years of age, a Youth of a languifhing 
 fpirit , unhealthful and of a tender conftitution , under whofc Government all things 
 ran on in fuch a precipitate way to the forefeen end , that hidden difcords brake out 
 into open enmities, and foon after came to the refolution of Arms, The Kings youth, 
 or rather his natural incapacity, required, though not a dire<5t Regent, (for the Kings 
 o^ France are at fourteen years of age out of minority) yet a prudent afliduous Gover- 
 nour, till his natural weaknefs were overcome by maturity of years. The ancient 
 Cuftoms of the Kingdom call'd to that charge the Princes of the Blood : amongft 
 whicb, for nearnefs and reputation it belonged to the Prince of Conde., and the King 
 of Navarre. On the other fide, the Duke of Guife and the Cardinal of Lorain, nearly 
 allied to the King in relation of the Queen his Wife , pretended to have this Dignity 
 conferred upon them , as due to their merits , and great fcrvices done to the Crown i 
 and, which moft imported, becaufethey in effedt enjoyed it during the life-time of the 
 deceafed King. Amongft thefe , Katberine of Msdicif ., the Kings Mother, for near- 
 nefs of Blood, and according to many examples in former times, pleaded the right to 
 be in herv and her hopes were fo increafed through the diffention among the Princes, 
 that fhe doubted not eafily to compafs what flie defired. The fear that one fadtion had 
 of another, facilitated her defign, infomuch that the Gaz/ex, knowing they had not the 
 Qualification of Blood that was required to obtain the Government of the State, and 
 foreseeing how much the authority of a Mother was like to prevail with the unexperi- 
 enced youtii of a Son i refolved to join and unite themfelves with her, dividing into 
 two parts that power , which they doubted they could not wholly obtain for them- 
 felves. And in like manner the Queen , a woman of a manlike fpirit and fiibtil wit, 
 knowing the Princes of the Blood are ever naturally againft the Government and great- 
 nefs of the Queens i forefeeing alfo, that as an Italian and a ftranger, (he (hould need 
 
 C 2 th» 
 
 down.
 
 12 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil iVars 
 
 ThfOtftquies 
 of King Hinry 
 the Second, 
 laftjjdays. 
 
 The King by 
 the perfwafi- 
 on of hit wife> 
 commits the 
 miaagemcat 
 of the afFairt 
 to his Mother, 
 the Dulfc of 
 Cwfi, and the 
 Cardinal of 
 
 The caufes of 
 theConlUhlet 
 <lifgtace at 
 Court, and his 
 exclufi^^n 
 from the 
 affairs. 
 
 the fupport of fonie. potent Fadion ro cftablifh her felf v wiUingly condefcended to 
 make a League with the Cuifcs, who, fhe faw, would content thcmfelves with a 
 fhare only of the Government, which the Princes of Boiirbon pretended to belong wholly 
 
 A great obftacle to this Union, was the mutual intercft of the Guifes and the Dutchefs 
 Pij«rf, whom the deceafed King loved extreamly even to his laft i but the bufinefs re- 
 quiring it, delays not being to be ufed in fuch great deligns v The Queen on the one 
 fide who in her Husbands life-time had with molt commendable patience indured a 
 Rival , was inclined with the fame moderation to forget all injuries part i And the 
 Cuifes on the other part, wholly fixing their thoughts upon the prefcnt occafion, eafily 
 confcnted fhe (hould be abafed, and removed from the Court i provided, fhe were not 
 abfolutcly deprived of her eftate , which after her was come to their third Brother the 
 Duke of Aiimale. Wherefore their common interefl accommodating their prefent 
 Union, and all matters concerning Diana fetled to the Queens liking i they began una- 
 nimoufly to lay the bafis of their intended greatnefs. 
 
 The King of Navarre was abfent , little fatisfied with the King and the Court, be- 
 caufe in the Capitulation with Spain, no regard was had of his intereft for the recovery 
 of his Kingdom. The Conflable was employed in the Obfcquics of the King, which 
 were on purpof^ committed to his care : for, that folemnity continuing with the fame 
 pomp three and thirty days together , it is not lawful for him that hath the charge of 
 it to depart from the place where the dead body lies, and the Ceremonies are kept, 
 which was in the Hojiel des lojirneUes, very far diftant from the Louvre, whither fas 
 the manner is) the new King was brought to refide. So that all thofe obftaclcs remo- 
 ved, partly by induftry, partly by fortune, it was no difficult matter to get the King, 
 who was likewife more than ordinarily led by the beauty and allurements of the Queen* 
 his Wife, to remit his whole authority into the hands of their nearefl: Allies. So to 
 the Duke was committed the care of the Militia \ the Civil affairs to the Cardinal > 
 and to the Qijeen-Mother the fuperintendence of all. 
 
 Things thus fetled according to their own will, they began to take furer footing * 
 and there being none prefent who by complaints or pradtice could work the King to 
 open a way to alterations , they prefently entred into confultation how to remove all 
 fuch as might in any way oppofe their defigns. There was no doubt but their firfl at- 
 tempt would be upon the Conftable, as one wliofe authority and wifdom the Cuifes 
 moil apprehended, and the Queen-Mocher long, though fecretly, hated. The Cieifer 
 feared him byreaConoC the ancient emulations that had ever been between them , and 
 becaufe the opinion of his wifdom, though he had lof} his power at the Court, prefer- 
 ved him ftill in great credit with the people. But the Qneens hate of him proceeded 
 from many caufes, and particularly becaufe when fhe was firft married, he ufed all 
 manner of endeavour to perfwade the King to repudiate her as barren i and afterward, 
 when flie proved to have children, he never ceafed to fpeak fcandaloufly of her, faying. 
 Of all the Kingi children mt any one refembled him, but only Ulinz. his bajiard-danghter^ 
 vcho wM deflined for wife to Francis of Momorancy, one of his fans : which fpeeches 
 (though not diredly) caft a blemifh upon the Queens honour and chafiity. Nor be- 
 lides thefe injuries , could fhe eafily forget , that he ( as he was naturally averfe to 
 Grangers ) had obfiinatcly perfccuted all thofe Florentines who through relation either 
 of Blood or Country had recourfe to her Court i and as if he pretended to an emulation 
 with her herfelf, had ever ufed what means he could poffible to affront and keep under 
 all her dependants. All which things in her Husbands life-time fhe either patiently 
 overcame, or wifely feemed not to take notice of, as indeed fhe was a woman of a moft 
 infearchable mind, and a moft profound diffembler. But now that there was an op- 
 portunity, they made her ealily to confent to the defire of theGuifes^ which was under 
 other pretences to deprive him of all Government in the Kingdom, or favour at Court. 
 Wherefore in private difcourfe, cunningly falling into that Argument, they with one 
 accord reprefented to the King the too great authority of that man j that if he remained 
 at Court, he would pretend to keep him like a Child, under Government, and the laflj 
 of his Difcipline i and that being fbaightly united with the Princes of Bourbon, (always 
 enemies to thofe that poffcffed the Crown which they had long looked after} it wa-? 
 rot fit in any manner to trult him, left through that means his Majefly /night expofe 
 both his own life and his young brothers to the treacheries of thofe men, who being 
 fufpei^ed by reafon of their leftlefs ambition, were by the Kings his Predeceffors always 
 
 kept
 
 of France. The Firjl 'Boo^. 
 
 13 
 
 kept under, and at a diftance. Thefe Arguments eafily making an impreflion in the 
 Kings weaknefs, (as thofe that know little are naturally jealous of thofe that know 
 more) they refolvedupon a dextrous manner to licenfe him from the Court. Where- 
 fore his fathers Obfequics ended, receiving him with great exprelTions of kindnefs, he 
 told him, that being not able any other way to reward the greatncfs of his merits, and 
 the pains he had undergone in the fervice of his PredecelTors . he was determined to 
 cafe him from the cares and weight of the Government , which he knew now were 
 burdenfom , and difproportioned to his age, which he would not opprefs with the 
 exceflfive toil of bulinefs, but referve him for fome great occaiion i and that therefore 
 he might retire himfelf to his eafe where belt pleafed him, he being refolved not to 
 wear him out as a fervant , or a vaflal , but always to honour him as a father. By 
 which fpeech the Conllable knowing it was no time to difpute the matte'r , but that it 
 would be beft for him to accept that for a reward which otherwife would turn to a pu- 
 nilTiment, having thanked the King, and recommended to his protedtion his fons and 
 nephews, retired himfelf to his Palace of Chantilly, ten leagues from Paris, where he 
 had formerly been flieltred from the perfecutions of the Court. 
 
 TheConftable thus fent away , the next thought was how to remove the Prince of 
 Conde, whofe arrogancy and animofity appeared every day more prompt to take hold of 
 any whatfoevcr occafion to attempt innovations, and todilkirb the form oftheprefent 
 Government. But there being yet no means found to remove him, by reafon of his 
 quality of Prince, and for want of a juft pretext , it was thought a good expedient, 
 to fend him out of the way , until flich time as the foundation of their new-formed 
 Government were fetled. Wherefore being appointed AmbaflTador to the Catholick 
 King, to confirm the Peace and Alliance contracted at the end of the lafl; Kings Reign^ 
 departing from the Court , he left them the Field free to perfed their purpofed de- 
 (igns. 
 
 In the fame manner they proceeded with all other perfons. For the Qyeenand the 
 Cuifes having refolved formerly to eftablirti their commenced greatne{s,they thought it 
 would happen according to their de/ire , if reducing by little and little, the Fortrefles, 
 Souldiers, Treafiire, and Sinews of the State, into their own power, all the elTential 
 important bufinefles of the Kingdom were either managed by themfelves, or elfe com- 
 mitted to the truft of their neareft followers and adherents. But they were not fo 
 wholly governed by their interefts, that they had not ftill a regard to the publick good, 
 and their own reputation. For they advanced not, as the common courfe is, men of 
 little merit and abjed; condition , thinking they would be more trufty becaufe of their 
 obligation ^ but were induftrious to get about them perfons of known worth , noble 
 birth , and above all, of good reputation among the common people v by which they 
 obtained two ends at the fame time > the one, that the people were commonly pleafed, 
 and their ill-willers could have no juft exceptions i the other, that crediting perfons 
 of honour and fincere intentions, they were not cozened nor deluded in their truft, as 
 often thole are that in great bufinels rely upon men of bafe extraction, or of vitious 
 life. 
 
 According to which Maxim, they recalled to the exercife of his charge FramU Oli- 
 vier^ High Chancellor of the Kingdom, a man of tried integrity, and fevere conftancy 
 in the Government > who for too much freedom, or too much perfevering in his opi- 
 nions, was at the beginning of Hewy s Raign, by the Conftables perfwafion, difmifled 
 from the Court. Likewife they recalled to the Council of State, and near to the Kings 
 Perfon, the Cardinal of "tournon •■, he who in the time of Francis the Firft, Grandfather 
 to this King, had the principal Authority in the State : by which means, being men of 
 tried and known goodnefs, and enemies to all impofitions which oppreffed the Com- 
 monwealth, they not only (atisfied thedefireof the common people, and publick ex- 
 pectation i but being dilgraced , and as it were caft out by the Conftable, and now 
 recalled with much credit to the prefent Government, they ferved alfo (by their coun- 
 fels and induftry) to eftablifli the foundation of their commenced greatnefs. Like 
 dexterity and like artifices were ufed to fetch in the reft. But with the Houfe of Bour- 
 ^raand the Houfe of Momsrancy, they proceeded not with fuch moderation : on the 
 contrary, the Gttifes^ tranfported, with a defire, as much as was poflible, to abafe 
 their old enemy, and the fplendour of the Royal Family, readily embraced any occa- 
 fion to diminifli their reputation, or otherwife to prejudice them. Cafpcr de Coligny the 
 Admiral, waspoffcfted of two feveral Governments , x\ic\(izoi France (fothat Pro- 
 vince 
 
 TheConOable 
 retires the fe- 
 cond time 
 from the 
 Court. 
 
 Francis Oliulet 
 the High 
 Chancellor, 
 and the Car- 
 dinal of Tout' 
 ne>*, are re- 
 called the fe- 
 Cond time tO 
 
 the Court.
 
 i^ The Htftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 vince is called wherein Pjru is fituated ) and Fkardy: and, bccaufe the Laws of the 
 Kingdom prohibit any one to have two charges, the late Kirg had rcfolvcd to give the 
 Government of ficWv to the Prince of Conde; thinking by that means, infomemca- 
 fure, to pacific his mind, which he knew, thiough his opprdVions, was much incenfed. 
 To which he was the rather induced, becaufehis father having long enjoyed that Go- 
 vernment, and after him the King of N^f^rrf his brother, he not only very much de- 
 fired it, but had alfo fome jurt and rcafonablc pretences to it. But the Admiral ha- 
 vin^^ in confideration of the Prince furrendrcd it, and the King dying almoft at the 
 fam° time, Francis^ not regarding his fathers purpofc, though already declared, at the 
 inftance of the Guifts^ conferred the fame Government upon Charles de CoJJ'e, Marefchal 
 o( Bripc, a Captain of great reputation, and nolefs vertuei but who faking his rife 
 from the fortune of the Houfe oi Lorain^ and ftraitly united with thofe Princes in all 
 things , depended abfolutcly upon them. The fame rcfpcdt was born to Momorancy, 
 the Conftablcs cldeft fon : For he having married Biana^ baftard-daughter to Henry^ 
 withpromife to have the OS\c& oi Grand Maijire conferred upon him, which his fa- 
 ther had enjoyed many years, the Duke oi'Guife^ as foon as Francis catne to the Crown, 
 got it for himfelf i it being his chief end, to add to his new greatnefs, new authority, 
 and new luftre, and to deprive that family of it, which he dcfired to bring as low as was 
 polfible. Thus the Duke, and much more the Cardinal, when any opportuhity was 
 offered to deprefs their advcrfaries, and advance themfelves, moft greedily entertained 
 it. But the Qyeen-Mother, who knew fuch exceflive covetoufnefs, and great animo- 
 lity, mult of neceiruy, at one time or other , produce fome great evil , and wifhed 
 they would proceed with more dexterity, and dilfimulation, was fb bold as in the be- 
 ginning to oppofe the counfels and refolutions of ihofe, by whofe power her own autho- 
 rity was chiefly upheld. Now the Princes of Bourbm in this manner excluded from 
 any part of the Government, and almoft from the Court, and from the Kings ear, be- 
 gan at laft to weigh the eftate of their own affairs s and confidering the proceedings 
 of their adverfaries, (who, not content with their prcfent authority , contrived all 
 means to eftablifli themfelves for the future) they rcfolved no longer to ftand by as idle 
 fpcdators of their own difgraces, but to find out fome remedy for the time to come, 
 which might recompence their part loffes , and flop the precipice of their future ruine, 
 which tliey faw undoubtedly lay before them. To this end, Antony^ Khgof Navan-e^ 
 having left I'is young fon to the care of the Qiiecn, his wife, in Bearne^ in a manner 
 ftcure from that hre, which he fawnow kindling to confume the Kingdom of France, 
 Sfcr«t Affcm- came to Vandii/»u; where met him the Prince of Conde. then returned from his Em- 
 Pnn«s''of badie, together with the Admiral ^Wf/tf^, and the Cardinal oi ChaiiUon his brothers, 
 fcvrfrjB, and Charlcs Count of Koche-faucault , Francis Vidame of Chartres , and Antony Prince of 
 un'tVd Imii. Fortian^ all near Allies and Friends i with whom came divers other Gentlemen, anci- 
 ent dependents and adherents to the Families of Bourbon and MomoraHcy. Nor did 
 the Coniiable (who, under pretence of retirednefs and a quiet life, fecretly gave mo- 
 tion to all the wheels of this attempt) fail to fend thither his old Secretary Vardres, that 
 by affilHng at the Affembly , he might reprefent to them his judgment concerning the 
 pref nt bufincfs. 
 
 Now entring there into a debate what (as things flood) was fitteft to be done ; 
 they all agreed in the end , but were of different opinions concerning the means : For 
 they all knew the great indignities received by the Princes of the Blood i who were 
 not only put by the firft place in the Government, but deprived of thofe few charges 
 that remained amongft them: likewifethey clearly forefaw how great a ruine fuddenly 
 ihreatncd both the Princes of the Blood themfelves , and their whole party \ the fup- 
 preffion of which, they faw was the Giiifes chief aim. Wherefore they all concluded, 
 that in the firft place it was ncceffary to provide, as much as might be pofiible, againft 
 fo great a danger, before things were brought to the laft extremities, and irrepaira- 
 ble. But by what means this was to be done, they did not fb AOly agree among them- 
 felves. 
 
 The Prince of CWf , the Vidame of Ci&jrfrfj, d' Andelot , and divers others, the 
 rnoii ardent and refolute amongft them , were of opinion , that without giving more 
 time to their adverfaries to ftrcngthen themfelves , and augment their power and repu- 
 tation, they fhould forthwith have recourfe to Arms, as the moft expedite remedy, and 
 more fecurc than any other. They fur her fhewed, it was but in vain any longer to 
 cxped in hope that the King would at length be moved, of his own free-will, to re- 
 
 ftore
 
 of France. The Fir [I ^oo{. 1 5 
 
 ftore them to their rights: for being of himfelf unable to rcfolve any thing, he would 
 hardly perceive or (hake off that carelcfnefs wherein from his birth his own nature had 
 asitvvere buried him i that over-awed by the authority of a Mother, and the power 
 which the Cttifej ufurped over him , he would not dare to refume that Sovereignty 
 which he had fo eafily parted with : that the complaints and admonitions of the Princes 
 of the Blood, and fubjeds well afFedted to the Crown, would never come to his ears, 
 being as it were befieged feven to the fervants about his perfon j by men hired by their 
 adverfaries, the Champions of the prefcnt Tyranny : and therefore it was not to be 
 expedcd, that the King fhould , of his own deliberation , yield them any relief , to 
 whom their complaints would never be admitted, but deformed and blafted with the 
 odious names of Rebellion, Treafon, and Confpiracy : What elfe then could they look 
 for? that the Queen-Mother, and the G«//fx, fhould willingly depart from that great- 
 reft, which with fuch pains and artifices they had eftab'ifhed, to (hare it with their 
 enemies ? that was a hope more vain , and more unreafonable than the former : for 
 what men acquire boldly, they do not often part with cowardly. It is ordinary and 
 natural for things unlawful and unfit, to be fought after fecretly, and acquired leifure- 
 ly j but once gotten into pofTelfion , they are afterwards impudently held, and main- 
 tained openly : That the (hew of right, the refuge and authority of the Laws, Cthings 
 that ufe to prevail with private menj do yield, without conteli, to the violence and 
 force of Princes, who meafure reafon by the rule of their power and will i and that 
 to proceed with fuch refpedl, increafcd confidence and boldnefs in their adverfaries; 
 That to begin with complaints and fupplications , was but to found the Trumpet be- 
 fore the Battel, to give the enemy warning to prepare for his defences That the fuc- 
 ce(s of great defigns depended on the quicknefs of execution , and timid uncertain 
 counfels ufed to abate the courages of men, vilifie their (trength, and let pafs opportu- 
 nities, of themfelves apt enough to flip away : That therefore it was necefTary to haften 
 the taking up of Arms , thereby to open a way to the fuppretlion of their unprepared 
 enemies i and not to ufe flow wary courfes , which would ruine the foundation of 
 their hopes, and render the whole enterprife very difficult. 
 
 On the contrary, the King of Navarre, the Admiral, the Prince of Tortian, and 
 the Conltables Secretary in his Lords name , difliked fo at firft to have recourfe to 
 force, and recommended more moderate gentle remedies. For they knew well, how- 
 ever the Princes of the Blood profefTcd to take Arms rather to fet the King at liberty, 
 who was bclieged and opprefTed by the power of ftrangexs, thanagainlt his State and 
 Authority ■, neverthelefs, it would be finifferly interpreted, and abhorred by all true 
 French-men \ who moft religioufly reverence the Royal Majcfty, which ought not in 
 confideration whatfbever. Her under any pretences, to be in the leafi; degree violated 
 or conftrained. They confidered withal, that obferving the ffrid'nefs of the Laws, 
 they could not juftly force the King to yield up the Government into their hands i for 
 being now pafTed fourteen years of age, he was no longer fubjecft to Tutelage, or the 
 Government of any : and therefore it would be better to manage their caufe with dex- 
 terity, and (hew of modefty in their attempts and complaints, as wholly founded upon 
 equity, rather than commit it to the fury of War : and if this refolution were pru- 
 dently followed with art and induftry, they defpaired not to fecure the Queen-Mother ; 
 who, if (lie were once drawn from the Gtufes party, the foundation of their vaft Great- 
 nefs would foon fall, and a moft fecure and ea(ie way be open to their own pretences^ 
 Neither was it altogether to be doubted, that the Guifes, who, without contradidtion, 
 had with fuch boldnefs ingrolTed the whole , when they faw themfelves fo (harply and 
 powerfully afTaulted, would at leaft yeild up fomepartof the Government to the Princes 
 of Bourbon : which once pofTeffed of, they might fecure themfelves from thofe prefent 
 indignities and imminent dangers that now fo diverfly threatned them i in which man- 
 ner they thought it much better quietly to content themfelves with fome reafonable 
 condition, than to hazard all to the inftability of fortune, and incertain chance of War: 
 to maintain which , they did not fee what Forces they could hope for in France againft 
 their lawhil natural King, nor what affiftarce was to be had from ftranger Princes^ 
 who by the late Treaty and Alliances were fo firmly united and entred into a League 
 with him ■-, in which confideration , it was greatly to be feared , that by taking of 
 Arms, they might rather open a deftruftive way even to the utter ruine of their whole 
 Family , than an honourable inlet to the Government and Adminiftration of the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 This
 
 5 The Hiflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 The Km; of This lalt Opinion, through the authority of the Author, at lengtli took place ; and 
 
 ^T"c"u°n '^ fo it was refolvtd, that the King of Navarre, as cliief ot the Family, and firft Prince of 
 
 foiiicKin7"i>e the Blood, fliould go to the Court", and there having the Kings ear, fwhich could 
 
 n.'mVof 'rhi Hot bc rcfudd to onc of his quality) lay before him their reafons, ufe all manner of 
 
 i"r.n«s..f the ly^eans to gain the Queen-Mother i and try by a wife and well-managed Treaty, whe-, 
 
 .''he,'' '4" ther he could get himfelf any place in the Government, and his Brothers and their 
 
 pjic.pite in dependants rellored to thofe dignities that were injurioully taken from them i or clfe 
 
 |hcGovc.n- ^J^^^^^ j^i^c^s and charges of like cftcem. But by the beginning it was eafie to fee 
 
 how the event would prove : For the King of Navarre, terriHcd with the dangerous 
 
 face of fo great an enterprizc, proceeded in it full of doubts and con fid erat ions, being 
 
 befides of a facile and bafliful nature ■■> where, on the other lide, the Duke of Gwfi\ 
 
 and Cardinal of Lwvi«, animated with their profperity, boldly prepared themfelves 
 
 to encounter with vigour and affurednefs any oppoiition whatfoevcr. 
 
 The K ing for a long time was informed and made believe by the Queen his Mother, 
 and the GH:fis, that the Princes of the Blood had ever been kept under by his Prede- 
 cefTors, by reafcn of the innate malice they always found in them towards the Kings 
 that were in polTetTion of the Crown i whom they were ftill pradifing againft, either 
 by fecret confpiracies or open rebellion •, and that at the prcfent,the King of Navarre and 
 the Prince of Concle {leing themfelves next to the fucceilion, the King of a weak Con- 
 ftitution, and without heirs, and his Brothers Pupils, they endeavoured to deprive him 
 of his Vothers Government, and the care of his neareli kindred, and keeping him in 
 fubjcAion , ( as formerly the N'afters of the Palace did Clou'n , Chilperic , and other 
 Princes of weak capacity^ intended perhaps by other wicked means, by treachery or 
 poyfon, fpeedily to make way for themfelves to the Crown. This probjble well-form'd 
 Story caiily breeding jealouhes in the King, who was by nature timerous and miftruft- 
 ful, he received the King of Navarre with little fliew either of kindnefs or honour* 
 and when he talked with him , (which was not but in the prefence of the Duke or 
 the Cardinal, who never (Hrred a minute from his fidej he ftill made him fharp an- 
 fwersi and alledging his Majority, and avowing the great fervices he received in the 
 prefent Government, IHll cut him off from the inftances and demands of the Princes 
 of the Blood ■■, as wholly proceeding from contrived ends, neither fuitable to the times, 
 nor any way agreeable to reafon. 
 
 The deCgn upon the Qiieen-Mother had no better effc&: for knowing flie could 
 not truft to the Princes of the Blood, who, though they feemed well-affcd-ed to her 
 for a time, till they had gotten accefs to the Government '■> yet fhe might afterwards 
 not only be abandoned by them, but excluded from the Adminiftration, and perhaps 
 made to retire from the Court i and withal, thinking it «[ire<fl indifcretion to forfake 
 thefriend(hipof the ftrongeft party, that was fo well fetled, to join with the Princes 
 of Bo.'irbon , that had not any fupport at all, fhe refolved to reft upon that fecurity 
 •which (he had already propofed to her felf. But neverthelefs, defirous to with/tand as 
 iTiUch as was poifible, the publick diftradVions and tumults of War, fhe propofed to her 
 felf, not to leave them altogether hopelefs, buttoeffay by diifimiulation and artifices, 
 to divert the King of Navarre (whom (he knew pliable enough) from fuch intentions, 
 and by delays in time to effedi fomcthing that might be beneficial to the Common- 
 wealth. To which purpofe, at their firli meeting, having with fliew of kindnefs filled 
 Jiim with hope, fhe began moft dexteroufly, in the progrefs of their difcourfe, to de- 
 monlhate unto him, that the King being of a delicate difpofition, was not to be ex- 
 afperated by demands and unreafonable complaints i but that it was neceffary to ex- 
 pcdt fome fit opportunity, which time would at length produce. For as the King, be- 
 ing now paft his minority, was not bound in matters of Government to conform him- 
 ftlf to the arbitrement or opinion of any body, but only to his own will and judg- 
 ment •, fo when an occafion fhould be oifered to honour or gratifie the Princes of Bo«r- 
 />o«, he would without all doubt fatisfie the bond of confanguinity, and fhew to all 
 the world , how great an account and efteem he made of their vertue and loyalty. 
 That the King ought not in any manner by a change to deflroy or alter fhe things al-, 
 ready efhblifhed, left he fhould give occafion to be thought of a variable nature, un- 
 conlUnt, irrefolute, and inconfiderate. But when places grew void, fas daily fbme 
 or other did) he would not fail, fo far as was reafonable, to fatisfie the pretences of 
 every one. Withal, fhe offered her felf to undertake the protedion of the Princes of 
 the Blood, and earncflly to follicitc her Son, as foon as was polfiblc, to fatisfie their 
 
 defiresj
 
 o/" France. The FirjlXool{. 17 
 
 defiresi that it would not be feemly for tlie King of Niiz/^rrf, who was a wife man, and 
 had ever been a pattern of tTioderation, that he fliould now fuflfer himfelf to be guided* 
 by youthful raih Counfels, and led into thofe precipices which were neither becoming 
 his age nor wifdom j but expecfting vvith patience that which he ought to acknowledge 
 limply the Kings courtefie and affedion , teach others the way how to receive in ric 
 time the favours and benefits of their Prince. With thefe difcourfts having often 
 talted his temper, and perceiving he began already to ftagger, finally, to give him the 
 Jaftfliock, (he propofed to him, that hlizabeth ihc Kings filter, being to befentinto 
 Spant^ accoiripanied with fomePerlbnof great quality and crtecai , (lie had thought to 
 recommend that cliarge to him, being every way qualified both for gravity and. Royal 
 Birth, to honour and dignitie thofe Nuptials ; which, belides the content the King her 
 Son would receive by it, would by the way prove very advantageous to his particular 
 ends. For he would have opportunity to gain the Catholick King, and withal, to treat 
 in pcrfon concerning the rellitution or change of his Kingdom of Navarrs\ in which 
 bulinefs (lie proffered to imploy all her own authority , and the power of the King her 
 Son, to bring his dellres to their wiOied ends. 
 
 The King of N.ivarre^ who in difcovering and penetratinginto the inclinations of the 
 Court, found thofe who had any employment there, complying with the prefent occa- 
 fions , took little care of the pretences of the Princes of the Blood •, and thofe that had 
 reafon to defire his greatnefs and his Brothers , fome of them di(hcartned, others ill fa- 
 tisfied with his long ftay, and all equally defpcrate of effecting any thing, eafily return- 
 ing to his former thoughts of recovering his Kingdom, he conceived he ought not to 
 refufe that occaiion, which would be a means, not only to renew the Treaties of Agree- 
 ment with Spaht, but alfo to depart with honour from the Court, where he found he 
 could not remain with any reputation. Wherefore willingly entertaining the motion 
 to condu(fl Queen Elizabeth into Spjin ^ and filled with infinite hopes bytheQyeen- 
 Mother, Cnotwithftanding the other Princes his adherents were very much offended at 
 it) he halted his departure with fuch eagernefs of mind, that his enemies themfelves 
 could not have delired it more. Nor did he with lefs facility entrap himfelf in the 
 Treaty with the Spaniards : for King Philip being already advertifed of the particulars 
 of that bulinefs by the Queen-Mother, and he deliring no lefs than fhe, that the King 
 ci Njvjrre, who had fuch ftrong pretences againft his State, fhould be kept low, and 
 far from any power in the Government ; commanded the Duke of Alva, and the other 
 Lords appointed to receive the Queen his wife, that they (Kould be forward to ufe all 
 manner of means to allure him on, and entertain him : but (lowly imbracing his propo- 
 fitions, they (hould offer tliemfelves to make report thereof to the King and his Council, 
 without the opinion of whom nothing could be determined that concerned the intercfV 
 of the State. 
 
 So the King of N.n>.hre being come to the confines of Sp.tin^ and having delivered 
 Queen EHz.abeth to the Spanidi Deputies, he prefently entred into a Treaty that began 
 fairly, as he thought, of his own private bufinefs j which being managed with excel- 
 lent dexterity by the Spaniards, fo filled him with great, but delayed hopes, that he 
 had no other thoughts but of his own affairs i in fuch manner, that having at their 
 requeft fent an Ambaffador to that Court , he determined to retire himfelf to his an- 
 cient quiet in Beam •, with a firm refolution not at all to meddle in the bulinelTes of 
 'France^ lince their deiires, by way of negotiation, proved fruitlefs. And for the War, 
 bethought there was but little Jultice in it, and too much hazard. 
 
 But contrary was the opinion, and other the refolutions of Lervir of Conie his Bro- 
 ther, a poor Prince, but hardy and couragious j who having fram'd his hopes toafpire 
 to great matters, precipitated through the hate of his adverfaries, conftrained by the 
 narrowncfsof his fortune, and continually fpurr'd on by his Wife and Mother-in-law, 
 (this Sifter, that Neece to the Conftable s but both of them fierce and ambitious wo- 
 men) he could no longer fupport the wearifomnefs of his prefent condition, but with 
 all liis power promoted new and dangerous counfels i having already figured to him- 
 felf, that if he were a means and inrtrument to fet the War on foot , he (hould not 
 only obtain a great power amongft his own party, but riches alfo, with divers other 
 conveniencics i many adherents to his tadion, and abfolute Dominion over divers 
 Cities and Provinces in the Kingdom. Wherefore having again affembled at his own 
 houfc at la Fens in Champaigne the Princes his Allies, and Lords adhering to his fa- 
 ^ion, he kid before them, that hsving till then tryed gentle pleafant remedies, and 
 
 D found
 
 i8 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Queen tUr.ch 
 Mother to 
 St. iciri!, ha- 
 vin"tiken up- 
 on her the 
 Covcrnment 
 cif the Kino- 
 dom in the mi- 
 nority of her 
 Sen, the Ba- 
 TonMookar.rs 
 to maintain 
 ihe right in 
 rhofe to whom 
 it belonged. 
 
 So did Ltaii 
 Duke of Ot- 
 Ums, in the 
 time of Cbarlts 
 Che cigbtti. 
 
 found no eafe by them i it was ncccflary to apply a ftronger medicine to aire the di- 
 flemper, which tirom the beginning Co violently tended to the ruine not only of the Royal 
 Houfe, but even of all that did not adore and depend as (laves upon the role of the 
 Queen-Mother and the Gaijes : That it was no longer time to hide their wounds, (till 
 then with fo much patience concealed) for they appeared manifeHIy to the eyes of all 
 the world : That the injuries, with fuch indignities caft upon the Royal Family, were 
 now openly to be fcen i as their banifliment from the Court, depriving them of the 
 Government of Pkardy , the ufurpation of the Office of Grand-Maijhe ■■, The fuperin- 
 tendence of the Kings Revenues i The dividing of all the Charges and Offices amongft 
 Grangers, and perfons unknown; The artificial imprifonmcnt of the King himfelf, 
 to whom no body could have accefs, that fpake freely or honefily ; And finally, the 
 opprdlion of all good men, and advancement only of thofe, who looked after nothing 
 clfe, but to rob and wafle the riches of the Crown. The eager perfccution of the 
 Blood Royal was known to every one, and the tyranny of Grangers eftabliflied amongft 
 them, whofe violence could not be withftood but in the fame manner by violence ; 
 That it was not the firft time the Prjnces of the Blood had taken Arms to de''end the 
 Jurifdiftions and Priviledges of their Family. So Peter Duke of Brittain^ Kabert Count 
 of Dreiix, and divers other Lords, ingaged themfelves in a War, when in the mino- 
 rity of the King Saint Lewis, Queen Blanch his Mother, of her own accord took upon 
 her the Government of the State: So Fhilip Count o{ Valois, after the death of CA^r/rj 
 the Fair, made ufe of his power to exclude from the G'uardianfhip and Regency, thofe 
 that unjuftly pretended to ufurp it » fo Lewii Duke of Orleans made war in the time 
 of C/'jr/fx the eighth, to make himfelf be chofen Regent and CJovernour of the King- 
 dom, againft the power and authority oi Anne Dutchefs of Bourbon , who being the 
 Kings elder fifter, had affumcd the charge of his Government : That thefe, and many 
 other examples, were fo evident, that they could not do amifs in following the flcps 
 of their anccftors, whofe cafe being clearly the fame with theirs then, directed them 
 the way to their own prcfervation. That they ought no longer to linger in expeila- 
 tion of the Kings pleafure 5 who buried in the lethargy of his own incapacity, perceived 
 not the miferable llavery into which he was brought. But as a wife careful Phyftcian 
 gives medicines and poiions to a fick man againft his will, to cure him of an infirmity, 
 and recover him from that danger which he perceives not in himfelf: (b the Princes of 
 the Blood (to whom, by confent of the whole Nation, and ancient cuftom, this care 
 naturally belongs) ought to endeavour to free the King from that llavery , and thofc 
 bonds, which he (overcome by his infirmity) perceived not, though fo prejudicial to 
 himfelf, and deftrudive to the whole lingdonu but that it was neceffary , before the 
 prefent danger precipitated them into extremities, to -arm themfelves with a ftrong re- 
 folution, and to proceed with a refolvcd conftancy. For by quicknefs, prevention and 
 boldnefs, they (hould ealily overcome thofe difficulties, wliich appear more in a Coun- 
 cil, or putting doubts in a debate, than they are indeed when they come to be attempted. 
 That on the contrary, by dejeiS'ednefs of courage and flacknefs, they (hould for ever 
 fubjeft themfelves to a ruinous (hameful fervitude. Wherefore he defired everyone, 
 all doubts and uncertainties laid afide, couragioufly to truft his prefent fafety, quiet, 
 and future honour, to the ftrength of his own Arms. 
 
 T!]efe things being fpr ken with efficacy and Souldier-like boldnefs and courage by 
 the Prince, wrought upon the minds of the greateft part of his audience, who were 
 already of themfelves , through their own affedions and intercfts, difpofed to take 
 Arrtis. 
 
 But the Admiral , with more weighed counfel , meafuring the greatnefs of the at- 
 tempt, oppofed the Princes opinion, and advifed to take another way,which bethought 
 more feaire, and likelier to take effed. For to hazard fo openly all the Royal Family, 
 and fo many their Allies and Dependants , with little force, not any adherents, no 
 (irong places, without men, and no provifion of money , to the arbitrcment of War 
 and Chance, appeared to him too defperate a refolution i and therefore thought it nc- 
 ce(rary to have recourfe to induftry and art , where there was a manifeft defed: of 
 ftrengthi and fo working under-hand, without difcovering themfelves, bring their de- 
 fign notwithfianding by the miniftry of other perfons , to the end they defired. He 
 ftewed them , how the whole Kingdom was full of multitudes of thofe that had em- 
 braced the opinions and faith newly introduced by Calvin : that, by reafon of the fc- 
 verity of the InquiGtions exctcifed againft them, and rigorous punifhments, they were, 
 
 through
 
 of France. The Firjl ^oo^ 
 
 t 
 
 9 
 
 through defpair, brought toadefirc, nay, to a neccflTity of expofing themfelves to any 
 danger whatfocvcr could befal them, fo they might be free from the mifery of their 
 p cfent condition i that they all believed that the feverity ufed againft them, proceeded 
 from the motions and advice of the Duke of Gnife, and much more from the Cardinal 
 oiLorain^ who not only in the Parliament and Kings Council ardently wrought their 
 delhuflion, but in pubJick difcourfe and private meetings, op^ofing their Dodlrine, 
 never deillled to perfecute them i that the refolution and violence of that people was 
 till then fupprefTed , bccaufc they had no head to guide them , nor any perfon whofe 
 counfel and activity might put heat into them> but with any little fhew of adiftance, 
 f hey would, without regard, hazard themfelves in all difficult and dangerous defigns, 
 through hope to be delivered from thofe calamities that fo much opprefTed them. 
 Wherefore it would be an excellent Expedient to make ufe of that means to animate 
 and get into a body a multitude fo prepared i and then fecrctly to fetthem on whenoc- 
 calion ferved, to the delirudion of the Houfe of Lorain, in which manner, the Princes 
 ef the Blood, and other Lords of their party, fliould fecure themfelves from danger, 
 increafe their ftrcngth by fuch a number of followers, gain the adherents of the Prote- 
 ftant Princes of Germany, and Elizabeth Queen of England, who openly favoured apd 
 protedted that belief, (^zt a greater fhew of honefty upon the caufe, lay upon others the 
 burden of fo bold an attempts and make it believed for the future by all the world, 
 that the Civil War was fet on foot , and ftirred up , not by the intereft of the Princes, 
 and their pretcniions to the Government , but by the difcords and controveriies iri 
 matters of Religion. 
 
 It was not hard for the Admiral by his eloquence and authority to perfvi/ade the reft 
 to approve of this defign > of it felf, in appearance, much conducing to the ilate of 
 their prefent affairs : and there being many in the AfTembly which fecretly inclined to 
 Calvins Dodlrine , it was refolved with a general confent, to follow that advice, the 
 which, with lively and no lefs prefent hopes, hindred fo precipitate a War, and kept 
 off, for a time , thofe evident dangers to which men unwillingly expofe themfelves, 
 when there is any means wholly to avoid, or atleaftto delay them. But it was a coun- 
 fel and refolution fo fatal and pernicious, that, as it let in all the miferies and calami- 
 ties, which with fuch prodigious examples havefor along tittieafflidtcd and diflradted' 
 that Kingdom, fo it brought to a mifcrable end, both the Author himfelf that made 
 the Piopofition, and all thofe, who, led by their own affedions and interefts, confented 
 to it. 
 
 But fince the beginning and progrefs of Calvins Doftrine is fallen into mention, un= 
 der the colour of which, fo many great and fevcral Fadlions have been engaged in the 
 Civil Wars of France , both for the better clearing the bufinefs in hand , as alfo 
 rot to be forced often to look back to thofe beginnings, which are fo requifite to 
 the underftaiiding of matters of faft , it is neceflary to make fome Ihort relation 
 of it. 
 
 After Martin Luther in Gemdny opened the way to let in Schifm into Religion, and 
 new opinions into our Faith, John Calvin, born at Noyon in Picardy, a man of a great, 
 but unquiet wit , marvelloufly eloquent , and generally learned , departing from the 
 Faith generally held and obferved fo many Ages by our Predeceffors , propofed in: his 
 Books which he publifhed in print , and in his Sermons which he preached in divers 
 places in France, One hundred twenty eight Axioms (fo he called them) difagreeing 
 from the Roman Catholick Faitli. The French Wits, curious by nature, and defirous 
 of Novelties, began at firft, rather for paftime, than through choice, to read his Wri- 
 tings, and frequent his Sermons. But, as in all bufineffes of the world it ufes often 
 to fall out , that things beginning in jeft, end in earnefti thefe Opinions fowed in 
 Gods Church, ib crept up, that they were greedily embraced, and obftinately believed 
 by a great number of people and perfons of all qualities : in fo much as Calvin at the 
 firft, thought a man of little worth, and of a feditious unquiet fpirit, in a fhort time 
 came to be reverenced of many, and believed for anew miraculous Interpreter of Scri- 
 pture, and as it were a certain infallible Teacher of the true Faith. 
 
 The foundation of this Dodrine was in the City of Geneva, fituatc upon the Lake 
 anciertly called Lacus Lemanits, upon the Confines of Savoy : which having rejedted' 
 the Government of the Duke and Bifliop, to whom formerly it paid obedience under 
 the name of Terra Franca , and under pretence of living in Liberty of Confciencc, re- 
 duced it felf into the form of a Conjraoowcalth or Commonalty, From thence Books' 
 
 D 2 coming 
 
 The Admiral 
 makcih a pro« 
 pofition to the 
 Maleecntencs 
 to protefl the 
 followers of 
 thofe opioions 
 in Religion 
 intrOiiuceii by 
 Cilvm, and it 
 is cmbiaicd. 
 
 7>jfca fif.'vra, a' 
 Picard, prea. 
 cheth and 
 publiftiethin 
 print iig 
 Principles 
 differing from 
 the Roman 
 Catholick Re- 
 ligion; which 
 at firft arc 
 hearkned to 
 only in curio-' 
 fity, biuatlaft 
 make great 
 impreflions in 
 the minds of 
 men, and pro- 
 duce great 
 niifchief. 
 
 Cilv'ms opijii., 
 ons had thcit 
 6rft foundaii'> 
 oo in Gcntvi-
 
 10 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil fp^ars 
 
 coming out daily in print 
 
 The Kf formed 
 RtligifD be- 
 gan to fpread 
 in t'ronct in 
 the tinr)e of 
 frtrntU the 
 Pit«. 
 
 Htury the Sf- 
 cond Wii very 
 fevere a^iinlt 
 the Citvinifii, 
 
 The r.i/vi«/tj 
 ufe to boa(i 
 iniich oF the 
 death of Htti- 
 rj tht Second, 
 
 The name of 
 HhgrKot deri- 
 ved from cer- 
 tain places 
 kinder ground, 
 near W»{(i'« 
 gate in the 
 < ity of T»-rj, 
 wh re thofc 
 '.'{irioni firll 
 took o-o.vtb. 
 
 and men fiirnifhed with wit and eloquence infinuating 
 theinfclvcs into the Neighbour-Princes, who fccretly fowed the feeds of this new Do- 
 drine i in progrefs of time, all the Cities and Provinces of the Kingdom of Frame 
 were filled with it, though fo covertly, tliat there appeared openly, only fome few 
 marks and conjcdures of it. 
 
 The Original of this diflention began about the time of FramU the Firft i who 
 though fometimes he made fevere refolutions againft them , notwithftanding, being 
 continually bulled in foreign Wars, cither remitted it, or was not aware how at that 
 time , the Principles of that Faith ( then rather defpifed and hated , than any way 
 feared or taken notice of J began by little and little to fpread in the world. 
 
 But f/wrv the Second, a religious Obferver ot theCatholick Faith, knowing withal, 
 that from diftradion of Religion in mens minds, would infallibly follow (asa neceflary 
 confequcnce) dillradions in the State i ufcd hisuttermoll endeavours to extirpate the 
 roots of thofe feeds in their lirfi growth. And therefore, with inexorable feverity 
 refolved , that all who were found convicft of this imputation , fliould fuffer death 
 without mercy. And although many of the Councellors in every Parliament, cither 
 favouring the fame Opinions, or abhorring the continual cffufion of blood, made uft 
 of all their 5;ki!l, to preferve as many as they could from the feverity of this execution i 
 notwith/landing the Kings vigilance and conftancy wasfLich chiefly by the incitements 
 of the Cardinal of Lorai>i^ that he had reduced things to fuch a point, as he would in 
 the end , though with the effufion of much blood, have expelled all the peccant hu- 
 mours oirt of the bowels of the Kingdom ^ if the accidents which folJowed, had not 
 interrupted the courfe of his refolution. 
 
 But thereupon, the death of Henry happening unexpededly, which the Calviniiis 
 ufcd to preach of as miraculous , and magnifie to their advantage : In the beginning 
 0^ Francii the Second his Fvcign, this feverity being ofnecelTity fomewhat remitted, 
 the difeafe by intermiflion of the purge grew ftronger i and as the remedies were gentler 
 and lefs operative , fo inwardly it increafed , and fpread it felf the more. For the 
 Duke oiGuife and the Cardinal nf Lorain^ who governed in chief, continued the fame 
 refolutions of feverity i but it continued not in the Court of Parliament, nor were the 
 other Magilhates fb obedient to the Regal Authority j but, over-awed by the number 
 and quality of thofe that had embraced that Dodtrine which they called KeformeJ, and 
 already weary of fuch cruelty towards their Country-men and kindred, filently flackned 
 the rigour, and were lefs diligent in enquiring aker them: Befidcs, there were many 
 amongft the CounfeJlors, who according to the inclination of theprefent Government, 
 and through delire of change, were well pleafed to have things fo brought into confu- 
 fion that everyone might live with Liberty of Confcience. For Iheodor Bezj^ Cal- 
 vins difciple, a man of great eloquence and excellent learning, having by his Sermons 
 fcduced a great number of men and women , and many of the chief Nobility and 
 greateft perfbns of the Kingdom being revolted to that Religion, their Aflemblies and 
 Sermons were then no more celebrated in Stables and Cellars, as in the Reign of 
 tienry the Second, but in the Halls and Chambers of the beft Gentry, and moft emi- 
 nent Nobility. 
 
 Thefe people were formerly called Hngomts ; becaufe the firft Conventicles they had 
 in the City oilours^ (where that belief firft took flrength and encreafedj were in cer- 
 tain Cellars under ground neai Hitgo^s gate, from whence they were by the vulgar fort 
 called Hugomts j as xxiFUnders^ becaufe they went in the habits of Mendicants, they 
 were called Gf«x .• Others count other ridiculous and fabulous inventions of this name i 
 but howfoever it were , thefe Hugomts had not yet any Head , nor authority of any 
 Prince to protedl them. For though the Admiral and other Lords inclined to their 
 opinions, they durft not as yet declare themfelves, but were bridled with the fear of 
 punifhment, and therefore kept their Affemblies exceeding privately 
 
 Now the Princes of Bourbon finding France in this ftate, and (b agreeing with their 
 interefts, they greedily embraced the Admirals propofitions, and unanimoully confented 
 to his opinion, to make ufe of this pretext, and the opportunity of thefe conjundures 
 to perfed their deligns i and to this end deputed AndeUt and the Vidame of Chartres, to 
 negotiate their bulinefs. 
 
 Andelot was brother to the Admiral \ a man of great ficrcenefs, and much experi- 
 ence in war ■■, but being of a precipitate nature, and turbulent fpirit, (ftill mingling and 
 interelUng himfclf in feditious Treaties and Plots; had many times offcnded the for- 
 mer
 
 ^ 
 
 of France. The Firft ^oo{. 
 
 21 
 
 rner Kings i and but for the proteiftion of the Confrable, and favour of his brother^ 
 more than once had forfeited his Hfe and reputation. But, for thefe and the like caufes, 
 removed from Court, he had a long time continued to take part with the Hiigomts^ 
 and to give them his aid in their fecret alTembling themfelves to hear Sermons. Of 
 like nature, and yet more precipitate, and more open, but not of like valour, was the 
 Vidame of Chartres , who, great in riches, leading a licentious diflblute life, was be- 
 come a refuge and fanctuary for all vitious pcrfonsi and lallly, (more through capri- 
 cioufnefs of his unquiet nature, than any fenfe he had of matters of Religion j declared 
 himfelf an adherent to Cjltins Dodrine. Thefe, as experienced Inftruments to ftir up 
 Novelties, and knowing the places where the Htigomts ufed to aflemble, had no great 
 difficulty, without difcovering themfelves , to find out men enough fit to convey fe- 
 cret intelligence to thofe that were interefled in it, of the begun delign j and to put in 
 order and form thofe things that were to be put in execution ; who, befides their 
 wondrous activity, had continual correfpondence with thofe who (terrified with fear 
 of danger and punifhment} cared not for their own fafety, to molcft and fubvert the 
 whole world : and eafily, in a (hort time, brought their bufinefs to that ifTue as was 
 intended. 
 
 Pradifing thus in all parts, they difpofed the order of their Council in manner as 
 followeth. That, having affembled a great multitude of thofe that profe(s the Re- 
 formed Religion , they fliould firft of all fend, and then appearing before the Court 
 unarmed, defire the King to grant them Liberty of Confcience, free exercife of their 
 Religion , and Temples allowed them for that purpofe : which demands, knowing 
 they would be fliarply and refolutely denied , the armed men (which were to be fent 
 privately at the fame time out of divers Provinces) appearing on afudden under cer- 
 tain Captains, as if it had been a multitude enraged with a denial, that ran furioully 
 to take Arms, the King being found unprovided, and the Court difarmed, they fiiould 
 kill the Dukeof Gtt//i?, and the Cardinal of Lorain, with all thofe that followed or de- 
 pended upon any of their name i and fo force the King to declare the Prince of Conde 
 fupreme Governour and Regent of the whole Kingdom ■■> who fhould then remit the 
 Laws made againft them, and grant them a freedom of their Religion. 
 
 Some believe , and have divulged , that the chief inftruments of this Confpiracyj 
 had fecret order, if their Plots fucceeded as they had defigned it, that they fliould pre- 
 fently cnt in pieces the Queen-Mother, and the King himfelf, with all his brothers j 
 by thefe means to clear the way for the Princes of Bourbon to attain to the Crown : But 
 not any of the complices having«ever confeffed this intention, but always, even upon 
 the rack, and otherwife, conftantly denied that point , I cannot give my felf leave to 
 affirm it upon the uncertain report of Fame only, which is raifed and increafed accor- 
 ding to the feveral inclinations of men. 
 
 Now the Confpirators having thus ordered their bufinefs, they prefently divided the 
 charges and chief Provinces amonglf the Hugonots , that they might execute their de- 
 figns with more order, and lefs noife. Godfrey de la Barre , Sieur de la 'Renandie^ a 
 man who, having paft thorow divers fortunes, and fpcnt much time in other Coun- 
 tries, with his boldnefs and wit had got a great name amongft the Calvinijis, and was 
 much followed by them, took upon him the chief Government and care of the whole 
 cnterprife, neither wanting courage to undertake, nor underftanding to direft fo ha- 
 zardous a delign. "Withal, being brought to a low defperate fortune, he refolved by 
 thefe means either to better his condition, or lofe his life in the attempt. He was born 
 in Perigort, (which people were anciently called Petracorii) of an indifferent good fa- 
 mily j but for fome falfe dealing in a certain Procefs , was forced To flee his Country, 
 and , having for many years wandered up and down the World, at length came to 
 Geneva, and there, by the rcadinefsof his wit, having gotten into reputation, he found 
 means alfo to return home to his own Country ', where wafting his fortune in projedfs 
 and fadlious companies , he brought himfelf into fuch a condition , that he was at 
 length forced to get his living by the fame arts he had formerly ruined both his credit 
 and eftate. Such was the quality and birth of the chief Head of that Confpiracy, with 
 whom many others joined themfelves ; fome led by Confcience , others thruft on 
 through defire of change, and many alfo invited by the natural humour of the French 
 Nation, who cannot endure to live idly. To thofe of beft quality amongft thefe, he 
 gave feveral charges to raife men, and to bring them to a place appointed i fo that ha- 
 ving divided t(5 all their feveral Provinces, in this great diforder they procceed in a mofi: 
 
 , orderly 
 
 The raaimW 
 of the Hi^gi- 
 nits proceed- 
 inss. 
 
 Rer.iudie, a 
 man of a def- 
 perate for- 
 tune , is 
 made Head of 
 the Hugcn-ts 
 Confpiracy.
 
 22 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 l5<5o. 
 
 The lifitenth 
 
 o( Mn rh was 
 
 a day more 
 
 than once ap- 
 
 r-iintcJ for 
 
 the execution 
 
 of great de- 
 
 T\'as in 
 n . 
 
 frame : and 
 this day, ^ijno 
 iJ(!o. [he H«- 
 ^«/»iin dcttr- 
 itiined to meet 
 acB/fi/, whtre 
 the King then 
 uis. 
 
 orderly method, which with all the members, agitating feverally, were notwithftand- 
 ing each of them in due time to be airifting to their Superiour. To the Baron of Cj- 
 ftelnjw they committed the care oi G ^J'coigne ■■, To Captain Mjzares , the charge of 
 Beam ; To Mejhy, the Country of Limoges ■■, To Mirabel, Xaiutottge ; To Coccavilie^ 
 ricardyj, To Movans, Provence j To MaUines, Brie and Champaigiie ■■, To the Sieur ds 
 S.Marie, Normandy i and, To Montejan, Brit any : Men who, as they were all of No- 
 ble Families, fo were they of known c:urage , and reputed principal leading men, in 
 fevcral Cities, and their own Countries where they lived. 
 
 All thefe departing from the Alfembly at Nantes, a City in Bntany, (where under 
 colour of Law-bufinefs, celebrating Marriages, or fuch like pretences, they met toge- 
 ther) and returning with great expedition, every one to the Province allotted him, in 
 a few days working with wonderful fccrecy, they brought a great number of people of 
 fcveral conditions to be at their devotions ; who, without looking further into the mat- 
 ter, were afTurcd by their Preachers , that the bufinefs they had in hand was for the 
 good and quiet of the Commonwealth. In the mean while, the Prince of Conde ( who 
 underhand miniftred fuel to fo great a fire) by little journeys went towards the Court, 
 to be ready, without demur, to take fuch refolutions as were moft expedient , and 
 conformable to theprefent occafion : But the Admiral with his wonted fagacity , pre- 
 ferving himfclf as it were Neuter, to be better able upon all occafions to alM his par- 
 ty, being retired to his houfe at Cbajiillon, made fhew of defiring the eafeof a private 
 life, without any tiiought of publick bufinefs belonging to the Government. Which 
 he did not fo much that he might fecretly favour, with his counfel and ailiftance, the 
 common defign, as through doubt (efteeming it too rafh and dangerous^ that it might 
 meet fome crofs encounter, or unhappy end. 
 
 Now the Confpirators (not troubled with fuch tlioughts, but full of good hope) 
 were departed from their houfes, where they had lain hid fecretly, and carrying 
 arms under their garments, went divers ways in feveral companies (according to their 
 order at that time prefixt) from divers parts towards Blois ■■> where for the prcfent, by 
 icafbn of thegoodncfsof theair, the Court remained i a plain open City, and not any 
 ways fortified i near which, in the places adjacent, they were all tome-et the 15 day' 
 of March, in the year 1 560. a day more than once deftined for the execution of great 
 dcfigns. 
 
 But the diligence and fccrecy of the Confpirators was not fuch (although very 
 great) but that it was exceeded by the induftry of the Queen-Mother and theGuifei: 
 who through great rewards , and the authority they bad in the State, having infinite 
 dependants in all parts of the Kingdom, were particularly informed of the whole frame 
 of the Confpiracy j and it was impolTible in reafon, that the riling of fo great a multi- 
 tude could be concealed : for we fee the fecretefl plots trufled to few perfons of tried 
 fecrccy and known faith , ufe often to be difcovered before they come to execution. 
 Some will have it, that la Kenaudie communicated all the particulars to Pierre Ava- 
 nellfs, an Advocate in the Parliament of Parii, whom he thought a man to be trufted, 
 becaufe he was one of the fame Religion. But he, either looking upon it as too great an 
 attempt, or dcfigningto get a reward, revealed the bufinefs confufedly to the Duke of 
 Giiifes Secretary ■■> by whofe counfel, afterwards fent for in perfon to the Court, he 
 dilcovcred all the particulars to the Queen-Mother. But whether this fecret came from 
 AvantVcs, or fpies entertained in the houfes of the chief Confpirators, accufed them > 
 or that the advice, as fome have faid, came out of Germany; the Queen- Mother and 
 the Gnijh having notice of it, confulted what cpurfe to take to divert, or elfe fupprefs 
 the mifchief of theprefent Confpiracy. The Cardinal not accuftomed to the dangers 
 of War , inclining to the fecureft refolution , advifed , that all the Nobility of the 
 neateft Provinces fliould be fent for i that all the Foot in the Neighbour -Garifons 
 fliould be drawn into a Body s that Curriers fliould be difpatched to all the Princes and 
 Governoursof the Kingdom, with abfolute command to put themfelves into the field, 
 to puifue all fuch as they found bearing Arms ; conceiving, that the Confpirators finding 
 they were difcovered, and hearing of {uch great preparations, (which are commonly 
 increafcd by reports) would of themfelves fcatter and disband, rather than try the ut- 
 termoft danger. 
 
 But the Duke of Guife, who ufed to the greateft dangers, made little account of the 
 force of a confufed multitude without difcipline or government ; thought, by follow- 
 ing that way which the Cardinal propofed, the mifchief would be delayed, but not cx- 
 
 tinguiflied »
 
 of France. The Fir [I ^oo{. 25 
 
 tinguiflicd i which ftill pcrnicioufly creeping into, and fetling in the inward bowels of 
 the Kingdom, would break forth ggain at fome other time with greater violence, and 
 perhaps with more trouble and damage to the State. In which confideration, he was 
 of opinion, that diilembling, and making fliew of knowing nothing, they fhould give 
 courage and commodity to the Confpirators to difcover themfelvesi that fb being van- 
 quiihed, and puniflied , the State might be freed from the repletion of fo peftilent and 
 dangerous an humour i which, fhewing it felf like to occafion fuch great, diftempers, it 
 was no time to appeafe it with lenitives only , but being already grown to a head, to 
 expel it with ftrong purging medicines. He added yet to thofe reafons, that the Con- 
 fpirators being fo (eparately fupprelTed but in part , it would be in the arbitrement of 
 malignants to calumniate the ad i and the people not accuftomed to fuch proceed- 
 ings, would difficultly believe it i fo that many would think it an invention of thofe 
 that governed to deprefs their enemies, and more furely to efiabliOi their prefent power » 
 but that, oppreifing them all united together in one Body, at the fame inftant that they 
 meant to put their deligns in execution, all calumnies would be taken away, and the 
 truth and linccrity of their proceedings be evident to all the world. 
 
 The Qiicen-Mother , moved with thefe Reafons, concurred with him in opinion, 
 wherefore not making any provifions extraordinary that might make the Confpirators 
 fufped they had any advertifement of their delign > they carried the King, with all the 
 Court, as for recreation only, from Blois to Ambois, ten leagues diliant, (a. French 
 league contains two Englifli miles) upon the River Loire j and by reafon of that, and 
 the woods that inviron it, very itrongly fituated. They did this, partly to delude the 
 Confpirators in their hrft attempt, (who thought to find the King in a nearer place, 
 and more open i) partly that by means of the CaAIe the Kings perfon and the Queens 
 might be more ft cure j and being a place but of little compafs, it v;as eafily to be de- 
 fended by thofe few people that were to be gotten thereabouts. There the day ap- 
 pointed drawing near, in which tlie Confpirators were to appear , the Gnifcs, having 
 devifed amongfi themfelves how to make ufe of this fo great an occalion for their own 
 advantage, not only better to eflablifh , but to increafe and bring to perfedioh their 
 newly atchieved greatnefs , and convert thisalTauk of their enemies to their own ad- 
 vancement, Cas from poifons are often extraded cordials) without making the Queen 
 privy thereunto, they went directly to the King, and, with (hew of great fear, exag- 
 gerating and magnifying the attempt of the Confpirators, laid before him how greatly 
 the Government, and by confequence, his own perfon, and all his Allies, were indan- 
 gercd by their pradices i and withal, told him of the nearnefi of the danger , the 
 Confpirators being already at the gates of Ambois^ and that their number and force be- 
 ing more than at hrit was believed, it was neceflary to refolve upon fome prefent ex- 
 pedient to prevent them. 
 
 The King, of a timorous feeble nature, and at the prefent much moved with the 
 greatnefs of fo imminent a danger, calling to his prefence not only his Mother, but all 
 the Council, began to debate the means of oppofing the force, and fupprdTing the vio- 
 lence of fo great an infurredion. The Council was tumultuous and confufed, by rea- 
 fon whereof many doubts and infinite dangers appearing on all fides, which were much 
 increafed by the vehemence and art of the Cardinal oi Lorain ■■, the King of himfelf 
 unable to refolve any thing in matters of fuch difficulty, much lefs to fuftain the weight 
 of the Government in fo troubled a time, without any other motive but his own, was 
 of opinion to declare the Duke of Guife^ his Lieutenant-General, with abfolute powerj 
 and relying upon the vigour of his courage and mature wifdom, to leave the Govern- 
 ment of the State during thofe troubles wholly to him, for as much as he found himfelf 
 unable to undergo fo great a burthen. The Queen-Mother, though inwardly ftruck 
 with fo bold an attempt, readily confented to the Kings opinion v becaufe fhe faw (he 
 could not oppofe that refolution without coming to open variance with the Citifes ; 
 which in that time when it was moft necelTary to remain united, would have occafioned 
 the Kings ruine, and the fubvcrfion of the State, admitting with diforder and confu- 
 fion in the Government, advantageous opportunities for the Confpirators to execute 
 ■with greater facility their intended defigns. Befides , it appeared very reafonable to 
 her, that to fuch imminent dangers fhould be oppofed the abfolute power of fome one 
 experienced perfon of great reputation i and that it was not fit torelie upon one of 
 weak capacity , who with doubts and delays might give the enemy that opportunity 
 which he deiircd , and take otf from his own that refolution and freenefs of courage 
 
 which
 
 Ill 
 
 2 A The Hiftory of the Civil iVars 
 
 which the urgency of the prefent affairs required. And by t!ic example of pall occur- 
 rences, (which teach excellent IlIToiis to govern the future; flievvasput in mind, tliat 
 not only Kings, who govern abfokitcly according to their will, but even Rc-publicks, 
 had conferred the fuprcinc Authority upon one man, when the occurrenceof any great 
 dangers fcemed to require extraordinary and powerful oppohtion. But bcfidcs thefc 
 refpeds, which concerned tiic welfare of her Son and the publiok good, flie was per- 
 fvvadcd to it by her own private interefr. For forefecing aiar oft the defolation that 
 muil of ncccllity follow, the enmities of the Princes of the Blood, and the hate and 
 envy that would fall upon her if iheoppofed it, fhe thought it very fit for her purpofc, 
 that the Duke of (Juife commanding abfokitcly in chief, all the blame and envy fhoukl 
 fall wholly on him, and flic by that means prefcrvc the love of tiie people, and the 
 liberty to bend her counfels that way which flie fliould think mofl fit and advantageous 
 
 for her fclf. 
 
 But Olivier the Chancellor, a man in all times efteemed the Author of wife counfel, 
 and avcrfe to fuch unlimited power, feemed to ftand doubtful and in fufpence, whe- 
 ther or no he fliould confcnt to the Kings Fropchtion i and fuch was his conlhncy and 
 authority, that the bulintfs had been held longer in debate, and with doubtful fuccefs, 
 if the Queen-Mother had not made it appear to hitn, that the prefent danger was fo 
 extraordinary and foprciling, that it could not be prevented with ordinary moderate 
 counfels : That it was nectifary to provide for the urgency of the inllant a/fairs, and 
 rather than ruine the prefent , lay alide a little the conlideration of future things, 
 which might be otherwifc remedied by time and opportunity : That it would be very 
 eafie, this urging neceility once pall, to moderate with new Decrees and new Edifls, 
 the now unlimited power of the Duke of Gitife^ which would quickly tranfport him 
 beyond the limits of duty and reafon , if he were not re'hained by his own vertue : 
 And finally, it would be of advantage to every one, that in the efluiion of fo much 
 blood, which it was forefeen muft be fpilt, no other power nor authority (hould be ufed 
 but the Dukes only, neither the Kinghimfclf, his Friends or Miniflers, having their 
 hands imbrued in thofe flaughters. \Vhich confiderations moving the Chancellor, he 
 fcaled the Commillion drawn by /' Aitbefpim;^ Secretary of State : In which was granted 
 to the Duke of Cuijl tlie Title and Authority of Lieutenant-General for the King, in 
 all the Provinces and places under his command, with fuprcme Power in all caufes Civil 
 and Military. 
 
 The Duke of G///yJ having obtained this charge, which he had ever afpired to, be- 
 gan refolutely to attend the fupprellion of the Confpiracy i and prefcntly caufing the 
 Gate of the Callle into fhe Garden to be walled up, and having placed the Switzers 
 and French Archers, which ufe ordinarily to guard the Kings perfon, at the other i he 
 fent forth the Count of Sanjhre with fome Horfe to fcout abroad, and give him con- 
 tinual advcrtifement what he could difcover. 
 
 In the mean time Kenandte arrived with his Complices at the place appointed -, and 
 iinding the King was retired from Blois to Amhois^ neverthelefs his courage not failing, 
 he went on in the fame order towards the Court. The unarmed multitude came firll, 
 who falling proilrate before the King, were to deinand Liberty of Confciencc. But 
 they were not only not admitted to his prcfcnce, but being roughly driven away from 
 the Gates by the Souldiers that were in Guard, they retired, and (cattered up and down 
 in the fields, and without either order or advice, expeded the coming of their other 
 Companions. 
 
 Not long after Captain Lignieres, one of the Confpirators , either terrified at the 
 point of execution , with the greatnefs of the danger , or elfe through remorfe of 
 Confcience, leaving his Companions, went a by-way to Ambnir, and acquainted tlie 
 King and Queen-Mother particularly of the number and quality of the Confpirators, 
 the names of the Commanders, the ways by which they came, and withal their whole 
 defign. Wherefore by the Kings order a Guard being fet upon the Prince oi Conde^ 
 that he might in no manner be aiding to the Confpirators, as he had promifed them, 
 the Duke of Gitij'e fent forth Jaques d' Auboft, Marefcal d^ S. Andre, and James Savoy 
 Cuke of JVfwoOT/, with all the horfe they could make, cither of the Kings Guard, or 
 the attendunce about the Court; who being placed in Ambuflies in the woods there- 
 abouts, intended to cxped: the coming of the Confpirators. Mazeres and Kaiouy, 
 who led the Troops of Beame, were the firll that fell into the Ambufcade laid by the 
 Count ot S.iftjinri and afloniflicd with the fudden affault, neither knowing how to 
 
 flee
 
 of France. The Fir ft "Bool^ 2 5 
 
 flee nor defend thcmfclves , were taken prifoners without much difpute. The Baron 
 of CajiehuH, who led a great number out of Gafcoigne ^ being arrived zt Noze ^ and The ConrpU 
 and there refrcfliing his Horfc to continue their march , was m.et by the Duke of Ne- nta°/l<"I'.lf 
 mours i who belieging him in that place where he had no manner of proviiion to make where the 
 any defence, they thought it bcfi to yield themfelves to the Dukes mercy, who carried ^InilxT^A, 
 him and all his company prifoners to Ambois, La Renaudis palling through the woods, defeated, 
 having avoided all the Ambufcadoes, approached near the Gates of Ambois^ where en- 
 countred him FardiUun with a Squadron of rcfolute Cuirailicrs i yet feeing himfelf in 
 good condition to fight, he made a fierce afTault i but foon found that his men, asitiS 
 ordinary in fuch tumults, began to yield to the Kings old Souldiers. Wherefore defi- 
 ling to end his life honourably, he fpurrcd on his Horfc to Vurdillun^ and running him * 
 into the Vizor with his Tuck, laid him dead upon the ground i whereupon being fliot 
 in the thigh with a Carabine by Pardil!ia?is Page, who was near his Mafler, he died 
 fighting valiantly ■, and the reft of his Companions without much reiiftarice, were for 
 the moll part all killed upon the place. The next day the reft of the Confpirators 
 Troops, hearing of the death of Lt Re>!andie:,znd the defeat of their Companions, and 
 confidering that the Country about being raifed upon them , there was no means to 
 five thcmfclves by flight i they refolved under the condudt of U Mothe and Coccaville, 
 who were the only Commanders left , to aflault the walls and gates of Amboh, For 
 not knowing that the Prince of Conde was ftraightly guarded, they hoped fome coni- 
 motion would be raifed by him within. The affault was at firft very refolute and va- 
 liant i but finding the walls of the Caftle in all parts well defended, at length wearied 
 oat, and defparate of elTeding their purpofe, they retreated into the Fauxboiirg^ re- 
 folving to ftand obftinately upon their defence » with hope, by help of the night that 
 drew on, to find fome means of efcapc. But the Cavalry coming in that had been 
 fcouring the Champaign , prefently fet fire to the houfes where they were , and fo ■ 
 burning them, they periflied in a manner all, without being able in this laft exigence 
 to perform any memorable ad. Thofe that were taken alive in the pJaces about, the 
 chief of them were preferved to draw from their confeirion the particulars of the Con- 
 fpiracy ■■, the reft condemned to die , being hanged upon trees in the fields , and over 
 the Battlements of the Caftle-wall, butchered and torn by the Souldiers and Executio- 
 ners, were a rooft lamentable fpedacle to the beholders, and the firft beginning of 
 that defolation and bloodftied, which continuing for thefpaceoftn^ny years after, prO" 
 duced fiKh fad and miferable events. 
 
 The End of the Ftrjl BOO it. 
 
 t rui
 
 26 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 ^^ HE:Ni%lCO CATE'Rl^H^^O T>AVILA. 
 
 The Second BOOK, 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THe Second Book^ contaitis the perplexity of ike Kingi Council in remedy" 
 ing the Diforders difcovered in the Conjpiracy : The Deliberation to pK- 
 trifi the dj [contented Princes : The AjferMy o/Fountain-bleau : The Refi- 
 littion to hold an Affembly of the States-General^ which are fummoned by the 
 King to meet at Orleans : The Princes of Bourbon refufe to go thither : Tie 
 King makes them change their Refolntion : The Confiable roitb delays procures 
 the benefit of time : The Princes of the Blood arrive at Orleans : The Prince 
 of Conde is committed to prifon^ and condemned to die. Francis the Se- 
 cond dieth fttddenly : Charles the Ninth fucceeds to the Crown , who being 
 in minority , there arife great Dijfentions about the Regency. The ^een- 
 Mother is made Regent^ and the King of Navarre Prefident of the Provin- 
 ces : The Prince of Conde. is abjbhed, and a tacit liberty granted to the Hh- 
 gonots. The King is Crowned at Rheims. The Confiable unites hintfelfwith 
 the Guiles : They joyn together to take away the liberty from the Hugonots .- 
 The Edicl of July follows : The Minijiers demand a Conference^ and obtain 
 it -J it is kept in Poifly , but proves fruitlefs : The Hugonots departing from 
 the Conference , preach freely : Great Troubles arife thereupon : To remedy 
 which , the States are ajfembled at Paris , where by the EdiU of January, a 
 Liberty of Confcience is granted openly. The Heads of the Catholick.Fa&ion 
 leave the Court : Draw into Confederacy with them alfo the King o/ Navarre: 
 The ^een-AIother being terrified ,• feigns to make a League with the Hugo- 
 nots^ and fo adds Jirength to that party. 
 
 .- ^^:^ ^'^ multitude thus (cattered, and the greateft part of their Commanders 
 -^Jf^^Cb" ^ithc"^ taken or killed, that had brought them from the remotelt parts 
 ^ '^^^!^ °^ ^'^ Kingdom , the fury and violence of the Infurred:ion , was in 
 ^--^^.^^^ appearance abated and fuppreffed. But none having perilhed (ave 
 s.^jl2L^^^ only the feditious rabble, who defperate in their fortunes, were ready 
 '^"'""''^'^""i' rafhly to run upon any danger : and the Princes of Bourbon, with the 
 other Lords of that party , had not difcovered themfelves to be authors of that Con- 
 spiracy, remaining ftill unfatisfied, and ready to embrace new counfels, the common 
 
 peace
 
 of France. The Firjl ^oo\. 
 
 7 
 
 peace was fiill internally, more than ever difturbed, and the publick fafcty expofed to i%6ol 
 new troubles. This being very well known both to the Qyeen-Mother and the Gziifer^ 
 as (bon as the tumult and connmotions in the Court could be appeafed, which by reafon 
 of the rarenefs of the accident were very great , to make the fpeedieft and beft pro- 
 vifion that might be againft fo great a danger, they prefently called to Council, in the 
 Kings own Chamber, all thofe who as faithful Minifters in the prefent Government, 
 they thought might be trufted with the fecrets of thefe new occurrences. There the After the ftp. 
 rcafons being weighed with long debate of the late ftirs, it clearly appeared that they coiJrprra'rors* 
 proceeded only from the pradtice and incitation of the Princes of the Blood j and that >" » fc"« 
 to maintain the Kings Authority, and the form of Government eftabliflied, it was ne- bX^Kin's'^ 
 cefTary in the firft place to takeaway the Heads, and remove the Authors of that Infur- chamber.lt is 
 redtion i they knew that proceeding according to Ikid-nefs of Law , they might juftly "unim tbe°fa- 
 be puniflied as diflurbers of the publick peace, as favourers and introducers of Herefie, vnurersof tte 
 and finally, as fuch who had confpircd againft the Kings liberty, and the ancient Con- """'^'^ '' 
 ftitutions of the Crown j and they doubted not, if the fomenters of that InfurredVion 
 were punifhed and fuppreifed, but the people would foon return again to their former 
 quiet and obedience. But the reverence born in all times , to thofe of the Blood- 
 Royal, and the power of thofe Princes that were named to have part in the Confpiracy, 
 would have caufed every one there to fufpend his judgment j it appearing to them a 
 bufinefs of great moment, and on all fides very dangerous, if the King himfelf ex- 
 ceedingly incenfed, even beyond his natural difpofition, at fo fudden a Commotion, 
 ("which without any fault of his, or ill ufage of his Subjedts, he faw was raifed by the 
 Princes in the beginning of his Government ) had not with fharp and fenfible ex- 
 prelTions given courage to the reft to refolve upon (bme fuch fevere courfeas might ex- 
 prefs a fenfe of the affront. To which the Qijeen-Mother ( no lefs fbllicitous of 
 her fons welfare, than her own greatnefs} and the Gitifes^ to maintain thcmfelves in 
 their acquired power , readily confenting > there was not any one who finally con- 
 curred not in decreeing the punifhment and ruine of all thofe , who either by their 
 counfel or alliftance adminiftred fuel to that fire. 
 
 But becaufe a deliberation of fo great weight, full of infinite hazards, and that drev7 
 after it many great confequences , was neceflarily to be governed with exceeding Art, 
 and managed with prudent dexterity -, they refolved to begin with dillimulation, to 
 feign they had no further knowledge of any thing concerning the Confpiracy, than the 
 manifeft apparence of it brought to light, to attribute all the fault to the diverfity of 
 Religions, and ill Government of the Magiftrates, to (hew rather a fear and terrour 
 ftricken into them by the fury and fudden attempt of the Confpirators, than any confi- 
 dence or fecurity by their pjpprelTion i in outward apparence to manifeft a great deGre 
 of regulating the Juftice of the Kingdom, and to find a way to a new Reformation in 
 the Government , which contenting all pretenders , might reduce with fatisfadtion 
 thofe turbulent fpirits to their former quiet. With thefe kind of proceedings , they 
 thought they might lull into fecurity thofe anxious minds, who pricked in Confcience, 
 lived in extream apprehenfions , and by artifices compafs their defires , which they 
 knew by force were very difficult to attain unto. And becaufe they conceived, the 
 Conftable and the King of Navarre had both by confent and affiftance abetted thefe 
 ftirs, and it was certainly known that the Vifdame of Chartres and Anddot had been 
 adlive in them, whom it was agreed upon they could not get into their power but with 
 diffimulation and time i they refolved to fct at liberty the Prince of Conde^ as well to 
 confirm an opinion that they were confident of his loyalty, and had not penetrated in- 
 to the depth of the bufinefs, as alfo becaufe to take away or punifh him alone, if fuch 
 powerful revengers of his death were left alive, would rather be prejudicial and dan- 
 gerous , than of any advantage i paft examples teaching us, that it is in vain to cut 
 down the body of a tree , how high or lofty foever, if there be any quick roots left 
 which may fend forth new fprouts. 
 
 The fecret intentions for matter of Government thus fetkd, and covered over with 
 the veil of fo perfedt a dillimulation i they refolved, that foon after a General Afiem- 
 bly fliould be called of the three Eftates, upon which is divolved the Authority of the 
 whole Kingdom •> and that for two reafons. Firft, becaufe the Kings refolution againft 
 the Princes of the Blood was fb fevere , he being but young, and newly entred upon 
 the Government, they thought it neceffary to ftrengthen that adl by the concurrence 
 and univerfal confent of the whole Nation. Secondly, becaufe by declaring a publick 
 
 E 2 Tieatj
 
 28 The Htjlory of the Civil iVars 
 
 istfo. Treaty concerning remedies for the prefent diforders, and a form and rules to be ob- 
 
 Tog?i d.c'fi fcrved in matters of Religion, and adminillration of the future Government, the King 
 
 micht have an apparent and rcafonable occaiion to call to him all the Princes of the 
 
 vourcrs 
 
 of the 
 
 thfir powcr.it Blood , and Officers of the Crown , without giving lulpition to any body v neither 
 
 '.u »n Artim- would 'there be any colourable excufe left for them not to come , when it (l.ould be gi- 
 
 biyofthe vtn out that a Reformation was intended, which they themfelves profeflTcd that they 
 
 whichimongft dciJred ' But becaufe this AlTembly of the States was a thing by ail Kings ever ab- 
 
 «)ihfr>, the" horred (for whilft they fit with abfolute power rcprefenting the body ot the whole 
 
 H^"ar«^to* Kingdom, the Kings Authority feems in a manner fufpended ■ it was therefore rtfol- 
 
 aiflift. y(;j f„/t to call a great Council under pretence of remedying the prefent diftra(5^ions i 
 
 wherein by perfonsfct on to that purpofe, it fliould be propofed and counfclled, as ne- 
 
 ccfTary i that fo the Princes and Lords of the Confpiracy might not enter into any jea- 
 
 loufie, as though the King, without requeft made by his Subjedts, had voluntarily of 
 
 himfelf rcfolved to call an AlTembly of the States. 
 
 Things thus refolved upon, prefcntly were publiflied Letters Patents dircded toall 
 the Parliaments , and Edids divulged to the fcveral Provinces of the Kingdom: In 
 the Preambles of which the King lamenting and complaining, that without any evi- 
 dent occaiion, a great number of perfons had rifen, and taken Arms againll him : af- 
 terwards proceeding, he clearly imputes the blame thereof to the raninef; of t])e Hu- 
 gonots, that they having laid alide all belief in God, and love to their Country, en- 
 deavoured to dillurb and trouble the peace of the Kingdom : But becaufe it is the duty 
 of a good Prince, to proceed with love and fatherly indulgence , He declared witha!, 
 that he was ready to pardon all fuch , who acknowledging their errour, (lioi.ld retire 
 peaceably to their own houfes, rcfolving to live conformably to the Rites of the Catho- 
 lick Church, and in obedience to the Civil Magiflrates. W herefore he commanded all 
 his Courts of Parliament, not to proceed in matters of Religion, upon any paft Infor- 
 mations , but to provide with all fcverity for the future , that they (liould offend no 
 more in the like kind, nor keep any unlawful AflTemblies. And becaufe he defircd above 
 all things to fatisHe his people, and to reform abufcs in i he Government i That he there- 
 fore fignifitd his plcafure toaffcmbleall the Princes and eminent perfons of the King- 
 dom, at Fo/tntahi-bleiK^ a place fitly fituatcd in the heart of fiv^cf, and but few leagues 
 diliar.t from P.iw, to provide by their counfcl for the urgent neccflities of State > to 
 which purpofe he gave free leave and power to all perfons whatfoever, to come to the 
 AHembiy , or elfe to fend their Deputies and grievances in writing, which he would 
 not only graciouily hear himfelf, but the fupplicants fhould have redrcfs in all that was 
 reaforiiible or juft. 
 
 With thefe and the like Decrees, divulged on purpofe and with dillimiilation, (the 
 Court Mailer piece ) they in a reafonable manner fecured the great- ones from their 
 fears and jtaloufies > nor was there any one w ho believed not, but that the Queen-Mo- 
 ther and (he Cuifes, being terrified with the fudden attempt of the Confpirators, and 
 doubting more than ever new Infurrefftions, had determined in a fair and fitting way 
 to fatisfie the difcontented Princes , and fb to regulate the form of Government, that 
 all fliould again participate according to their merits, the charges and honours of the 
 Kingdom. 
 Tfie Prince of In this interim the Prince of CoWc was difcharged of his Guard, and left free, ei- 
 ^^"s'L^'tlri. fhcr to f^ay at Court , or depart, as he pleafed •■, neither the King nor the Qyecn omit- 
 foni-r, IS fee ting any demonllrations of kindnefs that might appeafe hhn. But he , grievoufly 
 «t ji ei:y. troubled in mind, not being able to quiet his thoughts, (for if he flayed, he flayed in 
 danger ; and going away , he went as criminal i) at length he refolved to tafle , in 
 fome meafure, the Kings inchnations , and to find out, if it were pofTible, the inten- 
 tion of thofe that governed. Wherefore being one day at Council, where the Princes 
 of the Blood are always admitted, he laboured by weighty and eameft fpecchcs to clear 
 himfelf from being guilty of any pradice either againft the Kings perfbn or the Queens, 
 as had beai fallly fuggef\ed by his enemies : But becaufe things done in fecret cannot 
 otherwife be cleared, that he was ready to maintain his innocence with his Sword in 
 his band, againli any perfon whatfoever that durft calumniate him as a partaker in the 
 Jate Confpiracy. Which words, though they were directed to the Princes of LoriJiV, 
 ncverthelcfsthe Duke of Gw/p, not forgetting the rcfolutions already taken, mofl cun- 
 ningly difn.nibling, added thereunto, that he knowing the Princes goodnefs and can- 
 dor, oflcicd himfelf in perlon to accompany him, and hazard his life as his fecond, if 
 ihere were any that would accept the challenge, Thefe
 
 of France. The Fir ft ^oo^> 29 
 
 ^ . ■ » -> . . ■ ■ , . —HI - ^^ 
 
 Thefe Ceremonies paft over, which were fo artificially carried, on both fides, that 
 the moft fufpitious and leaft apt to believe, began to think them real > the Prince not 
 at all quiet nor fecure within, but thinking he had done enough for his juftification 
 departed prefently from Court, and with great diligence went into jBif<»r« to the King 
 ©f Navarre. . , - . 
 
 They omitted not to ufe the like artifices with the ConHable, the Admiral, and the 
 reft ; but entertained them with kind Letters, and Commiffions, and charges of truft : 
 Neither was there lefs care to provide in all the Provinces againft any new Infurredi- 
 pns V for which caufe the Gens d' Armes were fent into feveral parts of the Kingdom 
 |hat were moft fufpedted, and the Governours of places, and other Magiftrates, were 
 very watchful, that there fhould be no fecret Aflemblies , in which they perceived all 
 the mifchief was ordered and contrived i and under pretence of the Hugonots, they 
 kept a ftridt watch upon other people of all forts and qualities. But about the King, 
 where there was greateft danger, and caufe of fufpicion, were appointed to wait, the 
 Puke of Orleans , and the Duke of Angonkfine his Brothers Bands of men at Arms, 
 commanded by men of fidelity and truft, the Duke of Gmfes Company and his Brothers 
 the Duke of Aitmale's^ the Duke of Lorain's, the Duke of Nemottr s, Prince Lodotvkk^ 
 Gonza^o's, Don Francifco £ Ejie's, the Marefhal of BrijJ'ac's, the Duke of Never's, the 
 Vifcount of lavanne's, the Count of Critjfgl's, and Monfieitr de la Brajfe^s i to which 
 were added the Prince of Conde's Band , and the Conftable's > for being amongft fo 
 many others, they might be carefully enough looked over. All thefe, which amounted 
 to a thoufand Launces, were ftill quartered about the Court, to be near the Kings per- 
 fon j and to his ordinary Guard were added two hundred Harquebufhers on horfe- 
 back, under the command of Monfieur deRichlieu^ a man of exceeding fiercenefs, and 
 abfolutely depending upon thofe that governed. The Princes, Minifters of the Crown, 
 many Pre'ates and Gentlemen, eminent in birth or quality, were already fummoned to 
 the Affembly at Fonntain-hleau , where thofe that fate at the Helm , proceeded with 
 fuch diilimulation, that all men obferving in them rather a timoroufnefs, and appre- 
 henfion of the future events , than any thoughts bent to feverity or revenge, the Con- 
 fpirators themfelves believed they might without any more trouble , obtain fuch a Re- 
 gulation in the Government as they had defigned. 
 
 In the mean time, the High Chancellor Olivier dying , that dignity was confirmed ^7 'J"* <5"«^ 
 upon Michel de P Hofpital, who to his deep knowledge in the Greek and Latin Let- "wde'T'^il 
 ters, having added a great experience in aifairs of State, and being of a cautelous /p""' '' "'^"^e 
 fubtil wit, the King thought he would prove an excellent Minifter for thofe refoluti- ccfior?''*"'' ^ 
 ons that were then in defign. The Queen i.fed great induftry and no lefs diligence to 
 advance this Creature of her own to that Office, notwithftanding the Princes of Lorain 
 would have brought into it Monfieur Morvil'iers--, a man no way inferiour , either in 
 reputation or wifdom , but who feemed not to defire that place, left he might gain the 
 difpleafure of the Queen-Mother , who beginning to grow jealous of the greatnefs 
 of that Family , delired to have fuch a perfon in fo eminent a charge , who de- 
 pending abfolutely upon her will , might alfo be of ability to manage thofe great 
 aifairs. 
 
 But the Eledion of the High Chancellor thus confirmed, fwhich for fome days kept 
 tufinefs in fufpence) no delays being to be ufed in the execution of their purpofed de- 
 figns, the King with thofe bands before mentioned, and the Court all armed, went to 
 Tountam-bleau to celebrate the appointed Affembly with great expedation of alt men. 
 There arrived two days after, the Conftable accompanied by Francis Marefhal of Momo- ^tne of iies 
 M«9', and Henry Lord d' AnviUe his fons, by the Admiral Andelot, and the Cardinal of m'^I^au- 
 Chajiillon his Nephews, the Vifdanie of Chartres, the Prince of Por/M«, and fo numerous """> goesw 
 a gallant company of his friends and adherents that in an open place (&$ Fomtain-bleatt ac'r^w^"^, 
 was J he needed not fear either the Kings ftrength, or the G«?yfj- power. The Prince *'""<• 
 of Conde and the King of Navarre, though kindly invited, had already refufed to come The King of ' 
 thither ir the firft , through exafperation of mind, which more than ever inclined his ^"-"am Jnd . 
 thoughts tonewdefignsi the other, having remitted what concerned their common r,^</fgono/' 
 interefts to the Tonftable and the Admiral, (to whom he fent his Confident Jacques 'Utter. 
 de U Sague with Inftradions^ was refolved to ftand at a diftance in his own private 
 quiet. 
 
 The day appointed to begin, the Aflcmbly being now come, after they were all met The Afffmb!/ 
 together in the Qijeen-Mothers Chamber, the King in few words told theiii his intent, '^^7""*" 
 
 Tvhich
 
 J? 
 
 — ^ 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil JVdrs 
 
 4'5. S. which was to prevent the troubles that were riling, and to regulate Tuch things as were 
 * thought nccclTary to be reformed. Wherefore he carncftly dclircd every one there pre- 
 
 fent, with iinccrity and candour to deliver his opinion in what concerned the pub- 
 lick good. The Qiieen- Mother purfued the Kings fpeech, fpeaking much to the fame 
 purpofe i but more at large exhorting every body there to fpeak freely their own 
 fenfe, without any refpeifls i for the AfTembly was called to no other intent , but to 
 regulate and reform fuch things as were requifite for the prcfcnc and future quiet. The 
 Cliancellor de /' Hofpital made a long fet Oration much to the fame purpofe, but dc- 
 fccnding to tiiore particulars, lignified it was the Kings opinion, and the Lords of his 
 Council, that the troubles of the Kingdom did proceed chiefly from the diflentions in 
 Religion i and next , from the cxceilive grievances laid upon the people by the Kings 
 his PredecefTors i and therefore deiired every one upon thofe two points efpecially to 
 fpeak his opinion , that care might be taken both for tlte fetling of mens Confcienccs, 
 and for paying the debts of the Crown, without laying more burden upon the Subjcd, 
 already overcharged , but rather find feme way to disburden and eaft them of their 
 opprelTions : Yet his Ma]efty prohibited none, if they difcovered any other diforders 
 in the Government, but that they might and ought freely and plainly to propofe, and 
 reprefent to the Aflembly, whatfoever they thought might conduce to the re-fctling the 
 prefent Diftradions in the State. 
 
 After thefe Propofals, for the better information of thofe that were to fpeak their 
 opinions, the Duke of Guife rendred an account of the Armies, and other things com- 
 mitted to his charge i and the Cardinal of Lorain related particularly the cllate of the 
 Trsafury aud publick Revenue, commonly called Fi«j«cfJ- i and with thefe Preambles, 
 that every one might have time to prepare himfelf what to fay , the Aflembly was dif- 
 mifleJ for that time. 
 TVc Adr..rji The ncxt day, before they entred upon any bufinefs, the Admiral more in love with 
 riti'Tf'rom'''' '^'S own Opinions than ever, and conceiving if he could add to theQiiecns apprehen- 
 tbe Huj,c.iot5, iions, and the Gttifis, they might with more facility obtain fuch a full Reformation as 
 "J,''„'''',j j.^' was aimed at i refolved to fet forth the number and force of the Hugonots, not with- 
 eir,ncf Tern- ftanding the late fupprcifTon of the Confpiracy, and by that means gain the favour and 
 |«tyof"conr abfoiutc dcpeudancc of that party. Wherefore riling from his feat, and prcfcnting 
 fticwe. himfelf before the (- ing , he delivered him a Paper, and faid aloud, fo that he might 
 
 bt plainly heard by every one , T/aj^ it n>M a Tetition from tboj'e of the Reformed Keligion, 
 rfho in confidence of his Mujejiies Ed/iis, in which he permitted all people freely to prefe>it 
 their grievances , hid defired him to prefent it\ and though there n-ere yet ko hands to it^ 
 rvhen bis Majelly ihoitld fo order^ if would prefently be fiibfcribed by One hundred and fifty 
 tho:tf.ind per fans. The King, who by his Mothers precepts had learned the Artof dif^ 
 fembling, gracioufly received the Paper , and with affable fpeeches commended the 
 Admirals confidence in prefcnting to him the defires of his Subjeds. This Paper be- 
 ing read by Aubefpine^ it appeared to be a Petition from the Hugonots , by which, 
 •with many tedious circumffances , they deiired in fubftancc Liberty of Confcieuce , and 
 Tempks to be alligned them in every City where they might freely exercife their Reli- 
 gion. After the reading of which, the Admiral being returned to his place, and the 
 murmur ccafed, which proceeded from the diverfe fenfe that men had of this pro- 
 ceeding, every one was appointed in order to deliver his opinion. The Cardinal of 
 Lorain^ of himfelf ardent, and put on by the obligation of his calling, could not for- 
 bear to anfwcr the contents of the Petition, which he termed fcditious, impudent, 
 lafli , heretical and petulant i concluding , that if to ftrike a terrour into the Kings 
 youth , it had been faid , that the Petition fhould be fubfcribed by 150.000 fedi- 
 tious perfons, he made anfwer, "J here mw above a Million of honeji men ready to fap- 
 freft the holdnejs of fuch rebellious people^ and Kjak^e due obedience be rendred to the Royal 
 Mjjtjiy, Whereupon the Admiral offering to reply, a great contefl would have fol- 
 lowed, to the hindrance of the bufinefs intended, if the King, impofing on them both 
 ,' . , lilefice , had not commanded the reft to proceed in order to deliver their opinions. 
 
 Af«noo»l For fo much as concerned Controvcrfies in Religion, thofe that favoured Cuhins 
 
 onfed*'' '""* I^o'^iine, as there were many even among the Prelates that inclined that way, pro- 
 pofeH that the Pope fhould be defired to grant a free General Council, where the diffe- 
 rences in matters of Faith might be difputed , and determined by common confenti 
 and if the Pope refufed to grant it in fuch manner as was neceftary for the prefent 
 times, and the general fatisfadion of all men > the King ought, according to the wife 
 ' ^ example 
 
 poCed.
 
 of France. The Second 'Boo^. 
 
 31 
 
 example of many his PredeccfTois , to call a National Council in his own Kingdom j 1^60^ 
 •where, under his protedion, thofe differences might be determined. But the Car- 
 dinal of Lorain, and the reft who conftantly perfevered in the Cacholick Religion, and 
 were the major part in the AfTembly , denied that any other Council was neceffary, 
 than that by the Popes order m.any years fince begun , and now newly entred into 
 again in the City of Ti-ewt i whither, according to the Canons, and ancient ufe of holy 
 Church, it was free for every body to have recourfe, and to bring all differences in 
 mattersof Religion to be decided by the natural competent Judges ■, and that to call a 
 National Council , whilft the General was open, would be to feparate ( through the 
 capricioufnefs of a few defpcrate perfons) a moft Chriftian Kingdom from the union 
 and fellowdiip of the holy Church ■■> that it was not neceffary to look fo far back : For 
 the General Council of I'rent , having difcuffed and examined the Dotftrine of thofe 
 Teachers that diffented from the Roman Church , had already for the moft part re- 
 proved and condemned it ■■, That they (hould endeavour by the beft means that could 
 be , to purge the Kingdom , and not by hopes or propolicions of new Councils, in- 
 creafe the difbrders, and multiply the confufions. But if the manners of the Ecclefi- 
 afticks , or abufes introduced into the Govertiment of the Church of France required 
 reformation, or more fevere conftitutions i an Affembly might be called of Divines and 
 Prelates, in which, without raedling with controverfies in Faith, thofe diforders might 
 be remedied by common confent. This opinion was approved by the major part of 
 voices, and finally imbraced by all. 
 
 Then for the concernment of the State, after many Propofitions and Difputes, which 
 proceeded from the divers interefts; John de Monluc Biihop oi Valence, having by fe- Agencafy^f. 
 cret order from the Queen propofed an Affembly of the States, both parties willingly '^^'^Jj ^*^^l"^ 
 confented thereunto. The Conftable , the Admiral, and their fadion , becaufe they vedupi.- wd 
 hoped from that, a Reformation in the Government: The Queen-Mother and the Aiftmbiy"d»r- 
 Ga/'/fj-, becaufe they faw things go on of themfelves to their own ends. mi/Ted, 
 
 This confultation ended , the King by his Chancellor thanked the Lords of the 
 Affembly, and forthwith Letters Patents were difpatched by the Secretaries of State to 
 all the Provinces in the Kingdom i containing. That in the Month of OHoher next they 
 fliould fend their Deputies to the City of Orleans, there to hold a general Affembly of 
 the States : and order was likewife given to the principal Prelates, that in the Month 
 of February following, they (hould all meet at Foiffy, to reform, by common confent^ 
 thofe abufes that were introduced in the Government and Miniftry of the Church i and 
 to take fuch order, that a confiderable number of them fliould go to the general Coun- 
 cil of Trent. The Affembly ended , all were licenfed to return to their houfes , and 
 defired to meet again at Orleans, to affift at the Affembly of the States. 
 
 But Jaqiies de la Sague, the King of Navarre's fcrvant, being charged with Letters ^"^"^ fervaat 
 oflnftrudtions from theConftable, the Admiral and the reft of the Adherents, dire- Na'^/rrf,'xM. 
 (fjed to his Mafter , as foon as he left the Court returning towards Bf.?rw ^ being gone >"" pfifon" 
 as far as Ejiampes , was by fecret order of the Queen ftayed prifoner j from whence, with dTym 
 with all his papers, he was privately conveyed to Court. The Letters contained only u "''"j ^"^"l 
 private and general compliments , fuch as ufe to pa(s amongft friends j and being exa- tortirca, cZ" 
 mined , he conftantly denied, that he had any other commillion than what was plain ^'rlalce""*'" 
 to be feen by the Letters. But being brought to the place of torture to draw the againathc 
 truth from him by force , not enduring the rack , he confeffed , That the Prince of ^'°*°- 
 Conde had advifed, and the King of Navarre in part alfo confented thereunto, that he 
 fhould leave Bearne, and under pretence of coming to the Court, by the way take poC- 
 feffion of all the principal Towns thereabouts ■■, feife Farvshy the help of the Conftable, 
 Chis Son the Marefhal of Momorancy being Governour of it make Ficardy revolt by 
 means of the Lords of Senarpont and B&ttchavanne, and draw Britanny to his party by 
 aid of the Duke of Ejiampes, who being Governour of that Province, had great de- 
 pendances there > and fo armed and accompanied by the Forces of the Hugonots, 
 come to the Court, and force the States to depofe the Queen-Mother and the Guifes 
 from the Government , and declaring the King was not out of his minority till he 
 came to 22 years of age, create his Tutors and Governours of the Kingdom , the 
 Conftable , the Prince of Conde , and the King of Navarre. He added to his con- 
 felTion , that if they put the cover of the Vifdame of Chartres Letters which were ta- 
 ken from him, in water, the chara<fters would prefcntly appear, and they fhould fin<i 
 there all written that he had faid. Thus by the confeffion of one imployed by them, 
 
 and
 
 5 2 Th Hijlory of the Civil IVars 
 
 J 5^0. and the teltimony of the Letters, the new dcfigns of the Confpirators were difco- 
 vercd. 
 
 But as the difcontentcd Princes frcfblved to bring in Innovatioris ) incireafed in 
 power and dcpendenf; '-, witli ^o much the inore fiillicitoufncfs and diligence they at 
 Court made their proviiions i where continuing ftill their wonted didimulation, they 
 ftudied all irianncr of pretences and colours to draw near to the Kings perfbn, or elfe 
 remove out of the fufpcded Provinces all fuch, who being united with tiie Princes of 
 the Blood, had received Conniiiilions to trouble or molcll them. For this caufc the 
 Duke of Ejiampes being fent for under pretence that he fhould be imployed as Govcr- 
 nourof the Kingdom of ScotLmd, was entertained with artiticial delays •, and Senar- 
 faiit being declared Lieutenant to the Marcflial of Bnjjjc^ coming to receive new In- 
 i-budions in order to his Government , was by the fame arts hindrcd from railing any 
 commotion in Vkardy-, and fo all the reft with fundry delays and cxcufes were in like 
 tnanner entertained and fufpendcd. But the remedies were not fufhcicnt , for the 
 wound already fcftered. 
 
 The Hugonots having taken courage from the firft Councils of the Infurredtion at 
 Ambois^ and the open profclTion of the Admiral , began to raifc commotions in all parts 
 of the Kingdom i and laying afide all obedience and rcfpcdt, not only made open re- 
 finance againft the Magillrates, but in many places had diredly taken Arms , cndea-^ 
 vouring to raife the Countries , and get ftrong places into their hands, whither they 
 might retire with fafety: which was grown to fuch a pafs, that from all parts came 
 complaints againft them to the Court , and news of their deportments. But one 
 thing more important and more grievous than all the reft, made them haften their for- 
 r "'e^pr""!."^ rncr refblutions. For the Prince of Conde, tiiovcd by his old inclinations , and urged 
 ftih to pnffcfs by the fting of Confcience, not being able to quiet his mind, or moderate his thoughts, 
 «'!?'^bu "with- refolved to make himfelf Maftcr of a ftrong place in fome part of the Kingdom, which 
 out Aicccfs. might ferve him afterwards for a retreat or ftanding quarter , if he were forced to 
 make preparations for the War. Atnongft many others in which he kept fecret in- 
 telligence, none pleafed him fo well as Lm«j-, being a populous rich City, placed upon 
 two Navigable Rivers, not far (torn Gem-va, the principal feat ot the Hugonots i and 
 jjlaccd fo near upon the Confines, that lie might eallly receive fpeedy fuccours from the 
 Protcftant Princes of Grr/W:/)/)', and the united Cantons ot Switzers ; and from whence 
 upon any accident or neccility , he might foon retire into fome free open place out of 
 the Kingdom. 
 
 Wherefore ufing the alliftance of two Brothers, the M.ili^ni's his old fcrvants, he 
 found a means to treat with divers principal men of the City , which by reafon of 
 t!ie Traflick, is always inhabited by many ftrangers of all Nations, and through the 
 heighbourhood of Goieva^ was then (though covertly) replenilhed with people averfe 
 to the Catholick Religion , and inclined to Calvins Dodrine. Thefe , when they 
 thought they had got a party ftrong enough in the City to make infurredion, endea- 
 voured to bring in privately Souldiers unarmed , and others of their fadtion > with 
 which being afterwards furnilhed with arms, they might on a fudden pofTefs them- 
 felves of the Bridges , and Town-houfe, and at length reduce the Town wholly into 
 tlieir power. 
 
 The Marefchal of 5'. y^Wrf was then Governour ofL/w/i who being fent for upon 
 the prcfentoccafions to Court, left there in his place, with the fatne authority, his Ne- 
 phew, the Abbot of Acho?t. He , by rneans of Catholick Merchants jealous to pre- 
 serve their own eftates, and enemies to thofe Counfels that might difturb the peace of 
 the City, having pcrfedly difcovered the practices of the Hugonots, and the time that 
 they determined to rife -, the night before the fifth of September ^ appointed Fro with 
 the chief Deputy of the Citizens, with three hundred Fire-locks , to place a guard 
 upon the Bridges over the Rhone, and the Soane, and befiege that part of the C^ity 
 which is placed between the two Rivers , where he knew the Confpirators were to 
 afTemble. The Maligni's perceiving the Catholicks deiigh , not willing to ftay to be 
 belicged and affaulted where they could not defend thcmfelves, holpen by the darknefs 
 of the night, prevented the Governours men, and hafting with great courage, poftefled 
 themfelves of the Bridge over the Soane^ where they lay watching with great filencc, 
 in hope that the Catholicks , terrified with a fudden encounter, would be eafily dif- 
 ordered ■, whereby the paftage would be free for them to the other part of the Bridge, 
 and to make themfelves Mafters of the great place, and of the chiefell ftrong parts in 
 the Town. But
 
 of France. The Second '\Boo\. ^ j 
 
 But it fell out otherwife ; For the Catholicks enduring the firft fliock without being I'i^oi 
 troubled or difordered, and afterwards continual frefh fupplies of men being fent by 
 the Governour, the Confpirators could no longer rcfift. The reft of their complices 
 heing the beginning fo difficult, durft neither ftir nor appear any longer. Wherefore 
 the A/j/ig^i's having fought all night, and being wearied out, as the day began to 
 Break, perceiving the Gate behind them was open, ("which the Governour on purpofe 
 to facilitate their flight had commanded not to be fhut, left by an obftinatc perfeve^ 
 irance, all might, be indangered ) they fled away, and many of their fadtion with 
 them, and others hid themfelves > by which means the City was freed from thofe gi-eat 
 commotions 
 
 Then the Governour calling in thofe Troops that lay about the Town, and having 
 made diligent fearch for the Confpirators i toterrifie theHugonots.with the feverityof 
 their puniftiment , condemned many of them to be hanged , and preferving the reft 
 alive, fent them presently to Court > who fcrved afterwards to confirm the depofitionS 
 of the prifoners againft the difcontented Princes. 
 
 The news of this attempt being come to Court, the King refolving to ufe no longer 
 delays, nor give more time for new experiments , departed from Fountain-bleau with 
 thofe thoufand Lances that ufed to attend him, and two old Regiments of Foot, that 
 were newly come out of Piedmont and Scotland; and taking the way of Orleans, fol~ 
 licited the Deputies of the Provinces to appear. 
 
 The whole French SJation is diftinguifiied into three orders, which they call States. "^^^ ^^'"^ j. 
 The firft cbnfifts of Ecclcfiafticks i the fecond of the Nobility s and the third of the K?ngdoiri. ' ' 
 common people. Thefe being divided into thirty Prccinds or Jurifdidions , which 
 they call Baillages or Senefchaufees, when a general AfTem.biy of the Kingdom is to be 
 held, go all to their chief City, and dividing themfelves into three feveral Chambers, 
 every one chufes a Deputy, who in the name of that Body, is to affift at the general 
 AfTembly, wherein are propofcd and difcufled all matters concerning the feveral Orders 
 or Government of the State. 
 
 In this manner three Deputies are fent by every Baillage, one for the Ecclefiafticks, 
 one for the Nobility, and one for the People i which by a more honourable term , are 
 called the third feftate. Being all met together in prefence of the King, the Princes of 
 the Blood, and Officers of the Crown, they form the Body of the States-General, and 
 reprefent the Authority, Name, and Power of the whole Nation. When the King is 
 capable to govern , and prefentj they have power to confent to his demands , to prd- 
 pofe things neceffary for the good of their order, to oblige the common people to ncv^ 
 taxes, and to give and receive new La\ys and Conftitutions ■■, but when the Kino- is in 
 minority, or otherwife uncapable, they have authority when it falls into controverfie 
 to chufe the Regents of the Kingdom, to difpofe of the principal Offices, and to ap- 
 point who (hall be admitted to the Council j and when the Kings line fails, or a des- 
 cendant of the Royal Family, they, have power according to the Salique Laws to chufe 
 a new Lord. But befides thefe fupreme Priviledges, the Kings have always ufed in 
 any urgent weighty occafions to aflcmble the States , and to determine of matters of 
 difficulty with their advice and confent » , thinking not only by a publick confent t6 
 make the Princes refolutions more valid, but that it was alfo neceffary in a lawful Gq- 
 vernment and truly Royal, that all great bufineffes (hould be communicated to the whole 
 body of the Kingdom, ^ow at that time it plainly appearing, that through the diffen- 
 tions among the trinces, and differences in Religion, all things were full of diforder, 
 and had needof fpeedy rernedy, the Deputies eledred by the Provinces, and inftantly 
 called upon vl'ith reiterated Orders from the Court, met together with great diligence 
 at Orleans, at the beginning of OSfo^fr , where the King himfelf being alfo artived, 
 with a great company of the principal Lords and Officers of the Crown , he now ex- 
 bedred nothing but the coming of the difcontented Princes,; The Conftable with his 
 Tons ftayed in the Wonted place, at Chantillii ; the King of Navarre, and the Prince hi^ 
 Brother, were retired into Beam; and being (ummoned by the Kings Letters to come 
 to the Affembly of the States, they did not plainly refufe it, but With divers excufe^ 
 and many delays put off the time of their appearance. 
 
 This kind of proceeding held the King and all his MinifterS in great dif^en'fe, doubt= 
 ing, not without reafon, that the Princes either fufpeding fomcthing of them.felves, or 
 advertifed by fome Confident, by refufing to appear at the Affembly, would fruftrat'e 
 all their great defigns and preparations, which were founded only upon their coming; 
 
 F And
 
 54 The Hiflorji of the Civil IVars 
 
 J 5'do. And the Prince of Conde, who ruled his adions by the guiltincfs of his Confcience, it 
 appearing to him a thing impollible, but that by the prifoners at Ambois^ Saga's con- 
 fellion, and the Confpirators taken at Lions, there was enough difcovered to lay open 
 his intents, was grown fo cxtrcamly jealous , that no reafons could perfwade him to 
 put himfelf again into the Kings power or his Minifters, the chief of which he knew 
 were all his mortal enemies. But the King of Navarre , either being k(s guilty , or 
 of a more credulous nature than his brother, thought, that by going to the States, 
 they fhould cafily obtain a reformation in the Government, which was the thing they 
 had fo much laboured for, and that by refufing to go thither, they fliould condemn 
 themfelves, and leave the field free to the avarice and perfecution of the Gaffes. Nor 
 could he poffibly believe, that in the face of a General Aflembly of the whole Kingdom, 
 the King yet as it were a Pupil, an Italian woman and two fhangers would venture 
 to lay violent hands upon the Princes of the Blood , againft whom the moft mafculine 
 Kings and mofl revengeful, had ever proceeded with great regard, as againft perlbns 
 not to be violated, and in a manner Sacro-fanDi. Wherefore he was of opinion, what- 
 foever came of it, to go to the AfTembly, and to take the Prince with him i not mean- 
 ing to give them that advantage , to condemn him in abfence , without any kind of 
 defence, as he was fure they would if he flayed fo far offi whereas if he were there 
 to follicitethe Deputies himfelf, he hoped his caufe, if it were not approved of by 
 the rigour of juftice, yet the equity of his reafons would at leaft make it be born with i 
 and at the laft, (if no better j in confideraticn of his quality, and pre-eminence of 
 Blood, pardoned. All their Counfcllours and Friends concurred in this opinion, ex- 
 cept the Prince's Wife, and his Mother-in-law » both which conltantly oppofed it, 
 efteeming all other lofs inferiour to the danger which they thought evident of leaving 
 their lives there. 
 
 Whilft they were in this debate, there arrived on a fudden, firft the Count of Curfol^ 
 and afterwards the Marefchal of Saint Andre , whom the King had difpatched one 
 after the other, to perfwade the Princes to come : They reprefented to them, that 
 this grave venerable Aflfembly was called with much expence to the King , and great 
 incommodity to the whole Kingdom, only in confideration of the Princes of the Blood, 
 and to fatisfie their inftances and complaints : That they were obliged to deliver their 
 opinions in regulating the Government, and decifion of points controverted in Reli- 
 gion, bufinefles of fuch weight, as without the afliftance of the chief Princes of the 
 Blood, could not be determined : That the King had great caufe to think himfelf 
 mocked, and the States, that they were (lighted by the Princes of Bourbon \ fince ha- 
 ving fo often delired a Reformation in the Government , and to have the Hugonots 
 caufe examined, now that the time was come, and the States aflemblcd for that pur- 
 pofe, they took not any calre of going thither > as it were contemning the Majcfty of 
 that Aflembly, which was the reprefentativeBodyof the whole Kingdom \ that here- 
 after they ought not to blame any body but themfelves, if they were worthily excluded 
 from any part or charge in the Government , fince they would not vouchfafe to come 
 to receive that portion which the King with the approbation of the States thought good 
 to ailign them » and (hewing themfelves thus manifeftly averfe to the Kings fervice,and 
 good of the Crown, they ought not to wonder if quick refolutions were taken to fup- 
 prefs and extirpate thofe roots of difcord, and apparent defigns of innovation. That 
 the King was refolved , as he meant to grafifie fuch who (hewed themfelves re(pedfu! 
 and obedient to him j fo he would bind thofe to a nece(rary and forced obedience, that 
 had any intents to feparate themfelves from his Councils , or to ftir any commotions 
 in the Cities and Provinces of the Kingdom : Of which delinquency he would think 
 the Princes of Bourbon guilty, if they took no care at all to (hew their innocence, but 
 with their abfence and contumacy (hould confirm the reports of fame > which being 
 never believed either by the King or his Council , yet his Majefty defired , for the 
 honour of the Blood-Royal , that with true demonftrations of duty and loyalty, 
 and a real union for the publick good , they would teftifie as much to all France^ 
 which with wonderful expedation had turned her eyes upon the adions of the prefent 
 times. 
 
 This Me(rage was delivered from the King, to the Princes of Bourbon, which had 
 little moved the Prince of Conde, refolved not to venture his perfbn in a place where 
 his enemies were the (tronger, if neceflity had not forced him to break that re(blution. 
 For the Count of Cwryo/, being returned to Court, and having (ignified the Princes back- 
 
 wardne(s
 
 oyFrancCi The Second ^oo^, oj 
 
 Wardnefs to come to the Affembly i the G^/i/c'j- thereupon prtfling and foUiciting, that isSos 
 force might be ufed to fetch them iri, and the Queen not diflfenting from them, (through 
 a defire ihe had to fee the feeds of thofe difcords eradicated, and her fbns quietly re- 
 eftabliflied in their States) the King took arefolution toinake (hew of coir.jpclling them 
 by Arms. To which purpofe the Marefchal de Termes being difpatched into Gafcoivne^ 
 there began an Army to be formed under his command, and all the Troops and Inlan- 
 try that were diftributed in the Neighbour-Provinces , were fent that way. I^he 
 Princes of Bourbon were not only without Arms, and unprovided, but reftrained alfb 
 in Bearne, a narrow Country, at the foot of the Pemiees^ and partly by France, partly 
 by Spain, fhut up, and compared in on all fides : So that they were allured, being at- 
 tacked on one fide by the French army out of Gafcoigne, and on the other by the King 
 of ^/jj/Vs forces, (whodefiredto extinguifli thofe feW reliques that remained of the 
 Kingdom of Navarre) they fhould eafily be oppreffed and fubdued. In France the 
 Princes defigns had no \Vhere profpered •, and in Beame he had neither men nor money. 
 Wherefore the King of Navarre (refolved, not to hazard the reft of his ftate, toge- 
 ther with the fafety of his Wife and Children, who were all in the fame place) fliew- 
 ing the neceility , to which all Counfels muft yield i at length brought his brother to 
 be concent to go i all being of opinion , that whilft the States were fitting, the Guifes 
 would not dare to attempt any thing againll; them i whereas if they continued obftinate 
 to flay in Beame , they Would undoubtedly be forced With eternal infamy to fall undet 
 the hateful narne of Rebels. 
 
 Charles Cardinal of Bottrbon their brother, contributed very mucli to bring them td 
 this refolution. For he being a man of a facile good nature, as appeared in the whole 
 courfe of his life, averfe to novelties, and extrearaly affecStionate to his brothers, vvhen 
 he underftood the Kings intent, and the preparations that he made, being perfwaded 
 by the Queen-Mother, who defired their purpofed defigns might beeffedied, without 
 noife of Arms, or the hazard of War > he prefently took poft, arid went into Beame 
 to perfwade them to come, by magnifying oh one fide the greatnefs of the forces that 
 were preparing, (againft which they would hot be able to make any refiftance) and by 
 afluring them on the other, that there appeared not ih the King oir the Queen-MotheE 
 any other Ihew but of good-will, and a defire of peace and agreement. So leaving the 
 Queen with the young children in Fait, they departed all three with a fmall train, td 
 give lefs caufe of fufpicion, and went together towards the Court- 
 
 The Conftable was fent for, though not with fueh earneftnefs , becaufe he was in a 
 place where they tnight eafily get him into their power when they pleafed. But he 
 proceeded with greater diilimulation, and more fecurity : For, having not favoured the 
 Fadionof the Male-contents otherwife than with his counfel, and that alfb ever tending 
 rather to fcek redtefs from the States, than to move any Infurrec^ion or Rebellion > he 
 would not, by refufing to go to Courf, ihcreafe the fufpicion againft hith, but by other 
 arts and diffimulations defer his cortiing thither, till he faw What became of the Princes 
 oi Bourbon. Wherefore beihg come to ?dris, there feigning he was troubled with a 
 Catarrh, and the Gout, he returned (till he could recover) to his own houie. Many- 
 days after, being again upon the way, under pretence that toO much motion offended 
 him, Cwhich by reaibn of his age was eafie to be believed) hemade little journeys, and 
 went Out of the way for commodity of lodging , artificially delaying the time, until 
 he could hear that the others were arrived. 
 
 It is certain, that, his fons urging him to make more hafte , and telling him thae 
 neither the Qyeen-Mother nor the Guifes Would be ib bold as to offend a man fo much 
 efteemed as he was, and that had fuch great dependences in the Kingdorh j lie, growii 
 wife through long experience, ^ade them anfwer. That thofe about the King could 
 govern the State as they pleafed ^ without any obftacle or impediment whatfoever 5 
 and yet hotwithftanding fought contradidtionS , and affemblies of the States i things 
 that could not be without fome hidden defign , which with a little patience would be 
 brought to light. By Which reply his Sons being fatisfied, he fought ftill by delays to 
 gain the benefit of time. 
 
 In the mean while the King o^ Navarre, and the Prince of Conde, vvere met upon the 
 Confines by the Marefchal de Termes, who, under ftiew of honour , conduced them 
 with a great body of Cavalry to fecure thofe Towns which la Sague mentioned in his 
 Confeifion i and at the fame time, fent other Companies of Foot and Horfe to (tiut up* 
 and guaxd the ways behind them j doubting that the Princes might change their fefo^ 
 
 F S ktiori^
 
 o5 the Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1^60. Uition, and endeavour fecretly to get back again into Beam. But news being come 
 to Orleans^ that tlie Princes being in their journey, were come into the Kings domi- 
 nions, and compaffed about by de 'lermes his Troops i pref^ntly Mierom Croflot Baily 
 oi Orleans ^ accufcd to have held intelligence with the Hiigonots, to make that City 
 revolt to the difcuntented Princes , was laid clofc up i and by order from the King, 
 the Vifdamc of Ch.trtres was committed to prifon in Far'u^ who ftill contriving new 
 mifchicfs, had lingrcd there unadvifedly. 
 
 /:/;;.^('/« was not fo eafily intrappcdi who being as wife and cautelous in providing 
 againft dangers, as he was precipitate and bold in contriving them, had fectetly con- 
 veyed himfelf away into the remoteft parts of Britany, near upon the Sea-fide i being 
 refolvcd, in cafe of neceffity, to pafs over into England. But the Admiral, who with 
 great art and dexterity had managed the bufincfs, without being difcovcred, went thi- 
 ther freely at the beginning, with an intent to imploy all his power in theAflembly 
 for the advantage of his party s and being very much made of by the King, and ufed 
 (as was her cuftom) very civilly by the Queen, he had opportunity nearly to obferve 
 all the pafTages of the Court ; of which afterwards with great warinefs, he gave lecret 
 advertifemcnt to the Conftable, and the King of Navarre. 
 
 But now there was no further need of pretences, infomuch as the Princes of Bourban 
 being neither met upon the way, nor courted by any body but a few of their intimate 
 familiar friends, arrived at Orleans the 2p day oiOtiober-', where (contrary to the cu- 
 flom of the Court, though in time of War) they found not only the Gates of the City 
 guarded with a great number of Souldiers \ but the ikong Holds fecured^ the places 
 manned , and Watches appointed at the end of every ftreet , with a terrible fhew of 
 all warlike inftruments , and many Companies of Souldiers , which palling thorow, 
 they arrived at the Kings lodging, much more ftridlly guarded, as if it had been the 
 Tent or Pavilion of a General in the midft of an Army. Being come to the Gate, and 
 intending to go into the Court on horfe-back, (which is a priviledge belonging to the 
 Princes of the Blood J they found the Gate fliut, and only the Wicket open i fo that 
 they were forced to alight in the midrt of the High-way ■■, and being neither faluted nor 
 met, (but by very few) were conduced to the Kings prefcnce •■> who placed between 
 the Duke of Guije and the Cardinal of Lorain , and compaffed about by the Captains 
 of his Guard, received them in a much different manner from that familiarity which 
 the Kings of tranceuCc to all men, but cfpecially to the Princesof their Blood. From 
 thence the King himfelf went with them, but the Gnifes followed not, to the Queen- 
 Mothers Chamber » who not forgetting her old Maxims, to feem independent, and not 
 intereffed in any party, received them with the wonted demonftrations of Honour, and 
 with fuch an apparence of fadnefs, that the tears were feen to fall from her eyes. 
 
 But the King, continuing ftill the fame countenance, turning to the Prince of 0«^f, 
 began in (harp language to complain, that he, without any injury or ill ufagc received 
 from him , had, in contempt of all humane and divine Laws, many times ftirred his 
 Subjeifts to rebel, raifed War in divers parts of the Kingdom, attempted to furprizc 
 bis principal Cities, and pradifed even againft his own life and his brothers. To which 
 the Prince, not at alldifmayed, boldly anfwered. That thcfewete the calumnies and 
 perfecutions of his enemies i but that he could foon make his Innocence appear to all 
 
 ThePtince of the world. Then replied the King, To find out the truth, it is neceflary to proceed 
 
 rw. commir- jjy jj^g uf^ai ways of Tuftice 1 and fo departing out of the Chamber , commanded the 
 Captams of his Guard to feize upon his perlon. 
 
 Here the Queen-Mother, who moved with the tieceffity, gave her confent, but for- 
 got not the various changes of the world, wholly applied her fclf with kind words to 
 comfort the King of Navarre , whilft the Prince not faying a word elfe , but blaming 
 bimfelf to be fo cozened by the Cardinal hi^ brother, ^as led to a houfe hard by, which 
 being prepared for that purpofe , had the Windows walled up , the Gates doubled, 
 and was reduced into a kind of Fortrefs flanked with Artillery , and ftrait Guards on 
 every fide. 
 
 The King of Navarre, aftonifhed at his brothers imprifonment , after many com- 
 plaints and long debate with the Queen- Mother, (who laying the fault upon the Duke 
 of Gxife Licutenant-General, fought to remove all jealoufies and ill will from her felf ^ 
 was carried to be lodged in a houfe joining to the Kings Palace v where his ordinary 
 
 ^'i^r^lcp* Guards being changed, faving tl c liberty of convcrfation, he was iq ali other refpe^s 
 
 aMptifoaer* guarded and kept as a prifoner* 
 
 M
 
 vf Frince. The Second 'Boo^. 
 
 37 
 
 i 5^0i 
 
 Th« AffcajWjf 
 of th-: ScaiU 
 bcsins, 
 
 At the very fame time that the Prince was committed, Amaury BoKchjrd^ the 
 King of Navarre's Secretary , was arretted , and all hi's Letters and Writings taken 
 
 from him. \ ^ , 
 
 The fame hight alfo Jannequy de CsrroHge Went from Court towards Anki in TL 
 tardy, a place belonging to Magdalen de Koye^ the Princes Mother-in-law ; and there 
 finding her without fufpition of any thing, being but a woman, he fcnt her away 
 fjrifoner to the Caftle of S. Germain, and carried all her Letters and Papers with him 
 to the Courti 
 
 But the news of thefe ftirs ( notwithftanding the Gates of the City were kept 
 Ihut, and Travellers forbidden to pafs ) being come to the Conftablc, who was 
 ftill upon the way , fome few leagues from Parit ^ he prefently (lopped his jour- 
 ney, with a refolution not to go any further till he faw what would be the event of 
 them. 
 
 In the mean while, the Aflembly of the States began i where the firft thing that 
 was done, was to make a profelTion of their Faith > which being fet down by the 
 Dofftors of the Sorbon, conformable to the belief of the Roman Catholick Chuich, 
 and publickly read by the Cardinal of tournon, Prefident of the Ecclefiaftical Order, 
 was by a fokmn Oath approved and confirmed by every one of the Deputies, becaufe 
 rone fhould be admitted into that General Affembly either unwittingly or on putpofe, 
 that was not a true Catholick. 
 
 This folemn Ad being pafi: , the High Chancellor, in prefence of the King, pro= 
 ijofed thofe things which were neceffary to be confulted of for the Reformation of the 
 Government. Upon which, and the demand of the Provinces, they retired into their 
 feveral Chambers ; where when they had debated them apart, they were to make theit 
 reports thereof in f)ublick. But this was the leaft thing in every mans thought s for 
 the minds of all men were in fuf^jence , and expeding the iiTue of the Princes im- 
 prifonment i whofe commitment was confirmed by a folemn Decree of the Kings 
 Council, fubfcribed by the King himfelf, the High Chancellor, and all the other Lords, 
 except the Gz«ye/, who, as fufpefted of enmity, abfented themfelves when the Princes 
 bf Bourbons caufe was to be handled , which was remitted to an Affembly of Judges 
 Delegates, who forming a Judicial Procefs , fhould proceed to a final Sentence. The 
 Delegates Were Clmjiopble de Thou, Prefident in the Parliament of Yarn ; Bartholomy 
 de Faye, and Jaques Viole, Counfellors in the fame Parliament j and according to the 
 Cuftoms of that Kingdom , Giles Bourdin, the ordinary Atturney that profecutes all 
 Caufes that either concern the Kings Rights, or tend to the maintenance of the peace 
 and fafety of his Subjcds, Procurer fifcal to the King, performed the Office of Plain- 
 tiff and Accufer -, John Tilliet, Chief Notary in the Court of Parliament , wrote the 
 Procefs 5 and all the Examitiations and Ads paft in the prefenec of the High Chan^ 
 cellor. 
 
 In this rhanner proceeding upon the Examinations of the Prifoners, (which were 
 Cn purpofe brought from Amboyfe, Lyons, and divers other places j they were ready 
 to examine the Prince upon the points already difcovered and proved. But the High 
 Chancellor and the Delegates coming into the Chamber where the Prince was in pri- 
 fon, to interrogate him, he conflantly refufed toanfwet or fubmithimfelf to theExa- .. . , 
 mination of any of them i pretending as Prince of the Blood, that he was not under The Vnaie'of 
 any Juftice but the Parliament of Faris, in the Chamber called The Chamber of Peers, 
 that is , in a full Parliament, the King being there himfelf in perfbn , all the twelve 
 Peers of France, and all the Officers of the Crown, which veas the cuflom formerly; 
 and therefore he could do no other than appeal to the King agairift fuch an extraordi- 
 nary and perverfe way of Judicjiture. This appeal being transferred to the Kings 
 Council , although according to the ordinary Forms and Cuftoms of the Kingdom it 
 appeared agreeable to reafoh, notwithflanding ( the prefent cafe requiring quick and 
 ipccdy Judgment, and no Law making it necefTary that the caufes of the Princes fhould 
 always be tried with fuch formality in the Chamber of the Peers) it was declared not 
 valid. But the Prince having often made the fame appeal, and perfifling HiW to make 
 the fame protef^atiofis i the Kings Council, upon demand of the Procurer fifcal , de^ 
 dared at length that the Prince was to be held as convid, becaufe he had refufed to 
 anfwer the Delegates. So being forced to fubmit himfelf to exiamination, they pro- 
 ceeded judicially , and with great expedition in the reft of the circumflanees , till the 
 very latt pronouncing of Sentence. Into fuch calamity were the Princes of Bo:irho^ 
 
 bjough^, 
 
 aide excepts 
 a^ainft his 
 trul, and ap-> 
 peals to the ^ 
 King ; but th| 
 appeal is nc: 
 asceptcd.
 
 38 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 J56U 
 
 Sentence prO' 
 nounccd a- 
 gainft the 
 Prince of 
 
 Cmdc, 
 
 The King un- 
 der the Bar- 
 bers han(t5 
 taken with an 
 Apoplexy. 
 
 brought, that they were like to expiate with their Blood tiicirpaft crimes i yet was 
 there not any body fo much their enemy among the French Nation, that, confidcring 
 the great Birth and noble Education both of the one and the otiier brotlicr , was not 
 tnoved with exceeding companion towards them. Only the Guifes^ men of a refolute 
 nature, either really believing it was expedient for the common good, peace and wel- 
 fare of the Kingdom > or elfe, as their ill-willers affirmed, being eager to opprefs theit 
 adverfaries, and confirm their own greatncfs, conftantly purfued their firft defigns, 
 without any regard either to the quality or merit of the pcrfons : nay, boalkd with 
 arrogant and bold fpeeches, Ihat at troo blows only they would cut of at the fame time the 
 Heads of Herejle and Kebellm. 
 
 But the Qyeen-Mothcr, though perhaps fecretly (he gave her confent, and was 
 willing enough they (hould proceed to execution i yet defiring notwithftanding, that 
 all the hate and blame fhould fall upon the Cttifes^ as (he had ever artificially contrived 
 it, and having an aim ftill to preferve her felf Neuter for any accidents that (liould 
 happen in the uncertain changes of the World j her countenance exprelTing fadnefs, and 
 her words forrow, (he often fent, fometimes for the Admiral, fometimes for the Car- 
 dinal of Chajiilloit, and ihcwed an earneft defire to find fome means or other to fave the 
 Princes of Bourbon. With the fame arts (he entertained Jacqueline de Logent^ Dutche(s 
 of Montpenfier^ a Lady of fincerc intentions, who being far from diffimulation, judged of 
 others by her felf, yet (he was inclined to the Doftrine of the Hugonots, and being 
 withal nearly intimate with the King of N^jf^^*-'-?, (lie ferved by carrying MefTages from 
 one to the other, to maintain a kind of correfpondence between them i which kind of 
 proceedings , though diredtly oppofite to her defigns, the cfled whereof could not be 
 concealed, they were neverthelefs fo excellently difTembled , that even thofe who per- 
 ceived moft, were in doubt whether they were true or no j confidering how profound 
 the fecrcts of men are , and how various the affedtions and intererts that govern the 
 force of worldly anions. 
 
 The CommilTaries had now pronounced the Sentence again(t the Prince of Conde i 
 That being convidt of Treafon and Rebellion, he(houldlofe his head at the beginning 
 of tlie AiTembly of the States-General, before the Royal Palace^ Nor was the execu- 
 tion deferred for any other reafon, but to fee if they could catch in the fame net the 
 Conftablc, who being carneftly called upon , did not yet appear i and to involve in 
 the fame execution the King of Navarre, againft whom nothing could be found fuffi- 
 cient to condemn him i when one morning, the King being under the Barbers hands^ 
 Cwhich he ufed often) was on a fudden taken with fuch a grievous fwooning, that 
 his fervants laid him upon the bed for dead ■■, and though in a fliort time he returned 
 again to his fenfes, yet he had fuch mortal accidents, that he gave very little hopes of 
 life. In which tumult of general amazement and confufion , the Guifes follicited the 
 Qiiecn-Mothcr, that whiUl the King was yet alive, the Judgment (liould be executed 
 upon the Prince of Conde ; and the fame refolution taken againft the King of Navarre $ 
 by which means they (hould cut off the way to all Innovations that might happen up-' 
 on the Kings death. Withal, they perfwaded, that it was the only way to preferve 
 the Kingdom to her other Sons yet in minority, and to diiUpate tho(e clouds of future 
 dilfcntion which already appeared in divers parts of the Kingdom. For although the 
 Confiable were wanting, whom in this necelTary and hafty refolution they could not 
 get into their hands > notwithfianding, the authority and priviledges of the Blood- 
 Royal, the prudence of the King oi^ Navarre , and the Princes fiercenefs being once 
 taken away , there was little to be feared from him, who would ffeither be followed 
 by the Nobility, nor have the adherence of the Hugonots, as the Princes of Bourbon 
 had. That there wanted nothing to perfed: their defigns, (with Co much art and pa- 
 tience brought to maturity) but the very laft point of execution, which by no means 
 was to be hindred , if the King (hould chance to die. For the Kingdom falling by 
 tight upon his Brothers , both they and the Queen-Mother would ftill have the fame 
 teafons and interefts. But the Queen having had the dexterity in apparence to pre- 
 ferve her felf as it were Neuter, was not fo ftreightly necellitated as to precipitate her 
 deliberations. Wherefore confidcring , that under her Sons, yet Pupils, the face of 
 things would be wholly changed , and the exceffive greatnefs of the Guifes, if it re- 
 mained without counterpoife or oppofition , was no lefs to be feared than the conti- 
 nual pradices of the Princes of the Blood i (lie le(rencd the report of her Sons weak- 
 nefs, and often gave it out, that there was great hopes of his recovery i fceking by 
 
 (haf
 
 o/ France. The Second ^oof^. 39 
 
 that means to gain time , and defer the execution of what was determined , that flifi ijdo, 
 might afterwards conform her fclf to the prefcnt occafions In purfuit of this refo- 
 lution, which was confirmed by the advice of the High Chancellour i as Coon as they 
 fenew the King was paft hopes, flie caufed the Prince Dolphin , Son \.o Jacqueline and 
 the Duke of Montpenfier ^ to bring the King of Navarre in the night fccretly into her 
 Chamber j where, with her wonted arts and many effedual arguments, fhe fought td 
 perfwade him, that fhe had ever bcenaverfe to the late proceedings, and that fhe was 
 defirous to join with him to oppofe the unlimited power of the Guifei. Which, 
 though it were not abfolutely believed , was not altogether unufeful for the future : 
 for with this and other negotiations, a correfpondence being ftill maintained between 
 them, it was not (b hard to treat upon agreement when occafion fhould ferve, as it 
 would have been , if (he had pallionat^ly declared her felf a principal agent in what 
 was done, and an open enemy to the Princes of the Blood. 
 
 In the mean while, the Kings weaknefs ftill increafed, who from the beginning was 
 thought to have an Impoftume in his head , over the right ear, becaufe he was ever 
 from his infancy troubled with defluxions and pains in that part , which afterwards 
 coming to break , the abundance of matter and corruption falling into his throat, 
 choaked him > fo that the fifth day df December in the mornitig he palTed out of this 
 life, leaving all things in extream difordeir and confufion. 
 
 AH men for the moft part believed at the prefent, that he was poifoned by his Bar- 
 ber i and it was faid that the Phyficians had difcoVered evident figns of it, which the 
 fuddennefs of the accident and time of his death would have made believed by men of 
 beft underftanding, if the difeafe of which he died had not been known to be nourifhed 
 and grown up with him from his cradle. He left behind him the opinion of a good 
 Prince, free from vice, inclined to Juftice and Religion , but reported to be of a weak 
 heavy underftanding , and of a nature rather apt to be awed by others, than able to 
 govern of himfelf However, it would have been expedient for the peace of France^ 
 either that he had never come to the Crown, or elfe that he had lived till the defign^ 
 then on foot had been fully pcrfedled. For as the force and violence of thunder ufeth 
 in a moment to overthrow and rutne thofe buildings which are built with great care 
 and long labour h fo his unexpeded death , deftroying in an inftant thofe counfels, 
 which with fo much art and diiTimulation were brought to maturity and concluded 5 
 left the ftate of things ("already in the way (although by violent and rigorous means, 
 yet) to a certain and fecure end) in the height of all difcord, and more than ever they 
 were formerly, troubled, wavering, and abandoned. 
 
 Charles the Ninth, Brother to Fr^wcjf, and fecond Son to the Queen, fucceeded to f'""'" 'te li. 
 the Crowuj being yet but a Child about eleven years old. In fo tender an age, there 
 was no doubt but he (hould be committed to the care of a Guardian, who (hould fup- 
 ply his defedt in the Government i in which cafe the ancient cuftoms of the Kingdom, 
 and the Laws often confirmed by the States , called rightfully to that charge , as firft 
 Prince of the Blood , the King of Navarre^ But how could the Kings youth, and the 
 Government of the Kingdom, be fafely comtnitted into his hands, who upon great fuf- 
 picions to have praftifed againft the State, ^vas kept in a manner prifoner, and his Bro- 
 ther for the fame crime already condemned to die ? The Guifes had governed with 
 fupreme authority under the late King, and with gteat conftaricy applied all manner 
 of frank remedies to reoover the profperity and peace of the State : fo that committing 
 the Government to them, the fame Councils might be continued, and the fame deli- 
 berations followed. But how could the Guardianfliip of a King in minority be con- 
 ferred upon thofe that were in no manner of way allied to the Royal Blood, againft all 
 the Laws of the Kingdom, and in fuch a time when the major part of the great Lords 
 being already wakened and advertifed , would eameftly oppofe it ? The States had 
 often committed the Regency and Government of Infant-Kings to the Mothers •■> and 
 in fuch divifion of opinions and factions, the life of the King, and cuftody of the King- 
 dom ought not in reafon to be trufted in other hands* But how could a woman that 
 was a ftranger , without dependences, and without favourers, pretend to the fupreme 
 authority with two fo powerful and already-armed fadions ? 
 
 Wherefore, when the late King Francis beginning to grow worfc, fhewed evident 
 figns of death i the Guifes forefeeing what might eafily happen, cntred into a ftreight 
 league of friendftiip with the Cardinal of "Toitmon , the Duke of Nemours, the Maref- 
 ehals of Brijfac and S. Andre , the Sienr ds Siperre Governour of Orleans , and many 
 
 othet
 
 
 Ao The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^0, other great Lords, continually providing what force they could to maintain themfclves 
 
 and their power. On the other fide, the King of Navarre^ conceiving good hopes fbr 
 
 the future , making a confederacy with the Admiral, the Cardinal of ChatiUnn , the 
 
 Prince of Partian^ MonCicuT de Jarnac ^ and the reft of his dependents, had fecretly 
 
 • armed all his Family, and by fundry meflengers fent for the Conftable, who, having 
 
 underftood the Kings death , hafted his journey, which he ufed to delay, was every 
 
 hour expedcd at Orleans. So that both Fadions having put themfclves into a po- 
 
 fturc of defence, and the whole Court and the Souldiers divided between them, and 
 
 i^.yand^hd''" "ot Only all others, but even the Deputies of the States themfelves taking part accor- 
 
 Miiitiaisdivi- ding to their inclinations and fevcral interefts , there was no place left for any third 
 
 woFaftToDs" rcfblution i but with the in(bnt danger that every hour the Factions would affront 
 
 each other, every place was full of tumults and cerrour, and all their proceedings tended 
 
 to a manifcft ruinc. 
 
 Notwithftanding , the unbridled dcfire of Rule did not fo fway their minds (as 
 yet accuftomed to reverence the Majefty of Laws) that through Jjrivatc-difcords, pub- 
 lick obedience (hould be denied to the lawful King, tliough in minority : but both 
 Fadions with tacite and unanimous confent ftriving who lliould be the firft , they 
 fainted and did homage to King Charles the Ninth of that Name , the fame day 
 that his Brother died ■■> all agreeing to acknowledge him for their lawful and natural 
 Prince. 
 
 This was the foundation and bafis whereon to form thofe things which were left 
 fb ftrangely difordered. For the Qiicen , who knew fhe could not truft the life of her 
 children, and the Government of the State to either Fadion, the one grievouily of- 
 fended and exafperated, the other full of boldnefs and pretenfions, and both of them 
 powerful in adherents, and inclined to undertake any great attempt, delired to preferve 
 in her felf, not only the cuftody and care of her children, but alfo the Government 
 and adminiftration of the Kingdom i which in the laft days of Francis his life, and in 
 the diforders at his death, appeared to her fo difficult, that fhe little lefs then def aired 
 of fafety. But this firft point confirmed , of obedience rendred to the Kings Perfbn 
 by both parties i which, as appeared manifeftly, wa§ done through jealouOe and mu- 
 tual fear the one had of the other, each doubting his adverfary would arrogate the au- 
 thority to rule , and ufurp the power of the Government j the Queen laying things 
 together, conceived, that drawing from thefe difcords and prefent confufion , an ad- 
 vantageous rcfolution for her felf, flie might, as Mediatrix betv.-een them, get the fu- 
 periority of both , being fupported by the proper interefts of the one and the othet 
 Fadion j who not agreeing among themfelves, nor able eafily to attain to that end 
 they aimed at , would agree upon her , as a mean between the two extreams i being 
 contented that the Authority and Power fhould reft in her , which by rcafbn of the 
 oppofition of their adverfaries they could not obtain for themfclves. In which refpe(ft 
 the Gnifes would eafily join with her, that the King of Navarre might not acquire the 
 abfolute Government j and the King oi Navarre would perhaps be content with left 
 ' authority than of right belonged to him, rather than hazard the whole, by contending 
 with the GuifeSi So that if the bufinefs were dcxtroufly carried, the fupreme Authority 
 would fall upon her. 
 
 This conception was the likelier to take efteA , becaufe the Queen , tliough uniteti 
 \vith the Guifes, had in apparence preferved her felf Neuter j by which means (he was 
 confident to one party, and not thought an enemy to the other. 
 
 But two great difficulties traverfed this defTgn. One, that the King of Navarre be- 
 ing exafperated with the injuries pafl, it was a very difficult matter to appeafe him. The 
 ether, that beginning to treat with him, fhe might give caufe of fufjjition to theGuifes $ 
 and fo greatly endangered the lofing that fupport , before ftie had time to fettle the 
 affairs. Which obftacles though they appeared invincible, yet the urgency oftheoc- 
 cafion inforced a neceifity to try all kind of policies , though never fo doubtful. The 
 iirit thought was to affure the G«{/f/.- for it had been but an unwife counfel, to aban- 
 don all old friendfhip already confirmed , before there was any manner of affurance 
 that it was poifible to contrad' a new one. But a bufinefs of that nicety, and on every 
 fide full of fufpition, was not to be managed but by perfons of great dexterity. Where- 
 fore having thought upon many, the Queen at length refblved there was no inftrument 
 fo proper for that negotiation as the Marefchal S. Andre. For being a great Confident 
 to the Guifes^ privy to all their fecretefi thoughts, and befides that, a man of prudence 
 ■ . • and 
 
 I!
 
 of France. The Second iBoo^ 4! 
 
 and fingular quicknefs '-, he wbuld not Believe the Queen could ha<?e any hope to cozen i'^Soi 
 him, and the bufinefTes treated by him would have credit and great authbrity with his 
 own Fadion. So that having fent for him , and deplored the ftate of the prefent af- 
 fairs, (he enquired what refolution the Princes of Lorain meant to take •> proferting that 
 Ihe would not differ frohi them, but follow any advice that they, by agreement amongflf 
 themfelves (hould think mbft reafonablei To which he making a doubtful reply, with 
 an intent rather to penetrate into the QyeenS defigns, than to difcover to her the in- 
 tentions of his own party > after many feveral difcourfes, at laft all their arguing ended 
 in this conclufionv That the differences between the tWo Fadions could not be ac- 
 commodated without great troubles, and the danger of a dbubtful War, if both parties 
 did not yield fomething in their reafons, and retire Casit is commonly faid) a Rep 
 backwards, leaving to her to mediate between them j who both as a Judge and Mode- 
 ratrix, and as an indifferent party , might limit the pretentions of the Princes in fuch 
 a manner, that one fide fhould not feem to yield to the other, but through modefty and 
 refped that they bore to the Mothet of their King, forget all part injuries, and Co 
 things might remain equally balanced between them. This cotinfel prbceeding in a 
 manner wholly from the Marelchal , the Queeti feigning father to take than give ad- 
 vice, they began to confult which way was beft tb proceed. Then fhewing that the 
 King of Navarre was a man of right intentions, and of a facile moderate nature, fhe 
 doubted not but flie could perfwade him to it, fo the Princes of Lorain would be con- 
 tent. The Marefchal, that was free from any private paffion, and knew the flippery 
 dangerous condition in which the Gmfes flood, took Upon him the charge to manage 
 the bufinefs with thera i which being propofed to the Duke and the Cardinal, and af- 
 terwards debated in a meeting of their Confederates , they all approved of it. But 
 the two Brothers were of different opinions: For the Duke being more placable and 
 moderate, confented to an accommodation, provided his Governments and Revenues 
 that he enjoyed by the favour of the late Rings, might remain untoucht. But the Car- 
 dinal being of a more ambitious nature, and vehement difpofitioh, defired ftill to per- 
 fift in the ftrifes they had begun, and to endeavour to preferve themfelves in the fame 
 authority they had obtained and exercifed during the life of Franc'n. Notwithftand- 
 ing, not only the Cardinal of Tiournon concurring with the Duke in opinion , as defi- 
 rous to avoid the tempcft of War, but alfo the two Marefchals of Bri^ac and S. Andre^ 
 and efpecially the Sieitrde Sipierre, whoCc opinion, through the fame of his wifdom, 
 was of great efteem amongft them, and conceiving they got enough, if, preferving their 
 reputation, their ellates and honours which they poffeffed, they could preftrvc them- 
 felves for times of better conjundture j leave was given to the Queen, by means of the 
 fame Marefchal, to try all the ways fhe fhould think good to make an agreement withf 
 the King of Navarre* 
 
 This difficulty being overcome , the greatefl obftacle was yet to pals through i 
 which was to appcafe the Fadion of the difcontented Princes : a thing judged by 
 many not poffible to be brought to pafs, and abfolutely defparate. But the Queen, 
 knowing the nature and inclination of thofe fhe had to deal with , (a thing chiefly 
 neceffary for th^ effecting any great defign ) did not doubt to compafs her defire. 
 The intimate Counfellors to the King of Navarre v/cxc Francis de Cars, a Gafcoigne, 
 and Philip de Lenon-court , Bifhop of /^wxerre v That, a man of fmall judgment, and 
 little experience in the world i This, of a deep reach, extreamly vigilant, and altoge- 
 ther intent upon thofe interefts that were mofl for his own advancement. Thefe be- 
 ing {ecretly gained by the working of the Queen-Mother , with fuch means as were 
 moft likely to prevail over their feveral humours, (for fhe fought by rewards, and ap- 
 parent fpecious reafons, to corrupt and perfwade de Cars, and to Auxerre (lie offered 
 honours and Ecclcfiaftical preferments \ vfhich by means of the King of Navarre only 
 he could not fo eafily attain unto} they became Miniftets to theQueenS defigns, and 
 under the name of faithful fincere CounfellorS, were ready to favour thofe negotiations 
 that tended to an agreement, and the advancement of her greatnefs. The firft over- 
 tures of this accommodation were made by the Dlitchefs oC Montpenfisr ^ by reafon of 
 her goodnefs and candid difpofition very inward with the Queen, and a great friend to 
 the King and Qyeen of Navarre, through the inclination fhe had to the Hugonots Re- 
 ligion i and in the prcgrcfs of the bufinefs , came in by little and little tanneguy de 
 Carrougei, and LottU de Lanfac , men of approved wifdom, in whom the Qyeen rc- 
 pofed great confidence : and tl^fe three continually employed their endeavours to' 
 
 O flialftf
 
 42 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil Ifars 
 
 15^0. 
 
 Voft futklht 
 fccond cxcom- 
 municaces the 
 Kingdom of 
 France and ihe 
 Adherents 
 there nf ; in 
 ^yhich the 
 
 King of Nj- 
 v.trrc being 
 included, he 
 appllcth him- 
 fdf to follow 
 the opinions 
 nf 3£5;.<and 
 'Pcitr Martjr, 
 
 {hake the King of Navarre s refolution i who, being now drawn from his wonted in- 
 clinations to peace and quietnefs , and incited by the ardour of enmity , and the me- 
 mory of dangers pa(t , had his thoughts fo confufed , that he flood in fufpence , and 
 doubtful what courfe to take. Three conditions were propofed trom the Queen i 
 Firft, that all prifoners ftiould be fet at liberty, and particularly the Prince of Conde^ 
 Madam c/f K(5yf, and the Vifdame oi Chartres, caufing the Parliament oiTarU to de-* 
 clare nHU the Sentence pronounced againft the Prince by the Judges Delegate. Secondly, 
 that the King of Navarre fhould have the Government of all the Provinces in the King- 
 dom, provided the Qyeen fhould en joy the name and authority of Regent. And the 
 third, that the Catholick King fhould be follicitcd to the reftitution or change of Na- 
 varre > and the Ifle of Sardinia was particularly named. Thefe conditions being pro- 
 pofed by the Queens Agents , the Kings Counfeliors highly approved them s (hewing, 
 that the Regency, a Title without fubibnce, and only an airy name, was abundantly 
 rccompenced by the authority and power over the Provinces , wherein confifted the 
 real command and efTential Government of the Kingdom : to which being added the 
 honourable releafc of the Prince, with the fuppreffion of his enemies , and hope to 
 recover an eftate befitting his quality and birth, there was not any doubt at all to be 
 further made. They added , that their affairs for the prefent were in fo doubtful a 
 condition, that putting themfelves upon the rigour of the Laws againft fuch potent ene- 
 mies, and with the prejudice of their paft machinations, it was rather to be feared 
 they would be utterly ruined, than advanced to thofe honours they delired : that the 
 States then at Orleans depended wholly upon the Queens will and the Guifesi by whofe 
 means they were with great regard afTemblcd i for which caufe they were for the moft 
 part united and joined with them:whcrefore it was greatly to be feared, if their caufe were 
 remitted to the arbitrement and determination of the States, that they being incenfed 
 by their former pradlices, would exclude the Princes of the Blood from the Govern- 
 ment, and commit it to theCj^/z/fj-, as perfons they could more confide in v upon which 
 would follow the inevitable dcftrudtion of the whole family of Bourbon, That it was ne- 
 celTary to ftop this precipice with moderate Counfels '■> and fhewing they defired no- 
 thing but what was juft and reafonable, by yielding to the Laws, clear themfelves from 
 fufpition and their former contumacy i and although the change propofed with the Ca- 
 tholick King were very uncertain and doubtful, yet it would be great imprudence any 
 way by pretending to the Government of other States, to weaken the hopes of reco- 
 vering his own, and the inheritance belonging to his children. Thefe reafons wrought 
 upon the King of Navarrs, of himfelf inclined to fuch kind of thoughts i but he was 
 fpurred on to the contrary by the infiigation of the Prince his Brother, though ra- 
 ther with a violent pailion of revenge, than any founded reafon. Notwithftanding, 
 there being joined to that party which perfwaded an accord, the authority of the Duke 
 of Moittpenfier and the Prince de la Kochefur-yon, both of the fame family oi Bourbon, 
 but who being many degrees removed from the Crown, had notinterefted themfelves 
 in thefe late bufinelTes v the King of Navarre inclining to come to an agreement with 
 the Queen, propofed, by the fame perfons that treated the Accommodation, befides 
 the three Conditions offered, two others : The firft, that the Guifes fhould be deprived 
 of all places of command at Court i The other, that Liberty of Confcience fliould be 
 granted to the Hugonots. 
 
 When Cabins Doftrine was firft preached , the feeds thereof were planted in the 
 family of Henry, King of Navarre, and Margaret his wife, father and mother to Ja}ie 
 the prefent Queen i and as the minds of thofe Princes were ill-aft"e(fted to the Apofto- 
 lickSee, being deprived of their Kingdom under pretence of Ecclefiaftical Cenfures, 
 thundred out by Pope Julio the Second againft the Kingdom of France and the adhe- 
 rents of the fame, with which Navarre was then in confederacy i fo it was likelief}, 
 they fliould apply themfelves to that DodJrine , which oppofing the Authority of the 
 Roman Biftiop , by confcquence concluded thofe Cenfures invalid, by vertue whereof 
 they had loft their Kingdom. Wherefore the Minifters (fo they call them of Calvins 
 Religion) frequenting the houfe of thofe Princes, and there teaching their Opinions, 
 they made fuch an imprelllon in Queen Jane, that departing from the rights of the 
 Catholick Church, fhe had wholly entertained and embraced the Religion of the Hugo- 
 rots. Whereupon being married to Anthony oi Bourbon, (at the prefent King of Na- 
 varre) flie not only continued in the fame belief, but had in great part drawn her 
 Husband to that Opinion, being befides perfwaded by the zealous eloquence of 7heodore 
 
 Bez.a^ 
 
 it
 
 ef France. The Second 'Book 
 
 4^ 
 
 Hez-i, Peter Martyr Vermeil, and other Teachers that went freely into Bearne to preach 1560-. 
 their new Dof^rine. And the Prince oiConde , the Admiral, and other principal men 
 of the Faftion of the Princes of the Elood, having at the fame time, partly through 
 Confciencc, partly through interefts of State, embraced thofe Opinions, with fo much 
 the greater conftancy , the King of Navarre perfevercd to continue the protcdion of 
 the Hugonots For this caufe he defired of the Queen in the Treaty of Accommo- 
 dation between them, that Liberty of Confcicnce might be granted to the Cahinijis : 
 and (he, who thought all other things inferiour to the evident danger, (wherein fhe 
 faw the Kingdom to be loft both to her fons and her felf J not to interrupt the Treaty 
 of agreement, vi'ould not abfolutely deny thofe two Conditions, though very hard 
 ones, but fliewing, that to deprive the Guifes of their charges at Court , was imme- 
 diately contrary to the Accord then in agitation, and to the thought of reducing the 
 wavering eftate of the Kingdom into peace and repofe , (for they being armed and 
 powerful, would never fuffer fo great and manifeft an affront , but joining with the 
 Catholick Fadion and the greater part of the States, would to maintain their dignity, 
 Ibon haverecourfe to Arms J notwithftanding, fhe obliged her felf , that with time 
 and art (he would continually lefTen their authority and power ♦ which, they being by 
 degrees deprived of their Governments , would fbon fall to nothing. And tor fo 
 much as concerned the liberty of the Hugonots, being a thing of too great irr^portance 
 to be granted upon fo little deliberation , arid which the Parliaments and the States 
 themfelves would undoubtedly oppofe > (he was content to promife fccretly. that go- 
 verning by common confent with the King of Navarre , (he would by indiredt by- 
 Ways , and upon the emergencies of occafions which might happen every day , fo 
 \vork under-hand , that by little and little they (hould in great part obtain their de- 
 iires. 
 
 The Queen promifed thefe things, being forced by the prefent neceflity ; yet with 
 an intent, when the Government was eftablifhed, and the King of Navarre appeafed, 
 to obferve none of them ; but delaying the execution of them with her wonted arti- 
 fices, at length with dexterity to render them altogether vain. For fhe thought it not 
 expedient for her own interests, and the prefcrvation of her fons, wholly to fupprefs 
 the Giiifss, (who ferved marvelloufly to balance the power of the Princes of the Blood J 
 and to permit a Liberty of Confcicnce, Che knew it would not be done without great 
 fcandal to the Apoftolick See, and all other Chriftian Princes, nor without great dif- 
 order and difTention in the Kingdom i but refcrving many things to the benefit of 
 time and future indu(^ry, flie endeavoured by all manner of means to provide for, and 
 remedy the prefent di(ira<5i:ions. 
 
 Now the Accommodation being in a manner confirmed upon thefe Conditions, the 
 King of Navarre declared, that he would not conclude any thing without the confent 
 and authority of the Conftable, who was already near upon his arrival i fo that it was 
 nece(rary to return to the old arts to overcome this laft impediment, efteemed by many 
 no lefs difficult to mafter than the former. Wherefore the Queen, who very well 
 knew the nature and inclination of the Conthble, thought by reftoring hirri to the au- 
 thority of his place , and feeming to acknowledge from him both her own greatne(s, 
 and the welfare of her fons yet in minority > that he, ambitious to be held the Mode- 
 rator and Arbitrator of all things, would eafily be brought to favour her Regency, and 
 to (hew himfelf Neuter to both Factions. So that having the confent of the King 
 cfNavarre and the Cuifes, (who on both fides were now inclined to thoughts of peacej 
 the made (hew of confeiling that all things depended upon his power \ giving order 
 that the Captains of the Guard and the Governour of the City at his entry into the 
 Gates (hould deliver up to him the chief Command of the Souldiers, acknowledging 
 him as in effed was but ju(t , for General of the Militia. By which teftimony of fa- 
 vour, the ancient fparks of loyalty and devotion reviving in him , wherewith he had '^<'""'>»"'l' 
 fo many years ferved the Grandfather and the Father of the prefent King, turning him- 
 felf about to the Captains with the fame majeftical countenance that he ufed always to 
 have, he told them , Ihat fince the Kmg had again intrujied him with the command of 
 the Armies , they jhoitld not need to \\ and long with fitch xvatcbfulnefs upon the Guard ia 
 a time of peace ■■> for he would foon take fnch an order, that jhough he were yet in age of 
 minority , he Jhould be obeyed in all parts ef France by his Subjeds without the force of 
 Arms. 
 
 the Cbnftftbtg 
 •Amt of Mo' 
 mcrancy rcfti7< 
 red to his 
 
 G 2
 
 44 
 
 The Htjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^0. 
 
 The Ptinee of 
 Cndc fet at li- 
 terty, jnd the 
 Sentence pro- 
 nounced a- 
 gainAhim <1(. 
 cUicd void. 
 
 So being come to the Kings Palace, where theQyeen received him with great fltews 
 of honour, and he doing homage to the yotmg King with tears in his eyes, exhorted 
 him not to have any apprchenficn of the prefcnt troubles, for he and all good- French 
 men would be ready to fpend their lives for the prefervation of his Crown : From 
 which the Qiicen, taking courage, without any delay, cntring into private dffcourfc 
 with him about the prefent affairs , not to give time to the pradices of others , told 
 him, that fhe had placed all hope of her own welfare and her Sons in him only ^ that . 
 the Kingdom was divided between two pretending Fadions, which refolving to per- 
 fecute each other, had forgotten their obedience to their Prince and the publick fafety ; 
 that there was no other perfon of Authority, who, Aanding neuter , could fupprefs 
 their pretences i that there was no hope of preferving her children in pofTeilion of the 
 Crown, which was aimed at, and afpired to by fb many, if he ("mindful of his Loyalty, 
 of which he had given fo long a teftimony) did not undertake the protediion of the 
 young King, of the Kingdom afflided with fuch diftradions, and of the whole Royal 
 Family that was then in a very llippery dangerous condition, and relied only upon the 
 hope of the fidelity and aid from thofe who had been obliged and advanced by their 
 Predeceflbrs. To which words adding all the womanifh flatteries that cither the time 
 or bufinefs required, fhe fb wrought him to her will , that he not only confented to 
 the accomodation tieated with the King of Navarre , but feeing the Guifei already 
 Icffened, and the charge of the affairs with the Hrft dignity of the Kingdom returned 
 again into his own hands, forgetting all private interefts of particular Fadions, pro- 
 pofed that he would unite himfelf with the Queen for the confervation of the Crown, 
 by which only he pretended to hold that place , which in the courfe of a long life he 
 had taken fuch pains to attain unto. 
 
 The accommodation then agreed upon and confirmed by the Authority of theXon- 
 flable, without further delay they affcmbled the Kings Council, at which were amftant 
 all the Princes and Officers of the Crown that were prefent. Where the Chancellor pro- 
 pofing according to ordinary ufe in the Kings prefence , it was unanimoufly refolved 
 upon. That the Queen-K'otherfhould be declared Regent of the whole Kingdom, the 
 King of Navarre Pvefident and Governour of the Provinces , the Conftable Superin- 
 tendent of all the Forces , the Duke oiGitife as Grand-Mafter-Kceper of the Palace, 
 and the Cardinal of Lorain High Treafurer. That the Admiral, the Marefchals and 
 Govcrnours of the Provinces , fliould enjoy and execute their charges , without being 
 intrenched upon by Strangers ; that the Supplications and Letters of the Provinces 
 Ihould beaddreffedto the Kingof Wjt/jrrf, who fliould make report thereof to the 
 Queen, and return fuch anfvvers as fhe and the Council thought good j that all Em- 
 bailiesand Letters of Negotiation with Foreign Princes fhould be brought immediately 
 to the Queen, and fhe to communicate them to the King of Navarre j that in the Kings 
 Council where the Princes of the Blood were to affifl, the Queen fhould prefide, and 
 make all Propoiitions , and when fhe was away, the King of Navarre , or in abfence 
 cf them both, the High Chancellor i all difpatches whatfoever paffing under the com- 
 mon name of the Governours of the Kingdom •, Conditions, by which the Princes of 
 the Blood had in fliew a great part of the Government, but in fubflance all authority 
 and power remained in the Queen. She promifed further than this, Calthough fecretly, 
 by little and little) to open a way to Liberty of Confcience for the Hugonots, and by 
 the fame addrefs in a fhort time to remove the Gnifes from all Miniflerial dignities : 
 which were the two conditions finally propofed by the two difcontented Princes, and 
 by her through a final ncceflity feignedly accepted of. 
 
 The precipice of things being thus flopped, and the beft order taken that could be 
 for the Government of the Kingdom , the Prince of Conde^ according to the Agree- 
 ment, was fet at liberty s and departing from the Court to fhew how free he was, 
 within a few days after returned thither again i and laffly, was by an honourable Edidr 
 in the Parliament of Faris abfblved from the imputation laid upon him, and the Sen- 
 tence declared nuU and irregular which was pronounced againfl him by the Judges Dele- 
 gates, as incapable of judging the Princes of the Blood. The Vifdame of Chartres en- 
 joyed not the benefit of this Agreement ; for when he was firfl taken prifbner, being 
 put into the Eaflile, (a fortrefs placed upon the skirts of the City of Tarn) he grew in- 
 to fuch a difcontent and indifpofition of body, that he died before the Accommodation 
 was fully concluded. 
 
 Thingi
 
 of France. The Second ^oo\. 45 
 
 Things being in thisfiate, ended the year 15^0: but in the beginning of the year J5<5i? 
 after, the Regent and the King of Navarre, not willing that the affairs thus fetled f}-.ould 
 be difturbed by any new pradifes , difmilTed the Aficmbly of the States , aRer they 
 had celebrated the Ceremonies of the firft Seilion i having caufed by their dependents 
 this reafbn to be alledged from the beginning , That the Deputies being fent by their The Affembljr 
 Commonalty to treat with the late King, their Commilfion was expired by^his death ', affl^^j""' 
 and therefore they had no power under the reign of the prefent King, either to treat 
 or conclude any thing concerning the State: Yet notwithltanding they gave Commif- 
 fion, that the Deputies upon the firlt opportunity fhould meet at a place appointed to 
 cpnfi'lt of a means to pay the debts of the Crown without oppreffing the people with 
 new Taxes, but not to meddle with any thing clfe. 
 
 The States thus broken up, they applied themfclves to fettle the Government. But 
 for all this, the difcords and troubles of the Court were not quieted. For the 6 «//"/, 
 who had gotten fo little a fhare, and which confiftcd rather in apparence than any real 
 power, being accuftomed to govern , could not conform their minds to their prefent 
 condition : and being ill fatisfied with the Queen , for having performed miuch Itfs 
 than fhe had promifed, they fought all manner of opportunities, whereby they might 
 again raife themfelves to their former greatnefs » and on the other fide, the Prince of 
 Conde, being exafperated , but not withdrawn from his wonted defigns, burnt more 
 than ever with an implacable dciire of revenge i and the Lords of CbatHlan , who 
 firmly continued to proted the Hugonots party, deiifted not to attempt the raifing of 
 Tumults, by which they might augment their own power- Both Fadions were in- 
 tent to draw to their party the Conlhble, who having declared that he would depend 
 only upon the Kings will and the Queens, maintained himfelf Neater : and fo much 
 the rather, becaufe the King of Navarre, contented with his prefent condition, con- 
 tinued fiill a good correfpondence with the Regent , and perfevered in the defire to 
 eftablifh a Peace. Wherefore there was not any apparent reafon for the Conftable not 
 to remain conftant in his firft refoKition. 
 
 But the Admiral and his Brothers, together with the Prince of Cnnde , hoped that 
 the nearnefs of Blood would at lenth prevail to win him to their fide , and the Gitifes 
 knowing him affedtionate to the Catholick Religion , and averfe to that of Culvm^ 
 fo feverely perfecuted by him in the Reign of Henry the Second, defpaired not, un- 
 der a colour to defend the Faith , and extirpate the Hugonots , to draw him to theit 
 party. 
 
 Thefeflirs were kept in motion by the obftinacyofthe Kmgoi Navarre, who very 
 urgently prefTed the Queen , that fhe would apply her felf to perform thofe promifes 
 which fhe made unto him in favour of the Hugonots. And (he, who contented her 
 felf with the prefent fVate of things, which, being equally balanced, and not enclining 
 more to one fide than the other, fecured her greatnefs and her Sons Kingdom, avoided 
 all that was polTible the being brought to a neceflity of difcontenting him, left he fhould 
 alter his rcfolutions. But on the other fide, conceiving it neither jufl nor fafe to give 
 fo much liberty to the Hugonots, (he found out quaint excufes, and divers pretexts to 
 delay the execution of her promife i hoping indeed, that in progrefs of time the King 
 of Navarre would grow lefs inftant in his defires. But it fell out altogether other- 
 wife : for being (birred up by the continual inftigations of the Prince and the Admiral, 
 and the perpetual incitements of the Queen his Wife , he grew every day more vio- 
 lent in prelling the performance of that promife which was made him at the be- 
 ginning. 
 
 The High Chincellour de P Hofpital, though covertly, favoured his defire j %Vho 
 either believing that it was indeed expedient for the quiet of the Kingdom > or elfe 
 through an inclination that he had to the Hugonots Dodtrine, took off as much as he 
 could from the feverity of other Magiflrates, and advifed the Queen, to flay the eifu- 
 fion of blood, to fettle mens Confciences in peace , to take away all ground of (can- 
 dal, and not to give an occafion of bringing things again into confufion, which with 
 fo much pains and art were fet right and compofed. Many alfo of the Kings Cotincil 
 yielded to the inftances of the Ring of Navarre , who profeffed that he was moved to 
 compaffion, to fee fo many of the Kings Subjeds that were continually fcattered about 
 in the Kingdom, abandoning their own houfes through fear of punifhments i and that 
 he detefted fo often to gear his hands in the bowels of the French Nation. And the 
 . Hugonots themfelves, among whom were many men of wit and courage, omitted no 
 
 art
 
 46 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15151. 
 
 A1(ind of to 
 Jcration per- 
 mitted to the 
 Hugonoti. 
 
 theKfyjof 
 the Kings Pa- 
 lace taken 
 frrm the Duke 
 cf Owfty and 
 delivered to 
 the King of 
 Navtrre. 
 
 The private 
 intercns aod 
 enmities are 
 covered with 
 the vail of Ke- 
 Ii;ion;jni1 the 
 ■wo Fafiionj 
 take the name 
 r^f Hugonot jtnd 
 
 art r.or care that might any way help them : but fometimes with little Treatifcs artifi- 
 cially fcattered abroad, fometimes by Petitions feafonably prefcntcd, otherwhile by the 
 efFcduafperfvvafions of thofe that favoured them, endeavoured to move the great pcr- 
 fons to cx)mmiferate their condicion. 
 
 The Qiicen therefore being forced to yield to the conftnt and authority of fb many, 
 and conceiving perhaps it would be beft, willingly to intermit that feverity which by 
 ro means could be longer continued, f fince thofe th.rcats which are not refolutcly put 
 in execution by force, prove always damageable) flie gave way, that by a Decree of 
 - Council paffed the 28 day oi Jamury, the Magiftrates fhould be ordered to rcleafe all 
 prifoncrs committed only for matters of Religion , and to flop any manner of inquili- 
 tion appointed for that purpofeagainA any perfon whatfocver i nor to fuiFer any difpu- 
 tations in matters of Religion, nor particular perfons to revile one another with the 
 names of Heretkk^ and Fapiji : but that all fhould live together in peace , abftaining 
 from unlawful Aflemblies, or to raife fcandals and fedition. 
 
 Thus Calvim Religion , under the obfcure pretence of hindering the cflfufion of 
 more blood, (which carried an apparence of much Chriftianity and piety) was, thougti 
 not authorifed , at Icall covertly proteded and tolerated. A greater conteft feemed 
 likely to arife about the dcprcHTion of the Duke of Guife, For the King of Navarre^ 
 putting the Qyeen in mind of the promifes (he fecrctly made him, required, that as 
 the Kings Lieutenant-General, the Keys of the Palace (hould be alTigned to him i 
 which the Duke of Gm/f, as Grand-Mailer, always kept. But the Queen, though (he 
 ftw that fhe was greatly upheld and honoured by the King of Navarre and the Con- 
 ftable, and on the contrary knew the Git/ps were grown very averfe to her ■■, yet (he 
 imployed all her power to hinder their dcpreffion. For on one fide, the Hugonots 
 party maintaining it felf under the protedion of the Prince of Conde and the Admi- 
 rals and the Catholicks on the other fide, under the Duke of Guife and the Cardinal 
 of Lorain > conceiving that between thefe two Fa(5lions, as between two ftrong banks, 
 (he might remain fecure in a calm : She would not fo much weaken the Catholick 
 party , as they (hould be forced afterwards to receive Laws from the Hugonots. 
 'VVhere(bre (bmetimes by delays, fometimes by complying with him in other demands, 
 flie fought to remove the King of Wrfz'.j'-''^ from that thought. 
 
 But he perfifting in his demand, and growing every day more earneft, as he faw het 
 more backward v not in an inftant to di(rolve that agreement which with fo many dif- 
 ficulties was eflre(5ted , it was thought convenient to command the Captains of the 
 Guard, that from thence forward they (hould not carry the Keys of the Kings Lodg- 
 ings, as the cuftom had been , to the Grand-Mafttr, but to the Lieutehant-GencraJ, 
 as the man to whom that dignity belonged. Whereat the Duke of Guife was ex- 
 ceedingly incenfed , and much more the Cardinal his Brother i not (b much for the 
 importance of the thing , or the injury received , (which at the firft was otherwi(e 
 determined in the Kings Council) as becaufe they manife(Uy faw, that the King of 
 Navarre's intention, which drew along with it the Qiieens confent, was wholly to fup- 
 pj:e(s and tread under foot their greatne(s. But knowing they were thought to be men 
 of pallion and ambition , and (eeing themfelvcs not able in a private di(pute to deal 
 with the Princes of the Blood, who had then in their hands all the Kings force and 
 authority, they diiTcmbkd the affront done unto them, and made (hew only of being 
 moved and offended at the tacite toleration that was permitted to the Calvinijis i co- 
 vering in this manner with a pious pretence under the Vail of Religion , the interefts 
 of private palfion. 
 
 So by degrees the difcords of great men were confduiided with the dilTentions of 
 Religion i and the Fadions were no more called the difcontented Princes and the 
 Gui(arts ■•, but more truly and by more fignificant names, one the Catholick, and the 
 other the Hugonot party. Factions, which under the colour of piety, adminiftrcd 
 pernicious matter to all the following mifchiefs and diftradions. The Queen Regent 
 and the Con(table held the Kings party , as it were in the middle of a balances and 
 the Conftable, though he hated Calvinifm^ and lived conformable to the Roman Church, 
 nevcrthelefs, both in refpcd of his Nephews, and to preferve the publick peace, was 
 contented that they (hould proceed warily in matters of Religion, until fuch time as 
 the King, being come to age, (hould be able to govern himfelS 
 
 But to confirm in the mean while the Kings Authority and Empire , although in mi- 
 nority, it was thought expedient by thofe that governed, that he (hould be acknow- ^ 
 
 ledged
 
 Ur. 
 
 of France. The Second 'Boo^, 47 
 
 ledged with the iifual Ceremonies belonging to the Kings of France. Wherefore they i')6i, 
 refolved to carry him to Kheims , and in that place , where the holy Oyl is kept with ^l^f\^ ^/ ^ 
 ^reat veneration , which ferved at the Coronation of the firft Chriftian King C/okm, wuhthc'oyi 
 tocaufehim to be anointed, or as they commonly call it, Sacrc--, and from thence to fir*}! cbnlt^ian 
 conduA him to the City of Var'n , there to refide, as the Kings for the mod part are King hun 
 accuftomed in the principal City of the Kingdom. At the Ceremonies of the Corona- "" conftcn- 
 tion there arofe a new ftrife for precedency betv/een the Princes of the Blood and the 
 Duke of Guife. For thefe pretended to the firft place, as they were firft in dignity be- 
 fore any whofbever •, and the Duke of Guife, as firft Peer of France , pretended in The Duke of 
 waiting at the Ceremony to precede every man i and though the Kings Council deter- '^"^(1 ^f f^l^ct 
 mined in favour of the Duke of Gmfe, (becaufe at the Crowning of the King, the pre- is declared to 
 fence and alTiftance of the Peers (which are twelve, fix Ecclefiallicks, and lix Secular) fi""'^ ^'^ 
 is requifite j and the Princes of the Blood having not any thing to do, their atten- The Peers are 
 dance is not ncccfTary) notwithftanding , they being apt to take fire at every little E«ilfi/itf«ii 
 fpark , this was enough very much to incenfe and exafperate them. In the mean andCxSccis- 
 while , the Admiral and the Prince of Conde had ufed all pollible endeavour to draw 
 the Conftable to the protection of their party i but though Franck Marefchal of Ma- 
 morancy his eldeft fon , who was ftreightly united with them , ufed great induftry to 
 perfwade his Father i yet nothing could move his conftancy i being relblved not to 
 make himfelf in his old age head of a Fadlion, or an Author of new difTentions in Re- 
 ligion. Wherefore the Admiral, always an Inventerof fubtile counfels, thought with 
 himfelf, that he would make him concur with them by fome other way. 
 
 At Pointvife , a Town feven leagues from Paris , the Alfembly was held of ceftairi 
 Deputies of the Provinces, to confult of a means to pay the debts of the Crown, which 
 by reafon of the paft Wars , amounted to a very important fum : and although the 
 Mareftial of Momorancy prefided in this AfFembly , yet the Admiral had fiame of his 
 nearefl: Familiars that were of it, by whofe means he had the cominodity to caufe any 
 thing to be propofed there that he pleafed. Wherefore the Brothers of Coligni and 
 the Prince of Conde refolved by means of their Confidents, to propofe in the AfFem- 
 bly, That all thofe who had received any Donations from the Kings, Francis the Firft, 
 or Henry the Second , fhould be obliged to reftore them into the publick Treafury 5 
 making account i that in this manner, without impofing new Taxes, they might pay 
 the greateft part of the debts, which within and without the Kingdom Occafioned both 
 to the publick and particulars, fo great trouble. They made this Propofition, becaufe 
 the partakers of the late Kings bounty were the Gtiifes, the Dutchefs Diana, the Maref- 
 chal S. Andre, and the Conftable : And for thofe, they defired to fee the efFedof it to 
 their utter ruinej but for the Conftable, it wasdefigned to put him only in fear, and 
 neceflitate him to unite himfelf with the Fadtion of the Princes, to avoid the danger 
 of lofing his eftate, which was the fruits of fo many years fweat and labour 5 afid fuch 
 was the animofity of the Fadlions , that even his Nephews made themfelves the Mini- 
 fters to bring thefe ftreights and cares upon their Uncle. 
 
 But as Counfels too fubtile and forced ufe often to produce contrary and unthought- 
 of ends » {b this attempt had an effect much different from that which the contrivers 
 thereof defigned ■■> for in this reftitution of Goods, the Conftable and Giiifss having 
 an equal intereft ; Diana, who was joyned in affinity with both of them, having al- 
 ready regained a confidence with them , began, as concerned in the fame bufinefs, to 
 treat of it with the Conftable : and as fhewas a woman of great wit, well inftrufted 
 in what fhe was to do, ill-affedled towards the Queen, and greatly terrified with the 
 reftitution which was fpoken of i fiie ufed her skill to pafs from this to other difcourfcs 
 tending to a reconcilement with the Catholick Fadlion, and the Princes of Icrj/^ ; and 
 from a confult how to hinder the propofed reftitution, coming to inviegh againft the 
 Admiral, and the Prince of Conde, who was fufpefted to be the Author of it, at laft: 
 they fell to a deploration of the prefent ftate, in which, under the rule of a Pupil King, 
 and a ftranger woman,things were governed with fuch peftiferous and deftrudiveCoun- 
 fels, that to promote ambition and private paffions , the publick peace and tranquility 
 were deflroyed , with introducing ftiamelefly into the Kingdom thofe herefies , which 
 being condemned by the Catholick Church, were fo carefully puniflied with fword and 
 fire by the juft feverity of the late Kings, Nor made (Ik an end with thiscondoleance, 
 but went on with the fame efficacy: that the whole Kingdom was extreamly amaied, 
 and very much troubled, that one of the houfe of M'-wcr.Jwc)', which firft received the 
 
 Chriftian'
 
 48 The H'tflory of the Civil IVars 
 
 1 etfx. Chriftian Religion, who in the courfe of his paft life had with great praife of Piety and 
 Jufticc executed the chiefcft Authofity of the Kingdom , rtiould now, as if he were 
 charmed by the arts of a woman , fuffcr himfelf to be led by her appetite, and one 
 of fo little wifdom as the King of Navarre^ to confent tothofe things which they did 
 to the prejudice of Gods Church : That he, who had ftrength and power in his hands, 
 was ftrcightly obliged to difturb and hinder thofe wicked Counfcls which then pre- 
 vailed, and once more to lend that help with which he had oftentifncs formerly fup- 
 ported the Crown affliAed, a:jd Religion wholly abandoned : That he fliould call to 
 mind his own Maxim , fo conftantly obfervcd in the glorious actions of his youth, ac- 
 cording to which he had ever condemned and oppofed the power of Grangers, which 
 always tends to the mine, not edifying of States ■■, and not now fuffer two women, one 
 an Italian, the other a Navaioife, fo pcrverfly to deftroy the foundations of the French 
 Monarchy, chiefly cftabliOied upon the Eafis of Piety and Religion : That he fhould 
 remember, this was that fame Catherine , whofe manners and •difpofition he had ever 
 blamed and detefled i That thefe were the very fame Hugonots whom he had (^o 
 fiercely perfecuted in the Reign oi Henry the Second , that the perfons were not chang- 
 ed, nor the quality of things j but every one would believe that he in his old age fut- 
 fered himfelf to be led , either by ambition , or inclinations of others, to fhcw him- 
 felf altogether different from thofe Maxims by which formerly he had guided his 
 Adions. 
 
 To thefe perfwafive fpeeches, many times on purpofe reiterated, and adding many 
 other reafons, and by often viliting and follicitation, finding that theConftable began 
 to yield, partly through indignation conceived againft his'Nephew, for what concerned 
 his eftate, and partly through the hate of Calvinifm i at length Magdalen de Savoy his 
 ■wife undertook the task wholly to vanquifti his refolution i who being not well pleafed 
 to fee him bear fuch an ardent affc(ftion to his Nephews de Coligni^ and defirous to 
 infinuate into the fame place of his favour Homre de Savoye Varquisof Vill^irs, her Bro- 
 ther, (he let pafs no occalion whereby (he might prejudice them, and advance his in- 
 tereft. 
 
 Kor did the pradice end there i but by the means o( Diana, the Marefhal of Saint 
 .Andre being al/b brought in , who was no lefs concerned in the reftitution , they Co 
 wrought with him, that partly to unite himfelf with thofe who had the fame intercf?^, 
 partly through tie hate to his Nephews, and partly through the juft apparenec of the 
 prefervation of the Catholick Religion, to which he was ever affeded, he began to 
 incline to a fricndfhip with the Guifes. Which when they once perceived, they omit- 
 ted not any artifice nor fubmiilion , or other means that might conduce to draw him 
 ablblutely to their party : having conceived new hopes to recover this way feme part, 
 if not all of their former power in the Government. And it fo fell out, that Diana^ 
 Wife to the Marefhal of Momorancy, ("who was the only obftacle to this Treaty) be- 
 ing lick at Chantilly, his affedion forc'd him to leave his Father to vifit her ; (b that he 
 being thus removed out of the way, the friendfhip was finally concluded, and a league 
 inade between the Conftable and the Guifes for the prefervation of the Catholick Reli- 
 gion, and mutual defence of their feveral Eftate^. 
 
 But when this combination was known to the Queen, (he conceiving (lie had loft her 
 greateft flay, and that the Princes of Lorain^ fo much increafed in Itrength and repu- 
 tation, being ill fatisried with her proceedings, would endeavour to deprive her of the 
 Government ; thought it fo much more necelfary to enter into a freighter union 
 with the KinZjOi Navarre, to counterpoize as much as was poflTible, the other party; 
 knowing (he was to be very ftudioufly vigilant to preferve things in an equality fo, as 
 neither the Kings fafety, nor (lability of the Government (hould be endangered. Where- 
 fore the King of Navarre foliiciting it , and the Queen not difliking that his party 
 fliould increafc, under the pretence co keep the Kingdom in peace durmg the Kings 
 AnF<iifltii.t minority, to appcafe the people formerly exafperjted , and at their fuR entring upon 
 
 no bo.lvflioi.li »U /^ ■ 1 rt ^ r i ■ i j 11 « 
 
 be iii..ic(ifLi ^"^ Government to gain a plaulible name ot clemency i it was commended to all the 
 for mjttfrt of Parliaments by new Edids and Decree? , not further to moleft any body for matter of 
 t'if «^i.t .ui'on Religion ■-, and to refiore the goods, houfcs, and polTeirions of all fuch who for fu(^ 
 of tor.gicitcd picion of Calvinifm had been formerly deprived of them. Which Edids, though the 
 "" Parliament of Paris oppofed, and many Magiflrates rcfufed to obey them : neverthe- 
 
 kfs the K-.igonots having (b (peciousa colour as the declared will of the King, and th? 
 
 Regent, approved of by the Council of State , they of themfelves took upon them to 
 
 exetcifc
 
 of France. The Second ^oo\. 
 
 49 
 
 exercife a Liberty of Confcience, cncreafing fiill in number and force i which perhaps 
 would have fallen out according to the Queens intention, if the multitude of the Hu- 
 gonots had knovvn how to contain themfelves within the limits of modefty and reafon. 
 But they on the contrary, as thofe ufe who are led by a popular rage, without the 
 bridle of a formal Government, finding themfelves now fupported and favoured, loofed 
 from the fear of punifhment, and laying afide all refped due to Magiftrates, by open 
 Affemblies, infolent fpeeches, and other odious ads, provoked againft themfelves 
 the hate and difdain of the Catholicks : from whence arifii^ in all parts obftinate jars, 
 and bloody Fadions , every thing was full of tumult , and all the Provinces of the 
 I^ingdom troubled with feditious rumours. So that contrary to the intention of thofe 
 .that governed, and contrary to the common opinion, the remedy applied to maintain 
 the State, andpreferve an union of peace during the Kings minority, fell out to be 
 dangerous and deftrudiive, and upon the matter , occafloned all thofe difTentions and 
 perils, which with fo much care they ought to prevent. 
 
 This gave opportunity to the G/f/j^/, being encouraged and increafed in ftrength, 
 to begin to oppofe the prefent Government. Infomuch as the Cardinal of Lorain^ 
 taking a time to fpeak at the Council-Table, without bearing any regard to the Queen 
 or the King of Navarre who were prefent, began to enter upon the point of Rehgion, 
 and with hot words and effed-uar fpeeches, tofhew with what indignity to the moft 
 Chriftian Kingdom , what lin towards God , and with how great fcandal to all the 
 world, Liberty of Confcience was permitted to thofe , who profelling manifcft here- 
 fies already condemned in all Councils , went about fcattering monflrous opinions in 
 Religion, corrupting the youth, feducing fimple perfons, and in all places of the King- 
 dom ftirring up the people to tumult, contempt, and Rebellion. Already the Priefts 
 could no longer celebrate their Sacrifices in Churches for the infolencies of the Hugo- 
 nets i already thePreachers durft not go into the Pulpit , for the arrogancies of the 
 Calvinifts : the Magiftrates were no longer obeyed in their Jurifdidions, through the 
 Rebellion of Hereticks i all places raged with difcords , burnings and fiaughtcrs, 
 through the prefumption and perverfenefs of thofe who afTumed to themfelves a li- 
 berty of teaching and believing after their own fafhion : and now the moft Chriftian 
 Kingdom, and firft-bcrn of the Church, was ready to turn Schifmatick , to feparate 
 it felf from the obedience of the Apoftolick See, and the Faith of Chrift, only to fa- 
 tisfie the capritious humours of a few feditious perfons Upon this fubjcd he fo en- 
 larged himfelf with his wonted eloquence, by which he ufed to prevail in all difputes, 
 that, not any of the Hugonots favourers being able to anfwer the reafons he alledged ; 
 but the King of Navarre holding his peace, the Queen-mother hpt replying a word, 
 and the Chancellor ftartled and confounded i it was refolved with great alacrity of all 
 the Council, who were exceedingly fcandalized at the exceflive licenfe of the Hugo- 
 nots, that forthwith all the principal Officers of the Crown fhould afTemblc at the Par- 
 liament at Pi?rk, there in the Kings prefence, to debate thefe matters, and refolve up- 
 on fuch remedies as were moft neceflary for the future. It was impoffible to hinder 
 them from coming to the Parliament, which was appointed upon the thirteenth day of 
 July : for the King of Navarre durft not openly oppofe it, left by declaring himfelf a 
 Hugonot, he fhould gain many Enemies: and the Queen-Mother, although fhedefired 
 rot to fee the Catholick party increafe in ftrength, yet (he was very much perplext in 
 mind, and above all things apprehenfive , left the advancement and eftabliftiment of 
 lierefie fliould be imputed to her. 
 
 The conteftations in the Parliament were very great : and although the Protedors 
 of the Hugonots employed their uttermoft endeavours to obtain them a Decree for Li- 
 berty of Confcience, by which Declaration they pretended that thefe ftirs and difTen- 
 tions would ccafc i yet all was in vain. For indeed, it being clearly, not only againft: 
 the intention and authority of the Catholick Church, butalfo contrary to the ancient 
 cuftoms of the Kingdom : and the Councellors of the Parliament being exafperated by 
 |he continual complaints which were brought them from all parts, againft the infur- 
 tedion of the Hugonots. It was with a general confent exprefly ordered , that the 
 Minifters fhould be expelled out of the Kingdom, with a prohibition to ufe any other 
 rites or ceremonies in Religion, than what were held and taught by the Roman Church : 
 and all Affemblies and Meetings forbidden in any place, either armed or unarmed, un- 
 lefs in the Catholick Churches to hear Divine Service, according to the ufualcuftom. 
 And to give feme balance to the other party, the fame Edid contained, that all Delin- 
 
 H quencjes 
 
 ijdi. 
 
 The KugorotJ 
 [rrow infolent 
 towards the 
 Citholicks. 
 
 The Cardinal 
 of L^rajn in 
 the Kinjs 
 Council in- 
 veighs .i-ainft 
 thcHujonot*. 
 
 The Edia of 
 July. 
 
 Tlie PatliS- 
 mcnt of Ptrit 
 expels the 
 Htjgonocs out 
 of the King- 
 dom,
 
 ^o The Hiflory of the Civil IV^ars 
 
 i<6i. quencics found ih matter of Religion before the publication thereof, fliould be par-' 
 
 Thcju gnitnt doHcd i and tliat for the future all accufations or complaints ofHercfie, (hould be 
 
 «n>m"<'tcd to brought to tlie Bifliops, their Vicars , or Surrogates •, and the Civil Magiftrates to be 
 
 the Bidiops. allifting to them upon all occafions i and that they (hould not proceed againft thofe 
 
 convidt of ilercHc further than baniihmcnt, but abftain from any corporal punifh- 
 
 ment, or effufion of blood. 
 
 Tills Deliberation comprehended in a folemn Edift, .approved , and fubfcribed by 
 the King , the Qiieen, and all the Princes and Lords of both Fadions, abfolutely re- ' 
 drained the liberty of Religion, and gave heart to the Catholick party, which was not 
 a little dejedcd. But the Prince of Conde and the Admiral grieving at the deprelFion 
 of the Hugonots, in whofe number and force they had founded the ftrength of their 
 Fadion , not able other ways to hinder the execution of the Edid, ("which being 
 inibr.ced with great affedion by the Parliaments, and the greater parts of the inferiout 
 Magiflratcs, they durft not oppofe) they advifed, to procure that the Calvinift Mini- 
 fters fhould defire a conference in the Kings prefence, accompanied with his Prelates, 
 to propofe and examine the Articles of their Dodtrine i hoping by indiredt ways to 
 bring it fo about, as again to introduce a liberty of Religion. This demand of the Hu- 
 gonots wasoppofcd by many of the Catholick Prelates, and in particular, by the Car- 
 dinal of tourmn , fhewing that it wasufelefs to difpute matters of Faith with men 
 fo extrcamly obftinate, and who perfilted in opinions condemned by the Holy Church » 
 yet if they had a mind to have their reafons heard , they might addrefs themfelves to 
 the General Council at Trent ^ where under fafe condudthey (hould be permitted to 
 propofe and difpute their opinions. But the Cardinal of Lorain was not againft it, 
 either moved through iiopeby evident reafons to convince the Dodrine of the Hugo- 
 nots , and by that means difabufe the Confciences of fimple people , or fet on (as 
 thofe that were emulous faid ) with the vanity to (hew his learning and eloquence, 
 and to render himfelf in fuch a publick AfTembly fo much the more eminent and re- 
 nowned. Howfocver his intentions were, certain it is, that he, not contradifting the 
 Minillers demand, drew to his opinion the other Trelates : and finally, they all con- 
 fcnted to the Kingof iV.'Z'iirre j who, being delirous to hear a folemn difpute for the 
 fctling of his own Ccnfcicnce, (bllicited it with great earneftnefs in favour of the Hu» 
 gonots. 
 
 Safe conduds then being font to the Miniftcrs that were retired to Geneva^ and Toi^ 
 (a Town five leagues iiomVarU) appointed the place for the conference i be(ides the 
 King and the Court, there came thither on the Catholick party the Cardinals of Towr- 
 non^ Lor.iiii^ BDurbnn, ArmagMac^ and Guife^ and with the Bidiops and Prelates of beft' 
 cdecni, many Dodorsof the Sorbon^ and other Divines fent for from the moft famous 
 The crft Univcvlitics of the Kingdom. There appeared for the Hugonots '7 /j^o^or^ BfZ:z, head 
 KnuofP../;. ^j- 3]ijhe j^it^ f^ter Mirtyr I'ermeilo, Fruncii de St. Faid , John Kaimond^ and John 
 Virclle, with many otiier Preachers, which came fome from Geneva, fome out of Ger~ 
 mj:iy, and other neighbouring places. There Theodore Beza with great flouridies of 
 Rhetorick, having fir(i propofed his opinions, and the Cardinal oi' Lorain with ftrength 
 of Reafon, and authority of Scripture, and of the Fathers of the holy Church, ftrbngly 
 oppofed him, The Council of State thought it not fit that the King, who being but 
 young, and not yet able to judge or difccrn of the truth, ft-iould come any more to the 
 Difputation i left he (hould be infeded with (bme opinions lefs exadV, or lefs conform- 
 able to the Dodtrincs of the Catholick Church. Wherefore the Difpute , from being 
 publick, by degrees grew more private i and finally, after many meetings, brake off. 
 The rfivfr? without any conclulion or benefit at all. The Catholick party got only this advantage, 
 ihcHtietkk;. ^'"'^^ ^''"^ ^'"8 o*^ Navarre himfelf remained little fatisfied with the Hugonots, having 
 difcovered, that the Minifters agreed not amonglt themfelves about that Do(Srine 
 which they too unanimoully preached i but that fome followed ftridtly C<j/w«'s Opi- 
 nions, others inclined to the Dodirineof Ecoltmfadius and Luther; feme adhering to 
 the Hchetisn ConfciTion, others to the Auguftan : at which uncertainties being very 
 much troubled , froui thence forward he began to leave them , and incline to the Ro- 
 man Religion. 
 
 But the Hugonots got much greater advantage by the Conference , to which end 
 only they defired it : For being departed from the Diet, they divulged abroad, that 
 they had made good their Opinions , convinced the Catholick Dodfors , confounded 
 the Cardinal of Lorain, and gotten licence from the King to pjcach. Whereupon, 
 
 they
 
 of France. The Second ^oo^ < i 
 
 they began of their own authority toaflemble thcn:ifelves in fuch places as they thought 15^1. 
 moft convenient for their purpofc , and to celebrate their preachings publickly, and 
 were frequented with fuch a confluence of the Nobility, and common people, that it 
 was not potfible any longer to fupprefs or hinder them. And if the Magiftrates mo- 
 lefted them in their Congregations , or the Catholicks attempted to drive them out of 
 their Temples , they were grown to that infolence, that without refpedl of any au- 
 thority , they took arms to right themfelves. Whereupon cruel contentions arifing 
 with the name of Heretic^, and Papiji, the whole Kingdom was turned up-fide downi 
 the Magiftrates oppofed in their Jurifdidions, the People difquieted, the Colledors for 
 the Kings Revenue not fulfered i and in the midll: of a full peace were feen the effeds 
 of a tacite, but deftrudive War. 
 
 Thofe that fate at the Helm moved with this neceffity, and finding that the feve- 
 rity of the EdicfV of July had rather increafed than dirainifhed the diforders •, they called 
 another Aflembly of all the Eight Parliaments of the kingdom, to confidcr the ftate of Eig"' vl'iiu 
 every particular Province, and by common confent to make fuch Ordinances as fhould ">«"" '" 
 be thought moft expedient for the fetling of this bufincfs. Which, continually vary- *""*"• 
 ing with the interefi of State, and paffions of great men, it is no marvel, though after 
 Co many, and fuch divers orders taken, it became m.ore confufcd and difordered. For, 
 through inconftancy and often change, it could not receive that form which proceeds 
 only from conftancy and an exadl obedience to the fupreme power. 
 
 This Affembly met in Parii in the beginning of the year 15^2 i where, the Queen 15^2. 
 confenting (as altogether intent to balance the Fadtions, and not to fuifer the one to 
 advance, or to opprefs the other, left flie fliould remain a prey to that which got the 
 fuperiority) and moft of the Council approving it: (partly perfwaded, that fo great 
 a multitude moved with the 2cal of Religion could not cafily be reftrained h partly 
 moved with pity, to fee fo much blood fpilt unprofitably ) that famous and fo much ^ 
 
 celebrated Edidi o( Jamtary was made : by which was granted to the Hugonots a free jj'^^,,r^.' "' 
 exercifeof their Religion, and to alTemble at Sermons, but unarmed, without the Ci- 
 ties, in open places, and the Officers of the place being prefent and aflfiftant. The 
 Parliaments, though at firft they refufed to accept this Edi6f,and the Magiftrates greatly 
 oppofed it i notwithftandiug by reiterated Orders from the King and his Council, it 
 was at length regiftred and publiftied by vvay of provifion , with this exprefs claufe 
 and condition i Until fuch time as the general Council, or the King himfelf fliould or- 
 der it othcrwife. 
 
 This Edidl difmayed the Heads of the CathoHck party •, and not willing that the 
 World fliould believe they confented to what was done, the Duke of Guife^ the Con- 
 iiable, and the Cardinals, (amongft wliich the Cardinal oiTournon was lately dead) 
 with the Marefhals of Briff'ac and S, Andre, left the Court, already contriving how 
 they might hinder the execution of the Edidt, and'oppofe the Hugonot Fadion. But 
 becaufe they faw, that vvhilft the King of Navarre ftood united with the Regent, they 
 had no manner of right to intermeddle with the Government of the Kingdom, and 
 therefore whatfoever they fhould do, would prove of no effedt, they propofed to them- 
 felves to diffolve that union. And knowing that the Queens thoughts and intentions 
 were difpofed to continue with the fame power till her Son came of age, they thought 
 it more eafie to gain the King of Navarre. It hindred not, but rather advanced the 
 defign, that they were abfent from the Court. For the bufinefs being of fuch difficulty 
 and length, it might be managed with the greater fecrefiej and there came in under 
 hand to treat it, Hippolito d' Ejt , Cardinal of Ferrara , the Popes Legate , and Don The cardinal 
 Jtun Manriqieez , Ambaflfador from the Catholick King i who being favoured by the «itj""p <*'# 
 Counfellors of that Fadlion, found an eafie way to promote their intentions. Frmce! 
 
 The King of Navarre was already very much averfe to the Hugonots Fvcligion, by 
 reafbn of the different opinions he found amongft thofe of that fedl about the points 
 in controverfie. Wherefore after the conference held at Poif[y, having there not found 
 the fame conftancy in 7 heodore Eeza , and Peter Martyr Vermeil, which they ufed to 
 fhew in their Sermons when no body oppofed them , he fent for Dodtor Baldwin, a 
 man skilled in holy Scripture, and verfed in the difputes of Religion , by whom he 
 was wholly taken off from the Helvetian and Auguftan ConfelTion, and perfwaded to 
 re-unite himfelf to the Religion taught in the univerfal Catholick Church. And al- 
 though he confented to the Edidt of January, he did it rather through an old opi- 
 nion, That mens Confciences were not to be forced , and through the perfwaiions of 
 
 H 2 thofe
 
 52 The Hiflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 1562* thofc who affirmed that it was a means to quiet the troubles and tumults in the King- 
 dom, than for any particular liking otit i having already art intent to reconcile himfelf 
 with the Church. Which inclination oif his being ktiovvn to many, by means of his 
 near Counfellors of late difpoftd to fcrve fecretly the Catholick party, it gave courage 
 to the Legate and the Spanifh Ambaffador, to enter into their propofed Treaty. 
 
 But to accompany the Spiritual Confiderations with prorit, and Temporal Interefts, 
 they jointly propofed, that repudiating Queen Jjneh'xs wife with a Difpenfation from 
 the Pope, by reafbn fhe was manifellly tainted with Hcrellc, the Gitifes fliould obtain 
 for him the Qi,ieen of ScntUnd their Neece , widow to Francii the fecond i who , be- 
 (idcs her youth and excellent beauty, brought with her a Kingdom. But feeing that, 
 through love to her children, he confcnted not to the Divorce, they went about to in- 
 troduce that Treaty fo often proved vain, to give him with certain Conditions the Ifle 
 of SarJittia kt Navarre ■■, knowing, that it was the trial, which, as it touched near- 
 el\, would work moft inwardly with him. And although the hopes thereof were 
 almoft quite loft i yet the Treaty being never abfolutely broke off", the Ambaffador 
 Manriqtti with the wonted arts began fo cffedually to revive the thoughts and belief 
 of it, that he was foon raifcd to new hopes. For, befides the ordinary affuraiices of 
 propcfitiont the Catholick Kings affedion, they were gone fo far, that they already treated the 
 A^^'r^f"! manner of the change, and the quality of the Tribute that in acknowledgment of fupe- 
 sldiaia. riority he fhipuld pay to the Crown of Spain: ferioufly difputing upon the Capitula- 
 tions and Articles of Agreement, as if the Treaty were meant really to be effe<fted. 
 
 That v/hich furthered the Catholicks defign , was his natural inclination, by which 
 he was difpofed to plain honelt counfcls. It availed them, that he began to difcovci' 
 the patfions and interefts which were covered under the vail of Chriftian charity, and 
 the cloke of Religion : befides, it conduced not a little to their ends, that he was en- 
 tered into a fufpicion , that the Admiral with his too much knowledge (ought to ar- 
 rogate to himfelf fuch an Authority, as to make the World believe he fwayed and ru- 
 led his adtions. But above all, the way was facilitated to perfwade him, in that he 
 {aw the whole Fadlion made their addrelTes to the Prince of ConJe, admiring and ex- 
 alting the boldncfs, gcncrofity and promptnefs which he fhewed ; and on the contrary, 
 defpifcd his facility and <oo much mildnefs. He was moved with one ConfideratiOn 
 more of exceeding great confcquence i feeing the King oi France and his Brothers were 
 in an age unable to have Children , by nature of a weak complexion , of little hear, 
 and fubjed: to dangerous indifpofitions j he was not altogether without hope, but that 
 in a fhort time he might attain to the Crown, which as firll of the Blood belonged to 
 liim. In which cafe he knew, that to be a favourer and Head of the Hugonots, would 
 be a great obAacle unto him , and almoft an invincible impediment. Wherefore de- 
 iiring to remove all fuch contrarieties as might hinder him in that pretence, he incli- 
 ned to join himfelf with the Catholick party, and to gain the Popes favour and the 
 King of Spains, together with the forces of the beft united and mofl powerful Faftion. 
 To all thefe refpeds being ad<led the effectual promifcs and lively perfwafions of the 
 Legate, and the Ambaffador Manriquez^ and growing fufpicious of his Wives counfels, 
 as given without meafure to C a Ivhis opinions, and naturally an enemy to thoughts of 
 peace , he refolved finally io enter into a league with the Conftable and the Duke of 
 Cuife, profcrtiiig by their fpeeches, and declaring in writing that they were confederated 
 for the defence of the Catholick Religion. But the truth was in effedt befides thofe 
 Conlidcrations, the King of Navarre left that party in which he knew he was inferiour 
 to his Brother , to join himfelf with this, which fed him with many great hopes. 
 Likewifc the G'«//fj- were moved with deiire of rifmg again to their former reputation 
 and greatnefs. 
 ^c^Kmi™ "^ This was the Union which taught the French Subjeds without their Kings confent 
 K.wnnP wirh to enter into any combinations i and wnich with fo many execrations and maledifti- 
 c«.'?"rd ?he °"5-> ^"^s by the Hugonots, in refpedt of the three chief Confederates, called the Tri- 
 cnftahle, umvirat, 
 
 pnn'ots' L\\ei Qiiccn J AW was incredibly difpleafed at this fo unexpedVed deliberation of her Huf- 
 ihc TriKmvi- band •, and, not able to indure to fee him a principal Perfecutor of that Religion which 
 fhe conftantly profefTed , and into which fhe conceived fhe had not only perfwaded, 
 but abfolutely confirmed him, through difdain thereof, fhe refolved to leave the Court i 
 and thereupon carrying with her Prince Henry ^aA. the Princefs C<»/^fri«f her children, 
 whom fhe brought up in the Ca/z^/w/fj Religion, (he retired into te^ame-y being deter- 
 mined 
 
 HI
 
 of France. Hoe Second 'Boo^. 53 
 
 mined to fcparate her felf from the counfels and converfation of her Husband. Euf 
 if Qijcen Jane were greatly affli(fled at fo fudden and almoft incredible a change, the 
 Queen Regent was no kCs terriricd i who, feeing with this union her defigns ddlroy- 
 ed, of balancing the Faftions, and that equality fo unequally broken , in which con- 
 iifted (with fuch jealouJie and difcontent of the Princes; the fecurity of the State, be- 
 gan greatly to fear the ruinc botiv of her Sons Kingdom, and her own greatnefs : cori- 
 ceiving, that thefe reciprocal changes, and this uniting of interells fo wholly different^ 
 could not be without fome hidden dclign of great attempts, and a foundation of high 
 
 •hopes. 
 
 She knew the Cuifes had already difcovcred her arts, and that full of defire and pre- 
 tentions, they fought by all manner of ways polfible to attain to the Government. Ic 
 appeared to heir , that the King o( Navarre would not have been induced to leave the 
 friendfliip of his Brother and his other adherents, to unite himfelf with thofe who 
 had been his bitter enemies , without great reward for fuch a lightnefs. She well 
 lincw what power Ambition and the thirli of Rule had over the minds of men, though 
 never fo jull i and looking round about her, fhc difcovered her awn weaknefs, and the 
 cralle uncertain condition of her young Sons. In which Conlideration , neither be- 
 lieving, nor relying any longer upon the lincerity of the King of Nivjrre^ nor the pro- 
 feilions the Catholicks made, that they would not innovate any thing in the State, be- 
 ing full of fears and jealouiles, (he faw not where fecurely to reft her thoughts. Info- 
 much as in the long watchings and frequent confultations which itie held with her Con- 
 fidents, amoiigft whom the principal were the Biftiop of Vaknce , and the Chancellor 
 de /' Hofpitjl^ at length fhe concluded ('being advifed by them, and what more im- 
 . ported, being forced by neceflity) to make a league with the Prince of Conde and the 
 Admiral i and fomenting their defigns , make her felf a Buckler of their Forces ■, fey 
 this means , equalling and counterpoifing as much as was polfible , the power of the 
 Factions : this reafon prevailing among many other, that even God in the Government 
 of the World oftentimes draws good from evil > and fince the Hugonots had till then 
 been the caufc of fo much care and trouble, it was but rcafonable to make ufeof them 
 for the prefcnt, as an antidote to cure thofe evils which with their venom were like to 
 infedl the, molt noble and mofl: effential parts of the Kingdom. 
 
 The Hugonots, by the publication of the Edidt oi January^ being free from the fear 
 of puniihment, had already begun to take ftrength and vigour s and afTcmbling them- 
 felves publickly upon all occallons, it appeared that their number was great and con- 
 liderable, not only for the quantity , but alfo for the quality of the perfons, infomucH 
 as their force was not contemptible. The Prince of Conde took upon him openly to 
 be the Head of them , who , though in apparence reconciled by the Kings command 
 with the Gulps, perfevered rirmly in his former defigns, and burnt impatiently with 
 defire to revenge his part affronts upon thofe that were his chief perfecutors. His 
 power and boldnefs was moderated by the wife counfel of the Admiral oi' Chjjiilloni 
 who, through defire of Rule , v^^as together with his Brothers , more ftraightly united 
 with the Hugonot party. Their Authority led after them, being of the fame Faith, 
 the Prince of Vorcieit, the Count de la Koch-fou-cant^ Mellieurs de Gsnlis, de Crammont, 
 and VurM, the Count of Montgommery, the Baron des Adrsts, MelTieurs de BoHcbavane^ 
 and Sonbize, and many other the principal in the Kingdom •, in fuch manner, that up- 
 on every little heat that they received from thofe who goveriied, they prefently put 
 themfelves into a pofture of defence, and boldly oppofed the contrary Fadion. 
 
 "Wherefore the Queen being forced to take hold of the opportunity of this conjun- 
 <fture for her own defence and her Sons, and being reduced into necelTity to imbrace 
 for the prcfent any whatfoever dangerous party, leaving the iflue thereof to future oc- 
 currences, began to feign that fiie was inoved with the Doc^rrinc and reafons of the 
 Hugonots , and inclined to entertain their Religion. To confirm them in which opi- 
 nion as triadi as' fhe could with outward teftimOfltes , Ihe would often hear their 
 Preachers argue and difcourfe in her own Chaitiber, confer with great confidence and 
 profelTions of affedtion with the Prince of Conde and the Admiral > and was often in 
 difcourfe with the Dutchefs of Montpenfier ^ whom (making her believe vyhatfoever 
 ftie plcafed with her excellent dilTimulatioii ) fhe ufcd as a means to entertain with 
 hopes many other the principal of them. And to lead them on with open demonftra- 
 tions to a belief of her private proteftations and pradices , fhe wrote obfcure letters of 
 ambiguous fcnfe to the Pope, one while demanding a Council, fuch in every point as 
 
 the 
 
 l%62. 
 
 Queen Cnhe- 
 tiiu in oppoH- 
 tion to ibe 
 
 Trtuwvtrat 
 
 joins with cbc 
 Prince of Cun- 
 de and the 
 Admiral. 
 
 The Queen 
 fcjonins an 
 inciinatioB to^ 
 the Hugonots 
 Kdigion.
 
 ^4 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 — -— II. 
 
 1562. the Cahinifts defired i then licence to call a National one-, fometimes defiringthat 
 the Communion might be adtniniftred under both Species i otherwhile requiring a diG- 
 penfation for Priefts to marry ■, now foUiciting that Divine Service might be faid in the 
 vulgar tongue > then propofing other fuch like things wifhed for and preached by the 
 Hugonotsi in which Ihe knew fo well how to diflemble, by the help of Monfieur de 
 r IJle Ambaffador at Kome, that putting the Pope in doubt, and the Catholick party, 
 •and (b neceJTitating them to proceed warily, left they (hould finally alienate her wholly 
 from the Roman Religion : at the fame time fhe won the Hugonots , making them 
 believe that fhe was altogether inclined to favour them, that of bitter enemies they be- 
 came her greateft friends and confidents. 
 
 Nor were the vulgar only deluded by thefe artificial diflimulations, but the Admi- 
 ral alfo, who was by nature fo wary , and of fuch a fubtile wit, gave fuch credit to 
 them , that he was induced to give the Queen a full accompt of the number of the 
 forces and defigns of his Fadtion, of the adherents they had both within and without 
 the Kingdom , and every other particular ; She feeming defirous to be informed at 
 large, before fhe declared her felf » and promifing openly to take that party, when they 
 were once fo eftablifhed and provided with force , as (he fhould not need to fear the 
 power of the Catholicks, or the Tritimvirat. 
 
 Thus with a fudden, and in apparence incredible change, the King o{ Navarre went 
 over to the Catholick party ■, and Qyeen Catherine, though diflemblingly, took upon 
 her the proteftion of the Hugonots. Which change, to them that knew not the true 
 fccret rcafons of it, appeared ftrange and extravagant, and therefore many did then at- 
 tribute it to lightaefs in the one , and womanifh inconftancy in the other j and many 
 that have written fince, afcribe the fault alfo to the fame caufes, not penetrating into 
 the hidden foundations upon which the engines of this counfel were moved. 
 
 The End of the Second B 00 K. 
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 By HE^IilCO CATE'Rl^JsC^O T>AVtLA. 
 
 The Third BOOK. 
 
 The A R. G U M E N T. 
 
 THt Third Book, relates the Deliberation of the King of Navarre to drive 
 the Prince of Conde (already become formdable) out of Paris j far 
 this furpofe he fends for the other Catholick^ Lords to Court. The Duke of 
 Guife tnal^s tt Journey t hit her ^ and pajjing by Vafly, lights upon an Affembly 
 of Hugonots at their devotions , thereupon foUoxcs accidentally a bloody con" 
 fliU 3 to revenge themfelves of which, the Hugonots rife in all parts of the 
 Kingdom. The Prince of CondiQ leaves Paris : The ^een, together with 
 the King, becaufe JJje rt^ould not be conjirained to declare her fdf for either 
 party, rc^/Ve^ /^ Fountain-bleau : On the other fide, the Princes of each Fa- 
 Uion endeavour to poffefs themfelves of the perfons of the King and^een 3 
 The Catholickj prevent the Hugonots , and lead them both to Paris. The 
 Prince 0/ Conde, having loji his opportunity, takes other refolutio^s--, poffejfei 
 himfelf <7/OrIeans, and prepares for the War. The Catholick, Lords under 
 the Kings Name likgvcife i-aife an Army. Many Writings are publijhed on. 
 each fide. Both Armies go into the Field. The ^een-Mother avoids the 
 War, and labours for a Peace : To this end jhe comes to a parley with the 
 Prince, but without fuccefs 5 fiottvithjianding JJje continues to treat of an 
 Agreement , tvhich at length is concluded. The Prince by the perfivaJtoH of 
 the refi, tepettts hinifclf thereof, and again takes arms : purpofeth to a fail 
 the Kings Camp by night, but fails of his defign. Forces come to the King 
 out ^/Germany, and many thoufinds of Swifles : thereupon the Prince ir 
 forced to retire itnio the Walls tf/ Orleans 5 where not being able to keep the 
 Army together , he divides it. He finds for fuccours into Germany and 
 England : confnts to give Havre de Grace to the Englijh, and to receive 
 their Garifons in Dcipe and Rouen, to obtain aids of them. The iluecn k 
 offended, and grievoujiy aQli&ed therewith, and for that caufi joyning with 
 the Catholick p-irty, ciufdh the Hugonots to be dccUr'd Rebels. The Kings 
 Army takes Blois, Tours, Poittiers and Bourges ; btjiegeth Rouen and 
 
 takes 
 
 55
 
 j^ The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 takes it : The King of Navarre is kill'd there. Succours come to the Prince 
 out o/Germany, voith pchich being reinforce^, he wakes hajie to ajjault Paris : 
 The King and the ^een arrive there with the Army-, wherefore after many 
 attempts^ he is neccjjitated to depart. Both Armies go into Normandy, and 
 there foUorvs the Battel of Dreux 5 in which the Prince of Conde is takfn 
 fr^foner on the one Jfde, and the Conjiable on the other : The Duke of Guife 
 hein^ vi&orious^ layeth Jiege to Orleans, and is ready to Jake it, hut is trea- 
 ch^e^oujly fain by Poltrot. After his death follows the general Peace , and 
 the Kings Army recovers Havre de Grace from the Englifj. The King 
 Cometh out of his minority ; The Hueen nfeth divers arts to work, the difcon- 
 tented Princes to her will-^ and to com^afs her ends, together with the King, 
 makes a general vifitation of the Kingdom 3 conteth to a parley at Avignon 
 xfitb the Popes MiMiJiers , and at Bayonne with the ^cen of Spain. // «• 
 'Hgjfied Between thi.moJi Chrijiian and Catholick. King^ to aid each other in 
 the fupprcfjton of feditions. The ^een of Navarre cometh to the Court. 
 T^e-^ingntaketh (t reconciliation between the Families of Chaftillon and 
 Guife 5 Dttt within few days after^ they return to their former enmities. The 
 G^ueen of Navarre in dijiafe leaves the Court, and plots new mifchiefs. Z)/- 
 ~vers Marriages are celebrated^ but the civil dijfentions neverthelefs continue. 
 
 Ffairs of the State being thus on the fudden put into another po- 
 fture, there were none fo fliort-fighted who did not clearly per- 
 ceive that the animofity of the Fadions would finally (hew it 
 felf in a War v and that there wanted nothing to make this 
 cloud break into a ftorm, but the conjundturc of fomc fit occa- 
 fion. Which ( as if all things had concurred to haften the 
 calamity of France) did forthwith arife from a marvellous op- 
 portunity. 
 
 The King of Navarre, after he had declared himfelf of tlie Catholick party, flayed, 
 as by chance, in Paris •, which City, as it is placed in the middle of France, fo in fre- 
 quency of people, riches, dignity, and power, far furpaflcth all others in the Kingdom. 
 Wherefore believing that the reft would follow the example which that (hould give, 
 he endeavoured very follicitoufly , as was agreeable to the natural inclination of the 
 inhabitants, to hinder there the preachings and aflemblies of the Hugonots i and in all 
 his other adions of the Government, having ftill a regard to that end, he hoped with 
 the benefit of time, by degrees to take away their credit and force j and Jaftly, their 
 liberty of Religion i which maintained in being, and gave incrcafe to that party. 
 
 The Prince of Conde was likewife in Paris , who on the contrary, encouraging the 
 Preachers, and enlarging as much as he could their licenfe and liberty, under colour 
 of making the Edic^" of January to be obferved, arrogated to himfelf Cmore by force 
 than reafon) a great authority in all the affairs of State. 
 
 It appeared necelfary to the King of Navarre, by fome means or other to make the 
 Prince of Conde leave Paris. For already, either the defire of peace, or the envy that 
 •he bore him, had rendred him exceeding violent againft him v and Reafon perfwaded 
 to preferve that City from tumults and feditions upon which the Catholick party chiefly 
 relied i but knowing his own forces were not fufficient , or willing to communicate 
 this refblution with the other Confederates before any thing were put in execution, he 
 fcnt for the Duke of Cuife and the Conftable, that they might unite all their forces 
 in the fame place. 
 
 The Duke of Guife, after he retired from Court, dwelt itJainviVe, a place of his 
 own, upon the confines of Champagne and Picardy j and having received advice from 
 the King of Navarre , being accompanied with the Cardinal his Brother , with a train 
 of many Gentlemen his dependants, and two Squadrons of Lances for Guard, was 
 upon the way to be at Paris at the time appointed. But the firft day of March in the 
 morning pailing thorow a little Village in the fame confines called Vajjy , his people 
 heard an unufiial noife of Bells ■, and having asked what was the reafon of it, anfwer 
 was made , That it was the hour wherein the Hugonots ufed to affemble at their Ser- 
 mons,
 
 of France. The Third "Boo^. 
 
 57 
 
 mons. The Pages and Lacqueys of the Duke that went before the reft of the com- 
 pany, moved with the novelty of the thing, and a curiofity to fee, (for then thofe 
 Congregations began fir 11 to be kept in publick) with jefting fpeeches, and a tUmult 
 proper to fuch kind of people , went towards the place where the Hugonots were aP- 
 femblcd at their devotion i who underftanding that the Duke of Guife was there, one 
 of their chief perfccutors, and feeing a great troop come diredly towards them, fear- 
 ing fome affront, or elfe indeed incenfed with the words of derifion and contempt 
 which the rudencfs of thofe people ufed againlt them , without any further conlidera- 
 tion, prcfently fell to gather up ftones , and began to drive back thofe that advanced 
 firft towards the place of their affembly. By which injury the Catholick party being 
 incenfed, f who came thither without intent of doing them harm) with no lefs incon- 
 fidcration betaking themfclves to their Arms, there began a dangerous (cuffle amongll 
 them. The Duke, perceiving the uproar, anddefiring to remedy it, fetting fpurs to 
 his horfe, without any regard put himfclf into the midft of them » where, whilft he 
 reprehended his own people , and exhorted the Hugonots to retire , he vvas hit with 
 a blow of a ftone upon the left cheek , by which , though lightly hurt, yet by rea{bn 
 he bled much, being forced to withdraw himfelfout of the hurly-burly, his followers, 
 impatient of fuch an indignity done to their Lord, prefently betook themfelves to their 
 Fire-arms, and violently alTaulting the houfe where the Hugonots retired to fecure 
 themfelves, killed above fixty of them, and grievoufly wounded the Minifter i who 
 climbing over the tylcs, faved himfelf in fome of the adjoining houfes. The tumult 
 ended, the Duke of G;///? called for the Officer of the place,and began fharply to repre- 
 hend him lor fuftcring fuch a pernicious licenfe to the prejudice of pafTcngers j and 
 he, excufing himftlf, that he could not hinder it, by reafon of the Edidof y.-/««jry, 
 which tolerated the publick Affemblies of the Hugonots. The Duke no lefs offended 
 at his anfwer than at the thing it felf , laying his hand upon his Sword , replyed in 
 choler , Ihli Jhall foon cut the bond of that EdiCf , though never fo binding. From 
 which words, fpoken in the heat of anger, and not forgotten by thofe that were pre- 
 fent, many afterwards concluded, that he was the author and contriver of the enfuing 
 War. 
 
 But the Hugonots, exceedingly incenfed by this chance, and being no longer able 
 to keep themfelves within the limits of patience , not contented with what they had 
 done formerly, both in Faris (where killing divers men, they Hred the Church of 
 SMeddrd) and in other Cities all over the Kingdom , now full of malice and rage, ftir- 
 red up fuch horrible tumults and bloody feditions , that, befides the flaughter of men 
 in many places, the Monafteries were fpoiled. Images thrown down, the Altars bro- 
 ken, and the ( hutches brutifhly polluted. By which adions every body being much 
 incenfed , and the people in all places running headlong to take Arms, the Heads of 
 the Fadlions upon the fame occalion went about gathering forces, and preparing them- 
 felves for a manifeft War. 
 
 But the Lords of both parties faw plainly , that in the ftate things were then in, 
 they could not take Arms without running into an open Rebellion h there being no 
 pretext or apparent colour that covered with the fliew of Juftice theraifingof Arms: 
 for the Catholick party could not oppofe the Edidt of January without apparently 
 contradiding an Adt of Council, and trefpaifing againft the Royal Power by which the 
 Edid was authorized : and on the other fide , the Hugonots having the Liberty of 
 Confcience given them which was appointed by the RA\&.oi January^ had no juft caufe 
 to ftir. Wherefore each Fadlion deiired to draw the King to their party, and fci7ing 
 upon his perfon, by abolifliing the Edidf, or interpreting it under his Name according 
 to their own fenfe, to make a fhew of having the right on their fides i and the contrary 
 party by oppofing the Kings will, and refilling him in perfon , to run into an adual 
 Rebellion. 
 
 The CLjcen-Mother, very well knowing thcfe defigns, and defiring as much as was 
 polTible to prefcrve her own liberty and her Sons, continued her wonted artifices fo to 
 balance the power of the great ones, that by their tyranny they might not prejudice 
 the fccurity of the State \ and having left F^m, that fhe might not be conftrained by 
 cither Fadion, flie went to FoKntaix-hleau, a houfe of pleafure belonging to the Kings 
 of France ■■> which being a free open place, (he conceived (he could not be forced to de- 
 clare her felf, and hoped by doubtful fpeeches and ambiguous promifes to maintain 
 her credit with both parties. Where flie gave afTurances to the Prince oi Conde and 
 
 I the 
 
 1562. 
 
 In t conftidl 
 between the 
 Duke oiau.fe 
 his fervanti 
 and the Hiigo- 
 notSjthe Duke 
 IS hurt wiik 
 a (lone. 
 
 A faying cf the 
 Duke n^' Gxife 
 which made 
 him thought 
 the author of 
 the enfuing 
 Wir.
 
 i-8 The Hiflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 1 562. the Lords of Chj^Mon^ (who being infcriour in ftrength to the Catholicks, were gone 
 out of Tarif to arm themfelves) that (he would join with them as foon as fhe faw they 
 had affembled fuch a force as might be fufficient to refid the power of their Adverfaries. 
 And on the other fide, fhe made proteftations to the King of Navarre^ the Conltable, 
 and the Duke of Guife , that (he would never forfake the Catholick party , nor ever 
 confent to the eftablifliment of the Hugonots further, than granting them a moderate 
 liberty, fuch as by the advice of pcrfons well-afTecftcd (bould be thought necefTary for 
 the quiet of the State. Her Letters concerning this bufinefs were no lefs ambiguous 
 than her words i nor did (he declare her felf more openly abroad to foreign Princes, 
 than at home within her own Kingdom: but often changing the tenour of her dif- 
 courfe, and varying the inftrudlions flie gave to Ambafladors in other Courts, and 
 particularly to Monlieur de I' Ifle who refided in Kome , fometimes refltaining them, 
 other while giving them a larger fcope, fo confounded the underflandings of all men, 
 that they could not conclude any thing. 
 
 But now (he began to have a hard task. For the heads of both parties were grown 
 by experience to be no lefs their Crafts-mafters than her felf i and in fuch a long time 
 that (he had held the Regency, they had had the commodity to difcern and underftand 
 her artsi befides now that the King began to grow of age, fhe was necellitated to 
 cutoff thofe delays which (he formerly ufed i many things being iu apparence ju(t, 
 which when He (hould come to years to govern of himfelf, depended abfolutely upon 
 his judgment and arbitrement > which none could oppofe without manifeft delin- 
 quency of Felony i whereas at the prefent every one might pretend that they did not 
 withfland the Kings will, but the wicked pernicious counfels of his Minifters. 
 
 The Duke of Guif^^ who being of a more violent difpofition and refolute nature 
 than the reft, abfolutely fwayed the refolutions of his party, having already drawn to 
 his opinion the Conftable and the King of Navarre , perfvvaded them that going pre- 
 fently together to Court , they (hould bring the King and the Queen-Mother to FarU^ 
 and afterwards make them confirm fuch Determinations and Edids as feemed neceffary 
 for the prefent times i and not by expedting, run the hazard of being prevented, os 
 fuffer thetr Adverfaries to (eize tirlt upon the Kings perfbn , and fo invelt themfelves 
 with theautliority of his Name. 
 
 The Prince of Conda had the fame intention ; who when he left Tariff retired firft 
 fo Meatix^ a Town in Brye, ten leagues diftant from thence i and then to la Ferte, a 
 place of his own, there toaffemble his Forces. To this refolution he was advifed by 
 the Admiral, iiivited by the promifes of the Queen-Mother , and perhaps further in- 
 duced by the dcHgn of the Catholicks, which was not concealed from him, (as for the 
 mort part in civil difTentions, through the infidelity of Counfellors and frequency of 
 fpies, it is very cafie to penetrate into the very thoughts of the Enemy. ^ But the Ca- 
 tholick Lords with their ordinary followers were fufficient to manage this defign > 
 bclidcs, they were near to Paris, which depending abfolutely upon their wills, afforded 
 Ibength and commodity to effeft it : Whereas on the other fide, the Prince of Conde 
 being far weaker than they, and but few of his men armed, he was forced to expedt 
 the other Lords and Gentlemen of his party i who being fent for from divers Provinces 
 of the Kingdom, were not fpeedily to be brought together. 
 
 In the mean while the Catholicks prevented them, and on a fudden appeared in 
 great numbers at the Court. Yet the Queen, nothing difmayed at their fo unexpected 
 coming, though doubtful that her former arts would no longer prevail , began to per- 
 fwade the King of Navarre , that the Princes and other Lords that came with him 
 fliould prefently withdraw themfelves from about the Court , that every one plainly 
 perceived the caufe of their coming v which was, to force her being unarmed, and the 
 King yet in minority, to order things in the State according to their humours, and to 
 accommodate publick affairs to paffions and private interefts i which was not only far 
 from the loyalty and integrity they profeffed, but abfolutely contrary to the peace and 
 fafety of the Kingdom, which they pretended only to defire. For to feek new Edidls 
 and new Inftitutions different from thofe which were already enadtcd, was no lefs than 
 to arm the Hugonots ■-, wh.o, bold enough of themfelves, and ready for Infurredtions, 
 would believe and publifh to all the World, that they had reafbn on their fide, if with- 
 out any caufe that Edidt (hould be recalled, which by a general confent was confirmed 
 and eftabli(hed. That it was expedient , whilfl: the King was under age , to avoid 
 the neceffuy of a War, and the troubles and inconveniencies that accompanied it j left 
 
 befides
 
 o/ France, The 1 bird 'Boo\. - 5^ 
 
 befides the univerfal prejudice, a greater brand of infamy might be hxed upon them 15^2, 
 
 ■who held the greateft authority in the Government. That ihe tor this teafoD con- 
 
 fented to the Edift of Janujiy ■■, iot this caufe left fjris ■ to take away all manner of 
 
 pretence and opportunity for that mifchief to break out, which fccretly crept up •, and 
 
 that to return to a place fufpeded, and to dillurb the Edidt already publiflied, would 
 
 be openly to foment the violence of it. U'iilial, fhe put the King oi Navarre in mind, Perfons of de- 
 
 and the other Catholick Princes, that to raife Civil Wars was only proper to thofe who [t"c"'thtVij- 
 
 were either of unfetled or defperate fortunes: and not for fuch who, polTdling riches, cendiariesof 
 
 dignities, eftates and honours, lived in a flourifhing eminent condition. That the *''^' ^^*"" 
 
 King of Navarre (hould enjoy the principal Command of the whole Kingdom, which 
 
 already without contradiction he was polTefTed of » the other Princes fliould enjoy 
 
 their eftates, greatnefs and dignities •, and fliould comply with the people, that by en- t 
 
 joying, or believing they enjoyed a borrowed and momentary liberty, they might fuffer 
 
 the King without War to accomplifli the age of his majority. That nothing had been 
 
 done which was not forced by an abfolute necelTity i That only was given , which 
 
 could not be fold j and that liberty granted to the Hugonots, which of their own 
 
 power they arrogated to themfelvcs. And therefore the Catholick Princes fliould have 
 
 patience, that this fo frantick humour might be overcome with art and dexterity > 
 
 and not wilfully be an occation, by anticipating the remedies before the time the King 
 
 came of age, to anticipate likewife the difeafe i which would carry along with it many 
 
 adverfe revolutions and dangerous accidents: and if they were pofitively refolved to 
 
 regulate the Edid , that it was to be done infenfibly , and with opportunity of timeS 
 
 and occafions, and not with fuch open violence, which would afford that commodity 
 
 to the feditious, which they themfelves defired and fought after. 
 
 Thcfe rcafons effedtually expreffed and reiterated , would have moved the King of 
 Navarre, and perhaps the Conftable alfo, if the Duke of Guife had confented there- 
 unto. But he having fetled his hopes, not only to recover, but enlarge his forme;' 
 greatnefs by the fortune of the war > and defirous, as ancient Proteif^or and Head of 
 the Catholick party, that thofe things refolved upon without his confent (hould by any 
 means whatfoevcr be difturbed, and the honour of difturbing them redound apparently 
 upon himfelf i he peremptorily oppofed all the Queens arguments-, fliewing, that 
 they fhould at the fame time lofe their credit and reputation, when they fuffered them- 
 felves to be fo eafily deluded by a woman , who did all with a defign to throw her felf 
 into the arms of the contrary party i if fondly giving credit to her words, they fliould 
 {b eafily be perfwaded to depart from the Court i that it would too much prejudice 
 the juftice of their caufe, if it fhould appear by their own confeffion , that the end of 
 their coming was not for the publick good or preferva.tion of the Royal Authority, but 
 through private paflions, and particular interefts i and that through an inward guilt, 
 they had not purfued thofe intentions -which they purpofed to effeft. That they 
 ought not , by the artificial perfwafions of the Queen, to be diverted from a delibera- 
 tion fo maturely weighed, and unanimoufly refolved upon i nor to fatisfie her will, 
 fuffer thofe things to be laid alide which were didtated by Reafon , prefcribed by Ju- 
 ftice, and commanded by Religion i the prefervation and refpedi of which had chiefly 
 brought them thither : But howfoever , it was no longer feafonable to defer or fpend 
 time in difcourfes: The Prince of Conde with an armed power was already at hand, 
 the Hugonots had already joyned their forces v who without doubt would carry the 
 King along with them , if they did not firfl take order for his fecurity. And there- 
 fore this being a bufinefs not to be determined by perfwafions , it was neceffary to ufe 
 force, and carrying away the King, leave the Queen to take that party which pleafed 
 her befl. For having with them the perfon of the lawful King, and the firfl Prince 
 of the Blood, to whom the Government naturally belonged, they needed little to re- 
 gard what fhe fhould do with het felf. And it was true, that the Prince of Conde, 
 joyned with the Lords of ChajiiHott^ and the reft of his adherents, already drew near 
 to the Court, W'herefore the Conftable and the King of Navarre being confirmed by 
 thefe reafbns, and feeing it was neceffary to break off all treaties and delays, gave the 
 Qycen perfbnally to underfland, that fhe muft inflantly refolve » for they had deter- 
 mined, whatever hapncd, to carry the King and his Brothers with them to Parit, left 
 they fhould fall into the hands of the Hugonots , who, (as they bad advertifement^ 
 were not far off i that it was not fit for them to leave their lawful Prince a prey to He- 
 tcticks, who defiied nothing more than to have him a pirifoner, that they might undc? 
 
 I :?. hii^
 
 6o The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^2. his name fubvert the foumlations of the Kingdom: That there was now no time td 
 be lolt, nor means to put it off i that they would difpofe of the King as their alle- 
 giance and the common good required. For what concerned her felf , that they 
 would not determine any thing, but, as it was their duty, leave her free to do what 
 (lie pleafed. 
 
 Though this intimation were peremptory and fudden , yet the Qyeen was not at 
 all furprifed therewith, having long forefecn it, and dellgned what in flich a cafe would 
 be fittelt to do. Wherefore being ncceflitated to declare her felf, though it were againft 
 her will , and fhc forcfaw War would quickly enfue thereupon i (he would not by 
 any means feparate her felf from the Catholick party j net only bccaufe reafbn and 
 jullice fo advifed, but becaufe (he likewife conceived , that both her own fafety and 
 • her Sons depended upon their ftrength. So that with her wonted vivacity of courage 
 prcfcntly rtfolving , flie returned anfwer to the King of Navarre and the Conftable i 
 That file was no kfs a Catholick , nor lefs follicitous of the general good of that Re- 
 ligion, than any other whatfoever i that for this time (he would rather believe the 
 counfcl of others , than her own judgment i and iince all agreed that it was bcrt to 
 go, Ibe was ready to fatisfic them. And fo without any other reply, (he prefently 
 Tht Qn«n is put hct fcif iu 3 rcadincfs to depart : notwithfiandig, at the fame time fiie difpatchcd 
 Yrt^'iir" ftVf Letters to the Prince of CoWe, lamenting that (he could not difcharge the promife (he 
 f-rthcCit'o- had made to put both the Kings Perfon and her own into their hands > for the Ca- 
 licks anj at tholicks comiug firll , had carried them by force to Paris ■■, but that they (liould not 
 
 the fame time <3 ,ni- r \ r ■ c 1 y- r rr 
 
 maintains lofc their coursgc , neglcct their care tor the prclervation ot the Crown, nor ftfter 
 Hii'onits'.''' ^^"^'"^ enemies to arrogate to themfelves the ab(blute power in the Government. So 
 being mounted on horfeback with the King and her other Sons, and compalTcd about 
 "with the Catholick Lords , who omitted no obfervance or demonflrations of honour 
 that might appeafeher, they went that night toMf/«//, the next day to the Bwx de 
 li,v:n>tfs^ and with the fame fpeed the morning after to Pjm. 
 rJ^rVithcix. It is molt certain, that the young King was feen that day by many to weep, being 
 juTnt." ""' pcifwaded that the Catholick Lords refirained him of his liberty j and that the 
 Queen-Mother being difcontented that her wonted arts prevailed not, and forefeeing 
 the niifchiefs of the future War , feemcd perplexed in mind , and fpake not a word 
 to any body i of which the Duke of Gui}} making little account, was heard to fay pub- 
 lickly, Ihit the good is aln-ays good, nhttber it proceed from love or force. But the Prince 
 of C'ow^f having received this news upon the way, and finding that he was either pre- 
 vented by the Catholicks, or deluded by the Queen, he prefently (lopt his horfe, and 
 Hood ftill a good while , doubtful what refolution to take i all thofe future troubles 
 that vvere like to enfue reprefenting themfelves betbre him with a face of terrour. But 
 tiie Admiral, who was (bme what behind, overtaking him, they conferred a little to» 
 gcther, and after a deep figh, the Prince faid, Wc arc gone (b far forward , that we 
 wuH. either drink or be drowned > and without any further difpute, taking another 
 way, he went with great (peed towards Orleans , which he had formerly delligned to 
 polTefshimfelf of. 
 
 Orleans is one of the principal Cities of the Kingdom, fome thirty leagues di(lant 
 i'tom Paris , of a large compafs , abundance in provi(ion, commodious for buildings, 
 and very populous > which being in the Province of Beaujfe, ftands as it were the Na- 
 vel of the Kingdom, upon the River of Loire, anciently called Ligerif, a great Navi- 
 gable River i which palling thorow many Provinces , at length runs into the Britifh 
 Sea. This City, by rea(on of the Navigation, the fertility of the Soil, the eminency 
 of it, and the mutual commerce it had with many other places , feemed to the Prince 
 very convenient for a (hnding quarter, and to oppofe againft Farii, by making it the 
 principal feat tor their Fa<fVion. For which reafons having many months before caft 
 his thoL^hts upon it , he had taken pains to hold fecret intelligence with (bme of the 
 Citizens which were of CalviHs Religion , and by their means to raife a great party 
 of the youth. Who were of unquiet fpirits, factious, and inclined to a defire of No- 
 velties. So that the difpo(ition of the Inhabitants anfwering the inftigation of the 
 complices, already a great part of the people were willing to take Arms. And that 
 thing? might be done in due order , the Prince had the day before fent Monfieur de 
 Aiidelotte to the City , who entring thereinto fecretly , ( at the fame time that the 
 Prince feifed upon the Court) (hould endeavour likewife to make himfelf Mafter of 
 the Tio\yn. But though it fo fell out, that the Prince could not arrive at Court i 
 
 Andelotte
 
 o/ France. The Third 'Boo{. 6i 
 
 Andelotte t\ot knowing what had happened, armed three hundred of his followers, and 1.5(12, 
 at the day appointed fuddenly feifed on S. John's Gate. Upon which accident Mon- 
 fieur de Monteraie , Governour of the City, getting together fome few men of Mon- 
 ficur de Sipierres company, who by chance were then thereabouts, very hotly aflaulted 
 the Confpirators, with no little hope that they (hould be able to drive them away, and 
 recover the entrance of the Gate , where they had not had time enough to fortifie 
 themfelves > fo that joyning in a bloody fight, after a conflid of many hours, Ayidelotte 
 at length began te yield to the multitude of the Catholicks , who ran thither armed 
 from all the parts of the Town, and had furely received an affront, if he had not been 
 opportunely affilkd by an unexpeded fuccour. For the Prince oiConde, not finding 
 the Court at Fottntain-blean , and therefore defifting from his voyage, returned much 
 fooner than he thought , and marching with great diligence , approached near to Or- 
 leans at the fame time that the fight began i and knowing it to be very violent by the 
 continual fhot and inceflant ringing of Bells, which might be heard many miles offi 
 he prefently galiopped with all his Cavalry towards the City to fuccour his Confede- 
 rates, who were already in great danger of being defeated. 
 
 They were more than three thoufand horfe, and ran headlong with fuch fury, that 
 thepeafants, though aftonifhed with the unufual fpeftacle of civil arms, in the midll 
 of their fright and wonder could not forbear to laugh, feeing here a horfe fall, there a 
 man tumbled over, and neverthelefs without regarding any accident, run furioufly one 
 over another as faft as their horfes could go, upon a defign which no body knew but 
 themfelves. But this hafte , fo ridiculous to the SpeAators, had very good fuccefs to 
 the Princes intentions. For coming with fuch a powerfid fuccour , and in fo fit an 
 opportunity of time , the Governour being driven away, and thofe that refitted fup- 
 prefTed i at lart the Town, which was of exceeding confequence, was reduced into 
 his power, and by the Authority of theCom.manders preferved from pillage. But the 
 Churches efcaped not the fury of the Hugonot-Souldiers, who with bruitifh examples 
 of barbarous favagenefs, laid them all wafte and defolate. 
 
 Thus the Prince having taken Orleans , and made it the feat of hisFaftion, he be- O'^""^ "'«^« 
 gan to think upon War. And firft having appointed a Council of the principal Husono°Fa- 
 Lords and Commanders, he advifed with them of the means to draw as many Towns **'""• 
 and Provinces to his Party as was polTible, and to get together fuch a fum of money 
 as might defray the expences , which at the beginning of a War are ever very 
 great. 
 
 The Catholick party were intent upon the fame ends i who being come to Varis 
 with the young King and the Queen, held frequent confultations how beft to order the 
 affairs for their own advantage : in which Councils the Duke of Gitife openly de- 
 clared, that he thought it moft expedient to proceed to a War with the Hugonots, fo 
 to extinguifh the fire before it burft out into a confuming flame, and to take away the 
 roots of that growing evil. On the contrary , the Chancellor de I' Hofpital^ fecretly 
 fet on by the Queen, propofing many difficulties, and raifing doubts and impediments 
 upon every thing , perfwaded an agreement i by which both parties abfenting them- 
 felves from the Court , the power of the Government fhould be left free and quiet 
 to the Queen and the King of Navarre. But being fliarply reproved by the Con- 
 ftable, and after the news of the revolt of Orleans, injurioufly treated, under pretence 
 of being a Gown-man, he was excluded from the Council, that was now called the 
 Council of War i by which means alfo a principal inltrument was taken from the 
 Queen, who having no power left in that Council , for there were newly admitted 
 to it Claud Mivquefs de Boify, Hoa^re Marquefs F;i!/<jrj-, Louis de Lanfac, Monfieur de 
 Cars , the Bifliop of Anxerre . the Sieurs de Maugiron , and la Broffe, (who all abfb- 
 lutely depended upon theConftable and the Cuifes) every thing on that fide likevi^ife 
 tended to the raifing of Arms. 
 
 At the firft fas it ever falleth out) their pens were more adive than their fwords. ThePrinee of 
 For the Prince of Conde and his adherents, willing to juftifie in writing the caufe of '{'"^f^ '^"'* 
 their taking Arms, publifiied certain Manifefts and Letters in print, direifted to the 
 King , the Court of Parliament in farU^ the Proteftant Princes of Germany , and to 
 other Chriffian Princes s in which very largely, but no lefs artificially dilating them- 
 felves, they concluded, that they had taken Arms to fet the King at liberty, and the 
 Qyeen his Mother, who by the Tyrannical power of the Catholick Lords were kept 
 prifoners ■> and to caufe obedience to be rendred in all parts of the Kingdom to his 
 
 Majefties
 
 6i 
 
 The Hiflory of the Ctvil iVars 
 
 1562. 
 
 The Pirlii- 
 ment of /"(III' 
 Anfwei- to the 
 Princes Maoi- 
 feft. 
 
 The Anfwtt 
 of the KMi; 
 (nd Queen. 
 
 Majdlics Edi(its , which by the violence of certain men , that arrogate to thcmfelves 
 a greater Authority in the Government than of right belonged to them, were impioufly 
 defpiftd and trodden under foot i and therefore that they were ready prefcntly to lay 
 down their Arms, if the Duke of Cuij}^ the Confiable, and the Marefhal de St. Andrs, 
 retiring themfelvcs from tlie Court , would leave the King and the Qyeen in a free 
 place, in their own power i and that liberty of Religion might be equally toleratad and 
 maintained in all parts of the Kingdom. 
 
 The Parliament at Paris anfvvcred their Manifeft, and the Letters, (hewing, that 
 the pretence was vain, by which they fought to juliific their taking of Arms, which 
 they had immediately raifcd againll the Kings Perfon and his Royal Authority : for fo 
 far was the King or the Qiieen his Mother from being deprived ot liberty, or retained 
 in prifon by the Conltable and the Gn/ps, that on tlie contrary they were in the ca- 
 pital City of the Kingdom, where the chief Parliament relided i and in which com- 
 manded as Governour Charles Cardinal of 'Bourbon , Brother to the Prince of Conde., 
 and one of the Princes of the Blood. That the King of Njvarre, Brother alfo to the 
 fame Prince of Conde, held the chief place in the Government, and the Queen-Mother 
 the charge of the Regency i both chofen by the Council, according to the ancient cu- 
 llom, and confirmed by the confent of the States-General of the Kingdom : that every 
 day they afTembled the Council compofed of eminent perfons to confult of ht remedies 
 for the prefent evils ; that the Edidt of January wzs intirely obfcrvcdvvith full Liberty 
 of Conscience to thofe of the pretended reformed Religion, (notwithltanding it de- 
 pended wholly upon the Kings will to call in thofe Ediifts whenfoever he (hould think 
 iit, efpecially that oi^ January , made by way of provifion , and which was accepted 
 by the Parlianoents only for a time t) That the Hugonots had of themfelves violated 
 the Edidt made in their favour ; becaufe, contrary to the form thereof, they went to 
 their affcmblics armed , without the ailiitance of the Kings Officers , conditions ex- 
 prefly mentioned in the fame. And befidcs this rafhnefs, they were likcwife fo bold, 
 as in all places to raife tumults , and commit diforders and daughters. Wherefore 
 their rebellion could not be excufcd with fo ilight a pretence , feeing many Towns 
 were openly fciicd upon, Souldicrs raifed , the Munition confumed , Artillery cafr, 
 Moneys coyned, the publick Revenues fpent, Churches thrown down, the Monafte- 
 ries laid defolate , and infinite other proceedings, no way agreeing to the Duty of 
 Subjedls, but exprefs adfs of Felony and Rebellion. Wherefore they exhorted the 
 Prince of Conde , that following the example of his Anceffors , he fhould return to 
 the King, abandoning the fociety of Hereticks and fadious peribns, and not fo cruelly 
 wound the bofom of his own Country •, the welfare whereof, as Prince of the Blood, 
 he was obliged to maintain with the hazard of his own perfon, even to the laft period 
 of his lite. 
 
 TheConftable likewife and the Gw/f/ made an Anfwer in their own behalf v and 
 after a long narration of the ferviccs they had done to the Crown , concluded , that 
 they were ready not only to depart from the Court, but to enter into a voluntary exile, 
 upon condition that the Arms taken up againlt his Majefty might be laid down, the 
 places kept againfl him delivered up, the Churches that were ruined reftored, the Ca- 
 tholick Pvcligion preferved , and an intire obedience rendred to the lawful King un- 
 der the Government of the King of Navarre , and the Regency of the Q^iecn- 
 Mothcr. 
 
 After which Declarations paft on both fides , the King and the Queen together, by 
 the advice of the Council , made another Anfwer to the Prince of Conde , and caufed 
 it to be divulged in print, in which they avowed, That they were in full liberty, and 
 that they had voluntarily removed the Court to Paris, to remain there in great fecu- 
 rity, and to advife with the Officers of the Crown, how to remedy the prefent difer- 
 dcis: That they were ready to continue the obfcrvation of the Edid oi January^ 
 and to fee it (hould be entirely kept , until fuch time as the King came of Age : And 
 lince the Catholick Princes , whofe loyalty and veitue was fufficiently known to all 
 France., were contented to retire themfelves from Court : That the Prince of Conde nor 
 his Adherents had any manner ofexcufe longer to keep at fuch adiftance, and in Armsi 
 but that they ought prefently to put both themfelves and the places they pofTelTed into 
 obedience of the King •■> which if they did, befidcs a pardon for what was palt, they 
 lliould be well lookt upon by their Majefties as good Subje(f^s, and punctually main- 
 tained in all their priviledges and degrees. 
 
 VVhilft
 
 of France. The Third ^oo^ 6j 
 
 Whilft thefe things were in agitation, the Queen endeavoured to bring it fo to pafs, ijtfaC 
 that both parties fto colour their proceedings, and not to feem to condemn them- 
 ftlves of any violence to the Kings perfon j (hould retire to their feveral charges, and 
 leave the Government of the State to her and the King of Navarre i who being of a 
 fecile nature, was a fit inftrument for the eftablifnment of her Sons in the Kingdom. 
 But after much Treating , and many Declarations on both fides, all was reduced to 
 this point, That neither of them would be the firft to disband their forces i and up- 
 on this cavil they made large Propofitions in writing, without concluding any thing 
 in hi^. , 
 
 At the fame time that thefe Manifefts were publiflied to the world, and every man 
 bufie about the Treaty , the Prince oiConde and the Admiral ufed means to draw all 
 the grcateft Towns, and thofe that lay moft convenient for them, to their party. . To 
 which purpofe , having fcattercd men of underftanding and truft in the feveral Pro- 
 vinces, they with divers policies , by the alliftance of the Hugonots, and other fedi- 
 tious perfbns which abounded in all parts of the Kingdom, eafily made themfelves 
 Mafters of the principal Cities, and other Itrong places of greateft confequence. With 
 thefe praAices revolted the City oiKouen^ (therefidence of the Parliament oi Nor- 
 mandy) and in the fame Province Diefe and Haire da Grace^ fituated upon the Ocean 
 on that Coaft that looks toward England. In Poiciou and Toitrahte, with the like skill 
 they got into their hands An^iers , B/o/x, PoiCiiers, Jours, and Vendnfme, In Vaul- 
 fhine^ Valence v and at laft, after many attempts, the City of Lyons alfo i and in Gaf- 
 coigne, Guknne ^ znd Languedoc, where the Hugonots fwarmed moft > except B«r- 
 deaux, Ihouloufe, and fome other FortrefTes, they had in a manner polTelTed themfelves 
 of all the Cities and walled Towns. Ey which I nfurrcdtions all France being in an 
 uproar, and not only the Provinces, but private houfes and families divided amongft 
 themfelves, there enfued fuch miferable accidents, that every place afforded (pedtacles 
 of defolation, fire, rapine and bloodihed. 
 
 And becaufe the Contributions they had from the Hugonots, ("though they gave very 
 largely j and their own private Revenues , with the pillage they had in thofe Towns 
 that they took, was not fufficicnt to maintain the charge of the War > the Prince of J^'^Yo^n'^^ 
 Conde made all the Gold and Silver in the Churches to be brought to him, and coyned the Piatt be= 
 it publickly into money, which was no little help to them. For the ancient piety of rhur^lcs" 
 that Nation had in every place adorned the reliques , and filled the Temples with no 
 fmall Treafure. Nor was their diligence lefs to provide Munition and Artillery. For 
 in the Towns which they furprifed , and particularly in Tours, having found a great 
 quantity, they fent it to Orleans to fupply their prefent occafions i where, having ap- 
 pointed the Convent of Francifcan Fryars for a Magazine, they kept there in very 
 good order all the Stores and Provifions that they made with exceeding induftry for 
 the future. 
 
 But the Governours of the Kingdom having refolved and determined a War, with 
 no lefs diligence brought theCatholick Army together near about Faris ■•, where enter- 
 ing into confultation what they (hould do concerning the Edi<ft of January , though 
 there was (bme difference in their opinions, they all concluded it fhould be obferved : 
 partly, not more to fharpen the humours already too much ftirred i and partly, not to 
 add ftrength or colour to the Hugonots caufe i who, whilft the Edidt was maintained, 
 had no manner of reafonable pretence to take Arms. 
 
 But becaufe the People oifaris reverencing fas in the greateft troubles they have ever 
 done) the Catholick Religion, inftantly defired that no Congregations of the Hugonots 
 might be permitted amongft them i Firft to take away an occafion of tumults and dan- 
 gers in the principal City , which was the foundation of the Kings party, it being be- 
 fides very indecent that where his Majefty remained in Perfon any other Religion ■^^''f'^, '"."''' 
 fliould be exercifed but that which he himfelf profeffed : Thefe reafons laid together, iaRanceot'thc 
 they refolved the Edidt of January in all things elfe remaining in force, to forbid the f "[.'"j^J „ ■ 
 Hugonots to keep any Afiemblies in the City of Paris , or the Prccindts thereof i or ^otiot Affcm^ 
 in any other place where the Court refidcd , where none could live that were not con- E'-" '"/^nj^j 
 formable to the Rites of the Catholick Religion obferved in the Roman Church. the coun. 
 
 After the publication of this Decree, followed other Provifions in purfuanceof the 
 Civil and Military affairs. And the Cardinal of Bourbon , who loved not to engage 
 himfelf in troublefome bufineffes, having in thefe times of difficulty furrendred up the 
 Government of ParU, they conferred it upon the Marefhal oiBnffac ; that they might 
 
 be
 
 64 T-^k^ Htflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 1^62, be fure to have in the power of one they trullcd the moft potent City in all Frances 
 which alone gave more ailiftance to that party it favoured , than half the reft of the 
 Kingdom could. They appointed other Conjmanders in divers other parts to vvith- 
 ftand the attempts of the Hugonots i amongli which the principal were Claude Duke 
 of Attmale in the Province o( Normady\ Louis de Bourbon Duke of Monpenfier in 
 1uur.ii>ie •■, and in Gajloigne^ Blaife^ Sieur de Moitluc, a man famous for wit and valour, 
 and much more for experience in the War. 
 
 Fut having already a great power on foot, thofe who commanded in chief refolved 
 to go dire<flly towards Orleans, where the Prince of Conde and the Admiral gathered 
 their Forces, and not to give them longer time for the provilions that they made, but 
 to endeavour to fupprefs them before they encrcafed in ftrcngth or reputation. The 
 Kings Army conlifted of four thoufand Horfe, the chief Gentry in the Kingdom, and 
 fix thoufand French Foot, all chofen men and old Souldicrs s and the Swiffes were 
 cxpedfed, who being hired by the King , were already advanced to the conhnes of 
 Burgundy. With this number of men, and a convenient train of Artillery, the Army 
 The Kings Ar- ^oved towards Orleans , commanded by the King of Navarre with the Title of the 
 wards o]fe«»j. Kings Lieutenant-General ■, but with the confent and authority of the Duke of Guife 
 and the Conftable, who for their experience and age had the chief credit in diredfing 
 bulincfTes of weight or confequencc. 
 
 On the other lide, the Prince of Conde and the Admiral, by whofc advice all things 
 were governed, having already aflembled fuch a force as was able to encounter with 
 the Kings Army , refolved to iffue out of Orleans, and to take the field likcwife> 
 judging it the beft way to uphold their reputation, which in all, but efpecially in Civil 
 Wars, is always of great moment to maintain and encreafe a Fadion i there being an 
 infinite number of men that follow the rumour of fame, and profperity of fortune. 
 Being marched forth into the field with three thoufand Horfe and feven thoufand Foot, 
 they quartered thcmfclves in a place naturally ftrong, fome four leagues diftant from 
 the City, juftupon the great Road i that fo they might cut off the Catholicks paffage 
 to the Town, and with greater facility have provifions brought them in from the Coun- 
 try about. 
 
 But whilft the Armies thus approached one another, the Queen was greatly troubled 
 in mind to fee things at laft break out into a War, in which (he doubted (he fliould cer- 
 tainly remain a prey , whofoever obtained the Vid:oryi believing that fhe could no 
 more truli her fclf to one party, than be fccure of the other. For though the Catholick 
 Lords made (hew of paying her a great refped, and feemed to promifc , fhe fhould 
 continue her wonted authority of Regent > fhe feared not without good ground, that 
 the contrary party once fupprefTcd , and the ob'iacle taken away that contained them 
 within the bounds of reafon, they would make but little accompt of a Pupil King, or 
 a woman that was a (hanger, and prefer their own greatnefs before all other refpeds. 
 And for the Prince ol Conde, who, befides his reftlefs difpofition and vafl thoughts 
 that wholly fwayed him, thought himfelf alfo injured and betrayed by her, fhe could 
 by no means depend upon his fupport. Befides, the exaltation of the Hugonots fhe 
 knew would abfolutcly fubvert the State, and kindle fuch a lafting fire, that the mife- 
 rable Country of France would never be able fully to recover the quiet it formerly en- 
 joyed. Wherefore defiring a peace , and that things (hould remain in machination, 
 VTtZb'wntd 3nd fas they call them J * Brigues ot the Court, without breaking out into the vio- 
 fgnifyiiig h- lenceof Arms, fhe endeavoured to promote propotitions of accommodation by means 
 teocionf" '^°''' of the Bifliop of Valence j who at laft, after many difficulties, concluded a parley be- 
 tween her and the Prince of Conde, in a place equally diftant from both Armies i that 
 by difcourfing together they might find a means to fecure and fatisfie both parties. To 
 which purpofc the Queen, being come to the Catholick Camp, accompanied with the 
 The cardinii King of Nuvarre and Monlieur d' Anville the Conftables Son, fhe advanced as far as 
 cLn-i"! his "^""O'l (^ place about ten leagues from Orleans) whither came the Prince of Conde 
 Kcii-finn" cai- vvith the Admiral and the Cardinal his Brother, who called himfelf Count de Beauvais, 
 Count T/''^ (of which place he held the Biflioprick though he had changed his Religion.) Where 
 ■nr.iKvM:. meeting altogether in an open Campaigne which on every fide extended as far as they 
 bt'Jwtcn'th'e <^ould difcern, the Prince and the Queen withdrew themfelves from the company, and 
 oii«n-Ma- difcourfed very long together i but what paffed between them was unknown > only it 
 PrinMlf''' '^ certain, that they parted without concluding any thing i and each of them retired to 
 Cixde. their own company in great hafte. This meeting fatisfied thofe who doubted it, that 
 
 the
 
 o/ France. The Third 'BooJ^, 65 
 
 «he Queen only difTcmbling with tbe Hugonots for her own ends , would not in any 1562. 
 wife forfake the Catholicks. For fhe was there in fuch a place, that (he might have 
 gone away with the Prince if fhe had pleas'd j who perhaps came to the parley princi- 
 pally through fucfi a hope- 
 Now the Prince being returned to his Army, (as if he had received courage from Tht Prince of 
 the Treaty he had with the Qyeen, or elfe to encreafc the jcaloulies which the Catho- ^^l^il m fa- 
 licks generally had of her^ propofed much higher Conditions than formerly, and (b j!""' »' '•'"'- 
 exorbitant, that they moved a difdain even in the King himfelf, though yet in fuch an HugoLcs'. ' 
 age that he referred all things to the arbitrement of his Council. For he demanded. 
 That the Guifes and the Conftable (hould depart out of the Kingdom s That the Hu- 
 gonots might return again to live in the Cities, and have Churches publickly appointed 
 them •> That all the Edicftsfliould be nullified that were made lince the Duke of Gnifc 
 returned to the Court i That he might hold the Towns he was pofleffed of, till the 
 King was out of his minority , and command in them as free abfolute Lord j That 
 the Popes Legat fhould be commanded to leave the Kingdom, that the Hugonots might 
 be capable of all charges and publick Magifiracies \ That the Emperour, the Cat ho- 
 lick King, the Queen of Enz^land^ the Republick of Venice^ the Duke of Savoy^ and 
 the Commonalty of the SwifTes, fliould give fecurity. That neither the Dukeof G«//f, 
 nor the Conftable , (hould return into the Kingdom, or raife any Ariny, until fuch 
 time as the King came to the age of two and twenty years. Every man being incenfcd 
 with thcfe Conditions , the Governours of the Kingdom refolvcd to fend Monfieur 
 df Frffne^ one of the Kings Secretaries, to Eji.inipes in the mid-way between Orluni 
 and Vark^ who with a publick Proclamation (hould warn the Prince of Conde , the 
 Admiral, Andelnt^ and the reft: of their Adherents, within ten days after to lay down 
 their Arms, to deliver up the Towns they pofTefTed, and to retire privately to their own 
 houfes : which if they did , they fhould obtain pardon and remillion for all that was 
 paft i but if they refitfcd to obey this his Majefties exprefs Command, it being an im- 
 mediate Ad: of Treafon and Rebellion , they (hould be deprived of their eftates and 
 dignities , and proceeded againft as Rebels. Which being publi(hed accordingly, it """'^'fl*^'?"'?* 
 was fo far from working any thing upon the Hugonots, that on the contrary, either ^^ ih/nugo- 
 through dcfperation or difdain become more refolute, they united themfelves by a pub- ""ts. 
 lick Contradl in a perpetual Confederacy, to deliver as they faid, the King, the Queen, 
 and the Kingdom from the violence of their oppre(rors i and to caufe obedience to be 
 rendered to his Majefties Ed ids through all his Dominions. They declared the Prince 
 oi^ Conde Head of this Confederacy , and with their wonted liberty publifbed in print 
 a long Narration of the caufes and end of this their Union. 
 
 The Queen for all this , ftill employed her thoughts how to cotnpafs an agreement. 
 For beiides the hopes (lie had to effed it, nothing was more advantageous to her then 
 gaining of time j and by delaying the War , to keep things from coming to an ifTue, 
 till her Son was out of his Vinority , which they pretended was at fourteen years of 
 age. She began already to endeavour by her ufual arts to regaiti the Conftable and the 
 Cttifes ■■, and having given evident proof of her refblution to perfevere in the Catho- 
 lick Religion , and continue conftant to that party , (ince when (he was even in the 
 Hugonots Camp Ihe returned notvvithftanding back to them again v (he had in great 
 part removed and purged her fclf of thofe jealou(ics which they were wont to have 
 of her inclinations » infomuch as , belidcs that they left her a more abfolute power in 
 the Government, they fought by complying , to make her approve of their proceed- 
 ings, wherefore having more hope than ever to find fbme means of accommodation, 
 ihe began to deal with the Catholick Lords under the pretence of Juftice, and detefta- 
 tion of a Civil War i that to fliame the Hugonots, and for their own honour, they 
 (hould be content to depart firft from the Court , as they were the firft to come thi- 
 ther. She laid before them , how greatly it would commend their fincerity , by one The Qnecn 
 adion only to extinguifh that horiible flame which was now kindling in every part theDukVof 
 of the Kingdom to confumc all things both facred or prophane. That they would me- au,ji and the 
 rit much more of their Country by this fo pious a refolution, than by all their former [^""M^'n,"'* 
 exploits put together, though never fo glorious and beneficial. For this would bring df 5. ^w, ,to 
 fafety , whereas thole added only greatnefs and reputation. She told them further, ^oIh' which 
 that to abfent themfelves from the Court, was but a ceremony of a few months: for, ttey ttotailt. 
 if nothing happened before to make it neceffary to call them back again, when the 
 King came to age, whidi would be Ihortly, he would foon fend for them i and in the 
 .-: K meau
 
 66 The Htflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1 5^2. mean while, this (hort time of abfence might be emoloyed to their hotiour and advac 
 tage. For fevery one retiring to their fcveral Governments with which they werein-* 
 trufted, they might with induftry keep the Provinces in peace, and purge thofe that 
 moft needed it, of tlie pcftiferous humours that infcdted them v whereas itaying 4t the 
 > "■• ' Court, they ferved for nothing elfe but to foment and ftir up a War. She afTured 
 them, fhe would never change refoliition in matters of Religion, or the Rings Edu- 
 cation i that never any thing of importance fliould be determined without their pri« 
 vity^ that the preferit Infurredtions once quieted, fhe would take care, that with the 
 firft polTible opportunity they fhould be recalled i and that in all times they fhould 
 find her gratitude anfwerable to fo great a benefit, if really they refolved to perform 
 what fhe propofed. With which kind of pradlifes fhe fo tar prevailed, that at the la(t 
 the Duke of Guife^ the Conftable, and the Marefhal de St. Andre^ were contented to 
 depart Hrft from the Court and the Army > provided, that the Prince of Conds came 
 prefently without Arms to render himfelf to the Queens obedience, and to follow fuch 
 orders as fhe fliould think mofl expedient for the welfare of the Kingdom: which 
 though every one of them thought a very hard condition, yet fuch was the general ap* 
 plaufcthat rtfulted from thence to their own augmentation and glory, and fo firm the 
 belief that the Prince would never be pcrfwaded to return to the Court unarmed as a 
 private perfbn , that they were induced to confent to it \ believing withal perhaps, 
 that there could not want pretences and interpretations fpeedily to licence their re- 
 turn i and fo much the rather, becaufe the King of Navarre , being then fo exafpe- 
 rated that they thought him irreconcileable with his Brother, remaining flill an aififtant 
 in the Government, they were in a manner fecure , that the form of things would 
 not be changed, and that they fhould have the fame power in their abfence as if they 
 were prefent. 
 
 But the Queen having gotten this promife from them, and keeping it very fecretly 
 toherfdf, forthwith fent the Bifhop of Valence^ znd Kubertette, one of the Secretaries 
 of State to the Prince of Conde^ who having given them this anfwer, That if the Ca« 
 -f '- ■ tholick Lords departed firft , he woufd not only lay down his Arms and return into 
 •dsiii «. obedience to the Queen j but alfo for the trore fecurity, forthwith leave the Kingdom > 
 and often reiterating, and making large profeilions of the fame » though with an af- 
 fured Opinion, that thofe Lords would neither for their reputation nor fafety be wil- 
 ling tirft to lay doWn their Arms and depart : The Bifhop and Kubertctte praifing his 
 teadiriefs, dctiiring he would write what he had faid to the Queen > fhewing, that 
 whereas for the prefbnt he was held for the Author of thefe fcandals, and of the War, 
 . by this free offer he would iilencehis enemies, and confound theFadiion of theO»//^/i 
 juftifying to all the World the candour of his intentions and counfels. The Prince, 
 perfwaded by the fair apparence of the propofition, and with hope to add to his force 
 a fhcw of reafon, (which is always of very great moment among the people) was con- 
 tent to writeto the Queen , That when the Catholick Lords were retired to their 
 houfes without ckbdr Arms or command » he, with the principal of his AJhereiits, few 
 the Kings 'fatisfa<ftio'aj and the quiet of the State, willingly promifed to go out of the 
 Kingdom, and never to return till he were recalled by the general cotvfent of them 
 that governed. 
 
 The Queen having received this ratification written and fubfaibed by the Princes 
 own hand, inffantly advertifed theCatholick Lords, that they fhould forthwith retire 
 themfelves, only with their ordinary followers i who readily obeying her command, 
 having put over their men to the King of Navarre , went to Cbajhatt Dame, with a 
 full intention to begone as foon as the Prince on that part began to perform his pro- 
 hiving ^t un- mifcs. The Lords having Uk the Camp on a fudden, the Qycen without -any delay, 
 ''es han/thac ^'^^ ^^^ ^'^"^^ night kt the Princeknow by Ra^frifwe, that the Catholick Lords being 
 her wouii re- already departed from the Army, and their commands, it remained that hcwith the 
 lh7c»thoiick fame readinefs and fincericyfkould. perform what he had fbalTuredly promifed under 
 jLordi leave his oWn hand-Writing. ..;iaI(;jT| lo l^ 
 
 "*fSnij^^' This unexpe(£fed reTolutiori riot a little perplext the Hugonots, having n£ver ima- 
 
 • •. > ■ - gined that the Conftable and the Gttifes would yield to this condition. W hercfore re- 
 
 aSirfw 'j; penting themfelves that the Prince through his facility had promifed fb much, they be- 
 gan to confult how they might break off and hinder the Agreement. The Ad- 
 miral making little account of outward appearance, and deeming that after a Vidtory 
 all things feemcd jiifi, -anid juftide by ao overthrow wowld lofe her authority i advifed 
 ^. '■>■-■'■ i prefently
 
 of France. The Third ^ool^, 6y 
 
 prefently to fend back Rtthertette, and without fiuthcr ceremony to break off the Trea- 1 562^ 
 ty. Andelot^ according to his manner, mingling brags with hisreafonS, wiftied that 
 he were fo near the Catholicks, that he might come to try it out by force j and it 
 fhould {bon appear whom it concerned moft in reafon to abandon their Country ■■, it 
 being againft all right , that fo many gallant men, who voluntarily had taken Arms, 
 ftiould be deluded by the crafty Treaties of the Queen and the Catholicks It appeared 
 hard to the Prince to gain-fay his word, and hardeft of all to relinquifh his command 
 in the Army , and at one Treaty to fall from fuch great hopes , to a ncceffity of forfa- 
 king his Country, without knowing whither to retreat. 
 
 The Hugonot Minifters interpoiing their Divinity with matters of State, alledged, 
 that the Prince having undertaken the maintenance of thofe who had imbraced the 
 purity, as they called it, of the Gofpel, and made himfelf by Oath Protedor of Gods 
 Word ■■) No obligation afterwards could be of force to prejudice his former Oath or 
 promife. Others added to this reafon, that the Queen having at the beginning failed 
 of her word to the Prince, when fhe promifed to bring over the King to his party, he 
 likewife was not bound by any promife made to her, who firll committed fuch a ma- 
 nifeft breach of Faith. Amongtt which, rather tumultuous th^n well drreded opi- 
 nions, applying themfelves fas in matters of difficulty it is ufualj to a middle way, it 
 was at laft, not without much difpute, determined, that the Prince fhould go to the 
 Queen, making fliew to perform his promife, and confirm a peace > but that the 
 morning after, the Admiral and the other Hugonot Lords coming on a fudden, fliould 
 take him away fuddcniy as by force , and carrying him back to the Camp i giving 
 out that he had not violated his promife, but that he was conftrained by thofe of hisi 
 party to obfcrve his rirrt Oaih, and the confederacy a little before fo folemnly cori- 
 trafted. That which made them think of this deceit, was the great commodity of 
 putting it in execution i foi the Queen, to meet with the Prince, being come tolalfy, 
 fix miles from the Army , where (lie was accompanied only with her ordinary Guards, 
 and the Courtiers , the Prince could not fear the being flayed by force i and the 
 other Lords of his party might go thither and return, without any danger or impe- 
 diment. 
 
 So it was pundually effeded as they had reG^lved amongfi themfelves. For the 
 Prince, accompanied with fome few attendants, went to the Queen, with great (hew 
 of humiliation , and was received with much familiarity. But whilft he raifed diffi- 
 culties, and interpofed delays in fubfcribing the condition, which by order from the 
 King and the Council were propofed to him by Kubertette ■■, and whilft MonCieut de 
 Lanfac, a man of (harp wit and underftanding, fent by the Queen, perfwadcd him 
 to perfect the fpecious promife he had made, the Hugonot Lords arrived, who had li- 
 cence to come to falute the King and the Qyeen ; and feeming greatly offended that 
 the Prince had abandoned them, made him as it were by force get on horfeback. And 
 though the Queen, angry to be fo deceived, loudly threatned every one of them, and 
 the Bifhop o( Valence, Lanfac^ and Kubertette, endeavoured to pcrfwade the Prince 
 to remain at Court, without any further mention of leaving the Kingdoms yet the thePrinfeof 
 defire of command and intereft of rule prevailing, without more delay, the Queen (»"<'£ return- 
 not having time to ufe force, he returned the fame day, which was the 27 of June^ '^j '° '"'^''' 
 to the Hugonots Camp , re-aflliming, to their great content, the charge of Captain- 
 General in this Enterprife. Thus all hopes of Peace being cut off, the War was fn°^HUG J-* 
 kindled, and began between the two Fadions under the name of ROYALISTS and nots. 
 HUGONOTS. 
 
 The Treaty of an Agreement being broken, which theQueeti, U'ith wonderful po- 
 licy keeping things from coming to an iffue, had continued many months > the Prince 
 of Conde, defirous to abolifh the infamy of breaking his word by fome notorious fa- 
 mous a<fliofi , determined the fame night to fet upon the Kings Army in their own 
 quarters. Two things chiefly encouraged him to fo bold a refolution : the one, that 
 ^he Duke of Guife and the Conftable were abfent , whofe valour and reputation he 
 efteemed very much : the other, that at that time a Peace being in a manner concluded, 
 and publifhed , many were gone from their colours , and the greateft part of the Ca- 
 valry, for commodity of quarter, were fcattered up and down in the neighbouring 
 Villages i by which means the Army was not a little diminiflied and weakned. The{c 
 hopes moved him to venture upon this attempt, though it appeared a new thing tx> 
 undertake thefurprjfal of a RoyalCamp within their own trenches. But he was ne- 
 
 K 2 ceflitatcd
 
 58 The Htflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 l<62. cclTitated alfo to try the fortune, though doubtful, of a battel ■■> knowing, that the Kings 
 SwifTes were within a few days march ; and when they were joined with the'reft of 
 the Artny , he fbould not be able, being far inferiour in number , to keep the held i 
 but be conflrained to withdraw his forces to defend thofe forts he was poffefled of * 
 a matter, through the little hope of fuccours, both difficult and dangerous. Where- 
 fore he delired to do fomcthing whilft he had time, to free himfelf from that neccffity 
 which he faw would fall upon him. With this refolution he departed when it was 
 dark, from la Ferte d'Ales where he layi and the Army being divided into three 
 Squadrons , the Hrft of Horfe led by the Admiral, the other of Foot under the con- 
 dud- of Andelot , and the third mingled both with Horfe and Foot, which he com- 
 manded himfelf, he marched with great filence and expedition to aflault the Enemies 
 Camp about midnight. 
 TheHugnnots gut fortuHC frultratcd his defign : for though the way were plain through a free 
 f!!uit""of their open Country, yet the guides that led the firit Squadron, either through treachery or 
 gui>tcs, march amatcdncfs , or elfe through ignorance, loling their way, they fo wandrcd up and 
 out^altwdns down, that the next morning at break of day he found that he was advanced but little 
 more than a league from the place whence he fet out over night, and IHII two great 
 leagues from the Kings Camp. Notwithftanding, neceffity compelling to attempt the 
 grcatcft difficulties, the Commanders refolved to purfue their dcfign, and the fame or- 
 der to perform that in the day which they could not cffed in the night. But Monfieut 
 d" AKvtUe^ who with the light horfe quartered in the front of the Kings Army , having 
 prefently advcrtifement by his Scouts of their coming , had by (hooting off two pieces 
 of Cannon, given notice thereof to the Camp that lay behind him. Whereupon the 
 Souldiers and Gentlemen running from all parts to their colours, he going before to 
 make good the high-way, that they might have time to put the Army in order, ha» 
 ving divided his Horfe into divers little Squadrons , began to skirmifli fiercely with 
 the Hrft Troops of the Hugonots. By reafon whereof they being forced to march flow* 
 lierand clofer together, often making halts through the heat ot the skirmifli, and not 
 to difo der themfelves in the face of the Enemy, the King of Navarre had more com- 
 modity of time to get his men together, and to order them for a Battel. So the Prin- 
 ces Army Itill advancing, and the King of JV^i'^^rre- ranging his men in a Battalia upon 
 the plain, but with the Camp behind them, at the laft about noon both Armies faced 
 one another, that there was nothing between them but a little plain, without any 
 manner of impediment. But though the Ordnance plaid fiercely on both (ides, yet 
 no body advancing to begin the battel , it was perceived, the ( ommanders were not 
 of opinion to Hght. For the Prince, who thought to have furprifed the Catholicks oa 
 The Armifj a fudden , before they could either get together, or put themfelves in order, feeing 
 (ace one ano- jf^^j^ g]} together , and drawn out in excellent order for the Battel i and not believing 
 tr"Jw"hout' that his men, who were but newly raifed, would be able to ftand againft the Kings 
 fighting. Foot, that weie all choice old Souldiers, had more mind to retreat than to fight. And 
 
 the King of Navarre, who knew, that within a few days his forces would be increafed, 
 would not inabfence of the other Catholick Lords, expofe himfelf without any pro* 
 vocation to the hazard of a Battel. Wherefore after they had ftood ftiU facing one 
 another at lead three hours , the Prince retiring more than a league backwards, 
 quartered with his Army at Lorges , a little Village in BeaHJfe, and the King of Nj" 
 varre drew off his men, but in much better order, to the place where they encamped 
 before. 
 
 The fame evening arrived from Chajleadune at the Army the Conftable and the Duke 
 of Gtiife^ being fent for in great hafte j and caufing all the Guards to be douUed, they 
 commanded quite thoiow the Quarters, at every hundred paces great piles of wood 
 to be madei which being fet on fire , if the enemy came to alTault them by night, 
 the Souldiers might the better fee what they were to do , and the Canoneers how to 
 point their Ordnance. Which orders being known to the Prince of Conde^ and find- 
 ing that the enemy was not to be furprized j after he had ftayed three days at Lotger, 
 the fecond day of Jnly in the morning he rofe with all his Army , and went to take 
 Hamency^ a great walled Town, and with the pillage thereof torefrelh his Souldiers, 
 which were in great want of money, and not over-abounding with viduals. Nor 
 was the enterprife of any great difficulty > for the wall being battered with fou# 
 peeces of Cannon, brought thither tor that purpofe, and an affauJt given in ano- 
 ther part by the Regiment of Provenfals , at a certain breach they made by fap* 
 
 P'ng,
 
 of France. The Third ^oo^ 
 
 69 
 
 ping, 
 rants. 
 
 it was taken the fame day , and fackt , with great flaughter of the inhabi- 1 5^2, 
 
 Whilft theHugonots aflaulted Baugency^ there arrived at the Kings Army ten Cor- 
 nets of German Horfe, led by the Rbinegrave •, and fix thoufand SwifTes , under the 
 condudt of Jtrofme Freulkh^ a man for experience and valour of great efteem among 
 his own Nation. With which Forces the Catholick Lords defigncd without any delay 
 to fetupon the Enemies Army. But the Prince of CWf being advcrtifed of the arri- 
 val of thbfe foreign fupplies , having flighted Baiigency , that the Catholicks might 
 make no ufe of it , in great hafte retired to Orleans , abfolutely quitting the tield, 
 without making any other attempt. 
 
 In Orleans it was no longer polfible to keep the Army together, partly through want 
 of money to give the Souldiers their pay, without which, being (hut up in the Town, 
 they could not polfibly live •, partly, becaufe the Nobility that followed the War as 
 Voluntiers , having fpent what they brought with them , could no longer fubfilt. 
 Wherefore having called a Council, the chief of the Hugonots determined to turn this 
 neceifity to their beft advantage. For not being able to refilt the Kings Army with 
 the Forces they then had, nor to remain f}iut up within thofe walls > they took a refb- 
 lution to feparate themfelves into divers places, and to defend thofe Towns and For- 
 treffes which they held in other parts of the Kingdom i in this manner fubiifting as 
 well as they might, until they could have fuch aids from their friends and confederates, 
 that they might again meet the Enemy in the field. 
 
 Their chief hopes of Succours were from the Proteftant Princes of Germany^ (fo 
 they call thofe, who feparated from the Catholick Church , do follow the opinions of 
 Luther) and from Elizabeth Queen of England, not only an adherent to the fame Re- 
 ligion, but alfo defirous, through the ancient Maxims of that Nation , to have fbme 
 footing in the Kingdom o( France. The Princes of Germany hzd already freely pro- 
 mifed them their aid •, and there wanted nothing but only to fend Commanders and 
 Money tocondudland pay the Souldiers. But theQyeen of England propoCed harder 
 and more difficult conditions, without which fhe denied to afford them any Succours. 
 For (he offered to imbrace the protection of the Confederates, and to fend into France 
 an Army of eight thoufand Foot, with a great train of Artillery, at her own charge, 
 ftnd to maintain it there till the War were fully ended i that at the fame time with 
 her Fleet mann'd with Land-forces (he would invade the Cozdsoi Normandy and Brit- 
 tany, to divert and divide the Kings Forces i but upon thefe terms, That the Confe- 
 derates (hould promifein recompence, to caufe Calais to be reflorcd to her, fa ftrong 
 place fituated upon the narrow Sea in ?icardy, held many years by the Kings of E*?^- 
 lund her Predeceffors, and at lafi recovered by the Duke of Guife in the Reign of Hemy 
 the Second.) But becaufe the Hugonots were not Matters of that place, fhe demanded 
 that in the mean time they (hould conlign to her Havre de Grace, a Fortrefs and Port 
 of lefs confcquence upon the coa(t of Normandy ; and that they (hould receive her Gar- 
 rifons into Viepe and Rouen. Thefe conditions feemed to many inrolcrable , and not 
 to be confcntcd unto through any neceiiity whatfoever ', knowing the infamy and pub- 
 lick hate they (hould undergo, if they made themfelves inftruments to difmember the 
 Kingdom of fuch important places, and bring into them the moft cruel implacable ene- 
 mies of the French Nation. But the Miniliers, who in all deliberations were of great 
 Authority , and in a manner reverenced as Oracles, alledged, that no confideration 
 was to be had of worldly things, where there was queftion of the heavenly Do(ftriue, 
 and propagation of GOD's Word. Wherefore all other things were to be contemned, 
 fo as Religion might be protected, and Liberty of Confcience edablilhed. 
 
 The Prince of Conde and the Admiral being defirous to continue their Commands, 
 and nccefGf ated by their own private affairs to purfue the enterprife, were of the fame 
 opinion : (b that their Authority overcoming all oppofition , after many confultations, 
 it was at la(l concluded , to fatisfie Queen Elrzaheth , and by all means to accept the 
 conditions propofed. To which effed: they prefently difpatched Monfieur de Briquet 
 mattt, and the hew Vidame of Chartres, with Letters of credit from the Prince and the 
 Confederates to confirm the agreement in England. Andelot and the Prince of ^or^ 
 tian, with fiich a fum of money as they could get together, went to foliicit the levies 
 of the Germans ■, the Count 'de la Roch-fiucaut went to AngouUfme i the Count d^ Mmt- 
 gomery retired into Normandy •■> Monfieur de SoKhiz.e to Lyons ; the Prince , the Admi- 
 ral, Gtnlit^ jrtid SmckiveHi^y ilayed to defend Orleans^ and thepkces adjacent. But 
 
 njany 
 
 Th' Prote- 
 flants of Ger- 
 mivy are !■■• 
 chcratiJ. 
 
 Conditions of- 
 fered by 
 Qyetn Eli^a- 
 bc.fcof Eng- 
 l.md to the 
 Hugonots. 
 
 That Mott- 
 
 fomt-rv who 
 killeJ H.)!,f 
 (be SccoBil.
 
 no The Hiflorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 1562, many of the Commillidncrs for the confederacy which was treated with EKgland^ not 
 being able to endure fuch diflionourablc conditions, began to forfake them : amongft 
 which, lAoviixcnt de i' ienne went over to the Kings Army, and theSicur ^^MomiWj, 
 chofenby the Prince to be Governour of Kouen, that he might not be forced to admit 
 an Englifh Garrifon into a Town of fuchconfequence, leaving that charge, retired into 
 fkardy to his own houfe. 
 
 Whilft by thefc means the Hugonots endeavoured to provide themfelves with Forces, 
 the Catholiciis defigncd to make an attempt upon Orleans^ as the chief fourfe and feat 
 of all the War. But in regard it was exceedingly well provided for Defence, and fur- 
 rifliedwith Munition of all kinds, they knew it was an enterprife of great difficulty. 
 Wherefore firft, to cut off from it the hopes of fuccours, they refolved to take in the 
 places round about, that fo they might afterwards with more facility firaighten it with 
 a fiegei or being deprived of fuccours. afTault it by force. For which purpofe they 
 raifed their Camp the 1 1 of July , and the Duke of Gmf! leading the Van , and the 
 King of Navarre the Battalia, whilft every one of both fides expedted to fee them ftt- 
 led before Orleans, they leaving that Town on the left hand, and palling fixteen leagues 
 farther, on a fuddain alFailed Blou ■■, which though it were full of people, beautified 
 with one of the nobleft Caftles for a Kings houfe in the whole Kingdom, and fituated 
 upon the fame fide of the River of Loire s yet it was not fo fortified that it could hope 
 to make any long refiftance againfl the Kings Army Wherefore, after the Souldiers 
 which were in guard faw the Cannon planted , being terrified with the danger, they 
 pafTed the River upon the Bridge, and throwing away their Arms, fought to fave them- 
 felves by flight : which though the Duke oiGmfe knew, who with the Van-guard was 
 nearefl to the wall, yet being more intent to take the Town than topurfue thofe that 
 ran away, whilft the Citizens difpatched their Deputies to capitulate , he fent a party 
 of foot to make an afTault i who finding the breach forfaken that was made by a few 
 Cannon fhot , took the place without refiftance i which by the fury of the Souldiers 
 ' (their Commanders not forbidding them J was miferably fackt. 
 
 ^Witakinand From B/o// the Army marched towards Toarir, a much more noble, populous and 
 piiia!.,<;<i^ by ancient City, wherein the name of the Hugonots firft took vigour and force : but the 
 my, a'nlr»Kri peoplc, who for a few days at the bginning of the Siege made fhcw that they would 
 ihc fitft Af- iXixid refolutcly upon their defence, when they perceived the Trenches were made, and 
 ""' the Artillery planted, of their own accord caft out the Commanders, and ren- 
 
 dered the place, faving their goods and peifonsi which conditions were intirely ob- 
 (irved. 
 
 In the mean while, the Marefhal de St. Andre with the Rear of the Army went ano- 
 ther way to befiege f «'fi/f/-/, a City likewife famous for antiquity, great and fpacious, 
 where the <' atholicks thought they fhould find a ftrong refiflance. But it fell out to 
 be a work of much lefs difficulty than they imagined. For the Marefhal having bat- 
 tered it two days together with his Artillery, and made an afTault upon the Town, ra- 
 ther to try the refolution of the Defendants, than with any hope to gain it » the Cap- 
 tain of the Caftle, ("who till then had fliew'd himfelf more violent than any other of 
 the Hiigonot party'i fuddenly changing his mind, began to play from within with his 
 6«nnon upon thofe who ftood ready to receive the AfTault : by which unexpedted ac- 
 cident the Defendants lofing their courage, not knowing in fuch a tumult what way 
 to take for their fafety, as men aftonifhed, left the entry of the breach free to the Af- 
 failantsi who not finding any refiftance, entered furioufly into the Town, which by 
 '■♦'^/'" w'"" the example of Blifii, was in the heat of the iight fackt, .and many of the people put 
 
 A Mil IvtC iv[* I ^ % Pit 
 
 to the Iword. :j 0,.. . -.rvM: 
 
 The Catholicks having thus in a few days taken thofe Towns which from ToiCtm 
 and Joiiraine backed and fuccoured Orleans^ and ftopt the pafTage for fupplies from 
 GityeKtte, Gafcoigne , and other places beyond the River > it remained, that turning* 
 backwards, and palling to the other fide, they fhould take in Bonrges •, fo to cut off 
 thofe aids that might come from Auvergne , Lyemife , and other Provinces joyning to 
 Oaulpbhie. Bourges (anciently called Avariaim) is one of the greateft and moft por 
 pulous Cities in Frances a refidence for Students of all forts, but efpecially famous for 
 the Civil Law. This Town being within twenty leagues of Orleans^ and by reafonof 
 the TrafHck of Wooll, as alfb through the great concourfe of Scholars, much reple-i 
 nifhed with ftrangers, was at the beginning pofleft by the Hugonots i and afterwards, 
 as an important pafTage for the Commerce of tjiofe Provinces that being neareft de- 
 fended
 
 ©^France. The Third ^oo^ yt 
 
 pcndcd upon it, diligently guarded and fortified i fo that now forefeeing a Siege, 15<J2« 
 Monfieur d' Tvoy Brother to Genln, was entered thereinto, with two Thoufand French 
 foot, and four Troops of horfc, a Garifon both in confideration of it felf, and for the 
 reputation of the Commander , efteemed fufficicnt to make a long defence » and in- 
 deed with thefe Forces at the firft coming of the Kings Army , which was the tenth 
 of Attguji, the Defendants (hewed fuch fiercenefs and confidence , that they not only 
 Valiantly defended the Walls , but continually fallying out night and day , vext the 
 Camp with hot skirmifhes ; in one of which advancing juft to the Trenches, though 
 they could not do fo much hurt as they intended, yet they killed five Captains, with 
 many Gentlemen and common Souldiers > and Monfieur de Kandan^ General of the 
 foot, was fo grievoufly wounded , that notwithftanding the great care that was had 
 of him, he died within few days after. 
 
 In the mean while , the Admiral ifluing out of Orleans^ over-ran all the Country 
 about with his horfe i and having had intelligence of a great quantity of Artillery and 
 Munition that was going from Paris to the Army, he fet upon it in the night at Cha- 
 jieaudane^ where after a long difpute, having defeated the Convoy which was of four 
 Companies, he brake the greateft pieces , and burning the Engins that belonged to 
 them, carried the lefTer to Orleans, together with fuch Munition as could be faved 
 from the fire and pillage of the Souldiers. But the Duke of Guife being very intent 
 upon his bufinefs at Bourges , after he had fo far advanced the Trenches , that he be- 
 gan to batter the Wall , and with divers Mines had thrown down many Baftions that 
 the Hugonots raifcd to defend the weakeft parts thereof i Monfieur d' Ivoy not an- 
 fwcringthe opinion that was conceived of him, began to hearken to propofitions of 
 agreement , which were propofed to him from the Camp. Wherefore the Duke of 
 Nemours being gone with a fafe conduit to treat, upon the laft day of Auguji he deli- 'StKrgei rtn- 
 vered up the Town upon thefe conditions , That he and all his that were with him jondiUon* 
 fliould have a pardon for what was part > That the Souldiers fhould be free to go 
 where they pleafed i yet with this Obligation, neither to bear Arms againft the King, 
 ■nor in favour of the Hugonots i That the City (hould not be plundered, and the Inha- 
 bitants enjoy a Liberty of Confcience in all points conformable to the Edift of January, 
 Which Capitulation, though it were afterwards performed, Tvoy not being able to bear 
 the hate and ignominious reproaches that were caft upon him by his accufers, retired 
 himfelf to his own private houfe j and St.'B.emy zndiBrichanteau^ men of known cou- 
 rage, went over to the Kings fervice. 
 
 In the mean while, matters in the State were drawn into another courfe contrary to 
 the former. For the refblution of the Hugonot Lords being known not only to intro- 
 duce foreign power into France, to which end they had fent two of their principal 
 men into Germany, but alfo to alienate Havre de Grace, and fo put Diefe and Rouen, 
 places of fuch importance upon the frontiers of the Kingdom , into the hands of the 
 Englifli, who in all times had been bitter enemies to the Crown i there was not only 
 a general hate conceived againft them, but the Queen her felf, who till then had ear- 
 -neftly endeavoured a peace, and formerly fupported that faAion as a counter-poize to 
 the Guifes, ("for {he never believed that they would ever fall into fuch pernitious delibe- 
 rations) now with an incredible hate , and through fear that the Englifli might be 
 brought in to fettle themfelves in thefe places i refolved fincerely to unite her felf 
 with the Catholick party, and to make a War in good earneft upon the Hugonots : de- 
 firing to make it clear to all the World , that flie held no intelligence with them, 
 T contrary to that which was believed at the firft ) ' efteeming it a double lofs and a 
 double fliame, that the Englifh , who by her husband were vidorioufly driven out of 
 France, fliould get footing there again during the time of her Government. Where- 
 fore ftirred up with an implacable difpleafure againft the Hugonots, being fo perplexed 
 -in mind that flic could find no reft, fhe determined with her felf, not tointcrpofe any 
 further delays or impediments, but to endeavour with all her force their final oppref- 
 ^on. And for a preamble to what was to be done , having brought the King folemnly 
 to the Court of Parliament in P.irif, after grievous complaints made by the High Chan- 
 cellor of the infoknces of thofe his'Subjeds , who not content to over-run and fpoil 
 their Country, and to ufurp all the Offices and Regal power, had perfidioufly con- ^he Heads of 
 fpired to bring in the Englifti and Germans to the deftrudion of his Kingdom, caufed the Hugonot 
 Cafpar deColigrty late Admiral of France, FrancU d'Andelotte, with Odett de CbaliiSoH, llfi[°l^%l 
 his Brothers, aiid namely all other notable perfons of that patty to be declared Rebels i tds. 
 
 depriving
 
 72 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil fVars 
 
 I5<52. 
 
 ♦ Tt^tiifaint 
 an alUrum 
 Sell aCci is 
 ihe tin'^ing of 
 the bells 
 bickwarils 
 with ui. 
 
 The Enolilh 
 received by 
 the Hugono's 
 to Havre dt 
 Grjce, Ditpfj 
 and Slum. 
 
 * The Author 
 i« a little mi- 
 ftiVea in his 
 f'oOrogrj. 
 pi'.y; for Ditft 
 ibnili juft 
 oejf' I'linfl 
 
 depriving them of their Charges, Honours, Nobility, Goods and' Revenues, as con- 
 fifcate to the Slace. And bccaufe the Hugonots with their riots laying defolate Cities 
 and Provinces, deftrowing the Churches, throwing down Monafteries, and Hlling all 
 places with rapine and Blood, were become fo outragious, that it was impolVible lon- 
 ger to fuHer them i they were likewife declared publick enemies to the King and the 
 Crown i and authority granted to the people at the ringing of. the f-loquefaint to rife 
 up in arms againlt them , and to kill or take their perfons , and deliver them over to 
 Juliice. The Prince of Conde was not at all mentioned > but, making ufe of that Art 
 rirft invented by the Hugonots, it was fpread abroad both by report and in writing, 
 that he was by the violence of the other Confederates wirh-held by force, and againll 
 his will remained in that Army i the Rebels making ufe of the Authority of his Per- 
 fon, though he were in his heart averfe to all their proceedings. 
 
 After which builnefles , the Queen publickly bewailing her fclf that the Hugonots 
 had abufed the Clemency wiiich flie had (hewed in fupporting them, and oftentimes 
 in favouring them alfo i and defiring to make it appear how zealous (he was againfl 
 them, and by any means to expel foreign Forces out of the Kingdom , went htr fdf 
 in pcrfon with the King to the Army before Bmrges ■■, where fhe (hewed a manly cou- 
 rage, in going up and down in the Camp , though very much anoycd by the Cannon 
 from the Town i and with a lingular conrtancy animated the Souldiers and Com- 
 manders to perform their duties. But Bourges being taken , and all ways of fuccours 
 cut oft from Orleans., the Catholicks intended without any other delay to behcge it, 
 if the Queen had not propofcd , That it was better fir(t to recover Kjw//, being fo 
 principal a City , of fo large an extent, and lying (b opportunely to invade the bofom 
 of f rj;Kc, before the Endi(h had elhblifhed themfelves there, by making thcFoiti- 
 ficatic^s llronger than they were at the prefent. For the confederacy between tlie 
 Hugortots and Queen hlizahctb being already concluded , the Englifh had palfcd the 
 Sea, and received Havre de Grace into their poffefllon, and placed Garifons in Diefe 
 and Koiien. 
 
 The opifiions in the Kings Council were very. divers. Some thought it moft expe- 
 dient firii of all to make an attempt upon Orleans., and to cut off at one blow the head 
 of the Hugonot Fadrion. For the chief of that party being fupprefTed , who were in 
 the Town, and the Magazine deftroyed, all the rell would be overcome with eafe and 
 facility. But the Kvngoi Navarre and the Queen more intent to caft out the Englifh 
 than any thing elfe, thought, that Koiten once taken, and the aids of England cut off 
 from the Hugonots, Orleans would be more eafily reduced, which for the prefent they 
 thought very difficult, and a work of much time i by which the Engli(h would have 
 the commodity to confirm their pofieflion , and perhaps make thetnfelves Ma(krs of 
 all the Province of Normandy, where the Duke of Aumale had fo inconfiderable a 
 force, that he svas not able to nhake head againft them. This opinion at lafi through 
 the Queens inclination prevailed i and it was refolved without any delay to go upon 
 that dellgn. 
 
 The (ituation and commodities of Kouenzte admirable. For the River Seine., up- 
 on which it Ifands , ri()ngoutof the Mountains in Burgundy ., and diftending it felf 
 through the plains of the Ifle of France, after it joyns with the Matrona , comm.only 
 called Mame, and by the confluence of many other little ftreams, is made deep and 
 Navigable, pafTeth through the midft of the City of P^^ri/, and then running with an 
 impetuous torrent quite through Normandy, falls with an exceeding wide channel into 
 the Occani which ebbing and flowing,and continually filling and feeding the River with 
 fait water, affords fpacious room for VefTels of any burthen to ride. On the right hand 
 of the mouth, where the River at laft falls into the Sea, over againll England ftands 
 Hawe de Grace, a fccure large Port, which with modern Fortifications, being reduced 
 into the form of a Town by King Francis the Firff, ferves for a defence againft the in- 
 curlions of the Englifh. But in the mid-way between Havre de Grace and FarU , near 
 to the place whither the fait waters flow, mingled with the frefh, about twenty two 
 leagues from the Sea , ftands the City of Rw<?«..upon the River , grown noble, rich, 
 abundant, and populous by the commerce of all Northern Nations. From one fide of 
 the fortrefs of Havre de Grace upon the right hand , a tongue of land advancing many 
 miles into the Sea, makes as it were a fpacious Peninfula, which the common people 
 call the Country of Canx, and in the extreameft point and promontory thereof is Diepe, 
 placed ^.diredly oppoOte to the mouth of thclhames^ a moft famous River in Enelaad. 
 
 Thefe
 
 of France. The Third ^oo{, 75 
 
 Thcfe places which lie fo fitly to damage France^ and to be fupplyed by their Fleets, \'j62. 
 the Englifh had made thcmfeives Mafters of. For though at Dispsznd at B.ouen French 
 Governours were chofen by the Council of the Confederates i yet the Garifons kept 
 there by Qgeen Eliz.abeth being very ftrong, they could fo curb them, that all the reJl 
 was abfolutely at their difpofe. 
 
 The Refolution being tai<en to befiege Eoteen , the King and the Queen marching 
 together with the Array, in fourteen days arrived at Dametd, at which place lefs than 
 two leagues diftant from the City, the whole Camp lodged the 2^ ddiy oi^ Septeniben 
 The chief Commanders of the Army, confidering that the body of the City is defended 
 on the one fide by the River, beyond which there is nothing but the FjnxLtrg S. Sever, 
 and on the other fide by S. Cjtherines Mount, upon the top of which is placed an an- 
 cient Monartery reduced into the form of a Modern Fortrefs i they thought it beft to 
 malie themfelves Vafters of the Mount : it appearing very difficult to make any attempt 
 or aifault upon the Town it felf , if they did not firft gain the Fort without, which 
 flanked and commanded the entrances on all parts. Upon this deliberation, .^eb.jjTien 
 di Luxemburg Signcur de Martigues made Colonel General of the Foot in tlie place of 
 Kjndan, advanced the night of the 27 of September, and fate down under St. Cathe-- 
 riiies Mount, in the great High-way that goes towards V.irU ■■, which being hollovi? 
 almoft like a Trench, covered them in great part from the fliot of the Fort. 
 
 The Count oi Montgomerywho commanded in theTov,7n in chief with 20CO Englifh 
 and J200 French Foot, four Troops of Horfe, and more than loo Gentlemen of qua- 
 lity, befides the Citi7cns, having forcfeen, that the enemy mufr of necdlity firft take 
 the out-works, befides the old fortifications on the top of the Mount , had raifcd half 
 way up the Hill a Half-moon of earth i which having the Fort behind, and fronting 
 upon the campaigne , might not only hinder the afccnt , but alfo flank the walls of 
 the Town, and force the Catholick Army to fpend much time and lofe many men in 
 the taking of it. Nor was the eflfedt contrary to what he intended : For though 
 Monfieurd^e Martigues^ leaving the dire(ftway, and afcending in a crooked line, ad- 
 vanced by help of the fpade between the Fort and the Half-moon to gain the top of the 
 Hill > yet the work proceeded with much difficulty and great llaughter of the Soul- 
 diers i who the more the Foot advanced with their gabions and trenches , were (cT 
 much the more expofed to the Cannon planted upon the Fort, to theatinoyance of the 
 Mufquet fhot, to the fluy of the fireworks , and other inventions , with which they 
 within veryrefolutely defended themfclves. To thefe main difficulties was added the 
 quality of the weather , which being in the beginning of Autumn , as it always falls 
 out in thofe parts, was very rainy: fo as the waters continually falling from the top 
 of the Hill into that low place where the Army lay, it was no fmall inconvenience 
 unto them. Likewife the great Sallies the Hugonots made night and day were not of 
 little moment : For though they were valiantly fuftaincd, fo that the fuccefs thereof 
 was not very doubtful •, yet they kept the whole Army in m.oticn, and in work. Nor 
 were their Horfe lefs diligent than the Foot in their Trenches i infomuch as many times 
 the Siege was interrupted and hindered. 
 
 Confidering thefe fo great impediments , it would have proved a tedious painful 
 bufinefs, if the negligence or arrogance of the defendants had not rendered it very 
 fiiort and eafic. For Jean de Hemery Sigiieur de ViUers, who afterwards married a 
 Sifter of Henry Vavilas that wrote this Hiftory, being upon the guard in the Trenches 
 with his Regiment, obferved, that about noon there was very little flirting in the Forfj 
 and that they appeared not in fueh numbers upon the Ravelins as at other times of the 
 day. Wherefore having fent for a Norman Souldier called Captain Letvis^ who two 
 days before was taken prifoner in a Sally they made out of the Fort, he asked him as 
 by .way of difcourfc, What was the reafon that at certain hours fo few of the Hugo- 
 nots were to be feen upon the Rampart ? The Souldier not concealing the truth, with- 
 out looking farther what the confcquence thereof would be, told him that they within 
 had fo little appreheniion of the Catholick forces , and defpifed them in fuch a man- 
 ner, that they ufed every day, for recreation , and to provide themfelvcs of necclTa- 
 ries, to go in great companies to the Town i and that through cuftom and for con- 
 venience, they made choice of that time of the day. By which words V/Ten appre- 
 hending an opportunity to furprize the Fort, acquainted the Duke of Gmfe and the 
 Conftable with his deiign » who not being wanting to Co good an occafion, fectctly 
 cauling ladders to be provided, commanded, that at the hour appointed, when they 
 
 L Uvf
 
 y^ The Hijlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 15<J2. faw Icafl ftirring, they (hould on a fuddain alTauIt St. Catherines Fort, and at the fame 
 inftant the Halt-moon alfo, fo much the more to divide the enemies forces. 
 
 Martigttes^ whofe place it was to have a care of the buiineft, chofe the fame ViVert 
 to make the affault upon St. Catherines , and St. Cvulotvbe a Colonel of Foot likewifc 
 for the Half-moon ■■, and having without noifc put all things in a rcadincfs, at the time 
 prefixed with a Cannon fliot gave the Signal to tall on. Whereupon Vilkrs with his men 
 inftantly running up the fleep of the Hill, fadcned his ladders to the Walls, before the 
 enemy could poifiblyhave time to make ufeof their Cannon orfmall fhot to keep them 
 off. But yet thofe within, though few in number, couragioully prefcnting themfelves 
 at the affault, there became a hot bloody conflidt with fhort Weapons , in which as 
 the manner is , the valianteft falling at the firft encounter , the defendants were fo 
 weakened, that they could fcarce longer reiilh On the contrary, ViUers being fup- 
 plied with frefh men, and aided by Martifjues^ began to get the better of the enemy \ 
 and though grievoully wounded with a Pike in the face , and a Mufquet fhot in the 
 left thigh, yet continuing the tight, heatlall planted the Kings Flag upon the Keep of 
 the CalHc. Whereupon, two great Squadrons of Foot that were appointed for a re- 
 ferve running to his aililtance , in a thort time they made themfelves Mafters of the 
 TheFoitof Fort, before the Defendants could be fuccoured either by the Town or their Com- 
 xoKtn taken, pan ions. The fame fuccefs had the affault made upon the Halt-moon , and in as 
 fliort a time i but the Catholicks gained the Baftion with lofs of much blood i and 
 the Defendants not having means to retreat , died all valiantly, fighting to the laft 
 man. 
 
 St. Catherines Mount being taken, there remained fiill without the Walls, the Faux- 
 Bourg of St. Hilary, well fortified, and a good Garifon placed in it by the Hugonots. 
 Againft which having planted their Cannon , by reatbn the works were of earth , it 
 wrought little efft<3: ■■, notwithltanding the Catholick Commanders caufed a fierce aP- 
 fault to be made upon it > which proving likewife vain by reafon of the ftrength of 
 the Ramparts , and valour of the Defendants , at length changing refolution , they 
 planted twelve great pieces in the middle of St. Catherines Flill : from the advantage 
 of which place they began with great noife and (laughter to batter the houfes and ram- 
 piers which the enemies had raifcd i by the fury whereof the whole Faux-Bourg beii^ 
 in a manner beaten down, and the Catholicks ready to renew the affault, thofe with- 
 in having fired the houfes that were left, retired fate into the Town, which was now 
 naked of all defence but the Walls only. But the Defendants by their frequent fallies, 
 and divers affaults made upon them, lofing ;many of their men, the Count oi Mont' 
 gomery, having recourfe to the lalt remedy, Tent to defirc fuccours of the Englifh at 
 Havre de Grace, though he faw plainly it was a thing of exceeding great difficulty for 
 them to effeft. For the Kings torces having taken poffeifion oi ^ilbeuf zn^L Harflenr^ 
 two places in the mid-way between Rouen in d Havre de Grace, upon the River, they 
 placed there divers pieces of Cannon to himJer the paffage of Ships or other little 
 Barks, which holpen by the Flood that enters there with great force, mount the flream 
 to honen. Notwithllanding, the Englifh, delirous by any means to help their friends, 
 rcfolved to expofe themfelves to the worft of danger i and Ikaling up the River in 
 the night, in great part avoided the violence of the Cannon, which being fliot at ran- 
 dom in the dark , did them but little hurt. Wherefore by the advice of Bartolomeo 
 Camp/, an Italinn Engineer, the Catholicks caufed divers Veffels laden with ftones and 
 gravel, and fattned together with chains , to be funk in the River , which fo flopped 
 and pertred it, that neither the enemies Ships nor Gallies could pafs : only feme fmall 
 Bark drawing but Httle water , with much ado got fafe into the Town. But this 
 fupply being infenfible , and Himen ftill in neceHity , there appearing no other way 
 poffible to fuccour it, the Englifh refblved to make their laft attempt > and being come 
 in the night with a good number of Veffels to the bar , though through the fury of 
 the Cannon and fire-works, part of them perifhed, and others returned back i yet in 
 one place the chain being broken , three Gallies and one other Veffel got through, 
 which carried fevcn hundred men, munition and money for their prefent relief. 
 
 In the mean while the rains of Autumn (till increafing, by reafon whereof the Ca- 
 tholick Army that lay in a low dirty place, fuffered very much j yet the Commanders 
 not diflieartned by the little fupplies that were conveyed into the Town, preding the 
 fiege, began to batter from Sx.. HiUaries Qzttlo the Gztc MartinviUe ; between which 
 advancing with their Trenches, they had pierced the counterfcarp. The fecond day 
 
 fo 
 
 I
 
 of France. The Third 'Bool^. 
 
 75 
 
 fo much of the Wall was thrown down in the middle of the Curtain, that the Squa- 
 drons might eafily march on to the afTault j and already SarlaboHJ, Fillers, and Sancie 
 Coulumbe''s Regiments that were to keep the tirft front , prepared themfelves for the 
 onfet 5 when the King of Navarre , being gone into the Trenches to difcover how 
 things flood, received a Mufquet (liot in the left (houldcr, which breaking the bone, 
 and tearing the nerves, he prefently fell down upon the place as dead. This accident 
 put off the alTault for that day j for being carried to his own quarter, before they 
 looked to his hurt, all the other chief Commanders went tliither, and being atter- 
 waids dreffed with great care in prefcnce of the King and Qiieen , his wound, by 
 reafon of the great orihce the Bullet had made , was judged by the Phyficians to be 
 mortal. So as between that time and the Council which was called thereupon, the 
 day was fo far fpent, that the aflailants without any farther attempt were fent for back 
 to guard the Trenches. 
 
 Yet this ilackned not the fiege : For befides the care of the Duke of Guije and the 
 Conlkble, who from the beginning had in cffed' the charge of the Army, the Queen 
 alfo alfifted her felf in perfon ; who by her prefence and fpeeches adding courage to the 
 Souldiers, caufcd the battery ftill to be continued in the fame manner j till with two 
 thoufand {hot there was fuch a large breach made, that they went on in very good 
 order to the afTault : which being begun with great riercenefs by the affailants, and 
 received with no lefs refolution by the Hugonots , continued with great flaughter on 
 both lidcs from twelve of the clock at noon till the evening s the Catholicks not be- 
 ing able to make themfelves Mafkrs of the wall. The night after the aflault, thofe 
 of Viepe endeavoured to put fuccours into the Town : to which purpofe the Sieur 
 de Cor/Han being advanced into a wood not far off, with four hundred Hrelocks, he 
 thought by the benefit of the night to delude the guards, and to Ileal in at the gate 
 that anfwers to the lower part of the River. But being difcovered by Monlieur 
 d' Anville^ who with his light horfe fcoured the fields, he was with little difficulty de- 
 feated and routed, and the Town remained hopelefs of any aid. Wherefore having 
 already (b many days fuftained fuch hot skirmifhcs, and the violence of the Cannonj 
 and it being therefore known, that they within were reduced almoft to nothing-, the 
 twenty llxth of October in the morning about break of day, the Catholicks, not to 
 lofe more time, went very fiercely , but in good order, to make another aflault: 
 which they of the Town, through wearincfs and weaknefs, being not able to with- 
 ftand i SanVie Conlombe, he that took the Baftion upon the Mount, was the firft with 
 his men that paffed the breach , and entred into the City , right againft the CeU'- 
 fiines ftreet, tliough mortally wounded, and falling upon the place, within three days 
 after he ended his life. At the fame time ViUers Regiment forced their paffage at 
 another breach v and Sarlabotis entred at the Street of St. Claire, but not without fome 
 difficulty, by reafon of a barricade of cask that was made in the way. After thefe that 
 were thefirft, entred furioudy the whole Army, and with great flaughter of the Soul- 
 diers and Inhabitants, fackt the Town, in the heat of their anger fparing no perfons 
 whatfoever, but putting all to the Sword both armed and unarmed i only the Churches 
 and things facred, by the great diligence and txidi care of the Commanders, were 
 preferved from violence. 
 
 The Count of Montgomery , when he faw things in a defparate condition , and the 
 Town reduced into the power of the enemy i getting into one of the Gallies that 
 brought the fuccours, wherein he had before imbarqued his wife and children, palTmg 
 down the River through all the Catholicks Cannon, faved himfelf in Havre de Grace^ 
 and from thence without delay pafTed over the Sea into England. There faved them- 
 felves with him Monficur de Columbiere , and fome few of his fervants i all the reft 
 being left to the difcretion of the Conquerour, came to divers ends. Captain Jean 
 Crnfe, who had introduced the Englifli into Havre de Grace, being fallen into the 
 Kings hands, was as a Rebel, drawn with four Horfes. Mandreville, who from being 
 the Kings Officer, carrying his Majcflies money with him , became a follower of the 
 Englifli i and Augujiine Marlorat , who from an Augujiine Frier , turned to be a Hu- 
 gonot MiniQcr , were both condemned to be hanged. Vany were llain, and ma- 
 ny remained prifoners in the Army , who afterwards redeemed themfelves for a 
 ranfom. 
 
 The City continued forty eight hours at the mercy of the Souldiers i the third day 
 the King making his entry at the breach together with. the Parliament and the Queea 
 
 L a ha 
 
 i%62. 
 
 ^nhouj of 
 V.i.tl jmt King 
 of NiViirre 
 fllo: in the 
 Ihouldct, 
 
 Riitm taken 
 by the Otho* 
 licks, mi 
 fackc.
 
 y5 The Hiflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 tiavtrn /.itth. 
 
 ik62. his Mother, who in the heat of the fack fent all her Gentlemen and the Archers of her 
 guard, to take care that the women which fled into Churches might not be violated i 
 there was an end of the flaughtcrs and rapines committed by the Army , which being 
 drawn out of the City, quartered in the neighbouring Villages. 
 
 In the mean while, the King of Nav.irre through the pain of his wound finding 
 no reft either in body or mind, would by all means imbarque upon the River to go to 
 St. Mjure^ a place near fara^ whither by reafon of the wholfomncfs of the Air, and 
 privacy, he ufed often for recreation to retire himfclfi and nothing prevailing that 
 the Phylicians could fay to the contrary , he caufcd himfelf to be carried into a boat, 
 accompanied by the Cardinal his Brother, the Princes de Lt Kochf-Jitr , and Ludn'ic<j 
 Conz.jgj, with feme few fervants, amongft which fome were Catholicks, and others 
 Hugonots, and the principal among them Giovjit Vicenzo Laura, then a Phyfician, by 
 birth a Cahbrian, who was afterwards Bifliop and Cardinal. But he was fcarce ar- 
 rived ^itAnddi, a few leagues from Koiten, when through the motion of the journey 
 the Kios of Jii5 fcaver increaline upon him, he began to lofe his fenfes, and in a fliort time after 
 
 '•'"' died. 
 
 He was a Prince, as of high birth, fo of a noble prefence and affable behaviour i 
 and if he had lived in other times , to be remembred amongft the moft famous men 
 of his age. But the lincerity and candour of mind with which he was indued, and 
 his mild tradable difpoiition in the diftradions of a Civil War, held him all his life- 
 time in care and pain , and many times doubtful and ambiguous in his deliberations- 
 For on theonelide, being drawn by the headlong violent nature of his Brother, and 
 fpurred on by the ardour of his Fadion , in which he was the principal perfon j and 
 on the other fide reftrained by his love of juftice, and a natural inclination difpofed to 
 peace, and averfe from civil broyls i he appeared many times fickle in his refolutions, 
 and of a wavering judgn^ent. For at the firft he was reckoned and pcrfecuted amongft 
 thofe that (ought fo difturb the quiet of the Kingdom > and afterward was feen head 
 of the contrary Fadion, bitterly purfuing thofe that were up in arms. And for mat* 
 ters of Religion, fometimcs through his Wives perfwafion and Bezas preaching, in- 
 clining to the Calvinijh party i fometimes through the general opinion and the Cardi- 
 nal of Lorain's eloquence, to the Catholick Religion i he became miftrufted by both 
 parties, and left behind him an uncertain doubtful report of his bdief. Many were of 
 opinion, that being in his heart a Cjlvi»ili, or rather inclining to that which they call 
 the ^Kg«/^J« Confellion i yet neverthelefs his vaft infatiable Ambition withdrew him 
 from that party, which, perceiving the Prince his Brother through his high fpirit and 
 refolution, was of much greater reputation amongft them, made himchufc rather to be 
 the hrft among the Catholicks , than the fecond among the Hugonots. He died in 
 the two and fortieth year of his age, and in fuch a time when experience had made him 
 fo wife, as would perhaps have produced effeds very contrary to the common opinion 
 that was conceived of hicti. He left behind him his Wife Qijeen Jeam, with the title 
 and relicks of the Kingdom of iV.Jvjrr.', and only two children, Henry Prince of Bf^rMf 
 tlien nine years old, and the Princefs Catarin: an Infant, who remaining at Fax and 
 Nera: with their Mother, by whom they were very carefully brought up, at the fame 
 time received deep imprelfionsof the Hugonot Religion. 
 
 Now whilft fo much blood was fpilt on both fides at 'Rouen , Andelot with great 
 pains and diligence raifing the aids of the Proteftant Princes of Germany^ had gotten 
 together a great company of Horfe and Foot \ and in the Territories of Strxbourg be- 
 ing joined with the Prince of Forcien , who brought with him a Convoy of two 
 hundred Horfe of the French Gentry , he confidered the beft he could what courfe 
 was to be taken to joyn his Forces with the reft of the Confederates. 
 
 The Mareftial of St. Andre being fent upon the Frontiers with thirteen Troops of 
 Genr d' Arms , and two Regiments of Foot to hinder his paffage, lay upon the way 
 which by Rhfinis and "troye leads diredly out of Germany into France : and Francu of 
 Cleves Duke oi Never s, who was Governour of Champaign, ftaid with all the Forces 
 of the Province between Chaalm and Vitry, to ftop the other paffage from Lorain to 
 Parii. But Andelot, confidering if he were encountred by the enemy, he could not 
 long keep his men together for want of money » and if he prolonged his journey, he 
 ftiould not come foon enough to fuccour his friends already reduced to an extrcam 
 point of neceility i refblved rather to contend with the difficulties of the paffage, and 
 impediments of the ways, than the oppofition of the enemy. Wherefore to- deceive 
 4..-. the
 
 of France. The Third "Bool^ n-j 
 
 , — — - — . . — ■■ - - 
 
 the Catholicks , making (hew to keep the ordinary way , and having marched fo two 15^2. 
 
 days, till he came to the confines of Lorain , he raifed his Camp filently in the night, 
 
 and taking the way on the left hand , through rough places full of fwift and rapid 
 
 ftreams, marcht with exceeding diligence out of the great Roads, till he came into 
 
 Burgundy-, and from thence, notwithftanding the continual rain and dirt which in 
 
 that Country is every where very deep, preventing even Fame it felf , brought all his 
 
 men, though toiled and weary, to Mount jrgis •, where at lall he joined with the Prince 
 
 of Conde and the Admiral , having led five thoufand Foot and four thoufand Horfe 
 
 fo many leagues , excepting from the injury of the weather, fafe from all other dif- 
 
 aOers. 
 
 This fo powerful and feafonable fupply took off in great part the grief and tcrrour 
 the Hugonots were ftrucken into for the lofs of Koiten. But their hopes were ex- 
 ceedingly diminiftied by a defeat given at the fame time to the Baron of DurM i who 
 being a man of great dependences , had raifed a great number of men in Cafcoigne and 
 the adjacent Provinces, fo as they amounted to five thoufand Horfe and Foot '■> with 
 which force indeavouring to make his pafTage between the Catholick Towns to fuc- 
 cour his party at Orleans^ being fet upon in the way by Monfieur de Monluc^ and Mon- 
 fieur deBurie^ who commanded for the King in thofe parts i themoft of his men were 
 cut off, and he himfelf with fome few Horfe efcaped with very much difficulty. The 
 Hugonots in divers places received many other, though not great loffes j by which 
 misfortunes the reputation of the Fadtion every where diminifhing, the Prince and 
 the Admiral refolved to undertake fome notable Entcrprize , to recover their loft cre- 
 dit i and fo much the rather, becaufe being flraightned for money, they knew not 
 how to maintain their Germans, if they did not feed and pay them by the pillage of 
 the Country But what the Enterpriie (hould be , they agreed not between them- 
 felves. For the Prince , nneafuring all things by the greatnefs of his own thoughts, 
 had a mind on a fudden to alTault Paris •, perfwading himfelf, that in fuch a multitude 
 of people, there muil needs be many favourers of the Hugonots party, and many 
 others inclined to his name i who when an opportunity was offered, would prefently 
 (hew themfelves. He believed farther, and fought to pcrfwade, that the Kings Ar- 
 my, being imployed in Normandy, could not come foon enough to aid that City , by 
 the invafion and taking whereof, they fliould not only get great ftore of provillons of 
 Arms, Munition, and Artillery, of which they began to be in no little want h but alfo 
 have it in their power, with the contributions ot fo rich and numerous a people, to 
 ■furnifli themfelves abundantly with money •, by means whereof, they fliould both gain 
 a great reputation, and an exceeding advantage over the contrary Fadion. 
 
 The Minifters adhered to this opinion, through the bitter hate they bare to the Pa- 
 rifians, ever conftant reverencers of the Catholick Religion , and implacable enemies 
 to their preachings. But the Admiral Andelot, and the more experienced Souldiers, 
 efteeming the enterprize rather impoffible than difficult, diffwaded them from it , al- 
 ledging, that the Marefhal of Brijptc, the new Governour, had calt out all thofe who 
 were fufpeifted to depend on their party } wherefore there was no reafort to hope for 
 any motion among that people, fo united together for the prefervation of the Catho- 
 lick Faith > and that the Kings Army, having had good fuccefs at the fiege of Rotten^ 
 and lecured Normandy, would have time fuificient to aid that City, from which it was 
 but eight and twenty leagues dillant i whereas they on the other fide were to pafs four 
 and thirty leagues, through places infefted with the enemy , which would very much 
 retard the expedition of their march ', And what Artillery, what provifions for War 
 had they, wherewith they defigned to affail Taris < a City of fo vaft an extent, and 
 by nature fo rcplcniflied with people, who through cuftom were ever armed, having 
 but four pieces of Battery, and very little quantity of munition ? How fhould they 
 draw on their Army to an Enterprize which would prove of fuch length , not only 
 "Without money , but alfb without means to fuliain and nourifh their men } That it 
 would be better to recover the places near about Orleans , and open the way for pro- 
 vifions and fupplies, nourifhing the Army with the pillage that was near at hand and 
 fccure , than to hazard themfelves upon an attempt that would infallibly prove vain. 
 But thcfe reaforis took noeffedr: for the Prince, perfwaded by his own will, and the 
 confent of the major part of his adherents , refolved to venture all upon this Enter- 
 prize. Wherefore the Army being mufkrcd together , and fuch provifion of viduals 
 made as the piefent ncceffity would permit, it moved without further delays that way. 
 
 In
 
 78 
 
 The Hi/iory of the Civil Wars 
 
 l%62. 
 
 The I'rince of 
 C^ndc goin^ to 
 be fie "c Pivh, 
 amulctb him- 
 felf before 
 Cirbtil, by 
 which means 
 he fails of his 
 principal dc- 
 fign. 
 
 In the mean while, after the taking of Rouen, the Tovvn of Vhp?, having caft out 
 the EngUfh Garifon , rendered it fclf to the King: the fame did Caen and TaUif:^ 
 Towns in the lower Normandy, which largely extends it fclf upon the coafts of the 
 Ocean beyond the banks of the River i nor was there any place that remained in the 
 power of the enemies, favc only Havre de Grace, which the Qiicen had refblved to fct 
 upon with the whole Army, that fothey might be abfolutely freed from the fear of the 
 Englifli. But news being come of the arrival of the Germans , and that the Prince 
 with great preparations moved with the Camp through BeaitJJe , ( Co they call that 
 Country which lies between Orleans and the Ifle oi France) the Queen with the Duke 
 of Citife and the Conftable, in whofe hands remained the power of the Government, 
 rcfolved, putting off the Siege of Havre de Grace, to bend their courfe to meet with 
 the Hugonots Army. Wherefore having left Monlicur deVillebon Governour oiKouen^ 
 and the Rhynt^rave with his Horfe to fecure the Country of Cattx, and hinder the Eng- 
 li(h from making in-roads into the Country, the King and the Queen, with all the re- 
 mainder of the Army , marched along the Seine towards Parif. 
 
 The Prince marching very clofe through the Enemies Country, took without much 
 difiiculty Fiviers, Monthery zndDordane v and having given the pillage thereof to his 
 Army, went on with all pollible expeditions to Parif. But Corbeil, a little inconfide- 
 rable Town upon the River of Seinr, interrupted his journey : For four Companies of 
 French Foot being, contrary to the Princes expeiffation, entred thereinto, it made fuch 
 a refolute defence, as held his army play many days to no purpofe, being through an- 
 ger rather than mature deliberation , obftinately bent whatever happened to take it. 
 But the Mareihalof St. /4«d're following Andelot, though at a dirtance, with an intent 
 to get into Paris , having by another way gotten before him, he was conftrained to 
 raife the liege with lofs of time and credit j beildesthe total ruineof the principal dc- 
 lign i which depended wholly upon expedition. For having fpent many days there 
 in vain, thcCatholick Commanders in the mean while difcovering his intent, had with 
 the King and Qiiccn in pcrfon brought the whole Army unto the Walls of Paris \ 
 and with much eafe and commodity fortilied the Suburbs, anddiftributed their men 
 in very good order to their feveral quarters. The Prince lodged the twenty third day 
 ot Ncv.mber at La SauJJ'jyea Nunnery , who in that terrour had abandoned it » and 
 the twenty fourth day at r/Z/f-Jw/, two leagues from the Suburbs of P.jw. But the 
 twenty fifth day in the morning , though much fallen from their hopes, yet rcfolved' 
 to try their foitune, the Army being put in a readincfs, advanced to affault the Faux- 
 Bourg of St. Vidor. This attempt at the tirft fecmed very fuccefsful. Six hundred 
 light Horfe that were fent out to skirmifh and difcover the proceeding of the enemy, 
 when they faw all the Army come refolutely towards them, ran away in fuch a head- 
 long manner, that many doubted they fled rather through treachery than fear. With 
 which unexpccfed tumult the Foot being difbrdered who guarded the Ramparts of the 
 Faux-Bourg, they began already to think of retiring themfelves into the City > and 
 the people full of terrour and confufion cried out to fhut the Gates, and abandon the 
 Suburbs. But the Duke of Guife coming thereupon , Co fettled all things with his 
 prefence, that there was no more to be feared for the prefent, or the future. In this 
 occalion Philip Strozzi iffuingout with 1200 Foot to back the Horfe, gave a notable 
 teiiimony of his valours for being abandoned by his men, and finding himfelf ingaged 
 in the midft of the Hugonots Aimy, he retired under the ruines of a broken Wind- 
 mill, being a place, by reafon of the height, of fome advantage, and there fo refolutely 
 defended himfelf , that it was not pollible by all they could do , to drive him from 
 thence i but he alone made it good againft a multitude of the enemies that ufed their 
 utmort endeavours to take that PolK The Prince neverthelefs, not amufing himfelf 
 therewith, but encouraged with the fuccefs of their firft encounter, fiercely aflailed 
 the Faux-Bourgs in divers places i and for the fpaceof two hours that the fight en- 
 dured, noronly the Art and Difcipline of the Captain appeared, but alfo the readincts 
 and courage of the Souldiers > notwithftanding , finding every where a gallant rcfi- 
 liance, and the Cannon upon the Ramparts continually beating and galling upon his 
 flank , he was confiraincd to draw off the Army for that time from the Walls, that he 
 might have day enough to take up convenient Quarters. The weather was rainy, and 
 the feafon cold ; wherefore the Souldiers, not being able to lie abroad, the Army being 
 divided into four parts , Monfieur de Muy and the Prince of Porcien lodged at GentiUy^ 
 Cenl'u at Montsriati^ the Prince and the Admiral at Areveil, and Andelat with the Get- 
 .. ' ' mans
 
 of France. The Third "Book^ na 
 
 mans at Cachan. There making many fires on high and a great number of Cannon ifffi. 
 fhot, they endeavoured to ftrike a terrour into the people , which might ftir up fome '" '"■'• *•■'"= 
 commotion in the Town i and yet notwithlhnding, the City which is inhabited, as b°tantrj'y«' 
 the report goeth, by Soooco perfons, from the beginning of thofe difordcrs to the laft, ''V'"? '^^' ■ - 
 remained in fuch quiet , that the Profcflbrs in the Univerlity never difcontinued their fhe°Lea"Jr!rs" 
 Lcdures, nor the Judges forbore to fit in the Courts of Jufiice. "°f 'f"^ ^^"^r 
 
 The third day the Prince, having put his men in order, advanced into the middle nutd thei"'"' 
 of a plain, inviting the Catholick Army to a Battel. But in fread of fighting , the J-«fi"«^s « 
 Qyeen, defirousot a peact, to rid the Kingdom of foreign forces, or elfe by a Treaty " ""'' ' 
 of Accommodation to flacken the firll heat of the Hugonots , to whom fhe knew no- 
 thing was fo pernicious as delays, fent firii Monficur <^e Connor^ and afterwards i^i^w- 
 bouiUette^ and the Bifiiop of Valence^ to treat with the Prince of an Agreement » which 
 in a few days advanced fo far, that firft the Conftable, and afterwards the Queen her 
 felf coming to a parley with him, it vvas hoped a peace would follow ■■, fuch large rea- 
 (bnable Conditions being propofed on the Catholick party, that the Hugonots them- 
 felves knew not how to refufe them. 
 
 But the Prince and the Admiral, not knowing how to take off their minds from the 
 hopes of rule and domination of France^ and the Miniflers never ceating to demand li- 
 berty and fccurity i they could not agree upon any reafonablc Conditions that were of- 
 fered unto them v and the manifeft defire that they faw in their advcrfarics to obtain a 
 peace , as a fign of weakncfs , increafed the ardour and obftinacy of the ignorant. 
 Whereupon the Treaty having continued till the feventh oi December ^ and the Hugo- 
 nots not being able for want of money or means to nouridi their Army to continue ftill 
 in the fame Qyarters , the Treaty being abfblutcly broken , they refolved (to go off 
 with the beft reputation they could ) the night following to affault vvith four thou- 
 fand men the Faux-Bourgs of St. Germnin^ guarded by the Regiments of Champagnie 
 and Tkardy , which were counted not (b good men as the reft, and being far on the 
 other fide from the enemy , not fo carefully guarded. But advice thereof was given 
 to the Duke of G«i/f, who thinking to aflault the affailants in the flank, caufed all the 
 Cavalry to ftand armed and in readinefs from the beginning of the night till- next morn- 
 ing V and in the mean while with great diligence vifiting the guards , kept the Foot 
 awake, and under their Arms. Yet there was no need thereof j for the aflailants^ 
 partly through the great compafs they were to make, that they might not be difco- 
 vered, partly through the darknefs of the night, which is always full of crrours, Co 
 fpent the time , that they came not before the Faux-Bourg till break of day. By 
 reafbn whereof, finding, befides, that the Catholicks were ready couragioufly to re- 
 ceive the aflault , they retired for that day , without making any trial of their for» 
 tune. 
 
 The night following they had the like defign upon the Faux-Bourg of St. Marcean: 
 but that was hindered by the deliberation of Genlts^ who either perceiving, as he faid 
 himfelf, the wicked intentions of the chief of the Hugonots, or elfe olfended, as others 
 {aid, that the Prince made but little accompt of him and his Brother after the ren- 
 deritlg oi "Bourges ^ went over the fame night with all his men into the City: by 
 whkh accident, the Hugonots being very much troubled, and believing for certain^ 
 that he who was prefcnt at the deliberation had di{covered the plot, they not only feared 
 that their defign upon St. Marcean would prove vain, but alfo that it might produce 
 fome finifter event. Wherefore they refolved, the {ame night to raife the Camp. To 
 vwhich purpofe, whilft the Catholicks in readinefs expeded the alTault, and the Duke 
 of GuJfe thought on a fuddain to fall upon one of their Quarters •, they being rifen in 
 great filence without any noife either of Drum or Trumpet, firft the carriages marcht 
 away towards Bcauffe, after which many hours before day followed the Germans i and 
 laftly, the Prince and the Admiral, having fired Arcueil znd Cachan where they lay, 
 and many other neighbouring Villages , departed in great hafte as foon^^as the light 
 began to appears taking the fame way with the reft of the Army, not upon any cer*- 
 tain defign , but only with the beft commodity they could to get food for theit 
 men. ^ 
 
 In the mean while, the Catholick Army was exceedingly increafed. For whifft the 
 time was artificially delayed in the Treaty, the Infantry of Gafcoigne led by Monfieur 
 de Sanfic arrived by the way of Mance : and the King of Spairt, dcfirous alfo to have 
 the Hugonots fupprefled, had fent the King a fupply of three thousand Spainifti Foot. 
 
 So
 
 8o The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^2. So that, not to keep fuch a great Force idle within the Walls of the City, the Kings 
 Army the day after moved the fame way that the Hugonots had taken i the Conflabk 
 commanding as General, but with the authority and affiftance of the Duke of Guife i 
 and the King with the Qyeen-Mother refolvcd to remain together at Pjm. 
 
 The Hugonots, having three days after taken and pillaged the Caftle of St. Arnoul^ 
 were uncertain what refolution to take. For long to maintain the Army was altoge- 
 ther impolfible, through the want of money i having no revenue but their rapines , 
 and for the infatiable importunity of the Germans, who never ceafcd begging or de- 
 manding their pay i and to meet the enemy, and give him Battel, being much infe« 
 riour in Foot, Artillery and other Provifions, appeared too rafli and defparatea refo- 
 lution. The Prince was of opinion, fince the chief of the Catholicks with the whole 
 Army had left Faris^ and followed him into £(.'^/# , to return thither with the fame 
 expedition that he departed •, hoping he might enter the City upon a fuddain, and 
 feizc upon the pcrfons of the King and the Qi'een-Mother, before they could recover 
 any fuccours from the Army. But this Propofition being made in their Council , was 
 rejcded by all the rert •, confidcring the enemy would follow them fo clofe, that he 
 would come upon them either whilll they were making the aflault, or clfe (fuppoling 
 their defign fuccecded; whilftthey were facking the City, in either of which cafes 
 their Army would be manifefily ruined. 
 
 At the lad , after many difcourfes , the Admirals opinion was approved of i who 
 advifed. That they fhould depart as fecretly as they could with all the Asmy into 
 Normandy. For if the Catholicks followed them not, they might make a prey of that 
 fo fertile and rich a Province, where they Ihould have commodity to raife Moneys and 
 recruit their Forces i and if they did follow him , notwithlbnding they flrould 
 have fuch a great advantage, that if they marched with any expedition, they might 
 arrive at Havre de Grace before they could be overtaken v and there being joined with 
 fix thoufand Englilh , provided with twenty pieces of Cannon , ftore of Munition, 
 and rifteen thoufand Duckets, which Qaeen Elizabeth , according to the Articles of 
 Agreement, fent to their aid j they might with fuch an addition of ihength, either ha- 
 zard a Battel, or continue the W ar with fuch counfels as fliould then be thought mofi: 
 'expedient. With this determination, having all their unnecelTary carriages and horfes 
 in theCadles of Beaujfc-, they marched away out of the Territories of Cbartres the 14 
 day of December^ in the clofe of the evening , to get clear of the Enemy before he 
 fhould be ad vertifcd of their departure > and fo with great diligence took the way of 
 Normandy. 
 
 The Catholicks knew not of the Princes rifing till the day after i and to have cer- 
 tain intelligence how they bent their courfe, ftaid till the evening cf the 16 in the fame 
 place i fo as the Hugonots got in a manner three days march before them. But palling 
 through places full of Rivers and other irripcdiments , in the worft feafon cf the year, 
 they were neceffitated to lofe much time i whereas the Catholicks taking the way over 
 the Bridges through the Towns which all held for their party, made a more ealie and 
 expedite journey. . The Admiral with the Germans led the Van , that they might be 
 f*ovidcd with the molt convenient Quarters , and to feed and content them with the 
 pillage of the Country > having nothing elfe to fatisfie their wonted complaints and 
 frequent mutinies. The Prince followed with all the Infantry in the Battel. The 
 C ount de Koch-fou-cault and the Prince of Torcien^ with the greatclt part of the French 
 Cavalry, brought up the Rear : and fo the Army was difpofed with the beft advice that 
 could be. For the Germans preying upon the paifants that were yet untoucht, more 
 cafily fupported the want of pay ', and the French Cavalry marching behind all the 
 rcll, were more ready to fufiain the charge of the Catholicks if they (hould be over- 
 taken. But the Prince palling near Vreux, entered into hope by fome means or other 
 to polTefs himfelf of it : and therefore confounding the Orders that were given, with- 
 out making the Admiral acquainted with the defign, haftned his march with fuch di- 
 ligence, that his Battel was become the Van i the Rear of Horfe, that followed with 
 the fame Expedition, was placed in the middle > and the Germans being left behind, 
 contrary to the Order given , made the Rear. In the mean while the Enterprize of 
 Drtux proving vain , the Admiral grievoufly offended at this lightnefs , 'thought it 
 beft to Iky a day in the place where he was, that the Army might recover the Order it 
 vvas in before. Which delay having given time to the Catholicks to overtake them, 
 brought by confequence both Armies into a manifeft neceiTuy of fighting a Battel. 
 
 Preux
 
 6>/ France. The Third ^'Boo^, 8i 
 
 Vreux is twenty fix leagues diftant from Paris, fituated upon the confines of Nor-' 1552. 
 mandy , joining to thofe Plains which were anciently called the Plains of the Druids 5 
 and on the one fide of it runs a little River, which being Foordable in all places, is by 
 thofe of the Country commonly called £wr. This River the Hugonots had palTed the 
 nineteenth, and being lodged in the Villages adjoining, expedted to continue their 
 march the morning after with like haile as before. But the Catholicks'Army follow- 
 ino- them without (laying any where, and a fliorter way, arrived the fame night at 
 the River, and lodged in the houfes thereabouts i fo that there was nothing between 
 both the Armies but the current of the water. Yet by reafon of the Shrubs and ma- 
 ny Trees that grew upon the banks, they could not fee one another, though they were 
 fo near. It is moft certain, that the Prince, who lodged next the River, lay there 
 with fuch negligence, (a fault which hath ever proved fatal to the Hugonotsj that Ntgiigence 
 without placing the wonted Guards , or fending out Scouts, or any other care what- dcketotlht 
 foevcr, he took his reil all night, and knew not of the Catholicks coming till next Hu^oao:? 
 morning very late. But the Conftable quite contrary, being a pradrifed, experienced 
 Captain, very well knowing the advantage he had , and making ufe of the Enemies 
 carelefncfs, paffed all his Army over the River the fame night by Moon-light, with- 
 out any obftacle or impediment i and going on a league forwarder upon the place where 
 the enemies were lodged, poffeft the way by which, following their defign, they were 
 of necelTity to pafs- There, between two little Villages, the one called Spinal, the 
 other Blainville , which flood by fide the great Road, he placed his men with great 
 commodity and no lefs filence. 
 
 The Army was divided into two parts v the firft the Conftable led , the other the 
 Duke oiGuife i but they difpofed their Squadrons in fuch a manner, that in the Right- 
 wing of the Conllables were the Swiffes flanckt by the Regiments of Fire-locks of 
 Brittany 2nd Picardy, and in the Left-wing of the Duke o{ Cuife, the Germans flanckc 
 with the Gafcon and Spanijh Infantry i and both the Wings clofed and fheltred with 
 the houfes of the Villages, having Spinal on the right, and Blainville on the left handi 
 and befides the defence of the houfes , they placed their Carriages and Artillery on 
 each fide ■, for the enemy being ftronger in Horfe, they doubted to be compared in, 
 and charged in the flanck. The main body of Cavalry being divided into little Troops 
 of Lances, that they might ufe them the more conveniently, and were placed between 
 the Squadrons of Foot ; which in a manner flanckt and covered them i and only the 
 light Horfe taking their llation out of the Battalions, were drawn up at the point of ■ 
 
 the Right-wing where the Champagn began to open it felf, and with a large front 
 poflelTed the pafs of the great Road. But the Duke of Giafes Battalion, which was 
 in the Left-wing, though it was neareft to the enemy, yet was it fo covered with a 
 number of Trees that it had in flanck, and the houfes oi Blainville, xhzt it could hardly 
 be perceived by the Hugonots : and on the contrary , the Conftable having his light 
 Horfe ranged upon the Champagn was eafie to be difcerned afar oft'i and by the 
 largenefsof their Front, might well be taken for the whole body of the Army. 
 
 The day being come, and the Admiral , who was fartheft from the River, begin- 
 ning according to the order given to march i on a fuddain the Conftables Squadrons 
 appeared i and being affured by his Scouts, that they were the Catholicks, exclaiming 
 againft the negligence of his Oflicers , he turned about , faying aloud to them that 
 were next him. The time is now come that we muft no longer trull to our feet, as 
 we have done hitherto i but like Souldiers, rely upon the ftrength of our hands : and 
 having fcnt word to the Prince, that the enemy was arrived, he caufed his Divifion 
 to make a halt, that the reft of the Army might draw up to join in a Body upon the 
 Champagn. The Prince , though he were advifed by many to turn to the left hand, 
 to recover a Village thereby , that he might either prolong, or elfe wholly avoid the 
 neceility of fighting i yet the nearnefs ot the enemy inciting his natural fiercenefs, he 
 refolved rather to make a day of it without advantage in the open field, than to be af- 
 terwards forced to disband the Army without making trial of his fortune. So haftning 
 his march , he joined with the Van in the middle of the plain i and having with 
 great diligence put his men in order, continued on his way, with an intention not to 
 provoke the Catholicks, and to purfue his journey i but if he were provoked by them, 
 not torcfufe the Battel. 
 
 The Hugonots marching in this manner, and not having difcovered the Squadrons 
 of the Duke of Guife, Cwho caufing his Foot to fet one knee to the ground, and his 
 
 M Horfe
 
 82 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5<52. Horfe to retire into the Street of the Village, ftood as it were in ambufli) pafTed on 
 
 without perceiving they left a part of the Enemies force behind them , and came up 
 to the place where the Conftables Battalia was drawn up : who perceiving the great 
 advantage he had, (for the Duke of Guife fetching a little compafs about, (they ha- 
 ving inconfidcrately ingaged themfdves) miglit fct upon them in the Rear) com- 
 manded the fignal to be given to the Battel with fourteen pieces of Cannon that weie 
 placed on the outfide of the left Wing. Whereupon the Prince, though his light Horfe 
 were fomewhat difordered, therewith putting himfelf in the head of his Divifion, led 
 them on with great animoiity to afTault the Battalion of the SwilTes, which in a man- 
 ner fronted him. The firft that fell in upon them were Monfieur de Muy^ and Mon- 
 ficur de /Izaray wkh their Hoifei then the Prince charging himfelf, and by his ex- 
 ample the Baron of Liancom-t^ the Count de Satili\ Monlieur de Vur.K, and the other 
 C^pmns de Gens d'Arms^ the whole force of that Battalia was turned upon the Swiffes: 
 fome charging them in the Front, others in the Flank, with all the carncftnefs and 
 violence that might be i believing, that if they were routed, the vidory would infal- 
 libly incline to their fide. 
 
 But the Swiffes, charged and compaffed in on every fide by fuch a number of ene- 
 mies, valiantly charging their pikes, received the (hock of the Cavalry with fuch a 
 courage, that though divers of their pikes were broken, and many of them trodden 
 under foot by the Horfes ■■, yet they Itood firm in their order , rcpuliing and abating 
 with exceeding great llaughter the fury of the enemy. 
 
 At the fame time the Count de la Roch-fon-cjult and the Prince of Porcien^ who 
 brought up the Reer, entring fiercely into the Battel, firft fell in upon the light Horfe, 
 wliich made but weak refinance, and afterwards upon the Regiments of Fi/;;«r(^ and 
 Brittany that fljnkt the Swiffes on that fide i and the Fire-locks being broken and rout- 
 ed, they likewifeaffaulted the fame Squadron in the Rear •, where though the danger 
 and lofs of blood were great , yet they found a rcfolute and hard encounter. For the 
 Swiffes Handing in a clofe order, made a Front every way, and bravely refilkd on all 
 fides i fo that two lerti.i's of the Hugonots Army were fruitleOy imployed in the fame 
 place, being obflinate to break the Battalia of the Swifles, to whom (if they had been 
 abandoned by all the red of the Army^ they muft either voluntarily have yielded, or 
 at leafi retired with much lofs. 
 
 But the Admiral, who led the Van with better conduft and more advantage, had 
 
 The Battel of in the mean while charged the Conftables Cavalry, and having in the firft encounter 
 
 Dtevx. killed his Son Gabriel de'Mnmrrancy^ Sieur de Munbrnn^ and laid upon the ground the 
 
 Cowntde Kncbjfort?^ who likewife remained there dead i (though on all parts it were 
 
 valiantly fought} yet he began to make the Catholicks yield ground •■, and thereupon 
 
 the German Horfe coming up in two great Squadrons, armed with piftols, with a new 
 
 and furious affault mingled themfelves in the conflict , and abfolutely difordered the 
 
 whole Battalion of the Catholicks i fo that being defeated and routed, they manifellly 
 
 ran away. There the Confiabic fighting valiantly, and feeking to keep his men from 
 
 Hight, being compaffed in by the multitude of the Germans , (who if they can once 
 
 Tht Ci-n(iabie find a breach open , cafily overthrow any body of men) his Horfe falHng under him, 
 
 "''"^" V^^°' ^^^ being wounded in the left arm , was at length taken prifoner. The Duke of Ne~ 
 
 Son with ma- verj, Moiilieur de Givry^ and many other Gentlemen and Cavaliers being fallen dead 
 
 ny^ others kii- by his fide. 
 
 The Duke of Atmide and Monfieur d' AnviUe were near the Conftables Battalion 
 with two Squadrons of Lances •, who moving to fuccour that party which they (aw 
 already began to yield , came boldly on to rufh into the fight: but thofe that were 
 chafed by the Admiral and the Germans fled in fuch hafte, that over-running their 
 own men, they difordered the Duke of Aumale's Squadron i who being thrown down, 
 and his Horfe falling upon him, wastnaimedon the left Legi and Uoni\tai d' AnviUe 
 rctiringout of the tumult of the run-aways, to avoid (feeingnothing was to be done) 
 the like encounter, was cbnftrained to return back to the fame place from whence he 
 .Bc .o,,..^. '^^'T'C. So all the Confhbles Cavalry being routed , and the French Foot that were 
 Me' Divifion with him defeated i only the Swiffes, befet on all fides, but ftanding firm in a clofe 
 t'he"s^vt(rcs"' ^^'^^^ 2"^^ doubled Battalia, having beaten back and deftroyed the German Foot, who 
 only with ex- wcre fo bold as to affault them , though they had lofl their Colonel and the moft of 
 Un:'rJ°f!iiain ^^^^" Captains , made flill a very obllinate refiflance ■■> and the report is moft certain, 
 the fight. that the valiant refolution , even of the meaneft Souldiers of that Nation , was fuch 
 
 that 
 
 led 
 
 The ConOa-
 
 of France. The Third ^oo{. 83 
 
 that day, that many of them, when their pikes were broken, and their fwords loft, 15*^2, 
 fought refolutely with Hones. 
 
 But the Duke of Ctdfe^ when he faw the left Wing wholly routed, and knew the 
 Conftable was taken prifoner i there being now no danger to be over-run by the fugi' 
 lives who ran away fcattercd in the Champagn, and perceiving the enemy was difor- 
 dered and wearied with the fight, gave the lignal to his Squadrons to movei and put- 
 ting on his Arms, in few words encouraged his men, fhewing them, that they had a 
 great advantage to fight with an enemy already wearied out and fcattered, who becaufe 
 they had routed the Conftables Cavalry, thought themfelves fecure of the Vidtory. He 
 had the Spanifh foot on the right hand, and the Gafcons on the left \ which bending on 
 the form of an half Moon, covered his Horfe, that for the more fecurity were placed 
 in the middle i and about an hundred paces before all the relt, marcht the forlorn hope 
 of Foot, led by Monfieur ds Villerj^ the fame that took St. Kathirines Fort at the liege 
 of Houen : which being refolute old Souldiers, were placed there to fuftain the firft 
 fliockof the enemy. In this order, but compofedly and quietly , with their Squa- 
 drons clofed together, he marched with great fiercenefs to the Battel, and being in the 
 head of his Cavalry , feemed to make but little account of the vidorious Army of the 
 Enemy. 
 
 On the other fide , the Prince and the Admiral , not perceiving that they had left 
 the Catholick Van behind them , and believing they had gained an intire Vi(ftory > 
 when they faw fuch a great force come upon them , rallying their men, and joining 
 again with the Reiters, Twho when they found they could not break the Battalia of the 
 Swifles, were in purfuit of the EnemyJ came feparately to the Front i but with a di- 
 vers event, and diverfe refolution. The Prince feeing the Forlorn hope in his way, 
 which, defpifing all danger, fet upon him, filling every place with death and confa- 
 fion "j and the G.ifcoiins Mufquetiers , which entred couragioufly into the fight, play- 
 ing upon him in the flank , before he could bring up his men to charge the Horfe, was 
 (b fhaken and difordered , that his Diviilon was with much eafe dilTolved and over- 
 thrown, and himfelf, invironed by Vonfieur d' Anville, ("who through grief of his Fa- '''^' ^^j"A "J 
 thers imprifonment, fought defparatelyj being wounded in the right hand, and alt h'e" hVd won " 
 covered with fweat and blood, finally remained prifoner. On the other fide, the Ad- '''^^^"'J'j'* 
 miral, feeing the fiercenefs with which the Spanifh Foot, pouring out their fmall fliof, atredibf the 
 came to charge him in the flank ■> and that at the fame time the Marefhal de S. Andre Dukeof Ga//?, 
 with divers companies of Lances which were yet frciliand intire, began to move to- fonVr. " ^ 
 wards him i and finding his men and horfcs through wearinefs could fcarcely be kept 
 in order , he went not up to the Front of the Battalia, but wheeling about, and skir- 
 .miftiing lightly , endeavoured to rally his men which were fcattered in the field, 
 watching an opportunity to retreat in the beft order and with the moft reputation that 
 he could. Notvvithftanding , making divers charges, and fighting continually with 
 his Piftols, he fuftained a long time the fury of the enemy; efpecially, after that the 
 Marefhal, being mortally wounded, left the field. But at laft, being charged by the 
 Duke of Gw//? , who after the Prince was taken, advanced with divers Troops of his 
 Gens d'Anns, to environ him i and the Foot arriving on all fides, that with theiif ilre'the"da»f* 
 (hot defrroyed his horfes i all hope of rallying his men being loft, he refolved to fave 
 himfelf in time i and getting as many of his men together as the enemies purfuit 
 would permit , in great hafte made towards the woods > and without Ihying or ta-* 
 king breath, with his horfes tired and men wearied, in the clofe of the evening came 
 to NeufviUe. 
 
 At the beginning of the difordcr Andelot was retired to the fame ptace ; Who by 
 teafonof a quartan Ague, being unable to endure the fight , having gotten to an emi- 
 nent place, when he faw the Duke of Guifi's Troops move, after, as he thought, the 
 Kings Army was utterly defeated , he asked what men thofe were ? and anfwer being 
 made, that they were the Duke of Gttife's:, which had not yet fought : he faid many 
 times , that this tail was impolVible to be flea'd ■■, and fetting fpurs to his horfe", 
 thought to fecure himfelf without expeding the iffue of the Battel. Both the Brothers 
 then being come to Netefville , they endeavoured to get together thofe relicks of the 
 Army that bad efcaped the Enemy ■> which following the example of the Commanders, 
 came fcattering in. So the night coming on, through the darknefs whereof they could 
 not be purfued, the Prince of Forcien, the Count de U Roch-fou-cjult ^ and the Ger- 
 mans, who kd the Conftable Prifoner, all met in the fame place i where, with a great 
 
 M 2 app'aufe
 
 8j^ The Ji'tjlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 \k62. applaufc of every one, the Admiral was declared General of the Hugonots Army. 
 
 TheAdmitai who, not to cxpofc himfdf to the inconveniences of the night, flayed there till next 
 
 '^i\itn^t morning break of day ; when having put thofe few men that were left in order, he 
 
 nots. marched with great diligence towards Orleans , feeing the pafTage to Havre de Grace 
 
 was already poiTeffed and cut off by the Enemy, who lodged jull in the middle of the 
 
 great Road. 
 
 The Duke of Guife remaining Mafter of the Field, together with all the Enemies 
 
 Thetwobitt«r AjtJUery and Carriages, and having received the French Infantry to mercy, which 
 
 "rGtV^'S after a little refinance yielded themfelves at difcrction •, being overtaken by the night, 
 
 and lie toge- jojggd very inconveniently upon the place at BlainvtHe ■■, whither the Prince of Conde 
 
 f«me bed. ' being brought to him, it is very remarkable , that thofe two Princes, formerly and in 
 
 the prefent Battel fuch mortal enemies, reconciled by the variety of fortune, fupped 
 
 together at the fame table , and for want of carriages , and through ftreightnefs of 
 
 lodging, lay together all night in the fame bed. For the Duke o^ Guife ufing his Vi- 
 
 <itory modeftly, receiving the Prince with all demonftrations of honour , oftered him 
 
 part of his. In which the patience of the Conquered in the dcfparate cflate of his 
 
 prefent defeat, was no lefs confiderable than the modefty of the Conquerour in the pro- 
 
 (perity of his Vidlory. 
 
 The Hrft news that came to Taris^ was of the defeat and imprifonment of the Con- 
 ftabie, brought by thofe that ran away at the beginning of the Battel i which filled 
 the Court with great fadnefs and infinite fear : but a few hours after arrived there 
 Monfieur de Lnfe^ Captain c: the Kings Guard, difpatched by the Duke oi Guife i 
 who bringing fuch a contrary relation , with the afTurance of a Vidtory, didipated 
 their grief for parrifular loffes, in which the greateftpart of the Kingdom had a (hare; 
 for bcfides many Lords and Cavaliers of great cfteem and reputation, there were flain 
 on both fides 8000 perfons. 
 
 Various were the opinions and difcourfes of men concerning this Battel : for many 
 accufed the negligence of the Prince of Cnnde, when having the Enemy fo near, he 
 believed he was (till far oif i which ncceflltated him to fight againft his will : Many 
 blamed the haftc they faw in the Admiral to retire ■> believing that if he had vigo- 
 roufly charged them when the K'arefhal de S. A?idre was killed, be would have routed 
 and defeated that part.of the Catholick Horfe, and put his party in a condition to re- 
 cover again their lofs. And on the other fide, there wanted not thofe, who making 
 a finifter interpretation of the Duke of Gitifes proceedings, were of opinion, that he 
 might at the beginning, coming behind the Enemy, have rendered the Vid:ory more 
 ealic and more fecure , without expcding firfl the difafler of the Confiable , and the 
 (laughter of the Horfe and Foot ; but that being defirous of the Conftables ruinc, and. 
 to remain fole Arbitrator of the Catholick Fadrion, he had craftily fuffered the Enemy 
 to rout the right VVing, on purpofe to afiiime all the glory and command to himfelK 
 To which notwithftanding, he and his partifans made anfwer. That he moved not at 
 the beginning, firft to let the Enemies pafs, and then to avoid the blind fury of them 
 that ran away, by which he might have been difordered, as were the Duke of Anmale 
 and the Conliables Son himfelf > but that he had patiently expecfled an opportunity to 
 accoroplifli the Vidfory with fecurity s. which by an inconfideratc hafte would have 
 proved uncertain and dangerous. Howfbcver it were, it is certain, that as the Duke 
 of Guife gained all the glory of the day ■> fb the reputation of the Hugonots, rather by 
 accident than any real lofs, was in great part diminiflied. The Duke remained in the 
 fame place three days after \ as well to put in order and refrefh the Army, as to pro- 
 3v,y;^ma'de° ^■'J^ for ^^^ wounded men, and the burial of his dead : and being by the King and 
 GcncraUfthe Qijecu declared General of all the Forces, of which charge he took poffeilion with 
 theVidory, not to give the Enemy time to recover himfelf , direded his courfe to- 
 wards Orleans. 
 
 In the mean while , the Admiral with a great part of his Forces, and particularly 
 the German Horfe , which received but little hurt in the Battel , was returned into 
 Beariffe j where granting a Warlike liberty to gain and afTure the affections of the 
 Souldiers , he at laft brought them to Beaugency^ to take fuch rcfolution as was moft 
 expedient for the prefent neceility. There a Council being called of all the French 
 Lords and German Commanders, it was difputed with great variety of opinions, what 
 in that change of fortune was fittefl to be done. It was not to be doubted, but the 
 Duke of CK//e purfuing his Vidory, would cotnediredly to befiegeOr/ej«j-, which in 
 
 the 
 
 Kinjs Forces.
 
 of France. The Third "Boo^ 85 
 
 the bowels of France was the chief feat and foundation of the War. Wherefore it was i sdSo 
 expedient to think how to defend that City, and alfo to provide for it in time a fitting 
 fupply : which being very hard to be done , by reafon many already wavered in their 
 affedions, and the fortune and reputation of the Hugoaots declined in all parts of the 
 Kingdom v the two Brothers of Coligny boldly took upon them the charge of taking 
 care for both. For Andelot proffered himfelf, with the German Foot, and part of the 
 French Horfe, to defend 0/-/m«/-, and the Admiral, laying before theReiters (fo they 
 call the German Horfe) the booty and t'lchcs oi Nm-nundy with the near fuccours of 
 Enzland^ perfwaded them to follow him into that Province i where whilft the Duke 
 oiGuife was in perfon imployed in fuch a difficult fiege, they might have opportunity 
 to join with the Englifli, receive the m.oneys fent by Queen E/iz.abeth, and bring all 
 their fuccours together : with which forming a great body of an Army, they fhould be 
 able afterwards time enough to fuccour and relieve the befieged. 
 
 With thefe counfels the heads of the Hugonots direded their Adions. But the I5^2> 
 ■Duke of Guife, not to lofe by delays the fruits of his Vidtory, at the beginning of the 
 year put all things in readinefs to befiege Orleans •■> having fent for the great Cannon 
 from Furis, with all other provifions necelTary for fo great a work : at which fiege, as 
 well to haften the ilTue thereof, as not to trufl wholly to anyone perfon, the Queen 
 refolved to be prefent i and having pafl over with exceeding patience the fharpeft and 
 moft incommodious feafon of the year, came with the King to Chartres •■, and ftaying 
 there fbme few days , at the laft arrived at the Army, lodging with much incommo- 
 dity at the adjacent Villages. At the coming of the Kings Army, Piviers, Ejiampes, 
 and all the other places thereabouts were already rendred : after the taking of which, 
 the Duke of Gtdfe, having gotten all his men together, drew towards the Town the 
 fifth day of Febmjry^3.nd encamped between the Faux-bourg d'OUvette, and the Town 
 (jiS.Auhin i a convenient Quarter, and being placed upon the River ot Loire^ abound- 
 ing with provifions. There were in Cr/e^«j-, befides /4Wf/oi, who commanded all the 
 reft, Monfieur de St. Cjr, Governour of the City, the Sieurs d' Avaret, VurM, and 
 BoKchaveftes , fourteen Companies of Foot, partly Germans , and partly Gafcons, and 
 five Troops of French Horfe, conlillingfor the moft part of old experienced Souldiers: 
 and befides thefe, the Citizens , refufing neither labour nor danger for the defence of 
 their Town, being divided into four Squadrons , with wonderful readinefs hazarding 
 themfelves upon all ferviccs. 
 
 Orleans is divided, though not equally, by the River of Loire •, for on one fide ftands 
 the whole body of the City, and on the other lies only a great Faux-bourg vulgarly 
 called the Portereatt. The Portereau is joined to the City with a fair Bridge, at the 
 entrance whereof towards the Faux-bourg are two Forts, called the Towrelles , which 
 hinder and fliut the entry of the Bridge i at the other end whereof is the Gate of the 
 City ftrengthened with good Walls, but without any Rampart, defended with a high 
 fquare Tower built after the ancient fafhion, of a great thicknefs. The Walls of the 
 City were in themfelves of little ftrength j but the Defendants had repaired and made 
 them more defenfible. Amongft other things , they fortified alfo the Portereau^ rai' 
 fing two great Baftions before it, which might entertain and keep off the Enemy for a 
 time from the Town : the one being right againft the place where the Catholicks en- 
 camped , was guarded by four Companies of the Gafcons ■■, and the other which was 
 farther off, was kept by two Companies of the Germans. The Duke of Gttife upon The su^t o? 
 very good reafons thought it beft to begin the Siege on that fide. Firft, that his men ftainld'by*!^*- 
 being conveniently lodged , might the better fupport the incommodities of Winter j debt with the 
 then, becaufe, efteeming it an eafie matter to take the works of the Portereau^ he de- Hu-onoc'^it-' 
 figned to make ufe of the commodity of the River to affail and batter the Walls of the my° 
 City with a great number of Barks covered with Gabions, and full of other Warlike 
 Inftruments, which would in wonderful manner facilitate the affault. Befides on that 
 fide thofe within had neither Rampart of Earth within the Wall, nor any allarum place 
 capable to receive a body of men. Wherefore the next morning the whole Army ad- 
 vanced in very good order within fight of the Town i Monfieur ds Sippierre leading 
 on the firft Divifions of the Catholicks with fix hundred Horfe , and two Regiments 
 of Foot, with which force he eafily beat back again into the Faux-bourg thofe who 
 to fhew their courage fallied out to skirmifti. Whereupon his men being heartned 
 with fuch good fuccefs at the beginning, he caufed a furious affault to be given to the 
 Bulwark guarded by the Gafcoigns > at which the Duke oiGuife coming in, aud making
 
 86 The Htflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i 5^2.. (hew to draw all the forces of his Army to that place , at the fame time fefit Sanfac's 
 Regiment to furpriie by Scalado the other held by the Germans i who being amazed 
 with the fuddennefs thereof, made fo little reliftancc, that the Bulwark being taken, 
 the Catholicks entered the Faux-bourg before any body perceived there was an attempt 
 made upon that part. By which means the affailants having already made themfelves 
 ftrOng within the Rampart , and all the Army that Rood in order marching to them, 
 the Defendants were conilrained to abandon the Suburbs of the Fortereau ^ but not 
 without great terrour and confulion : in which Vurji being ilain , with many other 
 pcrfons of remark , they were fo clofely purfued by the Catholicks who came up to 
 them on all fides, that it^ndelothimCcK^ lighting valiantly with a great Squadron of 
 Gentlemen, had not withftood them, they had in that fury entred the Towrells. Euc 
 he Handing at the entry of the Bridge all covered with Arms , and bravely aiMed, 
 they were with much difficulty at length repulfed i and the Ports of the Towers and 
 the City being fluit, that bloody conflid ended with the day. The Faux-bourg be- 
 ing fccured, the Army approached to the Towrells i which proving very hard to be 
 taken, by reafon of the lirength of the place, the Duke of Guife notwithlianding with 
 Gabions, Trenches and Engines of War, fo far advanced the work, that he found they 
 could not long maintain that Poile v though from the Cannon planted in certain Iflands 
 in the middle of the River, thofeupon the banks received much molcftation and da- 
 mage. 
 
 In the mean while, the Admiral with his Reiters and fome few French Horfe, ha- 
 ving left all their carriage and baggage at Orleans , palFing the Loire at Georgeatr^ 
 marcht with fuch expedition, that the Marcfhal of Brijj'.ic^ who endeavoured to lie in 
 their way, could by no means Uopthem in any place, or hinder them from pafling 'm~ 
 to Normandy ; which Province the Reiters, flaughtering, firing, pillaging and deftroy- 
 ing all things both facred and prophane, over-ran without reiillance i there being no 
 forces in that Country which were able to hinder their incurfions. So paifing through 
 all places like a horrible and fearful tcmpeft , they came at laft to the coafts of the 
 Ocean at S. Sauveur de Vive. There the Germans not knowing in what part of the 
 World they were, and feeing the Sea grow furious and inragcd with the tempeftuouf- 
 ncfs of the weather, and no news at ail appearing of the fuccours fo often promifed 
 from England^ began fiercely to mutiny i demanding with clamour and threats the 
 arrears of their pay, and calling upon the Admiral to obferve his promife: who com- 
 ing out of his Lodging, and fliewing them with his Hnger the fwelling of the Sea, and 
 the impetuous contrary winds, excufcd with the pcrverfenefsof the weather, and the 
 feafbn, the delay of their expeded fupplies. But the Germans not to be appeafed with 
 any thing, he could hardly obtain of them the patience of a few days i though to fa- 
 tishc their greedinefs , he gave them free licence to plunder all , as well friends and 
 adhcretits, as adverfaries and enemies. Wherefore deftroying with barbarous cruelty 
 • all the tracfi of that Country which with wonderful fertility and richnefs of the inha- 
 'bitants extends it fclf along the Ocean , he ftayed fo long expedring about the Sea- 
 coalfs, that at length the ilorm ceafing, they defcryed from Havre de Grace thi Englifh 
 Ships, which brought with them both the 1 50000 Ducats, and the two Regiments of 
 Foot, bcfides fourteen pieces of Cannon, with all manner of munition proportionable. 
 The Englifli under the condud of the Count of Montgomery and Monficur de Colom- 
 hiere , being received with incredible joy , and the Reiters fatisfied for their arrears i 
 the Admiral having fent for the Count de la Koch-fou-cault and the Prince of Forcieit, 
 who brought fuccours out of Brittany and the neighbouring Countries, making in all 
 eight thoufand Foot and four thoufand Horfe , put himfelf in order with great dili- 
 fc'"ns°to''for- 8^"*^^ to go to the fucGour of his Brother with all the fpeed that was pofTible* ho- 
 fak"etheHu- ping, either by force or art to make them raife their fiege from that place. But the 
 fcTvMOr/lm! Duke of Guife having already, though with lofs of much blood, taken the Towrelles, 
 infinnates ' thc Defendants wctc reduced to great ftraights i nor could the Admiral have arrived 
 the i)iikt"of ^f'on enough to fuccour the beiieged, if other ftratagems and means had not been ufed 
 c«./;ic>"rc, to deliver them from that imminent danger. 
 
 Duke gives There was among the Hugonots Fadion one called John Poltrot Sieur de Mereborn, 
 
 '"<r"/"\ '" ^^ ^ noble Family near Angouleftne, This man being of a ready wit , and by nature 
 him"in the fubtile, having lived many years in Spain, and afterwards imbracing Calvins opinion, 
 lliouider, being made cunning by the preachings and pradlifes of Geneva, was efteemcd by alj 
 dies. " '(''s he was indeedj fit to undertake any great attempt. Whereforefore being known 
 
 -V- • to
 
 o/ France. The Third 'BooK^ 87 
 
 to all the heads of the Hugonot Faffion as a proper Inftrument for any fuch defigns, i5^4* 
 ■which are the daily effedls of Civil Wars, he was pcrfwaded, as they (ay by the Ad- 
 miral and Iheodore Beza , to endeavour to kill the Duke of Gn/fe ■■, the one propofing 
 to him infinite rewards and acknowledgments •, the other laying before him, that by 
 taking out of the World fo great a Perfecutor of their Faith , he fhould merit exceed- 
 ingly of God. Which perfwaiions working upon Foltrot^ feigning to have abandoned 
 the Calvinifts party, he went to be a Souldier in the Kings Army ; and there infinuating 
 himfelf likewife into the Duke oiGulfes Court, watched an opportunity to put in ex- 
 ecution his purpofed mifchief. So the 24 of Febmary in the evening, being theFeaft 
 of St. Matthias the Apoftle , the Duke having given order for an affault , which the 
 day after he intended (hould be made upon the Bridge of Orleans •, and retiring un- 
 armed to his lodging, was was little lefs than a league from the Trenches. Fultrot, 
 lying in wait on Horfeback upon a fwift Jennet, and feeing him come alone difcour- 
 fing with Trijian Kojiine a fervant of the Queens , difcharged a Gun at him, laden 
 with three bullets, which all three hit him on the right fhoulder, and palling through 
 the body, laid him upon the ground for dead. At which fuddain accident, his Gen- 
 tlemen, who, not to feem to hearken to what their Mailer faid, rode a little before, 
 running to help him : Poltmt aided by the fwiftnefs of his Horfe, faved himfelf in the 
 neighbouring Woods i and the Duke being carried to his lodging, flievved at the firft 
 dreiling very little hopes of life. At the News of this fad accident, the King an.d 
 Queen-Mother, with all the Lords of the Army, wentprefently to fee himj but nei- 
 ther the diligent care nor remedies that were applied taking any cffcd, the third day 
 after hishurt he died, with great dcmonflrations of Religion and Piety, and difcourfes 
 full of conftancy and moderation. 
 
 He was a man of mature wifdom, fingular induftry, and fprightly valour •, wary in 
 Council, quick in execution, and moft fortunate in conducing his defigns to their in- 
 tended ends. For which qualities, he was reputed by the general confent of all men, 
 the chief Captain of his time. Likewife by the merit of his own Adrions , he ac- 
 quired the title of Defender and Protedor of the Catholick Pxeligion i and dying, left 
 the glory of his Name to be celebrated and renowned to all poflerity. 
 
 The Murtherer , as if he had been bcfides himfelf, cither through confcioufnefs of 
 the fad, or elfe through fear that he had to be purfucd from every part •, not finding 
 the way to Orleans^ wandred all night in the ways and woods thereabouts, and at laft 
 in the morning, neither he nor his horfe being able to bear themfelvcs longer upon their 
 legs, he fell into certain companies of Swiffes that were in guard at the Bridge d'Oli- VoUrot taken 
 vitte ■■, by whom being taken, and carried before the Queen and the Lords of the Army i H^ tondtna- 
 Firft, he confefTed voluntarily the whole plot of the Fad j and afterwards, being put 
 upon the torture , ratified the fame confeilion : wherefore being led to F^m, he was 
 by fentence of Parliament publickly quartered. 
 
 The Admiral and Thsodore Beza endeavoured , by large Writings fcattcred in all 
 parts of Chriftendom, to clear themfelves of the fufpition : but the common opinions of 
 men, confirmed not only by reafon, but from the mouth of the Delinquent, refuted 
 all their excufts i and the memory of it ftuck dofe to his pofterity, till the confum- 
 mation of their revenge. The proceedings of the Queen-Mother were much differenti 
 to whom a Hugonot Captain commonly called la Motte having offered him.felf to find ■* Hugonot 
 a means to kill Andelot j She cauling him to be apprehended by her Guards, fent him i^t''tnkiiiJ«' 
 bound to the fame Andelot , that he might punifli him as he pleafed himfelf. Which *'"'' ^^l" , 
 though fome interpreted finifterly , believing that the Qiieen had either difcovered a h^"othe ' 
 treacherous intent in the affailine, or elfe that Ihe hoped to win Andelot^ by fuch a kind- '^^'"' ^tdtUu 
 nefs, in gratitude to deliver up Orleans , which they found hardly to be reduced by 
 force i yet it is certain, that the greatnefs of the Queens mind made it generally be- 
 lieved, that fhe ufed no diirimulation in fo generous an Adion : and furely there are 
 few examples of the like in any of our modern Stories. 
 
 After the death of the Duke of G»?/f, an Accommodation followed without diffi- 
 culty, the treaty whereof was never intermitted in the greateft fervour of the War. ^ 
 For the Queen being freed from the King of Navarre and the Duke of Guife^ the one 
 of which through his nearnefs to the Crown, and the other by reafon of his immenfe 
 power and great eftcem amongft men , was always fufpeded by her i Shedcfired by 
 a domeftick quieting the troubles of the Kingdom, to drive out the foreign forces be- 
 fore they fetled themfelves. Neither had flie now any jealoufies of the Prince of Condc 
 
 ox
 
 88 The Htjiorj of the Civil W^ars 
 
 15(5-'. or theConftable. For they had fo offended each other, that Hie believed it was im- 
 polTible that they (hould ever be llncerely reconciled. Belides, the Conftable being grown 
 decrepid with age, had neither force nor thoughts to afpire to the Government i and 
 the Prince of Conde^ though in tlic quality of fn-it Prince of the Blood, for things pafr, 
 and particularly for the Agreement made vvitli England , was become odious to the 
 whole Kingdom , except only thofe that followed the Hugonot party Wherefore 
 thinking it mo/l: expedient for the prcfcnt to fettle a peace, that with their united 
 Forces they might without divcrfion attend the recovery of Havre de Crace^ the alie- 
 nation of which place into the hands of fo powerful Enemies, more than any thing 
 tJfc troubled tlie Queen v that thofe things might be effeded , and the P^eiters ex- 
 pelled the Kingdom, f who without regard dellroyed the Country, and with unheard 
 of cruelties opprcfTcd the people ) She was inclined to grant very large Conditions. 
 Alfo this other confidcration was no fmall motive to pcrfwade an agreement h That 
 the Duke of Gii/fe being dead, and the Conlbblc prifoner to tlie Enemy, there was 
 no Captahi of like Authority and cAecm, who having the command of the Kings Ar- 
 my, could in any degree equal tlie Admirals Vv?earincfs, or the fiercencfs of AndeloU, 
 For the Duke of Aumalfy Brother to the late Duke of GiiJj}^ though he were a man 
 of great courage, yet he was not tUeemed anfwerable in counfel or wifdom. Ee- 
 iides, he was for the moft part held unfortunate in the War i and which imported 
 moi^, he was at that time , by reafon of the hurts he received in the Battel, unfit for 
 labour , and the Marcflial of ir/jjar.^ though a Captain of great experience, and known 
 valour, had not fuch an Authority as was requilite for a General ot the Kings Army, 
 compofcd of the chief Princes and principal Lords of his Kingdom. To thefe was 
 added one reafon more, that it made it very ncccffary to dedre a peace : For thede- 
 vallationsof aCivil War had fo wafted, broken, and hindred the Kings Pvevcnues > 
 and the exccfTivc expences which the beginning of a War brings along with it, had 
 fo exhaulled tiic Publick Treafury, that they were not only unable to pay the interefts 
 of thofe debts contracted by the former Kings, but the King was conllraincd to make 
 them greater, having received in the time of her neccHity a confiderablc Sum from 
 the great Duke of T/z/c^wy, and looooo Duckets from the Republick of Venice. Where- 
 fore liaving not wherewithal to continue the War, fhe thought it wifdom to lay hold 
 on the advantage of the prcfcnt conjundure. 
 «u On the other fide , the Prince of Co7tde feeing himfclf prifoner to the Enemy, to 
 
 obtain his liberty, ardently defired a Peace v and Andelot^ bcmg reduced to a necclTify of 
 yielding,thought it would be more for his reputation to be included in a general accord, 
 than to deliver up the Town upon a capitulation made only by himfelf. The Admiral 
 was of a contrary opinion i who neither trufting to the Kings reconciliation, nor the 
 Qiicens promifcs , and knowing he was inwardly hated and detefted, chofe for the 
 bell: , rather to continue the War now the chief Leaders of the advcrfe party were 
 gone, than to expofe his perfon to the danger of a fufpeded and diffcmbled Peace. But 
 lie being abfcnt, and the accommodation treated at Orleans, where the Queen was in 
 perfon in the Camp, and the Conftable prifoner in the City i whither alfo came about 
 the fame bullni,is Madam Eleonor wife to the Prince of Conde i without having any re- 
 gard to the opinion of the Admiral , the Peace was concluded and eftabliftied upon 
 rnnaitinns of thcfc Conditions ', That all thofe that were free Lords over the Caftles or Lands that 
 w^oT'"' they pofllll , not holding of any but the Crown, might within their Jurifdidions 
 the U of"'"' freely cxcrcifc the Reformed Religion ■■> and that the other Feudatarics, who had not 
 M>'-.>; n5i. fuch dominion, might do the fame in their own houfes, for their families only i pro- 
 vided, they lived not in any City or Town. That in every Province certain Cities 
 fiould be appointed, in the Faux-bourg whereof the Hugonots might affembleat their 
 devotion. That in all other Cities, Towns and Caftles in the City of P<?m, with the 
 Jurifdidion thereof, and all places vvhatfoever where the Courts refided, the cxercife 
 of anyotlier but the Roman Catholick Religion fliould be prohibited. Yet everyone 
 to live free in his Confcience, without either trouble or molcftation. Tliat the Pro- 
 fclTors of the pretended Reformed Religion ftiould obferve the holy-days appointed in 
 the Roman Kalender i and in their Marriages, the Rites and Conftitutions of the Civil 
 Law. Tliat all the Lords, Princes, Gentlemen, Souldiers and Captains, fliould have 
 a lull Pardon for all delinquencies committed during the time, or by occafion or mini- 
 ftry of the Wat i declaring all to be done to a good end , without any offence to the 
 Royal Majefty •, and therefore every one-to be reftored to his Charges, Dignities, Goods, 
 
 Priviledges
 
 of France. The Third ^oo{. So 
 
 Priviledges and Prerogatives. That the Germans fhould be fent, and have fafe con- IJ^S' 
 dudt out of the Kingdom i and that it fhould be in the Kings power to recover all 
 his Places, Towns and Caftks, from any perfons whatfoever that prefumed to with- 
 hold them from him. 
 
 This Capitulation being publiflied in the Camp, and in the Court, the eighteenth 
 day of March the Prince of Conde and the Conftable came out of prifbn i Andelot de- 
 livered the City of Orleanj into the Queens hands ; the Nobility no lefs wearied with 
 thetoils than expences of the War, very willingly departed ; and the Reiters being 
 conveyed to the confines and fatisfied for their pay, returned to their own houfes. 
 
 The Eight Parliaments of the Kingdom , but particularly thofe of Parif^ Iholoufe, 
 and Aix^ thofe three being always more averfe than the reft to the Hugonot party, re- 
 fiafed to accept and regifter the Edid of Pacification. But the Cardinal of Baierbon 
 and the Duke of Montpenfum- appearing in the name of the State at ?arU ■■, at Tholonfij 
 the Vicount de Joyettfe ■■, and the Count deEiiz.e at Aix^ they laying before them, that 
 the King thought it moft convenient for the quiet of the Kingdom and the welfare of 
 his Subjeds, that the Pacification fhould be accepted and approved i at laft the Ar- 
 ticles were publifhed : yet Itill referving apower in his Ma)elly, whenfoever he fhould 
 think ^t^ to corred, or revoke it- There was no lefs refifiance amongft the enemies 
 and Hugonot Minifters , feeing the Edidt o^ J^mmry fo ftreightly moderated i and 
 it was exceedingly refented by the Admiral, who had conceived a great hope to over- 
 come the War. But the Prince of Conde being pleafed it ihbuld be fo, and the No- 
 bility greedily concurring with him , they were forced to comply for the prefent i 
 though in the mean while contriving among themfelvcs new and more dangerous re- 
 volutions. 
 
 The Peace being agreed on and publiflied, the Queen not giving her felf leiiiire to 
 breathe, having fent the Army into iVor-/«i««(^_)i under the command of the Mareflial ^e 
 Brijfac, went thither in perfon ; dcfigning, without delay to reduce Havre ds Grace by 
 force, and to order matters by her own prefence and direcftions. Whereby, befides 
 that (he was fecured from the arts and treacheries of the great Ones, and her Coun- 
 cils were more effedirually diredled to their proper ends i flie alfo gained the affecSions 
 of the Souldiers to the King, who being brought up amongft the Armies, and prefenC 
 at all Councils and Adions , was repknifhed with generous lively thoughts i daily 
 learning by experience the pradical part of governing his Kingdom. 
 
 Charles was of magnanimous and truly Royal nature, of a fliarp ready wit j and for 
 the Majefty of his afped and gravity of manners in fo tender an age, not only efteemed, 
 but greatly reverenced by thofe that were about him. On the other fide, the Englifii 
 which were to the number of 3000 in Havre de Grace under the command of the Earl 
 of Warrvick^^ failed not, carefully to provide for and fortifie themfelvesv hoping by 
 the ftrength of the place to be able to make a bold refiftance, until the arrival of their 
 Fleet, which was coming with great preparations, not only to fuccour that place, but 
 alfo to land men, and to infeft the borders of the lower Normandy^ and all the coafts to- 
 wards the Brittifli Sea. But the Queen having fummoned them by an Herald, within 
 the tearm of three days to deliver up the Town , which contrary to the Articles of 
 Peace they had unjuftly ufurped v that (hort time being expired, the Army was brought 
 before it, and Batteries raifed in divers parts. 
 
 Not many days after, the Conftable arrived at the Camp; whofe prefence added 
 a greater vigour to the AlTiegents j and however the pains and diredions was divided 
 between him and the Mareifhal de Briffac , all the authority and command remained 
 in the Queen > who lodging in the Abby of Fecan, rode every day to the Army, fol- 
 liciting the advancement of the fiege in fuch a manner, that one of the Towers which 
 ftood at the entry of the gate being already taken, and Colonel Sarlabouf with a good 
 number of Foot lodged therein, the Defendants were reduced to great extremities i 
 which daily more and more increafing by reafon of the heats, it being then about the 
 diddle of j«/y, the Town was infeded with fuch a grievous Plague, (to which the 
 Englifh through the temper of their bodies and manner of diet are exceeding fub- 
 jcdj that a horrible mortality confumed in few days the greateft part of their men,. 
 Wherefore the Earl of Warrvkk. , not being able longer to relift the force of the Army, 
 and the anger of Heaven, at length, upon the fevcnteenth day oi July, agreed to Havre it 
 render himfelf upon thefe Conditions j That he (hould freely deliver up Havre de Grace ^^f dtfi^w-* 
 into the hands of the Conftable for the ufe of the moft Chriftian King > with all the londi'tj^f 
 
 N Artillery
 
 90 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 1563. 
 
 Artillery and Munition belonging to the French, and all the Ships and Merchandize 
 taken or fciied upon fince the War began. That all the prifoners on both fides (hould 
 be fet at liberty without ranfom i and that the Englilh within the term of fix days 
 fhould tranfport their arms and baggage, without receiving any innpediment whatfo- 
 
 cver. 
 
 The Capitulation was fcarccly confirmed, and Hoftages given on both parts, when 
 the Englifti Fleet, confining of fixty Ships, and well furnifhed with men, appeared at 
 Sea, fleering their courfe with a very favourable wind diredlly to the Haven. But 
 the Earl of lyaripick,, thinking it diftionourable not to ftand to his Capitulation, gave 
 notice to the Admiral of the Fleet, that the Town was already rendred. Wherefore 
 carting anchor till he had received the Souldiers of the Garifon aboard, when they 
 were all imbarked, he fet fail again, and without making any other attempt returned 
 into England. 
 
 The Queen having with fuch facility difpatched the Grangers, fhe prcfently applyed 
 all her endeavour to pacific the troubles of the Kingdom, and to reform things in the 
 Government. Her intention was , fince the King was in the fourteenth year of his 
 age, to caufe him to be declared paft his Minority, and capable to govern of himfelf » 
 knowing that fuch a Declaration would take away from the Princes of the Blood and 
 other great Lords the right of pretending or afpiring to the Government , and that 
 through the Rings youth , and the abfolute authority hercounfels had over him, fhe 
 flioul-d (till continue in the fame power and adminiftration of the Kingdom. But this 
 defign was oppofed by the opinions and authority of many Councellors and Lawyers, 
 who difputed. That the King could not be freed from the Government of his Tutors, 
 nor have the Rule put into his own hands, nor be declared out of Minority, if he 
 had not fully finifhed and altogether accompliOied the time prefixed of fourteen years i 
 of which he yet wanted many months. With the Archives of the Crown that are 
 kept in the Monaftery of Monks at St. Venm^ amongft the Acfts of the Court of Par- 
 liament, there i? a ConlHtution of Lo«w the Fifth King of France^ (he that was fur- 
 named the Wife) made folemnly in the Parliament of farU in the year of our Salva- 
 tion 13<J3. fealed by the High Chancellor Dormans, and fubfcribed by the Kings Bro- 
 thers, the Princes of the Blood-Royal , and a great number of the chief Barons and 
 Lords of the Kingdom •, by which it is declared. That the Kings of f rj«cemay in the 
 fourteenth year of their age alfume to themfclves the Government and Adminiftration 
 of the Kingdom : But it is not clearly fpecified, whether this Conftitution be of force 
 at the beginning , or elfe at the end of the fourteenth year. For which reafbn many 
 Councellors, particularly thofe of the Parliament of Pjjj^, (perhaps knowing they had 
 greater power during the Minority of the King, and therefore defiring to enlarge the 
 time of exercifing it } affirmed , That it could not be {aid the Pupil was come to the 
 age of fourteen years, if he had not fully accomplifhed them v nor could by any means, 
 before that time, free himfelf from the obligation of a Minor. On the other fide, the 
 High Chancellor de d' Hofpital, a man of profound learning, and thofe that favoured 
 the Queens intentions, alledged. That in matters of honour and dignity, they were 
 * t-i^^t'll""^* not to count the minutes of time , as is ufual in the * Reintegration of Pupils > the 
 ""'""' ' Laws having an iim to be gracious in the favour of thofe in minority, to whom it was 
 a benefit to have the time prolonged, before they be fetled in their Eflates. But m 
 conferring honours, it was matter of advantage and favour to abbreviate the term, 
 and cut off delays i that the fpace of a few months was of no moment for the con- 
 firming the judgment and underftanding of a man > and that the Laws prefcribe the 
 age of fourteen years for a man to remain in his own power. Thefe their reaibns they 
 proved with the fame tertimony of the Imperial Laws, by which all Chriftian Potcn- 
 of tatesare governed, and with the cleareft and moft famous Expofitors of them » who 
 in the dilTributionof Honours and Offices, have, by a common rulepraftifed in civil 
 taklil^f^rhe" right, ever reckoned the year begun, and as they fay, inchoatHs^ for the year ended 
 yetr tnded. and finilhed. But bccaufe the Parliament oiKouen had ever fhewed it felf more obe- 
 dient to the Kings commands than all the reft , and in the late reftitution of the City 
 the particular Counfellors thereof had received many fpecial graces and favours from 
 the Qgeen •, tfiey refolved to make this Declaration pafs in that Parliament, rather then 
 expofe themfclves to the contradidion of the Counfellors of Pam, who had gotten a 
 culfom to take upon them to moderate by their fentences the Royal Decrees* So the 
 King and the Queen, after the redudion oi Havre dt Grace^ returning with great repu- 
 tation 
 
 •a Wards. 
 
 Tn matters 
 favour the
 
 of France. The Third ^oo{, 9 1 
 
 tation to F-ourrt •-, the 1 5 day of September they went foleinnly with all the Court-Lords 1 5153. 
 and Officers of the Crown, to the Parliament ; where, in the prefence of the Coun- ^^"Jf^,^^^ 
 cellours the King took upon him with the wonted Ceremonies, the free abfolute Go- fo.r;« the 
 
 ' r »u V- ^J„~, Ninth is de- 
 
 vernment of the Kingdom. , ^ ^ ^^ , cUrcdoutof 
 
 The Parliament of Pjirii exceedingly relented, that a buGnclsof fuch great weight minority by 
 {hould be decided and determined in any other feat than theirs, which hath the pre- 'of'^JucT""^ 
 eminence of all the reft, and is ordinarily held as a general Council of the whole Nati- 
 on. But the King being already declared out of Minority, and by nature of a manly 
 mafculine Spirit , was much the more oifended, that the Parliament of P<jw prefumed 
 to interpofe in matters of Government, which belonged not to them i and fliarply ad- 
 inonifhed the Counccllours that they (hould bufie themfelves to do Juftice, to which 
 they were deputed, and not meddle with the affairs of State, which depended wholly 
 upon his will and arbitrement. By which admonitions the Councellours being fome- 
 what mortiiied, they accepted and publiflied without farther conteft the Declaration- 
 of his Majority. 
 
 The King having affumed the power of the command in name and appearance, the 
 Queen (whofecounfels were of more authority than everj turned all her thoughts to 
 quiet and pacifie the Kingdom, which (like the Sea when the ftorm is newly paft) 
 after the conclufion of the Peace remained troubled and unquiet. It was no longer 
 neceflTary to keep the parties divided, and balance the force of the Fadlions, fince on 
 the one fide the Kings Majority had removed all pretences of aifeding the Adminiftra- 
 tion- of the Government i and already his Authority, partly by fuch no able Vidlories, 
 partly by taking the power into his own hands, was fo confirmed and eftablifhed, that 
 the paft fufpicion ceafed of the machination and treachery of the great ones i who, it 
 was doubted, afpired, by cafting the Pupils out of the Royal Seat, to transfer the Do- 
 minion of the Crown upon themfelves: and on the other fide, the death of the King 
 of Navarre znd the Duke ofGaife, had fo notorioufly weakened theCatholick Fadiorr; 
 and the rafli proceedings of the Prince and the Admiral had fo abated their credit, 
 and diminifhed their followers, that the power of both parties being fuppreffed, dip. 
 cords quieted, and civil diflentions removed, the Kingdom might eafily reaflume that 
 form in which the preceding Kings had fomany ages paft enjoyed it. Upon this, the 
 Queen bent all her intentions, (having devifed together with the King, and the High 
 Chancellor de /' Hnfpital^ who by their fecret counfels wholly managed the affairs; to 
 try all means poilible to draw the Prince of Conde from the protection of the Hugo- 
 nots Fadion j to appeafe the Admiral and Andelot •, who being full of fufpicion, ftood 
 as it were retired from frequenting the Court i and having in this manner deprived 
 that party of Heads and Protedrors, by little and little, without noife or violence, to 
 eradicate and deftroy them i fo that at the laft, as in former times it hath happened 
 with many others , it fhould fall of it felf , and be extinguiftied as it were infenfibly; 
 By thefe arts , dillimulations , warinefs and dexterity, they hoped fo to work, that 
 the Kingdom (hould be fetled again in that fincerity of quiet , to which by violent 
 fharp means, by force and the fword it was very difficult and dangerous to feek to re- 
 duce it. 
 
 For the effeding thefe ends, it was neceffary to have a peace with England ■■, to re- 
 new the confederacy with the Commonalty of the SwilTes •■> and to maintain a good 
 intelligence with the Proteftant Princes of Germany ■■, that the Hugonots might be de- , 
 
 privedof fuch fupport, and ftranger Nations of pretences to come into the Kingdom^ 
 from whofe invafions they had lately freed themfelves with fuch infinite labour, dan- 
 ger and prejudice, both publick and particular. To this purpofe an Overture of a Treaty 
 was made with Queen Elizabeth, by Guido Cavalcanti a Florentine, who was conver- 
 fant in the affairs, and underftood the interefts of both Kingdoms. To the Proteftant 
 Princes of Germany they fent Kafcalone^ a man formerly imployed in that Country by 
 the Duke of Guije^ to quiet and gain the Proteftants ^ with power befides to treat of 
 divers things that concerned the mutual inftruments of both Nations. And to the 
 Republick of the Swiffes went Sebajiian de P Aubefpine Bifhop oi Limoges, to renew 
 the ancient Capitulations made with the Father and Grandfather of the prefent 
 King. But with the Prince of Conde they ufed all fubtil arts to convert him (incere- ^ 
 
 ly to his obedience. For the King and the Queen receiving him with great (hews 
 of confidence , and refpeding him as firft Prince of the Blood , prefently conferred 
 upon him the Government oificardy^ the taking away of which was the hrft fpaik 
 
 N 2 that
 
 Q2 The Hijlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 j<da. that kindled in him a defire to attempt alterations in the State, and entertaining him 
 as much as could be at Court with Plays, Feafts, and all manner of paftimcs, fought to 
 make him in love with the eafe and pleafures of peace s and in fome meafure at Icaft 
 to forget the fiercenefs of his nature. To thefe pradifes being added the death of 
 Eleanor de Koy^ his Wife, a woman of an unquiet nature, and that continually fpurred 
 him on to new undertakings, the Queen perfwaded Margarite de Lnjirac , Widow to 
 the Mareflial de S. Andre, who was left very rich both by her Father and Husband, 
 to offer her felf to him in marriage > believing, that the Prince by this match Ap- 
 plying the neccffity of his fortune, and living at eafe, and in the fplcndor belonging 
 to thegrcatncfsof his Birth, would not cafily be induced hereafter to involve himfelf 
 in new troubles, which had already proved fo difaftrous and dangerous. 
 
 But to feparate and withdraw him from the friendfhip of the ChajiiUnnr, whofe con- 
 verfation, it was plain, ftirred his thoughts to innovations ■, they indeavourcd by the 
 Fame Court-flatteries to make him believe, that the lofs of the Battel of Dreux pro- 
 ceeded from the coward ife and treachery of the Admiral inA Andelat, who either too 
 careful of faving themftlves , or envying the valour with which he began to conquer, 
 fled a great deal too foon , leaving thofe alone that fought couragioufly , and princi- 
 pally him, in the hands of the Enemy i which things being prell hom.c and inlUlled 
 into him, might dilhaft his mind , and put him in diffidence of his ancient friends 
 and confederates. But he being exceedingly enamoured of LimevXe, one of the Queens 
 Maids, whom (flie not feeming to take notice of it J he enjoyed, having beiides the 
 hope of fo rich a match that was offered him, thefe two Confiderations contributed 
 more to the pacifying of his natural riercenefs , than all the arts that were ufed to 
 withdraw him from the sHherence of the Admiral and the other Brothers of ChajiiUon; 
 who, not trufting in the Qjeen, nor believing flie could ever have any confidence in 
 thcBi, could by no means be fccured i but continually pradtifing to raife new hopes 
 in the Hugonors, Hood upon their guard at a diitance from the Court. 
 
 The common peace and the Queens intentions were not more oppofed by the Hugo- 
 nots, than the Catholick party intent to revenge the death of the Duke of Gitife, and 
 impatient to fee a toleration of Religion. 
 Fi-ffltjjtiuke trancif Duke of G«//f, by his Wife Ann; d' Efi Sifter to Alphonfo Duke of Ferrara^ 
 rf (iu^f left Jcft three male children, Henry Duke of Cidfe, a youth of lingular hope and exeeed- 
 ^JinTd-Ell, Jng exped-ation , Udovick. deftined to the Church and the dignity of Cardinal , and 
 fiittrt-he Chirt s, tiirt Marquifs, then Duke of M-Jv^wKf, (he who in the late Wars maintained 
 ''"''' wi:/'" the Catholick League againft Henry the Fourth. J Thefe Sons , who neither for great- 
 
 ra^j 
 
 ihrct fmi.1, mfs of mind nor courage degenerated from their Father, though they were very young, 
 
 c'^'r-J.^di'l't yet being upheld by the riercenefs of the Duke of Anmale , and the authority of the 
 
 iiuiwascar. ( grdjnal of Lorjtn, their Uncles , boldly attempted to make tbcmfclves the Heads of 
 
 jw"»;'thi"'" the Catholick party: and tliercfore indeavoured to gain credit in the world, and to 
 
 ""^b' '^'"h'^- prf'itiotc new motives to maintain the ardour of the Fadtion. For which caufe ha- 
 
 f,', an., the vin>4 aflfembled a great nun.ber ot their kindred and ftrvants, they went together all 
 
 ^"'''who^v's clad in mourning to the King, demanding very earneftly, and with great clamour, of 
 
 afteJwards the people of Vari' (who ran in niultitudes to this fpcdtacle) that juftice might be 
 
 otholick'" ^^''"^ "P^" thofc who had fo bruitifhly caufed their Father to be murthered, whilft in 
 
 League. the fcrvicc of G O D and the Crown loyally and glorioufly bearing arms, be laboured 
 
 for the good of tlie Con. n:on wealth. To which demand the King not being able to make 
 
 other anfvver, than that in due time and place he would not fail to do exemplary Ju- 
 
 ftice upon thofe that were found guilty ot fo hainous a crime > the Brothers of Coligny 
 
 became more diffident than before , and were brought as it were into an inevitable nc- 
 
 ccllity again to arm their Fadtion , that they might be able to withftand the powerful 
 
 enmity of the GirCf. 
 
 But if all Arts were uftd to raife the Catholick party j the endeavour was yet greater 
 
 to fupprcfs the Culvunjis. For the Cardinal of Lorain, knowing that the interefts of 
 
 his Nephews being united and mingled with the caufe of Religion , they would gain 
 
 greater honour , and render thcmfelves more flrong and powerful > as fbon as the 
 
 The Council Council of Irent was broken up, which hapned this prefent year in the month of No^^ 
 
 vtiiru in ^■"'^'^^^ he went to Kowf, and perfwaded the Pope P/«/ partus ("who was ill fatisfied' 
 
 "^•iK^sii, with the Peace concluded in France) that he fhould prefs the King and the Quecn- 
 
 "f ^rfJ'iZJ- ^'^^'''^'^ f° '^^lufe the Council to be publifhed and obferved in their Kingdom : promifing, 
 
 ui.' '" ""' that his Nephews, with the whole houfe of Lw<?w, and the greateft part of the French 
 
 Nobility,
 
 of France. The Third 'Boo^, 
 
 c 
 
 Nobility, would be ready and united to caufe declaration thereof to be tnade , and 150 
 fufficient afterwards by force to fupprefs the followers of the Hugonot Dodirrine. The 
 Pope was follicited to the fame effed by the Catholick King, and the Duke of Savoy^ 
 being entred into a jealouHe, that the nearnefs and introducfiion of theHugonots might 
 endanger their States, feeing the Low-Countries belonging to King ?hdif were already 
 infecftsd, and not only Savoy, but even P/Wwo^f alfo exceedingly peftered with them > 
 where through the neighbourhood of Geneva they had fowed the feeds of their here- 
 lie. Wherefore they both defired, that this dangerous fire kindled in fo near a Coun- 
 try, might without further delay be extinguifhed. Nor was it a difficult matter to 
 perfwade the Pope to be earned in a bufinefs which more than any thing elfe concerned 
 the greatnefs of the Apoftolick Sea , and the Authority of the Papacy. For which 
 rcafons, they refolved to join together to fend Ambafiadors to the King of France, to 
 exhort him that he (hould caufe the Council to be publifhed and obferved, with proffers 
 of forces and aid to expel and extirpate hercfic out of his Dominions. This Embailie 
 Cwhich to give it the more credit was fent in the names of them all) exceedingly 
 troubled the King and the Queen-Mother : For though they concurred with the Pope 
 and other Princes, to irradicafe and fupprefs the Hugonot Fadtion, which they knew 
 to be the fburcc of all the troubles ■■, yet they judged it not agreeable to their interefls 
 to do it tumultuoully , and with fuch a noife on a fuddain i nor to precipitate their 
 deliberations i which being defigned with great wifdom, were not yet come to m.a- 
 turity. And they took it wondrous ill, that the Catholick King, and much more the 
 Duke of Savoy, (hould prefume as it were by way of command to interpofe in the Go- 
 vernment of their State : Befides , that this fo prelTing fbllicitation put them in an 
 evident necelTity, either to alienate the Pope from them, and with publick fcandal and 
 ignominy of their names to feparate themfelves from, the obedience of the Apoltolick 
 Sea i or elfe to difcover the deligns , with which proceeding kifurely , they had de- 
 termined without the hazard of War to attain (by the benefit of time) to the fame 
 end : but if they were by this means difcovered, whilfl they endeavoured with their 
 uttermofl skill to conceal them, it was evident, that the knowledge thereof coming to 
 the Hugonots, not only a Civil War would be kindled again in the bowels of the King- 
 dom , but a way opened for ftranger Nations to invade and fpoil the beff parts of 
 France; as the example of the pafl War had fuificiently proved. For which reafon, 
 there being no other way but by art and diffimulation to render this negotiation of no 
 effecft, they received the Ambaffadors privately at FoHritain-blean, {z houfe remote 
 from the concourfe of people) that by the little ceremony ufed at their reception, their 
 bufinefs might be thought of lefs confequence. Afterward they endeavoured by de- 
 laying their anfwer and difpatches, to make the Negotiation antiquate it felf, and by 
 degrees fall to nothing. And lafily, fought by ambiguous fpeeches, capable of divers 
 interpretations, to leave the Ambaffadors themfelves doubtful of their intentions : con- 
 cluding in the end, that they would forthwith fend Minifters of their own to the Pope 
 and the other Princes, to acquaint them particularly with their refolutions. 
 
 The Ambaffadors being thus difpatched away at the end oi January in the year 1 5^4. 
 the King and the Queen refolved to vifit all the Provinces and principal Cities of the 
 Kingdom, meaning by this progrefs to advance thofe deligns, which was the only end 
 they aimed at for the prefent. For coming to a Parley with the Duke of Savoy iij 1554^ 
 Dolpbine, with the Popes Minifters at Avignon, and with the Catholick King , or elfe 
 with the Queen his Wife upon the confines of Guienna, they might communicate their 
 counfels to them without the hazard of trufting French-m-en, (who either through 
 dependence or kindred had all the fame interefts) to have them revealed to the Hugo- 
 nots. So that in this manner preferving the amity of the Pope and the other Catho- 
 lick Princes, they might by cotrmion confent hzve leifure enough to bring their pro- 
 jed'ed defigns to maturity. They thought it alfb no little help to have the opportunity 
 to treat in perfon with the Duke of Lorain j and by his means , with the Protef^ant 
 Princes : with whom they hoped to make fo firm an alliance, that they fhould not 
 need to fear they would any more fhew themfelves in the favour of the Hugonots, or 
 interpofe in the affairs of their Kingdom. From this journey arofe another benefit of 
 great importance 5 that by vifiting the principal Cities, and informing themfelves par- 
 ticularly what condition they were in, they might take order to ftaire them with new 
 Forces, or the change of Magiflrates and Governours , fb that at another time they 
 might not apprehend their revolt. Beiides this, they hoped, that by appealing the 
 
 tumuh?! 
 
 The Pope, the 
 Kin» c:f Spa-n, 
 and :he Duke 
 cfSjvc^- fend 
 Ambafladors 
 to C jilei ihi 
 Nin'.h to fol- 
 licite the pab- 
 licatinn oT the 
 Council.
 
 04 The Hiflory of the Civil IVars 
 
 King of 
 
 frttr.ci. 
 
 1564, tumults, and fatisfying the complaints and grievances of the people, the King would 
 greatly augment his authority, and fo gain the affections of his Subjefts, that by de- 
 grees they would turn to their ancient loyalty, which by nature and cuftom they ufed 
 to pay with luch devotion to the perfons of their Soveraigns. The voyage was alfo 
 rtquifite in regard of Queen Jeane : For (he , after her Husbands death, being wholly 
 abandoned to the worfhip and belief of the Hugonots, had by publick Edids, and with 
 the Qu.tcnof open violcnce, taken away the Images out of the Temples, banifhed the Priefls, pofleft 
 I^i^^'churVh/t the Churches, and thrown down the Altars ; commanding that all the People fubjedt 
 tc.ht rained, (q ^\■^Q Principality of Bearne fliould live according to the Rites and Ceremonies of 
 thr''p'rifftv"^ Calvins Pvcligion. At the noife of which proceedings , the Catholick King , either 
 whcrcufon watchipg all occafions to conquer the reliques of the Kingdom of Navarre, or elfe 
 ou! aTorn'o' through an apprehtnlion that the infedion of Herelie coming fo near might penetrate 
 ly jg3.n« her, Jj^jq [^j^ Country of Spain, made great complaints thereof to the Pope ■■, advertiOng hirn 
 l^u'f'd 'by'the' without further delay to provide againft fo great an inconvenience. And the Pope 
 rnoved not only by the advice and exhortations of the King of Spain, but alfo the open 
 prejudice the interells of the Apollolick Sea received thereby '■> firft, kiadly admonifhed 
 the Queen by the Cardinal of Armagnac , a near kinfman and ancient dependent upon 
 that family, not to introduce fuch an intolerable innovation s and afterwards, feeing 
 thofe admonitions profited nothing , fent out a Monitory i whereby he required her, 
 to defill: from perfecuting the Catholick Religion , and to return within the Term of 
 lix months into the bofom of the Church i or elfe threatned, when the time was ex- 
 pired, to expofe her to the Ecclefiaftical cenfures, and grant her Country to thofe that 
 could firlt conquer it. 
 
 The King of Fr^«C(f openly declared himfelf againft the Monitory, alledging, that 
 the States of Jan? being held diredlly of him, the Pope could not through amy fault 
 in her, who was iimply a Feudatary, make a grant of them i but that they devolved 
 immediately upon him, as the Supream Lord. By which oppofition, the vehemency 
 and ardour of the Pope being fomewhat abated. Queen Jane continued fb much the 
 more refolute by new Laws, and promulgation of new Orders, to banifti the Catho- 
 lick, and eftablifti Calvin's Religion. But the King, not willing that any Ad: of his 
 ftiould give the Spaniards a colourable pretence to intermeddle with bufinefTes on this 
 fide the Mountains which feparate France from Spain ■■, or whilft he was bufied with, 
 the Infurredions of his Subjeds , that fuch a large paffage (hould be opened to enter 
 into his Kingdoms gave order to the Parliaments o{ Ihoulottfe znd bourdeaux , that 
 they fhould oppofe the attempts of the Queen of Navarre ; preten<iing that flie could 
 neither make new Laws , nor introduce a new Religion in thofe States without the 
 confent and pcrmilfion of the King of France , who was the chief Lord. Which 
 though it were true of Nerac, Oleron, and the County of Bigorre s yet it was not fb 
 The Frir.cipi- for the Principality of Bearne , that had been many times brought into controverfie, 
 i.oL's" nrn'or and always declared independent upon any but the King of Navarre. But the ftate 
 the Crown of of the prefcnt affairs, and the apprehenfion of the future , to prevent the growing 
 *"""•■"• difo) ders, caufed thefe difputes to be revived , which hath been fo long buried and 
 
 decided. Wherefore the King and the Queen thought it very material in vifiting 
 all parts of the Kingdom , to pafs iikewife upon thofe Confines, to try whether they 
 could alter Qyeen Jane in her opinions i or if they could not effed that , to bring 
 away her Son Prince Henry, that being firft Prince of the Blood he might not be 
 brought up in the Dodrine of the Hugonots , whereby to prepare new protedlion 
 and fupport for the men of that Fadion. Thefe be the reafons that moved them 
 The King and to Undertake this Voyage. But not to difcover to thofe upon whom they had de- 
 ^'ak?"rj"nt- figns , what was the end or fecret intention of this Vifitation i they made fhew, 
 "'*''■"',"" and were content every body fhould think, that the King , only through a youth- 
 Kingdom' ° ° ful vanity to fnew himfelf in all parts of the Kingdom , and to tafte feveral de- 
 lights in feveral places , defired to make this progrefs j and that the Queen con- 
 fentcd thereunto through an ambition to let the World fee the Magnificence of her 
 Government , and through a defire to viCt her Daughter the Queen of Spain. 
 "Wherefore with an apparence much different from their inward defigns, they made 
 publick and plentiful Preparations of fumptuous Liveries , of all manner of things 
 for feveral kinds of Huntings, for Stage-Plays, and Royal Entertainments-, with 
 a great train of Courtiers fitted for Pomp and Delights. Which things when 
 they were ready , not farther to delay the bufinefs in hand , as foon as 
 
 the
 
 o/" France. The Third ^oo^. n^ 
 
 «« 
 
 the feafon of the year would permit, they went through Brye and Champagne to the 1554 
 City of Bar^ ^placed upon the confines of Lorain) whither came to receive them the 
 Duke himfelf, with the Dutchcfs Claudia his Wife the Kings Sifter, and Daughter to The 0.1 
 the Queen. There, by Kafcalone and the Miniftcrs of the Duke of Lorain^ the Queen '{."p '^' ^ 
 began to treat of an interview with the Duke of JFittembergh^ the chief of the Prote- ftants of* 
 ftant Fadion in Germany, believing if (he could treat in perix)n with him and the other ^""""'^• 
 Princes of the fame Religion, by her Arts to draw them to fuch a confederacy with 
 the Crown of France^ that they (hould not need for the future to fear any oppofition 
 from them. But the Duke of Wittemhergh through the infirmities of age refuting to 
 come, they began (though with lefs hope} by way of Treaty to perfwade him and 
 the other Princes to receive pcnlions from the King, with honourable Title and other 
 large Conditions i conceiving, that in reafon they would rather delire to have certain 
 Stipends and alTured Conditions from the King, than the uncertain promifes and vain 
 offers from the Hugonots. Notwithftanding, the Count Palatini; of Kbine^ IVolphangiti 
 Duke of Deux-ponts, and the Duke of Wittembergh^ inclining to favour the Hugonots, 
 though more for the common intereft of Religion than any other confideration, re- 
 fufed to accept penfions of the Crown of France •, and only with good words promifed 
 in general, not to fend any Aids to the Fadion of the Male-contents, except in cafe 
 they were molefted in their Liberty of Confcience. On the contrary, John William^ 
 one of the Dukes of Saxon, and Charles Marquefs of Baden, either through emulation 
 of the other Princes , or elfe moved with the profit propofed , accepted the Kings 
 Stipends > promiling to ferve him in his occafions with a certain number of men, and 
 to bear Arms againft all his Enemies. 
 
 From Bearne the King continuing his Vifitations came to the City of Lyons, in which ^i"" '''^'''P 
 the Hugonots had fo great a party, that in the laft War it was one of the firlt that re- L" the Tail ' 
 belled, and the laft that returned into obedience. Wherefore coniidering the impov- ''"'JT T^ 
 tance thereof, the neighbourhood of Geneva, 3r\d Germany, with other conditions of "'° 
 the place, it was refolved in the Council to build a Cittadel between the B.hof>!e and 
 the Saone, (two great Rivers that run through the Town) whereby to bridle the peo- 
 ple, and fecure the City from the treachery of its neighbours. The foundation of which 
 Fortification being laid then in the prefencc of the King , it was afterwards brought 
 to perfedion by the diligence of Monfieur de Loffe , newly put into that Government 
 by the difchargeof the Count de Sunt, who hadrendred himfelf fufpedled by favour- 
 ing the Hugonot party. From Lyons the King being come to Valence in Volphine, he 
 caufed the City to be difmantled, and built there a new Fortrefs i that Town having 
 ever been a great place of receipt for thofe that were in rebellion. But being arrived 
 at the Caftle of RoHJjilion , Filihert Emanuel Duke of Savoy came thither poft to meet An inttrvicw 
 him, with whom having treated of fuch things as concerned both States, this Prince tVT^a'th' 
 was fufEciently informed of the Kings intentions, and of the way defigncd to free him- DaiioiSaw) 
 felf without noife or danger from the molcftation of the Calvinijis. So that being fully 
 perfwaded and fatisfied, he promifed fuch aids as could be fent from thofe parts. 
 
 From Houjjilion the King went to Avignion , immediately under the Jurifdiiflion of The Km» 
 the Pope , where Fahritia Serbelloni the Governour , and the Biihop of Fermo Vice- T'p"''erM- 
 Legate, received him with very great folemnity: and Lodovico Antinori, one of the rim£°sVt 
 Popes trufty Minifiers a Florentine, being according to the Queens defire come thither, ^'•''S.""'- 
 they began to confer about bufinefles of common interefts. There the King and the 
 Queen gave an Anfwet to the Popes Embaffie, which they would not truft to the Em- 
 baffadors v (hewing , that they were ready to extirpate Calvinifm , and to caufe the 
 Council to be obferved in their Dominions : but to avoid the Introdudtions of the 
 Engliih, with the Incurfions of the Lutherans of Germany, and to effed their purpofe 
 without the danger or tumult of new Wars , in which (b many thoufands of Souls pe- 
 ri(hed, and the Chriftian Countries were miferably deftroyed, they had deliberated to 
 proceed warily, with fecret f^ratagems, to remove the principal Heads and chief Sup- 
 ports of that party , to reduce the Prince of Conde and the Brothers of Ch.ijiilton to a 
 right underftanding , to fortifie fuch Cities as virere fufpeded , re-eftablift the Kings 
 Revenues, gather Moneys, and make many other proviiions, which could not be had 
 but by the progreG and benefit of time , that they might be able afterward to work 
 their ends with more fccurity, without thofe dangers and prejudices which a too pre- 
 cipitate hafte would plunge them into, with little hope of good fuccefs. By the appa- 
 rcnce of which reafons the Pope being perfwaded , who was by nature averfe from 
 
 eruei
 
 g6 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 l^6if. 
 
 15<J5'. 
 
 rt^r/dtbelX. 
 andihtQi'teii- 
 Mother come 
 to an intet- 
 vicw with the 
 Q^ueen of 
 Sjaix at 
 Btjcnnt. 
 
 cruel counfels, and the efFufion of Chriftian Blood in civil difTentions, he confented, 
 that the publication of the Council fliould be deferred till fuch time as they had brought 
 their deiigns to maturity. 
 
 It was now the beginning of the Year 1565. when th£ King continuing his Voy- 
 age through the Province of Langnedock^^ and celebrating the Carnival with youthful 
 paftimes, arrived at Bayonne, fituated in the Bay of Bijcay, and upon the confines of 
 Spain, juft in that place where ancient Writers defcribe the /lqu£ Augtifii. The Queen 
 of Spain being come to this place, accompanied with the Duke oi Alva and the Count 
 de Beneventa, whilft they made fliew with triumphs, turnaments, and feveral kinds of 
 paftimes to regard only their pleafures and feaftings, there was a fecret conference held 
 for a mutual intelligence between the two Crowns. Wherefore their common intereft 
 being weighed and confidered , they agreed in this , That it was expedient for one 
 King to allift and aid the other in quieting their States , and purging them from the 
 diverfity of Religions. But they were not of the fame opinion concerning the way 
 that was to be taken with more expedition and fecurity to arrive at this end : for the 
 Duke of Alva^ a man of a violent refolute nature, faid, That to deftroy thofe Inno- 
 vations in Religion , and Infurredtions in the Commonwealth, it was neceflary to cut 
 off the Heads of thofe Poppies, to fifli for the great Fifh , and not care to take Frogs 
 (by thefe conceptions he expreffed himfelfO for the winds being once allayed, the 
 billows of the common people would be eafily quieted and calmed of themfelves. He 
 added, That a Prince could not do a thing more unworthy or prejudicial to him- 
 felf , than to permit a Liberty of Confcience to the people i bringing as many varie- 
 ties of Religion into a State , as there are capritious fancies in the reftlefs minds of 
 men i and opening a door to let in difcord and confufion , mortal accidents for the 
 ruine of a State : and fliewed by many memorable examples, that diverfity of Reli- 
 gion never failed to put Subjects in Arms, to raife grievous treacheries and fad rebel- 
 lions againft Superiours. Whence he concluded at the laft, That as the Controver- 
 lics of Religion had always ferved as argument and pretence for the Infurredions of 
 Male-contents i fo it was neceffary at the firft dafh to remove this cover , and after- 
 wards by fcvere remedies, no matter whether by fword or fire, to cut away the roots 
 of .that evil , which by mildnefs and fufferance pernicioufly fpringing up , ftill (pread 
 it felf and increafed. 
 
 On the other fide, the Queen fitting her deliberations to the cuftoms and difpofition 
 of the French, defired to avoid as much as was poflible the imbruing of her hands in 
 the Blood of the Princes of the Royal Family, or the great Lords of the Kingdom i 
 and rcferving this fur the lall refolution, would firft try all manner of means to reduce 
 into obedience and the bofom of the Church, the Heads of the Hugonotsv who be- 
 ing withdrawn from that party, they fhould likewife take away, though not by the 
 fame means, the fuel that nouriflied the fire of civil diflentions. She faid, that fhe 
 well knew the inconveniences that were derived from a Liberty of Confcience i and 
 that it would have been indeed expedient , to have provided againft it by feverity at 
 the beginning, when it was newly planted i but not now, that it had taken root, and 
 was grown up : that the motives of Religion are fo univerfal and efficacious, that where 
 they once take footing , it is requifite to tolerate many- things , which without that 
 neceirity would not be indured i and to make a long various navigation to that Port, 
 where they could not arrive by fleering a diredt courfe : fhewing withal, that in the 
 Government, they were to do what they could, not all that they would i and in mat- 
 ters of Confcience, it was requifite to proceed with great dexterity : for they are fires 
 that flame out with too much violence. Wherefore it was neceflary to flacken them by 
 degrees, and fecretly to fuffocate them , before by breaking out they filled all places 
 with defolation and ruine : and by fo frefh an example as the late War, demonftra- 
 ted unto them, how near the Kingdom of France was to be difmembrcd and ruined, 
 not only by the Englifti , but alio by the Germans. In which regard fhe thought it 
 moft requifite, as much as was poflible to avoid the neceility of a War. Th£ opinions 
 were thus divers by reafon of the diverfity of circumftances, the variety of cuftoms, 
 difference of interefis i and above all, the different quality of the natures of men, ren- 
 dred the matter diverfe , and adminiftred different counfels : notwithftanding they 
 difagreed not in the end. For both parties aimed at the deftrudion of the Hugonots, 
 and the eftablifhment of obedience. Wherefore at laft they made this conclufion, That 
 the one King fliould aid the other either covertly or openly, as was thought moft condu- 
 cing
 
 of France. The Third 'Boo^, 97 
 
 ^___ -^^ . •* 
 
 cing to the execution of (b weighty and fo difficult an cnterprife : but that both of '5^5^ 
 them fhould be free to work by fuch means and counfels as appeared to them moft 
 proper and feafonable i praying to God, that feverity and clemency (ways fo diffe- 
 rent j might neverthelefs fucceed to the fame end. 
 
 The enterview of Bayon being ended in this manner, and Queen Eliz.abeth departed The Kin; noc 
 to return into Spain the King, following his Voyage, wont towards the Territories ^""^*ic^^l,l 
 of the Qiieen of Navarre.--, whom not being able to perfwade to return to the Rites of ciueen of a-*. 
 the Catholick Church, yet he required, that in all places where Mafs had been for- chinVeVii- 
 biddcn, it fliould bereftored ; and that the Priefts fhould be re-eftabli(hed in their po(^ eion" movet 
 felfions. He obtained of her further , that fhe with her children fhould follow the tht M"fs°»nd 
 Court i which feemed no hard condition : not that fhe was affedlionate to the Kings Pff^' ^° 
 Perfon, or approved the manner of the prefent Government j but there being at that iib«ty° 
 time a matrimonial procefs depending before his Majefty, between the Duke of Ne^ 
 motirs and Frances deHhoan her Neece, fwhom, being of the fame Religion, fhe ex- 
 ceedingly loved ) it feemed ncceffary for her to be prefent at the difcuffion of a bufi- 
 ncfs in which fhe was Co much concerned. Being therefore refolved to follow the 
 Court '■> the King, the more to invite her to flay there, made great fhew of kindnefe 
 both to her children and her felf: but his having feen with his own eyes through all 
 the Provinces of Aquitan the Churches dcfiroyed, the Altars profaned, Images thrown 
 down, Monafterics burnt and dertroyed, and even the bones of the dead raked out of 
 their graves, and thrown up and down the fields > made him inwardly conceive fuch 
 an hate againft her , and againft all the Hugonots , that he ceafed not afterwards to' 
 perfecute them moft feverely , until the rage which was kindled in his breafl againft 
 them were fully fatisfied. But the general vifitation of the Provinces being ended, and 
 dciiring to remedy the diforders which they had difcovered in divers parts by the com- 
 plaints of thepeople,he caufedan Aflembly of the moft eminent perfbns of the eight Par- 
 jiaments of the Kingdom to be fummoned for the year following to meet at Moiilins^ 
 in the Province of Bnurbonaif , there to give fuch orders as fhould feem moft propor- 
 tionable to the prefent affairs. His Majefty defigned in fo noble a prefence of his chief 
 Subjcds to reconcile the Houfes of Giiije and ChajHllon, which were Co bitterly incenfed 
 againft each other ; their private enmity drawing along with it by confequence the 
 divillon ot the people, and diffentionin the Kingdom. He thought by this occafion 
 to get the Prince of Conde and the Admiral to come to Court , to work by fome fit 
 means to fcparate them from the commerce and protection of the Hugonots, to take 
 them off by a prefent certainty from future machinations, to make every one tafte the 
 benefits ot peace, with the advantage of publick and private repofe ■, and by this way 
 to deprive that party of their Authority and Conduct, that they might be able after- 
 wards more eafily to reftrain and fupprefs them.' 
 
 But all thefe attempts were in vain. For the Admiral , who had laid down his 
 arms unwillmgly i and Andelot, who only to free himfelf from the Siege ztOrleanT^ 
 confented to a peace » were more intent than ever to contrive new matters i and 
 neither trufted the Kings demonftrations, nor the Queens diffembling j nor believed 
 they could ever be iincerely reconciled with the Gttifes. a nd the Prince of Conde^ al- 
 ways voluble , and of vaft thoughts, (atiatcd with the delights and pleafures of the 
 Court, dcfpifing the marriage with the Widow of St. Andre as unequal to him in birth, 
 had taken to Wife Mary Sifter to the Duke de Longeville, znd was more than ever united 
 with the Lords of Chajiillon. So that what the Queen built up with her Art, the dif- 
 pofition of the Prince, and the fubtilty of the Chajiillonj threw down. There was no 
 lefs diibrder threatned from the diffention that arofe in the Conftables Family ; which 
 being kindled before, brake forth now with greater violence. For fri««ciJ Marefhal 
 of Momvrancy (his eldeft SonJ drawn by nearnefs of kindred, and a certain ill-under- 
 ftood ambition , which inclined him (though with a mind and underftanding much 
 infcriourj to imitate the Admiral i more than ever openly declared himfelf for the 
 Lords of ChaiiiUnn \ profefting for their fakes a pailionate enmity to the Guifei. And 
 on the contrary, Henry d^AnviUe^ in refpedt of his Wife (who was Ncece to Madam 
 Valentine) allied to the Duke of Aumale^ and puft up by being newly created Mare- 
 fhal in the place of Brt^ac lately deceafed j through emulation alfo of his Brother, 
 clearly depended upon the Catholick party, and the friendftiip of the Princes of Lorain. 
 By reafon of which difcord , they not only divided the followers of their Family, but 
 alfo held the judgment and counfel of their Father in great fufpence i ferfng they mani* 
 
 O feftljr
 
 >*ia- 
 
 08 The H'tfiory of the Civil JVars 
 
 15^5. feflly prepared, theone to fide with the Hugonot party, and the other to foment the re- 
 folutions of the Catholicks ; by their private contentions augmenting the publiclt di- 
 ftradions. 
 
 Ithapnedat the fame time the more to incite the animofityof the paities, that the 
 Cardinal of Lorain returning from Rome , and offering to enter Tarii with a certain 
 jiuard of armed men, as he had power to do by a Brevet (fo they call it} from the King, 
 fcaled by the High Chancellor, and fubfcribed by the Qyeen i the Marefhal of Momo- 
 rancy^ after the death of Bri^'uc made Governour of that City, firll injurioully forbad 
 his entry, and afterwards in a tumultuous manner puthim out of the Town i pre- 
 tending he knew not that the Cardinal had a Licence from the King and the Council. 
 In which tumult the Admiral , who was near , feeking an occafion of new ftirs , and 
 burning with a defire to appear the Arbitrator , and as it were the Oracle of France^ 
 ran thither, accompanied with a great train, and appearing in the Parliament , a thing 
 not ufually done except in great neceility , but by the King himfelf, or by his Autho- 
 rity, gravcJy advertifcd the Counfellors, promifing his care to pacific the uproars of the 
 people, and to free them from fo imminent a danger. Which kind of proceeding ex- 
 ceedingly offended the King and the Queen i it appearing to them, that thofe people 
 prefumed too evidently to counterpoife the Royal Authority. But the end at which 
 they aimed made them artificially diffemble their difplcafure. With thefe feeds of 
 difcord ended the year 1565. 
 -^ At the beginning of the year following , the King and Qyecn being really intent, 
 
 ^ * though inwardly exafperated, to put an end to the troubles of the Kingdom rather by 
 TheA(r<:mtiy ^^'^ arts of Peace, than the violence of War, went to Mottlinsh where thofe that were 
 at MouiKi, fummoned met from all parts at the Affembly ■■, in which the complaints of the people 
 au!ic''there.'" bcing propofcd and confidcred, and the abufcs introduced , according to the advice of 
 the High Chancellor , there was a long punctual decree formed, in which was prefcri- 
 bed a form of Government, and a manner of proceeding for the Magiftrates, taking 
 away thofe corruptions and difordcrs that ufe to give the fubjed juftcaufe of complaint. 
 Ar the fame time the King, infixing upon the pacification of his fubjecSs for the gene- 
 ral peace of the Kingdom, a reconciliation was endeavoured between the Houfes of Gr///^ 
 and ChajiiHoK , at whicli appeared on the one fide the Marefhal of Momoramy with the 
 Chjftilons ■-, on the other, the Cardinals of Lorain and Gmje : but with fuch backward- 
 nefs in both parties, that there was little hope of fincere intentions, where there ap- 
 peared fb much diforder, and fuch an adherence to private interefts. For on theone 
 part, the Duke of Aumale^ Brother to the Cardinals, had abfolutely refufed to be pre- 
 ient thereat i and H^;/(-j' Duke of G////?, yet in age of minority, came thither, only not 
 todifpleafc his Tutors i But carried himfelf in fuch a grave, referved manner, that it 
 clearly appeared, though his Governours brought him againft his will, when he was 
 once come of age, he would not forget the death of his Father, nor obferve this peace, 
 to which he could nor, being then fo young, remain any way obliged. But on the other 
 partalfo the Marefhal of Momorancy^ not induring fofarto humble himfelf, denied to 
 fpeak certain words appointed by thcQiieenand the Council for the fatisfac^ion of the 
 Cardinal of Lorain j nor would ever have been brought to it, if he had not been forced 
 by his Father i who if he refufed, threatned to difinherit him i and the ChajiiVonsop' 
 pofing by their Adtions this fecming Agreement, ceafed not to calumniate and make 
 An interview Ijniilcr interpretations of the proceedings of the Gnifes, At the laft they were brought 
 r*in«Vof" together in the prefence of the King, where they imbraced and difcourfed, but with a 
 Guii-i .in<i ihe general belief, even of the King himfelf, that the reconciliation could not long endure j 
 ro''«'con'c'ii"ia^ which within a few days proved fb indeed. For the Duke o^ Aumale arriving at the 
 '■on. Court, denied exprefly to meet with , or ufe any adt of falutation or civility to the Ad- 
 
 miral, or the reft of his Family. On the contrary, in the Queens prefence he faid, that 
 the Admiral laying to his charge that he had hired one to kill him, he fhould think it a 
 great happinefs to be (hut up with him in a chamber , that he might hand to hand let 
 him know, he had no need of help v but that he was able to determine his own quar- 
 rels himfelf. And bccaufe the Queen being moved therewith, anfwered, That they 
 might meet in the field i the Duke repJyed again, That became thither with fifty. 
 Gentlemen, but would return only with twenty '•> and ifhe met the Admiral, he might 
 perhaps make him hear more : and in this fury he would have left the Court, if the King 
 had not laid an cxprefs command upon him to ftay. After which new exafperations, 
 Andslot feeking all occafions of new fcandals, publickly charged the Duke of Aumale in 
 
 the
 
 of France. The Third 'Bool{. 
 
 99 
 
 the Council, that he had fet one Captain ^ttin to murther him : to which the Duke tC- 
 plyed with great (hew of refentment, It was neceflary to lay hold of Attin ; who noe 
 being found culpable in any thing, was at laft releafed. Both parties ceafed not mu- 
 tually to perfecute each other both in words and deeds , each of them acculing their 
 adverfaries, that they went about toraife men, and had an intent to difturb the quiet 
 of the Kingdom. Which (though diligently inquired into j proving but vain furmifes, 
 at length it was thought the bert way to continue the peace, that the Lords of both 
 parties fliould abfcnt themfelves from the Court , where daily new occafions arifing of 
 contcftation between them, the things already quieted were difturbed and fubvcrtcd. 
 To this end, and to give example to the reft, the Conftable with the Marefhal d'An- 
 ville his Son, taking publick leave of the King and the Qyeen, went to their Caftlcs in 
 the Ifle of France. So the great Lords following the fame refolution , within a few 
 days after they all departeds and particularly the Prince and the Admiral, went feve- 
 rally to their own houfes i and the Duke of Aumak being left Heir to Madam V.ihn- 
 tine his Mother-in-law, who died about that time, retired himfcif to Anet^ a place of 
 pleafure which flie had built. There remained at the Court only the Cardinal of Lo- 
 rain^ whom the King imployed in all bufinelTes of importance") and the Marcflial Mj- 
 morancy, whofe Government of Pjrjf the Queen meant by fbme flight or other to take 
 away 5 thatfo powerful a people might not be under the command of a perfon that 
 was inclined to innovations » and that the chief fupport of the Kings Authority for the 
 prefent might be put info fuch hands as depended abfolutely upon himfcif. 
 
 At this fame time happened the diftaftes and departure of the Queen of Mjvarre from 
 Court. For fentence being given by the King againft Frances de Kohan^ by which the 
 contradt of marriage between Her and the Duke of Nemours , though fubfcribed by 
 their own hands , was made void > and he having concluded to marry Anne d' Ejie, 
 Widow to the late Duke of Guife j Queen Jjne , after infinite, but vain attempts in 
 favour of her Neece i at the laft, Tjuft as they were Marrying in the Kings prefence) 
 caufed one whom (he had hired with promife of Reward to interpofe, and make a 
 Protcftation in the name of Frances : but he being taken and impri(^ned, without in- 
 terruption of the Marriage , and finding her defigns took no effedt •, equally offended 
 withal, thinking her felf injured and defpifed, (he refolved to leave the Court, and 
 retire into Jiearn : defigning in her mind , to raife new and more dangerous troubles. 
 She took foroccafion and pretence of her departure. That (he could not be fuffcred a 
 free exercife of her Religion. For the King being advertifed by the Popes Nuncio, and 
 divers others of the great refort of perfons of all forts to her lodging, to hear Hugo- 
 not Sermons i and knowing the Parifians were greatly fcandali2cd thereat; he one day 
 fent his Provoft de /' H]liel (as they call him; to feizeupon her Minifter: and though 
 he were not taken , (for the Provoft gave him fecret notice, that he might be gone^ 
 yet Queen Ja»e efteeming it as an huge affront , and having made many complaints 
 thereof to the Queen, pretended that this was the caufe of her departure. But the 
 Court was full of joy and feafting for the Marriage of the Duke of Nemonrs and Ma- 
 dam de Guife s befides many other Weddings that were celebrated, made the Carnival 
 appear indeed a time of pomp and pleafure i that cuf^om of the Nation giving a te- 
 ftimony to thofe who govern, That to lead a merry pleafant life , is a way in fome 
 meafure to mitigate the fiercenefs of mens minds, by reafon of fuch great diffentions 
 then amongft them not a little inraged. 
 
 The Feafts were continued with great (blemnity for the Marriage of Prince Lodovica 
 Gonzago^ before contradled, and now confummate. This fecond Son of Frf^fr/L/^Duke 
 of Mantua coming, when he was but a youth, to the Court of France , by the advan- 
 tage of his Birth and noblenefs of prefence, but much more for quicknefs of his wit 
 and Courtly behaviour, got a great reputation i which continually increafing, by gi- 
 ving upon all occafions large tcftimonies of his valour, there was not any that furpafTed 
 him either in the Kings favour, or general efteeip of the Court. 
 
 It hapned, that as the young Cavaliers of Fr^«cf ufed to court {bme Lady whom 
 they pretend to marry , this Prince, full of modefty and prudence , palling by thofc 
 which flourifhed in beauty or v/ealth, and were therefore fought after by many, made 
 his addre(res to Flenriette de Cleve, Sifter to the Duke of Neurs, a Lady of great dif- 
 cretion and wife behaviour V but neither for beauty nor portion equal to many others 
 in the Court. But the Prince liking her, and (he efteeming his affedion; after her 
 Brother was killed in the Battel of Dreux, and (he, as eldeft Daughter remained Heir 
 
 O 2 to 
 
 1^66. 
 
 ProvoR it I' 4 
 Hfid (cjllea 
 now adays It 
 
 Jf I' Hoflfl: is 
 the ordinary 
 Judge of the 
 Kings Houfe- 
 hold J his 
 power extends 
 to all unprivi- 
 Icdecd places 
 within fix 
 leagues ot the 
 Court. 
 
 Lodmici Gun- 
 Xai'* Son to 
 Fredtric{ Duk« 
 of Mantua , 
 martieth Hen- 
 
 Sifter to the 
 late Duke of 
 lifjtTi who 
 was killed ir» 
 the Battel if 
 Drrai. Thi» 
 was Hi;her to 
 (Tires Duke 
 of N vrri, 
 now Duke Of
 
 loo . The Htflory of the Civil IVars 
 
 1^66. to the State > with a rare exarrple of gratitude, declared freely, that fhe would not 
 chufe a Husband amongft any of thofe that newly pretended ■■, but whatever came of 
 it, would marry the ViinceOoKza^a. For fhe had fuificient tcftimony, that he, being 
 her Servant when (he was poor and forfaken , loved her perfon > whereas all the reft 
 could not deny, but that they fought her at the prefent, only in regard of her fortune. 
 So this greatnefs of mind being approved of both by the King and the Queen, the Mar- 
 riage followed without delay, and at this time was folemnized : After which was cele- 
 brated the Wedding of the Prince Volphhie^ Son to the Duke oi Monpenfier^ who mar- 
 ried the only Daughter and Heir of the Marquefs </e Mezieres which was an unequal 
 match for Birth, but fhe brought him forty thoufand Franks yearly Revenues and ha- 
 ving been before promifed to the Duke of Mayenne , fecond Son to the late Duke of 
 Cuife^ thofe of the Hugonot Fadion hoped that this Alliance would breed difcord be- 
 tween the Houfes of Monpenfier and Lorain. But the Cardinal and the Duke of Aa- 
 male, with the reft , who knew how much it concerned them not to break friendfhip 
 with a Prince of the Blood, and for Eftate the moft conliderable amongft them, wifely 
 difTcmbled this injury i feeing it was impollible to hinder the Match already concluded. 
 After thcfe principal ones, many other lefTer "Weddings following, the Court feemed in 
 appearance altogether turned to pomp and delights i but nourifhed inwardly the pefti- 
 ferous feeds of long difcords and bloody Wars. 
 
 The End of the Third BOOK, 
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 lOI 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 The Fourth BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THe Fourth Book^relates the occafion of the Second Civil War : the fttdden 
 riflng of the Hugonots to take the King and ^een-Mother Prifoners, who 
 TPere at Monceaux a place of plea'ure in Brye : their fright, pght and retreat j 
 jTr^ to Meanx^ and afterwards to Paris: the deliberation of the Hugoaots 
 to be (lege that City , andfamiJI] it t, to this pttrpofe they take the Towns about 
 it, burn the Mills, go cloje under the Gates, audpoJfefthem'}lvesofthe Fridge 
 ; at Charenton : the ^ecn promotes a Treaty of Agreement, which k drawn o-tit 
 in length by many p.irlies ^ but takes no effeU : Foot and Horfe come to the 
 King from all parts : fo that having gotten a great Army, the Conji able ijfiteth 
 ont of the City to make the Enemy retire : the Battel of St. Denis foUoweth^ 
 in which the Hugonots are routed , and the Conjiabh k kjl^ed : they take the 
 Tpay of Champagne to meet with Aids fent them out of Germany '-, and in the 
 ■place of the other, the King muketh Henry D/ik? of Anjou hk Brother, Ge- 
 neral of the Army: Supplies arrive out /?/ Flanders, fent by the Citholick^ 
 King, and fom Piedmont, and divers other placer : the Duke of An pu. pur- 
 fueth the Hugonots to fight with them before they join with the Germans ^ he 
 overt aketh them near Qhzlons, but through the difcords and impediments put 
 in byhk Counfellors, the Battel k hindred: The Hugonots pafs the Meufe, and 
 join with Prince Cafimir,4w<^ the other German Supplies. They return with new 
 courage and force 7»^(? Champagne: The ^een-Mother goeth to the Army to re- 
 faedy the diforders'-) where it k refolved not to fight with the Hugonots who were 
 grown fo powerful, but to draw out the War in length: wherefore the Armies go 
 on, both the fame way : thk counfel troubleth the Prince ofCondiQ and the Ad- 
 miral, unable through want of Money to keep the Army long together : They re- 
 folve to bedege Chartres, whereby to provoke the Catholicks to B ittel: The dan- 
 ger of Chartres, bringcth on a new Treaty of Peace, which at laji k concluded : 
 The Armies are dkbanded ■-, but the Hugonots refiore not all the places that they 
 hcld-^andthe King difmijfcth neither the Swijfes nor the Italians'-jivhereupon new 
 differences arife--, the King feeing the Conditions i// performed upon which he pro- 
 mifedapardon,giveth order to apprehend the Prince of Conde and the Admiral, 
 
 who
 
 ,o2 The Hiftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I k66. roho with a good Guard were retired to Noy on in Burgundy,;//)*?/; advice givett^ 
 they fly and fave themfehes at Rochel -, raife an Army, make themfehes Ma- 
 fiers tf/Xaintongc, Poidtou, and Touiain : the King fendeth the Duke of 
 Aniou with all the Army againji them : the Armies draw near each other at 
 Tefenevil , but fight not : they march towards Loudun , hut the contrariety 
 of the feafon hinders their fighting : both Armies, overcome with cold, retire':, 
 and being infe^ed with fick»efs, fufer a great mortality : they return into the 
 field in March : The Hugonots pajs the River Charente, break, the Bridges^ 
 andjiop the Pafages : the Duke of Anjou finds a Jiratagem to pafs the Ri- 
 ver ; the Battel of Jarnac follows ;, in which the Prince of Conde is fiain^ 
 and the Hugonots are defeated. The Admiral caufeth the Prince of Navarre 
 and the Prince of Conde, Son to him that was killed, to be declared Beads 
 of the Fa&ionii and by reafon they were young , the dire&ion of the War re- 
 maineth in him '■, he divideth all hk forces to defend the Cities belonging to his 
 party. The Duke «?/ Anjou pnrfneth the ViQory, and layeth (lege to CognaCj 
 but finding it Jirongly defended , raifeth the Camp , and takes divers other 
 Towns. A new Army of Germans cometh into France in favour of the Hu- 
 gonots , under the Command of the Duke <?/ Deux-ponts ; he marcheth to- 
 wards thehoxxG--) taketh the\^ Charite, and there pajfeth the River. The 
 Duke <7/Deux-ponts, General of the Germans, dieth of a Feaver j and Count 
 Mzns^dd fucceeds him in his Command. The Prince and the Admiral go to 
 meet the Germans : The Duke of Anjou , that he may not be encompaffed by 
 them, retires into Limofin 5 the Hugonot Forces join j follow the Kings Ar- 
 my-, skirmiJJ) hotly at Rochabeille ^ through tS0 barrennefs of the Country 
 the Hugonots are forced to retrre. The ^een-Mother cometh to the Camp: 
 it is refolved to fcparate the Kings Army, to let the Enemies Forces confume 
 with time : the Army disbands^ and the Duke <?/ Anjou retires to Loches in 
 Touraine. 
 i^^y^E/'/^^^M ^''^ ''^'^^'^ things were in agitation at the Court, all other parts of 
 "^^^tr f^'i^^i^ the Kingdom groaned under fcveral afBidtions , and frequent 
 ^^^vj|i^^^^^ Infurredions. For the Hugonots arrogating to themfclves a 
 K/1f^\^-i \\fUA^^^ much greater liberty than was granted them by the Edi<ft of Pa- 
 cification, endeavoured in many places, without any regard of 
 the Magiftrates, by tumults and violence to extend it to the ut- 
 termoft : and on the other fide the Catholicks defiring to have 
 that power which was permitted them reftrained,fought by often 
 complaints , and (bmetimcs by force of Arms to moleft them ; whereby in the midft 
 of Peace the War was in a manner kindled again in all parts. 
 
 Thefe diltradions in the Provinces, not only troubled the Parliaments, which were 
 wholly imployed how to remedy the diforders that proceeded from matters of Reli- 
 gion, but alfo the Kings Council, together with the whole Court, where all the weight 
 of the bufintfs falling at laft, there arife many obftinate difputes between the ProteAors, 
 and Favourers of both Fadtions i the Marefhal of Momorancy and the Admirals Adhe- 
 rents labouring to obtain an inlargcment, or at leaft a confirmation of the liberty granted 
 to the Hugonots, and the Cardinal of B(?«rio«, but much more the Cardinal of Lorji« 
 preiling that the Catholicks might be fatisfied in their defires , and the liberty of the 
 other fuppreffcd. Wherefore the conteftations fo increafed when any thing of this 
 fubje<fl came to be handled, and the minds of men were fo fway'd by padion, that it 
 was thought neceflary to appoint the Duke oi Anjoit, the Kings fecond Brother, though 
 yet a Youth, Prcfident of the Council, and to make an order that no bufinefs concern- 
 ing Religion fliould be debated, if the King or the Qi'een were not prefent : nor was 
 this fufficient , for the perfons engaged on both fides accuflomed now to a liberty of 
 fpeech as well as of aftion , all reverence due to the Royal Majefty being laid afide, ap- 
 peared exceeding violent in their difputes, fhcwing clearly that they were more in- 
 clined to the interefts of the Factions , than either to the publick peace, or prefervation 
 of the Commonwealth. 
 
 Notwhh-
 
 of France. The Fourth ^oo^ 
 
 103 
 
 Notwithflanding the Queen ftill remained con/lant to her own rules , and the King 
 perfified in therefolution already taken todifTemble with a!l poflible patience and fut- 
 ferance, the infolencies that were committed, and to endeavour that policy rather than 
 force might at length put an end to thefe evils. And therefore by plaullbic Declara- 
 tions fometimes in favour of one party, and fomctimes of the other , they fought fo to 
 appeafe both, that things might not come fo a manifeli rupture, but that by prolonga- 
 tion of time, thofe wounds might be healed which were yet open and frefli bleeding : 
 for this reafon the King beftowed many favours upon the Admiral ; and his dependants 
 and followers got more than the Courtiers themfelves : for this caufe the Prince of 
 Conde was fufFercd to enjoy fuch an abfolute power in his Government of Picardy^ that 
 fliewing a difliketo have the Marefhals oi France in their ordinary Vilitations of the 
 Frontiers to vifit that Province, the King gave the Marefhal d' JmiUe particular order 
 not to go thither: and in this confideration, the complaints brought in continually 
 againft the Hugonots were pafled over i as alio the refentments of the Catholicks put 
 up withfilence, that fo thefe difcords might be buried in oblivion, and the troubles 
 ceafe of themfelves. 
 
 At the fame time, the Conftable who through age, and indifpofition of body, de- 
 fired to retire himfelf, made fuit to the King, that he might furrender his Office to his 
 Son Msmorancy , which the Qycen by reafon of his humour and inclinations abfolutely 
 difliking, the King was perfwadcd by her to return anfwer , That having already de- 
 figned whenfocver the Conftable left off, or could no longer exercife his charge , to 
 make the Duke of ^hjow his Brother Lieutenant General, it was not at all neceflary 
 to think of any body to fupply that place i neverthelefs not wholly to diflafte the Con- 
 ftablc, nor by this refufal abfolutely to lofe his Son , they were content to admit Aif- 
 »»0M«^ into the Council of the Affairs, a thing which he had fought after before, but 
 could never compafs i and befides gave him 50000 Francks to pay his debts, though 
 At were in a time when Money was exceeding (carce. And though the Conftable very 
 tnuch troubled to receive a repulfe, was not altogether fatisfied with thefe other demon- 
 ftrations, yet at laft he gave over his fuit : but fuch was the inconfidcratencfs of the 
 Prince ofConde^ being governed rather by violence than reafon, that asfoon as he heard 
 mention of furrcndring the Conf^ables Office , he openly pretended to it for himfelf^ 
 ■without any confideration of the Mimorancy's Allies i which not only rendered the 
 Kings denial excufable , who being follicited by two fuch powerful pretenders, made 
 choice of his Brother as a mean between both , but alfo made an abfolute breach be- 
 tween him and the Conftable, and in fbme meafure took off Memorumy^ who was be- 
 fore fo much inclined to favour his proceedings. 
 
 To this good fuccefs the Queen indeavoured to add the reconciliation of the Cardinal 
 6f Chaft/Lon, who being openly a Hugonot , and the Pope folliciting by the Bifhopof 
 Cenedi his Nuncio in the Court of France^ that he might be commanded to lay by his 
 Cardinals Hat, and quit the Ecclefiaftical preferments that he held, the Queen with 
 divers excufes always putting off that bufinefs, by offering the Cardinal a liberal re- 
 compence in temporal revenues and preferments , fought by fair means to efFed that 
 which could not be done by force. But thefe delays (which as the inf^ances were greater 
 from Kome) ftill increafed, together with the favour that was fhown at Court to the 
 Bifhops of Vfez and Valence^ whom the Pope as Hereticks had degraded from their 
 Bifhopricks, and many other fuch like things, made P/W^/mwj-, newly fucceeded to 
 Fius partus in the Apofiolick Sea, conceive a very hard opinion of the Qiieen, which 
 was yet more increafed by a rumour fpread abroad by her ill-willcrs, that fhe had fent 
 a Gentleman exprefly to Co-njiantinople to perfwade the great Turk to fend an Army 
 againQ the Chriftians , that fo being bufied in their own prefervation , they might not 
 perfifl to think of, or interpofe in the affairs of the Kingdom of France : which opi- 
 nion, though it were not grounded upon any reafon, yet it being generally believed for 
 a truth that there was a Gentleman fent to Torta^ the Pope, little fatisfied in other mat- 
 ters, was not alone moved therewith, but alfo the Republick of Venice^ the Senate there 
 thinking it not only a thing pernicious to all Chriftian Princes, but very contrary to 
 what they expected from the Queen in gratitude, whom they had fo readily aflif^ed in 
 her grcateft extremities with their counfcl, and much more with fupplies. Infomuch 
 that the Nuncio made many complaints of it at the Court, and the Venetian Ambaf- 
 fador by order from the Senate demanded, and had an Audience to the fame purpofc 
 both of the King and Queen , at which he modeftlydefired repayment of the icoooo 
 
 Duckets, 
 
 [5^^i 
 
 Pius Sji'itlus 
 whofucctedcd 
 Pmi Qj<ir ur, 
 rfquires thac 
 the CarJinal 
 nf Ck ft, /m be 
 "itprived of 
 his Circinalj 
 habit, am Ec- 
 cltfia i al 
 prctermenrf, 
 hccaufchcfol- 
 lotrcih the be- 
 lic^of < .7wil ; 
 which being 
 delayed, for 
 thar.and othef 
 tSings, he is 
 dif.leared 
 with the 
 Queen
 
 lOA The Hiftorj of the Civil iVars 
 
 li66 Duckets, which in courtefie were lent by the State for the ferviceof the Crown, al- 
 
 ' kadging this reafon, That the Turk (as report went) coming fo near them , they 
 
 were neceffitated to make ufe of what they had, and to arm themfelves for their own 
 
 fccurity. . . i 
 
 The Queen being troubled at thefe rumpurs , and the ill opmion that was con- 
 ceived of her, and defiring above all things to prcferve the friendfhipof the Princes in 
 confederacy with France^ but efpccially the Pope and State of Venice^ bccaufe upon 
 them (he had grounded many hopes , thought it neccffary to ftnd the Chevalier de 
 Setirre exprcfly to Kome to clear her of thofe jealoufies, which bufinefs he knew fo well 
 how to manage, laying before the Pope all thofe reafons that LuJovica A»tenori had re- 
 prefcnted to his PredecefTor , that his Holinefs though he were of a difficult fcrupulous 
 nature, remained fully content and fatished. She omitted not to perform the like Ce- 
 remony with the Venetian State, the amity and wifdom of which (he always made great 
 account of, having for that purpofe difpatched away one of her Gentlemen, who with 
 the Leigcr AmbafTador at I'enice was to negotiate that bufinefs : but he falling fick 
 upon the way, and dying afterwards at Milan , the Ambaffador took the whole care of 
 it upon himfelf, and at an Audience he had of the Prince in the prefence of the Seig- 
 nory, which they call the CoUedge^ he faid. That the King his Mailer had fcnt a Gen- 
 tleman on purpofe to treat of certain bufinefs with the Republick , which he was now 
 forced to do alone, for the faid Gentleman being arrived at Milan, fell fick there and 
 died •, That his Majefty commanded him to fay, That the amity and aflc<5lion King 
 'Francis his Grandfather and King Wfwj his Father always bore to the Republick were 
 very great , but his alone furpafled them all, by reafon of the great beivefits he had re- 
 ceived from it. and efpecially the fupplies of money it fent him in his greateil neccifity i 
 that he would not only fatisfie the debt, but return the like or a greater courtefie V that 
 his Father by reafon of the long War he had, left him many debts, which he miight well 
 enough have paid, and gotten before-hand with money, if it had not been for the Ci- 
 vil diflentions of his Kingdom i that if they were ceafed, yet the expence would not 
 be taken away i for the jealoufies that continued would neceifitate him ftill to keep an 
 Army on Foot i that the fufpition of War is worfe than War it felf j for there is one 
 certain fence againfl this, but that requireth a vigilance on all fides » that to this W3s 
 to be added the great fcarcity which equally afflid-ed all parts of his Kingdom, and 
 the tumults in Flanders, which being fo near, obliged him according to the Maxims 
 of State, to make preparations, with great expence, for his own ficurity : Wherefore 
 he defired to be cxcufed if he did n6t immediately fatisfie the whole debt , that he 
 would prefently lay down a third part, and in fome time after the reft, and that if 
 the Republick had occafion, he would not only pay what was due, but furnifh as much 
 more if it were required > wherefore they might make account of that money as if 
 they had it in their own Treafury : that the more his Majefiy grew in years, the more 
 he grew to the knowledge of the love and fricndfhip of the Republick, and the obli- 
 gations he had to it, both for his own particular and his own Kingdom. To this the 
 Duke made anfwer. That in repayment of the money the King might take his own con- 
 veniency, for it was lent toferve his occafions. 
 
 Then the Ambaffador continuing his difcourfc, faid. That the fecond thing he had 
 in charge, was concerning a bruit fpread abroad that his Majefiy had follicited the 
 Great Turk to fend his Army againft the Chriftians, which it feemed proceeded from 
 a Letter written by one of Raguze, which was afterwards divulged with additions by 
 the Emperours Minifters, and the Spaniards who were in that City, it being interpre- 
 ted by them , that tlie Gentleman the King fcnt the May before to Conliantinople, was 
 to this effed, though the truth were, the occafion of fending that Gentleman, was to 
 follicite the rcleafe of certain Provincial Slaves, that the King being defired to call 
 home the Gentleman that was refident there, had granted his rcqueff , and eflablifhed 
 this other in his place, who feemed to like of the imployments that his Majefly would 
 - continue his ancient correfpondence with the Turks, juft upon the fame terms that his 
 Father and Grandfather had done before, without innovating any thing therein, that 
 if he had any bufinefs to treat with the Turk, or a new capitulation to make with any 
 Prince on Earth , he would never do it without the privity, advice and confent of the 
 Republick •, for he fo well knew the amity and affedion which that State bare unto 
 nim, and the prudence and wifdom thereof to be fuch, that it would never approve of 
 any thing that Ihould not be beneficial to fr^acf, and all Chriftendom i that if the Re- 
 publick
 
 o/ France. The Fourth ^oo\, 105 
 
 piiblick would continue as it had done hitherto with the Turk, he would do the {ame i i ^66. 
 and if it changed refolution, he would follow the like Ikps, for the King would ne- 
 ver feparate himfelf from it, but ever go along in all things that concerned their com- 
 mon intereft. The Senate was very well content with fo ample a Declaration, and 
 defired the Leiger AmbafTador to teftrfie both to the King and the Queen their fatif- 
 facftion therein , by which means all the diftaftes at Romi^ and Venice being removed, 
 and the ancient intelligence with both thofe States confirmed , the whole care was di- 
 leded to the particular affairs of the Kingdom. 
 
 But all the pains and induflry ufed toappeafe the Prince, and to fecure the Chaflillofts 
 was in vain: He knew not how to leave his natural difpofition, nor would thefe by 
 ariy means truft to the Arts of the Court, and the Hugonots aiming at fuch an ample 
 liberty as was granted by the Edidl of January , could not contain thcmfelves within 
 the limits of the Articles agreed upon at the Pacification : Wherefore following the ex- 
 ample of the Catholicks, who by a joint Embaffie from the Pope, and the other Prini 
 ces, follicitcd the publication of the Council oilrent i they procured like wife frofri the 
 Protefhnt Princes oi Germany to fend an Embaffie of fbme eminent perfbns, who com- 
 plaining that thofe of the fame Religion with them were very ill treated , (hpuld de^ 
 lire the King , that in confideration of thofe Princes , and for the quiet of the King- 
 dom, he would permit the Hugonots a full liberty to aflemble themfelves in all places. 
 
 This Emballie fent by the Palatine of the K bine, the Duke of Wittembergh^ the Duke V'l^ p''"'*" 
 oi Deux-pontf, one of the Dukes oi Saxony, the Dake of Pomerania^ and the Marqueft o( Germany 
 of Baden, many thought it was made at the expence, and with the money of the Hu- ^^"^ f ™thf'' 
 gonots i for the interefts of thofe Princes were not fuch, that they fhould make this kidj: in favour 
 Expedition, which was fo extraordinary , at this time. However it were , the Am- nots'^and "l°" 
 baflfadors having firil conferred with the Prince , the Admiral , and the reft of that «'vc » foarp 
 fadion, went afterwards to the King , who was returned to Paris, and at their Audi- *"'^'"'"- 
 ence,in a tedious formal Narration teltified the good will of their Princes,and the inten- 
 tions they had to continue their ancient friendfliip with the Crown of France y after 
 which preamble, they defired firft the obfervance of the Edid of Pacification, and after- 
 tvards by little and little cxprelling themfelves more at large, demanded that the Mini- 
 Ifers of the Reformed Religion might preach both in Park, and in all other places of the 
 Kingdom , and that the people might freely in what numbers they pleafed go to hear 
 them. 
 
 The King by nature beyond meafure cholerick, and by reafon of his long converfa- 
 tion in the War, of a rough behaviour, being now of an age to difcern good from iff, 
 was before exceedingly offended, knowing fince they came into the Kingdom they had 
 firff treated with others befides himfcif, but afterwards when he heard their demands 
 he vyas fb out of order, that he could hardly anfwer them in fhort, that he would pre- 
 ferve a friendfliip and affedfion for thofe Princes, as long as they did not interpofe in the 
 affairs of his Kingdom , as he did not meddle in their States : and after he had recol- 
 leded himfelf a Tittle while , faid, with manifeit fhew of difdain, That he had need 
 likewifc to follicite their Princesto fuffer the Catholicks to preach and (ay Mafs in their 
 Cities and Towns iand with thefe words took his laft leave of the AmbaiTadors : Not- 
 Withfianding , that they might not remain altogether unfatisfied, and return with this 
 diftafte to their Princes, the Queen, to make them fome amends for the liberty her Son 
 had ufed , befides many other honours , gave order that they fhould have great and 
 noble Prefents. - - 
 
 ■ The Kings anger was wrought to the heighth by the carriage of the Admiral , who 
 being come to Court in this conjunfture , and fearing to lofe his reputation with his 
 party, or elfe afhamed whilft ftranger Princes follicited in the behalf of the Hugonots 
 rot tofhew himftlf, the morning after being in the Kings Chamber, and feeing there 
 by chance a Declaration publifhed a little before i That at the Preachings tolerated in 
 private houfes , none ffiould be prefent but thofe of the Family , he took occafion to 
 make great complaint thereof i faying , In this manner we are deprived the liberty of 
 admitting a Friend who cometh by chance to our houfes in a vifit, to hear the Word of 
 Godi whilfl oh'the other fide, the Catholicks are permitted toalFemble wherefoever 
 theyipleafe, without prefcribing their number, manner, or any other circumftance of 
 their meetings : at which words, the Conftable being prefent, fharply reprehended his 
 Nephew, and anfwered. The cafe is not the fame, for the King doth not give a Tole- 
 ration to the Catholicks v but it is the Religion he himfelf profefTeth, which is derived 
 
 P to
 
 io6 The Htflorjf of the Ctvil ^f^ars 
 
 1^66. to him by a long fucceilion from his Anceltors » whereas on t!ie contrary, the excrcifc of 
 the new Religion was fimply a grace of his Vajetty, for what time, number or place he 
 c»«r*jthcix. was pleafed, or fliouIJ be pkafed to grant it them. And the King in choler added. At 
 ^Slthe the hrft you were content with a little liberty, now you will be equal, within a little 
 Aiairai, ui whilc you Will be chief,and drivc US out of the Kingdom. The Admiral held his peace, 
 JdiAdoa"-* but was much troubled in his countenance ? and tiie King in a great chafe went to the 
 gainfttieHt- Queen-Mothers Chamber , where aggravating the bulinefs, he faid in prefcnce of the 
 '°'°"' Chancellor, That the Duke of Alu's opinion was right, that their Heads were too 
 
 eminent in the State, that no arts could prevail with fuch fubtile ArtiJicers, and there- 
 fore it was neceffaiy to ufe rigoui and force : and though the Queen endeavoured to 
 appcafe him, from that time forward he was fo fixed in that belief, that it was not 
 poflible to alter ot make him of another mind 
 
 Daily fomething or other hapned to increafe and augment the Kings anger : For the 
 Qyeen of Nji'jrre O^.ewing as much m.alice as (he could, had a little before made a fud- 
 den Infunedion at Pjmien, a City in the County of Foix^ where the Hugonots taking 
 a (candal at a Procdiion on Ci.rj>its Chrijii day, betook themfelves to their Arms, and 
 felling upon the others that were unarmed, made a great llaiighter among the Church- 
 men, and in the fame fury burnt and ruined their houfcs i and by her inltigation , with 
 the other priracipal Heads of that party, ftrange tumults were raifed at Mjtitjbjti, Ca- 
 bort ^ KboJUz, Ferigiexx, I'jUnce, and other places in Lj*^*-"'^''-" ^^^ D iulthim \ in 
 which, though no great matter hapned, no killing of men nor flieddbg ot blcod , yet, 
 as it ome to their turns , either the Catholicks or the Hugonots were driven out of 
 their Countries, according as the one party or the other was moft powerful in the place, 
 with perpetual trouble to the King and Queen, who many days together were very 
 much in doubt of the revolt of Lyotu , where through the great concourfe of people 
 that from all parts, but efpecially from Snoy^ fled thither for Religion, the Hugonots 
 • were fo increafed , and raifed fuch commotions , that the City had ceruinly remained 
 
 in the power of that party, if Reujto of Birjgo, Prefident, who was afterwards Chan- 
 cellor, and fuccefliveiy Cardinal, had not with great dexterity and courage fuppreffcd 
 thofe tumults ; after which, though the fai\ fury were over, yet the Fadions cc-afed 
 not continually to perfecute each other, and in particular, the Hugonots were accufed 
 to have wrought a Mine a thoufand paces long under the Bulwarks, with an intent, 
 whilfl the people were in thefe diftradions , to give rire ro it , and furprize the City : 
 and though they escuied themfelves , by fhewing that the Cave found under ground 
 was the relicks of an ancient Aquedudv yet the King remained not without jealoufies, 
 and fent the Prefident order to reinforce the Gahfon , and to u{e all pdTible diligence 
 to fecure the Town > who providirig with great care and rigour to hinder the Aflcm- 
 Uies of the Hugonots, they were exceedingly offended , and murmured thereat in all 
 parts. 
 
 The like fufpicion was at the (ame time had ofAiigajH, which the Kings of Fr^wc*', 
 through common refpeds and interefts , have ever no lels than their cwn, taken into 
 their care and protedion. For all thofe who diffented from the Reman CathoUck 
 Faith, being by order from the Pope expelled that City, they retired to the adjacent 
 places in FrcviHce and Ljngmedx, where they pradifed underhand to furpTi7e it i and 
 fo far their defign was advanced, that they had already intelligence to polTefs them- 
 felves of one of the Gates i but the bufinefs being difcovered by the vigUar.ce of the 
 Citizens, the Cardinal cf^rTnjgwjc, who was Governour there, caufing dihgent fearch 
 to be made after the complices, apprehended fome of them, and ieatSapjr^ Vimxr- 
 cMa poll to the Court, to render an account thereof to the King, who fent a politive 
 command to the Count of teneU Governour of frovence^ to Moniieur de Gjrdes Lieu- 
 tenant of Dsufhitte, and to the Vifcount of Joyiuft Lieutenant of LjugtudiX^ that they 
 fr.ould fumini fuch forces as were neceffary tor the fccuring of it i by which means 
 the attempt of the Hugonots at length proved vain i who not being daunted with this 
 ill fucceft, were iWl ready to imbrace any new occafion. having Ukewik hid a plot to 
 enter into Njrbcn : and indeed their pradifes kept all the Provinces and ForrrelTe5 of 
 the Kingdom in perpetual apprehen lions, but efpecially the King and Queen, who fee- 
 ing the fire already kindled in fo many places , realbnably enough feared the flame 
 thereof would at length buxfi forth with greater riclsxce , and ia Uxr.c place cr other 
 caufe a notorious mine. 
 
 t The
 
 of France. The Fourth ^oo{. 
 
 107 
 
 The Hugonots vvete no lc(s bold U'ith their pens than their fwords i for at the 
 tame time a Minifter, who was born at Orleans, preached feditiouily againft the Kings 
 Authority » and had likewife printed a Book in which he inaintained, That the peo- 
 ple of France were no longer obliged tb be obedient to the King, becaufe he was turned 
 Idolater"", and for this reafon affirmed. That it was lawful to kill him ; from which 
 impious diabolical feed afterwards fprang up in other times and in other perfon-, that 
 pernicious Docflrine , which with fuch horrible perverlion of all humane and divine 
 Laws, inftrudted men, under the pretence of Piety and Religion, to imbrue their hands 
 in the Blood of their lawful Kings, by GOD's Ordinance appointed over them as His 
 Deputies. And perhaps by this Dodrine, v/hich (bunded Well in their ears, becaufe 
 agreeable to their defigns, the Admiral and the reft of his party vvere perf-^adcd to plot, 
 not only againft the Queen-Mother, but even againft the Perfon of the King himfelfj 
 of which (either truly or fallly) he Was accufed by a Gentleman-, who (being im- 
 prifoned for another great offence^ fought to obtain his pardon by difcovering, that 
 he and two other Gentlemen were feduced, and fubomed with money by the Admi- 
 ral to kill the King when they fhould fiad a fit opportunity i and thoUgh at the firft 
 there was not much credit given to what he faid , yet being confronted with thofe 
 whom he named as Complices, with unexpedted Queftions he fo amaicd and filenced 
 them, that the King was put into ah exceeding jealoufie ; yet the proofs not being fuf- 
 rtcient for fo great a confpiracy , the bufinefs was paffed over with filence , and the 
 Gentleman for his other offences condemned to die. 
 
 To this great fufpicion was added this other accident, that the Qyeen-Mother going 
 one morning out of her Chamber to Mafs, there was found at her feet a long Letter di- 
 reded to her felf, in which (he was threatned, that if (he changed not her courfe, and 
 fu/fered not thofe of the Reformed Religion to enjoy full Liberty of Confcience, fhc 
 ftiould be murthcred , as the Duke of Guife was formerly, and Maynard, Prefident 
 of the Parliament of Par'n ■■, vi^ho at the beginning of the tumults about Religion, for 
 having pafTed a fevere Vote againft the Hugonots, was killed at Noon-day with a (hot, 
 it never being known by whom. Wherefore the Queen was admonidied to guard her 
 felf from the wrath of GOD, and the defperate refolution of men. 
 
 All thefe things laid together, and continually multiplying on all fides, exceedingly 
 incenfed and exafperated the King , vi^ho as he grew in years , conceived ftill a more 
 inveterate hate againft thofe who obftinately oppofed his will ■■> wherefore his nature 
 fuiting with the Duke oi Alva's counfel, and the Hugonots not ceafing continually to 
 offend and provoke him , he was every day in fecret confultation with his Mother to 
 find fome prompt expedite remedy to extirpate this evil, "the Queen remained doubt- 
 ful, or rather of a contrary opinion, and much more the Chancellor de I'Hofpiul, being 
 both of them averfc to thofe dangerous violent proceedings, as altogether difagreeing 
 to the difpofition of the French i infomuch that together and apart they earneftly de- 
 fired and advifed the King to be patient, and difTemble his anger i even the Cardinal 
 of Lorain himfelf, with his Brotiiers and Nephews, though they were very well pleafed 
 to fee him fopailionatc, yet wifhed he would have kept himfcIf more re(erved until 
 fbme fea(bnable fit opportunity had been offered. But there was no end of the com- 
 plaints of the people, nor of the jealoufies and dangers ftirred up by the Heads of the 
 Hugonots : all parts abounded with bloody mou-rnful difTentions i the Prince and the 
 Admiral fometimes leaving the Court, fometimes returning, but ever with fome new 
 complaints or pretcnfions , gave great occafion both of jealoufie and offence : and the 
 King being palfionate and furious, could no longer indure them ", (b that at length it 
 was refolved together with policy to imploy force, and to bridle the excelTive Liberty 
 of the Rebellious Fadtion. And the Catholick King fending at the fame time the 
 Duke of Alva Governour into Flanders, to curb the in{blencies of thofe (who under 
 a pretence of Religion, but truly through the hate they bare to the Spanifh Govern- 
 ment, had at once withdrawn themfelves from their obedience to the Catholick Church 
 and the temporal jurifdidtionj the Treaty of Bayonne wzs renewed, and by confent of 
 both Princes an Agreement made , that by mutually aiding each other , they (hould 
 Endeavour the fuppretlion of fuch eminent perfons who were the Incendiaries to nou- 
 rifh Rebellion in their fcveral Dominions. 
 
 The Duke of Aha went with great force toU'ards the Low-Countries, which in di- 
 vers places border upon France , fo that this occafion ferved the King and Queen for 
 pretence to arm, who feigning to have great apprehenfions of the Spaniards, gaVepre- 
 
 P ? fent 
 
 i'^j6. 
 
 An Hugonot 
 Miniitcr 
 ^)lint » Bt'ok, 
 and pt(9chrtti 
 that it IS Ijw- 
 ful to kill the 
 Km". 
 
 A Prifonfr 
 confe/Tcih thiJ 
 he was ihircd 
 by the Admi- 
 ral tn kill the 
 King. 
 
 The Qiifeft. 
 
 Mother is 
 threatned in « 
 Letter to b« 
 LiUed.
 
 io8 The Wflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 i<66, fcnt order to hire a confidetable number of SwiiTes, commanded all the Provinces to 
 have their forces in a readinefs , levied men in Lyonoife^ under colour of fending divers 
 companies of French Infantry into the States beyond the Mountains, and getting nio- 
 ney from feveral parts , made a bargain with certain Italian Merchants , to furnifli 
 eight hundred thoufand Crowns, with a full intent to imploy thefe preparations to re- 
 flrain and humble thofe infolent Spirits, who after foir.any attempts would hardly ever 
 be appeafcd of themfclvcs , and to put an end to the mifcrable diftradtions of the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 But the very fame reafons that necefFitated the King to this refolution, necefiitatcd 
 the Heads of the Hugonots likewifc to be vigilant for their own prcfervation i for ha- 
 ving many tcfrimonies of the Kings averfenefs to them, feeing the Pope reconciled 
 with the Queen, who before in fliew fccmed to favour them, perceiving the Princes of 
 Lor.«i/z powerful at Court, and hndingall the policies that were ufed tended only to 
 their fupprellion , if at firft the reftlefnefs of their natures only made them dclire to 
 return to arms, they thought it now an unavoidable neceiFity i and though the palljgc 
 of the Duke of Alva gave fufticicnt colour to their proceedings , yet they faw that 
 quite contrary to what was pretended, the King and the Qiiecn-Mother rnotwitii- 
 itanding the High Chancellor oppofed it) were refolvcd not only to furnifli Viduals 
 and all other commodities for the Spaniards, (who in their palfage into Flanders were 
 to touch upon their Dominions ) but alfo to fend provifions into Ertjfe and Savoy:, 
 which wanted them, and could not poflibly otherwife have nourilhed fuch a multitude 
 of people as were to pafs there. Befides this, they had advice that the C ount of Br/JJjc\ 
 Colonel of the French Infantry beyond the Mountains, who entertained five Compa- 
 nies of Foot, every one confiliing of two hundred nien, though he faid he was to pafs 
 into the Marquifate of Salnjjh to fecure the places in that State, yet he left the greateft 
 part of them at Lyons, and the reft under excufes remained in Daidpljin^ ^ as places 
 fufped^ed to be at the devotion of the Hugonots : of which to be the more alTured, they 
 perfwaded ^Wf /of as General of the Foot, to dcfire the charge of thofe Levies, and 
 faw he was refufed it. They obferved, that no occailon was omitted to reftrain the 
 liberty of Religion , and that the injuries the Catholicks did the Hugonots were not fo 
 ill interpreted as any the leaft adlion of the others. They marked the repulfc was gi- 
 ven to MowoMwy when he pretended to the Conftablefhip, bccaufe he inclined to fa- 
 vour them, and that the Marqucfs d' Elbeuf Gcnevdil of the Gallics being dead , his 
 place was prefcntly beftowed upon the Baron de la Garde, that Monfieur de Meru, Momo- 
 rancys Brother, might not have time to makefuit for it, a man who had everapplyed 
 himfelf to the profelTion of the Sea, but of the famie inclinations with his Brother. 
 They took notice likewife that when the Mareflial de Burdilion died, Monfieur de Go»- 
 7wr^ Brother of the Mareflial de Br/jf'ac deceafed, was the very fame night ch(;lln in his 
 place, to hinder the pretences oi^ Andelnt and May, who had a promife of it before. All 
 thefe things confidcred together, they doubted that the King of France holding intclli* 
 gence with the King of Sp.-tin, would at length chaftife them for their pa/t infoiencics, 
 and force them to live conformable to the Catholick Religion: and though the King 
 fent fheVifcount de JoyenQ to befiege Pizwwj-, that had openly revolted, wiierc the 
 Rebels at Hrft fight of the Cannon abandoned the Town, and fled into the Mountains j 
 yet by the advice of his Mother , he ftill made fliew of bearing great refped-.to the Au- 
 thority of the Hugonot Lords, cxcufed and palliated the things that were done i and 
 to keep them in their duty until fuch time as the Swiffes were come , and the other 
 forces gotten together , continued a feeming affedion to the Prince of Conde , and the 
 Admiral, withal alTuring them , his intention was that they (hould injoy a Liberty of 
 Confcience, and live according to the Capitulation, omitting no kind of art that might 
 any way conduce to plcafc or fecure them. And the Queen-Mother (upon whofe 
 adtions the warieftof the Hugonots chiefly caft an eye) to cover with a more profound 
 diihmulation the fecret of their Counfels, and to takeaway the fufpition which fome 
 hafty aiftions, or any the kaft inconfiderate fpeech of the Kings might give them, ma- 
 king life of the common report fpread abroad,that King VhiUp had refolvcd to pafs him- 
 felf in perfon into Flanders.,zx\A divulging and making more of it then was yet fpoken of 
 feemed to have exceeding jealoufies, and to apprehend that this Voyage of his was with 
 c«fHr, astft fome further end- than meerly to fupprefs the Gnmx, for which the forces of the Duke 
 of Hcreticks. of Alva, were morc then fufficient, whereupon flie put on fuch a fliew of perplexity, that' 
 (he made moft men indeed believe all thofe preparatidns of men and money were' only 
 
 for
 
 of Fr Since, The Fourth "Book^ loci 
 
 for this occafion , which that it might be the more credited , divers of the Lords were i ^6i. 
 fent for to the Court , and making a kind of a/Tembly, whereat many of the Hugonots 
 were prefcnt, they entred into a confultation of the means not only how to defend the 
 Frontiers, but alfo to make an offenlive War againft the Spaniards, if they found the 
 Catholick King came with any liniikr intention •■, and as it were by the advice of this 
 affembly they refolved to fend young /' Aubej'pine the Secretary into Spain^ who pre- 
 tended he went for no other purpofe but to diffwade that King from coming , or elfe 
 by obfervation to make probable conjedures of the end, and deflgns of his Voyage j 
 but the truth is, he was fent to confirm the former agreement. Withal to be fure that 
 thefe dilfimulations (bould be well aded on both fides: the Queen difpatched away 
 poll Father Hugo a. Francifcan Fryar, who having communicated to the Catholick King 
 the intention of their proceedings, ordered it fb, to give the more colour to the jea- 
 loufies in France , that he fhould receive /' Aubej'pine without any manner of refped, 
 delaying his Audience , and making no accompt of him , and in all other occurrences 
 fhew little confidence or fatisfadlion eitiier from the King or the Queen-Mother, who 
 on the other fide ceafed not to complain in publick of the Spaniards, difcovering a 
 deiign and refolution fuddenly to move with their Forces againft them i which was (b 
 excellently diffembled, that not only the common fort of people who were not con- 
 cerned in the affairs, but even the Pope himfelf fb far believed all that was done to be 
 real, that he very earneftly interceded by his Nuncio topcrfwade theQiieen, that the 
 Catholick King intended nothing at all againft the King her Son, and therefore it was 
 not neceftary to make fuch great preparations of Souldiers, who if they were led up- 
 on the Confines , might perhaps be an occafion of fome mifchief, which was not 
 thought on before. The Queen anfwered the Nuncio with ambiguous artificial fpeeches, 
 neither denying nor affirming the War, exprciUng a miftruft of the Catholick Kings 
 defigns, and complaining of him, that he had in no meafure anfwered the confidence 
 flie had of his integrity, and the care that was taken, that the Infurredtions in frame 
 might not encourage his SubjeAs to rebel i but at the fame time declared , That the 
 King her Son intended not to violate the League with the Spaniards, nor to refblve 
 upon a War, unlefs he were necelTitated and provoked firft by them : Which uncertain 
 kind of difcourfe rather increafed the doubts, than any way fatisficd concerning the 
 truth. 
 
 The Pope was not alone deceived with thefe diffimulations , but the Prince of T^'/""" °^ 
 Conde^ of a difpofition apt enough to receive any new imprelTions, counfelled the King fw"adetth'e 
 to take this occafion to make War with the Spaniards, offering to bring him a great King to make 
 number of men of the Hugonot Fadion , which ferved only to exafperate the King, svlu, and 
 who could not be well pleafed, that any body fhould prefume to have a greater credit °^'-" ^'" * 
 or authority in his own Kingdom, and with the Subjeds thereof, than himfelf i and SftheHugo- 
 though the Queen perpetually defired him to diifemble his palTion, and the other Ca- ^^^^^ 'txaf'f- 
 tholick Lords did the fame •> yet he could not forbear to exprefs his difpleafiire with the rates the King 
 Prince, and to reprove him for what he had faid, though afterwards heexcufed him- 
 felf to the Queen , that he treated him fo on purpofe to take him off from the hopes 
 of being Conftable ; for which the Prince at length moving the King himfelf, the 
 Duke of Anjoie^ being firft throughly inftrudled by his Mother, without cxped^ing the 
 Kings Anfwer, replyed in a difdainful manner, That his Majefty having promifed to 
 make him his Lieutenant-General, he was not of fuch a temper, to fuffer that any body 
 elfe fhould pretend to command the Army but himfelf, which repulfe difpleafing the 
 Prince, he (bortly after left the Court, the fame did the Admiral and Andelot with much 
 greater reafon of difcontent i for the Colonels Briffac and Strozzi having refufed to obey 
 the command of Andelot General of the French Infantry, the Council through hate of 
 him, determined it, contrary to cuftom, in their favour. 
 
 Neverthelefs the Queen continuing her wonted arts, endeavoured by many demon- 
 ftrationsof kindnefs ftill to entertain the Hugonot party with hopes, often difcoutflng 
 of her diffidence in Spain ^ of the jealoufics of the Duke of Aha, of the troubles in 
 Scotland, where there were commotions of great confequence, for which fhe feemed to 
 take exceeding thought, by reafon of the reciprocal intelligence ever held with that 
 Crown, and of the little correfpondence with England ■, for having refufed upon the 
 inrtance of that Queen to tei^ore Calla^s , with many more things of the like nature, 
 «'hich all tended to lull the reftlefs curiofity of the Hugonots. But it is a hard matter 
 to deceive thofe who are full of jealoufies, and careful to obfer7e every little accident. 
 
 The
 
 no 
 
 The Htflorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 66 The Prince of CoWf and the Admiral, who knowing the guilt of their own Confcience, 
 * put no triift in the flatteries of the Court, calling to mind all the part occurrences, 
 
 and confidering them throughly, refolved not to be prevented, but to gain the advan- 
 tage of being Hrli in Arms. Wherefore, at the beginning of the Summer in the year 
 ikSt. fix thoufand SwilTes arriving in the Hie oi France under the conduct of Colonel 
 '5^7* Fifer, a man of great efteem amongft his own Nation, the Heads of the Hugonots be- 
 ing come to Valeria fhewed their adherents certain fecret advertifemcnts which they 
 faid they had from a principal perfon at Court , in which they were advifed to ftand 
 upon their guard ■■> for the intention of thofe that governed, was, to fei7:e upon the 
 perfbns of the Prince and the Admiral, with a refolution to keep the Hrft in perpetual 
 imprifonment, and prcfently to put the other to death s then making ufeof the Swifles 
 and other Souldiers, on a fudden to clap Garifons into thofe Cities which they thought 
 inclined to the Reformed Religion, and revoking the Aft of Pacification to forbid the 
 cxercife thereof in all parts of the Kingdom. 
 ' At the beginning there were many different opinions amongfithem, for divers gave 
 
 jio credit to this advertifement , others were diffident of their own ftrength , and a 
 great part abhorred the necelllty of a War \ infomuch that they left Valeria with a re- 
 folution not to proceed any further till they were better afTured of the truth of their in- 
 telligence : but the Swiffes being already come into the Ifle of France, who at firft it 
 was faid fliould fi^ay upon the Confines , and the Cardinal de S. Croix from his Bi- 
 The Hugonots {hoprick of Aries arrived at Court, who, the Hugonots fufpedted, came as Legate from 
 the Kings pK- t^^ Pope, to authorizc with the Kings confent the obfervation of the Council of Trent^ 
 paracionj, re- the chief Lcadcrs of the Faftion re-afiemble themfelves at ChajiiUon, where the Prince, 
 wir. ^^'^ * the Admiral, and Andeht^ perfwaded them without further delay to take Arms i which 
 opinion, though with fome difficulty, at length prevailing, they prefently entered into 
 a confultation what courfe they ftould take in the adminillration of the War. 
 
 Some thought it beft to get poffeflion of as many Towns and places as they could 
 in all parts of the Kingdom , to the end to feparate and divide the Kings Forces. 
 Others by the example of the late War thought this advice both unprofitable and dan- 
 gerous j and perfwaded, having made themfelves Mafters of two or three ftrong places 
 at a reafonable diftance one from the other , where the Forces of the Fadion might 
 affemble, as fbon as was poiTible to put it to a Battel , feeing without fome notable 
 Vidlory they could never hope to bring their bufinefs to a prolperous end. 
 
 But the Admiral who with long premeditation had throughly weighed thefe opi* 
 nions, placing all his hope in expedition and prevention , propofed a more defperate 
 indeed, but far more expedite way , and advifed , that before they were thought of^ 
 they (hould make an attempt on a fuddain to feize upon the perfons of the King and 
 Qncen-Mother, who imagining they had with their arts brought the Hugonots into 
 a ftupid fecurity , or elfe believing they could not lb foon or fo ealily bring their Forces 
 together, pafled their time without any apprehenfions for the prelcnt at Monceaux, a 
 Houfe of the Queens, and at fome other places of pleafurein Brye, where they might 
 with much facility be furprifed and carried away. He made appear to them that by 
 this fuddain alteration they fhould gain that power , that appearance of reafon , and 
 thofe Forces which in the late War their adverfaries had, and through which the Vi- 
 ftory at length inclined wholly to their fide, and concluded, that though the King and 
 the Queen for their fecurity kept the Swifles in the fame Province , in a place not far 
 from the Court, yet if they came upon them on a fuddain they would not have time to 
 expedt their aid i fo the King being taken, they might prefently let upon the SwifTcs, 
 who being divided in their quarters would be cafily fupprefl'cd , and they once de- 
 feated, there remained in no part of the Kingdom a body of men together, that could 
 make refiftance , or hinder the progrefs of their Arms. This ftratagem wonderfully 
 pleafed them all , and without farther difpute they appointed to meet armed with as 
 many Horfe as they could get the 27 day of September, and alligned Kofay, a Town in 
 the Province of Brye very near Monceaux where the Court remained, for their general 
 Rendezvous. 
 
 Many have reported , and fome who in feveral occafions were taken in Gafcony by 
 i^onfieur de Monluc and put to their trial, confefled upon the torture , that the chief 
 fcope of this enterprize was to murther the King and the Queen, with all her other 
 Children, that the Crown might come to the Prince of Conde i but fo great a cruelty 
 VFas not generally believed of all men. 
 
 Now
 
 of France. The Fourth '^ool^ iti 
 
 Now whilft the Hugonots ttiade their preparations iii divers places, and whilft their ll^f* 
 Confederates and Dependents alTembled themfelves together, the enterprize was car- 
 ried with marvellous fecrecy : but when they began to move from (everal parts to the 
 place appointed, the Queen though late, and when it was even ready to be put in ex- 
 ecution, had advertifement thereof, who never imagining that the Hugonots could fo 
 ibon, or with fuch fecrecy unite thetnfelves, or make any infurredJion, that ftie fliould 
 not have notice of it long before , and thinking her felf fecure through the ftrength of 
 her Swifles who lay fo neat , was at this time furprized with danger, when (he lead 
 dreamt of any moleftation, having perhaps too much relied upon thofe diflimulations 
 and arts which (he ufed to appeafe the reftlefs minds of the Hugonots, yet not being 
 at all daunted with the greatnefs of the danger , believing her prefervation depended 
 wholly upon quicknefs, as (bon as ever fhe received the news, (he prefently with her 
 Son and fome few near about thein took Horfe, and leaving all their carriage and train 
 behind, went in great diligence to Meaux, which was the neareft Town, not having 
 time to (ave themlelves in any place that was flronger or better defended. There they 
 fent one Meflenger after another for the Swifles , who quartered in the fame Pro- 
 vince but a few Leagues off, and the Marefhal de Momorancy was difpatched away to 
 the Hugonots to demand of them in the KINGS Name the caufe of their taking 
 Arms. 
 
 Momorancy , as is faid before , in his heart favoured the Princes and the Admirals 
 Fadtions : but his natural averfenefs to adlion, the refped he bore his Father, his mo- 
 defty of mind, and the little fatisfadion he received from the Prince of Conde^ made 
 him neverthelefs hold with the Catholick party , and therefore he was thought a fit 
 perfon to ferve the Queens defign , which was to amufe the Hugonots Forces till the 
 SwilTes were come to Court. And it fell out according to their defire » for meeting 
 the Prince and the Admiral upon the way , whilft he informed himfelf of their rea- 
 fons for this commotion, whilft he difputed with them the unjuftice of the open vio- 
 lence they intended to the Kings perfon , and whilft they were confulting and deba- 
 ting with contrariety of opinions amongft themfelves , what anfwer the (hould re- 
 turn to the Queen , the SwilTes not loling any minute of the time , but beginning 
 prefently to march with wonderful fpeed, as if it had been to run a race, arrived 
 where the King was , and the Hugonots loft the opportunity of effeding fo great a 
 defign. 
 
 But the Swifles being already come , and knowing the Hugonots would be there 
 alfo within a few hours after, the Kings Council entred into a debate whether it were 
 better to ftay in the Town, and abide a Siege, or elfe endeavour to make a retreat ta 
 ?arn , which was ten leagues off", and hazard fighting with the Enemy upon the 
 way. The Conftable believing for certain the Hugonots would fet upon them in 
 their march, and thinking it very dangerous , having no confiderable company of 
 Horfe , to fight in fuch an open champion Country, perfwaded all he could, that it 
 was not fit to expofe the perfons of the King and Qyeen to foch an evident certain 
 hazard. 
 
 The Duke of Nemours on the other fide , thought it not only difhonourabfe , but 
 much more dangerous likewife to expedt a Siege in a little Town , that had no De- 
 fence but an old broken Wall without any provifion ^ or method of War : between 
 which opinions they remained long in fufpence , and the Conftables advice had at 
 length prevailed , if Colonel Fifer^ having defired to be admitted to the Kings pre- 
 fence whilft he was in Council, had not with great cfle<ftual speeches humbly requefted 
 his Majefty not to fuffer himfelf to be befieged in fuch a poor place , by a company of 
 infolent rebellious Subjedts, but that he would be pleafed to commit himfelf and the 
 Queen his Mother to the fidelity and courage of the Swifles, who being fix thoufand 
 ftrong, would with the heads of their Pikes make a way for him through any Army 
 whatfoever of his Enemies. To this fpeech the Swifle Captains , who ftaid at the 
 Council-Chamber- Door, adding their earneft defires, the Queen ftanding up, and with 
 gracious fpeeches commending their fidelity and vertue, gave order they ftiould tcfrelh 
 themfelves thofe few hours of the night that remained ♦ for in the morning ftie would 
 freely commit to the protedlion of their valour the Majefty and welfare of the Crown of 
 France: At which refolution the Air redounding with the fhouts of all thofe of that 
 Nation, they went to prepare themfelves for the next day, and the Lords of the Court 
 were very diligent to put the Archers of the Kings Gqar^ and theisown fctvants in order. 
 
 iPrefentlj
 
 112 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 An Prcfently after midnight, the SwifTes with great chearfulnefs beating up their Drums, 
 
 '^ went a mile out of the Town to put themfelves in order, and the King with the 
 
 Court taking the fliorteft way, juft at day break was ready upon the place, where the 
 the Swiffes having received him and the Queen , with the Ambafladors of Foreign' 
 Princes , and all the Ladies of the Court into the midft of their Battalion , began to 
 march with fuch a fiercenefs and bravery, that in many years frame had not feen fo 
 remarkable a fpedacle. 
 
 They liad not marched thus above two miles, (the Duke of Nemours with the Horfe 
 of the Kings Guard going before, and the Conftable with the Gentlemen of the Court 
 following after the Battalion ) when they faw fome Troops appear of the Hugonots 
 Colonel T\[tr Hotfc which advanced a good pace to charge them. The Swiffes clofed their ranks 
 with«ooo and charging their Pikes, (hewed fuch an undaunted courage to receive theaffault of 
 fhc'King^he the Encmy, that the Prince of Conde and the Admiral being come up to the Rear with 
 Quten,°and 3 p^jfy of fix hundrcd Horfe, making caracols, and wheeling about the field, durft 
 ml\i°Txom^i not charge their Battalion , who flanding in a very clofe order , and fiercely (haking 
 great Army ^of thgjjpjkts, fhcwcd little fcar of the fury of their Horfe : But the Count de la Jxoche- 
 and irarcinnR fflu-cault with a Ttoop of thtec hundrcd Horfe, and Andelut with another of two hun- 
 o"rd"r'fi"htm<^ drcd bciug joined with them, they returned furioufly to charge them again in the Rear. 
 w.th th? Enc" At the fame inftant the Swiffes with admirable nimblenefs faced about to fight, and the 
 tTcm fafc "0' King with great ardour fpurred on his Horfe to the front of the Battail , being fol- 
 imi. lowed by the chief Lords of the Court , but for the moll part without any weapons 
 
 but their Swords, none of them finding in fuch hafte Arms either defenfive or offen- 
 five fit for fuch an occalion. The Hugonots made fome (hot as if they meant to fall 
 in upon them in good carneft \ but feeing the frank refolution of the Swiffes , they 
 wheeled off, and caracolled again, and began to keep at a diftance. Thus fometimes 
 advancing, fometimes making a ftand to receive the charge of the enemy who followed 
 them in the Rear feven Leagues together, they kept on their way with an admirable 
 eonftancy, till the Hugonot Captains being wearied, and feeing they could do no good, 
 partly through the daring courage of the Swiffes , partly becaufe their Forces arrived 
 not foon enough at the place appointed , left off purfuing them , and perceiving thf 
 night draw on, retired to lodge ift the adjacent Villages : which when the Catholick 
 Lords knew, (not to expofe themfelves the next day to a greater hazard) they re- 
 folved, leaving the Conllable and the Duke of Nemours with the Swiffes , that the 
 King and Queen (hould go on towards Park , which they did with more than an or- 
 dinary pace , not without fome fear, and very much danger i for if the encmy had 
 been advertifed thereof, and fent but two hundred Horfe before to lie in their way, 
 they might very eafily have taken them. All that were prefent were exceedingly 
 moved to fee the Queen with all her Sons fo invirohed by their Enemies, that in an 
 inftant all the Royal Family might have been loft, and it was a great chance it fell out 
 otherwife , nor lefs good fortune that the Swiffes had fuch an addrefs j for without 
 them it had been impoffible to efcape the hands of the Enemy. 
 
 The King being come to Paris ^ was received with great joy of the people, even 
 
 fhedditig tears through tendernefs v and the Duke o( Aumale, who was there before, 
 
 vvfeiit wit'h three hufidred Horfe that he had gotten together to meet the Swiffes, who 
 
 arrived not till after rtiidnighf in the Suburbs. The next morning they entered the 
 
 City with the fame Order and bravery , being received by the King himfelf at St. Mar- 
 
 tmGat^i who hiving highly commended their valour, and made them a donative of 
 
 a pay, the reward of Conquerours, they were fent back to the Suburbs, where Quar- 
 
 ordin 1 *"^ ^^'6 provided foir them. ' 
 
 ofLor.mfaves ' The Ordinal of iLl^-aw, of whom th€ Hugonots had a principal defign to rid them- 
 
 fli"ht'ftom f^lvfs,' at -the fame time the King and Queen marched away, went with a fmall traiit 
 
 thlHugoITots. outi-bf the great road through by-ways towards- his ArchbiOioprick of Rhams in 
 
 The Hugonots Cham^ne^ and falling unawares into certain Hugohot-Troops which were gathering 
 
 fiJ»I:%^?i!!'' *"g«ne»in.thofc parts, kavmg his coaches, and lofing his baggage, with much diffi- 
 
 fiop the paffi- cuUf.faVied himfelf- by' flight. ■' 
 
 rrovTfionf7rc ' '^^'^^ ^^^ Princcind the Admiral ^ though they faw the miferable ill fuccefs of their 
 conveyed to dcf<gfi^ ; ^hich wholly depended lipon expedition and prevention, yet they rcfolved 
 inc'J^nonrimo ^h^y, would bcfiegeP^m, being of opinion that a- City fo replenifhed with people, and 
 the Suburbs, tiot ol all'fumilhed' witK viduals, would in few days be brought to fuch extremity, that 
 and^buM the it-iTM(tibie delivered' up to them of neceffuy, for there was not any Army ready that
 
 of France. The Fourth 'Bool^, 115 
 
 was not any Army ready that was able to fuccour or relieve it. To this end they be- 15^7* 
 gan to pofiTefs themfelves of all the palTagcs of the Rivers, by which provifions are con- 
 veyed to Pari^ , fortifying and placing Guards in all the little Towns about the City, 
 which being but weak , and unprovided of any defence , in this fudden commotion 
 were with little delay, and lefs pains reduced into their power i fo that being Matters 
 of Montereau, Lagny, S. P<?«w, the Bridge of S. CloufJ, Dammartine^ and all the places 
 thereabout , the Hfth of OUober they made incurfions even to the walls of Taris^ and 
 burnt the windmils without the Ramparts , between S. Homre''s gate and the port de 
 lemple^ with great terrour to theParifians, and extream offence to the King, who in 
 the heat of paliion, could not forbear with threats and rough language to exprefs an 
 anger full of revenge. In the mean while, the Qyeen , upon whofe prudence and 
 care the whole welfare of the State depended, imployed all her induftry to get an Ar- 
 my foon enough together , to raife the enemy from the Siege. To which purpofe, 
 belides the general order given all over the Kingdom, that the Catholicks fhould take 
 arms , the Colonels Brijfac and Strozzi were fent for in all diligence with the old 
 French Infantry , the Sieurs de Sanfac, Savigny, Javanes, and Martigues , with the 
 Gens d' Arms ^ the Duke oi GuiJ'e from his Government of Champagne, the grand 
 Prior from that of Aitvergne, the Mareflial d'AnviUe with the Forces of his Family, and 
 particular Orders and Letters direded to all the Catholick Lords and Gentlemen 
 of the Kingdom, to haften them away, who at the firft report of the Kings danger in- 
 flantly ran together i wherefore though the occafion were prelTing and urgent, yet it 
 was hoped all thefe aids would arrive before the City were reduced to an extream ne- 
 ceflity, which by the help of the SwifTes, and readinefs of the Parifians was able to hold 
 out many days. But the thing that troubled the Queen, was the great Icarcity of mo- 
 ney : wherefore having called together the Catholick Princes Ambaffadors that were 
 xcfident at Court, fhe very effectually recommended to them the prefent occafions of 
 the State, and defired everyone of them to procure fome convenient aid from their 
 Mafters : nor content with this, difpatched away Annibal Kuccelai port into Italy, to 
 get what confiderable Sum he could of the Pope and the great Duke : with Giovanni 
 Corraro the Venetian Ambaffador, (he treated in private with great (hew of confidence, 
 to difpofethe Senate to lend looooo Ducats: To the Duke oi Ferrara fhe writ very 
 carneltly that he would give her leave to make ufeof looooo Francks and more that 
 remained in France to fatisfie certain debts j and into Spatn fent Monfieur de Malafife 
 to the fame purpofe. But forefeeing the flownefs of thefe Supplies in refpedl of the 
 urgency of the prefent occafions, the King calling together the chief Citizens of ?«m, 
 (obtained of them 400000 Francks i and it fell out very opportunely, that the Prelates 
 being affembled at the fame time in ?arps, to confult of the affairs of the Clergy, agreed 
 among themfelves to make the King a prefent of 250000 Crowns towards the prefenc 
 maintenance of the War : belides thefe provifions which were prefently brought in, 
 (the King being informed that certain Merchants fent doooo Reals of Eight into 
 'FUnders, and exceedingly offended that they would not furnilh him with any part 
 of it, caufed the money to be liopt, which was an exceeding help in fo preiling a ne- 
 ceility 
 
 Neverthelcfs the Queen , to protracft the time till fupplicS of men and other necef^ 
 fary provifions arrived, and to abate the fervour of the Enemy, being conftrained to 
 have recourfe to her wonted arts , excellently diffembling thofe (b frefli injuries, and 
 the late danger (he paffed, began to make overture of a Treaty for an Accommoda- 
 tion by Monfieur de S. Sttlpice, a perfon in whom (he repofed much confidence , and 
 that was not ill thought of by theHugonots, who not (hewing themfelves altogether 
 averfe from peace, there went to them in a place equally diftant from both Armies the 
 High Chancellor, the Mare(hal of Momorancy, and la Vieux-ViUe , Monfieur df Mor- 
 ■viUiers, and the Bi(hop of Liwugw i to whom though theypropofed infolcnt exorbitant 
 conditions, fuch as Conquerours ufe toimpofe upon the Conquered i yet to gain the 
 benefit of time, they artificially fpun out the Treaty (till, giving them hopes of con- 
 defcending to their defires. 
 
 The Propofitions of the Hugonots were thefe : That the Queen-Mother (hould have 
 nothing to do in the Government : That thofe who till then had managed the affairs, 
 fiiould render an account to them of their proceedings : That the King (hould dif- 
 faand all his Forces : That all ftrangers (hould be fent out of the Kingdom, and parti- 
 cularly the Italians , to whom they attributed the invention of their new Impolitions 
 
 'Q_ and
 
 114 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil If^ars 
 
 A '^-Gjbelles : That the Edid oi January fhould be reauthorized, and pundually 
 *An?£*of ^fervfid with a free exercifc of the Hugonot Religion in all places, and particularly 
 impofition, c- . ^^^j^ . jhat Mctz, Calais, and Havre de Grace , fliould be configned to them for 
 whkh".''sr^'''i their fccuricy : That all Taxes fliould be taken away ; That a general AfTembly of 
 unto the King jj,£ gfatcs fliould bc callcd : That Juftice fliould be done them againft the Princes of 
 upon faic ot Qifife^ by whom they faid they were perfecuted and calumniated, and other things not 
 unlike thefcj which fceming rather ridiculous than matter of hate, chiefly that Article 
 in which they demanded a prefent disbanding of the Kings Forces, whilft they had an 
 Army on foot at the Gates of Furls, afforded no hopes at all of an accommodation : yet 
 the Queen fending every day new perfons to treat, according to her delign, drew out 
 thebuiinefs in length, and gained time to free her felf from fo great an exigence. 
 Nor were thefe delays difpleafing to the Hugonots-, who thinking it more probable to 
 prevail by a Siege , than by flrength , did what they could to flop all the pafTages to 
 the City, hoping rather by famine than force to reduce it into their powers i and in 
 the mean while expefted a fupply of men from their party, which were raiting with 
 exceeding diligence in all parts of the Kingdom. But thefe aids that were hoped for 
 on both fides , bred grievous and dangerous Infurredions in the Provinces : For in 
 Normandy, Picardy, and Champagne, (which lie neareft to Paris, and environ it on all 
 fides) the Hugonots were aflembled together in great multitudes, with a refolution 
 to fuccour their party, and the Governours did the fame for the King ■■> fo that being 
 kept in play there, they could not go to join with the Army before Paris : by which 
 commotions the Villages and Towns were peftered with Souldiers , and the ways fo 
 broken, that all intercourfe and traffick was hindered and deftroyed. 
 The City of At the fame time the Hugonots poflTeft themfelves of the City of Orleans and the 
 a-'a'inV'h'" Fortrefs > which being fcarcely finiflied, and ill guarded, was eaflly reduced into theic 
 ifugonms and powcr. The taking ofthis placc was of Very great importance j for belides the bene- 
 dwctt othcri. ^^ ^^ having fo confiderable a City fo near Paris, they found there three Cannons and 
 five Culverins, which was very advantageous to the Army, that before had never ai 
 piece of Artillery. In Burgundy they took Auxerre and Mafcon, but the laft not with- 
 out fome blood, for the Catholicks made a valiant refiftance. In Vaulphine they got 
 Valence ■■, Lyons was full of tumults, and the Sieur de Ponfenac taking arms in their fa-« 
 vour, brake the ways , and fomented the commotions within the City. The Count 
 de Montgomery furprized Ejiampes , which was of fo much more confequence, becaufc 
 near Paris. In Languedoc, Nifmes and Montpellier were revolted to the Hugonots. Metz^ 
 a flrong place of very great importance upon the Frontiers of Lorain, was upon the 
 point of revoking, Monfieur de Difans who commanded the Garifbn, having declared 
 himfelf for the Hugonots : whereupon not only the Marelhal de la Vieux-ViUe the Go^ 
 vernour of that place was conftrained to leave the Court, but the Duke of Gutfe alfb 
 took a refolution to march that way. Upon the coafts of the Ocean they made them-« 
 felves Mafters of Viepe s and in Gafcony they were fo flrong , that Moniieur de Monlue 
 having fuch an enemy to deal with, could not fend thofe aids that were intended to 
 Paris, 
 
 Thefe ftirs that were not without much blood-fhed, rapine, and frequent encoun- 
 ters, retarded for fome days both the Kings fupplies, and the recruiting of the Hu- 
 gonots Army. But the firft that arrived, were the Kings Forces ■■, for limoleon Count 
 of BriJJac, and Philip Strozzi who commanded the Infantry, though Andelot and Muy 
 (having left the Camp on purpofe, lay in the way to hinder their pafTage, yet) coaft- 
 ing the Country through Woods and Vineyards, and having carriages to flank them, 
 arrived fafe in Paris with four Regiments of Foot > and the Catholick Nobility at the 
 news of the Kings feeing befieged , came together from all parts in great diligence to 
 the Court. '•■'-,:.. 
 
 The King having now no more occafion to difTemble, fent an Herauld to fummon 
 the Prince and the reft of his Confederates afTembled at St. Vennis, within the fpace 
 of four and twenty hours to lay down their arms and return to their obedience, or 
 €lfe to pronounce them Rebels and Traytors. At the appearance of the Herauld, who 
 Pfoi\ght the Summons in writing , the Prince of Conde in a fury protefted. If he [aid 
 "«> *^ing that toucht upon his Honour, heveouldfrefentlycaufe himto be hanged: to which 
 the Herauld knowing himfelf backed with the Fvoyal Authority, anfweted boldly, I am 
 Jent from your Majier and mine, nor fiiaU words terrifie me from execnting my Commiffion > 
 jjnq put the Writing in his hand , which being read, the Prince faid he would return 
 . . an
 
 of France. The Fourth "Book. 
 
 »i5 
 
 an anfwer within three days j but the Herauld replyed with the like boldnefs as before^ 
 that he muft refolve within four and twenty hours : fo that the fame Herauld being 
 fent again the next day, carried back an anfwer in much milder terms than ordinary, 
 the Heads of the Hugonots profeiling, 1 hey were refolved jlill to remain his Majejiies 
 loyal Subjecis^ nor to defire any thing but the confervation of their Prop-iety, their Religion^ 
 and their Lives \ and only demanded fuch conditions as they thought necejfary for fecttrity 
 of the fame , which they VDould ever acknowledge as teftimonies of his Royal favour and 
 goodntfs. 
 
 This kind of proceeding renewed the hopes of an Accommodation ; whereupon it 
 was concluded, that the ConftabJe fliould the next day have a conference with fome 
 principal perfons of that party v Co that going out of the City with about two thou- 
 fand Horfe, when he was in the mid-way toward St. Denis, he commanded his com- 
 pany to ftand, and advanced himfelf^ accompanied only by the Marefhal de Cojfe, his 
 Son Momorancy, and /' Aitbefpine Secretary of State. The fame was done by the other 
 lidev for the reft ftaying behind, the Prince, the Admiral, the Cardinal of C^hi/o«, 
 Ro^he-foH-cault and Andelot came to meet them. The Prince fpake very modeftly, 
 though he departed not at all from the conditions already propofed i but the Cardinal 
 of ChajiiUon told the Conftable , who perfwaded him to relie upon the Kings word, 
 without feeking any further fecurity for their Propriety and Lives, that they could not 
 truli to the King, and much lefs to him, who had broken his word, and was anoc- 
 cafion of the prefent calamities, by having counfelled his Majefty to violate the Edi<9: 
 of Pacification. Whereupon the Conftable gave him the Lye , and fo they parted 
 with ill language, no hopes remaining of an agreement. Wherefore the King having 
 called together the Princes, Knights of the Order, C aptains of the Gens d' Arms^ and 
 Colonels of Foot, in the prefence of many of the Nobility and others, made a Speech 
 full of couragious refolute expreflions, in which he told them, That there wis nothing 
 he defired more thjn the peace and quiet ofhisSubjeCis, which had induced him to grant the 
 Hugonots many things repugnant to his own inclination^, and contrary to his nature ■, but 
 notwithji -induig fa many graces and priviledges , fome of them abufing his favours, with 
 divers fcandalous imputations foitght to raife a Rebellion in the Kingdom, and were grown 
 fo bold in their wick^dnejs, that they durji confpire againjl him, the ^sen and his Brothers^ 
 for which enormous I'reafon he might jujily chajiife and cut them off; neverthelefs, nothing 
 altering him from his firft refolution, on the contrary, to the prejudice of his own Authority^ 
 and to the diminution of the Royal Dignity, he had fent fome of the principal perfons in ths 
 Kingdom to treat with them, to whom they were not ajhamed to mak^ thofe Propofitions which 
 were already well k^town to every body:therefore he had at length determined to have that by force, 
 which he could not obtain by their confents i and that he was confident eaftly to effed his de- 
 fires by the ajjijlance of thnfe Lords he faw there about him , who having been ever faithful 
 to the Kings his Predecejfors, he hoped would not abandon him now info great a necejjity, and 
 in fo lawful and juii a cauje y wherefore he defred them couragioufly to imbrace the occafwn 
 of meriting both from their King and Country , and not to confider thofe dangers to which he 
 would firji expoCe his own Perfon for the prefervation of the Commonwealth. 
 
 The Conftable anfwering for all, faid, Intreaties were not neccffary, for every one 
 there was ready to venture his life and fortune in his Majefties fervice : and then turn- 
 ing about to the Nobility, continued his Speech in this manner ; Gentlemen^ there is 
 ti9 fuch true real Nobility as that which is acquired by Vertue j and you that are born.Centle- 
 men, not to degenerate from your Anceliors, cannot better imploy your felves than in defence 
 tif our King againji thofe, who to mal{e a King for their turns, endeavour to extinguijh thir 
 Race. Be refolute then, and as with one accord you invhron his Majejiy in this place, pre^ 
 pare your felves with your Courage and Vertue to encompafs him in Arms j and I tpho have 
 the charge of the Militia , though I am old , promife to be the firji to affail the Enemy, 
 Which Exhortations were followed by general Acclamations and confent of all that 
 were prefent, though for the moft part it was believed the Conftable and his, more in 
 words than in deeds favoured the Kings party, and gave too willing an car to the dip- 
 courfes of the Hugonots, who were no lefs hated by the Nobility, than detefted by the 
 Parifians, and not without rcafbn. 
 
 The City began to feel the incommodities of a Siege, and fu/Fered cxfreamly through 
 want of Viftuals i for the Admiral in a bravery at Noon-day, in the face of the Kings 
 Army, pofTcffed himfelfof the Bridge ztcharenton, a league diftant from the Walls, 
 whereby the paffage of the River being cut off,, all manner of proviCon began to be 
 
 CL2 at 
 
 15^7. 
 
 TheCondable 
 comes to par- 
 ley with the 
 Hu°onotS; the 
 Ije paffeth be- 
 tween him and 
 the Cardinal 
 ot CuAflU'ti, 
 and no hopes 
 remain of ao 
 agreemenc. 
 
 Pdris beffegtij 
 and ftreight- 
 ned forvUSs. 
 al'..
 
 II* 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Ai at an «xceffive rate i but the greateft difficulty was how to nourifh fuch a number of 
 '5 '' Horfe as were then in the Town : for which rcafon the Conilable, provoked by the 
 cries of the people , and impatient , having a much greater Army than the Enemy, 
 that the City, to the fmall reputation of the Kings Forces, fhould be fo ftraightncd 
 and incommodated , ifTued out of ?ans the ninth day of November^ and quartered his 
 Van-guard at laChappelle^ a place upon the high- way between the City and the Ene- 
 mies Camp , which refolution obliging the Hugonots to lie clofe together in a Body, 
 that they might not be furprized apart , they quitted the Villages about , fo that the 
 paflages were again open, and the ways free to carry all things that were neceffary in- 
 to Parif. They fent likewife to call back Andelot^ vi?ho with eight hundred Horfe and 
 about two thoufand Foot had pafled the River to ftreighten the Siege on that fide, be- 
 lieving that the Conftable Cas it was true) being much fuperiour in force, would ad- 
 vance, and prefently either (hut them up in St. Denis, or elfe force them with great 
 difadvantage to fight. 
 
 The Prince of Conde with the Battel lodged clofe under the Walls of St. Df«;j-, 
 keeping that Town for his fecurity behind him » the Admiral with the Van lay on the 
 tight hand, at St. Ouyne^ a Village near the tank of the River, which ferved him 
 both for a fence againft the Waters and the Enemy ■> and Mtty and Cenlis with the Rear 
 at AuhsrviUiers , a Town on the left hand j and becaufe on one fide of them was a great 
 open champagne, they made a ditch, and raifed an indifferent work to fecure them 
 from being aflaulted in the Flank, and placed a guard there of fix hundred fmall (hot. 
 But the Hugonots entring into debate, what was beft to be done, being (b much in- 
 feriour in number to the Kings Army, in which were fixteen thou^nd Foot, and more 
 than three thoufand Horfe, many were of opinion it would do well to retreat till the 
 Supplies they cxpe(fted from divers parts Were arrived > the Prince of Conde and the 
 Admiral thought it impofiible to retreat without receiving an abfolute defeat » for the 
 Kings Army lying fo near, they could not poiTibly march away without being di(co- 
 vered, and confequently followed and a(raulted : wherefore they judged it beft, as well 
 to maintain their reputation, which to the Heads of a popular Fa<9:ion, and efpecially 
 at the beginning of a War, is ever of great confequence, as alfo that they might the 
 better make a retreat, to give them battel i for the days being at the (horte(t, it would 
 quickly be dark, and foon ftay the fury of the fight, in which they hoped their Hor(e 
 C which were very good j would (b damnific the Kings Army, that they would not be 
 able to follow them that night, by the benefit whereof they might retire , and meeting 
 Andslot with fre(h fupplies, fecure themftlves from danger. 
 
 WhfKi the Hugonots were in this confultation, the Conftable was not idle, but be- 
 ing confident they would either make a retreat ■■, or if they came to fight , be totally 
 On St M,irti», ruined : the morning after, being the Vigil of St. Martin^ one of the Protedtors of the 
 Forc«'m'ccf Crown of i^r*wf , having put the Army in order, fent refolutely to afTail the Enemy. 
 with the Hu- The Duke of Aumale and the Mare(hal d'Anville led the Van, and were placed againft 
 MtTfp.it/r" the Admiral: the Duke of ATc-ww/rx with a great number of Horfe which were ranged 
 upon the champagne brought up the Reer , and the Battel commanded by the Con- 
 ftable was placed againft the Prince of Conde, after whom followed the SwiiTes in their 
 orders flanked by the Count of Bnjfac and Strozzi''s Foot. It was already part mid- 
 day when the Conftable feeing the Enemy refolved to give them Battel , not to lofe 
 time, advanced with his Squadrons in (iich hafte to charge them> that the Foot march- 
 ing in order were left a great way behind , and could not come up to fight i which 
 falling out according as the Hugonots defired, they with their Cavalry (in which they 
 ■had much the advantage) drew up behind the Conftables Battle, and charging him cou- 
 ragioufly quite through, made a great daughter amongft hisinen. The Duke of Ne- 
 ^o«rj thought to liay the fury of the Enemy by charging them in the Flanck ; but the 
 Ditch being in his way, and a gallant oppofition made by the Hugonot Mufquetiers at 
 ithework , there Was fo Tnuch time to be (pent there, that he could not make fuch 
 ■haifteas was requifiteito'fuccour the Conffable. The Duke of Aumale and the Mare- 
 ihiVd' AiiuiJie attempted the fame, but were hindaed by the Admirals Van, who having 
 moved from his place, and retired almoft to the bank of the River that he might not he 
 l:jji»j'J^,i,i<i fwrroMhded, mingled valiantly with them, by which mean^ the Conftables Battalion bc- 
 -iSWia ' *"^ ^flaiUcl and (haken by divers Troops of their Horfe, befides the Princes own which 
 was m the ooidft , .remained without receiving any fuccours , Co over-matched hy the 
 MnenTY jn iiBmber^ %hta in a (hort time it was ^bfolutely routed and dcftroyed. 
 -• ^;- The
 
 of France. The Fourth "Bool^ uj 
 
 The Conftable had four little hurts in his face, and a great blow with a Battle-axe t^^7* 
 upon the head, yet he ftill continued fighting valiantly, and was endeavouring to rally 
 his men, when Robert Stuart a Scotch-man rode up to him with his Piftol bent toward 
 him, whereupon the Conftabie faid , Doft thou not know me ? I am the Conftable i 
 he replied, Yes I do, and becaufe I know thee, I prcfent thee this, and inftantly (hot 
 him in the flioulder, which made him fall , but as he was falling, he threw his Sword 
 (which though the Blade were broken he held ftill in his hand; with fuch a violence 
 at Stuaris face, that he beat out three of his teeth, brake his jaw-bone, and laid him 
 upon the ground by him for dead. The Conftable lay a good while abandoned by his 
 men that ran away, and left him in the power of the Enemy i but the Duke ofAumale^ 
 and Monlicur<!/' Anville having routed and defeated the Admirals Van, when they once 
 Ciw them flee , left the purfuit , and came up to fuccour and fuftain the Battalia , by 
 which means the Conftable was redeemed out of the hands of the Hugonots, who were 
 then carrying him away prifoner, and his Son with much difficulty convey'd him though 
 already half dead to Paris. The Duke of Nemmrs having in the mean while paffed 
 the Pitch, and with great flaughter driven the Hugonots out of their Work, with the 
 like MaiTacre brake their Rear, and having chafed thofe that ran away into their quar- 
 ters, rallied his Horfe, and returned furioufly to mingle with the Enemy in the hotteft 
 of the light. So the Catholick Van and Rear which had put to flight the Hugonot Van 
 and Rear coming dofe up to the Princes Squadrons,charged them fo furioufly in the Front 
 and in the Flank, that many of his Troops being difordered, the Vidory manifeftly in- 
 clined to the Catholicks. In the mean while the night overtook them, which was very 
 dark and rainy, by favour whereofthe Prince of Co«2(?, who having had his Horfe kill'd 
 under him, with much difficulty recovered another, and the Admiral who by the fierce- 
 nefs of a Turkifh Horfe that he rid that day , was fo far engaged amongft the Ene- 
 mies, that he had like to have been taken prifoner, retired in hafte to St. Venis^ lea- ^^ s't''Dw«"*' 
 ving the Field and the pofleiTion of their dead as an aflured token of a Vi(9:ory to the the cathoiicic 
 Enemy. The Catholicks though vidorious, partly through the lofs of their General, ^j"/ "iut i$ 
 partly through the darknefs of the night, left purfuing them, and the Foot having not much dimni- 
 had time to mingle in the right, returned intire to their Quarters. ' ■ 
 
 The flaughter on both rides was much more confiderable in regard of the quality 
 than number of the dead s for on the Kings party none fighting but the Horfe , and 
 on the contrary thofe Foot only that defended the Ditch which flanked the Rear, they 
 that were killed were without doubt the moft part Gentlemen or Perfbns of Note, 
 amongft; which , thoft of the Hugonots fide were the Count de Su&e^ the Vidameof 
 Jtmnns^ the Count de Sattt, Meflieurs de Figuipiy^ Cani/y, S. Andre and Garenna : of 
 the Kings men few were killed, but very many hurt, as Monfieur de Sanfxc^ a Cavalier 
 of great courage and expectation. The day after the Battel the Conftable died, having 
 at the 80''' year of his age fought fiercely , with a youthful courage, and fliewed no 
 Icfs ardour of mind than vigour of body. Athisdeath he had nodifturbed thoughts, 
 but on the contrary teftificd an exceeding conftancy, infomuch that a ConfclTor coming 
 to his bed-fide to, comfort him, he turned about, and with a fcrene quiet countenance 
 defired he would not molcft him, for it were a brutiih thing having lived fourfcore years, 
 not to know how to die a quarter of an hour. He was a man of an exquifite Wit, 
 and mature Wifdom, accompanied with a long experience in the changes of the World, 
 i)y which Arts he acquired happily for himfelf and for his pofterity exceeding great 
 Wealth, and the chief Dignities in the Kingdoms but in his Military Commands he 
 iiad always fuch ill fortune, that in all the Wars of which he had the Government, he 
 tver remained either a Lofer, or grievoufly wounded, or a Prifoner ■■> which misfortunes 
 wereoccafion , that many times his fidelity was queftioned > eVen in this laft adiion, 
 ■where righting he loft his life, there wanted not fome who were envious enough to 
 accufe him. That having the command of the Kings Army againft his own Nephews, 
 he charged fo late, atid left the Foot behind onpurpofe, becaufe he would not, though 
 he might, gain a compleat Vidtory. 
 
 Thofe that fpake vvithout palTion, gave him three principal attributes. That he was 
 a good Souldier, and a loving Servant, but an ill Friend j for in all his adions he was 
 «ver fwayed by the confideration of his own intereft. The fame day died Clattd 
 He P Aubefpine^ chief Secretary of State, a man of very great eftcem, and a faith- 
 ful Inftrument of the Queen-Mothers, in whofe place was fubftituted Nicholas de 
 Nfuf-ville, Seigneur de Ville'roy^ his Son-in-law, he who with great reputation of wif- 
 dom.
 
 II 
 
 8 
 
 The Hiflorj of the Civil iVars 
 
 I5<*7- 
 
 dom, following the fteps of his Predeceffor , continued in that place to an extream 
 
 old age. 
 
 The fame night after the Battel , Andelot joined with the Hugonots at St. Venh^ 
 •who having palled the River with great difficulty by reafon the Catholicks had funk 
 Or carried away all the Boats, could not come foon enough to the fight •, but by his 
 counfel the next morning, being the Eleventh of November^ judging, as indeed it fell 
 out, that by reafon they had lolt their General, the Catholicks would not appear again 
 in the Field i the Hugonots (hewed themfelves in a body without the Trenches ready 
 again to give Battel , maintaining with this bravado the reputation rather of Con- 
 querors than otherwife. They flood ftill in that manner a quarter of an hour, and 
 in their retreat carried off fome of their dead bodies : but having loft the greateft part 
 of their Foot, andmoftoflhe principal Gentlemen amongft them being either killed 
 or grievoufly wounded,they refolved not to ftay any longer, left the Kings Army, being 
 provided again with a General, fticuld refent their former lofs > but having fent ad- 
 vice to their friends that were already advanced to fuccour them, the fourteenth they 
 began to march in great hafte towards Champagne^ with an intent to pafs that way into 
 the Confines of Lorain. 
 
 The Prince and the Admiral at the beginning, when the Swifles raided by the Kjngs 
 Order entered the Kingdom, fent MelTieurs de Francfurt^ and Chajhlliere into Germany i 
 and perfwaded Prince Cafimir^ Son to the Count Palatine of the Hhine, to raife an Ar- 
 my in their favour i to which purpofe they, had already furnifhed (bme fmall fum of 
 money, with a promifc, when he was arrived upon the Borders, that they would give 
 him looooo Crowns of the Sum for the payment of his men, which promife, with 
 the hope of booty, and prey, ftirring up Prince Caftmir, and divers other Captains ufed 
 to live in Armies, and by the benefit of War, they got together (not long after they 
 were in Arms, feven thoufand Horfe, and four thoufand Foot, and the Hugonots had 
 advertifement that they were ready with thefe Forces to enter upon the Confines of 
 Lorain. For this reafon they took a refolution to march that way, that they might as 
 foon as was poiTible join with the Germans, and be inabled with this addition of Force 
 to purfue the War with fuch counfels as the times and occafions would adminifter. 
 The Army kept very clofe together , being all the way to pafs through the Enemies 
 Country, nor did any one man disband from the principal divifions, necellity having 
 taught them difcipline ; Andelot only with Harquebufliiers fcoured the Country, on 
 all fides cleared the paffages, difcovered the fituationsof places, and brought in provi- 
 fionsv nevertheleft they made all the hafte they could to arrive upon the Confines, 
 though being ftraitned of viduals to nourifh their men , they were forced likewife 
 to aflault divers little weak Towns upon the way, with the pillage and prey thereof to 
 fupply the wants of the Souldiers , notwithftanding they proceeded with fuch celerity 
 and addrefs, that they loft not much time, nor fuffered any of their men to disband 
 or ftraggle from their company. In this manner without ufing their Cannon they 
 fcaled and took Bre-Conte-Kobert , Nogent upon the Seine , and Font-gone , populous 
 great Bourgi, in which, and in the Villages about , they found fuch (lore of Horfes, 
 that having mounted all their Foot , they marched with lefs difficulty and more ex- 
 pedition. 
 
 In the mean while the Queen being by the death of Momorancy freed from the power 
 and reputation of the great ones, and left fole Moderatrix and Arbitrefsof the Catho- 
 lick party, not meaning by the Election of a Conftable or General of the Army again 
 to fubjeft her felf to the danger of being over-awed, but defiring to preferve an abfo- 
 lute Authority in her felf and her Son, perfwaded him with many arguments to con- 
 fer the command of the Army upon his Brother Henry Duke of Anjou, a Youth of fin- 
 gular wit, and wonderful expedation , but fcarce fixteen years of age i and fo much 
 the rather becaufe the Council thought it not honourable for the King to go himfelf in 
 perfon to command the Army, or to take Arms againft his Subjeds, becaufe it would 
 give them too great a reputation. 
 
 Wherefore in this manner hindering all emulations or pretentions of the great «nes, 
 
 _. ..,._ 2nd not advancing any body to fo fupream a power , Henry was in the Kings Council 
 
 c<ntr»iof the declared Lieutenant-General of the Army » but becaufe he was fo young , there were 
 
 ' "y- appointed for his ailiftance Francir Siegnettr de Carnavalet , under whofe difcipline he 
 
 was brought up from the beginning, and Arthur de Coffe^ Mare(hal de Gonor^ a man 
 
 for the opinion was had of his wifdom and courage ever held in great eflecm. Bc- 
 
 fides 
 
 HtitryVaktot 
 
 ^Ttjoy made 
 LictKcnant-
 
 o/" France. The Fourth ^oo\, u^ 
 
 fides thefe, there were in the Army the Dukes of Mwf/'rajjfr, Nemours^ znd Longeville^ i5^7t' 
 Sebajiian de Luxembourg^ Signeur de Martiguics made Colonel General of the French 
 Infantry, Jaffer Vifcount of Tavajtes, Timoleon Count of Brijjac^ and Armani de Byron. 
 then Mailer, or (as they call it) Mareflial of the Field, who for his valiant exploits, 
 wrll be often mentioned by us in the enfuing ftory. Neither the Marefhal de Momorancy 
 nor d' Anvilie followed the Camp i for the Duke of Monpenf-er being appointed as Prince 
 of the Blood, to lead the Van , they pretended that Dignity belonged to Momorancy as 
 firft N'^arefhal of France, who after the General, is to have the chief place in the Army. 
 But the King not being willing to recal what was already done, as well not to difoblige 
 the Duke, as becaufe he was not confident of Momorancy, and thought it dangerous 
 to commit that part of the Army which was Hrft to front the Enemy to his tru/t i the 
 two Brothers in difcontcnt chofe rather to remain near the Kings perfbn than to preju- 
 dice their right. The Duke oi Aumale likewife left the Army, having the fame pre- 
 tentions with the Mare(hals as he was the antientert Captain in France, yet he did not 
 declare himfelf, becaufe he would not break with the Duke of Mw/^f/j^lfr , but under 
 pretence of going to ailiil with his advice the young Duke of Guife his Nephew, (in 
 whofc Government, when the Germans, who were expeded, came, the chief weight 
 of the bufinefs would fall) went with the King and Queens approbation to imploy 
 himfelf where there was moft need of his affiflance- 
 
 In this conjundture arrived the Count of Aremberg , fent out of Flanders by the 
 Duke of Alva according to the former agreement at Bayonne, with one thoufand two 
 hundred Lances, and three hundred Harquebuftiiers i a fupply very confidcrable in it 
 felf, but wrought a far greater effedt through the Union that was feen to the fame end 
 between thofe two Crowns. With thefe Commanders , with eighteen pieces of Can- 
 non, and the whole Army, the Duke of /4«7o« moved to follow the Hugonots, hoping 
 to overtake and to fight with them, before they could join with the Germans i which 
 undoubtedly he bad done , if there had been as much prudence and union amongft his 
 Counfellors , as there was in him defire of glory, and a readinefs to encounter the 
 Enemy. 
 
 The Prince with all his Army was come near Sens, the chief City in Brye, but nei- 
 ther by art nor nature much fortified , wherefore he thought he might take it as he had 
 done divers other Towns in his march, by fcaling j but the Duke oi Guife, who with 
 the forces of his Government had already reduced Mets into the Kings obedience, and 
 placed the i'''are(hal de la Vieux-ViUe Governour there, taking that way which he heard 
 the Enemies Army inclined , entered very opportunely into that City , and being pre- 
 pared to defend it couragioufly, was an occafion that the Prince defpairing to take it, 
 not to interrupt the principal or neceflary delign , with his wonted readinefs turned 
 another way v fo that having received at Monterolle a recruit of certain Troops of Horfe, 
 which came out of Gafcony, together with three Field-pieces that were taken at Orleans., 
 which they brought with them, he continued on his march i in which, though he ufed 
 all poffible diligence, yet he was unawares interrupted by a weighty and dangerous ac- 
 cidents for being now advanced as tar as Chaalon, the principal City in Champagne^ 
 he met there the Marchioncfs of Rotelliite his Wives Mother, being fent from the Court 
 to make a new overture of peace, with an intention, as many faid, only to hinder the 
 Princes Voyage, and amufe him till the Kings Army was come : and the iffue confirmed 
 this fufpicion i for fhe having imprudently propofed a fufpcnlion of Arms for three 
 days, in which the Kings Deputies were to come to a place appointed, and the Prince 
 having no Icfs imprudently accepted it, with a purpofe to refrefh his Army, tired with 
 their hard march, the Deputies appeared not i but the Duke of A>iioit hartning his march 
 with exceeding diligence, as the truce expired, arrived fo near the Camp, that reafon 
 perfwaded without farther delay to fct upon them i for he knew the Hugonots with 
 their fpeedy march were fo tired and broken, and were neceflitated to lodge upon the 
 plains of that Province in fuch an open difadvantagious place, that they could neither 
 defend themfelves, nor refufc a Battel i and fighting, there was no doubt (being fo far 
 fuperiour in number) to give them a total overthrow. 
 
 The Count of Brijfac, who led the firft Troops of the Army , believing all the reft 
 followed, as it was before refolved,and according to which refolution they had marched 
 with great expedition in the Bourg of Sarri, furioully aifaulted the laft Squadrons of 
 the Enemy, commanded by three Captains , Blojfet, Buis and Cleri , and having with 
 little refiftance put them to flight , purfued the reft , who ran away as faft as they 
 
 could
 
 I20 
 
 15^7- 
 
 On ChtiRmis 
 Eve the Ca- 
 thnlicks ha- 
 ving an op- 
 portunity to 
 fight with the 
 Hugonots, 
 would not, to 
 prevent the 
 tffufion of fo 
 much of theit 
 cwn hlcod, by 
 which means 
 the Hngonots 
 {ave chcm- 
 felvej. 
 
 Prince Ctfimir 
 Son to the Pa- 
 latine of the 
 Khinc , enters 
 f-ditce with 
 an Army, and 
 joins with the 
 HugonotJ. 
 
 1568. 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 could to ftve themfelves. Monfieur de Martigues with part of the Van followed the 
 Count of Br/jfpc's example , and having overtaken three hundred Horfe which being 
 placed in the Enemies Rear nnade their retreat, began a hot skirmifli to keep them in 
 play till all the Army came up i but whilft the Marefhal of Gonor^ and Carnavalet who 
 were the Dukes chief Counfellors , either took too much care to range the Army, ©r 
 elfe, as it was faid, interpofed artificial delays on purpofe to hinder the deftrudtion of 
 fo many of the Nobility, who were of their own blood, they gave the Hugonots time 
 to fave themfelves i for the Prince and the Admiral having given order , That the 
 three hundred Horfe which were in the Rear , fliould as long as they could fuftain 
 Martiiues charge, they in the mean while endeavoured to get olf their men, and re- 
 treated with fuch fpeed , that in three days they marched more than twenty French 
 Leagues , and (laid not till they had paffed the Mettfe^ a River upon the Confines of 
 France^ and gotten out of the Kingdom into a place of fecurity , where though freed 
 from the danger of being overtaken, or oppreffed by the Enemy , they were firucken 
 with a much greater fear i for being arrived near font a MoujJo)t, a place in the State 
 of Lorain, where they thought to meet the Germans, but neither finding them , nor 
 hearing in the Country about any news of their approach , the Souldicrs feeing that 
 hope fail for which they had fuffered fo many miferies, and finding themfelves out of 
 their Country, in a ftrang place, and which was worft of all, without any provifion 
 of viduals, entred into fuch a fright, that they were refolved to disband, and make 
 the beft fliift they could by feparating themfelves, either through Flanders ox Lorain to 
 return to their own houfes, and many doubting they could not efcape the hands of the 
 Catholicks, through whofe Country they were of neceffity to pafs , refolved upon a 
 voluntary exile, and to fhelter themfelves in the Cities of Germany till more quiet times. 
 But the Prince and the other Commanders, with their intreaties, comforts, authority 
 and reafons fo far prevailed, that for theprefent they flayed them from this refolution, 
 deferring for a few hours fo defperate a purpofe , till they were altogether deftitute of 
 any manner of means to fubfift. 
 
 They flood ftill thus in this perplexity of mind two whole days , till the morning of 
 the third day, whilft defpair fuggefling againfl the fame thoughts as before, arrived un- 
 expededly the dcfired news that Prince Cafimir was upon his way , and not far from 
 them. Then every private Souldier, as if reflored from death to life, with exceed- 
 ing expreffionsof joy, tenderly embraced each other, and with frolick cheerful fpeeches 
 went forth to meet the Germans , as their benefadors and deliverers : but the chief 
 Leaders were again more perplexed and troubled than ever : for having promifed 
 Prince Cafimir and his men at their arrival upon the Confines to pay them one hundred 
 thoufand Crowns, and being unfurnifhed not only of the whole Sum, but of the leafl 
 part of it, they were alTured the Germans would advance no farther, and faw all theit 
 hopes, through which they had undergone fo many hnzards, vanifli away to nothing. 
 At length the Prince of Conde having called together all the Army, difcovered the con- 
 dition they were in i (hewing, that fince the generel welfare depended upon the union 
 and readinefs of the Germans to affift them, it was necefTary, though with private lofs, 
 to fuftain the publick occafions , and difpoiling themfelves a little fooner of that poor 
 remainder which was left, with the price thereof to redeem their liberty and common 
 fafety. So exhorting all to contribute what they could i and two Miniflers being 
 chofen, in whofe hands the money, or whatever elfe was brought in, fhould be de- 
 pofited, he was the firft that gave not only all his money and plate, but even the rings 
 oif his fingers, and every thing elfe he had of any value, dcpofiting it to be given to 
 the Germans. By this example, and with the fame readinefs the Admiral following, 
 and all the chief Officers of the Army, and from hand to hand the Gentlemen, with 
 the common Souldiers, and even the Footmen and Boys in the C amp, they made up the 
 fumof 30000 Crowns •> with which, and the addition of infinite promifes, the ex- 
 pedation of the Germans being fatisfied, the Armies joined upon the eleventh day of 
 January, in the year 1568. 
 
 The Armies thus united, and the men having repofed fome few days, they refolved 
 to return the fame way through Champagne to EeauJJe, as well to nourifh the Souldiers 
 in a plentiful Country, full of Towns, in the which they might (belter themfelves from 
 the incommodities of winter , as to ftreighten again the Country and City of Tariff 
 which was the head of the Catholick party, and in the poffeffion whereof the Vidory 
 was ever thought to depend through the whole courfe of the Civil Wars. They were 
 
 fpurred
 
 of France. The Fourth ^oof^* 121 
 
 fpurred on to this refolution through the defire they had to fuccour Orleans^ which ijfiSi 
 they knew was hardly prelTed, and to gain an opportunity to join with the Forces of 
 Frovence and Danlpisini , which they were advertifed marched in great numbers that 
 way. 
 
 Francis Seignieur de la Noue, a tran of great wifdom, and no lefs vertue, who in his 
 tilne held the chief place among the Hugonot Fadtion, at the firft breaking out of thefe 
 troubles had pofTeft himfelf of Or/fiiw/, and taken the Caftle, whichby order from the 
 King was begun to be built , but not fo far perfected that it could make any defence » 
 and into that place, as more fecure than any other, all the wives and children of the 
 principal Lords of that Fadion were retired for fafety i but not with fuch provifions 
 that they could make a long refinance againft a powerful Enemy i wherefore Monfieur 
 de la Valette Colonel of the light Horfe, and the Count Siarrs Montittengn Brejfan of the 
 Kings party, having gotten together feven hundred Horfe and four thoufand Foot, 
 came before that City, which being ill furnifhed with men, and other things necelfary 
 to maintain a Siege, was fo ftreightned, that in a few days it would either be rendred 
 to the Catholicks, or elfe taken by force, if it were not very fpeedily relieved. 
 
 In this regard theHugonot Army made all the hade it could into thofe parts, the 
 Leaders thinking they might perhaps meet an occafion upon the way of fighting, which 
 they would not have refufed ■■, for wanting the foundation to continue a long War, 
 they were conftrained to think how, as foon as they could, to bring it to the iffue of 
 a Battel. The Duke of ^njou in his heart was not averfe to their intentions, Who 
 being young, and defirous of glory, thought by the fuccefs of a Battel to gain a great 
 reputation at the firft, and to render hitnfelf known and confiderable to other Nati- 
 ons : but the Queen, who had other defigns, foon removed her Son from this opinion; 
 She refblved notwithftanding the impediments of the feafon, to go in perfon to the 
 Duke of Anjon's Army i for not relying upon any body fo much as her felf , fhe in- 
 tended to be certainly informed concerning the report that was fpread abroad, and to 
 remedy thofe diforders which it was faid hindred the late Vidtory i wherefore being 
 with extraordinary fpeed, much more than women ufe to make , arrived at Chaalon^ 
 (he went afterwards to the Camp, where having called a Council of all the chief Com- 
 manders, (he defired to underftand particularly the reafbns why they omitted the op- 
 portunity to fight with, and fupprefs the Enemy. The Duke of Monpenfier^ a dex- 
 trous ready man , not to offend any body , fpake ambiguoufly of the late paffages, 
 commending the Duke of Ahjoh, and imputing the caufe of the diforders to their ill 
 fortune* The Duke of Nemours excufed himfelf, that he marching before to follow 
 Martigttes, knew not what was done or determined in the Camp. But Monfieur de j 
 
 Tavanes fpeaking more freely , though he named no particular perfon , blamed the 
 doubts , demurs, idle delays, and impediments that were interpofed i intimating, 
 that the difcords which were amongft thofe of the Council, and the compalTion (bme 
 had of the Hugonots, were the occafion of fo much coldnefs in fo great an Army. 
 
 After this they entred into confultation what courfc was tc be taken for the fu- 
 ture i in which debate, many to pleafe the General having concluded that it was beft 
 to fight , the Queen in a grave difcourfe (hewed, that the events of the Battel were 
 different 5 for if the King loft the day, he would put the Kingdom in great confufion, 
 and in a manner leave it totally a prey to the Enemy s whereas, if the other fide hap- 
 pened to be overthrown, they hazarded nothing but fome wretched baggage that they 
 carried with them, and that defperate fortune which they (aw in time muf! of neceflity 
 come to nothing: (he laid before them likewife the difference there was in the means 
 to maintain a War, for the King had wherewithal to keep his Army a longtime, and 
 to feed and fufiain it ■■> but the Hugonots being hindred of all fupplies, and reduced to 
 fuch extream mifery, that they had nothing to live upon, but that fittlethat they got 
 by pillaging the Country, could not long fatisfie the craving and greedinefs of the 
 Germans ■■> and fo fcatteting of themfelves , would leave an abfolute Vidory to the 
 King i which if they came to fight, would depend much upon chance : She confidered 
 that there wanted not divers other ways to diifipate this Army v and when all failed, 
 they ought rather by an Accommodation to feparafe and divide the Enemies Forces, 
 than by a deftrudtive miferable War to expofe his Majefties Subjeds to be de- 
 voured and eaten up by (Grangers > and for the Duke of Anjou^ it was no lefs wor- 
 thy a great Prince and a great Commander , to overcome by policy and condudi', 
 than by violence and force of Arms i and that at his firft entring into an a(ftion, he 
 
 E ought
 
 122 
 
 The H'tjlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 15^8. 
 
 The Pope 
 fends aids to 
 the King. 
 
 OUS 
 valiant. 
 
 ht to be careful of fhewing himfclf prudent and moderate , as well, as. bold and 
 
 ( 
 
 * Of Judge. 
 
 Kschel rfvolts 
 to the Hu»o- 
 rots , which 
 ever after 
 ferves them 
 for a Sanftu^- 
 
 The General being perfwadcd by thefe reafons, it was determined, that he, follow- 
 ing the Enemies Army at a dillance that they might not deftroy the Country , fhould 
 Itill keep near them, by fome good Town in faft quarters, that he might not be forced 
 to fight and endeavour by drawing out the War in length , to fliake and ruine the 
 weak foundations of the Enemy. And becaufe Carnavakt and the Mareflial of Gnuor 
 were both of them no Icfs fufpeded in the Camp, than at the Court, to have held in- 
 telligence with the Hugonots , that were removed from about the Dukes perfon, and 
 BrijJ'tc and Mjrt/gues put in their places i that for courage, and this for condudl held 
 by the Queen the fitteft men for this imployment. Notwithftanding fhe made the 
 IXike oi Anmale the chief amongft them, who after the Enemy had repafled the Meufe, 
 came'back again to the Army, and to him, as to theantienteft Captain in the King- 
 dom, flic publickly recommended the counfelling and direding her Son. 
 
 Now whilft Champagne was thus become the principal feat of the War, the other 
 parts of the Kingdom were not at quiet i but through the frequent continual Infur- 
 redtions of the Hugonots all places were full of tumults and blood: for they having at 
 the beginning of thefe commotions gotten many Towns in all parts into their hands, 
 the Provinces were (b divided, that through the animofity of both Fadtions, a dan- 
 gerous War was kindled in every the moft remote hidden corner in France. • In Lan~ 
 guedjc Monfieur de Acher ruled all the Country , the Vicount de Joyenfe , who com- 
 manded there for the King , not having force fjAicient to fupprefs the multitudes of 
 the Hugonots , or to oppofe the induflry and boldnefs of their Leader. In Vrovence^ 
 MoHuans and Mont-brun , men that by their violent proceedings got themfelves an 
 elleem , with more than ordinary fuccefs crofied the Catholick party under the Com- 
 mand of the Count de Summerive. In Gafcony there wanted not Here of troubles, that 
 Province being all in Arms i but Monfieur deMonluc^ an old experienced Captain, had 
 in fo many incounters abated the fury of the Hugonots, that the Incendiaries thought 
 it bcft for them to quit the Country, and many of them, though with much difficulty, 
 flwd to their main Army. In Daulpbine des Gourdes the Kings Lieutenant, and the 
 Sieurs de Moujjlez and lerride, who were in their march towards Pans, many times 
 fought with Hugonots forces and beat them , and at laft forced Monfieur de Poufeitac 
 to leave thofe parts, by which means the wsys to Lions were open i but he being af- 
 terwards joined with the Vicounts de MontcLih\ de Paulin, and Eournirjuet, valiantly 
 incountred the forces of Auvergne and Vaulpbine ; and though the fight were long, 
 obflinate and bloody, the Kings Party in the end got the advantage, with fo much the 
 greater detriment to the Enemy , by reafon that Ponfenac ( who by his violence more 
 than any thing elfe, gave life to the WarJ was at laft in the retreat (together with 
 many others) killed. 
 
 At the fame time Lodovico Gonzaga Duke of JSlevers, who brought four Troops of 
 Horfe out of Piedmont, that were raifed in Italy by the Pope, together with fix compa- 
 nies of Italian Foot, two French Regiments, and four thoufand Swifles that were newly- 
 entertained to join with the Duke of Anjon's Army, arrived opportunely in Burgundy 
 to fupprefs the remainder of the Hugonots in thofe parts : for having divers times en- 
 countred and defeated them, he at length laid fiege to Mafcone, which being taken, 
 the Rebels had noplace of retreat left whither they could retire for fafety. From 
 Burgundy the Duke went to join with the Duke of An'pu ■■, but not many days af- 
 ter, as he returned with a few Horfe'to vifit his own Country, he was fct upon by 
 the Enemy ■■> and though with his wonted Valour he put them to flight , yet he re- 
 ceived fuch a grievous wound in one of his Knees, that he continued lame ever 
 after. 
 
 But the Kings Party received a greater and more confiderable blow in Xantonge : 
 tor through the negligence or connivence of Monfieur de Jarnac the Governour, and 
 through the diligence d^irazares the principal Deputy, called by them the^^ Scabin of 
 'B-ochtl, that City revolted to the Hugonots , which Handing upon the Ocean over 
 againft England, ftrongof fituation, being every way incompafl!ed with marfli grounds, 
 or the Sea, rich with traffick, numerous in people, abundant in provifions, and com- 
 modious to receive fuccours from other parts, hath ever fince been the Sanctuary and 
 main prop of all thofe who adhered to that Faa:ion, 
 
 In
 
 of France. The Fourth 'Boo^. 
 
 123 
 
 In the mean while both Armies continued their march through Champagne^ keeping 
 the diredt way that leads to FarU. The Hugonots keptclofe together, and durft not 
 attempt the taking of any Towns by the way, for fear of giving the Catholicks an op- 
 portunity to fight wkh them at an advantage. The Kings lodging in ftrong fecure 
 quarters, had no other defign but to hinder the Enemy from effeding any important 
 enterprife, with which circumfpedion they both kept on their march till they were 
 arrived, at the end of February , the HugOnot forces in Beaujfe^ and the Kings not far 
 from Parir. But the Prince of Co>ide having raifed the fiege at Orleam, (for at the 
 news of his approach U Valette and Martinengo, not having forces to refill him, retired 
 of themfelvesj was brought into great difficulties through the Counfels of the Duke of 
 An]ou^ who he faw was refolved to avoid all occafions of fighting, and to draw out 
 the War in length i by which kind of proceedings knowing his Army would be foon 
 deftroyed, by reafon he had neither money nor provifions to fuftain or keep his own 
 men together, that were all Voluntiers, nor wherewithal to fatisfie the importunity of 
 the Germans, who were ever craving, he was in a mighty perplexity, and every day 
 held a Council of War to advife what was beft to be done in fo great a ftreight. At 
 length, to try whether the Catholicks might be forced to that which otherwife they 
 would not do willingly, he refolved to beflege Chartres, for extent and numeroufheft 
 of people one of the principal Cities in France^ and fo near Paris, that with the Coun- 
 try about it furnifiied a great part of the provifions that went thither, believing that 
 the Duke o^ Ahjou, for his own credit, and the reputation of the Kings Army, would 
 never fuffer that place to be taken for want of relief, and not to give them longer time 
 to reinforce the Garifon , or fortifie it , having in two days with his Horfe marched 
 twenty leagues, which are forty Englifh miles, the fecond day of March fat down be- 
 fore it. There went to command in the Town Monfieur de Lignieres, a Cavalier of 
 much efteem, and with him entred fifteen Companies of old Foot, and about two hun- 
 dred Horfe, with which forces at the beginning of the fiege he exceedingly annoyed 
 the Enemy, and by frequent skirmifhes kept them oflTa while i but was at length forced 
 to keep in to maintain the Walls : for the Hugonots having taken all the paifages, and 
 placed guards upon the advenues, with four pieces of Cannon, fo furioufly battered 
 that part of the Wall which joins to Vreux-Gzte , that the fixth day they had made an 
 aflault , if the Defendants had not with great labour and diligence raifed a Rampart 
 within, with Cafemats and other works, which hindered them from entring upon the 
 breach. 
 
 But the fiege of Chartres changed the face of things, and put the Catholicks to a 
 great ftr^f^ht : for to relieve the Town with all their Army was contrary to their for- 
 mer refolution i and to let that City be taken, was, befidcs fo confiderable a lofs, a 
 very great prejudice to their reputation i and that which then happened to Chartres, 
 would afterwards be the condition of many other great Towns '■> by fuccouring of 
 which they fliould ha7ard the uncertain ifTue of a Battel i and if they fuccoured them 
 not, they would be loft before their eyes : wherefore, after many attempts had been 
 made, but in vain, to put men and munition into the Town, the Queen in this difficulty 
 having recourfe to her old remedy , which had fo often fucceeded , began to prefs a 
 Treaty of Accommodation. 
 
 When flie left the Camp , fhe began fo make new overtures of peace '• for feeing 
 ftrangers already entred into the Kingdom, and the Crown again in danger to be ha- 
 zarded againft defperate Enemies, fhe thought it neceiTary to keep the Treaty ftill on 
 foot, that having many firings ready to her bowe, (he might make ufc of them as occa- 
 fion fliould require : wherefore having had a conference at Chaalon with feme that 
 were fent to her from the Prince to treat, returning to Par'n, (ht carried with her Odetto 
 then Cardinal of Chajiillnn, Teligny, deftined to be the Adm.irals Son-in-law, and Mon- 
 lieur Bouchavanes, a man of great efteem among the Hugonots ■■, but not being willing 
 they fliould go into the City for fear of fome diforder among the people , who being 
 furioufly incenfed, abhorred the name of peace, they flaid at the Bois de Vhtcennes, and 
 at length came to the Convent of * Minimes , a mile without the Town ", where after 
 divers parleys about the bufinefs, which at firft went flowly on, when C/wr/rej- was 
 befieged , they were fb quickned , that the Hugonots with little difficulty obtained 
 very large conditions. 
 
 But the Deputies being returned with the Propofitions , the Prince of Conde, the 
 Admiral, the Vidame of Chartres^ and fome others, the chief amongft them, who not 
 
 R 2 believing 
 
 i568i 
 
 The Hagonot! 
 having bcficg- 
 rd rtiirtrcs,the 
 Q^uecn makci 
 new motions 
 for an Accoma 
 modation. 
 
 * The Order 
 of St. FrjBtli 
 of Paul.
 
 ,24 The Hiflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 conditions of 
 a°reeincnt( 
 
 1 s<58. believing they could cver'be fccured by a peace , chufing rather a dangerous War than 
 a rcalijiiable agreement, refiifed to accept them, alledging, that the larger or more ad- 
 vantagious the conditions were, fo much the more they were to be fufpedled i and 
 that if fome ftrong places were not put into their hands , whereby they might ftand 
 TfctHusonoM upon their defence, they ought not by any means to accept of an agreement, but pur- 
 accept n^' 'I" fue the War, and leave the hidden event thereof to Gods will and pleafure i which the 
 '"' "' Qyeen having notice of, (knowing that the generality of the Hugonots being weary 
 ot the expence and danger of the War, fo they might en)oy a Liberty of Confcicnce, 
 and break oif with a fhew of reputation, defired a peace) (lie fent Lewis de Lanfac^ 
 Kohen de Combjt^ and Henry de Memmie^ Seignieur de Malafife^ popular, well-fpoken 
 men , to their Camp, who under pretence of treating with the chief of them upon 
 the fame Articles , began (as it cahly falls out, by chance) to difcourfe of the matter 
 with fome of their kindred, and in the affemblies of the Nobility , and meetings of 
 private perfons, to lay open the juftncfs and largcnefs of the conditions, to which the 
 King, to fave the effufion of his Subjeds blood willingly confcnted » promifing be- 
 iides that all fevere Edicfls fliould be abolifhed , and a free exercife of their P>.eligion 
 granted them as before i that every one (hould be put again in pofTeilion of their goods 
 and dignities that they enjoyed before the War, that they (hould remain fecure ot their 
 livcSj exempt from thofe charges that had ruined and impoveriflicd their families, be 
 reftored to their Country, their honours, to the fruition of their Wives and Children, 
 and from being wanderers and exiles, return to their former felicity and quieti fothat 
 the reafons and jealoulies ceafing, for which they had taken Arms, there remained no 
 occafion to continue the War : whence it was manifeft how far their intentions were 
 from the publick good and quiet, who were againft an Accommodation, and how un- 
 der pretence of Religion they fought only to ufurp an unjult Authority, and pernitious 
 greatnefs. By thefe fpecchcs which were related again and infufed into the people, co- 
 vered over with the plaufible fweet name of Feace^ on a fuddain fuch a tumult was 
 raifed in the Army, that the Nobility and private Souldiers fas in popular Infurre<9:i- 
 ons every body will mingle their advice, and pretend to a fhare in the Government) 
 unanimoufly cried out, and threatncd to forfake the Prince if he did not accept the 
 Conditions that were propofed , and Prince Cafimir himlelf, either moved with the 
 evidenceof the reafons, orelfethe rewards and gains not anfwering his hopes, being 
 belides moved with the certainty of having his pay prefently, which the King offered 
 in a great part to disburfe for them, favoured and commended thofc that demanded a 
 Peace. 
 
 Neverthelefs the chief Leaders perfevering in their opinions, the Admiral bting moft 
 earnelt , and fpeaking in the name of all the reft, laboured to make it appear that 
 this was a manifeft policy of the Enemy , who feeing they could not fupprefs them 
 whilft they had fuch a ftrength, and remained united for their common defence, fought 
 to feparate and difarm them , that they might the more ealily deftroy them one by 
 one, that the buiinefs was now brought near an end > and there wanted but fome fev\r 
 days patience to fee the event of it i for if the Catholicks came to iight with them, 
 they had Gods Providence and the ftrength of their own hands to reUe upon •, and if 
 they let them take Chartres without offering to fuccour it, their fear would be feen to 
 all the World, and fuch a bridle be caft upon faris^ being chiefly furnifhed from thence, 
 that it would ftarve for want of provifions j that they had many times tried the little 
 affurance and fincerity of promifes ; for though the King always intended to keep his 
 word yet fuch was the power and fubtilry of theQyeen-Mother, and the Princes of 
 Lor(7i« had (b great credit, that they perverted all his deliberations, and turned that in- 
 to poifon which appear«d to many in the adminiftration wholfom Phyfick i wherefore 
 they ftiould expedl a few days longer , and not by a precipitate impatience ruine thofe 
 counlels which were thought by every body moft conducing to their common fafety. 
 But the inclinations of the Army fo obftinately oppofed their reafons , and there ap- 
 peared fuch a difpoiition in the Nobility to abandon the enterprize , and to return in 
 all hafte to their houfes and families, wherein they fuffered much prejudice by their ab- 
 fence, through the horrible outrages that were committed in all parts of the Kingdom, 
 that the chief Heads were conftrained by force to accept of a Peace. 
 
 The Minifters enveighed bitterly againft the Prince of Conde , accufing him. That 
 he through inconftancy defiring to return to the delights and pleafures of the Court, 
 had fuffered himfelf to be too eaiily overcome by a popular clamour. The Parilians 
 
 with
 
 o/^ France. The Fourth ^oo^. 125 
 
 with ro lefs liberty blamed the Queen , That flie not defirous to put an end to thefe 156S, 
 diftracftions, but that the difcords and troubles might be continued, by the fame means 
 to continue her own greafnefs , had forced the King to confent to an Accommoda- 
 tion. And not only the Parifians , but the Pope alfo , and many other Catholick 
 Princes were aftonifhed and ill fatisried with this agreement i the iffue appearing to 
 them very unlike the beginning i and this refolution exceeding contrary to that ear- 
 neftntfs wherewith the Queen had foUicited them to fend her fupplies of Men and Mo- 
 ney : which coming to her knowledge, who was very inquifitive to learn what was 
 faid, flie began to make her excufes to their Minifters ■■> but had a long private confe- 
 rence to that purpofe with the Venetian Ambalfador , who being lefs intereffed, and 
 more moderate than the reft, was likelieft to credit her reafons i wherefore beginning 
 with the original of things, flie related to him at large every particular circumftance: 
 That King Francis the Second her eldcit Son being very young when he came to the 
 Crown, and of a difpofition rather to be governed, than to exercife the charge of a 
 King, was forced of necellity to confer upon her the Supream Power in managing 
 the aifairs, that it might neither fall upon the Princes of Bourbon^ not only the chief 
 pretenders to the Crown, but infcdted with Herelie, and inclined to favour it i nor yet 
 upon the Guifes^ men full of ambition and high pretences , who neverthelefs were fo 
 far Mafters of the Kings will, in regard of his Marriage with their Neece , that (he 
 was conftrained to admit them to a great part in the adminiftration of the Govern- 
 ment, and in many things to yield to them, for fear they might to the prejudice of the 
 publick, and her own private difgrace , have caft her out of the Court, and perhaps 
 cut of the Kingdom alfo: That (he had neverthelefs ever endeavoured fo to carry 
 matters, that the Kingdom might remain in quiet, and enjoy the blelTing of peace, 
 under a pious religious King i and tender of the prefervation of his people , if the 
 violence of the Prince of Conde, and the malitious fubtilty of the Admiral had not di- 
 fturbed the courfe of things, by turning not only againft the Guifes, with whom they 
 profeffed an open enmity, but even againft her felf, contriving through hate by wicked 
 pradlifes to deprive her of her life : That the confpiracy of AmboijQ being difcovered, 
 when all the Council concurred to proceed with extream feverity, ftie ufed her utter- 
 moft endeavour that a moderate way might be taken to quiet thofe troubles, forgetting 
 through defire of the common good , her own private injuries and dangers : That 
 the Prince having continued to raife Infurre<ftions in the Cities and Provinces, and to 
 plot even againft the King himfdf, at length tell into her hands-, at which times ftie 
 ever propofed ways very far from cruelty or revenge, faving the King oiNjvarre^ and 
 divers others that were privy to the Princes counfels , which was manifeftly to be 
 known when the Kings infirmity began to be mortal > for the Princes of Guife pref- 
 iing very earneftly that the fentence of death might be put in execution againft thofe 
 of Bourbon, fliercfolutcly oppofcd if, approving rather gentle means than violent (harp 
 remedies : That ftie being afterwards lett with the King, a young Child not obeyed, 
 and her other Children yet as it were in the Cradle, and her felf a ftranger with very 
 few Confidents, but an abundance of perfons of intcreft about her, though (he had more 
 need than ever to guard her felf from thofe who plotted fomeone way, fome another, 
 the ruine or divifion of the Kingdom, and her death and her Childrensi yet over- 
 come by fo great and fo ftrcight a neceility, to preferve the peace, maintain the Crown 
 and her Childrens -Patrimony , and to gain time till the King came of age, (he many 
 times fuffered the Princes fury , and the infolencies of the Hugonots ■■> but that the im- 
 patience of the great ones with their difcords and enmities, the ambition of the Princes 
 of Lorain, and the contumacy of the Hugonots, had at length raifed aWari to avoid 
 which, God was witnefs with her, how much (he had done and fuffered s that feeing 
 the Kingdom through the infedtion of Hereiie in a general combuftion, and the Eng- 
 lifti and Germans called in to invade it, (he refolved to try whether by a refolute War 
 (he could extinguifti , and eradicate this evil, and not be wanting in any thing that 
 might be jurtified by Religion, (lie had refolved to put it to a Battel, which her Let- 
 ters written to the Conftable, that were certainly amongft his Papers f for (he knew 
 he kept them) would ftill teftifie : That in the Battel the Conftable was taken prifoner, 
 and the Mareftial of St. Andre killed ; and though the Vidory inclined to the Kings 
 Party, with the taking of the Prince of Conde, yet the Admiral remained ftill with a 
 confidcrable Force , to which was added the fuccours fent from England^ and a frefti 
 powerful fupply ihat came out of Germany : That fince this, hapned that accident to 
 
 the
 
 2 5 The Hifiorj of the Civil IVars 
 
 j«<5S. the Duke of G«//.% whereby the Kings Party were deprived of a Head, becaufe for her 
 to command the Army was neither agreeable to her Sex or proftflion , and there was 
 not any body elfe fit to be trulkd with fo great a charge i whence being led by the 
 petfwafions of many, and particularly by the advice the Duke of Gztife gave her juft 
 at his death, to which (he gave fo much the more credit, becaufe at that time menufe 
 to forget private interefts and fpeak truth, fucceeded a Peace, by granting to the Hii- 
 gonots a Liberty of Cpnfcience, though for no other end but to ftay thofe enormous 
 outrages, dcfolations, plundrings, rapines , facriledges , violences and tyrannies that 
 deftroyed the whole Kingdom, hoping time would fpend that humour which (he was ' 
 very well affured proceeded rather from private enmities, and defire of rule, than 
 from love of Religion : That (lie knew divers Princes very much blamed her for this 
 Treaty > by the fame token there wanted not thofe whb raifcd doubts concerning her 
 belief, but that flie being fitisficd in her own Confcience, having placed her hopes in 
 God, expedted from him her Juftification: That it could not be denied but the peace 
 had rid the Kingdom of the Reiters, who cruelly walled the Country, and driven the 
 Englifh out of riavre de Grace, who were neafted there i and given the poor people 
 time to breathe from fo many troubles and calamities, by which they were ruined and 
 devoured : That the Peace brought one great advantage by taking from the Hugonots 
 all manner of pretence to rebel : That many things were done and fuffered for no other 
 purpofe but to reduce the great ones to reafon, and to mitigate the fury of herefic, trying 
 divers means to arrive at this juft holy end, and to maintain the union of the Kingdotp 
 fo profitable to Chriftianity, and elhbli(h Peace fo beloved of mankind, but no reme- 
 dies or agreement prevailing, the Hugonots at length came to the taking of Arms : That 
 fhe had ufed all poilible endeavour fpeedily to alTemblc the Kings Forces, that the Ene- 
 my might not have time to receive fupplies from abroad : That (lie had very much 
 prclTed a Battel, as it followed at St. Venii, but with fo little fuccefs, that it was no- 
 torioufly known things were afterward in a far worfe condition than ever : That fince 
 flie had procured of the King to make the Duke of Anjoit General of the Army, to be 
 afTured no private interefts fhould hinder the publick good : That fhe hoped on 
 Clwiftmas-Eve laft there would have been an abfolute decifion of the differences and 
 diftentions in the Kingdom : That her Son had not failed in his part, who though he 
 were young, and not accuftomed to inconveniences, had msrched a whole night, with 
 a refolution to fight , but that which (he had formerly feared in the General , was 
 fallen out in theCoun(ellors, for the Enemy had time given him, (he knew not hov/, 
 fo pafs the Meufc, and join with the Germans : That all things were running on to 
 ruine and deftrudtion , which (he had ever fo much abhorred , for (he faw certainly 
 that this body of France loling fo much blood on all fides, could not c(cape a violent 
 death : That the Siege of Cbartres had produced an unavoidable neceffity , either to 
 hazard the whole Kingdom upon the caft of a Die againft an Army of defperate Game- 
 fters, or elfe to endeavour to put an end to thefe mifchicfs by a Peace : That by this 
 Capitulation the Germans were again difmi(red, time given to take breath, the Enemy 
 divided, the danger retpoved for the prefent , and the care of the future left to Gods 
 Providence, with Come lively reafonable hopes at length to attain to the defired end, 
 and that one day the candour of her intentions would appear, and the juftnefs of her 
 deligns. 
 
 But though the AmbaiTador communicated thefe reafons to whom he thought good, 
 and the Senate ever favouring Peace, difliked not this counfel ■■> yet the more turbu- 
 lent Spirits forbore not to find fault with the Accommodation , and to make finifter 
 conftrudions of the Queens intentions. Neverthelcfs, thofe that governed the affairs 
 agreeing upon it, and the Capitulation being figned , on the 20 of March the Peace 
 was publilhed, with thefe conditions : That thofe of the pretended Reformed Religion 
 (hould have free exercife of their Religion in all parts of the Kingdom, according to the 
 former Ad of Pacification v and that all Edids publifhed fince to the prejudice thereof, 
 (hould be held as void : That the Prince of Conde^ the Admiral, and the rcftftiould 
 not be liable to thofe fentcnces which had pa(red againft them, the King declaring he 
 was certified whatfoever had been done was with very good intentions , and for the 
 publick good : That the Hugonot Lords fliould be reftored to their Eftates, and that 
 they (hould fend away Prince Cafmir with his A;my, the King contributing a certain 
 fumot money towards their payment ; but before they left the Confines of the King- 
 dom, the King (hould difmifs all the Svviifes, the Italian Forces both Horfe and Foot, 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Fourth ^ooJ^ 
 
 127 
 
 15(58. 
 
 and thofe the Catholick King fent into France: That of the money which was dif- 
 burfcd to Cafmir, part fhould be held as a gift from his Majefty, and the reft be re- 
 paid within a certain time by the Prince of Cm;;^/^ and the Hugonots: Laftly, That all 
 the Commanders and Gentlemen of the Religion might retire whither they pleafed, en- 
 joying their offices and goods without any let or contradiction- Which Agreement 
 being publifhed by the Parliaments, the Articles began to be put in execution i but nei- 
 ther the one lide nor the other proceeded therein with that rcadinefs and candour, as 
 was neccffary for the quiet of the Kingdom '■> on the contrary, both fides endeavour- 
 ing what they could to hinder it, interpofed difficulties and impediments upon every 
 the leaft thing whatfoever: for the Hugonot Lords, who confented to the Accommo- 
 dation againlt their wills , though they had difmified Prince Cafimir, who having re- 
 ceived the pay promifed by the King was marched towards Lorain^ and from thence 
 after much fpoil done in the Country retired into his Fathers Dominions -■> yet they came '^''* ""''[;'- 
 not to an entire reflitution of the places, but ftill held Sa>tjerre, Muntaitban ^ Albi^ treaty are no: 
 Milljnd and Cajires , and the Cities of Rachel denying that they were to fubmit to a f"^otiMd. 
 Capitulation made without their confent, not only refufed to admit the Governour 
 and Garifon fent them by the King, but prepared with much diligence to defend and 
 fortifie themfelves. 
 
 The Prince and the Admiral not daring to go to the Court, and rauchlefs to remain 
 difarmcd, were retired, the one to Noires^ and the other to Chaftillo,i^ and there Itood 
 upon their guard to watch for an advantage, or to imbrace any occafion whatfoever > 
 and ftill maintained a Negotiation with the Proteftant Princes of Germany, to enter 
 into a new league , and to make new levies. Many of the common Souldicrs who 
 knew they could not be fafe at their own houfes, and had not wherewithal to live or 
 fubiili, aflembled upon the Confines of Pkardy, with a pretence to pafs into Flanders^ 
 to aid thofe that were up in Arms there, a thing exprefly forbidden, and which the 
 King had by divers fevere Edids prohibited : but having put themfelves under the 
 command of Monlieur de QoccaviUs, they, got poffeilion of the Caftle of St. Velepi in 
 the County of Caitx^ a place opportunely fituated, as well for a paffage into the Low- 
 Coimtr'es, as to hold a commerce wit\\Eng^h-ind, which was conceived they durft not 
 have done without the approbation and incitement of the Prince of Conde and the 
 other Hugonot Lords. On the other iide the King alledging that all the places were 
 not returned to their obedience, neither difmifTcd the Swifles, nor disbanded the Ita- 
 lians, but with fundry exceptions, and under divers pretences reftrained in many 
 things the liberty of Religion granted to the Hugonots, who were many of them ill 
 treated by the people, and many, though in appearance for other reafons, punifhed by 
 the Magiftrates, and driven out of the Cities. At which time the King and the Queen 
 confulted perpetually what courfe was to be taken to free themfelves from thefe trou- 
 bles, and then was Hrft eltablifhed, and not before, that Council, which is called the 
 Cabinet Council, which coniifted not of thofe perfons which by their birth, or privi- Thebeginnln* 
 ledge of their places are ufually adm.itted, but of a few choice men th^t the.King liked, of the Cabinet 
 to- whom he imparted fccretly in his own private Chamber his moft hidden inward 
 thoughts.- The firft chofen to this coniidence, befides the Queen-Mother, upon wliom 
 the deliberations for the moft part depended, were the Duke of AnJQH^ the Kings Bro- 
 ther, the High Chancellor de /' Hofpital, Lewis de Lanfac , John de Marvilliers' Eifliop 
 of Orleans, Sebajiian de I' Aitbefpbie Bifliop of L/V«o^f/, Henry de Me fmes, Seignicur ^e 
 MalaJJife^ the Prefident Renate de Biragite, and Ville-Roy Secretary of State. Thefe con- 
 fulting together of the prefent affairs, through the diverfity of reafons, found it a very 
 hard matter what to refolve '■, for taking Arms again, the fame difficulties would arife 
 which in the greateft fervour of the War made them chufe and conclude a Peace i and 
 on the other fide, it was not poiTible by policy to put the former counfels in execution » 
 for the Heads of the Hugonots were not in any degree difpofed to return to their obe- 
 dience, and to make fare of their perfons was not at all eafie i for neither the Prince, 
 the Admiral, Attdelot, nor any of the reft the chief amongft them would be perfwaded 
 to come to Court i but being full of jealoufies, kept themfelves armed in feveral places 
 at a diftance , diligently obferving every thing that might be plotted againft them » 
 which difficulties having held the Council long in fufpence , and in the mean while 
 complaints coming from all parts of new infurredtions and tumults, which were raifed 
 either through the impatience of the Catholicks, or the too obftinate wiltulnels of the 
 HugonotSj^bpt ever with blood, uproars and danger > at lall they' concluded , that to 
 ■' ' ' " ' ' ' ' - • ■ takp
 
 128 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil IVari 
 
 The King, to 
 cbiftirc the 
 Heads of the 
 Hugoiiots, 
 takes occalioD 
 to demand the 
 money paid to 
 Prince Cjfimir 
 upon their 
 account. 
 
 The Prince of 
 Cende anfTCer- 
 ethand incen- 
 feth the King 
 with a Lttter 
 of Pioteltaci. 
 «n. 
 
 Order given 
 by the King to 
 take the 
 Prince of fjBrfe 
 and cfae Admi. 
 rai priibners. 
 
 take away the roots of thefe continual perverfe tumults , it was necefTary to proceed 
 with more refolution and lefs circumfpe<ftion. Wherefore taking occafion upon the 
 money disburfed to Cafimir, and that Sum the Hugonot Lords wete obliged to pay 
 within a certain time, which was then expired , the King fignified to the Prince of 
 Conde, that he fliould provide to make payment thereof i advertifing him withal , he 
 underflood not the money (hould be raifed by way of contribution upon the Com- 
 monalty of the Hugonots : for he would not that any body fhould have the power or 
 liberty to lay Taxes upon his people > but that he meant the Heads of them, who had 
 been Authors of the late War and Commotion, fhould, as they had promifed, out of 
 their own Eftates fatisfie this debt which they had contradcd without the advice or ap- 
 probation of particulars, when for their own intereft they called Cafimir with the Ger- 
 man Army into the Kingdom. 
 
 This fignification touched the Prince to the quick : for the debt amounting to the 
 Sum of 300000 Crowns , he faw the King was refolved by this means to ruine him 
 and the Admiral, with all the principal perfons of the Fadtions : for not any of them 
 being able to furnifli fo much ready money as might difcharge them of their promife, 
 their goods and eftates would be feifed upon at a low value j which being refolved not 
 to endure, having fent for the Admiral to come to him , after a long confutation of 
 the bufinefs, he anfwered the King tefblutely. That this not being his own private or 
 particular debt, but contraded for the fetvice of thofe , who to prefcrve their lives 
 and Religion had put themfelves under his protedtion i and the Articles of Peace con- 
 taining, that he and all the reft of his party (hould be engaged for the fatisfadlion of it, 
 it was not reafonable, that now to ruine him, the payment fhould be required of him 
 alone, and fome few other Lords, who were already too much undone by refifting the 
 perfecutions of their enemies i and that if his Majefty were pofitively refolved to be 
 prefently paid, which might well be deferred to a more feafonable quiet time, it was 
 neceffary to permit them to raife the money upon the Reformed Churches, who he zV- 
 furcd would willingly fubmit to the burthen i but if he would not permit it, his Ma- 
 jefty might well forefee, that many through defpair would be conftrained to think of 
 new violent courfes, againft his will and intentions: That he well knew this proceeded 
 from the malice of his enemies , who not defiring the peace and quiet of the King- 
 dom, infufed fuch precipitate counfels to renew the War : That this was not their 
 firft attempt i for already in many places , cruelly murthering thofe who with his Ma- 
 jefties permillion afTembled at their devotions, they had put Arms into the hands of 
 the moft (editions people in France : That he defired his Majefty to inform himfelf of 
 that which happened at 'Rouen^ Amiens, Bourges, Orleans , Troys ^ Clairmont in Atf 
 vergne, Angiers, Lagtti, and in many other places, to do juftice to theopprefTed, and 
 caufe his own promifes to be obferved : and at length concluded , That his Majefty 
 confidering with himfelf what was potTible and juft, without being obfcured or pal- 
 liated by the petfwafions of others, would not tie him to do that which he could not 
 by any means perform. 
 
 This Letter abfolutely confirmed the King and his Cabinet Council in their refolu- 
 tion to proceed without any regard, becaufe it feemed rather a proteftation and threat- 
 ring, than an excufej and they knew well, whilft the Prince and the Admiral had 
 any power, the Peace would neither be fecure, nor the danger taken away oF the Ger- 
 mans coming again into the Kingdom. Wherefore all doubts being removed , they 
 determined to try whether they could on a fudden furprife the Prince and the Adiniral, 
 whocontrary to their firft refolution Cto keep in feveral places, that they might not be 
 both taken in one trap ) were now both together at Noyers, upon the Confines of 
 Bitrgundy, a Town not very ftrong, nor fo well guarded, that it could make any long 
 refiftance. But becaufe it was a bufinefs in the managing whereof fecrefie was more 
 required than ftrength, Jafper Count de Tavanes Lieutenant to the Duke of Aumale 
 in the Government of that Province, where he had fourteen Companies of Gens d'Armr, 
 and the Count Siarra Martvtengo , who with the Italians quartered likewife in thofe 
 parts , had order to go fb on a fudden upon that place and fecure the pafTages, that 
 neither of them might find any way to efcape. The King thought he might jufily do 
 this -, for befides their paft adtions, and the obftinate perverfenefs with which they 
 flirred the people to rebellion, the Hugonot Lords had not in many things performed 
 the Articles of the Capitulation j by which, and by nothing elfe, he was obliged to 
 pardon them : but he had the more hope eafily to efFedl his purpofe, becaufe Noyers 
 
 being
 
 of France. The Fourth ^oo{. 
 
 129 
 
 fceing bcfieged, he might fend fuch a ftrength into thofe parts, that it would be ne- 
 ccfTarily reduced before they could receive any fuccoursi and the Prince and the Ad- 
 miral being once removed out of the way, he believed neither Andelot nor any of the 
 reft had authority enough to renew the War. 
 
 But this defign was no (boner refolved upon , than known to thofe very perfbns 
 againrt whom it was intended i wherefore though they faw themfelves invironed on 
 all fides by the Kings Forces, for Martittengo having put two Companies of Foot into 
 Orleans, and advancing (till under pretence of changing his Quarters, was not far 
 from them j the Duke of Montpoifier and Monfieur de Martignes kept the paffages of 
 the Loire i the Duke of Gttife with feven Companies of Lances was upon the Confines 
 of Champagne j and the Marcflial de Cojfe was in Arms in Picardy, having (to clear 
 the fufpicion the King had conceived of his fidelity ) gotten a CommilTion to fup- 
 prefs thofe who were in St- yeleri •, and the Count de 'tavanes lay nearer than all the 
 reft, and but a little diftant from them i (b that they were compafled in on every fide 
 as with a net: Neverthelefs, being forced by necelTity (before the Kings Forces, which 
 were ftill advancing, drew near) to take fome fpeedy refolution, and thinking it a 
 defperate courfe to flay to be befieged in Noyers , they determined to fave themfelves 
 by flight, and to retire into fome place where they might not only be fecure, but raife . 
 an Army, and gather together their partifans and followers. 
 
 According to this refolution , which they kept concealed from their own fervants, 
 the firft of September in the night, getting fecretly on horfc-back with their Wives and 
 Children , accompanied only with two hundred Horfe that they might go the fafter, 
 and not be fo eafily difcovered, they marched in great diligence towards Rochel, end 
 left Captain Bois behind with fo many Horfe more to hinder, as much as was polVible, 
 the advancing of the Enemy , if he offered to follow them, that fo they might have 
 time to fave themfelves > and by good fortune, through the extraordinary drought of 
 the Summer, the waters were (o exceeding low, that they might foord the Loire ( a 
 great rapid River) without any danger at Kouen, which otherwife, all the Bridges be- 
 ing pofleiTed by the Kings Forces , they could not poilibly have paffed. Captain Bois 
 had not the like fuccefs , who being followed by Martinengo, and overtaken near the 
 River, his men were without much difpute abfolutely broken and defeated, and he fly- 
 ing to a certain Caftle not far off, was conftrained to yield himfelf at difcretion to 
 MartineHgo , who fent him prifoner to the Court. But the Prince and the Admiral, 
 who had foorded the River long before without any impediment, marching an incre- 
 dible pace, arrived without being overtaken in a few days ztKochel, a place in all 
 coniiderations moft proper to make the principal feat for their party , their place of 
 Arms, and their Arfenal for the War : for the Princes having loft thofe great ftrong 
 Towns Orleans and Koiten, which lay fo convenient to found and maintain the Fa- 
 ction, it was neceftary for them to provide fome other place, which being fituated in 
 a rich fertile Country, had the commodity likewife of a Haven j nor could they chufe 
 any more advantageous for them then K.Oi:/j.^/ i for pofleiTing that Port, and the Neigh- 
 bouring Illands that were fruitful and populous, they might at pleafure receive fuccours 
 out of Gfrmany , Flanders , England, Scotland , Britany and Normandy, all Countries 
 full of their partifans, and fettle themfelves in a Town very hardly to betaken from 
 them ■■, Co that in the ftreiglits they were then in , there was not much doubt to be 
 made of the place whither they fliould retire. Wherefore being received with great 
 joy by the Bourgers o(Kochel, and by many of their chief Minifters, who were retired 
 thither before for their fafety, they began to difpatch Curriers and Letters into all parts, 
 fummoning their Friends and Adherents to come in to them without delay, as well to 
 fecure their own perfons from the treacheries of their Enemies '-, as to unite themfelves, 
 and form fuch a body of an Army, that they might be able to refift thofe Forces which 
 they knew were intended againft them. 
 
 There was no need of many invitations , for at the report only of the flight and 
 danger of the Prince of Conde, all thofe of the fame Fadtion began to rife > and that 
 they might be ready as foon as they were called upon, prefently took Arms, even thofe 
 very perfons which at the conclufion of the Peace were fo violent for it, now Tas that 
 Nation is of an unconftant voluble difpofition) being weary of lying idle a few months, 
 already defired a War, and were more ardent than the refl: toimbraceit- So the fign 
 being given, within a few days they aftembled all their Forces together at Rochel : 
 Thofe of foicioK under the condud of Meffieurs d' Ivoy and Blofet , thofe of Perigort 
 
 S under 
 
 1568. 
 
 The Prince 
 and the Ad- 
 miral ftve 
 themfelves by 
 flight at Fo- 
 tbci, where all 
 the Hujonots 
 and the Qatca 
 of Navvrrc 
 come to ikem 
 withgte»c 
 farces.
 
 130 
 
 i5<J8. 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 Cdrtio Cardi- 
 nal of C.7.>ili'- 
 /.« whocalltil 
 himfcif Cfunj 
 of BiivV'Us, 
 flies difouifcd 
 like a Mariner 
 into EngUnd, 
 and after- 
 wards lemain- 
 eth with that 
 Queen as A- 
 gent for the 
 Jflugonois. 
 
 A Manifeft of 
 the Hu5;onois, 
 and Letters of 
 the Qseen of 
 tisvunt. 
 
 The Kin' en- 
 ters into a jea- 
 loufie of the 
 Hi<;h Chan- 
 cellor de I' 
 Hufpimt, and 
 puttinj him 
 out of his of- 
 fice, confers it 
 upon Mon- 
 ficBr de Mir- 
 viUirti. 
 
 under Soubife and deTitviaut^ thofe of Cahors under Filei and Clairemont ^ thofe of 
 tiorniJHdy under the Count of Montgomery and Colombiere , and thofe of Britany un- 
 der tlie Vidame of Cbartres and Lavardine. Andelot and la None having in their paf- 
 fjgc over the Loire had divers skirmifhes witli the Duke of Mompenfier and Mon- 
 fleur de Martigues , though in three or four encounters they lolt many of their 
 men, yet they arrived fafe with a good number of Horfe at the fame place. At length 
 the Qiieen of Navjrre, either doubting no lefs than the reft her own fafety, or delirous 
 to animate and ftrcngthen her party, and to advance the fortune of the Prince her Son, 
 now fifteen years of age, having raifed a confiderable number of Horfe and Foot in 
 Bearu, came her felf in perfon to the general rendezvous at "Rachel. Only Odetto late 
 Cardinal of Chajiillon , who lived at Beauvais , and was encompaflfed with the Kings 
 Forces, not thinking it poffible to make fuch a long journey in fafety to join with the 
 reft, went difguifed in a Mariners habit to the Sea-lide, and from thence palfed with 
 much danger into England^ where being received with great refped: by the Queen, he 
 afterwards did very good fervice to his party, remaining in that Court as Agent for 
 the Hugonots. 
 
 But the Hugonot Lords having in a ftiort tinne raifed a great Army about Kochely 
 according to their old cuftom, before they would do any thing, to juftifie their reafbns, 
 and give a fair pretence for their proceedings, published a Manifeft, in which after a 
 long Narration made of all the injuries done in divers places, and at feveral times to 
 thofe.of the Reformed Religion, fctting forth at large the great danger they were con- 
 tinually in, whilft they continued unarmed to beabufed and oppreffed , concluded at 
 laft, That they had taken Arms only for the defence of their Liberties, Lives and 
 Religion, whichunder God they profelTed, without any other end or defign > defiring 
 ftill to live as Subjefts in obedience to his Majefty, fo they might be fecured for their 
 Lives and Confcicnces. At the fame time Queen Ji/«c publifhed certain Letters, di-* 
 refled to the moft Chriftian King, the Duke of A}ipu^ and the Cardinal of Bourbon, 
 in which, repeating the fame things the Hugonots had fet forth in their Manifeft, fhe 
 declared, That (he could do no lefs than join with the Prince of Conde and the reft of 
 the fame Religion with her felf, as well for the maintenance of that Doftrine in which 
 fhe only believed , as to fccure her felf from the treacherous dcfigns which the Cardinal 
 of Loraift on the one fide, and the Spaniards on the other had continually upon her life 
 and her Sons, and upon the miferable relicks of the Kingdom of Navarre,- which rea- 
 fons, though they were fet forth with great flourifhes of Rhetorick j yet it appeared 
 plainly, ftie either invented or added to them, and that nothing moved her more than 
 the exceeding defire (he had that Calvin's Religion flouri(hing and increafing, her Son 
 (hould become the Head of that Fadfion, as the Prince of Conde then was, and as her 
 Husband the King of Njvarre had been formerly. 
 
 But the moft Chriftian King, and the Queen his Mother, feeing in a moment all the 
 Hugonot Commanders not only retired into a place of fecurity and advantage •, but an 
 Army raifed on a fudden, and a War begun, which with fo many arts and diilimula- 
 tions they had fought to avoid , plainly perceived the fecrets of the Cabinet Council 
 were revealed , nor could any body be fufpedled thereof fave only the High Chancel- 
 lour, who befides his not confenting to what was refblved upon concerning the Prince 
 and the Admiral, it was known his Wife, his Son-in-law, and his Daughter, were all 
 three of the Hugonot Religion, and that he himfelf held a great correfpondence with 
 T'eligny, deftined for the Admirals Son-in-law, a young man full of fubtilties and di(Ii- 
 mulation, and therefore liked of by him to marry his Daughter, as underftanding tho(e 
 arts wherewith he ordinarily governed his aiftions : which jealoufie of the High Chan- 
 cellour, grounded only upon report , and a general confent, prevailed Co much with 
 the King, that though there were no material proofs againft him whereby lie could be 
 deprived of his Office i yet the King not only put him out, but commanded him from 
 the Court, and gave the Seals to Monfieur Morviliierr, a man of great experience and 
 no lefs wit, who being an Ecclcfiaftical Perfon, was very averfe to the Fadion, free 
 from any intelligence with the Hugonots, and a dependant upon the Houfe of G7tife. 
 
 Michael de i Hofpital being removed from the Court and the affairs, the King and 
 the Queen defiring to take away all matter that might adminifter fewel to the fire that 
 was again ready to break out, caufed an Edid to be publifhed , in which they pro- • 
 mifed to obferve the Capitulation, and that accordingly a Liberty of Confcience (hould 
 be tolerated to all thcfe who remaining peaceably in their Houfes, abftained from Arms, 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Fourth 'Boo^, 
 
 13 
 
 and from joining with them who went about under feveral pretences to ftir up the 
 people to Rebellion. But not many days after, either perfwaded by the reafons the 
 Catholicks alledged againft this Edid, as a means to advance the defigns and pradlices 
 of the Enemy , or elfe feeing that the Hugonots, neither retrained by fear, nor paci- 
 fied by the Kings favour, were with a general confent, and with the fame intentions 
 as before gone all to Koc/W, nor could not, with any promifes whatfoever be with- 
 held from running furioufly to take Arms, being willing to fatistie the requefts, and 
 to confirm the fidelity of the Catholick party, which at that time was the main prop 
 of the Royal Authority , and defirous likewife to gain the Amity of the Pope Pins 
 ^intus^ who both by threatning melfages, and particular graces granted to the King, 
 perpetually follicited the prohibition of the Hugonot Religion i and being refblved to 
 declare their affcdtions in this point, till then much doubted of by all Cbriftendom, 
 caufed another Edidt to be publilhed, in which the King, after a long dlrtin(9: Nar- 
 ration of the indulgence and benignity he had fliewed to reduce the Hugonots to a 
 right underftanding, and after a particular mention of the feditions and confpiracies 
 by which contemning his MajelHes grace and goodnefs, they had continually difquie- 
 ted and molefted his Kingdoms, bringing in ftrangers and mortal Enemies , to the 
 French Nation, to poflcfs and invade the Itrongcft places, and raofi: flourifhing parts 
 of the Kingdom i at length, revoking all Edid's'publiflied concerning Religion during 
 his minority, and nullifying the la(i Capitulation made pro interim^ and by way of pro- 
 vifion, ordained and commanded that the excrcife of any Religion whatfoever, except 
 the Roman Catholick, ever obferved by him and the Kings his PredecelTors, fhould be 
 prohibited and exprefly forbidden and interdided in all places of the Kingdom: ba- 
 niflied the Calvinirt Minilkrs and Preachers out of all the Towns and places under his 
 Dominion, commanding them upon pain of death within the term of fifteen days to 
 avoid the Kingdom i pardoned through fpecial grace all things part in matters of Re- 
 ligion, requiring for the future under pain of death a general conformity to the Rites 
 of the Catholick Church v and finally ordained, that no perfon (hould be admitted to 
 any Oflice, Charge, Dignity, or Magiftracy whatfoever, if he did not profefsand live 
 'conformable to the Roman Religion. 
 
 This Conllitution being publiflied with an incredible concourfe of the Parifians, 
 and received with exceeding joy by all the Parliaments , gave a clear teftimony, that 
 the King and Qjeens intentions had ever been to fupprefs and deftroy the Hugonot 
 party, but defired to do it without the noife of War, and with as little prejudice to 
 the people , or danger of difinembring the Kingdom as was poilible: Wherefore their 
 arts and dillimulations, after fo long patience proving all vain, at length taking off ("as 
 the faying is) their Mask, they declared an implacable War againft the followers of 
 the Hugonot Fatflion. 
 
 They were not lefs diligent to make provifions for the War , than fevere and rcfolute 
 in their decrees : For the Duke of Anjou being declared Lieutenant General of all the 
 Provinces, prefently got an Army together, with a refolution immediately to advance 
 into Xaiittonge, to fupprefs the Hugonot Forces before they received any fuccours from 
 other parts, or from the Queen of England, or the Proteliant Princes of Germany : On 
 the other fide , the Prince and the Admiral , remembring the fuccefs of the late Ac- 
 commodation , had obliged themfelves and all the reft by afolemn Oath at Rachel^ to 
 perfevere until death in the defence of their Religion , nor ever to condefcend to an 
 agreement without the general confent of all the Commanders , and fufficient fecurity 
 for the prefervation of their lives , and to injoy a full Liberty of Confcience. After 
 which Covenant thus fworn and eftablilhed amongft themfelves, they fent forthwith 
 into England and Germany , to procure Aids from thence. And becaufe the Admiral, 
 a man who by long experience had learned the true difcipline , knew that food and 
 other necelTary provifions are the only means whereby Armies fubfift and profper, 
 ("wherefore he ufually faid, /4n ArmyU a certain Monjicr^ which begins to b? fnrmed by 
 the belly) feeing they were fliut up in a corner, which though fruitful, was yet ftreight- 
 ned on the one fide by the River Low, and on the other by the Mountains, which from 
 Languedoc and Gi?/co>yi extend themfelves to the Tireneess perfwaded the Prince and 
 the other Chiefs, that all manner of care fhould be ufed to get ftore of Corn, Money 
 and Munition, whereby they might fupply their prefent occafions, and the necellities 
 of the enfuing Winter : to which end they made ready a Fleet of thirty fail of feveral 
 kinds and burthen , which fhould fcour the Sea , and run up into the Rivers, robbing 
 
 S 2 Merchants 
 
 i5d8. 
 
 The King fet- 
 teth fcith an 
 Vi\& againft 
 the Hugonots, 
 by which all 
 the former are 
 icvoked. 
 
 Newprspara- 
 tions foi War, 
 
 Tht Hjjoroti 
 f(t out a ricet 
 to fetch in 
 provifions.
 
 15 2 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ic68 Merchants Hiips , and little Towns upon the coafts, not only to bring what Corn they. 
 ' could from other places to liochel, but to take what booty they met with in money to 
 ftippiy their prcfcnt want. Nor was this counfel without cffed ; for in the fpace of a* 
 few months, having taken many Vcflels, which without any fear of fuch an encounter, 
 put freely to Sea, they got fuch a confiderable Sum as was fufficient to defray the ex- 
 pcnces of the Army for foire time after : but they had much more help by the induftry 
 of the Qyeen of Navarre , who with often MefTagcs and earneft Letters Co follicited 
 the Queen of Etigland, that.fhe difpofed her, notwithftanding the peace newly made 
 with the moft Chriftian King , not only to accommodate the Hugonots with Ships, 
 Corn and Munition , but with looooo Crowns alfo for the payment of their Army j 
 in which flie pretended not to have broken the conditions of the Peace, for the Forces 
 raifcd by the Hugonots were for the Kings fervice , and afliftance of the Crown, 
 againtV<he Opprcffors of the Royal Liberty , and the Perfecutors of the true Worfliip 
 of God. 
 
 In the mean while the Prince and the Admiral marching forth with the Arnoy, pof- 
 fefTcd themfelves without oppofition of all the Neighbouring Towns , and had fuch 
 good fuccefs , that in a few weeks they were Maflers not only of all the Country of 
 Xaintottge, but of the moft part of the Cities of FotUou and 7oxrain, which either by 
 force or agreement joined with the Confederates , and received Hugonot Garifons. 
 Thefe proceedings were not at firft hindered by the Duke of MoHtpenfier, who being 
 fent to that Province with an inconfiderable number of men, could not make refiftance 
 againft fo ftrong and powerful an Army : wherefore the Hugonots being Mafters ("with- 
 out difpute ) of the Field, over-run, burnt and pillaged all the Country, and every 
 moment multiplied in ftrength and adherents ; for thofe that governed the affairs were 
 not careful enough at the firft to fend a fufficient force after to fupprefs them, or at 
 leaft to hinder their increafe , and now they were conftrained to fpend much time in 
 getting men together from other parts, and making them march fo far from their own 
 Country. 
 
 But Henry of Lorain, Duke of Guife, the Count of BrijJ'ae, and Meftieurs de BIrajty 
 Martigites and la Valette being at length joined with the Duke of Montpenfier, they ' 
 unanimoufly agreed that they would lie abroad in the field, to curb the intbkncies and 
 incurfionsof the Enemy, and to defend thofe Towns that were not yet in the power 
 of the Hugonots i and fo it happened, that at the fame time that the Duke of Mont- 
 fenfier leaving Angiers went to lie with his Army upon the Banks of Vienne, MeiTieurs 
 de Mouvans and Ackr who had raifed all the Hugonot Forces of Vaulphhie^ Provence^ 
 Aitvergne^ and Languedoc, going to join with the Army, arrived at the fame place. 
 They were about 18000 Horfe and Foot , but for the moft part tumultuary people, 
 and not accuftomed to the War -, who partly to fecure themfelves from the (everity of 
 the Magiftrates , partly in hope of the booty that was propofed to them, had volun- 
 tarily joined with certain of the Nobility. Neverthelefs they were very ftridly obe- 
 dient to their Officers, and marched in exceeding good order, divided into two Bat- 
 tels, the firft led by Mdlieurs de Mouvans and F ierregourde, the other by Monlieur de 
 Acier himfelf, and for the moft part lodged (b near , that in a little time they might 
 cafily fuccour one another, with which kind of difcipline having overcome all diffi- 
 culties, they were arrived , laden with booty, from the fartheft parts of Lionoife and 
 Daulphine, upon the borders of Xaintonge. 
 
 The Duke of Mo«*/'f«/Jfr being advertifed of their coming , rcfolved to fight with 
 them •, and (bmuch the rather, becaufe the Van, through their long march, or what- 
 ever elfe were the reafon, forfaking their wonted order , was advanced a good way 
 before the Battel. Wherefore departing from Vejjunne two hours before day, on the 
 30 oi October, he difpofed the order of the affault in this manner : That whilft he with 
 frequent skirmiffies kept the main body in play, which was with Acier in the fecond 
 Squadron, the Count of Bri^ac and the Duke of Guife, with all the Cavalry fhould 
 charge Mouvans and Pierregourde, who with the leffer number went before, and invi- 
 roning them with their Troops, fight with them as they marched into the Champagne^ 
 where tlie Foot , of which they had good ftore , but no Pikes , had fo much difad- 
 vantage, that he thought it eafie without much contention to defeat them. But the 
 Dukeof G«i/e and the Count de Brijfac mounting 1200 Foot in Croope , made fuch 
 hafte, that contrary to the order given, they came upofi the Enemy whilft he was yet 
 lodged in the Village of Mejfignac before he began to tujirch , infomuch that they loft 
 
 that
 
 of France. The Fourth ^oo\, toj 
 
 that advantage by which they hoped with a lefler numbei: to overcome a greater. i^S9» 
 Notvvirhftanding feeing the Hugonots, fearing the Horfe, kept in, and ftood upon 
 their defence , not to feem to come in vain, they affaulted the Village with great 
 force i and the tight was fo hot there , that for the fpace of two hours they hood 
 to it obftinately on both fides, till the Catholick Commanders, finding they la- 
 boured to no purpofe, and through the ftrong fituation of the place , expofed their 
 men to an evident danger, refolved to found a retreat i and returning the fame way 
 they came , placed themfelves in ambufh in a Wood , a little diftant from Meffignac^ 
 which extended it felf largely behind a hill, expe(fting there to fee what the Enemy 
 would do. Mouvans and Fienegourde believing the Kings Forces were gone to meet 
 with their Foot , with an intent to come again to affault them in the fame place , ho- 
 ping before their return they might gain Riberac, a ftrong place held by the Hugonots, 
 and but rive leagues off, without taking any care to difcover the Country, began to 
 march with great diligence, to prevent the return of theCatholicks, who they thought 
 were by that time a good way from them. But they were fcarce advanced into the 
 midft of the field without Mejjignac^ haftning to recover a Wood which reacheth from 
 thence to Kiberac, when the Catholicks coming upon them with their Horfe divided 
 into divers Troops , charged them furioufly on all fides •, and though they were not 
 very well able to defend themfelves , all their Foot being Musketiers , without any 
 Pikes, in a plain open place, yet fighting with exceeding conflancy, made the Victory 
 bloody to the Enemy. Mouvans and Tierregojirde were killed, and together with them 
 remained dead upon the place about two thoufand Foot, and more then four thou- 
 (and Horfe : the Catholick Souldiers having by command from their Officers not en- 
 deavoured to take prifoners, which, redeeming themfelves for a fmall ranfom, would 
 perverfly return to the fervice of the Hugonots. 
 
 The Duke of Montpenfier having in the mean while overtaken the Enemies Battalia 
 at S. Chatier, which was in a great body flanked with good Horfe of Provence and 
 Daulphhte, purpofed not to charge them with all his force, but thinking it fufficient to 
 keep them at a bay, fo that they might not fuccour their Van, entertained them with 
 frequent hot skirmifhes till the evening, when night coming on, he being retreated to- 
 wards Vefunne^ they taking the advantage of the dark, marched all night without in- 
 termiiTion , fo that about break of day they arrived at Kzifrjc s and the day follow- 
 ing, which was the firft of November, joined with the Prince and the Admiral at Aube- 
 terre. 
 
 But the Duke of A>ijoHVih\\ the Army marching in great diligence , was now come 
 to Amboife •, wherefore the Duke of Montpenfier and the other Commanders after the 
 Vidlory at Mejftgmc^ leaving to moleft the Enemy, went away with all their forces to 
 join with him j and the tench day of November both the Armies met at Chajiel-rault, a 
 Town in the Confines of PoiCtou upon the River Vienne. 
 
 Great was the expedtation every body had of the valour and generofity of this 
 Prince, who in the firft flour of his age, being adorned with moft noble Endowments, 
 feemed as it were born on purpofe to fuftain the weight of the grcateft Empires in 
 Europe ■■, for to his excellent form of body, was added fuch a perfect conftitution, that 
 the delicatenefs of his complexion hindred him not from fupporting all the inconve- 
 niences that belong to a Souldier i and in his mind appeared fuch figns of courage, 
 magnanimity, prudence, and a generous Spirit, that his Vertue was thought much be- 
 yond his years j which ornaments being accompanied with a natural eloquence, and 
 the knowledge of fuch Letters as belong to a Prince , gained him not only wonderful 
 love, but a fingular reverence likewife, both from the Army , the Nobility, and from 
 the whole Nation. And though his adions indeed gave fome teftimonics of a humane 
 condition, which is never altogether free from the marks of moral frailty i yet his in- 
 clinations to pleafures were imputed to the tendernefs of his youth, and his profufeli- 
 t^erality tohisdomefticksandfervants, thought rather a magnanimity of mind not yet , 
 fully fettled, than any weaknefs or want of judgment. In this great el^eem was the 
 Duke of Aijjou with all men, to which that his a(^ions might correfpond, he defired 
 without further delay to meet the Enemy in the Field, and being ftreightned by the 
 feafon of the year already inclining to Winter, forthwith making a general Mufter of 
 his Army, in which were 7000 Horfe, dooo SwifTes , 2000 Italians, and 12000 
 French Foot , moved with all his Forces marching through the fame fiuitful Country 
 of foiCfon, towards the place where the Hugonots werCt 
 
 Ac
 
 ijA The Hi/lory of the Civil JVars 
 
 ik6S. At the fame time the Prince of Conde being Mafter of all the Country about, feeing . 
 
 fuch a powerful Enemy come againfl: him, was with twenty four thoufand Foot, and 
 little lefs than four thoufand Horfe , upon his march , with a refolution to approach 
 as near as he could to the Kings Army, without abandoning the Towns belonging to 
 his party, and opportunely to imbrace the advantage of any occafion that thepropiti- 
 Gufnefs of his fortune diould prefent. Both the Generals had the fame ^c'C\gn, a thing 
 rarely falling out, that two Enemies fhould concur in the fame opinion for the mana- 
 ging of the War i for the Duke of An'jou who thought himfelf fupcriour , not only 
 in number, but alfo in the courage of his Souldiers, and difcipiineof War, defircd to 
 come to a Battel, hoping to fupprcfs the Hugonots before their fuccours came out of 
 Germany i and the Prince of Conde likewife , who commanding Vokmtiers, which for 
 the moft part fervcd without pay, knew the ardour and union of his Souldiers would 
 not long continue, thought it better to make ufe of them whilft their fervour lafted, 
 than by prolonging the War run into thofe inconveniences, of which he had formerly 
 had too much experience. 
 
 But the defire and determinations of the Generals was croflcd by the contrariety of 
 the fealbn, for it being then about the end of November^ the extraordinary cold, great 
 ice, and fnows, hindered the progrefs both of the one and the other, for the days be- 
 ing fliort, and the nights exceeding cold, they could not (the ways being broken, and 
 covered with fnow) either eafily fetch in provifions, or march with their Army , or 
 advance with their Cannon, wherefore they were forced by making (hort journies, and 
 lodging in convenient qrarters, to eafe the grievous labour of the Souldiers : for nei- 
 tlier the men nor the Horfes could by any means lie in Tents, by reafon of which in- 
 commodities, both Armies advanced very llowly. But at length all difficulties being 
 overcome, with a wonderful conftancy on both fides, they came (b near together be- 
 tween Foidiers , Cha]iel-rault , and Litfignan , that they were not above four French 
 leagues a funder, which, as is faid before, anfwer to eight Englifli miles. 
 
 The Duke of Anjou with the grols of the Army quartered at Jafeneuil , a Town 
 upon the great Road , which from Poictias lead diredly to the Enemy, and part of 
 the Cavalry with fome few Foot for the more convenience lodged at Sanfe^ a Village 
 but a league diftant from J.ifenettil. The Prince of Conde on the other fide marching 
 with all his Forces towards the Catholicks , was come to lodge at Colombiere , two 
 leagues out of Lufgnan , at which Town all his Army quartered very commodioufly. 
 In the mid-way equally diflant from both Camps was a Village caWcd Pamproit, upon 
 which each General had a dclign with an intent to lodge his Van there , that he might 
 be the nearer to vex and trouble the Enemy. It Co happened that Martigites on the 
 Catholick fide, and -(^Wf/o? on the Hugonots, advanced both at the fame tirne, with 
 the firft Troops of their Armies to poflTcfs it. At their meeting there was a fierce 
 bloody skirmifh between them, which was gallantly maintained many hours, though 
 •with various fuccefs to both parties: but whatfbevcr were the occafion, the Catho- 
 licks began to yield, and the Village at laft remained in the power of the Hugonots, 
 ■who purfuing their Victory , advanced to follow the lighc Horfe which were upon 
 their retreat. 
 
 In the mean while arrived the Duke of Montpenfier on the Catholick fide, who bring- 
 ing with him above fix hundred Lances, Andelut being much inferiour in firength re- 
 tired to the defcent of a Hill, which was between him and the Village, where extend- 
 ing the Front of his Horfe , and placing in Foot in each wing , the Enemy could nei- 
 ther take a view of his Flanks nor his Rear , but feeing fuch a large body towards 
 him , thought their whole Army had been brought thither , and fo loft the oppor- 
 tunity to rout and defeat Andelot. But the condition of things was foon changed, 
 for within a little while the Prince and the Admiral appeared with all their Forces, in- 
 fomuch that they were exceedingly too ftrong for the Catholicks , who had nothing 
 with them but their Van, all the reft of the Army being left behind in their Qiiarters 
 in Jjfenmil, Mnntpenfier and Martigues knowing the infufficiency of their ftrength, 
 and doubting if the Enemy perceived it, they fiiould be charged with difadvantage, 
 by little and little left off skirmiftiing, and retreated to a great thick Wood which was 
 behind them, ami there put their men in order, drawing into as large a Front as they 
 could, and placing the Muskiteers among the trees to make the greater fliew : but the 
 Hugonot Commanders feeing it grow late , and believing through the fame miftake, 
 that all the Catholick Aimy was drawn out as well as theirs, thinking they had done 
 
 enough
 
 of France. The Fourth ^oo^ i o <- 
 
 enough to draw them from Fampmt, ftaid there to lodge under covert , and had not 
 any thouiiht to affail the Enemy that night i whercfoTe Montpenfitr znd MartrTues hz~ 
 ving caufed the SwilTes to beat their Drums till midnight, to make the Hugonots be- 
 lieve all the Kings forces were there , and particularly the Swilfes of whom they had a 
 great efteem, and caufing lighted matches to be hanged upon the hedges, and up and 
 down in the woods to confirm the miftake of the Enemy, in the dead of the night re- 
 tired with exceeding filence to Jafeuevil--, avoiding, by the benefit of the dark, fo 
 evident a danger of being utterly defeated. 
 
 ■ The Prince and the Admiral finding in the morning the errour by which they had 
 loft fo great an opportunity, not to lofe their time likewife in vain, refolved to fet up- 
 on that part of the Army which was quartered at Sanfe^ with an intention, the Duke 
 of Anjnu not moving, to break and fcatter it, and afterwards advancing to try the for- 
 tune of a day in the open fields. But the Duke of An]oH had the fame morning upon 
 the Enemies approach, fentfor all his Forces to the head Quarter, and quitting the 
 Village, brought the whole Camp to Jafenevil^ which being unknown to the Hugo- 
 nots, they by the favour of a thick mift, fetting forth early in the morning, marched 
 with the whole Army , in great filence toward Sanfe. But coming to a place where 
 two ways part, the one whereof goes to Sanfe , and the other to Jjfenevil, the Admi- 
 ral taking the left hand, went on as he intended towards the Village, and the Prince 
 through miftake turning on the right hand, took that way which led diredlly to the 
 Catholick Camp at Jafenevil , neither did he perceive by reafon of the mift, that he 
 was out of the way , till he was fo near the Kings quarter , that he came afront the 
 Enemy in a plain open place, and was fo far engaged that he could not make a fecure re- 
 treat. The Duke of Anjou feeing the Enemies approach, not knowing their miftake, 
 thought they came with a refolution to alTault him , wherefore he drew up his men 
 into a place of advantage, though fomewhat too ftreight for his Horfe, and expedted 
 with a daring courage to join Battel. But the Prince of Conde at length finding his er- 
 rour, and not knowing where the Admiral was with the Van,going himfelf to view the 
 ground, prefently refolved what to do, and with allthehafte he could made himfelf 
 mafter of two little hills on each fide the way, where he placed his Foot being drawn 
 into two divifions , among the ftakes of the Vines , making himfelf a defence of the 
 ditches and banks , which are ufual in that Country to inclofe their grounds. The 
 Foot being lodged in fuch a place of advantage, and in a manner out of danger, the 
 next care was to fecure the Horfe, which being ranged upon the high-way, could not 
 refufe to fight whenfoever the Catholicks would charge them i wherefore that they 
 might not difcover a fear, frill moving (oftly on, the Prince m.adeftiew as if he would 
 join Battel in the plain, which lay between the two hills and the Kings Camp. 
 
 The Duke of Anjoit believing the Prince meant to fight, when he faw the Enemies 
 Horfe in the plain , commanded fire to be given to all the Cannon, of which he had 
 a great number placed in each Flank, hoping thereby to terrific them, and withal to 
 fcatter two great wings of light Horfe , which being in the Front of the Army, be- 
 fore the reft, marched towards him. But the Prince faking his time whilft the fmoak 
 of the Cannon covered the plain, retired dextroufly with his Horfe behind the hills, and 
 prefently began to draw a Ditch crofs the high-way, fo that being covered on both 
 fides with the hills, and having cut oif the Enemies pafTage, he placed there four Field- 
 pieces, and 600 Gafcnn Musketiers to defend that Poft. The fmoak being vaniftied, 
 the Duke of Giiife and the Count de Lude with two Squadrons of Horfe advanced to 
 charge, but found the field void and abandoned by the Hugonots \ wherefore having 
 marched up as far as the hills without meeting any encounter, they returned to their 
 Body with news that the Prince began to intrench in the plain. The Duke oi Anjou z\~ 
 moft confounded with this uncertain proceeding of the Hugonots , prefently fent the 
 Count of Bri^xc with the French Musketiers , and Monfieur de h Valette with four 
 Troops of Horfe to fecond him, towards the hills, to try whether by skirmifhing they 
 could engage them to fight i but the Enemy not ftirring from their place,and fcouring the 
 plain under them with their Mulquet-ftiot, the reft of the day was (pent in light skir- 
 mifties i for neither the Prince moved from the bills, but on the contrary went on with 
 his trenches, nor would the Duke of Anjoit fet upon the Hugonots in their works with 
 fo great difadvantage. 
 
 In this interim the Admiral underftanding by the noife of the Cannon what had hap- 
 ned, without attempting any thing at Saftje, was returned in great hafte to join with 
 
 the
 
 10 6 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I5<5S. tlic Prince: complaining that fortune heaping errour upon errour , fliould with fuch 
 frowardnefs delude the prudence and warinefs of his counfels. The Armies ftood to 
 their Arms, with great diligence guarding their ports all that night, but the next morn- 
 ing both lidcs being vanquiflied by the violence of the cold, and the exceeding fuffe- 
 rance of two nights watching continually in Arms , the Generals rcfolved to retreat, 
 and fo as it were by mutual confent, the Duke of Anjou marched away to Toidiert^ 
 and the Hugonots to Mirebeau. 
 
 The Duke thought by retiring into an open plain Country, either to invite the Ene- 
 my to fight upon equal terms, or elfe by often moving and changing Quarter, to ap- 
 proach fo near to them, that he might gain fome feafonable advantage. But the Hu- 
 gonot Commanders , not to give the Enemy fuch an opportunity as he fought after, 
 thought of another way, and refolved marching from the Catholicks to fall on a fudden 
 upon Saumur, a City upon the Lo/Vf, where there is a very fair Bridge, which is one 
 of the principal partes over that River, to enter into the other Provinces of France^ ot 
 to receive fupplies from them, and particularly to enable them to join with thofe forces 
 that come to their aid out of Germany : for the Loire dividing in a manner the whole 
 Kingdom into two parts , fcparates the Country anciently called Aquitania from the 
 two Galliiis, Celtica and Belgka ■■, a great part whereof are yet fubjeft to that Crown. 
 They hoped likewifc by belieging and ftreightning a place of fo much confequence, that 
 the Duke of An']oH rather than fuffer it to be taken before his eyes, would be brought 
 to fight with fome difadvantage i for though the one fide and the other very much de- 
 jfired battel, yet they both fludied to contrive it fo , that they might be in a manner 
 aflTurcd of theViitory. But this ftratagem proved fruitlefs i for the Duke knowing 
 that Saumur being a ftrong place , and reafonably well guarded, might eafily hold out 
 againft the Hugonots , refolved to raife them by a diverlion , without bringing himfelf 
 into a necelTity to fight at their pleafure : wherefore letting the Prince march towards 
 Saumur , he departed two days after with good ftore of victuals for his men from Poi- 
 iiierj-, and went diredtly to allail Mirebeau , which was forced and taken with great 
 lofs to the Hugonots , (for the remainder of the Army with a great part of their car- 
 riages were left therej and without lofing any time, advanced farther into the Enemies 
 Country to beflege Loudun. 
 
 Monfieur d^ Acier commanded in the Town with twelve Companies of Foot, who 
 though he fliewed a great readinefs to defend it, principally through the confidence he 
 had of the badnefs of the fcafon, which was fuch, that by reafon of the Ice, the Ca- 
 tholicks could neither raife any batteries, nor advance their trenches i yet feeing fuch 
 a powerful Army fate down before it, he perpetually follicited the chief Commanders of 
 the Army , that confidering his danger , they would come to fuccour him j who being 
 moved with his earneftnefs , but much more to fee the Duke already lb far advanced 
 into that Country from whence they had all their provifions and fupport, prefently left 
 Saumur, without having been able to attempt any thing, and marched toward the Ca- 
 tholick Army, being reduced to that neccllity to fight at a difadvantage, to which they 
 thought to have forced the Enemy. But advancing with great circumfpedtion, and in 
 fuch order as was behooveful for experienced Commanders, the twentieth of December 
 they came to lodge in the Suburbs of LonduM, and with exceeding diligence encamped 
 on the other fide of the Town , oppofite to that which was battered and affaulted by 
 the Catholicks. 
 wi.im the Between the two Armies flood the Town , and on each fide a large fpacious cham- 
 
 Pukc of ^i!t. pagne, without banks and ditches, or any other impediments, which was wonderful 
 i"<i^«o"the commodious for the Armies to skirmifli, or to fight upon equal terms with Enfigns 
 p"fn'''''V '''li difplayed ; but the natural commodity that the place afforded was hindred and inter- 
 coming tort- rupted by the quality of the feafon ; for the cold was fo extream, that the Souldicrs 
 efh'fn'the"^" limbs Were in a manner ffupified and dead, and through the abundance of Ice and frozen 
 fubutiisonthe fnow, the ground was fo flippery and hard, that every hour an infinite company of 
 i'n""bot'h"tcI Souldiers were brought out of the skirmiflies into the tents, who falling down were 
 rMved to maimed, and unable to do fervice. The Cavalry was more inconvenienced i for the 
 hmare'dby^hc g^ound being low and full of water, was covered all over with fuch hard Ice, that the 
 coMne(sof the Horfes finding no foot for their feet, fell one upon another, and the men being armed, 
 1" on. jf- jj^^y offered to move or turn , could not advance a ftep without difordering their 
 
 Squadrons, and confounding the Files, through which difficulties it being impolfible 
 for the Armies to fight, (for that party which ffirred firft, would rout and diforder it 
 
 felfj
 
 of France. The Fourth ^oo{. 
 
 137 
 
 felf ) after they had flayed four days, and both fides beginning already to fuffer want, 
 Cfor the feafon hindred the Suttlers to bring in provifionsj the Duke of Ahjom^ who 
 lying in the open Held fuffered moft, not to confume his Army to no purpofe, refolved 
 to retire back four leagues from the Enemy , and getting a little River before him, 
 quartered his men in the neighbouring Villages and Towns v which when it was known 
 to the Hugonots, believing that the Army for this commodity of lodging being divided 
 in divers places, could not eafily be brought together, they refolved to fall into the Duke 
 oi AnjoHS own quarter, hoping to gain aVidtory before the teft of the Army could 
 come to affift them. But being come in the morning, which was the twenty feventh 
 of December ^ to the banks of River, thinking to pafs without any refiftance, they 
 found it fo refolutely defended by the guards that were placed upon the foords, that 
 after having tryed twice or thrice in vain to force their paflage, they were conftrained 
 to retire i which they did fo much the rather, becaufe two pieces being (liot oft, they 
 conceived rightly that they were a fignal for the Catholicks to come to the feveral 
 palTes of the River , which they were before appointed , if occafion were , to de- 
 fend > fb that they concluded it was impollible to pafs over without too evident a 
 danger. 
 
 After this retreat , a grievous ficknefs, through their pad fufferance, beginning to 
 grow in the Army , and the Souldiers continually murmuring that they were led to 
 fight not againft men, but againrt the perverfenefs of the weather, and the very force 
 of Nature, the chief Commanders refolved to retire to fome place at a good diftance, 
 where they might lie fecure until fuch time that the (harpnefs of the winter being in 
 fbme meafure pad , the feafon would again permit them to go on with the War : for 
 thefe reafons the Prince and the Admiral being retreated into the lower Poicioit, to- 
 wards the confines of Xaintoiigue, the Duke of /4«j(?« following the like counfel, went 
 with all his forces to Chimn^ where they began to feel the effeds of their former fuf- 
 ferings i for fuch a cruel infedion entred into both Armies, that in thefpace of a few 
 days above four thoufand men died on each fide i as if Fortune feeing the intentions of 
 the General?, and the ftrength of the Armies equal, would likewife diftribute amongft 
 them equal fufferings and lofTes. 
 
 The year 1568. being fpent in thefe adtions, began the year i'^6^. which was full 
 of great accidents and infinite blood : in the beginning whereof the Prince of Cnnde 
 having left the care cf the Army to the Admiral, went himfelf in perfon to Kochel, to 
 foUicite for money, and other provifions to maintain the War, which coming flowlier 
 than they imagined, had brought them into extream want of every thing i for being 
 driven into a corner, though one of the moft fertile in all France, and lying in a Coun- 
 try that held with their party, though they lived for the moft part upon free-quarter, 
 and at the charge of the peafants , yet they had no occafion to plunder, with which 
 they ufed in other places to maintain and fatisfie the Souldiers. The looooo Ducats 
 fent by the Qiieen oiEnghnd were already fpent, befides the money brought in by their 
 Fleet, which they fent out to rob the Merchants fhips i and the Citizens of Kochel, 
 though they were ready to part with all their fuftance towards the maintenance of 
 the War, yet tra Fck failing, and the contributions falling fo heavy upon them, they 
 were fo exhaufted , that they were not able to furnifh much more i wherefore the 
 Prince of Conde being forced by necdlity, took a refolution to fell the Treafure of the 
 Church which was in Xaintonge, and the other Provinces under his command ■■, and the 
 more to encourage men to buy, the Queen of iViii'i^rre engaged her own Eflate for their 
 fecurity. 
 
 With this fale, for which fto the incredible fcandal of the Parliaments, and con- 
 tempt of the Royal Authority) they gave publick Commiffions to particular perfons, 
 and with certain Contributions gathered in 2? oc^f/ and the adjacent Iflands, they got 
 together fuch a fum of money as was fufficient to fupply the Army for fome months, ho- 
 ping in the mean while the feafon would grow more favourable to advance into a larger 
 Country, where they might with their wonted plundering fatisfie the clamour and evi- 
 dent want of the (buldiers. 
 
 The reft of the Provinces were not at quiet > on the contrary, all parts of the King- 
 dom fuffered divers changes and miferies i for Monfieur de la Chajire Governour of 
 ^"Ty, and the Count Siarra NUrtinengo having befieged Sancerre upon the Loire {bme- 
 timeswith good , fometimes with ill fucccfs, but ever with great flaughter on both 
 fides, continued to batter and affault it : and the Prince of Conde and the Admiral ha- 
 
 T vins 
 
 I'^e^. 
 
 ThroDgh their 
 pad fufferings 
 a gnat morta- 
 lity icifeth 
 upon the Ar- 
 mies. 
 
 I'^Sp. 
 
 The Hugonotj 
 bcmg in a 
 ftrcighc, the 
 Prince of Cfi- 
 dti'.Ws the 
 goods of the 
 Church.
 
 1^3 The Hijiory of the Civil JVars 
 
 j-iSp. ving left Noirs ^ the Count de Barbcfieux with the Forces of Chamf>agne ^Szu[tt6i and 
 
 TheMoiuitf- tQok it •, the Rochcllers likewife made thcnifclves Matters of the liles near Xaintonge, 
 
 ]lui[«l'nm'' and with great defolation had ruined that moft noble ancient Monaflery of St. Michael 
 
 dcftroyrd hy jg deCert^ deftrovinR with fire and fword thofc moft venerable relicks of the devotion 
 
 the Rochelleis , •' . ' r < ■ » ii 
 
 "«,<.i50. and piety of their Anceftors. 
 
 Whiirt thefc things were done, the violence of the Winter was paft i wherefore the 
 Duke of AnjiH having received frefh fupplies, (for the Marquifsof Baden had brought 
 1 500 German Horfe , and the Count de lande the Gentry of trovence) about the be- 
 ginning of March leaving Chmen^ and keeping along the Charente, marched towards 
 theHugonots. On the other fide, the Prince and the Admiral having received adver- 
 fifemcnt that the Vifcount de Montcler and BoHntiquet ^ and the other Gentlemen of 
 t,anguedoc and Gafcony^ with a great number of Horfe and Foot were coming to their 
 aid, and doubting the Catholick Army might hinder their pafiage, leaving the Terri- 
 tory of Rachel, where they ftaycd to refrefh themfelves, and pafling the Charente^ ad- 
 vanced to treet them. But having notice afterwards of the Duke of An]ou's moving, 
 they ftopt their journey , and breaking all the bridges, and placing fufficient guards 
 where the water was foordable, fiaid at Jarnac, a Town two leagues from the River, 
 with an intent either to hinder the palTage of the Kings Forces, or to ftarve them j 
 for all the Country held for that party i or elfe, if they attempted to force their way, 
 to Cet upon the Troops that firft got over, not doubting, they being difordered in 
 their paflTage, to gain an afTured Vidlory. 
 
 Neverthelcfs, the Duke of A}ijou having taken by the way the Caftle of Mele, and 
 T-uffec , came to Chajiean-^eiif^ a frequent ordinary pafs over the Charente^ there he 
 found that the Hugonots had already broken the bridge beyond Chajleau-neuf^ and left 
 a Garifon of 1000 Foot in the Town, which the Prince thought a fufficient ftrength 
 to defend that place. But experience fhewed he was miftaken, for the Count of Brijfac 
 having drawn the French Infantry thither, and with his Cannon beaten down fbme of 
 their works, thofe within being terrified, without expecCting any fuccours, abandoned 
 the Town, and paiTing the River in certain boats that they found ready, retired to the 
 Army which lay two leagues off The taking of ChajieaM-nettf nothing advantaged the 
 Duke of ylnjoii i for the bridge being broken, and the Enemies flanding prepared on 
 the other fide to hinder his paflage, it was a very difficult matter to repair the old 
 bridge, or to make a new one, and much more dangerous to force a pafTage againft fo 
 powerful an oppofition : wherefore the Catholicks (hewing their skill, to furraount 
 thofe difficulties by policy which they could not overcome by force, having left Mon- 
 fiemde Byron Mafter, or as they fay, Marefhal of the Field, with fuch orders as were 
 neceffary at Chajieati-neuf^ the Duke with all the Army moved towards Cognac^ march- 
 ing along the river , and making (hew to feek fome more eafie expedite conveniency 
 to pafs over. 
 
 At the fame time the Admiral moved with the Hugonots Van on the other fide of 
 the river, and advanced the fame way, fo that there being nothing between the two 
 Armies but a narrow ftream, they continually played upon one another with their (hot. 
 In this manner they marched all day, though very (lowly i but night drawing on, tha 
 Admiral having given order that the light Horfe, and certain chofen companies of Foot 
 fhould flay to guard the paffes, he not to incommodate his men, who being Volun- 
 tiers could not , or would not longer endure to lie in the open Field, removed about a 
 league from the River , and lodged with the Van at B^jfpc, a reafonable great Village 
 which was fufficient to receive them all , and the Prince with the Battel not being yet 
 moved from his quarters, (taid (till at Jarnac^ in a manner right again(t Chajieau-neuf. 
 
 The next day the Duke of Jnjou having obferved how the Enemy quartered that 
 night, defired to confirm them in the opinion that he went feeking an opportunity to 
 pafs over v and having put fome fmall Barks upon the River , with a good number of 
 Musketiers, made (hew of forcing the Hugonots guards i but finding a (trong rcfiftance 
 in every place , continued his march in the fame manner as before until towards night, 
 when through the frequency of the skirmi(hes having advanced little more than a 
 league, and the Admiral being already retired to lodge in covert at Bajfac where he 
 quartered the evening before , the Duke having in the beginning of the night caufed 
 the Reer under the command of the Duke of Cuife^ to wheel about, and fo one Body 
 after another, the whole Army, marching with great expedition, returned in a few 
 hours to Cbajieau-fteiff : where he found that Monfieur de Byron had with exceeding 
 
 diligence
 
 o/" France. The Fourth ^oo^ i^o 
 
 diligence mended the broken bridge, and made another very commodious one of boats l%6g, 
 fo that though it were late in the night , yet being very clear, and fit for his delTgn* 
 he prcfently caufed the Duke of Guife and Monfieur de Martigues to pafs over with 
 two Squadrons of Horfe , after whom followed the whole Army in very good order 
 and in it the Duke himfelf without meeting any oppofition whatfoever i for the Count 
 of Montgomery and Sieurs de Soubife and de la Lone , who with the light Horfe had 
 the charge to guard the banks of the River, watching at thofe paffes towards which 
 the Catholicks marched the day before , did not believe they could turn back fb 
 quickly , or paft over ju(l in that place where the main 6'f the Army lay ready to 
 defend the paffage of the River : but fuch was the negligence both of the Souldiers 
 and Commanders , partly through the fecurity they thought themfelvi^s in , partly 
 through the ufual difobedience of Souldiers in civil Wars , partly likewife becaufe 
 the Country being ruined , the CommifTaries and Sutlers not keeping any order, were 
 forced to feek and fetch in vi(ftuals afar off, that it was already day, and the great- 
 efi: part of the Catholick Army was drawn up ii^on the banks on the other fide, 
 before the Scouts had any notice of what was done. The firft that gave advertife- 
 ment of it was Captain Montant , who riding the Round with fifty Horfe , to fee if 
 the guards did their duty, as fbon as he perceived the Enemy was gotten over, (pur- 
 red as faft as he could to advertife the Admiral , who being not only confounded 
 with fo important and Uncxpeded an accident , but in a manner delperate that 
 his wifdom (hould be deluded by the induftry of a young man, whom he ever held 
 and erteemcd as a Child , refolved to retire to Jarnac , to joyn with the Battel, 
 and there to confult with the Prince what courfe , as things went , was beft to be 
 taken. 
 
 But it was firfl: neceflary, not to leave them a prey to the Enemy, to fend for the 
 Foot that were appointed to guard the pafTes of the River, and to get together the 
 light Horfe , which for want of vidtuals and commodity of quarter , were difpcrfed 
 into feveral places •, in which, though all poffible diligence were ufed, yet fb much 
 time was fpent, that he found himfelf contrary to hispurpofe in a neceility to fight: 
 for the Duke of Anjou having imbattelled his Army, and refolved whatever hapned, 
 to make a day of it , fent ^11 the light Horfe before, and in the head of them Mon- 
 fieur de Martigues , called generally, The Souldier without fear, to fall in upon the 
 Enemies Reer, that fo he might hinder their march, and gain time for the reft of the 
 Army to come up. 
 
 Martigues coming upon the Hugonots juft as they left Brijfac, began to skirmifh fo 
 hotly, that the Admiral being forced to rtay, gave order to make an halt , and facing 
 refolutely about , perceived it was impoflible any longer to avoid the encounter of 
 Battel 5 wherefore having fent the Prince of CWe word of the danger he was in, he 
 placed the Sieurs de la None and Loue in the Reer , commanding them to maintain 
 their ground againft the light Horfe, and to hinder their advancing , whilft he paiTed 
 into a certain place full of ditches, and encompafled with water, beyond which he 
 meant to draw up his men in order, that the ftrength of the fituation might in fome 
 meafure fupply the defed of his forces , or at leart defend them in the Flank from 
 the multitude and fury of the Enemy. Thefe Commanders fometimes skirmifhing, 
 and fometimes couragioufly mingling amongft them, fuflained a good while the charge 
 of the Catholicks i but Monfieur de la Valette , the Count de Lude , Monfieur de 
 Monfalez, and Malicorn coming up with four Squadrons of Lances , they fet upon 
 them with fuch violence, that the Captains being taken prifoncrs, all the reft of the 
 men plainly ran away : Whereupon the Admiral finding he could not l6ng make re- 
 fiftance, and defiring as far as he was able to avoid the neccffity of fighting piece- 
 meal, left Andelot with 120 Horfe to make good that place of advantage, that he might 
 hinder the Enemies paflage , and himfelf with all the reft of the Van retired a good 
 trot to meet the other part of the Army , which was already marching towards them 
 with great diligence. 
 
 The Prince of Conde underftanding the Admirals danger, came with all the Horfo 
 to fuccour him, and left .order that the Foot (hould follow foftly after, conceiving he 
 fhould have time enough to join with the Van, and bring all the Army together to 
 fight. But when he faw part of the Admirals men routed , and fo hotly purfued by 
 the Enemy, vvho every moment increafed in number and ftrength , he made a ftand 
 upoa the high-way, having on one Fhnk a pool, which defended him on the right 
 
 T 2 hand.
 
 , .Q The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 MeSg hand, and a little hill which covered him on the left , and with exceeding warinefs 
 ranged thofe forces he had with him , taking all the advantage that was poffible of 
 the iituation of the place. In ordering of his men he left a free void place for rhc 
 Admiral, who though he arrived a full gallop with the Horfe, took his poft with- 
 out making any diforder, and facing about to the Enemy, put himftdf in a readinefs 
 to fight, keeping the left Flank at the foot of the hill. In the mean while the firft 
 Squadrons of the Catholicks Horfe had fet upon Andelots poft , who finding him- 
 felf feconded by Puziauts Musketiers , which being placed behind the hedges , and 
 the banks, rilled every thing with fmoak, cries and blood, bravely oppofed the Ene- 
 my ■■, and it was a fpedacle worthy the remembrance , that in the charge he en- 
 countered the Duke de Monfakz^ (who behaved himfelf no lefs couragioufly j and 
 "us' with'?he came up fo clofc to him, that with his bridle-hand he lift up the Beaver of his Helmet, 
 Inemy in f"'i< and difchargcd a Piftol in his face, of which (hot he fell down dead upon the ground i 
 rfc"n""p t'h'e" neverthelefs the Hugonots yielding to the fuperiour number of the Catholicks, could 
 •Da\itoiM~!u. not maintain that poft above half an hour, but fctting fpurs to their Horfes, gallopped 
 i?e'di^""oJs away to the main Body of the Van, and ranged themfelves on the place that was ap- 
 a Piftoi in his pointed for them. 
 
 *"•*■ Whilft thcfc things were doing, the Duke of Anjou having without tumult or 
 
 confufion difpofed his Army in very good order, advanced readily to begin the Bat- 
 tel , the beginning of the day giving great hopes of an alTurcd Vidlory. Without 
 any dctradion both fides (hewed an equal refolution, and boldnefs of courage , but 
 the other circumftances were not equal , and efpecially their Forces : for part of the 
 Hugonots Foot . which were diftributed upon the banks of the River , hearing of 
 the Enemies pafTage , and believing they could not poflibly joyn with the relT of 
 their Army, were palled over the River, and retired to a place of fecurity s and the 
 reft that were with Monfieur d'' Aciere , according to their orders, following the 
 Prince of Conde , could not come foon enough to the fight, but difperfed them- 
 felves in fevcral places without making trial that day of their fortune. Notwith- 
 ftanding the Hugonots being defended on one fide by the Lake , and on the other 
 by the Hill, and therefore fure they could not be hurt in the middle, bravely fuftain- 
 ed the fiercenefs of the encounter > the Commanders no lefs than the common Soul- 
 diers fighting boldly on both fides , and with great coiwage difputing the fuccefs of 
 the day. 
 
 The Duke of Gmfe charged the left wing , where were the Admiral and Andelot^ 
 with a great number of the Nobility of Provence, Britany and Normandy, and there 
 the fight was very hot , the event of the Battel remaining very doubtful for many 
 hours : but the Catholicks being continually furnilhed with frelh fupplies , the Hu- 
 gonots being no longer able to rcfift fo much a greater number , all the Van was 
 at length utterly routed i and the Commanders feeing the Admirals own Cornet up- 
 on the ground , by reafon of the imprifonment of Monfieur de Guerehy that carried 
 |t, the Baron de la Tour General of the Kochel Fleet killed , and Saubife , Languil- 
 liers and Monferan the principal Barons of their party taken prifoners , they refolved 
 before they were too much prelTed by the Enemy, to provide for their own (afety 
 by flight. The fame did the Count de la KoHch-fon-canlt , and the Count de Mont- 
 gomery, who were in the right wing of the Battel by the Lake \ for they being fu- 
 rioufly charged by the Duke de Montpenfier who led the Catholick Van, after a long 
 cbftinate defence, \tz\'mgChandenier, F-ieux, and Cor^wr/o;/ dead upon the place, with 
 a great number of the Nobility of Provence, Languedoc and Gafcony, defpairing of the 
 Vidory, fought to fave themfelves. Only the Prince of Conde, who in the begin- 
 ning of the fight encountered the Duke of Anjott's own Squadron, though he were 
 broken and often charged through , ftill rallied his men, and with a wonderful cou- 
 rage maintained the force of the Battel , but after the flight of the Van , and after- 
 ward of the Rear , being charged on all fides by the Conquerors , and an innume- 
 rable company of the Enemy, yet he fought delperately with thofe that ftood to him 
 till the laft : for as he was rallying his men, being hurt with a blow on the leg by 
 In the Eittti a Courfer of the Count of Koch-fou-caults, having afterwards his own Horfe killed 
 vul'ao^clvdt ™^^f him in the fight , and being grievoufly wounded in divers places , he ftill with 
 is (hrc in the One knee upon the ground couragioufly defended himfelf, till Monfieur de Montefqueou 
 h'e^ief the'^fi ^^^ ^">^es Captain of his Guard fliooting a Piftoi in his head , laid him dead upon 
 eiM^cbiiff the place. 
 
 There
 
 of France. The Fourth ^ooJ^, 141 
 
 —^ ^ — * 
 
 There was flain by his McKobert Suiart ^ he who in the Battel of St. D«zJi killed I5^?« 
 the Conflable i Tabaret, Melare^ and in a manner all the Nobility of Poiciou , and 
 Xaintonge , who being invironed by the Catholicks Squadrons , could not find any 
 way to favc themfelves •■, in the heat of which Battel the Duke of Anjon fighting 
 valiantly beyond the force of his age, in the head of his Squadrons , and having his 
 Horfe killed under him, was in exceeding danger of his life , if he had not been fuc- 
 coured by the courage and addrefs of his Souldiers, and of his own valour, and thofe 
 that were near about his perfon had not defended him from the fury of the Ene- 
 my , who fighting defperately , compalTed him on all fides. But after the death of 
 the Prince, and the defeating of his Squadron, in which were the moft valiant Soul- 
 diers in the Army , there was no body made any refiftance , but every one think- 
 ing how to fave himfelf, fled a feveral way, and the night that was drawing on ad- 
 vanta^d them not a little in their efcape. The Admiral and Andelot went to 
 St. Jean d' Angely, Acier to Cognac^ Mongomery to Angoiilefme •, all the reft, and par- 
 ticularly the Foot, which had not fought, difperfcd themfelves into feveral places, 
 not any one Regiment fave only Plimauts and Corboufons being prefent at the bu- 
 lineft. 
 
 This was the Battel of Briffjc that happened the fixteenth of March^ in which the 
 quality of the llain was much more confiderable than the number : for the Hugonots 
 loft not in all above feven hundred men , but they were moft of them Gentlemen 
 and Cavaliers of note ■■> for their chief ftrength confifted in their Cavalry : and on the 
 Catholick fide very few were killed , but amongft thofe Monfieur de Monfalez, Hy- 
 polite Pic^ Count de la Mirjttdole^ Prunay^ and Ingrande ■■, for Monfieur de Lignieret 
 whom fome have named amongft the dead, died many days after at PoiUisrs of a na- 
 tural death. Th b d f 
 
 The Duke of At^ou purfuing the Enemy, entred the fame night of the Battel vi- i^SuLl of 
 dtorious into Ji^rwjf, whither the body of the Prince of CoWe was carried as in tri- <"<•»:(. was cat- 
 umph upon a poor Pack-horfe, all the Army making fpOrt at fuch a fpedlacle, which omph upon x 
 whilft he lived were terrified with the name of fo great a Perfon. The Duke per- J!"''<;^"ho' ''^ 
 mitted not any contempt or violence to be ufed to the body , being fatisfied that i,ck>, and'af- 
 what could not be done by Policy or Juftice , was efFedted by the War : where- J,"^"^^ hu 
 fore a few days after , to fliew that refpedt to the dead which he thought due to Ntphew che 
 the Royal Blood, he reftored it to Henry Prince of Navarre his Nephew, who with- y'J)",''^ 
 out any other pomp, favc only the abundant tears of all the Fadion, caufed him to 
 be buried at Vendofme^ in a Tomb belonging to his Anceftors. 
 
 Thus lived and thus died Lervis of Bourbon Prince of Conde , who by having (b 
 many times ftirred up Civil Wars in his own Country, and with the brand of ha- 
 ving been the chief Difturber of the Catholick Religion in the moft Chriftian King- 
 dom, obfcured thofe excellent endowments of the mind, which for boldnefs , con- 
 ftancy and generofity , would otherwife have rendred him moft confiderable amongft 
 the firft Princes and Captains of that age. 
 
 The day after the battel thofe who in the terrour of the flight were fcattered in di- 
 vers places, underftanding that the moft part of the Foot, being untouched, was re- 
 tired to Cognac ^ endeavoured by feveral ways to get all to the fame place ■-, {b that 
 before many days were paft , befides Monfieur de Aciere who faved himfelf there at 
 the firft, there met there the Counts de la Koch-fou-cattlt^ and Montgomery^ Monfieur 
 d' Ivoy^ who, with his Brother being killed, called himfelf Jenl'n^ Jaqnes Bouchard^ 
 Teligni^ Boitchavanes •, and at length the Admiral himfelf and Andelot came thither 
 from St. Jean d* Ans^eli. 
 
 After this defeat the affairs of the Hugonots were in a very uncertain tottering con- 
 dition i for there was no doubt , the Prince of Conde being dead, but that the firft 
 place either for dignity or reputation of wifdom was due to the Admiral: and it was 
 not forgotten , that after the Battel of Vre^x in which the Prince remained Prifbner, 
 the charge of the Army was by a general confent conferred upon him ; but there 
 were many who for birth, riches, and other advantages did not willingly yield to 
 him: on the contrary, at this very time there was a common flander laid upon his 
 reputation. That through his floth and negligence , the Catholicks got an opportu- 
 nity to pa(s the River , whilft he fuffered himfelf to be deluded by the ftratagems 
 of a youth , who then only entered upon the rudiments of War i and that after the 
 pafTage of the Army he had bafely yielded in all places j giving a beginning, by his 
 
 flight,
 
 142 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 \'>^9' 
 
 ^nMot afttr 
 the lofs of the 
 Battel dicth of 
 grief- 
 
 The Prince of 
 
 Kavirre , and 
 Henri Son to 
 the Prince of 
 Cmic, are ap- 
 proved of and 
 received for 
 Heads of the 
 Hujonoc 
 Fa&iofl. 
 
 flight to tlie fuccefs and vidory of the Enemy i which imputations, though he fully 
 anfwcred, fhewing that the paflage of the Catholicks happened only bccaufe his Or- 
 ders were not obeyed , and becaufe thofe who were appointed to guard the paffes, 
 for convcniency of quarter , left their pods without leave i fo that he , who could 
 not be every where, was not advertifcd foon enough to remedy it i yet that his flight 
 ought indeed to be attributed to greatnefs of courage i for the Army being routed, 
 and the Vidory defperatc, he chofe rather to fave himfelf, that he might rife again 
 as a new Antens to the ruine and perdition of his Enemies, than by dcfpairing of the 
 future through dejedtednefs of mind to die unproritably out of feafon , and without 
 having effecfted any thing : neverthelefs partly through envy, partly through ambition, 
 partly through grief of the late lofs, and the death of the Prince, he was fpoken againlt 
 and hated by many. 
 
 Bolides this , it was thought that wanting the Authority and Name of a Prince of 
 the Blood, the foundation and credit of the Faflion -would fail i for neither the peo- 
 ple would £0 readily believe and follow a man of private condition , nor ftxanger 
 Princes much trufi: to his fidelity i nor would the reafons of their caufc have that 
 wonted pretence to make War for the publick good , and fervice of the State i the 
 nature of this charge being fuch, that whofoever undertook it, ought to be the near- 
 cfl; allied Princes of the Blood Royal. To this was added, that many accuftomed to 
 the liberality, candour and integrity of the Prince oi Conde^ abhorred and feared the 
 difpofition and carriage of the Admiral, who was thought a man exceeding cove- 
 tous , of deep thoughts , of a treacherous fubtil nature , and in all things inclined 
 wholly to attend and procure by any means his own ends. And it happened at the 
 fame time, that Andelot and Jaques Bouchard^ the one Brother, and the other ftreight- 
 ly united by interefts with the Admiral, either fpent with labour, or overcome with 
 grief and trouble of mind , fell both into a grievous licknefs , of which they died 
 not many months after, whereby that party which deh'red the greatnefs and advance- 
 ment of the Admiral, not knowing how to manage their bufinefs, remained extream- 
 ly weakned. But he with his fubtilty overcoming all thefe impediments , refolved 
 by defpifing ambition , and fpecioufnefs of titles , ftill to retain in himfelf the chief 
 Power and Authority : for transferring the name of Heads of the Fadtion , and the 
 titles of Generals of the Army to Henry Prince of Navarre , and Hemy Son to the 
 deceafed Prince of Conde, he faw the common caufe would not only keep the fame 
 authority and the fame reputation of being upheld by the Blood Royal v but they 
 being both in a manner children, the fote adminiftration of the whole bufinefs fliould 
 fiill remain in him i fo to quiet the ambitions and pretences of the great ones , fo 
 to fatisfie the expedation of the people , and by this means to renew again that 
 league amongft the FacSlion which through divcrfity of opinions feemed now in a 
 manner broken. 
 
 With this refolution , not attempting that which could not be obtained, he pre- 
 fently fent to Queen Jane to come to the Army, fliewing her the time was now come 
 to advance her Son to that greatnefs which properly belonged to him, and to which 
 (he had (b long afpircd. Queen /jw^ wanted neither willingnefs nor courage, being 
 before fully refolved, defpifing all danger, to make her Son Head of that Fadioni 
 wherefore with a readinefs and quicknefs anfwerable to the occafion, flie went in- 
 ftantly with both the Princes to the Camp, which was then at CGgnac , full of dif- 
 cords within it felf, and in a condition rather to difiblve , than to keep together , to 
 remedy the diforders and loffes already hapned. There the Queen of Navarre after 
 fhe had approved the Admirals counfels, the Army being drawn together, with won- 
 derful courage and manly fpecches, exhorting the Souldiers to remain united and 
 conllant in the defence of their Liberties and Religion , propofed to them the two 
 young Princes, whofe prefence and afpedt moved the aifedtions of them all, to be their 
 Generals i encouraging them under the aufpicious conduct of thofe two branches of 
 the Royal Blood , to hope for a moft happy fuccefs to their jaft pretentions and the 
 common caufe : at which words the Army , which through the paft adverfities, and 
 prefent difcords , was in a manner afioniflied and confounded , taking new vigour, 
 the Admiral and the Count de la Roch-foit-cault firft fubmitted and fwore fidelity to 
 the Princes of Bourbon j by whofe example the Gentlemen and Commanders doing 
 the fame, the common Souldiers likewife with loud applaufe approved the Eledtion 
 of the Princes for Protedors and Heads of the Reformed Religion, Henry of Bourboit 
 
 Prince
 
 of France. The Fourth 'BooL 
 
 H3 
 
 Prince of Navane was then hfteen years of age, of a lively fpirit and generous cou- 
 rage, altogether addided and intent to the proteffion of Arms j wherefore through 
 the inclination of his Fate , or the perfwafions of his Mother readily without any 
 demur attempting the invitation of the Army, in a fliort Souldier-like fpeech he pro- 
 mifed them, Tu protect the true Religion, and to fsrfevere ronjlantly in the defence of the 
 common Catife, till cither death or victory brought th.it liberty they all defired and aimed at. 
 The Prince of Conle rather by his adions than words confented to what was done, 
 for he was fo young that he could not exprefs himfclf btherwife \ fo that in all other 
 things likewife yielding to the maturer age , and pre-eminence of the firft Prince of 
 the Blood , the chief Authority of the Fad-ion was eflabliflied in the Prince of Na- 
 varre : wherefore Queen J^ne, in remembrance of this A<ft , caufcd afterwards cer- 
 tain pieces of Gold to be coyned , which on the one fide bore her own Effigies, and 
 on the other her Sons, with this word, ?AX CERl'A, VICTORIA INTEGRA^ 
 MORS HO NEST A. 
 
 The Princes then being chofen Heads of the Faftion, they prefently called a Coun- 
 cil of the chief Commanders to deliberate in the prefence of Queen Jane how to ma- 
 "nage their bufinefs, what remedies were expedient to repair their paftlofTes, and how 
 to divert the extream danger that threatned them. There before any thing elfe, it 
 was determined, That the Admiral, by reafbn of the minority and little experience of 
 the Princes, (hould govern the Army and all things elfe belonging to the War ■■, but 
 Monfieur de Aciere fhould be General of the Foot : which charge firft by the infirmity, 
 and afterwards by the death of Andelot, was vacant, and Monfieur de Genlis General 
 of the Artillery which was formerly fupplied by Bouchard. After which Ele<ftions, 
 difcourfing how to proceed with the War , many not yet affured from their fears, 
 would that the Army (hould be drawn into the Cities and ftrong holds about B.ochel^ 
 fliewing it would be impolTible for the Duke of Anjou to make any attempt upon thofe 
 places which were fo invironed with waters, and marfh grounds, whilft there was any 
 realbnable flrength to defend them : but this appeared to the Admiral (the other Com- 
 manders of belt efteem being of the fame opinion ) a too cowardly refolution , and 
 therefore it was determined , That all the Army fliould be divided into the feveral 
 Towns upon the Rivers, to keep them, and to hinder the progrefs of the Conqueror, 
 till they had certain news of the forces the Duke of Venx-pontf was bringing to their 
 aid out of Germany, who when became near the Army (hould draw together again to 
 meet him wherefoevcr he was , and ufe their utmoft endeavours to join with him : 
 for by obtaining that end, they fhould remain at leaft equal, if not fuperiour in ftrength 
 to the Kings Army •, and if they could not effed it , they (hould be feparated and 
 carry the War into divers places, and the King likewife being conftrained to divide 
 his Forces, they might make War upon even terms i which things being refolved on, 
 Qyeen Jane went to Rachel to (bllicite for new aids and provifions, the Admiral 
 with the Princes retired to S. Jean d' Angeli, Monfieur de Piles took upon him the 
 Defence of Xaintes , Mnntgamery and Pttviaitt turned about to Angolefme , Monfieur 
 d" Aciere with the greateft part of the Foot remained at Cognac , and Genlis with <t 
 firong Garifon (hut himdlf up in Lottdun, all places either for (irength of their fitua- 
 tion, by help of art, or in regard of the Rivers, (which in that Country are many and 
 very deep) likely to hold out a long time. 
 
 In the mean while the Duke of An]on, having given three days to refre(h his men, 
 ■ who were wearied out with continual labour, and bufied in dividing their booty, by 
 the advice of his Captains, refolved to fet upon thofe very Cities the Hugonots meant 
 to po(refs, as the mo(t ready way to manage the War ■■, to which purpofe he fent for 
 the great pieces of Battery from Foiaiers , having for the more expedition marched 
 only with field-pieces. This time of refpite retarded for fome days the courfe of 
 their Viftory, and gave the Hugonots leifure to put their before-mentioned dcfigns in 
 execution i befides the expedting Orders from the Court which was far off, and where 
 the refolutions are not always eafie and pofitive, produced at lea(t delays and lofs of 
 time. The firfi: place they moved againft was Cognac •, but it foon appeared they 
 had undertaken a long and difficult enterprife i for the late Vidtory was gained rather 
 by induftry in palfing the river, and the death of the Prince of Coade, than any great 
 lofs or (laughter among the Hugonots j and their running away , which proceeded 
 only from a fudden terrour as it was a caufe of lofing their General , fo it preferved 
 the Army, -which being now divided, with abundant provifions to defend the ftrong 
 
 places, 
 
 The Prince o$ 
 Navarre was 
 fifteen yean 
 cfaCTe,and:he 
 Prince of rcudo 
 a chUd. 
 
 Money cojDti 
 by cheQ,ueen 
 of Navarre 
 with her own 
 figure on the 
 one Cde, and 
 her Sons on 
 the other. 
 
 The eaie of 
 
 the Atmy 
 committed CO 
 the Admiral,
 
 144 
 
 The Hijlorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 %^6p. 
 
 tVolfmgus of 
 "Bavarid with 
 an Army of 
 14000 men 
 comes to the 
 aid of theHii- 
 gonots. 
 
 places, burnt with a delire by fome remarkable valiant adtions to cancel the infamy of 
 their late flight i whereby the taking of the principal Cities became exceeding difficult. 
 
 There were in Cognac fevcn thoufand Foot, and more than fix hundred Horfe with 
 Monfieur cf Acierc , and divers of the Nobility and chief Commanders , who as the 
 Army approached, and feveral days after Tallied out in fuch numbers, that their en- 
 counters feemcd rather little Battels than great skirmiflies ■■> and befides the fiercenefs 
 and courage the Hugonots {hewed, they did likewife great damage to the affailants, fo 
 that they had no leifure by reafon of the continual (allies, to think cither of making 
 their approaches, or raifing batteries, but were forced for their own fecurities, and to 
 avoid the fury of the Enemy, to keep the Army in perpetual duty, and in arms i by 
 which difficulties the Duke of Anjou concluding it was in a manner impoirible, in the 
 ftatc the Town then was, to take it i not to fpend his time in vain, or to confume the 
 Army to no purpofe , refolvcd to advance farther, to affemble and clear thofe places 
 tnore in the heart of the Enemies Country, which were neither fo ftrong, nor fo well 
 provided, fo that they being taken, Cognac would remain like an Ifland cut off from 
 all commerce, and fall of it felf i which in time he hoped undoubtedly to cffedl : for 
 experience had in all occafions manifeftly fhcwn, that there was no poifbn fo deadly to 
 the Hugonots as delays. 
 
 Wherefore the Duke of Anjou at the end of four days leaving Cognac^ and marching 
 toward St. Jean ef Angeli^ he, or fome of his Commanders, by the way took 7ifunge^ 
 Montaut^ Foreji, and Aiibeterre, and at length came to befiege Mucidan. There the 
 Count of Brijfac with his wonted courage tending his batteries , whilft he refolutely 
 advanced to view the breach, was fhot in the right thigh, of which wound he died, 
 generally lamented by all men. His misfortune flackned not, but on the contrary, 
 added to the fiercencfs of the Catholicks, in fo much, that having made a furious affault 
 and taken the Town, in revenge of his death, not only all the Souldiers, but the In- 
 habitants likewife were put to the Sword. 
 
 In this interim IFolfangus of Bavaria Duke of Venx-poMtj , rr.oved by the money 
 and promifes of the Hugonots, had by the aid of the Duke of Saxony^ and the Count 
 Palatine of the Rhine, and by the perfwafions and affiftance of the Queen of England, 
 gotten together an Army of 6000 Foot and 800 Horfe , Monfieur de Mity and Mon- 
 fieur de MoTviUicrs with 800 Horfe , and Monfieur de Briguemaut with 1200 French 
 Musketiers being fent into Germany to join with them. In this Army were WiUiam 
 of Najjau Prince of Orange , with Leivis and Henry his Brothers » who being driven 
 out of Flanders, to avoid the feverity of the Duke of Alva , followed the fame Reli- 
 gion, and the fame fortune with the Hugonots. 
 
 The King of France and the Queen his Mother had endeavoured, firft by Embaflies 
 to the Proteftant Princes, and afterwards by the authority of the Emperour Maximil- 
 lian the Second, with whom they entertained a freight league, to hinder the raifing 
 of this Army '-, but the Proteftants being much more zealous to advance their own Re- 
 ligion, and the hope of gain and booty more prevalent than either the Kings promifes, 
 or the Emperours threats, they brought their Forces together with a firm refolution, 
 defpifing all dangers, to pafs without delay to the aid of the Hugonots. But the King 
 and the Qiieen-Mother, who to fheltcr themfelves from this tempeft, were gone to 
 Metz upon the borders of Lorain, when they faw this Army raifcd, to hinder which 
 they had ufed all manner of arts , gave commiirion to the Duke of Aumds , with the 
 Cavalry of Champagne and Burgundy , and 6000 SwifTes newly received into pay, to 
 enter the Confines of the Proteftant Princes, wafting their territories and fpoiling their 
 people, to force them to keep the Army at home for their own defence , fo that they 
 might not pafs that year into i^rjvcf i believing the Emperour, in confideration of the 
 juftice of their caufe , and the league they had with him, would not oppofe this refo- 
 lution. But the Duke oi,Aumale having in the territories of Strailonrg, one of the 
 free Towns of the Kmpire, met with, and made a great flaughter among a certain num- 
 ber of French that were going from Geneva and the Country about, to join with the 
 Duke of Veux-pnnts his Army , not only the other Towns , and all the Princes of the 
 Empire, but even the Emperour himfelf was fo offended thereat, that the King and 
 the Queen, not to exafperate them further, or raife new Enemies, fent diredions to 
 the Duke of Aumale, that he (hould prefently withdraw his forces into Burgnndy, to 
 keep things in order at home, being already aflured through the perverfenefs of ftranget 
 Princes, that they (hould have work enough in their own Kingdom. 
 
 The
 
 of France. The Fourth ^co{. 145 
 
 , ■ — ■ ■ ■ . — . " -" 
 
 The Duke of Veux-pnts with his Army prefently followed the Duke of Aumale in- 1 5^p' 
 to Burgundy, with exceeding cruelty wafting and fpoiling all the Country through Theuukcof 
 
 which he pafTed i nor could the Duke of Atimih, being fo much inferiour in ftrength enters into 
 either hinder his march, or fight with him in the field ■■, wherefore retiring into the fnT/nd "ofi- 
 Towns , he only kept him from entring into the ftrong places , or making that fpoil "<| tbe coun- 
 and thofe incurfions which he would have done, if finding no refiftance, he had made "''' 
 himfelf Malkr of the Country. In this manner the Armies skirmifhing almoft every 
 day, though fometimes with lofs, they marched all over Burgundy , till the Duke of 
 Aumah^ feeing the Enemy for want of pieces of battery could not force the ftrong 
 Towns , and knowing to follow them at a diftance would be to no purpofe, went di- 
 redly through the Country of Aaxerre with that ftrength he had , to the Duke of An- 
 joH, that being fo joined, they might be the better able to refift the Enemy. 
 
 But the German Army being advanced to the Loire, was in exceeding pain how to 
 pafs over ■■> for all the bridges upon that River are either within the Towns , or elfe 
 clofe under the walls , and were then held by the Kings forces i for the Duke of Anjou 
 being certainly advertifcd of the Germans coming, leaving the Enemies Country, had 
 drawn all his Army to the River, and having placed ftrong guards upon the palTes, ex- 
 peded what refolution they would take i by reafon whereof the Germans were in greaC 
 {freight, there being no means to pafs the River, but by making their way through the 
 Towns ■■> and they had neither pieces of Battery , nor other provifions fit for fuch a 
 purpofe : infomuch, that they began to fear this great Army, which was raifed with 
 fuch a noife, would at length be deftroyed without effedfing any thing. 
 
 Neverthelefs, the bafenefs or treachery of men rendred that very ealie, which was 
 of it felt exceeding difficult : for the Commanders of the German Army rcfolvingto 
 fall upon h Charite, a Town upon the River, rather with an intent not to fpend their 
 time idly, than with any reafonable hope of taking it ', and meaning to batter the 
 Walls, which were of the old fafhion, with thofe few fmall pieces that marched with 
 the Army, he was fcarce encamped before it, when the Governour (without any ap- 
 parent caufe) ffor at that time) as it is ufual in Civil Wars, men were led by divers 
 unknown interefts and inclinations) ffed fecretly out of the Town i whereupon, the 
 Souldiers running away in diforder, the Townfmen were fo terrified, that they begaii 
 to enter into a Treaty of yielding themfelves ; during the which, being negligent of 
 their guards, they without on a fudden faftned their Ladders to the Walls, and find- 
 ing no oppofition , Briquematits men firft , and after them the whole Army entring, 
 miferably facked that Town , whilft the Duke of Ah]ok being certainly advertifcd of 
 the Germans attempt , fent a confiderable force to relieve it. So the German Army 
 having at the fame time gained a convenient pafs and retreat, on the twentieth oi Muy 
 paffed over the River. 
 
 In the mean while the Admiral with the Princes , under whofe names all things 
 were governed, made ready to march towards the Germans, with this confideration. 
 That if they could join their forces, the Army would be by that means mUch the 
 ftronger , and if they could not, the Duke of Anjoti lying between th'e two Armies 
 v/ould be com pa fled in, and exceedingly ftreightned on all fides: Wherefore Monfieur 
 de Li None being left Governour of the Militia at Kochel, for all things elfe were di- 
 redfed by the Queen of Navarre , and the Count of Montgomery fent to the aid of ' 
 
 Bearne, (of which Province MelTieurs de Monltic and Terride the Kings Lieutenants in 
 G afcony ^nd Guyenne were abfolute MaftersO they marched with i2coo Foot, and 
 2000 Horfe towards the Lo/Vf, daily increafing in ftrength through the continual con- 
 courfe of the Nobility, that came in to them from the adjacent Provinces i but being 
 rot yet certainly advertifcd of the Duke de Venx-ponts paflage, they were not fully rc- 
 fblved which way to take , but advanced veryflowly, reafonably enough doubting 
 that they might be affailed by the Catholicks before they could join with the Duke of 
 Ait'ym, after the German Camp had pafled the Loire, fearing to be engaged between 
 the two Armies, withdrew his Forces from the River and retired into Limofin, con- 
 ceiving the Woods and Mountains in that Country would ftill fecure his Quarters, and 
 . that the Germans who were accuftomed to lie covered and live in plenty, through the The Duke cf 
 barrennefs of the foil could not long fubfift there. i;eux-f-nu i 
 
 On the other fide the Duke of Veux-ponts when he had pafled the Loire, being dd- oUHnk"" 
 (irous to join with the Princes, haftened his march all that he could i but death crofs'd teJ^orehe jelni 
 his defign, for either through the incommodities of fo long a journey, or as fomc faid pr'in«»! 
 
 U through
 
 1^6 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil If^ars 
 
 1^6^. 
 
 Connt M/mt' 
 Jiild fuccftls 
 him in the 
 charge of the 
 
 The Pope, the 
 preatDukc of 
 
 Tufcdni, and 
 the Duke of 
 ^Iva (tnA 
 fupplies Co the 
 Kins. 
 
 The Armies 
 front each 
 other, and the 
 Admiral fees 
 upon Sirij^^i's 
 qaartcr , who 
 through his 
 eoo much fot- 
 wardnefs is 
 taken prifoner 
 
 through the excefs of drinking, he fell into a continual Feaver, which foon becoming 
 malignant killed him in a few days after, leaving it doubtful (having marched fo fat 
 through the Enemies Country without any lofs, and parted fo many great deep Rivers) 
 whether it were to be attributed to fortune or his own condudt that he had fb happily 
 advanced to join with his Confederates into the furtheft parts of all Aquitaine. 
 
 The Duke being dead, the charge of the Army fell upon Count Volrade of MansfielJ^ 
 who was his Lieutenant-General, without any oppolition either of the Princes or other 
 great Commanders in the Army, who avoided it more through the apprchenilon of 
 many imminent dangers , than eitjier through modefty or want of pretences. The 
 third day after the death of the General, the German Army joined with the Admiral 
 and the Princes upon the banks of the Vienne^ where having made a mufter, and given 
 them a months pay out of the moneys which the Queen of Navarrs had with great pains 
 raifed upon the Rochellers, and out of the contributions of the neighbouring Towns, 
 they marched together towards the Duke of Am]ou^ being defirous to fight before any 
 new accident happened to diminifli their forces. 
 
 The Duke of Anjou had recruited his Army with the fuccours that came out of Italy 
 and Flanders : for the Pope defirous to have the War continued againft the Hugonots, 
 and for the reputation of the Apoftolick Sea, had fent to his Majefties aid 4000 Foot 
 and 800 Horfe under the command of Sfurza Count di Sancia Fiore a Pcrfon of Quality, 
 and an experienced Souldier : and the great Duke of TKy?<a«j/ had added 200 Horfe 
 and I coo Foot under Fabiano del Monte. The Duke of Alva like wife fent Count 
 Teter Erneji de Mansfield out of Flanders with a Regiment of 3000 Walloons and 300 
 Flemifli Lances, being defirous to deftroy the German Army in which were the Prince 
 of Orange and his Brothers, who though exiles, retained fo great a power and credit 
 in all parts of the Low-Countries. 
 
 But notwithftanding thefe fupplics, their mifcrics, ficknefs, and want of pay had 
 fo diminiflied the Army , that it was rather inferiour than fuperiour in number to the 
 Hugonots •> wherefore the Duke of Anjou hdr)g unwilling to fight, having retired in- 
 to the Country o£ Limofm, ftaid at Rochebeille in a fecure quarters for the main body 
 of the Army lying upon the top of a fteep rocky hill , of difficult afcent towards the 
 plain Country , a little on each hand were two other craggy hills full of fteems, and 
 trees , in either of which flood a Village. In that on the right hand was Thdippo 
 Strozzi, whom the King had declared Colonel General of the Infantry, with two 
 French Regiments, and in the other on the left the Count di Sanaa Fiore^ Fabiana 
 del Monte, and Tietro Paulo Jofinghi, with the Popes and the Tufcan Foot. On the 
 top of the hill the Cannon was planted, which commanded all the places about, and 
 between the Head-quarter and the Villages where the Foot was intrenched in the plain, 
 but with a running ftream in their Front , lay the light Horfe with the Duke of Ne- 
 mours^ and the Italian Commanders. Being thus difpofed in their feveral Quarters, 
 having the City of Limoges a little behind them, the Camp abounded with viduals, of 
 which by reafon of its barronnefs there was great (carcity in the Country about. 
 
 The Admiral, who with the Princes and the Army was advanced within half a 
 league of the Catholick Camp, confidering the advantage of the place where they lay, 
 and the difficulty to nourifli his men amongft barren Woods and liony Mountains, re- 
 folved at the fame time to fetupon StrozzPs quarter and the Italians, knowing if he 
 could beat them from thence and get pofleflTion of the Villages, he (hond fo Oreightcn 
 the Enemies Camp, that lofing the ufe of the plain, and not having wherewithal to 
 feed fuch a number of Horfe, they would be conftrained to retreat with evident danger 
 of being routed. Upon which grounds the twenty third of June he with his Van 
 ("the Foot under Tiles , Briquemaut^ and Kouvray) going firft i then Count LetvU of 
 Najfau with a Regiment of Germans ; and lafily, de Muy^ leligny, and Saubife with 
 their Horfe, marched diredly towards Strozzi's Quarter i and the Princes with the 
 Battel commanded by the Count de la Koch-fou-cault and the Prince of Oraytge^ in 
 which were Beaudine's, Blacon^s and Fouillier's Foot, another Regiment of Germans, 
 and the Marquefs of Renel, Mombrun^ Aciere, and Ambras with their Horfe, advanced 
 to the Italians Quarter , the moft part of the Germans and two Regiments of Muske^ 
 tiers under the command of the Count de Mansfield and Cenl'a flaying with the Cannon 
 in the champagne. 
 
 But the affault which was appointed to be given two hours before day, by reafon of. 
 the ftioitnefs of the night, began juft as the light appeared, when the Admiral falling 
 
 upon
 
 of France. The Fourth ^ooJ^, 147 
 
 upon Struzzi's Qiiarter, called Piles his Musketiers to go on firft , after whom the reft 1 5<5?' 
 following, which were about 4000. there began a rhofl: fierce and bloody fight, the 
 Hugonots relying upon their number, and the Catholicks upon the ftrength of the fi- 
 tuation i for being covered with trees and hedges , and having the advantage of an 
 higher ground, with their fmall (hot they exceedingly annoyed the Enemy, who on 
 the other fide being fo much fuperiour in number, that they fought four to one with 
 continual fupplicsof frefh men, made a fair attempt to overcome the inequality of the 
 place, and to beat the Catholicks from their pcfl, which would have been impollible, 
 if too much ardour Ctonfidering how they difpofed themfelvesj had not rendred 
 their refokition vain : for PhUippn Strozzi being incenfed beyond his ufual temper by 
 the cries of the French, (who having the Count of Brtfflicfvetti in their memories, re- 
 proached him with his name, and fliewed a kind of difdain to be conimslnded by an 
 Italian^ advanced to the head of his men , and earneftly encouraging every one with 
 fairvvords and his own example to follow him, leaving the advantage «f the place, 
 fell in with fuch fury upon Briquemauts and Tiles his Musketiers, that he forced them 
 to retire in great diforder : But the Admiral feeing him through the heat of the fight, 
 and eagernefs to purfue thofe that ran away , advance inconfiderately into an equal 
 place, and come into the plain champagne where the Horfc might be ufeful, advanced 
 likcwife with all the Van, hemming him in on every fide i and though with the help 
 of his Souldiers he couragioufly defended himfelf , yet being overborn by the Horfe, 
 and full of wounds and blood, he was at length taken prifoner, which occafioned many 
 to pafs this cenfure upon him , That his courage was more commendable than his 
 wifdom : but it was almoft impollible, that a man who hath in him the thoughts 
 of honour, when he finds himfelf provoked, though by them that are ignorant, 
 fliould keep within thofe limits which he himfelf knoweth arc prefcribed and didtated 
 by realbn. 
 
 There remained dead upon the place St. Loup and Koqttflejure^ both Lieutenants to , 
 Strozzi ■■, 22 Captains, fome that were reformed , fome that had Companies i and 
 350 of the belt Souldiers i and on the Hugonots fide 150 Horfe and Foot, amongrt 
 which HremsmoM and la Fottntaine^ both Commanders of great power and efteem. 
 
 The Admiral bravely purfued the remainder of Strozzi''s men, who retreated fight- 
 iog to their Poft ■■> but the place was of fuch a nature, that the Horfe could do no good, 
 and the Foot being weary and difordered , could not fo briskly renew the affault » 
 wherefore the Catholicks , who were flill a confiderable number upon the hill, eafily 
 fuftained the charge, till the light Horfe which were near, feeing the danger their 
 friends were in, came to fuccour them, and being joined, beat back the Hugonots, to 
 the great honour of Francifco Somma of Cremona^ a Captain of the Italian light Horfe, 
 who with the greatelf part of his men, lighting from their Horfes, fought amongft 
 the Hedges and the Chefnut-trees in the firit ranks with wonderful courage, and ex- 
 ceeding detriment to the Enemy. On the other fide, whither the Prince of Navarre 
 and Conde led the Battalia to aflail the Italians, there happened lefs execution on ei- 
 ther fide 5 for the Count de S. Flour not being fo precipitately ralh as Strazzi was, 
 nor moved by the unexperienced forwardnefsof his Souldiers i maintaining his ground, 
 defended himfelf without any ill fuccels, refolutely fuftaining the affault of Baitdine 
 and Poitilliers^ who with a great number of Foot endeavoured to beat him from it i and 
 though the fight endured with great ardour on both fides an hour longer than at the 
 other quarter which the Admiral attempted, yet it ended with little blood, for there 
 were not killed in all above 120 men. 
 
 This was the firft day in which He)iry Prince of Navarre hazarded himfelf in the 
 War i for though he was carefully brought up by his Mother in all Warlike Exercifes 
 that were ufed amongft us, as Riding and Handling his Arms, yet till that day he 
 never was prefent in any real occafion i but then charging in the Front of his men, 
 he ftiewed fuch a noble courage and boldnefs, which was fo much the more remarkable, 
 becaufe danger at firft feems moft terrible, that he gave fufficient teftimony of fuch a 
 Vertue as was likely to fill the World with the renown of his Actions. 
 
 The bufinefs being thus ended, the Princes and the Admiral, that they might the 
 more ftreighten the Catholicks, refolving to encamp in the fame place where they had 
 fought, judging that by reafon of the narrownefs of the quarters the Kings Horfe muft 
 ncceflarily be reduced to great eictremity : but within a few days they found how pre- 
 judicial that refokition proved i for by the means.ofLiwoge/ which lay behind him, 
 
 U 2 the
 
 148 
 
 The Htflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 1^69. 
 
 TheHogonots 
 
 fotwanc of 
 provifion arc 
 forced to rife 
 from bef ire 
 theCatboIicks 
 
 the Duke of Anym was abundantly furnifhed with viduals, which they could no way 
 prevent > but in their Camp the barrennefs of the Country , and the power of the 
 Catholicks over the adjacent Towns, caufed fuch a dearth of all provifions, that they 
 were forced to rife, and marching towards Perigord to feek a more fertil Soil, whereby 
 to fatisrie the greedy appetites of fo many Germans, who being led on by the hopes of 
 plenty and rich booty , found want of food and lying in the iield (b much the more 
 infupportable. 
 
 About this time the Queen-Mother came to the Duke of Anjou''s Camp, accompa- 
 nied by the Cardinals of Bourbon and Lorain , to confult and refblve how to manage 
 the War : for not only in the Kings Council , but much more in the Army the Com- 
 manders were of divers opinions > fome parallelling the Kings Forces with the Hugo- 
 nots, thought it moft expedient prefently to come to a Battel , believing that the old 
 bands C fo they call the Kings ftanding Regiments ) and the firm Battalion of the 
 Swiffes, by (b many a<3^ions already become terrible to the Enemy, could not receive 
 the leaft oppofition by the Hugonots new-raifed men , and that the Catholick Horfe 
 conlifting of the Flour of all the Nobility in the Kingdom, would eaiily matter the 
 Squadrons of the Reiters, (fo they call the German Horfe j which befides the Officers 
 and fome few Gentlemen, are made up of people taken out of Stables, and fuch like 
 mean drudges, very unproper to bear Arms: Wherefore they concluded. That in a 
 few hours they might deliver France from the infinite diftradions and calamities of 
 War, and with one blow fupprefs the obftinate perverfenefs of the Hugonots i whereas 
 keeping things with wary counfels and flow refolutions from coming to an iffue, the 
 People were confumed, the Nobility defiroyed, the Kings Revenues brought to no- 
 thing, and the Country ruined , with a general defolation over the whole Kingdom » 
 fi\\\ giving time and opportunity to the tnemy by his induftry to gain advantages, be- 
 fides the evident danger, if a new fupply came out of Germany^ as it was already re- 
 ported. That the Kings Army being weary and decayed with a continual War , would 
 at length remain a prey to the force of the Enemy. 
 
 Others thought it a rafh precipitate counfel, to hazard a Kingdom upon the uncer- 
 tain event of a Battel, againft an Enemy that had not any thing to venture i for all the 
 Germans fortune confiited in their Arms and that little Baggage they carried with 
 them i and the Hugonots could lofe nothing , but what they had taken and ufurpeJ 
 from the Crown : wherefore it was too vifible a danger to right without any hope of 
 gain againft a defperate multitude; that more folid fecure refolutions ought to beta- 
 ken, and by prolonging the War fuffer the German Forces to confume away of them- 
 fclves, as they always ufe todov for being brought into a climate fo contrary to that 
 where they were born , when the heats of Summer came , and Grapes were ripe, of 
 whfch they are exceeding greedy, ficknefs would without doubt enter amongfi them, 
 by which their Army would remain, if not abfolutely defeated, at leaft notably dimi- 
 niflied and weakned •, that if the Heads of the Hugonots determined, as it was likely 
 ■they would, to attempt the principal Towns held by the Catholicks, they would be 
 fure in affaults and skirmifhes to lofe their beft men, which was a certain way to ruinc 
 them ■■> that though time, want of money, fcaicity of vidtuals, and the unhealthfulnefs 
 of the feafon did not utterly deftroy the Hugonots, yet it was a much fafer counfel, 
 when the Kings Army had refied, to return again with frefh men and a greater ftrength 
 to the trial of a Battel againl> a body languifhing and decayed with long continual la- 
 bour i which now on the contrary, by reafon of the frefli fupplies, was very power- 
 ful and vigorous : that for the prefent year they needed not apprehend the coming of 
 more Germans, who it was known had not yet made any Levies i and therefore they 
 ought not through a vain fear to precipitate thoft refolutions, which being managed 
 with prudence and moderation, might bring the bufinefs to a certain iffue, and a happy 
 end. 
 
 This opinion, as moff fecure, at length prevailed, efpecially with the Queen, who 
 in her nature and judgment was difpofed to follow thefe counfels which were fur- 
 theft out of the power of fortune , and which might be eiFeded with leaft danger or 
 blood, being wont to fay. That members, though never fo putrified , ufe not to be 
 cut off without extream nece(Tity> and whenfoever they are cut off, the body not 
 only fuffereth fharp pains, but a dangerous debilitation, and too great a defed: 
 Wherefore in her heart fhc was always inclined to favour thofe refolutions, which' 
 fupprefTing the Heads of the Hugonots, might cure the madnels of the pcopfe, 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Fourth "Bool^ i^q 
 
 and preferve the welfare of the Crown > for which reafons (he abhorred the trial of a i%69* 
 Battel, by which (befides the uncertainty of the event) the body and ftrength of the 
 Kingdom would remain exceedingly weakned. 
 
 This determination being approved and concluded of by the King, the Duke of An- 
 joH (after he had placed fufficient Garifons in the Towns that lay next to the Hugo- The Duke dif- 
 notsj difmifled the Nobility, and divided the reft of the Army into a fruitful convc- ""'''■^ ''"' 
 nient Country, with a command, That by the firft of O£lober next theyfhould all re- hi^A^/wd. 
 turn to their Colours, purpofing then to re-unite his forces, and to proceed according as '''"''^ '""*' 
 the occaUons fliould require i and he hin»felf with a fmall train of Lords and Officers, goVih° himft'lf 
 (that he might be near, if any accident (hould happen) went to Lochex^ aftrongplace ^°^"'^'- 
 upon the Confines of Touraine. 
 
 The End of the Fourth BOOK. tjI ' 
 
 'V 1 'jv I 
 
 THE
 
 15' 
 
 is<y. 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F TH E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 By HEH.%ICO CATE1(i:i\(^0 T>AV1U. 
 
 The Fifth BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THe Fifth Boo^ relates the determination of the Hugonoti to take in the 
 Cities of Poiftou and Xaintonge .• The Siege of Poidtiers, the Duke of 
 Anjou'j defign to relieve that City by a diverjion^ to which end drawing his 
 Army together he fits down before Chaftel-rault ; The Admiral raifeth his 
 Siege, and caufeth' the Duk^ of An]o\x to do the like: Monfteur de Sanlac 
 befiegeth la Charite , but without fuccej?: The Count Montgomery conquers 
 the Kings party in Bearne, befiegeth^ and taketh Monjieur de Tcrride. The 
 King caufeth the Admiral to be proclaimed Rebel, his goods to be confifcate, 
 and his houfes demolified^ he continues the War vigor oufly. The T)uke of 
 Anjou grown very firong, defires to give Battel : the Admiral endeavours 
 to avoid it, but forced by the tumultuoits confent of his whole Army, prepares 
 to fight, and yet tries to march away. The Duke of Anjou follows, and 
 overtakes him near Moncounter ; they skJrmiJI) hotly toward the evening, 
 and the Cannon doth great harm to the Hugonots : Under favour of the 
 night, the Admiral pajfeth the River, and retreats, the Duke pajfcs the fame 
 River in another place : The Armies face one another upon the plain of Mon- 
 contour, and fight valiantly ; but the ViSory is the Duke of AnjouV, with 
 infinite Jlaughter of the Hugonots ^ many of them are dijheartned, the Admi- 
 ral encourageihthem, and with many reafons perfwades them to profecute the 
 War. The Princes quit all the Country except Rochel, St. Jean d' Angeli, 
 and Angoulefme, and retire with the reliques of their Army into the Moun- 
 tains of Cafcogne and Languedoc. The Duke lays Siege to St. Jean, and 
 takes it, but with the leffening of his Army, and lofs of time , he goes (ick, to 
 Angiers, and thence to St. Germains : The Princes join with theCount Mont- 
 gomery in Galcogne , they pafs the Winter in the Mountains , and at the 
 Spring-time draw into the plains, pafs the Rhofiie, and inlarge themfelves in 
 Provence and Daulphine : They march toward Noyers , and la Charite, 
 with an intent to come near Paris : The King fends an Army againji them 
 
 under
 
 o/" France. The Fifth ^oo\. i^i 
 
 under the cotnnmnd of the Marefial de Cofle, a jlovo nratt, and not dedrot/s j 5^6, 
 to mine the Hngonots : They meet in Burgogne , but the Princes (linn the 
 Battel-, a Treaty of agreemetjt is begun ^ and in the end coficluded at the 
 Court. The Princes and the Admiral retire to Rochel , the King endeavours 
 to beget an ajfurance in them^ and for that caufe offers to give his Sificr the 
 Lady Margaret in Marriage to the Prince of Navarre , and to mak$ War 
 with the Spaniard in Flanders ; the Match is concluded^ and they come all 
 to Court ': The ^een of Navarre is poifoned^ after her death the Marriage is 
 celebrated, amidjithe triumphs whereof the Admiral is fjot in the Arm: The 
 King refohes toprofecute and free himfelfoftheHugonots 5 upon St. Bartho- 
 \ov^Q\VS-Eve at night the Admiral and all the reji of them are Majfacred in 
 Paris, and many other Cities of the Kingdom: The King attempts to fur- 
 prize Rochel , and Montauban, but neither defign takes efeB , mitiy Trea- 
 ties pafs to bring the Rochellers to fubjeBion , but they refolving to defend 
 themfehes, the Duke of Anjou draws his Army together, and bcftegeth them 
 with all his Forces : They hold out many months, till the Duke of Aajoxi be- 
 ing Ele&ed King <?/ Poland, condefcends to grant them very goo ^ corditions^ 
 with which they in appearance return unto the Kings Obedience. The King 
 of Poland departs : The Duke of Alancon his next Brother pretends tofuc- 
 ceed him in all his Dignities --y isrepulfed, whereat being di I contented^ he ap- 
 plies his mind to new defgns. The King of Navarre, the Prince of Conde, 
 the Houfe o/Momorancy, aud theHugonots unite themfelves with him, and ' 
 plot a Confpiracy •-, which being difcovered, the Duke de Alencon, the King 
 of Navarre, and many others are imprifonedj the Prince of Conde efcapes 
 into Germany : The King falling into a. dangerous (icknefs, commits the 
 troubles of the Kingdom unto his Mothers care : Armies are raifed in Poi- 
 ftou, Languedoc and Normandy, where the Count de Montgomery coming 
 out of England, lands, and takes many places. Mor/fieur de Matignon^^??^ 
 againji, defeats, befieges, and takes him -^ he is brought to Paris, condemned 
 and executed. King Charles having declared his Mother Regent , yields 
 under the burthen of his difeafe , and departs this Life in the power of his 
 Age. 
 
 H E Duke of Anjou's re(blution to diflblve hi? Army for a time, 
 and draw into Garifons , put the Hugonots affairs into a very 
 hard condition : for having fuch a multitude of men , and fb 
 little means to nourilli and maintain them , which way fo- 
 ever they turned their thoughts, they met with exceeding great 
 difficulties. To pafs the River of Loire, as many advifed, and 
 to endeavour the fubduingof the largeft and moit fpacious Pro- 
 vinces of the Kingdom, and even faris it felf, the Seat and Bafis 
 of the Catholick party i though it rcprefented hopes , by cutting the finews of the 
 contrary Fadlion , to end the War vidtorioufly i and though vifibly it adminiftred oc- 
 calion to rob and plunder, Cthe only end of the Germans, and the only way to keep 
 them together i) yet in effed: it appeared a defign full of danger, and uncertainty, for 
 putting themfelves Cwithout money, ammunition, good ftore of Cannon , order for 
 Vidtuals, and which imported moft without any Town, or firong place whither they 
 might upon any occafion retreat, and defend themfelves J into the middle of an Ene- 
 mies Country i they faw plainly, that any the leaft finifter incounter , or light impedi- 
 ment that crofTed their attempts, was enough absolutely to ruine and dellroy them > 
 ror were the hopes of gain or fuccefs fuch as could counterpoize this danger i for the 
 principal Towns were llrongly guarded , and the Kings Army being rather divided, 
 than diflblved, was eafily to be re-united upon any occafion, and capable to drive them 
 into great ftreights , if raflily they engaged themfelves amongft the Enemies Forces, 
 without conveniency to retire , or provide againll neceffities , which would be likely 
 dally to grow upon them. 
 
 On
 
 152 
 
 The Hijlorj of the Civil U^an 
 
 i5<Jp. 
 
 TheHuoonots 
 Tcrolvc CO cake 
 in as many 
 placts as chey 
 can, by intelli- 
 gence poffefs 
 ihemfelves of 
 Chjfiel-r.-.u'.t 
 and Lufr^nittj 
 wich chcCa- 
 (lle there. 
 
 PoiSiiTi after 
 >"<!»? a City of 
 the greateft 
 circuit of any 
 in Ittnct, 
 
 On the other fide to fpend their time in befieging thofe Towns, which in Aquitiine^ 
 and beyond the Loire , held yet for the Catholick party i and by taking them to gain 
 the abfolute Dominion of that Country , whereof they already polTefled the greafcft 
 part, and from which they expedled the chief fupport for their Army, had two weighty 
 oppofitions ■> the tirft, That in befieging the ftrong places one by one, which were fo 
 well provided of all things neceflary for their defence, would occafion thelofs of much 
 time, and greatly wafte the Army, a thing well forefeen by the Catholicks, and one of 
 their chiefell aims : the other , That by Haying there they fliould deftroy that Coun- 
 try with taxes and contributions from which they had their fubfiftence i fo that they 
 fliould neither be able to raife money enough to pay the Souldiers , nor to get fuch 
 booty as would fatisfie their grcedinefs, and impatience. 
 
 But it being neceffary of two evils to chufe (as it is ufual) the leaft » the Princes, 
 and the Admiral at length refolved, to attempt thofe which were neareft, fo to make 
 an abfolute conqueft of all that Country beyond the Loire^ and eftablifh their party fe- 
 curely in that Canton Cas I may fo fayj of France ■■, hoping to have fuch fiipplies of 
 money out of England, and by the prizes taken by the Fleet, (fince the death of/* 
 7'ottr, commanded by Monfier de Sore) as would fuffice to fupply the Army for fome 
 time, in which interim, an occafion might perchance arife , of a more fortunate, and 
 more happy progrefs. 
 
 With this deliberation, having taken the rich Monaftery of Branthome, and to make 
 them more ready and obedient, granted the pillage thereof to the Germans, in which 
 manner they ufed divers other leflTer places , the Admiral with the Army went to 
 Chajiel-ratilt , in which Town he had many days before held fecret intelligence with 
 fome of the inhabitants j nor Was the enterprize at all difficult , for the Confpirators 
 having raifed a tumult, and made themfelves matters of one of the gates, let in the , 
 Hugonots : which unexpefted accident flruck fuch a terrour in the Governour who 
 held it for the King, that he fled away to PwS/Vrj without making aay refiftance, and 
 the Town without difpute remained abfolutcly in the Admirals power, who received 
 it as he did all the «(!, in the name of the Prince of Navarre, by whofe authority (as 
 firft Prince of the Blood) all matters were difpatched and governed. 
 
 Chajlel-rault being taken, the Admiral advanced to beficge Lufjgnan- and having 
 taken the Town without much difficulty , fate down before the Caflle , which is ' 
 efteemed one of the ftrongeft places in France, and had formerly (though often boldly 
 alTauIted) held out with good fuccefs a long time againft theEnglifh i but now the 
 refolution of the defendants was not anfwerable to the vertue of their predeceflbrs i 
 for having fcarce flaid for the battering, (which though it made a large breach in the 
 Wall, yet the Cattle ftanding upon the top of a Rock, it was almott impolTible to go 
 on to the aflault) they began to treat of delivering it up, and in a few days capitu- 
 lated to march out, with flying colours and all their baggage, which agreement (con- 
 trary to their cuttom ) was exadly obferved. Lufignan thus taken , before which 
 MelTieurs de Breuil and du Cbefny, Souldiers of great reputation , were killed by the 
 Cannon i the Admiral taking fix great pieces with him which he found in the Cattle, 
 refolved to march towards Foiiiiers, after Paris a City of the greateft circuit of any 
 in the Kingdom, and head of the adjacent Provinces, whither were carried as into a 
 place of fecurity, all the wealth and treafure of thofe Countries •> judging, that if he 
 could reduce this fo confiderable a place to his devotion, all the reft would without 
 much difficulty yield of themfelves. 
 
 But when it was known at Loches, where the Duke of Aajou lay, that the Admiral 
 made preparation of Pioneers , Artillery , and other things neceffary to lay fiege to 
 Foiaiers i though the fierce warlike difpofition of the people, gave hopes that it would 
 be ttoutly maintained : yet the Council thought that fo fpaciousa place,fo thinly peopled, 
 and fo fubjed' to be annoyed by the Enemy, would require a great number of valiant men 
 to defend it, as well to fecure a Town of fo great importance and reputation, as alfb 
 fo much the longer to amufe the Hugonots, and by the difficulty of this attempt difcou- 
 xage and tire out their Army ; which was their chief defign at the beginning, when 
 they divided their forces. Wherefore befidcs the ordinary Garifon that was in Foiaiers^ 
 under the Count de Lude Governour of the City, the Duke of Guife refolved to put 
 himfelf into it, a young man, who with fingular expedation fliewed himfelf as Head 
 of the Catholick party, to renew by his brave and notable example in that beginning 
 of his Watlike actions, the glory of his Father , who by defending Mstz. againft the 
 
 Fosces
 
 o/ France. Th& Fifth ^od^» 154 
 
 ȣ . ' 
 
 Forces of the Emperour Charles the Fifth, made his way to a high degree of power 15^?. 
 and eftimatlon. This example of the Duke of Guife , was followed by Charles Mar- 
 queft de Mayenne his Brother, the Sieurs de Montpezat, de Sejjac, de Mortemer, de Clai-, 
 riaux, de la Rochebariton ^ de Rufec ^ de Fervaques ^ de Briancen ^ de Chajiilliere, and 
 many other Gentlemen, noble by birth and valour i in whofe company were alfo An- 
 gela Cefis^ and Giovanni Orfmo, with 200 Italian Horfe : Co that there were then in the 
 City 800 Cuiraffiers , and about 400 light Horfe > to thefe were added 4000 Foot, 
 of the beft difciplined in all France, under the command of Baffac, laFarade, Ver- 
 hois, Bonneval, Cbarry, and many other Colonels ©f great reputation i fix companies 
 of Towns-men , each of four hundred very well armed and exercifed , befides 300 
 Italian Firelocks commanded by Paulo Sforza, Brother to SanSa Fiore. There were 
 alfo in the City a very great number of Peafants, by whofe labour the moft fufpedted 
 places of the ramparts were fortiried with great care, and Cannon planted, wheife they 
 faw the Enemy was likely to encamp. Belides all this, the City was plentifully ftored 
 with provifions for the War , efpecially fireworks of divert kinds , which made the 
 defendants confidently hope to repel the alTaults of the Enemy. 
 
 Notwithffanding all thefe preparations , the Admiral ("either ardently defirous to 
 fupprefs the two young Guifes his particular enemies, and therefore preferring that 
 before all other refpedls » or defpifing the advice of the other Commanders , who 
 judging the enterprize very difficult , counfelled to turn their Forces another way) 
 fate down before the City the 24 of July, and in his march caufed the Infantry to 
 ftorm the Suburb that lieth without the port of St. Lazarus, no ways fortified, but de- 
 fended only by Colonel Boifvert with 400 French Musketiers, who having vaHantly 
 fuflained the affatilt for the fpace of three hours , at lafl by the multiplied Forces of 
 the Hugonots, were conftrained to quit it, being a place utterly impoffible to be kept : 
 but the Duke of Guife fallying forth in perfon, gallantly refifled the fury of the Ene- 
 my, till the houfes near the gate, and about the Works were burnt, and levelled with 
 the ground , left they fhoula have that conveniency to lodge and offend the Town.- 
 The Army lay that night two miles from the walls , and the next morning the frrft 
 Troops of the Camp skirmifhing hotly with the Cavalry that fallied out in many pla- 
 ces, the Admiral encamped with very good order in thofe quarters which with pru- 
 dent confideration were before refolved on. 
 
 The platform oi FoiCliers is of a great circumference, and unequal fitnationi for 
 extending it felf in a flony, rugged way from Eaft to Wefl , fbmetimes it afcends, 
 fometimes defcends, here crooked, there in a diredt line, but three fides of it lie open 
 to the Cannon from the rOcks that encompafs it, only the fourth is even, and fo high, 
 that no place without can command or annoy it » and though indeed it may be bat- 
 tered from divers places without, yet it is no eafie matter afterwards to advance to 
 the affault i for the Clain that runneth about a great part of it, and a deep lake caufed 
 by the fame river, make it in a manner inacceilible , and the unevennefs of the rocks 
 that afford means to offend it , yield alfo commodious retreat to the defendants ^■^ for 
 the deep craggy clifs upon which it is feated, is fb eafie to be wrought into, thatal- 
 moft of it felf it maketh ftairs , and narrow paffages , very advantageous to be long 
 made good againfl the Enemy The Admiral taking notice of this fituation, endea^ 
 voured to enlarge himfelf , and inviron as much of the circuit as he could poflibly, 
 playing at once upon feveral parts of the City, (b far diftant one from another, as he 
 might both divide the courage and forces of the befieged. To that end he placed the 
 German Infantry at the fartheft corner of the City beyond the river, quartering them 
 in the Hofpitai and Mill near to it, joining them together with a bridge drawn crofs 
 the river with ropes, which likewile ferved the foot of Gafcony and Provence , who 
 lay along the banks of the river as far as the Fauxburg, called Rochereuili himfelf 
 with the Van lodged in the Monaflery of St. Benet 5 the Prince who led the Battel, 
 with the Count de la Roch-fou-cault and Count Mansfield, at St. Lazarus ; Briquemautf 
 Piles and Muy, with the Reerat the fzuxburg of Pierre Levee, taking up in this man- 
 ner all that fpace of ground which reacheth from the North to the Weft, and from the 
 Weft to the South j and the Cavalry quartered in the Villages about, fpreading as fin 
 Crujletle^ almofl two leagues from the Town. 
 
 Scarce was the Infantry encamped about the City, when Monfieur de Seffae, the 
 Duke of G^z/f's Lieutenant, accompanied v/'ith Ciovanna Orfino, and.i20of themofl 
 xefolute Horfe of the Garifon, fallying out at the gate of the Trench, fell into a quarter 
 
 X ©f
 
 |.^i The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i'k69 of Cavalry in a Village called Marne, and finding them in diforder and unprepared, 
 as they were about to take up their lodging, with fmall trouble killed a great num- 
 ber, and difperfed the reft i and afterwards in his return meeting Briquemaut with 
 loo Reiters, and divers French Horfe , he charged them fo boldly, that at the firft 
 encounter, they all ran away, leaving above forty of their men dead upon the place : 
 wherefore the Admiral necelTitated to hinder fuch unwelcome fallies , caufed Colonel 
 BlscM with 2000 Foot, to lie in the tuines of the Suburb, and with Fortifications and 
 Trenches to make his approaches fo near to the gate, that they played upon one ano- 
 ther continually with Musket-fliot : but neverthelefs Colonel Ononx who had left 
 St. Maixetit as a place too weak to be held , with only 600 Foot but chofen men, 
 marched nine leagues in fix hours , and arriving at the beat of the Reveille , paffed 
 happily through all the works they had made, and in fpite of the oppofition of Blacott 
 and all his men, entred through the fame gate of the Trench, to ftrengthen the Gari- 
 Ion of TeiHiers. 
 
 But the fiege being laid and fetled, the firft days were fpent in (harp skirmifties, of 
 which though the event were divers , according to the variety of fortune , yet the 
 Hugonot Army was exceedingly endamaged by them : for befides the loft of their 
 fiouteft Souldiers , whereof very many were killed , they were likewife hindered in 
 their works, which neverthelefs by the diligence of Monfieur de CenlU General of 
 the Artillery , ftill went on , who making his approaches in divers places , raifed a 
 battery, where he planted fourteen Cannon befides d-ivers fmall pieces, which being at 
 laft brought to perfed^ion, though with much difficulty, becaufe the whole Camp was 
 perpetually molefted with fhot from the City i upon the firft of Auguji they began to 
 batter, and in three days made, a breach in the Ravelin , and brake down the Tower, 
 which joining to the port of St. Cyprian , guarded and flanked the enterance on that 
 fide •, but the bottom of the Tower being filled with earth , fo that not withftan ding 
 the upper parts of it were fallen, it ftill defended it felf: the fourth day it wasaflaulted 
 in vain, being rcfblutely maintained by Colonel de I' Ifle' with his French Foot, which 
 the Admiral perceiving, and that the attempt of that gate proved more difficult than 
 was expedled, he turned his Cannon on the other fide, and the fifth day began to 
 batter the Curtine, which lying along the River, reacheth to a place commonly called 
 ^he AbbefTes meadow : for though the water which ran between his Trenches and 
 the Town-walls were fbme hinderance to him i ^ct he knew the -works were much 
 weaker there than in other places , becaufe the Engineers thinking it was enough fe- 
 cured by the River, had been more carelefs in fortifying thereabouts : by the tenth of 
 Augufl , (which was the Fcaft of St. Laurence) the Artillery had made fo large a 
 breach as might very commodioufly be aftaulted, and the bridge by which one might 
 eafilypafs the River, was already caft over i when the Admiral caufing the breach to 
 be viewed, and being informed that there were Cafamats, and works very well con- 
 trived, to make it good on the infide , befides that by the advice of the Count de 
 Lude, four Troops of Lanciers were fallied out of the gates to fall upon the affailants 
 at the (ame inftant , when they had pafled the bridge , and were in that open plain 
 fpace ijetween the Wall and the River , not willing to fend his men into fo manifeft: 
 danger without hope of fuccefs, gave out that by reafbn of the weaknefs of the bridge, 
 which perchance might break, he would not run fo evident an hazard of drowning his 
 Souldiers i whereupon they retreating to their Quarters, who all were ready for the 
 aflault, he gave command for the making of another bridge , which might not only 
 fcrvetopafs over the affailants in bettei? order and more fecurity, but alio fome num- 
 ber of Horfe, to make Head againft the Cavalry of the City. But the night following 
 Biagio Capizucbi, a Roman Gentleman under Paulo S/orza, with two companions, all 
 excellent Swimmers and good Divers , Cwhilft the Enemy was amufed by frequent 
 alarms, and the Cannon, befides a party fent out with Monfieur de Fervaqjtes) fwom 
 nnder the bridge, and cut the ropes that held it together , fo that on a fuddain, be- 
 fore the Hugonots v^ere aware , it was utterly looftd , and carried away with the 
 ftreathjiand whilft it Was repairing, the Defendants bad leifure to fbrtifie themfelves 
 withia the breach » in which bufinefs the Duke df Guife himfelf took great ^iiis, 
 carrying the earth upon his own ftioulders , whofe example generally moved no lefe 
 the women than the men to further the work, by which means in a very (hort {pace 
 they raifed a breaft-work ftronger and thicker thari the firft. : ■ 
 
 Cut
 
 o/" France. The Fifth 'Boo{;, 155 
 
 But the Admiral re-inforcing his battery with great violence, and eaufing three I5^9\ 
 bridges to be made, all ftronger than the firft, upon the eighteenth day gave a terrible 
 aflault to the Wall, and they were already, though with much blood, mailers of the 
 breach, when they difcovered a Cavalier raifed within the Covent of the Carmelites, 
 from whence many fmall pieces of Artillery plaid, which lighting upon the place, 
 that was poffciTed by the Hugonots, before they could fufficiently (belter themfelves^ 
 they were forced within a little while to forfake it, leaving dead upon the place Mon- 
 fieur de Mondaulph, a man of great account amongft them, with feven Captains and 
 many Foot-Souldiers 5 befides an infinite number that were wounded , amongft which 
 Monlieur de la Nous received a Musket-fliot in his left arm i and the Baron de Con- 
 forgine another in the right thigh, of which hurts it was very long before they could 
 be cured: nor did the Defendants fcape without lofs, there being killed that day Mon- 
 fieur Biglie of a very noble Family, and Antonio Serafone a Roman, who with great 
 praifes of valour and induftry, was imployed in the Office of an Engineer. 
 
 They continued fliooting all the next day, and the fooner to make an end of the 
 bufmefs, brought eight Culverins more to the battery, by which means the Ramparts 
 of the City were in a few days made wholly indefenfible : but the induftry of the be- 
 lieged found a remedy againft fo imminent a danger i for having flopped the courfe of 
 the River on the lower fide, near the Tower o( Kocherenil with banks and piles of 
 wood, they made the waters fwell to fuch a heighth, that the under part being left 
 almoft dry, they drowned all the AbaflTes meadow, and overflowed the very breach in 
 the Wall, fo that the Hugonots could not poffibly come to aflault it i upon which occa- 
 fion the Admiral being forced to take a new refolution, commanded the battery to be 
 removed lower, to play upon, and take the Tov/ei o( Rochereml , below which the 
 Catholicks had made their dam , that fo being mafters of that place, they might free 
 the courfe of the River, and take away from them the fo ufeful defence of the water. 
 To this purpofe the Cannon having beaten down above fixty yards of the Wall, upon 
 the 24 day they gave a general onfet at the Tower oi Rncbereuil ^ and the Curtine 
 joining to it i Piles fell on firft, feconded by Briquemattt^ and at laft by the German 
 Infantry, where nolefsthe Commanders and Voluntiers, than the common Souldiers, 
 fought on all fides with fingular valour and conftant refolution i the gallantry of the 
 Duke of Guife appearing moft clearly in this adion , by whofe Squadron the Enemy 
 was in the end beaten oft", and driven back with great lofs, they having with no fmaU 
 difficulty brought off Files, who was extreamly wounded, and almoft half dead, though 
 afterwards being cured , he recovered his former health and vigour : yet all this ill 
 fuccefs abated not the courage of the Hugonots j but continuing with great obftinacy 
 to batter the work which the Defendants had caft up behind the breach, they refolved 
 to give it an unexpeded aflault about midnight , thinking to furpriie the Catholicks 
 either afleep , or at leaft in confufion , and unprovided ■> but being come to the place, 
 they found (contrary to their expedtationj the Defendants in fo good order, and fo 
 ready to receive them , that without any more ado they gave over the attempt, being 
 bravely followed by the Italian Foot, who fallying through the fame breach, purfued 
 them into their very Trenches , doing great execution upon them , by reafon of the 
 difficulty and narrownefs of their retreat. 
 
 But in the midft of fo many fufferings, the exceflJive heats of Summer began to a great mor- 
 caufe the ufual ficknefs of that feafon, of which there died not only many of their com- "'"y in the 
 mon Souldiers, and particularly of the Germans, but the principal Officers of the Army my"°Thc Ad- 
 were likewife grievoufly infedled with it, amongft which the Count de laKoch-fou-cardt •"'"' '"":''- 
 had left the Camp to be cured, and MelTieurs de Britjuemaut znd de la Node were re- nfteth^'not "' 
 tired to Nwrt with fmall hope of life, for which caufe the Princes with no other train ^'^p^'^"°^ 
 but their own families, refolved to go to St. Maixeat, and by change of air to avoid 
 the malignant Feaver that was fo mortal in the Camp , leaving the Admiral almofi: 
 alone to command the Army , who worn out with continual toil and watching, fell 
 £ick at laft of the Flux ■■> yet though he was exceedingly fpent and weakned with the 
 Drfeafe, the vigour of his mind was not at all diminiflied , but he perfifted with the 
 fame ardour to prcfecute the end of his defign i for conclufion whereof he commanded 
 the aflault to be given in many places upon the fecond day of September, eaufing the 
 French and German Infantry to fall on feverally, that the emulation of one another 
 might animate them to fight with a greater courage and refolution : the aflfault lafted 
 moft part of the day, the violence of the Enemies being refifted by the Duke oi^ Guife 
 
 X 2 on
 
 156 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil IFars 
 
 J 5 dp. 
 
 After many 
 afTaults brave- 
 ly rullainctt, 
 the Admiril 
 quits the 
 lirge,anJ goes 
 to relieve 
 
 The Duke of 
 GniftjViho had 
 fuftained the 
 ficgc, gets 
 great reputa- 
 tiun. 
 
 The Citho- 
 licks befiege 
 1,1 C'Mrirfy 
 which being 
 Houtly defen- 
 ded they give 
 it over. 
 
 on one fide, and on the other by the Count de Lude, with lb much valour and gallan- 
 try, that the Hugonots being beaten, not only by the Cannon and fmall fliot, but with 
 floncs, pikes and fireworks in great abundance, they were in the end forced precipi- 
 tately to quit the wall, leaving dead and wounded above feven hundred upon the place, 
 amongft which Monficur de S. Vane Brother to Briquemaut , and who commanded his 
 men, vvas killed with a granado. 
 
 But this Vidtory gave little comfort to the befieged j for being by the death of Mon- 
 fieur^' Onoitz, Colonel Pajfjc^ and many other valiant men reduced to a fmall number 
 in refped of the greatnefs of the place, and their horfes for want of meat being brought 
 to extream weaknefs , they could not find the ardour and perfeverence of the Hugo- 
 rots at all abated i wherefore with frequent letters and many meffagcs they fbllicited 
 for the relief which the Duke of j4hjoh had promifed them within a (c\^ days. 
 
 The Duke re-uniting the Army (boner than was intended at the dividing of it, had 
 drawn his forces together at the beginning of September , refolving rather to try the 
 fortune of a day, than to fuffer Poict/ers to be taken, with fo many of tlie Nobility, and 
 the Duke of Guife himfelf , who was at that time very much beloved by him ; where- 
 fore he marched away from Loches^ and fate down before CM' fZ-r^ia//, afTuring him- 
 felf, that the Hugonots to fuccour that place, where a great number of their fick men 
 lay , would leave the fiege of ToiCuert , about which they might eafily perceive, 
 they fliould but tire themfelves in vain , it being favoured by fo great, and (b near a 
 power. Nor was the event different from the Dukes defign , for the Admiral having 
 by the failing of his laft enterprife loft all hopes of taking the Town, and feeking fome 
 plauilble occafion to leave it, as foon as he had intelligence that the Army moved, he 
 refolved to raife the fiege > and drawing off his Artillery, upon the 15 of September 
 marched with all his forces towards Chajiel-rault : and on the fame day the Count de 
 Saiiz,e^ and Ptetro Paulo Tttfwghi entredPoiUiers with 300 French Horfe, and 800 Ita- 
 lian Foot, and fiipplies of money and vidluals , whereby the City was at once freed 
 from the fiege , and opportunely furniflied with neceffary provifions. Thus ended the 
 fiege of Poiciiers ■•, in which , as the Princes Army diminiflied both in ftrength and 
 hopes, by the lo(s of 3000 men, and two months of the Summer i fo the Duke oiGuife 
 came out of it with fo great applaufe and reputation, that all the Catholick party began 
 to turn their eyes upon him as a Pillar of the Roman Religion, and a Worthy Succeflbr 
 to his Fathers Power. 
 
 The fucccfs of the Kings forces at the fiege of It Charite was not unlike to that of 
 the Hugonots at PoiQierj at the fame time i for the Dukeof ^«j(7« purpofing utterly to 
 cut off the palTage of the Loire from the Army of the Princes, and to take away all hopes 
 from them of oppreffing thofe Provinces which are on this fide the River, had given 
 commiflfion to Monfieur de Sanfac to gather the forces of Beauffe, Nivermis,, Bourbomk,^ 
 and part of Burgundy^ and to befiege la Charite^ which had before been taken by the 
 Germans in their pafTage, and was the only place upon the River in polTeflfion of the 
 Hugonots : but fo firm was the refolution of the Souldiers, and fo conftant the courage 
 of the Townf-men, commanded by Monfieur de Guercby, Cornet of the Admirals own 
 company of Gens d" Arms,, that fuftaining all the affaults and attempts of the Catho- 
 licks, they finally conftrained Monfieur de Sanfac to give it over , having in the fiege 
 loft many Gentlemen, and no inconfiderable number of Souldiers. 
 
 In the mean time the affairs of both Factions were profecuted in Beam, whither 
 the Prince of Navarre,, follicitous to preferve his own patrimony, had fent the Count 
 of Montgomery to oppoCc Meifiems de Monluc znd de'terride, the firft of which poffeffed 
 the Confines of the Province, and the other with a great power battered Navarines,, 
 the only place that after many lofTes and troubles of the Country remained in the 
 power of the Hugonots : but in conclufion, whatfoever the fault was, Cfor the Com- 
 manders laid it upon one another) the bufinefs went very profperoufly for the Prince 
 of Navarre j for Monfieur de lerride being rifen from before Navarines, was in his re- 
 treat fought withal, furrounded, and taken prifbner ■> and Monfieur de Monlucr\otbe- 
 ing able, or not coming time enough to help him, was fain to retire into Gafcony \ fo 
 that all the Country began to fubmit to the devotion of Montgomery, who ufing ftrange 
 unaccuftomed cruelties , had with terrour conftrained even thofe places that were beft: 
 manned, and moft ftrongly fortified to yield themfelves up into his hands. 
 
 In the interim, the Duke of Anjou, who becaufehe was not yet (trong enough to 
 taife the fiege of Poi&iers^ had encamped before Cbajiel-rault , to obtain the fame effe&i 
 
 by
 
 ^y France. The Fifth ^ool^ i.-'^ 
 
 by that diverfion, conceived fome hopes of taking the place, and perfifted in battering 1 5^^. 
 
 it with much violence i but the ifTue proved very contrary i for when there was a 
 
 a fufficient breach in the wall, he made the Italian Infantry to fall on, who putting 
 
 themfelvcs forward by reafonof their emulation with the French, poffefTed themfelves 
 
 at firfl very profperouily of the breach, but with more rafhnefs and fury than difcretionv 
 
 for being plaid upon vvith great execution both in the front and flank by the Artillery 
 
 planted opportunely upon the ramparts that were caft up within, which they had not 
 
 fas according to the Rules of War they ought) been careful to difcovcr, after they had i jim 1 
 
 fought in vain above three hours, they retired to their trenches with the lofs of above Head 'of the 
 
 250 men , amongft whom were Fabiam del Monte ^ and many other Gentlemen and Jai^jb/fn'rV' 
 
 Officers. (^a^ti-tatdi. 
 
 The next day their thoughts of alTaulting the Town were changed into thofe of 
 marching away: for the Admiral, with all his Army, defirous to recover the time, 
 and recompence the lofTes he had received at ToiUiert , had in three feveral quarters 
 pofTelTed himfclf of the Suburbs on the other fide Ch-tjlel-rjult, oppofite to the place 
 where the Catholick x^rmy lay , and refblved by any means to try his fortune, if he 
 could do it without difadvantage i for which caufe the Duke of /^;/jtf« knowing him- 
 felf much inferiour in flrength, the Nobility not being yet joined with him, nor many 
 Companies of Foot which were too far from the Army, thought it beft to retire i and 
 therefore took the opportunity to do it at the fame time that the Admirals Souldiers 
 C being quartered to refrelh themfdves after their march, in one of the Suburbs of the 
 Town, that lay beyond the River Vienna) were either fecurely flecping , or making 
 provilion of vidluals and lodging i it not being probable, the day being fo far fpent, 
 that either fide would change their quarter that night. So taking the opportunity of 
 the time, the Duke caufed his Artillery to be drawn off with good order, but incre- 
 dible expedition '-, and having fent them before with all his baggage, fome two hours 
 after, it being about Sun-fet , he marched without noife away, neither the Admiral, 
 nor any of his party at all perceiving it, till the laft Squadrons were moving i who 
 made good the retreat, being led by Monfieur de Chavigny^ Monfieur de la Valette, and 
 the Count di Sanda Fiore, At that time it being far in the night, the Hugonot Army 
 was at reft in their quarters , or elfe Scattered up and down i therefore the Admiral 
 feeing his men weary, difperfed, and unfit for the purfuit, thought it not beft rafhly TheCatho- 
 to follow the Catholick Army, which being many hours before him, retired quietly licks raife the 
 ■without any diforder or confufion. Thus the Duke of Anjoit not being followed nor f^o' 'cb^a-' 
 molefted by the Enemies, the fame night paffed the River Creuje at Porte de Tiles^ four rauit. 
 leagues from Chajhl-rault , and the next morning having left the bridge fufficiently 
 guarded on both fides of the River, he drew his Army to Selle, a very ftrong and well- 
 fortified quarter. 
 
 At break of day the Admiral marched after the Catholicks i and being come to 
 Forte de Piles, he fent forth Monfieur de Snubife, with a party well-horfed, to difcover 
 the ftate of the Enemy •, who having routed and put to flight many fcattered Soul- 
 diers that were caft behind the Army, fell on, hotly skirmifhing even to the very Turn- 
 pike of the Bridge ■■> the Infantry feconding him refolutely, affaulted the barricadoes 
 of the Catholicks , ufing their uttermoft endeavour to drive away the guard , and to 
 gain that pafs i but notwithftanding the redoubled onfets, made with exceeding cou- 
 rage by the moft valiant Commanders of the Hugonots , la Valet, and Paulo Sforza 
 with the French light Horfe , and the Italian Foot defended the Bridge , and being 
 helped by the ftrong fituation of it, beat off the Enemy with much lofs, and fruftratcd 
 all their attempts : whereupon the Admiral giving over that defign, made a foord to 
 be fought for in fome other place, which being eafily found by reafon of the fliallow- 
 nefs of the water, he pafled over the next day four leagues below Piles, and came Co 
 near to the quarter of the Duke of /injou , that he hoped to force him to give battel : 
 but feeing that the Duke, containing himfelf within his trenches, was very well ftored 
 with vidirual , becaufe all the Country behind him were his friends > and that on the 
 Cither fide his Army fuffered great fcarcity, being forced to make his provifions afar 
 off, becaufe two Rivers were between him and the Country that was well-affedled to 
 him i he defpairing to force the Catholicks to fight againft their will , refolved the 
 third day to retire i and having paffed the two Rivers of Creufa and Vienna, marched 
 to Faye la Vineufe , and lodged his Army in the neighbouring Villages to refrefh his 
 men after fo much toil and fufferance > who being all (efpecially the Germans) im- 
 patient.
 
 158 
 
 The Hijiory of the Civil JVafs 
 
 fi69' 
 
 ticHry Duke of 
 Guife admit- 
 ted to the Ca- 
 buict-Council 
 
 The Kingt de- 
 cree Againft 
 Che Admiral. 
 
 patient, and unaccuftomed to lie in the fields, began to grow very mutinous and dif- 
 orderly. 
 
 Tlie Duke of Jnjou took the like courfe, who withdrawing his Army toChhmthi 
 7nraw, went to fee the King his Brother, and the Queen his Mother, who according 
 to their ordinary cuflom of being near the Army, were come to Tours, where like- 
 wife was arrived the Duke oiGuife, loaden with honour and reputation for his famous 
 and profperous defence of Poidiers. Here they began to advife of the means of ma- 
 naging the War i and this was the firft time the Duke of Guife, being received into 
 his Fathers place, was admitted to the Cabinet Council, and the participation of the 
 moft fecret affairs- The caufe and beginning of this' truft , beiides the noblenefs of 
 his Blood , the merits of his Father, his own Vertue, and the protedion of the Car- 
 dinal his Uncle, was chiefly the implacable hatred the King bare the Admiral i for after 
 the death of the Prince of Conde in the Battel of Baffac^ he had entertained confident 
 hopes, thatthe Hugonot party (being deprived of the Authority of fo great a Prince, 
 and having loft their principal Head , upon whofe valour and reputation chiefly de- 
 pended the condud of fo weighty a bufinefi) would diffolve and diffipate, or at leaft 
 incline to the yoak of his obedience : but he found on the contrary the Authority of 
 the Blood Royal, by the fagacity of the Admiral, revived in the perfons of the two 
 young Princes, and the union of the Hugonot Fai^'ion founded on their proper ftrength 
 and valour, to occafion more mifchiefs, and to bring the ftate of affairs into greater 
 dangers than ever formerly they had been in the revolution of fo many years ; and 
 therefore having with a publick and heavy fentence divulged in many languages, made 
 him to be declared Rebel by the Parliament of FarU, he alfo caufed his effigies to be 
 dragged through the ftreets, and to be hung up in places where they ufed to execute 
 publick malefadtors j and fo ordered the matter , that his houfes were razed to the 
 ground, and his goods fold by the Officers of his Courts-, after all which, continuing 
 a refolution to perfecute him to death, he began to exalt and favour the Houfe of Lo- 
 rait, and particularly the Duke of Guife, who defirous to revenge the death of his Fa- 
 ther, profefTed a publick and irrcconcileable hatred to the Admiral. 
 
 The Kings Cabinet Council coming now to debate of thofe courfes that were to be 
 taken in ordering the War, at firft their opinions difagreed i for the Marcfhal de Cojfe 
 (by his fevere proceedings againftthe Hugonots in Pic<?>-^, having purged himfelfof 
 the fufpicions conceived againft him, and regained his former credit and eftimation of 
 wifdom) thought it beft to try rather by time, than force, to overcome the Enemy : who 
 being without money,without means to vidlual their Army,without retreat,without any 
 confiderable fupply from abroad, and full of want, difordcr, difcord and defperation, 
 would quickly be vanquifhed by their own neccfTities, and diffolve to nothing of them- 
 felves. On the other fide, the Count deJavanes rcpreknted, that the Hugonot Army 
 was leffened , wearied out , and put into confullon by the long and fruitlcfs fiege of 
 Pwfl/frx, and therefore very eafie to be overcome, and that it was neceffary to fight pre- 
 fently, and not to flay till the Prince of Orange, who was gone dilguifed into Germany^ 
 had time to make new levies , or that the Count Montgomery , who had gotten the 
 better in Bearn, fhould come with the Forces of Gafcoiy to join with the Admiral i 
 for fo the War would be again renewed , which could not by any means be more 
 certainly extinguifhed than by fighting , and by eager purfuing of the Enemy , now 
 they were diminifbed both in number and courage. 
 
 The refolution would have been hard to agree upon, but the Duke of Anjou cutting 
 off all difpute of different opinions , concluded that it was expedient to fight with 
 the Army of the Princes, now that tired and wafted with their late loffes and fufFe- 
 rances, they were not likely to have force and vigour enough to rellft the Catholick 
 Army, which frcfli, in full firength , and well recruited, had an ardent defire to fee 
 the Enemy in the field. With this intention he departed from Tours, in the company 
 of the Dukes of Guife and Montpenfier, and fo gathering together thirty Enfigns of 
 Foot, and 2000 Horfe of the Nobility and Gentry that held their lands of the Crown, 
 who about that time came to the Army , he advanced with his whole body towards 
 Faye la Vineufe, where the Hugonots were encamped with a delign to meet them, and 
 as foon as pollibly he could, force them to give him Battel. 
 
 But matters were not fo refolvcd among the Hugonots j for though the Gentry, 
 who for the fpace of a whole year had lived from their own houfes, fpending all they 
 had, thinking they had done much more than either the nature or cuftom of the French 
 
 is
 
 of France. The Fifth ^oo^ i<d 
 
 is wont to bear, defired earneftly to meet the Enemy, or to be difmifTed the Camp 15^^. 
 and that every hour were heard the groans of thofe that wifhed for an end of thofe 
 miferies, or of their lives ; though Count Volrade with his Germans , weary of fuffer- 
 ing and lying in the field, and deprived of their fancied hopes of rich booty, in a mu- 
 tinous way demanded their payi and to be led on to encounter the Enemy: yet the 
 Princes, the Admiral, and tht moft experienced Commanders of the Army, knowing 
 the valour of the Kings Souldiers , and the wearinefs and difunion of their own, in- 
 wardly difapproved the advice of coming to a final trial, and defired to govern their 
 affairs with the fame prudence which they had obferved in the Catholicks, who when 
 they found themfelves inferiour in ftrength, had always avoided the hazard of a Battel 
 though now being affured of the advantage, they very much defired it : Therefore, 
 as when the Duke of -4«j(7a fliunned the encounter, they had ufed all poflible means to 
 provoke him to it 5 fb now that he came refolved to do the like, they endeavoured to 
 prolong the event of things, and to proceed with more flow and more fccure advice, 
 but they dared not to make (how of this intention, for fear of filling the Army with 
 tumults and difcontents, being certain the Gentry would prefently forfake them, and 
 the Germans undoubtedly mutiny, as foon as they (hould know there was no hopes of 
 putting it to a Battel : Wherefore letting themfelves be led by neceffity, and by the 
 inclination of the Army, as a man doth for the moft part that rides a fiery ill-managed 
 horfe , they fcemed to confent to the opinion and defire of the Souldiers, and made 
 ftowof readincfs and refolution to give battel : but the Admiral, who thought he could 
 compafs any thing by his arts and fubtilties, deluding their expedtation, and declining 
 all occafions, abfolutely determined in himfelf, with all polfible care to avoid the doubt- 
 ful iffue of a battel. 
 
 •To this end , as (bort as he heard the motion of the Catholicks towards him , the 
 Princes being made privy to his counfels, he marched with his whole Army from Fciye^ 
 which is in the Confines of ?oiCtou and Jnjou, to pafs the Rivers that are near, to gain 
 the other fide called Bjjje Poidon , bordering upon GHie»?ta, where by reafbn of its 
 ftrong fituation, and the many Cities that were there of his Fadion, he thought it 
 more eafie to delay the Battel, or elfe to fight with fo much advantage, that the Vi(9:ory 
 might not at all be doubtful : and to the end the Gentry and the Germans might more 
 willingly follow him^ he caufed a report to be fpread through the whole Army, that 
 the Count de Montgomery, grown firong and victorious in Bearu, was upon his way to 
 join with him , and that he was already near Farthenay, a Town not above twelve 
 leagues diftant , where he pretended it was neceffary to meet him , left the Enemy- 
 getting between them, fliould keep them ftill afunder , or (hould defeat the Count, 
 whofe number was inferiour to theirs. 
 
 By this device he laboured to win them to follow him willingly, till he were got- 
 ten amongft the Cities of his own Fadlion , where always lodging himfelf under the 
 protection of fome ftrong place , he hoped by many, but not dangerous skirmifhes, to 
 abate the fury of the Kings Army , and partly to qualifie his own Souldiers defire of 
 fighting, till the beginning of the Winter (which was not far off J (hould of it felf 
 hinder them from further adtion v in the mean time, by the nearnefs of Rachel, and 
 the diligence of the Qacen of Navarre to fupply- him , he was confident he (hould not 
 be deftitute of provifions i whereas the Duke of Anpu, by reafon of the Rivers that 
 Were behind him , would probably be reduced to great want and fcarcity. But the 
 diligerice of the Duke who out of a defire to fight had marched with great expedi- 
 tion, fruftrated thefe wary counfels » for the Admiral marching with his Army in fe- 
 veral divifions towards Moncontour , where he had defigned to quarter the laft day of 
 September j and the Camp-Royal advancing the fame way with great expedition, as 
 foon as they heard of his moving ", whilft the Admiral deceived by the negligence of 
 his Scouts, believed for certain , that the Catholicks were many miles from thence : 
 their Van-guard commanded by the Duke of Montpenfier came fo ntar to the Reer-guard 
 of the Princes, (in whofe laft Squadrons was Monfieur de Muy and 300 Horfe, and 
 four Enfigns of French fire-locks) that they could no longer avoid the encounter of 
 one another. Yet the Admiral ftill perfifting in the fame defigri, having confidcred 
 the fituation of the Country on every fide, refolved to pafs a water that ran thorow 
 a moorifh plain, judging that the Catholicks would not dare to come over the fame 
 place in' the view of all his Army i or if they did , he might by fighting with them 
 hinder their paffage, and have an admirable opportunity of winning the Battel, vphilft
 
 -i^VT--->nir 
 
 II I ) 
 
 j5o The Hiflory of the Civil JVafs 
 
 i<69 they were in fo great diforder : for which purpofe he commanded Muy to fuftain th«i 
 (hock of the Catholick Van-guard , and in the mean time he with all the reft of the 
 Army paffed the Moor, though with no fmall difficulty and confufion. 
 
 In this interim , the Duke of Montpettfier inarching in very good order , to try all 
 wdi^s poffible to provoke them to fight , commanded his light Horfe boldly to begin 
 the skirmifli, which at firft was ftoutly received, and couragioufly oppofed by Mon- 
 ileur de Muy, one of the moft valiant Souldiers in all France : but Martigues coming 
 up, whofe valour was always wont to lead the way in the moft defperate occafions, 
 the Hugonots were charged with fuch fury, that not being able to rcfift fo much a 
 greater number, Muy having loft fifty Horfe, and above two hundred Foot, took flight 
 as faft as he could, and paffing haftily over the water, joined himfelf orderly with the 
 reft of their Forces. But the Duke of Montpenfur who had purfued him even to the 
 water, when he faw all their Army drawn into Battalia on the other fide, made a ftop, 
 and confidering that he could not pafs his men over in a full body, but only twtniy 
 in Front, which would have caufed a great diforder amongft them, he took time 
 f coldly skirmi(hing) to fend word to the Duke of Aiijeu, and to expedt his Orders 
 for what he ftiould do in that occafion. 
 X The Admiral feeing the coolnefs of the Catholicks, and how they delayed to pais 
 
 the water, believed for certain that the body of the Army was ftill a great way behind, 
 and thctt Mnntpenfier With only that fmall party, had advanced unadvifedly further than 
 he fliould have done: whereupon not to lofe that opportunity, taking courage, and 
 bravely animating his Souldiers, he repaffed the water, with two gallant Squadrons of 
 Cie»s d' Arms, and charged the Cavalry of Martiques fo refblutely, that they retreated 
 above two hundred paces, but the body of the Army coming up on every fide, he was 
 forced to return in diforder, and to recover the (helter of two ftrong Squadrons of 
 Infantry that were upon the bank i in which place the valour of Monfieur de Clair- 
 mont of Amboit was very remarkable, who fick, and unarmed with only twenty Horfe, 
 oppofed the fury of the Catholicks, till the Admiral was gotten under the prote<ftion 
 of his Squadrons. 
 
 But the Duke of Attjou knowing it was too difficult and dangerous to pa(s over in 
 the face of the Enemy, refolved, (the ground favouring his purpofe) to try if he could 
 drive them away with his Cannon , and make them quit the other fide of the water, 
 and that place of (b much advantage whereof they were poflefled. Wherefore Mon- 
 fieur de £)TO« Field-Mareftial, having caufed the Artillery to be drawn thither, with 
 great expedition and much judgment planted all the Cannon and Culverins , which 
 were 22 in number , partly on the right hand, partly on the left of the bottoms of 
 thofe hills that were within fliot of the Hugonot Army j and began to let file very 
 terribly at their flank, doing infinite execution upon thofe Squadrons which ftood in 
 Battalia at the entry of the Moor , that was on the other fide the water. Yet the 
 French and German Infantry being in a low place, and commanded by their Officers to 
 lie flat on the ground, could not fo eafily be annoyed : but the Cavalry lying open to 
 the (hot, could hardly be kept in order, fending many MefTengers to defire they might 
 be drawn from thence, where they periflied miferably without being able to give any 
 teftimony of their courage and valour. But the Admiral would not confcnt that they 
 fliould remove, for fear of leaving the paftage free to the Catholicks, which would af- 
 ter force them , their Army being weary and half difticartened , to fight in the plain 
 champagne; therefore, whilft the fervice continued thus hot at the pafs, the Catho- 
 licks Artillery ftill playing without intermillion , the German Horfe, who ftood more 
 open to the (hot than any of the reft, (Charles Count of Mansfield, Brother to the 
 General, being killed there, with many others) were about to retire, and quitting the 
 
 Eoft they held upon the right hand , began to leave the paflfage open to the Enemies : 
 ut the Prince of Navarre fpurring his horfe up to them , and putting himfelf in the 
 fame danger of the Cannon ., prevailed fo far by his prefence and perfwafions, that he 
 made them ftay for a while , and conftantly to exped the beginning of the Battel » 
 wherein appeared the powerful Genius of this young Prince, the refpe<5t of whom was 
 able to bridle fear, which hath no Law, and to ftop the flight of the precipitate Ger- 
 nians, that are fo obftinate in their refolutions. But no remedy in the world could 
 have done much good, for the Enemies Cannon would at laft have routed and brokea 
 all their Army, if the coming of the night had not opportunely relieved the Hugonots 
 m fo great an extremity. 
 
 Thft
 
 o/ France. The Fifth 'Boo^, 161 
 
 The darknefs ended the skirmifh that had been in the plain, and the Catholicks ^S^P- 
 not being able to level their Artillery aright, plaid not fo faft, tinding they (hot but in 
 vain, and wounded the Air Co no purpofe v which the Admiral wifely making ufe of, 
 began about nine of the Clock at night to retire without Drum or Trumpet i and 
 before it was day had pafTed the River with his whole Army, and drawn it up in the 
 plain of Mon:antoi/r •, his purpofe was, continuing in the fame determination, to re- 
 treat with all fpeed, and marching on to get as far as polTibly he could from the Ca- 
 tholick Camp, and from the danger of the day. But this refolution was not only op- 
 pofed by the Commanders and Gentlemen of his own Nation , but far more muti- 
 noufly by Count Volrade with his Germans, who breaking forth into feditious fpeeches 
 threatned. That if there were not an end made of fo many miferies, they would leave 
 the Princes and go over to the Kings party, being fure to be received with very good 
 conditions : by which mutiny, the French Infantry being alfo ftirred up, (as men are 
 more ready to follow ill examples , than to be kept within the limits of reafbnj ex- 
 claiming and threatning cried out to give Battel : nor did many of the Officers diffent 
 from the general defire of the Army, thinking it impoilible to go forward , and not 
 be cut ofFi the Enemy at their backs following with all fpeed refolved to fall upon 
 them i and their own Souldiers tired, wearied out, and frighted with the terrour of a 
 retreat, which re(embleth a flight ufeth to difliearten an Army, and to abate the cou- 
 rage and boldnefs of raw men, believed it was much better to make ufe of the readi- 
 nefs of their Souldiers, and give Battel in the field with hope of Vidory, than fighting 
 difbrderly in their retreat, exped: to be miferably defeated and fcattered. Wherefore 
 the Admiral, and the Princes, not being able to withftand the general opinion, refol- 
 ved to ftay for the Catholick Camp on the bank of the River, and there with the beft 
 advantage they could to remit the fuccefs to fortune. 
 
 The Admiral divided his Army into three Battalions, and he ("according to his cu- 
 ftom) commanded the Van-guard , the Princes with Count Lodorvkk^ of Najfite the 
 Battel, Count Volrade and Muy the Rear i the Cannon were planted in the Front of the 
 Army, and before all was the Forelorn-hope , which when the Enemies drew near, 
 were to begin the Battel. 
 
 In the mean while the Duke of Anjou having pafTed the water which the Hugo- 
 nots had left, on the firftday oi Ociober'in the morning, advanced with a greater de- 
 fire than ever to fight with them j but finding the hinderance of the River, ("on the 
 further fide whereof the Enemy flood in Battalia) he was fain to make a halt, becaufe 
 the night was drawing on, and quartered that night in the fame place where the Hu- 
 gonots were encamped the day before. The next day defirous to free hirnfelf from 
 the danger of palling the River (though but a little one) in the face of the Enemy, 
 having made very diligent difcovery of all the Country, he took a large compafs upon 
 the right hand, and pafTed the night before the third of OClober at a place called U Gri- 
 maudiete^ where the River not being yet joined with another Brook that fell into it, 
 was not at all troublefom either to Horfe or Foot i there being neither water enough 
 to wet one to the mid-leg, nor banks that could hinder the marching, or order of his 
 divifions. As fbon as they were pafTed over without any let or impediment, Monfieur 
 ^ie Byron, and the Count de TavaneSy Marefhals of the Field, divided the whole Army 
 into two Battalions , whereof one was led by the Duke of Montpe^rfier, the Duke of 
 Guife, and the Count di SanCia Fiore ; the other by the Duke of Anjou hirnfelf, with de r:s*r/m"de 
 whom were the Dukes of Aumale and LongueviUe ^ the Marefhal de Cojfe^ the Mar- Aimiraiinthe 
 quefs de Fillers, ( by the King made Admiral in the place of Coligny) Peter Emeji of cti^^}° 
 Mansfield fent with the fupplies by King Philip, the Marquefs of Baden , Monfieur de 
 Carnavalet, Gidlliaume de Momorancy Lord of Tore, and many other Lords and Gentle- 
 men. In each Battalion were Squadrons of SwifTes, flanked with the French and Ita- 
 lian Infantry, and in the front of each wing was placed the Artillery. In this order 
 having before them a large fpacious champagne, without trees, banks or ditches to 
 hinder them, the Catholick Army marched toward the Hugonots with a great noife 
 of Drums and Trumpets. 
 
 But the Admiral, who in vain had tried again if he could perfwadc his Souldiers 
 to retreat to Hernaut, a place hard by and proper to receive themi and feeing hirn- 
 felf necelTitated to fight i to confirm the courage of his men , moved fbftly toward 
 the Enemy, and put hirnfelf in order to encounter them, without advantage of ground 
 in the midft of the open field. 
 
 y The
 
 l62 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 15^9- 
 
 The Armies 
 join liiiccl. 
 
 The AJmital 
 wnunJeil, flees 
 With the 
 Princes. 
 
 The Princes having feen their Army drawn up by the Field- Marefhals, and with 
 fitting fpceches recommended the Reh'gion and Liberty of them all to both Nations i 
 when tiiey faw every one ready to do his part., retired with their guard to a place 
 fomething more remote behind the Camp, not to expofe themfclves in fo tender an 
 age, to the ha7ardous perils of War, leaving the weight of the Battel unto the wif- 
 dom and valour of their Commanders. The Sun was already two hours high when 
 the two Armies facing one another, the Admirals Artillery began to play i which being 
 prefently anfwcrcd from the Catholick Camp, they filled the whole field with terrour 
 and (laughter: after which impetuous fury of fo many Cannon, the men fell on with 
 fo much courage on both fides , that it was many hours uncertain which would re- 
 main vidorious : for after the volleys of Muskets, and the fiiocks of their Lances, 
 not only the Horfe and Foot were mingled pell-mell in the heat of the Battel, but evert 
 the very Boys, Suttlcrs and Pioneers, and the rabble of other fuch like people that u(e 
 to follow the Camp, fought ftoutly and defperately each for their party -, and in this 
 univerfal fury, the number was fo equal, that almoft every one had a particular Enemy 
 to deal withal. Nor were the Commanders in kfs danger than common Troopers and 
 Souldiers i for the Duke of Anjou himfelf rufhing into the thickeft Squadron of the 
 Enemy, (where the Marquefs oi Baden was killed by his fide, and many other of thofe 
 Gentlemen that fought under the Royal Standard) he was many times in danger to 
 lofe his life, the fafety whereof he ought no Itfi to attribute to his own valour, than 
 to the courage and fidelity of his Souldiers i and on the other fide, the Admiral ("not 
 fparing himfelf, but ailing the part of a Souldier, as well as of a General) furioufly 
 encountered the llhinegrave^ Cwho in the Head of his Cavalry came up to charge him) 
 and having from him received a Pifiol-fliot in the cheek which broke four of his teeth i 
 he difcharged his own in the very face of the Khinegrave^ and laid him dead upon the 
 ground, nor ceafed after to fight moit gallantly, though the blood ran fo fall from his 
 wound, that it filled his Helmet and Gorget of Mail. But though the number, 
 boldnefs and con0ancy of both parties were almoft equal, yet their ftrength and va- 
 lour were not > for the Squadrons of the Kings SwifTes, famous by many and almoft 
 numbcrlefs proofs, and tried in fo many other Battels i fighting with Enemies of left 
 experience, that were wafted and tired out with their paft wants and fufferings, did 
 at laft fcreak into the Battalion of the Germans, whom they charged in the beginning 
 of the day •, and having routed and difordered their Ranks, made fo great a flaughter 
 of them, that of four thoufand not above two hundred efcaped alive i and the Kings 
 Cavalry entire in ftrength, and full of courage, did in the end overthrow and fcatter 
 the Cavalry of the Hugonots , no lefs conquered by the wearinefs and weaknefs of 
 their Horfes, harrafTed with long toil and duty, than by the force and valour of their 
 Enemies. 
 
 The Admiral feeing his Army defeated, his voice quite fpent, his jaw wounded, and 
 all imbrued in blood , took with him the Princes, ("who had withdrawn themfclves 
 with the Sieurs de Mtty, 1'eligny and Loue) and with three hundred Horfe retired to 
 tartenay , after whom many other ftragglers followed in diforder. Count Lodowkk^ 
 of Najfan, and Count Volrade rallied about 2000 of their Reiters •, and though they 
 were purfued by the Duke of Aumale and Monfieur de Byron, they made their retreat 
 without any diforder , and defending themfclves bravely at every Pafs of advantage, 
 got that night to the fame place. All the reft that fled from the fury of the Con- 
 querours, difperfed feveral ways as their fortune guided them : fbme got to Angou- 
 lefme, fome to KocheUe, and fome followed the track of the Commanders. The Duke 
 of ^«/o« after he had routed and put to flight the Enemies Cavalry, being come to 
 the place where the Swiffes had obtained fb bloody a Vidrory of the Germans, com- 
 manded quarter to be given to three thoufand of the French Infantry, who being in- 
 compafled on every fide, had thrown down their Arms, and begged their lives of the 
 Conquerors : then finding no more refiftance any where, he took the Colours, Bag- 
 gage and Cannon of the Enemy, and drawing his Army together, marched vidorioufly 
 to Saint Genez. 
 
 The number of the flain on the Princes fide, reckoning alfo the Boys and Suttlers, 
 and fuch like hangers on, who all died fighting, were computed by the Catholicks to 
 17000: but thofe that more mpderately counted only the Souldiers, ghelTed them to. 
 be about loooo, whereof few were perfons of quality , efpecially of the French , be- 
 caufethe chief Heads fled betimes for their own fafety i thegreateft flaughter falling' 
 
 upon
 
 of France. The Fifth ^od{. 
 
 163 
 
 upon the G^fcogne Foot and the Germans. Yet there were killed Puygreffier, Antri' 
 court , lannaquiUe , Byron the Brother of Armand who was in the Catholick Army » 
 St. Bonnet and St. Cyre^ who in the eightieth year of his age fighting valiantly till the 
 very laft, had given wonderful proofs of his courage in the retreat. There was llain 
 alfb 27 German Captains of Foot, of but 28 that were in the whole Army, befides 
 two Colonels of the fame Nation, above 70 French Captains of Foot, and two Co- 
 lonels of Reitets , the other two faving themfelvcs with the Count of Najjau in the 
 Body that made the retreat. Monfieur de la None one of the Heads of the Fadtion, 
 Cwhofe ill fortune almoft always left him in the Enemies hands) was there taken pri- 
 £bner, befides Monfieur a^' /^ciVr General of the French Infantry, and MonCicatde B/j- 
 ton Colonel of Fire-locks. 
 
 On the Kings fide were killed few above four hundred ; but among thofe, many 
 principal Officers of the Army, efpecially ftrangers i Fhilibert Marquefs of Baden, the 
 Elder Khinegrave, Monfieur de Clairmont one of the chief Gentlemen in Vaulphhte^ 
 Count Francifco de Sajfatello , Scipio Piccolomini Lieutenant to Otti de Montalto , and 
 many Foot-Captains. The Duke of Guife , Peter Emeji of Mansfield , the other 
 Khinegrave, and the Lords o( Schombergh and Baffompier Germans, were wounded, but 
 all cured in a fhort time after. They took about nine hundred load of vidtual, all the 
 baggage of the Germans, eleven pieces of Cannon, and above two hundred Colours, 
 whereof twenty fix (taken by the Italians) werefent to Kome by the Count diSancia 
 Fiore, and in manner of a Trophy dedicated to the Church of St. John de Lateran. 
 The News of this Vidtory was carried to the King and Queen-Mother by Alberto Gondi 
 Count of Rf/z a Florentine, much favoured by them > whereat there was very great 
 xejoycing : and the fame thereof fpreading into the Neighbour Countries, particularly 
 into Italy, filled the Duke of /^«/o«'s Name with Glory and Renown i' to whofe Va- 
 lour and Condu(3: , the chief honour of the day was attributed , having over-reaehed 
 the fo cried-up wifdom, and fo feared policy of the Admiral. 
 
 The greateft part of the Commanders that efcaped the defeat, got the fame night 
 to Tartenay, whither the Princes and the Admiral were come before , vvho prefently 
 began toadvife what was beft to be done, in the difficulty and misfortune of their 
 prefent affairs. The moft part of them were quite difheartened by fo many unhappy 
 fuccefTes, and the terrour of this laft overthrow, feeing their Army cut o/F, themfelves 
 (hut up in a corner of the Kingdom, without money, forfaken by their friends, with 
 very little hopes, and lefs reputation, and among their publick confultations , calling 
 to mind their private interefts, the diftance of their own houfes, the vaft experices, 
 dangers and difquiets wherein they were perpetually involved •, many of them feemed 
 to fink under the mifery of their prefent condition ,• and were inclined to yield them- 
 felves to the Kings mercy, and by the beft means they could procure pardon for what 
 was part, which by the mild and gentle nature of the Queen, and the Duke of Anjoity 
 whole advice bore the chief fway in the Government, and by the defire of peace, they 
 tiiought might eafily be obtained, if with humble fubmiilion they (hould caft them- 
 felves altogether upon his Royal Clemency. But the Admiral not at all lofing courage, 
 though fo wounded in the mouth that he could hardly fpeak, but rather exafperated by 
 the fevere fentence pronounced againft him in Parliament, and hardened by the adver- 
 fity of his prefent fortune, began to fhew that things were not yet brought to fo great 
 •extremity, that they fhould let fear tranfport them to fo much defpair v that they had 
 loft other Battels before this, and always rofe again to be more powerful , and more 
 terrible to their Enemies > that he had learned by experience, that a War is not utterly 
 loft for the mifcarriage of a Battel , fo that the courage fail not, in thecOnftancy and 
 vigour whereof confifteth the happy iftlie of all enterprizes ; that though they had loft 
 many of theit men, yet the bafis and foundation whereupon they built all the hopes of 
 their party, was ftill firm and unfhaken i that Germany, the unexbaufted mine of men 
 and arms, ftill perfevered in unity and friendftiip with thertl v that England continued 
 in the fame confederacy, which would increafe their fupplics in meafure as their need 
 now required ; that he held intelligence for the revolt and furprifal of many Cities in 
 divers parts of the Kingdom , the lo(s of which would divide the forces, and much 
 diftradt the defigns of the Conquerors i that the Count of Montgomery in Beam was 
 grown great both in number and courage, with whom they might join in a few days > 
 and that with his forces frelh and intire, it was eafieto begin the foundation of a gal- 
 lant and powerful Army : That therefore they (hould revive the undaunted courage 
 
 Y 2 which 
 
 i^6p. 
 
 In the Battel 
 of M^n:o:'tiJV •, 
 the Catholicks 
 took all the 
 Baggage.Can- 
 non and Am. 
 munition of 
 the Hugonots, 
 and aoo cO' 
 lours. 
 
 The Count 
 St. Fiors fends 
 to Heme 16 
 Entigns taken 
 by his Soul- 
 dicrs.
 
 J ^A The Hi/lory of the Civil iVars 
 
 i\6^. vvhich they had (hown in fo many other occafions , and that they fliould believe his 
 * counfels % for in a few days he would re-eftablifti their a/Tairs in their former condi- 
 tion V that he promifed no fuch new things, as for their ftrange improbability fliculd 
 hardly gain credit among them j but that he had an inward aflurance he (hould be able 
 to do the fame for the prefent , which every one of them might remember they had 
 fo often feen him do in times paft '■, and though they fliould gain nothing elfe by per- 
 fcverancc, and fetting an Army again on foot, at lead they might by that means facili- 
 tate the way to an agreement, and obtain the better condition^ v which if they fliould 
 i-aflily demand during the heat of this Vidtory, they would ofncceflity be forced tor 
 fubmit themfclves to the infolept will of the Conquerours ; whereas by deferring it, 
 and bringing it opportunely topafs, they might (having a little patiencej treat and 
 conclude with advantage. 
 
 Thefe words were hearkned to with great attention by the Prince of Navarre, who 
 being already accuftomed to command, could hardly bend his mind to floop to the 
 obedience of others. Nor did the Prince of Conde hear them with a lefs inclination, 
 though of more tender years, yet no way inferiour in either vigm'r or courage : Count 
 Lodotpick^of NaffiH, and Volrade oi Mansfield, concurred with the Admiral i for they 
 being Grangers, had nothing there to lofe, and therefore defircd that the War fliould 
 continue : Thefe reafons fo well fitted, agreed with the humour of many, who cpuld 
 rot yet willingly quit their former hopes , nor did they difplcafe the reft that wiflied 
 for peace, hoping by Handing out, to procure more reafonable conditions, and upon 
 better tetms to fubmit themtelves to the Kings obedience : wherefore their drooping 
 fpirits being revived , and their firft determination changed, all the Heads of the Fa- 
 dion with one accord refblved to follow the Princes with an unfliaken conftancy, and 
 to let themfclves be governed by the prudence of the Admiral: After which agreement 
 they difpatched melTengers the fame night into England and Germany, to give an ac- 
 count of the Battel unto thefe Princes , and to demand new fupplies of them j they 
 gave notice to their Confederates in the feveral Provinces of all that had happened 
 in the Battel •, but at the fame time comforted them with the like leafons, that they 
 might not be diflieartencd ; promifing, that within three months they fliould have a 
 greater and more powerful Army than the firft: and then the Princes and the Admiral 
 being withdrawn together, they determined to leave Po/£fo», (not having force enough 
 fo defend it againft a victorious Enemy there prefent) and to hold themfclves to the 
 defence of a few places, keeping Rachel, St. Jeand' Angely, and Angoukfme, Towns 
 which by reafbn of their ftrength they thought might eafily be maintained, and they 
 with the remainder of their Souldiers, refolved to quit the plains of thofe Provinces, 
 and leaving their baggage behind them, retire into the Mountains of Gafcony, Auvergne, 
 and Languedoc , thereby to hinder the Conquerour from following them fo eafily. 
 Their defign was to unite themfclves with the Count of Montgomery, whom fortune 
 feemed to have purpofely made ready to piece up and recruit their broken forces ■■> and 
 being once joined with him , they hoped to flielter themfclves in thofe Mountainous 
 Countries, till the Queen of England and the Germans had time to fend them aHiitance, 
 wherewith being re-inforced, they were confident they fliould be able to regain in a 
 few days all that the Catholicks could take in many months in the depth of Winter, 
 which makes the affaulting of Towns fo much more difficult. 
 
 They had moreover fome concealed hopes in the Marefhal d'' Anville, Governour 
 of Languedoc, with whom they held fecret intelligence, and found him very much in- 
 clined to their aifairs. Henry de Momirancy Mareflial d' Anville, whilft the Conftable 
 his Father lived, was always one of the chief of the Catholick Party , and an open 
 Enemy to the Hugonot Fadtion , which was occafioned by his emulation of Francis 
 Mareflial of Momorancy his Brother, who was an intimate friend to the Prince of Conde 
 and Monfieur de Coligny his Kinfmen > and that which confirmed him in it, was the 
 favour and efteem which" he received from the Guifes, who skilful in deep diffimula- 
 tion, according as opportunity required , were diligent in trying all poJlible arts to 
 hold him faft to their party, that by his means, as with the ftridteft bonds they might 
 keep the Conftable united to them, by whom, for his valour and greatnefs of mind, 
 he was moft tenderly beloved above his other children. The Queen-Mother feigned 
 the fame j for by the minority of her Son, finding her Tt 'f neceffitated to make the 
 -great ones her ftiends , fhe made ufe of the Mareflial d^ AnvtUe to keep her in good' 
 correfpondence with the Conftable > after whofe death thofe reafons being taken 
 
 away.
 
 1^;*- 
 
 of France. The Fifth ^oo^ 
 
 165 
 
 away, neither did the Queen care to imploy d' Aniiille, nor did the Guifes make fuch 
 account of him, as they had done formerly j but rather as a branch of that Family, 
 with which they had fo long a continued enmity and emulation, they endeavoured to 
 pull down and abafe hirh » the arts and perfwafions of the Cardinal of Lorain being 
 fufficiently powerful with the King to that effe<^. For which caufe d' Anville having 
 obferved in what manner they dealt with him , and likewife the emulation between 
 him and his Brother Momnrancy ceafing after his Fathers death, angry that the dignity 
 of Conftable fo long enjoyed by his Father was not conferred upon one of them, they 
 having fued and made means divers times to procure it i he began in heart to draw 
 rear to the friends and kindred of his own Family, ^d privately by fecret, but doubt- 
 ful hopes , to keep the Admiral in a good opinion of him. This was the reafon that 
 he relieved not Monfieur de lerride in Bearn^ when he might have done it, and the 
 fame motive induced him to llacken his proceedings againft thofe places of the Hugo- 
 nots in Gafcony and Langicedoc ■-, and this inclination was greatly increafed in him by 
 feeing that the Admiral was old, and continually expofed to manifeft dangers i where- 
 fore if he fhould chance to die before the Princes were out of their minority, he hoped 
 io fucceed him in the Government , finding in himfelf neither want of judgment nor 
 courage to undergo the weight of that Imployment. To all thefe confiderations were 
 added the jealoulies which not without reafon he had conceived long before, left if the 
 King and the Cuifei (hould come to extinguifh the Princes, the Admiral, and all the 
 Hugonot party, he fliould in the end turn to fupprefs the Houfe of Momnrancy, which 
 would only be remaining of all the ancient emulous and fufpefted Families. All thefe 
 things were vvell known to the wifdom of the Admiral, who moved by this hope and 
 the other reafons formerly alledged, perfwaded the Princes to follow his advice i fo the 
 refolution was fetled to leave the plain, and retire among the Mountains bordering upon 
 hinguedo:^ till fuch tim'e as the fupplies of their Confederates might give them a ca- 
 pacity of rifing to a more profperous condition. 
 
 But left the Conquerours meeting with no oppoGtion, (hould have opportunity to 
 follow and overtake them in the march they were to make , with tired horfes, and 
 men wearied and difcouraged, they agreed to leave Monfieur de Mity at Niort, who 
 by delaying the fury of the Conquerours for a day or two , might give them lei- 
 fure without any impediment to arrive at the places they had appointed i with this re- 
 folution, not trufting themfelves to ftay any longer at Partettay, they marched the fame 
 right very filently towards Niort, where leaving Muy with the fmall remainder of the 
 Foot that had efcaped the (laughter, and only an hundred Horfe, they continued with 
 the fame fpeed their intended Voyage. But the conftancy of the Princes and their 
 Commanders, was greater than the patience of the Souldiers and French Gentlemen > 
 who being got to fuch a diftance from the Catholick Camp , that they were freed from 
 fear of being overtaken began fecretly to disband , part, becaufe pillage and plunder 
 ceafing, they had no longer wherewithal to maintain themfelves ■■, part, becaufe their 
 horfes were fo tired and fpoiled with a whole years tedious fervice , that they were 
 not able to march Co faft as the Princes > and part, becaufe much dejedted by their 
 many lolTes and mifhaps , they were utterly out of hope ever to buoy up their (hip- 
 wrackt fortunes, or to reftore the opprefTed power of their party 5 and therefore to 
 efcape future dangers, fome hid themfelves in the Cnks o( Poidou and XaiatoHge, others 
 avoiding the great high-ways, in difguifed habits, and under many pretences, endea- 
 voured to return to their own homes i fo that before the Princes were come to Roc/;e/, 
 they were reduced to few more than nine hundred French Horfe, befides two thoufand 
 Reiters, who wanting opportunity to return unto their own Country, followed them 
 then, rather out of conftraint, than aifed^ion. This disbanding of the French doubled 
 their necelfity of retiring to the Mountains , as well to fhun the fury of the Conque- 
 rours, as to gain more time to recruit their broken Army ; for which end leaving at 
 Kochel the Count de la Koch-fou-caitlt ^ and Monfieur de la Noue, who through the 
 «arelefnefs of thofe that kept him prifoner, had efcaped the next day after the Bat- 
 tel -, Monfieur de Piles at St. Jean d'' Angely^ with all the Foot that could be drawn 
 from their feveral Garifbns ; and at AngoHlefme Monfieur de Pontivy^ a Kinfman of the 
 Queen of Navarre's , and bred up by her , they made long marches towards Mo«- 
 tattban. 
 
 In the mean time the _: jke of Anjou (to whom fince the VidJory, Portenay^ Lufig' 
 nan, Fontenay, Chajiel-raah, and St. Maixent, had yielded themfelves, befides all the 
 
 other 
 
 i5<J^ 
 
 Ttit Duktof 
 ^njou reco' 
 vers many 
 placet from 
 tbe HugwioM.J
 
 1 66 
 
 The Hiftorjf of the Civil Wars 
 
 f^^P' 
 
 MotifieuT (fe 
 Filti defends 
 S.fean d'^^ti- 
 gtly 4< days, 
 and afcei 
 vields ic npon 
 Donouiable 
 cooditiont. 
 
 Other Towns and Caftles in thofe parts) was drawn with his Army to Niort, which 
 made (hew of fome refiftance , and encamping there , began to plant his Artillery. 
 Moniieur de Muy knowing that in his prefent condition it was more requifite to (hew 
 valour than ftrength , to amufe and delay the proceedings of the Enemy, with his 
 Horfe f though but a few) and a certain number of Foot Tallied out boldly, and fell 
 upon the Army as they were about to make their Quarters ■■, which skirmifli having 
 lafted very hot and bloody till the evening, whilft he full of courage and good hopes 
 was making his retreat into the Town , he was (hot in the back by one oif his own 
 Souldiers, whereof he died a few days after, and W/or/, whofe defence confi(ted chiefly 
 in his valour and experience, without further delay was yielded up s which example 
 was followed by Xaintes, Cognac, Lujfon, and all the other Cities, except only thofe 
 three into which the Princes had put their Garifons. 
 
 The King and theQyeen-Mother came about that time to the Army, and entering 
 vidorious into Niort, held a Council of War there concerning the profecution of their 
 good fuccefs : many pre(red earneftly that the Duke of Anjou with the Army, or at 
 lead; the greateft part of it, not Io(ing the fruits of their Vidtory by delays, might fol- 
 low the Princes and the Admiral, and purfue them without intermiffion, till he had 
 either utterly fupprelTed them, or driven them quite out of the Kingdom v being cer- 
 tain that the Root once cut up, the Branches would wither i and the Faftion o( the 
 Hugonots^ which Co often had been pulled down, and built up again, the foundation 
 being once deftroyed, would fufTer a total and final ruine. But many confiderations 
 oppo(ed this advice ; the feafbn of the year, drawing towards the end of Oaoi.r, be- 
 gan to bring fuch Snow and Fro(^s, as were hardly to be endured in the plains, much 
 lefs in the (harpnefs of the Mountains » the barrennefs of the Country where the 
 Princes were retired , not yielding provifions for fo great an Army i the narrownefs 
 of many paflages where a few men might make head againft ahy how great a number 
 foever j the difeafes which grew very frequent and mortal in the Camp i but above 
 all, the want of Money necefTary to maintain fo great and fo continued an cxpence i 
 for, the Provinces every where being very much troubled and difquitted, the people 
 up in Arms, the Cities fackt, the fields laid wade anddefolate, the Kings Revenue 
 in many places was flirunk almoft to nothing , and the War being in fo many feveral 
 parts of the Kingdom, confumed that in a few days, which with much pains was ga- 
 thered together in many months. For all thefe reafons Cfomented perhaps by fome 
 particular intere(ts) it was concluded that the care of profecuting the Princes and the 
 Admiral, (hould be committed to the Marefhal d' Anville Govtrnour of Lattguedoc, whofe 
 de(igns were yet undifcovered, and to Monfieur de Monhic Lieutenant General in Gaf- 
 cogny, who with the Forces of thofe Provinces were to endeavour their final ruine and 
 deftrudion > judging that in thofe barren, narrow, and mountainous places, what 
 could rot be done by the Forces of the Country, which were many, could neither be 
 effedted by a greater number, which being an hinderance to themfelves, in the ftreight- 
 nefs and fcarcity of thofe parts, would rather be troublefom than advantageous. And 
 at the fame time they refblved, that the Duke of Arjou with the Army, (hould be em- 
 ployed about the recovery of thofe places which were held by the Hugonots in PoiSou 
 and Xaintonge, to deprive them utterly of that neft , wherein they had fetled the hopes 
 and laid the foundation of their Fadlion , which being defiroyed, they would have 
 neither place remaining which were proper to affemble themfelves, nor means or power 
 to gather Forces that could be confiderable to renew the War. 
 
 According to this refolution , the King in perfon, with the Queen-Mother and the 
 Duke of Jnjoit, laid (lege to St. Jean d' Angely, a place of fmall circuit, but excellently 
 fortified , and furni(hed with all nece(rary provifions > wherein was Armand Sieur de 
 filer ^ with all the remainder of the Hugonot Infantry : and though the Duke of Ah' 
 )ou (who governed the Army, albeit the King was prefent) fpared neither pains nor 
 danger, making terrible Batteries, and frequent, though bloody, AfTaults, Tiles made 
 good the Town for the fpace of fix and forty days ; after which^ not having the leaft 
 hopes of relief, he gave it up with honourable conditions, and had afafe condnftfor 
 himfelf and his men to Angoulejme, having given his word not to ferve the Princes in 
 that War, during the time of four months i which promifc , under many pretences, 
 was not fo really obferved by him. 
 
 After the taking of St. Jean d' Angely, according to the firlt refolution, the Army 
 mould have proceeded to the fiege oCRochelle, which befides being in a manner blocked 
 
 up
 
 of France. The Fifth "Boo^ 
 
 167 
 
 up by Land , by the lofs of all the places about it, was alfo befiegcd by Sea , by the 
 Kings Navy, which under the command of the Baron de la Garde Vice-Admiral was 
 come from Truvence into the OceaVi Sea. But the end of December drew near i the 
 Army in the ficge of St. Jean was very much decreafed both in fircngth and number 
 there leaving been killed above four thoufand Souldiers, belides Monficur de Martignes 
 a Commander of great valour and reputation : The Pope and the King of Spain had 
 recalled their fupplies , as if the bulmefs had been perfcdly finifhed, and the War ab- 
 folutely ended by the Vidtory at Moncontottr ■■, and, which imported moft of all, the 
 Duke of Anpith^ continual pains and watchings, which were tar above the endurance 
 of either his age or conftitution , being fallen into an indifpofition of ftomach which 
 threatned worfe, fought rather for cure and ref}, than any new important occallon that 
 required toil and fufferancej for which reafons the Council being of opinion, that Ro- 
 cheUe^ fo ikeightned almoft on all fides, and deprived of all hope of relief, would in 
 the end render it felf j FrancU of Bntrbon Prince of Daulplme, Son to the Duke of 
 Montpenf'.er, was left to command the Army, which was exceedingly diminiflied, in 
 Xaintons^e, and the King with the Queen, and the Duke of AnjoH, at the very begin- 
 ning of the year 1570. retired to Angiers ^ disbanding a great part of their Army, 
 which for the want of money, and in the depth of Winter, could not have been main- 
 tained without much difficulty. Some have been of opinion , that this refolution, 
 which by the event appeared to have been moft pernicious, was propounded and de- 
 termined by die Duke of Anpii , partly through a defire of reft , and a mind to enjoy 
 the pleafures of the Court, to which he was above meafure inclined •, and partly be- 
 caufe he thought it not advantageous to his affairs, that by the total ruine of the Prin- 
 ces, the War fhouldbe put to a final end ■•, during which, all the Kings forces, and 
 the principal Command over them, were in his power i which there would no longer 
 be occafion for him to exercife , when by the extirpation of the Hugonots the King- 
 dom was once reduced to a firm and fetled peace i which if it were true, it con- 
 cerned him more nearly than any body elfe, in the procefs of time to repent (b great 
 an errour. 
 
 In the mean time the Princes and the Admiral, ("who if they had been clofe followed 
 from the firft, would very probably have been deftroyed; after that according to their 
 firft wifli, they faw the Army bufied before St. Jean d' Angely, went into the confines 
 of Montauban , where the Prince of Navarre at the age of fixteen years , furpalTing 
 himfelf and the expectation that was conceived of him, with his Authority, Induftry 
 and Intreaties, follicited and armed the Nobility and people of thofe parts, among 
 whom the Kings of Navarre his Anceftors had very great dependencies, by the neigh- 
 bourhood and near alliances which in fome years paft they had contradled in thofe 
 Provinces \ to which authority and diligence of the Prince, the Admiral joining his 
 wifdom and experience, they had got within a few weeks above three thoufand Foot 
 to follow their colours , with which, plundering all the Country, and giving up all 
 things both facred and profane to the free pillage of the Souldiers , they continued 
 daily increafing and recruiting their Forces : There bufinefs being in this condition, the 
 Count of MoHtgfimery came with two thoufand Foot and eight hundred Horfe, all 
 brave and valiant Souldiers, and quartered at CoWow, whilft the Princes and the Ad- 
 miral having pafied the Vordogne at St. Marie^ went to try Agen^ and the other Cities 
 of Gafcony i and though Monfieur de Mnnlti: , by breaking a Mill on the upper part of 
 the River, and letting it drive down the ftream, had beaten to pieces the Bridge which 
 they had made, and divided the Armies from one another i yet not having ftrength to 
 fight with either, the Count Montgomery his Forces paiTed over neverthelefs in Boats, 
 and joined with the Princes , whereby their Army grown powerful and confiderable, 
 they were abfolute Mafters of the Field , and over-ran all thofe Countries without op- 
 pofition. At the fame time they had by the means of their adherents (befides many 
 other places } furprifed Nifmer, a principal City of Langucdoc, which afforded them 
 an exceeding great conveniency of refrcftiing themfelves i for though the King had 
 given ftrid Commillions, and had alfo fent thither Monfieur de la V alette^ a man of 
 eminent valour and fidelity, with a good ftrength of Horfe j yet did not his Officers 
 oppofe their progrcfs and incurilons , becaufe the Marefhal d' Anville, though he 
 thought it not wifdom to lay open his intentions unfeafonably, the Hugonots being in 
 fiich an ebb of fortune, yet he defircd they fhould rife again and recover new Forces » 
 for which caufe he cunningly gave them many opportunities to arm and ftrengthen 
 
 thera- 
 
 i$60. 
 
 1570. 
 
 In the btgin- 
 nlng of the 
 year, the King 
 disbaiii^s part 
 of his Army ; 
 which advice 
 in the enJ 
 proves very 
 burcful. 
 
 The Hugonotl 
 not being 
 oppofeJ, do 
 great outrages 
 and rife with 
 confiderable 
 forces.
 
 68 
 
 The Hiflorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 1570- 
 
 By rtafon i<T 
 
 a confpi'acy 
 difcoveced 
 ai;jinlt ihe 
 Queen of/ tig- 
 t,md ;thc Hu- 
 ponocs dcfpair 
 of help from 
 from thence ; 
 whereupon a 
 Treaty is he- 
 gun, but no: 
 cunduJcd. 
 
 The AJmiral 
 btioj^ ficki is 
 carried along 
 with the Army 
 ID a Litter. 
 
 thcir.fclvcs , and keeping clofe in the City of Tholoufs upon pretended doubts of the 
 Citizens hdelity , he permitted them to make Infurredtions , and to pillage all the 
 Country round about i and Monfieur ^^ A/jh/«c, aiid Monficur c/f /^ V alette ^ bitter 
 Enemies of the Princes Fadlion, who for their own honours dclircd to fupprefs thofe 
 rcliques of the Hugonots , without the help of d' AndiUf^ were too weak to execute 
 their ddigns. But for all thefe advantages, the Princes and the Admiral were in very 
 great perplexity of mind , becaufe they had received news from England^ That by 
 reafon of the difcovery of fome intended confpiracy againft the Qiieens Perfon, that 
 Kingdom was in fuch diftradtk)n, that they could not expedl much help from thence > 
 befides, they found not that rcadinefs which they had imagined in the Princes of Ger- 
 many , and they knew that Nation could not move, to come into the Kingdom with- 
 out a good fum of money, to raife and furnifli their Army : They faw likewife that 
 the Prince oi Oranq^e^ who was fent to folHicite the Protellants, was a great deal more 
 careful of the Low-Country affairs (wherein he had a very great interefi) than ot' 
 the bufinefs of France^ wherein he was not fo much concerned : whereby finding 
 themfelves deftitute of moneys , and unprovided of all other things, without other 
 mean^ of living than what they got by rapine, which already was grown very fcarce, 
 every one having conveyed tiieir goods into the lirong Cities i their horfes tired and 
 lamed, not having fo much as means to fliooe them j for which caufe they had loft 
 above four hundred of them by the way : they forefaw that at lafl they muft necefla- 
 rily be ruined and deftroyed by the Kings Forces, againft whom in the end they could 
 not poflibly make reiiftance , though for a few months they might be able to defend 
 themfelves. For thefe reafons the Princes with a defire to conclude, but the Admiral 
 only to gain time, by the means of the Queen ofNav.irre^ began to introduce a Treaty 
 of Peace, and to that end with great humility and fubmillion, fent Monfieur de Beau- 
 vxU^ and Monfieur de leli^ny to Court , with a fafe conduA, who ncvcrthclefs pro- 
 pounded conditions very far different from what the King intended to grant v Cvvho 
 holding himfelf as Conquerour , pretended they (hould fubmit themfelves wholly to 
 his mercy J Co they were fent away without any hope of agreement i but they ob- 
 tained , That Monfieur de Byron Ihould go back with them to the Princes Army, 
 to know their final determination j who returned to the Court,' with nothing but ge- 
 neral terms i matters not being yet ripe, nor the Princes refolution fetled for any con- 
 cluiion. 
 
 But in the beginning of Spring-time, Fortune varying (as the chance of War ufeth 
 to be uncertain J the ftate of affairs varied al(b: for the Princes having paft the fliarp- 
 nefs of the Winter in Languedoc with five or fix thoufand Foot , and two thoufand 
 five hundred Horfe, (for toil and hard duty had brought the Reiters to the number 
 of but one thoufand two hundred ) were come down from the Mountains to the 
 banks of the Khofne, to enlarge themfelves in a more fertile the Country : the greateft 
 difficulty they had there, was to pafs the River', for Monfieur dcs Gardes the Kings 
 Lieutenant in Vaulphine , had placed himfelf there with a confiderablc ftrength, to 
 hinder them : yet Monfieur de Mombrun knowing the Country very well, found means 
 to pafs over his Regiment in boats , unknown to the Catholicks , and defeated thera 
 who advanced in diforder to fight with him i in the heat of which Vicflory having 
 made a Sconce clofe by the River, Count Lodoivir\ux\itx favour of it, paffed over firft, 
 and at laft the Princes with all the Army i and the Admiral, who lick of a malignant 
 Feaver, made himfelf be carried, almoft half dead, in an open Litter. Being paft the 
 Rhufae, and come into the Country of Forf/i/, thence into Bci:rbom znd the Dutchy of 
 Nevers, facking and fpoiling all they could, they endeavoured to draw near to la Cha- 
 rite, and the places adjoining, which yet held of their party, not only to re-inforce 
 themfelves by the addition of thofe Germans, butalfoto fupply their want of Powder, 
 and other Ammunition, whereof their ftore was totally exhaufted, and without which 
 their Arms fecmed to no purpofe. Their defign was, when they were recruited, and 
 provided with thofe neceffaries which they wanted, to over- run and pillage the Coun- 
 tries about Paris ^ to open to themfelves , by that laft attempt, fome way to a better, 
 and more tolerable fiate of fortune , remembring that the Hugonots had never ob- 
 tained advantageous conditions of agreeinent, but when they had made the feat of the 
 "^ar in the heart of theCatholick party, and brought both fear and damage unto the 
 City of Paris it felf, whofe danger and jealoufie had alvvays extorted an aflwit to 
 peace from thofe that bore the fway in the Government : But if they could not grow 
 
 to
 
 of France. The Fifth ^oo^. 
 
 169 
 
 to a ftrength fufficient for the execution of that defign , they refolved to repafs the 
 Loire^ and return into their old neft Xainionge s where fince the departure of the Duke 
 of Anjou , they heard the ftate of their affairs was not a little amended i for Monlieur 
 de Id None with admirable condudt, and no lefs valour, {allying out oi^ Kochelle^ had 
 recovered many places near unto it, given a great defeat toPugaUiard one of the Kings 
 Commanders, taken one of the Gallies of the Fleet, and over-running all the Country, 
 ceafed not fometimes by canning furprizes , fometimes by open force to improve the 
 condition of his party i and though (giving a fudden affault to Fountettay) he had re- 
 ceived a fhot In the arm , for which it was neceffarily to be cut off, yet being cured, 
 and returned to the exercife of Arms fiercer than before, he kept the whole Country 
 in fear and trouble. 
 
 The King by this means feeing the War renewed contrary to his expedlation, and 
 and the Duke of AnjDu's ficktiefs liill continuing^ (for which caufe he was gone td 
 St. Gernuins a place of pleafure few miles difbnt from Paris) was conflrained to put 
 his Army again in pofture to oppofe the Princes, and as foon as it was in order, he 
 unadvifedly refolved to give the Command thereof to the Mareflial deCoffe; for (not 
 daring to put it in the hands thofe Subjedts, who for gteatnefs, power, adherents, or 
 animofity, were very much fufpedted by himj he trulted it to a perfon, who not at 
 all digrelling from his wonted inclinations, gave greater opportunities to the Enemy i 
 for inclining to Covin's Doftrine in his heart, he was nothing forward in profecuting 
 the Princes of the Blood v and being a man of a flow heavy nature, his intention was 
 only to hindet the Hugonots from getting foot in thofe Provinces which they aimed at, 
 but not at all to venture the hazard of a Battel, and much lefs totally to fupptefs that 
 party, as he eafily might have done, finding the Princes far inferiour to him in Ikength, 
 without Cannon, without Vicftual, without Money, and their Souldiers with long mar- 
 ches quite wearied and difheartned, having gone above three hundred leagues in the 
 fpace of a few months. This counfel was attributed by many to the Duke of Anjou^ 
 who by rcafon of his indifpoiition not being able, or for fome private ends not willing 
 to make a perfe(9: end of the War , would have been difpleafed that another (hould 
 enjoy the glory, and reap the fruits of his labours i wherefore rendritig all the othet 
 Princes and Souldiers fufpedted to the King, he caufed the enterprife to be committed 
 to one, who he was confident would make no great progrefs in it. 
 
 The Princes were come to Rene-le-Vnc a weak Town in Burnundy^ with a purpofe 
 to take and fack it, as they were neceffitated to do, to relieve and fted their Souldiers, 
 when the Mareflial de CoJJe arrived with his Army, wherein were fix thoufand SwilTes, 
 and as many French Foot, twelve pieces of Cannon, and little lefs than four thoufand 
 Horfe i there was no doubt to men of underftanding , but that fighting upon equal 
 terms, the Princes would have the worlt, fo great was the difference both in the num- 
 ber and vigour of their Forces i but the Marefha! proceeding flowly according to his 
 Tcfblution, carried himfelf with ib much caution in the bufinefs, as gave them time and 
 opportunity to poflcfs themfelves of a place, ftrong and advantageous enough to fup- 
 ply the defedf of their weakncfs i for putting themfelves in order, they fronted to- 
 wards a fmall River, having a great Wood behind them, and lining the Hedges and 
 Vineyards With their Foot, their Horfes were divided into many Squadrons, and fet 
 in the fitteft places to defend themfelves, and receive their Enemies i where they fu- 
 itained the skirmifli (though hot and furious) all the day without much lofs, after 
 which trial of the Hugonots valour and confiancy, the Kings Army proceeding fo much 
 the more warily , the Mareflial either through the flownefs of his own nature , or 
 through his fecret determination letting the Enemy ffill gain the advantage of ground, 
 went prolonging the event of things, perchance out of a belief, that the benefit of time 
 would without danger force the Enemy to take fome new deliberation i or elfe out of 
 defire that necefllity fliould force the King to hearken and confent unto a peace. Now 
 were the Princes flack in making ufe of thefe advantages, which his connivence of^ 
 fered them-, for the Prince of Navarre commanding the Army in flead of the Admi- 
 ral, (who being recovered ot his dangerous ficknefs, was now gathering flrcngth) laid 
 hold of thefe opportunities with fo much quicknefs and circumfpe6tion, that fighting 
 and skirmifhing often, he ftill retired into places of advantage, and maintaing his re- 
 putation with exceeding art, he made as if he would give their whole Army Battel, 
 but yet avoided the Encounter , fupplying his want of force by wary cunning refolu- 
 tions. But as foon as the Qyeen-Mother by many probable conjedurcs, found that 
 
 Z the 
 
 1570, 
 
 The Duke of 
 ^njdu being 
 fickjthc Army 
 is commanded 
 by the Mare- 
 fnal de Cfe, 
 who inclining 
 to Culvtn^i 
 Doftrine, 
 mikes no pro- 
 grefs againft 
 the HugoAotJ.
 
 _Q The Hijlory of the Civil IVars 
 
 Throuj; 
 
 i,e7o the Mareflial de Cnjje of the one fide, and the Marefhal d' Amille on the other, con- 
 rou/h (uf- ccaled fiime fecrct purpofe in their minds, which was not hard for a Woman of fo, 
 Ei"r°ir/i'w/ great wifdom to difcover, having made her Sons acquainted with it, flie began to 
 ap and it' perfvvade them to lend their Ear to an Accommodation i knowing, that tliroiigh the 
 Tr'«y'isrc- pcrfidioufncfs of Men, and through the interrefled dependencies of great Ones, the 
 novcd. War was managed with great danger. This advice was much forwarded by the news 
 
 out oi Germ.iny ^ where they began already to raife Forces under Prince Cafimir in fa- 
 vour of the Hugonots i befiJcs the fcarcity , or rather neceility of money, whereof 
 there was fo great want , that they knew not how to find any means to clear the ar- 
 rears of the Swiifes and Italians , who were many pays behind ■, the ruines of the 
 Countries and people, the fmalnefs of the Kings Revenue walled almoft to nothing, 
 the perpetual and general difquietnefs of mind , the abundance of blood which was 
 fhcd daily, were all no fmall inducements to the fame, having made the War fb 
 odious to every one, and the name of Peace fo lovely and delirable. Wherefore the 
 King, the Queen-Mother , the Duke of Anjote, and the Cardinal of Lorain being pri- 
 vately met together, refolved to follow the old and fo often interrupted counfels, and 
 grant a Peace unto the Hugonots , to free the Kingdom of ftrangers, and then by op- 
 portunity and artifice^, to fupprefs the Heads of the Fadtion, who once removed out 
 ,of the way, there was no doubt but the common people, who were only moved by 
 their inltigation, would yield of themfelves, and be reduced to perfed: obedience. By 
 thefe proceedings, they hoped to attain thofe ends, which the falfenefs of the great 
 Ones would not fuffer to be accompliflied by force: a counfel often propounded, of- 
 ten received, but which (through the difliculty of execution , or inlidelity of thofe 
 employed) had always failed of the happy defired fuccefs. 
 
 Nor were the minds of the Princes averfe from Peace , provided it were joined 
 with their liberty and fecurity > for they faw themfelves in all things reduced to ex- 
 tremity i Count Volrade with his Reiters, who while they were in thofe remoter Pro- 
 vinces had beep quiet and obedient, now that they were upon the confines oiGermany^ 
 began to talk of leaving them : only the Admiral , conltant to his own intentions, 
 difTwadcd and avoided Peace as much as pollibly he could ■> but now being brought 
 to nectffity, he was fain to yield perforce to thofe counfels, which were moft oppo- 
 fite to his nature and refolution. Both parties therefore confenting to embrace aa 
 The Peace is Agreement, and the fame Beauvais and lelie^Hy being fent again to Court, and with 
 pubiillKd.bu^t ^^^^ Monfieur de la Chaffetiere the Prince of Navarre's Secretary, upon the eleventh 
 fuiiof jcaiou- day oi Augiiji the Peace was concluded, wherein befides Liberty of Confcience, the 
 publick profeflion of the Reformed Religion, and pardon of all things pali, with the 
 accuftomed claufes inferted in the former Treaties with the Hugonots, the King gave 
 leave to the Princes and the Admiral to flay, for their fecurity, either at Kochelle^ Cog- 
 nac^ la Charite, or Montaubait^ wliich places they proniifed within the fpace of two 
 years to give up to his Majeffies Obedience, provided the Articles of Peace were obfer- 
 ved, which were after publifhed, and regifired in the Parliaments. The Princes and 
 the Admiral, when at the confines of BttrgHUfly they had difmiiTed Count Volrade of 
 Manjfield and the Reiters ("whereof few remained of fo great a number J) without ever 
 going to the Court , or fo much as appearing in the Kings prefence, went Areight to 
 Hochelle, not only to confult with the Queen of Navarre, concerning matters that ap- 
 pertained to their common interells, but alfo for their better fecurity to dwell there, 
 and fortifie themfelves. 
 
 But the Peace being concluded and eflabliflied, ("though full of fears and jealoufies 
 from the very firfl , as appeared plainly by the determination of the Princes and the 
 Admiral not to go to the Court ) the engines framed in the mind of the King and 
 Queen, to bring the principal Hugonots into the net, began to move, and to work 
 that by policy , which fo often attempted by the means of War, had always proved 
 fruitlefs and dangerous. And though thefe very flratagems had been formerly put in 
 praftice, and flill produced very little or no benefit, either becaufe treacherous Mini- 
 tiers had revealed them, or becaufe the Queen had carried her felf with too much cau- 
 tion and refpedt, or becaufe the Hugonot Princes had always millruded her nature and 
 defigns •, yet now they hoped a more full and profperous iffue, becaufe thefe fecrct _ 
 praftices were not managed by any but fuch as were deeply engaged, and the King 
 lumfelf alfo lent a hand to the work , who being now come to the age of two and ' 
 :twenty , of a refolute nature, a fpirit full of refentment , and above all, an abfolute 
 -." diffemblcr. 
 
 fici,
 
 o/ France. The Fifth ^oo{, 171 
 
 diffembler, did of himfdf, though by the advice of his Mother, manage the bufinefs *570« 
 cf the Government i whereby matters proceeded not only with more efficacy and fe- 
 curity, but alio with more wary and powerful counfels. The principal difficulty was 
 to beget a confidence in the Hugonot Lords, and from thofe jealouiies which polTeft 
 them, to bring them to fuch an affurance as might make them venture to come un- 
 armed to the Cnnrt i for which caufe (it being neceffary to begin at the end) the King 
 and Queen-Mccher imparting their private thoughts only to the Duke oi Anjoit^ the 
 Cardinal oi Lorain, the Duke of C7?«y?, and Alberto Gondi Count of Rf/s, fwhobe- 
 caufe greatly favoured , and from a fmall fortune exalted to a confiderable eftate, was 
 very much trufted , and very faithful to them) they difpatched ftrid CommiiTiojis to 
 all Magiftrates and Governours of Provinces, for the executing and obferving the Ar- 
 ticles of Peace, in favour of the Hugonots, to whom they fent as far as Kochelle, the 
 Mareflial de Cojje, who was now difcovered to incline to their party, giving him not 
 only authority to interpret, and to make the Edidt to be fulfilled, in thofe places where 
 it was doubtful and obfcure , but alfo moft ample command to aflure the Princes and 
 the Admiral of the Kings favour, and fincere intentions to obferve his promifes totally 
 and inviolably : Nor were his adions diiferent from his words , for the King being 
 minded to grant the Hugonots all poffible fatisfadion, with fevere Orders punifhed the 
 Infurredtions of the Catholicks , (which in Frovence, Vattlphine and Normandy, were 
 many againft the Hugonot Minifiers) and in things doubtful, inclined always to inter- 
 pret the Edi(ft gracioufly to their advantage: on the other fide, (hewing himfelf to- 
 ward the Catholick party , either too fharply fevere, or of a difpofition very little fa- 
 vourable. By which demonftrations he not only fetled the minds of the common peo- 
 ple, but even the Admiral himfelf, who was moft obftinate in not believing, and firmly 
 refolved not to truft them, began to conceive fome hope, that the King, weary of the 
 diftradtions and dangers of a Civil War, beginning now to govern of himfelf, and 
 not by the counfels of his Mother, might at laft defire fincerely to preferve and efla- 
 blifli the Accommodation. 
 
 But to make the greater proof, and penetrate more deeply into the Kings intentions, 
 the Princes and the Admiral having conferred of many things with the Mareftial de 
 Cojfe, difpatched to Court Teligny, Briquemaut, and Arnauld Cavagnej a Senator of the 
 Parliament of Iholoufe, and a principal Counfellor of the Admirals, to reprefent their 
 many grievances to the King, and chiefly to infift. That the Cardinal of Lorain, and 
 the Guifes might be put from the management of affairs of State ■■, fhewing, that while 
 matters of the Government were fwayed and adminiftred by them , they could not 
 believe the agreement of peace would long continue ; nor did right require, that coming 
 to the Court, where thofe Lords remained with fo great authority, they fliould put their 
 fafety into the hands of their bitter enemies. With thefe they joined many other demands; 
 That the High Chancellor de /' Hofpital (hould be recalled to the execution of his place : 
 That the Marquefs de Villars ("whofe eledtion to be Admiral was void by vertue of 
 the Agreement) might not be Lieutenant to the Prince of Navarre in the Government 
 of Gmenne i but that the Prince might have leave to chufe fuch a one as he liked, 
 Villars being no way acceptable to him , and mod to be fufpedled by the Admiral of 
 Chajiillon : That the Prince of Conde might have the Caftle of Vallery reftored to him, 
 then in poffelTion of the Lords oi Achon, who pretended a right unto it: That the 
 Baftard of Navarre might have the Bifhoprick of Cominges, already deftined to one of 
 the fons of Monfieur de Lanfac : That the Queen of Navarre might have free dominion 
 in her Country of Armagnac, where flie might exercife her Jurifdidlion without con- 
 troul : Which things fefpecially the abaftment of the Houfe of Lorain) were pro- 
 pounded not fo much for any hope they had to obtain them, (being neither included 
 nor named in the Accommodation) as out of a defire, by the effedts thereof, to find 
 out more clearly the intentions of the King, and the defigns of the Queen-Mother. 
 
 Thefe Lords arrived in a time when the Court was wholly taken up with the Cele- ^^'^^'■"l*^* 
 bration of the Kings Nuptials i who dcfirous of iiTue, had taken to Wife the Lady 7(i- bd'"tht *" 
 beUa, fecond daughter of the Emperour Maximilian of Aujlria : and amongft thofe ^/"^^J,"^^ 
 Feafts and Triumphs, thefe complaints, rather than pretenfions of the Hugonot Lords, the Emperour, 
 were treated of i which were favoured with much efficacy by the Amba/Tadors of the •^'"'"57o- 
 German Princes, who being come to congratulate the Kings Marriage, exhorted him 
 earneftly to obferve and maintain peace , which their Princes had learned by experi- 
 ence could not be kept, but by full Liberty of Confcience, and by a fincere and confi- 
 
 Z 2 ' dent
 
 J «^ The Hiflory of the Civil U^ars 
 
 i;70 dent Union between the Prince and all his Subjedls. The King and Queen-Mother 
 ' knew very well that thefe complaints and Propofitions had no other ground nor end 
 than to difcover their intentions, and to fearch into the bottom of their defigns i and 
 therefore purpofing to amiife the Hugonots by the fame arts wherewith they themfclves 
 were founded, after fome weak denial , not to give them greater fufpicion by a too 
 cafie willingncfs , they confented to many of the demands, and artificially gave pro- 
 bable hopes of yielding to the reft. To the Qyeen of Navarre they granted liberty of 
 difpofing all things in the County oi Armag)iac^ by Laws and Ordinances after her 
 own mind. They for a while fufpended the Commillion, and delayed the fending of 
 the Marquefs de Villjrs into Guienna , referving themfelves to treat thereof more parti- 
 cularly with the Prince of Navarre, They granted many profits and Ecclefiaftical re- 
 venues unto the Baftard i promifed the reftitution of VaUery to the Prince of Conde ■-, 
 but excufed themfelves by the age of the Chancellour de i Hnfpital , not thinking his 
 many years, and weak conftitution, able to undergo fuch a weight and multiplicity of 
 bufinefs i and as concerning the Lords of the Houfeof Lorain^ which was the higheft 
 and moft difiicult propofition, they fliewed a feeming defite of confenting to the Hu- 
 gonots , but with the opportunity of occafions which time Ihould offer, it not being 
 juft or reafonable, nor perad venture fafe, to deprive them all at once (without any 
 caufe) of thofe Honours and Offices which they fo long had poffeffed and executed. 
 Notwithftanding the King with effedual difcourfes, alledged to the Commiffioncrs, 
 that the Government now confifted chiefly in himfelf : and though the Lords of the 
 Houfe of Lorain enjoyed (bnie Offices in the Court, yet he would order them accor- 
 ding to his own mind, nor did he fufftr himfelf to be guided by any other perfon what- 
 foever \ wherefore the Princes of Bourbnn , the Admiral , and the reft of their party, 
 needed' not fear to fuffer any prejudice by the authority of their Adverfaries , who 
 though they continued at Court, did now live there as Subjects, not as Mafters, having 
 no power to do any thing more than duty and reafon permitted, not daring to meddle 
 with thofe matters to which they were not called. 
 1571. With thefe Treaties on every fide full of deep diflimulation, began the year 1571: 
 
 in the beginning whereof the Commiilioners returning to Kochelle , carried back the 
 Conditions they had obtained , and many interpretations of the Edid touching the 
 exercife of Religion, all favourable to their party > wherewith the Princes being fatif- 
 fied, and in part alfo the Queen of Navarre, only the Admiral remained doubtful and 
 incredulous till he faw more real demonftrations. But the King and the Queen defi- 
 rous once to accomplifti their determinations, refolved to make ufe of more powerful 
 Engines, and to try more fecure efficacious means to induce the Hugonot Lords to 
 come to Court : wherefore having fent to Kochelle Monfieur de Byron, (who from Field- 
 Marefhal, was for his great valour made General of the Artillery) they propounded to 
 the Queen of Navarre (for the better eftablifliment and confirmation of the ancient 
 Confanguinity and prefent Peace concluded with her ) that the Lady Marguerite the 
 Kings Sifter, (hould be given in Marriage to her Son thtVxmc^ of Navarre, after which 
 conjundtion, there would be no more caufe to doubt of the love and concord between 
 them, nor of thofe prerogatives and honours which as firft Prince of the Blood did 
 juftly belong unto him, nor would any body be fo bold as dare to interpofe, or fowe 
 diffcntion between two fo near Allies : They propounded to the Admiral and the 
 Count of Naffau, (who for his fecurity remained with the reft at Kochelle) that the 
 King, defirous at laft to make an end of Civil Broils , feeing that by reafon of the 
 warlike nature of his people, he could not fo eafily do it, without beginning at fo- 
 reign War, to bufie the minds and employ the forces of his Souldiers, had refolved in 
 revenge of thofe many injuries received, to make War with the King of Spain againft 
 the Low-Countries, which were full of Commotions, and ready to receive the Go- 
 vernment of any other Prince , and therefore not knowing any more faithful Coun- 
 fellors, or more proper inftruments for that bufinefs, than the Admiral and the Count 
 of Najjaii, (fo principal a man baniflied out of thofe Countries) he defired both of 
 them to come to Court, that he might communicate his defigns with them, and take 
 that refolution which by common confent ftiould appear beft grounded and moft pro- 
 fitable. The King and the Queen believed (as it was true) that the hope of this War 
 would work fenfibly upon the Admiral, and therefore gave order to treat more effedtu- 
 ally upon that than any other particular. Thefe things were propounded very diC- 
 creetly by Monfieur de Byron, who though in the War by his great valour and induftry, . 
 
 he 
 
 :f?1 
 ',(1
 
 oy France. The Fifth ^ool^ jy^ 
 
 he had done much harm to the Hugonot Fadlion i yet by his counfels in the Treaties I57l« 
 of Peace, he had fhewed himfelf very favourable to their interefts, perhaps through a 
 fecret envy which many at that time bore to the greatnefs of the Dulie of Guife and 
 the Cardinal of Lorain^ who in that very conjuncture of time, having agreed fecretly 
 with the King , feemed to be very ill fatisfied with the conclufion of the Peace, and 
 the favours done to the Hugonots i but much more becaufe the Duke of Guife^ having 
 from his childhood conceived hopes to obtain in marriage the Lady Marguerite the 
 Kings Sifter, and to that end had long courted and ferved her, now faw her deftined 
 to the Prince of Navarre his Enemy : and it was true, that the Duke of Guife had been 
 many years very much in love with the Lady Margiterije^and no lefs beloved by her againi 
 whereupon it was commonly believed, that there was not only a particular friendftiip 
 between them , but that already they had with reciprocal promifes contraded them- 
 felves together fecretly : but whether the ardour of the Duke of GK/ye's.affedion were ' 
 
 in part abated, (as it often happens that men who are eafily enamoured, as eafily for- -"l 
 
 get their pallion, and prove unconftant) or that governed by the counfel of his Uncle, 
 he preferred his own greatnefs, and the Admirals ruine, before all other confiderati- 
 ons i yielding at that time to the Kings defires, he confented privately that the Lady 
 Marguerite (hould marry the Prince of Navarre , but in outward appearance fliewing 
 himfelf infinitely offended and troubled at it, he increafed the fatisfaftion and confidence 
 of the Hugonot Lords : and the King with the like diffimulation (a quality wherein 
 he much excelled) feemed many times unfatisfied even with the Government of the 
 Queen his Mother, of whom he knew the Hugonots were not a little miftruftful, and 
 much more did he feem difpleafed with the Duke of Anjou his Brother i and to ihew 
 an open defire by fome occafion to get him from the Court, he had moved the Admiral 
 that by the means of Monfieur de BeauvaU his Brother (who had been Cardinal, and 
 lived then in England) there might be a treaty of marrriage begun, between the Duke 
 of Aii'jou and Queen Elizabeth^ with certain Conditions belonging to the matter, and 
 exercife of Religion » which they did not fo much with hope to conclude it, (for the 
 Queens difpofition was fufficiently known to encline but little to the yoke of Matrimony, 
 and to the Government of a ftranger Husband) as partly to beget more affurance in the 
 minds of the Hugonots i partly to Ihew a defire of putting the Duke oi Anjou as far 
 as polTibly could be from the Government of the Kingdom i partly al{b out of a fufpi- 
 cion that the Queen of England (the minds of women being variable) might per- 
 chance agree to marry with the Prince of Navarre, who was of her own Religion, and 
 upon whom £he might impofe fuch Laws and Conditions as {he pleafed, which would 
 ftrengthen the Hugonot party with new interefts , and more powerful ailiftance > for 
 which caufe the Duke of Anjou vras propounded, that in cafe fhe refolved to marry, (he 
 might have occafion to make choice of him, not only becaufe he was a greater Prince, 
 but alfo of greater reputation, and riper years, and which beft might fuit with the 
 Queens inclinations of a perfon moft exadtly handfom. And becaufe the Lady Mar- 
 g^iterite not confidering the intereftsof State, but led wholly by herownaffedion, re- 
 fufed any other Husband but the Duke of Guife, it happened that one night when there 
 was a Ball, he coming into the great Hall gallantly attired, and adorned with exceed- 
 ing rich Jewels, (the grace of all which received an addition from his affable behaviour 
 and noble carriage) the King, who flood at the door, (without fliewing any of his 
 accuftomed favours) asked him, Whither he went ? to which he anfwering. That he TheKlngsan- 
 came to ferve his Majefty •, the King replyed , That he had no need of his fervice i DukV»fG%v. 
 which, whether it was fpoken in jeft or earneft, touched him fo to the quick, that the The Duke of 
 next day he refolved to take to Wife Kathsrine deCleves, Sifter to the Dutchefs oiNe- ^o'mitxy°K^* 
 verx^ and Widow to the Prince of Porcien, who, though of very noble Blood, and en- '•'"'« «'« 
 riched with a plentiful Dowry, was in every refpeft, but efpecially in beauty, much in- 
 feriour to the Kings Sifter: but his ambition of governing, and defire to revenge his 
 Fathers death, the perfwafions of his Uncle, and chiefly fear to offend the King, were 
 more powerful with him than any other confiderations whatfoever. 
 
 Thefe pra^ices were carried with fo much efficacy and diffimulation, that not only 
 rhoft part of the Hugonot Lords were perfwaded of their reality, but the Pope himfelf 
 began to grow jealous of them i for the King and the Queen his Mother, for fear they 
 (hould be difcovered , had not imparted to any body thofe their fo fecret counfels : 
 whereupon the Pope, doubtful of their proceedings, did not only deny to give a Dif- 
 penfation for the Marriage between the Prince of Navarre and the Kings Sifter, but 
 
 alfo
 
 j^ The Hiflory of the Civil JVars 
 
 1571. alfo fent Commiirion to his Nephew Cardinal Alejfandrino^ then his Legat in Spain^ to 
 
 go with all polTible fpced to the Court of France , to break the Treaty of that Match, 
 
 and to perfwade the King to renew the War with the Hugonots. Nor was King Vhilip 
 
 v/ithoiit fufpicion of the French dcfigns j for he faw that many (hips rigg'd and mann'd 
 
 ib.ithe port of Kochel, the King allowing, or not oppofing it, made incurfions into tlie 
 
 Indies, and the coafts oi Spain \ he perceived alfo a gathering together ot Souldiers 
 
 about the confines of Picardy i who under Hugonot Captains, gave out that they were 
 
 to go into the Low-Countries to atlift the Prince of Orange , with the other Lords 
 
 and people there up in Arms i for which caufes, bclides having made complaint at the 
 
 Court of France, whereto he only got ambiguous general anfwers i he exhorted the 
 
 Legat AhJJandrino to be exceeding careful to found and difcover the intentions of the 
 
 J]"^^"J'' "f" King of F/"j«iv. But the Duke of 'S'tfwj was in greater trouble : for belidcs the fame 
 
 fufpiciou^Tf jealoufics which gave fufpicion to the others , it fell out about that time, that the Ad- 
 
 fot h^atm"' "liral being left a Widower by the death of Cbarlotie de la Val his firft Wife, married 
 
 "g'inrt his Madam d' Antramont , a very rich Lady of his Country, who contrary to the Dukes 
 
 widam^'v^n. vvillahd Command, was gone to Koe/^c/ to confummate the Marriage, defirous (as flie 
 
 tramoni, a" faj^] J fo bc fccond Mariia of that fecond Cato : for which reafon the Duke greatly fear- 
 
 sivojard. ^^^ ^^ ^j^g Admiral, fo great and politick a Contriver , (hould by help of the near- 
 
 nefs of Geneva , kindle the fame fire in Savoy that he had done in the Kingdom of 
 
 France, 
 
 But thefe refpeds flackcned not the proceedings, nor interrupted the counfels of the 
 King and Qiieen-Mother, being affured that the condufion would at laft fatisfieall the 
 world of their intentions : Wherefore, perfevering in their refolution they had taken, 
 they purpofed to go to Blois, that being in a place Co much nearer, they miglit more 
 conveniently treat with the Princes that were at Kochel, amongfi; whom were various 
 opinions i for Count Lodon>icl\_ (as banifhed men are commonly inclined to hope, and 
 as one who had lefs offended, and was lefs engaged to the King than any of the xcik) 
 was willing to go to Court , to (bllicite and refolve upon the War which the King 
 made fliew to dcfire againft the Spaniards : but the Queen of Navarre, and the Ad- 
 miral, who by their confcioufnefs of things part , meafured their prognofticks of the 
 future, were iiill averfe and doubtful i neither willingly confcnting 10 the Princes Mar- 
 riage , nor to the journey to Court. Wherefore Count Lodowick^ called, and encou- 
 raged by the King, took a refolution to go thither alone, but very privately, to ne-, 
 gotiate his own bufinefs by himfelf, to fettle a fafe coming for the reft, and to ripen 
 thofe dcfigns which with (b much approbation he nouriflied in his mind , of the Hu- 
 gonots defired enterprife againft Flanders. Wherefore departing from Jxochel with 
 only two in his company, giving out that he went to his Brother the Prince of Or j«ge, 
 when he was a few miles diftant from the Town , he took port, and arrived by night 
 fecretly at the Court : where being received with many demonftrations of favour and 
 affedion, he treated confidently with the King himfelf, not alTifted by any of his Coun- 
 cil, concerning the propofitions of his party, for Charles, the better to increafe a 
 confidence in them, continuing to make Ihew of governing his Kingdom by counfels 
 very different from thofe which his Mother had followed during his minority. The 
 conclufions of which meeting were. That the Prince of Navarre ihould have the Lady 
 Marguerite In Marriage, with 400000 Duckets i whereof 3000CO (hould be paid by 
 the King, and fufficicnt fecurity given for them i the reft to be paid by the Queen his 
 Mother, and the Dukes of Anjou and Alencon his Brothers i That the Low-Country 
 defign againft the Spaniards, (hould be put in practice with all fpeed \ in which War 
 Count Lodorvick, fliould go before , and order matters with thofe that were baniflied 
 out of Flanders, and the Admiral fhould be Captain- General of the enterprizei con- 
 cerning which confultations, he was prefently to come to Court, having liberty for the 
 guard of his Perfon to keep about him fifty Gentlemen , that might wear all kinds of 
 arms, even in the City of Vark, or wherefoever elfe the Court fliould be i and that to 
 gratifie Count Lndoreick^, the Kings Garifon and Government fliould be drawn out of 
 theCity of OM«^e, and left free to the Prince his Brother, who might abfolutely dif- 
 pofe of it and his Subjeifts as he pleafcd , the King not medling in the Government 
 or Superiority to which he had pretended j which thing<;, with many other of left 
 moment, being granted and eftabliftied. Count Lo^ow/c/^.returned to Ki'c/'d to perfwade 
 the Queen of Navarre and the Admiral to come to Court v and the King departing 
 from Blois, went into the Countries about VarU^ where feigning only to intend hunt-
 
 o/" France. The Fifth "Bool^ lyc- 
 
 itig, and other youthful plcafures, he gave time leave to ripen the counfds which had i57t« 
 been tal<en to procure that meeting i for the facilitating whereof, the Cardinal of Lo- 
 rain, the Duke of Ctiife ^ and his Brothers , feeming angry and troubled for the ho- 
 nours and favours which the King fo liberally granted to all thofe of the Hugonot 
 Fadrion, left the Court ; and the King, either fliewing himfelf unfatisfied with them, 
 or little to regard them and their merits i received nearer to his perfbn, and into a more 
 eminent degree of managing the affairs of State, the Marefhals of Momorancy and Cojji ; 
 both partial to, and by nearnefs of blood and friendfnip interefTed with the Princes 
 and the Admiral : wherefore the Duke of Montpenfur^ who had newly married one of 
 the Duke of Guifs^s Siiters, fliewing the fame diflike with the reft of the kindred, was 
 alfo gone from Court, as likcwife the Prince of Vaulphiue his Son. 
 
 But about that time the Kings defigns v/hich with fo much care and diligence had 
 been kept fecret . were like unexpededly to Iiave been difcovered. The Duke of 
 Anjon did much favour, and was very familiar with Monfieur de Ligneroles, a young 
 Gentleman of very acute wit, and high fpirit, who often difcourfing intimately with 
 the Duke of theprcfentftate of affairs, induced him at lall to impart the Kings mod 
 fecret defigns to him i partly, becaufe he was moft confident of his fidelity i partly, to 
 hear his opinion uponfo important a bufinefs, and to receive his advice and counfcl in 
 that, as he was wont in many other things : Ligneroles by means of his favour being 
 grown into fuch efteem , that the Qneen- Mother , the Duke oiGuif;^ and even the 
 King himfelf made great account of his wit and courage. He being one day in the 
 Chamber with the King, who much difpleafed at the high infolent demiands of fome 
 of the Hugonot Lords after he had difmiffed them with fliew of favour, letting loofe 
 his anger, and laying afide diliimulation, fhewed fome tokens of being extreamly of- 
 fended i either moved with ambition to appear not ignorant of the neareft fecrets, 
 or with the lightncfs incident to youth , which often over-fhoots difcretion, told the 
 King in his ear, that his Majefty ought to quiet his mind with patience, and laugh at 
 their infolence and temerity i for within a few days, by that meeting which was almoft 
 ripe, he would have brought them all into the net, and puniOied them at his own plea- 
 fure : with which words the Kings mind being flruck in the moft tender fenfible part,he 
 made fhew not to underftand his meaning , and retired into his private lodgings ■■, 
 •where, full of anger, grief and trouble, he fcnt to callthe Count ^f Krtz , thinking 
 that he , who was likewife familiar with Ligneroles , had revealed this fecret to him » 
 and with (liarp injurious words reproached him with the honours and benefits he had 
 conferred upon him, threatning to take vengeance on that perfidiouftefs, wherewith 
 forgetful of fo great favours, he had betrayed him, and difcovered his moft fecret in- 
 tentions i but the Count conftantly denying it, and offering to be fhut up in prifon 
 till the truth were known , he called the Queen- Mother, and complained grievoufly 
 to her, that fhe had made known thofe thoughts which he with fuch patience, and 
 conftraint of his own mind , forcing his nature , had fo long difTembled : to which 
 words the Qijeen fmiling anfwered , That fhe needed not to learn the art of fecrefie 
 from him, and that he (hould look whether by bis own impatience he had not difco- 
 vered fomething of that, which he thought to be revealed by others . the King (as he 
 •was exceeding cholerickj fretting and Itorming very impatiently, fent at laft for the 
 ■Duke of Anpu ■■, who, without further urging, confefTed freely, that he had imparted 
 the bufinefs to Ligniroles^ but withal afTured them they needed not fear, that he would 
 ever open his lips to difcover fb weighty a fecret. No more he fliall not, anfwered 
 the King, for I will take order that he fnall be difpatched before he have time to pub- 
 lifh it. The Duke of Anjou either not daring to oppofe that fo fudden, refolute de- 
 termination, or elfe angry at the lightnefs oi Ligneroles ^ and for fear of the worft not 
 caring to divert it ■■> the King fent to call George de Villeqnier 'Vifcount of Guerchy, who 
 (as Matters are feldom ignorant how their Servants ftand affcfted) he knew bear a Ce~ ^, ,^^ ^.^^^ 
 cret emulous hatred to Li^;/i?ro/f /, and commanded him by all means to endeavour the itabythe 
 taking away of his life that very day i with which refolution the King prefently ta- Kms^' ^°^- 
 king horfe, with the Duke of AnioH^ as he often ufed to do without ftaying for any dewing that 
 attendants, went to hunt in the fields and woods not far ofFi which the Courtiers no ^4^"h"the''" 
 fooner heard, but as fa ft as their horfes could be brought, they followed feverally Kinsdcfired 
 ft ragling after the cry of the Hounds, and L/gwra/w by their exam.pleinftantlydidthe kecpfcctet. 
 fame i but the Vifcount de la Gtterchy and Count Charles of Mansfield, who was privy 
 to his purpofe, mounted upon fiery unquiet horfes, hunted in the fame company with 
 
 Lizn^^oles.
 
 j^^ The Hiftorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 J 
 
 iS7i JL/?«ffi'^."J"i and drew near under colour of talking and difcourfing with him i which 
 while he endeavoured to avoid, not being able to keep his horfe in order among theirs 
 that was {b quarrelfom and unruly » and while they perfifted iHll following him as it 
 were in fport, they prefcntly came to high language , and then to challenges i where- 
 upon the Vifcount fuddenly drawing his fword , and Count Charles at the fame in- 
 ftant, they fell fo furioufly upon him, that before he could be refcued by thofe that 
 came to help him, they left him dead upon the place i which being come to the Kings 
 knowledge, with great (hew of anger and trouble, he caufed them both to be taken 
 and imprifoned in the Palace ; from whence in procefs of time, by the intercelTion of 
 Monfieur^' Angoulej'me^ the Kings Baftard-brother, and by particular grace and favour 
 they were after fct at liberty. 
 
 This bufinefs being parted over, which for a while had troubled the whole Court, 
 the next was to overcome the obftinacy of the Lady Marguerite, who more fix'd than 
 ever to her former thoughts , denyed now abfolutely to marry at all , lince (he was 
 forbidden to take the Duke of Guife ■■> to which the Popes continued denyal of a dif- 
 pcn(ation being added, the condufion of that marriage remained dill uncertain. The 
 Queen-Mother , by the means of the Bi(hop of Salviati the Popes Nuncio, to whom 
 ftie was near allied, endeavoured to perfwade themat Kowf, that the effeding of that 
 match would conclude to the good of the Catholick Religion i for, to draw the Prince 
 of Navarre into fo near a relation and confidence with the King, would be an occafion 
 that not only he being young , and eafie to be vvon to better opinions , would come 
 into the bofom of the Church i but alfo infinite others i part moved by his example j 
 and part out of fear to lofe fo conliderable a prop as the firft Prince of the Blood, 
 would do the like > that they often had tryed in vain to overcome the Hugonots with 
 fharpnefs and violence > therefore it was now fit to try fome gentle remedies. But 
 when they faw the Popes mind could not be changed by perfwafions , they began to 
 try if they could alter it by negleft > the King and the Queen faying openly. That be- 
 ing neeellitated to make a match with one of another Religion, they would do it how- 
 foever, without caring for any difpenfation > nor would they fulfer the peace and qui- 
 ctnefs of their Kingdom to be difturbed , and by the Popes ob(tinacy involved in the 
 former wars , dangers and inconveniencies : Which things confirming the alTurance 
 and boldnefs of the Hugonots, the Admiral in the end perfwaded by Count Lodon>icl{^ 
 of ISlaffau, and the counfels of Teligtty his Son-in-law, and of Cavagnes, a man great 
 in his efteem i but much more by the fear of being prevented by the Queen of Navarre 
 and the Princes , who already were fetting things in order to go to Court, took his 
 after fo'^'ny joumey with 3 great train of his Dependants, and came unto the King, before whom 
 wars with the humbly bowtng him(elf, and kneeling down in token of greater humility, he was re- 
 ftlafes h'imfcif ccived with as great demonftrations of love and affedion. It was very remarkable, 
 at his feet, ^ that the Admiral , who was grown old in ambitious thoughts, and high pretenfions, 
 oufly'receivcJ "ow confcious of the errours he had committed, fliould in the Theater of all jF/-<i«cf, 
 and in the very prefence of his own principal adherents, bring himfelf to fopublick a 
 pennance as to be feen with tears in his eyes, kneeling at the feet of that King which 
 in times paft he had fo heinoufly offended and defpifed. But it was much more re- 
 markable, that a King (b young, and of fo hafty cholerick a nature, feeing the man 
 before him who fo often had brought the power of his Crown and Kingdom to fuch 
 doubtful hazards, (hould know fo perfedly how to diffemble , that calling him Fa- 
 ther, and lifting him up with his own hand, he made all the World believe he was 
 heartily and fincerely reconciled to him. 
 
 After thefe great demonfirations of favour, followed effeds correfpondenf to them ; 
 for the King commanded looooo Franks, which amount to ten thou(and pounds j^fr- 
 ling, to be paid him prcfently out of the Treafury, to make up thofe particular loflTes 
 which he had fuffered during the late Wars i and affigned him an Annuity of thofe 
 Eeclefiaftical Revenues which belonged to the Cardinal his Brother, who died in Eng- 
 land a little before that time» and gave him all his rich and coftly houfhold-fiuff, 
 which, as the goods of a Criminal, had lately been confifcate : And though all other 
 Admirals in Council and publick Ceremonies had ever given place to the Marc(hals of 
 France i yet, for his greater honour, it was the Kings pleafure that he (hould (it next 
 Monfieur de Momorancy , who was the firft Mare(hal, and above all the re(t. To 7>- 
 %'{y? Cavagnes , and to all his dependants and followers , the King voluntarily did 
 many favours > and at Councils, in his own lodgings, and abroad in publick he was 
 
 ■ ftill
 
 of France. The Fifth ^oo^. 
 
 77 
 
 ftill encortipafled by many of them. All graces and favours were granted by their in- 
 terceflion, nor was there any thing Co difficult, which the Admiral with a word might 
 not bring to a fpeedy and happy iffue i which was proved in the perfon of ViUandry^ 
 a young Gentleman, who playing with the King, had fo exceedingly offended him, 
 that he was therefore condemned to die j for having denyed his pardon to the Queen- 
 Mother, the Queen his Wife, the Duke oi Anjou, and the Duke o( Montpotfir,-^ at 
 the firft word of the Admiral he was fet at liberty , and reftored to his former degree 
 of familiarity in the Court. With this affurance , and to increafe it the more , the 
 enterprize of Flanders was prefently fet on foot v for the effeding whereof, the Mare- 
 flial of Momorancy was fent into England , to treat of a reciprocal confederacy with 
 the Queen i and the Count oC Schombergh into Germany to exhort the Protelhnt Princes 
 to accept penfions, and to unite themfelves with the Crown of France againlt the Spa- 
 niards. Thefe things refolved on, which all were managed by the Admirals advice 
 and diredrion , he with the Kings leave went to Chaflillon to order his private affairs, 
 and fo return to Court to perfed matters already agreed upon. 
 
 About this time , being the beginning of the Year 1572. arrived the Legat Alef- 
 fandrina, to hinder the progrefs of thefe refolutions , which tended manifeflly not 
 only to the ruineof the Spaniards, then imployed for the defence of Chriftendom, in 
 War by Sea againft the Turk » but much more to the deftrudtion of theCatholick Re- 
 ligion , and the eftablifliment of the Hugonots. Great were the conteftations that 
 pafTedin this interview , for on the one fide, the Legats reafons were home and evi- 
 dent i and on the other lide, the Kings anfvvers were fo obfcure and ambiguous, that 
 the buiinefs feemed not poffible to be determined, without alienating his mind utterly 
 from the Pope '■> to whom it appeared molf intolerable, that the molt Chriftian King, 
 who he hoped (mindful of fo great alliftance received from him} would have favoured 
 the ChriHian League now by making an unfeafonable War againft the King of Spain^ 
 fiiould be an occailon of breaking it, and a means of giving fo great opportunities to 
 the common Enemy, of doing mifchief to all Chriftendom : But it feemed no left 
 ftrangeunto him, that fo much money having been fpent, and fo much blood ftied 
 of late years to fupprefs the Calvinill party, the King now perverting all his old de- 
 terminations , fliould put all good Catholicks away from him, and of a fudden give 
 himfelf a prey to the Hugonots, treating Leagues and Confederacies with foreign Prin- 
 ces excommunicated by the Apoftolick Sea, to the damage and prejudice of thofe that 
 were moll: firm and alfeftionate to the Romilh Religion. Nor was he at all faih(fied 
 by the Kings anfwers v who fometimes urging the weak and troublefom eltate-.c' his 
 Kingdom, excufed the peace concluded with the Hugonots i (bmetimes with obfcure 
 words that might receive a double interpretation, affirmatively promifed, that at laft 
 all (hould end to the fatisfadion of the Pope , and the benefit of the Catholick Reli- 
 gion i which nothing abated the doubtfulnefs of the Legats mind, feeing his words 
 and adtions fo different. Yet ceafcd not the King with moft effcdtual demonlfrations 
 to try all means pollible to content him, honouring him in publick, making much of 
 him in private , uling all manner of art and indultry , even to the prefenting him a 
 wonderful rich Jewel with his own hands s which the Cardinal refufed to accept, 
 faying, That by his Majelties unexpeded falling from the Zeal of the Catholick Re- 
 ligion, all his moft valued and precious jewels were no more than dirt in the cftima- 
 tion of all good Catholicks: the Iharpnefs of which words, and many other open 
 figns of diftafie, were not a little refented by the King , knowing the bottom of his 
 own intentions. Nor could this fo hard a knot have been unloofed without a mani- 
 feft breach, efpecially becaufe the difpenfation was abfolutely denyed, had it not been 
 for the news of the Popes defperate iicknefs , for which caufe the Legat departing 
 fuddenly, bufinelTes remained ftill uncertain, and undetermined- 
 
 Pius ^intHs being dead, about the latter end of April^ Gregory the Thirteenth, of 
 a more mild eafie nature, fucceedcd in the Chair > who in the beginning of his Papacy, 
 perfwaded by the Cardinal of Lorain^ (who partly to fecm difcontented at the Court 
 of France i partly, to manage the prefent affairs with more fecrccy, was gone to Tiome) 
 granted the Bull of difpenfation j but in fuch form as did not then fatisfie the Car- 
 dinal of Bw«-io«, and after brought in queftion the validity of the Contrad : but the 
 King and Queen not looking fo narrowly to the Difpenfation, having the Popes con- 
 fent in what manner foever it were , follicited now to bring it to a conclufion i for 
 the Lady Marguerite^ partly by her Mothers perfwafions, partly by her Brothers threat- 
 
 A a ningSj 
 
 1571. 
 
 1572. 
 
 Tht King dif- 
 fcmblc! fo 
 wiih the Hu- 
 gonots, that 
 he if fufpcScd 
 by ftrangtr 
 Pcincts. 
 
 Cardinal ^- 
 
 gat to Pius 
 QumiHS, re- 
 fufcch a rich 
 jewel prc- 
 f:ntcd to him 
 hy the Kings 
 own band. 
 
 Grtgtry the 1} 
 fucceeding 
 PiTu Sumtns, 
 grantcth a 
 Difpenfation] 
 for the mar- 
 riage between 
 the Prince of 
 KiivJrre and 
 the Kings S4* 
 ftcr.
 
 I7S 
 
 1572- 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 The Admiral 
 caufeth the 
 Hujonocs to 
 furprife the 
 City of ilm< 
 in HciJiautt in 
 fiitndtrs, ,to 
 force ihcKing 
 to a Wat with 
 Spain ; he is 
 difpleafed, but 
 didrcmbjcs it. 
 
 The LotJs I ( 
 theHoufeof 
 Lcram and ti'.C 
 Admiral are 
 feemins;ly 
 made fiiends 
 before the 
 Kins. 
 
 The War a- 
 
 giinft the Spa- 
 riards breaks 
 out a^ainft 
 the Kings will 
 
 The Queen of 
 KaViirre is 
 poifoned with 
 a pair of 
 E'oves. 
 
 nines, partly not to bring her honour in queftion, which already was fomething doubt- 
 fully fpoken of", though (he gave no abfoluteconfent,yet denied no more fo openly to 
 marry the Prince of Mavarre.- 
 
 But all thefc pradlices being ripe , in the beginning of June the Qiieen of Navarre 
 comes to I'aris^ received with fo much joy of the whole Court, that France had not 
 feen a day of greater rejoycing in. many years. Two days after arrived the Prince 
 of Navarre and the Prince of Conde , accompanied with Count Lodotvkk^^ the Count 
 de la llocb-foit-canlt , and all the Trains of the Princes , being the chief Comman- 
 ders , Cavaliers and Gentlemen that had held the Hugonot party : among which, 
 tiies^ Briquemaui^ and Pluvialt, Colonels, who in the courfe of that War had by 
 their Valour acquired fo much glory and renown j the Sieur de Guerchy, he that de- 
 fended Saaferre, the Marquefs de Renel, the Sieurs de Noite^ de Colombiere, and La- 
 vardm , famous Commanders of Horfe, and a great many otiier men of quality and 
 reputation. 
 
 The League Offenfive and Defenfive was already concluded with the Qticen of 
 England^ Prince Cafimir and inlliam his Brother, both Sons of the Eleftor Palatine 
 of the Khine^ were already perfwaded to receive penfions from the King, when the 
 Admiral, forgetting all his former jealoulles , full of incredible pride and intolerable 
 pretenllons , returned to Court with a great train of his adherents ; and to put the 
 King upon a nec<:nity of making War with the Spaniard, even againft his will, he fo 
 ordered the matter, that Count Lodowick^^ and the Sieurs de Genlli^ and de la Noue^ 
 who were gotten to the confines of Picardy^ where a great many Hugonot Gentlemen 
 and Souldiers were privately drawn together, fuddenly furprizcd the City of Mmts 
 in the County of Hehtauh, a principal place, and of very great importance to the Pro- 
 vinces of Flanders s which raflinefs, though it inwardly much troubled the Kings 
 mind, yet with admirable patience feeming very well pleafed with , he thereby took 
 occalion prefcntly to difpatch Fhilippo Strozzi with a great tnany old Companies into 
 places near about Kochel, under pretence of imbarking them in Ships, that were made 
 ready in that Port, to pafs them over to thofe coalls of the Low-Countries which 
 were held by the Confederates of Flanders j but indeed they were to be ready upon all 
 occalions to furprize and pofTefs themfelves of that City , as foon as the prefent de- 
 ligns were brought to maturity : Thus with cunning policies they went deluding the 
 fubtikies of the Admiral, who held in the higheft elkcm , as Arbitrator of the Court 
 and^i'^overnmcnt, feemed alone to rule the Gemtts, and diredt the will of the King of 
 FraKfi . 
 
 And becaufe to begin a War of fo great moment, it appeared ncceflary to take away 
 the obftacle of civil difcords, the King earnelHy intreated the Admiral, that the enmi- 
 ties between him and the Houfc o( Lorain, might by fome means or other be accom- 
 modated i which was propounded for no other end, but becaufe the help of the Duke 
 of Guife., and the Duke of Atimale, and the forces of the Catholick party were neccf- 
 fary for the execution of the defigns that were in agitation , they fought that colour 
 to bring them to the Court without fufpicion of the Hugonots. Under this pretence 
 the Lords of the Houfe of Lorain being come to farii with all the train of their Fa- 
 dion •, they promifed, as alfo did the Admiral, in the prefenceof the King, that they 
 would no more offend one another, referring all their diflerenccs either to his Maje- 
 fties arbitrement, or to the opportunity of other times, when the King and his Coun- 
 cil fliould think fit : by which ambiguous promifes, the inveterate hatred and enmity 
 which had fo many years continued between them, and which was the original caufe 
 of all the prefent miferies and troubles, feemed rather fmothered for a time, than ut- 
 terly extinguiflied. • 
 
 But now matters were not only brought to the point intended , but the execution 
 of them could no longer be deferred j for on the one fide the Ambaffador of the Ca- 
 tholick King after the taking of Mons^ had not only left the Court, but was alfo gone 
 out of the Kingdom: and on the other lidc, the Hugonots without expeding further 
 order or Commitlion, tumultuoufly ran to the aid of their adherents, with too great 
 boldnefs, and too dangerous commotions i whereby, contrary to the Kings intentions, 
 the War with the Spaniards was kindled in the Confine of his Kingdom. 
 
 The firft thunderbolt of fo great a tempeft fell upon the Qiieen of Navarre •, who be- 
 ing a Woman and a Queen , they thought fittefl: to take her away by poifon , admini- 
 ftred as was reported in the perfume or trimming of a pair of Gloves i but in fuch fe- 
 
 cret
 
 o/ France. The Fifth ^oo{. 
 
 179 
 
 cret manner, and in fuch juft proportion, that having worn them a while, a violent 
 Feaver feifed upon her, which ended her life within four days. She was a Lady of 
 a mofl high fpirit and invincible courage, much above the condition of the female fex V 
 by which vertues (he not only bore up the degree and eftimation of a Queen, though 
 fhc had no Kingdom i but aflaulted by the perfecutions of Co many, and fo powerful 
 Enenriies, (he fuftained the War mofl undauntedly i and finally, in the greateft dan- 
 gers, and moft adverfe fortune of her party, (he built up that greatnefs of her Son 
 from whence , as from the firft root, in after years fprung forth the exaltation of his 
 State, and the renowned glory and immortality of his Name i qualities (befides her 
 chaftity and magnificence) worthy eternal prai(e, if (thinking it lawful for her, with- 
 out the help of learning to fearch into, and expound the deepefl myfteries in Divi- 
 nityj (he had not obftinately perfifted in the opinions of Calvinifm. Queen JaHe be- 
 ing dead, becaufe the Hugonots began to fufpedt fomething by that fo unexpeded acci- 
 dent, the King knowing that the poyfbn had only wrought upon her brain , caufed 
 the body to be cut up in open view , the parts whereof being all very found , the 
 head, under colour of refpecft, was left untouched, and the teliimony of skiltul Phy- 
 ficians divulged , that through the malignity of her Feaver fhc died of a Natural 
 Death. 
 
 After her Funeral, her Son alTumed the Arms and Title of King of W^^v^rre ■, but 
 his Marriage with the Kings Sifter was deferred for a few days, not to mingle joy un- 
 realunably \mut. that grief for which the King himfelf and the whole Court had put 
 on mourning i about which time the Citizens of Rochel (conftant in not trufting any 
 body, not willing to return unto the Kings obedience, but fortifying continually, and 
 even in the midll of Peace providing all things neceffary for War J perfwaded the 
 Prince and the Admiral to retire from the Court : which exhortations, as well of the 
 Rochellers, as thofe of Genevj , and others of that party, were more earneftly reite- 
 rated after the Queen of Navarre's death j every one thinking that fb fudden an acci- 
 dent was the unhappy omen of an unfortunate conclufion. But the Admiral in his 
 prefent felicity having utterly forgot his ancient Maxims , and wholly laid afide his 
 former diffidence ■■> either believing that by his wifdom he had really gotten the Kings 
 favour, and eclipfed the credit of all others v or deluded by the cunning diffimulations 
 of the Court i or elfe drawn by the hidden power of Fate, predimed fo much upon him- 
 felf and his own authority, and was fo infinitely pleafed with the thoughts of the en- 
 terprize of Flanderi , that he was far from doubting any finifter event ; but defpifing 
 all others, and even the Kingalfo, he efteemed himfelf the Oracle of Frjwf, and be- 
 lieved himfelf with fmall pains able to overturn all the attempts and practices of his 
 enemies i and if any of his friends put him in mind of the Gnifes being at Court with 
 fo great a train , and the number of Ships of War and Souldiers which were made 
 ready by Strozzi , and the Baron de la Garde about 'Rochel ■■, he anfwered, Thofe pre- 
 parations were made by his advice , to make incurfions upon the coafts of Flanders i 
 and the prefence of the Crai/fj-at the Marriage, was only to give them fbme little fa- 
 tisfacflion, being at one inftant deprived of the Kings favour, and the managemcnC 
 of affairs of State i that they (hould neither fear nor doubt, for his wifdom and coun- 
 fel had at laft overcome all the malice of his Enemies i and now that he had once fet 
 foot in the counfels, he was fure his decrees fhould be the guide and rule of the whole 
 Government for the time to come : with which conceit he was fo puffed up, that 
 growing to an unmeafurable height of pride, he fpake fo boaftingly of himfelf, that 
 he became almolt intolerable to his neareft and moft partial friends i and was often 
 heard to fay, that neither Alexander the Great, nor Jttlius Cafar could be compared 
 to him i for both of them had always had favourable and profperous fuccefs i but he 
 having loft four Battels , had in fpite and to the fhame of ill fortune , by his valour 
 and policy, always rifen again more dreadful and terrible to his Enemies: and laftly, 
 when all men thought he had no way left to fave his life , but to flee , and wander 
 about the world, he had managed his affairs fo well, as brought his Enemies to a ne- 
 ceility, not only of making peace with him, but alfo of granting him conditions more 
 proper for a Conquerour, than one that was overcome. Thefe difcourfes were not 
 approved by fome , and amongft others, Langoiran, who refblved to be gone i and 
 when he took his leave, being asked by the Admiral why he wenti I go Cfaid he) 
 becaufe I fee you too much made on, and I had rather fave my felf mth fools ^ than ferijh 
 mth thofe that are too wife, 
 
 Aa 3 In 
 
 1572, 
 
 The Ptinee of 
 
 ilTuiiKs the 
 tide of King. 
 
 TheAdmtral 
 prefers him- 
 felf before 
 Julius Ctftr 
 and ^Itxinin 
 the Ci»c.
 
 i8o 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1572. 
 
 The La^y 
 Marfiueriie be- 
 ing asked if 
 flic would 
 have the King 
 c{ Navarre for 
 her Hasband, 
 anfweted not ; 
 but being ur- 
 ged by the 
 King, bowtJ 
 her bead. 
 
 The King 
 takes order 
 with the Duke 
 of Gxife TO 
 have the de- 
 fifjns put in 
 execution. 
 
 In the interim, the time appointed for the marriage being come, it was celebrated 
 the eighteenth day o( Auguji in this manner : The King of Navarre , and the Lady 
 ISLirdnerite led by the Cardinal of Bourbon^ and accompanied by the King and the 
 whole Court, went to Nojlre-'Dame, the Cathedral Church of Paris ; where having 
 left the Lady Marguerite kneeling at the Altar, (the Cloth of ftate being there fet up) 
 the King of Navarre, the Prince of Conde, the Admiral, and the other Hugonot Lords 
 went out of the Church, that they might not be prefent at Mafs » which being ended, 
 and they recalled by the Marelhal d' AnviUe^ the Marriage was celebrated by the Car- 
 dinal of Bourbon h in which many obferved, that the Lady Marguerite being asked if fhe 
 would take the King of Navarre to be her Husband, anfwered not -one word i but the 
 King her Brother having with his hand made her yield and bow down her head , it 
 was reported that (he (hewed her confent by that aftion > though (lie both before and 
 after, when fhe could fpeak freely , declared always, that not only to be deprived of 
 the Duke of Guife^ to whom fhe had formerly engaged her promife, but alfo to make 
 his capital Enemy her Husband, were things wherewith fhe could not poflibly bring 
 her mind to be contented. But the King of Navarre, either through the goodnefs of 
 his difpofition, much liker to his Fathers candour, than the hardened pertinacy of his 
 Mother i or elfe the condition of the times counfelling him to diffemble , not only 
 carried himfelf with infinite reverence and refped towards the Queen his Wives Mo- 
 ther, and the King his Brother-in-Law i but with a great deal of noblenefs and dif^ 
 cretion bore alfo with the humours and frowardnefs of his Wife, fhewing himfelf fb 
 liberal and courteous to every one, and fb full of thoughts of honour worthy the great- 
 nefs of his birth , that flopping the mouth of Envy, which had fo long been open 
 againft the Princes of the Blood, his Name formerly fo deteftcd at the Court, was now 
 at laft become popular : which noble demeanour Spreading far abroad, and winning 
 the minds of the King and the Qyeen-Mother, who befides the powerful tie of Blood, 
 conceived dayly greater hopes of his goodnefs and moderation, was likewife the caufe 
 that wrought them to a refblution of (paring his life and the Prince of Conde's \ as well 
 not to imbrue their hands in the fhedding of the Blood Royal, (fb venerable to the 
 French Nation) as alfo for the affured hopes, that being taken out of the company, 
 and feparated from the converfation of fadtious men, they might prove as great pillars 
 to uphold the Royal Family for the future, as in times pafl they had been hinderances 
 to the peace and quiet of the Kingdom : Thus, either bccaufe of their ingenuity, or 
 becaufe the hidden will of Heaven had fb decreed, a refolution was taken to fpare the 
 lives of the Princes of the Blood i and to deliver them from the counfels and govern- 
 ment of the Admiral, the King commanded the Duke of Guife that the intended defigns 
 fhould be put in execution. 
 
 The Duke of Guife was come to Court, with the Duke of Aumale his Uncle, the Duke 
 of Nemours his Father-in-Law, the Duke d' Elbeuf his Coufen, and the Dukes of Ne- 
 vers and Montpenfier his Brothers-in-Law, and a great company of Barons and Knights 
 that held of the Catholick party, whereof by the confent of all he had the title of Prince, 
 by long fucceflion derived from his Father, and confirmed by the eminent authority of 
 the Cardinal of Lorain. In the number of his followers, were many Commanders and 
 Gentlemen of divers Nations , who living upon his penfions liberally beftowed upon 
 them, were ready upon all occafions, though with the danger of their lives, to ex- 
 ecute whatfoever he commanded. Wherefore having in order to the fecret defigns, 
 received liberty by the Kings CommilTion to take away the life of the Admiral, he put 
 thofe arts in prafticc which the other was fufpedted to have ufed before, in caufing 
 the death of his Father, and committed the bufinefs to one MaureveV, ("the fame who 
 had flain Monfiair de May at the fiege of Ntort) giving him charge to take away his 
 life as he came from Court, not at all fufpecSing any fuch matter. MaureveU having 
 received this order , and being of a nature and inclination ready enough to put it in 
 execution, found out a little houfe near the Louvre , which with fbme others there- 
 abouts was appointed for the Dukes Family, and wherein no body elfe lodged , and 
 having locked himfelf up in a lower room, and covered the Iron-bars of the Window 
 with an old Cloak, he lay there with great fecrefieand patience, watching his time to 
 perform what he had undertaken » nor had he waited above three days, when the 
 Admiral coming out of the Court in the morning, on the 20 day of Auguji, to return 
 to his own houfe, whilft, followed by his fervants, he walked fbftly on foot to read a 
 certain paper, he had opportunity to fhoot him with a brace of Bullets, one of which 
 
 took. 
 
 J
 
 of France. The Fifth 'Book 
 
 i8 
 
 took off the fore-finger of his right hand, and the other wounded hinn grievoufly near 
 the left elbow. The Admiral feeling himfelf fhot, knew the Window whence it came 
 and fliewing it to his followers , the door was prefently broken open, and the houfe 
 fearchcd, wherein they could find no body but a little Boy i for MaureveU efcaping 
 out at a back-door, took an horfe which he had appointed to be there ready for him 
 and was already fled out at the Port St. Antoine •■, fo that the Boy neither knowing the 
 Name of him that had done the deed, nor the way he took, it was not poffible to 
 have any certainty concerning him at that time. The news of this accident was brought 
 to the King while he was playing with the Duke of Guife at Tennis in the Court of 
 th&Louvre^ and feigning himfelf exceedingly troubled at it, he prefently left play, and 
 departed, threatning and protefting aloud, that he would inflidt moft fevere punifh- 
 ment upon thofe difturbers of his quiet, who durft prefume to commit fo hainous a 
 crime even at the gates of his Royal Palace. He commanded all the City -gates to be 
 (hut, except two only for the bringing in of provifions, at which very careful guards 
 were placed', and gave order that they fliould be kept with the greateft ftridnefs that 
 might be, pretending left the murtherer fhould make efcape i but the truth was, left 
 any of that patty ftiould get out and fave themfelves by flight. The apprehenfion 
 they had of the fiercenefs, wifdom and power of the Admiral, was peradventure the 
 caufe that they began with him i the Council doubting, that if he were alive, and in 
 health, he would find fome means for the fafety of himfelf and of the reft of his Fa- 
 d:ion: but the principal motive that induced them to do fo , was the opinion oi Al- 
 berto Gondi Count of Retz^ who at the confultation about that bufinefs, faid, he was 
 really of opinion, that to kill all the Hugonots together was both very eafie, and very 
 juft i but he defired alfo that the execution might appear to carry fome handfom co- 
 lour ■■, that caufing the Admiral to be killed alone, every one would believe it was done 
 only by the Lords of Lorain ■■, whereat the Hugonots, according to their cuftom, would 
 certainly be enraged, and break out into fome uproar againft the Guifes, to whofe af- 
 fiftance the Parifians , and all the Catholick party running together , the Hugonots 
 would be fliut up in the net, and utterly fuppreffcd i and fo meer chance fiiould effcH 
 their dcfigns, and the matter be imputed to private enmities, and not to the publick 
 determinations of the State. But however it were, the King, who ftill feemed very 
 much afflidted, having dined in great hafte, went with the Queen-Mother and the 
 Duke of Anjou to vifit the Admiral i to whofe lodgings were already come the King 
 of Navarre, the Prince of Conde, the Mareftial d' Anvitle, and all the chief of the Hu- 
 gonot Faction : There the Admiral, finding that he was brought into a very ill con- 
 dition by his wound , which had broken the bone , and torn all his elbow > as alfo 
 becaufe he knew he was in the power of his Enemies , asked the King leave that he 
 might retire to ChajUHon , where, free from the tumults and dangers of Paris, a City 
 ill-affedled to him , and depending upon his Enemies , he might be more fafely and 
 fpeedily cured : but the King complaining, and taking it unkindly, that he fliould not 
 think himfelf fafe in his protedion, incouraged him, and (the Phyficians joining in 
 the fame advice) perfwaded him not to take fuch a journey, for fear the motion fliould 
 caufe fome more dangerous accident , and intreated him to take his reft quietly with- 
 out fufpicion. To which words the Admiral replying, That he doubted not of his 
 Majefties love and favour, but his fear for himfelf and his friends was of the infurre- 
 d:ions of the Parifians : the King feeming careful and defirous to fecure him, com- 
 manded that all his chief dependants fliould be lodged near the houfe where he lay, 
 to the end they might be more fafe , and more united to defend themfelves from the 
 tumults of the people • and gave order to the Duke of Anjou, that drawing the Regi- 
 ment of his guards into the City, he fliould appoint a Company for the fafety of the 
 Admiral and thofe of his party : who prefently obeying the Kings Command, drew 
 in all the guards armed -, and to watch that houfe and quarter where the Hugonots 
 were lodged together, he chofe Monfieur de Cojjens with his Company, a man who, 
 befides his fidelity to the King, depended nearly on the Guifes Fadtion. The Ad- 
 miral feeing he could not poflibly get away, recommended his affairs to the truft and 
 prote<3:ion of the King, and with his accuftomed Spirit (all his followers raging on 
 every fide) demanded juftice of the infolence committed againft him i to which both 
 the King and Queen having anfwered with great figns of reality, and extream re- 
 fentment for the accident that had befallen him, they returned to the Louvre, commit" 
 ting the care and cuftody of the City of Par'n to the Duke of Anjou, 
 
 1572. 
 
 ^UurtvcU 
 fhoots the Ad- 
 miral in the 
 lefc elbow, 
 anJ faves him- 
 felf by flishc. 
 
 The King and 
 the Queen- 
 Mother vific 
 the Admiral, 
 and under 
 pretence! of 
 defending 
 him, fet ftriS 
 guards upon 
 his houfe.
 
 ig2 The Hiflorj of the Civil W^ars 
 
 1572. That night and the next day were fpent in confultations on both fides i for the 
 
 Hugonots coming all about the Admirals Bed , debated not only about the means of 
 fecuring themfelves from the prefent danger ■■> but being (Hrrcd up with anger , and 
 exafperated with the injury, plotted how to renew the War without delay : in which 
 deliberations , though fome exhorted their Confederates to telie upon the Kings pro- 
 mifes, yet the Vifdame of Chartres fpake fo earneftly againrt it , that they determined 
 whatfoever came of it , to remove the Admiral out of PjtU , and retire together to 
 ChajiiVon. Teliguy being confident he fliould get the Kings leave i and the reft offer- 
 ing, in cafe it were denied , to carry him out of the City by forces refolving after- 
 wards unanimoufly to take up Arms, and never to lay them down till the Catholick 
 party were utterly dcftroyed, and the Houfe of Lorain quite rooted out i every one 
 fpeakin^ fo fiercely in thofe tumultuous confultations, that they neither fpared the King, 
 the Qiieen-Mother , the Duke of Anjou^ nor the King of Navarre himfelf, whom al- 
 ready tliey reputed for their Enemy > which being dijcovered by means of the accu- 
 ftomed intelligence, was a fpur to haften the intended defigns, and gave a more fpe- 
 cious colour to thofe excufes that were after framed for the julHfication of them. 
 
 Bur when the Kings Council faw that the Hugonots venting their fury only in words, 
 proceeded not to any adlion that could give occafion to the Infurredion ; they refol- 
 ved to lofe no longer time, but prefently to bring the fuppreffion of them to a period i 
 yet were there very great controverfies about the execution i for (he Duke oiGuife was 
 urgent to have the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde I'lain with the reft of the 
 Hugonots i but the Qyeen- Mother, and all the reft abhorred to imbrue their hands in 
 the Blood-Royal, it feeming (to themj a thing too cruel, too abominable, and to be 
 detefted in all Ages, that two young Princes of the Royal Family, in the flower of their 
 age, in the imbraces of their deareft Wives, and under the protection of fo near and 
 fo late a conjunftion, fhould be fo miferably murthered: befides, they hoped confi- 
 dently, that the Princes, united now by fo ftreight a bond of confanguinity , would 
 be fincerely reduced to the Kings obedience, and to the profellion of the Catholick 
 Faith, as foon as they fhould be freed from the Government of the Admiral, and de- 
 prived of the company of their fadious fomenters , to which opinion the King incli- 
 ning, who was more then indifferently affcdionate to the vertue of the King of Na- 
 varre^ in the next place was debated whether amongft the other Hugonots they fhould 
 comprehend the Marefhal d' Anville and his Brothers , who profefling the Catholick 
 Religion, were both by blood and intereft nearly united to the Admirals Fa<5lion. In 
 this alfo the refult inclined to mercy » as well to fpare the effufion of more blood, 
 which was the endeavour of many i as alfo becaufe the Marefhal cle Momorancy their 
 eldeft Brother, and he that was moft ftridly united to the Hugonots, being newly re- 
 turned from his Embaffie into England^was abfent at that time i wherefore they thought 
 it would rather kindle than extinguifh the flame of Civil War , if taking away the 
 younger Brothers, the eldeft fhould be left in a condition to revenge their death : be- 
 fides, they thought many things might be deferred till another occafion, when they 
 might be effeded with lefs noife, and more dexterity, (nor was that fo urgent as the 
 bufinefs of the Admiral, who (if one may fay) mad with wrath and fury, did already 
 contrive new wars and pra<3:ices, by ftirringup new commotions. J A counfel truly 
 which in the like cafes hath often proved fatal i men in the midft of bloody defigns 
 unadvifedly feeking to be praifed for mercy and clemency j and not rcmembring, 
 that in cafes of extremity, it is neither laudable nor fafe to ufea mean i for there- 
 licks of the difeafe by dangerous relapfes, do fruftrate the vigour of the moft approved 
 remedies. 
 
 But all things being refolved on, the Eve of the 24 of Auguji approaching , which 
 was the Feaftof St. Bartholomew^ being 5««^dy, about twilight the Duke of Giiife went 
 from Court, with order from the King to find Prefident Cbarron, Trevojl des Merchans, 
 the chief Head of the people of TarU , giving him diredion to provide two thoufand 
 armed men, who fhould wear every one a Shirt-fleeve upon their left arm, and white 
 croffes in their hats , which upon notice given were inftantly to execute the Kings 
 commands ; That he fhould caufe to be in readinefs the Sheriffs (Echevins as they call 
 them) of the feveral Wards, and that upon ringing the Bell of the Palace-clock, lights 
 ftiould be put in every window through the Town i which things, by the inclination 
 of the people, and the great authority of the Duke of Ga//f, befides Commiflion from 
 the King , were prefently performed. The Dukes of Montpenfier and Nevers , with 
 
 many
 
 of France. The Fifth "Boo^ 
 
 183 
 
 1572. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 The AJmitll 
 is fliin, 
 thrown out at 
 the window, 
 and dragged 
 into a llatlc. 
 
 many other Lords of the Court took Arms, and accompanied by their friends, puarded 
 the Kings perfon , all the guards being in Arms at the gate , and in the Court of the 
 Louvre. At the prefixed hour, the Duke of Gmfe^ the Duke of Anmale^ and Mo'n- 
 (ieur ^' Angoulijme^ Grand Prior of Frame , the Kings Baftard-Brother , with other 
 Commanders and Souldiers to the number of three hundred, went to the Admirals 
 houfc, and rinding it rby the Duke of ^«jc«'s order^ all in Arms, and CoJ/^Vz's Com- ''"«'/' befeis 
 pany with their lighted matches placed for a guard before it, they forcibly entred the U'uli^"""'' 
 gate of the Court, kept by a few of the King of Navarre's Halbardiers, and the fer- 
 vants of the houfe, which were all killed without mercy. Being come into the Court, 
 the Lords ftaid there below , and one Befme a Lorainer , a Creature of the Duke of 
 Guife's and AcchiUe Petrucci^ a Gentleman of Siena , one of thofe Grangers which he 
 maintained, with Colonel Sarlabans^ and the other Souldiers went up to the Admirals 
 Chamber. He hearing the noife, got up, and kneeling down, leaned againft his Bed, 
 when feeing Comafon^ one of his fervants, come frighted in, he asked him what noifc 
 it was: whoanfwered. My Lord, God calls us to him, and ran out haftily at another 
 door. They prefently entred, and knowing the Admiral, made towards him > at 
 which he turning towards Ef/wp, who already had drawn his Sword againft him, faid, 
 Tonng Man, thoit OHghteji to reverence thefe my gray hairs •, but do what thoit rpilt, for thou 
 carili jhorten my life but a very little ', after which words Bejme ran him into the breft, 
 and the reft , when they had made an end of killing him with their daggers , threw 
 his body out of the window into the Court, and it was prefently dragged into a ftable : 
 In the fame Palace were flain Te.'/v«y the Admirals Son-in-law, and Guerchy his Lieu- 
 tenant, who wrapping his cloak about his arm, fought for his life very manfully, Co- 
 lonel Montaumar, and Koura Son to the Baron des Adrets , with all the reft that had 
 relation to him. 
 
 The King being come into the Chamber of the Queen his Mother, and having heard 
 what had pafled, fent for the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde, who went thi- 
 ther in great perplexity , feeing that none of their Gentlemen nor attendants were 
 fuifcred to go in with them : and at the fame time Monfieur d'O, Colonel of the Kings 
 guards , began to call the principal Hugonots that were in the [Louvre one by one ; 
 who being come in to the Court, were all killed hy the Souldiers, that ftood in two 
 long ranks with their arms ready for that purpofe": there died the Count de l^ lloch- 
 fou-cault , the Marquefs de Kenel , Files who had very gallantly defended St. Jean 
 r/' Angely, Pont-breton, Pnlviault, Bandine, Francoitrt Chancellor to the King of Na' 
 varre, Pardillan, Lavardin, and others to the number of 200. 
 
 At the fame time the Bell of the Palace-clock gave fign to the Provoft der Mer- 
 chandss and thofe that were prepared for the deed, having received order what they 
 were to do from Marcel, who a while before had had the fame Office, and was of great "^on^ft tbem 
 authority among the people, they fell a killing the Hugonots throughout all the lodg- oenii'Lmbin. 
 ings and houfes where they were difpcrfed , and made an infinite llaughter of them, 
 without any diftindion of age, fex or condition. All the people were up in arms un- 
 der the Mafters of theParifhes, and candles were lighted in every window, (o that 
 without confuiion they might go from houfe to houfe, executing the diredtions they had 
 received -,* but though thofe that commanded were very diligent about it,yet could they 
 not take fogood order, but that tnany of theCatholicks, either through publick ha- 
 tred or private fpleen were (lain amongft the reft, as T>enis Lambin, and Peter Ratnus, 
 men very famous for learning, and divers others. 
 
 The Louvre was kept (hut all the day following , and in the mean time the King 
 and Queen comforted the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde, alledging that 
 they were conftrained to do that , which the Admiral had fo often endeavoured, and 
 had ftill a purpofe to do to them i but they whofe errours were excufed by their 
 youth, and pardoned for their nearnefs of alliance, were referved alifre , and (hould 
 for the future be loved and cheri(hed , fo they would but profefs the Catholick Reli- 
 gion, acknowledging, and yielding obedience to the King: to which words the King P"fi>Betj, 
 of Navarre, ferving the time, and difTembling that which could not be helped, being 
 refolved to preferve himfelf for a better fortune, anfwered with very great comply- 
 ance, That he was ready to obey the Kings will and commandment: wherewith 
 C/;jr/fj- being very wellplea{ed, to gratifie him, faved the lives of the Count de Gran- 
 mont , and Mon(ieur Dttras , who as they promifed , ferved him faithfully ever after. 
 But the Prince of Conde, either through the inconfideratenefs of his age , or a natural 
 
 fierce- 
 
 Alt the chief 
 Hugonots in 
 the Louvre ire 
 killed. 
 
 At the ringing 
 tftbe Bell the 
 Hueonots are 
 
 The King of 
 KAvane and 
 the Prince of 
 Cnde are kept 
 in the Kings 
 chamber du- 
 tinj the maf- 
 facre, and 
 after are kept 

 
 1 84 
 
 The Hifiorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 1573. 
 
 Ten .thoufanJ 
 Hugonots 
 killed in /'.I- 
 ns, whereof 
 five hundred 
 were Barons, 
 and men ot 
 qaalicy. 
 
 Cruelties 
 ufed to the 
 Admirals body 
 
 . TKe :;ke 
 Commiflions 
 a^ainfl the 
 Hujonots Cent 
 through the 
 whole King- 
 dom. Where 
 executed, and 
 where not. 
 
 ficrcenefs derived from his Anccftors, in his anfwer made fhew of cppoCng the Kings 
 commands, faying, Hedeilred only that no violence might be ufed againft his Con- 
 fcicnce i whereat the King exceedingly difplcafed, reproved him bitterly, often calling 
 him infolcnt, mad, fhibborn Traitor, Rebel , and Son of a Rebel, and threatned to 
 take away his life , if he did not within three days turn Catholick , and give evident 
 ligns o\ his repentance i fo guards were placed both upon him and the King of Ha- 
 varrc ^ all tlieir chief Servants being taken from them, and prefently cut in pieces i 
 in whofe places new ones were provided by the King according to iiis own mind. 
 Thofe Hugonots tliat were lodged in the Fauxburg St. Germain beyond the Seine^ 
 among which were the Count ^^ Mfl«igo«zfr)/ and the Vifdame oi Churtres^ (who pre- 
 ftging fome mifchief, would not remove to the Admirals quarter) when they heard 
 the noife, the Parilians not making halk enough to hinder their pafTage , infiantly 
 fled j but were followed by the Duke of Guife^ (who at break of day pafTed the wa- 
 ter with a great many Horfe and Foot) and being overtaken , fome without flvooes, 
 {bme without arms, fome without faddles, fome without bridles, but all equally un- 
 able to make refinance, were fcattcred and cut off, except the Count of Montgomery 
 and the Vifdame of Chartres , who with about ten in company faved themfelves, 
 and after many difficulties , getting unknown unto the Sea fide , cfcaped over into 
 JLiigland. 
 
 There were killed in the City that day and the next above loooo, whereof above 
 500 were Barons, Knights and Gentlemen , who had held the chiefeit imployments 
 in the War, and were now purpofely met together from all parts to honour the King 
 of Navarve's Marriage '■> Monfieur de Briqitemaut , and Arna^ld Cavagues were taken 
 prifoners , and by fentence of the Parliament were afterwards quartered as Rebels. 
 The Admirals body was pulled out of the ftable, and cruelly abufed by the fury of the 
 common people , who detefting his very name, tore his head from his fhoulders, cut 
 off his hands , and dragging him thorow the ftreets to Montfaucon the place of execu- 
 tion, left him hanging by one of his feet upon the Gallows i and a few days after, (all 
 the people rejoycing at itj they fet fire on the fame Gallows, half burning it, their 
 barbarous cruelty finding no end, till two Servants of the Mareflial de Momoramy ftole 
 away the relicks of his miferable c3,rcafe, and buried them fecretly at Chantilly. Thus 
 died Gafper de Coligity the Admiral , whofe name for the fpace of twelve years had 
 with no lefs fame than terrour filled the Kingdom of Frame ■■, an evident example to 
 the whole world, how ruinous and fudden the end ufeth to be of thofe, who notcon- 
 fidering any thing but their own interefts, think by fubtile cunning pradices to efta- 
 blifli a lading greatnefs upon the fole foundation of humane wifdom : for it is not to 
 be doubted, but that he, bred up from his youth in the chief Commands of War, and 
 brought by his valour and condudl to the higheft pitch of honour, would have equalled, 
 if not exceeded all other Souldiers of his time, and have attained to the degree of Con- 
 ftable, and all the greatefl Offices in that Kingdom, if againft the authority of his Prince, 
 he had not choftn to exalt himfelf by fadtions and civil diffentions i fince that the clear 
 lights of his induftry, valour, conftancy, and above all, a marvellous ability in mana- 
 ging the greateft dcfigns, fliined forth even in the deepeft obfcurity of dilcords and ' 
 infurredions. 
 
 Tlie day after the Admirals death, the Duke of Jfijou going from the Louvre^ ac- 
 companied by the Regiment of the guards , went thorow all the City and Suburbs, 
 cauiing thofe houfes to be broken open that made any refifiance i but all the Hugo- 
 nots were either already dead , or elfe being terrified , had put white crofles in their 
 hats, which was thegeneral mark of the Catholicks ; endeavouring by that means, and 
 by hiding themfelves , to fave their lives j but being pointed at in the ftreets by any 
 one, or difcovered any other way, they were without mejcy torn in pieces by the peo- 
 ple, and cafi into the River. 
 
 The day before this terrible execution, the King difpatched pofts into divers parts 
 of the Kingdom, commanding the Governours of Cities and Provinces to do the like i 
 but this Commilfion was performed with more or lefs feverity, according to their fe- 
 veral inclinations ; for the fame night at Meaitx , and the days enfuing at Orleanfy 
 Koitcn , Boarges , Angiers , Ibolouze , and many other places, but above all at Lyons^ 
 there was a moll bloody flaughtcr of the Hugonots, without any refpcd of age, fex, 
 or quality of perfons : on the other fide, in thofe places where the Governours were 
 either dependents on the Princes , or followers of the Family of Momoramy^ the order 
 
 was
 
 of France. The Fifth "Boof^ 
 
 185 
 
 was but fiowly and remifly executed \ and in Provence the Count of Tende refufed 
 openly to obey it i for which caufe, being within a while after at the City of Avig- 
 »on, he was fecretly made away, and as it was believed, by the Kings 'Commiffion. 
 Moft fad and lamentable ftorics might be here related ; for this cruelty was profecuted 
 in fo many feveral places, with fuch variety of accidents, againft people of all con- 
 ditions, as it was credibly rcportcd'that there were flain above forty thoufand Hugo- 
 nots in a few days : but the tule I have hitherto obferVed of following precifely the 
 order of this Hiliory , will not not fuffer me to digrefs in making the tragical Narra- 
 tion of thofe pafTages. 
 
 The third day after the death of the Admiral, the perfecution of the Hugonots not 
 being yet ended, the King, accompanied by all the Princes and Lords of his Court, 
 went unto the Parliament, and though at firft he had both by words and letters attri- 
 buted the whole bufineft to a popular tumult , yet there unmasking his defigns, with 
 a long relation he laid open the reafons for which he had commanded all thofe Re- 
 bels againii his Perfon and Kingdom to be deftroyed, who, notwithftanding his gra- 
 cious Pardons fo often granted to their former offences, returned ftill with perfidious 
 obftinacy to plot new trealbns and infurredions j that at laft he was neceilitated to 
 prevent them, for fear of being prevented, having miraculoufly difcovered their con- 
 fpiracy to take away his life , and not his alone, but the lives of the Queen his Mo- 
 ther , and the Dukes of JnjoM and Alancon his Brothers , and even the King of Na- 
 varre''s alfb , who becaufe he V7as alienated from their party , was efteemed no left 
 their Enemy than all the reft : Wherefore he thought good to make thofe his Magi- 
 ftrates acquainted therewith, to the end they might proceed with the fame fharpncfs 
 againft fo wicked a confpiracy, and make known to all the world the juft and neceffary 
 caufes that had forced him to ufe fuch rigour and fevcrity. After thefe words where- 
 with he earneftly endeavoured to perfwade them , that the bulinefs had been fudded, 
 and not premeditate, happening in a manner by chance, and urged by neceflity, not 
 ripened by long plotted contrivance , he gave order it fliould be recorded among the 
 ordinary Adls of that Court, that whatfoever had befallen the Admiral and the reft of 
 his Fadion, either in Tarit^ or any other part of the Kingdom, was done by his will, 
 order, and exprefs commilTion= Then he commanded thefti to proceed to the exami- 
 nation of the prifoners , to defame the inemory of the dead by laying open their rebel- 
 lions, and by infliding fuch puniftiments upon them as the ftridnefs of the Law en- 
 joined j and laftly, he caufed to be publiftied , not only in the Parliament, but like- 
 wife in all the ftreets of Pari^^ Tnat they ftiould defift from further effufion of Blood, 
 that which was already fpilt having abundantly fatisfied his juft fcverity ■■, which availed 
 fomething in Paris , where the number of the Hugonots was already almoft extin<3: 
 and brought to nothing i but in other Cities whither the order came too late, it was 
 more or lefs obeyed according to the diftance of places. The Parliament readily im- 
 braced the Commiilion of proceeding againft the Hugonots, and with the examination 
 of the prifoners , legally making their procefs, they condemned Briquemaut and Ca- 
 vagnes , who were imprifoned in the Palace , to be publickly torn with Pincers, and 
 their bodies quartered i commanding alfo a Statue of the Admirals to be broken in 
 pieces and burned, declaring him a Rebel, a Difturber of the Kingdom, a Heretick, 
 and an Enemy to all good men i not having any bounds to their cruelty againft his 
 memory , the Magiftratcs fentenced the Hoftel de Chajlillon to be razed to the Very 
 ground, and all his pofterity to be deprived of Nobility, and made incapable of bear- 
 ing any Office , or pofteiling any gbods in the Kingdom of France ; and that theit 
 deeds might be anfwerable to their words , the King difpatched his Grand Provoft, 
 with all diligence to feize upon his Wife and Children '■> but his eldeft Son, with the 
 Widow Lady his Mother-in-law, the Wife of Teligny , and Moniieur de la Vail the 
 Son of Andelot dcceafed, were already fled fecretly to Geneva, and the better to avoid 
 their danger, went to live among the Swiffes in the Canton of Beam ■•> the younger 
 Children, both male and female , were condemned to death in their tender years, 
 coming to that end, which iii the variety of worldly affairs accompanies the ruine of 
 great Families. 
 
 At the fame time this execution was done at Park , la Charitc , which was ftill 
 held by the Hugonots , was furprized by the Gens d' Arms of the Duke of Nevers^ 
 who going into the Town under pretence of being muttered and receiving their pay, 
 poffeffed themfelves of the gates , and principal places of the City fo fuddenly and 
 
 B b difcreetly. 
 
 t$72. 
 
 It is rtpctted 
 
 tbic 40000 
 Hugonots 
 were killed in 
 the Maiftsrc. 
 
 The Admirals 
 Statue burn- 
 ed, and his 
 Palace raieJ.
 
 86 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 1572. 
 
 The King of 
 HavHrrt tutnS 
 
 Catholick. 
 
 WotJs of the 
 King to the 
 Ptinteot Con- 
 it. 
 
 The Prince 
 and bis Bro- 
 thers turns 
 Catbolicks. 
 
 difcreetly , that the Townf-men durft not ftir to make oppofition •, and fo the City 
 remained in the power of the Kings Officers. The fame was attempted by the Vif^ 
 count de Jnyeufe at Montauhon, and by Philjppo Strozzi at Kechel^ which if they had 
 fuccecded, there might have been fome hopes that France would have been quieted i 
 but the inhabitants looking warily to themfelves , and keeping very ftrong guards, 
 both the enterprizes failed of the expedted event , all thofe provifions being to no 
 purpofe, which had been made under colour of the War of Flanders. But the ViP- 
 qount de Joyeufe having with him only (bme Gentlemen of that Country, his defign 
 being difcovered, diflblved his party, and retired to the places under his Government : 
 On the other fide, Strozzi having fufficient ftrength both of Foot and Horfe, began 
 to beliege and ftreighten Kochel, ftill exhorting and perfwading the Citizens to avoid 
 the tryal of ftridl: juftice, and the hazards of a defperate War, by returning willingly 
 to the Kings obedience > to which they anfwered ambiguoufly to gain time, were re- 
 folved not to hearken, not only becaufe they prefumed upon the ftrength and fituatioa 
 of the Town, but alfo becaufe, by the great number of Hugonot Miniilcrs and Preach- 
 ers who were fled thither, they were daily ftirred up and encouraged to preferve the 
 liberty they enjoyed, and not to truft the promifes of the-Catholicks, whofe Dodtrine 
 allowed them to break their Faith with any, who being of different Religion were by 
 them accounted Hereticks i againft which .^/rozzi oppofing other reafons, and fhew- 
 ing the neceffity of obedience to the King, and the ruine which by their ftubbornnefs 
 they would bring upon themfelves, the time was more fpent in treaties and meffages, 
 than in any adtion or enterprize of War i yet both Horfe and Foot lay near on all fides 
 of the Town, and the Fleet fcoured all thofe coafts , to keep them from fupplies of 
 men or vi<Sual. 
 
 In this interim the Converfion of the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde was la- 
 boured at the Court, the Queen and all the Council being of opinion, that the Princes 
 now taken from the Hugonot party , and the male-contents deprived of the pretence 
 and countenance of the Blood Royal, the State would remain quite purged from thofe 
 humours which for Co many years had with obftinate violence difturbed the quiet of 
 it ; finding the feverenefs of the late executions produce fuch hopeful effects, that an 
 abundance of Hugonots already profefTed the Catholick Religion , and many leaving 
 their Country, were gone to live out of the Kingdom. The effecting of this Conver- 
 fion was moft diligently endeavoured by the Cardinal of Bourbon , Uncle to both the 
 Princes , a man of great integrity and extraordinary vertue , omitting no means 
 which he thought might help to bring their tended minds to the Catholick Religion, 
 and every day with Father Maldonat a Jefuite, and other Doftors, (pending many hours 
 to infirud them. It happened very opportunely that Monfieur des Kofiers, who had 
 been a Hugonot Minifler, and about that time was converted, either becaufe he clearly 
 (aw his former errours, or to avoid the imminent danger, and to get the favour of 
 thofe in power, difputed with great eloquence and learning againft the Dodrine and 
 opinions of Calvin i which gave the Princes a reafonable colour, and fpecious pretence 
 of coming fairly into the bofbm of the Church, following the Converfion of him that 
 had been a principal Teacher and Maintainer of their former Faith. The King of Na- 
 varre was the firft , who yielding to the time, and having refolved to conform him- 
 felf to his prefent condition, with lefs difficulty, and greater exprefTions of approba- 
 tion reconciled himfelf to the Church, the greateft part of his Servants that were left 
 alive, following his example : But the Prince of Conde, who though of a younger age, 
 perhaps for want of experience, was of a more wilful obftinate fpirit, notwithftand- 
 ing he was alTaulted by continual threats and perfwafions , refufed flill to turn Ca- 
 tholick, till the King, exafperated by his ftubbornnefs, caufing him to be brought un- 
 to him for his laft trial, with an angry voice and terrible afpeft fpake only thefe 
 three words unto him , MASSE, T>EA7H,otBAS7ILE, not fuffering 
 him to reply one word to the contrary ■■, which terrour joined to fb many other mo- 
 tives that were made ufe of to overcome him , bent his mind at laft to follow the 
 example of all the refl i and being inftrudled by the Cardinal his Uncle , he came 
 publickly to MafTe, together with the Princefs his Wife, Sifter to the Dutchcfs of 
 Nevers a.nd Guife > and the fame did Lon>vi Prince oi Canty , and Charier Count of 
 Soijfons his younger Brothers, who perfevered afterwards fincerely in the Catholick 
 Religion. From the Converfion of all thefe Princes the King and Queen conceived 
 infinite hope of more peaceable times > and for the better confirmation of it, the King 
 
 of
 
 o/ France. The Fifth ^ool^ 187 
 
 of Navarre and tlie Prince of Conde fent AmbafTadors to render publick obedience to 1572. 
 the Pope i who rejoycing at their converfion, which happened in the beginning of his 
 Papacy, anfwered their Embailie with many demonfirations of affedion i the whole 
 Court of France being in the mean time very much (atisfied , that by thofe dcfigns 
 the Kingdom was brought into a moft probable hope of a fetled Peace and tranquil- 
 lity ; for the perfeding whereof they endeavoured all pofiible means to reduce the 
 City of Rachel. 
 
 But as bloody violent counfels are feldom feen to produce profperous efFe<5ls, the 
 wilfulnefs of men, or the providence of God had already difpofed other wife : for all 
 thofe that by divers chances had efcapcd the flaughter of the Hugonots, and did not 
 comply with the Catholick profcilion , according to the feveral qualities of places, 
 took different courfes and refolutions. Thofe of Britagne, Normandy^ and Pkardy^ 
 Provinces along the coafl: of the Ocean Sea, juft over againft England , fled in great 
 numbers into that Ifland , not only to live there according to the Dodlrine of their 
 Faith, but alfb uniting themfelves under the command of the Count de Montgomery^ 
 by the favour and protection of Queen Elizabeth^ to repafs the Sea, and fome where 
 or other to difturb the tranquillity of France, Thofe of Vaulphine , Provence, and 
 Lionois , retired into Swijferland , where writing and enveighing continually againft 
 that cruel Maffacre of all thofe of the fame Religion, they laboured to raife the Pro- 
 teftant Cantons, and to make them break that ancient Confederacy whereby they were 
 united to the Crown of France : among thefe , as we have faid , were the Sons of 
 Andelot and the Admiral, who by the fame of their Fathers authority , and the ten- 
 dernefs of their years, and the mifery of their prefent condition, ftirred up the minds 
 of every one to great pity and compalTion. Thofe of Champagne and Burgtendy were 
 gotten into the Cities of Germany , and there endeavoured to make the adtions of the 
 King of France to be fufpe(fted and ill-interpreted by the Hans-towns, and Proteftant 
 Princes. But thofe near theMediferrahean, and the inner parts of the Kingdom, ha- 
 ving no other way to fave themfelves, took refuge into four rtrong Towns which 
 were held by thofe of that party, and there with all their might prepared for their 
 own defence. Thofe of the Ifle of France , Beaujfe, and Nivernois, had poffefled 
 Sanferre : the inhabitants of Gafcony and Languedoc fortified themfelves in Nifmes and 
 Montauban : and thofe of^ Anjoie, Voidou^ Xaintonge ^ and part ci Ctdenne ^ were fled 
 to Kochel, as into a fecure harbour. There under the command o^ Jaqiies Henry 
 Mayor of the City, (whofc authority is chief in the Civil Government) all the inha- 
 bitants had armed and divided themfelves into four Companies, each of two hun- 
 dred , and were daily exercifed to learn the ufe of their arms : befides Which , the 
 Common Council , to the number of an hundred and fifty, were lifted under Colours 
 apart , as the Colonels Company , and commanded by Arandel the Mayors Lieute- 
 nant, a man of great valour and experience: befides thefe Trained Bands which fer- 
 ved without pay for their own defence , one thoufand five hundred other Souldiers 
 were gathered together from the neighbouring Provinces , who under feveral Cap- 
 tains were paid by the contributions of the Cities and Towns near adjacent, being 
 all men of a refolute courage , and who for the moft part had been exercifed in the 
 late Wars. To thefe were added about fixty Gentlemen fled thither from places 
 thereabout, and fifty feven Minifters, who amidft the noife of Arms, and toils of 
 their Fortifications , ceafed not to ftir up and encourage the people to defend them- 
 felves to the laft man. The preparations of Ammunition, Cannon, and other War- 
 like Inftruments were not inferiour to the ftoutnefs and readinefs of the people > fot 
 befides the abundance of Powder , which they made continually , having fet up Mills 
 for that purpofe, there were in the City-Magazine great ftore of Pikes and Muskets, 
 nine very great Culverins, eight Cannon, twelve Sacres , thirty eight Field-pieces, 
 and above feventy Faulconets , and Harquebuies a Croc ■■, the inanaging whereof the 
 Citizens daily pradtifed with great diligence : Nor was their care lefs in providing 
 vidtual, for neither fparing pains nor coft they had filled their Store-houfes with Corn 
 and Wine, whereof the Illes near to them bore great abundance, as of all other things 
 needful for the fuftenance of men in the longert Sieges. 
 
 Againft all thefe preparations for War , the King and Queen oppofed not the ga* 
 thcring together of Arms, but treaties and inducements to Peaces tor defiring to 
 enjoy the fruits of their defigns without new dangers and troubles, they fought to 
 reduce the Rochellers, if not to a teal, at leaft to a feeming obedience, and to extin- 
 
 B b a £uj(h
 
 S8 Th Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 J 572. guift the remainder of that fire which might kindle and break forth in new commo- 
 tions. For this caufe they appointed Monfieur de Byron Governour of Kochel, a man 
 generally held to be a favourer of the Hugonot Fadion, and by many thought to have 
 a tindure of Calvins opinions > but indeed the courfe of his life (hewed him afterwards 
 to be a true Catholick , though envy made him an enemy to the houfe of Guife , and 
 his own interefts a defirer of War. But though the King and Queen were once 
 minded to have taken away his life among the reft in the late Maffacre , yet by rea- 
 fon of their many favours formerly conferred upon him, they were unadvifcdly con- 
 fident of his fidelity in this employment, and were perfwaded that the Rochellers 
 would truft him alfo, and admit him at leaft into a feeming, if not an abfolute Go- 
 vernment ) by which means they might fave the Kings reputation, fecure their own 
 lives, and the liberty of the City. But the event (hewed how little faith there is to 
 be given to thofe men, who graving the injuries they receive ifi marble, while the 
 doers write them but in (and, forget not thofe dangers, but inwardly conceal thoughts 
 and defigns very different from the outward appearance i for Monfieur de Byron being 
 come to Rachel, either defiring the continuance of the War, wherein he had placed 
 the hopes of his advancement v or through a natural pride angry that his fcrvices 
 were not fufliciently acknowledged ; or becaufe already fufpeding the Catholick par- 
 ty, he was loth it (hould prevail abfolutely i or fearing they bad given him that ima- 
 ginary Government, thereby to take away his command of the Artillery i or doubt- 
 ing that all that were fufpe<fted ip the prefent Government, (hould be dcftroyed one 
 by one » and for his own particular miiirufting the Houfe of Guife, or for what other 
 caufe (bever it were, he perfwaded the Rochellers under hand neither to receive him 
 nor any body elfe into their City , for that the admillion of a Governour would 
 bring them to a neceility of fubmitting abfolutely to the Kings obedience , whofe in- 
 tention he knew was not only to deftroy the Hugonot party, but alfo to take away 
 the immunities and priviledges of the City it felt , and to bring it to a flavi(h fub- 
 jedion, to the end it might never more be a receptacle or a foundation for the diftur- 
 bers of the Kingdom : by which fecret intimations the Rochellers were confirmed in 
 their obftinacy i and though Monfieur de Byron feemed outwardly very defirous, and 
 made (hew of taking great pains to procure his admittance , they ftill refufed , al- 
 ledging that it was diredHy contrary to the liberties and priviledges which the King 
 had always protelted he would allow them. 
 
 Many days were fpent in the(e treaties, and in the mean time the arts of Byron be- 
 ing fufpe(5ted by the Queen, (be began to think of (bme more fitting infirument to per- 
 fwade and mollifie the hardnefs of the Rochellers j nor did fortune delay to prefent 
 a man that feemed very proper for that purpofe i for the Hugonots in the Admirals 
 life time, having (to affift their Confederates J) pafTed under Count Lodomck^ oiNajj'jtt 
 into Flanders , taken the City of Mons, and begot great jealoufies in the Spaniards, 
 who not underftanding the artifices of the French King, were inclined to believe that 
 a<Sion was done by his confent , to give a beginning to the enterprize that was di- 
 vulged again(t the Low-Countries i all the Forces of the Catholick King drew that 
 way, to quench fo dangerous a fire in its beginning , and to interrupt the courfe of 
 that War which they mo(t confidently accounted real: but the MalTacre of the Hugo- 
 nots following prefently after , and the Kings intentions being laid open to all the 
 world, the Surprizers of Mons were not only deprived of their credit and reputation, 
 but alfo of all hope of reliefs and being put to great ftraits and necelfities in thefiege, 
 were forced to yield, difperfing themfelves into Piwr^)', and the Countries thereabout, 
 where they were (harply perfecuted by the Governours ■, and Monfieur de Genl'ps their 
 chief Commander, after his forces were defeated and cut off by Monfieur de ViHen^ 
 Governour of Chaufne, loft his life, with a great many of his Souldiers and Offi- 
 cers. Only Monfieur de la None , he who in the late Wars had been Governour of 
 Rachel , and had with (b much honour defended Xaintonge for the Princes , was fe- 
 cretly faved by the Duke of LongueviUe , Governour of that Province , who having 
 obtained a fafe condudt for him , brought him to the King , by whom he was graci- 
 oufly received, as one worthy of high efteem, both for his wifdom, valour, and ex- 
 perience in Arms. 
 
 ^ This was a perfonage thought proper to be made ufe of to deal with the Rochellers, 
 judging that by reafon of the brave exploits he had formerly done in their fcrvice, he 
 Was likely to have great power in petfwading them, and by bis policy and eloquence 
 
 to
 
 o/ France. The Fifth ^oo^. 189 
 
 to overcome tlie flubborn wilfulnefs of the people i for which end the King and Qyeen *572« 
 acquainting him with their intentions , and that their aim was not to reduce the li- 
 berties and priviledges of the Rochellers to a ftri<ft fervitude i nor to force their Con- 
 fciences to forfake the Faith they profcfled, nor the Do(3:rine they believed j but only 
 to fecure themfelves that the City might be no more a receptacle of the Enemies 
 and Difturbers of the State, and with their wonted priviledges , and full Liberty of 
 Confcience, to make them acknowledge and obey their natural King i he undertook 
 the employment, though fome fay , agaitift his will, and departed from Court in the 
 company of the Abbot Guiovanni Baptijia Guadagni a Florentine, to make trial of the 
 laft refolution of the Citi7ens. But the minds of that people , partly by the fecret 
 advice of ByroK^ partly by the continual exhortations of their Preachers, were already 
 (b hardened, that it was utterly vain to ufe any further means of bringing them to fub- 
 mit unto the Kings obedience s and Monfieur de la Nous being received ("though but Kne'kniGo- 
 coldly, and with little fhew of honour) into the City, whether it were his firft in- v"nourbythe 
 tention, or whether the doubt of his own fafety moved him to it, in ftead of perfwa- tunfs General 
 ding them to yield to the Kings mercy , refolved not only to ftay there with them, '° ''^^ ""So- 
 but alfb to accept the Office of their Captain-General i which they, wanting a man of 
 valour and authority to command their Forces, had offered to him. "Wherefore the 
 Abbot Guadagni that came with him , returning to Court, the excufes he fent the 
 King for having accepted that charge, were, the hopes he gave to reduce the people in 
 time to his Majefties obedience , and the fear that ( he refufing it ) their neceffity 
 might caft them into the hands of fome other perfbn , who by giving way to the 
 feditious and to foreigners , might endanger the peace and fafety of the King- 
 dom i with which pretences endeavouring to fave his credit, he cunningly held the 
 King in doubt till the fucceeding accidents did in part give proof of his prefent afler- 
 tions. 
 
 This was the fecond errour committed at Court, in procuring the reducement of 
 "B-ochel i for in ftead of uJing force at firft, whilft the Citizens were doubtful and un- 
 certain, and the City then not fo well fortified and provided of Ammunition , they 
 fearing to renew the War, and perchance flighting that bufinefsas a thing of no diffi- 
 culty, tryed to effeft it by a Treaty i and firft by fending Monfieur de Byron they in- 
 creafed the courage and obftinacy of the inhabitants , and then by imploying Mon- 
 fieur de la Noue^ they furniftied them with a Commander, which was their greateft 
 want. Now becaufe they knew at laft that policies and perfwafions failing, it was 
 neceftary to ufe force , and found that their example encouraged Nifmes , Sanferre^ 
 Montauban^ and fome Other lefler places furprized by the Hugonots, to make the like 
 refiftance, the King being refolved (though too late) by one means or other to end 
 the bufinefs, gave order that Monfieur de la Chajire Governour of Berry^ without fur- 
 ther delay (hould befiege Sanferre i that the Marquefs de Villars being at laft declared 
 the King of Navarre's Lieutenant, fhould go into Ginenne •■, that Monfieur de Joyeufe^ 
 in whom the King and Queen confided very much , fliould undertake Nifmes and 
 other places adjacent ■■> and that Philippo Strozzi and Monfieur de Byron f whofe arts 
 they either knew not , or neverthekfs would not deprive themfelves of his valour) 
 fhould lay clofe fiege to Kochel, whither alfo the Duke oi^ Anjou was prefently to march 
 with all the Forces of the Kingdom. 
 
 Of thefe, Monfieur de la Chajire, a man very well affedcd to the Catholick Reli- 
 gion , and a dependant of the Guifes , encamped prefently before Sanferre, a City 
 within the Government of Berry near the Loyre, and by help of that River eafily to be 
 relieved from many places ■■> but when he faw the fierce afTaults he made againft it were Sdsfir-e taken 
 all fruitlefs, though bloody, refolving to take it by famine, he encompafied it fo clofely J^'^n't'J^fijgj, 
 on every fide, that after the patient endurance of a great deal of mifery in a tedious 
 (lege of eight months, it was forced to yield at laft, having felt all the neceffities which 
 can polTibly be born by humane nature. 
 
 The Marquefs de Villars ( again confirmed Admiral in the place of Gaffer Co- 
 ligny) went into Guienne with the fame refolution , where chafing the Hugonots 
 from every place, and recovering the Towns which they had taken, he drove them 
 all into Montauban, where he (hut them up fo clofe, that they were reduced to 
 great extremity, and held out more through wilfulnefs, than power to defend them- 
 felves. 
 
 On
 
 loo The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 seyz. On the other fide, the Marefhal d' Anville (without whom Joyeufe could do no- 
 
 thing, becaufe having left the Court, he refided perfonally in his Government) be- 
 ing averfe from the total ruine of the Hugonots, both becaufe he knevi' himfelf not 
 much favoured by the King, and to have been in great danger of being made one in 
 the Maflacre at Faris, nouriflied other thoughts in his mind, and feeking to fpin out 
 the bulinefs by artificial delays, contrary to the opinion of Monfieur de Joyeuje and 
 many otlicr Commanders , he let alone N'lfmes^ the feat and foundation of the Hugo- 
 rots, and beficged Sommier a little inconfiderable Town in that Country ; and though 
 he took it at lalt to fave his own reputation, yet he loft fomuch time, and fo many 
 men before it, that he was fain afterwards to be only an idle Spedtator of the event of 
 things. 
 
 But the chief expedation was of the fiege of Rochel^ every one knowing that the 
 taking of it would be theutterdeftrudtion of the Hugonots: wherefore it having been 
 already fireightly befieged many weeks by Strozzi and Byron, at length the Duke of 
 The Duke of jftjg^ came thither alfo in the beginning of February 1573. and with him all the Ca- 
 H^ohtVprcpa- valry, all the Infantry both French and Swiffe, and the greateft part of the Catholick 
 "''""5 goes Nobility , with wonderful preparation of all things neceffary for the taking in of a 
 KeM. "°' " place of ftrength. There was in the Army the Duke of Alancon the Kings third Bro- 
 ther, the King of Navarre zx\A the Prince of Conde, to take all hopes from the Rochel- 
 lers of the proteftion of the Princes of the Blood : there were alfo the Dukes of Mo>«- 
 penfier, Aumale, Gidfe, Mayenne his Brother, of Nevers, Bouilloyt, d' Vzei, and Longne- 
 viUe, the Prince Daulpbine, the Count de Maulevrier, the Mareflial de Cojfe, the Baftard 
 d'' Aiigottlefme, the Count deKetz, Monfieur deMonluc^ and all the Commanders and 
 Gentlemen that had any reputation in War > fo that it plainly appeared, they all be- 
 lieved the fafety of the Kingdom, and the fum of all bufinelTes to confift in the fuc- 
 cefs of that enterprife. The Rochellers having had time to fortifie the City exadVly 
 well, and to provide themfelves at leifure of all things necelTary againft fo great pre- 
 parations, were refolved to hold it out to the laft man i and had given the charge 
 of the Government to Jaqttes Henry the Mayor, with a Council of Citizens, and the 
 care of their defence to Monfieur de la None. 
 Theftrongfi. The feat of Rachel is wonderful ftrong by nature, environed with Fenns for the 
 A«iT Cpice of many miles towards the Land , having only one way to it on the North-fide 
 
 that led to a gate of the City, which was fortified after the modern way, with moats, 
 walls, bulwarks and ramparts, exceedingly favoured by the fituation, and drawn in 
 an excellent form to guard and flank one another i Art and Nature concurring equally 
 to make it impregnable. Toward the Sea it hath a very fair Haven, but fo ordered 
 by Nature, that the way to it is by many Bays, and Points commanded by feveral 
 winds i fo that which way foever it blow. Ships may come in from one place or other ; 
 nor can a great and powerful Navy hinder the entrance of them, for the fhore be- 
 ing very flat and flielvy on every fide, and without other ports, they cannot lie there 
 with any fafety, nor ride at anchor to block up the Haven, by reafon of the long and 
 frequent tempefts of that Sea ■■> fo that it is in a manner impoffible to keep the City from 
 relief that way ; and as it was very eafie to befige it by Land, fo it was moft difficult 
 to ftorm or alTault it i for on that fide which is dry and firm , though the fituation 
 without is fo high, that it almoft commands the Town i yet the fortifications were 
 fo near, fb high, fo many, and fo firmly wrought together, that to force an entrance 
 ■was almoft impolTible i befides, juft within the works there was an open large place, 
 fo convenient, that the defendants might there draw up in bodies, and march in or- 
 der to receive the aflault. 
 
 Such was the fituation and ftrength of that place, and fuch the preparations that 
 were made againft it ; nor did the ilTue of the fiege differ from what was expedted of 
 it ■■> for the onfets and aflaultsmade againft the City in the fpace of five months were 
 almoft innumerable , the Duke of /4«jtf« fparing neither coft , pains nor danger, but 
 ufing all military force and indufiry to ftorm it : yet the Citizens and Souldiers, and 
 even the very women as well as men defended it with admirable valour and con- 
 ftancy, fuftaining for a long time the force and power of a whole Kingdom, and hold- 
 ing out againft hunger and famine nolefs than againft the affaults and batteries of the 
 Enemy. Amongft the various events of this Siege Monlieur de la None had oppor- 
 tunity to regain the Kings favour, and get leave to live privately at his own houfe ; 
 for while the Council of the Citizens treated of yielding to that force which they faw 
 
 thev
 
 o/ France. The Fifth 'Boo^. lot 
 
 iliey could not much longer rcfift, he being fallen into a conteftation with fome of the *57i» 
 Minifters, whofe authority was infinite over the minds of the common people, and 
 ivho without any regard to reafon , exhorted them ftill to conftancy , one of them 
 named la Place was (o bold and inconfiderate , that after having bafely abufed him 
 and many times called him Traitor, he infolently offered with his hand to ftrike him 
 in the face ■> which injury though he feemcd to pafs by for quietnefs fake, and though 
 the Minifter was kept in priibn many days for a mad man , yet inwardly it troubled 
 him very much : and moreover, foreseeing that at the arrival of the Count Montgomery^ 
 •who was expedted with fupplies from England^ the chief command would be taken 
 from him, and conferred upon the Count, with whom, by reafon of an ancient emu- 
 lation, he had no very good correfpondence, he refolved within himfelf to leave the 
 Town, and the next day fallying out of the works, as he often ufed, to skirmifh with 
 the Enemy, he went over with fome few in his company to the 'Duktoi Anjotts camp, 
 making that pafs for the fulfilling of his promife to the King, which upon new confi- 
 derations he refolved to do, either for revenge of the affront he had received, or for 
 the fccuring of his own fafety, which he faw expofed to the calumnies, and pradiceS 
 of the Miniflers. But whatfoever the motive was, his example was followed by a 
 great many Gentlemen and Officers : yet all that fhaked not the perfeverance of the Ci- 
 tizens, nor abated the courage of the Souldiers, fupporting with gallant refolution the 
 furious bloody afTaults which night and day were made againft them on every fide, 
 and enduring with con flan cy of mind the great fcarcity of vidual, and the perpetual 
 duty which they were forced to undergo without intermilTion. For towards the Sea 
 were raifed two Forts, one at the point called de CoreiUe^ the other over againfl it in 
 the place which they call ?ort-neuf^ which being mann'd with a thoufand Souldiers, 
 were kept by Captain CoJJ'ein , and Captain Gjj, each with fifteen pieces of Cannon » 
 and between them a great Carack was falkned at anchor, which furniflied with Cul- 
 verins, (hot into the mouth of the Haven, and hindred the entrance into it j fo that 
 by continual induftry it was blocked up on that fide, and on the other toward the 
 Land all the Princes and Lords of the Army had divided the work among them in 
 fuch manner, that the Trenches and Redoubts touched one another everywhere, nor 
 did they ceafe to redouble their affaults every hour i and yet the refiftance of thofe 
 within equalled the courage and induftry of thofe that were Without. The valour 
 and conftancy of the Defendants was much increafed by the intelligence which they 
 fecretly received from their friends which were in the Camp i for not only among the 
 private Souldiers, but alfo among thofe that commanded, there were fome that did 
 not defire the defirudtion of Kochel, nor the extirpation of the Hugonot Fadion i and 
 Byron, who commanded the Artillery, following his former intentions did with great 
 dexterity Cas many were of opinion J delay the progrefs of the Batteries, and ftreng- 
 thened the refolution of the befieged. But for all thefe arts, their moft conftant Ci- 
 tizens , and moft valiant Souldiers were already confumed : the hopes of relief firom 
 Emland and Germany were vaniflied of themfclves ; for the Protefiant Princes pcrfwa- 
 ded by Gafpar Count of Schnmbergh, who was fent to them by the King, had refolved 
 not to intcrpofe in the commotions of France ■■, there being now no Prince of the 
 Blood, who with his authority and fupplies of money might maintain the War : and 
 the Queen of England, to whom the King had fent Alberto Gondi for the fame caufe, 
 had refufed to fend them either men or (hipping \ and the Count de Montgomery being 
 departed to relieve the befieged with a good number of (hips, but ill mann'd and 
 armed, though with much ado he got a fliip of Ammunition to enter the Haven \ yet 
 being chafed by the Kings Fleet, and defpairing to do any more good in the bufinefir, 
 he made out to Sea , laid afide all thoughts of raifing the fiege, or relieving the City 
 now brought to extremity , and only as a Pyrate annoyed the coafts of Britagne and 
 Normandy. Their vi(ftuals were likewife quite fpent , and their ammunition almoft 
 all wafted v and on the other fide , though the Duke of Anjou in a fiege of fo many 
 months had loft the Duke of Aumale killed in the Trenches with a Cannon-fhot, an 
 infinite number of Gentlemen and Officers , and above twenty thoufand Souldiers 
 killed and dead of the ficknefs, and the Duke of /^wjok himfelf, whilft he was view- 
 ing the works, wounded, though but lightly, in the neck , in the fide, and in the 
 left hand by a Harquebuze a croc charged with tarling , had more need of reft than 
 continual adion » yet neither the fiercenefs nor frequency of the afTaults were at all 
 allayed, but there arriving daily new forces at the Camp, among which fix thoufand 
 
 SwiiTes
 
 I02 The Hijlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 1C72. Swifles newly entered into pay, the fiege grew rather freighter, and the fervicc 
 hotter than at Hrll , fo that the City was reduced to an impoffibility of holding 
 cut longer , and would at laft have been taken by force , and utterly ruined by the 
 King , if a new far-fetcht occalion had not faved it, and prevented its fo imminent 
 
 deftrudion. r 1 n i r ■ 
 
 The Duke of There had been a treaty many months before, of electing the Duke of An]ou to be 
 ^"fa"'«'hir King of Tohnd , the hope whereof being begun in the life of Sigifmnnd Auguftus 
 euaion to be ^^ ^p (j^at Kingdom, with this propoHtion, That the Duke faking Anne the Kings 
 /«°i; rr!ov«" Silter-to Wife, fliould by the States of thofe Provinces be declared SuccelTour to the 
 flow'iy in the Crown i after his death it was much incrcafed, for though En?e/f Arch- Duke of Au- 
 "XT ° jh-hi Son to the Emperour , and Sigifmond King of Svpcden were both Competitors in 
 the fame defign, yet neither of them fcemed comparable for valour and glory to the 
 Duke of Anjott^ whofe name, by reafon of his many vidories, flew through all parts 
 of Europe with a moft clear fame of fingular vertue and renown The King of 
 frame applyed his mind wholly to that end, and much more the Qiiecn-Mother, for 
 the infinite love fte bore to that Son j and therefore they neither fparcd money, pro- 
 mifes, pains nor induftry neceflary to effed that bufinefs, which being brought very 
 forward by the Sieur de Balagny, who under colour of travelling to fee the World, 
 ftayed there , and had gotten the acquaintance of many principal men of that King- 
 dom ■> it was afterwards managed with more life by Joan de Monluc Bifhop of Va- ■ 
 lence ^ and Guy Sieur de Lanfac, and other pcrfons of lefs quality, but not of le(s 
 efteem, appointed to treat with the States of that Kingdom. The greateft impedi- 
 ment which the Kings Agents found, was the oppofition of the Evangeliques of that 
 ^ Kingdom, (in ?oland they fo call the followers of the new opinions in matter of Faith) 
 who had but fmall inclination to the Duke of An]ou^ partly, becaufe the Vidlories he 
 atchieved had been againft thofe of the (ame beliefs partly, becaufe the MafTacre of 
 faris , varioufly fpoken of by the Proteftants in thofe places fo far remote , made 
 them fear , that being chpfen King , he would moleft and difquiet thofe that were 
 averfe from the Apoftolick See, and not of the Catholick Religion, whereof they knew 
 he was fo fincere a Profeflbur. The fears of the Evangeliques were fomented by the 
 Letters and Embaflies of many Proteftant Princes of Germany^ much difpleafed at the 
 flaughter of the Hugonots in France^ anci ill-affeded to the Duke of Anjou's great- 
 nefs. For which caufe the King endeavoured by divers writings, and by means of 
 ^ his Embafladors, to remove the opinion which was commonly held, that the Maffacre 
 
 of Paris was contrived long before-hand, attributing the bufinefs fas fudden and acci- 
 dental; unto the temerity of the Admiral, who feeing himfelf wounded by his Ene- 
 mies, began rafhly to plot a new confpiracy againft all the Royal Family j and de- 
 clared, that he would tolerate a Liberty of Confcience, though rot the free profellion 
 of Calvin's Doftrine : nor did this feem fufficient, but fearing more to exafperate the 
 minds of the Proteftants and Evangeliques , he began to proceed more coldly in the 
 enterprize of Hochel, left the Duke of Anjou taking it by force, (hould ftir up more ha- 
 tred againft him, and by the defolation of the City fhould increafe the difficulties of 
 his Election, which feemed to be in a fair way of coming to a happy iflue. Nor was 
 the King alone of this opinion, but his Embaffadors in Poland^ and particularly the 
 Biftiop of Valence , very much prefled the King , that to facilitate that bufinefs, he 
 would proceed more gently againft the Hugonots in France. For thefe refpeds new 
 treaties of agreement were begun with the Rochellers •■, yet ftill continuing their af- 
 faults and batteries, till news came, that upon the ninth day of May, Henry Duke of 
 Anjou was with a general confent eledted King of Poland : Wherefore he fceking to 
 come off from that fiege with fuch moderation, that his reputation might be fafc, and 
 the minds of his new Subjedts not unfatisfied, from whom he endeavoured to remove 
 all fufpicionof his taking away their Liberty of Confcience, he proceeded not fo vio- 
 lently againft the Hugonots v who quite tired out , and in defpair of defending them- 
 felves any longer , forgot their wonted conftancy, and were delirous to obtain their 
 peace. This was favoured by the natural inclination of the Duke, who was weary of 
 f the toils of War, and defirous not only to return to the pleafures of the Court, but 
 
 alfo fliortly to go take poffefliion of his new Kingdom. Wherefore the City having 
 to'the Kin^. ^^^^^ fent their Deputies into the Camp to treat, after many diflkulties they agreed at 
 " laft upon the Eleventh day of July, that the City (hould yield it felf unto the Kings 
 oni! °" '"" obedience with thefe conditions ; That the King (hould declare the inhabitants of Ro- 
 
 cbeL
 
 o/ France. The Fifth "Bool^, iqo 
 
 chsl, Nifmes , and Montahan , to be his good and faithful Subjeds , and (hould ap- ^573* 
 prove of all that they had done from the month cf Attgztji the year before be- 
 ing 1572. until that prefent time, pardoning all faults and enormities -whatfoever 
 had been committed during the Civil War by the faid Inhabitants, their Souldiers 
 or Adherents , declaring all to be done by his order. That in thofe three Cities he 
 fliould allow the free and publick exercife of the Reformed Religion , they meet- 
 ing together in fmall numbers , and without Arms , the Officers appointed for that 
 purpofe being there amongft them. That in all other outward matters , except 
 Baptifm and Matrimony , they (hould obferve the Rites and Holy days obferved 
 and commanded by the Roman Catholick Church : That the King fhould confirm 
 all the Liberties, Immunities and Priviledges of thofe three Towns, not permit- 
 ting them to be in any part diminilhed , altered or violated. That the Rochellers 
 fliould receive a Governour of the Kings appointment ( but without a Garifbn ) 
 who might freely Hay there, inhabit, go, and return into the City at his pleafure j 
 and that they fliould be governed by the Laws, Ordinances, and Cufloms with 
 which they had been governed under the Kings of France ever fince they were Sub- 
 jects to that Crown -. That they fliould break all Leagues, Friendfliips, Intelligences, 
 and Confederacies whatfocver within or without the Kingdom, not lending any re- 
 lief or afliftance to thofe which fliould continue up in Arms , though of the (ame 
 Religion. That the ufe and exercife of the Catholick Religion fliould be reftored 
 in thofe Cities , and all other places whence it had been taken , leaving freely unto 
 the Church-men, not only the Churches, Monafteries and Hofpitals, but likewife all 
 the profits and revenues belonging to them. That all Lords of free Mannors through 
 the Kingdom might in their own Houfes lawfully celebrate Baptifm and Matri- 
 mony after the manner of the Hugonots , provided the affembly exceeded not the 
 number of ten perfons. That there fliould be no inquifition upon mens Confcienees, 
 and that thofe who would not dwell in the Kingdom, might fell their Eftates, 
 and go live where they pleafed •, provided it were not in places that were Ene- 
 mies to the Crown : and that for the obferving of thefe Articles, the faid three Ci- 
 ties fliould give hoftages , which fliould be changed every three months , and al- 
 ways fliould follow the Court. When thefe Conditions were eftabliflied , and the 
 hoflages given , which by the Duke were prefently fent to Court, Monfieur de By- 
 ron , the Governour appointed by the King , entred Rochel with one of the Pub- 
 lick Heralds , took poileHion of the Government , and caufed the Peace to be pro- The Peace h 
 claimed i after which the Duke of Ahjoh (now King of Poland) having dif- fbe''A?mJ'dif- 
 mifled the Army, went with a noble Train of Princes , Lords and Gentlemen, un- '"'"'"i- 
 to the City of Pari^ ; where affuming the Title of his new Kingdom, and having 
 received the Polifli Ambafladors, he prepared for his journey to go take pofleflion of 
 the Crown. 
 
 In the mean time Sanferre , which was not comprehended in the Capitulation of 
 the Rochellers, becaufe it was not a free Town under the Kings abfolute Dominion as 
 the reft , but under the Seigniory of the Counts of Sanferre •-, being reduced to ex- 
 tream mifery by famine , without all hope of relief, yielded it felf to Monfieur de la 
 Chajire , who having by order from the King to gratifie the Polifli Ambafladors, 
 pardoned all their lives , fined the Town in a certain fum of money to be diftribu- 
 ted to the Army , and caufing it to be difmantled , and the Gates , Clock and Bells 
 to be removed, to take away from it all form of a City, and bring it to the condi- 
 tion of an ordinary Village , he put a GariTon into the Caftle, caufed the goods and 
 revenues of the Clergy to be reftored, and the Churches to the ufe of the Catholick 
 Religion •, and a while after (as it was reported) he commanded GuiUiaume Joanneau 
 the Bailiff of the Town , who had been chief Head of the late fedition, to be fe* 
 cretly thrown into a Well i though many fay, that he being fallen mad with defpair, 
 caft himfclf wilfully into it. 
 
 This was the end of the Infurre<3:ion , which began after the Admirals death ; 
 wherein through want of care in thofe that commanded, or want of fidelity in thofe 
 that were to execute the feverity of thofe remedies not being ufed, which with 
 fmall trouble and lefs difficulty would abfblutely have plucked up the very roots of 
 thofe evils, the fparks were only covered for a time , and not utterly extinguiftied, 
 from whence afterward brake out more violent flames , and more lafting dangerous 
 mifchiefs. But no fear of that troubled the Court, which full of pomps and triumphs 
 
 C c for
 
 94 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 »573- 
 
 for the Coronation of the new King, thought it enjoyed a fecure quiet in the midft 
 of fb many delights > which having laflcd for the fpace of two months , the King 
 of Poland, accompanied unto the confines of Lorain by his Mother and tlie King his 
 Brother , about the beginning of October went to take poffdfion of his Kingdom. 
 But the King was no fooner returned unto his pleafdres, intent only upon hunt- 
 ing and other youthful fports , when thofe humours began to difcovcr themfelves, 
 which were more like than ever to difturb his Kingdom with infinite troubles and 
 commotions. 
 
 After the departure of Henry King of Poland, the firft place of dignity and pre- 
 eminence belonged to Francis Dake oi Alancon the Kings next Brother, who was not 
 only young , and therefore void of experience , but alfo by nature endowed with 
 no great abilities of underftanding, of fo fickle a mind, and fo puffed up, thrs he 
 feemed more to incline to rafh precipitate advices , than to a difcreet, moderate 
 rule of living i and as he had inwardly been very much difpleafed at the Power 
 which had been given to his Brother the Duke of Anjoit, and was dtcply pricked 
 with the fecret IHng of envy at his valour and glorious actions, tfteeming the 
 greatnefs and reputation of his Brother to be a diflionour and kfTening to him- 
 felf i fb he bore a concealed hatred to all thofe that had any relation to , or dcpcn- 
 dance upon Henry, loving and admiring the Admiral de Coligny, and his adherents, 
 fas was often plainly obferved^ but as it were tacitely reprehending the Kings deli- 
 berations , and fecretly defiring to be the Head of tliat Fadion i and tHough the 
 Queen his Mother knowing his difpofition , endeavoured always to keep difcreet 
 experienced men about him , which might wifely moderate his humours and relb- 
 lutions i yet was he utterly averfe from them, and through a conformity of nitire, 
 let himfelf be rather wholly guided by Bomftce, Sieur de U Mole, a man of ordinary 
 quality , but full of vaft unmeafurable thoughts, and by Hanibal, Count de Coconofy 
 a banifhed Peidmontois , who ( as it is commonly the cullom of Exiles ) not be- 
 ing able to enjoy quietnefs himfelf, laboured to moleft and difturb the repofe of 
 others. 
 
 The King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde were from the beginning united to 
 the Duke of Alancon, becaufe they faw themfelves but lightly efteemed by the Duke 
 of AujoH, Head of the Catholick party, and becaufe they watched all occalions that 
 might give them opportunity to revive and raife again their opprefTed perfecuted 
 Fadtion ; and not they alone , but alfo the Mareflials of Momorancy and d" AnviVey 
 William Lord of Tore, and Charles Lord of Mern, all Brothers, who not being able 
 of themfelves to attain to the dignity of their Father, nor to the credit aud autho- 
 rity he held in his life-time , but continuing (efpecially after the death of the Ad- 
 miral ) meanly regarded , or rather hated and fufpeded by the King, by reafon of 
 their near alliance to him i and jealous that their ruine was no lefs aimed at then 
 that of others, fought to unite themfelves unto that party, whofe power might bear 
 them up to a greater height of fortune. To thefe was alfo joined the Marefiial de 
 Coffe, who was but little favoured by the Catholick party, and all thofe that either 
 ^ fecretly or openly had been inclined to the Admiral j and not they only , but like- 
 
 wife all who for particular Interefts, having taken diftafte at the prefent condition 
 of affairs, were ftill contriving new forms of Government j thefe being received, 
 and filled with hopes and boldnefs , chiefly by the Lords of Momorancy, who car- 
 A 'i>j"* P»«y ried themfelves very cunningly in the bufinefs , framed a third party , which ma- 
 Vni Uiu'.'con- king no ground nor difference of either Religion, but wholly applying themfelves to 
 1Tc3\^vt ^^^ reforming of the State , began to be called the Fadlion of Politick^ or A/j/f- 
 andHogonots. contents. 
 
 But thefe new pradtices and machinations , which while the Duke of An'jou was 
 prefent, were managed more covertly, for fear of his valour and authority i the curb 
 being now taken away, began to fprout out more freely, not only becaufe the Duke 
 o^ Alancon, who favoured them , remained in poffeffion of the chiefeit place v but 
 becaufe the power over the Catholick party was ftill in the hands of the Duke of 
 Cuife and his Brothers, the ancient, emulous, inveterate Enemies of the Families of 
 Bourbon and Momorancy i whereby their linking and knitting themfelves together to 
 counterpoife the exceffive greatnefs of their adverfaries, feemed more necellary, and 
 was in appearance mote excufable. 
 
 The
 
 o/ France. The Fifth BooyJ. 
 
 195 
 
 The opportunities for the breaking forth of this mifchief were much increafed by 
 the Kings being fick, who through tbo much exercife in hunting, running, wreftling 
 and riding , wherewith he was beyond meafure delighted , falling into a long dange- 
 rous ficknefs, could not with that vigour which was proper to his nature intend the 
 rooting up of thofe growing diforders > but gave greater means to the Duke oi Alan- 
 con to difcover and foment his own pretenfions : wherefore the Duke of AnjoH being 
 gone away, he began apparently to pretend to, and procure the (ame Title and Au- 
 thority which his Brother had (b many years poflefTcd , being fet on to it by the 
 counfels of the Marefhals of Cofe and Momoramy. But this was not only oppofed by 
 the King and Queen-Mother, who neither approved his humour nor hisadions; but 
 alfo by his own difability , which rendred him much inferiour in wit and valour to 
 the Duke of Anjon , and no ways able to undergo fo great a charge i befides that, 
 the King being now of riper years , and of a wary fufpicious nature , was nothing 
 willing to grant (b great a power to any body again, having perhaps more ardently 
 favoured the Eledion of the King of Poland, becaufe he thought he could neither Co 
 eafily, nor fo handfomly by any other means deprive him of that Authority and Pow- 
 er , which being voluntarily given him at the firft , he afterwards confirmed upon 
 himfelf by his own courage and renowned Vidtories. For all thefe reafons the King 
 refufing him the Title and Power of his Lieutenant-General, his Mother began to en- 
 tertain him with other hopes of procuring for him fome free State, as they had done 
 for his Brother, propounding to him a marriage with the Qyeen of Engla^d^ or the 
 command of the States of Flanders , which had fhaken off their obedience to the Ca- 
 tholick King » the Treaties concerning both which were begun, more cut of a de- 
 lign to feed him with hopes , and to keep him in good correfpondence united with 
 his Brother , than out of any grounded reafon or belief that either of them could be 
 effeded. 
 
 But his hafty impatient nature gave no leifure to her politick delays : for as foon 
 as the Hugonors and Male-contents knew that he was JTpitefully enraged at this re- 
 pulfe , and that his mind was ready to attempt new defigns s with a common con- 
 fent they offered him the command of all their party, telling him, that he might by 
 that means create unto himfelf a more free and abfolute Power than that which his 
 Brother had injurioufly refufed him. Ttie King of Navarre confented to this de- 
 liberation, having from the beginning fought fome opportunity to advance his own 
 fortune, and to free himfelf from that imprifonment ("rather than fubje<ftion) which 
 he lived in under the King and Queen, his Brother and Mother-in-law : befides, dis- 
 agreeing and difpleafed with his Wife, he hoped by thofe tumults and changes to re- 
 medy all thofe inconveniencies, and open fome way to his own greatncfs, or at leaft 
 to his liberty, which by nature he was very much inclined to. The Prince of Conde 
 confented to it likewife, being well alTured to have great Authority among the Hu- 
 gonots , if they by any means could rife again i whereas by reafon of his Fathers 
 memory he was much deprelTed among the Catholicks : but above all the reft this 
 defign was approved by the three Marefhals, d: Coffe, Momorancy, and d' Anville, the 
 Heads of the Male-contents , knowing that they fhould fway and moderate the 
 will of the Duke d'' Alancon , who unable to govern of himfelf, would doubt- 
 lefs give them the fame power the Admiral had in the minority of the Princes of 
 Bourbon. 
 
 After many contrivances and confultations , the web of the bufinefs was laid by 
 them in this manner j That the Duke of Alancon fhould fuddenly and privately de- 
 part the Court i and that for his more fecure retreat , fome Troops of Hugonot Ca- 
 valry which were drawing together, fhould fecretly go to meet him : That the Mare- 
 fhals of Momorancy and Cojfe fhould go along to advife and counfel him in his anions : 
 That the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde fhould get fecretly away within two 
 days after, and follow them the fame way : That the Marefhal d' AnviUe Govemour of 
 Langitedoc, fhould go into that Province a while before, and draw cunningly to him- 
 felf the abfolute power of thofe places, gather as many of the Nobility as he could, 
 and endeavour the fame in Guifnne, and the parts adjacent, by means of his Nephew 
 the Vifcount de T'urenne, and of his Brother-in-law the Duke of Vantadoitr , to the 
 end that the Princes departing from the Court, might have a fecure place to retire 
 unto, and alfo Forces to defend themfclves j to thefe grave folid refolutions were 
 joined alfo light youthful follies by fome Servants of the Duke d' Alancon, propofing 
 
 Cc 2 by 
 
 »57J' 
 
 Ffant's Dukfi 
 oi Simeon the 
 Kings young- 
 eft Brother, 
 makes himfelf 
 Head of the 
 Male-contents 
 with hope to 
 ufurp tbc 
 Crown.
 
 1^6 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil IVars 
 
 1573' ^y witchcrafts and inchantments to take away the Kings life , who already was in 
 great danger by reafon of his ficknefs i and he being dead, and the King of ValaHd 
 far off, to fettle the Duke d' Alancon in the Crown : with thefe various deiigns, the 
 taking up of Arms was again endeavoured. 
 
 The Mareflial d'' AnviUe went into Languedoc with the Kings confent , Under co- 
 lour of vifiting his Government, and there began craftily to found the minds of the 
 Gentry, and of the Governours of places ■, but as a man of great warinefs and dip- 
 crCtion, doubting Iiis plots might be difcovered , he fent Chartier his Secretary unto 
 the King and Qiieen- Mother, fhewing that he treated with the Hugonots o^ Nifmes, 
 Mompelier and other places, to reduce them to his Majefties obedience i anel that if 
 men of truft might be fent to treat , he hoped with honourable conditions to bring 
 them unto an abfolute fubjedion : with which hopes the King being moved , pfe- 
 ftntly difpatched Monfieur de S, Sulpke, and Secretary Villeroy to treat jointly with 
 d' AnvWe about the reducing of the Hugonots : but he having by this artifice got- 
 ten a liberty of treating with the Hugonots without being fufpedled at Court, when 
 he heard the Kings Commillioners were arrived at Avignon^ he fent the fame Chartier 
 to let them know , that matters not being yet ripe , it would be beft for them to ftay 
 there a while , and deter their coming to him till he had fetled a furer foundation for 
 that bufinefs. So holding the Commillioners in hand, and in the mean time treating 
 in every place, he went by little and little opening his way to an abfolute Authority 
 in La/igHcdic--, and the fame did the Vikount deTurenne, and the Duke de Vantadmt' 
 in Other places. 
 
 But while the reft , not managing their bufinefs fo cunningly as d' Anville , fpread 
 thefe defigns abroad by difcovering them to the Hugonots thorow all the Provinces 
 of the Kingdofn , and that Cocornu and la Mole palling yet further , confpired the 
 Kings death, and the ufurpation of the Kingdom i the Duke of Alancon inconfta*it 
 in his refblutions, and of a mind very unfit for fo great an enterprife , imprudently 
 gave fome fufpicion of it to his Mother '■> and while by her wonted arts fhe founds the 
 depths of thofe fecret treaties, and fearcheth the bottom of thofedefigns, the Hugo- 
 nots impatient of delay , perfedted the difcovery of the plot i for the Duke having 
 given them notice that he with the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde intended to 
 leave the Court, and retire into the places of their party , there to declare himfelf 
 Proted^or of the Reformed Religion , and of the Male-contents of the Kingdom i 
 they not flaying for a more mature advice, nor a more fitting opportunity, appeared 
 unexpecfledly upon Shrove-tuefday, to the number of about two hundred Horfe, run- 
 ning up and down armed under the command of the Sieur de Guitry , near unto 
 TheHuRonots St. Germains, where the Court then was, to fecure the paflage of the iPrinces, who 
 tale"Aims" ° were fecretly to leave the Court i at the news whereof the Duke of Alancon and his 
 Counfellors frighted and difmayed, becaufe their defigns were not yet ripe, and not 
 thinking that fmall number of Hugonots fufficient to execute their deliberations, 
 were fo different and unrefblved in their opinions, that they ftirred not at all v and 
 the King and Queen now certain of what they before fufpedted , retiring with all 
 fpeed to ?arU^ imprifoned the Duke d' Alancon, the King o( Navarre, and all his Coun- 
 fellors and dependents , as alfo the Marefhals of Cojfe and Momorancy , with many 
 J others whom they thought privy to their defigns. Only the Prince of Conde and Mon- 
 fieur de lore efcaped , fleeing firft to thofe places which belonged to the Prince in 
 Vkardy, and from thence without delay unto the Hans Towns of Germany which ad- 
 hered to the Proteftant party. 
 
 The Duke of Alancon and the King of Navarre either trufted to their nearnefs of 
 Blood, or to fiiift off the fault of this confpiracy from themfelves, and lay it ("as the 
 cuftom is) upon the weakeft, confeffed freely that they had been follicited to depart 
 from Court , and become Heads of the Hugonots and Male-contents, and that fome- 
 times they had lent an ear to thofe motions , rather to difcover the intents of thofe 
 Seducers, than out ofanydefireto adhere unto them > and that they waited an op- 
 portunity to difcover the whole plot unto the King , as foon as they were fully in- 
 formed of it V and that in the mean time the Duke had given fome hint of it, 
 though but obfcurcly , to his Mother , which might ferve to prove the fincerity of 
 their intentions : upon the ground of thefe confeilions, which contained many parti- 
 culars, the acconiplices of meaner quality being kept clofo, and ftri<3:ly examined, 
 h Mok^ about whonj were found certain Images of the King in Wax, cncompaffed. 
 
 with 
 
 The Duke ( 
 ^Inncon and 
 the King of 
 K/ivarrt im- 
 ptifoned.
 
 0^ France. The Fifth ^ool^ 107 
 
 with inchantmcnts , charms and other fooleries, the Count de Cocohm convidted of 1575. 
 marly crimes, and divers others were condemned to die : the Mareflials of Mnmotancy 
 and Coffe^ to the great fatisfadion of the Parilians, were put into the Baftile ; and 
 for the Princes , it fufficcd only by a Declaration to manifeft unto the World , that 
 it was never their intention to alienate themfelves from the Kings obedience, nor to 
 effend his Perfon in any manner whatfoevcr, much lefs to make themfelves Heads 
 and Protedlors of the fadtious and feditious party of the Kingdom : but that it had 
 been falily and cunningly divulged by men of turbulent malicious Spiritsi to ftir up 
 and fcduce the people under that pretence i a thing utterly difallowed and detefted 
 by them, who delired that fuch rebellious and feditious perfons might be brought to 
 condign punifliment , that by their fufferings the fuel might be taken from that fire, 
 with which they had endeavoured to inflame the Kingdom. After which Declara- 
 tion they were neverthelefs not rcftored unto their former condition i but on the one 
 fide were ufed as Kinfmen, and on the other with diligent guards were kept as Pri- 
 foncrS. Thofe that make a finifter interpretation of all the adions of Princes, fay. 
 That the Duke of Alancon had no other end but to make himfelf King after the 
 death of his Brother , which he faw drew near, and that the counfcls of the Mare- 
 (hals and his other adherents aimed at that very mark i but that the Queen-Mother, 
 who loved the King of Po/i^w^ much better , and under his Reign promifed her felf 
 the abfolute Government , made the bufinefs feem different from the truth , and 
 caufed the King to imprifon the Princes and the Marefbals , to fecure the Kingdom 
 to the true Succeffour , which was the King of Poland , whofe Reign was abhorred 
 by all thofe that were Enemies to the Houfe of Guife , or had any dependance upon 
 the Hugonots. 
 
 Thefe matters , whatfoever they were, or frotn what caufe foever derived, hap- 1^74. 
 pened in the beginning of the Year 1574. a Year deftined to renew the old wounds 
 of France ■ for toward the latter end of March, and all the month of April follow- 
 ing , the Hugonots already up in Arms by reafon of the late deiigns, and fufpedling 
 themfelves to be difcovered the fomenters of that Confpiracy , breaking again the 
 bridle of all refpe<fl , attempted every where to furprife Forts , Caftles and Cities > 
 and as if the bufinefs at St, Germains had fucceeded juft according to their own de- 
 fires, they ran haftily without flop to the taking up of Arms in all Provinces i and 
 that with fo much the greater boldnefs and fecurity , becaufe they were freed from 
 the general fear they were wont to have of the valour and celerity of the King of Po- 
 land, whom they had to their exceeding lofs found to be fo refolute and powerful an 
 Enemy. 
 
 The firfl commotion was begun by Monfieur de la Noue, who flaying in PoUaou, ga- a new infur- 
 thered Forces fuddenly and poffefled himfelf of Lwjj^/fj^ , Funtenay, and MeJIs , and gono°s ft^imd 
 with the help of the Rochellers, raifed and difordered the whole Country, fhewing upbyMon- 
 tnanifeflly by that aftion , that neither his defire of peace, nor his promife made to 
 the King, had caufed him to leave Rochl when it vras befieged , but trouble for the 
 affront he had received from the Minifters , and fear left the Citizens fliould confer 
 the chief Command upon the Count Montgomery. The fignal of War being as it 
 were given by this Infurreiflion, it was followed by many others in Vaulphine, Pro- 
 vince, Gafcogne and Languedoc, every private Captain, and every Gentleman among 
 the Hugonots endeavouring with his own Forces to feife upon fome ftrong place, from 
 whence robbing and pillaging all the Country, cutting off paffages, laying taxes upon 
 the people, and plundering the rich houfes, they in a few days brought the whole King- 
 dom of Francf into great confufion 
 
 But a more dangerous fire was kindled on the Sea-coafts of Normandy •■, for the 
 Count Mnitgomery, after he was hindred by the Kings Fleet from relieving Kochel^ 
 being returned into England , and recruited , landed in the Country which they call 
 le Pays de Conjiantine , belonging to the Province of Normandy , but bordering upoti 
 Bretagne, where being welcomed by the Hugonots, and the difcontented party of that 
 place, in a few days he made himfelf Mafter of Vanfront, Carentane, St. Ln, and Va- 
 lognes , and feditious people running to him from all parts , as to a Head of great 
 Authority, it was beginning to be doubted that Queen Elizabeth, invited by this op- 
 portunity, (though flie made fhew not at all to favour or affift the Count) had re- 
 folved once again to fet foot in that Province juft over againit her Kingdom, which 
 in times paft had long been in poffefTion of the Kings of England her Predeceffors. 
 
 At 
 
 lidit dc la 
 
 NcKC,
 
 iqS The Hijiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1574. At the (b frequent news of thefe tumults and infurreftions, the King who by nature 
 was very cholerick , brake forth into fuch terrible rage and fury , that his ficknefs 
 became daily more violent and dangerous i wherefore neither having Orength of body, 
 nor ability of mind to undergo fo weighty a bufinefs , often changing and Varying 
 his refolutions, by that uncertainty gave them that were up in Arms far greater oppor- 
 tunity to increafe their Forces i which as foon as he perceived , his difeafe , which 
 could find no remedy, ftill continuing, he refolved to refer the whole bufinefs to the 
 counfel and authority of his Mother , ever giving order and diredtions to take (harp 
 fevere courfes , which could hardly be done , becaufe the condition of the prefenc 
 affairs would not permit that Arm.ics and Governments (liould be trufted in the hands 
 of any but perfons of great maturity , and long experience , who by reafon of their 
 age and gravity were averfe from bloody violent refolutions > wherefore the Queen 
 being brought into great freights and difficulties, and unto a necellity of proceeding 
 not only againft her Son-in-law, but even againft her own Son, endeavoured to find 
 fome moderate way between the Kings anger and their unquiet defigns v which was 
 not to be managed according to the proper nature of affairs, and the ancient prad^ice 
 of experiences for it being apparent, that to remove the effeds it is neceffary to 
 take away the caufes , (he quite contrary was forced by mecr neceffity to endeavour 
 the taking away the effed:s of thofe tumults and infurrediions in the feveral Provinces, 
 thereby to preferve the Duke of Alancon and the King of Navarre^ from whom their 
 principal caufe and original proceeded. 
 The c^ietn She refolved to fend three feveral Armies into three feveral parts of the Kingdom, 
 
 fends three Qjjg commanded by the Duke of Montpenfier^ who (hould oppofe Monfieur de la Houe 
 thiee part! of in PoiCfoH i another by the Prince Vaulphine his Son , which (hould go into "Daul- 
 thc^KiriKdom^ pljijig^^ and the Confines thereabout i and the third to refift Montgomery^ commanded 
 infurrcttioni. by Jaqtics Sieur de Matignon , a man of tryed fidelity, and not inferiour in valour, 
 who was then Lieutenant to the Duke of Bouillon in the Government of Normandy, 
 In the mean time the taking away of the Government of Languedoc from the Mare- 
 . (hal ^ Anville was endeavoured i to which end Count Sciarra Martinengo was diC- 
 patched with all fpeed to S. Sulpice and Villeroy, who were thought to be with him, 
 that they might ufe fome means to take away his life v or if they could not do (b, 
 at Icaft to get a Government of fo great importance out of his hands. But Mar- 
 tinengo finding thofe Commiffioners ftill at Avignon , without means to execute the 
 Kings intentions , it was neceffary to follow the fecond directions , to take from 
 him all, or at leaft (bmeof the Cities of that Province, which began to be diligently 
 profecuted by the help of the Cardinal of Armagnac , the Duke d" Vzes^ the Vifcount 
 dejoyeufe^ and the Sieurs Maugiron, de ^elus, de Rieux^ and de Suze^ Lords who 
 had very great dependents in thofe parts. 
 
 But the (agacity of d' Anville was very great , and great was the inclination of the 
 people to his name, he having by his liberality and politick Government , generally 
 gained their affedions i whereupon when he received the news of what had pafTcd 
 at Court, feigning on the one fide that he was not at all offended at his Brothers im- 
 prifbnment , and that he did not in any thing participate of his counfels , and pub- 
 lickly teftifying , that he would not only lay down his Government , but moreover 
 his Office of Marcfhal , until the King being certified of his loyalty , (hould willingly 
 teftore him to his former dignities , he laboured on the other fide to afTure himfelf of 
 T,*"^ ***!*?'' the Forts and Cities, and to brine the Gentry and Souldiers as much as he could to 
 of ^niti dc his own devotion : by which arts he prefently put himfelf into a pofture of defence, 
 byTheKin"" ^"'^ ^^^ CoiTimiflioners not having effected any thing, were fain to return to Court* 
 decree dejTri- which whcn the King knew , being infinitely offended, he caufed him by publick de- 
 cree to be deprived of his dignities , and commanded the Prince Vaulphine to march 
 thither with his Army, 
 
 The Duke of Montpenfier being entred into Foidou, had already taken Talmont^ and 
 laid fiege to Fontenay, feeking all poffible means to draw Monfieur de la None into the 
 field , who being again declared General of the Rochellers , was exceeding diligent 
 in gathering Souldiers and Gentlemen together > but finding him(elf not able to keep 
 the field, he refolved to defend the ftrongeft places , which he had furni(hed with 
 all things neceffary , endeavouring by advantage of fituation , by condud , indudry 
 and diligence to do fome mifchief to the Enemies : in which time Monfieur de Mu' 
 tignon defuous to (hew his fidelity to the King and Queen, by whom he found him- 
 felf 
 
 vedofhis dig 
 niiict.
 
 of France. The Fifth ^oof^ 
 
 199 
 
 felf to be much efteetned, and to raife himfelf to a more eminent degree of fortune, 
 marched with the third Army direftly to the place where the Count of Montgomery 
 was, much increafed both in ftrength and courage. His Army confilkd of Hve thou- 
 fand French Foot , and twelve thoufand Horfe v to which were added many Gentle- 
 men and Voluntiers, who excited by Letters and Commands of the King and Qyecn, 
 very follicitous for this enterprife, came thither to ferve without pay : befidcs, there 
 were fourteen pieces of Cannon, which were taken out of the Fortrefs of Caen, and 
 other Cities adjacent, with a fufficient proportion of all forts of Ammunition. The 
 Field-Marefhal was Jean d' Hetnery, Sieur de ViVers^ who birred up by his own va- 
 lour and natural ingenuity, far from thofe diiTimulations and double dealings which 
 were then every where in fafliion, and being of one mind and counfel with his Ge- 
 neral, a man alfo of a clear uncorrupted loyalty i having to deceive the Enemy, made 
 (hew of moving toward Fo/cg«fx, (a place lefs defenfible, but more abounding in fpoil 
 and plunder) he fet forward about Sun-fet, marching all night with infinite diligence 
 toward St. Lo, in which place was the Count of Montgomery , with his Son and his 
 Son-in-law. 
 
 St. La is a Town in the Io.wer Normandy^ not very great, but Indifferently ftrong^ 
 being feated near the Sea, upon the River Vire^ which falHng into the Ocean not far 
 from thence , is by the help of the Tide made navigable to the very gates of the 
 Town i and as a fafe Harbour fecureth thofe Ships that come in from the frequent 
 ftorms of that coaft i here lay thofe Ships which had brought the Count Montgomery 
 out of England^ ready upon all occafions to weigh anchor and put out to Sea. But 
 ViUiers arriving, unexpeiledly with the Van of the Army at the very peep of day, 
 fent the Sieur de St. Colomhe with his Regiment, that might be fbme twelve hundred 
 French Foot , and four fmall pieces of Cannon, to poffcfs the bank of the River be- 
 low the place where Ships lay at anchor, to hinder them from getting out of the Port. 
 St. Colombs advancing with the expedition which was requifite for that purpofe, in- 
 flantly took his poft upon the bank of the River, and at the fame time began to en- 
 trench himfelf and plant his Cannons which he performed fo well, that the paffage 
 of Montgomery's Ships being cut off within a little time by reafon of the narrownefe 
 of the River, he being inferiour in ftrength, could no longer hope to fave himfelf with 
 his Fleet. Viilers as foon as he faw that paffage flopped, wherein confifted the chief- 
 eft point of the enterprife , placed himfelf with the light Horfe , and the Regiment 
 of Lavardin at the foot of a hill right againft the gate toward the Sea, and began to 
 fall upon thofe of the Town who were come out to difcover the Forces of the Ene- 
 my i and whilit they were kept in a hot skirmilh on that fide, Monfieur de Mjtignott 
 arrived on the other with the reft of the Army, and prefently made good thofe paf- 
 fages toward the Land h fo that in lefs than three hours the City was blocked up, 
 and befieged on every fide. In the mean time the Squadrons of Cavalry under Ma- 
 licorn and Meleray being come up , thofe that fallied out were within a little while 
 beaten in again, though with lofs on both fides, there being flain above fixty of the 
 Catholicks, and about eighty of theHugonots. The Catholick Army being divided, 
 lodged it felf into twofeveral quarters, fliutting up the ways both by Sea and Land > 
 for it was their chief defign to keep the Count from any means of faving himfelf > 
 and as foon as it was quartered , they prefently began their trenches , and to plant 
 their Cannon, believing the Town was able to hold out but a very few days. But 
 the Count knowing his weaknefs , and making it his chief aim to fave himfelf, ha- 
 ving the night following often given them their alarms in fevcral places to try and 
 amufe the Catholick Camp, at laft he with a few of his Souldiers forced a Corps de 
 Guard of the Sieur de Luce his Regiment, which kept a paffage toward the Land, and 
 kndwing the Country very well, by the help of the night faved himfelf undifcovered 
 in certain low moorifti grounds , which ufe to be overflow'd by the Tide , and then 
 palfing an arm of the Sea in certain fmall Fiftier-boats which he found by chance, 
 went to Vanfront, having left his Son and Son-in-law at St. Lo, but with an affured 
 hope of relieving thera within a few days. 
 
 His flight was not known unto the CatholickSj ffor the darknefs of the night, the 
 fmall number of his company , and his means of getting away had concealed his 
 efcape) till grown ftrong in Horfe by the help of many Gentlemen of his party, he 
 began to run about the Country, cutting off paffages , and making ftiew that he 
 would relieve the befieged, whereby being at laft affured tUt. he was flipt out of th? 
 
 net. 
 
 1574- 
 
 VlUt! Bro- 
 thir-inUwto 
 the Aucbor. 
 
 Sr. Ln is bf» 
 fieqtd by the 
 Catholicks, 
 Montgr>mery 
 beln^ in ic. 
 
 flees from 
 St. U.
 
 200 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1574 
 
 The Count 
 McHtgomery is 
 taken in Duk- 
 fnir, fcnt to 
 the Court, and 
 executed. 
 
 net, and infulted furioufly over the neighbouring Country, they called a Council of 
 War ) wherein the opinions being various , the Sieurs de Fervaques , Ruberpre^ and 
 many others counfelled the profecution of the fiege of St. Lo, (a bufineft which they 
 eftcenned but of a few days; to take away that fecure retreat from the Enemy, and 
 cut off all hopes of faving themfelves by Sea : but VtUers and St. Colombe were of 
 opinion, that leaving St. Lo ftill bcfieged, to divide the Forces of the Enemy, they 
 fliould with the fame celerity they came thither follow the Count de Mongomery, 
 thinking that to fupprefs him would quite extinguifh the War. This refolution be- 
 ing approved by Matignon , having left Ftrvaqnes and Malkorne to block up St. Lo, 
 he himfelf with Villerr and St. Colombe^ taking with them two Regiments of Foot, 
 fix hundred Horfe , and only four fmall pieces of Cannon , marched lo fpeedily to 
 DanfroHt, that they prevented the Enemies intelligence i who chough the Walls of 
 the City were very weak , yet trufting to the River Mante , that runneth abouv one 
 fide of it, and to the Fort, which feated upon the top of a Hill guards it on the 
 other fide, were refolved conftantly to defend the place. The night following the 
 Cannon were planted , and in the morning , there being hardly forty yards of the 
 wall beaten down , VtUers defpifing the hindrance of the River, pafTed over at the 
 head of the Infantry up to the brelt in water , and affaulted it fo boldly , that the 
 Souldiers being terrified , fled without refiftance into the Caftle, and the Town re- 
 maining in the power of the Catholicks , was by the fury of the Souldiers almoft 
 utterly ruined and deftroyed : Much greater was the difficulty of aflaulting the Ca- 
 ftle , feated upon an intire Rock , where the Sap could do little good , and fo high 
 above the plain, that they were forced with infinite difficulty to raife Cavaliers for 
 the planting of their Ordnance , which while the Catholicks put in execution , with 
 the fame fpeed and courage, the Hugonots ftill molefted them with fliarp bloody 
 Tallies, which at laft ceafed i for one Cavalier being finifhed , they began furioufly 
 to batter the Curtin. After the battering followed a fierce aflault, in which though 
 the Catholicks loft St. Colombe with a great many Voluntiers, and about two hundred 
 of their moft valiant men , the Hugonots received ib much lofs by the death of a 
 great many Gentlemen, and the greateft part of their Souldiers, that they were able 
 to hold out no longer ; for which caufe , left the afTault which was preparing with 
 more Forces than at firft, ftiould be renewed the next day, they yielded themfelves 
 the fame night to the difcretion of the Conquerours : and Monfieur de Matignon cn- 
 tring the Caftle , caufed the Souldiers to be pillaged , and let them all go, keeping 
 only (bme few Gentlemen prifoners, and the Count de Montgomery, who with a very 
 ftrong guard was brought to Court, where by the fentencc of the Parliament of Paris^ 
 he was publickly executed as a Rebel , in the place appointed for Malefadors : The 
 King and Queen not orAy rejoycing that they bad freed theitffelves of Co fierce an 
 Enemy, who held perpetual correfpondence with foreign Princes, but alio that they 
 had revenged the death of Henry the Second, flain by him, though accidentally, fas 
 we have faidj in a Tournament, from the occafion of whofe death proceeded after- 
 wards all thofe following calamities. 
 
 Vanfront being taken , Monfieur de Matignon returned to St. Lo, which he began 
 to beficge more ftreightly i and the fcventh day ViHers ftorming it with the chief of 
 all the Infantry, remained Mafter of the wall, (though with the lofs of much blood) 
 and of a Tower which placed in the flank, defended the Avenue that led toward the 
 gate. The afTault being renewed in the morning by break of day , the vi(^orious 
 Army entred the Town, where the Son-in-law of Montgomery being flain, and Mon- 
 fieur de Colombiere, a Souldier of great valour and noble birth i Monfieur Lorger Son 
 to the Count was taken , who being condemned to the fame punifhment which his 
 Father had fuffered , corrupted his guards , and faved himfelf by flight. Carentane 
 and Valognes yielded without ftaying to be befieged j that fire being thus extin- 
 guifhed , which with fo much danger had been kindled in the moft fufpe^ed parts 
 of the Kingdom. 
 
 But at that time the Kings life was drawn almoft unto the laft period > for ha- 
 ving begun fome months before to fpit blood , being afterwards opprefTed with a 
 flow, but a continued internal Fcaver , he had in the end utterly loft all ftrength ••, 
 W'hereby knowing himfelf to be already near his death, he caufed all the Lords and 
 Officers of the Crown which were then at Court, to be called unto him > aind having 
 told them the danger of his ficknefs, and nearnefs of his death, he declared fits Bro- 
 ther
 
 (?y" France. The Fifth 'Bool^ 201 
 
 ther Henry King of ToUnd to be his SuccefTor in the Kingdom, and until his coming, »574^ 
 the Queen his Mother to be Regent i ftridtly commanding the Duke oi AUncou ^ the 
 King of Navarre, and all others, under pain of Rebellion to obey and ferve her faith- 
 fully Until the arrival of the lawful King. After that the Secretaries of State, and 
 Kenato de Birago , Cwho awhile before was chofen High Chancellor in the place of 
 Michael de /' Hnfpital already deadj had paffed the Patents for thefe matters, and re- 
 giftred them in the Parliament , the King recommending the Peace of his Kingdom 
 to his Council , and his little Daughter the only Child which he had by the Queen 
 his Wife, and Charles his Baftard Son , who was yet a Child , unto the care of his 
 Mother, with grave and pious difcourfes, having difmifled all thofe that were pre- a-trunhtix, 
 fent, he held his Mother ftill faft by the hand, and ended the courfe of his troublefom m1^^^V°°^ 
 Reign upon the Thirtieth day of May, before he was full Five and Twenty years of ^' 
 age ■■> leaving his Kingdom , after the revolution of fb many Wars, in no lefs danger 
 and confufion than he had found it in Fourteen years before, when he came a Child 
 unto the Crown. 
 
 Tke End of the Fifth BOO K^ 
 
 t)d THE
 
 202 
 1574. 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F TH E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 By HEH.'^K^O CATE%1:K^0 T>JVIU. 
 
 The Sixth BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THe Sixth Book contains the Arts ufed by the ^ueen Regent , to hold 
 matters in fnfpence till the coming of the King, Henry the Third, out 
 of Poland, He departs fecretlj/ from that Kingdom, and pajjing through 
 Italy , comes to Turin : The ^een fends thither to inform him of the 
 afjairs of France j and thither alfo comes the MarejJoal A' Anville. The 
 King denies to refolve upon any thing till he have conferred with his Mot her 'j 
 fie rejiores thofe places to the. Duke c/ Savoy, rohich for fecurity, had till 
 -■ ifW» been kept from him. He paffes at Pont Beauvoyfin ; is met by the 
 Duke of Alancon and the King of Navarre , by him they are fet at liber- 
 ty : He meets the §lueen his Mother , and they enter the City of Lyons. 
 The Kings defigns and ends, to which he intends to direU the courfe of his 
 Government, are partiadarly fet down j he de fires Peace, and to procure ?/, 
 refolves to make War coldly. He treats of Marriage, and refolves to take to 
 Wife Louyfe of Lorain , Daughter to the Count de Vaudemont. He i^ 
 Crowned at Rheims, and there marrieth her. He labours to get his Bro- 
 ther ele&ed King of Poland ; bitt he is put bejidc it : The War continues 
 in the mean time, and Mombrrm, Head of the Hugonotsin Daulphrne, /f 
 defeated, taken, and executed. The King alters the manner of Govern- 
 ment, to leffen the Authority of the Great Ones. The Duke of Alancon de- 
 prived of the hopes of Poland , and not being able to obtain the Title of 
 Lieutenant-General, flees from Court, and becomes Head of the Politicks and 
 Hugonots : All the other Lords of that party, put themfelves under him, and 
 the Prince of Conde fends him great Supplies out of Germany '-, which 
 pajjing through Charapaigne, are routed and difperfed by the Duke of Guife. 
 The ^een-Mother goes to confer with the Duke ^/Alancon, and concludes 
 a Truce : in the mean time the King of Navarre leaves the Court, flees in- 
 to Guienne, and declares himfelf Hugonot : The Prince of Cox\d& advanceth 
 ■with the German Army , and at Moulins joins with the Duke (?/ Alancon : 
 
 The 
 
 ^
 
 o/" France. The Sixth ^oo^ 203 
 
 The ^ecn returns^ atid concludes .; Peace , but -with fiich exorbitant Con- 1574. 
 ditJons^ tk.it all the Catholicks are offended at it. The Ditke of Gui(e and 
 his Brothers lay hold of the occafion^ declare themfelves Heads of the Catho' 
 lick^ party y and nuk§ ^ League to oppofi the Rjiablijljment of the Hiigonots 5 
 the grounds and progrefs of that League are related : The King of Na- 
 varre thereupon pretending , that the Catholickj began fir ft ^ by the means of 
 the Prince of Condc^ takes up Arms. . The King ajfembles the States Gene- 
 ral in the City of ^\o\Sy to fettle things in order '^ but after fever al attempts 
 and coitri'Vances , they break, tip rvithout concluding any thing. The King 
 de fires Peace j but feeing the Hugonots inclined to War, raifes two Armies 
 againfi them : The Duke of Alancon Tvith one of them takes la Charite, 
 Iloire, and other places •-, the Duke of Mayenne hp/^A the other takes Thone- 
 Charente and Marans. From War they come to a Treaty of Agreement : 
 Peace is concluded , and the ^jteen-Mother goes to confer with the King of 
 Navarre to mak^ it the ftronger. The King intent upon the dejign of his 
 hidden thoughts, imploys his time rchoUy in Religious Exerrifes, ajfumes all 
 Offices to himfelf and difpofes of them to his Favourites -, among whom, the 
 Dukes of Joyeufe and Efpernon are e'fecially exalted by him. He Injii^ 
 tutes a new Order of Knighthood called dii S. Elprit. The Hueen-Mother 
 goes from the King of Navarre , and vifits a great part of the Kingdom. 
 The Duke of Alancon , to obtain ^een Elizabeth in Marriage, goes over 
 into England, is much honoured '-^ but, notrvithflanding publick, demonjira- 
 tions, nothing is determined. The Hugonots renerv the War ; the Prince of 
 Conde takes X'X Fere in Picardy, and the King of Nzvavre poffeffeth him- 
 felf of Cahors , and other places : The King difpatcheth feveral Armies 
 againfi them, by which la Fere is recovered, but little done in other places: 
 The Duke of Alancon being returned into France, interpofes and fettles the 
 Peace again. He goes into Flanders to command the States that had cafi 
 off their Obedience to the Crown of Spain , does little good there , returns 
 into France, and dies. 
 
 H E death of Charles the Ninth happening juft at that time wlien 
 the remedies ufed by him, to purge the humours of his King- 
 dom, were in the height of their operation v He left not only 
 all parts of Fr^^se in great diforder and confufion i but alfo 
 the Hate of the Crown in exceeding danger and uncertainty, 
 by the fubvcrfion , or at leaft weakning of all the foundations 
 of the Government: For, belldes the lawful SuccefTour, fo 
 far diftant in a ftrange Country, who if he had been prefent, 
 might by alfifting at the Helm in a time of fo great peril, have fteered and moderated 
 the doubtful , troublefom courfe of the Commonwealth, all, the Inliruments of Rule 
 and Power were alfo either very much weakned, or utterly perverted v and even thofc 
 means which ufually maintain and preferve others, were univerfally bent to the di- 
 flraftion and ruine of that Kingdom. 
 
 The Duke of AUncon and the King of Nivarre, neareft of the Blood Royal, and 
 by that prerogative chief of the Council of State, were held as guilty of a mod hai- 
 nous crime, and ftraitly guarded as prifoners. The Prince oi Conde , though very 
 young, yet of an ancient reputation by the fame of his Anceftors, not only abfent and 
 fled from Court, but proteded by the favour of the Proteftant Princes, and ready by 
 foreign Forces to bring in new Inundations. The Hugonots up in Arms in every 
 Province, and manifeftly intent by all means poilible to furprife and poffefs the chiefeft 
 Cities and FortrefTcs. Many of the grcatert Lords, fome fecretly, fome openly, were 
 alienated i and divers of thofe who had mort experience in affairs, moll: authority 
 with the people, and moO reputation in war, were already ("if I may "fe that worci) 
 Cantou/zed in their feveral Provinces and Governments i the Treafury empty, or ra- 
 ther deftroyed •> the Gentry wearied and i^overiflied ; the Militia wafted and con- 
 
 D d 2 Ciraed i
 
 20A. The Hiftorj of the Civil U^ars 
 
 1574. fumed i the people ruined and undone j and yet not only the diflentions in inatters 
 of Religion, but alfo the emulations and enmities of the great ones were ftill more 
 than ever kindled and ftirred up. In this miferable condition no other prop upheld 
 the State from a final fubverfion contrived and plotted by fo many , fave only the 
 wifdom and magnanimity of the Queen-Mother, who by long ufe accuftomed to refifl: 
 the heavielt Ikokes of Fortune , having prefently after the Kings death taken poffef- 
 fion of the Regency , endeavoured conliantly by the beft means (he could, to flop the 
 dangerous precipice of the prefent affairs. 
 
 But the difeafes ot that Kingdom were not fo light , nor the humours that di- 
 ftcmpcred it fo weak, as could by gentle medicines be cured in a fliort time, efpe- 
 cially in the Kings abfencei wherefore the Queen, by the experience of fo many 
 years , well acquainted with the nature and quality of the ficknefs , not prefuming 
 more upon her own ftrength than in reafon (he ought to hopes thought in that pre- 
 fent conjunfturc, ftie (hould do enough , if flie could keep the fiate of the Kingdom 
 from growing worfe, and preferve it from falling into greater diftradtions, fufpending 
 the prefent difordeis till the Kings coming j who afterwards with a well-grounded 
 refolution might apply fuch remedies as he thought moft proper : and in this Oie imi- 
 tated the ordinary cuftom which Phyfitians obferve in the cure of the mofl defperate 
 maladies i who having in hand a body full of grofs, corrupt humours, cither in the 
 heat of the Dog-days , or the extream cold of Winter, (both times unfit to cleanfe 
 and purge them away J) endeavour by gentle lenitive medicines to allay the violence 
 of the difeafe, till the conveniency of the feafon gives them opportunity to make a 
 perfecft cure. She was the rather perfwaded to take that courfe , becaufe (he knew 
 not what the King would refolve on i who though he had feverely perfecuted the 
 Hugonots, during the Reign of his Brother, yet mens opinions and refolutions chang- 
 ing, according to the alteration of affairs, (he could not be certain whether he would 
 incline to Peace or War i and therefore (he thought be(l to referve things in fuch 
 manner, that he might have power to follow that which he moft approved. Where- 
 fore being refolved to diifemble, and to value the fubflance more than the appearance 
 of things, (he determined Hrlt of all to make preparations for War, that (he might 
 not be taken unprovided i and then in other matters , with delays and prolonged 
 hopes to lull and entertain the expedtations and inclinations of the Great Ones, 
 endeavouring chiefly to keep Foreign Armies from invading any part of the King- 
 dome. 
 
 With this refolution (lie with all fpeed fent Gafpar Count of Schombergh^ to rai{e 
 fix thoufand SwKTes , and fome Troops of German Cavalry i to the Duke of MoKt' 
 fejificr (who by reafon of the Kings defperate (ickne(s was come to Court) (he gave 
 charge, that returning prefently to the Camp which was left in PoiSioH, he (hould re- 
 cruit both the Horfe and Foot as much as he could : and the fame commiflion (he gave 
 • to the Prince Vattlphine^ who with the other Army was in the confines of Daulphine 
 and LjMguedoc: and neverthelefs at th« fame time having ftill a regard to thofe ends 
 (he had fecretly propofed to her felf, though (he took not away the guards which were 
 placed upon the Duke of Alancon and the King of Navarre^ yet (he began to ufe them 
 with wonderful (hews of honour and affedtion i for alledging that it ftood not with 
 their reputation to be fet at liberty without fome previous teftimoiiy of their inno- 
 cency , and without the decree and confent of the lawful King, left the nearnefs of 
 blood and relation might feem to have had greater power with her than truth and 
 reafon i in all other things (he (hewed fuch an entire confidence in them, that (he 
 did nothing of importance without their advice > and promifed belides to be a parti- 
 cular Inftrument in effcdling their hopes and pretenfions : by which means the Duke 
 oi Alancon^ being of an unconftant nature, and allured by his Mothers flatteries, fuf- 
 fered himfelf to be eafily guided by her fubtilty : and the King of Navarre, finding 
 no opportunity to advance his fortune , feigned to give credit to all (he faid. Thus 
 thefe two Princes either drawn (though not (incerelyj to her party, or quieted, and 
 as it were lulled afleep, the Regency being confirmed in her without oppofition, (he 
 jointly with her Son and Son-in-law, writ to the Magiftrates, Governours of Provin- 
 ces, and other Officers of the Crown i not becaufe their affcnt was neccffary to make 
 her Orders authentick, nor becaufe (he had any great confidence in them > but to 
 (hew (lie was both in mind and counfel united with thofe Princes, and to takeaway 
 all hopes of their protection from thofe, who de(inng new changes, had fet their eyes 
 
 upon
 
 of France. The Sixth ^oo{. 
 
 205 
 
 upon them with wondrous exped-ation. Thefe Letters , befides the notice of the 
 Kings death, and his eledion of the Queen- Mother to be Regent, contained alfo the 
 confirmation of thofe Edi<Ss granted (by C/:?^r/fj- lately deceafed; to thofe of the Re- 
 formed Religion i as Liberty of Confcience, the free permiilion of their Ecclellaftical 
 Rites i and Hnally, an effecSual exhortation to them all , to live under the obedience 
 of thofe Edidls , and of the ordinary Magiftrates, in quietnefs and tranquillity j ori 
 the other tide , exhorting thofe Magirtrates to conferve all perfons in their own juft 
 rights, and to prohibite any kind of moleftation to all forts of people whatfoever; 
 which things were by Monfieur de ViUeroy Secretary of State, her molt alTured Confi- 
 dent, laid open with many artificial fiouriflies, and with interpretations, and commif- 
 fions favourable to the Hugonots : to withdraw the fuel from that fire ■■, and among 
 fb many difcords, in part to qualifie and mitigate in the minds of fuch as were moft 
 credulous, thofe fo turbulent diffentions kindled in matters of Religion. 
 
 To thefe fatisfadory words, joining deeds no lefs proper and efficacious, (he dif- 
 patched the Abbot Giovanni Eaptijiu Gttadagni, to Monfieur de la None, to treat of a 
 cefTation of Arms in Poidon and Xaintonge , where the Duke oi Montpenfier flill in- 
 creafing his Army, did purpofely flacken his proceedings i it being the intent of the 
 Queen Regent , rather to fufpend the caufes , than profecute or haf>en the efFedts. 
 With the fame diredtions (he difpatched Monfieur de St. Sulpice to the Marefhal d'' An- 
 ville, to the end that by giving him hopes of his Brothers liberty, and of his confir- 
 mation in the Government of Languedoc, he might endeavour to fettle the commoti- 
 ons alfo in thofe parts, and bring things to a truce, which (he was re(blved to accept 
 of, though upon difadvantageous conditions. The Abbot Guadagni's negotiation pro- 
 duced its effedt ■■, for the Rochellers, and other people thereabouts, who by woful ex- 
 perience had fufficiently known the valour and fevere rcfolutions of the new King, 
 when, as his Brothers Lieutenant, he made War againlt the Hugonots i being in 
 very great fear of him , inclined eafily to the Truce , as it were to a forerunner and 
 introduction of Peace > for vyhich caufe it was concluded, that there (hould be a Cef- 
 fation of Arms for two next enfuing months, July and Auguft, and for as much longer 
 as the King (hould think fit, to whom they remitted themfelves in that bufinefsi and 
 that 12000 Crowns (liould be paid unto them by the Regent , to maintain their Ga- 
 tifbns without annoying or molefting the Country. 
 
 But the Treaty of St, Sulpice wrought not the fame eifecft \ for though the Mare- 
 (hal 'd' Anville was more difpofed to maintain himfelf by arts and diilimulations, than 
 by force, and therefore inclined to the Truce v yet of his own party Mombrun in Daiil- 
 fbine, who made War rather like an Outlaw againfl: every body, than like a Souldier 
 againfi a certain Enemy, would not hearken to any agreement, which would neceffi- 
 tate him to lay down his Arms, and ceafe to over-run and fpoil the Country : And 
 on the other part, the Catholicks of Lan{Tuedoc, and efpecialiy the Parliament of Tho- 
 loufe^ were fo enflamed againft the Mare(hal d'' Anville, that they hardly yielded to the 
 CefTation , though commanded by the Ci,'een Regent i it would at la(l have been 
 effeffred, if d'' Anville at the fame time aiming by any means to fecure and pofTefs him- 
 felf of thofe places that depended on him, arrogating the Kings power to himfelf^ 
 had not by deeds contrary to his words, fummoned the States of that Province, and 
 by means of his own adherents, publiflied Decrees and Ordinances, which had more 
 of an ab(blute Prince, than of a Governour. Whereupon the Parliament of Iholoufe, 
 infinitely incenfcd at thofe proceedings which did manifeftly impair their authority, 
 not only refufed the Truce themfelves j but forbad all thofe of the Catholick party 
 either to accept, or put it in execution. 
 
 But neither the injuries of her Enemies, nor the difobedience of her Friends, could 
 alter the Queens determination i who making fmall account of outward appearances, 
 minded only the compalllng of her own ends : Wherefore continuing the bufinefTes 
 which were fet on foot; , (he treated ftill with him , and with his Agents , to gain the 
 benefit of time by the fame arts, wherewith he endeavoured to fettle the foundations 
 of his own Efiate : Which things, while they were in agitation, the Rochellers, fickle 
 and unconfiant in their rcfolutions, either becaufe they were excited by thofe of Lan- 
 gitedoc, or becaufe the 12000 Crowns which were paid them, were notfufficient to 
 maintain their Souldiers, who wanting the fpoils of War, disbanded and forfook 
 them daily, upon a fudden broke the Truce , which a while before was fo willingly 
 accepted and concluded, and in all places round about committed molt grievous cruel 
 
 outrages : 
 
 «574. 
 
 In the ahfence 
 of tht new 
 Kin^ Htr.Tfl. 
 a Truce is 
 made fur tw» 
 months. 
 
 The Parlii- 
 mcnt of Thy- 
 tonfi ordains, 
 that the Truce 
 fhall not be 
 accepted not 
 executed. 
 
 The Rochet 
 I;rs break ibc 
 Truce.
 
 2o6 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil JVars - 
 
 «573- 
 
 Htnn r\\e. III. 
 ill affeiied 'o 
 the Km" of 
 Nitv.trre an.l 
 Prince "f C<t- 
 dr, Htail-. of 
 the Hti5;onoti; 
 as alfo ro the 
 Duke of Cvi/f, 
 He ail of the 
 Cathollcks 
 
 The Prince of 
 ^-)«f^fi' made 
 Head of the 
 Huoonots. 
 
 outrages; Yet neither for all this was the Qiieen anything difmaidi but difTembling 
 all injuries with marvellous patience, to accomplifli her own dciigns, difpatched new 
 Agents to the Rochcllers, and to d^ Anville^ that they might renew the Treaty i it^ 
 fuflicing her, though the bulinefs could not be effecfled, that till flie had notice of the 
 Kin"s arrival, the time might be fpun out, without new troubles and diftradions > 
 and therefore every where mingling Treaties of accommodation with actions of War, 
 both iidcs proceeded with equal llownefs, not concluding any agreement , and im- 
 ploying the Armies only in the bufincfs of fmall importance. 
 
 And now affairs were brought almoft to the point which theQiieen before defired ; 
 for Monlicur de Moittpenfier with an Army kept the Forces of the Hugonots at a Bay. 
 in Xaiinoxsre •, the Prince Vaulphim, with another^ oppofed their attempts in Danl- 
 phinc; znA d' AnviH^^ who, doubtful in his mind, thought more to eflablifli himfelf, 
 than to make any new conqueils , being held in hand with arts and promifes , drew, 
 out the.time,' without making any more exprels Declaration. But the Prince of Conde^ 
 teiiding m Strjibourgh ^ one of the Hans Towns in Gennany^ was already refolved 
 (following the Heps of his Father) to make himfelf Head of his party i and therefore 
 treated with the Proteftant Princes about the railing of new Forces, and by Meffages 
 follicited the Hugonots of France , to unite and gather themfelves together , and to 
 allift him with fome reafonable fum of money, whereby while the King was abfent, 
 he might without delay enter with a powerful Army into Biirgongne. 
 
 For this caufe the Deputies of the Hugonot Provinces ( they then called &itm 
 the Reformed Churches) being met together at Millaut^ with the Agents of the Mare-. 
 (hal d' AiiviUe ^ fwho, though he feigned the contrary, and entertained the Queen. 
 Regent with words and promifes, was yet fecretly united to them) they confulted as 
 well about the means of procuring money, as about the conditions upon which they 
 flwuld admit the Prince unto that command i which the Qiieen no fooner knew, but 
 file prefently difpatched fitting perfons (whereof fhe judicioufly chofc many, and with 
 her liberaUty maintained a great number) who under colour of treating an agreementj 
 fliould by fovving doubts and difcords, hinder and delay the refblutions of that meet- 
 ing : nor did the Deputies agree very well among themfelves i for though they all 
 knew well enough, that without the nameof a Prince of the Blood, that fliould, both 
 within and without the Kingdom, want authority and reputation, and by confequence 
 the ftrength of all their Forces j yet were their opinions diverfe concerning the Prince : 
 for many had yet fet their eyes upon the Duke of AUncon i many defired the King 
 of Navarre ■■, and fome were unfatisfied with the youth of the Prince of Conde^ doubt- 
 ing that his want of years and experience would be accompanied with weaknefs and 
 contempt. To this was joined the ambiguoufnefs of d' Anville ^ who though his 
 chiefeft aim was his own fccurity, and the confervation of his Government of Lan- 
 gitedoc^ yet could he not altogether withdraw his thoughts from pretending to the 
 firfi place, which though he could not obtain for himfelf, yet he defired at leaft that 
 lie that had it, (liould acknowledge it principally from him : nor could it much pleafe 
 la None, whofe power with the Rochellers was very great to fee a Superiour chofen, 
 whofe eminence and reputation would much eclipfe and diminifli the authority of his 
 Command. But neither the Queens policy, nor their own particular divifions could 
 leftrain the general ardour and inclination with which moft of them voluntarily con- 
 curred, to put themfelves under that Prince, whofe Anceftors they were acculiomed 
 to obey, and whofe very name alone made deep imprelTions in the minds of the peo- 
 ple, by reafon of the fo famous, and Co much deplored memory of his Father. Where- 
 fore the Articles of Agreement were fet down in the name of the Provinces, (d^ An- 
 z'ille and la None affenting to them of necelfity , though fecretly i whereby after their 
 wonted pretences and proteftations, the power and command of that party was con- 
 ferred upon the Prince of Conde , committing to his proted:ion both the Liberty of 
 their Confciences , and the ordering of that War which was thought fo neceflary for 
 their common fafety. To thefe Capitulations joining a convenient fum of money, 
 they appointed three Deputies to allift the Prince , both in the condud and fudden 
 expedition of the Germans , and to relate to him the ftate of their aifairs, and their 
 common re(blutions. 
 
 At this very time the Hugonots ufing all poffible means to help themfelves, printed 
 an infinite number of little Pamphlets under divers Titles, but all with biting iiings. 
 and fabulous Narrations againll the Actions and Government of the Queen Regent, to 
 
 whom
 
 of France. The Sixth ^oo{. 
 
 20j 
 
 whom many of them being hroughf , and the Council purpofing to decree fevere pu- 
 nUTiments againft the Authors and Printers of thofe defamatory Pamphlets, and fedi- 
 tious Libels •■> (he oppofed that opinion, alledging, that to prohibite them, was a cer- 
 tain means to make them authentick i and that there was no greater proof nor trial 
 of the good, than when they were hated, and abufcd by malicious people i and per- 
 fevering in her refok;tion, not to regard outward appearances, (he diflembled all thofe 
 injuries with admirable patience i but when fhe faw the preparations for the coming 
 of the Germans , being moft refblute to oppofe them with force , if policy were not 
 (uffident, flie went from Paris accompanied with the Duke of Alancon and the King 
 of Navarre , who not yet fet at liberty, followed her, but without conftraint i and 
 being come into Burgongne^ (he her felf multered the SwifTes and Germans, confirm- 
 ing the affedtions of the Commanders with liberal gifts, and many favours i and thett 
 inarching with them towards the Provinces that were up in Arms, which were the 
 fame where the Kings coming was expeded, and through which the Army of the 
 Protefiants- intended to enter the Kingdom, (he refolved to (tay in Lwns as a convenient 
 place to move which way foever need required. 
 
 In the mean time, the King having had notice of the death of Charles, brought to 
 him by Monfieur de Chemeraut^ within thirteen days, though the Nobility of the King- 
 dom of Poland, infinitely fatisfied with his valour and comportment, did ufe all pop- 
 fible means to ftay him there •, yet he not willing to forego his hereditary right to 
 France, for the eledlive Kingdom of Poland, there being (b great a difference between 
 them i and follicited by thofe urgent affairs which called him away , to remedy fuch 
 violent dangers, departed fecretly by night with a fmall retinue, and parting through 
 Auftria with all poihble fpeed, went forward toward his own Kingdom by the way 
 of Italy. He was continually halkned by Letters and Meffages from the Queen Re- 
 gent, who with much ado fmothering the fparks of that fire, which was ready to 
 break into a flame , infinitely defired her Sons prefcnce, that (lie might without fur- 
 ther delay apply fuch remedies as were proper for the malignity of thedifeafe; where- 
 fore the King fufptnding no longer time than juft what necellity required in the en- 
 tertainments of the Princes oi Italy, and particularly in the delights of ^f«/cf, where 
 he was received with wonderful pomp and honour, about the end of Auguji arrived at 
 Jhurin, where it was expedled he would begin to prepare, and lay the grcund-work 
 of his defigns. 
 
 The Marefhal d^ AnviHe, upon fecurity of the Duke of Savoy's word, came thither 
 to him, as alio Philippe Huraut Vifcount of Chiverny his old Chancellor, Gafpar Count 
 o{ Schombergh, Bernard de Fizes, znd NtcboUf de Meitville Sieax deVilleroy, both Secre- 
 taries of State, who all were fent from the Queen Regent, to give him an account 
 of the affairs of his Kingdom. But the King having heard their relation, with the fe- 
 cret defigns of his Mother , and on the other fide the pretences and excufes of the 
 Marclhal , though not only Roger Sieur de Bellegarde, and Gny de Pibrac his favoured 
 Counfellors i but alfo the Duke of Savoy, and the Lady Margaret laboured all they 
 could to bring him to fomc determination that might be favourable to d' Anville\ yet 
 nourifliing high thoughts in the depth of his mirid , and m.aking his excufe that he 
 would rcfolve nothing without the alfiflance and approbation of his Mother, to whofa 
 vigilance and prudence he was fo much obliged, he difmifTed d' AnviVe with ambigu- 
 ous anfwers, and haflned his journey fo much the more, left he (hould be put upon a 
 necelTity of referring that to the determinations of others, which he purpofed to re- 
 ferve to the execution of his own premeditated defigns s for the better compailing 
 whereof, feeing he had fo many bufineffes to fettle in his own Kingdom, that for 
 many decads of years it would be in vain to think of any enterprife on that fide of the 
 Mountains i and defiring abfolutely to gain the Duke of Savoy and the Lady Mar- 
 garet, that he might make ufe of them afterward in the effecting of his purpofes, he 
 refolved to refiore unto them Tignerol, SaviUan, and la VaVee de Peroufe , which for 
 fecurity of the intentions of thofe Princes , had been held by the Kings his Predecef- 
 fors i thinking it fuperfluous to keep places with a vaft expence, out of his own King- 
 dom, which were of no other ufe but in confideration of thofe hopes, which as affairs 
 then (\ood, were very far off, and unlikely. Yet many condemned that his precipitate 
 reftitution of them, and Lodovico Gonzaga Duke of Nevers Governour of thofe places, 
 and a man of equal wifdom and loyalty, after having ufed all poflTible endeavours that 
 they might not be reftored, laid open his opinion finally in writing, which he defired 
 
 might 
 
 '574- 
 
 Henrj the III. 
 returning auc 
 
 at Tbxiin, and 
 reftores cer- 
 tain places to 
 the Du e of 
 Savi'-, Iteptby 
 the Kings of 
 frjnce for f»> 
 cuciiy.
 
 2o8 The Htjlory of the Civil If^ars 
 
 1 574' niigiu be kept for his difcharge, among the Records and Charters of the Crown i where- 
 at the King was offended , though ne wifely diltembled it , thinking then:i vain and 
 ambitious, who would fcem to know more ot his own fecrcts than he himfelf. 
 
 The rifth day of September^ he came into the confines of his own Kingdom at ?o}rt- 
 Bean-vnyfut , where the Duke of Alancon , and the King of Navarre expedted him, 
 who having till then ("though with much gcntlcnefs) been kept as prifoners were 
 with demonrtratJons of much honour and affed'ion fully fet at liberty by him at the 
 lirft meeting ■■> and to give the greater teftimony of his good will toward them, he 
 placed hinifclf in the midfl between them both, to receive his fubjeds which were 
 come thither to the confines to fhew their dutiful refpcds unto him. The next day 
 he met the Queen his Mother, who was purpofcly come to a little Caftle near Lyons > 
 and being entered together into the City, they began without further delay, to treat 
 of buflncfTcs, concerning the Peace, or War which they were to make with their arra^d 
 fubjeds. 
 
 The King knew very well not only the wavering troublefbm eftateof his Kingdom, 
 but alfo the miferable condition to which he himfelf at that time was reduced > for the 
 whole Kingdom being divided into two different factions, the one of the CathoHcksi, 
 the other of the Hugonots, both which had their chief heads appointed and eikblifhed 
 long before hand, and through the long reiterated diftradions, not only the Cities and 
 Provinces , but alfo all particular perfons divided between them , he found that he 
 was left (as we ufe to fay j dry between two Rivers ■-, and that his power being ffiared 
 and difmembred between thofe two great parties, he retaining nothing but the name 
 of a King, was utterly deprived both of his forces, and due obedience v and more- 
 over, that to avoid mifery and contempt, he was neceilkated to become fad'ious, and 
 partial i and mixing in the diffcntions of his fubjed-s, to make himfelf the author of 
 his own misfortunes, and a neccffary inftrument to imbroil and deftroy his own King- 
 ■ dom. For though the Hugonots and Politicks were called by the name of Rebels, as 
 thofe who firft had fliaken off the yoke of their obedience to the King, and openly 
 oppofed him i and though the Catholicks fought under a colour of fo fpecious and Co 
 neceffa'ry a caufe as the defence and prefcrvation of their Religion -, yet for all that the 
 malice of mankind had mingled with it the venom of private interclls , and under 
 that honourable pretence , the ambition of the Great Ones had to the prejudice of 
 their Kings , built up their own Power , and ellablifhed a kind of unfufferable Au-^ 
 thority. 
 
 The Gtdfes, whilft in the Reign of the late Kings they bore the principal fway ia 
 the Government, had very fair opportunities to raife and confirm their own Great- 
 nefs, by putting the commands of ftrong places, and the Governments of Provinces 
 into the hands of their own Creatures, and nearefl Confidents v by placing their de- 
 pendants in the Courts of Juftice , in the Kings Council , in the chief honours of the 
 Court, and the management of the F/;7J7Z(;f/ •, and by drawing an infinite number of 
 men to their own devotion , who were flraitly engaged to them for many favours, 
 gifts, riches and dignities obtained by their means i which things, whilft the minds 
 of men were paflionately inclined to that party, and taken with the fpecious mask of 
 Religion, to many fecmed tolerable, and to many very reafonablc and juft ; But now 
 they were taken notice of to be united in one body of a Fadrion, they appeared as a 
 great engine ereded tooppofc, and upon any fit occafion torefift even the authority 
 and pleafure of the King himfelf. But on the other fide, the Hugonots had no lefs 
 conveniency of eftabli filing themfclves, and ftrengthening their own power i for having 
 by the oftentation of liberty , and by promifing Offices and Authority, drawn unto 
 themfelves all the male-contents and turbulent fpirits, who once entangled, could no 
 more dif-ingage themfelves i and the Edidts of fo many feveral Pacifications, having 
 flill confirmed thofe Offices and Governments to thofe upon whom they had been con- 
 ferred by the Princes and Heads of the Fadion i in procefs of time, the Provinces 
 were incumbered with them, places of ftrength poffeffed by them, many chief Ofiices 
 of the Crown replenifhed with their adherents, and a great part of the Nobility, with 
 many popular men, were united and intercfled with them through the whole King- 
 dom. Wlierefore the late Kings , who by reafon of the fhortnefs of their Reigns, 
 had given greater opportuity to the building up of thofe two powerful Fadions, re- 
 maining utterly deprived of all the means and inflruments of Government, were forced' 
 by necelTity t6 become Champions of the paffion , and Promoters of the greatnefs of 
 
 other
 
 of France. The Sixth ^cof^ 20( 
 
 other men i fothat being unable of thermfelves to execute any folid refolute defign, in I574« 
 ftead of governing, tliey were governed > and in ftead of bridling that violence, they 
 themfclves were carried away by the impetuous ftream of thofe Faftions: which in- 
 dignities being ferioufly confidered by the prefent King, full of high thoughts, and of 
 a lively generous fpirit, had made fuch an impreffion in him, that though he ufed his 
 uttermoft endeavours to dilTemble and conceal it , he could not but with deep fighs 
 often break forth into the words of Lervls the XI, (one of his PredecefTors) * That * S»* -' >P'* 
 it was norp hig^h time to put Khtgi out of their Page-fliips : meaning, that they having "n^R^^j'JtttT 
 (b long been fubjedt to the la(h and difcipline of the Heads of thofe Fadlions, it was ^"i"' 
 then feafonable to fliake off their Empire and Dominion. With thefe confiderations 
 having even in the time of his Brothers Reign begun to obferve and deplore that weak- 
 nefs of the Kings, and infolence of the Subjedls, and having made a greater rcfledlion 
 upon them in the thoughts of his late Voyage , after the Crown was fallen into his 
 hands, he refolved with himfelf to ufe all poflTible force to fhake from his neck the 
 wretched diflionourable yoke of thofe Factions , and to make himfelf a free abfolute 
 King, as fo many of his glorious Anceflors had been. 
 
 But as this thought was certainly very neceffary for one that defired to Reign, and 
 very juft in the lawful poffeflbr of a Crown i fo was it alfb infinitely hard and diffi- 
 cult to be put in execution. He wanted the finews of the Treafury, already wafted 
 and confumed i he wanted the obedience of his Subjedls, who were fo obftinately in- 
 terefted in their leveral Fadtions , that the Majefty and Veneration of a King was al- 
 ' ready become fabulous and contemptible : he wanted faithful trufty Minifters i for 
 every one by feme ftrait tie or other was engaged to one of the parties 5 and the bu- 
 finefs ot it felt by rcafon of their fo exceffive power, was a work of mighty art, ex- 
 traordinary cars, infinite diligence , and for the perfecting thereof, propitious Fortune 
 was no lefs requifite than great length of time. But notwithftanding all thefe fb 
 weigluy obibcles , the Kings mind being fo inwardly wounded , that he could not 
 take himfelf off from the perpetual meditation of that defign, and thinking no enter- 
 prife (how painful or difficult foeverj impollible to his youth and valeur, firmly de- 
 termined to apply all his molt powerful endeavours to compafs that end, which he 
 was not only perfwaded to by publick refpeds and his former confiderations, but was 
 alfo moved and incited thereunto by his own private paiTions and particular inclina- ^^^^ j,,j jjj 
 tions i for having conceived an inveterate hatred againft the King of Navarre and iiuffcaed to 
 the Prince of Conde , from the time that he was imploycd againft them , in that War ^'^^ J^rr"" a°nd 
 wherein he had been nouriflicd and brought up from his very childhood i he ardently Prince of c^k- 
 defired to fee the ruine of them , and of all the reft of their Fadion ■■, from whom, ^^{^^ ""InotJ' 
 by reafbn of former injuries, he believed he could never have any real nor faithful fer- as aifo°to the 
 vice : and on the otiier fide, calling to mind the offence received from the Duke of h" aj °Jf^t*he'' 
 Gwfe in the perfbn of his Sifter the Lady Margaret then Queen of Navarre, (of whom othoiuiss. 
 it was reported that he had obtained more than ordinary favours) he had converted 
 all the love which he formerly bare him into fo great a fpleen, that (although he diC- 
 fembled it) he burned with a moft fervent defire of revenge i and for her fake could 
 not endure any intereft, dependanceor alliance of blood with the houfe of Guife--, fb 
 that publick caufes concurring with private enmities , he fo much the more eafily re- 
 folved to deftroy both thofe fo potent Fadlions. 
 
 But in contriving proper means to attain that end, the firft doubt he met withal 
 was this. Whether the eftablifiiment of Peace or continuance of War were more pro- 
 fitable for the advancement of this defign i and though partly to difcover their incli- 
 nations, partly to draw from them fome confiderations agreeing with his own intents, 
 he heard the opinions of his Councellours in that point i fome exhorting him to im- 
 brace Peace, and others encouraging the profecution of the War i yet he concluded 
 with himfelf, that War continually nourifliing and increafing the force and power of 
 the Fadfions , was difadvantageous for his prefent purpofe i and that Peace which 
 would lull afleep turbulent fpirits, and with the benefit of time quiet the pallions and 
 animofities of both parties, was much more helpful and proper to the effedfing of his 
 defires. For whilft the War continued, new Abettors and Adherents were daily added 
 to theFadtions, new places fortified, which were in the power of the Heads of thofe 
 parties, new Garifons brought in , and youth was bred up in the profellion of Arms, 
 and in the obftinacy of civil difTentions ; whereas by Peace , the feuds and enmities 
 between particular men would be extinguifiied, the courfe of thd Faftions flopped, 
 
 E e the
 
 2IO The H'tjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1574. the fortifications already made fas the cuftom is) would be demoliflied , the number 
 of thofc, who f wanting other means of living) maintained themfclves by War, would 
 be diflipated, the remembrance of pail hatreds buried, and the old engaged Leaders 
 (fo accurtomed to difcordj dropping away, young men, free from pallion, and bred 
 in peaceful thoughts, would fpring up in their places. To thefereafons was, alfo added 
 this other important refpedV , That it being neceflary for the execution of fo great a 
 dcfign, to furnifli the Treafury with fomc liore of moneys for the foundation of his 
 own power , and the fufficient maintenance of his Greatnefs, and Forces proper for a 
 King •» this could not be put in praftice but by the benefit of Peace, llnce War did 
 continually deftroy and confume the publick ftock , walling that in a few months, 
 which with much labour was a whole year a gathering from the people. Befides this, 
 that old confideration wrought alfo , which had ever produced the conclufion of 
 Peace i for the Prince of Conde being ready to come out of Germany with a great fo- 
 leign Army to the evident danger of France^ it feemed much more to the purpofc to 
 divert that tempeft by an agreement , than by refilling it with force in that weak be- 
 ginning of his Reign to put the fiate of his Kingdom in (b manifcft an hazard. Thefe 
 reafons, which perchance by the defire of Reft, and of the delights of the Court, (to 
 which he was very much inclined^ were made to appear more valid and powerfuT, 
 perfwaded him to imbrace an accommodation '-, yet becaufe the occalions of the Wat 
 were fo juft and reafonablc, and becaufe the Hugonots on their part provoked him daily 
 wrth new injuries, in fo much zsMumbrun coming from the mountains of Vaulphine^ 
 had plundered his own carriages as they paffed from Savoy to Lyons ■■> and on the other 
 fide , becaufe the Catholick Princes unanimoufly exhorted him not to forfake that 
 path of conftancy and valour which in former times he had fo glorioufly trodden, 
 for the fuppreiTion and extirpation of herefie > he feared his defii^ns would eafily be 
 difcovered, if it were obferved , that he , a young warlike Prince, fliould refufe to 
 (liow himfelf againft the Rebellious, and not care to punifh the infoknce and contu- 
 macy of his own Subjedls : for having no caufe to think that his former adlions could 
 argue him guilty of either bafenefs of mind, or weaknefs of underllanding, they would 
 rather believe he had direfted his aim at fome further and more important ends, which 
 he thought it would be impoflible for him to compafs, when once they were laid 
 open by more than probable conjedtures : wherefore refolving to make ufe of the con- 
 tinued ordinary means of dillimulation , which by nature and cuftom he was very 
 well verfed in, he determined in himfelf to continue the War, but with fuch cold faint 
 proceedings as (hould not alter the (late of affairs > and in the mean time by conve- 
 nient opportunities dexteroufly and diflemblingly to bring in Peace, upon the ground 
 whereof he would after go on to nearer, and to more effedlual means > for feigning 
 fometimes to be taken up with exercifes of devotion , fometimes with pleafing de- 
 lightful entertainments, he thought by a fhew of negligence and carelefnefs in time to 
 delude the wifdom of the moft politick Obfervers, as if nourilhing only (oft effemi- 
 nate thoughts, he had wholly given himfelf over to cafe and devotion. 
 
 With thofe arts he thought he might eafily lull the vigilancy of the Faftion, and 
 afterward have both time and opportunity, as occafion ferved, to build up his dcfigns. 
 He purpofcd tocherifh, and exalt in Court quick-witted and crafty-natured men, to 
 whom he might fecurely commit the adminiftration the Government > in time he in- 
 tended to draw into the hands of his Creatures and Confidents, not fo much the name 
 and title, as the fubftance and elTence, both of the greateft Civil and Military Offices i 
 he hoped with thofe opportunities which time ufes to afford, by degrees to take away 
 the greatne(s and reputation of powerful fa6Hous men , either by depriving them of 
 their place , diminishing their adherents, lefTening their credit, or finally by cutting 
 them off ■> by which means prudently managed he promifed himfelf, ( though with 
 fome length of time ) that he fhould ruine and pull down by little and little, thofe 
 powers which had been built up, and now appeared fo eminent and terrible > which 
 things wifely difpofed, and difcreetly contrived , might perhaps in the end have fuc- 
 ceeded happily, if the King in procefs of time had not fuffered himfelf to be tranG- 
 ported by his own nature and inclinations. 
 
 Now being upon thefe confidcrations, refblved to continue the name, but to flacken 
 the effeds of War, he recalled the Prince from the command of the Army, who with 
 an ardour equal to his courage, and a fincerity equal to his nature, had done his bu- 
 Unefs fo handfomly, that having taken and facked Paujin, a place of very great con- 
 
 fequencc.
 
 of France. The Sixth "BodJ^ 211 
 
 fequence, and overrun all the Province of Vivarez , he had filled the Hugonots Vvlth 1 5^4. 
 infinite terrour i which progrefs being contrary to the Kings intention, having fent 
 for him from the Army , under colour of being prefent at his Confecration , he com- 
 mitted the charge thereof unto Roger Sieur cle BeVegarde , newly created Marefhal 
 who was not only an interefted friend to d^ Anville, with whom chiefly he was to 
 make War in that Province, but one efteemed by the King fo faithful to him, that he 
 was confident he might difpofe of him at his own pleafure 5 and becaufe the Duke of 
 Montpenfter on the other fide, having razed Lufignan. taken Fontenay^ and other adja- 
 cent Towns, preffed the Hugonots fo home, that they were already, as it were, fhuC 
 up in Rachel , he commanded away fome of his Forces, pretending, that they were 
 more necefTary in Champagne^ to hinder the entrance of that foreign Army, which un- 
 der the Prince of Conde, was not far diftant from the borders of the Kingdom ■-, and 
 becaufe Henry Duke of Gaife^ the principal Head of the Catholick party, Governout 
 of Champagne , had the command of the Forces of that Province, he made Armand 
 Sieur de Byron his Lieutenant v who no lefs famous for wifdom , than Valour , had 
 already fhcwed himfelf very favourable to the Hugonots. 
 
 Matters of War being fettled, and balanced in this mahner, the King began to 
 think of Marriage i for, the hopes of the Family depending upon him, and the Duke 
 of Alancon, both without Children , it was necefTary to provide for the fucceffion of 
 the Kingdom. Before he went into Pola»d, he was not a little taken with Louyfe^ the 
 Daughter of NuoIm Count of Vaudemont^ and Niece to the Duke of Lorain^ being be- 
 fides the beauty of her perfon, infinitely pleafed with the modeftyof her difpofition, 
 and difcreet behaviour i but the fear of augmenting the greatnefs of the Houfe of Lo- 
 rain, and of bringing the Cardinal into the management of affairs, whofe genius was 
 "Wont to rule the wills and fway the affeftions of his Predeceffors, did much diffwade 
 him from that thoughts and recalling to mind the late occurrences, under the Reigns 
 of Frj^u'j^ the Second, zud Charles the Ninth, and the great pretentions and authority 
 of the Cardinal, he could not bend his mind , to fuffer by that means, a new increafe 
 of that Power , the abatement whereof he had with fo much labour, and fo long pa- 
 tience propounded to himfelf. For which confiderations turning his thoughts another 
 way, he purpofed to demand Elizabeth Sifter to John King of Srveden, a Princefs for Tht Kingje. 
 •wit and beauty not inferiour to any i and Secretary Pinart was prefently fent to treat !?« of 'tte*'' 
 about the match. But in the mean time while the King flayed at Avignon, the Cat- King of srre. 
 dinal of Lorain (whofe power and wifdom he fo much feared) chancing to die of a ''"'"Wife, 
 Burning Feaver, he fuddenly changed his determination, recalling Tinart from his The 6e»tbof 
 treaty, and being fwayed by affedion , which in all, but efpecially in great minds, '^'^*r<^in»i 
 prevails above all other refpedts , he took to Wife Loityfe de Vaudemont, who in the "' 
 
 beginning of the next year was brought to Kheimes by the Duke , and Dutchefs of 
 Lorain. 
 
 The Kings third confideration, was, how to fettle his Brother the Duke of Atan" 
 con, who being of a feditious fpirit , and fickle turbulent nature, was not likely to be 
 more quiet in the Reign of the prefent King , whom he already hated and envied, 
 than he had been in the late Reign of Charles, who had not given him fuch caufes of 
 hatred and emulation. Two Propofitions came into his mind for that purpofe > one 
 was to procure Elizibetb Queen of England in Marriage for him , but that had been 
 often treated of, and always waved, by her refolution not to marry : the other to re- 
 fign the Crown of Poland to him, but that could not be done, but by the confent and 
 eleftion of that people, the which (they believing themfelves injured and deprived by 
 the King, in his fo fecret departure from them) was very hard to be obtained. But 
 not being to be dikouraged by difficulty, from making trial what might be done, he 
 chofe two Ambafladours to treat about the bufinefs, Guy Sieur de Pibrac a man of great 
 learning and experience, one of his intimate Counfellors, and Roger Sieur de BeVegarde, 
 fubftituting in the command of the Army Alberto Gonai Count of Retz, who becaufe 
 he was an Italian , brought up , and raifed by King Charles, and the Queen-Mother^ 
 •was infinitely trufied by him, and made partaker of many of his moft hidden fecrec 
 intentions. 
 
 With thefe defigns, but with a (hew of feafts and triumphs, began the year 1575. 157S> 
 For the King being departed from Avignon , to be confecrated with the accuftomed 
 Ceremonies, was come to Rheimes, where the holy Oyl is kept in a Viol Ccommonly 
 called the Sanae Ampule) deftined by ancient Veneration , for the anointing of the 
 
 Ee a Kings
 
 212 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1575' 
 
 The Kino is 
 confecrated at 
 
 Ordinal of 
 L'trairtf Bro- 
 ther to tbe 
 Duke ofCxift, 
 and next day 
 inirricth 
 Liuyfc dt Vttt- 
 drmont Neece 
 to the Duke 
 of Ltraiit. 
 
 MovrHifim who 
 had taken the 
 Kings carria- 
 ges IS taken 
 fiimrclf and 
 executed. 
 
 rr.titcij "LtHHi 
 made Head of 
 tbe Hugnnots, 
 and after 
 Higb-Conftj- 
 blc of the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 Kings of France. The Ceremonies were performed with folemn State , by Len>it 
 Cardinal of Lorain , the Duke of Gidfes Brother i and the next day after the King 
 married the Princefs Louyfe ; all the fadnefs of former troubles, diflblving it felf into 
 delightful thoughts , dances, tournaments, and all manner of pomp and jollity : then 
 having vifited the Church of St. Maclou , where the Kings with a faft of nine days, 
 and other pennances, ufe to receive that famous Gift of Healing the Kings Evil with 
 nothing but a touch, the King in the end of March came into the City of Farit. 
 
 In the beginning of .^pril, the Deputies of the Prince of Conde, the Marefhal d^An' 
 viUe^ and of the aflbciatcd Provinces, were come thither by his permiflion, to treat 
 of Peace ■■> to whom were joined the Ambaffadors of the Queen of England , and of 
 the Cantons of Sivijferland , to exiiort and perfwade the King, to grant thofe condi- 
 tions to the Hugonots, which they thought neceffary for their fecurify : but their de- 
 mands were fo exorbitant, though the King were of himfcif inclined to embrace Peace, 
 yet could he not bend his mind to hearken to them ■■> and the Catholick party with bitter 
 murmurings fpoke openly againft the infolence, and impertinence of their propofitions : 
 wherefore after a long ambiguous Negotiation, the Deputies took leave, returning to 
 relate the Kings pkafure to thofe that fent themi and k(t Arenes one of their num- 
 ber at the Court , to keep the bufinefs in agitation , and not utterly to cut off the 
 treaty of Peace, which was fo much deGred on both fides. 
 
 About this time (though it were contrary to the Kings intent) the War was not at 
 all left adtive , than it was before i for mens minds being inflamed of themfelves, by 
 the fire of each fadtion, much blood was daily fpilt in feveral encounters i and it hap- 
 pened , that Momhrun , grown proud by the fuccefs of many Vidories , thinking to 
 have his wonted fortune, in a fudden diforderly charge, which he gave the Forces of 
 Monlieur de Gardes the Kings Lieutenant in Vaulphine , was not only repulfed , but 
 alfo fo (heightened , between a River and a Hill , by the multitude of the Catholicks, 
 that all his men being defeated and fcattered, he was firft wounded, and after taken 
 prifoner : fo that being brought to Grenoble^ he was by publick decree of the Parlia- 
 ment condemned to death, and the fentence executed without delay , he not only bear- 
 ing the punifhment of thofe infinite troubles , which he had brought upon that Pro- 
 vince, but alfo of his boldnefs in daring to plunder the Kings own Carriages and Ser- 
 vants. From this battel wherein Momhrun was defeated , efcaped Francis de Bonne 
 Sieur de Lefdiquiers, a man of great wifdom, and no lefs boldnefs and vivacity, wlio 
 in procefs of time, being made Head of the Hugonot Fadion in DaHlphine, advanced 
 himfelf by his prudence and courage fo far above his own private condition, that in 
 the end he came with incredible reputation to be made High-Conftable of the King- 
 dome. 
 
 Nor was the ftate of affairs any quieter in the other Provinces » for the Marcfchal 
 d' AnviUe having called a meeting at Nifmes, and another afterward at Montpeliier, had 
 declared himfelf Head of the Politicks , and joining in confederacy with the Hugo- 
 rots, had openly attempted thofe places, which held of the Kings party > In the Pro- 
 vince of Terigort. Henry de la Tour Vifcount of Turemie^ had caufed many places fo 
 revolt unto the Hugonots , in Normandy the Rebels had taken the Mount St. MkhaeU, 
 though iWithin a few days after it was recovered by the care and valour of Matignon ; 
 and in all thofe Provinces, there happened daily little, but frequent encounters, which 
 though they altered not the condition of bufineffes in the main, yet did they nourifh 
 difcord in mens minds , and augment the power of the Fadion j which rcafons con- 
 firming the King fo much the more in his refolutions of procuring a Peace , he fent 
 Monfieur de la Hunaude , a man of much popular eloquence, to treat with la Nmie 
 and the Rochellers , to try if by any means they might be removed from thofe high 
 conditions they demanded i and dill continued the Negotiation of Agreement with 
 the Agents of the Prince of Conde and Monfieur d' AnviUe. He alfo very politickly 
 gave a beginning to thofe arts which were already contrived, and fhewed openly that 
 his mind was averfe from the troubles of bufinefs, and the toils of War •, and on the 
 other fide, much addided to a devout folitary life , entertaining himfelf with foftcr 
 pleafures, and more gentle quiet converfations : but in the mean time he ceafed not 
 to confult privately, and as much as he could to draw forward his defign > which that 
 it might be kept the more fecret, he continued his cuftom of not propounding his moft 
 weighty affairs in the open Council of State, but to treat of them only in the Cabi- 
 net-Council, which was begun in his Brothers time, and by him reduced to a very 
 
 fmaH
 
 o/ France. The Sixth ^oo{. 212 
 
 fmall number, v/hich were the Queen his Mother, Kenato di Birago an Italian High *57S^ 
 Chancellor, Alberto Condi Count of Ketz^ Philip Hurault Vifcount of Chiverny Pom- 
 pone Sieur de Bellieure^ Sebajlian de /' Aubefpine Biftop of Limngss^ 'Ren; Sicur de ViHe- 
 guier^ and the two Secretaries, Pinart and Villeroy. To thefe not communicating the 
 whole fecret, but only thofe things which were prefently to be done, he refolved as 
 he faw occalion i and daily drew perfons of wit and valour to the Court, but fuch 
 as, taken from moderate fortunes, ought to acknowledge their advancement only from 
 his hand. And to bring the difpofingoE the publick monies, and the giving of all w«7thellr 
 grants into his own power, that fo men might be obliged to him alone, and the de- '">"" » nt« 
 pendance be taken away from the Heads and Princes of the Faiftions ; feeming to find vlmmcnt.^"" 
 fault with the ill-ordering of thofe two moft principal things in his Brothers time he 
 decreed that the Treafurers , not giving other account to the Chamber appointed for 
 that purpofe, nor to the Superintendent of the Finsnces, might make up their accounts 
 and reckonings with nothing but acquittances figned with his hand ; by which means 
 difpofing of moneys according to his own pleafure, he caufed it fecretly to be con- 
 veyed where he thought moft convenient, without making any body acquainted with 
 it but himfelf. In the bufinefs of grants and favours, he commanded that no one The mmi 
 Ihould intercede or beg for another , but that every one (hould prefent their own Pe- obfcrvtd at' 
 titions, which being once figned with his hand, the Secretaries of State were pre- a°"„"^2 of* 
 fently to difpatch them without delay, reply or contradidlion : for during the Reigns I'ctitions. 
 of the late Kings , the Princes and great men of the Kingdom, and the Favourites of 
 the Court were wont to prefent Petitions for private men, favouring their requefts by 
 their Authority , and the Petitions were fent to the Secretaries of State and the High 
 Chancellour i who, if they found any thing in them contrary to Law, or the Inftl- 
 tutions of the Kingdom, rejeded and refufed them without further confultaticn : But 
 if they were fuch things as might be granted without inconveniency, they regiftred 
 them in a Roll orderly head by head, which Roll was always read once in fo many 
 days before the King and his Council , and every requeft being maturely weighed, 
 thofe that were granted, were figned by the Kings hand, and thofe that were denied, 
 were crofTed out of the Roll, and that being copied fair. Was called the Counter-Roll * 
 which was no fooner done, but the High Chancellour fealed it, and then the Secreta- 
 ries difpatched them prefently. But Henry defirous to deprive the great ones of that 
 means of gaining adherents and dependents, refolved to alter that courfe , and there- 
 fore ordained that private perfons fhould bring their Petitions immediately to himfelf, 
 which he reading at convenient times, figned thofe which he was pleafed to grant, 
 and would have the Secretaries of State without further debate or exceptions inftantly 
 to prepare the Warrants j which new cuftom, though it feemed ftrange to the great 
 perfons of the Kingdom, and gave occafion of diftafteto many, yet brought it the 
 grant of all Gifts, Pardons and Offices into the Kings abfolute difpofing, taking away 
 by little and little the followers that flocked after the Heads of the Fadions, and re- 
 ducing all Petitioners to acknowledge their Obligations particularly to himfelf. 
 
 On this manner did Henry go politickly advancing his defigns i but as all things 
 which muft be effefted with length of time, receive divers alterations, according to 
 the variety of worldly accidents, there hapned a thing, which for a feafbn crofled 
 and interrupted the Kings purpofes. The Duke of Alancon had till then been kept 
 in hand by the hopes of attaining the Kingdom of Poland : For though Monfieur de 
 Bellfgarde difcontented at many things, and feeing himfelf leffened in the Kings fa- 
 vour, was retired into the Marquefate of Salnzzo, whereof he was Governour, and 
 had refufed to treat concerning thatEledtion '■, yet Monfieur «/? Pibrac^a man of perfedt 
 abilities, went thither, and for a time hoped to bring it to an happy conclufion. But 
 when he once faw that expedtation vanifhed, (for the Nobility and Commons of Po- 
 land being much difpleafed with the Family of Francs ^ hzd ele&cd Stephjno Battori^ The Duke of _ 
 an Hungarian of great fame, and remarkable valour) not being able to live under his ^uded^ftom'' 
 Brother, and exped the changes of his fortune from his will and pleafure, he fell upon tht crown rf 
 a new defign of building up his own greatnefs by himfelf i for finding he was repulfed ^°,^fc^^/|«. 
 in his pretending to the Office of Lieutenant General , and that, to fowe difcord be- »»" » ""'^*° 
 tween him and his friends, it was (bmetimes given out that the Duke of Lorain, fu^jjj hik^ 
 fometimes that the King of Z^^^z/ijrre fliould have it , he thought that making himfelf thcThiid, 
 Head of the Hugonots and CJathoIick Male-contents, as were the Houfe of Momorancy, 
 and the Marefchal de BeUegarde, either he (hould obtain a very abfolnte power among 
 
 them.
 
 2 1 A The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 j<n< them or elfe conftrain the King to grant him that by force , which he defpaired to 
 obtain by his good will. Having given feme little hint of thefe his vaft thoughts to 
 Madam de Same, (of whom he was partionatcly enamoured, but not anfwered with a 
 reciprocal afledionj and flie having in part fignified her fufpicions unto the Queen- 
 Mother, his difcontents encreafed very much by the bitter words and unkind looks 
 which he received daily : Wherefore being by difdain and anger brought unto a vio- 
 lent rcfolution, he determined raflily to abfent himfelf from Court, and to make him- 
 fclf the Head of thofe who had often wooed and perfwaded him to it. This refolu- 
 tion C he being a man of mean capacity, and more ready to undertake, than able to 
 manage fo great an enterprife) was put in execution fo unfeafonably , and with fo 
 little appearance of reafon, as made many doubt that it was a plot agreed upon by the 
 King his Brother, and the Queen his Mother, that hefhould feign himfelf difcontented, 
 and alienated from them , to deceive the Hugonots, and, under colour of friendfliip 
 and aflTiftancc, to open a way to the fuppreflTion and delhudtion of thofe that were up 
 in arms. But it is moft certain, fand I have heard it affirmed by a perfon who ha- 
 ving had principal Offices in the Government, was partaker of the moft hidden fecrets 
 which were then in agitation) that this adion of the Duke of Alancon was fo far from 
 being contrived by the King and Queen-Mother, that on the contrary it was fo terrible 
 and fo unpleafing to them , that being as it were aftoniffied with the blow, they negle- 
 cted no poffible means, nor thought (corn of any indignity how great foever it were, fo 
 they might but withdraw him from the party of thofe factious men, and reftore hitn 
 to his former neatnefs and obedience. 
 
 Now the Duke of Alancon having to fome of his moft familiar Confidents fecretly 
 communicated his intention of leaving the Court on the fifteenth day of Septembtr this 
 prefent year, went into the Faux-bourg o{ St.Marceau^ under pretence of vifiting a 
 certain Lady , which he loved and enjoyed i and entring the houfe where fhe dwelt 
 about the tTiutting in of the day, while his Gentlemen expedted him on the ftreet-fide, 
 he went forth at a private back-gate which led into the fields > and being come where 
 31/'n«"'his°^ he was cxpeded by thofe that were privy to hispurpofe, he prefently got on horfe- 
 flight /"d De- back, and with a fmall Train , but very great fpeed, riding all night , arrived at the 
 ., ^.^^ ^^ j)reux , a place that was under his command, and there pnbli(hed a Declara- 
 
 tion next day, wherein he (hewed that the caufes of his departure were the unworthy 
 dealing? that had been ufed towards Him and other great Lords of the Kingdom, who 
 were kept in prifon without any fault or demerit, and the imminent ruine which he 
 forefaw did hang over the common fafety by reafon of the Kings evil Councellors ■■> ex- 
 horting all France to join with him to make a General Affembly of the States, and, 
 by means thereof, remedy the unjuft burthens of many, moderate the heavy taxes laid 
 upon the people, regulate the abufes of juftice, eftablifli the Liberty of Confcience fo 
 often by publick folemn decrees prOmifed to thofe of the Reformed Religion, and re- 
 ftore peace and happinefs to all forts of men in the Kingdom : for which things (but 
 without offence to the Kings Majcfty) he proteflcd to fpend the laft drop of his blood, 
 as he was neceffarily obliged to do by his affc<5tion to his Country, and love to all good 
 men. By which Declaration divulged particularly in thofe Provinces and places moft 
 abounding with the Hugonots, it was plainly to be feen, that he afpired to the com- 
 mand of that party, which by the authority of fo great a Prince, and the number of 
 his followers, which were many, was like to be very much augmented in llrength and 
 reputation. 
 
 But the King hearing of his Brothers departure, that very night difpatched Loiwico 
 Gotizaga Duke of Nevers with fome certain Horfe, to try if by any means poffible they 
 could take him i which not fucceeding by reafon of the great fpecd the Duke of Alan, 
 con made , and the advantage of fo many hours > he being unrefolved in his own 
 thoughts, called his Cabinet-Council together, (on the fixteenth o( September at night) 
 and began to treat of thofe remedies which were to be ufed againft fo fudden and fo 
 unexpected an accident : in which confultation the Queens opinion concurring with 
 the Kings inclination, and with the advice of the major part of the Board, the con- 
 clufion was. That not regarding any conditions how hard foever, they (hould try by 
 all polTible endeavours to withdraw the Duke of Alancon from his new begun defign, 
 .and ftparate him from the commerce of thofe turbulent people i to which end, though 
 the King ( being a cruel Enemy to Heads of the Fadtions ) bare an ill will to the 
 Mareflials of Cojfe and Momorancy , who were ftill kept prifoners in the Baftile > yet 
 
 to. 
 
 cUiation,
 
 peril o( the 
 
 Hu2onot5. 
 
 of France. The Sixth 'Boof^, 215 
 
 ■^ — — : •' ■ 
 
 to appeafe and fatisfie his Brother, by whofeoccafion they were fallen into that rebel- *575' 
 lion, and to take away the fuel from that fire, they were both fet at liberty in that very V^'. ^]"^. 
 conjundiure of time, the Queen intending to make them inftruments of reconciliation me/Mc; and • 
 with her Son , to whom (he refblved to go in perfbn , not believing that any conld ^'-^l ^" " •'"* 
 be fo powerful and prevalent to perfwade him as the authority and flatteries of a Mo- 
 ther, accompanied with thofe Arts which (he was wont in all occalions to ufe with 
 marvellous dexterity. 
 
 The Duke of Al.incon was come into Poi&oK^ where he was prefently met by 
 Monfieur Je U Naite^ Gilbert Sicur de Vantadour^ a Lord of principal note in Limofin^ 
 and the Vifcount of TVtrf^Hf, both allyed to the Marefhal d' Anville^ and all the Hu- 
 gonot Towns fent to honour and acknowledge him by meflages full of duty and re- 
 fpcd. 
 
 Nor did the Prince of Coude ("who, being joined with Prince Cafmir upon the con- The Prince of 
 fines o( Germany, had drawn together a mighty Army J (hew himfelf lefs ready or de- ^"1,'"™" 
 firous to obey him than the reft ■■, for knowing his ambitious nature, and how much Army out of 
 credit and reputation he gained by the name of the Kings Brother, he thought it was '^"'^"y- 
 to no purpofe to contend with him for the firft place, being confident, that though he 
 carried the name of the fupreme power, yet the real authority of command would ne- 
 vcrthelefs (till remain in him , as well by reafon of the ancient a(rurance he had of 
 the Hugonot Faftion , as becaufe that foreign Army was paid and raifed by his own 
 induftry 5 fo that in his imployment he acknowledged no other Superiour, but only 
 His authority under whcfe condudt and diredion he firft took up Arms : Wherefore, 
 preventing the m.otions, and in a manner the very defires of the Duke of AUncon^ he 
 declared him Captain-General of his party, and feemed to content himfelf with the 
 Title of his Lieutenant in the command of the foreign Armyi which drawing near The Prince of 
 to enter into France with 14000 SwifTe and German Foot, three thoufand French Fire- f^eVu'ki"" 
 locks, and fcven or eight thoufand Horfe, and fearing too long a delay by reafon of ^umon^cts 
 the greatnefs of his Army, and the tedious difficulty of the way, he refolved to fend 
 GuiU'taKme de Momorancy Lord of Ihore with two thoufand German Horfe, two hun- 
 dred Gentlemen, and two thoufand Foot of feveral Nations, throw Champagne ("which 
 is theneareft way) to join with the Duke oi Alancon, who he thought ftood in need 
 of prefent alTiftance. T^hore entring the Kingdom near Langres in Bargongne , and 
 thence by the (horteft way eroding over Champagne, hafted by the fwiftnefs of his march 
 to avoid the oppofition of the Catholicks, and pafliing the River Marne, to get as (bon 
 as he could into fecurity : but being overtaken by the Duke of Cuife, who with his 
 Brother C/«r/f/ Duke of Mayenne, Armaitd Sieur de Byron, the Count oiKetz, and a 
 fre(h powerful Army followed to intercept his paffagei either the temerity of his Soul- 
 diers, (as he faid afterwards) or his own defire to fight, perfwaded him to ftay near 
 Dormans, and alter the thoughts of haftening his voyage into a defign of encountring 
 the Enemy. Their Forces wanted much of equality, though both their courages were 
 ardent and re(blute i for the Duke of Guifehzd above a thoufand Lanciers, two thou- 
 fand other Horfe, and tenthouland good French Foot, and the Souldiers oithore weary 
 and tyred with the length of their march, were not near fo great a number : yet he 
 that under favour of the woods might have gotten to the River which was hard by, 
 and have paffed it at a foord called du Vergez, facing couragioufly about, fell to skir- 
 mifh with the firft Catholicks Troops led by Monlieur Fervaqites Marelhal of the Field, 
 the Rhinegrave, and Monfieur de Byron j but when he found the skirmifh fucceed pro- 
 fperoufly, ordering his men only in two Divifions, whereof one was led by the Count 
 la Val, and the other commanded by himfelf, he began fiercely to give the on-fet 5 
 and though the place in refpedt of the open Field, was very advantageous to the greater 
 number, the ifTue was uncertain for many hours, till the Duke of Mayenne with the 
 Van of the Cavalry, and the Duke of Guife with thofe Gentlemen that accompanied 
 Mm in the Battel, charged into the Body of the German Horfe, who having nothing 
 but Piftols againft the violence and fury of the Lances, being routed and trodden un- 
 der foot, loft their lives defperately in the place. In this encounter all the Germans 
 were utterly defeated, and by order from the Commanders cut in pieces without mer- 
 cy, except only one Cornet of the Reiters, who being placed in the Rear, and feeing 
 the (laughter of the reft, yielded himfelf to their difcretion, andwasfpared rather by 
 the wearinefs than pity of the Conquerors. Colonel Stinc the chief Commander of 
 the Germans was (lain , with many Gentlemen of quality, Clervant a famous Leader
 
 •''^ 
 
 5 j5 The Hijlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 tbc ficc. 
 
 A Ccffation "f 
 
 j-_-^ of the Hugonots taken, and Thore palTing the River with a few Horfe faved himfelf 
 by flight. Nor was this V'idory gotten by the Catholicks without blood i for be- 
 lldcs the lofs of an hundred and fifty of their beft Souldiers, the Duke of Guife, whilft 
 valiantly following the execution he purfued the fugitives , who fought as they ran 
 Tl.e Pukt of away, was himfclf fliot in the left cheek , the skar whereof ferved afterwards for a 
 cwy; is niot in niemorable mark to win him the love of all thofe who being affcftionatc to the Ca- 
 tholick Pvcligion, honoured the iigns of that Blood which had been fpilt, and of that 
 danger which had been undergone fighting in perfon for the fervice of the Church of 
 God. 
 
 Monficur de Fervaques carried the news of this Vitflory to th« Court, who departing 
 before tlie Duke of Guije was wounded, made a lame imperfedt narration of the bu- 
 finefs, yet much to his own advantage i but Pelicart the Duke of Guife\ Secretary ar- 
 riving a few hours after, who brought word of his Lords being hurt, and many other 
 particulars of that Adion "> Fervaques was not only flighted by the King, but laughed 
 at by the whole Court , thinking that he with a falfe ftory of the Encounter would 
 have attributed the honour of the day untohimfelf , which was due to the worth of 
 thofe who had purchafed it with their blood: whereupon he conceived hinifclt to be 
 very hardly ufed, confidering the valour that he really had fhcwed againft the Enemy, 
 with whom he had fought gallantly firft of all : and therefore he was excited by his 
 natural inconftancy to make one in the managing of a new defign , which not many 
 days after caufed a great dilturbance in the Court. 
 
 In the mean time the Queen-Mother, attended by the Marefchals of Ccjf'e and Mo- 
 morancy^ arrived at Campij^ny in Toiciou^ to meet with the Duke of Alanco>t, who was 
 fo puffed up with the prefent ambition of commanding fo many , and with the near 
 ailithnce of the Foreign Army already come to the confines of Burgongm^ that fnenot 
 being able to agree with him concerning Articles of Peace, at laft procured a CeCTation 
 AtrnV'Vor'fix of Arms, about the end of Now/wZ-'f, which was to continue for fix months, in which 
 nths. jjnig (})£ pQf Qnly hoped that the German Army would wafte away i but alfo that the 
 
 Duke himfclf being of a fickle unnconflant humour , might be drawn to a more rea- 
 fonable, and more fecure Peace: the conditions of the Truce were. That the King 
 fliould pay 160000 Ducats to the Prince of Conde and the Germans, provided they 
 paflTcd not the Khine^ nor entred into the confines of France : That the Cities of An- 
 goulefme^ Saumitr^ Nynrt, Bonrges^ la Charite and Mez.iert^ fhould be afligned unto the 
 Hugonots, and Politicks for their fecurity, which fhould prefently be rellored as foon 
 as the Truce was expired, if the Peace were not concluded in the mean time : That 
 the King fliould give the Duke oi Alancon wherewithal to maintain an hundred Gentle- 
 men, an hundred Ge^ij d' Arms, an hundred firelocks, and fifty SwifTes for the guard 
 of his own perfon : That the Deputies of the afTociated Provinces, and of the Politick 
 and Hugonot Princes , fliould come to TarU in the midft of the month of January 
 next enfuing, to treat about conditions of P,eace, and in the mean time all adfs of Ho- 
 ftility fliould be forborn through the whole Kingdom Which Truce being publiflicd 
 about the twentieth of December, the conditions thereof were not fo punctually obfer- 
 ved > for Monfieur de Rujfec Governour o( Angoulefme, and Monfieur ^e Momigny Go- 
 vcrnour of Botsrges, refufed to refign thofe places to the Duke of Alancoii, pretending 
 in cxcufe that they thought they could not be fecure in any other places, by reafon of 
 the hatred they had drawn upon themfclves in the fervice of the King, and of their Re- 
 ligion i but the Queen ("with whofc confent it was doubted ti.ofe Governours had 
 made refifiance) in lieu of thofe two Cities, gave them St. Jean d' Angely, and Cognac, 
 places of much lefs importance i and on the other fide the Prince of Conde, and the 
 Germans fearing the fame thing which the Kings party hoped, would not confent to 
 forbear entering into the Kingdom v knowing that if their Army fhould lie ftill in idle- 
 nefs, it would certainly confume, and deftroy it felf. 
 
 Hereupon the Qiteen-Mother leaving the Duke of Mw/c/'wyjfr, and the Marefchal of 
 ^ Momorancy with her Son , that they might entertain him with thoughts of Peace , re- 
 turned fpeedily to TarU , to be prefent at the Treaty with the Deputies , which was 
 157^. begun in the month oi January i')'j6. with afTurcd hopes of bringing it to a happy 
 conclufion : for the King by his own inclination already aifeding Peace, and the Ca- 
 binet-Council to deprive the Rebels of the perfon of the Duke of Alamon , and free 
 themfclves from the imminent danger of a foreign Army, were content that very large 
 conditions fhould be granted •■, which afterv/ard either by an alTembly of the States, or 
 
 by
 
 of France. The Sixth 'Boo^, 217 
 
 by fome other means they were rcfolved not to obferve i which Negotiations while '57^- 
 they were prolonged by the many pretenfions of the Male-contents, behold a new ac- 
 cident interpofed it felf, before the Accommodation was concluded : for the King of 
 Navarre being already two and twenty years of age , of himfclf full of fprightiy 
 thoughts, and fpurred on by fo frequent examples , and by the emulation of other 
 Princes his equals i not enduring to be ill looked on, and almoft defpifed at the Court, 
 whilft the Duke o^ Alancon^ a vain indifcreet man, and the Prince of Conde his inferi- 
 our both in years and honour , arrogated to themfelves the chief command of that 
 party, which he was wont to rule i and his fpirit not fufFering him longer to bear the 
 humours of the Queen his Wife, which whillt he liayed at Court he was forced to diP- 
 femble i either drawn by feme fupernatural hidden caufe, or fct forward by his own 
 inclination to a beginning of eminent fucccfs, took a refolution to leave the Court > 
 and retiring himfelf to his Government of Guienm, to try if he could draw that power 
 to himfelf, which he faw was going to be fetled upon the other difcontented Princes. 
 
 The difficulty was to put this thought in execution '■> for he was not only carefully 
 watched by his guards, who under fhew of doing him honour were his diligent keep- 
 ers, but even the neareft attendents upon his own perfon, depended wholly upon the 
 King and Queen-Mother, who mixing hopes with fears, led him gently in hand with 
 continued ambiguous promifes, to hold him in an opinion that they would truft him 
 with the charge of Lieutenant-General, which they had refufed to venture upon the 
 unfetlednefs of the Duke oi AUncon ■■> but he being fecretly advertifed by VaifUe a Pro- 
 vcncial Gentlewoman, one of the Qiieens maids, whom he privately enjoyed, and by 
 Madam de Carnjvelet, with whom he had a very near familiarity, that thofe were but 
 arts to keep his hopes faftened to the Court, he took a refolution to try his fortune, 
 knowing that he fliould be allifiied and followed by d' Aubi^ny^ and Armagnac^ the one 
 Gentleman, the other Groom of his Bed-chamber, the only men that remained with 
 him of his old Family. But this not being diffident for the well effecting of his de- 
 iign, (embracing the opportunity which occafion offered J he communicated his intents 
 to GniliMeme Sieur de Vervaques^ with whom by a certain fympathyof extraordinary 
 fpirit, he had contracted a familiar friendfhip i who highly offended at the prefent af- 
 fairs, the unquietnefs of his mind being accompanied with great fubtilty, and no lefs 
 courage, approved the refolution, and warily contrived both the time, and manner of 
 their efcape : for which purpofe being gone out of the City upon the twenty third of 
 February , with a few Gentlemen and Servants , under colour of hunting the Stagg, 
 which the King of Navarre was wont much to delight in , and having deceived his 
 guards by many feveral ways, they pafTed the River with all poifible fpeed below Poijjy^ 
 and thence changing their Voyage, in ftead of continuing toward the Wefl, they turned 
 prefently toward the South , and avoiding the great high-ways , arrived at Alancon 
 without the leaf} Itop or delay i where fraying no longer than was neceffary to refrefh thiKi.igoE 
 themfelves, they fuddenly paffed the River Loyre by the Bridge of Saiimitr, and pre- fiTJ-'d tot:' 
 venting fame by their fo fpeedy journey, came before they were looked for into Gni- minycaufes, 
 e»ne, where the King of Navarre taking the opportunity of his (b unexpected arri- coVrc.'aTd * 
 val, Cbccaufe they knew not whether he was come as a Friend, or as an Enemy to ^'J'"^\ 
 the Kingj with an incredible diligence, which gave them who were unprepared no cithoiuks. 
 time to arm or certifie themfelves, ftill making ufe of his Authority as Governour for 
 the King ; and with that authority mingling force , he began to make himfelf Ma- 
 tter of the chiefeft places , calling in and reducing all thofe who for the memory of 
 his Father , and his own late command , were willing to follow and depend upon 
 him. 
 
 Although this fudden turn did at firfl difturb the minds of the King and Queen- 
 Mother , who while they laboured to remedy diforders , faw daily new unexpected 
 troubles to arife ; yet as (oon as their thoughts were quietly fetled, they began to find 
 both advantage and fatisfadtion by it , hoping that the multiplicity of Heads would 
 bring forth difcord and emulation i whereby the power of the Male-contents would 
 be weakened, and being divided into many parts, every one of which would be feve- 
 rally governed by particular interef^s, would in the end be unable to maintain it felf; 
 With thefe hopes they fhewed fo open a joy at the departure of the King of Navarre^ 
 either for that conlTderation , or becaufe they would not feem dejedted at fo great an 
 oppofition of Fortune, that many believed the King of Navarre was perfwaded to that 
 refolution by Monlieur de Fervaqitcs, rather by the advice and confent of the Qiieen, 
 
 Ff than
 
 2 18 The Hijiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 jej6. than out of any faithful care of his advancement > which was the moie credibly be- 
 lieved by many, who know not the truth of the bufinefs, when they (aw that Ftr* 
 vjques within a little while after forfaking that party, returned again unto the Kings 
 obedience. But I have lince heard Monfieur de Fervaques himfelf affirm, that the 
 occafion of his fo fudden change, was becaufe he faw the King oi Navarre (next whom 
 Cas one that had run the fame fortune ) he hoped for the firll place) was fain to let 
 himfelf be governed by thofe of moll ancient authority in that Fadtion , and many 
 were preferred before him, that were not only lefs affedionate to his affairs, but of 
 lefs ability and meaner condition. 
 
 But it is certain that this revolt of the King cf Navarre produced an effedt not 
 much unlike that which the King and Qi^een hoped ■■, for though at firft it was pro- 
 Tfae King of babic, that it would give a great addition of power unto the Hugonot Faftion, to 
 li'fhcTh'th^a'j'he which he hid joined himfelf with open Declarations, alledging that hisConverfion to 
 was forced to the CathoHck Religion four years before, had been conftrained and forced by the im- 
 turn c»tho- fi^jjj^ent terrour of a cruel death j yet it was the occafion that the Duke of Ala>icoHy 
 being as it were eclipfed by the lullre of the Prince of Conde^ and King of Navarre^ 
 who by reafon of the ancient confidence had of them, were in greater eiteem and re- 
 putation, did the more eafily condefcend to a conclufion of Peace, knowing that the 
 true effential authority would be in them, and in him only the titk and appearance ; 
 for the King of Navarri having with much eafe afTumed the command of Gitienne, 
 and the protedlion of the Rochellers > and on the other fide, the Prince of Ci»ide com- 
 manding the Foreign Army, the Duke of Alanconhzd no power but what theypleafed 
 to confer upon him i who making fhew to honour him very much for his title of the 
 Kings Brother, in all other things referved to themfelves as well the priviltdgeof re- 
 folving, as the authority of executing, he having nothing left him but the weak de- 
 pendence of (bme few Male-contents. 
 
 About this time the German Army marched toward Burgongne, againft which ("the 
 Duke of G«i/e not being yet cured of the wound he had received on his face) Charier 
 Duke of Mayenne advanced with the Kings Forces, which being much inferiour to the 
 ffrength of the Enemy , he Gill encamped in fafe Quarters near the Suburbs of thofe 
 Cities where he pafTed, endeavouring to cut oiF paffages, and fpoil the ways, (which 
 of themfelves were much broken by the extremity of ill weather in the Winter-time^ 
 by that means to hinder their progrtfs, as well in marching, as of being able to fake 
 any place that was of importance for the War : whereby the Prince of Conde always 
 receiv'ng damage, as well in his Quarters, as in fending out to forrage, and very 
 much annoyed by the hail and fnow which fell in great abundance, was forced to 
 move flowly , and in a very clofe Body, endeavouring by the pillage of the weakefl 
 places to fatisfic the greedinefs, and fupply tlie wants of his Souldiers v wherein as his 
 difcreet condudl plainly appeared, being able in £b tender an age to govern an Army 
 made up of feveral Warlike Nations, and keep it within the unufual limits' of obedi- 
 ence to military difcipline : fo likewife the prudence and induitry of the Duke of Aly/- 
 enne was very remarkable, who not of much riper years, neither fparing any pains, 
 nor avoiding any fufferance in fo fliarp a feafon, either in his own perfbn, or his Soul- 
 diers, did with admirable diligence keep fiill clofe to the Foreign Army , and oppofe 
 their march with fo much carefulnefs , that except fome few open places which were 
 quitted, no City nor walled Town felt the calamities and miferies of the German in- 
 curfions i and it happened, that he having one night when it was late, given order 
 to march away from a place where his Army was quartered, to prevent the Enemies 
 advancing, fome Companies of Foot, not only terrified by the obfcurity of the night, 
 which was exceeding dark, but alfo by a thick liorm of hail, fnow and rain together, 
 refufed to go along with the reft of the Armiy, that marched in order under their co- 
 C'd'ifi DnVe lours with infinite patience i which being told the Duke of Mayenne^ he caufed them 
 cimmjndshis ^^ ^° "'^'^^ ^ halt, and commanded the Cavalry to cut thofe mutinous Souldiers in 
 mutinous^ Sol picces V which' being performed vvithout delay, as he confirmed that difcipline in his 
 Army which Civil Wars (as they are wont) had for a long time corrupted and de- 
 ftroyed ■■, fb did he give a teflimony of that fevere gravity which ever after was proper 
 to that Prince in all his other adlions in the War. 
 
 But neither could the valour of the General, nor the difcipline of the Army, with 
 fq great a difadvantage of flrcngth, abfblutely hinder the progrcfs of the Germans i 
 wherefore notwithftanding all rubs and delays, they at lafl joined with the Duke of 
 
 Alan:()» 
 
 diers to be 
 cue in picces 
 
 ■J
 
 of France. The Sixth ^oof^ 2 1 ^ 
 
 Alancon about the beginning of M^rc/j in the confines oi Bourhonoir^ who havins mu- \%t6. 
 frered his Army which he found amounted to the number of 350C0 fighting rnen went The Duke of 
 to Moidhts^ where with the Prince of Co)ide , Monfieur de la None , the Deputies of RtT/'L'^oo 
 the King of Navarre^ and the Marefchal d Anville^ he began to advife what was fitteft '■s'^'^S ""o- 
 to be done : the Commilfioncrs appointed for the Treaty of Peace being returned from 
 Court, and the Marefchal of Momovancy^ the Duke of Montpenfier ^ and Monfieur ds 
 Beliieitre being there for the King, both parties confented, though for diverfe refpefts, 
 and with feveral intentions to theconclufion of peace i which though it were oppo- 
 fed by the Marefchal d' Anville ^ who having already procured his Brothers liberty, 
 and eftablifhed himfelf abfolutely in the Government oi Languedoc^ was not willing 
 by an Accommodation to return to that obedience from which fas a thing of danger J 
 he had by force and inning withdrawn himfelf: yet the King of Navarre and the 
 Prince of Conde, who were not pleafed to fee the Duke of Alancon enjoy that place 
 which they were wont formerly to polTefs, and took it ill that he fhould reap the fruits 
 -of their part and prefent labours, defired the Agreement might be concluded, by which 
 means he returning to the Court , and into his Brothers favour, the chief power of 
 that party would remain in them , believing that as by his continuance on their fide, 
 he did much prejudice their authority, and alfo greatly hinder the execution of im- 
 portant defigns i fo if on the other fide he could obtain from his Brother the com- TheKin» of 
 mand of the Catholick Army, he by his want of experience would give them many Pnn«ofc°L 
 occafions to advance and eftablifii themfelvcs i wherefore their inclinations, and the "^'="''"1 « 
 nature of the Duke oi AUmon prevailing, it was in the end refolved. That they 'J^/^^''^'/ °^ 
 fliould propofe the Articles of their demands unto the King, which if they were ac- po^", :hink 
 cepted, they would conclude a Peace i but if rejedled, they would refolutely continue (iiveTof hTm 
 the War. ty a P"«. 
 
 Their demands propofed were very high and exorbitant , but the Kings inclina- 
 tion to Peace, and the defire of the Council to obtain the fame, were great enough to 
 digeft them all, both to free themfclves of the eminent danger of a Foreign Army, 
 and take away thofe vaft expences which (the Treafury being emptyj fell all upon the 
 poor miferable Subjedtsi asalfc to eafe themfelves of that burthen which had fo ge- 
 nerally tyred mens minds and bodies i wherefore the Queen already ghelTing at the 
 Kings defigns, having by many conjedures founded the depth of his intentions, came 
 her felf in perfijn (as her cuftom was^) into the Duke of ^/j«co?/j- Camp about the be- 
 ginning of May, and there fetled the conditions of Peace , which by a decree of 73 
 Articles were ratified by the King, and folemnly publilhed upon the fourteenth of M-y, 
 he himfelf being prefent in the Parliament. 
 
 This was the fifth Peace concluded with theHugonotSi by which, after the accu- Peace is made 
 ftomed claufcs belonging to the approbation , and oblivion of all that was part , full Tonots^he"" 
 Liberty of Confcience, and the free exercife of their Religion, without exception of Sfth time, 
 times or places, was granted to the Hugonots, with a power of eredling Schools or 
 Cclledges, or calling Synods, of celebrating Matrimony, and adminiftring the Sacra- 
 ments with the fame freedom as was allowed to the Catholicks. All men of the Re- 
 formed Religion were permitted to execute any places or offices , and enjoy any digni- 
 ties of what quality foever , without that difiindion and precedency of tlie Catho- 
 licks, which had formerly been obferved i promifes were made to fettle a Court of 
 Juftice in every Parliament, half whfreof fliould be of the one, and half of the other 
 Religion, to judge the caufes of the Hugonotsj eight Towns were granted to the Princes 
 for their fecurity, till the Articles were 'fully and perfectly performed, viz* Beaiicaire 
 and Aiguemorte in Langiiedoc •, Perigeitx, and la hUs de Virditn in Gitknne , Nyon, and 
 Serres in Daulphhte j Ifoire in Aitvergne , and Seine la Grand Tour in Provence. The 
 fentences againft la Mole, the Count de Coraius, the Admiral de Coligny, Briquemaut, 
 Cavagnes, Montgomery, and Mombritn were revoked, and declared null: and further 
 it was declared, that no fault was to be imputed to the Vifdame of C/»jr*rf/ and Beaw 
 ■ vaU, for having contradted , or negotiated any agreements with the Queen of Eng- 
 land-, for the YinkeoiAlancons Apennas^e(Co they call the maintenance which is allowed 
 to Kings Sons and Brothers) they affigned Berry, lottraine, and the Dutchy of Anjott^ 
 three of the greatelt and moft fertile Countries in all France ■■, and loocoo Crowns 
 of annual penfion : To the Prince oi Conde they allotted the Government of Ficardv, 
 and for his fecurity the City of Feronne, a very ftrong place feated near the Sea. To 
 Prince Cafimir the Principality of Cbajiean-lhierry, a penfion of 14C00 Crowns, 
 
 Ff2 the
 
 220 
 
 The H'tjlorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 The Ptince of 
 Cfitngt for- 
 iticily decla- 
 red Rebel , i' 
 reMoted to his 
 £ltace. 
 
 The AfTembly 
 of ilie Siacc is 
 appointed it 
 A.'oii the i> of 
 
 Aovtmhir. 
 
 tlic maintenance of one hundred Lances, and the entire payment of all arrears due to 
 the German Army, which amounted to isocooo Ducats. To the Vrince of Orange^ 
 the reflritution of all thofe States he was wont to poflefs in the Kingdom of France, 
 which for Rebellion had been taken from him by the fentence of Parliament, and ad- 
 ded to the Kings Revenue : finally, an AfTembly of the States General was promifed 
 within fix months, who were to reprefent unto the King the grievances of his Sub- 
 jects, and confult of their remedies : which condition propofed by the Princes to fet 
 a better glofs upon their caufe, and to win the applaufe of the people, was willingly 
 received by the King , as a convenient means to diffolve , and difanul the Articles 
 agreed upon, which (with many others lefs confiderable, but not lefs unreafonable 
 and exorbitant) as foon as they were known to thofe of the Catholick party, exafpe- 
 rated moft of their minds in fuch a manner , that they not only murmured freely 
 againft the King himfelf, as one of a mean fpirit, drowned in the effeminate delights 
 of the Court j and the Queen-Mother, as if to recover her Son the Duke of Alancon 
 from the way of perdition, fl^e had negleded the Majefty of Religion, and precipita- 
 ted the general fafety of the Kingdom : but many were already difpofed to rife, and 
 would have taken Arms to difturb the unjuftnefs of that Peace, which was generally 
 eftecmcd fliameful and not fit to be kept , if within a while they had not manifeftly 
 underftood, that the King and Queen purpofely to recover, and draw home the Duke 
 of Alancon^ had confented to conditions in words, which they were refolved not to 
 obferve in deeds •, for the foreign Army being firft of all fent away , by having dif- 
 burfcd part of the arrears to Prince Cafmiir, and given him fecurity for the reft, partly 
 by pawning jewels, partly by engaging the word of the Duke of Lorain ■■, and having 
 cxadlly performed all things promifed to the Duke of Alancon, none of the other Ar- 
 ticles were obfcrvcd, either to the Hugonots in general, or to the King of N^f^rre and 
 Prince of Conde in particular ; but the King permitting, and tacitly confenting to it, 
 the Aflemblies of the Hugonots were every where violently difturbed j the Govern- 
 ment of Picardy was not given to the Prince of Conde , nor the City of Ferronne aG- 
 figned to him i the Courts of Juftice which were to be formed in the Parliaments, 
 were deferred with feveral excufes i and of fb many Counfellors which ought to have 
 been eleded , the King having named only Arenes, one of the Deputies which had 
 treated the Peace, to be Prefident of the Parliament of Par'n, they refufed to accept 
 of him, the King not being at all difplcafed at it : which things clearly difcovcring the 
 Kings mind , though they quieted thofe Catholicks, who judged of the ftate of af- 
 fairs withoi^t interert or paffion, and difpofed the moft part of peaceful-natured men 
 to cxped the ifTue of the Affembly of the States, M'hich the King had appointed to 
 be in the City of Bto, on the fifteenth day of November •, yet the GuifeT, who were 
 not flack in laying hold of any opportunity, to augment their own greatnefs, and to 
 fecure the ftate of that Religion, which was fb flraightly linked to their interefts, be- 
 gan upon the conjundture of fo great an occafion, fecretly to make a League of the 
 Catholicks, in all the Provinces of the Kingdom, under colour of oppofing the pro- 
 grefs, and eftablifhment of Herefie , which by the Articles of Peace was fo fully au- 
 thori7ed, and cftablifhed i but in effedt to reduce the forces of the Catholick party, 
 into one firm entire united body which they might difpofe of as occafion ferved, for 
 their own fecurity , and for a foundation of that party whereof they hold the princi- 
 pality. 
 
 Henry Duke of Guife, Charles Duke of Mayenne, and no lefs than they, Lerpis Car- 
 dinal of Guife their third Brother , were left not only Heirs to their Fathers greatnefs, 
 and reputation, and PofTeffors of the Rule and Government of the Catholick party, 
 but had alfo by their proper valour and induftry, acquired wonderful renown and love 
 among the people, partly by their liberal popular nature, partly by their care and zeal 
 fhevved in preferring before all other refpecfts, the protection and maintenance of that 
 Religion, whereof they were the fole Champions and pcfenders. Thefe Brothers fto 
 whom were joined the Duke, and Chavalier i" Aumale, the Duke^^' Elbosuf, the Duke 
 de Mercceur.^ with his Brothers, Cthough allyed unto the King, yet all of the fame houfe 
 of Lorain) when contrary to their expedJation they favv the Peace concluded, and ra- 
 tified with Articles fo unjuft, and prejudicial to the Catholick Religion, and to the cre- 
 dit and power of their party i ftirred up with anger and difdain, (which often ufe to 
 lay open mens refentments) began to enter into a great fufpition of the Kings coun- 
 fels and defigns, thinking that a Prince of a noble, Warlike nature, would never have 
 
 fuffered
 
 of France. The Sixth ^oo{. 
 
 211 
 
 fuffered the temerity of his Subjefts, to draw him to fuch fliameful conditions, but 
 that he concealed fome deeper thoughts, and more weighty undifcovered refolutions : 
 wherefore though the King by means of the Queen- Mother, and many others which 
 they both confided in, gave them to underftand that his intention was to break, or at 
 leaft to moderate thofe conditions, by the Aflembly of the States at B/o^f, and that he 
 had confented to thofe diflionourable Articles , only to deprive the Hugonots of fo 
 powerful a prop, as the perfon of the Duke of Alancon ■■> but that he would fettle all 
 by convenient, proportionable remedies > yet thofe Princes were not altogether fatis' 
 fied, but every day by various conjedlures, penetrating more deeply into thofe myfte- 
 ries, as alfo being highly difpleafed at the Kings Decree, whereby taking away the 
 power, in appearance from all, but in efFeil from them alone, of procuring gifts, and 
 interceding for favours, for the followers and dependents of the Catholick party i and 
 falling into a great diftnift of his affedion towards them , they refolved, either by 
 that opportunity to eftablifh the foundation of their own power, or elfe by fo great an 
 obftacie to hinder thofe defigns which the King had begun and contrived in his mind j 
 to bring their followers and adherents into one well-united Body, drawing together 
 and confirming that engine of power, which though vaft and mighty, was yet (pred 
 and difperfed as blood in the veins, through all the parts of the Kingdom. And be- 
 caufe the prefent occafion gave them a wonderful opportunity to allure mens minds 
 with honourable fpecious pretences , to affright the fearful into a confent to their de- 
 fires, and to ftir up the anger of thofe that were unfatisfied, and utterly difpleafed at 
 the conclufion of the Peace, they began to work upon the Parifians and Picards •, Ihnfe^ 
 as in all times jealous of the preservation of the Catholick Religion i fbefe^ as terrified 
 with the fear of being commanded by the Prince ofConde^ to whom the Government 
 of their Province had beenpromifed. 
 
 The way of meeting together , and holding intelligence with one another , Was 
 opened to them by the Kings own infticution , who either moved by his inclina- 
 tion to ptety , by the admonitions and writings of Father Bernard Cajlor a Je- 
 fuite, and many other religious men of that and other orders i or elfe to cover and 
 palliate thofe hidden intentions which he had refolved on for the courfe of his future 
 Government i had brought in the ufe of many Fraternities , who under divers habits 
 and different names met together upon days of devotion, to fpend their time in pro- 
 celfions, prayers, difciplines, and other fpiritual exercifes, under the pious pretence 
 of appealing Gods wrath, of imploring a remedy for their prefent divifions and cala- 
 mities, and of procuring unity, peace and concord amongft all the people of the King- 
 dom i by wliich means the Catholicks did not only meet freely together in all places, 
 but alfb found matter and opportunity to difcourfe of prefent affairs, and to bewail 
 'the mifcrable condition to which the Crown was reduced by divifion, and by the in- 
 creafe of herefie: from which lamentations coming to talk of bufineffes of the Go- 
 vernment, and the affairs of State , it was not hard both for thofe Brethren them- 
 felves, and perchance for others more crafty, and better acquainted with the deligns 
 of the principal contrivers, to fowe the feeds, and ingraff the beginnings of that league, 
 which had a near connedtion with that devout pretence for which the Catholicks af- 
 femblcd themfelves in fo many feveral places. 
 
 This pradice was firlt begun in Picardy by Jaques Sieur d* Httmiers, Governour of 
 Teronne^ Mondidier , and Kyf, who being a remarkable man for riches and followers 
 in thofe parts, and for fome private caufes an Enemy to the Houfe of Momormcy^ and 
 by confequence to the Prince of Conde, whofe authority he hated, and whofe greatnefs 
 he apprehended, for fear of being put out of his Government ■■> began by means of 
 thofe Affemblies , which were no lefs frequent there than in other places, to exhort 
 the inhabitants of Peroitne not to fuffer their Town to be made the neft and receptacle 
 of Herefie, nor to let that fire be kindled in their bofoms, which was like in time to 
 inflame their whole Country, and confume all the other parts of France : he perfwaded 
 them, that the firft day of the Princes admifTion would be the laft of their liberty i for 
 being made fubjedt to the tyranny of Hereticks, Seditious Men, and Foreigners, there 
 would no longer be any pollibility for them to enjoy their Eftates, Houfes, Wives, nor 
 their own Children , all which would become a prey to the covetoufnefs and cruelty 
 of thofe that governed: he added, that they could expert nothing but mifchief which 
 way foever things were carried i for if the Hugonots prevailed, they would certainly 
 be expofed to the flavery of the Englifh , with whom it was known the Prince had 
 
 made 
 
 »57^r 
 
 By the Duke 
 of axi/i his 
 cunning, poli- 
 tick difcouifcs 
 are brought 
 into thote af- 
 femblies 
 which were 
 inflititcd foe 
 dcvoticn.
 
 222 
 
 The Hijiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 <-i6. made an agreement to give them places and Fortrefles in Ticardy : and though the Ca- 
 ' tholicks (hould picvai!, they were to look for no better than long lieges, miferies and 
 calamities of War and Famine, iincc he was fo earneft to get the pofTeirion of that 
 Government for no other reafon, but by the help of its ftrength to refift the laft aflaults 
 of his evil fortune : By which plaufible reafons that people being rhoved, and the inha- 
 bitants of MoudirHir^ Koye^ and Po>7j;/ their neighbours being pcrfwaded to the fame, 
 they confented to make a League among themfelves to hinder the Prince from taking 
 pofTcirion of that place, and of the Government of Picardy^ and to maintain and prc- 
 ferve the Catholick Religion in their Province. Nor was this pradtice lefs advanced 
 in the City ofFaris^ where the zeal of the common people in matters of Religion, and 
 the open enmity which they had at all times profefled againfi: the Hugonots, afforded 
 them very fit matter to foment thofe defigns: wherefore there being many of the Par- 
 h'ament-men and Sheriffs of the City, (Efcbevins, as they call themj and not a few of 
 Religious Orders, who in thofe meetings and Fraternities laboured cunningly the pro- 
 moting of that League, a great number of men of all degrees and qualities were by 
 a ftridt Oath already tyed and united in the bond of that Affociation. 
 
 The example of the Picards and Parifians was followed by the Nobility of FoiCioit 
 and Tonrain, as neareft to thofe places poffeffed by the Hugonots, and more expofcd 
 to tlie imminent danger of their authority i and being led by Loiiit de la Iremouille 
 Duke of 'lomrs^ (a Lord of great dependents, and of ancient nobility and reputation, 
 but a man full of turbulent unruly thoughts ) were already united and affociated, 
 drawing after them not only the greater part of the Clergy, but alfo a great many of 
 the Commonalty. Nor did the other Provinces want either Heads to introduce, or fit 
 matter to receive the fame Confederacy, which being propofcd by men of great fub- 
 tilty , and no Icfs authority , under a plaufible name and fpecious apparence, eafily 
 gained credit even among the wifclt , and fpread wonderfully through all Cities and 
 Provinces. 
 
 The Form of that League and Covenant which was to be figned by all "thofe that 
 confented to it, was this : 
 
 The form of TN tfx Name of the mo!i holy Trimtji, Father^ Son, and Holy Ghofi^ our only 
 co'ycmIc.' " 1. true God, to whom be Glory and Honour. 
 
 The Covenant of the Princes^ Lords and Gentlemen of the CatholickReligion 
 ought to be^ and is made for the ejtablijljment of the Law of God in its Ji'rfi 
 ejiate, and to reflore and fettle his holy fervice according to the form and man- 
 ner of the Catholick, Apojiolic^. Roman Church, abjuring and renouncing all er- . 
 rours contrary unto it. 
 
 Secondly, For the prefervation of King Henry, the Third of that Name, 
 and his Succejfours the moji Chriflian Kings, in the State, Honour, Authority, 
 Duty, Service and Obedience due unto them from their SubjeCls, as it is contained 
 in thofe Articles that fiall be prefented to him in theAjJembly of the States, which 
 he fwears and promifes to obferve at the time of his Confecration and Coronatio?ty 
 TPith protejiation not to do any thing againji that which Jljal/ be ordained and 
 fetlcd by the States. 
 
 7 ^irdly. To rejiore unto the Provinces of this Kingdom, and to thofe other " 
 States which are under it, thofe ancient Rights, Pre-eminences, Liberties and 
 Priviledges which were in the time »/Clovis the firfk mofi Chrijiian King, 
 or yet better and more profiable (if anyfuch can be found) under the faid pro- 
 tection. « 
 
 In cafe there be any impediment, oppofition or rebel/ion againji that which is 
 aforefaid, be it from whom it will, or proceed it from whence foever it may, thofe 
 that enter into this Covenant fiall be bound and obliged to imploy their Lives and 
 Fortunes to punijl) , chajiife and profecute thofe that JImU attempt to dijiurb or 
 hinder it, and Jl) all never ceafe their endeavours till the aforefaid things be really 
 done and perfeBed. 
 
 In
 
 ()/" France. The Sixth "Boo^ 225 
 
 In cafe any of the Confederates^ their Friends, Vajfals or Dependents, be op' i$7<J» 
 preffed, mokjiedor qneJiioned for thk caiife, be it by rohom it will, they fluU he 
 bound to imploy their perfons, goods and ejiates to take revenge upon thofe that 
 f hill have fo molejied them, either by the way ofjiifiice or force, tvithont any ex- 
 ception ofperfons rvhatfoever. 
 
 If it flhiU come to pafs, that any man after having united himfelf by Oath 
 unto this Confederacy, flmdd defire to depart from it , or feparate himfelf upon 
 any excufe or pretence, (which God forbid'^) fuch Vjolaters of their own Con- 
 fciences f)uU be pitnified both in bodies and goods , by all means that can be 
 thought of, as Enemies to God, Rebels and Dijiurbers of the Publicli Peace j 
 neither jlhtU fuch revenge be ever imputed unto the aforefaid Affociates, nor they 
 liable to be quelHotted for it, either in publick^or in private. 
 
 Thefaid Ajfociates jJialllikewife fwear to yield ready obedience, and faithful 
 -fervice unto that Head which fliiU be deputed ; to follow and obey him, and to 
 lend all help ^ counfeland ajjrjiance, as well for the entire confervation, and main- 
 tenance of this League, as for the ruine of all that fljall oppofe it, without par- 
 tiality or exceptions ofperjonsj and thofe that fiall fail or depart from it, ffoall 
 be pumjjjed by the authority of the Head, nnd according to his Orders ; to which 
 every Confederate fiall be obliged to fubmit himfelf 
 
 All the Catholic l{s of fevcral Cities, Towns and Villages, full be fecretly ad- 
 vert! fed and warned by the particular Governours of places , to enter into this 
 League, and to concur in the providing of men, arms, and other neceffaries, every 
 one according to his condition and ability. 
 
 All the Confederates f)all be prohibited to fiir up any difcord, or enter into 
 any djfpute among themfclves, without leave of the Head, to whofe arbitrement 
 all diffenlions fljall be referred, as alfo the determining all differences, as well 
 in matters of goods as good name, and all of them full be obliged to fwear in 
 this manner and form foil owing , 
 
 I fwear by G O D the Creator, (laying my hand upon the holy Colpel) 
 and under pain of Excommunication, and Eternal Damnation, that I enter 
 into this holy Catholick League , according to the form of that Writing, 
 which hath now been read unto me ^ and that I do faithfully, and fincerely 
 ■ enter into it, with a will either to command, or to obey, and lerve, as I 
 (hall be appointed ^ and I promife upon my life and honour, to continue 
 in it, unto the laft drop of my blood, and not to depart from it, or tranf^ 
 grefs it for any command, pretence, excu(e or occafion, which by any means 
 whatfoever can be reprefented to me. 
 
 The.Copies of this League framed with To much zxthj thtGuifcs, (that making a 
 (hew to obey, and maintain the King, took from him all his obedience, and autho- 
 rity, to confer it upon the head of their UnionJ were very carefully, and with much 
 cunning difperfed by the hands, of difcreet Wary men , and fuch as were deeply en- 
 gaged to them J fo that by little and little it began to fpread in every place , the 
 caufe or original not at all appearing i whereby making very great, but hidden pro- 
 ceedings , becaufe cuftom had already difpofed mens minds to a defire of novelties j 
 they eafily , and in a fhiort time, drew all thofe into one body, whom either for zeal 
 of Religion, dependance of interell , defire of change, or hatred of the Hugonot 
 Princes, they thought fit to bind together in that League and Confederacy. But it 
 being neccfTary to provide moneys for the nourifliment and maintenance of that United 
 Body, and to find out fome protedion of great power and authority to (hclter and 
 defend it from the Kings forces i the Lords oi Gutfe turning their eyes out of the 
 Kingdom , thought that both for their Religion and themfelves , it was as lawful for 
 them to make ufe of the help and favour of foreign Princes, as it had been for the Hu- 
 gonots to require the affiftance of the Queen oi England, and the Princes of Germ.my: 
 
 and
 
 224 
 
 The H'tjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 J 576. 
 
 Ciufci tin: 
 moved the 
 
 Ouifc! to 
 fiame the Ca- 
 tholick 
 League. 
 
 The Kin» of 
 Syi'ir ' ecoires 
 Protefiot rf 
 the Caiholick 
 Leasuc' 
 
 and therefore they began fccretly to treat at Kome for protedtion , and in Spain for 
 nien and money : nor did they find in any place any averfcncfs to their dcfires i fot 
 the Pope being difpleafed at, and alilraid of the Peace concluded with the Hugonots, 
 willingly gave ear to thofc things which might conveniently oppofe their eltablifli- 
 ment : and the Cathulick King grown jealous that the defigns of the Duke of Alan- 
 con would at \zi\ break out upon Flandtrs, and that the King to quench the fire of his 
 own houfe , would be content to kindle it in his Neighbours, willingly concurred to 
 foment thofe in f'rance who laboured to renew the War , hoping that the difcords in 
 that Kingdom, might one day give him an opportunity of fome grand defign, and in 
 the mean time preferve the peace and quietnefe of all his owrii 
 
 tikhohi Cardinal ^tf Felle-ve, bred up in the houfe of G«//f, treated the interefts of 
 this Union at Heme, which by Gregory the Thirteenth , a man of great candour and 
 goodnefs, but of a facile nature, was hearkened unto with much readinefs > it pre- 
 tending nothing but Faith, Religion, Charity, Zeal to the publick good, corredion 
 and reformation of abufes v though in effedt it contained private pallions , mingled 
 with particular interefts : which not being unknown to the Court of Kuwf, many dif- 
 courfing of fo new and high a defign, afcribed the caufe of it to a defire the Guifes 
 had to govern the Kings will i who excluding their help and counfel, (hewed that he 
 would rule as it pleafcd himfelf j others drawing the bufinefs another way, attribu- 
 ted it to their care of conferving their own greatnefs, which they had with fo much 
 fweat and labour been fo long a building up. Nor did there want thofe who palfing 
 yet further, (perchance through the malice they bore to that party) taxed the Heads 
 thereof, to aim -at vafter ends j which whether true or falfe, were after publifhed to 
 be the depofing of the King himfelf, as a difTolute , incapable, mean-fpiritcd man, 
 and in time to fettle the Crown in the houfe of G«//f, which fome did openly main- 
 tain to be derived in a right line from Charlemagne, But whether thefe defigns were 
 indeed plotted from the beginning or whether they took birth from the emergent oc- 
 cafions which happened after , it is not fo evident i for as they were divulged and 
 amplified by the Hugonots, fo were they clofely concealed, and firmly denied by the 
 Gtiijh. But they themfelves could not deny two great and powerful occafions i one 
 a difcontent becaufc they could not fway and govern the prefent King, as they had 
 done Charier, and Francis his laft Predeceflbrs i the other a defire to rule the Catholick 
 party, founded long before by their Anceftors, and increafcd and confirmed by them- 
 felves ; and to thefe was added as a third, the necellity of oppofing the Kings defigns, 
 which they now faw tended openly to their ruine, thereby to free his neck from the 
 yoak of Faftions. Thefe interefts which could not be wholly concealed from the 
 Pope, ("for that Court, moft wife in judging of all things , did eafily penetrate into 
 them j made him fo maich the more referved and wary what to refolve, by how much 
 the apparent refped of preferving the Catholick Religion fpurred him on to confenC 
 unto it. 
 
 But whillt the approbation of this League is treated on ztKome, the Pope inclining 
 but ambiguoufly unto it, the bufinefs was very eafily determined on the other fide in 
 the Court of Spain ■■> the propofitions being fuch, that the Catholick King ought ra- 
 ther to have defired that the League fhculd put it felf under his protedion, than make 
 himfelf be long entreated to comply with thofe requefts, which for that purpofe were 
 effcdlually made unto him : for indeed it was a gate which did not only open unto 
 him a pafTage to the fecurity of his own States , but alfo to very great hopes of ac- 
 quiring more, and at leaft (if no better) to keep the ,King of France his Forces c'i- 
 vided and imployed, with which the Crown of Spain had fo long and fb obftinatc 
 contentions. 
 
 Thefe pradices, efpecially thofe which were managed in France, were not unknown 
 to the King, for they were reprcfented unto him by the Queen-Mother, and other 
 his mtimate Confidents j nay, the Count ^^eKffz had particularly advertifed him, that 
 Monfieur de Vins negotiated that Confederacy in Vrovence ■■, and the Prince of Conde 
 by the means of the Sieur de Montaut, had made him acquainted with the Union of 
 thofe in Voiaott; befides, that at the fame time one Nichobs David, an Advocate of 
 the Parliament of Farw, was flayed and taken in his journey, which he confeffcd he 
 Was imployed in by the Guifes to negotiate that bufinefs at Rome : The Hugonots diC- 
 perfed certain Writings , which under title of a Commilfion given to him, contained 
 the defigns of the Catholick League, and their end and intention to poiTtfs themfelves 
 : ■ of
 
 o/ France. The Sixth 'BooJ^, 225 
 
 bfthe Crown s but for the moft part full of exorbitant, fabulous, incredible things > •SjS* 
 fo that they were generally believed to have been malicioufly forged and fpred abroad 
 to diictedit the Lords of Guife^ and to render them odious and fufpe<3:ed j vpho did 
 not Only abfolutely deny the tenure of thofe CommiiTions, and account David a fool 
 and no better than a mad-man if he had any fuch Writings about him > but they alfo 
 caufed them to be anfwered by fome of their party, proving many things in them to 
 be abfurd, and without any appearance of truth. But thofe divulged Papers generally 
 believed to be falfe , wrought not fo great a fufpicion in the King, as the Lettets of 
 Monfieur de St. Goart, his Lieger AmbaflTador in the Court of Spain, who gave hinti 
 notice how he had difcovered that fome French Catholick Confederates did earrieftly 
 treat of fecret bufineffes in that Court. But whether (b many difcords and confufions 
 fpringing up daily, they could not all be provided againft at the fame time, and there- 
 fore they negledled thofe which at firft feertied lefs material, to remedy others which 
 were more urgent and weighty i or whether the King taken up with his fecret defigns 
 of opening a way to future matters, did flight the prefent danger, being confident he 
 (hould cut off all thofe plots and confpiracies at one time : which(bever of thefe caufes 
 it were, it is moft certain, that though the King knew all thefe pradices , he was fb 
 far from oppofing or hindring them, that he (eemed not difpleafed to have one FatSion 
 flruggle with the other, thinking that by thofe jarrs which would arife between them, 
 he (hould remain abfolutc Arbitrator, and enjoy the fruits of that weakneft which they 
 would bring upon themfelvcs by falling upon one another. Befides, he thought this 
 fo high and fo general refentment of the Catholicks, gave him a very lucky occafion 
 to break the conditions of peace granted to the Hugonots, and to make appear to the 
 World, that he did it not of his own refolution, becaufe he had fo intended from the 
 beginning i but becaufe of the general difcontent of his Subjects, of whofe good, and 
 of whofe defires he was obliged as a Father to be much more careful , than of com- 
 plying with the will of thofe that were rebellious and difobedienti for which caufe 
 he did not only tolerate the continuation of thofe pra<flices about the League, but by 
 ambiguous adions, obfcure words, and dark anfwers, that admitted feveral interpre- 
 tations, he almoft made it be believed, that all was managed by his order and per- 
 miilion. 
 
 But if the King refblved to make ufe of that opportunity to break the Articles of 
 Agreement, the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde were no lefs difpofed to 
 do the fame i who having thruft the Duke of Alamnn out of their fadfion, fought to 
 lay hold of any occafion that might kindle the War again , by which they hoped to 
 eftablifli their own greatnefs : wherefore the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde 
 having often complained to the King and Queen i the King of Navarre, that his inte- 
 refts were utterly forgotten in the conditions of the Peace 5 and the Prince of Conde^ 
 that neither the Government of Picardy, nor the City of Peronns were afligned unto 
 him y and the King having ftill interpofed delays and impediments, had at laft remit- 
 ted all to be determined by the States : now upon this new occafion of the League, they 
 redoubled their complaints the more earneftly, urging that they could not continue in 
 that uncertainty of their prefent condition, whilft their adverfaries united their forces 
 in a League to fupprefs and deftroy them : with which importunities the King being 
 troubled, and having (rather to hold him in hand, than with an intent to perform 
 it3 offered the Prince in ftead of Peronne and Picardy, to give him St. Jean d' Angety 
 and Cognac, in thofe parts where the ftrength of the Hugonots lay ; he not ftaying fot 
 the affignment , fuddenly made himfelf Mafter of them, and following the fuccefs of 
 that beginning, fent for Monfieur de Mirabeau under colour of treating with him con- 
 cerning other bufinefles , and forced him to deliver up Brovage into his hand , a Fort 
 of great importance , as well for that it lies upon the Coaft of the Ocean Sea, as be- 
 caufe it abounds with fuch ftore of Salt-pits, which yield a great and conftant revenue ; 
 he made the Sieur de Montaut Govemour, and put into it a fttong Garifon of his de- 
 pendents, furnilhing it with ammunition, and fortifying it with exceeding diligence : 
 nor content with that , but vigoroufly profecuting that enterprife by the means of his 
 dependents, in a few weeks he reduced into his own power , "B-oyan^ Pons, Talemont, 
 and Marans, with many other confiderable places in Xaintonge. 
 
 But the King of Navarre, who with more deliberate confiderations had raifed his 
 thoughts to higher defigns, making ufe of the ready boldnefs of the Prince of Conde in 
 thofe matters where force and violence were needful, with infinite moderation (to 
 
 G g which
 
 #^ 
 
 2:26 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 '57^- 
 
 The King of 
 Kdi/trre decla- 
 red General of 
 the Hugonots, 
 and the Prince 
 of Cindi' his 
 tieurenant- 
 Gcneul. 
 
 At the inter- 
 ceflion of the 
 King of A'j. 
 vdrre, the Ro- 
 chellers per- 
 mit the Catho- 
 iicks to fay 
 Mafs io their 
 City. 
 
 which as well by choice, as nature, he was much inclined) under title of being Cover- 
 nour of the Province, reduced the principal Cities to himfelf, (hewing both in words 
 and adlions, a great deal of gentlenefs to the Catholicks, a great deal of reverence to the 
 Kings perfon, fingular defire to help the advancement of every one, and very much 
 trouble for the lofTes and outrages which by occafion of the War he was neceffitated 
 to bring upon that Country i by which arts having gained all the people of Feri^ort^ 
 and the Towns of Loudun^ ^g^»-, Ga)tache, and many lefTer places, he pofTefled all that 
 Country except Bourdeaux^ where the Parliament refiding, the Citizens had ever re- 
 fufed to admit him i yet ccafed he not after many repulfes, fometimes to allure them 
 with kind mefTages, fometimes to affure them with large promifes, fliewing himfelf 
 to be utterly averfe from the animofity of the Fadtions, and the cruelties ufed by others 
 in Civil Wars, finceheof his own accord had fetled the ufe of theCatholick Religion 
 again in thofe places that were of his own Patrimony, from whence his Mother had 
 taken it away, and with much modefty, refpeft, and favourable Declarations treated 
 with the Church-men concerning the interefts of Religion i which artifice, or nature, 
 or rather (as it often happens) artifice derived from nature, won the hearts of all the 
 people, and took oif that hatred , which (as Enemies to the Commonwealth) they 
 were wont to bear to others who had held the chief command of that Faction j which 
 he defiring to join and unite into one body, as he faw the Heads of the Catholicks en- 
 deavoured to do on their fide, having obtained leave of the Citizens to enter Rochely 
 (the command whereof he knew to be very necefTary for him) he was fo skilful in ma- 
 naging the affedtions of the people, that having tamed and aflfured the minds of the 
 Citizens, which were full of fufpitions, and unapt to give credit to any body, by their 
 counfel, and with the confent of all the Cities which followed their party, the Depu- 
 ties whereof he had aflembled in that place, he in the end made himfelf be declared 
 Head and Protestor of that party , and the Prince of Conde his Lieutenant General, 
 fliewing himfelf every where fb full of fincerity and moderation , that he thereby 
 gained not only their inclination and good will, but alfo a very free and abfolutc au- 
 thority over them i which among fo many jealoufies , and fb many pretenders, per- 
 chance he could not have obtained by other arts : for neither the Prince of Conde, nor 
 the Mareflial d' AnviUe, nor perhaps Monfieur de la Noue, nor Monfieur de Rohan would 
 fo eafily have yielded to him, if they had not been forced (befides the (plendour of 
 his Royal name) to give place to his popularity, and his arts of Governing. Nov/ 
 having obtained the power of that Fadion chiefly by the favour of the Rochellers, and 
 knowing that Monfieur de Fervaques as a fubtil man, and not trufty, was fufpeded of 
 all, but efpecially the Citizens of KocW, who defired for their fecurity, that Meflieurs 
 de B,ohan, de Mouy, de la None, Lattgoiran, and other old Abettors of that party, might 
 have the firft place in their Councils , and in their Civil and Military Offices i or elfe, 
 perfwaded by d' Aiibigny, who affirmed he had difcovered that Fervaques at the very 
 laft point had revealed his intended departure to the King, and that they were not 
 flayed, becaufe the King having a wonderful ill opinion of him, gave no credit to his 
 words i he cunningly gave him occafion to go his way, (as hath been already related) 
 and making up his Council of men that were famous for integrity and honeft intentions, 
 did not only take away the jealoufle of the Rochellers, and of all the neighbouring Pro- 
 vinces, who feared he would change his Power into a tyrannical Government, but 
 won the hearts of many Catholicks i who, fo they might enjoy the liberty of living in. 
 the Religion of their forefathers, were alio difpofed to ferve and follow him. He in- 
 terpofed his authority that the Rochellers might give way to the exercife of the Ca- 
 tholick Religion in their City, and before he departed procured leave for Mafs to be 
 faid in a little Church, many being prefent at it i which things accompanied with his 
 modeft temperate fpeeches, as they gained him a great deal of affedlion from thofe of ' 
 his own party i fo did they leffen and extinguifh that hatred which the Guifes by im- 
 putations of revolt and apoftacy , endeavoured to fallen upon him among all degrees 
 of people in the Kingdom. 
 
 But the King in fo great a combuftion of all things, and in fo miferable a condition 
 of his Crown, which was openly affailed by the Politicks and Hugonots, and fecretly 
 confpired againft by the Catholicks of the League, having conceived great hopes of 
 finding a way to compafs his defigns by means of the General AfTembly of the States, 
 was intent upon calling them together in the City of BloU, where he, with his Mother, 
 and the Duke of Alancon his Brother arrived the tenth day of November \ and having 
 - :■,. by
 
 o/^ France* The Sixth ^ool^ 22 
 
 by his Letters given notice to the Deputies of the feveral Provinces to meet together I57^« 
 without delay , the bufinefs was followed with (b much diligence, that the fixth day '^'" Affembiy 
 of December gave a folemn beginning to the Aflembly. The Kings intention was »t fitj,!'*"** 
 Cprofecuting his own defignsj by means of the States, to fettle a firm general Peaccj 
 which being eftabliflied by the common confent of the whole Nation, no man (hould 
 have caufe to find fault withal j but, lafting in a firm continuance, might quite abolilh 
 the interefts of the feveral parties, caufe the prefent animofities to be forgotten, and 
 give him time and opportunity to execute his own refolutions of abafing and weaken- 
 ing the ftrength and credit of both the Fadions. He hoped that a moderate Agree- 
 ment would readily be laid hold on by all the three Eftates: For the Clergy were al- 
 ways fain to contribute very largely, as to a War wherein they were more intqrefTed 
 than any others ; the Nobility wearied with the toils of War, and exhaufted with the 
 vafl expences of it j and the Commons, who befides the continual and intolerable taxes 
 and contributions, being (in the Fields by the infolencies of Souldiers, in the Cities- 
 by the interruption of Trade) fubje(S to all the miferies of War, feemed greedily and 
 impatiently to defire Peace, 
 
 With thefe ends and hopes, the feveral Orders of the States being met together in Kin» ifmy 
 his prefence, he began with a grave cffedual Speech to deplore the miferable calami- %UJh « the 
 tous eftateinto which the Kingdom of France^ formerly fo powerful and flouriihing, b«g'ni^ng of 
 was then reduced i fince every degree and part of fo great a Monarchy being fallen ofSheSuto 
 from their former greatnefs and profperity, into a labyrinth of difcord and confufion, a'^'"?'- 
 was manifeftly brought to terms of lamentable ruine and defolation : That the obedi- 
 ence and veneration of the Royal Majefty, which had in all times been fo proper and 
 peculiar to the French, was now utterly loft: That the bond of that charity which the 
 love of one common Country ufeth ordinarily to knit falkr among men of right under- 
 ftanding, was broken to pieces by the violence of inveterate inteftine hatreds : That hf 
 the licence of Civil Wars, which had lafted fo many years, the due ttCpeH to juftice 
 was taken away, the fear of Magiftrates trodden under foot, and the fincerity of mens 
 manners exceedingly corrupted : That he knew, whatfoever calamities the people fuf- 
 fer, are always attributed to the Prince's evil Government j yet he was fatisfted with 
 the clearnefs of his own Confeience , and doubted not but equal Judges would free 
 him from all blame, confidering the tender age of the King his Brother, and of him- 
 felf, when the beginnings of that mifchief brake forth i That all the World knew how 
 much care and pains the Queen his Mother had undergone to remedy thofe misfor- 
 tunes, which from what caufesthey were derived, was fufliciently apparent : That the 
 confervation of the Kingdom, and the inheritance of her Sons yet Children, (confpired 
 againft with (b much cunning, and openly aflailed with fo much violence) was to be 
 afrribed to her prudence, conftancy and magnanimity i but if her vertuous endeavours 
 had not been able to extinguifh thofe mifchiefs, too fierce and powerful in their be- 
 ginnings, perchance it was the permiifion of Divine Providence, to punifh the fins of 
 both Prince and People together: That it was likewife manifeft to every one, what he 
 himfelf had done for the fupprdHon and extirpation of the prefent evils > that under 
 the Reign of the King his Brother, he with thofe vidtorious atchievements which were 
 not unknown unto the World, had tried the rigour of the fword v but he had found 
 by experience, that the letting of blood only weakened the body, but neither leflTened 
 the violence nor malignity of thedifeafe : That by civil inteftine Wars, Religion it felf 
 ("which receives its nouriftiment from Peace) was much impaired and abafed, fo that 
 in ftead of gaining thofe Souls that were gone aftray, by violent means they did indan- 
 ger the lo(s of thofe that were moft zealous in the truth i for which caufe he had both 
 before he went into Poland, laboured to bring in Peace by a CefTation of thofe calami- 
 ties i and fincc God had called him to the Crown , endeavoured by all means polTible 
 to procure the repofe and quiet of his Kingdom : That to that end he had called the 
 AfTembly of the States, that by the advice of his good and faithful Subjeds fome way 
 might be found to flop the courfe of thofe prefent miferies > wiftiing, rather t^an they 
 fliould continue , that the thred of his life might be cut off before he had fcen the 
 half of his days : That it was therefore time to think among themfelves of fome whol- 
 fome remedy, by which putting an end to the reciprocal enmities, difeords, wars and 
 animofities, they might with gentlenefs and moderation perfcdlly reftore the candour 
 of Religion , bring mens minds again to their due veneration and obedience , reduce 
 the integrity of Juftice to its primitive condition, banifh the pernicious liberty of Vice, 
 
 Gg 8 recover
 
 28 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 iK'76. recover the ancient fimpk honefty of Manners i and .finally, give breath to thofe dan- 
 cers of the Clergy , to thofc toils of the Nobility , and to thofe lofles and diftradions 
 of theCominon people, which by occafionof the War he was (to his great grief) not 
 only forced to continue , but alfo to increafc and multiply without end : That he 
 thought for the procuring of thofe bleiVings , there was no more fecure nor effedual 
 means, than a good, moderate, and laiting Agreement i and yet that he was ready to 
 give ear to any rcafons that could be objeded to the contrary, and to any other means 
 that could be propounded , that fo he might make choice of thofe which (hould be 
 thought the belt , moft eafie, and moft profitable : That therefore he did earneftly 
 exhort every one of them, that laying apart all palTions and interefts, they fhbuld ftudy 
 linccrely to find out fuch propofitions as they thought moft fit, to eafe the troubles of 
 the State, and quiet the diftraftions of the Kingdom j for as he was very willing to 
 confult of all things in common, fo was he abfolutely refolved, that whatfoever they 
 cdncludcd and eftabliflied, fliould be moft exadly and pundlually obferved. 
 
 The High Chancellour Birago fpake then to the like eifedir, and with a longer Ora- 
 tion (hewed the fame things, concluded at laft, that fince the admirable wifdom of the 
 Queen-Mother , and the valour and generofity of the King had till then preferved 
 France in the midftof fo many troubles and dangers, the States ought now to offer 
 their general opinion and advice, every one ftri^ing to propound fuch profitable, fea- 
 fonable remedies, as might relieve the Kingdom from prefent, and keep it fafe from fu- 
 ture miferies. All the three Orders feverally gave the King many thanks for his affe- 
 (ftionate care, and praifed his juft intention, every one promifing for their own parts 
 to affift with faithful loyalty and fincerity of heart. 
 
 But though in thefe firft appearances the Kings intention and that of the States ftem- 
 cd both to be the fame, yet inwardly they were very different > for the Deputies of 
 the Provinces were for the moft part fuch as had fubfcribed to the Cathulick League, 
 and were fwayed by the counfel and fuperintendency of the Duke of Guife, who being 
 abfent himfelf had fent his Brother of Mayenne , Pierre Efpinac Archbifhop of Lyons^ 
 the Baron de Senecey, and many other of his dependents thither i and therefore the 
 Deputies whom it concerned topropofeand conclude matters in the Affembly, were 
 for the moft part refolved, not only to moderate the laft Articles of Peace , which the 
 King would willingly have agreed to i but alfo to break them utterly^ and again with 
 more force than ever to begin the War againft the Hugonots, who having violated the 
 conditions, had already taken arms for their own advantage. But the Kings mind 
 was abfolutely averfe from that , which being known to the Deputies, who had diP> 
 covered it by many figns, efpecially by his Speech unto them, and forefeeing that by 
 his power he would delude and frultrate all their dcfigns, as long as he was able to re- 
 folve alone of whatfoever was propounded v they fought cunningly to take away that 
 Prerogative, and fettle it in a certain number, who ftiould have power to conclude 
 and determine all bufinefTes without contradi(ftion or appeal. Wherefore the Deputies 
 of the Nobility and Clergy partly confenting, and the Deputies of the Commons not 
 altogether oppofing, they thought it unfit to difpute openly whether the States were 
 It's an anci- fupcrlour to the King or no, (a very ancient queftion, though difproved by the manner 
 whX'r^'t'h'e of holding the States, and always deluded and made vain by the Kings authority) but 
 Affembiy of {q petition the King, that for the difpatch of all bufmefles with fpeed, and with the 
 thcKmRbe general fatisfadion, he would be pleafed to eled a number of Judges, not fufpedled 
 supeiiour, by the States, who together with twelve of the Deputies, might hear fuch motions as 
 from time to time ftiould be propofed by every Order, and conclude and refolve upon 
 them, with this condition, that whatfoever was jointly determined by the Judges and 
 Deputies together, fliould have the form and vigour of a Law, without being fubjedl 
 to be altered or revoked. 
 
 The King was not ignorant of the importance of that demand i and though he was 
 toward ly much difpleafed that they went about to deprive him of the power which was 
 naturally his, and from a free King bring him to the flavery of his Subjedsi yet by 
 how mikh greater the force of that ftorm was, with fo m.uch the more dexterity en- 
 deavouring to overcome it, he anfwered gracioufly, that as often as the States fliould 
 offer any propolitions or demands, he would without delay hearken to the twelve De- 
 puties, ("which he gave them power to nominate) and that as foon as he had maturely 
 weighed their teafons , they fliould have a fpeedy and refolute anfwer to determine 
 whatfotvet was neceffary for their general contentment i and. that for the better fatif- 
 
 fadion 
 
 i
 
 o/ France. The Sixth ^oo{, 220 
 
 fafti6n of them all, he was willing to deliver unto the States the names of fuch as were 'S?^* 
 admitted to his Councils, to the end that they might know the qualities of thofe per- 
 {bns by whofe advice he meant to govern, which he would confcnt to do by the ex- 
 ample of atty of his PredecefTors h but to confirm and ratifie whatfbever others fhould 
 determine without himfelf, it was not poffible for him ever to yield to in any man- 
 her, it being contrary to all precedents obfcrved by the King his PredecefTors. The 
 States being excluded from that hope, and defpairing of being able to compafs their 
 defires, fince the cunning of the demand was taken notice of, turned another way, 
 and began to propofe. That matters of Religion might firft of all be decided i for it 
 being once eflabliflied to admit no other but the Gatholick, (which neither the Ring 
 himfelf would dare to oppofe, nor any of the Deputies, though there were many of 
 them who fecretly were of another mind) all hope of Peace would be laid afide, and 
 the War with the Hugonots prefently be refolved on. Wherefore the Archbifhop of 
 Lyons piopodng for the Clergy, the Baron ^^e i'fWfCfy for the Nobility, with the con- 
 fent of Pierre Verjoris , one of the principal Deputies, for the Commons, a man de- 
 fending upon the Houfe of Guife^ and one of the chiefeft fticklers irt the League i the 
 Clergy concurred in this Vote, That the King fhould be moved to prohibit the exer- 
 cife of any other than the Roman Catholick Religion ; and that all forts of people fub- 
 jed to the Crown fhould be forced to live according to the Rites of that Church ; the 
 fame Propofition was followed by many of the Nobility , who fuifeted their Votes to 
 be fwayed by the will of others , though many of that Order were againft, not the 
 Integrity of the Roman Gatholick Faith, but the taking up of Arms, defiring the pre- 
 fervation of Religion , and reducing of fuch as were out of the wav ,. but by thole 
 means which might be ufed without War. The Commons aflented to this kft opi- 
 rion, becaufe the burthen of the War lay chiefly upon the meaneft people^ as Mer- 
 chants, Tradefmen and Husbandmen : nor could any of the Deputies ("who in parti- 
 cular reaped fruit by thofe troubles, and being engaged with the Heads of the League, 
 did therefore obiVmately follow the Vote of the Prelates) have power to perfwade any 
 of them to change their verdidt •, for Jean Bodm^ a man famous for learning and ex- fomrSias 
 perience in State-affairs, one of the Deputies of the Commons of Vermandois, and who the Prelates 
 Was fecretly induced by the King to contradidl the Church-men in that particular, en- AffeablJ"'" 
 deavoured by a long difcourfe to make appear unto the Affembly how ruinous and fatal 
 the new taking up of Arms would be , repeating from the beginning all the dangers 
 and miferies of the late Wars, which made a very deep impreilion in the minds of the 
 third Eflate, and would have done the like in both the other Orders, if their Confci- 
 ences had been abfolutely free and fincere i but meeting with men who were not only 
 carried by the zeal of Pveligion, but whofe opinions were byaffed and pre-ingagdd, it 
 Was determined by plurality of voices, that requeft fhould be made unto the Ring to 
 cftablifh only the Catholick Religion in the Ringdom, and to exclude for ever all com- 
 munion with the Hugonots. Neverthelcfs, Bodin procured certain words to be entered 
 in the Records of the Order of Commons, to certifie their defire of unity in Religion 
 without the noife of Arms, and the necelTity of War. 
 
 This motion of the States being propounded to the King, who had already founded 
 the fecret pradtices of the Affembly, made him refolveno longer to oppofe, fknow- 
 ing that the plurality of voices would be clearly againll him) but to delude the pro- 
 pofitions of the Deputies i for by oppoiing, he faw thofe Arms of the Catholick League 
 would be turned upon him, which were then prepared againft the Hugonots : where- 
 fore feeking obliquely to hinder that determination, he propofed to the States and per- 
 fwaded them, that before it were enadted, Commiilioners ought to be fent to the King 
 of Navarre^ the Prince of Conde^ and the Marefchal ^' AnviUe^ who by true fubltantial 
 reafons fhould perfwade them to obey the will of the States, without returning again 
 to the fatal hazard of Arms, hoping by fuch delays to find fome remedy againlt that 
 refolution which he faw the major part of the Deputies was obflinately bent upon. To 
 that purpofe they chdfe the Archbifhop of Vienne , Monfieur de Kubsmpre , and the 
 Treafurer Menager^ CommilTioners to the King of Navarre ; the Bifliop oi Juttpi^ Mon* 
 fieur de Momorine, and Pierre de Kate to the Prince of Conde ■■> the Bifliop of Piiits, the 
 Sieur de Rocbefort^ and the Advocate Taley to the Marefchal d' Anville, to know the lalt 
 refolution of every one of them. But the King of Navarre having notice which way 
 the States inclined, and feeing fo terrible a florm preparing againft him , whilft the , 
 time was {pent at Bloyt in confulting, and things were drawn out in length by diverfity 
 
 of
 
 230 
 
 The Hijiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i57<?. 
 
 »577- 
 
 The Prince of 
 Condt will not 
 acknowledge 
 the AlTembly 
 of Bloji to be 
 the States Ge- 
 neral J nor 
 treat with 
 their Com- 
 mil&oncts. 
 
 of opinions , and other obftaeles which were interpofed » he being rcfulved to make 
 ready for War, bufied himfelf in gathering Soiildiers with infinite diligence from all 
 parts, and in feifing upon many places convenient for the defence and maintenance of 
 party* which fucceeding according to hisdefires, he had poffeffed himfelf of Baz^^ 
 Perigueux^ and St. Macaire in Guienne, Chivray in PoiSou, ^uimperley in Bretagne^ and 
 with a more Warlike than numerous Army laid fiege to Marmandc , a great Town 
 (eated upon the bank of the Garonne near to Bourdeattx, and therefore very commodi- 
 ous to ftrengthen that place, which was the only principal City of that Province that 
 made refiftance. 
 
 In the mean time the States Commiflioners being come unto hitn, he gave them 
 audience at /^gew, in the beginning of the year 1577. with demonftrations of great ho- 
 nour and refped. There the Bilhop of F»««e having eloquently declared the refolu- 
 tion of the States, to fuffer no other but the Catholick Religion in the Kingdom of 
 France, exhorted him effedually in the name of all the Orders to come unto the Aflem- 
 bly, to re-unite himfelf in concord with the King his Brother-in-law, to return into 
 the bo(bm of the Church, and by fo noble and fo neceflary a refolution to comfort all 
 the Orders of the Kingdom i by whom, as firft Prince of the Blood , he was greatly 
 cfte^med and honoured i and afterward inlarging himfelf, he reprefented the feveral 
 commodities of Peace, and the miferable defolations of War. The King of Navarre 
 with fuccindt, but folid words replyed pundtually, That if the happinefs of Peace, and 
 miferies of War were fo great and many as healledged, the States ought therefore fin- 
 cerely to eftablifh that Peace which was before concluded, and not by new delibera- 
 tions, and by revoking Edidts already made, to kindle again the fparks of War which 
 were almoft extinguiflied : That it was an eafie matter to difcourfe of the rooting 
 out of a Religion by the Sword, but experience had always (hewed, it was impollible 
 to effeft it i and therefore it was to be efteemed a more dilcreet advice to allow a fpi- 
 ritual Peace, thereby to obtain a temporal one i than by difquieting rflcns Confciences 
 to fancy the confervation of an outward Peace ; That for his part, he was born and 
 brought up in the Religion he profefled, and he believed Aill that it was the right and 
 true Faith i but yet when by (bund reafbns urged to him by men of underftanding, 
 and not by force and violence , he fliould find himfelf to be in an errour , he would 
 readily repent his fault, and changing his Religion , endeavour the converfion of all 
 others to the belief of that Faith which fliould be acknowledged the true one : There- 
 fore he prayed the States not to force his Confcience , but to be fatisfied with that his 
 good will and intention i and if that anfwer were not fufficient to content them, he 
 would expedt new and more particular demands, for the better anfwering whereof he 
 would prefently aflemble a full Congregation of his party at Montauban ■-, but in the 
 mean time, while he (aw all things prepared to make War againft him, he was con- 
 ftrained to ftand armed upon his own defence, to prevent that ruine which he plainly 
 faw contrived by his Enemies. 
 
 The Prince of Conde's anfwer was very diflferent > for having received the CommiP- 
 doners privately, he would neither open their Letters, nor acknowledge them for 
 Deputies of the States General, alledging that that AfTembly could not be called the 
 States General, which wanted the Deputies of (b many Cities, Towns and Provinces, 
 and which treated of violating mens Confciences by force, of fliedding the Blood- 
 Royal of France, and fuppreiTing the Liberties of the Crown , to comply with the de- 
 fires of ftrangers, who were fo hot upon the profecution of their own intolerable, per- 
 nitious interefts of ambition and private ends, that it was a Conventicle of a few men 
 fuborned and corrupted by the difturbers of the publick Peace, and therefore he would 
 neither open their Letters, nor treat with their Commillioncrs. 
 
 The Marefchal ^' AnviUe gave an anfwer not much unlike, but fomethtng more mo- 
 derate, the Deputies having found him at Montpellier : For having reprefented to them, 
 that his heart was real as any mans to the Catholick Religion , wherein he had been 
 born, and would continue as long as he lived , he told them, that it would be both 
 vain and impoflible to prohibit the exercife of the Reformed Religion granted by fo 
 iTiany EdicSs , and confirmed by fo many Conclufions of Peace, and that by blowing 
 up the flames of War, the deftruftion and ruine of all parts of the Kingdom would 
 be continued ; but that it ought to be confulted of in common in a lawful AfTem- 
 bly of the States General of France, and not in a particular Congregation as that of 
 Bioify where only the Deputies of one party were met together > and therefore he 
 
 did
 
 of France. The Sixth "Boo^ ^2 :5 1 
 
 League. 
 
 did proreft againft the validity of whatfoever fhouldbe there decreed or refohed; IS77» 
 
 The CommilTioncrs returned to Bloys with thefe anfwers in the beginning of Fe'- 
 hrttary ; and the Duke of Guife being come thither to give a colour to the bufinefs on 
 his part , the inclination of the States appeared manifeftly ready to difanul the late 
 Edid of Pacification , and refolve upon a War with the Hugonots : Wherefore the 
 King not willing to draw the hatred of all the Catholick party upon himfelf, nor give 
 them caufe to fufped the fincerity of his Confcience, making the Pope and all Chri- 
 ftendom believe he held intelligence with the Hugonots , which jealoufie would have 
 endangered the Catholick League to take Arms of themfelves without his Authority, 
 and difordcr the whole ftate of things : Befides being advifed by the Bifliop of Ly- 
 wgf / , and Monfieur de Morvillier, two of his principal Councellors , he determined 
 (fince he could not by open refiftance hinder the defigns and progrefs of the Catholick 
 League, which already had taken too deep a root) to make himfelf Head and Pro- 
 tedtor of it, and draw that Authority to himfelf which he faw they endeavoured to 
 fettle upon the Head of the League, both within and without the Kingdom ; hoping 
 that he being once made Moderator of that Union, in time convenient means would 
 not be wanting to difTolve it, as a thing diredly oppofite to his intentions : Where- 
 fore {hewing a great defire to extirpate the Hugonot Faction, and making all believe 
 that he was highly offended with the Princes anfwers, he caufed the Catholick League 
 framed by the Lords of the Hdufe of Lorain to be read, publifhed and fworn in the 
 open Affembly , where they themfelves were prefent, elTiablifhing it as an Irrevocable 
 and Fundamental Law of the Kingdom : Then he declared himfelf principal Head and ^«'7'te"r. 
 Protedor of it, with loud fpecious protections , that he would fpend his laft breath r/if "cad of' 
 to reduce all his people to an unity in Religion, and an entire obedience to the Roman t''/,„^,V''°'''* 
 Church: Thus did he labour to avoid that blow, which he faw he could not break 
 by making refinance. 
 
 But the King having for many days fliewed a wonderful defire to fupprefs the Hu* 
 gonots, purpofed with one mortal blow to try theconftancy of the Deputies ; for ha- 
 ving fent his Brother the Duke of AUncon^ and the Duke of Never: unto the AiTem- 
 bly, he caufed them topropofe, that it being requifite to make War with powerful Ar- 
 mies, againft thofe that were difobedient to the Catholick Church, great fums of money 
 were alfo neceffary, and that therefore the Kings Treafury being exhaufted, he defired 
 the States to ailift him with two millions of Ducats to maintain the vaft expences of 
 War ^ which none ought to refufe, fince they had all folemnly taken the Oath of the 
 League, and thereby obliged themfelves to contribute their Fortunes in common i at 
 which demand , the Deputies for the City of Paris not being prefent, (becaufe fome 
 were indifpofed , and the reft gone home to eledt the Prevoji des Merchands the chief 
 Officer of that City ) and therefore Jean Bodin being Prefident of the Order of Com- 
 mons, and knowing all that burthen was to be laid upon the people, rofe up, and an- 
 fwered, That the Third Eftate had always propounded and protefted to defire unity 
 in Religion, and ithe reducing of thofe that went aftray but without the noife of Arms 
 and War, and that if they looked into the Records of the Affembly, they (hould find 
 thofe very words formerly expreffed in the Vote of the Commons , which he had 
 caufed to be regiftred , and that fince they had not confented to the War, neither 
 were they bound to contribute to the expences of it, to fatisfie the fantaftical humours 
 of fome of the Deputies , and confume their own Eftates to renew the yet bleeding 
 wounds of the Kingdom : to which fpeech of his, not only the other Orders, but the 
 Clergy themfelves affented, who having fworn that in words , which they were not 
 fo forward to perform in aftions, and defiringnolefs than the reft to eafe themfelves 
 of thofe contributions wherewith all of them were equally wearied and burthened, 
 the ardour and conftancy of thofe began to waver, who had fo readily refolved upon 
 a War at the charge and danger of other men : whereupon the King turning his fail 
 according to the wind, the next day he himfelf propounded to the Deputies, That 
 fince they thought the charges of War fo grievous a burthen, they fiiould patiently 
 exped the Duke of Montfenfier and Monfieur de Byron, fent by him to the King of 
 Navarre, to procure his converfion in a friendly and peaceable manner ; with which 
 motion Cnotwithftanding the oppofition of many) the major part of the Deputies were 
 contented. 
 
 Not many days after the Duke of Montpenfier returned ; and being brought into the 
 Affembly by the Kings command, related in order all that had paffcd in his Negotia- 
 tion,
 
 222 ^^^ Hijlory of the Civil IVan 
 
 1577. t'O"^* *"'' '" fubftance flicwcd them that the King of Navarre being moft defiroUs of 
 the Peace of the Kingdom, would be contented with fuch reafonable conditions, as 
 cutting off all exorbitant, fuperfluous matters which were granted in the laft Edid, 
 might moderate and compofe all differences without putting thcmfelvcs upon the ne- 
 ceffity of a War , and gave almoft alTured hopes, that he himfelf (though he would 
 not give occafion to have it thought that he turned Catholick by compulfion) might 
 yet in time condefcend to alter his opinion, and make a happy conclufion of all things : 
 which relation coming from the Duke , who was of the Blood-Royal, Brother-in-law 
 to the Duke of Guife, and always partial to the Catholicks, wrought fuch an effed in 
 the minds of all, as encouraged Jw« Bodin and others of the Order of Commons, 
 again to try the way of agreement with exprefs proteftation, that unity in Religioo 
 ought to be procured without War : Which Vote being fome days ftifBy oppo- 
 fed , and as conftantly maintained , was at laft carried , and a Writing drawn up 
 in the Name of the States , befeeching the King to endeavour in unity in Religion 
 by peaceful means , and without the neceffity of War » which being propounded by 
 the King himfelf in his Council, the opinions concerning it were diverfe > for the 
 Duke, and Cardinal of (?«//?, the Duke of Mayeme, the Duke of Nevers, and others, 
 were againft the propofition of the States, alledging that the end they aimed at could 
 not be obtained without the extirpation of the Hugonots, who were up in Arms, 
 and moreover had already renewed the War i and affirming, that laft propofition of 
 the Deputies to be artificially contrived and extorted •, whereas the firft had been vo- 
 luntarily and generally agreed On, and the Oath taken in approbation of the League, 
 which was direftly contrary to the prefent proceedings. But the Queen- Mother, the 
 Duke of MoHtpettjfur^ the Marefchal de Cojfe, Monfieur de Byron, the High Chanceliour 
 Byrago, MorviVier, Chiverny, BeViewe, and ViVeclaire^ with the major part of the Council 
 being of the contrary opinion, alledged that there were many other means (though 
 fuch aS required more time) to bring thofe that were out of the way, home into the 
 bofom of the Church •, and that to deftroy fo much people would exceedingly weaken 
 the Kingdom, and bring it again into the late mifcries and dangers. Wherefore if 
 was concluded that the Duke of Montpettfier fliould return to the King of Navarre, to 
 know his laft anfwer concerning his converfion and reconciliation to the Church, and 
 thefetlingofa lafting, reafonable Peace. 
 
 In the mean time many other things were debated in the Affembly, about the rule 
 of juftice, the ordering of the Financei, the payments of debts, and the reformation 
 of manners i among which matters, fome of the Prelats moved, that the Council of 
 Trent might be received and obferved : but the Deputies of the Nobility, and thofo 
 of the Commons oppofed it ftoutly ■■> with which the major part of the Clergy concur- 
 ing, for the confervation (as they faidj of the priviledges of the Gallique Church, 
 and fuch as had been granted to it by feveral Popes , it was at laft refolved, that it 
 ihould pa(s no further. 
 
 The Heads of the Catholick League and their followers omitted not to feek fome 
 way of teftraining the Kings power, and propounded that his Council might be re- 
 duced to the number of four and twenty Counfellors > which fliould not be chofon at 
 the Kings pleafure, but by every Province of the Kingdom, as is the cuftom in other 
 States. But this motion being made but coldly, and ftjfly oppofed by many as con- 
 trary to the ancient conftitutions, and all former precedents, it was in the end caft out, 
 left the mention of it ftiould too much exafperate the King. 
 fiftti manf With thefe deliberations, not only ambiguous and uncertain, but alfo oppofite and 
 difputes the difagreeing among themfelves , the Congregation of the States broke up , which ha- 
 f wiVdiftiiflid '^"8 neither concluded Peace nor War, the King was left free to do what pleafed him- 
 without con. felf ; who having happily, though not without much pains and induftry , overcome 
 ibing'!^ *"' *^^ confpiracies of the League, was in good meafure confirmed in the refolution of his 
 firft defigns > having not only increafed his inward hatred toward the Houfe of Guife^ 
 but found by experience his own weaknefs, and the too great power of their Fadion : 
 Wherefore being refolved to eftablifli Peace, becaufe both parties were nouriflied and 
 fomented by the War, he firft of all put the Biftiop of Lymogei away from the Court, 
 and cunningly excluded MorvXier from the Cabinet-Council, fufpeding that they held 
 fecret intelligence with the Duke of Guife, and that they had perfwadcd him to de- 
 clare himfelf Head of the League, not fincerely, but to aflift that party i for though 
 the artifice had fucceeded happily, he thought neverthelcfs he had difcovered that in 
 
 many
 
 of France* The Sixth "Book^ 2^2 
 
 naiK- 
 
 many occafions they had difTwaded the War with the Hugohotsi which they having 15779 
 done, becaufe they thought ir fo became their Order, being of the Clergy, had there- 
 by (Hrred up the Kings angelr and fufpicion, who was jealous beyond meafure of feeing 
 the League favoured or not bppofed by any of his own Creatures. The Bifhop of Ly~ 
 nugfs being retired to his own houfc, lived very quietly all the reft of his days i but 
 Morvillier, a man fecretly full of great ambition, was poffeflcd with Co deep a melan- 
 choly, that within a few months he ended his life with grief. 
 
 The King prefently difpatched Monfieur de Byron and Secretary Villeroy to the King 
 of Navarre^ that they being joined with the Duke of Montpeitfier, might profccute the 
 Treaty of Agreement: But though the King of Navarre ("who with wife confidera- 
 tion meafured the ftrength of his party, which was ndt very powerful at that time, 
 making fhew to do it through a moderation of mind , and a defire of the general 
 quiet) did yield to decline the late conditions, and confent to what was propofed by 
 the Kings Agents » yet the Prince of Co«fif , of a fierce haughty nature, and the Hu- 
 gonot Minilkrs , with whofe advice all things were neceffarily to be governed, were 
 Ifill obftii-.are aguinft Peace, unlefs upon the Capitulations already eftablifhed, difpu- 
 tin^; about fuch things as neceffity difpofed another way : wherefore as foon as their 
 ftubbornnef?. and the difficulty of the Treaty appeared to the King, being refolved to 
 put 'h; Hugonots in mind of their weakeftate, and force thern to ti'ceive conditions 
 of Peace, if they pcrfilkd in their wilfulnefs, he fent out two feveral Armies againfi 7''! f 'o"^/, 
 them in the beginning of April-t one into the Countries near the layrf , and the Pro- ml'es'againft 
 vincei on this lide the River , under the command of the Duke of Alancan, Xvho to '•?' "p^X""? 
 remove all difgufts , was declared his Lieutenant-General i the other, on that fide of ^Lmcia mads 
 the Favcr in Xahiton^^e, under the Duke of Mayemte^ whom he trade ufe of much more L'tul^'nTi 
 willingly than of the Duke of GK/7f,becaufe he found him of a more moderate mind and otncwl. 
 inclination ■■> and befidcs thofe two Armies, he fet forth a fleet under Monfieur de Lan- 
 fac to clear the coafts, and hinder the entry into Kochelle: By this means he thought 
 prefently to make the Catholick party weary of thofe expences which (by the manage- 
 ment of the Duke of Alancon) would become intolerable ; and at the fame time to 
 break the oblfinacy of the Hugonots , letting them fee how little means they had to 
 refift his forces > whereby he might afterwards accommodate the conditions of Peace 
 in fuch a way as (hould appear to him juft and reafonable, fince the fortner Capitulati- 
 ons could be neither broken nor moderated, unkfs there were firft fome beginning of 
 a War. 
 
 It was not hard for either of the KingS Armies to do great matters in a little titne , 
 for the Hugonots being reduced to an exceeding want of men and money, were riot 
 able to keep the field i and their fortified places, though valiantly defended, yet ha- 
 ving no alfiftance ready either of their own party, or of ftrangers, their only help and 
 refuge in all times of their need , they were fain either to let themfelves be tniferably 
 dcfiroyed, or yield to the difcretion of the Conquerors. So no Head of the Hugonots 
 appearing in the Field, the Duke of Alancon having attacked, and v^thin a few days 
 taken /-i Charite, was marched into ^atw^w, and had befiegedJ/oirf, a place ftrongly 
 fituated ?.ud well fortified, but which imported moft, conflantly, or Cto fay better) 
 defperately defended by the inhabitants : Yet as the event always proves it impoiriblfi 
 to keep any place that cannot be relieved , it was brought to fuch extremity at the 
 beginning of June , that being at laft yielded to difcretion, it was not only facked, 
 and the inhabitants put to the fword, as it plcafed the immoderate will of the Duke 
 of Alancon^ but it was alfo fet on fire, and burnt to the very ground : On the other 
 fide, the Duke of Mayenne^ having without difficulty taken Thone-Chxrente^ and Ma- 
 rans^ had laid fiege to Brouage^ a place for fituation , ftrength, and the profit of the 
 Salt-pits, of very great importance i where the Prince of Com^c having tryed all pof^ 
 fible means to relieve the befieged , the Hugonots after fome difficulty were brought 
 into fuch a condition, that about the end of Augtfjl they delivered it up, faviftg only 
 the lives of the Souldiers and inhabitants, which agreement the Duke punctually ob- 
 ferved. Nor did their affairs profper better by Sea than Land : for Laafac with the 
 Kings Fleet having driven away that of the Rochellers commanded by the Sieur de 
 Clairmont , and taken two of their greateft Ships , landed alfo in the Ifle of Oleron^ 
 took it i and being at laft come to the Cape of Blaye^ did exceedingly incommodate the 
 affairs of Rachel. Thefe accidents having qualified the Prince of Conde's fury, and 
 overcome the obftinaicy of the Minifters > there was not any of the Hugonots j who 
 
 H h fore-.
 
 234 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil U^ars 
 
 •^■ 
 
 i577' 
 
 Through 
 weiknefs of 
 boib pircics 
 the Peace is 
 concluded and 
 poblilhcd by 
 torcb light. 
 
 * High furif- 
 diftionjiutho- 
 tlty to judge 
 and determine 
 all criminal ot 
 capital mat- 
 ters (except' 
 High-treafon) 
 within hisown 
 precindS) an4 
 all civil aai- 
 ons or contro- 
 verfieS) except 
 inRoTalcales, 
 and fucb as 
 concern Gen- 
 tlemen and the 
 high ways. 
 
 * Courts of 
 |uftice,\vhcre- 
 tn half were 
 Catholicks, 
 iulf Husonots 
 
 forefeeing their total ruine, did not defire and labour for peace, with fo great an incti* 
 nation of all private men, that the Souldiers forfook their colours, the Gentlemen re- 
 tired to their own houfes , and the inhabitants of the City, detefting the exercife of 
 Arms, returned to the bufinefs of their fl-iops > befides, the Marefchal d' AnviUe^ who 
 in their profperity had united his Counfels and Forces with them , now pretending 
 he had been abufed and ill dealt withal by certain Heads of the Fadion, did endea- 
 vour to make his peace, and return unto the Kings obedience, and had already taken 
 Arms againft feme of the Hugonots , by whom he gave out , that he had been grie- 
 voufly offended. 
 
 Nor were the Catholicks more cool and moderate in their defires of peace > for 
 though the good fuccefs of the War redounded to the benefit of the King, and of the 
 Catholick Religion, yet the charge of contributions , and the lofles the Country fu- 
 ftained by the infolencies of the Souldiers, and want of Government in the Duke of 
 Alancon's Army, refulted to the detriment and ruine of private men i wherefore fee- 
 ing that the War, though una(aive, and not very dangerous, was ycr Ike to be Jong 
 and tedious, a great many of thofe who at firft either defired it, or did rot oppofe 
 it, began now to long for peace, to free themfelves from the burthens and incommo* 
 ditiesof the War> and, except the Lords oi Guife and their dependents, there was 
 not any who did not think it requifite to procure an agreement^ for the eafe of the peo* 
 pie who were fo exceedingly opprefled. But the expedtation of the Hugonot party 
 was fetled upon the King of Navarrf, who (having from the bcjr'nningforefcen that 
 mifchief, and defired peace) now treating at Bergerac wiih the Kings Deputies, knew 
 lb well how to hide and conceal his weaknefs, that though he flood not upon thofe 
 conditions which were laft concluded with the Duke of AUn.on^ yet he held up the 
 affairs of his party in being and reputation. But the Kings inclination, and by con- 
 fequence the eafinefs of his Miniftcrs , was not lefs than the policy of the King of 
 Navarre : wherefore a Ceffation of Arms being agreed upon for a few days in the be- 
 ginning of September^ the Accommodation was fo actively followed, that in the end 
 the Articles of Peace were concluded with fo great contentment of both parties, that 
 the King being come to Poidiers with the Court for that purpofe, ftewed ma- 
 nifeft fi>^ns of joy, calling it His peace > and the Prince of Conde imbraced it with 
 fo much greedinefs , that the ratihcatioti coming to him in the evening when it 
 was already dark, he caufed it to be publickly proclaimed that very night by torch- 
 light. 
 
 The Edidi' of this Pacification was very copious, being comprised in Seventy Four 
 Articles, which did limit and take away many of thofe exorbitancies that had been 
 granted in the former Edid in favour of the foreign Forces eflablifhing a very mode- 
 rate, political Government, equally jufl and reafonable for both parties : it permitted 
 the exercife of the Reformed Religion in the Houfes of Gentlemen Fcudataries, or (zs 
 they call them J * de Haute Jtijiice, with the free admillion of every body : but in the 
 Houfes of private Gentlemen, not above the number of feven was allowed, and in a 
 prefixed place in every Jurifdidion and Baily-wick, except in Parps and ten leagues 
 about, and two leagues compafs from the Court wherefoever it fhould be v it bridled 
 the licence of thofe who leaving their Religious Orders, had joined themfelves in ma- 
 trimony, by fjsecial favour pardoning what was part, and feverely regulating the fu- 
 ture : it rcllored the ufe of the Catholick Religion in all places from whence it had 
 been taken during the War : it prefcribed the prefent reflitution of EcclefiaXtical Re- 
 venues to Priefts and Prelates in what Province foever, and that without any delay : 
 it obliged the Hugonots to the certainty of Baptifm, to keep the appointed holy- days, 
 to exclude Confinguinity in Marriage, and many other things wifely obferved in the 
 Catholick Church, and very proper for a peaceful orderly Government : it took away 
 les Chambres f' mi-parties (as they call them) which were already fetled in Parity Kouen, 
 Vijon And Bretagne, leaving them ftill in the other Parliaments, but with afinaller 
 number of Hugonots ; nor was any thing omitted which could hinder difcords, take 
 away foandals, re-unite the minds of thofe that were dif^dent or divided, and fettle 
 the authority of Magiitrates and vigour of the Laws in their firft flate and condition : 
 Yet were eight places granted to the Hugonot Lords for their fecurity for the fpaceof 
 four years, after which (the Edid being entirely obferved) they promifed faithfully 
 to reitore them into the Kings hands j they ferving only in the interim till the Edi<9: 
 of Pacification was fctled in a way , and by time and obfervance reduced unto the or- 
 dinary
 
 e>^ France. The Sixth ^oo^. 235 
 
 dinary ufual courfe. Thek phces wetc Mompellkr znd Aiguemorte in Ldngnedoci Myon 1577. 
 and Sems in Vauphine j Seine in Provence j Peri(^Heux^ la ReoUe, and le M.is de Verdun 
 in Gttienne \ things all prudently ordered, and difpofed for the eftablifliment of a well- 
 letled Peace. 
 
 But though the King for the Catholick, and the Princes of Bourbon for the Hugo- 
 net party, had (to the univerfal joy of the people) concluded this Agreement, which 
 feemed very likely to take away the late difcords , and quiet the diftraded eftate of 
 the Kingdoms yet neither were mens minds generally pacified, differences totally 
 <ompofed, nor the tumults utterly appeafed ■, but the fire of publick War being ex- 
 tinguiflied, particular quarrels did ftill boil in the interefts of private perfons i for nei- 
 ther did the Marefchal ^^«w//e C who every day withdrew himfelf further from the 
 Hugonotsj ceafe to profccute thofe by whom he piretcnded to be injured in Langue- 
 doc^ under colour of reducing the places of his Government under his own command * 
 nor did the Sieur des Viguieres in Vatephine dare to truft the peace, nor hazard him^ 
 felf upon the Kings word, remembring what had befallen Mombrun^ in vvhofe company 
 he had made War, and therefore' ftill continued armed for his fecurity : and the Ca- 
 tholicks (efpecially the adherents of the League) when they faw the Hugonots meet 
 at their Sermons, being inflamed with anger, and tranfported with pailion, could not 
 .fuffer them without murmurings and detradlions, which cccafioned many contentions^ 
 and {bmetimes dangerous bloody accidents ; whereby a great part of France^ though 
 the peace was made, continued ilill in broils and infurreftions. But the King belie- 
 ving that the benefit of time and moderation of Government might at laft appeafe 
 and extinguilh all thofe commotions, diffemblcd thofe things which were written 
 and prefented unto him from feveral parts , and had fetled his whole thoughts upon 
 tht framing and executing of his defigns ; yet after the fpace of fome months, feeing 
 the ftirs and diflentions ftill continue , he refolved that the Queen his Mother going 
 into ToiVtou to confer with the King o{ Navarre, and then into the other moft fufpedl- 
 ed Provinces, (hould with the wonted elfe^ of her prefence compofe the differen- 
 ces , artificially taking away thofe fcruples which ttiii dirturbed the Edidl of Pacifi- 
 cation. 
 
 About that time the King created two Marcfchals, men of admirable valour in War, 
 and fingular prudence in Government, Armand Sieur de Byron , and Jaqiier Sieur ds 
 Matignon, who free from the interefts of the Duke of Gmfe^ depended meerly and 
 wholly upon the Kings will , acknowledging him their fole Benefador i and though 
 Byron for thofe paffages concerning Kochel, and fome other jealoufies , had for a long 
 time been little favoured by the King, efpecially before he came unto the Crown ; yet 
 being now refolved to exalt and truft thofe who were difaffedled to the Houfe of 
 Guife , he came ta rife to one of the highefi: places : it being generally conceived, 
 that he was chiefly induced to thofe other matters by the envy and hatred which he 
 inwardly bore that Family, by which he knew that not only his advancement was 
 oppofed , but tnat oftentimes , and particularly at the Maffacre at Varii , his death The High- 
 was both propounded and perfwaded. And becaufe Kenato di Birago the High- £^,*"„'b^i°" 
 Qiancellour at the recommendation of the King and Queen was by the Pope re- mad; Citdi- 
 ceived into the number of Cardinals j that molt important Office was conferred up- "'jfischofcij 
 on Philip Hnrault Vifcount de Chiverny , one of the Kings moll trully intimate Coun- '"> i"s pUce. 
 fellours. 
 
 In the mean time the year 1578 being begun, the Queen-Mother, after fome de- i57^» 
 lays, caufed by the fliarpnefs of the Winter, had with a noble train of principal Lords 
 and Gentlemen , begun her journey toward the King of Navarre, taking with her the 
 Lady Margaret her Daughter, toreftore her to him, fhe having by his fudden depar- 
 ture been left behind him at the Court : being arrived at Bonrdeaux, (he fent to treat 
 with the Deputies of the Hugonots, who, as to their Head, were come unto the King 
 of Navarre , who (in this weaknefs and flendernefs of his party, mens bodies being 
 wearied , their eftates confumed , and the minds of the Proteftant Princes alienated 
 by reafon of the fmall account that had been made of Prince Cafimir and the Ger- 
 mans) was forced by cunning and diilimulation to fupply the publick neceffity, and 
 his own private maintenance : Wherefore being reduced into a corner of that Province, 
 Governourof Gttienne only in title, deprived of a great part of his own revenues, and 
 altogether excluded from the Kings favour and liberality , wherewith his Anceftors 
 had born up theii dignity aftetthelofsofthe Kingdom of NiJi'^^rrc, he was on the one 
 
 Hh a We
 
 2 2^ ^^^ Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1570, fide fain to imbrace Peace, bccaufe he had not forces to make War; and on the 
 other he was ncccffitated fecrctly to fnffer private difcords to break forth into ads of 
 hoftility, thereby to maintain his credit and his followers, who had no other means to 
 keep themfclves i wherefore with politick deliberations , and with a certain lively 
 promptitude which was natural to him, he made (hew exceedingly to reverence the 
 Kings commands, and yet managed his own interefts fo dexteroufly, that in fuch an 
 exigence of urgent affairs, his vivacity was much efteemed by men of underftandingi 
 though fome blamed his rcfolution to live rather in that manner like a baniflied man, 
 than to fubmit himfelf unto the Kings obedience, who by infinite ligns was known to 
 be more averfe to the Houfe of Lorain than to him. 
 But though this variety of interefts had prolonged the treaty of matters till the be- 
 i 57P« ginning of February 1 57P. yet could it not utterly difturb it, fo that at laft it was con- 
 cluded at Nerac^ where both parties were met i for the Hugonots not having ftrength 
 fufficient to think of War, were content in the end Cthe obfcurity of the Ediift being 
 taken away, from whence all thofe diifentions were thought to arife) that every par- 
 ticular fhould remain firmly eftabliflied, and the Peace (as much as the fecret defigns 
 of both parties did allow) perfedtly fetled. 
 
 In the mean time the King, conftant to his own intentions, had begun to confirm 
 the ground-work of his determination i for befides the two Marefhals which were 
 formerly chofen, he had given the Office of General of the Artillery (that for a long 
 time had been held by Monfieur de Byron) to Finlibert Sieur de la Guiche^ and had dc' 
 chrcd Laurence Sieur ^e MjKg/row Lieutenant-General in Daulpbine, which place was 
 vacant by the death of the Sieur des Gordes : and the Government of the City of Pa- 
 rii, formerly held by the chief Lords of the Kingdom, was given to Kene Sieur de 
 Viile.gHter^ ( then one of his two principal . Favourites ) and FrancU Sieur d^ Cthe 
 other) was Superintendent of the Finances, and almoft at the fame time Jean Sieur 
 d' AitmoHt , a man of very noble birth , and not inferiour valour , but not favoured 
 with the power or union of any of the Fadtions, was created Marefchal in the place 
 of FrancU de Momorancy , who wafted by the tedioufnefs of adverfe fortune , was 
 lately departed out of this life. The King bred up continually near his perfon (be- 
 lidcs thofe who already fate at the Helm of Government) many young Lords and 
 Gentlemen , of great hopes and expedations, to fill up the vacancy of thofe Offices 
 that fell daily ; among which the chief were Anne Son to the Vifcount de Joyeufe^ 
 and Jean Louis the Son of Monfieur de la Valett, who by the vivacity of their wits 
 did equal the noblenefs of their extraftion : for the Vifcount de Joyeufe, Father of Anne^ 
 being honourably defcended, had long been Governour of Gafcogne, and amidft the 
 greateft combuftions had faithfully followed the Kings and Queens party, without med- 
 ling with either fadlion i and Monfieur de la Valett the Father of Jean Louis, being 
 alfoa Gentleman of moft noble blood , having commanded the Light-Horfe in the 
 courfeof all the Wars, had gained an extraordinary reputation of valour: Wherefore 
 thefe young Lords bred up in the difcipline of the Court, (where they had the example 
 of their worthy Progenitors, and advanced into the Kings Chamber) were as Leaders 
 to the reft , who were brought up in great number to the principal hopes of the 
 Crown: and though Monfieur de^elus, and Francis the Son oi Maugiron, two of 
 thefe young Favourites (falling into a quarrel with Antraquet and Kiberac^, Favourites 
 of the Houfe of Guife) were both flain in Duel, and St. Megrin (a third Companion 
 of thefe two) was killed in a few days after by (bme that were unknown, as he came 
 out of the Court late at night i yet the King, fatisfying both his grief and anger by 
 doing honours to the dead, (in (b much that he caufed their Statues in Marble to be 
 eredted in the Church of St. Taut) did ftill raife up others into his favour, who for 
 BtntythtMi. birth and ingenuity were proper for the greatnefs of his defigns : which things while 
 life™*""" " tbey were ripening, the Kings life was very different from that education in which 
 from his childhood he had been trained up generoufly in the mid ft of Arms ■■> for ha- 
 ving at firft determined to feign a foft quiet courfe of life, very conformable to the in- 
 ward inclination of his nature, and out of meafure pleafing to him i he gave himfelf 
 over wholly to his eafe, frequented Sermons and Procelfions, convcrfed often with Ca- 
 puchins and Jefuits, built Monafteries and Chappcls, ufed to undergo penances and 
 wear hair-fliirts , wore his beads openly at his girdle , and was often prefent at the 
 Schools of the Penitents, and at the Canonical hours of the Hieronomites, who were 
 brought by him to live in his own Palace i by which adions he ftiewcd a wonderful 
 
 aifedion
 
 of France. The Sixth "Boo^. 
 
 237 
 
 ■TCJlSti — g 
 
 «57?f 
 
 * Inciading 
 the Gentry, 
 who are tl- 
 vtiya means 
 Vi\r the trmclj 
 Noblefs , at , 
 well as the j 
 Lords. 
 
 afFed'ion to Religion , and a moft ardent defire to increafe and propagate it. This 
 manner of living did, in great part, produce the efFedl he defired i for many of the Ca- 
 tholicks, lulled alleep, and weened from a Military life, by the example of their Prince 
 had turned themfelves to quiet peaceful thoughts , and to the care of their domeftick 
 affaires, which, in the revolutions offo many Wars, had been long negledfed and for- 
 gotten ; and among the Hugonots, C part laying afide their ftubbornnefs, fince it was 
 not provoked ■■> and part feeing all gifts and favours were beftowed upon fuch as fol- 
 lowed the Kings example, in reverencing Religion, and exercifingCathoIick duties; ma- 
 ny, by little and little, withdrew themfelves from that party, and either really, or in ap- 
 pearance, jcyned with the Roman Church i fo that a few moneths of peace werecleer- 
 ly feen to have converted more then twenty years of continual War had done be- 
 fore. 
 
 But, this deliberation of the Kings, which, if it had been profecuted with the fame 
 feverity it was begun, might perchance have happily effeded his propofed end i be- 
 ing at length drawn afide by paffion and inclination, began to pafs from devotion to 
 luxury, and from eafe to dilTolutenefs i fo that though he continued in the fame fpiri- 
 tual exercifes, yet his hours of recreation, and dayes of reft, were fpent in delightful 
 Paftimes, fumptuous Mafques and Balls, Stately Marriages, and continual converfatiorl 
 with the Ladies of the Court, whereby, his dellgn of a quiet and peaceful life, cor- 
 rupted by little and little, was no longer art and dillimulation , but turned into cu- 
 ftome, and abufe i and though on the one fide the advantage of taking oif mens minds 
 from their wonted ficrcenefs, did thereby continue ; yet on the other it rendred the 
 King very odious, and contemptible to a great part of the Kingdom : For the ^ No- 
 bility, (feeing their Prince's favour was totally ingrolted by a few men, and everyone 
 excluded from any advancement at Court , but by the means of thofe Favourites 
 ( commonly called Minions, ) who were not onely to be ferved, and waited on, above 
 the condition of their birth, but oftentimes alfo to be corrupted with great Prefents ) 
 were kindled with an infinite difdain, and,fliunning and avoiding the very fight of the 
 Court, awakened and ftirred up the ftate of prefent affairs. The Common People in- 
 tollerably burthened with new Taxations, and innumerable grievances, not onely there- 
 by to heap up treafure fufficient to fuftain that fabrick of the Kings defigns, but much 
 more to fupply his fuperfluous expences both fpiritual and temporal, and to feed the 
 greedy covetoufnefs of his Minions i feeing themfelves in a much worfe condition in 
 Peace, then they were wont to be in War, hated the very name of the King , and 
 murmured againft his way of Government. The Clergy, no left burthened then the 
 reft, did continually blame the Counfels of that Adminiftration , which had made 
 Peace with the Hugonots to follow the Luxuries, and Pleafures of the Court i and 
 many of the Principal Hugonots themfelves, though they peaceably enjoyed a liberty 
 of Confcience, yet could they not fettle their minds, nor free themfelves from jealou- 
 (ies, whilft they faw the King publickly addidted to the (evereft exercifes of the Catho- 
 lick Religion, and continually incompafTed by the Capuchins, Jefuites, Bernardines, 
 Hieronomites, and other Religious Orders ■■> fo that in the midft of Peace, nothing but 
 the Perfecution of Herefie was daily threatened. Thus the King's fecret defigns, fra- 
 med , and plotted with fo long care and induftry , ( as is the cuffome of too fubti! 
 Counfelsj did, at length, produce effcds very different from the intent and aim of 
 their contriver. 
 
 This cccafion of the general hatred againft the Kings Perfon, was not omitted by _, .. , 
 the Duke of Gteife, nor by his brothers, and confederates, for doubting of his intentions ^^^^ the Pe^ 
 in matter of Religion, whereof they had declared themfelves defenders i and having |j"»'"5"'** 
 already , by many conjedlures, found out the end to which the adtion tended ; they, kui». 
 being no lefs politick, and crafty then himfelf, did labour, by all means polfible, not 
 onely to increafe the ill-will, which was in a manner generally borne him, and to bring 
 fiiminto the contempt of all his People, but alfo to gain themfelves credit and repu- 
 tation, and to win the love, and applaufe of every one j grave in their fpeech, affable 
 in their converfation, ready to ftiew favour and alTiftance to thofe that needed, boafters 
 of their own vertues, which were many, and ( which among the common People, is 
 alwayes very prevalent ) of noble Prefence, comely Perfon, and graceful behaviour. 
 So, though the King diminifhed their Power, by bringing fuch into imployment as 
 were averfe from them, and onely depending upon himfelf, yet they grew up ano- 
 ther way, cunningly receiving, and allifting fuch as were injured, and drawing the 
 
 Mak-
 
 2:^8 ^^^ Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 >^« 
 
 «57P. Male-contents to joyn with them i and, though the King had taken off much of that 
 hatred, which formerly, in the common fort of Hugonots, was very great againlthini, 
 by having granted them both an inward, and an outward Peace, yet did they ftir up 
 the hatred of the Catholiciis,and particularly of the Parifians, imputing his favours to- 
 wards the young Gentlemen that were about him, unto an unfitting irregular defire > 
 his Devotions and Penances tohypocrifie, and dillimulation i the advancing of his de- 
 pendents to cflicts and honours, to a tyrannical power, and a greedy appetite to de- 
 vour all things i which things, they themfelves not naming, but fpcaking of the Kings 
 anions with ambiguous words and refervations, caufed them to be divulged by adive 
 eloquent men, fometimes figuratively in the Pulpit, fometimes openly in meetings and 
 ordinary converfations, and many times, by little pamphlets, under divers Titles, made 
 them be artificially defcribed and publidied. 
 
 But the King trufting to the fccrct ftrudure of his defignes, which he thought to be 
 in a very good forwardncfs, believed he fhould at laft be cafily able to overcome all op- 
 pofitions i ajid to level the line of them the more regularly, by joyning the Theo- 
 rick to thePradlick, he retired himfelf every day after dinner with Bacciode Bf?/f,andi 
 Giacopo Corbii:elli, both Florentines, men exceedingly learned in the Greek and Latine 
 Studies, making them read unto him Foly bins znd Cornelius lacituss but much more 
 often the difcourfes and Prince of Machiavel ■■> which readings ftirring him up, he 
 was fo much the more tranfported with his own fecret plots » for the advancing 
 whereof, that he might the better engage and oblige the principal pcrfons more nearly 
 and confidently to himfelf, under colour that the Order of the Knights of St. Michael 
 was become mean and common, by having been too eafily, and too indifferently con- 
 ferred by his Predeceffors, he inftituted a new Order of Knighthood ■■> which with 
 ftridt rules, and an aflignment of certain Revenues, he called /' Ordre dit St. Efprit, fo- 
 f„'a\!utei lit Icmniiing the Ceremonies of it upon the firft day of the year ; But, as this Prince was 
 order of molt ingenious in laying his dellgns, and ardent in the beginning of them, but rcmift 
 Ihe'^Hcu'"' °^ in the profecution, having found many difficulties at Rowf in his purpofe ofaffigning 
 cbofi. Church Lands to that Order of Knighthood, under title of Commendams ; fo the profits 
 
 of that Order were fruftrated, though the Name and the Order it felf being placed io 
 perfons of eminent quality, hath continued for many years in high efteera and venera- 
 tion. 
 
 "Whileft thefe things pafs at the Court, the Queen Mother ( having concluded the 
 Treaty with the King of Navarre^ and endeavoured to make him tafte the delights and 
 benefits of Peace^ went to vifit the Provinces of Gij/cog«f, Languedoc^zni Dauphine^ 
 every one receiving her Anfwers as fo many Oracles, fincc the King, (hewing a defire to 
 Jive quiet and retired, had remitted all the weight of Affairs unto her care i and ha- 
 ving left her Daughter with her Husband, fhe had conferred with the Vifcount de Tu- 
 renne in Foi£iou, and had compofcd differences with the Marefchal d" AnviUe in Langne- 
 doc, who, having fued for pardon, ( yet, without fiirring from his Government ) was 
 returned (though but in appearance) unto the Kings obedience. Laft of all, the Queen 
 Went to Montluel, a Town of the Duke of Savoys, not far from the Confines, to fpeak 
 with the Marefchal de Bellegarde ; who , during the Wars of France^ had poffeffed 
 himfelf of theMarquefateof Saluz.z.o. 
 
 Bellegarde had , for many years, held the chief place in the Kings favour, and in the 
 beginning of his Reign, was, by him, created Marefchali but afterward, for fbmc 
 jealoufies the King conceived of him, and by the inftigation of his competitors Chiver- 
 tiyiad Fil!eguier,he was fain out of favour v and, under pretence of fending him into 
 Poland, to negotiate for the Duke of Alancon, he had cunningly fought to put hinj 
 inttCence '^ from Court : Bi'.t, being openly favoured by the Marefchal d^ Anviie, and fecretly 
 ofsj'o """ ''y ^^^ Duke oi Savoy, \\t went into the Marquefate of 5<i/«zzo, where, having found 
 ufurps the a light occafloH of difpute with Carlo de Eirago, the Kings Lieutenant, who held the 
 iltejr''*'* °f principal places, he eafily drove him away by force i and having, without much diffi- 
 culty, made himfelf Malkr of that State, he carried himfelf in imiution o( d' Anville^ 
 obeying the King's orders onely fofar forth as he himfelf thought fit. This adtion 
 of his did not onely prove very prejudicial to the Affairs of France, but likewife wrought 
 great fufpicions in the Italian Princes, who, with reafon, doubted, that Bellegarde, fet 
 on by the Catholick King, to deprive the French of the Marquefate of Saluzzo,a\ight 
 give the King occafion, for the recovery of his own, to bring the War into Italy, and 
 put the affairs of that Province into confufion j and that fo much the rather , becaufc 
 
 they
 
 ^ 
 
 0/ France, The Sixth "Bool^ 2:59 
 
 they faw Belle^arde leavy Soldiers, and fortifie places, and yet knew not with whofe i<79. 
 money he could do thofe things : Wherefore the Pope being moved, had prayed the 
 Venetian Senate, as Friends to the King, to interpofe their wifdom, to take away the ' 
 
 occafion of that fire, the preparations whereof were fonear at hand: The Senate un- 
 dertook the bufinefs very carefully, and having caufed their Ambaflador Grimano to 
 treat with the King, and Francefco Barbara Relident in Savoy, with the Marefchal de 
 BeVegarde, was the occaiion that the King committed that affair unto the managing of 
 his Mother. For this caufe, the Queen, not being able to draw Bellegarde unto Grena- 
 hie., whither the Duke of Savoy ^ and the Venetian Ambaffador, were come to meet 
 her, was content to go to Montluel^ ( according to her cuftom) making fmall account 
 of Ceremonies ( which ufe fo much to trouble Princes) fo (he might obtain her ends 
 in the fubltance of things. There, having wrought the Marefchal toacknowledge the 
 JCing, and receive the Patent of his Government from him, (he difpatched it for him 
 with many demonftrations of honor i but, whatfoever the occafion were, the Maref- 
 chal died fuddenly as foon as he was returned unto i?^«z2;o i and before the Queen 
 departed from thofe Provinces, the Governours and Guardians of his Son delivered up 
 that State into the hands of the King oi France. 
 
 The Qyeen being gotten out of that trouble, pailing thorough Bourgogne^ was re- 
 turned unto her Son, toafliit in the adminiftration of the Government i whileft he, 
 retired from the management of affairs, feemed onely to mind Feafts and Solemnities, 
 leaving all bufineffes to her, and to his Council, though indeed every leaft particular 
 paflcd thorow his own hands i by which arts he thought himfelffo fecure of prefent, 
 and certain of future matters, that he believed he had already fully executed all that he 
 had fecretly contrived in his mind. Onely he thought the courfe of his defigns was 
 ftopt by the Duke of Alancott, who, fickle and unconllant in his defires, fbmetimes re- 
 tiring himfelf from Court, fometiraes returning confidently again i now holding intel- 
 ligence with the Male-contents, and within a while refufing to meddle with them, 
 kept him ftill felicitous with many jealoulies and anxieties. 
 
 The Queen-Mother endeavoured principally to remedy that fear, as a thing Co The Low- 
 material , that the tranquility or difturbance of the Government depended on it: in""witMra'-'rt 
 Wherefore, the people of the Low-Countries being already withdrawn from the from the h.ing 
 fubjedion of the Cathslick King, having firft befought the King of Fr^zme to receive ifoainTrnfitft 
 thena into his protedion i and after he refufed it, having offered the Coii.mand of ^"\ protcSi- 
 themfelves to the Duke of Alancon, if with a powerful Army he would deliver them KicgcTFrJ^e, 
 from fear of the Spanifii Tyranny i the Queen, deiirous to free one Son from his fuf- *'"^'r^°f"'. 
 picions, and to provide a convenient State for the other, exhorted the King to let dcTthVcuke 
 the Duke of Alancon accept of the protedion of the States of Flanders, and to raife °^ •^'"W""- 
 an Army, upon fained pretences, within the limits of France ■■, alledging, that all un- 
 quiet fadious fpirits would go along with the Duke, and diminifli that peftilent matter 
 .which maintained the difcords and troubles of the Kingdom : and , the better to 
 ground and fettle that defign, flietryed to renew the fo often rejedcd Treaty of Mar- 
 riage, between the Duke and the Qiteen of England s which, though it could not be 
 concluded, yet, at leaft, this confequence might refult from it i That the Queen, by her 
 Forces and Authority, would incline to favour the Duke in his new Command i where- 
 fore, omitting nothing that could advance that end, after many Embaflies on both 
 fides, Alancon himfelf went this year perfonally into England, where, being honoura- 
 bly and fumptuoufly received by the Queen, he flayed there a great while v and, though 
 (he abhorred to fubmit her felf to the yoke of Matrimony , and that the State of 
 England did likewife abhor the Government of a French Kingv yet, becaufc the in- 
 tereft of State required to diffemble, as well to encreafe the Dukes reputation, and by 
 jconfequence the ftrength of the States of * Flanders , as alfo to caufe a jealoufie in a*„J,''u„dj'r*\he 
 the Catholick King, who, at that time, was intent about many other defigns , which name of f/«- 
 - Were much fufpeded by all the Princes his Neighbours i the Queen fained to con- compr" hei'l 
 fent unto the match, and, amongft the pomps and delights of her Court, honoured and aii the low 
 favoured the Duke of Alancon very familiarly i in whofe behalf the King difpatched ^^o"""'"* 
 an honourable Embaffie, the chief whereof was Francis de Montpenfier Prince Dau- 
 phin, a Lord of winning carriage, and often imployed, being known to be of a fincere 
 minde, an honeft (but not crafty) nature, and very far from mcdling or conforting 
 with fadious minded men. At the arrrival of this Embaffie , which was received 
 with great tokens of honour, the articles and conditions were treated of, which were 
 
 ta
 
 2J.0 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 le-jo, to be obferved by both parties i and the bufinefs went fo far, that the Duke and 
 Queen gave each other a Ring in token of future Marriage » though (be nevertheleft 
 perfevered conftantly in her rcfblution of a free, fingle life, and therefore would by 
 ro means fuffcr it to go any further : But thcfe things happened in the eourfeofthe 
 
 year following 
 
 In this year the King of Navar, after the departure of the Queen-Mother, did aG' 
 fcmble a Congregation of his Patty at Mazere in the County of Foix, to deliberate in 
 what manner they (hould behave thennfelves for the time to come •, where Tamongft 
 the difcourfes of Peace, the fpirits of many that defired War, fliewed their inclinati- 
 ons ) in the end it began to be debated, whether the Peace fliould be continued, or 
 that they fliould return to the hazard of Arms. Nor was the King of Navarre him- 
 felf much averfe from adive thoughts, knowing, by experience, that peace and idle- 
 nefs did ruine by little and little, and infenfibly diminifli the firength of his party i 
 for many, weary of innovations, returned lincerely unto the Catholick Church, many 
 feeing the Hugonots deprefred,and excluded from Offices and HonourS,did tcign to re- 
 turn to it i and all of them ( old bufinefs growing out of date, and the authority of 
 Command languifliing ) did equally withdraw themfelves from the cares and inte- 
 refts of the Fadion ; and he himfelf being reduced to a very low ebb of Fortune not 
 onely forefaw his future ruine, but for the prefent had not wherewithal! to maintairt 
 the honour of a King, nor of firft Prince of the Blood. To which neceffitks, the in- 
 ftigations of the Prince of Conde being added ( who was of a more fierce unquiet 
 nature, unable to digeft the affront of being excluded from the Government of Fi- 
 Bardy-, and the affent, or rather defire of many young men that ordered matters of 
 Government concurring in the fame) they concluded at laft, that it was better fo fry 
 the fortune of Arms, than to perifli fecurely in the idleneft of Peace > and they re- 
 folved to prepare themfelves , and feek fome occafion to begin the War, fo much the 
 rather, becaufe the Kings manner of life, being already thought to proceed from diflb- 
 lutenefs of Cuftoms, and weaknefs of fpirit, it incited all to carry themfelves without 
 refpeft, according to their proper interefts and inclinations. Wherefore the King of 
 Navarre calling to him the Deputies of Languedoc and Dauphine, which were come to 
 the Congregation > after a long difcourfe, wherein he exhorted them, on their parts, 
 to lend what alliftance they were able unto the Common Caufe, he gave them piece's 
 of a broken French Crown of Gold to carry to Monfieur de ChajiilloH, Son to thft Ad* 
 mkdi\de Co/igKy^vfho was already gotten into Languedoc, znd to Monfieur der Viguieref^- 
 who was in Vauphine, with direction, that they fliould give credit, in the matter and 
 order of War, to thofe that fhould bring them the remaining pieces of the Crown, 
 cfteeming that a very fecret Token, and not fo cafily to be counterfeited : with which 
 determination, each retiring into his own Province, they began fecretly to make them- 
 felves ready to take up Arms. 
 
 But the King of Navarre (eeking to put a glofs upon the bufinefs, with (bme fpecl- 
 ous reafbnable colour, the time drawing on, that the Cautionary Towns were to be re- 
 fti''r'!|.''°n°cw" ftored, though the King demanded them but coldly, rather out of compliance with 
 eoBimotions. the CathoHck party, then a defire to have them » yet He made a mighty noife about 
 it, and often calling AlTemblies of the Hugonots (which they call Synods) endeavour- 
 ed tofhew them, that the timeof refloring thofe places was not yet come, nor the 
 execution of the Edid fully accomplifhed, fince the freeexercife of their Religbn was 
 neither permitted in Champagne^ Normandy, Bourgogne, nor the Ifle of France ; where- 
 upon, the Miniflers growing hot, who were very much pleafed with that pretence, 
 their minds began to incline to War > for the beginning whereof, the King of Na^ ' 
 varre was refolved to undertake fbmc notable enterprize, the fame whereof might 
 quicken the flownefs of all the refl of his party : wherefore he thought of begin- 
 ning with an attempt upon Cahors, which Town having been promifed by the King to 
 the Lady Margaret his Wife, in Dowry, was never affigned unto her, it being kept by 
 the Governour in the Kings Name: by that he obtained a reafonable pretence (fo 
 necefTary in Civil Wars to feed the minds of the People, and to palliate the interefts ' 
 of the parties) and a great benefit refulted to him by the addition of a rich City,and 
 neighbouring Territory, which was both very great, and wonderful commodious for 
 his prefent affairs. 
 
 The Prince of Conde alfo, who could not blot the bufinefi of Picardy out of his 
 memory, purpofed to go unknpwa intp that Province, and by the help of fome adhe- 
 
 lents,
 
 of France. The Sixth ^oo^, ^ai 
 
 rents, to iTiake himfclfMafter of a place or two, by which he might get footing in I575» 
 that Country, and enlarge his State and Fortune beyond the narrow limits of Xain- 
 toytgi i thinking, he might fairly cover his own ends, by making (hew that he would 
 live under the Kings obedience, and revenge himfelf of his enemies, by whofe pradii- 
 fes he had been excluded from the Government. The Prince of Conde, as of a more 
 hafty impatient nature, began firft > and, being come unknown to PoiSiers^ he paffed 
 from thence, with very great danger, through the other Cities and Provinces of 
 France, into the heart of Picjrdy, where, after the fpace of a few moneths , having, 
 with art, and the intelligence of his Friends, drawn together, from feveral parts, the 
 number of 300 men, he entred la Fere, a ftrong place, and of great confequence, 
 whence, driving away the Governour, and the fmall Garrifbn that was in it, he be* 
 came Mafter of it the 29*'' day of November; and , having prefently writ unto the 
 King, that he kept that Fortrefs in his Name, as being by him eleded Governour of 
 the Province, from which he had been excluded by the malice of his enemies j he be- 
 gan, notwithftanding, to make preparations to defend himfelf as well as he could, not 
 doubting, but the King would ufe all his force to chafe him out of fb convenient an 
 harbour. 
 
 But, in the beginning of the year following 1580, the Kin^ o( Navarre ("after he .ego 
 had feni the remaining pieces of the broken Crown to the Lord of Chajlillon, and .Vfon- ' 
 iieur des Vtnderes, in token that they fliould begin the War) began to fettle himfelf 
 in his intended enterprife of Cahors, which was, to furprife that City upon a fudden^ 
 and bring it into his own power. 
 
 The City oi Cahors is feated upon the River Laf, Which, environing it on three ttht^ i<_ta- 
 fides, leaves onely one paffage free, called la Port a«x B>^rrf j-, and the other three fides ^^"/"^'"itt- 
 are entred by three fair Bridges that crofs the River. By one of thefe, called the gom«s. ' 
 New-bridge, the King of Navarre was rcfolved to attack the City fccrctly in the 
 night, not having Forces to affault or beficge it by day: And, becaufe the firft entry 
 ot the Bridge was hindred by a Gate that was kept locked i after which, without any 
 Draw-bridge, at the other end ilood the Gate of the City, defended by two Ravelines, 
 one on either hand ; He purpofed at each Gate to fatten a Petard ( an Engine till 
 then ) little efteemed for the newnefs of it, but fincc, by often tryals, grown famous, 
 for fudden enterprifes in War) and the obftacles being broken , to come prefently to 
 handy-blowes with the defenders. For this purpofe, befides the company who to 
 fallen the Petard were neccflarily to go before, he divided his Soldiers into four Squa- 
 drons j the firft led by the Baron </e Salignac't the fecond by the Sieur deSt. Martin^ 
 Captain of his Guards i the third, wherein were the Gentry, and he himfelf in per- 
 (bn, by Antoyne Sieur de Kochelaure ^ and the fourth by the Vifcount de GourdoH^whete- 
 in were 1200 good Firelocks. The Petard being faftned to the firft Gate of the 
 Bridge by Captain Jehan Robert, wrought its effeA according to expectation , and * ' 
 
 thofe few Soldiers that were in the Ravelines were cut in pieces without much difficul- 
 ty ■, nor did the fecond Petard any lefs, having broken open the Gate of the City, fo 
 that they might ealily have entered if there had been no further oppofition i but,they 
 of the Town, wakned with the noife of the firft Petard, and the Sieur deVefws, who 
 was Governor, being run to the danger juft as he was, not utterly without Arms, but 
 almoft without Cloaths i they ftoutly oppofed the entry of the Enemy, frefli men ftill 
 running armed from all parts of the City to make refiftance : There was a very hot 
 fervice between the firft fquadrcns, not onely fighting at a diftancc continually with 
 fhot, but the boldeft of them coming up with fhort weapons i and, by little and lit- 
 tle, the fecond and third fquadrons being every where mingled with the firft, the en- 
 counter became very fierce and bloody, wherein the Governor of the Town (. who^ 
 though unarmed, was, of neceftity, to be in the thickeft of the Fight) was killed on 
 that fidei and, on the Kingof Navarr's, the Sieur de St.Martim The bufinefs con- 
 tinued for two long hours in equal ballance v but, the Baron de Salignac firft, and then 
 the Sieur de Roche-Laure being dangeroufly wounded , and carried out of the hurly- 
 burly, the courage of the reft began to fink, in fuch manner, that the affailants gave 
 ground apace i who, though at the firft, they had entred as far as the Market-plaee,yet 
 being now driven back almoft to the very Gate, would certainly have been quite re- 
 pulfed, and beaten out of the City, C for the Vifcount de Gordon, with his Firelocks 
 that were in the Rere, advanced but very flowly) if the King of Navarre ( much trou* 
 fcled foithe lofs of his Captains, highly incenfed at the aftiont his men ^ere like to 
 
 I i receive,
 
 2A2 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1580. receive, and defpairing of his own affaires, if his firft enterprife failed of a happy fuc- 
 cefs, coming up to the head of his foldiers, in the very face of the Enemy ) had not 
 renewed the affault, by rtghting gallantly and undauntedly with his own hand : For 
 the Lords, Gentlemen, and Soldiers, hailing bravely after him, and ftriving to go be- 
 yond each other in following the fleps of their Leader, who ( doing incredible ex- 
 ploits) did fiercely quell the ardor of the defendants, advanced fo far , that about 
 break of day they had again recovered the chief Market-place of the City , the 
 Townfmen having (hut up and fortified themfelveS (as well as the fhortnefs of the 
 time would permit ) in the publick Schools i from whence, though they gave fire 
 on every fide, to the great flaughter of the affailants, who fought without defence in 
 the open ftreets ; yet the King of Navarre never moved from the head of his men, 
 though they that were next to him were often killed by his fide. In this manner 
 they fought all the day, and all the night following ■■, except onely that now and then 
 they took a little reft, which both fides were invited to by the darknefs of the night. 
 The next day about Sun-rifing, news was brought to the King of Navarre^ tliat Sup- 
 plies were coming to the City from the Neighbouring Towns >- wherefore he tent the 
 Sieur de Choteppes to fight with them without La Forte aux Barres, _^nd couragioufly 
 redoubled the affault, to drive the defenders from their places of advantage ; but he 
 found Co flout and valiant refiftance , that thcugh the fupplies were defiJated that 
 came to affift the Town, and that they thereby received no relief, yet could not he in 
 all that day, and the night following, force them to yield,till three Pieces of Cannon, 
 which they found in the City Magazin, being fitted and brought forth, they fliattered 
 and broke down all the Barricadocs made up by the defendants i whence followed a 
 bloody execution, and a wonderful (laughter of the People. Thus, after three dayes 
 continual fighting, the City of Cahors was at laft taken, and violently facked j having 
 not onely yielded very rich fpoil and booty to the Soldiers, but wreaked the hatred 
 which many of the Hugonots bore to the very name of a Catholick. In this enter- 
 prife, the fearlefs courage of the King of Navarre wis much admired by every one > 
 who, having in his other ad-ions given proofs of a great and lively fpirit, in this ( to 
 the terror of his enemies, and admiration of his friends) he (hewed himfelf as gallant 
 and as daring a Soldier^ as the effe(Ss of his following exploits did compleatly witne(^ 
 him to be. 
 
 At the very fame time, Les Viguieres in Vauphhte^ not being able to move the Nobi- 
 lity, which (corned to come under his Command, (who, though a Gentlertian by 
 bisth, was yet neither favoured with the fplendor of an antient Pedigree, nor Riches) 
 had ftirred up the Country People to take Armes againft fome of the chief of them,by 
 whom they complained they had been very much oppreffedi but, the War proceeding 
 with very fmall fuccefs, becaufe Monfieur de Matighron^ Lieutenant of that Province, 
 and Monlieur de Mandelet, Governor of Lj/o«/, often routed and defeated his peafantsi 
 he having attempted many enterprifes without cffe&, at laft retired, and fortified him- 
 felf in la MuKe. 
 
 But, \n Languedoc^ whether it were, that the Lord o( ChaJiilloHf authority was not 
 yet very powerfiil with that People, or that men, being weary of civil broils, flood in 
 awe of Monlieur d' Anville, who (hewed himfelf very ready to fupprefs any Infurredi- 
 on, there was not any ftir or taking of Armes, as the King of Navarre expedted, the 
 Marefchsl labouring very diligently to take away all occafions of difcontent, by a full 
 obfervation of the Kittg's Edids. 
 
 The King being informed of thefe new eruptions in (b many feveral places, whilft 
 
 he thought himfelf fecure,and free from all troubles and dangers of War, refolved to 
 
 ftiew his face once more to thofethat made Infurreftion, to reduce them to obedience, 
 
 *'th'e*fe"ftTr' *"^ ^o *^s fihcetc obeditricE of the Pcace j to which end, he raifcd three feveral Ar- 
 
 the Kins fenis mies witH infinite diligchcfe : One f6r Pkardy, to recover la Fere i another for Guienne^ 
 
 At^ei^'" againft the King ofNavarre--, ahd the third, to fettle the Commotions in Dauphine : 
 
 From which fiidden ttfolution, and the readinefs of levying and ordering thofe Forccsj 
 
 wife men drew more confident afFufafice that his quiet ftilnefs was onely voluntary , 
 
 and that under a (hew of ea(e and carelefnefs , he nourilhed more deep important 
 
 thoughts in his mind. To thefe Armies the King appointed Commanders fuitablc 
 
 to the occafion, and his fecret intentions : For, defiring that la Fere (hould prefently 
 
 be recovered, becaufe it is fo near the heart of the Kingdom, and the City of Ptfm,and 
 
 €afie Co be relieved by thenearnefs of t^ie Stktes of Flanders^ he fcnt thither Jaques lV4a- 
 
 refchal
 
 o/" France. The Sixth "Boo^, 249 
 
 tefehal di Matignon, whom he was alwayes wont to make ufe of where there was need 1 580. 
 of doing fomething to the purpofe, on the other fide, defiring, that the Kin» of N^' 
 varre fhould be reprelTed, but not utterly fuppreffcd, becaufe he would not caft the 
 Scale fo much on that fide, and make the Fadion of the G/«/t'j Superior, Cwhichhad 
 no other counterpoife fo proper as his party) he fent Armand Marefchal de Byron^ to the 
 end, that by his old inclinations he might proceed very warily in oppofing it. And 
 being neceffitated to employ fome one of the Lor^/« Princes, by reafon of the power 
 of the Houfe of Gz«/f, to which it was requifite to bear a convenient refpeA i and 
 becaufe he would not utterly alienate thofe of the Catholick League, he made choice 
 of Charles Duke of Mayenns for Dauphine, as well becaufe he efteemed him to be of 3 
 more fetled nature then his Brother, as out of a belief the bufinefs of thofe parts was 
 very ealie, and of but fmall confequence. 
 
 Nor did the effed differ from the Kings expe<9-ation ■■, for Monfieur d' Mattgnon ^^^Jj ^ "oo*. 
 having befieged U Fere, from whence the Prince of Conde was already departed, and fitur ds. Mi<. 
 gone into England, he, within a fmall time, recovered it, though not without fome "•^'"'*" 
 blood. The Duke of Mayenne having taken la Mitre, and put the Hugonots of that 
 Province in a very great terror, did not onely reduce the Gentry and Commons to 
 obedience, but alfo the Sieur dss Viguieres himfelf. And, the MarefchaWe Byron ha- 
 ving about Nerac defeated fome Companies of Gens d' amies, and taken many weak 
 places in Guieme, at lall his horfe falling under him, and his thigh being hurt in two 
 places, he drew his Army into Quarters, without any further progrefs. So that the 
 King of Navarre not being able to keep the Field, nor undertake any defign, by rea- 
 fon of the oppofition of the King's Army, yet, (hewing much more courage than 
 ftrength, maintained himfelf ftill in Armes with anions of fmall importance. 
 
 In this interim, the Duke of Alancan being returned out of £«g/j.W, full of hopes, 
 by the Queens promifes, but without any certainty of the future Match, and preparing 
 for the journey oi Flanders, interpofed between the King his Brother, and the King of 
 Naziarre his Brother-in-law, to fettle bufineffes in the former Concord i fearing, that 
 if the War (hould break forth in good earneft in France, he fliould not then be able to 
 draw thofe helps from thence which heexpedted for the accorripliflimentofhis defign : 
 wherefore, being gone perfonally to Libottrne and la Frecbe, Towns in the County of 
 Toix, whither alfo came the Km^oi Navarre, and on the Kings part the Duke of 
 Montpenfier, the Marefchal de Cop, and Vompme Sieur de Beliieur. ^ he wrought fb far, 
 that he brought the bufinefs to a good conclufion: for, the King, by nature, was in- 
 clined to it, and the King of Navarre, befidcs the fmallnefs of his Forces, and the ill 
 fuccefs of his late enterprifes, had v\o hopes at all of any afliftance from abroad i the 
 Pripce oi Conde who went into E>?^/.^«rf, and thence into the Low-Countries, and af- 
 ter into CTer/M;z«j, found all their mindes intent upon the bufinefs of F/^tM^ifrj-, weary 
 of the inftability of the French Hugonots, and unfatisfied at the taking up of Arms 
 without any lawful occafion, whilft the King, living in peace , obfcrved pundlually 
 the Conditions of the Agreements wherefore, having no hope of aid, and not da- 
 ring to fet up his reft within the Kingdom, the former Articles were willingly accepted 
 by him, and the Edi<fl of the late Pe^ce confirmed, as alfo the Conference held at Ne^ 
 rac with the Queen : and, in this manner, Armes were laid down again, and all things 
 were compofed in a peaceful way. 
 
 The Civil broils being quieted, two different enterprifes kept all Trance jn adlion \ 
 That of the Duke of Alancon, who, with the tacite permilTion of his Brother, prepared 
 himfelf to go into the Low-Countries againft the Catholick Kings Forces, under the 
 Command o( Aleffandro Fernefe, Prince of P^rw^i And that of the Queen-mother, by 
 occafion of the Kingdom ofFortugal. For the R'wgSebajiian being dead in the War 
 of Africa, and after him King Henry Cardinal, without fons i among many others who 
 pretended to that Crown, the Queen-mother, as heir of the Houfe of Bologne , and 
 defcended in a right line from Kobert the fon oi' Alfonfo the third, and theCounteft 
 Matilda his firft and lawful Wife, pretended alfo to that fucceffion-, alleadging, that 
 «11 the Kings who had reigned fince Alfonfo ( being defcended from Beatrice, which 
 could not be the lawfial Wife, but the Concubine of Alfonfo, Matilda being yet alivej 
 were illegitimate : and, becaufe by reafon of her being fo far diftant, and many other 
 refpedts, fhe thoiight her felf not fo powerful in Forces as fome of the other Compe- 
 titors, (he pretended, that the bufinefs was to be decided by the way of Juftjce,with- 
 cut coming to force of Arms. But the King of Sfain^ out of a confidence of his 
 
 Ji 2 power
 
 244 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wan 
 
 1580.. 
 
 ♦ Geogriphers 
 oil there I 
 (lands, the ^A- 
 C./XI, and only 
 one of them ' 
 the Ttrcrri, as 
 being third in 
 the palTage 
 from Sfam 
 towards Kiigi* 
 fiiJ, florlU) 
 and tbofc 
 parts. 
 
 I581. 
 
 1582. 
 
 power and nearnefs, having in the mean timeufurped that ifingdom with an Army,an(l 
 caufing himfclf, by the Governors thereof, to be proclaimed the lawful SuccefTori the 
 Qiicen joyning Counfcls with Antbonio Vx'ioxoi Crato ( who pretended to the fame 
 Kingdom,buthadbccnpiit befideit bythe Spaniards) fct forth a mighty Navy under 
 the command of F Hippo i?/rozz/,againft King Fl i'ip, to relieve the * fercera^s Iflands in 
 the Ocean Sea, belonging to that Kingdom, which were yet held by Anthonio ■ and, 
 to make new acquilitions, if they could land upon the Coafts near the City of Lis' 
 ton. The death of Stru^zi, the difperfing of that Navy, and other things that hap- 
 pened in that bufincfs, I leave to thofe Authors that fhall write the Hifiory of Portu- 
 gal, it not being necelTary to enlarge this Narration, and make it more prolix, by the 
 addition of forraign matters, that little or nothing concern the knowledge of the 
 French affairs. 
 
 The fame filence, and for the fame reafon, I obferve in the bufinefs of Flanders^ 
 whither the Duke of Alancon ( having, with the Kings tacite confent, levied a very 
 great Armyj went, the following year, being 1581, to relieve the City of Camhray^ 
 and after he had fuccoured it, and reduced it into his power, palTed on with greater 
 Force into the Low-Countries , to receive the Title and PofTedion of thofe States, 
 which having withdrawn themfelves from obedience to the Catholick King, had put 
 themfelves under him, with certain limited conditions. Nor did the King of ^^'(j/tf 
 and the Pope fail, by means of their AmbaflTadors, toccn.plainof the King of frawf, 
 as well for what concerned the Duke of Alancon, as becaufe Antonio o( Fortugal was 
 received into France, and by the Queen -mothers attempts abetted in his pretenfions to 
 that Kingdom. But he anfwered the AmbaflTadors, and, by means of his Agents at 
 T.ome and in Spain, excufed himfelf to both v That, Antonio had been received by his 
 Mother, and alV.fled as her Vaffal, (he her felf pretending to the Crown of Portugal ; 
 That the Fleet whicli had been fet forth, was made ready at her own charges, without 
 his knowledge or confent i and though it fl-iould be fought withal and beaten by the.; 
 Catholick King, he would not at all think himfelf injured or ill dealt withal, it being 
 a bulintfs apart, that concerned not his Interefts, or the Crown of France : That for 
 the Duke of Alancon, he had oppofed him ftiffly more then once > but that he was 
 more apt to follow the fuggeftions of others, then to obey his commands: That he 
 was forry he had not been able to reftrain thofe French that went with him i but 
 that the difobedience of his Subjedts was known to all the World, and alfothe quality 
 of thofe perfons that were gone thither, who, for fo many years, had difturbed the 
 /Cingdom in his time, and in the Reigns of his Brothers and Prcdeceflbrs : That he had 
 given a fufficient teftimony of himfelf, when the States of Flanders, defiring to put 
 themfelves under his Authority, he had refufed them without any demur at all : So 
 that he having no hand in thofe preparations made againft Flanders, nor in the others 
 againft Portugal, he believed, that the Peace and Friendfliip which he held with the 
 Catholick King, were neither violated nor difiurbed > concluding, that to give a clear 
 evidence of himfelf, and to confervc the Peace with the Cxovinoi Spain ( if the Ca- 
 tholick King fliould defire it J he would at any time fend men into Flanders, to ferve 
 the Prince of Parma, with exprefs order, rot onely to fight againft the States, and a- 
 gainft the other Commanders, but alfo againft his brother the Dxxktoi Alancon him- 
 fclf. 
 
 This was the fubftance of what the King faid, adorning it with many particularities 
 and circumftances i but, in cffedt, he endeavoured to make both bufinefles continue, 
 being glad, not onely that the Duke oi Alancon (hould go out of his Kingdom, but that 
 with Monfieur de U None, the Marefchal de Byron, and many other Commanders, the 
 greateft part of that matter, which did moleft and difquiet his State, (hould alfo be 
 rcmovedj which, when he faw effeded in the year 1582, having fetled himfelf in his 
 former repofe, he continued the profecution of thofe defigns, which, by long pradlife, 
 were grown familiar to him: and, becaufe cunning and diilimulation were already 
 converted into nature, and he now did that by ufe and cuftom, which his humour in- 
 clining to, he was, from the beginning, refolved to bring to pafs by art j he went on, 
 exalting and giving power, onely to thofe, who, bred up by himfelf, were, beycncl 
 meafure, efteemed,and moft exceffively favoured by him : amongft which, to Anne de 
 Joyeufe ( by him created Duke and Peer of France ) he gave in Marriage his own 
 Siftcr-in-law, fifter to the Queen : and to Jehan LouU de laValett C created alfo Duke 
 of Ffpernon and Peer of Franc( ) he granted the moft important Governments , and 
 
 the
 
 o/" France. The Sixth ^oo\. gij. 
 
 the grcateft Offices that were daily vacant. Next to thefe, in his favour, were ^5%|» 
 the Chancellor Chiverny^ Kene Sieur ^c Vitivquier^Francis Siettr d'O, Pomponede Bs^ieure^ 
 ViUeroy the Secretary of State, and the Mirefchals of Ketz and M.Jt:^non^ who ( no lefs 
 mature in underftanding than in agej cared not to be the firft in the Kirig's favour, 
 left they {huuld alfo berirft expofed tothe blow and envy of Fortune > but, yielding 
 the higheft place to the vanity of young men , contented themfelves with a more 
 fetled, and more moderate condition. The wifdom of the Mareical </^ Rf/a was par- 
 ticularly very remarkable i who, knowing himfelf to be an Italian, and therefore fubjedt 
 to the hatred and perfecution of the Firench, though the /ting did, by the vaflnefs of 
 his Gifts, fcek to exalt him to the higheft pitch of grcatnefs, yet did not onely put 
 rubs and hinderances in the way of his own advancement, but afterward, when he 
 {aw that the King was refolved to make him great, he moft difcreetly endeavoured, 
 that thofe things which he knew were deftined to him, might be procured by thein- 
 terceilion of fomc one of the great Princes : A thing that fucceeded fo happily for him, 
 that his greatnefs was ellabliflied without envy, every one being either unwilling or 
 aftiamed to crofs that fortune which he himfelf had favoured, and that man which he 
 believed, he had made one of his obliged dependents. But Joyeafe^ Efpernon, and the 
 other youths, whofe age and experience had not taught them Co much inoderation, 
 fpreading all their Sails before the profperous Wind of Fortune, laboured, by all poffi- 
 ble means, to attain to the molt eminent Dignities : Wherefore, the death of Fbilippj 
 Stro::^zt, who was General of the French Infantry, hapning at the Tercera's, that" 
 that charge was given to the Duke de Efpernon^ but much more amplified in Command 
 and Authority, And the Marefcal de B]ron having left the (Office of Lieutenant of 
 Cuienne, to go into Flanders with the Duke of AUncon, it was conferred upon the 
 Marefchal de Matignon. And the Governments of Orleans^ Blois , and Chartres^ void, 
 about that time, by the death of the Marefchal de Cojie, were transferred upon the 
 Chancellor. The fame ru'e being obfervcd iri all things, that the moit important Pla- 
 ces and Governments , (hould Itill be beftowed upon Creatures of his own breed- 
 ing ' 
 
 •. But the year following 1583, the Duke oC ALincon haVing attempted to bring his I5^3' 
 limitted Command in F/^'?<^fr/ to a free abfolute Dominion, the fuccefs proving very 
 contrary to his hopes > and therefore he being hated and oppofed by thofe very men 
 who had firft called him thither, was driven from thence by the Forces oC Aleff'aitdfo 3)!L«"\e- 
 Farnefe^ and C to the Kings great trouble j returned again into Frj^/c?, where it was je^cd by thofe 
 feared he would contrive feme new tnifchiefs, according to his rafh incorilidcrate na- ied°him'*into* 
 ture, raoft ardent to leap headlong into any dangerous defign : Wherefore, he being F'"''f<. is 
 recalled into Flanders by his adherents, and by thofe who more abhorred the Tyran- br^the Pri^e 
 ny of the Spaniard then his fickle inftability, the King promifed him very great Sup- of Parwa, re- 
 plies of Men and Moneys, that returning to his former defign, he might eafe him of fr'"L'"anci « 
 the jealoufies and fears of new Commotions i and, without daubt, the eifecfts would while after 
 have made good his procnifcs, if the Y)\ike oC AUncon ( affli(ftcd with the crofsnefs 
 of his late Fortune, and quite worn out with perpetual toil and trouble, or elfe C as 
 (bme faid) with thofe difTolute courfes, to which he had wholly given himfelf over) 
 had not died at Chalieaie-lhierry ^ a Cartle of his own, in the N'oneth of June, 1584, „ , 
 
 leaving Flanders at liberty, and his Brother free from a moft certain revolution of new 'S^f? 
 troubles. After his death, the Signories of Anjoit, An^nitUfme^ and Berry^ which had 
 been alligned for his Appsnnage^ returned into the Kings power : But the City of 
 Cambray, taken two years before, and put under the Government of the Sieur de Bj~ 
 laguy^ ( the King not defiring to transfer it openly to himfelf, leaft it fhbuld break the 
 Peace with the Catholick Kingj fell in appearance, and aS by inheritance, uiitO the 
 Queen his Mother. 
 
 The End of the Sixth BOOK, 
 
 THE 
 
 ^
 
 
 THE 
 
 OF TH E 
 
 Civil Wars of France- 
 
 By H£5VC?<IC0 CATE'RlD\C^O T)AV1LA. 
 
 The Seventh BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 INthk Book, arefet doton the canfes^ whji the Duke of Gmk and hk adherents 
 endeavour to renevp the Catholic^. League, which before was almo^ laid ajlde : 
 The ReafoMs they alledgefor themfehes : The quality ofthofeperfo»s thai con- 
 fented to, and concurred with the League : The defign of drawing in the Car^ 
 dinal of ^ombon, and his refolutionto embrace it: Philip King ^/Spairi 
 takes the proteHion of it : The Conditions agreed to with hk Agents at Jain- 
 ville : The Popes doubtfulnefs in ratifying and approving the League, and hk 
 determination to delay the time. The King of France confults what k to be 
 done for the oppojing of that Union, and the opinions differ : He fends the 
 Duke o/E(pernon to confer with the King of Navarre, to perjwade him td 
 embrace the Catholick,Faith, and return to Court. The KingofHzvzxxc^ 
 at that Proportion, refolves to fiand firm to hk Party. The League takes 
 occafion by that Treaty, and makes grievous complaints. They of the Low- 
 Countries, alienated from the King of Spain, offer to put themjelves under 
 the Crown of France : The King k uncertain what to do in it, but at lali re- 
 mits them to another time. King Philip entring into fufpition of that hufi- 
 ' Kcfs, follicites the Duke <?/Guife and the League to take up Arms : To that 
 end. Forces are raifed both within and without the Kingdom. The King 
 tries to oppofe them, but finds himfelf too weak: The Cardinal <?/ Bour- 
 bon leaves the Court, retires to Peronne, and with the other Confederates 
 publtjijes a Declaration. They draw an Army together in Champagne, fdze 
 upon Thoul and Verdun. The City of Marfeilles rifeth in favour of the 
 League, but the Confpirators are fuppreffed by the reji of the Citizens 5 the fame 
 happens at Bourdeaux. Lyons, Bourges, and many other places in the 
 Kingdom, fide with the League. The King anfwers the Declaration of the 
 League 'j he endeavours to difunite it, by drawing many particular men from 
 that Party, as alfo the City of Lyons j but feeing hk deftgn fucceedeth not to 
 hk. mind J he refolves to treat an A^reemer4 with the Confederates : The ^een- 
 
 Motber
 
 of France. The Seventh "Bool^ 247 
 
 1584. 
 
 Mother goes iftto Champagne to confer about it vpith the Duke of Guile 
 affd Cardinal of Bourbon : Jfter many Negotiations, the Peace is concluded. 
 The King of Mavarre pibliflieth a DecUration againji the League, and chaU 
 lengeth the Duke of GniCe to a Duel: He pafeth it over, and makes the De- 
 claration be anfrvered by others. The Duke of Bouillon and Monfeitr de 
 Chaftillon go into Germany, to liir »p the Protejiant Princes in favour of 
 the Httgonots. The King confults of the manner of efjeiling what he had pro- 
 mifed in the Agreement with the League : The opinions dipr, and there arifeth 
 great difcord about it among his Councellors. He refolves to mak^ War aguinji 
 the Hugonots'^ and coming to the Parliament , forbids all other except the 
 Roman Catbolick.Religion. He fends for the Heads of the Clergy, and the 
 MagiJiratesoftheCityof Paris, and with words full of rejentmcnt, demands 
 litoney of them for the War. He prepares divers Armies againji the Hugofiots. 
 Pope Gregory theThirteenth dies : S\xl\xsQn\nx.ns fucceeds him, who at the 
 injiigation of the League, declares the King of Navarre and the Prince of 
 Conde to be Excommunicate, and incapable to fucceedin the Crown. This 
 Excommunication is diverjly fpoken of in France : Many write againji it, 
 and many in favour of it. 
 
 ^ Rom the afiies of the Duke of Alancon, the half-extinguiflit fparks 
 f^ of the League began again to be kindled and burn afrefh : for the 
 '^ King by his policy in theAflembly at Bbn and after by the de- 
 light and benefit every one received in Peace , and by keeping 
 down the Heads of the Hugonots, and holding them at adiftance, 
 having taken away the opportunities and fpecious pretences of the 
 Lords of G«i/f , it was of it felf grown old , and in very great 
 part decayed and difToIved. And though thofe Lords , being 
 Rung to the quick by the excellive greatnefs of the Kings Minions, and continually 
 ftirred up by the jealoufie of his proceedings , had failed of no occafion that might 
 conveniently blemifh his adtions, and bring themfelves into reputation i yet matters 
 had till then been rather in unfetled debates than certainly concluded, and had confilled 
 more in vVords than in actions. But now by reafon of the Duke of Ahncons death, 
 and that the King, after having been ten years married, had no probable hope of ifTue, J'"r^'"{" 
 affairs began to be very much altered : For as the King of Navarre's being lirft Prince th"r"wn 
 of the Blood, and fo neareft theSucceflion of the Crown, didfpur forward the readi- '"'"'/5""„'^'"' 
 nefs of the Cuifes, his old corrivals and natural enemies, Co likewife it afforded riiem " 
 
 a fair occafion to renew the League, that they might take a courfe betimes to hinder 
 the Kingdom from falling into the hands of the Hugonot Prince , to the univerfal 
 tuine of the Catholicks, and the total overthrow of Religion : Wherefore, the difgufh 
 they received at Court, and the fufpicion which for many years they had conceived, 
 concurring to follicite them , and this emergent occafion offering a fit opportunity, 
 they began again not only to repair the old ftru<9:ure, but alfo to contrive and build up 
 new defigns. The difafiers which the Lords of Gidfe received at Court, were many ; 
 For befides feeing themfelves excluded from the Kings favour, and from the admini- 
 ftration of State-affairs, wherein they were wont to hold thf firft place, and whereof 
 they now did not at all participate i as likewife being fo little able to do any thing for 
 their dependents and adherents, becaufe the Kingrefeived unto hinnfelf alone the dif- 
 pofing of all Gifts and Honours: they were alfo highly offended at the greatnefs of 
 thefe new men, who not favoured by the luflrc of ancient Families, nor raifed by the 
 merits of their own actions, but only by the liberality of their Prince, were advanced 
 ib high, that with afudden fplendour they eclipfed all thofe Honours which they with 
 infinite pains and dangers had attained to in the courfe of fo many years. And though 
 the Duke of Jayettfe, by his Marriage with the Queens Sifler , was allied unto the 
 Houfe of Lorain , and feemcd in many things to be intereffed with them , yet they 
 difdained to lie under the fhadow of anothers proteftion, where they were wont to 
 fee an infinite number of perfons Ihelter themfelves under the favourable wingcf their 
 Power and Authority. To this was added, that the Duke oiEfpimon^ either through 
 
 his
 
 248 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 1584. 
 
 * lord High 
 Steward of 
 tte Kin^j 
 Hou(hold> 
 bcrccofore; 
 called Lt 
 Cjime du Pt- 
 Uif, if It St- 
 tttfebal de 
 frtnct. 
 
 his own natural inftindt, or the hopes of raifing himfelf upon the mines of the Great 
 Ones, or through the friendlhip which he had held from his youth with the King of 
 Navarre^ who was moft averfe from any familiarity with them, feemed to defpife and 
 undervalue the merits and power of fo great a family, and failed not upon all occa- 
 lions to fling and perfecute them v on the other fide obftinately favouring, and in all 
 opportunities maintaining and aflifling the Princes of Bourbon. Whereupon it was 
 commonly believed, that he to abafe the credit and leflen the reputation of the Duke 
 of Guife, had perfwaded the King to determine a matter never clearly decided by his 
 PredecelTbrs i That in the Ceremonies of the Kings Coronation, and other occurren- 
 ces, the Peers (hould not have precedency according to their Age and Seniority > but 
 that thofe Peers which were Princes of the Blood, (hould abfolurely take place of all 
 the reft, by Prerogative of the Royal Family i which much incenf J the Princes of Lo- 
 rain: But it toucht them a great deal more nearly to fee that the King was wholly in- 
 tent to deprive them of their Offices and Governments, to bellow and heap them up- 
 on his Minions : For Charles Dake of Mnyenne hzving been firft declared Admiral, (3 
 place held by his Father-in-law the Marquefs de Villari, after the death of the Admi- 
 ral Chajiitlon) was after forced, by the Kings violent perfwafions, to take eighty thou- 
 fand Crowns in recompencc, and to refign his Office, which prefently was fetled I'poti 
 the Duke of Joyeuji : And becaufe the Duke of Efpermn complained that his place was 
 not fo eminent, the King defirous to (atisfie him, or at leaft feigning to be fo, for the 
 compalTing of his defigns, had often moved the Duke of Guife to give up his Office of 
 * Grand Maijire ; and when he faw that, being difpleafed with the overture, he re- 
 folved not to part with it, by little and little he took away all the Authority and Pri- 
 viledges which were wont to belong unto that Office, leaving him only the empty- 
 name i and, in (lead of it, conferred upon the Duke of Efpemon the charge of Colo- 
 nel General of the Infantry; which having JDcen formerly promi(^:d to limolcon de Coffe 
 for his exceeding great deferts, and he being by death prevented, the enjoyment feem- 
 ed in reafon moft due to his Son Charles Count of Brijfac, who was a faft friend to the 
 Lords of G«/yJ , as his Father and Grandfather had been before him. The Duke of 
 Anmde complained likewife, that he being cle<ftcd to the Government of Picardy (for 
 which he had been in competition with the Prince of Conde) to keep him as it were 
 in an uncertainty of the polTellion, the entry of many chief places was denied him > 
 among which, Bjlogne, Calais, and /jFhv, kept by per(bns depending upon the King, 
 in the name of the Duke d' Efpemon. And finally, all that bore the charadler of de- 
 pendents of the Houfe of Cuije^ were either by money or other means devefted of their 
 Offices and Governments, or at leaft deprived of the Authority and execution of them, 
 which by oblique ways were referved for, and transferred upon the Kings favourites 
 and confidents. 
 
 Thcfe were then all, or part of the difcontcnts that troubled the Lords of Guife, 
 wherein (l^eing well verfed in affairs of State, and mindful of what had happened 
 five and twenty years before) they admired the revolutions of this world, and the 
 cffeds of Divine Juftice, feeing themfelvcs handled in the fame manner by the Dukes 
 of Joyeufe and Efpermn, as they Cgoverning in the Reign of Henry the Second) had 
 ufed the Houfesof Mowfirr^wjand Bourbon-^ concluding, that though God for the moft: 
 part referves his punifhment and vengeance till the everlafting pains of the world to 
 come, yet is he fometimes pleafed, by thofe glances of his power, to (hew us a glimpfe 
 of that Juftice wherewith he governs the courfe of mortal things. But befides the 
 difgufts which thefe Princes pretended to receive, they were much more fliarply pricked 
 with the fting of that jealoude which by many conjectures, and by things daily put in 
 pradtice , they had conceived : for feeing that the King balanced the Forces very care- 
 fully with thofe of the Hugonot Lords, and that he would not fupprefs that party, 
 which fas they believed) he eafily might have done i that under feveral pretences he 
 devefted all the dependents of both Fadions of their Places and Honours, to beftow 
 them upon fuch las ftiould acknowledge them mecrly from himfelf i and that where 
 other pretences failed , he bought thofe Offices which they polTcft^ed with great fums 
 of money, to ingrofs them all into his own difpofing v that he admitted no interccflion 
 for any body , thereby to take away the bait that drew fo many followers and depen- 
 W^ ^° f*ic Princes of both parties v that he fpent great ftore of money to bring 
 thofe things about, and alfo gathered great ftore together in Mets, Bohgne and Angour 
 f^Jme, though in the name of the Duke d' Efpenm i they judged that all thefe things 
 
 tended
 
 o/" France, ^he SeD^nth ^ool^ 2^^ 
 
 ^ , — _ i „,■.. ,. 
 
 tended to their rulne and deftruftlon. Nor could it fatisfie them to fee the King ta- 1548* 
 feen up with religious thoughts, and addided to a quiet unadive life : for, they know- 
 ing his nature, wherewith they had been converfant from his very childhood, inter- 
 preted that courfe of life to fubtil deep diffimulation. Wherefore the Duke of Guife^ 
 a man of a wonderful quick infight, difcerning judgment, and, high thoughts, laying 
 all thefe things together, determined with himfelf to prevent, and not ftay to be pre- 
 vented : in which rcfolution he was boldly feconded by his Brother Lanys the Cardi- 
 ral, a man of a high fpirit, and an underftanding no lefs ingenious than his ; as alfo 
 by Henty of Savoy Duke of Nemours^ ?ind Charles Marquefs of Satt-Sorlin, (both Sons 
 of Anna d' Ejhy and therefore his Brothers by the^ Mother J Charles of Lorain Duke 
 
 ~ " " -gffj^ Charier of Lorain Duke 
 who though allied unto the 
 mited unto him both in opi- 
 :urred more flowly than the 
 e of worldly aifairs, thought 
 the King, proteded by the 
 his Subjedts, as he believed 
 ir Family, protedted by the 
 ; of their perfbns : Where- 
 r, and for that caufe to ha- 
 l them to proceed with more 
 the Crown. But the Duke 
 f his Perfon, the vivacity of 
 ;ellency of his Wit, able to 
 lis Brothers advice, had fet- 
 e > for the enlargement and 
 ; than his jealoufies and pri- 
 nts of Religion, and the ge- 
 dions, and with many arts 
 ended hung over the Catho- 
 
 ■>5^ laacon, and the Queens bar- 
 
 V , whereby, the Ring dying 
 
 -^ the Princes of iSaar^o», and 
 
 \:;^ tick, and an open Enemy to 
 
 CroWn would be the univer- 
 ^ :e to the Rites and Opinions 
 
 s were obliged to look to it 
 
 .•nt fubverfion j and if they 
 
 der the Prince of Condefroni 
 
 lught they now to affemble 
 
 )m entring, not info a Citf 
 
 igdom. He endeavoured to 
 
 y eafie \ for the King, pei- 
 
 , (by whom he was wholly 
 
 irty of the Princes of Baur^ 
 
 3 'd little, without refiftance : 
 
 ^ ile in that low condition and 
 
 "^ all the world : That there- 
 
 ^ ; States at Blois , by his arts 
 
 '^ nd confent of all the French 
 
 -^ trained to make War againft 
 
 ^] >f, who though a Catholick 
 
 r^ own to be a favourer of the 
 
 , he had lately taken Geneva 
 into his Protedion, (hewing clearly to all the World h6w little he efteemed the Catho- 
 lick Religion, and how much he waS inclined to the Enemies of the holy See, and ci 
 the great Bifliop of Rome: That therefore he had excluded all the Catholick Lords 
 from any accefs to the Court, or adminiftration in the Government i particularly, thole 
 who had fpilt fo much btood foi the piefeaaticn of the Kingdom and Keligion, and 
 
 Kk had 

 
 o/" France, ^he Seventh ^oo^ 249 
 
 tended to their ruine and deftradion. Nor could it fatisfie them to fee the King ta- 15484 
 ken up with religious thoughts, and addidied to a quiet unadlive life : for, they know- 
 ing his nature, wherewith they had been converfant from his very childhood inter- 
 preted that courfe of life to fubtil deep diffimulation. Wherefore the Duke of Guifi 
 a man of a wonderful quick infight, difcerning judgment, and high thoughts, laying 
 all thefe things together, determined with himfelf to prevent, and not flay to be pre- 
 vented : in which rcfolution he was boldly feconded by his Brother Lsitys the Cardi- 
 nal, a man of a high fpirit, and an underftanding no lefs ingenious than his } as alfb 
 by Heftry of Savoy Duke of Nemours^ ?nd Charles Marquefs of San-Sorlin^ (both Sons 
 of Anna d' Ejle, and therefore his Brothers by the Mother J Charles of Lorain Duke 
 of Aumale^ and Claude his Brother a Knight of Jerufzlem^ Charles of Lorain Duke 
 d* Elbeiif^ Emanuel Duke de Mercure, and his Brothers 5 who though allied unto the 
 King yet in refped of the common Family, were nearly united unto him both in opi- 
 nion and interefts. Only Charles Duke of Mayenne concurred more flowly than the 
 xeft, who with morefetled thoughts confidering the courfe of worldly affairs, thought 
 it as difficult and dangerOuS for the League to pull down the King, proteded by the 
 Majefty of a Royal Name, and the natural obligations of his Subjects, as he believed 
 it impolTibk for the King himfelf to deftroy and ruine their Family, proteded by the 
 favour of th€ Catholicks, and by the merit and innocence of their perfons : Where- 
 fore thinking it fuperfluous to put themfelves into that fear, and for that caufe to ha- 
 zard their fafety by rafli uncertain refolutions, he counfelled them to proceed with more 
 patience and more refpedt toward the lawful Poffeflbr of the Crown. But the Duke 
 of Gitife^ refolute in his thoughts, and by the authority of his Perfon, the vivacity of 
 his Courage, the eloquence of his Language, and the excellency of his Wit, able to 
 perfwade and draw all the reft to his opinion, excluding his Brothers advice, had fet- 
 led all his thoughts upon the machinations of the League > for the enlargement and 
 eftabliftiment whereof, diffembling his difcontents no lefs than his jealoulies and pri- 
 vate interells, he made (hew of ftirring only for the refpeds of Religion, and the ge- 
 neral good, making an ill interpretation of all the Kings adions, and with many arts 
 and circumftances aggravating that danger, which he pretended hung over the Catho- 
 lick Religion in that Kingdom. 
 
 He grounded his fears upon the death of the Duke of Alancon, and the Queens bar- 
 rennefs, which in the fpace of ten years had had no Son, whereby, the King dying 
 without Heirs of the Houfe of Valo'is, the Crown fell to the Princes of Bourbon, and 
 in the firft place to the King of Navarre, a relapfed Heretick, and an open Enemy to 
 the Roman Religion. He urged, that his coming to the Crown would be the univer- 
 fal ruine of Religion, and the total convcrflon of ail France to the Rites and Opinions 
 of Calvin i and therefore (hewed how all good Catholicks were obliged to look to it 
 in time, and to prevent the terrible blow of that imminent fubverfion , and if they 
 had gathered themfelves together ten years before, to hinder the Prince of C(?«^e from 
 enrring upon the Government of Picardy, much more ought they now to alferable 
 and combine themfelves, to keep the King of Navarre from entring, not into a City 
 or Province alone, but into the pofTdTion of the whole Kingdom. He endeavoured to 
 prove that his Introdudion to the Crown would be very eafie j for the King, per- 
 fwaded by the Duke of Efpemon and his other favourites, (by whom he was wholly 
 governed) and induced by them to favour advance the party of the Princes oi Bour- 
 bon, would in his own life-time bring him in by little and little, without refifVance : 
 That therefore he had granted peace to the Hugonots, while in that low condition and 
 extraordinary weaknefs , their extirpation was evident to all the world : That there- 
 fore he deluded the conftant and general refolution of the States at Blots , by his arts 
 undnewing, and by his delays untwifting the joint will and confent of all the French 
 Naxion : That therefore when fometimes he had been conftrairred to make War againft 
 the King of Navarre , he employed the-Marefchal de Byron, who though a Catholick 
 in outward appearance, was yet by many former proofs known tO be a favourer of the 
 Hugonots, and interefTed in their Fadion : That therefore he had lately taken Genez>a, 
 into his Protedion, (hev/ing clearly to all the World h6w little he ei^eemed the Catho- 
 lick Religion, and how much he was inclined to the Enemies of the holy See, and cf 
 the great Bi(hop o( Rome : That therefore he had excluded all the Catholick Lords 
 from any accefs to the Court, or adminiftration in the Government » particularly, thofe 
 who had fpilt fo much btood foi the ptefetraticn of the Kingdom and Religion, and 
 
 Kk had
 
 250 "' 
 
 The Hiftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Is 84. had brought in a new people that were privy to his defigns, and friends to the Houfe 
 oi Bourbon: That therefore he deprived all the old fcrvants of the Crown of all their 
 Offices and Honours , of the moit principal Governments , and moft fufpefted For- 
 treffes to put them into the hands of men that were Catholicks in fhcw, but really 
 partial' to Hereticks, and inwardly adherents to the King of Navarre: That there- 
 fore without rcmorfe or compaffion, he daily opprefTed the poor Subjeft with new 
 Taxes and intolerable Grievances , left when occallon ferved they (hould be able to 
 make refiftance, and oppofe his pleafure and their own flavery : And though the King 
 made an outward (hew to do otherwife, and to be of another mind i yet, that men 
 of underftanding ought not to let themfelves be deceived by his diflimulation , who 
 did but feign himfelf to be wholly addided to a fpiritual life, and altogether taken up 
 withthezealof Religion: For they that had penetrated to the depth of thofebufi- 
 reffes knew certainly that they were but a cloak and mask which which under co- 
 lour of devotion contained abominable hypocrifie i and that appearing full of morti- 
 fication cloathed in a penitent Frock , with a Crucifix in his hand in the ftrettj, in 
 his private lodgings he gave himfelf over to the unbridled lufts of the flefh , and to 
 the pervcrfe fatisfying of his loofc depraved appetite. From which things, fet forth 
 with many fpecious reafons, and adorned with many, and thofe moft particular cir- 
 cumftances, he concluded it was neceffary to prqvide againft that mifchief betimes, 
 to underprop the houfe before it fell upon their heads, wifely to unite themfelvts for 
 their own defence , and to pull down and defiroy thofe deligns , before they were 
 brought unto perfection. 
 
 Thefe were the reafons of the Lords of Guife i among which, that they mentioned 
 
 about the protection of Geneva, was, that the King having been defirous to renew 
 
 that Confederacy with the Swiffes which they for many years have held with the 
 
 Crown of France , the Proteftant< Cantons had refufed to accept it , unlefs the King 
 
 would take Geneva into his protedion i who confidering (the affairs of the Marqui- 
 
 fate of Saluzzo being then in difbrder, and the friendftiip of the Duke of Savoy fuP- 
 
 peded and uncertain , becaufe he was nearly allied unto the King of Spain , having 
 
 taken to Wife his Daughter the Inknti Katherine) that if he (hould have a paflage in 
 
 his power, whereby without fetting foot in another mans houfe he might make ufe 
 
 of the Swiffes affiftance, it was neceffary for him to embrace the protedion of that 
 
 City, from the Territories whereof the paffage is free to thofe places upon the con- 
 
 jTcnrj the III. fines of France, he refolved at laft to confent unto it, forced by neceflity, but againft 
 
 him"th7 p"o ^^^ ^'"' ^"*^ ^^^^ ™"'^^ fufpenfion of mind, being both by nature and cuftom moft 
 
 teftion of Gc averfe from having to do with the Hugonots. But that which was fpoken concerning 
 
 "'^*" the Kings fecret diffolutenefs, though it were not altogether without ground, by rea- 
 
 ibn of his amorous inclination to the Ladies of the Court i yet was it by the reports 
 
 of his Enemies amplified and enlarged to fuch vices and debauches as were very far 
 
 both from his nature and cuftom : and among the common people there went fuch, 
 
 extravagant tales of his licentioufnefs, as caufed at the fame time both laughter and 
 
 loathing in thofe that were acquainted with his moft fecret hidden praftices. 
 
 ' .v Now the Duke of Guife, either really moved with a zeal to Religion, or drawn by 
 
 the interefts of his own greatnefs, or elfe perfwaded by both refpedts jointly united, 
 
 ThtjDulce of having framed his defign, and ordered his reafons with Co fair an appearance, made 
 
 mean's of the ufe of popular eloquent men to divulge them from their Pulpits, and infufe them in 
 
 PcMchtrs »ni private difcourfes among the people, thereby to win their affedions, and procure the 
 
 pfts*"nd'othct enlargement and fpreading abroad of the League. Among thefe, the chief were Guil- 
 
 pUces of DC- liojf^g jg la Kofe. a man of powerful eloquence, who came afterward to be Biftiop 
 
 TOtion,Ubours ^ „ ■ ,. -r » V. 1 1 • r n • n r r^ cy ■ <- ■ • > . 
 
 toinfinuate 01 Senlns Jehan Prevojt chiel Pncn or bt.i>everi»s, a manor rare learning and copi- 
 tejg«' int'o '' °"^ eloquence ; Jehan Boucher, by birth a Parifian, a man in the fame -City Curate of 
 tbe people. St. Bennett Parifti i one Poneet, a Fryar in the Abbey of St. Patrick^ at Melun > Von 
 CbrijUn of Nizza in Provence > and Jehan Vincefire, all famous Preachers > and finally, 
 moft part of the Jefuits, difpleafed perhaps that the King having at the firft ufed them 
 very familiarly, was afterwards turned away from them to the Order of the FueiVanti 
 and Hieronimites. And as thefe profecuted the bufinefs of the League in Parif, the 
 fame was done at "Lions by Claude Mattei a Prieft of the fame Society at Soijfoni, by 
 Mattbieo) de Laumy Canon of that Cathedral > at Rouen, by Father Egide Blouin of the 
 Order of Mininuf, at Orleans, by Bourlatez very noted Divine* at 7 haul, by Francois 
 4» Kofier Archdeacon of that Church i and an infinite numter of others difperfed 
 
 thorow
 
 of France. The Seventh ^oo^. 2 /^ x 
 
 thorow the feveral parts of France, who by their credit and plaufible popular elo- i54-8» 
 quence, fometimes in their Pulpits, fometimes in the Congregations of the Penitents 
 fometimes in their fecret Conferences at Confeflions, did allure the people, and entice 
 them to enter into that Combination, which it is likely very many did, out of a re- 
 fpecSto Religion , believing that thereby the Calvinifts would be utterly rooted our 
 and the authority of the Church reftored to its prilline greatnefs. But many entred 
 into that Covenant invited by other ends, and drawn to it by different hopes, or elfe 
 receflitated by their particular interells , though all fhrowded themfelves under the 
 fame cloke of the preservation and maintenance of Religion. Thus was the League 
 compofed of two different kinds of perfons. 
 
 Thefirft fort for the moft part of fuch as were noble eminent perfons, who ill (a- TheCathoiieic 
 tisfied with the power of the Kings Minions , and not enduring to be banifhed from ^o"f of"?™ 
 all Offices and favours of the Court, went that way partly out of anger, partly out of <i'faff«^'<i to 
 hope of change ■■> believing, by the fubveriion of the prefent ftate of affairs, they fhould Government, 
 rife to a greater height of fortune, and in the end compafs the height of their defigns. a"''A"'''" '" 
 The chief of thefe was Ludovico Gonzaga Duke of Nevert ■■, who after he had refufed ^'''^'*''' 
 the Government of the Marquifate of Saluzzo, and other places beyond the Alps 
 when the King refolved to reftore thofe Towns which had been withheld from the 
 Duke of Savoy, thinking himfelf partly hated, and partly defpifed, could never any 
 more attain to any other Government, as his great fervices to the Crown made him 
 hope he (hould. In this number was alio Guy Sieur de Lanfac, and Francois Sieur de 
 S. Lite, who having feen fome beams of the Kings favour, and entertained hopes of 
 being received amongft his Minions, were afterwards thruft out by their Competitors, 
 and falling from fo great expedations, had for anger taken the contrary fide i likewife 
 among thefe was Monfieur de Vins, a man more Ht to be the Head of a Party, both for 
 his readinefs of his wit , and for the noblenefs of his Family , which was the chief in 
 Provence, he having at the fiege of Rochelle faved the Kings life, and interpofing his own ^he situr dt 
 body to defend him from the Bullets which were aimed at him , received a Mufquet- [i'ceivesli''"' 
 (hot in the right fide, did afterwards neither obtain his favour, nor thofe rewards and ^ufquec (hot 
 advancements which the merit of that fervice had caufed him to expeft : with thofe '° ^"'^'"■i- 
 alfo was Jehan de Hemery Sieur de Fillers, to whom in recompence of his many fervices, 
 efpecially for taking the Count Montgomery pxiConet, the Government of the City and 
 Caflle of Caen in Normandy having been promifed, the King without giving him any 
 ■ thing in exchange, difpofed of it prefently to Monlieur d' his favourite. The like was 
 the condition of Monfieur de la Chajire Governour of Berry ; who after many great fer- 
 vices performed in the time of Charles the Ninth , was not only unrewarded for his 
 valour and fidelity, but alfo denied the Government of Blois and that of Chartres, one 
 of which he very much defired, bccaufe they lay fo commodioufly near Berry. The Sieur 
 de Mandelot Governour of Lions confented likewife to it, who having received intima- 
 tion that his Government (hf.uld betaken from him, and in favour to Bernard Sieur de 
 Ix Valet Brother to the Duke of Efpernon, joined to that of Vanphine, and to the Mar- 
 queftte of Saluzzo \ and Monfieur de la Mante, Hrft, and then the Sieur de Faff'age, both 
 Creatures of the Family of la Valet, having been put into the Cittadel, which is the 
 bridle of the City oi Lions, took that party to fccure his own affairs, Monfieur ^"£«- 
 traques Governour of Orleans was another of them , who having formerly been fa- 
 voured, and gratified by the King, being afterwards difcontentcd that he himfelf, and 
 his Government fhould be fubjedt to the High Chancellor, Governour of that Pro- 
 vince, with whom he had no good correfpondence, and moved by his hatred to the 
 Duke d' Efpernoit, who both in words and adtions had abufed a Son of his i joined 
 himfelf alfo with the Lords of the Houft of Guife. The fame refolution was followed 
 by the Count de Saitx, whofe Father and he himfelf having at firft (but with ill for- 
 tune j) held of the Hugonot Party, had left it by reafon of many enmities, wherewith 
 he was fharply perfecuted, and for his own fafety retired under the protection and fliel- 
 ter of the League. GuiUiaHme Sieur de Fervaques was alfo joined in that confederacy, 
 who of fubtil wit, but voluble nature, and ready without refpedt to lay hold of any 
 thing, by which he could hope for profit and advancement, after he left the King of 
 Navarre, had followed the fortune of the Duke o^ Alancon, and now wanting a fup- 
 port, and not being well looked on by the King, fought new protedion, and new mat- 
 ter for his vivacity to work on. But the Archbifliop oi Lions, a man of contrary nature, " 
 to whofe cxttaoxdinary Learning was joined a wonderful gravity, and great care not 
 
 Kk 2 to
 
 2 J- 2 The Hifiorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 1584. to erre from thofe ends which were fuitable to his vocation, befide the interefts of 
 Religion , and his long dependance upon the Houfe of Guife , was driven into the 
 Leaeiie by the Duke d' FJpernons hatred, who flighting and defpillng himasaperfon 
 rot wtll affed-cd, thruft him out of the Kings favour, and almoft out of the Court, 
 where his worth had held one of the chiefeft places. But aniongrt them all the moft 
 principal was the Count de Brijfac^ who took that refolution for anger, that the Office 
 of General of the Infantry, Cpromifed to his Father, and pretended to by himfelf in 
 reconpence of the great labours he underwent in the Portugal Fleet, for the fervice of 
 the Qiieen-Mothcr j was difpofed from him without fo much as making fliew to reward 
 him any other way. For thefe and fuch like occalions, the Sieurs de la B.oche Breaute^ 
 de h Ljulme^ de Sonrdeac, de Couriers de la BroJJe, de Beauvais, de Forone, and an in- 
 finite many more Gcntlcm.cn were pcrfwaded to follow that refolution, either for dif- 
 content ct things paft, or hopes conceived of the future. 
 
 The other kind of pcrfons whereof the League was compofed feemed mUch infe- 
 riour in quality to the firft, but was not fo at all in the advantage and benefit of the 
 caufe • for by means of them M'hole Towns and Cities were won , and the common 
 people, and men of m.any fcveral profelfions were brought over in all parts of the 
 Kingdom. Thefe were for the mofi: part honcft well-meaning men, of fimple nature, 
 affeftionate to the Catholick Religion, and bitter Enemies to the Hugonots, whereof 
 fbme really believing (&s was pretended j that the total ruine of the Roman Religion 
 was at hand ■> and fomedeJiring thedeftrudion of Herelie, did not only promote the 
 League ardently in their own pcrfons, but ufed all their endeavours to lead on the peo- 
 ple, and incrtSi'i the Adherents of that Faition > to thefe were joined alfo certain 
 « De R'*e * Gown-Hicn, who under the colour of Religion, covered both unquiet thoughts, and 
 ^'^"'' ambitious, covetous dclires of working their own grcatnefs. Among thefe was Jehan 
 
 Maijire Prelident in the great Chamber of the Parliament of Fans, a man of great ho- 
 n'.ftyand fmcerity, Ejiieme de Nufy Prefident of the fame Court, Honor at de Laurent^ 
 Councellor in the ParHament of Provence, Jehan ^iere afterward called Sieur de Bujfy 
 then Atturney in the Court of Parliament of Paris, a man wonderfully followed, and 
 of great authority among the people, Louys d Orleans, a principal Advocate in the 
 fame Court, and a man of Angular learning. Charles Hauteman an Agent of the Bi- 
 fiiop of Paris, and a man of very great riches, la Chappelle Martel Son-in-law to the 
 Prefident a'f NuUy, Ejiienne'Bernard an Advocate in the Parliament of Dyjon, KoUand 
 one of the Treafurers of the Finances, Vruart an Advocate in the Court of the Cha-^ 
 jhlet, Cruce a Prodfor of the fame Court, Compans and Lottchart Commiflaries in the 
 Court of Paris, and many other men of the Long Kobe, who were in very great credit 
 and reputation among the common people. 
 
 This body fo compofed of two fb different qualities of perfons , the Sword con- 
 curring with the Nobility and Gentry, and the Gown with Clergy-men and Lawyers, 
 was ftrengthened and knit together as with Nerves and Bones, by the Adherents and 
 Dependents of the Houfe of Gtiife, who inUnuating themfelves into every place, did 
 cffedually ftir up mens minds to enter into that League ', for befides the Lords of the 
 Houfe of Lorain, there were likewife joined in it the Cardinal de Pelleve, the Com- 
 mendatory Vieu a Knight of Jerufalem, Claude Baron de Senefay, the Sieur de BaJJbm- 
 pier, Pierre Jannin Prefident in the Parliament of Dijon , the Baron de Medauit, the 
 Chevalier Bertone, the Sieur de Antraquet, de Kiberac, deKony, de Nijfy, de la Barge, de 
 Bois Dauphin, de Chamois, de Beauregard, de MenetiUe, Monfieur de St. Paul,znd Sacro- 
 moro Birago , both Colonels of Foot , and an infinite number of others , both Pre- 
 lates , Barons and Conimanders , who acknowledged the rife of their fortunes to 
 proceed from the favour and power of the Houfe of Lorain. 
 
 But becaufe the Duke of Guife having learned by the experience of all former times, 
 
 and by the examples of the late adions of the Hugonots , that through the natural 
 
 inclination of the French, thofe commotions could have but a weak foundation, which 
 
 had not the protedfion of a Prince of the Blood, he began to feek about to pick out 
 
 '^T't' f"i««" ^"'^ perfwade one of them, who furnifliing him with the authority and right of the 
 
 Onae to the' Royal Family, fhould be of fuch a nature and condition, as to let himfelf be wholly 
 
 ^T? "^s^tVi- gov^n^d by him. There was none more proper for his defigns, nor more ready to 
 
 ttd fir head receive that impreffion than Charles Cardinal of Bourbon, the third Brother of An- 
 
 of tke uthc; tijojfy f^ing pf J^avarre, and Louys Prince of Cande deceafed i for having been always 
 
 troil obfervant of the Catholick Religion , and an open Enemy to the Hugonots, it 
 
 was
 
 of France. The Seventh 'Boo{. 255 
 
 . • ~ ' ■ — ■ ' ■ i ■■■■- J * " ^ ■ — — ■ - — lo 
 
 Was eafie to draw him,by the refped of Religion, to confent unto that Union, and make I.5.S4* 
 himfelf Head of the League v but he was alfo of fo mean a Capacity, and of fo meek, 
 gentle a difpofition, that the Duke of Gttife might, without difficulty, turn and winde 
 him at his pleafure ; and, that which was more important than all the relf, being the 
 eldeit Prince of the blood, and Uncle to the King oi Navarre^ he might bring the inhe- 
 ritance of the Crown in quertion, and pretend, that the King dying without Heirs, the 
 fuccellion, of right, belonged to him , and therefore he was very fit and proper to 
 foment the pretenfions of the League, which principally did profcfs to exclude the 
 King of Navarre, and the other Princes that were Favourers, or Followers of Herefie, 
 from the fucceflion of the Kingdom. Nor did fortune fail to oifer the Duke of Guifs 
 his induftry a convenient meanes of obtaining his defires with much facility. Andre 
 Sieur de Kubempre, a man offwolne thoughts, and of a vain nattire, but one, who by 
 his indufiry, and politick way of living, and clothing himfelf after a faOiion,that was 
 conformable to the Cardinals humour, was become very gratious with him,and reckon- 
 ed among his chief fervants and favourites The Duke of G«//?, fby means of the 
 Advocate Lo«)'x de Orleans, and of the Abbot of 5. Otvy//, brother to P-"//irjr« his Se- 
 cretary ) caufed thofe reafons to be infu{ed into this man , for which his Patron 
 might pretend to the Crown of France , urging , that the Keprefentatmn ( fo the The CarJinaJ 
 Lawyers call it ) is of no validity in collateral degrees, and that therefore the King of prei'T'Ton; td 
 Navarre could not rcprefent the perfon of Anthony h\s Father, the eldeft Son, and thesui-eiTion 
 heir to the Kingdom of France, but that without doubt it belonged unto the Cardi- 
 nal yet alive , and not to his elder Brother , who was dead fo many years before. 
 Befides, that the King of Navarre being a relapfed Heretick, and by the Canon- Laws 
 uncapable of inheriting the moft Chriftian Crown of France s and the other Prin- 
 ces of the Blood being likewife followers and favourers of Herefie , and there- 
 fore incurred the fame incapacity of the Succeffion , it was not to be endured 
 that the vain, cautious refpedl , of not doing injury to the right of his Nephew, 
 fhould fuiTer it to fall into other hands i and therefore his fucceiTion was not onely 
 juft , becaufe the Laws had (b difpofed it , but alio pious and honeft , becauft 
 necefljty fo required , not to exclude the Royal Family , and at the fame time to 
 preferve the Catholick Religion. To this they added, that though the Cardinal was 
 nearer to decrepidnefs then old age, and that the King of France was yet in the: 
 flower of his youth, yet, in refpedt of the fliort lives of his Brothers, the weaknefs of 
 his own conftitution, and the continual debauches, by which he was half wafted and 
 confumed , the Cardinal was likely to out-live him , and come to the pofleilion of 
 the Crown before his Nephew, and might transfer it upon the Cardinal de Vendofme^ 
 who alfo was his Nephew, bred up by him in the Catholick Religion, and that with 
 fo much integrity and fincerity of life, that among fo many Hereticks, and Favourers of 
 Hereticks, he alone {hewed himfelf worthy to attain to the rule of fo Chriftiana King- 
 dom as t\\zioi France. Which things, alledged by them, not onely in words, but in 
 their Writings, folded up among a number of examples, and amplified with the orna- 
 ments of their wonted eloquence, did eafily make imprelfion in Kuhmpre, defiling ra- 
 ther to be the Mtnion of a King, then the Favourite of a Cardinal : Nor found they it 
 more difficult to inftil them into the mind of the Cardinal himfelf, who, to the afore- 
 faid reafons, and the near hopes of the Succeffion, added the honeft intentions of pro- 
 pagating the Catholick Faith, whereof he had ever been a zealous promoters where- 
 as his Nephew coming to the Crown, it was to be doubted he would fubvert Religi- 
 on, and fpread the Poifon of Herefie through the whole Kingdom. This feed being 
 cunningly fcattered long before-hand, had brought over the Cardinal to the Duke of 
 Gmfes party, in fuch manner, that when it was needful to make fuch a refolution, he 
 eafily was perfwaded to make himfelf Head of the League, and became a Cloke and 
 Buckler to them that fought the ruine and extirpation of his Family i bearing willing- 
 ly the weight and burden of that Enterprife upon his own (boulders . for, being o- 
 vercome by the fubtil pradifes and skilful flatteries of the Duke of G?«/f,hegave him- 
 felf wholly over to the opinions and government , efteeming and honouring him ex- 
 ceedingly, as a Lord of invincible courage, and wonderful zeal to the Catholick Re-i 
 ligion. Whereupon, they that then difcourfed of prefent affairs, with the ordinary 
 French liberty, were wont to compare the Cardinal to a Camel, that kneels down 
 before his Enemies, to take up a Load, that may endanger the breaking of his own 
 back. 
 
 But,
 
 254 
 
 The Htjlory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 1584. 
 
 1585. 
 
 Coodiciont a- 
 gtced upon 
 between the 
 Deputies of 
 the King of 
 Sfun, and the 
 Hcids of the 
 Catholick 
 Lcagoe. 
 
 But the League being cfiabliflicd, and confirmed with thefe Forces, and with the 
 colour'of Religion , and of the Blood Royal ■■, that it might alfo be fiirniflied with 
 money ncceflary to maintain it, and thofe outward helps, that might bring it either fa- 
 vour or authority, to the end it might not want any of thofe things that ort^inarily 
 fecm rcquifite for the effedting of fo great an Enterprife, the Duke of Cuife began a- 
 cain to quicken the negotiations with Spaimnd Kome^ which, for fome few years pali, 
 had with all thofe other matters, been coldly profecuted , and deferred. Nor did 
 they find the Catholick King very doubtful or backward in the bufinefs ; for, defiring 
 to free himfelf from his fufpition, that the French might further endamage him in the 
 Low-Country Wars ; and being offended at the late attempts and troubles in Flan- 
 ders and Portugal, could not but be very well pleafed that they fliould be bufied in 
 their own affairs, and not have leafure to meddle with thofe ot their Neighbours : and 
 it making for his purpofe, that the Hugonots fhould be fupprelTed, who bitterly ha- 
 ted his very Name, and that the King of Navarre (hould be kept from the Crown of 
 France^ who had fiill his wonted pretcnfions of recovering his Kingdom of Navarre^ 
 already united to the Crown of ^/^jw, he eamef\ly defired an opportunity, tocrufh 
 them both together i wherefore, without difficulty, he not only condcfcendcd :a con- 
 curr with his confent, but alfo to furnifli Moneys, believing, that the greatnefs of his 
 defigns would be effeded in all parts of the World i if France^ which could onely 
 ballance and withhold his Forces, being divided in its own dilfentions, did but af^ 
 ford him convenient means of attaining to that Greatnefs, which mighty Princes are 
 wont to afpire to in their mindes. Neither did he think it any violation of the 
 Peace , which was ftill reciprocally continued with the King of France : for, if the 
 Duke of Alancon had been openly affifted by the moft Chriflian King, whilft to obtain 
 the dominion of that People that had cafloff the yoke of his obedience, he made War 
 againfl his Armies in Flanders ■■, and, if the Queen-Mother, with the Forces of the 
 Crown , had oppofed his fucccllion to the Kingdom of Portugal, he believed it much 
 more lawful to prefcrve the Catholicks of France from being oppreffed by the Hugo- 
 nots, and hinder the King of Navarre his known enemy, from coming to the Crown : 
 And if the King had denied, that he fomented either the bufinefs of Flanders^ or that 
 of Portugal, whilft the Wars were manifeflly made with the Men and Moneys of his 
 Kingdom, he thought it not unfit for him, concealing that afTiftance which he purpo- 
 fed to lend unto the League, and conveying it by fecret and hidden means , to deny in 
 appearance, that he either broke or violated the Peace: Wherefore JuanBaptijialaffi^z 
 Knight of the order of 5. Jago, and Don Juan Morreo, the Catholick iCing's Commiilio- 
 ners i being come to JainvHle, a place of the Duke of Guifes, in the Confines oiPicar- 
 dyznA Champagne, and being met there by the Duke of G«//?, the Duke of Mayenne his 
 brother, and Frawco// Sieur de MeneviUe, the Cardinal of Bo/o/'tfw's Atturney for thofe 
 of the League in France, both Parties agreed to thefe Conditions the fecond day of the 
 year, 1585. 
 
 That, in cafe theprefent Kingof Fr<7«cefhould die, without a Son lawfully begot- 
 ten, the Cardinal of Bourbon fhould be declared if ing, as firfl Prince of the Blood, and 
 (b true Heir to the Crown, univerfally excluding from the fucceffion of the Kingdom all 
 thofe, who being Hercticks, Revolters, or followers and favourers of Hereticks, had 
 made themfelves incapable of it : And that during the life of the prefcnt King, to 
 prevent thofe Hereticks, left by the means which they were flill attempting , they 
 fhould open and facilitate their way to the attainment of the Crown, the Confederate 
 Princes fhould raife Armies, gather Forces, make War againft the Hugonots, and do 
 all other things which fhould be thought fit and necefTary. That the Cardinal of 
 "Bourbon, coming to the fucceilion, fliOuld ratifie the Peace already concluded at Cam" 
 brefis, between the Crown oi France and Spain, and obferve it pundually , proiiibi- 
 ting any other Religion in the Kingdom, except the Roman Catholick, and rooting 
 out all Hereticks by force, till they were utterly deftroyed, fhould fettle the Decrees 
 and Conflitutions of the Councel of Tre«^ That he fliould promife for himftlf, his 
 Heirs and SuccefTors, to renounce all friendfhip and confederacy with the Turk , and' 
 not confent to any thing that he fhould manage or contrive, in any place, againfl the 
 Common-weal of ChritHans. That he fhould forbid all Pyracie,whereby the Subjedts 
 of the Crown of France diflurbed the Spaniards Traffick and Navigation to the /«- 
 dies. That he fliould reftore unto the Catholick King all that had been taken from 
 him by the Hugonots, and namely the City and Jurifdi(ftion of Cambray ; and that he 
 
 fhould
 
 of France, The Seventh ^ooi{. 255 
 
 {hould affift him with convenient Forces , for the recovery of that, which thbfe that iS^Sf 
 were up in Armes had taken from him in the Low-Countryes. And, on the other 
 lide; That King Philip (hould be bound to contribute Fifty thouiand Crownn ef- 
 fe<3:ively every Moneth, towards the maintenance of the League, and of his Forces i 
 and moreover, (hould affift witli what number of men (hould be thought neccfTary, in 
 the progrefs of the Forces of the League, as well during the life of the prefcnt King, 
 as after his death, for the utter extirpation of Herefie. That he (hould receive into his 
 protefftion the Cardinal of Bourbon^ and the Lords of the Houfe of Guife^ the Dukes of 
 Mercure and Nevers^ and all thofe other Lords and Gentlemen that (hould fubfcribe 
 unto the League, promifing to ailift them againft the Hugonots and their adherents, Co 
 that they (hould be kept fafe and harmlefs. That no Treaty or Agreement what- 
 foever (hould be made with the K'm^oi France^ without the mutual confentof both 
 Parties i and, that the Articles of this Union, (hould, for many convenient refpeds, 
 be kept fccret, till a more fitting opportunity. 
 
 This was the fubftance of the Capitulation made with King Thilip^ who, befides the 
 aforefaid things, promifed fecretly to the Duke of Guife^ the affignment of Two hun-> 
 dred thoufand Crbwns/'fr annum^ (or his own particular, to be employed in the ad* 
 Vancement, and for the benefit of the League. 
 
 But, the Treaty was not fo eafie, nor fo fpeedily difpatched at Kome^ where the 
 fame Interefis of State did not perfwade : For, though Father Manei riding Poll with 
 admirable celerity, fometimes to this place, (bmetimes to that, did take great pains to 
 contrad: this Union ; and, though Cardinal VeUsne ftaying at Ko/Hf, did ufe all poffible 
 means to make it be received into the Pope's protedion i yet Gre^ory^ a wonderful 
 good man, and not of too violent a nature, counfelled moreover by 'Tulomeo Gj//o Car- 
 dinal of Como, his Secretary, a man of very great experience in matters of Govern- 
 ment, finding, that he could not fee clear into the deligns of that League, and think- 
 ing it unfit for him to confent to the taking up of Armes againft a King that was ma- 
 nifeftly a Catholick, and an infinite honourer of the Roman Religion , under pre- 
 tence of hidden fecret things, and fuch as were onely to be left to mens confciences, 
 whereof he thought he could not ealily judge, went ftill putting off and deferring his 
 tefolutions, that time might bring to light the bottom of thofe thoughts, which to him 
 feemed yet very obfcure , and much entangled. Wherefore, having made choice of 
 certain Cardinals, and other wife men, who were to meet, and confult upon the Propo- 
 fitions of the League, and thofe Deputies ftill anfwering conditionally with theclaufe 
 ( If it be fo ,) whereby they (hewed their doubt of thofe Propofitions which were made 
 by Pellue and Matteis the Pope ftill giving the Agents of the Confederates good hopes, 
 and exhorting them to be watchful tor the good of the true Religion, and the extir- 
 pation of Herefie : For the reft, he held them on with continual delays ■■, nor could 
 they ever, with all the diligence they could ufe, get any Writing out of his hand, where- 
 by they might fecurely affirm, he had approved the League, or taken it into his Prote* 
 <3;ion. 
 
 Whilft the confederate Lords are thus bufie in ftrcngthening the Body of their 
 Union, the King of France particularly advertifed of all thefc things, confultcd with 
 himfelf,and with his moft intimate Confidents, what refolution he ought to take,toop- 
 pofe or divert the violence of thofe proceedings. The Duke of Efpermn , the high 
 Chancellor Chiverny, Monfieur d'O, and Alberta Gondi, MzreCchz] deKetz, were of opi- 
 nion, that the King, (liewing his face boldly, and uniting himfelf prefently with the 
 Hugonots and the King of Navarre, ftjould prevent the Guifes'i and finding them in 
 diforder, and unprovided (as the motions of Leagues (where the concurrence of many- 
 is requifite; ufe to be unready and difagreeing ) he (hould endeavour to pull up the 
 iirft fprouts of that fcandalous feed i alledging, that they being yet unarmed, and difu- 
 nited, might be put into confufion, and fupprefTed, before they could have time either 
 to draw any Forces together, and to get affiftance and fupplies from Spain: That it 
 was not good to ftay till that great Fabrick, being brought to perfedion, (hould unite 
 all the members of its Body : and that it was no found Counfel to give time, till the 
 great abundance of humours, which daily grew more malignant and pernicious, had 
 feized upon fome vital parts of the Kingdom i for, as while difperfed, they might eafi- 
 ly be purged away in their beginnings, fo it would be very hard and dangerous to pro- 
 vide againft them, when being grown to a mafs of corruption, they (hould ftifle and 
 fu0bcate the natural vigour .* That they knew, neither the Duke of Guife , nor any 
 
 of
 
 _ ■"' 
 
 2j«^ The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Hill 
 
 158?. of his Fa(flion,had an Army yet united together, but onely the confent of fome Church- 
 men and the concourfe of the common people, with the adherence of {bme few of 
 the Nobility of the Kingdom, Forces weak and uncertain of themfelves, the greateft 
 part whereof, as foon as they (hould fee any confiderable ftrength, would fall afunder 
 of their own accord : That the Catholick King was fb taken up with the Affairs of 
 Flanders^ that he could not, without much difficulty, and many delayes, perform fo 
 much as part of thofe things which now he fo largely promifed, to raife the turbulent 
 fpirits of the French : and that the Pope, a Prince far remote, and not very ftrong,who 
 feldom ufed other then Spiritual Weapons, was not yet well rcfolved, either to protect 
 or aflift the League : On the contrary, the major part of the Nobility ( alwayes pre* 
 pared with Arms, and ready for the War) would prefently meet together, whcrefoever 
 the King, in cafe of fo great neceflity, fliould call them : That the SwifTes, who had 
 lately renewed their Confederacy with the Crown, would, for money, fupply them 
 with any niutibcr of Soldiers their need required: That the King of Navarre^ and 
 the Hugonots, who ftill continued in Armes for their own defence, would thank God 
 for fo happy an occafion, and readily fubmit themfelves to the King's obedience, to 
 oppofe their natural enemies: That in the courfe offo many Civil Wars, experience 
 had taught them, the ncgledt of beginnings made the difeafe mortal and incurable \ 
 and that the vivacity and boldnefs of noble fprightly revolutions, was alwayes wont to 
 bring forth fortunate proceedings, and glorious conclufions. 
 
 But, the Duke of Joyeufe^ Kene Sieur de Villeguier, Pomfone Sieur de Bellieure^ and Vil-i 
 terpy the Secretary of State, were of contrary opinions » urging, that the King, intend- 
 ing to make War againft the Houfe o( Lorrain, and againft all the other Confederate 
 Lords, he muft neceffarily either do it of himfelf alone, or being united with theHu- 
 gonots : That if he ftirred alone, his Forces would be very weak and flender » for, 
 all the Kingdom being divided into Catholicks and Hugonots, he being an Enemy to 
 both, would have no other Party but fome few fervants and dependents, againft two 
 powerful, antient, and inveterate Fadtions, which poffelTing all the greateft and moft 
 confiderable Provinces of France, viz. the Hugonots, FoiUou, Guienne^ Languedoc, Caf' 
 cogne, and great part of Vattphinei and the Guifts, Champagne, Bottrgogne , Pivardy^ 
 Lyonois, Provence, and Bretagne, befides, the City of Paris, very much inclined to fa- 
 vour them > the King would certainly remain without Revenue, without fortified pla- 
 ces, without Subjeds, without Militia, and without Money, by making a War fo rui- 
 nous to himfelf, and fo ridiculous to the whole World. But, to unite himfelf with 
 the Hugonots, befides the unworthineft of the adlion, (b contrary tothecuftofns and 
 ancient purpofes of His Majefty, and fo unbefeeming the piety of the moft Chriftian 
 King, and the eldeft Son of the Holy Church, would draw on confequences of great- 
 eft moment, the alienation of all the remaining part of the Catholicks, and the revolt 
 of the City of Paris, fo conftant to the true Religion, and fo natural an enemy to the 
 Hugonots •> the addition of greater Forces to the League, which could receive no bet- 
 ter news , nor greater nouriftiment ; the making authentick all thofe lies and fcan- 
 dals , which, till then, had been fpread abroad againft the King's defigns, and real 
 intentions: That it would colour and juftifie the Spaniard's Proteftion of the 
 League, neceflfitate the Pope to declare himfelf in favour of it, as foon as the Enemies 
 of the Apoftolick Sea fhould be united with the King: That the moft important, 
 near, and inland Provinces of France would be loft, by ftaying for the fupplies and 
 affiftance of thofe that were far rtmote, at the utmoft confines of the Kingdom : Not 
 was the ftrength of the Hugonots great, or their aid (ecure, who, on the one fide , 
 were exhaufted, and unable to go forth of their Native Provinces, where they could 
 hardly fiibfift of themfelves i and, on the other fide, they could not eafily in fo fliort a 
 time unite themfelves with the King faithfully and fincerely,who had ever been their bit- 
 ter enemy,and their fatal terrible perfecutor : That the frefh memory of the bloody Maf- 
 facre at Paris, whereof he was efteemed the chief author, and, as it were, the fole exe- 
 cutor, would be more prevalent with them, then the prefent demonftrations, which,by 
 many fufpicious men, would be interpreted cunning, and diflimulation, fo catch them' 
 that were unwary again fuddenly in the net : And finally,that the Proverb was tTuc,I}if- 
 ferent natures neverjute rveU together. Wherefore they judged it to be a much better re- 
 folution, to give fatisfadion to all in general, and -to the Lords of the League in parti- 
 cular, the major part whereof they knew had^ for private difgufts , confented to that 
 publick Commotion : for, the Lords of Cttiji being quietfd , and the other principal 
 
 mea
 
 o/ France. The Seventh ^oo^, 257 
 
 men of the Kingdom fatisfied , the colour of Religion vanifliing and growing fiale 1585^ 
 the League would of it felf be broken and diffolved : infifting, that the caufes bdnl 
 taken away, the effedts would ceafe of themfeJves i and (hewing by many particulars 
 that it was in the Kings power to difunite the League, by giving and granting to the 
 Heads and other Confederates, of his own accord, thofe things which they ftrove for 
 but were uncertain to obtain by War. 
 
 The Queen-Mother confented to this advice, as the moft fecure, of lefs noife, and 
 left fcandaU and being experienced in the feveral revolutions of Co many years, thought- 
 it no lefs dcftrudive than opprobrious, to forfake the more favourable, more certain 
 more powerful, and more conftant Party of the Catholicks , to follow the almoft de- 
 sperate fortune of the Hugonots. And this was the common vote and general opi- 
 nion of the ordinary fort of Courtiers , who are wont every where ( but moft 
 efpecially in France) to difcourfe very freely of the higheft deliberations of their Ma- 
 flers. 
 
 But the Authority of the Duke d^ Effernon , and of the other Minions, was very 
 great i and they forefaw their own affured tuine in that fatisfadion which was moti- 
 oned to be granted unto the Lords of the League, becaufe it could not be given them 
 ■without diverting the Favourites of that greatnefs =and authority, and of thofe Offices 
 which they enjoyed : fo that of them all only the Duke of Joycufe confented to an 
 Agreement with the Catholick League , partly through the hatred which he bore to 
 the Duke d' Efpcrnon, who was infinitely before him in the Kings favour i partly be- 
 caufe being nearly allied unto the Houfe of Lorain^ he thought at the fall of all the 
 reft, he alone ihould be able to hold his place, and keep upon his feet. Befides, this 
 advice ".as very contrary to the defigns and inclinations of the King himfelf, being 
 thereby obliged to throw down, at one inflant, all that he had been fo many years in 
 building up: for by confenting to the fatisfadtion of the Grtz/f/ and their Confederates^ 
 he muft be brought to put that authority, thofe Fortreffes and Offices into their hands, 
 from whence he had fo long been difengaging but a part of them, by little and little, 
 with infinite coft and induftry, and foby confequence muft himfelf deftroy his firft re- 
 folution of the total ruine and extirpation of both Fadtions. Therefore he would more 
 willingly have concurred to oppofc the League, and unite himfelf to the Hugonots, iC 
 the ftingof his own confcience, the unfeemlinefs of the thing, and the refinance of the 
 Qyeen-Mother, had not made him abfolutely abhor it : Wherefore, his mind remain- 
 ing yet doubtful, and his determination fufpended, he refblved in the mean time to 
 found the King of Navarre more perfectly, and find out the firength of the Hugonots, 
 endeavouring to perfwade him to reconcile himfelf to the Church , with the other 
 Princes of Bourbon : which if he could compais , he thought he (hould defiroy the 
 foundation of the League, and reduce the Gitifes into a very hard and dangerous con- 
 dition : For the principal point of the Succeflion of the Crown failing, which gave co- 
 lour and credit to the affairs of the League, and he uniting the Forces of the Houfe of 
 Bourbon fincerely to himfelf, (hould remove the obftade of Rome, the concourfe of the 
 foolifli multitude, who believed the bufinefs only to concern the defence of the Catho- 
 lick Religion , the abetting of Religious Orders, and fo compofe all thofe flirs. He 
 hoped alfo that many particular men, and perhaps the very Heads of that Party, would 
 be drawn by refpedt and (hame, from thofe practices which then would have no other 
 foundation left, but the ambition and unjuft defires of the Great Ones > and that by 
 taking away the fuel, the flame which then blazed fohigh, andfpread fofar, would in 
 a moment be extinguifhed. 
 
 To this end he difpatched the Duke of E/^m;o« fundcr colour of going to fee his A meetfng Be- 
 Mother, who being old, lived 'mGafco2,-rte) to confer with the King of Navarre, belie- 'i!|""of''L. 
 ving that for his own intereft he would effedually labour to convert him to the Ca- vnr'etnitbe 
 tholick Religion •, for if he did not, he faw the King inevitably neceiTitated to fatisfie f^^f^^^^/' 
 the Lords of the League, and abafe the greatnefs of his Favourites, among which he from Henrj 
 held the chiefeft place. But the Duke of Efpernon being come into Gafcogne to the King ''"'^ '"'' 
 of Navarre, and propofing very large Conditions in the Kings Name, if he would re- 
 folve to turn Catholick, and cottie to Court, the doubts and confultations were no lefs 
 there than they had been before in the Court of France : for Monfieur de Salignan and 
 Monfieur de Koche-Laure, Confidents to the King of Navarre, perfwaded him earneftly 
 fo truft the King, to reconcile himfelf to the Catholick Church, and return to Court, as 
 firft Prince of the Blood, alledging that that was the way to conquer his Enemies without 
 
 L 1 Arm$
 
 ,-8 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 icSt Arms or Difpute, to recover the Place due to him in right of his 6irth, to get (ioffef- 
 Hon of the Inheritance of the Crown, to which the King, feeing himfelf without Sons, 
 would open and facilitate hispaffage, and to fettle his own fortune in quictnefs and 
 tranquility, as alfo the whole Kingdom of frame. And though to attain thofe ends, 
 he muft be fain to fuffer much, and to diflemble and bear with many things, yet it was 
 wifdom to bar himfelf of his own eafe, and deny his own will, for the obtaining of 
 fo high, fo eminent a defign : That many men endured very much for the getting 
 of a private Inheritance, though but a mean one i how much more was to be done 
 and fuffered tocompafs the Succeflion of the Crown di France ? That they clearly 
 faw the Kings aim, and the exprefs will of his Councellours and Favourites: nor 
 could he ever defire a more ready way to fubvett and diflipate the power of his old 
 Enemies and Perfecutors. 
 
 On the other fide, Arnauld Sifiut de Ferrier his Chancellor, atgucd the contrary, a 
 man of fubtil wit and excellent learning, Cwho after his EmbalTie to Venice, \vhere he 
 had been Lieger many years^ beirig returned into France, and little accounted of at 
 Court, had retired himfelf to the King of Navdrre) he fearing, if his Mafter came 
 to an agreement, and into the Kings obedience, that he fliould femain abjeft and for- 
 faken, was, though a Catholick, of the fame opinion with Philip de Mornay Sieur de 
 tlejfts, with the Sieur d' Aubigny , C a trufty fervant of the King of Navarre''s ) and 
 with the other Hiigonots, who obftinate in their Faith, laboured to fliew that tempo- 
 ral hopes were not to be preferred before a good Confcience and the fafety of the Soul, 
 which is eternal. Nor was it fit for the King of Navarre, by fo often changinp; his 
 Belief, to get the manifeft fcandalouS opinion rather of an Atherllf than of a fickle in* 
 conftantman: noryet were the preftnt hopes that were offered him fo furely ground- 
 ed i for the King of France in the i^igour of his youth, and the Queen in the flower of 
 her age, might yet polTibly have a Son, whereby the old intentions being renewed, he 
 would remain (as formerly) defpifed gnd undervalued at the Court. That the hope 
 of fucceeding a young King of but tWo and thirty years old, was very remctr and 
 uncertain , the King of Navarre himfelf being but little younger v fo that acccnding 
 to nature it was hard to judge which of them would live the longer. That in the 
 mean time , for things fo remote and uncertain, he muft put himfelf into a prefent 
 certain fervitude , lay down the command and dependance of his followers, deprive 
 himfelf of the power and foundation of his Party, and fubmit himfelf to the pleafure 
 and difcretion of his Enemies. That all the world knew the Kings nature aiid incli- 
 nations, who defiring for his own interefts to make ufe of the King of Navarre in th6 
 prefent conjunfture, would, as foon aS that occafion was paft, reaffume his old hatred, 
 and his intent (derived from the firm refblution of his Anccftors) to abafe, perfe- 
 cute, and finally deftroy the Houfe of Bourbon. And with what heart , with what 
 courage could he return to imprifon himfelf in the Louvre, where with his own eyes 
 he had feen that bloody flaughter of all his friends, and the fafety of his own life held 
 uncertain for (b many hours , that he ought rather to acknowledge it to the Divine 
 Goodnefs, and the chance of Fortune, than to the modefty and clemency of his Ene- 
 mies ? That Gods Juftice was not to be diffrufted, for the fetling him in the rightfut 
 poffeflion of the Crown , in cafe the King ftiould die without a Son. That it was 
 much more eafie to attain it , being ftrengthened by powerful Forces , and the adhe- 
 rence of an armed Party that had fo often refifted the pride of their Perfecutors, and 
 the Power of fo many Princes joined together againft them, then being left naked, de- 
 prived of ailiftance, flighted, and put in Prifon at the Court. That therefore he ought 
 rot to expofe himfelf to the certainty of thofe dangers, treacheries, poifons and mur- 
 ders whereby he had feen his Mother taken away , and fo many of his Friends and Ser- 
 vants i but fuftaining himfelf with the greatncfs of his courage, to remit the event of 
 things fo far diftanf and foobfcure unto the Divine Providence; 
 
 There was no doubt among the wifeft men , but that the firft advice of reconciling 
 himfelf to the King and Church, and returning to the Court, was the moft fccure and 
 expedient : but he could not clear his mind of the fufticion of being deceived again, 
 and circumvented by the pradtifes of his Enemies i and his Genius could hardly be re- ' 
 duced to forfake his liberty and authority , for almoft a certain imprifonment , or at 
 leaft a very private condition in the Court. He confidered that he could not commit 
 an errour in that refolution that would not coft him his life i for if the Kings proceed- 
 ings were not real and fincere , ox if he fliould fuffer himfelf again to be ruled by the 
 
 powerful
 
 o/^ France. The Seventh ^ogI^ 2*^0 
 
 powerful pafwafions and contrivances of the Guifes^ he faw he muft of neceility, either 158^* 
 by fword or perfon, incur the infallible danger of^eing murdered. He was alfo very 
 much moved v.'ith the confideration of the Lady Margaret his "Wife : for having in a' 
 manner repudiated her, by reafbn of the report of her unchaftity, andfl^e being gene 
 to certain Caitles of hers in Auvergne , where (he lived with a very licentious frecdciTi 
 he faw that neceffarily he muft either receive her again to his bed, or elfe he could ne- 
 ver continue in finccri t'ri^ndfliip and'perfeft confidence with his Mother and Brother- 
 in-law, but that daily new difcords and difTentions would arife, to the total ruine of 
 his Fortune. Thefe confiderations joined to the power of Ferrier^ and to the fpur and 
 perfvvaiions of the Minifters, made him at laft rcfolve, neither to turn Catholick, nor 
 return to Court ; but only with a great deal of m.ode1!v he offered the Alliftance and 
 Forces of his whole Party to ferve the King, whenfonrer he pleafed, to tame thofe, 
 who, with the Forces of the League, difturbed the State and quiet of the Kingdom. 
 
 In this Conference was treated likewife (as had been many times beforej the refti- 
 tution of thofe places granted to the Hugonots by the Edid of Pacification : for the 
 limited time being expired , the King moved to have them refiored according to the 
 Agreement. Eut the King of Navarre being determined not to forfake his Party, made 
 excufcs for not delivering them up, (hewing that the times to come were like to be fuch 
 as made him rather dclire to have yet others for his fecurity, than to reftore thofe 
 which he already po(rc(red •> befeeching the King to bear with the urgent neceility, and 
 to a(cribe the fault- to the immincntattemptsand obftinate per(ecutionsof his Enem.ics. 
 But this point being only treated of in formality, there was neither long nor difikulc 
 debate about if, and theanfwer was eafily received and approved,by reafon of that co- 
 lour which the courfc of prefent alfairs afforded it. 
 
 with thefe Anfwers the Duke d' Efpermn returned to Court •, from whofe Confe- 
 rence they of the League taking occafion, divulged every where that it had been to 
 treat an Union between the King and the Fadlion of the Kugonots, for the eftablifh- 
 ment of Herelic, and the introducing of the King of Navarr; fan Enemy to the Ca- 
 tholick Church) unto the Succeffion of the Kingdom ; for which puvpofe the King had 
 alfo fcnt him two hundred thoufard Ducats. Which things being thundred out of the 
 Pulpits by their Preachers, filled the people with vain pretended fears, and with a moft 
 bitter hatred againft the Perfon of tlicir Prince, and againltall his Favourites and Coun- 
 cellours. But the curiolity and itch of the Hugonots, did in great part cut up the 
 roots of thefe lying (landers : for the Sieur dit Plepr , burning with an ambition to be 
 knownthe Author of the King of Niziu^-z-e's determinations, and to get himfelf credit 
 and efteem amongft thofe of his own Party , publilhed a little Book in print of the 
 whole Treaty that had palTed with the Duke d' Efpemon^ with thereafons alledged by 
 the King of iVji'Jtvv's Councellors, and his laft anfwer and refolution : whereby it ap- 
 peared, that the King fought not to unite himfelf with the Hugonots, to the prejudice 
 of the Catholick Pvcligion , as was divulged by thofe of the League i but by endea- 
 vouring to bring home the King of Navarre and the other Princes of the Blood into 
 the bofom of the Church : As alio, that it was not true that the King voluntarily con- 
 fented that the Hugonots (hould keep the poflcffion of thofe places, but that they re- 
 fuling for apparent reafons to re(}ore them , he made (hew to bear with their denial, 
 rather than in fo unfeafonable a time to put Arms into the hands of that other Fa<ftion 
 al(b. 
 
 The Duke d' Efpfmon at his return found new m.attcr of doubts and confultations : The low- 
 For the Low-Country-men (the Duke of Alancon being dead) were left without any ^^aAmbair*- 
 foreign afTiftance , and being as it were abandoned of all , thought to put themfelves dors to the 
 under the Crown of Francs^ and by that means to gain the Kings Prctedion againll the ,''„'t"f,'?f„5''h™ 
 Spaniards : wherefore they fent an honourable EmbalTie about that time to the King to take the 
 of France^ to intreat him to take the Protection and Dominion of all their Countries i Do^min'on of 
 and miaking War with the King of Spain, to deliver them with a powerful Army from theitsutes. 
 that Tyranny from which they had already for many years withdrawn themftlves. 
 This EmbaiTie at rirft kept fecretby the King, left it might exafperate King Fij'lip, was 
 afterward publickly received and admitted, when he faw the Spanifh Agents continued 
 to foment the League. 
 
 There were many, and thofe the fame that had counfclled him to unite himfelf with 
 the Hugonots, who exhorted him to accept of that fo ample Dominion, and (b rioble 
 occalion to raife and incrcafe his own efrate i urging, that fincc the Spaniards thought 
 
 LI 2 it
 
 2^0 ^^^ H/y^orj 0/ the Civil Wari 
 
 1585. it lawful by fecret pradiccs and fuggeftlons to difturb the peace and qoiet of his King- 
 dom it was much more lawful f« him to undertake the defence of that oppreffcd 
 people, retorting the injury which he received, and bringing thofe to a neceffity of 
 looking to their own, who now craftily fought to put the affairs of others in diforder 
 and confufion i That this was the way to digel^ and expel the hurtful humours of his 
 Kingdom, which could never enjoy Peace at home, but by the help of War abroad, to 
 take up the minds and employ the adlive Forces of his Subjcdls : They faid. This was 
 a moft powerful means to abafe the League i which being deprived of the money and 
 afTidance of the Spaniard, would fall of its own accord, not having any ftrength or 
 ability to maintain it felf : That finally it was time to eafe themfelves of fo many mi- 
 fcries as were every where about them, to give vent to the French fury, and rather 
 employ their Arms to the delhrudion of the old Enemies of the Kingdom, than ufe 
 them to tear in pieces the body of their common Mother. 
 
 But as thefe probable apparent reafons were very noble and generous, fo were they 
 likewife difficult, and little lefs than impoffibleto be effedcd : For with what Armies, 
 with what Forces could tlie King (his Kingdom being torn and divided, and he him- 
 felf fufpedled by both Fadions J undertake and manage a War of fo great importance ? 
 He could fettle no foundation in the Catholick Party •, for moft of them were united 
 by fecret intelligence with the Catholick King : and to join himfdf with the Hugonots, 
 produced the fame difficulties and the fame oppofitions that were before conhdered ; 
 Wherefore the King perfwaded by the evidence of Reafon, and counfelled by the Queen 
 his Mother, anfwered the AmbalTadors with kind words, exprelTing his grief for the 
 oppreffion they complained of, excufing himfelf by the prefent diviiions, and inteftine 
 difcords of his Kingdom, and fliewing how ready he fliould be to fuccour and protedt 
 them at another time : With which anfwer , and all demonftrations of honour, they 
 BTH.rr,«»» it yvcrc at lall difmi/fcd : And yet Von Bemardim Mendozza the Catholick Kings Am- 
 sp'anini^Am-' balTador grievouily complaining that the Embaffie was admitted, and that the AmbaP- 
 ''i'^*''r"c'cived fadors of thofe that rebelled againll his Mailer had been fo much honoured •, the King 
 anmp"n7wer either highly exafperated againft the Spaniards, or not willing to fhew fear and poor- 
 bt''"Tns''n"cnV *^^^^ ^^ fpirit, aufwcrcd boldly, that the common right of Countries and the neighbour- 
 10 fee forward hood of fo near a people, derived from the French Nation and Empire, did perfwade 
 the League. him to take them into his protedion : yet becauf. of his own interclts , he had not 
 confented to do any thing at all in the buhnefs i and that he would not break the peace 
 in publick, though he knew it had been violated by the King oi^ Spain in private i 
 but that in his own time he would fignifie his pleafure , not fearing the forces or 
 threatnings of any one, and knowing himfelf to be a free King, Mafter of his own 
 Will , and one that might make War or Peace wherefoever it pleafed himfelf. By 
 which anfwer the King tiiinking to bridle the Spaniards with a jealoulie of the affairs 
 ef Flanders, he on the contrary haftencd their pra(itices, and made them labour to 
 kindle the fire in his Kingdom, that he might not be at leifure to do fo to his neigh- 
 bours: wherefore Von Bfnwr^wo departing with that anfwer, began to follicite the 
 Guifes and the Cardinal of Bourbon, that taking Arms , with the ailiftance and with 
 the money of Spain, they (hould begin to execute the defigns of the League •, and pre- 
 fently disburfed two hundred thoufand Ducats to the Duke oi Guife, for his firft years 
 peniion, difpofing three months pay in Germany for the railing of Souldiers in that 
 Country : For Lodovich^ Fifer the chief Commander of the SwifTes, being corrupted 
 with great bribes, had yielded to receive a ftipend from the League i and Cbrijiopher 
 * German Sicur de Bajjompier was gone into Germany to levy ^ Reiterj : nor did they omit in thofe 
 Provinces which were held by the Lords of the Houfe o( Lorain, to raife both Foot 
 and Horfe in all diligence, that with fuch mighty Forces they might give a beginning 
 to their intended defigns. 
 
 But the King, who could neither frame his mind to join with the Hugonots, nor to 
 
 give fatisfadlion to the confederate Lords, expeding counfel from the benefit of time, 
 
 went on with flow preparations, rather fetting a glofs upon his caufe, and juffifying 
 
 himfelf, than hindring the progrefs of the League; For befides the publick Prayers 
 
 and Proceilions continually made , to bcfeech God to grant him a Son , being adver- 
 
 lia f^t\"°d'^' ^'^"^^ ^™'^ many feveral places at the fame time, of their Co frequent railing and draw- 
 
 dinj the r»i- Jng armed men together, he thought it fufficient to ftnd forth a Decree fpublifhcd 
 
 fn"."of boliHi' ^^^ ^^ of March) to all the Governours of Provinces ■■> wherein, after having with his 
 
 jtt cogethcr. wonted preambles teftified that all his actions were led by a defire of the' publick peace 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Seventh ^oof^. 
 
 i6i 
 
 and tranquillity , and that he had begun to provide for the eafe of all his people by 
 fitting remedies, which (bme Enemies of quiet laboured to oppofe and hinder j He 
 did cxprefly forbid all raifing and gathering -together of Souldiers, commanding that 
 the Leaders of them fliould be rigoroufly chaiTifed i and that at the ringing of the 
 "toquefaint^ the Gentry and Commons fhould rife, to defeat, profecute, and cut them 
 in pieces, delivering as many of them as they could into the hands of Jullice, to receive 
 the condign punifliment of their infolency and infurredion : Which Edidt only caufed 
 thofe that drew Forces together to be acknowledged his Enemies, but neither hindered 
 nor Hopped the proceedings of the Confederates. But in the end, it being necefiary 
 to make other provilions, more fit for the quality of the prefent times, after long doubt 
 and uncertainty, he refolved to oppofe the defigns and attempts of the League by him- 
 felf alone , without any intelligence with the Hugonots , hoping to have fb much 
 Itrength as would be fufficient to reftrain them i and thinking that the Hugonots 
 would not only be natural indiiferent fpedlators of the event , without troubling or 
 molefiing him , but that without other union or confederacy , they would give both 
 heat and life unto his enterprifes. But he fcarce began to put this refolution in pra- 
 ctice, when the deceit of that expedation appeared in the weaknefs of his Forces i 
 for though the Sieur de Flenry, Brother-in-law to Secretary Vilkroy^ who was then 
 the Kings Ambafiador in Switzerland , had in a fliort time raifed ten thoufand 
 Foot of that Nation for his Majefties fervicc, yet they being to march thorow the Pro- 
 vinces of Burgogne^ Champagne^ and LyoHols, which were polfefTed by the Heads of the 
 League, their paffage was very uncertain and difficult : and Gaffer Count of Scbom- 
 bergl.\ who was fent to raife Come German Cavalry, being forced to pafs thorow the 
 fame Provinces, was by Commillion from the Duke of Lorain taken prifoncr : for the 
 Duke being fpurred on by the hopes of getting Mett^ Thoul, and Verdun, Cities upon 
 the confines of his State , and long ago taken away by the Kings of France from the 
 Dukes his Predeceflbrs , had at lafi: changed the determination of ftanding Neuter, 
 which he had obferved in all the late combuftions, and confented to the League of the 
 Lords of his own Family. Nor were matters any more fuccefsful within than with- 
 out the Kingdom i for the Nobility divided by the refped of P.eIigion, and theii old 
 fidings not yet forgotten , but revived by thefe new Commotions, came in very un- 
 willingly and in fmall numbers unto the Kings party i the people ill-affeded to his 
 name, did not adminilkr any help unto his necelfity i and the Kings Revenues not 
 only interrupted by the rumour of Armies, but purpofely intercepted by the Heads of 
 the Fadlion, were in great part diminifhed : fo that he was every way dtllitute of the 
 iinews of the War. 
 
 The Heads of the League taking courage from thefe difficulties of the Kings, began 
 boldly to gather Forces , and to give a beginning to the execution of their intended 
 purpofes. The firft breaking forth, was the departure of the Cardinal of Bourbon from 
 the Court i who under colour of keeping Lent at his Biffioprick of Rouen, went to 
 Callion, a fair houfe four leagues from the City, where he was received by a great 
 number of the Gentry of Picardy, and for his fecurity conduded to Feronne, the womb 
 that gave birth unto the League •, where the Duke of Guife being come to meet him, 
 with the Duke of Mj)if»«f his Brother v asalfothe Dukes oi Aumdezn^ Elbeuf, they 
 publifiied a Declaration, which though it fpoke in general under the Name of Catho- 
 lick Peers, Prelates, Princes, Lords, Cities and Corporations of the Kingdom of France^ 
 was yet fubfcribed by the name of the Cardinal of Bourbon alone. The Declaration 
 contained precifely thefe words. 
 
 IN the Name of God Almighty , the King of Kings. Be it manifeii unto all men. 
 That the Kingdom of Frj//cf having for fourteen years laft part been tormented 
 with a peftiferous Sedition, raifed to fubvert the ancient P\eligion of our Fathers, which 
 is the ftrong bond of the State •■, fuch remedies have been applied, as * have proved 
 more fit to nourifli than cure the difeafe i fuch as have only had the name of Peace, 
 but have not eftabliflied it to any , except thofe that had moleftcd it, leaving honeft 
 men fcandali7ed in their Confciences, and engaged in their Fortunes. And in ftead of 
 a remedy for thefe mifchiefs , which in time might have been hoped for, God hath 
 permitted that the late Kings have died young, not leaving as yet any Children able 
 to inherit the Crown , and (to the grief of all good men) hath not yet been pleafed 
 to give any to the King that now reigncth , although his good Subjeds have not, and 
 
 will 
 
 «58S,. 
 
 A Dechration 
 publiflicJ by 
 the Heads of 
 the Cathotick 
 Lea<;uc. 
 ♦(Contrary to 
 thcirMajelties 
 hopes.) 
 Nme, tbit tiit 
 additim^nd alt 
 the other atte- 
 miions and nJ- 
 diil^Tis it tba 
 I'oUcviagDccla' 
 rttiois, ^ini' 
 ing in the mtiT' 
 giKy are accord' 
 i-j to ihtFrincb 
 
 Memories dc 
 U Ligue.
 
 2^2 The Hiflory of the Ctvil Wars 
 
 1585. will not ccafe their moft carncft Prayers, to befeech God of his mercy to fend him 
 foir.e i (b that his Majclty being the only Son remaining of all thofc which his Divine 
 Goodncfs s^ave unto Henry rhc Second ot famous memory, it is too much to be feared 
 (which God forbid; that his Houfe, to our great misfortune, will be extind, with- 
 out hope of llTuci and that about the eftablilhing a Succcffor in the Throne, great 
 tumults will arifc thorow all Cbriftcndom , and perhaps the total fubverfion of the 
 Roman Cathcili.k Aportolick Religion in this moft Chriftian Kingdom, where it would 
 never be endured that an Htrctick fliould Reign, for as' much as the Subjcfts are not 
 bound to acknowledge orfubif.it themfelves to the Dominion of a Prince fallen from the 
 Chriftian Catholick Faith i the hrft Oath which our Kings do take when the Crown is 
 fet upon their heads, being to maintain the Roman Catholick and Apoliolick Religion: 
 by which Oath, and not otherwife, they afterwards receive that of their Subjeds Loy- 
 alty : Yet fince the death of my Lord the Duke oi Ahncor. the Kings Brother, the pre- 
 tenfions of thofe who by publick profeilion have ever (hewed themfelves Perfccutors 
 of the Catholick Church , have been fo favoured and upheld, that it is exceeding ne- 
 ceiTary to make fome wife and fpeedy provilion againft them , for the avoiding of 
 thofe very apparent inconveniencics, the calamities whereof are already known unto 
 all, the remedies to few, and the manner of applying them almod to none: and fo 
 much the rather, becaufe one may eaiily judge, by the great preparations and pradices 
 every where, the raifingof Souldiers as well without as within the Kingdotn , the 
 withholding of Towns and ftrong places which long ago fhould have been delivered 
 up into his Majellies hand, that we are very near the effcds of their evil intentions i 
 being fufficiently informed, that not long fince they have fent to treat with the Prote- 
 ftant Princes of Germany {ot the procuring of Forces, to the end that they may more 
 cafily opprefs all good men , as their defigns aim at no other end, but to fecure and 
 poffefs themfelves of neceffary means todeftroy the Catholick Religion, which is the 
 common intereft of all, efpecially of the Great Ones, who have the honour to hold the 
 rirft and chiefeft Offices and Dignities of this Kingdom , and whom they labour to 
 Tuine in the Kings life-time, nay more, by his authority j to the end that there be- 
 ing no body left who for the time to come can be able to oppofc their defircs, they 
 may more caliiy work that change of the Catholick Religion, which they endeavour i 
 to enrich themfelves with the Patrimony of the Church , following the example of 
 what hath been done in England. Moreover, all the world knows very well, and 
 plainly fees the ad-ions and deportments of fomc , who having infinuated themfelves 
 into the favour of the King our Sovereign, (whofe Majefty hath ever been and (hall be 
 to us moft holy and facred J have in a manner totally pofTeflcd themfelves of his authority, 
 to maintain that greatnefs which they have ufurped, favouring and advancing by all 
 means poflible the cffedts of thofe afcrefaid changes and prctcnfions, and have had both 
 the boldnefs and the power to remove from the private convcrfation ot hisMajeftynot 
 only the Princes and Nobility, but all that naturally are moft near unto him, not ad- 
 mitting any but fuch as arc their own dependents : wherein they have advanced fo far 
 that none of them now have any part in the Government and Adminiftration of the 
 State, nor the whole power belonging to their places', fome having been deprived of the 
 Titles of their Dignities , and others of the Authority, though the empty imaginary 
 names be ftill left unto them. The fame likewife hath been done to many Gover- 
 nouxs of Provinces, Commanders of ftrong (Holds, and other Oflicers, who have been 
 forced to leave and rcfign their places in conllderation of certain fums of money, which 
 they have received againft their wills and defircs , becaufe they durft not contradift 
 thofe that had the power to conftrain them to it. A new example, and never before 
 pradifed in this Kingdom, to get OfHces by m.oney from them to whom they had been 
 given for a reward of their Loyalty and faithful fcrvice, and by this means they have 
 fnade themfelves Mafters of all Forces both by Sea and Land. Nor do they ceafe to 
 endeavour the like daily to others that are in poffelfion \ fo that there is not one of 
 them, who is not in fenr, or who can affure himfclf that his place (hall not be taken 
 from him i notwithftanding that having been bcftowed upon them for their de- 
 ferts, they cannot nor ought not to be deprived of them by the Laws of the King- 
 dom, uniefs for fome juft and rcafonable confideration , or that they have failed in 
 fomething that depends upon them , and that fuch their fault be proved by the 
 means ot Juftice. Moreover, thefc men have drawn into their own hands all the Gold 
 and Silver out of the Kings Coffers , into which they put only the fmallcr fums of 
 
 the
 
 of France, ^he Seventh ^ool^ 
 
 the general receipts , for their particular t>rofits , keeping all the Great Ones at theiif tK^i* 
 own devotion , as alfo all thofe that have the managennent of them i which are the 
 true ways to difpofe of this Crown, and fet it upon whofe head thdy pleafe. And by 
 their avarice it is come to pafs, that abufing the eafinefs of the Subjeds, they have ex- 
 ceeded all bounds, laying flill heavy Taxes upon the poor common people, not only 
 equal to thofe the calamities of War had introduced , which have not at all been Icf^ 
 fened fince the Peace , but much more grievous ones , by infinite other Itnpofitioni 
 growing daily from the greedy appetite of their unbridled wills. Indeed fome glimpfe 
 of hope appeared, when upon the frequent cries and complaints of the wholt King- 
 dom, the Convention of the States General was appointed at B/wV, which Is the an- 
 cient remedy of home-bred evils, and as it were a Conference betvi^een the Prince and 
 People, meeting together upon the terms of their due obedienceon thd one fide, and 
 of the due proteftion on the other i both fworn, both born at the fame time with the 
 Royal Name and Fundamental Rules of the State of France : bW this dear and labo- 
 rious enterprife produced nothing, faving the authorizing of the evil counfel of tome, 
 who feigning themfelves to be good Polititians , were indeed wonderfully ill-affedled 
 to the fervice of God, and the good of the Kingdom j who not b^ing contented to tutri 
 the King (by nature moft inclined to piety) from the holy arid profitable relblu^iori 
 which he had made at the moft humble requeftof all his States, to unite his Subjeds 
 in one only Roman Catholick Apoftolick Religion , to the end they might live in that 
 ancient piety, wherein this Kingdom had been eftablilhed , preferved, and aftervtrards 
 increafed, to become the moft powerful of all Chriftendom ■■> which then might have 
 been effedted without danger , and almoft without refiftance i they perfwaded him 
 quite contrary, that it was neceffary for his Majefties fervice, to weaken and diminifli' 
 the authority of the Catholick Princes and Lords, who with exceeding zeal had infi- 
 nitely hazarded their lives , in fighting under his Banners, for the Defence of the faid 
 Catholick Religion ■■, as if the reputation which they had gained by their vertue and 
 loyalty, had been a means to render them fufpeded, in ftea'd of being honoured and 
 eftecmed. Thus the abufe which began to fwell by little and little, is fince fallen like 
 a torrent from fo violent a precipice, that the poor Kingdom is even upon the point of 
 being overwhelmed by it, having but very flertder hopes of fafety : for the Otder of 
 the Clergy , notwithftanding all the Affemblies and juft Remonftrances which they 
 could make, is now opprefled by extraordinary Tenths and Impofitions , befid'es the 
 ■contempt of the facred things of the Holy Church of God, wherein now all things 
 are taken away and polluted; the Nobility brought to nothing, cnflaved, and un- 
 nobled, and every day miferably burthened with infinite payments and unjuft exadti- 
 ons, which they muft pay to their exceeding damage, if they will fuftain their lives i 
 that is to fay, eat, drink, and clothe themftlves : the Cities, the Kings Officers, and 
 the common people fo heavily laden with the weight of frequent new Impofitions,which 
 they call * htvemions, that there is now no other way to be found, fave the means of *Pio}««s. 
 applying a good remedy againft them. 
 
 For thefe juft caufes and confiderattons, We Charles of Bourbon, firft Prince of the 
 Blood, Cardinal of the Roman Catholick Apoftolick Church, as he whom it moft con- 
 cerns to take into his fafeguard and protection the Catholick Religion in this Kingdom, 
 and the confervation of the good and loyal Servants of hisMajefty and of the State? 
 with the affiftanceof many Princes of the Blood, Cardinals, and other Princes, Peers, 
 Prelates and Officers of the Crown, Governours of Provinces, chief Lords and Gen- 
 tlemen of many Cities and Corporations, and of a great number of good and feithfij 
 Subjects, which make the beft and (bundeft part of this Kingdom , after having pru- 
 dently weighed the motive of this enterprife, and having taken the advice as well of 
 our good Friends who are moft affeftionate to the good and quiet of this Kingdom, 
 as of difcreet underftanding perfons, and fuch as fear God (whom we would not of- 
 fend in this, for any thing in the world} do declare. That we have all fworn and ho- 
 Irly promifed to ufe ftronghand, and take up arms , to the end that the holy Church 
 of God may be reftored unto its dignity, and unto the true and holy Catholick Reli- 
 gion ; and the Nobility Cas they ought) may enjoy their perfedt freedom i and that 
 the people may be eafed , the new Impofition aboliflied, and all additions fince the 
 Reign of Charles the Ninth (whom God abfolve) abfolutdy taken away i that the 
 Parliaments may be left to the freedom of their Confciences, and in entire liberty of 
 their Judgments i and all the Subjeftsof the Kingdom maintained in theif GtoYernmcnts, 
 
 Places^
 
 254 'I he Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1585. places, and Offices, fo that they may not be taken from them , fave only in the three 
 cafes of the ancient Conftitutions , and by thefentence of the ordinary Judges of the 
 Parliaments. That all moneys that fliall be raifed upon the people ftall be imployed 
 in the defence of the Kingdom , and to the end for which they are appointed j and 
 that henceforward the General Afiembly of the States may be held freely without any 
 praftices every three years at leaft , with perfcd liberty for every one to complain of 
 thofe grievances , againft which there is no due provifion made. Thefe things and 
 others which fliall be more amply and particularly fet down, are the fubjedt and argu- 
 ment of the raifing Arms, which are now taken up for the leftauration oi France^ the 
 maintenance of the good, the puniflimcnt of the bad, and the fecurity of our perfons, 
 which fome have often , and that not many days fince, laboured to opprefs, and ut- 
 terly ruine by fecret confpiracies , as if the fecurity of the State depended upon the 
 deftrudtion of good men, and of thofe that fo often have hazarded their lives to pre- 
 ferve it : We having no other means left to fave us from that mifchief , and to divert 
 the knife that already is at our very throats, but to have recourfe to thofe remedies 
 which wc have always abhorred i %vhich yet are excufable. and ought to be accounted 
 juft, when they are neceflary, and applied by principal authority, and with which 
 we would not yet help our felves at this prefent, for the danger of our eftates, if the 
 ruine of the Catholick Religion in this Kingdom, and of the State, were not infepa- 
 rably joined unto it : for whofc prefervation we fliall never fear any danger, believing 
 we cannot chufe a more honourable Funeral, than to die in (b holy and juft a Quar- 
 rel, and to acquit our felves of the debt and obligation which as good ChrilHans we 
 owe to the fervice of God i and as good and faithful Subjedis to hinder the fubverfion 
 of the State, which would certainly follow the faid alterations. Protefting that we 
 do not take up Arms againft our Sovereign Lord the King, but for the guard and jufl: 
 defence of his Perfon, Life and State, for which we all fwear and promifc to expofe 
 our fortunes and lives to the laft drop of our blood, with the fame fidelity as we have 
 done in times paft, and to lay down our Arms immediately, when it fliall pleafe his 
 Majefty to take away the danger that threatens the ruine of Gods Service, and fo 
 many good men > which we humbly bcfecch him fpeedily to do, giving tefl'imony to 
 all men by good and true effedts, that he is indeed a moft Chriftian King, indued with 
 the fear of God, and hath ingraven in his heart the zeal of the Catholick Religion, as 
 we have always known him, and as it befits a good Father, and a King that is moft 
 affedionate to the prefervation of his Subje(Ss » whith his Majefty performing, he fliall 
 be fo much the more obeyed, acknowledged and honoured by us, and by all his other 
 Subjedls with moft obfequious reverence, which we defire more than any thing in the 
 world. And though it would not be very far from reafon, that the King fliould be 
 requefted by an open Declaration to provide a Succeflbr, that during his life, and af- 
 ter his death thepeoplecommitted to him may not be divided into iides and fadiions 
 by the diiferences about Succertion i yet are we fb little moved with any fuch confi- 
 deration, that the calumny of thofe that upbraid us with it, will prove to have no 
 ground at all i for befides that the Laws of the Kingdom are known, and clear enough, 
 the hazard alfo into which We the Cardinal of B Z^ R £ N do put our felf in our 
 old age and latter days , doth give fufficient affurance , that we are not fwelled with 
 fuch hope and vanity, but only fpurrcd on by true zeal of Religion, which makes us 
 pretend to a part in a more fecure Kingdom, the enjoyment whereof is more la/ling 
 and more defirable. Wherefore our intention being fuch , we do all of us together 
 humbly beefeech the Queen, Mother to the King, our moft honoured Lady, (with- 
 out whofe wifdom and prudence the Kingdom would long ago have been loft and de- 
 ftroyedj by the faithful teftimony which (he can, will, and ought to give of our great 
 fervices, but in particular, of Us the Cardinal of BO VR BON, who have always 
 honoured, fervcd and affifted her in her moft important affairs, without fparing our • 
 Eftate, Ivife, Friends or Kindred, to ftrengthen with her the Kings party, and the Ca- 
 tholick Religion, that flie will not forfake us now at this time ■■> but to imploy all that 
 credit with the King her Son , which her pains and troublefom labours ought juftly to 
 defcrve, and which her Enemies difloyally would have robb'd her of. We alfb ear- 
 neftly intreat all the Princes, Peers of France, Officers of the Crown, Prelates, Lords, 
 Gentlemen, and others of what quality fbever they be, who are not yet joined with 
 us, that they would favour and alfift us with all their power, toward the execution of 
 fo good and fo holy a work ; And we exhort all Towns and Corporations, if they 
 
 love
 
 of France. The Seventh ^oo^ 26 < 
 
 love their own prefervation, fo confider briefly ofour intentions, and to acknowledge isSs* 
 the cafe and quiet which may thereby redound to them, as well in publick as domefti- 
 ca! aifairs i and fo doing, to lay hand to this good work, which cannot but profper, 
 with the grace of God, to whom we remit all things^ or at leaft, if their opinions and 
 tefblutions cannot fo foon be united (their Councels being compofed of many ^ wead- 
 monilli them to open their eyes, and look to their own affairs, and in the mean time not 
 to let themfelves be tempted by any body, nor feduced by them, who, out of fbmc li- 
 nifter interpretation ofour intentions, would poflefs themfelves of their aforefaid Ci- 
 ties, and putting Garrifbns of Soldiers into them, would reduce them to the fame fervi- 
 tude which thofe other places feel that are already in their hands. We further declare 
 unto all, That we will not ufe any adt of hoftility, fave againft thofe that (liall oppofe 
 us with Arms, and by other unfitting means favour our Adverfaries, who feek to ru- 
 inc the Church , and fubvert the State : And we aflure every one. That our jult and 
 holy Armies fhall not injure nor opprefs any body, either in palling through, or flay- 
 ing in any place v'but (hall live in good difclpline, and not take any thing but whaC 
 they pay for. We will alfo receive unto our felves all thofe good men which have ' 
 zeal to the honor of God, and of the Holy Church, and of the good and reputation of 
 the French moft Chriftian Religion i with proteftation notwithftanding never to lay 
 down our Armes till the aforefaid things be fully performed i and rather all willingly 
 to die in that caufe, with a defire to be heaped up together in one Sepulchre, confecrated 
 to the lali: Frenchmen who died fighting for the fervice of God and of their Country. 
 Finally, fince all our help mult come from God, we pray all true Catholicks to put them- 
 felves with us in a good condition, to reconcile themfelves to his Divine Majefty, by a 
 thorough reformation of their lives, to appeafe his wrath, and to call upon him with pu- 
 rity of Confcience, as well in publick Prayers and holy ProcelTions, as private and parti- 
 cular devotions, to the end that all our adtions may tend to the honor and glory of him 
 who is the Lord of Hof^^ from whom we expedl all our force, and our mok certain fup- 
 port. 
 
 Tothefe words the Heads of the League adding deeds no lefs effcdlual. began to 
 make themfelves Maifers of many Cities and Fortrelfes, fome by fecret practices, fome 
 by open force of Armes '■> for, being drawn with an Army that already muftered 12000 
 righting men, to ^fr^^w/?, a City upon the Confines of the Duke of L«riZ/«, though the ''■r'<K», the 
 Governor behaving himfclf gallantly, laboured to defend it, yet one Giiittald^ a man of kcniyt'hVAt^ 
 great authority with the Citizens, being fccretly got into the Town, made them, the "TJ °^ ^^^ 
 next day after the fiege was laid, to take Armes, to poffefs themfelves of the Gates, * '"*"' 
 and to bring in the Army of the Confederates, which uproie the Governor courage- 
 ouflyoppofed i but having very fmall Forces, was eafily overcome : for the Duke of 
 Gtafe himfelf being entred the City, drove him out with all thofe that followed him •, 
 and having put Guittjld in his place, the City remained abfolutely at the devotion of 
 the League. The City of T/w// followed the example ofVerdun ; for, riling in Arms, 
 and driving out the Kings Officers, it gave it ftlf up voluntarily into the hands of the 
 League. The fame would perchance have happened at Metz a Fortrefs and City of 
 great confequcnce, if the Duke of Efpermn^ who had the Government of it, forefeeing 
 the danger, had not in time put in Gentlemen and Soldiers from feveral places, by 
 which relief the Garrifon being confirm d , which of it fclf was wont to be very 
 ffrong, as a place of importance upon the Frontiers , the Duke of Gttife thought not 
 fit to make any attempt, either not having fufKcient Forces to befiege it, or doubting 
 he fhould fpend fo much time about it, as would prejudice his main defign. 
 
 At the fame time happened a Commotion in the City of MarfeiUex, the chief Port The infur- 
 of Proveitce^ and a place infinitely defired by thofe of the League, that they might ^^'^,'^,"„,*' 
 more eafily, and by a fliorter cut, receive fupplies (wm Spain: They had drawn to 
 their party Lank Varies Conful of the City, and Claude Boniface^ called Chabanes, one 
 of the City Captains, whereof the firff being a man of a tyrannical nature, defired to 
 attain to the abfolute Government i the other afpiring to the inheritance of his Bro- 
 ther, who was one of the Kings Treafurers (a rich, but a very covetous man) had 
 wickedly confpired to kill him, and therefore defired that tumult and infurrecftion of 
 the people, that he might the more conveniently execute his defign. Thcfe having 
 gained a rabble of followers, made up of all forts and qualities of people, went by night 
 to the Treafurers houfe, and calling him to the door, under pretence of delivering him 
 certain LetterSj flew him treacherou/ly, and after ran armed through the whole Town, 
 
 M m exhorting
 
 25j5 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 l-sS?. exhorting the People to Liberty, and the defence of Religion, which they proclaimed 
 to be in very great danger, by the machinations of forreign Hugonots. The common 
 People being \ip, they took and led to prifon feme that were reported Hugonots i o- 
 thers they flew, and many hid themfelves in private houfes,the greateft part of the Ci- 
 tizens being as it werealtoniflied , by reafonof that fudden taking up of Armes,and 
 of the Gonfuls and Captains authority, who, with the fame fury, made themfelves Ma- 
 fters of the Forts that command the Haven. They prefently difpatched an Exprefs, to 
 give notice of this to Lndovko Gon^ago Duke of Nevers^ who thinking, that the revolt 
 of the City was tobeeffeded by other means, and, without thofe wicked pradices, 
 which were caufed by private interefts i under pretence of going to Rome, itayed by 
 the way at Avignon^ with hope, that the deiign of Marfeilles fucceeding, hefliould, by 
 the League, be made Governor of Provence i and they alfo fent for Monficur de Vins^ 
 and the Count ds Sanx,i\\zt they,as being neareft,might come to aiTift them : But they 
 delaying to come,the day following,when the firft fury of the people began to cool, and 
 that the wickednefs of Chabanes againft his own brother was come rO light, the multi- 
 tude of thofe that were up in Armes began by little and little to fall afunder , and 
 one of the gravcft Citizens for age, and of moft authority and efteem, named Bouquier^ 
 having called the people to a parley, exhorted every one to take Armes againft thofe 
 feditious men, and to endeavour the punifhment of the murther committed by Cha^ 
 banes ■■, at which, the greater and ftronger part of the Citizens being moved (who, 
 as in a City of great Traffick, jealous of their own wealth, were very fufpiciousj took 
 Armes generally, and began to fall upon thofe that had raifed the Tumult : They fent 
 alfo in great hafte to call the Grand Prior of Frjwf, Baftard Brother to the King, and 
 Governor of that Province, who was then at Aix^ at whofe coming, which was fpec- 
 dy,though with no more then two hundred Horfe, the People following his authority 
 with a very great concoutfe, the Fort de la Garde was taken, and in it the Conful P<?- 
 »vf/, and Captain Chabanes ^ who the next morning were executed i by which fe- 
 verity, the City was kept free from thofe dangers, and under the Kings obedience. 
 
 The like fuccefs had the defigns upon the City of Boitrdeanx in Guienne ■■, for the 
 Confederates attempting to make themfelves Mafters of it by means of the Caftle, 
 commonly called Ch.ijiea de la Irompctte , whereof the Governor was the Sieur de 
 VaMac, one of thofe tiiat had figned to the League, the Marefcal de Matigmn (Lieu- 
 tenant to the King of Navarre in the Government of that Province, but a Catholick, 
 depending upon the King, and refiding in the Town) having had notice of all that 
 was plotted, made fhow of holding a general Councel in the Palace, to communicate 
 unto all fbme Orders received from the Court, and, among the reft, drew thither al(b 
 the Sieur «/f Valliac, who did not yet fo much asdreamhimfelf to be at all fufpedied ; 
 There, having made them that were met together, acquainted with the revolt that 
 was contriving, he imprifoned Villiac, and at the fame inftant caufed Artillery to be 
 planted againft theCaftle, threatning to put the Governor of it to death, if they 
 within (hould dare to ftioot againft the Town j by which threats, and the refolute na- 
 ture of Matigmn, Villijc being terrified, commanded his men prefently to deliver up 
 theFortrefsi which, with new Fortifications, and a ftrong Garrifon, was ever after 
 kept at the Kings devotion, under the command of Matigmn. 
 
 But thefe fuccefTes were little confiderable, in comparifon of the frequent revolts 
 which followed in other parts of the Kingdom > for thofe of the League beginning 
 freely to declare themfelves, the Sieur de Mandelott Governoi of Lyons hzd taken and 
 demolifhed the Cittadel there j the Sieur de la Chajire had put Bourges into the power of 
 the Leaguev the Sieur d' E«/raiy«e/,having driven thofe of the Kings party out oWrleans^ 
 had made himfelf abfolutely Mafter of it i the Count de Brijfac with the City of Angiers, 
 and others of his Governmcnt,had manifeftly united himfelf with the Confederates i the 
 Dukeof(j«//e, inperfon, hadpofTelTed himfelf of Mfzifr.''j-,a City of importance in the 
 Confines ofChdimpagne ; the Dake of Mayenne had taken theCaftlcand City of Dijon in 
 Bourgogne ; and, at lengrh,with a ftrong Army they were come to Chalons in Champagne^ ■ 
 the-place appointed for their Magazine of Armes,and for the bafis and foundation of the 
 War. There they determined toexpedt the Forccs,both Horfe and Foot,which had been- 
 leavied in Germany, with Spanifh mony, and which they had intelligence began to move 
 towards Lon-.ji« : and whilft they advanced, the Duke ofGwfe leaving the Duke of May- 
 enne to Command the Army, with the Dukes of Aitmaleznd Elbeuf-^ himfelf, with 
 a feleft number of Horfe , was gone to Peronne , from whence , with infinite 
 demonftrations of honour, he condutaed the Cardinal of BOVKBON to Cha- 
 
 lont.
 
 o/" France. The Seventh ^oo{, 267 
 
 ions, to give reputation with his Name and Prefence, to the proceedings of the League, 1 58 5. 
 to fhow him in the Army, and to make ufe of him as of a fhieldandbulwark in the fa- 
 ture War. 
 
 Againft thefe fo powerful, and fo near prepartions of the League, the King made 
 oppofition both by words and adlions, as much as he was able i and tirft of all he an- 
 fwered their Declaration with another of the folio wing tenure. 
 
 ' A ^^^^"S'^ ^^^ ^'"8 ^^'^ ^y Letters and Commands already many times admoniflied The Kings an. 
 /-^ his Subjeds, nottolet themfelves beperfwaded, nor counfelled,by fome who en- fwcrtothe 
 
 deavour to ftir them up , and intice them into their AlTociation, and, by fo doing, ^u"i'rfhVd'''"» 
 to lead them aftray from their own repofe i and hath likewife offered and promifed '•"= tathoiick 
 Pardon to thofe, who, being already engaged, fliould withdraw themfelves, as foonas ''"S'"- 
 they were informed of his intentions: yet his Majeiiy having, to his great difcontent, 
 underftood, that notwithftanding his faid Commands and favourable advertifemcnts, 
 fome of his Subjeds do not ceafe to enter into the faid Aflbciations, induced thereto 
 by divers interefts, but the moft part dazled and deceived by the fair fpecious colours, 
 which the Authors of thofe Infurredtions give to their defigns : His Majefty hath 
 thought fit, for the univerfal good of all his Subjeds, and for the difcharge of his own 
 Confcience towards God, and of his reputation toward the World, againft thofe ar- 
 tifices, tofet forth the light of Truth ( the true confolation of the good, and capital 
 enemy of the bad) to the end that his Snbjecfts, being guided by the clecrnefs of it, 
 may know, and difcern,in time, and without impediment, the Original and end of fuch 
 Commotions, and by that means may come to avoid thofe miferies and calamities, both 
 publick and private , which are like to arife from them. 
 
 The Pretences which the Authors of thefe llirs do take, are principally grounded 
 upon the Reftauration of the Roman Catholick Apoftolick Religion in this Kingdom , 
 upon thedifpofing of the Dignities and Offices thereof to thofe to whom they are juftly 
 due, and upon the good, honour, and disburtheningof the Clergy, Nobility, and Com- 
 mons : All which things are by real, not difguifed effedls, known to every one to be 
 fo dear and precious to his Majefty, that, none can truly doubt of his intentions there- 
 in, fo that it doth not appear , it was nece/Tary to ftir up his Subjeds, to put them in 
 arms, and raife forreign Forces to make him confent to the Articles which they (hall 
 propofe, in cafe they be juft, poiTIble, and profitable for his People. For, as concerning 
 Religion, His Majefty, before he came to the Crown, hath too often expofed his own 
 life, righting happily for the propagation.of it i and iince it pleafed God to call him to 
 the Government of this Kingdom, hath too often hazarded his State unto the fame end, 
 and ufed his beft means, with the lives and fortunes of his good Subjedls and Servants, 
 to perfwade them at this prefent, and to gain their belief, that no man whofoever in 
 this Kingdom or elfewhere, of what profellion focver h3 be, hath more Piety and Reli- 
 gion in his heart, than he hath alwayes had, and by the Grace of God ever will have. 
 And if according to the example of the King his Brother of famous memory, and of 
 itiany other Princes of Chriftendom (whofe Kingdomes and States have been troubled 
 with different opinions in Religion jhis Majefty, with the prudent advice of the Queen 
 his Mother , of my Lord the Cardinal of Bom-bon^ and other Princes, Oflicers of the 
 Crown, and Lords of his Councel, who then were near about him, pacified the Tu- 
 mults that were amongft his Subjedts about matter of Faith, waiting, till it fhould 
 pleafe God to unite them all in the bofome of the Holy Church i it doth not there- 
 fore follow, that his fervour and devotion , in what concerns the glory of God, and 
 the perfedt reftauration of the Roman Catholick Apoftolick Church, fliould iince be 
 changed, or lefs at this prefent, than he fliewcd it to be during the faid troubles. But, 
 fo far is it from being fo, that his Majefty defires every one may know, that he made 
 the faid Peace purpofely to try, if by means of it, he could reunite his Subjeds in the 
 Church of God, which the malice and licentioufnefs of the times had feparated from it> 
 having fo long proved, with the hazard of his Perfon and State, and with the price 
 of the blood of a great number of Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, and others of his Sub- 
 lets, who loft their lives in thofe broils , that the difcord raifed about Religion, and 
 that took root in this Kingdom, during the minority of the late King his brother,and 
 of himfelf, to the great grief of the Queen their Mother, could not be fetled by the 
 way of Armes, without deftroying his faid Subjedts , and putting his Kingdom into 
 evident danger. Wherefore his Majefty refolved for Peace, vrhen once he found that 
 
 Mm 2 aU
 
 '.6S 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1585. 
 
 [* Which 
 wouM 110' 
 have come to 
 pafs, if intlic 
 AflVmlily of 
 the States Gc- 
 reral hfUl at 
 B.iii(,when the 
 Deputies (in- 
 duceJthercun- 
 to liy hi« Ma- 
 jcftirs feivent 
 alfcSion to 
 the eatholick 
 Relioioii) hid 
 tequiftcJ him 
 utteily to pro- 
 hibit the cx- 
 ercifc o> tiie 
 prerenJet^ rc- 
 fotmeil Rcli- 
 f>ion in this 
 KiapJon-.e , 
 (whercu,«on 
 followed the 
 dctcnnination 
 which was 
 theve tak-n 
 and fwi in • 
 whidi liii Nl^' 
 jtilyhath fince 
 labourcil to 
 txecute) thty 
 haJ at the 
 fame tim: 
 ptoviJcd a 
 ccrtam ftock 
 of Money to 
 profecute that 
 Wat unto-ithe 
 enJ, as it was 
 Dtce/faiy to 
 do, and as it 
 was motion- 
 ed by His Ma- 
 jcfty] 
 * Ana they 
 would now 
 have had no 
 pretence of 
 tomplaint, 
 whoncverthe- 
 Itfs puhhlli, 
 &c Mum' de 
 li Lgue, 
 
 all forts of Perfons were tyred and aflBided by the too long continuance of thofe fai<J 
 Tumults, and tliat he wanted the means of (iipplying any longer the expcnces of fo 
 dcllrudive a War. [_* Which would not have come to pafs, if in the Affembly of the 
 States General of this Kingdom, held at B/om , the Deputies who were there, had 
 made rcqucft unto His Majeliy, to prohibit abfolutely the exercife of the pretended re- 
 formed Religion in this Kingdom i for then that courfe would not have been decreed 
 wliich was "here taken and Sworn to, and which his Majefty laboured to put in exe- 
 cution, with thofe conditions which are clearly cxpreflcd in it. For, if it had been 
 concluded in good earncll to profecute the War, care would likewife have been taken 
 to provide a certain ftock of money from time to time, to maintain it till the end, as 
 it was ncccifary to do, and as his Majefty infifted that they would •, ] * and they (liould 
 then have had no pretence of complaint, who ncvcrthelefs jbubliOi, That every one 
 was quickly deprived of that glympfe of good hope which appeared to them at the 
 rcfoliition taken by the States ■, though it be neither decent nor lawful for a Subjecft 
 to judge of the adions of his King, if for no other rcafon, but becaufe he is often igno- 
 rant of the fecret caufes that are the motives of his commands, which foraetimes are 
 more pregnant then thofe that are apparent, and known tb everyone i it not belong- 
 ing to any one to do fo, fave onely to God the Searcher and ]udge of all hearts, and 
 of the adions of Princes, who knowes the caufes that then forced his Majelly to con- 
 clude Peace before any thing elfe i being certain, that if he had deferred fo to do, this 
 Kingdom would, in a moment, have been filled with Forraign Forces, and with di- 
 verfe Fadions , and new divillons, which would have been wonderfully prejudicial 
 to the State. His Majclly therefore, to prevent all the atorefaid inconveniences, to 
 hinder theeffedsof them, and to try the beft remedies, condefcended totheaforefaid 
 Peace i and not to fettle and elhblifh Herelie in this Kingdom (2s is publilhed abroad,) 
 for fuch a thought never entred into the mind of fogood, and fo Chriftian a Prince, 
 as is his Majclly v who, having forcfeen , felt and proved the difficulties of War, 
 thought fit fo much the fooner to confent unto the aforefaid Peace, to the end, that by 
 means thereof, he might at Icaft fatisfie his good Subjeds, with that eafe, which they 
 expeded from thofe other points propounded and required in the AlTembly of the 
 faid States General, for thepublick good of the Kingdom j Peace and concord be- 
 ing the principal ncceflary foundation for the eftabliftiingof good Laws, and the refor- 
 mation of manners i which bufinefles His Majefly hath lince continually profecuted,as 
 appears by the Edids and Conftitutions made for that purpofe, which he hath la- 
 boured to caufe to be obferved and put in execution i and if his intention hath not 
 been fulfilled according to his defire, it hath been very much to his grief, and it may 
 be alfo as well through the negligence of fome of his Officers, and tlirough the cun- 
 ning of his evil-willersi as by reafon of the advantage and footing, which wicked- 
 nefs, corruption, and difobedience had taken in this Kingdom, during the faid War. 
 By that Peace many Cities full of Citizens and Catholick inhabitants, were freed from 
 Soldiers that had feifed upon themi and the exercifeof the Roman Catholick Apolio- 
 lick Religion was reftored to its being, as by the diligence and care of his Majefty, it is 
 brought to pafs in almoft all the Towns of this Kingdom, wherein neverthelefs thofe 
 that make profefsionof the faid pretended reformed Religion, have, fince thofe Com- 
 motions been, and at this prefent are ftill the ftrongeft, and by whom the faid exercife 
 had till then been banifhed, both before and fince he came unto the Crown. Like- 
 wife the face of Juftice hath appeared in them, and if not fo fully and perfedly as 
 might have been defired ; yet fo, that fometimes it hath had fufficient ftrength to re- 
 lieve the good, and terrifie the bad. The Prelates and Clergy-men are fctled again 
 in their Churches, and in the pofTellion of thofe goods that were taken from them. 
 The Nobility hath been able to live fecurely in their own houfes, without being lia- 
 ble to thofe cxpences they were wont to make during the War, to keep themfelves 
 from being fuddenly furprifcd. The Citizen, deprived of his polfeirion , and wan- 
 dring about the Country with his Family, is alfo entred again into his own houfe, by 
 means of the faid Peace. The Merchant hath likewife wholly betaken himfelf again 
 unto his Traffick, which was interrupted by occafion of the faid Tumults And the 
 poor Pcafant, prelfed down under the weight of intolerable burthen, proceeding from 
 the unbridled liberty of the Soldier, hath had means to breathe, and have recourfc un- 
 to his ordinary labour, to fuftain the poverty of his life. Briefly, there is no kind of 
 Eftate 01 Perfon, that hath not effedually fliared in the fruit and benefit of that Peace. 
 
 And,
 
 of France. The Seventh 'Boo{, ^260 
 
 And, as his Majcfty hath alwayes been moft jealous of Gods honour, and as foli- 15^5. 
 citous of the publick good of his Subjedts, as a moft Chriftian anJ truly good Prince 
 ought to be i knowing, that the evils and calamities of a State dofpring chiefly from 
 the want of true Piety and Juftice, he hath, lince the faid Peace, continually laboured 
 to fet thofe two Pillars up again, which the violence of (he faid Tumults, had, as it 
 were, overturned, and thrown to the ground ; and that he might fo do, had begun to 
 nominate fuch perfons to Ecclefiaftical dignities that have cure of Souls, as were Ht 
 and capable, and fuch as are ordained by the holy Decrees. He hath alfo invited his 
 Subjeds , by his example , to reform their manners, and to fly unto the Grace and 
 Mercy of God by Prayer and Aufterity oflife, which hath confirmed the Catholicks in 
 the duty towards the Divine Majefty, and moved fome of thofe, that were feparated 
 from the Church of God, to reunite thcmfelves unto it. He hath alfo gracioufly ta- 
 ken time to hear the difcourfes and complaints of the Clergy ( after having given 
 them leave to meet together for that purpofe j and provided amply and favourably for 
 them, having fince rather eafed then burthened them vvith new extraordinary Tenths, 
 without having any refpedl to the neceffity of his own affairs, ■^ being very forry, that [« whitfoe- 
 he could not alfo free them from the payment of the ordinary ones, having, when he vcrisputiift. 
 came to the Crown, found them engaged for the payment of the rent of the Tov/n- 'rlry ]"iw°«' 
 houfe of Pari.'. The faid Prelates and Clergy-men have likewife had conveniency <*' '* ^'i"'- 
 by His Majeftics permiirion,to call and hold their Provincial Councels,by means where- 
 of, they have confultcd and provided for the reformation of abufes, introduced into ^ 
 the Church during the faid Tumults i and have m.ade many very good and holy Or- 
 dinances for the Government of if,which have been commended and approved by his 
 Majefty. Thefe are the fruits, and publick general advantages, which the Church of 
 God, and the Roman Catholick Apoftolick Religion have reaped from the aforcfaid 
 Peace, befides infinite other private and particular ones, which it would be too long 
 to recount. 
 
 Then, as concerning Juftice i every one knowes the pains his Majefty hath taken 
 in drawing it out of the darknefs where thofe troubles had buried it, to fet up the 
 light thereof again in its firft force and ancient fplendor : having, by death, difannulled 
 thofe Offices that were fupernumerary, and moreover prohibited the fale of the faid 
 Offices, which thenecellity ofmioney had forced his Predeceflbrs to introduce, with- 
 out having any regard of his own wants, though they were no lefs then thofe of his 
 Predeceflbrs. Befides that, his Majefty hath excluded all Pardons and ^ n'ocations * Evocation 1% 
 which in times paft were wont to be difpatched by his own will and plcafure, know- of ciuftsfc'ol 
 ing, that the hope of the one gives encouragement to wickednefs, and the too much ""'t^""" "* 
 eafinefs of granting the other , brought a confufion in matters of Juftice. Moreo- 
 ver, His Majefty, fince the faid Peace, hath had opportunity, to fend Courts, compo- 
 fed of the Officers of the Parliament of P^^Wi-, into divers Provinces of this Kingdom, 
 to do Juftice to his Subjeds upon the place, from whence that fruit hath been ga- 
 thered, which every one hath tafted, and which yet would have been greater, to the 
 great contentment of good men, if his good intentions had been better alhfted by thofe 
 who naturally, and by the particular obligation of their Offices, were bound to do fo. 
 But, as the misfortune of the times hath made feme fobold, as to attribute the faults 
 of others to his Majefty i (b the corruption and malignity of them hath been filled with 
 fb much impudence and indifcretion, that many have alfo taken plcafure to defame his 
 moft holy and beft adrions, and in that manner gain them.felves credit at the coft of 
 his reputation: and have had fo high a degree of boldnefs, as to interpret too too 
 much rigour and feverity, that laudable refolution he had taken , to make the Senten- 
 ces and Decrees of the faid Courts be executed againft Malefaiftors. Thus his Maje- 
 fty, having by thefe means begun to provide for the fetting up again of thefe two 
 Pillars, the true and onely foundations ^ of all Monarchy, had promifed himfelf, that he * ("And pre- 
 fiiould fettle and reftore them abfolutely by the continuation of Peace, if God had j'j""^-'^^^."'' 
 been fo merciful to him, as to make his Kingdom and Subjeds worthy of it. Which, 
 it appears, having been as foon feared, as forefeen by thofe, who at this prefent 
 would ftir up his Subjeds to take Arms , but under colour of providing for both 
 their points: They do alfo publifh, that they have taken Armes to prevent thofe 
 troubles, which they fay they fear will happen after the death of his Majefty, about 
 the eftablifhment of a Succeflbr , to the prejudice of the Roman Catholick Apo- 
 ftolick Religion : being perfwaded ( or at leaft publiftiing that they are fo } 
 
 thac
 
 2^o l^be Btflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1%%%. that his Majefiy, or they that are near him, do favour the pretcnfioris of thofe, who 
 ' have alwayes fliewed themfelves perfecutors of the faid Religion v a thing which 
 
 his Majefty prayes and admonifnes his Subjeds to believe he never fo much as thought i 
 for being yet (God be thanked) in the force and flower of his age, and in perfedt 
 health, as alfo the Qtiecn his Wife, he hopes that God will give him iflue, to the uni- 
 verfarcontcntment of his good and loyal Subjects. And it feems unto his Majefiy to 
 be too great a forcing of time and nature , and too great a diftruft of the mercy and 
 goodnefs of God, of the health and life of his Majeity , and of the fruitfulnefs of the 
 Qiieen his Wife, to move fuch a queftion at this prefent, and after to go about to de- 
 cide it by force of Arms. For, in Head of freeing, and curing.this Kingdome of the 
 evil, which they pretend to fear may one day come to pafs ■■> for that caufe, they go di- 
 red'ly about to hallen the paines and mortal efleds of it, by beginning a War now up- 
 on that occafion : it being certain, that by means thereof, the Kingdom will be quickly 
 filled with Forreign Forces, with Fadions and endlefs difcords, with blood, llaugh- 
 ter, and infinite murthers and robberies. And fee now how the Catholick Religion 
 will be eflabliflied , how the Clergy-man will be disburthened of Tenths , how the 
 Gentleman will live in quiet and fecurity in his own houfe, and how he will tnjoy his 
 Rights and Priviledges, how Cities, and the inhabitants in them will be exempt from 
 Sarrifons, and how the poor people will be free from the Taxes and Impofitions that 
 lie upon them. His Majeily exhorts and admonifhes his Subjedls to open their eyes 
 hcre,and not to perfwade themfelves that this War will end fo eafily as they give out » 
 but to comprehend, and maturely confider the inevitable confeqnences of it, and not 
 to fuffcr their reputation to be blemiflied, and their Armes to ftrve for inftruments of 
 r« whoontiy their Countries ruine, and the greatnefs of thofe that are enemies of it*. For, whilft 
 will triumph, blinded to our own good we fliall Hght againll one another, fuccoured in appearance , 
 wL"e'of 'he but in effed fomented by their alliltancc, they will reign happily, and eftablifli their 
 pubUcTc mile- Q^j^ power. They complain alfoof the diftribution of Offices and Honors in this 
 mi'ie'"3Mm Kingdom; faying, that thofe are deprived of them, who have defervcd beft in his 
 ie uigKt. Jvlajellies fervicc: a weak and difl-ionourable foundation to build the ruine and fub- 
 verlion of fo flourifliing a Kingdom, whofe Kings were never conilrained to make ufe 
 of one more then of another, for there is no La w obliges them to do fo, fave that of the 
 good of their own fervice. Yet hath his Majefiy alwayes honoured and favoured 
 the Princes of his Blood, as much as any of his Prcdeceflbrs, and hath fhewed a de- 
 fire to advance others in credit, honor, and reputation, by employing them in his fer- 
 vice: for every time his Majefiy hath raifed Armies, or drawn Forces together, he hath 
 committed the charge and condud unto them,preferring them before all others i and if 
 it be confidered, who thofe are that even now hold thegreatcft and mofl iioncurable 
 Offices in the Kingdom, it will be found, that they, who are faid to be the Authors of 
 thofe complaints, have more caufe to acknowledge the goodnefs and favour of his Ma- 
 jefiy, than to murmur againflhim, and depart from him.But they fay, they havconely 
 the name of them, and that in eifcd: they are deprived of the priviledges which belong 
 onto their faid Offices, which are ufurped by others. Now, befcre we judge of the 
 juflnefs of fuch a complaint, it would be neceffary to fee and touch the ground of the 
 rights and preeminences attributed to every Office, and toconlider how, and by what 
 perfons they have been ufed in the times of the Kings his PredecefiTors ■■, a thing often 
 propounded by His Majefiy, defirous to regulate the Offices of every one, and which 
 long ago would have been cleered and decided, if his good intention had been fecond- 
 cd and alTifled,as it ought to have been, by thofe very men, that have interefts in them. 
 But, (hall it be faid at this prefent, and left unto poflerity, that private interefls and dif- 
 contents were the occafions of overturning a whole State , and of filling it with 
 blood and defolation ? This is not the way that ought to be taken for the regulating of 
 thofe abufes whereof they fo much complain, having to deal with a moil pious Prince, 
 who will ever oppofe that mifchief, and readily imbrace thofe fitting convenient reme- 
 dies which (hall be propofed unto him to provide againft them. 
 
 Wherefore, let Armes be laid down, let forreign Forces be fent home to their own 
 Countries, and let this Kingdom be free from that danger that it incurres by this In- 
 furredtion and taking up of Armes ■■, and, in flead of following that way, full of difficul- 
 ties,and both publick and private miferies and calamities, let that of reafon and duty 
 be fought out, laid hold on, and followed i by means whereof the holy Church of God, 
 an Enemy to all violence, will be more qafily reflored to its vigour and fplcn- 
 
 dor.
 
 o/" France. The Seventh ^oo^ 27! 
 
 dor, anJ the Nobility fatisned and contented as it ought to be. For which of the iS^Sv 
 Kings, His Majefties Predeceffors, hath flrewed more love and favour tothatOrdei: 
 then his Majefty hath done ? not having been contented to prefer it to the ancient ancj 
 principal honours and dignities of the Kingdom ■■> but hath alfo purpofely crefted 
 and founded new ones, which he hath dedicated to the honour of the true Nobi- 
 lity, having excluded all other kinds of perfons from them. His Majelly will alfo, at 
 the fame time, provide ior the cafe of his People, as he hath already very well be- 
 gun to do, and deiireth to continue to the uttermoit of his power. And although the 
 Heads of this War do promife, that their Forces fliall live info good difcipline, that 
 every one fliall commend them for it > and do alfo admonifli the Jnhabitants of Ci- 
 ties not to receive any Garrifons into them i yet it is already feen, how the Soldiers, 
 which they have gathered together, do commit infinite outrages and villanies, and that 
 they themfelves have put Forces into thofe Cities and Places which they have ta- 
 ken, to govern and keep them at their own devotion. Belides that, it is moll: certain, 
 that many Vagabonds, which can do nothing but mifchief,will rife up, as thecuftome is, 
 who, under the name and protedion of either fide, will commit infinite Robberies, 
 Murthers and Sacriledges: fo that in fteadof putting an end to that danger, which 
 threatens the ruine of Gods Service, and of good men, as they promife to do by this 
 War, it will fill this Kingdom with all impiety and ^ dilTolutenefs. They alfo pub- * DefoUtion. 
 lifl\, that their perfons and lives are in danger of Treachery, and that that is one of the l^^"'. ''' '* 
 caufes that moves them to take up armes. None can believe fuch an imputation can at 
 all concern his Majefty ^ by nature fo far from any kind of Revenge, that the man is *(Asweiiby 
 yet unborn, who can, with reafon, make any fuch complaint againft him, notwith- oood"andg«- 
 ftanding any offence whatfoever he hath received : There may eafily be many found """^ «'""§' 
 of this kind, who have proved the gcntlenefs of his nature, and will ferve for memori- have clt^te' 
 als of it to pofterity. Wherefore his Majefty prayes, and exhorts the Heads of the faid "'"''* ^'°"» 
 Tumults and Commotions, prefently to disband their Forces, to fend back ftrangers, to c™fe Hii flii 
 feparate themfelves from all Leagues, and laying afide all enterprifes, as his Kinfiiien ^^'''^l '^'^ 
 and Servants, to take a perfect aflurance of his friendfliip and good-will i which if they uLiglu.' 
 fhall fo do,.he offers to continue to them,hououring them with his favour, and making 
 them partakers of thofe dignities which he was wont to confer upon thofe of their 
 quality i to reconcile and reunite themfelves with him, to provide duely and effedual- 
 ly for the reftauration of Gods Service, and the publick good of his Subjefts, by rhofc 
 means which fliall be thought "moft proper and convenient, which his Majefty hath an 
 infinite defire to put in pradfice. He doth likewife admonifli the Clergy and Gentry, his 
 Subje'dts , maturely to weigh thp confequence of thefe commotions, fincerely to em- 
 brace his intention, and to believe that his chief aim hath ever been, and ever fliall be, 
 to do good to all, but neither harm nor difpleafure to any ; commanding them mo(^ 
 ftricS'ly, as alfo all his other Subjeds, to feparate and withdraw themfelves from all 
 Leagues and Affociations, and to reunite themfelves with him, asnature, their duty ,and 
 their own good and fafcty doth oblige thtmi to the end, that if thefe civil broils muft 
 pafs further (which he befecches Gods divine Goodnefs not to permit) he may be ac- 
 companied and fupplicd with their Counfel, Arms, and AiMance, for the prefervation 
 of the Kingdom, to which is joyned that of the Roman Catholick Apoftolick Church i 
 of their honour and Reputation, as likewife of their Perfons, Families and Eftates : of- 
 fering and promiling them, if they ftiall fodo, both the cotinuation of his favour, and 
 reward of his ferviceand fidelity. 
 
 This was the Kings Declaration, publifhed toanfwer that of the League-, wherein 
 he thinking it convenient, for the gravity of his Perfon. to fum up bufineffes in a kvf 
 words, without defcending to more particulars, endeavoured afterward to have thci 
 reafons of the Guifss pundfually anfwered by persons of great wifdom, and no lefs e- 
 loquence, who having replied largely in writing, kindled matters in fuch fort, that it 
 was much more neceffary to come at laft toatftion, then to multiply words any lon- 
 ger. The King endeavoured therefore, not onelytodraw his Forces together in all 
 parts , to refift the attempts, and oppofe the Army of the League that was fo near j 
 but alfo to difunite, and fetch over fomeof thofe which bethought moft fit from the 
 body of that Union : and becaufe the City of Lianr was wonderfully neceffary 
 for his defigns, that he might bring his Svviffes in that way, who were excluded 
 from Boiirgone and Champagne , Provinces held by the League , he began 
 
 tQ
 
 2-72 ^/^^ Hiflory of the Civil Ifars 
 
 t58<. to tempt the Sieur^e Uandelot^ to draw him over to his party, and had nearly en- 
 gaged Secretary Vilieroy in the bufincrs i for Manddot having a Daughter both noble 
 and very rich, there was a Treaty of Marriage begun between her and Charles Lord of 
 Alittcturt, Son to Vilieroy, the Kingpromiling Mandelot the power of putting his Son- 
 in-law intotheGovernmentof the City of L)W/J- after him i by which alliance he be- 
 ing freed from the fufpition of being put out of his place by the Duke of Efpernon to 
 bring his Brother into it, and the dcmolilliing of the Cittadel already 'deflroyed being 
 authorifed and approved by the King, Mandelot kcix\itdi r\ot to have any more occafion 
 to adhere unto the League, being removed from thofe jealoufies which had made him 
 confent unto it : nor was this Treaty vain i for NUndelot, a man of a mild nature, 
 and very defirous to have the alliance of one fo powerful , confented to the match, 
 and promifed to give free paflage to the SwilTes, who were raifed by the Sieur deFlemy^ 
 Uncle to the new Bride The Kings perfwalions prevailed alfo with Lodovico Gon- 
 zaza Duke of Nevers, who failing of his hopes of the Government of Provence by the 
 unfucccfsful event of the bufinefs of MarfeiUes, but (as he faid himfelf J feeing the 
 Pope did not conclude to approve and proted the League, began to lend an ear to the 
 perfwafions o(Francijco Nttvo-loni a Mantuan very converfant with him, who by ?k- 
 tro Abbot del Bene (one very much trufted by the King) being moved with reafon, 
 and filled by his Patron with plentiful hopes, at hft he refolved to write to the Duke 
 o( Guife and Cardinal of Bo^ritf^ , to renounce and take' his kave of the League,-?!- 
 ledging that he never faw the exprefs confent and approbation of the Pope, and for 
 all the treating that had been at Rome by means of Father Mattei, he had never been 
 cleared in that fcruple, that it was lawful in this bufinefs to take Arms againlt the King, 
 who was a Catholick, legitimate and natural : by whofe example many others being 
 moved began to fall away, and particularly the Sieur de ViUers^ who having confented 
 to the League chiefly for the veneration which he had ever born to the Catholick Re- 
 ligion, was unfatisfied to fee that the principal aim of the Confederates was at the Kings 
 ownperfoni wherefore laying afide his diHafte about the Caftle of G?m, and being 
 made amends by the Kings pardon, which he granted to him for the death of Mon- 
 iKutde Lizvres, flainby him in afingleduel, he returned to the Kings obedience, and 
 ferved him afterward conftantly as long as he lived : but this was no more than the ta- 
 king of a drop of water from the Sea ; for the fury of the people was fo headlong, and 
 the concourfe of the Clergy fo great in favour of the League , that by continual pro- 
 ceedings it was more ftrengthened every hour. Nor were the Kings preparations of 
 Arms very fortunate i for the Catholick Cantons of the SwiflTes , though at fir(\they 
 had confented to thofe Levies which were made there in the Kings Name, yet fome of 
 their Burgo-mafters being corrupted with money by the League , and the reft being 
 perfwaded by the authority of Spain^ had rcfufed that the Levies fliould go forward : 
 nay more, they had given leave to the Duke of GM/fe to raife fix thoufand Foot amongft 
 them : and though the other Cantons had promifed the Sieur de Fleury to make up the 
 number of the ten thoufand which were railing for the King , yet they defired to add 
 this exprefs condition , That they fliould only ferve in their own defence , and not 
 offend any body, being fo perfwaded by the reft that favoured the party of the Con- 
 federates, whereby the King forefaw , that with great expence and many difficulties 
 he fhould receive but fmall fruit from the Levies of the Swiffes , becaufe they were 
 reftrained by thofe Commiftions, and fought againft others of the fame Nation, which 
 by fo many proofs of former times he knew was always hazardous, and many times 
 ruinous. The Forces alfo of the Kingdom that took his part, were very weak, becaufe 
 he had not that time that was requifite to effed: his defigns by leifure and dillimulation, 
 and had been prevented by the fagacity and quicknefs of the Gmfes, wherefore, ex- 
 cept his own dependents , and thofe of his Minions , all the reft were joined fome to 
 one Faction, fome to the other, and thofe that did follow the Royal Authority, 
 ftiewed themfelves very flow and cold, their minds being amazed and affrighted by the 
 bold attempt of the Confederates : nay, even fome of thofe in whom the King con- 
 fided, and that had been favoured and advanced by him, were (as we have already 
 noted) revolted to the League, zs the Sieur de EHtraijues^ St. Luc, young Lanfic, and 
 triany others > every one being difpleafed at the eminent favour and Angular authority 
 of EfpernoTu But that which more than any thing held him in fufpence and trouble, 
 was the fear of the City of Farii, the Head indeed of the Kingdom, but fo great and 
 fo powerful an one, that which way foever it inclined, it had always pulled down the 
 
 fcale.
 
 o/" France. The Seventh ^oof^ 2^^ 
 
 fcale. This City was not only united with the Confederates, but in it there was alfo 1585* 
 
 a particular League pracftifed by the Sicur de MeneviUe , Prelident NuUy , U Chapelle 
 
 Mart.-ll, the Sieur ile Bitjfy^ Hjiitema>i, and other Heads of thc.Citizens, whereby they 
 
 had fecretly armed the people, buying up Arms with great diligence from all parts 
 
 at any price, that the City might be able to revolt upon any occalion ■, and moreover 
 
 if it were neceflary , to take or ftay the Kings own Perfon till the coming of the 
 
 Army of the Confederates i toward the raifing and maintaining whereof, particular 
 
 men of the City contributed three hundred thoufand Crowns to the Duke of Guife^ 
 
 Thefe things being told the King by Nichols Foulain^ Lieutenant to the Provoll of the 
 
 Ifle of France , one of the Confederates, had put the King in very great perplexity of 
 
 mind i for flaying in Paris^ he was in great danger of receiving fome affront by the 
 
 inronfiderate rafhnefs of the people, who were pofleffed with a belief that he favoured 
 
 and protedired the King of Navarre and the Hugonots i and on the other fide, going 
 
 away from the City , he was certain of the revolt of it, which was hindred only by 
 
 his prefence, and by the remedies which he applyed every hour i wherefore though 
 
 he had called all the Souldiers of his Guards unto their colours, and chofen five and 
 
 forty trufly Gentlemen , to each of which he allowed an hundred Crowns by the 
 
 month, and their diet in the Court, who were always to be about his Perfon, yet lived 
 
 he in very great doubt, fear and trouble, feeing himfelf upon fuch an unbridled horfe 
 
 as could not pollibly be governed. 
 
 Thefe fo weighty difficulties which on all fides feemed impoffible to be overcome, 
 and the hope ot drawing over many to the League in time unto his party, and of 
 loofening by his wonted arts that bond which then feemed invincible by ftrength, made 
 the King refolve to take the counftl of the Queen his Mother, and of Bellieure, and 
 ViUeroy^ which was to procure delays as much as polfibly he could > and in the end to 
 give the League fuch fatisfadtion as was neceffary to divert the violence and force of 
 the Confederates, and to endeavour by art and time to difunite their Combination j 
 experience having ib often given certain proofs, that by fighting and refinance, the 
 forces and dangers both at home and abroad were increafed i but that by yielding and 
 complying thofe hazards might be deferred, and thofe imminent calamities and mife- 
 ries avoided. To this end the Queen undertook the charge of treating with the Duke 
 -of G«//f, and the other Princes of the League > and being attended by the Marefchal 
 de Retz, Monfieur^f Endart Secretary of State, and Moniieura'*- Lanfac^ (lie went to 
 Efpernay in Champagne^ ten Leagues from Chalons^ to confer with the Lords of Guife 
 and the Cardinal of Bonrbon. Thither alfb came the Confederate Lords, and without 
 further delay they began to treat of the means of an Accommodation. But the inten- 
 tions of the parties were Co different, that they could hardly come to any conclulion > 
 for the Queen minded only the gaining of time , as well to give the King leifure to 
 arm and prepare himfelf, and the Swiffes to draw near to Paris , as to give opportu- 
 nity to thofe engines which were fecretly fet on work to difunite the League i whereas 
 on the other fide , the Guifes taking very good heed to each of thofe particulars, 
 preffed for fpeedy expedition, either of an advantageous Agreement, or of a refblute 
 "War : Wherefore though the Queen laboured very much both by her authority and 
 perfwafions, yet could flie obtain no more but a truce for four days, in which fpace 
 (he difpatcht Monfieur Myron her chief Phyiitianto the King, to bring back his refo- 
 lution touching the Accommodation. The time of truce being expired , the Queen 
 drew nearer, and advanced as far as Charry^ a place belonging to the Bifliop otChu/oni, 
 whither the Confederate Lords came alfo to meet her : (he let them know, that the 
 King by Myron the Phylitian, had fent her Order to affure them, that in matters of Re- 
 ligion he was of the fame mind with them, and that he defired the fecurity of the Ca- 
 tholick Faith, the extirpation of Herefie, and one only Religion and Belief in his King- 
 dom no lefs than they i but that to attain unto that end, he neither had fufficicnt For- 
 ces, nor money enough to maintain the War in fo many places ■> and that therefore 
 they that (hewed themfelves fo zealous of it, ought to propound the means of gather- 
 ing Armies together , and of providing for their pay and maintenance. The King 
 hoped by this propofition to put the Confederates in as great confuGon as he had done 
 the Deputies at Bloit in the fame manner ; for there was no doubt but the charges 
 would neceffarily fall on the Clergy, and upon the Commons , a thing contrary to the 
 Propofition of the League, which was toeafc the grievances of the Kingdom i and in 
 thefe Armies that were to be raifed in feveral parts, it was necelTary to imploy all the 
 
 N n Nobility,
 
 2^4 ^^^^ Hiflory of tk Civil JVars 
 
 1585. Nobility, to the burthen and obligation as well of their Eftates as Perfons : where- 
 fore it was not very eafie for the Duke of Guife and the other Lords to refblve this 
 doubt , and thereupon to the great contentment of the Queen they took three days 
 time to give their anfwer. After many confultations, they determined at la ft to fhuin 
 the encounter of thofe means and advertifements which the King required, left they 
 fhould difcover cxprcfs falftiood in thofe promifcs which they made at the propound- 
 ing of the League, and draw upon themfelves the hatred of thofe burthens and grie- 
 vances which at that ptefcnt lay upon the Kings own peifon i and therefore making 
 ufe of both Force and Authority, they anfwered the Queen refolutely , that it con- 
 cerned not them to provide thofe means i but that the King , who was confcious to 
 himfcif of his own Forces, ought to find them , and that without further delay they 
 would prefently have a Declaration and an Edidt againft the Hugonots , fecurity for 
 themfelves, and a certainty that the War ftiould not be deferred ■■> towards which they 
 proffered thofe Forces they had then in readinefs i or elfe they woujd make their Ar- 
 my to march whither they thought moft convenient for the end of their enterprife : and 
 indeed they difpatched the Duke o( Mayenne at that very inftant with part of their 
 Forces, and with Commiffion to meet the Kings Swiffes , and if he thought fit, to 
 fight with them prefently. At this re(blute determination the Queen demanded eight 
 days time to give the King notice of it, and to know his pleafure '■> and the Duke of 
 Gu/fe, who had need to meet his German Souldiers , which fas he was informed^ 
 were near to Verd/m^ was eafily pcrfwaded to confent unto it. But whilft he goes to 
 meet them, and to take order for their coming in, the Queen watching all opportu- 
 « LwgiD,w,ia nities, imployed * Ltt/gi DavHa a Cyprian, who was a near attendcnt of hers, to work 
 'm ^BnXr ^'^'^ t'raH.iJcoCircarffi a Gentleman of the fame Country, belonging to the Cardinal 
 was favoured of Bourioit^ to try if fhe could by that means rem,ove and feparate him from thecom- 
 wr,'hcr*^"d bination of the Lords of Guip , whieh bufinefs being followed and redoubled many 
 tftcemtjiy timcs whilft the Treaty lafted, the old Sieur de Ljnf.ic chief of the Queens Gentlemen 
 midTui^'of'° was cunningly engaged in it; and on the Cardinals part, the Sieur de Kubsmpre him- 
 h;m in the ma- felf, who being of a haughty mind, and not having that authority in the League which 
 fa^ifs^^am! of' ''"^ thought he dcferved , began to apply his mind to a reconciliation with the King 
 thewarin and his Party s and in the end Monfieur de Lanfac conferred with the Cardinal him- 
 th'^fe times, ^^j^^ under colour of a complemcntal vifit. They urged many reafons to him •■> in fub- 
 ftance, that he might take notice that he was not Head of the League, as befitted the 
 qualify of his Perfon, and the honour of his Blood , but a SubjeA and VafTal to the 
 paflions and aft'eftions of the Duke of Gulp, and the other Lords of his Family : that 
 the bufinefs was not any intereft at all of Religion, fince the King having offered to 
 give them all manner of fatisfadtion in matters of Faith, his ( ffer was not accepted > 
 but that it was nowmanifeft and publick to all the World, that under colour of Re- 
 ligion they profecuted their private ends and interefts : that it was not fit for a man 
 of fo great 2eal and integrity, and one that was placed in the moft eminent dignities 
 of the holy Church, to ferve for a ftale to the pretenfions of the Lords of Lorain^ and 
 to give colour to a moft open Rebellion, againft the Perfon of a King that was as well 
 a Catholick, as legitimate snd natural : But that it was much more unfit for him, be- 
 ing firft Prince of the Blood, to be the inftrument whereby the ancient Enemies of his 
 Houfc (hould extinguifti the remainder of the Royal Family:That heftiould confider that 
 he being old, and of an age not likely to have children, the Houfe of Bourbon would 
 be quite extindt by the fuppreftion of his Nephews i that it feemed very ftrange to 
 every good man, that he who all the reft of his life-time had been an Author of peace 
 and concord , how having as it were one foot in the grave , fhould make himfelf the 
 Author of War, Blood, Difcord and Infurredtion : That it would be much more ac- 
 ceptable to God, and much more commendable among men, that he being united with 
 the King to the fame holy end, ft^.ould endeavour to withdraw his Nephews from the 
 way of perdition, and rather to reconcile them peaceably to the Church, than to fup- 
 prefs and bury them in the total mine and defirudlion of the Kingdom : That he fliould 
 not doubt nor fufpedl the reality of the Kings intentions , who both openly and pri- 
 vately was always a Catholick, and affedtionate unto Religion i for as concerning the 
 Hugonots, he would fend him a blank to write what he would •, fo for his own parti- 
 cular, he would always honour and refpedt him as a Father, being wont to fay, that 
 amongft all that great multitude of the Confederates, there was not one honeft man 
 but the Cardinal of Bourbon. Thefe Reafons alledged and revolved in a rriind full of 
 
 right
 
 o/" France. The Seventh ^ool^ 275 
 
 liglit intentions, and uncorriipttd ends, were not far from eifeding what they aimed 1585* 
 at, nor from bringing him to a thought of re-uniting and reconciling himfelf to the 
 King, by means of the Queen, whom he held in the higheft veneration : but while he 
 was in doubt, having as a man of no great reach nor policy, given fome fufpition of 
 it to the Cardinal of Gz/z/e, in the difcourfes and confultations that pafTed, the Duke 
 of GK//f was prcfently recalled, whofe fpirit did animate the whole body, and move 
 every member of that Union: and though by his authority he fettled the Cardinal of 
 Bmrbons refolution i yet feeing that the SwifTes advanced daily, and that the Duke 
 of Mayenue had but fmall Forces to oppofe them , and confidcring that to make up whiift the 
 the Pay of his German Souldiers great l^ore of money was neceilary, to the furnishing cardinal of 
 whereof, the Spaniards concurred not with that readinefs that he imagined , for be- of tfcc l'cag«j 
 ing involved in the War oi Flanders, they could hardly fupply fo vaft an expcnce ; (^»"<is waver- 
 and having found at laft, that the difuniting of the League was attempted by fecret cifehimfeif to 
 pradiccs, the members whereof were already wavering, he judged that delay was his ^^akfofh'i^^ 
 mortal Enemy as he had ever thought, and therefore defiring to put a fair glofs upon maktsafpeci- 
 Iiis taking up of Arms to juftifie his ends, and to take away thofe fcruples which had H^ ^{°llwl 
 been fowed in the Cardinal of Bourbons mind, and which already were not only di- ment. 
 vulged, but alfohad taken deep impreilion in many others, he took a refolution to 
 propound a very plaufible offer. That he dcfired nothing but an Ed id: againft the Hu- 
 gonots, that no other Religion but the Catholick fliould be permitted in the Kingdom, 
 that they (liould be incapable of all Offices and Dignities of what kind foever v and 
 that there might be an aflurance they (hould be perfecuted with Arms, renouncing all 
 other fecurity and conditions i and offering alfo himfelf to lay down all Offices and 
 Governments pcfTefTed by him or any of his, to take away all fufpition of cavillous 
 interefts. This Propofition wrought two wonderful etfed's to his advantage ■■> one 
 that it confirm'd the Cardinal of Bourbon, whofe lofs would have taken away the 
 greateft foundation of the League "> the other, that it brought the King to a neceflfity 
 of accepting the Propofition, left he (hould manifefily put himfelf on the wrong fide, 
 and abfolutely alienate alfo the remaining part of the Catholicks, who were already 
 fomething miftrul^ful of him i and as concerning other fecurities and advantages of his 
 Family, he knew very well, if the King made War with the Hugonots, he muft of 
 nccellity rc-unite himfelf with the Catholicks , and with the Houfe of Gu/fe, that had 
 all the Forces in their hands i and that he m.uft be fo far from confenting, that they 
 fliould lay down their Offices and Governments, that he fhould be forced to give them 
 yet others, and confer the chief Commands of the Armies upon them ; and in con- 
 clufion, he faw that (he whole perfedion of his defigns would neceflarily follow upon 
 the War with the Hugonots , and it was fo true , that the War with the Hugonots 
 and his Greatnefs were firmly linked together, that he was always able with marvel- 
 lous opportunities to advance his own Enterprizes, in fuch manner as no other intereft 
 (hould appear outwardly, fave that of Religion. So this lall determination being fet 
 down in writing, they prefcnted it to the Queen the ninth day of June, fubfcribed 
 by the Cardinal of Bourb.m and the Duke oi Guifs: the Qiieen was not much afto- 
 nifhed at it. having long ago forefeen that the Heads of the League could not take a 
 more expedient refolution : but flie difpatched away the aforefaid Mjmn to the King 
 with the fame Declaration, giving him to underffand, that it was neceffary for him to 
 confent unto it in matter of Religion, to avoid the prefent danger, and to difunite the 
 Forces of the Confederates , for that in the execution there would afterwards be fo 
 many difficulties interpofed , that time it felf would bring fufficient oppofition : but 
 that by not confenting to it, he fhould affure himfelf, befides the universal hatred and 
 deteftation, to be quickly opprclTed and forced to harder conditions, lince that the Duke 
 of Mayenne was already gone to hinder the entry of the Swiffes, and while they were 
 retarded, the Duke of Guifs making hafte to join with his Germans, would be upon 
 his march towards TarU with thirty thoufand fighting men, where nothing elfe was 
 to be expefted, but the manifeft Rebellion of the City, and the general Revolt of the 
 whole Kingdom, which would conlirain him to flee to thofe places that were poflefled 
 by the Hugonots , of whofe good will and Forces he could not affure himfcU. Thus 
 the doubt of retarding the SwifTes troubled both Parties , for on the one lide the Queen 
 feared the Duke of hlayenne would be able to flop them-, and on the other, the Duke o{ 
 Guife feared left he (hould not be ftrong enough to oppofe them i whix:h reciprocal fear 
 perfwadcd both Parties to confent unto a Peace. The King having received the Decla- 
 
 N n 2 ration.
 
 I'jS 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1585. 
 
 *Thefe which 
 the Author 
 calls Harque- 
 buzicrs on 
 horfeback, 
 differed from 
 our Dra^^oon^, 
 •n that chey 
 didferve both 
 en foot and on 
 horfeback ; 
 and it is con- 
 ceived by 
 men euperien- 
 eed in War, 
 that they were 
 the fame with 
 thofe whith 
 they call Ar- 
 »okttiets. 
 
 The King of 
 (h ration. 
 
 ration, and the Council of the Queen, fent Secretary ViUeroy prcfently unto her, and 
 a little while after tlie Duke d' Efpernon, to the end that the Agreement might be re- 
 ceived and eftabliflied with the befi; conditions that could be. Wherefore the Queen be- 
 in'' come to Neimiirs with the Princes of the League, they concluded upon thefe Con- 
 ditions the feventh day of July. 
 
 That the King fliould prohibit any other Religion in his Kingdom, except the Ro- 
 man Catholick : That he fliould banifli all the Heretick Preachers out of his Confines: 
 That he fliould ordain that Hugonots fliould be puniflied with confifcation of their 
 Ellates during life : That he fhould with all fpecd denounce a War againft them, where- 
 in fuch men fliould be made Commanders as the League could confide in : That he . 
 fliould abolifli thofe Courts inftituted in the Parliaments, and eftabliflied in favour of 
 the Hugonots •, and fliculd not permit that any fliould be capable of any Place or pub- 
 lick Office, till he had firfl made profeiTion of his Faith, conformable to the Roman Re- 
 ligion : That the Duke oiGuife^ Mayenm, Jutnale, Mercure, and Elbeitf^ befides their 
 ordinary Government, fliould keep the Cities of Chalons^ Ifhoul, Verdun^ St. iJefire^ 
 Kfims, Soijj'ons, Di'ym^ Beaume, Rue in Picardy^ Vinan^ and Coneg in Bretagne. That 
 a certain number of * Harquebuzers on horfeback fliould be paid, to be Guards for the 
 Cardinals of Bourbon and Guift: , and for the Dukes of Guife^ Mercure , Mayenne , ^h- 
 vule^ and Elbetif: That the Duke of Guife fliould have a hundred thoufand Crowns 
 paid unto him , to build a Cittadel in Verdun ■■, and that two Regiments of Infantry 
 fhoL Id be paid which belonged to the League, under the commands of Sacramoro Bi- 
 ra^o and St. Paul : That two hundred thoufand Crowns fliould be disburfed to pay 
 the German Forces raifed by the League , with which they fliould prefently be (ent 
 away •, and that they fliould be forgiven and remitted one hundred and ten thoufand 
 Ducats which they had taken of the Kings Revenue, and fpent for the advancement of 
 the Union. By which Capitulations it appeared plainly to thofe that had any know- 
 ledge of the affairs that pafled, that not compalTion of the people to eafe them of their 
 Grievances had contradted the League, but the care the Great Ones had of their own 
 fecurity, and their defire to fee the party of their Enemies fuppreffed and extinguiflied ; 
 though the rcfped: and colour of Religion was always flridtly joined with them i for 
 that number of Cities and flrong places obtained for the fecurity of the Guifes, fliewed 
 plainly they had difcovcred the Kings fecret intentions i and feeing that the Hugonots 
 had their places of fecurity, which hindred their deftrudion, they thought to obtain 
 the like for their Party, to the end that it might be no lefs difficult to abafe and fup- 
 prcfs them, than it proved to be to bring the King of Navarre and the reft of his party 
 into fubjedlion j and the War which they made to be refolved on againft the Hugonots, 
 though it were chiefly procured to root out the Divifions in Religion, did nevertheleft 
 contain alfo at the fame time the ruine of the Princes of Bourbon, and of their friends 
 and adherents. 
 
 The Agreement being concluded and eftabliflied, the Duke of Gulfe, with the Car- 
 dinal iiis Brother, and with the Cardinal of Bourbon went to the King to S. More near 
 Paris, and the Conditions being confirmed, the Duke of Guiff, after many demonftra- 
 tions of confidence, returned to his Governments. 
 
 Whilft the Peace was negotiating between the King and the League, the King of^Na- 
 varre was brought into a great perplexity, forefeeing the certainty of that Accommo- 
 dation, and that all the Forces of the Catholicks would be united together againft him, 
 to fupprefs and deftroy his Party: He had from the firft by means of the Skms de 
 Clervant zp.d Cbafincourt his Agents at the Court, proffered his Forces toallift the King, 
 exhorting him tO|foin himfelf fincerely with him, and to try the fidelity and readinefs 
 of the Hugonots i and in the end had protefted , that he could not ftand lingring on 
 that manner , to expe(ft that thunderbolt of ruine which he forefaw was provided 
 againft him : But the King by Letters under his own hand , and by many very effe- 
 <Sual perfwafions ufed to his Agents, had exhorted him to continue quiet, and not to 
 make a greater difturbance, affuring him, that he would never confent to any thing 
 that fliould violate that Peace, or that could caufe his ruine : and indeed, fuch was 
 the Kings intention at the firf^ -, but after necelTity had brought him to feek for Peace 
 With the Confederates, the King of Navarre, who was no unskilful judge of bufinelTes, 
 eafily perceived that all that ftorm would fall upon his Perfon and upon his Party ; 
 . wherefore defiring to make his caufe plaufible, and his reafons known for the further- 
 ing his other defigns, he publiflied a Declaration at Bergerac npon the tenth oi June, 
 
 wherein
 
 (?/ France. The Seventh 'Boo^, 277 
 
 wherein bitterly complaining that he was called a relapfed Heretick, a Perfecutor of the 1585. 
 Church, a Difturber of the State, and a Capital Enemy of the Catholicks, to exclude 
 him by thofe names from the fuccellion of the Kingdom, he fliewed he was conftrained 
 to fatisfie the world , and particularly the Princes of Chriftendom , but above all the 
 King his Soveraign, and the people of France, that thefe were calumnies thrown upon 
 him by his Enemies, who out of an ambition to exalt themfelves, had under pretence 
 of taking Arms againft him and the reft of the Reformed Religion, profecuted the way 
 of bringing the State to miferable confufon , having in eifedt taken Arms againlt the 
 King himfclf, and againfl the Crown , and contrary to the order of nature, and the 
 Laws of the Kingdom ot France, declared one to be hrft Prince of the Blood, and 
 SuccelTor to the Crown, arrogating that authority to themfelves , which belonged to 
 the States General of the Kingdom. That he could be no ways accounted a Relapfer, 
 having never changed his opinion v for although out of a juft fear, (which may fall 
 into the brefi: of the ftouteft man) and being forced by manifeft violence, he had fenC 
 an Ambaflador to the Pope j yet as foon-as ever he recovered his liberty, he had zlCo 
 declared that he had not changed his Religion i neither could he be called an Heretick, 
 holding (by the example of many others) opinions not yet decided, and having ever 
 offered , as he did likewife at the prefent , to fubmit himfelf to the inftrucftions of 
 learned men, and to the determination of a Council lawfully affcmbled ■■, that he was 
 falfely llandercd to have perfcuted the Catholicks, having always cheriflied many of 
 them i not only keeping them near his own Perfon , but making ufe of them in the 
 principal Offices of his Eftate and Family, and that he had- left the Clergy-men in his 
 own State , and in every other place where he commanded, in the peaceable enjoy- 
 ment of their Revenues, and exercifeof the Roman Religion. That if at fcvcral times 
 he had taken Arms, he had done it without intention to difturb the State, and always 
 in a defenllve way , which Nature teachcth every body to do, having fecn how in- 
 humanely they were handled who had imbraccd the Reformed Religion. That to 
 oppofe the perfecutions which were continually made ready againd; him, and not to 
 treat a League againft the King, he had fent into England, Denmark^ and Germany, with 
 no other aim, but to draw from thence fome relief for the prefervation of his own li- 
 berty. That the refolution not to give up the Fortreffes (as they had lately been de- 
 nied to the Duke o( Efpermn) was taken with the univerfal confent of all his Party, 
 becaufe not only thofe fufpitions for which they were granted, were not taken away, 
 but were at that time much increafed, as well by the great preparations for War which 
 were made by thofe of the League, as by their particular earneftnefs wherewith they 
 demanded other ftrong places of the King , befides thofe which they already held j 
 not as they alledged to fecure themfelves againft thofe of the contrary Religion, who 
 would never have offended nor injured them, and could fcarce defend themfelves from 
 their evil ufage, not having fo many places in their hands as thofe of the Houfe of 
 Giiife had Provinces under their Governmient, who fharing all the Kings favours and 
 graces among themfelves, had commanded Armies, befieged Cities, given Battel, di- 
 ftributed Offices at their pleafure, and by that means had gained followers , revenged 
 their own injuries, and managed their own intereft at the charges of the Crown, and 
 not with a pretext of Religion would attempt againft the Kings Perfon, and govern 
 the State i That every one might plainly know how unfitly they demanded new For- 
 treffes for their fecurity ; yet to take away that pretence alfo from them, he and the 
 Prince of Conde his Coufen, though they ought rather to endeavour to llrcngthen, 
 than go about to weaken themfelves, did both offer at that prefent to leave thofe that 
 were in their hands, as likewife the Governments which either of them held i pro- 
 vided the Lords of Gmfe would do the like by thofe that they had taken , and alfo by 
 their Governments, whereby he faid the opinion of that danger would be taken away^ ■ 
 which his Enemies fcattered abroad, that he with thofe of the Religion would difturb 
 the State : But every one might ealily judge whether it were more likely that Servants 
 of the Family, or thofe of the Blood fliould have ends to difturb it i and which of 
 them were like to be more affedfionate to their Prince i and whether Strangers could 
 be better affedted to the Kingdom of France than natural French-men ■■, that whofoevcr 
 would know the difference which had ever been between his Family and that dGidfe, 
 touching the general good of the people, fliould call to memory the things which each 
 of them had done, and he fhould find thofe of the Houfe of Bonrbjn had never been 
 Inventers of new Gakller, had never injured the Nobility , -nor wrefted and violated 
 
 Juftice,
 
 2«8 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 g- Jufiice, as thePredeceflbrs of the Heads of the League had continually done, and with 
 new taxes, with the fale of Places, and with the confufion of Offices, many whereof 
 had been transferred into their own Houfe, others fold in the time oi Henry the Second, 
 and Franc'n the Second i and with bringing in the alienation of the Temporal Revenues 
 of Churches , had laboured to fulHl their own defires under colour of making War 
 for Religion. That he had never liirred up Wars as his Enemies had done j but had 
 barely defended himfelf, and upon all occalions had accepted fuch conditions of Peace 
 as the King had been pleafed to give him i bdt that it was a thing worthy of more 
 confideration, that he had offered himfelf to follow the King in his important aifairs, 
 and particularly when he had been called to the Dominion of the States of Flanders v 
 whereas the Heads of the League quite contrary had oppofed the bulinefs, and had 
 made an occalion of fo great glory be overflipt , and an acquifition of fo great con fe- 
 quence to be negledred. That though he could not with reafon think of the SuccelTion 
 of the Crown, becaufe of the Kings youth, to whom he wifhcd iflue j yet could he 
 rot chufe but be much troubled to fee himfelf fo unworthily dealt withal by his Ene- 
 mies, who having molcfted him in his Govern-ments, and feifed upon Cities and For- 
 treiTes in the midft of them , now turning themfelves againft his Life and Honour, 
 ceafed not to perfecute him with malicious pradifes , to make an impreilion in the 
 minds of thofe that were unexperienced, that he was unworthy and uncapable to fuc- 
 ceed in the Crown i and to draw their defigns to a conclufion, would (without ta- 
 king any notice of the Kings youth J make unfeafonable provifion againft thofe accidents 
 which they imagined might come to pafs after his death. At laft he demanded leave 
 of the King with all refped and fubmitlion , to give the Lye fas he didj to all thofe 
 that had injured and flandered him in their Declarations, excepting the Cardinal his 
 Uncle, and offered himfelf to decide the quarrel with the Duke of Guife^ he being the 
 Head of that Party, by fighting with him fingle , or two, ten, or twenty of a fide, 
 with more or lefs number, as the Duke of G«//c himfelf pleafed, offering, if they were 
 to be more than one , that his Coufin the Prince of Conde (liould be with him, not 
 defiring in that cafe to ffand upon any difproportion between their qualities, fince they 
 were neither moved to that refolution by ambition nor hatred, but only for the fervice 
 of God, to free their Lord the King and the people of France from thofe miferics 
 which War doth neceffarily produce, and by deciding that difference at once, to leave 
 the Kingdom in peace, and the Kings mind in quiet, without diihirbing it any further* 
 Wherefore he befeeched the King to name the Field in any part of his Kingdom i and 
 if the Duke of Cfuife fhould think all the Kingdom fufpeded, he offered to go out of it 
 into any place that might be fecure to both parties , which the Duke himfelf might 
 make choice of, and to end that controverfie with thofe Weapons that were commonly 
 ufed among Gentlemen of honour. 
 
 The King of Navarre endeavoured by this Declaration not only to juftifie his Caufe, 
 and to blemifli that of the Confederates i but alfo finding himfelf inferiour in ffrength, 
 though not at all in courage, he fought to reduce the War to a private Duel i which 
 if it took cffedt, he was ready to put himfelf upon the encounter, thereby reducing his 
 fortune now half defperate, by the oppofition of fo mighty Ad verfaries, unto fome 
 equality : and if the offer was not accepted, he knew it would be but fmall reputation 
 for the Duke of Giaje and the Forces of the League , and a means to draw the peo- 
 ples inclination very much to him, who would praife his Generofity in expofing his 
 own life to danger, to divert the general diftradtions of a War. But the Duke of Citifs 
 knowing the art of his Enemies, and afpiring to deftroy him by fo much advantage 
 of ffrength, without being obliged to endanger his own life, would not anfwer the 
 Declaration, left he fliould be fain to accept or refufe the Puel, but made fome third 
 perfons anfwer in many little Pamphlets, that no Lord of the Catholick party did pro- 
 fefs enmity to the King of Navarre for private occafions v but that what they did was 
 for the fafety of Religion, and their own Confciencesi wherefore it was not fit to re- 
 duce the publick Caufe to a particular Duel, an effeA very contrary to the end they had 
 propounded to themfelves j and with other fuch like reafons they oppofed thofe al- 
 ledged by the King of Navarre i who being advertifed of the conclufion of peace be- 
 tween the King and the Lords of the League, writ Letters to the King , which were 
 publKhed in print, grievoufly complaining, that whilft he to obey his Majefties com- 
 mand, laid upon him by Letters under his own hand, had forborn to take Arms, or 
 to undertake any new enterprife , an Agreement v^^s eftablilTied with his Enemies, 
 
 with
 
 ©/France. The Seventh ^oo\, 279 
 
 with condition to break the Edicfts of Peace aheady publifhed, and fcontrary to pro- 1585. 
 mile already made) again to begin the War againfr the Reformed Religion. That he 
 earneitly exhorted and befought the King to confider, that to comply with the paP- 
 lions of thofe that rebelled againfi- him, he took Arms againft his good and faithful 
 Subjeds and VafTals , and that he lliould forefee how the deftrudtion of his whole 
 Kingdom was contained in that War which was preparing againft him : but that if 
 he did perfift X.Q contrive his ruinc, he could do no lefs by the Law of Nature than 
 defend himfelf , and he hoped that God for the jufTnefs of his Caufe would deliver 
 and preferve him from the pcrfecutions of men, and one day make his innocence ma- 
 rifelt to the whole World. Iklldes this, he writ other Letters to the Nobility, others 
 to the People, and others to the Parliaments , excufing himfelf, blaming the League, 
 and labouring to make appear, that behaving pundtually obferved the conditions of 
 Peace, was now contrary to them unjuftly afTaulted After which Declarations, ha- 
 ving called unto him the Prince of Conde, and the Marefhal d' AnviSe, whom he knew- 
 to be no lefs perfecuted than the Hugonots, they cftablifhed with common confcnt all 
 that was robe done for their own defence, and the maintenance of thofe places which 
 they held of their party ■■> and becaufe they already knew by fo many proofs, that no- 
 thing was more available for their defence, than the fupplies of men out of Germany^ 
 which diverted the power and forces of their Enemies into very remote places, tHey 
 prefently made a difpatch to the Proteftant Princes , to treat and conclude a ftrong 
 Levy, and that charge was undertaken by the Duke of Bouillon, Twhoas in his own 
 inheritance derived from his Anceftors , had fetled himXelf in Sedan , an exceeding 
 ftrong place upon the Confines of Champagne and Lorain) and by Monlieur de Chajiil- 
 lon. Son to the Admiral de Coligny, who was Governour of Mompellier for the Hugo- 
 rots, and was now fecretly gone out of Languedoc difguifed unto Geneva. 
 
 In the mean time the King , in private with his Mother and the Cabinet- Council, 
 confulted about the manner of executing the Agreement with the League, Secretary 
 Villeroy, with whom BeHieure and ViHe-qnitr concurred, was of opinion that the King 
 had no better nor fiirer way foextinguifh the combuftions of his Kingdom, and fru- 
 flrate the defigns of the Guifes , than lincerely to imbrace the War with the Hugonots, 
 to manifcft to all the World his zeal toward the Catholick Religion, and the ill will 
 he bore to the Calvinifts i to put Offices into the hands of the mort flourifhing No- 
 bility of his Kingdom ■■> to fettle the form of Petitions , of granting favours , and of 
 the difpofal of moneys after the old way obferved by his Predeceffors ; and to fatisfie 
 their defigns in particular, who were alienated from him out of difcontent , becaufe 
 they were not able to do any thing at Court : they fhewed, that this was the way to 
 disfurnifh the League of all pretences , to draw the applaufe and love of the people 
 to himfelf i who becaufe they faw him avcrfe from thofe ends , did now adore and 
 follow the Lords of Guife as Defenders of Religion , and Reftorers of an indifferent 
 equality, and of the general quictnefs i that it was nccefiary at laft to take away that 
 worft Schifm of difcords, fowed rirft and principally by the Hugonots, and to re-unite 
 unto himfelf all his Subjedtsand ValTals in the fame charity, in the fame Religion, for 
 the fame unanimous univerfal end i and in concluiion, that he could neither more ho- 
 nourably , nor tnore eafily ruine the League , than by doing well , carrying himfelf 
 lincerely, and (hewing himfelf altogether contrary to what the Heads thereof had di- 
 vulged of him : for by that upright manner of proceeding he might crofs more de- 
 figns, and take away more followers from the Gttifes in one day, than he could do by 
 cunning diffimulation and politick inventions in the whole courfe of his lir^e, though it 
 fliould laft a hundred years The Q_ueen-Mother inclined, though warily, to this ad- 
 vice j for knowing her felf to be already reported a favourer of the Guifes^ and a per- 
 fecuter of the King of Navarre, for her Daughters fake, (he would not (hew her felf 
 partial on the Catholick fidei and being angry, though fecretly, that the King, as it 
 were not trulfing her abfolutely, had fent the Duke o{ Lfpemon to Nemoitrs , for the 
 conclufion of the bufinefs negotiated with the League, (he was very referved in (hewing 
 her opinion, perhaps doubting (he (hould lofe her authority with her Son, or as fome 
 faid, defiringtofee him intangled in thofe troubles, that he might once again acknow- 
 ledge the helpful hand, wherewith (he atfifting in the Government with prudence and 
 moderation, had fo often withheld the imminent ruine of the Crown. 
 
 But the King was otherwife inclined, and utterly averfe from the opinion of his 
 Councellors. The reafons that perfwaded him to the contrary were two i one, that 
 
 being
 
 280 The Hijlory of the Civil iVars 
 
 1585. being fo make War in good earneft againft the Hugonots , it could not chufe but be 
 Loth long and difficult , it was neceflary to put Offices into the hands of the Ciiifes^ 
 which would increafe their power, and gather them Dependents i befides the glory 
 of the Vidtory would be attributed to them, it being evident that they had conihaincd 
 him by force to confent unto the War i the other, that the Hugonot party being de- 
 ftroyed, which bridled their power, and hindred the excelTive ftrength of the Guifes^ 
 he rfiould be left a prey unto their Force, which would then have no reftraint i nor 
 would they ever be without pretences to take up Arms, though that of Religion were 
 taken away i it not being likely that fuch ready wits, and fuch daring fpirits fliould 
 want other inventions. Tiiefe were the reafons alledged by the King i but to them 
 were fecretly joined his moll bitter hatred , nouriflied a long time , and now much 
 more incenfed againll the Houfe of Guife, his inclination to his Minions, whofe grace 
 and power his heart would not fufter him to abafe i his covetous dcfire of difpofing the 
 wealth and revenues of the Kingdom his own way, to fatisfie the prodigality of his 
 mind ; and the continuation of his old refolution to deftroy both Fadtions in the end, 
 by keeping them up againll one another. Nor, to fay the truth, was he much to be 
 blamed •■, for having feen the boldncfs of the Cuifes^ and of fo many others their Abet- 
 tors and Followers, he could not bring his mind to increafe their Authority, and aug- 
 ment their Power again : and on the other fide, to deprive himfelf of the ufe of thofe 
 - he had bred up for his purpofe , and of the alliflance of his greateft Confidents, with 
 evident danger to be expofed to their difcretion, fince they might eafily find out other 
 cccafions to profecute the courfe of their defigns already begun. Wherefore after fome 
 uncertainty, he leaned to the opinion of the Duke d' Efpermn, the Marefhal de Ketz^ 
 and the Abbot del Bene, (who being a Florentine by extradion, and Son to the Nurfe 
 of Charles the Ninth, was by the quicknefs of his wit rifen to very great truft and 
 favour) refblved in appearance to fatisfie the Capitulations made with the League, but 
 cunningly to interrupt and hinder the execution of them i for though he had formerly 
 endeavoured to fupprefs the Hugonots , nor could their prefervation pleafe him , yet 
 now he would not feem to make War againft them atthercqueft of others, and con- 
 flrained by his own Vaffals j nor fuffer the honour and glory thereof to redound wholly 
 to the Lords of Guife. 
 Ic"a "(cord This Counfcl had not only an unfortunate event, (as for the moft part thofe adfions 
 between the ufe to have, which go in the new deceitful paths of fubtil inventions out of the beaten 
 «m and s^«r'cT Toad) but it had alfo a difficult and unlucky beginnings for from it there prefently arofe 
 lary rwtrcy, IS 3 difference and diftruft even amongft the Kings Counfellours thcmfelvesi the Duke 
 tLe'productd of i-fpsTHon jealous of his Matters favours, and defirous to hold fafl his own greatnefs, 
 many evil ef- beginning to hate and perfecute Monfieur de ViUeroy, by whom he had his firft begin- 
 nings and inftrudfions in the Court, and with whom he had till then lived in very great 
 friendfhip i taxing him to have been corrupted with money and promifes by the Duke 
 of Guife , and that he held fecret intelligence with him, and therefore was author of 
 that advice, which perfwaded the King to extirpate the Hugonots, to reduce matters 
 of Government to their ancient form, and to re-unite himfelf fincerely with the Catho- 
 licks of the League v which fignified nothing elfe but the abafing of the Greatnefs and 
 Authority of the Favourites. And that diftafte indeed took birth from the time that 
 the Duke had hindred the marriage of Alincowt , Villeroys Son , to MadamoifiUe de 
 Maure, a very rich Heir of that Family , to match her with a Kinfman of his own 
 called Monfieur «^e Bellegarde ^ Son to Monfieur de Tfrmes; for which caufe AUncourt 
 being offended, fided with the Duke de Joyeufe, and by him was made Cornet of his 
 Company of Gens d' Arms ■■, and afterwards that difcontent was continued in the 
 Duke of Efpernon, by having feen the King approve of the dcmoiiiliing of the Ci- 
 tadel at Lions , at the perfwafions of ViUeroy , C as he faid ) though indeed it was 
 to draw the Sieur de Mandelot to his Party : Yet thefe reciprocal diftalies Iiad been 
 but fecret, and fome hope there was they might wear away, till upon occafion of 
 this advice they began to difcover themfelves , and it paffed (b far , that the Duke 
 of EJpermn not only began to hate the High Chancellour Ch\iv:i-/iy , and the Sieur 
 de Ville-guier , the Kings old Favourites , and well-deferving Servants'^ but he be- 
 gan alfo to fow fufpicions of the Queen-Mother, as though by ancient inclination' fhe 
 were affedfionate to the Lords of the Houfe of Guife , and fought by fomenting the 
 Commotions of Civil War, to keep the liberty of her Son in a perpetual Wardship, 
 that being forced by fuch fireights and difficulties, he might make ufe of her forth<; 
 
 'Govern-
 
 ©/"France. The Eighth ^oo\. 28 1 
 
 Government and maintenance of his Kingdom. Thefe jealoufies and that difcord '583* 
 breaking forth in that conjundture, which required union and concord, in procefs of 
 time made the King lofe a great part of his beft and wifeft Servants, and nccefsitated a 
 great many others to incline to favour the Duke ofGuife, by reafon of their hatred to 
 Efpsrnon, and their defire to fee him abafed i and which imported moft of all, they 
 were the caufe that the King gave not fb much credit as he was wont to the Counfds 
 of his Mother , and that made her often to hold her peace, and often to comply againft 
 her own opinion, left flie (hould alienate her Son utterly from her. 
 
 But the King fpinning on the thred of his defign, appeared folemnly on the nine- The Kings E- 
 teenth of July in the Parliament, and caufed a decree to be publifhed, wherein, revo- "^/^ ag»inft 
 king all other Edids, made at feveral times, in favour of the Hugonots, he prohibited * ' "SO"""* 
 any other Religion, except the Roman Catholick, in all Towns and places of his King- 
 dom V he banifhed all the Preachers and Minifters of the pretended reformed Religion 
 out of his confines, within a moneth after the publication, and commanded, that all his 
 Vaflals (hould, within the term of fix moneths, conform themfelves to live according 
 to the Rites of the holy Church, and to make publick profeiTion of the Catholick 
 Faith i or if they would not do fo, they (hould depart the Kingdom, and be eifedu- 
 ally gone out of his Confines within the faid term i which fix moneths being expired, 
 the Hugonots (hould be proceeded againft with capital punifhments, and confifcation 
 of their Eftates, as Hereticks and Enemies of the publick Peace i and thofe of the afore- 
 faid Religion (hould be declared incapable to attain to, or hold any Degree, Office, or 
 Dignity in the Kingdom \ that all Chambres mi-parties and tri-parties (hould be taken 
 away , which had been eftabli(hed by the Edids of Peace in their favour v and that 
 they fhould reftore all places, granted to them for their fecurity , and give them up 
 without difpute or delay into the Kings obedience i that all Princes, Peers, Officers of 
 the Crown, Parliaments, Governors, and other Minifters, (hould be obliged to fwear 
 to the performance of this Decree, which (hould be irrevocable, and perpetually to be 
 obferved. At the Kings coming out from the Parliament, he was received by the 
 People with joyful cries, to (hew their fatisfadion and contentment at the Edid which 
 had been publiihed i but he, with a troubled countenance feemed to take fmall de- 
 light in thofe Acclamations , which were made to flatter him out of fcalbn > 
 and it was obferved by many, that contrary to his ordinary affabihty, he neither daign- 
 ed to return any falutation to the Frov.iji des Merchattds^ nor to the other Heads and 
 Officers of the People of Paris ■■, which he doing, to (hew he cared little for their vo- 
 lubility and inconftancy, and becaule he would do nothing to comply with others, gave 
 matter to the Gttifards to exclaim, that inwardly he favoured the Hugonots, and that 
 by meer force he was drawn againft his own Gemus^ by the zeal and induftry of the 
 Lords of the Houfe of Lorrain, to denounce War againft them. 
 
 The King of Navarre^ the Prince of Conde^ and the Marefcal d" Anville being met Tb< Hogonot* 
 together at St. Faul^ anfwered the King's Edid with a new proteftation > and Ihew- ttpmst!'' 
 ed , that this was an unjuft perfecution, caufed by them who had (b often difturbed the 
 Peace » and that it was neither the fincere will of the King, nor of the Queen his Mo* 
 ther, whofe clemency and upright intentions were known to all-, and that the King 
 having formerly declared all thofe to be Rebels, who took up Arms without his Com- 
 miffion i the Lords of Guife were fallen into that o(fence , having taken Cities, and 
 done ads of hoftility, not onely againft the Orders, but even againft the Perfonofthe 
 King himfelf 5 and that therefore they knowing them to be, and ufing them as Rebels, 
 had taken Arms againft them, their Adherents, and Accomplices, for the defence of 
 their hwful King, and of the Crown, for the fafety of their own lives, and liberty of \ 
 
 their Con(ciences, receiving all thofe into their protedion who would ftay peaceably 
 at their own houfes, without lending any confent to that Confpiracy, although they 
 were of the Roman Religion. 
 
 I remember, that when this Proteftation was brought unto the King, and divulged 
 in Paris, Louii Sieur de Lanfjc, an old Cavalier, full of experience of things paft, dif«. 
 courfing in the Louvre of thofe prefent affairs, with his wonted eloquence, and the cu- 
 riofity of his hearers, faid openly, without any refped unto the League, That the Hu- 
 gonots had at laft gained the Vidory : for whereas at firft they were cryed out upon 
 for difturbers of the Kingdom, furpriiers of Cities, ftirrers up of the People, and Ene- 
 mies of the fuprerae Prince > now they, with reafon, did objed the fame things to the 
 Catholicks, and convince them of the fame crimes i which were fomuch the lefs ex- 
 
 O o cufablc
 
 282 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1585- 
 
 The Kinff cal- 
 ling the Hti'is 
 of the Citv of 
 Ptrii together, 
 demands mo- 
 niys for the 
 War , which 
 the Catho- 
 licks labour- 
 td for againft 
 tbc Hu«onoti. 
 
 •TliilpiRKn. 
 lat i> not in 
 
 the French O- 
 tiginal of the 
 Kings Speech, 
 which it in a 
 Book called 
 
 ciifable in the League, by how much they were wont, more then all others, to exclairn 
 and make a noife about the Infurredions and Conrpiracies of the Hugonots: and, if 
 they deferved to be blamed, for having eontraded a League with the Englifli , the per- 
 petual Enemies of France ■> the Catholicks did not deferve to be praifcd for having 
 made a Confederacy with the Spaniards : That the King of Navarre was a better Pen- 
 man then was neceflary for a Soldier i but, that if to his prefent reafons, he had ad- 
 ded the declaring of himfelf a Catholick, he would have made the League be utterly 
 condemned as rebellious and feditious. 
 
 But neither the King of Navarr^s Reafons, nor the opinions of the wifeft men, did 
 cool the univerfal ardor of the People, and particularly of the Parifians , who were 
 fet upon the ruineof the Hugonots: rather they began to blame the King, faying, 
 that the term of fix itionths was too long and favourable , defiring to fee the War 
 kindled, and begun without delay i which being known unto the King, who was de- 
 firous to put them cut of that fantaftical humour, and make them fee they labour'd 
 for their own difadvantage i upon the eleventh day oi Auguji he fent for the Prevojides 
 Mercbands^ the two firft Prefidents of the Parliament, and the Dean of the Cathedral 
 of Tarii unto the Lonvre^ and particularly defired the Cardinal of Gtilfe to be there 
 prefent. As foon as they were come together, he began openly to exprefs great joy 
 and fatisfadion, that he was fo well advifed i and that after having had patience (b 
 long time, at laft , moved by the counfel of his fervants, efpecially of thofe that were 
 there prefent, he had recalled the Edid of Peace formerly cftabliflied with the Hugo- 
 nots : but if he had been a great while rcfolving, it had not been for want of affedion 
 toward the Catholick Religion v but becaufe having fo often proved the difficulties of 
 War , he could not, at the very firft imagine, that this laft refolution could be more 
 eafily executed then the reft ; that that confideration bad fo long withheld him, and 
 did foftill, forefceing the great inconveniences this War would bring to the State in 
 general, and to every one in particular; yet neverthelefs feeing himfelf favoured 
 and accompanied by fo many perfons , of whofe fidelity he was afTured , and 
 knowing they perfevered fo cheerfully to the execution of that work, he rejoyced at it, 
 and alfo gave them thanks, praying them to examine, with him the beft means of bring- 
 ing that advice, which they themfelves had given him unto a happy iffiie', that there- 
 fore he rcprefented unto them, what Forces he did intend to raife , and with what 
 foundation that War ought to be begun v that he would have three Armies , one in 
 Gnienne^ another near his own Pcrfon, and the third to hinder forreign Forces from 
 cntrfng into the Kingdom, which ( whatfoever fome would perfwade himj) he knew 
 certainly were already prepared to march: that it would nor be time to think of th? 
 War -when the enemies were upon them, nor to make peace when they had made 
 thfmDves the ftrongeftj that he had alwayes had great difficulties in breaking the 
 Editts of Peace, but he found greater difficulties in beginning the Wari and there- 
 fore, that every one ftiould think well what they had to do, and that it would be too 
 late to cry out for Peace, when the Mills of Yaris were on fire j that for hi§ own part, 
 though he had received the counfel of others, againft his own opinion, yet was he 
 refolved to fpare nothing that belonged to him, and that he was ready to ftrip himfelf to 
 the very fhirt, for the maintenance of that War » that fince they were not content with 
 the Agreement of Peace, it was needful they fhould ailift him in the expenees of the 
 War '•> that he would not ruine himfelf alone, and that it was fit every private pcrfon 
 (hould bear his part of thofe incommodittes , which before he had felt alone > and 
 turning toward the firft Prefident, he commended him very much for his great affeAi- 
 on toward the Catholick Religion, which he had well obfetvdd in a long eloquent 
 Speech he made when the Edidt was revoked, but that it was rcafoiiable, he and all his 
 Company fhould confider the necelTity of Affairs, which were fiich, as being forced to 
 extraordinary courfes, he muft be fain to leave the ordinary ones s and therefore in- 
 treated them, there might be no more mention made to him of their penfioris, which 
 he fhould not be able to pay as long as the War continued : then turning towards 
 the ?rem\l des Merchandt ^ he told him, that the people of his City of Tarnhii 
 fhewed hirti great derabnftrations of joy for the breaking of the Ediift of Peace , that 
 therefore it was fit they fhould afTift him in the execution of that, which they had 
 niade him toapprove of •, and commanded hini to call a Coutoibl' of the Citizens the 
 next day after, and there to tell the people , that they were hot to expeft the ■^ Revc- 
 nucs of the Town fhould be paid any more whilft -the Wat laftied,' ( that was a kind o^ 
 
 Bank
 
 of France. The Seventh 'Boo^, 
 
 283 
 
 Bank which had been erected by the King in the late occurrcnces,to have money at the 
 rate of ten in the Hundred , ) and more, that he fliould lay an impofition upon the 
 City of Two hundred thoufand Crowns, which he {aid he flood in need of to begin 
 the firft Month i for the maintenance of the War would amount to Four hundred 
 thoufand Crowns a month. In the end, he turned toward the Cardinal of Guife , 
 faying , with fomething an angry countenance, that for the firfr moneth he hoped he 
 fhould be able to do well enough without the help of the Clergy, fearching to the bot- 
 tom of all particular mens purfes > but for the other moneths, as long as the War en- 
 dured, he purpofed to raife moneys upon the Church i and that in fo doing he. tiiought 
 he fliould not do any thing at all againit his Confcicnce, nor would ftand upon any 
 leave or authority from Kame^ for they were the Heads of the Clergy who had put him 
 upon that bulinefs i wherefore it was reafonable they fliould bear part of the charge", 
 in conciufion, that he was refolved every one fliould bear his fliare, the Mobility and 
 the Kings Revenues, having already been fufficiently burthened. There he held his 
 peace to hear their anfwers i and when he found they made fome difficulty, he cried 
 out with an angry voice, It had been better then to have believed me, and to have enjoyed 
 the benefits of peace and qmetnefs^ then ftanding in a Shop, or in a ^ire , to J.-tcrmine 
 Cottyi'-.els of fVar : J am very much afraid, that going about to dejiroy the * Prefche tve 
 Jhall put the Mafs in great danger : But hovefoever deeds are more needful here than words. 
 And in that manner he retired into his Chamber, leaving them all in trouble for fear of 
 their purfes, who had been promoters of that War. 
 
 But neither did this take off the edge of the people, ftirred up continually by their 
 Preachers v and the Guijes being a far off, murmured that the War would never be be- 
 gun, to recover thofe places which were poffefTed by the Hugonots : Wherefore the 
 King, lefl: he fliould deflroy all that was built up, and be brought again to thofe dif- 
 ficulties which he had overcome already, began to think of drawing an Army together 
 to be fent into Guienne. He was exceedingly vext and troubled in his mind, that he 
 muft be fain to chufe Commanders for that enterprife at the pleafure of the Leagues 
 confidering, that, belides putting his own Forces into other hands, all the good fuccefi 
 of it would be publickly attributed to the Lords of the Houfeof Lorrain, who,without 
 _doubt, defired to be Generals of thofe Armies themfelves : but as a Prince, who, by 
 the fliarpnefs of his wit, would alwayes find an evafion in the hardefl and moft diffi-> 
 cult bufinefles, after he had, for many dayes, turned the matter on every fide, he fent 
 Guy Sieur de LanCac to the Duke of Guife, to know his intention about thofe that were 
 to command the Armies i who, after long confultation, refolved that the Duke oi May' 
 enne his Brother, fliould corjimand the Army that was to march into Guienne againft 
 .the King of Ntvarre ■■, and he referved to himfelf the charge of keeping the Confines, 
 and hindring the paflage of the Proteftant forces of Gc'r»jj;?)',thinking that to be the more 
 difficult enterprife,and it concerning him verymuchto be near the Court,to frame his re- 
 folutions according to thofe occurrences which are olten wont to happen unexpededly. 
 
 The King having had this anfwer, refolved that the Marefcal de Matignon, o{ whod 
 fidelity he might confidently afTure himfelf, fliould command in Guienne, as Lieutenant 
 of that Province, under the Duke oi' May enne ■■, that the Marefchalif Byron fliould go 
 with Forces to make War in Xaintonge j and that the Duke oi Joyeufe, with an Army, 
 fhould march into Gafcogne , Provinces fo near, that the Duke of Mayenne. would 
 be encompaffed on every fide by thofe Armies ; and becaufe about that very time hap- 
 pened the death of Monfieur de Angoulefme Grand Prior of France , the Kings Ba- 
 ftard Brother, who was Governor of Provence, he conferred that Government up- 
 on the Duke of Efpernon , and refolved to fend an Army thither with him againfl the 
 tlugonots-, defigning, by that means, not onely to have many Armies on foot, 
 .commanded by his Confidents and Favourites i but alfo retarding the Duke of 
 Mayenne's progrefs, by making him want Money, Ammunition, and Vidual, that the 
 honor of thofe adtions might fall upon them that were neareft to him. But not 
 to give occafion of new complaints and murmurings , the Duke of Mayenne s Ar- 
 my was prepared firft of all •, and yet to delay the proceedings of it, he firft fent three 
 Ambafladors to the King oiNavarre to endeavour his converlion,which were the Cardi- 
 nal de Lenon-Court, one antiently bred up in his Family, the Sieur de Foi'^ny Knight of 
 the St, Efprit, and Prefident Brulart, who went but a few dayes before the Duke of 
 Mayenneh Army i whereupon the Dutchefs of Vzes , a Lady of an excellent wit, ta- 
 king occailon to jcft, told the King, that the ftate of the King of Navarre was now at 
 
 . O a the 
 
 i58^ 
 
 A faying of 
 flew, che third; 
 
 * The Hugo-. 
 not Seimsnt. 
 
 Monfieur^*. 
 gut/c/zjieGranJ 
 Prior Frjtce 
 being dtad.the 
 King confers 
 the Govern- 
 ment of Pro- 
 vence upon thj 
 Duke of £/J>er-. 
 nmi.
 
 284 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 »5»5- 
 
 Grtim XIII. 
 dies, in 158 J. 
 Sixtvs Quint- 
 t!<' fucceed* 
 ttb. 
 
 lus on iht 
 ninth of Stf- 
 icmber 15 8 J, 
 Ifxcommuni- 
 cateithc King 
 f I NdvdrTe 
 and the Prince 
 ei Cvnde-, it- 
 claiing them 
 incapable of 
 (ucc(9ion. 
 
 the very laft gafp, and that he would certainly be converted now for fear of dying 
 without repentance, fince that after the Ghoftly Fathers, the Minifter of Juftice wene 
 to put the Sentence in execution. 
 
 The Ambafladors had Commiffion to excule thebreachof the Edi(ft of Peace, with 
 many fpecious reafons, to exhort the King of Navarre to return to the obedience of 
 theCatholick Church, to move the refloring of thofe places they held into the Kings 
 hand, to come and live near his Perfon,and remove all occafions of the prefcnt War » 
 and all this onely to feek occaftons to delay the beginning of the War. The King 
 of Navarre more refolute then ever not to return to the Prifon cf the Court ( as he 
 called it ) whilft the Lords of the Houfe of Guife had more Forces and Adherents then 
 he had : and feeing himfelf in fo weak a condition, that it was neceffary for his de- 
 fence to make (hew of not being afraid , after having, with great fubmilTion, given 
 the King thanks for the care he had of his Salvation , and after having modeftly 
 complained of the breach of the Edi(ft^, in a time, when he , in al! rtafon , fliould 
 have believed , that Armcs would rather have been imployed againJl the Seditious 
 Abettors ot the League, then againft him who was moft oblervant ot the Kings com- 
 mands , and of the Articles of Peace > he began very gravely , not onely to con- 
 demn the perverfe Ambition of the Heads of the League, in contending about the 
 Kings Succeffion during his lite, but alfo the poornefsof the Duke of Guife ^ in not 
 accepting his Challenge, which might have ended the differences and enitiities be- 
 tween them hand to hand , without troubling the King , and difturbing the whole 
 Kingdom : and concluded finally , that as he would ever willingly fubmit himfelf 
 unto a lawful Councel , and the inftrudtions which fhould be fincerely given him 
 by learned men 4 fo neither did it ftand with his Confcience, nor with his honor, to 
 be brought to Mafsby force, hoping that God would ptotedt his innocence, as he had 
 miiaculoufly done in former times. 
 
 At the departure of the Ambaffadors, the Army advanced to enter Guietine, the War 
 beginning to grow hot in every place i for the Heads of the League , defiring to fee 
 the de(hu(^ion of the Hugonots , efpecially of the Princes of BoHrboM, made Spiritual 
 Armes be joyned with Temporal ones, thinking, by that means, tohaften their utter 
 fupprdTion. Pope Gregory the XIII''' died this year, who, of a gentle nature, and a- 
 verfe from violent courfes, had never confented either to the open prote<ftion of the 
 League, or to the condemning of the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde : But be- 
 ing fucceeded by Felici Feretti, a Frier of the Order of S. Francif, Cardinal of Montalto^ 
 called afterward Sixtus §utintus^ a man of a fierce violent nature i the Cardinal of Fel~ 
 leve. Father Mattei, and the other Agents of the League, ceafed not to follicit and 
 perfwade him to take the Confederates into open protection, and to Excommunicate 
 the Princes of Bourbon^ to which incitements he confented eafily, through his own 
 inclinations, as one who having been an Inquifitor a great part of his time, was, by 
 -cuftom, grown a bitter enemy to thofe, that were of different opinions from the Church 
 of Kome i wherefore, in a Conliftory held this year on the ninth day of September^ he 
 declared the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde to berelapfed into Herefie, ex- 
 communicated, and made incapable of any Succeflion, efpecially that of the Kingdom 
 of France , atid deprived them of the States they pofTefTed, abfolving their ValTals 
 from their Oath , and Excommunicating thofe that fhould obey them for the time 
 to come. As this Declaration caufed great joy in thofe of the League, per- 
 fwading themfelves, that it had wholly excluded thofe Princes from the Crown > 
 fo did it pierce the King very deeply, without whofe privity it had been pro- 
 pofed in the Confiftory , fubfcribed by many Cardinals , ported up and publifhed. 
 But mofl part of the French very much troubled at this unexpe<fted Declaration, 
 calling to mind what had been, done by Charles the Ninth , when the Monitory 
 Was made to the Queen of Navarre, and doubting that the priviledges of the 
 Gallique Church would be violated and trod under foot , ftood expedting what 
 the King would do » who , being tied up by the condition of prefent affairs , left 
 he (hould confirm that fufpition which was conceived of him, that he favoured the 
 Hugonots, and gave new occafions and new pretences to the Lords of Guife, refolved to 
 diffcmble the bufinefs, although all the Parliament together prefenting themfelves un- 
 to his Majefty, were very earneft to have the £«!/ torn in pieces, and thofe punifhed 
 who had follicited and procured it i to which requefl the King anfwering,that he would 
 think upon it,the matter was paft over in filence,aRd the BuU was neither accepted not 
 
 publifhed
 
 t?/ France. The Seventh "Bool^, 285 
 
 |)ubliflicd in the Parliament, but onely divulged in many places of the Kingdom, by the ($85. 
 Adherents of the League, and the Catholick Preachers. 
 
 The King o{ Navarre being adverdfed of the Popes Declaration, did not oncly pro- ^he kim of 
 cure his Appeal to be pofted up in Kome it felf, as it was upon the fixth oi November ^'avar, mjke» 
 in the night i but writ to all the States of the Kingdom of fwwce , complaining to ^sil^u^'^fntut 
 every one of them in particular of the injury which he reputed to have been done un* 'o be anfwet- 
 to him, and exhorted them not to fuffer the rights of the fuccedion of the Crown of ln;„"/fet% 
 France to be decided in the ConfiftoryofRo»je. Many Volumes were written againft, "> «n«. 
 and in favour of this B«S, by the chiefeft wits of Europe s the reafons whereof would 
 be too long to infert into the compendious Narration of this Hiftory » and fo much 
 the rather, becaufe the noife that arofe faom the thundering of thefe Spiritual Wea- 
 pons , within a f«w dayes were drowned by the loud dafhings of temporal Arms^ 
 
 Tie Bftdofthe Sevrnth BOOK, 
 
 yd 
 
 THE
 
 - 28^ ■ -* 
 
 j '{Ijao ijjrj lib, noil.' 
 
 ■."..I'jv'A 1', .. . j:!i .m.'' 
 
 THE 
 
 kiJ;^'./ : 
 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 The Eighth BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 IN the Eighth Book^is defcribed the War agaJnji the HugOMOfi in Guienne ; the 
 dejeat of the Prince of Conde; the toeak^froceedings oj the Duke of May- 
 &\ne General of the Kingi Army -^ the King of Nnvar's defence -, the Maref- 
 chall de Byron's advancing into Xaintogne voith ofiother Army , the flcge of 
 Maran. The King fets forth ttoo other Armes^ one under the Duke of ]oy- 
 , ^ , eufe in Auvergne, the other under the Duke tf/Efpernon in Provence 5 he 
 * ' ''tjjhtfelf goes to Lyons. The Protejiant Princes of Germany raife a mighty 
 Army to relieve the Hugonots'^ they fend anEmbaJjie unto the King of France, 
 Tphich increafes their difcontents, and hajiens the taking up of Armes. The 
 King refolves again to try if he can perfivade the King of Navarre to turn 
 Catholick^, and come to Court •-, he fends the ^een-Mot her into Poiftou to 
 treat with him about it : they of the League are difpleafed thereat^ and mnr^ 
 mur highly^ and from that occafion the union of the Parijians is fomented^ who 
 provide and arm themfelves fecretly j they plot tofurprife Boulogne in Pi- 
 card y, but the bnftnefs is difcovered^ and theToron faved, they think^to feife 
 vpon the King himfelf but dare not venture tddo it^ and he being informed 
 of it looks to himfelf they run for ajjijiance to the Duke of Mayenne at his 
 return to Paris, but he refufeth to confent to it, and departs. In the mean 
 iime^the Duke of Guile being up in Armes in Bourgongne and Champagne, 
 takes Aufonne, and Rocroy, and befieges Sedan. The ^een-Mothcr meets 
 zvith the King of Navarre, but without eff'eB 5 whereupon JJ)e returns to Paris. 
 The King feeing the obHinacy of that Prince, makes a new Protejiation, not 
 to tolerate the Hugonots any longer: He unites himfelf with the Catholic^ 
 League, to oppofe the German Army: He fends the Duke of ]oyew^e into 
 Poidtou againji the King of Navarre, who coming unexpe&edly, cuts off two 
 Regiments of the Hugonot Infantry. The Duke of G\\\(e draws his Army 
 together, to advance againji the Germans in Lorrain ; the King levies Swif- 
 fes^ and raifes mighty Forces for the fame purpofe. The Count of Soiflbns, 
 
 and
 
 ©/"France, The Eighth ^oo\. 28 
 
 / 
 
 
 and the Prince of Conty go over to the King of Navarr's party. The Duke 1585* 
 o/Loiam tmitcd with the Duke tf/Guife, oppofeth the Entry of the Germans 
 into his Country j they meet at Pont S. Vincent , but give not Battel : the 
 Germans pafs on into France, the Dul^ <?/Guife foUoweth them:, and the 
 King with his Army comes forward., to hinder them fromjoyning with the 
 King <?/ Navarre, who advancing in the mean time to meet the Dnke of]o\x- 
 cuCe., pajfes the River Drongnej the Armies face of/e another at Coiiuas, 
 and Ji'ght with all their Forces 5 the Dnke of Joyeufe lofeth theBittel and 
 his life. ' On the other fide^ the Duke of Gmie fights with the Germ ifs at 
 Villemory and Auneau, and makes a great fl aught er of them ^ the KingfoU 
 lowing the ViUory comes tip tlofe to the Enemies Army-, the Swijfes yield 
 themfehes unto him., and the remainder of the Ger mas disband^ and bet ike 
 ihemfelves to flight , they are followed and defeated in many place!. The 
 Duke of Gui(e,/« revenge^dejiroys the County (?/Morabelliart .• theSie^r de la 
 Valette, and Colonel AlionCo Otnano do great execntion npon the Hugonots 
 in Dauphine. 
 
 TReat was the hope the Lords of Guife conceived , that the 
 Princes of Boetrbin profecured with fo many plots , and Co 
 ftreightly befet on every fide, would at laft fink under the 
 perfecution of the League, and that the Hugonot party be- 
 ing deftroyed, and brought to nothing , the Catholick Re- 
 ligion would be left alone in the Kingdom, and their old 
 wonted power alone in the Court : but, no IcTs was the con- 
 ihncy wherewith the King of Navarre, ( unanimoufly fol- 
 lowed by the other Lords of his party) flood upon his de- 
 fence i and his condition, which before was wont to be hard 
 and dejeded,as it were gathering Itrength from the afiaults of the Enemies, feemed, 
 in a manner, to rife again, to correfpond at laft with the greatnefs of his courage, and 
 the ertablifliment ofhisdefigns. For his generous refolution of challenging the head 
 of the League to a duel, and of proffering, with the danger of himfelf, to end the mi- 
 feries of the Kingdom, had won him the general favour, andapplaufei and the ex- 
 communication at Rome, though in fome fort it had confirmed , and approved the 
 League , which had never been openly received into Protection by Pope Gregory, and 
 though it !iad encreafed the f^.ruples of many mindesi yet on the other fide, it had 
 wrought a rcfentment in the Parliaments, and in many men of the long Robe; and DeRsiULn- 
 which imported moft, had alienated and difpleafed the minds of many Prelates h thofe ^'"' 
 as jealous of the greatnefs of the Crown, the fucceffion whereof they held ought to be 
 decided by the Aflembly of the States-General of the Kingdom and not to depend up- 
 on the Arbitrement of the Court of Rome--, thefe, as defenders of thofe Priviledges, 
 which they pretend do belong unto the Galli^ue, Church, preferved Tas they faidj with 
 great conftancy, by the care and diligence of their predecefTors > Co that the perfons of 
 the Princes of Bourbon., were become more acceptable to many, and their reafi^ins left 
 disfavoured, which, in former times, were wont bitterly to be hated, and univcrfjliy 
 abhorred To thefe was added the favour of the Kings Minions, who, being fliarply 
 perfecuted by the League, and open Enemies to the G«i/f/, were forced, by necdTity, 
 to take part with the King of Navarre, and with their advice, counfel, and alfili3nce,to 
 withfland his danger as much as they were able, and contrive many means to llrengthen 
 and uphold himi Nor did he fail, cither by Writings to juftifie his Reafons to all the 
 (everal Cr<:/frj-, or by adtions to prepare for his defence i but with an unwearied mind, 
 and body, drew Forces from all parts, fortified his ftrong places, and ftored them plea- 
 tifully with Vidtual, provided Artillery by all poifible means, furnifticd himfelf with 
 ammunition, gathered money, follicited the Nobility, armed, and exercifed the Infan- 
 try, and, without taking any reft, had his eye ftiJl intent upon all thofe things which 
 were needful to fuftain the encounter of fo great a power. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne marched towards the River Loire with his Army, confifting 
 K>i %Q^ Gent d^ Arms ^ l<iQQ Reitersy 400 light Horfe,aod 5000 Foot: the Marefcal de 
 
 Byrm
 
 j83 The Hijlory of the Civil IVars 
 
 1585. Byron moved alfo towards thofe parts, C but by feveral wayes) with his Forces,which 
 were appointed to make War about Kochelle i and Claude Sieur de la Chajire , with 
 the Soldiers raifed in Berry, and Sologne, came along the Bankes of the Loire to joyn 
 with the Duke o( Mayenne i b\it Emanuel Duke de Mercaur Govetnoi of Bretaign wzs 
 advanced before them all with 800 Horfe, and 1 5O0 Foot of that Province, and entred 
 already into thofe parts which were held by the Hugonots in Poiaou. 
 
 On the other fide, theKingofW^i/^rre, after he had confulted with the Prince of 
 The Wat ij Conde, and the Marefcal de Anville, at St. Taul de Cade-pus, having drawn thofe For- 
 begun aKa'in ccs that followed him into one body, had fetled himfelf to defend Guienne, where the 
 othoiicks''' gieateft weight of affairs was like to fall, and had fent the Prince of Conde into Xain- 
 and Hugonots. to}f<re, that by means of his adherents in that Country, and the help of the Rochelers, 
 he mi'^ht endeavour to fortihe as many places as was polfible, and take as many others as 
 he could, to make the greater rcfiftance, and give the greater hinderance to the pro- 
 ceed'ngs of thf Enemy. With the Prince of Conde were the Duke de la IremouiUe ^ 
 who, of a voluble nature, was newly turned to the Religion, and party of the Hugo- 
 nots, the Sieur de Kafjan, a Lord of great note in Bretaigne, and a near Kinfman to the 
 King of Navarre i the Count de Li Roche fau-cault, the Sieur de CLrmont of Amboife^ 
 Monfieur de St. Gelais, who was Camp Matter General v and many other Lords, and 
 Gentlemen of thofe parts, with whom he was fcarce gone from S. Jehan de Angely, to 
 vifit the places in ToiOm, when he received intelligence, that the Duke of Mercceur 
 was already pad Foimtenay, and came on towards him plundering and burning the 
 Country j wherefore, defirousin the firft encounters of the War to (hew his face to 
 the Enemy, and to give a bold profperous beginning to future things, he ad vanced pre- 
 fently whither he was guided by the cry and flight of the poor Country people. But, 
 the Duke of Mercxnr being advertifed from many places of the Prince's coming, and 
 knowing himfelf too weak to venture further into the Enemies Country, which 
 was all up in Arms againft him, refolvcd to retire to b'ountenay, a place belonging 
 to the Catholicks, and there, as in a fecure ftation, to ftay for the Kings Armies, which 
 were marching that way. But that intent of his was frulkated > for they that com- 
 manded Foantenay, being ill-affe6ted to the League, exculTng themfelves that they had 
 no Order from the King to receive him into the Town, ftiut the Gates againft him 
 at his arrival , and he, with great danger and incommodity, was forced to quarter in 
 the Suburbs called lei Loges, receiving no other relief from the Townfmcn, but a very 
 fmall quantity of vidual. Not many hours after the Prince came up, refbtved to fight^ 
 and ready to fall upon the Enemy, prefently they began to skirmi(h furioufly, the 
 Catholicks having the advantage of the place , and the Hugonots of number •, but the 
 fight having lafted till night, fuccefsfuUy redoubled by the Hugonots, and no Icfs con- 
 ftantly fuftained by the Catholicks ; and the Duke de Mercosur confidering , that not 
 being affured of thofe within the Town, he was in great danger of being defeated the 
 next day, determined to fave himfelf with expedition, and raifing his Camp in the 
 nioft filent time of the night, without giving any notice of it by Drum or Trumpet, 
 began to march with all fpeed toward the Loire, and that with fuch a general dili- 
 gence , that they would not allow themfelves time to cat that day, marching on ftill 
 in order to recover fome fecure place : and yet being purfued by the Prince with his 
 Cavalry, he was tain to leave many of his Soldiers behind him, and not onely to aban- 
 don the booty they had taken, but alfo moft part of their Carriages a prey unto the 
 Enemy. 
 
 The Duke of Mercceur being chafed away, as the Prince returned to thofe places 
 that were of his party, he had notice, that many Catholick Gentlemen united together, 
 and not yet advertifed of the fuccefs, were coming up to joyn with the Duke i where- 
 fore, without lofing time, or giving them leafure to be informed of it, he hafted toward 
 them with fo great fpeed, that being fuddenly overtaken , they were not able to make 
 much lefiftance , but fome of them were killed upon the place, and fome being ta- 
 ken prifoners, freed themfelves afterwards, with a promife, not to bear Arms againft 
 the Princes for a certain time. The Prince encouraged with this happy fuccefs, pur- 
 pofed to aflault the Illes and Caftlesnear Kochel, to reduce all that quarter to his de- 
 votion, and have more Field-room to fuftain the War ; wherein he had fo profperous 
 a fortune,that having every where routed thofoCwith great flaughter)that came tooppofc 
 Iiim,feifing upon all the Forts that were near,and taking all the paffes thereabouts, he was 
 (b much incieafed in courage, that he refolved to befiege Brouagf, wherein was the Sieur
 
 of France. The Eighth "Boo^, 289 
 
 de St. Lite, one of the League, (with no contemptible number of Infantry) and fbme 1585. 
 ether Gentlemen of the Country. The Rochcllers confented to this Enterprife both 
 for the profit and reputation which redounded by it •, and having fent a great many 
 Ships thither, belTeged the Fortrefs by Sea, whilft the Prince having polTeffed that paf- 
 fage which is the only way to Brouages by Land , and having fliut up the Defendants 
 within the circuit of their walls, flreightned the Siege very clofely on that fide. 
 
 But whilft fixing his mind wholly upon that bufinefs, he negleds no opportunity It^^frfukta 
 of blocking and incommodating the Town, a new accident happened that invited him '"'^''eniy by 
 to a more important deliberation: for the Sieur d^ la Koche-morte, Captain duHalot, the Hugonots- 
 and Captain le Frefne, fecret Adherents to the K'mg of Navarre, and Enemies to the 
 Count <^f Brijfac Govevnout of ^HS^iers , having found means to enter as friends into 
 the Caftle of that City, one of the llrongelt and chiefeff FortrefTes in all France ■■, fud- 
 denly killed theGovcrnour of it with thofe few Souldiers that were there in Garifon, 
 and feifed upon it without much difficulty i but whilii they fought alfo to make the 
 Town revolt, they were belieged by the people, who taking Arms, had with trenches 
 cut off the palTage to the Cattle ; and they beginning to write to all parts, demanded 
 prefent relief from the Prince of Conde, who was much nearer than the King of Na- 
 varre. Anglers is a City on this fide the Lo/>f,featcd in a fweet, fertile, plentiful Coun- 
 try, very well peopled, famous for the ftudy of the Law, and commodioufly fituated 
 to fall into all the Provinces of Ga]iii Celtica, which invirons it on every fide with a 
 large fpacious compafs : wherefore the Prince accounting it a very great and an op- 
 portune occafion which oifered it felf unto him, not only to take fo principal a City 
 but alfo to remove the War beyond the River Loire, ( a thing always defired , and 
 thought very advantageous for the HugonotsJ applyed his mind to carry fuch fpcedy 
 relief, that he might feife upon the Town by the help and inlet of the Cafilc, before 
 it were rtreightned and fhut up by the Catholicks. Indeed this was a very great and 
 hopeful defign, but oppofed with no lefs difficulties i for to go over fi) broad a River 
 without having any pafs in his hands that could be maintained, to enter into the heart 
 of thofe Provinces which held ( without divifion ) of the Catholick party, and put 
 himfelf between two powerful Armies, which marched into thofe parts to n-^et him, 
 confidering his Forces, feemed rather a rafli , than a generous attempt i and to quit 
 the Siege of Brouage^ which was reduced to an hard condition, and almoit to a cer- 
 "tainty of being taken, to venture upon fo doubtful, fo haiardous an enterprise, (for 
 in the Caftle of ^//i^ifcj there were not above fixteen Souldiers, befides the Captains 
 and it was doubted whether they could hold out till relief came) feemed an unprofi- 
 table, dangerous refolution. Yet the Prince's mind inclined to hope for the revolt of 
 Ar^giers , and it being ct fo great confequence , that more uncertain , more pcrillous 
 ha7ards were not to be refufed for the gaining of it, he refolved to follow the courfe 
 of his fortune, the profperity whereof did with wonderful beginnings in a manner aP- 
 Ture him of a moft happy conclufion : Wherefore leaving Monfieur de St. Mefmes with 
 the Inr'antry and Artillery at the Siege of Broiiage , and giving order that the Fleet 
 fhould continue to block it up by Sea , he departed upon the eighth oE Ocinber to re- 
 lieve the Caftle of Angiers with eight hundred Gentlemen, and one thoufand four hun- 
 dred Harquebuliers on Horfeback. Nor was this enterprise f cftcemed fo rafh by 
 Souldiers of great experience) lefs profpcrous in the beginning than his other acffi- 
 OHS •> for though he neither had any Pafs that held of his party, nor boats ready to 
 crofs the River, he got over neverthelefs happily, and without much difficulty at Ro- 
 fiers, having four;d certain boats there, which (laden with Wines) were rowing along 
 the River, and accidentally came to that fide of the Bank: Having paffed the River, 
 they found the Sieur de Clermont with about feven hundred Horfe, who having gone 
 before into the Country of M.iine and the parts adjacent, to draw their friends toge- 
 ther, being afterward informed of the bufinefs of Angiers, was come with great ex- 
 pedition to unite himfelf with the Prince for the fame defign •, or miffing of him there, 
 to pafs the River, and join with him at the Siege which was laid before Bronage. Their 
 Forces being met with exceeding glad nefs, and the S\enx de St. Gglais marching be- 
 fore with two Troops of Horfe, to difcover the Country, and provide vidual for the 
 Army, upon the twentieth of October they quartered at Beaufort a place not far from 
 Angiers, where they intended to reft themftlves the day following, that they might 
 come more frefh to the attempt of fo great an enterprife. • 4 ' 
 
 Pp But
 
 -200 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1 585. But the Caftlc was recovered by the Catholicks two days before -, for the Townfmcn 
 
 Th« Ciftic of having at firll taken Captain du Halet prifoncr, who was gone out to parley, and to 
 wve'edb'ythe pcrfwadc them to turn unto his party, and having the next day killed Captain le 
 cathoi.cks Frtfne, whilll he treated at the Bridge of the Caftle with certain Deputies about the 
 a!*""""" prcfcnt affairs , had generally fet thcmfelves to befiege the place i iVhere on the one 
 lide, the Count de Brijfic Governour of the City being arrived > and on the other, 
 jHenry ds Joyeufe^ Count de Bou-chage Governour of the Province i and aot many days 
 after the Duke of J^ye^fi himfelf , who came up with fume number of Gentlemen to 
 airiithis Brother", and Monfieur «/e /<« Koch-morte being at laft flain with two (hots, 
 whereof one took off his tongue, and the other went through his throat i the fix- 
 tecn Souldicrs being left without a Captain to command them, and not agreeing very 
 well among themfelves , fom.e of them being Catholicks , and fome Hugonots , had 
 in the end capitulated to yield upon certain Conditions, wherewith upon the eigh- 
 teenth of October being Sunday^ they delivered up the Caftle into the power of the Go- 
 vernour. 
 
 But the Prince of Conde believing that the Caftle held ftill for his party, having 
 divided his forces into divers Squadrons , on the 2 1 in the morning about break of 
 day, advanced towards Angiers ^ not by the great toad which leadeth ftraight to the 
 gate of the Town s but by that way on the field fide, which led to the Trenches made 
 by the Catholicks to befiege the Caftle. Thofe of the City having notice from all 
 parts of the Princes coming , and finding themfelves already Maftcrs of the Fortrefs, 
 retired into the Suburbs of the Town, and there with Trenches and Barricadoes, 
 flood upon their defence, to receive the aftault of the Hugonots with more fecurity. 
 At their firft arrival it was ealily known that the Caftle held no longer of the Princes 
 party i for in ftead of (hewing figns of joy for the coming of that relief which they 
 had called for, they played with their Artillery very fiercely againft the firft Troops of 
 the Army, who under the Sieur de St, Gelais were come within Cannon (hot, by which 
 token though the Commanders knew that the Caftle was already yielded, yet in the 
 heat of their firft fury they fell moft gallantly into the neareft Suburbs of the Town, 
 and fought floutly for many hours, not without much blood on both fides. Tliis was 
 one of the accuftomed effedls of a firft onfet •■, but their fpirits cooling, and the Prince, 
 with the other Lords and Captains , knowing that to perifti obftinately in that skir- 
 mifh, was but to lofe men, time, and their labour i and that it was neceffary to take 
 another refolution , they founded a retreat, the Sun not being yet near fetting, and 
 inarched off to reft their Souldicrsin a Village hard by. There the confideration of 
 their prefcnt condition, changing their late gallantry into a great "and reafonable fear, 
 they began to think what was then to be done for the fafety of every one > wherein 
 thofe difficulties appearing impoiTible to be overcome, which the hope and dcfirc of 
 getting the City of Augurs , had at firft made to feem very light and eafie , and not 
 having any time to fpare, left they fliould give the Catholicks Icifure to fall upon them, 
 ) they drew away without any determinate refolution, and as it were leaving themfelves 
 
 to fortune, began to march toward the River Loire, which they were necellitated to 
 pafs, if they would fave themfelves. But all the Country already beginning to rife at 
 the ringing of the To^«f/ji«^, and being informed that the people had with great dili- 
 gence taken away the boats every where from the River fide j that Monfieur de la 
 Chajlre marched along the bank to meet them i that the Duke of Mayemie having paf- 
 fed over at Orleans with all the Army , advanced towards them with all expedition ; 
 that on the other fide the Marefchal de Byron came up with his Forcej, that the Count 
 BoH-chage who was fallied out of Anglers, drew together the gentry and common peo- 
 ple, made trees to be cut down, fpoiling the ways every where, and that the Duke 
 de Jnyeufe with a great power was at their backs i they were forced to take a courfe 
 very contrary to their firft intention, and dividing their men into three (quadrons, 
 one commanded by St. Gelais, another by the Prince, and the third by the Sieur de 
 Kohan, they thought beft to deceive the Enemy, by turning from the River, and march- 
 ing out of the great high-ways, to get between the Armies, into the moft woody parts 
 of that Province, and with a long compafs ftriking fpeedily into the higher parts of 
 Beaiiff'e, to pafs the River fuddainly in fome place where the favour of fortune, and 
 their unexpected arrival might open the way for them , and give them opportii- 
 *"fy' In this manner Cthe Commanders with exceeding care, and the Souldiers with 
 wonderful terrourj they marched all that night, and the day following : but the event 
 
 n i fliewed
 
 o/^ France. The Eighth ^ool^ 291 
 
 (hewed how hard that refolution was to be effedled ", for the whole Province being up 1585. 
 round about them, they had neither leifure to reft, means to feed, nor way to <?ct Theenterptifc 
 through thofe iftrange difficult paffages, and the cry and concourfe of the Country peo- iWanlnitd"" 
 pie, and the ringing of the T.'oqnefuint whcrefoever they came, gave the Catholicks fuf- '''^ Hugonot 
 ficient notice of the place where they were, and guided the Armies diredly to encom- paf^d 'by"he 
 pafs them, jull like the tracing and hunting of wild beafls through the woods. Where- cathoiicks, 
 fore the Sieur de Rohan, who was nearer his own Country than the reft, the Confines o?ea"ft"rcIghis 
 of Bretaigne not being far off, gave the Prince to underftand, that {o continue ftill to- r'|i'f"''V', 
 gether would be the loft of all their men, and therefore advifed him to divide his 0' them with 
 Forces into many fmall Troops to delude the Enemy, who would be called fometimes ("iis^a^Them- 
 this way, fometimes that way by tlie tumult of the people, and by ftealing fecretly fdvesbyflighe 
 through the moft remote hidden places , to endeavour the faving part of that whole, 
 whicli being united could not poilibly efcape fo great a danger. But the Prince ftand- 
 in^r in fufpcnce becaufe his courage would not fufFer him to come to that refolution v 
 the Sieur d.- Kohan faying that he would not perilh for ancthers obftinacy and want of 
 expi licnce, departed from him with his men > and having divided his Souldiers and 
 Gentlemen into little parties of about ten or fifteen a piece , hiding themfelves, and 
 throwing away their arms, at laft (though after many days J with infinite trouble and 
 daniicr, thornw woods, and divers feveral ways, he recovered Bretaigne, and thence 
 by other palfages he got in the end to KocheUe. The Prince after he had niarched 
 with his Forces in one body another day, feeing that he could relift no longer, nor 
 keep them together, took the fame courfe, and disbanding all his men every one to 
 his own indultry, and the protedion of Heaven, he himfclf with the Sieurs d' Avan- 
 tigjiy, de la Iremouille, and (bme eight or ten more in company, took that way by 
 chance which fortune prefentcd to them. This divifion of the Army into fo many 
 parcels, made the Catholicks lofc their way, for being called to feveral places by the 
 tumults and advertifements of the people, they could not follow the trace of the Prince 
 and his Commanders , and it fo fell out that having furrounded and took certain 
 fmall parties of private Souldiers, they could never light upon any perfon of note i fo 
 that the Prince croifing unknown as a Traveller through the Country of Maine, and 
 being come to the uttermoft parts of Lower Normandy , went to the Sea-fide , and 
 there finding by chance certain Ships laden with Merchandize, he embarked near Au~ 
 ranches, and paffed firft into the Hie of Garnfey, and after into England, where being 
 honourably received by the Queen, he was not many months after condufted to Kochel 
 with certain men of War. The Sieur de St. Celais being got into the Foreft of Or- 
 leans, and having made an uncertain intricate Voyage, coming at laft near to Gyen^ 
 pafTed the River Lo/Vf in little boats belonging to certain Mills, leaving his Horfes to 
 the Enemy, and having hired others, went like a Traveller to thofe places that were 
 of his party. The Sieur de la lijfardiere, Aubigny, and others had hid themfelves in 
 the houfes of their friends and kindred, which fome of them had in one place, fome in 
 another i many changing their cloaths faved themfelves on foot, many alfo fell into 
 the hands of the Catholicks , and were by the Country people cruelly cut in pieces. 
 This was the iffue of the Prince of Conde's enterprife , wherein all his Army was dif- 
 perfed and fcattered without fighting, exceedingly weakening the Forces of the Hu- 
 gonots in a time of fo great need. 
 
 Whilft the Prince and his Souldiers ran fo adverfe a fortune, the Skui de St. Mefmet^ 
 who had been left at the Siege of Brouage^ was forced about the fame time to retire 
 with very little better fuccefs i for the Marefchal de Mj//g«9« drawing near with great 
 ftrength to relieve it, he feeing himfelf with the Infantry alone, and they frighted and 
 difcourcged with the news of the Prince's ill-fortune, thought it the beft way to re- 
 treat, and not obftinately to hazard the remainder of the Army, which was fo necef* 
 fary for the defence of their own places j yet the report of the Prince's defeat being 
 fpread in the Camp, was fo great a terrour to every one, and that no lefs to the Com- 
 manders and Gentlemen , than to the common Souldiers, that each man purpofed to 
 provide for his own fafety s fo that St. Luc fallying out of Brouage , and following 
 thofe that were fcattered feveral ways , made a great flaughter of them in many pla- 
 ces i whereupon the Commanders defpairingto rally the Army any more, got away 
 as well as they could poiTibly, to fecure their own ftrong holds. The fame did Henry 
 de Iz lour Vifcount of lurenne ■■, for being entred very hopefully into Limoges , and 
 having already ftruck a terrour into the people of thofe parts, the news of the Prince's 
 
 Pp a over-
 
 202 The H'tjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1585. overthrow coming to him , he judged it a fafer way to retire, than alone to oppofe 
 the violence of fo many Armies, which were marching into thofe Quarters to deftroy 
 thofe of his party. 
 
 But the Sieur de Lefdiquiers, Head of the Hugonots in Vanphme^ having raifca 
 Foot and Horfc and begun a (harp War againft Monfieur de Mangiron Lieutenant of 
 that Province, and againft Colonel Alfonfo Corfg ^ whereby raifing all the Country, 
 (the fagacityand readinefs of the Commander fupplying the inequality of Forces) the 
 affairs of the Hugonots were brought into a very good condition : having taken many 
 fuch Towns and Cables , which though not very ftrong , were very commodious > 
 and with the hopes of booty drawn together a great number of old Souldiers, fuch as 
 were wont to live among the troubles of War. 
 
 In the mean time the Heads of the League being augmented in hopes and courage 
 by the Prince of Conde^s ill fuccefs, and the defeat of his Army, were exceeding ear- 
 ne/t with the King to fliorten the term of fix months prefixed by the late Edift, for 
 the banifliment of the Hugonots j urging, that fince they had declared they would re- 
 fill his will by force , they were no longer to be fuffered, but that their total extirpa- 
 tion was to be endeavoured with the greateft fpeed that might be •■, which thing the 
 King knowing to conduce but little to the end of his defigns, refolved yet to fatisfie 
 them, and with a new Edift reduced the term of fix months which had been granted 
 to them, to the fpace of but fifteen days i after which time, the other Provinces be- 
 ing quiet by reafon of the fmall number of Hugonots that were in them, they profe- 
 cuted the War as well in ToKtou and Guienne, as in the Province of Vauphine. The, 
 other requeft made to the King by a great many Prelates at the fuggeftion of the 
 League , took not the fame effcd , being to publifli and obferve the Decrees of the 
 Council oiTrent ; for not being willing to oblige or engage himfelf further in the League 
 than he had already done, alledging that the demand was unfeafonable, and excufing 
 himfelf by the troubles that ericompafled him on every fide, he referred a bufinefs of fo 
 great weight to a more quiet feafon , wherein he might maturely deliberate and re- 
 (blve upon it. 
 
 With this face of things, all tending to the diftraftions of an obftinate War, began 
 
 1585. the year 158(5, full ( contrary to the common belief) of exceeding greet machinati- 
 ons, but of very few and weak executions touching the War. The Duke of M.iyemse 
 in the end of the year before was come with his Army to Chajieatt-neuf in the confines 
 of Giiienne, whither the Marefchal de Matignon Lieutenant of that Province was alfo 
 come to confult about the finifhing of the War •, who being privy to the Kings inten- 
 tions and defigns wherewith he defired thofe affairs (hould be managed, demonftrated 
 the terrible fharpnefs of the feafon, and the condition of the Country, not only afflidted 
 with a great dearth and want of vidtual, but alfo with the violence of the Plague, 
 which had already for many months been wonderfully fpread in divers places : and 
 confidering that the chief Towns were fo diligently mann'd and fortified by the King 
 of Navarre^ that it was vain to attempt them in that extremity of weather, and fear- 
 city of provifions, he counfelied to affault the leffer places, and the more open parts of 
 the Province, to reduce thofe unto obedience, which not being flrengthened with any 
 principal fortification, were yet rich and fertil, and from which the Hugonots by or- 
 dinary contributions drew means fufficient to maintain themfelves. The Duke of 
 Mayenne, though for his own honour , and for the credit and flrengthcning of the 
 League he defired to make himfelf remarkable by fome eminent enterprife, yet not 
 fuffering himfelf to be tranfported by the violence of his paflion, or the wind of hopes 
 to think of impofliibilities, eafily concurred in the fame opinion, fearing he fhould lofe 
 much reputation , if attempting any principal Fortrefs he fhould not be able to carry 
 it i whereof he was the more doubtful , (befides the reafons alledged by Mjtignon) 
 becaufe he had but a fmall train of Artillery, confifiing of but four pieces of Cannon, 
 and two Culverins, with a very fmall quantity of Ammunition : wherefore palling by" 
 St. Jehan d' Angely^ (where neverthelefs the Hugonots were in very great (freights and 
 fears, as alfo all other places of the like condition) they refolved with a joint confent, 
 though for divers ends, to divide the Army between them, and to bufie themfelves 
 about taking in weaker places whilft the (Tiarpnefs of the Winter lafted i and then 
 re-uniting their Forces, to apply themfelves to that enterprife which time and oppor- 
 tunity fliould prefent unto them. So the Marefchal being returned to Bourdeaux^ the 
 Metropolis of that Province, with a part of the Army, and having commodloufly, oj 
 
 rather
 
 of France* The Eighth ^oo{» 293 
 
 rather dilatorily refrefhed his men, and put them in order, laid (lege toCajiels, a 158^. 
 place of fmall coniideration , and with various fucceJTes confumed all the Winter in 
 that expedition ; in which time the Dulie of Mayenne with the greater part of thofe 
 Forces attaquing the weakeft places , took Montignac^ Beaulieu, Gaignjc^ and other 
 places ot fmall importance, and which only ferved to keep the reputation of his Army- 
 alive. But in the budding of the Spring-time, advancing to join their Forces toge- 
 ther, he felt fuch bitter winds and extraordinary rains for many days, that the fuf- 
 ferings of lying in the field all the Winter, being increafed by thofe of the dearth of 
 vicftual, and contagion of the plague, which grew daily more rife in all thofe parts, 
 the Army began to be exceedingly infedied , not only all the principal Lords and 
 Commanders being fick, but a very great number of the Souldiers dying continually, 
 yet all thefe difficulties being overcome with infinite patience, he joined at laft with 
 Matigmn in the beginning of Ap'il. At his coming . firft Cnjiels, and then St. Ba- 
 Zfile yielded themfelves , and with (bme difficulty the Fort of Montfegur^ and they 
 would probably have proceeded further , and perchance have begun fome more im- 
 portant enterprife, if the difeafes which annoyed the Army had not at laft aflailed the 
 General: for the Duke oi Mayenne being dangeroufly fick of a Fcaver, was forced to 
 leave the Camp and retire to Bourdeaux. So the weight of all bufinefs being left to 
 the Marefchal, the expeditions of Arms went on but flowly > for the Kings intention 
 Cthough fecret} was, that the Clergy being wearied with the length of the War by 
 contributions, the Nobility by toils and troubles, and the people by the oppreilions 
 of Souldiers and their multiplied grievances , fhould all return with greater defirc to 
 ask and long for Peace , which by the inftigation of the Heads of the League they 
 had caufed to be broken, Co that things coming about again to their former condition, 
 the plots of his Enemies might be deluded , and the way might lie open to himfelf 
 for the continuation of his defigns. 
 
 But the Duke of Mayenne being (though late) recovered of his ficknefs, and re- 
 11 turned unto the Army, valiantly took ChajitUon, a place of (bme moment held by the 
 fl Baron de Salignac^ and then Tuis Normand another of no lefs importance, of which 
 adions knowing that his Army was wonderfully weakned by many fufferings, and di- 
 vers accidents, that he had but fmall (lore of ammunition, and other nece(raries for 
 the taking in of places i and (which troubled him moft) that he was not furni(hed 
 with money from Court to maintain his Army, (b that his Souldiers were many Pays 
 behind, he difpatched the Sieur de SejJ'aval to inform the King of the ftateof his af- 
 fairs, and to demand new fupplies of men and money, forefeeing that if matters con- 
 tinued as they had begun, his Army (to his fmall reputation) would be di(rolved of 
 it felf, within a few months : for the King of Navarre knowing he had not ftrength 
 enough to refift and keep the field, having difcreetly fortified all his places, and ilo- 
 red them with abundance of all things, referved only two thoufand fmall (hot, and 
 three hundred light Horfe, with a few Gentlemen that followed his name in the Pro- 
 vince, with which forces, expert, ready, quick upon all occafions, and not troubled 
 with Artillery or Carriages, he ran up and down with great expedition , now this 
 way, now that, providing all things necclTary, relieving places that were in dillrefs, 
 and never fuffering the Enemy to have any opportunity to fight with him i for by his 
 skilfulnefs in the ways, and by the unwearied patience of his Souldiers, he appeared, 
 and vani(hed like lightning, being far off in the morning from thofe parts where he 
 had been feen the night before > by which conduct and fpeed that was almoft incie- 
 dible, he made War again(t a great Army, though langui(hing by continual fickrtcfs 
 that diftre(red the Camp i and having to do with a Commander , who, grave and 
 wary in his refolutions, proceeded always with very great deliberation, he opportunely 
 furnifhed and relieved the chiefeft places, furprifed many fcattering Troops of the Ar- 
 my, cut off their pa(rages of their viftuals, and kept the Army in continual motion, 
 and very great fufpicion i whereby the Duke of Mayenne perceived that his Forces 
 continually wafting and decaying, and wanting money and ammunition , if he were 
 notfpeedily fuccoured with fre(h men, and other nece(raries, he (hould come oif with 
 diflionour from that War, wherein never feeing the face of the Enemy, he (hould be 
 fain to confume his Army in a(raulting, not the weakeft places, for they were all ta- 
 ken already i but ftrong Towns excellently fortified , and provided with all things, 
 which though he fhould take at laft, yet would it be with the lefTening and de(troying 
 of his own Forces, and that afterwards he (hould be expofed to the King of Navarre's 
 
 valour
 
 2QA The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 J ^85 valour and celerity, wherewith he (though invironed with a thoufand difficulties) 
 ' knew very well how to lay hold of his opportunities. 
 
 while the War is managed in Guienne on this new manner, the Prince of Conde ha- 
 ving got together a good Body of men in the quarters about Kochel, had taken and 
 facked the Caftle of Vompierre, made himfelf Mailer of Soubize and Mornac, and kept 
 in awe the whole Country i for the quieting whereof the Sieur de St. Luc being iffued 
 out of BroHjge with a like number , they met near the Ifle of Oleron , where they 
 fought with various fuccefs a whole day, though with fome interruptions, and with 
 almoft equal lofs on both fides : for though the Catholicks loft the Regiment of Co- 
 lonel iMTcdin with about five hundred Firelocks i yet on the Hugonots fide almoft all 
 the Lords and chief Commanders were killed or wounded , particularly Kicuz and 
 ' Suilly , ( the Sons of Andelot already deceafcd ) who died both within a while af- 
 ter i nor was it long before they were followed by Guy de Laval their elder Brother, 
 who in the flower of his age, wafted by continual toil and adtion, died of a Burning 
 Fcaver about that very time , as alfo Monfieur de Jioban , who died at Kochel of the 
 fame difeafe. 
 
 Yet did not the heat and troubles of the War take off" the Prince of Conde from 
 other thoughts : for being defirous by a particular bond to tie and engage the Duke 
 de la IreniouiUe to himfelf, who was newly come over to his party i and befides that, 
 to make fome additions to his own fortune, and it may be alfo defirous of iflue, he 
 about that time took to Wife Charlotte Catherine the Dukes Sifter , who with her ex- 
 cellent Beauty had alfo a confiderable Dowry, as being a (harer in the Inheritance of 
 the ancient and once moft flourifhing Houfe of la Tremonille. But neither the pleafures 
 of Marriage, nor the delights of his new Wife did at all flacken the Princes warlike 
 fiercenefs, who full of courage, and a defpifer of the moft evident dangers, did va- 
 liantly embrace all occafions of fighting, nor would at all yield to the violence of his 
 Enemies, notwithftanding the tendernefs of his own Forces. 
 
 In this condition were the affairs of War when the Marefchal de Byraw arrived in 
 Xaintonge with another Army, who defiring to do fome exploit, not fo much to dam- 
 nifie the Hugonots, as out of an emulation to the Duke of Mayenne, refolved to lay 
 iiege to Maratt, a place very convenient to block up Rachel by Land, and to cut off 
 the Traffick and Commerce of the Inhabitants, with the Ifles and Cities adjacent, for 
 which the Rochellers and all the Hugonot party were very much perplexed : where- 
 fore the King of Navarre feeing the Forces of the Duke of Majf «w's Army weakned, 
 and the fiiarpnefs of their firft fury abated , left the Vifcount of Turenns in Guienne, 
 to follow the War in the fame manner as he had done, and went fuddenly with three 
 ' hundred Horfe to Kochel, doubting that the Princes too much boldnefs might run into 
 
 fome great errour in thofe parts i for being a prudent Judge of his own ftrength he 
 icfolved with himfelf, and had given abfolute Order to his Commanders, that ma- 
 naging their affairs with wifdom and celerity, and poffeiling themfelves always offe- 
 cure advantageous places, they (hould fpin the War out in length, and not give their 
 Enemies any newoccafion of profperity i which not futing well with the Princes na- 
 ture, who fince the death of Monfieur de Rohan, remained fole Head in Xaintoftire 
 the King of Navarre intended by his prefencc to eftablifh that refi)lution, and to order 
 the Government and managery of the War himfelf But being come to Rachel, and 
 finding the Citizens there in great confufion by reafon of the Marefchal de Byron's de- 
 fign of befieging Maran, he ftayed no longer than while he was informed of the pre- 
 lent ftate of things v but knowing his arrival to be very opportune, becaufe the Ro- 
 chellers durft not leffen their Garifon to ftrengthen that of Maran, he went perfonally 
 thither , and the fame day having confidered the fituation of it on every fide, he 
 began without delay to make Trenches , and to raife Redoubts and Batteries for the 
 defence of it i and that with fo much diligence , that affifting in the work unweari- 
 edly his own felf , not in the fpace of many days , but hours , he brought it to per- 
 fedtion. 
 
 Maran is a great Town, and of great importance, feated by the Ocean Sea, in a low 
 fenny place, as it were in a Peninfula, and (b encompaffed on every fide with Moorifh 
 watry grounds, that there is noaccefs to the works thereof but by very few, and thofe 
 narrow paffages. Thefe the King of Araz/<?rre made to be fliut up with Trenches, raifing 
 a Fort at the end of every Avenue, which full of fmall Artillery, and defended by a 
 competent number of Musketiers , might hinder the Enemies approaches, having in 
 
 the 
 
 I
 
 o/" France. The Eighth ^oo/^ 295 
 
 the reft of the Fenn that was not very deep, caufed many planks to be funk, which 158^. 
 Ituck full of great nails , and other inftrurrjents proper to do mifchief, might do 
 harm to thofe that (hould have the boldnefs to enter and pafs over to the Dry 
 Land. 
 
 On the other fide , the Marcfchal de Byron having drawn his Forces together, and Mfsn befis- 
 made a review of them at Niort^ about the midft oi^ June marched towards Maran, g«'i i>y 'iie c«- 
 where having by their Sallies proved tlie courage of the Defenders, who trufting to 
 the advantage of their Situation, iffued out boldly to skirmifli, and fell fo hotly upon 
 his firll Squadrons , that he himfelf was ingaged in the adtion, whence he came off 
 lightly wounded in the left hand j he took a refolution to proceed warily in the bufi- 
 nefs, and raifing certain Forts againfl; thofe of the Defendents , as the quality of the 
 ground required , all his hopes of gaining that place were reduced only to the length 
 of the Siege. 
 
 In the mean time the Court was bufied in fetting forth new Armies, and making 
 new warlike preparations^ for the King not willing to fufFer that the increafe of ftrength, 
 reputation and adherents , fhould redound unto the Lords of the Houfc of Lorain, 
 and the followers of the League, was refolved to put other Armies into the hands of 
 his trulty Favourites, and to keep up their reputation with new Expeditions, and new 
 Governments of Provinces, which he knew would fucceed to his own greatnefs and 
 advantage again ft the power of the Lords of Guife. By this advice he obtained alfb 
 another end, which was to tire out the Catholick party by the maintenance of fo many 
 feveral Armies, and bring them all again to intercede for Peace, which was fo necef- 
 fary for the efFe(fling of his defigns. Wherefore befides a million and two hundred 
 thoufand Crowns which he had gotten by Tenths from the Clergy, he urged at Rome 
 for licence to alienate one hundred thoufand Crowns f>°r annum of Church Reve- 
 nues i and the people opprefled in fo many places, and almoft in every Province by 
 the infolence of Souldiers, though they were far from the places poflefTed by the Hu- 
 gonots , felt neverthelefs the calamities and miferies of War. Two feveral Armies 
 were making ready, one-under the Duke o( Joyeufe, to ^o into .^uvergne, and thence 
 into Languedoc to recover places which the Hugonots held in thofe parts > the other 
 under the Duke of Efpernon^ to go into Provence, and take poiTelfion of that Country, 
 which the King fince the death of the Grand Prior had conferred upon him. The 
 preparations of thefe Armies to the difadvantage and open difpleafure of the Giiijes^ 
 kept all the Nobility and Martial men of the Kingdom in imployment j for every one 
 defiring to gain the favour and protedlion of the Kings Minions, who in the difpofing 
 of gifts and honours carried all things at their own pleafure , ran all voluntarily to 
 to their Colours, and with great trains and coftly preparations of Warlike Ornaments 
 endeavoured to win the affedions, fome of the one, fome of the other of thefe Lords, 
 who through the Kings fecret inftigations, were intent to draw all men by their libe- 
 rality and oilentation of rewards, to follow the courfe of their fortunes i fo that not 
 only fuch as were Neuters came from all parts to ferve them i but alfo fuch as had 
 been refolved to follow the Duke of Mayenne^ and the other Heads in the War of Gai- 
 enne , leaving their firft intentions , determined to follow the fortune of thofe that 
 had moft power. To this was added , that the King to moderate by his prefence, 
 and with his own counfels the Wars managed by his Favourites, and to augment their 
 reputation , was refolved to go to Lymts, both Armies being to march the fame way, 
 fo that by the moving of his own peifon he drew after him great numbers of men of 
 eminent quality, and the expences were ftill cncrcafed without end. Whereby with 
 new Impofitions, with credling new Magiftrates, with inventions of new Taxes, and 
 with the difpofing of new Offices, the people was every where wonderfully burthen- 
 ed and oppreffed i the King being ftill conftant to his own opinion , that by how 
 much the greater were the miferies and oppretfions of War , by fo much the fooner 
 would they extort an univerfal confent to the neceility of Peace, and make the authors 
 of thofe difcords odious and deteftable, rendring disfavoured unto all the formerly fo 
 much favoured endeavours of the League i wherein his inclination agreeing with the 
 fplendour and fubtilty of his defign, it was impoifible by any reafons in the World to 
 alter that determination. 
 
 But whilft the King is infinite bufie , and the Courtiers moft ardently ftudious in 
 ordering thefe affairs, a moft powerful Army was preparing in Germany ioT the relief 
 of the Hugonots ; for the King of Navarre having long forefeen, that the King would 
 
 cafily
 
 i()6 
 
 The Hijiory of the Civil IVars 
 
 158^. 
 
 Crcat Forces 
 are prepartd 
 in GtymAny in 
 favour of the 
 Hu"onoCS. 
 
 Mary Qu. of 
 Seen, Coufen 
 to the Gutfri, 
 imprifoned Ly 
 lliXa'rib Qu. 
 of £itgtanj. 
 
 eafily be brought to an agreement with the League to his difadvantage, and having 
 learned, by former experience, that all the hopes of his party, confifting in the aid of 
 the Germans,which the union of the Pr9teftant Princes was wont to afford unto the Hu- 
 2onots,had fent the Sieur de PardaiUaK thither ( a wife man, and by long travel verfed 
 in their feveral culbmsj who treating confidently, and particularly with every Prince, 
 and every HanJ-town , might (hew them the danger of their common Religion, ag- 
 gravate the hatred of the Guips to the Proteftaiit party , and exhort them to con- 
 tinue the afsiftance formerly lent unto the Hugonots againft the perfecutions of 
 their Enemies i which butinefs being excellently managed by T ardaillan ^ hzd 
 not only ftirred up the minds ofthofe Princes in favour of the Hugonots, but had 
 alfo much raifed the hopes of the King of N^^v.irre, fo that having turned his thoughts 
 that way, at the beginning of the War, he had difpatched the Sieur deClervant into 
 Germait]i,to ripen the fruits of that feed, which had before been opportunely fown by 
 Fardailtoii. And bccaufe both the Princes and people of thofe parts f very great ho- 
 nourcrs of that Religion, which they hold to be the true one, and alfo of anealJemind, 
 and flexible nature to the urgency of entreaties, and efficacy of reafons ) might more 
 eafily be moved to confent unto it j Theodore Btza^ a m.oft eloquent Preacher of the 
 Hugonots^ went to the fame effed from Geneva , into Germany and SirifJerLmd, who, 
 by his authority and difcouifes, ftirred up every one of the chief men, to imbrace the 
 enterprife in favour of thofe, who were of the fame, or at leaft a very little different 
 Religion. The Queen of hiiglMtd endeavoured the fame, rot onely by countenan- 
 cing it, and bywords, but aifo by her adionsi for, keeping in prifon M^rj. Queen of 
 Scotlaiid^Couiin to the Gitijes, who was obflinately linked to their fadion, fhe defi- 
 red that' the League, and the Houfe of Lcraine, (hculd be utterly fuppreffed, or at leaft 
 fo bufied in France^ thst (he might have free power to difpofe of her life, and of the 
 affairs of Scotland and England : Wherefore (he not onely ailifted the King «i Navarre 
 with her authority , which was very great in Germany, but had alfo dcpolited a good 
 fum of Money, to be laid out in railing of Soldiers there. To the Negotiation of 
 Clevant, to the exhortation of 'Beza, and to the money of England^ the Cuke of Bou- 
 illon zddcd alfo his affiftancc, who, holding Sedan, a very (irong place, and other 
 Towns and Caftlcs about the Confines of t ranee znd Germany, that were of the Hu- 
 gonots Religion,and in their Counfds united to the King of Navarre, was a fit inftru- 
 ment for the expedition, and Levyes of t^c German Soldiers j for the Palatine of the 
 Khine, the Duke onFittembergh, and the Proteftant Cantons of the Swiffes confent- 
 ing i and the King of Denmark^coticurx'wg h but above all, the Count ^? Mombeliiard, a 
 Lord bordering upon Eoitrgongne , labouring in 'the builnefs, there began to be raifed 
 the molt powerful Army , that ever had come out of that Country, to relieve the Hu- 
 gonots. But, becaufe the Princes knew they had no occafion at all to offend the King 
 of France, and to enter in a hoftile manner into his Country, they refolved, before the 
 Army (which was preparing againft the next fpring} to fend this year, for a co- 
 lour, a numerous Embaffy,tocomplain, in the Names of them all, ofthe breach of that 
 Peace, and violation of that Faith, which had been given unto the Hugonots , with 
 whom they were intereffed and united in Religion, and to demand of the King a 
 ceffation of Armes, and a confirmation of thofe tdicSs fo often granted to his Sub- 
 jeds, for the Liberty of Confciencc : forefceing well, that if the King confentcd to 
 their demands, the Hugonots would be relieved without further noife of Armes, and 
 if he fliould perfifl-, and deny them, they might thereby make a fair pretence for the 
 War, and take an occafion, not altogether unreafonablc, toraife thofe Forces they in- 
 tended. 
 
 This determination of the Germans did very much difquietthe King of Fr^«rf, be- 
 ing not onely difpleafed that others fliould prefume to meddle with the affairs of his 
 Kingdom, but alfo terrified with the fear of forrain forces i who, with pcrillous com- 
 motions, ufed to deftroy Provinces, ruine the People, difturb all things both Divine 
 and Humane, and to put the Itate of the Crown into extreme danger. But, as a Prince 
 accuftomed to govern himfelf by the fubtilty of his wit, to whom ( though oftentimes 
 very unfuccefsfully) probable appearances of cunning inventions, did alwayes repre- 
 fent themfelves i he began to think with himfelf, that from that evil he might dravv"' 
 another good, and might ufe the coming of the Germans for the fpeedy execution of 
 his defigns : for feeing the King of Navarre reduced to fuch a weaknefs, that though he 
 made fearlefs refifbnce , he was yet brought to the laft extremity of his fortune ; 
 
 and
 
 ef, France. The Eighth 'Bool^ 
 
 '97 
 
 and being himfelf every day more out of hope to have iffue, fince by a continued in- 
 curable Gonorrhea , and by infinite other proofs, he knew hinnfelf unable to get chil- 
 dren, he thought it beft to unite himfelf, by all means, ftreightly and fincerely with 
 the King o{ Navarre, as the lawful SuccefTor of the Crown, to draw him to the Court 
 near unto his own Perfbn, to make him partaker in matter of Government , and by 
 his means to make ufe of that forreign Arrriy, for the utter fupprellion of the Guifes, 
 and the factions of the League, which being unexpectedly overwhelmed between his 
 Forces and the approaching ftorme of the German Soldiers , could not poiliibJy be able 
 to make refirtance, but would prefently be quite extinguifhed and diflipated. Two 
 things amongft the reft were principal hinderances of this intention » one, the King 
 oi Navarr's Religion, being refolved (for the fatisfadion of his own Con(cience, and 
 to avoid the (candal that would arrive from thence) not to reconcile himfelf unto him, 
 unlefs he would firft return into the bofomc of the Church i the other was that of 
 his Sifter Queen Margaret, W/ife to the King of Navarre, who having given her felf 
 over to a licentious life, for fear of her Husbands anger, was fled from him j but, being 
 taken by his order, and the Commiflion of the King her Brother, ftie was put as a pri- 
 foner into the Caftle of Carlat in Auvergne, and from thence a while after removed to 
 V^on int\\& (ame Province, under thecuftodyof the Marquefs^f CaniUac, who Cask 
 was reported J being become captive to his prifoner, had fet her at liberty i fo (he paP- 
 ring her time It certain houfesof her own (yet in Anvergne ) and continuing the 
 fame mannerof life, wasa very great obftacle to thofe agreements which might have 
 been concluded between her Husband and her Brother. To overcome thefe impor- 
 tant difficulties, having imported his defign to the Queen his Mother, who was wonC 
 to ripen buiineftes of greateft confequence, and to find out remedies for all the hardert 
 impediments, they determined at laft, that the perfoii of the Lady Margaret was no 
 more to be regarded, and that having made her felf unworthy to be acknowledged by 
 them, either for a Sifter or a Daughter, (fince the difpenfation obtained from the Pope, 
 at the time of their Marriage, being defedlive, did afford a colour and pretence for the 
 breaking of it ) they would make a Divorce "> and give Chrijiienne ( Daughter to the 
 Duke of Lnraine, by Claudia the Kings Sifter) to Wife to the King of Navarre^ who, 
 of a very pleafing behaviour, and of an age already Marriageable, was brought up in 
 the degree and quality of a Daughter, by the Queen mother: and as for the King of 
 Navarr''s Religion, they refolved to endeavour, by urging the great good that would 
 refult from it, and by fo important benefit, as the affuring himfelf of the fucceffion of 
 the Crown of France ( which was brought in queftion ) to foften and bend his mind 
 to turn Catholick, giving him fuch fecurities and fatisfadtions which ftiould be thought 
 moft fit to fettle and confirm him. But bccaufe all others were either fufpedted, or 
 unable tom.anage a bufinefs of fo great difficulty and importance, the King intreated the 
 Queen his Mother that ftie would take the pains to go into FoiHott and Xaintonge , to 
 confer with the King of Navarre , making her felf for the prefent, as (he had ever 
 been in times paft , the Author and Mediatrix of the good and quiet of the King- 
 dom. 
 
 The Queen takes upon her the charge of this bufinefs, though much burthened with 
 years, and exceedingly tormented with the Gout i .and therefore the KhhotGuievan- 
 Baptijia Giudagni was difpatched to the Marefchal de Bjron, to give order for a cefTati- 
 on of Arms on that fide, and to appoint a meeting between the Qgeen and the King 
 of Navarre. The Marefchal following the inftina: of his old inclination, and being 
 near the King of Navarre , at the fiege which he had newly laid to Maran, obeyed the 
 Kmgs command without delay » and they came to this agreement. That Maran (hould 
 fland neuter, and that both parts fhould have free commerce thither > yet, that the 
 Governor (hould be put in by the King of Navarre, and that the Garrifon (hould equal- 
 ly proted the Catholicks as well as the Hugonotsi that the Mare(cal fhould with- 
 draw his Forces beyond the Charente ( a River in thofe parts ) and that the King of 
 Navarre, after having {urni(hed all things neceflfary for Kochel, (hould go to meet the 
 Queen- Mother in Poiiiou. 
 
 This Treaty did much difpleafe the Guifes, and all thofe that adhered fincerely to the 
 League -■> (b that on the bne fide, the Popes Nuncio made grievous complaint there- 
 of unto the King himfelf i and on the other fide, the Duke of Guife, who was at his 
 Government in Champagne, made it be fpoken of to the Qyeen-Mother by his Agents, 
 and the People of Paris he^in commonly tottiurmur, that the Caufeot Religion was 
 
 CL<i betrayed, 
 
 158(5. 
 
 i/fB.theThird 
 defpiirin^ of 
 iflue, rclolrc! 
 Co further the 
 King of A'a- 
 vars right t9 
 the Crown, 
 and to unite 
 himfelf with 
 him for the 
 dcdrufiion oi 
 the Cui/ei.. 
 
 Ey ttiCoa of • 
 the licentioHl 
 life of Mdr- 
 gartt wife to 
 the K. o(Na- 
 wr'f.the King 
 and (i_Mothec 
 refolve to 
 break the 
 Match, and to 
 givrf/' (iit«He 
 
 the daujotet 
 of the DUkc 
 of Lorai»,who 
 afier married 
 
 F-r^inanUi dt 
 Mri'.ici Great 
 
 Duke ofr«/- 
 
 eany. 
 
 An iccemifio- 
 dation treated 
 with the Hu- 
 gonotj by the 
 Queen.Mo- 
 tbcr,and miicb 
 difllked by 
 thofe of tti4 
 League,
 
 oq8 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 r 8(j. betrayed, that the Hugonots were openly favoured ^ that the courfe of the War was 
 * interrupted, which was like to come prefently to an happy conclufion, that the King 
 fhewed openly that his mind was averfe to the CathoUck party, and that he defired, by 
 all means, to cherifh and maintain Herefie : for, though the Kings defign and intenti- 
 on was yet unknown to every one, the very name of Peace had wrought a jealoufie in 
 the quick apprehenfion of the Duke oiGulfe^ and given occafion of talk to the com- 
 tnon pe6ple. The King anfwered the Nuncio refentingly , that the backwardnefs 
 which the Clergy (hewed, in fubmitting themfelves to the vaft expences of the War, 
 and the difficulty which the Pope had made in granting licence to alienate the Hun- 
 dred thoufand Crowns per annum of the Church Revenue, had made him incline to 
 the Counfcls of Peace v and that he thought he neither did any thing againft his con- 
 fdence, nor againft the Office of a Chriftian Prince, if he laboured to reftore peace and 
 tranquility to the people of his Kingdom, already wafted and undone by the calamities 
 of War : That it was a fine thing to ftand a fau: off, and intermeddle in the Govern- 
 ment of others with words and Paper-expeditions j but that a good Father of the Fa- 
 mily ought to have more regard to the evident good of his own houfe , then to any 
 difcourfes of ftrangers. Yet the Nuncio having replied, that the true way to give his 
 Kingdom Peace , was to extirpate the very roots of Herefie, that the fafety of the 
 Soul was toi be preferred before temporal refpedts j that the laft end and aim of the 
 War begun with the Hugonots, was quietnefs and tranquility, which, by reafon of 
 the wcaknefs of the excommunicate Princes, was not very hard to be compafled by 
 ptrfeverance \ that the Prelates of France had never withdrawn themfelves from the 
 equal burden of expences, nor would they at allrefufe it for the time to comei and 
 finally, that he had Certain hopes from K owe, of the grant of that Licenfe which his 
 Majefty defired : the King, moderating his difcourfe, began to fliew him the great 
 danger, and evil confequences, which the inundation of Forreigners that was prepa- 
 ring, would bring along With it > for the diverting whereof, it was neceiTary to feign 
 and difTemble many things i and that he ftiould afture the Pope he would never con- 
 clude any thing which could prejudice the Catholick Religion, or the good and honor 
 of the holy Church. 
 
 The fame things in fubftance were urged to the Duke of Guife from the Queen- 
 Mother: but he more particularly was moved toconfider, that this being done to hin- 
 der, and by delay to divert the coming of the Germans, did all redound to the parti- 
 cular f^rvice of the League, and his own private benefit : for he that was placed in the 
 confines of the Kingdom, on that fide by which they thought to enter, was more liable 
 then any other to the danger of their incurfions : That he knew the weakncfs of the 
 Kings Forces, the want of Money, and on the contrary, the great ftrength of the Ar- 
 my which was raifing in Germany ■■, and therefore it was necefTary he ftiould fuffer 
 the Counfels that were begun to be managed with dexterity, which did all refult at laft 
 linto the fame end. 
 
 It was needful, by means of their Confidents, to infiil the fame things into the 
 people of taris^ which already began unbridledly to mutiny: and it was nectffary to 
 affirm them with fo much eflicacy, that being gathered up in divers places by thofe 
 that favoured the Hugonots, (which fecretly were many ) and told unto the King 
 of NiJt/ijrrf,ifiUed his mind with great jealo\ifie and fufpicion, to the exceeding preju- 
 dice of the Treaty undertaken by the Queen, who being gone to Cbimnceaux^ a place 
 of pleafure, built by Madame Valentine, and at that time in her poflTellion , expedted 
 .,;... till the Abbot Guada^ni , and the Sieur de S-ambottiUet, who were gone to treat abAjt 
 it, had appointed the place of interview between her and the King of Navarre, about 
 which there arofe many difficulties , by reafon of the deep fufpicion he was fallen in- 
 to , that they (ought to deceive him i whereupon, he refufed to go beyond thofe pla- 
 ces which were held by his party, and without being accompanied by fuch Forces, as 
 Were ntedful for the Guard and fecurity of his own perfon. On the other fide, it 
 was vdty unfit, and very unfafe for the Queen, to put her felf into the power and for- 
 ces of the Hugonots •, and the bufincfs was fuch , as could not in a few houres be 
 treated and refolved on in the Field. But the Kings Letters and MefTages were fo 
 frequent, and his defire was fo great to have that Interview brought about,that though 
 *^^^i!"^ of Navdtre 'bdhg raifed by the near approach of the German AmbafTadors, 
 «nd by the hope <jf forreign Forces , either cared little for that Meeting with the 
 Qgeen, or Would ftiake it with his-own perfe<3: fecurity and entire reputation , and 
 
 therefore
 
 of France. The Eighth ^ool^ ^ad 
 
 therefore would not confcnt to go out* of the confines of the Country pofTefTed by 1585* 
 him i yet fhe, at laft, refolvcd to fatisfie him, and to go into the farthcfl parts of 
 Poison, bordering upon Xaintonge ■■, and, having caufed the Marefchal de Byrons Army 
 to draw backward, (he agreed to corneas far as 5/. firk, a place very near the King of 
 Navarrs Garrifons, and encompafled with the Forced of the Hugonots. 
 
 In the mean time , the King, to give leafureto this Meeting, and to defer the Au- 
 dience of the German Ambafladors , till he knew the ifTueof that Treaty , began his 
 journey towards Lyons^ as he had appointed , leaving order, that the AmbalTadors 
 fliould be received and entertained with great Honors and Feaftings, till his return to 
 Fart r. 
 
 The Dukes of Efpernon and Joyeuft began to move with their Forces at the fame 
 time, upon occafion of the Kings departure > yet they marched divers wayes,and with 
 divers intentions: For the Duke oi Efpernon^ neerly united to the Kings defigns, di- 
 ftrultful of the League, an enemy to the Guifes^ and inclined to favour and uphold 
 the King of A/'jz'jrre. proceeded in Trovence with a defire to reunite it, and reduce it 
 wholly to his obedience i but neither to foment the defigns of the League, nortoper- 
 fccute the party of the Hugonots. But, the Duke of Joyeufe, tranfported with hopes, 
 and fpurred on by the emulation of Efpernon , had partly forgot the intcrefts of the 
 King, the Author of his greatnefs, and onely root of his fofudden growth, and being 
 allied unto the Houfeof Lnrain, by his marriage with the Kings filler-in-law, began 
 partly to fccond the counfds of the Gwj^j-i and, defirous of glory, was ready to em- 
 ploy his Arms vigoroufly againft the Hugonots: for which caufc, being departed from 
 the Baths in Botirbnmis ( where he had llayed a few dayes, to cure fome indifpofition 
 that troubled him ) he drove the Lord of ChafiiUon from the fiege of Compierre. which 
 he had beleaguered with certain Forces, drawn together in the quarters about Lij«g«f- 
 doc^ took Malaifes, la Pierre^ Marvego^s, and Salvagnac, all places of confideration in 
 that Province i and entering Langnedoc, no lefs full of pride then warlike boafting, 
 would make the greatnefs of his fortune appear diflindtly to his own father, and draw 
 his Army to a Kandez.v!)HS within fight of the City of Tbouloufe^ where (his father com- 
 manding as the Kings Lieutenant) he had been bred up in the firit years of his infan- 
 cy. But the Duke of Efpernon with a great Army, and Forces better ordered, accom- 
 panied by the Sieur de laVaktte hisbrother, who was appointed his Lieutenant in Pro- 
 vence, entered there, to makehimfelf be received Governor by the Parliament, juftat 
 the very time when Lf/a'/^«/>)Tj-, being come th'ithet IwrnVauphine^ had, with a great 
 flaughter, routed Monfieur de Vins, the chief adherent of the League in thofe parts, 
 and had reduced the Catholick affairs to a hard condition. This conjunfture was 
 not unfavourable to Efpernon, for the followers of the League did already plot how 
 to exclude him from the Government -, and Monfieur ds I ins had laboured to make 
 fome places refufe to accept him. But he being arrived in a time when they were 
 yet difmaycd, by the defeat they had newly received, though Lf/«//jT?«e»'i'j- was forced to 
 retire again into Vjupl^in;^ yet Vins had neither ftrength nor occafion to oppofe him 
 openly i and the Duke having taken 5t'i;i£',corrimonly called La Grande-Tour^ and many 
 other lelTcr places, in a few Weeks brought the whole Province under the obedience of 
 his government , there having left his brother with the charge of the Army, he re- 
 turned fpeedily to Court ; his interefts of ruling the Kings Genius, and moderating his 
 deliberations, not fuffering him to be far from thence. 
 
 At the fame time the German EmbalTie arrived at Paris, wherein, befides a feleffc 
 number of honourable perfonages, were the Count de Mombelliard, and the Count of 
 Ifembottrgfm perfon. Lords, for the noWencfs of their blood, and the quality of their 
 power, of very high eftimation, and who ardently favoured and managed the German 
 Levies. Thefe being entertained at the Kings charge, and with all the higheft forts 
 of honors, feemed yet unfatistied at his fo far diftance, and the delay which was in- 
 terpofed of their negotiating with him, interpreting that to French pride and difdain, 
 which depended upon more fecret and remote occafions: fo that the two Counts 
 thinking they fhould take off from their own reputation, by ftaying longer to wait for 
 him , full of hidden anger, and of fo much greater favour to' the Hugonots, returned 
 home, leaving the charge of the bufinefs to the other Ambafladors. The King having, 
 by redoubled meflengers, received the news of their departure, and thediftalle which 
 the reft (hewed openly, began to return , with fmall dayes journeys, towards Paris, 
 expeding ftill to hear, that the Queen, having overcome all difficulties, had, at la(t, 
 
 Q_q 2 conferred
 
 goo 
 
 The Hiftorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 158^. 
 
 ■the Ambjffi- 
 dors rf tlie 
 Proieftanc 
 Princes of 
 G.i-m.;«; I'eing 
 come to .' fli-i J 
 to treat in fa- 
 vour of the 
 Hugonots, hi- 
 ving fpoken 
 highly to the 
 King , ate 
 flutply an- 
 fwtfrcd, and 
 depart Htifa- 
 titiicd from 
 the Court. 
 
 The Patifians, 
 by the fugse- 
 ftions of the< 
 Heads of the 
 JLeajue, being 
 fei againftthe 
 King, frame a 
 Counccl of 16 
 principal pec- 
 fons,by whom 
 they were go- 
 verned, receiv- 
 ing their Or- 
 ders and rcfo. 
 lutions. 
 * Or Compa- 
 nies. 
 
 conferred with the King of Nivarre\ But, all dclayes being already fpcnt , and the 
 builnefs of that Interview proceeding extraordinary flowly, he was, in the end, ncccfli- 
 tated to ftay at St.C.rmains^ and give audience to the Ambafladors, but, with a coun- 
 tenance no lefs doubtful and uncertain, then his mind was perplexed and unrcfolved i 
 which yet nevcrthelefs became prefently free and refolute : for, Prince Cafmir's Am- 
 balTador having fpoken , in the name of all the reli, with bold terms and high words, 
 no lefs full of tacite threatnings then open contempt •, the King, as a Prince of a ten- 
 der fcnfe, offended at that proud manner of proceeding with him, was kindled with 
 fo great indignation, that, contrary to his wonted ciflom, and firft defign,he anfwer- 
 cd the An.bafladors of himfclf, with fo much fharpnefs and refentment, that inftantly 
 they were wonderfully danied,and the next day after, without other audience,with fmall 
 honor, and as little fatisfadtion, they were difmifTed. The difcourfe of the Ambafla- 
 dors in fubftance contained a long complaint. That the King, to fatisfie the unjuft de- 
 iirc, and perverfe ambition of the Pope, and of certain Princes and Communalties of his 
 Kingdom, had broken his word with thofe of the Reformed Religion , and taken 
 away that Liberty of Confcience , which he had formerly granted and eftablifhed by 
 fo many Decrees : That therefore the Princes ofGermany, who were intercfled and uni- 
 ted in the fame Religion, intrcated him to put an end to the War and difturbance of 
 Armes, granting both Temporal and Spiritual peace to all his Subjedts, whereby he 
 might efcape the jult wrath of God due tdfuch as break their word, and might al- 
 fo give them occafion to preferve their ancient friendfhip with the Crown j notwith- 
 ftanding which, they were ftreightly obliged to provide for the fafety of thofe who 
 C without fault of theirs ) being in dirtreft, did implore the aid of thofe Princes that 
 agreed with them in the confeifion of the fame Faith. On the other fide, the King's 
 Anfwer contained , That having been called and chofen by God to the )ult profeifi- 
 on of his Crown , he had alfo authority not depending upon any body, to ellablilh 
 Laws, publifh Decrees, grant Licenfcs, and make fitting Provifions, according to the 
 qualities of times, and the need of his SubjcLts , and therefore might alfo revoke, 
 change, alter, and retrad; them at his pleafure,as he was beff direfted by his Divine Ma- 
 jcfty ; wherefore he did give the lie to whomever went about tc tax him to be a 
 breaker of his word , if for the intcrcft of his Subjeds, and good of his Kingdom, 
 Tie had revoked a liberty , granted conditionally, and but for a time '■> and that as he 
 had formerly done, fo he would raign freely for the future, marvelling that any (hould 
 prefutne to interpofe and meddle in the Government of his People, and in the Autho- 
 rity of his Perfon : That this was his la(t refolution, neither was it needful for them 
 to flay any longer , to hear any other particulars from him. The Ambaffadors urg- 
 ing , to have that Anfwer given them in writing, he angerly refufcd to do it i and 
 giving order, that they Ihould be condudted to lodge at Poijjji, went the next day af- 
 ter ( being the ninth of September ) to the City of Paris. 
 
 There, notwithftanding the refolute anfwer given to the Proteftant Princes, alrea- 
 dy divulged every where, and the progrefs of the War againftthe Hugonots, already 
 kindled in fo many places, the mindes of the common people were more then ever 
 enflamcd againft his perfon and proceedings, which were publickly inveighed againft 
 in Pulpits , and particularly llandered in private meetings ■■> for it being already 
 fpread abroad, by the Preachers and Heads of the League, and rooted in the minds of 
 the Parifians, that the King favoured the King of Navarre and the Hugonot party, 
 and fought, by under-hand means, at the fute of his Minions^ to bring him to the fuc- 
 ceflion of the Crown, and to eftablifh them in the free profelTion of their Faith i the 
 hatred conceived upon this occafion, was afterwards increafed, by the frequency of 
 Taxes and Impofitions, and the continued exalting of the Duke d' Efpemon, 2nd the 
 other Favourites , who not only were highly fufpeded, but extremely hated by the 
 greateft part of the Citi7ens. Wherefore, befides the fuggeftions of the Duke of G«//?, 
 who kept the Sieur de Meneville perpetually in the City for that purpofc, the chief of the 
 people beingfin favour of the League, kindled of themfelves,toconfpire both againft the 
 Adionsand Perfon of the King,had framed a Counfel of fuch as were moft intercfled, 
 conlifting of fixteen perfons f becaufe the chief Wards, or as they call them, the garters 
 ofthe City were fo many J which was to rule and mod(=rate the progrefs of that bu- 
 finefs, and the mindes of the common people. La Chapelle Martel^ Jehan le Clerc Sieur 
 de Bujjy ^ Prelident NuUy , and Charles Hotman , were from the beginning as 
 Heads and Prefidents of this Councel , and all ^^ Trades were brought into it , by 
 
 means 
 
 1
 
 o/^ France. The E ighth ^ooL ^oi 
 
 mean? of certain men chofen by them, one of each profelTion, who being admitted to iS^i^. 
 
 this Councel, made their relations, and received their orders, concerning whatfoever 
 
 was refolved by the Sixteen^ as well for the defence of the City, as the fervice of the 
 
 League, and to oppofe themfelves againft the defigns of the King and his Favourites. 
 
 The meetings of this Councel was at lirft in the Colledge of b'ortet, commonly called 
 
 the '^ Cradle of th; League^ afterward they aflembled themfelves in the Covent of the la^ljl'^jf'"^' 
 
 Dominicans, or Jacobines j and atlali, for fear of being fufpcfted and difcovcred, they 
 
 tnet not any more together in any certain determinate place j but fometimes in one 
 
 private houfe, fometimes in another, with wonderful fecrecy. 
 
 But neverthelcfs all the fe things were known unto theKing, by the relation of ?*f/- av#.'«, pi»- 
 choUs Poielam, who, (as we have faid before) moved, either by hope of reward, or by j'|'|"|f^'*^5'ciVoif 
 the fting of confcience, made the King acquainted with every particular, by means of ihe League 
 Monficurr^'O and the High-Chancellor i for, as a chief inltrument in the Union of the ""wthcKing. 
 Parilians, he knew the moft hidden counfels that were plotted in that Congregation. 
 But they of the League, not yet finding that their pradifes were difcovered, and be- 
 ing fomented and fwelled with promifes by the Duke of Gttife, and Don Bernardino 
 Mertdozza the Spanifh Lieger at Faris, their boldnefs paffcd fo far, that befides ha- 
 ving poffefTedthe whole fcope of the City , lifted fecretly thofe men that were fit to 
 bear Armes, and made great provifions to arm them, they had alfo begun to communi- 
 cate with other principal Cities of the Kingdom, to raifeand unite them in the fame 
 Confpiracy, which being by inveterate ufe and cuftome grown to an unbounded liber- 
 ty, they began already to think, not onely of feifing upon ilrong Towns and Fortrefles, 
 but went fo far, as to dare confpire againft the Kings own Perfon, that they might be 
 able afterwards to order the affairs of the Kingdom at their pleafure, and as the League 
 fliould think fit. 
 
 It happened, that this counfel of the League being held one day in the Jefuites ^, ^^ j^. 
 Colledge, a Propofition was made by the Confederates, in the name of the Spanifh League plot to 
 AmbalTador, to furprife the Town of Boulogne, a Fortrefs in Picardy, feated upon the ^"^''^^ ,f^'' 
 Shore of the * Ocean Sea, then under the Government of the Duke oiEfpermn, and in spanidi Fleet, 
 his name kept by the Sieur de Bernay, with the Authority of Governor. The Pro- vraiedbyp!B- 
 pofers alledged, that the Catholick King being about to fet forth a mighty Fleet to go ^''.^ ^ ^^^^ 
 for England, was content, that (ufing his Forces in favour of that League) they fhould ,„ „,^y p^. 
 land in France ztthtu firft arrival, provided they might be furnifhcd with a ftrong, '"Q^"yi7J 
 large, and convenient Harbour, where they might fecurely enter i that there was no which we caii 
 place more fit then Boulogne, feated in thofe parts which were neareft the City of ^^= Brutiib 
 Paris, placed right againft England, hard by Flanders, to receive fupplies from thence > 
 the Duke of Parma being there, raifing a very great Army, to join with the Forces of 
 the Fleet: They fhewed, that the Enterprife was not difficulty iox thtVxovoixVeUis^ 
 a faithful inftrument of the League, uling every three months to ride his circuit, and .Attendants 
 vifit thofe parts, with fifty of his * Archers, which were commonly wont to go along orooarJ; fo 
 with him-, might furprife one of the Gates of the Town at his entry, and keep it " oidVime' 
 till he were relcived by the Duke of Attmale with the Forces bf the Province, at '^ey "«"': ^. 
 whofe coming , thofe few Soldiers which were there in the Garrifon being cut off, jnd Arrowes, 
 it was moft eafie to make themfelves Mafters of the place i which being a very prin- 
 cipal one, was greatly defired alfo by the Duke of Attmale himfelf, who never having 
 been able to attain to the abfolute Government of Picardy, tried all wayes and plots, 
 though bold and dangerous, to compafs it. This attempt of Bouloone did very much 
 pleafe the Confederates, hoping that all the Spanifh Forces would turn unexpededly 
 in favour of their defigns i but, it was no lefs hopeful to the intents of the Ambaf- 
 fador Mfwiozz.?, confidering the great benefit the Navy would receive by fii impor- 
 tant a place, and fo large, fo commodious an Harbour, as well in the profecution of 
 the Enterprife upon England,zs if it fhould be imployed in the affairs of France : where- 
 fore the common opinion concurring to the fame end, it was refolved in the Council,that 
 the bufinefs fhould be attempted , and the Provoft being informed thereof, who was 
 moft ready to undertake it, the fitting ailignation was given to the Duke of Aumale ^ 
 who, by reafon of his wonderful inclination to the affairs of the League, and his de- 
 ilre to make himfelf abfolute in the Government of Picardy , did , with as much 
 readinefs, put himfelf in order for the defign. But, Lieutenant Ponlain was no 
 lefs follicitous then they , to give the King intelligence of all the bufinefs, by means of 
 the High Chancellor : fo that Monfleur de Bernay being advertifed , and care- 
 fully
 
 502 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Ifars 
 
 «S85- 
 
 Thty of tht 
 League con- 
 fulc al'oiit u- 
 Icin" the Kin^, 
 as he rccurnctl 
 from buncin''. 
 
 The D<fi;;nof 
 tikin* the £.i- 
 fiilt-,~*tccnal, 
 I'iiii, and tie 
 i^auvf€f and to 
 cue in pieces 
 the Minions 
 and the Kinjs 
 adherents, and 
 en take thu 
 King himfclf 
 prifoner, re- 
 vraled,andnot 
 effcfled. 
 
 fully prepared received the Provoft in fo dextrous a nianncr, that in the entry of 
 thi. Gate between tlie Draw-bridge and the Percullife, he was taken Prifoner with the 
 srcatcll part of his men : and the Duke of pinnule appearing a while after under the 
 Walls, was, by the fury of the Canon fliot forced to retire. 
 
 Yet, for all the failing of this Enterprifc, did not the Confederates find, that 
 their fccrct Confultations were laid open to the Kings knowledge', but, afcribingthe 
 fucccllcfs event of that attempt to chance, and to the wonted diligence of the Sieur^^? 
 Bernay ; they continued their accuftomed inclinations with fo much ardour, that they 
 confulted of taking the King himfelf, returning with a flender Guard Cas he was wont 
 to do) from the Bays de Vincennes , whither he retiring himfclf from time to time to 
 the cxercifc of his devotions (or as his detradlers faid, of his debauches J at his re- 
 turn entred by the Tone S. Antoine, the fartheft part of all the City from the Louvre^ 
 where his Guards were, and about which the Court was lodged. But they them- 
 felves had not courage to profecute that attempt, not having any Head of the Confe- 
 derate Princes there prefent , and the King having notice of it by the fame means , 
 began to take better heed to himftlf, and to go with more caution thorough the City, 
 and the places about it, caufing himfelf alwayes to be attended by the Captains of his 
 Guards, and by a good number of his moll trufly Gentlemen, not fuffering the five and 
 forty.appointed for that fervice particularly,to ftir far from his Perfon.He was oftentimes 
 thinking to chaltife their temerity, and to revenge himn:lf,as well of the contempt which 
 the Preachers fnewed, fpeaking publickly againd him, as of the confpiracies of thofe 
 Hirers up of the people,which had caufed the greatcft and mol\ important City of his 
 Kingdom to revolt againft him , but many things withheld him from it i the Treaty 
 begun with the King of Navarre , the end whereof he defired to fee before he gave 
 any new dillurbance to the League i the neer coming in of the forrcign Army, to op- 
 pofe the violence whereof, if he Ihould not agree with the King of Navarre ^ he was 
 ncceilitated to makeufe of the Forces of the League, and keep united with the Lords 
 ofthe Houfe of LtfCiJ7'« ; much lefs was that a fit conjund'urc to break out into open 
 War with them, by punifliing the Parifians, the fo numerous Forces of fuch a popu- 
 lous City alone requiring many preparations to fubdue them, and the abfence of the 
 Qiieen his Mother , without whofe advice he was not wont to take any refolutions of 
 fuch confcqutnce as concerned the whole fumm of his affairs To thefe weighty re- 
 fpedts, and the unfitnefs of the time, was added the Office alfo of Monfieur de Villeqitier^ 
 who, being Governor of Pi^m, either out of a certain propenfion,which men have to de- 
 fend and excufe thofe that are under their command, or out of a belief that theycon- 
 fpired, not immediately againll the King, but onely for the good of the Catholick 
 party, and againfl the Duke ^' Efpernon, or elfe difdaining, that in his Government, 
 others fhould know more of the fecret affairs of that People, than he himfclf, and 
 fliould, in a manner, tax him of negligence, laboured to make them appear lycrs, and 
 fatished the King, by afluring him, that the people did not bear him ill will, 
 and that they plotted not any thing at all againil him , and finally, endeavoured, by 
 fcveral meanes , to perfwade him to difftmble, and bear with fome indifcretions of 
 the People , who were jealous of their Religion. In which opinion Secretary F?7- 
 Imy did often alfo concurr > being intent, by all wayes polfible , to hinder the further 
 grcatnefs oi Efpsmon. 
 
 Thus the King, by difTembling, increafed the popular boldnefs and temerity ; fo that 
 the Duke of Maysnne being about this time returned to Taris ( who feeing his Ar- 
 my defiroycd by toil and ficknefs in Guienne , and not having been able to obtain 
 from the King, either recruits of men, or fupplies of money, was come perfonally to 
 Court , after the taking of Chajiillon) the Heads of the Parifians were ready to make 
 their addrelTes to him , afpiring to bring their defigns about, under the protection 
 and conduit of his authority, tiut-man^ Bujjy, la Cf^opeVe Mortel, Pxcfident Nuliy^Fre- 
 voli the Curate of S. Severhie, and the Preacher Vincefire^ went fecretly by night unto 
 him, and made him acquainted with their Forces, the union of the people, the Armes, 
 already gathered, and with the intention they had, not only to reduce the City under the 
 power of the League, but alfo to feiie upon the Kings perfon, and put his Favourites to 
 death, who gave him fuch wicked Counfel in favour of the Hugonots. The Duke of 
 Miiyennc^ who, becaufe he had ever been of a contrary opinion to his Brothers, was not 
 fully informed of thefe particular pradtices, managed by the Duke oiGuife znd the Car- 
 dinal, and who, by nature, was averfe from too bold precipitate Councels, (food a while 
 
 in
 
 ■■--■"•^ 
 
 of France. The Eighth 'Boo{. 503 
 
 in doubt, and took time to refolve till the night following: which being come, and 1585. 
 the fame Deputies of the Vnion being come unto him, hedeiired them to inform him 
 more diftindly of their intentions, of their Forces, and of the Plots to which they 
 truftcd, being not difpofed to undertake any thing which was not fure to be effeded. 
 The Deputies prefently did fo, and related to him. That firft of all they meant to 
 tnakc thcmfelves mafters of all the chief places of the City, and that they had laid 
 the Detign in this manner : That to get the Bajiille^ they would go by night to the 
 houfe oftheC^ff^/ifr «/«* G««,who dwelt in St. C<7/^m«fj-,a very remote place,and by » captain of 
 one of the Archers which are wont to wait upon him, who was privy to the Plot,caufe '^^ ordinary 
 him to be told, that the King asked for him i at which, he opening his houfe to go m/^' ° ** 
 out, an hundred armed men Ihould enter, and having taken him, fliould tbrce him to 
 open the Gate of the Bajiille : That, at the fame time, certain Archers and Serjeants, 
 with whom they had agreed, (hould caufe the * Chajielet to be opened, under pretence 
 of bringing certain prifoners thither, as it often happened, and rufhing in, armed men *ACouttdf 
 Ihould make themfelves maftersof it : That the gate of the •^ /^rcf«^/, where there rfi%CMm7ti 
 was no Guard, fhould be opened unto them by the two founders of Ordnance, whom '" i-onU'^, 
 they had dealt withal,and who dwelling within there, had promifed to open it when many%°,e''im. 
 they pleafed : Which things being performed,they would prefently run to the houfesof r"fj^'ie'J. 
 the High Chancellor, of the firft Prelident of the Parliament, of L^ Guejle the * Trocu- line of Atm*,' 
 reur-General^znd of the Kings Councellors,who,being taken unexpedtedly in their beds, o'^n'J'"^' 
 might eafily be cut in pieces without refiftance. Which things being done, they would' '""* ' 
 barricado all the ftreets with barrels full of earth and dirt, and with Chains, Bars, and 
 other things, to the end that none might be able to relieve the City, or draw men in 
 Armes together, every Ward (landing upon the defence of their own quarter ; and eight 
 thoufand armed men chofen amongll them alt,under the command of fome expert Lea- 
 der,or of the Duke of Mayenne himfelf,if he pleafed to be there, (hould befet the Lomre^ 
 where there being only the ordinary Guards, and the retinue of Courtiers, it would be 
 cafic to enter it by force, or con(train all thofe that were there to yield by Famine, ha- 
 ving no provihon of viduals within it : which being done, all the Kings Minions, and 
 other Counfellors (hould be cut in pieces, and the King himfelf put in a Monaftery, 
 till the Princes of the League had refolved of a future Forme of Government : the 
 Duke of Mayenne being to go prefently with new Forces into Guienne , and the Ca- 
 tholick King fending in a mighty Army over the Pirenean mountains, to deftroy the 
 King oi Navarre zx\^ the Hugonot party. At thefe propofals, the Dukeof M^yf^zw, a 
 ftayed man, was in much greater fufpence then before, both for the cruelty of the faft, 
 and becaufe he thought it not fecure to attempt fuch things upon the onely foundati- 
 on of the common people, who, for the mo(t part, are deceitful > and therefore anfwered 
 the Deputies, That they (hould think better of the ordering that enterpife, and that he 
 alfo would think upon it , and provide Commanders and other nece(rary means for the 
 execution, if he refolved to meddle in it : And indeed, either doubtful in mind, or to 
 liave more convenience to think upon a bufinefs of fo great confcquence, he fained him- 
 felf not well, and neither ftirred abroad, nor admitted any to vifit him 
 
 But, in the mean time, Voulain, who knew all the bufinefs, was not (low in going to 
 the High Chancellor the next morning betimes, to make him acquainted with the 
 whole defign j but he found him going out of his lodging fooner then ordinary to Coun- 
 fel, wherefore feeing much company with him, he was refolved to defer the difcovcry 
 till the afternoon It happened, that he being very much in debt, fome Creditors of 
 his having got leave to arreft him, lighted upon him that morning, and caufed him to 
 be led prifoner to the Chajielet, where, feeing himfelf (hut up, he, by a private note, 
 let the High-Chancellor know of the difafter that had befallen him, and how neceflary 
 it was that he fliould fpeak with him about things of infinite importance : whereup- 
 on the Chancellor caufing him to be brought bound before him, took him into his clofet, 
 pretending to examine the occafion why he was impri(bned, and there he was fully in- 
 formed by him, of all that had been propofed to the Duke ot Mayemte^znd of all the de- 
 figns and attempts of the Parifians i but, to deceive the ftanders by, feeming to be ve- 
 ry angry with him, and that he would have him fell his Oflice to latisfie his Creditors,hc 
 fent him bound to Secretary Villeroy, who fet down his whole relation in writing j and,to 
 cover the bulinefs,fo that thofe of theVnion might not have the leaft fufpicion,he, with 
 an angry countenance, and more angry words , commanded him to be carried back 
 to Prifon, from whence, by a feigned fecurity, which the King himfelf caufed him 
 
 to
 
 504 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 158^. 
 
 to give, he was fet at liberty a few days after. But the King being informed of the 
 confpiracy of the JParifians , (though Monfieur de ViUe-quier continued to affure him, 
 and to cry out they were but lyes and inventions , Toulain being often rebuked and 
 villified by him, as one who brought to defpair by his own evil life , tryed by this 
 calumny to make his profit ) commanded neverthclcfs that the Chevalier du Guet 
 (hould remove and lodge in the Bajlile ■■> caufed the Founders of Ordnance to be put 
 out of the Arcenal , and put in the Provoft ?apn with his Archers for a Guard i 
 ftrengthened the Guards at the entry of the Louvre^ and drew fome of the Duke of 
 Efpernon's Horfe and Foot within a mile of the Town, which in time of need might 
 • TheCit^en be brought in by the Garden of the * luillcryes^ at a back gate opening into the 
 
 They of the Union were much aftoniflied, finding all their fecrets were difcovered, 
 but they knew not upon whom to lay the fault, nor could they miftruft Poulaiu^ be- 
 caufe the accident of his imprifonment had excellently difguifed his intelligence. But 
 the Duke of Mayenne was much more difcontented at it i who having never con- 
 fented abfolutely to the confpiracy of the Parifians, faw himfelf yet included in their 
 errour , and as it were engaged within the Kings power , by whom he might very 
 cafily have been taken , had it not been for thofe refpedVs which m^de him proceed 
 warily, and diflemble all things to attain to the end of his defigns : wherefore if he 
 had before feigned himfelf fick , that he might have more conveniency to ripen his 
 determination i now he was necelTitated to do the fame for fear of being taken and 
 put to death by the King if he (hould go to the Louvre. But when after the fpace of 
 many days it was known that(,ithe King made no greater preparations , being Satisfied 
 with having fecured himfelf i the Duke of Mayenne recovering courage, rcfolved to 
 leave the City, and retire to his Government of Bo«rgo«g«f, whereupon going to the 
 Louvre^ he made as if it had been necelTary for him to go into the Country by reafon 
 of his want of health, and asked the King leave > who for all his diffimulafion could 
 hot forbear to fay. How noip Vuke? wiU you for fak^ your League? whereat the Duke 
 feigning not to underftand him, and faying, That he knew not what his Majefty 
 meant, departed without further delay > the King rejoycingno lefs to fee him go, and 
 leave the Parifians without a Head, and without any fetled refolution j then he to be 
 out of that danger , and to have efcaped the Kings Forces without hazard of his life 
 or reputation. 
 
 The I uke of Guife took it very ill, that the Parifians had revealed their defigns to 
 his Brother, as well becaufe knowing himfelf to have a freer courage and a more fubtil 
 fprightly wit, he defired in all things to be the man that fliould give the firft motion 
 and beginning, and that fliould order the courfe of all enterprifes > as becaufe he knew^ 
 the nature and adtions of the Duke of Mayenne were not altogether conformable to 
 the aims of his intents : but the Parifians excufed thcmfelves, that they fufpeded their 
 counfels were already difcovered i whereupon their fear left the King fliould prevent 
 them, had caufed the determination of imparting it to the Duke of Mayenne^ that they 
 might execute the bufineft without delay , having alfo believed , that the having re- 
 courfe to one Brother more than to another was of no great importance, fince one was 
 prefent, and the other far off, and imployed in other affairs : Wherefore the Duke of 
 Guife, not to be idle in the midft of fo many bufinefles, and not to let his reputation 
 grow ftale and decay , had upon flight occafions begun a War voluntarily with the 
 Duke of BoHiVon, who pofTelTing Sedan and Jameti, very ftrong and important Towns, 
 with other lefs places upon the Confines of Lorain and Champagne, did by them keep 
 open the paflage for the German Army which came in favour of the Hugonots to en- 
 ter France i wherefore the Duke of Guife , who defired to fliut up that way by try- 
 ing to drive the Duke of Bouillon from thence, having made a great complaint, that 
 the Garifons placed in thofe Towns which were under Sedan, (where great ftore of 
 Hugonots were gathered together j did much harm to the villages joining upon Cham- 
 pagne, he aflaulted (uddenly and took Donziy a place in that territory very commodi- 
 otip to block up the principal City, as he prefently would have done, if another enter- 
 prife had not diverted him. 
 
 The Governour oi' ^ujfone, a very principal Town in the Dutchy of Bourgongne^ 
 denied to yield it up to the Duke of Mayenne, to whom it had been particularly aP- 
 figned, being encouraged by his fo far diftance, and his having been imployed fo long 
 wi^h, tl^e; Army in Cnienne i and the * Grand Efquier Lieutenant of that Province, a 
 
 man 
 
 * MaBer of 
 tkc Horfc.
 
 of France, ^he Eighth "Boo^ 
 
 305 
 
 man ineerly depending upon the King, though he made fhew of defiring to force that 
 place, did yet cunningly defer to do fo, nor could he tind the way to bring him to 
 his due obedience: Wherefore the Duke of Guife, who would endure no fuch affronts 
 in the Provinces held and governed by his Family , and particularly in Bourgongne^ 
 clofely united with Chanipagite, and ftanding upon the Confines of the Kingdom, and 
 jealous of his Brothers reputation, and of his own, laying afide the cnterprife of Se- 
 dan, came fuddenly mto Bottrgongne with all the Forces of the League, and without 
 other leave from the King, unexpededly befieged Anyone, which having a fufficient 
 GarifoD, the Defendants (hewed themfelves fo courageous, that in their firft fally they 
 defeated Colonel St. ¥aitis Regiment of Foot, killing Hx Captains and three hundred 
 Souldiers, and in the following affaults which were fiercely given unto the wall, beat 
 back the Affailants oftentimes with much lofs j but being ftreightned by the continual 
 battery of three and twenty Cannon, the greateft part borrowed from the Duke of Lo- 
 rain^ and diftreffed with Mines , Efcalodoes , and redoubled alTaults, and expedling 
 no relief from any place , becaufe fome few Foot and Horfe raifed in MombeViard, 
 Cwhich State borders upon Bourgongne) and mGeneva by Monfieur de Clervant, were 
 defeated by Monfieur d^ Kbofne Camp-Malkr to the Duke of G;«/e, they capitulated in 
 the end to yield themfelves, and having leave from the Duke to go to Sedan and Ja- 
 mets, upon the eighteenth o( AugKji they delivered up the place to the Duke of Guije^ 
 who having made the Baron de Senefay Governour, returned prefently to the Govern- 
 ment of Chjinpjz.^te^ and from thence went to Soiffo/is, where in a Diet of the princi- 
 pal Heads of the League, it was refolved, that the War with the Duke of BouiUon 
 (hould be continued i wherefore as he was refolutc in his determinations, and moft 
 quick in the execution, having in a few days put his Army in order, Jie attaqued Ro- 
 cniy, a place fortified after the modern way, and conftantly defended by the S'lcuxde 
 Monmore, But in that multiplicity of affaults and variety of attempts , wherein the 
 art of the Duke of Cuife was admirable, and his valour no lefs, the having no hope of 
 relief conflrained the Defendents to yield at laft i amongfl which, one called Ferj'evjUe^ 
 and two other Captains corrupted with money and promifes by the Duke, feigned to 
 retire to Sedan, and Jamets , giving him affurance they would deliver up a Gate of 
 each of thofe Cities , when it fhould be their turn to have the guard of them i upon 
 which hopes, though with forces inferiour to what was requifite for the befieging a 
 place of (b great moment, he quartered at Moucon, a Town near Sedan, and refolved 
 under colour of flreightning it, to exped the performance of thofc promifes. 
 
 But while the Duke of Guife does thefe things in Champagne, the Queen-Mother 
 (the place of interview with the King of Navarre being appointed) was come to Cog- 
 nac, attended by Ludovko Gonzaga Duke of Nevers, (who having left the League, 
 had put himfelf wholly under her protecSionJ by the Marefchal de Ketz, the Sieurs 
 d' Abin , and de Kamboitillet, by the Abbot Guadagni , Secretary Pinart, Monfieur de 
 Lanfac , and divers other perfonages , who for quality and wifdom were of great 
 erteem. 
 
 On the other fide, the King of Navarre was come to Jarnac, with the Vifcount de 
 T'ltrenne, the Sieur de la Force, and Monguidon, the Baron d^ Salignac, and many other 
 Lords of his party j but with fo great a ftrength, (having with him eight hundred 
 Horfe, and few lefs than two thoufanJ FootJ as at the firft notice of them, put the 
 Queen-Mother into very great fufpicion, there not wanting thofe who doubted, and 
 who fpread abroad a report , that fhe was come with an intention to take her, and 
 carry her away by force to Rochel. But after it was known that the King of Navarre 
 was come in that manner for his own fecurity, as one who by reafon of his own weak- 
 nefs, and the ufage he had received at other times, was in doubt of being deceived ; 
 and that the ingenuity of his nature, and theabfurdity of that bufinefs had taken away 
 all jealoufies, they met at laft upon the eighteenth of OCtober at St. Bri<, equally diftant 
 from the places whence they came, there being on the Queens part befides her ordinary 
 Court, only the Captain of her Guard with fifty Horfe, and on the King of Navarre's 
 Captain Lomelle with as many. The Gates were guarded by two Companies of Foot, 
 one of the one party, and the other of the other, and in the field the Cavalry of both 
 fides, in two feveral Squadrons i the King of Navarre's commanded by the Count de 
 la VaU, and Monfieur de la Nme i and the Queen- Mother's by the Sieur de Malicorne 
 and other Gentlemen of the Country. 
 
 l^%6. 
 
 ftnno place 
 in the Uutchy 
 
 befieged and 
 taken by the 
 Duke ol^uifi. 
 
 The intervieif 
 between the 
 Quecnmochet 
 and the King 
 of ^avtrrt ac 
 S.'BriJ,where- 
 in nothing wl* 
 concluded^ 
 
 Rr 
 
 Thcit
 
 2q5 The Hi [lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 fi.%6' Their publick difcourfes pafTed in complaints on both fides •> the King lamenting 
 
 that the King of Navjrre^s obftinacy not to change his Religion, and to keep fo far from 
 Court , put the King upon a neceflity of making War : and on the other fide, the 
 King of Navarre complained , that whilft he ftood ftill obedient to the Kings com- 
 mands, and moft obfervant of the Edids, he to fatisfie the Lords of Guife^ and other 
 Enemies to quietnefs, had broke the Peace. But being come to fecret conference, the 
 Queen laid open the conditions which the King propounded of the divorce of Queen 
 Margaret, and of the Marriage with the Princefs of Lorain , who was there prefent, 
 and being of an age already marriageable, (hewed tokens of moft noble education and 
 difirreet modefty. To this Match the Queen told him, that a Manifeft fhould be ad- 
 ded to declare him firft Prince of the Blood, and lawful SuccefTor to the Crown i and 
 alledged, that from thence would neceffarily refult the difuniting of the Duke of Lo- 
 rain. Father to the Princefs, from the League, and from the Lords of Guife, who lo- 
 fing fo principal a foundation, cither would become quiet of their own accord, or if 
 they did not fubmit themfelves freely to the Kings will, they might with help of the 
 German Army, which was upon the point of entring the Confines, be eafily ruined 
 and fuppreffed. That to attain fo great a good , nothing elfe was required from the 
 King of Navarre, but only his converfion to the Catholick Religion, and his return to 
 Court i for as concerning the Excommunication of Kome , and the Popes Declaration 
 of his incapacity to fucceed in the Crown, as foon as he fhould be a real Catholick, 
 the perfecution of the Guifes being taken away, and the League deftroyed, the revo- 
 cation of it would without difficulty be obtained i for the facilitating whereof, the 
 King, who at firft was difpleafed that Fabio Mirto a Neapolitan Archbilhop of Naza- 
 ret, had been" declared Nuncio for Frj;2ce in the place of G/ra/awo Kagazzoni Bifliopof 
 Bergamo a Venetian , and had refufed to accept of him , was fince perfwaded to re- 
 ceive himv and befides, Monfieur de St. Goart, Marquefs of ?//<»«/, his ordinary Am- 
 bafjador to the Pope , he had alfo appointed the Duke of Luxembourg for extraordi- 
 nary Ambaffador , both men of fuch worth and prudence as would eafily know how 
 to overcome the greateft difficulties they (hould find in that Court. 
 
 This indeed was the beil refolution and the moft powerful to deftroy the Lords of 
 Cuife, and the League > to reftore the firft authority, and Majefty to the Kings perfon, 
 and to put the affairs of France into a fecure quietnefs i and the King of Navarre him- 
 felf was of opinion that it was fo, whereupon he took only two days time to confider 
 of it. But it was decreed that things fhould go in another manner, and that not peace 
 and accommodation , but war and ruine fliould make way for the King of Navarre's 
 exaltation i for on the one fide his thoughts reprefented fuch a fear of being catched 
 again, and deceived, by the bitter memory of St. Bartholamerp's day > and on the other 
 fo weak hopes of his fucceffion to the Crown, by reafon of the youth of the King and 
 Qiieen, and an infinite number of accidents which might crofs it in length of time, 
 that the fhame of forfaking the Hugonot party, from which he acknowledged his pre- 
 fent condition , and of having fto the fcandal of his name) changed his Religion fo 
 often, condemning himfelf not only of inconftancy, but even of Atheifm, if it fhould 
 be known that he fwayed his Faith to the intereli of State, he refolved not to con- 
 fent to the Queens Propofitions, but to fee if by another way there might be any means 
 to obtain the fame ends. 
 
 : With this determination he returned to the fecond Conference in the fame place, 
 where after the fame complaints, to conceal what was treated of between them, they 
 came to fecret difcourfes, wherein he fhewed that the foreign Forces might altogether 
 as well be united with the Kings, and turn with his to deftroy the League, and ea- 
 fily tofupprefs the Houfe of Lorain, without his being obliged to change his Religion, 
 or come to Court : That the King in former times h^^d plainly known the ingenuity of 
 his Nature, and the defire he had, not only to obey him, but alfo to make him to be 
 obeyed by thofe ftiff-necked Rebels, againft whom he would imploy not only the Ger- 
 ^lan Army, but all his own forces, friends and adherents, and his very life : That he 
 was ready to give thej^ing all poiTible afTurance , and hoped that in a fhort time his 
 adtions would of themielves give teftimony of his faith and fincerity : That therefore 
 it was now fuperfluous to treat of changing his Religion, a thing of fo great momeqt, 
 and to be refolved upon with very mature deliberation, and with thofe circumftances 
 of counftls , inftrudions, and other particulars, which might fatisfie his Confcience, 
 and give juft pretences to his refolutions ; That it was alfo out of feafon to preG his 
 
 coming
 
 of France, ^he Eighth ^oo^ 007 
 
 coming to Court, where he could not fecure hitnfelf he fhould ftay without danger, till 158^* 
 the Giiijes were utterly fuppreffed, whofe power would never fuffer his mind to reft 
 in quiet till hefawthem made unable to pradtife their wonted machinations : and with 
 what heart, with what courage could he return to live in Parif, where the power of 
 the League was fo mighty, and the minds of the people fo cruel, unlefs the Incendia- 
 ries and Stirrers up of tumultuous confpiracies were taken out of the World ? that the 
 King therefore fliould take what the nature of things would permit in that prefent 
 condition, and become certain (with reafon) that their common Enemies being the 
 fame, and the fame interefts pleading for them both, he would labour with that can- 
 dour and that efficacy which the exigency of the matter required. 
 
 To thefe reafbns the Queen anfwered, That as his Converfion was eafie, fo neither 
 could it want juft pretences i for if the King (hould make a League with him while he 
 was difobedient to the Catholick Church , and openly excommunicated , befides the 
 infamy which his name would incur, ( by mingling in a conjundtion not only abhor- 
 red, and never fo much as in thought confented to by any other of the moft Chriftian 
 Kings, but alfo immediately contrary to the Vow and Oath taken folemnly at his Con- 
 fecrationj he fhould moreover give colour to the complaints, and juftifie thepradices 
 of the League', and which was of very great confideration, he fhould flir up all other 
 Catholick Piincesof the World againlt him. That upon their agreement would pre- 
 fently enfue the revolt of the City of Paris, ("already in an uproar with but feeing that 
 they treated with him ) and the rebellion of many other chief Cities, as alfo the alie- 
 nation of all the Catholick Nobility,and the greater part of the Kingdom : that this was 
 the way to facilitate the King of Spain's aififtance of the League, who would prefently 
 be forced to turn thofe preparations into France which were made againfl England. 
 That at the firllnews of it, the Pope, of an angry hafly nature, would run precipitately 
 to Excommunications and Interdictions , would prefently difpatch great Supplies in fa- 
 vour of the League, and flir up all the Italian Princes to unite themfelves with him 
 for the defence of Religion. That the Duke of Lorain would not confent the marriage 
 of his Daughter fhould be confummate whilft he was an alien from the Church , nor 
 would the States endure he fhould be declared the lawful SuccefTor of the Crown whilft 
 he held the Faith of the Hugonots. In condufion, that his perfeverance was accom- 
 panied with all manner of difficulties and impediments s but his converfion did won- 
 derfully facilitate and lay open the way to all his hopes , neither doubtful nor uncer- 
 tain, but well grounded and fecure. 
 
 The King of Navarre excufed himfelf^ (bmetimes with the indecency of changing^ 
 fometimcs with his Confcience , fometimes difcovering his fear of being brought into 
 the net again i but in his excufes the perplexity of his mind , and the force of the 
 Queens reafons appeared j whereupon new time was taken, and another Conference 
 appointed within two or three days, wherein to facilitate the bulinefs , the Duke of 
 Nevers was admitted on the Queens fide, and theVifcount de Turenne on the King of 
 of Navarre's ■■, but they (contrary to expeftation) did rather increafc the difficulties, 
 than open the way to any refolution : for the Duke of Nevers defiring to fhew his 
 Eloquence and Learning as he was wont to do, wrought greater doubts in the mind 
 of the King of Navarre, to whom the Italian arts were fufpedired i and the Vifcount, 
 a man no lefs wife and cunning, than ftout and valiant, though he fhewed a great incli-- 
 nation to favour the Queens reafons, yet the common opinion was, that for fear of be- 
 ing abandoned with the Dake o( Momorancy, (fothey called the Marefchal d' AnviUe 
 after the death of his Brother) and of lofing thofe great hopes which he had of power 
 and command in the Hugonot party, neither defired Peace, nor the King of Navarre's 
 Converfion ; and that therefore he fecretly dilTwaded him from it : wherefore nei- 
 ther in this third Conference could they conclude any thing i but at the very time the 
 King of Navarre had warning given him to take heed of the artifices of the King and 
 Qjeen , who at the fame inftant while they treated with him , did aflure the Popes 
 Nuncio, the Duke of Guife, and the people of Parif, that whatfoever was done was 
 in favour of the League •, and that the end would juftifie, that this Treaty inclu- 
 ded fuch a defign as would at laft break forth for the good of Religion i where- 
 by his jealoufie increafing, not thinking it fafe to truft either the Kings inconftancy, 
 or the Queens too much cunning , he refolved in the end to follow the fortune of 
 the Hugonots , and not to truft the Court i neither would he come to the Confe- 
 rence any more himfelf in perfon , but continued to fend the Vifcount of Twenne^ 
 
 Rr 2 who
 
 5o8 ^^^ Hijiory of the Civil iVars 
 
 Oath 
 chc TbitJ 
 
 iK%6. who treating very dexteroufly with the Qyeen, would never come to any conclufion 
 at all. 
 
 j-S-_ • '^V't'i ^^^^^ Negotiations began the year 1587 i upon the firft day whereof the King 
 The soitmn celebrating the Ceremonies of the Knights of the St. Efprit in Parw, fwore folemnly 
 bftf ""^ "°^ ^° ^"^^^ ^"y °^^^^ Religion than the Roman Catholick. This Oath of his, as 
 it was Cidden and inconfiderate, fo both then, and many times after, it was blamed, 
 as abfurd, and contrary to his own deligns : for, to treat of an Agreement with the 
 King of Njvane, and vow the extirpation of the Hugonots, did immediately contra- 
 did one another. But neither they that fpake of it then, nor they that looking upon 
 things afar off, reprehended it, did fo afterwards, when they knew either the Kings 
 intention,, or the contents of what was fecretly treated with the King of Navarre : 
 for Monfieur de Ramhouillet being come poft from toiliou, and arrived already at Court 
 upon the 27 of December^ with Letters from the Queen, and with a Relation of all that 
 had palTed with the King of Navarre , whereby the King was certified that it was 
 impoffible to conclude any thing , he (landing averfe from changing his Religion, and 
 propofing an Agreement without fpeaking any thing about matters of Faith •, the 
 King, to take away that hope from the King of Navarre, and to make him confent 
 to be converted ■> or if he would not change his mind, being refolved, or rather ne- 
 celTitated to join with the League to oppofe the German Army, made this Proteftation 
 very opportunely, whereby he at once beat down all the complaints and calumnies of 
 the Heads of the League, and appcafed in great part (at lead for a time J the minds of 
 the Parifians, who (35 the commotions of the people are wont) varied their thoughts 
 and inclinations with the breath of every the flighteft accident j whereupon he was 
 afterward able toftir to gather an Army, and turn againft the foreign Forces, without 
 being molefted by the Pariiians i though the wonted Incendiaries did not fail to ftrive 
 to raife them more than once. The Kings inclination was clearly feen in this, That 
 when the courfe of affairs did neceffarily force him to treat of any thing in favour of 
 the Hugonots, he confented to it very flowly, ambiguoufly, and after long confidera- 
 tion : But if the bufinefs were to favour or unite himfelf to the Catholick party, he 
 concurred in that with fo much readinefs and refolution, that his motion to the benefit 
 to the benefit of the Catholick Faith plainly appeared to be natural, but the other 
 produced by necelTity, and violently conllrained. 
 
 And as for the King of Navarre, the news of the Kings Proteftation being fpeedily 
 come unto his ear, and he complaining that the proceedings were contrary to what was 
 treated with him j the Duke of Nevers anfwered him opportunely. That if he called 
 to mind all the late Treaties, he (hould not find that ever the King had offered to to- 
 lerate or embrace the Hugonot Religion , but that indeed he had tried all poftible 
 means to make him forfake it, and turn to the Catholick, in which the King was fb 
 fully refolved to live and die, that no accident, how averfe foever it might be, could 
 ever be able to draw him from it. However it were, this is certain, that the Queen 
 having by Monfieur de Ramboiiillet given the King account of the King of Navarre's 
 laft refolution, received CommilTion at his return to change her difcourfe in that Trea- 
 ty, and in flead of the propounded League between them, to try if (he could procure 
 a Truce for fome few months, to gain time to make preparations againft the Army of 
 the Germans. But neither did this take effed : for though the Vifcount of turenm 
 came often to the Queen, and that the Duke of Neven and the Marefchal de Byron 
 went often to the King oi Navarre \ yet they concluded nothing but a fufpenfion of 
 Arms for fo few days, that the King did not care to ratifie it > and the King of Na- 
 varre , not willing to retard the coming of the Germans, broke off the Treaty, and 
 went away to Kochel i as alfo the Queen, with the fame fpeed, beyond her age, or 
 the feafon of the year, returned to taris ■■, where all the late Treaties being repeated 
 and dKcufTed, chiefly by the counfel of Monfieur de Villeroy it was concluded necelTary 
 for the King to unite himfelf to the Heads of the League betimes, and with their 
 Forces together to oppofe the German Army, fo that the King of Navarre might not 
 by any means poflible be able to join with them , fince they faw his mind could not 
 be brought by any compofition to an agreement with the King, and that the firmnefs 
 of his refolution could not be broken by any largenefs of conditions: wherefore no- 
 thing remained , but to follow the old way , trodden by fo many other Kings , till 
 fome other occafion (hould make an overture of new refolutions , and to refift the vio- 
 lence of the Hugonot Army, that the Kingdom might not be left a prey to the fury of 
 
 ftrangers.
 
 of France. The Eighth ^ook^ ^09 
 
 ftrangers, that the Royal Majcfiy might not utterly be abafed and made contemptible, IS^?* 
 and that he might rftit be ruined while he was unarmed, and an Enemy to, or at leaft 
 diftrufiful of both the Factions. 
 
 Monfieur de Vilkray argued, that eafeand want of Arms had taken away the fplen- 
 dour and reputation from the Kings perfon : That the Taxes and Impofitions excef- 
 fively increafed, had rendered it, odious i and that therefore taking Arms again him- 
 felf with a mighty Army, (hewing his wonted valour and greacnefs of courage , and 
 putting an end to the calamities of War by an abfolute Vidory, he might recover his 
 former Majefty, make the fhadows of fo many contrived powers of his Subjeds vanifli 
 with the Sun-(hine of his greatnefs, and ftrike fear and terrour into thofe who thought 
 to force him to confentto their own wills : He fliewed that 'this was the true way to 
 diilipate and fruftrate the ilrength of the League i for that when he (hould once com- 
 mand his own Armies, the Nobility and Souldiery would much more willingly follow 
 his Standard than the Enfigns of the Lords of Guife , and that every one would ra- 
 ther draw water from the fountain Cif they might) than from the brook. He alfo 
 alledged that by his Declaration in favour of the Catholicks (which his adions would 
 fliew to be fincere) he might aflure himfelf of the Popifh and Spanifli Forces, fince 
 neither of them would ever dare to ftir againft him , when the pretence of Religion 
 was taken away: and that it was already known how the Pope, forced by the truth 
 and evidence of reafon , had anfwered Cardinal Pelle-ve, urging him for affiftance in 
 favour of the League , that he knew not how to take Arms againft a lawful Catholick 
 and religious King, unlefs firft they could make it plainly appear that he favoured the 
 eftablifhment of the Hugonots i and the King of Spain not having the courage to de- 
 clare himXelf openly, had gathered his Forces together under pretence of making War 
 with EKgland, waiting for an opportunity to turn againft him, but not otherwife than 
 the cloak of Religion might give him occafion. Moreover, he affirmed that all other 
 counfels were but politick fubtilties and inventions, new ways, difficult knots, im- 
 poirible Chimeras, and deceitful (hadows : That this only was the great high-way and 
 beaten road that led to vidory and repofe i after which, lightning the weight of their 
 loads and burdens, he might give breath and quiet to the common people , and get 
 the love and aifedion of all his Subjects. In fum , he concluded with his wonted 
 Maxim, That the King could no way more eafily deftroy the League, than by carry - 
 ing himfelf plainly and lincerely, as the other Kings his glorious Predeceflbrs had done; 
 for by taking away the foundation of pretences and complaints, the fabrick of all thofe 
 plotted defigns would fall to ruine of it felf. 
 
 Thcfe reafons , or rather evident neceflity, made the King refolve to unite himfelf 
 with the League, and to oppofe the Army of the Germans j and therefore he prefently 
 difpatched Myron the Phylician to the Duke of Guife, to let him know that he had 
 endeavoured by the Queen his Mothers late Interview , to draw the bufinefs out in 
 length, and to procure a fufpenfion of Arms with the King of Navarre, thereby to di- 
 vert the entry of the Germans, and make them fall afunder by delays, as he had pro- 
 fperoufly done fo many other times, without indangering the whole fum of affairs-, 
 but having found the King of Navarre's propofitions were very hard , and the time 
 of the coming of the Germans ftill drawing on, he was refolved to oppofe them by 
 force : That he would difpatch the Sieur de Saucy to the Cantons of the SwifTes, to 
 make ftrong Levies : That he was preparing an Army commanded by the Duke of 
 Joyeufe, to be fent againft the King of Navarre, to the end that being kept in play, he 
 might not be able to pafs the Loyre , and come to join with the Germans : That he 
 would make another ready to march where need (hould require , but that the Ger- 
 mans being firft to come into Lorain , and then into Champagne and Boiirgongne, Pro- 
 vinces governed by him and the Duke of Mayenne his Brother, it was alfo neceffary 
 that they (hould take Arms , and calling in all their friends and dependents , (hould 
 make up a Body of an Army, able to wait upon and diftrefs that of the Hugonots in 
 their entry. Myron the Phyfician found the Duke of Guife at Moitcon near Sedan^ 
 where, with the Forces he had, by (light inconfiderable enterprifes, he endeavoured 
 to ftreightcn that place , expeding that Ferfeval and the others that went out of Ko- 
 croy being corrupted by money and his promifes, (hould give him fome opportunity to 
 furprife either Jamets or Sedan it felf : for one of them was in one City, and the other 
 two in the other. Myron delivered what the King had given him in charge, adding 
 the Queen-Mothers Exhortations, accompanied with kind Letters, exprelfing a confi- 
 dence
 
 3 lo The Hifiorji of the Civil Wars 
 
 1^87. dence in him i and without difficulty (becaufe the necelTity of oppofing the Enemies 
 was reciprocaU carried back word from the Duke of Guife , thafc he would obey his 
 Majefties commands , and that drawing together the friends and dependents of his 
 houfe, he'would not fail of thofe endeavours which he had always been wont to lend 
 in the exigencies of the Crown i befeeching his Majefty that he would but once free 
 , himfelf of the ftubbornnefs of the Hugonots , and give way that his Kingdom might 
 be purged from the deadly poifon of Herefie. 
 
 But this liberty of framing an Army to oppofe the Germans being given to the Duke 
 of Guife^ (which howfoever he would have taken of himfelf J) the King was ftill in 
 wonderful great difficulties which way he (hould carry himfelf, both to hold the King 
 of Navarre in play, and make war with fo great an Army, as was ready to invade his 
 Kingdom : for as when the wills of his Subjeds were unanimous, and well united with 
 him to the fame end, the French Nation was fo warlike, that it needed little to feat 
 the force of any foreign Enemy i fo now having not only a ver^ great number of Hu- 
 gonots in every Province, but (which at the piefent raifed greater difficulties; the In- 
 tentions and Forces of the Catholicks being divided by feveral ends , the event of 
 things was by that difcord made very doubtful and uncertain : Nor did the Vidory of 
 the Duke of Guife reprefent it felf unto the Kings mind with lefs terrour than that of 
 the King of Navarre and the Germans, not being able which way foever the event fuc- 
 ceeded, to promife himfelf any thing but infinite dangers, and greater troubles than 
 he had ever had in times paft : which afllided him fo much the more, becaufe, being 
 a Prince of exceeding providence and quick forefight, he had all difficulties and future 
 encounters as it were ever prefent before him i whereby he was not only taken off from 
 bis wonted entertainments , but watching whole nights in moft deep confiderations, 
 lie went often out of his Chamber in the moft filent hours, and coming into the lodgings 
 of the Queen his Mother , held long confultations there : to which were called ( as 
 more trufted than any others J fometimes theMarefchal de Retz, fometimes the Abbot 
 del Bene : for the Duke of E/permn, though moft beloved by the King, and mafter of 
 his favour, was yet an open Enemy to the Gttifes ■■> and Villeroy on the other fide, who 
 for his wifdom and experience in matters of Government was highly in efteem, was 
 yet fufpedled in this bufmefs, by reafbn of his enmity with the Duke of EfpernoH^ 
 and all the men of greateft credit depended nearly upon one of thefe two, nor (though 
 V he fained the contrary) did the King much like or efteem the Duke of Nevers^ becaufe 
 
 he thought with his wifdom to rule in all things as an Oracle. . Thus all the fecret 
 confultations were reduced only to four perfons, unlefs the Widow Dutchefs of Vzei, 
 a Lady of great worth, and excellent wit, and who, as it is believed, had alfo in her 
 younger days been very acceptable to the King, did participate in the counfels of fome 
 affairs, though not of the moft fecret and intimate ones. To thefe the Sieur de Ram- 
 bouiilet was often joined , who, of a fubtil nature, powerful eloquence, and profound 
 learning, began to rife in credit near the King and the Queen-Mother j but he was not 
 yet made a fecure Confident, and therefore all fecret bufineffes did not appear unmask- 
 ed to him. Thus all the prefent difficulties and future doubts being exadly fifted 
 among thefe , and the opinions of the other Cabinet-Counfellors being heard upon 
 £bme particulars, the Kings determination was (hut up within thefe limits : That the 
 Duke of Joyeufe with competent Forces (hould go againft the King of Navarre^ but 
 that Jehan Sieur de Lavardhi^ of whofe endeavours the King was very confident, (hould. < 
 go along with him as his Lieutenant and Moderator, to the end that the King of Na- 
 varre might be held in aftion , but not fuppre(red i it being fufficient to keep him fo 
 in play, that he might not get loofe to join himfelf with the German Army. That the 
 care of hindering the entry, and oppofing the firft violence of the foreign Army (hould 
 be left to the Duke oi Guife ^ and the other Lords of his Family, being certain that 
 the Duke for the haughtincfs of his mind, the defence of his own cftate, and the en- 
 creafing of his reputation , a thing fo necefTary for the Heads of popular FacSions, 
 would pafs by no occafion which (hould offer it felf of fighting with the Germans, 
 from which Battel an equal joy and benefit would refuit which way foever the event" 
 fucceeded i for the Conquerours and the Conquered would be equally routed and de- 
 ftroyed : or rather, it was very probable, that the Duke of Guife^ being much infe- 
 riour in ftrength, would either in one or many encounters be defeated, and by confe- 
 quence the League broken to pieces i but that to prevent the Conquerours from having 
 free pa(rage to run on , and do their pleafure to the ruine of the Kingdom , the King 
 
 (hould
 
 of France. The Eighth ^oo{. 311 
 
 OiOLild make up a mighty Army with SwifTe-Infantry, and with the greateft number of 1587. 
 
 isJobility that he could, to be ready to withftand all dangers, and give the Law as he 
 
 pleafed to both the Conquered and Conquerors i a thought for the fpecioufnefs of 
 
 it fo imprinted in the Kings mind , that as he walked alone he was often heard to 
 
 break forth into thefe words, P £ INIMICIS MEIS VINVICABO INI- Ar.yin<.c,f 
 
 MI COS ME OS. H^myiizM. 
 
 With this refblution he prefently difpatched Monfieur de Sancy to the Swiffes to 
 raife eight thoufand Foot of that Nation , and the Army was begun to be prepared 
 wherewith the Duke of Joy^ife was to march into Poicioit and XMntonge^ where the 
 King oi Navarre ^ fince the Qyeen-Mothers departure, not lofing a minute of time, 
 had taken Chifay upon compotition , and Sajfay by aflault , ftormed St. Mejjjnt, and 
 forced Foinenay to yield , furprifcd Moulem^ and having made himfelf Mafter of all 
 thofe Qiiartcrs , gathered all polTible Forces, called in his dependents and adherents, 
 raifed new Infantry, and fct all his endeavours on work to draw together a compe- 
 tent Army, wherewith he might march to receive his Germans , to perfedl which bu- 
 finefs, it being necelFary to return to Kochel to gather money, and furnifh himfelf with 
 ammunition, he left two Regiments of Foot to keep thofe places he had gotten under 
 the command oi de Bory ^ and Charbonkre, Colonels, or as they are now commonly *M.u^ftsdc 
 called, ^ Camp-Mafters. ^'""^■ 
 
 But the fame of the King of Navarre's Succefles, and the complaints of the Catho- 
 licks, who exclaimed in a manner publickly , that the Country near unto him had 
 been left without an Army, purpofely to give him opportunity to augment his Forces, 
 conftrained the King to haften the difpatch of the Duke de Joyeufe^ who with a great f«nds^!i"Army 
 number of the Nobility, Cwhofe favour he had exceedingly won by his courtefie and li- ag»iiiii :he 
 berality) and with between fevcn and eight thoufand foot and light Horfe, was al- «,'"'e,andg'ives 
 moll ready to begin his march. Before his departure the King calling to him in private f«"c order to 
 Monfieur rtf'e L^vjrdin^ (chofcn Lieutenant-General of that Army, a man by reafon of cppnfe.'butno: 
 his ancient dependencies not ill-affedled to the King o^Navarre's partyj informed him ("Pt"-^ •>""• 
 of his intentions, and how neccfiary it was for him to proceed with fuch moderation 
 in that War, that the Hugonots might be kept in adion without putting the whole 
 fum of affairs in hazard i it not being fit in the difficulty of that prefcnt conjundture, 
 to engage the Catholick Forces, nor venture them in fuch fort as might prejudice thofe 
 bufineffes that were in agitation: then after long inftrucffions, he filled him with great 
 hopes and promifes, if he could order matters according to the informations he had 
 received. But Lavardin , either not fufliciently informed in a fhort difcourfe or two, 
 or perchance not being able for want of capacity to difcern the Kings intention, which 
 was, that affairs (liould be kept in equal balance i or elfe drawn by fome intereffed de- 
 pendents upon the King o( Navarre ^ was imprudently atterwards in a manner the in- 
 Itrument of ruining that Army, which was not taken notice of by the Duke of Joj- 
 eufe^ who (full of high generous fpirits, and puffed up with the great abundance cf 
 Nobility that ferved under him) having haliily paffed the LwVf, fell fo unexpcdledly, 
 into the Hugonots quarters , that the Regiments oi de BM-y and Charbon/tre , which 
 over-ran the Country every where , were not able to make their retreat , but being 
 both furrounded in the Town of St. Eloy^ thought they made very gallant rcfiitance for 
 many hours, yet were they at laft taken by force, and cut in pieces to the very lafl 
 man. The Sieur de Bory was left prifoner, and Cbarboniere faved himfelf by flight at 
 St. Meffant, which Town being beficged, and terribly battered, in the heat of that 
 Victory was fain to yield within a few days, and was unfortunately lacked by the vio- 
 lence of the Souldiers i and with the fame fury the Abby of Maillezais and Ihonne- 
 Carente were alfo taken. But the Sieur de Lavardin not being able to refill the will of 
 the Duke of Joyeufe ^ C who defirous of glory , not averfe from the defigns of the 
 League, and (as he faid himfelf) defirous that the Preachers of Pari^ might have oc- 
 cafion to magnifie his adions, and make his name famous, afpired by liis enterprifes to 
 confirm that greatnefs to which fortune had raifed him) began to attempt that by po- 
 licy, as he thought, which he could not openly bring to pafs i and by flackening the 
 discipline of his men, and by giving the common Souldiers frequent opportunity of 
 fpoil and plunder, was the occafion that many ran away, ("for moll of them fought 
 to get home and fave what they had gotten) to which the fickneffes and difeafes being 
 added, in part caufed by hard duty, but much more by ill government, the Army was 
 ftrangejy diminiOied in a fliort time j which being known and certified by their mullers, 
 
 the
 
 3 1 2 The Hijlory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 1587. the Commanders , and Lavardine among the firll: ,_ began to advife the Duke not to 
 proceed further till his Infaptry were recruited, without which it was impollible for 
 him cither to take in any Towns , or to make War in the inclofed Fenny places of 
 Xa'mtong; i this counfcl, and the news that came daily from Court of the Duke of 
 EJiernon's grcatnefs and authority, which pierced the Duke of Joyeufe very deeply, 
 made him rcfolve to take Port , and go to the Court in perfon, as well to keep him- 
 felf frerti in the Kings memory , as to obtain a new addition to his Forces. But his 
 coming thither caufed him more difcontent than his abfence had done before i for he 
 found that the Wife of his Brother Henry Count de Bouchage was newly dead, who 
 was Sifter to the Duke d' EJpernon^ and had maintained that friendfhip fat leaft in 
 The Count de appearance) which by their emulation was wholly blotted out of their hearts : to 
 Bauch^gtiiro- vvhich misfortune was added, that the Count cither out ofextream forrow for his 
 Duke of /7- wives death, whom he moft dearly loved , or out of a fatiety of worldly things, or 
 «/! turns ca- (-35 it vvas reported] becaufe he had {b promifed his Lady in her life time, took the 
 t'he'd'c"th n". habit of a Capuchin, making himfelf be called Frier Ange de.Joyenfe , to the infinite 
 hiswifcwhom grief of his Brother : nor did the ad verfenefs of his affairs end there i butatthefame 
 vcd."' '' "" time he faw the marriage concluded between the Duke of Efpemott^ and the Countefs 
 of Candale, Heir of that mort noble, wealthy Family i which Wedding the King did 
 not honour fo much with tlie vanity of Pomps and Ceremonies, as he had done that 
 of the Duke ds Joysiifi, but with prcfcnts of infinite value, and with the additions of 
 The Duke of ineftimable riches, whereof the I vkcof^ Ifpenton was a very careful manager. To 
 fiCs'the"coun- t'lef^ fcrious bufineffes the Courtiers added alio light youthful difcourfes ■■, for fhe Duke 
 tefsofcisJa/ , of EJpernoH loving Madamoifelle Stavay one of the Qiieens Gentlewomen , and the 
 t'he'Kin""ho- Dukc of Joyetife Madamoifelle de Vitry^ another of the fame Court, whom they were 
 noursthcwed- ^ont to prefent with very rich gifts: they faid that the Duke oi Joyeufe at his return 
 grcft pre rents, found he had alfo quite loft the heart of Madamoifelle de Vitry j for being won by 'the 
 Duke of Efpernoii's prefents, or the hopes of marrying Monfieur^f S. Goart^ who de- 
 pended upon him j with a womianifli inconfiancy (lie was turned to that fide, which 
 cither for the love he bore her, or for envy and emulation, did wonderfully afflidt him. 
 Thefe things rtriking deeply into the mind of Joyeufe^ but much more the lefTcning 
 of the Kings favour, which he knew to be much abated, (having publickly told him 
 that the Court reckoned of him as a'Po//mz, and that he was not able to wipe off 
 that blemifh) he returned to the Army with thofe few forces that were granted him, 
 and (as the curtom is) prefent pallion having more power with him than former be- 
 nefits, he refolved with himfelf to adhere wholly to the League, to wreak the hatred 
 which he bore to his Corrival, and prefently to give battel to the King of Navarre^ ho- 
 ping by a famous Vidtory to confirm his own fortune, and make himfelf equal to the 
 Duke of Cuife , both in the Catholick party, and in the air of the comtron peoples 
 ^ applaufe. 
 
 But it was in vain for him to pretend at one flight to reach fo high a pitch, to 
 which the Guifes by long patience and many years endeavour , had attained by little 
 and little i and he by firiving precipitately to force the nature of things , did hartily 
 procure his own ruinc i to which, whilli he runs on the one fide with an unbridled 
 fury, the King of Navarre proceeding with more circumfpedtion, was intent in ga- 
 thering Forces from all parts to enable himfelf to move towards the Lo;>i?, and meet 
 the German Army. To him were joined the Prince of Conde, the Vifcount de 1m- 
 renne^ the Duke de la Treniouille, the Count de Montgomery^ and the Marquefs de Galle- 
 rande , the Baron de Salignac , and a good number of Horfe and Foot under many 
 Gentlemen of note, and old experienced Commanders i fo that his Army was not fo 
 numerous as refolute and valiant. About this time , by the means of his ordinary 
 Confidents, he had follicited Charles Co\xnt oi Soiffons^ and Francis Prince of Conty 
 Brother to the Prince of Conde^ who till then had perfevered in the Catholick Faith, 
 and continued near the Kings perfon in the Court i urging to them, that the bufinefs 
 now in hand did no longer concern Pxeligion, but the defence of their Family , and 
 the inheritance and fuccelHon of the Crown , to which not only He was called, but" 
 fuccellively the whole Houfe of Bourbon j and that it was therefore fit in that common 
 caufc and reciprocal intereft, they fhould all unite themfelves, to maJie the greater re- 
 lirtance againft thofe who went about to exclude and ruine them i and that they (hould 
 take example by their Enemies, among which the Duke of Mfrc^wr and his Brothers, 
 though they were the Kings Brothers-in-law , apd had from him received fo much 
 
 honour,
 
 of France. The Eighth ^oo{. 
 
 315 
 
 honour and fo many benefits, yet becaufe they were of the Houfe oi Lorain kept united 
 with the Duke oi Gttife znA the rclt of their Family, and ftood outagainft their own 
 Sifter and Brother in-law : That if it were lawful for them to do fo for the execution 
 of new , unjuft defigns, much more was it lawful for them of the Houfe of B.iurbon to 
 unite themfelves all together, for the defence of their moft juft, ancient Prerogatives 
 which were due unto them by the legal univerfal confent of the French Nation : That 
 they need not fear they fhould fuffer any violence in their Confciences : for he that 
 laboured for the liberty of others , would never take it away from thofe that were fo 
 near himfelf, but that they fhould take example by fo many Catholick Lords and Gen- 
 tlemen which followed the fortune of his party. By which reafons thefe two Princes 
 being moved, as alfo becaufe they faw themfelves kept under, and little valued at the 
 Court, refolved to go over to his party, and determined that the Prince ofConty fliould 
 join with the Army of the Reiters as fbcn as they were come into France, and that the 
 Count de S oijfons {hould goto the Hugonot Camp in Xaintonge; which that he might 
 fccurely do , the King of Navarre gave order to the Sieurs de Colombiere and Sanae 
 Marye dit Mont, who had raifed fome Forces in Normandy in favour of his party, that 
 they (hould condudt him to the paflage of the Loyre, whither he had fent the Vilcount 
 of Turenne with eight hundred Horfe to meet him i and it fell out fo luckily, that the 
 Count and the Norman Forces went clofe by the Duke of Joyeufi his Army without 
 receiving any damage at all, and united themfelves with very great joy to the Army 
 of the King oi Navarre, who highly incenfed at the inhumanity ufed to his two Regi- 
 ments which were cut in pieces in Poi&ou, being wary, yet refolved to take revenge, 
 advanced ftill forward, while the Duke of Joyeiife as it were alTured of the Victory, 
 came on carelelly to meet him. 
 
 In the mean time the German Army was upon the point of marching towards Lo- 
 rain : for the Proteftant Princes AmbaiTadors being returned home with the angry an- 
 fvver of the King o( France, the King of Denmark^, Chrijiian 'Duke oi Saxony, theMar- 
 quefs of Brandenbourgh, Prince Caftmir, the Proteftant Cantons of Srvifferland, with 
 other Lords of the fame Religion, at the importunity of the King of Navarre's Agents, 
 but much more at the exhortations of Jheodore Beza, gave refblute order for the raifing 
 of that Army i toward which, befides the money gathered publickly in the Proteiiant 
 Churches, and put into the hands of Prince Cafimir , there were alfo fixty thoufand 
 Ducats added by the Queen of England. With this money, and the confent and en- 
 deavour of all the Proteftant Lords in Germany, it was eafie to raife an Army in that 
 populous warlike Nation ; fo that in the beginning of July there met in Alfatia, under 
 the condudt of Prince Cafimir, upon whom that charge had been conferred by the reft, 
 twelve thoufand Reiters, four thoufand German Foot, and fixteen thoufand Swiffes ; 
 for the other four thoufand went into 'Daufhine apart. Fabian Baron d' Onarv, born 
 in TrHfJia, commanded as Prince Cafimir''s Lieutenant- General i a man of private con- 
 dition, but rifen to high efteem by the favour of the King of Denmark^ and of the 
 Count Palatine, and accounted a man of very great boldnefs and courage i but of nei- 
 ther wifdom nor experience proportionable to an employment of fo great weight : and 
 though in the beginning of Auguji, GniUiaume de la Marke Duke of Bouillon came up 
 with two thoufand Foot and three hundred French Horfe, and by CommiilroH from 
 the King of Navarre was to have been General of that Army ■, and though at his arri- 
 val he difplayed the white Cornet, (a mark due to the Supreme Commander^ yet re- 
 taining only the name, he left the command wholly to the Baron d" Onarv, both for 
 his age, and becaufe he was of the Nation, as alfo out of refpedt to Prince Cafimir. 
 With the Duke of Bouillon were Robert Court de la Mark^his Brother, the Sieurs de 
 Gtt'itry, de Monluet, de la Node, and many other French Gentlemen i to whom the 
 Sieurs de Mouy and Cormons, with many other of their Adherents, came from Geneva 
 with two hundred Horfe and eight hundred Foot i and everyday the Army increafed 
 with the number of thofe who ran thither from Vaupbine, and the other Confines of 
 France: fo that before it moved out of Alfatia, it amounted to the number of Forty 
 thoufand fighting men. 
 
 Before this Army marched, there came an Edidt from the Emperour Kc^o//>^«/ Se- 
 amdus, fent to the Baron d* Onarv, which contained. That he having without his Li- 
 cenfc, and without the Letters Patents of the Empire, caufcd that Army to be raifed 
 
 to disbanil the Army laired wuhouc his leave, and to dclift fom the bufiaefs upon pain of ckc ImpetUl bjoiihment 
 Bjton anfwctswith cxcufcs thai he ought not to dcfift. 
 
 Sf to 
 
 1587. 
 
 The Proteftant 
 Princes of Grr- 
 TMdTTjmove^i ac 
 the King of 
 Frjncf his an- 
 [xet to their 
 AmbafTidorf, 
 raife an Army 
 under the con- 
 diifl of Prince 
 Cifimir; which 
 being come in- 
 to -^;/jtM,was 
 forty thoufand 
 menjled by the 
 Earonti'Osjir, 
 Lieutenant- 
 Ceneral to 
 Prince Cijimir, 
 
 Rodilphxs the 
 Second the 
 Emperor com- 
 mands the Ba- 
 ron ri' Ot:jw bf 
 apublickEdia 
 : to which the
 
 1: , . 
 
 5 14 T^f^^ Hijiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 J 587. to invade the Kingdom oi France (hould prcfently disband it, and defift from the En- 
 terprife, under pain of banifliment out of the Empire, both to himfelf andthofe that 
 fliould follow him. To which threatning the Baron d' Onaw anfwered in writing. 
 That the Enterprife being neither his, nor againft the Empire, nor againft the King- 
 dom o( France, but for the relief of the opprefTed Confederates of the Proteliant Prin- 
 ces : and the German Nation having ever had that liberty to enter themfclves into pay 
 under whom they pleafed , fo that it were not againft the Emperour nor his Jurifdi- 
 dion, he neither thought himfelf obliged to defift, nor to disband the Army, but that 
 without offence to the Emperour he would continue the bufinefs begun by Commiffion 
 from his Princes. Thus the Emperour making no reply, nor proceeding to any other 
 new Prohibition, about the middle of Au^uji the Army was ready to begin to march. 
 And to the end that bufineffes might profper under the condud of the Duke of Bou- 
 illon and the Baron d'Onaa>, the Count (^e la Marck^wzs appointed to lead the Van: 
 the command ot the German Cavalry was given to the Baron de BomcI^ an expert Soul- 
 dier of that Nation •, that oi tiie Swiffe Infantry, to Claude Anthony Sieur de Ckrvant v 
 to Mouy the command of the French Foot > the Sieur de Guitry a French man, and Lo- 
 doz'ick^ Romf a German, being Marftials of the Field. 
 
 Againft all thefe preparations, the Duke of Lorain (who in all the other Wars had 
 ever flood Neuter, and now had declared himfelf in favour of the League, and of the 
 Lords of his Family^ being firft at the Frontiers, was in a very great fear, finding he 
 had not fufticitnt force to make refiftance, and with Letters and Meflages follicited the 
 Duke of Guifc, and all his Friends and Confederates, that fince they had drawn him 
 into fo much danger, they would alfo be ready and fpeedy to help him out. He had 
 raifed two thoufand Keiters out of the Territories of the Catholick Princes of Germany^ 
 under the command of the Baron of Sn-artzemboitrgh •■, eight hundred other Horfe, 
 * Or, emits. £^j^g ^ Albanians, fome Italians, and four thoufand Foot of his own State i to which 
 Forces the Prince of ?arma Governour of the Low-Countries, in performance of the 
 •League wiili the Catholick King, had added eight hundred Bourguignon Horfe, under 
 the Command of the Mzx^uck de Havray, and two thoufand Foot, all Walloons, un- 
 der the command of the Marquefs de Varambone. But it bebg neceffary to put a Ga- 
 rifqn in Nat-y the chief City of Lorain, and many other lelfer Towns, he had neither 
 Force enough left to hinder the paflage of the Germans, nor to defend his Coun- • 
 try from their IncurlTons i and tlierefore the Duke of Guife, the very Soul and Life 
 of his Party, and upon whom the Foundation of all the Affairs of the League was 
 fetlcd, drew Friends and Forces together from all parts to affift and defend the Duke of 
 Lorain, 
 
 Nor did the King of France make lefs preparations than the reft i but being refolved 
 tofhew his face, and make himfelf Arbitratour of Affairs, he drew all his Forces to- 
 gether : for befides eight thoufand SwifTe Foot raifed under the publick colour of the 
 Catholick Cantons, he alfo levied fourteen thoufand French Foot, fummoned all the 
 Souldiery, called all the Nobility to attend him, having determined to command his 
 Army himfelf in perfbn i wherein he received no other hindcrance, but the unquietnefs 
 of the Parifians i for the Preachers and the Council of Sixteen ceafed not to ftir up the 
 people, and to make frequent tumults in the City, infomuch as the Authority of the 
 King and his Magiftrates was defpifed and trodden under Foot, with very great dan- 
 ger of an open change defired and procured by them. Nor durft the King in that 
 prefent condition punifh the authors of thofe tumults, for fear of caufing an abfolute 
 revolt, and in a conjundure of fo great danger , deprive himfelf of that City, which 
 had ever been the Bafis and Foundation of his Party , this encouraged them with more 
 boldnefs to multiply their defigns, which would have produced the event aimed at by 
 the Heads of the League, if firft the imminent fear of the German Army, and then 
 the Kings Oath taken againft the Hugonots, and the promife wherewith he took Arms 
 for the common defence, had not reftrained and withheld the people, who out of fear,' 
 and fome certain refpeds of duty , were not very forward to embrace feditious 
 counfels. But the King having with great dexterity and patience often quieted 
 thofe uproars raifed without occafions , full of ill-will towards the Heads of Sedi- 
 tion, though cunningly diffembling it , having left the Queen-Mother as Regent in 
 2arU, and Monfieur de ViVequier as Governour, departed from the City about the 
 end of July , and went to Meaux ten leagues from thence, about which place he 
 had caufed Quarters to be taken up for his Army. Thither the Duke of Guife came 
 
 unto
 
 of France. The 8ighth "BooJ^. 
 
 3^5 
 
 «587. 
 
 Unto him, Meaitx being a Town under his command , and they met together with 
 fhews of exceeding kindnefs and refped, bu-t thoughts very different from the out- 
 ward appearance. The divilion of both Horfe and Foot was made in the Duke of 
 Gmfe^s prefence, the King having appointed twenty Cornets of Horfe, and four Re- 
 giments of Foot for the Duke , refcrving all the reft for the Army which he was to 
 lead himfelf i but almoft all the Horfe were withheld afterward with feveral excufes 
 and the Duke of Guife had only thofe Foot left him, which were brought by his de- 
 pendents i for in their meetings and difcourfes , fufpicions bei^g rather increafed, 
 than former hearts-burning taken away, the King was fo much the more firmly fetled 
 in his intention , to beware no lefs of the Duke of Czufe^ than of the foreign Army > 
 and to leave him weak , that he might be the more eafily cutoff, fince that whether 
 his Forces were many or few, he could do no lefs than draw near the Enemy, and fall 
 upon him either in the State of the Duke of Lorain^ or in the Confines of his own 
 Government. 
 
 After two days the Duke of Gk//^ departed, and making his Rendezvous at St. F/<7- 
 rentiiie, a place near troye^ with feven hundred Cuirafliers of Gentlemen that were his 
 dependents, fix hundred Light-horfe, part Albanians, part Italians, and part fent by the 
 Sieur de Balony Governour of Carnkray, and with two thoufand French Foot led by the 
 Sieurs de Joannes^ de ClieJJhit, de Gies^ and de St. ?aul^ his old Colonels, he marched 
 ftreight toward Lorain. All the Lords of that Family were met together at Nancy., 
 where the Duke commonly reiides, and there fell to confult which way they (hould 
 oppofe the German Army. The opinions were different, or rather oppofitely contrary: 
 for the French Lords, among which the Duke of Gttife was the chief, would have made 
 the feat of the War in the State of the Duke of Lorain, a ftreight narrow Country, and 
 by reafon of the abundance of Rivers, fit for fome great enterprife, keeping the Ger- 
 mans bulied in a place where they could not hope to join with the King of Navarre.^ 
 and where being near their own Country, they would eafily disband and run home upon 
 every fmall occafion ordiibrder that might arife : nor did the greatnefs of the foreign 
 Army at all difmay the Duke of Guife , a man of a refolute undaunted courage i but 
 defpifing the number of raw untrained men newly raifed in hafte, bethought himfelf 
 able to accomplifh any thing with his old tried Souldiers. But the Duke of Lorain 
 was of a contrary opinion , who with the Marquefs dit Pont his eldeft Son, the Count 
 de Sanlnie liis principal Minilter, the Count de Chaligny one of the King of France his 
 Brothers in law, and with the Sieurs de OJfinville ^and Bajfjmpierre, thought not fit to fub- 
 mit his Country to all the dangers and miferies of the War, and thought he had done 
 too much, in declaring himfcif for the French Lords of his Family, and in being at fb 
 great charges, and in undergoing fo many dangers to fatisfiethem: wherefore he defi- 
 ring the Germans might not be hindred in their paffage, but that keeping all the prin- 
 cipal Towns well provided, and waiting upon them with a flying Army, to the end they 
 might have lefs opportunity to hurt the Country, that impetuous torrent might be fuf- 
 fcred to make an inundation in thofe parts to which it naturally tended: and by how 
 much the more he faw the Duke of Guje ready and defirous to put the event of bufi- 
 neffcs opportunely to the hazard of a day, fo much the more did he fear that danger. 
 Wherefore becaufe the opinions differed, he concluded freely, that he would not have 
 them to play his State at that Game i and that if the Duke of Guife and the French 
 Lords had an humour to fight, they fhould referve themfelves till the Enemy were 
 entred into France.^ it fatisfying him topreferve his own with as little lofs as poflibly 
 he could, confidering the greatnefs of the Enemies Army. With this refolution all the 
 guards were recalled from the Confines, to quarter in fkong places, and the Sieur de care taken by 
 VJfonviue General of the Duke of Lorains Forces, rode thorow all the State, caufing the Lordinihiuhe 
 Mills and Ovens to be defiroyed, and the viduals to be carried away from all places, 
 to the end that the German Army finding fcarcity of provifions , might refolve to pafs 
 on without delay : and becaufe the Duke of G«(/fjforwardnefs made the Duke of Lo- 
 rain fufped , that againft his will , he would with inferiour Forces, and without ne- 
 cclfuy put it to a Battel, he himfelf, though far in years, would command the Army > 
 and to honour the Duke of G/w/?, gave him only the charge of the Van-guard. 
 
 The fame divifions were in the German Army i for the Duke of Buttillon and the 
 Count de la Mark^ defired to make the feat of that War in Lorain, not only to have 
 convcniency of victual, and to garifon Sedan and Jamets, their own Towns, which 
 bordered upon that State, but alfo to ruine and undo the Duke of Lorain^ whofe 
 
 S f a neigh- 
 
 Ccrman Army 
 might not ftay 
 in bis Country
 
 5 1 5 The Hi/lorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 15S7. neighbouthood was fufpefted by them , believing that he afpired to their poffeflfionSj 
 the truth whereof they had feen in the War made upon them by the Duke of Guife^ 
 and knew much more evidently afterwards. On the other fide, Monfieur de MonglM 
 the K\t\^o^ Navarre s Agent lately come from him, and the Sieurs de Mmy, deCler- 
 vant^ de V Auguiere, and almoft all the French preffed to have them go forward, and 
 entring into Trance without delay , to take the fliorteft cut that might bring them to 
 jom with the King of Navarre, whom they affirmed to be upon his march, to come as 
 far as he could to meet them. There wanted not feme among the Germans who were 
 much pleafed with the neamefs of their own Country , and with a War that was like 
 to be fo eafie, by reafon of the inequality of Force •, but the Baron d' Onan\ intent to 
 execute the Commiflfions he had received from Prince Cafmir, refolved at laft to go in- 
 to France, without making any longer ftay in the State of Lorain than what was nc- 
 ceflTarily requifite , yet purpofing to do as much mifchief there as the brevity of the 
 time would permit, without going about to take in any Towns: with this intention, 
 but with little correfpondence among the Commanders, and as little Government 
 among the Souldiers, (there being no man whofe authority and experience was pro- 
 portionable to fo weighty a bufinefs) the German Army began to move, and upon the 
 26 of Auguji came in the Confines of Lorain. 
 
 Already were the Guards withdrawn, which at firft had been placed at the principal 
 paffes of that State, and the Forces being retreated into their walled Towns, had left 
 all the ways free > wherefore the Germans began to plunder all the Country without 
 anyrefiftancei not forbearing murthers, firing of Towns, nor any kind of hoftile a<ft 
 whatfoever, though the harm were much the lefs, becaufe the people had had conve- 
 nient time to abfent themfelves, to drive away their cattel, and hide their goods in fe- 
 crct places, and what they could not carry away they had fpoiled and burned. But it 
 was not long before the Germans felt the Forces of the League i for the Duke oiGuife 
 defirous to difcover their ftrength , and to try their valour and difcipline, fent forth 
 the SitMt de Khofne znA the Baron of Srvartzembourgh with two hundred Keiters, and 
 three hundred French Horfe, to beat up their neareft quarters. Thefe two Commanders 
 being come upon the thirtieth of Auguji where the Enemy lay, fell upon the quarter of 
 Tfce Btft aC- the Baron de Bo«ci^, and at firft put them into great confufion ; and though thty were 
 (hofelf'the''^ driven back at laft by fo much a greater numfcr , yet they brought away a Cornet 
 league ;othe with them, which the Duke of Lorain fent prefently to the King of France , as a to- 
 L^i^r '" ^^^ ^^^^ fo fheir coft the German Army was come already into his Country. Yet did 
 the Army continue in the fame confufion, in quartering, in keeping their Guards , in 
 , tifing, and in marching : for the great abundance of men bred tumult and diforder of 
 it felf, and there was no Commander able to govern a Body compofed of Co many feve- 
 ral Nations mixt together , ?nd of a different manner of difcipline. The Duke of 
 Bouillon a young Lord, and though of great courage, yet of little or no experience, 
 was not very much obeyed by the Germans. The Baron d' Onarp, whom they obeyed, 
 might rather be counted in thenumber of valiant Souldiers, than of Commanders who 
 for birth and wifdom were fit for fuch an employment i and the other inferiour Officers 
 being of feveral Nations and different difpofitions , did rather inaeafc than lefTen that 
 confufion. 
 
 Thefe things being known to the Duke of Guije, he defired to meet handfbmly with 
 them, either as their Army was about to quarter , or to rife, before time or experi- 
 ence fhould inform the Commanders of their errour. But the Duke of Lorain perfifted 
 in the fame opinion, nor would upon any terms fuffer them to come to a Battel within 
 his Territories > and the Duke ofG»//ewas nccelTitated to comply with him, both be- 
 caufe of his age, and becaufe he was in his own Country, as alfb by reafon of the in- 
 equality of the Forces : So the Keiters pafTed on without any lett or impediment, as far 
 as Pont St. Vincent, a great Town feated upon the declining of a Hill, at the foot where- 
 of the River Meufe pafTeth under a fpaclous Bridge of ancient building. There Mon- 
 fieur de Khofne , and an hundred Harquebuziers on horfeback, being quartered with 
 three hundred Light-Horfe, the Duke of Guife came up to view the place, having re-' 
 folved to lodge the Vanguard there , to make the pafTage of the River more fufpedeJ 
 to the Enemies, and to make them a little more wary in pillaging the Country : but at 
 the very time of his arrival , the German Army was efpied from the top of the Hilf 
 marching in their divifions direftly toward the Bridge, thorow a little Plain that fpreads 
 it fcif from the bottom of the Hill ; whereupon the Duke of Guife, defirous to difcover 
 
 the
 
 of France. The Eighth ^oo\, 217 
 
 the quality and order of the Enemy, having commanded out the three hundred Light- 1587. 
 ttorfe, drawn them up without the Town , and fpread the hundred Harquebuziers 
 along the bank ot the River , he himfelf unarmed as he was, with the Sieurs de la 
 Chjjire, BaJJompierre and Dnnes^ and two Gentlemen of his Attendents, all lix in num- 
 ber, paiTed over the Bridge, hoping to get up to fbme high place, from whence they ' 
 ftiight conveniently difcern the motions, anddiftinftly perceive the number and order 
 of the Germans j but he was hardly come to the other fide of the bank, when he was 
 charged by two Troops oi Kehers who marched before the Army to difcover the 
 Country ; to avoid whofe fury , he was fain to retreat over the Bridge again at a 
 good round Trot. The Enemies Horfe being come to the bank of the River, and fee- 
 ing it defended by the Harquebuziers, and that the Duke of Guife with five and twenty 
 Gentlemen that were come up to him , flood firm at the entry of the Bridge, they 
 made a halt to flay for the firft Troops of the Army, and in the mean time one of 
 them f which was a very remarkable thing) being come to the very brink of the Ri- 
 ver, lighted from his Horfe, fpanned his Carabine very leifurely, and taking aim, gave ^ Gem'* ^ 
 fire with wonderful fecurity > and though above two hundred (hot were made at him Trooper, 
 in the mean time, he was not only untouched, but not fo much as daunted at allj fo 
 that he got on horfe-back again with the fame gravity, and retreated fafely a foot-pace 
 to his fellows. 
 
 In this interim, the Sieur de Gmtry Marefchal of the Field arrived upon the bank of 
 the River with four hundred other Horfe, who with the two firft Troops of Keiteri 
 came directly forward to poflefs the Bridge: But the Duke of G«//V finding himfelf 
 much weaker than was requifitc to defend the Pafe , and that not only the Duke of 
 Loram\ Army was a great way from him, but alfb his own Van-guard which had been 
 left far behind, he caufed the Harquebuziers to retire and put themfclves again in the 
 Body of Monfieur^f Khofnes Cavalry i and having difpatched Bjjfjmpierre and la Chj" 
 fire with order to put the Army in readinefs to receive him, in cafe he fliould be ftreight- 
 ned and followed by the Enemies, he began to retreat, skirmifhing himfelf in the laft 
 ranks, and very gallantly fuftaining the Charge of the Reiters , who having pafled the 
 Bridge without further refiftance, followed him clofe at the heels, caracoUing and gi- 
 ving fire continually with their Piftols : but being come to the bottom of the Hill, 
 which had a fteep troublefom afcent, the Duke of Cuife's Light Horfe, and he himfelf 
 with his Gentlemen, who were bravely mounted , got up quickly i whereas on the 
 other fide the Kehers Wizh. their great Friezeland-Horfes, were much longer about it, 
 and after they were at the top of the Hill , were fain to make a ftand to give their 
 Horfes breath \ which time he opportunely making ufe of, paffed over another fmall 
 River that was before him , and without any fhew of flight arrived fafely where the 
 Field-Marfhals had with excellent order fet the whole Army in Battalia \ which being 
 drawn out between three Hills in form of a Half-Moon, with the Cavalry on each 
 Wing, and Foot placed within the banks and ditches, by the High- ways, and among 
 the flakes in the Vineyards defended by the Cannon planted upon a little Mount, made 
 (b gallant a fliew, that the German Commanders being come up to face them with the 
 firft Troops of their Forces, judged that in refpedt of the firength of that fituation, 
 the Battel was not to be hazarded, being they could by no means make the Lorain-^xmy 
 diflodge from their poft, nor fight with it there, without too evident and almoft in- 
 fupcrable difad vantage. 
 
 Wherefore retiring to the main Body, they quartered in the Villages near St. Vin* 
 cent^ in the Caftle whereof the Sieur de la Chajire entred that fame night with fix hun- 
 dred Mufquetiers, that it might not be left in the Enemies power : and the Duke of 
 Lorain, who faw that contrary to his defires the Duke of Guife by his boldnefs, and to 
 difengage himfelf from the Reiters, had like to have put his State in vcty great hazard, 
 to avoid the fame danger, removed a great many miles from thence, leaving them firee 
 paflage to continue the voyage, which with pillaging and burning they had begun j and 
 quartering his Army in the chiefefl places, that the Enemy might not have opportunity 
 to take and fack them , with very great care and circumfpe<5tion flood barely upon his 
 defence. 
 
 At laft, upon the eighteenth of September the Germans arrived upon the Confines of 
 France, and took up their firft quarters at St. Vrbin ; which Town being of the Duke 
 of Guife's patrimony, was by them in a hoftile manner burned i yet to put themfclves 
 in order, and by leafonof the extraordinary lains that fell, they flayed there four days, 
 
 in
 
 .mtiJt 
 
 518 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1587. 
 
 The Gernun 
 'Army going 
 out of Z.« ^i" 
 lich with fpoil 
 enitrs franct, 
 where not 
 efteeminf; the 
 Duke oiGu'fcs 
 fmall Forces, 
 tbejr continue 
 to pilUge and 
 dedroy the 
 Country, 
 
 in which time Francois Sieur de ChajhUon came up with a hundred Cuiraflfiers, and eight 
 hundred Harquebuiiers on horfe-back, who with wonderful great difficulty had from 
 the fartheft parts of Languedoc paffed by the way of Dauphine , and the Confines of 
 Savoy^ as far as Grizelle, a Town upon the borders of Lorain, to join with the foreign 
 Army i but being come to Grizelle, he was fuddenly charged by the Dukes Forces, and 
 conftrained to retreat into the Caftle of that Town , where he had been in manifeft 
 danger by reafon of the weaknefs of the place, if the Count de la Mark^ had not ad- 
 vanced with the Van of the Army to difengage him: who no fooner appeared, but the 
 Lorain Forces retiring, he went on to St. Vrbin to join with the reft of the Army up- 
 on the 22 of September, which day the Duke of Gmfe (having left the Duke of Lo- 
 raiH at Bar, who refufcd to enter into the Confines of the King of France unlefs he were 
 called ) quartered with twelve hundred Horfe and two thoufand Foot at Joinville^ but 
 two Leagues diftant from St. Vrbin. 
 
 The German Army entred France with an infinite deal of Baggage , not only by 
 reafon of the great (tore of carriages which they had with them according to the cu- 
 ftom of their Country , but alfo of the abundance of fpoil and plunder they had got in 
 the Territories of Lorain, and which they ftill increafed daily > nor did their diforders 
 and confufions ceafe, though they were come into an Enemies Country, fufpe^ed on 
 every fide i but rather every one prefuming upon the greatneft of their flrength, (for 
 they were above forty thoufand fighting men; they quartered very wide and open, 
 minded nothing but pillage, were negligent in their guards and marches, the fields be- 
 ing every where full of Grapes, of which that Nation being exceeding greedy , they 
 difordered their Squadrons, and ran confufedfy to fatisfie their gluttony i and fo much 
 the more, bccaufe the Duke of Guife^s handful of men made by him contemptible to 
 their pride » nor did they think they could meet with any thing that could do harm to' 
 fo much a greater number, well armed, well mounted, we'l provided, (which was 
 true J but wonderfully ill ordered and difciplined. The number of Commanders made 
 opinions differ about the way they (hould march > for fome counfelled, that following 
 the cafincfs of the ways and the abundance of vi<fluals , they fliould ^o on thorow 
 Champagne to Br\e, and to the Ifle of France as far as the City of Paris, to ftrike the 
 very heart of the Catholick party , and not to linger about matters of^ fmall impor- 
 tance, experience having (hewed, that the Hugonots had never had hope of vidory, 
 but when they had entered the very bowels of the Kingdom, and brought terrour and 
 damage to the City of Paris : but others knowing that they wanted a General who 
 was capable to manage the weight of that imployment , and that therefore all their 
 marches were difficult and dangerous, perfwaded to move ftreight towards the head 
 of the River Loyre, to pafs over it above la Charite, or at fomc other place thereabout, 
 and to go without delay to join with the King of Navarre, without whofe condudl: and 
 command they defpaired of efFeding any enterprife. The laft opinion prevailed, and 
 with that intention crofling the Provinces of Champagne and Bourgongne about the end 
 of September, they took the direO: way toward la Charite, to pafs the River there, as 
 the Di.\ke of Venx-ponts had done at the fame place i and becaufe the Count de laMarJ^ 
 died about that time of a natural death , the charge of the Van-guard was given to 
 MonCeur de ChajiUlon. 
 
 The Duke of Guife followed the track of the Germans i and though his Brother 
 the Dakeof Mayenne were joined with him, with the Forces he brought out of his 
 Government of Bourgongne ■■, and though the Marqucfs du Pont had followed him alfb 
 with no contemptible number of Gentlemen , whereby in all he had fifteen hundred 
 Horfe, and little more than three thoufand Foot, yet becaufe he had no Body of an 
 Army, he quartered always in advantageous places, keeping near the Germans, that 
 he might not lofe any opportunity (which he watched for with extream diligence and 
 impatient defire ) to fight j but the Duke of Mayenne following his old flayed refolu- 
 tions, and the Marquefs du Pont inflrudted by his Fathers admonitions, did opportunely 
 allay his forwardness, (hewing him that the whole fortune of the Houfe of Lorain was 
 reduced to that fmall handful of men, and would run into a manifeft ruine, if he ftiould 
 be fo rath as to afTault the Enemy with Forces fo infinitely inferiour : that he could 
 give no greater joy nor contentment to his Enemies, than to offer up the whoXt being 
 of their Family to fpoil and havock by fo certain a danger, the event whereof, what- 
 loevei: it could be , would overthrow his Forces for ever : that it was a bufinefs of 
 long 5 mature deliberation , and which coi\ld never be fulficiently pondered and dif- 
 
 cuffed,
 
 ©/"France. The Eighth ^ooJ^ ^la 
 
 cuffed, to hazard all his former labours, all his prefent Eftate and all his future hopes JS^?* 
 upon the call of a Dye with fo much difadvantage : and with what ftrcngth, with 
 whaf number of Hotfe and Foot would he affail an Army of fixteen thoufand Horfe 
 and twenty thoufand German Foot, flanked with four thoufand of the choiceli French 
 Firelocks ? that it was no fmall matter, if they could be able to defend the principal Ci- 
 ties, and the walled Towns of thofe Provinces which were under their Government > 
 and that he alone ought not to afTume that charge to himfelf which principally con- 
 cerned the King of France , and which never had been alTumed by fo many others, 
 who upon occafion of othei; German Armies had had the care of the Frontiers, and 
 who preferving only the places of confequence, had let the dorm flie where the prin- 
 cipal Armies were, and where the whole fumof bufinefles did refidc. Thefe confide- 
 rations abated , but extinguiflied not the ardour of the Duke of Gttife , who having 
 vafter thoughts, and higher dcfigns, did within himfelf alone prefs forward the eifedt- 
 ing his own refolutions : for having undertaken to be Patron of the League, aff"umed 
 the care of the popular caufe, and conceiving hopes of ruining his adverfaries, and 
 making himfelf not only Arbitrator and Moderator of the Kingdom, but alfo the glo- 
 rious Reliorer of the Roman Catholick Religion, he forefaw he (hould grow lefs in re- 
 putation, and lofe his credit within and without the Kingdom, if the King, and not 
 he, fliould win the Vidrory over the Germans, which would turn the fcale, and make 
 him Superiour that fliould obtain it : belides, fufpedting that the King held fecret in- 
 telligence with the Hugonots, he feared that the Ke/ters joyning with the King of Na~ 
 virre , and the King being on the other fide with a rtrong Army in the field , they 
 might catch him between them i and therefore he afpired with all the powers of his 
 mind, todelrroy, or at leait weaken that Army, before it could come to the confum- 
 mation of that defign : finally, the defirc of glory which in him was moft ardent and 
 unmeafurable, would not let his mind be in quiet, if he did not make his valour fa- 
 mous in fi confpicuous an occafion : Wherefore, fometimes marching before, fome- 
 timef b.iide, fometimes behind the Enemy, with unv/caried diligence both in himfelf 
 and in his Souldiers, he ufed all his uttermoft endeavours to incommode and diilreft 
 them, by putting them upon a neccflfity of quartering clofe together, by protrad'ing 
 and retarding their march, and finally by ftriving to bring them to a fcarcity of pro- 
 vifions. 
 
 But the abundance of Wine, Grapes, Fruits, and Flefli, whereof there was great '^'" s^e^ 
 plenty in tliofe Provinces, did more harm to the Germans than all the labour and in- aiuhin"scau- 
 duftry of the Duke of Guife ; for by excefs and furfeiting , in a Country differing fingj"urfeits, 
 from their natural climate, fuch frequent dangerous difeafes were gotten into the Ar- mortuif"m 
 my, that their number daily decreaftd, and their march was not a little flackened i to '^rm^'""*" 
 which the rains of Autumn being added, which were wonderfully immoderate in the 
 beginning of Oclober, did much increafe the mortality i and in that deep dirty Country 
 the ways were fo broken, that it was moft difficult for (b great a multitude to march, 
 being (as they were wont) exceedingly ill ordered and commanded. 
 
 The fame rains did alfo hurt the Duke of Gmje's Army, and fo much the more, fae- 
 caufe being in continual motion, they did perpetually fuffer by the ill weather: But 
 though the Souldiers were without flioes, and almoft without clothes, and their horfes 
 tired and almoft quite fpoiled, yet the great confidence they had in their Commander, 
 and feeing him the firft in all incommodities and fufferings, made every one undergo 
 them wi'lingly i and becaufe they were all old Souldiers, hardned to the toils of War, 
 the difeafes did not fpread amongft them, which had brought the affairs of the Enemy 
 into a very ill condition. In this manner, with frequent skirmifhes, the Armies came 
 as far as Chjjiillo/i upon the Seme, where the Sieur de la Cbajlre having put himfelf in, 
 for the defence of that Town, not fo ftrong as populous i as the Germans paffed by 
 they skirmillied continually for four hours, with fome lofs on both fides. 
 
 But having paffed the Seine at ChjjTilion, turning on the right hand , they marched 
 From thence toward la Charite to pafs the Lo\re^ not in thofe places that are nearer to 
 the head of it, as the King o( Navarre had directed, and as his Agents put them in mind 
 to do 5 but to endeavour to get a Bridge over which they might pafs conveniently : and 
 of this refolution not the Commanders, but the tumultuous cries of the Army were 
 the occafion, who would not hear of being led tiiorow narrow, barren, mountainous 
 Countries,as thofe parts are from whence the River fprings,but would fpread themfelvcs 
 with their wonted pillagings and licentious manner of living, in the more fertile, fpa- 
 
 cious 
 
 Army,
 
 520 The H'tflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1587. cious parts oi^ France ^ as thofe were thorow which they were to ttiarch toward U 
 
 Charite, and the pafTcs near unto it. 
 
 Kiwythcui. But they were extreamly deceived in their hopes; for the King of Frjwe being 
 
 wUhinTrmy departed from Meaux, and then from Gifw; where he had made the general Rendez- 
 
 to oppofe the V0U5 of hls Army, and being come to Ejiampis with eight thoufand SwiflTcs, ten thou- 
 
 J^"k«p'ihc"m fand French Foot, and four thoufand Horfe, the Duke of Nevers commanding as Lieu- 
 
 from joining^ tenant- General of the Army, and the Duke of Efpenwn leading the Van, by their ad- 
 
 of Ww'i«.'"" vice was prudently come unto the Loyre ■■, and having broken and fpoiled all the paffes, 
 
 taken away all the Boats, and well garifoned and provided all the Towns, encamped 
 
 along the banks of the River, to hinder the Enemies from wading over, or pafling it 
 
 in any place. • 
 
 This difficulty exceedingly puzled the German Army : for having been made be- 
 lieve by the French Commanders, both before they were raifed, and after they were 
 entered into France^ that the King would tacitly give way to their paflTage, and join- 
 ing with the King of Navarre ^ and that they were to have no other Enemy bul the 
 Duke of Ciiife^ whofe Forces were not to be feared : as foon as they faw the King in 
 Arms, and relblved to oppofe them in aholHlc manner, not only with a very great 
 ftrength, but with wonderful providence and Military policy : and after that the Duke 
 d' Ejfirnofi^ who was generally thought partial to the Hugonots, did perfonally ciTail 
 fbme Troops of Horfe that plundered the Country » and having ilain many of them, 
 took one of their Cornets, there entered fuch a confufion into the Army, that the au- 
 Aim/mutinies t'lority of the Commanders was not able to fettle it. The German Cavalry began to 
 cry out aloud for their pay , which had been promifed them at their entry into the 
 Kingdom, nor had money appeared yet from any place to fatisfie them- The Swifles 
 that faw their Country-men with the King , with the publick Colours of the Can- 
 tons, talked of going over to his Army v and generally all of them murmured, that 
 having been promifed to be led by a Prince of the Blood, they yet faw not any one ap- 
 peari and every hour tumultuouily threatned the French Commanders, becaufe they 
 had raflily brought them thither, and fallly ptrfwaded them that they held intelligence 
 with the King of France. In this Mutiny the Commanders being come to tlie head 
 of the Army , it was without much confideration precipitately refolved amidli; that 
 nniverfal cry and tumult, to turn back again, and get into the Country of Beonjfe^ (the 
 ordinary nouriflier of the WarJ and in the mean time to fend men to the King of Na- 
 varre, to demand money and a General , and to know which way the Army fliould 
 march to unite themfelves moft cafily with him. 
 
 At that time the King of Navarre, being departed from the places that held of his 
 party with the greateft number he could gather together, and having mulkred them, 
 marched direcftly toward the Loyre to find fome means of joining with the foreign 
 Army. But the Duke of Joyeufe, who fpurred on by ambition, had wholly given him- 
 felf over to the deiigns of the League, was inconliderately gone from Saumw, and came 
 with his whole Army to meet the Hugonots, defiring with great confidence by all means 
 to give them Battel. Two little Rivers parted the two Armies from one another, one 
 called the I(le, and the other the Drongne ■■, the Ifle on the Duke of Jnyeuff's lide i the 
 Drougne Cmuch the bigger) on the King of Navarre's •■, and between both Rivers were 
 la Roche-Chaliips , a Town near the IJIe i and near the Vrongne CoutrM , a brave houfe 
 built by Lautree, a famous Commander in the Wars of Italy. Both the Generals thought 
 with reafon that the paffage of the River might caufe a difadvantage to the Enemy, 
 and therefore the Duke of Joyeufe paffed the Ifle with all fpeed, upon the nineteenth of 
 October in the evening, and quartered at la Koche-Cbalais, with an intention to lie the 
 night after at Controf , and to meet the King of Navarre , and fight with him as he 
 paflcd the Droitgne. To that purpofe he fent Captain Mercwh Btia before with the 
 Albanians, to poflTefs CoutrM , and had fent away Colonels to take up quarters there. 
 But the King of Navarre, who commanding an old well-excrcifed Army , defired to 
 meet in the plain field without advantage of ground or Rivers , had waded over the 
 I^roMgnexht fame day betimes in the morning, and had alfo fent the Duke de la Tri- 
 mauille to make himfelf Matter of CoutrM, and he himfelf followed the fame way with 
 the whole Army in Battalia. There was no doubt but the Albanian Light-horfc were 
 eafily driven back by the greater number : and returning the fame night to la Kache- 
 Chalais, related to theDukeof /(yif«/t", who was fitting at a gallant Supper with many 
 of the Nobility, that the King ot Navarre had paflcd the Droitgne, and was quartered in 
 
 the
 
 of France. The Eighth "Bool^. 
 
 21 
 
 the Village at Contras with all his Army i prefently the Duke turning about to his 
 Officers, {aid, fo loud, that every one might hear, him, So^we have the Enemy fl^ut up 
 between trvo Rivers, and he cannot norv ejiupe us i let every one be ready for the Battel to 
 ,Ptorrow by break^of day. .:^1 ,i;:- 
 
 Jhe Duke's Army was full of Nobility,, and it number loooo ftrong 5 but the 
 ^ifateft part men rather forward then expert, who accounting the' Vidory certain, ca- 
 red little for that order and difcipline, which almoft alwayes ufes to caufe it in fuch 
 encounters i there was no Commander, whofe authority and experience could regulate 
 .the unbridled raflinefs of the young Gentry, which greedily made hafte tocome to the 
 bufinefs, believing hrmly, that they had imprifoned the Enemy between two Rivers y 
 and therefore the next morning, being the twentieth of OSober^ they began two hours 
 -before day to march, ftragling confidedly toward the Field where the Battel was to be. 
 There they were drawn into Battalia, as well as poffible they might, by the Sieur de 
 J^avardm Lieutenant-Gcneral, having fpread a long Body of Lances in the Plain on 
 whofe Wings were two Battalions of Infantry, which flanked it on either fide, and 
 Jie himfclf with the Light-Horfe, led by the Sieur de Montigny^ and Mercuria Bua was 
 at the Head of the whole Army, having placed the Artillery at the point of the left 
 Wing. 
 
 But, the Confufion of thofe untrained Soldiers, who were come thither without or- 
 der, and had fcatteringly broken their Ranks, and difordered their Squadrons ; and the 
 -way alfo to the place appointed, being (to fay the truth) narrow and Woody, made 
 them lofe fo much time in embattelling,that the King of Ntfi/jn-f, finding that the Ene- 
 my moved, had conveniency to bring up his Artillery, which by reafon of their hafly 
 paffage, was left the night before on the other fide the River > who otherwife mult 
 have been fain to light without his Canon, which would have been an extreme difad- 
 vantage to him. Now, having received that beneht by the flownefs of the Enemy, 
 he divided his Army, confifting of 2500 Horfe, and 4000 Foot, into fevcn Squadrons, 
 whereof four were Cuiralliers, one ot Light-horfe, and two ot Foot, and caufed the 
 Culverins,and the fmall Field-pieces to be planted in the front of the Army upon the 
 bank of the River, in a place fomewhat higher then the Plain ■■, the two middle Squ- 
 drons which made thebottomof the half-moon he commanded himfclf i the Prince of 
 Conde, and the Count de Soijjiws on the right hand i and on the left the Vifcount de 
 Tureni^ j the Light Horfe were commanded by the Duke de la 'TremottiUe , and the 
 Sieur de Vivatts, who was Marflial of the Field i and the two Bodies of Foot on the 
 right hand were commanded by the Baron de Salignac, Chajielnetv^ and Parabiere^ who 
 upon their flank had a thick Wood, and a ditch of feven foot broad s and by Lore^es, 
 Preau, and Charboniere on the left, all old expert Colonels of that party, who were "de- 
 fended with the Walls and Buildings of the Park, but more efpecially of the Warren. 
 The care of the Artillery was committed to the Sieur de Clairmont * Marquefs of Ge- 
 lera>ide^znd the Baggage either purpofely, or by chance, was left in the Village of Coh- 
 tras without any Guard either ot Horfe or Foot. 
 
 The Armies were very different j for the Duke of Joyeufe's was cloathed all with 
 rich upper Coats, fet forth with gallant Liveries,Plumes, and other wanton ornaments 
 but half in diforder, and all wavering, a manifefl fign of want of experience i whereas 
 the King of Navarr''s had no other Ihcw then that of Iron, nor other ornaments then 
 their Arms rufly with the rain, yet united and compared in a firm perfed' array, 
 fhevvcd their worth moll clearly in Soldier-like aftions and behaviour. The Canon 
 began to play on all fides f the Sun being above two houres high) but either with dif- 
 ferent indu (try or fortunes for theKingofATjz/jrr's making a lane thorough the Catho- 
 lick Lances, and palling from thence into the Squadrons of Infantry, made a very great 
 (laughter of them, and put them all into confufion i but the Duke's Canoneers level- 
 Jed their Pieces fo low, that all the Bullets flruck into the ground, and killed no body 
 except one Gentleman of the Prince of CoWf's i which the Sieur de Lavardin percdv- 
 ing, and knowing that to give the Enemies time to charge again , and redouble their 
 great fiiot, would caufe the total routing of the Army, which was fo broken and dif- 
 order'd by the Artillery, that they hardly kept in Battalia, having commanded to found 
 a charge, fell in with his Light-Horfe fo furioufly upon thofe of the Enemy, which ftood 
 over againft him, to the number of fomc two hundred, that the Sieur de Montigny kil- 
 ledi the Duke de la Tremouille s horfe under him , and Captain Mercurio Bua wounded 
 the Sieur de Vivans Marlhal of the Field very dangeroufly j and having fcattered the 
 
 T t light- 
 
 1587, 
 
 At CititrH the 
 D. of Td^fufe 
 with his Army 
 prcparM him- 
 felf to Battel, 
 but with great 
 coDfunon, 
 
 The King of 
 
 A'Jvarrt cakes 
 opportunity ly 
 the Enemies 
 flownefs, and 
 puts his Army 
 in excelltnt 
 older. 
 
 * The Frencb 
 Tranflation 
 fayes , and »» 
 iht MArquffs 
 
 cf Caleiandc. 
 
 The Armies 
 face one ano- 
 ther, and the 
 Bated begini.
 
 The History of the Civill ffars 
 
 1587- 
 
 The Albanians 
 break chrouoh 
 a Squaiiron of 
 Cuiiillicrj, 
 fun tuCnuirit', 
 pillage thcHu- 
 gonots baj;- 
 ga<;c, and could 
 no muie be 
 rallieii in the 
 Bactd. 
 
 Thet). of 705- 
 tufe thrown to 
 the ground, of- 
 fers loooco 
 Crowns in ran- 
 fom , yet IS 
 flain. 
 
 The CJtho- 
 licks life the 
 day, art all 
 killeJ and ta- 
 ken priloners, 
 except a very 
 few that fjvc 
 thcmfclvcs ly 
 flight. 
 
 The Kin» is 
 not difpleafcd 
 at the lofj, nor 
 at the Duke 
 nf T'Jff' 
 dtatfa. 
 
 light-Horfe, came up to the Squadron of Cuirafliers, led by theVifcount oi Tureme^ 
 whom they 'charged not in the Front, but ruflied fiercely upon their flank, and ma- 
 king way quite thorough them (whatfoever the occafion was, for it was afterward di- 
 verlly fpoken of J ran on with full fpeed to the Village of Coutras, where the Enemies 
 Baggage was. There the Albanians being out of breath , with the length of their 
 career, and feeing booty before them, fell to pillage, and were fo long before they ral- 
 lied again, that they refolved to retire into fome place of fecurity, without doing any 
 further fervice. But the King of Navarre having briefly exhorted his men to fight for 
 their common fafety, and having put Thirty Gentlemen before him with fliort Lan- 
 ces, ran but ten paces to meet the Catholick Cavalry, who having begun their Charge 
 too'foon,werc in fuch diforder with the length of their career,that their Lances wrought 
 not their wonted effedt, and did no good at all i wherefore being thrown away, the 
 fight remained equal, wherein, belides the valour of the Soldiers, their Squadrons be- 
 ing much harder to break thorough, then the long weak Battalion of the Duke dejoy- 
 eufe, the Cavalry of the Catholicks was routed and defeated in lefs then half an hour, 
 the Duke himfelf, among an infinite of Lords and Gentlemen being left dead j for be- 
 ing overthrown upon the ground, andoiTering 1 00000 Crowns inranfome, he was 
 with three Piftol (hots moft violently flain. Nor had the Infantry better fortune then 
 the Cavalry ■■> for being charged on all fides, and fierce cries refounding everywhere, 
 that every one fliould remember the flaughter of St. Eloy , where two Regiments of 
 the King ot Navarr's were cut in pieces without mercy, the Soldiers were not fatisfied 
 till they had put moft of them to the Sword j the Commanders being not able to re- 
 ftrain their tury, nor the King of Navarre to prevent it , being bufied otherwhere in 
 chafing the Reliques of the Cavalry. 
 
 The flaughter of the Conquered, and purfuit of the Conquerors, lafted three houres, 
 after which they were Matters of the field , of the Canon,Colours, and Baggage,where- 
 in ftothe laughter of Soldiers, accuftomed to the toils ofWar^ they found many of 
 thofe fofter accommodations of cafe and tendernefs ufed in the Court. There were 
 flain three thoufand five hundred of the Catholicks, befides the Duke of Joyeufe^tht 
 Count de S.Sauveur his brother, Brifiy^ who carried the General's Cornet, the 
 Counts deSufe, d' Atthi'ymx, and G^nf/o, Colonel Tiercelin^ and many others : but the 
 number of prifoners was much greater v for except Lavardin, Mont/guy, and Mercuria 
 Baa, who faved thcmfelves, all the reft remained in the power of the Enemy. On 
 the King o(Navarr's fide there were not full Two hundred killed, among which not 
 any many of great note » and among thofe that were wounded, onely the Sieut deVi^ 
 vans ^ Captain F^z/a/, and theVifcount deTurenne but flightly. In this fo great Vi- 
 (Sl^ory the King of IV^iurrf fl^ewed his clemency no left then he had done his prudence 
 before in preventing the Enemy, and ranging his Arnfiy in order, and his valour in 
 fighting : for being returned into the place of the battel, he ftayed the flaughter of the 
 Catholick Infantry, received the prifoners courteoufly, commending thofe that had 
 behaved themfelves well in that a(ftion, and pitying the death of the reft that had been 
 flain in the fury of the Battel, caufed the dead Body of the Duke dejoyeufe to be ho- 
 nourably put in a Leaden Coflin , and granted it to thofe that came to demand it, 
 who caufed it to be carried to taris^ where, with a folemn Funeral it was magnificent- 
 ly buried. 
 
 This Vidory of the King of Navarrs, the firft caufe and original of his fafety, and 
 fo much the more glorious, as being the firft the Hugonots had obtained in the revo- 
 lution of fb many Wars, did not much difpleafethe Kingof F>-i?«cf, as well becaufe he 
 defired not the King o( Navarr's total fuppreifion, left theGuife's Fadion fliould be 
 (b much increafed,as to remain arbitrators alone of the Forces of the Kingdom, as alfb 
 becaufe the Duke of Joyeufr^ raifed by him with fo much favour, to fuch a height of ho- 
 nour and greatnefs, had proved moft ungrateful to him i being, out of an emulation to 
 the Duke d' Efpernon, turned to h\oat the League i and if not openly, at leaft fecret- 
 ly, united to the defigns of the Lords of GM/J'e. Nor did it trouble him that the King of 
 Navarre, having got the Vidory, and overcome the hinderanceof that Army, wasa- 
 ble to march to meet the Germans , for he with a ftronger Army had taken all the Paf- 
 fes of the Loyre, and fo guarded the banks of the River every where, that he was cer- 
 tain neither of the Enemies Armies could pafs over it i and he hoped not onely to drive 
 away the Germans vi(3:orioufly » but alfo that theyftiouldbe inftruments toruine and 
 fupprefs the Houfeof G?«yt', and allthe Plots and Machinations of the League- 
 
 At
 
 of France. The. Eighth ^oo,^, ^22 
 
 At this time the German Army was in wonderful difcord and confulion, not onely J 587. 
 becaiife there neither came Money to pay them, nor that Prince of the Blood that had 
 been promifed them for their General , and becaufe their hopes of being able to joyn 
 with tlie King oi Navarre began to diminifli i but alfi^ becaufe the Duke of Ej'pernorj 
 who led the Van-guard of the Kings Army, having often beaten up their quarters, they 
 werecertainly allured, that the King, contrary to what their Commanders had per- 
 fwaded them, had taken Arms againll them, and followed them with a mighty Army 
 fmce they turned back from the River Loyre. But the Swiffe Infantry were more' the 5 
 unruly than all the rert V for feeing other Foot-foldiers of the fame Nation, with the "ct' wTiimsiy" 
 publick Enligns of the Cantons in the Kings Army, though they were of another Re- fh"r''''f«^'^e 
 iigion , were very unwilling to hght againll their Country-men, and as unwilling to ^nfisncs of 
 break their Confcderacie and lofe their friendfliip with the King of France^ with whofe difpi3y^d"in"' 
 confcnt, and for the good of whofe Kingdom, they were told they fhould fight when ^^'^ Enemio 
 they came from liome. The death of Colonel Jilenun , who commanded all the ^""''' 
 SwiiTcs under the Sieur deChrvant^ put the aifairs in an abfolute confullon : for dyino- 
 fuddenlyof a malignant Fcaver and a bloody Flux, they had no Commander left that 
 had authority enough to reftrain the unrulinefs of the Soldiers, fo that they tumultu- 
 oufly refolved to fend meflengers to the King of France, and to make up an agreement 
 with him : which being come to the knowledge of the Baron de Onatv, and the French 
 Commanders, they made fo much the more hafte in marching away from the Kings 
 Army , to get into the Country of Beaitj]l\ where the abundance of proviiions and pil- 
 lage might make the SwiflTes forget the tumultuous rtfolution they had taken. But 
 this hafly march brought greater confulion into the Army, troubled with a great mul- 
 titude of lick men, fome whereof were left behind in their feveral quarters, and mife- 
 rably murdered by the Country people i fome carried along upon their Carriages, and 
 following flowly the fpeed of thofe that were in health, were the caufe that they quar- 
 tered contufedly and in places. 
 
 This diforder was very well known to the Duke of C«//?, who, at their returning 
 back from the River Loyre^ had m.oli wifely put himfelf between their Army and the 
 City of Fark^ to keep that City faithful to him, and to increafe both the a/feftion the 
 people bore him, and his reputation, as if he were the onely defence, that hindered 
 that mighty Army of the Germans from offending the City and Territories of F.iri^; 
 whereas the King following flowly, feemcd to have given over all care oftheParili- 
 ans. He alwayes lay in fecure advantageous places, not far from the enemies Army^ 
 but made the wayes be continually well cleared by Captain Ihomafo Fratta an Alba- 
 nian, and the Sieur ds V-vn, who had the charge of the Light-Horfe, and who fending 
 Scouts abroad, and bringing in intelligence every minute, gave him notice of the m.o- 
 ving and progrefsof theEnemy.The Germans were come into theTerritories oiMnntar- 
 gw, twefity eight Leagues from Faris; and, upon the twenty fixth of Oc7(;/;,-r,were quar- 
 tered in this manner. The Baron de 0«jk', with the biggtll Body of Hcrfe, at F/7- 
 mory^ a very great Village : The SwifTe? under the Walls of Montargh , which Town 
 Was above two great Leagues from thence i and the rell of the Army fcatteredin feve- 
 ral places about Vilmory\ but foine a League,fome two Leagues from the Head-quarter. 
 The manner of their lying being told the Duke of Gaife, and the draught and plat- 
 form of it being brought unto him by Captain Ihomafo, whilft he was at table ztCour- 
 tenay with the Marquefs du Pont, and the Dukes o^ Mayemte, Nemours, Aiimale, and El- 
 heuf, he fate a while mufing, and filent, and then having fent for his own Trumpet, 
 commanded him to found BoHtefelle, and that every body fliould be in a readincfs to 
 march within an hour. At which order the Duke of Mayenne asking him, to what 
 purpofe he would move , and whither he intended to go ; he replyed inftantly. To The Duke oi 
 fight with the Enemy. The Duke of Mayenne , who knew the inequality of i^y*'fhe'''DQkV 
 their Forces, began to fmile, and faid, he was contented to be jelled with : To or Mny.nne, 
 which the Duke of G«//^anfwered, with a grave countenance, that he fpoke in very Ji^ouia'afl-au!'' 
 good earneft i and that they who had not the courage to fight might (fay in their quar- '*" Enemy, 
 ters i and without more words put on his Arms, and having fet all things in order, „«" "indlf' 
 tookHorfe without any further delay. His authority was fuch, and his Soldiers had fo <f«tJyquat- 
 great a confidence in him, that when it was known they were prefently to go charge 
 the Army of the Keiters, there was nomandifmayed at the great difparity of their num- 
 bers, but as if they were going to a certain Vidfory, the Foot and Horfe, in emulation 
 of one anotherjftrove who fhould be firll in order and ready to march; only the Duke of 
 
 T t 2 Msysnne 
 
 CCIill.
 
 ^24 The History of the Civill IVars 
 
 1 58-. Mayenne, and the Marquefs du¥ont^ confidering the gfcatnefs and number of the Ger- 
 man Army, and that by righting, the whole Houfe of Lnraiii, and the fortune of them 
 all, was fet upon the call of a Dye, and in a moft dangerous precipice , would have 
 dilVwaded the Duke of Gujfe, flicwing, that they could not believe, that he, a prudent 
 wary man, would hazard all his fortune at fo dangerous a game : But he, pcrfifting in 
 his rcfolution, told them. That, to the end they might ncjt think him rafl),he would 
 make them partakers of his dellgn, which was, About midnight to fall into their Head- 
 quarter, where he knew they kept not fo ililA Guards as they ought, nor were fo 
 vigilant as Military Difcipline required, being certain, that in the tumult and uncer- 
 tainty of the dark, the other quarters, neither knowing who, nor how ftrong they 
 were, by reafon the King's Army was not far off, would never ftir toalTift the Head- 
 quarter, but would rather fortihe themfelves within their own,till break of day : But 
 it was moft probable of all, that the Swiffes would do fo who were fo far off, that they 
 could by no means poiTible come time enough to help them ; "Wherefore, that quar- 
 ter being fuddcnly affaultcd , where they flept in eafe and fccurity , without the leaft 
 fufpicion of an Enemy, he was moft alTured to have the Vidiory, and, in that man- 
 ner, todiforder the whole Army i and, though it ftiould fucceed contrary to what rea- 
 fon perfwaded, he could not want time and means to retreat with his Forces, not be- 
 ing troubled with any Carriages : And, becaufe the Duke of Mayetme anfwered, That 
 indeed, it was a thing probable, in appearance , to fuccecd, but yet to be well thought 
 upon i he ( almoft angry ) reply'd. That he that could not think of it in a quarter 
 of an hour, would never think of it in all his life time: Whereupon, the conlidera- 
 tions of all the reft yielding to the authority of fo noble a Man, they began to march a- 
 bout the fhutting in of the evening, with a defign to be about midnight at Vilmory^ 
 feven Leagues from thence. 
 k'"'^"n°/*'t'h«' '^^^^ Duke oiCitife marched firft of all with thirty Gentlemen , and fixty Albanian 
 nfdiici- Light-Horfe, the Infantry followed in two divifions, one of which confifted of the 
 
 want 
 
 piine and ex- j^egiiTients oi PoTifenat and Cbevrieres^ commanded by the Sieur de Cliifeatt-y and the 
 
 German Ar- othcr of the Rcgimcnts of G/V/and de Bourg^ commanded by Colonel St.Paitl. After 
 
 Ttliouoh'mnch ^^^^'^ wcHt the Cavalry i the Vanguard (being five hundred Horfe) was led by the 
 
 inrcrio"ur in Dukc of MaycKne ", the Battel ( being four hundred ) by the Marquefs dit Pout, with 
 
 uTn'Yhe'm ""in ^^'hom wcre the Dukes of Nemours, and Elbeiif--, and the Rere (being four hundred 
 
 their quarters, more) by the Duke of ^w«j/e and the C/^«|<j//fr his brother. In this order they came 
 
 into the Plain near Vilmory after midnight , and having found no obftacle, either of 
 
 prdiis, or any parties that fhould have rid the patroitille , the Duke of GuiCe putting 
 
 himfelf at the head of the Infantry, led it filently into the Eonrg (which thick of Hou- 
 
 fes fpreads it felf about half a Mile in length ) and entered fo foftly, that the ftreet 
 
 was full of his Soldiers, before the Germans, who llept foundly, heard anything at 
 
 all of them. The Cavalry was already fet in order in the Field, the Dukcof M/)/f««e 
 
 having the right hand, the Duke of y^wwj/f the left,and the Marquefs (^// Po/?? between 
 
 them, cncompatling the whole Bottrg almoft on every fide, to catch thofe, who, fcaping 
 
 from the fury of the Foot, fhould try to fave themfelves in the field. 
 
 All things being ordered in this manner, the Duke oiGnifi gave fign to Colonel St. 
 
 Paul, who, with a great volley of Muskets, began to fet fire on the neareft houfes, and 
 
 the fume did Colonel du Clufean on his fide i fo that in a very fliort time the flames gave 
 
 light to the place of Battel, if it may be called a Battel i where the Germans, unexped:- 
 
 edly affaulted, were, without making any refiftance, either flain by the Sword, burnt in 
 
 the Fire, or deftroyed with a thick hail of bullets. Oncly the Baron d^ Onaxv, who lay 
 
 at the fartheft end of all the Town,had time to get on horfeback before the ftorm of the 
 
 Infantry fell upon him, and feeing the high ftreet which led into the field was all on 
 
 fire, and commanded by the enemies Soldiers, he turned upon the right hand with an 
 
 hundred Horfe that followed him, and through a narrow Lane galloped out into the 
 
 Field, where, having encountred the Vanguard, which was led up by the DukeofW^j'- 
 
 enne to charge him, as he was a moft valiant undaunted foldier, he ruftied furioufty in- 
 
 oL'Js:Ts''out ^^ ^'^'^ 'nidft of the Enemies, and meeting with the Duke oi Muyenne himfelf, difcharg- 
 
 of i-wwrvjand cd a Piftol gallantly in his very face, which hitting fomething low upon the chin of his 
 
 ?s^vou"n.ltd^n '^"^''^^et^i did him no harm at all i but the Duke of Mayenne having taken notice that the 
 
 the head, and Earon was without his head-piece, becaufe he had not had time to put on all his Arms, 
 
 by^favort'of '^"■""'i lihn a flafti over the Fore-head, notwithftanding which he paffed on into the 
 
 the ni-hc. midft of the Squadron, and with his othcr Piftol killed him that carried the Duke's 
 
 Cornet i
 
 of France. The Eighth "Bool^. o 
 
 '^ 
 
 2 J 
 
 Corner i but all the Van-guard falling clofe upon him, he having left above eighty of 158- 
 his men upon the place, broke through all the Squadron with fourteen in his compa- 
 ny, under favour of the darknefs , and being flickered by the night, faved himfclf at 
 Cbajieajt-Landon^ where another part of his Army was quartered. In the mean 
 time the Infantry had made an end of deflroying the reft of his men, who pcrifhedall 
 in the fire of the Town, not being any way able tofave thcmfelves, with fo little dan- 
 ger to the Conquerors, that onely three men were wounded i but with fo much fpoil 
 and rich booty, that never any Soldiers were moreloadcn with wealth then they> for 
 belidcs feven Cornets, two Camels that carried the Generals baggage, and two brafen 
 Kettle-drums, which for Pomp waited on the Cornet of the Chief Commander,the Sol- 
 diers took above 2800 Horfes, many gold Chains, no fmall ftore of Plate, rich clothes 
 and other things of exceeding great value, befides the Mony tound about thofe that 
 were dead ; and the benefit of their prey was io much the greater, as the Soldier? that 
 fought were but few in number The Duke of Ga//P, who was run to help his Bro- 
 ther the Duke of Mayenne^ whither the cry and tumult of the hght had called him 
 found that the Enemies were defeated , and the Baron cP Onaw fled , with the lofs of 
 fcventeen Gentlemen of the Duke of Mayennes own Troop, and onely four more 
 wounded, and when he faw all things in his own power, that he might not give the 
 other quarters time to fall upon him, nor the SwiiTes to move that way, he founded 
 a reti eat before break of day, and with his Infantry all mounted on Horfeback, re- 
 turned in the fame order to his own quarters. The number of the ilain was never fo 
 uncertain in any adion as in this •, for though one tide endeavoured to encreafe , and 
 the other to diminifh it, yet it is mort clear there could not be any certain particular 
 Jinowledgeof it, becaufe the greatell part of them perirtied in the tire. 
 
 This overthrow did much difmay the German Army, who thought the Duke of 
 G«//c''s induftry moft wonderful , and his courage no lefs admirable , and therefore 
 flood in exceeding great fear of him: but they were as much terrified by thecarclef- 
 refsof the Baron ^' Onaiv, who, to his difnonour, had, by his want of Military difci- 
 pline, given opportunity to the vigilancy and celerity ct his Enemies : whereupon, if 
 the diforders and confufions were very great among them before, they were multipli- 
 ed afterward to fuch a height, by their fear of the Catholicks, and diitruft of their 
 own General, as opened the way to their utter ruine and deftruftion ; for the SwiJfcs 
 prefently fent meilengers to the Kingot France^ who, being brought in by the Duke 
 of Nevers^ were received by him with a fowre countenance, and angry words, not that 
 he was not very glad to make a compolition with them, but becaufe he delired to 
 draw the buhnefs out in length, that the German Army might not be diflblved, till 
 the Duke of Guijes boldnefs and thirl\ of glory had brought him to fome precipice. 
 Likewife the Keiters, and particularly thofe that had loft their Baggage in the defeat of 
 I'llmory^ mutined, demanding their pay, and the French Commanders difagreeing a- 
 mong themfelves, could hardly keep their Foot together, that were moil pitifully worn 
 out by the extream wet weather of Autumn , thus every thing tended to manifelt ru- 
 ine and deltrudion. 
 
 But it fell out luckily i for Francis oi Boitrlon Prince o^ Conty^ defined from the 
 beginning to be their General, arrived tlien at the Army, who, though he came without 
 Train, without Money, and was ot himfclf but little able to command in War ; yet 
 being a Prince of the Blood, and Son of the fo renowned glorious Prince of Conde^ he 
 filled the whole Army with joy •, whereupon the Commanders taking ccurage,wrought 
 fo much with the Swiffes by prayers and entreaties , that they refolved to follow the 
 Camp, and expedl news from the Kingot Navarre, before they made an end of their 
 Agreement with the King of France. But their fpirits and hopes were quite raifed 
 again by the news of the Battel of Coiitras, and the death of the Duke de Joyt'ifJ},\\hkh 
 having pafled thorough the Enemies Country, was at laft come unto them: whereup- 
 on they began to talk, that the King of Navarre being now vidorious, would certain- 
 ly find fome way or other to pafs the Loire^ and come to joyn his Forces with them. But, 
 thefe fliews of profperity were exceedingly counterpoifed by thofe real difficulties 
 wherewith the King oppofed the deliberation of that Army ; for being turned to 
 march toward Vendnjme, the King having left the banks of the Loire well guarded, 
 was advanced himfelf to hinder them, caufing the Duke of Ey/'fivw^ with the Van- 
 guard to ftreightcn and incommodate them in their way, and the Duke of Guife fol- 
 lowing them in the Rcre, with frequent Skirmiflies, now as they were quartering, then 
 
 as
 
 5^6 
 
 The HtUory of the Civill IVars 
 
 1587. 
 
 TheDukc of 
 Cuife gives a 
 fudjen afTault 
 ta the Ger- 
 mans at ^u- 
 tuiu, anJ with 
 a great (laugh- 
 ter of them, 
 obtairn ano- 
 ther famous 
 Viftory. 
 
 as they were lifing, fometimes in their march, ccafed not to annoy them very much 
 and keep them in perpetual trouble i yet the contentment and rejoycing for the Prince, 
 of Conf/s arrival, did wholly poffefs the Army, and to reft themfdves, to rcfrelh their 
 fpjrits,"and recover their Forces, they had lodged themfelves at Auneau, in the Terri- 
 tory of Cbjrtres, a great Tovi'n well furniflied with buildings, and abounding in provi- 
 lions • and bccauf'e the Caftle, a place indifferently firong by the fituation, was held 
 by aGovernourand Garrifon of the Kings, they had blocked up all the waycs that led 
 towards it, and flopped them up with Carts chained together, with barrels, logs, and 
 other fuch'iike things, keeping their Corps de Garde at the end of the Streets, and fet- 
 ting out their Sentinels on every fide- "With thefe preventions they thought themfelves 
 fo fecure, that they intended to lie three or four dayes in that Quarter, as well toeafe 
 themulvc?, as to confult what they (liould do, the deliberationof the Commanders not 
 being yet very well refolved on -, and becaufe Anneau, though a great hotirg^ could not 
 contain all their number, many of them quartered thereabouts, and in the neigh- 
 bouring Villages, making invitations and merriments every where for the coming 
 of the Prince oV Corny ^ and for the Vidtory of the King oi Navarre ^ drinking 
 deeply after the German fafliion i and fo m.uch the more, becaufe the Fcaft of St 
 Martin and the great plenty of Wines that year, excited their natural inclinations to 
 diflTolutenefs. 
 
 But the Duke of Guife , who watched for all opportunities and occadons , that 
 might offer themfelves, being informed of the intentions of the Germans, toftay fome 
 few dayes at Aitneau , difpatched the Sieur de Vhis fecretly to the Governor of the 
 Cartle, filling him with wonderful great Promifes, if he would grant him paffage 
 thorough the Caftle one night , that he might fall down unexpededly to affaulr 
 the Enemies. TheGovernour was a little doubtful at firft , becaufe all the wealth 
 of the neighbouring Towns was put into that CalHc, and he having taken Money from 
 the Countrey-people to fecure them, that no Soldiers fhould enter into it who might 
 take them away, fliewed himfelf backward, in giving way to let in the Army. Yet he 
 confcnted willingly to let the Duke pafs under the Wall, upon a narrow bank that lies 
 along between the Kai'elin of the Caftle-gate, and a very broad Lake that fpreads it 
 felf over a great part of thofe fields. But, the Sieur de Vins confidering, that it was 
 not good to put themfelves into the power of a mercenary man i and that it was ne- 
 ceffary to be Mailers of the Caftle, to the end that whatfocvcr fliould happen , the 
 Foot might have a fecure retreat, he brought it fo to pafs, that the Governor went firft 
 tofpeak with Moniieur delaChajire Marflial-General of the Field, and afterward with 
 the Duke of G«//^ himfelf, by whom, being corrupted with Money, and invited with 
 very great hopes , he confented at laft to receive him into the Fortrefs, having given 
 him his faith , that the Countrey-peoples Goods fliould fuffer no harm by the 
 Soldiers : fo, upon the eleventh of November, the Duke of Gu/J'e departing from his 
 Quarters at Vourdaii, towards the Evening, made fomuch fpeed, that he arrived with 
 his Forces, not much wearied, at the Caftle of Auneau, prefcntly after midniglit. The 
 back-gate being opened, he went in to make himfelf mafter of the place, and brought 
 in an hundred Musketiers with very great filence i and the reft of the Infantry, to 
 the number of Three thoufand, commanded by Colonel St Vaul, flood ready along 
 the bank under theCaftle-wall, to affault the Bo«r^, and the Barricadoes which the 
 Germans had made up : and at the fame time the Cavalry had encompaftTed the 
 Lake i and, being divided into three fquadrons, had poftfeffed the paffage toward the 
 Field, to drive back thofe that fliould feek to fave themfelves that way. Colonel Jo- 
 annes wdiS alfo come to the fame place with Six hundred Musketiers mounted behind 
 his Horfe-men, and had taken the paffage to that Gate of the Bourg^ which leads into 
 the Fields, juft over againft the Caftle. 
 
 It was already break of day, and the Kfi/fw Trumpets found the Pw;?,?, when the 
 Infantry affaulted the enemies barricadoes with infinite fury : and though many of 
 them lay ftill buried in wine and fleep, yet the Corps de Garde, which were vigilant, 
 received the affault moft couragioufly, and the fucccfs was doubtful for a time, till 
 the Catholick Infantry, by fetting the Carts and Barrels on fire, cleared the way .and re- 
 moved thofe impediments that ftopt it up i whereupon the Germans Corps de itard 
 not being able to make refinance of themfelves, were, in a very fliort fpace , all cut 
 in pieces. Colonel St.Fattlenttxt^ with the nrft fquadron inio the flreet that led on the 
 left hand,and Colonel ?onjenat^W\t\\ the fecond,into the ftreet on the right hand, where 
 
 they
 
 of France. The Eighth ^oo^. 
 
 327 
 
 they bravely fet upon thofe few Kt'uers^ who not having had time to get to Horfe 
 came up to them a foot with their Piftols in their hands : but the fight was very une- 
 qual i for the Musketiers (hot them at a diftance, and the Pikes overturned all that 
 came in their way i fo that the Keiters having nothing but fhort Piftols and their 
 Swords, could never come up to give one blow to the Enemy, and within a very little 
 while all turned their backs, thinking to fave themfelves in the fields but finding the 
 way (hut up, and the Gate pofTefTed, being alfo driven back by Joannes''s Musketiers 
 who had made good the paflage, they fell into fo great terror and confufion, that they 
 were prcfently (lain by the Foot without refiftance. Some few, who thought to get o- 
 ver the Walls and flee crofs the Field, were met withal by the Horfe, and either mife- 
 rably killed, or taken prifoners: onely 'S>ixon d' Onaw, much more fortunate in cfca- 
 ping then in fighting, having,by the help of a Woman, got over the Wall toward the 
 Moorifh fide of the Lake, faved his life, and fled into the quarter of the Swifles which 
 was little more then a League from thence. The flaughter of the Germans was exceed- 
 ing great and terrible, being inclofed on every fide (for Colonel Joannes was at laft 
 come in alfo at the Field-gate) and with lamentable cries they were all put to the 
 fvvord without diftindtion I This bloody bufinefs continued till Baron <i'0«anj being 
 got to the Swifles, and the French Commanders being come to the fame place from 
 the other quarters, he exhorted, prayed and conjured them to follow him, promifing 
 thetn a certain Vidory over the Catholicks, who in confufion, buficd in fpoil and exe- 
 cution,and wearied with watching, marching and fighting, could not be able to refift a 
 much greater number,wherewith they might inftantiy tall upon them. But fuch a Tan- 
 nick^ terror had fcized them, that it was not potFible to perfwadc them to it : and the 
 French Commanders conlidering that the Catholick Infantry would retire fafe into the 
 Caftle, and that the Cavalry frefli and unwearied poflcffed the paffage toward the field 
 difTwaded the Baron from that attempt i and having put the reft of the Army in Bat- 
 talia, purpofed onely to defend their poll. The Duke of Guife, when his Soldiers were 
 glutted with blood and pillage, rich in fpoil, all gallantly mounted, and from Foot-Sol- 
 diers turned Horfe- men, retired with eleven of the Enemies Cornets, and all their 
 Baggage, to Ejiampes, where, having given God thanks,he inftantiy difpatched away the 
 Cornets, and prefented them to the King, giving him account (with proud Soldier-like 
 boaftings) of that notable Victory, which without blood he had fo eafily obtained. 
 
 But the King feeing the event prove quite contrary to his defign, refolved to profe- 
 cute hotly the remainder of the German Army, that he might have part in that glory 
 which he (awrefulted from Vidtory, and therefore he fpecdilyfent forth the Duke of 
 Efpermn that way, he himfelf following with all the Army, with a fct purpofe to meet 
 the Enemy. The Duke of t/^mw«, after the example of the Duke of G«//f, attempt- 
 ed often to beat up the Germans quarters, but with fmall eftedl i for the experience of 
 the Commander, the goodnefsof the Soldiers, and the fuccefs,were all very unequal, 
 circumftanccs which often make the events of like occaiions and like counfcls to be 
 very different: Whereforethe Dukeof £y/'fr««;?, by the King's diredion, began again 
 to treat of an Agreement with the Swifles, by means of the Sieur de Cannons a Flugo- 
 not Gentleman, who had been taken a few dayes before in a skirmifli between the Ar- 
 mies. The Swifles were brought into an ill condition with perpetual marches, without 
 tnoncy, having never had their pay, terrified by the defeat of the Keiters, and difcon- 
 tented to fight againft the Enfignes of their own Nation, and much more, becaufe they 
 had not a General, who, for authority and experience was able to command and go- 
 vern them, whereby they faw, that the end of fo great Forces would be ruinous and 
 miferable i wherefore it was not very difficult, by an accommodation with the King, 
 to make them fubmifr themfelves unto his obedience: and their Commanders going to 
 acknowledge him, being kindly received f not to exafperate that Nation) and feafted 
 by the Dukeof hfpernon, obtained a fafe condudt to return to their own houfes,which 
 was alfo pundtually obferved, though toils, fufferings and difeafcs had let but few 
 efcape of fo great a number. 
 
 The Keiters, and their Commanders, and the French Soldiers, difheartned by the 
 two late defeats, and forfaken by the Swifles, refolved to turn back,and try to get out 
 of the confines of France by the way of Bourgongne, hoping to come fafe into Ger- 
 many, and the Territory of Bij/J/f, and with that determination, being united and 
 drawn clofe together, they began to march that way. But it was hard for them to 
 get thither: for the Duke 0^ Maysnne being returned inio Boitrgongne ^ had fet himfelf 
 
 to 
 
 1587; 
 
 The Duke at 
 ETpemji be- 
 gin* a?ain to 
 treat an A- 
 
 g rm nrwith 
 the .SwilTcs of 
 t"-? German 
 Army and they 
 hav leave 
 granted them 
 to return with 
 a fafe-conduS 
 to their own 
 bame. 
 
 The Reitett 
 and the Ger- 
 mans follow- 
 ing the cxama 
 pie of the 
 Sirifles, do tbe 
 fame.
 
 5 28 The HtUory of the Civill Wars 
 
 1 587. to guard the confines i and the Sieur de Manddot and the Count de lourmn being march- 
 ed out.of(L)'fl«/ with the Forces of that City, were advanced alfo to hinder them: the 
 King with his whole Army was but half a daycs march behind them, and flreightned 
 them in the rcre i and the Duke of Guife^ with his wonted celerity, fometimes in the 
 flank, fometimes behind, and fometimes getting before them, ceafcd not to diftrefs 
 them very much. The French Infantry was tired and confumed -, wherefore the Sol- 
 diers disbanding of themfelves, lay clofe hid in thofe Cities and Villages thorough 
 which they paffed ; and horfes fpoiled and unfliod, could not follow the hafty march 
 of the Commanders •, and the lofs of their Baggage, the want of Money, the dearth 
 of Viduals (becaufe all the people hid what they had in fome fccure place) the great 
 rains, and dirty wayes, which are wonderful in Burgmgne^ their watching, wearinefs, 
 difcafesjand their diforders, had brought them to the extremity of defperation i where- 
 fore the fame Sieur de Cormons interpofing, they refolved to fubmit themfelves to the 
 King's Nktcy , who, upon condition they would deliver him all their Colours furled 
 up, and would promife not to fight any more againft him, profered to grant them a 
 moft ample fafe condudt. 
 
 j^. The Prince of Co;«y, the Duke ofBojtillon, the Sieurs de Clfrvant^X^baliiHoit^ znd o- 
 ther French Commanders laboured to withftand that rcfblutibn, promifing them re- 
 litf from the King of Navarre within a (hort time, and the arrears of all their pay, 
 All the Array gj^j endeavourcd toperfwade them, not to do fo difhonourable a thing, as toacknow- 
 m*nd""by''t'hc ledge themfelves fubdued and conquered > allcadging, that the Forces in Lyonois were 
 « "dist nds "°* ^"^ ftrong, but that they might pafs that way, and go fecurely into the Territory of 
 at "lift. Geneva ■■> but whileft they treat of thefe matters, being informed that the Keiters perill- 
 
 ing in their determination of yielding, intended to make them prifoners, thereby to 
 win the favour of the King, and affure" themfelves of their pay to which they pretend- 
 ed, they refolved to fteal away fccretly, and feparate themfelves feveral wayes, to try 
 if they could fave themfelves by flight, before the Germans had opportunity to execute 
 their defign. 
 
 So the Dake o( Bouillon with a few Horfe making his efcape without delay, by the 
 lMite''flic<'to w^yof Koane and Lyonois, but travelling out of theordinary road, after many troubles 
 omva, and and dangers got to Geneva; where, being no lefs wafted with grief of Mind, then 
 ditJ there. j^jj of Body, he died within a few dayes after, leaving his hftate to his Sifter, 
 whom he recommended to the care of the Duke de Montpenfier. The Sieur de Cba- 
 jiiUon with an hundred CuiralTiers, and two hundred Harquebufiers on horfe-back, ha- 
 ving often fought with the Forces of Bourgongne and Lyonois, with wonderful fuccefs, 
 and no lefs valour , got at laft into Languedoc, and retired himfelf to his wonted Go- 
 vernment in Vivarez. The Sieur de Clervant, hid among the Swiftes that went with 
 a fafe condudt , efcaped in their company to Bafile. The Prince ofConty with 3 few 
 Horfe, lurking in remote places, got at laft unknown to his own houfe i and the other 
 Commanders taking feveral wayes, rah very various fortunes. 
 
 The K^Vfr/ having obtained leave of the King to carry home his Cornets, but not 
 difplayed, divided themfelves into two parts ; one with the Baron de Oneam and Co- 
 lonel D^wjrfi« paffed thorough i'lZTOj', where being fhrunk to the number of but Five 
 hundered, they were pillaged by the Duke's Forces , the other with the Baron 1:^^ Bomh^ 
 palling thorough Bourgongne to the confines of the County oi Momhelfiard , was fol- 
 lowed by the Marquefs du Pont and the Duke of Guife •■> by whom being overtaken 
 without the borders of France , they were all cut in pieces in many feveral encoun- 
 ters. Nor did this fatisfie thofe Heads of the League i but with a hoftile fury they 
 alfo facked and burned the Towns and Caftles of the County , as well to revenge 
 the like outrages committed by the Keiters in Lorain , as becaufe that Count had 
 been the principal author of raifing thofe Forces. The flaughter of the Germans 
 was moft lamentable , even to the eyes of their very Enemies i who, fick with Fea- 
 vers, and weakened with bloody Fluxes, falling down by the High-wayes , and in 
 the Towns as they palTed, were miferably flain by the Country people •, eighteen of 
 AWomitikiiij them were feen , who were left fick in a poor Cottage in Bourgongne, were cruelly 
 18 Germans butchcrcd , as the vileft Creatures, by a Woman, who cut all their Throats with a 
 Knife, in revenge of thofe lolTes (he had fuftain'd. 
 
 Nor had thofe Swiffes better fortune,who, to the number of Three thoufand were 
 gone into Dauphine, under the command of the Sieur de Co«g^, to joyn with Lefdiguiers^ 
 who keeping the Hugonot party alive in that Province, could make no great 
 
 progrels
 
 of France. The Eighth 'Boo{. 
 
 ^29 
 
 progrefs for want of Forces, but bufied himftlf in taking in little places of fmall im- 
 portance, and in adions of fmall moment, having with him but a few Foot Souldiers 
 and only the Hugonot Gentry of that Country. Thtfe Swiffes accompanied with four 
 hundred French Mufquetiers , having paflcd the narrow places, marching on to join 
 with him, as they pafTed the Fxiver Ifire^ were aflauked by Monfieur de la Valette Bro- 
 ther to the Duke bi Efpermn, with the Cavalry of Trovence , and by Colonel Alfottfo 
 Or>tam of the Ille of * Corfica with the Infantry of Vauphmf, and fo furioufly charged 
 there, that all the reft being flain upon the place, only fixty of them efcaped from fo 
 great a flaughtcr : whereupon alfo the Sieur Lefdiguiers himfelf was forced to feek fe- 
 curity among the Mountains. 
 
 This end had that mighty Army of the Germans i after the defeat whereof , the 
 King returning armed to Varis , entered as in triumph upon the twenty third of T>e- 
 csmber^ being in appearance folemnly received by the people i though with the incre- 
 dible applaufe of every one, but efpecially of the Parifians, the whole glory redounded 
 to the Duke of Guife , whofe name being become admired and immortal, was cele- 
 brated by the Tongues and Pens of all his Adherents. 
 
 '587. 
 
 * And there- 
 fore ufualljr 
 calltd Colonel 
 •^■f.'nfi Ci'ft. 
 
 The miferablft 
 end of the re- 
 liqiies of the 
 mighty Armjr 
 ot'tfaeC'Cioiati 
 
 The End of the Eighth BOOK. 
 
 Uu 
 
 THE
 
 1587. 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 By HE!^C%ICO CATE%1^0 VJVILA, 
 
 The Ninth BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THis Book^ relates the determination of the Ditks of Cuife, and of the 
 League^ to obtain (in the heat of the Vi&ory) their defigns of the King, 
 and the mine of the Hiigonots : The Pariffans ajfent unto it^ and are more 
 refolnte than the reji : They prepare tkemfelves to confirain the King hj force, 
 andto flmt him up in a Monajierji. The King being advert ifed^ takes order 
 to curb their unridinefs , and to that end caiifeth the Swijfes to draw near, 
 and makes many other preparations. The Parifiuns finding they were difco- 
 Z'ered^ to fave thcmfehes fend for the D//l{^ ofGmCc: At hfs Arrival they 
 take Arms^ make Barricadoes, drive out the Srpiffes^ and be(iege the King in 
 his Palace. He being not able to reflji , flees aivay fecretly , and retires to 
 Chaitres, and thence to Rouen : He rejolves to make Peace with the Duke 
 <?f Guife, canfethit to be treated by the ^een-Mother^ and it if concluded. 
 The Duke of Efpernon goes from Court^ and retires to Angoulefm, ivhere, 
 by a Confpiracy of the Citizens, his life is in great danger. The Duke of Gm^Q 
 eomes to the King to Chartres, and is favoured and exalted to the height of 
 power. The States are ajfembled at Blois, according to the appointment made 
 in the Articles of Peace. The Pope declares Cardinal Moiefini his Legat in • 
 France. The King difmiffes from Court the High Chancellour, Secretary Vil- 
 leroy, and the Sieur de Bcllieure : He fends an Army commanded by the 
 Duke of Nevcvs againji the King o/Navarre 5 who after the taking of many 
 places, lays (lege to Ganachc. The States at Blois are begun: Many pra^ 
 Sices and machinations are contrived on both (ides. The Duke of Guife 
 caufeth the States to demand that the King of Navarre miy be declared inca-' 
 fable of the Crown , and labours to be created Lieut cnant-General with abjo" 
 lute Authority in the Government. News comes that the Duke of Savoy hath' 
 feized upon the Marquefatc of Saluzzo j buUneJfes are changed by it : but the 
 Duke of Guife orders matters fo , that all redounds to his advantage and 
 power. The King being very much fireightned, refolves to caufe the Duke of 
 
 Guife
 
 of France. The J\(jnth 'Boo{, 221 
 
 toHs fucccfiet. 
 
 G\x\(g to be Jla'r.; : He ft? els dificultks and impediments^ but at lafi his de- 158S. 
 iig?t is ejfecfcd^ and upon Chiiftmas-Eve the Duke tf/Guife and the Cardz- 
 HM hi-s Brother are Jlain^ and^hc Cardinal of Bourbon, with many others 
 imprifoncd : He fends ColonerAlfonfo Coifo tofeize upon the Duke of\uiy- 
 enne at Lyons 5 l>ut he is forewarned , and ret /res to Dijon. The ^ee«- 
 Mother dies in the fevcntieth year of her age, and affairs remain in confusion* 
 
 K^M^^^hJ^ E <^efeat of the German Army caufed the dcpreffion of the Hu- 
 W^AX!tT"\M^J^ gonots, nolefsthan the greatnefs and exaltation of the League; 
 ' '^ for the King of Navarre having received the news of fo great a 
 lofs, though he were vidoricus beyond the Lvtre^ yet fearing fo 
 black a cloud would fuddenly poura iiorm upon his head, here- 
 tired , without making other attempt , into his wonted retreat 
 the City oi Kochel ■■> and the other Heads of his party fhut them- 
 felves up. in the ftrongeft places, expedting the refolutions which 
 they {aw would be taken againll them. 
 
 On the other fide, the Duke of Guifs^ after the deftroying of the County of Mam- 
 hsVidrd^ being come to Nan-y with the other Lords of his Family, began without fur- 
 ther delay to confult of the means of accomplilhing fpeedily the defigns of the League, 
 and of reaping fruits fuitable to their prefent Vidory. In this Confultation debated 
 and reiterated for many days , the greater part of the Lords of the Houfe of Lorain^ yjn thr«.btj 
 forgetting moderation, fo neceffary in profperity, and fpreading their fails very boldly, "•" 'he iiouf: 
 could talk of no lefs than the extirpation of the Hugonots, the dcpoting of the King mu^'pufcT 
 from the Crown, of putting him into a Cloiller, as they had learned in Story, had been "^ H p™'"'- 
 in former times done to Clnlpencl^^ ot deitroymg the Houfe of cwm;«, pulling down 
 the Minions and Favourites of the Court, and difpofing the Offices and Dignities of the 
 Crown unto themfelves, and in conclulion, of commanding and ruling the whole Go- 
 vernment of fri/;?cf their own way i and were fo puifed up with the prcfumption of 
 themfelves, that their counfels were neither meafured by julHce nor poifibility, prefup- 
 pofing they had all things in their own hands which were lawful for their deferts to 
 undertake, and that they could eafily execute any determination, how high, how ad- 
 vantageous foever. Thefe great deiigns were partly oppofed by the Duke of Lorain^ 
 who of a mild nature and moderate mind , no lefs remote from danger than far from 
 the pretenfions of the Lords of Guife^ tried by the authority he had, as Head of that 
 Family, to reftrain thofe deliberations which he thought too precipitate, and to keep 
 matters for the moft part within the limits of reafon. The Duke of Mayenne afTented 
 to hi? opinions, and commended them very much, thinking faccording to his old in- 
 clination; that every moment they put the whole ftate of their Family in danger with- 
 out much necertity. But the Dakcof Awnale, and t\\tCbev.ili;r his Brother, the Duke 
 of Nemours^ the Duke of Elh^ttf^ the Count de Chaliguy, and above all the reft, the 
 Duke oiGuife^ who led no lefs by the boldnefs of his own nature, and the acutencfs of 
 his wit, than by the profperous fuccefs of his enterprifes, could fuffer no delay in fol- 
 lowing his conceived hopes, argued f not without reafon J that the longer they defer- 
 red , the longer time they gave the King to contrive their ruine, and to perfedt the 
 defign of their fupprclTjon which he had already begun. 
 
 This diverhty of opinions was the caufethat they concluded as it were in the middle 
 way : and therefore about the end of January^ in the year 15S8, they refolved upon 
 two conclufions : One, that the Duke of Lorain with all his Forces and the aflithnce 
 of Flanders^ fhould affail the Towns that belong to the Duke of Bouillon^ to root out 
 the Hugonots from thofe parts , and to keep the Forces of the League in adion : the 
 other, that the Duke of Gu/fe^ and the other Confederate Lords, fhould not enter to 
 oppofe the King at the very firft i but that being united with the Cardinal of Bourbon, 
 to (Irengthen their reafons, and to make appear that the nature of things did of it felf 
 carry bufinelTes to their deligned end, they (hould prefent a Petition, which ftiould 
 contain many demands for their advantage, and which (hould necelfitate the King to 
 declare his laft refolution : for if he granted them , their defires would be effeded 
 without noife or trouble i and if he rehifcd them, he (hould thereby give them occa- 
 fion and opportunity to make ufe of arms , and to acquire that by force, which he 
 would not confent to of his own accord. 
 
 U u 2 The
 
 5^2 The Hijlory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 fie 
 
 1588. The conjundlureof invading the Dutchy o[ Bouillort was in (hew very opportune i 
 
 for the Duke himfelf and the Count cie la M^r^his Brother being both dead, and ha- 
 ving left Ch.irlotte their Siikr only Heir, under thp tuition of the Duke of Mantpenfier^ 
 they knew that he being aCatholick, was not acsi^table to the City ofSedjn, Jamets, 
 and other places of that Dukedom , and that they would not truft his Government, 
 and Monficur de la None being Executor of the late Dukes will, was not only abfent, 
 but alfo to deliver himfelf from the imprifbnment of the Spaniards, by whom he had 
 been taken in the Wars of Flanders^ had promifed not to bear Arms againll the King 
 of Spain^ nor againft the Duke of Lorain : whereby it appeared that Charlotte wanting 
 a powerful prote<5l:ion, and being likewife molefied by the Count de Montleurier her 
 Uncle, who pretended right to the inheritance , would hardly be able to refift the 
 Forces of the Duke of Lorain^ who alfo upon old pretences laid claim to many places 
 of that State, and therefore without lofing a minute of rime , the Duke having put 
 an Army in readincfs, under the command of the Marquefs du Pout his Son, accom- 
 panied by the Sieurs de Kbnfne and OfonviUe , after he had over-run and fpoiled the 
 Country, laid fiege to Jamets with certain hopes to take it. But he found it a difficult 
 bufincfs •> for Monfieur de Scbslandre theGovernour of it made very wife and carefi.1l 
 provifions for the defence of it i and Monlieur de la None having firfl by a long Apo- 
 logie in writing excufed his ftirring in a defenlive War, and for the juft right of a for- 
 faken Orphan, ca.{DC to Sedan, and began to make ftrong preparations to maintain the 
 War i fo that the Siege of Jamets cooling of it fclf, proved fo long, that it hardly 
 ended with the year, wherein thofe things that happened, direded their Arms to more 
 important expeditions. 
 TheDake of g^,(. j|^£ Duke of Guife being departed from Nancy, and come into his Government 
 witting 'o be of champagne, caufed a long Writing in the names of himfelf, the Cardinal of Bourbon, 
 prtfcntcd to anj ji^g other Heads of the League to be prefented to the King, wherein after many 
 
 the Kinj, with o . f i ■ i . i i j j • /• i ,i ^ 
 
 many cunnio^ preambles, and many realons very cunningly laid together, they demanded m lublrance, 
 demands tc- That he would Unite liimfclf truly with them, and would fincercly make himfelf Head 
 
 dounJin*' to ' , ' ■' 
 
 hijown'lenc- of the League, to the dellrudion and rooting out of the Hugonots. That he would 
 put thofc perfons from the Court , from his Councils , and from their Offices, who 
 fliould be named by the Catholick Princes, as fufpedled and ill-affedted to Religion. 
 That he would make the Council of Trent be received and obferved through the whole 
 Kingdom, only excepting thofe things which did prejudice the priviledgc of thcGal- 
 liqiie Church. That he would grant fome certain places which fhould be thought fit, 
 unto the Confederate Princes for their fecurity, wherein they might keep Garifors,and 
 make ncceffary Fortifications at the expences of the Crown. That he would main- 
 tain an Army about the Confines of Lorain, under the command of one of the Confe- 
 derate Princes, to hinder the incurfions of Foreigners. That he would caufe all the 
 Eltates of the Hugonots to be confifcate and fold , wherewith the expences of the 
 late Wars might be fatisfied, and the Confederates might be affifled toward the main- 
 tenance of future matters. 
 
 The Writing contained thefe principal things, and many others of lefsconfequence, 
 which being prefented to the King in the beginning of FibrUary, was received by him 
 with his wonted diilimulation, and the anfwer deferred with his wonted delays : nor 
 did the Duke of Guife prefs much to know his refolution i for the end of the demand 
 was only to make the King contemptible, and render him odious to the people , fuf- 
 pedfed to favour the Hugonots, and furnifh the League with an occafion and pretence 
 to take up Arms, and prefecute their begun-defigns while the profperity of their for- 
 tune lafied. But thefe artifices were needlefs to make the Kings perfon odious and 
 contemptible. The burdens which the War , the maintaining of fo many Armies, 
 and his own profane manner of fpending, daily increafed, had loft the hearts of the 
 people. The noife and fplendour of the Duke of Gttife\ Vidories, had obfcured the 
 majefly of his Name : his obfiinate favour to his Minions , had alienated the minds 
 of his moff ancient, moff devoted Servants: and the People of TarU, fwayed by the 
 ambition of the Council of Sixteen, could no longer endure Government. The City 
 Was full of infamous Pamphlets, politick Difcourfes , Satyrical Verfes , and fabulous 
 Soties, which for the mofl part abufing the Name of the Duke d' Efpernon, redounded 
 to the fcorn and difgrace of the Royal Majefly. On the other fide, all the Streets, and 
 every corner of Paris , refounded the praifes of the Duke of Guife , celebrated in 
 Verfe and Profe by a thoufand Writers, with the Title of the fterp Vavid^ the fecond 
 
 , Mofes^
 
 of France. The O^inth "Boo^. 
 
 339 
 
 Mofes^ the Deliverer of the Cathnlrk,^ People, the Pr.jp and Pillar of the Holy Church j and 
 the Preachers in their wonted manner , but with greater licence , openly inveighing 
 againft the prcfent affairs, fil]t.d the ears of the people with wonders, or rather mi- 
 racles rfb they called them) of this new Gideon, come info the World for the dcfired 
 fafcty of the Kingdom : Which things fpread from the City of Paris, as from the heart, 
 difflifed themfclves thorow all the Provinces, as into the members , which were pof- 
 (cffed with the fame imprellions, as well to the Kings difad vantage, as in favour of 
 the League. This Commotion was fully perfeded by the Kings own determination, 
 who cither blinded with the affc(fiion he bore the Duke d' Lfpirnjn, or becaufe he would 
 not advance other men whom they had no great caufe to truft, declared him Admiral 
 of the Kingdom and Governonr of Normandy , places that were vacant by the Duke 
 of Joyeiife his death i which abfolutely pierced thorow the heart of the Duke of Guife, 
 feeing that he continued in his wonted cuftoms, and that one man alone being exalted 
 to the higheft degree of grcatnefs, himfelf, his Brother, and the rcli of his Family, 
 how great foever their merits were , could never obtain nor compafs any thing i fo 
 that forgetting the determinations refolved on at Nancy, and that wary moderation 
 which the Duke of Lorjin had advifed, he began without more delay, to think of re- 
 ducing the authority of the Government into his own power, making the Parifians his 
 principal inrtruments, who no lefs difpleafcd and inccnfed than himfelf, did carnefily 
 follicite him to that refolutlon : Wherefore having received particular information of 
 the ftate of things from the Council of Sixteen , whereby they affured him that they 
 had twenty thoufand armed men in the City at their devotion, ready to be put upon 
 any enterpri(e : That they were divided into fixteen Squadrons, to every one of which 
 they had appointed a Commander \ and that the rell of the people would without 
 queftion follow the dream of the chief men , by rcafon they were ill affcdfed to the 
 pcrfon of the King and the Duke d" EJpernon, and on the other fide moft zealous in 
 the caufe of Religion , he confidering that confuiion eallly arifcth among the multi- 
 tude, and that the divifion into fixteen fevcral quarters was too many tn meet alto- 
 gether fuddcnly in one body when need (hould require, writ to the Council, that they 
 fliould leffcn that number, and reduce it into but rive quarters, to which they fliould 
 appoint a place, where they fhould meet at the l]gn that fhould be given them, and 
 that they fhould difpofe things in fuch a manner, as might breed neither diforder nor 
 confufion : and as well to affure himfelf abfolutely that that bufinefs fhould proceed 
 according to his own will, as becaufe he had no conhdence in the fmall experience of 
 thofe Heads appointed and chofen by the Parifians, he fent them t\ve Commanders, 
 who were to order the five quarters, and to rule and moderate the turbulence of po- 
 pular Arms. Thefe were the Count of Brijfac the Sieur de Bois-Vauphin, the Sieur 
 de Chamois, the Sieur d' Efclavoles, and Colonel St. Paul, to whom the Sieur de Mene- 
 til'e was added , who from the firfi had been the Mediator and chief Inltrument in 
 that bufinefs. Thefe entered openly into Pc^rix, under colour of private affairs •, and 
 being lodged in thofe quarters of the City that were appointed them, frequented the 
 Court, and followed divers bufineffes, leaving the care to MenrviLe, of bringing the 
 matter to its conclufion : and to give the greater alTiltance to if^ the Duke cfGuif gave 
 order to the 'Daktof Aumale, who had Forces in Picardy, to make himfelf be obeyed 
 by many Governours of places, who fomented by the Duke of Efpfmjn, refufed to 
 acknowledge him : That he fhould keep five hundred good Horfe in a readinefs to be 
 there in due time, to put life in the defign of the Parifians, who knowing that fuch 
 order was given, defircd Jehan Conty one of the tfhefins for, as we call them in Eng- 
 land, Sheriffs of the City J that he would let them have the Keys of the Port St. Mar- 
 tin, which he kept, as the cuftom is, to the end that when occafion fhould ferve, they 
 might bring in that fupply which was to come out of Picardy: but he refufing, they 
 dealt with Pierre Brigard Eflievin of the next quarter, who promifcd them the Keys 
 of Port St. Dennis^ by which their affiflance might be brought in as well as by that 
 of St. Mirtin : And becaufe they doubted that Couty , who had denied to con- 
 fent unto it, might reveal the bufinefs to the King, they found an invention to 
 make him be complained of for an Heretick , and many other mifdemeanourSj 
 putting him by that means in difcredit , to the end that his relation might not bd 
 believed. 
 
 Things being contrived in this manner, the means of executing them remained to 
 be refolved on. The Commanders fent by the Duke, and the major part of thofe 
 
 chofen 
 
 1588* 
 
 The King it- 
 claiesthc D.of 
 Eff'^on Ad- 
 miral of the 
 Kingdnm and 
 Govcrnour of 
 Uarm.-.viij, ro 
 the great dif- 
 contehi of the 
 Duke olGuife. 
 
 TheCooticilef 
 S:xttin in- 
 form^ the 
 Duke of Cuifc 
 of 2COCO men 
 in readinefs for 
 an/ defign. 
 
 The Duke of 
 .y/umjieii in 2 
 readinefs with 
 510 Horfe to 
 alPll the con- 
 Ipiracy of the 
 PatiGant.
 
 534 
 
 The Hiftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1588. 
 
 Nlcbeliii P'lt- 
 l^in tevejls 
 the whole Plot 
 10 the H'gh 
 Chjncellour, 
 aed confirms 
 it ilfoto the 
 Xing himfclf* 
 
 <liofen by the Council of 5mff«, thought that to affault the Louvre where the King 
 lay encompafled with his Guards , and the Nobility that attended hin:i , would be a 
 A Confritacy daiigcrous cntcrprlfc, of too loud a violence, and no ways likely tofucceed i and they 
 Kins's^pelfon. fortfaw befides, that the fa<ft would feenn very fcandalous to the reft of the Kingdom y 
 that alfo if it failed but never fo little, or that the effecting of it fhould be a work of 
 time, many diforders would arife, and the King might have opportunity to make him- 
 felf Superiour : wherefore they refolved unanimoufly to make ufe of the occafion which 
 the time of Lent would afford them, to take his perfon then when with the Duke of 
 Elpernon hefliould be in proceflTionas he was wont, in the habit of a Penitent among 
 the whipping Friars, neither accompanied by his Guards, nor the ordinary retinue of 
 the Court i and as foon as he fliould be feized upon, under colour of a popular Sedi- 
 tion, caufed by the indignation of the common people, exafpcrated by the heavy pu- 
 nifhments that lay upon them, aad Enemies to the Authority of the Minions, that he 
 fliould be fliut up in a Monaftery with ftrong Guards i after which the Duke of 
 Aumale's five hundred Horfe and his other Forces fliould prefently come in , to 
 take abfolute poffetrion of the principal places , and keep them guarded till the Duke 
 of Guife fliould arrive i who calling the States General , and fliewing either the 
 Kings incapacity , or his evil intentions , and evil Government, might caufe the af- 
 fairs of the Kingdom fo be difpofed at the arbitrcment and to fatisfadion of the 
 League- 
 But Nicholjf Poulain , who was privy to all this Confpiracy , did by means of the 
 Higb Chancellor quickly make the refolution that had been taken known to the King, 
 who though he did not abfolutely give credit to the difcovery, by rcafon of the weight 
 and importance of the thing, grounded upon no other aflurance than the bare affir- 
 mation of Toitlain^ a man of no very good repute, and fufpedled by that means to feek 
 for profit and reward i yet thinking fit to look to himfelf, he feigned himfelf not 
 well, and upon that excufe forbore to go to any fpiritual exercifes with the Fraternity 
 of the Penitents. And that he might be the better affured of the truth , he caufed 
 Vottlain to be brought one night fecretly into his clofet, and in the prefence of the High 
 Chancellour Monlieur d' 0, and the Abbot del Bene, examined him particularly con- 
 cerning all things he had revealed, feeming not to believe him, and to doubt that he 
 was fet on and fuborned to fay fo, by thofe of the Hugonot party. PohIjih, with a 
 fecure confidence and diftind: narration, confirmed all that he had difcovered, added 
 all the particulars and fmalleft circumftances, named all the accomplices, related from 
 the beginning the whole Confpiracy, and at laft, with a free courage and fetlcd coun- 
 tenance, offered to be put in prifbnand kept there, till he had juftified all that he had 
 faid •, and in conclufion added. That the Council of Sixteen was to be held the next 
 day in the houfe of Monfieur de la Bmytere, Tone of the Confpirators) and that if the 
 King would fend whom heplcafed along with him with a fufficicnt Guard, he would 
 put them all into his hands , fo that none of them fliould be able to hide themfelves, 
 or deny the Confpiracy. The King difmiffed him with gracious words, and very great 
 promifes, and went prefently to the Duke of Efpernon's lodgings , where they con- 
 ferred together the fpace of half a hour i and being come from thence about mid- 
 night, went to the Queen-Mothers Chamber, which was in the Palace, and having 
 wakened her, told her diftindly all that had been revealed unto him, and began to 
 confult whether he fliould do well to follow Poulain's advice, and fend the next day 
 to take the Confpirators. 
 
 The thing in appearance was eafie and fecure, but in effeft full of great difficulty and 
 danger: for it was not to be doubted, but upon very little ftir all the quarters of the 
 City would be up in Arms, according to the order already taken, and under the Com- 
 manders already appointed , who would never fufFer their Heads to be laid hold on 
 and carried away prifoners by fo fmall a number as a Company of the Guards, which 
 was all they were able to fend about that bufinefs : nor could they doubt of this effed-, 
 fince they had often proved, that when any one of the Heads of the City had been 
 taken by the Officers of the Court, either upon civil or criminal occafions, the com- 
 mon people had ever run violently and feditioufly armed to deliver him : and if the 
 people, being raifed upon the apparent colour, that their Heads and Proteftors were like 
 to be feized upon, fliould fuddenly affault the Louvre^ the King and Court unarmed, un- 
 provided, undefended, except by the ordinary Guards, they would hardly be able to 
 rtiake refiftancc againfl: lb great a force , led by fo expert rtfolute Commanders, and 
 
 who
 
 of France. The O^inth "BooJ^ 0^5 
 
 who being comfe to tlut pafs, would readily embrace fo fpecious an occafion of making 1588. 
 it appear that they ftirred not to offend others, but only in their own defence. They 
 conlidered that the people of Paris were fo powerful, tliat they could not be curbed 
 but by mighty Forces ■-, and to undertake what they could not compafs, would be no- 
 thing elfe but to overthrow the bufinefs, and come off with lofs and difhonour. They 
 forefaw that the Confpirators would prefently be relieved by the Dukes of Guife and 
 Aumjle^ who were hard by in Arms i whereas the King had no Body of men ready to 
 aifift him in a cafe of Co great danger. They knew that they were not to truft in the 
 Hugonot party, as well becaufe they had always feared the King, and efteemed him 
 a bitter Enemy to their Religion, as becaufe the defeat of the Germans had fo terrified 
 theti, that they all thought rather of leaving the Kingdom to fave their lives by flight, 
 than of following the conduft of the Princes, to fave themfelves by the Sword v and 
 lb much the more, by reafon that the Prince of Conde's death (which happened about ^'c'J"p"o" 
 this time at St. Jehan tf Angely^ by poifbn given him, as was reported, by his own fonedats. 7<- 
 Servants, upon fome private diftafte) had raifed the affliflion of that party to the ut- by'hfs ^vn'^ 
 molt height i wherein there was nothing left unfliaken, but only the conftancy of the fetvants. 
 King oi Navarre: Befides that, the fardiftance, and the other wonted refpedh , ex- 
 cluded the making of a foundation upon that party, efpecially in the exigence of this 
 imminent danger: fo that they could find no Forces any where fufficient to bridle the 
 Parifians. Whereupon the Queen at laft fpake this conceit in the Italian Tongue, *"\^^" 'i* 
 '^ Bif^gm coprifi bene il vifo htanzi che littzzicareil vefpaio: adding, that it was neceffary miCVii fi'T 
 to arm and provide firft, and then means would not be wanting to fupprefs the Con- "'J''--''/^"'" 
 fpirators. A'iJv'ng""of' 
 
 Wherefore, after long confultations, they fent for the Abbot del Bene^ with whom '^'j'ti^""' 
 pondered the fame things again, they concluded that the Duke of Efpsrnou^ under co- 
 lour of taking poffeffion of his Government of Normandy, (hould go prefently into 
 that Province, (bordering upon, and as it were joining to the Territory of Tarit it 
 felf :) That he fhould affure himfelf of Kouen and Havre de Grace, chief places of that Rtfciution! 
 Province, and which fluit up the paffage of the Ocean, and of the River Seine ■■, and "•;" 'o 'f^e 
 that upon that occalion he fliould draw (bme Forces together, wherewith he might [h,ecoVfpw>cy 
 be ready to come up in time of need : That on the other fide they fhould endeavour <ftkcPatiC. 
 by all means poffible, as they had already begun, to draw Monfieur ^' Entranues unto 
 the Kings devotion , being Governour of Orleans, a City that flops the paffage from 
 Berry and Beauffe unto the Territories o( Paris: That the Swiffes which were yet un- 
 der the Kings pay, fhould be drawn to quarter at Lagny, and in other places adjoin- 
 ing, to fhut up the River oi Marne , (commonly called , The Nurfe of the common 
 people of Paris) and to cut off the paffage from Champaz,ne : for having Chartres al- 
 ready, whereof the High Chancellor had the Government, and Pontoyfe, becaufe the 
 Governour of it was Monfieur d Alincourt Father to Secretary Villeroy , Paris would 
 be blocked up, incompaffed and bridled on every tide > fo that bringing in afterward 
 the greatefl part of the Swiffes, and reinforcing the Regiment of Guards, by calling 
 all the Souldiers to their Colours, who are often wont to be abfent in time of Peace, 
 they tnight then fecurely take the Heads of the Confpiracy ', and if the people fhoulJ 
 rife, it would be eafie to tame them with the ftrength of the Swiffes, and the power- 
 ful curb of hunger : in the mean time they concluded it was belt for the King to dif- 
 femble, and abftain from publick Ceremonies , and from certain fufpedred places, to 
 give no opportunity to the execution of that plot which the Confpirators fought to 
 accomplifh. 
 
 This refolution, grounded as it were upon neceflity, was approved the next morn- 
 ing both by Secretary ViUemy and the High Chancellour, but moll of all by the "Sieur 
 deVillequier, who ftill perfiffed in his opinion that the information was not true, buf 
 that the Enemies of the Duke of Gnife and of the Parifians, had fuborned Poitlain to 
 raife this calumny, thereby to ftir up fome enterprife againfl them. Whereupon the 
 King having fent for Conty and Vgoloy, two Efhevins that confentcd not to the Con- 
 fpirators, would needs hear from them what they knew in that particular. Conty ex- 
 cufed himfelf, that by reafon of the report which was lately raifed of him, that he 
 was infecfted with the Hugonot Religion, and guilty of other crimes, he had not dared 
 to tell any of thofe things he knew, for fear of being thought a malicious flanderer h 
 and then laid open freely all that had paffed about the Keys of the Port St. Martin : 
 and Pierre Vgoloy relating many particulars that were come to his knowledge . con- 
 firmed 
 
 ans.
 
 S36 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1588. 
 
 The King! 
 prcpaiationsj 
 10 make him- 
 Iclffureof the 
 Confpirators, 
 toMnckup ihe 
 rafligesaloU 
 P'lrij.and keep 
 victuals ttom 
 tbeoce. 
 
 The Ceuncil 
 
 rf StTlr,n by 
 the Kinns pte- 
 paracion^, be 
 gin to fiifpfd 
 that their Plit 
 it oifcovercd, 
 and rhc Heads 
 beinj; dilmay- 
 »d fend for the 
 Duke olGuife 
 10 i'aris. 
 
 firmed the fame things : fo that the information being partly proved, they went on 
 to the execution of thofc refolutions which had been taken. 
 
 The Duke of Efptrnoii departed two days after with a very fmall quantity, that he 
 might not weaken the Court i and being come to Kouen theMetropoHsof Normandy^ 
 took poflcrtion of the Government, confirming as well the Parliament as t\\e Sieur ^f 
 CanoKges Governour of the City, unto his devotion, and to the Kings party. But the 
 fame fuccecded not at Havre de G'rjce, becaufe Andre Brancace Sieur de Viliart a Pro- 
 vencal, who had the Government thereof given him by the Duke de Joyeup^ had al- 
 ready taken part with the League > the Duke of Gnife ^ who diligently watched all 
 opportunities, having deah with him, by reafon of the importance of that place, and 
 caufed the Parifians to give him thirty thoufand Crowns, under pretence ot keeping 
 the mouths of the Ocean (hut, and the pafTage of the 5««f open , to the end that the 
 City m.ight enjoy the traflick of the Sea, and the conveniency of bringing up the pro- 
 vifions which came from thofe parts > by which reward, and the protedion of the 
 Duke of Giuf\ he was won to fide abfolutely with the League. Wherefore the Duke 
 of Efpermn knowing that he could not draw that place to his devotion, and unwil- 
 ling to hazard his reputation at the firft, letting alone the Country of Caux where it 
 is lituatcd, he pafled on the other fide the Sehie^ to Ponteau deMer^ Hottfleur^ and from 
 thence by the (hore of the Ocean to the City of Caen, where he was received with in- 
 finite applauie, becaufe the place was full of Hugonots, and moft averfe from the de- 
 figns of the League. 
 
 In the mean time the Sieur d' Entraquss was treated with about the City of Orleani^ 
 by the means of Secretary VWeroy: in which Negotiation there arofe many difficulties, 
 nor could the King bring it to an end with all his foUicitations. The moft part of men 
 were of opinion, that thisbufincfs was not effeded, becaufe Secretary Villeroy, now an 
 open Enemy to the Duke of EJpernon, defired tl>e Duke of Gulp's party (hould pre- 
 vail, that he might thereby be abafed j not believing that ever the League would dare 
 topafson fo far, as toplotagainft the pcrfon of the King himftlf, but that they only 
 aimed at pulling down the Minions, and the deftrudtion of the Hugonots, and that 
 therefore he did artificially interrupt the treaty of Orleans, and protra<ft the refolution 
 of Monfieur d' Entraques with delays and difficulties j which was fo much the rather 
 believed, becaufe the bufintfs was moft cafily cifefted afterwards in a time lefs oppor- 
 tune, and lefs favourable. But Monfieur de Villeroy cxcufed himfclf for it with a long 
 Apology, ftiewing that the protradlion of the bufinefs was caufed on the one fide by 
 the irrefolutenefs of Monfieur d' Entraques , and on the other, by that of the King 
 himfclf i who would neither confent to difmember the Government of the City of Or- 
 leans from that of the Province as he required , left he ftiould difcontent the High 
 Chancellour, (who poffefled it^ nor to make fatisfaftion be given him by the Duke of 
 Efp'.rnon, by whom he thought hinrifelf injured in the perfon of his Son , howfoever 
 it were,, the bufinefs went on fo flowly, that they came not to a condufionat Orleanr 
 time enough to block up the City of Pans ; which the King profecuting very carefully, 
 cauftd the Marefchal de Byron to bring the Swiffes to quarter at Laguy a place near the 
 City featcd upon the River Marne , difpofing part of them into all the convenient 
 neighbouring-places. In the mean time the number of the French Guards was in- 
 creafed i for Commidions had been given out to all the Captains in ordinary, to fum- 
 mon all Souldiers to their Colours , and not to give leave to any to depart. The Ar- 
 chers who were wont to wait by the quarter, but three months in the year, had been 
 all warned to attend in an extraordinary manner i the five and forty Gentlemen ap- 
 pointed by the King, ftirred neither day nor night from his Lodgings and Perfon i and 
 many Gentlemen were invited under pretence of other bufinellcs, to rcfide at Court: 
 which things being particularly obferved by the Council of Sixteen, ("who kept Spies 
 in every placej and feeing the King (contrary to hiscuftomj live retired from thofe ex- 
 ercifes of devotion and recreation wherein he was wont to delight , began to grow 
 very fufpicious that he had been advertifcd by Jehan Conty and Pierre Vgoloy, where- 
 upon they began to fear , and to look to themfelves i yet not defifting from the enter- 
 prife, but rati Cf providing for all things with greater diligence. But when they knew 
 the Swiffes wtrc quartered at Lagny, they were affured that their Plot was difcovered, 
 and fell into wonderful confufion, their hearts all failing, as the cuftom is in popular 
 defigns, there being no man among them able for hisaurhority and experience to ma- 
 nage fo weighty an cnterprife ; wherefore finding they ftood in need of a principal 
 
 Head,
 
 not CO come to 
 Pans, but he 
 
 of France* The O^inth "Boo^i 557 
 
 Head, whofe wit, courage and reputation might give life unto the bufinefs, they dif- 1588. 
 patched Pierre Brigard in very great hafte to intreat the Duke of Guife not to defer hii 
 coming any longer, to which they had often invited himv finceby his prefence the 
 defign might be happily brought unto an iffue i whereas if they were forfaken by him, 
 they faw they fiiould become a prey unto the King, out of whofc hands (to the total 
 deftrudion of the CityJ they could not think of any poflible way to fave themfelves. 
 The Duke Twho had fome notice of the Kings intention, and alfo or. the other fide 
 was not willing to fuffer the foundation of the League to periOi, nor to abandon thofe 
 who had principally made their recourfe to him , and thinking that his ruine would 
 immediately follow that of the Parifians, if time were given for thofe remedies to work 
 which the King had begun to put in pradlice j took a refolution to go to Paris, either 
 perfedtly to finifli the defign, (as they of the Kings party faidj or at leaft (as he and 
 his Adherents faid) toTave the City, and the Council of Sixteen, which he knew to 
 be in manifeft danger, and to free himfelf of the calumny which his Enemies and the 
 Favourers of the Hugonots had raifed againft him. And that he might make no noi(e, 
 but proceed with the fame arts that were ufed by the King, he fent his Gentlemen by 
 feveral ways, and a great band of old Souldiers, who entred fcatteringly upon feveral 
 days into the City, and lodg'd apart in feveral quarters i and he himfelf with but fe- 
 ven Horfe in company took the way toward Soijfnns, where the Cardinal of Bourbon 
 was, to confer with him, and go from thence to Paris, Yet Fame publifhed his coming, 
 (which was alfo fpread abroad by the Sixteen to cheer up the fadnefs that had pofTefled 
 all the people by reafonofthe preparations that were made) which being known unto 
 the King, was the caufe that he fent Monfieur de BeHieure as far as Soijfons to dilTwade '^^' ^'"^ 
 him from coming, and to let him know, that in fuch a turbulent fufpeded time, he "uke of cui/e 
 (hould be difpleafed and offended at it. The Duke, who.wasnot moved from his re- p"'""' 
 folution by certain vain rcfpeds that ufe to difturb unfetled minds, but defiring to come difobcys. 
 unexped-edly, that he might neither be prevented nor way laid, anfwered the Kings 
 melTage doubtfully, faying that his ambition was to ferve his Majelty and Religion ; 
 that he knew he had been flandered by his Enemies, and therefore longed to vindi- 
 cate himfelf i that his journey was exceeding private, and without any train that could 
 make him fufpedted i that he was very delirous to fatisfie the King in all occafions i 
 that he would not difobey his Majefties commands •, and added many other words, but 
 all general and ambiguous •, nor did he ever conclude in fubftance, whether he would 
 obey the Kings command in that particular, or profccute his intended journey to Pa- 
 r'n ■■, yet he feemed rather to infer that he would (lay at Soiffbns, and expe<5t another 
 refolution. But Monfieur de BeHieure was no fooner departed with his doubtful an- 
 fwer, but he took horfe and followed him, making his journey out of the great high- 
 ways, left he (hould meet other MefTengers from the King ■, fo that Pbilibert Sieur de 
 la Guicbe, and Charles Bemife the Kings Cabinet-Secretary, who were difpatched one 
 after the other to advife him not to come to Paris, could not find him any \vhere, till 
 he was at tTie Gate of -S'i.Pw/J*, a time when it was too late to forbid his coming. The 
 Duke of Gu.fs enters Paris upon Mitnday the ninth of May, when it was almoft noon, 
 with no greater train than feven horfcs, with his Gentlemen and other Servants to- 
 gether i but as a little fnow-ball rolling down a high hill grows fo big, that at laft it 
 becomes almoft a mountain » fo the people running out of their hcufes and (hops, with 
 applaufe and joy to follow him, he had not paffed half thorow the City, but he had 
 above thirty thoufand perfons about him, and the crowd was fo great, that he him- 
 felf could hardly make his way. The fhouts of the people founded to the Skies h nor 
 they ever cry Vive le Koy, with fo great acclamation, as they now cried Vive Guife: 
 fome faluted him , fome gave him thanks, fome bowed to him, fome kifTed the hetn 
 of his Garment •, thofe that could not get near, with adions of their hands and ge- 
 ftures of their whole body (hewed infinite figns of rejoycing i and fome were feen, 
 who adoring him as a Saint, touched him with their beads, and either kifTed them pre- 
 fently, or elfe touched their eyes and foreheads with them i and even the very women, 
 ftrowing leaves and flowers from their windows , honoured and blelTed his coming. 
 He on the other fide, with a popular face, and fmiling countenance , fliewed himfelf 
 affable to fome in words , to fome by courteoufly returning their falutations, others 
 he requited with kind looks i and palling thorow that throng of people with his hat 
 off, he omitted nothing that was behoveful to win abfolutely the afledtions and ap- 
 plaufe of the people. 
 
 Xh in
 
 1588. 
 
 The Duke 
 goes to wiit 
 upon the 
 Quccn-mo- 
 ther, who be- 
 comes pale 
 »ad affrighted 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 * 7 will flti\t 
 ibi Shi f^tenl, 
 and the Shecf 
 fi.iibi fcuiter- 
 tU. 
 
 The King be- 
 in» vifited by 
 the Duke of 
 GmC'-i fliews 
 himfelf angry 
 both in words 
 and locks, be- 
 caufe be was 
 come to Par'ii 
 contrary to bis 
 command. 
 
 The Qiieen 
 difTwaJcs the 
 King (tom bis 
 hou^hts a* 
 tgainll the 
 DakeofGxi/j 
 who percei- 
 ving in wha: 
 danger he was, 
 prefcntly takes 
 his leave and 
 departs, 
 
 In this manner , without ftaying at his own houfe , he went (ircight forward to 
 St. Eufiache^ and alighted at the Palace of the Queen-Mother, who half aftonifhed at 
 his unexpedted arrival, (for Monfieur de Bellieure being returned three hours before, 
 had made a doubt of his coming) received him with a pale countenance, and (contrary 
 to the ordinary cuftom of her nature) trembling and almoft difmayed. The Dukes 
 carriage was full of refpedlive humility and profound fubmillion i the words of the 
 Queen ambiguous, telling him that flie was glad to fee him , but would have beea 
 much more glad to have feen him at another time : to which he anfwered with modeft 
 behaviour, but high words, that he was a faithful Servant to the King, and that ha- 
 ving underftood the calumnies that were caft upon his innocence, and the things that 
 were in agitation againft Religion, and againll the honeft well-afFedted men of that 
 City , he was come thither to divert that mifchief, and clear himfelf, or elfe to lay 
 down his life at the fervice of the Church and the general fafety. 
 
 Their difcourfe being interrupted, while he Cas the cuftom isj faluted the other La- 
 dies of the Court, the Queen called Lwgi DaviU her Gentleman- Ufher, and command- 
 ed him to let the King know the Duke of Guife was come, and that within a littje 
 while (he would bring him perfonally to the Louvre. The King (who was in his pri- 
 vate Clofet with Monfieur de Villequier, Bellieure, and the Abbot del Bene) was fo won" 
 derfully moved , that he was fain to reft himfelf upon his arm , hanging his head 
 down almoft to the table j and having examined DaviU of every particular , com- 
 manded him to defire the Queen fecretly to defer his coming as long as poifibly fhe 
 could. The Abbot del Bene, and Colonel Alfunfo Corfo, a moft trufty Servant of the 
 Kings, and one that had dcferved wonderfully well of the Crown, coming at that in- 
 ftant into the Clofet, counfelled him to receive the Duke of Guife in the fame Clofet, 
 and caufe him to be killed in that very place, the Abbot faying thefe words, '^Perai~ 
 tiam Pajiorem, & difpergemtir oves. But ViUequier, Bellieure, and the High Chancellour 
 (who came in) were of another opinion, alledging that the commotion of the people 
 was fo great, that in fuch a cafe, contemning the Royal Majefty, and breaking all bounds 
 of Law and Duty, they would run to a precipitate revenge \ and that tfiings not being 
 yet ready to defend themfelves, and bridle the fury of the City, the Forces of the Pa- 
 rifians were too powerful to be provoked. 
 
 Whilft the hing flood doubtful what to rcfolve, the Queen-Mother came and 
 brought the Duke oi Guife: {he was brought her ftlf in a Sedan, the Duke going by 
 her all the way on foot , but .with fo great a train , and fuch a confluence of people, 
 that the whole City feemed to be crowded into the Court of the Louvre and the 
 Streets thereabouts. They paffed thorow a Lane of Souldiers : Monfieur de Grillon 
 Colonel of the Guards was there prefent, who being a free Souldierly Man, and no 
 very good Friend to the Duke oi Guife, whilft he bowed courteoufly to every private 
 Souldier, made very fmall (hew of refpedl unto the Duke, who obferved it very well, 
 with fome alteration of countenance, which incrcafed to a great palenefs when he (aw 
 the Swi(res, who (ftanding to their Armsj made a Lane at the bottom of the Stairs, 
 the Archers in the Hall, and in the Rooms above, all the Gentlemen gathered together 
 to expedl him. They entered into the Kings Chamber ; who (while the DukeofCwZ/e 
 bowed himfelf with a low reverence) (aid to him with an angry look, I fent you n>ord 
 that yen Jhould not come. To thefe words the Duke with the fame fubmillion he had 
 ufed to the Queen, but with more moderate words, anfwered, Jhat he rv.ts come to put 
 himfelf into the Arms of his Majejiies Jujiice, to clear himfelf of thofe calumnies that roere 
 caji upon him by b'n Enemies ■, and that neverthekfs he would not have come , if he had 
 been plainly told that his Majejiy had commanded him to jiay. The King turning to 
 Bellieure, asked him angerly if it were not true that he had given him Commillion to 
 tell the Duke of Guife that he (hould not come, unlefs he would be accounted the 
 Author of the tumults and infurredlions of the Parifians. Monfieur de Bellieure fteppcd 
 forward, and would have given an account of his Me(rage i but as he began to fpeak, 
 the King interrupted him, faying it was enough i and turning to the Duke of Guife, 
 faid, T^hat he l{nerv not that he was calumniated by any body, but that his innocence would 
 have clearly appeared if bis coming had produced no novelty, nor interrupted the (juiet of the 
 Government, as it was like to do. The Queen well acquainted with the Kings nature, 
 and feeing in his face that he was inclined to fome bold refolution , drew him afide, 
 and told him in fubftance what fhe had feen of the concourfe of people, and that it 
 was n£» time to think of any precipitate determination. The Dutchefs of Vzez, who 
 
 was
 
 af France. The D^inth 'Boo^, 359 
 
 •r — ■ ~ — ' • — = ■ .^ 1. - i-j i* 
 
 was clofe by him, confirmed the fame: and the Duke of G«/(? attentively obferving 1588. 
 CVer^ little particular , as foon as he faw they were in an uncertainty , that he might 
 not give the King time to deliberate, feigned himfelf v^eary with his journey, and 
 taking his leave, returned with the fame cohfluence of people, but not accompanied 
 with any of the Court, unto his own houfe in the Rue St, Anthoyne. Many condem- 
 ned the King , becaufe he did not then refolve to cut him off at that opp'ortunity i 
 and rnany knowing the ftrength and courage of the Parifians, and that he had many 
 Adherents even in the Court it felf, thought it a prudent and moderate determination 
 to let him go. 
 
 ■ But the Duke of Guife having before his eyes the danger he had run, and condem- 
 ning himfeU for his late venture, began prefently to draw unto himfelf all his friends 
 and dependents , which were fpread in the feveral quarters of the City, fo that he 
 tvho at noon entered but with feven horfes , had in his houfe at night above fout 
 hundred Gentlemen and Commanders. At the fame time he fent for the Council 
 of Sixteen, and all the Efhevhts i and after a long confultation, (wherein he was fully 
 informed of all particulars) gave order that Guards fhould be kept in every Ward i 
 that all men fhould be warned and prepared i and that upon any ftir they fhould 
 ^according to the order already given, and under the Officers already appointed) all 
 run to the principal places of the City, and chiefly to his houfe. Many Arms, Muf^ 
 quets , Drums , and other inlhuments of War, were carried the fame night into his 
 houfe, as well to arm great ftore of people, as to defend his own perfon, about which 
 they kept Watches and Sentinels, no lefs than they ufe to do in Armies when they are 
 near an Enemy. 
 
 The fame diligence was ufed at the Louvre, and at the Queens Palace, whither fhe ^, . ^ 
 returned when it was very late at night : her Gentlemen kept Guard very carefully ; oj^'cen'afe'" 
 and the whole night was fpent in great fufpicions on every lide : and now all things dTfn'V"''? 
 were become publick •■, nor was anybody ignorant that the King meant to bridle the the Doke"of 
 Parifians, and fupprefs the Duke of Gnife ■■, and that he on the other fide V/as come to b"ii(lv/"rfin' 
 make himfelt Mailer of the City, to drive his Enemies from Court, and to find means ain^takesths 
 of transferring all the Authority of the Government upon himfelf. Among thefe reel- '*'"' ""• 
 procal fufpicions and publick fcattered reports, Poulaift, being admitted the fame night 
 into the Kings Clofet , told him that he had heard the Duke of Guife had faid pub- 
 lickly , He would clear himfelf of thofe calumnies that had been raifed of him i and 
 offered himfelf again to be put in prifon till he had made what he had revealed ap- 
 pear to be true: for the Heads of the Confpiracy being taken, he doubted not but the 
 King would have a full affurance of all. Further, he faid that before the Dukes coming, 
 ' the Kings preparations had made every one wary and timorous s but that now he was 
 prefcnt, their wonted fpirits were revived : whereupon, that very night, in the moft 
 fileut hours , the Council was to be held in the houfe of la Chapelie, where it would 
 be very eafie to take them all, and certifie themfclves manifeftly of the whole bufi^ 
 nefs. Upon this propofition , they continued uncertain what to do , and confulting 
 the whole night without one wink of fleep, in the mean time day appeared, it being 
 7'uefday the tenth o( May, a day full of terrour and diftradtion. The City was full of 
 Meetings and Conventicles s the Louvre guarded with an unwonted number of Soul- 
 diers j the Duke of Guife's Palace kept locked and full of Arms i the King in his 
 Clofet at fecret counfel with the Queen his Mother, and his Counfellors ; yet the Duke 
 of Guife came in the morning to the Louvre, but with a train of above four hundred The Duke o^ 
 Gentlemen and Commanders privately armed, (with Piflols under their Cloaks) and c.-,;;? goes 
 went to the lodgings of the young Queen to vifit her, and from thence, having waited Gemiemen 
 upon the King till he went to Mafs, retired with the wonted concourfe of people to privately well 
 his own houf^, where he fpent the reft of the morning in confulting with the Arch- z.«-!«,toVaic 
 bifhop of Lynns, who above all others, was his moft intereffed Confident, becaufe he "f°" '■'' •'•"S 
 was 3 bitter Enemy to the Duke of LJpernon. 
 
 After Dinner he went to the Queen-Mothers houfe, whither the King came, and 
 they difcourfed together in the Garden a long time. There the Duke of Guife taking 
 heart, as being in a place out of danger, becaufe it was in the midff of the City, nifconrfes 
 wherein he was the flrongefl, difcourfed a great while of the caufes of his coming, of that ftk b«= 
 thefatisfadtion which the Confederate Princes defired,and of the War to be madeagainft |^^"'" I'^l 
 the King of Navarre, accufing the Duke of Efpernon, and Monfieur de la Valette his QucVnuiwlief 
 Brother, as authors of the difcontents and divjfions, and imputed to their pradtices that of c^S^^"*^ 
 
 X X 2 the
 
 240 ^^^^ ////?or>' 0/ the Civil JVars 
 
 ie88. the Hugonots were not rooted out, and FM«ce reftored to its ancient fplendor, and 
 ' fctledin a perfedi: Peace i and finally, he (hewed that the minds of the finceie Catho- 
 licks could not be at quiet, while they faw the King encompafied with fufpedted per- 
 fons, and fuch as were of doubtful opinions in matter of Religion, while the ancient 
 nianner of Government ufed by former Kings was perverted , and while in ftcad 
 of imploying his Forces againft the Hugonot Faction , they were turned againft the 
 faithful people of FarU^ who defired nothing elfe but the fafety of their Souls and Con- 
 fciences s wherefore it was neceffaiy for whofoever would live in peace and tranqui- 
 lity to change the courfe of proceedings and form of Government, to the end that the 
 Catholick Faith, and the fafety of good men being fecured, every one might live qui- 
 etly within their due obedience. 
 
 To thefe things the Kinganfwered with prolixity of words, (hewing, that his mind 
 was inclined to the extirpation of the Hugonots i but that it was needful to Hay for 
 a fit opportunity, and wait his pleafure, not going about to conftrain him, by force, 
 that the plots and machinations of thofe of the League had interrupted all good > fof 
 they had pafTed on fo far, that they had difturbed the e(iabli(hed order of Govern- 
 ment i nor had that fatisfied, but flanderous tongues had too much offended his pa- 
 tience both againft truth and reafon \ that notwithftanding the clemency of his nature 
 was ready to pardon all thofe that would fee their faults, and ferve him faithfully for 
 the time to come : that no Prince in Chrifiendom had more hated, perfecuted, and 
 trodden down Hereticks than he i that never any King had more loved and favoured 
 any SubjecSl- than he had done the Houfe of Lorain, and the very perfon of the Duke 
 of C'lip ■■, ihat all Offices and Dignities could not be conferred upon one man j and 
 that as God beftows his bleffings upon many according to the quality of their callings, 
 fo a Prince is bound to divide his gifts and favours among many, according to tjjeir 
 deferts and his own inclination i that he had raifed the Lords of la Valette, Sons of 
 a moft Catholick Father , valiant in War , and who had deferved very well of the 
 Crown , having born Arms more conllantly than any other againft the Hugonots > 
 that he found he was well ferved by them, as the diligence ofEJpernon had been feea 
 in the defeat of the Germans , and the profperous fuccefs of la VaUtte in making (b 
 great a flaughter of the Protellant SwifTes that went into Dauphine: yet for all that 
 he did not go about to equal them to the Houfe of G«//f, being neither alike in birth 
 nor defert i but that places in Court are different, as there are different ftations in Pa- 
 radife » that it had ever been in the free power of all Kings to ufe and favour whom 
 they pleafed, and to chufe companions for their hours of recreation to their own li- 
 , king and conveniency, for elfe that liberty would be debarred a Prince which private 
 men freely enjoy , there being no man fo mean but hath power to live and conver(e 
 with whom he pleafeth , and to difpofe of his own eftate according to his own will 
 and geniw ■■, that he had never received any counfel from the Lords of la Valette, nor 
 any impediment that hindred him from making War with the Hugonots : yet if it 
 could be proved , that they have not behaved themfelves (incerely in any builnefs, 
 he was ready to puni(h them according to the quality of their fault ; but that he 
 would not banifh them from Court for meer diflike of others : that he would obferve 
 what he had fo often Xworn concerning the Edidl of ihtV nion^ and that his thoughts 
 were more than ever bent upon the War againft the King of Navarre , nor did any 
 other refpeft withhold him from it , than that of burthening his people , which he 
 mult be forced to do to maintain Armies in fo many fcveral places > that it was only 
 that which troubled i but yet that his Subjects had no reafon to complain, (ince they 
 themfelves had been the Incendiaries of the War, and above all, the Parilians : that 
 War could not be made without money, and money could not be raifed without op- 
 prcffing the people, by which means be was brought to bear the blame of a fault that 
 was not his i for thofe that cried out againft Impofitions, were the very fame who fe- 
 ditioufly had forced him to make a War i that the City of faris ( to which he had 
 done more good than ten of his PredecelTors together , which had ever been his Fa- 
 vourite, wherein he had made his conftant habitation, which caufed the riches and 
 plenty of the Citizens^ had now declared it felf his Enemy, and having derided and 
 defamed his Name, had alfo gone on to confpire againft his Perfon : that he knew 
 very well that thofe Plots were contrived by ftrangers, and that the good people wha 
 were originally of the City confented not unto them, and that therefore he had refol- 
 ved to turn all ftrangers out of the City, to take away the fuel from that peftilent fire 
 
 which
 
 of France. The IhQnth ^oo^ 541 
 
 ivhich begun to fpreadi that he would not make ufe of foreign Arms to purge the l$S8. 
 City, whilft he (hould be faithfully ferved by the Citizens themfelves i that he required 
 his aflTiftance in that bufinefs, and that he would give him that proof of the fidelity 
 and fincerity he profefled i for when hefliould once be affured of the obedience of his 
 Subjed's, he had nothing more to defire of him i and when once the Grangers were 
 driven out, and the City fetled without tumult, in the condition it ought to be, he 
 would caft away all former fufpicions, and willingly confcnt to the moderation of fu- 
 ture bufineffes. After he had ended his difcourfe, he called the Prevojidey Merchands^ 
 and the Efihevim of the City, who were prefent, and commanded them to fearch all 
 . houfes diligently the day after, with fuch other perfons as he (hould appoint for that 
 purpofe i and that they fliould turn out all ftrangers who had fetled themfelves there 
 without urgent nccelfity : That they fliould make no diftindion of perfons i for he 
 was certified there were fifteen thoufand who were fet on to raife fcandals, and come 
 to ftir up new commotions , to the danger of the lives and goods of the Citizens* 
 With this CommilTion the Deputies departed, promifing to ferve him faithfully j and 
 after many fuch dilcourfes, the Duke of Guife departed alfo, having promifcd the fame : 
 for he had lull'd the King with his arts , and that his prefence had fo terrified him, 
 that he fliould no longer need much Force : Whereupon he faid to Come of his fami- 
 liar Friends , that he hoped without noife or difficulty to obtain an Aflembly of the 
 States General , wherein he doubted not but matters (hould go on according to his 
 wilb and delign. 
 
 The King appointed Monfieur de Villeguier and Monfieur d" to make fearch for 
 the (hangers, which Cthe fame Guards and jealoufies continuing) was begun the next 
 riicmin^. but with obftinate backwardnefs, and molt apparent dilTimulation of thePa- 
 riiiai.s, v, ]\o knew that thofe that were lodged in the City were all the Duke of Guife's The Kin» 
 dependaits, and fent by him> nor were they vvilling that by expelling them their ]l^^Xmhnl 
 own Forces (hould be dilTolved : Whereby the Kings Deputies perceived that they la- ftrangcr-cobc 
 boured but in vain , and that the intention of disarming and weakning the Duke of ;/'^';". tT/the 
 Guife could not fucceed by that means, nor produce any e/fc6t i and therefore they let c«cunon is 
 the King know fo much i who angry and exafperated, refolved at laft to tame the TOherVupon he 
 people by force, and endeavour to fupprefs the Confpirators without longer delay. To refcives ro 
 that end he prefently difpatched the Marefchal de Byron to bring the Swi(res intoPj- [nfu'rlaion 
 ris^ and Monfieur d' to fetch the Companies of his Guards which were lodged out by force. 
 of the City in the near adjacent places, and gave order that neither the Gentlemen, 
 Archers, nor Souldiers of the Guards, (hould (Hr any more out of the Court, but that 
 all (hould keep clofe about his Perfon. 
 
 This was not unknown to the Duke o{ Guife, who, to fet the ftrength of the Peo- JI'fP^H"/ 
 pie again(t the Kings Forces , caufed a report to be prefently fprcad about the City, the Patifiani 
 that the King had refolved to put to death Sixfcore of the principal Catholicks, and t^hi'Kin^''*' • 
 to put Garifons in the chief places to fupprefs the Citizens, and that therefore it was meant 'o put 
 nece(rary for them to prepare for their defence. A counterfeit Lift was framed of the fhf"hi£°ca- 
 Sixfcorc names, the Copies whereof were difperfcd abroad i the Duke of Gk//? being thoiicksw 
 fet down firfl of all, and Prefident Nully, Prefident Maijire, the Sieurs de Buffy and *'**'!'• 
 la Cb'apeUe^ Hautman the Receiver > and after them all the Curates, Preachers, Depu- 
 ties, and Efchevins s and finally, all fuch as were beloved of the people i the fear of 
 whofe danger might (tir them up to take Arms , caufing this forgery to be divulged 
 with fo much vehemence of words and adlions , and with fo much feigned terrour, 
 by cunning adtive perfons, who were acquainted with the peoples humours, that they 
 began to talk of ri(ing that very night i the Commanders being ordered and cho(en in 
 every quarter, and the Dukes Gentlemen appointed to rule and moderate the ra(hne{s 
 of the armed people. 
 
 But things were not yet fully ripe; and the night of the eleventh day was fpent in 
 thefe pradices on every fide, till in the morning upon Ihurfday the twelfth of Msy^ 
 they heard the Swi(res Fifes and Drums i which beating their march , entered at the The Kinos 
 Torte St. Ho>tore , the Mare(chal de Byron on horfeback leading them i and then the soidiets come 
 French Companies followed under their fevcral Captains, with all their matches light- TJird'the'Lc'ii- 
 ed. The King being alio got on horfeback, went out to receive them, welcoming vr.-, with the 
 the Souldiers at the entry of the gate, and commanded with a loud voice, repekting it ;/"" airo"he 
 many times, that they (hould all forbear to commit the leaft infolence, or do the leaft Bridges and 
 injury to the Citizens, upon pain of death without mercy : And having given order to ^f"hc cu "" 
 
 Monfieur
 
 04.2 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Monfieur d' and the Marcfchal de Byron to pofTefs and guard all the chief places of 
 the Town, went back to the Louvre^ where the Souldiers of theGuards were yrmed 
 and in a readinefs upon ail occafions. The Marefchal de Byron, perhaps not acquainted 
 with the Kings dciign, thought it expedient firft to pofTefs thofe places which were 
 nearefi: the Louvre, for the fecurity and defence of the Court j and therefore firft of 
 all he poflTefTed himfelf of St. Innocents Church-yard , being at the end of the Rue 
 St.Honore, and there he placed nine hundred SwifTes, fetting the reft, to the number 
 of one thoufand fix hundred , about the Boucherie , the Marcbe-neitf , the ChajieUtj 
 and lomihotife: Monfieur /i' took xhtVontau Change, znd the Pont St. Michel, pla- 
 cing Monfieur du Gaji upon the one, and Monfieur Marivant upon the other j the Com- 
 panies of Beaiivaif, Nanfy and Monfieur dc P Arcbant, being left to guard the Gate 
 of the Louire toward the Kne St. Jhom.ts. But the bufinefs was very ill ordered in 
 that manner, and it had been much better to have taken La Place Maubert, la Place 
 St. Anioyne, and the Streets near the Bafiile, which are all in the furtheft parts of the 
 City, and near the Duke of ' «//f's Palace : for being befieged, fo that he could not 
 ftir, and the Rue Stt Denis and St. Martin being blocked up, to divide the people 
 into two parts, that they might not eafily draw together, the whole City would have 
 been blocked up in the Kings power , and the tumult of the people reftraincd. But 
 the Souldiers thus difpofed of, were more fit to defend the Louvre, than to hinder the 
 infurredlion of the Citizens, which took its birth and beginning where the perfon of 
 the Duke of Guife was, and where his fpirit gave life to it. 
 
 At the entry of the Kings Forces, which was known to the whole City by the noife 
 of the Drums, the people full of fear and terrour, and now aflured that the report 
 divulged of the Kings intention was moft certain, began to gather together, fliutting 
 up their doors and (hops, which (according to the cuftom u(ed in that City of going 
 to work before day> was already begun to be opened, and every one began to make 
 ready their Arms, expecting directions what they fliould do. 
 
 It was already broad day light, when the Queen-Mother, defirous to know what 
 the Duke of Gitife did, fentL«/gi Vavila unto him, under colour of a ceremonial vi- 
 fit, (for fhe yet continued her wonted dilTimulation) giving him charge to obferve 
 very carefully every little circumftance of whatfoever he ftiould fee or hear. He going 
 to the Halt el de Guife (fo they call the Houfes of the great Lords) contrary totheor- 
 dmary cuftom, found the Gates ftiut > and being let in thorow the Wicket, he (aw two 
 long lows of Gentlemen armed in the Court, and in the midft of them the Duke of 
 Gwje walking up and down alone, to whom he delivered the complement he was com- 
 manded : But the Duke finding the Queens intention, and defiring to (hew that he 
 was well prepared, took him kindly by the hand, and led him talking into the Gar- 
 den, where a great number of Arms were laid together, and all the lower rooms full 
 of Souldiers and Reformadoes » of whom Davila (as being acquainted with them} 
 knew the greateft part. After two or three fliort turns in the Garden , the Duke^ 
 who notwithftanding was in great fufpence, and as one might eafily perceive, full of 
 weighty thoughts, returning a complement, difmifled him, and he coming back ftrait 
 to the Louvre, whither the Queen was already gone, and being brought into the Kings 
 Clofet, related diftindtly all that he had obferved : and added further , that as he 
 pafTed thorow the City, he had feen them (hut up their (liops and houfes, make ready 
 their Arms, lay logs and fct barrels before their doors, and many of the Dukes Gen- 
 tlemen and Officers difcourfing together , the chief Citizens very bufie every where, 
 and that efpecially in the Place Maubert, and the Rtte St. Anthoyne the people gathered 
 very faft together , and made greater preparations of Arms than in any other place. 
 The King having caufed him to make his relation twice over, prefently fcnt Be- 
 noife his Secretary to Monfieur d' 0, commanding him to advance beyond the Bridges, 
 and caufe the French Companies to poffefs the Place Maubert^ and the Rue St. An- 
 thoyne. 
 
 Jvlonfieur d' inftantly fent Colonel GriUon to execute the Kings command i but he 
 came too late : for the Sieur de Bois-Dauphin with the Scholars of the Univerfity, and 
 the Boat-men dwelling about S.Jehan en Greve had already taken that Poft,which had till 
 then been imprudently negledled i and having locked up the Streets with Chains, and 
 fliut up all palTages with barricadoes of logs and barrels filled with dirt and earth, 
 Jiad made that their Rendezvous > wherefore Monfieur de Grillon was fain to retire, 
 and going about to return to the place from whence he came, his way was ftopt by 
 
 the
 
 of France. The J^nth 'Boo\. 
 
 343 
 
 bells, make 
 bairicadoes 
 crofa the 
 ftrcets ; and 
 blocking up 
 all the Kings 
 
 come up to the 
 Loiivrt^ and 
 begin to affiolj 
 the Royalifts 
 
 the Count of Briff'jc, who with the People of the Q^iarter of St. Germain , had fliut 1588, 
 him up Co in the mid ft, that he was engaged between the Bridges, nor could he ftir 
 any way at all, nor make the leaft refiflanceon any fide, though he had with him the 
 greateft ftrengthof the French Souldicrs. 
 
 All the reft of the City being already up, followed this beginning, crying furioufly, The Psrifianj 
 Jrm, Arm^ and ringing the loquefiint in every Quarter, made Barricadoes in the fame JJio^i* 0/ ^he 
 fame manner within thirty paces of one another, in fo pundtual order, and with fo " " 
 much teadinefs, that the extent of (b vaft a City was all blocked up in a moment, and 
 fluit in every way, the Kings Souldiers befet on all iides with the Barricadoes, even 
 to the very doors of all their Corp de Carde^ and which was worft of all. Colonel 
 St. Faul witii the people of St. Eujiache and Mont-Martre coming down with fury, and 
 blocKing up the Streets from place to place , made their laft Barricadoes at the very 
 Gates of the Louvre , right over againft , and in the very face of the Kings Corps de 
 Garde. 
 
 After the Streets were blocked up and fortified on all fides, the word going every 
 where about with fierce loud cries , that they fhould cut the Poreign Souldiers ia 
 pieces, the Swiffes were prefently aflaulted in St. Innocertt^s Church-yard, where fliut 
 up and fas one may fayj imprifoned, they could make no defence in the world, but 
 fix and thirty of them being ilain in the firft onfet, the reft yielded themfelves with- 
 out refiftance, and were pillaged by the people with very great violence and boaft- 
 ing. All the other Guards, of the Chajiekt , the little Bridge, the Butchery, and 
 the Tovvn-houfe , were aftaulted at the fame time , the Swiffes being in the fame 
 manner difarmed , and made prifoners at the peoples difcretion. To the French 
 Guards they had a little more refpeft j for having made them put out their Mat- 
 ches, and lay down their Arms, they kept them in that manner till they had further 
 order. 
 
 In the mean time the King was perfwaded by the Queen-Mother and Monfieur de 
 Villequhr to go forth of the Lotare^ and ftievv himfelf unto the Citizens, thinking that 
 the people would certainly be daunted with the fplendour of the Royal Majefty, 
 that they would acknowledge and obey him, and that laying down their Arms, and 
 receiving fecurity for their own lives and houfes, they would fuffer the Delinquents 
 to be taken and punifticd : But the King thought it too dangerous an advice, and 
 fuch an one as would expofe all the remainder of his Dignity and Authority to the 
 raftinefs of the people , without much alTurance that the iifue would be good ■■, and 
 which was worfe, it fcemed to him a counfel of fuch nature, as in cafe' it fhould not 
 fucceed well, could no way be remedied , but the event at the fame time would be 
 certain ruinc, and the lofs of his life : wherefore he refolved to fend out the Maref- 
 chals of Ajtmont and Byron to talk with the people , and endeavour fafely to appeafe 
 them by fair means. But this determination was as vain as the other i for the Ma-, 
 refchals words were anfwered with Musket-Bullets, and Stones, and they were fain 
 to retire without doing any thing. There was now no other hope left, but of de- 
 fending the Louvre^ wherein Cbtfides the wonted Guards, moft forward to do their 
 duty) there were above five hundred Gentlemen , who before all others had under- 
 taken to defend the paflage to the Gate. 
 
 But the Duke ofGidje, either ftruck with the temerity of fo high an enterprlfe, or 
 not having prepared his defigns from the beginning to go fo far, or aftoniftied in the 
 execution by the greatnefs of the attempt, or thinking the bufinefs was brought to a 
 head as foon as he (aw the City in his power, the Kings Guards difarmed and taken, 
 and the King with all his Friends fhut up, and as it were imprifoned in the Louvre^ 
 and that he Ihould attain to the reft of his defircs , by way of compofition , refolved 
 to appeafe the tumult without ufing any more force i and going out of his houfe on 
 horfe-back, unarmed, with only a truncheon in his hand, to fiiew the greater con- 
 tempt, rode thorow all the Quarters, and fpeaking to the people every wher^, ex- 
 horted them to ftand upon their guard , fince God had been fo merciful to them as 
 to fecure their Lives, Families, Liberties, Religion, and the honour of the holy Church, 
 but that they (hould depend upon him and not doubt, for all things were very fafe : and 
 coming to the place where the French Souldiers were befet and taken, he gave order to ^"i/'/eeiog 
 Colonel St. Paul to conduct them to the Louvre, and let them go. Thence he paffed power^and"'' 
 
 TheDaV* o( 
 
 the King 2) it 
 ware » ptifbner, ccafeth to profecuw the forceing of the Ctnvrt, and appeirfeth the geofHi 
 
 by
 
 544 
 
 The Hislory of the Civill Wars 
 
 1588. 
 
 Farneft Dske 
 of /\irffl(l his 
 flying of the 
 PuJiC oiCuife. 
 
 The opinion 
 that the Duke 
 of Gu:/i maJe 
 way for hi« 
 defigr.s to feife 
 upon the 
 CtotVB of 
 Frivct, and 
 poflc(5it after 
 the death of 
 lUnrj the III. 
 
 TV.c Quten- 
 Motherpoes to 
 the Duke of 
 Guife in hec 
 Sedan, being 
 denied pa(ra{;e 
 in her Coach, 
 confers with 
 himibutbrings 
 back nothing 
 bat complaints 
 and exorbitant 
 flemandi. 
 
 by St. Innocents , and made the Swifles Arms be reftored to them i and in the fame 
 manner caufed the Count of Briff'jc to bring them to the entry of the Louire and let 
 them go. All the Souldiers without Drums, or being ranked in order went bare- 
 headed, trailing their Arms as prifoners, and being condu(fted to the Gate of the Lou- 
 vre, were there received by the Marefchal de Byron , who caufed them to be lodged 
 thereabout; nor could the Duke of Gwi/f's Vidtory have a prouder triumph, or a more 
 remarkable fpe<5Vacle. 
 
 Many tliought , and particularly Alejfandro Farnefe Duke of Parma, (a Prince of 
 incomparable valour and deep underftanding j faid , that the Duke of Guijh had at- 
 tempted too much, and done too little, not remembring the Proverb, that Wkfoeier 
 drja-f bis Sn>ord a^ainji his Prince , ought frefently to thr^nv away the Scabbard : for fo 
 bold an enterprife fliould cither not have been undertaken , or being begun, ftiould 
 have been executed, whatfoever had come on it : But the Duke of Guife, either over- 
 come by a fenfe of juftice, whereof he took upon him to be the Protedror i or defirnig 
 Hill to ufe the cloak of piety and religion to cover his defigns j or elfe having never had 
 any further aim than his own fccurity, and the reformation of Government, and now 
 promifing himfelf that by his arts, and by a treaty he fhould bring the fum of all things 
 into his own power, without taking it openly by force, he thought he had reduced the 
 King to fuch extremity, that he muftof necellity have been forced to yield to his will, 
 and to grant thofe conditions he defired, which he doubted not afterwards to have 
 confirmed by the univerfal confent of the people. There wanted not of thofe who 
 fufpeded that the Duke of G«i/>'s main end was to (hut up the King in a Monaftery, 
 under pretence of difability and evil Government , and to alfunu unto hiir.fdf the 
 pofleffion of the Crown : but certainly men generally believed, that as he afpired Caf- 
 ter the Kings deaths to exclude the Houfe of Bourbon from the Crown, and to tranP- 
 fer it upon himfelf i fo he never thought to deprive the King of it while be lived, and 
 therefore believed it was fuificient, if aiming at the height of Authority and Govern- 
 ment, he could make way for the excluding of his adverfaries, and by degrees advance 
 his own defigns to fuch a point, as he might execute them boldly wheii occafion fliould 
 fcrve •, and this as the more gentle, was alfo the more probable opinion. However it 
 were, the Duke fuppofing he had made himfelf Mailer of Paris, and encompalTed the 
 Louvre in fuch manner , that ( as he writ the fame day to the Duke of Lor am) he 
 fliould be able to give account of all that was in it i he quieted the violence and up- 
 roar of the people , would not fuffer them to proceed further towards the aflaulting 
 oftheLwwe, made the Guards that had been taken and pillaged to be let go, but 
 gave order that the barricadoes fl-iould be continued, thatthepeopleevery where fhould 
 be in a readinefs with their Arms , that the Guards fliould be kept with infinite care, 
 expedfing fome body to come from the King, befieged and brought ijito a hard con- 
 dition, to make an overture of fome agreement. 
 
 Nor did his expectation fail him in that beginning : for after many confultations in 
 the Kings Clofet , the Queen-Mother refolved to go unto him, and fent to demand 
 palfage of the Citizens , who (with intolerable infolence, but born by her with ad- 
 mirable diifimulation) denied to let her pafs in her Coach, for fear of fpoiling the bar- 
 ricadoes, but anfwered they would give her leave to go on foot. Whereupon flie took 
 her Sedan, and being attended by Secretary Pynart, Monfieur de Bellieare, and a few 
 of her Gentlemen , fhe went with infinite trouble to the Hojiel de Guife, and being 
 fain to flay every minute till the barricadoes were opened, which were ftill fliut again 
 as foon as flie was paft, fhe was above two hours ere flie got thither, by rcafon of the 
 length of the way, and being ftopt at fo many feveral paflages. At her firft arrival, 
 the Duke met her with exceeding great lamentations , complaining openly that the 
 King, by going about to put a Garifon unfeafonably into the City of Paris, that had 
 never had any in times pafl, had made the people jealous that he meant to take away 
 the lives of the good Catholicks, which had been caufe of that tumult, which all the 
 wit of man could not remedy : That the King did very much injure him, ("who by fb 
 many proofs was his moft faithful Servant) and his good and faithful City of Paris, by 
 ufing them in that manner : That neverthelefs he bearing the affront patiently, had 
 done what lay in him to take away the peoples fears, and to appeafe the tumult. To 
 which arts the Queen anfwering with the like diflimulation , faid. That the King in- 
 tended nothing but to drive out ftrangers , for the fecurity and quiet of the Citizens : 
 and having been very ill ferved by fome employed in that bufineft, he had caufed his 
 
 Guards
 
 of France. The ^hQnth ^oo^ 545 
 
 > 
 
 Guards to enter for the fafety and defence of the City, that afterward he himfelf in 1588. 
 perfon might make the fearch, and by his labour and authority prevent the mifchief 
 that was ready to fall upon the inhabitants: That the fufpicious people had taken Arms 
 too fuddenly i but that flie hoped when the truth was once known, every one would 
 be fetled in quietnefs. 
 
 After this difcourfe in publick , they went together into the Garden , where the 
 Duke of Guife (making his pretence that he knew the Kings defigns and intentions 
 were to deftroy the Great Ones, and fupprefs thofe that oppofcd his Favourites, and 
 that therefore it was neceffary for him to look well to himfelf, to fecure both his own 
 and the common fafety) began to make infinite, high and exorbitant demands, and 
 ,fuch as were truly proper for an abfolute Conquerour : That the King fliould declare 
 him his Lieutenant-General in all Provinces and places under his Dominions , with 
 the fame authority his Father had in the time of Francis the Second : That the States- 
 General fliould be called at Paris, in which AfTcmbly that power granted to him fhould 
 be confirmed : That to fecure the people from their fears of a Hugonot Prince, the 
 King of Navarre and the other -Princes of Bourbon his adherents, (hould be declared 
 to have forfeited their inheritance to the Crown : That the Taxes and Impofitions 
 upon the people might be limited : That, to take away all hated and fufpedred Novel- 
 ties, all Forms of Government (hould be reduced to a certain Rule, which it fhould 
 not be lawful for the King to alter : That the Duke of Efpermn^ Monfieur de la Va- 
 lette his Brother, the Marefchals of 'Ketz and Hyron, Monfieur d? 0, and Colorel Al- 
 fmfo Corfo, Cfufpedled all tohold intelligence with the Hereticks, and everyday to find 
 out inventions of new grievances) fhould be deprived of all their Offices and Go- 
 vernments, and baniflied for ever from the Court : That, to takeaway all fufpicion 
 wliich every one had with reafbn, that the Hereticks were not proceeded againft really 
 and in good earnelt, the abfolute charge of the War fhould be given to him > which 
 fhould be profecuted with two Armies, one in Poicioit, the other in Daupbine : That, 
 to remove jealoufies and fears of tyrannical proceedings, the King fhould difmifs his 
 Guard of the five and forty Gcntlement, and forbid them to return to Court, refer- 
 ving only the Guards which his PredecefTors were wont to have: That he fhould 
 take away the Regiment of Guards from Monfieur de Crilltm, and give it to fuch a 
 perfon as the Catholick Princes might confide in: That all the FortrelTcs oi?i:ardy 
 might be delivered up to the Duke of Aumale, as Governour of that Province : That 
 the Duke of Nemours might have the Government of Lyons , and the Duke of E/- 
 heufxhit of Normandy : That the King fliould put into the hands of the Lords of the 
 League fix fuch Towns as they fhould name, in which they might keep Garifbns, un- 
 der fuch Governours as they fhould like : That a convenient ailignment might be gi- 
 ven to the Parifians for the payment of the Rents of the Town- houfe : And that the 
 Government of the City might be given to the Count de Brijfac , upon whom alfo 
 fliould be conferred the Office of Colonel General of the French Infantry, held at that 
 time by the Duke of Efpernon: That, the charge of Admiral fhould be reftored to the 
 Duke of Mayenne j and Monfieur de la Chajire made Marefchal in the place of Mon- 
 fieur d.^ Byron. 
 
 Which Demands being carefully examined by the Queen, one by one, and the in- 
 julHce and exorbitancy of them being fliewn , (he at laft asked the Duke of Guife 
 what he believed the people of France would fay , and what the Princes of Europe 
 would think , if with the Kings content a Subjed fhould accept , much lefs demand 
 fuch conditions, and whether he meant not to put fhackles upon the King, and take 
 the Crown from his head ? To which words the Duke anfwered freely, That he de- 
 martded no Place nor Office for any that was not very worthy of it i and that to 
 drive away Incendiaries, Enemies of the publick good , Favourers of Hereticks, and 
 Perfecutors of the Catholick Religion, was to purge the Body of the State of a mofl 
 dangerous poifon, to .the end that the King might afterwards enjoy that tranquillity 
 and obedience that belonged to him i and that the Medicine indeed was bitter at firft, 
 but would be fruitful and healthful in the end In fum , after many debates, and 
 prolix contentious arguments, this was the Duke of Guife's conclufion. That fincc 
 the King himfelf had at lafl laid open his fecret intentions , and brought matters to 
 that pafs, he was refolved either to lofe his Life, or to fecure Religion and the Ellatc 
 of his own Family. 
 
 y y The
 
 2a6 T^^^ Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 is88. The Queen returned at night with this Anfwer to the Lowzre, where they conti* 
 nued ftill in Arms s private perfons difcourfing and confulting no lefs than the Kings 
 Counfcllors in his Clofct i among whom the variety of opinions was very great i pri- 
 vate paiFions, and particular interefts, contending no lefs than refpedi of the publick 
 and the univerfal good : For the High Chancellour, Secretary Villeroy, and Monfieur 
 de ViUequier^ who defired the abafement of the Duke of Efpernon, and the ruine of the 
 Hugonots, and hoping that they fliould not fall from their credit and authority, though 
 the League fhould prevail , confented to the greatefl part of the Duke of G/«i/V's de- 
 mands, to the fecret dillike of the King, who could by no means endure them* On 
 the other fide, Monfieur d' 0, Monfieur de KamhoHiliet^ the Abbot del Bene^ and Co- 
 lonel ^Ifonf) Corfo, argued that the greateft adverfities in the world were to be fuffered, 
 rather than to yield unto them : Monfieur d^ neverthelefs offering to lay down his 
 Offices, and the Colonel his charge of Lieutenant in Vjuphine, if that were the only 
 means to appeafe the tumults. The Queen and Secretary ?mart kept the middle wayj 
 and hoped that the Duke of Guife would fall from a great part of his demands. The 
 fiege preffed very much on the one fide, there being no proviiion of viduals in the 
 , houvre-^ and it was feared that the people going out of the City, would likewife be- 
 fiege it on the other fide, and fliutting up the palTage towards the fields, reduce the 
 King and the whole Court prefcntly into their power » but then again the Propofitions 
 \vere fuch as the King could in no wife hearken unto. 
 
 The night was fpent in this manner, full of terrour and uncertainty, the Duke of 
 Guifi being diligent in vifiting the Guards of the City every hoar, lell their careleG* 
 nefs and negligence fhould give the Kings Souldiers opportunity to recover thofc pla- 
 ces they had loft before, and left the darknefs fliould give occafion to fome diforder, or 
 ftir up fome tumult. 
 
 In the morning after Mafs, the King and Queen-Mother being (hut up privately 
 
 together, refolved that flie fhould return to the Duke of Guife^ and making fome fliev<? 
 
 of confentingto the Agreement, fliould draw the Treaty out in length, whilft the King 
 
 (hould fecretly get out of the new Gate on the back-fide of the Gardens of the Louvre^ 
 
 which was in his power, and efcaping from Faris before the Enemies had time to 
 
 block it up, fliould go to the City of Chartres^ the Governour and people whereof 
 
 While t\t were at his devotion. The Queen with the fame difficulties, went again to i\\tH(^iel 
 
 Qs"" "l"'"! ^^ Guife s and by the way one of the City coming clofe up to her, gave her notice 
 
 Gulf, Si treats that fifteen thoufand men were preparing to cnclofe the Louvre on the other fide : 
 
 with him, che Wherefore having begun the Treaty with the Duke, though (he found him more ob- 
 
 King with fix- „. , /-7?n • i ■ i • r • • • ■ f 
 
 teen cemie- Itinatc than at firlt, yet Ine continued with mnnite patience treating about matters or 
 ^"iniVtlivL's Agreement : in the mean time the King feigning to go out to walk in the Garden of 
 tochjrtrcs. thc Tutllerief ^ (as he was wont to do) went forth with a very few, and walked on 
 foftly talking, till he came into the Gardens which were very near his Stables, 
 where (having caufed the doors to be fliut, and put on a riding fute) he prefently 
 took Horfe with fixteen Gentlemen, being followed only by twelve Foot-men > and 
 going out of the New Gate , rode with all poifible fpeed to Cbartres i where the 
 people received him with as much affci^ion as the Parifians had done the Duke of 
 Guife. 
 
 Two long hours after the Kings departure, the Sieur de MeneviUe came clofe to the 
 Duke of Guife s ear, who was yet treating with the Queen, and told him that the King 
 was gone fuddenly from Paris by the New Gate ; at which news the Duke being un- 
 expededly furprifed , turned toward the Queen , and cryed out with a loud voice, 
 /Ih Madam , / am quite undone , and while your Majejiy hdds me here in delays , the 
 King is gone away to ruine me. The Queen feeming ignorant of that refblution, an- 
 fwered, flie believed it not v and that the King had not told her of any fuch intent, 
 but it might be fome determination of his Council > and taking her Chair, (he made 
 her fclf be carried back to the Louvre , where flie found that the Companies of the 
 Guards led by Grillon , together with the Swifles led by the Sieurs de Vampierre and 
 TimeviUe^ were already marched away , to whom fhe prefently difpatched a Gentle- 
 man, with command not to lofe any time, but march continually day and night > which 
 being obeyed by them, they came to the fame place not many hours after the Kings 
 arrival. The next day all the Court came up Mattering, and amongft the reft Nichols 
 
 toulain.
 
 of France. The IhQnth ^oo^ 547 
 
 Tnulain^ Jthan Conty^ and FierreVgoly Rtd from ?<?m, everyone rcjoycing that they 1588 
 had miraculoufly cfcaped the fury and infurrcAion of the Parilians i to whom the 
 Kings departure was fo iinexpefted , that they knew neither what to do , nor had 
 any preparation to f How him i which is not much to be wondered at in the com- 
 mon people i but that the Duke of Gttife fhould not have forefeen that blow, gave 
 great occafion of talk to many at that time i and confidering his vivacity and warinefs 
 may beget wonder in whofever fliall apply his mind folidly to think upon it > this 
 nioft important ovcrfight being to be attributed to one of thofe marvellous works 
 of Providence wherewith God ufes often to mock the craft and fubtilty of worldly 
 policy. 
 
 The King being departed, the Duke of Guifes defign ("of obtaining from him ("as 
 -a prifoner) thofe conditions he pretended^ vaniflied of it felfi and therefore it was 
 ncceffary to think upon fome other courfc : Wherefore after he had been a good while 
 vext and angry with himfelf, knowing he had let flip fo great an occafion, he turned 
 his thoughts to fecure his abfolute power in the City of Paris ; for feeing a War ready 
 to break forth between him and the King, he knew he could have no furer foundation 
 than the forces and alliftance of the Parifians. His firft thought was to make himfelf 
 Mafler of the Bjjiillf^ which was kept by Lorenz.0 Tejiuto Chevalier du Ctiet^ who com- 
 manded there in the Kings Name ■, nor was the attaining of it very difficult i for 
 though he might have made an honourable defence, yet as foon as he knew the Artil- 
 lery was taken out of the Arfenal to batter it, he gave it up into the peoples hand, and 
 they prefently delivered it to the Duke ofCuife^ who not lofing any longer time, ha- 
 ving called the people together, upon Sunday the fifteenth , caufed Hedor Perofe Prevqfi 
 des Merchands to be put out, as one depending upon the King, and clapt him up pri- 
 foner in the Bajiille, making la Chappelle Martel fthe principal inftrument of the League, 
 and firft Boutef'eit of the people) to be eledled in his place : Conty and Vgoly were alfo 
 put out of their Offices as fugitives, and in their places were chofen Com-fans and Ko/- 
 land ^ both of the Council o( Sixteen, and chief among the Confpirators. Upon 
 M.'tnday the Streets were cleared, the Barricadoes were taken away, and the Shops and 
 Houfes opened, but the Guards were continued with extraordinary care day and night, 
 many rumours of danger being fpread abroad, which ferved to keep the people in fears 
 and jealoufhes, and not to let their firft motions cool. 
 
 The City being fecured, the next bufinefs was to open the pafTagesof the River in 
 refped of vidtuali the Duke of Guife being affured that hunger would quickly caufe 
 repentance among the people: Wherefore Forces being already come out oi Picardy^ 
 and two Regiments of Foot lifted in the City, fiege was laid to the Bois de Vincennes^ 
 which yielded without refiftancei and the fame did St. C/ok^, Lagny, Charenton, with 
 all the other neighbouring Towns i and Pontnyfe, though it feigned to continue un^ 
 der the Kings obedience, yet hindered it not the paftage of the River Seine, for the 
 bringing up of fuch provifions as were wont to come from thofe parts i Cm-beil re- 
 mained to be taken, into which Jehan de Villiers was entered with good hope to de- 
 fend it, by reafon of the peoples being well-afFefted, and of the Kings being fb near 
 at hand, who might eafily relieve it from Chartres ■■, nor did he fo much value the tu- 
 multuous Forces of the Parifians, but thought though he had no Souldiers in pay, he 
 fliould be able to hold out of himfelf for many days, which begun alfo to fucceed pro- 
 fperoufly, he having at their firft arrival skirmifhed with advantage, and in great pare 
 repreffed the boldnefs of the Parifians. But the King, who had laid his defigns ano- 
 ther way, and who (M other paflages being already opened) would not in a matter 
 of no great confequence give beginning to a tedious War, wrote to Villiers, that leaving 
 the people at liberty to difpofe of themfelves as they pleafed, he (hould return to Court; 
 whereupon, as foon as he was gone, the people opened their gates, and willingly gave 
 themfelves up to the Parifians. 
 
 All thefe things were done in the very face of the Qyeen, who very much afflidled 
 inwardly , did yet ftrive to diffcmble fo great injuries , and not ftirring from Paris^ 
 (under pretence that (he doubted not of their obedience, but indeed that (he might be 
 prefent and fee how all bufinelTes were managedj expcdled to receive diredlions from 
 the King what (he ftiould do. 
 
 He being come to Chartres, was not only uncertain in himfelf, but found alfo the 
 fame variety of opinions among his Councellors ; for Villeray and his Adherents, ftill 
 conftant to their firft advice , argued that a War with the Duke of Guife was by 
 
 Y y 2 no
 
 g^8 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1588. ro means to be undertaken, left it fliould feparate and divide the Catholick Party into 
 open dirtention , and give the Hiigonots an evident occalion to overthrow Religion i 
 ti)at many things ought to be dilTembled and born withal to obtain a greater good i 
 and tliat reafon counfelled to make an agreement with the Duke of Gnije upon honou- 
 rable conditions, fince the foundation of the Kings Authority confifted in the Catho- 
 jicks, and therefore it was not good to deftroy, or at leaft weaken it by divilion. But 
 Monfieur d" 0, Monfieur de Kainbouillet^ Alftmfo Corfu, and the reft, urged on the con- 
 trary, that to aflent to the Duke of G«//>'s demands, was to lay down the Crown, and 
 give it to the Houfe of Lorain ; which having rooted out the Houfe of Bonrbon and the 
 Hugonot Party, born up by the favour of the people , and the greatnefs of its forces, 
 would prefently think of depollng the King, and fhutting him up in a Monaftery, as 
 the report was generally divulged already : that whatfocver fhould be done againft the 
 Hugonots would be attributed to the Duke of Guife^s induftry , and that to confent 
 unto it, was but to authorife and confirm his ambition fb much the more , and even 
 Co increafe the peoples afledtion towards him \ for it would be manifeft that the King 
 condtfcendcd to his demands out of pure fear, and as being conftrained by his force 
 and power i and that therefore it was better to venture upon any thing how difficult 
 and dangerous foever, rather than do fuch an unworthy thing as to deprive the law- 
 ful Succeflbrs of the Crown, and put himfcif into flavcry and fubjedion. They on 
 the other fide replied again , That the King by doing well would recover the love of 
 the people which he had loft, and that his giving fatisfadion to the Heads of the League, 
 by putting away his Minions, and making them partakers in the honours of the go- 
 vernment, would quiet all bufinefles, and diflblve the Union with very great facility, 
 nor would any body dare to turn againft the facred Majefty of the King when that fo 
 fpecious pretence ftiould be taken away. That if this were really a matter of Reli- 
 gion fpurred on by Confcience, as foon as the caufc fliould ceafe by proceeding againft 
 the Hugonots , the eRt& without doubt would do the like i and if it were a fpirit of 
 ambition, the King by giving a little convenient fatisfadion to the Great Ones, might 
 alfo fettle all commotions : and finally, that he could not confound his Enemies by 
 any morefure, nor more ready way, than by doing that of himfelf, which the League 
 violently endeavoured to make him do by force i for to try the hazard of War was too 
 difadvantageous , too precipitate a refolution, having neither Forces, Adherents, nor 
 money to put himfelf into fo weighty, fo dangerous a bufinefs, being deprived of the 
 ftrengthof theCatholicks, who for themoft part followed the fortune of the Duke of 
 Cttife, and being divided from the Hugonots by ancient hatred, and m«ft open diftruft : 
 That it was a thing commended by all wife men, to wait for the opportunity of times, 
 and to bend rather than be pulled up by the roots. The Kings mind was in very great 
 doubt and fufpenfe between thefe opinionsi not only by reafon of the variety and weight 
 of their reafons, but alfo becaufe he began to fufped: that they who counfelled him 
 were moved rather by interefts and particular lefpeds, than the regard of his fervlce, 
 and care of the general good. 
 
 The enmity between Monfieur de ViUeroy and the Duke of Efpernon, was already 
 commonly known : for the year before, when the King went forth with his Army 
 againft the Germans, being lodged in a Town called Sz.^ignan, and the means of 
 finding money to make the Grand Provoji mzich with his Archers, (who for want of 
 pay had left following the Court, and were very needful in the CampJ being fpoken of 
 in the Kings Cabinet, Monfieur de ViUeroy told him, that the Council thinking how 
 The cauCe of to remedy that want, had given him order to put his Majefty in mind, that fbme cer- 
 j^,'^*|J'j|jj" tain Treafurers who were imprifoned , having been fined about the fum of twenty 
 Dukeof£/iifr- thoufand Crowns, they all or part of them, might ferve for the Grand F revoji znd his 
 *^* *"■* ^'"'' Archers. To which words the Duke of ET/'frww anfwered angrily, That that money 
 had been promifed to Monfieur de la Valette to pay the Souldiers that were with him in 
 T>aHphine ■■, and that it could not be difpofed to another ufe, without doing him inju- 
 ry, as he faw many took pleafure to do , to offend him i but that he was refolved 
 one day to refent it in fuch manner, that thofe malicious men fliould be glad to let 
 him alone. To vihxchV iUemy goin^ about to reply, faying that it was only a Memo- 
 r^w6^«m of the Council's, and not any intention of his, the Duke oi 'E.fpermngzvthXm 
 ^ the lye in the Kings prefence, adding many very injurious words , as Knave, Rafcal, 
 
 and malicious Fellow. To which ViUeroy beginning to anfwer , the King riling up, 
 commanded him to hold his peace : whereupon he went out of the room without any 
 
 fatisfa <5lion.
 
 \ 
 
 of France. The !J^inth ^oo^ 54^ 
 
 futisfacftion, and the next morning asked the Kings leave to lay down his Office, not 1 588. 
 willing to ferve any longer, if he mu't fuifer fuch unworthy wrongs: which the King 
 refufcd to grant, and yet on the other fide did not much care to make the Duke of 
 hfpernon give him fitting fatisfadtion, till time of it felf afforded him an occafion to 
 ufe fome courteous words by way of complement, in excufe of the pafiage at St. ^ig~ 
 nan i which though in fiiew it appeafed the outward difference between them, yet 
 were their minds never after fetled in fincere friendfhip. Wherefore the King doubt- 
 ed, and not without great reafon, that Monfieur de F/Z/fray favoured the Duke of Gwz/f's 
 defignsi and fomented his pretcnfions, in hope to fee the Duke of Efpernon excluded 
 from the Court, deprived of his greatnefs, and utterly ruined: and though he diffem- 
 bled it, yet feeing that Pontoyfe^ which was governed by the S\c\xr d' Altncourt ^ hin- 
 • dered not provifions from being carried to Faris^ had fecretly difpleafed him, and made 
 him very fufpicious of his counfels. Likewife Monfieur de B/Uiettre^ having been de- 
 ceived by the Duke oi GMife ztSoiQons^ when the King fent him thither to forbid his 
 coming to Pjw, was not only leffened in his opinion, but had alfo left fome doubt 
 that he had not proceeded fincerely in the bufinefs i the overfight of fo wife and fo 
 experienced a man being interpreted infidelity. Nor was the High Chancellour any 
 better thought of than thefe : for it being already known that the King treated about 
 the difmembring of the Dutchy of Orleans from his Government, to give fatisfadtion 
 to Entrjques, he was fufpedted to defire peace, to the end that the King might have 
 no more need of working the revolt of that City, which was ftill in agitation by the 
 means of Monfieur de Chemeratth. 
 
 On the other fide, Monfieur d' and Colonel Alfinf) Corfo were fufpedled by the 
 King in this bufinefs, as Enemies to the Duke of Guifes wholignified plainly that he 
 would not hear of Peace, if they were not put out of their places, and baniflied from 
 the Court: Whereupon he was jealous that they, to avoid that rock , endeavoured to 
 perfwade the War. And he was fo apt to thefe fufpicions, (as is the cuOom of men 
 in adverfe fortune) that not only others, but even the Queen his Mother feemed to 
 him too much inclined to the demands and pretenfions of the League, which thing 
 though far from truth, ("for the Queen had always loved him mofi tenderly, above 
 all her other Sons , and in the troubles of (b many years had always laboured con- 
 ftantly for the confervation of his Crown) yet it had been obliquely imprinted in his 
 mind by the Duke of Efpernon, infinuating by little and little that the Queen (feeing 
 he had no Son) defired the Houfe of Bourbon (hould be excluded from the fucceilion, 
 and particularly the King of Navarre , who in refpedl of Queen Margaret was very 
 much hated by her : and that on the other fide flie defired (without fiickingat the Sa- 
 lique Law) to have the Kingdom pafs to the Duke of Lonin her Son-in-law, and the 
 Marquefs duVont her Grandchild, both extreamly beloved of her i and that for that 
 purpofe (he had from the beginning fecretly fomented the Leagues and at that prefent 
 favoured all thofe things that tended to the defirucSion of the Blood-Royal, and to 
 the eftablifhment and greatnefs of the Family of Lorain, wherein her Son-in-law and 
 Grand-child held the chicfert place. And it was true , that the Queen had always 
 loved her Grand-children of Lorain , who obferved her with all kind of reverence » 
 wherefore (he had taken the Princefs Cbrejiienne to be bred up with her , and never 
 ceafed to (bllicite the King to call to Court either the Marquefs T>u Pont, or the Count 
 de Vaudemont, or fome one of the other Brothers, and make ufe of them in his great- 
 eft affairs. It was alfo true, that (he was not well pleafed with the greatnefs of the 
 Duke d' Efpernon, efteemed by her as a fione of fcandal, and an Enemy to her power, 
 which (he doubted would with the weight of old age decline in time, as the cuftom is. 
 But there was a great deal of difference between a defire that the King fhould advance 
 her Grand-children, and an endeavour to promote the greatnefs of the Duke of G.vi/f, 
 who did eclipfe and deprefs that of the Duke of Lorain and his Sons , for though he 
 ever feemed to obferve and reverence the Head of the Family, yet he did work and 
 labour for himfelfi nor would he ever have fuffered the fruits of his arts, pains, and 
 dangers to redound wholly to the exaltation and benefit of the Duke of Lorain : and 
 likewife to (^rive to make the King weary of favouring Efpernon, and to put him from 
 Court, thereby to remove the feeds of difcord, was a very different thing from con- 
 fenting that the King (hould be defpifed , and conlhained by force to receive the Law 
 from the Duke of Guife his will. And yet the force of jealoufie was fo great in the 
 Kings melancholly diftruftful nature, that after fo many proofs, though he ftill obferved 
 
 h^8
 
 n^o The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1588. Jiis Mother very much, and never refolved any thing without her knowledge and ad- 
 vice, yet he vvas fallen into a doubt, that (he was drawn by interefts to favour the Ca- 
 tholick party, and that flic dcfired in great part the very fame things the League de- 
 manded. 
 
 Being with thefe thoughts become more fad and auftere than he was wont to be, 
 (as thofe about him ealily obfervedj his fleeps were broken, and he fpent the nights 
 either ftudying and contriving by himfelf, or elfe hearkening to the difcourfcs and 
 confultations of others, balancing and pondering them warily i wherein he began to 
 truft Francois Sieur de Kanibouiltet , a Gown-man by profcilion , indued with much 
 learning, wifdom, and fingular vivacity , and Jehan Marefchal of Attmom^ a man of 
 an open nature, but a generous fpirit, and exceeding great valour in the protdiion of 
 Arms i yet not having altogether left the Marefchal de Ketz, and the Abbot del Bene, 
 though he efteemed the firft to depend too much upon the Queen-Mother , and the 
 other to be too intimate with Ifpernon. With this diffidence and anxiety having put 
 the whole fum of bufineffes upon diilimulation , he feigned outwardly to confent to 
 the opinion of thofe that perfwaded him to unite himfelf to the Duke of Guife, and 
 commended it as the moft pious advice , and moft agreeing with a fpecious appea- 
 rance i but inwardly he utterly abhorred it, not being able to bend his mind to yield 
 to the Giii/es grcatnefs, nor to lay afide the fence of that affront he had received, which 
 being continually before his eyes, and concluding within himfelf, that he could never 
 be fecure of his life, nor abfolute Maftcr of his Crown, while the Head of that FadJi- 
 cn was alive, and the Union of the League maintained, at laft he refolved to try all 
 poiTible ways to ruine him i but becaufe he thought that of War too difficult and dan- 
 gerous, nor would his Confcience fuffer him to join with the Hugonots, he thought to 
 fupply all wants by cunning i and confenting to the Dukes propofitions, to draw him 
 at lall into fome place where he might make an end of him by the fame means which 
 he rtmembred had been ufcd in the reign of his Brother Charles the Ninth, againft the 
 Admiral deColigny and his Adherents. 
 
 With this intention he writ very moderate Letters to the Governours of Provinces, 
 exculing himfelf dexteroufly about the Infurredtion of the Parifians, yet neither lay- 
 ing much fault upon the people, nor upon the Duke of Gttife, but only endeavouring 
 to keep the Towns and Provinces firm under his obedience After the difpatch of 
 which Letters, which by every body were thought necelfary, he firft fent Myron the 
 Phyfician to the Queen-Mother, and a few days after Gaj'par Count of Schombergh, 
 giving her diredions to ftrivc by all means to make a compofition and agreement with 
 "" the Duke of G?f//f, being refolved not to make War with his Catholick Subjects, but 
 to turn his Arms refolutely to the utter extirpation of the Hugonots > and becaufe he 
 faw the great inclination of Villeroy to that advice, and knew that he would labdur ef- 
 fed'ualiy to conclude a Peace , he fent him alfo at lad to Pjrw, giving him moft ample 
 Commiffions to fatisiie the Duke of Guife his deflres, fo that he might but thereby pa- 
 cific difcords, and re-unite the Catholick party into one indiffoluble body, as Villtroy 
 himfelf counfelled and advifed. 
 
 The Duke of Giufe having in this time made himfelf Maftcr of TarU, and opened 
 all the paffages that ferved to furnifli the City with provifions, was diligently bufie in 
 getting poffeilion of many other convenient places, and therefore had caufed fiege to 
 be laid unto Melnn, a Town near Paris ; and having left the Cardinal of Bourbon to go- 
 vern the City , was gone to Meanx and Cbajieau-Thierry to make himfelf Mafter of 
 thofe places. 
 
 His Brother the Cardinal of Guife at the fame time, neither wanting wit nor cou- 
 rage, but boldly following his fteps and counfels, had ftirred up the people, and made 
 himfelf ftrongeft in the City of Troye^ which from the beginning had declared that it 
 would continue under the Kings obedience > and the Duke of AumaU with the Forces 
 of Picardy had laid fiege to Boulogne by the Sea fide, a very principal Fortrefs of that 
 Province, and the Adherents of the League laboured on every fide to furprife Towns 
 and Caftles, to gather Horfe and Foot, and to draw the greateft number of followers 
 they poflTibly could unto their party ,• yet the Duke of Citife^ after he faw the King 
 had efcaped the net, .and that he could not fo cafily bring his firft defign to perfecftion, 
 defirous to make that feem to have been done purpofely, which indeed was only over- 
 fight, with writings cunningly framed, and reafons eloquently fct forth, directed to 
 the King and the whole people of France, he endeavoured to perfvvade that his a(3ions 
 
 only
 
 tiif ■"••■■ii'^'rin"^' 
 
 0/ France. The J^inth 'Boo{. 551 
 
 only tended to the benefit of the Kingdom, the obedience of the King, and to the ge- 1588. 
 neral fervice and benefit: that the Infurredion of Paris had Cwithout ftis confent) 
 been ftirred up by the peoples feari and that his intention was ever to yield fuch obe- 
 dience as he ought to do, defiring only that evil Counfellors might be put away, and 
 that fincere thought might be taken to fecure Religion : And though his deeds were 
 for the moft part very contrary to his words, yet the colour of Religion was fo power- 
 ful and plaufible , and he knew fo well how to behave himfelf , that the multitude 
 thought him a faithful Servant to the King, and believed he was only moved by leal 
 to Religion, and moft ardent charity toward the good of the whole Kingdom. 
 
 Wtiile they proceeded in this manner on both fides, the Duke of EJpernoft, who was Jj^eDukeof 
 in Normandy^ having heard the fuccefs of the Sedition at Paris , went with a good in^wTourrit 
 number of Gentlemen to the King, who being already refblved to diflemble with all, S°'th7Kin"' 
 and totruft none but himfelf, received him neither with his accuftomed intimacy, nor w'th hiswfn. 
 his wonted demonftrations of favour, but made fmall (hew of valumg him, feeming "f order'ui« 
 to dcfire his departure from Court, to put an end to all thofe fcandals which werefaid hitoovtrn- 
 to arife from his extraordinary greatnefs. And indeed , having determined to give Z"'„°Ld'te^ 
 outward fatisfadtion to the Duke of Guife and the League, and knowing that Peace '■'" "> •^''• 
 would never be concluded unlefs he confented to remove him from the Court, his inten- ''°''''^'^' 
 tion was to do it before the Agreement, that it might feem a voluntary ad, and not con- 
 ftraincd by force : wherefore he began by the means of Monlieur de Bellieure and of 
 the Abbot dd Bene , to defire him ( in refped of the diftradions of affairs, and to 
 remove the occafions of them; that he would lay down his Government of Normandy^ 
 give up the Fortreffes of Metz^ Laches, Angoulefme, Xaintes, and Boulogne, and only 
 retain his Government of Provence •> wherein, for his greater fecurity, his Brother h 
 Valette fhoiild continue his Lieutenant : That he fliould retire thither far from the cla- 
 mour that was made about his pcrfon. and wait for a more quiet and fitting (eafon to 
 return to Court. The Duke of Efpemnn (a man of exceeding great underftanding, 
 and bred up by the King himfelf among the ftratagems of State) perchance gheffing 
 at the Kings fecret intentions, by having been fo converfant with him, was contented 
 without contradidlion to quit his Government of Normandy •, wherein he faw himfelf 
 rot well fetled, by reafon of the refi(tance many Governours made againft him : But 
 for the reft, though in words he promifed to fatisfie the King in all his demands, yet 
 Was he refblved not to part with any of the ftrong Holds, wherein he hoped to defend 
 himfelf from the ftorm of fortune which he faw coming upon him : Whereupon, while 
 he treats about the manner of dcHvering them into the Kings hands, and to whom and 
 which way they (hould be refigned, ((hewing ftill more care of his Mafters fecurity 
 than of his own goodj and while the King cannot fo readily refolve in whofe power 
 it was fit to trurt them, he departs fuddenly from Court, feigning that he would give 
 way to Fortune » and being accompanied with the Abbot del Bene^ who was no lets 
 perfecuted by the League than he, went with all fpeed to Angonlefme, where, by rea- 
 fon of the Itrength of the Caftle, and the nearnefs of the Hugonots, he thought be 
 might ftay more fecurely, and from whence, thorow the Towns of Languedoc held 
 by the Marefchal d' AnviUe^ it was eafie for him upon any occafion to retire into Pro' 
 vence. 
 
 This retreat dipt the wings of the pretenfions of the League, and removed all im- 
 pediments that might have hindered Peace > and it was likewife a prudent determina- 
 tion of his fide: for already the Duke of Guife and the people of Paris turning all 
 their Forces againft him, had divulged many Writings, wherein he was accufed to be 
 a (bwer of difcord, and a principal caufe of io great mifchiefs : which though he had 
 caufed to be anfwered with many reafons , (hewing that the mifchief proceeded from 
 the ambition of the Houfe of Lorain, and not from the modefty and obedience of him 
 and his Brother , who receiving the Kings favours with a thankful and loyal mind, 
 did ufe their uttermoft endeavours to ferve himfoas might be for his advantage and 
 their reputation > yet he faw that the cloud would undoubtedly break upon him » 
 whereupon he chofe rather by retiring fo keep his moft important Governments, than 
 by ftaying be forced by one means or other to give them up. Many doubted that the 
 King was privy to his departure, and fo much the rather, becaufe the Abbot del Bene's 
 going with him made it to be fufpeded : nor was the fufpicion without ground ■■, for 
 the Duke of Guife demanding that he (hould refign thofe four principal Fortreffes, and 
 the King not willing to deprive himfelf and the Duke of Ef^ernon of them at the fame 
 
 time*
 
 $,-2 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i<88. time, to give them into the hands of fuch perfons as he could not confidently truft, it 
 was necelTary the Duke (hould feign to go away difcontented without the Kings know- 
 ledge, and that he fliould fliew that he would not quit them but by force > to the end 
 that the King might be excufed afterward , if he did not prefcntly demand them, and 
 that the Duke of Gtufi might not conftrain him to take them from him , fincc he 
 {hewed they were withheld againft his will. But whether they underftood one ano- 
 ther by figns, or whether the King imparted his defign unto him by the means of the. 
 Abbot ^f/ Bfw, or whether the Duke took that refolution of himfelf, it was unknown 
 to every one at Court, and the Kings moft intimate Counfellors knew nothing of it : 
 Yet this I affirm, that the Duke, after his return from Normandy, was no more fo freely 
 admitted to the fecret confultations as he was wont to be i but the night before he 
 went away, the Abbot del Bene was a great while in fecret conference with the King 
 in the moft filent hours of the night, which was not known to any but thofe that lay 
 in the Kings Ante-chamber. 
 
 The King feemed wonderfully angry and troubled at his departure, and at his go- 
 ing toward Ane^ottkfme \ and caufcd Secretary ViUeroy to write prefcntly to the Sicur 
 de 'idf^ens, who commanded the Forces in thofe parts, and to the Citizens and Depu- 
 ties of the Town, that they (hould neither receive nor obey him : but the difpatch 
 went fo flowly, that the Duke had made himfelf Mafter of it before the Kings Letters 
 were come: for he being with very great fpeed got thither before he was fufpocfted, 
 prefently [entlagens with his Forces to the Confines, under colourof defending them 
 from the frequent incurfions of the Hugonots •> and putting out the old Governour 
 of the Caftle, placed a pcrfon there whom he trufted ■■, and taking up his lodging in 
 the ftrongell part, had made himfelf abfolute Marter of it before his polTeffion could be 
 difturbed, or taken from him by new orders. 
 
 After the Duke of E//'fr;w« was gone from the Court, the King gave the Govern- 
 ment o( Normandy, one of thegreateff and molf important Provinces in all Fr.mce, un- 
 to Francis of Bourbon Duke of Montpnifier, kff it fliould be demanded by the Duke of 
 Gmfe for any of his dependents ■-, being minded to grant all appearances , but not the 
 fubftance and force of thofe things that were required by the Heads of the League. 
 The Duke of ifpcrnon being removed, the conclufion of the Peace was eafie : For on 
 the one fide the King granted all that the League asked for, or pretended to i and the 
 Duke of Gtiif-, the authority of the Minions being taken away, which had been a 
 (harp fpur to (tir him up, and the King fliewing himfelf ready to make War againft 
 the Hugonots, which was the foundation of all his pretences, he could no more lay 
 ■ hold of any excufe, and had no occafion at all to continue the War '■> wherefore Se- 
 cretary ViUeroy and Myron the Phyfician having gone often from Taris to the King, and 
 from the King to the Queen-Mother, the Treaty of Agreement began to go forward, 
 being managed by the King himfelf alone, fince neither the Marefchal d' Aitmont, nor 
 the Sieur de Kambouiht were perfedHy acquainted with his moft hidden and admira- 
 bly diffembled intentions. 
 
 In the mean time the King believing his ftay at Chartres was neither fafe nor honou- 
 rable, thought of going to Rouen. But becaufe he was not very well aflured how 
 that Parliament ftood aifedted , nor which way Monfieur de Carrouges Governour of 
 the City was inclined , he fent Jaqites Augufie de Toit Prefident of the Parliament of 
 Paris, to certifie himfelf of the minds of the Citizens, and to reduce them wholly to 
 his devotion. Prefident de 7ou performed the Kings command, yet rather with out- 
 ward flourifhes than fubftantial foundation i having fpoken in publick to the peo- 
 ple and thofe that governed, with great fhews of eloquence, but neither touching the 
 fecret interefts of the firft Prefident, who was a creature of the Duke of J^yeufeh, nor 
 of the Governour and the Count de Tilleres his Son, who had fome dependance upon 
 the Duke of Gaz/e and the League: whereupon the King prefently difpatched Jehan 
 d^ Emery Seigneur ^f Villiers with more abfolute orders, he not only being a Gentle- 
 man of the fame Province o( Normandy, but, which imported more, a particular Friend 
 of the Governours. He having fhewed the removal of the Duke d' Efpernon, who was 
 not very acceptable to that City, from the Government of the Province, and the ele-. 
 ^ion of the Duke of Montpenfier a Prince of the Blood-Royal, did very much fettle the 
 humours of men in the general : and having afterwards conferred in private with the 
 Governour, to whom he promifed that his Son fhould have the reverfion of his Go- 
 vernment > and with the firft Prefident into whom he infufed great hopes of the Kings 
 
 '"' favour.
 
 of France. The ^J\jnth "Boo^. 
 
 favour, and of the principal Offices of the Crown , he brought matters Co to pafs,tha!. 
 the Parliament and People fent a very rcfpedive MeflTage to invite the King unto 
 their City, and the Governor fent his fon to Court, as it were for an Hoftage, At'rer 
 which dcmonftrations, the King refolvcd to go without delay to Ko«f« ; the report 
 whereof beina come to P-/w, the Parliament there being troubled , that the other 
 Courts (hould prevent them in rcadinefs and devotion, being perfvvaded by the Queen- 
 Mother,fent a dutiful Meflage to alTure him of their fidelity i and a while after, by the 
 Duke of Gulp's advice, the Parifiaus alfo fent unto him, to excufe the late paffages, 
 with many reafons » but this was when the Peace was in a manner already conclu- 
 ded i which, while it was in agitation, the Count of Scbombfr^b flnifhed the agreement 
 with Monfieur d' Emraques^whxdx had fo long been treated of in vain i for he being fa- 
 tisfied with the Duke of JiT/Jfrwo^'s removal, turned to the King's party with the City 
 •of Orleans ^wfion promife that the Government thereof (hould remain to his heirs i and 
 that the Government of Churtres zx\A Beattjje, then held by the High-Chancellor Chiver- 
 }iy, fliould be added to it- But this Treaty could not pafs fo fecretly, but the Duke of 
 Gh/J} was advertifed of it > who, to delude that Agreement,brought to an end after Co 
 many endeavours,began in the treaty of Peace to demand the City of Orleans for one of 
 the places of fecurity, which he required in hoftage of the Kings Promifes.This demand 
 put a rub in the conclufion of the Peace, but it was prefently removed by Secretary Vil- 
 leroy's earneft deiireof it, who either having received power from the King to conclude 
 the bufinefs,or pricked with envy that others had brought the Treaty oCOrleans to per- 
 fe<5tion,or becaufe he fo thougiit fit, would not difcompofe the whole matter by denying 
 that particular, butwhcn he faw the Dukeof G;///>obftinately refolved that hewould 
 liave it, at lafi: he granted it to him without the Kings knowledge i who afterwards 
 alledged, that the Town of Voitrlans in Ficardy had been demanded of him, and not 
 that of Orleans ia Beaufe^ made great difliculties and long delayes about the alTigning of 
 it- 
 
 The Conditions of Peace were almofl the fame that were contained in the Writing ThcCo-ditioni 
 framed at Nancy^ whh theprivity of the Duke of Lorj/«, which had been prcfcnted fo of P"ce be- 
 the King in the beginning of the year.That the King (liould again declare himfelf Head InitheLta'^'uj^ 
 of the Catholick League, and would fwear totake up Armes, and never to lay them ° ' 
 
 down till the Hugonot Religion were quite deftroyed and totally rooted out : that by 
 a Publick Edidt he fhould oblige all Princes, Peers of France, Lords and Oflicers of 
 the Crown, Towns, Colledgcs, Corporations, and tiie whole people to fwear the fame, 
 and bind themfelves with a folemn oath never to fuffer any one to Reign that was 
 rot of the Catholick Religion, and far from all fufpicion of Herefie : that for the 
 time to come none (hould be admitted to Offices, Places and Dignities in any part of 
 the Kingdom, but fuch as were Catholicks, and made profelfion of their Faith accor- 
 ding to the Dodfrine of Sorbon, and the belief of the Roman Catholick Church : that 
 all paft things, revolts of Cities, infurredlions of the people, taking of FortrefTes, le- 
 vying of Soldiers, withholding of the King's Revenue, and whatfoever elfe had been 
 done upon occafion of the late commotion, (hould be pardoned and remitted, and that 
 the King (hould command a total oblivion of them, as things done for the ferviceof 
 Religion, and the general good : that two Armies fhould be raifed againft the Hugo- 
 nots '■) one in VoiCtoH under the command of the King himfelf, or whomfbever he (hould 
 beftlikei the other in Vaitphine , under the command oC Charles oC Lorain Duke of 
 Mayenne i which fhould never be recalled, but (till paid and recruited, till the work 
 were perfectly fini(hed : that the Council of 7rent fliould be received and obfer- 
 ved through the whole Kingdom, being only difpenfed with in thofe parts which are 
 contrary to the priviledges of the Grf/Z/V/w Church, which within three Moneths were 
 to be declared by a Congregation of Prelates, and the King's Counfel: that the King 
 fhould permit the Lords of the League to retain yet for the fpace of fix years the 
 Cities and FortrefTes formerly granted for their fecurity in the year 1585. and that 
 "Doierlans, Orleans^ Bourges, and Montereau (hould be added unto them : that the 
 King (hould give the Duke oC Gaife a Patent to command the Forces of the whole 
 Kingdom, being to be fuperiour unto all in Arms, and all men fubjedt to his obe- 
 dience : that the King fhould take a courfe to remove the Sieur de Rernty ( enemy to 
 the Duke of Aitmale) from the Government of Boulogne^ which (hould be put into 
 the hands of fome fuch Gentleman of the Province as was mi(trufted by neither par- 
 ty v thit Valence in P^/ii/'/wwe, and the Ca(tle thereof, which bad been feifed upon by 
 
 Z z Monfieur
 
 2 54 The HiUorj of the Civill War. 
 
 Iv 
 
 J 588. Monlieur de F^i/c/tp, upon occafion of the late commotions, fhould be leftored to the 
 Sieur de Jejfjn the former Govcrnour : that the Deputies chofen by the Parifians after 
 the tumult, fhouldbe approved and confirmed by the King: and finally, that in 0£ia- 
 ber next enfuing, the States-General (hould be affembled at B/o/V, to caufe the Edicft 
 of the Catholick Union to be Sworn unto, to receive the Councelof Trf«*, and con- 
 firm the authority granted to theDukeofG^;/?. Concerning Monfieur ^'0, Colonel 
 Alfonf) Corfo , the Marefchal de Byron and the reft, there was no mention at all made : 
 for the Duke of Efpermn, and his Brother h Valette being removed, thefe fecmed not 
 to have either ftrength or authority fufficient to cppofe the fo formidable power of the 
 Duke o( Guife, who thought already that he ruled and governed all things, nor did 
 he defign any longer to rcfled upon any that were not his equals. 
 
 The Articles concluded and confirmed, the King, impatient of any delay that might 
 retard the effedts of his fecret counfels , prefently fent forth his Letters patents into 
 all Provinces and feveral Bailages , to appoint the AfTembly of the States in Odober 
 following at Blo'ks, which place he thought more fit for hispurpofe then any other, as 
 well becaufe it was far from Paris, and near thofc Towns which were held by the Hu- 
 gonots, as for the conveniency and greatnefs of the Callle, but moft of all becaufe the 
 people were at his devotion, far from any commerce or intelligence with the League: 
 and that his example might invite the Deputies which were to be eleded not to de- 
 Jay time, he departed from Kouen a very few dayes after, and went toward Chartres ^ 
 that from thence he might go afterward to the place appointed. Being come to 
 Ma>ite, a Town upon the Road from Kouen to Chartres, the Queen-mother and the 
 Queen his Wife met him, with whom, having flayed there thefpace of two dayes,the 
 Queen-mother returned toward Paris, to bring the Duke of Guifi to Court, and the 
 King continued his journey toward C/>ijr/r« , to ftay there till the reft ofthe Court came 
 up to hira. 
 
 Not many dayes after the Queen-mother came thither with the Duke ofGuife, at- 
 G«/:goVsw?ch tended by a more fumptuous then numerous Train , with (hew of great humility to- 
 the Q.Mothet wards the King's Perfon, but with a prefumptuous heart and countenance , puffed up 
 the Ki'nTand'is with fpirits of a moft aflured power ; and which imported moft, by thofe things he 
 itctivcj by had atchieved and obtained, become not onely glorious among his own friends, but alfo 
 dcm'nftra^ions admired and terrible to thcfe that held and followed the Kings party: which, as it 
 °rn«°r"n"' '" ^^^^ °°' unkuown to the King, by reafon of his quick-fightednefs, and the fufpicion of 
 his nature, fo did it with wonderful impatience increafe his defire to fee him ruined : but 
 covering his thoughts with quite different words and geftures, hefeemed bothinfmall 
 and great matters to be fincerely reconciled to him, and that for the time to come 
 he would proceed according to his Counfels, and lay the whole foundation of his Go- 
 vernment upon his valour and prudence i to which end he prefently caufed the Edicft 
 odhcViiion to be publiftied in his Councel, and fworn toby every one, and the War 
 againft the Hugonots to be openly proclaimed : for the profecution whereof, accor- 
 ding to the Articles of Peace, two feveral Armies were appointed > one in Vauphine, 
 under the Duke of Mayenne -, the other in Poiciou , whereof the King declared Lodo- 
 vico Gonzagj Duke of Nevers his General •, and for both, the neceffary Commilllons 
 were inftantly difpatched , to raifc Regiments of Horfe, and to draw Foot-forces to- 
 gether. After this firft point , followed the other of greater confequence : for 
 without delay the new power of the Duke of Guife was eftablifhed in the Councel, 
 publiftied in the Parliament ofParis^zud fummed up in his former title oi Grand Maijire, 
 which (except the exprefs name ofLieutenant-Generaljcontained all that power which 
 is wont to be attributed to that dignity, the command of all Armies wherefoever he 
 fhould be in perfon, the authority of High-Conftablein mufteringand paying the Afi- 
 litia , the power of limiting and putting the price upon Provifions , the prote<Sionof 
 the common People, the Puniftiment of outrages committed by Soldiers, and other 
 circumftances of this nature v which, after the King's own Perfon, placed the Duke 
 in the higheft authority of command, and fetled him in that Power which the Ma- 
 tters of the Palace were wont anciently to have in the times of thofe Kings that were 
 of the Stock of Meronee. Nor did the King fail to fliew the fame inclination to the 
 Cardinal of Bourbon i for by the confent, and with the Authority of his Council, he de- 
 clared him Firft Prince of the Blood, granting him the Priviledge of creating Mafters in 
 all Arts, and that his fervants fhould enjoy the fame exemptions as the King's, which 
 things did in this manner as it were declare him the lawful SuecefTor to the Crown. 
 
 To 
 
 appearance.
 
 of France. The !?\(jnth 'BooL 
 
 355 
 
 Pope ShtlUr 
 ;i*iKJai write* 
 congratulito' 
 TV Letters to 
 
 the D. of Gai/» 
 full of high 
 piaifcs. 
 
 To thefe great and important matters, others oflcfs confequencc were added aWbi 
 the King's Familiarity with the Duke of Gwi/c, his veneration ot the Cardinal oi Bour- 
 bon^ and the favours, which by their means, he daily granted , to divers perfons 5^ the 
 alienating of his old favourites, his fecret and confident difcoyrfe with the Archbi"- 
 (hop of Lyons^ the Sicur de laChajire, BjQ'onipiere ^ and other intimate friends of the 
 Duke of Cuife, and principal followers of the League, and many other fuch like things, 
 which, as evident iignes of the King's good inclination, ferved, in the mean time, to co- 
 ver the hidden web cf his more real dcfigus i to the continuance whereof he was rnuch 
 excited by the Pope's demonlfrations, who moved with the Duke ofGuife's fuccefs, in 
 'driving the Germans out of the Kingdom, and dillipating their Army with fo much fa- 
 cility, had written Letters to him full of infinite praifes, comparing him to thofe ho- 
 ly Maccbdh:es ^ the defenders of the People of jf/j'^if/, fo highly extolled in the Sacred 
 Scripture, and exhorting him to continue fuccefsfully and glorioully to fight for the 
 advancement of the Church, and the total extirpation of the Hugonots. Which 
 Letters, to increafe the Duke's fame and reputation, were by his Dependents caufed 
 to be printed and divulged in Taris^ with as much applaufe of the people, as anger 
 and trouble in the King, who could noway be pleafed that another fhould have more 
 credit and authority in his Kingdom then he himftlf j and therefore the expreirions 
 of the Pope, and opinion of the Court oi F^ome, kept his mind beyond meafure in per- 
 plexity, as well in regard of his Confcience, as for other important refpedts and con- 
 fequences. From the difpleafure received by thofe Letters, he began to proceed to 
 a remedy, not onely to divert the Pope's deliberations, but alfo to bring to pafs, that 
 in the belief of the World he might not be efkemed to have fo little correfpondence 
 with the Apoflolick Sea, and to be in fo little awe of the holy Catholick Church. 
 
 The Pope delired to have to do in thefe bufincfTes that paifcd in France ^ and as 
 much as potlibly he could, to promote the enterprife of the Catholicks againft the 
 Hugonots : for which purpofe he was minded to chufe a I cgat, who might be prefent 
 at that famous Convention of the States, and ( underfknding what concerned the 
 interell of the Apoilolick Sea, with the Duke of Guife and Cardinal of Bourbon) xni^M 
 follicitethe King about the affembling of them, about the declaring of the Waragainft 
 the King of Navarre^ but moft of all, that he, and all thofe of his Family, as being 
 manifeftly guilty of Herelie, might be judged incapable ot ever coming to the Crown : 
 yet becaufe he thought he faw not clearly into the aflairs ot that Kingdom, and was 
 not very fure what the ends of the League might be, he was doubtful unto what perfon 
 he (hould commit the charge of that bufinefs, deliring neither utterly to alienate the 
 King's mind, nor to difpleafe the Duke of Cuife^ and thinking it a matter of fo great 
 importance as required a man of fingular prudence and ability to manage it. But he 
 was not refolved of his choice till the King being advertifcd beforehand by the Ambaf^ 
 fador P(/j«i, founded the bottom of hisdciign : whereupon, defiring to have fuch a 
 one as he might trufl:, and not one wholly devoted to the pleafure of the League, he 
 ufed all poUible endeavours, trying the moft powerful mears ot that Court, to procure 
 that Giovan Francefco Morefmi, a'-enator of K«?«r, Bifliop of Brf/c/j, who then refided 
 in the Kingdom as the Pope's Nuncio, might be chofen Legat , a man truly of fo 
 much worth, as being well informed of the prefent affairs, was not a little accep- 
 table to the King, and yet not altogether diftrulled by the Duke of Guifi, in regard of 
 the dexterity wherewith he knew how to behave himfelt with every body. The 
 Pope diiliked not the Nuncio, becaufe he knew him, and citeemed him a man of fin- 
 gular wifdom, and becaufe having been employed in the Government of his Repub- 
 lick, he beli^^ed him no lefs experienc'd in State-aflairs j and befides, that being a 
 Noble Venetian^ and by confequence well-affeded to the Crown of France^ he thought 
 he would not cafi himfelf inconfiderately as a prey unto the League, the Pope defiring 
 he fliould hold the balance even, and not favour the Duke of G«//t-sdefignes more then 
 the fervicc of the Catholick Religion , and of the Roman Church required. But 
 though the King was much pleafed with the perfon ot the Legat, who at that very 
 time was created Cardinal i yet was he beyond meafure difpleafed that the Pope gave 
 account of his Election to the Lords of the League, exhortiug them to communicate 
 and confider of their counfels with him •> and that the Letters concerning it were print- 
 ed and publithcd by the League, with their ufual pride : and yet this confideration had 
 not fo much power over his mind, but that dillembling his difguli, he fought by all 
 polfible ways to gain the Legat, to the end tliat that by his means he might be the better 
 
 2 z 3 able 
 
 The Pope 
 thoBghc he 
 fjw not deer- 
 1} in:o the af- 
 fairs of the 
 
 The Pope 
 chufeth Oiov.-.t 
 Fir.ncrfco Mo- 
 r.fim Bilhop of 
 B,:g^>m, Le- 
 gal to the 
 Congregation 
 of the States, 
 he being much 
 dcfited by the 
 Kinw, to whotn 
 he was Nuncio 
 At the fame 
 time he is 
 midc Cardinal,
 
 u« 
 
 556 
 
 The Htflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1588. 
 
 The DuT{« of 
 Zfffnim ii 
 confpiced a- 
 gatnfl at ,y4n- 
 gia'f/»ie,Sccre- 
 t»ry Vtlleroy lo- 
 menting ' the 
 t)ufineb upon 
 a fccrcc order 
 from the King. 
 
 able to juftifie his own aftions to the Pope, and by degrees to take off the favour and 
 aflmancc which he fecmed to lend unto the entcrprize of the League. 
 
 Thefe things buficd the Court, when news was brought of aConfpiracy againft the 
 Duke oi Effermn at Jngonlefme, wh'ertby he was very like to have been fuddenly rui- 
 ned : for the King's Letters being comeCthough latej wherein he commanded, that he 
 (hould not be received nor admitted into the polTeffion of that Government, fome 
 of the City, who fas mens affedions are different; were not much pleafed to fee 
 him there ,'and who were calily perfwaded they (hould do the King acceptable fer- 
 vice if they could drive him from that poffelHon, difpatched oneof their confidents 
 ftraight to Court unto Secretary ViJleroy^ to know the King's intention more particu- 
 larly , and to give notice that they would venture either to drive him outof the„Ci- 
 ty, or fake him prifoner, though he flayed continually in the Caftle, a place very fe- 
 cure and well fortified. This man's Propofition was not unpleafing unto Villeroy^ 
 who', by rcafon of his enmity with the Duke, and becaufe he had received commifli- 
 on to write the aforefaid Letters , thought that the occafion complycd exceedingly 
 with the King's delire , and therefore fpake of it to the King himfelf j who begin- 
 ning to diCtndWillerny, of whom he was very jealous, would not declare his pleafure 
 openly in the bufinefs i but to the end he might not found into his moft fecret thoughts, 
 wherein he iHll loved and trufted the Duke oi Efpermn as much as he was wont, faid 
 that he (hould not be forry to fee him driven out of Angoulejine^ or brought prifoner 
 into his power , fo that his life might not be in danger : which words being fpo- 
 ken coldly by him , were hotly urged by the Secretary to the Meffenger of the 
 Confpiratours , who being a while after admitted into the King's Clofet, and known 
 by him , had Commiffion to be referred to fuch Orders as he (liould receive from 
 the Secretary i who , though he would not give him any thing in writing , yet he 
 commanded that they (hould endeavour without fail to get the Duke of Ej'permtt 
 alive into their hands, or drive him from the City, affirming, that it was his Majefties 
 effectual defire, and that by fo doing they might very much oblige him. The Con- 
 fpiratours much quickned, both by the relation of ^ ^//froji, different enough from the 
 Kings coldnefs, and by the addition which ( as the cuffom is ) the Meffenger inade 
 both of words and adions i to fhew themfclves able executors of their promife, 
 talked not onely of taking the Duke alive, but of killing him if they could not get 
 him otherwife j and having conferred of the bufinefs with the Sicurs de Mere, de 
 la Meffelien, the Vifcount of Aubeterre ^ and fome other Gentlemen of the Coun- 
 try, upon the tenth day of Auguji, being the Feaff of St. Laurence, they ran fud- 
 denly to the Caftle , and having taken poffclTion of the Gate, the Guards not ha- 
 ving the leaft fufpition , they went on to the Duke's moff private lodgings, and 
 there fell upon his fervants that were in the ante-chamber , while he in the Room 
 within was talking with the Sieur de Marivaut, and the Abbot del Bene. Here the re- 
 fiftance of a few, flopt the violence of many i for Raphaello Gieronimi a Florentine, 
 defended the entry of the door a great while, with the death of three of the Confpi- 
 tatours, till he loft his life, being (liot with a Piftol : when he was dead, Sorlin the 
 Duke's Chirurgion, oppofing the Enemies moft ftoutly , though he were gricvoufly 
 wounded, and with aloud voice calling up the Family ( which was in the lower 
 Room) to joyn in the defence, ftayed the fury of the affailants, while the Duke, 
 and they that were with him, having (luitthe door of the Chamber, and made it up 
 with Trunks and Chefls which they found there, had time to defend their lives a-' 
 gainft fo fudden a violence. In the mean time, while thefe fought at the Chamber- 
 door the Duke's Gentlemen ("among which Laiicillotty di Nores a Cyprian, firff of all) 
 having heard the noife, and taken Armes, recovered the Gate of the Caftle ■■, where 
 the Sieurs d' Ambleville and I'Artigttes ftaying to defend it, the reft ran armed upon the 
 ftaires , and having found the Confpiratours , who ftrove as much as poffibly they 
 could to get into the Chamber, cut them all in pieces, except one of the Confuls of 
 the City , whom they laid hands on and took alive. The Duke having put on 
 his Armes , came forth of the Chamber , and with his fervants (tood undauntedly 
 upon his defence i and being come into the Court, where the clamour encreafed, he 
 with his own hand flew the Conful's brother, who was got thither , having fcaled 
 the Caflle-walls, with fome others that had armed themfclves to relieve their 
 Friends. There they took five more of the chief Citizens prifoners, who were got 
 in by the fame means i and in that manner the furious alfault of the Confpirators 
 
 was
 
 o/^ France. The C^Qnth ^oo\. 257 
 
 was repulfed. In the mean time, at the ringing of the Toquefaint^ all the People in 1388* 
 the City were raifed, the chief whereof ran to feife upon the Duke's Lady, who, not 
 fufpedting any thing, was gone toMafs in the great Church. The Confpirators re- 
 ceived new fupplies every rriinutc by the Gentry, who knowing the bufinefs, came in 
 to them i wherefore being incrtafed in ftrength and courage, they prefently fet things 
 in order to alTault the Callle. But the Duke and they that were with him defended 
 it valiantly, and by threatning to kill the prifoners that were in their hands , who 
 were perfons of note, and principal men among the Citizens, they kept the people in 
 awe till the Sieur de Jagens came up with his Gens cf Amies, who being quartered 
 hard by, made hafte prefently at the noife which was heard a great way off in the 
 Tields: at his arrival the people were affrighted , and the Heads of the Confpiracy 
 being difmaycd , at la(t, by means of the BiOiop of the City , and of the Abbot del 
 Bene^ they agreed that the Prifoners fliould be fet at liberty, the Dutchefs likewife 
 refiorcd, the Gentlemen that were of the Confpiracy put out of the City, and the 
 Dake as before acknowledged Governour for the King, who (hewing much courage 
 in defending hinifelf, and much moderation after the Agreement, did quickly extin- 
 guifh that fire which had like fuddenly to have confumed him. 
 
 The news of this bufinefs put Secretary ^ ihcroy abfolutely out of the King's fa- 
 vour, who would not believe, if the Meitenger from the Citizens of Angotihjm had 
 been anfwered as doubtfully and coldly in that matter as he intended, that ever they 
 would have dared to gofo far as to attempt even againft the Duke's life, he having 
 cxprclly forbidden them to do any fuch thing, but thought for certain that Secretary 
 Villcroy , laying hold of that occaiion, had made ufe of it to wreak the open enmity 
 and bitter hatred which he bore the Duke of tjpirmn; wherefore fretting within 
 himfelf, believing that he was furrounded on every fideby Minillers, that werefway'd 
 with paifion and interefls, and condemning their too much wifdom , whereby they Th;King,ae- 
 fearched even into the marrow of his thoughts, he remembred the example of his "f '"? 'V^* 
 Grand-father, who in the later times of his Reign had put away from him all thofe oAnd-frther* 
 old Miniftcrs of State which were become fufpcded for their too much wifdom , and t'^oUhtvanC 
 had imployed men of great intcgrity,but fuch as were not of too high an under/landing, for their »oo 
 from whom he had received bettexand more fruitful fervicc, then from thofe that were ■""''> '^'"°"'' 
 grown old in the prudence and experience of affairs.With thisthought,asfoon as he was 
 gone from C/j^r/rcj-, to continue his journey towards B/w/jWhere he had determined to 
 accomplifh the end of his deligns , he difmiffed from Court the Sicurs de Pinart , and 
 Britbrt^ his old Secretaries of State, and fent Benois his trufly Cabinet- Secretary, to tell 
 the High- Chancellor C/^iwrw)' Monfieur Bellieitre^ and the Sieur de Vil/eroy, who were 
 gone to their houfes to order their affairs, and return, that the King, fatisfied with the 
 pains they had already taken, commanded them to return no more toCourt j which l"''".pi>«of 
 order was received and executed by Bellietire with great moderations the High cbanccfiour 
 Chancellor laboured in vain to jufiifie himfelf , and to get leave to return i and the '^bwnt , Fr^tt. 
 Sieur de Villeroy^ though he obeyed, lliewed neverthelefs a great fenfe of grief, think- ji/!mbc" is' 
 ing that his long toif and Cervices happily performed, were unjuflly defpifed, and too '''°'"" '^"'^' 
 ungratefully requited. In the place of the High-Chancellor, the King (as the cu- * u,d\:(f(r, 
 flome is J chofe Francois de Mnntbelofi, his Advocate in the Parliament o( Paris, to 
 be '^ Garde des Seaux, a man of great integtity and honefi intentions', but not much 
 accuftomed to matters of Government, wherein , till that time, he had had very lit- 
 tle or nothing to do: Martin Ruzay , Sieur de Beaidien , and Lowis de Roiiel were 
 made Secretaries of State, both men of unblemifhed reputation, faithful, dif-interef- 
 fed, and bred up in his fcrvice from their youth, but not ellcemed to have too great a 
 reach in affairs of Government and matters of State. On this manner he thought he 
 had taken away from about him ^as he faid; the prying Foxes eyes, and that he had 
 affurcd himfelf he fhould receive faithful and fufficicnt fervice, fo that his Miniflers 
 fliould not fearch deeper into his defignes, then he of his own voluntary accord was 
 plcafed to impart unto them. 
 
 By this novelty the whole Court was transformed not onely in fhew,but alfo in the 
 form and manner of Government ; for the Duke of Gttife, whoformerly was wont to 
 have but fmall fhare in the Councel, fccmed now to moderate all the refolu-' 
 tions of it •■> and together with him the Arch-bifhop of Lyons , and the Sieur 
 de la Chaiire his near Dependents were held in very great efteem: and, in the 
 Cabinet-Councel, where the Queen-Mother was wont to bear all the f>vay , now , 
 
 by
 
 2<j8 The Hiflory of the Ctvil IVars 
 
 1588. by reafon of the King's fufpitions, her part was not very much 5 and all the old Con- 
 fidents being excluded, onely the Marefcal d'Aumont, Qo\ond AlfonfoCorfo^ and the 
 Sieur di KambouiUft had the King's car, and were the onely partakers of his moft inti- 
 mate determinations. The Duke of Nevers alfo, who, in former times, had been fuf- 
 pedcd and hated by him, had now great power with the King, who was row be- 
 come different from himfelf. Nor was he fo much moved to it by the fame of his 
 wifdom, and experience, which was generally known, as becaufe he was an emulator, 
 and a fecret enemy of the Duke of G«i/e's greatnefs i info much, that though they 
 were Brothers-in-law, their Wives being Sifters, yet could not the one brook the o- 
 thers advancement i and now the Duke of Nevers his inward animolky was fo much 
 the more increafed, by feeing that the Duke oi Giiife^ having obtained the power of 
 Lieutenant-General, ruledall, and commanded everyone : which being known unto 
 the King, and hedefiring reciprocally to blow the fire of their hatred, had declared 
 the Duke of Nevers General of the Army that was to go into Poictou and Guienne^ to 
 fet them fo much the more againft one another, and, to the end that their emulation 
 might grow from thoughts to deeds ■■> becaufe on the one fide, he knew Nevers would 
 never endure to obey Gmfe ■■, and on the other, that Guife ( to tread down Nevers, and 
 becaufe he was jealous of him J would not fail to go unto the Army: Whereupon 
 their fecret heart-burnings would break forth into open difcord and diflfention. To 
 avoid which, though the Duke of Nfwrx forefeeing the fame, tryed by all excufes,of 
 his age, indifpofition, and other occafions, to decline that charge, yet the King would 
 never confent to confer it upon any other i thinking alfo, that was no convenient time 
 to truft the Command of an Army in the hands of a perfon whom he fufpeded. By 
 thefe Arts the mindes of both parties being more kindled againft each other, the King 
 was ftill fecretly informed by the Duke of Nevers concerning all particulars that might 
 make to the Duke of Guife's difad vantage, whereby it came to pafs, that he who before 
 was fufpe<5ted, became now his abfulute Confident. 
 
 With thefe pradices the Court arrived at Blois the feven and twentieth day ofSep^ 
 tember, where the Deputies of the Provinces were already met together ; in whofe 
 cledion, though both parties had taken much pains, yet the dependents of the League 
 did much exceed i for the Order of the Clergy, drawn by the interefts of Religion, 
 did, in a manner, wholly incline to that fide, and the Order of Commons, exafperated 
 by the heavincfs of impofitions, and wliofe end it was tocaufe them to be removed,did 
 willingly joyn with the King's tnemies, who promifed, nay profeffed, they would eafe 
 the people of the exceffive weight of Contributions, and among the Nobility were ma- 
 " ny neerly interefTed with the Houfe of Loram and the League i whereby the King 
 perceived plainly at the very firft, that in this Congregation the Duke oiGuife would 
 captivate all mens opinions, and obtain all his own defires. But being difpofed to go 
 another way, and defiring to fatisfie all humours, having received the Deputies indif- 
 ferently, with great fignes of apparent good will to all, he compofcd his mind to make 
 fhew, that he had fetled all the hope of his own quiet, and of the fafety of the King- 
 dom in thofe remedies which were to be applyed by the States. Wherefore, intend- 
 ing to begin a bufinefs, which he fained to efteem of £0 great confequence, with won- 
 derful great ftate and preparation, upon Sunday the fecond of October he caufed a fij- 
 lemn proccllion to be made, in which he himfelf being prefent, with all the Princes,all 
 the Court, and all the Deputies of every order in their places, the Sacrament was car- 
 ried with exceeding pomp through the Streets, which, for that purpofc, were all hung- 
 with Tapiftry i high Mafs was fung with (how of profound and fincere devotion in ' 
 every one i and the Sunday after, being the ninth day of the ^'■oneth,the King himfelf 
 and the Duke of Gu'ife, with all the Deputies received the Communion publickly in 
 the Church of St. Franm , confirming, by that holy pious aftion , the correfpon- 
 dence, and reciprocal intelligence which they flicwed, to perfed the happinefs of 
 the Kingdom , for which end they profclTed that the States-General were come toge- 
 
 of statcsGe- The Affembly began upon the third Sunday, being the fixteenth day of the moneth i 
 
 BMscponIhe ^^^" prefently after dinner, all thofe being met in the Great Hall of the Cafile, wha 
 
 agreemtnt be- ought to be prefent atfofolemna Convention, the King fate down in a Throne raifed 
 
 anrth-Lcague by many fteps from the earth, and covered with a very rich Cloth of State i the Queens, 
 
 ''wMordmL^ Prifices, Cardinals, Peers, and Officers of the Crown, fate upon feats fitted for that pur- 
 
 pcepatitioni? P^^^j ^^ two long rowes, on the right hand, and on the left •> and between them, in the 
 
 inner
 
 of France. The U\(jnth ^oo\, ^50 
 
 inner part of the Theater, fate the Deputies, according to the antientprecminence of 1588* 
 their degrees » and the Duke of G«i/^, as Grand Maijire, with his Staff of Office in his 
 hand, fate down upon a ftool at the foot of the State on the right hand i and on the 
 left fate the Sieur de Munthelo>i^ who reprefented the perfon of the High-Chancellor 
 of the Kingdom. 
 
 When every one was fetled in his place and order,the King accompanied with a Royal Tht King be- 
 Majefiy and lingular e]oquence,gave beginning to theaflembly of the States with along gj^'fa'Airem- 
 elegant Oration, wherein,attefting his moft earneftdefires of the good and welfare of his sp«c'h,''4hich 
 People, and (hewing the dangerous troublcfome condition wherein intcHine difccrds ffo-''"'^"^' 
 and private interefts had involved the Crown, he exhorted everyone of them e/fedtu- adhetcnM. 
 ally to lay afide their pallions, to forget their enmities, to avoid the animolity of Fa- 
 d:ions ■■, and, providing by convenient remedies for the publick need, and the quiet of 
 all men in particular, to reunite themfelves fincerely and principally under his obedi- 
 ence i forfaking all Novelties, condemning all Leagues, Pradices, Intelligences , and 
 intercffed Communications , which both within and without the Kingdom , had di- 
 fturbed both him their lawful and natural Soveraign, and the mind and tranquillity 
 of all good men : for as he pardoned and would forget all that was part ; fo for the 
 time to come he would not endure it, but account it as an adt of abfolute Treafon : 
 And infilting upon that Propofition, he enlarged himfelf a long time i concluding with 
 grave and effedtual words, That as he fincerely laboured for the good of his Subjedfs, 
 and refolved to perfecute and tread down Herefie, to favour thofe that were good, 
 to reftore the fplendour and force of Juftice, to advance Religion, to uphold the No- 
 bility, and to disburden the common people : fo he earnefrly prayed and conjured 
 every one of them, to affilt him with their good Counfels and fincere intentions, 
 in that fo neceflary regulation of all things: for iftheyfhould do otherwife, minding 
 intelligences and particular pradfices,and confenting to the interefts of fadious men, they 
 would ftain themfelves with perfidioufncfsand Treachery ,and would be brought to give 
 an account of it before God's Tribunal, making themfelves guilty and blame-worthy to 
 hurtiane juftice, with the perpetual infamy of their names unto pofterity. 
 
 This Speech of the King's flung the Duke of Guife to the quick, and all thofe of his 
 party j and fo much the more, when they faw him refolved to have it Printed : where- 
 fore the Archbifliop of fLyw:/ endeavoured todilfwade him from it, faying, that it was 
 better to lofe a few words, though never fo elegantly compofed, then to lofe the hearts 
 of many of his Subjedts, who felt themfelves injured, thinking that he had not forgot- 
 ten what was pafl, but would tax them in the prefence of all France, and condemn 
 them of perfidioufncfs and Rebellion. Yet notwithftanding that, the King would 
 have it known to all men what he had faid to the Congregation of the States i and 
 caufed his Speech to be Printed, which ferved wonderfully afterward to excufe thofe 
 things that followed. Some have written, that the King,pcrfwaded by the Archbifliop 
 of Lyons, had cut ofFmany things from the Prefs, and taken away rriany words which 
 he had fpoken in his Oration : But I my felf, who wasprefent, and heard every word 
 very near, can certainly affirm, that as much was Printed as was fpoken j but the ex- 
 preilions being quickned by the efficacy of his adfion and tone of his voice, were much 
 more fharp and moving then when they came forth in Print, wanting that life and (pi- 
 nt with which they were delivered. 
 
 After the King's Speech followed the Oration of Monfieur de Montheloa, Garde des , 
 S'fjwx, who, according to the ordinary cuftom, praifing the King's intention, repeated c.uiu'drs 
 at large the fame things which he had fpoken : To which , with demonftrations of ^''«"Pfo'«- 
 great humility and obedience, the ^ Archbifhop of Bottrz^es anfwcred for the Order of the piifitj the 
 Clergy i the Baron de S enefchay (ot the Nobility i and the '^ Prevoji des Merchands of J^'jJ^'^"'^''' 
 Faris for the third Order of Commons : After which Replies, the Aflembly was dif- Bri^m. 
 miffed , and the fccond Seilion adjourned till the Tuefday following. *Jk"'"'^'"' 
 
 That day was famous for the Oath which the States took, to receive for a funda- 
 mental Law of the Kingdom, that Edid: of the Union which the King had publiflied in 
 the Moneth of July before, whereby reuniting to himfelf all his Catholick Subjects of 
 the Kingdom,he fvvore toperfevere till death in the Roman Catholick Religion, to pro- 
 mote the incrcafeand prefervation of it, to employ all his Forces for the rooting out of 
 Herefie,never to permit that any Heretick or favourer of Herefie fhould Reign ; not to 
 eled into Places and Dignities any but fuch perfons as made conftant profcllion of the 
 Roman Catholick Religion , and would have all bis Subjects to Swear and 
 
 promife
 
 25o ^/-'^ Hiflory of the Civil IVars 
 
 158S. promife the fame i who being fo reunited unto him, he forbade to joyn themfelves iri 
 League or company with any others, under pain of Treafon, and being held violaters 
 The King anJ of the Oath they had taken i with other particulars, wherein, abolifliing the memory 
 fweiffn'ro- of all things pad, he made himfelf Head of the Catholick League and Union, and in- 
 w'manntt corpoiatcd all the Orders in their proper natural obedience. The circumftances 
 IhtEafa'madc of this Oath were remarkable i for the King himfelf fpoke concerning it with grave 
 itforf ..ffct- and fitting Speeches, and the Archbifhop of BoOT^fj- made an Exhortation to the 
 oti'.'"Kk Ke- States, (hewing the greatnefs and obligation of the Oath which they were to take j 
 lijioD. Beaulieit the new Secretary of State inrolled an Ad of that Oath, in memory of fo (b- 
 
 jcmn an adion : after it was done, they gave thanks to God pablikly in the Church 
 of St. Saviour : all which demonArations, which many thought were ufed to extin- 
 guifh the memory of things that were paft, ferved after to excufe and authorife thofe 
 things that were to come : for notwithftandirg all thefe obligations, whereby the ad- 
 herents to the League bound themfelves to forfake all former attempts and machi- 
 nations, and to tie themfelves fincerely in obedience to the King.and notwithftandingall 
 his Proteftations in the publick Aflembly of the States, to forget what was part , but 
 fcverdy to revenge the .future, they did not at all flacken their pretenfions and con- 
 trivances, but purfued them with effedual practices ■, and the Duke of Gtdfe afpired 
 totheexprefs name of Lieutenant-General,whichhehad not been able to obtain from 
 the King,'though he had gotten almoit the fame power to be joyned to his former title of 
 Grand Maijire ■■, and the reft ceafed not to treat with the States, that the Government 
 might be reformed in fuch manner, as leaving unto the King onely the name and out- 
 lide of a Prince, the fum of bufinefles might be managed by the Duke and his De- 
 pendents of the League : and even the Deputies of the States mingling themfelves in 
 the interefts of the Faftions, plotted and laboured for the fame things, without any re- 
 gard to fo many and fo folemn Oaths , and with manifeft fcorn and contempt to the 
 King's Name, Perfon, and Majefty : Wherefore the event plainly (hewed the art the 
 King had ufed in the Affembly of the States : for knowing the obftinacy of the Con- 
 federates, he by the bonds of publick Oaths, Ads and Ceremonies fwhich, in appear- 
 ance, redounded all in favour of the League, but fecretly contained a moft (harp fting 
 againll it ) cunningly fpread the net to catch them in thofe faults and crimes where- 
 with they had protefkd not to (tain themfelves for the time to come, and which he 
 had declared that he would feverely puni(h and chaflife. 
 
 There wanted not many who believed, that if the Duke and the Deputies, with 
 the other Heads of the League, had, after thefe Oaths, given ever the enterprize they 
 had begun, and having laid afide their private interefts and old paffions, had proceed- 
 ed fincerely for the future i the King, alwayes of a good intention and milde nature , 
 would yet at that time have forgotten all that was pa(red, and have let alone theHou(c 
 of CuiJ'e ■■> But the Duke, either not difcovering, or defpifing that policy, being tran- 
 fported with the profperity of his affairs, and feeing the greater part of the Deputies 
 were inclined and ready to favour his greatnefs, ftrove with all his utmoft forces to 
 bring matters to that point, which from the beginning he had propounded to himfelf. 
 cpinionrihjt The conftant report was that he inwardly afpired to that power, which the ^Mjjlers 
 the Duke of of the Palace in old time were wont to have i while the Kings ftanding but for (hadows 
 to"t'he aui^h6ri. Or ciphcrs, and leading a foft idle courfe of life, left the Authority of the Government 
 ty which the wholly unto them : whereby it came to pafs, in procefs of time, that King Chilperic, a 
 Pa'acV'wrrc man of an effeminate nature, being deprived of his Crown, and put into a Monaftery to 
 «/"i '°/ii*^'' ^^'^^ ^ private life, Charles Martell, and afterwards his fon Pepin, Majiers of the Palace, 
 dsWaii' ' ( in whofe hands the Government and the Forces did refide) at laft a(rumed the name 
 r;i'ttric Ki«" ^""^ Majefty of King, robbing thofe of it, to whom of right it did belong. Thofe 
 cfFM»«,ofan that Were interefTed, openly faid, that the example of things paft, was very appofitc 
 ti^eTwinto^a ^°^ ^'^^ prcfent affairs i for the King fecmed to have (hewed no lefs tokens of an effemi- 
 Mnnafferyhy natc mindc, and of a foft idle nature, then Chilperic ; and the Duke of Gtiife. by his 
 and'p.'piT, Ma- ^^^^ Vidtorics, and the height of his underftanding, was efteemed not inferiour in worth 
 ftersoftbcPa- and valour, to what Pfpi« or CW/fj- Mdr/f// were in thofe times: and though he was 
 not of the Blood-Royal, (as the Majiers of the Palace formerly were wont to be) yet the 
 interefts of Religion, to which his defigns were nearly united, gave him a marvellous 
 opportunity to deprive the Houfe of Bourbon of the Succeifion of the Crown , 
 and to transfer it upon himfelf or his pofterity , under colour that necelTity 
 fo required, left the moft Chriftian Crown (hould fall into the hands of Hereticksand 
 
 Excom-
 
 of France. The !]\[jnth ^oo\. 
 
 361 
 
 excommunicated perfons. To this end it was whifpered that he aimed to be declared 
 Lieutenant- General, not by tlie King, but by the States, with fupreme Authority, that 
 he might make ufe of it no Icfs to bridle the power of the King himfelf , who he 
 doubted would return unto his cultom of Governing, than to fupprefs the Houfc of 
 Bourhm: for caufing the King o{ Navarre to be declared incapable of the Crown by 
 t!ie States themfelves, and by confcqucnce the Cardinal of Bourbon to be lawful Suc- 
 cefTour, it came jointly to pafs, that he who was dccrepid with old age, dying with- 
 in a while, the Royal Line would thereby be extincft, and the reft of that Houl'e ex- 
 cluded as fufpedted of Herefie, and incapable i and then that the Duke, born up by 
 the applaufc of the people, and ftrengthened with thofe Forces which would be in his 
 power, could have no obftacle in obtaining the eledion of his own perfon, and his po- 
 fterity to the Crown, either during the life of the King himfelf, or at leaft after his 
 death, if to (hew the greater modclly he would defer it fo long : howfoever, the King 
 being a man of a diflblute life, a proi\ifc nature, a fufpicious humour, and not beloved 
 of the people, they talked among themfelves, that by degrees he, as another C^i/^fnV, 
 might be fliut up for ever within the walls of a Monallery. 
 
 Thefe things were fpoken in a manner publickly. But the Kings nature and incli- 
 nation were fo different from that of Chilperk, that the Duke of Cuife was deceived 
 by them, whether he really had fuch thoughts, or that his aim was only to {ecure him- 
 felf and Religion, which he could not do, if he did not fettle himfelf in a certain per- 
 manent greatnefs : wherefore having diredled all his counfels to that end, that he might 
 perfedlly win the love and affedlions of the people, he laboured before all other things 
 to fct thebufinefson foot of leffening the Taxes and Impofitions, making himfelf the 
 author of that moft important motion. The King oppofed it, as did alfo not a few 
 of the wifeft among the Deputies, alledging that they were contrary things. To fettle 
 fo frequent refolutions of making an obftinate War , of railing fo many Armies, of 
 daily entering new Sculdiers into pay, with perpetual proteftations never to lay down 
 arms without an abfolute Vidory •■> and on the other fide, by weakning and dedroy- 
 ing the Kings revenues, to cut the finews of the War , and after fo many brags, to 
 reduce themfelves to a nccelfity of condefcending, for want of money, to a difadvan- 
 tageous diflionourable Peace. But the interell of the Order of the Commons was Co 
 great, their inclination fo precipitate, and the Duke of G«i/?s authority fi) powerful, 
 that notwithlfanding that fo evident reafon, itwasatlaft refolved that theyniould de- 
 mand of the King a moderation of the Taxes , an abatement of the new Impoft, 
 which amounted to the fum of two millions of Gold per amium, the reformation of 
 many Offices erected to bring in money , and the total taking away of many othtr 
 grievances 
 
 But the Duke of Gulfs having tiied his own ftrength, and found his power with 
 the Deputies, being much augmented in courage, and grown in favour, by that re(b- 
 lution which he had luckily carried againlt the Kings will, propounded w himfelf for 
 a fecond attempt, to make the States receive the Council of Irsnt^ as a molt powerful 
 engine not only to deftroy and exclude the Hugonots for ever, but alfo to caufe the 
 King of Navarre and the reil of the Houfe of Bottrbon to be declared uncapableof the 
 Succcilion : but this was no fuch plaufible matter as the other v.^as but fufpedted, not 
 only to the Nobility by reafon of the liberty of their lives, but alfo to a great many of 
 the Clergy, who feared to lofe the immunities and priviledges of the Gallique Church, 
 wherefore though the King, by nature an Enemy to Heretic, confented willingly un- 
 to it, hoping alfo thereby to gain the Popes good will,' which he fufpedled by reafon 
 of thofe things he intended to put in execution i and though the Cardinals who were 
 there prefent Aickled much in the bulinefs and that the Duke of Cuife applied all his 
 endeavours to it, yet the contradidion of the Deputies, and of many of the Clergy, 
 was fo great, that it being impolfible to be carried , the refolution was referred till- 
 another time. 
 
 But the Duke of Guife^ not at all difcouraged, confidering that the reafon why that 
 Propolition had not taken effeft, was becaufe every one feared to be conftrained in 
 their Confciences , would needs (without that previous preparation; venture boldly 
 upon one ftep higher , and caufcd to be propounded in the States, that the King of 
 Navarre and the reft of his Family being guilty or fufpeded of Herelie, fhould by a 
 Declaration be made uncapable of ever coming to the Succeflion of the Crown. And 
 indeed , contrary to the opinion of many , who efteemed it an impoflible bufinefs, 
 
 A a 3 by 
 
 J588, 
 
 Tht Prnpoff- 
 •i.>n of rteti- 
 vingtheCoun- 
 C'l of Tre»t 
 made -n the 
 Afffmbly of 
 the Sjte -Ge- 
 neral. is re;ed- 
 eil wi:- ^reac 
 contiadi^ion.
 
 Si The HiHory of the Civill IVars 
 
 i '•SS. by reafon of the veneration vviiich was wont to be fhewed to the Saliqiu- Laivs, and to 
 ■* the Line of the Blood- Royal this determination proved very eafie i for though the 
 
 Archbiftiop of Bour^ef, one of the Prefidentsof the Ecclefiartical Order, did obliquely 
 oppofe it, as an unfcafonable propofition, while the King in thcflower of his age might 
 Thr Kin" is yet poiribly have a Son i yet the Clergy concluded, that the King of Navarre by name, 
 r.qudica'to and 3]] others fufpcded of hereiie , fliould be declared incapable of fucceeding to the 
 Kin's of w'- Crown, and that this was conformable to the meaning and doftrine of the holy Canons, 
 v-ur" ircjpa- and expedient for the fafety of mens fouls, and for the prefervation of the Church of 
 c.mvn.lna all God : this being fo refolved, the other two Orders of the Nobility and Commons f the 
 others fufpca- followers of the League ufing their utmoft power) determined likewife that in this 
 after mJch op.' matter it was good to refer themfelves to the Clergy, and that therefore they fliould 
 """""'fn" ^\d '^onfcnt to their dccifion , which as foon as it was concluded , Guilliaume d' Alancon 
 jy"iint"i" Archbifliop 0^ Ambrim^ with fix Deputies of every Order, prefented this Vote of the 
 States unto the K ing, infifting that his Majefty would make it a publick Decree, caufing 
 it to be read and confirmed in the Affembly, which fhould receive it, and fwcar to it as 
 a fundamental Law : But the King utterly averfe from that inclination, knowing that 
 this was the laft ftroak of the Duke of Giiif; and the League to elbbli(h their defigns 
 abfolutcly, fecmed to praife the zeal of the Clergy, and the piety and modefty of the 
 other Orders in things that concerned Religion i and in fiead of an Anfwer, gave unto 
 the Deputies a Protelbtion which had been prefented to him from the King of Navarre : 
 Who having called a Congregation of thofeof his party at llochel^ had caufed a Wri- 
 ting to be printed,whercin he demanded the execution of thofe Edidfs and Grants which 
 had been fo often made to thofe of his party i the Convocation of a National or tiniver- 
 fal Council, wherein he might lawfully.bc inftrudled in thofe things that were contro- 
 verted in matter of Faith \ and finally he protelled to count null and invalid whatfoever 
 fliould be deteriT)incd againft him in that Aflembly at B/«/i he that having been called 
 to clear himfclf of thofe things whereof he was accufed, and that Aflembly not being 
 compofcd of all the Orders and forts of people in the Kingdom, fince thofe of his party 
 were not called and admitted to it : nay, he argued that he could never be condemned 
 for an Heretick, as he was openly declared by his Enemies, whilft he offered to fub- 
 mit himfelf voluntarily to the determination of a free and lawful Council, either Na- 
 tional or Univerfal. To which Propofitions of the King of Navarre^ the moft Chriftian 
 King added. That if Juftice requires no man fliould ever be fentcnced nor condemned 
 without being fummoncd, or without hearing his defence, which (by confent of all 
 learned men J is according to the Law of God, it was not good to decree fo heavy a 
 fentence, without giving him warning to anfwer for himfelf, and without hearing his 
 reafons whatfoever they werei for if the fentence of an hundred Crowns would be 
 ccnfurable, nay void and of no eifedl, where the party had not been cited and warned 
 to anfwer ■, much more would a Decree be invalid which concerned fo weighty, and fo 
 important a matter as the Succelfion of a Kingdom. That many of the King of Na- 
 varre''s reafons, if they were not altogether true, were at leaft apparent and fpecious, 
 which ought not to be pretermitted in a matter of fo great confequence, without being 
 particularly dilcuffed and pondered : That he alledged he had ever offered to fubmit 
 himfclf to the determination of a Council, and to the infirudiion of grave and learned 
 men : That he claimed the priviledge of Liberty of Confcience granted to all French- 
 men, from which he ought not to be excluded more than others: That he excufed the 
 imputation of being relapfed, by the powerful fear , or rather by the violence of the 
 MafTacre at Paris, wherein to fave his life he had condefcended to go to Mafs ; And 
 that he urged many other things , which were not fo much to be flighted, if for no 
 other reafon, at lead that the Decree of the States might not appear to have been pre- 
 cipitate, and intereffed, confufed, difordered, and void of thofe refpedls which the 
 ordinary courfe of Juflice requires even in the fmalleft things, much more in the con- 
 demning of a perfon of fo great quality, and in the inheritance of a whole Kingdom: 
 That there was time enough to warn him, and appoint him a hearing, and conveni- 
 ency fufficient to proceed legally, fince that (by the mercy of God j he found himfclf 
 in fuch a condition of age and health, that the dangers were not urgent, the bulinefs 
 fliould be fo fuddenly determined : Wherefore it befitted fo grave an Affembly, com- 
 pofcd of the moft eminent men of the Kingdom, fo proceed warily, and go forward 
 in fuch -manner as might not appear to be an indifcreet, difbrderly zeal, but piety ac- 
 companied with judgment and conftant prudence. 
 
 The
 
 o/" France. The 5^(jnth 'Boo{. ':^6'^ 
 
 The Deputies returned the Kings an fwer to their fe vera! Orders but in vain i for 1588. 
 the Clergy anfwcred , that the King of Navai're had many times been admonifhed, 
 called, and fummoned by the Queen-Mother, and by melTengers from former States : 
 that new Councils were not neceflary, where the univerfal one of Trent had con- 
 demned the Dodrine which he followed for heretical : that he had been inftrufted 
 by the Cardinal of Bourbon his Uncle, fo grave a perfonage, and {b near him in blood, 
 and yet had returned to his firft opinions in Religion i that Hnally the Pope had de- 
 clared him a relapfed Heretick ■■, wherefore it was needlefs to give him any further 
 warning, or to make new difcullions and examinations > and that the determination 
 in hand was not fo much a determination as an execution i and that therefore nei- 
 ther doubt nor delay was to be interpofed. To this Declaration of the Clergy the 
 other Orders confented ■■, and therefore the Archbifhop of Ambrun with the fame 
 Deputies related to the King, that his Anfwer having been debated by the States, they 
 perfifled in the fame opinion , and therefore befeeched his Majefty to ena(ft it pre- 
 fently. 
 
 The King feeing the obftinacy of the States, and being refolved to another conclu- i^i^'hc'rffo"' 
 fion than what every one believed, anfwered, That he agreed to the general Vote, and ''""o*" tte 
 that he would think of caufing the Decree to be framed : and in the mean time, to fhrKint" of* 
 weaken in fomc part the. hopes of that attempt, he wrought with Cardinal Morefini ^-"""-re", pto- 
 the Popes Lcgat to obtain from 'Roms the abfolution of the Prince of Conty and Count "tion^" if"/** 
 oi Snijfons^ Brothers to the Prince of Conde deceafcd i who having lived in the Catho- H' '*" •*""" 
 lick Religion ever lince the Maffacre, had yet gone over to the King of Navarre^ and counT^i!,^ns 
 had born Arms for him, one in the Battel of Cnutrjs^ the other in the Conduct: of the °^. '*" "°"'' 
 German Army ■■> but having fince repented their following of that party, by reafbn of whi/hmu'ch 
 itsweaknefs, and for other refpedts , were returned unto the Kings obedience, by n"k'"^f '''r 
 whofe perfwalions they very fubmiifively asked pardon of the ApoRolick Sea > which 
 humiliation being forwarded by the good aififtance of Cardinal W')>-fji«/, who to pleafe 
 the King and favour the Blood Royal took great pains in the bufincfs, and being helped 
 by the earnell follicitations of the Marqucfs de Fifrni the Kings Ambaflador at Kome^ 
 it was hearkened unto by the Pope, and thofe Princes received abfolution i which caft 
 fome rubs and difficulties in the Duke of Cuifc^s hopes, and did partly weaken the (pe- 
 cious reafons of the League. 
 
 But while thefe things were in agitation, the mind of the King of Navjrre, of the 
 Duke of Guiff , and of the States, were all much troubled at the news which was 
 brought unto them , that Charles Enunuel Duke of Savoy ^ having entred in an hoftile cha Us t.mi. 
 manner with an Army into the Marqucfate of Saltizzo^ had made himfelf Mafter of it, ""l^'^offcf^ 
 driving out the Kings Garifons and Officers. The Duke of Savuy, a Youth of a moft fahh.mfeifof 
 high fpirit, and much raifed in his thoughts by his new union with the Catholick King, a'c ol "Xr* 
 having married the Infanta Catherine his Daughter , had taken a refolution to poflefs 
 himfelf of the Marqucfate ot Saluzzo ^ to which his Anccdors by ancient fueceilion 
 pretended to have much right i wherefore feeing the troubles of France, and parti- 
 cularly the laft attempt of the League in the Infurrecftion of P^rw, wherein the Royal 
 Majefty feemed trodden under foot, and the power of that Name quite overthrown, 
 would not negle(ft fuch an opportunity, but partly by intelligence, partly by open force, 
 had gotten into his hands Carmas^nola^ and the other Strong-holds of that State, to- 
 gether with great provilions of Artillery and Ammunition , which as in a Magazine 
 had been left in many of thofe places fince the late Wars of Italy. But having boldly 
 executed hisdefign, and doubting on the one fide that the French would refent it, and 
 on the other , that the Princes of Italy would not be well pleafed he prefently dif- 
 patched a MefTengcr to Court to let the King know he had been conlhained to take that 
 refolution, not with a thought to offend the Crown of France^ but to provide againll 
 the imminent ruine of his own State, in cafe the Hugonots ffiould get footing in the 
 Marquefate, as Les-dinueres earneftly endeavoured i who having made himfelf Mafter of 
 Cajiel Delfino in the Alps, had a ftrong inclination to feiie upon the Marquefate, from Oufes »iiedg- 
 whence would have infued the infelling of Piedmont^ and thofe calamities unto himfelf oflJJo'j'i^ex! 
 wherein he faw France involved by the poifon of Herefie i and therefore he would keep <:"f' f"' his 
 the Marquefate until fuch time as that danger were part i and that Juftice had weigh- M7rquef»tVof 
 cd his reafons , being ready to rcrtore it when the Hugonots of Vaiiphine being rooted i'''»^%''- 
 out, he (hould be free from thofe juft fears into which that imminent danger had drawn 
 him , and in cafe his reafons (hould be found to be unjufl. He caufed the fame 
 
 A a a 2 things
 
 5^4 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 l$8S. things to be prefented to the Venetian Senate, to whom as Moderator of the Peace, he 
 knew any fuch novelty in Italy would be infinitely unpleafing: and the fame at large 
 were alledged by the Pope i adding to appeafe him the more, that this was the pro- 
 logue of a War againll the City of Geneva^ as he defired > and to work upon him, 
 urged the confederacy and intelligence which the King of France held with that Com- 
 monwealth. 
 
 But it was a wonderful thing how much mens mmds were difturbed, and the affairs 
 of the States of ^lois altered by it : for the King and his adherents faid publickly 
 that the DyAeoi Savoy had been encouraged to that boldnefs by fccret intelligence with 
 the Duke of Cuife^ who thought by this means to deprive Monlieur de la Valette of 
 the Marquefate, who was Governour of it : That by that price he had bought the 
 friendfliip of the Duke of Savoy^ and fatisfied the Spaniards, who defired to have that 
 Gate fliut, thereby to cut off the paflage of the French Forces into Italy: and many 
 among the Nobility believed it conftantly : fo that men began to murmur that it was 
 too unjuft and too unworthy a thing to perfift obftinately wallowing in the blood of 
 Civil Wars, and in the mean time to fuffer the honour of the Nation to be trodden 
 under foot, and the pofTeilions of the Crown to be violently taken away by foreign 
 Enemies : That already too much had been done to fatisfie the ambition of the Great 
 Ones, and to glut the greedinefs of the Faflions : That it was now high time to re- 
 unite their minds, and join their Forces together, to defend thcmfelves againft the in- 
 fulting of Foreigners i and that this injury was fo great, that they ought by no means 
 to defer the taking of a fpeedy and exemplary revenge. From which popular plau- 
 fible reafons, carried by the favour of the Nobility, who were moved with exceeding 
 great anger, the other Orders alfo refented it very much : fo that they feeraed incli- 
 ned to lay aiide the thoughts of Civil War, to turn their Forces againft the Duke of 
 Savoy, Many of the moft underflanding men thought the Duke of Guife was not 
 privy to that intent of feizing upon the Marque&te, in that conjundlure of affairs i for 
 the time was not feafonable i and this accident alone diflurbed his defigns, which were 
 already profperoufly on their way to the defired end: yet Fame reported him the Au- 
 thor of that enterprife, and the States were refolved to decree a Foreign War, and to 
 ilacken or defer their home-bred quarrel with the Hugonots. 
 
 This did much afflidl the Duke of Guife, whether he were partaker or no in the 
 furprifal of the Marquefate : for he perceived that the diverting of thofe humours, and 
 employing them in a Foreign War, would fettle the inteftine paflSons of the Kingdom, 
 and that by confequencc Liberty of Confcience, Peace, and the Eftablifliment of the 
 Hugonots would enfue, whereby fo many defigns would be fruftrated , and fo many 
 plots fo long beforehand contrived to fupprefs the Calvinifts, and to eftablifti his great- 
 nefs upon the ruines of the Houfe of Bourbon, would come to nothing > but the War 
 being turned againft his own Confederates, which were Spain and Savoy, he faw he 
 fliould by little and little fall from his authority, and that the name and credit of the 
 Princes of the Blood would rife again, fince the flourifhing age of the King might give 
 time to infinite (not yet thought o() changes. But if on the other fide this thought 
 tormented him, on the other, the reports fpread abroad by the King ftruck him very 
 deeply i the univerfal inclination of the States troubled him > and as the Head of a po- 
 pular Faction , he could not oppofe nor contradid: fo juft reafons, and fo popular a 
 Caufe i thinking that the whole foundation of his affairs would fall, if he, having al- 
 ways profefled to protect the general good and reputation , fhould now be feen either 
 to affent unto, or to make fmall reckoning of Co great an injury done to the Crown. 
 Wherefore being by the afflidion of his mind brought into a deep meditation, he re- 
 folved (making ufe of the fame arts the Kingdidj to feign a confent to the inclina- 
 tion of the States, to (hew himfelf an eager revenger of the offence committed againft 
 the Crown, and by other means to frullrate the effed of the Foreign War, which he 
 thought not very difficult by his arts to bring to pafs : with this defign he began to 
 raife a rumour, that the taking of the Marquefate of Saluzzo had been procured and 
 plotted by the King himfelf, tocrofs the good refolutions of the States, and to hinder 
 the Decrees againft the King of Navarre and the Hugonots i and that none could more 
 deeply refent the boldnefs of the Duke of Savoy, nor was more ardent againft him than 
 he and his Family. And in effed, feeming wonderfully foUicitous for the lofs of the 
 Marquefate, he caufed fome of his Dependents to propofe unto the States, that they, 
 ihould refolve to make a War with Savoy , and that not being able to go in perfon 
 
 upon
 
 of France. The J^inth 'Booj^, 565 
 
 upon that enterprife, bccaufe he could not be (b far from Court, he defired the Duke 1588. 
 
 of M^iyenne his Brother might, who being appointed to follow the War in Dattphine^ 
 
 was already come as far as Lynns. This propofition gave great fatisfadion , and did 
 
 very much fettle the minds of fuch as were troubled , fo that without much delay it 
 
 was by general confent refolved , that they fiiould turn their Forces againft the Duke 
 
 of Savoy^ for the recovery of the Marquefate, and that the Duke of Mayenne fnould 
 
 go thither in perfon. 
 
 In the mean time, obferving thofe ceremonies with ftrangers which they obfervcd They fend w 
 not with the King of Navarre , they determined to fend Jeban Sicur de Poigny to the 'he Dui^e of 
 Duke of Savoy, to demand the reftitution of thofe places he had taken i and if he mand 'he're- 
 xeftored them not, to denounce War againft him : after which abfolute Orders were ^""''01 of 
 given, both to the Marquefs de Fifani the Kings Ambaflador to the Pope, to Monfieur upo'n'his "fu- 
 de Mets AmbalTador at Venice, and to the other Ambafladors every where , to make '*' '° ''^^ 
 grievous complaints againft the Duke. The ardour of mens fpirits being by degrees 
 qualified v.'ith thefe determinations, this fo important affair was fet in fuch a way, 
 as was not likely to do much harm to the principal intentions of thofe of the League. 
 At that time many doubted how the bufinefs of Saluzzo had really come to pafs i for 
 though the moft common report was , that all had been done with the fecret intelli- 
 gence of the League , becaufe every one knew the correfpondence that was between 
 the Duke of Gnife, the Spaniards, and the Duke of Savoys and though they of the 
 League on the other fide laboured to make it be believed that it had been the Kings- 
 invention v yet the wifcft opinion held for certain , that it was meerly a motion of 
 the Duke of Savoy himfelf , who of a ready courage and high thoughts , would not 
 omit that defirable occafion which offered it felf : which he himfelf made more cre- 
 dible > for after the taking of the Marquefate, he caufed a coyn to be ftamped, in which 
 a Centaur trampled a Crown under foot, which lay overturned upon the ground, with 
 this word. Opportune •, which was interpreted, that he would not pafs by the opportu- 
 nity of that conjunfture, while the Crown of France was overturned and weakened by 
 inward divifions. True it is, that men generally believed the Duke of Savoy's for- 
 wardnefs had been excited by the King of Spain's exhortations, defiring by the pof- 
 felTion of the Alps to cut off the pafTage into Italy from the French Army. 
 
 At this very time the Duke of Nevers , General of the Kings Army in Guienne, 
 having begun the War with the King of Navarre, had taken Matthon, and Montant, 
 and though retarded by the rains of Autumn, and many other impediments, had laid 
 ficgii to Ganache, a very ftrong place upon the Confines of PoicioH and Bretagne, de- 
 fended by a ftrong and valiant Garifon put into it by the Hugonots ; the Favourers of 
 the League raifed a report that he had cunningly befieged Ganache, (z very ftrong 
 place, but of no advantage to the main bufinefs of the War J only to protrad: timej 
 whereas with thofe Forces frefli and entire he might prefently have deftroyed the King 
 of Navarre i who ill provided of men, and utterly unfurniftied of money, had not 
 force enough to make long refiftance : nor was this report altogether vain, or at leaft: 
 ifnprobable. Whereupon the Duke of Gieife intended when the States were broken up, 
 and his power of Lieutenant General confirmed , to go in perfon to the Army, and 
 forward the bufinefs of the War. But the determinations of the States proved more 
 long and difficult than at firft it was thought they would have been > for the affairs of 
 Savoy, though in great part fetled again, had yet left mens minds unquiet, and had 
 put many defigns out of frame i and which imported moft, the King intent upon the 
 ripening of his fecret thoughts, did in all matters interpofe long artificial delays. It 
 is a ftrange thing how chance alone was accidentally almoft like to have produced that a fray hip- 
 bloody iffue of the States, which the King was fecretly contriving in himfelf : for the fheLotT"pa. 
 Pages and Lackyes of the Princes and Lords no lefs divided than tlieir Mafter in- k"; one of 
 to two different fadions, and quarrelling openly every day with the plain names (^^i^Hs'naL: 
 of Royalilis and Guifards, it happened upon the thirtieth o( November at night, while the uproar ti- 
 about nine of the Clock they were waiting for their Lords, being all together in the j,"gh°thac the 
 low open Galleries and Courts of the Caftle , that the Pages of the Cardinal of Ven- "''°''/*j^'°"' 
 dofme and of the Duke of Montpenfier killed one of the Pages of the Duke of Guife •, under'tbe' 
 at the noife whereof all the reft taking arms, every one for his party, the King's, the "*^"°l "J'' 
 Cardinal of Vendofm's, thcHaktoiMontpenfier's, the Prince of Cow^ys, the Count of /;,!!j!;"c King 
 Sorffms, the Marefchal de Ketz.\ and others ftanding on the one fide > and on the j|^[j^„oj's"~ 
 other, the Duke of Gidfe's, the Prince of /wn/V/f's, the Duke of Nemour's, the Duke t"™quaKei. 
 
 of
 
 -^66 The Hi/lory of the Civil IVars 
 
 
 
 158s- of E/if«/'s, the Count of BriJJ'ic's, and many others, they began a moft cruel bloody 
 fray, wherein the otlier Servants mingling themfelves by little and little, and at laft 
 the Souldiers, and fome Gentlemen , the bufinefs proceeded fo far, that the party of 
 the G«//Jr^j prevailing, the fight was reduced into the great Hall joining to the Kings 
 lodgings, and above thofe of the Queen- Mother, where all the Lords of the Court 
 were together. The noife was wonderful great , and the inraged voices founded fo 
 loud, that they were heard into the Town, and wakening thofe that were afleep, the 
 general opinion was, that the Princes themfelves were Hghting, and that they fhould 
 be all cut in pieces in the CalHe, the Gates whereof were already locked •, wherefore 
 the Cardinal of Guife, who lodged in the Town, having put off his Cardinal habit, 
 and drawn all his dependents together, was gone armed up thither j and on the other 
 lide, the Marefchal ^' Aumont, and the Duke of LengueviUe^ having aflembled the Kings 
 adherents, went the fame vfzy, and were not far from meeting one another, all the 
 Deputies being alfo in arms, fome for one fide, fome for the other i and fo great was 
 the terrour and the aflurance that there was a bloody conflidt in the Cafile, that many 
 who fled away for fear carried the news abroad, and the report came to FarU^ that all 
 the Court were cutting one another in pieces among themfelves, the event not being 
 yet known. The King having put on his arms, went out of his private lodgings, 
 (doubtful that the Duke Gnife endeavoured by that means to prevent himj and all his 
 followers that had wherewithal did the fame, and fo being armed, they expcdted 
 with more affurance to turn their alliftance whither moft need required. On the 
 other fide, the Duke of Guife who fate talking with the Queen-Mother, neither mo- 
 ved his place nor countenance, but thinking it to be what indeed it was, faid fo often 
 to the Queen i and perceiving that fome of his Gentlemen feeing the advantage of 
 their party , expedted fome token from him to proceed further , he kept his look liill 
 firm upon the ground, turning toward the fire, and gave no fign at all of his intenti- 
 ons, either not affenting to the bufincft , or defiring they fliould go on, but without 
 his fault or order. In the mean time the Sieur de GriUon having commanded the Soul- 
 diers of the Guard to ftand to their arms, made the quarrel be parted > the fire be- 
 ing eafily extinguifhed, becaufe there was no fuel added to it by the H£ads of the two 
 parties, and fo in the fpacc of little more than an hour, the whole uproar was appeafed, 
 and fetled in the former quictnefsi an accident that had a terrible beginning, and a 
 ridiculous end i but (hewed evident marks of the moft ardent hatred, kindled mora 
 than ever between the Facftions. 
 
 But things were now brought to their full maturity •■> for the Duke of Guife having 
 fufficiently tryed the Deputies both in general and particular, and being grown more 
 fecure and bold by thefe late tryals, began to get the bufinefs introduced of his being 
 made Lieutenant-General, at the requelt, and with the authority of the States, which 
 was the laft aim of his prefent hopes i and the King lofing his power and reputation 
 every day more and more, and feeing that billow which he had fo often avoided now 
 coming to break upon him, his long patience was at length turned into fury, fo that 
 the courfeof fo many contrivances could no longer be withheld from breaking forth to 
 their appointed end. The King had from the beginning intended to put the Duke of 
 Guife to death, with all his chief adherents and dependents, being thereunto incited 
 by the fenfe of paft injuries, and the apprehenfion of future dangers : he was only 
 withheld by the refpe<^ he bore to the Catholick Religion, and his fear left the Pope 
 (who befides his being of a fierce refolute nature, he faw was infinitely inclined to 
 favour the LeagueJ (hould make ufe of Spiritual weapons againft him, and ftir up all the 
 Princes of Chriftendom to do him mifchief, whom (by reafon of the divifions of his 
 Kingdom) they knew to be in a weak and dangerous condition. But becaufe he was af- 
 fured that the Catholick King and the Duke of Savoy would moft certainly be againft 
 him, and that the Queen of England^ the Swiffes and Proteftants of Germany would 
 be for himi and that the other Princes were fo far off that they could do him but 
 little harm , he turned his mind wholly towards the Princes of Italy , among which 
 the Pope was chief, by reafon of theautliority of the Apoftolick See, and of the Spi- 
 ritual Arms that were in his power ; and then the Venetian Senate , as well for the 
 eminent opinion of their wifdom, as for the fupplies of money which he might hope 
 for from them in time of need: and finally, the Grand Duke of Ihufcany, from whom 
 he remembred King Charles the Ninth had in the heat of War received confiderable 
 affiftance both of men and money. 
 
 To
 
 of France. The iNjnth "Boo!^. 
 
 -fil 
 
 To win the Pope, and make him his Friend, befides a tnoft propenfe inclination 
 which he had (hewed to caufe the Council of T^rrnt to be received by the States and 
 the great refpcdi: which upon all occafions he had fliown to the EccklialHcal Order he 
 had alfo fcnt jAom Marquils of P//i/« his Anribaffador to i^ome \ a man ■ f long expe- 
 rience, and of a dexterous mature wit, who (his Wife being a Roman of the Family 
 oi Suv^lla) was wonderfully verfed in that Court, and acceptable tothePope himfelf 
 and to the whole Coniillory of Cardinals i by whofe means he laboured not only to 
 keep Sixtm favourable unto him , by all the demonifrations of duty and confidence 
 but alfb to dive into the aifedf ions of his Nephews and Favourites, by all thofe ways 
 which his fagacity could invent. And becaufehe conjectured that the relations of the 
 Cardinal Legat (as one who was upon the place, and was both by the Pope and the 
 whole world efieemed.a man of fingular wifdomj would have great power which way 
 foever they fhould incline, he ufcd all his endeavours to make him his Friend and Con- 
 iident, which was not very hard to do, as well becaufe the Cardinal being a. Venetian 
 by birth, was naturally inclined to the good and greatnefs of the Crown, and becaufe 
 his particular e.e>ihis abhorred the new turbulent Ccunfels of the League. W herefore 
 ihe King trulting him with many fccrets, and feemjing to depend much upon his advice 
 and authority, he had by his means not only obtained abfolution for the Prince o[CoKty 
 and Count of SoifTons, to the prejudice of the League, but alfo having made him ac- 
 quainted with many hidden things, which were managed under the name of Religion, 
 had perfvvaded him to withdraw his hand from favouring the Duke of GuiJ'e : for the 
 prudence of the Cardinal, being there prcfent, had founded to the bottom of thofe 
 things which always came to Borne covered with the fpecious title of Religion : wiiere- 
 upofl, by his relations opportunely introduced, the Popes mind was brought into Co 
 much doubt and fufpence, that he often told the Spanifli Ambalfadors, and the Agents 
 of the League, he could not fee clearly into the affairs of France. 
 
 It was more eafie to gain the Venetian Senate: for belldcs the many adts of friend- 
 fliip, (hewed by that Rtpublick to Cbarks the Ninth in the greatcft exigencies of his 
 Kingdom, and belides the real welcoms wherewith the prefent King had been received 
 in the City oi Venice ^ which had produced a reciprocal and confident friendfliip be- 
 tween them : the proceedings alfo of the Senate were very rriuch averfe from the Di- 
 li urbers of quietnefs, and from Confpirers of new defignsi and their own interefis 
 made them to dcfire the peace and union of the Kingdom oi France under the obedi- 
 ence of the natural King, to the end that being united in ftrength, it might counter- 
 poife the excelfive greatnefs of other Chriltian Potentates : wherefore, though the King 
 at firil had made fome difficulty of admitting Giovanni Mocenigo, (chofen Ambalfador 
 to him from the Senate in the place of Giovanni Delfino) becaufe he was not of the 
 Colledge of the '^Sauiide Terra Firma , (out of which number the Ambalfadors to 
 Kings are wonted to be eleAed) yet having in the end admitted him, he was lb pleafed 
 with his difcreet filence and prudent behaviour , that he contradled a great intimacy 
 with him, and with him and the Senate paifcd bulinefs of very great truft and con- 
 fidence. 
 
 But with Ferdinandi d; Medici Grand Duke of Tlncfcjny he proceeded further : for 
 he having newly fucceeded his Brother Francefco in that State, and having renounced 
 the title of Cardinal to take a Wife, it was at that time concluded to give him Chre- 
 /f/fM^f the Duke of Lwj/Vs Daughter, and Ncece to the King, who had been bred up 
 with the Queen-Mother » and halkning the Ceremonies of the Marriage, Charles the 
 BafSard Grand Prior oi^ France comxz£ied her in the name of Ferdinando^ and the Bride 
 made her felf ready to take her journey. 
 
 Things being ordered in this manner, the next bufinefs the King had to think on, 
 was to contrive which way to catd; the Duke of G«//>, furrounded with fo many 
 Guards , and with fo great a nunriber of adherents : for though he had cunningly 
 drawn the States to B/o/V, a City depending upon himi, and far from the aifiliance of 
 the Pariiians, yet was the Duke come thither fo firong, and fo miany of the Deputies 
 depended upon his will , that it was no ealie matter to fct upon him. The Queen- 
 Mother was fo ill of the Gout , that (lie kept her bed i and the King troubled with 
 his wonted fufpicions, had not, nor did not intend to impart that dciign to her i and 
 therefore having taken occafion upon Sunday the eighteenth of December^ while they 
 were feafting in her lodgings for the Marriage of the Great Dutchefs, and the whole 
 Court was bulied there ; he called into his own Clofet the Mare(chal d Aamont, and 
 
 NichjlM 
 
 I5b8. 
 
 The King ti^^ 
 mils Ci... Me- 
 cFHig'i Ambaf. 
 fador from Ve- 
 xife, chough he 
 V ere not one 
 of the Snail 
 d- T. re firma. 
 *Mjgijiriitei fo 
 caUtd at Ve- 
 nice , biCJtfi 
 ibty bai/e ri(f 
 fii/c.^j/ admU 
 
 ijff'jirs iy 'and, 
 and ihe are of 
 m.nurs btimg- 
 iTg le Fejcc ani 
 
 Chrifl nne de 
 Lj'h^i, vibich 
 fliould have 
 been givea to 
 the King of 
 Navar-c, is 
 married ro 
 f€r.l:r,AKdf tie 
 Mtdict Grand 
 Dnke of «»/■- 
 
 CJK<.
 
 568 
 
 The Htslory of the Civ'tll iVars 
 
 15S8. 
 
 The King it- 
 firing to trte 
 himfelf of tl)e 
 Duke of Gti'fi 
 propofer his 
 defign to four 
 of his molt 
 trufty Confi- 
 dents, who af- 
 ter long con- 
 foltation re- 
 fci'.ve to have 
 him killed. 
 
 * Leftrehe uux 
 Bntons. 
 
 The anfwer of 
 
 ^•iHoiiCaptiin 
 of ihc GuatJs. 
 
 LoiHic promi. 
 feththe King 
 that the Duke 
 ofOfi/; fiiould 
 be fliin. 
 
 Nicholas d' Amrenay Sicur lie Kambouillet^ whom he accounted moft trufty, one for the 
 profelTion of Arms, the other for the Gown i and difcovering his whole defign, de- 
 lired their counfel in that particular. Their opinions were not very different ; and all 
 agreed that things were brought to that pafs, that now neceffity forced a refolution to 
 bridle the attempts of the Duke of Guife -, but about the means which were to be 
 ufed, they were not fo well refolved : for the Marefchal d' J fimont consented to have 
 him refolutely killed iand Ramhuillet, alledging the breach of Faith, and the Law of 
 Nations, counfelled to take him prifoner, and then to proceed againfi him in a legal 
 way: Whereupon, not knowing how to refolve among themfelves, they called the 
 fame night unto them Colonel Alfinfo Corfo^ zr\A Lewis the Brother of Kambouillet, to 
 have their opinions i they all thinking it a very hard matter to be effedted. After 
 many hours confultation , it was at lart determined that he fhould be flain, and that 
 the buHnefs (hould be ordered in this manner following. Upon the top of the 
 fiairs in the Kings Palace , there was a great Hall in which commonly the Council 
 was wont to be held , and which ( except upon fuch occafions ) ftood open and 
 free for the ordinary pafTage of the Courtiers : at the upper end of the Hall was the 
 door of the Kings Ante-chamber i upon the right hand whereof was his Bed-cham- 
 ber i and on the left, the Wardrobe i and juft over againil the door of the Ante- 
 chamber , was the door of the Clofet •, from whence there was a way out into a 
 fair room v and thence a back-ftairs that went down into the Queen-Mothers lodg- 
 ing, when the Council was held , the Gentlemen and Courtiers were wont to ac- 
 company the Lords that went in, to the Hall-door at the top of the flairs, and 
 there they flayed , becaufe the door was locked and guarded by the Keepers of the 
 Council-chamber: then they ufed to return back into the Court, which being fpa- 
 cious , was commonly called , ■^ Thi Bretons Forclx , becaufe they coming often to 
 Court about their frequent Law-fuits, were wont for the moft part to walk and en* 
 tcrtain themfelves in that place. The King and hisCounfellors refolved that the deed 
 fliould be done upon a Council-day : for the Duke being then ktt alone without his 
 train, with the other Lords and Counfcllors in the Hall, he might be called by the King 
 into his lodgings, which at fuch times were wont to be fhut, and without company i 
 and being there apart, and deprived of any help, might be difpatched out of the 
 world : for he being once dead, they feared not thofe dangers and tumults at Blois, 
 which they fliould have done if they had been at Var'n. Then treating of the per- 
 fons that fhould execute the butinefs, the King chofe to truft GriVon the Colonel of his 
 Guards i a fierce bold man, and for many occafions an Jinemy to the Duke of Gitife, 
 Having therefore fent for him, he unfolded his defign unto him with fitting words, 
 and gave him tounderfiand that he had appointed him to be the man that fhould per- 
 form the enterprife wherein confifted all his fafety. GriUon anfwered with fhort and 
 fignificant words : " Sir, I am really your Ma jetties moft faithful and devoted Servant i 
 " but I tnake profelTion to be a Souldier and a Cavalier : if you plcafe to command me 
 " to challenge the Duke of Guife ^ and fight with him hand to hand , I am ready at 
 " this inftant to lay down my life for your fervice v but that I fhould ferve for an Exe- 
 "cutioner, while your Majelties JufHcc condemns him to die, is a thing futes not 
 " with one of my condition, nor will I ever do it whilft I live. The King did not 
 much wonder at the liberty of Gnllon , whom he and the whole Court knew to be a 
 plain honeft man , and one that fpoke his thoughts freely without fear of any body ■■, 
 and therefore replyed, that it was enough,providcd he kept the matter fecret, for he had 
 not communicated it to any body elfe, and if it fliould be divulged, he would accufe 
 him for the revealing it. To this Givi'tfw anfwered. That he was a Servant of honour 
 and fidelity, and one that would never difcover the fecret intereftsof his Mafter, and 
 fo going away, left the King very doubtful what he fhould do v in which perplexity 
 he continued till the one and twentieth day, when having trufted the bufinefs to Lojj- 
 wjf, one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber, who had been brought firtt into the Court 
 by the Duke of yoy-'w/f, and by his graceful fafliion, difcreet carriage, and gentle be- 
 haviour began to rife into the place of the Minions ; he without much difriculty pro- 
 mifed with fome of the five and forty who depended nearly upon him, to do the deed 
 molt readily. The King having fetled his mind, refolved to put it in execution upon 
 the morning of the three and twentieth day, being Chriftmas Eve's Evei and being come 
 perfonaliy into the Council the two and twentieth day, he told them he defired fome bu- 
 linefs that concerned him might be difpatched the next morning, that with a quiet mind 
 
 he
 
 of France. The U^nth "BooJ^ 
 
 3^9 
 
 ISS8. 
 
 Dake of Gai/i 
 himfclf. 
 
 A confukatioa 
 
 and the Duke 
 d' Elbtif. 
 
 he might retire himfelf to perform his exercifes of devotion for the holy Time that was 
 at hand ; and therefore he intreated all of them to come early to the Council. 
 
 in the mean time the fufpicion of this bufinefs, no body knows which way, was The King's 
 crept fo far, that a confufed knowledge of it came unto the ear of the Duke of Ctdfe ata,n"ft°he 
 himfelfi who being in private with the Cardinal his Brother, and the Archbifliopof Dukcofca;/i 
 lyons^ confulted whether he fliould give credit to that report , and whether believing ea^o'fthe'^' 
 
 ' it he fhould go from the States to avoid that danger. The Cardinal faid , It was 
 better to fail in believing too much, than in being too confident, and that it was 
 good to lean to the fecurer fide, and perfwaded his departure fo earneftly , that the 
 Duke fet his affairs in order to go away the next morning ■■, but the Archbifhop of 
 X.yonj oppofed that refolution Co Itifly, that he caufed it almoft at the fame time to 
 be altered. He fhewed what a lightnefs it was to believe a rumour of fame not 
 grounded upon any certain proof* that it might be a plot of the Kings to make him ^'k"? '*" 
 go away and leave the States, to the end that all hopes, defigns and practices falling the ca°rd?n'ji ' 
 at once, he might be left free from that yoak which he faw preparing for him by the ["ilj A'^'hb" 
 confent of the States > and he being gone that fhould order and moderate the affe(9:i- tiiopoe L,ms, 
 ons and promifes of the Deputies , who (hould withfland the Kings authority and 
 cunning ? Who fhould hinder the State from coming to a contrary end from what 
 they had deligned ? For he being abfcnt , the Deputies feeing themfelves forfaken 
 and left alone, would fall under the Kings authority, and in reverence to the Royal 
 Name, would make their determinations according to his pleafure, and revoke thofe 
 already paft, dilturb matters already ellablifhed, and reduce the Government to the 
 former, or perhaps to a worfe condition, to the total ruine and utter deftrudtion of 
 the League i that all thofe of his party would with reafon complain that they had 
 been betray'd , and meanly forfaken by him, and every one by his example would 
 think of their own interelts, and to make their peace with the King, fo that in the 
 end he alone would be left forfaken and abandoned j in conclufion, that it was better 
 Cthough the danger were certain} fo hazard only his life by flaying, than certainly to 
 lofe both lite and honour at once by going away. His departure being deferred, the 
 Duke of hlbiuf czme in, who being made privy to the bufinefs in debate, confirmed 
 the opinion of the Archbifhop of Lyons , adding many things to prove that the Duke 
 of Guife was fo well accompanied with faithful Friends all faft united, that the King 
 would not dare to think of fo ra(h an enterprife i and that he wondered they fhould 
 now be in fo much fear of thofe forces, which till then they had ever undervalued and 
 defpifed. "Whereupon the Duke of Guife taking courage, refolved not only to flay 
 till the end of the AlTembly, but fhewed alfo evident ligns of flighting thofe rumours 
 that ran about the Court. 
 
 The evening of the twenty fecond being come , the King commanded Monfieur 
 de Larchant one of the Captains of his Guard to double them the next morning, and 
 to keep the Hall-door, after the Lords of the Council were gone in i but that he fhould 
 do it in fuch a manner as the Duke of Gttife might not fufpedl any thing : Wherefore ^he ordet t«. 
 having flaid with a great number of his Souldiers the fame night, till the Duke came K'in<^'fo?^he 
 from his own Lodgings to the Kings, he went to him in the middle of the way, and '^'"'"g of the 
 befeeched him, that he would be pleafed to fpcak a good word for thofe poor Soul- ^"''« °'^0'"/'* 
 diers, who had wanted their pay a great many months i that they made their addrefs Jhe captains 
 to him as the Head and Proteftor of all Souldiers i and that the next day he would ITuMeThe" 
 wait upon him with the fame Company in the morning, to put him in mind to fpeak Guards, and 
 in their behalf to the Council : The Duke anfwered courtcoufly , and promifed the ei' bj 'ibJ"^ 
 Captain and the Souldiers to take great care for their fatisfadiion. The fame night DukeofG«i/«. 
 the King gave order to his Nephew the Grand Prior of France^ to make a match at 
 Tennis the next morning with the Prince of Jahtville, Son to the Duke of Guife, and, 
 
 ' to keep him in play till he received further order from him. In the morning the King 
 made himfelf ready before day, under colour of going perfonally to the Council, and 
 pretending he fhould Itay there many hours, difmifTed all his Servants, and in his Clo- 
 fet there remained only Reval, the Secretary of State, Colonel Alfonfo Corfo, and Mon- 
 fieur ds U Bjjiid.% a Gafcon Gentleman of very great courage, who were all commandedl 
 by him to fky there : In his Chamber was St. f rw, one of his old Gentlemen-Waiters <, 
 in the Wardrobe the Count deTermes, ^ Great Chamberlain, who was a Kinfman c4f T^pfl^'"''' 
 the Daked' Efpernori'ss and in the Ante-chamber two Pages, an Uflier that waited rit ^^v, gm«j 
 the Council-Chambei-door, and Logmc with Eight of the Five and forty, to whoin Gfjt'r%''* 
 
 Bbb the " " '"
 
 3T 
 
 The History of the Civill W^rs 
 
 1588. 
 
 PtlittH the 
 Cukes Secre- 
 tary fends him 
 a Nnie in a 
 Handkerchief, 
 to bid him fave 
 himfclf, bi»cit 
 toma not to 
 bit haads. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Giii/« fwoons 
 in theCouncil- 
 Chamber : An 
 ill omen of hii 
 appcoicbing 
 death. 
 
 The Dake of 
 Guift is flain 
 as he lifts up 
 the hanging of 
 the Clolct- 
 door. 
 
 The Cardinal 
 of Guift and 
 Archbifliop of 
 Ljnns are 
 made prifon- 
 ers, aialfoall 
 the Lords and 
 other chief 
 adherents of 
 the Duke of 
 
 c*iy<. 
 
 * Tht ttiiittdry 
 Judge of the 
 flitigi honjkold, 
 irij commend 
 txiends to all. 
 flacis wiibii 
 fxlcagutt of 
 ibe CoHtt. 
 
 It was report 
 cd, that the 
 Duke of Guift 
 had received 
 ^from Spam the 
 Turn of two 
 millions of 
 CroKBS. 
 
 the King had with very great promifes fignified his pleafure , and found them moft 
 ready to obey his command. It was about brealt of day when the Counfellors mef, 
 and there went into the great Hall , Cardinal Gondy , the Cardinal of Vendofm , the 
 Marefchals of Aumont, and Rf/Z, Monthelon the Garde des Seaux^ Francois Sieur d'' Oy 
 NichoUf Sieur de Kambouillet, the Cardinal ofGieife, the Archbifhop of Lyons, and ac 
 lafl: appeared the Duke of Guife, to whom Captain Larchant, ftepping forward with » 
 greater number of Souldiers than the night before, prefented him a Petition for their 
 pay, and with that excufe accompanied him, and brought him to the Hall-door, where 
 being entered, and the door (hut, the Souldiers made a long lane to the bottom of the 
 flairs, feeming to ftay there to wait for an anfwer of their Petition, and at the fame 
 time Monfieur Grillon caufed the Gates of the Caftle to be locked , whereupon many 
 fufpeded what would be the event, and Pelkart the Dukes Secretary writ a little Note 
 in thefe words. My Lord, fave your felf, or yon are dead : And having put it up into a 
 Handkerchief, gave it to one of the Dukes Pages, to carry it to the Keeper of the 
 Council-Chamber-door, pretending, that the Duke had forgot to take it, when he 
 went forth of his Chamber i but the Souldiers would not fuffer the Page to pafs. la 
 the mean time the Duke being come into the Council, and fet near the fire, fell into 
 a little fwoon, whether it were that he remembred himfelf of the danger in which he 
 was, being feparated from all his dependents v or that Nature fas it often happens) pre- 
 faging his future misfortune, did of her fclf give that fhew of refentment i or whether 
 Cas his ill-willers faid) it was becaufe he had weakened himfelf too much that night 
 with Madam de Mannoutier, whom he extreamly loved ; but being quickly recovered. 
 Secretary Kevol came into the Council out of the Ante-chamber, and told him, thac 
 the King asked for him , and would have him come to him into the Clofet : The 
 Duke arofe, and having with his accuftomed courtefie faluted all the Counfellors, en- 
 tered into the Ante-chahiber , which prefently being locked after him , he faw not 
 that (lore of company which was wont to be there, but only thofe eight Gentlemen 
 of the Kings Guard, which were well known to him i and as went from thence into 
 the Clofet, the hanging at the door not being held up for him as it was wont to be, 
 he ftretchcd forth his hand to lift it up, and at that inflant St. Malin, one of the eight, 
 (tabbed him into the neck with a Dagger, and the reft prefently fell upon him on eve- 
 ry fide i he ftriving to lay hold of his Sword, was never able to draw it above half 
 way out ; and after many v/ounds given him in the head, and all the other parts of his 
 body, being at laft ftruck by Lognac, (upon whom he had moft violently thrown him- 
 felf 3 he fell down at the door of the Wardrobe , and there he breathed forth the laft 
 groans of his life, without being able to fpeak one word The Cardinal of Gnife, as 
 foon as he heard the noife in the Ante-chamber, was certain that they were about his 
 Brother i and rifing up fuddenly with the Archbifhop of Lyons, they ran both to the 
 Hall-door, to call for the help of their Servants i but having found the door fhut, they 
 were ftaid by the Marefchals of Aumont and Ketz i who giving them notice that they 
 were the Kings prifoners, led them up a little pair of flairs into an upper room, where 
 they were (hut up and diligently guarded. At the fame time the Cardinal of tourboHy 
 by reafon of his age and weakne(s being yet in bed, was fei7ed on in the Caftle i as 
 alfo Charles Prince of Jainville, Charles of Lorain, Duke of Elbeuf, Charles of Savoy^ 
 Duke of Nemours, and Anne d' Ejh-e, Dutche(s of Nemours, and Mother to the Guifes. 
 Then having opened the Caftlc-Gates, and redoubled their Guards very ftrongly, Mon- 
 Heur de Richelieu, ^ Grand Provoft de I' Hojiel, went into the Town, where he took 
 Prefident NuUy, La Chapelle Martel, the Provoft of Merchands of Tark, Compan znd, 
 Cotteblamhe, Deputies for that City, the Lieutenant of the City of Amiens, the Count 
 de Brijfac, the Sieur de Bois-Dauphin i and at laft Pelicart the Duke of Guife's Secretary 
 was likewife taken, with all the Writings which belonged to his Lord i among which, 
 they found many Letters containing divers pradlices within and without the Kingdom, 
 the accounts of moneys which he had received from Spain, which were reported 
 to amount to the fum of Two millions of Ducats. The reft, which the King defired 
 to get into his hands, were either favourably hid by their Landlords in whofe houfes 
 itheylay, or by their Friends in the City, or faved them(elves by feveral ways and 
 JTieans i fo that they efcaped the fury of that prefent revenge. The body of the dead 
 ipuke being laid up in a Green Cloth, was carried by the Door-keepers into the great 
 I^oom beyond the Kings Clofet, and there it was laid till further orders. Thefe bu- 
 fjineflfes were performed without much noife or tumult , every one being amazed and 
 i aftoni(htd
 
 o/^ France. 77?^ ^hQnth ^oo{. 57 1 
 
 aftoniflied at what was done i and the moft fierce and daring among thofe of the League, 1 588* 
 with down-caft looks and dejedted countenances, profefTed mofi perfe<S obedience and 
 profound fubnnillion. 
 
 The firft thing the King did, was to fend Kevol the Secretary of State to the Cardi- 
 ral Lcgat, to give him notice of all that had paiTed, and to intreat him to meet him at 
 Mafs : And at tiic fame time he fent alfo to give account of it to the Venetian Am- 
 balTador, (hewing how great a dcfire he had to be excufed to the Pope, and how much 
 he crteemed the opinion of the Venetian Senate '■> and then having walked a turn or two 
 in the Clofet, he thought it time to lay oif the Foxes out-fide, which for Co many 
 years he had worn with infinite patience contrary to his own genius, and to take up 
 ^ain the generofity of the Lyon , which in his younger years he had (hewed in (b 
 many famous adions : And having caufed the doors to be opened, and every one to be ^i''i^j''fyerj 
 admitted into his Chamber, he faid with a ioud voice, That from thenceforward he one imohis 
 would have his Stibjed-s learn to know, and to obey him : For fincc he had known fptak""'er» 
 how to refolve to punifh the Heads of Infurredlions, much more refolutely would he tcfemingiy. 
 proceed again ft the Members : That everyone therefore fliould from that time, for- 
 get (lubbornnefs and rebellion : For he would be a King, not only in words, but in 
 deeds alfo \ and it would be neither a new nor difficult matter to handle his SworJ 
 again So with an angry look, and a four countenance, he went down the (tairs into 
 his Mothers lodgings. 
 
 The Queen lying in her Bed, and very much troubled with her pain, had heard 
 the bulile that was above in the Kings lodgings, and had often asked what noife it 
 was V nor had any body courage enough to tell her the news. Now the King appear-* 
 ing, he firft asked her how (he did s to which fhe having anfwered, that (he felt her 
 felf fomething better, he replied. And I alfo now find my felfmuch better i for this 
 morning I have made my felf King of trance, having put to death the King of ?a- The King fayj 
 ris. To which words the Qiieen replied. You have made the Duke of G«//? be (lain i Now'i'am "' 
 but God grant you be not now made King of nothing : You have cut out work enough". King of 
 I know not whether or no you will be able to make it up as well : Have you fore- hav^'po °'o 
 feen the mifchiefs that are like to follow ? Look carefully to that: Two things are ne- Jjath the King 
 ceftary. Speed and Refolution After which words, being exceedingly tormented with 
 the Gout, and much afHidted in mind, fhe held her peace ; and the King went to meet 
 the Legat, that they might go to Mafs together. 
 
 They met before Mafs, and walking up and down, conferred a great while toge- 
 ther ■•, in which difcourfe the King laboured to perfwade him that he had been forced 
 by nccellity to take that refolution. He told him, that the ends, praftices, defigns, 
 leagues and negotiations of the Duke of Gnife, were better known to his wifdom than 
 toothers i That by them he had been brought to fuch extremities, that he could not Jourr^thailra 
 fave his own Hfeand Crown, without his death i which as by Gods ailiftance, it had while with the 
 been happily enough eife<fted, amongft a thoufand unconquerable difficulties i (b was it ^"re^" a"bout 
 conformable to the Jufliceof all the Laws in the World: That the heinous offences thtoukeof 
 were notorious, and manifeft to every one, which had been committed by him a na- " '* ' 
 tural Subjedr, againft the Majefty of the Royal Name , and againft his lawful Prince, 
 without any reafonable occaiion i which he had long born withal and differabled, out 
 of hisdefire of the general quiet, and out of the gentlenefs of his own difpofition: 
 But that after the laft Pacification , in which he had profufely granted more to the 
 League, than they knew how either to demand or defire i notwithltanding the Adt 
 of Oblivion of all things paft, and the Prohibition of all fuch-like pradices for the time 
 to come, the Duke of Gmfe , pcrfifting obftinately in his firft deligns , violating fo 
 many Oaths , fo many Promifes, and fo many Sacraments reiterated among the holy 
 Ceremonies, and in the prefenceof the Affembly cf the States, which reprefentcd the 
 majeftick face of the whole French Nation, had both begun again, and continued the 
 fame things, leagues, and intelligences with Foreign Princes, receiving of moneys and 
 penfions from Spain, agreements with the Duke of Savoy to the prejudice of the Crown, 
 fadions, and pradices with the States to tie up the liberty of his Prince, to exclude the 
 rightful Succelfors of the Crown, and by feditious wicked ads to transfer the whole 
 Government upon himfelf i by which things he made himfelf guilty of High Treafon, 
 and had often manifeftly incurred the crime of Rebellion i infomuch as Juftice neither 
 could nor ought to forbear to punifh him, thereby once to remove the perpetual dan- 
 ger and unquietnefs in which he kept the whole Kingdom and all good men ; That 
 
 Bbb 2 Che
 
 972 
 
 1588. 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Iht King Tee- 
 ing (hat the 
 Legit flirwed 
 no trouble at 
 the imprifon- 
 mtBt of the 
 Cndinals, 
 commands 
 that Uvis of 
 J-fTtw, Cardi- 
 nal of G»i/i be 
 alfoput to 
 death. 
 
 the ordinary forms of judging and fentencing could not polTibly be obferved : For no 
 Prifons were fecure, nor Bonds fufficient to reftrain his power i that no Officers would 
 have dared to examine him, no Judge to fentence him, nor no Power would have been 
 able to execute the fentence : That the King himfelf was Juftice, and that he had io 
 many proofs as did more than abundantly condemn and convince him to be guilty: 
 That he was afTured he had fatisfied God's Juftice, his own Confcience , and the 
 good and quietnefs of his Kingdom > and therefore he intreated the Lcgatto reprefent 
 the truth as it was unto the Pope, to the end, that the arts of his Enemies might not 
 by their falfe relations, transform the face of fo neceffary, fo juft an adtion. Thefe 
 things were no news unto the Legat, being fully informed of the reports already di- 
 vulged i and the Kings reafons contained peradventure what he thought himfelf: And 
 becaufe he firmly believed, that, the Shepherd being ftruck, the flock would eafily be 
 fcattered ■-, the greater part of the Heads being taken, and the reft much unprovided 
 of ftrength and force to refift the Kings power in fo fudden an accident, not much 
 valuing the popular commotion which heforefaw might enfue, becaufe he thought the 
 feditions of the people were like a fire of ftraw , which rifeth with great violence, 
 but prefently ceafeth, and is extinguiflied i he judged it not fit to alienate the Kings 
 mind from the Apoftolick Sea, but to confirm and eftablifh it to the proteftion of Re- 
 ligion, and with a gentle rein, and moderate refpeft, to withhold him from agreeing 
 precipitately with the Hugonots: Wherefore, feeming to believe that the Pope, as dif- 
 interelTed and as a common Father, would kindly give ear unto his reafons, he only 
 exhorted him to (hew that his words and excufes were true, by a firm and principal 
 argument, which was. To perfevere in the tefolution of proteding the Catholick Reli- 
 gion, and extinguifhing Herefie i that by that means he might perfwade the Pope, 
 and the whole World, that he had been conftrained by necetlity, and not drawn by 
 hatred to the Catholick party: Whereas, not perfifting in that fafe, Chriftian deter- 
 mination, he ftiould authorize the falfe reports of the League, and give occafion to 
 have it thought that his inclination to favour the King of Navarre^ and uphold the 
 Hugonots, had moved him to put to death the Head, and imprifon the principal Mem- 
 bers of the Catholick party. This point feemed fo important to the Legat, that he 
 enlarged himfelf long upon it, till the King gave affurance by an Oath, that if the Pope 
 would unite himfelf with him in mind and Forces, he would endeavour the extirpa- 
 tion of Herefie with more fervour than ever, and that he was firmly refolved to fufFer 
 only the Catholick Religion in his Kingdom: After which afleveration, accompanied 
 with effectual words and geftures , the Legat made no fcruple of treating with him 
 with the fame intimacy and confidence as before, thinking he had obtained that point 
 which would ferve to fatisfie the Pope, fince the King, though exafperated with the 
 injuries of the League, did yet confirm himfelf in his wonted obedience and veneration 
 of Religion i and that though the Duke of Guife were removed, he yet continued the 
 Catholick Union, and the determination of making War againft the Hugonots : where- 
 fore he gave the King no doubtful hope, that the Pope would be fatisfied with his 
 reafons : Nor did he think fit to pafs any further at that meeting, but believing he 
 ftiould have time enough afterwards to fpeak about the enlargement of the Cardinals, 
 he would not (in a time of fo great diftra(ftion,and in a conjundure wherein the Kings 
 mind might waver J anticipate bufinefTes unfeafonably, but proceed with well-pondered 
 counfels, firft fetling the publick, and then private intereft. 
 
 But the King having entertained great hopes by the Legats words, and feeing that 
 he feemed not much troubled at the imprifonment of the Cardinals and other Prelates, 
 refolved to go forward, and to free himfelf from the Cardinal of Guife^ a no lefs fierce 
 and terrible Head of the League than his Brother had been : To which end, having 
 found the Five and forty unwilling to imbrue their hands in the blood of the Cardi- 
 nal, he commanded du Gaji, one of the Captains of his Guard, that he (hculd caufe 
 him to be put to death the next morning by his Souldiers. So upon the Four and 
 twentieth day, being Chrifimas-Eve in the morning , Captain Gafi being come into 
 the Chamber, where he was with the Archbifhop of Lyons ^ and where they had been 
 all night in moft terrible fear, confeiTing one another, and watching in continual prayer, 
 he bad the Archbifhop come along with him, for the King called for him: At which 
 words, the Cardinal believing that he was led to death, faid to him, My Lord, think 
 upon God : But the Archbifhop gheiTing better than he, and not willing x<j fail in the 
 fame Office, replied, Nay, rather do you think of him, my Lord i and going away, 
 
 he
 
 of France. The ^hQnth "Bool^, 
 
 373 
 
 he Was brought into another room. A while after, du G«/t returned , atid told the 
 Cardinal that he had Commillion to put him to death. To which he only anfwered 
 that he defircd time to recommend his Soul to God : And having kneeled down he 
 made a fhort Prayer j and covering his head with the lower part of his Robe, he un- 
 dauntedly bad him execute his Commillion i when prefently four Souldiers armed 
 with Parteians , flew him with many wounds i and his body was carried to the fame 
 place where the Dukes Brother lay. The King doubted , that if the bodies were 
 feen, they might occafion fome tumult i and therefore having by the counfel of his 
 Phyfitian caufed them to be buried in quick Lime, within a few hours all their flefli 
 was confumed, and afterward the bones were fectetly interred in an unknown place; 
 removing in that manner, thofe tragical ObjecSs, which ufe to work ftrange and fud- 
 den motions in the common people: neither had he himfelf the heart to look upon 
 them j nor did any of the Court fee them after their death , except thofe few who 
 ot neccllity were prefcnt i the King not defiring that fo fad a fpedacle (hould argue him 
 guilty, either of cruelty, or ambitious pomp of oftentation. 
 
 In this manner died Henry of Lorain, Duke of Gtdfe j a Prince very remarkable for 
 the height of his Extradion , and for the merit and greatnefs of his Anceftors ; but 
 much more confpicuous for the great eminency of his own worth : For he abounded 
 with many excellent endowments ■■> vivacity in comprehending, wifdom in refolving, 
 boldnefs in executing, courage in fight, magnanimity in profperity, conftancy in ad- 
 verfity popular in behaviour, affable in converfation, infinitely induftrious in gaining 
 the minds and aifedtions of every one, liberality worthy the moft plentiful fortune fe- 
 crecy and policy equal to the greatnefs of his defigns ■■, a fpritely turning wit, readily 
 flored with determinations and refolves according as occafion required, and juft proper 
 for the times in which he lived. To thefe qualities of the mind were joyned orna- 
 ments of the body no lefs commendable ; patient fufiferance of labour, fingular (bbrie- 
 ty, a venerable, yet gracious afpedt, a ftrong fouldierly conftitution, agility of mem- 
 bers fo well difpofed, that he was often fcen to fwim in all his arms againft the ftream 
 of a fwift River i and wonderful adtivity, whereby both in Wreftling, Tennis, and 
 Military exercifes, he did far exceed the ability of all other men -. and finally, fuch 
 concording union in the vigour of his mind and body, that he gained not only an 
 univerfal admiration, but extorted praifes from the mouths of his very Enemies. Yet 
 were not thefe vertues without thedefedls of humane frailty : For doublenefs anddif> 
 fimulation were in him turned into nature i and vain-glory and ambition were fo 
 powerful over the temperature of hisdifpofition, that from the very beginning they 
 made him embrace the command of the Catholick Faftion, and in procefs of time 
 from the necelTity of defending himfelf from the Kings fubtil policies •, put him eafily 
 upon the precipitate defign of attaining by moft difficult hidden ways to the (ucceffiort 
 of the Crown : and finally, the boldnefs of his own nature, and his ufual contempt 
 of all others, brought him unadvifedly to utter ruine. 
 
 Lems the Cardinal, though he came far fliort, imitated the Courage and vertue of 
 his Brother : for he always fliewed a ready wit, a lively fpirit, a conftant mind, and 
 magnanimity equal to his birth j but the turbulency of his thoughts, and precipitate 
 boldnefs of his nature, took off very much from the opinion which at firft was con- 
 ceived of him: for his too much ardour, his defireofnew things his defpifing of dangers, 
 and his unquietnefs of mind, ("which have fome kind of luftre in a Military profeflionj 
 feemed not to have the fame decency in a Spiritual life, and an Ecclefiaftical habit. 
 
 The execution of the two Brothers being paft, the others that had been imprifoned 
 were diverfly kept and guarded. The Duke of Nemottrs either having corrupted his 
 Keepers with money, or taking opportunity by their negligence, or by the Kings af* 
 fentand connivance, fas many thought, becaufe knowing his nature, he believed him 
 rather more apt to hinder and difturb, than to favour and compofe the affairs of the 
 League) efcaped the fourth day from the place, where he was not very ftridly looked 
 to, and by unknown ways, with only one Servant, went fecretly toward Farts. Anne 
 d' Ejie, Mother to him, and to the dead Princes of L(7r<?/», was alfo voluntarily freed by 
 the King, having fhewed her many demonflrations of compalTion •, whether he was 
 moved with the pity of her age, or that the fplendour of her blood, or her being born of 
 one of the Daughters of King Lervis, made him give her the more refpcd. La ChapeVe^ 
 Companfiotteblanche,the Lieutenant of .^»2/>«/,the Count de Brijfjc^znd the Sieur de Eois" 
 VjK^hin, becaufe they were in the number of ^he Deputies, (the Affembly of the States 
 
 having 
 
 1588. 
 
 Du gaji, a 
 Captain of the 
 Kings Guard, 
 caufes the 
 Cardinal of 
 Gi;/> to be 
 flain by four 
 ^ODldiccs. 
 
 The bodies of 
 the two Bro- 
 thers were 
 burned in 
 quick Lime, 
 and their 
 bones buried 
 inanttnknowti 
 place. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Outf's VirtueJ 
 and Endow- 
 ments, both in 
 body and mind
 
 574 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1588. 
 
 The Atchbi- 
 (liopsof Lfons 
 being often 
 examined, 
 would never 
 anfwer ; al- 
 leJgingjthat as 
 Primarc of all 
 France he had 
 no other Supe- 
 liour but (be 
 Catltolick 
 Church. 
 
 The Cardinal 
 o( Btttrkin, the 
 Prince of /<ii«- 
 viHe, no'Vcjl- 
 ledDuke of 
 (;«i,V,theAtch- 
 bilhop of Ly- 
 «r:;, and the 
 Di'kt I 'b'lbruf, 
 arc all put in- 
 to the Caftle of 
 yAmbojfe. 
 
 Chftrles Duke 
 of Mjynney 
 third Brother 
 to the Oiiifs, 
 licinga.iverti- 
 fed of hii Bro 
 then deith, 
 flees from Ly- 
 ens. 
 
 158P. 
 
 KjtWrmc He 
 Midkii Wife 
 to Henry the 
 Second, died 
 on Twelfth- 
 Eve, in the 7 9 
 year of her 
 age, thirty 
 whereof flie 
 fpent in the 
 Regency, anj 
 in the manage- 
 ment of the 
 greateft affairs 
 and troubles 
 of the King- 
 dom of f i4KCCi 
 
 having made an appeal, complaining that the Law of Nations was violated, forafmuch 
 as the Deputies were AmbafTadors and MefTengers from their feveral Provinces) were 
 fet at liberty. But the fame happened not to the Archbifhop of Lyons., though he was 
 one of the Deputies, nay Prcfident of the Clergy : for the King often delired to have 
 him examined by the Archbifhop of Beauvois., as a Peer of France., fometimes by the 
 Cardinal of Condy, fometimes by the Judges of the Great Council, he had always re- 
 fufed to anfwer , left he (hould prejudice the Ecdefiaftical Jurifdidtion , wherein, as 
 Primate of all France.^ he faid he had no other Superiour but the Apoftolick Seai thougfi 
 the King and his Minifters alledged that they impeached him not as Archbifliop oiLyons., 
 Cthough (b in cafes of Rebellion and Treafon the King pretended to have Jurifdidlion 
 over him) but as a Counfellor of State : for which caufe the King being exafperated, 
 and thinking that his refufal to anfwer proceeded from a foul, guilty Confcience, 
 would not confent to his enlargement, though his Nephew the Baron de Lux took 
 much pains about it, and though the Deputies were much troubled at the Kings de- 
 nial. Pelican the Secretary of the dead Duke, and fbme others of his neareft Ser- 
 vants, were often examined i and having drawn as much from them as they could, 
 by the Kings command (who fcorned to defile himfelf with mean blood ) were fet at 
 liberty. But the Cardinal of BoHrbon^who wept like a Child for the death of the Lords 
 of Gttjfe., and was much afflidted for his own misfortune i the Duke d' Elbeuf, who 
 by defpair was fallen into an excefs of melancholy, fo that he would neither endure 
 to change his clothes, cut his hair, or ufe wonted decency about his perfon > the Prince 
 of Jainville, who by the death of his Father began to be called Duke of Guife ; toge- 
 ther with the Archbifhop of Lyons., were fafter not many daysj brought by the King 
 himfelf to the Caftle of Amboyfe., and there, under the command of Captain du Gajt^ 
 were left in feveral Lodgings, but with a good Garifon, and ftri(ft order to keep them 
 faft. 
 
 At the very inftant of the Cardinals death. Colonel Alfonfo Corfo went away poft to 
 Lyons, where Charles Duke of Mayenne the third Brother of the Guifes ftayed, being 
 appointed for the War in Vauphine, with order to take him there upon the fudden, 
 and make him prifoncr : but he was prevented by Camilio T'olomei., and the Sieur de 
 Chaferoft., who being gone fecretly from Blois the fame day the Duke was killed , and 
 got unknown to Orleans , took the way towards Lyons with infinite fpeed i fo that 
 upon Chriftmas day in the evening, about Sun-(et, the Duke left the City to retire 
 to Vijon , a place under his Government, at the fame time the Colonel entered the 
 City by another Gate, to execute the Commillion he had received > and fo of the 
 three Brothers he efcaped free from danger, into whofe valour and wifdom all the 
 foundations and hopes of the League were now reduced. 
 
 The death of the Queen-Mother (hut up the laft a(^ of the Tragedy of Bloh, who 
 in the 70'^ year of her age having been long afflidted with the Gout, and at laft op- 
 prefFed with a flow Feaver, and extream abundance of Catharrs , departed this life 
 upon the fifth day of January 158CJ. being the Eve of the Epiphany of cur Lord, 
 a day which was wont to be celebrated with great joy by the Court , and the whole 
 Kingdom of France. The qualities of this Lady, confpicuous for the fpacious courfe 
 of thirty years, and famous thorow all Europe , may better be comprehended by the 
 context of things that have been related , than defcribed by any Pen, or reprefented , 
 in a few words. For her prudence always abounding with fitting determinations to 
 remedy the fudden chances of Fortune, and to oppofe the machinations of humane 
 wickedneft, (wherewith in the minority of her Sons flie managed the weight of fo 
 many Civil Wars, contending at once with the effedts of Religion, with the contumacy 
 of her Subjedts,with the neccllities of the Treafury, with the diflimulations of the Great 
 Ones, and with the dreadful engines raifed by Ambition) is rather to be admired di- 
 ftindly in every particular adtion, than confufedly dead-coloured in a general draught of 
 all her vertues. The conftancy and grcatnefs of Courage wherewith {he, a Woman,and a 
 Stranger,durft againft fo potent Competitors,afpire to the whole weight of Government, 
 having afpired, compafs it j and having compaffcd, maintain it againft rhe blows of art 
 and fortUDe,was much more like the gencrofity and courage of a man verfed and hardned 
 in the affairs of the world,than of a woman accuftomed to the delicacies of tbeCourt,and 
 kept fo low duringthelifeof her Husband. But the patience, dexterity, fufferance and 
 moderation, with which arts in the fufpicion which her Son (after fo many proofs) had 
 conceived of her^flie kaew ftill how to maintain the authority of GoTernment in hey (cif, 
 '<■■ (infomuch,
 
 €)/ France. The U^inth ^ool^ o-.c 
 
 (infomuch, as without her counfel and confent he durft not refolve of thofe very things e8« 
 wherein he was jealous of her) was as it were the higheft pitch and tnoft eminent 
 proof of her great worth. To thefe vertues, which appear plainly in the courfe of het 
 adions here related, were added many other endowments, wherewith banifiiing the 
 frailties and impcrfeftions of the Female Sex, (he became always Miftrefs of thofe paf- 
 iions which ufe to make the brighteft lights of humane prudence wander from the 
 right path of life i for in her were a moft elegant wit, royal magnificence, popular 
 courtelie, a powerful manner of fpeaking, an eifedlual inclination , liberal and favou- 
 rable to the good, a moft bitter hatred and perpetual ill-will to the bad, and a tem- 
 perature, never excelfively intereffed in favouring and advancing her dependents. Yet 
 could (he never do fo much , but that being an Italian, her vertue was defpifed by 
 the French pride, and thofe that had a defire to difturb the Kingdom hated her mor- 
 tally, as contrary to their defigns i wherefore the Hugonots in particular, both in 
 her life-time, and after her death, blaftcd and tore her Name with poyfonous Libels 
 and with malicious Narrations and Execrations : and a certain Writer ("who deferves 
 rather the name of a Satyrift than a HiftorianJ hath laboured to make her adtions ap- 
 pear veiy different from the truth i attributing often either ignorantly or malicioufly 
 the caufes of her determinations to a perverfity of nature, and an excelTive appetite to 
 govern i abafing and diminifliing the glory of thofe eifeds which in the midftof (b 
 certain dangers did more than once fecurely produce the fafety, and divert the over- 
 throw of the Kingdom. Not but among fo many excellent vertues, fome weeds of 
 worldly imperfedtions did alfo fpring up : for fhe was efteemed of a moft deceitful 
 Faith, a cpndition common enough in all times, but very peculiar to that age j greedy 
 or rather prodigal of humane blood, much more than became the tendernefs of the Fe- 
 male Sex ; and it appeared in many occafions, that to attain her own ends (though 
 good J ftie thought no means unfit which feemed conducing to her defigns, though of 
 themfelves they were unjuft and perfidious. But the eminence of fo many other ver- 
 tues may certainly, to reafbnable Judges, cover many of thofe dcfeds which were pro- 
 duced by the urgency and necelTity of affairs. 
 
 The King was prefent with dcmonftrations of extream griefs , at the laft galps of 
 her life, which ended very Chriftianly, and her death was honoured with his t€ars, 
 and with exceeding great lamentations by the whole Court, though the prefent diftra- 
 dions did in the hafty Funeral of the Mother very much hinder the wonted Magni- 
 ficence of the Son. Her Heirs were Chrejiienne de Lorain , Wife to Ferdinando Grand 
 Duke o( Thujcany, and Charles Grand Prior of France , Baftard-Son to Charles the 
 Ninth, who was therefore called the Count of Auvergne \ and to her Servants fhe 
 left many Legacies , but the unquietnefs of the times that followed, and fome debts 
 contraded by her liberality , did by divers ways fwallow up in great part both the ' 
 Inheritance and the Legacies. 
 
 The End of the Ninth BOOK. 
 
 THE
 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 By HEU^%ICO CATE%13^0 DAVILA. 
 
 The Tenth BOOK. 
 
 I 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 Nthe Tenth Book^ are related the Infnrre&ions canfed by the death of the Car- 
 dinal and Duke (^/Guife, the Union renewed in Paris, and many other Ci- 
 ties of the Kingdom : The Authority of command^ and Title of Lieutenant- 
 General of the Crown given to the Du^e of Mayenne. The King commands 
 frocefs to be made again fi the a&ions of the dead Princes j he contimtes the 
 States^ but breakj them up at laji, the Deputies being varioujly inclined. The 
 Kingjirives to appeafe the Pope , Tpho is highly offended at the Cardinal of 
 Cuife'j death : He difpatcheth the Bifiop of Mans to Rome for thatpurpofej 
 hut the Pope perfljis, and makes grievous complaints in the Confijiory : The 
 King endeavours to maks peace with the Duke c/Mayenne; but neither doth 
 that defign take effeB : The Duke goes to Paris, and begins feveral ways to 
 take up Arms , he eftablijlies the General Council of the League^ and the par- 
 ticular one of the Sixteen at Paris : He difpatches Mtnijiers to Rome to con- 
 firm the Popes inclination'-, who afterward publifieth a Monitory againji the 
 King of France, and foments the League exceedingly. The King being ne- 
 cejjitated to make War, agrees with the King of Navarre, and concludes a 
 Truce with him : The SpaniJJj Ambajfador leaves the Court y and goes to re fide 
 in Paris with the Heads of the League '^ the Popes Legat departs alfo, and not 
 having been able toperfccade the Dukg c/Mayenne to confe?Jt topeace,goes out of 
 the KingdomThe warisbcgunfurioujlyin every placeXbeDuke ^'/Montpenfier 
 defeats the Gautiers in Normandy. The Kings of France and Navarre meet 
 in theCity ofTouvsThe Duke ofMayenne takes theDuJ^ofVendoGxi,and the 
 Count de ^nenne pnfoner , he ajftults the Kings Infantry in the Fauxbourgs 
 of Tours, and takes and pojjejfeth himfelf of many Pojis. The King f>/ Na- 
 varre comes up with his Army, atzd the Duke going away, takes many places 
 in his march toward Normandy. The Duke of Aumale befieges Senlis, 
 fights with the Duke of Longueville and Sieur de la Noue, and lofes the 
 day. The Duke of Mayenne to recover this lofs marches towards Paris. The 
 
 King 
 
 O F T H E ^
 
 of France. The Tenth 'Boo^. 
 
 King with his Army follows the fame way, takes Ge;'geau, Piviers, Char- 'S^^* 
 tres,Eftampes, Montereau,Poiiiy, 4/;^o/'^er/>/<i(rex.' ke joyns with the D/iJke 
 o/Montpenfier. The Svpijfes and Germans raifed for his ajjifiance, arrive 5 
 He takes the adjacent Towns, and layes Jiege ^i? Par is 5 where the T>Hke &f 
 Mayenne and the People (^having but fmall hopes to defend themfelves'\ re- 
 folve to (land it out to the utmoji. Frier Jaques Clement a Dominican goes 
 out oft he City, is brought into the King's Chamber, andjiabshim into the belly 
 with a. knife 5 the King dying, declares the King tf/ Navarre his lawful fiic- 
 ceffor, and perfvades him to turnCatholick; The Army, and particularly the 
 Nobility , waver in their refolutions, at laji they refolve to ackfiowledgc the 
 King of Navarre, provided Religion might befecured. He mak^es them a. 
 promife in writing to imbrace the Roman-Catholique-F aith. He rifes front 
 Pzxis by reafon of the wafiingof his Army, makes fliew as if he would befiege 
 Rouen, and goes /(?Diepe. The Duke of Mzy&xme. much encreafed injirength 
 follows him'-i they fight at Pollet, at Arques, and under the Walls of Diepe. 
 Supplies come to the King from many parts. The Duke of May enne marches 
 0^ and goes into Picardy^ the King enlarges himfelf towards the Ijle of 
 France.- He takes andfacks the fuburbs of Fans, goes diredly to Tours, and 
 by the way feizeth upon many places : He enters into that City -^ is received 
 with great pomp , fits in the Parliament , excufes to the Nobility his delay 
 of changing his Religion 5 Marches into lower Normandy , and reduceth all 
 that Province into his power, 
 
 ^Fter the bloody Tragedy which ended the year 1 588, followed a 
 dreadful, terrible alteration of the Scene: for the news of the 
 death of the Lords of Guife being come the fame day to Orleans^ 
 the next to taris, and from hand to hand into all parts of the 
 Kingdom , it is not poffible to believe how much it troubled and 
 difturbed the mindes, not onely of the common people (inclined 
 by nature and cultom to embrace all emergent occafions of change} 
 but of all degrees, and all qualities of perfonsj and, which feemed 
 very ftrange, of many alfo, who, in times paft, had been efteemed prudent, moderate 
 men. This fo great perturbation of mens minds, produced in their lirft fury rafli pre- 
 cipitate effeds : for the City of Orleans, which for a long time before had held the par- 
 ty of the League, and moreover had been wont, in all the courfe of the Civil Wars, to 
 be firft up in Armes, having heard of the Duke of Gai/f's death, and the imprifon- 
 ment of all the reft, by them who fleeing haftily from Bluis^ were gotten thither at the 
 firft ftage, and particularly by the Sieur de Roffieuz one of the Counfellors of the 
 League i without any determinate refolution, and without ftaying for a Head to order 
 them, they took Arms openly the very fame night i and having driven away or fup- 
 prefled the King's Magiftrates, who endeavoured to hinder the Infurre<ftion,thcy went 
 all confufedly to alTault the Fortrefs, in which Monfieur ^' Entraqites his Lieutenant was 
 for the King, with a very few Soldiers, and (as in a fudden accident^ in want of all •, 
 
 thofe things which are neceftary to make good a place. The Citiiensof C/^^rh-f/ did 
 the fame , though in the late Commotions it had been of the King's party i and ha- 
 ving taken Arms, thruft out all that favoured the King's name, or that would have 
 oppofed the Infurredion, and began to govern it felf without the confent of the Ma- 
 giftrates. But the news being come to ?aris upon Chriftmas-eve, at the (hutting in of 
 the day, brought firft by a Poft difpatched from Von 'Bernardino Mendozza, and after- 
 ward by Captain Hippolito Xanzala of Ferrara, one of the Captains entertained by the 
 Duke of Guife, the Shops were haftily (hut up, and the multitude in their wonted tu- 
 mult, ran fome to the Hojiel de Guife, where were the Dutchefles of Guife and Montpen- 
 fier, the Dukes Wife and Sifter, and fome to the City Gates to look for more certain Jn''of"he"p^" 
 news, and more diftind: particulars of the bufinefsi which when they had learned by "O*"'; «;h« 
 the arrival of thofe, who, having fled from Blois, came all running without flay to ?a- i^ke ofciiAV 
 ris i the people fometimes with bowlings, fometimcs with lamentations, fometimes with *^"=''' 
 
 C c e exceeding
 
 578 
 
 The Hislory of the Civill Wars 
 
 158P'. 
 
 CiAtUt of io- 
 uii, Duke of 
 ^■^xmalc, being 
 made Gover- 
 rot of rutii by 
 the City.armts 
 the pcople,and 
 ctdeisthem . 
 regularly un- 
 der Comman- 
 dcrt 
 
 The Preachers 
 detraflirg 
 from the King, 
 celebrate the 
 Buke I'f Quife 
 his Martyrdom 
 with exceeding 
 bighpraifes. 
 
 The CoUcdffs 
 oi Sorbonnt it^ 
 elates Henry 
 the Third to 
 have forfeited 
 his Right to 
 the Crown jand 
 his Sublets 
 free from their 
 Oath of Alk- 
 giaocc. 
 
 'exceeding fierce cries, wavered in their refolutions, there not being yet any one ready 
 togoverti the violence, and direft the determinations of the confufed giddy multi- 
 tude :• For the Dutchefs of 6«//e,with a Womanilh foftnefs, was all in tears , and the 
 Dutchefs of Montpenfur, a Lady of a haughty mind , and full of bold manly fpirits 
 (who had torn the Kings name and credit more with her Tongue, than her Brothers 
 had done with their Swords, and all their pradices) being from her birth lame of one 
 foot, and fubjed to frequent infirmities, was then lying in her bed, and had already 
 been indifpofed for many dayes: Wherefore the Council of the League being come 
 together in the midft of the tumultuous people, refolved to fend (oi Charles oi Lo- 
 rain, Duke of Aumale^ who fleeing from the States at Blois, out of a certain prefaging 
 fear,' had ftaid in taris^ and that very day was retired to his devotions to the Covent 
 of Carthufians hard by the City i at whofe arrival, though late at night, all the mul- 
 titude ran to his houfe, but onely fpent the time in bewailings and lamentations. 
 
 The next day, the whole City being in grief,they difpatched Divine Service quickly, 
 without their wonted Mufick and Singing, and from the Churches being come to the 
 Town-houfe, the fame Council met again there •, at which were prefent the moft no- 
 ted Citizens, and alfo many of the Magiftratesj fome drawn by an anxious curiofity, 
 fome driven by the fear of being torn in pieces by the fury of the multitude, and fome 
 came with a defire to find remedy againft the unbridled raflinefs of the common peo- 
 ple. But it was alLin vain : For in ftead of Counfels, there being nothing heard but 
 bitter Invedives, and Injurious Threats againft the King's name, they refolved in the 
 firft place, that till a further determination, the Duke of Aumale fhould be declared 
 Governor of the City, and that under his obedience they fliould from new advertife- 
 ments, expeft new occafion of taking another refolution : Yet he not having power to 
 do or determine any thing without the Council of Sixteen^ and becaufe everyone cried 
 out tumultuoufly, that the City ought to be kept from the machinations and violences 
 of the Hugonots and Politickj, who upon occafion of the flaughter of Bloii, might plot 
 againft the general peace and fafety v the Duke having taken the name and authority 
 of Governor, put the people in Arms, and under their Commanders diftributed them 
 to the keeping of the principal places, taking care that the goods and houfes of the 
 Citizens might not be pillaged by the Seditious Rabble. 
 
 The fame evening, and the next day, the Preachers thundered from their Pulpits 
 the praifes of the Duke of Guife's Martyrdom, and deteftations of that flaughter, moft 
 cruelly committed by the King, in fuch manner, that not onely the mindes of theba- 
 fer people, but alfo of the moft noted Citizens , were won by their perfwafions, and 
 kindled with an infinite defire to take revenge : Which boldnefs both in the Preachers 
 and People was doubled, when they heard the news of the Cardinals death alfo,which 
 brought them to the higheft pitch of rage and madrefs i fo that upon the Eight and 
 twentieth of December, being Innocents day, the Council of Sixteen cauled a Writing 
 to be prefented to the Colledge of Divines called the Sorbo»ne,in the name of the Pro- 
 vofi ^ndEfchevifif of the City, wherein relating how much the Lords oiGjtife defer ved of 
 the Catholick Church,and their being murdered by the King as Protedtors of the faith, 
 they demanded whether he might not lawfully be faid to have forfeited his Crown i 
 and whether it were not lawful for his Subjcds C notwithftanding their Oath of Alle- 
 giancej to withdraw their obedience from him, as an Hypocrite Prince , an open fa- 
 vourer of Herefie, and a perfecutor of the holy Church , who had bloodied his hands 
 in the facred Order and eminent Perfon of a Cardinal. The Colledge of ^or^s^^we be- 
 ing affembled, there was no great debate about the matter : For though Jehan Fahray^ 
 Dean of the Colledge , a man of profound Learning, followed by Robert Vajivarrin 
 and Dennis 5ori/«,two of the Senior Doftors. argued, that though it were true, that 
 the bufinefs had pafled as the Writing related ( which was doubtful ) yet neither 
 for all that could the King be faid to have forfeited the Kingdom, nor was it law- 
 ful for his People to withdraw their obedience from him i fo great neverthelefs was 
 the ardour of the younger men, excited by the Preachings of GmUiaume Roze Bifliop 
 of Senlii , of the Curats of St. Paul, and St. Eujiache, of Jehan Vinceftre, John Ha- 
 milton, Father JaquesCommolet, a Jcfuit, Father Bernard, a Fuillant, and of Father 
 Francois de Feu-ardant^ a Francifcan j that they unanimoufiy concurred to deter- 
 rnine both the points,and with concurring votes declared, That the King had forfeited 
 
 u ^l^^ ^° ^^^ Crown,and that his fubjefts not onely might, but ought to caft off their 
 obedience > and that , providing for the Government, they juftly had power to make 
 
 confederacies.
 
 of France. The Tenth "BooL 
 
 379 
 
 confederacies, to impofe Subfidies , raife Soldiers, difpofe of the Revenues of the 
 Crown, and to do all other things which were opportune or convenient for the de- 
 fence of Rehgion, and their own fecurity. They added, with the fame univerfal con- 
 fent, that the Decree of this Declaration fhould be fent to the Pope, that he might 
 confirm ir, and make it fo authentick, that the validity of it might not at all be called in 
 queilion for the time to come ; after which Declaration, the people as it were loofen- 
 ed from the bonds of obedience, and having broken the rein of Modefty, ran violently 
 to the breaking down of the King's Arn-jes and Statues, wherefoever they found 
 them, and began furioully to feek out all thofc which could be accounted dependents 
 of his party , by them called Njrvarrijis and Politicks i whicli infolent tumultuous 
 fcarch forced many quiet men , and fuch as were averfe from thofe turbulent wayes 
 to leave their houfes to fave their lives ■■> many others were fain to compound with 
 money i and fome C notwithlknding the Duke of Aumale took great pains to pre- 
 vent it J ioft their lives unfortunately in the bulinefs : while which things were done 
 with infinite diforder, all the lireets were full of Arm.s, noifes, and confufions > and 
 the meaneft people raging againft the marks of Royalty, committed fcandalous and 
 intolerable infolencies: all Churches eccho'd with voices of the Preachers, who aggra- 
 vated.the Parricide committed by Hem-y of ValoU, no longer called King of France 
 but the Heretick, Tyrant, and perfecutor of the holy Church ■■> and all places were full 
 of Libels, both in Verfe and Profe, which contained and amplified the fame things fe- 
 veral wayes- 
 
 But the Council of Sixteen defiring to reduce the City totally into their power, 
 and feeing the Parliament divided, part being inclined to follow the popular comm,oti- 
 ons, part difpofed to perfevere in their obedience to the King, determined, that the 
 Prefidents and Counfellors which held the King's party, fhould, as enemies to the 
 pubiick good, and adherents to the Tyrant, be not onely removed from their Offices 
 butalfo (hut up clofe prifoners in the Sajiille ■■, forefeeing well, that if they continued 
 at liberty, and had power to manage their affairs, it would infinitely crofs their de- 
 figns, and with very great danger interrupt the union and concord of the ether Citi- 
 7ens. Wherefore, having refolved among' themftlves what was to be donc,and brought 
 all the Heads of the people to their opinion, upon the Sixteenth of January^ they, with 
 a great number of armed men, befet the Palace-Hall, where, according to the cu- 
 fiom , the Counfellors of Parliament were met together, and having made good all 
 the paffages, and fet guards at every door , they called forth AchiHe de Harlay firlt 
 Prefident of the Parliament, and all the relt by name, whom they had determined to 
 lay hold on, who being come readily forth to know what they would have with them 
 already prefaging very well what would come to pafs, the Sieur de BitJJy^ deputed to 
 execute that bufinefs, gave them order to follow him ; which command, grounded 
 rather upon force than reafon, being by them obeyed without refiffance, they were 
 led thorough the cries and injurious ufage of the people, to the Bjjlilk--, onely P/m-f 
 Segiver^mdijaques Aitgnjle de T/?oa, by the helpof fortune fccretly faved themfelvesi 
 who depending upon the King's party, had laboured ftoutly to keep the Parliament 
 from medling in the Infurredion. The favourers of the League being encouraged 
 and the oppofers of it terrified by this vehement refolution, the remaining Prtfidents 
 and Counfellors chofe Bamabe Bnffin firlt Prefident and Head of the Parliament, a 
 man of deep learning and fingular eloquence, but of a violent various inclination , 
 and therefore very fubjedt to alter his opinions eaOly •, and afterward the Parliament 
 being folemnly aflembled to the number of i do, they, with a pubiick Declaration af- 
 fentcd to the depoling of the King, and to the freeing of the City i and fubfiituted new 
 men in the places of thofe whom they had put out and imprifoned. Nor did the bu- 
 iinefs end there i but to give form to their proceedings , the Parliament king 
 affembled again upon the Thirtieth ^Ol^ oi January^ they made an amiple Decree to 
 unite and combine themfelves for the defence of the Catholick Religion, thefafety of 
 Varis , and thofe other Cities that fhould enter into that League , to oppqfe the 
 power of thofe , who having violated the pubhck Faith , had, in the Congregati- 
 on of the States , taken away the lives of the Catholick Princes , and defen- 
 ders of the holy Church , to take juft revenge for their murther, and do juftice to 
 thofe that were injured, and finally to defend the Liberty and Dignity of the States 
 oi France againfi all perfons v/hatfoever,vvithout exception:which Decree was fubfcribcd 
 and fworn toby the Prefidents and Counfellors of the Parliament,by the Duke oiAnmale 
 
 C c c 2 Governor 
 
 ijSp. 
 
 The King's 
 Arms ana 
 S'.atuts are 
 thrown down, 
 the S^z/orrifls 
 and fc.iucl^s 
 pcrfccuccJand 
 llaia. 
 
 All the Coun* 
 fcllorsof Par- 
 liamcrc and 
 OfiBccrs who 
 adhered to the 
 Kir» are iia- 
 pfifoneit ia 
 the B.'ftille._ 
 
 A Djcree is 
 made to com* 
 bine them- 
 felves for the 
 defence of 
 Religion, and 
 ir is called 
 the Hd] Vnim
 
 380 
 
 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 1589. 
 
 The Dutchtfs 
 ctGHi/' comes 
 to the Parlia- 
 ment and lie- 
 mands juniccj 
 iheyc'etcimine 
 to do it her, 
 and chufe 
 thoO: that 
 fliould form 
 the Froccrs. 
 
 Pliccs and Ci- 
 ties which rife 
 and unite 
 themfelvesl 
 with the Pa« 
 (iiijns. 
 
 * Rjthtr in 
 
 Lrnigvii c. 
 
 Govcrnour the Trevoft des Marchands, the Efchevinsof the City, and afterwards by d 
 <rreat number, as well of the Gentry and Clergy, as of the common people ■■> and this 
 confederacy, with the wonted name and title of the League, wasalfo called the ho^ 
 h-Vnio)!, After this Decree, Madam de Guife, the late Duke's Wife came to the Par- 
 liament i where, Iiaving in her wonted form made her complaint, and demanded Ju- 
 fticeVor'the Miu'ther committed upon her Husband, and the Cardinal her Brother-in- 
 law reckoning up all the fervices which the Houfe oiGuife had done to the Catholick 
 Religion and to the Crown ; and exaggerating the cruelty of that flaughter, under 
 the Publick Faith, and in the prefence of the States-General of the Kingdom : The 
 Parliament ("all the feveral Chambers being folemnly affembled^ decreed, that Juftice 
 fliould be done her i and chofe two Counfelllors, who with the publick fblemnities 
 fliould form the Procefs ■■> forbidding all other to meddle about taking any informa- 
 tion in that bufmefs, which they added, becaufe they knew that there was diligent 
 inquiry made by the King's order concerning thofe things which had been done by 
 the Princes of Lorain in their life-time. 
 
 At the Infurredion of the Parliament and City of P^ri/, as at a Beacon or fignal 
 cf War, the greateft Cities, and moft warlike people of France took arms likewife,and 
 rofe with a very great and univerfal commotion , for as the news of the death of the 
 Princes of Lorain, and of the refolutions of the Parifians was divulged from hand to 
 hand, fo like a dangerous fire fpreading all abroad, did this popular tumult fucccflfive- 
 ly dilate it felf, in fuch manner, that not onely Orleans, and Chartres, which had taken 
 Armes from the beginning, but MeMtx^Crefpy, theCaftleof Pierre-font, Corbeil, Mc- 
 ln)t, St Df«w, Tantoyfe, Senlis, Creil, Clairmont, and all the Towns about the Ifle of 
 Fr^Mcf joyned themfelves to the Union of the Parifians i with the fame inclination 
 revolted the City uf Rouen , with the greater part of the Parliament of Norman- 
 dy , Loiiviers , Mante , Vernon , Lifieux , Ponteau-de-Mer , Havre de Grace , Honfleur , 
 iLureux, Fougeres , Falaife, Argentan , Montivilliers , Vreux , and except Caen , and 
 the Country of Conjlantine , all the C ities and ftrong places of that rich fpacious 
 Province. Picardy followed the fame example > where Amiens, Cambray, Abbevil- 
 le, SoiJJ'ons, Laon , and many other places fided with the Vnion. Champagne, a 
 Province governed by the Duke oiGuife did the likei for Rheims, Troye,Vitry, 
 Chajieau-'lhierry,znd all the other Towns except Chalon , took part with the 
 League without any demur. Nor were mens minds any quieter, or the people 
 more moderate in Bourgongne •■> for Dijon with the Parliament of that Province, 
 Mdfcon , Lux , and many other Towns betook themfelves to the fame party. The like 
 did the Parliament of Aix, the head of Provence , which was follow'd by Marfeilles, 
 Carcafnnne, znd Narbonne, as alfo by the City of Bo«rgf j (where the Law is chiefly 
 fiudiedj Mans , a principal Town in the Confines of Anjou, and many other lefTer 
 Villages. In * Gafcogne , the Parliament and City of tholoufe took Arms violently, 
 to which many other places joyned themfelves. InAuvergne the Count de Randan, 
 with Clairmoftt, Montferrant, St Forcin, Ifoire, and other Towns and Fortrefles follow- 
 ed likewife the party of the Vnion. In Bretagne the Duke de Mercceur Governor there- 
 of, forgetting that he was Brother-in-Law to the King, and by him enriched, exalted, 
 and put into that Government, being drawn, not onely by the interefts of his Family, 
 but his own private pretenfions, which by his Wife he had unto that Province, took 
 part with the League j ZVi^wffj-, a City of great confequence, revolting with him, as al- 
 fo f'^jraej-, ^iw^fr/tij, and in a manner all that Province full of Nobility and riches. 
 InGKif;««f themmultwas exceeding high, at Bourdeaux,^ veiy grtztCitj, where the 
 Governor of the Province refides,and which is the feat of the Parliament-: But the Ma- 
 refchal de Matignon, who held that Government in the King's name, with his wonted 
 courage, and prompt rcfclution, made fo brave an oppofition, that having driven out 
 the feditious, and got the upper hand with little blood, he retained it happily at the 
 King s devotion .• Yet , Agen, Perigueux , and many other Towns of that Province 
 went over to the League. The City of Lyons was the laft that rofe , by reafon of 
 Colonel Aifonfo Corfo his refiftance, and the oppofition of the SwilTe and Italian Mer- 
 chants : But the great abundance of common people got the beft at laft, fo that they ge- 
 nerally refolved to turn to the party of the Vnion, and to call the Duke of Nemours , 
 'who had efcaped from prifijn at Blon, and had had that Government conferred upon 
 hirn by the King to gratifie the Duke of Guife a while before his death. 
 
 The example of the Cities and common people was followed by no fmall number 
 
 of
 
 of France. The Tenth ^oo^, ,381 
 
 bf the Nobility in the fevcral Provinces, drawing with them not only the Train of their 1 58^. 
 Tenants and Pcafants, but alfo many Caflles and ftrong Holds, in which, both for 
 their fecurity and decency, the Gentry ufe to inhabit in all parts of Fr.j«ctf : Scf that A defcripcion; 
 the party of the League was not onely grown very great, by the conjundlion of the ribUco'Sd'ui- 
 principal Cities, but was alfo ftrengthned by the abetting of the Nobility, in whom, for °[V^-^' ^T" 
 the mod part, the Forces of that Crown confift. By the commotion of this Univerfal the mtans''of 
 Infurredion f as it were miraculoufly forefcen and foretold by the Queen-Mother upon '^V ^"''d' °[ 
 her Death-bedj all the Provinces ot the Kingdom were divided and difmembred, in 
 fuch fort, that not onely Cities were againll Cities, and Cafiles againft Caftles > but al- 
 fo Lords, Gentlemen, and meaner perfons againft one another, became enemies in fuch 
 a furious hoftile manner, that treading down the Laws, breaking the bond of common 
 charity, and driving away the Magiitrates from all places, they of themfelves, without 
 cxpedling order from their fuperiors, began a moft fatal , cruel Civil War, with nre, 
 flaughter, blood, and rapine: For neither the Commotions of the Cities, nor the in- 
 clinations of this or that particular man being yet know, every one mingling his pri- 
 vate interefts and revenges in the publick combuftions, did, after their own wills, for- 
 tifie places that were quitted, feize upon thofe already fortified, take rich men prifo- 
 ners, lay wait for the lives of their adverfaries, pillage the goods of the Country peo- 
 ple, rob upon the high- wayes i and with horrible unheard of wickednefs, and with- 
 out fear of Juftice or Form of Government, filled every thing with terror, mourning 
 and confufion i (b that all commerce being broken of it felf, the Wayes befct, the 
 Gentry and Commons armed, and even the very Clergy encompafled with Guards ^^^ j^^^^^ 
 and Weapons, fometimes under the names of Hugomts and Catholkkj, fometimes of whfch *^he 
 Jioyalliji s znd Leagners, Comctimes of the Holy Vnionmd * White Forces, fometimes of ^3'^'°'" s*'^ 
 Navarrijis and Lorains, they were as with a fatal general frenzy bent upon the de- *'Bmd°s 
 lirudion of their common Country. Bancbe,. 
 
 But the King, to whom thenewsof thefe Infurrec^ions were brought every hour 
 from all parts, was exceeding follicitous to appeafe the Deputies, and to (hew them 
 the necelfity he had to free himfelf of the Lords of the Houfe o( Lorain: For he 
 thought, that they, returning into their own Countries, with the impreflTion of his 
 reafons, might help very much to fettle thofe mindes that were violently ftirred up, 
 and to reftore their Cities unco the wonted obedience "> and therefore did very care- 
 fully caufe inquifition to be made concerning the intelligences held by the Lords of 
 Ciiife, both within and without the Kingdom, about the penfions which they had re- 
 ceived from Spain, and particularly, that they had confented to the confpiracy of the 
 Duke of Saviy^ whereby he had fK^ffeffed himfelf of the Marquefate of i'^Z/^zso (though 
 beyond the AIpcs J a moft important member of the Crown i and in this they pro- 
 ceeded, by the Writings, Letters and Accounts, that had been found, and the depofi- 
 tions of prifonersi Monihat de MortthelonGarde deSeaitx, and two Maftersofthe Re- 
 quefts, alTifting to form the Procefs and examine Witnefles. 
 
 But the fecret opinions of the States were divers, though they all refulted to the 
 fame end: For thofe who before held for the King, being confirmed and encouraged by 
 what had paflTed, ftood more boldly and ftoutly for the Royal Authority, and that all 
 things might be concluded according to his intentions : But thofe that were for the 
 League,and that depended upon the Houfe of GHz/t', being in fear forthemfelves,foughc 
 all manner of means, to the end, that the Congregation of the States breaking up of 
 any falliion, they might have leave to depart freely ; having refolved afterwards to 
 difpofe of themfelves according to their own inclinations, notwithftanding all that 
 fhould be determined in the Aflembly, as things extorted violently by fear and force : 
 Which though the King perceived by more figns than one, and knew clearly, that every 
 one, making a fair fhew, endeavoured to withdraw himfelf and depart > yet defiring to 
 juftifie hisa(flions, he again confirmed the Edidof theZ^«M«in the States, hoping to 
 take away all fufpicion from the Legat, who did very much prefs for that Declaration, 
 and from hisCatholick Subjedts, of his adhering to the Hngonots, or of labouring to 
 procure the King ofNavarr's fuccelTion, whilft he was difobedient to the Roman Ca- 
 tholick Church. Afterwards the Edids being confirmed which had been made for 
 the moderation of Taxes, and lelTening the number of Offices, in all other things he 
 kept on the fame way,being diligent to fhew, that he had done all of his own accord,and 
 rot as having been conftrained by the Duke of Guife. Finally , many Decrees were 
 made about the form of Judicature , and other matters touching the eafe and relief 
 
 4>f
 
 jS2 Xhc Hislory of the Civil If ars 
 
 158?. of the People j and in this manner the States concluded i the moft fufpeded of them, 
 with deep diirmuilation ftriving(in emulation of one another J to (hew themfelves the 
 King's dependents, and afledionate to his fcrvice : Among which, were the Count 
 Je Brifjc, the Sieur de Bois Dauphin, Bernard the Advocate, and others, who , affoon 
 as they were gone from B/w/, joyned again unto the party of the League. 
 
 The King, befides the frequent news of fo many Infurrcdtions, was infinitely trou- 
 bled at the lofs of Orleans ; for he took great thought about it, and had laboured with 
 all pollible diligence to keep it, as a City that was near unto him , feated upon the 
 great road of Farif, and very convenient to make the feat of the War : And though 
 prefently after the death of the Lords of Guije^ he had fent thither firft Monfieur de 
 Dunes , Brother to Monfieur d' Entraques , and then the Marefchal d'Aumont, with 
 fome of the Soldiers of his own Guard, yet Claude de Lorain, Knight of Jtritfalem^ 
 Brother to the Duke oi Amnale, being come to alTifl the People with fupplies fent by 
 the Parillans, the obftinacy of their foUicitoufnefs in aflaulting it, was fo great, and fo 
 great the want of Ammunition, and other things neceffary to defend it, that in the end 
 of Janiiiry, the Marefchal d' Aumont marching away with Four hundred men, gave 
 way, that fome few who remained fhould render it up unto the people i and fothat 
 City was left totally in the power of the League. 
 
 But above all things , the means of appealing the Pope kept the King in greateft 
 perplexity : for though the Legat, knowing all things that had pafled in France, fliew- 
 ed himfelf from the beginning very favourable to his party, and ready to reprefent what 
 had been done advantageoufly for him at Kome j yet was he not certain what the Pope 
 would think of it, being far from the place, and perchance having received an ill im- 
 prefIion,both by the relations of the League,and the ill Offices of the Spaniards : Where- 
 fore prefently after the Cardinal oiGwfe s death, he difpatched moft particular informa- 
 tions to Jehan de Vii'onne, Marquifs ot Fijani, his AmbalTador at Home, that he might 
 have wherewithal to anfwer thofe things which might be objed:ed,and wherewithal to 
 make good his reafons i and having before fent Girolamo Condi, a Florentine to the 
 Pope, to intreat him to make the Cardinal ofGuife his Legat at Avignon, now changing 
 his Commiilion, he gave him order to take Poft, and make all poJlible hafte to Rome^ 
 t6 excufe the death of the fame Cardinal unto the Pope, and if need were, to in- 
 tercede for his abfolution for it. 
 
 But the Pope having received the news of the Duke's death firft, feemed to make 
 Sixm, ^ he no great reckoning of it 5 and turning to the Cardinal of j^^yv^^/f , who was there 
 ca"ri"''li°of'" prefent, he faid , See what becomes ot fuch men as commit errors , and afterwards 
 ck>/;'s dearh, know not how to look to themfelves. But four dayes after, the news being ar- 
 isiughiyuf- rjvcd of the Cardinals death, and the imprifbnmtnt of the Cardinal of Bourbo)\ 
 
 icn-vCa anu an- iiinr 1 r n ^ *• 
 
 fwcrs the and Archbilhopof Lyons ■■, being a man oi a moft nerce,precipitate naturejhe broke forth 
 ban?dott.Ter» '"^° ^° ?>'^'^^^ Wrath, that thundering on every fide, he caufed the AmbafTadors 
 niatpiy/ttho to be called before him , to whom with very (harp words he told the news he 
 cife'it'iohim. ^^d received, complaining beyond meafure of the King, That he had had the 
 boldnefs, contrary to the Ecclefiaftical Immunities, and contrary to the Priviledges 
 of the dignity of Cardinal, and contrary to all laws. Divine and Humane, to put a 
 Cardinal to death, and imprifon clofely two moft principal Prelates i at the fame time 
 highly threatning the Cardinal-Legat, who being prcfent, had not withheld the King 
 from fo heinous an oftence. The Marquifs de Pijani, and Girolamo Gondi ("who was then 
 arrived J with modert and obfequious, but yet conftant and grave difcourfcs, hid open 
 all the King's reafons, the crime of high-Treafon which the Cardinal of G////^ had 
 incurred, and whereof the Cardinal of Bourbon and Arch-biftiopof Lyons v/txt likewife 
 guiltystheir forces and power, whereby the King was fo far difablcd to punifli them with 
 the wonted forms in a judiciary way, that they a few months before had unworthily dri- 
 ven him out of his own Palace, and made him fly unknown from, the City of P^/'if to 
 fave his life ; the ftate of affairs brought to fuch extremities by the confpiracies 
 managed by the Brothers of Lor jm in the States, that unlefs the King, as a Ward,wo\.\\i. 
 be brought into fubjed"ion,or deprived of his Crown,he was necellitated to caufe them to 
 be puniflied,though without form of judgment,yet not without moft apparent reafon,their 
 crimes being moft heinous and manifeft,which he as King and Head of Juftice had power 
 to judge and punifti in any manner whatfoever : That if nothing clfe,the very contempt 
 they had ftiown of Religion,in making ufe of fo many folemn Oaths, and Sacraments of 
 the holy Church as means to deceive him, had made them unworthy of the protedion
 
 o/ France. . The Tenth 'Boo^, 
 
 385 
 
 of his Holinefs, who might eafily infcrm and certifie himfelf, by many proofs, that it iiSq 
 was not to proted and defend the CathoHck Faith ( which no man could hold in 
 greater veneration than the King) but for their own ambition, and to ufurp the King- 
 dom from the lawful Heirs, they had fo often, with the lofsof fo many mens lives 
 difturbed and difiradled the whole Kingdom : Finally, they added, that the King was 
 an obedient Son of the Church, defirous to fatishe the Pope in all things polTible and 
 that therefore he had fent Girolama Gondi to intreat and befeech his Holinefs to grant 
 him his bleiling, in token that He was appeafed and pacified. The Pope, neither per- 
 fwaded nor appeafed, replyed, that Giro/^wo GuWi had beendifpatched about another 
 faufinefs, and that he knew it very well i that the King was fo far from fubmitting to 
 his obedience , and faing for abfolution, that perfevering yet in his fin, he fiill kept 
 pri(bners the two chief Prelates in all France^ who were immediately under the Apo- 
 ftolick See, and that if the Cardinal of Guife and the reft had offended fo much as the 
 AmbafTadors reported, the King might have demanded Juftice from him to whom it 
 belonged to judge them, and that he fhould have known very well how to adminifter 
 it : And becaufe the Ambaffadors anfwered, thatthey were AmbafTadors, and publick 
 perfons, and therefore ought to be believed in whatfbever they reprefented touching 
 the King's defire, and the ElelTing which they demanded in his name : The Pope re- 
 plyed, that they were AmbafTadors to treat of matters that concerned the affairs of the 
 Kingdom of France ■-, but that Contrition and ConfelTion in Foro Confcumu were to 20 
 before abfolution s and that therefore it was needful to fend an efpecial Embaflie and a 
 perfbn exprefly for that purpofe i that in token of his Repentance he ought firft tofet 
 at liberty the Prelates that were in Prifon ; that the King and the AmbafTadors fought 
 to deceive him, but they fhould be afTured they had not to do with a young Novice 
 but one, who,even with the fheddingof his blood, was ready to uphold the dignity of 
 the Holy-Chair i and having with fharp words , and fharper looks difmiffed them, he 
 caufed the Confifiory to be called the next morning, in which, with a vehement Ora- 
 tion, and full of refentment, he accufed the King in prefence of the Cardinals, repre- 
 hended thofe whoexcufed and defended him, and threatned feverely to punifh Cardi- «xj»i ^uixnc 
 nal Morefjni, who forgetting the perfon he reprefented, had, without any fenfe of the '^''"j'ti'o' 'T 
 affront, fuffered the Liberty and Dignity of (he Holy-Church to be trampled under ^ " '" ° 
 foot: then eleAiug a certain number of Cardinals, who were to confult about thofe 
 matters that appertained to the Kingdom of France, the chief whereof were the Cardi- 
 nals, Serhelmti, Fachineto, Lanceitutto, Cajiagna, and Sancut Severina, he fet the 
 bufinefs in a high reputation, and filled the whole World with exceeding great ex- 
 pectation. 
 
 In the mean time the afTairs of the League gathered flrength, and took form in 
 France ■■) for the Duke of Mayenne being departed fecretly from Lyons the fame night 
 that he heard the news of his Brother's death, doubting ( as it was true) that the 
 King had taken order, and would fend to lay hold on him, came much perplexed and 
 uncertain of his condition into the Province of Bi;«r^o«g«c, which was governed by him, 
 and retired to Mifcon, from whence he began practices with the other Towns of 
 that Province, and particularly with the City andCaiile oi Dijon, commanded by the 
 Baron rle Lux, Nephew to the Arch-bifliop of Ljwzx j and having found theCity,Par- 
 liament, and Governour of the Cafile ready to receive him, and to run his fortune, re- 
 covering courage he went thither, from whence he prefently fent unto the Pope the 
 * Commendatory Francois Z)ia,Knight of Jerufalem, a man vers'd in the Court of Kome, 
 and one of the chief ancient abettors of the League, to the end that he might complain 
 about the death of his Brothers before the Holy-Chair, and befeech the Pope, that he J« 
 would take into his protedion the relicks of the Catholick party,extreamly trodden down ■''" having* 
 
 and afflidted. while the Duke fiayed there,not wellrefolved in his thoughts,Letters came " ' 
 
 from Madam de Montpenfier his Sifter, which gave him notice of the revolt of the Pa- 
 rifians, and of all the adjacent Towns,and exhorted him to take heart,and putting him- 
 felf into the place of his Brothers, to become head of the I^«/o», with afTured hopes, not 
 onely to revenge their death, but happily to profccute the contrived and begun defign of 
 the League.This exhortation, and thefe letters added to the news of the revolt of Orle- 
 ans and C/«)7rf J-, confirmed the Duke's courage in fuch manner, that the Kings letters, 
 written very kindly to him,which came to his hands a while after,had not power enough 
 to make him yield to peace, which, at firfl perhaps he would have greedily embrac'd.The 
 King writ, that he had been conftrained by neceiluy to forget his own nature to free 
 
 himfelf 
 
 Cirdinal5,wht» 
 wcrt to confult 
 about the af- 
 fairs of f ««:», 
 
 * The French 
 fayes (>ri«u>i- 
 :icuT. 
 
 "Vn Ctmmtn. 
 is one. 
 
 Fcclefiaflical 
 Livings may 
 net Marry.and 
 yet is not com- 
 pelled to be ;^ 
 Pritft ; as the 
 Grand Prior 
 o f Frmice, and 
 »lltheKnishti 
 of St 7.*7i's in 
 ftrvftUm. 
 dmrr.ims , lit, 
 7 "p. f.
 
 fiV'iii -|f"i . 
 
 384 
 
 The Hiftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1585?. 
 
 himfelf of thofe confpiracies which the Duke and Cardinal his Brothers had plottecl 
 aeainft him, and in a manner brought to a conclufion ; that neverthelefs he had not 
 The Kins been fo fevere as any other would have been, fatisfying himfelf wuh takmg away the 
 writes k.nd jncipal Heads and leaving all the reft alive, who he hoped might acknowledge and 
 Kf'X amend their former errors v that he had not been moved by any hatred or Faffion,fot 
 f»«,,proinifing j^^ j^^j alwaves loved, favoured, and exalted their tamily, as he defired to do again for 
 gK« Zgs. the time to come i and that therefore he prayed him npt to let himfelf be guided and 
 tranfported by his affedion to his Brothers, but to remember that he had oeen forced by 
 fhofe attempts, which he certainly knew had ever been unpleafing to him, asoneaverfe 
 from the ambition and evil defigns of his Brothers i that for that rcafon he had ever 
 defired to exalt him, and had alwayes conferred upon him the commands of his Ar- 
 mies becaufe he knew him to be far from thofe wicked arts which the others had in- 
 tended to praiftice •, He exhorted him to perfevere in that good and laudable refolu- 
 tion, not to make himfelf an inftrument to divide thcCatholick party, and tear in 
 pieces their common Countrey, nor to joyn himfelf to the ambition of fadious men, 
 from which, even in the fervour of his youth he had ever been avcrfe: but (hewing 
 that he made more account of the general good, and his own duty towards his Prince, 
 than of thofe private paflions which ufe to draw and govern mean vulgar fpirits, he 
 would fincerely unite himfelf to him to preferve the peace of the Catholicks, and 
 make War againft theHugonotSj which if he would confent unto, he offered him all 
 manner of fecurity , and the moft reafonable fatisfadion he could defire. But the 
 Duke's mind was already fet upon other thoughts, never believing that he could be 
 fecure, much lefs favoured by the King, who gave him thofe fair words, becaufe he 
 was efcaped out of the net i and feeing the great diftradions of the Kingdom, he ho- 
 ped for a much higher power and greatnefs then what his brothers had pofTefTed : 
 wherefore his inclinations and hope meeting both together in the fame end, and think- 
 ing that it fo became his honour, he leaned toward revenge and the command of that 
 fadfioni which refolution was abfolutcly concluded, after that N'adam^:/? Montpenfier^ 
 not valuing her own health, nor the inconveniency of the feafon, came with great 
 fpeed to Dj/oa, whofe vehement effedual exhortations, and the Letters of the Duke of 
 Jimale , and many others of the fadion exciting him, he at laft determined to con- 
 fent to the taking up of Arms, and to profecute the defigns of the League, making 
 himfelf Head of the Holy-Vnion. 
 
 The refolution being taken, he prefently gave order to the Sicurs de Khofne, de St, 
 TjkI, Chamoif and d' EJ'chavoles, to receuit their Regiments of French Foot i and be- 
 gan tofummon the Nobility and Gentry his dependents, and to win the hearts of the 
 people in every place. And becaufe the foundation confifted in the City of Par'n^ the 
 Duke determined to go thither with Madam de Montpenfier, the way being now fecure 
 by the taking of the Caftle of Orleans, and by the revolt of Eourges, Jrnye, and Char- 
 tres. The Duke paffed through all thefe Cities, gathering Forces, and drawing men 
 together i fome raifed with his own Money, fome brought in by his friends and adhe- 
 rents, and fome fiirnifhed by the People i and being already grown to the number of 
 Four thoufand foldiers and Five hundred Gentlemen, he came upon the fifteenth of 
 February into the CityofP^w. There the Duke znd Chevalier d' AumaUj putting 
 themfelves willingly under his authority i and the Councel of the Vnion^with mofl rea- 
 dy confent of the Citizens , acknowledging him for their Head s the Parliament ha- 
 ving afTembled all the ^ Chambers, Bernabe Briton firft Prefident of the League, ma- 
 king the Propofition, declared him Lieutenant-General of the State and Crown of 
 France, giving him (except the name) the very power and authority which ufes to 
 be natural to their Kings i which yet they intended fhould continue but till the States- 
 General of the Kingdom fhould determine otherwife, they being appointed to meet 
 Tthe in the City of P^rw in the month oi July following. Thus the Duke of Guife^s death 
 did with admirable facility, and the univerfal inclination of that party, produce that 
 power in his brother, which he with fo many toils, and fo long machinations had fo 
 eagerly laboured for in his life-time, yet never could obtain it for himfelf. Upon the 
 two and twentieth of February, the Duke took pofTeilion in the Parliament of this ex- 
 traordinary dignity, having taken a publick Oath, to protedt and defend the Roman 
 Catholick Apoftolick Religion againft every one, To preferve entire the State belong- 
 ing to the Crown of France, To defend the Priviledges of the three Orders, the Cler- 
 gyj Nobility , and Commons j and, To caufe the Laws and Conflitutions of the 
 
 Kingdom 
 
 The Duke of 
 Mjycnne, not- 
 withlland- 
 inj the ■ ^ 
 Kings promi- 
 fcs, heinj pet- 
 fwjdcd by Ma- 
 dam dl Mollis 
 finfitr, bis 
 fifter, makes 
 himfelf Head 
 of the HtlyV' 
 nion. 
 
 * Or, fever al 
 
 Cieii. 
 
 The-Doke of 
 Majtnne being 
 come to Ptrh, 
 is declared 
 Lieutenant. 
 General oft 
 Crown 
 
 of 
 
 frtate.
 
 o/ France. The Tenth ^oo{, 585 
 
 Kingdom to be obfervtd, as alfo the authority and power of the Parliaments. After t sSp , 
 which Oath, manyPraytrs and Procellions having been made, hechofeand appointed ^''•ht^'na^"' 
 the Council of the Union, conlifting of Forty of the moft eminent perfpicuous perfbns ischofcn.con. 
 of the League, which, with his ailiftance, was to treat of, and conclude all the moft oflhf chfefeii 
 weighty bulineffes, the Council of 5ix/ff« being neverthelefe ftill left, and particularly F«f'"<"" of the 
 appointed for the efpecial Government of Paris. Uague. 
 
 Having taken the command of the League upon him, the Duke began to increafe the 
 Body of his Forces to form an Army of thein, with which he might march whither 
 need (hould require ; But in every Province he allotted both Forces and Commanders 
 to order the affairs of the League, and to make War againft thofe who were yet of the 
 Kings party, Bretagne was governed by theEhike de Mercxur^ who, not at all moved 
 with the Kings, and his Silters Exhortations, to unite himfelf unto them, was very 
 ttrong and powerful, having with his authority made all that Province to revolt, ex- 
 cept the Parliament of Kew/, and fome few Towns and little Callles. In Normandy 
 it hapned otherwife: for though the greateft part of the Towns had declared for the 
 League, yet the Nobility held of the Kings party i fo that the Heads were few and 
 divided : The Sieur de la Londe at Rouen^ Andre Brancace Sieur de Villars at Havre de 
 Grace, Long-champ at Lifieux, and the Baron d" Efchaufoiir in the Country of Perche: 
 Wherefore the Duke fent the Count of Brijfac thither with authority to command them 
 all. The Duke of Aumale^ who was Governour of it, went into Picardy^ a divided 
 Province, yet one of the moft favoured by the League, becaufc it bordered upon the 
 Territories of the Catholick King. The Count de Chaligny^ and Col. St. Pa«/, an 
 old Servant bred up in that Family, went into Champagne^ a Province deftined ("in 
 fucceilion of his Father J to the young Duke of Guife, who was yet in prifon. The 
 Vifcount de TavaKnes , an old experienced Souldier, had order to command in Bottr' 
 gongne, the particular Government of the Duke of Mayeme. The care of Lyonois was 
 given to the Dake of Nemours , and in his abfence to his Brother the Marqueft of 
 St. Sm-lin. The command of Berry continued under the Sieur de la Chajhe, who be- 
 ing Field-Marefchal in the Duke of Nevers his Army, aftbon as he could free himfelf of 
 that obftacle, followed the party of the League as he had formerly done. The Count 
 de Randan held the command in Auvergne , and in Provence^ the Marquefs de ViUars^ 
 and the Sieur de Vins, an old adherent to the Houfe of Guife. The Dukes of Joy- 
 eufe (Father and Brother to him that was llain in the Battel of CoutrM ^ fighting 
 againft the King oi Navarre) had the Government of Gafcogne\ in which Province, 
 except the City and Parliament of Tholotije , the party of the Confederates was not 
 very ftrong i and in Vaiephine, Languedoc, and Giiienne, the League had but very flen- 
 der Forces. 
 
 But before all thefe preparations, the Duke difpatched Lazare CoqueiUe^ Counfellor 
 in the Parliament of Paris, to Rome •-, and with liim were gone tWo Dodors of the 
 Snrbonne, to confirm the Decree of their Colledge , by which they had determined. 
 That the King had forfeited his right to the C rown, and that his Subjects might juftly 
 withdraw their obedience from him j the Duke forefeeing well that the popular Caufc, 
 wholly founded upon the pretence of Religion, was to look for, and take its increafe 
 and nourifhment from the Apoftolick Sea, and the Popes approbation. 
 
 But the King, who, afflided with his wonted melancholly, though he diflembled 
 it, had fince the death of his Mother been many days troubled vvith a Bloody Flux, 
 was no left follicitous, concerning the affairs at Rome, than the Duke of Mayenne, as 
 well becaufe being a very great honOurer of Religion, he could not be fatisfied to liv6 
 difobedient to the Apoftolick Sea, as becaufe, making the fame judgment as they of the 
 League, he (aw that the greattft foundation of the adverfe party confifted in the ap- 
 probation and encouragement from Rome : Wherefore , though he had caufed ab(b* 
 lution to be given him for the death of the Cardinal, byvertue of a Breve granted (0 
 him a few months before by the prefent Pope, to make himfelf be abfolved in all re- 
 ferved cafes by his own Ordinary Confeftbr v yet feeing that that was not enough, he 
 fent Claude d' Angennes, of his beloved Family of Rambouillet, Bifliop of Mans, a man J}^'^''^°P°( 
 of profound Learning, and fingular Eloquence, to the end, that being informed of all.thrkmg^'ca 
 hisReafons, he might, as his Sollicitor, fue for an abfolution from the Pope, and en- purpofc «> de- 
 deavour to reconcile him to the Apoftolick Sea ■■, to which (fo he might but fecure him- Tin fot the"" 
 felf J he was ready to give the moft exadt fitisfadtion. The Bifhop of Mans came ^"r'vV^tft 
 to Rome^ and having conferred with the other Ambaffadors, they went together to 
 
 D d d receivd
 
 ^S6 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1583. receive audience from the Pope ■■, where after words of compliment, full of moft deep 
 fubmiilioDi they firit argued that the King had not incurred any Cenfure, not having 
 violated the Ecclefiaftical Liberties and Immunities ; for the Cardinal was guilty of 
 the crime of Rebellion, in which cafe the Prelates of France, notwithflanding any dig- 
 nity whatlbcver, are underftood to be fubjedt to the Secular Jurifdidion v and fo much 
 the rather, becaufe he having been a Peer of France , his caufes naturally ought to be 
 judged in the Court of Peers, which is no other but the great Court of Parliament, 
 with the alTiftance of the Princes and Officers of the Crown : fo that if the King had 
 infringed any Jurifdidion, it was that of the Parliament, and not the EcclefialHcal 
 one, which hath nothing to do with the Peers of Frj«cf ; But becaufe this reafon was 
 not only difapproved by the Pope, but that alfo he feemed more difpleafed and of- 
 fended at it, alledging, that the eminency and Priviledges of the dignity of Cardi- 
 nal, were immediately fubjed to the Pope , and no other i the AmbafTadors began 
 to difpute, that the Kings of fi^awcf could not incur Cenfure for any Sentence they 
 (houldgivej and urged the Priviledges of the moft Chriftian Kings, and the Jurifdi- 
 (Slion of theCallifjue Church : But this incenfed the Pope fo much the more, who bad 
 them take heed how they propofed things that had a touch of Herefie, as this had i 
 for he would caufe them to be punidied. To which, though the Marquifs replied. 
 That as AmbafTadors they could not be medled withal, nor puniflied, and that no 
 fear fhould make them forbear to propofe the Kings right i yet, having received Com- 
 milTion to appeafe and not to exafperate the Pope, they alledged in the third place. 
 That the King , by virtue of the Apollolick Breve granted to him by his Holinefs, 
 had caufed himfdf to be abfolved ; and therefore they infifted only, that his Holi- 
 nefs, knowing the Pardon he had granted him, would either confirm it, or not be 
 difpleafed, if the King , valuing it as he ought , had made ufe of it in a feafonable 
 occafion ; For not having, in the heat of danger, conlldered fo particularly, and ha- 
 ^ ving never had any intention to offend the Jurifdidtion of the Apoftolick See, after he 
 had been made fenfibleof it, he being moved with fcruple of Confcience, hadproftra- 
 ted himfelf at the feet of his ConfefTor, and had begged and obtained abfolution, for 
 ^s much as need fhould require, though he thought he had not tranfgreffed effedive- 
 ly. To this the Pope anfwered. That the Breve was granted for things part but 
 could not extend to future fins, the abfolution wheieof cannot be anticipated : That 
 fuch a cafe as this, in which the Apoftolick See was dire(Sly offended, and all Chri- 
 ftendom fcandalized, was not comprehended under that Breve ; and that the Expo- 
 iition was to be demanded from him who had granted it, which now he declared, 
 affirming, that it had never been his intention to enable the King to receive abfolu- 
 tion for his future faults , and for fo evident a violation of the Dignity of Car- 
 dinal. 
 
 This Treaty having been often repeated , and difcufTed with great allegations of 
 Right and Authority, in the end, the Ambaffadors were contented to petition in wri- 
 ting for the Popes abfolution i who expreffed a defire to have it fo, and that it was 
 the means to appeafe and fatisfie him. Wherefore, after good Offices done by the 
 Venetian and Florentine AmbafTadors in favour of the King , having received order 
 from their Princes to take great pains in his behalf, the Bifhop with a Petition of a 
 very fubmiilive form demanded abfolution of the Pope i who with pleafing words an- 
 fwered. That he would willingly grant it , when he fliould be afTured of the Kings 
 contrition, whereof he would have this token, that he ftiould fet at liberty the Cardinal 
 of Bourbon and Archbifhop of Lyons, it being vain to grant him abfolution for one thing 
 .whilft he perfifted in the a6t of another, which did infer the fame prejudice to the Apo- 
 ftolick See, which he could not diiTemble. At this the AmbafTadors, and thofe that 
 favoured them, were exceedingly perplexed, conceiving themfelves to have been de- 
 ceived, and thinking that another kind of moderation ought to be ufed towards a King 
 of France y wherefore laying together all thofe reafons already alledged in the former 
 Conferences, they concluded, that the King by fetting thofe Prelates at liberty, fhould 
 but increafe the fire in his Kingdom , with the evident danger of his own Life and 
 Crown, and that therefore it was not fit to free them : To which the Pope replied. 
 That they fhould be fent prifoners to him > for if he found them guilty, he knew which 
 way topunifli them : But the AmbafTadors anfwered i rirft , that the judgment of 
 things in his own Kingdom belonged to. the Kingi and then that the whole State 
 • - (thanks to their Confpiracics; was fo difturbed. that they could not be fent > for all the 
 . * -j . ■ ■ Country
 
 of France. The Tenth "Bob^. 
 
 387 
 
 Country near the Alps, and round about the place where they were being up in Arms, '5^^. 
 it was not polTible to remove them, nor to condud them fecurely, and that therefore 
 the King was not obliged to impoilibilities. But the Pope obftinately perfifting in his 
 demand, the Ambafladors agreed at laft to write about it into JPr^wcf, and infifted that 
 in the mean time, the King having humbled himfelf, and fubmitted to the Apoftolick 
 See, the Decree of Sorbonne ought to be revoked and nullified, being not only exor- 
 bitant and unjuft, but infolent, and prefudicial to the Holy Chair, whereof thofe Di- 
 vines made fo little reckoning , that they had dared to determine a point of fb great 
 confequence as the depofing of a King i a thing, which though it fhould be granted to 
 appertain to the Ecclefiaftical power , yet would it be limply proper to the higheft 
 power, which is in the Vicar of Chrift, and not to that of a petulant Colledge con- 
 lifting of a few paflionate corrupted perfons : but neither could this be obtained > 
 for the Pope confelTing that the Decree was prefumptuous , and worthy cenfure, 
 faid that he would referve himfelf to do it when the King had given him full fatif- 
 fadlion. 
 
 This feemed very ftrange to the Ambafladors, and feeing that they had propofed 
 all thofe fpiritual fatisfa(f^ions which they (even to the prejudice of the Crown J could 
 offer, with fo great humiliation, that more could not be defired from a King, they 
 intended to try another way j and the Marquefs, whofe Wife was a Pvoman, began by 
 means of that alliance to treat with Donna Camilla the Popes Sifter, offering (amongft 
 other rewards which the Popes Kindred fliould have, if by their means the Afafolution 
 was obtained) to give the Marquefate of Saluzzo in Fee-farm to Von Michele his Ne- 
 phew, which the King proffered ("the peace being made with the Catholicks of his 
 Kingdom) to recover at his own charge from the Duke of Savoy ■■> but neither could 
 this prevail with the obduratenefs of the Pope i partly, becaufe the Marquefate was 
 now in the power of another, nor could it be regained without a tedious War i part- 
 ly, becaufe he faw the Kingdom involved info great a diftradtion, and theCatholick 
 party fo ftrong, that he doubted whether his Abfolution would be able to fettle and re- 
 ilore its peace. Moreover, about this very time the Abbot of Orbair was arrived at 
 Kome, fent by the Dukeof Miyf««e, the Dutchefs of JVewowrx, Midzm de Montpenfier^ 
 and other Heads of the League, on the one fide to magnifie the Forces of the Union, 
 into which almoft all the chief and moft noted Cities of France were entered, with ""'' q'*" S^ 
 an infiniteconcourfeof the Nobility and Commons, fo that now the King was there- theLe>gueve- 
 by, not in writing, but in deed depofed and robbed of his Crown ■■> and on the other, '^ «5eai»»liy. 
 to complain of the inclination which the Pope fhewed to abfolve He?try of Vdois^ (fo 
 they called him) whereby he, who was Head of the Catholick Church, and to whom 
 more than to any other it belonged to promote the Holy Union, contra<3:ed for the de- 
 fence of Religion, and the liberty and dignity of the Apoftolick Sec, feemed to make 
 but fmall account of it i that the imputations of Rebellion and Treafbn which were 
 caft upon the memory of the Duke and Cardinal of Guife were falfe and vain > for they 
 had never taken Arms againft the King, nor confpired any thing againft him > but al- 
 ways vvitii due obedience and veneration of the Royal Name, had fuftained and de- 
 fended the Catholick Religion, againft the powerful plots and forces of the Hugonots : 
 that it was known how Francis the Duke their Father had loft his life in the fervice of 
 the Crown, and of the Church of God, as alfo the Duke of Aumale their Uncle, flain 
 fighting under the walls of Rachel for the Catholick Faith : that it was likewife certain 
 how much the Duke of Guife had laboured, fuffered, and endured bearing Arms for 
 the Kings fervice, and for Religion : that he had all his life-time born the fears in his 
 face of the wounds he had received Hghting againft the Army of the Keiters, for the 
 defence of the Provinces and Confines of the Kingdom : that he had defended the Ci- 
 ty of Poi&iers againft the long fiegeof the Hugonots, led up the fiift Squadrons of the 
 Army, fighting vidtorioufly againft them at Jarnac and Moncontour ■■, that, laft of all, 
 with a handful of men, he had expofed himfelf, and the lives of all his Souldicrs, 
 againft that formidable Army of the Lutherans of Germany, conquered it, and difper- 
 fed it for the fafety of the Kingdom, and of all Chriftian people > nor in all thofe toils 
 and dangers had he ever pretended any other thing but to ferve the King , and de- 
 fend the Catholicks from the imminent oppreffion of the Hugonots : that if the 
 King went from Paris upon the Infurredtion of the Parifians, the fault was his own, 
 in having put a Garifon into a City where there never had been any, and in having 
 gone about to take away the lives of the chief Citizens > but no eonfpiracy of the 
 
 The Abbot of 
 Orhais fent to 
 Rome hj ihe 
 Duke oi Mtj- 
 
 Dd d 2 
 
 Duke
 
 288 1^1^^ Hiftory of the Civil Wars | 
 
 158^. Duke of G«//e's, who rather had appeafed the people and quieted the tumult \ that 
 {ince then the King had been reconciled, and had agreed to the pacification, wherein 
 the Lords of Lorain had neither demanded, nor obtained other, than that the publick 
 exercife of the Hugonot Religion might be taken away, and that War might be made 
 againft them s and though fome little (hadow of fufpicion (hould have remained, the 
 King ought to have forgotten it, after fo many Oaths taken, among the facred Cere- 
 monies -, and not to make two moft innocent Princes be murther'd under the Publick 
 Faith, for no other caufe but to foment the Hugonot Forces, and fupprefs the Catho- 
 lick party, and the Religion of God. But though the Duke and Cardinal had com- 
 mitted fome errour, what crime could be objeded againft the Cardinal of Bourbon^ a 
 moft innocent peaceful old man, who was moft cruelly kept prifoner > That thefe 
 were arts and violent ways to take away that prop alfo from the Catholick party, and 
 to reduce the Succeffion into the relapfed, excommunicate Hugonot Princes i that the 
 Pope ought to oppofe his authority to this fo evident defign, to punifti what was paft, 
 and provide againft the future i not being faulty to fo many people, who had unani- 
 moufly refolved to fpend their lives for the defence of Religion, and to piece up and 
 leftore the trodden-down honour of the Holy Church : that it became him, being the 
 Shepherd, to go before his Flock, and encourage them all to fo holy, fo pious a work ; 
 but that it was as unfeemly, that while all took Arms boldly, he being fo far from dan- 
 ger, fliould be more afraid than all the reft. With thefe reafons the Princes of the 
 League endeavoured to animate the Pope, and he receiving news daily from many 
 places of the tumultuous infurred:ions in France, as a man not well vers'd in Govern- 
 ment, and ignorant how eafily popular commotions are extinguiftied, gave the King 
 already for abfolutely loft, nor would he fhew himfelf a favourer of the weaker fide, 
 to the diftiononr of himfelf, and of the Apoftolick See, as the Spanifh Ambaflador, and 
 thofe of the League, did perpetually urge unto him. 
 
 In the mean time the King, anxious and follicitous about the determinations at 
 Ro/we, kept his refolutions in fufpence, and feemed to have laid down the courage of 
 a Lion, which after the death of the Duke of Guife, he made ftiew to have taken up 
 again i for the Duke of Nevers, who made War in Poi£ioK againft the Hugonots, ha- 
 ving in this interim taken Ganache, could not after the news of the death of the Lords 
 of Lorain, keep his Army Ccompofed for the moft part of men depending upon the 
 League) from diftblving of it felf j and therefore the Duke being returned to Court, 
 the King ftraightned for money, and inclined to an agreement, did not think of fet- 
 The tegat ting his Army again on foot, but minded only thoughts of peace, having defired the 
 TrTcT to the Cardinal Legat to interpofe for the attaining of it, promifed to refer all bufineffes to 
 Duke ofMiy. the Popes arbitrement » which condition the Legat having made known to the Duke 
 tcfi»Vctb''i"t.''* ^^ Mayenne, and moved him to yield to a Truce, that the accommodation might be 
 negotiated at Rome , he denied to confent unto it , alledging that he could no more 
 truft him , who notwithftanding Co many Sacraments and Ceremonies , violated the 
 Publick Faith, and the Law of Nations, in the face of the AflTembly of all the States 
 of France j and that this was another trick of the Kings, to gain the benefit of time, 
 by means of the Truce, being now unarmed and unprovided : That the Legat ought 
 not to make himfelf the inftrument of that deceitful policy > for it tended to the pre- 
 iudice of the Catholick Religion , and of Ecclefiaftical Liberty, perfidioufly trampled 
 under foot and violated i but that it was rather fit to expeft the refblutions from Kome^ 
 where he had given the Pope information of all occurrences. But having at the fame 
 time received the Duke of Mayenne''s refufal of the Truce, and the Ambafladors Let- 
 ters from Rome, which contained the Popes ftiffnefs and obftinacy in defiring to have 
 the prKbners j and the King not knowing how to releafe them without fomenting the 
 prelent diftradtions : For it was certain , that they of the Union, having already de- 
 clared him to have forfeited his Crown, would have eleded the Cardinal of Bourbon 
 King i the face of affairs was altered i and the King thinking he had ufed all poftlble 
 ineans, even to his own diftionour, to appeafe the Pope, began to change his refolu- 
 tion , left he fliould be fuppreffed without defence , by the power of his Enemies. 
 This ncceffity was fo apparent , that even the Duke of Nevers , who had ever per- 
 fwaded him to fatisiie the Pope, left he fliould divide the Catholick party, had not any 
 reafon to alledge againft it j the urgency of affairs did by force conftrain all opinions to 
 take to one fide or other: Wherefore the Count de SoiJJons, who, a few days before, 
 had defeated fome ']^oops of the League, being come to Bloif with certain Forces, 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Tenth 'Boo\, 
 
 389 
 
 158P. 
 
 and having begun to introduce a Treaty of Agreement with the King o£ Navarre^ ap- 
 plied himfelf diligently to that bufinefs. The King fas he had always been) was 
 averfe from this Agreement i his nature being fas a man may fay) incompatible with 
 the commerce of the Hugonots : But neceffity fhewed, there was no other way ■■, and 
 all his Counfellors faid with one accord, That it was needful for him to refolve, and 
 take fbme courfe, if he would not be left alone, between two potent Enemies j who, 
 one on this fide, and the other on that fide of the Lojre, had made themfelves Mafters 
 of all places : And with what Moneys, with what Friends, with what Armies, and 
 with what Forces, could he at the fame time contend with both Fadions ? That it was 
 clear, which way foever he turned himfelf, he fliould have one Enemy before him, and 
 another behind him j and that his Kingdom being divided, and likewife foreign Prin- 
 ces, between the two Religions, he with a new example ftiould have them both his 
 Enemies : That in this divifion, whilft others ufurped the Royal Authority on either 
 fide, he remained without Forces, without Treafury, without Money, and that he 
 was now what he had ever feared to be, dry hetveeen two Rivers : That he had done 
 as much as well he might to appeafe the Pope : That he had forgotten his own dig- 
 nity, to agree with thofe that were up in Arms, and to give fuch fatisfadtion to Re- 
 bels and Defpifers of his Name, as they deferved not : That he had with unheard-of 
 patience, born the injuries of the People, the invedives of the Preachers, the villa- 
 nous infolencies of the Factions, the prefumptuous Decrees of the Sorbomte, and ex- 
 pofed the Royal Majefty to the pleafure of the remnants of the Houfe of Guife : That 
 he had done that at Kome^ which never any King had yielded to do, not only to ask 
 abfolution in writing for a reafonable, juft and neceffary adion, but alfo offered to re- 
 fer all all differences to the Popes arbitrement : What was there more to be done ? but 
 only (by reafon of the appetite of the Spaniards, who governed all in the Court of 
 Rowe, and of the fierce obdurate nature of the Pope) to expedt to be miferably torn 
 in pieces by his Enemies without defence, and to have thofe outrages committed upon 
 his own perfon which had been done unto his Statues at Taris znd Thouloufe .f That 
 now indeed was the time to (hew the Heart of a Lyon, and, making ufe of the King 
 of Navarre's affiftance, De inimicii fuis vindkare inimkos fuos : That this was neither 
 a new, nor an unheard-of thing : That King Charles his Brother often, nay, he him- 
 felf, in lefs extremities, had granted Peace to the Hugonots s and that the laft breach 
 was not occafioned by his will and confent, but by the confpiracies and violences of 
 the League : That he had in vain taken away the lives of the Brothers of Guife^ if he 
 muft be in the (ame fear of them now they were dead j and if, that obflacle being ta- 
 - ken away, he endeavoured not to bridle the feditious, to recover his own power j 
 and finally, to reftore peace and tranquility to his Kingdom. 
 
 And the King of Navarre already knowing, that the occafion required, and necef- 
 fity forced the King to that refolution, did by favourable Writings and Declarations, 
 open the way unto it : For many Towns ofFoiaou and Xaimonge having yielded them- 
 felves unto him after the departure of the Duke of Nemours, he had in all of them for- 
 bidden any harm to be done unto the Catholicks, and wherefoever he had to do, fuf- 
 fered them to enjoy Liberty of Confcience, favouring and honouring the Clergy, and 
 giving way every where, that Mafs fhould be publickly celebrated without any hinde- 
 rance , and being come to Cba\ielrault , which together with Niort he had taken by 
 compofition, he publifhed a Manifeji, whereby detefting the Rebellions and Infurre- 
 dions of the people againft their natural King , he proffered, fubmifting himfelf to 
 his due obedience, to take Arms againft them i and exhorted all thofe of his party to 
 follow him in fo good a work i {hewing to all the world, what their mind had ever 
 been, and how they had fought fimply, not for any interefts, but only for Liberty of [helrV"''"!** 
 Confcience. After which Proteftations and Declarations, becaufe the King had jufti- 
 fied his adions in writing, and fet forth the occafion of the death of the Lords oi^ Guife, 
 and that the Duke of Mayenne had done the like on his fide, endeavouring to lay a fair 
 colour upon their taking up of Arms, and upon the proceedings of the League, a Truce 
 was begun to be treated of with the King of Navarre, by means of the Duke of Efper-- 
 ftoK, who after the death of the Gidfes was returned to his former greatnefs with the 
 King ■■, and after having fupplied him with One thouftnd two hundred Ga(con Fire- 
 locks, under the command of Colonel Moncaffin, had fent the Abbot del Bene to him 
 about the prefent bufinefs. But becaufe many difficulties arofe, and that the King con- 
 curred in it, as it were, perforce, Madam Diane d' Jngoulefme, his Baftard-fifter, a Lady 
 
 of 
 
 ThtKinff of 
 N nvarre gtinzt 
 Liberty of 
 Confcience in 
 thofe places 
 he had taken, 
 and pnhlilheth 
 a Mani^.ft, of- 
 fering to take 
 Arms againft 
 thofe that re- 
 
 King. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 Effcrnm re- 
 turned into his 
 former Great> 
 nefs, treats a 
 Truce with 
 the King of 
 tt'tvme.
 
 390 
 
 The H'tflory of the Civil iVars 
 
 158?. 
 
 CatHinil Mi' 
 rtftni the Le- 
 j;ac mikes 
 grievous com- 
 plaints unto 
 (he King. 
 
 of great wifdom , and well verfed in matters of Government by the experience of 
 times pad, was employed to treat about this Accommodation j which aflbon as it was 
 known unto the Cardinal-Legat, he made great complaint of it to the King himfelf, 
 {hewing him how contrary it was to the promifes which he had often made to him, 
 that notwithftanding the death of the Lords of Guife^ he would not forbear to make 
 War with the Hugonots > upon which ground he had endeavoured by favourable ad- 
 vantageous relations, to promote his affairs to the Pope and Court of Rome, which now 
 would become vain, to the leflening of both their reputations, nay, to their blame and 
 infamy, if the Agreement with the Hugonots (hould be fo eafily concluded i and that 
 the Arms deftined againft them, fhould be turned to the deftrudion of the Catholick 
 paity i and of thofe that depended upon the Apoftolick See, and the Popes authority. 
 But the King, concealing the depth of the bufinefs from the Legat, denied that he had 
 concluded any thing with the Hugonots i but that, if he (hould do fo, the fault was 
 not to be imputed to him, who was ftill the fame, and always ready to pull down He- 
 refie ; but to the obduratenefs of the Pope, who obftinately denied to abfolve him, 
 and fomented the Infurredtions of thofe that rebelled againft him i and to the ftub- 
 bornnefs of the Duke of Mayenne, and the reft of the League, who abhorring Peace, 
 had refufed to refer the differences to the Popes arbitrement : That he had defired no 
 better, nor more certain witnefs than himfelf, to whom he had ever imparted his 
 thoughts fincerely, and upon whom he had impofed the truft of negotiating that bu- 
 finefs : That he fhould confider the great ftraights into which he was reduced by the 
 wickednefs of others, and nbt attribute that to Will, which was forcibly extorted by 
 ineer necelTity. 
 
 But Von Bernardino Mendozza, the Spanifh Ambaflador, aflbon as it was divulged, 
 that an Accommodation was treating with the Hugonots, went prefently away from 
 Court without taking leave i and being come to Farif, made his refidence there, as 
 Ambaflador with the Lords of the League. The Legat flood doubtful, believing it 
 not good to forfeke the King, and deprive himfelf utterly of the hopes of keeping him 
 with the Catholick party v and on the other fide, fearing he ftiould be reproved, if he 
 (hewed himfelf lefs jealous of Religion, than the Spanifli Ambaflador had done : And 
 yet thinking that the ailiftance of the Phyfician was there moft needful , where the 
 danger of the difeafe was greateft, he refolved to ftay till he faw the event of things, 
 with the Kjng; not failing in the mean time to write, andprefent his opinion 3tKome. But his per- 
 *a"iiins frto°^* fon being fufpeded, his counfels were fo much more ; the Pope accounting him ra- 
 ther a Criminal, than a Legat or Ambaflador. There were often meetings between 
 him and the Cardinal of Vendofme, who, though the Cardinal of Bourbon his Uncle and 
 Benefa<3;or were a prifbner > yet in refpe(S of the interefts of his Family, had never 
 left the King , and there was prefent with them B.ene de Beaune Archbifliop of Bour- 
 ges^ a Prelate of deep wifdom and copious eloquence, who being driven away by thofe 
 of his Diocefs, for having gone about to withftand their infurredions, was retired to 
 Court i and many times the Duke of Nevers likewife was at the conferences. All of 
 them could have wiflied the King would not have made a Peace with the Hugonots i 
 but the Pope was fo obftinate, the Duke of Mayenne fo ftubborn, and the infurredions 
 fo great through the whole Kingdom, that though they all abhorred it, yet none of 
 them durft blame that agreement. Wherefore Madam d' Angoulefme having treated 
 perfonally with the King of Navarre^ and then being come to B/w/, negotiated with 
 the King himfelf i the differences were in a manner compofed •, for the King of Na- 
 varre^ intent upon the great conjundure of the prefent occafron, to rife again with his 
 party, and fight under the Kings Standard and obedience, againft thofe Enemies which 
 had fo many years kept him down, had accepted all conditions impofed on him by 
 the King, and they only difagreed in this, that a place being to be ailigned unto him 
 upon the Loire^ to the end that he might pafs and return with his Forces, as need re- 
 Capt. du G-.li 1""^'^ > *^^ K'"§ would have given him Gergeau^ or Font de Sey, weak Towns, and 
 whokiUedthe hard to be made good , and he demanded Saumur, a City feated in a convenient 
 ct!^'"r«tlan P^^^^ "^.^"^ Tours, and which might eafily be fortified and defended ■■, yet he infifted 
 agtccment upon this modeftly, and rather by way of requeft, than condition or article of aeree- 
 «uh thofe of nient. J / 1 . b 
 
 the League by 
 
 nf'thVAr'h"" weighty accidents did abfolutely neceflitate the King to conclude the Treaty v 
 
 biihop of'i}. ^"^' ^^a'^ Captain duGafl^ Govcvnoai of Amboife^to whom, after he had killed the Car- 
 «Bj, dinalof Gai/fj the other prifoners had been delivered into cul^ody, being dealt withal 
 
 by 
 
 The Spanifli 
 Ambaflador 
 departs from 
 Court without 
 taking leave, 
 and goes to 
 
 Cardinal Mi. 
 rifini ftays 
 
 fufpicion of 
 bim, accounts 
 bim guilty. 
 
 The ftttt is 
 
 concluded be- 
 tween the King 
 of framt and 
 the King of 
 Ktvtne,
 
 of France.' The Tenth ^oo^. 
 
 59i 
 
 by thofe of the League with infinite'protnifes, and putirito doubts and jcaloufies, be- 
 gan to rtagger; for the Archbifliop of Lyofis had rtiade him believe, that the King, to 
 fhift off the fault of the Cardinal of G«//e's death from himfelf, had alledged at Ko>key 
 that Captain die Gaji had, of hirfifelf, for fomeprivate injuries, caufed him to be flain 
 without his order, and that now likewife for private covetoufnefs he kept the other 
 Prelates in prifon without any orders Wherefore that vain fufpidops mafi having eafily 
 believed this invention, treated an agreement for himfelf, and to releafe his prifon ers j 
 fothat the King being driven into great anxiety, was fain to give him thirty thou- 
 fand Crowns of that little money he had by him, to recover tnem out of his' hands, 
 and to keep him from freeing them, and from going over to the party of fhe League, 
 which he could hardly obtain of him with fo great a reward ■-, and it was neceflary to 
 diftribute the prifoners into feveral places, with feveral guards, and with a much greater 
 charges for the Cardinal of Bourbon was fent to Chimn, the Duke of Gttife io IoHtt^ 
 the Duke of Elbeuf to Laches^ and the Archbifliop (du Gaji^ not being to be' perfwa- 
 ded otherwifej remained alone in the Caftleof Amboife^ 
 
 The other accident which did much perplex the King, was the tumult in tnutr^ 
 one of the chief Cities of Poidou, feated upon the Loire, and in which he had defigned 
 to eftablifli the foundation of his party : for the people being ftirred up by many fa- 
 vourers of the League, and by certain Fryars, with their wonted fuggeiHons, began to 
 make an uproar, and to rife againft the Magifl;rates, the common people having been 
 perfwaded, that that Town was to be alfigned to the King of Navarre^ for his habi- 
 tation : wherefore the King with the Marefchal(^' Amnont^ the Count de Soijjons, and 
 that fmall company he had about him, leaving £/«>, was fain to run toward that dan- 
 ger : which being diverted, and the bufinefs of that City fetled, he began to fee clear- 
 ly that it was neceffary to take refolution, and that the delays of Rome did too much 
 prejudice the ftate of his affairs, reduced to the extrcam hazard .of an evident fup- 
 preilion. ■ ' --f"''^! ^'-i: ^f- '-^^ i '■- 
 
 So cutting off all delays, the Truce was concluded for a year between the mofl 
 Chrirtian King, znd the King of Navarre, with thefe conditions : That the pubHck ex- 
 ercife of the Catholick Religion fliould be rellored in all places held by the Hugonc^ts, 
 without any exception : That the Goods of the Clergy (hould be reftorcd to them, 
 whercfoever they were, and that all prifoners which were in their hands fliould be fee 
 at liberty : That the King of Navarre fhould be obliged to fervc the King perfonally, 
 witli four thoufand Foot , and twelve hundred Horfe, wherefoever he fliould be com- 
 manded i and that all the Cities, Towns, and places of his party fliould obferve the 
 Laws and Conflitutions of the Kingdom , obey the Parliament, and the Kings Magi- 
 flrates, and receive all thofe Ordinances which the prefent King had made, or fliould 
 make. On the other fide, that the King of Navarre (hould receive the City of San- 
 nmr, and keep it in his power, to have a pafs over the River Loire, that might freely 
 be his own ; which neverthelefs he fliould be obliged to reftore at the Kings pleafure 
 without any contradiction. Which Capitulations after they were agreed upon and ra- 
 tified, BeaulieK the Secretary of State delivered up Saumur to the King of Navarre^viho 
 gave the Government thereof to Sieur du Pleffis Mornay, his old Confident. 
 
 The fame Truce was made in Vaupbine between Colonel Alfonfo Corfo on the Kings 
 part, and Monlieur de Lefdi^uierj- for the King of Navarre, and they united their Forces 
 for their common defence. The Hugonots rejoyced exceedingly at this reconciliation, 
 magnifying their faith and obedience toward the Royal MajeftV, to the conflifion of 
 thofe who, till then, had publiflied and defamed them as tumultuous and difobedienC 
 Rebels 
 
 And truly, it was a thing worthy of very great wonder, and one of the (ecret my- 
 fteries of Gods Divine Wifdom, that the King of Navarre being weak, and forfaken 
 of all, reduced into a narrow corner of the Kingdom, and for the mofl part in want of 
 things neceflary for his own maintenance, fo that he was fain to live more like a Souldier 
 of fortune, than a great Prince i his Enemies by too much eagernefs in purfuing him, 
 and by too ardent a defire to fee him utterly ruined, fliould labour to plot fo many 
 ways, to raife fo many Wars, to treat fo many Leagues, to make fo many Confpiracies, 
 and pradtife fo many arts, from all which refulting to his advantage, his greatnefs and 
 exaltation did as it were miraculoufly fucceed : for there was no man verfed in the 
 affairs of France, and far from the paiTions of both parties, who faw not clearly, that 
 if the King had been fulfered to live , and rule as peaceably as he ought to have 
 
 done. 
 
 158^. 
 
 The ptifontM 
 given in cuflo- 
 dy to Capiaiii 
 risGJlGover- 
 nour oi ^m» 
 taifr, are fent 
 10 f veral for.. 
 treffes, undet 
 fafet guards. 
 
 The Trace h 
 concluded for 
 a year be- 
 tween the 
 mod Cbrifti.in 
 King and the 
 King of A'fl« 
 vitrre.
 
 on 2 The Hijlory of the Civil Wari 
 
 1580. done, the King of ^avarre would by little and little have been deftroyed and brought 
 to nothing i for peace and length of time would abfolutely have diltolved that little 
 Union which was among the Hugonots, and by thofe occafions and necdFities which 
 length of time would have produced, the obAinacy of the Rochellers , wherein the 
 fijm of aifairs confifted, >vould finally have been overcofne and broken i and the King, 
 a raoft bitter Enemy to Hejrefie, would in a manner infenGbly by divers arts have rooted 
 it out and deftroyed it : wlhereas, on the contrary, the revolution of the Wars and Fa- 
 <3ions did not only foment the ftubbornnefs of the Hugonots, who were fo much the 
 Oiore hardened to refift, by how pnuch they thought they were wrongfully perfecuted i 
 bpt alfo in the end made way for the King of Navarre's reconciliation with the King, 
 an4 wjth the French Nobility i fijrnifhcd him with Arms and Power » and at lalt, con- 
 trary to his expeiftation, and the natural courfe of things, opened him a paffage to at- 
 tain unto the Crown. 
 
 Asfoon as the Truce was concluded, though but in words only, (for the Writing 
 was not publiflied till many days after; the King being refolved to change the courfe 
 of his proceedings, to (hew himfelf, and to re-affume indeed the face of a Lion, dif- 
 patched the Sieur^e I0 Clielle to the great Duke oiJhHfcany^ to intreat him to lend 
 Wm Two hundred thouf^nd Ducats to m?ke a levy of Swiile Infantry, and German 
 Cavalry, with which, byreafon of the allic»nce lately contra(ited, (for the Lady Chrs' 
 fiienne his new Dutchefs was but then parting into Italy to her Marriage) the great 
 Duke Wfis ready to pleafure him, having fent a hundred thoufand to Ausbourg by Ca- 
 valier Gmcciardini^ and promifed the reft as foon as the Leavy was begun i wherefore 
 the King difpatched Monfieur deSattcyto the Switzers, he having been many years 
 jfVmbaffador in that Country, with Commiffion , if he could not have the ten thou- 
 fand Foot he required from the Catholick Cantons , by reafon of the oppofition he 
 doubted he (hould receive from the Spaniards, to make his Leavies in the Proteftant 
 Cantons j and at the fame time appointed Gafpar Count of Schombergh to raife a Body 
 of German Horfe > who for fear of being taken by the Enemies, took a long, and 
 (in the end) a fruitlefs voyage. He Cent z\fo J aques Augnjle de 7Wto the Empe- 
 rour, under colour of condoling for the Queen-Mothers death , and upon the fame 
 pretence Viene Target Sieur des Frefiies^ newly chofen Secretary of State, into Spain •-, 
 but the true intent was, that the one might difpofe Kodulphtts not to meddle in tho{e- 
 Leavies which were to be made in his name in Germany » and that the other might, 
 if he could in fome meafure withhold the Catholick King from the open favour which 
 he was feen to lend unto the Union , to which Mendozz.a did manifeftly perform the 
 Office of an Ambaflador. 
 
 Having thus provided in the beft manner Ite could for matters without the Kingdom, 
 he began to take care of thofe within it ; and having called all the Prefidents and 
 Counfellors of the Parliaments of faris^ Koueti and Vijon, who were fled from the po- 
 pular fury, he determined, that the Parliament of Faris ftiould refide in the City of 
 Totirs, that of Kouen in the City of Caen, in the fame Province of Normandy, and * 
 that of Dijon at Chalons, a City alfo of the fame Dutchy of Bourgongne: and then by 
 a moft fevere Edid, declared them all Rebels, who being chofen to the dignity of the 
 Parliaments, ftiould continue to refide in thofe Cities and places which had withdrawn 
 themfelves from his obedience, and forbad all men to have any recourfe to them t3 
 feck for juftice, declaring all fentences to be void, which they ftiould pronounce un- 
 der the name and title of Parliament. The fame Declaration he made againft the Duke 
 of {Cayenne, againft the Duke and Chevalier ^' Aumale, and others, who having caufcd 
 Cities to revolt, took Arms againft him > intimating to them, that if within the term 
 qf fifteen days they returned not to their due obedience, defifted not from difturbing 
 and nfiolffting the Kingdom , and laid not down their Arms, they ftiould be judged 
 guilty of Rebellion, and ftiould be fo declared, with the Confifcation of their Eftates. 
 After thefe Writings, followed Anions j and having appointed Governours in all Pro- 
 vinces, he gave Commiflion to make Levies, to draw Souldiers together, and that the 
 War ftiould be begun in every place : The Count de Soijfons was made Governour in 
 Bretagne) xh^VakeoC Montpenfier, in Normandy y the MiteCchz] de Martigmii, Lieu- 
 tenant to the King of Navarre^ in Gnienne j the Marefchal of Mmtoraucy, in Langite- 
 doc-f Monfieur di la V alette. Lieutenant to the Duke of Efpernon, in Provence y Al' 
 fonfo Coxjo, in Dmfhine ■, the Count de tavannes. Lieutenant, in Bourgongne; the 
 Duke ef Longevillie, Go¥C?oour of ficardy j the Marefchal d' Aumont of Champagne, 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Tenth ^qo\, ^q:^ 
 
 and Monfieur ds tinteviHe his Lieutenant i Filibtrt Sieur de la. Gmche of Lyonoif > 158?. 
 Monfieur de Montigny of Berry --, Monfieur de Souvdis in Beauffe ■■> the iicur de £«- 
 traques in the Dutchy of Orleans j and with hirnfelf I'.e kept the Marefchal d' Attmont 
 to command the Army i and gave order, that the Duke d' Efpe-rnon, and the King of 
 Navarre, fhould come unto him i the agreement with whom, after fome delay, was 
 accepted, and puMifhed the 28 of^/'«/. 
 
 But after the Peace was concluded, and before the publication of it, the Cardinal- 
 Legat, not thinking it decent for him to flay longer near the Kings perfon i and on the 
 other fide, not being willing, by his prefence and refidence, to authorife the League in 
 the taking up of Arms, refolved, after many doubts, to go towards Moulins, and thence ^if^'naiMire. 
 cut of the Kingdom, aflbon as he fliould have received orders from Home, where he ^rrlon'^«"ths 
 knew himftlf to be wonderful ill thought of by the Pope, and his name blafted by thofe ''"" " ""' 
 who,favouring the affairs of the League, endeavoured to make his counfels be exclu- th^/Hugdnots, 
 ded. And yet the King, after he had tried all means to make him ftay in his quarters ^'f"''°^'°"' 
 and excufed his agreement with the King of Navarre by the urgency of neceility iand' "'"t^'of lhc"° 
 after he had promifed that howfoever he would prefevere in the Catholick Religion '^'"s*'"""- 
 which received rather help, than any hurt at all from the Accommodation with the 
 Hugonots ; at laft he prayed the Legat , that he wouid once again try the Duke of 
 Mayenne, by meeting perfonally with him, and endeavour to bring him to an agree- 
 ment, fince that, neither by means of the Duke of Lorain, to whom he had written nor 
 by means of Madam de Nemours, with whom he had caufed the Queen to treat about 
 it, had he been able to make him vouchfafe to lend an ear to any Treaty of Peace. 
 And that all the World might fee his defire to remove the necelFity of agreeing with 
 the Hugonots, and to take away the credit from the Arms of the League, he gave the 
 Cardinal a Paper fubfcribed with his hand, which contained thofe things he was con- 
 tented to grant to the Lords of the Vnion. 
 
 He offered the Duke of Lorain the Cities of Metz. Ihnd, and Verdttn, under the ti- 
 tle of Government, and promifed toufe his endeavours to get the Heir of Bouillon in 
 Marriage for the Count de Vaudemont, by which means he might gain the pofTeirion 
 of Jamets and Sedan, places fo confiderable, and fo much defired. by thofe Lords : He 
 was contented to leave the Duke of Mayenne the Government of Boitrgongne, To confer 
 all the Governments of Cities and Fortreffcs in that Province upon fuch as he fliould 
 name. To permit that it fhould pafs in the fame manner to his eldeft fon. To give him 
 an Hundred thoufand crowns ready money. To fatishe thofe debts he was run into 
 upon the prefent occafion, and a penlion of Forty thoufand Crowns />«• <i«;?«w. To 
 the Duke of G7«7t-, the Government of Champagne, St. Difier, and Kocroy,fot thefe- 
 curity of his perfon, Twenty thoufand Crowns of annual penfion ■-, and Thirty thou- 
 fand of EcclefiaiHcal revenues for one of his Brothers, whom he would endeavor to 
 get advanced to the Dignity of Cardinal. To the Duke of Nevers, the Government 
 of Lyons, and Ten thoufand Crowns a year. To the Duke of Aumale, St Efprit de 
 Kite for his fecurity, and likewife Ten thoufand Crowns in penfion. To the Knight 
 his Brother, the Generalfliip of the Infantry, and ■^ Twenty thoufand franks a year. To «Two thou- 
 the Duke of E/^fz^f, the Government of Foi&Vrj, and Ten thoufand Crowns penfion. 'J"'?. poui'^s 
 He referred hirnfelf to the Pope for the Declaration of the Edifts and Agreements made ■'*""'^' 
 in time paft, and was contented, that as a friendly Mediator he fliould compofe all dif- 
 ferencesi leaving it to hisown liberty, if he pleafed, to join the Venetian Senate with 
 him, or the Great Duke of T/j;<ycjMj;j being contented, if he took the Venetian Senate 
 that the Duke of Ferrara, Uncle to the Lords of Guife, fliould be added for the League: 
 And if hechofe the Great Duke, that they on the other fide fliould take the Duke of 
 Lorain, the Head of their Family. 
 
 But neither did this Writing produce any effe(ft : For the Yiakc of Mayenne having 
 had an Interview with the Legate at Chafteaii-dune, refufed to give ear to Peace, excu- moves^'t^V 
 fing hirnfelf, that he could not accept of any Condition without aflembling the States ouke of Mty^ 
 of the League, and all the Princes of his Family, to have their cpnfent unto the bufi- "mmodarfon, 
 nefti and added, that he could no more have commerce nor fecurity with him that who tefufet to 
 had violated his Faith. This hefaid, becaufe he thought himfelf much fuperior to ''"''"" '*'"' 
 the King in ftrength, and becaufe the Catholick King, and the Duke of i'-jz/y promi- 
 fed him afl^iftancc of Men and Money j and at Rome the affairs inclined already to fa- 
 vour him, 
 
 £ e c But
 
 394 
 
 The Hifiory of the Chil Wars 
 
 The I'ltifuiis 
 at the ntws of 
 the Truce be- 
 tween the 
 Kin^ and lie 
 Hugonots, be- 
 llJes many 
 publick fi;;ns 
 of contempt, 
 fnrbii! the 
 Kin^ to be 
 prayed for any 
 Jcinj^cr in the 
 Canon of the 
 M«fs. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 ilontfcnfitr 
 begins the war 
 a^amft thofe 
 otthe League, 
 and befiei^cs 
 the Filmfe. 
 
 But the news of the Truce With the King of Navarre^ and then of the Legats de- 
 parture , being come to ?jris , it is impoflible to believe the hatred that fprung up 
 from it,' againft the King, and all thofe that followed him, and the exorbitant demon- 
 llrations of it which were made, even to the prohibiting by publick Decrees, that in 
 the Canon of Mafs tliey fliould pray any longer for him, as the cuftom is to do for all 
 the Kings of France^ and as the CathoUck Church doth often very pioufly, efpccialiy 
 in the Solemnity of Good-Friday, for Hereticks, Pagans, and Idolaters : And it is 
 impoilible to relate the innumerable company of Libels, Writings, and Declarations 
 printed and divulged againil him , which were neither limited by any reafon , nor 
 bridled by any modcfty. But the noife of Arms which were clattering in every placd, 
 did quickly drown that of the Libels and Sermons. 
 
 Tlic firlt encounter of War, was in the Province of Normandy. The Duke oiMont- 
 pciifier , Governour for the King, was gone to the City of Caen, whither the Coun- 
 fcllors and Prcfidcnts were fled from Kouen^ and fierre Segmcr, and where by virtue 
 of the Kings Edid: they had placed the feat of the Parliament. Ar the Dukes com.- 
 ing, all thofe Lords and Gentlemen ran thither , who followed the Kings party, and 
 by his order the Sieurs de Lorges, de Colombieres, de St.Vem, and the Baron de AVy^ 
 had raifed four Regiments of Foot i fo that he had under his Colours Three thoufand 
 Foot, and Eight huadred Horfe. With this Army, which increafed daily, the Diike 
 icfolved to beliege Falaife^ a conliderable place, and defended with a Fortrefs or great 
 Tower calkd the VoH'reen, being affured, that that Town once taken, Argentan, Vire, 
 and the other places about Caen would prefcntly yield themfelves, whereby that City 
 which was very populous by reafon of the new concourfe of Clients, and of the num- 
 ber that were come thither for refuge, might have the greater means of fubliftence. 
 But the fecond day after their departure from Cae,i^ there had like to have hapned a 
 tumult among his own men, which if it had fain our, would have diverted the whole 
 enterprife. Jeban de HemeryS'imx de ViUiers, commanded the Army in the Office of 
 Camp- Mafter- General, he who in the firfi Wars had, by alTaulting Z).?«/w;f, taken the 
 Count de Montgomery^ who afterward by order from King Ch.irles, was executed at 
 Pari^. The Vanguard was led by the Count de Torigny^ Son to the Marefchal de Ma- 
 i'unon : The Sieur de Eafjueville commanded the Light-horfe » and the Rear was led 
 by the Count de Montzomery , Son to the aforenamed , ib that between him and the 
 Camp-Maftcr-General there was very little correfpondence, fomented on the one fide 
 by the Catholick party, and on the other by the Hugonots. It happened, that march- 
 ing thorow the Enemies Country, it was necefTary to quarter clofe, that the Country . 
 people who were up jn Arms, might not have opportunity to do mifchief to thofe 
 they fliould find flragling, whereupon Villiers was conflrained to appoint ftraighter 
 quarters to the Count ^^c Montgomery than the Hugonots (little accuftomed to the dif- 
 cipiine of War , and ufed to the hberty of plundering, which they commonly called 
 la picoree) thought fitting; wherefore having torn the billet which was brought him 
 by his Quarter-Mafter, the Count enlarged himfelf above three miles from the Armjy, 
 and would needs lodge in certain Villages where he had full conveniency to feed his 
 Horfe i which bein^'told to Villiers, he fent to command him to return to his quar- 
 ters, the difcipline of War fb requiring, as alfo the order given by the Duke oi Moiit- 
 ■penfur ■■, to which the Count having anfwered arrogantly enough, Villiers comtrianded 
 his Quarter-Mafter to be laid hold of, made him prefcntly to be hanged up for having 
 had the boldnefs to aflfign other quarters than thofe appointed by the Camp-Mafter- 
 Gencral i and having given the Duke notice of the bufinefs, he caufed the Count de 
 Torigny with the Van-guard to draw into order, to force . the Count to return fo his 
 appointed quarter •> and there would have happened fome great mifchief (Villiers be- 
 ing rcfolvcd, whatfoever came on it, that he would be obeyed, and the Hugonots on 
 the other fide being obftinate to defend their adtion) if the Duke himfelf getting on 
 horfe-back, had not by his prefence quieted the bulinefs, having with refolute words 
 commanded the Count de Montgomery to obey > who the next day after, under colour 
 of going into the Confines of "the Country of Conjlantine , where his Eftate lay, to 
 defend certain Cafllesof his own from the incurfionsof the Duke de Mercosur, left the 
 Army \ and the charge of leading the Rear-guard was given to the Sicur de HJlot, 
 ard the Sieur de Grevsconttr his Brother. 
 
 After the tumult was appeafed, they proceeded with order and military difcipline, 
 (he Duke not fuffering any injury to be done to the Country people, nor any thing 
 
 to
 
 o/ France. The Tenth ^oo{i 5^5 
 
 to be taken away from them, except vidtual i for it was necefTary f his foldiers not J58?. 
 being paid) to take free quarter upon them. The fiegewas laid to F(j/j//i', and they 
 began to batter it with a Culverin and two Canons, with aflurance they fhould take it 
 if it were not quickly relieved : but the Count de Brijfac, who not having been able to 
 get into Ansriers his Government, had been fent by the Duke of Mayenne to command 
 in that Province, being accompanied with fome Gentlemen, and other his dependants,to 
 the number of 300 Horfe, went to aflill the Gautiers, that he might be able in time to 
 relieve that place. 
 
 The G<?;/f/frj- were Country people, who at firft had taken Arms againft all foldiers ThecasnVrf, 
 thatpafTed thorough their Territories, to prevent theloflesand outrages which they pft7"upfn°" 
 might fuller by them i and after having received an impreilion, that the King was '^'"''> '" '•'« 
 caufe of all thofe miferies, and that to the calamities of War he added the burthen of iw^fightroi 
 impoiitions, they had taken part with the League, and having broken the ways, made *^« i-e»s«- 
 up paiTages with bars and pales, and fortified their Towns and Villages, were up in 
 Arms, to the number of Sixteen thoufand, and called themfelves G^^at/erj , becaufe 
 they had firft begun their infurredions in a Town called la Chappelle Gautier, to which 
 afterwards Vimotier^ Bernay, and many other leffcr Towns had united themfelves. They 
 had chofen tlirec Commanders, the Earons de Maillot^ and d'Efcbaufourd^ and the Sieur 
 tie LoH^champ, Govi:rnot of Lifieux, they had appointed Captain Vaumsrtell their Ser- 
 geant-Major- General , and exercifed themfelves with order and military difclpline in 
 the profeiiion of Arms The Count of Bri^'dc obtained that Four thoufand of thefe men, 
 foarm'd anddifciplin'd,fliould go with him to relieve Fa/d//ei and thinking the num- 
 ber fufficient to accomplifh his defign, with thofe Horfe he had with him. befides an 
 hundred Harquebufiers on horfe-back, under Captain Valage^ and two Field-pieces, he 
 marches that way, believing that the Duke of Montpenfier, left he fhould have thofe 
 Forces behind him, and Falaife Before him, would retire, and then he might fortifie it 
 better, and put in a Wronger Garrifon. But the Gautiers ht\r\^ come within four 
 Leagues of Falaife, quartered in a great Bourg, which they fortified at the entry of 
 the great high-way towards the enemy with their twa Pieces, and with a Barricade 
 made with barrels full of earth and foil, that they might not be unexpcdledly affault- 
 ,cd without defence i and the Count de Brijfiic at a little dillance from them, but out of 
 the great high-way, took up his.quart^js, and fent forth parties of Horfe to fcour the 
 Country. !s«f ,■■,<..• '1, !?'>*(. 
 
 F///if)v,the King's Field-Marefchal,Uttle valuing the number of thofe inexpert tag-rag 
 fcllows,having been out himfelftodifcover their quarters,perfwaded theD.of Morttpenfier 
 prefently to raife the fiege,and w ithout delay to aflault the Enemy iand the Duke defirous 
 to try the encounter,and being very confident oiVilliers his experiencc,quitting the fiege 
 the fame night,and drawing offhis Canon from the wall, refolved to aflault the Gautiers 
 the next morning. ViUiers ordered the aflault on this manner i that the Culverin and the 
 Canon fliould play along the great way upon the enemies Barricadoand Field-pieces,and 
 that then the Infantry fhould make the aflault feverally under their Colonels upon that 
 part i that the D.oi Montpenfier with his own Troop fhould fall on by a way that led into 
 the field on the right fidcjand the Count de Torigny^with the Cavalry of the Vanguard,by 
 another on the left handiand that the Sieurs de Surene,d.nd de Baqiteville^ with two bodies 
 of horfe fhould Iknd ready to oppofe theCount deBriffac^\i\\t with his horfe fhould make 
 any attempt to divert the affault. The Culverin and Canon hit fo luckily, that they beat 
 down all the enemies Barricado,and took ofTthe head of Captain Vanmartel!^v/ho was en- 
 couraging and ordering his foldiers : whereupon the fign was prefently given, to affault 
 the enemy on all fides The Duke ofMi/«//»£'«i;fr,a brave generous Prince,trottcd on at the 
 head of his Cavalry to attaque the Enemy i but whatfoever theoccafion was, leaving the 
 place appointed him on the right hand,he came to fall on juft in the place where( the bar- 
 ricado being thrown down} the enemies two Pieces were planted, which had not yetgi* 
 vcn fire, and he was in great danger to have many of his men flain, and that the affault 
 would have a bloody iffue.The wind was very high,by reafon whereof,together with the 
 noife of the Armies,no mans voice could be heard i fo that the Duke would certainly have 
 been in danger,ifF/Wfrj,fetting fpurs to his horfe,running full fpeed to overtake him,and 
 hitting him with his Truncheon upon his Helmet, to make him flay, had not told hiitj 
 his error , and brought him by a plain free way to charge the Enemy in the Flank > 
 which the Count ^f Tori^Mj' having done likewife on the other fide, and the Infantry 
 
 E e e 2 • ia
 
 39^ 
 
 The History of the Civil IVars 
 
 158^- 
 
 Monlftnjir 
 deftacs the 
 Count dtBif- 
 /jc's Forces, 
 who came to 
 divtitthefiege 
 
 The GMnrts 
 bein<; fortified 
 in three pla- 
 ces, after they 
 had fou°bc a 
 Jo"!? time, 
 foir>e arc cut 
 in pieces, and 
 {omc yield. 
 
 in the Front ( whereabout twenty foldiers were flain by the FaulconetsJ the Enemy 
 was defeated in lefs then an hour, with the lofs of about Two thoufand men, all their 
 Baggage Colours and Cannon. The Count de Bnjfac, who, during the conflid, appear- 
 ed iipon'a hill hard by, feeing himfelf without comparifon inferiour in force , retired 
 ftreight to Fabije, without making any further attempt j having, though with fo 
 great a flaughter of his men, made way to relieve that place^ and the Kings Army 
 vidorious, quartered that night in the adjacent Villages. 
 
 It was debated in the Council of War, whether they fiiould return to the Siege of 
 Falaife or no i but the opinion of Villiers prevailed, who (the Count de Erifac being 
 within it, with the reft of his ForccsJ) thought it would be a difficult, and a tedious 
 bufinefs, and advifed, that the Army, in the heat of the Vidory, (hould profecute the 
 Gautiers, to take their places, and pull up the root of that Infurredion v for that ob- 
 ftacle being taken away, there would be no Forces left in the Province, which could 
 hinder them from taking in the Towns. With this refolution, the Army increafed 
 with above Four hundred frcfli Horfe, marched towards the Gautiers, who being refol- 
 ved to make refiftance to the lalf man, put themfelves in three places, Vimutier^ Ber^ 
 KJ)/, and la Chapelle Gautier^ into -which the Commandcisihut not up themfelves, but 
 LoHgchamf retired to his Government, and the reft gave out, that they went to the 
 Count de BrijJ'uc to prepare alfiflance. 
 
 Vimotier was firft afTaulted , where with fmall trouble, it being an open place , the 
 Bourg was entred, above a Thoufand of the Gautiers flain, and thofe that fell into the 
 Enemies hands alive, having taken an oath not to bear Arms any more, but to follow 
 their Tillage, were fet at liberty ifo that having found very great gentlcnefs and good 
 order in the Army, by the care which the Duke and Villiers ufed, in punifiiing thofe 
 who dared to commit any outrage or infolence, they were quieted, and returned to the 
 managing of their own affairs. Greater was the difjculty in affaulting Bernay^v/hlch 
 was both walled round, and had the beft men within it v but the Cannon having bat- 
 tered from morning till noon, the Foot made the alTault, which having been ftoutly 
 received by the defendants, they renewed the Battery the next morning i and having 
 made a wider breach, many Gentlemen alighted from their Horfes , and put them- 
 felves in the head of the Infantry, to facilitate the aflault : Wherefore it being va- 
 liantly redoubled in the morning, the fervice lafted hot and bloody for the fpaceof four 
 hours i at laft young PArchant^ and the Sieur de BaqneviUe entered the Town, and af- 
 ter them the whole Army, putting the Gautiers to the Sword,whereof a very great num- 
 ber was flain i and a Houfe being fet on fire by a Boy of Colonel St. T>em, who, for that 
 fault, was condemned by Villiers to fuffer death, the greater part of the Town was burn- 
 ed to the ground. There were killed on the King s fide, the Sieur de la Fountain^ont 
 ci Villiers his Adjutants, 14 Gentlemen, and about 100 Soldiers. The prifoners upon 
 the fame oath and conditions were fet at liberty. But the remainder of the Gautiers^ re- 
 duced into la Chappelle^ feeing their companions defeated, and that the Commanders ap- 
 peared not with relief from any place, refolved to yield themfelves, and having fent 
 two Curates of their Pariflies,they were received to mercy on the fame termes : where- 
 upon, leaving their Arms and Colours, they returned to their houfes, and to their wont- 
 ed employment of Tilling the Earth. 
 
 This was the firft profperous fuccefs of the War, and the news thereof was carried 
 with great joy to the King toTonrs^ where he was bufie in increafing his Army, and 
 giving order about his Interview with the KingofNavarre. To which purpofe the Sieur 
 dit Plejjii-Mornay was come to the King a great many dayes before, and the Abbot del 
 Bene was likewife gone to the KingofNafjrrf i nor were they yet fully agreed concern- 
 ing the place or manner of their meeting: For the King would rather have defired the 
 Hugenois ftiould make War apart i and alfo the King of Navarre was unwilling to come 
 to Court, being diftwaded by thofe about him, who ceafed not continually to put him 
 in remembrance oiFark, and the danger of the Maffacre of St. Bartholomeros day. But 
 neceifity took away thofe doubts, by the coming of the Duke oiMayenne--, who fer- 
 ying in a popular Caufe, and defiring to put his name in reputation , to confirm and 
 increafe his party, having left Pi?nV, was come to Chajieau-Titme, and there made up his 
 Army from all parts j which, with two Regiments fent by the Parifians, was Eight 
 thoufand Foot, and Two thoufand Horfe. His firft exploit was upon the City of 
 Vendofm^ a great Town, and of the King of Navars Patrimony, and into which, the 
 Counfellors of the Great Council were reduced by the Kings order, as into a place 
 
 which
 
 of France. ^ he Tenth "Bco^, 5^7 
 
 4. 
 
 which he thought fccure V but the Governour holding fecret intelligence to go over to 1589. 
 the League, the Duke of Mayenne fent the Sieur de Khofne thither unexpedtedly with ^"'^"['^ ,"" 
 Two thoufand Foot, and Six hundred Horfe, who being brought in according to the Uaguc, by 
 agreement , made himfelf Malter of the City, and took prifoners all the Magiiirates ^^.'"'"[."V 
 of the Great Council, and many Clients who followed them, and who were fain af- vcmcur' 
 terward with great fums of money to free theinfelves. 
 
 Vendofme being taken , and it being believed ("as it was probable) that the Duke 
 would proceed further, the King fet forward the Duke of Efpemonviiiih the Vanguard 
 of his Army toward Bloit , to the end, that lying in the way, he might hinder the 
 inarch of the Enemy : But the Duke doubting left the City might remain a prey to 
 the Duke of Mayenne, went thither with all the Foot, and left the Count de Brienne 
 with the Horfe , quartered upon the way that leads from Bkis to Ambsife near unto 
 St. Ouyn. The Marefchal d'' Aumont, with the relt of the Army incamped near the 
 City of tours, to keep it fufficiently guarded : And the King difpatched the Abbot del 
 Bene thefecond time, to hafkn theKingof INT.^i'ijrrf's coming s who, when he had fent 
 the Sieur de ChajUHoH, General of his Infantry before, to prefent his duty to the King, 
 and to receive his commands, at laft waited upon the King himfelf in the '^ Pare du Fief- * Oi, PUfsis 
 fis, without the Walls of Tours ■■> where being met by the King, he not only alighted xhc interview 
 from his horfe a great while before he came near him, but aflbon as ever he was come '^'Tl'l" '^' 
 unto him, kneeling down, he would by all means have kilTed his feet i but the King Kilig, ind the 
 having raifed him up, and embraced him clofely, laying afide all former enmities in a "'"s "fSa-^ 
 moment, led him talking along into the City, palling thorow the Army that was im- 
 battelled, and thorow the people which were come out of the Gates, and with infinite 
 applaufe, and loud acclamations of the Souldiers, they went unto the Kings Lodgings, 
 every one admiring, on the one fide the Kings courtefie, and on the other, the King of 
 Ndvarre''s fubmillion and obedience. The next day, after two long hours of fecret 
 conference, the King of i^^^y-^Tf returned to- his Forces which were yet quartered be- 
 yond the River : And the King having put the Foot into the Suburb of St. Syfhorien^ 
 kept only his Guards in the City, and the Nobility about his perfon. 
 
 But the Duke of Mayenne feeing Blois fo ftrengthcned by the Duke of Efpernon's 
 arrival, that there was no hope at all to take it i leaving that City, and the Duke of 
 EJpernon, he pafled on with his Army as far as Chateau Renard, but fcven leagues di- 
 jfiant (tomlours, and from the Body of the Kings Army : And having had intelligence 
 that the Count de Brienne ftaid at St. Ouyn, where he quartered carelefly with fmall 
 Guards, his forces ("according to the liberty of the timesj being difpcrfed and divi- 
 ded in thofe Villages , he marched nine leagues out of his dired way with infinite 
 fpeed, and coming unexpcdledly, found the Count fo negligently unprovided , that 
 many of his men were cut off and taken prifoners in a moment, and he in great diG- 
 6<8er fled away, and (hut himfelf up in the Town , without any provifion to defend 
 himfelf i where the Duke being arrived, and having with equal harte planted his Can- 
 non, though the Marquefs de Canillac (who as General of the Artillery commanded 
 the Works which were made there) and many of the Itouteft Souldiers loft their lives i 
 the Count de Brienne was yet fain to yield himfelf, he being kept prifoner : But the 
 Souldiers, upon promife of not bearing Arms for a certain time, were fet at liberty. 
 
 The Count ^e Brifwzf being defeated and taken, the Duke of Mayenne refolved to 1'"""^°^ 
 alTault the Camp of the King himfelf, thinking that not being united to the King of fca''t/rhc 
 Navarre, and the Foot not well fortified in the Suburb of St. Syphorien, a vaft uneven ^1^"^'^^^^^ 
 place, it would not be very difficult to overcome it, if the aftault were unexpeded : him' prifonct. 
 Wherefore having raifed his Camp upon the Seventh day of May in the evening when 
 it began to grow dark, bringing two Culverins along with infinite trouble, he arrived 
 near lours with all his Forces about Sun-rifing. The Kings Foot were quartered in 
 the Suburbs i and becaufe the place, being fomething low, was commanded Cas by a 
 Cavalier) by a Hill, on the top whereof were certain houfes. Colonel Moncafin, who 
 led the Van, drew a line about the houfes, and placed himfelf there with a ttrongOr;>x 
 de Garde , to keep the Enemy from polTciling it, it being juft in the way that comes 
 from Blois and Chajieait-Renard firaight to the Town. The Duke of Mayenne having 
 caufcd his Army to make a halt in the Plain beyond the Hill, to give his Souldiers a 
 little refi:, who were tired with the length and fpeed of their march, fent two Regi- 
 ments before, commanded by the Sieurs du Clufeauznd duBourg, to make themfelves 
 Maftcrs of thofe houfes which annoyed and obftrufted all the High-way. Thefe arrived 
 
 very
 
 ' ^c^S The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ■». ' '»• 
 
 158^. very uncxpedledly i yet not fo much, but that they were difcovered by the Scouts : 
 The Duk.e of whercfore having pjt their Arms in a readinefs on both fides, there began a very tierce 
 fjuhsThc" skirmilh,juft at the very time when the King being come to vifit that poft was there pre- 
 Ti'T ^T/re" ^^^^' ^'^ presence did much good : for befides his being ready to difpofe matters in good 
 thcy^bc a order for the right,the Sieur^e Montigny, who was with him, ran at the firft noife of the 
 KrnV'h.mfli'f' ^^t into the forefront of the Battel, and by his words exhorting, and by his example 
 orders and .(if- animating cvcry one to do their duty, did confirm the courage of thofe Guards i who 
 die^rs^puK"^' rcmembring that they fought in the Kings own fight, made fo gallant refiftance againft 
 himfc'if among the greater number of thc Enemy, that their fury was bravely repelled, till relief came 
 fi^-'ht. Ac'hft up unto them.' The King not at all difmaid, but with a free fecure countenance, though 
 (■.rpfiits com- he was unarmed, and but flenderly attended, caufing the Regiments ofjarfeyznd Rk- 
 Kma'^T Art! bempre, who were upon the right and left hand of the skirmifh, to be fupplied with Am- 
 j/.ir,°,the Duke mur^itjon, commanded them to charge the Enemy i and having himfelf drawn up thc 
 pive/offThe Svviffes'led by Colonel G^/<?//, he fcnt them, prefently to guard the City : for he was no 
 cncrprife. icfs in fear of an uproar within the City, than in doubt of the alTault without. Above all 
 things, the King was moft troubled to retrain the Gentry, who, ftirred up by their cou- 
 rage and thirft of honour, defired to engage themfelves in the adion i and falling on fcat- 
 tercd and difperfed, were without doubt likely to receive fome great mifchief: But he 
 oppofing both his own command and perfon to the violence of their forwardnefs, ftaid 
 and withheld themi and putting them in order in fmall fquadrons, kept them near him- 
 felf, that he might be able to affift in more places than one, if need ftould require. 
 
 In the mean time, the Duke of Mayenne had planted his Culverins upon the Hill, and 
 with his furious (hot had forced the defendents to quit the poft of the little houfes,wherc 
 the S'ltwx de Montigny, who fought in the firft fquadrons, received a Musket-ihot, Co- 
 lonel Jarfey was flain , and above Two hundred Souldiers : But though the Enemy 
 had the higher ground , and that the Duke ftill brought up frefii Forces where there 
 was moft need ; yet Moficaffimnd Kubempre continued ftoutly difputing it, with an in- 
 finite thick hail of Musket-bullets, whereby many fell on either fide. But the Duke 
 having commanded on the Regiments oi'la Chataigneraye, and Fonfenac, made up of the 
 old Souldiersof the late Duke o^ Gieife his Brother, and both the Kings Colonels being 
 wounded, the Foot began to retire, and the Enemy putting couragioufly forward at 
 laft made made themfelves Mafters of all the Suburb. The King defiring to have it 
 recovered, left with fo little provifion he fhould be befieged in the City, which was 
 all he had left behind him, commanded Monfieur de Cnllott, who as Colonel of his 
 Guards commanded the Infantry, that he (hould make a charge to drive out the Ene- 
 my. Grillon advanced valiantly with the flower of his men, and two gallant Squadrons 
 of Gentlemen advanced with him, who having alighted from their horfes by the Kings 
 permiifion were ready to fall on with Sword and Piftol. Thcfe at their arrival rencn^. 
 the battel i and having in their firft charge recovered one of the ftreets of the Subtil 
 made fo fierce a conflidt, that they fought with various fortune, and very great obfti- 
 nacy, till the declining of the day, at which time the Dukes Artillery playing hotter 
 than ever from the higher ground, and Claude Chevalier d' Aumale being come with 
 two frefh Squadrons to relieve his party, Grillon very much wounded , and his men 
 fpent, with the toil of the whole day, were conftrained to quit the Suburb, and re- 
 treated to defend the Bridge, upon which the King himfelf was, with all the Nobility 
 that attended him. The fight was fore and (harp i but fome fmall Field-pieces being 
 planted at the entry of the Bridge, they kept back the Enemy, who being already Ma- 
 fters of the whole Suburb, ftrove moft'eagerly to get pofleilion of it. 
 
 But whilft they fought with doubtful event, and equal courage on either fide, thc 
 King oi Navarre hzv'vng fuddenly had intelligence of the bufinefs, was moved with his 
 whole Force to relieve the King > and that delay might not hinder the effecfl of his in- 
 tentions, he had fent Monfieur de ChajiiVonhdoxt, with fifteen hundred of the beft 
 Foot of his Army, who arriving about Sun-fet, marched readily to the place of Battel. 
 They being come in frefli , and defirous to make themfelves remarkable in the moft 
 dangerous fervice , repelled the violence of the Enemy in fuch manner, that night 
 coming upon them, put an end to the bufinefs, as it were with a common confent, ex- 
 pedlring the next days light. The defence of the Bridge was given in charge to Mon- 
 fieur de Chajiillon, becaufe his men were freftieft v and the King, with the Duke of Mm- 
 bafon and rhe Marefchal d' Aumont, betook himfelf to guard the City, having with 
 him the Swiffe Infantry , and the Nobility of the Court. There were killed that 
 
 day 
 
 ^
 
 of France. The Tenth 'BooJ^. 30^ 
 
 ciay above four hundred foldiers on the King's fide, and many Commanders, cbeva- 2589, 
 Her Berton Nephew to Colonel GriHon^ and St. Malin^ the fame who with his dagger 
 gave the iirft wound to the Duke of G«/y> at 'Blovs. Of the Army of the League were 
 flain above an hundred, but onely two C^manders, and few perfons of quality. The 
 Chevaliir d' Aitmak^ as General of the ^Tantry to the League, was left to make good 
 the Suburb they had taken, and the Marquefs de Pieme, with his Regiment, drew up 
 juft over againll the Skni de Chajiillon at the entry of the Bridge i both fides labour- 
 ing all night, witii infinite diligence, to entrench themfelves. 
 
 Many outrages were committed in the Suburb, both to things facred and profane i 
 nor were thc^oldiersof tlx: League more modeft againft Churches and Monafteries 
 then the Hugonots would have been if they had entered it, though the Dukeof M^j-- 
 emte , by nature averfc from Military infolencies, did Ibive, with all polfible dilic^ence 
 to hinder them : but the licence of a voluntary Army, which is unpaid, is very difficult 
 to be reftrained. They lay in continual fufpicion, and many alarms were given all 
 the night i but upon Thurfday the ninth of May, the Regiments of Charbaniers, fent 
 by the King of Navarre to their relief, appearing about break of day, and it being 
 known that he himfelf was hard by, advancing with the reft of his Army ; the Duke 
 of Mayenne having loft all hopes of making any further progrefs, caufed his dead to 
 be buried, and leaving the Suburb which he had taken, retreated in good order to his 
 former quarters. 
 
 Thisday fthough they loft the Suburbs) feemed very remarkable, and gave exceed- 
 ing great hopes to them that followed the King's party, becaufe that after fo many 
 years of eafcand reft, they faw in him a fearlefs Majefty, tirft putting his Army in ^c ii/^.is^rrho 
 array himfelf, though with but a little Company, and utterly unarmed i and then wou'nd'''o^he 
 (having taken his arms at the head of his Nobility j in overfeeing and ordering the ^"''= °f <'''!^ 
 Fight, providing againft all accidents, and reaffuming that name and authority of a the F'/oht" «" 
 General, which having been pradifed by him with fo much glory in his younger years, I^ZlXi^bLn 
 had, by reafon of his hidden deilgns , been for a time utterly laid down. edof, asaMi" 
 
 But on the other fide, the Duke oi Mayenne, and all thofe of the League, making "f(V'i"oi"t' 
 ufe of the outward appearance in having taken the Suburbs, and beaten out the King's ^°'l° 
 Infantry from their Poft, with Writings publilhcd in Print fit for the popular caufe,did, 
 by all manner of wayes, magnifie and augment every circcumftance of that ad:ion,am- 
 plifying the number and quality of thofe that were flain, exalting the valour of their 
 own foldiers, boafting of the death of St. Malin^zs a miracle of publick vengeance,and 
 prognofticating within a while an abfolute vidtory to their party. 
 
 But about the fame time they received a much greater lofs ■■> for the City of S enlpf 
 ten Leagues diftant from Faris, and very opportune for the ftate of prefent affairs, 
 which at firft had taken part with the League, having now declared for the King, and 
 called in GuiUiaume de Momorancy, Lord oiJhoreh there palTed not many dayes before 
 the Duke of /^z»wj/i?, knowing there were but fmall Forces there, refolved tolayfiege 
 unto it, thinking afTurcdly to take it before it could be relieved: wherefore having 
 called unto him the Sieur deBalagny Governor oiCambray , and thofe Gentlemen 
 which in Ficardy and the llleof France followed his party, with feven hundred Horfe 
 and nine thoufand Foot Cbut moft of them tumultuoully lifted in Pans, under the com- 
 mand of the Sietir de Meneville) and nine pieces of Cannon, fate down before it the 
 feventh day of May. The befieged defended themfelves floutly from the beginning i 
 and the next day after the Enemy had entrenched , they made fo bold a Sally, that 
 above an hundred of the Parifians were ilain, and among them the Sieur de Chamois, an 
 old fcrvantof the Houfe of Guife : but after the Artillery was planted, there being but 
 fiiiall ftore of ammunition in the Town, and none of thofe things which were necef- 
 fary for their defence, they called the Duke of LongtteviHe to their relief, who, with 
 Monfieur de la None was come to Cnmpeigne. But the Forces were very unequal, and 
 the Gentry of the Province was not met together i wherefore the befieged were for- 
 ced to treat of yielding, being deftituteot all hope to hold out longer, and being as it 
 were afTured they fhould not be relieved i and yet news being come to Compeigne, 
 that the befieged were capitulating.the Gentlemen began to intreat the Duke of Longue- 
 ville, that he would lead them on to fight, thinking it a great affront to them to fuffer 
 that Town to be loft before their very faces, without ftriking a blow. The Duke of 
 Longiteville was a young Lotd,and one.who though full of fpirir, did yet refer all things 
 to the advice of Monfieur de la None, and of the Baron de Guky^ who com^ 
 
 manded
 
 ^co ^^^ Htflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1580. manded the light-Horfe. Tliefe thought the inequality of Forces fo great Cfor they 
 had not above ciaht hundred Horfe, and lefs than two thoufand Foot ) that they c- 
 TheD.keof fteemed it extreme folly to adventure themfelves, efpecially if the EneiDy,drawing 
 "^Tf^ti^T into Battalia, (hould plant their Canon bet^ them. But foobftinate was the for- 
 li'onffeur'V^ wardncfs of'the young Gentry , who wef(%rieved to fiand idle without doing any 
 i.orgu^Mu-o(i J . , j^ Commanders refolved to go within fight of the Enemy, and cxpedl 
 
 with imall tor- '""'g') i""'- '■^"- ^ i \- • „ r ^ » .. -^i ^ j , 
 
 CCS to relieve the opportunity of fome occafion, believing it ealie to retreat without danger, as they 
 ihcfr-t "vl^^h thought it moft difficult by any means to relieve the Town. Being come to the top 
 agreaTnaugh- ^f a hill which ovcr-looks the Plain where the City ftands, they faw that the Duke of 
 suets ""^"' Aumalehzv'xu?, had notice of their coming, began to drav; up his Army in the field, 
 which la None being advanced before all the relt, began diligently to obferve, and 
 perceiving fas a foldier of very long experience) the unreadinefs of his men, who 
 wcut confufedly into their ranks, with their Pikes tottering unreadily, ( a wonted 
 manifeftfign of inexpert foldiersj and above all, that having left their Artillery, ei- 
 ther for want of knowledge in the affairs of War, or too much confidence, they were 
 deprived of fo great an advantage, he turned back to Giury^ and told him, that the 
 Enemies faintnefs did almofi: perfwade him to hazard the encounter j which being 
 heard by the Gentry, and the Duke oi Longneville dcfitous to make his youth renown- 
 ed by fome glorious exploit, all prayed him to yield unto that motion: and he taking 
 courage from the boldnefs and torwardnefs of them all, having drawn the Cavalry in- 
 to five Diviiions, commanded out the Musketiers, with three Faulconets, which they 
 had brought along, to begin the Battel in the Plain. The Faulconets were fo hidden 
 and encompaffed by the Foot, that they were hardly feen i and marched fo faft , that 
 keeping pace with the Soldiers, they were not difcovered by the Enemy : Wherefore 
 the Sieur de Balagny that led their Vanguard, being inconiiderately advanced,his fqua- 
 dron at the firft encounter was fo torn and difordered by the Artillery, which gave fire 
 three times very happily, that before they had time to rally, the Baron de Gimy rufli- 
 ing upon them with his Light-horfe, and the Sieurs d Htmieres, and Bonivet (oWow'wg 
 with two valiant Squadrons of Gentlemen, he was not onely forced manifefily to give 
 ground, but to turn his back without refillance : Which beginning being followed by 
 the Duke of LongucviVe^ and on the other fide by the Sieur de la None, they routed tli£ 
 Cavalry, which made fmall oppofition i and having purfued it not above three hun- - 
 dred paces, they wheeled about, and fell in upon the Pariiian Infantry* which being 
 charged in the front by La Nones Muskettiers, and there being no Commander who 
 knew how to order them fecurely in time of need, their ranks being broken , they ne- 
 ver defended themfelves, but having cart away their Pikes and Muskets , began to 
 flee in diforder •, in which flight, being purfued by the Cavalry, and the befieged at 
 ."^ifw^Hofe"^ the fame time fallying out on their Rear, there was a very great flaughter of them i 
 the day, with the Field won, the Trenches entered, the Artillery taken, which were kept by the 
 B'/a^age,'"Id Conquerors, with above thirty Colours. Of the Kings Army, not above twenty men 
 thmytoiours. xvcxc flain, and no Officer of note : The Army of the League loft above One thoufand 
 and two hundred, and among thofe, the Sieur de Meneville, an old fcrvant of the Houfe 
 of Guije, who making refiftance where the Artillery was , received a Musket fliot tho- 
 row the fide. 
 
 The Duke of Aumale retired to St. Dem^ not having the heart to carry that news 
 to farU--, which being related by the Sieur deBelagity, filled the whole City with in- 
 finite terror, infomuch as Madam de Muntpenfier , and Madam de Gttife , could hardly 
 confirm their ficklemindes i as eafily loft, as ready and forward to rebel. But the Coun- 
 cil of the Vnion being come together, they refolved to call back the Duke of Mjyenne 
 ' affbon as polTibly they could, not being confident of any other bodies fufficiency to de- 
 liver them from the danger of the enemies Army, which, much increafed fince the 
 Vi(3:ory, overran all the Country. 
 
 The EXjke of Mayetme, after he had left Tours, having no hope by longer ftay, to be 
 able to make any progrefs againft both the Armies joined together, had m.arched back 
 with very great fpeed towards Normandy-, and being come to Alancon, a great impor- 
 tant City, had (in a manner unexpedtedly ) gotten it by compofition i by which he 
 reaped this benefit. That the Duke of Montfenfur^ already vidtorious in that Province, 
 could not turn to unite himfelf with the King's Forces, and increafe his Camp any 
 more : And therefore having taken Alancon, he intended to pafs on further , with cer- 
 tain hopes, that he (hould every day make greater progrefs : But the fum of all af- 
 fairs
 
 of France, ^he Tenth 'BooJ^. 40 
 
 fairs confifting in the City of Farts, and feeing that j3eop!e not onely ftraightned'fof fi^P^ 
 vidruals, becaufe the Duke de Longmville cut off all paffages , but alfo dcjefted dif- 
 couraged, and without his prefence, ready to break out into feme tumult, he refolved 
 to leave all other attempts, and return prefently to fettle it. So with his whole Ar- 
 my, making great marches, and without offering at any enterprife by the Way, he 
 came in the beginning of June into the lile of France , which invirons the City of 
 Tar is. 
 
 In the mean time, the King, fo whom ToiSiers had lately revolted, having put his 
 men in order at Chajielrault^ refolved to pafs the Loyre^ and, marching towards Paris 
 either to ftraighten that City, or meet the enemy if he advanced to fight in the open 
 field. The King of Navarre with his Forces led the Vanguard i and before all, the 
 Sieur de Chajlillon with the ^vant Coureurs. The King commanded the Battel, with ' 
 
 whom were the D\ikeo(Montbafon,theMareCch3.]soiBiron zn^Aumonr, Monfieur (i'O, 
 and many other Lords and Commanders. The Duke oiEfpermn brought up the Rere- 
 guard. At the Kings fecond quarters, he received Letters from Monfieur de Sancy by 
 an Exprefs, C who coming difguifed along by-ways, brought rhem fecretly put up in 
 the cover of a Breviary) by which he gave them to underftand, that having obtained 
 from the Stfifies of the Canton o( Berne, not onely to leavy men i but alfo a certain fum 
 of • oney lent him, upon promife, that the King fliould defend them, and thofe of Ge- ^nS'hUte' 
 neva from the moleflation of the Duke of Savoy s he had raifed Ten thoufand Foot of "'^"^ P/'st" 
 that Nation, Two thoufand German Horfe, and Three thoufand French Firelocks ; 5^"" .w, 
 and that having begun the War with the Duke in the Confines o^ Geneva, and^ en- "nd begun ths 
 gaged the Canton of Berne to make refinance in thofe parts, till the King having dif- Z"Z^^chts\ 
 intangled his affairs, could be able toaffift them with powerful Forces ■■, he being come '°"."^' /""''^ 
 into the Territory of Langres, was marching thorough the Province of Champagne , LcagutM.' 
 the ftraight way to Parist 
 
 This news did not onely rejoyce the King, who was follicitous about that bufinefsj 
 but the whole Army alfoi there being no man but believed , that with thofe Force* 
 they fliould in a few weeks be able to curb the Infurredtions of the League : And the 
 Kings intent upon that celerity, which he thought neceffary above all things, made 
 made prefent difpatches feveral wayes > to the Duke of Longueville, and Monfieur de /a 
 None, commanding them, that having gathered as many Forces as pollibly they could 
 they fhould move without delay, to meet that Army in Champagne ■ and gave the 
 Duke of Montpenfier diredion to follow the Duke of Mayenne ("who from the con- 
 fines of Normandy was turned toward Paris) and come to joyn with him in fome con- 
 venient place. This order being taken, they continued their intended voyage, 
 with fo general a gladnefs in the Army, that they held the Vidlory in a manner af- 
 fured. 
 
 But this common joy was fomething troubled by the misfortune of the Count de 
 Soijfoiis, who having been difpatched by the King with MonGeur de Lavardin to com- "'" 
 
 mand in Bretagne, while he was about to unite himfclf in the City of Ke«f/, with the 
 Gentry of the Province who expedled him, being lodged carelefly, and with (lender 
 Guards at Chajieait-Gyron ., was affaulted about midnight by the Duke de Mercxitr-, Hlf^slffttit^ 
 who coming from Vitry with his Forces, had marched a great many Leagues thi- ^d ati-k^/jMa. 
 theri where, after fuch refiftance as the place would permit, and his Ifrength was dX^^ZmL 
 able to make, the Count at laft was taken prifoner by the Enemy. By this ac- ff^oisukcn 
 cident the King was forced ( though he was not in a condition to diminifh the ''"'°°"* ■ 
 Body of his Army ) to fend fome number of men into that Province , under 
 Henry of Bourbon , Prince of Dombes , fon to the Duke of Montpenfier, who being 
 a youth of but tender years, began to give proof of a generous fpirit, and pf a very 
 great courage. • 'i v. . 
 
 The Army marched on its way with very great order i and the Vanguard beirigcome 
 to Beugency, upon the One and twentieth day of May, the Sieur de Chajlillon with his 
 Troops advanced to get intelligence, and difcover the wayes of the Country, while at The sieur de 
 the fame time Monfieur de Saveufe marched with Three hundred Lances, and One hun- '^•"''''^' g°'"S. 
 
 dJT'tir'' -ii^-wirB^ •»-»*«»» With 400 a'*l(C 
 
 red Light'horfe to)oyn withthe Duke oiMayennes Army. He not being ad vertifed to joyn with 
 
 of the Kings arrival, having left Bonneval a very rich Monaftery within the Territories '^^^'i"^ 
 
 of Chartres, went on his way. But the parties fent out before on each fide, having ^""^"^ ''r '""e 
 
 met, and begun to skirmifli without knowing one another i the Sieur de ChaiiiVon L^'/n'/^^^ 
 
 ftronger in Forces, and more ready to fight, fell on and charged Savenfe fo on all tides, •"npriioncr. ' 
 
 Fff that
 
 402 The History of the Civil Wari 
 
 Tcgo that having killed an Hundred and fifty of his men, who fought valiantly, he, with Six- 
 ty Gentlemen, was taken prifoner i and having received two wounds in the encoun- 
 ter, died of them within a few dayes after. 
 
 Thus matters going on profperoufly, upon the Three arid twentieth they encamp- 
 ed at Gerfreau, a Town of a convenient bignefs, plentiful, and which hath in it one 
 of the pnncipal Bridges of the River Loire. In this place commanded the Sieur de 
 Jalatms, who being fummoned to yield, and not to hazard the battery of a Royal 
 Army" having refufed to do fo, the Canon was planted, and after not much difficul- 
 ty the Wall being entred forcibly by affault, he was condemned prefeatly to be hang- 
 ed' The Town was facked by the Army , and the Defendents cut in pieces i the 
 Mk's'^cw.« King, contrary to his nature, ufing very great feverity, as one who often altedged, that 
 tnAPiviin. he made not War againft a lawful Enemy, but perfecutcd the obftmatc ftubbornefs of 
 Rebels. After the taking of Gergeau followed that of Fiviers, where the fartie rigor 
 wHy re«open was ufcd againft the Magiftrates of the place : Wherefore Chartres not flaying Co 
 the Gates. ^^^^j^ ^^ f^^ 3 Summons, fet open their Gates, received the King with all his Army j 
 and having driven out the dependents of the League, fubmitted it felfto hisobedie.xe. 
 The Pope by a xhither the news was broiight by the Sieur de la Clielle^ hovf the Pope, by a Aiovf- 
 ciaKsTh' King tory^had declared, that the King fliould incurr cenfure, if within the term ot Sixty days 
 f "'''"irJiihrn be releafcd not the Prelates out of Prifon i and if within the fame time he made noC 
 J'oVayes he le- his duc fubnuilion tor the death of the Cardinal of G«;/e-, which ftruck the King fa 
 VuiM°\'ni deeply, that he was above forty hours without eating or drinking. This laft rtfo- 
 doci not Pe lution had been obtained by the Dean of Khdms^ who lately difpatched to Home by 
 otdipj'of'"' the Duke of Mayenne, had, by amplifying, not onely the reafons of the League, but al- 
 Gm/A >!e»th. fo the Forces of the Confederates, and the King's weaknefs, at laft induced the Pope 
 uou! kd'at it, unto it, fo m.uch the more eafiiy , after the report was divulged , that the King 
 h''^ forty ' treated an agreement with the King of Navarre , and was^ about to call the Hugo- 
 '*''"' nots unto his party. The Monitory was pofted up in Rome upon the Three and 
 
 twentieth of M<y, and within a. very few dayes after publifhed at Mw«x, ten Leagues 
 diftant from Farif, the Biftiop of which place was made High-Chancellor by the 
 Duke of Mayenne in the Council of the Vnion. The King was fo grieved for this 
 determination of the Pope, that it produced an univerfal fadnefs, and the progrtfs of 
 the Army was very much flackened by it. Wherefore the Archbifhop of Bourses be- 
 gan publickly to comfort him, faying. That as the Pope ill-informed, by the fugge- 
 ftion of the Confederates, believing what they did was out of zeal to Religion, had 
 pronounced that Sentence : fo when he (hould be better informed, and afTured that 
 they fought for PalTion and Ambition , and not for the Apoftolick See, nor for the 
 Faith, he certainly, as a common Father, would change his opinion. But the King, 
 Words of w«» ^^^^^ ^ ^^^P H^^ replied. That he thought it very hard, that he who had ever fought 
 the°Thit"d,up'rii and laboured for Religion, fliould be ralhly excommunicated , becaufe he would not 
 'm'a'^i''"ThTn'. ^^^^^ ^^^ °^" throat to be cut by the Armes of his Rebel- Subjeds i and that thofe 
 dircJ out a- who had facked Rome, and kept the Pope himfelf prifoner, had never been Excom- 
 ?he'"Kiig of municated : to which the King of Navarre, who was prefcnt, anfwered i But they 
 Kavdn'i hn- were vi<5lorious. Sir ; Let your Majefty endeavour to conquer , and be aiTurcd the 
 *""• Cenfures (hall be revoked, but if we be overcome , wefliall all die condemned He- 
 
 reticks. The King affented , and all the by-ftanders did the like ; and upon that 
 fcn*g£^°lpf,' ^opc, order was given the Army fliould march, and having laid fiege to Ejiampes^ 
 hanss theMa- and that Town being taken by afiault, the King very much exafperated , and moved 
 gives"hc p"i- ^y his natural melancholly, now outwardly ftirred up by fo many provocations, cauP- 
 hge of the ed all the Magiftrates to be hanged, and gave the pillage of the Town freely to the 
 Soldicfi? '*" foldiers. From Ejiampes^ the King being defirous tofliut up all the paiTagesof thofe 
 Rivers that were fit to ftreighten the City of Faris, marched on with the body of his 
 Army tobefiege Foijjy, and the Duke oiEffernon enlarging himfelf with the Reer, took, 
 and with the fame violence facked Montereau upon the River 7on>te. FoiJ^mzde ve- 
 ry little refiftance, and the Town yielding it felf, the King was Mafter of that brave 
 fpacious Bridge,which there gives paflage over the Seine Jjy the help whereof he was a- 
 blc to enlarge himfelf on both fides the River.In this place the D.oiMontpenfier^who had 
 followed the track of the D.ofAfjjfy/^i' out of Normandy,v/'nhovit receiving, anyoppoli- 
 tion, joined with the King's Army, who intended to make that Town his Magazine, 
 gave the Government of it to the Sieur de Villiers, and leaving his Baggage, Ammuni- 
 OD, and part of his Artillery there, put in a Garrifon of 2000 Foot,
 
 of France. The Tenth ^oq^ 40^ 
 
 Poijjy being taken and manned, the King of Navarre, with his Van-guard, went IS??* 
 without delay to befiege Pontoifi , in which Monfieur d AUncotirt was Governor and 
 with him the Sieur de Hantfort^ put in alfbby the Duke of Mc^eww, to fupply what 
 rhould be defedlive i thefe having fortifiM a Church which flood in a corner of th« 
 Town, and reduced it to the form of a Ravel hie , flood conftantly upon their de- 
 fence. The firft force was imployed againft the Church, which battered and aflault- 
 ed, and no lefs refolutely defended, maintained it felf for the fpace of nine dayes : at 
 the end of which, Hautfart being killed with a Cannon-fhot, the Church was alfb taken 
 and utterly demolifhed, and the defendents retired to make good the Walls. But the 
 Sieur d'AUncourt being wounded in the flioulder, and the mort valiant of the Defen- 
 dents being flain by the violence of the Artillery, and in the fury of a bloody alTauIt, 
 the rert were necelTarily forced to yield v who marched out of the Town upon the 
 four and twentieth of July, vvith this condition, that they fliould not bear arms again 
 in ferviceof the League, till after three months. 
 
 The next day after the taking of Pontoife, the forreign Army arrived at Poijiy. 
 bridge i for Monfieur de Sancy, being firft met by the Count de "tavannes, with Five 
 hundred Horfe, in the Confines of Bourgongne, and then in Champagne by the Duke de 
 Longueville ; and the Sieur de la None with Twelve hundred Horfe, and Two thou- 
 fand French Muskettiers, had advanced with great diligence i nor durft the Duke of 
 Mayemte, who had made (hew that he would oppofe his pafTage, meet him with fb 
 much weaker Forces v fo that upon Saint James's day they pafTed the Bridge at P»- 
 ijjy, being received with great joy , and provided for, with great plenty, to refrefh 
 themfelves, by Monfieur de Villiers, who had caufed many carts full of Wine, and pro- 
 vifions, to be brought beyond the Bridge, to welcome the SwifTes and the Germans. 
 The next morning, which was Saint Annes day, the King defired to fee them , and .j., 5 j^^ji 
 view them in their Divifions, largely fpread over the fields ■■> and being accompanied arrive and ', 
 by the King of i\r^i«?Tf , and the Duke of Mo«?;>f wjji-r , he welcomed and cherifhed K.'^n" "j' pjjj^ 
 the Commanders with great familiarity, honouring them with fuch warlike prefents, " 
 as the ftate of things, in the fury of Arms would permit. There were 1 0000 Swif- 
 fes,2 000 German Foot, 2000 Reitersi to which the Forces of the King,the Duke 
 of Longueville , the Duke of Moatpenfier , the Baron de Giury, the King of Navarre 
 being added , the Army amounted to the number of Two and forty thoufand 
 fighting men. The terror of this Army made all the places thereabout to yield i 
 and the Bridge of St. Cloud, a place within a League of ?aris , having had the bold- 
 nefs to (hut their Gates, upon the nine and twentieth day. Was vicftorioufly for- 
 ced open , and the relief which the Sieurs de Bourdaifiere, and Trembkcowt had at- 
 tempted to put into it, with two Regiments of Foot, and Four hundred Horfe, was 
 likewife furioufly driven back by the Cavalry. 
 
 The affairs of Paris were already reduced into an exceeding ill condition i for all the 
 Bridges being loft, all the neighbouring Towns furrchdred, all the pafTages of the Ri- 
 ver flopped , and the City ftreightned on all fides, there was no other hope left than The King with 
 what the prefence of the Duke of Mayenne and of the Army afforded, which was all * d"nnmerous 
 (hut up within the circuit of the Suburbs of Paris. The Army was 8000 French Army iiys 
 Foot,and 1 800 Horfe i but fo great was the fcarcity of vi<Sual,and the terror that had hafhie°ta^ken^ 
 feized every one by reafon of the Kings's profperous fuccefTes and fevere refolution, aii thofe pu- 
 that within two dayes the French Foot were reduced to Five thoufand, and the Ger- niniff' with 
 mans demanding meat and money, began to threaten, that they would go over to the viftuai. 
 Enemies Camp. Nor were the inhabitants more refblute, or more unanimous than the 
 {bldiers j for the common people following the ordinary courfe, as they had been preci- 
 pitate to rebeh fb hoping by their meannefs and obfcurity to lie hid, and efcape unpu- 
 nifhed, were eafily induced to fubmit themfelves to the King i and thofe who from the 
 beginning had been inclined to his devotion, but durft not declare themfelves, now by 
 his being fo near,and by the danger of the reft, being become bold and fearlefs, began to 
 pcrfwade the people through the feveral quarters, and to put them into fuch defpair of 
 the prefcnt afFairs,that the Duke of Mayenne was no lefs troubled vrith the inconftancy 
 of the Parifians, than with the potent Forces of the King s yet fhewing courage an- 
 fwerable to the greatnefs and urgency of the neceffity, he difpatched young MenevtUe 
 to the Duke of Lorain { to whom Jamets, having been befieged by him a whole 
 year , was at laft furrendred ) defiring him to come perfonally to his refief , and 
 had given ofdcr that Four thoufand Germans,leavied by his Commiirion,(hould make 
 
 Fff2 haft€
 
 ^o4 ^^•'^ Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 158Q, liafte to join with him, that they might advance together to raife the fiege of tarir. 
 But thcfe Succours were too late, too far off, and too uncertain j for the Germans were 
 yet in their own Country, the Duke of Lorain was not well refolved what he ftiould 
 do, the reputation of the League was fuddenly fallen in every Province, and the peo- 
 ple', the firft violence of their paiTion being over, and they full of infinite fear, thought 
 every where of returning to the Kings obedience, who having taken St. Cloudy had 
 himfelf begirt the Fauxbourg of St. Honore^ and all that fide of the Lovre to the River \ 
 and the King of Navarre on the other fide befieged from the Fauxbourg of St. Mar- 
 ceatt to that of St. Germain. The Duke of Mayenne was quartered in the Fauxbourg 
 of St. Germain, and defended both St. Marceau and SuVicioire, having caufed his pofts 
 to be fhut up every where with trenches : the Sieur de la Cajire^ with the Germans 
 and a Regiment of Walloons guarded the Fauxbourg of St. Honore, Montmartre^ and 
 St. Dennis^ which was likewife enclofed and fortified with trenches. In the City 
 the DutchefTes of Nemours, Montpenfier, and Guife, with the Preachers (though much 
 fallen in courage and reputation) were bufie in animating the people, who appeared 
 manifeftly fad and dejecSed. Monfieur de Khofne executing the Office of Camp-Mafter- 
 General, ran up and down to every place > and the Priefts and Fryars had taken up 
 Arms, putting themfelvcs generally upon Military duty. 
 
 The City of Faris being in fo great a ftraight, and in fo much terrour, (a. thing very 
 
 well known to the King, by the frequency of thofe which ran every hour from the City 
 
 to his CampJ upon the laft day oijtdy^ would needs perfonally view the Enemies pofts > 
 
 and by the advice of the Marefchal d' Aumont, and Monfieur de la None, who were 
 
 with him, refolved to refrefli his Army the next day, and upon the fecond of Attgujt 
 
 to affault their Works on every fide i being not only confident of a happy i/Tue, but as 
 
 it were certain that the Germans would mutiny, and that many in the City would 
 
 take up Arms on his fide i fome out of their old conftant inclinations , and fome by 
 
 their prefent fervices, to cancel their former faults and infurredtions. In his return 
 
 toward St.Cloud, flopping his horfe upon a Hill, from whence he faw all tlie City di- 
 
 /h/iK^r/s"'^ ftindly, he broke forth into this faying i Paris, Ihouart the Head of the Kingdom, but 
 
 who bavins; a Head too great and too capricious > it is neceffary, by letting Blood, to cure thee again, and 
 
 ve^heEM-"" fi'^^ *'-"^ ^^'"^^ Kingdom from thy madnefs : And I hope, that within a few days, here Jhall 
 
 mits Works, be neither WaUs nor Hsufes, but only the very footjieps of Paris. And there was no man 
 
 from wScncc' who did not already make that Prognoftick : And the Duke o( Mayenne being refolved 
 
 he looked up- not to out-live his ruine, had determined to get on horfe-back with the Sieurs de 
 
 at%tlrh. l^hofne, and de la Cbafire, and to die honourably by fighting, in that fpace that lies 
 
 between the modern Walls of the Town and the Suburbs, which they faw they could 
 
 rot defend. 
 
 But as in the revolutions of this War, firange marvellous accidents have ftill hap- 
 ncd ; fo an unexpeded and unthought-of chance , provided againft the exigency of 
 that danger, which neither the prudence nor valour of the Commanders were able to 
 prevent. There was in Paris one Jaques Clement, a Fryar, (of the Order of St. Vo- 
 The birth j.e ^'"'<^k.-, which commonly are called Jacobins J born of mean parentage in a Village 
 »nd conditiSn Called Sorbone, in the Territory of the City of Sens, a Young-man, about Two and 
 ^em,^TrTyl't twenty years of age, and always thought by his Fellow-Fryars, and many others that 
 oftheOrrierof kncw him, to be a half-witted Fellow, and rather a fubjed of fport, than to be fcar- 
 t.Dmiitick. gj^ pj. jj^^j any ferious matter of confequence was to be hoped for from him. I re- 
 member, that (having been often to vifit Fryar ^/f/i/^jw Lufignano, a Cyprian Bifiiop 
 of Limijjo, and Brother of the fame Order, when the Court was at Paris) 1 have feen 
 him, and heard the other Fryars make fport with him. This Fellow, either led by his 
 own fancy, or ftirred up by the Sermons which he heard daily made againft Henry of 
 cMtl'mmy Valois, called the Tyrant, and Perfecutor of the Faith , took a refolution to hazard 
 of r«/.is rU( his life in attempting fome means to kill him : Nor did he keep this bold thought of his 
 v/rfecutot"of fccrct, but Cried out among his Fellow-Fryars, That it was neceffary to take Arms, 
 the Faith. and cut ofF the Tyrant : Which words, heard by them with their wonted laughter, 
 he was in derifion called Captain Clement by them all. Many provoked him, by 
 telling the Kings proceedings, and how he was coming againft the City oi Paris : 
 To whom ( while the Army was far off) he would anfwer. That it was not yec 
 time , and that he would not take fo much pains. But when the King began to 
 draw near , he pafting from jefts to a ferious determination , told one of his Fa- 
 thers , that he had a bold infpiration to go and kill Henry of Valois ^ and defired 
 
 hin3
 
 of France. The Tenth ^oo^ 
 
 405 
 
 him to counfel him, if he fhould execute it. The Father having imparted this bufi- 
 nefs to the Prior , who was one of the chief Counfellors ot the League i they 
 both anfwcred , That he fliould take good heed, it were no temptation of the De- 
 vil i that he fhould fart and pray , begging of God to enlighten his mind what he 
 fhould do. Within a few dayes he came again to the Prior, and the other Father, 
 telling them, He had done as thcyadvifcd him, and that he found in himfelf more 
 fpirit than ever to undertake the enterprife. The Fathers, (as many faidjhaving con- 
 ferred about the buiincfs with Madam de Montpenfier ■, or (as they of the League will 
 have itj of their own proper motion, exhorted him to the attempt, affirming to him. 
 That if he lived, he fhould be made a Cardinal i and if he died, for freeing the City, 
 and killing the Perfecutor of the Faith, he fliould without doubt be canonized for a 
 Saint. The Frier ardently excited by thefe Exhortations, laboured to get a Letter 
 of Credit from the Count de Brienne^ who, having been taken at St. Ouyn, was rtill 
 prifoner in the City, afTuring him. That he was to fpeak with the King about a bufi- 
 refs of inhnitc importance, and which fliould redound to his very great contentment. 
 The Count not knowing the Frier, but hearing how the City flood affed'ed, and that 
 many plotted to bring in the King, believing the bufinefs to be true which he profeC- 
 fed to deal in, made no difficulty of granting him the Letter i with which departing 
 upon the lalt day of July in the Evening , he went from the City into the King's 
 Camp, where he was prefently taken by the Guards i but he faying, he had bufinefs and 
 Letters to communicate to the King,and having fhewed the fuperfcription, was brought 
 to J agues de U Guep^ the King's Attorney-General, who executed the Office of Au- 
 ditor of the Camp. The Sieur de la G«f/7e having heard the Frier, and knowing,that 
 the King had returned when it was dark, from difcovering the Enemies Works, told 
 him. It was too late for that night, but the next morning he would bring him to him 
 without fail i and that in the mean time, he might fiay, for his fecurity, in his Lodg- 
 ings. The Frier accepted the invitation, fupped at Table with la GueJIe, cut his meat 
 with a new Knife, with a black Haft, which he had about him i Eat, drank, and flept 
 without care. And becaufc a Prophefic ran, not onely thorough the Army, but thorough 
 the whole Kingdom, That the King fhould be killed by a Frier i he was asked by ma- 
 ny, if perchance he came for that end ; To whom he anfwered without diffurbance. 
 That thofe were not things to be jefled withal in that manner. In the morning upon 
 the firft day of ^n^it[i, Monfieur de la Gicjle went to the King's Lodgings very early, 
 and having told him the Friers defire to fpeak with him, was commanded prefently to 
 bri.ii» him in, though he was not yet quite ready, but ilill without his Buff-coatf which 
 by jcifon of his Arms he was wont to wear ^ and having on onely a thin Taffaty 
 D ibht all Lintruffed. The Frier being brought in, while they both withdrew to a 
 \V indow on one fide of the room, he delivered the Letter from the Count de Brienne , 
 which the King read ■■> and having bid him proceed to tell his bufinefs, he feigned to feel 
 for another Paper to prefcnt it i and while the King flood intentively expedting it, he 
 having drawn his v^ontcd Knife out of his fleeve, ftruck him on the left fide of the 
 Navel, and left all the blade buried in the wound. The King feeling the blow, drew 
 forth the Knife, and in drawing of it, made the wound wider, and prefently rtruck it 
 himfelf up to the Haft in the Friers Forehead, who at the fame time (la Guefle running 
 him thorough with his Sword) fell inftantly dead ■■, and was no fooner fain, but Mompe- 
 rat^Logiiac.pinA the Marquefs de Mirepoix^ Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber, who were 
 prefent at the fad', threw him out of the Window, where, by the common Soldiers he 
 was torn in pieces, burnt, and his afhes fcattercd in the River. 
 
 The King was carried to his Bed, and the wound was not thought mortal by the 
 Chirurgions : Wherefore having called his Secretaries , he caufed an account of the 
 bufinefs to be given to all partsof the Kingdom, exhorting all the Governors not to 
 be difmaid, for that he hoped he fhould be cured within a few dayes, and be able to 
 ride : The fame he did to the chief Commanders and Principal Officers of his Army i 
 and having prefently fentfor the KingofWjwrrd-, committed to him thecareof his Ar* 
 my, and the diligent profecution of the enterprife. But at night he felt wonderful 
 great pain in his wound, and fell into a Fever: Wherefore having called his Chirur- 
 gions, and fearch being made, they found his Intrails were pierced > fo that they all a- 
 greed his life could not laft many hours. The King, who defired to know the truth, 
 being told his danger, caufed Ejiienne Boulogne his Chaplain, to be called, and with 
 very great devotion, made ConfelHon of his fins; But before Abfolution, his Con- 
 
 feflbs 
 
 1580. 
 
 Frier J^ijuet 
 Clcmmbiving 
 adrifed with 
 thr Prior , and 
 others of his 
 Crier, refolte* 
 to kill the 
 King and to 
 that end goe» 
 from Ptrts. 
 
 A Queftion 
 made to the 
 Itict , and Lii 
 Anfwer. 
 Upon the 6tll 
 of AuguQ the 
 Frier brought 
 in to the King, 
 gives him a 
 Letter ; and 
 then drawing 
 a Knife, thrult 
 it into his BcU 
 
 The King 
 ftrikes the 
 fame Knife ia«' 
 to the Friers 
 Forehead, 
 Monfieur de It 
 Cuifie runs 
 him thorough; 
 and being cid 
 out of the win- 
 dow, he is 
 torn in pic« 
 ec5.
 
 Ao6 Tf^^ Hijlory of the Ctvil Wars 
 
 leSp. fefTor having told him, that he had heard, the Pope had publiOied a Mmitory againft 
 him j and therefore he fhould fatisrie hisConfcience in the prefent extremity : He re- 
 plied That it was true i but th^ Monitory it fclf contained, that in cafe ot death he 
 might be abfolved i that he would fatisrie the Popes requelt, and promifed faithfully 
 to releafe the prifoners, though he (hould believe it would coft him his Life and Crown : 
 With which fatisfadion, the Confcffor abfolved him, and gave him the Sacraments the 
 fame night. The King feeling his flrength decay, caufed his Chamber-doors to be 
 fet open, and the Nobility to be brought in i who with abundance of tears and bit- 
 ter lighs', (hewed publick fins of their grief ; And turning toward them, the Duke of 
 Efperuori] and the Count d' Amergnt his Nephew ftanding by his Bed-fide, he faid with 
 an audible voice. That it troubled him not to die i but he was grieved to leave the 
 Kingdom in fo great diforder, and all good men afflided and perfccuted : That he 
 delired no revenge for his death i for from his tirlt years, he had learned in the School 
 of Chrift to forgive injuries,as he had done fo many in times pall: : But turning to the 
 King of Navarre , he told him , That if that cultom of killing Kings fliould grow in 
 ufe, neither (hould he, by confequence be long fecure: He exhorted the Nobility to 
 acknowledge the King of Navarre, to whom the Kingdom of right belonged > and 
 that they (hould not Hick at the difference in Religion i for both the King of Na- 
 varre, a man ot a (incere noble nature, would, in the end, return into the bofome of the 
 Church, and the Pope, being better informed, would receive him into his favour, to 
 prevent the ruineof the whole Kingdom. Atlall he embraced the King of N.tvarre^ 
 The death ef and faid, repeating it twice over; Brother, I afure you , you roill nsvir be King (f 
 «t». tbetbitd, france, if you turn not Catholkk^, and if you bumble not your felf unto the Church, z(tet 
 •r^^w/a* which words , having called his Chaplain, he, in the prefencc of them all, rehearfed 
 night. «^l*' the Creed, after the ufe of the Roman Church, and having CrolTed himfclf, began the 
 vmg^'lived'j* Mifrere^bat his fpeech failing him in thefe words, Kedd: mihi Utitiam fdutis tni, he 
 '""'dflind y's'ded up the Ghoft contentedly,having lived Thirty fix years, and reigned Fifteen, 
 mrmoJt'h" and juft two months. In his death ended the line of Kings of the Houfc ofVa/oi*^ 
 the Ho"J'^<'|^ and the pofterity of Fhilip the Third, furnamed the Hardy, and by vertue of the Salique 
 hi'm^andtbe Law, the Crown devolved to the Family of Bourbon, neareft of the Blood, and de« 
 vfTTon'the" fcended from Robert Count of Clermont the fecond fon of St. Louis. 
 Houfc of Biiiir- The whole Army being wonderfully grieved at fo fad, fo fatal an accident, and e(^ 
 *""• pecially the Nobility, who accompanied the death of their Prince with tears,' which 
 
 came from the bottom of their hearts : but on the other fide, the I'arifiant (hewed 
 profufe figns of joy , and fome among the Great Ones, who had till then worn 
 mourning for the death of the Lords ofG«//f ,did again put on their Gallantry and their 
 feathers, and leaving off black, clothed themfelves in Green > though the Duke of 
 Mayenne, with the wonted moderation of his prudence, far from fuch like demonftra- 
 tions, minded onely how to excufe himfelf, and divulge with all diligence, that he had 
 no hand in the bufinefs, and that it was diredly and immediately the Hand of Hea- 
 ven* which neverthelefs was believed by few i for the opinion which was conceived, 
 was not to be rooted out of mens minds, it being unlikely that the chief men of the 
 Union, and particularly the Prior,a trufty Counfellor of the Grand-Council of it, (hould 
 not have conferred about the hik with the Princes, and with their privity exhorted, 
 and with effedual motives fpurred on the fimplicity of the Frier : but as the fadtious 
 occurrences of Civil Wars are full of Lyes and fabulous inventions, others added 
 many fidions to the truth, which a certain Writer, perhaps through ignorance , 
 or heedlefnefs,or elfe through hatred,hath not (hunned to publlfh in his Writings. 
 But how(bever it were, it is indeed a thing worthy of very great confideration, to 
 think how the fingulai vertues and eminent qualities of fo brave a Prince (hould come 
 to (b cruel, fo unfortunate an end j from thence to learn this excellent Leffon, That 
 the skilfulnefs of the Pilot avaih but little, if the wind of divine favour, which with 
 eternal Providence governs mortal affairs , help not to bring our adrions into their 
 defired port: For in Hfwji the Third were all amiable quaUties, which, in the begin- 
 ning of his years, were exceedingly reverenced and admired i fingular prudence, royal 
 magnanimity , inexhauited magnificence, moft profound piety, molt ardent 7cal in 
 Religion, perpetual love to the good, implacable hatred to the bad, infinite defire of 
 doing good to all , popular eloquence , pleafantnefs becoming a Prince , gene- 
 Tous courage, valour, and wonderful dexterity in Arms', for which vertues, du- 
 ring the reign of his Brother, he was more admired and efteemed than the K. himfelf. 
 
 Be
 
 of France* 7 he Tenth ^oo^, A07 
 
 He was a General before he was a Souldier, and a great States-man before he came to 158^* 
 years of maturity j he made War with power, deluded the experience of the moft fa- 
 mous Commanders, won bloody Battels, took in Fortrefles that were held impreg- 
 nable, gained the hearts of people far remote, and was renowned and glorious in the 
 mouths of all men : yet, when being come to the Crown , he fought out fubtil in- 
 ventions to free himfelf from the yoke and fervitude of the Fadions, both parties con- 
 ceived fuch a hatred againft him i that his Religion was counted hypocrifiev his Pru- 
 dence, a wicked craftinelsi his Policy, meannefs of fpirit j his Liberality, licentious 
 and unbridled prodigality ; his Affability, was contemned i his Gravity, hated i his 
 Name, detefted j his private Converfations, imputed to enormous vices i and his Death 
 being cxtreamly rejoyced at by fadlious men and the common people, was rafhly judged 
 to be the ftroke of Divine juftice. 
 
 After the Kings death, the Army remained that day as it were aftoniflicd and ftu- 
 pified i nor were the Parifians in lefs wonder and amazement, when by an unexpeded 
 accident they faw themfelves left quiet that day, wherein with terrour they looked for 
 nothing but their utter defolation. But the King of Navarre being gone prefently to 
 his lodging at St. Clond, though he had determined in his miod to affume the Arms 
 and Title of France, was doubtful, follicitous, and very uncertain what might come 
 of it •) for the Hugonots that depended on him, were few and weak, and if he (hould 
 feem to acknowledge the Scepter from them, he (hould without queftion alienate the 
 ftronger, and more numerous party. In the Catholicks he could have but little con- ^1, k" » 
 fidence, differing from them in Fxeligion, not having gained them by the merit of for- '^-aLrWl- 
 mer benefits, having ever been far from them, nay their Enemy, and not fo much as i'""?, ""r 
 known by fight unto moft part of them, until that time As for the Foreign Forces, he omp '"i.'aff.-- 
 knew not what they would refolve to do with themfelves, being under Commanders ^f a ''["r'" 
 of fmall credit and authority, without Commiffions from their Princes, and for want "gfon, and '" 
 of money , rather in a condition to mutiny and disband , than to yield obedience to cjuf-s''1r"/fl 
 him, that had not means to fatisfie them: for the King of Navarre, newly come out ?«" pet- 
 of that narrow corner, where he had been (hut up fo many years, was fo far from be- f '""^" 
 ing able to pay them, that he had not wherewithal to maintain himfelf > and in the 
 dead Kings Treafury was found very fmall ftore of money, the gulf of War having 
 fwallowed up both the Revenues which were gotten in , and thofe fums which his 
 Friends had lent him in times of great need. To this was added the difgm'ls which 
 many chief men had againft him : the Duke of Mompenfier, though of the fame Fa- 
 mily, yet in refped of Religion, whereof he was moft obfervant, had very little cor- 
 refpondence with him, not being able to endure, and counting it a (hame to the whole 
 Family, to fee him encompaffed with Hugonot Miniftersand Preachers. The Count 
 d" Auvergne, Baftard of France, a young man, of fierce nature, for flight occafions, as 
 quartering of Souldiers, and dividing of fpoil, was fcarce wont to falute him i Mon- 
 iieur de Vitry, Monfieur de Villkrs, and many others, who in times paft had received 
 benefits from the Houfe of Guife, and had lately ferved the deceafed King, bccaufe their 
 courage would not fuffer them to be called and accounted Rebels , now that rcfpedl, 
 and the bond of obedience being loofened by his death, could in no wife bend their 
 minds to follow an Enemy to the Houfe of Lorain ■■, and which imported moft of all, 
 the Duke of Efpemon, who, as the cuftom is, hated and perfecuted all thofe who he 
 thought might remove him from the degree he held , or get before him in his Mafters 
 favour, had broken almoft openly with him in the Kings life time: for the King of cwfesof h*i 
 Navarre having taken notice that the Duke of Efpernon hoxc him ill will, and aimed "ed between 
 to put him in difgrace with the King, as a man of an open courage, and free fpeech, N/t/f/r" M°d 
 had complained manifeftly of him, faying. That if he thought to ufe him as he had '''* ^"^^ °^ 
 done the Lords o( Guife, he would not endure it: and Efpernon on the other fide^ '^"""' 
 had faid more than once. That the King of Navarre was wont to mak^ War not in 
 Royal Camps, and with Military Difcipline, but like a Free-booter, or a Plunderer > 
 and that all outrages and infolencies were committed by the Hugonots i and at the 
 taking Ejiampes, having found a Souldier of the King oi Navarre's own Troop of Dra- 
 goons, who to fteal the Fix out of a Church, had thrown the Sacrament upon the 
 ground, he killed him prefently with his own hand v fo that between them there was 
 no very good intelligence. For all thefe reafons the King of Navarre v/zs Canoandcd 
 with flraits and difficulties , not being affured what might fucceed upon his Declara- 
 tion 5 and fo much the rather, becaufe he knew many were fecretly come from Parit 
 
 intQ 

 
 4o8 . The Htslory of the Civil IVars 
 
 ibc future 
 
 KiDJ. 
 
 158^. into the Camp, to work upon the mindes of fuch as were difcontented, and that th e 
 Duktoi Mayenne would give to all very large conditions. 
 
 But if the King was tormented with thefe doubts, and Involved in thefe cares, the 
 mindes of particular men were no lefs troubled and perplexed > for the Hugonots doubt- 
 ed, that the King would make more account of attaining to the Crown, than of per- 
 fevering in their Religion, and therefore feared he would eafily reconcile himfelf to 
 the Church : and the Catholicks feeing him environed by du Fleffts Mornay, der A- 
 mours a Minifter,and the Sieur de la None, and many others who were firnj Calvinifts, 
 and calling to mind part experiences, believed he would not forfake that Religion, and 
 thofe men with whom he had lived long , and fuftained the difficulties of his ad- 
 verfe fortune > and many of each Religion were drawn and byaffed by diverfe feveral 
 interefts. 
 
 The affairs of the Army being fb uncertain and diftrafted, the Catholicks , who 
 were the greater part, gathered themfelves together the night before the third of /?«- 
 gufi, to confult what resolution they (hould take. Here their opinions were different i 
 for many thought beft to follow and uphold the Crown by all means in the King of 
 Navarre^ that they might not wrong the juftncfs of his Caufe, and violate the Sa- 
 lique Laws , but conferve the Kingdom in the lawful Succeffion ; They faid, that by 
 doing otherwifc, it was neceflary either to divide the Kingdom among fo many Pet- 
 The catho. ty-Kings, as there were armed Princes and Pretenders j or elfe fubmit themfelves to 
 th'emftivcrto* fhe rule and arbitrementof ftrangers : That this was the true way to foment difcord, 
 confult about and make the Civil Wars perpetual, to the deftrudtion of the publick , and of every 
 particular man, and to expofe their common Country to new dangers, fatal accidents, 
 and moft cruel flaughters : That the hand of God was plainly feen •■, which favouring 
 the juftice of his Caufe, had, in an opportune conjunfture, armed him with Forces,re- 
 concilcd him with his good Subjeds, and put him miraculoufly in a condition to be a- 
 ble to attain to, and defend his Crown : That it was a pious thing to follow the Mo- 
 tives and Difpofals of Heaven, and to leave the care of future matters to Divine Pro- 
 vidence: That,by the Laws of God, Princes were to be born withal, and not to be 
 defpoiled of their Rights and Inheritance for any particular defed : That the King of 
 Navarre was an ingenuous Prince, full of clemency, modefty, and fincerity : That in 
 him there was no caufe to fear a violent or tyrannical power, but to hope for a good 
 and lawful Government > and liberty of Life and Confcience, which he till then had 
 granted to every one : That finally, it was a thing unworthy of the French Name and 
 Nobility, to adhere to Rebels, who had impioufly imbrued their hands in the bowels of 
 their Prince, and with manifeft wrong and violence endeavoured to deprive and de- 
 fpoil the Blood Royal of the lawful Succeflion of the Crown: But on the contrary, 
 That it was an aftion worthy the name of Cavaliers, which they profeffed , to vindi- 
 cate thfir juft blood, unjuftly fhed by his Subjeds, and to maintain the true and law- 
 ful Heirs of the Crown in the pofTenion of the Kingdom. The Authors of this opi- 
 nion were the Sieur de Kambouilkt, the Baron de Giury, and efpecially the Duke of 
 LoHgueville, 
 
 But many others argued on the contrary fide. That they ought to obferve Divine, 
 before Humane Laws > and that the health of the Soul was alwayes to precede tranfi- 
 tory worldly things j that the refpeft of Religion, in the Succeffion of Kings , was 
 antient: For, that depends upon the Law of Nature, and this upon the Particular 
 Conftitutions and Pofitive Rights of Nations : That the example of England was very 
 rear and remarkable, where the Princes alteration of Religion, had caufed the deftrudi- 
 onofthe Catholicks, and the alienation of the whole Kingdom from the Apoftolick 
 See: That the miferiesof Wars, and the calamities they bring along with them,might 
 be ended in afliorttirrei but the danger of lofing their Faith and Souls, extended ic 
 felf to their Children, and Grand-children, and to their whole pofterity for ever, which 
 would receive an eternal lofs, and prejudice, by their prefent connivence : That it was 
 true. Princes were to be born withal, though wicked, and of a different Religion > but 
 that was meant by fuch as were already placed and eftabliflied in the Throne, not of 
 fuch as were to be received and eftabliftied anew : That the King of Navarrehzd, by 
 many means, with a thoufand intreaties, and redoubled reafons, been perfwaded by the 
 States-General, and by the earneft defire of the late King, to change his Religion,and 
 yet could never be drawn from Calvinifm : And if he would not leave it in his ex- 
 treain neceifity, it was hot to be hoped, that he would doit in the profpericy of for- 
 tune »•
 
 .r- 
 
 of France. The Tenth ^ool^ 
 
 409 
 
 tune i That what was faid of his nature and qualities , were very true i but that he 
 w^as fo exceedingly affedted to his Religion, that he would think he did well in for- 
 cing mens Confciences : And though he had not a tyrannical mind, yet one of a diffe- 
 rent nature might perchance fucceed him : That at that prefent it was fit to forefee 
 the future, and not to alienate a moft Chrirtian Kingdom from its obedience to the 
 Pope, and from the Fellowfhipof the Church of God. This Argument was held by 
 Monlleur d^O^ the Sicur de Manny his Brother , Monfieur d'Entragnos, Vompiere the 
 lield-MarHial, and the greater number of the AiTembly. 
 
 Between thefe two contrary opinions arofe a third, as it were in the middle of the 
 balance, held by the Marcfchal de Biroii, the Duke of Litxembourgh, the Dukeof £//>?)•- 
 «ff«, and the wifeft among them. That the King o( Navarre (hould be declared King 
 of France^ and that they fhould fervc and uphold him in that quality i but upon afTu- 
 raucc, that he would change his Religion, and embrace and maintain the Roman Ca- 
 tholick Faith : And this motion was drawn from the Will and Prudence of their dead 
 King, who at his death had declared him lawful Succeflbr i but had alfo at the fame 
 time admonifl-ied him, that he (hould never be King in peace, if he embraced not the 
 Roman Religion. 
 
 This refolution was in a manner generally followed, and charge was given to thofe 
 that had propofed it, to let the King underftand, with all modefty, what they had de- 
 tcirmined. The Duke of L»x<r»z^o«rg, accompanied with the reft, carried the Meflage, 
 and told him, That the Princes, Lords, and Officers of the Crown, together with the 
 Catholick Nobility that was in the Army, which were the greateft and beftpartofthe 
 Kingdom, were ready to acknowledge him King of France^ to ferve and maintain him 
 againft everyone, lince God and Nature had called him to the Crown by a lawful 
 Succeffion : But withal they befought him, that for the general contentment and rea- 
 fonable fatisfadion of all his Subjeds, for the good, peace and tranquillity of his King- 
 dom ; for the honor of his own Perfon, and for that which became the Title of a 
 moft Chriftian King, he would be pleafed to turn to the Catholick Religion , and to 
 come again into the bofbme of the holy Church, to takeaway the pretences of his 
 enemies , and the fcruples of confcience of his fervants to the end, that he might be fer- 
 ved, obeyed and honoured with the univerfal applaufe of them all : That His Maje- 
 fty would not think this their propofition, and moft humble fupplication, ftrangei for 
 it would appear much more ftrange to their confciences , and the whole Chriftian 
 World, That one ftiould be eftabliftied King of France, who was no Catholick, as all 
 his glorious Predeceffors had been, (lomCloHk the firftKing that received Baptifm. 
 
 The King, though he was much troubled and perplexed in mind, yet either prefer- 
 ring his Religion before the Crown, or knowing, that by pleafing his new Catholick 
 Subjedts, he fhould difpleafe the Hugonots his old adherents, took alfo the middle way, 
 and anfvvered, That he returned thanks with a moft fincere French heart to the No- 
 bility, for their acknowledgment of his Right : That he knew them to be the prin- 
 cipal Member of the Crown, the foundation of the Kingdom in time of War, and the 
 eftablifliment of his Scepter: That he embraced them all with tenderntfs of heart, 
 being ready to requite their duty and fidelity, both in publick and in particular: But 
 defired, that they would not think it ftrange, if he did not fo prefently fatisfie their 
 firft requefts, becaufe the quality of the thing demanded, required a convenient time of 
 advice, and the ripenefsof a grounded refolution: Thathefct a greater value up- 
 on his Soul and Confcience, than upon all earthly greatness: That he had been 
 brought up and inftrudfed in that Religion , which yet he held to be the true one •, 
 but neverthelefs, he would not therefore be ftubborn and obftinate : That he was 
 ready to fubmit himfelf , either to a General, or National Council, and to the Inftrudti- 
 ons, which without palliating the Truth, (hould be given him by learned confcienti- 
 ous perfons. But that thefe were Motives which proceeded from God , effedls of the 
 maturity of time, and which ought to be laboured for in peace and tranquillity , 
 and not amidft the noife of Arms and War , and with a Dagger at a Mans 
 Throat: That he had a firm refolution to endeavour the fatisfadion of his Sub- 
 jedls, and the contentment of his Kingdom i but that conjundfure was not proper to 
 put his good defires in effedl, left his adtion and declaration ftiould feem feigned and 
 counterfeit, and extorted by force, or elfe pcrfwaded by worldly interefts : Wherefore he 
 intreated them toftay till afit opportunity i and if in the mean time they defired any con-- 
 dition or fecurity for the maintenance of the Catholick Religion in the fame condition it 
 
 G g g was 
 
 
 The Catho- 
 licks refolve 
 codtcUre the 
 K of Navarre 
 K. of franct, 
 upon a^Turince 
 tbac be would 
 change bit 
 Keligion. 
 
 The Duke o£ 
 
 delivers the 
 Tcrolution of 
 the Catholick 
 LorJs, in che 
 Camp, 10 the 
 K- clNivirrt. 
 
 The King 
 thanks che 
 Catholicks, 
 and his anfwet 
 about chang- 
 ing hisRclig^ 
 
 00.
 
 4IO 
 
 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 1589. 
 
 The Sieor"V< 
 
 U Nouf. aHu- 
 gonotjtells the 
 King, that he 
 inu(l nevtr 
 chink to be 
 King ofFrnntt 
 if be cum noc 
 Catbolick. 
 
 ThtCitVioIitlcs 
 of the Camp 
 iwear fiJelity 
 to the King by 
 a Writing 
 figncd and e- 
 ftablilhed.and 
 the King 
 Swears to the 
 maintenance 
 of the Catho- 
 lick Religion 
 by tbe fame 
 Writing. 
 
 was at that prefcnt, he was ready to give them all the fatisfaftion they could wilh 
 
 With thisAnfwer the Deputies returned to the reft of the Catholicks affembled in 
 the Holiel de Condi •, and the King with his moft intimate friends retired likewife 
 to confult. The Sieur de U Noite, a man of great experience in worldly affairSjthough 
 he were a Hugonot, told the King freely. That he muft never think to be King of 
 France, if he turned not Catholick ■■, but that he fhould endeavor to do it with his repu- 
 tation,' and without doing injury tothofe who had long ferved and upheld him. On 
 the other fide, dit Fleffis Morndy, and the Minifters flood for Liberty of Confcience, and 
 the Caufe of 'ood , againft earthly greatnefs i and , magnifying the Forces of their 
 party, told him, That they who had Co many years defended and preferved him,would 
 al(b be fufficient to eftablifh him in the Kingdom. The King knew that thefe were 
 fwayed by their own interefts, and joyning in opinion with Monfieur de la None, re- 
 folved within himfelf to turn Catholick i but as a generous and magnanimous Prince, 
 would not feem to do it out of ambition, or conftraint ; and he believed the Propofi- 
 tion he had made to the Catholicks to be very reafonaHe i fo that he was determi- 
 ned to continue that refolution , adding only the prefixed limits and circumftances of 
 time. 
 
 God feemed miraculoufly to infpire the fame thought into the Catholick party > 
 for though many of them, and particularly fome Prelates that were in the Camp,did op- 
 pofe if, yet the greater part, kindled with a juft indignation for their King's death, 
 could not hear of any agreement or accommodation with the League : wherefore, it 
 was at laft concluded. That the King, taking a prefixed time for his converfion, fhould 
 fecure the ftate of the Catholick Religion, and that upon thofe terms they would re- 
 ceive and follow him. 
 
 The Deputies having carried this refolution , and Treated a long time with the 
 King and his Counfellors , at laft a Writing was mutually agreed on between both 
 parties, whereby the Catholick Princes, Lords, Officers of the Crown, Nobility and Sol- 
 diers on the one fide, acknowledged Henry of Bourhon to be their lawful Prince, and 
 took an Oath of fidelity to him as King of Fr^wce, promilinghim due obedience, and 
 to ferve and uphold him againft every one •• And on the other fide. He fwore , and 
 promifed, upon the word of a King, to make himfelf be inftruded within fix months, 
 in the Catholick Religion, byan AiTembly ofconfpicuous perfonsv and if need were, 
 to call a National Council, to the Decrees whereof he would humbly fubmit himfelf i 
 and in the mean time promifed to maintain the fame Roman-Catholick-Apoftolick 
 Religion inviolate , not to innovate or change any thing in it , of what kind foe- 
 ver, but to proted", defend, and fecure it with all his power', to difpofe of Eccle- 
 fiaftical Benefices and Revenues (in the manner obferved by the Kings his Prede- 
 ceffors) to fit, and fufficient perfons, of the fame Religion j to caufe the ufe of it, and 
 the ceremonies thereof to be publick and principal in all places under his jurifdi<S^ion, 
 as he had cftablifhed in the Agreement made with the late King, in the moneth of ^- 
 fril laft pafti that he would put no Officers, nor Governors, but fuch as were Catho- 
 licks in thofe Towns which were under his obedience, nor in thofe which for the 
 time to come fhould fubmit themfelves unto him, or fhould be taken ; except onely 
 thofe places which had been already granted to the Hugonots j that he would admit 
 none to any Dignities, Offices of the Crown, or Magtftracies whatfbever , but fuch 
 perfons as publickly profeffed the Catholick Religion, that he would conferve and 
 maintain the Princes, Peers of F^we, Minifters of the Crown, Lords, Gentlemen, Ci- 
 ties and Corporations , and the three States of France in their wonted Beings, Privi- 
 ledges,Immunities,Prerogatives,Offices, Places, and Magiftracies, without any prejudice 
 or innovation whatfoever v that he would endeavour to take juft and fitting revenge 
 for that Parricide committed upon the perfonof King Hf«r-y the Third, by fevere ex- 
 emplary punifhment, and the deftrudtion and extirpation of difobedience and rebellion; 
 finally, that he permitted his Catholick Subjedls to fend an Ambaffador to the Pope, to 
 inform him of the reafbns why they had acknowledged him, and fworn fidelity unto 
 him, and tofue for, and obtain thofe things of the Apoftolick See, which they fhould 
 think convenient for the univerfal good of the Kingdom. 
 
 Upon the fourth day Angnft this Writing was finged by the King, on the one part,and 
 on the other by moft of thofe that were prefent in the Camp > and was after- 
 ward authoriied and regiftred in the Parliament of Tonrr, according to the 
 
 form
 
 of France. The Tenth "Boo^. 
 
 411 
 
 form which was wont to be obferved by thofe Courts in the times of former Kings. 
 
 Thus the necellity of prcfent affairs , and the frefh palfion for the Kings death fet- 
 led this accommodation, which at another time would certainly not have been com- 
 pofed. 
 
 Yet was not this Agreement able to retain every body ; for the Duke of Efpcmon 
 who under colour of contending for precedency with the Marcfchals of Biroit^ and 
 Aiimont^ had not figned the Writing, becaufe they, as Marefchals, being in the Camp, 
 pretended tofign firft, and he as Duke and Peer of fM«ce pretended the fame doubt- 
 ing he fliould be ill ufcd by the King, and that in his prefcnt wants, he would either 
 by intreaties , or force, wring fome money from him., (whereof he was known to 
 have very great ftore) alledging that he had obtained leave from the late King to re- 
 turn to his Governments , departing the next day from the Arniy with his Troops 
 and with many who following the example, took that occalion to return to their own 
 houfes i and having made his journey thorow Tonrain, he palTed by Loches and came 
 at laft to Angoulefme, Jehan Sieur de FiViers, who had the Government oi Poijfy^ a 
 man very zealous in the Catholick Religion, and who in his younger years had been 
 exalted by the Lords of Guife , thofe obligations cealing which he had to the late 
 King, gave up his Government, with the Artillery and Ammunition of the Army, to 
 ti/bert Sieur de la Gmcbe^ who by order from the King received it , and with two 
 hundred Horfe, and many Gentlemen that followed him, retired into his own Coun- 
 try j and the fame did many others feverally. Monfieur de Vitry, with a bolder re- 
 folution, (which nevcrthelefs was alfo followed by manyj went over to the League 
 without any demur, alledging that he faw no certainty at all in the Kings promifes, 
 and that he would not bear Arms againft the Catholick Religion in favour of the Hu- 
 gonots: and the common Souldiers, fome out of impatiency, fome for want of mo- 
 ney, fome for fear of future fufferings, began of themfelves to disband fcatteringly,in 
 fuch a manner, that by the feventh of Auguji the Army was diminiflied above half 'in 
 number, and decreafed ftill daily, j The fame was feared of the Swiffes i but the Ma- 
 refchal de Biro>f, who now followed his old inclination more than ever, did by reaCons 
 and intreaties induce them to promife that they would follow the King for the fpace 
 of two months, till they fhould receive new Commillions from their Cantons ; towards 
 which, reafons and intreaties prevailed not fo much, as a good fum of money, which 
 the King borrowed of his Friends, and divided fecrctly among their Commanders : fo 
 that without demanding further pay, but living upon free-quarter, they followed the 
 Kings Name and Colours very quietly. Nor were theHugonots more firm, or better 
 iatisried than the relt ■■> for having conceived hopes that the King, who had been bred 
 up, nouriflied, defended and maintained by them, would, now he had attained the 
 Crown, exalt their Religion , put Offices and Dignities into the hands of his ancient 
 Confidents , and truft more in thofe Forces which had made him viAorious among a 
 thoufand dangers, than in the doubtful conditional promifes of the Catholicks j now 
 they faw the contrary , accufed him of ingratitude : and had it not been that they 
 hoped he did but temporize till he were fetled in his Kingdom, and that then he 
 would do quite contrary to what he had promifcd, (which belief was by him cunningly 
 fomented in his conferences with themj they would without doubt have utterly for- 
 faken him i and yet for all that opinion , very few followed him, and thofe unwil- 
 lingly enough i for many, becaufe they thought not themfelves fecure, others out of 
 anger and difcontent disbanded, and returned in great abundance to the Cities of their 
 party. 
 
 But the King having accommodated his mind, and fitted it to the prefent neccflity, 
 having afTumed the Name and Arms of King oi" Fran:e , and not being able to 
 make new expences, made ufe of the late Kings houfliold-ftuff, the fame Purple fer- 
 ving to mourn for his PredecefTor, which he till then had ufed for the death of his 
 Mothers and knowing that mens minds were not yet well fetled under his obedience, 
 and that his own weaknefs was defpifed of many, he by the vivacity of his wit, by the 
 readinefs of his anfwers, and by the familiarity of his converfation, behaving himfelf 
 rather as a Companion , than as a Prince , and with large promifes making up the 
 wants of his prefent condition , endeavoured to fatisfie all , and to win the love of 
 every one, fecming to acknowledge the Kingdom, and the reputation of his adlions 
 ibmetimes to this man , fometimes to that man , feverally , and profeffing to be 
 ready earneftly to embrace thole occafion? of requital which (hould reprefenc 
 
 G g g 2 ^ theai' 
 
 ijSp. 
 
 The Duke o* 
 EfftrnoH ftan- 
 dingapon pre- 
 cedency , will 
 not fign the 
 Wilting, bat 
 departs from 
 Court. 
 
 Many lord*, 
 and a gr.at 
 part of the 
 Souldiers, (oU 
 lowing the 
 Duke of Ef- 
 ftrnons e>am< 
 pie; leave the 
 Camp ; fo that 
 by the feventh 
 of KAiiguji the 
 Army it de- 
 creafed to half 
 the nujnbcr.
 
 4^2 
 
 The Htslorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 I58y. 
 
 The Kiii<; rif 
 Havnrre taifes 
 the fiegr from 
 Paris, and ci 
 viHts his Fof- 
 crs into <tin. 
 Vcfiicnt places 
 
 The Kinj; it- 
 fitesto fpcak 
 with ViUeroy, 
 who was gone 
 over to the 
 leigue : The 
 Duke of May- 
 tnnt will not 
 confent to it : 
 Thty treat by 
 a third peifon) 
 bu: nothing is 
 concluded. 
 
 themfclves : To the Hugonots he feemed to lay open, and truft his moft intimate 
 thoughts, and to acknowledge the foundation of his hopes to be in them. To the 
 Catholicks he did very great honours, fpeaking with much reverence of the Pope, and 
 the Aportolick See -, alwayes honouring the Ecclefiaftical Order, and fhewing himfelf 
 inclined to the Roman Religion, gave figns of a fudden undoubted converfion. 
 To the common-people , he (hewed himfelf companionate of their burthens , and 
 of the calamities of War ■■> and to the meaneft of them , excufed the necelTity of 
 taking free-quarter upon them for his Army, laying all the fault upon his Enemies. 
 To the Gentry with words and geftures full of refpeft, he gave the glory of true 
 French-men, of prefervers of their Country, and reftorers of the Royal Family, al- 
 luring every one by thefe arts to follow him i eating in publick , fetting open his 
 moft private lodgings to every one, not concealing the neceffity of his private conditi- 
 on, and propofing thofe things in a jefting way, which could not fo well be difcover- 
 cd in ferious Counfcls. 
 
 But the Army being already reduced to fo fmall a number, that not onely the fiege 
 of farU could not be continued, but that it was needful to provide fpeedily agauiil 
 the imminent danger which was fo near C for the League, fince the King's death, in- 
 creafed every moment in ftrength and reputation : ) He being in private with the 
 •Marefchals of Biron and Attmont^ the Sieur de la Noue^ and the Duke of Montpenfier, 
 ( who having quieted his confcience by the King's promife, had, for the interefts of 
 their common Family, firmly refolved to follow him) confulted a long time what 
 courfe would be leaft prejudicial to take in that prefent condition. And becaufe he had 
 no means to keep the whole Array together, which though he had been able to do, 
 would , within a few dayes, have been inferior to the Forces of the League i they 
 determincd,that the King, with the Duke of Montpenfier^znA the Marefchal de Bimt^ 
 fhould retire into the Province of N()r»wWj/i that the Marefchal d'Aumout fiiould go 
 into Champagne, and the Duke o£ Longteeville with Monfieur de la None, into Picardy, to 
 keep thofe Provinces faithful,and to re-unite themfelves when time and occafion (hould 
 require. 
 
 But the King knowing the vaft ftrudlure of the League, and how difficult the bur- 
 den of Civil War is to be born, dcfired to try the hope of an agreement with the Duke 
 of Mayenne, not being willing in any manner to be faulty to himfelf, or to neglecft any 
 poffible means of fetling himfelf in the Crown > wherefore many men being come in- 
 to the Camp for feveral interelts, he made ufe of the occafion > and hearing that one 
 Bigot, a near Servant to Monfieur de ViUeroy, was there, he caufed him to be brought 
 unio him by the Sieur de Chajiilhn, and bad him to let his Mafter know, that he de- 
 fired infinitely to fpeak with him, and that if he would chufe the place of interview, 
 he fliould have a Safe-condudt fent him, and all neceflary fecurity. 
 
 The Sieur de ViUeroy had taken part with the League, not only out of anger, be- 
 caufe he was fo fuddenly difmifled from the Court , but becaufe the Government of 
 Lyoits after the death of Monfieur de Mandelot, was, contrary to the promifes the King 
 had made him, given firft to the Duke of Nemours, and then to Monfieur de la Guiche^ 
 putting by Alincourt his Son, who upon that hope had married the Daughter of Man- 
 delot: To which caufes of difcontent he added, for a more potent excufe, that all his 
 Land lying within the Territories oi' Farii , and his Court-Penfion being taken from 
 him, he knew not how to maintain himfelf, if he joined not with that party, where- 
 in he might enjoy the Revenue of his Ellate. But however it were. Bigot having deli- 
 vered the Kings MelTage, he not being willing to do any thing without the Duke of 
 Mayennes leave, told him what MefTage he had received from the King : But the Duke 
 would not let Villeroy go to the meeting, alledging, that it could not be done fo fe- 
 cretly, but it would be generally known, and by confequence thofe of his party would 
 fufpedl fijmething, and fall into a jealoufie : That aifairs were in a very hopeful con- 
 dition , and that it was not good to difturb them inconfiderately , being they might 
 eafily be croffed i and therefore only gave way, that he might receive a Gentleman 
 in his houfe at Farij, and treat with him, if the King were pleafed to (end one for 
 that purpofe. With this Anfwer Bigot returned to the Campi and the King not 
 fcorning any kind of means to advance his fortune, and to let the Catholicks know 
 that he defired Peace, fent prefently the Sieur de la Marjittfre his Cabinet-Secretary. 
 
 He not having been able to obtain leave to fpeak perfbnally with the Duke of May- 
 eme^ told the Sieur deVijleroy^ that tlie King had (ent him exprefly, to aflfure the 
 
 Duke 
 
 %■
 
 of France. T^he Tenth ^oo^. 
 
 413 
 
 Duke of his good inclination to confent to peace, and to reprefent unto him, how nc- 
 ceffary it was for the general good : That he did very much efteem the Dukes perfon, 
 and delired to make him his Friend, and to have him near him in an honourable degree 
 of favour fuitable to liis condition : That the Duke ought now to lay afide his vain 
 hopes of feeing him totally abandoned and forfaken ; for all the Princes, Officers of the 
 Crown, Lords, Gentlemen, and others, that were both in, and out of the Army, had 
 fworn Allegiance to him, and promifed him their alMance, he having fatisfied thetn 
 in what concerned Religion, by a reciprocal promife made in writing, the copy where- 
 of he left with the Sieur de Villeroy, to fhew unto the Duke : That not only the Hu- 
 gonots, but even the Catholicks of the Army themfelves, were much difpleafed with 
 the Duke for the Kings death, and had folemnly fworn to profecute their revenge, till 
 they were fully fatisfied : That he had promifed the fame, and was interefled in it > 
 fo that if fo univerfal a good and benefit, as the peace of the Kingdom, did not make 
 him yield, and alfomoUifie the hearts of thofe that were offended, he (hould not be 
 able to do it afterwards , under colour of any other excufe i and that therefore the 
 Duke (hould think upon it, and embrace this occafion of regaining the affe^ion of (b 
 many Catholicks, and fo much Nobility, who, the refpedl of Peace being taken away, 
 would for ever be his bitter irreconcileable Enemies : Finally, That he {hould propound 
 fome Conditions ■■, for the King was extreamly difpofed to fatisfie him in whatfocver 
 was pollible. Which things being told the Duke by Monfieur de ViUeroy^ he had com- 
 miflion to anfwer. That the Duke had no private enmity with the King, and for his 
 own part honoured, and held him in the higheft veneration i but that Religion and 
 Confcience would not fuffer him to enter into that Treaty with him : That if his late 
 Brothers had in the Kings life-time taken Arms to hinder the Crown from falling to 2 
 Prince of a different Religion, as by the Duke of Alancon's death they doubted that 
 it might i now, that the neceility was more urgent, and the danger already prefent, 
 he could not lay down thofe Arms that were taken up , without doing injury to the 
 memory of his Brothers, to his own Confcience , and to the folemn Oath he had ta- 
 ken : That he had engaged his Faith, and given his Life to the Publick Caufe, when 
 he had accepted the Office of Lieutenant-General of the State i and that having de- 
 clared and acknowledged the Cardinal of Bo«rio« King to whom the Kingdom had 
 been judged to belong , he could not break his Faith to him, nor refolve of any thing 
 till the faid Cardinal were at liberty, and all thofe of his party affembled together: 
 That if the Kings death had made him fo many Enemies, he hoped God would de- 
 fend his innocence i but his contentment was fo great to fee the death of his Brothers 
 revenged, that he was very willing to undergo all the hatred he had gotten by it : That 
 he ought not, nor could not give counfel to that King againfl whom he had taken up 
 Arms : But he might eafily know, that the liberty of the Cardinal of Bourbon^ and 
 his converfion, were neceffary to precede the Treaty. W ith thefe general terms la Ma- 
 filiiere returned to the King, at the time when becaufe he was able to ffay no longer, he 
 raifed his Camp from St. Cloudy and the Towns adjacent. 
 
 The refolutions after the Kings death had been no lefs doubtful and perplexed in 
 Paris^ than they had been in the Kings Camp : For the Duke of Mayenne's Friends 
 and Kinred, efpecially Madam de Montpenfier^ exhorted and counfelled him, to make 
 himfelf be eleded and declared King of France^ by the party which he commanded i 
 urging to him, that he ought not to omit that fo great, fb opportune occafion of tranf- 
 ferringthe Crown into his Family, which had formerly been pofTeffed by his Anceftors, 
 he being already acknowledged the Head, and obeyed by the principal Cities of the 
 Kingdom, by fo great a number of the Nobility, and by the greater part of the Cler- 
 gy : They faid, the Controverfie was between him, already acknowledged and obey- 
 ed by thofe of his party, and a Prince of a different Religion, whofe Inheritance might 
 with reafon be called in queff ion, both becaufe of the diflance of degrees, and of his 
 being an Enemy fo the Church j for which confiderations he would never be fincerely 
 loved, nor firmly obeyed, by thofe very Catholicks that feeraed to adhere unto his 
 party : That indeed now at firft they had , out of anger for the Kings death , been 
 perfwaded to follow him j but that Catholicks and Hugonots, being incompatible among 
 themfelves, it would not be long before the memory of former hatreds would be re- 
 newed, by which their blood being again fet on fire, they would quickly be feparated 
 and divided by the interefts of Confcience , and their own natural enmities: That it 
 was necelTary to provide a manly, warlike, and Catholick King, to whom they might 
 
 fecurely 
 
 ii^9' 
 
 MiJim de 
 ■Monifcnjierf 
 and otbers,cr- 
 horc the Duke 
 of Ma^rnnt to 
 make himfelf 
 be declared 
 King of franu
 
 414 
 
 The H'tjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 158.^?. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 il/itiei.HC dif- 
 fwaiied by 
 VdUroy and 
 ethers , doth 
 rot embrace 
 the Council of 
 making him- 
 fclftobeeleft- 
 ed King of 
 tiance. 
 
 fecurely ruii, as from time to time they fliould grow difcontented, finding their er- 
 rour, and leaving that party: That the Cardinal of Baurbon, dccrepid with old age, 
 and kept in prifon, was in neither of thofc conditions fit for that biifincfs : That the 
 Duke would be accufcd of want of courage, if he (hould be faulty to himfclf in fo 
 fair an occafion ; For they are poor-fpirited men, that count excefs of Moderation a 
 vertue i whereas men of a noble mind, love and favour bold and generous defigns : 
 That there was both honour and profit in it, nay alfo poiTibility and conveniency •, and 
 that the Duke could neither be excufcd to himfelf , nor to his pofterity, if he neg- 
 lected that good which God fo miraculoufly prefented to him : They urged, that to 
 declare the Cardinal of Bourbon King, was the true way to cftablifh the King of Na^ 
 varre in the pofleflion of the Crown ■■> for fo they confeffed the Kingdom to belong ta 
 the Houfe of Bourbon ■■, and the Cardinal dying, who was already in the laft mintites 
 of his life , the lawful Succeflion couW not afterward be denied to his Nephew ■■, and 
 though the pretence of Religion remained, that was an objedion which he would be 
 able to take away at his pleafure, by turning Catholick, and hearing one Mafs i and. 
 though he (hould perfevere in his Religion, yet the other Princes of that Houfe, who 
 were Catholicks, would fuccecd, and futfer no oppofition , that it was befttooppofe 
 the very firft point, and affume unto himfelf that which he inconfiderately went about 
 to confer upon another : that now the opportunity was ready and eafie, which per- 
 chance within a few days would not be fo i for the King of Navarre had promifed to 
 turn Catholick within fix months, and in the mean time it was poiTible his Nephew 
 the Duke of Gmfe might be fet at liberty, who being Heir of the Family, might per- 
 chance oppofe his Greatnefs, his own interefts having more power with him, than the 
 refpedts which was due to his Uncles age and many labours : that it was needful to 
 undertake boldly, and fuddenly, before the King of 5/>«/«, the Pope, the Duke of Lo- 
 rain, and Duke of Savoy had time to think, and lay their plots to turn the courfe of 
 affairs their own way v for he being once elefted and declared, they would be ne- 
 celTitated rather to maintain him, than take part with the King of Navarre, a Here- 
 tick, and an enemy to Spain for Navarre, to the Pope for Religion, to the Duke of 
 Lorain for the Duke o( Bouillens Lands poffefled by him, and to the Duke of Savoy 
 for the protedion of Geneva, and for the Marquefat oiSaluzzo ■-, finally, they argued, 
 that fince the toyls and dangers were certain, and that he was to bear the weight of 
 them, it was much better to undergo labour and hazard for his own interells and 
 greatnefs, then to promote the exaltation of another, and to uphold a frail, weak, im- 
 prifbned, unknown Prince, from whom he was not certain to obtain any thing. 
 
 This fpecious counfel favoured by felf-love, was oppofed by Vilkrsy and Prefident 
 Jannin , with whom the Duke confulted about all things i not that they did alledge 
 againft it either Right or juftice (things of very fmall confideration when the debate is 
 about a Kingdom) but onely urging the impoiTibility : That the Parifians, the Peo- 
 ple, and Cities of his party were terrified with the late bufinelTes, having feen the 
 Duke fo few dayes before brought to the laft extremities,and looking defperately with 
 them for his own deftrud'ion : That they had loft much of the opinion they had, and 
 were not now fo ardent as they were at firft in the caufe of the Vnion : That they 
 defired to have a Prince powerful in men and money, that might be able to defend 
 them, and fecure them from the King oi Navarre zndi his party i and therefore they 
 had turned their eyes, fbme upon the Duke of Savoy, fome upon the Duke of Lorain^ 
 many upon the King of Spain himfelf i nor did any thing elfe withhold them but the 
 right and juftice of the Cardinal of Ba«rZ»o«, efteemed the lawful Succeftbr (forthefe 
 confiderations move, and are able to do much more among the common people 
 then in the minds of the great Ones •, ) which refped being taken away, there was 
 not like to be any who would not rather chufe to obey a King of Spain, held fo potent 
 a Monarch, and that had fo many wayes to gratific and reward his fubjeds, then a pet- 
 ty Duke of Mrfjie««f, who had no other ftrength then what the Union of thofe Forces 
 afforded, who had eledted him their Head i with what force, with what moneys, with 
 what Armies would he maintain the Crown againft the King of Navarre, and the 
 greateft part of the Nobility united with him? with thofe of the King of Spain ^ 
 of the Pope , of Savoy , or of the Duke of Lorain > The Houfe of Bourbon being 
 excluded , there was none of them but pretended better right to the Crown than 
 he ■•> for the Infanta of Spain was Daughter to a Sifter of the deceafed King , the 
 Duke of Savoy Son to one of bis Aunts, the Duke of Lorain was headof the Fami-
 
 '^-r 
 
 of France. The Tenth ^oo^, aij 
 
 iy, and had Sons by another Daughter oi France ■■, and the Pope, if he were moved by j 580, 
 2cal to Religion, ought to be more pleafed, by how rrmch a more powerful Prince it 
 had to defend it ; and if he were moved by interefls, he might hope for much more 
 from any ofthofe other Princes, than from the wcaknefs of the Duke oi Mayenne; 
 That an enterprife was not to be undertaken, which was neither generous, favoura- 
 ble, nor magnanimous i but rafii, precipitate, and dillionourable, which, together with 
 the lofs of his fortune, would coft him alfo his life. 
 
 This Counfel prevailed with the Duke of Maycnne, as well for thefe confiderations 
 as for two other reafons i one, that Von Bernard/no de Mendazzn the Spanifii AmbaiTa- 
 dor did in a manner openly contradidl his eledlion \ wherefore , by reafon of the 
 Authority and Forces of the Catholick King, he thought it would be impollible to ef- 
 fed that which he fhould attempt againft his will : the uther, that if it fiiould be dif- 
 covcred that he fufFered himfelf to be fwayed by his own interefls, and not by the re- 
 fpedts of Religion, and the general good, he feared he (hould be forfaken by the Pope, 
 and all the Confederates, and particularly by theParifians : For which reafons he chofe 
 rather to expedt the maturity of time , and in the interim to caufe the Cardinal of 
 Bourbon to be declared King , towards whom he faw the common inclination bentj 
 and leaving the Name and Arms of King to him that was old, weak , and which im- 
 ported molt, a prifoner j to keep the force and authority of Government in his own 
 hand, being certain, that by how much the more favourably he (hould he nominated 
 and eledted by the League, by fo much the more clofely and warily would he be kept 
 and guarded by the King of Navarre j and by confequence , fo much the longer 
 Would the fupreme authority remain in him i in which time, either by his death, or 
 fome other occafion, and perhaps by the help of Vidory, more eafic and expedite 
 opportunities might offer themfelves i hope in the mean time ferving to fpur on the 
 other pretenders, whofe adiftance would either be quite taken away, or very much 
 cooled, if they fhould fee that place poflefled at the very nrit, which they were plot- 
 ting to procure for themfelves. 
 
 Thus the Duke preventing the peoples defire, and the Council of tiie Vniort^ was 
 the firft that declared the Cardinal ot B(;?«-ia« Kxa^oi France^ with the Name of The cardinal 
 Charles the Tenth, and fo caufed him to be declared in the Parliament, in the Council of "v'at pnfonct" 
 the Vnion, and to be proclaimed in the ftreets oi^ Paris, retaining to himfelf the name " (i>""«, is 
 and authority of Lieutenant-General through the whole Kingdom. This Declarati- confirme/ic! 
 on was pleafing and plaufible to the people, who were thereby well fctled and con- °f f"»«" b/ 
 firmed to continue the War, as they faid, for the liberty of their King, and to root out [tncTa'rl'f 
 the feed of Herefie '■, it was well approved of by the Spaniards,who dciired to gain time ^^^ 'r«n=^- 
 to difpofe of their affairs j but above all , it was a great fatisfadion to the Pope, 
 who in the fame point faw both the lawful Succdiion fafe, and the prefervation of 
 Religion. 
 
 The Cardinal of Bourbon being declared the lawful King by the Council of the Z^ui- 
 o;z, the Duke of Mayenne by a lofty Edid, full of high words, exhorted every one to ac- 
 linowledge that King which God had given unto tlie Kingdom, to yield him due obe- 
 dience, and to endeavour with all their might to free him from that imprifonment in 
 which he was detained by his Enemies ; he commanded that every one fhould tye 
 himfelf by Oath, before the Officers of his Province, to live and die in the Cath(>"> 
 lick Religion, and to defend, proted, and confirm iti and pardoned all thofe who 
 within the term of fifteen dayes fhould feparate themfelves from commerce with 
 theHugonots, and retire into thofe places where the Catholick 1^«/d« commanded: 
 Which £did:,as fbon as it was regifircd and publifhed in the Parliament, he difpatched 
 the Commendatory deViuKoKame again (who had brought the M'J«/W)' again 11 the late 
 King) to inform the Pope of the fiate of Affairs, giving him notice, that King 
 Charles the tenth was declared, and intreating him to ajfifl the caufe of Religion , not 
 only by his approbation , but alfo by fupplies of men and money. Into Spam he on- 
 ly difpatched a great many feveral expreffes, with particular news of the whole buti- 
 refs, deferring to fend any perfons of quality , till he had conferred with Doit 
 Juan de Morrea , who having been fent by King Fhilip before the King's death, 
 he had notice was at that time in Lorain: For the Catholick King, though he 
 had not been willing openly to declare himfelf Enemy to King Henry tht Third, to 
 whom he in appearance bore rcfped, for many reafons i yet, as from the beginning 
 he had laid the foundation of the League, and helped and flrengthned the Duke of 
 Cttifey with great fums of moneyj fc after his death, he had caufed Mendozza his 
 
 AmbafTadar
 
 .x..^ 
 
 416 
 
 77?^ History of the Cml Wars 
 
 158?. 
 
 Chithi the 
 Tench taken 
 out oi Ciumn, 
 and rcnooved 
 to f i>n(:n<i) a 
 ftronger fUce, 
 where he- is 
 kept with 
 ftiiaei guards 
 
 The Duke of 
 Ltiximbiurg is 
 fent Ambafla- 
 dor to the 
 Pope by the 
 Catb'lick 
 Rnyaliftj. 
 The Kirg ap- 
 points the Af- 
 fembly of the 
 States at Teun, 
 -which ii made 
 the HeaJ. 
 quartet of his 
 party. 
 
 7he Body of 
 H.«ry the 
 Third is laid 
 in ih« great 
 Churen at 
 
 Ambafladour to ftay in Tans, and there under colour of favouring Religion , cun- 
 ningly to be prefent at all bufmefTes, who by his arts and money had fo won the 
 hearts of the Parifians, that he had as much power amongft them, as the Princes of 
 the Houfe of Lorain i and though the Catholick King did never fend any fupplies of 
 armed men openly to the League while the King lived, yet he permitted that Count 
 Jago de Collalto (who had raifed a Tertia of German Infantry for his fervice^and which 
 was paid by him ) fhould, under (hew of friendfhip to the Duke of Mayenne^ go to 
 ferve himi and had, by his authority, and partly with moneys, affiiVed the leavies of 
 Swiifes and Germans^ which the Duke of Brmifrvkk^^ Count Charles of Mansfelt, and 
 the Sieur de BoJJompierre, had made in favor of the League. But now the Kings death 
 had taken away that fcruple, and that fo honourable a pretence of aflifting the Catho« 
 licks againft an Heretick excommunicated King, prefented it felf, the Dake of Mayenne 
 hoped he would turn all his Forces to affift the League, and therefore he ftaid to hear 
 his mind more particularly from the mouth of Don Jitan de Morrea^ and then he 
 meant to fend fome perfon of Authority , to eftablifli the agreement of common 
 
 affairs. 
 
 But the King having heardof the Declaration which had been made at P^m, and 
 received in other places of the League, concerning the Cardinal his Uncle , the firft 
 thing that came into his mind, was ( juft as the Duke oi Mayenne had imagined ) to 
 difpatch his ConMtnX. duFlefis-Mornay to Chmon, where the Cardinal was, and give 
 order. That he fliould be removed to Fontenay , and there kept more carefully with 
 ftridler Guards, thinking that place more fecurc, becaufe it was near Kochelle , and in- 
 vironed on all fides with the Hugonot Forces. The fecond thing was to foUicite the 
 Catholicks who had acknowledged him, to fend the EmbalTie already refolved on to 
 Knme^ to begin to enter into a Treaty with the Pope, and to fee if it was polTible to 
 fatisfiehim: Wherefore the Catholick Lords defiring, that their Embaffie might 
 have authority, both by the Birth and Wifdom of the perfon employed, chofe the Duke 
 of Luxembourg^ a man of moft noble Blood, of fingular parts, and great experience irt 
 bufineflcs of the Court. The Embaflie to the Pope being difpatched, the King, defi- 
 rous to fliew that he remembred what he had prcmifcd to the Catholicks, caufed the 
 Affembly of the States to be appointed in Oiiober following at the City of Tours , 
 which (the Parliament and Court of Exchequer refiding there) was made the Metro- 
 polis of his Party. There he made fhew to the Catholicks, That in the Cortgrega- 
 tion of the States he would be inlhudted in the Roman Religion by learned pious 
 men, whom he had fent for from all parts v and with words and dcmonftrations pro- 
 fefred,that he would fubmit himfelf to what ftiould be determined in the Affembly : Al- 
 though the Hugonots affirm, that he told them otherwife in fecret i which was not 
 much to be wondered at in the doubtfulnefs of his prefent condition. Thefe things 
 being difpatched, all necelTary and fundamental to the eftablifliing of his Kingdom, not 
 to flay for the whole Army of the League, which was to follow him within a few 
 days, he marched towards Compeigne, taking with him the King's dead body j and 
 having by the way taken Meulan , Gifort^ and Clermont^ arrived thereupon the Four 
 and twentieth of /4«g«/f : And there having laid the Body in the great Church, with 
 very little pomp, and fuch as the neceility of the times would permit, he went towards 
 Normandy with all polTible fpeed. 
 
 At his entering into that Province , as it were, for a profperous beginning of good 
 fortune, Captain Kolet came to him, a man no lefs valiant than difcreet , who held 
 font de /' Arche^ a mofl important place, three Leagues above Kouen, and as it were 
 the Key of the River Seine; and taking the Oath of Allegiance, delivered up the For- 
 trefs into his hands. Being come into the Province, the King in three days march 
 came to Vametal, a Town lefs then two leagues dillant from Rotten^ and there having 
 incamped his Army, he refolved to make as if he meant to befiege that City, in which 
 the Duke oi Aumale and Count de Erijfac were i not that he thought he had either 
 ilrengthor preparations fufficient to take it, but tofhew arefolute mind, and a good 
 courage, and to amufe the enemy, till he had difpofed what he had intended to do: 
 wherefore the Army being encamped, and the Mills which were without the Works be- 
 ing burnt i whilft there pafs frequent skirmifhes with the Garrifon,the King having left 
 the care of the Army to the D. of Montpenfier, and the Marefchal de Biron, went fpeedi- 
 ly with Three hundred Horfc as far as biepe ; which City, governed by the Commenda- 
 tory deChjtteSj had acknowledged him. When the King had carefully confidered 
 
 the
 
 o/ France. The Tenth ^ool^ j.i7 
 
 fhe City of P/V/'f, the Haven of it (very capacious, upon the (hore of the Ocean) ijS^* 
 and the Country that lay near about it, he refolvcd to remove thither with all his 
 Forces, and there to fuftain the firft violence of the Army of the League i being per- 
 fwaded to this refblution, bccaufc the Town is fcated upon the Sea, right over againft 
 England^ v;ith a fufficient Harbour to receive any Fleet, how numerous ibever , by 
 which means he miglit have fupplies of Men, Money, Cannon, and Ammunition from 
 Queen Elizabeth : And in cafe he fhould be fo ftraitned by the Enemies, as to fee him- 
 felf not able to refill, he might go away for England^ to return afterwards, and land 
 at Rochelle^ or in what other place he fliould think fit. He was the more confirmed 
 in this determination, by theftrength of the City, and the Cafile of iti by the largc- 
 jiefs of the Suburbs , fit to quarter his men i by the ftrong Ctuation of the pafTages 
 about it, which was fuch, as every place might be defended fpan by fpan > fo that they 
 could not, without a long time, and much fighting, be reduced within the circuit 
 of the Caftle. For all thefe reafons, he prefently difpatched Philip Sieur du Frefne un- 
 to the Queen of England^ (to whom he had formerly been fent by the late King, and 
 was returned about that very time) to let Her know his necelTities, and to defire Her 
 ailiftance of Men and Money : And having made this mod important Expedition with 
 moft exquifite diligence, he joined his Horfe to the Garifon of Diefe, and took Ett and 
 Neuf-Chajiel^ but weak Towns, yet not far off, that he might take away all near im- 
 pediments : and having purged the Country very carefully on all lides, he returned to 
 the Army at Darnetal^ to bring it with a commodious march to quarter at Diepe. 
 
 He marched from Darnetal the fecond of September^ with One thoufand aiid four 
 hundred Horfe, two Regiments of Swifles, which amounted to the number of Three 
 thoufand, and Three thoufand French Muskettiers i to fo fmall a number were his 
 Forces reduced lince the Kings death. There were with him the Duke of Montpenfier, V''h\"c°d ^ i 
 who led the Van i the Count d' Auvergne Grand Prior, (anger for the Kings death, to bat sooo 
 and delire of revenge, having made him forget all former difgufls s) Armatid MzieC- Horfc'"'^ « he 
 ch3.\ de ByroK^ who had the chief authority in the Government i his Son Charles Baron marches with 
 de Byroit i Charles oi^ Montmorancy Seigneur de Meru^ or, as they called him. Lord d'An- »s°fat ITd'w 
 i'/i!/f, who commanded the Swiffes s Monfieur de ChajiilloH^ General of the French In- 
 fantry, Monlieur a'eKe^z^c Field- Marthali Moniieux de Baqueville^ who commanded the 
 Light-horfe i the Sieurs de Kemhiires^ de Larchant, de MignoviJle^ de Gnitry^ dit Hallot^ 
 and dela Force v the other Lords and Gentlemen, according to the firft refolution, be- 
 ing gone into feveral parts of the Kingdom. With thefe Commanders, and with this 
 Army, the King being come near Piffe, gave order that the Commendatory ^c Chartes 
 fliould continue in the City, and in his wonted Command of the Cittadel, with the 
 ordinary Garifon of Two hundred Souldiers, and two Companies of French Infantry 
 extraordinary, which made in all the number of Five hundred Foot i and he with the 
 whole Army refblved to keep poffeflion of the Field. 
 
 The City of Viepe ( as hath been faid before ) is fituated upon the fliore of the ^tvfZ^ii- 
 Ocean Sea, juft over againft England ; and hath a Port on the right fide, which ex- fctibei. 
 tending it felf like a Half-moon, is able to contain a great many Vcflels with great fe- 
 curity > and on the left hand ftands the Cittadel, which being of a fourfquare form, 
 and fcated fomething high , doth with four great Towers fcowr the Field on one 
 fide , and on the other mafters and commands the Town. The feat of this City is 
 ftrong and advantageous: For on the fide toward the Sea it is fortified with Flankers, 
 Ravelines, and Platforms, befides the fo powerful defence of the water ; and on the 
 fide toward the Land , the Country is fo rough, that Armies cannot be brought thi- 
 ther without much difficulty, nor Cannon without much more j and the manner of 
 the way round about, affords an infinite number of convenient obftacles for defence : 
 For it lies between two fteep, uneven, woody Hills, which from the bank of the Sea, 
 Ihoot out many miles into the Country i and between thefe two lies a narrow Valley, 
 thorow which runs the River Bethune , which dividing the City from a great Bourg 
 called Pallet^ falls into the Haven, and thence confequently ftraight into the Sea. By 
 this River the Sea-waters entring, when it is high tide, do fpread themfclves for many 
 miles over the valley, making it fo fenny, deep, and dirty, that there is no palfing to 
 the City along the Plain, but only upon the two Hills i and by another way, which, 
 made by art, leads along the foot of the Hill on the left hand, and with many turn- 
 ings and windings, comes to the Gate of the Town. So that only two ways lead 
 to the City ; one upon the top, the other at the bottom of the Hill on the left hand « 
 
 H h h and
 
 ^i§ The Hiflorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 vantage. 
 
 1589. and the way which is upon the top of the Hill on the right hand, leads ftraight to ?ol^ 
 h't^ which Bourg is divided from the City by the interpofition of the Haven, and the 
 Ciirrent of the fmall River Betlmne. The Country from one Hill to the other, is all 
 moorifli and rotten by the (landing of the waters s and there is no paflagc, but only 
 by a very narrow way, interrupted by many Bridges, becaufe the River divides it felf 
 into many dreams : Upon the Hill on the left fide, which is no lefs fteep and craggy 
 than the other, ftands the Caftle of Arques, little more than a league from the Town, 
 a place excellently fortified both by Art and Nature, which commands a great Bourg 
 of the fame name, that lies under it, juft upon the way which at the foot of the moun- 
 tain leads to P'^p? along the bank of the RivCr: The right-hand Hill, which is much 
 more woody than the other, doth not run on equally united in one ridge, as that on 
 the left hand doth, but about a league from Follet, is parted by a great Valley, which 
 extends it fclf as far as over againft Arques ■■, and in it upon the right-hand is Marthig- 
 lij'e^ a great commodious Village i and on the left an Hofpital of St. Lazarus^ which the 
 French commonly call a MaUdery. 
 Ti.t Kin; lies The King having with his Commanders diligently furveyed every one of thefe pla- 
 rndM^rtifier'^ ces, rcfolved to quarter with all his Army at Arques, believing that if the Duke of M<y/- 
 thc quavtcrs (ft,ie followed him, he would not pafs along the Hill on the right fide, which leads only 
 po(rcm^E''aii to Toilet thorow the Valley and the Wood, but would keep the ftraight way that goes 
 piacesoi ad- to the wjUs oCDiepe : Wherefore the whole Arrny working fpcedily, and likewife thofe 
 few peafants which could be got together , he enclofcd the Caftle and Bourg with a 
 good Trench of about eight foot wide, and as much in depth, making W'orks on the 
 infide with all the earth, and diftinguiflied it with Redoubts and Ravelines, about 
 fixty paces diftant from each other: and then having placed his Cannon to the be(t 
 advantage, he himfelf lodged in the Caftle with all the French Foot, and theMaref- . 
 chal de B)Ton in the Bourg with the Regiments of the Swiftes, {hutting up in that man- 
 ner both the ways which lead towards the Town, as well that at the top, as the other 
 at the bottom of the Hill. The Horfc, quartered in that fpace which reaches from the 
 Trenches as far as Diepe , lay ready behind the Army to move where need fliould re- 
 quire, there being left room enough, in fitting places of the Trench, to fally out con- 
 veniently fifty Horfe in front, a fufHcient Body for any aftion they fhould undertake. 
 Many Ships were appointed at Viepe to fetch Vidtual for the Army from England^ 
 and the Coafts of Normandy, from Caen, St. Lo, and Carantan, places which held for 
 the King i which fucceeded marvelloufly well : for fome winds brought in Barks from 
 England, others thofe that came from Normandy, fupplying with interchangeable af- 
 fiftance the necelTities of the Souldiers, who in that convenient feafon of the year had 
 alfo many miles of a moft fertile Country in their power i by the fruits whereof both 
 Horfc and Foot were plentifully furniflied. 
 
 In the mean time the Duke oiMayenne having received the Marquefs du Fnn\ who 
 was come with the Army of Loram to aflift the League, and likewife the Duke of 
 Nemours , who had brought up the Forces of Lyonoif'e, Monfieur de Balagny Gover- 
 nour of Cambray, and finally the German Horfe and Foot which had been levyed by 
 his order, with the help of Spain *, that he m.ight preferve his reputation, and fulfil 
 the infinite hopes he had to conquer, and drive the King out of the Kingdom , was 
 moved from tarts upon the firft day of September, and with fix thoufand Swiffes, four 
 thoufand German Foot, twelve thoufand Muskcttiers between French and Lorainers, 
 and with four thoufand and five hundred Horfe, received Foiffy, Mante, and Vernon, 
 which yielded to himi and having in two days taken Gournay, which would have 
 made refiftance, marched on diligently towards 'Rouen, whence finding the King de- 
 parted, he took along with him the Duke of Aumale, and fo increafing his Forces, 
 which augmented every hour, continued on his Voyage with the fame fpeed towards 
 "Diepe •■, but he took a different way from what the King and his Commanders thought 
 he would j for leaving that by the hill on the left hand which goes to Diepe by the way 
 o{ -Arques, and upon which he knew the Army was prepared to make oppofition, be- 
 ing excellently quartered in places of advantage i he marched on by the hill on the 
 right hand , with a defign to come to Toilet , and making himfelf Mafter of it , to 
 block up and command the mouth of the Haven, that the King being deprived of the 
 ufe of Shipping, and cut off from his pafTage to the Sea, might not only want the affi- 
 nance he hoped to receive from England,h\xt alfo be reduced to extream necefliity oim~ 
 aual, thinking he (hould tliis way very eafily conquer, and make an end of the War. 
 
 But
 
 of France. The Tenth 'Boo^, 
 
 419 
 
 But the King, to whom the Sieur de BaqueviVe^ who had the care of difcovering the 
 motion of the Enemy , had brought word in time , that the Duke of Msyenne had 
 taken the way toward the hiil on the right hand, perceiving his aim, and defiring to 
 prevent if, left the Marefchal de B^ron a.t /Argues- with the SwifTes, bcfides a thousand 
 Musketticrs, and (ix hundred Horfe i not only that he might hinder the paflage of the 
 Enem.y on that fide, as had been the firf intention i but al(b that palling crofs the Val- 
 ley, he might advance to the foot of the right hand hill, and there draw a line about 
 the Mdaderie^ and then make another great trench toward the bottom, to fhut up the 
 Duke's paflage on that fide al(b by a double impediment, to tiie end that he might not 
 be able to get over to the left hand hill > which if he could do, he might either aflault 
 the Army in their works, or elfe putting himfelf between, might Itreighten if, and 
 feparate it from the Town. Care being thus taken for matters without, the King with 
 the rert of the Cavalry, and the remainder of the French Musketticrs went pre- 
 fently thorow the City to ToUet^ where, with continual labour day and night, the 
 Lords and Commanders taking no lefs pain? than the common Souldiers and inhabi- 
 tants of the place, he environed the whole Bourg with a deep trench, which ending 
 in the form of a fpur, made a (harp angle, in the point whereof a great Mill was made 
 into a Fort, filling it up with earth, and fetting pallifadoes round about i fo that ha- 
 ving planted fix pieces of Cannon, though but fmall ones, upon the works, he brought 
 all his men to lie within that Fortification. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne, who by reafon of the hinderance of his Artillery , and the 
 difficulty of the fteep rugged ways, had been fain to march llowly, arrived upon fFed- 
 nefday the thirteenth of September within fight of ?o//?f, and having drawn his ArmjT 
 into Battalia, made a ftand for three hours, cxpedting that the King would come forth 
 of his trenches to fight '■> and in the mean time , caufed his light-horfe to fcowr the 
 Country every where, being led on the one fide by the Duke of Nemours^ and on the 
 other by the Count de Sagone. But the King finding himfcIf without comparifon in- 
 feriour in Forces , (for his Souldiers were few more than feven thoufand , counting 
 alfo thofe that were at Arques ■■, and the Dukes Army was between eight and twenty 
 and thirty thoufand Horfe and Foot, and was furnifiied with great fiore of Ammuni- 
 tion, and an excellent train of Artillery) keeping within his works, confented only TheDuktof 
 that the light- Horfe commanded by the Grand-Prior (hould go out, and after them the coTe'blhrc' 
 Sieur de Larchant's, and Monficur de la Force's Troops of Lanciers, to make good 'iitKinjstreB 
 their retreat if need were. They skirmifhed all the time that the Army of the League 
 flood ftill, and fometimes the fervice grew fo hot, that the ignorant thought often the 
 Commanders would put it to a Battel i in which encounters the Kings party prevailing 
 for the moft part, there was very little hurt done on either fide. But the Duke of Wjj- 
 eitrte knowing the King would not venture the hazard of a day, unlefs he were forced, 
 and then with the advantage ot his works and trenches, retiring over the hill, quar- 
 tered his Army at Martinglife i and having caufed VoUet to be viewed that night, and 
 found that it was excellently fortified, and in a manner inaccelTible on all fides, by rea- 
 fun it commanded all the Plain, and that it was flanked and fortified by the Cannon of 
 the Town, rcfolved not to attempt it, but to pafs over to the hill on the left fide, 
 to try either to take the Cafile of Arques^ and befiege the Kings Army •, or elfe to 
 draw them to battel in the defence of their poft i for he was fo confident of the valour 
 and number of his men , that if he could not do otherwife , he feared not to aflault 
 the King, even within the advantage of his own trenches. 
 
 In the mean time the Marefchal de Byron had polTeflcd himfelf of the Maladery; 
 and as foon as he had with infinite diligence cafl a great trench round about it, he 
 placed there twelve Companies of Swiflcs, and three hundred French Musketticrs > 
 and not trufiing wholly to that, had made up another high work within lefs than five 
 hundred paces below the firfl, into which he put the Swifles of the Kings guard with 
 Colonel Galati. 
 
 The Duke having given three days reft unto his men, upon the fixteenth day at 
 night marched with all his Army in battalia without noife of either Drum or Trum- 
 pet, and turning his back towards ?ollet^ pafled beyond the Kings Trenches, and ap- 
 peared about break of day upon the defcent of the Hill that goes down into the Plain, 
 purpofing to pafs the bridges unawares, and to get up without oppofition on the left 
 fide i but he found himfelf prevented by the Kings vigilancy, who being come in the 
 evening filently to Arq/ier^ and having intelligence of his moving many hours before it 
 
 H h h 2 was 
 
 cbesjdriws hit 
 Army in bitci- 
 Ua ; but the 
 Kings Soldicrt 
 comin* only co 
 »^ltmi|}l, no 
 battel follow- 
 etk.
 
 420 
 
 The Hiftorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 158-?. 
 
 The Getnuns 
 of the League 
 make (igns of 
 coming I'vcr 
 to [he Kings 
 party, ate re- 
 ceived by them 
 ac the MiUiU- 
 ty ; but bein<; 
 entrcd, fall 
 hoftilelf upon 
 them that had 
 brought them 
 in, and make 
 them [elves 
 iraners of the 
 place. 
 
 The Atmies 
 join bated. 
 
 was day, had difpofed his Forces in exceeding good order i fome at the entry of the 
 bridges, where the Grand Prior was with his Light-Horfe, and the Lanciers of the 
 Sicur Larchant^ and Moniieur de la Force v fome in the middle of the Plain, where the 
 French Infantry was incompaffcd with thcboggsand pools made by the Rivers -, fome 
 in the lower way of the hill on the left fide, where the Duke of Montpenfier was with 
 the Nobility, and the Companies of Kambures, Hallot, and MignovtUe ■■> and fome upon 
 the afcent of the fame way where the Marefchal de Byron was, with a Squadron of 
 SwilTes flanked with Muskettiers. The Artillery of Arques was all levelled to fe- 
 cure the Plain i and GaUti having turned his back to the Maladery , and his face 
 toward the Enemy , did with his Swifle Muskettiers play from the fecond Trench, 
 and annoyed that very defcent by which the Army of the League was to come 
 down. , 
 
 The Duke thought that defence ordered with fo good condu(3:, that not to fight 
 at the fame time with fuch a difadvantage of place, and with an Army which he faw 
 ilandingfirm in their ranks moft ready for the Battel, took a refolution to retire, and 
 by experience found it was impoihble to pafs the Plain, and to get up the Hill on the 
 left lide, unlefs he firft maflered the Kings two Trenches , which from a high place, 
 commanded all the Defcent, and all the Plain : Wherefore returning to his quarters at 
 Marthiglife, he made his men skirmifli fomctimes toward FoUet^ fometimes toward the 
 Trenches, to keep the King uncertain on which fide he was refolved to fall : And fi- 
 nally, upon the One and twentieth day in the morning, which was the Feaft of 
 St. Mattherv the Apoftle, being refolved to try his fortune , he commanded the Count 
 de Belin, one of the Field-Marflials, to go Ikaight to attack the Maladery, and begin 
 ihe Battel there, with Count Jar^o de CoUatta his Regiment of Germans, and the Foot 
 Regiments of Tremblecom-t and Chajiaigneraye ■■, he having brought on his men thorow 
 a covert woody way, but exceeding troublcfom, within (hot of the great Trench > 
 the Germans wearied with their march, and the unevennefs of the way, and know- 
 ing the affault, by reafon of the height of the Work would be very difikult, refolved 
 to advantage their defign by art, (if deceit may be fo called :) Wherefore holding up 
 their Hats upon the tops of their Pikes, and Itrctching forth their hands, they made 
 figns that their intention was to come over to the Kings party, and not to ftorm or affault 
 that Work: Which being eafiiy believed, becaufe a rumour was fpread abroad, that, 
 being unfatisfied with the Duke, they fought an occafionto revolt, they came till they 
 were jurt under the Work, without being either (hot at or refilled : Being arrived there, 
 and confirming that with their words, which they had fignified by their adions, they 
 were by the Souldiers of the fame Nation pulled up by the hand, and helped to get upon 
 the Parapet ; where they were no fooner gotten up, but charging their Pikes, and 
 turning their (horter weapons againlt the French and SwifTes, they began tofallunex-, 
 pededly upon them i who ufing neither Muskets nor Firelocks, becaule they had them 
 not by themb but feeing themfelves fuddenly alfaultcd, or, astheyfaid, betrayed and 
 murdered, turned their backs without refiftance, and with infinite terrour and confu- 
 fion began to flee towards the defcent, thinking to retire in fafety to the Plain. T^rem- 
 blecourt and Cbajiaigneraye, who, divided into two fleeing Squadrons, followed the 
 fteps of the Germans, having feen this beginning, tuflied fuddenly out of the Wood, 
 and loling no time , advanced as fafi as ever they could to the fame Trench, where 
 clofing with the Flank of the German Battalion, they ran together (being filled with 
 courage and fury by their happy fuccefs) to give a violent alfault to the fecond Work. 
 On the other fide, the Marefchal de Byron was run thither, to encourage Colonel Ga- 
 lati to defend the Fortifications undauntedly : But the aflTault was fo hot and unex- 
 peded, by reafon of the fudden taking of the M^Wfry, that the Svvilfesof the Guard 
 giving back, and the Marefchal de Byron being thrown froni hishorfe, that Work alfo 
 was with incredible celerity gained by the Enemy. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne having heard of this fortunate beginnings and following the 
 conjundlure of (b fair an opportunity, gave order to the Duke of Nemours and the 
 Count de Sagone^ to advance with the Light-horfe on the right hand of the Trenches 
 already taken v and to the Duke of Aumale to fall on with One thoufand and two 
 hundred Hotfe on the left (idei and he hiirfelf, according as the quality of the fitua- 
 tion would permit , followed with the remainder of the Army divided into feveral 
 Squadrons. The King full of grief and anger for the unthoiight-of lofs of the Trenches, 
 and feeing it was nece(rary to fight with his utmolt force, encouraged the Duke of A/w*- 
 
 penfier
 
 of France. The Tenth 'Boo^, 
 
 421 
 
 The Crdx-l 
 I'rwr cballcr-' 
 geth tbcCoiiiic 
 lU Sagom, an<l 
 Kilhhimin the 
 fight o{ bo:l» 
 Armies. 
 
 fenfiiT with eifc-d:ual words, to charge the Duke of Aumale ■■, and the Gratid Prior on ' S^^* 
 the other iide to encounter the Duke of Nemours^ and the Light-horfeof the League. 
 The Grand Prior but young, yet ddlrous to get honour, and with his own hand to 
 take fbme revenge for the Kings death , coming up to the head of his Troop, and 
 prefently putting down the Bevcr of his Helmet, ran full gallop to meet the Enemy j 
 and having feen the Count ds S anyone at the head of his Squadron, he called him by his 
 name, and challenged him to fight hand to hand ■■, which being no kfs gallantly ac- 
 cepted, they charged one another fo relblutely, that the Grand Prior receiving a Pi- 
 flol fliot in the forehead of his Helmet, reeled often, and was like to have fain i but 
 the Count de Sagons wounded with a brace of Bullets in the fide and left thigh, fell 
 from his horfe dead upon the earth. With no lefs fury than their Commanders, did 
 the Kings Light-horfe rufh upon the Enemy : But their number was fo much greater, 
 being followed by two Squadrons of Keiters, whom the Duke of Mayenne had fent 
 to fecond them, that they were forced to retreat i fo that ftill giving ground, yet lUll 
 obftinately refilling, they were furioufly driven back to the foot of the Hill, whither 
 the Cannon from Arques reached, both to defend their own men, and repel the vio- 
 lence of the Enemy : In which Conflid, hot and bloody on both fides, the Sieur de 
 Baqueville died fighting , who was the Grand Prior's Lieutenant-General. On the 
 other fide, the Duke of Montpe>ifier having met with thofe who fleeing from the Tren- 
 ches, ran difordcrly toward the Plain, being half routed by them, had much ado to 
 difengage himfelf, and keep his ranks i and being come up to clofe with the Squadroia 
 led by the Dwke.oi Aumale^ difcouraged by their number that came up picquenng, and 
 difcharging their Piltols , he retired Aill toward the defcent , being fiercely purfued at 
 the heels by the Cavalry of the League. The King, who was between both the Bodies^ 
 and who, to give fitting orders, had unadvifedly advanced to the fteep of the right 
 hand Hill, was fo engaged in the midft of many Squadrons of the Enemy, that being ThcKingisin 
 abandoned almoft by all, and his courage not fuffering him to flee, he thought him- u"he mvdiuf 
 felf abfolutely lofi: 5 and with cries, intrcaties, and threatningSj rode Hopping and re- 'te tncmm. 
 proving, fometimes one, fometimes another, and bewailing hirfifclf with a loud voice, 
 l^hjt in all France there could not hf found fifty Gentlemen who had courage enough to die in 
 company with their King. Nor did any man doubt, but if the Duke of Mayenne had 
 come up time enough with the reft of the Army, the King and his whole Forces had 
 at that time been utterly fupprelt. But whilll he, leading on the Cavalry by an un- 
 even troublefbm way, feared they would be put in diforder, and therefore marched 
 very foftly, and turned back often to make them keep rank and file, he gave the King 
 convenient time to recover : For in the interim the Sieur de ChapUon^ with two Regi- 
 ments of French Infantry, having quitted the Hill on the left fide , where he had 
 flood from the beginning i and feeing the danger in which his party was, marched up 
 with all fpecd to the place of battel, and crying out to the King, Courage Sirs, rve are 
 here^ and rviU die nvth you : He charged the Regiments of Iremblecourt and Chajiaigne- 
 rjye with fo much fury, that having taken the Count de Belin prifoner, and the chief 
 Commander of the Lorainers, with the death of above three hundred of their men, 
 he beat them out of the Trench : At which time, the tyde of the biifinefs turning in a 
 moment, the "Marefchal de Byron being happily efcaped out of the Enemies hand, had 
 with Colonel Galati made the SwilTes Iknd, who before were running away i and 
 facing about with as much gallantry, as before they were fleeing with halle, they cta.t'^"'"^ 
 marched up, and joined with Monficur de Chaliillon, who having already taken the firlt vcn the Tr'n* 
 Trench, was rallying his men to aflault the Maladery. The King himfelf being vali- p'u"eof"lf!f' 
 antly come up thither, caufed the Baron de Byron with an hundred Gentlemen, who imeXohih the 
 were gathered together about him from feveral parts, to alight from their horfes i and the'vYao"'' °^ 
 having placed them in thefirft file of the Infantry, fet them on without lofing further 
 time, to give a fierce afiault to the great Trench. The fervice was hot and bloody for 
 the fpace of a quarter of an hour v but Collalto's Landskenets already tired with their 
 march and with fighting, being charged on all fides, gave back at lafl i and being 
 beaten, and driven out with a great flaughter, quitted the Maladery, being repelled 
 with as much fury by the Swiffe Pikemen, and French Muskettiers , as they had by 
 cunning been eaiily drawn into it at the beginning. 
 
 In the mean time the King, whofe admirable celerity did in fuch a time of need fup- 
 ply all wants in all places, with threefcore Horfe, which he had rallied with much ado, 
 ran up to the Duke of Montpenfjer^ and turned vigoroufly to charge the Squadron of 
 
 the 
 
 A Speech of 
 the King gf 
 
 The King be- 
 ing teiicveJ
 
 422 
 
 The Htjlory of the Civil War's 
 
 t^'^9' 
 
 ThcDute of 
 Mi^tnni, who 
 wuh fo much 
 greater Forces 
 and foch pro- 
 fptroas fuc- 
 cefs began the 
 battel of ^T- 
 «uts, letired, 
 bccaufc bis 
 men were 
 wearied, and 
 wanted Am- 
 isunition, 
 
 A faying of 
 (be KiB's. 
 
 fl device of 
 |bc Kcjaliftsi 
 
 the Duke of Aumale^ who being Mafter pf the field, did already over run all the def- 
 cent -, fo that after an obftinate fight, which lafted about three quarters of an hour, 
 he broke quite thorow it, and followed it fighting to the craggy part of the Hill. The 
 Grand Prior on the other fide, who before had been forced to retire, being fuccoured 
 in his danger by the Lanciers of the Sieurs de Larchant, Motitataire, and la Force, who 
 came up lart into the Battel, prefently made the Light-horfe of the League to turn their 
 backs, and to run full fpeed along that way which leads from the place of Battel to 
 Martinglife. The Duke of Mayenne, who came thither when his Cavalry was already 
 retiring, and when the Kings Forces had recovered their Works, thinking it too late 
 to do any more, and that his men were tired with long fighting i and feeing that be- 
 caufetheway was fo bad, the Ammunition which was behind came not up, whereof 
 the Infantry had great need, having fpent all theirs with fighting all the day, caufed 
 a Retreat to be founded, and drew off to his firft quarters. This was the dangerous 
 Battel of Jrques, which was fought the whole day with various fortune, and with an 
 event fo different from the beginning, that the King faid openly at night, Ihatthe 
 I) (ike of Mayenne either rpM not the Souldier which every one believed , or elfe had born him 
 rffpect, and reftrved him for a Inter occafion. 
 
 Men of experience doubted not but the Vidory was on the Kings fide, who Cthough 
 with various fucccfsj had defended his ports , and hindered the Enemies from paP- 
 fing over to the hill of Arques, which was their principal end and intention •, and yet 
 the Duke of Mayenne cried up the advantage of his own party, confirming it by a Cor- 
 net of Light-horfe, and three Enfigns of Foot which were fallen into the hands of 
 his Souldiers at the firft taking of the Trenches, and were therefore carried with in- 
 finite boafting to Paris. Of the League there were flain above fix hundred men, among 
 which the Count de Sagone, and the Baron de St. Andre •, and of the Kings men only 
 two hundred : but the lofs was very great, by reafon of the death of BaqiteviUe, a re- 
 folutc, diligent, and a valiant Souldier, and truly proper to command Light-horfe, 
 which requires not only courage, but alfo celerity and diligence : Nor was it a fmall 
 misfortune that befel the Sieur de Muntataire, the Prince of Conde^s Lieutenant j who 
 having received a Musket-fhot in the left leg, was abfolutely lamed in the cure. 
 
 At night the Duke, being refolved to try all poffible means to drive away the King, 
 or to draw him out of his Works, determined to pafs on the other fide of Viepe, not 
 by the ordinary road, but a long way about: for having gone round both the Hills, 
 he got in three days march on the North fide of the City near the walls towards the 
 Cittadel i and the fame night, being the four and twentieth of September, did with 
 very great fpeed caufe eight Pieces of Cannon to be planted, with which the next 
 morning he began to batter the houfes of the Town : but the King, after the Army 
 of the League was feen to march that way, having left Monfieur d' AnviUe with the 
 Regiment of the Sieur de la Garde, four Companies of Switzers, and threefcore Horfe, 
 to make good Arques , was come with all his Army to Viepe i and being quartered iri 
 the Fauxbourgs, flankdd and defended by the Cannon of the Cittadel, he commanded 
 the fight to be fmartly begun on all fides, by that means to hinder the Enemies battery. 
 They of the League advanced no lefs fiercely to the skirm.ifhi but a new unwonted 
 invention broke off the encounter, to their no fmall lofs : for the King having fent 
 forth the Baron of Byron with a great Squadron of Horfe into the middle of the field > 
 and the Duke of Mi«j>f««e incenfed by their temerity in coming on fo far, or thinking 
 they had unadvifedly engaged themfelves , fent out two great Bodies of Hor{e to 
 charge them i at whofe arrival the Kings men opening to the right and left hand, with 
 expert readinefs, there appeared two great Culverins in the midft, which giving fire, 
 and running off at the lame time with skill and admirable quicknefs , did not only 
 kill many of them , and break their ranks, but by the wonderful art and fpeftacle of 
 feeing two fuch great Engines skirmifli among the Horfe, caufed the Enemy to wheel 
 about and retire. This fo new, and fo nimble manner of ordering Pieces of great 
 weight , was the invention of Charles Brife, a Cannoneer born in Normandy, who, 
 after having been many years at Sea with Pirate Ships in the Wejl-Indies, was grown 
 excellent in managing Ordnance i and in the whole courfe of the Civil Wars, per- 
 formed both this and many other fervices with very great praife of ingenuity and ex- 
 perience. 
 
 But vvhile they skirmifhed hotly, and made a great noife about the Town-walls 
 with theii Artillery, the Duke of Mayenne did in an inftant cault: the Duke of AumAn 
 
 with
 
 of France* The Tenth ^oo{. 
 
 ^2g 
 
 '-i- 
 
 with the Rereguard (in which he had for thatpurpofe placed a Regiment of Walloons, 
 the Regiment of L(«-j/>?, and Collalto's LandskenetsJ to ftorm the Works and Callle of 
 Arques ^ hoping to carry it, and ftreighten the King within the bare circuit of the 
 Town : But he found fo flout refiftance there, that after having rc-inforccd the aflault 
 for the fpace of two hours, his Foot were fain to retreat with the lofs of two Cap- 
 tains, and above an hundred Souldiers: Nor did d' Anville's Forces fcape without 
 lofs i for notwithflanding the ftrength and advantage cf the place , there were flain 
 above fixty foot, two SwifTe Captains, and Colonel la G.irde dangeroufly hurt in the 
 thigh. 
 
 But though the King and his Army had fought vfery luckily, and beaten back the 
 Enemies in all places, yet werexlicy not only much fpent with wcarinefs, ("for being 
 few in number, they were fain to do continual dutyj but alfo in want of vidual i for 
 being reduced to fcarcity in the end of September^ and the rains and fiorms beginning 
 to be very great, neither could Ships fo opportunely bring in Provilions, nor could the 
 Country, wafled and deflroyed, furnilh any longer fuflicient food for men, nor for- 
 rage for horfes , which by their toils and fufferings were brought to cxtream weak- 
 nefs. But the Kings hopes depended upon the relief which he expeded from two 
 feveral places i for he had written to the Duke of LonguevilU , and the Marefchal 
 d' Aiemoiit, that uniting their Forces, they fliould march up to him, thinking that the 
 Duke of Maysirne would not fuHTcr himfelf to be inclofcd between two Armies, though 
 inferiour in flrength , but that at their approach he would raife his Campi and on 
 (he other fide he knew Four thoufand Englifti Foot, with great flore of Ammunition, 
 were ready to be embarqued , which Queen Elizabeth fent to his relief i by whofe 
 arrival, his Army would be re-inforced, and their hard duty partly leflcned, not doubt- 
 ing, but that with the Englifli Fleet would come great liore of Provifions , where- 
 with he might fuftain his Army many days. The Duke of Lungiteville^ and the Ma- 
 refchal d' Aiimont, contrary to expcdration, came firft, (as Voyages by Sea are very 
 uncertain for having joined themfelves together with the Count de Soifftjns, who 
 was freed from his imprifonment in Bretagite^ and the Sieur ds^ U Noue^ they haflened 
 their march in fuch manner, that upon the Six and twentieth day they quartered with- 
 in (ix leagues of the Duke oi Mayenne's Army : Wherefore the Duke, that he might 
 not be encompaffed, and becaufe he was out of hope of doing any good at Diepe^ raifed 
 his Camp upon the Eight and twentieth day in the morning, and drew toward Picardy 
 to meet the Forces which by order from the Catholick King , were coming out of 
 Flanders with the Sieur de h Motte to his alfittance. 
 
 The next day the Duke of Longiievilie and Marefchal d' Aiimont joined with the Kin?, 
 who having left the Marefchal de Byron at Viepe^ went forth with lix hundred Horfe 
 and two thoufand Foot to meet them , and following the Army of the League the 
 fame way, took E«, and the Caflle of Gamjches before he paffed the River Sonim?^ op- 
 portunely making ufe of the occalion, while the Duke, whofe Army diminiflied con- 
 tinually by the running away of his men, (being intent upon his way; marched flill 
 dole, and in order, and went further from them ; fo that without receiving the leali 
 harm, the King came to Amiens^ the chief City of Picardy, where he was entertained 
 with very great pomp , being met without the Gates by all the Citizens , who pre- 
 fented unto him a Canopy of State to be carried over him, as the cuflom is to do un- 
 to the King i but he refufed it, giving great teflimony ot#his prudence and modera- 
 tion by an aft of fo great m.odelty. 
 
 Whilfl he flays at Amiens to put the Army again in order, and fettle the affairs of 
 that City, four thoufand Englifl:, and a thoufand Scots, fent by Queen Elizabeth, ar- 
 rived at Viepe : Wherefore the King (to whom profperous fortune began on all fides 
 to fliew her face) being returned with his whole Army, received them, to the great 
 contentment of every one ; for they had not only brought an exceeding quantity of 
 viduals, but alfo a certain fum of money, which without delay, or fliewing the leafl 
 fign of covetoufnefs, was prefently all diflributcd to his Souldiers i by which readinefs 
 (though the fum was not great) every body was equally pleafcd and fatistied. 
 
 The Englidi having refle'd themfelves, and thofe that born the toils in the fervice 
 at Viepe being rcfreflied after their fufferings, in the befl manner that poflibly might 
 be, the King defirous not to lofe time, now that the Duke of Miy^nne and his Ar- 
 my were far off, refolvcd to affault the Suburbs of Paris, not fo much out of any 
 grounded hope, tliat by the benefit of feme unexpedted accident he fliould be able to take 
 
 the 
 
 15^9. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Ma-MKiii mar* 
 ch;s fcrm 
 D.fft with his 
 Acmy. 
 
 The King ia 
 modelly nrfj- 
 fcrh ro go un- 
 det the Cano- 
 py cf Su;c ac 
 Amiens.' 
 
 Tht Cineral of 
 tbifi farces 
 vai ifcjt Kohle 
 L'^d Pere- 
 gtine BertuCj 
 L-trd Wil- 
 loMghly , ti- 
 it.tr 10 ibe V.I- 
 /mjii Ecrt of 
 Lindfcy , »£'» 
 «•«! Jlj B IB ibe 
 E.:iuUf Edo. 
 hill , vbitt ht 
 wjj Gir.tral of 
 ii:t Kiugi y.r-
 
 A2A The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I c8p. the City in the terrour and tumult of the people, which by him and all his Commanders 
 was thought impotrble •, as by the pillage of thofe Suburbs, full of the riches of many 
 years, to fupply the evident neceffity of his Army, in which the Gentry, nolcfs than 
 the private Souldicrs, were reduced to very great fcarcity of money i and not only the 
 furniture of their horfes, but even their arms and wearing clothes fpoiled, and broken 
 The Kins* with ill weather and perpetual fervice. "With this defign he departed from Viefe upon 
 AcmymaTchfs j|^g Nineteenth of October, having in his Army Twenty thoufand Foot, Three thoufand 
 towards am. j^^^^^^ ^^j Fourteen great Pieces, and with convenient marches took the diredt way 
 to Paris. The Grand Prior , and the Baron de Giiiry, who fucceeded in the place of 
 BatjieeviHe, fcoured the way before them with the Light-horfe : The Count de Soijfonr., 
 and the Marefchal d' Aumont led the Vanguard : In the Battel was the King, with the 
 Marefch^l ^t" Byron, and Monfieur a^t /j N(j«£- i the Duke oi' Longueville led theReer: 
 With this order, as foon as the Army was come to Font de P Arcbe, the Duke oi Munt- 
 peitfier having palTed the Seine with Three hundred Horfe, went towards Normandy, 
 to go to Caeit, and look to the aifairs of that Province, where the Forces of the League 
 were very powerful : Upon the laft of Oiiuber, the King quartered with his Army a 
 league from the Fauxbourgs of Paris ■■, where the tumult of the people, and the trou- 
 ble of the DutchefTes was very great, feeing the Duke oiMayenne far off, and the King 
 come uncxpedledly to affault the City, at a time when they were perfwaded he had 
 enough to do to defend himfelf , and that he was fo weak he muft needs be either 
 prefently fupprefled, or beaten out of the Kingdom ■■, for the Duke of Mayenne crying 
 up the greatnefs of his Forces to the people when he went to the aflault of Diepe, 
 had written to Paris , that within few days he would either bring the King up prifo- 
 iier, or force him to flee fhamefully into England. Now bufineffes proving fo con- 
 trary, the City unprovided of Souldiers, and feeing they could not hope for any re- 
 lief, was full of fear and trouble > efpecially, there being no Head of Authority, who 
 might keep the people in order, and provide what fhould be needful: For though 
 Don Bernardino Mendozza , the Spanifh Ambaflador, laboured with all his power to 
 comfort them, with grave Speeches, and with his prefence in every place » yet there 
 was no man in whom the Parifians could much conHde, either for experience in arms, 
 or for alliance to that Family : But at night Monfieur de Khifne arrived opportunely, 
 who being at Ejiampes, Cwhich Town he had taken a few days before) marched four- 
 teen leagues without any ftay, and came into the City (though with but a few Horfe) 
 in the beginning of the night. At his arrival the Council of the League recovering 
 ' courage, refolved , That the Suburbs fhould be defended j to which end, the people 
 
 taking arms, and all, both great and little, and even the very Fryars running armed, 
 they were in the belt order that might be, diftributed in thofe Works which had been 
 caft up three months before, at the time when it was befieged by Henry the Third. 
 Jul '^'h" si' "^^^^ § before peep of day upon the firft of November, being All Saints day, divi- 
 burbs ef i'j-ij ded his Foot into three lertiaes ■■, one of which was led by the Marefchal de Byron, the 
 SjTi 'i"' Earon his Son , and the Sieur de Guitry to affault the Fauxbourg of St. ViCtoire, and 
 takts them, St. Marceatt ■■, the fecond, led by the Marefchal d' Aumont, Monfieur d' Anville, and 
 p"u"c'tj'che ^°''^"^' ^^ Kieitx, againtl: the Fauxbourg of St. Jaques and St. Michael i and the third, 
 soiiiJ'icrs. commanded by the Sieurs de ChaJiilHon, and de la None, affaulted the Fauxbourg of 
 St. Germain. The Cavalry being likewife difiinguifhed into three Diviflons i one led 
 by the King, another by CoHnt Soiffons, and the third by the Duke of Longueville, flood 
 all ready in the Field, each Body as a referve to its Squadron of Foot, in cafe of any 
 unexpedled accident which might happen. The affault began when it was broad day 
 light, and lafled very fierce for the fpace of an hour ; but the Works being beaten 
 down in many places , and there being no equality between the inexpertnefs of the 
 people, and the valour of the Kings Souldiers, the Defendents were at lafl forced to 
 give back, who with a great flaughter had much ado to retire time '^nough to have the 
 flarg'LoTt'he Gates of the City fhut i theaffailants preiTingon violently on every fide, and particu- 
 "'tni't'^^k^'' '^'■'y ^^^ ^'^"'^ ^^ ^'^ None, who having entred the Fauxbourg St. Germain, and coming 
 pr'ifonJr* is" down through the fbeet which is called the Kue de Toitrnon, followed thofe fo furi- 
 bc"o "n"** four "'^'^^ ^^° retreated in at the Porte de Ntfle, that it could hardly be fhut, the Sieur 
 horfes.for ha- de Khojm himfclf being there. In this affault above Nine hundred Parifians were 
 Wan'dprliii.i '^^l"' ^"*^ sbove Four hundred taken prifoners, among which Father Edmond Bourgoin^ 
 the Kings Prior of the Covent of Jacobins ■■, who being convided by Witnefs, to have publickly 
 muiJcrcr. (jn the Pulpit) piaifcd the murder of Henry the Third, and to have counfelled and 
 
 infligated 
 
 4
 
 o/" France. The Tenth ^ooJ{, 425 
 
 inftigated the murderer, comparing him alfo in his Sermons, after theFaiS, to Judith^ i')^9* 
 and the dead King to Holofemes^ and the City delivered to Betlmlia •■, he was, by 
 Judgment of the Parliament of lour/, fentenced to be drawn in pieces by four horfes 
 his quarters burned , and his afiies fcattered in the wind : which fentence, fome few 
 months after, was feverely executed. The Suburbs being entred on every fide, the 
 Officers withheld their Souldiers with infinite care , from running up and down con- 
 fufedly to plunder, till the Cavalry were come in, and placed ready to repel thofe that 
 fliould have the boldnefs to fally out of the City ; and then the quarters were d^'vided 
 among them, and leave given unto them to fack it i with charge neverchelefs, not 
 to violate either Churches, Monafteries, or other facred places •, which was cbfcrved 
 with Co much order by the Officers, and obedience by the Souldiers, that Mafies were 
 faid that day in all Churches , as if there had been no fuch bufinefs i and all the Ca- 
 tholicksof the Kings Army wereprefent at them in great abundance, celebrating that 
 Holiday with very great joy. The facking of the Suburbs lafied as long as the Army 
 continued in them i and the pillage was fo rich and plentiful, that the Kings Army 
 vvas wonderfully relieved and encouraged by it. 
 
 In the mean time the Duke of Mayenne having had notice that the King w-as march- 
 ed toward TarU^ omitting to meet with the Minifters o( Flanders, for which reafon he 
 was drawn fo near to thofe Confines i without ftaying for further intelligence, moved 
 that way with his-whole Army, and having palTed the Bridge of St. Ma/fcant^ ("con- 
 trary to the Kings expedlation, who had commanded Monfieur de Ihore, Governour 
 di SenlU, to break it down, which he, being fick in bed, could not fb fpcedily per- 
 fbrmj fent the Duke of Nemours before with the Light-horfe, who arriving upon the 
 fecond of November, did very much raife the fpirits, and eafe the trouble of the Pa- 
 rifians, who were in very great fear, that the King profecuting his Victory, would aG- 
 fault the City after the taking of the Suburbs. The Duke of Mayenne came up ahb the 
 next day : Wherefore the King, thinking him.felf not very fecure in the Suburbs, being 
 in danger to be fuddenly affaulted, fo that he could not be able to draw up his Caval- 
 ry, marched out upon the Fourth oi' November, on that fide toward the P^irte St. Jaqites, J^^l^'"^. 
 and fet his Army in Battalia, looking, for many hours, if the Duke oiMayemtne would suburbs of 
 follow him i but feeing there was not the lead: iHr from the City, he marched off with atrYviYof^'the 
 a How pace, and quartered the fame night zt MontPhery, and refolved to pafs on to I'ukcof///;- 
 "loftrs, becaufe he had given his word to the Cathclick Lords, and iflued Writs to af- ""''' 
 femble the States there in the end of Ociober: And though he knew that by reafon the 
 War was kindled in every place, and all ways unfafe, the Deputies could not be met 
 together at the appointed time \ and though he had not ufed any diligence to bring 
 them together, that he might not be fo foon put upon the nccelTity of changing his 
 Rehgion, and making all the Hugonots diitruilful of him '-, yet would he be himfelf in 
 that City, to the end he might not be accufed by the Catholicks, and that he might 
 upon that occafion order the affairs of that Province, and, as foon as they were fet- 
 led, return more frcfli, and perhaps better furniflied with the attendance of the Gen- 
 try, and with firength to maintain the War. The next night his Army lay under the 
 Walls of Eiiampes ■■, which Town being yielded without refinance, the King, becaufe 
 it had been taken thrice in a few months, thinking it could not be kept, caufed it to 
 be difmantled in his prefence, leaving the Citizens in liberty to receive either party. 
 Having ftaid there a day , he difpatchcd the Baron de Guiry into Brie, the Marefclial The Ki?" 
 d' Aumont into Champagne, and the Duke oi Lonnuevilk into Ficardy ; giving to each '^""f" tjtjw- 
 convenient Forces to defend themfelves in thofe Provinces s and he himfelf, with the dirminthJ, 
 reft of his Armiy, making fliort marches through Ci'j.'/(JI'", and the molHrcquent paiTcs 
 of the Loire, took the direft way into Tonraine. 
 
 While the principal Armies, and the Heads of tlie Fadions make War thus fharp)}^ 
 the other parts and Provinces of the Kingdom vvere no lefs unquiet i but to the 
 (laughter of men, and ruine of Towns, there were every where frequent bloody en- 
 counters : For in the County of Eeanvais, the Marquifs de Tiemtes^ one ot the princi- 
 pal Lords of the Union, defeated and killed the Sieur de Bonivet. In Ticardyxhz Sieur 
 d'Arcy having called the fame Marquifs «/e Piennes to his aHiltance. taking the oppor- ^f "vVril"" 
 tunity of the waters being let out, that the moat of la Ferre might be cleanfed, had fucctfl"es 
 furprifed that Town fuddenly by night. In Berrie the Sieur de Mmtiirny hoU'm^ the "till.']' a'i'fbi 
 Kings party, defeated and took Monfieur de la Chajire's Lieutenant in the 6pen field : fame time 
 and on the other fide, Monfieur <5?f Ne>!ny, who held for the League, routed and took f,'°„"°'' *"' 
 
 I i i prifoncr
 
 A 26 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 iK%o, prifonerthe Sieur de Gamachie. In Champagne the Count de Grandpre, accompanied 
 with a great many Gentlemen that were of the Kings party , fupprifed Vitry, and put 
 all the Defendents to the fword: but being affaulted a few days after by Colonel 
 St. Faid^ who was chief Commander for the League in that Province, they fought fo 
 ftoutly that they of the League got a moft bloody Vidlory i and on the Kings fide all 
 the Gentlemen and Officers were either killed or grievoufly wounded, and the Count 
 de GratidprehimCdi: carried half dead to Chaalons, being hurt in eighteen feveral places. 
 In Normandy, the Baron d' Efchatifour, and Captain Vabge routed and put to flight Co- 
 lonel St. Ve'ftif, who was going with his Regiment to join with the Duke of Montpenfier. 
 AtlboloHfe, Lymoges, and 7ours, there were moft turbulent unruly Seditions. In the 
 Territories of Geneva, the War was very hot between that City and the Duke of Sa- 
 ThcDulteof j..^^^ who having poffefTed himfelf of that Country, did alfo befiege the City, about 
 e1hCM^v4.'"' which he raifed many Forts, and was in very great hope to carry it. In Provence, Mon- 
 fieur de la Valette Governour for the King , had many a skirmifh with the Count de 
 Cars, and the Sieur de Vim, who commanded for the League i and on both lides many 
 Towns were taken, and many bloody encounters happened between them. In Daw 
 fbine. Colonel Alfonfo Corfo being joined with the Lefdiguieres, blocked up Grenoble^ 
 and Valence, the only Towns in that Province that held for the League : And thus 
 with various fuccefles, but liill with the lofs of much blood, was the War profecuted 
 by both Parties. 
 
 In the mean time, the King was come with his Army to Chafieau-Vmi, where the 
 Swiflc Commanders arrived, being returned from their Cantons, whither they had 
 been fent by the Souldiers of their Nation who were in the Camp, to give notice of 
 the death of Henry the Third, and to receive diredlions from the Republick what they 
 (hould do for the future. They brought anfwer, that the Cantons would perfevcre in 
 the fame friendfliip and confederacy with King Henry the Fourth , as they had done 
 with his Predeceffor , and that therefore they fhould continue to ferve and follov/ 
 him : Which refolution of the Swifles was much furthered, not only by the wifdom 
 of the Sieur de SiUeroy, who was there Ambaffador, but alfo by the prefence of Jaques 
 Aiigiiiie de "Thou, who returning out of Italy, ("whither he had been fent by the late 
 King to the Grand Duke of Jbufcany) had negotiated and perfwaded that determina- 
 tion. The King and his whole Army was much pleafed at it, as well becaufe they 
 had found, the greateft ftrength of the Infantry lay in the Regiments of the Swiffes, 
 who were there prefent, and had always fought very valiantly , as becaufe they had 
 hope to encreafe their number by a new Levy, which fliould be granted under the pub- 
 lick Enfigns of their Cantons. 
 rr'^lLr^and ^^ ^'^ departure from Chajieau-Dun, the King went to befiege Vendofme, a City of 
 gives the pii- his Patrimony, and which was thought very convenient, becaufe it was near the Ri- 
 sou'iclersT '^^'^ Loyre. The Suburbs were taken in the firlt on-fet i and the King in perfon ha- 
 conJemns the ving viewed the walls, and the quality of the place ■, refolved to batter that fide of 
 dV'a'Jh^forhu f'i£ Caftle, which, oppofite to the Town, (lands, but not very high, over a fpacious 
 infidelity, and Plain. Thcrc Were two picces planted the next day, to take away that defence, with 
 a^pllncffcan' intention to plant a Royal Battery againft the Curtine, aflbon as two Towers were 
 for bavins beaten down, which ferved to flank it on each hand : but a great part of the Tower 
 thrwiing of on the left hand being fallen, after not many fliot, fome of the Foot fell on to make the 
 w^rjtheHi. affaulti but they found the place without refiftance abandoned by the Defendents: 
 wherefore having made themfelves Mafters of the Tower, they began with their Muf- 
 kets to play from that higher place, upon the infide of the wall, where thofe of the 
 Town were retired to make head : and the number of the Foot continually incrcafing 
 with hopes of very good fuccefs, the Baron de Byron, newly made Field-Marfhal by 
 the King, ran thither, and had fcarce brought down the Foot toaflault the Defendents 
 at the wall, when they, full of infinite fear, forfook it, and the whole circuit of the 
 Caflle at the fame time , feeking to fave theihfelves by flight in the City i but being 
 prevented by the Souldiers who followed them fiercely, the City was alfo taken with the 
 fame fury in lefs than three hours i wherein, except Churches, Monafteries, and other 
 facred places, every thing was given up to the violence of the Souldiers, who took there 
 great Ibre of fpoil and rich booty. The Governour who had often dealt perfidioufly 
 with the King, and had always falfified his Faith by double-dealing, was condemned to 
 death, as al{ft Father Robert a Cordelier, who had there publickly praifed the Kings mur- 
 therer, and with his Sermons ftirred up the common people.After the taking oiVendofme^ 
 
 Lavardin
 
 of France. The Tenth ^oo^ 
 
 427 
 
 Lavardin and Montant, Caflks of that ]urifdi<^ion, yielded thcmfelves, and the King 
 fending no more refiftance in any place, canae at laft to lours upon the one and twen- 
 tieth of Nwembc-r. 
 
 He entered into the City the fame night by Torch-light, being met at the Gates by 
 the Cardinals of Vemdofme and Lowncour^ and all the Prclidents and Counfellors of the 
 Parliament, and was furroundcd with a great abundance of people , becaufe all the 
 Neighbouring Towns were run thither to fee his entry. The neceffity of affairs per-" 
 fwaded not to fpend time unprofitably , and the Kings nature , that was quick and 
 ready, agreed with the prefent neceiTity i wherefore the next morning coming with- 
 out more delay to the Parliament, he fate in the Royal Throne, and was acknowledged 
 King of France^ with publick Ceremonies, and very great applaufe. Then hearing 
 the murmurs and complaints of the Catholicks of his Army, and the earneftnefs of the 
 Lords and Barons who followed him , that he would obferve the promifc he had made 
 them to change his Religion, having caufed the Nobility to be publickly called together, 
 who came greedily to hearken unto him , he told them in a few words. That to his 
 great difcontent, he faw how the danger and heat of War had hindred the appointed 
 Aflembly , which fliould have been at that prefent time : That they themfelves had 
 feen how he, laying aiide all other enterprifes, had in confideration of them, come to 
 7o«rj, hoping he might fome way give them all perfed fatisfadion : That the nature 
 of affairs, and not the will of men, oppofed it i and that therefore confidering how 
 much advantage their common Enemy received by his being at fo great a dilrance, 
 and by the delay of making a fharp and diligent War againft them, he entreated them 
 to allow that to necellity which depended not upon his will, and that they would be 
 contented the Convocation of the Deputies might be deferred till the fifteenth of the 
 next March ■■, iii which time he hoped the fury of the Rebels and fcditious perfcns be- 
 ing quelled, he might with more quietnefsof m.ind, and lefs damage to the common 
 affairs, think of a happy eftablifhment of life, and future Government : That as a pledge 
 and fecurity of kis Faith they fliould accept his Perfon, which was always in their 
 hands: That he would fincerely obferve in deed, more than at that prefent he pro- 
 mifed them in words. To which the Catholick Lords and Gentlemen affenting, more 
 out of neceiTity than of will, a Declaration was made, that the time of the Affembly 
 fhould be prorogued till the fifteenth of March next enfuing. The King hoped that 
 the War continuing, and mens minds being daily more enflamed between both Fadti- 
 ons, the Catholicks would ftill be more confirmed to follow him, and that he might 
 with excufes which appeared neceffary , and with divers promifes and artifices gain 
 convenient time to turn to the Catholick Religion, and that perchance they would be 
 content he fliould continue in his own i and therefore he politickly avoided their in- 
 treaties, and excufed himfelf for riot fatisfying their defires, as well left he fliould feem 
 to fvvay his Confcience to a compliance with the times, as left he fliould lofe the ad- 
 herence of the Hugonots, to the great diminution of his Forces i wherefore, becaufe 
 need fo required, and not to give men time by idlencfs to think of new difturbances, 
 but to keep them continually imployed in Military exercifes, he refolved to go from 
 lonrs^ and move with his Army to take in thofe Towns which the Enemy held in the 
 Country oi Maine and Normandy. 
 
 Before his departure, Giovanni Mocenigo the Venetian Ambaffador, having received 
 Commillion from the Senate, to continue in his Embaflie near the prefent King, being 
 with publick ceremony come unto his audience, prefented Letters to him from the Se- 
 nate, with the Title of King of France i wherein congratuhting his coming to the 
 Crown, the Ambaffador Mocenigo made excufes, that a particular Ambaffador was not 
 fent purpofcly, according to the cuftom, by reafon of the difiiculty of the ways, broken 
 every where by the incuriions of War. The Senate had been in doubt whether they 
 fl^iould confirm their Ambaffador, and whether they fliould give him the Title of King 
 of France or noi but finally, forefceing with a prudent eye, not only that it was ne- 
 ceffary for the interefts of Chriftendom, that the Kingdom fliould beconfcrved in the 
 lawful Heirs, which the League endeavoured to tear in many pieces, or to fubjedl it 
 to foreign Princes i but alfo, that the King being acknowledged by the greater part 
 of the Nobility , which are the linews of the Kingdom, and that by his vertue and 
 courage he was like to be Conquerour in the end i refolved at the fame time to con- 
 firm their Ambaffador, to give him the Title of King of France^ and to allift him in 
 all things poffible, as they had done all other Kings of France in their urgent occafions. 
 
 I i i 2 And 
 
 158> 
 
 thnry the IV. 
 IS acknowled- 
 ged King of 
 f aict with 
 pukhck io- 
 lemnicy ac 
 
 The King ie^ 
 fires chat tbC 
 Arteinbly of 
 the States > in 
 which his coD- 
 vcifioo was 
 hoped for) 
 might be de- 
 ferred. and cb- 
 taini ir. 
 
 ThcKepnblick 
 of Vtni t ac- 
 knowledges 
 Henry the IV. 
 King of 
 France ; and 
 Mtcenifo, who 
 was AmbafTa- 
 dot to Her.rj 
 the III pafleJ 
 a compIiBienc 
 with the King 
 in publick.
 
 428 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i58?- 
 
 Mdtttucci the 
 Popes Nuncio 
 having com- 
 pUincd and 
 proceftcd a- 
 j;ainft the Ve- 
 netian Stnite, 
 <icp«tt5; 
 which not be- 
 int; well ap- 
 proved by the 
 Pope , he te- 
 nirns to his 
 ic/idcncc. 
 
 The King 
 makes hirtifclf 
 Mailer of all 
 the Towns 
 and Foitteffes 
 pf iJarmtndy, 
 
 And though the Popes Nuncio, and the Spanifh Ambaffadot kept a mighty ftir about 
 it, and complained exceedingly, that an Heretick, and one difobedient to the Apofto- 
 lick See, fliould be acknowledged King of France, contrary to the Declarations made 
 by the Pope in the ConlMory of Cardinals ■■> yet the Senate anfwered , That it con- 
 cerned net the Republick ofVeitke to decide matters of Faith, which belonged- to the 
 Popes care v but that it acknowledged Henry of Bourbon to be defcended from the Stock 
 of the Blood-Royal, and true legitimate Succeffor of the Crown, which could not be 
 denied : That they medled only with Temporal things, and not with the knowledge 
 of Spiritual Interefts i and that they would treat with the King, in what concerned the 
 Government of thofe States under his Dominion, without doing any prejudice to the 
 Popes Declaration. Which anfwer, though it gave not much fatisfadtion at Kome, and 
 that Gkronimo Matteucci, the Popes Nuncio, Refident in Venice , made many protefta- 
 tions, and in the end, departed fuddenly from the City i yet fo great was the dex- 
 terity of Alberto Badoaro, their Lieger Ambaffador to the Pope, and fo great the effi- 
 cacy of the reafons alledged by Leonardo Donato, fent extraordinary Ambaffador from 
 the Republick about that matter, that the Nuncio being not fo much as admitted to 
 the Popes prefence, was conftrained to return to his refidence, and, without further 
 replies, an end was put to that bufinefs. The favourable Declaration of that Senate, 
 was a very great fatisfadion to the King , as well becaufe the determination of the 
 wifell politick Affembly in Chriflendom, gave reputation to his Forces, as becaufe he 
 thought many other Princes., efpecially of Italy, would follow the example of Venice > 
 wherefore both by Letters, and by word of mouth, delivered by Monfieur de Mets, 
 the Ambaffador refiding in that City , he ftrove to exprefs fingular gratitude , and infi- 
 nite refpedt for the kind inclination of thofe Senators. 
 
 The King being departed from lours upon the Six and twentieth of November, 
 caufed fiege to be laid to Mans, a place of wonderful importance, in which was the 
 Sieur de Bois-Vaupbin with above two hundred Gentlemen, and feventeen Colours of 
 Foot. The Defendents madefliew of holding out courageouily, andfUherefore burned 
 the Suburbs , and fortified that Gate toward which the King was to come , cafting up 
 a Raveline in the form of a Tenaille. The Count de Brijfac was come at the fame 
 time to la Ferte Bernard , with Four hundred Horfe and Two Regiments of Foot, 
 who purpofed to relieve that Town opportunely, and cutting off paffages, and mo- 
 lefting the Army, had fain upon a quarter of the Kings German Horfe, and pillaged 
 above fifty of them. But after that the Baron de Biron and Monfieur de Chaftillon, who 
 were quartered in the Suburbs, had with redoubled affaults taken the Kaveline, which 
 hapned the fourth day after the fiege was laid , the Defendents not (landing out the 
 utmoft violence of the Battery, began to capitulate, and yielded with very large con- 
 ditions : For the King, in whoft Army there was great want of Powder and Bullet, 
 was infinitely pleafcd not only to have that place upon fo eafie terms , but that he 
 might alfo provide againft that want with the Enemies Ammunition that was in the 
 Town. The example of Mans was followed by Beaumont, la Val, Chajleau Gontier, 
 and all the places thereabout i and the King palling forward , laid fiege to Alancon, 
 which City being yielded after three days battery , Captain Lago, with the Souldiers 
 of the Garifon, retired into the Fortrefs, with an intent ta make it good i but when 
 the Cannons were planted, he fiaid not to be brought to extremity, but delivered it 
 into the Kings hands upon the Fourteenth of December : In which place, the Baron 
 de Hertre was left with Three hundred French Foot. From this City the King march- 
 ing on towards Normandy, befieged Falaife, into which the Count de Brijfac was en- 
 tred with many Gentlemen, and the Chevalier Ticcard's Regiment of Footv wherefore 
 by reafon of the Commanders reputation, of the ftrength of the place, but moft of all 
 of the unfitnefs of the feafon, it was thought it would prove a long and difficult bufi- 
 nefs i yet the Fauxbourg de Guibray being taken, and the Army quartered under co- 
 ver, the King having perlbnally viewed the fituation of the Fortrefs, commanded the 
 Battery to be planted againft the Caflle, judging that if he could take that, he might 
 alfo at the fame time take the Town. Befides the principal Battery, he caufed alfo two 
 Culverins to be planted upon a certain Hill, by the fliot whereof the paffage was flop- 
 ped which led into the City from the Tower of the Dongeon, the principal fecurity of 
 the Caftle •, and in this manner he did ftreighten and incommodate all the refolutions 
 of the Defendents. The Artillery played two days with very great violence j which 
 having utterly ruined and beaten down the Tower, which defended the corner of the 
 
 City 
 
 ■fe
 
 of France. The Tenth ^ool^. 42^ 
 
 City and Caftle oppofite to the Vongeon^ the King made it to be aflaultcd the fame i%^9 
 night by two different Squadrons, one kd by the Sieur de ChajiiUnn, that fhould ftrivc 
 to get into the Caftle from the broken Toiver j the other by the Baron de Byron^ which 
 was to endeavour by the fame way , to get into the Town , which joined in that 
 place to the Fortrefs. Both Squadrons did abfolutely effeft their defign : for one paf- 
 fing thorow the ruined Tower, forced the Defendents to (hut themfelves up iri the 
 Vongeon i and the other at the fame time got into the chief ftreet of the Town, which 
 without more refinance was furioufly taken and lacked. The Count fhut up in the 
 Vongeon with a kvr Defendents , and thofe already terrified by the valour the Infan- 
 try had (hewed, and the crofnefs of the late bufine/Tes, gave themfelves up the next 
 morning to the Kings difcretion, who kept him and fifteen more of the chief of them 
 prifoners, and with a Kingly liberality gave his hou(hold-ftufF, among which was (tore 
 of furniture of very great value, unto the Baron de Byrort. 
 
 Argentan and Bayeux yielded without a blow : and the King profecuting his march' 
 came to Lifieitx, which at fight of his Artillery yielded upon the thirtieth of December: 
 Fonteait de Mer^ Pont /' Evefgue, and all thofe other Towns, followed this example'* 
 fo that the League had no place left in lower Normandy^ except Honfltur^ feated at 
 the mouth of the Seine^ right ovet againft Havre de Grace •, which Cthough the Duhe 
 of Montpenfier was much againft it^ was paffed by without being mole(ted, by realbn 
 pf the Kings halte to go into the higher Province. 
 
 TheEndof the Tenth BOOK. 
 
 THE
 
 4?o 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F TH E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 By HE3^%IC0 CATE'RHJ^O t>AVILA, 
 
 The Eleventh BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THe Eleventh Boo^ confamr the Popes inclination touching the affairs of 
 France : His refolntion to fend Cardinal Gaetano his Legat thither : 
 The variety of opinions concerning his Commijjions : His arrival in the King- 
 dom : His perplexity, and journey to Paris. The different ends of the League 
 a re difcourfed of. The Marquifs de Belin introduces a Treaty of Agreement : 
 ■'■■ The Duke of Mayenne deliberates upon that point, and refolves to profecute the 
 War: He he^egeth Pontoyfe, rohich yields itfelfunto him : He encamps he- 
 fore Meulan, a.nd batters it with great objlinacy. The K.ing comes to relieve 
 that place. The Du^e raifes the (lege, and marches to meet thefitpplies in Pi- 
 cardy. The King affaults Dreux, but to no purpofe. The Duke of Mayenne 
 returns increafed in flrength. The King raifes his Camp, and chufeth a plate 
 of Battel in the Field of Yvrj. The DukefoUovps, and comes up to the fame 
 place. The Armies f^ght, and the King remains vi^orious. The Preachers de- 
 liver the news of this defeat to the Pari(ians , who prepare themfelves con- 
 Jiantly to endure a fiege. Divers overtures of Peace are made 5 but nothing 
 at all can be concluded. The Duke of Mayenne, to procure relief goes to the 
 Frontiers of Flanders. The King takes all the Neighbouring Torvns about 
 Paris. Siege is laid unto that City, to overcome it with hunger. The calamities 
 of thefiege, and the conliancy of the Citizens are related. The CatholickKing 
 commands the Duke of Parma to march rvith his whole Army into France, to 
 raife the (lege of Paris : He enters into the Kingdom with great Forces, and 
 with exceeding great preparations joins with the Duke 5/ Mayenne, and ad- 
 vances towards Paris. The King confults what is beji to be done , 7'efolves to 
 raife the (lege, and go to meet the Fnemy. The Armies face one another many 
 days. The Duke of Parma takes Lagny, and opens the paffuge of ViSuals 
 to Paris. The King retires, and in his retreat gives a Jcalado to the City^ 
 which proves ineffe^ual. The Duke of Parma takes Corbeil, and Jo abfo- 
 Intely frees the City of Paris from want of provifons. He refolves to return 
 
 into
 
 of France. The Eleventh 'Boo^, 
 
 s- 
 
 31 
 
 i»to Flanders j marches in excellent order : The King follows him : There 
 happen many encounters. The Ditke departing^ leaves aid of Men, and pro-' 
 tnifes fupplies of Money to the League. The King returning^ marches to- 
 wards Picardy. 
 
 Ow followeth the year i5po. full of all thofe Calamities which ufe 
 to be the confequences of Civil Wars i but famous alfo for the 
 greatnefs of thofe accidents that hapned in it i the natural revo- 
 lution of things having fo brought to pafs, that in it the greateft 
 force and florm of Arms broke forth with violence. In the year 
 before, Hf«/"_y the Third's Ambafladors and Publick Minifters were 
 already departed from Kome^ by reafon of the Monitory publifhed 
 againft him, when the news of his death was brought thither, 
 which, being come in a time when the Pope was not only very much exafperated by 
 the conjundion made with the Hugonot party, but alfo infinitely follicitous and anxious 
 beeaufe of the profperous fuccefs of his Arms, was received by him with great demon- 
 iirations of joy, thinking, that the miraculous power of the hand of God, had unexpedt- 
 edly diverted that mine which humane remedies feemed no way able to prevent. His 
 contentment was increafed by the Agents of the League, who to the confirmation of 
 the Kings death, added the refolution of the Duke of My'fwif and the Council of the 
 Union to acknowledge the Cardinal of Bourbon the legitimate King of France^ with an 
 open Declaration and ftridt Oath to ufe all their might to free him from his imprifon- 
 ment, and that this refolution was adhered to, and unanimoufly followed by almoft 
 all the principal Cities, with the greater part of the Nobility, and the applaufe of the 
 Clergy of the whole Kingdom : all which things being conformable to the Popes wiflies, 
 who exceedingly defired the exclufion of the King of Navarre^ eftcemed by him an ir- 
 reconcileable Enemy to the Church -■> but yet was not willing that the Kingdom fliould 
 be divided into many parts, as fome had a mind to have it, and that it (hould come 
 into the hands of a Foreign Prince, were the caufe that he wrote not only very kind 
 Letters of great commendation to the Duke of Mjyenne , and the Catholicks of the 
 League, but that he alfo determined to fupply them with Men and Money, for the 
 fetting at liberty, and perfect eftablifliment of the Cardinal of Bourbon. Wherefore, 
 without any delay, in a work which he accounted excellently good, and of wonderful 
 great glory and advancement to the Apoftolick See, he refolved to fend a Lcgat into 
 Franc"^ who by his prefence might afiili: alfairs of fo great importance, and might en- 
 deavour to reduce all the Catholicks , by fuch means as he fhould think moft reafon- 
 able, to unite themfelves in one body under the obedience of the Cardinal of Bourbon 
 already eledfed and declared King of France, whofe freedom by all polfible force was to 
 be endeavoured. For thisbufinefsof fo great concernment, he chofe Cardinal Henrico 
 Gxetano, a man not only by the noblenefs of his birth of great reputation, but alfo for 
 his worth and experience efteemed of fufficient abilities for fo great an entcrprife: yet 
 according to what the Kings Friends faid then, and his own adions difcovered after- 
 wards , too much inclined to favour the attempts and intereOs of Spain. He ap- 
 pointed moreover a feled number of Prelates to accompany the Cardinal-Legat, all 
 men confpicuous either for the fame of excellent Learning, or approved experience in 
 matters of Government i among which were Lorenzo Bianchetti^ and Philippo Sega, who 
 after were Cardinalsv Marc Antonio Mocenigo Bifliop oiCaneda^'i man well verfed in affairs, 
 and highly efteemed by the Pope i Francefio Paninarola, Bifliop oiAjii^ a Preacher of great 
 renown > and Roberto Bellarmino, a Jefuite of profound and admirable Learning, To 
 the choice of thefe men the Pope added Bills of Exchange to the Merchants at Lyons 
 for three hundred thoufand Crowns, with Commillion to the Legat to difpofe of them 
 according to need and occalion i but particularly to fpend them for the Infranchife- 
 ment of the Cardinal of Bourbon, upon which he (hewed his mind was fixed more 
 than upon any other thought whatfoever. 
 
 But this fo ardent refolution was cooled in the very beginning i and the Pope 
 was put in doubt, by Letters that arrived from the Duke of 'Luxvnboiirg, wherein he 
 gave him notice, that by the French Nobility (who in a very great number followed 
 and acknowledged the King of Navarre to be the legitimate King of France) he was 
 chofen Ambaffador to his Holinefs and the Apoftolick See , to inform him of the 
 
 caufes 
 
 i5po. 
 
 The Pope re- 
 folvcs to fend 
 affiftanceto 
 the League 
 againft the 
 Kins. 
 
 Or(l!naI Rtn- 
 rico C.tiann, a 
 man partial to 
 S\iani , is de- 
 clared Legat 
 Co the League 
 in frM'.e. 
 
 Prelates ap- 
 pointed by the 
 I'ope to ac- 
 company the 
 EmbalSe, and 
 300000 
 Crowns to be 
 tnnplojred for 
 the liberty of 
 the Cir.linal 
 of Bcurbcn,
 
 452 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^0. 
 
 caufes which had moved the mrnds of all good French-men to that acknowledgment, 
 and to require from him, as from a common Father, the proper means and remedies 
 for the Peace and Union of the whole Kingdom. By which Letters the Pope did 
 not only find , that what the Agents of the League had reprefented unto him was 
 vain, VIZ. That the major part of the Kingdom was joined to the party of the Uni- 
 'and that only a few defperate perfons followed the King of Navarre ; but he al- 
 
 on 
 
 rope •Six IK! V 
 his Orders and 
 C'ommifl'icns 
 to Cardinal 
 O iimo Lfgat 
 in frana. 
 
 fo conceived fome hopes , that by the way of Pacification , an end might be put to 
 the miferies and difcords of the Kingdom , thofe that were gone aftray might be re- 
 duced into the bofom of the Church , and his aim of having a lawful Catholick 
 French King , might be attained without fubmitting the afflided people of France 
 any longer to new dangers and calamities of an obftinate War: Wherefore, being 
 alfo excited by the diligent informations which were given unto him by the Vene- 
 tian AmbalTadours, intent upon the prefervation of the Crown of France, he return- 
 ed favourable Anfwers to the Duke of Luxembourg and the French Nobility which 
 were in the Khigs Camp, aflliring him that he (hould be well refpe<3:ed, and kindly 
 received , and exhorting them to perfifl: conftantly in the Catholick Religion , as in 
 their Letters which came with the Dukes they afferted they would do, and that they 
 would continue it even to the effufion of their blood. And yet the Agents of the 
 League, (efpecially Fnfon Dean of Kheims, lately fent thither by the Duke of May- 
 eiine) urging him not to delay the Legats expedition, for that thefe were artifices 
 of the King of Navarre, to take him oif, and gain the benefit of time, he difpatched 
 the Legat towards France , but with Infirudions very different from his firft de- 
 ligns: For whereas before, all the endeavours tended to the confirmation and freeing 
 the Cardinal of Bourbon ■■, now palling over his name in filence , the defign was only 
 to re-unite, by any means whatfoever , the Catholicks under the obedience of the 
 Church, and eftablifh a Catholick King, to the general liking, without naming the. 
 pcrfon. ^ 
 
 To thcfc CommilTions fct down in a Wiiting dated the Fifteenth of October, were 
 added particular exprefs Advertifements to the Cardinal Legat, to (hew himfelf no 
 Icfs neutral and dif-interefTed in the Secular Pretenfions of the Princes, than mofi: ar- 
 dent and zealous concerning Religion , and not to value one pcrfon more than ano- 
 ther, provided he were a French-man obedient to the Church, and generally liked by 
 the Kingdom : Nay more, at his laft coming to receive Inftrudtions, the Pope added 
 and repeated it effedually, that he (hould not (hew himfelf an open Enemy to the Kingj 
 of Navarre, fo long as there was any hope, that he might return into the bofom ot 
 the Church. But thefe Advertifements were very contrary to the principal fcope of 
 the EmbalTie, which was to uphold the Catholick party of the League as the founda- 
 tion of Religion in that Kingdom, a thing often repeated in his Infirudions, and 
 which was always the aim from the beginning, but which the Pope pretended to have 
 altered in his laft directions ; fo that the fubliance of the bufinefs changed in the va- 
 riety of circumlhnces, as it often happens, did fo difturb the execution, that if was^_ 
 afterwards governed more by the diverfity of accidents, than by any firm determinate 
 refolution. The. Advertifements of Cardinal A/orf/i^^i differed not much from the Popes 
 * Or, ajanK. Inlirudions i for being met by the LegSit'^ Gastano in the City ofBolognia, he, as vers'd 
 in the interefls of the Kingdom, gave the Legat a particular account of the intentions 
 of Spain, of the pretenfions of the Duke o( Muyenne, of the weaknefs of the League, 
 compofed of various different humours, and of the Kings Forces, which had more fe-'> 
 cure foundation in the concurrence of the major part ot the Nobility, than the party 
 of the Union had in the confpiracy of the common people. The fame was told him at 
 F lorence by Ferdhtando Gxe^t Duke o( Ihufcany, who being pcrfedly informed of the 
 interefts which were on foot in the Kingdom of France, pevCwaded him to keep him- 
 felf Neuter, and not to refufc thofe ov'ertures of Agreement which might be with the 
 profit of the Catholick Religion, and the reputation of the Pope. But both the advice 
 of Cardinal Mm-efvii, and the Great Dukes counfel were fufpedfed by the Legat, doubt- 
 ing that the one fought to make him fall into the fame faults whereof he was accounted 
 guilty in the Court of Rome ■■, and that the other did not counfel him finccrely ; Where- 
 fore as a man bent with feverity to fullain the greatnefs and power of the Church, and 
 acculiomcd to the affairs of Italy, where the Popes authority, by the piety of the Na- 
 tion , and the nearnefs of the Princes , is held in high veneration , he firrnly per- 
 fvvaded himfelf, that by the mecr terrour of Spiritual Arms he (hould keep all the 
 
 Catholicks
 
 of France. The Tenth ^oo^ a 70 
 
 Catholicks at his devotion, and excluding the King of iVjiwre, make a King to be isso. 
 declared and obeyed, wholly depending upon the Apoflolick See , and neerly joyned 
 and obliged to the Crown of Spain, to which, both by his ancient breeding and the 
 new pradices of the Conde de Olivares the Spanifli Ainbaffador at Home, he was infi- 
 nitely inclined. He was the more confirmed afterwards in this his thought that all 
 ought to depend upon his Authority* when being arrived at T«ri«, he faw that the 
 Duke of Savoy did with exquifite terms of fubmillion intreat him Cas one that mieht 
 difpofe of matters at his pleafurej to confider his right to the Crown of France as 
 born oiM.rrgaret Sifter to King Henry the Second, by whofe right (the courfe of the 
 Salique Law having been formerly interrupted) he alledged, the Crown ought rather 
 to be confirmed to him than to any other,' that in antient times had pretended title by 
 the womans tide j and alledging his deferts to the Apoftolick See, fince, that ftill with 
 continual pains , and exceeding great charge, he endeavoured to fubdue the City of 
 Geneva, the bafis and foundation of C<2/w«//»z i he laboured to win the protection of 
 the Legate, who not being well informed how matters went, did not take notice that 
 the Duke brought on his pretenfions that way, becaufe he had no better prop to up- 
 hold them, and ftrove to get into favour with the Pope and Legate, to draw fup- 
 plics from them of men and money, whereby he might bring thofc of Geneva under 
 his yoke, and fortifie and eftablifh himfelf in the pofTcifion of the Marquefate of^";?- 
 litzzo, againft whofoever fliould at laft be eleded and acknowledged King of France 
 wherein he faw he could not have a more fafe Protedtor, than the Pope. ' 
 
 But the Cardinal Legate being come into France, was not long before he found ef- 
 fe<fls contrary to his opinion i for having fent to require Colonel Alfonfo Corfi not on- "^^^ cardinal 
 ly to forbear mo\Q&.m%Grenoble and Valence ( which Cities alone held for the League tVcoio'n.T''* 
 in Vatiphine ) but alio, that as a Catholick and a Stranger , he fhould forfake the •^'^''"'p ^-"f"* 
 King's party , and joyn with the Vnion, that trial proved vain i for the anfwer he fiver.'"' *"' 
 received was. That he was indeed a Catholick , and an obedient Son to the Apofto- 
 lick See in Spiritual things i but that having made his fortune, as a Soldier in the 
 fervice of the King oiFrance, he could not dtfift from following him v and, following 
 him, he was bound to do that to Grenoble and Valence, which he thought fit for the af- 
 fairs of the Prince whom he ferved. By which anfwer, the Legat was a little dafhed 
 who was fo much the more troubled, when being come to Lyons, he found the bufi- 
 ncfs of the League in fuch diforder, by the King's profperous fuccefs, that he was fo 
 far from obtaining any thing elfe, that he could neither have fecurity , nor convoy, to 
 profecute his journey i for the Count of Bnjjuc, appointed at firlt by the Duke of 
 Maymne to meet him , and fecure his paffage , was necelTitated to face about , and 
 imploy himfelf in the affairs of Normandy, and Moniieur de la Bourdaifiere , to whom 
 that Commiffion was given afterward, had been defeated by the King's Forces under 
 the command of the Sieur de Tratin, near Bar upon the Seine ■■, fo that being reduced 
 into very great perplexity, he knew not by what refolution to fteer his courfe, fo vari- 
 ous were the things that reprefented themfelves to his confideration. The Duke of 
 Nevers being retired home, and not interelfed on either fide, invited him to come into 
 his State, where, ftanding neuter, as befitted one that reprefented the Apoftolick See, 
 he might freely take thofe waycs that fliould appear moft convenient to himj and 
 this determination feeincd to agree with the Popes intentions and inftrudions. On 
 the other fide, the Duke oi Miyenne ceafed not to follicite him to come to Paris; 
 fhewing him, that without the authority of his name, and without thofe helps which 
 were hoped for from him, the League was in danger to be diifolved, and to be fub- 
 dued by the King's Forces i and by confcquence, not only the City of Paris, but all the 
 reft of the Kingdom would remain opprelfed by the Hugonot party. The King did 
 rot at all defpair, but that, if he could not be wrought to come into the places under 
 his obedience, he might at leaft be pcrfwaded to flay in fome Neutral Town out of the 
 way, and perchance to go to the City of Avignion, till he faw the iffue of the Duke 
 of Luxembonrgs Embaflie ztRoine; to forward which hopes, he had caufed to be 
 publiflied , That if the Popes Legat, who was reported to be coming, fliould take 
 his journey toward him , every one fhould receive, honor, and reverence him, ta- 
 king care neither to offend him, nor any of his followers, and fliould by all means 
 give him fafe condudt and fecurity : But if he went towards the quarters of the 
 League , he did exprelly forbid every one to ackaowledge him for a Legat, or to re- 
 ceive him into thofe places that were under his obedience, upon paia of Rebellion. 
 
 K k k Bat
 
 454 
 
 15^0. 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 The Cardinal 
 legat hav ng 
 overcome ma- 
 ny doub:s and 
 diSicultics,ar. 
 lives at Ptrii. 
 
 The Publica- 
 tion if the 
 Popes B:tvc at 
 farih snrt the 
 eontent thcre- 
 ef. 
 
 The Parlia- 
 ment of Tciwrj 
 forbids to ac- 
 knowledge the 
 Legate and the 
 Parliament of 
 i'.iris exhort- 
 ed all to c»ivc 
 bimduc tcvc> 
 Tcnce. 
 
 All the learn- 
 ed men fight 
 foi their faSi- 
 ons with their 
 Pens, as the 
 Soldiers with 
 tbeii Swords. 
 
 But the Legat did not only think it unfafe to go to the Duke of Nevers^ a weak Prince, 
 who had neither Fort nor principal City, wherein he might (helter himfelf from the 
 fnarcs of the HttTomti , and unhandfome to return back : But alfo he efteemed it much 
 more indecent and prejudicial to abandon the Catholick party v and by that demon- 
 flration, utterly to confound and dejedt the mindes of thofe who were for the League, 
 with amanifeft increafe of the King's Forces and reputation j from whence a greater 
 mifchief would have followed in Spiritual then in Temporal Matters i becaufe, to the 
 Popes diflionor, the Catholick party would have been abandoned through his default, 
 and the King, who at that time, for fear of his enemies, made (hew both in words and 
 adions that he would turn Catholick, would be left free with power to do what he 
 pleafed, without refpcdt of any Body i and finally, he thought with himfelf that he 
 was come into France^ not onely to compofe (tie Difcords, but principally to endeavor 
 the fuppreffion of the King o( Navarre, an enemy to the Church, and the eledtion of a 
 new King depending wholly upon the Pope, as a friend ai»d confident to the Kingdom 
 of Spain. This opinion had fo much power with him , that being grounded upon 
 decency, and not finding any obftacle to the contrary in his CommilTion, he rtfol ved 
 at laft to fatisfie the party of the League , and to go on without delay to Pans : 
 Wherefore feeing the Duke of Mayenne extreamly taken up with Military employ- 
 ments, he fent Monfignor Biancheiti to the Duke of Lorain , to demand a Convoy of 
 him for his fafe paflage i which being obtained without difficulty , palling by Dijon 
 and Troys, he came upon the Twentieth day of January into the City of Parii, being re- 
 ceived with moft folemn pomp, and lodged in the Bifhops Palace, richly and fumptu- 
 oufly furnilhed with the King's fluff, taken out of the Lodgings of the Louvre. At 
 his arrival , he caufed the Popes Breve of the Fifteenth of OCtober to be publiflied i 
 wherein, after an honorable commemoration of the merits of the Kingdom of France 
 toward the Apoflolick See, and of the reciprocal benefits and kind demonftrations of 
 it towards the moft Chriftian Kings in all times, and after having compailionately 
 deplored the prefent troubles and calamities, he attefted, that with thecounfel of the 
 Cardinals he had chofen Cardinal Gaetano Legat to the Kingdom of France, with power 
 to ufe Cby the Divine affiftance) all means which by him (hould be thought fit, to 
 proted the Catholick Religion, to recall Hereticks into the bofome of the Church, to 
 rciiore the peace and tranquillity of the Kingdom i and finally, to procure, that under 
 one onely, good, pious, and truly Catholick King, the people of the Kingdom might, 
 to the glory of God, live in quietnefs and tranquillity, after fo many dangers and cala- 
 mities of War : wherefore he did pray and exhort all the Orders and Degrees of 
 Fr^wf to perfevere in the Catholick Religion, and labor, by the glorious example of 
 their Anceflors, to extinguifh and root up the evil of Herefie, to cut off the occaGons 
 and roots of difcord i and that particular enmities and quarrels being finally buried, 
 and thofe fatal ruinous Civil Wars being laid down, they fhould refolve to yield obe- 
 dience to a lawful truly Catholick King » and the Divine Worfhip being teftored un- 
 der his fhadow and protedlion, to live in charitable union and concord '-, being in the 
 mean time obliged to receive the Cardinal Legat with due reverence, and to put in 
 execution his fatherly admonitions j thereby to reap, befides temporal earthly fruits, 
 the divine heavenly benedidlion. 
 
 Two different Declarations followed upon the publication of this Breve i one, of the 
 Parliament of Touri, by which all perfons were forbidden to obey or acknowledge the 
 Legat i the other, of the Parliament o( Paris, by which all were exhorted to receive 
 the fatherly love of the Apoflolick See, and to give due reverence to the Legat's Ad- 
 monitions. After which contrary Declarations , (learned men defiring to fight for 
 their Fadions in their way, no lefs ardently then the Soldiers,) there came forth ma- 
 ny Decrees of Parliament, and infinite Writings of particular perfons, decifions of the 
 Sorbonne , Letters of the Legat , Anfwers of thofe Prelates that followed the King's 
 party, and fo great a quantity of Books fpread abroad thorough all parts by curious 
 nien,that it well appeared there was no Brain that laboured not, nor Pen that writ not 
 in the defence and confirmation of the Rights of each party i but with Co much perti- 
 nacy ot Minds and Reafons, all ftriking as it were at the mark, of the coming and power 
 of the Legat, that it was an eafie thing to confider, how Spiritual arms,wrcfted and in- 
 terpreted divers ways, in the heat and inconfideratenefs of War, were rather like to 
 fupply new fuel to the fire, then to extinguifli the flame already burning i whereby Car- 
 dinal Gaetano within a few dayes perceived the falfity of his firff opipion, and that 
 
 it
 
 ef France. The Eleventh "BooL 
 
 4? 5 
 
 i5^o« 
 
 it had been better counfel to have ftaid neutral, fince that by coming to Paris he made 
 himfelf Lcgat onely to one of the Fadtions i which did not onely trouble him be- 
 caufe it was very different from the mind and deCgns of the Pope, but becaufe he be- 
 gan alfo to know clearly the weaknefs anddifordersof the League. 
 
 The affairs of the Vmon were at this time, very doubtful and uncertain : For the 
 diverfity of pretenlions, and the contrariety of the ends of the Confederates, did fas 
 the cuftom is J difturb the courfe ofthe enterprife, and did not onely hold thedelibe- 
 tations of mens minds in fufpence, but alfo the effeds and operations of common in- 
 terefts, which by reafon of the King's celerity and refolution, had no need of delay. 
 The D\ike o( Mayenne, Prince of the Faftion, and Head of the Enterprife i who with 
 the Authority of his Perfon, the Prudence of his Government, and his experience in 
 War, managed the weight of all things, efteemed the reward which fliould refult from 
 the blood of his brothers, and his own induftry, juftly to belong unto himfelf i and de- 
 figned either to transfer the Crown upon himfelf, and his own pofterity, as had hap- 
 ned in the times of Pepin and Charles Marteli or if that could not finally be obtained 
 to confer it at leaft upon fome Prince who (hould acknowledge it totally and abfo- 
 lutely from him : Yet obferving his wonted integrity and right intention, he was re- 
 Iblvcd never tofuffer, that the Kingdom fhould in any manner be divided, muchleis, 
 that it fliould fall into the hands of a Foreign Prince. The King of Spain on the Princes that 
 other fide, who from the beginning had fecretly, and now openly proteifted and fo- ^'^p'"'' '°'t* 
 mented the League, and who in late years had fpent Two millions of Gold in the fmwrtT " 
 ferviceofthe Confederates, and was fain now, befidesthe maintaining of Horfe and 
 Foot, to contribute vail fums of money, both in publick and privateV and who (aw, 
 that without his Supplies, which muft be great and potent, not onely the Enterprife 
 could not fucceed, but alfo, that the League could not fo much as fubfift, but be fpee- 
 dily diffolved, thought it more than reafonable , and more than juft, that the expences 
 and loffes being his, the fruits and profits fliould be fo likewife j and therefore, befides 
 a moft fccret hidden intention of uniting the two Crowns, or to make that of France 
 to come to his daughter the Infanta Ifabella, born of Queen Elizabeth , Eldeft fitter to 
 Henry the Third : He fought alfo to be publickly declared Protestor of the Crown 
 of France, with Royal pre-eminencies, and authority to provide for the Offices of the 
 Crown , to chufe the Governors and Commanders in War, to difpofe of Prelatical 
 dignities, and to have the power belonging to a fupream Prince : and this was demand- 
 ed and openly laboured for by his Agents, who were Don Bernardino Mendozza, the 
 Commendatory Morrea, Juan Baptijia Tajfis, * Veedor General of his Armies, who Was 
 newly come for that purpofe from Flanders. The Parifians, who faw the foundation 
 of the Fadion confiftcd in them, not onely by reafon of the abundance of people, and 
 the power of the City, but alfo of the continual Contributions from whence they deri- 
 ved the finews of the War, thought it belonged to them to difpofe of the Crown : 
 And being ill-fatisfied with the Dake o! Mayenne, becaufe of his unprofperous fuccefs 
 in the War,both in that the Fauxbourgs feemed to have been loft by his delay, and that 
 through his want of diligence, the City was in a manner befieged,and in great fcarcity 
 ofprovifions, they inclined to fubmit themfelves to the will of the Spaniards,hopivghY 
 means of their Forces utterly to deftroy the King, whofe very name they hated bitterly > 
 to extirpate the Religion of the Hugonots, whereof they naturally were enemies i and 
 by the Moneys of Spain to be eafed of the intoUerable burden of Contributions, as the 
 Catholick King's Minifters went cunningly, promifing and bragging both in publick and 
 private. On the other fide, the Nobility who followed the party of the League, and in 
 whofe hands were the Arms and Fortreffes, averfe from fubmitting themfelves fo the 
 Spanifli dominion, defirous of a French King, and affedionate to, or intereffed with the 
 Houfe o(Gttife, inclined to favour the Duke ofMayenne i and following his Name, and 
 obeying his Command, neccllitated all the reft of their party to depend upon him, and 
 to order themfelves by the motions of his will, and the authority of his Government. 
 In the Parliament many were inclined to favour the King , and defirous that he 
 would turn to the Catholick Faith , that they might acknowledge and obey him : 
 and univerfally the major part of the Counfellots were far from fuffering either that the 
 Kingdom fliould be divided, or that it fliould come to a forraign Prince. The Duke 
 of Lorain, from whom the League received nofmall incrcafe offtrcngth and repu- 
 tation , thought that the Kingdom appertained to his Son the Marquifs du Pont , 
 as being born likewife oE Claude, the Sifter of Henry the Third, and took it very 
 
 Kkk a ill 
 
 * CmtH'iiHtj'x 
 
 Gentml,
 
 4?^ 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 15^0. 
 
 A Tteity of 
 
 Agreetrtnt be- 
 tween Henry 
 the Fourth,and 
 the Duke of 
 Majcnnt, 
 
 compofed, who jultii 
 and flackned th; 
 blifh that bond. 
 
 Nor could 
 be unknow 
 
 ill that any other of the Houfe oi Lorain fliould dare to ftand in competition with him,the 
 Head and Chief of the Family. The Duke of Savoy likewife pretended a right to the 
 Kingdom, becaufe he was born oi Margaret^ the Silkr of King Henry the Second ■■> and 
 trufted that he (hould perchance be favoured by the Spaniard , but perfwaded himfelf 
 certainly, that he Ihould have the protedtion of the Pope. Thefe two Princes, befidcs 
 their deligns upon the Crown, had alfo other particular aims , The Duke of tor<ii« 
 to get Mitzi^Thonl.Verdm^znd the Dutchy of 5f^j«, upon which places he bad divers 
 pretentions. The Duke ofSavny^ to conferve the Marquefate o( Saluzzo, znd by that 
 (as it began after to be difcovered) he hoped to joyn Frovence to his State j a very com- 
 modious Province, and opportune, by reafon of the footing he had there already, pof- 
 feiTing in it the City and County of Nizza. The Duke of Nemours and the Duke of 
 Mercctur thought alfo of this divifion of the Kingdom into many parts : The firft, out 
 of a defire to reduce his Government of Lyons into a proper Signory j the other, to 
 attain Bretagne, which by ancient rights he pretended did belong unto his Wife: and 
 many others among particular men, who, out of a deGgn to reduce their Govern- 
 ments into pi trimonies, .would willingly have followed that refolution. Of fo great 
 diverfity of iiumours anj^efigns, and of fo great variety of Counfels was the League 
 
 thwarting one another, intelrupted the courfe of affairs , 
 ;rewith from the beginning they had confpired to efta- 
 etp^OTJfo have no other end,fave that of Religion. 
 oPVounfelSjOr the uncertainty of the refolutions of the League 
 by reafon of the experience he had of them, and of the intelli- 
 gence (W|tu^^HSS*>ny to him, and therefore endeavouring to draw advantage from 
 theqj^-jj^P^fKe profit of them, he had, from the time he departed from Diepe , 
 gwrnM^iy, upon his parale, to the Marquifs of Belin ( who had been taken pri- 
 foner in the bufinefs oiArques) with Commiflion to proffer peace to the Duke of 
 MayeHne in his name , and to exhort him, as a Prince of a good moderate nature, not 
 to confent to the pernitious thoughts of (Grangers i but that freeing himfelf from the 
 vexations of the common people, and from the arts of the Spaniards, he would hearken 
 to a good wholfom Accommodation, for by that means he might with more defert 
 and honor obtain whatfoever he himfelf could defire of him; And at the fame time 
 he had brought to pafs under-hand, that the Catholicks of his party (hould pray the 
 fame Marquifs to befeech the Duke of Mayenne from them, that he would exhort and 
 perfwade the King to turn Catholicks for that was the way to reduce him into 
 the bofom of the Church > and with his honor and reputation to reftore peace and 
 tranquillity, fo neceffary , and fo defired of all France. But the Marquifs having 
 done his meffage, and reiterated it again after the King's departure from the 
 Fauxbourgs of Taris, the thoughts and reafons were different, not onely in the minds 
 of his Counfellors, but alfo of the Duke of Mayenne himfelf. They that favoured the 
 Propofitions of the Catholicks of the King's party, faid. There could be no refolution 
 taken, either more to the purpofe, or of more benefit and honour to the Duke, let the 
 event be what it would h for if the King fliould accept the invitation, and make him- 
 felf a Catholick, Difcords would thereby be buried. Religion fecured , the Kingdom 
 come into the hands of the lawful Succeflbr, and an end put to the fatal revolutions of 
 Civil War: That the name ^ of the Duke would thereby remain glorious to all the 
 World, as the Author of fo great a goods his intentions would be jufiified, and the 
 end of his taking up Arms would plainly appear, with the eternal Benediftions of all 
 the people of France : That as a confequent of fo pious a work, would ^refult the free- 
 ing of the Cardinal of Bourbon^ who, in fo decayed an age, one ought to believe, defired 
 rather his liberty,and a quiet paffage out of this life, than a vain fhadow of dominion ac- 
 companied with a moft flrid imprifonment : That thereupon likewife would follow 
 the freeing of the Dukes of Guife and Elbxuf, of whofc recovery they had for a long 
 time had but fmall, or no hopes : And finally, that the ftate of the Duke himfelf, and of 
 his pofterity, would be as great as he himfelf knew how to ask or defire. But if the 
 King fhould refufe to fatisfie his requeft,and fliould perfevere in the Hugonot Religion, 
 then not only the reafons o the League would be juflified to all the World, to the con- 
 fufionof thofe who did finifterly interpret the adions of the Confederates i but alfb 
 the Catholicks who followed the King,defpairing of his converfion , and having found 
 the falfnefs of his promifes, would all forfake him i whereby he remaining onely with 
 the dependence of a few Hereticks, it would be eafie to fupprefs him, and make an 
 lionorableendoftheWar by Vidtory. . On
 
 (?/~ France. Th Eleventh ^oo^ 
 
 457 
 
 On the other fide, they that diiTwaded from that refolution, faid , That the War 
 being wholly grounded upon the point of Religion, that overture could not be made 
 without a precedent Licence fronn the Pope, whom it concerned to approve and con- 
 firm the Kings Converfion : And that the Duke of Mayenne not being abfolate Prince 
 of the League, but onely Head of his own party, ought not to proceed to fo important 
 and fo peremptory an ad:,without the confent of all thofe that followed his party, and 
 of all the Princes that adhered to and favoured the League; For if the Pope (hould 
 not approve of his converfion, whatfoever he fliould have treated or refolved on , 
 would remain void and of no effedi: i and if the Confederates fhould not follow his de- 
 termination, they would chufe another Head,and he would be left deprived of the prop 
 of the Catholick party, and unhappily expofed to the will of his enemies : That this 
 was a plot of the King himfelf, to beget diltruft between him and his party, and to fow 
 difcords and fufpicions among the Confederates : That it might be,he would fain him- 
 felf a Catholick, to the end , he might more fecurely difpofe of Religion at his own 
 pleafure i in which cafe, the roo hafty, and too fimple credulity of the Duke, would 
 for ever be condemned •, and likewife that the King, to break the Union of the League, 
 would promife mountains of Gold, but without any fecurity i that being fetled King in 
 peace, he would not after obferve that, or the leaft part of that which he had promi- 
 fed i from whence, to his eternal blame, would follow the ruine of himfelf, and all his 
 adherents : That the courfe of prefent affairs required, he fhould continue united with 
 the reft of the Confederates : That he fliould not difguft the Pope, nor alienate the 
 Catholick King, nor the Duke of Lorain : That he fliould not be abaflied for the ill 
 fuccefs of the beginning, but hope, that as God had revenged the Blood of his Bro- 
 thers ; fo he would give him afllftance to eftablifli Religion, and exalt his ftate to the 
 greatncfs he hoped for. The Duke was moved on the one fide, by the juftnefs of 
 the Propofition of thofe of the i- ings party, as alfo by his anger at the inftability and 
 impertinency of the Parifians : The fcarcity of money afflided him, for want where- 
 of he knew not how to pay his Foreign Forces, nor howtofatisfie the demands of all 
 the Garrifons, and all the Governors, who addreffed themfelves to him for whatfoe- 
 ver they needed j but the cunning and obduratenefsof the Spaniards troubled him 
 more than all the reft, who having caufed the Sieur de la Moihe^ Governor of Grave- 
 line^ to come out oi Flanders with Supplies, to the very Frontiers of the Kingdom, de- 
 nied to make him advance any further, or to pay any fum of Money for the mainte- 
 nance of the War , if the Catholick King were not firft declared Protedlor of the 
 Crown of Fra>ue, with authority to difpofe of the principal Dignities, as well Ecclelia- 
 ftical as Civil ( which they called Lof Marcas de Jujiicia) whereby he would have 
 power and fuperiority over the League i which things feemed to him Co exorbitant , 
 fo prejudicial to the Crown, and fo unfit, that neither he himfelf could endure to hear 
 of them i nor did he believe, that any of the Confederates , except the Parifians , 
 would condefcend unto them j knowing, that it was a putting off the Bridle into the 
 hand of the Catholick King, to give him leave to guide the event of things whither- 
 foever he pleafed, at laft, to dire^ them. But on the other fide, the doubt of being 
 left alone and forfaken, the uncertainty of the Kings Converfion, and of his Word, the 
 ancient enmity ftirred upagiinft him, and much more the hope of attaining theOown 
 for himfelf at laft, did not fuffer him to confent to the Marquifs de Belin's Propofi- 
 tions: Wherefore he fent him back to his imprifonment with general ambiguous 
 words, and cut off the propofed Treaty of Agreement. And, to remedy fas much as 
 in him layj the diforders of prefent affairs, partly by importunity, partly by cunning, 
 partly by terror of Arms, he caufed the Council of the Vnion to be very much mode- 
 rated, which from the beginning was compofed of feditious pcrfons, and fuch as did 
 not depend wholly upon him, and would have the Archbifliop of Lyons ( newly fet at 
 liberty by Captain <^« Gjjf for a great fum of money, and come to P^rk) to execute the 
 Office of High Chancellor , and in that quality to be Prefident of the Council i and 
 brought into it the Sieur de ViUeroy and Prefident Jeannin^ Men that were his Confi- 
 dents, and averfe from condefcending to the will of the Spaniards v and increa- 
 fing the number, he put in fo many of the principal Gentlemen, that he did no longer 
 fear the infolency and inftability of the common people in thofe deliberations which oc- 
 curred daily i and yet to fatisfie all in appearance, he caufed a Decree to be made in the 
 Council, by which the Princes, Peers, Marefchals of France^ Governors of Provin- 
 ces, Officers of the Crown, and the Three Orders of the Kingdom were ap- 
 pointed 
 
 15^0. 
 
 The Situr At 
 U Moike refu- 
 fts to advance 
 beyond the 
 Fronriers, un> 
 lefs the King 
 of S^ain be 
 declared Pro- 
 tefior of the 
 Crown of 
 F.««te, with 
 authority to 
 difpofe of th« 
 ctiitf Ecdefi- 
 aftical and 
 Temporal Dig- 
 nities j TOhic^ 
 Prerogatives 
 were other- 
 wife called, 
 Maf\s of 7«. 
 /lie. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Majntnt will 
 not hearken ta 
 an agreement 
 niih the King. 
 
 The ArchW- 
 fiiopof i,«,t 
 lately prifoner 
 at ^rjttoifey is 
 made High- 
 Chancellor to 
 the Duke of 
 Maytnnt.
 
 438 
 
 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 1590. 
 
 Dointed to meet at Melun in the Moneth of February following, to hold the Sfates- 
 Gencrl there where all prefent affairs fhould be deliberated, and refolved on with 
 the common confent : Which appointment, though men of underftanding faw, that 
 in refpcd of the confufion of the War, it was like to prove vain, it not being polTi- 
 ble cither to meet, or ftay together in a place that was in the middle of the combu- 
 ftion ferved neverthelefs to bait the common people, who are fooner catched with 
 vain' but fpecious things, then with fuch as are ferious and fubftantial. 
 
 With the Spaniards (who importuned him moft earneftlyfor the Declaration) the 
 Duke held another temper , excufing himfelf by the coming of the Cardinal Legat, 
 who already was very near, without whofe affent and prefence, he faid it was not fit 
 to conclude a bufinefs of fo great moment i and fed them with hopes, fo artificially, 
 and with fo much diifimulation, that, they not diftrufting the inclination and ready 
 confent of the Legat, it was eafie to perfwade them to ftay his coming .* Neither 
 therefore would they make the fupplies advance, or disburfe any fum of money, alledg- 
 ing the fame reafon, that for their parts they would ftay for the approbation of the Car- 
 dinal Legat. But becaufe the Parilians, liraightned with fcarcity of Vidual, mur- 
 mured exceedingly, ( nor did it appear, that in that, they were much to blame ) the 
 Duke drawing together all the Forces he had in being, laid liege to Fontoije, to open on 
 that fide a paffage for the provifions of Normandy. 
 
 In the mean time, the Cardinal Legat arrived, with whom the Duke of Mayeme ha- 
 ving had an interview at P4m,many of the principal Lords, who were neareft at hand, 
 being there prefent, and among the reft Cardinal Gondi (who fince the King's death, 
 being retired to tioyfy^ a houfe of his Brothers the Marefchal de Ketz, had kept himfelf 
 neuter) they began to treat of the progrefsof the affairs of the League. The Spani- 
 ards above all infifted upon declaring the Catholick King Proteftor, and upon the 
 Marks of Jujike they demanded for him i and were fomented by the Council of 5/;c- 
 teen, who affirmed, there was no other oppofition againft it, but that of the Duke of 
 Mayenne-t and that the whole party would willingly concur tofatisfiethe Catholick 
 King, as he from whom they acknowledged the fecurity of Religion, and their own 
 fafety. On the other fide, the Duke refilled, with the major part of the Nobility, and 
 with the Counfellors of Parliament, who were refolved not to confent unto it : And 
 feme inconveniency might have fprung from it, if Cardinal G(«ef<»«o had not put the 
 Spaniards in mind. That it was no time to ftand upon thofe demands, nor to force 
 the wills of the French unfeafonably : That it would make them agree, and reconcile 
 thcmfelves to the King oi Navarre^ who not being wanting to himfelf, propofed large 
 and advantageous conditions: That the maturity of the bufinefs was to be waited for, 
 and mens mindes were not to be put into fufpicions unfeafonably , for that without 
 doubt the event would be the dilfolution of the League, with the danger of Religi- 
 on, and ruine of the whole enterprife : That it was needful firft to withftand the Arms 
 and progrefs of the King, left he by means of thofe difcords (hould have time to eftablilh 
 himfelf i andthen that danger being removed, neither ways nor occafions would be 
 wanting to fatisfie the Catholick King's intereits , which he in due time would ad- 
 vance and favour with all his power > And it fell out very opportunely , that about 
 the fame time, either by chance or cunning, fome Articles of Agreement were divulged, 
 between the King,and the Duke oi Mayeme^ which were reported to have been conclu- 
 ded by Monfieur de ViVeroy for him,and the Marefchal de Byron on the King's part j and 
 many aflirmed,that they were moft true,and already fubfcribed by the Dutcheffes of 2V>- 
 tnoMrs and Mayenne ■■, the one Mother, the other Wife to the Duke, who indeed 
 were againft the Spaniards demands i whereby that hapning, which ordinarily is 
 wont, that Fear overcomes all other Pallions, and removes all other impediments, the 
 Spanifli Minifters agreed at laft, that Juan Baptijia Tajfts , one of their number, and 
 the Sieur de Koffietix for the Duke of Mayenne, ihould go together into Spain, to know 
 perfonally the Catholick King's intentions, which the Duke of Mayenne affirmed to be 
 different from what his Minifters reported, and to bring back the order that was to be 
 obferved in theadminiftration of common affairs. 
 
 In the mean time they confented, that the Supplies from Flanders (hould advance, to 
 
 unite themfelves with the Army of the D. o( Mayenne j who, Fontoife being once taken, 
 
 purpofed to march forward and meet the enemy. The Cardinal-Legat added 
 
 the Three hundred thoufand Crowns which he had brought from Rome in Bills of 
 
 Bnkeof Maj. Exchange, which Cfeeingfor the prefent, they could not be (pent for the enlargement of 
 
 the 
 
 A falfe tamot 
 is divulged, of 
 a Treaty of 
 Ajrecmcnt,1 
 which incrci- 
 fes the conPn- 
 finnof thcP». 
 irifii)D>. 
 
 The Spjtriardf 
 confent, that 
 the Supplies 
 of fUntlcrs 
 (bould ad- 
 vance , and 
 V vn with the
 
 of France, The Eleventh "Boo!^ 
 
 4iy 
 
 the Cardinal oi Bourbon) he had, upon the neceflity of the enterprife, granted to the 
 Dakc, fince he abfolutely denied that the Army could move, if it got not at leaftfome 
 part of the arrears of its pay. 
 
 On the other fide, the Duke of May;nne confented, that the Colledge of Serbonne 
 (hould make a Decree, conrirmed by the Cardinal Legat, that no Agreement fliould be 
 treated of with the Heteticks, nor particularly with Henry oi Bourbon^ who was decla- 
 red to be relapfed and excommunicated j nor fhould hold any commerce or intelli- 
 gence with him, upon the fame pain of Excommunication and Herefie : To which 
 the Duke more eafily gave confent, becaufc at that time his mind was utterly averfe 
 from an Accommodation, and full of hope, remaining vidlrorious over his enemies, to 
 reduce things to that point which he aimed at fecretly in himfelf. 
 
 The difcords being thus compofed and quieted, the Duke, defirous to piece up his 
 reputation loft in the aflaults at Dicpe^ and in the lofs of the Fauxhourgs of Paris^ be- 
 ing ftirrcd up and filled with hopes by the Cardinal- Legat, moved with his whole Ar- 
 my to befiege Metilan^ a fmall place, but feated upon the Pafs of the River Seine^ at the 
 entring into Normandy^ which therefore next to Pontoife, hindered the bringing of 
 Vidtuals to the City of Paris. Mmlan is a little Bourg enclofed with ancient Walls 
 which fpreads it felf along the bank ofthe5«'Ke: from thence there is a convenient 
 pafTage over a fpacious Bridge into an Ifland in the midftof the River, which reduced 
 into the form of a Fortrefs, is defended and flanked with four Ravelines after the mo- 
 dern way i and from the Ifle there is a pafTagc over another Bridge to the other Bank 
 of the River, where there is a great Tower of ancient building, which ferves as a de- 
 fence and fortification to the Bridge. Colonel BerangueviVe was in Meulan with four 
 . Companies of French Foot , fifty Swit7ers, and eighty Light-Horfe ; who thinking 
 that after the taking of Pontoife ( which Town had capitulated to furrender ) the 
 Duke of Mayenne^ to fatisfie the Parifians, would come on to befiege that place, had 
 with exceeding great diligence caufed the Bourg to be encompalTed with a good Trench 
 flanked with Half-moons i and the fame had he done to the great Tower which 
 Hands beyond the River upon the entry of the Bridge, the Itle being already well 
 enough fortified before ." At the fame time he hkewife difpatched feveral meffen- 
 gers to the King, to demand relief: and having ordered his men in a readinefs,and gi- 
 ven Arms to thofe of the Bourg, had taken a refolution to defend himfelf to the utter- 
 moft. The fiege being laid on that fide where the Bourg ftands, the Duke of Mayenne 
 caufed a Battery to be planted, which began to play upon the Defendants with eleven 
 pieces of Cannon i but fo great was their diligence in repairing their Works, and fo 
 great annoyance did the Army receive as it were in the flank, from two pieces of Ar- 
 tillery planted in the point of a Raveline in the Ifland, that the fiege went on with great 
 diflkulty,and exceeding flowly : Wherefore the Duke,angry that fo fmall a place (hould 
 make fo obftinate a refilhnce (for he had already been ten dayes at work about it^aufed 
 the SkuT de Rhffne,onc of his Camp-Marefchals,to pafs over to the other fide of the .Jwif, 
 and make a Battery againft the Tower of the Bridge, to flraighten the Defendents on 
 all fides. 
 
 In the mean time, the King , who was quartered between Lifieux and Ponteau de 
 Mer, with a defign to befiege Honfleur, which was the onely Town in the lower Nor- 
 mandy that held for the League, having had notice of the eager fiege at Meulan, rcfijlv- 
 ed to march prefently to relieve it : for the greateft hope of his Arms confiding in the 
 blocking up and cutting off provifions from the City of Paris, with confidence that he 
 fhould break the llubbornnefs of the Citizens, and that the impatiency of want and 
 necefl^ity would make their mindes incline to Peace i he faw that the taking of Meulan 
 would open a large paflTage for abundant fupplies of provifions : wherefore being de- 
 parted from Lifieux the fourteenth of February^nni having taken Verniteil by the way, 
 he marched C though orderly ) with fo great diligence, that having gone forty leagues 
 in feven dayes, he appeared upon the one and twentieth with his Army in Battalia 
 within fight of Meulan, on that fide where the Tower was befieged and battered by 
 the Sieur de Khofne, who having but a fmall part of the Army with him , and there- 
 fore unequal Forces to continue the fiege on the field-fide, drawing off his Cannon, paf- 
 fed the River in Boats that waited for him, and went into the Duke's Camp j and the 
 King entering perfonally into Meuhn on that fide, and giving due commendations to 
 the Defendents, left Three hundred SwifTes, and two hundred French Fire-lcwks there » 
 and retiring to his Army, quartered in the places near adjacent. 
 
 The 
 
 i5Po. 
 
 Cardinal 0«= 
 in" grants 
 unto the D. 
 
 three hundred 
 thoufand 
 crowns, 
 brought for 
 enlarjementof 
 the Cardinal 
 of Biurbcv. 
 The Decree of 
 the Colledge 
 of ScTbcitne. 
 
 iltulin ftandJ 
 upon the Stirt 
 below Parii. 
 
 A defcriptidt! 
 of the fituati- 
 on of MtnLiit} 
 and of the 
 fiege !aii to it 
 by the Duke 
 of Mjiyennc,
 
 440 
 
 i5po. 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil l^ars 
 
 Ths Duke of 
 
 tcr >5 days, 
 raifes the fiejc 
 of Meu'.an, 
 and inarches 
 towaids Koueii 
 to appeife 
 netv [roubles. 
 
 The King be- 
 ficgeih lireux 
 
 The Duke of Maytnne knowing that the King would not attempt with inferiour 
 Forces to pafs the River in the face of his Army , continued with confidence to batter 
 the place i and the Cannon having made way with about Five hundred (I'ot, the af- 
 faultwas given upon the Two and twentieth day ", which was folharp, that the De- 
 fendents would not have endured it long, if the King at the fame time, fending in frefh 
 men on the otiier fide of the River, had not given them new courage and new ftrength i 
 and yet neverthelefs , having loft the firft Trench, they were reduced to their inner 
 Works with fmall hope of defending them, if the Marefchal de Biron had not come in 
 with a'grcat many Footi who bringing other Cannon into the Ille, which raked 
 thorough their flank with a very great flaughter, forced the AfTailants at laft to retreat 
 towards the evening. Yet the Duke of M.iyenne ftill perfiftcd in his refolution to 
 force the place, judging, that his glory would be fo much the greater, if he could take 
 Meulan before the King's face, by how much the more difficult he efteemed the enter- 
 prife , in regard of the hourly relief which the befieged received from the far fide of 
 the Reiver. But the King having changed his quarters, and after having furnifhed 
 Meulan with all things ncceffary, having lodged his Army upon the great high-Way 
 that leads to Taris^ the Dukeof M(yf««f was conftfained to fend the Duke of IVf- 
 mours thither with fome Light-horfe, to prevent the tumults and precipitate defpair of 
 the people: after which diminution of his Army, it fortuned, that news came prefent- 
 ly, how the old Caftle at 'Rouen was feized upon by fome feditious perfons, and that 
 the whole City was brought into very great danger and confufion : wherefore, upon 
 the five and twentieth day he refolved to raife his fiege, and to march that way with- 
 out delay, (fo much did accidental chances alwayesaifift the King's proceedings j and 
 yet the danger of 'Rouen vanifted without any trouble : for the Sieur de la Londe, who 
 commanded the Soldiers, having driven out thofe that made the tumult the fame night, 
 and alfo the Sicur d" Allcgre , who was the Head of them, reftored the City unto its 
 former quietnefs. But the Duke of Mayenne , thinking it at laft impolTiblc to take 
 Meulan, confidering tiie hourly relief it had from the Kingi and not being willing to 
 lofe time, and deftroy his Army upon a vain entcrprife, refolved to draw off, and with 
 eafie marches to meet the Supplies from Flanders and Lorain, which he had intelli- 
 gence were advancing fpeedily towards him. 
 
 On the other fide, the King being intent upon cutting off provifions from Parh on 
 all iides, refolved unexpedledly to affault theCity of Dreux, his mind giving him 
 that he fliould take it before the Duke of Mayenne returned, and fo not ontly totally 
 fhut up the palTage of Normandy, but alfo keeping a ftrong Garrifon there, cut off and 
 moleft the wayes of Bfj/({ff, and hinder the free paffage between Chartres and ?aris. 
 The Sieur de la Falandre and Captain la Viette, were in Vreux, both valiant Soldiers; 
 who having a fufficient Garrifon, received the fiege very conftantly, which was begun 
 upon the laft of February, fhewing in the firft skirmiflies both firm refolution of mind, 
 and great experience in War : which opinion conceived of them, they did the more 
 confirm at the Marefchal deBiro>i's viewing and difcovering the place: for they laid 
 him an Ambufh of many Musketicrs, fecretly placed in the moat, by whom Charles 
 Brife the chief Cannoneer, who was clofe by him, Captain la Boulaye, and two others 
 of his own fervants were flain , he himfelf being ftiot upon the Target with three 
 bullets, and beaten to the ground, was not wounded byreafon of the goodnefs of his 
 Arms i but yet he had much ado to get off, and had certainly been taken prifoncr by 
 the Enemy, if his fon the Baron, who followed him very near, had not opportunely 
 fuccoured anddifingaged him. The valour of the Defendents was not lefs in other 
 adions: for the Artillery having made a great breach by the third of March, the King 
 commanded the Foot to aflault the Curtine, at which fighting gallantly from noon 
 to Sun-fet, the Defendents at the laft beat back the King's Forces with a very great 
 flaugl^terj and following them vidlorioufly into their Trenches, flew three Captains 
 there^ arid two hundred foldiers. About this time the King received feafonabic af- 
 fiftance from many parts : for having called unto him all the fupplies of the Provin- 
 ces, firft of all the Marefchal d'Aumont joyned with him, who led the Gentry of Cham- 
 pagnf,zr.d One thoufand and two hundred Keiters newly fent out of Germany by the 
 Skut deSancy ; and a while after, the Grand Prior and the Baron de Giury came up 
 with Two hundred Gentlemen, and three hundred Light-horfe ; and at laft Captain 
 'Kaulel Governor of Font de I' Arche , the Commendatory de Chattes, the Sieur de I' 
 ^rc/p^?/»3 and othei Gentlemen, brought in the Forces of Normandy: after vvhofe arri- 
 val.
 
 of France. The Eleventh ^oo\. 
 
 441 
 
 vai, the King, defirous to try the laft pufli for the place he had befieged, caufed four 
 other pieces of Cannon, with great ftore of Ammunition to be fetched from Meulan 
 where they had been left, and began to batter it afrefh with very great violence. 
 
 But the news of the btlleging of Vreux being come to ?am, it is not credible hovlr 
 inuch mens minds were altered by it, and how much the people murmured and mu- 
 tined at it, being expofed more than all others to future dangers, and to the prefect 
 diftreffes of hunger : wherefore the Cardinal-Legat, and the Spanifh Minirters being 
 very much troubled, endeavoured not only by means of the Preachers, to appeafeand 
 chear up the Citizens, but foUicited the Duke of Mayenne with frequent Letters, and 
 refenting Meflages, fpurring him up with often vehement complaints, and feeming to 
 wonder, that having much a Wronger Army, he ftiould let the principal City, on which 
 the mofl fecure hopes of the League relied, to be brought into fuch fcarcity, that it 
 was necefTary to prevent thofe imminent infurre<9:ions which were fecretly laboured 
 for on the Kings part i that fo much money had now been fpent, and fo much pains 
 taken, and that nothing had been done favc enterprifes of fmall or no account to the 
 fum of affairs » and that it was evident, nothing elfe was endeavoured, nothing elfe 
 pretended, but toconfume time unprofitably, and tire out the patience of the Confede- 
 rates i and the Three hundred thoufand Crowns fent by the Pope being once fpent, 
 with what money would he maintain his Army for the future * with Contributions of 
 the Parifians, who having been already long blocked up, and reduced to extream want 
 of neceffaries, were fain to pay ten Crowns for a Bufhel of Wheat, and to live upon 
 Bread alone without any other fubfiHance ? that every one delired he would at laft 
 make tryal, whether the Swords of the Confederates could cut as well, and were aS 
 ftiarp, as thofe of the Bearnois, ffo they called thofe of the Kings party) and that the 
 Catholick King had not emptied his Garifons of Flanders, to the end, his Souldiers 
 fhould lofe their time in idlenefs i that it was manifcftly feen how much a mans re- 
 folution was to be valued ; for the King without money, without being prop'd up by 
 Confederates, without Friends, and in a manner without any Towns, had in a few 
 months traverfed all France, taken more places and Forts than there were days in the 
 year, and now fiercely and refolutely threatned the City o( Paris it felf, even in the 
 face of the Army of the League. 
 
 The Di}kc o{ Mayeniie moved by thefe complaints, earneftly redoubled many times, 
 though in his own mind he feared the unexpertnefs of his men, and did much efteem 
 the valour of the Nobility that followed the Kings Camp > yet was he rcfolved to 
 put it to a day, becaufe the great advantage he had in number made him conceal his 
 own opinion i and his being Head of the Confederates, forced him to manage the 
 War by the diredions of others, fearing many inconveniences if he fliould have gone 
 about to manage it his own way : Wherefore being joined with Count Egmont, who 
 brought from Flanders Fifteen hundred Lanciers, and Four hundred Carabines ■> and 
 having met Colonel St. Faul (bme two days after , who brought Twelve hundred 
 Horfe, and Two thoufand German Foot out of Lorain ■■> he began his march without 
 further delay to raife the fiege of Vreux, and come prcfently to the ilTue of a Battel. 
 The Flemifh Cavalry were excellently well horfed , and gallantly fet forth with Silk 
 and Gold, but generally undervalued in refpe<ft of the French Gentry: On the other 
 llde, the Carabines, armed for the moft part with back, breft, and pot, and mounted 
 upon nimble horfcs of a middle fize, being expert in all encounters , were not only 
 e(kemed by their own, but, which imported more, feared by their Enemies. The 
 Germans led by St. Tattl, had been raifed in the name of the Sieur de Sancy, who fent 
 by the King to the Princes of Gcrwj«)' , and having obtained money from the Lant- 
 Gravc of He^e , the Count of Mombelliard, and from the Cities of Vlme and Narem' 
 bers^h, had levied Horfe and Foot to join with the Marefchal d' Aumont in Champagne, 
 which the Cavalry profperoufly did i who by the way of Laitgres (though by a vari- 
 ous palTage) came to the place appointed i but the Infantry being come near the City 
 of Strsbsitrsr, was encompafled by the Duke of Lorain, and to free themfelves from 
 danger, broke their Faith h and having received new money in the name of the Confe- 
 derates, was come into the Camp of the League, under the command of Colonel St Paul: 
 With, thefe Forces, and the old Army, which amounted in all to the number of Four 
 thoufand five hundred Horfe, and little Icfs than Twenty thoufand Foot : The Duke 
 furniflied with viftual, and all things neceffary, reviewed his Army diligently upon the 
 Ninth of WW;, and having given his Souldiers leave to reft all the day following, 
 
 L 1 1 upon 
 
 15^0. 
 
 At the newt 
 of thefitgeof 
 Drtvr, the 
 people of P»» 
 ri! mutiny. 
 
 TheDuteoP' 
 Majtnae joint 
 niih the Spa- 
 nidi Supplies 
 from Flmdni, 
 and marching 
 toirards 
 Drtux, refol- 
 vetb to fight. 
 
 The German 
 
 Infantry rai- 
 fed for the 
 K. of Frtnct, 
 turn for the 
 League, under 
 the command 
 ofCol.St,/'d»I. 
 
 The Army of 
 the League 
 being 45oo 
 Horie, and 
 a GOOD Footi 
 march to re- 
 lieve Ttrcut.
 
 442 The Hislory of the CM Wars 
 
 Sculdicrt. 
 
 1 590. upon the Eleventh day in the morning he moved toward Vreux^ which Town Was ftili 
 fiercely battered and aflaulted by the King. 
 The King xi- But the King having intelligence , that theDuke of Mayenne increafed in ftrength, 
 thVi'rcom^L advanced towards him with a refolution to fight i being deceived both by the con- 
 laffcs"he"° ftancy of the defendents, from whom he did not think to have met with fuch refi- 
 '*'£*• fiance i and by the celerity of the Duke, who he did not believe would fo fuddenly 
 
 have joined with the Supplies of the Confederates, determined to raife the fiege, being 
 not well refolved to fight, by reafon of the inequality of Forces > yet intending (in 
 cafe lie fhould come to a battelj to find out the moft convenient place, and moft ad- 
 vantageous ground that he could for his Army. The Artillery was drawn off upon 
 Munday, being the Twelfth of March, in the morning i but becaufe the King would 
 have the Baggage to go before, and that the Army fhould march in Battalia, the day 
 was already almoft fpent when the Camp moved, nor did they arrive at Nanancourt^ 
 their appointed Quarter , till many hours of the night were paft : At which time, a 
 mighty ftorm of rain falling from Heaven, among terrible thunder and lightning, put 
 the whole Army into a very great fright, as well becaufe retreats are always formidable 
 to thofe that know not the intimate fecrets of command , as by reafon of the fame 
 which was fpread abroad of the powerful Forces of the Enemies '■> and becaufe both 
 Fortune and the Weather feemed to confpirc in prejudice of that Army, which almofl 
 half drowned, marched as if they were flying under favour of the dark, though clofe 
 pro"g>''f«n '" ^'^^ ranks and files of their Divifions. The terrour of the rawer men, was increafed 
 Yy the Kingi by a prodigious Apparition, which as the rain ceafed, appeared in the midfl of the Skie i 
 
 ' for there were feen two wonderful great Armies, of a red bloody colour, which rufhed 
 
 vifibly together in the Air, amidft the horrible noife of the thunder-, and, within a 
 while after, the event not appearing, they both vanifhed , and were covered again 
 with exceeding thick and moft obfcurc clouds i which though it were diverfly inter- 
 preted by many, feemed molt probably to portend mifchief and ruine to that Army, 
 which infcriour in ftrength, and altogether void of other help, than that of their own 
 Forces, retired, as it were already conquered, while the Enemy advanced i and Co 
 much the more, becaufe thofe were the very places, where, in the firft Civil Wars, the 
 Kings PredeceiTors, and his Fa<ftion of the Hugonots, loft the firft Battel againft the 
 Duke of Guife, wherein the Prince of Conde in the midft of the terrible flaughter of his 
 men, was both wounded and taken prifoner. But the Army being come to Nonaucourt^ 
 (z Town which had been taken two days before) and refrefhed both with great fires 
 kindled in every place, and with plenty of visual, which the Marefchal de Byron caufed 
 to be difpofed with very good order thorow the whole quarters, as well of Horfe as 
 Foot, the Souldiers recovered ftrength and courage : and the King being come to his 
 lodging with the Marefchals of Aitmont and Byroiu, began to confult whether he fhould 
 venture the hazard of a Battel. One thing diffwaded him from it, which was the in- 
 Aimy 30C0 equality of the number of the two Armies i for in the Kings, there were not above 
 "000 Foot!^ Eight thoufand Foot, and Three thoufand Horfe, which were about half as many as 
 that of the League i and if he had a mind to avoid the encounter, there was alfb conve- 
 nicncy to retreat beyond the River Eure into places of lower Normandy^ all abounding 
 with provifions, and all reduced to the Kings obedience \ where, with variety of op- 
 pofition and of effefts, the Enemy might be hindred and kept in play. But not only 
 the promptnefs of the Kings nature inclined to generous refolutions, but alfo the con- 
 dition of prefent affairs withftood that determination : For his Forces confifting in the 
 Union of the Gentry, who ferved upon their own charge, without pay or reward, it 
 was necefTary to make ufe of them in the firft ardour of their courage, and not to fuffer 
 Rcifons mo- their firft fury to be cooled by their expences and fufferings. To this was added, the 
 ^^fight, "^ want of money, which was very great and irreparable, for the payment of the SwifTes, 
 '^"^g'^'^'' and other ftrangcrs i fb that they could not be long maintained and kept together: 
 ly half than* Whcrcas on the other fide, there was no doubt but the Enemy would never want means, 
 the Lear'u' ^^^ ^^'v ^^ fuftain, but alfo to increafe their Forces to a greater number, whenfbever 
 ° ■ it (hould pleafe the Pope, and the King oi Spain : And finally, the Kings foundation was 
 wholly grounded upon franknefsof courage and refolution, it being neceifary to hazard 
 the lefTer to obtain the greater: and becaufe all other hopes were weak,necellity perfwaded 
 to fet the fum of affairs upon the edge of the Sword i nor could it fcem other than faint- 
 heartednefs and cowardize,not tofecond^that profperous beginning,which fortune had fa- 
 vorably ftiewed him.To all thefe reafons was added,the opinion of the Marefchal de Byron 
 
 Cwhofe 
 
 The Kinji
 
 o/" France. The Eleventh ^oo^ 
 
 443 
 
 Cvvhofe counfels, by reafon of his wifdom and experience, were by the King obferved 
 as Oracles) who thought it not only difficult, but in a manner altogether impoflible 
 to avoid the putting of it to a Battel, and to retire without receiving fome notable 
 lofs in paffing the Rivers , if the Duke of Mayenne (hould follow them in the Reer : 
 And he judged it better advice to fight refblutely with the vigour and forwardnefs of 
 the Army , than to be deftroyed piece-meal , without the leaft hope of any good : 
 Wherefore the King, being determined to fight, defigned the form of the Battel i and 
 having asked the counfel of the oldert Souldiers about it, all of them approved his 
 opinion without contradiction. 
 
 The King knew the Enemies Array abounded with a great number of Lanciers, 
 3vho being fpread at large along the field, there was no doubt but they would break 
 in, and by confequence endanger the putting of his Cavalry in diforder, compofed all 
 of Gentlemen- Voluntiers, who ferving upon tlieir own expence, without pay or ob- 
 ligation, had in the revolution of the Civil Wars given over the ufe of Lances , for 
 their conveniency, and as more ready, had taken Pillols in their iteads, in imitation 
 of the Reiters : Wherefore defiring by induftry to remedy this difadvantage, which 
 he, and the moft experienced Commanders were wont to deplore, he divided his Ca- 
 valry into many Squadrons, to render the encounter of the Lances left efiedual i in 
 whofe pafTage, two or three leffer Bodies might charge them on all tides, and not re- 
 ceive the fliock of their front, with a firm encounter and continued order. To every 
 Body of Horfe he joined Squadrons of Foot, to the end that the hail of fmall (hot 
 might not only favour his own men in the encounter, but that falling among the Ene- 
 mies, and doing execution upon them , it might make them weaker , and their vio- 
 lence the lefs united : a remedy whic.i for the need thereof in the difference of Arms, 
 having often been confulted and approved of, did that day give proof how confiderable 
 it was in effedt. The King having invented the Form wherein the Army was to be 
 drawn up and imbattelled, gave the delign thereof into the hand of the Ezionde By- 
 ron Camp-Mafter-General ■■> and chofeMonfieur deVky^ an old Colonel of the French 
 infantry, and a man of great valour and experience, Serjeant-Major- General i an Of- 
 fice, for the high importance of it, not wont to be conferred but upon fuch perfons as 
 by their approved knowledge and long pradice in remarkable occafions, had gotten 
 the credit and reputation of Command, and confequently both knew and were known 
 of all. The remainder of the night was fpent in reft, till the Drums and Trumpets, 
 at the firft peep of light, gave notice o( the approaching day j in the beginning where- 
 of Mafs was celebrated in all the quarters of the Catholicks, and the Hugonots made 
 their Prayers apart : after which, the whole Army being come forth into the field, the 
 Carriages of provifion palTed without tumult or confullon thorow all the files, the Ma- 
 rcfchal de Byron having care thereof, whofe orderly Government, to the admiration 
 of all, (hewed his great experience in the difcipline of War. 
 
 The Army being refreflied and fed, they began with lefs hafte than they had done 
 tlie evening before, to march toward the field of IV)', appointed by the King for the 
 place of Battel, as well becaufe it was large and fpacious on all iides, as by reafon of 
 msny places of advantage, which he Cpreventing the Enemy) had defigned to make 
 himfelt Mafier of. This field takes the compafs of many milts in a circular form i it 
 is bounded on the left fide Ton which the Kings Army came) by two great commo- 
 dious Villages, one called I'ottrcaniiUe ^ the other St. Andres and on the other (ide, 
 where the Army of the League marched, a thick Wood (huts up the Plain, commonly 
 called by the Country- people, '^ Le clus ds la prairie : on the Weft-fide, towards which 
 both Armies marched, it ends in a deep Valley, in which runs the River Eure, of a 
 rea(bnable breadth, upon whofe banks are two great Bourgs, Ann towards the South, 
 and Itij fituatcd on the other fide towards the North. The River under Anet is 
 wont to be eafily forded without danger i but a large Bridge of planks, upon great 
 pieces of timber, leads from the further fide into Iiry. The field flat and open on all 
 fides, not encumibred with hedges , nor uneven with banks and ditches, hath only a 
 little natural hollownefs, which extends it felf a little way, almoft in the midft of the 
 plain right over againft the above-named Village of FoiinanviUc. The Sieur ds V'cy, and 
 the Baron de Byron^ together with the Sieur de SHrene, and Captain Favjs^ who that 
 day executed the Office of Adjutants, being all rode before into this place, drew up the 
 Army as it came, and difpofed it in fuch manner, that the Village of St. Andri flanked it 
 on the right fide, and Fonrcanville on the left '■> wherein, the ill weather continuing, they 
 
 L II 2 might 
 
 I5j)0. 
 
 The Kir.» de- 
 fign! bit form 
 of Battel, and 
 iHaws IE witb 
 bis utTD bind, 
 
 * The bidgt 't 
 mc'tfuTZ of tilt 
 mciicv. 
 
 The iBjnr.ei 
 of drawing up 
 the Kings At- 
 mj for the 
 battel in the 
 field of TvTfJ,
 
 444 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5P0. 
 
 T (I'PdiiLn/i)! 
 five bundrt,i. 
 
 * The Ftemh 
 fty fuur bwi- 
 
 might quarter upon all occafions conveniently under cover : and the hollow of the Plain 
 happened to be in the Front of the Army, where the Forlorn-hope f which they call 
 Les Enfant tcrdus) was to be placed. The Duke of Mompetifier led the Van , the 
 King commanded the Battel, and the Marefchal de Byron the Reer. The Cavalry of 
 the Army was drawn into hve Bodies, whereof the firft, led by the Marefchal d' Au- 
 mont with two Regiments of Firelocks by it, Itood upon the left hand, in the utter- 
 moft' part of the field. Next it, was the fecond, commanded by the Duke of Mont- 
 penfisr flanked on the right hand by a Squadron of Svviffe Infantry, and on the left by 
 anothe'r of the Germans. The third, bigger than all the reft, in which was the Kings 
 Perfon the Prince of Conty, the Count of St. Pattl^ and the choicclt number of Lords 
 and Gentlemen , was flanked by the Swiffes of the Guard on the right hand, and by 
 thofe of Colonel Bjltbjzar on the left. The fourth, led by Marefchal de Byron, fol- 
 lowed on the right hand of this, and had neer it two Regiments of French Firelocks. 
 The fifth and lail, of German Horfe led by Count lheodori:l{_ of Schombergh^ reached 
 down to the houfes of the Village of St. Andre. Two other Squadrons of Horfe bc- 
 fides thefe were in the front of the Battel, fome fifty paces before all the reft i one 
 commanded by the Grand Prior and the Baron de Giury, wherein were four hundred 
 Light-horfei and the other by the Baron de Byron, in which were three hundred Cui- 
 rafles : And in the midft, between thefe two Squadrons, were placed the Artillery, 
 commanded by Philibsrt de la Giikbe, with ^ fifty Harquebufiers on horfeback, two 
 hundred Pioneers, and the ordinary company of Cannoneers. The Forlorn-hope, led 
 by three Colonels, St.P^«fcf, Brignolet, and Parabiere, fome fifty paces before the Ar- 
 tillery and the whole Army, lay clofe in that hollow that was in the midli of the Plain, 
 fo that it could not be hurt by the Enemies Cannon i and kneeling with one knee on 
 the ground, could hardly be difcovered by thofc that knew not of their being there. 
 In this manner the Army, not in a crooked form, or (hapc of a Half-moon, but fpread- 
 ingitfelf in a ftraight line, had an equal front, except only that the Grand Prior, and 
 the Eaion de Byron with their Squadrons, and the Artillery, being advanced forwarder 
 than the reii, covered the main Body of the Battel. . They had not yet made an end 
 of ordering and imbattclling the Army, when two Several fupplies from feveral parts 
 came up unto the King : for the Sieurs dn Tleffis, de Motty, and de Lt Ti-an)niUe, came 
 out of FoiCwt with about two hundred Horfe i and out of Picardy the Sieur de Hu- 
 mieres with about * fourfcore Gentlemen, birred up by the report which was fpread 
 abroad that there was like to be a Battel about that time : which fupplies, tliough 
 fmall, yet coming (b opportunely, and being increafed by fame, gave wonderful cou- 
 rage and affurance to every one, all being of opinion that it was clearly the mercy of 
 Heaven in favour of the King, who unexpectedly received thofc helps, in (b urgent a 
 time of need: and every one more eftceming the iiappinefs of the Omen, than the 
 confiderablenefs of their Forces , they were welcomed with loud joyful acclamations: 
 and that they might not dillurb the order of the Army, they went into the Kings 
 Squadron placed jufi in the middle of the Battel. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne on the other fide having intelligence that the King was rifen 
 from the fiege of Vreux, and that being neither ihyed by any hinderance of the rain, 
 nor by the darknefs of the night , he marched with exceeding great fpced towards 
 Normandy, was of opinion that he, by reafon of the inequality of Forces, would have 
 avoided the hazard of figluing, and therefore haftened the march of his Army, hoping 
 that the ufual confullon of all Retreats might afford him feme opportunity (efpccially 
 in the paflage of fo many Rivers j to break, or at Icall endamage the Enemy: and 
 being not only the belief of the General , but the univerfal opinion of the whole Ar- 
 my, every one of his own accord quickned his pace, promifing themfelves an exceed- 
 ing eafie, and very fecure Vidory without lofs of blood : from which hade it came to 
 pafs, that though the Army marched as clofe as they could in their ranks, yet were 
 the Squadrons of it fomething confufed, and almoft quite difordered, by the unequal- 
 nefs of the way. But going on with this diligence towards Tirj, with an intention 
 to take the King in the palfage of the River, the Sieurs de Klufie and GtjJ'jn, who led 
 the fir ft divifions, in the entry of the Plain difcovered the Kings Army ; which, drawn 
 up in Battalia, and having the advantage of the Field, expeded the encounter of the 
 day. This news, which pafled from Van to Reer, did in great mcafure cool the cou- 
 rage of many, who already had inconfiderately promifed themfelves the Vidtory with- 
 out fighting, and caufed the Army to makeja halt to draw up and recover their order. 
 ■ - The
 
 of France. The Eleventh 'Eoo{. 445 
 
 The Army of the League was divided into two Battalions, whereof the n'oht waj led l55>o» 
 by the Duke of Nemours, and the left by the Chevalier d' Attmale. In the point of I^' T'a"'' 
 the Right Wing was the Count cP Egmont, with the Landers he had brought out of oftheLajue 
 Flj>tdirs\ next which were a Body of SwiiTes commanded by their Colonels, Fifer J"' ""''»■"'- 
 and Berli:ig, and flanked with tlie Regiments of Yonfcnjc, Vifemieux^ and Chajhlisre. 
 Then the Duke of Nemours his Regiment, wherein were Four hundred Horfe i and 
 between thefe and the SwifTes were placed the Artillery.' In the Left Wing Four hun- 
 dred Light Horfe, Burguignonsand Spaniards, fpred therrifelves in the uttermoft parts 
 to the very edge of the Field, and by the lide of them, the Body of German Foot, 
 commanded by the Colonel St. Paul^ and flanked by the French and Lorain Pv.cgiments 
 oi Iremblecourt, Tenijfay^ and Chajiaigneraye-t and next thefe, was placed the Squa- 
 dron of the Chevalier d'' Anmale, wherein were the Troops of the Sieur de Longchamp^ 
 de terdriel^ and de Fount jine Martel. The Duke of Mayenne with his Cornet and Four 
 hundred Gentlemen , which in all made Seven hundred Horfe, was in the midft be- 
 tween the two Wings, flanked by the Flemifh Carabines ■, and before all were two 
 Squadrons of Reicers led by the Duke of Bric>ifn>kk^^ and by Bajfiimpier^ who were to 
 charge , and wheel off after their wonted manner , and fo pailmg between the two 
 W'ings, fhould fall as a Referve, and rally themfelves in order, that they might return 
 rrjore frefli into the Battel. 
 
 In this order, the Army marching gently toward the Plain , and by degrees turn- 
 ing their backs to Ivry , and the banks of the River, came up to face the Kings Ar- 
 my, when the day was already almoft fpent , for having marched diforderly , they 
 had been forced to wafte a great deal of time to rank themfelves again : Whereupon 
 the near approaching of night, together with the conftant extreamity of wet wea- 
 ther, withheld both Generals from giving way, that the Battel Iliould be begun i but ^, . . 
 after they had flood thus fome two hours, faintly skirmilhing, becaufe each was care- r«eonTano. 
 ful not to engage their Forces, the day being already fhut in on every fide, the Kin<y ther.hutbeins 
 drew his Army with a great deal of conveniency into Footm;;///,?, and St. Andre, and thcni!;h:"hsy 
 the Duke of Mayenne w'ltU as much inconveniency was fain to quarter his men as well "'"«"quir-. 
 as he could , having but very few houfes i which want he fupplied by the help of 
 Tents and Pavillions, fet up within the defcent of the valley, toward the bank of the 
 River. The night was full of unquietncfs, and continual llir on both fides, kindlin"- 
 great fires very thick in each Camp , and Sentinels being fct out all over the field 
 which were changed every half hour by the Colonels who went the rounds i though 
 the Kings Army, by rcafonof the abundance of victual, of the con veniency of houfes, 
 and becaufe the Infantry was enclofed on all fides with barricadocs, relied more quietly 
 and by their eafe received greater refrefhment. The Duke of Mjyenne , a Friend to 
 fecure counfels, would willingly have avoided the encounter of a Battel, fpinning out 
 the War in length, to tire out the forwardnefs of the Nobility that followed the King, 
 to reduce them into want of money , and in length of time to make them confurrie 
 their Ammunition of War, whereof he knew they had no very great ftore i thinking 
 by thefe arts, he fhould at lall perfed his defigns. But on the one fide. Count Eg- 
 tnjnt oppofed it with fierce proteftations, that he was not come to confume the Ca- 
 tholick Kings Souldiers unproiitably, who depriving his Low-Countiics of their own 
 Forces to allift Fvcligion in France, defired the War might be ended with one manly 
 blow. And on the other fide, it was oppofed Cthough more modeftlyj by Monfignor 
 GiroUmodl Port/j, who was prefent in the Camp in the Lcgats name, and who allcdg- 
 ingthe wearinefs of the Confederates, and the great fuperiority of Forces, excited the 
 Duke to a generous refolution : Nor was he himfelf without fome conlideration of the 
 Parifians, whom he knew to be tired with contributions, pinched with dearth, unfa- 
 tisfied with him, and ready (if things fliould be drawn out in length) to cm.brace the 
 opportunity of a revolt v wherefore at hft, he rcfolved he would no longer defer the 
 encounter. Thereupon the next morning, being JVednefday, the Drums and Trum- 
 pets calling at the firll appearance of day, the Armies were imbattclled in the fame place 
 and manner as they had been the night before: But becaufe theVifcount delavannes, 
 who put the Horfe in order, while the Sieur de Khofne did the like unto the Foot, was The crroutof 
 extreamly fhort-lighted, he placed the feveral Divifions fo clofe to one another, that 'tevifcomit 
 he not only left no fpace thorow which the Reiters, according to order given, might drwi'ns'dp'" 
 wheel about, and rally behind the Army, but even the very Divilions themfelves, not 'heDivlfiori 
 having any intervals, by means whereof, they might open when they ircved.- if they " ' '"•"*• 
 
 did
 
 * 44^ 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Ifars 
 
 i5j)o. 
 
 The King all 
 armM on 
 horfe-bjck, 
 vifits and cx- 
 boiis his Soul* 
 diets with 
 great efficacy, 
 and ac ihe 
 head of his 
 Army, lifting 
 up bis eyes to 
 Heaven, pray- 
 ctb heartily. 
 
 The fiffn of 
 Dattcl °ivcn. 
 
 Count £^Hum 
 and his Lan- 
 ders all cat in 
 pieces. 
 
 did but ftir never fo little, juftled and crouded one another \ a fault, which not being 
 taken notice of by any body, and being therefore left without remedy, put the Army 
 of the League into great confufion. 
 
 On the other fide, the Kings Forces, by reafon of their lefler number being eafier 
 to put in order, were not only fet in Battalia without confulion i but rirft the Maref- 
 chal de Byron, and then the King himfclf vifited every Divifion with great diligence, 
 and reviewed every thing very carefully. The King was upon a great Bay Courfer, 
 armed all over, except his face and head, and gallopping up and down thorow all the 
 feveral Squadrons, did more by his looks and geflures , than by his words, which 
 could fcarcely be heard by the multitude, recommend his own fortune, and the com- 
 mon fafety unto his Army i in which, his whole ftrength confifted, and with it the 
 heighth of their common hopes : And he with an undaunted countenance, but fome- 
 times with tears in his eyes, put his Commanders, and all thofc that heard him, in 
 mind, that not only the fafety of the Crown of France, but the fole way to fave each 
 mans particular life depended upon the point of the Sword, and the valour of their 
 own Arms i that there were no other Armies to be drawn together, nor other Nobility 
 to take up Arms, or open any other way of fafety, than to tight ftoutly to the death : 
 And at lall-, /landing flill at the head of the main Battalion, joining his hands, and 
 lifting up his eyes to Heaven, he faid fo loud, that he was heard by many, Lord^ 
 thou kjiotvejl the intentions of my bejrt, and rvitb the "Eye of thy Providence, thou pierceji in- 
 to the fecreteft of my thoughts ; If it be beji fur this people^ that I (hoiild attain the CrojvM, 
 rvhich belongs to me by right, do thou favour and protect the jitjiice of my Arms : But if thy 
 rriU hath determined the contrary, if thou tah^eji arvay my Kingdom, tal^e axpay my Life alfo 
 at the fame time, that I may Jhed my Blood fi^htirg at the head of thefe n>ho put themfelves 
 in danger for my fake. At the end of which words, there arofe in the Front of the 
 Battel, a loud acclamation from thofe that heard him, with an unanimous cry of Vive 
 le Roy; which being taken and redoubled from Squadron to Squadron, thorow the 
 whole Army, gave a moll happy beginning to the Battel. But he having taken his 
 Helmet, covered with a long gallant plume of white Feathers for a mark, that he might 
 be followed, and knowing that the wind was againft him, which would have covered 
 and blinded all his Army with the fmoak of the Muskets and Cannon, began with great 
 art to make his Divilions wheel to the left hand, turning to gain the wind, yet mo- 
 ving but a very few paces > which the Duke of Mayenne feeing, who likewife flood in 
 the Front of his Battalion, and being delirous to hinder whatfoevcr the Kings inten- 
 tion was, caufed prefently the fign of Battel to be given by the Generals Trumpet i 
 at the found whereof the Cannon fired with a thundering noife, but with fo different 
 art, care, and fortune, that the Dukes fhot all too low, and killed not any body but 
 a Gentleman of the Duke of Montpenfiers •, and the Kings, by the diligence and skill 
 of Monfieur de la Guiche, being charged and difcharged the fecond time, did with a 
 very great flaughter diforder the two Squadrons of F\eiters which were in the Front of 
 the Army , and alfo did much mifchief to Count Egmont, who with his Lanciers. flood 
 on the outfide of the Left Wing, and who being unwilling to (lay till they fliould fire the 
 third time, and utterly rout his men, was the firft that gave the On-fct, falling upon 
 the Grand Priors Light-horfe with fo much gallantry, that they not being able to refift 
 the violence of the Lances, and the furious fhock of llrongcr horfes, were broken into, 
 and charged quite thorow the very mid it of their Squadron i fo that the Flemings in 
 contempt ran in, turning their horfe tails upon the Kings Cannon, and killing many 
 of the Cannoniers and Pioniers which were by them i but having half difordered 
 themfelves by this vanity , they were at the fame time charged with very great fury 
 on the Right hand by the Marefchal d' Aumont, on the Left by the Baron de Byron 5 
 and the Grand Prior with the Baron de Guiry, having rallied their horfe again, being 
 full of fpight and anger, gave them fo defpcrate a charge in the Front, that being fur- 
 rounded by all thefe in Van, Flank and Reer, they were all inilantly cut in pieces with 
 the Count that commanded them. At the fame time the Squadrons of the Duke of 
 Monipenfur , and that of the Duke of Nemours in the Van-Guard, and the Count 
 Schomberghs , with that of the Chevalier d' Aumale in the Reer-Guard, charged one 
 another with fo much valour and courage on b,oth fides , that it was hard to know 
 which would have the advantage at the lad : For the Duke of Montpenfier, whofe horfe 
 vvas killed under him in the firll encounter, and who by the great care and courage of 
 his men was mounted upon another, being incompafled by the Gentry of Normandy^ 
 
 fought
 
 of France* The Eleventh ^qo\, 447 
 
 ■ ■ ■ 
 
 fought with admirable valour ; and the Duke of Nemours, very young, but of a gene- t^pQ, 
 rous fpirit, raifed by the advantage of the greater number of his Forces, (after the en- 
 counter of the Lances) was with ftiort weapons fallen pell-mell into the midrt of the 
 Battel. On the other fide , the Count de Schombergh with the German Horfc, not 
 wheeling off", but charging home into the very Body of the Enemy, with Volleys of 
 Piftols, did great execution upon the Squadron of the Chevalier d'' Attmale, who, ao 
 lets valiant than fame reported him, being feconded by a ftrong party of his men, 
 made the Conflidt very (harp and dangerous. But the Reiters who were placed before 
 the Duke o{ Mayenne, having received much damage by the Artillery, advancing ne- 
 verthelefs wheeling to make their charge : but when they came into the hollow of the 
 field, they found the Forlorn-hope, who ftanding up courageoufly upon their ket, wel- 
 comed them with a terrible ftorm of Musket-bullets, by which the Duke oiBrunfwk^^ 
 one of their chief Commanders being (lain, and many other wounded and beaten to 
 the ground, aflbon as ever they had difcharged their Piftols, they fell off according 
 to the cuftom of their Difcipline, turning to get behind the Body of the Army, as they 
 had received Orders from their General : but not having found the paiTage open, as by 
 diredionsit fliould have been, they, by reafonof the narrownefsof the Intervals be- 
 tween the Squadrons, rufhed upon and difordered that great Body of Lances where- 
 with the Duke o^Mayenne followed them to charge the Battel,fo that he was conftrained 
 to flop, and make his men couch their Lanches, fetting himfelf to keep off" the Reiters, 
 and difingage himfelf from them, left he (hould have been routed by their inconfiderate 
 violence : which the Kingobferving, and laying hold of the opportunity that difordef 
 of his Enemies aff"orded him, fetting fpurs to his Horfe, and being boldly feconded by 
 the flower of the Nobility that followed his Cornet, he fell in fiercely to the Battel be- 
 fore the Duke of Mayenne could recover himfelf from the incumbrance of the Reiters, 
 and make his Lances take their career i whereby they becoming ufelefs, becaufe they 
 do their eff"e<ft and receive their force and vigour by running, it was neceffary to throw 
 them away, and fight with their Swords alone, againft the Kings Squadrons, in which 
 all were Knights and Gentlemen, who befides their Tucks, were admirably well armed, 
 and had each man a Cafe of Piftols at his Saddle : yet did not this ftartle the valour of 
 the Duke, nor make thofe that followed him lofe courage j but after a furious Volley of 
 Carabines ruffling in boldly with gallant horfes, they made the Vidory nrft doubtful, 
 and then bloody to the Enemy : for in the very beginning, the Sieur de Rhodes, a youth 
 of great expedlation , who carried the Royal white Cornet, being flain with a thruft a pagt being 
 thorow the fight of his Bever, and a Page falling in the fame place, who wore a great Jio,e T'^Ereat 
 Plume like that of the Kings, it was commonly believed of all that the King himfelf white Feather 
 was dead: upon which miftake, the Squadron began to break, feme yielding back to li'^wal'th^ulhc 
 the right, fome to the left hand : But the Kings Horfe and Plume being known after- the King him, 
 wards, he himfelf fighting defperately with his Sword in his hand in the firft rank, and '^''^''" """"^ 
 with his voice exhorting thofe that were near to follow him, they turned, and fliut 
 themfelves clofe together all in the fame place, and taking their fecond Piftols, fought 
 with the wonted valour of the French Nobility : fo that all impediments being over- 
 come and broken to pieces, they at length overthrew the Enemy with an exceeding 
 great flaughter, and made them turn their backs i and being mingled with them, pur* 
 fued them, terribly wounding and killing, to the very entry of the Wood, into which 
 the Reiters alio, being difordered, firft falling foul upon their Cannon, and then fome- 
 times upon one Squadron, fometimes upon another , were retreated , without ever 
 turning their faces, to their own infinite diffionour, and the no lefs prejudice of their 
 Army. Almoft at the fame inftant, the Duke of Moutpenfter, relieved by the Marefchal 
 d' Aumont, who fell in upon the flank, had routed the Vanguard of the Duke of Ne- 
 mouts ; and the Count of Schombergh, relieved by the Baron de Byron, had likewife 
 beaten the Reerguard of the Chevalier d'' Atimale v and the Grand Prior, having rallied ^he cariirt 
 his Light- horfe, had broken and done great execution upon thofe of the Spaniards and of the League 
 Bourguignons, who fliut up the Reerguard in the very uttermoft parts of the Army: fo ed'fa«''them- 
 that all the Cavalry of the League being difordered and put to flight, had left the field chives by 
 free unto the Enemy i and fleeing with all fpeed, made towards Xvry, to fave them- *'^'"" 
 felves by paffing the River. 
 
 But the ViAory was neither fecure nor pleafing in the Kings Camp, becaufe they did 
 not yet fee the Kings Perfoni and the firft news of his death that wasdifperfed, was 
 yet believed true by many : nor would there have been any joy in the Army,if he had not 
 
 appeared
 
 448 
 
 i5J>o. 
 
 The HiHory of the CM iVm 
 
 The Swtffcs 
 havt quarret 
 given cbcm. 
 
 The Dutch 
 
 that had betn 
 rjifed by the 
 King, anii bad 
 taken Arms 
 for the League 
 ace put 10 ibe 
 Sword, 
 
 The Kinjs 
 clemency to- 
 wards (he 
 French. 
 
 The Reiters 
 of the Ltaj^ue 
 bein» rfduced 
 to neceffity, 
 fight tiH they 
 aie ait de. 
 ftrejred. 
 
 Six thoiWand 
 of the League 
 Sain. 
 
 appeared at the head of liis Squadron, wherewith he had routed and purfued the Ene- 
 mies : But at his appearance, who had put off his Helmet to be better known, that 
 joyful cry of Vive le P-oy was reiterated , which in the beginning had given an happy 
 Omen of the end of the Battel. The Infantry of the League remained untouched, 
 but invironed on all fides by the Kings Forces. The Swiifcs rnade (hew as if they 
 would defend themfelves i but feeing that the Cannon were bringing up to rake tho- 
 row and break them, they took a refolution to yield i which the King feeing, becaufe 
 he would not exafperate that Nation, whofe friendfliip was nearly to be valued, aflbon 
 as they had laid down their Colours and Arms upon the ground, they were received, 
 and quarter given them by the Marefchal de Byron. The Germans thought to have 
 done the likci but being the (ame who having been raifed with the Kings money, 
 had revolted to the Duke of Lorain, and with a mercenary fpirit had born Arms in 
 favour of the League, after they had ordered their Pikes, and laid down their Colours 
 were by the Kings command all cut in pieces, for a punifhment of their perfidioufiiefs. 
 The French Infantry that yielded, had their lives given them : for the King from the 
 very beginning of the Vidory, having, to gain the generallove, cried out aloud often 
 times, that the ftrangers (hould be put to the Sword, but the French faved alive : the 
 fame voice being taken up by the whole Army, thorow all parts of the field , and 
 every one , even in the fury of the Battel , enjoying the benefit of this remarkable 
 clemency, the French that yielded themfelves were received without any difficulty. 
 Thefe things being difpatched with very great hafte, and the Army remaining Mafter 
 of the whole field, the King rallying his men in order , followed towards Tvry, whi- 
 ther the Enemy was gotten i in which place the tumult was dreadful, and the confu- 
 fion miferable : for the Duke of Mayenne having parted the Bridge, had caufed it to 
 be broken down, that the Enemy might not have means to follow him : Whereupon 
 a great number of Run-a-ways crowding and flopping one another.^ by reafon of the 
 narrownefs of the place, and of the deep dirt that was in the Town, did in that ter- 
 rible hurly-burly delay and hinder their own flights which difordcr the Kings Infantry 
 being come up, who fleih'd with the flaughtcr of the Germans, purfued fiercely to de- 
 ikoy their Enemies, many precipitated with fear, refolved to venture the wading over 
 the River , which being deep of it felf, and fwelled by the abundance of rain , the 
 greater part of them were miferably drowned. But the Reiters not having the heart 
 to haiard themfelves in the water , cut off their horfes legs , that they might ferve 
 them for a Breft-work, and refolved row to give that proof of their valour and cou- 
 rage, which they (hould much more fitly have done in the Battel. This execution, 
 rather than fight, lafted above an hour : for the Muskets playing upon them on all fides 
 from the higher grounds and places of advantage,deftroyed thofe reliques in fuch manner, 
 that very few of them remained alive i but not without much blood •> for many of the 
 Gonquerours , by their too hafty defire of getting to them , were either choaked in 
 the mud, and flaughter of dead bodies, er flain by the Reiters with their Piftols. The 
 Dake of Nemours, the Chevalier d' Amnale, Bajfompierre, Rhopte, the Vifcount de Ta- 
 vannes, and others, took a different way, and paffing by the Wood fide, with a longer, 
 but more fecure journey, retired to Chartrei without being followed. The Duke, Co- 
 lonel St. Paul, Montftgnor di Portia, and a great many Gentlemen who efcaped from 
 the Battel , having fled feven leagues with very great fpced , came to Mante , into 
 which Town they were received the fame evening, though the people at firft wavered 
 ki thchr refolution. The King omitted not to profecute them in the heat > but not 
 being able to pa(s at the Bridge of Tvry, which was already broken and beaten down v 
 to avoid the danger of whirlpools, he was forced to go about, and ford the River near 
 ylnet ; by which delay having loft above two hours time, he could not poflibly over- 
 take the Enemy, but quartered in a Village called Khofny, a league from Mante, where 
 the Marefchal d' Attmont, the Grand Prior, and the Duke of Montpenfier arrived alio » 
 the Marefchal de Byron flaying behind with the Infantry and the remainder of the 
 Army. 
 
 There died that day, what by the Sword, what in the pafl[ing of the River, above 
 fix thoufand of the Army of the League, among which the Count d' Egmont, the Duke 
 of Bruitfmck^, and the Sieur de la Chajhigneraye. There were taken the Sieur de Cy- 
 ^i^Kf, who carried the Dukes white Cornet , the Count of Jnfrifi, a German, the 
 ^larquifs de Magnelay, the Sieurs de Bois-Dauphin , de Medavid, de Long-champ, de 
 tlandre^ de Fontaine Mattel, and their Colonels, Teni^jy, Vifemilux, and Chajieliere. 
 
 The
 
 of France* The Eleventh 
 
 The Conquerors took twenty Cornets of Horfe, the Standard of the Flemifh Lances, i5PO. 
 the Banner of the Colonel of the Reitcrs, Four and twenty Enfigns of the5w7]Jf/,Six- Two hundrci 
 ty French Colours, Eight pieces of Cannon, with all the Baggage and Ammunition ""'^ f""' t"- 
 which followed the Camp. The number of the dead on the Kings fide, were not above ne"" «ken "v 
 Five hundred, among which the Sieur de Clermont^ Captain of his Guards, one of the •''^ King, wicii 
 German Colonels, the Sieur de Crenay, v/ho carried the Duke of Mo^f/."?/^?)-/ Cor- niV'aidBa"- 
 net, the Sieur de Loncannay, a Norman Gentleman, who being Threefcore and twelve ^'S' ■ on bit 
 years old, died fighting in the fury of the Battel, and the Marquefs de Nep, who be- bundulaila, 
 ing left Wounded upon the ground , died within a little while after. Among the 
 wounded, who in all were not full Two hundred, were the Baron de Byron, the 
 Counts of Cboyfy and Lude^ Maximilian de Betbitne, Sieur de Kofny, and the SieurSfi? 
 MoHtlnet, d' 0, and de Lavargne , of which hurts, they were cured within a few 
 daycs without any danger. 
 
 This was the Battel fought in the field ofTz/ry, upon the Fourteenth day of M;rrc/[' j 
 wherein, as the Kings valor appeared eminent, and his prudence wonderful j fo there 
 was no doubt, but that, after him, the firft praifes belonged to the Marefchal d' Ammt^ 
 the Baron de Byron, and the Duke of Montpenfier i fince that the firft two in the be- 
 ginning of the day, fighting gallantly, repelled the violence of the Flemilh Lances, 
 who were vidtorioufly come up to their very Cannons and in the latter end they de- 
 feated the Carabines, who having done much mifchiefto the King's Squadron, roving 
 afterwards up and down, and wheeling about the Field, did furioufly intell:, and hin- 
 der all the other Squadrons of the Vidory : And the Duke of MoHtpe»firr charging 
 the Enemies Right Wing, wherein was the flower of their youth , though his Horfe 
 were killed under him, he being fain to fight defperately, in very great danger, to 
 get upon another, and that before his eyes the Sieur ^j? Cmi^yi was llain, who carried 
 his Cornet, which he was fain to recover with much hazard i yet fought he with fo 
 great courage, that the enemies being routed and fcattered, he was one of the firit that 
 followed the King in the purfuit of thofe that fled. 
 
 But in all the revolutions of the Battel, which was for the mofl: part between the 
 Cavalry on both fides, the bravery of the French Gentry appeared very fingular, who 
 fighting for no ether reward, {ave only honor, being excellently well armed, and gal- 
 lantly mounted, had ftill the vidory in all encounters, though fighting often with 
 Swords and Piftols againft the violence of Lances i they alfo did fometimes find the 
 difad vantage of thofe Weapons, which their own conveniency, not the Diredtion or 
 Difcipline of their Commanders had taught them to make ufe of. On the other fide, 
 the error of the Vifcount de Tavannes was very remarkable, in placing the Divilions (b 
 near and clofe together, that they could not turn without falling foul upon one ano- 
 ther ■■> fo that not onely the Reiters, who were much- feared, became ufelefs i but even 
 the Duke of Mayenne^ who with great condudt dif-engaged himfclf from that fo great 
 ditbrder, was fain after to lofe the eifeft and vigor of his Lances : Which notable 
 example teaches , That in matters of War, Prudence, and bravery of Courage, ought 
 in a Commander to be alfo accompanied with a llrong and perfetft conftitution of bo- 
 dy, free from all defedts. Nor was the vanity of the Flemmings lefs contidrrable, 
 who out of a pride to turn their horfe- tails upon the Cannon, difordered thcmfclves in 
 fuch manner, that it was very eafie to break into them, and beat them back : For if 
 with the fame fury, wherewith they charged thorough the Grand Priors Squadron, 
 they had ruflied upon the Dake o[ Montpenfier who followed him, and had been back* 
 ed by the Duke of Nemours, wholhould prefcntly have given him a fecond charge, the 
 Vidfory might very eafily by that means have inclined in favour of the League. At 
 the fame time , the Kings Juftice and Clemency, worthy of eternal glory , appeared 
 likewife ; who, with an example of memorable feverity, commanded, that the Ger- 
 mans who had broken their Faith , fliould all be put to the fword to the laft man: 
 And on the other fide, with exceeding great benignity, he received not onely thofe 
 who yielded voluntarily, but even thofe alfo who fighting conltantly were taken pri- 
 foners. His wifdom alfo and policy in Government was noted by many i for know- 
 ing how much the Gentry love the Gentry, which are like themfelves, and how near- 
 ly thofe very men are linked, either in blood or friendfiiip, who in Civil Wars charge 
 one another in a hoftile manner, he (hewed a very great and anxious care, even to the 
 commanding with a hoarfe voice , and crying aloud thorough the field every mo- 
 ment, that the French Gentry (hould befparedi which adtwas fo plaufible and po- 
 
 M m m pular.
 
 450 The History of the Civil IVars 
 
 1 500. pular, that it gained him the eternal love of his own foldiers, and no finall praife from 
 
 his very enemies", everyone confelTing him to be a worthy King, and a worthy Fa- 
 
 Af:.r the vi- ther who, with fo much aircdion,rpared the blood of his Subjedts and Sons , though 
 
 oory.th. King tj^gy y^erc difobcdicnt and rebellious. His familiarity likewife gave great fatisfadtioni 
 
 "ommamurs for fupping in publick at KoT/y the fame night, he would needs have his Commanders 
 
 fupw.eh him j^^ ^^jjj^ j^jj^ at the fame Table, adding thefe memorable words, Ihat thofewhohad 
 
 ihS"&'. been partakers of the fame dangers, ought xporthlly alfoto be partakers of the fame conve- 
 
 ifig to mry, mencies and honors : And, while Supper lafted, calling all thofe that were prefent by 
 
 rn»'evV<he" their Names, praifing,cheri(liing, and thanking even the meaneft foldier, withdemon- 
 
 ricjr.cft Sol- jjj3tiops Cin his prefent weaknefsj of a full gratitude of mind in time to come, he fil- 
 
 jcj ail men with wonderful great hope, and infinite defire to folkiw him: Arts, to 
 
 fay truth, admirably well futcd to the narroVvnefs of his prefent condition, and to the 
 
 urgent need he had of the help of every particular man. 
 
 The news of this defeat came the next day to Farts, brought by the Sieur de Irem- 
 
 Iflay, who being a prifoner upon his Parole, had not been engaged in the Battel, and 
 
 liad had opportunity to retire with the firft: "Which news being told by him to the 
 
 Archbifhop of Lyons, deputed Chancellor, and head of the Council of the League, was 
 
 afterward communicated to the Legat , and the Spanifli Ambaffadors , every one of 
 
 which being exceedingly difmaid, feared with reafon, that this news would make the 
 
 people rife, and very much difturb the City ofParii, which expefting every hour to 
 
 be cafed of its diftreffes by the fuccefs of aVidlory, being now deprived of all hope 
 
 to free its felf of the llraightnefs of its prefent condition by the way of Arms and 
 
 Force, would think of doing it by way of compofition and agreement ; hunger being the 
 
 quickcft and fliarpeft fpur that can ftir up an Infurredtion among the common people, 
 
 who, not withheld with the Bridle of Decency, is aUvayes moi^ prone to follow their 
 
 prefent profit i wherefore, defirous to remedy that inconvenience as much as polTibly 
 
 they could, after long deliberation they determined, that the Preachers ( in whom the 
 
 People had a wonderful great FaithJ (hould be the relaters of the news of this Battel 
 
 in their Sermons, endeavouring, with the wonted effedls of Eloquence, to confirm 
 
 Father rtrifii. t^^'"^ courages, and perfvvade them ftoutly to refift the crofsnefs of their prefent for- 
 
 m cf .v:^:;,. tunc. The iirft of them that executed this charge, was Don Chrijiino de Nizza, who, 
 
 fulistn Ihe"' Preaching to the People upon the Sixteenth day of March being Friday, in the firft 
 
 I'uipicjof the part of his Difcourfe, took an occafion to bring in thefe words, ^hos ego ami?, arguo & 
 
 mjkeVthe'm "i^^g" i upon which he enlarged himfelf, foretelling, that God would not fail to prove 
 
 rcfoiveto cn.^ the Faith and conftancy of the Parifians, as by infinite exatriples of Scripture he gave 
 
 f^thVtatho! clear teftimony, that he was wont to try the courage of his Children i and then in the 
 
 lick Rriifjion, fecoud part, being come into the Pulpit, with Letters in his hand, which feemed to 
 
 c*(i"i"n ?o" d^f- be delivered to him at that inftant, he lamented that he had not that day done the 
 
 w"tj!°'^Tl'A- °^^^ °^ a Preacher, but of a Prophet i and that God had been pleafcd by his mouth 
 
 «;/«'/ .w'/ to advertife the People of Pari^, of that temptation which was to fall upon them, as 
 
 rbu\i adcbK- no^y jf troubled him to relate-, fincc that the Catholick Army having fought with the 
 
 Enemy two dayes before, was come off with the worfti to which news, he, with 
 
 the force of his Eloquence added fomany, and foeffedlual Prayers and Exhortations, 
 
 that the people who hearkened to him, did not onely not ftir in the leaft manner 
 
 whatfoevcr, but fliewed themfelves moft ready to perfcvere in the defence of them- 
 
 fclves,andofReligion, without fearing the heavy tryalsof a future liege or famine.The 
 
 fame did GuiMaume Kgfe,Boncher,PrevoJi.znd all the other Preachcrsiand laft of all Monfig- 
 
 nor Francefco 7 amgarola,vi\\o,i\\ou^ he Preached in the Italian Tongue, was neverthelefs 
 
 continually followed by abundance of perfons,by reafon of the fame of his Eloquence. 
 
 The Duke ofMayenne came three dayes after', but not having the heart to appear 
 in fight of the Parifians i and fearing thofe Tragical accidents which of late years 
 liad been feen very frequent among the people , he ftaid at St. Bern , whither the 
 Cardinal Legat, the AmbalTador Mendozza, the Commendatory Morreo, the Arch- 
 bifliop of Lyons, and the Sieur de ViUeroy came to him : and, at lafi, the principal De- 
 puties of the Parifians, by whom f but much more by his filter Madam de Montpenfler^ 
 who by the quicknefs of her wit upheld the Affairs of the League exceedingly) having 
 undaftood the good inclination of the People to perfevere conftantly in their de- 
 lence : firft praifing fo generous a refolution , he afterwards difcourfcd with 
 them about the ftate of prefent matters , (hewing , That the lofs of the Battel 
 having proceeded rather from the diforders of the Pxeiters , and feverat accidenta 
 
 chancesi
 
 of France. The Eleventh ^oo^ 45 1 
 
 chances, than from the great Forces of the Enemy v and his Army, efpecially theCa- 15?0* 
 valry, being rather routed than defeated, he hoped within a (hort time to draw toge- 
 ther a Body of men more powerful than the former: That he could not doubt either 
 the Pope or the Catholick would be wanting to Religion, and to the confcrvation of 
 the State ", and fo much the rather, by how much the need appeared to be more ur- 
 gent i and that thereby they (hould within a few weeks fee a greater Army on foot , 
 with which,fre(h, and entire in lirength, he doubted not tofubdue the wearied and ti- 
 red Troops of the Navarrois : That all confilkd in oppofing the firfton-fet, and in 
 valiantly fupporting the firft brunt of the fiege which he was confident was preparing 
 againft Paris ■■, for the defence whereof, he would willingly have fliut himfelf up in the 
 City, and, by his example, have taught them how to endure hunger, ( for as for any 
 other danger, there was nothing to be feared from the Enemy j but that it was gene- 
 rally much more profitable for all, and particularly for the reliefc of the Parifians, that 
 he (hould march to the confines of Picardy, to gather an Army with all fpeed, and re- 
 ceive fupplies from Flanders and Lorain, and thence with fufficient Forces to return and 
 raife the liege > which he was certain, if they had but patience to fuffer a little in- 
 conveniency, would, in the end, prove vain and fruitlefs: That in hisftead he would 
 leave his brother the D. of Nemours, ^ youth of wonderful high courage, and his Coufin 
 the Chevalier d'' AuntaU, to command the Soldiers, and have care of the Military 
 part of their defence i and for other things, the Cardinal- Legat, and the Minifters of 
 the Catholick King being there, and feconded by the ardent zeal of the Council of 
 Sixteen , he could not doubt, but all things would be managed with that prudence 
 which need required : That to (hew how little he feared the City could fall into the 
 Enemies hands, and for a pledge of the fpeedy relief which he meant to make ready 
 for them, he would leave his Mother, Wife, Sifter, and Children in the City, to bear 
 part in that fortune which the Citizens (l^.ould run : That finally , there being no- 
 thing elfe requillte, but to pcrfwade the people, and rcfift the greedinefs of the belly, 
 
 I he could not doubt of a happy iffue, with the exaltation of the League, and total fub- 
 
 verfionof his enemies. All of them commended his advice, and the Heads of the 
 people promifed to keep united and conftant in defending the place to the hd. man i be- 
 
 I feeching him onely to ufe all the fpeed he could polfibly, to prevent the extremities 
 of the peoples fuiferings, who, for Religion, and in hope of his promifcs, difpofed 
 themfeives boldly to meet all thofe many weighty dangers which they faw hang over 
 their heads. The next day the Duke departed towards Picardy to meet with the D. of 
 Parma, General for the Catholick King in the Low-Countries, knowing that to be the 
 principal point i and that if the Spaniards lent not their alTiftance in a conliderable 
 manner to him,it would be a very difficult bufinefs to get a fufficient Army to raife the 
 fiege, and relieve P^rir: and in the City they began with infinite diligence to repair 
 the Walls, to fcowre the Moats, to caft up Works, to difpofe their Artillery, to arm the 
 People, and principally to provide whatsoever they poiTibly could againft th£ imminent 
 - neceility of hunger. N 
 
 In the mean time Mante and Vernon had yielded themfeives to the King fince the 
 Vidory, in which places he was conftrained to ftay longer than he intended : for the 
 extremity of ill weather, and continual abundance of Rain, had not onely overflowed 
 the fields, and made the wayes exceeding deep, but had made it impollible to lie in the 
 Field, or march with Cannon and Baggage » for men and horfes could hardly fave 
 themfeives and be fecure within the (belter of houfes. In which time notice came to 
 the King of another encounter which had happened in the Province of Auvsrgne, near 
 the Wall of /]J"iVe, where theSieurs^^f Florat zt\6. Chaferon, who were for him, had 
 routed and (lain the Count of Randan, who commanded for the League, and with the 
 death of about Two hundred of the Enemy, had made themfeives maftcrs of the 
 place. Nor was it long before other news came fromtheCountry of M.j)i«f, where Gay 
 de Lmfac, who commanded the party of the League, and the SieiJr d^ Heme Governor 
 of /i/i?«c(7«,Head of the King's Forces, charging one another, had not altered the wont- 
 ed event of things -, but Lmfac, Three hundred of his men being (lain, and the reft 
 difperfed, was fain to fave himfelf by flight, leaving the King's Forces mafter of the 
 iicld in thofe parts. 
 
 Thefe feveral difafters,the news whereof came to Paris one upon the neck of another, 
 did much perplex the thoughts of thofe that governedibut above all,of the Cardinal-Le- 
 gat, upon whofe (houlders lay the weight of all prefent affairs,every one thinking , that - 
 
 M m m 2 he
 
 . -2 The Hiflory of the Civil IVars 
 
 ,<oo he, as one that reprefentcd the Pope's pcrfon , jhould in a caufe wherein Religion 
 ' * was the principal objedV, give fupplies both of Men and Money for the relief of that 
 adverlity which the League was in at that tinne : and the Duke oiMayeme com- 
 plained publickly concerning it, and wrote freely to the Pope, that his backwardnefs 
 to help fo necelTary a Caufe, was the principal occafion of all thofe evils. The Spanilh 
 Minifters made the fame lamentations, being of opinion, that the Legat was the caufe 
 theCathoIick King was not fatisfied in his demands, and that while he, negleding 
 his own bufineffes, fuccoured the danger of Religion with Men and Money, the Pope 
 keeping his Purfe clofe,and nouriihing ambiguous thoughts in his mind, did neither 
 fend thofe neceflary fupplies which he had often promifed, nor confent to the fatis- 
 fadion of the Catholick King, who, if his juft demands had been yielded to , would 
 have employed his utmol^ Forces for the common benefit. Nor were the Parilians 
 backwarder in complaints than the reft, who groaning under their prefent necellities, 
 and the extraordinary fcarcity of provifions, did importunately beg to be ailifted by 
 the Legat, and relieved by the Pope, fince they did all, and fuffered all for the Catho- 
 lick Faith, and for the fervice of the Holy Church ; fo that the Legat being furrounded 
 by thefe troubles, was in wonderful great anxiety of mind i which was augmented 
 to the extremity, when he underfiood , that by the Duke of Lu^cembourgs arrival and 
 negotiation, the Pope was almoft utterly withdrawn from the defigns of the Lesguc \ 
 and moreover, that he feemed ill fatisfied at his being gone on to Faris , and that he 
 had not rather ffayed in fome neutral place,:as a dilinterelTed Mediatour between both 
 parties, and as a labourer for fuch a Peace as might be effedled without danger or 
 damage to the Catholick Religion. 
 
 The Duke of Luxembourg W2is gone to 'Rome with the name of Ambaffador from 
 the Catholicks that followed the King, but indeed , to fee if he could reconcile the 
 King himfelf to the Pope, and to the Church, and to take away thofe opinions, which, 
 being fpread abroad by thofe of the League, were generally believed of him, that he 
 was an obdurate Heretick, a perfecutor of the Catholiks,obftinate,and difobedient to 
 the Apoftolick See, and a perverfe enemy to the Church : Wherefore, having firft 
 made a little flay at Venice^ to determine with that Senate what manner of proceeding 
 was to be held', all things being refolved on with moft prudent advice, he continued 
 en his way boldly to Kame; where, having in his firft audience, by the dexteroufneft 
 of his carriage, introduced the Caufe of the Catholicks into his difcourfe, he excufed 
 them for following the King, attributing it to be an advantage to the Catholick Religi- 
 on, not to abandon the lawful King in the hands of the Hugonots, but to hold him on 
 with proteftations of fervice, and win him by modeft feafonable inflances to return 
 into the bofome of the Church ; which would abfolutely have been defpaired of, if 
 being forfaken by them, he had been necelTitated to have caft himfelf as a prey to He- 
 reticks i he began afterwards to let the Pope know thofe interefts, which, under a 
 cloke of Piety, and under the name of Religion, did fway and govern the Lords of 
 the League, how under that pretence, they fought to rob the lawful Succeffor of the 
 . Crown, to bring it into the power of ftranger Princes, or to divide it into many parts, 
 and fo Canton the Kingdom ; which, as in it felf it was unjuft by all Laws, both di- 
 vine and Humane, fo would it prove exceeding prejudicial to Religion it felf, and to 
 the See of Kowe, which would come to lofe that Crown that had ever held the pro- 
 teftion of the Church , and bring it into the hands of many weak impotent Princes 
 and Tyrants, or elfe unite it with the too great power of the Spaniards, to the gene- 
 ral ruine : That it was much more juft, nvuch more eaiie, and much more profitable for 
 the benefit of Chriftendom, to invite andperfwade the King tohis Converfion i which' 
 he not only fhcwed himfelf inclined to, with thofe means that were futable and con- 
 venient for his honor, and which befitted a King of France i but to which , he was 
 alfo brought by the necelfity of his affairs, finding daily how little he could promife 
 himfelf from the Hugonots, toward the attaining of the Crown, fince that in all his moft 
 weighty occurrences, he had for the moft part been attended and followed by the For- 
 ces of the Catholick Lords, who would fall off from him at laft, if he fhould not re- 
 folve to return into the Church i which coni^iderations accompanied with all their 
 circumftances, fct forth and amplified by the Dukes eloquence, made a deep imprelTion 
 m the Pope ■■, to which, another motive of the Ambaffadors being added, that his Ho- 
 I" k S^°"'^"o^ ffi'"'^ ^^^ Catholicks that followed the King to be (ew and weak, but 
 the beft, foundeft, and moft conilderable part of F>rf«ce,and that with the League there 
 concurred very few of the Gentry , but a rabble of mean , diforderly common 
 
 people >
 
 of France. The Eleventh 'BooL 
 
 45? 
 
 people i and that not onely men of better quality, but alfo in a manner all the chiefeft 
 Prelates of the Kingdom followed the Kings party, upon caution of the promife he 
 had made to turn Catholick, and forfake the rites of Calvinifm, ftirred up in the Popes 
 confideration , befides the fear oflofing the Kingdom of France^ and increafing the 
 greatnefs of the Spaniard, this other weighty refped alfoi not to exafperate fo much 
 Catholick Nobility united together, which it was moft difficult to overcome by force i 
 but to feek by milde remedies, and gentle wayes, to win the King, and procure the 
 union of the Kingdom by the means of peace i and the Ambaflador having affirmed 
 unto him, that the Cardinal of Bourbon^ Lenon-court, zndGondy , together with the 
 Archbifhop of Eonrges, and other Prelates, had offered the fame confiderations to the 
 Legat, praying and exhorting him to ftand neutral, till matters being come to the 
 knowledge of his Holinefs, he might have been able to have given him fuch Com- 
 milTions as he fhould have thought moft convenient : The Pope began t© fufpedt no 
 lefs than others, that Cardinal Gaetano was too much enclined to favour the defigns 
 of the Spaniards i and therefore did no longer give that belief, which was requifite 
 unto his Letters, and withheld his hand from furnifhing them with more money j 
 wherefore the Legat being encompafled with many difficulties , either to take ofFthat 
 fufpicion that lay upon him, of his depending too much upon the King of Spain , or 
 feeking to recover that name of Neutral, and dif-interefTed, which perchance he might 
 more wifely have maintained from the beginning > or endeavouring to hinder the 
 fiegeof Parii fas he affirmed and told the Spanifh MiniftersJ invited the Marefchal de 
 Byron to a meeting with him at Noyjy, a Caftle of Cardinal Candy's, a dayes journey 
 from Paris, to find out fome remedy to put an end to the prefent miferies , which not 
 difpleafing the King, for whom it was, by all means, good to (hew an aifcdlion to the 
 Apoltolick See i and that he was not backward to do what lay in him, to put an end 
 to the War, the interview was agreed upon, and performed within a very few dayes. 
 There met on the Kings fide the Marefchal df Byro>t^ the Enron de Ciitry, Secretary 
 Kevol, the Sieur Lianconrt, and de la Verriere : And on the other, the Cardinal Legat, 
 the Sieur de ViUeroy, the Marquifs of Belin, and other Lords of the League. Their 
 reception was very honorable on both fides, but the event fruitlcfs: For the Legat 
 trying either to pcrfwade the Catholicks to forfake the King, or without any fure foun- 
 dation of peace, to delay the fiegeof P^^rw, which was already fet in a way i and on 
 the other fide, the Marefchal labouring to get the Cardinal Legat to come to the 
 King, and exhort him to turn to the Catholick Religion, with fecurity to bring all his 
 Subjefts unto their obedience, who had alienated themfeives for refpedf of Religion i 
 intentions fo diverfe, could not agree, and the wifdomof both parts did not fuffer the 
 one to make it felf fuperior to the other, fo they parted again without fruit or conclu- 
 fion, the Legat having neither obtained the name of Neutral , nor the revolt of the 
 Catholicks from the King, nor the diverting of the ficge, which perhaps was his prin- 
 cipal aim in the procuring of that meeting. Yet neither was all treating utterly bro- 
 ken off by this parting: for the Sieur ^e yiUemy, either with a hope of concluding a 
 good Accommodation, or for the fame end of delaying the K'ngs coming, did, with the 
 Duke oiMayennes confent, introduce a Treaty of this bufinefs with the Sieur de tlefjis 
 Miirnay, a great Confident, and ancient fervant of the Kings j but being a Hugonot, 
 very unpropcr for the prefent bufinefs. 
 
 But the King not lofing time, for all the Treaty of Peace, and knovving, that by 
 how much more the Enemy was firaitned, fo much more advantageous would be the 
 conditions of Agreement, was wholly intent upon taking in thofe places near the City, 
 and upon making himfelf mafter of all thofe PafTcs, by which provifions were brought 
 thither, in (hutting up the PafTagcsof the Rivers, and cutting off the ways into the 
 Country i by this means to obtain that by the neceility of hunger, which was in a man- 
 ner impoilible for him to imagine could be done by force of Arms. To which end, 
 marching with his Army from Mante upon the Twenty ninth of March, he pofTeft him- 
 felf without difficulty of Cheitreufe, Monti' hery, Lagny, and Corbeil^ all places proper to 
 block up the City ; and upon the fifth of April fate down before Melun. Melttn is a 
 little Town, but well fortified, feven Leagues diliant from Pjw, through which run 
 two Currents of the River 5««e,and therefore is divided into three parts by the Stream, 
 and onely joyned together by Bridges. Monfieur de Forone was in it with fixty Horfe, 
 and Five hundred Foot, but little provifion of things necelTary for their defence, and 
 by terror of the Vi(ftory not of too refolute a courage : Yet made they a fliew as 
 
 if 
 
 159°> 
 
 Pope SixiutV, 
 grows jealous, 
 that Cardinal 
 Gdttane is ir.ii 
 clintil tofavot 
 the Spanilh 
 defigns. 
 
 The Cardinal 
 Lepac meets 
 with the Ala- 
 tcfchal tie By 
 I MB J divers 
 things are 
 treated of 
 without any 
 concluflon. 
 
 MiluH ftanJs 
 upon AcStinc 
 above P*rii.
 
 454 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5f)o. 
 
 The fie»e and 
 taking of Mf 
 Inn by the 
 Kings Aimy. 
 
 The Sient Je 
 J'l/.r y lieing 
 come tnMd-un 
 to cteat an A- 
 prtcmcntwith 
 rhe King, per. 
 fwades himby 
 many rcafuns 
 to turn Ca- 
 tholick , and 
 prt)ptmfids a 
 Cc(iF>tiDn of 
 Aims, 
 
 if they would ftand out, and the rather, becaufe Five hundred Townfmen well armed 
 and experienced were joyned with them : But the Ravelineof the Gate being battered 
 with feven pieces of Cannon, and two very great Culverines, the Kings Foot ( now ac- 
 cuftomed to mafter great difficulties) affaulted it with fo much fury, that though the 
 breach was very narrow, and high from the ground, yet entred they both the Raveline 
 and the Gate, killing above fixty of the defendents, who retiring into the further parr, 
 beyond the fe'cond Bridge, and oppofite to the Town, fet fire on the place they quit- 
 ted tokeep the affailants, who were at their heels, from being able to follow themi 
 many houfes were burned, and the reft furioufly facked by the violence of the Soldiers. 
 But the other part of the Town whither the defendents were retired, being altogether 
 deprived of the means of making refiftancc, agreed to yield (as it did; if within two 
 dayes there came no relief. 
 
 The King being lodged there perfonally in the Suburbs, the Sieur de Villeroy having a 
 fafe conduct, came unto him, and perceiving that the Sieur dii Fhjfis, for fear the King 
 hiouH change his Religion, did not go on heartily in the Treaty of Agreement, he 
 had obtained leave, by the means of the Sieur de laVerriere, to have admittance to the 
 King himfeJf, and to that end was come thither unto liim. The Duke of Mayenne, 
 who was already gotten to -Sozf/Tw/, had refufed at tirft to give way that F/Wi-rffj fhouli 
 enter into this Treaty, thinking it might be afcribed to want of courage in their prefent 
 fortune > but afterward, whether he fought by making the Spaniards jealous of a peace, 
 to ftir them up to the giving of greater and more refolute fupplics, or that he hoped 
 to delay the fiege of Faris by the hope of an Accommodation, or that he fought by this 
 means to penetrate into the Kings defigns and intentions, or that all thefe ends moved 
 him together, he \>zxmitttA. Villeroy to meet, and to introduce that negotiation j for 
 which purpofe, being come to Mf///«, and kindly received by the King, he began (with 
 his wonted efficacy, not accompanied with very deep Learning, but naturally copious 
 and powerful in fpeech) to reprefent unto him, how being anxious for the danger and 
 calamity of his Country, and defirous to fee it out of thofe ruinous diftradlions, where- 
 in it periffied miferably , he had obtained leave from the Duke oiNUyenne^ Head of 
 the party of the League, to come unto his Majefty, to fee if any remedy could be found, 
 whereby difcords being compofed and buried, a happy Peace might be procured i that 
 he hoped ( nay, was certain ) that His Majefly would have no lefs defire to end the 
 Civil Wars, and reftore the former quiet and tranquility to that Kingdom, which God, 
 Nature, and his Valor had deftined to him v that the onely means to attain fo great a 
 good, was very eafie,and depended wholly upon his own will i for the fum conhfting 
 cnely in the point of Religion, the Duke oi Mayemie 'piofftrti to acknowledge and 
 obey him, as foon as he, at the Petition of the Catholicks ( not at all for fear, or for 
 their threatnings ) (hould refolve to return into the bofbme of the Holy Church: 
 Wherefore, upon his will depended, not onely the fetling of peace in the Kingdom i 
 but alfo the makbg himfelf the moft flouriffiing, moft powerful, moft obeyed, and moft 
 teverenced Prince that France had feen of many years i that the prefent conjunifture 
 of time was very feafbnable for that refolution; for having conquered and overcome 
 his enemies with the Sword, it could not be faid, that his converfion was caufcd by 
 fear, or that he imbraced the Catholick Religion by force, but that good would be at- 
 tributed to his own will, his own confcience, and his own eleftion : That this op- 
 portune and wholefome efFed would make his Vidory twice as fruitful and happy, 
 as his vertue had made it glorious and magnificent i and he might thereby attain 
 that true end which ought to be proper to all Victories (efpecially thofe in Civil Wars^ 
 which is, The enjoying of Peace: for, that goodnefs of his would bring more Cities 
 tinder his fubjedVion in one day, than he could take by the force of his Arms (though 
 victorious) in the courfeof his whole life: That by profecuting Vidory with the 
 Svyord, would enfue an infinite number of mifchiefs, and lamentable calamities ; the 
 luining of Fortreffes, facking of Cities, flaughters of Men, dcfolation of Countries > 
 which all redounded to his own lofs, who naturally was the mafter of them : but,the 
 ^Vair ending by this converCon,the Vidory would redound to the general fecurity,tran- 
 quility,rafety,and happinefs, which ought to be more dear tohim,beinga lawful Prince, 
 than all the Vidlories that could be imagined in the World : . That His Majeiiy ought 
 *° '^""fi^^i though his Vidtory had been great and fignal,yet had-it neither difmay- 
 h F'^f^^->'^°^ terrified the adherents of the League in fuch manner, that any of 
 tnem had been moved by it to forfake their party , and yield therafelves up to his 
 "" devotion >
 
 H 
 
 of Franee* The Eleventh 'Book 
 
 455 
 
 devotion i the reafon whereof was only the power and command which Religion 
 hath in the hearts of men, which pcrfwaded every one to fuffer all the calamities 
 which could be prefented to imagination, rather than put their foul and confcience in 
 danger : but if the common people of their fide, perfwaded by this refpedr, were fo 
 condant , he might think, by confcquence, that the Duke of A^v'-k??^, and the other 
 Heads of that party, the Pope, and the Catholick King, would be much more con- 
 fiant, being refolved to employ all their Forces for the fecuring of Religion : That he 
 knew well, and had often had experience of it in his Hugonots, that the refpetft of Re- 
 ligion is fo great, that it makes mens minds invincible, and can neither be tamed by 
 Arms nor Force : That it would be a prudent confideration, to forefee how much 
 ufe Grangers might make of this pretence of Religion for their advantage i which, if 
 in former times it had perfwaded the Hugonots to make Agreements with the EngUJh 
 it would be no wonder if the urgency ot prefent neceility fliould force the Catholicks 
 to confent unto the demands of the Spaniards : That this danger ought to be forefecn 
 and prevented by fecuring mens Confciences, and not reducing them to utter defpera- 
 tion : That his Majefiy (hould fet before his eyes how many Cities he muft of necef- 
 (ity aflault, how many Provinces he mull: fubdue, how many other Armies he muft con- 
 quer, how many Fortrelfes he muft take in, before he could fettle himfelf King in 
 peace by means of War : And that he might overcome all thofe difficulties in one 
 day, byfatisfying his fubjeds in point of Religion : That his Vidory had been great, 
 but that it was nccclTary tofecure it from the inconftancy of fortune ■■, which he might 
 do,not by hazarding new entcrprifcs,but by moderation,and the fatisfadion of his fub- 
 jeds : That time and opportunity invited him to that worthy and holy refolution, and 
 not to (lay till the Duke,and the other Heads of the League,{houId be fo nearly engaged 
 and interelTed with the Catholick King ( whofe alfdhnce was neceffary while the 
 War continued) that they would no longer have power todifpofcof themfelves: in 
 conclufion. That both duty and protit were joyned together in this refolution : fot 
 having received fo great a blcifing trom God, it was no longer time to defer his Con- 
 verfion, fince now by the favour of his Divine Majefty, he might do it with reputation 
 and glory, and without fufpicion of bafcnefs of mind, or meannefs of fpirir. 
 
 The King anfwered gracioufly, That he commended the Sieur diViUeroy's intenti- 
 on to endeavour the peace of the Kingdom, and was glad to hear that the Duke of 
 M'ayenne was well difpofcd to it: That he acknowledged the Vidory he had obtain- 
 ed , firft from the hand of God, and then from his Nobility : That God, the Pro- 
 tedor of Juftice and Right, had proteded his Caufe i and that thofe invincible Lords 
 and Gentlemen that followed him, had been the inftruments of his Divine mercy: 
 That the Kingdom appertained to him of right, by a dired and natural fucceilion,and 
 by a lawful way known to all i fo that forraign Princes were moft manifeiily to blame 
 for difturbing him in the polfeifion of it > and much more his Subjeds, for denying 
 him their due obedience : That he had never offended any, nor deferved founjwft an 
 oppoiition as was made againft him : That he had alvvayes moderately and modeftly 
 defended himfelf, and had done neither violence nor injury to forraign Princes, nor 
 to the Subjeds of the Crown, for which they now had any reafon to revenge them- 
 felves j but that when he called to mind the miraculous power, and merciful favour 
 of God, wherewith he had preferved him in the times of his vveakncfs and miferies, 
 and had defended him from fo many , and fo long perfecutions , when the whole 
 World fcemcd to have confpired againft him, he could not believe his Divine Maje- 
 ily would leave fo great a work unperfed , but was aifured in himfelf that he would 
 look upon the juftice of his Caufe, and thofe Prayers which he to that end always 
 made unto him from the bottom of his heart v and therefore he neither feared the Arms 
 ci Spain^wox the Forces of Rebels,but truftcd in God,and the faithfulnefs of his Nobility, 
 that he fhould ruine and defeat them : That he knew well, modefty and moderation 
 were more profitable in Vidory,than at another time •. but he neither pretended to op- 
 prefs nor wrongany body, but only to make himfelf berightfully obeyed by thofe who by 
 nature were his fubjeds,and put under his authority:That his aim was to be King indeed, 
 as he was by right i and that the end of the D of Mjjf«w,and thofe that followed him, 
 ought to be,to live in peace,fecurity , and honor,under the obedience of that King which 
 God and Nature had appointed for them by lawful fucceffion : That in this he was rea* 
 dy to give them all fecurity , and all fatisfadion, and to afford them a gracious fhars 
 in his favour, without ever calling to memory what was paft : That he defired to con- 
 
 quet 
 
 iS^Oi 
 
 Anfwet to liis 
 Sicur A Vi.lt' 
 
 Moderitioti 
 riore profita- 
 ble in Vifto- 
 ty than at ir.o* 
 thir lime.
 
 .1^^ The Hijlory of the Civil Ifars 
 
 iseo quer rather by pardon, benignity, and liberality, than by the Sword, as well becaufe it 
 ' was the (horter way, as becaufe it was futable to his genius and nature, averfe from 
 blood and revenge, and inclined to do good unto his Subjedls, and to pacific the trou- 
 bles of his Kingdom : That it belonged to him to. give the Law unto his Subjedls , 
 and not to receive Conditions from them > yet neverthelefs, if, jealous of their Con- 
 fciences, and of ReligioH, they defire to fecure it any way, he would give them all con- 
 venient fatisfafl-ion i and that the candour and firmnefs of his Faith was already 
 known to every one by many proofs i which having never broken for the time paft, 
 he was mod fully refolved never to break for the time to come ; That the Princes, 
 Lords, and Gentlemen that followed him, which were much more numerous than 
 thofe that followed the Duke, had contented themfelves with the promife he had 
 made them, and with the fecurity he had given them, that they fhould live peacefully, 
 in their confcience, liberty , and religion , and that therefore the others ought to be 
 contented with the fame i and being fecured in their own particulars, ought to per- 
 n:iit him to think of his own falvation, by thofe means which it (hould pleafe the 
 Lord to infpire into him, in a feafbnable time, and a fitting convenient manner. Then 
 he asked the Sieur deVilleroy, if he had feen his Promife and Declaration made after 
 the death of the late King: whoanfwered him. That he had > and that the Duke of 
 Mayenne, and the other Lords of his party had feen it likewife j but. that they all 
 believed they could not in confcience, upon any condition whatfoevcr , obey a King 
 that was not a Catholick, but of a different Religion fiom that which they held by 
 fucceffion from their anceftors. To which the King replied, That he was neither Infi- 
 del, Pagan, nor Idolater j that he adored and ferved the fame God with the Catho- 
 licks i and that he cfteemed the Religion in which he had been bred up, not to be 
 incompatible with the Roman : That in fuch a cafe as concerned his Confcience and 
 Salvation, God was to work, and not men : That it ought to be done by kind gentle 
 inftrudion, and not with Sword and Piftol: That if he had not yielded to turn in 
 the late King's time, when he faw his ruine and deftrudtion before his face, much 
 lefs would he do it at the requeft of thofe that rebelled againft him, now that by the 
 favour of God he had the upper hand : That he was not obftinate, but would yield 
 to the truth, and be informed and inftru6ted in it i yet that he would fatisfie his Con- 
 fcience in it : and if he left freedom of Belief unto his Subjeds, it was not fit that he 
 fhould be conftrained by them to do that in a rafh humour, which ought to be done 
 with maturity of deliberation, and in the time prefixed by God's Divine will and 
 pleafure : That he was a man of Confcience, and one that eftecmed more the falvati- 
 on of his Soul, than all earthly things i and therefore he would go very circumfpcdt- 
 ly about that bufinefs, with due and convenient cautions. The Sieur de Villeray re- 
 plied. That becaufe he was by all accounted a Confcientious Prince, affedtionate to his 
 Religion, every one doubted fo much the more, that, being fetled in his Kingdom, he 
 would not tolerate his Subjeds to live in a Religion different from his, and which he 
 held to be falfe and damnable : That he had ever heard fay, and even by Theodore Be- 
 za himfelf, in the Conference at foiffy ^ that the belief of the one is further from the 
 other, than Heaven is from Earth i but that thofe Difputes were not to be made with 
 Arms: That his Majefty had alwayes faid he would caufe himfelf to be inftruded,but 
 never came to the aft of that inftrudion : That there wanted not Prelates and 
 Dodtors, who, in a Ihort time, might certifie him of the truth : That it was not good 
 to foment War any longer, and let Difcords run on without end, but, by the obferva- 
 tion of his promifes, to comfort all his Subjefts, as well thofe that had gotten the Vi- 
 dory, as the others, who for the zeal of Religion, Hood alienated from him : Finally, 
 That it could no longer be faid, that either contumacious or fcditious perfons were 
 caufe of the War, things being now reduced to that point, that it was in his Maje- 
 sties power to give Peace by his Converfion v which if he ftould not do, after fo 
 many promifes, all future evils and calamities would be imputed to him , and to no 
 other body. Thefe laft words pierced the Kings mind to the veryquick, whoan- 
 fwered. That he would take the Opinion of his good and faithful fervants that fol- 
 «>wed him, and that therefore he would confer with them about it, and give his re- 
 solution the day following : At which time, he, being already upon the point of his 
 departure from Mf/««, fent for the Sieur de Villeroy, and bad him return to the Duke of 
 j^''>°^''^ and tell him, That he took in good part what had been delivered from him, 
 tan hedelired to be reconciled, and to do good to every onCj and particularly to the 
 
 Duke
 
 of France* The Eleventh ^oo\, 4^7 
 
 Duke of Mayeme , and all the reft of his Family, if by them he ftiould be affifted to 15^05 
 fettle peace in the Kingdom , as they might cafily do, and that in it he would give 
 them all rcafonable fatisfadion : That for the point of Religion, he had already con- 
 tented thofe Catholicks that followed him, who were many, of great extraction, of 
 exceeding great flrength, and of profound wifdom, to whofe determination he thought 
 all the reft might accommodate themfelves : That if they defired to have more fecurity 
 and caution for the prefervation of their Religion, and fafety of their Confciences, he 
 was ready to give it moft fully, having taken into conlideration, all that he had re- 
 prefented to him > but that he could not proceed to treat further with him, havin* no' 
 power nor authority at all from the Duke of Mayenne, to conclude any thing i but if 
 Deputies and CommiiTioners ftiould be fent unto him with fufficient power, he would 
 willingly admit them, ufe them well , and endeavour to give the Dukes party the 
 grcateft and moft compleat fatisfadion that might be, out of his great defire to free 
 his people from the affiiftions and calamities of Civil War. The Sieur de ViUeroy an- 
 fvvercd. That his Majefties conlideration of not treating, but with fuch as had power 
 to conclude, was very prudent and reafonable ; but that he (hould remember, the 
 Duke of Mayemie was not abfolute Mafter, but Head of his party, which hath relation 
 to all the other members, without whofe confent he could not acknowledge his Maje- 
 Ily to be King of France^ nor determine in point of Religion : That it was neceflary 
 for him to confer with them, and that they fhould refolve together v how his Majefty 
 having been fo many years Head of his party, had by his own experience found, that 
 that could not be done without delaying time j it being needful to unite thofe that 
 were interefled from fo many feveral diftant Provinces: That while the War was fo 
 hot, it was impoffible to make that AfTcmbly •, wherefore a CelTation of Arms was 
 neceflary, or at leaft a fufficient number of pafles, to draw thofe together who were 
 to deliberate about the fum of affairs. At the naming a Ccflation of Arms, the King 
 replied fuddenly. That that was not to be fpoken of i for he would not by any delay, 
 lofe the fruit of his Vidtory, nor ilacken the progrefs of his Arms, having had expe- 
 rience of how great importance that was to the whole buiinefs ■-, but that for the man- t"" ^'"" ^' . 
 ncr of aflembling his party, he left the thought to the Duke of Mj)'f««f, being refol- miffcTwuhi" 
 ved not to forbear the profecution of his Arms, no not for a moment : With this an- ""= <=""''■'''- 
 fwer, and fuch like difcourfes had with the Marefchal de Byron, ViUeroy depzited with- b"i'ng 'eio'ivfa 
 out any conclufion, either of Peace or Truee, and all the endeavours ufed to divert the ^11°.^""^^ ^ 
 
 fiege of Paris proved ineffectual. Arms, 
 
 Wherefore , the King (to whom Crejjy and Meret ("weak places) had furrertdred 
 themfelves, and Frovins, a rich Town, but not ttrong, though chief of the Province of 
 £w, and but twenty leagues from the City of Paris) marched to Nangy ; where ha- 
 ving re-united his Army, which had been divided to gain thefe places, he advanced 
 upon the Fifteenth day oF ^pril to take other Towns which might ftreighten and block 
 up Paru •, Montereau, Bray, Comte-Kobert, and Nogent upon the Seine, yielded with- 
 out refiftancei hut Mery, a little place, having had the boldnefs to ftand out, was by 
 the violence of the Souldiers moft furioully taken and facked* There remained on that 
 fide, the City Sens, a great Town, and affedlionate to the League, feated upon the 
 Confines of Brie and Bourgogne, wherein were the Sieur de Chanvalon, and the Marquifi 
 Fortunato Malvicim, but they agreed not well together '•, for Chanvalon fought an oppor- 
 tunity to go over to the King, and to make his peace by giving up the City into his 
 hands > but the Marquifs on the other fide would defend it, as his honour obliged 
 him, having fas a ftranger) no other aim but to ftiew himfelf a gallant Souldier, and 
 to do fervice for the Duke o^ Nemours, being Lieutenant of his Troop oiGens d' Arms j 
 wherefore Chanvalon having treated fecretly with the Marefchal d' Aumont, and ex- 
 horted the King to come before the Town, fiege was laid unto it, the Cannon planted, 
 and they began to batter, with hopes that fome tumult might arife among the Citizens 
 in favour of the King ■■> but having, to try the conftancy of the Defendents, made an 
 aflault, which the Marquifs and thofe of the Town refifted valiantly, the King not 
 willing to lofe time about that place, which was not very neceffary, and interrupt his 
 dcfign upon Paris, wherein confifted the fum of his affairs, raifed the fiege without 
 delay, and minded the taking and fortifying of thofe other places, which might cut off 
 the paffage of provifions to Paris, ' 
 
 In the mean time the Cardinal Legat, anxious and follicitous, both for his own dan- 
 ger, and the imminent fiege of the Parifians, had caufed a new Treaty of Agreement 
 
 N n n to 
 
 CefTacion of 
 
 <
 
 ^^8 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I coo. to be introduced between the Bifliopof Ceneda^ and the Marelchal de Byron, for which 
 iUri' ^n'on'D purpofc, thc Bifliop Came to Bray, to confer with the Marefchal ; and as one, who be- 
 ftopTcW^ caufe he was a Venetian, and fo of a Country favourable to the Kings affairs, had freer 
 tre^ti with the acccfs than any other, he treated with a great deal of liberty about his Converfion i 
 J!'," «a pro- and afterwards defcended to fpeak about a Ceffation of Arms, by means whereof they 
 pounds i ccf- might have leifure to negotiate Peace maturely on either fide j but this attempt was 
 w°"t°?s"^ot no lefs vain than the rcfi , the King being refolved not to delay the progrefs of his 
 acccpteJ. Arms j and by how much the more the Enemy laboured for it, fo much the more un- 
 willing was he to allow them any fpace to take breath i and the more he faw the Lords 
 of the League intent upon gaining time to get Armies and Supplies , the more did he 
 enter into a fecure hope, within a while , to obtain the City of TarU by means of a 
 fiege, without danger, and without blood. Wherefore all things proving contrary to 
 the Bifhops defign, he procured to confer perfonally with the King, but in fuch manner 
 as it might feem to have hapned by chance , and not to have been fought by him > 
 which having fpoken of to the Abbot del Bene, he brought to pafs, that the King fhould 
 go forth betimes in the morning a hunting, and that the Bifhop fhould depart a little 
 later to return to ?aris, fo that they met, as it were, accidentally upon the way i which 
 incounter began with kind falutations , and then riding together a good part of the 
 way, the Bifliop entrcd into the dircourfe which he had intended to make, exhorting 
 the King to his converlion, and to return into the bofom of the Church. To which 
 the King having made his wonted anfwers, That he was not obftinate, but would be 
 made capable of the truth by thofe circumftances of times, perfons, and places which 
 were fitting v nor would he be driven by force, or the threatnings of his Enemies, but 
 'cn.u^onitts ^^ '^^awn by the Grace and Infpiration of God. The Bifhop replied. The beft means 
 with the Kipg; for that, would be a Truce, wherein the commotions of mens minds, kindled by the 
 sr!n!»TTu«" cxeicife of Arms, ceafing, he might have opportunity to receive inftrudion, and to 
 theKihgabfo' do with honour and deliberation whatfoever was needful. But as fbon as the King 
 itTcoJipUm'n- heard him motion a Truce, he anfwered with a loud voice. That if he had been a good 
 of the cardif Venetian, he would not have given him that counfel i but, that thefe were the. devices 
 «» Les«. of Cardinal Gaf^iiw, who (hewed himfelf a much better Spaniard, than a Church-man. 
 And here he began to complain very much of him, that, carrying himfelf differently 
 from the Popes CommilTion, he had declared himfelf his Enemy at his entry into the 
 Kingdom, and made his refidence in that City, which was Head of the contrary party > 
 whereas it had been fit for him that reprefented the Apoftolick See, to have flood Neu- 
 tral, and to have endeavoured and procured a Peace by his good counfel, and by acti- 
 ons conformable to right, and his profeflion, which then would have had more cre- 
 dit j but, that now terrified by the prefent danger, or elfe co-operating with the de- 
 figns of the Spaniards v he fought not to introduce Peace, but to fruflrate the effed^s of 
 his labours, and the fruits of his Vidories, while the League might gain time to recover 
 ftrength > and that therefore he was not difpofed to give any ear unto it : With which 
 W'ords they parted, and the Bifhop returned with this final anfwer to Taris. 
 
 But at his return, all hope of Truce failing , they fet their minds with fo much the 
 more follicitoufnefs to make neceflary provillons to fuftain the flrid: fiege which the 
 Enemy was preparing. The people was already difpofed by the long exhortations of 
 their Preachers, and the earneft negotiation ofthofe that governed, to endure the fiege, 
 and hazard their lives rather than their confciences i being wrought upon by the fre- 
 quent Decrees of the Sorbenne, and by the Declarations and Proteftations of the Cardi- 
 nal-Legat, that an Agreement could not be treated with the' Hereticks without dam- 
 nation , and that a King of a different Religion, obllinate in his opinion, a Perfecutor 
 of the Church, and an Enemy to the Apoftolick See, was not to be received. By thefe 
 opinions,which every hour were thundered out of the Pulpits,and difcourfed of in meet- 
 ings, mens minds were fo cffedtually moved and confirmed, that they were not only 
 ready to fuffer conflantly the danger and toil of bearing Arms,and that which was much 
 fo°deat"*T^" ^^'^^ evident, and more terrible, the extream mifery of an enraged hunger i but more- 
 fury of ihc ever, they could not fo much as endure any one that durft hold or affirm the contrary ; 
 rn"^l'walb«'. fo that many who let flip fome words, that it was better to make an Accommodation 
 pV '° "'*'"|, * flarve for hunger, and that Peace was better than a Siege, were by the fury of the 
 Kin"t""n' ' people either executed in publick, or cafi headlong into the River, as damned perfons, 
 fcui",*'"'' ^"^"^'" of the Catholick Faith, and infedted with the poifon of Herefie. This conftancy 
 was augmented by the prcfence of the Cardinal-Legat, the refidence of the Dutchefles 
 
 of
 
 o/ France. The Eleventh ^oo^ 45^ 
 
 o( Memoury^ Montpenfier^ and Mayenne^ the forwardnefs and vigour of the Duke of I5$0» 
 Nemours^ and Chevalier ^ Auniate, and much more by the Hioft certain hopes vphich 
 the Duke of Mayeme gave them every hour by effedtual Letters, that he would relieve 
 the City powerfully within a few weeks. The Heads being defirous to increafe and 
 confirm this inclination of the people, by fome outward circumftances, agreatfblemn 
 ProceHion was made by order from the Cardinal-Legat, to implore Gods affiftance in ^f^j^^ p ^ 
 thofe prefent neceffities : in which Proceflion, the Prelats, Priefts and Monks of the fe- eeflton, in 
 veral Religious Orders, walked all in their accuftomed habits i but befides them, armed Ec'^ji'^Vafiicil 
 openly with Corllets, Guns, Swords, Partezans, and all kind of Arms ofFenfive and orders appear 
 defenfive, making at once a double fhew, both of devotion , and conftancy of heart oujhabi" »«i 
 prepared to defend themfelves : which Ceremony, though to many it feemed undccent not only fo.bot 
 and ridiculous, was yet of great ufe to augment and confirm the courage of the com- "j™//*'^'"' 
 mon people, who faw the fame men that exhorted them with words to ftand it out, 
 prepared and armed to hazard the {ame dangers, and unanimoufly to undergo the fame 
 fufFerings. Thus fometimes even the vaincft flighteft things, help forward the moft 
 weighty important thoughts and defigns. 
 
 After this Proceflion , they made another of all the Magiftrates of the City > and 
 among the Ceremonies of it, the Duke of Nemours their Governour, and other Com- 
 manders of the Souldiers , and the Magiftrates of the people, fvvore publickly in the , , . q^^u 
 great Church, to defend the City to the laft man, nor ever to incline to yield, or make taken by the 
 an Agreement with an Heretick Prince, for any calamity, danger, fufferance or necef- ^'»S'ftf*'«'» 
 fity whatfoever that (hould fall upon them. There were in the City two hundred 
 chofen Horfe, commanded by the Sieur de Vitry, the Duke of Nemours his Company 
 o( Gens d'' Arms^ and that of Chevalieur d'' Aitmale-, one hundred Harquebufiers on 
 horfeback, and eight hundred French Foot, part whereof hath been in Melnn with the 
 Sieur de Forone j five hundred SvvifTes , and one thoufand and two hundred of thofe 
 German Foot that were levied by the Count CoUjlta , commanded by the Baron of Er- 
 hejiein : But the foundation of their defence confifted in the union and conftancy of the 
 people, which infinitely numerous, and now by long ufe accuftomed to Arms, being 
 difpofed under their Magiftrates, and divided into feveral Bands, according to the di- 
 vifion of their Quarters, prefented themfelves voluntarily, and ready for all encounters? 
 and by the example of the Priefts and Friers, who went armed up to the Works, and 
 engaged themfelves in all things with admirable conftancy, failed not in any duty that 
 was neceflary for their defence. Double Chains were drawn crofs the Rivers, where 
 it enters, and where it goes out of the City •■, the Walls and Breft-works were repaired 
 in thofe places where they feemed to be decayed i Platforms were made in convenient 
 places, and parapets made upon fome new places of the Wall : the Artillery was difpofed 
 of orderly to the moft dangerous Pofts j and the readinefs of the Citizens appeared 
 wonderful in every bufinefs. But this troubled not thofe that bore the fway in the Go- 
 vernment : for every one was certain that the King would never attempt to take the 
 City by force, defended, in fo great a number of Citizens, rather by the bodies of men, 
 than by the ftrength of their Bulwarks v but that he would ftrive to tame it by Famine 5 
 which feemed to be very eafie, by reafbn there were fo many people accuftomed to live 
 in plenty and abundance, who now were in fo great necdlity, that being deprived of 
 all other fuftenance, they were forced at an extraordinary rate to feed only upon bread : 
 and there was no doubt but if relief were delayed, and that the King (hould ftraightcn 
 the ficge clofer, the City would be reduced to the laft intolerable calamities of want i TheCitybeing 
 which they forefeeing, moft earneftly follicited the Duke of Mayenne to draw forces biockt up on 
 together for their relief > and the Cardinal-Legat difpatched his Nephew Tietro Gae^ "^"Jf fcatcilf 
 tano into Flanders, to exhort the Duke of P^rw^, according to the Catholick Kings 'oiwancofvi- 
 order, with all hafte to fend fpeedy fupplies : and the Commendatory Morreo, Pay-mafter " ' 
 and CommifTary of the King of Spain's Forces in France , was gone thither for the 
 fame purpofe. To thefe provifions abroad, were added alfo others within : for the 
 Governours in chief being intent to remedy the neceffity of the people as much as they 
 could , did with veiy great care caufe that Corn that was found in the City to be di- 
 vided i the price whereof being infinitely beyond the ordinary rate, and the common 
 people not having means to help themfelves. Cardinal Gondy Bifhop of Paris, not out 
 of any inclination he had to favour the League, but out of pity to fee the poor wretches 
 perifh who had not money to relieve themfelves, all Trading being quite left off in the 
 City , gave way that all the Silver and Plate that had been offered to the feveral 
 
 N n n 2 Churches,
 
 r- I r ri - -^-— ^— 
 
 .£q The Hijlory of the Civil Jfari 
 
 iKQO. Churches, (hould be taken out and turned into money, to feed the poor, with an Obli- 
 Th£ l.ftiopof gatiou to reftore them as foon as the prefent neceffity was over. The Cardinal-Legat 
 "i\^i"\-'t intent upon the fame, diftributed among the poor fifty thoufand Crowns extorted from 
 cburch-pi»« t}ie Pope with much ado i and caufing his own Plate to be melted and coined, did, 
 w«fi i'n'to with a great deal of praife, give it among thofe that Hood in need. The AmbaiTador 
 iflooe for the ]\iendo-^za promifed lixfcore Crowns a day in bread: and the Dutchefles and the 
 ,eiicf cf the ^j^f^^j^ L^yjg helped to the uttermoft of their abilities , felling their houfhold-ftuff, 
 jewels and ornaments for the fo miferable neceffity of the common people. But thefe 
 proviiions began already to be very fcarcc, in refped of the infinite number of mouths, 
 and the continual wafting of Corn : for the King advancing, by the taking in of the 
 Neighbouring Towns, did ftraighten the fiege every day more and more : nor was 
 there any kind of Victual at all brought into the City by the Rivers : for La^uy, 
 St. Nhur, and the Bridge of Charenten^ (the care of which places was committed to 
 tlie Baron de Guiry) (hut up the pafTage of the River Marne : MoHtereau, where there 
 was a flrong Garifon under the command of Monfieur de Chanliot, fliut up the palTage 
 of the River Tonne: the Garifons of Moret, Melun, Bray, and Corbeil, ftopt up the 
 Seiue from above : and from below, the Marefchal d' Aumont quartered at the Bridge 
 of St. Cloud, a league from the City ; and l^oiffy, and Conflans, well Garifon'd, did 
 wholly interrupt the palTage up the River i as Beaumont, ftrongly guarded, hindred all 
 Boats from moving upon the River Oyfe. So that the Rivers which are commonly 
 called the Nurces of the People of Parh, being fhut up, there remained only that little 
 which could be gotten thither fecretly by Land : to cut off which, the King having 
 pafTcd the Seine, and being come into the Plains near the City, fpread his Ariuy from 
 the Porte St. Antboine, which looks toward the Eaft, to the Porte Mont Martre, which 
 ftands towards the Weft i and making ufe of the advantage of ground, caufed two 
 Pieces of Cannon to be planted upon the Hill of Mont fankon, and two others at 
 Mont Martre , enclofing them with Trenches , and guarding the place with a ftrong 
 Guard : and the next day, which was the ninth of May, he caufed his Horfe to make 
 incurfions even to the very Gates of the Fauxbourgs St. Martin, and St. Dem, which 
 ftand between the twoaforefaid Gates, and to burn and deftroy the Wind-mills every 
 where : yet could they not get into the Fauxbourgs, becaufe they were fortified with 
 trenches, banks, and barrels full of earth : which day, while they were fmartly skir- 
 miftiing with the Sieur de Viiry^s Horfe which fallied out of the Porte St. Martin, with 
 fome Companies of Foot-Souldiers and Citizens, the Sieur de la None, in whofc con- 
 duft and courage every one trufted very much, was, according to his wonted misfor- 
 tune, wounded with a Musket-fhot. 
 
 The King had made choice to quarter his Army on that fide, for two principal rea- 
 fons : one, becaufe the Bois de Vincennes, fcated on the Eaft-fide near the River, and 
 the Town of St. Venis on the Weft-fide holding ftill for the League, he might not 
 only fend out parties of Horfe, and cut off the ways conveniently, fo that there might 
 be no paffage from thofe places to the City i but he alfo befieged them in fuch manner, 
 that he hoped to take them within a little time > the other reafon was, that relief being 
 cxpedled out of Champagne and Picardy, he was quartered juft upon the great high- 
 way which leads from thofe Provinces to the City of Paris, (b that he was ready to 
 turn his Army thither where he fliould fee the Enemy appear. Thus the Army being 
 fpred from the banks of the River Marne, to the lower part of the Seine, the whole 
 field was obftrudlcd with continual parties, and there were every hour great skirmiflies 
 with thofe of the City, who being ftreightned with want, ftrove to catch either Corn, - 
 Roots, or other Visual, even to the very dead Horfes that lay there, which they could 
 very feldom effed •, and at the very fame time St. Venis, and the Bois de Vincennes (a 
 very ftrong Caftle) were clofely befieged, and the Count Montleurier having paffed 
 The Catainai the Seine, had laid fiege to Vammartin, a Town belonging to the Lords of Montmo- 
 atSr.v,'" '''*'''^-''' ^^^^" leagues diftant from the City, into which,^ there was gotten a great deal 
 which r^odu. ofprovifioni fo that the Parifians being (hut up on all fides, began already to feel the 
 t'on iTaUioniy ^^fi^^mity of hunger, and only fuftained the bitternefs of their prefent fortune, by the 
 the Duke'of conftancy of their courage. 
 
 »it?s'the De- "Vv'hile the fiege and defence of the City oiParis is thus laboured with infinite con- 
 p"rov.nce.' m ^^Jj!"^"! °" ^^^h fide, the Cardinal of Bourbon, burd'ned with years, and wafted by the 
 ^Wr"ch u°fe ^ediQufneft of his imprifonment, departed this life at Fontenay, whofe death gave evi- 
 anothet King, dcnt proof to all the World, that his perfon had only (erved for a cloak to cover the 
 
 paflTions
 
 ©/France* The Eleventh 'Bool^ 461 
 
 paffions and interefts of thofe that were mod powerful 5 for it caufed no alteration at lSpO> 
 all in the party of the League, but both the Parifians continued their conftancy with 
 new Decrees oi Sorbonne ^ That a new King of a different Religion could not be ac- 
 cepted of i and the Duke oi Mayenne fetting forth a Manifeji to invite the Deputies 
 of the Provinces to meet at Meaux, for the eleding of a King, with the common con- 
 fent, kept the fame title of Lieutenant-General of the State and Crown of France^ 
 and continued in the fame manner to make War , the end whereof at prefent was 
 wholly fet upon the way of relieving the City of Paris^ which being not to be done 
 without powerful afliftance from the Catholick King , the Duke of Mayenne , both to 
 agree upon the means, and to haften the execution, went to Conde^ a place upon the 
 confines , to confer with Akffandro Farnefe , Duke of Farma, under whofe Govern- 
 ment were all the Spanifli Forces. 
 
 The intention of King P^i/?/ was, that the League fliould be relieved, and the peo- 
 ple oiParis delivered from the prefent danger, but with fuch moderation, that fo many 
 fums of money profufely fpent, and fo great forces as were employed in that enter- 
 prife, might not prove vain and unprofitable to his proper Interefts : For he forefaw. 
 That if the Duke of Mayenne and the League (hould agree to acknowledge the King of 
 Navarre^ he fliould reap no other benefit from (b many labours, but the gaining of a 
 powerful Enemy i and likewife, if the Crown fliould fall to the Duke of Mayenne, or ^h ' m (l 
 any other of the Houfe of Lorain, he knew he fliould advantage himfelf but little anddefigns of 
 inore,fince the interefts of State would in a fliort time make him his Enemy, whofbever c*** '^'"° °^ 
 fliould be free and fble Pofleflbr of the Crown » weighty prefent interefts having more 
 power with men , than the remembrance of paft obligations : Wherefore he being to 
 fpend vaft fums of money for the bringing a powerful Army into France, and in the 
 mean time leave the affairs of Flanders in great danger, where the States of the United 
 Provinces, under the command of Grave Mmrice of Nj^jh, not finding the wonted 
 obftacles, were like to make very great progrefs, hedefired, that at leaft things fliould 
 be compofed in fuch a manner, that the benefit might in good meafure redound to him, 
 which fliould fucceed from his charges, dangers, labours, endeavours, and from his ', 
 Armies » which by reafon of the nature of the French, and the prefent ftate of affairs, 
 was moft difficult to be brought to pafs : For the Duke of Mayenne, Head of the 
 League, and abfolute Mafter of the Forces, did not only pretend to obtain the King- 
 dom for himfelf, but was alio firmly refolved , not to confent that any Member, Pro- 
 vince, or City, that belonged to the Crown fliould be alienated from it ; and the ma- 
 jor part of the people being naturally Enemies to the Spaniards, and made their ad- 
 herents now only by necclTity, would never endure to be commanded by them, and 
 thought it fliould fuffice the King of Spain to be cryed up for the Proteftor and De- 
 fender of the Catholick Religion, and that the King who fliould be eftabliflied fliould 
 aflift him to fobdue the Provinces of the Low-Countries , without pretending any 
 other benefit from that principal relief which he lent to the common cauft. Where- 
 fore it was very hard to find a middle way among fo many difficulties, and almoft im- 
 poflible to keep fuch leight uncertain minds from inclining to acknowledge and take 
 part with King Henry, a home-born Natural Prince ; and therefore it was necelTary to 
 govern that defign with huge expences, great induftry, long delays, and Infinite pa- 
 tience, which, among (b many fufpicions, and fo many difficult bufineffes, appeared to 
 be of great lofs and detriment, without much hope of proportionable advantage. For 
 this caufe the Duke of Farma, a prudent wary Prince, and an Enemy to leight adven- The Duke of 
 
 ... ' / ^ / , . ' . . I- 1 1 I • Pinna's etj- 
 
 turing upon the arbitrement of Fortune , thought it pernicious counlei to leave his nion. 
 own bufineffes of Flanders , to employ all his Forces in fo uncertain an enterprifc, 
 wholly founded upon the inftability of the French, and had endeavoured to divert the 
 Catholick King from fuch a thought j but the Council of Spain , either defirous to 
 augment their glory in the defence of Religion, or perchance too much allured by fu- 
 ture hopes , having judged otherwife , and order being come from the King that he 
 fliould apply his mind principally to the affairs of France, he thought that might more 
 eafily be brought to pafs which was defired in Spain, if avoiding the neceffity of ven- 
 turing whole Armies , and hazarding all their reputation at one clap , the protract- 
 ing of the War , and the {pinning of it out with flow proceedings were endea- 
 voured j by which means , the Party of the LEAGUE no lefs wearied out 
 than the KINGS, it would in the end remain in the King of Spain's power, 
 to difpofe of the Affairs of France and Religion his own way > and therefore he 
 
 was
 
 . ^2 2^'^^ Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I coo. was not fo ready to give aid, as the urgent need of the Parifians required, and as the 
 ' Duke of Mayenne would have had him > vpho being come to Conde^ and having met 
 him there, endeavoured by moft efFedual perfwafions to move him to march without 
 delay to the relief of faris : But he confidering that the reputation of the Catholick 
 King, and the fum of affairs, ought not without convenient Forces to be piat in dan- 
 ger againft a valiant and expert Souldier, and againli a viftorious Army, (hewed. That 
 the provifions that were requifite ., could not be got together fo fuddenly , neither 
 could he fo foon give order, as well for the drawing of the Army into a Body, as for 
 the defence of their own bufineffes in Flanders •, and concluded finally, that he could 
 not be in France before the beginning of the Moneth of Auguji, a time which feemed 
 The Duke of wonderful long to the Duke of Mayenne i and doubting, or rather thinking for cer- 
 hav'i'ng"«tthe tain, that the Parifians could not hold out fo long, he defired him in the mean time to 
 Dake of Ptrma jgj {,{^1 havc fomc number of men, with which, added to his own, he might attempt 
 not^befn's^bie fome way to put viduals into the City : With that the Duke of Parma was contented, 
 toperfwade^ it being a propofition fuitable to his own thought, which was to keep the War alive 
 r'rMci.lbia'inj with flow proceedings i on the one fide, by little and little to confume the Kings For- 
 foMbe relief "^' ^nd on the other, by length of time to tire out and break the eonftant refolution 
 cf Pirn. of the Duke of Mayenne and his adherents, not to admit a ftranger to the Crown, nor 
 to difmember any part of the Kingdom: And therefore he willingly granted him Fif- 
 teen hundred Spanifh Foot, who had been out in a plundering mutiny, and being now 
 entred again into fervice, were commanded by Don Antonio ^iroga. Twelve hundred 
 Italian Foot led by Camillo Capuzichia, a Roman, and Eight hundred Flemmifh and 
 Bourguinon Horfe i with which Forces, the Duke not lofing any longer time, marched 
 with all fpeed toward Pkardy. 
 
 But at the fame time the defigns of the Duke of Parma had like to have been ruined, 
 
 and the minds of the French to have been ftirred up to fome commotion by the counfel 
 
 ?nnift«r'd^ai °^ ^^^ Ambaflador Mendozza , and the other Spanifh Minifters that were in France, 
 
 wi'thfomeGo- who being morc intent upon prefcnt benefit, than the greatnefs of the future defign, 
 
 lV!!^!\°Lf and not being well acquainted with the fecret intentions of the Duke, began to deal 
 
 placcS) Co dell- o i ^ »ti» II 11/- 
 
 ytrtiitm .p With fomc Govcmours of places m Picardy, to the end, that bemg well rewarded for 
 onhe''Kl'n-"of t^i^'r P^ins, they might deliver them up into the hands of the Spaniards i which pra- 
 Syun. ° d^ices would not only have exprefly fliown the Catholick Kings intentions to be diffe- 
 rent from the outward appearance , but would alfo have fo moved the hafiy fiery 
 minds of the French , that without any regard they would have agreed to acknow- 
 ledge the King, that they might not be deceived by the fufpeded arts of the Spaniards, 
 and would havefmoothed the way to the revolt of the Parifians, who with fo much 
 art and patience were kept firm in their refolutions. But the Duke of Parma^ zffbon 
 as he came to the knowledge of it, inftantly cut off all thofe Treaties, and laboured 
 to make appear that it had been the inclination of thofe Governours, but neither the 
 will of the Catholick King, nor the praftice of his Minifters, being moft averfefrom 
 any other Intereft fave that of Religion : and yet the Duke: of Mayenne^ deeply moved 
 at thofe Treaties, was fain to lengthen his journey, palling in his return by all thofe 
 places that were fufpefted, and making fome ftay in each of them, caufed all the Go- 
 vernours to proraife, and take a folemn Oath not to fall off from that party , nor to 
 hold any private Treaty with any Prince : but not trufting wholly to this, he ftrove 
 to fecure thofe Fortreffes with all poftible provifions i and it being neceffary to leave 
 fttong Garifons of his own men in every place, he was conftrained to diminifh his 
 iForces in fuch manner, that they were not fufficient to give any confiderable relief 
 to the liege of Paris : yet becaufe he would not fail in any thing that was poffible, he 
 advanced upon the way that leads to Paris , with an intent cither to raiie the King 
 from the fiege, or at leaft to flacken it in fome part i which was not altogether with- 
 out fuccefs : for the King being advertifed of the Dukes advance with his Forces, 
 ^ent from the fiege with one thoufand and two hundred CuiraHiers, five hundred 
 J^eiters , and one thoufand and two hundred Harquebufiers on hoifeback i and ha- 
 ving marched eighteen leagues in one day , met him near unto Laon upon the fifth 
 day of June, and arrived Co unexpeftedly, that the Duke, not being in a condition 
 to fight, was conftrained to retire apace into the Suburbs of the Town, and there to 
 quarter his men under favour of the Walls and Cannon, that he might not be forced to a 
 i* iT^^ ^^'"f"iifl^ was hot and furious the next day, ^/rj^<i's Spaniards coming on 
 very boldly encouraged with the fpoil they had gotten while they were out in mutiny, 
 
 armed
 
 of France. The Eleventh 'Bool^, 463 
 
 armed with excellent Arms, and wonderfully gallantly fet forth. But the Baron de Byrdn 1 3^0. 
 having made the Harquebutiers alight from their horfes, and two Troops of Keiterr 
 to advance one upon each flank, they retired without much difputing, leaving a greater 
 opinion of their vain oftentation, than of their valour and Military dilcipline, which 
 ill agrees with the licence of plunderings '■> fo that the Italian Tenia, made up of old 
 well-difciplined Souldiers , was fain to fecond the skirmifh , in which thofe of the 
 League, neither fuffering themfelves to be beaten off from their place of advantage, 
 nor from the fhelter of the Town, it continued till the evening without coming to a 
 Battel. 
 
 But while the Forces skirmifh thus at L^ov, the Sieur de St. Pattl Cwho from the J^X'^^l^^'' 
 beginning had feparated himfelf from the Duke of Mayenne with that intention) being in'reiicf in:o 
 with eight hundred Horfe and great flore of Vidtual advanced by the way ofCbampagne, ^'""* 
 came fafe to Meaux, and from thence along the bank of the River Mams, Chaving 
 avoided the Guards of the Kings Army, which, becaufe their number was diminiflied, 
 could not fcovvre the ways with their wonted diligence) entered fafe into Faris, where 
 having put in the provifions, he retired without having received any prejudice : which 
 being come to the Kings knowledge, both bccaufe he might not leave open the paflage 
 for other Succours, and becaufe he faw that his flaying to face the Duke of Mayenne 
 (fafely intrenched in the Suburbs of Laon, and well furniihed with Vidlual) was no 
 way advantageous, he returned upon the ninth of June to his old quarters, where he 
 was more careful in the befieging of St. JJenis^ and in cutting off all pafTages to the 
 City i in which bufinefs he himfelf fpending many hours both of the day and night, 
 and by his example the other Commanders doing the like, and particularly the Baron 
 de Byron, a young man, in the full ftrength of his years, and unwearied in all toil and 
 labour, all attempts proved vain which were ufed by the befieged, or by the Provinces 
 bordering upon them, to get any quantity of Vidual f though never fo little) into the 
 City : but how exad: foeverthe diligence of the Kings Commanders was, yet was it 
 no more than was necefTary in the prefent occafion : for a Bufliel of Wheat being fold 
 in the City at one hundred and twenty Crowns, and all other things at a futable rate, 
 not only the Friends and Confederates of the League , but even their Enemies alfo, 
 and fome of the Kings fide, moved by thegreatnefs of the profit, endeavoured to get 
 fome fmall quantity of Corn and Flefh to pafs fecretly into the City ; which neverthe- 
 Icfs, by reafbn of the multitude of thofe that fcowred the ways, happened but very 
 feldom, and was in a manner but an infenfible help to the Parifians, who afBided by 
 extream miferies , only (uf^ained themfelves by conflancy of courage , and the near 
 hope of relief} which that it might be kept alive, both the Duke of Mayenne, who was 
 without, and the Lords that were within, ufed marvellous art and induflry, in making 
 rumours to be fpread, fometimes that the Forces were upon their march from Flanders 
 to raife the fiege i fometimes that provifionof Vidtual was making ready to fupply the 
 City i fometimes that fome favourable accident had befallen their party : fo that Letters 
 and MefTagcs arriving everyday, and mingling true things with falfe, both publifhed 
 in the Pulpits, and divulged upon the Guards, fed the people with hopes for fome few 
 days: But the neceflity increating daily, thefe arts at lafl became unwelcom to the ears 
 of men of underfbnding i fad doleful voices being heard, and many figns of difcontent 
 obferved thorow the whole City. The month of July was already begun , and the 
 Corn of the City was quite fpent, nor was any thing left for the people to live upon 
 but Oats, of which fome little quantity remained i and that being ground in the Mills 
 that flood in the flreams of the River within the City, fometimes was turned into bread, 
 fometimes cooked into pottage, which the French call baniUie i and for dainties, fome- ^ne (Jerctiptl- 
 times a little flefh, either of Horfes, Dogs, AfTes, or Mules, keeping no other Horfes ticstheptopie 
 alive, but thofe which were made ufe of in the War i the refl being publickly fold, to 2'c^""^ '" '*" 
 keep the Families of the greatefl Lords. But this manner of living was tolerable, and " " 
 to be wifhed for, in refpcdt of the common people, who drawing no profit at all from 
 their Trades, and being reduced to extremity of mifery, without fnoney, and without 
 bread, were fain, like brute beafls, to feed upon thofe herbs which they found in the 
 yards, and flreets, and along the ramparts •■, which yet not being fufficient for fo great 
 a multitude, and either giving little nourifhment, becaufe they were dried up with the 
 heat, or elfe by their poifonous qualities producing vomits and fluxes, the miferablc 
 people were often feen to fall fuddenly dead in the flreets ; which was fo fad aijd la- 
 mentable a fpedtackjas would have caufed horror in any heartjhow fierce or cruel foever. 
 
 Yet,
 
 4^4 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5po, 
 
 I'tocureur ol 
 the Chaftelet, 
 with fotnc 
 ethers, execu- 
 ted for having 
 cried in the 
 face of the 
 Counc 
 or Piact. 
 * Brritd »r 
 
 ttiU. 
 
 An InfnrreaU 
 cn apptafcd 
 with the death 
 of divers of 
 thole made it. 
 
 Yet, notwithflanding all this, the Heads of the Fadlion, and thofe that governed the 
 people, the Legat, the AmbafTador Mendozza, and the Princes, were fo conftant and 
 fo firm, tiiat they never fo much as entertained a thought of yielding, but vpith ex- 
 ceeding great feverity caufed one Kemrd the Trocunur of the Cbajhlet^ and fome other 
 of his accomplices to be executed j who defiring to free themfelves from fo great dan- 
 ger, had had the boldnefs one day when the Council was affembled, to cry out with 
 a loud voice, ^ On Paiir^ ou Paix : and even the common people, in the midft of fo 
 great ftraights, and the expedtation of prefent death, rejoyced to fuffer and endure 
 \CEriitd their mifery, being fully perfwaded that it was a kind of true and glorious Martyr- 
 dom, for the fafcty of their Confciences, and the maintenance of Religion. Not, but 
 that fome more cotnpailionate of themfelves, or of weaker fpirit, or perchance not 
 fo conftant in matters of Faith, {bbight and contrived to make fome uproar, either to 
 introduce a Treaty of Agreement, or to open a way for the King to be received by the 
 people, and went fo far ftirring men up, by the apparent terrour of unavoidable death, 
 and the moft cruel torment of hunger, that fome having trade an Agreement among 
 themfelves, refolvcd to meet one morning and feize upon the Heads of the Govern- 
 ment, who affembled themfelves in Council in the Palace of Juftice : but the bufmeft 
 being fecretly come to the ear of Von Chriftim de Nizza, one of the chief Preachers that 
 laboured to make the people hold out the fiege, he caufed the Princes and Legat to be 
 informed of it, who having put all the Militia in Arms, divided the care of the City, 
 and ordered, that the Duke of Nemonrs fhould ride armed both that day and night, 
 thorow all the Wards of the City, and that the Chevalier d^ Aumale fliould ftay con- 
 ftantly to guard the Palace : yet neverthelefs they of the Plot came in great numbers at 
 the time appointed, crying. Bread or Feace, and threatning, to cut the Council in pieces, 
 if fome courfe were not taken i when one of the City Captains, whofe name was Goix^ 
 inconfiderately going about to oppofe them, was (hot and killed by one of them, with 
 a Piftol which he carried privately. But the Chevalier d" Attmale having caufed the 
 Gates of the Palace to be (hut, and the Duke of Nemours and the AmbafTador Mendozza 
 coming fuddenly with the Militia in Arms,he that had difcharged the Piftol was thrown 
 down from the Galleries of the Palace i and fome other of the chief of them, who could 
 not efcape, being taken and executed the fame day, the tumult diflblved of it felf, 
 leaving the City free from danger, but not the Heads from fear, that hunger would 
 caufe many of thofe commotions: the ftate of things ftill growing worfe, and no cer- 
 tain hope of relief appearing. The exceffive hfats which this year followed the ex- 
 cellive rains, as they made the fufferings more grievous, fo did they haften the ripenefs 
 of Corn in the Field i which being feen by the befieged, who watched night and day 
 upon the Walls, was a caufe that they went out armed and unarmed in divers Com- 
 panies, fometimes Horfe, fometimes Foot, with Sides and other reaping Inftruments, 
 hoping to catch fome part of it ; But the diligence of the Kings Army was great in 
 running to beat back the befieged as often as they came forth, burning up the Corn, 
 and with (hot driving thofe Women and Children in again, that came out unarmed to 
 ^get fome by ftealth : So that the whole Field being full of burnings and bloody incur- 
 lions on all fides, the Parifians could not furnifh themfelves with any fruits out of the 
 Field, fave thofe that grew within fhot of their Walls, which was fo little as fufficed 
 not to keep them above five or fix days, after which, the famine grew more miferable 
 and deadly than ever » they being fain from Meal and Oat-pottage, to come to the eat- 
 ing of noifom things, and even to the grinding of Dead-mens Bones to make Bread i 
 a food not only loathfom and abominable, but alfofo unwholfom and peftiferous, that 
 the poor people died wonderfully faft. They likewife wanted Wood for firing fo much, 
 that they eat the fiefli they got almoft raw ■, and the skins and hides tanned for {hoocs 
 and for tnens clothing, were boiled and devoured by thofe, who pulling down their 
 own houfes, or other mens, could find wherewithal to kindle fires nor was there any 
 kind of nouriftiment fo ftrangc, but it came into mens fancies to make ufe of, being be- 
 come ingenious by'necelTity, which forced them to invent ways to keep themfelves 
 alive •, and that which gave the greateft relief was, that by reafon of the infinite num- 
 ber that were dead and fled away fecretly, fome ftreets, efpecially thofe of the Suburbs, 
 -being not frequented, brought forth Grafs, which gave marvellous relief to thofe poor 
 iamifticd Wretches. 
 
 L ^c-^ ^^" ^'^'^ ^"*^^' Ii^'P ^^35 likewife quickly taken away : for the Prince of Canty, 
 Ihe Sieui de aiajiillm^ (fte Duke de la TremoffUle, the Marquifs Pifani, the Duke of 
 Never s. 
 
 7he Patifians 
 make Bread of 
 Dead mens
 
 of France, The Eleventh ^ool^ 465 
 
 Nfwr J, and other Lotds o( Normandy, .^njoii, Poiciou^GafcoffHe znd Langieedoc heinZ I5P0< 
 come unto the Army, which was by that means much incrcafed in number, the King 
 caufed the liege to be more nearly Itreightned, and the Suburbs to be therefore afTaulted 
 and taken '■> to which end, upon the Four and twentieth day o( Jitly at night , being 
 the Eve of S' James the Apollle, the whole Army being difpofed in feveral places un- upon saint 
 der their Commanders, as the Clock ftruck three, all the Fauxbourg^s were afTaulted at 7'""'.^" ^^1 
 one time, clapping a great number of Scaling-Laddcrs againll the Works. The Baron f»uits'"a^nd " 
 de Byron afTaulted x.\\t F attxboiirg St. Martin, the Sieur de Fervaquesthztoi St. Denis ^ F?uxV''%sof 
 Monfieur de St. Luc fell on that oiMont-Martre, the Marefchal de Biron at 5^ Honore, i'*".""'"^ 
 the Marefchal d^ Aumont at St, Germain, Monfieur de Lavardht near the Portcs de BuJJy 
 and N.'JI:', Monfieur de CbafiiHon afTaulted St. Michael and St. Jaqttes, the Prince of 
 Conty and Duke de la Iremouille did the like at St Marceaii and St. Vidoire in fuch 
 manner, that being attacqued and ftormed all at the fame time, the Defendents ftrove^ 
 but in vain, with their Cannon and Musket-fhot from the Walls of the City i for al! 
 the Suburbs were taken by the Army, and the City and People thereby much more in- 
 commodated and flreightned. 
 
 The Town of St Denis was taken before this upon the feventh of Jidy ; in which 
 fiege the defendents having felt the fame calamities, capitulated at laft to yield, if 
 within three dayes they received not relief from Parw, or fome other place i which not 
 being come to pafs, by reafon of the weaknefs of the Parifians, and the places near The Km- a: 
 adjacent, and becaufe the King had obftruded all the Avenues, fitting on Horfe- the rtc gc Tf sr, 
 back himll-lf Forty hours together, they in the end gave up the Town, marching out h\"n,^kbl\ 
 with their Arms and Baggage : And the fame did they, who held the Caftle of P.tw- Forty ho it»' 
 martin on the lower part of the River. So the whole Army being now fct to "o"'^'' 
 ftreighten the City, which had before been divided to bcliege thofe two places, the 
 evil proved now without remedy-, there coming no certain news from any part, that 
 tlie Forces were upon their march to relieve them. Wherefore, though formerly 
 they had refufed to anfwer many of the Kings Letters, in which, promifing them ^olndtd! Tc' 
 their lives, and fecurity for their confciences, he exhorted them to deiill from fo oreat ^'s^" '"'' 
 ftubbornnefs, and yielding up themfelves, to acknowledge and obey him for their Na- JrmKt't'he"* 
 tura/I King : yet now fome MefTages having pafTed between the Legat and the Marquifs '^'"■5".''' "f 
 of P//^«i,whohad been AmbafTadorat KowCjthey were content at laft to yield to fome l'lu"bZ,^hl^ 
 treaty ofPeace,but more with an intention to fatishe the people, or toflacken the fiege "f"'" ^^''iiouc 
 in Tome meafure,than with a thought of concluding anything. Wherefore due fecurity anyMin"/. 
 being given and received,the Legat and Cardinal oiGondy went tothe Hojieloi Girola- 
 mo Gondy in thtF sitxbourg St Gfn«ai«,whither a while after camethe Marquefs ofFifam 
 with others from the Camp : but after a long difcourfe nothing was concluded j for the 
 Legat infifted to have the whole bufinefs remitted to the Pope's arbitrement, and that 
 there might be a Ceflation of Arms till the Decifion came from Rome ■■> and the Marquifs 
 demanded to have the Parifians fubmit themfelves unto the King's obedience, who 
 would afterwards give the Pope due fatisfadlion in point of Religion j which things 
 being fo dillant, and Co general, could produce no conclufion at all of agreement. The 
 Legates return into the City without effcdt , deluded the Peoples expectation , and 
 everyone being afBidted at it, increafed the confideration of their prefcnt mifery.and 
 of the certainty that they fliould lofe their lives within a few dayes : fo that the cries 
 and groans of the people not only tilled all the Itreets, but did alfo multiply the num- 
 ber of thofe , who being overcome by the fharpnefs of their fufferings, called out for 
 Bread, or Peace, cries molt frequent in the City, efjjecially in the night. This begin- 
 ning of infurredion was increafed by the Sieur d'' Andelot, brother to ChaJiiVon, and 
 fome other Gentlemen of the King's party, who being taken by the befieged in the 
 skirmiflies, which were molt frequent every day under the Walls, and having liberty 
 given them to go abroad upon their^jra/f, divulged among their friends and acquaint- 
 ance the King's Clemency, his readinefs to pardon, the liberty and fecurity wherewith 
 the Catholicks lived under his protedion, the refpedt he fhewed toward the Catho- 
 lick Religion, his great ftrength, which incrcafed more and more every day,wherewith 
 he was rcfolved to meet their Succors and fight with them, having afTured hopes to 
 beat them, and to find the fame facility he had done in the Battel of Tvry, wherein 
 the Forces of the League, though intire and united, were utterly dillipated , by which 
 inftigations, many already defpairing of relief, and drawn by their neceUity, inclined to 
 
 t> o try
 
 ^66 
 
 The Htslorj of the Civil Wan 
 
 15^0. 
 
 for feiT of »n 
 
 Infuvreaion, 
 the Council of 
 J>j»ij chufeih 
 two Dtputies, 
 the Cardinal 
 C'ndj and 
 Archbi/hop 
 of Lym to 
 treat with the 
 King. 
 
 The High- 
 Chjncellot 
 C'lytvctny recal- 
 led to the exe- 
 <ution of his 
 Office by Hm- 
 rv the fourth. 
 The Speech of 
 the City-De- 
 pu ies unto the 
 King. 
 
 The Kin°»s 
 -Anfwet. 
 
 try the fo much commended clemency and faith of the Conqueror. Whereupon there 
 was like to be a very great infurredion of the People, to force the Princes to a refo- 
 lution of yielding, and to make themfelves mafters of fome gate, and let in the King's 
 Army which if it fliould have come topafs, the Forces of the Soldiers and Citizens 
 were fo weakened by famine, that it was thought they would have been able to make 
 little relJftance againft the fury of the Enemy : Wherefore the Parliament and Council 
 being joyntly aflembled in the Hall of^t Lf^f*, they refolved to appoint two Depu- 
 ties, that fhould goto treat with the King, and if he permitted, ftiould pafs on to the 
 Duke oiMayeme^ and to take care not to yield up the City i but if it were polfible, 
 to include the particular agreement of the City, in the union of the general 
 
 For this imployment they chofe Cardinal Gondy and the Arch-bifiiop oi Lynns ^ 
 being affured, that neither of them would treat any thing that fliould be prejudicial 
 to Religion i and yet the Duke of Nemours rofe up almoft angry from the Council, 
 attefting, he would maintain what he had fworn in the beginning ofthefiege, and 
 that he had refolved rather to die, than yield the City into any other hands than his 
 Brother's, who had trufted him with it. Nor did the Cardinal- Legat feem altoge- 
 ther pleafed, but faid, he perm.itted that Counfel by neceffity, but that he approved not 
 of it, and that having done and fuffered fo much, they ought to have patience for a 
 few days, and expedt the coming and ifliic of the relief which was ready to appear 
 every hour. But yet the Deputies went forth with fafe condudl to the Abbey of 
 St Amhoine des Champes^ half a mile without that Gate which is fo called ; where they 
 found the King with a great many Princes and Lords, and among the reft the High- 
 Chancellor Chiveriiy^ who having lived retired from the time that King Henry the 
 Third difmiffed him from the Court, had a few dayes before been recalled by the King 
 to execute his wonted Office in keeping the Seals. The Deputies told the King,that 
 the Councel and Inhabitants of P<«m, moved to compaffionate the miferies of the peo- 
 ple of f>'.j«cf, which were the confequences of an obftinate Civil War, had given 
 them commiilion to come and treat with him, and from thence to go on to the Duke 
 of Mayenne the Head of the Catholick party, to fee if they could find out fome way of 
 accommodation i and therefore they who had willingly undertaken fo honourable an 
 imployment for the general good and fafety , exhorted his Majefty to hearken to 
 thofe Conditions which were fit for the fecurity of Religion, and the common peace 
 of the Kingdom i but that he fliould not think, that for any fufferingor danger in the 
 World, the Parifians would ever accept of any Agreement which fliould in the leaft 
 manner be prejudicial to their Conference and Religion, being refolved rather to die a 
 corporal death, than injure or blemifli the fpiritual life of the Soul, for which they were 
 ready to fuffer any kind of Martyrdom i which yet they did not fear, being certain to 
 be powerfully relieved within a few dayes. Here Cardinal Gondy ( though in him- 
 felf affedtionate to the King's party ) added many other things, to make it be believ- 
 ed, that not driven by neceffity, but moved with a charitable zeal of Univerfal Con- 
 cord, they were chofen Deputies by the City and Council of Pd:«>, to find out a way 
 tothequie^ of the Kingdom. Which things being fpoken in publick, and amidft a 
 great concourfe of Soldierly Nobility, did fo difguft every one that heard him, that the 
 refpedf of the King could not fo reftrain the French impatiency , but that it broke 
 forth fometimes into laughter , fometimes in words of difdain, hearing a Meflage 
 more proper'for a dif-intereffed, or a conquering people, than a City reduced to the 
 lafl inevitable calamities of hunger. And the King, either through his own Spirit , 
 or excited by the general refentment, which had, as it were, prefcribed him the te- 
 nor of his Anfwer, replied readily, That he knew very well the common people of 
 Paris had the knife at their throat i and that howfbever the true meaning of the Em- 
 baffie were palliated, yet were the Deputies come indeed to find fome remedy for the ex- 
 tremity of the condition they were brought to i but that the contents of their meflage 
 was very different from what it ought to have been : That if the Senate of Venice^ 
 a State not depending upon any body but it felf, yet by its antient refolution, alwayes a 
 Mediator of Peace among Chriflian Princes, had interpofed to conclude a Peace be- 
 tween him and the Duke of Mayenne^ it would not have feemed ftrange to him, and 
 he fliould have taken it in good parti but that the common-people of one of his 
 own Subjedt-Cities , who having forgot their natural duty, had fliewed them- 
 ftl?es contumacious and rebellious againft him, fliould dare to ufurp the name of a 
 
 Council,
 
 of FrancCi The Eleventh ^go\. 
 
 ^6j 
 
 I5^9a 
 
 Council, and prcfume to be the Mediators of Peace and Concord, waS a thing fo ri- 
 diculous on the one fide, atid fo worthy of fcorn and punifhment on the other, that it 
 would be no fmall matter , if from his clemency they (hould be able to obtain pardon 
 for themfelves, without medling any further in the bufinefs. And here with many 
 expreilions fwherein he was naturally very happyj defiring alfo to give fatisfa(3:ion 
 to the Nobility that heard him, he faid divers other things, to fhew that he delired 
 Peace out of his own goodnefs and clemency, and for the prefervation of the people 
 which God had committed to his Government-, but that he neither feared the War, 
 nor the powerful fuccours which the Pariiians fancied in their own imaginations: And 
 finally concluded, that he would be contented to lofe one finger from his hand, upon 
 condition, the War between him and his Enemies and Rebels, might be ended with 
 the Sword the day following i but that he would gladly give two, that by the way of 
 Peace every one would acknowledge their own duty. 
 
 After which words, the Deputies were led forth into a room prepared for them, 
 and the King retired to advife with his Council. The High Chancellor Chiverny (hew- Jf''ti,j''H"Lh' 
 ed, that the Kings anfwer had been very fharp and high, and that though that fcorn- chancellor 
 ful refolute behaviour feemcd fit in publick, yet now in confulting the matter calmly, '^'"^"'J'. 
 that ftile was to be altered, not to lofe that end which had till then been endeavoured 
 with fo many labours: That the Kings aim was to bring the City of Parps under obe- 
 dience, but not with the defolation of the Citizens, nor with force of Arms i but that 
 the way of fiege had been chofen, as well by reafon of the flrength of the people uni' 
 ted for their defence, as not to deftroy the greateft and richelt City of the whole King- 
 dom: Wherefore, now that the Parifians being tamed by hunger, began to treat of 
 an Agreement, reafon perfwaded to ufe them gently, and not to ftand upon any Con- 
 ditions i but, provided they would but yield the mofi: large and honourable Capitula- 
 tion that could be, was to be accepted fcf i and that if the defire of faving Pam in- 
 duced the Duke of MiZjf««d' and others of his party to embrace an Agreement, it was 
 not a thing to be contemned, but rather to be wifhed for : Wherefore he was plainly 
 of opinion, that the Deputies fhould be moderately treated with in private touching ' 
 an Accommodation , and alfo that they fhould be permitted to go on to the Duke of 
 Maynine, to fee if they could draw him to confcnt to Peace. The Mare(chal de Byron 
 approved the firfi: part of the High Chancellors counfels, which was to give any condi- 
 tions whatfoever to the Pariiians, provided, they would fubmit to the Kings obedi- 
 ence ) fo much the rather, becaufe by long watcbings and continual fufFerings,the Forces 
 of the Army were much tired and leflened, and difeafes, in regard of the ieafbn, began 
 already to be very rife in the Camp : But he was not of opinion, that the Deputies fhould 
 have leave granted them to go on to the Duke of Mayenne, fhewing, that that was a 
 prolonging of the time, till the relief fhould arrive out of Flanders : That the nego- 
 tiating of a General Peace was a thing that required long time, and much maturity, 
 which could not ftand with the prefent bufinefs : That it was good to ftrike the Iron Counre'iTors 
 while it was hot, and to ftraighten the Parifians till hunger forced them to think of their *'''"'■ 
 own fafety : For Paris being fubducd, the foundation of the League was taken away, 
 and it would afterward be moft eafie to make an Agreement with the Duke of May- 
 emte and the reft of his party. All the reft concurred in this opinion i and therefore 
 the Deputies being called, after many difcourfes, this was the conclufion. That if Paris 
 would yield, the King would give them full fatisfadtion in the fecurities, and other 
 matters they defired of him > but that he would not receive Laws from them, in what 
 concerned his Confcience and Converfion, which he referved to his own freedom, and 
 to the infpirationsof God i neither would he give way, that they fhould go treat with 
 the Duke of Mayenne^ he being refolved not to treat any Agreement, except concern- 
 ing the City of ParU : And finally, he caufcd a Writing to be given unto them, penned by 
 Secretary Kf z^(7/,wherein he declared the fame things with very gentle words,and proffers 
 of all pollible fecurity and fatisfadion. He added alfo private kind Letters to the Duke 
 of Nemours, the Dutchefs his Mother,and to Madam de Guife^ exhorting each of them to 
 Peace, and alfuring them all, That they fhould receive more from his favour, than they 
 knew how to defire. With this Anfwer the Deputies returned : But the Duke of 2Vf- 
 monrs being averfe from Peace, by the counfcl of the Legat, and the AmbafTador Men- 
 dozza, would not give way that the Writing fhould be read unto the people, but that ^,.„,,„^^ „, 
 the Deputies fhould tell them only, that the King would have no other Agreement, Pciceii l»i4^ 
 but that the City fliould put it felf into his power, without theafTent of, and without *'''^*' 
 
 O 2 including 
 
 TheMartfchal 
 dc Byrons opi- 
 nion, Co which 
 the Kinjs 
 
 The DeputitJ 
 return with 
 the Kings An- 
 fwer ! All 
 thoiighc of
 
 4^8 
 
 r5J'o. 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil IVa) 
 
 Tat Dttkt of 
 PtrmA bath 
 ezpicft order 
 htm Sjii» to 
 go and relieve 
 
 At the <omin<» 
 of the Duke of 
 i'Mma-'i Let. 
 ten, which 
 cromifed te- 
 lief within 
 fifteen dayj, 
 the fouHieti 
 and (xople de- 
 Ipsitingjfttire 
 tfl flye awjy 
 irom the City. 
 
 including the Duke of Mayenne^ and the othei Lords of the League i which being 
 contrary to the fcnfe of the major part, efpecially of thofe of the Council, (for the 
 City would by no means fcparate themfelves from the Duke of Mayenne, but run the 
 fame fortune with him to the uttermoft; the thought of Peace being laid afide, they 
 returned to the care of their defence. 
 
 In the mean time, the Duke of Tarmi (notwithftanding that he had made his opi- 
 nion fully known in Spain) had received a new abfolute order from the Carholick 
 King to march pcrfonally with the whole Army into frame to relieve the Confede- 
 rates, and to raife the fiegeof P^n/ > the Council believing that enterprifc fo honou- 
 rable, fo important, and full of fo lively hopes, that it was without doubt to be pre- 
 ferred before the interefts of the affairs of f landers^ which they thought to be reduced 
 intofucha condition, that they could receive but little or no damage by the abfencc 
 of the Duke and his Army for a few months i and therefore approving, that part of the 
 Duke of Parma''s opinion which was to nourifh and prolong the War, to obtain that 
 from the weaknefs and the wearincfs of the French, which at firft feemed impolfible 
 to be effeded, they had neverthelefs determined, that Parn fhould be powerfully re- 
 lieved, puipofely not to fafter the League to be fo foon fubdued, and the King to re- 
 main Conquerour i to whom, that City being once taken, all other things would be- 
 come eafie, and quickly be difpatched : Befides, that that Monarchy, even from the 
 weaknefs of its beginnings, having been accuftomed ever to unite its own ends with 
 the fo favourable and plaufible pretence of Religion, it could not now in this impor- 
 tant occafion difunite thofe intererts fo nearly joined, without taking off that glorious 
 reputation which they fo much boafted of, that they never had other Enemies, but the 
 Enemies of the Church itfelf: Therefore they had caufed a determinate order to be 
 given the Duke , that having ftrengthned thofe Garifons of Flanders as much as he 
 could, which were frontiers towards the Confederate States, he fhould not defer to re- 
 lieve the City of Parir with all his force i which being once delivered and freed from 
 the fiege, he (hould not care to proceed, or do any thing further. But the Duke, affoon 
 as he had received this laft fo abfolute order, was in iTiuch trouble which way to ex- 
 ecute it : For on the one fide, he could not leave the Cities of t landers fo well Gari- 
 fon'd, but that fome great lofs was to be feared, which in Spain Cwherc he faw the 
 opinion in this bufinefs was very different from truthj would be imputed to his care- 
 lefncfs, and not to the necelfity of things, and the Orders he had received : and on 
 the other fide, he could not march into France without the firength of the Army, be- 
 ing to make a War wherein there was little to be trufted to from his Friends, and much 
 to be feared from a brave, valiant, unwearied Enemy, bred up in War, and guarded 
 with almoftan invincible Body of French Nobility i and fo much the more, becaufe it 
 was neceffary to go and find him at home in the midfl of all his Forces. Moreover, 
 the ftraightnefs of time troubled him very much, becaufe he knew Paris was already 
 reduced to the extreameft ncceiTity of hunger, and yet firff to furnifli Flanders with 
 what was rtquifite, and then to go into frawf with that order, and thofe provifions 
 which were fit for the grcatnefs of the enterprife, it was neceffary to fpend fome time » 
 fo that it was infinitely to be doubted, the Parifians could not be able to hold out fb 
 long. But as a Prince of high courage, who to maturity of refolution joined celerity 
 of execution, judging this Tas indeed it was; the moft weighty and difficult enter- 
 prife that had ever fallen within his condudf, he propofed to himfelf to overcome all 
 difficulties, and toeffcft it with that glory which he had gained in his other aftions: 
 and therefore having difpofed the order of all things in his mind, he betook himfelf 
 to the cflcdling of them with fb much diligence, that he hoped to be able to relieve 
 P«w by the midll of ^«^«/f i wherefore defiring neither to deceive, nor be deceived, 
 as he had told the Duke of Mayenne before, fo he writ a Letter to the befieged, about 
 the end of Jttly, wherein giving them an account of his expedition, he affured them 
 that he would be m France by the midft of the next month, and exhorted them to 
 overcome all difficulties, and arm themfelves with patience to cxped that time, within 
 which he hoped certainly he fhould be able to free them from all trouble. This Letter 
 came to Pans upon the firfl of ^«^«/f , and being read by the Magiffrates, and com- 
 municated to the people, filled every one with wonderful great dcfpair, the time fecm- 
 ing fo long to them, that they believed they fhould never be able to hold it out with 
 life i wherefore the Souldiers began by flealth to fonake their Colours, and fly away 
 by night ; and the poor of the City being deftitutc of fuftenance, fought to get out of 
 
 the
 
 of France. The Eleucnth "Bcof^. 
 
 ¥9 
 
 the liege and efcape fome wliitlier clfc, the Governours in chief not forbidding them 
 who from the beginning had given leave to all to depart freely. But the King, as he 
 tvillingly fuffercd the run-away Souldiers to pafs, fo had he given itrid' orders that the 
 Towns-men fhould be driven back, and forced to return into the City, knowing that 
 the belieged fought to unburthen themfelves ■■, which order being punftually executed 
 by the Guards, was the caufe that very few of them could efcape by ftcalth. Among 
 thegreatert difficulties that the Governours had, was the rclhaining of the Germans, 
 who having lived in all kind of liberty, and without regard deftroyed fair houfes and 
 gardens to fell the wood and get money i now that every thing was confumcd, had 
 given themfelves over to all manner of villany, fo that they might but get any nourifli- 
 incnt by iti and many have reported, that they fecretly killed all the children they could 
 get into their hands, to feed upon their flefli i and notwithflanding all this they began 
 to mutiny, and defire to disband, though both the Duke of Nemciurs and the Chevalier 
 d Anmale did ufe all polliblc means to keep tliem together. The befieged finding them- 
 felves in this ftreight, writ to the Duke of Mayenne (for a final refolutionj that if they 
 were not relieved within ten days, it would be impoilible for them to hold out ■-, and 
 having done all that was poilible, they fliould be excufed both before God and man, if 
 they took care of their own fafcty : and the Dutchefs of Msyenne wrote to her Husband 
 to the fame purpofe, conjuring him by his afTedion to their children, that he fliould 
 rot fufTer them to fall into the hands of (b bitter an Enemy. Which Letters being re- 
 ing received by the Duke, and being in no Icfs perplexity of mind than the Parifians, 
 he united all his Forces together and advanced to A/c^w.v, ten leagues dillant from Pa- 
 ris, and difpatchcd the Marquifs AUffandrj M.jl.tl'pin.i to let the Duke of Pji-wj know, 
 that if he made not halle with his Army, all their labour would be loll, the befieged 
 rot being able to hold out any longer, and for alTurancc of it, fent him the fame Letters 
 he had received. There were with the Duke of Mty^nne belides §hiiro^a''s mutineers, 
 Capizucchrs Terti.i, and the Walloon Horfc the Duke of Farma had given him, fix hun- 
 dred Lanciers of the Duke oi Lorain's, commanded by the Count ^^c" Chjliany, Brother 
 to the Queen Dowager of France., the French Infantry under Colonel St. Paul., the 
 Duke of Aiiinale with the Troop oi Pkardy., the Marquifs dc Monday., Monlieur^e 
 Balagny., Governour o{ Camhray., and the Sicur de Khofne, and de laCbajire.^ with their 
 Regiments and Attendents, which in all amounted to the number of Ten thoufand 
 Foot, and Twothoufand and four hundred Horfe. With tiicfe Forces, though he ad- 
 vanced as tar as Meaux, to be ready upon any occafion that fliould be offered, and to 
 put courage in the befieged by being fo near, yet he did not think them fufRcient to be 
 able to relieve or visual Paris-, becaufe he knew the King, by the addition of many 
 fupplies, had under his Colours Six and twenty thoufand Foot, and more than Seven 
 thoufand Horfe, among which. Five thoufand were Gentlemen, who bearing Arms only 
 for Honour, being well attended and gallantly mounted, were efleemed by him, both 
 for their number and quality, without comparifon fuperiouri and therefore he dif- 
 patchcd Letters and Meffcngers every hour to the Vice-Senefchal de Mjnteliniar., who 
 rcfided for him near the Duke of Parma, to the end, that he might with all diligence 
 follicite his coming, without whicii he thought it impolhble to relieve the befieged. 
 
 The Duke of Parma having called a Council of War upon the firfl; of Auguji, told 
 them the Order he had received from the Catholick King, to march with the whole 
 Army into /-Vj/zcc, and faid, Tiiatthat refolution was contrary to his opinion, alledg- 
 ing the Reafons for which he efieemed theenterprife to be of great danger, and little 
 advantage : But fince it had pleafed the King their Mafter to command it fo, as he was 
 refolved in that Expedition to imploy all thofe abilities God had given him, fo he pray- 
 ed all the reft to apply their endeavours, to the end, that the Offices committed to 
 their care, might be difcharged to the praifeof God, the Kings fatisfadion, and to their 
 own honour : And there, having given every one his charge, he commanded, that the 
 Army already drawn down together, fliould be ready to march by the fourth of that 
 montli. He writ to the Duke oi'Maycnne the certainty and time of his coming, and gave 
 the Parifians notice of the fame, attelling to them. That for the only purpofe of relie- 
 ving them, and for the maintenance of Religion, the Catholick King negleding his own 
 Affairs, fparing neither blood nor money, and without thofe fecurities of flrong Towns 
 for Magazines of Arms, and places of Retreat upon the Confines, whicli are wont to 
 be demanded and granted, to the end, that every one might know his candour in pro- 
 ceeding to be more lively, and more real, undertook that weighty enterprifc i which 
 
 nevei- 
 
 15^0. 
 
 The Gttnut! 
 Souldicrj in 
 Pdni bavin<; 
 no other foodj 
 kill little chiU 
 drcn tocat. 
 
 The Duke of 
 M.ijtvne to 
 give hope to 
 the Pjirifijns, 
 advances tviib 
 Ills Aimy as 
 Uias Mtiux, 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 P.irmd Je-' 
 chce<, chat h( 
 had n:ver 
 been of opini- 
 on, that [he 
 King of SpdiH 
 IhouM fend 
 his Army into 
 f ranee to fetTB 
 
 the League,
 
 ^^o ■ The Hi/lory of the Civil \fars 
 
 lepo. neverthelefs he hoped, by the help of God, and the juftice of the Caufe, tobringtoah 
 TheD.keof happy conclufion i and with this Refolution, his Army moved upon the Fourth oi Ah- 
 wl.'hhisTrmy gnji toward Valenciennes. The Marquifs de Kanti led the Van \ in the Battel with the 
 fl'om ViUna- Puke Were the Princes of Afcoli^ Cha\ieati-bertrand and Chimay, the Count de Barle- 
 ieveP^i""' mont^ xht Count oi Arambergh^ and many other Flemifh, Italian, and Spani(h. Lords. 
 The Sieur de la Mothe^ Governour of Graveling^ commanded the Reer, in which there 
 were twenty pieces of Cannon, two Bridges to be made upon Boats, and all thofe other 
 warlike inftruments, which are wont to be carried along in Royal Armies. The Duke 
 oiTarma's Armies had ever been very well difciplined, ready, and accuftomed to hard- 
 fliip, pundual in obedience of commands, and no ways given to pillage or plunder in 
 a Friends Country : And now knowing he was to enter into a Kingdom, where the 
 name of a Spaniard was generally hated by the people, and that he was no lefs to go- 
 vern fufpicious minds , ready to rife upon every flight occafion, than to make War 
 with a victorious Army, and a wary compleat Souldier, he was rnore careful than ever, 
 andftrove with all polfible diligence to keep his Souldiers from doing any injury, ufin^ 
 any violence, or giving any caufe of complaint unto the French. He encamped always, 
 as if the Enemies Army had been clofe by him, kept all his men together from ftrag- 
 ling, and orderly in their quarters i he made careful difcoveries, and marched without 
 The nuke of confufion or tumult ; he came into quarters betimes in the evening, and while they 
 net of cor/uft were difpofed of, and made defenfible, he caufed the greater part of the Army to ftand 
 •n»'''!hr"''^" *° ^^^'"^ Arms j he ordered ftrong Convoys to attend the Vidual, wher£of he had made, 
 f"^««.° and did flill make exceeding great provifionsi and yielding the honour and advantage 
 
 in all things to the French, ftrove to gain the love of the Nation i to which end, he \\ 
 having lived in Flanders among the Spaniards with retirednefs and gravity, equal to 
 the humour of thofe with whom he converfed, now being come into France, he laid 
 afide the ftate of Ante-chambers, and the Hrid: keeping of doors, eat in publick, kept . 
 a Table for the French Gentlemen, and both in words and adions fliewed himfelf won- 
 derful affable and familiar. And bccaufe in that multitude of Officers of note that 
 were about him, he refolved only to truft himfelf, he would perfonally hear the rela- 
 tions of thofe parties that had been abroad to difcover and fcowr the ways, himfelf 
 would talk with Spies, difpofe the order of the Guards, and hearken to all things ap- 
 pertaining to the difcipline of his Army : for which purpofe watching all the night, 
 The Dttke of ^e only gave thofe few hours tofleep, which paft between the beating of the Kew/Z/f, 
 Pi,,rti'5 arri- and the marching Oi his Army. With, this diligence marching gently, not to tire out 
 where h^ioins his men, became to Meaux, ten leagues from ?aris, upon the three and twentieth of 
 with the Duke Anguft •, and having , as he marched , met the Duke of Mayenne in the field , they 
 «fA/iy««. joyne^ their Armies together in that very place. 
 
 There the Archbifliop of Lyons, and Prefident Vetus arrived ■-, who having newly 
 been with the King to introduce fome overture of Agreement, and now with his Safe- 
 condud: (for at the drawing near of the Spanifh Army, he had yielded fomething from 
 his former ftiffnefs) were come to negotiate with the Duke of Mayenne^ by whom be- 
 ing brought into the Council, they related in what extremity the Parifians were, and 
 and that they could not hold out above four days longer : whereupon they earneftly 
 dcfired, if within that fpace they could not be relieved, that an Agreement might be 
 made, whereby the City might be freed from the certainty of that danger wherein it 
 was. The Duke o( Parma, with modeft and grave expreilions, made known that he 
 was come by the Catholick Kings command, with order only to relieve the City, and 
 to provide againft the danger of Religion, and that he had noCommiffion to treat of 
 any Accommodation , nor did his Confcience didate to him any thought of making 
 AnAcc ^" Agreement with a Prince that was an Heretick, and an Enemy to the Church : but 
 
 d«ion?sT"a'iIl that the Pariiians having with infinite honour, and with an heroick example of Chri- 
 bL°''t°he"D'!iL ^*^" fortitude fuffered fo much, they fliould endure yet the delay of a few days i for 
 ci Pamthy. he hoped, by the help of God, and the ftrength of that Army, that they fliould very 
 ly^^tdeVtrm ^^^'^^ ^^ delivered ; and that therefore they fliould return to the City, and perfwade 
 theKingtore- them to that fhort patience. The Deputies returned to the King, where they had left 
 not'to'tMy't"'^ Cardinal Gondy, and declared that in the Army there was no intention of lending an 
 tte Deputies car to Peace, and that the Duke oi Parma had difmilTed them with affurance of a fpeedy 
 """f"- and infallible relief: whereupon, being likewife difmiffed by the King, the thoughts 
 
 on both fides were turned wholly upon matters of War. 
 
 The
 
 of France. The Eleventh 'Book, 
 
 47 
 
 The King was in great perplexity of mind : for befide the diminution of his Army 
 caufed by difeafes, whereof many had died (and among the reft the Abbot FietTQ del 
 Bene,, a man of great ability in State-affairs) many various and different refolutions re- 
 prefented themfelves unto his thoughts. It feemed hard unto him to rife without fruit 
 from that fiege, after fo many labours and fo many dangers, and after having reduced 
 the City to the laft degrees of defpair i and therefore he inclined to a defire of leaving 
 part of the Army to make good the paffes, and to advance with the other to meet the 
 relief. On the other fide, he thought the Dvktoi Farina's ftrength to be exceeding 
 great, and that it would be requifite to ufe all his Forces to oppofe and refilt him i 
 and therefore durft not hazard to go againft him with only a part of his Army, which 
 he believed not able to withlland him. Thus doubtful and uncertain in his mind he 
 called a Council of all his Commanders, in which the principal were the Dukeof Mrat- 
 penfier,, the. Duke of Nevers,, the Marefchals of ^^jwo//: and B/ro«, the Baron his fon 
 fhilibert de la Gukhe,, the Sieurs de Lavardin, Gititry^ and de Li Nuiee, the Vifcount of 
 Turenne, the Duke ^? /j Trfwo«i//e, and Monfieur de CkijHUon; who not having their 
 mindes poflefled with palTion, concurred all in the fame opinion, that to divide the Ar- 
 my was a pernicious counfel > for that way the fiege would neither be maintained, nor 
 the relief hindred : That this was not the firft fiege, which after many experiments 
 had been quitted by famous foldiersi and that if they could but effed the defign , 
 cither of defeating the Duke of Parma, or making him return , the provifions which 
 the Parifians could get in the mean time from places near adjacent, would be fo incon- 
 fiderable, that at their return the City would in a few dayes be brought to the fame 
 neceffity : Which, after it was determined in the Council, the King having given 
 fuch Orders as were fitting, that they might be ready time enough to oppofe the Ene- 
 my, raifed the fiege upon the thirtieth of ^uguji, and marched with his whole Army 
 to quarter in Cheliei;^ a Town three leagues from Pari^, and but four from the Army 
 of the League, Cbelles is a fpacious Bourg,, feated in a Fenny Plain , and overflowed 
 with the waterof a little Rivulet, which Hands in pools round about it: It hath on 
 both fides a large Campagne , and before it two hills, on whofe afcent is the great 
 high-way that leads ftraight from Meaitx to Park. Here the Army ( wherein were 
 Seven thoufand Horfe, and between eighteen and twenty thoufand Foot) was difpo- 
 fed in fuch manner, that the Light-horfe backed by the Foot of the ?^j;;g«jri/, pofTef- 
 fed the bottoms of the hills,and the paffage of the high-way: the body of the Main 
 Battel lay under cover in the houfes of the Bourg i and the Cavalry of the Keresitard^ 
 (heltering the back of the Army, lay at the entry of the Plain that leads towards Pj- 
 w.On the right hand of the Bourg the Swiffes were quartered, and the Sieur de ChajiiUm, 
 with four French Regiments -, and on the left . the Germans with five Regiments of Fire- 
 locks, and with the Sieur de Lavardin : and on both fides were placed the Artillery. 
 The Kings Army was hardly quartered,when upon the fteep of the hills the Italian and 
 Bourguinion Horfeof the League appeared, who began to skirmifli at the front of the 
 Quarters i and in the mean time the Dukes oi Parma and A/jje««f, with few in com- 
 pany, riding every where about, difcovered the ftrength and difpofition of the Ar- 
 my diftindtly i which feeming to them admirably well ordered, they retired to their 
 own Quarter, which was in the bottoms beyond the Hills, and were careful to fortifie 
 it with a broad Trench and a high Ereft-work, which flanked round about with 
 Bulwarks and Half-moons, upon which the Artillery were planted, made their Camp 
 fecure from the fury of any fudden affault whatfoever. The Armies lay ftill on this 
 manner for the fpace of four dayes : for the Duke of Parma knowing that the Pari-* 
 (ians going out of the City, had both from the places near adjacent,and by thcfe things 
 that had been left by the Army, furnillied themfelves with fuflicient provifions for 
 fomefew dayes, did not haften very much, nor would he precipitate his counfels : and 
 the King, though defirous to fight, and full of hopes of the Vidory, thought it anex- 
 tream rafiinefs toaflault an enemy ftronger than himfelf in his own Quarters. In the 
 mean time they skirmiflied very often,proved the valour of all the feveral Nations, and 
 tried all forts of Arms i the Horfe often charging Foot, and the Cuiralliers fometimes 
 Light-horfe and Carabines, fometimes Lanciers, wherewith the Army of the League a- 
 bounded very much : in which time the King, anxious of that d?lay, and fearful left the 
 late fufrerings,and want of money fhould make his men disband, or at leaft that his Army 
 (hould decreafe,it being full of dangerous difeafes, refolved to try the courage of the ene- 
 mies, by fending a Trumpet to let the D. of Mayenne know, Th^t at laft the time was 
 
 15P0. 
 
 The Abbot j 
 dtl ^tncdicJ, 
 
 dpon the 30 
 of Augull the 
 King rifei 
 from the 
 fie»e of P.irii, 
 anj iTiaiches 
 tn (~hrl!ts to 
 hinder the re- 
 lief. 
 
 The manner 
 how the Kin|TS 
 Army was dif- 
 pofcd at ChtL- 
 !es. 
 
 The Dukes of 
 Maycnie ani 
 Ptrma, while 
 their Horfe 
 skirmifli , go 
 to difcover the 
 ficujtion and 
 ftrength of the 
 Armjr. 
 
 While the two 
 Armies lie {fill 
 obferving one 
 another, the 
 Parifiars^nake 
 fome provjfi- 
 on o( Visual, 
 
 come
 
 47- 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 The King 
 lends a Ttum- 
 fct I ' the D. 
 
 chiUcnoinj; 
 linn loBaiccl. 
 The Duke of 
 J^l.tiivnc fsnds 
 him to th; 
 D of Purnfy 
 who rctursb a 
 n .table an- 
 itiet to i! e 
 King. 
 
 The Dukt of 
 i iirtr.d draws 
 his Army into 
 i!attalia,mar. 
 ches towarJs 
 the tncmy, 
 makes (hevo as 
 if he wa«U 
 give Battel ; 
 then running 
 fuijdenly, oots 
 (0 Lag'iy, and 
 rfeceivcs the 
 Kinj, who 
 thinking to 
 fgh; , had 
 ffifpofed his 
 Army in a 
 icaUintfs. 
 
 come of fctling the differences, and putting an end to the miferies of the War, and 
 that therefore riling forth of liis den, where he lay rather like a Fox than a Lion, he 
 (hould bring his Arrny into the open field, where the valour and courage of men might 
 prcfently decide tlie future Vidory. The Duke of Mayewie fent the Trumpet to the 
 Dukeof fj'-w^asfuperior: who fmiling anfwercd, That he knew very well what 
 was fit for him to do, for theattainingof his own ends, and was not come fo far to 
 take Counfel from his enemy : That he faw clearly enough, that his way of proceed- 
 in^' difpkafed the. King > but that if he were fo great a Soldier as fame reported him, 
 hc^fliould fliew Iiis skill in forcing him to a Battel againft his will i for he would never 
 put that willingly into the arbitrement of Fortune, which he had already fafe in his 
 own hands. But by this time the affairs of Taris began to prefs : for that little be- 
 ing confumed which they had been able to catch, the City returned to its former exi- 
 gency i and it was neceffary to open the paffes, to the end that Viftuals might go in : 
 wherefore the Dukeof P-^'-'M'*, having in thefe dayes tried the King's Soldiers, dif- 
 covered the Country exadly, and maturely deliberated what he (hould do, gave out, 
 that he would Hght in the open field '-, and having drawn up his Army in Battalia upon 
 the fifth o( September in the morning, he advanced very early towards the enemy. In 
 the Van he placed two great Squadrons of Lances, and all the Light-horfe of the Ar- 
 n'.y, and gave the Command of them to the Marquifs deRanty, giving him order,that 
 as foon as he was out of the woody place, which was upon the afcent of the Hills, and 
 was come to the top, where the Plain enlarged it felf,he fliould cover and take up the 
 fpaceof the hills as much as poffibly he could, by fpreading his Lanciersout at length, 
 commanded by the Prince oiChimay and Oeergio Bajij^znA by making two great wings 
 of the Light-horfc, and then marching toward the Enemy, (hould begin todefcend,but 
 very (i>ftly, to go in o the open field,making many ftands, and (taying to exped: his Or- 
 ders. To the Duke of Mayenne he gave the charge of the Battel, in which he put all 
 the flrength of the Italian and Spanifh Foot, together with twenty pieces of Cannon > 
 and the Rere was led by the Sieur dsh Mothe^ with the Bourguignon Lances, and the 
 Walloon Infantry. In the Flank of the Battel, but feparated on the right and left 
 hand, he put the Sieur ^e/j Cha\ire^zxidi Colonel S' Pa«/with the French Horfe and 
 Footi and he himfelf remained free to ride everywhere up and down, having with 
 him Count Alejandro Sforza^ Nicolo Cf/i/, and Apph Conti , with onely One hundred 
 Horfe. 
 
 As foon as the Army of the League was feen to march refolutely toward the Enemy 
 along the great Highway, it was the general opinion of both fides, that they (hould 
 certainly fight that day ; and the King full of courage, his eyes fparkling for very joy, 
 having,with admirable celerity and exad diligence, drawn up his Army, in the fame 
 manner as it lay quartered before, waited with a longing defire, till the Enemy com- 
 ing down into the open field, (hould give him opportunity to fight with equal advan- 
 tage. The Kings Squadrons were already all in order, with the Artillery placed ready 
 to nre, and the Marquifs de Ranty ftretching forth his Body of Lances as far as ever 
 he could, already leaving the Hill, defcended but very gently toward the Plain v when 
 the Duke of Parma , feeing all the Field covered with his Vanguard , and that the 
 Kings Army flood intently expeding him with a thought to fight,fet fpurs to his horfe, 
 and galloped up to the head of the Battel, where having (laid the Duke of Mayenne^ 
 who was t'lill marching toward the Enemy , he made him turn fuddenly towards 
 Lagny^ which frands upon the left hand ■, and having changed his order, fo that the 
 Battel became the Van, and the Rere the Battel, he miarched fpeedily topoffcfs the .Sub- 
 urbs of that Town. Lagny is feated upon the River Manie, in fuch manner, that the 
 Suburbs, though but of a few houfes, ftand upon the Bank on the right fide, on which 
 both the Armies were, and the Town is built upon the left i the paffage between is 
 by a large Bridge over the River, which being the principal that brings Vidual to 
 Faris^ was alfo one of the chief Paffes that was to be opened. Monfieur de la Fin 
 was in Lagny with Fifteen Colours of French Foot, who C contrary to his expedati- 
 on ) feeing the whole Army of the League turned againft him, and not thinking he 
 could defend the Suburbs, which f^ood beyond the River, on that (ide the Enemy was 
 coming, having broken and thrown down the Bridge, to the end they might not Co 
 eafily pafs over, he retired with his men to defend the circuit of the Town, which be- 
 fore they could affault, it was neceffary to pafs the River. The Duke of Parma ha- 
 ving taken and polTeffed the Suburbs without refiftance , prefently quartered the 
 
 French
 
 of France. The Eleventh ^oo{. 475 
 
 French Infantry there, and about half a mile from them he encamped in the field of ijpo* 
 Vompone with the re(t of the Army, endeavouring, with inhnite diligence, and witli 
 Trenches, Breil- worlds. Redoubts, and Half moons, to fccure the Camp, and to hin- 
 der and obftrutft the pafTages of all the Countrey round about. 
 
 The Marquifs ds Kj«fy, after he had with the Vanguard, held the King? Army for 
 many hours in fufpence, with a hope of fighting, towards the evening began likewife 
 to march toward L:igny^ leaving the King very doubtful what the Enemies defign 
 ftiould be i for he thought it neceffary for them to pafs the River , if they would 
 take that Town, which he believed they could not do, without great danger oflo- 
 fing at leaft their Rere-guard, if nothing elfe \ and it feemed to him much more dif- 
 ficult to believe, that the Duke of Parma would affault any place before his facei but 
 moft difficult of all, that he would march toward P^^m on that fide, leaving the pafs 
 of La^/z)' behind him, becaufe fo he fhould have (hut himfelf up in the middle, and de- 
 priving himfelfof the concourfe of provifions, would have befiegcd his own Army 
 himfelf V wherefore being doubtful in his mind, and not knowing what to refolve on, 
 to try what the enemies intent was, he fent forth the Baron ^f Biron, the Grand Prior, 
 and Monfieur de la Noue^ to follow the Marquifs de Kanty^ and to begin as hot a skir- 
 mifli as they could, to take (bme conjedure of the defigns and proceedings of the Ene- 
 my •, but the Carabines ( who were got into the woody places that were there round 
 about) having received the encounter very valiantly, and Georgia Bajia advancing 
 with Four hundred Lances to fecond them,the Skirmifli was various till night, which 
 parted them, fo that without further adfion they retired both to their own Quarters. 
 The Duke fiill bufie in taking and fortifying all the Polls that were between both 
 the Armies, to defend himfelf if he (hould be alfaulted in the Rere, caufed the Artille- 
 ry to be planted againft Lagny that very night, though with the River between, and 
 the next morning by break of day began to batter the Wall with eleven pieces of 
 Cannon. La tin at firll defpifed the Dukes Battery, feeing the River between them, 
 and that though a breach fliould be made, they could yet by no means come to aflault 
 it , by reafon of the River ■, but he found himfelf much deceived , when he faw 
 that the Duke having caufed a Bridge of Boats to be call over it two Leagues above, 
 had commanded Capizucchi's Tertia of Italians to pafs over, with Berlotte's Tertia of 
 Walloons, and Geornio Bajia' s Eight hundred Horfe, that they might be ready when it 
 fhould be time to fiorm the Wall i which weak, and not lined with Earth, was hke, 
 within a few hours , to afford fufficicnt palTage for the aifault. 
 
 In the interim, the King at lafi fufpedting what the Enemy was about to do ("but at 
 the time when the Quarter of the League was already well enough fortified, and all 
 the paflage fiopt up with Corps-de-Garde^ which the Duke oi Parma had placed on 
 every fidej fent forth divers Troops, and feveral ways to relieve the '^befieged, which " *^^' 
 all entred without refinance i for the Duke cared not, nor valued that Relief, fo long 
 as the whole Army marched not : But the King could take no way that was not molt 
 difficult and dangerous i for if he moved not, Lagny was certainly loft, and the paflage 
 was open to vidlual the City on that fide \ and if moving to relieve it, he fiiould pafs the 
 River, the Duke leaving Lagny, would march with the vidtual he had brought, the 
 ftraight way to Paris i for which caufe, he Haying, as it were, unmoveable, where he 
 was, not being able to take any refolution, confulted neverthelcfs what was belt to be 
 done. The Marefchal de Biron was of opinion, that following the fame way by which 
 the Marquifs de Kaw/ji was retired, and forcing two Corpi-de-Garde thzt wcxc on that 
 fide, he fliould aifault the Dukes Camp on the left hand toward Meaux^ where it was 
 lefs fortified than in the other places. Monfieur de la None was of opinion, that it was 
 better to pafs the River, and placing themfelves behind Lagny, to reinforce and refrefh 
 the Garrifon every moment, hoping, that being fo relieved, it might hold out againlt 
 the violence of the Enemy. To both thefe the King anfwered, That either way the 
 Duke had free paflage left him to Paris ■■, for, by turning towards Meaux, the way by 
 Chellft was left open, and, by palling the River the fame way, would be neither more 
 nor lefs free to him. 
 
 In the mean time, the Duke of Parma being rcfolved not to lofe a minute, and af- 
 fured of the folidnefs of his defign, caufed a furious aifault to be given to the Walls of 
 Lc?^«)i, though the breach was not very wide j where, while they are fighting Itoutly 
 on both fides, the King, drawn by anger, to fee all his paft toils and labors loft, could 
 not contain himfelf from advancing that way with his whole Army ia Battali^i, bat 
 
 P p p not
 
 . y ,, The Hi/lorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 T.po not with anyfetled refolution what to do. The Duke of Tarma on the other fide, 
 ' not iHrring out of the compafs of his Works, put his Army likewife in order within 
 the circuit of his Camp, facing toward the Enemy, and leaving the appointed Forces 
 ■without impediment to profecute the affault, which having at Hrft been happily rcpul- 
 fcd by thofe within, a diforder gave the vidory to the enemies : For being about to 
 change and relieve thofe that had endured the affault, they did it not iile by file, as 
 the good rule of defence diredeth i but either for hafte, or want of experience, would 
 needs do it all at once, from whence tumult and confufion ariling, the affailants not 
 lofing the opportunity, redoubled the affault with fomuch readinefs, that the defen- 
 dants being beaten off, who before were half difordered by themfelves, they entred the 
 Caftle, and took la Fin prifoner i and the King, to the greater increafe of his afflidti- . 
 
 • Dui;e of t)'i) was only a fpec^ator of the flaughter of his nien, who being encompaffed by the 
 f "'„„ t"kcs° Walloons and Italians fwho had given the affault with great emulation of each other) 
 fhTfacc oflht were, without mercy, put to the Sword. Wherefore, there being no more poffibility 
 Kings Army, ot doing any thing about Lagny , neither to defend it, nor recover it, he was con- 
 ?(r,"e o.-'^tle drained, full of moft bitter grief, and without any fruit at all, to return the fame E- 
 Rive? Matnt vcning to his old Quarters. Lagny being taken, and the paffage of the River open- 
 ur'on thc'fixth ed, the Vidual already gathered together for that purpofe, was carried from the far 
 cf September jjj^ ^f ^}^^ River abundantly into P«m, the City opening their Gates with joy, and 
 vifluaf cn'crs welcome to their deliverers, whereas fix dayes before they thought they fhould have 
 Tms. j,egjj forced with utter ruine and defolation, to have fet them open to the Enemy. But 
 
 the King feeing Lagny taken before his own eyes, and the hunger of the Parifians re- 
 lieved by that means, refolved to withdraw from the enemy, becaufe it was certain that 
 the Duke of ?arma^ having cffeded his defign, would not Hght any more of his own 
 accord i and, to force him in his quarters, Itrongly intrenched, and abounding with 
 all manner of provifions, was not a thing to be thought on v whereas, on the other 
 lide, his Army, confumcd by the continual toil and duty of the whole Summer , and 
 therefore full of grievous difeafes which increafed daily, began alfo to fuffer for want 
 of Vidtuals, the whole Country behind him being eaten upi and the impatiency of the 
 Nobility, the want of money, the nature of the French, who having loft the hope of 
 taking FarU^ and of coming to a Battel with the Enemy, could no longer endure the 
 fufferings and hardlhip of Arms, pcrfwaded him to that willingly , which within a 
 few hours, not dayes, he would have been necellitated to do by force : Whereupon , 
 the next day, which was the feventh of September, having put his Army in Battalia, 
 wKh.Wa'w^ his lie ftood firm a while defying the enemy to Battel, and none appearing, no not fo 
 Army from much as to skirmifti, but the Field retraining free, he marched away, retiring to the 
 n^Irche^.o"'' Walls of St. Venh. 
 
 watdi St. x)e- But being exceedingly troubled and afflifted for the unprofperous fuccefsof hisaf- 
 *"■ fairs, and defirous to do fbmething that might recover the fpirit and credit of his 
 
 Arms, it came in his mind to give an unexpeded Scalado that night to the City of Fa- 
 rts itfelf, attempting to get thatfuddenly by force, which he had not been able to at- 
 tain by fo long a ilege, and by fo great an extremity of famine : nor was it without 
 much reafon that he fell into this thought: for the ftridlnefs of the fiege being over, 
 many of the Citizens, not well affurcd of the event, had taken refuge in the Country i 
 and thofe that remained in the City furfeiting in their great weaknefs with excefs of 
 meat, which their hunger made them greedily devour, were fo faint and fickly, that 
 for the moft part they lay uniit for fervice : befidcs, many of the Souldiers were 
 gone forth to convoy the Victuals which were brought from Cbartres and other 
 places, and to guard them from the King's Garrifons which were near on every 
 fide : and , which imported moft of all , it was credible that the Neighbourhood 
 of fo great an Army of Friends , which they knew waited clofe upon the King's, 
 would make men already tired out , and fpent with hard duty and fuffering, more 
 negligent in their wonted Guards and fitting Watches to keep and make good 
 fo great a circuit of ground. Now the King being refolved to attempt that cnter- 
 piife , gave order that all ftiould meet as at a general Rendezvous' in the Plain of 
 
 * The Italian ^""^v, not far from the City i and having put the Scaling-ladders together, which 
 »?"«;,'' '«1''- ^^ ^'^^^ "^^ ^^"-^ carried with the Army , he took his way toward Yaris * be- 
 bBt 'their «'.' twecn eight and nine of the Clock at night. The Marefchal d' Aumont led a 
 
 eoimt of hours bcginnini; from Sun-fet, and fo to J4, which end at Sun-fet again, it is plain the Authir meant 1 hours within night, 
 which, accotdinp; to the time of Sun-fet therein that feafon of the year, oiuft needs he before Nine a Clock ; for aftct 2 they soulJ'ntit 
 tave had time enougb bcfjre daj-light to match io far,and to make J feveul «ttempts to fcalc the City. 
 
 fleeing
 
 o/ France. The Eleventh 'Book^, 4^5 
 
 fleeing fquadron with its Ladders i the Baron de B/ro«led fuch another i and a third, I5p0i 
 in the fame order, was brought up by the Sieur de Lavardin, The King followed with 
 all the Princes and Commanders, and with the Cavalry drawn up ready to right > and 
 having paffed the Seine^ went toward that part of the City, which, as being furtheft 
 from danger, they thought would beleaft guarded. The Scaling-ladders were pre- 
 fented to the gates and walls of St. Germain by the Marefchal d' Anmont ■■, at St. Michel 
 by Biron \ and by Lavadin, between St. Jaques and St. Marceate. But they found the 
 defendants ready and vigilant every where : for the Duke o( Nemattrs , who caufed 
 the wayes to be diligently fcowred, had had an inckling of their drawing together at 
 Bandy, and of their marching toward Paris, and therefore had carefully difpofcd and 
 vijited the Guards in every place:, whereupon, the foundation of tlie furprife failing, ^^^ _.. ^ 
 which was negligence, and the fmall Guards of the Citizens i the Commanders, with- mar.h«"ro- 
 out much obftinacy, brought off their Ladders, and returned to the place where the ^".''b,,^ -nf^'" 
 h ing with the Cavalry tarried for them i who facing about with an eaiie pace, drew mijft of the 
 off the fame way he came: but not being able to withhold himfelffrom trying to ef- ^Jij^^'"',,* 
 fed: fomething , and thinking that the Defendants, having beaten off his men, would waiis of pj. 
 perchance, after that nights watch, be more negligent and fecure in the morning, ha- viViUncy''of 
 Ving caufed his Cavalry to make an halt, he turned about again to lead up the three th? Duke of 
 fleeing Squadrons into the Trenches of the Gate and Curtine of St. Merceau^being refol- i: "'effeauai" 
 ved there to make his laft attempt : nor was his opinion altogether deceitful : for the tHc Kings 
 Towns-men already wearied with long watching, were retired to fleepj by which turn"c break 
 means two Ladders were fet up with great filence, fo that none either heard the noife , of Jay to fcaic 
 or ftirred to hinder them i but a Jefuite who liood fentinel without the Corps de Garde, '^ii„''^\ ijjt' 
 which was kept by thofe Fathers, and NichoLts ZV'iffi'e a Book- feller, who was likewifc '^"^ "<^ f" 
 upon the Gate, though farther off, hearing the noife, gave the Alarm, and running pre- "ng difcoverl 
 fently to that place with the Halberds they had in their hands, overturned one of the el .they are rt- 
 Ladders, which being too long, reached above the Wall, and made fo good reiillance at fhc death'^of 
 the head of the other, that the Sieur de Cremonvilk and Parab/ere's Lieutenant being '''' ^''^ ^^'^ 
 killed, who were neer getting upon the Brcft-work, gave time for the coming of help : 
 for at the noife of Arm, arm, and the cry of the Sentinels, the Guards who were aflecp 
 drew forth armed, and a great number of Citizens running from all parts, before whom 
 the Duke of Nemours was corse, who, with lingular diligence had rode round the 
 Walls all that night : wherefore, the fecond attempt proving alfo vain, the King reti- 
 ring with all his Forces when it was broad day, marched off to the Walls of S' VeiiPf. 
 Many were of opinion, that in this occalion the King failed much in point of art and 
 Military difciphne: for if, leaving the principal pof^ near Paris well guarded with f/j^VThT" 
 part of his Army, he had advanced with the refi: as far as Claye, a much more fenny , King ana his 
 and a much more defenlible place than Cbelles, and had there fortified and intrenched ^""'• 
 himfelf, keeping that place diligently, he might perchance have held the Duke of Pi?r- 
 wj's Army fo long in play, which could pafs no other way to Paris, that the City being 
 reduced to extreme neceflity, would have been forced to yield, flnce the D. of Parma 
 would not have been able to have forced that palTage, kept by fuch a flrength, if it hall 
 been fitly intrenched and fortified. Nor could he have had paffage to have got to Lag- 
 ny, if the King had been encamped on that way. Many others confidered , that the 
 King being refolved to fight, and being rifen from Paris with that intent, he ought in 
 the rirf^ encounter to have fallen boldly upon the Duke of Parma, before he had time 
 to intrench himfelf: for though the time from night to morning was but (hort, yetthe 
 Duke's foldiers, acculiomed to labour, wrought with fo much- order and induflry , 
 that in lefs than Twenty four hours they finifhed their Trenches \ wherein the 
 Commanders and Gentlemen working no lefs than the common foldiers, the Duke 
 himfelf alMed likewife, making the Engineers draw forth, and divide the work in 
 his prefence. Some others taxed the impatiency of the King's Army, which had feen 
 fo great conflancy in the common Trades-men, and the very women that were fliut 
 up in Paris, that after fo many moneths of defperate hunger, they held out floutly ne- 
 verthelefs to the uttermoft > and yet that fo many Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, 
 whereof that Army was compofed, had not had the courage to endure, no not fo much 
 as the fufpition of hungcr,but after a fliort fby, and in a manner no oppoiition,except on- 
 ly the (hew of a defire to fight, left the field free, and the honour of the Vidory to the 
 enemy: whereupon on the one fide, the D. oi Parma's art and difcipline was praifed 
 to admiration i and on the other , the French humours and impatiency was much 
 
 p p p 2 blamed.
 
 47^ 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 m, 
 
 15510. 
 
 Excufts in fa. 
 vour of the 
 King. 
 
 T\t King 6c- 
 \xi^ come to 
 St DfBij wiih- 
 out money or 
 TiSual, ftpa- 
 rates his Ar- 
 iny, which 
 W»s 
 
 with many lii- 
 feaCcs. 
 
 J 1 ■ r, r.oV,fIv hflieved that a Soldier of fo great fame, would raflily put that 
 blamed,having light ybej.eve ^ ^^ ^^^^.^^^ ^^^.^ counfcl, and upon 
 
 tSrSKadnegkSh^^^ which the commodioufnefs of their ground af- 
 
 ^°Otltr. excufedthe King, and faid fperhaps with as good reafon) that the leav- 
 • feak Guards about Varis, would have been but a giving of them up to be cut in 
 !!;?r^. hv the Citizens and Soldiers, who would have fallied defperately out of the City 
 in Seat abundances and that to affault the Duke's Army much fuperior in number, 
 fn without confideration at their firft commg, would have been a ra(h and ruinous ad- 
 x\cf for though he were not abfolutely fortified, yet was he already lodged i and 
 that'thcv (hould not have had to do with a tumultuary mexpert body of men, gather- 
 ed together in hafte,which might have been frighted with an affault, or difordered, by 
 being put into a confufion, but with an old Army, led by Commanders of exceeding 
 creat valour and experience, who would have known how to make ufe of their own 
 advantaee and the temerity of the.affailants.They likewrfe excufed their retiring fo foon 
 and afcribed it not to the impatiency of the French humour , but to a wife well ground- 
 ed counfel, fince Armies are not to be adventured, nor put to endure certain hardftiip, 
 unlefs a benefit equal to their fuffering and danger might refult from them : but the 
 nearnefs of the King's Army could no wayes incommodate thtD.oiVarma, who was 
 intrenched in his Quarters,and had the paffage of the River open behind him,nor could 
 it hinder the carriage of Viduals into Tarn -, wherefore, that ic was prudently done to 
 withdraw the Nobility from the danger of difeafes,which increafcd very faft,and from o- 
 ther fufferings,bcing fure of hunger,and to referve it for a better ufe,and a fitter occafion 
 However it'was.the King,being come to St.Dmj-,feeing the difeafes increafe,and not 
 having money either in publick, or particular to maintain his Army, refolved to feparatc 
 his Camp, and providing for the fecurity of the Provinces, onely to keep a flying Ar- 
 my near h'imfelf,wherewith he might hinder the D. oitarma from making any greater 
 opplcfled progrefs. He therefore fent the P. of Co«ifj into Toaw/^, the H.oi Mont petifier into Not- 
 
 " ''' mandy^ the D. o( Longueville into Ficardy, the D. of Nevers into Champagne, the Ma- 
 
 refchal' d' Aumont into Bourgongne, he lett Monfieur de la None in Brie, and he himfelf 
 with the Marefchal and Baron de Biron ( having furniQied and ftrengthned thofe Gar- 
 rifons he held near about Far'n ) marched with a Body of men more expert then 
 numerous . into the moA rich and fertil places that are along the River Oyfe, to re- 
 frefli his Soldiers after fo many fufferings : And being come to Clermont ( a Town 
 which, becaufe it was reafonably well garifoned, had the boldnefs to fliut its Gates 
 againft him ) he fell to batter it with fo much violence, that the Walls being beaten 
 down, it was taken the third day, and facked with a very great flaughterj and the 
 next day after, the Caftle yielded it felf to him without refiftance i whereupon, re- 
 maining Mafter of the whole Country round about (for Senlis and Compeigne were al- 
 ready at his devotion ) he had conveniency to quarter at large, and refrefh the Army 
 he had with him i at which time, the Sieurs de la Gukhe and Sippierre, having left the 
 Camp to return to their own houfes with a good number of Horfe, met with the Vif- 
 count de iavannes, and the Sieur de Falandre,viho were conveying vidual from Vreux 
 to Fartj, and without having time to difcover one another,they charged at the firft en- 
 counter, with fxcecding great valour on both fides i but after a fharp fight, for two 
 hours, the Kings party had the better ■, Tavannes and Falandre leaving their vi(3:ual 
 and carriages, faved themfclvcs in the Town by flight. 
 
 The City oUroyes about that time was in great danger of being furprifed by Mon- 
 fieur de Thneville^thc Kings Lieutenant in Champagne i for he having held a Treaty with 
 ndi^cItVtack fome of the Citizens, it fucceeded fo fortunately, that being entred the Town, he was 
 already come up to the Market-place, when Claude de Lorain, Prince of Jainvih (Son 
 to the late D.ofGw(/f, a youth, in valour and courage, not unlike his Father jwho was 
 then in the Town, having drawn his men together, charged the affailants with fb 
 much gallantry, that being repulfed with a very great flaughter, they had much ado 
 to fave themfelves. 
 
 In the mean time the D. of Farma^ a^ter the diffolution of the Kings Army, having 
 taken St. Maur, and the Bridge of Char anion, minded the facilitating of the paffage of 
 victuals to Paris ; and being fpurred on by the frequent intreaties of the D.o( Mayenne 
 and the Parilians, upon the 22 of September, laid fiege to Corbeil, to free the paffage 
 of the River Seme on that fide alfo. ■ The Duke had confented unwillingly to put 
 
 himfelf 
 
 The King af- 
 fault^ind bat- 
 ters (/(roioBt 
 f') violently, 
 thit upon the 
 third day be 
 takes and 
 facks u. 
 
 Cmie Prince 
 of famviUc 
 dcfcndsTruyr-f, 
 
 Monlicat d 
 T;Biti/;//c,who 
 had like to 
 have furprifed 
 it by intelli- 
 gence, with 
 lumc of the 
 Citizens. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Pirwa, againft 
 hit own will, 
 lays ficge to 
 Clirtti',
 
 of France. The Eleventh ^oo\, ajj 
 
 bimfelf upon that enterprife •, for Corbeil was fufficiently trianned and fortified : Where- i coo. 
 fore, though the Town was little , and of fmall account, he faw it was neverthelefs 
 ready to hold out the ficge,fo that the Duke having but few Cannon to batter the Walls, 
 and, which imported more, fmall ftore of powder and bullet, doubted that to the 
 lefTening of his own reputation, and the credit of his Army, it would prove very dif- 
 ficult for him to take it. Moreover, he feared left the Difcipline of his Army Ctill 
 then conftantly obferved j fhould be broken: For the French of the League, not making 
 thofe provifions of viftual which he with wonderful order was wont to make, to 
 keep plenty ftill in his Camp>but on the contrary,theprovilionsortheArmy often fail- 
 ing through their negligence, he was forced to fuffer his Souldiers to run about the 
 Country, and his Troopers fcattered themfelves, plundering far abroad, a thing which 
 beyond mcafure troubling his mind, (averfe from opprelTing or deftroying a Friends 
 Country, and from fuffering his men to pillage licentiouHy) now made him take the 
 greater thought about this liege, wherein he faw (if it fliould laft many days j thofe 
 faults, diforders, and neceffities, would be multiplied. Nor did the event deceive his 
 expectation •, for having laid liege to Corbeil^ defended by Kigaut the Governour it 
 refifted fo conftantly, that for want of Vitftuals the Spaniards and Italians, and much 
 more the Walloons, were fain to fpoil all the Country, facking even thofe places which 
 the King in the long fiege of Tarn had left untouched : Whereupon the French of the TheFKnch ai 
 League, though the fault proceeded from themfelves, murmured neverthelefs againft uo^^KL 
 the Dukes Souldiers, and hated them no lefs than formerly they hated and murmured th?Dukc of 
 againft the Hugonots. But the fiege of Corbeil alfo, through many defeds proceeded dUrT' ^°"^' 
 flowly, not being furniflied with thofe things that are neceflary for the taking of ftrong 
 places i and particularly, there being fuch fmall ftore of great (hot, that it was neceffary ti h v f 
 to fend for fome, though but a few, from Orleans and i^ontoyfe ■■, and yet the Duke en- i'^rL ukes 
 deavouring with induftry to fupply thofe fo important wants, renewed the Battery in Co '^'"'"''■' "•&«'* 
 many feveral places, and with fo many experiments, that upon the i6o'iOaober^ after isflSrw"!"" 
 they had fought four hours together, with wonderful obftinacy, the Spaniards, Italians ■"o'^"''''" ^^• 
 and Walloons, entred pelmel into the Town i Kigaut with the greater part of the defen- thepUcVfttL 
 dents being flain, la Grangeizkm prifoner, and the Town facked with infinite violence. "^' 
 
 In the meantime, the King was moved from C7fTOw«f with Eight hundred Horfe, to 
 try if he could put fome relief into Corbeil ■■, but having heard it was loft, in his return 
 back he fell upon a Quarter of two Troops of Light-horfe, which lay apart from the 
 reft, and having defeated them in a moment, and taken the Captains, he put moftof 
 the Souldiers to the Sword. 
 
 Corbeil being taken, the dilgufts between the Duke of Parma, and the French Heads 
 of the League, increafed i for the Duke thought it convenient to put a Garifon of 
 Walloons or Italians into it, which might be fufficient to keep what he had gotten i 
 and the Duke oCMayemie and the Parifians grew jealous that the Spaniards, under fhew 
 of helping them, would make themfelves Mafters of that place, and many others, and 
 'ufurp for themfelves whatfoever acquiUtions they ftiould make. Wherefore the Dake 
 of Parma having found what the French fufpeded , and being again returned to his 
 firft defigns of fpinning the War out in length, to confume the Forces, and tame the 
 humour of both parties, and knowing that mens minds were not yet difpofed to receive 
 that form which the Catholick Kings affairs required, he refolved to depart, and go 
 back again into Flanders^ where there was exceeding great need of him and his Army. 
 Many other eircumftances perfwaded him to the fame refolution i the wafting of his 
 Forces, which by reafon of difeafes diminiflied every moment, want of money, and 
 f*;3rcene{s of provifions , which were caufes that he could not maintain the Difcipline 
 of his Army i the unfitnefs of the feafon, which hindred him from making any fur- 
 ther progrefs i whereupon he doubted, that by lying ftill, his reputation would de- 
 creafe, and the valour of his Souldiers degenerate i the neceffary redoubled inftances 
 which from all parts were infatiably made unto him for moneys > every one having 
 perfwaded himfelf, that he to fatisfie the covctoufnefs of them all., had brought 
 Mountains of Gold along with him i and finally, the fufpicions of many, who already 
 did rather murmur, than give him thanks for the relief he had given them in fo great 
 nccelfity, and in fo evident danger. For thefe caufes, having put Corbeil into the hands 
 of the Duke of Mayenne , and having left Lagny entire, which before he had deter- 
 mined to difmantlc, he gave the Duke and the Parifians to underftand, that the ne* 
 ceiTity of the affairs of i'landers called him back, and that havijig obeyed the Cathd* 
 
 lick
 
 . „g The Htflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 r roo lick Kings command in laifing the fiege of ?arts , and opening the pafTages that were 
 ' convenient for viduals, he ought not to Iky longer m fo contrary a feafon, and fo unfit 
 for adtion, but return to Cske order for his own aifairs, which to relieve his Friend?, 
 had been left in danger and confufion. 
 
 This refolution did much trouble thofe of the League \ who having conceived hope 
 that the Spanifii Army fliould not forfake them till the enterprife were fully perfe^ed, 
 and that the Duke of tarma with his Men, and the Catholick Kings money, fhould 
 totally aflill their party, did now fee all thofe defigns fall in one inftant, and their 
 party remain deftitute of thofe necelfary fupplies of men and money. Wherefore, 
 both the Duke of Mayeme in perfon, and the Deputies of Fari^^ and Monfi^mr Sega^ 
 Bifhop of Piacenza, (whom the Cardinal-Legat, departing fuddenly by reafon of the 
 ^''"'*@!'i"iL Popes death, had fubftituted Vice-Legat} urged the Duke of Parma with earneft rei- 
 cixiusS^Mus ^^^^^^^ intreaties and confiderations, to change that refolution : And when they faw 
 Ji!L'!'"h'o'ug'h words prevailed not, and that the Duke was ftill fetting his Army in order to depart, 
 ' eiTn'iiiy in- the Dukt ofMayenne, by the means of Monfieur«^e ViUeroy^ began anew Treaty ofAc- 
 \"r,tr.c,ltl commodation with the King, to work a jealoufie in the Spaniards, and make them be- 
 parcs nc«r- ]ieve, that if their Forces were once gone, the Peace would immediately be concluded, 
 dep,rm[e' *"' and by confequcncc, that all the expences and pains they had already undergone would 
 be utterly loll : But neither did this move the Duke of Farma from his determination, 
 knowing the Duke of Mayenne would not eafily bring his mind to lay afide his pre- 
 fent hopes, and to fubmit himfelf to the power of his Enemies ■, and that though he 
 (hould do fo, the bufmefs cpnfilkd not in him alone, but it was necelTary that fo many 
 others, who were far off, divided, and drawn by different interells, muft confent un- 
 to it : That before they could conclude any thing, he might have leifurc to return, and 
 undo whatfoevcr (hould be agreed upon in the mean time. But left the affairs of the 
 League fliould grow defperate , he promifcd them , affoon as he came to BrujJ'Hles^ to 
 pay down two hundred and thirty thoufand Ducats, for the payment of the Foreign 
 Forces, and to leave a convenient number of Horfe and Foot under the Duke of May- 
 enne^s command, to uphold and continue the War. But that fum of money feemed 
 very fmall to thofe who had fancied to themfelves that' all the Treafures of the Indies 
 fhould be poured down upon them : and the men he left were indeed fufficient to main- 
 tain the War, but not to make an end of it: Whereupon every one (but efpecially 
 ''"!'[" i'pVl' ^^^ Parifians, who had fuffered fo much before the coming, and had conceived fo great 
 after" ivimv. hopes aftci the arrival of the Spanifli Army) was reduced into wonderful great per- 
 twc'ivrd!i"s plcxity of mind, which was increafed by the departure of Cardinal Gaetano, and be- 
 and rs'ruc«ea- caufe they knew not what might be expeded from the new Pope Vrban the Seventh, 
 xiv^ t'ml ^^^ ^^'^" ^^"^ (^^° ''^^'^ ^"* twelve daysj from Gregory the Fourteenth, who fuccceded 
 w/c' him in the Apoftolick Chair. 
 
 But the Duke, firm in his refolution, after twenty days time which he had given 
 
 the Army to refrcfli it felf, marched towards Champagne, to hold the Enemy in doubt 
 
 which way he would bend his courfe, and by that means to keep his paffagc free from 
 
 Th« oraerin^ Ambufcadoes. He divided his Army into four parts i the Vanguard led by the Marquifs 
 
 Army m Xir of Kj>ity ; thc fitft Battalion by the Sieur de la Mothe, the fecond Battalion he cbm- 
 
 "'"^ '"'o manded himfelf, and the Reerguard was led by Georgia Bajii. All the feveral Divifions 
 
 marched always drawn up in Battalia, and with their Carriages of Baggage on each 
 
 lidc, which fl)ut them up, and enclofed them like a Trench, and were fo near, that they 
 
 might help one another mutually in a fhort time. Provifions of Vidual were made i 
 
 and marching thorow fertile plentiful Countries , they were not neccffitated to enlarge 
 
 themfelves i except the Light-horfe, who fcowred the Neighbouring Ways, to difco- 
 
 ver the Country : neither did they go-far offi for the Army being always ready, and 
 
 difpofed to fight, feared not to be catch'd, and affaulted unaware. 
 
 But he was fcarcely gone, drawing toward Chajieau-Jhierry in Champagne, when the 
 
 Baron de Guiry, who was at Melun, affaulted and took Corbeil, which the Parifians had 
 
 G«.>,*ecovcf! "^S^igently and weakly Garifon'd, and with the fame fortune returned, and recover- 
 
 C(„b„i and ed Lagny, which, contrary to the Duke of Parma's advice, had not been flighted; at 
 
 hlTlitn\'i^ which the Parifians, much moved and troubled, were exceeding earneft with the Vice- 
 
 ktn by the Legat Sega to procure the ftay of thc Spanifti Army, until fuch time as thofe places, 
 
 am» lo neceffary for the bringing in of provifions, were recovered. Thc Vice-Lcgat difpatched 
 
 the Pronotary Caracciolo to the Duke, to prefent unto him the earneft defires and the 
 
 neceffity of the City oiFarit : and the Duke o( Mayeme^ who was in the Army,laboured 
 
 with
 
 of France. The Eleventh ^oo{. 479 
 
 with all poffible efficacy to perfwade him to flay : But the Duke of Parma excu- 15^°" 
 iing himfelf, That his Army was much diminifhed by ficknefs, That the feafon was 
 fo contrary, nothing could be done, and that the Low-Countries follicited his pre- 
 fence, continued on his march , having fome hope to obtain ChajieaH-lhierry by a 
 Treaty, which beheld with Vifcount Pinart Governor of that Town. 
 
 But the King, who was departed from Compeigne^ accompanied by the Baron de 
 'Byron and the Duke oiLongueville^ with a fcledt number of men, followed the track 
 of the Spanifh Arm.y, to hinder it from getting thofe places that held of his party, and 
 to watch fomc opportunity of doing it fome mifchief: and having had fome fufpiti- 
 on of the Treaty, he caufed the Sieur de la None^ with three hundred Horfes, and fix 
 hundred Foot, to enter into Chajieau-lbierry ■■, by which means, the Duke oiParma^ 
 deprived of that hope, bending on the left hand, took the ftraight way to return into 
 Flanders. The King followed, and marching fpeedily, was fometimes before him, 
 fometimes quartered befides him, fometimes prefled him in the Rere i and by giving 
 frequent Alarms, and bold skirmiihes, did both day and night moleft and furround the 
 Army. The Duke of Parma proceeded with no lefs order and circumfpedtion i and 
 keeping all parts of his Army under the fame difcipline, was quick and ready to turn 
 which way (bever the enemy fhould prefs or fhew himfelf. But having marched on 
 this manner from the thirteenth to the five and twentieth oi November^ the King,defi- 
 rous to fee the effect of fomuch diligence, and of fo many labours, having drawn the 
 Cavalry into five Bodies, advanced upon the fame way by which the Army of the 
 League was to pafs, making (liew that he would charge them as they marched. The 
 Carabines, who were ready for all alFaults, received the skirmifli very fiercely v and 
 coming forth of the Barricadoes of their Carriages, wheeling, giving fire, and falling in 
 again, did nofmall harm to the King's Cavalry : wherefore the Baron de £/><;«, think- 
 ing to rout them, and eafc himfelf of that trouble, charged up more boldly then cori- 
 fiderately, with Fourfcore CuiralTiers, hoping to chafe them back and difordcr them : 
 but the Carabines giving way, according to their cuftom, to retire behind the Squadrons 
 of the Army, the Baron advanced fo far in purfuit of them, anfl was fo deeply engaged 
 between two Squadrons of Lances of the Vanguard, that his Horfe being killed under 
 him, he was in manifeft danger to be taken prifoner i which being perceived by Count rht spanift 
 de JiOieres, who was on the right hand with a body of Cuiraffiers, and by the Sieur t'^l,^"^^' 
 d' Humieres, who was on the left hand with Ninety Horfe, they advanced no lefs fw^^i, and 
 couragioufly than he, to difingage him: but being charged by the whole Cavalry of myhli^wtn'/, 
 the Vanguard, and the other Battalions coming one after another, who knowing, by theyskitmini 
 the ratling of thefliot, that the skirmifli was begun,- had haflened their march, they builpilKll 
 were fainfleaving the field J) to retire, fleeing fullfpeed, with evident hazard of being all ^jofNoyem- 
 cut off, if the King himfelf, and the Duke of Longu?ville, with the other two Squadrons, m"kin| Jhew 
 had not advanced to make the retreat i wherein having difcngaged Biron, and with Jj"// '''.'"'"' ^ 
 much ado fet him again on horfeback, who at the foot of a Bank, with two compani- rondcBucn^' 
 ons, had defended himfelf a great while aeainft the Enemy : they were followed by "s»j!"h 
 them as far as a Village called LoHgwra.?/, where night commg on, put an end to the thnbemg re- 
 fight, and gave the King convenient opportunity to retire. He quartered with all his F'J"„'|jj^''t^' 
 Forces at Po«t-^>-j5', where they flood all night in Arms •, nor did the enemy reft more had much ado 
 quietly : for the Kings celerity and courage kept all their Quarters in great jealoulie •, and |,j|p''o7nighc!' 
 fo much the rather .becaufe the rout of the two fquadrons had been wjth more terror and 
 danger than lofs, there being not above five men flain, and only twenty wounded. 
 The next day the D.oiNevers joyned with the King with the Forces o( Ch.impagne^ 
 and likewife the Sieurs dsG'niry and Parabiere; who having taken Corbeil^ and put a 
 Garrifon into it, were come with all diligence to find him again i by which means be- 
 ing increafed in flrength , . Ke began with more boldnefs than before to molefl the 
 Duke's Army ■■> who, intent upon his journey, not fVirring, for any caufe whatfoever, 
 out of his ranks,nor out of the fhelter of his Carriages,marched on commodioufly before. 
 
 But upon the nine and twentieth day, the Army coming towards GuiJ'e, and the 
 King being refolved to attempt fomething, with all his Cavalry fell upon their Rere- 
 guard, which having made a halt, and put their Army in a readinefs to fight, the Ca- 
 rabines failed not with their wonted courage to begin the Skirmilh i but the King's 
 Cavalry, which being for that purpofe divided into little fquadrons, and had order to 
 charge home, and not give them time to do hurt with their fhot, inclofed them in fuch 
 manner, that they all had been cut off in the place, i{ Georgia Bajii, with one thoufand 
 
 and
 
 .go ^^^^ Htjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5P0. 
 
 and two hundred Lances, had not difingaged them. The fquadron of Bafli rufh'd 
 The Kioc af- upon the fmall Troops of the French Cavalry, fo ordered to reprefs the Carabines i but 
 OuitMh°e''5pi- pof being able to receive the (hock of fo nnany Lances, the Baron of Biron was fain to 
 ^m^'allj'h'is retire half in diforder. But being fulkin'd by the Kinghimfelf, who with the reft 
 Ho'tfc' having of bis Horfc , and a Thoufand Foot o{ Farabiere^s old Regiment mounted behind 
 'h'Tncml^^t them, advanced to re-enforce the BatteU Bafii not having order to fight, retired un- 
 Rcrcguatd, jgj jbg flieltcr of his Squadrons in very good order j yet could he not do it with fo 
 TuTu I'n^ie- great circumfpedtion, but that the French remained mnfters of fome carriages , which 
 cts, if G« si" by chance were feparated from the reft. But the King being come near the Rere-guard, 
 cff'cjti'or' where Fietro Gaetano was making himfelf ready to oppoft him, with the Foot drawn 
 lifetimes, ^p {„ oj-Jcr, cncompalTed with his Carriages i and the Duke of P^rwza, who had faced 
 g»gt"j^Xm ' about , and changed the order of his march, coming up with the fecond Battalion, he 
 wKh his un- yjfoiycd to retire without attempting any further , by reafon the Enemy was in fo 
 *""' Soldierlike order, and that their Forces were fo exceedingly unequal. This was the 
 
 The Duke cf laft day that the K ing molefted the Spanifli Army in its march. The Duke of Parma 
 pjrKi tjk» being arrived at the Frontiers , took leave of the Duke of Mayemte, ftriving, with apt 
 pjkeo^f Miy- expreffions, to confirm his courage, and to perfwade him that within a little while he 
 h""'' T^tuoi f^ould receive powerful afliftance of men and money j and that he might not leave him 
 it'riia'nsrand fo wcak, that he ftiould be forced to make an agreement with the Enemy, he command- 
 ni'a'r'uaad^s'oo ^^ the Italian Terth of Pietro Gaetano^ and the Spanifh one oi Alfonfo Idiaques to ftay in 
 Horfc' France^ and abfolutely to obey the Duke, with whom he alfo left Four hundred Horfe, 
 
 and One hundred Walloon Carabines i which Supplies added to the German tenia of 
 Co//j//opaid by the King, and to the other French forces, he thought a fufficient Body 
 to uphold the affairs of the League, efpecially in a time when the King having divided 
 his Army for want of Money, and btcaufe of the paft misfortunes, was naanifeftly de- 
 clining. 
 
 The End of the Eleventh BOOK. 
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F TH E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 ^Y HE!J^%1C0 CATE'Rl^O DAVIU. 
 
 The Twelfth BOOK. 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THeTvpelfth Book^reUtes the various Turbulcncies^ in federal parts of the 
 Kingdom --y theprogrefs of the Z)«% tf/ Mercoeur in Bretagne, and of 
 the Duke of Savoy in Provence and Dauphine. The King takes Corby j 
 he is troubled in mind by reafon of the contrary importunities of the Catho- 
 lickj and Hugonots of his own party. He fends the Vifvoitnt de Turenne into 
 England and Germany, who raifes a great Army to bring it into France the 
 Spring following. The Duke of Mayenne alfo is no lefs troubled than the 
 King. The Parifians attempt to furprije St. Denis, bttt effect it not^ and the 
 Chevalier d' Aumale is killed there. The King on the other fide attempts to 
 fiirprize Paris, and that defigu likevpife proves vain. Pope Sixtus Quintus 
 being dead, Gregory the Fourteenth fucceeds, ivho declares himjdf favou- 
 rable to tbe affairs of the League, and difpatches his Nephew the Duke of 
 Montemarciano into France with firong Supplies. The King in the mean 
 time befieges and takes the City of Chartres. The Duke of Mayenne not ha- 
 ving Jirength to relieve that place, marches towards Champagne, takes Cha- 
 fteau-Thierry, and goes to Rheins to confer with the Dukg of Lorain. Mar- 
 fiUo Landriano the Popes Nuncio arrives there , he publijhes a Monitory 
 againji thofe that follow the King, from whence divers alterations do arife. 
 The young Cardinal of Bourbon tries to form a third party ofCatholickf 
 to bring himfelf to the Crown j the King advertifed of it, applies divers re- 
 medies to that important accident. The Duke <?/Mayenne makes an attempt 
 . vpon Mante, which takes not effeU. The King befieges Noyon, and after 
 many encounters, it not being relieved, he takes it. The Popifij and Spanifij 
 Forces pafs the Mountains, they aififi the Duke <?/ Savoy, and there happen 
 fcveral encounters. The Duke of Guife efcapes from his imprifonment at 
 Tours. The King and the Dukf of Mayenne advance ^ the King to re- 
 ceive, the Duke to oppofe the Vifcount de Turenne and the Germans in Lo- 
 rain. The Armies draw near to one another at Verdun : The King having 
 
 Q_q q received 
 
 481 
 
 i5P0.
 
 4S2 
 
 i5j>o* 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 TheDuVe of 
 Mticccuri prc- 
 tenfiors to the 
 Dutchy cf 
 
 received the Vifcomt roith the Supplies, retires. The Council of Sixteen make 
 an Infurre&ion in the City of Paris, and caufe the firfi Prejident of the Par- 
 liament, and other Coiinfellors, to be executed : The Duke t^/Mayenne hajics 
 thither brings the City into obedience^ and punifies the Delinquents. The 
 King marches into Normandy, lays (lege to the City <?/ Rouen, defended by 
 Monfieur de Villars, and a great number of choice Souldiers and Commanders x, 
 the various accide7!ts of that (lege are related. The Duke of Parma mith the 
 Spanip Army marches to relieve that place : The King with part of his Army 
 ^oes to meet him •-, they encounter one another, and fight at Aumale ; the 
 King is rvounded , his men routed , and he has much ado to fave himfelf. 
 Villars fallyingont <?/ Rouen, enters the Trenches, and gains the Artillery. 
 The Duke of Parma advances 5 but finding the City fecured by that fally, 
 refohes to retire atid watch his opportunity. The King returns to Rouen, 
 and renervs the (lege : The Duke of Parma alfo returns to bring relief -^ and 
 the King (hk Forces being vpajied) rifes from thefiege, and marches to the 
 Banks of the River Seme. 
 
 Ens minds were no lefs inflamed, nor the revolutions of the War 
 lefs bloody in the other parts of the Kingdom, than they were' 
 in thofe places where the chief Armies lay i for the affedtions of 
 Religion, mingled in their hearts with particular interefts, and 
 with the already inveterate animofities of the Faftions , every 
 one forward of himfelf, as in his own caufe, and as in a contro-^ 
 vcrfie that concerned him, did with all his power apply thoughts 
 to the exercife of Arms. Wherefore the War was made both 
 by the Heads and 'Governours of the two parties , and by pri- 
 vate perfons of their own voluntary accord, with the fame contention thorow every. 
 Province, but with various fucceffes and different fortune on both fides. 
 
 Tlie principal and moll dangerous commotions were in Bretagne, a great and rich 
 Province, well peopled, full of Gentry, confiderable for the greatnefs of its Cities, 
 and convenient for the benefit of the Ocean Sea, along the coalts whereof it extends 
 it fclf towards the North. Henry of Bourbon Prince of Dombes, Son to the Duke cf 
 Moutpenfier, a youth of exceeding high courage, was for the King, and had the name 
 of GiDvernour for him i but there were fo few Towns under his obedience, that if it 
 had not been for the help of lower Normandy, (which, confining with that Provmce, 
 held of the Kings party, and was governed by the Duke his Father^ he would either 
 have been driven out of the Province, or eafily fuppreffed by the greater forces of the 
 League. On the other fide, 'Emanuel of Lorain^ Duke oiMercxur governed the party 
 of the Vnion, who had not only from the beginning been (as Governour of the Pro- 
 vince) in poffeffion of the bell Cities and Ihongelt holds, but alfo pretending, that 
 the Dutchy of Bretagne it felf, belonged to his Wife Mary of Luxembourg, Countefs of 
 Fonthieitre, he had a wonderful great dependence of all thofe, who rather defired a 
 Prince of their own, than the union with the Crown of France, which was not very 
 pleafing to them, and longing above meafure to eftabliflihim.felf in that poffcllion with 
 the opportunity of prefent affairs, he had negotiated fecretly in Spair. by the means of 
 LorenoTarnabuoni, a Gentleman of his, who was fent by Sea unto that Court, and had 
 obtained that the Catholick King (hould fend and pay Four thoufand Foot for his affi- 
 llance, upon condition that Blavet fhould be configned to him for his fecurity ; a place 
 as then not confiderable, but which with the benefit of a very large Port fortified and 
 improved by the Spaniards , came by little and little to be of exceeding great confe- 
 quence, not only to the affairs of that Province , but alfo of the whole Kingdom : 
 "Which as foon as it was known to the Prince of Dombes, (though his Forces were but 
 weak, fo that till then he had only exercifed himfelf in adlions of fmall importance, 
 to keep the Kings name alive in that Provinces yet now, helping with art in fo great 
 need) he turned himfelf to oppofe the entrance of Grangers : And having routed 
 Three hundred of the Duke of Mercceurs Light-horfe , which were going to join 
 thernfelves with his Army, he affaulted Annebont fuddenly, a place near Blavet ■-, and 
 having eafily taken it , began with infinite celerity to build a Fort by the Sea fide, 
 
 which
 
 of France. The Tmlfth "Boof^ 
 
 483 
 
 v/hich might commancl and hinder the entry of Ships that fliould come unto that Port, 
 and beftirred himfdf in fuch manner, that he would have brought to perfedtion the 
 fervice he had in defign , if (the Duke of Mercxurs Army ftill increafing, which was 
 advanced to Vannes, feven leagues from Blavet) he had not been conftrained (though 
 the Fort were not yet quite finilhed j to retreat into the places of his own party. Ne- 
 verthelefs having left a ftrong Guard in the Fort, with fix pieces of Cannon i and ha- 
 ving put Eight hundred Foot into Annebont, he hoped that thofe places might be able 
 to hinder the entring and fetling of the Enemy. The Spanifli Fleet arrived at Blavet 
 with Six and thirty fail of Ships, and four Gallions, and with fo profperous a gale, 
 that notwithftanding the fhot from Fort Vombes , redoubled with infinite fury by the 
 defendents, it entered the Port without receiving much harm, and landed Four thou- 
 fand and five hundred Foot commanded by Don Juan de /' Aquila^ who, to free the 
 Port from all impediments, fet himfelf without delay to take in Fort Vombes : Which 
 not being brought to perfe(flion, and having no hopes of relief from any place, yielded 
 it felf the fifth day of the fiege, and was prefently demolifhed by the Spaniards : After 
 which enterprife , being joined with the Duke de Mercxur^ they recovered Annebont^ 
 and the other neighbouring places, with the fame facility, and at laft, under favour of 
 the Fleet, began to fortifie Blavet^ fecuring it no lefs with two Forts Fvoyal, built at 
 the entry of the Haven for conveniency of bringing in relief by Sea j then they ftrength- 
 ned it with Moats , Eaftions , and all other kinds of Military Fortifications on the 
 Land- fide. But the King, and the Prince oi Vombes, knowing that they could not 
 refift the power of the Duke and the Spaniards, with the Forces they had in that Pro- 
 vince, fought for atViftance from England ■■, which lying over againft it , hath conve- 
 niency of giving relief to that coaft , no lefs than Spain : And having obtained Six 
 thoufand Foot from the Queen, they exped^ed their Landing at St. Lo, the fartheft 
 Port of Lower Normandy. 
 
 With the like variety, and as great danger, did the War rage on the other fide of 
 
 the Kingdom: For Vauphine and Frovence (Provinces bordering upon the Duke of 
 
 Savoy, and fpred in length to the very foot of the Alps) wavered with various fortune 
 
 in the management of Arms. The Duke of Savoy, from the very beginning of the 
 
 War, had applied the greatnefs of his mind to divers , and thofe not ill-grounded 
 
 hopes : For the affairs of Piedmont being fecured, by his feizing upon the Marquefate, 
 
 and lying conveniently for the affairs of Vauphine by the near adjoining of Savoy , he 
 
 hoped by fomenting the League , in feme fort to enlarge his confines : On the other 
 
 fide, being intereffed in Provence by the Towns he holds there, he had an eye fet upon 
 
 getting the whole, whereof already he polTeffed a part : So that he held intelligence in 
 
 both Provinces, and with Money and Arms endeavoured to advantage the courfe of his 
 
 defigns. Nor did his hopes ftay there, but feeing the Kingdom in fo great diftraftion, 
 
 and ready to break the Salique Law, and to cut off the Legitimate Succeffion of the 
 
 Royal Family in the King of Navarre , there arofe a certain conceit in him, that the 
 
 States might perhaps incline to make choice of him, as being born of a Daughter of 
 
 France i which he thought would prove fo much the morecafie to him, by how much 
 
 more his name was famous in Arms, and by how much greater merit he (hould acquire 
 
 with the Catholick party, and in the opinion of the Pope, the principal mover (in re- 
 
 fpedl of Religion} in the determination of the affairs of France. Nor did he forget 
 
 (whatfoever event thefe defigns (hould have) that the opportunity of prefent affairs, 
 
 gave him an occafion of fubduing the inhabitants of Geneva, now that the King of 
 
 France, being bufied by himfelf, could not afford them any prefent relief. With this 
 
 height of hopes, which increafed his courage, having fent his Agents to treat with the 
 
 Duke of Mayenne v and having contracted a reciprocal intelligence with him, he had 
 
 raifed a great Body of Horfe and Foot, and had fent forth Count Francefco Martinen- 
 
 go. General of his Army, into Provence, and his Brother Don Amadeo of Savoy againfi: 
 
 Genevas and by means of the Govcrnours of his Garifbns, he gave help and affilhnce 
 
 to the Forces of the League in Vauphine. Nor was the beginning unlike the greatnefs 
 
 of his defign : For the Sieur de Vins, and the Countefs de Seaux, (a Lady of more 
 
 than manly fpirit) who both held for the League in Provence, finding themfelves in- 
 
 feriour in ftrength to Monfieur de la Valette, the Kings Lieutenant, not only willingly 
 
 received fupplies and affiftance from the Duke, but began alfo to treat of giving him 
 
 the Dominion of that Province, and to put themfelves under his protedion and fupe- 
 
 liority : Which being treated and concluded by the Duke , he went in perfon to his 
 
 Q.qq 2 Army, 
 
 15^0, 
 
 Tht Prince of 
 Dembes, Gor 
 vernor for the 
 Kipg in Brr~ 
 >.'••:■:, oppofeS 
 the Duke of 
 MerctsuTi dC' 
 /igns,andcaii- 
 fes Fort C»m- 
 brs to be builtj 
 which is de- 
 mon (lieri by 
 the Sgiaiixil, 
 
 The Siear is 
 
 Kins and the 
 Countefs ds 
 Sttux con- 
 clude to give 
 thefapeiiniity 
 of Frtvence to 
 the Duke of 
 iSiuojjhe goef 
 to ^ic, and it 
 by the Parlia- 
 ment declared 
 Head of the 
 Politick and 
 Military Go« 
 vcittindit.
 
 484 ^/^^ Hijlory of the Civil M^ars 
 
 -i-ii. 
 
 i5j?o. Army, carrying with him fome addition of Horfc and Foot, which by Commiffion 
 
 from Spain he had obtained from the Governour of Milan. At his arrival, the Kings 
 
 party, inferiour in llrcngth, going down the wind, (though Le/ Z)/g«if re/ being come 
 
 out of Vaufhine into that Province, did labour marvelloufly with his wonted valour 
 
 and celerity, which were fingularj the affairs of the League grew up to fuch a height, 
 
 that his Arms already gave the Law to the whole Country. Wherefore the Duke being 
 
 come into the Cify of Aix^ where the Parliament of Provence doth refide, and being 
 
 received with thofe pomps and folemnities which are wont to be given to Sovereign 
 
 Princes, (thoiigh he, imitating the Duke oiMayenne, refufed to ufe the Cloth of State) 
 
 he was in the Parliament declared Head of the War, and of the Civil Government ia 
 
 that Province,to preferve it in the Union of the Catholicks,and under the obedience and 
 
 Royal State of the Crown of France, 
 
 S.f»" This bufinefs difpleafed the Duke of Mayenne no lefs than it did the King i think- 
 
 writcs refcnv jpg not Only that the Duke of Savoy fought after and ufurped that Authority which 
 
 p"rium/n'c'of the general confent had conferred upon him, but alfo that he had an aim to difmem- 
 
 ^<r, and 10 [^gj Frovence , and with the help of Nizza and his other Towns , by little and little 
 
 r,«j, who, re- to make himfcH Mafter of if, where he wrote fharp refenting Letters, not only to 
 
 fe'irreMnT'to ^^^ Parliament, but alfo to the Sieur de Vins, and to the Countefs, (hewing them the 
 
 •lifVavour the fauk they committed in feparating themfelves from the reft of the Union^ and in put- 
 
 wUcrLas' *'"§ themfelves in danger to alienate fo great, and fo important a portion of the Crown. 
 
 Thtfe Letters wrought a very great effedt in the Sieur de Vms , an old dependent 
 
 upon the Houfe of Lorain > and he began to (hew himfelf more backward in comply- 
 
 . ing with the defigns, and forwarding the progrefs of the Duke of Savoy: By whofc 
 
 example the City of MarfeiUes, which (following the footfteps of the Parliament) had 
 
 with a readine(s in the people called the Duke betbre, began now to repent themfelves, 
 
 and to mutiny. 
 
 On the other (ide, the King (grieved to fee Foreign Forces brought into that Pro- 
 vince) had given order to Les Viguieres, that leaving the City oi'Grenable^ in Vauphine^ 
 befieged j as well as he might, he (hould march with the greateft number of men he 
 pcflibly could, to meet Mon(ieur de la Vaktte in Frovence : Whereupon, Lei Diguieres, 
 accuftomed from his youth to (ight with the difficulties and ambiguities of Fortuae, 
 having left the ports about Grenoble well guarded, to continue the (iege already begun 
 many months before, went with Four hundred Hor(e, and Two thoufand Foot in re- 
 lief of the Provincials, and kept the E>uke of Savoy in trouble and di(quiet, who half 
 forfaken by the Catholicks of the Provence, and but flenderly fupplied by the Spaniards, 
 ' who were not too well pleafed with his proceedings, went fpinning out the time in 
 petty encounters, having difpatched Monfieur de Ligny into Spain , to fet his affairs 
 in order with the Catholick King i and the Sieur de la Croix to the Duke of Mayenne^ 
 to excufe what was paft, and to confer about the manner of carrying himfelf for the 
 time to come. 
 
 His affairs were much more profperous in the Territories of Geneva^ where having 
 to do with the Forces of thofe Citizens, which were not very powerful, and with Com- 
 manders of fmall fame and experience, Don Amadeo had often routed the Enemies in 
 the field, beaten up their Quarters, taken many Caftles, overrun and facked the Coun- 
 try, and finally ftraightned the City on all fides i which with frequent and effedtual 
 importunities follicited for relief, fometimes from the King of France^ fometimes from 
 the Canton of Bearne. 
 
 On the contrary, the War in Dauphine went on pro(perouny for the King i for 
 though the Duke of Savoy's Counfellors and Commanders, united with thofe of the 
 League which were in that Province , made great refiftance i yet were they not fo 
 grrtoMein '^""ong as Colond Alfonfo Corfj, and Monfieur Les Viguieres, who after he had ftopt 
 fff^'fie'e'" *he precipice of affairs in Provence, being returned to the fiege of GrewWe, (treightned 
 returSs'tr.'be ^^at City in fuch manner, that after having fufFered many months, the befieged about 
 Kings obedi- the end of the year, agreed to furrender, upon condition not to be molefted in their 
 ^onfciences. Goods, or Liberties i that the City (hould be preferved in the Catholick 
 Religion, and in the State it then was i and on the other fide, that they (hould acknow- 
 ledge King Henry the Fourth for their lawful Prince , by whofe appointment they 
 Ihould receive a Garifon, and a Governour. 
 
 ^^ ' r*^ ""^^ ^^^ ^'"8 freed from the Spanifh Army, and from the late fear of the 
 Duke of Farma^ was come (in his return) to St. ^entin, where watching with bis 
 
 wonted
 
 of France. The Tmelfth 'BooL 
 
 485 
 
 wonted diligence for all opportunities, he took a refolution fuddenly to afTault Corhy, a 15?I» 
 Town feated upon the River Somme, and convenient to bridle the City of Amiens^ the 
 Head of that Province, vphich held of the party of the League; With this defign he 
 removed his Camp from the Walls of St. dentin in the dusk of the evening ■■, but in 
 his march finding all the Country up, and that the Villages furioufly rung their Toque- 
 faints, he could not get to the Walls of Corby^ till within an hour before day. There 
 the hope of effeding his intent appeared no lefs uncertain ; for they found the whole 
 Town in arms, and the defendents with Torches and Fires, ready to fuftain the alTault, 
 whereof they had been advertifcd by the cries and tumult of the Country people: And 
 -yet Monfieur d'' Hiimiers coming up with the Regiments of St. Venis and Parahiere 
 about break of day, caufed a Petard to be faftned to the Iron Gate of a Channel that 
 came out of the Town on the lower fide, which falling fuddenly by the violence of 
 the fire, the Foot advanced, fome to the Channel which was frozen, fome with Scaling- 
 Ladders to the Wall adjoining, to give the aflault i which though it were conftantly 
 received by the defendents, who ran together boldly to hinder their entry at their Iron 
 Gate, and to make good the Walls i yet the Sieur de Belle-Foitrtiere, Governour of the 
 Town, being llain in the firft encounter , and many of the ftouteft Souldiers falling, J*" ^ing at 
 after a mofl bloody fight of three hours, the Town remained in the Kings power, who anVwkcs'i':. 
 after his late misfortunes, thought he had concluded the year very profperoufly. 
 
 i5pi. 
 
 The Catho- 
 licks make 
 •rrea: conr- 
 
 From C«rhy he marched to SeHlis, feated juft upon the way which leads from PicarJy 
 towards Pjm i and there in the beginning of the year, he began to difpofe his coun- 
 fels, to fet his affairs in order, and find means to diflblve and fubdue the League. But 
 he was no lefs troubled which way to keep his Catholicks, than he was to draw toge- 
 ther fufficient Forces to overcome the Enemy i for having promifed from the Autumn 
 of the year Eighty-nine, that in March following he would call an Aflembly, to the 
 end, he might be inftru<^ed in the Catholick Faith with that honour that befitted his 
 perfon, and not having been able to perform his promife, becaufe the chief adtions of 
 the War hapned in that time, the battel of Tvry^ and after that the fiege of Parii, and 
 the coming of the Spanifh Army fto his lots) now. That by their departure, and by 
 the diminution of the Enemy, he feemed to be in a quiet condition, he was called 
 upon by the tacite confent of difcreet perfons, to obfcrve his pioraife , and thofe that 
 had not fo much refpedt, or that were affedtionate to Religion, murmured publickly, riaims for the 
 and complained'as if they were deluded and deceived. But more openly the Parlia- verm^mOU 
 ment of Bmrdeaux^ which with much ado had been drawn to the Kings obedience by ^'"''™' 
 the Marefchal </e Mi//i^«o;i's diligent care, and arts of governing, now feeing his Con- 
 verfion was deferred, began to refent it, and at this time had fent their firil Prefident 
 and two Counfellors to befeech his Majefty to take a final refolution i the Catholicks 
 not being able to quiet their Confciences, unlefs they faw him reduced to the true Re- 
 ligion, held for fo many Ages by all the moft Chriftian Kings his glorious Predecef- 
 fors. Which Commilfion having been fully and effcdtually performed by the Deputies, 
 though the King feemed to take their Petition in good part, and anfwered it favourably, 
 yet inwardly being troubled, and ftung to the quick, he faw not what courfe he might 
 take as a middle way which might give fatisfadion to both parties. He faw the foun- 
 dation of his affairs was fetled in great part upon the Hugonots j for his command 
 was no where more full, than in the places under their obedience i and the Catholick 
 Provinces divided between themfelves, were fhared between the two Fadlions, fo that 
 neither declared abfblutely for him : He argued within himfelf from the example of 
 things paft, how much mifchief for the rtiolt part comes by forfaking old frienddiips 
 and confederacies, to give ones felf up wholly to the will and difcretion of new ones : 
 He confidered, that not having changed his Religion at that time when being more 
 ftrong and vicftorious he might have done it with his reputation i now that he was 
 declined in ftrength , it might feem he did it timeroufly by force j the need he had 
 at that very prefent of the ailiflanceof the Proteftant Princes of Germany^ and of the 
 Queen of England , reprefented it felf unto him, fo that he was neceffitated to think 
 of not making them diflruftful of them. But on the other fide, he knew moreover that 
 if he loft the Catholicks, he (hould no longer have ftrength to refift i and that, except 
 the Name of Kittg of France , he ftiould return unto the fame condition wherein he 
 found himfelf fo ftraightned, before he went from KochcU. In this uncertainty of 
 mind he knew but two remedies i one, to give full fatisfa(ftion to the Great Ones 
 
 of
 
 486 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil iVars 
 
 1591. 
 
 Remciiics 
 uled by the 
 Kin; to con- 
 ietvc theafft- 
 flinnsof ihofc 
 nf his party, 
 anJ kccpthcm 
 ID obedience. 
 
 The King re- 
 calls the Duke 
 of i/per»i«to 
 the Army, and 
 •ihcr Catho- 
 lick Lori)5, to 
 reconcile them 
 onto bim. 
 
 of his Army, to the end that they not flirring, all the reft might ftay likewife i the other,, 
 to iicep his men in perpetual exercife, that idlenefs and reft might not fuggeft thofe 
 thoughts unto them. For this caufe, knowing how great authority the Duke of Ne- 
 vers had in the Catholick party, and how eonfpicuous his adions were , as a Prince 
 that had always given teftimony of Confcience and Religion , he conferred upon him 
 the Government of Champagne, a great and principal Province, and which he had long 
 before defired : And to the Baron de Byron, for the eminent reputation of his Father, 
 and for his own merit and valour, befides the Office of Field- Marefchal, he promifed 
 the dignity of High-Admiral i and ufing terms of infinite kindnefs to all the reft, 
 fhewed himfelf gracious and liberal, always difpofing places and honours to thofe Ca- 
 tholick Lords, who for birth, defert, or ancient devotion towards the Church, were 
 proper to keep thofe loyal who were like to fall away becaufe of the delay of his pro- 
 mifes. And that he might not give way to idlenefs, and to thofe thouehts that take 
 birch from thence, he recalled the Duke of Efpernon to his Army, not only with a de- 
 fire to reconcile him unto himfelf, but alfo to make ufe of him , and like»vife of the 
 Duke o( Nevers, (who at that time befieged FruwMJ-^ the Duke oi LongueviVe , the 
 Count de St. Vaul his Brother , and many other Catholick Lords i intending when 
 he had drawn them together, to fet himfelf upon fome enterprife, which with the ad- 
 vancement of his own affairs , might keep every one of them honourably im- 
 ployed. 
 
 After this rcfolution, fucceeded that of gathering Forces, that he might be able not 
 only to oppofe the progrefs of the Spaniards in Bretagne, and the attempts of the Duke 
 of Savoy in Frovence ; but alfo fo to re-inforce his Army, that if the Duke of Parma 
 ftiould return and join with the Duke of Lorain, he might be equal to relTft them in 
 the Field. Nor being to addrefs himfelf for fupplies of money, and to obtain a nume- 
 rous leavy of men to any others, than the Queen of England, and the Proteftant Princes 
 of Germany ; fince he faw both fheand they were flack and cold alike, he determined 
 to fend a perfon of eminent vertue, quality, and authority unto them, who conferring 
 with every Prince in particular , and afterwards cafting up the whole , and treating 
 with all in general, might be able to procure that fruit which the urgent neceflity of his 
 affairs required. Firft he thought upon the Marefchal de Byron, a man of renowned 
 fame and prudence , equal to fo great an exigent i but then judging him much more 
 neceffary for the condudl of his Army, becaufe the Order, Difcipline, and Foundation 
 of all enterprifes refted chiefly upon him, he refolvcd to fend Henry *de la Tour, Vif^ 
 count de Turenne, a man not only by ancient Converfation, and by having run the 
 fame fortune with him, long known to be moft faithful i but alfo for his wifdom and 
 fingular eloquence fufficient to manage a bufinefs of Co great importance , and more- 
 over for Valour. and Military Difcipline fit to lead and condu^ thofe Supplies that 
 fhould be granted , and fo much the rather, becaufe he being a Hugonot , would be 
 fo much the more acceptable, and proper to negotiate with Princes of the fame Reli- 
 gion •, fince Monfieur de Beauvii, who till the death of the late King had been Am- 
 bafTador to Queen Elizabeth, being a Catholick, was not very well received j and the 
 Count de Schombergh, who had already been a long time in Germany, was likewife in 
 refpe(ft of his Religion grown fufpedted to the Duke of Saxony, and to Prince Cafimir, 
 the Guardian of his young Nephew the Palatine of the Khine ; but much more to the 
 Marquifs of Brandenburgh, who was jealous that he, under colour of negotiating the 
 Kings affairs, endeavoured to difcover their intents, and found their defigns, to make 
 them known unto the party of the League. 
 
 The Vifcount went prefently into England, where things were not Co well difpofed 
 in favour of the King, but that the Queen thought to make her advantage of his pre- 
 fent exigcney, and upon occafion of the neceffity he was in , to induce him to reftorc 
 Calaif unto her, or elfe to give fome other Fortreft of no lefs importance into her 
 hands i a thing not only defired by all the Kings that had pofTeffed that Crown, but 
 impatiently longed for by all the people of England. But becaufe the bufinefs was to 
 be cunningly treated of, nor did the Queen want prudence or dexterity to manage it, 
 'ne firft made known that the Merchants of her Kingdom demanded to have a fecure 
 Port upon the Coafts of Fr<j«ce,where their (hips might put in and fecure their perfons and 
 goods when they had occafion. Then (he urged the reafons (he had to defire it from a 
 King that was her Friend and Confederate, and whom (he always called by the name of 
 Biotherjfince (he had made the fame demands to King Omltf^zni to King Henry,hk laft 
 
 Predeceflbis, 
 
 I
 
 of France. The Tvpelfth "Boo^, 
 
 487 
 
 Predeceffors, by reafon of the Duke of Guife^s unjuft Ufurpation of the Town of Ca" 
 lais^ due unto her Crown by the pofTelTion of fo many Ages. But becaufc the Vifcount 
 with no Icfs indufiry, did not openly deny to fatisfie her, but avoided and deferred 
 it with feveral excufes. fometimes alledging the hatred that would thereby refult unto 
 the King , not yet eftabliflied , if he (hould think to alienate any place : That the revolt 
 of the Catholicks , ( who were already more than moderately offended and difguftedj 
 would follow upon it : (bmetimes telling the Queen her felf, that flie ought not to make 
 that demand at that prefent, left (he fliould fhew a defire to put the King upon a ne- 
 ceffity of confenting unto it, and in the urgency of his occafions put (as they fayj the 
 iioofe about his neck, (hefeemed todefift, and referving the preiling of that point till 
 the time that the promifes were to be fulfilled, which would be a more proper and a 
 more urging conjun(fture. In the mean time, the Vifcount obtained that flie fliould 
 lend the King One hundred thoufand Crowns for the Levies that were to be made : 
 That flie fliould fend the Six thoufand Foot we fpoke of, into Bretagne, tor relief of 
 the Prince o( Dombes : That along with * him, fhe fliould fend Horatio Pallavicino (a 
 Ceitouife, who for Religion was fled into that Ifland) to perfwade the States of Hol- 
 land, and the Princes of Germany to alTift the King with men and money on their part : 
 and flie promifed likewife , that if the Duke of Parma moved again to return into 
 France, (he would powerfully affift Grave Maurice of N.-iJJau^ and the Hollanders, to 
 make a ftrong diverfion, by entring into Brabant and Flanders. 
 
 With this Agreement the Vifcount being gone out of England, and come to the 
 Hague, obtained from the States of HoUand, not that which he pretended, which was 
 Thirty thoufand Crowns ready money, but Three thoufand Foot paid, which were 
 to unite themfelves with thofe Forces that were to beraifcd in Germany ■■, though after- 
 wards, by reafon of the urgency of their affairs, that piomife alfo remained without 
 effed'. With the Princes of Germany there was much more to do, bccaufe there were 
 many of them, and their intcrcfts different : but the Vifcount carried himfelf with (b 
 much dexterity, being opportunely affillcd by Pallavicino, that in the end, of fome he 
 obtained men, of fome money, and took order for the levying of Four thoufand Horfe 
 and Eight thoufand Foot, which with a convenient Train of Artillery and Ammuni- 
 tion, fliould be ready at the beginning of the Summer to march with him under the 
 commiand of Chrijiian Prince of Anhalt, for the airiftanccof the King of France, 
 
 The thoughts that troubled the Duke of Mayenne , were not very different from 
 thofe that perplexed the King : for there being many Princes of his Family who pre- 
 tended no lefs than he, he could not find means to fatisfie them all ; and to the other 
 Lords and Commanders of that party, who continually demanded money to maintain 
 the Souldiery , it was impoffible to give a full fatisfadtion : whereupon many being 
 difpleafed, and many falling off, he feared a divifion, and that fome would rcfolve to 
 ' go over to the Kings party i which was much to be doubted : for on the one iidc, the 
 people thought themfelves extraordinarily burthened, and were no longer able to bear 
 the lolTes and incommodities of the War : on the other fide, the Souldiers were not 
 contented with any kind of licentioufnefs i nor did they ever ceafe crying out for liber- 
 ty, pay, rewards and fatisfadVions : but amongft them all, the Parillans, as they were 
 chief of the party, fo were they chief in their complaints, not only bccaufe they faw 
 not that progrefs which from the beginning they had fancied to themfelves i but be- 
 caufe the contributions and charges incicafed without end, they accufed the Duke of 
 want of condudt , or of too greedy a delire to engrofs all to himfelf, or of extream 
 profufenefs and prodigality of other mens moneys : nor did they coniider what a huge 
 gulf a Civil War is, and how many intereffed particulars were to be provided for in all 
 parts of the Kingdom. To this were added the practices of the Spanifli Minifters, 
 who, not to fuffer the authority of the Duke of Mayenne Cwhom they thought little 
 inclined to follow their dciignsj to grow too excelTive, and to put the Catholick King 
 in greater reputation and favour with the people, magnifying the expences, fupplies and 
 provifions which had been afforded them, cried out againlt the ill management of the 
 Duke, who for want of well employing them, had reaped fo little advantage. 
 
 There were fome difcontents between him and the Duke of Lorain : for he having 
 taken Villa Franca, the Duke of Mayenne, becaufe it was a place belonging to the Crown, 
 pretended to nominate the Gnvernour , and to place the Garifon : and the Duke of 
 Lorain having taken it at his own charge, and with the induluy and blood of his 
 men, contended that he ought to be the difpofer and malkr of it > and being inccnfed 
 
 that 
 
 i^pu 
 
 * The Vifionnt. 
 ThcVifcou'C 
 QiTurenite ob- 
 tains alTiCsncC 
 from Qriecn 
 ili^jk ifc , the 
 Hollindeit, 
 anil the Prote- 
 ftwpt PtincCJ 
 of G'.rnuaj. 
 
 The party of 
 the Lcjgue 
 tike 3 iiif'uH 
 arainft the D. 
 of M.istnn,-, 
 which is fo- 
 mtnred by the 
 Spaniatdi. 
 
 The lords ot 
 the Houfe of 
 LiTniit beoin 
 to be diff lea- 
 fed, and to 
 grow jf alcus 
 ofonc anothet
 
 488 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5?i- 
 
 Tht DuVs of 
 Hcmsitti, foe 
 fome difcon- 
 tents rfcc'v«d 
 from his bro- 
 ther the Duke 
 of Mtyninc rc- 
 fufes the Go- 
 vernment of 
 the City of 
 P.irii, which 
 the Duke of 
 Mdycnnc cnn- 
 fcrs upon his 
 tided Son the 
 DHkeof£/^K- 
 illm, appoint- 
 in!; 'li' Mat- 
 quifsof Bdin 
 his Lieutenant 
 
 The Con>- 
 plaints of the 
 Widow Dut- 
 chefs of Guife. 
 
 that he had not obtained his defire, he arofe from thefiege of Montedto^ which he had 
 begun, alledging that he would not have the fruits of his pains and dangers converted 
 to the' ufe of others : but thefe vi^ere but fprouts that grew from a deeper root : for 
 the Duke of Lorain, who pretended to the pre-eminence as Head of the Family, knew 
 that the Duke of Mayenne A\^ not only polTefs the top, and count himfelf fuperlour 
 row, as Lieutcnant-General of the State of France^ but had alfo a defign to advance 
 himfelf to the Crown i to the pretenfions whereof, he thought the right of a Son 
 born of a Daughter of France to be more valid , and conceived it reafonable that all 
 the relt of the Houfe fliould give place to the Head of the Family. But thefe fe- 
 crct thoughts, which were yet internally hid, did not let things break out to amanifefl! 
 difcord. 
 
 Greater were the difgufts with the Duke of "Nemours, who (of a bold generous 
 courage, but of a proud difdainful nature, having conftantly and valiantly defended 
 and made good the City of Pjr/V, beyond all mens belief J) pretended to no leffer place 
 than to be his Brothers Lieutenant-General, and to have fupreme Authority in the af- 
 fairs of Paris, as their Preferver and Governour : which being a thing of great jea- 
 loulie to the Duke of Mayenne , who would not that any other (hould meddle in the 
 Government, and that the affairs of ?aris (the foundation of the LeagueJ fliould not 
 only be managed by him, but that they fliould not be fo much as touched by anothers 
 hand i they difagreed in fuch manner about the elcdion of the treveji des Merchandj^ 
 and the other Magiftrates, that the Duke of Mayenne, without making him or any body 
 elfe acquainted with it, chofe them to his own liking and fatisfadtion, without demur- 
 ring upon thofe that were propofed and favoured by others i judging it to be fo tender 
 and fo important a matter, that the refpeds which moved him to it, ought not to be 
 imparted to any body : but the election being divulged, the Duke of Nemours (making 
 open clamour, that thofe were refufed who had done beft fervice in the flege •, and on 
 the contrary, men were chofen either of little truft, or no valour) told the Duke of 
 Mayenne^ that with fuch like Magiftrates as thofe, he had not heart enough to defend 
 and maintain Varis as he had formerly done, and that therefore he did furrepder up his 
 Government to him : which falling out luckily according to the Dukes intention, he 
 made no difficulty to take the furrender, and prefently inverted in the Government his 
 eldert Son Charles Emanuel Duke of Efguillon, giving him for his Lieutenant (during 
 his minority) the Marquifs de Belin, a man wholly at his devotion : at which, though 
 the Duke of Nemours Ihewed himfelf highly incenfed, and no lefs than he, the Pari- 
 fians, who, by reafon of his late defence of them, bore a wonderful great afFedtion to 
 him, yet matters were compofed on this manner ; That the Marquifs of St. Sorlin, Ne- 
 mours his Brother , fliould have the Government of Vauphine ■■, and that he himfelf 
 fliould have Forces and Money affigned him, to make War in his Government of Ly- 
 ons i to which he went without delay : being neither well fatisfied with his Brother, 
 nor openly di(gufted. 
 
 But more grievous were the complaints of Madam de Guife, who with tears and 
 womanifli lamentations made her moan every hour, that among fo many cnterprifes, 
 there was no attempt thought of to free her fon i and that Colonel Alfonfo Corfu (one 
 of the Complotters of the death of the late Duke of Gitife her Husband) having been 
 taken in fome encounter, was not torn in pieces in revenge, but fet at liberty for a ran- 
 fom of thirty thoufand Crowns i and finally, that the Widow Y)\xtd\tko{ Longueville 
 having been kept prifbner , in ftead of treating fo exchange her for her Son , they 
 treated of exchanging her for the Duke d' Elbeuf. To which, though anfwer was 
 made, that the Duke her Son was in a place environed with the Kings Forces, which 
 they could not come at without a great Army, and without being Mafters of the field > 
 and nevcrthelefs that divers Treaties had been held to that effedt : That Colonel Al- 
 fonfo being a prifoner of War, it was not lawful to do him any outrage, nor take away 
 his life i and that the thirty thoufand Crowns had proved of great advantage to the 
 publick affairs : That there never had been a Treaty of giving the Dutchefs of L(7«g«f- 
 'V'^e in exchange for the Duke d' Elbeuf, till after the King had declared he would 
 not free the Duke of Guife upon any exchange > yet flie nevcrthelefs, being a queru- 
 lous woman, and full of difdain, ceafed not to diliurb all bufinelTes, and fill all ears 
 wjth her lamentation. Nor could the Duke of Mayenne agree with the Duke of Mer- 
 caur-, for, having fetled a firm refolution in his mind, that no part of the Crown fliould 
 be difmembred under his Government, he was very much grieved that Mercccur fliould 
 
 attempt
 
 of France* 7 he Tmlfth "Boof^ a^q 
 
 attempt to appropriate Bretagne to himfelf, and (hould hold fecret intelligences and ispo. 
 pradtices with the Spaniards. 
 
 To the thought of home-bred difcords was added the trouble of foreign fupplics ^hc Duke of 
 
 which he faw not to anfwer his expedation i for he found the Duke of Savoy had de- uoMti a" 
 
 figns and pretenfions of too much intereft , whereby in ftead of fuccouring and affift- '*"= *"e'npts 
 
 ing, he feem'd rather to divide and difmember the party of the League , and knew Fam'!°y'«,'he 
 
 that the Duke of Tarma and the other Spanifh Minifters had but little inclination to '''''g"''°f 'he 
 
 aiM him fo powerfully , that under their favour he might be able to make an end of ^^ilflt'ill 
 
 the War i but he perceived they fpun out the time in length, looking for fome oppor- c"' °'/'^* 
 tunity to promote their own defigns; The change of the Pope did much more afflidt ^*'"*' '* 
 him i for though Sixtus ^intus in the later months of his life, Tgrown fufpitious of 
 the dealings of the Spaniards, and difpleafed at the (harp proceedings of the Conde de 
 
 Olivares) (hewed himfelf alienated from the League, and little fatished with the car- rh n i t 
 
 riage of bufinefles, and perhaps difpofed toward a reconciliation with the King, if Ma%nr,snoi 
 
 he had given occafion for it by his converfion i yet the new eledion of Cardinal Sfon^ {"^ ^'^ ^p"** 
 
 drato with the name of Gregory the Fourteenth did not fatisfie him at the firlt, judg- o'gV^the?^, 
 
 ing him to depend fo much upon , and to be fo clofely united unto Spain , that he to"^',c^t de' 
 
 would not move, but in the Catholick Kings fteps > and befides that, of fo flack a na- p^rftncy u^- 
 
 ture, (as Fame with a general confent reported him) that there was little life or quick- tT/Jnaaivef 
 
 nefs to be hoped for in his refolutions. Amidft this confufion of thoughts, thinking ncftcf hisna- 
 
 principal aim ought to be to increafe his ftrength fo much, as to be Mafter of the "'*' 
 lield, becaufe by that means the ftreightning of the City being hindered, the Parifians 
 would be appeafed, and the reputation of Vidory would keep all humours in awe i he 
 
 fet himfelf with his uttermoft endeavours to augment his Forces in the Kingdom, *(, ti t f 
 
 and difpatched Prefident Jeannin (a man of fingular prudence, and incomparable dex- */«.>««" d'r 
 
 terity in matters of Government) to the King of Spain v and to the Pope he fent his p'-'''" '''''■ 
 
 Secretary Baudoin Siettr des Fortes, who for his long experience in the affairs of the thr/i'ng'of*" 
 
 Court, where he had been bred in the times of the late Kings, and for the vivacity of ■^P"'" ;'"'''''« 
 
 his underrtanding was thought fit to quicken the flownefs, and forward the determi- <n "the Pope 
 
 nations of the Popes and to thefe his Agents he not only gave in charge to make '° '°'^'<"« »''* 
 great halk in their journeys •, but alfo, as their principal end, to procure from both 
 thefe Princes a firm, fetled, fpeedy, and powerful fupply of men and money. 
 
 With thefe defigns and preparations carne in the year i5pi, at the very beginning *5PJ* 
 whereof the Parifians attempted the enterprife of St. Venii. The City thirfted much 
 after the recovery of that place j for ftanding but two leagues from thence, and upon 
 the pafs that leads into the moft fertil Plains of the Ip of France, it did much hinder 
 the bringing in of Vidual i and the Garifon that was there over-running the whole 
 Country, did exceedingly moleft and obftru(3 the ways. That which gave them hope 
 of an happy iflue, was, that the place was almoft empty of inhabitants , and only 
 kept by three hundred Foot, and one hundred and fifty Horfe , which though they 
 rov'd very boldly about the fields, yet were they not fufficient to maintain the com- 
 pafs of the walls, which of themfelves were very weak, and in fome places broken 
 and fain down > and that which ordinarily ferves to ftrengthen and defend a place, 
 (to be feated in the midlt of Fenns that encompafs it, and to have a Moat always 
 full of Water) did in this feafon ferve for the conveniency of thofe that would aP. 
 fault it , all the Waters being with the infinite cold frozen round about, fb that 
 they made a firm Bridge , and did facilitate the paffage and way to come to the 
 affault. 
 
 The Governour of the place was the Sieur de Viq, ("lately come in the room of 
 Lavardin) who though he ufed all polTible endeavours to keep good guards in it, yet 
 the weakness of the Garifon, and the continual (ending parties abroad to flop the 
 ways, tired out his men, and made them in that extream cold weather, not very care- 
 ful to make good the Wall: Many there were that thought the enterprife not feifable, 
 by rea(bn of the fmall number of men that could be fent from taris : But the Chevalier 
 d' Attmale, a Friend to bold re(blutions, and well informed of the (tate of the Town, 
 undertook the managing of it, and with One thoufand Foot, and Two hundred Horfe, 
 marched out by night at the Gate which (becaufe it (\andsthat way) is called by the 
 fame name i and having taken a little compafs, drew near to the Town on that fide, 
 which joining to the Abby , he knew ( as mo(t remote ) was kept with the leaft 
 
 R r c diligence >
 
 490 
 
 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 159^' 
 
 dilieence i where having found the Ice in every place very firm, and particularly in 
 the Moat, he caufed four Ladders to be_fet up againft the Wall with fo. great filence, 
 that they were 
 
 The Chevjiiet 
 ii'./tnnil- %oes 
 tn fuiprile 
 St. Divis, and 
 without re li- 
 ftince enters 
 with all his 
 men ; but the 
 Governor 
 with only thir- 
 ty Horfe char- 
 ges, and routs 
 tbeenemy;the 
 Chevalier 
 d' tumult be- 
 ing run tho- 
 tow the throat 
 and left dead. 
 
 It was obfer- 
 ved, that the 
 Chevalier 
 d'^uiMU fell 
 dead before an 
 Inn whofefign 
 was a Sword 
 embroidered 
 With Golden 
 riower-de- 
 Iuces,and that 
 his body being 
 fet in the 
 Church, was 
 gnawn by 
 Miles ; T/ie 
 fttncb f.i}s, 
 Rati. 
 
 PreliJent 
 Biijfon-, one of 
 the principal 
 adherents to 
 the League, 
 having chang- 
 ed his mind, 
 plots infotte- 
 ftiont in favor 
 of the King. 
 
 not difcovered by the Guards , in that.part very thinly fet. There 
 
 went up two Captains with four and twenty Souldiers fully armed, and having found 
 obftade made themfelves Mafters of the Gate adjoining , which being broken 
 
 no 
 
 open the Chevalier d' Aumale himfelf entred on foot before them all, with his Sword 
 drawn and after him the reft of his men marching up in order to poffefs themfelves 
 of the' place. The Governour having heard the roife, and being informed that the 
 Enemy had already taken the Gate, and were gotten upon the Wall i grown defperate 
 to fee that by the negligence of his Souldiers , he Ihould lofe all the honour he had 
 gotten in fo many years of his life fpent fortunately in War, getting on horfeback with 
 only thirty of his men that followed him, and being refolved to die, and not to fur- 
 vive his own ruine, he caufed two Trumpets he had with him to found furioufly, to 
 make the Enemy believe the^number of thofe that charged was greater, and, with his 
 Beaver down, rufhed boldly upon the Front of the Squadron, that was marching in 
 order up the high ftreet toward the Market-place. The fury of the horfes in the un- 
 certainty of a very dark night, ("the Commanders not having been willing to fire the 
 houfes, left they ftiould totally deftroy the Town) put the foot in diforder j in which 
 tumult, while the Chevalier d' Aumale turning about, and reproving his men, endea- 
 voured to make them ftand , and to fet them again in order, being wounded with a 
 thruft in the throat, fell fuddenly dead upon the ground i and his men having no longer 
 either ftrength, courage, order or refolution, flying, fell foul upon the other Squa- 
 drons, and, difordering themfelves from one to another , they got out at the fame 
 Gate, and without being purfued by any body, ran with all their might till they came 
 to Favis, there remaining above a hundred of them, cither flain by the defendents, or 
 trampled under foot in the flight. The Sieur de Viq having recovered the Town, and 
 redeemed his fortune by his owri valour, gave the King an account of the fucccfs, and 
 did not only "win great commendations, butalfo obtained of him a rich Abby, which 
 had been poffeffed by the Chevalier d' Aumale with the title of the Crofs of Jerujdem, 
 Thofe that were curious obferved, that the Chevalier fell dead before the door of an 
 Inn whofe fign was the 'Pfpee ^oyale \ and they efteemed it a much greater prodigy, 
 that being laid upon the Bier in the Church of the Friers of St. Venis, his Carcafs the 
 night following was all gnawed and mangled by the Moles. 
 
 The example of this mifchance did not with-hold the King from attempting Cthough 
 upon a better foundation) to furprife the City oifaris in the fame manner. The firft 
 Prefident Briffon, who fo voluntarily (not to fay precipitately) had made himfelf the 
 head and Author in the Parliament of adhering to the League, perceiving now Cas 
 his Friends faid) that the ends of the Great Ones were not fo fincere toward the pub- 
 lick good, as he at firft was perfwaded they were i or Cas his ill-willers faid) corrupted 
 by the great promifes which were made him from the King, by certain perfons who 
 were prifoners in the City v or (as the general opinion was) drawn by the inftability 
 of his own nature, had fecretly begun to favour the Politicks, ("for fo they called thofe 
 that were affeded to the King) who taking courage from his protedion, did already 
 make a confiderable Body , and began to confult which way to make the City revolt, 
 and fubmit it to the obedience of the King. The attempts and practices of thefe men 
 were aflifted by the carelefs nature of the Trevoft dex Mercbands, who either did not 
 believe, or did not heed the relations that were made to him i nor did he ufe any care 
 or induftry to interrupt thofe new defigns, the report whereof was very common : 
 But that which more favoured the Kings party, was the ill fatisfadion of the people, 
 not only tired with fcarcity of Vidtual, and the hard duty they underwent continually 
 in guarding the Walls, but alfo ftomaching that the Marquifs de Belin^ a man of ordi- 
 nary condition, and of an unadive nature, (hould be put upon them for a Governour, 
 whereas they were wont to have formerly the firft Princes of the Blood, and the moft 
 eminent Officers of the Crown. The Duke of Mayeme was abfent, the Duke of Ne- 
 mours far off and difcontented, and the Chevalier d' Aumale lately dead, whofe fierce- 
 nefs was wont to keep life in that party. All thefe things concurring, invited the King 
 to make fome attempt upon that City : And what perfwaded him much rather, was a 
 defire not to keep his Army idle, but to employ it in fome enterprife, which for the 
 greatnefs thereof, might keep it in fome adion full of expedtation. Wherefore 
 the Dukes of Nevers and Efptrmn , who were fent for before , being now arrived, 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Tmtfth ^oo^ 49 1 
 
 and moreover thinking feme practices now ripe which he held with his dependents 15PI* 
 in the City, he meant to help flrength with cunning on this manner : That Fourfcore J;'°''/'a^/''" 
 Commanders and Fvcformadoes, difguifed in the habit of Country-fellows, with as other Refor- 
 tnany horfes laden with meal,niould go to the Forte St.Hanore to be let in after midnight, rji'lcTwIth »« 
 (becaufe, in refpefl: of the frequent parties that fcoured the ways, provifions were m>ny horfe- 
 commonly brought and received by nightj and that thefe fecretly armed, fhould at {("n^d^'Mta^""- 
 their entrance (hive to polTefs themfelves of the Gate, being alTifted by an hundred ccive order co 
 men armed Cap-a-pe that followed them, in which tumult he had privately given or- lor" s'//J»«% 
 der that thofe of his party fhould make fome commotion within, but on the oppofite about mid- 
 fide to the Gate that was aJfaulted, and fliould endeavour to feize upon St. Jaques^ or "tfempt'to 
 'St. Mercean <, and that at the fame time the Army on the fide of St. Honork, Montmar- furpnfe rerin 
 tre, and St. Denif, (hould come up clofe to fcale the Walls : with which affaults, which 
 were all to happen at one inftant , he firmly hoped either to enter by force, or to be 
 willingly received into the City ; his adherents not ceafing to ufe many pradlices to raife 
 the people in feveral places. Thefe things were refolved on for the twentieth day of 
 January ; the night whereof, though it had not been rainy, muft neverthelefs needs 
 have been dark, the Moon fetting towards midnight. But the Duke of Efpernon's 
 palling by Beaumont^ and his being joined with the Kings Army, and the Duke of Ne- 
 vers having done the fame, leaving the fiege he had laid to Vrovins without any appa- 
 rent reafon > the Baron de Clary's having paffed the River at Lagny, to unite himfelf 
 with the red, and the feeing the King lie ftill in a place fo near them, had put a jea- 
 loufie into the PrinceiTes who refided in Pi^m ; whereupon they did elfeftually exhort 
 the Marquifs de Belin to take care of the City,fome Cgn being already difcovered of the 
 firrt Prelidents inclinations, and of the machinations of many others, who went about 
 liirring up the common people. The Marquifs, excited by the carnefi: perfwafion of ^^ £c;,„*i.1eu- 
 thofc Ladies, began to apply his mind to the things that were told him i and falling tenant Cover- 
 into the fame fufpition, upon the eighteenth day he publifhed a mod fevere Procla- SdverHfed" of 
 mation, That any commotions or tumult happening in the City, everyone, at the ring- the Kings ds- 
 ing of the Palace-Bell, and the others of every Parilh, fhould take Arms, and come fome tokens 
 forth of their houfes into the ftrcet, but that no man (hould ilir out of that Quarter .^.^"f '^/qj, 
 wherein he ordinarily dwelt, upon pain'of death without mercy : and he gave order ces, makes a 
 to the Mailers of the feveral '^- Qiiarters ftridtly to obfervethe motion of every onej ^""'^'°^l^ 
 from whence it came to pafs that the Politickj^ being fewer, were kept and watcht by orders ind 
 the much greater number, and that being difperfed in their feveral Quarters, they ^J^^f^f" j„''j 
 could not meet together in a Body "to moleff or to make themfelves Maftersof any part the citizens 
 of the City, all which alfo by this command were equally guarded. But the figns [jn^^of ^^g 
 and fufpitions fiill increafing, by the difcovery of Certain Souldiers belonging to St. Ve- the city. 
 «//, who were taken by the Sieur de Tremont as they were fco wring the Country, from * °'' *^" '* 
 whom they underftood that there were Scaling-ladders and other inftruments proper 
 to aflault places withal, providing in that Town. The PrinceiTes anxious and folli- 
 citous, fent for the Governour unto them in the houfe of Madam de Muntpenfier^ and 
 defired him to make the ?orte St. Homre prefently to be fhut up arid lined with earth, 
 as being weaker , and more expofed to danger than the reft, which was diligently 
 performed upon the nineteenth day ; and the Sieur de Tremblecourt was put there to 
 guard it, with his Regiment of Lorainers. The Marquifs de Menelay's Regiment 
 went to keep the Ports of St. Denii and Montmartre ■■> and Cohlto's Gerrftans ftayed to 
 guard the Fauxboitrgs beyond the River. 
 
 Upon the twentieth day in the afternoon, the King \j\ot being advertifed of the 
 orders given in the City, becaufe extraordinary care had been taken, that none (hould 
 ftir out of the Gates3 took his way towards Faris. Monfieur de Viq Governour of 
 St. Deuis^ led the fourfcore that were difguifed in the habit of Country-men ■•, and the 
 other hundred were commanded by the Sieur de Lavardin, After thefe, followed the 
 ^aron de Byron with one thoufand and two hundred Fire-locks, which were to march 
 up to polTefs themfelves of the gate i and behind them were four Squadrons of four 
 hundred men apiece, who, armed breft and head, were to advance to the Wall on the 
 fide toward Montmartre and St. VeuU^ there to fet the Scaling-ladders i and thefe were 
 led by the Sieurs de Gttiry, de Dunes, d' Hiemiers, atid de la None : after thefe marched 
 the Swiires,with three fmall pieces of Artillery ,two Petards,to be made ufe of if occafion 
 were, and all other inftruments ferviceable for this affault. The King himfelf was in the 
 Rereguard, with the Dukes oiEfpernon and LongueviUe, and eight hundred Gentlemen i 
 
 R r r 2 who,
 
 49' 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 The order oo- 
 fcrved by ihe 
 Kings SoulJi- 
 ers Inr the 
 fuipiifing of 
 i'aris. 
 
 The foutfcoie 
 (iifguifcd Re- 
 formaJoes ate 
 difcovcrcd by 
 the bieui dt 
 
 The Parifians, 
 that they 
 mizht not be 
 left unprovi- 
 ded, receive a 
 Te'«Mof ipa- 
 niatils, and 
 anittber of 
 NeopoIitanJ 
 into ihe City. 
 
 TheDuVe of 
 Mnyennty jea- 
 lous of the 
 Spanifli de- 
 fions.piocures 
 a Treaty fo 
 far, thit for 
 many days the 
 teace was 
 certainly 
 thought to be 
 (ondudcii. 
 
 who, being alighted from their Horfes, and very well armed, had their Swords and Pi* 
 riols' with which they were to fall on where need (hould require : and laft of all, the 
 Duke of Nevers with the reft of the Cavalry, flood in Arms to maintain the field. 
 AIToon as the firfl were arrived with their loads of Corn and Meal, demanding to be 
 let in, they fpoke with Irembkcourt , who, being made wary by fufpition, talked a 
 long while with them i and afToon as he knew them, he [to hold them in hand] gave 
 order they llwuld go down to the entry of the River, and that there they (hould be 
 received by the boats that waited for that purpofe, and prefently, by ringing of a 
 Bell , he gave the Alarm to the City, and the Souldiers in Arms went readily up to 
 the Works, The fourfcore retired a little back i and making (hew that they would 
 obey, and go down toward the River, gave the King intelligence of the noife that ' 
 was in the City, [whereof he was already advertifed by the found of the Bells] and 
 defircd to know what was to be done. P' Humiers and the Baron de Byron were of 
 opinion that the Scaling-ladders (hould be fet up, and a Petard faftened to the Gate : 
 but all the other Commanders thought it was not a thing to be attempted, and that 
 fthc Plot not having fucceeded) to ufe force was too full of danger, and altogether 
 hopelefs : wherefore , after they had made a (land for a while, to fee if their party 
 within did make any Commotion, and this thought not fucceeding neither, they faced 
 about i and leaving the Cavalry to make good their Retreat, returned in the fame order 
 to their former Quarters. 
 
 This attempt wrought an efTccf! very different from the Kings intention: for the 
 Parifians unfatisfied with the Duke of Mayeme, for that upon all occafions he left them 
 with a weak Garifon , expofed to thefe dangers , and feeing the King continually 
 bent to do them mifchief , they were contented [being perfwaded by the Catholick 
 Kings Viniflers] to receive into the City the Spanifli I'ertiaoi Idiaques^ and another 
 of Neapolitans, which was Tietro Caetatto's, commanded by Don Ak^'andro de Monti s 
 which did not only confirm and (Irengthen the Kings Enemies, and fupprefs his Friends 
 and Adherents, but did alfo put the City in danger of remaining at laft at the devo- 
 tion of the Spaniards. Yet did there prefently follow another confcquent to the ad- 
 vantage of his afTairs : for the Duke of Mnyenne fwho had confented to the refolution 
 of the Parifians, not to lofe them utterly, though it difpleafed him much, that, as not 
 confiding in him, they (hould fall off to the protedion of foreigners) being confirmed 
 in his fufpition that the Spaniards had particular defigns of their own, and that they 
 fought to diflurb his authority, and to make their profit of the inftability of the Pari- 
 fians, quickened the Treaty of Agreement, which,- by the means of Monlieur de Ville- 
 roy^ had never been intermitted with the High Chancellor and the Marcfchal de Byron i 
 and not having been able upon any terms to obtain a Truce and free Commerce between 
 the two parties, he was contented the King fhould give fo many Safe-conduds, that 
 the Deputies might meet together from all the f rgivinces, to confult in common of the 
 means to conclude a Peace, with thefafety of Religion, and the acknowledgment of 
 the King i which pafTed fo far, that for many days the Peace was held to be abfolutely 
 concluded. But as the opinions of men are unfetled, and the moft important deter- 
 minations are altered by petty accidents, the Duke of Mayennsin the mean time while 
 the fafe-conduds were difpatching, (in the grant whereof the King was for fome days 
 backward) having found the firmnefs of the Parliament in favour of him, and the 
 weaknefs of the Garifon that was received into Paris^ not being in all both Spaniards 
 and Neopolitans above One thoufand and three hundred Foot •, a number fitter to fa- 
 (atisfie the people in appearance, than to bridle the City : Nor being yet able to wean 
 himfclf from his conceived hopes, as foon as he had received the fafe-conduds, he 
 difpatched them with Letters added to all the Provinces, that they (hould meet toge- 
 ther in the City of Kheims in Champagne, not to apply themfelves to Peace (as had 
 been agreed) but to make elcdion of a new King i which as foon as it was known 
 and divulged abroad, the King finding himfelf deceived, fince now the talk was of 
 affembling the Deputies to his prejudice, which he had permitted to meet together to 
 treat of a re-union and peace between the two parties^ having made grievous complaints 
 thereof to ViUeroy^ he recalled his fafe-conduds, and gave command, that all the Depu- 
 ties that (liould fall into the hands of any of his party, (hould without delay be put to 
 death •, which neverthelefs would not have hindred the Duke of Mayenne from calling 
 the AfTembly : But things not being yet ripe, nor difpofed fully in the manner he de- 
 fired i under pretence of that fear, the Convocation of the States was fuffered to va- 
 m(h infenfibly of it felf. The .
 
 c?/^ France. The Twelfth ^ool^ 4^^ 
 
 The Dukes hopes wci-e augmented by tlic Declaration of Grf^orji the Fourteenth, i5pi» 
 who fas the refolutions of Popes, are almoit ever hot and earnelt at their tirft coming ''"f" O"?"'^ 
 m) defpiiing that flegmatick humour which Sixtits Cnot to foment with the colour of i;.ives c/ftni 
 Religion the interefts of thofe who were in grcatcft power J had in the latter end of his "''" ="''^ '""'- 
 life expreffed in the affairs of FriiKce •, fliewed himftif wholly inclined to favour, and "htUaj«. 
 promote the progrefs of the League, accounting it necefTary fo to do, for the fafety of 
 Religion, and the reputation and greatncfs of the Apofiolick See i and dtllrous that 
 Hercole Sfondrato his Nephew, newly by him invefted in the Title of Duke of Mu«/f- 
 marciano^ fliould with military aftions and eminent command increafe in reputation and 
 riches, he decreed to fend him with numerous Forces in alTiftance of the League > and 
 had therefore given order that Horfe and Foot fliould with all fpeed be raifed in the 
 'Territories of the Church i for the payment of which (though he found great contra- 
 didtion in the Confiltory of Cardinals J he refolved to take thofe moneys, which, ha- 
 ving with extream diligence been gathered together by Sixtur, were kept in the Caflle 
 of St. Angela i and to fpend what fl:ould be requiOte, as in the greateft and molt ur- 
 gent occafion the Church could have : And at the fame time he appointed Legat to the 
 Kingdom of France^ Menfunior Marfdio Landriatto^ a Prelat of Milan^ his Confident, ^•''f'^'" ^^"^ 
 and a man that was wont (as they fay) ftoutly to afTcrt the liberty of the Church, neferi's^cho'feo 
 Which things, after they were refolved on, and fet in order, he fent feveral MefTengers ^.'"IY° '*"(• 
 with fpeed to the Duke of Mayemie^ and to the Bilhop oi tiacem.a^ (whom he had frTL^b^l," 
 in the mean time confirmed Vice-Lcgat in France) promifing to them both plentiful &"'} ''^' ^''''• 
 fupplies of men and money, that they might be able, not only rooting out herefie, to 
 fecurethe Kingdom from imminent danger, but chufing a Catholick, peaceable King, 
 and one obedient to the Church, to compofe difcords in peace, and rcftore tranquil- 
 lity and repofe to the people, already wearied out, and ruined with the calamities of 
 War i and becaufe the City of P^m had with infinite merit fliewed it fclf by proof to 
 be the true Metropolis of the Kingdom, and the conflant Bulwark ot Religion, he prc- 
 fefled, That he would imploy his utmoll endeavouas to eafe it of its grievances, and 
 fettle it again in its firfl fplendorof riches and greatncfs. 
 
 Thefe Letters did not only rejoyce the Vice-Legat, and confirm the courage of the c.-rgar^xki 14^ 
 Duke of Mayenne^ (and fo much the more, becaufe with them the Pope fent an aifign- crowns by°°,e 
 ment of Fifteen thoufand Crowns a month to be paid by the Merchants of Pjm and "1°"''' foj '[>« 
 Linns) but being publiflied in Print to the whole party , did alfo fill everyone with League, 
 infinite expectation, feeing ihattlie new Pope flood not like Sixtus^ doubtful and un- 
 refolved what he fliould determine to do, but declaring himfcif refolutcIy,flievved he 
 was an open Enemy to the King, and an efTedrual Protestor of the Union, adding alfo 
 deeds to words, while he was fcarcely fought unto. That which increafed the hopes 
 of the Duke o( Mayenne, no lefs than the Popes forwardncfs, was the cunning of the 
 Duke of Pannd ■■, who (perfilting in his delign of drawing out the French Wars in 
 length, to make advantage at lafl of their wearincfs and weakncfs, and therefore not 
 willing that the Duke of Mayenne , remaining inferiour in llrength , fhould lofe cou- 
 rage, and refblve to make an Agreement with the King) fcem.ed not to like well of 
 thofe things which Mendozzi and Don P/Vsr/j d Ivarra^ who were in Faris^ managed j 
 
 particularly without the Duke '■> and with frequent Meflages alTurcd him, that he was 
 fctling the affairs of Flanders, that he might be able with all fpeed to march with his 
 Army into France; promiiing him, that he would difpofe of things in fuch manner as 
 they with a joint confent fhould refolve , without taking notice of the opinions of 
 others, the Commilliuns being fuch which he had from the Catholick King : For con- 
 firmation of which things, to thofe men the Duke of Mayenne fent to him, he (hewed 
 preparations for the gathering of an Army, and the lilis of Forty thoufand fighting 
 men to enter into Pkardy\ for the payment of which, and to fupply the League plen- 
 tifully with money, according to the defires of the French, heaflirmed, a courfe was 
 taken in the Court of Spain, and that he expedted the ailignment for it every hour. 
 By which, the Duke of M.rve««f being encouraged, and returned to his wonted hopes, 
 had difpatched his Secretary Baitdoin Sieur des Fortes, to Rome the fecond time , with 
 order to follicite the Pope to haften away the Duke of MontemarciaHo, who was to 
 pafs tlKirow the States of the Duke of Savoy, and the County of Bour{rongne ftrcight 
 into Lorain, to oppofe the Forces which were preparing for the King in Germany by 
 the Vifcount de lurenne, and the Prince of Anhalt ; and to the fame effed he dif- 
 patched an exprefs Mcffenget into Spain to Prefident Jeannin^ who was already gone 
 
 to
 
 404 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1501. to that Court, to the end that he might obtain from the Catholick King, that the 
 Forces which that year were to pafs from Milan into Flanders, fViould join in Lorain 
 with thofe of the Pope for the fame purpofe, hoping aflTuredly, that the Germans find- 
 ing a brisk oppolition at the Confines, fo that they might not be able to advance and 
 unite themfelves with the King, and the Duke of Farmj with the Forces o{ Flanders 
 entering into Ficardy^ the League would quickly and very eafily remain vidorious. In 
 the mean time he had invited the Duke of Lorain^ and the other Lords of his Family, 
 to meet at Kheims, to the end, that with their general liking and confent, things might 
 be difpofed to their due ends, and that the difficulties might be removed which hin- 
 dered the interefts of their Houfe from being brought to perfection. 
 
 Thcfe things were contrived at that time by the Duke, and negotiated with great 
 diligence in all places by men of prudence and experience : But the King, whilft oppor- 
 tunity and the weaknefsof his Enemies invited him, not to lofe time without advan- 
 tage, firm in his defign to ftreighten ftill the City of Parity in the fall of which he 
 thought the principal ftrength of his adverfaries mult fall too, refolved to lay fiege to 
 Chartres, from the Territories whereof Paris is wont to receive the greateft part of its 
 ordinary provifions i and becaufe the City being great, populous, and very well forti- 
 fied, reprefented at firit view the difficulty of the enterprife, he determined to prevent 
 thofe Supplies which for the well-furnifhing of a place of fo great importance might 
 be fcnt by the Parifians and the Duke of Mayemie^ who with thofe Forces he had left, 
 lay ftill at Soijfons, to be ready to turn which way foever need fhould require. Where- 
 fore having fent the Marefchal de Byron toward Diepe , to receive and condudt the 
 Ammunition and other ncceflaries come out of England , he taking a contrary way, 
 went with the Duke of Nevers once more to bcfiege Provins, a place of fmall moment, 
 and for the defence whereof, they of the League were refolved not to run any hazard » 
 but after that the Marefchal de Byron, having received the proviiions which were at 
 Viepe, began to return back, the King gave him order, that making as if he would 
 affault theCity of P»-(?«;c, he fhould on the fudden clap zQdchdoxe Chartres, and fur- 
 round it in fuch manner, that the relief which fhould be difpatched thither, might 
 have n^ opportunity of entrance. B^von having paffed the Seine at Vernen with his men 
 and his Artillery, pointing fometime this way, and fometimes that way, did at once 
 give his Souldiersconveniency to refrefh themfelves, and hold the Enemy in doubt 
 to what place he would bend at laft i making fhew fometimes thathealfo would go 
 to join with the reft of the Army at Provins \ fometimes, as if he would put himfelf in 
 order to befiege Vreux i now he placed himfelf upon the great high Road to Paris, and 
 then at laft having marched twelve leagues without refling, he came upon the fixteenth 
 of February under the Walls of Chartres. 
 Jil^o/tbVrri" '^^^ ^'^y °^ Chartres is feated in an uneven place, varied with fertil rifing hills, fo 
 ation of Car- that thc Eaft-fide ftands upon the top of an hill , and the Weft fpreads it felf in the 
 'vhich'''he" bottom of the Plain, thorow themidft whereof runs the River E«rf, which, afToon as 
 Mjttfchai He it comes to the Walls of the City on the South-fide, divides it felf into three branches i 
 B),mhjsricge one of which entring into the Town, drives a great many Mills i the fecond paiTmg 
 under the Walls, falls into the Moat, and runs along thorow it j and the third taking 
 a compafs about a hundred paces from the Wall, invirons the circuit of the Suburbs, 
 till being all come to the limits of thc City turning towards the North , they nieet 
 again, and run together toward Normandy. The Ealt-fide , which ftands upon the 
 hills, (by reafon of the difficulty of bringing Cannon thither, and becaufe it looked 
 toward thofe places from whence there was no cxpedation of any relief) was not be- 
 fieged by the Army : but the other fide, which diftends it felf along the Plain, and 
 looks towards Pans, was all blocked up at the fame inftant : for the Sieur de Vivans, 
 with his Harquebufiers on Horfeback, quartered on the North-fide in the Bourg des 
 Ffpars y Monfieur deSoitrd'n, with the French Infantry, lay over againft the Porte 
 de Dreux; and the Marefchal ^e Byron, with the remainder of the Cavalry and the 
 SvvifTes, encamped himfelf on the South-fide , over againft the Gate and Baftion of 
 St. Michel. 
 
 The Governour of the City was Monfieur de la Boitrdaifiere, a careful diligent Ca- 
 valier. The Foot of the Garifon was commanded by Captain Pejferay, a very famous 
 Souldieri but the reft of the provifions were not correlpondent to the valour of the 
 Commander : for there were but few Foot in the Town, and much fewer Horfe v and 
 tlie fupplies that were lately come into it , were fo weak , that they had made but a 
 
 fmall
 
 of France. The Twelfth ^ook^ aqc 
 
 fmall addition : for the Sieur de la Croix, who departing from Orleatri^ was fuddenly I5©l» 
 come with fixty Cuirafliers , and two hundred Harquebufiers on horfeback to enter 
 into the City, inconfiderately fell for hafte into the Army, which was drawing near 
 the Walls, and being routed and put to flight, hardly got in with eighty of his mens 
 on the other fide Monfieur de Grammont , who was upon his march to go into ATor- 
 mandy, returned fpeedily that way, but brought not with him above forty Gentle- 
 men,- and an hundred Souldiers : and Monfieur de Vitry, who doubting the Enemy 
 would go to Vreux, had fhut himfelf up in that Town, had not had means nor time 
 to get thither \ fo that the number of the Garifon was much inferiour to what need 
 required. To this defeftwas added the want of Ammunition: for though when at 
 firft the Governour vifited thofe ftores, there were found three hundred Barrels of 
 Powder, yet the cozenage of the Officers had fo diminiflied it. Cat a time when it was 
 exceeding dear in all places) that the firft day of the fiege Cto la Bmrdaifiere's great 
 grief of heart) there were not left above eighty » and there likewife appeared a jrreat 
 want of thofe other things that arc neceffary for defence. Thefe important wants 
 were in part fupplied by the forwardnefs of the Citizens, who with a free courage ex- 
 pofed themfelves to all fervices •-, and the fame did a great many Country-people, who 
 were got into the City, and laboured with the fpadeto make up the Works, For the 
 firft days, the Marefchal thought it fufficient to {hut up the Avemey to the City, to 
 exclude all relief, till the King ftiould come to the Camp with the reft of the Army* 
 and therefore he advanced at the firft dafti, to quarter in the Suburbs. The Gover- 
 nour endeavoured to deprive him of that convenience, (very neceffary in refpedt of the 
 feafbn) and fet fire on the houfes to burn them down > but the remedy was fo late, by 
 reafon of the Enemies fudden coming, that they had means to quench the fire before 
 it could deftroy many of the buildings i and fo the Afiailants had free poftelfion of 
 the Suburbs, in which, after that the Marefchal de Byron wascommodioufly quartered, 
 the King arrived upon the nineteenth day : yet did they not prefently begin to raife 
 Batteries, as well bccaufe the Commanders were not well agreed among themfelves 
 on which fide they fhould aflault it, as alfo becaufe the want of Ammunition was per- 
 chance no lefs in the Army, than that of the Defendents within the Town i the pro- 
 vifions that came from England being far ftiort of the Kings demands, and of the pro° 
 mifes made to the Vifcount de Ittrenne : But the High Chancellor Chiverny, Gover- 
 nour of the Province, who was exceeding rich, and had very great authority in the 
 Country, having at his own expence fent for many neceflary things from the Towns 
 and Caftles thereabouts, it was refolved to batter on the fide toward the F tuxbourg des 
 Efpars, as a place lefs fortified than the reft, there being no other defence but great 
 Towers of the old fafhion, and a Wall not very ftrong, nor formerly fully lined with 
 earth ■■, but the Defendents having forefeen where they were like to be afTaulted by 
 the befiegers, though they had no Engineers skilful in Fortifications, yet they did 
 draw a Line, as well as they could, on the infide behind the Wall, flanking it with 
 Ravelins, and raifing it exceeding high with earth, in fuch fort, that the Artillery ha- 
 ving battered down a good part of the Wall, their Works behind it appeared fo ftrong, 
 that the King, not willing to expofehis men to manifeft danger, but knowing the fmall 
 number of the befieged, and meaning to tire them out with hard duty and working, 
 refolved to remove his Battery to another place, thereby to render their paft labours 
 vain and ufelcfs : fo in the beginning of Al<arc^ two Batteries were raifedover againft 
 the Porte de Dreux, and they began to play on that fide with eleven Pieces of Can- 
 non. The Defendents prefently turned to make Works there, and with fo much the 
 greater heart, becaufe that part was already flanked with two convenient Ravelines, 
 which had been made ever fince the year 1569, when the Prince of Cowrie befieged 
 that place h and adding new Fortifications to the firft, they reduced it to fuch a pats, 
 that redoubled aflaults were given in vain, and with the lofs of many men. All the 
 month of March they laboured in that place, without being able to do any good, bat- 
 tering without, working within , and skirmifhing almoft every day at the points of 
 the Ravelines, and at the entry of the Courtine: but upon the fifth of April, the King, 
 with the fame intention of fruftrating the pains of the Defendents, removing his Bat- The Sieot d* 
 tery yet again from thence, with eleven Redoubts, went fomething lower towards the f^"^^''°"^ ,^ 
 Forte St. Michel. The bufinefs was undertaken on that fide by the Sieur de Chaiiillony c>n up hi* 
 who doubting left the darknefs of the night might make him miftake the place where he ^'"t'^i^dt 
 'had refolved to open his trench, found this way, which was, to make a Truce for two enenr. 
 
 hours
 
 49^ 
 
 i5?i. 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 For want of 
 Amnianiticn^ 
 the B«ttery 
 goes on io 
 flowlf at Ciar- 
 irei, that ihe 
 Kingtbinkito 
 Hifc ihc Cege. 
 
 The Dcfen- 
 dents of Ciinr- 
 trisnot being 
 telitYtd, fut- 
 lender the 
 Town. 
 
 hours with thofe of the Town, under pretence of fetching off the dead i and that 
 being concluded, he himfelf was bufie in making the bodies be pulled out of the Moat, 
 and for quicker difpatch, to be brought along the Line, to the place where the Bat- 
 tery was prepared ; which not only gave him a wonderful great conveniency to dif- 
 cover and meafure the fituation, but alfo he feigned that one of the dead bodies could 
 not be fetched off time enough, and caufed it to be left for a mark upon the edge of 
 the Moat, in that very place where he had defigned by night to entrench himfelf. So 
 the effed followed proportionably without errour : for the Battery being raifed, and 
 his Trench caft up in the appointed place, he began to batter with twelve Pieces of 
 Cannon, and at the fame time took care for the building of a Gallery covered with 
 timber, that he might fecurely pafs the Moat, and come to the foot of the Wall. The 
 endeavours ufed on that fide were thought to be very hopeful : for the Defendents, al- 
 ready tired, had not had time to caft up many Works there : But the Batteries went 
 on flowly, and with intermidion > for there wanted Ammunition in the Camp j fo 
 great a defed, and fo hard to be remedied, that the King was oftentimes minded to 
 give over the enterprife, if the Duke of Never j, and much more the High Chancellor, 
 had not ftayed him with earneft intreaties and pcrfwaflons , and if fome that ran over 
 to him from the City, had not reported the want of Powder to be much greater with- 
 in than it was without » which was fo true, that it being all fpent, there was hardly 
 the quantity of two Barrels left, and that brought in by particular men, to be delivered 
 to the Souldiers. The befiegers had already finiflied their Gallery, which was a thing 
 built like a bridge, covered with boards o'erfpread with earth and turfs, and then on 
 the top of all, other boards and pieces of wood were fattened to make it ftand the more 
 firmly : the fides were made of thick beams joined fo near together, that they defended 
 thofe that were in the hollow of the Bridge > and the bottom was raifed fo high with 
 planks, as might bear up the Affailants level with the breach. But the befieged having 
 yet fome Fire-works, and having alio got together all the pitch which could be found 
 in the feveral Shops, fet fire on the Gallery, at the time when being ready to give the 
 affault, many were already advanced into it j in fuch manner, that the Engineer him- 
 felf (who was called la Garde) and fome others with him having loft their lives, Co- 
 lonel Farabere was forced with his men to come out of the Gallery, and to go a good 
 way without any (belter, to get before the appointed time unto the affault, which caufed 
 the death of manyof his moft valiant Souldiers > and yet the fight being ftoutly main- 
 tained on both fides, lafted four hours together, with much blood, there being flain 
 two Colonels, eight Captains, and above two hundred Souldiers : and Farabere him- 
 felf, and the Sieur de Montet, a valiant Gentleman of Languedoc, Chajiillon's Adjutant, • 
 were very dangeroufly wounded. But the want of Powder was already become irrepa- 
 rable to thofe within > wherefore Monfieur de Vitry firft, and then the Vifcount de Tix- 
 vennei having attempted to put Men and Ammunition into the City, and not having been 
 able to effedit byreafon of the diligence of the Cavalry, which with continual care 
 fcoured all the ways i and after it was known that the Duke of Mayenne being come to 
 the Bois de Vincennes^ not having ftrength enough to make oppofition in the field, had 
 fct himfelf upon the enterprife of Chajieau-thierry, in a Country far remote, the be- 
 fieged (being reduced to defend themfelves with their Swords and Pikes, becaufe they 
 had not wherewithal to charge their Muskets and Cannon, and being decreafed with 
 toil, hard duty, and the lofs of men flain in the lateaffaults) in the end, upon the 
 Twelfth of /4pril they agreed to furrender, if within three days tlrey were not relieved 
 with the number of, at Icaft, Four hundred men, and fome limited quantity of Ammu- 
 nition •, which days being being expired without received any affiftance, at laft upon 
 the Nineteenth day, Monlieur de la Bettrdaifiere, and the Sieur de Grammont (for Cap- 
 tain Feffiray was already flain in an affault) marching out in order with their Baggage, 
 and Colours flying, gave up the place into the hands of the Baron de Byron, who cn- 
 tred into it with 800 Foot, and 200 Horfe i and the King put Monfieur de Sourdis in 
 the Government, to gratifie the High Chancellor, upon whom he, or (as his Detra- 
 <^ors faid) his Wife depended. 
 
 At the fame time, while the King was bufied at the fiege of Charms, the Duke of 
 Mayeme being departed from Soijfbns with all his Forces, and come to the Bois de Vm- 
 cennes^ flood doubtful a good while, whether he fliould venture the Army he had to 
 relieve that place ■■> but thofe Forces that were fent for from many places not arriving 
 time enough , and knowing himfelf fo much weaker, that his advancing would have 
 
 endangered 
 
 '4
 
 (?^ France, l^he Eleventh ^oo^ 
 
 497 
 
 The Duke rf 
 Mdjtnnt bc- 
 
 Tterrj,a place 
 more pleafan: 
 cbanfirongjCbc 
 Governor 
 whereof was 
 the Secretary 
 fewri. 
 
 (Endangered the Army, without hope of giving any relief to the befieged, turned Cp- I5?X» 
 ward the way oi Champagne, where he had appointed the meeting of the Princes of 
 Lorain i and to keep up his reputation , fate down before Chajieau-7hierr^', a great 
 place, well peopled, and pleafantly feated ■> but whereof no long defence was to be 
 hoped for, either in regard of the Walls of the Town, or of the ftrength of the Caftle. 
 The Governor was the Vifcount de Comblefy, Son to Secretary ?inart , who, befides 
 his Wife and Children, had alfo his Father and Mother, and a great many Women fhut 
 up with him in theCaftle, who being all affrighted, made a great ftir and confufion , 
 though the defendants were fufficient to make it good for fome dayes. To this was ad- 
 ded, that the Father and the Son had brought into the Caftle all their Plate, Money, 
 and Hourtioldftuif, which amounted to a great value, and were above mcafure follici- 
 tous, for fear if the place fliould be facked, they might fall into the Enemies hands. On 
 the other fide, the pukes Army had a defire, not only to pillage the Town, which was 
 full of inhabitants, but much more to plunder the Caftle, wherein, the report was,that 
 there were ineftimable riches i by which hopes the Soldiers being encouraged , and 
 clpecially the ftrangers , at their firft arrival they bravely poffeffed themfelves of the 
 Suburbs, frighting and confounding the heartlefs defendants with their refolution. As 
 foon as the Suburbs were taken, the Cannons were planted without delay, which ha- 
 ving beaten down a good piece of the Wall, the aflault was given v and though it was 
 hippily fuftained till the evening, yet it left the befieged without hopes of being lon- 
 ger able to defend the Town i wherefore prefently quitting it> they retired the fame 
 night into the Caftle. At that the tumult increafed, and louder grew the cries of 
 the Women , who with their Prayers and importunities, were the caufe that Pinart 
 fent a Trumpet for his old Colleague the Sieur deVilleroy, who was in the Duke of 
 Mayennes Camp, to treat with him about fome compofition i and yet having confer- 
 red together for two long hours, they came not to any conclufion : Wherefore , no 
 fooner was ViVeroy gone out of the Caftle, but inftantly the Cannon began to playi the 
 noife of which troubling not only the Ladies, but even P/«^>-/ himfelf, and alfo many 
 others not accuftomed to the trade of Arms, the Sieur de ViUeroy was fent for again 
 the next morning, who was met by Madam de Vinart, with the other Ladies that were 
 of her company, kneeling upon the ground, and befeeching him with tears, to free 
 them by a compofition from falling into the power of the Soldiers, and efpecially of h[s foods in- 
 ftrangers. This fight moved even ViUeroy himfelf, who returning to the Duke of ^? 'j^' ^»'^''» 
 Mayenne, laboured to perfwade him, that it was much better to receive the Caftle 
 upon a Capitulation, and to get a good fum of money from it for the maintenance of 
 the War, than to enrich ftrangers , and ftied French blood to fatisfie their greedinefs : 
 To which, the Duke of Ma)if««e (averfe from cruelty and plunder J eafily confenting, 
 though the Army grumbled very much at it, yet the agreement was concluded, the 
 Caftle compounding for Twenty thoufand Crowns, great ftore of Vid^al which the pu"'''a[,d'^ 
 Town was to provide, the place, with the Artillery and Ammunition remaining freely cadie, wi:h 
 at the Dukes difpofing. But Tinart thinking himfelf free from the calamities of the on^'fTwel^!' 
 fiege, fell prefently into other troubles : For, being accufed of treachery, and that not ty thoufaod 
 out of cowardife, but perfidioufnefs, he had delivered up that place without any ne- *-'°^"'* 
 celTity, he was therefore ccnfured guilty by the Parliament of C/bj/o^/, and being ab- 
 fent, condemned as a Rebel i and afterward bought out the Kings pardon, and the con- 
 fifcation of his Eftate with Thirty thoufand Ducats. The taking of Chajhau-7hi-' •* 
 
 (rry, though not equal to that of Cbartres, either for the quality of the place , or for 
 the confequenccs that it drew along with it, did yet give fome reputation to the Arms 
 of the League i whereupon the Duke of Mayemie, augmented in hopes and courage, 
 went to the meeting at Kheims, where a common confultation was to be held, of the 
 way that ftiould be taken to advance the common interefts, and tooppofe the progrefs 
 of the King i who, after the taking of C/^^rfrfx, had, by policy and force gotten Lou* 
 w>)-/ alfo, a place in Normandy ntzx Koiten^ which, for its fituation and fortification, 
 was efteemed of very great importance. 
 
 But though the War proceeded fortunately for the King, other things were not fo 
 profperous, but new troublefome accidents arofe within his own party i for the Catho- 
 lick Lords and Gentlemen (feeing that the timeof hisconverfion was deferred with- 
 out end, and that all the promifes, and all the appointments of affembling the States, 
 and calling the Prelates together, to give him thofe inftrudions propounded by him- 
 felf, and talked of every hour, proved vain, and without any efTcdt at alU began alrea- 
 
 S f f dy 
 
 Secretary Pi- 
 aart having 
 brou"hc all 
 
 Cng them, 
 treats a Com- 
 poCtion with 
 the 5ieur dc 
 Vi.Uroy. 
 The Duke of 
 Mi-jtr.m re-
 
 498 
 
 15^1. 
 
 The Kin* in 
 Council with 
 the inoft con. 
 fpicuous men 
 of lis patty, 
 decliies the 
 neceflity of gi- 
 ving I'ome (1- 
 tijuflion to 
 the Hiigonots. 
 He propofcs 
 the conHrma- 
 tion of the 
 Edia of Paci- 
 fication made 
 laft by Hinry 
 the Third, 
 which grants 
 them Liberty 
 ofConfcicnce, 
 with fomc cir- 
 cumPtancej 
 and limitati- 
 ons ; and it 
 is confentcd 
 to. 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 The Cardinal 
 of Vmdofrvc 
 begins toraifc 
 a third party 
 of Catholicks, 
 to make him* 
 fcif Head of 
 them , and 
 thereby to 
 bring himfcif 
 to the Crown, 
 
 dy to ftagger in their refolutions, to think of retiring, to murmur among themfelves, 
 and to fliew their difcontent, which was increafed beyond raeafure by a Declaration of 
 the Kings i who, after the taking of Chartres, being come to Mante, had called his 
 Council with many of the moft confpicuous perfons that followed him, and had gi- 
 ven them to underftand, how the Queen of England and the Princes of Germany his 
 Confederates (of whofe Arms and affiftance he had fuch urgent need, that without 
 them he had no hope of being able to fuftain his Crown; did prefs him daily , that 
 (giving peace to mens Confciences ) he would permit Liberty of Religion, and a 
 peaceable indifferent way of living to his Subje<3:s, to unite them with perfet^ charity in 
 the fame body i and that the German Army being now upon the point of coming, he 
 thought it good to prevent thofe requefts , which would then be made unto him with 
 arms in their hands, in a time of extream neceffity , and to grant fomething now to 
 thofe of the Reformed Religion, that he might not be forced then to yield much more 
 unto them : That he did not intend to grant them more than what King Henry^his glo- 
 rious and moft Catholick Predeceffor had done,but fimply to renew the laft Edid of Pa- 
 cification which had after been broken and revoked, not by the Kings will, but by the 
 violences of the League i and that he thought fit to tell his Reafons there in Council,to 
 the end, that none might make a finifter interpretation of that refolution, but fhould 
 know , that all was done for the advantage of the Catholick Religion, not to fuffer 
 himfelf to be reduced to a neceflity of giving them greater liberty, than what had been 
 granted and eftabliftied in the times of his Predeceffors : That every one fliould weigh 
 theftateofprefent Affairs, the Forces which the Pope and the Catholick King (ent a- 
 gainft him,neceilitating him to make ufe of the Supplies of the Proteftants,to whomhc 
 could not, with reafon, deny fome juft {atisfadion,if he would be upheld by their blood, 
 by their moneys, by their endeavors, and by their afliftancei That this (hould not re- 
 tard his Promifes, nor in the leaft manner prejudice the Catholick Religion, which he 
 would conftantly favour, proted', and maintain. The major part of voices afTented to 
 the Kings propofal, (bme others were fcandalized at it, and particularly Chadei^ Car- 
 dinal of Vendo/me, ( who, his Uncle being dead, made himfcif be called Cardinal of 
 Bourbon ) who ( faying that he could not with a fafe confcience be prefent at that 
 determination ) made (hew as if he would have gone away j but being not followed 
 by the other Prelates, and ftiarply recalled by the King, became back ("though not 
 much to his reputation ) and fate down again. The Archbifliop of Bwr^ex, and the 
 Bifliop of Nantes^ Prefident de 7hou, the High-Chancellor, and many other Catholicks, 
 demanded that the Edidt for liberty of Conlc'ience might not be abfblute, but that a 
 claufe might be added to it, to (hew, it was intended to be in force until fuch time 
 as Peace being obtained, the differences of Religion might be accommodated, to reu- 
 nite all the Subjeds in one and the fame belief: which being willingly confented to 
 by the King, the Edid was made, and fome dayes after publifhed, and Regiftred in the 
 Parliaments of his Party. Thofe of the Council did not much refift this Declaration, 
 as well becaufe they faw the urgent need the King had to make ufe of the Proteftants, 
 as becaufe they perceived the oppofing of it would have produced no good i befides, 
 the Hugonots already enjoyed that indeed, which was now granted to them in wri- 
 ting: But, thofe Soldiers that were affeded to the Catholick Religion, and that had 
 not heard the reafons of it, took marvellous great offence at it, and began almoft open- 
 ly to be dilgufted i and fo much the more, becaufe the Cardinal of Bourbon, and other 
 great ones, fomented that difcontent, and with words, not onely in private, but pub- 
 lickly oftentimes ftirred up mens minds to a refcntment. 
 
 The Cardinal of Bo?<r^o« had already long before entertained a thought of framing a 
 Party of Catholicks, different both from the League, and from thofe that followed the 
 King. This thought was fprung up in him, from the confideration that the Kings ob- 
 ftinacy, in not turning his Religion, did not onely make his own pofTeftion of the 
 Crown more difficult, but alfo deprived the whole Royal Family of the juft pretenfions 
 it had to the inheritance of the Crown, fince that all of them, as followers of an Here-, 
 tick, were excluded from it together j and they of the League began already to dif^ 
 courfeof breaking the Salique Law, and of calling other Princes to the Crown, who 
 had nothing to do with the Royal Confanguinity : and this thought perplext and trou- 
 bled him much more than the reft, becaufe his Coufen the Prince of CffWf, being then, 
 as It were yet in fwadling-clothcs , and of the Hugonot Religion > and his el- 
 der brother the Prince of C9««y, both by reafon of a great imperfection in his fpeech, 
 
 being
 
 of France. The Twelfth "Boof^. 499 
 
 being not very fit to govern, and becaufe he had been cut for the Stone in his child- -IS?^' 
 hood, accounted unable to get children, bethought the nearell hopes of the Crown 
 belonged to himfelf, becaufe the Count de Smj^'uns^ the third brother, vizs younger than 
 he i and the Duke of Montpenfier was much farther from the Succciiion than they. 
 From this meditation, and the difdain it wrought in him, he began by little and lit- 
 tle to nourifh a defire of withflanding that prejudice, and to make himfelf a Fadion 
 that might bring him to the eledtion of the Kingdom, fince neither the Pope could op- 
 pofe the perfon of a Cardinal, nor the Catholick King refufe him as an Heretick » not 
 could they of the League in the end deny him due obedience. He had imparted this 
 thought to Jehan lonchard Abbot of £f^oz.i««e, who from his Infancy had been his 
 Tutour , a man not at all of Pcdantique breeding , nor of a mean dull under- 
 ftanding,but full of lively,adive fpirits, and well verfed in the difcipline of the Courts 
 This man looking after the advancement of his own greatnefs in being his Mafters in- 
 ftrument, fomented the Cardinal's defigns, and regulated his pretentions with good 
 inllrudions, counfelled him to proceed fecretly and very dexteroufly till he had gotten 
 followers and adherents , and teaching him to make ufe of the conjundures of times, 
 which would offer him fit and profitable opportunities. And that he might have af- 
 fiftance in the raifing of fo eminent a delign, having difcovered the bufinefs to Jaques 
 Vavy Situx dtt Perron (a young man, of mean birth, but ofmoft profound learning , 
 and therefore from the firrt received, and well looked upon in the Cardinals Family J 
 and Scipio Balbani a Lucchefs fone who having fpent many years unfortunately in 
 Traffique, was, of a Merchant, become a manager of affairs in Court) they applied 
 themfelves, with all their utmoft endeavours to the framing of that third party. To 
 this end Pfrrow, under flievv of complement, went to the Y^\ikeoi LongueviUe and the 
 Count de St Faid, brothers i who being defcended from the Royal Family,but by Pro- 
 genitors that were not legitimate, calling themfelves of the Houfc of Orhanj; were zea- 
 lous Catholicks, and kept themfelves united with the Princes of the blood for the main- 
 tenance of the Crown i and having reprefented unto them the confidcrations of that 
 prejudice,which from the obffinacy of the prefent King did fall upon their common in- 
 terefb, drew them cunningly to the fame opinion, and to hold fectet intelligence and 
 corrcfpondence with the Cardinal. On the other fide, Balbani^ under colour of his own 
 private affairs, weiit to Kww, to make excufes to the Pope for the Cardinals abode in g,. . g^,j,^^. 
 thofc places that were of the King's party, which %vas to no other end, but onely to ex- is icnt to RoUi 
 hort and perfwade him to his convetfion i which being now protradted contrary to the j;^,'^'/ ^^"•^'■ 
 common expecfVations, and to fo tnany promifes he had made, the Cardinal, not willing dfme,to ckk 
 to offend his own Confcience, fent him to excufe it to his Folinefs, and to pray him 3n'dV„''com." 
 to proteft the Royal Family, which ought not to forfeit its rights for the oblf inacy of munica;e his 
 one man i and that when the Cardinal fliould once be made certain of his hope,that the him^ ""'" 
 Apoflolick See would fuffer no other to be King but a Catholick of the legitimate ftock 
 of St. Lewj^, he would declare himfelf with the Catholick Nobility and Commons,and 
 deprive the King of the greatelt f^rength of thofe who followed him at that prefent, 
 to uphold the Rights of the Royal Family. Now whilft Ferron and Bjlbjni^ the one 
 within, the other without the Kingdom, did labour to plant the root of this third 
 party, the Cardinal flaying at To?<r/, as Head and Prefident of the King's Council 
 that refided there, did, by himfelf, and by the means of T'oiichard, try to work upon 
 the minds of many, and particularly ofGiUes de Souvray Governor of that City, a man of 
 exceedinggreatPiety, and nolefs Prudence, and who in the Court had alwayes been 
 wonderfully famed for goodnefs and knowledge. But thefe defigns, which, being com- 
 municated to many, could not be kept fecret, were come to the ear of fhihp Cardinal 
 o'' Leiion-conrt, an old dependant upon the Houfe oiNavar, who likewifc following the 
 Kings party, refided in Jours, and was one of the Council : and there being no very 
 good corrcfpondence between him and the CardinaJ of Bourbo>i,ht was the firfl that gave The Cardinaf 
 the King notice of it, reprefenting confufedly unto him what he had been able to find »ivtsth7Kins 
 out concerning thofe defigns that were contriving. The King knowing the emulati- ^"[j'^^^^^^fj^* 
 on that was between the Cardinals, did not abfolutely credit LenoH-csurt's relation ■■, cVSnii of 
 and yet he remained a little perplexed in mind , and began to fhnd at watch , that y^ndofmi. 
 he might come to more certainty of the bufinefs , which Fortune brought him, as 
 it were , of her felf, in fuch a way, as a mans own imagination could not have 
 thought: for Balbani^ who was already come into Italy ^ having in his journey 
 met with Ves Fortes^ the Duke of Mjyen>!c's Secretary, who was likcwife going to 
 
 S f f 2 Rcwe
 
 500 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15.01. 
 
 The Sieir dti 
 I ones Secre- 
 tary to the 
 Dukeof^liy- 
 tnuc, informs 
 him of the 
 praflices of 
 the fail C»r- 
 dinal : but a 
 letter being 
 JHtercepteJ, 
 falls into the 
 Xinss hands. 
 
 The High 
 Chancellor be- 
 ing told by the 
 Xing, of the 
 Cardma! of 
 Vn.hfmts dC" 
 fignes, ptf- 
 fivadet him to 
 turn Catho- 
 lick. 
 
 Monfieut ile In 
 Nmitt Anfwet 
 to the High- 
 Cbanccllor. 
 
 Rome about the prefent affairs, made friendfhip with him, as they ufe to do that are 
 irterefled in the fame Nation: after which, either inconfiderately, or that he might 
 begin to fcatter fome feeds of it in the League, he imparted the bufinefs to him, for 
 which the Cardinal fent him to the Pope, and fhewed him the CommilTions , which 
 for his information he had given him, diftindly comprifed in writing. Des Fortes, 
 a fubtil man,and a wary manager of things, knew how to behave himfelf, and to flatter 
 Bjlbani in fuch manner, that he not onely founded the depth of the bufinefs,and what 
 adherents the Cardinal had, but withal got a copy of his Inflrudionsout of his hands i 
 whereof he fending feveral duplicates in his Letters to the D. of Mayenne, it fo fell 
 out, that one of them was intercepted by the Garrifon of Auxerre^ and came to the 
 Kings hands, with full information of the whole Plot.For the clearing and confirmati- 
 on of this intelligence! gotten by the Letters of Des Fortes, it happened that jfaques dit 
 ^uefnay, a Norman Gentleman, who was bred Page to the Duke of LongueviUe^ as he 
 was one night on the far fide of his Lord's bed, where he was unfeen by reafon of the 
 Curtains,''the cuftomofFra«cf being to entertain great perfons while they are undref- 
 fing ) by chance heard a long difcourfe of </« Perro;/ to the fame purpofe, which he, 
 thinking nothing, related to Jehau d' Efpinay^ his Kinfman ; but, he being a Hugo- 
 not, and of a difcreet underftanding, delayed not long to difcover all to Monfieur de 
 Chaferon, under whom he ferved in the War. by whom afterwards the King was di- 
 ftinftly informed in every particular. 
 
 When the King knew what was plotting againft him, he was extremely afflided 
 and troubled in mind j and having told the bufinefs to the High-ChancelIor,and Monr- 
 fieur de la Noue^defncd to have their advice in ir. The High-Chancellor intent upon 
 the King's Converfion, or becaufe he fo thought it beft, faid, it was in the Kings own 
 power to remove thofe obftacles, and difpel thofc Clouds : for, by turning Catholick, 
 he might at once take away the foundation of all thofe contrivers, and open a mol\ fe- 
 cure way to Peace and Union : That to think of any other remedy, was not onely vain, 
 but dcftrudive : for by alienating the Cardinal o£ Bourbon and other Princes of the 
 Blood who fided with him, he fliould cut off one of his own Arms, and weaken his par- 
 ty in fuch manner, that he would no longer be in a condition to refift his Enemies: and 
 on the other fide, by diffcmbling the knowledge of their machinations, they would 
 have conveniency to perfecfl the defign, drawing with them a great part of the Catho- 
 licks, difcontented at the fo long delay of his converfion : Whereupon, to (hun thofe 
 two inevitable dangers, it was neceffary at hl\ to give fatisfadtion to all his fervants , 
 while the ftateof Affairs permitted him to do it with his honor i for when the Ca- 
 tholick party (hould fall from him , it would be no longer time to convert , nor to 
 give them fatisfaftion, thinking to lure them again, as they do Hawks, when they are 
 loofe from the fifl i that therefore he fhould rouze up his courage, and with a Royal 
 refolution , cut off the Roots of thofe evils that were creeping about fo dangcroufly. 
 Monfieur de la None faid, That he would fpeak the more freely, becaafe his Majefiy 
 and all the World knew, he had faid from the very beginning. That if the King did 
 not turn Catholick, hefiiould never be King o(Frauceh but that now it was neither 
 time nor conjundure, to make that determination > That the King knew how great a 
 power of his Enemies was like (hortly to come upon him, the Pope and the Catholick 
 King having made wonderful great preparations to allift the League ; that to oppofe 
 thofe Forces, he had no other prop but the Supplies of the Queen ef England, and of 
 the Princes of Germany, who were drawing a great Army together under the Vifcount 
 oiTurenne, to uphold them in fo great need i which Provifions and Supplies would all 
 vanifh in a moment, if he at that prefent fhould change his Religion i for not onely 
 they being offended, would forfake him, but all the Hugonots of the Kingdom that fol- 
 lowed him would fall away, whereby at the arrival of thd Enemies Forces he would be 
 found alone, unprovided, abandoned, without any means to refift, and left to the dif- 
 cretion of his Enemies : That the exigency of Affairs would not give way to the coun- 
 fel of preventing the future, with a prefent ruine: That the Forces of /»«/y were al- 
 ready fet forward , the Duke of P<?rwa already was gathering an Army j nor did the 
 ftraitnefs of time permit the thought of things that were far off, but perfwade the 
 ufe of prefent remedies : That the Cardinal of Bourbons defign had no very firm foun- 
 dation, and though it fhould fucceed, yet it required a great length of time : That at 
 the prefent, not very refolute and powerful remedies were to be applied, but 
 fuch as might mitigate and defer the difeafe , till means might be had to purge 
 
 it
 
 of France* The Twelfth "Boo^ 
 
 501 
 
 it away : That it was needful to feparate thofe Lords into feveral places, to have an 
 e/e upon their adlions, tofeek to pacihe them, and keep them in till the event were 
 feen of the coming of the forreign Forces of each party : That afterwards time and 
 occal^ons would of themfelves minilkr remedies proportionable to the difeafe, and the 
 means of getting one day out of thofe Labyrinths. The King beft liked^ this ad- 
 vice , which was alfo confirmed by the Marefchal de Biron, to whofe opinion all fe- 
 rious thatters were at laft referred. Whereupon he prcfently difpatched Letters 
 to the Cardinal of Bourbon^ and the other Lords of the Council, that they fliould 
 £ome to him to the Camp, he having need of their help and alTiftance > and remo- 
 ving the Count de Soijfons from the Government of thofe parts, he fent to Govern 
 Foicijii and Touraht the Prince of Conty i a man not engaged in the plot, and alrea- 
 dy excluded by his own Brothers: Fox the (^ cunt de Soiffoni alfo (angry, becaufe the 
 King having often promifed him his own Slider, the Lady Catherine, to Wife, did now 
 refufe to give her him) aflcnted to the Cardinals defigns,with hopes alfo, that though 
 he were the younger Brother, yet being a Lay-man, the Eledtion which the Catho- 
 lick Princes of the Blood fiiould make, might fall upon him : Whereupon, the Cardi- 
 nal being come to the Camp before Chartres , and coiitinuing to come to the Council, 
 hapned to beprefent at the Edidt which was made in favour of the Hugonots, which 
 he oppofed both by his geftures and words, and after it was pafled,ceafed not to talk 
 finilicrly of it, to pcrfwade the Catholicks to comply with him* Nor could the King 
 fo eafily have dif-entanglcd himfelf from that tumult, if an engine framed by the 
 League to do him hurt, had not proved ot admirable advantage to him. 
 
 LjitdrLmo the Nuncio was come to Khems, being fent by the Pope, with Monitory 
 Letters diredted to the Prelates that followed the Kings party, and to the Nobility, 
 Cities, and people of the fame party '■> wherein, after the wonted Prefaces, and having 
 copioufly exaggerated and detefted the Error which the Catholicks, efpecially the 
 Clergy, committed in following and fomenting a King that was a relapfed and ex- 
 communicated Heretick, and in voluntarily putting upon their own necks, the n^fe- 
 rable yoak of the fervitude of Herefie, he did at lali with pregnant words ordain^ 
 and cxprefly command the Clergy C under pain of Excommunication, of being depri- 
 ved of their Dignities and Benefices, and of being ufed as Sedaries and Hereticks ) 
 that within a certain time, they fliould withdraw themfelves from thofe places that 
 yielded obedience to Hemy of Boitrboft^and from the union and fellowfhipof his Fadtioni 
 and admonilhed and exhorted, but in the end, alfo commanded the Nobility and Peo- 
 ple,that forfaking all, and leaving thofe places that acknowledged the Hereticks, they 
 (hould retire among the Catholicks, and fuch as obeyed the Apofiolick See in the tru& 
 unity of the Faith. The whole Mj/fi/orj/ was full of grave and exquilit words, high and 
 threatning exprelTions, fharp and rigorous commands, and in fum, fuch as feemed not 
 to fute much with the prefent time, wherein the Kings Forces went on profperoufly, 
 and the affairs of the League were diminifhed both in fircngth and reputation : where- 
 fore being taken into confideration by the D. of Mayenne znd the principal heads of his 
 party,many were of opinion,and particularly Monfieur de Villeroy^thzt it was good to de- 
 fer the publication thereof till another time, when (the Arms of the Confederates being 
 in greater credit and reputation) they might hope to reap fomc fruit by it; But the 
 Nuncio Clittle verfed in the alfairs of France, and accultomed to meafure things by the 
 opinions of the Court of KomfJ the Bi(h.ofF/jcf«zj alfo (though hewas better experi* 
 enced in the prefent bufinefles, yet wholly intent to pleafe the Pope, and win his favor) 
 and the Spanifh Minifters fbeing perfwaded by hatred, and inticed with a defire to fee 
 things every day moredifturbedjwererefolved.thattheA/ow/foryfhould bepublifted.The 
 French Lords confidered, that it was not only a thing very difficult, but alfo not by any 
 means to be hoped for ■■, that the Prelates and the Nobility ,who had their wealth, digni-» 
 ties,and Prelacies in the Kings hands, (hould refolve to forfake them to fatisfie the Pope, 
 their number being but fmall now adayes, who for their fouls fake are content to fwr- 
 go their eftates i that moreover they had already from the beginning expeded thefe 
 commands and menaces from the Pope, and had prepared their minds to bear them : 
 That the more they were forc'd, the more obdurate they would be,and lofing all hope 
 of ever being received into the Popes favor, would become more obftinate in fol* 
 lowing their party , and labouring to get the Victory : That it was needful 
 to allure them , and draw them cunningly , not to terrific them and drive 
 them into utter defpair : That fuch-like thfeats would be proper after a 
 
 Vi(aory, 
 
 i59ii 
 
 The Count it 
 Soijftns, bro- 
 ther to th: 
 CirdiDal Kcua 
 difm , is re- 
 moved from 
 the Govern- 
 ment of Po- 
 iS<'« uppfl fuf- 
 picieu. 
 
 Lmdt'uTto ilie 
 Popes Nuncio 
 arrives at 
 Kheims with 
 Monitory Let- 
 ters to the 
 Prelates and 
 Catholicks oi 
 the Kings pat- 
 ty-.
 
 5 
 
 02 
 
 The Hiftory of the Civil Ifars 
 
 • sor Vidtory to give them colour and occafion upon that pretence to fall from the King 
 when his a/fairs were languidMng, but not now, when being powerful and flourifiiing, 
 it was not to be believed that any body would forfake him : That prudent rcfoluti- 
 ons were not to be grounded upon probabilities, but truths i nor ought things to be 
 rei?ulated according to the opinion of thofe that judged afar off, but by the judgment 
 of men, who, bciides their long experience in affairs, were prcfent upon the place it 
 felf The Popifli and Spani(h Minifters thought thefe things were fpoken out of a 
 common charity to the Nation, not becaufe they were true : and the Duke of M^jf «w, 
 JlfiS'^'he who hadfet all his hopes upon the coming of the Forces out of Jt^/)/ and Fla,tders,znd 
 vrcnch lotJs, ^qjj|j ,^ot diftaftc thofc Princes, referred himfelt to them h and therefore,without de- 
 ll'pSed'Jo laying, the Monitory was prefently publiflied, which produced the fame effedt the 
 tic fatisuai- Pjjj^jI^ Lords had foretold •, for the King having called his Council ( wherein he 
 n."lh>nd po-' would have all the Prelates that were in Mante^ and the moft confpicuous perfons of 
 p.fli pHiy. j^jj Army to be prefent) complained grievoufly of the courfe which the Pope took with 
 him at that prefent, praifed and commended the moderation of Sixtus^ who being 
 made fenfible, that the difcords grew from the ambition and covetoufnefs of dividing 
 the Kingdom, and not from Zealand affedtion towards Religion, had forborn to give 
 affiftance to the League, and tacitely granted him time to think of turning opportune- 
 ly to the Catholick Faith i cherifhing, and graciouily hearkning to thofe who followed 
 him for a good end, and for the fervice of God, of Jultice, and of their Country, as 
 the Duke of Luxembourg could give full teflimony. He declared his intention to ob- 
 ferve what he had fincerely promifed to the Catholick Nobility in the beginning of 
 his Reigns he excufed himfelf, that he had been hindered by the heat of War,from 
 ufing thofe means which he thought fitting, both for the importance of thebufinefs, 
 and the quality of his Perfon i and at laft exhorted all the Clergy, Nobility, and Com- 
 mons to ufe all their uttermoft endeavors to conferve the immunities and priviledges 
 of the Gallique Church, not to fuffer that Kingdom to be divided and difmembred, 
 which they had received foflourifliing from their Anceftors i and not to permit the 
 people to remain without their Prelates and Paftors to the danger oferrour, fchifm,ancl 
 damnation , things which though they were neither feen nor confidered at Kome^ were 
 yet neverthelefs too obvious to the eye of whofoever fhould look upon them with 
 Chriliian piety. Hereupon he caufed a very grave Decree to be made, declaring,That 
 he would inviolably obferve his promife, and exhorting the Parliaments to take care 
 for the dignity of the Crown , and the Prelates to look to the people under their 
 Charge, and to preferve the liberty of the Gallique Church. 
 
 The Decree being made with a moft free confent (becaufe every one was offended 
 at the feverenefs of the Momtory, and at the coming of the Nuncio Landriano) he 
 The Piiiia- difpatchcd Prefident de 7hou to7ours, and Prefident I'avre to Chalofts,m which Parlia- 
 h""n°r«u"s ments the perfon oi Landriano was with very great liberty fpoken and decreed againft, 
 <'«"«' ^I"' and there it was determined. That the Monitory fliould be publickly burnt, and at the 
 Monitofy ' fame time moft fevere Decrees were made agalnft thofe thatfliould forfake the party, 
 licr/''b«ilf' ^^^ follow the intimation of L««d/m«(7, depriving the Clergy of their Dignities and 
 ^ "" Benefices, and confifcating the Eftates and Goods of whatfoever Lords, Gentlemen, 
 or others (hould do fo, and making them all fubjedt to the pain of High-Treafon and 
 Rebellion '•> which, added to that difdain the French liberty had conceived at the fe- 
 verenefs of the Monitory , did fo bridle mens mindes, that there was not now any 
 one that ftirred : but on the contrary, thofe that were turned after the new defigns at- 
 tempted by the Cardinal of Bourbon , did now alienate their mindes from all other 
 thoughts, {ave the Confervation and maintaining of the King, whofe Arms they faw in 
 a fair way to Vidlory j the Clergy faying publickly, that the Canons did not com- 
 mand them to abandon their Flocks in fuch diftradted dangerous times, nor did duty 
 enjoyn them to forfake their Countries , their own houfes and eftates given by the 
 liberality, of former Kings, as a reward for their labours, to go like miferable vaga- 
 bonds to beg a hundred Crowns in peniion from the charity of the Popes Nephews : 
 That in the end, the King , remaining vidtorious, would compofe matters with fhe 
 Pope •, and then, whofoever had been obftinate and rebellious againft him,would be ut- 
 teily undone : and that they could not in confcience forfake a Prince, who implored their 
 aid and inftrudtion to come to the obedience of the Church. Thus alwayes thofe en- 
 gines that were framed to oppugn the King,did wonderfully fucceed to his advantage* 
 and poifons were converted into medicines. To thcfe Decrees of the Parliament oiTours 
 
 and
 
 of France, The Twelfth "Boo^ 503 
 
 and ChaloHs, the Parliament oi Paris opposed contrary Decrees, receiving the Moni^ t^pi* 
 
 toiry, and admitting the Nuncio's Commiilions, exhorting and commanding that all ^> „ ,• 
 
 {hould be accepted, publiiTied, and obeyed i impofing moll fevere punishments upon mtncofi-i^ 
 
 thofe that (hould tranfgrefs. But neither for this did the Prelates or Nobility that fol- ''' '"»''" °«- 
 
 ." ■ r I • r n /-« inir-i/- Z- trees contrar* 
 
 lowed the King s Party itir one jot from their hrlt propofal : and all thole difcourfes to thofe of the 
 and complaints which before were made for the liberty granted to the Hugonots in of T*»«"an(l 
 the exercife of their Religion, were now turned againft the Popes fevere, and (as they cttims. 
 called it) precipitate refolution. 
 
 In the mean time, the Lords of the Houfc of L(jr<zi«, the Nuncio Laudriano, the 
 Spanilh and Savoyard Ambaffadors, and Cardinal Felleve Archbifliop o(Rheims fan old 
 protedor and favourer of the League J were all come into that City to the appointed 
 Meeting i and there their common interefts were with long difcourfes exadlly treat- 
 ed of: wherein, though every one did, under various colours and pretences palliate 
 the interefts of his own defigns,yet was it very clearly feen they could not all agree in 
 the fame end. The Spaniards trufted upon their power, and the neceffity that others 
 had of their affiftance •, the Nuncio, upon the Majefty of the Apoftolick See, and upon 
 the foundation of Religion i aflerting, that the authority of difpofing thofe matters was 
 proper and peculiar to the Pope : The Duke of Lorain grounded himfelf upon fit- 
 nefs and decency, as Head of the Family, and pretended, that the reft ought in reve- 
 rence to yield to his pretenfionsj the Dake of Savoy afpired to the acquifition of Pro- 
 vence ^ the Duke o( MercocHr to that of Bi-etagne j the Duke of Nemours deligned to 
 Canton himfelf in his Governments > and finally, the Duke of Mayenne, General of 
 the Armies, and leader of his party, truftcd upon the union of the People, and the con- 
 currence of the Nobility that bore an affedion to his name. But things were not yet 
 ripe i and everyone proceeding with great warinefs and fecrecy, concealed his own 
 thoughts, and made fhew to be moved onely by the confideration of the general good j 
 which being obferved by the Duke of Mjyf^w, and being confident that with time, 
 opportunity, and his prudent managery , he fhould bring the reft to confent to his opl - 
 nion, having ontly concluded, with their common Forces to oppofe the coming of 
 the Kings forraign Supplies, all other things were temitted till a more feafbnable time, 
 the Duke having demonftrated, that it was more neceflary to employ the prefentirt 
 adion, and not in confultation v the King's Germans being already upon their March, 
 and he himfelf continuing profperous in the progrefs of the War. 
 
 wherefore the Meeting at Kbeims broke up without any other determination, and 
 onely the Duke of Mayenne loft a little of that confidence he had conceived of the Pope's The Meeting 
 adherence, having found the Nuncio in all things infeparable from the interefts of foivls wT/hbut 
 Spain i whereupon, defigning to make ufe of the Ecclefiaftical Forces, onely to hinder "y determi- 
 the entry of forraigners, in other matters he was refolved not to truft to any but his "*'''"'' 
 French-men. To this end he prefently difpatched a Gentleman in all hafte to Prefi- 
 dent Jeannin, who already was arrived in 5^<ji«, to give him directions, not fo much 
 to labour for fupplies of Spanifti or Italian Forces, as to procure Pay for a fet number 
 of French Foot and Horfe, under pretence that the Officers of thofe two Nations 
 ■were unwilling to obey his commands, and that with French Forces, which fcorned 
 not to acknowledge him,and were acquainted with their own Country ,he might (boner, 
 more eafily,and with fewer rubs, effeft their common interefts. To the fame purpofe,he, 
 by redoubled Meffengers, gave commillion toVes Por/ej tofollicit the Pope foranex- 
 prcfsorder,that his Army under the l^.of Monte-Marciano{hou\d ftay in Lor<2/«,and there, 
 united with that Dukes Forces and the fupplies frorn F/<iM<^frj-, fhould oppofe the com- The Pope 
 ingofthe Vifcount <;if T«rf ««e,alledging,that that was the principal means to hinder the ["fe indTooo 
 King from alTiftance, and very eafily to become Conquerors in the War : which having ^'^ '"to 
 already agreed upon with the Nuncio, whom he had eafily made believe, that the Sum fhrcomman" 
 of aifairs confifted in that, he with his own Forces took his way towards Paris and Nor" "^ '•>« Duke 
 roi*««^, to withftand the King's daily progrefs .° 
 
 TheD. of Mo»ff-Miarcij«o's Forces were confiderable j which being drawn together 
 at Lo£^i,chofen by the Catholick King's permiilion for a place of Rendezvous, they a- 
 iTiOuntcd to the number of One thoufand and two hundred Horfe, and Two thoufand 
 Foot,all under noble and experienced Commanders: tothefe, Four thoufand SwilTes 
 were to joyn , being raifed in the Catholick Cantons by the Popes money taken out 
 of the Caftle. The Catholick Kings Forces deftin'd for Flandtrs, confifting of 
 two Jertia's of Foot , and Four hundred Horfe , commanded by Marco Pio ^ 
 
 andr 
 
 .aiiK,
 
 504 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil If^ars 
 
 «5?*' 
 
 Th£ ptople 
 oi Rouen A'\K- 
 king the Vif- 
 count lie Ta- 
 vdnnt! thcit 
 Covernor, 
 make an 
 Inrurredion. 
 
 TheMatquifs 
 dt Mtnrtiiy IS 
 killed It or- 
 iet from the 
 Duke o(Miy . 
 rntie, bccaufc 
 he would 
 have deliver- 
 ed up la frie 
 to the King, 
 and have 
 gone Over to 
 bis party. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Mii\ennt ^ivcs 
 a Tcalado to 
 Manic, where 
 the Prelates, 
 lords, and 
 OSlccts of the 
 Kings party 
 were weakly 
 guarded ; but 
 peing difco* 
 vered, is bcM- 
 «ii off. 
 
 and the Governor of Alexandria , marched with the Pope's Army, making the fame 
 Voyaee. To this Body, which ( paffing from the Confines of Savoy thorough the 
 Country oiBourgongne ) was to come into Lorain, the Army of that Duke intended 
 to ioyn it felf, being already Four thoufand effedive Foot, and Eight hundred Horfej 
 fo that the confederate Princes made account, that the King's Germans ( though he 
 with all his Forces fliould advance to receive them) would not be able to rcfift •, and 
 at their entry into the Kingdom, muft either dilTolve of themfelves, or be defeats 
 
 ed. 
 
 But the Duke oiMayenne being departed from the Affembly, had ported with infi- 
 nite fpeed to Konen, in which City, the people, ill fatisfied with the Government of 
 Monfieur de Tavannes, were furioufly rifen up in Arms to drive him out ■■, and Andre 
 Brancace Sieur de ViUart, Governor of Havre de Grace, being come thither with fome 
 number of men, for fear the City fhould revolt, and put it felf into the Kings power, 
 there was afterwards fuch emulation and enmity fprung up between thofe two Heads, 
 that they were in danger to affault each other, which could not come to pafs without 
 much blood, nor without exceeding great hazard of the Cities falling into the enemies 
 hands. The Duke arrived fo opportunely, that if he had flayed but one day longer , 
 matters could not have been compofed without a great dealof mifchief: but his com- 
 ing bridled both thofe Heads ; and being unwilling that difcord fliould endanger a 
 place of fo great moment, he fatisfied the defires of the people and Parliament, by cha- 
 fing his fon Henry de Lorain Governor of the City i and becaufe he was very young, 
 he made the fame Sieur de ViUars his Lieutenant, who was a man of exceeding high 
 fpirit, and fingular valour, and fent the Vilcount de Tavannes, his old fervant, to com- 
 mand as Camp- Mafier- General, under the Government of the Duke of Aumale in the 
 Province of Ticardy. 
 
 About that very time, la Fere, a place of wonderful importance upon the confines of 
 Ticardy, was like to have revolted : for the Marquifs de hlenelay, who had that Go- 
 vernment (though from the beginning he had been moft obftinately for the League , 
 yet at this timej having changed his mind, whatfoever the reafon was, he had fecret- 
 ly agreed to deliver up the place, and to go over to the King's party. For this pur- 
 pofe, the King himfelf lingred with his Army in thofe parts: But the Duke having 
 had notice of the bufinefs, or (asfomefaid) onely fufpeding it, difpatched the Vice- 
 Senefchal de Montelimar (of whom, for his fagacity, he was wont to make ufe in the 
 moft urgent occurrences^ and the Sieur de Magny, Lieutenant of his Guards , unto 
 la Fere, with order, 'hat if they could not get the Marquifs out of the place by 
 other means, they fliould endeavour to take away his life as fpeedily as polfiblythey 
 Could i nor did they fail to effect what was given them in charge : For being come 
 into the Town, and having delivered Letters from the Duke, to the Captains of the 
 Garrifon i while the Governor was at Mafs , without flaying till he fliould refolve 
 upon any thing, they fet upon him fuddenly as he came out of the Church i and ha- 
 ving found him unprovided, and half afloniflied, killed him with two Stoccadoes v 
 and without any oppofition, made themfelves Matters of the place. This adtioD,more 
 proper for an abfolute Prince, than for the Head of a Confederacy, difpleafed many , 
 though the Duke laboured tofliew, that extream necefiity had produced it againft his 
 will i and much more did it difpleafe, that the Government was given to Montelimar, 
 one of the Murtherers : Whereupon it was publickly faid. That the Arms of the 
 League were alwayes blunt , but when they were ufed againft their Friends. 
 
 Great was the commotion of mens minds, by reafon of the MarquifTes blood and 
 dependencies •, and becaufe it difpleafed all, that the Duke fliould arrogate fo abfolute 
 a power unto himfelf: Whereupon he, who knew he had loft much of his credit, 
 and that it was neceflary to revive it again by fome notable enterprife ( for ordinari- 
 ly later adtions do in great part cancell, and take away, the memory of former ones ) 
 refolved to give a fcalado to Mante, where the Kings Council was, and many Lords, 
 Prelates, and moft of the Officers of the Crown that adhered to him > but without that . 
 guard which the quality of their perfons and the weaknefs of the place required •, and 
 thinking this attempt fo great, if he could bring it to perfection, that it muft needs 
 increafe the glory of his name, and exceedingly weaken the Kings party, and the pro- 
 fperity of his affairs : He commanded out the men that were in Faris, and the Gari- 
 lons Qi Meattx^ Vreitx, and Pontoyje, and having chofen a very dark rainy night, he drew 
 near on two fides with Scaling-Ladders to the Walls of the Town ( the fituation 
 
 whereof
 
 of France. The Tyielftb 'Boo(. 
 
 505 
 
 whereof, was by long practice pc-rfeftly known tojiimj withalTurcd hopes, by reafbn 
 of the fmall number of Soldiers that were within, to enter it v/ithout much trouble > 
 but it fo pleafed fortune , that in both places he found the Sentinels watchful , at 
 whofe cries, the Guards betaking themfelves to their Arms, ran up to make good the 
 Wall i and yet this would have been but a weak fupply, and not able long to have 
 refifted the afTailants, if the Lords of the Council themfelves ( not failing in what 
 concerned their own fafety) armed with more courage than could be expedted from 
 Gown-men, had not run with their fervants to re-inforce the Guards i fo that the 
 Dukes foldiers, wet, tired, and by rain in great part deprived of the ufe of their Mus- 
 kets, not being able to get up to the top of the Walls,which they thought they fhould 
 have found flenderly guarded i but on the contrary, many of their Ladders falling , 
 and being broken, they were beaten off by the Defendants, and retired without fruit, 
 the affault proving in the end much fuller of noife than blood. Yet did not the 
 Duke lofe courage for this i but knowing, that part of the Kings Swifles were quar- 
 tered at Hudan^ he hafted with the fame celerity the day after to fall upon them, but 
 without effedt > for having found them excellently fortified and entrenched, he was 
 forced likewife to march from thence without having obtained any thing ■■> much 
 praife being due, either unto the vigilancy or good fortune of the Kings foldiers, that 
 had frurtrated the Dukes prudence and celerity. 
 
 But the danger of Mante had been fo great in the opinion of difcreet men, that Cio- 
 vanni Mocenigo^ the Venetian Ambaflador, fliewed, it was a great temerity to ftay for 
 another of the Dukes attempts, in that weak place fo poorly manned, and pcrfwaded 
 the Council, and the other Lords that were there, to retire to Chartres, where, be- 
 fides the greatnefs and commodioufnefsof the City, they might ftay with more de- 
 cency, and alfo be much more fecure, in regard of the ftrength of the place, and qua- 
 lity of the Garrifon that kept it The King approved of this determination, which 
 C as all things are not rcmcmbrcd by all men j he had not thought of before » and be- 
 ing come to Co/w/^fi^jw?, began to make ready his Army, that he might advance to re- 
 ceive his foreign Forces: But becaufe he had not yet had intelligence of their fetting 
 forward, he refolved in the mean time ( that he might not fpend it unprofitablyj to 
 !ay liege to Noyon, a Town upon the Confines of Clumpagne and Pkardy^ which, be- 
 caufe it was much better provided of Horfe than Foot, molefted all the wayes round 
 about, and did incommodate thofe places that held for him in thofe parts. The 
 reafon that perfwadcd him to cafe himfelfof it, did alGi render it lefs difficult to be 
 taken, being full of Horfe, whereby the fiege became more eafie , and ill-provided ot 
 Foot, and thofe other things that were requifit for the defence of it, and particularly of 
 Ammunition : Wherefore having drawn all his Army together , upon the Five and 
 twentieth of July he caufcd the Marefchal de Blron to take up his quarter within a 
 mileo the Fauxbourgs of the Towns and the fame day the Sieur de Rieux perceiv- 
 ing the Kings intention, departed from P/>rc/a«f with Threefcore Horfe, and as many 
 Foot mounted behind them, each having a bag of Powder at his Saddle-bow, and paf- 
 fing fecretly thorough the Woods, got into the City, and gave great relief to the De- 
 fendants 
 
 N'lym is feated between a Mountain and aFenn, having on the South-fide, the Fen 
 caufed by the overflows of the River Oyfe in that places and on the North the Moun- 
 tain, fteep, and not very acceifiblev behind it thick fpacious Woods diftend themfelves 
 for many miles i and no other way Ijes open fave onely before, thorow a little Plaia 
 that comes to the Gate of 5^. Eloy^ and to the rich Abby, iituate near the Fauxbourg. 
 The Town was encompafled with old Walls, and great Towers from place to place ; 
 but both the Towers and the Curtine were well lined with Earth. The Marefchal de 
 Bii-on having viewed the fituation, encamped before the City at a little diftance from 
 the River, with a thought to aflault the Fauxbourg and Abby that were in the Plain, 
 and out of the Fen, and by that means to make himfelf a way to the Moat, which of a 
 great breadth encompafifeth the Town on that fide. Monfieuri:/i? Ville, Governor of the 
 Town,on the other fide, knowing the weaknefs of the Garifon, and the want of many 
 things, had not ceafed fome few dayes before the iiege, nor did yet ceafe, after the 
 Army appeared, to follicite relief, redoubling Letters and Meflfages both to the Vifcount 
 de Tav.inites, znd the Dukeof^t/m^j/f, Governor of the Province, who no lefs follici- 
 tousthan he, difpatched firft the Sieur de Griboval with an hundred Foot, and about 
 twenty Horfe, and then the Sieur de 7rmbleconrt y/lih his Regiment, though reduced 
 
 T tt t9 
 
 i^pu 
 
 Heroes toaf- 
 fjult rhe Swif-/ 
 fes at Hu 'ar, 
 and having 
 found them 
 well fortifiedj 
 is fain to re> 
 turn. 
 
 By thfCosn. 
 cil of Moccni' 
 gi the \'entti. 
 an Ambafla- 
 dor, the Kin" 
 removes his 
 Officers and 
 Prelates (rem 
 M.inu CO 
 Cburlra. 
 
 The fituation 
 of S'fjiit, be- 
 fieged bjr chC 
 Kins.
 
 506 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5?i. 
 
 The Vifcbunt 
 de Tavannes 
 going to pHt 
 relief into //»>- 
 lit, ii defeated 
 and taken pti> 
 foner. 
 
 to a fmall number of men,to try if through the Woods they could get by ftealth into the 
 Town ibut both of themcharged by the Gatrifons of Chaunyfiorby.znd Catelet^v/ere de- 
 feated by the way j fo that Gnboval fcarce entred with fixteen of his Foot, and 7rem- 
 hlecourt could not come, no not within many miles of Noyau. The lofs of thefe necef- 
 fitated the Vifcount tie Tavannes to put himfelf in hazard by attempting to get in i 
 and therefore being departed from Koye, upon the firft of Auguji, in the evening, with 
 Five hundred Firelocks, and Three hundred Horfe to convoy them, under favor of the 
 night, he drew near the Guards of the Army an hour before day, with great hope to 
 pafs between Guard and Guard, before the Camp (hould have put themfelves in order 
 tooppofe themi but theSieur d' Arges, who by order from Biroit had been out the 
 fame night with a party of Sixty Light-horfe fcouring the wayes, chanced fuddenly 
 to meet him, and not loiing courage, though he had fo few men with him , but vali- 
 antly making ready their arms, and beginning the skirmifli with hot vollies of (hot, 
 was the caufe that all the other parties which were abroad made hafte to the fame 
 place: Wherefore they of the League feeing themfelves difcovered, and not know- 
 ing well in the dark by what number of enemies they were fo bravely charged ( as 
 the errors of the night are commonly pernicious without blood ) they both routed 
 themfelves without oppofition, and in a very great fear took flight feveral ways •, on- 
 ly the Vifcount de Tavannes, whilft with his Sword m his hand he endeavoured to 
 flop his Soldiers, being wounded in the Arm, and in the thigh, was at laft taken prifo- 
 ner by the Sieur d' Arges himfelf. 
 
 The Duke of Aumale, upon whofe Government the affairs of that Province did 
 depend, was much troubled at the ill fortune of his Officers, and r^folved to attempt' 
 the relief himfelf, being moft certain, that if Foot and Ammunition were not put into 
 the Town, it muft of neceillty be loft within a few dayes: wherefore, marching from 
 Han upon the feventh of Augujl in the evening, with Six hundred Horfe gnd Nine 
 hundred Foot , to the end that his men might be ready, -and not lofe courage in the 
 dark, as the others had done, he determined to beat up one of the King's Quarters 
 by break a day, and fwhilft they founded the Alarm there, and were fighting ) en- 
 deavour to put in relief openly by day, rather than put himfelf in danger of being dis- 
 ordered by night. With this intention, coming up to the Plain along the great high- way 
 which leads diredly to the gate, he fuddenly fell upon one of the quarters of the 
 King's Light-horfe that lay without the Trenches , under cover of fome fcattered 
 houfes upon the fame way. The a/Tault was fierce, and the defence no lefs, with which 
 the fame Sieur d' Arges (a young Gentleman of high courage) and his other compani- 
 ons fuflained it : But the Duke of Anmale flHl redoubling his fury with frefh Hcrfe , 
 and Colonel Beranglife being come up with the Foot that followed, the Light-horfe, 
 though they fought valiantly, would have lofl their quarter , and left the way free to 
 the relief, if Biron had not come in to help them with Three hundred CuiraiTiers,and 
 Two hundred Reitersi at whofe arrival the Duke being furioufly charged in the flank, 
 and even the Light-horfe recovering vigour, who before gave back, the enemies ad- 
 vance was flopped, until fuch time as new fupplies coming up one after another, and 
 the Infantry of the Camp already all in Arms, being fallen into their ranks to defend 
 their pofls, the Dukeof ^ww-^/e was conflrained Cthough ftill fighting) to retires in 
 which Retreat, with the lofs of fixty of his men, and the death of Sieur de Longchamp., 
 a Soldier of great experience, and of Francifco Gtievarra, a Captain of Spanifh Light- 
 horfe, he was followed to the very Walls of Han, not having been able to give any re- 
 lief at all to the befieged. 
 
 But the Duke of Mayemie being advertifed of the fiege of Noyon, had diligently 
 fent for the Sieur de Ropte with the Forces that were in Champagne, and for the Prince 
 of Afcoli, Cent by the Duke of Parma, with Eight hundred Horfe and Three thoufand 
 Foot ■■, and being joyned with them at la Fere, came up to Han upon the tenth ofAu-' 
 with his Army gw i and having quartered his Army upon the way towards Noyon, but with the River 
 courage to^lhe ^^fwe^n, he thought hisprefence would give fuflicient courage to the defendents. But 
 befieged. the King having fetled his quarters in the moft convenient places, and having made his 
 approaches fo far, had begun already to batter the Abbey that flood without the Fanx- 
 bourg ; which was obftinately defended by the befieged, to keep the Enemy as far as 
 poiFible they could from the wall. The King having caufed five Pieces of Cannon to be 
 planted againft this Abby, had fo beaten it down, that being afTaulted by the Foot, up- 
 on the eighth day they took it, killing thirty of the Defendents, and taking above 
 
 fiftjr 
 
 The Duke of 
 inmate going 
 to relieve 
 tlfwn, after a 
 lliarp fight 
 retiret. 
 
 The Dute ef 
 Mayenne ha- 
 ving heard of 
 the fiege of 
 
 iVi!)ron,matches
 
 of France. The Tyi>e!fth ^oo{, >^oy 
 
 fifty others of them > which did fo much the more weaken the Garrifon, that of it i^pi'- 
 felf was too weak to defend the circuit of the Town. But it was necefiary to fuf- 
 pend the progrefs of the liege, by reafon of the Duke ofMayennes coming : for his 
 flrength being loooo Foot and 2000 Horfe,|it was thought,thatnot being able to re- 
 lieve the place any other way, rather than lofe it, he would joyn battel with the King, 
 
 Yet the opinions in his Camp were very different: for the Prince oi Afcoli thought 
 not the !ofs of that place of fo great concernment, that, to divert it, it was fit to in- 
 currthe uncertainty of a Battel, with the hazard of thofe onely Forces that were in be- 
 ing to relitt the Enemy i and confidered, that the Popes and Catholick King's fup- 
 plies, which had already paffed the Mountains, being expedted, it would be a very 
 flrange rafhnefs to put that now in the power of Fortune, which within a few dayes 
 might be made more certain, and more fecure. The Duke of Anmale on the other 
 lide, thoroughly vext at his late misfortune, and longing to piece it up again, argu- 
 ed, that the lofs ofthat place was of great moment to the affairs of the Province, for 
 that in thofe quarters there remained no other important Town of their party i but 
 that their reputation was of much greater importance, which would be much dimi- 
 rifhed, if being come up to the very face of the Enemy with Forces in number not in- 
 ferior to theirs, they (hould let that place be taken from them without ftirring, or dip- 
 puting it with the Sword. The Duke of M<ij'f««e afTented to the more fecure ad- The Duke cf 
 vice, partly becaufe he was of a nature not much inclined to dangerous refolutions , (biv^riiM to 
 partly becaufe with the Prince of /^/co/i and the Spaniards he did more by intreaty than h««d »Bac. 
 command •, and he (aw them very refolute in not confenting by any means to the ha- K,ng.' 
 zard of a Battel. 
 
 But the King, defirous to find out what the enemy intended , having no quicker 
 way to make himfelf certain of it, caufed the Marefchal de Biron to pafs the River with 
 the greater part of his Horfe, to fee if the Duke would move to fight, or keep fall in 
 his quarters. But aflbon as the Marefchal was advanced within fight o(Ha», and of 
 the Army of the League, which was encamped in the midfl of the great high way, 
 he found the Country clear and free h nor did any ftir out of their quarters to skirmilh 
 in the plain ncld : which having come to pafs, not one day alone, but three together 
 fuccelfivcly, the King apprehending, that the Duke thought to defend iVq)/o« with no* 
 thing but the reputation of his being near it, took heart, and caufed the Courtine of 
 St Elo\ to be battered upon the fifteenth day i and having beaten down the Works on 
 each lide, on the fixteenth day in the morning, being refolved to give the alTauk, he 
 made his Cavalry pafs over the River, as he was wont to do, that they might be in 
 readinels if the enemy Ihould ftir v and having drawn his Foot into their divifions, 
 gave the Baron de Biron order to advance and alfault the Town. Monfieur de ViUe 
 having, as long as polTibly he could , expefted relief in vain", and feeing himfelf now Thesiear dt 
 in fuch a condition, that he was not able to refifl that fierce alfault which was pre- ^f''^^°*'^™°' 
 paring againft him, caufed a fign to be given that he would parley, and in a few hours "ngith^King'', 
 concluded to furrcndcr, if within two dayes the Duke of Maymne did not either fight, ^""'^^^'^^^J 
 or put at leaft Five hundred men into the Town : which being agreed upon, and Ho- aiTau'k, par- 
 ftages given on both fides, he difpatched a Gentleman to the D. of M<_>f««f, to let him ['^l'^^'"^ ""• 
 
 des to fur* 
 
 know the Agreement i who having confulted again with his Commanders, and con- renderthe 
 eluded as they before had determined, drew off to the Walls o( Han the fame even- p,';,'^' •J[ ;',. 
 ing •, and the Sieur de ViUe finccrely performing the Agreement, delivered up Noyon i.cvei within 
 upon the Eighteenth day into the hands of Monfieur d Ejiree for the King. 'Xc'hL"^. 
 
 After the taking of Noyoii^ mens minds on both fides were taken up with the ex- fotmed. 
 peculation of the Forraign Forces, which with equal fortune delayed to appear : for the 
 Germans, who, to the numberof 8000 Foot, and 4000 Horfe, had beenraifed by the 
 Vifcount de Turenne, by the help of the Proteftant Princes, moved with great diffi- 
 culty for want of money, and expeded that for the drawing together and mainte- 
 nance of them, a great fum Ihould be furnilhed from E«^/i»W i which theQyeen be- 
 ing to raife upon her people, who had promifed to pay it upon catain conditions, mat- 
 ters were not fo foon ordered, nor did the conditions prove of mutual fatisfadion : for 
 the Englilh, continuing defirous to recover footing in France, and particularly in Nor- 
 mandy, a Province in former times long polfelfed by them, had promifed the Queen 
 Three hundred thoufand Ducats to be fpent in the affairs of fr^we, provided Ihe got 
 fome convenient Sea-port to be given her, not onely for fecurity of their Money, but al- 
 fo for a landing-place of Commerce, and that they might bave oiore commodioufly 
 
 T t t 3 traffick
 
 5o8 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^1. 
 
 The Duke of 
 5«vo)obtain«,s 
 that the Pope. 
 Forces march 
 ing towards 
 f ranee, ftiould 
 ftay fomc time 
 in his State, to 
 ftrengthen his 
 defignsajainft 
 the Sicur Lcs 
 Viguiercs. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Suvoy btficg- 
 eth the Fort 
 of Mmtftclc. 
 
 traffick in the Kingdom of France : which being at fir ft demanded, and now again, 
 under pretence of the earneft importunity of her Subjeds, effedually urged by the 
 Queen no lefs than liberty of Confcience for the Hugonots, kept the King in a great 
 deal of' trouble, not being willing to deprive himfclf of Pif;*?, the place where he had 
 tried and fuftai'ned the firft encounters of his fortune i much kkoiCalais, upon which 
 the Engli(h had too ftrong pretenfions i and the other places were in poffeirion of the 
 League: wherefore heat laft propounded, and C by fending the Sieur de S alettes a 
 Hugonot Gentleman) gave firm promife to the Queen, that he would lay fiege to 
 the City oiKouen v towards the taking whereof, if the Englifli would help with Men 
 and Money, he would give them fome reafonable jurifdidion in it, to the end that 
 they might freely and fecurely traffick i and then if he could take Caudebec and Har^ 
 fieur. Towns near that City, he would configne unto them oneof thofe Ports, which 
 might ferve for a free open retreat for their (hipping. To which Conditions , while 
 the Englifli unwillingly confented, and while they were treated of on both fides with 
 ufual caution, the coming of the Germans was protraded > nor could they ever be 
 got to move, till the firft One hundred thoufand Ducats were paid down, and affign- 
 tnents given for the other Two hundred thoufand. 
 
 On the other fide, the Duke oiMonte-Marciam^ and the Forces which from Milan 
 marched towards Flanders^ at the Dvktoi Savoy's urgent importunities had received 
 orders to ftay for fome dayes within his State, to the end that With their countenance 
 and afliftance he might recover fome places which had been taken from him, and re- 
 prefs the Forces of Monfieur Les Viguieres, who fiercely beftirred himfelf, fometimes 
 in Dauphine, fometimes in Vrovence, The Duke was troubled that the Kings party 
 had taken fome places, though of no great importance i but he was much more trou- 
 bled at a Fort which Les Diguieres had begun to raife over againft Mnntmeillan: 
 Wherefore having obtained that the Italian Army,and likewife Four thoufand SwiflTes 
 raifed by the Pope, fliould ftay fome time with him, he fpurred up Don Amadeo for the 
 recovery of that Fort, called Morejiello, from the place where it was built, and he with 
 other Forces entred into Dattphine another way, while Count Fravcffco Martinengo 
 with the greateft ftrengthofhis Army, befiegedand ftreightned the Town of Barre 
 in Provence. Monfieur Le/ I);|;«ifrf/, who was forced fometimes toaffift in the affairs 
 of Dauphine^ fometimes to help Monfieur de la Valette in Yrovence^ was now fet for- 
 ward to raife the fiege of Barre^ while la Valette befieged and battered Gr avian ■> but 
 being arrived fo late, that the Defendants had already articled to furrender it , after 
 fome (light encounters , he was returned with exceeding great celerity to relieve Fort 
 Morefiellf), and with Four hundred Horfe and Three thoufand Foot, was advanced as 
 far as Ponte Chiarra^ a place near and proper for his intetention j which being known 
 to the Savoyards , who were ftrengthned with part of the Popes Forces , they rofe 
 filently from the fiege, which they had continued already many days, and leaving the 
 Fort behind them, encamped themfelves upon the fame way, by which they fawthe 
 French Army would advance. But Les Diguieres having himfelf viewed and difco- 
 vered the Camp, and number of the Enemy , and making no great account of the 
 raw men that were in that Army, in comparifbn of his old Soldiers, refolved to fight, 
 thinking with a fierce boldnefs eafily to ftrike a terrror in them. Wherefore , both 
 the Armies being between the Mountain and the River Ifare, in a narrow placc,which 
 favoured the fmall number of his Forces, he parted his Infantry into two Bodies, 
 oneof which hefent up by the fteepof the Hill, and the other along the bank of the 
 River j and he, keeping the Plain with his Cavalry, divided into four Squadrons, 
 with fome Muskettiers mixed and placed among the Horfe, advanced refolutely to 
 attack the Enemy. The Savoyards having drawn up the Army in very good or- 
 der, advanced likewife, and received the encounter in the Front very couragioufly » 
 but while they fought , and in fighting , had their eyes and mindes wholly taken 
 up with the Enemy that was before them, they were fuddenly charged in the Flank, by 
 the Foot that were cqme about by the way of the Hill, which they had not taken 
 care to make good: Wherefore being ftaggercd at that unexpedted accident, they 
 broke their ranks, and without making much refiftance eafily took flight. But being 
 come into the Plain that was behind them, recovering courage, they fell to rally again, ' 
 and once more to face about i and fo much the rather, becaufe their being ftronger in 
 Horfe, and having a very fpacious open field, gave them very great advantage in re- 
 newing the Battel > yet neverthelefs, the Conquerors following up with wonderful 
 
 ^ ' ~ fpeed
 
 of France. The Tv^elfth 'Boo{. 509 
 
 fpeed and fury, they were terrified in foch manner, that being difperfed, they were I5PI» 
 purfucd to the very Walls of MonmeilIart,v/hh the lofs of Fifteen hundred men, two 
 Cornets, Eighteen Foot-colours, and great ftore of fpoil and baggage. But this unhap- Jre'ioutTd'Md 
 py accident, which cut off all hopes of making any further progrefs at that time, and '^'f"'''* ^J 
 the importunities of the Dukes of Mayenne and Lorain^ to have the Popifii and Spanifli '*" f""^''- 
 Forces to march to hinder the paflage of the Germans, were the caufes that Savoy be- 
 ing left, they advanced through the Country oi Bourgongne diredtly towards Lorain. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne^ fince the taking of Neyon, to put in order and increafe his 
 Army, had ftaid ftill at Hjh ( whileft the King , vidtorioufly advancing , over-ran 
 the whole Country^ in which place Prefident Jeannin, being returned from the Court 
 of Spain^ found him, but brought back no pleafing anfwer to any of thofe things he 
 had negotiated with the Catholick King. The Duke of Mayenne had been of opi- ^"'','''i'"^""'* 
 nion, that the artificial rcferved proceedings of the Spaniards had fprung from the from <sp<i»j 
 nature and will of the Minifters ill-affeded to his perfon, or defirous to do more rt^huion' m 
 than what was given them in charge by the Royal Council > he thought that the 'he Duke of 
 D. ofParma, a very wary prudent Soldier, would unwillingly hazard his reputation a- ^'^^''• 
 gainft the King, followed by almoft an invincible Nobility, and in his ad^ions prompt, 
 fearlcfs and refolute i he believed that THego d' Ivarr, and Mendozza ( who, for many 
 particular accidents were ill-difpofed towards him ) either to make him lofe his cre- 
 dit, or out ofcovetoufnefs, did convert thofe Moneys that werefent to other ures,and 
 often difpofed of them without his privacy at their own pleafures, and did afTuredly 
 think , that as foon as the Catholick King was once fully informed of the affairs of 
 Fc^;?:f , of the interefts of everyone, and of his pains, endeavors, and authority^ he 
 would foon refolve in favor of him, give him fufficient airiftance to make an end of 
 the War, and permit him to negotiate the getting of the Crown for himfelf: For this 
 caufe he had deprived himfelf of the help and counfel of Prefident Jeanmn, fending 
 him to the Court, as one privy to all his moft fecret thoughts, well informed of all par- 
 ticulars, full of wary prudence, and for experience and eloquence, able to undergo the 
 weight of fo difficult a bufinefs. But both he and the Prefident found themfelves 
 much deceived in their opinion i for (whether that had been the aim of the Spani- 
 ards from the beginning, or that the Counfel given and imprinted by the Minifters 
 that refided in France had caufed that refolution) they in Spain defired the Wat 
 fliould be drawn out in length with a flow progrefs j that the Duke of Mayenne (hould 
 not rife fo high in credit and authority with his party, as to be able to difpofe of 
 things by himfelf, and that by degrees the way might be facilitated, either to the union 
 of the Crowns, or to the election of the Infanta IJ'abeVa, which could not without long 
 time, and much patience, be obtained i andatleaft (if nothing elfe could be done^ 
 they would make themfelves fure, that fo many expences and troubles (hould redound 
 to the profit and augmentation of their Monarchy : Wherefore;, when Jeannin was 
 come thither, he, in his firft audience, found, that King Vhilip was fully informed in all 
 things, and very far from that inclination, which the Duke oi Mayenne^ at fo great a 
 diftancc, had fancied to himfelf j yet did he, with all potTible arts, labour in his fol- 
 lowing audiences to take away thofe imprellions, which he thought contrary to the 
 Dukes interefls, and to perfwade the King to concurr with him in his own ends i buC 
 all was in vain, nor could he fee, that he advanced or profited any thing i for, treat- J^e King 6f, 
 ing about Money, he not only found the King indifpofed to allow a greater fum than [^^tuioVttik. 
 he was wont > but even thofe very Moneys which were before given to the D. oiMay' <itnt/<i»Ji.'7«. 
 enne^ he had now determined fhiould pafs through the hands of his Minifters f though 
 with the Dukes participation ) alledging, that he had feen but very fmall fruits of (b 
 many expences, that he would not have his fupplies to be fecret, but that everyone 
 (hould fee and know from whence they came, and fhould be obliged for them to the 
 principal Author. Then concerning the Armies, he faid,his will was they fliould ad- 
 vance into France to help againft the danger of Religion, and to eftablifh a Catholick 
 King that might be generally liked of > but that the Duke of Prfr/«j could not fo foon 
 leave Flanders^ the States of Holland having taken Zutphen in Friejland^ and other places 
 in Brabant, and that it was needful not to proceed longer by chance, without knowing 
 what was to be done i and that therefore it was necelTary to affemble the States to re- 
 folve upon the eledtion of a King, to the end, that they might go on with order 
 and deliberation to a certain determinate end. Finally, as for the paying of the Duke 
 of Mayennes French Forces , raifed and commanded by him , he faid be was rea- 
 dy to do it , when the principal refolution was once taken » wherefore he 
 
 concluded
 
 lo The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1501. concluded, that he would fend a new Ambaflador into France to declare his intenti* 
 on to the States, and to caufe that to be determined of which was neceffary for the per- 
 feding of the e'nterprife > and that in the mean time, he would give order to the 
 Duke of Varma to return into trance as foon as the affairs of Flanders would per- 
 mit i but that time was not to be loft, and that the Aflembly of States ought to be 
 appointed and called i till the end of which, he was not difpofed to make any more 
 powerful expedition of men or moneys. This was the laft conclufioni nor could 
 Jeannin by urging the ftate of Affairs, the diffidences of the French , the interefts of 
 that party , the merits of the houfe of Lorain^ the pains and authority of the Duke 
 of Mayenne, obtain any thing more : And with this refolution he was returned to 
 eive the Duke an account thereof, who more perplexed than ever he had been , 
 i and having loft the confidence that his arts fliould overcome thofe of the Spaniards , 
 
 was alfo overtaken with new trouble, at the liberty of his Nephew CW/cj, Duke of 
 Cuifi, 
 
 That Prince, fince the death of his Father, had alwayes been keptprifoner j nor, 
 though his freedom had been much treated of, had any attempt ever fucceeded ; and 
 the King had always fliffly denied to change him for any body, alledging , That he 
 was not a prifoner of War, but of Juftice : Nor fthough his Mother made great com- 
 plaints and exclamations ) had the D.o( Mayenne ever cared much to get his liberty } 
 fbrefeeing that his freedom would endanger the divifion of his party, by reafon of the 
 dependence that many would have upon him, in refpeft of the memory of his Father, 
 and of benefits received from him j and that the common people would willingly con- 
 curr to exalt him : fo that if he would not acknowledge his fuperiority, but fhould at- 
 tempt to put himfelf in the place long held by his Father and Grandfather,the League 
 was without doubt like to be divided and difunited : wherefore he defigned not to ap- 
 ply himfelf in good earnelt to procure his freedom, till things were reduced to fuch 
 a condition, that it fhould not be in his power to diflurb them if he were at liberty. 
 But now, whether the King Cas fome believed ) forefeeing the fame, had under- 
 hand given way to his enlargement, or that the Sieur de la Chaftre, an old fervant and 
 dependent of his father's, who had the near Government of Bfrry, had profperoufly 
 procured it » certain it is, that having plotted, and agreed that a Lackey and zValet 
 de Chambre with a very fwift Horfe, fent by la Chaflre^ fhould flay for him in the fields 
 under the Caflle of Tows^ in which he was kept prifoner, he upon the fifteenth day 
 of Augufi^ being rifen from Table about noon, and having afterward fhut himfelf up in 
 his Chamber to take his reft, while the Guards that kept him, and his other fervants, 
 entertained themfclves merrily eating and drinking, he having locked them all dexte^ 
 loufiy into the room where they were at dinner, went up to the top of a Tower that 
 flood toward the field, and with a ladder of filk, which had been fecretly fent him in 
 a Pie, let himfelf down the wall, with exceeding great danger i and being come fafe to 
 the ground, ran along the River fide of the Loire towards the fields, where he found the 
 'Yc'^fh ^"^'^^^3nd thofe that expeded himjand with infinite fpeed galloped tofind the Baron de 
 ving been I* Maifon,CoT) to the Sicur de la Chaihe, who flayed for him fbme few miles off beyond 
 fonlratri" ^^^ Rivet Ckr, with Three hundred Horfe > wherewith being conveyed into Berry, 
 tfcapes at ' he was rcccived with infinite figns of joy in the City of Bowgei. Monfieur de Sott- 
 S«r^to bmi"^ ^'''"y Governour of Tours, and Monfieur de Grillon ( who, fince the wound received in 
 l«j. his left Arm in thofe Fauxhourgs, had ever flayed in that Town) having heard news, 
 
 that la Chafire^s Horfe were roving about thofe parts, and doubting fbme intelligence 
 in the City, had, for fbme dayes , kept the Gates fhut, and looked more flridlly to 
 their Guards than they were wont: but being fuddenly advertifed by Captain Ko«- 
 vray Governor of the Caflleof the Duke's flight, they entered, or feigned to enter into 
 a much greater fufpition, and caufed the Gates to be opened withfo much caution Cbe- 
 caufe they would firfl draw all the Soldiers into Arms, and make a diligent difcovery 
 without) that the Duke having had the advantage of above an hour and half, could 
 not afterward be overtaken by thofe that followed him i which confirmed the jea- 
 loufie fome had, that the King had fecretly commanded he fhould be permitted to 
 ■cfcape, fince that all thofe dayes. Letters and MefTages were without reflraint fuffer- 
 <d to come to him, and Prefents to be fent, among which was the Pie with the Silk 
 Ladder in it, without which his efcape could not have been effeded. 
 
 This news being brought to the Heads of the two parties, as it did not difpleafe the 
 T^i^i,-, who hoped fome good would gtow out of that evil > fb did it pierce the Duke
 
 of France. The T'itelfth 'Bool^. 
 
 51 
 
 of hUyenne to the quick, efpecially in that prefent conjunifture of time , wherein he 
 was diffident of the 'Spaniards, and of many French of the party, who were ill-fatisfied 
 with him: yet dilTembling this affliction , and not lofing courage, having exprcffed 
 fitting joytbrthe freedom of his Nephew, he exhorting him as foon as he could to 
 come unto him, thinking, that not being well informed of matters, nor known to ma- 
 ny, as foon as he (hould be with him, he would yield to his age,prudence,and the pof- 
 fellion wherein he was of governing all things : and having recourfeto art, to bridle 
 the arts of the other Confederates, he prefently by the means of Monfieur de ViUeroy^ 
 caufed a Treaty of Intelligence to be begun with the Cardinal of Bourbon and the 
 other Princes of the blood, whom he knew ( by the relation of the Sieur ii/fj- Fortes) 
 to be difcontented with the King, and to try to feton foot a third and different par- 
 ty i judging, that he fhould by that means beget a jealoulie in the Spaniards, and ne- 
 ceffitate them to confent, if not to all, at leaft to many of his demands. Nor was 
 ViUetoy ("being alwayes defirous that the War (hould end in an Accommodation) flack, 
 by the means of his brother tlic Abbot de Chejy, to promote that Treaty, which, with 
 hopes, and imaginary Conditions, was artificially kept alive. 
 
 But the King ( who had got an inkling of the bufinefs ) ffanding between the 
 machinations of thefe, which did neceflitate him to his converfion, and the earneft de* 
 fires of the Englifh, and of the Princes of Germany ( who urged him to give them 
 places in his Kingdom , and fecurities for the liberty of Religion, wherein they pre- 
 tended that he muft ftill perfevere, if he would have their affiftance) was no lefs af- 
 flidted than the Duke of Mayenne : which affli6fion increafed much, after he was ar- 
 rived at Sedan : for the Moneys of England were not yet disburfed, and th& Germans 
 had therefore delayed their coming fo long, that it was thought the Popifli and Spa- 
 nifli Forces would get into Lorain before them: and to his other troubles was added, 
 that Charlotte de la MarJ^ Heirefs of that Dutchy, being kept in that City , of an age 
 ripe and marriageable^, he was forced to take a revolution of matching her, left the 
 Duke of Lorain preventing him ( as he had a moft earneft defire ) fliould give her 
 to Wife to one of his fons. As the importance of that Dutchy, and particularly of 
 t\\tC\tyoiSedt>t^ did necelTitate the King to provide, that it might not fall to the 
 Duke oi Lorain •, fo did it keep him in great doubt, to whom he (hould give that 
 Lady in Marriage, who carried with her the pofTeilion of a State of fo great confe- 
 qucnce. Carlo Gonziga fon to the 'D.oiNevers^ afpircd to this Match, confining with 
 her Lands by the Dutchy of Zif/.-'/jw, whereof he bore the title i but her being of the 
 Hugonot Religion,as likewife the People and Gentry ofthofe places, was the caufe the 
 King would not reiblve tofatisfiehim,Icft he fhould alienate that party from him, and 
 difcontent thofe whwn he laboured to keep with fo much pains and induftry. On the 
 other fide, he doubted left the D. oiNevers ("of a nature apt to take difgufts) fliould be 
 offended, if he fliouid propofe any other Match of inferiour quality to his fon : Which 
 contrary confidcrations, after they had held him fome daycs in fufpence,it being necef» 
 fary to refolve, at laft he concluded to marry her to the Vifcount de fiirenne, as well be- 
 caufe of the confidence he had in him, as becaufe he was of the fame Religion j and 
 much more to reward him for his excellent fcrvice done in raifing and bringing in the 
 forreign Army : but it prefently produced that effedl which the King had before ap- 
 prehended : for the D. ofNeverf was inccnfed to fuch a height, that he began to encline 
 to thofe that prelfed his converfion, and to hold fccret intelligence with the Cardinal of 
 Bourbon., the D. oiLongKeviUe his fon in Law, and with the reft of the new party , who 
 made fhewtomove principally for Religion,which they faid was trampled under foot, 
 and themfelves deceived, while notwithftandingall promifes, thofe were advanced in 
 ftrength and power,who openly profeffed to live and die Hugonots. Nor was there any 
 other remedy for this mifchief,fave to be inceffantly ih adion, and not to fuffer idlenefs 
 to give nourifhment to thofe thoughts,but to let vidrorious enterprifes put to filence and 
 quiet thofe fpirits which were yet kept hidden in thebrefts of men : for which caufe,he 
 laboured fomuch in foUiciting the march of the German Army, and in fending them 
 thofe fums by little and little,which with infinite diligence he had been able to get toge- 
 ther from feveral parts,that in the end he joyned with them, before the Popifh and Spa- 
 nifti Armies were come up to crofs that union,as the D. of Mayenne had ever ftriven and 
 endeavoured to do : fo great an errour, that it rendered vain all thofe fo vaft expences 
 made , and fo many labours undergone , for the gathering together and bring- 
 ing in ofthofe Forces: for they having inconUderately fpent their time in S»voy ^ 
 
 to 
 
 15^1. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Maytnne in- 
 viit6\ji(H\&.. 
 ed for the D. 
 of Guifis cf- 
 capCjUrivcs 
 to ftew figns 
 of joy, and 
 cceats under- 
 hand with the 
 Cardinal of 
 Baurbott and 
 the other 
 Lords that en- 
 deavour to fee 
 a third patty 
 on Toot. 
 
 Ctirhiu de U 
 J^ttrk Heir to 
 the Dutchy of 
 BiuiUon, is gi. 
 vcn in Mar- 
 riage to HcKrj 
 at U Ti;«r, 
 Vifcount de 
 Tarenne^ ac 
 which the D. 
 of A'fvfrJ if 
 dbfguftcd.
 
 12 
 
 The Hijlory of the Cml Wars 
 
 J3Pi. 
 
 The Kingbe- 
 in<» joyned 
 with tic Gct- 
 itian Atmjr, 
 tikes ^iirg. 
 wy, whitherall 
 the wealth of 
 the neigh- 
 bouring peo- 
 ple haj been 
 Droo!»htin,>nd 
 grants the pil- 
 Ijge of It to 
 tbc Cdmini. 
 
 The King re- 
 inforced by 
 the German 
 fupplies 
 brought by 
 the Vifcount 
 rfe TKrfffWfjof- 
 fers battel to 
 the Duke of 
 Mi^fKtte in 
 the Plain of 
 Vcritin. 
 
 to attend bufineffes that did no ways advance the fumof the War, arrived not foori 
 enough to hinder the King's joyning with the Germans, upon which depended the 
 principal point of the War of this year. . . , .- , ^ 
 
 Now the King united, without oppofition, with the Vifcount delurenne^ and ha- 
 ving taken many Caftles about Met'i. and Sedan^ at laft affaulted Anigny a great Town, 
 into which all the riches, goods and Cattelof the neighbouring places werereducedj 
 and having very profperoufly taken it, he gave all the pillage (which was very great) 
 unto the Germans , who being ill provided of IVfoney, were refrefhed and quieted 
 for feme time : after which booty, the King ( alwayes ready to embrace valiant 
 counfels) thought good to try whether the Commanders of the League had a heart to 
 come to a Battel : wherefore, having known that the Forces of the Pope, the Duke of 
 LoraiH, and the Duke of Mayenne, were alfo at lait joyned together at Verdun, he 
 would needs draw up to them, and provoke them by his prefence, and ail other pof- 
 fible means to put it to a day , judging the Italian Forces to be yet raw, and the 
 Duke of Lorain^s not well affured, and therefore no way be compared to his 
 
 Wherefore being departed from AttigHy upon the firft ofOdober, he quartered that 
 night with his Van-guard ztGrandpre, upon which day Monfieur d' Amblife ^who 
 commanded part of the Lorain Forces, having marched from Montfaulcon, joyned with 
 the Army of the League. The next day about noon the King arrived with his Ar- 
 my within fight of Verdun, fpreading his Squadrons largely imbattellcd along the 
 Plain. On the other fide, they of the League who were encamped without the Ci- 
 ty, drew themfelves up in Battalia under the Walls i the Italians having the right 
 Wing, the Duke of Lorain the Battel, and the Duke of Mayenne's French the left i yet 
 the Duke himfelf commanding and ordering the whole Camp as he pleafcd. At the 
 firft arrival, there began fo great and fo hot a skirmifh between the two Armies, that 
 many of the Commanders themfelves thought it would be a Battel j for the Sieursa'i? 
 Prajlin, de la Curse, d' Arges, and the Baron d' G/ury with the Kings Light-horfe, in 
 four Divifions, advanced to the very face of the Enemy to skirmifh, being feconded on 
 the right hand, and on the left, by the Count de Brienne, and the Sieur de Marivaut^w'nh 
 Two hundred Cuiraffiersj and on the other fide, Cavalier Avolin, Ottavio Cefis, and 
 Afcanio della Cornia were likewife advanced with the Popes Light-horfe, and the 
 Sieur d' Amblife feconded them with a Body of Lorain Lances. But though the 
 skirmifli was very fierce in the beginning, the Sieur de PraJItns Horfe being killed un ' 
 der him, and the Sieur de la Ctiree thrown to the ground with the fliock of a Lance, the 
 Italians behaving themfelves very gallantly every where i yet were the Dukes of Lo- 
 rain and Mayenne refolved not to fight, becaufe the Catholick Kings Forces that were 
 come oMtoi Italy ffollowing their wonted CounfelsJ had denied to follow them, 
 and were marched ftreight to joynwith the D\iktoi Parma, and the Popes SwiflTes 
 were not above Three thoufand : Wherefore, not thinking themfelves ftrong enough 
 to deal with the Kings Army in fo open a place, as is the Plain that lies before Ferdnn^ 
 the skirmifh, by their order, cooled by little and little, and they drawing back their 
 men under the Walls fyet without fhew of fear) the King took up his Quarters, and 
 entrenched himfelf within fight of the Town, and of their Army. 
 
 All forts of provifions carne in plentifully to the Camp of the League, and the Ci- 
 ty furnifhed them with many conveniences, not onely for vidlual, but for lodging un- 
 der cover i whereas the King, in the midft of an enemies Country, and the weather 
 being very rainy , fuffered both for want of vicftual, and conveniency, nor could his 
 Soldiers ( accuitomcd to another kind of Difcipline) endure the hardfhip and in- 
 commoditics of lying in the field in fo contrary a feafon. Toother things was ad- 
 ded a moft cruel florm that night, with thunders, whirlwinds, and infinite rain,which 
 fpoiling all the Soldiers Huts, and overflowing all the Plain, put the whole Army in 
 wonderful confufion : Wherefore next day, the King, after he had flood firm in Bat- 
 talia for many hours, and none of the enemies appearing in the field, faced about with 
 his Army, and marched back to quarter again at Grandpre. There the Germans were 
 like to have mutinied, not being paid the money that had been promifed them : Where- 
 fore the King, who could now do no lefs than perform his promifes to the Queen 
 of England, that he might receive the other Two hundred thoufand Ducats , having 
 made provifion at Sedan f with the Jewels and credit of the Princefs Charlotte ) of a 
 certam fumof money to quiet his Germans, took, without delay, the way towards 
 Normandy, to befiege at lall the City of Rotten, 
 
 The
 
 of France. The Twlfth ^oo{. 
 
 515 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne, contrary to whofe expedation the Popes forces had fo Ion& 
 delaid their coming, and who had alfo feen the King of Spain's march freight to- 
 wards UraiH , without making any Itay , prefently difpatched the Count de Bnfac 
 to the Duke of Parma, to proteft unto him, that if he entred not into the Kingdom 
 or fent not fuch Supplies as fhould be fufEcient to oppofe the King, the affairs of the 
 League, and the ftate of Religion would be very much endangered, and that he fhould 
 not be able to hinder many from making their peace, as (feeing the flownefs and ill 
 counfcls of the Confederates; they daily threatned. The Duke made this proteftation 
 more at large to Viego d' Ivarra, who was there prefent, Shewing him the wonderful 
 ill cffed which the delays and fecret pradices of the Spaniards did produce i for if 
 all the Catholick Kings expences and forces which he had granted feverally, to this 
 man, and to that, in Bretagm, Frovence^ Savoy and Languedoc, ha ! been put into one 
 Body, and all imployed to the root of the bufinefs, and to the Spring-head of affairs 
 the vidtory over the King would thence have enfued, and alfo the fuppreirion of their 
 Enemies in all places i but whilit the divifion of the League was endeavoured, whilft 
 his counfels were not believed, and whilft the Duke of tarma would not advance the 
 King had found opportunity to receive his Foreign Forces j and now being grown 
 powerful, he over-ran all France at his pleafure, to the admiration and grief of all 
 good men. But thefe Proteftations and Reafons not availing with Viego d' Ivarra, who 
 had received another impreffion , and was otherwife inclined j and the caufe'from 
 whence this hardnefs proceeded, being clearly feen by the relation of Prefidtnt Jean-^ 
 ttin, the Dukes of Lorain and Mayenne not being able any other way to hinder it 
 agreed together Cthough fecretlyj in this general, to keep clofe and united together,' 
 and not to fuffer that any (hould be admitted to the Crown , not only who was a 
 ftranger, but who was not of their own Family j and, that if they were conftrained to 
 yield to any other perfons, a Prince of the Blood of the Catholick Religion fhould be 
 chofen, and never to confent, either to the alienation or diviGon of the Kingdom. 
 "With this firm refolution, confirmed alfo by a Writing which they figned, the Duke 
 of Mayenne fet himfdf in order to profecute the War, and being departed from Ver- 
 dun, with the Popes Army and his own, and with the Supplies he had obtained from 
 the Duke of L'^ram, (who gave way that the Count de Vaitdemont^ the Count dc Cha- 
 ligf^y, and the Sicur de Bajfompierre fhould follow him) he took the way toward Cham- 
 pagne, that he might not go too far from the Confines, till he heard the determina- 
 tions of FU'iders. 
 
 When the Duke was arrived at Ketel in Champagne, the Duke of G:tife came up to 
 him, accompanied with Six hundred Horie, all Gentlemen, who upon the fame of his 
 being at liberty, were come in to him , and though at his arrival, their greetings and 
 outward adions fhewed kindnefs and confidence in one another > yet did not their fe- 
 cret difcourfescorrefpond, either to that kindnefs or confidence: For juft as the Duke 
 of Mayenne had fufpeded, all thofe that were unfatisfied with him, turned their eyes 
 upon this young Prince, full of high fpirits , of an handfom prefence, courteous and 
 affable in his behaviour, and which imported more than all, heir to his Fathers Name, 
 and to that love which all the people o( France had profufely born him* The Pari- 
 fians, and particularly the Council of "Sixteen, who could not endure to be kept under 
 by the Duke of Mayenne , and that he fhould difpofe of the Offices of the City as he 
 pleafed, without confiding in any of their number, did openly call upon the name, 
 .and defire the exaltation of this Prince » and even the Spaniards applying themfelves 
 to do him all poffible honours, fet him as a counterpoife againft the Duke of Mayenne, 
 with whom they had no good intelligence, becaufe they faw him little inclined to fa- 
 vour their defigns. The Sieur de la Chajire, the Sieur de Vins, and Colonel St. Paul 
 followed him particularly, as in the general all thofe that had been obliged by, or had 
 depended upon his Father j and he, though new come into play, and little informed 
 of affairs, was not in any way failing unto himfelf : Wherefore being by the Duke of 
 Mayenne and the Sieur de Bajfompierre, made acquainted what they had agreed upon 
 with the Duke of Lorain, viz Not to fuffer any to rife to the Crown that was not 
 of their Family \ and in cafe they were forced otherwife , to name a Prince of the 
 Blood i he at firft excufed himfelf, that he had not yet anv information of bufinefTes, 
 and afterwards demanded time to confer with t|ie Dutchefs his Mother > and final- 
 ly concluded, that he would not alienate himfelf from the Sf)aniards, but would 
 firft hear the Duke of Parma's opinions , and after difpatch men exprefly to thac 
 
 U u u Court, 
 
 i$pti 
 
 Tht Dukes of 
 LorJin jtnd 
 
 lectttly r.Ht to 
 condcice-id to 
 t(it elffiion of 
 anjr to be King 
 cffrjnrc, B8C 
 oi)Iy that was 
 a ftranger, bnc 
 air> thac was 
 not of their 
 Family, or ae 
 leaft a Prince 
 of the Elood 
 of the Catho- 
 lick Kclisiofl. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 M&-yfnr.f being 
 at Kextl, the 
 Duke of Ga./e 
 comes to him 
 \7ell accom. 
 panie<1, and 15 
 received wii( 
 oativardfhewi 
 of JQve, but io 
 their feerec 
 conferences, 
 their confi- 
 dence is not 
 coricfpondtnt.
 
 ^ I A The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i<oi. Court to treat of his affairs with the Catholick King: Neverthelefs, the Duke of 
 * Mayenrte, full of moderation, and accuftomed to overcome all encounters with pati* 
 ence commending his Nephews refolution, and making (hew that he would favour 
 his advancement, laboured to keep him near himfelf, not to give hira means or con- 
 veniency to think or treat of new defigns. 
 Atthe ntw« of whilft they paffed the time here in thefe bufinefles, cxpefting the Count of Briffac's 
 the death of fgturn and the anfwer from F/«W(fr/, the news of the Popes death arrived, which 
 !h?xivfthe bred new difficulties in all things i for the Duke of Mottiemarciam, not knowing what 
 ""''r.iifinr theCardinais would determine, during the vacancy, nor what the Pope that fliould be 
 YcT^ofcTLl"' chofen would do, began to interpofe delays, and to fay he would not ftir from what 
 iures"h,t'^he the Dukc of Parma (hould refolve : and Monfigmre Matteucci, Archbifhop of Kagufa^ 
 tm depend Commiflary of the Camp , having but little money, propofed the difmiffing of the 
 XheDuk^of Swiffes, till new orders (which were to be expeded from RoweJ fhouldcomej which 
 farm. things, while they detain the Duke of Mayeme in the fame place, a new troublefom 
 
 accident had like to have turned all the affairs of the League upfide down. 
 
 The Parifian Council of Sixteen, moft nearly united with the Preachers, and with 
 the CoUedgc of Sorbonne, having from the very beginning been the Bafir and Founda- 
 tion of the League, had always pretended to rule matters their own way i wherein 
 carrying themfelves with thofc paflions and affedions that are proper to fadlious pcr- 
 fons, without anv regard to the confervation of the members of the Crown, or to the 
 decency and reputation of the French Nation, they only laboured for thofe things that 
 might fupprefs the King, (whom they perfedly hated) extinguifli the name and party 
 of the Hugonots , and put the reins of Government into the hands of perfons that 
 might rule according to their defire and appetite. But the Duke of Mayenne, though 
 he owed to thefe the beginning of his exaltation, the maintenance of the League, the 
 fupport of the War, and the late defence of Paris, was not yet inclined to follow their 
 ways, but rather (wholly intent upon keeping the Kingdom entire) ftrove to bridle 
 and moderate their turbulent fpirit s wherefore he had from the beginning inftituted 
 the Council of State, contradiftind from this, wherein were many prudent moderate 
 men, who did counterbalance and reftrain the courfe of things : among thefe, the Arch- 
 bifhop of Lyons, the Sieur de ViUeroy, Prefident Jeannin, the Bifliop o( Meaux, and the 
 Sieur de Videville, who were all averfc from the Spanifli attempts , and from the in- 
 confiderate Zeal of the Preachers. The Duke had alfo ever endeavoured to maintain 
 the authority of the Parliament in credit and vigour, referring many important bufi- 
 neffes unto it, and bearing great refped! to the Decrees which in divers matters were 
 made by thofe Counfellors : and though the fidelity of the firft Prefident Brijfon, and 
 many others had been fufpeded , as if they would have laboured to make the City 
 ■revolt unto the Kings party •, yet he diffembling the matter, was not forry that one 
 Council fhould counterpoife the other, and was always difpleafed when the Sixteen 
 accufed him and many others of the Council, of treachery : for though he faw that 
 fome of them were inclined to the King, and managed bufinefles, in favour of him, 
 he did not believe they^ould do much hurt, but rather help exceedingly to reftrain the 
 impetuous determinations of the Sixteen, by which he feared to be turned about, if the 
 Parliament fhould fink in credit and authority. This fecret emulation between the 
 The couneii Parliament, and the Council of State on the one fide, and the Council of Sixteen on 
 ?nto an'emuu- t^e othcT, difcovered it felf by little and little, and proceeded fo far, that as thefe were 
 tion with the partial to the greatnefs and authority of the Duke oiMayenne, fo the others made them- 
 p"iJ|aTj wUh feJves Favourers of the Spanifti demands, and in many things contrary to the Duke. 
 s«tf err'' "^ '^^^^ were thofe who in the fiege precipitately made many of the Citizens to be exe- 
 by the' Duke cuted, that were fufpeded to be for the King : thefe, fomented by the Duke of Ne^ 
 of Mi]tnnt. tnottrs, contradided the eledion which the Duke had made of the Officers of the City » 
 and thefe were the very fame that were Authors and Introducers of the Spanifti Gari- 
 fon : and they did often labour that the Catholick King might have the Markjofjujiice, 
 and be acknowledged as Patron ot the League, and Proteftor of the Crown of France. 
 But now,the paflion of thefe men ftill increafing, being unfatisfied with the Duke oiMay. 
 enne, whom they taxed of fear and meannefs of fpirit i and being mad againft thePar- 
 Jiament, whofe gravity they faw withftood their power, they were grown bold and 
 prefumptuous fince the Duke oi Cuife was at liberty, and fince the Spaniards (having 
 difcovered the agreement between the Dukes of Cayenne and Lorain) began openly to 
 try to pall it down, and to draw unto themfelves the Forces of the party, the ftrength 
 
 whereof
 
 of France. The Tmlftb "Boo^, 515 
 
 whereof confined in the City of Paris. Thcfe had the common people at their devo- fj^it 
 tion, not only by reafon of their natural depcndance as fellow- Citizens, but alfb be- 
 caufe they were weary of Contributions, which the greedy nature of the Duke of 
 Miyenne did often multiply beyond what was fit i the disburlingof them afterwards 
 not excufing the weight of thofe burdens with his honour and equity. Wherefore 
 fome of the chief of the Sixteen, that were moft afFedlionate to the party, fwhoffl 
 they called Zealots) began to contrive the way to abafe the authority of the Parliament, 
 that they might be able more eafily to difpofe of the affairs of the City, and put it ei- 
 ther under the Duke of Gutfe, or the immediate proteftion of King Philip. The Spa- 
 ni(h Miniliers alTented to, or rather concurred in this attempt i and no lefs than they, 
 the Bidiop of Piacenza, who fince the Popes death was wholly turned to favour Spain i 
 and the principal men were the Sieur de Buffyi Governour of the BajiiUe, the Sieur dt 
 Crwwjy CounfcIIor of the Great Council, Commilfary Lo«c^>^rf, Amelinedin Advocate, 
 Olivier a Treafurer, Boucher a Divine, Father Commolet a Jefuite, and divers others of 
 the (ame condition. After many confultations and debates among them, by advice of 
 the Bifhop o( Piacen:.a, they chofe four of the Sixteejt, whofliould go to the Duke of 
 Mayenne to carry their complaints, and to demand that the Council of State might be 
 replenifhed with fufficient faithful men, and fuch as the City might confide in : That 
 that Council might always refide in Paris: That the Treafurers Accounts might be 
 over-looked, and efpecially of one Hibes, that kept the Duke of Mayenne's particular 
 Coffers : That this might be done by feledt perfbns approved of by the Council of 
 the Vnioft : That the GabeUes might be taken away, which were newly impofed by 
 the Governour Belin, and t\\t?revofi des Men-hands : That the City-Garifon might 
 be payed and increafed for their fecurity : and finally, That Prcfident Br/JJon fagainfi 
 whom they carried a whole heap of complaintsj and fome other principal men of the 
 Parliament, might be put out of their Offices, and feverely and cxemplarily puniflied 
 and rooted out, as Traitors and Rebels. 
 
 Thefe four Deputies came to liheims at the time when the Duke of Mayenne was 
 gone into Lorain ■> and having waited for him many days, they at laft found him at 
 Ketel-1 where having been heard by him, they were at firft fiiarply reprehended as men 
 that demanded too much, and afpired unto an abfolute power: but afterward, not to 
 cxafperate them utterly, he ufed them more favourably in their other audiences, fhevv- 
 ing them, that whilft he was bulled with the Enemy, he had not leifure to attend thofe 
 matters : that in due time and place, he would come perfonally to Paris, to give them 
 all polTible fatisfadlion ; and that in the interim they fhould abllain from medling with 
 new defigns, which put all things in confufion, and doing themfelvesharm, did won- 
 derfully advantage the Enemy. But thefe men being returned to Paris, not much edi- 
 fied by the Dukes Anfwer, and particularly offended at his firft reprehenfion of them, 
 in ftead of moderating, increafed the boldnefs of the reft, exclaiming afrefh againfl: 
 the Duke, and faying it was necelTary to take fome refolution, for that they found 
 him wholly averfe from their intentions : wherefore all of them boiling with an- 
 ger, thinking themfelves undervalued by the Duke, and at laft being refolved either 
 to abafe, or abfolutely to change the Parliament, that they mjight govern the City their 
 own way, they began to fiir up the people, perfwading them that Religion was be- 
 trayed , and that the Parliament endeavoured to put the City into the hands of the 
 Navarrois. .. , 
 
 It happened that Bnigard, one of the firft Fomenters of the League at Paris, having 
 been accufed, as if ( having changed his mind ) he held intelligence, and plotted fe- 
 cretly in favour of the King, was by the infHgation of the Sixteen violently cafl in 
 prifon : but in the mean time, while they proceeded llowly againfthim with due proofs, 
 he found means, either by money, or his own induflry, to efcape out of the place where 
 he was kept, and alfo to get fecretly out of the City, and out of the hands of his Ene- 
 mies: which thing fecmed very foul to the Council of Sixteen, and thinking he had 
 been malicioufly let go, by the Judges themfelves who made his Procefs, being raifed 
 to the height of their fury, and with this incentive fomented by the Spanifh Minifters, 
 and by the Garifon which depended on them , they put the people in Arms upon the 
 fifteenth of November in the morning, and, without further confideration, being led 
 by the Sieur de Bieffy and CommifTary Lettchart,hzv'mg taken and blocked up all the ways 
 that led to the Palace of Juftice, they took prifoners the firft Prefident Bnjfon, Claude 
 I' Jrcher, and Jehaii Tardif, one Councellor of the Chaftelet, and the other of the Court, 
 
 U u u 2 who
 
 5i6 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 f ?pr. who were the fame men that had made the Proafs of Wigard ■■, thefe being brought 
 B,i^,m<, who fjft bound to theCM'^''^', the fame day, without any lawful form of Procefs, but 
 pl«d"u'p™n fome precipitate informations taken by the Sieur/e Cromay, were flrangled in prifon, 
 (sfpition of and the next morning ignominioully hanged up in publick upon the Gallows. Then, 
 fh°L»"'ucf as if they had obtained fome fignal Vidory, running up and down the City with the 
 Win;; < fcjpei, common people armed and furious, they fet their Guards in many places, and threatned 
 thit-'m'idrhis to take the fame courfc againft many others. The Governour dcfiring to put fom.e 
 proctfsarcby ^^ j^ j]^^(-, proceedings, being alfo advifed to it by the Dutcheffes of Nimoms and 
 ArmrZlli!" Uo;upenfw\ began to try whether the firangers of the Garifon would obey him : but 
 '""""/ Jndb" having found them all difpofed to favour the Council o( Sixteen, and thgir prefenc 
 fht Council of adlions •, and AUpndro de Monti having freely faid, that he would not flir againft thofe 
 '^r'Tto'be whofincerely managed the Caufeof God and of all good menv he thought it a better 
 ftran'gicd, as Way to go out Unarmed to parly with them, and to endeavour to appeafe the people, 
 iVhiffl.'-hV ^^'^ i" P^'^f remedy thofe mifchiefs that were like to follow : But neither did this fuc- 
 ° ' ceed : for they valued him but little, and the Trevoji des Merchands much lefs, defiring 
 rht covncit ardently to put them both out. All the fixteenth day was fpest in this tumult •, and 
 Wv«"to'ut' on the feventeenth in the morning, their Council being met in the houfe of a Divine, 
 kkiUndlT named Pellettier, Curate of St. Jaqites de U Boucherie, they refolved to put themfelves 
 of'thrca^ho" ^'^^'y "n'^e'^ the King of Spain's proteif^ion, and in the mean time to prefent fome Ar- 
 luk King. tides to the Council of State, for the Government of the City ; which by all means 
 The Contents ^hey would have accepted and put in execution. The Articles contained. That a Court 
 pf ceitam Ar- of Jufticc fliould bc formed of men of their party, which (hould proceed againft Here- 
 Ihe cATincii o'f ^^^^^ ^nd Favourcrs of the Navarrois ; thinking with the Judgments and Executions 
 Sixtctn. of this, to deftroy and annihilate the Parliament: That all Commerce with thofe of 
 
 St. D«w (hould be broken i which the Duke of Mayenne had eftabliflied, to facilitate 
 theconcourfe of viduals: That the Impofts upon Wine fhould be taken away j and 
 that the Account of all thofe ftiould bc over-looked, who had managed the moneys 
 raifcd by the Contributions and GabeUes uf the City : That the moneys that came in 
 by the ordinary Impofts, (hould not be fpent but in the payment of the Garifon, which 
 Ihould be increafed with Foreigners, either Walloons, Italians, or Spaniards : That the 
 Council of State (hould be filled up to a certain number i and the men that fliould be 
 chofen of it, were named by them : That likewife a Council of War might be framed 
 whereof (bme Colonels of the City were to be, and the chief Commanders of the Fo- 
 reign Militia i without the confent of which Council , the Governour (hould not be 
 able to refolve any thing : And finally. That the Seals of the Crown, which the Duke 
 of Mjyenne carried about wherefoev'jr he was himfelf, (hould remain conftantly in the 
 City, and not be removed to any other place. This being refolved on, they prefently 
 difpatched Father Chttdio M<?«« with Letters to K.in^ Philip, in which they prayed 
 him to take upon him their Protedlion and Government: And having with cries and 
 clamours made the Council of State to be alfeiTibled, they propounded the Articles, to 
 the end they might be confirmed and executed. The Governour and Trevoji des Mer- 
 chandf, with fome of the graveft Efchevins, endeavoured to get the benefit of time 
 alledging, that the day was too far fpent, and hoping that by delay, the ardour of the 
 people would be cooled : But the Council, according to their advice, having determi- 
 ned to ftay till the next day, the Sixteen with the people in arms ftopt Madam de Ne- 
 mours as (he was going out from the Council , and would by all means have the Ar- 
 ticles confirmed i which the Council having chofen to do, as the leJTer evil, the Dut- 
 chefs her felf carrying forth the Decree that was made about it,pray'd them with gentle 
 words to forbear the execution of it till her Son, the Duke of Mjyenne, had given his 
 confent, without whofe knowledge it was not fit things of fo great importance (hould 
 be done j that the delay was but for a few days , that the Council , and (he her felf 
 would difpatch the Sieur de Bnurg to the Duke to carry him the Decree, and bring 
 back his confirmation of it, and (he a(fured them they (hould remain fully contented 
 and fatisfied. The fury of the people being in part appeafed with this grant, they be- 
 gan to lay down their arms , and to be quiet again , expeding the resolution of the 
 Duke i who from Ketel, being gone to Laon, to meet with the Dutchefs, Mother to 
 the Duke of Gidfe, upon the twentieth day in the evening, received the news of what 
 had hapned in Paris. 
 
 J- xiT^^ wonderfully moved at fo dangerous an accident, which was about to ftrike 
 ttireaiy at his authority, but yet would not (hew any trouble of mind, left the Duke 
 
 of
 
 of France. The Tmlfth ^oo^, ciy 
 
 oi Gifife who was prefcnt, fhould take notice of his anger againft his dependents, but I5PI« 
 only faid, that he would expedt the Sicur dii Bourg ("who the Governour wrote him 
 word, was immediately to depart) to be better informed of the buiinefs, and that 
 it was good to remedy popular commotions with gentlenefs, and not to be incenfed 
 againft them, to avoid greater fcandals and more pernicious errours : for the people 
 drawn by a good 7eal, do ordinarily move without confideration. Thefe words fet- 
 led the mind of the Duke of Guife, who was afraid left he (hould prove cruel againft 
 his dependents, and the difcourfesof the next day quieted him much morei fo that 
 though the Duke of Mjyenne faid he would go to Faris to prevent thofe mifchiefs that 
 might happen by the divifions of mens minds", yet he let himfelf be perfwaded to 
 flay, becaufe he had the command of the Army, and was to meet with the Duke of 
 Fjrma ; who being come to Valenciennes, was in the end of the month to be at Guife, 
 that they might refolve together of the time and manner of his coming. The Sieut 
 du Bourg arrived the day following, from whom the Duke had the whole Narration 
 of the buiinefs, and of the Decree that had been made in the Council of State to ap- 
 peafe the people \ whereupon being refolved to depart, and determining with himfelf 
 to eftablifh his own power and authority by this occafion, he difpatched Monfieur de 
 Kofns to the Duke of Parma, to excufe him if he could not be at the place appointed 
 upon the prefixed day, and left the charge of the Army, and of meeting with the 
 Duke of Farma, to the Duke of Guife ■■, bat with fuch caution, that to the end he 
 might not be able to do any thing in arms, he gave fecret orders to KofJie and ta- 
 vannes, who were Marefchals of the Held, that they (hould neither draw forth Artillery 
 nor Ammunition, which were all at la Fere j and he gave the Duke of Guife no In- 
 formation at all of the particulars that were to be treated of with the Duke of Farma, 
 to the end he might not be able to conclude any thing of m.oir.ent» and having ob- 
 tained of the Duke of Montemarciano, and of CommifTary Mattettcci, that the Swit- 
 zers might not be difmiffed at that time i and that all the Forces fhould ftay till his re- 
 turn, (hewing hafte and want of time, he took with him the Counts of Vaudemout, 
 Chaligny znd Brijfac, the Sieurs </? Bjjjompierre and ViL'frny, with Seven hundred of his 
 beft Horfe, part French, part Lorainers, and departed upon the Five and twentieth in 
 the morning towards Faris •■, leaving Prelident Jeannin with the Duke of Guife, to m.o- 
 derate his Counfels, and to obferve his carriage. 
 
 The fame night Von Diego d'lvarra went the fame journey, Tthough the Duke had 
 defired him to ftay J not being willing to let himfelf be deceived as the Duke of Guife 
 had been, but being by all means refolved with his help and counfel to alTift againft the 
 danger of the Spanifh adherents. The Duke making fpeed in his journey, would yet 
 neverthelefs take with him two Regiments of Foot that were at Soijfous, and having 
 received the Sieur de Viiry with Two hundred other Horfe at Meaux, he arrived near 
 the City of Paris npon the Twenty eighth day in the evening. The Sixteen, with the 
 Preachers, and the Colkdge of 5'or/'o««.'", feeing the Duke come armed, and knowing, 
 that the Governour, and the Prevojl des Nhrchands, with the dependents of the Council 
 of State and Parliament would be powerful in the City, fthough B/tJJ} kept the BajHlle 
 for them) being much affrighted, propounded to appeafe him with words and de- 
 monftrations, and fent four of the chief of them, with many of the Citizens to meet 
 him, to the end, they might endeavour to divert the anger which they imagined he 
 came withal. Thefe met him at the Abbey of St. Anthoyne without the Walls, and, 
 with a difcourfe full of fubmiiTion, ftrove to perfwade him, that all had been done to 
 an extream good end, for the fafety of the City, the confervation of Religion, the 
 maintenanee of his own Authority, and to fatisfie the people that were defperate, be- 
 caufe there was no fhew at all made againft thofe Rebels and difturbers of the publick 
 peace : That this had been chofen as the leaft evil, to the end, that the people enra- 
 ged might not make fome bloody tumult : That thofe who had been executed were 
 manifelily guilty, as he might fee by the proofs, which though they were not accom- 
 panied with the wonted Forms of Juftice, were at leaft true, real and manifeft: That 
 the Articles propounded to the Councellors of State, were by them accounted reafbn- 
 able i yet that neverthclefs they fubmitted them to his cenfure : And hnallv, they put 
 him in mind how much they had done and fuff"ered for the greatncfs of hisHoufe, and 
 for his own exaltation, and befought him to make himfelf be known tor an indulgent 
 Joving Father, and not for a pundual fevere Prince. The Duke, who defired not to 
 receive an obftacle at his entring into Paris, but to be let in with his Forces without 
 
 rcfiftance.
 
 5 1 8 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 1591. relKiance, excellently difTetnbling the injury he had received, and the anger that was 
 kindled in him, welcomed them all feverally, and anfwercd them in general, that he 
 cametotheCity for no other end, and with no other intention but to fccure it, as he 
 that knew well, the fullentationot Religion, and his own hopes were all founded and 
 placed in that people, and in the Council of Sixtee>i, the firft authors and framers of 
 his party: With which words and outward fliows, having in great part afTured their 
 iTiinds, he entred that night into the City when it was late, and being conduced to 
 his Ho'liel, he held the fame difcourfe with many, knowing, that by proceeding fo, if 
 he Hiould find oppolition, he might attribute the pardon to his own will i and if he 
 could execute his intentions, thofe outward demonftrations could not hurt or preju- 
 dice liim in any manner. A while after him arrived Diego d" Ivarra, who being come 
 to him with the other Spanifli Minilkrs, they ftrove together to perfwade him not to 
 (hew any rcfentmcntof what was paft, but to give fatisfadion to the people for the 
 time to come-, fince the things that had happened, though they were done without 
 due orders and forms of Juftice, were yet good in themfelves, and profitable for the 
 confervation of Religion h and that in the diihadlions of Civil Wars, the ordinary 
 lules of good Government cannot be fo well obferved, but many things are done to 
 a good end in the heat of dangers, which in quiet peaceful times would in no wife be 
 fufiered ■■, That he himfclf had proceeded in that manner at la Fere, without forming 
 any Procefs againlt the Marquifs de Menelay, whom he had caufed to be killed ■■, for 
 otherwife that. place could not iiave been kept i That therefore it was better to quiet 
 all things by approving what was fallen out, than by going about to punifh any one, 
 to kindle new difcords, and more dangerous tumults. The Duke anfwered with the 
 fame moderation, and fo parted with the Spaniards : but having taken information of 
 the Forces that were in the City, and having been told by the Governour, and the 
 Trei'oji des Merchands, that the greater and better part of the people would be at iiis 
 devotion, he caufed the Colonels of the City to guard their fevcral Quarters that night i 
 and in the morning, having put in Arms the Foot and Horfe he brought with him, he 
 went up to the rke St. Anthoyne, and fent to command the Sieur de Bi/jjyi at that very 
 inftant to deliver up the Bafiille into his hands: he excufinghimfelf, interpofing delays, 
 and demanding fecurity that he fliould be harmlefs j the Duke caufed the Artillery to 
 be taken out of the Arcenal, and began to make them be drawn that way : whereat 
 the Governour of the Bi/jf/'i/c' affrighted, (being a man more accuftomed to any thing 
 than the exercife of Arms) and not feeing that any in the City ftirred in favour of 
 him i for the Governour and Prevoji had poffefTed and blocked up all the ways i he at 
 laii, after many Treaties, agreed to leave the BaiHHe , receiving a promife not only 
 <rom the Duke, but from many others, that his life fliould be given him i and yet be- 
 ing come home to his houfe, he was affaulted the fame evening, and was neceifitated 
 to fave himfclf, by getting over the tops of houfes, with much ado, and with very 
 great danger i and after fome few days (the Duke winking at it J he fled fecretly from 
 the City, and went to live in another place. Bitjfy being out of the Bajiille, the Duke 
 chofe the Sieur du Bourg (a man valiant and truflyj Governour of it, and put fuch a 
 Garifon into it, as fecured it from all danger that might happen: which done, he the 
 ThtDukeof f^xt morning fent the Sieur de Vitry with his Horfe, (the Hreets being ftill blocked 
 jiWimfbcins up, and the Militia in Arms) and caufed to be taken prifoners at their own Houfes, 
 tnTppc'afc the Commiffary LoHchart, Captain Emmomt, Bartbelemy Auroux Colonel of the Quarter of 
 infurrtsion, the Carmeljtes, and Amelhie the Advocate, Cromay the Cpunfellour being flolcn away, 
 /li' kept by and fecretly fled : for being hid by the Spaniards, he continued many days in the ha- 
 ^B^ff'^VJhi- ^^^ °^ ^ Souldier, among thofe of the Garifon, and went afterwards into Flutiders^ 
 ving fet (Iron.; whcre hc lived in great nccelfity. Thefe four, judged to be the moll faulty of the Six- 
 f"vVrtiqujr-' *^^'^-> ^^"^^ ^'''^ "^''^ ^^Y i'^anglcd by the Hang-man in a Chamber of the Louvre, and 
 tcrsodhcci- aftcr'publickly hangcd upon the Gallows ■> the example fufficing the Duke to recover 
 oMhc"["it'f"f '^'S authority and reputation, without (hewing cruelty in the blood of fo many others 
 the Council of that were guilty of the fame crime. This feverity did wonderfully terrific the 
 wtrVm^ft ' Preachers, and the Colledge of Sorbunne : but the Duke, not willing to lofe them, nor 
 S"'''Ii'V' "^ '^'■'^ himfclf upon an enterprife that might be finiftcrly interpreted, nor yet to make 
 ' "S« ■ fo great a confulion as might caiifc fomedivifion in his party, went perfonally to the 
 Church of the Sorbmne, and there with grave and moderate words a(rured them of 
 his favour and protedion : and faid. That in confideration of their former vertue and 
 conftancy, he pardoned the prefent difobedience and con(piracyv and, making (liew 
 
 to
 
 of France. The Tvaelfth 'Boo(. 
 
 519 
 
 to do it for their fake, he caufed an Edidtto be publifhed, wherein declaring that he 
 had fatisfied Juftice by the punishment of four feditious perfons, he granted pardon to 
 all the reft, impofing filence and oblivion to what was part. Out of this Pardon he 
 excepted the Counfellor Cromay, Adrian Cocker, and the* Grf^fr that wrote the Sen- 
 tence againft Brijfon i who afterwards periflied diverfly by divers ways. At the fame 
 time he alfo decreed, that experience havingfliewn how pernicious thofe Meetings and 
 Conventicles were which were made (ecretly without the prefence of the publick Ma- 
 giftrate, none fliould upon pain of death any more affemble any other Councils within 
 the City or without , fave the ordinary Council of the -Union, with the aififtance or 
 prefence of the lawful Magiitrates. Thefe Decrees, regiftred with full confent of the 
 Parliament, put an end to the power of the Sixteen, and did fomething flacken and 
 retard the defigns and machinations of the Spanifh Minifters. 
 
 But affoon as the Duke of Parma knew diftindly the things that had paffed in Parif, 
 he (hewed himfelf infinitely ill fatisfied at all that had been done, publickly blamed 
 the little confideration of the other Minifters, who, to get a vain dependence of the 
 bafeft dregs of the people, diigufted and alienated the Duke of Maymne, in whofe 
 hand the Arms and ftrength of the party were, and without whom, it was not to be 
 thought that any good could be brought to a conclufion : he teftified to the Sieur de 
 Jlhofne, that thofe things were done without his privity » praifed the Duke of Mayenne 
 for puni(hming the delinquents , and for his prudent moderation : and when the Duke 
 oiGuife came to him to Valenciennes, though he honoured him with all polTiblede- 
 monftrations , yet he refiifed to treat with him about any thing without his Uncle's 
 prefence and confent. He faw that all the reft of the party were ill grounded ■■> that 
 there was no fure foundation to be made upon the people i that the Nobility depended 
 upon the Duke, and the ftrong places were held by men that he confided in j that he 
 alone , with his prudence and valour , was fit to manage all the reft : wherefore he 
 affented not to the counfel of exafperating him, and putting him in defpair, from 
 whence he knew the refolution taken with the Duke of Lnram had proceeded > being 
 certain, that when heftiould once fee himfelf unable to keep up his dignity, and the 
 Place which he held, he would prefently make an Agreement with the King : nor did 
 he doubt but all other French-men , except fome few, would follow his counfel and 
 authority. Wherefore he faw clearly, that having a defire to profecute the delign that 
 was begun, it was neceffary to proceed llowly and cunningly, and not to put all things 
 in contufion, and the minds of the French in terrour and fufpition, by a precipice of 
 furious refolutions. 
 
 To this effed he wrote into Spain^ and gave the fame advertifement to the Mini- 
 fters of State that were in France \ though in both places they were of another mind, 
 and particularly, in the Council of Spain they thought that by fending fmall fupplies 
 into feveral Provinces, they (bould gain themfelves many dependents, alienating them 
 from the Duke of Mayenne, and that fo the War would be nouriftied and prolonged, 
 with lefs expencc and more advantage : to this purpofe they had granted alfiftance of 
 men to the Duke of Joyeufe in Cuafcogne, to the end that he might fuftain the War on 
 that fide near the Pirenean mountains : for this purpofe they had fent the Duke of Sa- 
 voy three thoufand Foot, and three hundred thoufand Ducats, that he might maintain 
 the War in Provence and Vauphine i and for the fame effedt they had fent Aquila's 
 tertia into Bretagne, to gain the Duke of Mercxwr \ who with that aflfiftanCe advancing 
 his own affairs, this year in the beginning of the Spring had almoft driven the Prince 
 oi Vombes out of the confines of that Province: but the Englifli being come, who 
 landed at Breji without any hinderances, bufineffes were equally balanced i fo that after 
 many petty encounters, which imported not much to the fum of affairs, the Armies 
 at laft came to face one another. 
 
 The Duke of Mercaeur was ftrong in Light-horfe led by the Marquifs de BeUe-Jjle, 
 Son to the Marefchal de Eetz, and powerful in Foot by vertue of the Spanifti Tertia^ 
 who were no lefs expert in Manufa(aures than in the matters of the War. On the 
 other fide, the Prince was accompanied with great ftore of Gentry, and therefore had 
 a good Body of Horfc, though in Foot, by reafon the Englifh were raw men, and the 
 French all Musketiers, he was not to be compared to the Army of the League : For 
 this caufe, though they were within half a mile of one another, the Duke kept him- 
 felf intrenched and encamped in mountainous woody places , advantageous for Foot » 
 and the Prince was drawn out into the field, where the Squadrons of Cavalry might 
 
 fpread 
 
 i5Pi» 
 
 * O^, Nitarji 
 
 The Duke of 
 Purma de- 
 clircs chat he 
 had not been 
 privy to the 
 commotion of 
 the Pirifiansj 
 piaifctihe D. 
 olMajintie fof 
 having puni- 
 flicd the de- 
 linquents- and 
 having met 
 with the Duke 
 of Guifr at Va- 
 Uficicnnes , re- 
 fufes to treat 
 with him 
 without the 
 prefence of the 
 D.of-Mifmae- 
 
 The Spaniards 
 •rant fmall 
 fupplies to di- 
 vers French 
 Heads of the 
 League,to ali- 
 enate them 
 frrm the Duke 
 of Miycne, 
 and divide 
 them from the 
 body of the 
 League. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Mercaur with 
 the Spaniards, 
 and the Prince 
 ofDiimtfiwitli 
 the Englilh, 
 face one ano- 
 ther in Brt- 
 tiffit.
 
 
 520 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5j?i. 
 
 the wncks at 
 Lant'iii', is 
 killed with a 
 Musket fhot 
 in cfac bead. 
 
 fprcad and enlarge thcmfelves as they pleafed : and neither of them being WiHing to 
 (fir from their advantage, (after three days of obftinate continuance in that manner, in 
 which time there happened many encounters) they both took a refolution to retire, 
 
 and went to befiegc feveral places. _ j , ,.7 •■ • i, • u l , , 
 
 But the King having about this time lent the Sieur de la None with eight hundred 
 Germans to allift the Prince as his Lieutenant in themanagingof the War, theyrcfol- 
 ved, being thus ftrengthened in Foot, to turn again toward the Enemy, and try fome 
 opportunity to get thebetterof him : but it was hard for them to meet i for the Duke 
 oi Mercxur, a difcreet wary Souldier, would not put all he pofleffed in the Province 
 (which was a great deal) into the power of Fortune i but having the afTiftance and 
 money of Spani^ endeavoured to tire out the Enemy i and on the other fide, la None 
 moderating the Princes forwardnefs with wife provident counfel, would not fufferhim 
 to incur the danger of a battel without manifeft advantage. Wherefore, after divers 
 encounters and various attempts on both fides, to bring the Enemy under, the Duke 
 at laft went to affault St. Maxtmin, and the Prince marched to befiege Lambale^ which 
 having battered, and with his Artillery made a convenient breach in the Wall, while 
 The siear dt the Sicur de la None went perfonally to view it, and the works of the Town, he re- 
 'toCi'wfil'e"° ceived a Musket-fliot in the head, of which he died within a few days after, having 
 breach and jn an inccnfiderable adtion (as it often happens) unexpectedly met death, which he 
 had not feared in fo many difficult and glorious enterprifes. He being dead, the King 
 commanded the Sieur deLavard'tn to go into Bretagne tofupply his place, who proceed- 
 ing with the fame counfels, though military encounters weremoft frequent thorow the 
 whole Province with variety of fortune, yet did they never come to the hazard of fight- 
 ing with all their Forces v but it fatisfied the Prince in fo vaft a Province, where his 
 Forces were inferiour to the Enemies, to keep his name alive, and the affairs of his 
 partv in being. 
 
 The Kings affairs in Vauphine were much more profperous, though the Duke of Sa- 
 voy^ of an unwearied mind and body, ufed his endeavours in thofe parts, with many 
 of his own Forces, and with ftrong fupplics from Spain -, but the greatcft ftrength of 
 the Province being on the Kings fide, under a vigilant, refolute, diligent, and valiant 
 Commander, who often obtained by policy what could not fo eafily be compaffed with 
 force, was the caufe that after the defeat of P««te-C/:7Mrr^ the League was almoft ex- 
 cluded out of Vaupbine , and the feat of the War began to be in the Duke of Savoys 
 own Country. 
 
 On the other fide, the fortune of the Savoyards was more fucccfsful in Trovence\ 
 for having MarfeiUes (if not wholly fubjed to the Duke, yet atleaftmoft partial to the 
 League) the Cities of Aix, Arks, and many other of the chiefeft at their devotion : 
 Bene being taken, they made themfelves terrible to the Province, in which Monfieur, 
 de la Valette with a finall force, could not equal their power i {b that Count Francefeo 
 Martinengo , after the taking of many Towns and CalHes, did without much oppofi- 
 tion, over-run that part that extends it felf along the Sea-(hore. But having at lafl 
 laid fiege to Vimn, whilfl he battered it with exceeding great fury, Monfieur de la Va- 
 lette being refolved to (hew more courage than he had flrcngth, and rather to truft 
 the affairs of the Province to the arbitrement of fortune, than to wafle himfelf with 
 retreating continually in all places, advanced that way with Seven hundred Horfe, and 
 not more than One thoufand and two hundred Foot, and having divided his men in- 
 to four Battalions, whereof one was put in the Reer for a referve and re-inforcement 
 to the reft, commanded by the Vifcount de Governet, he marched flreight without other 
 advantage to affault the Enemy, who being rifen from the fiege , and having part a 
 Rivulet that was between them, came refolutely to meet him. Nor was the confliii 
 unlike the valour of the Commanders j for it was obftinately fought on both fides 
 Count FrtfHKp with equel courage for the fpace of many hours, till the Vifcount entring frefli into 
 is dep'eTh, ^^^ battel with the laft Squadron of Horfe, referved for their utmofl hope in fo great 
 need , the Savoyards already wearied with long fighting, began to give ground to 
 the Enemy, who was frefh and eager » whereupon la Valette^s other Squadrons alfb 
 recovering vigour, charged them fo home, that they made them return full fpeed over 
 • ^^if"^' ^""^ ^^^ purfued them with a great execution, if the mutual loffes they re- 
 ceived had not perfwaded them to end the bufinefs v which while it was in the greatefl 
 neat, the Souldiers that were in Vimn, Tallying gallantly out of their works, affaulted 
 
 them 
 
 Monlieut tie la 
 Valetir, and 
 the fiege of 
 Viaen i> taifed
 
 of France. The T%velfth "Boo^ ^ ^^ i 
 
 them thatguaided the Savoyards Artillery, and having routed them, nailed feme 15^1. 
 great Pieces, fired a great deal of Ammunition , and did them many other mifchicfs. 
 This defeat curb'd the Dukes proceedings, and did for fometime fccure the Kings 
 affairs in Provence. 
 
 Nor was the War lefs hot in the Territories of Geneva v for the Sieur de Sancy, who The sicur dc 
 
 being retired to Bafil, to obtain fome number of Swifles in that Canton, having had ^""^ *^'"' 
 
 intelligence that a hundred thoufand Ducats were on the way from Milaa to make tTraifc men' 
 
 Levies in Germany, and that they were conduced by a few men , without any con- '" '''^^ *-*"" 
 
 fiderable Convoy, he laid an ambudi for them in the Forrcft of Bafil with fo good ii°"'rd oT o,,e 
 
 fucccfs, that he took the Money, and being come with it to Geneva, had in a few a" "J^ n'' '''•'"'' 
 
 dayes hired a Regiment of Swiffes of the Canton of Berne, where there being alfo th't were^'* 
 
 arrived three hundred Horfe raifed in the State oi Venice by Monfieur t/i? Mf/z the ^y^'J""s f""" 
 
 Kings AmbalTador to that Republick , and commanded by Count M«/7o Torto, and G',Zn\To\l- 
 
 TaHftnia Brazzoduro Vicentines, and Captain Nicolo Naji a Florentine, he had in a fliort "yf""'' '' "fj 
 
 ^- 11 • r /-' 1 11 ^ . ^ """'"* ""-'*>■ places himfclt 
 
 time recovered the territory ot Geneva, and was advanced to aflault the places that 'nambuftin 
 were held by the Savoyards ; during the fiege of one of which, named Boringes, fome u^Ais^thc^' 
 Companies of Neapolitans and Milanefes belonging to the Catholick King, and that convny/ana 
 were there to alTift the Duke of Savoy, marched up to difturb them ■■> but being fiercely Tafe uWewhe 
 charged by the Italian Cavalry, defirous to make themfelves remarkable in gallant ^°'''y- 
 adiions, they were routed and difpcikd, and Boringes furrendred it felfto the difcre- 
 tion of the Enemy. 
 
 In this interim Von Amadeo having rallied his Forces, advanced to flop the Ene- 
 mies incurfions, and being come near unto their Army, they fent back their great Can- 
 non to GfKf^^, and encamped themfelves inan advantagious place, keeping the top of 
 an Hill with the Body of their Army, and with their Van-guard a Wood that was at 
 the bottom of it. There Don Amadeo having difcovered how the enemy was quar- 
 tered,commanded forth his Van-guard to make themfelves Mafters of the Wood where 
 they of the Kings party making fmall refiftance, retired little lefs than routed 'to the 
 reft of the Army, which ftood in Battalia upon the wayes of the Hill : But the Itali- 
 an Cavalry going down into the plain field, violently charged,and rcpulfed the enemies 
 Van guard with the death of many i fo that they alfo retired in like manner half de- 
 feated to their main Body. But the Duke of Savoy knowing that in the ftrength 
 of narrow places, which fill the whole Territories of Geneva, his men could make 
 but fmall progrefs, with the hazard of receiving much damage "> while thefe Forces 
 imploded themfelves with thofe of Geneva, commanded Don Amadeo to retire and 
 onely fo defend his own, till the Supplies fhould cither be diirolved,or be fent for away 
 to other places. Nor was he deceived in his hopes •, for the Sieur de "^ Giutry who com- ♦ The French 
 manded the French forces, and the Italian Cavalry feeing the Savoyards retreated to ^'p^'"')- 
 defend their own, refolved togo and aifift the Marefchal d'Aumont in Bourbonnis where 
 he had much ado to refill: the Duke oi Nemours, a Prince, that with his ficrcenefs and 
 courage kept all thofe places which confined upon his Forces in very great terror. But 
 the progrcfs of the War was alfo weak on that fide i for the Marcfchal having attempt- 
 ed to beficge Autun, a Town, which, becaufe it was firong,and well manned,moleft- 
 ed all the Country round about > after many afTauIts and divers attempts, he was by 
 the Duke of Nemours forced to retire with no ordinary lofs. 
 
 About the fame time that theDukeof Mjjf««e was troubled in the bufinefs of the 
 Parifians, there was a Battel in the '^ Country of Cahors, where the Marquifs de ViUars * «i»trcj. 
 who governed the party of the League, and the Duke of Vantadour who held for the 
 King, encountred one another, with much Gentry on both fides, and with a very great 
 number of Foot i in which adion, after a valiant fight of two long hours, at lart they 
 of the Kings party had the better, and having flaia fix hundred of the Enemy, among 
 which were many Gentlemen of great renown, remained Matters of the Field, and of 
 the carriages > and afterwards took Cadenet, an exceeding ftrong place, and many other 
 lelTer Towns i in which bufineffes the courage of the Sieur delemines , and Captain 
 Vivans appeared moft clearly, the greateft meritof the vidory, and the progrefs of(b 
 fair atchievements being attributed to their valor. 
 
 While they labor thus with various fuccefs, in the other parts of the Kingdom, the 
 King marched with his whole Army toward Normandy, being, refolved to befiege Rouen, 
 as well becaufe of the promifes wherewith he had engaged himfelf to the Queen of 
 England, either to give her fome jurifdidion in that City, or to aifign her fome 
 
 X X X other
 
 ^2 2 ' The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1 5pi. other place upon the Sea fide j as out of a dcfign to reduce all that large and exceeding 
 rich Province to his party > for except Roaf« and Havre-de-Crace, there was no place 
 of moment that held not for him i and by reducing it to his devotion, beGdcs the ve- 
 ry confiderable profit which he fhould gain by the Imports and Revenues tViereof, He 
 abfolutely made himfelf Mafter of a large Country , full of great Towns , and a 
 great xnany Caftlcs ^ abounding in Gentry , numerous in people , plentiful in vi- 
 sual and fo fituate,thaton the one fide it was open to the Ocean, convenient for the 
 near 'Supplks of England ; and on the other, it extended it felf near the City of Pa-^ 
 rir, cutting off from it the paflage of the River Seine, which was moft important 
 for its prefent confervation i wherefore, being intent with his utmoft endeavours upon 
 this enterprife,he had given charge to the Marefchal de Biron ( who, when he went in- 
 to Lorain^ flayed behind with part of the Army in thofe parts_) to feek to polTefs him- 
 felf of all the places about it, and to make the greateft provifions he could of vidual, 
 ammunition, and other things neceffary for that fiege. Birox, after the taking of 
 Louviers, where he had found wonderful great lloreofcorn, which hecaufed to be 
 carefully kept , had aflaulted and taken Gournay ■■, and then palling further into the 
 Country of Caux , had likewife taken Caudebec, feated upon the River Seine, be- 
 tween Havre de Grace and Konen , and poflTeffed himfelf of the Caftle of £k, which 
 (lands upon the great high- way ofFicardy •■> after which fuccelTes, being already abfo- 
 lute Mafter of the field, he fet himfelf diligently to make provifions,ftoring up corn,fome 
 at Eureux,{bme at Ponteait de Mer, and moft of all at Pont de I' Arche^htauk it was the 
 ncareft place to Kouen. At Caen he caufed great ftoreof Tents to be made, and other 
 clothes for the Soldiers ufe. At Vief he gathered together plenty of Ammunition,and 
 of thofe Iron-inftruments that were fit for the intended fiege i and in all places bufi- 
 neffes went on with infinite diligence and order, but without any noife or apparent 
 ftir. 
 
 And yet there was not any of the contrary party, who perceived not that things 
 were fetting in order to befiege Kouen i and the Duke of Mayenne being confident that 
 that was the King's intention, did, with nolefs diligence bufie himfelf in making 
 thofe provifions that were fit for the defence of it i and to give it reputation, he had 
 The courfe fent his fon Hf «ry thither, to give fuch orders as were needful, to confirm the people, 
 tjiktn bythe and to give them affurance that they fhould not remain without relief. The Military 
 to"in otdtrl affairs, and the weight of the defence, he laid wholly upon the Sieur de Vihrs, a Ca- 
 ins, difpofing, valier not onely of high fpirit and courage, but abfolutely depending upon his name 
 thingsToK- and authority > who going firft to H^i/re ^^ Gr^cf, a Fortrefs abundantly furnifhed by 
 VT '''h h former Kings, and leaving the Government of it to the Sieur de Giiijon, who likewife 
 w?s'»oin»'to was z Provencal by birth, returned to Rouen with two and thirty pieces of Cannon of 
 /el<i»V°the ^'=^^'^^1 fi^^s, and with every thing neceffary to make ufe of them i all which he caufed 
 Ki^" aL/. to be carried in great Boats up the River •, and brought thither Six hundred Horfe of 
 that Country, and One thoufand and two hundred of thofe Provencal Foot, which had 
 long followed the War under his Command in thofe parts : and as a man to whom learn- 
 ing (which he was adorned withal ) fuggefted generous fpirits, and the experience of 
 many years, fupplied with wary prudent Counfels, knowing how much good, order is 
 wont to produce in Military affairs , and defiring therefore that all things might pro- 
 ceed with a due difpofal, under their proper Heads, and that every one might know 
 and execute his own Charge i he called all the Heads of the Clergy , the principal 
 men of the Parliament, the chief of the People, and the Officers of the Souldiery, 
 and diftributed to every one his part of thofe labours that were to be undergon in 
 their future defence. He deftined the Sieur de la Londe ("an old Soldier, well known 
 in the City, by having lived there many years) to the Office of Serjeant Major : to 
 the^LtltnctofSuCatherines Mount, wherein thefum of the bufinefs confifted, hechofe 
 the Chevalier Piccard with his Regiment,and two hundred other Musketiers command- ' 
 ed by the Sieur de Jejfan. The old Palace ftanding between the Porte de Chaux, and 
 the River Seine on the North-fide, he gave to the Sieur de Battquemare, firft Prefident 
 • The French of the Parliament, with One hundred SwifTers and Three hundred French: the old 
 thVEaft!'" ' Caflle,with the part ad joyning towards "^ Miii\tre^c. ailigned to his brother the Chevalier 
 '^^ ^yfii to whom he gave the Regiments of Colonel Boniface, and of Commendatory 
 Crillon--, and the Weft-fide toward the Fauxbotirg de St. 5 fi/fr^ beyond the River, he 
 gave to Captain Giacopo Argenti of Ferrara, with his Regiment : Carlo Siginolfi a Neapa- < 
 //>a« Engineer of great experience, commanded the Artillery j Captain £^jJ« the Fire- 
 works,
 
 of France. The Ti'^elfth 'BooJ^, 
 
 529 
 
 works, which were made in very great abundance : and at every Gate, one of the an- 
 cienteft Prefidents, and one of the Counfellors of the Parliament ailifted, as well for 
 fecurity as reputation. The Citizens were divided into Ten Companies , under ten 
 Commanders, chofen by themv whereof eight were to guard eight Bulwarks or great 
 Towers lined with earth, which were in the Circuit of the C'ty ; and the other two 
 had the Main-guard in the great Market-place ■-, and in the Palace of Juftice were 
 lodged two hundred Swiflers, and as many French Fire-locks , to be ready to help 
 where need (hould require. The Governor alfocaufed feme little Barks to be furnifli-' 
 ed with fmall Pieces of Artillery, and manned with twenty Soldiers to each of them, 
 as well on the upper as on the lower part of the Seine j which under the command 
 of their Admiral the Sieur d' Ancjnetil^ were to run up and down the River, to make 
 Prize of fuch VcfTels as (hould ftir, and to take Cattel and other provifions along the 
 banks of it, to keep the City in more plenty ofViftual. Two Counfellors of the Par- 
 liament, and two Deputies of the City, were employed in the diftributing of bread? 
 and the old Sieur ^^ Courfey had the care of delivering out the Ammunition. With this 
 order, very well contrived, and exceeding well executed, by the diligence of the Go- 
 vernour, and the experience of thofe to whom it was intrufted, things went on fo qui- 
 etly and fo happily , that during all the time of the fiege,there neither happened any 
 diforder, nor did any body fuffer for want of Vidual, the price of provifions not much 
 di/Fering from the ordinary rate. 
 
 Againft thefe provifions, the Marefchal de BiroH, after he had received Three thou- 
 fand Englifh Foot that had landed at Boulogne, and were led by the Earl of FJJex^hzd 
 under his Colours between Nine and ten thoufand Foot, and One thoufand and eight 
 hundred Horfe : and to give a beginning to the Siege, became and lay within fight of 
 the City, at a place called Darnetal , upon the Eleventh ofNovemher ; which day the 
 Cavalry of the Camp over-ran all the Plain, to the very Walls of tlie City, and of St Ca- 
 therine: Captain Burofeyz foldier of great valour, with Two hundred Horfe, and Colo- 
 nel Boniface with Five hundred Foot faliyed out at the Porte Catt-choife, and charging 
 hrik the Cavalry, and then the Regiment of Englifh, skirmiflied fiercely for many hours, 
 though at laft, being weary on both fides, they retired willingly without advantage 5 yet 
 the befieged vaunted of a happy beginning, by reafon of the death of a ^ Nephew of 
 the Earl of i^ff'ex, who, his courage having drawn him into the moft dangerous place 
 of the fight, was llain by Borofeyw'nh a Piltol-fliot in the throat. On the other fide. 
 Captain Ferdriel with Two hundred other Horfe, and Captain Bafm with Four hun- 
 dred Foot fallied at the Porte de Martinville, and having skirmiflied long with the 
 French Light-horfe, led by Francefco Orfmo Sieur de la Chappelle, they were forced to 
 retire, though they received not much harm, becaufethey were defended in their re- 
 treat by the Artillery of the neareft Bulwark. 
 
 But the Marefchal, as foon as he had entrenched Varnetal, to the end his Army might 
 lie fecure from the fprightly forwardnefs which he faw in thofe of the Town, fet him- 
 felf for fome dayes following ( without advancing towards the City J to divert the 
 courfe of ihe Robec, which little Rivulet running through the Field, and entering into 
 the Town, drove eleven Mills near the Porte St. HiHaire, to the great conveniency of 
 thofe within ; nor was it very diflicult to turn it another way, which would have 
 much incommodated the Town, and made them fuffer exceedingly, if ViVars, forefee- 
 ingthediverfionof the water, had not provided againft it before, by having caufed a 
 great many hand-mills to be made, which were continually kept going by the Country- 
 men, who, to fly the Enemy, were in great numbers gotten within the Walls. While 
 they wrought to divert the water, the Marefchal no lefs intent upon art, than he was 
 upon force of arms, held a Treaty with Captain Graveron, who was in the City, to get 
 into his hands the Porte de Beanvais^ which he was appointed to guard \ and this was 
 managed by a kinfman of his, who was one of the Marefchals fervants, and who before 
 the fiege had often gone difguifed into the City for that purpofe. But Graveron ha- 
 ving revealed the Treaty to the Governour, and received Orders to draw the Ene- 
 my by night into an Ambufh, he could not fain fo well, but that the art was difco- 
 vered •■> whereupon this treaty vanifhed with little damage on either fide. But the 
 next day the Chevalier Ficcard Tallying out from St.'Catberine's toskirmifli, and the 
 Earl of Ej(ffx with the Englifli coming out of the Wood of Titringe, they contended 
 with words no lefs than deeds: for Piccard upbraided the Hnglifli, that not ha- 
 ving courage enough to revenge the death of the Earl's Nephew, they fought to 
 
 X X X a advance 
 
 x^pu 
 
 The Marefchal 
 dr Bjfon layes 
 fitge to Keticn 
 Nov. 1 1. 1 59 1. 
 In the firfl 
 Skirmifh be- 
 fore Rrun,the 
 Earlof fj.i 
 his Nephew is 
 flainby Berc^ 
 fn. 
 
 * The Author 
 is a little 
 midakcn in 
 this paicieu< 
 lar; (or it 
 was the Fatl 
 of FJf.x his 
 Brother Sir 
 jr<i ttr d' £«- 
 reux. 
 
 A double pra* 
 aice is dif- 
 covcred, 
 which vanilb- . 
 et withoac tf- . 
 fca.
 
 524 
 
 The Eatl of 
 f/fx challen- 
 ges the Sifor 
 de Vill.irs to a 
 Duel, who re- 
 fufes it not ; 
 but refers ic 
 CO another 
 time, and fo 
 nothing is 
 
 done> 
 
 The King 
 with the reft 
 of the Army 
 comes up to 
 the fiege of 
 KDutv , be 
 fends a He- 
 Taid to fum- 
 mon the Town 
 but ii lefufcdi 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 * A Mount rai- 
 fed on purpofc 
 to plant Can- 
 non on Some 
 call ic a Cat. 
 
 * Otilloni ate 
 the roubd 
 fliouUcri at 
 the eodi of 
 the fices nf 
 Eaftions next 
 the Flanks, 
 which cover 
 the covered 
 Flanks; little 
 ufed in H^\. 
 Uni , but 
 much in hal) 
 and ftance. 
 
 advance their dcfigns by treachery , they came to ill language, and to give the Lye, 
 for which, as foon as the skirmi(h was ended, there came an Englifli Trumpet from 
 the Earl of Ejfex, to challenge the Governor i which the Chevalier Pixard (^who had 
 fpoke the words') having anfwered, it came not to a duel i for the Earl refufed to 
 fight with any other than the Governor i and the Governor, though he refufed him 
 not, yet he referr'd the Duel till another time, when he fhould be free of the charge 
 of that prefent defence, to which , as a publick caufe, he was both nrft and more 
 deeply engaged. 
 
 Ail the Moneth of November was fpent in continual Skirmiflies, and hourly encoun- 
 ters, the Marefchal in the mean time being imployed in fortifying his quarters, draw- 
 ing Artillery and Ammunition, and caufing provifions to be brought in > expcding 
 the Kings coming up to the fiege with the reft of the Army i who being come into the 
 Camp upon the third oiVecember^ fent an Herald to fummon the City i but being v; ~ 
 ry ftoutly anfwered by thofe within, the next day they broke ground to make thcu j- 
 proaches to the Wall. The King lay at Dametal with the Marefchal de Biron. and 
 the greateft part of the Nobility that followed him, having the Swiffers flankec* •■- ;• h 
 the Regiment of his Guards, for the defence of his own quarters. The Vifcount ds 
 litrenne (whom, in the right of his Wife, we will begin to call the Duke of £<;;.';//<;«) 
 was quartered on the right hand, with the Cavalry, and the German Infantry, fpread- 
 ing themfelves a great way in the Neighbouring Villages , upon the way that leads 
 toward Viepe. The French Infantry ( having loft the Sieur de Chajiillon , who was 
 wont to command it, he being dead a while before of a natural death) vi-as led by di- 
 vers Colonels of renowned fame, and lay clofe by the Germans i but on the right hand 
 of the King's Quarters, towards the Fotte Cau-choifi, zrxd the Porte deBeauvair. The 
 Englifh Foot lay on the left hand of the King, and the Swiffers entrenched under the 
 Woodof luringe, 32^ainti the Forte St, Hillaire, and the Mount o( St. Catherine : The 
 Baron de Giury, and the Sieur de la ChappeUe with the Light-horfe, fpred themfelves 
 on the left hand of thefe, upon the way that leads to Pont de P Arche, and thence to- 
 wards Paris. And the Count de Soiffons with Captain Kauht, beyond the River 
 Seine ( over which there was a paflage made by a Bridge upon Boats) were quarter- 
 ed right over againft the Fauxbourg of St. Severe. 
 
 When the whole Town was thus girt round, there beingneitherthe hinderance,nor 
 the conveniency of Suburbs ( for the Governor, at the arrival of the Army, had caufed 
 them to be burnt ) the King commanded Colonel St. Vents to take up his Poll in the 
 Church of St. Andre, which was the onely building that (becaufe it was built of 
 ftone ) remained yet ftanding, though they had endeavoured to demolifh it : but he 
 foon perceived that ViUars had forefeen the mifchief which he might receive from 
 thence, and provided a very convenient remedy: For two exceeding great Culverins 
 were difcovered upon a * Cavalier raifed within, which did (b batter that place, that 
 the French had fcarcely poflefTed themfelves of it, when they were forced to quit it. 
 This attempt having proved ineffedtual, the King began to caufe two Trenches to be 
 caft up, one to approach St Ca?/jm/?f/ Mount, which (being drawn from the Wood of 
 Jaringe) was wrought at by the Englifh ; and the other to end juft againft the Porte 
 St Hilaire, at which the French Infantry wrought by turns. But the Sieur de ViUari 
 ('befides the other works which were thrown up day and night, and by a great abun- 
 dance of Labourers, who within a fhort fpace had dammed up the Porte de St, Hi- 
 laire with Earth J having raifed a very high Cavalier clofe by it, filled the Moat with 
 Cafamats, and fortified the Counterfcarp with little Ravelines, had alfo before the Forts 
 of St. Catherine ( where the utmoft force of the fiege was applied) drawn a Breft- 
 work of eighteen or twenty foot thick, flanked with two Ravelines onely for the ufeof 
 Muskettiers, having neither Shoulders, •*■ Orillons, nor Retreats i and before this a 
 Moat of thirty foot wide, and ten foot deep ■■, which was a very fit obftacle to hin- 
 der, and keep in play the firft fury of the affailants : But befides thefe Fortifications, 
 finding the City firongly and fully manned, (for befides the Townfmen moft ready 
 upon fervice, there were in it Five thoufand Foot, and Twelve hundred Horfe) he re- 
 folved with frequent Sallies to trouble the enemy, fo that their Works fhould go on 
 but flowly i that manner of defence feeming to him very profitable, by reafbn of the 
 hmderance it gave to the enemies approaches i and very generous, by reafon of the 
 tame and honor which ( if they fucceeded profperoufly ) he fhould gain thereby : 
 Wherefore the two ttehches were fcarcely begun , when five Companies of Foot, fe- 
 
 conded
 
 of France. The Twelfth 'Boo^ 
 
 535 
 
 conded by Borffey with 120 Horfe, (allied out at the Porte Cauchoife -, and on the 
 other iide Three hundred Provencials armed with Corflets and Halberds, or Partifans, 
 flanked with a hundred French Firelocks, came down from St. Catherines^ and with 
 infinite violence aiTaulted thofe that were at work making the Redouts. On the one 
 fide the Englilli ran tooppofe this Sally •> and on the other. Colonel St. DenPi^ h Lu- 
 finte, and Pxrjbtre j and the fight grew fo hot on both fides, that it laftcd above three 
 hours with great execution, till the Baron deBironbdn^ come up with a Body of Four 
 thoufand Germans,and two great Troops of Horfe, fent back thofe of the Town, where- 
 of ( with the Sieur de St. Sulpice ) there were llain above forty i but on the Kings 
 party above Two hundred. 
 
 The Pioneers were terrified with this aflault, to which the crofsnefs of the weather 
 being added ( which firft with excellive Rains, then with very deep Snow and hard 
 Frofts, hindered all manner of working J the approaches went on but flowly ; and yet 
 the befieged , who with eafe and conveniency lay under cover, did not for the fame 
 difScuIties flacken the works they had begun > but every day, Cafamats, Trenches, 
 Ravelines, and Cavaliers, were fecn to rife, and their fallies were fo fierce, and made 
 to fbgood a purpofe, that they kept all the befiegers almoft continually in Arrr.s.Here- 
 in appeared moft clearly the prudence and valour of the Sieur deVillan^ who, though 
 he could not llir up and down without difficulty, being lame of one foot , would yet 
 himfelf in perfon C fometimes upon a pad- nag, fometimes upon a gallant horfcj be in 
 all encounters, furveying himfelf, and ordering and governing the adions of his men 
 by his own prefence : And amongft the moft courageous Salliers (at laft known alfo 
 to all the Kings Army) were Captain Borefey, Captain Bay5«, and one GoviUe a Prieft j 
 who much fitter for the exercife of Arms, then his Ecclefiaftical Fundtion, being bold 
 beyond meafure, and a defpifer of the greateft dangers, was ever the firll in all fal'ics 
 and as often as he chanced to encounter any one, man to man, he always got the vi» 
 ctory, with infinite appiaufe of his own party. 
 
 At lal: the approaches that were making at St. Catherines, were brought to pcr- 
 fe<flion, though they proved very ftreight, and had onely three Redouts » but they 
 were favoured on the right hand by a long battery of fourteen pieces of Cannon, and 
 on the left with feven more i but planted fo far off", that the Commiflaries that had 
 them in charge, did not care to fill their Gabions > yet under favour of their fliot,the 
 works were advanced fo forward, that they were brought to the Counterfcarp of the 
 Fortification that was newly made, which being fomething high, and the Trench of 
 the befiegers very ftreight at that end (all deteds of the Englifh Engineer) a great 
 number of men were flain by the inceflant ftorm of Muskct-lhot, which was poured 
 from thofe that were behind the Parapet of the fame Counterfcarp : Wherefore it 
 being neceffary to beat them away, and that not being to be done by day, in regard 
 of the defence which they received from theCurtine, from whence the Muskettiers of 
 the Fort with very good order (hot perpetually, the King coming peifonally into the 
 ■ Trench with three hundred Gentlemen, accompanied by four hundred gallant Fire- 
 locks, gave a fierce aJTault to that place in thegreate(t darknefsof the night, which it 
 not being polTible for the defendants to fuitain, they quitted the Counterfcarp, and ("as 
 Soldiers fay) filing ofFto the right and left hand, under favour of their Fortifications, 
 they retired into the Moat. Sir Koger iFilliams, a valiant Colonel, entred prefently with 
 Eight hundred Englifh,and Gabions being brought with wonderful fpeed, he covered 
 himfelf, working all night upon the edgeof the very Moati but the night following, 
 the Sieur de ViUars (having placed a Thoufand Muskettiers upon theCurtine, who, 
 without intermiilion, (hot even in the dark againit the angle of the CounterfcarpJ fent 
 forth the Chevalier Piccard, and Captain Bjfin, with Four hundred Provencals, and at 
 the head of them compleatly armed fixty Gentlemen defended with Targets, who fal- 
 ling on the fame way by which they had retired the night before, valiantly regained 
 that Port, beating the Englifh from thence, who being hailed upon with a thick (liower 
 of Musket-bullets, durft not (land up to handle their Pikes i but being terribly vext at 
 the affront they had received, prepared themfelves the two daycs following , and oil 
 the third at night aiTaulted the Counterfcarp fo precipitately in the King's prefence, 
 that the Defendants being driven out, they lodged themfelves there, and with infinite 
 fpeed and diligence fortified and covered themfelves more than fafficicntly. 
 
 The end of the Trench was thrown open into the Moat upon the 2^thof Pecew^fr, 
 and upon New-years Eve two Batteries were raifedi one of Fourteen Cannon, which 
 
 battered 
 
 i5P«' 
 
 One Onille a 
 Prieft, cti' of 
 the ftrutc.'* 
 Defend nt5, 
 noted toih by 
 the Kings f jr- 
 ty and kiiown, 
 a' of:en as be 
 fi^nij lir.glt, 
 flill 'ets the 
 viSory.
 
 526 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^1. 
 
 • Ot diggirg 
 tools. 
 
 battered the old Fort, and the other of feven, planted againfi: the new. Thefe, though 
 they thundered all the day , and continued all the night following, not to give the 
 Enemies leafure to repair their Works •, yet did they make but little progrcfs , the 
 Forts being all of good Earth, and newly turfed, and the Artillery being lower than 
 the Forts battered more weakly, and made much lefs impreffion. Wherefore, upon 
 the fecond day of the year 1592. they began to make a platform in the midft between, 
 the two Batteries, that they might play more ftrongly againft the Forts. The beficg- 
 ed would not pafs that night in idlenefs, but coming down between the Hill and the 
 City, affaulted the Trenches that were at the Counterfcarp of the old Fort j and ha- 
 ving put the Guards in confuilon, killed above Sixty of them, carried away many of 
 their ^materials, and would have thrown down all their Work, if Sir Koger fFilliams 
 making oppofition himfelf, with a few to fecond him at the Gorge of the firft Re- 
 dout, had not long fuftained the violence of the Enemy, for laying hold of a Pike, 
 and with him two Captains, an Enfign, and a Serjeant doing the fame, he fo bravely 
 flood the fury of the Aflailants, tliat a few other Soldiers working a little behind,made 
 a gap in the Redout, and frefli men ftill coming up, who at the noife of the fight ran 
 fo aifift their fellows, the heat of the affaultwas firft fuftained, and then other Squa- 
 drons of the Army coming one after another , they of the City were at laft forced to 
 give over the enterprife, and retreat , though with much gallantry and reputation : 
 Nor did the fight end becaufe they were retired v for with their Artillery, Harquebuzes 
 a Croc, throwing Fire- works, and a thoufand other way es, they ceafed not to moleft 
 and hinder the progrefs of the Battery. 
 
 At the other Trench, which was caft up againft the Torte deSt. Htlaire^znd finifh- 
 ed the third day of January, there wss a battery raifed of four piecesof Cannon and 
 two Culverins, which having found the Gate damm'd up with earth, and making no 
 progrefs that was confiderable, it was propounded to leave that place, and go to work 
 againft the Porte de Beauva'a that ftood lower » which propofition was favoured by 
 the French Colonels, becaufe the place was more convenient for them, and near the 
 quarters where they were lodged. But in the mean time, while the Commanders are 
 deliberating, and that the confultation, by reafbn of the contrary opinions, proves long, 
 the Clievalier d'Oyfe fallying at the Porte Cauchoife, aflaults that very Trench, and 
 in the mouth of it makes a great flaughter of the Soldiers of St. Denif, not being up- 
 held by his wonted condudt and courage, becaufe it being then in debate, whether 
 or no the Poft ftiould be quitted, he was gone to the Confultation, and to receive the 
 Marefchal de Birsn's Orders. The next day the Work was removed from thence 
 fomething lower, and the French ( out of emulation to the Englifti Foot, whom they 
 faw upon the Counterfcarp of St. Catherines ) with infinite diligence in a few dayes 
 brought the Trench to perfection '■> which after it was ended, and the Gate battered 
 with feven pieces of Cannon, Colonel St. Denis, without flaying till the breach were 
 made very large, prefented himfelf valiantly to aflault itj and at the fame time Co-' 
 lonel Viles with his Regiment falling out of the fame Trench, fet up many fcaling lad- 
 ders againft the Curtain which joyned to the fame Gate. The aflault was fierce, and 
 no Icfs fierce the defence : But the breach in the Wall being high and narrow, and 
 a thick cloud of fire works, ftones, and fcalding water pouring from the Curtain, the 
 aflailants were conftrained to retire, leaving above feventy of their Soldiers dead up- 
 on the place. This bufinefs happened upon the fourteenth of January. 
 
 W'hilft their Arms are couragioufly imployed on this fide, they that were on the 
 other fide of the River, at the Fauxbourg St Severe, having no other CommilTion but 
 to hinder the entrance of Men or Vidlual into the Town, made weaker and lefs bloody 
 skirmiiTies s in which the beiiegers having taken one Landon, a Lieutenant of Com- 
 mendatory Crillons Regiment, they laboured to corrupt him, and bring him to give them 
 a promife, that aflbon as he fliould have the Guard , he would let them into the 
 Fort of the Bridge which was upon the Seijie i Landon diflembling a confent unto it, 
 
 becaufe he had formerly ferved under Captain Raulet, and had received fome courtefies 
 
 o«''I'he"°oill''° 7°"" ^™' ^^^ ^^^ ^^ liberty ; and faining to keep his promife, upon the Eighteenth of 
 Janmry at night, behaving the Guard, gave the fign that was agreed upon, which 
 being underftood by thofe without, Captain Ratdet on foot compleatly arm'd with 
 t\venty Gentlemen, and thirty fire-locks, drew near to the Fort to be received in, the 
 Count (if Soijjhns ftanding in Arms with the reft of his Forces, intent to follow him 
 upon all occafions : But LandoK having difcovered all to the Governor, at the firft ap- 
 :-id pearance 
 
 tieuteiune 
 Lmdon being 
 t»kcn ptifo- 
 ntr by the 
 Kings party, 
 promifcs to 
 let tbciti in 
 at a Gate of 
 the City: but 
 being ret at 
 liber:y,hedif- 
 coveii theba- 
 finefs to the 
 
 appointed 
 takes Captain 
 Jiauitt and 
 others that 
 came for 
 that purpofc.
 
 of France. The Twelfth Too^. 
 
 P7 
 
 pearance of the Kings Soldiers , Tallied out of the Fort with fixty good men 5 and 
 fell fo fiercely on the Enemy, that the reft running away, frighted at that unexpefted 
 encounter, Captain Raielet who flood to it, was taken prifoner by him j and the 
 Count de So?Jfens advancing to difingagehim, could not come time enough toeffedt 
 it. But about this time there was another intelligence, which was not fained , held 
 ■with the Sieur U Feuntaine ■•, which being difcovered and revealed by one Mauclere 
 an Advocate, who was converfant in the fame place, all the accomplices were taken 
 and condemned to the Gallows- 
 
 They wrought now more diligently in many places than they were wont •, for the 
 Foldiers had already (for their own honour ) taken an affedtion to the enterprife, and 
 the emulation between the Nations made the Work go forward with greater fpeed : 
 To increafe the which, the King having taken a new Port between St. Catherines and 
 Mirtinville, quartered 3000 German Foot there, who laboured no lefs than the reft to 
 make their approach with the Trench to the Counterfcarp of the Moat. On the other 
 lide, the befieged, encouraged by the profperous fuccefs of their Sallies, agreeing among 
 themfelves in all things belonging to the defence,raoved by the Governors example,who 
 putting his hand to all imployments,was prefent at all things i and follicited by la Londe^ 
 who with unwearied vigilancy went about, and provided againft all wants in all places > 
 laboured continuaIly,fometimes to make up their Works which the Artillery had beaten 
 down, fometimes in raifing new Forts, and making new Cafamats, fometimes to put in 
 order warlick inftruments and Hre-works j but above all things, they were diligent 
 and forward upon Sallies, to which not onely the Soldiers ran with infinite readineft 
 but many times even the Companies of the Townfmen alfo : So that upon the one and 
 twentieth day,fallying out of the Porte Canchoife on the one fide, and out at the Porte de 
 Mjm/.w7/e on the other, they made an hot and furious conflidt: But the King having 
 caufed fome Field-pieces to be fecretly planted on the flank of his Poll,they were driven 
 back by the violence of them with great lofs, leaving flain the Lieutenant of the Go- 
 vernors Guards,two of the City Captains, and above 30 foldiers. Much more dangerous 
 was the encounter that happened on the three and twentieth day, when 3ooHorfeand 
 1000 Foot fallying out at the fame Gate, divided themfelves into feveral places i for 
 the Cavalry went toward the field which leads ftraight to Darnet.il^ to attacque the 
 Regiments of Guards in their Quarter, and the Foot to march more covertly, entered 
 into the dry channel of the Kobec^ and came to the Wood of Iminge to the Englifli. The 
 fight began about noon, weak at the hrft, becaufe CriUon Colonel of the Guards was 
 fcarce able to get an hundred of his men together, and the Englifh (hooting coldly at 
 a diftance, did not clofe up refolutely with the Enemy, but afterwards by the coming 
 up of the Commanders, the adion rofe to fuch a height, that at laft it proved to be like 
 a Battel: For the Baron </e' £/>«« and Francois de Montmorancy Sieur dtt HaJJot with 
 two Squadrons of valiant Gentlemen ailifted in both places, and the Baron de Ciury^ 
 and la CbappeUe with the Light-horfe ran to reinforce their party : And on the other 
 fide, Villars feeing the danger of his men, who were' advanced very far,came forth him- 
 felf to fetch them off, with Borefefs and Ferdriel^ Horfe, and the Sieur de la Londe 
 followed him with the Regiment of Giocopo Argent^ and three Companies of the 
 Townfmen i wherefore fighting in every place as in a pitcht Field, the fervice grew 
 very dangerous and bloody, frefh numerous fupplies coming up on all fides to thofe that 
 fought. But the King who being at that lide towards the Battery of Martinville, 
 was advanced with a few Horfe, paiTing with great danger over a little bank that was 
 wont to flop the courfe of the Kobec , to the place where the fight was, having heard 
 that the Sieur du Hallot, wounded with a Mufquet-fhot in the thigh, was carried to 
 the next Quarter , and that the Baron de Biron hurt C though but flightly ) in the 
 face, was in great danger of being flain, he prefently fent forth the Duke of Bouillon with 
 a Squadron ofKeiters to relieve his Forces, by whofe fury Villars his Horfe being kil- 
 led under him, he himfelf hurt flightly in one of his hands, and many of thofe that 
 were about him knocked down, he had wonderful much ado to retire under the Artil- 
 lery of the Walls. In this adion were killed Captain Laurier, the Sieur de Flumetaut a 
 Gentleman of the Country of Ca«x, B(?/V-P?</fi« a Captain of Horfe, the Governoars 
 Captain of his Guard, the Sieur de Molart, and Brebion, with above an Hun- 
 dred Soldiers : And , on the King's fide were flain above an Hundred and 
 fifty , and many more wounded i among which Crillon the Colonel of the Guards 
 
 having 
 
 i5?i» 
 
 Another pra- 
 flice, but not 
 a fiined one, 
 is difcnvered, 
 and tbofi: that 
 are guilty 
 condemned to 
 tbc CaUovrs. 
 
 There filly 
 cut of Rcutfi 
 1000 Fooc,and 
 $09 Horfe. 
 
 TheEiroB de 
 BrfB wound- 
 ed. 
 
 The Skirmilh 
 increafed al- 
 mofl to a Bac- 
 tel ; many 
 Commander J 
 are either kil- 
 led or wound* 
 ed, and the 
 Sieur de Vil- 
 lars alfo being 
 hurt, hath 
 much ado to 
 retire to the 
 Walls under 
 the protedion 
 of his own 
 Cannon«
 
 528 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 »5?2. 
 
 « A Skyt-gate 
 is thic gap ia 
 
 the I'atitj't 
 where the 
 month of the 
 Cannon lies 
 out, called in 
 French i'Em- 
 hraffure, ct 
 Cannoniete. 
 <lov\lle the va- 
 liant Prieft is 
 Icillcd with a 
 Muikei flioc. 
 
 having received a dangerous fhot with a brace of Bullets under the elbow, remained a 
 long time difabled for fervice. r , ^ i r- rr ^ 
 
 The fame night the Chevalier de VarttevtUe, ot the Order of Jerufalem^ died in the 
 City of his wounds formerly received i and the Chevalier Piccard , being fhot with a 
 Cannon-bullet in the thigh, departed this life within a few daycs after. This lofs 
 was increafed by the death of Captain Bafw^ that with much honor had engaged 
 himfclf in all cccafions, who looking out at a •* Skyt-gate to difcover the Enemies 
 works, was hit with a Musket-bullet on the forehead, and lay dead a good while be- 
 fore any body took notice of it. GoviUe the Prieit was likewife flain in a skirmifh 
 the next day ; for having ftrained his foot in getting up a Work, and being thereby 
 necellitated to retire foftly, he was overtaken by many, and after having long de- 
 fended himfelf,Ioft his life bya Musket-fhot in the throat. The number of the De- 
 fendants being very much decreafed by the death of thefe, they flackned their fai- 
 lles, and therefore the approaches of the Army ftill advancing , the affailants were in 
 many places fortified upon the Counterfcarps, and at the old Fort of 5'^ C<i*/)f r/w, and 
 under the Curtine of MartinviUe^ having alfo paffed the Moats, they were working 
 Mines under the Walls v and at the Porte de BeauvaU they had already fprung a 
 Mine, though with but little effed: Which Works being diligently haftned by the 
 Marefchal de Biroa, the Soldiers laboured with fo much ardor, that by the fap they 
 brought themfelves under the Bulwark of the old Forti and having reduced it all up- 
 on props, the Commanders believed that without Powder it would all fall of it felf^ 
 as foon as the props fliould faih wherefore, having drawn up two Squadrons in a 
 readinefs to goon to the aflault, the props were fet on firej but the Earth, which 
 was admirably good, and well beaten, funk down fo gently, that without opening it 
 felf, or falling in pieces, it onely funk down upon the ground, the Bulwark remaining 
 lower.^ but not broken, nor difcompofed on any fide, which was the caufe, that with- 
 out any further attempt the Foot returned all into their Trenches. They then began 
 to make a Mine in the fame place, to do that tffcA which could not be done with 
 the Props, and in the mean time the Germans alfo wrought under the Curtine of 
 Martinville ; in which place la FouHtahte-Martel, and AgHsviUe^ a young Gentleman of 
 that Country, drawn by the emulation that was between them, fallied out at one of 
 the Skyt-gates of the next Bulwark, each with ten Firelocks, and twenty Corflets,and 
 gallantly afTaulted the principal Avenue of the Trench i but being exceeded by fo 
 much a greater number, and there being no means to help thera from the Walls, bc- 
 caufe the Works were beaten down, after a long and gallant fight, wherein almoft all 
 their men were flain , they had much ado to get themfelves drawn up at the fame 
 Skyt-gate. The Mine at the old Fort was already perfected , and was to be fprung 
 the next morning, when Colonel Boniface going the Round to vifit his Guards in the 
 ftill filence of midnight, heard the noife of the working in that place, and having caufed 
 many Fireworks to be caft into the Moat, to difcover what the Enemy did •, thofe fires 
 running up and down, and fcattering themfelves into many places, by chance found 
 the mouth of the Mine, and gave fire to it before the time, in fuch manner, that tht 
 blaft ftriking backward, and carrying part of the Bulwark with it, burjied and over- 
 whelmed with Earth all the out-guard, and hurt many of thofe that were preparing 
 themfelves againft morning, to give the affault j yet the ruine was fo large, and the 
 Farthfo overturned at the point of the Bulwark, that it might eafily have been afTault- 
 ed, if that fudden accident, and the death of the chiefeft of them, had not terrified 
 the affailants i fo that the Baron de Biron, who was to give the fign for the affault, not 
 being in the Trench, and the Foot that were to make it not being drawn up in readi- 
 nefs, the tarl of EJfex and Sir Koger iFilliams ftanding firm upon their Guards, fenff 
 away in hafte to receive Orders what to do, and in the mean time the Defendants 
 with facks full of Earth, and brufh Faggots, repaired the breach in a fhort fpace. 
 
 But the fiege of Kouen^ by reafon of the importance of it, had from the beginning 
 bred great anxiety in the Duke of Mayeme, who being departed from P^ris , anS re- 
 turned to the Army, had difpatched the Sieur deKofne to Landrecy, where the Duke 
 of Parma then was, to folicite his coming, or at leaft to know his refolution. The 
 Duke of M(7»/f »i<?ra<z«o and CommifTary M^«f«cc/, had alfo difpatched /^;»e«m Maria 
 PaUavtcino to him, to let him know, that if he by the midfl of December were not en- 
 tred with his Army upon the Confines of France , they had a Commiilion from Rome 
 to disband their forces > and likewife Diego d' Ivarra was gone thither , as we-ll to in- 
 form
 
 (?/" France. The Tn^elfth "Boo^ 5 2d 
 
 form him of the bulinefs that had fain out in Parir^zs toreprefent unto him the im- I5P2« 
 pnrtance and danger ot the fiege, already laid before Kmc^n. The Djke governing 
 himfelf according to his Commillions, and his own defign, never to let the Kings par- 
 ty have fo much the better, that the League fhould be fupprefTed by it j and feeing that 
 he could no longer delay to aiTift the Duke of Nlaysnn;^ he refolved to do it, but 
 ftill perfevering in his determination, not to (hew any interefled end, but fimply a de- The Duke of 
 fire to fuccor and fuftain Religion, that he might not pufrthings in diforder, and be- P-'wiisofo- 
 get an unfeafonable jealoufie in the French. Vtte^o «i'Jz;,;jrM was of another mind •, who cor'°"hr°'"'^ 
 by his own opinion, and that of the other Miniftcrs who were mh ranee ^ perfwaded ^"S"' > with- 
 <hat upon occafion of the prcfent ncceflity, which was moft urgent, the Duke of 3ryocheTe"na 
 M'.yenne^ and the other French Lords fliould be conftraincd toaflemble the States, {f Y„'''*^ "'^^ 
 and caufe the Infanta Ifabella to be declared Queen, who fhould afterward , with Di^fd'^iJlTra. 
 the confent of the Confederate Princes, take fuch an Husband as fhould be refolved ''"'".''' j^ ''"' 
 on j w'^ich coming to pafs, he thought beft tofpendwith a free hand, and with all be'ing'in"^'"' 
 their Forces to alTault the King, and never to draw off their Army from him till he t'h?m''to«[i" 
 \Vas ablblutely fuppreffed and overcome. But the Duke, though he knew this to be an AflimWy 
 the lart intention of the Catholick King, and of the Spanifh Council, did not judge the aLuo/ccTaVe 
 prefent time feafonable for that bufinefs, as well becaufe the French Lords ( holding tbeixf.tmai- 
 themfelves deceived, and that upon occafion of their prefent exigency, they meant to ^/'f^;,^""" 
 bring their necks into a noofe) would, in defpair, caft themfelves into the Kings mercy, 
 who, with many inticements fought to make them his friends i as alfo, becaufe there 
 was not time to manage that defign , with that patience and dexterity it required, 
 while R««f« was already befieged, and the necelTity of relieving it admitted no delay. 
 The Spaniards, and particularly Viego d' Ivarra ( a man of a moft fiery wit, and natu- 
 rally of a flinging tongue) added, that the Duke of P«rwj« being an Italian, (for his 
 own interefl, and that of the other Italian Princes) did not defire the fo great growth 
 of the Spanifh Monarchy, and that therefore he went interpofing doubts and delays, 
 no lefs than the French Lords did : But the effedls of after-times have clearly fhown, 
 how prudent and profitable the Duke o( Pjrmj''s opinion was ; who being refolved to 
 help in the fo great need of the Confederates, was come toGulfe^ where he met with 
 the Dukes of Mjy?nne and Montemarciam^ and having left Count Mansfelt in the Go- 
 vernment of the Low-Countries , gave order to his Son , Prince Raunuc:io , and 
 the other Commanders , to draw together, and lead the Army toward the Con- 
 fines. 
 
 The Duke could do no lefs, than give the Duke of Mayenne and the refl, a touch 
 of what King Philip had with his own mouth, fpoken to Prefident Jeannin : That 
 it was thenceforth necefTary not to do things by chance, and without a determinate 
 end, but to affemble the States i who (having underftood the Catholick Kings inten- 
 tions, which he would caufe to be made known unto them by new Ambaffadorsjfhould 
 refolve upon future things, which could not alwayes go on in the prefent uncertainty : 
 And when he faw that the Duke o( Mjyetine anfwered him very coldly to that par- 
 ticular, he caufed it afterward to be fpoken of to him by Prefident Riccardotto^ one of 
 his Counfellors i but the Duke not refufing the Convocation of the States, faid, it was 
 necefTary to refer it till another time, and that firft it fhould be treated on with the 
 Dukes of Lorain^ Nemours^ and Mercceitr^ and that the ends to which they fhould una- 
 nimoufly tend fhould be agreed upon, left they fhould proceed indeed by chance , and 
 caufe fbme divifion among the Confederates : Which reafons being very conformable 
 to the fenfe and opinion of the Duke oi Parma, and having obferved, that at thispro- 
 pofition, all the French Lords were put in fufpence, and no lefs than they. Madam 
 de Guife^ who was then prefent, he feemed to remain fatisfied, and impofed filence to 
 that point » but fell onely to demand h Fere for his retreat, whither he might bring 
 all the Artillery, Ammunition, and Baggage of his Army, it not being fit that they 
 fhould remain open to the Enemies incurfions i and that he, advancing into the bow- 
 els of a.i enemies Country, fhould not have one place whither he might retire at his 
 pleafure. There was enough to do to obtain this point » for the Duke of Mayenni 
 refufed to alienate any place from the Crown : But having difcovered , that the Vice- 
 Senefchal de Montelimar, Governor of that Fortrefs, held intelligence with the Spani- 
 ard, doubting, that they howfoever would get it againft his will, he was at lafl con- 
 tented that the Duke fhould bring in his Arms and Artillery thither,and that he fhould 
 leave a Garrifon thereof Five hundred Walloons, paid by the Catholick King, but 
 
 Y y y ftill
 
 530 
 
 The Htjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5J»s 
 
 Pope GngO'l 
 the 14th dies : 
 
 Unio fjchi- 
 ntiio Cardinal 
 of Smii QitJt- 
 u<\ fuccecds 
 with the name 
 of Innocent the 
 yih. Hit in- 
 clinations con- 
 cerning the 
 affairt of 
 FrJixt, 
 
 Hill under the fame protedion of the Crown, the fame French Magiflrates refidirgto 
 adminillcr Tuftice i and not fatisfied with that , he would alfo have a bill of the 
 Duke of Parma's hand, to leave it free to him again whenfoever he fliould draw forth 
 
 his Artillery. r • r ri.- 
 
 The D. of Farina about that time gave great fatisfaccion to the Confederates by a 
 very prudent and generous adlion i for certain Deputies being come to him from the 
 City of Orleans, to let him know, That their Citizens (not having wherewithal to pay 
 the foldiers of the Garrifon, who were many months behind, and feeing that the D. of 
 Miyen>ieh2d no great care of their intcreftsj were defirous to put themfelveS under the 
 Catholick King's proteftion, being ready to receive what Garrifon he fliould think fit : 
 he reprehending them for Peeking to fwerve from the obedience of the Lieutenant of 
 the Crown, refufed to accept of them, though Juan Baptijia T^J/z/^and Viego iP Ivar- 
 ra were of a contrary opinion i to whom he aofwered, that if they thought to get pof- 
 fcllion of the Crown o( France, by reducing the Cities one by one, the World would 
 be at an end before they had abfolutely gain'd it, and that it was neceflary toftrike at 
 the root, and not bufie themfelves in pruning off the boughs. 
 
 Matters being fet right with the French Lords, it was neceflary to fet them right 
 alfo with the Minifters of Kome-, for after the death of Gregory the XIV''', Giovanni^ 
 Antonio Fac hi netto Cardinal of Santi ^attro being chofen Pope, who took the name of 
 Innocent the IX''', the affairs of the League feemed not to be hearkened to by him with 
 the fame inclination wherewith his Predeceffors had imbraced them i for he tqld both 
 the French Agents and Spanish Minifters freely, that he would not ftir to give any re- 
 lief to fn<«ce, till a free Catholick King (but fuch acne as was generally liked bf) were 
 chofen i whereby he Xeemed to point at a Prince of the Blood-Royal i for ScipiaBalba- 
 ni had communicated the Cardinal of Bourbon's defign to many, and their mindes were 
 much entangled with its nor was the Pope himfelf much averfe from this newr 
 thought: whereupon, being earneftly follicited to affift the fo urgent neceflities of the 
 League, and not to forfake the caufe of Religion v he anfwered, that he could not make 
 the Print of the foot longer than the foot it felf, and that the expences made by his 
 Predeceffor exceeded the abilities of the Apoftolick See, and that he would contribute 
 Fifteen thoufand Ducats a month till bufineffes were fetled, after which fettlemen the 
 would ftrain himfelf to do the moft that the ftrength of the Treafurv (hould be able to 
 bear j which things written into France by many, did not onely difturb the mindes of 
 the French Lords, but alfo made the Duke of Monte-Marciano, and Commiffary Mat- 
 teucci doubtful, which way they (hould carry themfelves. Neverthelefs, he created 
 the Eifliop of P/iicfwzij Cardinal, and appointed him Legat in France, as a tT,an expe- 
 rienced, and who already had the management in his hands, it being comrrionly faid. 
 That new Minifters do maim bufineffes, before they have time to underftand and ap.- 
 prchend them. The Legate being chofen, he wrote, that if the Duke of Farma. 
 came into the Kingdom by the fifteenth of Vecemhtr at the fartheft, then the Forces 
 cf the Apoftolick See ftiould follow his Campi but if he cntred not within the faid 
 term, they fhould certainly be disbanded : which did not much pleafethe Spanifh Mi- 
 nifters, who faw the Pope little inclined to follow their ends-, but mucl^ 'ffs the 
 Duke of Mayenne, who faw he could not hope for thofe Aids that were fit foi ms de- 
 fign. But his death, which happened in the fecond month of his Popedom, did fo 
 confound the mindes of the Legate and the reft, that the Duke of Farma was necelli- 
 tated with his entreaties and authority to conftrain them to follow him in the prcfent 
 Opon the 4th need, and to promifc the Swiffers to pay them with his own money, if they were not 
 
 of Tfitury r »• 1: J 1. 1 T^ ' 
 
 M»i, the latished by the next Pope. 
 
 mab!in^" come ^" ^^'"8* being thus fetled , and the Forces drawn from all parfs,the Armies joyred, 
 intoFra°«, and advanced with eafie marches towards NeJIe •, where, being arrived upon the fourth 
 tnth'tTpopcs ^^ J-fi'ifary, the Duke of Parma would needs make a general Rendezvous of his Forces, 
 indtheFtench which he muftcrcd, and caufed to be paid a weeks pay, and likewife the Duke of 
 KctThi'sTrl Cayenne, the Count «^f Vaudemont, and the Duke of Monte-Marciano reviewed their 
 Forces-, and for that purpofe, and to ftay for the Artillery and Ammunition, which 
 moved more flowly, they lay twelve dayes in the fame Quarters. They fet forward 
 uponthe fixteenth in the morning, and by the way of Amiens (though the longer, yet 
 the better, and more abundant in provifionsj marched dire(a:]y toward Kouen. When 
 they had paffed Amiens, and left behind them the River Somme, the Dyke of 
 rarm* would needs diftribute the parts of his Arniy, and march continually 
 
 in 
 
 The death of 
 Pope Inmicnt 
 the Ninth. 
 
 my. Upon the 
 1 6th day the 
 Confederates 
 inarch to re- 
 Jieve RdUfH, 
 with 14000 
 Foot,aD(i£ooo 
 Horfe.
 
 of France. The Twlfth 'Book. 
 
 531 
 
 in battalia, fi nee they entred into an Enemies Country, full of uneven places , Woods 
 and little Rivers i for which caufe he would not expofe himfelf to the danger of be- 
 ing afTaulted unawares by the King's readinefs and celerity, which by part experience 
 was exceedingly well known unto him. There were in the Army about Six thoufand 
 Horfe ■■> eight hundred Reiters commanded by the Baron of Srvarzembourg, Two thou- 
 fand Light-horfe fin the abfencc of the Duke oi Pajiranj) commanded by Gtorgh 
 Bci/ti CommifTary of the Cavalry, Four hundred Flemifli Lances under the Prince of 
 Chimais^ An hundred Italian Lances of the General of the Church, led by his Lieute- 
 nant Loduvico MeUi i Seven hundred Lorain Lances and Cuiraffiers commanded by the 
 Count de Vaudemont i and Two thoufand Horfe of the French Gentry, that followed 
 the Dukes oi Mdyenne and Gmfe , and the other Princes and Lords of that party. 
 The Infantry amounted to the number of 24000, whereof Two thoufand Swiflers ; to 
 fu fmall a number were they reduced that were raifed by the Church i Three SpanilK 
 Ttrtia's under Antonio Zuniga ^ Lodovico Velafco, and Alonzo Idiaqiies ■■) Two of Ger- 
 mans, under the condu(S of the Counts of BarUmont and Arembergh j Four of Wal- 
 loons, under Monfieur du Vert., Count OCtavio Mansfelt., the CountVe Bri(p/,and Colo- 
 nel Claude de la Berlotte i Two Tenia's of Italians, that of Camillo Capizucchi's, and a 
 part of that which formerly was Pietra Gaetane's, led by his Serjeant Major, and Four 
 thoufand French, under the Sieurs^f Bois-Vauphine and Balagny^ and Colonel St.Faul. 
 This Army was divided into three Battalions j the Van-guard led by the Duke of 
 Gaife, accompanied by the Sicurs de Vitry, and de la Chajire ; the Battel, in which were 
 the Dukes of P arma, znd Mayetine, the Count de Vaudemont, and the Duke of Mi;«^f- 
 marciano; and the Kere-guard, commanded by the Duke of Anmale, and the Count 
 de Cbaligny with many other Lords. The firft flying Squadron of Foot was led by 
 Camillo Capizucchi, wherein were all the Italians i the SwifTers guarded the Artillery, 
 which were under the command of the Sieurs de la Motte and Baffi/mpierre j Georgia Bw 
 fti with a good Body of Carabines and Light-horfe marched before the whole Army , 
 to fcowr and fecure the waysi and the Sieur de Rojhe had the charge of Serjeant- 
 Major-General. 
 
 The King having heard the news of the coming of the Army of the League,confuh- 
 ed maturely what was to be done i and having the example of Paris before him , re- 
 folved to leave the Marefchal de Biron with all the Infantry, and part of the Cavalry 
 before Rotten to continue the fiege,and to go himfelf with a good Ihength of Horfe to 
 meet the Enemy i not to fight with them in the open field, but to hinder them upon 
 PafTes, to retard and interrupt their march, and to lay hold ofthofe opportunities 
 which the quality of lituations, and the motions of the Confederates (hould afford. He 
 was perfwaded to this refolution by finding himfelf fo ftrong and powerful in Horfe : 
 for the Duke of Nfwrj, the Duke of LongneviUe, the Count de St. Paul, and many 
 other Lords being newly arrived at the Army, there were in all above Ten thoufand 
 Horfe , and in the Camp between Seven and eight and twenty thoufand Foot i where- 
 fore the King putting confidence in this number , left the major part of the German 
 Cavalry, hard to be governed, and alio fome number of the French in the Camp be- 
 fore Kouen i and he himfelf with 2000 Cuirafliers, Five hundred light-horfe, A thou- 
 fand Reitfr/ commanded by the Vnnct oi Anhalt, and 2000 Harquebuzicrs on horfe- 
 back, departed upon the nine and twentieth of January to march up toward the Lne- 
 my. 
 
 At his arrival at FolleviHe, a little Town at the entring into Picardy, he received in- 
 telligence,that at that very time the Enemies Army keeping the right way toward Rouen, 
 was pairing a little lower, toward the Field that encompalTes the palTage of the great 
 high-way : Wherefore, having fent the Sieur deR.imbures before with Fifteen Light- 
 horfe to make difcovery, he drew out theGraW Efquire with Forty Gentlemen upon 
 the right hand, and the Sizut de Lavardin with Thirty upon the left, and he himfelf 
 in the mid ft with Sixfcore Horfe advanced , that he might conveniently view what or- 
 der the Army of the League kept in marching i when they had advanced in this 
 manner little lefs than a League, L^i'W/w difcovered fome Spanifh Foot, whorefting 
 themfelves under a Tree, had fet up their Pikes round about it i and being about to 
 draw near to fall upon them, they on the right hand perceived two lirong Troops of 
 Horfe ( which had been upon the Guard at the end of the high-way) were already 
 moving towards them i wherefore crying out that the fruit of the Tree was not ripe, 
 they were the caufe that Lavardia taking notice of the Enemy, turned courageoully 
 
 Yyy 2 about, 
 
 I5P2, 
 
 The rfcfcripo 
 tion of the 
 Confeierat? 
 Ariny. 
 
 TUe Kings 
 Army before 
 Kiurn a. 
 mounts to 
 1 0000 Horfe, 
 and aboYC 
 17000 Foot, 
 
 The King at 
 FvllevilU' ha- 
 ving intel]i> 
 gencc chat the 
 Army of the 
 L;aguc vras 
 marching 
 near,aitvanced 
 with fome 
 Horfe to view 
 it, and being 
 met with tw» 
 Troops of the 
 Entmy.skir- 
 milhcs, and 
 retires with 
 all his men to 
 Biricvitle,
 
 5? 
 
 15?!' 
 
 7 he Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Thf King "0- 
 in'' irom J*«- 
 TMlt wich a 
 few Lordt to 
 difcovcc the 
 enemy , is 
 fotceJ tofisht 
 upon the fud- 
 dcn in difor- 
 dcr J yet not- 
 withftanding 
 after a iliorc 
 lefiftancfjpuis 
 ihcm CO flight. 
 
 about, and at the head of his men, moft valiantly charged them •, who, having in the 
 firft encounter killed his horfe under him,madea brisk On-fet on both (ides upon him » 
 but the right was fliort ', for the King being come up with his Troop, the Horfe of the 
 League retired to their main Body. Then faw they the whole Army as it layftili, 
 but the Guards being diligently placed through all the Field, the King found that he 
 could notcomenearerthem,and therefore being joy ned with thereftof his men, here- 
 tired that niglit to Berteville. 
 
 From thence following his defign, became upon the fourth of February to Aumale, a 
 Caftle feated upon a River, which divides the Confines of Picardy from upper Nor- 
 mj>idy, where he quartered all his men in the Suburb i and the next morning, be- 
 ing dcfirous himfelf to fee the order, and view the Camp of the Enemy, he advanced 
 in pcrfon with the Archers of his Guard, two hundred other Light-horfe, and three 
 hundred chofen Gentlemen, upon the way which the Army of the League marched, 
 leaving the care of the reft that were in Aumale unto the Dukes of Neveri and Longue- 
 ville. But as it often hapned to that Prince, (that being led on by his courage,and the 
 curiofity of making difcovery with his own eye, in the firft ranks of his Soldiers, he was 
 fuddenly entangled wonderful great dangers) fo it fell out that dayj for having 
 paft a field exceeding full of Vineyards, which fpreads it felf from Aumale beyond the 
 River, to the bottom of a Hill, and being gone up the fteep thereof to the top, where 
 there is a fpacious Plain , he fell unexpeftedly among the Avant Coureurs of the 
 League, which he thought had been yet above a League from thence. The encounter 
 was fo fudden ('becaule the Hill being between them , had hindred each party from 
 difcovering the other ) that having neither time to retire, nor draw up in order, it 
 was neceflary to handle their Arms, and fall in pell-mell without any confideration. 
 There were at the head of the French, the King himfelf, the Baron de Eiron, the Count 
 de St. Paul, the Sieurs de Marivaut, de Chaferon, de Prafin, d'Attbigny, de Kambures^ 
 and de Champlivaiit, with many other valiant foldiers i fo that there was no doubt but 
 the Avant-Coureurs of the League, being both in number and courage much inferior, 
 muft give place to their fury and valor i and indeed, after a fliort refiftance, they be- 
 took themfelves openly to flight. 
 
 Then appeared the Duke of Parma's Army, which being drawn into Battalia, with 
 Military order, marched on its way along the fame Plain. The whole form of their 
 Battel was four-fquare, and had an open Interval in the Front , through which the 
 Squadrons in the middle might draw forth to fight i and, at the Angles of the Rere, 
 there were likewife two Intervals i that of the Front being (hut up by the flying Squa- 
 dron, and thofe in the Rere, by two Bodies of Horfe, which were to advance firft into 
 the Battel. The Flanks were defended by the wonted carriages, which in admirable 
 order went on without ftraggling : And by the fide of them were the Foot of all the 
 feveral Nations drawn up in Divifions : Without the Body of the Army , and of the 
 fourfquare form, the Light-horfe and Carabines in very great numbers, being divided 
 Into many Squadrons,fiIled up the extent of the Plain on every fide; and in the midft 
 of the whole Camp, the Duke,carried in an open Chair, went himfelf, obferving what 
 was amifs, and fetting all things in order. But the King had hardly made a ftand up- 
 on the Plain, to take an hafty view of this excellent order, when Georgia Bajii ( ad- 
 vertifed by the Avant-Coureurs ) coming up with the Carabines and Light-horfe of 
 the Army, he found himfelf entangled by two great clouds of Harquebufiers on Horfe- 
 back,who hailing upon them on both fides, forced him, though very late, to think of 
 the means of retiring. Almoft all the Gentlemen that followed him were without their 
 head-pieces,becaufe in fuch an uncxpedcd accident they had not had time to take them? 
 and fought confufedly in diforder, becaufe hafte had not fuffered them to draw them- 
 felves up into a Body v fo that onely courage, and fcnfe of honour, and the Kings pre- 
 fence reftrained them from flight, which was neceflary, if they would fave their lives ; 
 But a great number falling dead on every fideffince even the beft of their Arms was 
 not proof ajgainft the violence of thofe Bullets that flew from the extraordinary wide 
 bore of the Carabines) and the firft flying Squadron of Foot already appearing, which ha- 
 ving heard the beginning ofthe fight, came up a great pace to fall in amongft them,thc 
 l^'ng commanding his men to wheel- about, but not to charge, went on at a round trot 
 ^°^^"^ 'he defcent , to meet with his Light-horfe and Harquebufiers 6n horfeback. 
 Which bebg led by the Baron de Ginry and the Sieur dt Lavardm, followed him 
 ■not very far ofF.The Enemy with no lefs leadinefs was at his back, and on all fides the 
 
 Captains
 
 of France. The Twelfth 'Boo{. 
 
 53? 
 
 Captains of the light-Horfe made halle to cut off his retreat i for being known by his 
 countenance, plume, and habit, every one cryed out to his companions, that it was 
 the King of Njvjr,znd mutually exhorting each other to follow him, they put ail their 
 utmoft endeavours to get him into their hands. The fury of their retreat downward 
 ( making many horfes Itumble and fallj did fo much hinder their fpeed and order,that 
 it was neceflary the King himfelf, with evident danger, fliould ilay among the lall, to 
 fudain the violence of the Enemy, and be in the greateft Itormof fhot, oneof which 
 ftriking at la(l through the Cantle of his Saddle, wounded him fthough without dan • 
 ger) under the reins. As the Kings hurt neccllitatcd him to fly full fpeed to fave him- 
 felffo did it utterly rout his men, who being come into the field below, were detain- 
 ed by the impediment of the Ibkes, and branches of the vines, and by the abundance 
 of the hedges i fo that men and horfes fell at every ltep,and were expofed to the fury 
 of the enemies, who made fuch a flaughter with their Carabines, that befides the great 
 number of Gentlemen which were nain,the Archers of the King's Guard were almoft 
 all left dead upon the place. But the light-horfe who were already come up into the 
 midlf of the Plain, which being but fliort, fpread it felf between the Town and the 
 place where the fight was, being met by thofe who fled away, carrying news that the 
 King was wounded and almoftdead, difordered themfelves without fighting, and fa- 
 cing about, fled back for company to -dumde i only the Baron de Ciury^ who was at 
 the head of them with their Captains, advancing with thirty in his company to allift 
 in the King s fo manifeft danger, covered him with his own Cloke, which he threw 
 about his fhoulders, and upheld him for a while, till he faved himfelf from the fury 
 of his enemies. At the fame time the Sieur de Lavardin advanced with threefcore of 
 his Harquebufiers on horfeback, for the reft had alfo taken flight, and placing himfelf 
 behind the bank of a ditch that was by the way-lide, endeavoured to Hop the pur- 
 fuitof the Enemy j but he being wounded at the firlt volley, G/io-y'shorfe killed un- 
 der him, which in falling hurt his left leg and knee very dangeroully,W«i'/(7>?j/ unhorll, 
 Chaferon wounded, liambures bruifed and bloody, not one of them would have been 
 faved, if the Duke o( Nevers with a great Squadron of Cavalry ( wherein were the 
 Counts oilorigny and Mmtvonifry ^ the Sieur de Montigny^ and the Gravid Ej'qnier) 
 had not advanced to difengage them. The Duke, after he had heard of the beginning 
 of the skirmifh, and that the King was put to the worft , had wonderful difcreetly 
 difpofed that part of the Harquebufiers on Horfeback which had remained with him, 
 along the bank of the River, to make good the Ford, and favour the pafTage of thofe 
 that fled > and himfelf, with the main body of the Cavalry, all armed, and in exccl- 
 Ifnt good order, had paft the River to relieve and fuftain his men, which he faw afar 
 off were overpowered and opprcffed by the violence of the Enemy i and his coming 
 was very feafonablei for if he had ftayed longer, both the King himfelf and all the 
 reft that were in the Plain, would certainly have been either killed or taken. The 
 Duke went on till he came to a place, where (by reafon that the River was overflow- 
 ed J he was fain topafs along a narrow bank, and there, not only feeing the Spanifh 
 Carabines ( incouraged by the beginning of the vidoryj furious in a clofc purfuit, but 
 alfo the Sieur de Vitry^ the Baron de la Chajire, and the Count de Cbali^ny^ who leaving 
 the body of the Army behind them, were run to reinforce the fight, he took a refblu- 
 tion to retire without palling any farther , left he fliould lofe the Gentry that were 
 with him, if with fo great a difadvantage, and to no purpofc, he (hould have expo- 
 fed them to the Enemies whole Army, which was like to charge them every minute j 
 wherefore, having fetch'd them off, who (their horfes being loftj retired with much 
 difficulty, having recovered Ghtry and Lavardin^ both very fore hurt, and having ga- 
 thered up many Gentlemen that were fcattered about the field, he returned wheeling 
 off- and facing often about till he came River of Jumale. where, being fuftained by the 
 Harquebufiers that lay along the bank, he paffed it again without any diforder , and 
 drawing up quickly, followed the King's fkps, who with very great fpeed had taken 
 towards a Wood, to retire the more fecurely. 
 
 It is moft certain, that if the Army of the League had advanced quickly ( with 
 the fame fury as did the Carabines) on the right hand and on the left, (^ for in all that 
 Country they might have marched freely as far as the bank) the King furrounded 
 and encompaffed on all fides before the Duke of Never. f had arrived, would, with all 
 his men have remained in their power, ilnce that notwithftanding they did not,he had 
 both much ado, and exceeding great fortune to fave himfelf j but at the fame time 
 
 the 
 
 15^2. 
 
 While the 
 King views 
 the Hneretes 
 Army", their 
 Cavaliy come 
 Hp CO him,ind 
 he being in 
 w.inJetluI 
 great dan^etj' 
 comes otf 
 wounded. 
 
 The Duke of 
 \'ev' rs re- 
 lieves the 
 Kin;;s Cavjl- 
 ry that was 
 retiring to* 
 
 makes good 
 ibeir retreat. 
 
 The Duke of 
 h'lvers having 
 fetched off 
 the Kinffs Ca- 
 valry, follows 
 the King, wh» 
 had faved 
 himfelf in a 
 Wood.
 
 534 
 
 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 I5P2. 
 
 The Kinj^cau- 
 fcdhis wound 
 to be drcft in 
 the Wood ; 
 which found 
 not dangerous 
 he goes pre- 
 fcntly to AVx/- 
 
 The King 
 leaves the Bl- 
 
 Ton (It <jx^ry it 
 Ncuf-Ci.\ilicl, 
 he havin" un- 
 der akcn to 
 defend it, and 
 goes to /)i. p- 
 to be cured of 
 his wound. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Partnu*i An- 
 fwet to the 
 Ficncb Lords. 
 
 the news being confufedly brought, that the Fneiiiy was prefent that the King him- 
 fclf was there in perfon, that they were fighting, and that they fled ; the Duke ot Par- 
 ma not fuffering hiiiifclt to be carried away with comnnon reports, and not thinking 
 it polliblc that the King, without feme fecret ftratagem, would have adventured 
 himfelfinconfiderately among the Jlvant Comwr/, doubting, left in a Country where 
 he was not well acquainted, fome Ambufcado might be laid for him i therefore, cau- 
 iine his Army to make a halt, and having ftopt the flying Squadron that was already 
 upon its march, before iie advanced, he would make himfelt fure that he would not 
 becatched in a Trap i which prudent warinefs ncverthelefs gave the King conveni- 
 ency to fave himfelf •, for though the Duke of Mayeme ( who, in vain, had urged, 
 that the whole Army might advance) fct forward with a Body of Horfe at a large trot 
 to follow him, yet it being already night when they entered into Aumale, he was out 
 of hope to do any good, and therefore refolved to ftay and pafs no further. 
 
 The King caufed himfelf to be haftily drefled in a Wood, about half a League from 
 Aumale, and having found that the wound was not very deep, ( for the bullet being 
 deaded by paffing through the Saddle, ftuck but in the flefli ) profecuted his journey 
 with very great fpeed, and ftopt not till became within the Walls of Neuf-Chajhli 
 where the Duke of AT^z^frj having done the part of a prudent and valiant Soldier,arri- 
 ved alfo, though many hours after, with all his men perfcdly fafe. It was feared left 
 the next day the Duke of Farma (liould follow on his voyage fpeedily, and hafting di- 
 redly to Kouen, where the report of the King s being routed and wounded , might 
 have bred a fright and a confufion in the Army, with very great danger of being defeat- 
 ed and fcattered ■■> nor did there appear any other remedy to retard his march, fave to 
 defend Neitf-Chajiel ■■, which place ftanding upon the Road, they did not believe he 
 would leave at his back, efpecially if it were ftrongly Garrifoned , left it fhould ob- 
 ftrudl the way, and hinder the bringing, in of Provilions, which were all of neccility 
 to pafs through thofe parts- But the Town being weak, and the exigency requiring 
 a fpeedy refolution,the Baron de Gi^rj, though his foot was very forely hurt, proHer- 
 cd himfelf to ftay, and to defend it fo long, that the Enemy might not come unex- 
 pededly to Kt:uen -, but that the King's Army, the prefent terror being overpaft,might 
 have time to fettle it fclf again, and that the King himfelf being grown better 
 of his wound f which they hoped he would be within a fewdayesj were able again 
 to fet on Horfc-back, and with his prefence put courage into the anions of his Soldi- 
 ers, which was the only means to fuftain himfelf. So Three hundred CuiralTiers, and 
 Four hundred Harquebufiers on horfe-back being left at Neuf-Chajiel with Giury^ the 
 King, with the Baron de Biron went toViepe, that they might be the better cured, 
 and the Duke of Nevers with the remainder of his men returned to Rouen to re- 
 inforce the Army. 
 
 The Duke of Farma quartered the next day at Aumale, and tjie French Lords mut" 
 muring, that if he had advanced that day, the War might eafily have been made an 
 end of i he anfwercd. That if he were to do it again, he would take the fame refoluti- 
 on, becaufe it was didated by reafon, having till then believed , that he had had to 
 do with a Captain-General of an Army, and not with a Captain of Light-horfe, which 
 he now knew the King of Navarre to be : but this bufinefs bred a difcontent among 
 the Commanders of the League i for the Spaniards and Italians commended the Duke 
 of Farma s warinefs, and his fccure way of managing the War, and the French praifed 
 the forward humour of their Nation, and would have had him proceed in the fame 
 manner which they faw the King hold in the promptnefs of his refolutions : but the 
 condition of the one was very different from that of the ether , for the King being 
 General of a voluntary Army, and having no other hope, nor any other fecurity but 
 himfelf, was neceifitated to venture his own perfon upon all occafions, making way 
 with his danger for thofe that followed him: but the Duke oi Farma coming only 
 to fuccour the Confederates, would not hazard at once the hopes of France^ and the 
 FoffciTion of Flanders^ without expeftation of fome fruit by his Vidtory, that might 
 countervail fo great a lofs i and therefore with art and prudence, as he had done at ?<*- 
 »■'*, he pretended not to conquer, but not to be conquered. However it were, it is moft 
 certain, that from hence there began to rife differences and difcontents between him 
 and the Duke of A/iyvww, which afterwards encreafed every day. 
 
 The 

 
 of France. The TtDelfth 'Book^ 
 
 55 
 
 The Army of the League advancing with commodiouf; marches, laid fiege to Neitf'- 
 Chjjiel, which, by reafon of its wealinefs , they believed would have made no relift- 
 ancei but the Dul^e of f.^rwz, incenfedat the boldncfs of the defendants, and at the 
 impediment which he received thereby, caufed his Artillery to be planted with as much 
 fpeed as was pollible, and with wonderful fury to batter that part of the wall which 
 ftood toward his Camp, which being old, and not lined with earth, within a fhort 
 fpace afforded a breach very convenient to be afTaulted : which Monfieur de Giury 
 feeing, began to capitulate ; and though the Duke were at firfl highly incenfed at liis 
 reiiftance, vet being appeaG:d by the interccffion of Monfieur de la Chjjire^ Giitry's Fa- 
 ther-in-law, and admiring the valour of that Cavalier, Cwho, to give his party time to 
 recover breath, had thruft himfelf into fo great a dangerj granted him honourable 
 conditions : about the performance whereof there arofe fomedifpute j for Monfieur 
 de Kebnitrs a Colonel of French Infantry, who had fliut himfelf up in the Town with 
 Giury, not having been particularly mentioned in the Capitulations, the Duke of Pijr- 
 ma pretended that he not having been named, ought not to enjoy the benefit of the 
 Articles, but to remain a prifoner i and Monfieur de Giury argued , that having made 
 compofition for himfelf and all his foldiers , ithough Kebours was not named with the 
 other Officers, becaufe he had not his men there, was yet comprehended, and ought to 
 go free with all the reft \ which, after it had been a while difputed, the Duke oi Far- 
 ma generoufly remitted the difference to the Kings own decifion, who knew, whether 
 he had left Kebours with command or without command for the defence of the place. 
 But the King having called a Council of War and having heard every ones opinion, 
 gave judgement, that Kebours was to be underftood as comprehended in the Capitu- 
 lation. 
 
 But the obftacle of Neuf-Cajlel, though it was but for four days, gave great help to 
 the King's affairs-, for that time was not onely very confiderable, but in that interim 
 part of the vidlual being fpent which was brought along with the Army of the League, 
 it was neccfTary to flay to make new provifionsi for the Country, defiroyed in a fiege 
 of fo many months, in the ftetility of the Winter, did not afford any thing, and the 
 vidtuals that were to be brought from Picardy were of necclTity to be accompanied 
 with ftrong Convoys, and backed by the Cavalry of the Army, becaufe the King and 
 the Baron de Biron, from P/V/'f and Arques where- they lay, caufed all the wayes to be 
 obrtrudfed with their Horfe. This ftay was of ten days, to the great murmuring of 
 the French-, for the Duke would not engage himfelf in an Enemies Country, all ru- 
 in'd, and not well known to him, witiiout fuch abundant provifions of vidlual as 
 were necefTary to feed the Camp, not being accuftomed to remit the event of his 
 Counfefs unto fortune. In thefe dayes there happened many valiant encounters ■, 
 for the King being cured of his wound, fuffered not the Enemy torepofe without fuf- 
 pition,nor without danger ; but matters proceeded almoft alike, the encounters being 
 between the Cavalry, wherein the number of the Gentry on each fide equalled the pro- 
 ceeding, with bold attempts, prompt refiftance, and gallant refolutions. 
 
 It fell out that the King, being advanced upon a hill that lay on the right fide of the 
 great high -way, by which all the Enemies Army marched, caufed the Sieur de Monti^ny 
 with a Squadron of Light-horfe, and the Sieur de Frajlin with another of Cuirailiers 
 to fall fuddenly into the Quarters of the Dakeof Aumale (who brought up the Rere) 
 juft at the time when he newly entered into them i but after a (hort skirmifli rather 
 than fight, being in their retreat charged by the Count de Chaligny, and the Sieur de 
 Rofite, there fullowed in the adjoyning Plain a great encounter, to which the Sieur de 
 Fervaqttes, and the Count de lori^ny fon to the Marefchal de Matignen coming up with 
 the Troops of Normandy , they fought above two hours with fingular bravery i but 
 when they of the League would have retired, they found themfelves engaged by the 
 Baron de Biron, who, with another Troop fell in upon their Flank, fo that to fave them- 
 felves they were fain to turn their backs and run full (peed i which the CoanideCha- 
 ligny fcorning to do, and gallantly fighting in the midft of his enemies, was taken pri- 
 foner by Chtcnt the King's Jefter, but a notable fturdy lad, who, in the taking of him 
 received a wound from him in the head , whereof he died not many dayes after. 
 The Count being brought into the King's prefence , and being much afflid- 
 ed to have been taken by a Fellow of fo bafe a profeffion , the King comfort- 
 ed him , affliring hira , that Chicot was a valiant Fellow , and that he ought 
 
 rathej 
 
 The Duke ot 
 Pa mj I tfigei 
 
 Neuf Chn^el, 
 which, rhnugh. 
 
 ivcak, IS gil- 
 Untly dcltnd- 
 ed by (Jinry j 
 bur a I reach 
 being madr, 
 and the affai- 
 lants ready to 
 fall on, Giutj 
 capitulates. 
 The Duke of 
 P*im,i angry 
 at his relilt- 
 ance, Jhews 
 himfelf wi- 
 willing to 
 treat ; but 
 being appear- 
 ed . grant! 
 him honoura- 
 ble condicions.! 
 
 A skirmifh 
 grown almufl 
 C] a Bated. 
 
 c'cUtit the 
 
 Kings Jeflet 
 takes the 
 Count ic dta- 
 lignj ptifontr.
 
 ^2^ The Htflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1502. rather to complain againft himfcif for having engaged hinifelf fo far •, to which the 
 * Count anfwcring, that the dclue of feeing and learning had made him fo forward : 
 the King rcplyed that thofe of his party knew not how to teach him, and that if he 
 would learn the' art of War, he ought to fight under his Colours, and near his perfon. 
 Thefc were the ordinary fayings of the King, who gave the Counts ranfome to the 
 Dutchefs of Lon^neville and her daughters, who, having been taken at Corbie^ 
 after many months imprifonment , were fain to buy their liberty with 30000 Du* 
 
 The next day, juft as the Army of the League came out of their Quarters, the Ba- 
 rCn df Bii-iin in the Plain attacqued the firft Divilions of them led by the Sicurs de Vi- 
 try and de la Chajtre^ where the Skirmifh with infinite courage on both fides began 
 to grow exceeding hot j but the Army rtill marching in Battalia that way, the Ba- 
 rbn refolved to retire among the Hils, which being very wooddy on all fides, gave the 
 King conveniency lo moleft the Enemy with his flying Army, and alfb to make his 
 retreat in time of need. By reafon of thefe fo frequent and dangerous encounters, 
 which ceafed neither day nor night, the Duke of Parma marching with his Armyal- 
 wayes in order, advanced but flowly, not ftirring if the day were not very clear, and 
 if the Country were not well difcovered, and taking up his Quarters betimes in the 
 evening, that he might have leafure to fprtifie and entrench his Camp. 
 The t»uke of ^"^ ^^ ^^^ now comc near to Ko»e«,and it wasneceflary to refolve upon fome way, 
 p.,m.t dnw! either to raife the fiege, or relieve the place: Georgin Bafii 'pxokied himfelf with acer- 
 ""vmat'of'. tsin number of Light-horfe, and two Squadrons of Lances to march away, and arri- 
 ht'ci Gi«rg,i> ving by night, to pafs through the midft of one of the Kings quarters, and difpcrfing 
 «1'V«K>^- '^' ^° ^^^" '"^° ^^^ ^'^y* "^^^ ^^™^ ^^^ Camillo Capizucchi offer to do with his Ter~ 
 M- tia^ accompanied with a certain number ofHorfev but the Duke thought not thefe 
 
 propofitions proportionable to the prefent need of the City, which was not onely of 
 neceffity to be relieved, but totally freed ■•, and befides that, it was dangerous to hazard 
 a Body of good men, though fmall, againft the preparations of a whole Royal Army. 
 And therefore after mature deliberation, he refolved to relieve the City with all his 
 Forces in this following manner. The King, with the greater part of the Cavalry 
 was moved into the midft of the way on the right hand, toward Viepe znd the Coun- 
 try of Canx, to keep ftrong parties abroad, that he might obftrudi the paflage, and 
 make it difficult to the Army of the League > and being drawn from Kouen the fpace 
 of five or fix Leagues, had difpofed his quarters in places feparate from one another, 
 yet near among themfclves. The Baron de Biron lay at Viepe and Arques with the 
 remainder of the Horfe, to (hut up the paffage to the Army of the League, and by fol- 
 lowing them in the Rere, to hinder the bringing in of provifions. ktKouen there 
 remained onely the Foot with the Marefchal </f Biron. Things being thus difpofed, 
 the Duke of Parma refolved to move in the afternoon from the place where he was 
 quartered, arid taking the way upon the left hand , which leads ftreight to Pout de 
 I' Arche (zfux he had gone round the wood o{ Bellancomble ) to turn upon the right 
 hand, and marchiug all the night, to arrive unexpectedly atRo«f«by break of day, 
 and without delay to affault the PofVs of the Marefchal de Biron's Infantry i which 
 ( the befieged fallying out of the City with their wonted valour) he doubted not ^ut 
 would be totally defeated and dilTipated, before the King ( who, at the firft intelligence 
 of their moving would be uncertain of their extraordinary march) could have time or 
 opportunity to aflift it with the Cavalry. 
 
 With this intention (the weather being very fair for that feafon of the year ) he mo- 
 ved fuddenly upon the twenty fixth of Fehrttary, taking upon the left hand toward Bel- 
 lamomble. But, upon the twenty fifth day, the diligence and valour of the Sieur ^f Fi/- 
 lars had already prevented his defign : for, he feeing the King was abfent with all his 
 Horfe, and that the Foot of the Camp was divided at many feveral Ports, and not be- 
 ing willing to fuffer another to have the glory of raifing the fiege, if he could do it by 
 himfelf, he determined to try if by a bold fally he could put the enemies affairs in dif- 
 oraer : and being advertifed by an Irifh-man who was run away from the Camp,thaC 
 fincethe departure of the King with the principal Lords, the Guards were not fo dili- 
 gently kept, becaufe the Marefchal de Biron could not be in all places, and the Cardinal 
 ot Bnurhott, and the High-Chancellor, with the Lords of the Council who were 
 remaining at Varnetal , had no experience in military matters , he fet himfelf 
 Jn order to fally in four feveral places , and affault all the Polls at once. He 
 
 caufed
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'BooL 
 
 537 
 
 i5^2« 
 
 caufed the Townfmen armed in their feveral Companies to guard the Walls under 
 the command of the Sieur de la Londe^ and he himfelf being refolved to go forth in 
 perfon, difpofed bufinefles in this manner following: Colonel Boniface was to fally 
 from St. Catbsrines with his Regiment of Foot, and two hundred Gentlemen and Ofii- 
 cers at the head of it, being backed by the Chevalier d' Oyfe with two Troops of Horfe 
 that Tallied from Murtinville^ and were to afTault the Port of Turinge. Pericard with 
 his Regiment feconded by Captain Borofey and the Sieur de ^itry, was to afTault tha. 
 Batteries planted againft the old Fort. Captain Giacopo Argenti with his Infantry, 
 followed by the Sieur de Canonville's Horfe to re-inforcc them , Tallying at the Porte 
 Cauchoife, was to march toward theCoventof Carthufians, to make head againft the 
 main Body at Vemetal^ in cafe they (hould move to Tuccour their Trenches. The 
 Governour himTelf with a Teled number of Souldiers and Gentlemen, feconded by 
 Captain Perdriel , Tailing at the Porte de BeauvaU^ was to alTault the Battery newly 
 raiTed by the French Regiments. All theTe things were in order at break of day, and 
 the fign being given by a Cannon-fhot, they Tallied with lingular gallantry, and with 
 To much violence, that the paflage to the Trenches being taken both before and be- 
 hind, and the Guards Turrounded , they made a wonderful great flaughter in every 
 place, took the Cannon, Tome of which they nailed, Tome they drew into the Moat > 
 they Tpoiled the engines and inftruments of War in all places, gave vent to the Mines, 
 blew up the Ammunition, and filled every place with death and terrour ■, To that all 
 the Foot making no Turther refiftance, fled without ftop toward Demetal. The Alarm 
 had been Tuddenly given , and the MareTchal de Byron with four thouTand Swiffers 
 and Germans, and with thoTe Gentlemen that were remaining in the Camp, was 
 coming a great pace to Tuccour his Trenches i but Captain Perdriel^ who fallied after 
 the Governour at the Porte de Beauvais with three Troops nf HorTe, over-ran all the 
 Plain, and wheeling and skirmifhing briskly, endeavoured to keep him in play i and 
 the Tame did the Chevalier d^ Oyfe^ with Borofey, ^itry , and Cannmville , till the 
 Souldiers had done what they intended in the Trenches i which having fully per- 
 formed, all thofe four Squadrons likewife advanced to receive the encounter of the 
 MareTchal de Byron , and between the Trenches and Demetal they made a bloody 
 fight i in which , though the Sieur ds Larchant a brave Cavalier, and Captain of the 
 Kings Guards was flain , and the MareTchal himTelf Torely hurt with a ftiot in the 
 thigh ■■> yet the other Squadrons of the Germans coming up, and the Englifli and 
 French Infantry rallying themfelves together on all fides, they of the Town were 
 beaten back , though with much ado, and driven to their very gates. But the Am- 
 munition being blown up, the Artillery taken, and all things put into confufion, the 
 lofs was ineftimable, and irreparable for a long time. There were flain on the Kings 
 fide above eight hundred Souldiers in the Trenches , and amongft them two French 
 Colonels, and fourteen Captains of feveral Nations j and of the AlTailants not above 
 fifty. The Governour preTently difpatched the Sieur de FranqueviUe thorow the Woods 
 to the Duke of Mayenne , to give him notice of what had pafTed , and to let him 
 know, that it was not neceffary to precipitate any thing to relieve the City, for the 
 Enemy was left in Tuch a condition, that they would be able to hurt them but little 
 for many days. 
 
 This intelligence beingreceived on thetwenty fixth in the evening, while the Ar- 
 my was marching their appointed way, they made an halt, and the Commanders were the Duke of 
 called to conTult. The Duke of Parma was of opinion to proTecute the defign , for ''*™'' '* °^ 
 that the Infantry being aftoniflied by the misfortune of the day before, it would be much Tow" 'the «:«- 
 more eafie to diillpate them, and make themfelves Mafters of their Quarters, freeing pf'^'of-R""*. 
 the City utterly from the fiege , and eifeding that for which they were advanced To Tmc the K^ngi 
 Tar: but the Duke o( Mayenne conCidexed that the bufineTs they intended to do was forces already 
 already done, the Mines and Trenches deftroyed, the Artillery taken, and Ammu- mk^'of Mayl 
 nition blown up, that there remained nothing to do, Tave to beat the Infantry out of ""'''.of a""- 
 their Quarters at Demetal^ whither they were all reduced, which being excellently hisarviceit" 
 well fortified, was not an entcrpriTe that could be To eafily efFeded without diTputej f^'iow"*- 
 To that it being neceflary to fpend many hours time about it , the King in the interim 
 would be come up, moft powerful in HorTe, with whom they muft of neceility fight 
 with their Souldiers tired with marching , and wearied with the firft encounter j and 
 that the City not having need that things fliould be precipitated, it was better to pro- 
 ceed with that circumTpedion wherewith they had governed themTelves till then. His 
 
 2 z z opinion
 
 -^8 The Htjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^)2. 
 
 opinion was followed, though many of the Spaniards believed he gave that counfel, be- 
 caufc the Dulie of Tarma fhould not get the glory of having relieved Kouen i and fo 
 in the fame order the Army faced about, and returned to the quarters from whence 
 
 they came. 
 
 There they confulted what was to be done. The Duke of Mayenm^s opinion, in 
 which the other French Lords concurred, was, that the fiege of t^onen could not be 
 ^aifed without coming to a Battel, which, by reafon of the great abundance of Gentry 
 that followed the King at that prefent, he judged very dangerous : whereupon his 
 advice was, (R/men being in fuch a condition, that there was no danger it (hould be 
 much ftraitned in many days, no nor in many weeks) that only feven or eight hun- 
 dred Foot ftould be fent into the City for a reinforcement, and to make up the num- 
 ber of the dead •, and that the reft of the Army fliould bend another way, fhewing 
 that they were no longer in fear nor care about the fiege, but that they (hould bufie 
 themfelves about other enterprifes : for the Gentry that followed the King, tired with 
 the fufFerings and expences of all that Winter, feeing there was not like to be any 
 occafion of lighting for a long while, and that the Army of the League was far off, 
 would with their wonted hafte retire to their own houfes , and that many others 
 would leave the Kings Camp in the fame manner i which as foon as they (hould fee 
 come to pals , they (hould fpeedily march back , and without lofing time advance to 
 %oHen-t for that the King would certainly be forced to draw offi or if hefoughi, the 
 Vidory would be fecure. The Spaniards and Italians, fearing left others (hould en- 
 joy the fruits and honours of their labours, inclined to go forward, firmly believing 
 that the King would life from the fiege, rather than be catched between the City and 
 their Army i and fince fo much was already done, they defired to perfecft the enter- 
 Jj^mf fends**' prifc : and this opinion was favoured by Prince K</»/««c«'o , more defirous of glory 
 goo Horfe into than any other. But the Duke of Parma chofe to follow the advice of the French > 
 iCfn"ioTs.\o and having fent to K«uen eight hundred Walloons of the Regiment of the Count de 
 btnege St. £•- Bo^it and de la Eowlotie j who arriving by night, entered without oppofition , de- 
 {n"e«cfrf'ing parted with the reft of his Army i and having palfed the River Somme^ he marched 
 ftrong place. 3 way as faft as he could , and went to befiege St. £/pm de K«e, a wonderful flrong 
 place ftanding toward the Confines. 
 
 When the Army of the League was retired, the King, though the caufe of the re- 
 folution of the Confederates was obfcure to him, determined neverthelefs to ilraiten 
 the fiege of Kouen more diligently than he had done before j and the Men of War be- 
 ing arrived, which the States of Holland fent to his aftiftance, commanded by Fhilip 
 one of the Counts of Najfaw^ (aboard which were many Pieces of Cannon, great ftore 
 The Kins; re. of Ammunition, and above three thoufand FootJ he caufed the Cannon and Ammu- 
 Vy''thi%VuMd nition to be landed, whereof he had exceeding great need, by reafon of the fpoil made 
 ^'■"'h*"/ V' '" ^^^ ^''^'y' ^"^ 8^^^ order that the Hol}aiid-Sh\ps (hould not only fcowr the River, 
 with liTsut- to hinder the coming of Vidtual and other neceffaries that were brought from Havre 
 von "'''h' '^^ ^^"" ^^ Kouen , but alfo that they fhould come up clofe.to the City, and battering 
 C«S' of /(»)«». the old Palace and other places near the River, increafe the dangers and labours of the 
 befieged. He alfo caufed certain Barks to be manned in the upper parts of the River 
 towards Pout de l' Arche, which under the command of Monficur de /' Hofpital High 
 Chancellor of Navarre , fcowred it alfo on that fide, and blocked it up fo much the 
 more : which Barks, the firft day they fet forth, meeting with Monfieur d'' Anquetil, 
 made a very (harp fight, the end whereof was that one of the Town-Ships being fi- 
 red, and another funk, though the King's did al(b receive much harm , yet thofe of 
 the League retired under the protedrion of the Walls. The Holland-S\\\f>^ drew near 
 alfo on the lower fide, and (hot an infinite number of Cannon-(hot into the Town, 
 which neverthelefs did but little hurt; but the Governour having caufed three Cul- 
 verines to be planted upon a Cavalier which had formerly been raifed by the River 
 (ide, after that one of their Ships was boared thorow and thorow with them, and the 
 Main-maft of another (hot down, they drew off, to look to the blocking up of the 
 River, and landed Two thoufand Foot more, to re-inforce the Army. 
 
 The King in the mean time fet himfelf again to caft up Trenches, and make Re- 
 doubts on all fides > and ha(tening the Works with his own prefence, the Princes and 
 Lords aflfilting likewife in theit turns, not intermitting to work by night, they were 
 brought to perfedion in a few days. The firft of them,drawn from the fide of T»ri«^f,was 
 
 followed 
 
 '■\
 
 d/ France. The Tii^elfth 'Boof^, 539 
 
 followed more eagerly than the reft, to recover the Cannon which at the Sally had '5^2*; 
 been thrown into the Moat on that fide: But the belieged perceiving this dcfign, 1!!u\i!"'"^ 
 made an Engine to raife and draw them up i and though the skirmiflies were many, Rcnen itSixe 
 and that the Artillery and Fire-works did much mifchief on all fides , yet they of IhtiJcL" h 
 the Town drew them up to the Bulwark of the old Fort i and having brought them which the be, 
 into the City with great joy and triumph, (ct them in the Court of the Archbifliop's fn'o fbe^m"'^ 
 Palace, where the Governour lay , becaufe it flood in a place equally diftant from 'heirdcfigns ' 
 thofe which the Enemy battered at that time. They wrought luflily in all places 5 "Vnd^fhed'unt 
 and the Count de Soiff'ons being again paft over into the Fauxbourg of St. Severe, ''«"" at laft, 
 had begun alfo to raife a Battery on that fide, to divide the Forces of the Defen- many skir"i. 
 dents, and prefs them on all fides : yet neverthelefs Fij^^rj- , to fiiew that he neither 'jif*. iJ"w 
 feared nor was ftraitned , caufed many Cavaliers to go forth between the Vorte de e'^n^f^lui 
 Murtinville, and that of St. Hilaire , and to make a Turnament, running at the Ring ''"',n 'hem in^ 
 and* Fatjuitt , and making fliew to he fully at eafe, and unconcerned, among fo wiiharcarj^j>. 
 great and fo continual toils and labours. But the King interpreted this adion, not *°'}Qa''>'»nu 
 to vanity f which Villars was very far from) but to weaknefs , and thar he endea- 
 voured with that cloak to palliate the extream neceffity he was reduced to , and 
 therefore with greater diligence followed his Batteries and Mines ia every place* 
 Tney continued their Sallies , with various fortune , and now at laft the fmallneft 
 of the number of the Defendents flackened them , the Sieur de FranqueviVe having 
 been fiain in one of them , and Serjeant-Major La Londe, with many other Officers 
 wounded ■> and yet they made fo brisk an one on the tide toward St. Severe, that the 
 Count de Soijfons ran himfelf into the Trench, exhorting and encouraging his Soul- 
 diers, yet they of the Town having feized upon a Redoubt, advanced into the plain, 
 where encountring the Baron deCuiry, who was gone on that fide with fome Troops 
 of Light-horfe, the fight was very hot and terrible, Guiry himfelf being fo forely 
 wounded in the flioulder, that he was given for dead i to the Kings fo great and 
 fo manifeft trouble , that having heard the news , he faid with a deep figh , That he 
 had now no body to whom he could recommend the fo important charge of the Thesieutf/e 
 Light-Horfej which Speech offended many, and particularly the S\<^\ix^ de Montig)iy, '^Ziid°-^\It 
 and de la Chj-ppelle , who pretended to the place : but Montigny continuing to ferve ".'*'''> ^\ 
 with fingular valour , in procefs of time attained his defires , and on the other ^vtv^TdHi 
 fide, la Chappelie difcontented and made defperate by the Kings v.'ords , within a ^*'«' '/*'/"«'<* 
 while after went over to the Enemy: and yet Guiry" s wound was neither mor- iZyt'o'JilmTe 
 tal nor dangerous, and they of the Town were beaten back with the lofs of many ""''', "'"•"'■",'* 
 
 '->'■' J the cluigc ff the 
 
 men. L<^i<t-Hmfc .• 
 
 which fptech 
 difgufted the Siear rie Montigny ani la Ciiif%cUe i thefirftof which fpurrcd on bjr the Kin's wotdi, continijes to ferve him with more di- 
 ligence; and the other indcrpairgoes over to the League. 
 
 But that which did more harm, was, that upon the 24th of March a very great 
 piece of the Wall of about feventy paces fell of it felf between the ? orte-Cauchoife 
 and the Monaflery of St. VominiqHe , which while the befieged laboured to repair 
 with Earth, Wool-packs, Baums , and other Inftruments , the King having caufed 
 fome fmall Pieces to be fuddenly brought on that fide , did them fb great mifchief, 
 that in all the time of the fiege they had not received greater : whereupon Villars 
 ftreightned on all fides, and having but a few Souldiers left, not bjing longer able to 
 refift {b long and fo obftinate a fiege, was fain to write to the Duke of Mayenne, that 
 if he were not relieved by the twentieth of April at the furtheft, he fliould be forced 
 to capitulate. But in the interim that came to pafs which the Duke of Mayenns had 
 fo confidently foretold ■■> for the Nobility tired out with the toils of the whole Win- 
 ter, having fpent their Money , worn out their Clothes , and quite harraffed their 
 Horfes, now that there was no more hope that, the Armies flrould fight, had accord- 
 ing to their wonted cuftom taken leave to go fee their own Houfesv and the Army 
 was thereby fo diminifhed, that of few lefs than Ten thoufand there remained kvf 
 more than Five thoufand i and they, becaufe the Country was utterly wafted round 
 about , and deftroyed by their long ftay there , in a feafon when the old ftore was 
 fpcnt, and the new not yet grown up, were brought to a very weak eftate > and tq 
 have wherewithal to fubfift, they were forcedjto divide themfelves, and lie at large, 
 fcattered in many feveral quarters. t 
 
 f 
 
 tr% % Thi
 
 540 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1592' 
 
 The Duke of 
 P«rmii leaving 
 the fiege of 
 Km, draws 
 near to J^ouen 
 to relieve it. 
 • Which is ^e. 
 fatett Cretoy 
 tad S. Valery. 
 
 The King ma- 
 fteti his for- 
 ces, >n>i frnd- 
 ing hivnftlf 
 mnch weaker, 
 refolvcs to 
 life bisfiege, 
 
 The Marcfclial de Byron, and the Duke de Bouillon had forefeen that evil, and had 
 laboured to perfwade "them all to fifteen or twenty days patience longer, in which 
 time the event of things might be totally feen j but ib great was the necciruy of ma- 
 ny and fo precipitate the inclination of the Volunticrs, that they could not be kept, 
 the're being many even of the Commanders, who conftantly believed that the Duke of 
 Tama had loft all hopes of relieving Houen, and that he had fet himfelf in good ear- 
 reft upon the enterprife of St.Efprit de Rue, to try if diverfion could work any effe&^ 
 '" and that therefore his return was not to be feared i but that the Infantry with the 
 new Supplies from Holland were fufiicient to take in Rouen : Which opinion fas the 
 French are ready enough to be vainly conceited of thcmfelves) to the contempt of the 
 Duke of Parma and his Army, was grown fo common, that it was alfb entered in- 
 to the King himfelf, fo that he little thought he (hould have any more need of the 
 Cavalry. On the other fide, the Foot ("which had paffcd all the Winter in the Tren- 
 ches, half drowned with the excetfive Rains that fell continually after a great abun- 
 dance of Snow, and confumed with perpetual watching and toiling) were not in any 
 better conmtion than the Horfe , but had more need of reft, than to be imployed in 
 new and dangerous adlions, befides the difeafes, which (according as they are wcntj 
 were fpread amongft the Germans, and much more among the Englifb, had exceed- 
 ingly lefTened the number of thofe Forces, and the French Infantry not flaying to feel 
 the uttermoft fufferings, ran away every hour i nor could the King (thougli he at laft 
 took notice of the decay and tirednefs of his Army) ufe fo great diligence as was fuf* 
 ficient (after above five months wafting of provifions) to keep his Camp plentifully 
 furniflied : Which things being known to the Duke of Parma , and much more par- 
 ticularly to the Duke of Mayenne, having deferred till the very utmoft time men- 
 tioned in the Governour of Rouen^s Letters, to give the Enemies Army Co much the 
 longer time to confume it felf , they arofe fuddenly from Rue , where they had ra- 
 ther made (hew to imploy themfelves, than taken any care to get the place, and be- 
 ing well provided of Vid'ual , pafted the River Somme at a place called ^ Blangue- 
 taqite , where fpreading it felf at large , it is lefs rapid , and more fliallow , and 
 in fix days march came very near to Rouen i having with this celerity made that Jour- 
 ney in fo fliort a fpace , which the time before they were no lefs about than thirty 
 days. 
 
 The King having heard of the Enemies fudden coming, prefently made them who 
 were in the Fauxbourg of St. Severe come back over the River to join with the reft of 
 the Army, and with extream diligence recalled all his Cavalry to the Quarters at Var- 
 netal^ with an intention to oppofe and meet the Enemy i but having made a ftridl 
 mufter of his Forces , and knowing them to be fo diminiftied both in number and 
 vigour, that they were no way equal to the numerous Army of the League , he re- 
 folved to raife the fiege, and referve matters till a better occafion j being certain that 
 the greater part of the Nobility would within a few days be come back to him again. 
 But left the Army of the League drawing near apace , and without refiftance, (hould 
 difturb the order of his retreat , he fent forth the Duke of Bouillon with the German 
 Horfe, accompanied with a few French Light-Horfe and CuiraiTiers upon the great 
 road toward Neuf-Chaflel, to hinder and fore-llow the Enemies march. The Coun- 
 try thorow which the Army of the Confederates came was all plain, not troubled with 
 either Hills or Woods, which was a great difadvantage to the Duke of Bouillon, who 
 with a few men intended to make fhew to be the whole Armyi and yet he took his 
 time fo opportunely to alTault the Duke of Gutfe's Vanguard when the reft of the 
 Army was not yet moved out of their Quarters , that he put the firft Troops of it 
 into fome diforder, and in the firft fury of the charge took a Cornet i but Rfne^ 
 Bjjfompierre , and the whole Vanguard coming up , and within a while after the 
 Duke of Parma with the Battel , the bufinefs was reduced to faint skirmifhes up- 
 on advantage i for the Duke of Parma commanding out many Troops of Horfe 
 every way, endeavoured to difcover his Wings andReer, to find whether or no 
 the Kings whole Army was there ■■> and the Duke of Bouillon perceiving his defign, 
 "lade as many Fronts as the Enemy fent forth Troops , and extending his Batta- 
 tl?° ^°\!^^ utmoft , would not fuffer .them to cffea: their intents •, with which arts 
 tne whole day was fpent in petty Irteounters, and the King with his Commanders 
 n-d time to raife his Camp from before Rouen without diforder. The Artil- 
 lery were drawn off without delay / and while the Array was imbattelling , they 
 
 were
 
 of France, ^he Twelfth 'Boo{. 
 
 541 
 
 were fent before with the Carriages to Ponte de P Arche, toward which place the King 
 intended to retire > who after he had made a fiand, about half an hour facing the 
 City, left the fiege upon the 2 oth day of ^/ri/ j and the Baron de Bjrow making good 
 the retreat, marched commodioufly the fame way. 
 
 The Duke o( Parma, with his Army in Battel-aray, arrived the fatiie diy at Rd^f « i 
 and having fent Georgia Bafti to follow the Reer of the Kings Army, to obferve which 
 way he marched , entered with the Duke of Mayenne into the City, where having 
 given infinite praifes to the Sieur de Villart and the reft that had been with him in 
 the fiege, he retired the fame night to quarter with his Army in the Neighbouring 
 Villages; 
 
 I5P2. 
 
 TiiC King 
 fcnjing i^tf 
 hisCarriiges 
 before, dtiw» 
 up his Army 
 in battalii^and 
 matches avtif 
 from the Ceg€ 
 of Sdun, 
 
 The End of tk Tmlfih BOOK. 
 
 THE
 
 542 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F TH E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 ^YHE:f^%lCO CATE'Rl^^O 'DAVILA. 
 
 The Thirteenth BOOK, 
 
 I 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 Nthk Bookjf fet down the Determination of the Confederates to bejlege Cau- 
 debec, thereby to open the fajjage of the River, and totally free the City of 
 Rouen : They lay fiege unto it--, the Duke of Parma in viewing the Worl{s 
 receives a Musket-Jfjot in the Arm : The Town is taken -, hut things go on fo 
 flowly^ that the King hath time to get his Army together again^ and taking 
 all the Pajfes, to bejlege the Army of the League in the Peninlula of Caux^ 
 many anions of importance follow : The Duke of Varma. troubled with his 
 tvbund^ and firaightened with want of Proviftons^ thinks of pajfing the Ri- 
 ver Seine to difingage himfelf from that danger which he jbund he was run 
 into : He manages that dejign with fo much art, that he paffes the River, 
 and retires without receiving any lofs'^ he draws o^with long marches, re- 
 P^jffes the River at St. C\oud,returns into Fhndevs, and leaves Supplies (not 
 very powerful) under the Sieur de Rofne. The Duke of Mayenne being 
 ^fJgry., goes not with him'-, /le ^<«^ex Ponteau de Mer, and falls into difcord 
 with the Popes Commijfary , he enters into a Treaty of Agreement with the 
 K-iKg, who vexed at the unexpe&cd pajfage of the Confederate Army, lejfens 
 his ga>n, and follows the Enemy with a flying Camp. He lays (lege to EJP- 
 pernay in Champagne, which had been taken a while before by the Sieur de 
 Rho(he 5 the Marefihal de Byron is flain there with a Cannon-fljot •■) Efper- 
 nay is taken, and other neighbouring Garifons fill of themfelves : The King 
 raifesaFort upon the Seine to keep Provifions from the City <?/ Paris, the 
 Duke of Mayenne attempts in vain to divert him: There arifes on the Kings 
 fide a. third party of the Princes of the Blood, and many Machinations are 
 fet on foot. Pope Clement the B.ighth is created, who applies himfelf with 
 great Moderation to the Afairs of France. The Duke of Mayenne at the 
 pollicitation of the Pope and the Kitig <?/ Spain, refolves to call the States- 
 general to Ele£i a King j upon this there follows divers Artifces, and diffe- 
 rent Treaties 3 King Philip fends new Ambajfadors to declare his Will unto 
 
 the
 
 of France. The Thirteenth ^oo^ ^45 
 
 the States. The Du^e of May enne meets them, they difagree^ bnt piece up 15^2, 
 again for their own private interefts. The King attempts to dijfolve the States- 
 He caufes the Catholicks of his Council to hold a. Conference wiih the Confe- 
 derates, vphich with the Duke of MayenneV confent is begun at Surenne • 
 He takes Noyon 5 the King being necejjitated to go fpeedily into Poiftou, 
 cannot relieve it. The Catholick, Kings Amhajfadors propofe the Infanta of 
 Spain to be ele&ed ^een •■, the Proportion is ill relived by the States and 
 there are divers practices about it. The King takes Dreux; and beirn? con- 
 fir ained by the importunities of his oven Catholicks, who threaten to for fake 
 him, refolves to turn his Religion •■, He removes to St. Denis, and goes pub- 
 licity to Mafs. He appoints the Duke of Nevers his Ambajfador to the Pope 
 to ask, Abfolution 5 the States of the League are troubled at it. The Duke of 
 Mayenne feeing that he could not obtain the Kingdom for himfelf, nor for his 
 Pofierity, confent s that a Truce jloould be treated on 5 the Deputies at Su- 
 renne conclude it till the end of Oftober ; it is willingly accepted, and the 
 States at Paris are difmijfed. 
 
 H E relieving of Kouen eiTedtcd with fo much eafe , and 
 without Blood, by the Duke of Parma's excellent dexterity 
 in making ufe fometimes of flownefs, fometimes of celerity, 
 according as they were feafonable, filled his Name with in- 
 finite honour , and did very much dcprefs that height of 
 profperity to which the Kings affairs feemed to be grown 
 up i but the bulinefTes which followed, though they much 
 more clearly fhewed the Dukes prudence and valour, did 
 yet within a (hort time raife the Kings affairs to their for- 
 mer condition. 
 
 The Council of the League, after they faw the Kings Camp was raifed, began to 
 debate what was fitteft to be done. The Spanifli and Italian Commanders were for 
 following the Enemy i and now that he was fo weak , and his men tired out with 
 fufferings, advifed to profecutehisfupprefTion, whiles the occafion prefented it felf of 
 hoping with reafon to effect it : but the French Lords (to whom exceeding great be- 
 lief was given, by reafon of the knowledge they had of the Country, and of the fitua- 
 tions of places) (hewed, that he palling the Seine at Ponte de f Arche, and marching 
 ing into Lower Normandy^ would not only leave them in a neceflity of returning to Rouen 
 to pafs the River , but alfo make it very difficult for them to follow him thorow a 
 Country that was wholly the Enemies , far from fupplies , retreats and provifions ; 
 whereas he with the fervour of the Nobility, which would prefently be run together 
 to withfland his danger, encreafing in firength every hour , and refrelhing his Forces 
 in places fo fertil and abundant, would quickly be able to look them in the face, and 
 reduce them, being furroundcd in his Country, to fome ftrange encounter. Where- 
 fore, that they might utterly free the City o{ Rouen, and open the River unto it, they 
 thought it much beuettozftnuhCaudebec, that alone hindered thepaflageof the5««f j 
 which being taken , and the intention perfedlred for which they were come thither 
 they might afterward confider what enterprife would be moft advantageous to their 
 common intercfls. The Duke of Parma, who defired abfblutely to free Rouen, and 
 then following his wonted dcfigns, to return to the Government of the affairs of Flan- 
 ders, did willingly embrace the Counfel, not taking notice (by reafon he was not ac- 
 quainted with the Country) that (hutting himfelf up in the Peninfula of Ci»«Ar, envi- 
 roned on one fide with the River Seine, and on the other two by the Ocean Sea, if the 
 King with his Army (hould poffefs the palTage out of it, which was but one, and that 
 narrow one of a few miles, he would (hut them up as in a net, and by reafon of the 
 littlenefs of the Country, would (only by (lopping provifions from him) conquer him 
 very eafily with hunger. But the French Commanders either did not believe that 
 the King could fo foon be in a condition to follow them, or elfe thought to take Cau~ 
 debec in a few hours, and retire before he (hould be come up to them > and the Duke 
 of tarma fuffered himfelf to be led by thofe who knew the fituations and quality of 
 
 Che
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Heum, 
 
 544 ^ 
 
 i<o2, the Country better than he, out of the apparent reafon of abfolutdy freeing the City 
 The Atmy'of of Kw/f«, which Certainly without the taking of Caudebec, being deprived of the ufe 
 the League ^p jj^^ Rjver, would have remained little lefs than beficged : wherefore having thrown 
 ^oonXrcego jown the Kings Forts and Trenches, the Army of the League came before Caudebec 
 2i:/X% upon the 24t'> day of April. 
 
 iitterijr to free Caudebec lies behind certain Hills C not very high nor fteep , but fertil and well 
 the City of „r(,oded} in a large Plain, upon the bank of the River Seine ^ encompaffed with very 
 thick Walls , but not lined with Earth, nor bettered with any kind of Fortification. 
 There were to defend the Town Monfieur de la Garde a Colonel of French Infantry, 
 and Faufznia Braccioduro^ who alone commanded the Italian Light-Horfe i for Nicola 
 Nafi was dead in the Camp of a natural death. Thefe, not to fail in the duty of good 
 Souldiers, took a Port without the Town between two Hills, in the pafTagc that led 
 from them into the Plain, intending to keep the fiege as far as pofTibly they could from 
 the Walls. The Walloons of the Count de Bejfu, and Monfieur de Vert^ were fcnt to 
 drive them from thence i with whom though they skirmifhed a long while, and gained 
 time, yet being exceeded by a greater number, they were fain to retire to the Town, 
 and leave the paflage free unto the Army of the League > but as it marched down in- 
 to the Plain, the HeUand Men-of-War, who were drawn clofe to the bank of the Ri- 
 ver, plaid upon it moft furioufly with their Cannon, and did a very great and unex- 
 peded mifchief to the firft Squadrons: wherefore the Duke having commanded the 
 Army that was marching to make a ftand, did with excellent order, and no left ex- 
 pedition, caufe his Artillery to be drawn to the fide of a Hill, and from thence to give 
 fire with equal violence upon the Ships, fo that Cthe Cannon which were planted up- 
 on the Land, (hooting with more certainty than thofe that were upon the Water) ha- 
 ving almoft funk the Admiral, and fiiot many of their beft Ships thorow and thorow, 
 the reft drew off from the (hore, and with the ftream of the River fell down to ^ille- 
 boenf^ a place that Hands fomething lower, but upon the fame bank, and there for 
 their fecurity they began to draw a Line about the Town i which for the conveniency 
 of it, in refpeft of Navigation, and of the paflage of the River, being made a For- 
 trefs, was in after-times held in exceeding great confideration. But the Ships being 
 beaten off, and that trouble taken away, the Duke having quartered his Army, caufed 
 a Poft to be taken under the walls, and the next day went in perfon with Prince 
 Kaauccio, the Sieur de la Motte, and Count Nicolo Cefis^ to view the place j and whilft 
 he diligently furveyed all things, and becaufe he would not truft to others, defigned 
 himfelf the manner of forming the Battery, he was hurt in the midft of the right arm 
 with a Musket-bullet, which being fliot from one of the great Towers of the Wall, 
 ket Hot in the took him Under the elbow, and parting between the two bones, went almoft to his 
 hand, where (being fpent before) it flatted it felf, and flayed, not having force enough 
 to make its way out. He never changed his countenance, nor interrupted his difcourfe, 
 nor fpake of his being wounded i but it being difcovered by the ftanders by, who favir 
 the blood run down from under his Cloke, he would neverthelefs make an end of gi- 
 ving thofe orders which he had begun to defign > and being brought home to his quar- 
 ters, and vifited by the Chirurgions, his hurt was not found any way mortal, but ex- 
 ceeding painful i and fo much the more, becaufe they having been found to make three 
 incifions in his arm, to find the courfe of the wound, and to take out the Bullet, he 
 fell into a Fever within a while after j which continuing upon him, he was conftrained 
 at laft to keep his Bed. After this accident, the chief command of the Army was left 
 to the Duke of Mayenne, and the ordering of the Catholick Kings Forces to Prince Ra- 
 nuccio^ who neverthelefs did not difpofe of any thing without his Fathers confent. The 
 Cannon were planted the next day , though but flowly i and having battered and 
 beaten down a great fpace of the Wall, Monixtux de la Garde Cthough againft the opi- . 
 Gi°rfe'fumni* "'°" ^^ Bracciaduro) began to treat of furrendring , and after fome debate obtained 
 ^"faadehic the Conditions he demanded j for the Duke of Tarma being in no very good eftate, 
 oft'heLcjgue. ^^'^V °"^ defired that the progrefs of matters might be facilitated. So the next day 
 the Town came into the power of the Confederates , who to give their Army reft, 
 noon notice of ^^^ to refiefh it with plenty of victual which they had gotten there, ftaid there three 
 ""="'■""' ^^ys after the taking of it. 
 
 In the mean time the Nobility of the neighbouring Provinces ("which had been 
 
 ummoned from the very firft notice of the Enemies return) were come unto the King i 
 
 tne Meut d Hnmiers with Two hundred Horfe from Picardy, the Sieur de Sourdis 
 
 horn 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 Pirrmivicwiiag 
 the fituation 
 of rjKjfifi:, re- 
 ceives a Mus 
 
 the Enemies 
 tetutn.the No- 
 bility return to 
 the Kings Ar- 
 my with grew 
 S«Pflici.
 
 of France. The Tkirteenth ^oo^ 54.5 
 
 from Chartres with an hundred and fifty,the Sieur de Htrtre Gov txnout oi Alancon with IKott 
 Two hundred, the Count ^i? Montgomery^ and the S'ltMx de Colombiere w'lih Three hun- 
 dred, Monfieur deCanifi (Son-in-law to Matigmn) with an hundred, Odet (Son to 
 the late Sieur de la Noue ) with as many , and Colonel St Denis with Six hundred 
 Harquebufiers on horfe-back. There arrived alfo Monlieurie Souvray and the Count 
 ^eL/^f with Three hundred Gentlemen who had not been in the Camp before i and 
 at laft the Duke of Montpenfier long expefted , and the Sieur de la Verune Governour 
 oi Caen czmt with Eight hundred Gentlemen, Two hundred Light-Horfe, and Four 
 hundred Harquebufiers on horfe-back. 
 
 ■ The Duke of Montpenfier's ftay had been occafioned by his defire to obtain Aurancbes, 
 a Tovvn in lower Normandy^ which was the onely one, that in thofc parts, towards the 
 Confines o^Bretagne^ddi for the party of the League ■■, for having belieged it at the latter 
 end of the year before, with hope of taking it within a very few dayes, the bulinefs af- 
 terwards proved otherwife j for Monfitur de Vkq^ an old foldier, and an undaunted 
 Cavalier, who was come from Pont-Orfon, having (hut himfelf up into the Town, had 
 gallantly made good the Suburbs for many dayes, till the Walls and Baftions of the 
 City were made very defenfible. But the Suburbs at laft being taken,and the approaches 
 being begun, there fell fo great and fo continuing a Snow, as did not onely fill all the 
 Trenches already made, but alfo hindered the work in fuch manner, that the Camp 
 was fain to lie idle many dayes , being in the mean time tormented with fuchex- 
 cellive cold weather, that had it not been for the Suburbs (the houfes whereof were 
 pulled down, and the wood of them burned to warm the Soldiers; it had not been 
 polfible to have perfifted in the enterprife. The Snow being ceafed, the Ice continu- 
 ed fb hard frozen, and the earth therefore fo dry, and as it were turned intoftone 
 that it could not be digged nor entered with a pick-axe without wonderful difficulty j 
 and yet having with great toil raifed a Plat- form with two Batteries, they planted up- 
 on them the Artillery, which was brought from Caen and Falaife^znd particularly one 
 Cannon of an unmeafurable greatnefs, which they called le grande Robin ^ with all 
 which the Walls being battered in two places, and alfo many houfes beaten down by 
 the fliot that went into the Town, it was fiercely afiaulted upon the fccond of F?- 
 hmary^ and though fioutly maintained by thofe within , yet the heat of many of the De- 
 fendants weakned the hope of holding out, in fuch manner, that the Sieur de Vkq was 
 forced to capitulate, and furrendcr the Town into the Duke's power i who having fet 
 liis Forces again in order, and gathered the Nobility together, was come unto the 
 King, by whom he had been otten very earneftly fent for. 
 
 Now the King's Army being in a very tew dayes fo increafed, that in it there were -j.,, j.- 
 between feven and eight thoufand horfe , and between llxteen and eighteen thoufand Army r<:'cef^,f, 
 Foot i for befides the Hollanders of the Fleet, he had dreyned all the neighbouring 'r"" "n" 
 Garrilons i and the error or the Contederates being manitettly known, who had unad- an- 8000 
 vifedly engaged themfelves in a nook, where they mull fulfer and labour very much ""'^'' 
 before they could get cut, refolved to cut off their retreat, and prelling them on all 
 fides, to reduce tliem ' without any danger tohimfclfj unto extreme necctiity of Vi- 
 d:uah for one part of the palTage into the Peninfula towards the Sea being (huf up 
 by E;/, Arques and Diepe, which places being ftrongly Garri(bned, did, in great part, 
 obftrutft the way, and the Seine being blocked up by the polTciTion of ^iiUebaitf, and 
 by the Holland Fleet, there remained nothing but wholly to (hut up the other part of 
 the entrance toward the River Somme^ which alone led from the Peninfitla into the 
 Provinces of Normandy and Picardy. The King therefore being departed with ex- 
 ceeding great celerity from the Walls of Pont de /' Arche, and marching without ffop, 
 though with his Army in Battalia, came upon the laft of April within fight of the 
 Enemies Camp, which being gone from Caudebec the fame day, had taken up quarters 
 at Tvetot^ a great Town, which afforded much conveniency for lodging. 
 
 It was a remarkable thing, that the King alfo by not well heeding the fituation of 
 the place through which he marched, put himfelPin manifeft danger of being defeated: 
 For that Country being all inhabited by Lords, whopoffefs many Towns there, it is 
 for their pleafure and conveniency all full of large Parks, encompaffed with great well- 
 built Walls, as high as a man on horfe-back, and fome of thefe there are, that take up 
 the fpace of three or four miles. Now the King advancing through this Countrey to- 
 wards the Camp of the League, it was was necefTary, keeping the ordinary way, to 
 pafs between two very great Parks , one of which was on the light hand , and 
 
 Aaaa Che
 
 54^ 
 
 15P2. 
 
 The Kmj 
 niarching witn 
 his Armjr be- 
 twffn the 
 walls of two 
 Parks, p"" 
 himlclf in 
 grtat danger, 
 which he tC- 
 capes by tea- 
 Jon of the L>. 
 of Pnrmit's I e- 
 ins in a tea- 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 The Armies 
 quarcci within 
 a mile of one 
 
 xnutbcr. 
 
 The Kings fol- 
 diets make 
 themfelves 
 mafttrs of the 
 Trench, made 
 t'y them of 
 the League 
 lie fore the 
 Wood. 
 CamtUo Cii-pi^ 
 ~a«l)iwith hii 
 Tenia, teco- 
 vets the 
 Tteneh >;iin, 
 and fecures 
 it with fot- 
 uficationi. 
 
 the other on the left, the High-way being in the midft .• wherefore the Cavalry and 
 Infantry being fain to march but few in front, the Kings Army was brought into 
 fuch a condition, that the Van-guard was paft the Parks, the Battel was fhut up be- 
 tween the Walls of them, and the Rere was yet remaining on the hither fide : So that 
 if it had been aflaulted, the Van-guard would have been fought withal, and defeat- 
 ed, and neither the Rere nor Battel would have been able to alTift it. The Duke of 
 Montpenfier who led the Van, perceived it, when being come pall the Parks, he dif- 
 covered the Enemies Army encamped upon the lideofan Hill j but not being able 
 to do any thing elfe, he drew his Squadrons ttill into order as they came, and 
 by redoubled Melfages haftned the Kings marching up with the Battel. The Enemy 
 likewife perceived it, and Count Alejandro Sforza^ a Cavalier of great fore-fight and 
 experience, ran himfelf (as he hath often told mc fince) to give the Duke notice of 
 it, fliowing with how much eafe and facility the Vidtory might be gotten by reafon of 
 the enemies error i but the Duke very ill of a f eaver, in great pain with his wound, 
 and lying in his bed, could not fo foon take a refolution , and told Count Aleffandro , 
 That to right with the King of Navar, live men were neceflary, and not fuch blood- 
 left carcaifesas he was: Yet having call'd the Duke of M<ye««f , Prince Ki»»«ccWjand 
 the other Commanders, he gave them order, if the occafion would bear it, tofall in 
 upon the Enemv, and caufing himfelf to be fet in a Chair, he made himfelf alfo to be 
 carried to the place where the Kings Army was feen to appear advancing between the 
 Parks i but at fuch time, when by the diligent care of the Duke oi Montpenfier , the 
 Van-guard had already taken up their flation, and the Battel was almoft all paft, and 
 before the Camp of the League (which was come into quarters but a few hours be- 
 fore) could be drawn together in Arms, the Kings whole Army was paft, and 
 feticd again in its former order i fo fair, and fo evident an occafion being loft by reafon 
 of the Generals being hurt. 
 
 The Armies being quartered at Icfs than a miles diftance from one another, there 
 remained a thick Wood between them upon the right hand, which the days following 
 gave matter for many remarkable encounters j for they of the League,that night drew 
 a Trench at the entry of it toward the Enemy, to keep the poffelfion of the Wood 
 unto themfelves, and placed there to guard it the Count de Bosh's Jertia , which was 
 Two thoufand Walloons. , There, upon the rirft day of M^)/ happened three hot skir- 
 miftes, whilft the King laboured to view that Poft : The rirft between the Baron de 
 BiroH^ and the Duke of G«//^, the fecond between the Duke of BouiUon, and the Sieur 
 deRof/ie^a.nd the third (which lafted till night) between the Skut de Montigny^ and 
 tiie Baron de la Chajire ■■, yet was it not polfible for the King to difcover what Works 
 the enemy had made in the entry of the Wood •, for befides the hindrance of the Ca- 
 valry, the hail of Musket-bullets which fhowred from thence with infinite fury, would 
 not fuffer any body to draw near it.But the next day the skirmifti being begun again, 
 the Baron de Biron ^though many of his men were left dead upon the place ) rufiied 
 on fo far, that he difcovered there was nothing but a fingle line, without any fign of 
 Cannon, and without the defence of Flankers or Redouts » wherefore upon the third of 
 May in the morning, the King having commanded out three Squadrons of Foot, one 
 of Germans, another Englifti, and the third French, fent them on at break of day to 
 aflauk and make themfelves Mafters of the Trench, who having marched very faft over 
 the little Plain that was between, fell unexpedtedly upon the Walloons, and beat them 
 away from their Poft, ( who, for hafte of retreating, left alfo their baggage behind 
 them) and without lofing time, began to fortifie themfelves in the Trench. But 
 the Duke of Mayenne and Prince KanKccia, without giving them Icafureto fecure that 
 place, having drawn forth a great number of Carabines and Light-horfe upon the 
 right and left hand, to obftrudtthe way, commanded CamiUo Capzucchi with his7ec- 
 Ua^ fecondcd by that of Alfonfo Idiaques^ to attempt the recovery of that Poft. Ca- 
 millo^ out of his own riercenefs, and the emulation that was between the Italian and 
 Walloon Infantry, ruflung on boldly to affault the Trench, entered it with fo much vio- 
 lence, that the King's Foot, after a fliort refiftance, were conftrained to quit the place, 
 and in their retreat, being furrounded by the Carabines, would have had much ado to 
 get back fafe to the Camp,if the D.of Montpenfier, the D.ofNevers, and the Count de St 
 taul with three feveral Squadrons of Gentlemen had not advanced to difingage them. 
 The Italians wrought all that night, poffclTmg all the paffage of the high- way, and ha- 
 ving made a great Redoubt with Flankers and Trenches on all fides , they planted 
 
 four
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'BooL 
 
 547 
 
 four pieces of Cannon there i fo that the King was deprived of all hope of being able 
 to beat them out any more i and fo the Wood remained in the power of the Army 
 of the League, which ftood them in great Ikad for hutting, and for the fecurity of 
 their quarters \ and alfo was of great ufe for cutting wood, and to feed the Carabines 
 horfes, that were accuftomed to live upon what is daily found in the field. 
 
 But the King (though the paffage out of the Peninfitla was already made good^ ha- 
 ving a defire to ftraiten the enemies Camp moreclofely i that he might the fooner ef- 
 fed his enterprife, turned his quarters upon the right hand by the wood-fide, and pof- 
 fefled himfelf of a hill, from whence he could batter Ivetut, in which Eourg the Duke 
 of Guife lay with the Van-guard i and having planted feven pieces of Cannon behind 
 a Trench, which was brought to perfection in i very few hours, he began to play up- 
 on the enemies in the fiank,in fuch manner, that the Duke oi Guife was forced to quit 
 the Bourg, and retire into the quarter of the Battel. In his retreat, the Duke of Bou- 
 illon with the Reiters, and the Baron de Biron with a ftrong party of French Cavalry , 
 followed him in the Rere h but he bringing up the laft rank himfelf in perfon, and ftill 
 valiantly facing about, retired with his Baggage fafe and entire, and with his men in 
 order, though in the skirmifli fbme were taken prifoners, among which were the Ba- 
 rons de Coutenan and de la Maifon. But the King, not only, out of a defire, the more 
 to ftraiten the Enemy, but to the end that continual action, and the hope of fighting, 
 might from hour to hour keep the French Gentry from being weary, did not fuffer fo 
 much as a minutes reft i and at laft, upon the Twelfth of May^ would needs attempt 
 to fliut them up more clofely, by pofTeffing himfelf of an hjjl that lay more forward 
 beyond the Fortifications of the Wood, and about the diftance of Cannon (hot from 
 the Camp of the League, which was guarded by three Companies of Walloons under 
 Ocjjiio Mansfelt^ and three others of Spaniards under Ludovko Velafca To that end, a- 
 bout break of day he fent forth Count Shilip o{ NjjJJu with his Troops i who march- 
 ing on fecretly by the Wood-fide, and afterward having left it upon his right hand, 
 aflaulted that Guard fo unexpedtedly , that within half an hour the defendants were 
 beaten from it, and the Count began to intrench himfelf, and to give iign that Cannon 
 fliould be brought up thither : but they of the League, confidering the great inconveni- 
 ence which they were like to receive from that Poft, prefcntly fent the Walloon and Ita- 
 lian Infantry to recover it i the Swiffers, with the French and Spanifti Foot, ftanding 
 in Battalia to keep the field > and likevvife the Cavalry in Arms ftood ready without 
 the Trenches to back the Foot. The King, on the other fide , had drawn up his 
 whole Army out of their quarters,and caufed his Light-horfe to fcowr the Plain,there- 
 by to hinder the Hollanders f who had gained that Poft) from being cncompaflcd ■■, for 
 which purpofe alfo, the Duke of Mmtpenfier^ with Eight hundred Horfe on the one 
 fide, and the Duke of Bouillon with One thoufand Reiters on the other, being upon the 
 wings of the Battel, ftood ready to reinforce them. There was a fliarp fight about the 
 recovery of that Poft, and they laboured at it with much blood, for the fpace of two 
 hours i but at laft the Italians overcoming all obftacles,regained the Hill,and with great 
 execution drove back the Hollanders i the Cavalry of both Armies running on each 
 fide, to fupprefs, and defend them, which made it generally thought, that they fhould 
 fight that day with all their Forces : but neither would the Duke of Mayenne hazard 
 the whole fum of affairs without the prefence and confent of the Duke of ?arma, nor 
 did the King defire to put it then to a Battel, being confident that within a hv/ dayes 
 he fhould overcome the enemy by want of Vidual. Yet fought they ftill , with great 
 and redoubled encounters, for the fpace o' ten hours i the Cannon thundred on all 
 fides, and the Commanders engaged themfelves more than once; particularly Prince 
 KaHuccio, who This hprfe being fhot under him) was in great danger to remain a prifb- 
 ner to the Englifh > and the D.o( Parma caufing himfelf to be taken out of his Bed,and to 
 be fet on horf-back,advanced to the Front of his Army,doubting, that either opportuni- 
 ty or necelTity might draw the Army to a Battel. Night put an end to thefe encounters. 
 But the next day the K.who could neither take nor give reft,having intelligence that the 
 Light-horfe of the League was lodged in a quarter very affaultable , and that might be 
 beaten up before the reft of the Army could ftir to relieve it (an error alway es pernicious 
 in all occafions of War) fetching a great compafs,went thither himfelf in perfon j and ha- 
 ving found them in no very good order,by reafon o(Bajii's abfence,(who being fick of a 
 Flux, was retired to Candebec to recover his health ) he put them in fo great 
 confufion , that having loft their quarter, two Captains , and their Carriages, they 
 
 Aaaa 2 had 
 
 I5p2i 
 
 The Army of 
 the Laacruc 
 being in ihe 
 I'eniKfuLi of 
 Ciux , the 
 King lUivcs 
 to Ihuc lip 
 their pafTjgc 
 out, being t«C 
 one, and ihar 
 very narrow. 
 
 The kinji 
 foUifrs take 
 a Port frori'l 
 thofc of the 
 leaoue, which 
 after a lonj; 
 difpute IS re- 
 covered b)fth€ 
 Italians and 
 WiUuons. 
 
 The King 
 beats up tbc 
 quarters of the 
 Light-horfe 
 of ibe League.
 
 548 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I5F 
 
 2. 
 
 Tht Dute of 
 
 Pdfma fends 
 Princt RmM- 
 c:i> to aflauU 
 the Kiogs out- 
 guards ; and 
 while tViey 
 are fighting 
 there, being 
 favoured by 
 a mill, he re- 
 moves his 
 Camp without 
 noifeof either 
 Drum or 
 Trumpet. 
 
 had much ado to get to the main Body of their Army, which though it was diligently 
 making ready to give relief, yet the bufincfs having been very foon difpatched,the King 
 had time after be had beaten and driven away the Enemy, to retire to his own quar- 
 
 ters 
 
 TBe Army of 
 the League 
 fliut up in the 
 i'oiin/i.'a , IS 
 icduced «nto 
 nccrlTicy of 
 Viflml, and 
 li in a fteat 
 
 at»it. * 
 
 But the Duke of T^rma being fo ill, that he was often troubled with long tedious 
 fwoundings, had great need to take fomc reft i and having already begun to think of 
 the means of getting out of that dangerous place wherein he found himfelf, he judged 
 it very ht to draw back his Army nearer the Walls of Caudebec^ along the Bank of the 
 River whereby he might make ufe of the conveniency of the Town i and the Army 
 changing quarters, might avoid the caufe of difeafes, and be more gpportune for his de- 
 lign: Wherefore, upon the i6'^oiMay, the weather being dark by reafon of a thick 
 mift, which afterward turned into a very great Rain, he caufed the Camp to rife in the 
 morning by break of day, without noife (Jf either Drum or Trumpet j and the Cannon 
 and all the Engage going before, he led the Army to quarter in a place half a League 
 from the Town, between two Hills , before which there was a large PJain. Now to 
 deceive the King, that he might not difcover the moving of his Camp, ( befides the 
 advantage of the weather, and the filence and order wherewithal his Soldiers march- 
 ed) Prince Kanuccio advanced as far as the entrance of the Wood before any thing ftir- 
 red,and fell upon the Kings out-guards,making as if his defign were to enlarge himfelf, 
 and to that end he would have beaten them from their Poft i which whilft they of the 
 King's party are intent upon with their utmoft endeavours, whilft their mindes are 
 wholly taken up there, and while thick volleys of fliot rattle on all fides, there was no 
 noife at all heard of the moving of the Camp i and the Prince, after a continued skir- 
 miih of three hours together, leflening his Forces by little and little, and fending off 
 the Squadrons one by one to joyn with the Rereguard brought up by the Duke of 
 Atimak^ at laft himfelf alfo, with only Two hundred horfe, followed the reft of the 
 Camp at a round trot, leaving the King aftoniftied, when after the air was grown clear, 
 he faw what an artificial retreat the Army of the League had made.But the Prince be- 
 ing come to the place where the Army had been encamped, found three pieces of Canf 
 ron left there, either by the negligence or fear of him that had the charge of drawing 
 them off i wherefore, not to leave them, to the leffening of his reputation, in the ene- 
 mies power, he was conftrained to recal his fleeing Squadron to difingage them, and to 
 bring them off fafe : which, though it were done with great celerity, yet would it have 
 fpoiled and fruftrated the admirable art of this retreat, if the King had been more ready 
 to follow them : fo fubjed oftentimes, in the affairs of War, are the greateft adlions to 
 mifcarry by the leaft diforders. • 
 
 But the King being come to quarter that night in the place wh ich th cy of the League 
 had quitted, advanced the next day to difcover them-, and having confidered thefitua- 
 tion of the Country with no lefs fagacity than they, marched to the oppofite hiJls, and 
 there prudently difpofed his whole Army into quarters, perfifting ftill to ftraiten and 
 fhut them up, as his defign had been from the beginning. The Duke of MoHtpenfier 
 with the Vanguard very ftrong in Horfe, lay upon the right hand, and fpread himfelf 
 fo far toward Viepe, that the Garrifon of thofe places which obftruded all the ways , 
 met mutually with his parties that fcowred the field. The King with the Battel, in 
 which was the greateft ftrengthof Infantry, lay encamped upon the foot of the hills 
 upon the great Road o( Ficardy. The Duke of Bew^iW with the Rere, wherein were 
 the Keiters, kept the left hand, poffeffing that pafs which leads from the Country of 
 Caux towards Rouen; fo that all paffages being ftopt, there was no part of the way 
 that remained free. The Army being encamped in its feveral Pofts, the King (con- 
 trary to his ordinary cuftom ) ftrove to fecure himfelf, that the Enemy might noC 
 force him to a Battel i and therefore he ftrengthencd and fortified all his quarters, 
 fpoiled and blocked up all the wayes, and laboured with all induftry,that the Enemies 
 Comtrianders,by making fome brisk attempt,might not be able to force his Quarters. 
 The Camp of the League was already reduced to fuch want of Victual, that it could 
 luhfift no longer i for neither did the River (obftruded by the Holland Fleet) fur- 
 nun it with Provifions, nor did the Country longer afford any conveniency to feed it, 
 that Corn beingfpent which was found at the tzk'wgof Candebec, all the Country eaten 
 T"' ^"^^'''^^^ wafted which induftry had been able to fupply i and not only of other 
 r l^ri'u ^^^" of water there was very great wanf, for that of the River being 
 ipoiled by the flowing of the Sea, was not only very ill tafted, but alfo wonderfully un- 
 
 wholfbme
 
 of France. The Thirteenth "Boof^ ^aq 
 
 wholfortie. To this was added the fufFerings of their Hoifes, which, befides the fear- 1592. 
 cityofforragc, being harrafTed in the fields with continual Rains, died every hour in 
 great abundance i and the Foot being many dayes behind, and without money to re- 
 lieve thcmfelves in their prefent necellity, was afflided and confumed with the many 
 tedious fuffcrings. On the other fide, the King having Diepe and St. Valery near him 
 and behind the way open into the moft fertill Provinces of Normandy and Ficardy^ 
 though no better ftored with Money than the Enemy was, did yet abound in Provifi- 
 ons, and his Soldiers fpreading themfelves far abroad to forrage, fupplycd the want 
 of their pay with plundring the Country. 
 
 Wherefore, the Duke of Parma feeing himfelf reduced to fo ftrait and fo neceffitous 
 a condition, thought there was no other remedy for it but to pafs over to the other 
 fide of the River 5««f, and getting out of the Pfwiw/zt/j, to remove into the fpacious 
 Plain of lower Normandy^ and fo dif-intangle bimfelf from the King's defigns, who 
 already believed that he had him fure in the net. But as this was the only wholfom 
 refolution for the fafety of his Army, fo was it moft diflicult to be effeded : for it was 
 not to be doubted , but if the King were aware of it, he might eafily deftroy him in 
 croflTing the River , and they were fo near Neighbors, that it could not in reafon be 
 hoped that paflage could be concealed. He communicated his thought to the Duke 
 of Mayenne ^ and the Sieur de la Matte ■■, but it feemed to them, not only dangerous , 
 but impoffiblc, knowing how hard it is to pafs a little Ditch, when theoppofition of 
 the Enemy is near ■■, much lefs was a good event to be hoped for in paflTmg a mighty 
 broad River, fwelled in that place by the Salt-waters, with an entire Army , full of 
 Baggage, hindred with Ammunition, and great ftore of Cannon, a fierce and power- 
 ful Enemy being at their back h yet neceffity urged , and the fafety of that Army could 
 no other way be provided for : Wherefore the Duke being ftraitned within himfelf, re- 
 (blved to try if by dexterity he could bring that thought to pafs. To which pur- 
 pofe, having made Eight Enfigns of Bfrtoff's Regiment, by little and little, to crofs 
 the River in certain fmall Boats, he caufed a Fort to be raifed upon the other Bank, 
 which, in the form of a Star, had three fpurs toward the River, to command and fe- 
 cure it ; and made another to be raifed over againft that upon the Bank , where the 
 Army was, but with the Redout toward the River, and the Front oppofite to the 
 place from whence the Enemy might appear , and in it, befides the Count de BoJJ}{ with 
 a Thoufand Foot, whereof moft were Muskcttiers, he planted four pieces of Cannon 
 that might command a great way off, and keep the palTage of the field open. At the J^'^^^'pf 
 
 r ■ T> 1- J»T' -1 iri/- i'Jj-mi, to free 
 
 lame time many great Boats were makmg ready at ixuuen^ with wonderful fecrecy, the Army, 
 whereof in that place there were a great number, which were wont to carry Merchan- "''"'^ "". '" 
 dize upon the River, and they faftned pieces of Timber and Planks together, after the pr:fonedin the 
 manner thofe Bridges are made, whereby great Rivers are commonly wont to be paffed. S,x"'7efoivei 
 Other little Boats likewife were prepared with fix Oars in each, to help and tow the '<>. p»fs the 
 greater with more facility, and fomc great floating- Bridges like Rafts were made of ex- fnTLs^acl' 
 ceeding thick Beams, fuflicient to fuftain and carry the Artillery. Thefe Boats ( which ttnipc fu«. 
 with the benefit of the ftrcam of the River, and the ebbing of the Sea, were come 
 from Ko«f« in a few hours) being arrived (the evening before the One and twenti- 
 eth of M^^jJ without lofing a moment of time, the fame night the weather being clear, 
 the French Cavalry and Infantry pafled over with the Duke of Aumale, then the Artil- 
 lery, and all the Baggage of the Army, after them the Swifs-Infantry, and about peep 
 of day, the Walloon, Spanifti, and Itallian Foot ■, Prince Ranttccio remaining on this 
 fide the River, with Appia Conti^ who (the Duke of Montemarciam being gone for Ita- 
 /yj commanded the Forces of the Church, and with them a Thoufand Italian Foot of 
 Capizftcchies^ and Two hundred Horfe i with which turning in Arms towards the 
 Enemy, they made as if they would skirmifti in the field. 
 
 The King feeing a fmall number of men upon the Hills, and that they ftirred not, 
 though his Light-horfe ran up and down the Plain, began to fufpecfl, that (as the time 
 before) the Enemies were changing their quarters, but not at all that they werepaffing 
 the River, which enlarged, by the flowing of the tide, is in that place more like a Sea 
 than a River. To affure himfelf of the truth , he fent forth the Baron de Biron 
 to difcover what they were doing, who having got up to the top of a Hill, upon 
 which nobody appeared, returned galloping with great fpeed, and related how the 
 Ene mies werepalting the River > at which news, the King,without further thought,ha- 
 ftedthat way with all the Cavalry, and left the Foot to follow him. But the Cavalry 
 
 could 
 
 cccds.
 
 c JO The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,502. could nor hinder the Enemies paffage, unlefs firft the Count de Bojfns Fort were (a- 
 Th Kin* ken which with Cannon and Musket-fliot fcoured the whole Plain on every fide,and 
 pcr«.»insthc ^^35*3 Q^^]^^^ to protcd thofc that paOed the River i which the King having at laft 
 ^"r'Lugh taken notice of, and thinking that enterprife too difficult, and of too great delay ,pof- 
 too uro gucs £-g0-(,j himfeU of another Hill that connmanded the river, and gave order, that with all 
 paa'w"..«r poiTible fpeed, the Artillery fhould be brought thither, to play upon and fink the Boats 
 thcRTver; jj^gt wcic palling. But while they were making ready, and drawing thither in a con- 
 paft aUMdy" fufcd haftc, the whole Army was already paft over i whereupon, the King altnoft tran- 
 fported with dcfpair, not being able to do any thing elfe, ran to charge Prince Ranue- 
 cio who laft of all, retiring by little and little, was gotten under the protedion of the 
 Fo'rt. The King advanced precipitately within reach of the Cannon and Musket, fur- 
 ther than was fitting, but he was quickly forced to retreat with fome lofs, but with 
 no effc& ; Co that the Count de Bo^'u^s Regiment, and Capizucchi's Thoufand Foot, 
 did alfo pafs the river one after another, and the Cannon that were in the Fort being 
 drawn off, piece by piece, were put upon one of the great Floating-bridges ■■, and laft 
 of all. Prince Kanuccio imbarked with bis Hoffe, at which time, the Kings Artillery 
 were come up to the Hill, and began to fire upon the Boats that paffed over, and like- 
 wife upon the Fort de la Berlotte > but the Cannon (hooting under-metall, did but lit- 
 tle harm in all places. 
 
 Greater was the danger, in regard of the Kings Men of War, which at that very 
 time appeared upon the river from ^illebxuf, and went to fall upon that Raft that 
 carried the Artillery, which were taken laft out of the Fort, for being but flenderly 
 guarded, it was doubted, they might eafily fall into the Enemies power i but Prince 
 Kanuccio^ who in this whole adion gained infinite praifes, not being ablctofuffer the 
 lofs of his Artillery before his eyes, in the fafety of which confifted the greareft repu- 
 tation of that enterprife , getting out of the Boat, in which he was pafling aboard a 
 little Bark,made hafte in perfon to relieve them, which the Sieur de U Motte, CamiUo 
 Capizucchi^ Colonel St. faul, and many other Gentlemen and Officers, having likewife 
 done with other little Barks, and the Fort de la Berlotte , playing with great violence 
 crofs the River, the Kings Ships defifted, and the Artillery coming at laft fafe to the 
 (hure, were landed in a moment by two Spaniih TVm'jfj-, commanded to receive and 
 accompany them, though the Kings Artillry, no lefs than the other, thundred with in- 
 finite violence upon the place. The whole Army, Cannon, and Carriages being paft, 
 without leaving any thing that was of moment. Prince Hanuccio would not ftir from the 
 river till all the Bridges and Boats were burned in every place, to the end they might 
 rot ferve the King to pafs over and follow them, and having entirely perfeded all he 
 intended, without any fliow of dirturbance, he came up towards evening to the reft of 
 the Army that was marched off from the river. 
 
 But neither could the paffage of the River ("which had been effeded with fo much 
 induftry,and (which imported moft of allj without having received any lofs at all^ 
 quiet the mind of the Duke of Parma, doubting, that the King might pafs over his Ar- 
 niy at Fo>it de /' Jrche, and refolve to follow him j which, if it had come to pafs, in 
 the condition he was in C the wearinefs of his Forces being confidered , and princi- 
 pally his not having money to maintain his Camp ) he doubted he fhould incur ve- 
 ry great dangers and troubles : wherefore, having quartered at Neubourg (which place 
 was facked and burnt by his Army) he marched with fo great fpecd toward Paris ^ 
 that became to St. Cloud in four dayes i and not willing to pafs through the Ciry,lert 
 he ftiould give his Forces occafion to disband, hecaufed a Bridge of Boats to be made, 
 and having repaffed the Seine, never flackncd his hafte till he came to the Wall ofCha- 
 fieau-lhierry in Champagne^ far from the enemy, and upon the way to return ftraight into 
 Flanders. 
 The Kin» dif. '" ^^e mean time the King, who was unexpededly fallen from a certain hope of fup- 
 foives hu for. preiTing his enemies, to a certain affurance that he had loft his pains,labours, and cxpen- 
 tpLotdl'to' "^' ^"'^ ^^^ ^'oo«^ ^«^ from his own Perfon and his Subjedsin the fpace of fo many 
 titir G.-vccn. moncths, feeing the City of K(?af« relieved, the Army of the League gotten away fafe 
 wUh'Vq'uick [° another place , his Gentry wearied and wafted, the Germans diminifhed in num- 
 mIws*™/ I ""(^^^ ^"^^ °"^ ^''^ '^-'"^ '^^^ fufferings, after he had been two daycs , not on- 
 ™»t°cb'of the Jy ^""^^cd in mind,but alfo perplexed and ambiguous in his thoughts, refolved to 
 c«my. ™f ". "i? A™y' as he had likewife done after the fiege of Tarit, and freeing himfelf 
 
 and thofe of his party from trouble and expence, to exped, with a fleeing Army, what 
 
 rcfolution
 
 o/" France. The Thirteenth ^ooL c^i 
 
 refolution the Commanders of the League would take. The Nobility departed the isea. 
 Lords returned to their Governments, and the King having muflered the Germans 
 and reformed their Companies one into another, with Three thoufand Horfe and be- 
 tween five and doooFoot, marched after the Enemy to the confines oi^ Champagne md 
 Ficardy. 
 
 But the fufiferingsof all the winter paft bred fuch grievous difeafes among thofe r-"""" Je 
 that had been in the Camp, that a wonderful great number of Gentlemen and valiant fr.i!f™,^t"Ii* 
 Commanders either died or lay long lick i among which, /"/-jwco/V de Bourbon Duke of e > as h'e ''wi»" 
 Montpetifier^ being fick of a Fever, in his return to his Government of Normandy , was h'i' Go'«rn.'* 
 (layed at Lifieux by the violence of his difeafe, where he departed this life upon the ""'""^ °^ ^'o'- 
 third oijune, A Prince of infinite high courage, and ineftimable goodnefs,and for thofe "ufi!lx'^\^J'' 
 qualities very worthy of the moft eminent Command whatfocver, if nature had afford- '■^"^ °f ^*'"a 
 ed him more vivacity, and a more perfpicuous underlUnding. About the fame time ''**' 
 not far from BeaHvais^ikd Monfieur deGiutry, a man of exceeding great valour, and 
 who, for prudence and experience,had lived in a lingular reputation among the Hugo- 
 nots, who, next to the D.of Bouillon, had placed all their hopes in him and Monfieur de la 
 Noue. 
 
 ^ At the departure of the Army of the League from the River Seine^ the difcords and 
 difcontents between the Generals were difcovered to burn miore than ever: for the D. 
 o(Maye»ne, who was not pleafed with the drawing off fo foon from the King,and leaving ll'^J^.^j'^'^l 
 matters again to his difcretion, did publickly attribute unto himfelf the honor of having mu'tsagamfi" 
 relieved Kouen without ftriking a blow, and of having by patience and indufiry cau- 'pl^,'^\)"r\ 
 fed the King's Army to dilTolve, without having remitted the fum of affairs to the un- ^'nT'hlaJoty 
 certain event of a Battel : That likewife as the removing of the impediment oiCaude- ons'lVhim'^'' 
 bee, and the clearing of the palfage of the 5f/«e, was nccelfaryi fo it had been pro- f-'* ° 
 pounded and obtained by him : That if afterward the Duke oiTarma, not trufling any 
 body, would needs, without occalion, put his perfon in danger,in a place and in an adi- 
 on that was not worth the cofl, and if his wound had given the King time to recruit 
 and to fliut them up in a corner (from whence quickly dilingaging themfel ves, they had 
 found conveniency to retire) it was no fault of his counfel, which was very good and 
 wholelbme, but a defed: of the execution, which had not been remitted to him : That 
 the indulhy of patlingover the River, could not but be praifed ■, but if it had been cm- 
 ployed in making a Bridge to come and go freely over the River, the paffage of Vi- 
 <ftuals would thereby have been opened on that iide v whereupon the King, being with- 
 out money, and his Army wearied andconfumed, would have been conftraincd to 
 march off with fhame, and to leave the Field open to them, to elfedt profitable and fig- 
 nal enterprifes : but becaufe the Spaniards would fpend but fparingly, and becaufethey 
 would afford but petty fupplies, and yet were obftinate to rule, command, and go- 
 vern all things their own way, it was come to pafs, that now all the part toils and 
 expences were thrown away,and the King recovering flrength, would again make him- 
 felf fuperior, both in force and reputation. 
 
 On the other fide, the D.of Pjrw^ faid publickly, that with the Arms of the Catho- 
 lick King alone, he had two fevcral times happily delivered the League, and redeemed 
 the two principal Cities of Franct: out of the enemies hands : That he had taken a- The Duke of 
 way the viflory and reputation from the Kingof Nji'jr, who oppreiling the French in '^"'"■' "«w- 
 all places, had been opportunely bridled onely by the power of his Army rand that now h"/ ha'd''tw;ce 
 alfo, though the Count de Vaudemont with the Forces oi Lorain had left him,and though '''^''"ted the 
 the chief French who were intereffed had come but flowly to the Army, he would have bute'lThcwufe 
 made an end of fuppreiling the King, if they would have agreed to follow him, and if ""'° ^'" 
 by imprudently thrufiing themfelves into a net fhut up on all fides , they had not fhe''King''Jf 
 fpoiled the fruits of the Vidory, and loll the opportunity which prefented it felf of ■'^'"'■'"' "»» 
 ending the War vidorioufly at the laft : That the Catholick King poured out the gold Zlfnsl'^. 
 and blood of his Kingdoms prodigally for their benefit i and they un the contrary, ha- 
 ving no other aim but to grow rich in particular, cared but little for the publick good, 
 and much lefs for the fafety of the Kingdom : and finally. That he would not ftay 
 unprofitably and without fruit at Rouen, and fuffer not onely the affairs o{ Flanders , 
 but even alfo thofe oiFrance,to go to ruinc without remedy. 
 
 From thefe words their adions were not different: for the Duke of Mayenne pre- The Duke of 
 tending a neceifity to take Phyfick,would needs ftay at Kouen, and not follow the Army i^«ufe"o"« -" 
 that marched away ; and the Duke of Parma , vext that he would not go with king Phyfitk, 
 him, would not leave him any Forces at all i but on the other fide, taking with him ^m".*' 
 
 the
 
 552 
 
 The Hiftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15P2. 
 
 Tht Si£iu i^ii 
 Tlifiii ilmsy 
 iccteurj of 
 Scale CO the 
 King, and tlie 
 Sieut dt Villc- 
 riij fur the 
 Duke of ^J^)■ 
 tint, Treat of 
 an Accommo- 
 dation, with 
 inacuil 
 promifes of 
 Secrecy. 
 Prefiiicnt fe- 
 cnwiPjby order 
 from tlie D. 
 of Mnyenne 
 li^nifiei thofc 
 Conditions to. 
 Monfieur de 
 Villtny Cwho 
 was in Trea- 
 ty) which the 
 Duke defires 
 f«r the effcft- 
 ing an Ac- 
 toaimaJation. 
 
 the Duke of Guife^ gave out, that he would leave the Command to him of thofe Spa- 
 riih Forces that fhould Hay in France ■■, which more than any thing elfe nettled the 
 DukeofA/jK««^ vvho (the Cardinal-Lcgat departing alfo with the Army} remain- 
 ed alone and forfa'ken, being fcarce able to obtain, that the Pope's Swiffers and Com- 
 tniflary Mutteucci fliould ftay with him at Koiien : and yet even this alfo was a ftone of 
 excecdinii great fcandal i for Matteiicci, a man of a harfh carriage, andmoft wilful in 
 his opinions, either liaving fuch orders from Kome^ or becaufe he had not money to 
 pay them, would needs difmifs the SwilTes within a while afters neither was it pof- 
 fible by any kind of reafons, perfwafions, or threatnings, to aker his determination > 
 but 'the Duke of Mayeme having earneftly defired him to ftay them yet a moneth 
 longer, offering to pay them himfelf, if he would not keep them in his own pay, could 
 rot prevail any thing at all : whereat highly incenfed , and grieved that he was ill 
 dealt with by them all, hegave order that Mj««<cci (hould be feizedupooj which, 
 though it were not effeded , becaufe he hid himfelf in the habit of a Soldier, and de- 
 parted with the fame Swiffes, and becaufe the Duke, the firft fury of his wrath being 
 over, diffembled the bufinefs, and did not care to have his order put in execution -, 
 yet notwithftanding the Legat complained grievoufly about it, and the thing was very 
 ill taken at Ko>we i whereupon, the Duke's difcontents multiplied on all fides i which 
 had fo much power on him, that he began afrefli to lend his ear to a Treaty of Peace, 
 which MonHeur de Vitleroy had never given over to manage, out ofadefire to con- 
 clude an Agreement with the King, and by that means to free thcmfelves from themif- 
 chief (as he faidj of forraign Forces. 
 
 Monfieur de ViUeroy had kept the Treaty alive, fometimes with one, fometimes with 
 another of the King's party i and as either fide had the better, fo did the Treaty va- 
 ry accordingly : for when the King felt himfelf much ftraitned by the Enemy, he fell" 
 into a thought of fatisfying the party of the League, and of freeing himfelt from dan- 
 ger and trouble i and when the Duke of Miyif««e found himfelf either ill dealt with- 
 alI,or flenderly affifted by the Coi^federatcs, he alfo inclined towards the hopes of an 
 Accommodation : but the infuperable difficulty that was in the King's converfion, be- 
 caufe he would not do it at the requeft of his enemies, and the Duke's not being willing 
 to conclude the Treaty, unlefs he were firft a Catholick, had al wayes cut off the pradti- 
 ccs, and put the bufinefs in a total defperation. But about this time, Monfieur de Vil- 
 leroy having treated long and freely about it with Monfieur de P Ominie one of the King's 
 Secretaries of State, who had been taken prifoner, and wzs ztFontoyfe--, he, after he 
 had his liberty, treated of it with the King,juft at the time when, by reafon of the Duke 
 oiF army's drawing near, he was both in danger and trouble : wherefore he gave or- 
 der to the Sieur du Flejjts Mornay, who formerly had treated about it ( being a man in 
 whom, by reafon of his wifdonri and learning, he confided very much) that hefi^ould 
 renew the difcourfe of it again with Monfieur de ViUeroy^ who having written feveral 
 times to the Duke of Mayenne ^ and toPrefident Jeannin concerning it, at laft, after 
 much treating, the Duke, who had never been willing to condefcend to any particular, 
 had, at this time, declared himfelf by FiiVriy/, That if the King would give fecurity 
 of his converfion, and fatisfadion to him, and the other Lords of his party, he would 
 agree to acknowledge and fubmit himfelf unto him. Vu Pleffis and ViUeroy treated to- 
 gether with mutual promifes offecrecyi butnoevafion could be found, whereby, the 
 King not turnmg his Religion at the prefent, they of the League could be fecure, that 
 he would doit for the future, fince they alledged, that the King had from the begin- 
 ning promifed thofe very Catholicks that followed him that he would do it , and 
 yet had never performed it to them i whereupon, it could not be hoped,that he would 
 affuredly do it at the importunity of his Enemies : Befides, that the King would make 
 that promife with uncertain and ambiguous words, and with a refervation of being 
 taught and inftrudled, which, as they were like to afford fuflicient matter of excufc,to 
 whatfoever refolution he ftiould take, fo did they not quiet the Duke of Mayenne i and 
 the Conditions that were propounded in his particular, and in that of the other Princes 
 and Lords of his party, did not abfblutely fatisfie them : Wherefore, after much treat- 
 '"2i| ^d alter much writing aud replying, in the end, Prefident Jeannin wrote by the 
 Dukes order to I^/7/fr.;^, and gave him Commillion to propound for the laft Conditi- 
 ons : That the bufinefs of the Kings Converfion ftiould be referred to the Popes arbitre- 
 !Jl^"f' ^° ^j.°f"the King ftiould fend the Marquifs de Pifani, accompanied with Car- 
 to know his pleafure , and to receive thofe Conditions in that 
 
 matter 
 
 dinal Condi,
 
 ()/ France. The Thirteenth 'Boo^, 553 
 
 macter which the Apoftolick Sec fliould judge convenient i and that he himftlf would i^02i 
 fend a perfon exprcily, and would give order to his Agents at Rome to promote the 
 bufinefs, and help to overcome theditliculties, that the Pope might be brought to fon^.e 
 rcafonable determination : That forfecurity, that the King lliould perfeverein the Ca- 
 tholick Religion, and maintain the Peace, the Places, Cities, and Fortreffes, fliould for 
 the fpace of ilx years remain in the hands of thofe that pofTcffed them at that prefent, 
 to redore thtm to the King, and to his free difpofing within that time, if they faw the 
 Peace go on finccrely-: That the Government of Bourgogne, with all the places alfo, 
 that held for the King, fliould be left to the Duke of Mayenne^ which Governmcnc 
 fliould be hereditary to his Sons, with authority of difpofing and diftributing the Be- 
 neiices, Ollices, Governments, and Places, which (hould become void in that Province 
 for the time to come : That the King fliould give him an Oflice of the Crown, fupc- 
 riourtothe rell, as it might be of Conflable, or of his Lieutenant-General : That he 
 fhould give him fuch a fum of money as fliould be fufiicient to pay thofe debts which 
 he was run into upon' that prefent occafion : That to the Government of Bonrgogne^ 
 that of L>(7«/ and Lyomif fliould be added : That the King fliould provide another Go- 
 vernment for the Duke of Nemryursy v/hich fliould be equivalent to it : That the Duke 
 of Gmfe fliould have the Governwient o( CbampJgne^iAnd two ftrong Holds for his fe- 
 curify, the Duke of Mcrca.w that o( Bretagne , the Duke of Jeymfe that oi Langne- 
 clor^ the Duke of /^«?«^/f that oiiicardy^ and for his fecurity St.EJprit de Rue: That 
 all the Lords of the League fliould be maintained in their Places, Offices, Dignities, 
 and Governments, which they had pcffelFcd before the beginning of the War: That 
 the Catholick King fliould be comprehended in the Peace, and reafonable fatisfadtion 
 given to him for his pretenfions : That there fliould be an Atft of Oblivion concerning 
 all things that had befaln in the War , and that the Narrative and Preamble of the 
 Accommodation fhould be written in fuch manner , as it might clearly appear, the 
 Duke of Mjyenne had not acknowledged the King till then in rcfped: of Religion, 
 and that now he did it by reafon of his Converiion with the Popes confcnt, and that 
 alfo it might exprcfly appear, he had no hand in the death of the late King He/try 
 his laft PredecefTor. 
 
 Thefc Conditions the Sicur deFillerny imparted to Monfieur du Vlejfu^ and gave him 
 an cxtrdd of them, they being fet down at large, with their Caufes and Reafons in 
 the Prcfidents Letter. T>n Pleffis firft made fmall fhow to approve of them i but ViHg- 
 roy replied , That this was not an Agreement with the Hugonots, who by all Laws 
 Divine and Humane, were obliged to acknowledge their Kingeltabliflicd i but a Ca- 
 pitulation, wiiereb the Lords of the Union were^contented to acknowledge, or, to 
 fay better, upon certain conditions to make one King, who was not PofTcfTor of the 
 Kingdom > that, that acknowledgment of theirs coming to pafs , the King would 
 thereby attain the Crown of France, which he pofTefTed not j and that therefore the 
 Conditions ought not to feem ftrange unto him : That the Lords of the League did 
 nnvv require all which they thought fit for their fecurity, becaufe when the acknow- 
 ledgment was once made, they fliould be then no longer able to treat or demand any 
 thing, but as Subjeds fimply to befeech their Sovereign Lord : That it was no wonder 
 they fhould demand much at one time, being very certain, that after that they fliould 
 never obtain any thing more during his Reign, nor perchance in that of his Sons nei- 
 ther: That the Duke of Mjyefine had fliewed himfelf fo good a French-man, that he 
 would rather acknowledge a French King, though an Enemy, upon thefe conditions, 
 than a Stranger, though a Friend and a Confident, upon niuch greater ones: That 
 the King had always faid he would content and fecure the Lords of the Houfe of Lo- 
 rain, and all the others of their party i and lately, while the War was in the heat be- 
 fore Caudebec had affirmed as much with his own rr.outh to the Baron de Luz, with 
 whom he had difcourfed long about it, in the field, telling him. That if the Lords 
 of the Union would acknowledge and follow him, he would not rcfufe any conditions ; 
 and particularly, that to his power he would give worthy fatisfadlrion to the Duke of 
 Mayenne, whom he knew to be a good Prince, and a good French-man: That the Ma- 
 refchal ^' Aumont had by his orders repeated the fame to the fame Baron, and there- 
 fore that ought not to appear ftrange now, which he hirr.ftlf had proffered but a few 
 days before. But the Sieur du Fiejjis confidered , that to refer the bufinefs of the 
 Kings Converiion to the Pope, from whom, bv reafon of the Spaniards power, nothing 
 at all would be obtained, replied, That it was not a thing to be expedcd from any 
 
 B b b b otheic
 
 554 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^2. 
 
 TheTreity of 
 Aoretrtrcnt di. 
 vuljcd by the 
 Sicvir <(k ?Uf. 
 ft! , counts to 
 the cjrsof the 
 Ptincertes ivi 
 Spanifh Mini- 
 fttts, wnrkin" 
 a contrary cf- 
 fea to what 
 he thit pub. 
 lilhtd them 
 dcfiicd. 
 
 othet means , but from Gods Divine Infpiration , after fuch Inftrudtions as fliould 
 make him know himfelf to be in an errour j for otherwife it was an unlawful thing 
 to demand it, and much worfe to grant it, the Soul being firft to be thought of, and 
 then the affairs of the World : And as for the other conditions, repeating them one 
 by one, he ftiewed, that if all the Governments, and all the Places and Benefices fhould 
 remain in the gift of the Lords of the Union, the King would neither have any thing 
 to referve. nor to grant to thofe of his own party i and that it would be a monfkous 
 thing to fee all the Provinces in the hand of one only Family, and the Princes of the 
 Blood, and fo many other Lords excluded, who had laboured, and endangered their 
 lives for the Kings Crown. And yet after having again promifed fecrecy, fwhich the 
 Duke of ALiyenne required above all other things) he faid he would fpeak with the 
 King himfelf concerning it, and refer the refolution to his pleafurc. 
 
 But being come into the Kings Council at BuJ}} where they w/ere, he was fo far 
 from favouring the Treaty of Peace, and the Conditions propounded, or from ob- 
 ferving that fecrefie he had promifed, that publickly in the prefence of all the Coun- 
 cil, he demanded pardon for having till then, not any way out of an evil intention, 
 but through inadvertency deceived His Majefty, fince fuch Conditions had been pro- 
 pounded to him, that he was afhamed of them, and did much difdain to publifh them : 
 HeconfefTed, that he had believed too much, out of his defireof Peace, and out of a 
 will to ferve the Publick Caufe, but the Conditions that were propounded , were Co 
 unjuft and difhonourable for the King, and fo pernicious for the whole Kingdom, that 
 they plainly (hewed the Duke of Mayenne^ and thofe of his party, had no thought of 
 Peace •■, but that they fought to hold the King in hand, and to work a jealoufie in the 
 Spaniards, to draw money and fatisfa(^ions from them : That the things propounded, 
 were fuch as did not deferve any anfwer, nor did he think them worthy to be heard 
 by that Council i and yet having propofed them with this Preamble, not only the 
 whole Council , but even the King himfelf thought them not fo exorbitant, as here - 
 prefented them \ and fo much the rather, becaufe every one knew that demands are 
 high in the beginning, but afterwards in the courfe of a Treaty, they fall by little and 
 little s fo that they were all fcandalized at dufleffts : Nor was there anyone who was 
 not of opinion, that he as being an Hugonot, abhorred the Kings Converfion, and 
 therefore defired not, but rather crofTed the Peace. The King being of the fame mind, 
 gave tne Sieur de ViUemy to underiknd , that he would willingly treat with him by 
 word of mouth ■> and the Marefchal de Byron ^ and the Duke de Bouillon, delired to 
 confer with him , though both of them were little enclined to Peaces Bonillo>2, be- 
 eaufe he was an Hugonot i and Byron, becaufe his whole fortune depended upon the 
 Wars, whereupon by the continuation of them he hoped to rife to the heighth of 
 Power and Honour , and thofe Offices and Titles which the Duke of Mayenne de- 
 manded, he grounding himfelf upon his own merits, afpired and pretended to for 
 himfelf. 
 
 T)u Plejjif continuing his intention , and publifhing his fecret thoughts to men of 
 underflanding, divulged the whole Treaty, contrary to his Faith given to ViUeroy, and 
 to manyperfons fhe wed Copies of the Articles propounded i whereby they were not 
 only known to all the Kings party, but alfo the PrincefTes who were in Paris faw them, 
 and believed them > fo that they made grievous complaints that the Duke fhould go 
 about to eftablifh a Peace, without making it known to them, and to the Lords of his 
 party : and, which was much worfe, they came alfo to the knowledge of the Spanifh 
 Minifters, who though they believed not the bufinefs could fo eafily be effabliflied, were 
 yet filled with jealoufie and fufpition. Du Pleats believed that at one time he fliould 
 work two good effedts for his own intentions i one, to crofs and totally break all 
 Treaty of Peace, becaufe he thought he had difcovered that the King, to obtain it, en- 
 clined to change his Religion, which the Hugonots feared above all things i the other, 
 to make the Duke of Mayenne be diflrufled of his own party, and particularly by the 
 Spaniards, whereupon the difunion and ruine of the League would more eafily follow. 
 But as counfels that have too much of a mans particular intereft, have often (either by 
 the will of God, who is not pleafed with them, or by reafon of their own deceitfulncfs) 
 very different events from what the Intenders of them confidently defign unto them-' 
 \ this divulging produced an efFed: very diverfe from what du Plefis did afTuredly 
 expect: for it wrought no ill effeft in the party of the League, and on the Kings fide 
 
 made an exceeding great ftir and confufion. 
 
 It
 
 of France. The Thirteenth ^oo^ 
 
 555 
 
 It hurt not the Duke of Mayenne, becaufe the Pope was much fatisfied with his 
 candour, feeing that without the Kings Converlion he refufed all other particular 
 greatnefs and advantage, and that he referred the whole bufinefs of Religion to the 
 Apoftolick See i and the Spaniards being fain into fome fear that Peace might eafily 
 enfue, forbore to give the Duke of Mayenne further caufe of difcontent i and the 
 Duke of Farma necefTarily departing by reafon of his health, and in refpedl of the 
 affairs of F/^Wfr/, MiiomtYoxcts'm Champagne^ and gave not the command of them 
 to the Duke of Guife , as he had intended , but left the charge of them to Monfieur 
 de Rofne with the title of Camp-Mafter-General , he being to obey the Duke of May- 
 enne without contradidlion i and Juan Eaptijia lajfu going to him, endeavoured by 
 his dexterity to remedy the late difgufts, liiego d' Ivarra continuing with the Army, 
 becaufe he knew his prefcnce was not pleafing to him. To this was added, that the 
 Duke, who had entred into that Treaty, out of the defpair which he was brought un- 
 to, feeing that he had already recovered his authority and reputation, which he had 
 in great part loli with the Popes Miniliers , and with the Spaniards , was afterward 
 more backward in lending an ear to Peace : But thinking that his having been de- 
 ceived by the revealing of that fecret, contrary to promife, afforded him not only ex- 
 cufe, but a lawful occafion for him, alfo to make ufe of the Treaty for his own pro- 
 fit, he continued it in fuch manner, that it ferved to keep fometimes one, fometimes 
 another faithful, according as need required. 
 
 On the other fide, the Catholicks of the Kings party, wakened by the noife of this 
 Treaty, and highly difdaining, that the Peace fliould be negotiated by the means of a 
 Hugonot, and that the Kings Converfion fhould be promifed to the League , which 
 they by many reiterated inftances had not been able to obtain, began a frefh to contrive 
 a third Party, and more boldly than before, to affemble themfelves feverally, and diC- 
 courfe of forfaking the King, or to make an agreement with thofe of the League, in 
 fuch manner, that the bufinefs having otten been conPalted of between the Cardinal 
 of Baurhon, the Count de SoijfiiHs, the Duke of LongMeviUe^ the Count de St. Faitl^ the 
 Dukeof IVfiffrj-, the Marefchal ^' ^«wo«^ Monfieur d" 0, Monfieur rff Lavardin, the 
 Count de Lude^ and many other Lords, they gave the Duke oi^ Mayenne to underftand, 
 that it would be profitable for the common fafety and fecurity, to unite all the Catho- 
 licks, and defire the King, that within the term of a certain, prefixed, reafonable time, 
 he would turn Catholick, and give fecurity for the maintenance of Religion, which 
 if he would do , he fiiould be acknowledged and efiablifhed i and if he would not, 
 they all together fliould elecS a Catholick King , who fliould be acknowledged and 
 obeyed by all. This practice beginning to grow warm, the King feeing that the event 
 would be, either a forced diflionourable Converfion, or the utter ruine of his affairs, 
 fince from fecret confultations that matter was come to open murmurings, he caufed 
 Villeroy to be very earneftly follicited (by the means of Monfieur de Fleury, his Brother- 
 in-law) to come perfonally to confer with him, and refolved to apply himfelf of his 
 own accord to a reconciliation with Rome. 
 
 Innocent the Ninth, after a long and troublefom Conclave, was fucceeded in the Apo- 
 ftolick See by Hippolito, Cardinal Aldobrandim , a man not weakned with age, being 
 not above fifty and fix years old , but endowed with mature piudence , and fingular 
 dexterity in affairs of State, which he had gotten by continual practice in the Court, 
 and by the management of the moft important bufineffes of his time. He having af- 
 fumed the name of Clement the Eighth, though he had been favoured by the Spaniards 
 in his Eledlion, and was therefore full of kind grateful demon Orations toward them, 
 was not yet totally difpofed to let himfelf be ruled by their defigns, but would de- 
 pend upon himfelf, and after the chief intereft of Religion, would have an aim at the 
 general fafety and equality. He held a great correfpondence with the Commonwealth 
 of Venice^ and with the Great Duke of Jbafcany, judging that State to be not only the 
 Foundation-ftone of the Liberty of Italy, but alfo a wary Reconciler of the Peace of 
 Chriftendom ■■> and him, by reafon of his great prudence , to be intent to follow the 
 fame way i and therefore he ftraitly confirmed that confidence with the Senate, which 
 his Anceftors had in that State, having taken refuge there in their adverfities: And 
 with the Great Duke (forgetting thofe ancient fadtionsfor which his Father had been 
 baniftied out of the City of Florence) he contra<3:ed a new confident ccrrefpondency, to 
 advance (by theaffiflance and advice of thcfe) the Government of theChuich to the 
 common benefit and fafety of Chriftians. 
 
 Bbbb a The 
 
 1592. 
 
 The Duke of 
 I'afma leaves 
 Forces in 
 Frjwe under 
 the Sieur tie 
 /J r/«e depend- 
 ing upon the 
 Dukcof M-.y- 
 e»»e, to whrm 
 alfo the other 
 Spaoilh Mini. 
 Aets forbear 
 to give further 
 difcoDtcn:!. 
 
 The Cathd- 
 licks of the 
 Kings par:v 
 dilplcafedjciiat 
 the Peace 
 fliould be 
 treated bj the 
 Siiur (ii Pi/ijity 
 a Hugonot, rc- 
 n-w >ne Trea- 
 ty of a tbiia 
 paity. 
 
 Imecent the 
 Ninth is fuc- 
 ceeded in the 
 Papacy by 
 CarJinal Hif. 
 
 brandmCf with 
 thf name of 
 Clement the 
 Eighth, being 
 ajcd Fifty fis 
 years.
 
 55^ 
 
 I5?2. 
 
 7 he Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 tighth gives 
 fupplies unto 
 the League 
 with more 
 moderate ex. 
 fences and 
 lefolutioDS 
 than his Pre- 
 jieccflbts had 
 done. 
 
 The King, by 
 the means of 
 ^Mocm^' the 
 Venetian Ani- 
 halTador, prays 
 thatRepublick 
 to :rcat with 
 the Pope con- 
 cerniBj his re- 
 conciliation 
 wfith the 
 Church. 
 
 The King de- 
 fires Fcrdinjn- 
 ilo Ht Medici, 
 Grand Duke 
 
 of Ti)K/crt«j,lo 
 
 ufe his endea- 
 vors alfo wiih 
 the Pope, and 
 the Colledee 
 ofCardinafs, 
 in favour of 
 bis buHneCs. 
 
 The firft and moft important bufinefs that reprefented it felf unto him , was that 
 of Fran.e i in which, as matter of Religion was chiefly conlldered by him, fo the pri- 
 vate emulations the ancient difcords, and the prefent ambition of the Great Ones were 
 very well known unto him. But becaufe time and opportunity were to adminifter 
 thofc overtures that were neceflary for the Peace and Union of that Kingdom, he de- 
 termined in himfelf, in the mean time , to fuftain the League with convenient relief, 
 but rot with that intereffcd fervour his Predeceflbrs had profufely done, defiring things 
 fliould be in fuch a condition as might not tend towards the divifion and deftrudion, 
 but to the fafety and reftauration of fo great a Kingdom j which he thought would fol- 
 low if a King were eleded and eftabliflied who was not only a Catholick, and obe- 
 dient to the Apoftolick See, but alfo a French-man , and of fuch a condition as might 
 draw along with him the general peace and fatisfadion. He therefore confirmed the 
 Cardinal o( PUcenza in his Legation, judging him, by reafon of his long employment 
 there, not only to be well informed, but alfo more fit to manage that bufinefs than any 
 other : and though he in times paft had (hewn himfelf very partial to the Spaniards, 
 yet the Pope thought that his Mafter being changed, and his CommilTions altered, he 
 would, as a prudent experienced man, endeavour rather to fatisfie his intention, than 
 to follow the interefts of Spain^ the ends whereof could not always run united with 
 thofe of the See of Rome : but having, by the confirmation of the Legat, (hewed ("as 
 much as was fuflicient) his intentions to be well inclined towards the League, in other 
 matters, under colour of the prefent difabilities of the Apoftolick See, he freely decla- 
 red that he could not aili(t the Confederates with more than fifteen thoufand Ducats by 
 the month •> (hewing that the exce(Iive expences formerly made, to the wa(ting of the 
 Treafurv, and to the burdening of the people, had not produced any fruit equivalent 
 to fo vaft a charge, and to fo great preparations > and infi(ting upon that remedy which 
 he ertecmed convenient, he gave the Legat order to endeavour the a(rembling of the 
 Free-States, to the end that a King being chofen with a common confent, all machina- 
 tions might be cut off, the way lockt up againft ambition, and that as a certain end, 
 and a vilible apparent mark, they might aim at the good of Religion, and the reftoring 
 of Peace in the Kingdom. 
 
 Thefe thoughts (which by many conjedures were known unto both parties) as 
 they put the Duke of Mayenne in good hope that the Pope was inclined to acknow- 
 ledge his merits, and his fo great labours, and would favour his defigns > fodid they 
 not difpleafe the King, who defpaired not in that moderation to find Come temper to 
 fettle his own affairs , wherefore being forced by the Commotion of the Catholicks, 
 who all were already determined to fee fome refolution, he difcourfcd at Vernon with 
 Giovamii Mocenigo the Venetian Ambaffador, and told him, that having a purpofe to 
 find fome way w-hereby an overture concerning his affairs might be made unto the 
 Pope, he defired that the Republick, which he knew had a very near correfpondence 
 with him, would either by an exprefs AmbalTador, or by the means of the ordinary 
 Relident at Ko»/f, aflift that his juft intention, having determined to procure that Car- 
 dinal Gondii in whofe prudence and candour he confided very much, (hould go into 
 Italy^ and with him the Marquifs de Pifani, in the name of the Catholick Nobility of 
 his party, to treat of the means of attaining to a Peace and Reconciliation > but that 
 this Treaty being in appearance very difficult, by rea(bn of the Confiderations at Kome^ 
 and of the extraordinary power of the Spaniards, he believed the interceffion, coun- 
 fel, authority, and endeavours of that Republick would ferve as a Pole-ftar in fo im- 
 portant a bufinefs. He found the Ambaffador ready to give notice of it at Venice, who 
 knowing the good intentions of the Senate toward the confervation of the Kingdom, 
 affured him, that he (hould have all manner of aflTiftance he could defire. The fame 
 did he caufe to be treated of with the Grand Duke , by Girolamo Gondi, requefting 
 him not only to ufe his endeavours with the Pope, ( wherein he more cfteemed the 
 power of the Venetian Senate) but alfo to deal with the Cardinals, to the end, that 
 the bufinefs coming into debate, it might be croffed as little as waspoffible. 
 
 Thefe Foundations being laid, he follicited Monfieur de Villeroy's coming i for he 
 aehgned to fet things right with the Duke of Mayeme in fuch manner , that he alfo 
 jnight favour his affairs in the Court of Rome, fince his reconciliation with the Apofto- 
 o(M '^^'^^".S f° P^^S' the fcruple of Religion would be taken away, and the Duke 
 tvni i!?^"T ^'^^^ ^'^^ '^'^ honour embrace thofc large advantageous oflfers which he 
 wouia make him. But the Duke, who had taken a diftrun by reafon of the trick put 
 
 ^ upon
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'Bool{. 
 
 557 
 
 upon him by du PleJJis,- and who hoped to fettle his own affairs with the Spaniards, 
 fuffered the Treaty to run on, that he might make ufe of it for his own profit , but 
 without any defire to conclude, thofe thoughts being again revived in his mind, which 
 defpair had before difordered and dellroyed. Wherefore , though Villeroy v/ent to 
 Rouen, to him , and afterwards had a conference with the King himfelf by night at 
 Gifors^ yet went they not on to treat of any conditions > but the Duke confented, that 
 the King (hould fend to Rome^ leaving the Treaty to go on, and be concluded when the 
 bufinefs was fettled with the Pope j and the King was content that the Duke fliould 
 affemble the States of his party , to treat with them concerning the prefent refb- 
 lution. 
 
 The Spaniards had never intermitted to prefs for the aflembling of the States, and 
 jointly with the Cardinal Legat, had made both publick and private inftances about if 
 and the Duke had always interpofed difficulties and delays > fometimes alledging the 
 urgency" of following the management of the War •, fometimes faying, it was fit firft 
 to treat and conclude with the Princes of the party \ and fometimes the difficulties 
 of affembling the Deputies, becaufe of the general combuftion of the War, by reafon 
 whereof they would very unwillingly forfake their own Houfes and Cities in the prefent 
 diltra(5ions, and that they would not venture to take fb great journeys with the dan- 
 ger of their lives j but at laft his backwardnefs was afcribed to an irregular ambition, 
 and to a defire of continuing in the power he held at that prefent i neither could he 
 without grievous complaints, nor without danger of difcord and difunion refufe any 
 longer to call the Affembly i wherefore turning his thought to remove that fcandal, 
 from whence arofe all the difcontents with the Spanifh Minifters, he confidered, that 
 as to deny the meeting was dangerous, and now at length odious to every one, fb the 
 difficulties that would fpring up, and thofe which he would artificially interpofe, fhould 
 be fo many, that the States fhould diffolve and end of themfelves, without coming 
 to any determination > and in the mean time, they might afford him conveniency and 
 opportunity either to revive his authority, orelfeto find means of reconciliation with 
 the King, if fo be he could not bring to pafs, that the Kingdom (bould fall to his po- 
 fterity : Wherefore, as the Spaniards did now fhow a defire to tatisfie and honour him, 
 and the fame did the Legat by Commitlion from Rome-, fo he fhowing, that he would 
 grant that in cuurtetie, which he would not yield to for fear, nor for threatnings, 
 wrote to the Legat, and to the Duke of Parma^ that now the time to affemble the 
 States was ripe, he would give fatisfaftion to the Princes who had follicited him with 
 fo much earnefinefs, and would come at laft to a refolution i and therefore they fhould 
 endeavour to get Commillions from Rome and Spain, becaufe within a few months the 
 Deputies fhould be convened i for which effed , he difpatched Letters to every Pro- 
 vince, and every Bailiage, to the end they might chufe Deputies to meet in the place 
 that fhould be appointed for the holding of the States-General. 
 
 At the fame time, the King had caufed Cardinal Gondi to treat concerning his paf- 
 fage into Italy, and had required the Catholicksof his party, to appoint an AmbafTa- 
 dor to the Pope, which though fome oppofed, alledging, That the Parliament had de- 
 creed that for the time to come, none fhould fend to Rome upon any emergent occa- 
 fion, yet the King anfwered. That the Decree was made in the Papacy of Gregory the 
 Fourteenth, but that he granted leave to fend to the prefent Pope ■■> Co the Marquifs of 
 Fifat'J was chofen, and Cardinal Gondi was contented to take that journey to fatisfie 
 the King, and to procure the general repofe of the Kingdom. 
 
 This determination did in great part ftop the refolution of the Catholicks , who 
 tvere attentive to fee what that Embailie would produce, being partly fatisfied in that 
 the King began already to treat of reconciling himfelf to the Pope and the Apoftolick 
 See. The Decree which the King made about this time concerning the difpofing of 
 the Benefices of the Kingdom, did help much to appeafe them •, for after that the Par- 
 liaments of Tours and Chalons had decreed, that for the conferring and confirmation 
 of them, none fhould go any more to Rome j and after that the Congregation of the 
 fame Prelats had made the Declaration in favour of the King, thofe Benefices that be- 
 came void, were difpofed of to all kind of perfons without regard, in reward of their 
 expences, in requital of their labours, and for particulat inclination > and the admini- 
 ftration of Spiritual Matters was by the Grand Council, ailigned to one of the Priefls 
 of the Diocefs, with title of Spiritual Oeconome : Which was not only againft the De- 
 crees of the Cannons , but fcandalous and dangerous , contrary to the good of the 
 
 people, 
 
 15^2. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 M.iyg>,ttc, whs 
 h»-lft,«de. 
 ferredche 
 Convocation 
 f'f the Staces, 
 writts ro the 
 Cardinal le- 
 gJt, and to the 
 Duke of Par- 
 mdy that the 
 timeof afftin- 
 blin» them 
 ws now pre- 
 fent. 
 
 Cardinal Qiit- 
 ditnd the 
 Marquils 
 dr Ptrani are 
 chofen to be 
 fent to Rmt, 
 
 The Decree of 
 the Patlia- 
 mentf of Tears 
 and Cbiloxs, 
 that none 
 Ihould tun CO 
 R^me for the 
 procuting of 
 £cnefice>.
 
 558 
 
 The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Tiicptetenfi- 
 ons of Rtnjwi 
 dt B Hair, 
 Atchbiftopof 
 e urges, upon 
 Che Spiritual 
 Supetiocity of 
 the Gjlit. 
 
 made by Htn- 
 ry the Pourrh, 
 in favour of 
 the Eccltfia- 
 ftical Digni- 
 ties, and of 
 the Caiholick 
 Religion. 
 
 The DuJce of 
 Miytnie bc- 
 Jicges I'lntciu 
 lU Mer. 
 
 The Sieut de 
 r'i."iir( goes to 
 beliege gai.'/j- 
 txnf, a tucc 
 not yet 
 btoHght to 
 peifc^ion. 
 
 people and very near the cuftom of the Hugonots. Renaud de Beaune Archbifhop of 
 BouraJs a man of exceeding great learning and Angular eloquence, had thought, that 
 he having the name of Patrurch, Cthat title they ufe to give to the Archbifhop of that 
 City ) it was very eade, and no lefs reafonable, that the authority of difpofing the Be- 
 nefices of the Kingdom fhould be conferred upon him, as Spiritual Superiom of the 
 CaiU and that he fliould hold that degree thorowout d\\ France^ which the Pope 
 holds over the Univerfal Church i and as this thought had long been nourifhed in his 
 mind (o had he attempted all thofe means which he thought proper to cffed: his de- 
 fign >' to this end , at his exhortation, the Popes Bulls had been fo fharply handled j 
 to this end , thofe that reprefented the Apoftolick vSee had been fo hotly proceeded 
 againli i and to this end, the diforder in conferring of Benefices being now reprefented, 
 and the abufe of thofe Oeconames chofen by the great Council, Ca Temporal Magiftracy 
 whom it concerned not to judge of Spiritual fufficiency) it was endeavoured in that 
 heat of mens minds, that a refolution might be taken, and that a Prelate migh»be con- 
 frituted in the Gallu^ Superiour to all the reft in power and dignity , to whom that 
 election fliould be committed. But the Cardinal of Bourbon^ and the other Catholick 
 Lords,exclaiming that this was an exprefs way to alienate themfelves from the Apofto- 
 lick See, to make the Kingdom Schifmatical, and for ever to cut off all hopes of an 
 Accommodation > that they would never endure it, and that as foon as ever that Decree 
 fhoujd be made, they would take fome courfe to fecure their own affairs : The King 
 declared publickly. That he would not take away the obedience from the Apoftolick 
 See, and that if (not to foment the evilj it had been decreed, That Money ft.ould 
 not be carried to Kowe, to the end. War might not be made upon the Kingdom with 
 its own blood and fubftance, that had been eftabliflied by way of provifion, as long as 
 the Popes fliould perfift to oppofe the lawful SuccelTors of the Crown : That he did 
 not intend, nor mean, there fliould be any innovation i but to maintain Ecdefiaftical 
 Matters, and the Religion and Priviledges of the Gallique Church, in the fame being 
 he had found them at his coming to the Crown : And finally, he caufed the Council to 
 decree. That the Bifliops every one in his own Diocefs fliould create the Adminiftra- 
 tors of Spiritual Matters, and that where the Bifliopricks were vacant, the Metropo- 
 litan fliould fupply that defedli and for want of him, theneareft Bifliop i which did 
 exceedingly quiet the minds of the Catholicks , and did alfo for fome time ftop their 
 rcfolutions. 
 
 In this interim Matters of War went not on more flowly than the Councils and 
 Treaties of Peace s for the Duke oiMayenne^ being cured of his indifpofition at Kouen^ 
 was come forth with part of his Forces to lay Gege to Vonteau de Mer, a place, which 
 becaufe it was near, did incommodate and ftraiten the Commerce of that City j and on 
 the other fide , Monfieur de Miliars was likewife gone to befiege the new Fortrefs of 
 ^illebjtitf^ 'to open totally the palfage and navigation of the Seine, being difpleafcd 
 (bcfides the impediment and inconvenience of it) that the Hollanders and Englifli 
 fliould neft themfelves in that place, very opportune to receive their Ships, and feated 
 in the midft between his Governments of Havre de Grace and Kouen, raolefting and 
 endamaging both of them. 
 
 The King , who was yet in the confines of Normandy , difpatched Colonel Grillon 
 thither with one thoufand and five hundred French Foot, and the Sieur de Bouquetaut 
 with an hundred Gentlemen of that Country, defiring no lefs to keep that place, than 
 his Enemies did to drive them out of it. The Fortifications of it were yet imper- 
 fedt : for though the Holland-Yka had wrought diligently at them, yet the time had 
 not ferved to bring them to perfedion > fo that the Bulwarks were not faced with 
 Stone, and the Ramparts not only of Ample Earth not well fetled, but were hardly 
 above a mans height, though they were moft skilfully drawn out, and diligently de- 
 figned by expert Artifts. 
 
 Villars prcfently planted five Pieces of Cannon to batter an Half-Moon, which de- 
 fended the Gate that flood toward the Land i and having got together a great num- 
 ber of Country-people, who followed his name voluntarily thorow the whole Coun- 
 try, he approached with a Trench, and began to fap in fuch manner, that he got un- 
 aei the Half-Moon, and brought it into fuch a condition, that it was eafie to be af- 
 n f *^' ^^^ befiegers fell on exceeding fiercely at the firft •, but the number of the 
 Detendents was fo great , that the refiftance proved no lefs fierce within : and the 
 allault being renewed the next day, GriJloft having left the charge of the defence to Co- 
 lonel
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'Boo\. 
 
 559 
 
 Tht Sieut dt 
 T'illirs is foi- 
 ce»1 to rife 
 from §ui!le- 
 bauf. 
 
 The Duke of 
 M/tytnnt takes 
 
 The Duke cf 
 Pj/mj goes in- 
 to f landers to 
 
 lonel Rebottrs, and to the Sienr de Bellebat Goveinour of the place, Tallied out Co furi- '5?^' 
 oufly on the other fide with Bouquetant, that having found norefillancein the Trench, 
 he did a great dealof mifchief, deftroyed part of the Redoubts, nailed two Pieces of 
 Artillery v and if VtUari his Cavalry, with Captain Borofey^ and Captain Ferdriel being 
 alighted from their horfes , had not run unto the danger , the Trenches would have 
 been utterly taken , and the Infantry defeated : fo GriUm after many hours being got 
 in again with much ado, Monfieur de Villars knowing the weaknefs of his Forces, and 
 defpairing of doing any good , raifcd the fiege the next day, and returned to Kouen. 
 Matteucci was the principal caufe of this diforder : for if he had not difmiffed the 
 Swiflers, there would have been fuch a Body of an Army before ^illelxxnf, that per- 
 haps the fiege would have ended another way. 
 
 The Duke of Mayemie had better fuccefs at Vonteau de Mer : for having laid fiege 
 unto it, and fortified his Trenches well \yith Redoubts equally diftant, he fecured the 
 weaknefs of his Forces in fuch manner, that the Artillery being planted, and having 
 begun to batter, the Governour, who had not fo great a ftrength as thofe of ^illebaeHf] 
 took a refolution to furrender, faving their goods and perfons » and on that fide the 
 paffage remained free to bring Vidtual into Keuen. 
 
 In this time the Duke of Parma, not only troubled with his wound, but alfb with 
 another wonted indifpofition, by which he was going apace into a Dropfie, refblved 
 to go to the Biths oC Spjrp in Flanders, and to carry back with him the greater part therathsof 
 of the Army, to provide for the affairs of thofe Countries, and particularly of Frife- ll^JdoUhc 
 land, where the States of Holland daily made great progrefs. Yet he left fix hundred Dropfie. 
 Foot more than ordinary in Paris, being intreated fo to do f againft the Duke of May- 
 f««f's will) by the Legat and the Spanifli Minilters, and three thoufand Foot more, 
 Italians and Walloons , with fix hundred Horfe , which were to affifl: in the quarters 
 about Parif, at Soijfons and in Champagne , the Command of which fchough the Duke 
 of Guife afpired to it, and fued for it very earneftly) he gave to the Sieur de Knjke, 
 with the title of Camp-Malkr-General, and with order exprefly to obey the Duke 
 of Mayenne, being refolved at this time to give him all poifible fatisfadtions that might 
 keep him firm to the party, and alienate him from all pradlices of Peace. 
 
 With thefe Forces and thofe of the Province, Monfieur de Kofney went before Ep 
 fermy, a Town fcven leagues from Chalons , of a moderate circuit, but of an ancient 
 form, and in the condition it then was, not fit to make refinance againft any reafon- 
 able fiege i thinking that it being taken, he might, by filling it with men, much ftraiten 
 and incommodate Chalons , where the Parliament refided, with a greater number of 
 perfons, efpecially that Town being fituate upon the current of the River Mame. The 
 fiege was fiiort : For being violently battered, and a great breach being made in the 
 Walls, which were very old, and fell without much trouble, the Sieur de St. Ejlienne, 
 who had not a Garifon fufticient to defend the weaknefs of the place, yielded it up 
 without flaying for the laft experiments. 
 
 The King, who having left Normandy was come to the confines of that Province, not 
 having had time to relieve that place, affbon as he knew it was taken, refolved, that he 
 would recover it, more to fhew that he regarded theconveniencies of the Parliament, 
 than for any other refpedl ; Wherefore having fent the Duke of Nevers^ and the Ma- 
 refchal de Byronbcforc, he, according to his cuftom, running at large over the neigh- TheK^n 
 faouring places, came even to the Walls of Chalons. The Sieur de Kofne had with won- «T !o ii 
 derful great diligence made up the Walls that had been broken down by the late Bat- 
 tery, and had carefully caufed Trenches and Ravelines to be made, confidering well that 
 the King would fct himfelf without delay to recover what was loft. There were in the 
 Town fix hundred French Foot, and as many Walloons of the Count de Boffiis Tcr- 
 tia, and about fixty Horfe, many fmall Pieces of Artillery, and a convenient quan- 
 tity of Ammunition i and the Country people of thofe quarters being gathered toge- 
 ther, laboured continually to better the Works. The Kings Infantry came before the 
 Town upon the Six and twentieth of July » an-d being fuddenly quartered, the Maref- 
 chal de Byron would needs advance with twenty Horfe to view the fituation, and the 
 Works which the Enemy had made for their defence : But he was fcarcely come upon 
 the way that leads to the Town upon the South-fide , when a Cannon-fhot (among lour^ii'kiiied 
 many which the defendents fired at random) taking him at the rebound in the midft of "oo^aot*V«.', 
 his body (battered him in fuch manncr,that without fpeaking one word, he fell fuddenly J<?.in the sixty 
 from his hoife dead upon the ground. The lofs of this Commander was unfpeakablc: ^^J""^ 
 
 fox " 
 
 Monfieur it 
 F.cf)x takes 
 Ef/cma}. 
 
 s Fnr^ 
 lecovef 
 
 IfftTtlit}. 
 
 TheMaref- 
 chal de Byrtit, 
 a Comroancier 
 of great va-
 
 -5o The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15P2. 
 
 for all the Kind's affairs Jcpended upon his prudence, experience, diflipline and va- 
 lour ^ and not only the charge of the Armies rdled wholly upon his (houlders , but 
 matters of Government, counfels of State, Treaties with Princes, and the particular 
 affairs of the Kingdom, were all ordered by his advice , in fuch manner , that thofe 
 who wcrv partial to him, attributed all that had fucceeded profperoufly, either in War 
 or in other affairs, to his endeavours i and thofe that flattered him more boldly, pub- 
 licklv called him T/^^ King^s Fojier-father. And truly it cannot be denied by whofo- 
 ever was prcfuitat thofe affairs that happened fucceiTively from the Kings coming to 
 the Crown, to the time of Byron's death, f which were the motl difficult, moft impor- 
 tant and, as a man may fay, the Foundations of hisReignJ but that in the prudence 
 and 'vigilance of this man, confiiicd all the life and fpirit, not only of counfels, but 
 alfo of^cntcrprifes and adion. But yet thofe that emulated him, forbore not to at- 
 tribute many diforders to his fault i and particularly, that not dcliiing for his own ends, 
 thatdifcords fliould be quieted, but that the Wars (hould continue, becaufe, while 
 they laftcd, he governed the Kings mind, and all the affairs of the Kingdom, and not 
 ftirring much for matters of Religion, ffor which from his youth he had fliewcd 
 himfcif to care but little^ he was the occafion that not onh the Civil Wars continucdj 
 with Co great a both publick and private ruine, but that the King with arts and pro- 
 mifes deterred the fo neceffary effed of his Converfion. He was flain in the begin- 
 ning of thefixtyand fifth year of his age, being entire in mind, itrong in body, full 
 of careful diligence, and indefatigable in Military exercifes. 
 
 After his death, the whole charge of the Army remaining to the Duke of TV-wrj, 
 the liege of that Town began to be fet in order, and the King having received the 
 Il'pc'im'tke news of what had happened, after he had fpent mony hours in tears and publick con- 
 Maccicbii.ii dolings, with great celerity moved to return to the Camp. There were My three 
 *^""" hundred Walloon-Foot of Berlntte's lertii come from Rheimes to enter into the Town, 
 
 for the relief of the belicged , the confervation of that place feeming to be of great 
 concernment to the Confederates. Tiicfe matching that way, and being already near 
 their entrance, were overtaken by the Bixon de Byron, who, to revenge his Fathers 
 death, had fct forward to the Canp before all the reft-, and not willing fo pretermit 
 that occafion of cutting thofe Foot in pieces which he found in the field without any 
 convoy of Hoife, ran furioufly toaffault them. The Foot were not at all difmayed, 
 being part of them Pike men, and the reft Musketiers and Fire-locks, and getting 
 into a hollow way, (hut upon both fides by two high Banks of Earth, as it were by 
 two Raivipaits, made an halt, and facing about, fiercely received the charge of the 
 Horfc with their Pikes, and in the mean time their Companions mingled among them 
 •with their fhot, failed not to fire inceffantly upon them ', fo that two Captains of Horfe, 
 and many Gentlemen being killed, it feemed very difficult to force them: Monfieur 
 di St. Luc came up with another Squadron of the Kings Cavalry, which marcl.ed to- 
 ward the Camp, who thinking it a great (hame that Co few Foot fhould make re- 
 fiftance in the field, rufhed forward .to make the fame attempt i but being re- 
 ceived with the fame conftancy , he was repulftd no lefs than the others ; And 
 muc-h worfe did it happen to Monfieur ds Ciury^ who came up laft with the Light- 
 Horfei for going to make the fame charge, he left his own Lieutenant dead upon 
 the place, with above fixty of his men i fo that the Foot being no longer molefted 
 with the Cavalry, came out of the hollow way, and went up an Hill all full of Vines » 
 from whence, without delay, they were to march down to the Moat of the Town to- 
 wards the Weft corner: But in this time, the King himfelf coming coming up with 
 the reft of his Forces, and feeing the affront his Horfe received from fo fliiall a party 
 of Foot , ran forward gallopping to the very edge of the Moat \ and though the 
 Town ceafed not to play both with their Artillery and ' uskets, yet palling fwiitly by, 
 he went to charge the Foot, who being come down from the Hill, were already got- 
 ten into the Plain, whereby their way being fo cut off, that they could not get under 
 the Walls, they were furrounded on every lide, and after a long and valiant refiftance, 
 ^ere at laft cut in pieces , though with the lofs of above two hundred of the Kings 
 fide, and above two hundred more wounded. 
 
 '^"^ feline day he ftraitned the fiege on all fides, and without loflng time, began to 
 
 raften the taking of the place i and becaufe the befieged had laboured all thofe days 
 
 ^ that were paft to fill their Moat with Water, that they might gain more time to bring 
 
 their Works to perfe(aion , he imployed his firft ftudy to divert the Water another 
 
 way.
 
 o/^ France. The Thirteenth ^oo^ 561 
 
 way, which fpent three days time > but the paflage was no fooner opened to drain 15^2. 
 the Moat, when the Baron de Byron, impatient to ftay for the efledt of the Artillery, "'■'" ^"°° ''* 
 which neverthelcfs were planting by the induftry of Monfieur de St. Luc^ gave afca- venae the"' 
 lado to a great Tower, newly made defenfible by thofe within, and being come up <'"?hof hii 
 clofe together, fo that they fought only with their Swords , he renewed the aflault fo f gr«VTowe" 
 obfiinately , twice or thrice, that at laft he carried it with great flaughter on both atVpfraa), 
 fides •) but whilrt in lodging his men there, the Earth was throwing up to flicker them but is fou'iy 
 from the Town, he was fore wounded with a fhot in the flioulder. That Tower, and mounded, 
 the other defences being taken one after another , the Artillery having made an open £/,,(,«, yitU- 
 breach in the old Wall, the defendents began to remember that they had not fufficient "h'tf'ifjwitii 
 Forces to fuftain the aflault \ and therefore having fent to capitulate the fecond day, "/ve thc"i/° 
 they concluded to march out free with their Baggage, but to leave their Colours, which coiouts,which 
 the King by all means would have, in refpedt of the Spanifli Enfigns of the Count de rcVucrby the 
 Bnjfii, which for reputation the King defired to have in his power. The Town was "'"8' ''"'"'* 
 delivered up into the hand of the Duke of Nevers^ Governour of that Province, up- feme "pVififh 
 on the Ninth day of -<4kjt»/^ • Enfignt tmosfi 
 
 From Efpernay the Army went to take in Provhtf , a City of Brie i which for the 
 unequalnefs of the fituation, and the greatnefs of its circuit, was not very defenfible, 
 being full of Gardens and Vineyards , very thinly peopled , and very ill provided of 
 Souldiers ■■> and yet things proceeding flowly, and the fiege not preffing, all the reft of 
 the month was fpent about it, and it came not into the Kings power before the fecond 
 of September. 
 
 The next thing that lay fit for the Army to befiege, was Meaux j whereof, as beihg 
 rearer to Paris, and opportune to ftraiten that City, not only the Parifians were exceed- 
 ing jealous, but even the Duke of Mayenne himfelf, who being come to BeativaU, dis- 
 patched the SxtmdeVitry thither with Eight hundred Foot, and Three hundred Horfe 
 •who together with the Sieur de Rantilly, Governour of the Town, and with the ordi- 
 rary Garilbn, laboured in fuch manner, that it was made very defenfible > which the 
 King confidering, and judging, that the taking of it would be difficult, and a work 
 of time, refolved CpaiTing beyond Meaitx along the bank of the River Marne, which 
 leads to VarU) to raife a Fort in the middle of the River, in an Ifland called Gonrnay, 
 to the end, that ftanding between both, it might hinder their commerce and the na- 
 vigation of the River, wheteby without lofs of time in befieging Meaux, he might 
 reap the fame, or perhaps greater fruit. This was the thought of the Duke of Nevers^ 
 who having had the care of executing it, applied himfelf to it fo diligently, that with- 
 in a few days the work began to rife apace, the Fortification being made in the likenefs 
 of a Star with five acute Angles, and an high Platform raifed in the midft* The King 
 with his whole Army was quartered upon the Bank of the River, where forcing the 
 Peafants of all that Country round about, and making his Foot Souldiers work by 
 Companies in their turns, he endeavoured to have the Fort made defenfible. 
 
 On the other fide, the Parifians anxious becaufe of that impediment, which would 
 bring them into a worfe condition for matter of vidual, and increafe that dearth to ex- 
 tremity wherewith the City was already much afflided, ceafed not to ftir up the Duke 
 of Miyenne to oppofe the raifing of that Fort, fo prejudicial to the common intcrefts i 
 nor did the Duke defire Icfs than they, to be able to oppofe it i but the fmall Forces 
 he had with him conftrained him to proceed flowly : For it ivas neceflary firft to ftay 
 till the neighbouring Garifons were drawn together i and after they were met, the 
 Count de Colalto's Germans, who were many Pays behind, mutinied againft him, and 
 without them he could not move with any hope of good fuccefs. The Germans at 
 laft were quieted , a certain fum of money being paid them > but in the mean time, 
 many days were part , whereby the Duke of Nevers had (b much the more leifure to 
 bring the Fort into a pofture of defence ■■> and Co much the more difficult became the 
 attempt of hindering it > and yct the Duke advanced on the other fide of the B.\- 
 vcr, intending to fight and to poflefs an Abby , which ftanding over the River, he 
 might afterward batter the Fort from thence as from a Cavalier i but the Sieur dc 
 Prjjlin , and the Count de Brienne , being in it with a very great number , both of 
 Horfe and Foot , they skirmiflied hotly for the fpace of two whole days together, be- 
 fore the Duke could feat himfelf in a convenient place to oppugn it, and as (bon as 
 the Artillery was brought and planted, the King appeared (who had been indifpofed 
 fome days at St. Vena) at whofe coming a Bridge of Boats being put over, the Garifon 
 
 C c c c in
 
 5^2 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,<o2. in the Abbywasfore-inforced, that thofe that defended it, were not content to fally 
 fiercelY every hour to skirmifli with the Army of the League, but had alfo lodged them- 
 felves with many trenches in the field , and with them had brought themfelvcs even 
 under the Dukes Redoubts,and to the fame Poll where the Artillery were placedi where- 
 fore it appearing not only difficult , but in a manner altogether impoflible to gain the 
 Abbv defended by fo numerous a Garifon, and relieved, and fuftained from the Kings 
 Camp by theconveniency of the Bridge of Boats, the Duke not perfifting obftinately, 
 retired to quarter in the Village of Cgndf^ there to exped the Sieur de Rojhe, and Co- 
 Jonel St. Fatil, whom he had fent for with the Foreign Forces, and with thofe of the 
 Province of Champagne , judging it impoifible to oppofe the Kings Army, if his own 
 were not much encreafed by the arrival of thofe Supplies i but having expe&ed them in 
 vain, from the 16. till the 22 of September^ he retired atlaft to Meaux, without being 
 able to hinder the perfeding of the Fort i from whence (that he might not lofe his 
 time unprcfitably, and that he might give fome eafe to the affliifted Parifians) he went 
 after not many days to befiege Crejpy, a place of the County of Valoh^ and having ta' 
 ken it without more difpute, he made the paffage more eafie and more fecure for fom« 
 quantity of victual , which might be carried into Parit from that fertil Country round 
 about, 
 
 V\ hile the Heads of the Parties entertain themfelves with thefe petty adlions, one to 
 ftraiten the City, the other to enlarge it from want of provifions, the Treaties of each 
 fide went on with more heat than matters of War. The Kings mind was intent upon 
 the affairs of Rome, having from the Popes Equity and Prudence conceived great hopes 
 Jrts a'Jfcol.'-' that he might reconcile himfelf to the Church i but he wiflied rather, that the bufinefs 
 ciiiatioBwith ftould pafs by way of Compofition and Agreement, than by means of Humiliation and 
 cbufch?by Pardon i and therefore defired. That the Venetian Senate and the great Duke of Thuf. 
 w.yof Agree- cany (hould interpofe as Mediators, to negotiate that Reconciliation with the Apofto- 
 wayoiPardoo ''ck See: The treaty whereof ftanding thus in fufpence, withheld the minds of the 
 Catholicks, till the end were feen, and did not alienate the Hugonots, who were not 
 yet fure that the agreement would be effefl:ed , but were rather full of a reafonable 
 hope, that that manner of treating at Rome would not bring forth any fruit at all. Car- 
 dinal GW; having conferred with the King in his paffage, and having with his pafport 
 taken his voyage thorow the places that were of his party , had made fome itay 
 at Florence , defiring that fome of the Cardinals might firft be gained by the Great 
 Duke. 
 
 The Marguifs de Pifa»y took his journey at the fame time, and having pafTed the 
 
 Alps, was come to Vefenzano upon the lake of Garda, a place belonging to the Repub- 
 
 Hck of V£nice, to procure that the Senate, by means of their Ambaffador, njight firft 
 
 break the yce in introducing the Treaty with the Pope. But thefc attempts were yet 
 
 very unfeafonable : for the things that were Jftill aded in Frame by the Kings Council 
 
 and the Parliaments of Towrjand Chalon's, (where they had datnned the Popes Bulls, 
 
 and the Commiffion given concerning the Legation of the Cardinal of Viacenzd, and 
 
 many other Declarations of fuch-like nature) gave fmall (ign of the Kings Repentance 
 
 and ConverGon, and had put the Pope as it were in a neceflfity of protedling the League, 
 
 and of refenting thofe injurious demonftrations which had been attempted againft him 
 
 wkh fb little refpedt, as well for the fecurity of Religion, as for the reputation of his 
 
 own perfon : ©or could he yet fecure himfelf that the King, who for the time paft had 
 
 been fo oblHnate in his belief, could fo all of a fudden fincerely turn Catholick i but he 
 
 cjufes ihit ^<^"bted that it was a meer fidtion, to eftablifli himfelf in the Kingdom i and there- 
 
 b«kwi'I"'" • ^ ^^ judged it to be his office, by length of time, and by many Arguments and Con- 
 
 <i«t«m" ng" i^^ures, to make himfelf certain of his inward Converfion, that he might not coni- 
 
 f»itrnf''.he ^" P'^^' 5^^ deftrudtion of Religion by a precipitate determination , and fuch a one as 
 
 Crown of* ^as little feemiy for the dignity of his PcrfMi, and that opinion the World had con^ 
 
 f'amt. ceived of him. To this was added the power of the Spaniard , who pofTeffed the 
 
 r!f vf' P^t of the Cardinals > the obligation the Pope himfelf had to that party, which 
 
 had brought him to the Papacy : whereupon he was neceffitated to carry himfelf very 
 
 *r^^^°^y with them : the humour of that Court, which cannot endure thofe things 
 
 Ch' l"™ ^° ^ prejudicial to the Ecdefiaftical authority, and to the Majefty of the 
 
 i-nurch, and befides thefe, the Kings misfortunes before Ro«f», which were then frefh, 
 
 ana divulged with the additions of fame, made the Treaty unproper, and by no 
 
 means opportune at that prefent. And the Duke di>Mayeme, who had given ViUeroy 
 
 fome
 
 (?/" France. The Thirteenth ^oo^ 563 
 
 fotne liberty to favour the Kings Converfion with the Pope, thinking it as lawful for 159^' 
 him to deceive his Enemy, as it had been lawful for his Enemy to break his word with ]}^ ^"^1,"^^ 
 him, and to divulge the fecret of thofe Treaties that had paffed in confidence of pri- y^ulro'hMi-.f 
 vacy, being now more than ever entered again upon his old defign by the means of KJngs''"orv<!'r- 
 Ves Fortes and the Biftiop of Lifieux, his Agents in that Court, he did both by deeds fion it Rome, 
 and words, to his power, oppofe thofe things that were treated in favour of that Con- famc'!mc%. 
 verfion. Wherefore the Pope being refolved not to give any fcandal concerning him- P"'"". " w h 
 felf in the beginning of his Papacy > and not finding things in fuch a condition , that *" ^^ ^°""' 
 with the fecurity of Religion , and the decency of the Apoftolick See , he might lend p^ ^^^ g 
 an ear to what was propounded, having fliewed his reafons to the Venetian and Flo- giT notice 
 rentine Ambafladors, he wrote unto the Legat to give the Cardinal of Gondi notice oondi'iaTL 
 that he (hould not ftir out of France : which Commillion being arrived late, found him the Maiquifs 
 already departed : whereupon, having afterwards heard that he had paft the moun- fhcy'^'oiu *'^ 
 tains, he difpatched Father Alejandro Francefchi of the Order of Preachers, his Chap- "ot "t" '"'o 
 Iain, to meet him, and to forbid him in his name to come any further j for he was re- ftj' jf/tj't'l** 
 folved, he being a malignant Cardinal, and an adherent to Hereticks, neither to fee 
 him, nor hearken unto him: and by the means of his Nuncio refiding in Venice, he 
 caufed the Marquifs of Tifam to be refolutely advertifed, that he being fufpedted of 
 Herefie, having followed and fought for anHeretick, fliould by no means enter into 
 the State of the Church > for if he did, he fliould be forced to proceed againft him. The 
 Cardinal, who was at Ambrogiana^ a place of the Grand Duke's near Florence^ not at ^"c^'^f' S"*' 
 all difmayed at the Popes fo refolute advertifement, defired the Frier to give it him at s'ec'eVry ro 
 length in writing, and with him difpatched his Secretary to Rowf, to clear himfelf of f^fcVim'e"* 
 thofe things that were objedted againft him : He fliewed that from the beginning he to the Pope. 
 had not been willing to fubfcribe unto the League as he had been defired, becaufe, be- 
 ing an eye-witnefs, he faw, and by long praftice in the cufloms of France, knew that 
 Union was not fet on foot by true zeal and fincere affedion to Religion, but to palliate 
 the ambition of the Great Ones, and to cover the interefts of State, which it was not 
 fit for him, being a Clergy-man, to give his affent unto, nor to make himfelf minifter 
 of other mens pallions and affections : That he had made his excufe about it to Pope 
 Sixtus §luintHs, who being made acquainted with the truth, had taken his determination 
 in good part : That if lie had treated with the King of Navarre during the fiege of Fa- 
 rir, to free the City from the extream mifery of hunger, he had done it with the con- 
 fent and leave of the Apoftolick Legat : That if he at that prefent had treated perfo- 
 nally with the King himfelf, he had done it that he might not put himfelf in danger of 
 being made a prifoner in his journey, and of being obliged afterwards, to the difre- 
 putation of his quality, to meet and treat with him by force : That he had obeyed the 
 intimation which the Legat Sega had fent after him to the confines of Lorain ; for he 
 had given him notice , that if he meant to treat any thing in favour of Hereticks, or 
 of the King of Navarre, he fliould not come to Kome j whereupon, he having no fueh 
 intention, had continued his journey : 1 hat he marvelled the Pope fliould refufe him 
 leave to come and proftrate himfelf at his feet, to render him due obedience > where, 
 if he were guilty, he might not only reprehend, but al(b punifli him: That he was ready 
 to give a particular true account of his adions i and if he were found in a fault, he refufed 
 rot to undergo fuch chaftifement as he deferved : That his intention was to come to 
 Rome,to make the Pope acquainted with the calamities and miferics of Fr<««ce,which per- 
 chance were not fincerely reprefented to him : That as a Prelat and Bifliop of France, and 
 as a Cardinaljhe came to let him know,there were above forty IJifliopricks vacant,the re- 
 venues whereof were enjoyed by Women,Courtiers,Souldiers, and perfons far from the 
 Epifcopal profeffion ; and that in the mean time,thepoor Souls were difperfed without a 
 Paftor : That he thought himfelf obliged to reprefent unto him, that the Curates of Pa- 
 riflies, Priefts and other Clergy-men, having abandoned their proper Fundiion and the 
 care of Souls,were bufied in bloodying their hands, and living in the profeffion of Arms : 
 That he fliould feel his Confcience burdened, if he did not let him know the danger fo J^' "•'"''P/ 
 noble, Co great a Kingdom was in, of becoming fchifmatical, unlcfs fome courfe were ta- Eceie'fiafti«i 
 ken for the fafety and union of it : That this feemed to him to be the duty of a good ^Tnt'dom of 
 Chriftian and a good Catholick, not of an Heretick, nor of a favourer and promoter of fr^.""" " 
 Herefies : That if his Holinefs had been pleafed to hear his opinions concerning the dif- 
 cords and calamities of France, he would have told them, and fubmitted them to his 
 moft grave and prudent judgment > and if he would have irapofed him filence,he would 
 
 C c c c i hive
 
 5^4 
 
 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 I5?2. 
 
 The Pope 
 fenJs Monfig- 
 T\ox ^gucchi CO 
 Cardinal Sega 
 Lcgac in trance 
 with pr«dent 
 InfttuSioni 
 concerning the 
 3(fairs of thac 
 Kingdom, 
 
 Citdinal Stgd 
 affeaionatc to 
 the Lordi of 
 the leagut, 
 and perfwadcd 
 by hope, being 
 become parti - 
 ,-.1 to the Spa- 
 niards, doth 
 notexecotehis 
 orders accord- 
 ding to the 
 Popes intenti- 
 ons. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Mn^cnnt inter- 
 preting the 
 I'opes manner 
 of proceeding; 
 to he in favour 
 of him, applies 
 himfelf 10 the 
 Convocation 
 of the States, 
 with hope to 
 fctchofen Kin" 
 of f,a:te. " 
 
 have held his peace, fince for his part, when his Confcience was once difchargedj he 
 
 intended not to pafs any furthen u . u* • t i x-, 
 
 Thefeieafons boldly propofed by the Secretary , who was brought in by the Flo- 
 rentine Ambaffador, made a deep impremon m the Pope, who having from this man, 
 and from the difcourfes of the Venetian Ambaffador, comprehended many particulars, 
 was confirmed in his opinion, either with the full confent of every one, to raife one of 
 the Princes of the Blood unto the Crown, or elfc that perhaps one day he might with 
 the honour of the Apoftolick See, and the reflauration of all the Orders of France, fee 
 the King of Navarre reconciled fincerely to the Church, and all the difcords of the 
 Kingdom compofed in that point. But becaufe this hope was yet weak and obfcure 
 in the uncertainty of the future, nor did he think it fit either to precipitate the natu- 
 ral courfe of things, or utterly to forfake the League, (which, if for nothing elfe, ferved 
 at Icaft for a fpur and neceflary inftrument of the Kings Converfion) he refolved to 
 perfift yet in that manner of appearance he had begun, in the mean time dexteroufly 
 and with convenient patience promoted the fecret of his thoughts. Therefore, though 
 in a fliort writing to the Cardinal of Fiacetiza divulged in print , he declared that he 
 defired a Catholick King and an Enemy to Herefie fliould be eleded, and that he ab> 
 horred that one who ftill perfevered In his errours (hould be admitted to the pofleflion 
 of the Crown, and therefore made fhew to confent alfo to the affembling of the States, 
 to come in the end to a good and wholfom eledion i yet he difpatched his Nephew 
 the Pronotary Agucchi to the Legat himfelf, giving him fecret advice to carry himfelf 
 verv dexteroufly and very cautioufly, and not to fuffer that in the Affembly of the 
 States, Votes (hould either be forced or corrupted , but that mens wills (hould be free, 
 and their voices not intereffed : That he fliould not permit the eledion of a King, who 
 was more like to kindle difcords, than to put an end to the War : That he (hould en- 
 deavour no wrong might be done to any one : That that courfe (hould be taken, which 
 by the moft eafie, tnoR fecure way, and with the leaft novelty that could be polTible, 
 might produce Peace -, and that he fliould not be over-fcrupulous, but yield what he 
 handfomly might, to time, and the nature of affairs i and provided Religion were fe- 
 cure, he (hould pafs by many other confiderations in the order and manner of treating: 
 Admonifliing him finally, That this was a bufinefs ot fo great importance, as could 
 never be fufficiently pondered and examined •, and that therefore he fliould keep him- 
 felf from hafty refolutions, and from fpecious counfels, and that without other refpeft, 
 he fliould aim only at the quiet of Souls, and at the fervice of God. The Pope be- 
 lieved thefe Inftruftions, without any further Declaration, would be fufficient to the 
 prudence of the Legat, to caufe moderate proceedings in the States, and to make him 
 underftand, that he fliould not carry the eledion for a Foreign King, about whofe efta- 
 blifliment, longer and more ruinous Wars would nccelTarily enfue, than ever yet had 
 been-, but that, if with the honour of the Apoflolick See , and the Security of Reli- 
 gion, he could either eftablifli a King of the Houfe of Bourbon , or compofe the dif- 
 cords with the King of Navarre, it would be a much better and more expedient de- 
 termination. But the Legat giving himfelf wholly over to the will of the Spaniards, 
 by whom he hoped to be raifed to the dignity of being Pope, (fince the favourable en- 
 deavours of the Catholick King, being in good earneft added to the merit of his la- 
 bours, he thought himfelf in a condition to attain it j and having by his long refidencc 
 in France, and by converfation with the Farifians already contracted a partiality to the 
 League, and an enmity to the King, was either fo blinded by affedion, that he could not, 
 or fo drawn by his own defigns, that he would not underltand the Popes meaning, and 
 therefore fet himfelf with all his power to advance the enterprifes of the Spaniards. 
 
 But the Duke of Mayenne being by his Secretary des Fortes, and by the Bifliop of 
 Lifieux, advertifcd in part of the Popes moderate CommilTions, judged, that his mind 
 inclined to favour him, and that thofe words of caufing a Catholick King to be eleded, 
 who might be a Defender of the Church, and an Enemy to Hereticks, but fuch a one 
 as might be eftablifhed with the general approbation, without commotion or fubverfion, 
 pointed at his perfon i and therefore firmly hoping he (hould have the Popes favour, 
 and by confequence the Legats i and that the attempts of the Spaniards were not fo- 
 '"^'^^^^ l^y them, having loofened himfelffrom the Treaty of Peace, he turned his mind . 
 wholly upon the aflembling of the- States, being intent to doit in fuch manner, that 
 Jt might fucceed to the advantage, and fecure eflablifliment of his Affairs. For this 
 purpoie he had with exceeding great diligence laboured, that the Deputies who were 
 
 fele<aed,
 
 of France. The Thirteenth ^ool^ c^6< 
 
 feleded, might not be of thofe that were taken with the gold or promifes of the Spa- i5P2« 
 nifti Minifters, but of his dependents > and where thofe could not be had, he at leaft 
 obtained, that they (hould be for the moft part men of good underftanding, affedio- 
 nate to their Country, and the general good, thinking, that fuch would hardly con- 
 defcend to a Foreign King, and one that was not of their own Blood. The place 
 where this Affembly of the States was to be held remained to be refolved on » and the 
 Spaniards, who defigned at the fame time when it (hould be convened, to make the 
 Duke of Parma enter into France , and draw near with the Army to back and colour 
 the Catholick Kings pretenfions, defired principally, that it might be the City of Soif- 
 fons. The Duke of Lorain propofed the City of Kheims, (as neareft to hitn) from 
 which the Spaniards did not much diffent. But Prefident Jeannin, and the Sieur de 
 ViUeroy counfelled the Duke of Mayenne to reduce the Affembly into the City of Parity 
 without having regard to the length of the journey, the danger of the Deputies, or 
 to the incommodioufnefs and dearth of vidual, to give content and fatisfadion to the 
 inhabitants thereof, who were wohderful earnefl to have it fo > and had need after fo 
 many calamities to be comforted and kept faithful : And moreover to make the Con- 
 gregation of the States more publick and more famous by the quality of the place, and 
 not to put the 'Cities of Kheims or Soijfont in danger i for it was conGdered, that the 
 Duke of Parma coming thither, accompanied according to his cuftom , with ftrong 
 Forces, might eafily force the Affembly to his will, and make himfelf Mafter of thofe 
 places, which would be hard for him to obtain in Paris^ as well by reafon of the great- 
 nefs of it, and the number of the people, as becaufe it was further from the Frontiers, 
 and all furrounded and encompaffed with the Kings Fortreffes , full of ftrong Garifons, 
 which upon all occafions might be called to hinder any violence that (hould be offered 
 to the City, or to the States. Befides this, the City was better inclined than ever it 
 had been in former times i for the pernicious power of the Sixteen being weakned, 
 the Government remained in the hands of the wonted Magiflrates, ele(3:ed with great 
 care by the Duke of Mayenne himfelf, and the Incendiaries not being there, they quie- 
 ted the minds of the people without thofe infurredlions that were wont to dirturb all 
 bufineffes: Moreover, the Parliament refiding in the City, might feive as a tit inftru- 
 , ment to treat and hinder many things. 
 
 This determination did very much difpleafe theSpanifii Minifters, and they oppofed 
 it at the firft, (hewing the necelTity of the Duke of Parma's being there, who could not 
 advance fo far into the Kingdom,and withdraw himfelf fo far from the Frontiers h and 
 arguing alfo, that the great numlier of the Deputies would increafe the dearth and ne- 
 ceffity of the Parifians. But the objedion concerning the Duke of Farma was remo- 
 ved by his death i and the interefts of the Parifians was not put intoconftderation, for 
 they themfelves perfwaded the Spaniards to defift from interpofing any hindrance, be- 
 caufe the City efteemed it to be for its advantage and profit, and much more for its The cicy of 
 honour and reputation, that fo famous an Affembly fhould be made in their City, they '"''.'^'^ df^ih 
 intervening and alTifting in it. The Cardinal Legat affented alfo to this opinion, as convocation 
 well not to incommodate him(elf with the expence of new journeys, as becaufe he "f the Sf»tes. 
 thought by the heat of the Parifians to bring the Affembly to make eletSion of that 
 King, who (hould be of greateft fatisfadion to the Apoftolick See, and to the inten- 
 tions of the King of Spain. Wherefore the Duke of Mayenne having left the Govern- The Duke of 
 ment of the Army to the Sieur de Kofne^ by him created Marefchal and Governour of j^l^f s "he 
 the Ifle o( France, went to Parif with a fmall retinue, and therewith hisprefence, and command of 
 with his words laboured to comfort the affli(3:ed people for the dearth of vidlual, and Ihj sieur rf° 
 the interruption of commerce and trading in the City, (hewing them, that within a /fo/«c,and ooes 
 few days there would be fome courfe taken in the Affembly of the States, and conve- '™ ' " 
 nient order fetled totally to free the City, and eafe it of its prefent neceffities i ftriving 
 with liberal promifes, and by honouring and cherifhing every one, (efpecially the Ma- 
 giftrates of the City, and the Preachers) to gain the good will of the people, which by 
 his late feverity he feared he had wholly loft. 
 
 It was not without great reafon that the Duke of Mayenne hoped at laft to transfer move the''" 
 the Crown upon himfelf and his Pofterity i for confidering the prefent eftate with due Duke of Mdy 
 regard, it was clear , that neither the Union of the Crowns, nor the Eledion of In- bVchofeXn'l 
 fanta Ifabella (things laboured for by the Spaniards) would ever be endured by the "f f""""- 
 French, who by no kind of inteteft, by no kind of pradice, could ever be brought to 
 fubmit themfdves to the Empire of theii natural Enemies > and though fome particular 
 
 men.
 
 ^ 5^ The Hijlory of the Civil IVars 
 
 , C02 men, corrupted with moDcy, or by the expeaation of places and honours, had accom- 
 modated their cuft unto it i yet the general, which was raore powerful, would never 
 have been perfwaded by any means: Wherefore thefe pretenfions failing, and being 
 excluded he thought Tand reafon told him loj that the Catholick King could not con- 
 cur more willingly to the cledtion of any other than his own perfon i fince, if either 
 the Duke of Lorain^ or the Duke of Savoy Ihould be eledted Cas the report went} by 
 the party that they ftiould make, new States and power would be added to the Crown 
 of France, with the augmentation whereof, it was likely the Catholick King would 
 not be well pieafed, but rather that it (hould decreafe in ftrength and greatnefs i he did 
 not fee that the Catholick King could exped to draw greater fruit from his part labours 
 and expences, than in chufing him » who by reafon of the need he (hould have of him 
 to eflablifh himfelf in the Kingdom, would be conftrained by necefliity to content him, 
 and to condefcend to many things which the reft perhaps would not fo eafily confent 
 to. The fame he judged of the Pope i who, as far from interefts, and full of that 
 moderation which he made (hew of, would more willingly yield to him than any 
 other, not to deprive him of the fruit of his fo great labours, confidering that he alone 
 had fuftained the Catholick party, and the Caufe of Religion, which no other, either 
 by authority or prudence could have been able to fuftain. He faw the French generally 
 inclined and difpofed in favour of him, by reafon of his authority in the party, where- 
 of he had fo long been the Chief-, and that between the Dignity and Office he now 
 poffelTed, and the full power of King, there was no other difference but the title, he 
 already holding the adminiftration of affairs as Lieutenant of the Crown : He knew 
 that not one of the reft of his Family could equal himfelf to him , cither for valour, 
 " ' merit , experience or authority, and that the fole (hadow of his will would confound 
 
 and terrifie them all. To this was added the diligence wherewith the Deputies had 
 been eleded to his advantage, the inclination of the Parliament, newly (by thepunifli- 
 ment of the Sixteen) by him reftorcd to its being, the dependence of the Council of 
 State, and the art of managing this defign, in which Conditions all the reft were in- 
 comparably inferiour to him. 
 
 The lime conceit had the Duke of Tarma^ who ("after that his counfel of overcoming 
 things with patience, and drawing matters out in length, was no longer hearkned to 
 in Spain) thought the eledtion of the Duke of Mayenne more profitable for the Catho- 
 lick Kings affairs than that of any other man, becaufe he might be eftablifhed with more 
 facility, lefs charge, and more advantageous Conditions : wherefore he writ into Spain 
 about it, and it appeared that in the courfe of the buOnefs he would have.favoured his 
 affairs, either becaufe he fo judged it profitable for King fhilip as he demonftrated, or 
 (as the other Minifters faid) becaufe he dcfired not that the Spanifti Monarchy ihpuld 
 increafe to fuch a height, and come to the only one in Chriftendom, without counter- 
 poife or oppofition. But his death, which happened upon the fecond day of Decern, 
 her, in the City of Amu, after a long painful ficknefs, did fomething vary the ftate of 
 TheDuVeof things, as the Spaniards then faid, to the advantage of the Catholick Kings affairs i 
 rai-wa's dtath but, as it appeared afterwards by the effeds, to their notable damage : for the repu- 
 the inttrefis'° tatlon of his name being removed, which had already brought the humour of the French 
 «Mi»"''''°°^ as it were into obedience, they neither much efteemed the other Spanilh Commagders 
 and Minifters i nor were the Minifters themfelves equal to him either in knowledge 
 or authority \ and having conceits and opinions different from thofe which he pru- 
 dently nouriftied in his mind , and wherewith he had managed the bufinefs till then, 
 they went on afterwards with fuch a precipice, that the Catholick Kings affairs took an 
 impreffion very different from what they held at that present. But the Duke of May- 
 enne, with the lofs of him, loft alfo much of his hopes i and feeing the other Minifters, 
 particularly Diego d' Ivarra, utterly averfe from him, he began to doubt he (hould be 
 forced to take another refolution, and thought to guide his bufineffes with more art^nd 
 caution than he had formerly done. Neverthelefs the Convocation of the States was 
 advanced fo far, that it couldno longer be deferred : 'and it was neceffary to affemble it, 
 as Well not to break abfolutely with the Spaniards, as to fatisfie the Popes importuni- 
 ties i but ujoA of all, becaufe the Deputies were already elefted, and many of them 
 upon their way to Paris. 
 
 Thefe things happened Anno 15^2, in which year various fortune had with divers 
 accidents troubled the other Provinces of the Kingdom. Monfieur de la Valette Go- 
 vexnour oiiroveme^ had in the beginning of the year laid liege to Kocbebrme, a place held 
 
 m
 
 of France* The Thirteenth ^ool^. 5^7 
 
 in that Province by the Duke of Savoys and after he had in vain battered it many 1592. 
 days, being refolved to remove his Artillery, and plant them in another place, where 
 he had difcovered the wall to be weaker , and the paflage to go on to the aflault more Monficar Jeia 
 cafie, began new Trenches to plant his Cannon there i abeut vyhich Work whilft he la- ^■''f'"" "^"^ 
 boured in perfon to haften the perfecting of it, he received a Musket-ftiot in the head, ftot at'^the''" 
 and being carried into his Tent, died within a kw hours. A CavaUet who (having ^''^'S' °^ ^«'"- 
 fagacity of wit, joined to valour and undauntednefs of mind^ had with flender For- 
 ces, honourably, without lofs, fuftairied the much fuperiour power of the Duke of .J^- 
 voy. When he was dead, Frovence remaining without a Governour on the Kings part, 
 Monfieur Les Diguieres, who was wont to help in thofe neceffities , left the care of 
 Vaitphine to Colonel Orttano, and hafted thither with his ufual diligence, and having 
 joined the Forces of that Province to his own, with infinite expedition made himfelf 
 Mafter of all the Towns and Caftles feated upon the banks of the River Fare, which ^''? ^'"^ ^•'^ 
 divides Italy (torn France ■■, and thenhavingfuddenlypait the River, and thrown down fine"ih«repjl 
 the Fortifications raifed by the Duke, to hinder the entrance into his Territories, he ffo^'^""^ 
 with wonderful terrour to the people pillaged all the Country to the very Walls of '°'^ ^'"^"' 
 Nizza i and having repaffed the River, fet himfelf with profperous fuccefs to take in l^'ctZn 
 the neighbouring Caftles i yet not thinking it fit to aflault either Aix, Marjeilles^ or the ™akes'iK« 
 principal Cities, becaufe he had neither Army nor preparations fufficicnt to undertake [VZn'iL 
 any of thofe enterprifes. Duke of iawy 
 
 But while he ftays in Provence , the Kings affairs received exceeding great damage 
 in Dattpbif^e : tor Mondcur de Maugiron Gov cinoux of F^/f«ce (whatfoever the occa- '^<"'''«'"' ''' 
 fion was) agreed to put that City into the hands of the Duke of Nemours, and of his ^'uiur'lPi^a'. 
 Brother the Marquifs de St, Sorlin Governour for the League in thofe parts v which »""„'" '*" 
 being executed without impediment, the Duke of Nemonrs, intent to follow the pro- th'"pia°ccVo"^ 
 fperity of his fortune, battered and took St. Marcellm, and after that, many other places, Jhe[°ajit^ 
 which being diligently fortified, had hindered the Forces of the Leagues from joining 
 on that fide with the Duke of Sawy. Wherefore Les Vigaieres being by this diverfion 
 conftrained to depart out of Provence, left the field open to the Duke of Savoy, who ha- wjfecoverl 
 ving part the Fare, and recovered all the places that had been taken from him, advanced '*>* p'""' "- 
 ito lay liege to Antiboh vyhich Town (landing upon the Sea, and for the fatnoufnefs of ^"rt/.'^and"* 
 the Port being very confiderablc, was taken by him, though with difficulty and length "'^" ■^'»"'"- 
 of time. 
 
 But Les Diguieres being returned into Dauphine, removed hitii out of Provence by 
 diverfion, as he by the means of the Duke of Nemours had been diverted before : for 
 having rallied an Army rather good and expert than numerous, he refolved to pafs the 
 Alps, and carry the War into Piedmont i and having overcome Mount Geneure, the or- 
 dinary Pafs to condudt Armies on that fide of the cnountains, he enlarged himfelf along 
 the valley ofPerofa and the Marquefate of Saluzzo , with (b much noife and terrour to 
 the people, that the Duke leaving the charge of Provence to Count Francefco Martinen' 
 go, was forced to come to remedy the deftrucflion of his Country. The quality of the 
 place fleep and mountainous, begirt with rocks and clifts, and encompafled round about 
 with the Alps, efpecially in a feafon when Winter in thofe parts was already growing 
 on, (for it was about thttn^oi^ September) hindered the progrefe of Arms, and did 
 not fuffer the Armies to encounter with all their Forces : and yet the French having 
 taken Perofa, and the Tower of Luferne, advanced as far as BriquerM i and having 
 had intelligence that the Dukes Commanders gathered part of their Army at Vigone, 
 refolved to aflault the Camp before all their Forces were drawn together : fo having 
 advanced by marching all night, upon the fourth of O£iober in the morning they fud- 
 denly affaulted the Town i where, by reafon of the difficulty of the fituation, and the 
 refiftance of the defendents, the toil was long, and the conflict: dangerous i yet the Sa- 
 voyards being but few, and the place of it felf but weak, they were defeated, fix hun- 
 dred Souldiers flain , many Commanders taken , and ten Colours of Foot i and the 
 French being returned victorious to Briquerx, began with wonderful diligence to forti- 
 fie that place, which being made defenfible by the forcing all the men of thofe quar- 
 ters to work, they left a good Garifon in it, and advanced toward Saluzz-e, (at fuch 
 time as the Duke was already come with his whole Army to Villa Franca) and having no 
 more important enterprife to attempt, applied themfelves to take.Cavors, a mountainous 
 place defended by a very ftrong Tower, fituated juft abov^ it: but while they with 
 art and induftry ftrive to get near it, and to plant the Attilkry, the Duke pafling another 
 
 way,
 
 568 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil If^ars 
 
 »5i'2- 
 
 The Dnke of 
 
 Sffcrnon go- 
 ing into Pro- 
 vence recovers 
 ^mibo.md att 
 the towns held 
 by the Duke of 
 S.ivoy 3s far as 
 the River Vjrc 
 
 ^B((ii»c Stip- 
 cs, Duke of 
 y'yeufi, lays 
 fiege to \'iUe- 
 mj</,a Fortrcfj 
 neat Mcnitu- 
 tin. 
 
 Monfiear de 
 Temints enters 
 with men into 
 VMmur, 
 
 way ftiarched by night to alTault Br/^w? a>j, judging'that the Works not being yet fi- 
 niflied it would not be very hard to get it from the Enemy i and it being taken, they 
 temained invironed in fuch manner, that in the narrow PalTes of that Valley they 
 might eafily be defeated : but he found a brisker refiftance than he expedled i where- 
 fore after a moft rierce affault of four hours, he refolved to retire , knowing that the 
 French were Co near, that it could not be long before they came to relieve their men ; 
 which proved very true : for Monfieur Les Viguieres., leaving the place befieged, which 
 was but little, and might be blocked up with a few, went with the rcll of the Army 
 whither he was guided by the noife of the fliot, which ratled aloud among the moun- 
 tains : but having found the Duke was departed from BrigueriK, he refolved to follow 
 him fpeedily i and having overtaken his Reer-guard near a Village, as they were paf- 
 flng a certain Rivulet, affaulted it fo violently, that he difordered the laft Squadrons of 
 Cavalry. The reft of the Army made a halt, and skirmifhed furioufly for many hours, 
 till being all tired out, and the night drawing on, the Duke retreated to Vigone, and 
 Les Viguieres returned to Cavori, where the Tower and Caftle being extreamly batter- 
 ed, at laft furrendered •, and he having over-run and pillaged thofe Valleys, being hin- 
 dered by the Snow and the coldnefs of the weather from proceeding to other enter- 
 prifes, marched back into Dauphine about the end of December. 
 
 But the Duke of Efpemon was come into Provence j who having heard of his Bro- 
 thers death, and being defirous to keep that Province, the Government whereof had 
 been given him by King Henry the Third, in which he had fubftituted the Sieur de la 
 Valetfe, went thither with all his Forces, and without much difpute recovered Antibo\, 
 and reduced into his power all the Towns as far as the River Vare., which by reafon 
 of their weaknefs were a prey fometimes to the one fide, fometimes to the other > and 
 though many in the Province, even of thofe that were of the Kings party, did not fol- 
 low him i yet he trufting to the Forces he had brought, applied himfelf diligently to 
 fubjedl: all the Towns to the obedience of his Government. 
 
 The Kings affairs went on alfo profperoufly in the Provinces of Guafcogne and L<i«- 
 gnedoc-f for Antohie Scipion., Duke oi^ joyeufe. Brother to Anne, who was flain in the 
 Battel of Coutras, and chief Commander for the League in that Province, having ob- 
 tained many Vidlories , taken many places , and made his name formidable in thofe 
 quarters, had at laft befieged ViUemttr, a Fortrefs not far from Montauban, with a de- 
 fign as foon as he had taken it , and fpoiled all the Country about , to ftrengthen alfb 
 Montauban it felf, the fecure receptacle , and for many late years the fetled ftanding 
 quarter of the Hugonots. But the Duke of Efpermn palling at the fame time with his 
 Army to go into Frovence, and having ftept a little out of his way to relieve that place, 
 Joyeiife knowing himfelf inferiour in ftrength, arofe from the fiege, and went to the 
 Towns of his own party , till the Duke of Efpemon being gone on his journey , he 
 thought he might opportunely venture to ViUemur, and profecute his begun defign. 
 
 There were in Villemur Three hundred Foot, a very weak Garifon to fuftain foftiarp 
 a fiege j wherefore Monfieur de Temines who was in Montauban, being refolved not to 
 fuffrr the befieged to perifti without relief, went from thence with Two hundred Fire- 
 locks, an hundred and twenty Cuiraffiers, and a feledt number of Gentlemen, by ways 
 that were not ordinary , and thorow fecret uneven paffages got into the place , defi- 
 ring rather to labour in the defence o( Villemur, than when it was loft to be put to de- 
 fend the Walls of Montauban. The Duke of Joyeufe having taken the Outworks, and 
 made his approaches to the Moat . planted Eight pieces of Cannon, and with them 
 battered the Wall very furioufly , and not failing in any thing that was the part of a 
 valiant diligent Commander , being abundantly furniftied from Iboloufe with thofe 
 things that belong unto a fiege, ftraitned it in fuch manner, that the danger was al- 
 ready urgent, and a fpeedy refolution was neceffary, either to relieve the befieged, or 
 let them perith : Whereupon Henry d^ AnviUe, Duke of Momorancy, Governourfor the 
 King in that Province, not willing to receive that affront before his own face, gathered 
 the Forces he had together , and having called to his ailiftancc the Gentry of Au- 
 vergne which were near, difpatched Monfieur de Lacques , and with him the Sieurs 
 de Chanibaut and Montayfon, to the end, they might endeavour either to raife the fiege, 
 or to relieve the Town with powerful affiftance fbme other way. Thefe made their 
 Rendervous at Bellegarde ■■, which the Duke oC Joyeufe having heard, left his Infan- 
 try to continue the fiege* and he himfelf with the Cavalry, and a certain number of 
 rire-locKs, tan fiercely to aflault them. The encounter at the Hrft was hot and furious, 
 
 where-
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'Boo{. <6q 
 
 15^2. 
 
 whereupon they of the King's fide began to be put in diforderv but Lecques having 
 caufed two Culverins to give fire, as alfo two other leffcr Pieces, which they had ta- 
 ken out of MoiitJHbjii, ftopt the affailants in fuch fort, that at laft they drew off with- 
 out having wrought any further elfed, and the Duke of yoyeitfe returned to his quar- 
 ter, continuing the fiege with fo much fecurity, and fo much contempt, that he quarter- 
 ed his Cavalry fcatteringly in the Villages about, to the end, that in the fterility of 
 that Country, they might be more commodioufly furniflied . But the Vifcount de Gor- 
 don being come to allill them of the King's party, they being increafed in courage and 
 in ftrengtti, ((ot they had One thoufand eight hundred Horfe, and little lefs than four 
 thoufand FootJ refolved fuddenly^o fall upon the Dukes Trenches, judging , that if 
 the beiieged ( as they promifed themfelves from the valor of Monfieur de lemines ) 
 fhoulJ fdlly upon them on the other fide, they might eafily pafs through the Trenches, 
 and put relief into the place. With this defign, being Cupon the Nineteenth of Df- '^^'^ ^in-: 
 cemh;r at night) entered into a Wood, which largely fpreading it felf, reaches near fdl'v! l^."c-° 
 to Villemur^ they arrived founexpedtedly the next morning to aflfauk the Duke of '««'■' 'fl^uir 
 Joyfitfe his Camp, that they entered the firft Trenches, before thofe that negligently TycurX' °^ 
 guarded them, had time to ftand to their Arms. The Duke having heard of the ^""P' ""^ 
 enemies coming, and the flight of his Guards, fent Two hundred Harquebufiers on fdv'i' maft;ts 
 horfe-back before, to hold the enemy in play, and giving fign by Three Cannon-fbot "^ '\^'^^ 
 to his Cavalry to haften to the Camp, flood firm with his Forces in Battalia between ^ ' 
 the firlt and fecond Trench, to receive the aflault of the Royallills, who encouraged 
 fay the profperity of that beginning, charged them valiantly, and were no lefs fiercely 
 received. The conflidlafted with great uncertainty of the Vidory for thefpace of vvhac ti, 
 an hour and an halfi but in the mean time, Mondeur deTemhies with the greater part Koy'ar.n!fi*hc 
 of the Garrifon, fallying at the Skitgates of the Fortrefs, and having drawn up a fmall, ulou« 'wich 
 but a valiant Squadron, fell upon the Rere of the Dukes main Body, which hardly cri""rtune, 
 made any refiftance ; fo that not being able to fuftain the violence on both fides, the ViTmon of' 
 Infantry took flight, and ran without Itop, to pafs over a Bridge, which for the conve- '^'' cTrnfon 
 niency of the Camp they had caufed to be made of Boats over the River Tar: But the an/cacThin^ 
 Bridge being weak, and the croud exceeding great, it broke under fo great a weight '*'« E'^^<:nir 'a 
 gnd the men upon it in a miferable confiifion were all drowned. The Duke, who be- rourrlcm, 
 inggot upon a Pad-nag, had ufed all the endeavors of a good Commander to flop his ""'' p"" '"■" 
 men, made his retreat with a few Gentlemen, flill fighting till he came to the bank of '" ^'"'"* 
 the River, where he found the Bridge already broken, and his men drowned i where- 
 upon, being nelfitated to pafs the River upon the fame Nag, he was carried away by 
 the Water, by rcafon of the weaknefsof his Horfe, and for hafte to get over, fell in- 
 to the midft of the flream, and was drowned with no lefs misfortune, than his Forces 
 had periflied in their flight. In the mean time the Cavalry was got together at the 
 warning of the three Cannon fhpt > but the General being dead, and their Trenches 
 taken every where, they endeavoured to fave the relicksof them that fled, and retired 
 without troubling the Enemy. Thus the Camp of the League being routed, with the 
 lofs of a Thoufand men, Two and twenty tnfigns, and all their Artillery, Vil'emttr re- 
 mained free from the fiege, and the Kings Forces much fupcrior in that Province. 
 
 But matters proceeded very differently in Bretjguf. The Prince of Conty^ Comman- 
 der in chief of the Army in Foiciou, and the Country of Maine, was joyned for the de- 
 fence of the Kings party with the Prince of Dombes, Governor of Bretagm, and they cun jgre»t 
 had joyntly refolved to befiege Crjo«, a great ftrong Town feated upon the Confine "'""Si"""" 
 that divides Brftj^ne from the other Neighbouring Provinces > in which, there being a theYMgue;!. 
 very great Garrifon, it over-ran and pillaged all tlve Country about. Wherefore , ha- |'|!''p^'''°''y 
 ving gathered together all their Forces, they fet themfelves about this cnterprife i one «■-•»'; »"**' ° 
 on the one fide, and the other on the other fide of the River, which running through 
 the midft of the City, divides it into two parts j but as it commonly comes to pa{s that 
 where more than one General commands in Armies, things alwayes goon, notonely 
 (low and coldly , but alfo diforderly and confufedly, the fiege very hopefully begun, 
 was delaid and protraded fo long, that the Duke of Mcrcxur had time to draw his 
 Forces together to relieve that place, as he much defired ; For which purpofe, having 
 fent for the Spaniards from Bhvet, and gathered tpgether all his Horfe and the Gentry 
 of the Country, having alfo raifed Two thoufand Breton Firelocks, he marched with 
 (peed toward Craon, at the titne when the Prince of Couti having diverted the wa- 
 tei out of the Moat pn bis fide, and the Prince of Dombet battering Ikrcely on the 
 
 D d d d otfaer, 
 
 / 
 
 D'jmbci,
 
 ^ 70 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I5P2. othcr^tlK believed were brought in danger of not being able to make good the fi.ft af- 
 fauIts.At the Dukes advancing, the Princes not judging it good for their Armies to be 
 divided with the River between them, refolvea, That the Prince ot Vomks fliould 
 rcpafs the River, and joyn with the Prince of Conti in the fame quarter, which was 
 done before the Enemies arrival V but with fo little circumfpedion, that not to de- 
 prive themfelves of the conveniency of repaying the River, either through inadver- 
 tency carclcfuefs, and fomething elfc, they left the Bridge ftanding, and very weakly 
 puard'ed which they had made upon Boats over the River about a League below the 
 ^!i!r!iTnI'.ir Town. 'The Prince being paft over, and the Anjaies reunited, they defiied to free 
 ficoe at a.i«'>, (h(,,^f^ives from tiie incumbrance of their great Cillery > wherefore having without 
 th/ouk" of \ok of time drawn them off from the Wall, they fent them before to Chajieatt Gontitr, 
 marwUbVc- whlfhcr they had deligned to retire, and their great (hot, which by reafon of the num- 
 ii'c" ^" bcr of them, and their hafte, they could not carry away, they buried in divers places 
 to hide them from the Enemy. But the Duke de Mercanr^ who finding the Bridge en- 
 tire, had fpeedilypafl the River without refilhnce, marching in gallant order, advan- 
 ced fb quickly, that the Princes had fcarcely raifed their Camp, and fet the Army in 
 Battalia to draw off, when the Sieur di Boit-Dauphin , who led the Vanguard of the 
 League, appeared in the Field, and began to fend forth his Light- horfe toward them. 
 Many of the mo<l expert Commanders, and particularly CharUi o( Montmomtcy^ Lord 
 d' AnviUe^ condemned the Counfel of retiring in fight of the Enemy, arguing, that there 
 was no example of any fuch refolution, but had ever been pernicious to Armies i it 
 not being poffible but that the one fhould retire with terror and diforder , and the 
 other advance with violence and boldnefs : wherefore they were of opinion, that Hand- 
 ing firm in the Port they held, and drawing, (if they had fo much timej a Trench 
 before the front of the Army, they fhould Hourly exped the enemies affault i and 
 that recalling the Artillery, which was not gone veiy far, they fliould turn furioufly 
 . againft them. The Prince of Do/w^fj- did in great part affent to this adviccj but the 
 Prince of Cuw/y, fuperiour in authority and years, and who commanded in chief, be- 
 caufe he was upon the confines of his own Government, fent to tell him that helhould 
 retire, according to the order already appointed, becaufe, being inferiour in Force, he 
 would not endanger that Army and all the neighbouring Countries: wherefore march- 
 ing before with the Vanguard led by Hercule de Kohan Dake o( Month jfo?t^ and with 
 the Battel which he himfelf commanded, he left order that the Prince of Dww/'f/ (hould 
 come after with theRere-guard : but he, ftraitencd and followed at the heels by the 
 Enemies Cavalry ( for, not onely their Van-guard prcffed him, but alio the Duke of 
 Mircocitr with the whole Forces had overtaken himj) was at laft conftrained to (land, 
 and facing about, to clofe up againft the £nemy, whofe boldnefs he repreffed for a 
 while, till, being furrounded with fo much a greater number, and being forfaken by his 
 men, after he had fhewed all the proofs of a valiant refolute Commander, he was fain 
 
 G «lici-. 
 
 TVe Kin";? ,!•■ ir. '. .i/r- 11- 
 
 Forces dcfi- ( being m a manner lert alone) to retire, quitting the paliage to the Enemy, who fiercc- 
 Ihtu'rcutac 'v profecuting the courfe of their Vidlory, fell upon the Infantry, which retired very 
 in fiRiit of the diforderly, by reafon of the narrownefs of the wayes : whereupon, without fo much as 
 nS^aii 'ihcic r"3king the leaft (hew of defending themfelves, they were deftroyed and dilTipated in a 
 r..ot, wi.o ate very fliort fpace, there being an exceeding great flaughter made of them by the Light- 
 tTc Prfn'ct r!f liorfe and the Spanifli Foot. The Prince of Conty^ without ever turning his face, came 
 f OKI), without with his Cavalry untouched toChajteauGontier in the evening, whither the Prince of 
 his"f/c"7f"vts J^ombescame up to him a while after, with no more but Eleven Horfe. The Artillery 
 alrlhe' Holfe ^^^} "P°" ^^^ ^^^ ^'^ ^'^0^^ that had the charge of conducing it, fell all into the Ene- 
 »t rt.ji.i,,. iTiies hands"i and the Gentry, as foon as they were come fafe into a place where they 
 could not be purfued, disbanded of themfelves, and every one fevcrally betook himfelf 
 tothefecurityofhisownhoufe. This defeat, which happened the Threeand twen- 
 tieth of Mjj, weakned the King's. Forces in thofe parts fo much, that not onely Cha- 
 iieau Gontier being quitted by the Princes who retired further into the Country, 
 but alfo Maine and Laval^ with all the neighbouring places, came into the power of the 
 League. The Prince of Conty retired into the Country of Maine, and the Prince of 
 iJymif/ by a different way went back toKennes; and the Englifli, wounded and dif- 
 arnried got into the Suburbs oiVitre. leaving the poffellion of the field fpr many dayes 
 to the Duke de Mercmtr. > a r ■> J , 
 
 _ TheMarefcala^ AHmontv/a,s2\iczA^ appointed by the King to be Governor of Br."- 
 f^^'gn, ; tor the Prince ( whom from henceforth we will call Duke of Momjvnfer ) 
 
 had
 
 (?/ France. The Thirteenth ^ooJ{. 571 
 
 had already fucceeded his father in the Government of Norinjudy^ and for his Lieute- 1 5^'« 
 nant had chofen Francois de Efphuy Sieur de St Luc, a man, who, by the readinefs of 
 his wit, the ornaments of learning, and his valour in Arms, was rifen to a very high 
 eftimation i who, having gathered Forces from all parts, and made a levy of Foot in the 
 Country of Erottage, of which place St, L«c was Governor, haftened their coming, be- 
 caufe the Duke of Mercoeur having taken the Caftle of Malejiroit, prepared himfelf to be- 
 fiege Vitre, a confiderable Town, in the confervation whereof the fum of affairs confift- 
 ed. The King's Commanders having drawn their Forces together, at their firft coming 
 befieged Mayne^z City more great than ftrongi and having gotten it upon conditions, 
 flood doubtful whether they ihould pafs forward to meet the D. of Mercocur, or ftay to 
 attempt Kochefart^z. wonderful ftrong place, which did incommodate all the places there- 
 about,and particularly the City of /4«g2>r/. Atlaft, at the importunity of the people, 
 and of the Gentlemen that followed them, they refolved to try what they could do 
 upon that place : but the taking of it proved fo difficult, being defended by the Sieur 
 de St Offange^thit after Two thoufand and five hundred Cannon-ftiot, and the lofs of 
 much time, and the beft Soldiers of the Army, the rains of Autufnne falling, and the 
 Duke of Mercxur^s relief drawing near,they were at laft conftrained to rife without ha- 
 ving obtained their intent. But the Duke having held the Enemy in fufpence, by ta- 
 king feveral ways, and by making (hew of turning,fometimes to one place, fometimes 
 to another, came fuddenly to ^«/'«(i«,whither 700 Germans were gotten, who were un- 
 der the command of the D. of Montpenfier in thofe parts j and having found them un- 
 provided of thofe things which were requifite to make a long defence, he forced them 
 to yield, with exprefs conditions to go out of the Province, and not to ferve any more 
 againft him i a thing which proved very hurtful to the King's affairs; for he had no 
 Foot that were more forward, more expert, nor better difciplined than they. 
 
 The lofs of the King's party was augmented by the defeat of the Englifh who being 
 Cas they ftillare wont J afflidted with grievous difeafes, and brought to a very weak 
 eftate, had obtained leave oi the Duke oiMontpenfier to g^o to Vanfrant in lower Nor- 
 mandy, to change the air, and to recover their ftrength by reft : but being fet upon in 
 the way by the Sieur de Bois-Danphin^w'ith. the Garrifons of Lai/a/, Craon, '¥omeres 
 and of the near adjacent places, they were fo fliattered,that of fo great a number,hard- 
 ly 200 remained alive. 
 
 On the contrary, the affairs of the League in Lorain went on unfuccefsfully : for 
 while the Duke of BoKi//o//, who had taken Stenay with a Petard , and poffeffed fome 
 leffer places, at lafl: went to relieve Beaumont, bdicged by Monfieur af'^/w^/i/e General 
 for the Duke of Lorain : the Armies encountred fiercely, and the Lorainers lofing their 
 Trenches and Artillery, were utterly routed and difperfed : after which bufinefs, the 
 Duke of Bouillon took Pk« fuddenly, by having likewife faftened a Petard to the gate % 
 and overrunning all the Country without hinderance, had put the Forces of the League 
 in very great confufion. 
 
 In this condition of affairs began the year 1 5^3 , the general drfpofitions of mens 
 mindes,as well of the one fide as the other, being more inclined to the fetling of af- 
 fairs, than to the management of Armes. The firft novelty of this year, was the Duke 
 of Mayenne^s Declaration, made from the December before, but not publifhed before the 
 fifth ot January ■■, in which, making known his intention in affembling the States of his 
 party, he prayed and exhorted the Catholicks that followed the King's party to unite 
 themfelves to the fame end with him, and to take fome courfe for the fafety and peace 
 of the Kingdom. It was of the tenour following. 
 
 c 
 
 Harles of Loraine, Duke oiMayemie, Lieutenant-Gcneral of the State and Crown tTon'JiJid'"* 
 ' o( France, To all perfons prefent and to come. Greeting. The inviolable and the Duke of 
 perpetual obfervance which this Kingdom hath had of Religion and piety, hath been fhe'contfeV 
 that, which hath made it flourifli above all others in Chriftendome, and which hath tion of'he 
 caufed our Kings to be honoured with the name of Moji-Cbriiiiafi, and Firji Sons fiaed'th'e''efct 
 of the Church v fome of them having, to obtain that Co glorious Title,paft the Seas, and of r^itkurj, 
 gone as far as the utmoft bounds of the earth, with moft powerful Armies, to make '^"" 
 War againft the Infidels > and others of them, fought often againft thofe that fought 
 to introduce new Seds and Errors contrary to the faith and belief of our fore-fa- 
 thers: in all which Expeditions, they were alwayes accompanied by the Nobi- 
 lity , who voluntarily expofed their lives and fortunes to all dangers , to hare 
 
 D d d d 2 paic
 
 ^^2 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 - - ----- ■ ^ 
 
 i<c- part in that onely true and folid glory of having helped to conferve Religion in their 
 Country, or to ellablifli it in places far remote, where the Name and VVorfliip of our 
 Lord wa's not yet known : from whence not onely the fame of the valour and zeal of 
 the whole Nation refounds in all parts, but by the example of it, other Potentates have 
 been ftirred up to follow in the honour and danger of fo worthy cnterprifes, and of fo 
 laudable atchievements. After this ardor, the holy intention of our Kings, and of their 
 Subieds, was not at all cooled nor changed, till thefe lali dayes that Herefie hath been 
 fccrctly introduced into this Kingdom, and increafed in fuch manner, by the means 
 which every one knows, that there is now no more need to fet before our eyes, that we 
 arc at lali fallen into fo lamentable a misfortune, that the Catholicks themfclves,whom 
 the Union of the Church ought infeparably to joyn together, have, by a new prodigi- 
 ous example taken Arms againfi: one another, and difunited themfelves in ftead of 
 joyning together for the defence of their Religion: Which we judge to be come to 
 pals by the wicked impreiTions and wonted artifices Hereticks have made ufe of, to 
 pcrfuade them, that this War is not for Religion, but to deftroy and ufurp the State i 
 though we have tJkcn Arms, being moved thereunto by fo juft a grief, or rather being 
 conftrained by fo great a neceflfity, that the caufe thereof cannot beafcribed to any 
 others, than the authors of the moft wicked, difloyal and pernicious counfel that was 
 ever given to a Prince i though the King's death happened by a blow from Heaven , 
 and by the hand of one man alone, without the help or knowledge of thofe that had 
 but too much caufe to defire it i and notwithftanding we had made proteftation that all 
 our aim and defire tended onely to preferve the State, to follow the Laws of the King- 
 dom, by acknowledging for King the Cardinal of Bourbon^ theneareftand firfl Prince 
 of the Blood, declared fo to be in the life-time of the late King, by his Letters-Patents, 
 verified in all the Parliaments, and in that quality defigned his Succclfor, in cafe he 
 fliould die without male-children, which obliged us to confer that honor upon him, and 
 yield him all kind of obedience, fidelity, .and fervice, as our intention was to do, if it 
 had pleafed God to free him from the captivity he was in : And if the King of ATa- 
 vme, from whom alone he could hope for that good, had been pleafed ( obliging all 
 Catholicks J to fet him at liberty, to acknowledge himfelf as King, and to ftay till Na- 
 ture had brought his dayes to an end, making ufe of that occafion to caufe himfelf to 
 be inftru(fted,and to reconcile himfelf to the Holy Church, he fhould have found all the 
 Catholicks united, and difpofed to yield him the faine obedience and fidelity, after the 
 death of the King his Uncle. But he perfevering in his Errors, it was not poilible to do 
 it, if he would remain under the obedience of the Apoftolick Roman Church, which 
 had excommunicated hirn, and deprived him of all the rights he could pretend to the 
 Crown: Befides that, by fo doing, we (hould have broken and violated that antient 
 cuftom, fo religioufly kept for fo many ages, and through the fuccelTion of fo many 
 Kings, from Clom till this prefent, not to acknowledge any King in the Royal Throne, 
 who was not a Catholick, and Obedient Son of the Church , and who had not pro- 
 mifed and fworn at his Confecration , and at his receiving the Crown and Scep- 
 ter, that he would live and die in it, defend and maintain it, and extirpate Here- 
 fie with his utmod Forces i the firfl Oath of our Kings, whereupon that of the obe- 
 dience and fidelity of their Subjeds is grounded, and without which ( fo zealous 
 they were in Religion ) they would never have acknowledged that Prince , who pre- 
 tended by the Laws, to be called unto the Crown. A Cuftom judged fo holy and ne- 
 ceffary for the welfare and good of the Kingdom, by the States held at Blois in the 
 year 15^5, when the Catholicks were not yet divided in the defence of their Religion, 
 that it was by them held as the principal and fundamental Law of the State,and it was 
 eftablifhcd by the Kings will and authority, that two of every Order fliould be deputed 
 and fent to the K. of Mavar^ and the Prince oiConde^ to rcprefent unto them from the 
 States,thc danger they put themfelves in, by forfaking the Holy Church, and to exhort 
 tnem to reconcile themfelves unto it, and to denounce unto them,that in cafe they did 
 not, if they (liould chance to fucceed unto the Crown, they (hould be perpetually ex- 
 cluded as incapable. Nor is the Declaration which was afterward made at Kotten in the 
 year 1588. confirmed in the Convocation of the States laft held at BloU ^ that this an- 
 th"V"^^ and Cuftom fliould be inviolably obferved , as a Fundamental Law of 
 e Kingdom, any thing elfe but a fimple approbation of the judgment given upon 
 "a: point by the foregoing States, againft which he cannot objedt any jaft fufpi- 
 • ^° condemn or reje(a their opinion and authority. So the late King received it for
 
 o/ France. The Thirteenth ^ool^, ^7^ 
 
 a Law, and promifcd and fwore to the obferving of it in his Church , and upoii the 15^2» 
 precious Body of our Lord ■, as Jikewifc all the Deputies of the States did in the laft 
 AflTemblj', not onely before thofe inhumane murthers which made it infamous and fa- 
 tal i but alfo afterward, when he no longer feared thofe that were dead, and when he 
 defpifed thofe that remained, whom he held for loft, and in defpair of all fafety, 
 having done it, bccaufe he knew himfclf to be bound and obliged to it by right, as all 
 fuperiors are to follow and conferve the Laws, which are as the principal Pillars, or 
 rather the Foundations of their State. Therefore the Catholicks of the Vnion can- 
 not fee jurtly blamed, who have followed the Decrees of the holy Church, the exam- 
 ple of their Ancellors, and the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, which do require 
 the profelfion of ih£ Catholick Faith, as an effential and necefTary quality in that 
 Prince that afpires to the Crown by being next of blood, bccaufe he is King of a King- 
 dom which is gained to Jefits Chriji by the power of the Gofpel, which it hath receiv- 
 ed fo many ages fince, and in the form as it is Preached in the Roman Catholick Apo- 
 ftolick Church. 
 
 Thefe reafons have made us hope Cthough fome appearance of duty retained many 
 Catholicks with the late King) that after his death, Religion, the firongeft bond of all 
 other to joyn men together, would unite them all for the defence of that, which ought 
 to be more dear to them than life ; But againft all humane belief, we fee the contrary is 
 cometopafsi for it was eafie in that didden moment to perfwade them, That we 
 were guilty of his death , of which we never fp much as thought", That honor 
 obliged them to ailift the King of iV-r^jr, who pabliflied, that he would revenge it, 
 and promifed them that he would turn Catholick within fix months ■■> and being 
 once engaged in it, the injuries which Civil War produces, the profperous fucceffcs 
 which he hath had, and the fame calumnies which the Hereticks have -continued to 
 publilh againft us, are the true caufes that have kept him in it till this prefent , and 
 that have given the Hereticks means to proceed fo far, that Religion and the State are 
 in manifelt danger thereby. And though we long forefaw the mifchief this divifion 
 would bring, that it would be the caufe of eflablifliing Herefie with the Blood and 
 Arms of the Catholicks, and that this could oncly be hindered by our Reconciliation, 
 which we for this end have fought with fo much earneftnefsi yet hath it never been 
 in our power to attain it s fo much have mens mindes been tranfportcd and poiTeiTed 
 with pallion, that they have hindered us from ufing the means ofour own fafety. We 
 have often caufed them to be entreated , that they would enter into conferences with 
 us, as we offered to do with them, to take fome courfe in the bulinefs. We have 
 caufed to be declared, both to them, and to the King of Navar himfelf, upon fome 
 propofition made for the quiet of the Kingdom, That if leaving his error, he would 
 reconcile himfelf to the Church, to his Holinefs, and to the moft holy See, by a true un- 
 feigned converfion, and by adtions that might give tefiimony of his zeal toward- our 
 Religion, we would moll willingly have added our obedience, and all thatisinour 
 power, ta help to put an end to our miferies, and would have proceeded with fuch 
 candor and fincerity , that none fhould juftly have been able to doubt, but that 
 fuch was our true intention. Thefe overtures and. Declarations have been made at 
 fuch times , when we were in greateft profperity, and had means to undertake greater 
 matters, if we had had fuch a thought in our mind, rather than to ferve the publick, and 
 feck the general quiet. To which he anfwered ( as it is known to every one) that he 
 would not be forced by his Subjedls, calling the Prayers that were made unto him to 
 return into the Church, by the name of force, which he ought rather to have taken in 
 good part, and as a wholefome admonition which reprefented to him his duty, to 
 which the greateft Kings are no Icfs obliged, than the mcaneft perfons of all the 
 Earth i for when a man hath once received Chriftianity in the true Church fwhich is 
 ours, whofe authority we will not put in doubt with any whofocver) he can 
 no more go out of it, than a Soldier enrolled cin depart from the Fidelity which 
 he hath promifed and fworn to, without being held for a defertor and violator of the 
 Laws of God and the Church. He likewife added to thefaid Anfwer, That when once 
 he (hould be obeyed and acknowledged by all his Subjeds, he would caufe himfelf tu be 
 inftru(ited in a free general Council i as if Councils were necelTary to condemn an error 
 fo often reprobated bv the Church, efpecially by the laft Council of Trc'«f,as folcmn and 
 authentick as any other that hath been celebrated thefe many ages. And God having 
 perniitted that he (hould have the advantage, after the winning of a Battel the 
 
 fame
 
 -^ . The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 *593- 
 
 the fame Prayer was reiterated, not by us who were not then in a condition to do it j 
 but by perfonsof honor, defirous of the publick good and repofe of the Kingdom, as 
 it hapned likewife in the liege of P^rw, by Prelates of great authority, who moved by 
 the Prayers of the befieged, difpofed themfelves to go unto him to find fome remedy 
 for their miferies. At which time, if it had been refolved, or rather, if the Holy 
 Ghoft, without whom none can enter into his Church, had fo put into his mind , he 
 might' have caufed the Catholicks to hope much better of his convcrlion, who juftly 
 do fufped- a fudden change, and are fenfible in a thing that fo nearly touches the honor 
 of God, their lives and confcicnces, which can never be fecure under the dominion of 
 Hcreticks. But, the hope he then was in , to fubdue Parity and by confequencc with 
 the terror of his Arms, and the means which he promifed to hinafelf he fhould find in 
 it, to poflefs the reft of the Kingdom by force, made him rejed that Counfel of recon- 
 ciling himfelf to the Church, which might have united the Catholicks, and preferved 
 Religion, But after that the City was freed, by the help of the Princes and Lords, of 
 a good number of the Gentry of the Kingdom, and of the Army of the Catholick King 
 C who hath alwaycs with his Forces upheld this Caufe (for which we are moft obliged 
 to him) fent under the Command of the Duke of Parma, a Prince of happy memory, 
 fufliciently known by the reputation of his name, and of hisgreat deferts, heceafed not 
 neverthelefs to enter into his firft hopes, becaufe this forraign Army, aflbon as it had 
 raifed the fiege, went out of the Kingdom i and he having commanded his own par- 
 ty, drew together a great Army, wherewith he made himfelf Mafter of the field, and 
 then caufed operily to be pubilfted without diffembling it, that it was a crime for any 
 to intreat him, or fpeak to him about Converfion, before they had acknowledged him, 
 and taken the Oath of obedience and fidelity to him , that we were obliged to lay 
 down our Arms, to prefent our felves before him fo naked, fo difarmed , to befeech 
 him, and to give him abfolute power upon our lives and fortunes, and upon Religi- 
 on it fclf, to ufe it or abufe it as he pleafed, by our bafenefs putting it in eminent dan- 
 ger •> whereas by the authority and means of the holy See, the help of the Catholick 
 King and other Potentates, who alTift and favour this' caufe, we have alwayes hoped 
 that God would be fo merciful to us, as to preferve it i who all would have had no- 
 thing more to do in our affairs, if we had once acknowledged him i and this quarrel of 
 Religion would have been decided with two much advantage to Hereticks, between 
 him the Head and Proiedlor of Herefie, armed with our obedience, and the whole 
 Forces of the Kingdom i and us, who fliould have had nothing to refift him, but bare 
 weak fupplications, addreffed to a Prince, more defirous to hear them, than to provide 
 for them. 
 
 But how unjuft foever this will is, and though the following of it is the true means 
 to tuine Religion j yet among thofe Catholicks that affift him, many have fuffered 
 themfelves to beperfwaded,that it is rebellion tooppofe him, and that wc ought ra- 
 ther to obey his Commands, and the Laws of that temporal policy, which he would 
 eftablifh anew againft the ancient Laws of the Kingdom, than the Decrees of the holy 
 Church, and the Laws of his Predeceffors, from the fucceflion of whom he pretends 
 to the Crown, who never taught us to acknowledge Hereticks, but on the contrary to 
 rejedt them, and make War againft them, and not to hold any to be more juft and 
 *Mtm.ieU n^ceflfary than it, though it be exceeding dangerous. Here let * us remember, that 
 i.:ix>Him. he himfelf often took Arms againft our Kings, to introduce a new Dodrine into the 
 Kingdom : That many defamatory Books and Writings were made and publifhed a- 
 gainft thofe that oppofed it, and ccunfelled to extinguifti the growing evil betimes, 
 while it was yet weak : That then, he would needs have his Arms to be believed juft, 
 becaufe for matter of Religion and Confcience j and that we defend an ancient Religi- 
 on received into this Kingdom aftbon as it began, and with which this Crown grew 
 till it became the firft and moft potent of all Chriftendomiwhich we know very well can- 
 not be kept pure, inviolable,and without danger under a Heretick King,though at firft, 
 to make us lay down our Arms,and make him abfolute Mafter,he diffemble and promife 
 the contrary. Late examples, reafon, and that which we find every day, ought to make 
 "s wife, and teach us, that Subjeds willingly follow the life, cuftoms, nay and even the 
 l^eligion of their Kings,to maintain themfelves in their favour, and to have ftiare in the 
 Honors and Benefits which they alone can diftribute ; and that after they have cor- 
 rupted foine with their favours , they have alwayes means to conftrain the reft by 
 tncir power and authority. We are all men, andthat which hath once been accounted 
 
 lawful.
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'Bool^, kj^ 
 
 lawful, though it were not, fiia'.I afterwards be fo again for another caufe which (hall 
 appear to us no lefs )ufc than the firlt that made us erre. Many Catholicks have 
 thought, that for (bme confideration they might follow an Heretick Prince, and alFilt 
 to cftabliOi him i nor hath the light of the ruine of Churches, of Altars, and of the Mo- 
 numents of their fathers whereof many died righting to deftroy the Herelie which they 
 maintain) nor the prefent nor future danger of Religion, been able to divert them.How 
 much more fufped:ed ought his Forces and adherents be to us, if he already were efta- 
 bliflied King and abfolute Mafter ? lince thatlnfuch a cafe, every one would be Co 
 affl.id'ed and tired, or rathefruined with the late unhappy War, that, provided they 
 might but live fecure in repofe, and alfo with fome hopeof reward, they would chufe 
 rather to fuffer any kind of trouble, than make oppofition with danger.Some are of opi- 
 ,nion, that in a fuch cafe all the Catholicks would unite themfelves unanimoufly to cou' 
 ferve Religion, and that therefore it would be an ealie matter to interrupt the delien 
 of whofoever fliould attempt Innovations. Certainly we ought to dciire that happi- 
 nefs i but yet wc dare not hope it on fuch a fudden : but admit that, the fire being ex- 
 tinguifhed, there fliould in one inrtaht remain no heat in the embers j and that. Arms 
 being laid down, all our hatred likewife fliould be quite extindt •■, yet it is moft certain, 
 we fliould not therefore be exempt from all other pallions which fometimcs make us run 
 into errors i and that the danger would always hang over our heads,of being (in fpite of 
 usjfubjeft to the motions and patTions of Hereticks, who rinding that they had the ad- 
 vantage of having a King of their own Religion, which is as much as they defire, would, 
 by force or art,do whatfoever they had a miinde to. And if the Catholicks at this pre- 
 fent would well confiderthe adtions that proceed from their advice, they might fee it 
 clearly enough :for thebeft Cities and FortreiTcs that are taken,areput into their power 
 and into the hands of pcrfons who have at all times fliewed themfelves favourersof them. 
 The Catholicks that refide in them, are every day accufed and convicfled of fuppo- 
 fed crimes, the fole, but concealed caufe thereof being onely the oppofition which hi- 
 therto they have made againft their deligns, which they by a falfe name call Rebellion. 
 The principal Offices fall into their hands, and it is already come even unto the Crown. 
 The Bulls of our Lord Gregory the Fourteenth, and Clement the fighth, full of holy 
 Precepts, and fatherly adm.onitions given to the Catholicks, ta feparate them from 
 Hereticks, have not onely been rejected , but with all contempt trampled upon by 
 Magiliratcs, who unjufily give themfelves the name of Catholicks: for if they were 
 fuch indeed, they would never abufe the fimplicity of thofe that are fo. For to m.ake 
 ufe of the example of things done in this Kingdom, at fuch a time when the bufi- 
 refs '^as about introducing matters that were againft the liberty and priviledge of the 
 Gallique-Church, is very different from our cafe, the Kingdom never having been re- 
 duced to fo great an unhappinefs ( fince it received the taith ) as to endure an Here- 
 tick-Princc , or to fee any of that quality pretend right unto it : and if they thought 
 thofe Bulls had any difficulties in them, they, being Catholicks, ought to have proceed- 
 ed by Remonftrances, and with that rcfpedt and modefty which is due unto the Holy 
 See, and not with fo much contempt, and fo many blafphemies and impieties as they 
 did : but perchance they thereby intended tofliew thofe, who know how to be better 
 Catholicks, that fmall reckoning is to be made of the Head of the Holy Church , to 
 the end that they may afterward be fo much the more eafily excluded. In evil, men 
 proceed by degrees > they aUvayes begin with that which either is not evil, or at leaft is 
 evil in a lower degree i the next day they rife higher, and at laft arrive at the top of 
 all. Thence it is that we know God to be highly incenfed againlt this poor defolate King- 
 dom, and that he will yet puniih us for our fins, fince that fo many actions, which tend 
 to the ruine of our Religion, have not been able to bend them, nor the many and often 
 1 pcated Declarations made by us (efpecially within thefe few dayesj that we will re- 
 (:r our felves in all things to what it fliould pleafe his Holinefs and the holy See to 
 determine concerning the King oCNavarr\ Converfion, if God gave him the grace to 
 leave his errors i which Declarations ought certainly to give undoubted teftimonyof 
 our innocency and fincerity, and juftifie our Arms as neceffary forour own (afety. Yet 
 they forbear not to publifli, that the Princes united for the defence of Religion, tend 
 onely to the ruine and deftruftion of the State i though their aftions, and the Propo- 
 fitions made by the common confent of them all, efpecially of the greateft that allift 
 us, be the true and moft fecpre means to take away the caufe and means from 
 whofoever fliould afpire to it. The Hereticks have nothing dio. to lay hcvld of, but 
 
 the 
 
 im*
 
 57 
 
 ^5 The Hifiory of the Civil iVars 
 
 i593- 
 
 the Catholick King's relief, wh.ch they coniplam of, and look upon with an evil eye, 
 and would take US to be better Frenchmen, if we would forbear making ufe of ir i or 
 to fav better more eafie to be overcome,if we were difarmed. To which it (hall fuffic& 
 us to anfwer them, that Religion afflifted and put mto exceeding great danger in this 
 Kinedom had need to find out that fupport, that we are bound to publifli this obli- 
 fcation and to remember it for ever i and that imploring the aid of fo great a King, 
 an An'v and Confederate of this Crown, he hath not required any thing from us i and 
 we likewife on our parts have not made any Treaty with any whofoever within or 
 without the Kingdom, in diminution of the Greatnefs and Majefty of the State," for 
 the confervation whereof we would precipitate our felves willingly into all kind of 
 dangers,fo it were not to make an Heretick mafter of iti a wickednefs which we ab- 
 hor, as'the greateft and moft abominable of all others. And if the Catholicks wha 
 aflil'l them could but lay afide this paffion, depart from Hereticks, and joyn themfclves, 
 not with us, but with the Caufe of our Religion, and in common fcek remedies to 
 preferve it, and to provide for the fafety of the State, we (hould without doubt, find 
 the confervation of both, and it would not be in the power of him that had an ill in- 
 tention, thereby to prejudice the State, nor to make ufcof fo holy a Caufe, as of a fpe- 
 cious, but unjuft pretence, to gain honor and authority. We therefore befeech and 
 conjure them in the name of God, and of this very Church (wherein we proteft we 
 will alwayes live and die) to feparate themfeJves from Hereticks, and confider, that 
 while we are oppofit to one another, we cannot take any remedy that will not be dan- 
 gerous, and fuch as will make this whole State fuffer very much before it can do any 
 good at all : Whereas on the contrary, our reconciliation will make every thing eafie, 
 and will quickly make an end of our miferies. And to the end, that as well the Prin- 
 ces of the Blood, as the Officers of the Crown, and others, may not at all be kept back 
 or hindered from applying themfelves to fo good a work, out of a doubt that they 
 (hall not be refpeded, acknowledged, and honoured by us, and the other Princes and 
 Lords of this party according to their merit ; We promife upon our faith and honor, 
 provided they feparate themfelves from the Hereticks, that we will do it fincerely, af- 
 furing them, that they ftall find the fame refpeft and reverence from us and thetn 
 that follow us. But we befeech them to do it fpeedily, and cut the knots of fo ma- 
 ny difficulties which cannot be difentangled, if they forfake not all things to ferve 
 God and his holy Church, and if they lay not before their eyes, that Religion ought 
 to pafs before all other refpeds and confiderations, and that prudence is no longer to 
 be fo called, when it makes us forget our rirft obligation. And, to proceed with^more 
 mature advice, we give them to underftand, that we have prayed the Princes, Peers of 
 France, Prelates, Lords, and Deputies of the Parliaments, and of the Cities and Towns 
 of this party, that they would be at the City of Paris^ upon the Seventeenth day of 
 themoneth d January next^ to chute joyntly, without paffion or regard of the inte- 
 reft of any whofoever, the Remedy which we Ihal! judge in Confcience to be moft pro- 
 fitable for the confervation of Religion and the State. To which place, if they fhall 
 think fit to fend any body to make overtures there, which may conduce to fo great a 
 good, they (hall find all fecurity, (hall be heard with attention, and with a defire to 
 content them. But if our earne(t requeit made unto them, that theyfhould lend an 
 hand to this reconciliation , and the near and inevitable danger of the ruine of this 
 State, have not power fufficient over them, to excite them to have a care of the com- 
 mon fafety, and tnat we be conftrained, becaufc of our being abandoned by them, to 
 have recourfe to extraordinary remedies againft our intention and delire i We proteft 
 before God and Men, that the blame (hall be attributed to them, and not to the United 
 Catholicks, who have laboured with all their power to preferve this common Caufe 
 wUh good intelligence , and agreeing minds, and with the counfel of themfelves, 
 wherein if they would labour with good afFcdtions, the hope of a compleat quiet would 
 be near, and we all fecure that the Catholicks united together againft the Hereticks, 
 their ancient enemies, (whom they have been accuftomed to overcome) would quick- 
 ly fee an end of the War. 'We alfo pray the Gentlemen of the Parliaments of this 
 Kingdom to caufe thefe prefents to be publifhed and regiftred, to the end they may be 
 knovvn to all, and that the perpetual remembrance of them may remain to after times, 
 tor the difcharge of us, and of the Princes, Peers of fr^«cf, Prelates, Lords, Gentle- 
 nien. Cities and Corporations, who have united themfelves together for the confer- 
 vation of their Religion. 
 
 With
 
 of Franceo The Thirteenth "Book 
 
 577 
 
 with this form of Declaration, though the Duke of Mayenne ftrengthned his pre- 
 tenfions very much, and wonderfully defended the caufe of his party, yet did he not 
 engage himfelf to the eledtion of a new King, but holding things in equal balance, left 
 himfelf a way open, that upon opportunity he might take any refolution whatfoever 
 time fhould advife, and the quality of affairs permit i for being much diminifhed in 
 his hopes by the Duke of Varmds death, by the Union which he faw between the Le- 
 gal and the Spanifh Minillers, who he knew hated his perfon, and by the concurrence 
 of the Dukes of Gmfe and Nemours^ who were not likely to be faulty to themfclvcs 
 he intended not to attempt the eledtion of himfelf , and of his polkrity, except in 
 cafe it (hould feem to him not only that he might be able to effedl it, by the number of 
 Votes, and with the general confent i but alfo, that he (hould have fuch , and fo fe- 
 cure Forces and Dependents, that he might not need to fear, being able to eftablifh 
 himfelf in the polTeflion of the Crown ■■> otherwife he was refolved , either to fettle 
 himfelf in the full authority of Lieutenant General of the Kingdom, and to follow the 
 "War, if by the means of the States he could bring matters to pafs, that he might be 
 able to uphold the enterprife with fmall foreign dependents i or elfc, if he proved 
 rot able to attain to thefe, rather to bring the States to agree vvith the King by means 
 of his Converfion, than fuffer the Kingdom to come to any other body v ftill firm to 
 his principle, of neither fuffering the Union of the Crowns, nor the difunion of the 
 Kingdom : Which refolution of his, full of integrity and fincerity towards his Coun- 
 try, did not only pleafe many of his party, but even the King himfelf (to whom it was 
 known by many conjeduresj could not fometimcs forbear commending it. 
 
 But the Cardinal-Legat and the Spaniih Minillers, not well fatished with his fo 
 ambiguous Declaration, wherein he feemed rather to aim at an Accommodation with 
 thcCatholicks of the contrary party, than at the eledion-of a new King, refolved to 
 agree together, and declare their intention perfedly i and therefore the Cardinal-Legat 
 publifhed a Writing in the form of a Letter, of the tenor following. 
 
 PHI LI? by the Grace of G O D, Cardinal of Pi-icifMZiJ, of the Title of St. Om- 
 f'-io, Legat a Latere of our Lord, Pope Clement the Eighth, by Divine Providence 
 Pope, and of the Apoftolick See in this Kingdom : To all Catholicks, of what pre- 
 eminence, ftate or condition foever they be, who follow the party of the Heretick, and 
 adhere unto him, or favour him in any manner whatfoever 5 Health, Peace, Love, and 
 the Spirit of better counfel in him who is the true Peace, only Wifdom, only King, 
 only Governour , JESuS CHRIST our Saviour and Redeemer. The perfor- 
 mance of fo holy and neceffary a Work as is that which concerns the charge and dig- 
 nity which it hath pleafed his Holinefs to give us in this Kingdom, is fo dear unto us, 
 that we fhould account our Blood and Life well employed, if they could be helpful to 
 it i and would it pleafed God, that it were permitted to us fo go in perfon, not only 
 from City to City, or from Province to Province, but even from Houfe to Houfe, as 
 well to ^ve a moft ccatain proof to all the World of our Affe<ftion, wHich is known 
 to God , as by word of mouth to awaken in you a generous defire, with the fingular 
 piety qi your Ancertors, that is, with the Roman Catholick Apottolick Religion, to 
 make that profperous flourifhing State fpring up again in France^ from whence Herefie 
 hath miferably caufed it to fall. But lince that by reafon of the unhappinefs of the 
 times, and the impediments which are but too well known, we cannot (as it would 
 be the intention of his Holinefs, and our dciire) communicate familiarly with you, we 
 have thought it our duty to fupply that want with this Letter, in the belt manner that 
 is polfible for us. But if you pleafe to accept of it, and read it with the fpirit of true 
 Chriftians and Catholicks, free from all palfion, as it is naked from all artifice which 19 
 averfe from truth, you will excite in us a moft plealing and firm hope, of being with- 
 in a fhort time able to offer our prefence to you in all parts of this Kingdom, not to 
 exhort you any more to what is fit, but to congratulate with you for what you (hall 
 fo valiantly have performed, to the confolation of all good men. Making no doubo 
 at all, but that if entring again into your felves, you will take care to examine yoof 
 felves as you ought, you will need neither Word nor Letter, nor any other exteriour 
 remedy, to fettle you again in your former fanftity : For then every one of you will 
 fee, that from Herelie alone, as from the Fountain of all Evils, this blindnefs of under- 
 fianding and dazling of fpirits is fprung up in you, which hinders you from making Co 
 found a judgment as you were wont, of your own and othei mens a<ftions. Then 
 
 E e e e . for 
 
 I SMI- 
 
 THS Tenor of 
 anocbcr Dc- 
 cUratioH pub- 
 lilhed by the 
 Ciirdinal Lc- 
 E»c, wherein 
 he exhorts the 
 Otbblicks o£ 
 the Kings par- 
 tv to forfike 
 the Heretick, 
 and unite 
 themlclves 
 with the 
 States, toclta 
 a Caibolick 
 King.
 
 - I " • 
 
 g The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 , SP5. for certain you will difcover the various Artihces wherewith the Hereticks continually 
 ^^' latour to withdraw you from the devotion and obedience, which, as true Sons of the 
 Church, you have foreligioufly yielded, till thcfe lal days, to its chief Head and the 
 Apoftolick See whofe Name and Authority they by all means attempt to render odious 
 and contemptible unto you, knowing, that this point alone, byneceflTary confequcnce 
 draws after it theruine of the Catholick Religion m France^ and the eftablilhment of 
 their impiety which could not take footing where the Throne of St. Veter is reveren- 
 ced as it ought to be. And not to touch any thing here, but what is moft to our pur- 
 pofe, What likelihood is there to think that the Head of the Chriftian Church, would 
 in part allill or confent to the ruine and deftruftion of this moft Chriftian Crown? 
 What good could he exped, and what misfortune ought he not to fear from thence ? 
 Although this is the principal calumny wherewith they have laboured to make you 
 abhor the name and holy memory of the late Popes, howbeit they fwerved not at all 
 from the footfteps of their PredecefTors , whofe follicitoufnefs for this Kingdom you 
 were wont not long fince with rcafon to commend, as alfo the acknowledgment which 
 they rendred for fo many, fo fignal enterprifes, atchieved by the moft Chriftian Kings, 
 with moft fingular piety, liberality and valour, for the benefit of the holy See i and, 
 to omit more ancient examples, you cannot fo foon have forgotten with what applaufe 
 and thanks you received the notable fupplies which were fent againft the Hereticks, 
 from Piui ^inttts of happy memory, to Charles the Ninth then your King : Can ycu 
 then now accufe that in his Succeflbr, which you approved in him ? Herefie is ftill 
 the fame, ftill pernicious, curfcd, execrable j and it is againft that Infernal Monfter, 
 that the Vicars of Chrift, and the Succeflbrs of St. Feter, (not to tranfgrefs in the duty 
 of their Office) do wage mortal War, and not againft the Catholick Kings and King- 
 doms, to whom they are Fathers and Paftors. It is againft it that without exception 
 of pcrfons they do no lefs juftly than wholfomly employ the Sword of Supreme Jurif- 
 didtion which our Lord Jefus hath put into their hand, to cut off the fcftred putrilicd 
 Members from the body of the Church, to the end that their contagion might not be 
 peftifcrous and mortal to the reft : which neverthelefs they do as late as they can, mild- 
 nefs and fatherly pity ftill going before in the Office of Sovereign Judge i fo that their 
 rigour never chaftifeth any but thofe that are incorrigible. But if you pleafe to turn 
 your eyes upon other Countries, or rather, without going out of your own Kingdom, 
 to conlider what ufage it hath ever received from the holy Apoftolick See, you will 
 find, that fince the combuftion kindled in it by Herefie, which ftill continues to con- 
 fume it, no Pope hath omitted any thing that he ought or could do to help to quench 
 it. The good intelligence which they have ever held with your Kings, and the con- 
 tinual afliftance which they have always given them of men and other means, and the 
 frequent fending of Legats hither, do fufficiently ftiewthe zeal they have ever had, for 
 the tranquillity , repofe and confervation of this moft noble State. Nor were their 
 adions ever fufpedled ot ill interpreted by you, while, as true Catholicks and French- 
 men, you dcfired rather to give the Law to Hereticks , than to take it from their 
 hand. You have always found them to be fuch as need required , till thefe late da\,s, 
 that by your difcords and connivence you have fuffered Herefie to gather fuch fpoting 
 upon you , that now it no longer demands favour of impunity from you as it was 
 wont, but begins it felf now ("as every one knows) topunifti thofe, who, more care- 
 ful of their Salvation , refufe to fubmit themfelves unto their yoke. A ftrange un- 
 happy revolution , which makes you deteft that as a moft hainous crime, which you 
 your felves have taught others to be a rare and excellent vertue, and which on the 
 contrary makes you to crown vice, which you ought ftill (as in former times you have 
 done3 to condemn unto the fire. See what the deadly poifon of Herefie can do, from 
 whofe touch, fo many other abfurdities and contradidions are bred, which you would 
 hot deny to be fpread amongft you, if )0u would lay your hands upon your hearts. For, 
 to go about to maintain that the priviledgesof the Galligue Church extend fo far, as to 
 permit that a relapfed Heretick,and one excluded from the Body of theUniverfal Church, 
 ftiould be acknowledged King, is the dream of a mad-man, which proceeds from no- 
 thing elfe but heretical contagion. And from the fame original we may likewife fay 
 nave fprung all the finifter interpretations which have been made of the adions and 
 intentions of our holy Fathers. But let us fee a little whether thofe of the late Pope 
 Stxtus ^mtus, which are exprefly declared by his Bulls concerning the bufinefs of 
 the moft iUuftrious Cardinal Gaetmoi Legation, can, in any part, be calumniated. 
 
 That
 
 of France. l~be Thirteenth ^oo\, sjg 
 
 That Cardinal was Pent by the aforefai^ I'ope, of happy metnoty, into this Kingdom l%62. 
 rotas a Herald or King at Arms, but as an Angel of Peaces not to fhake the founda- 
 tions of this State, nor to alter or innovate any thing in its Laws or Policy, but to help 
 to' maintain the true, ancient, Roman Catholick Apoftolick Religion j to the end that 
 iall Catholicks being united together for thefervice of God, the publick good, and the 
 confervation of the Crown, with a mutual unanimous confent, might with fecurity 
 and repofe, obey, and yield themfelves fubiedt to one only Catholick and lawful King, 
 Now as thefe intentions were pious, and direfted toward the common fafety i focan 
 it not be denied but that the effed and execution of them hath been endeavoured, as 
 vvell by the faid Pope Sixtus^ as by Cardinal Gaetano •■, not perhaps with that feverity 
 which according to fome mens judgments had been neceflary, but with all the mild- 
 riefs, clemency and charity that could be defired from a moft loving Father towards his 
 dcareft Children. No fooner was that wife Legat entred into the Kingdom, but, to 
 begin to lay his hand in good earneft to the work , he addreffed himfelf at his rirfl 
 arrival to all thofe whom he believed he Qiould find fo much the more difpofcd to (hew 
 him all favour in the admlniftration of his Charge, by how much greater were their 
 obligations and means to do it : he Tent fbme Prelats purpofely unto them, to confer 
 particularly about what might concern the fruit of his Legation : thofe men, as alfb all 
 the Archbilhops, Bilhops, Prelats, Lords, Gentlemen, and otiiers; twith whom he 
 treated, or caufed to be treated during his Legation, and to whom he wrote about 
 this matter) can give teftimony whether he ever exceeded the limits of his Commif- 
 fion, and how much he always protefted that his Holinefs had no other aim nor defign, 
 than to maintain and defend the Catholick Religion , and to conferve this Crown en- 
 tire for the lawful Catholick SuccefTors that were capable of it. But if by the fame 
 means he complained that having as it were forgotten, not only the fingular Piety and 
 Religion of your Anceftors, but the confervation, and together W'ith it, the reputation 
 of jour Country, and, which is worfe, the fafety of your Souls, you had joyned your 
 felves to the party of him who you could not but know was defcrvedly cut off from 
 the body of the Church ■■, of hitri whom as fuch you had long ago, and alfo a few 
 months before, moft juftly pronounced, in a full Congregation of the States, to be in- 
 capable of this moli: Chriftian Crown '-, of him whofe Arms never knew how to (bed 
 any other blood than that of the Catholicks > and who finally, by an example altoge- 
 ther barbarous, had in the perfon of one man alone, violated all Laws both divine and 
 humane, having fuffered his Uncle, a Cardinal of the holy Roman Church, Prince of 
 the Blood, a man of fo pious and holy a life as the moft eminent Cardinal of Bourbon 
 was always knov/n to be, to die in captivity, under the cuftody, and in the facrilegi- 
 ous hands of an Heretick. Thefe complaints were not without great ground and rea- 
 fon, nor ought you to have been difpleafed with'fhem who made fuch-like demonftra- 
 tions to you. And in effed, experience hath certainly made you fufficiently know, 
 that they were wholfom and. charitable ■■> and from how many adverfities you might 
 have freed this Kingdom, if lending your ears to him, and to his holy Exhortations, 
 you 'had readily feparated your felves from the Heretick , to apply your felves with 
 the reft of the Catholicks to any good or quiet. But the fame unhappinefs which then 
 made you to rejedl them, rendered vain alfo the Interviews and Conferences which 
 followed many times after between the Legat and his Prelats, and' fome principal Lord^ 
 that are amongft you. Whilft things here were in thefe terms , and that at Rome 
 Sixtus ^intus the Pope, delirous to withdraw you from the Heretick, and to win you 
 to Jefns Chrijt, gave free accefs and audience to thofe whom you fent unto him, while 
 every thing (w (horten it) feemed to be done to your hands, in ftead of embracing 
 the fair occafion that God offered you, of being able to free your felves and your Coun- 
 try from the infamous yoke of Hereticks, you fuffered your felves to be tranfportecf 
 with the wind of an unhappy profperity to thofe defigns and hopes that have redu- 
 ced this poor State to the defperati'on you now fee it in. The death of Pope Sixtm 
 ^intus of glorious memory, and tliat of Vrbanthe. Seventh who fucceeded him,- ha- 
 ving given place to the fucceilion of Gregory the Fourteenth, he began prefently to let 
 you fee, that a particular care and follicitoufnefs for your Salvation, and the preferva- 
 tion of this moft Chriftian Monarchy, is infeparably joined unto the Papacy. The 
 Breve which he was pleafed to fend us in the month of Jsnuary 1 591 , v^hich Was pub- 
 lifhed i the Bulls and' other Breves vvhich in the month of March following Were repre- 
 fented to you by hUnfigm Landrimo the faid Popes A'««cw,( whatfoe ver the Hereticks can 
 
 E e e e 2 fay
 
 Ill* " 1 1 I ' ' I ' •■ • 1 '^1" . 
 
 580 The Hiflory of the Civil JVars 
 
 15P3. fay to the contrary) could not, nor ought not by you to have been taken in another 
 fenfe. Well did the good Pope judge, fas being a man endowed with fingular piety 
 and prudence) that while you were mingled among Hereticks, (the known plague of 
 this Kingdom) your Salvation was defperate j that therefore it was neceffary you ftould 
 quickly withdraw your felves far from them, otherwife you would within a fliort time 
 iniferably lofe your own Souls, together with theirs, and expofe your bodies and 
 cftates to thofe troubles and mines which you have fince fuffered and continued to 
 prove every day. To thefe mod urgent and lively reafons which he alledged to you in 
 this matter , he added his Remonftrances full of charity, and to them his fatherly Ex- 
 hortations : certainly it was a very great fault that you would not lend an car unto 
 them, and yer a greater to go about to calumniate them > but fo injurioufly to ufe, 
 not the infenfible Paper which contained his will, but in it the name and authority of 
 the Head of the Church, and by confequence of the holy Apoftolick See it felf, this is 
 a wickednefs which comprehends in it as many new kinds of crimes, as there are words 
 in the pretended Decrees which were publiflied thereupon in tours and Chalons > and 
 yet the enormity and greatnefs of thefe mifdeeds, and of tliofe likewife which in this 
 bufinefs were committed by them of the Clergy that were prefent in the Council at 
 Chartres, hath till now been diflembled by them who might have made fomejuH refen^- 
 ment of it. Nor did Pope Innocent the Ninth, of happy memory, who fucceeded him, 
 carry himfelf otherwife towards you, whofe fudden death would yet be more lamented 
 by good men, if Divine Providence, which never forfakes the holy Church in time of 
 need, had not by the eledtion of the moft bleffed Father Clement the Eighth, provided 
 us of fuch a Partor, as the neceffity of the times requires," being one who comes not 
 behind his Predeceflbrs in any kind of rare vertues but rather in what concerns the 
 particular care which they have always had of the fafety and fecure repofe'of this King- 
 dom, feems to go before them all. Nor was he fooner raifed to the Supreme Degree 
 of Apoftlefliip, but all the faithful tranfported with joy, turned both their eyes and 
 minds upon him, as upon a clear Sun, which God the Father of Light, and Giver of 
 all Confolations, fecms to have made ftiine in thefe our days to diifipate the darknefs 
 of fo calamitous an Age. And when every one began to have certain hope, that each 
 of you opening his heart to receive the beams of fo clear, (b gracious a Light, would 
 draw near in the obedience and union of the holy Church, under the authority and 
 condud of fo great an Head : Behold, that to our infinite grief, another pretended 
 Decree brought forth by Herefie at Chalons, is publiflied againft the Bulls of his Holi- 
 neft concerning our Legation, whereby they ftill maketryal to banifti all hope:, from 
 us, of that which ought to be moft dear to all perfons, jealous of Gods glory, and of 
 the honour, rcpofe, and confervation of this Kingdom. For, Clet them fay what 
 they will to the contrary, whom the true and lawful Parliament of Par« (which hath 
 ftill retained its ancient equity and conftancy) hath grievoufly condemned as men, 
 who by their carriage manifeft themfelves to be rather (laves to Herefie, than Mini- 
 flers of Juftice) it is impolfible ever to fee France enjoy a durable peace and tran- 
 quillity, nor any other kind of profperity, whiles it groans under the yoke of an He- 
 retick. This is no lefs true than known to every one of you, whofe Confciences arc 
 fufficient to bear witnefs of it, befides many of your outward adions, which clearly 
 enough do let us fee what you think among your felves i fince by your wonted Prote- 
 ftations and Remonftrances, wherein you declare. That the obedience you yield to the 
 Heretick hath no other foundation but a vain hope of his converfion, and of his again 
 becoming capable of the Crown i it clearly appears, that the fault of acknowledging a 
 relapfcd obftinate Heretick for the King of a moft Chriftian Kingdom, feems too hei- 
 rous to you to confefs your felves guilty of it. But fince his obftinacy hath already 
 deprived him of all the rights which he could pretend to, it likewife takes from you 
 all pretences and excufes, that you can alledge in his favour and your own difcharge. 
 It is now time, that you difcover boldly all that you have in your hearts i and if there 
 be nothing in them that is not Catholick , as your former adions have made known, 
 when the (brcery of Hereticks had not yet bewitched you, declare for Gods ftke with 
 the reft of the Catholicks, that you defire not any thing Co much as to fee your felves 
 united under the obedience of a moft Chriftian King, both in name and adions : It 
 will be a prudent thing to have fuch thoughts, a magnanimous one to endeavour the 
 execution of them, and a vertue every way moft perfe<it to do both. Now as at this 
 
 prefent
 
 d/'FrancCi The Thirteenth ^oo^ 581 
 
 prefent there is no more juft , nor more lawful means tn compafs this end , than the '5P3» 
 holding of the State? General, to which you are invited by the Duke of Mayeme^ who 
 following the duty of his Office and Authority, hath ever fought, and doth now more 
 than ever feek (with a piety, conftancy, and magnanimity, worthy of eternal praifc) 
 the moft certain and fecure means to defend and fecure this State and Crown in its in- 
 tegrity, and to maintain the Catholick Religion, and the Gallique Church in its true 
 liberty, which coniilh principally in not yielding obedience to an Heretick Head: So 
 we have thought fit in this place, to protect unto you, that containing our felvcs, aS 
 our intention is, within the limits of the charge it hath pleafed his Holinefs to give 
 us, we neither could, nor would in any way alTift or favour the defigns and enterprifcs 
 iof the Duke oi Mayenne , nor of any other Prince or Potentate in the World, be he 
 who he will, but rather with all our Forces would oppofe them, if we (hould knov^ 
 that they were in any part contrary to the common votes and defires of all good men, 
 true Catholicks, and good Frenchmen, and in particular, to the holy, pious intention 
 of our Lord i which moreover by thefe prefents, we defire to declare to have no other 
 aim nor objedt but the glory of God, the confervation of our holy Roman Catholick • 
 lApoftolick Faith and Religion , with the utter extirpation of Hereiies and Schifms^ 
 ; which have reduced this poor Kingdom of Frame to fo miferable a condition, which 
 jhis Holinefs defires to fee principally crowned with its ancient fplendor and majefty 
 by the elhblifhment of a King truly moft Chriftian i fuch an one God in mercy grant 
 the States General may name > and fuch an one no Heretick ever was, nor ever can be. 
 Thither then in the name of his Holinefs do I invite you, to the end, that feparating 
 your felves totally from the company and dominion of the Heretick, you may with 
 minds free from all pallion, and full of an holy zeal and piety toward God and your 
 Country, alTift in all that you (ball judge may ferve to extinguifli the general combu- 
 ftion, which hath even almoft burnt it to afhes. It is no longer time to propofe vain 
 excufcs and new difficulties, you (hall find no others but thofe that proceed from your 
 felves: For if you pleafe to come to thefaid Aflembly for the e/fed you ought, we 
 can aflure you in the name of all the Catholicks, who by Gods Grace have ftill perfe- 
 vered in obedience and devotion to the holy Apoftolick See, that you fliall find them 
 moft ready to receive you, and to inibrace fas Brothers and true Chriftians, whom with 
 the price of their bloods and very lives they defire to fave) a holy peace and recon- 
 ciliation with you. Take order therefore that in good earned we may fee you there 
 feparated from the Heretick •, and in fuch a cafe demand all the fecurities you fliall 
 think neceflary, that you may freely go and come, fpeak and propofe in the faid Af- 
 fembly all that you fliall judge moft expedient to attain to the defired end. The Duke 
 of Mayenne is ready to grant you them , and we on our part make no difficulty to 
 oblige our felves that nothing ftiall be done to the contrary in any kind , offering in 
 that refped to take you, if there be need, under our efpecial protection, that is, of 
 the holy Church, and of the holy Apoftolick See : And we conjure you again, in the 
 Name of God, that at laft you would with lively effecftsfliew, that you are true Catho- 
 licks, conforming your intentions to that of the chief Head of the Church, without 
 longer deferring to render to our holy Religion, and to our Country, that faithful duty 
 which it expedls from you in this extream neceility. There is nothing to be expedlcd' 
 from your divifions, but defolation and ruine v and though from elfewhere every thing 
 (hould fucceed according to your wifli, ("which me thinks you fliould not dare to pro- 
 mife to your felves under arf Heretick Head) yet ought you neverthelefs to confider, 
 that Schifms, which this Kingdom feems to be full of, do in the end turn into Here- 
 iile, which God of his Mercy be pleafed not to permit, but rather to enlighten your 
 hearts and minds, making them capable of his holy Infpirations and Benedi(£lions, to 
 the end, that being all united in deed and will, in the unity of the holy Roman Ca- 
 tholick Church, under the obedience of one King, who may defervedly be called Moft 
 Chriftian, you may in this life enjoy a fecure tranquillity, and finally come fo that King- 
 dom which his Divine Majefty hath prepared from eternity for them, who perfevering 
 conftantly in the Communion of his faid Church, out of which there is no Salvation, 
 do give clear teftimony of their lively Faith by holy and virtuous a<9:ions. 
 
 With this Writing, in appearance like that of the Dukeof Mtf)if»«f'$, but indeed 
 full of matter very different, did the Legat endeavour to eftablifli the principal end of 
 
 the
 
 Mil -^—^■^^ii^^™^— 
 
 582 The Hislory of she Civil iVars 
 
 ,ro, die AfTembly to be, not fo treat of bufincfs with the Catholicks of the Kings party, rot 
 to agree with him if he fhould rcfolve to reconcile himfelf to the Church, not to raife 
 any Prince of the Blood to the Crown, but to eled a new King, not only depending 
 upon the Apoftolick See , but approved alfo by the Catholick King, that they might 
 liake ufe of the power of his Arms and Moneys to protedt and eftablifh him. And 
 tiiough the Pope (being made acquainted with the Legats inclination, and particularly 
 advcrtifed by the Venetian Senate, that there was great fufpicion of him,^ and that ma- 
 ny were fcaifdalized, becaufe they thought he feemcd to have more care of the fatif- 
 h&'ion of the Spaniards, than of the fa(ety of the State and Religion) did declare him- 
 felf much more than he had done before by the Pronotary Agticchi^ by the means of 
 Vaptcitm. 8. Maiifignor Initocentio Malvagia,. fcnt by him to be CommilTary of the Army in the ftea<l 
 ^"m/iZ^T' of Mjtteucci, and gave him particular Commilfion, that above all things' he fliould tak^ 
 into f r,ma-, in hccd of a mooftrous cledion, not generally approved, and that might be liketocaufe 
 comm''im.ry ncw Wars inore pernicious than the tcrmck i yet the Legat (cither becaufe he really 
 Miutuca, thought the interefts of Religion fo linkediio thofe of 5^*««, tlrat they could not be 
 fwic'^t'it .fcparated ■■, or in rcfped of his own private defigns, which perfwaded him to get the 
 foc'^rdm" Catholick King? favour abfolutcly > or elfe by reafon of the enmity he had contrad-ed 
 Seji/theu. with the King, becaufe of the.Declarations made by the, Parliaments againfl hinvv o*' 
 wnr^rmVu''' ''^=*f the Popes fo obfcure CommiflTions; were not well ■undcrftood by him) did not 
 crfcft. take himfelf off" from his firft manner tif tBtalirtg, but with , the pretence and colour of 
 
 Religion, (which truly was very great) did. wonderfully ferve all the Plots and Pra-' 
 (flices of the Spanifli Minifters. • Thefe were yet uncertain of the means, but moft cer* 
 tain of the end of their treating s the Council of Spain having determined, that for 
 the greater decency and fpecidufndfs, the Union of the Crowns fliould not be menti- 
 oned i a thing rather to bedifcourfed of in the Infancy, than to be hoped for in effed- V 
 but that the eledtion of the Infanta IJabdk fliould be propounded , which by divers 
 ways came to the fame end. 
 Tht spuiim But at this time in f ^rw there was no other Spanifh Minifters except Diegod^ Ivarra, 
 Mves'lo'yro- who continuing his difaffedtion to the Duke of Mayenne, and being of opinion that 
 Fofcthc cic- without him the Catholick Kings Forces, Money and Authority were fufficient to caufe 
 Jam"" ifdJu the States to make that eledtion , continued iViW private pradtices with the Deputies i 
 tobcQ^ctnof all which neverthelefs came perfedHy to the Duke oi Mayenne's knowledge. Lau- 
 /•7v.nrA, iir re>izo Sitjrez de Figueroa, Duke of Feria, appointed Head of the EmbaJfie, was ex- 
 Vautflu' pedted, and with him Iniga de Mendozza a moft learned Spanifh Lawyer, fen t to dif-' 
 inn.; ptiaifes pute (by way of right) the lawful Swccefiion of the Infanta, and Juan BaptiflaTaJJis^ 
 "utus'^oHhe ^^'^^J *^^* ^'^ ipight give them information, was gone as far as the confines of Flanders 
 sc»ttsaparr,co to meet them : but thefe alfbcame with an impreifion that the Infanta's right was evi- 
 to'^l'heMeaTon ^£"1 , and that the Catholick Kings Forces and Authority were fo feared in France^ 
 oftheinfanu; tW witliout thc Dukc of MayeuHe they fhould be able to obtaili their intent of the 
 of hu"mTtc AfTembly : and though JuanBaptifta lajfts told them otherwife, believing that with- 
 ertaties comes oivt the Duke of Mayeime they could not compafs any end •■, yet they being prepoffeiTed 
 0° \iaimlA with tbe opinions of Spain, and far from the moderate counfels whichthe Duke of Far- 
 knowicdge. ma in his life time had held and reprefemted, perfevered in their conceit, and conti- 
 nued on their pradi'ices in the manner they were begun. Juan Baptijia Tafis, and to- 
 getlier with him the Counfelldrs of Flanders , who knew the French humour, and by 
 reafon of their neighbourhood faw things at a nearer difknce , counfelled that they 
 fliould march into France with a powerful' Army, and tRat with it Cottit Charles of 
 Mansfeh (to whom that charge was committed) fhould draw near to Faris : That at the 
 f^Tie time with,gr^at fums of money they fhould gain the Duke of MajufMKt efpecially, 
 and then the otljer principal Lords , and every particular Deputy that had credit and 
 authority in the AfTembly i and that to the Lords of the Houfe o^ Lorain, who were chief 
 of the Union^ large advantageous offers fKouidbemade, and full fecurity given them f6r 
 their performan«;e : and with thefe Conditions;, and not otherwife, they thought the elc- 
 dlion of i\\e..I»funta which^wasto be propoiiiadcd, might be brought about : for if the 
 French, were nef befieged and .taken , on-the»(iine fide by profit, and on the other by 
 fear, they thought it impofBbl£;that of thbiilav^n voluntary will they fhall ever con- 
 lent to fubmit themfelves to the Spanifh Dominion : And if the Princes of Lorain^ 
 who- were in fo great power , and in a -veuy ildar hope that one of them might at- 
 ^^'^^j ^flwn-^ were not by exceeding high and fecure Conditions removed fronr 
 loat defign, they did not think that ever they would condefcend to transfer that to 
 
 others.
 
 o/" France. The Thirteenth 'Bool^ 
 
 583 
 
 others, which they pretended to for themfelves: befides, there was no doubt, but 
 that to eftablifli an ele<3'ion fo new, and fo contrary to the nature of the French, power- 
 ful and extraordinary Forces were necelTary, and fuch preparations of Souldicry, Mo- 
 ney and Commanders, as might overcome thofe difficulties and oppofitions which would 
 difcover themfelves much more in the progrefs, than in the beginning of the bufmefs. 
 To this was added, that to break into a matter of fo great difficulty, a gteat increafe 
 of reputation was necelTary , and a certainty that the King of Navarre might, with- 
 out much length of time, be overcome and fupprelTed i which was not poilible to be 
 e/fedted without very great ftore of Men and Money. 
 
 Thefe were the folid and well-grounded counfels of thofe, who, judging with rea- 
 fbtiof the importance and weightinefs of thofe affairs, were of opinion, that for the 
 Catholick Kings honour, the thing (hould not be propounded, without an infallible 
 certainty of bringing it perfedlly to an end. But thofe that were newly come from 
 Spain, either by reafon of the different opinion that was there, or of the relations given 
 by Biego d' Ivarra, judged quite differently, that neither many Forces ought to be drawn 
 into France, nor much money diftributed, nor that the Houfe of Lorain (hould have 
 fatisfa<ftion in deed, but in words and appearance only j becaufe, by keeping the Duke 
 of Mayenne low, and by driving him and his party into a ftraight, they thought they 
 ftiould put them upon a neceility of confenting to their demands , that thereby they 
 might obtain fuch alliftance from them, as might raife them from the abjedt condition 
 they were reduced to : for they were moreover informed, that they were not inclined 
 to content them willingly •, that if they fliould free the League , and particularly the 
 City of ParU, from their prefent want and fcarcity, they would not afterward be con- 
 tent to condefcend to the Catholick Kings will i gratitude being but a weak inftrument, 
 where fuch weighty matters were treated on •, but that then rather they would confent 
 unto it, when they faw no other remedy to free themfelves from mifcry j which would 
 be fb much the more effeAual, by how much the more nearly it preffed and ilraightened 
 them: That to give money now, was but to throw it away, without any grounder 
 affurance that it fhould produce the effed, and to fatisfie the greedinefs of thofe who 
 being once glutted with Spanifh gold, and having compaffed their own defigns, would 
 not care afterward to fatisfie their promifes as they ought : That in plenty and profpe- 
 rity the French would be proud and infolent > but in want and neceility, abjedt and 
 tradtable : That it was not iit to difmember the Kingdom, and tear it in pieces, to 
 give part to this, and part to that man of the Houfe of Lorain, thereby to attain to 
 it afterwards, being weak, mangled and deftroyed. 
 
 The prefent flate of the Catholick Kings affairs inclined molt toward this Counfel : 
 for his treafures at this time being much exhaufted by his pall expences, and by the 
 commotions of Arragon, he could not draw together thofe fums that would have been 
 necelTary for the firlt advice: and the affairs of the Low Countries, and of the Army 
 there, being, by reafon of the Duke of Parma's death, in great weaknefs and confu- 
 fion, it was not polTible to make fo great a Body of men, as the contrivance of that de- 
 fign required : and finally, the nature of the Spaniards made them begin with thrift 
 and parfimony to manage the affairs of that Kingdom, which was not yet begun to 
 be obtained. For thefe reafons, the Spanifli Minilters would needs follow the laft coun- 
 fel i perfwading themfelves alfo, that by their arts, and the Legats afliflance, they 
 fhould overcome many difficulties, and that with words and promifes they might fup- 
 ply, where deeds were defective- 
 
 But the Duke o(Mjyenne,to whom thefe conceits were in great part known,was very 
 certain, that without his will and confent they could never obtain any thing i and by 
 reafon he faw the Spanifh Minilicrs fo difaffedled to him, but much more becaufe he 
 hoped to attain the Kingdom for himfclf, was wholly averfe from contenting them , 
 only the difcords that arofe between him and the others of his Family, held him in 
 fufpence : for the Duke of Lorain ftill pretended right unto the Kingdom, and the fu- 
 periority above the reft of his Family > and the Dukes of Guife and Nemours pretended 
 to the Crown no lefs than he» the firft, by reafon of the name and merits of his Fa- 
 ther, upon whofe blood ("as he faid) the whole flrudture of the League was grounded : 
 and the other, becaufe of his profperous defence of Paris, whereby he judged himfclf 
 to have deferved more than any one of the reft, and to have that people at his devotion : 
 belldes that, being both of them young and unmarried, they were not fo averfe from 
 the election of the Ufanta, hoping that one of them might be deftined for her husband. 
 
 The 
 
 ^^n^ 
 
 The Spanift 
 Miniftert ill 
 informed of 
 the inclinati- 
 ons of the 
 French, and o£ 
 the Duke of 
 Mayennc'i au- 
 thority, con- 
 trary to fHan 
 EitfiiflaTaffii't 
 opinion , pro- 
 iccute their 
 Treaty « 
 wrong way. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 knowing the 
 Spanifh pri« 
 filce;, as be 
 was certain 
 that without 
 his confent 
 none of their 
 defigns would 
 take effcS, fo 
 WIS he troll- 
 hUi at the 
 pretcndons 
 which the 
 lords of hit 
 Houfe bid to 
 the Crown a* 
 well at he.
 
 584 
 
 The Htslory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5?3- 
 
 The Ovetture 
 of the States is 
 maJe in I'aniy 
 7«.ji5. i5?J. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Md^^niic lil- 
 ting under the 
 Cloth of State 
 ai King in the 
 Hall of the 
 i.avif, makes 
 the Oveiture 
 of the States, 
 exhorting; 
 themtoelcS a 
 Catholick 
 King, able to 
 fuftain the 
 weight of the 
 Clown. 
 
 Ttie Cardinal 
 legats ptopg- 
 fi:ion. 
 
 The Duke of Mnyenm being led by this doubt, rcfolved to prepare many firings to his 
 bowe that he might have feveral ways to hinder thedefignsot the reft, and to bring 
 his own bufineffes to their appointed end. Whereupon, after having by his Declara- 
 tion invited the Catholicks oi the Kings party to a Treaty, fa Weapon by him efteemed 
 moft powerful, to cxok the Spaniards in the bufinefs) he alfo caufed the Cardinal of 
 Bourbon's defign to be renewed, that he might keep it alive, and make ufe of it in con- 
 venient time and place : and Jehan le Maiitre, a man totally depending upon his will, 
 having after the death of P»eiident BfiQm taken the place of rirft Prcfident of the Par- 
 liament, he began by his means, not only to deal with the Counfellorsof that Parlia- 
 ment a'nd Magirtrates of that City, but alfo with thofe, who, becaufe they inclined 
 to favour the King, were called Foinkhj^ that in time of need he might alfo make ufe 
 of their help i and having found the Parliament moft difpofcd to his defigns, and 
 grounding himfcif very much upon the fupport of the Commanders of the Militia cho- 
 fen and raifcd by him, he propounded and obtained (for the greater reputation of fo 
 great an Affembly, and for the greater aiTurance of the eledion of a King, a thing of 
 fo great weight and confequencej that alfo the Pc^rliament, and Governours of Pro- 
 vinces, and the Commanders of the Militia, might Vote in the Affembly of the States, 
 not every one by himfelf, but by Deputies for each body, to the end, that by the coun- 
 terpoifeof thefe, he might balance the Votes of the other Deputies, if they fhould ever 
 diftentfrcm his wilh wherein (becaufe he was exceeding well verfed in the bufinefs, 
 and knew the perfons very particularly) he proceeded with fo much art and dilllmu- 
 kfion, that the Spanifli Minifters and the Legat did not take notice of many things 
 till after they were eftabliftied i and he gained more men with art, than they were 
 able to do with gold or promifes i and on the other lide, they could hardly defign the 
 framing an engine, but he, founding the end of it, found many evafions to diffolve 
 or hinder if. 
 
 . In this ftate of things, time no longer allowing, that the celebration of the States 
 fhould be deferred, the Overture (as they call it J) of the Aflembly was made upon the 
 Six and twentieth of January^ at which all the Deputies being met in the Hall of the 
 LoHvre. and with them all the Magiftrates and Officers of the Crown, the Duke of 
 Mjyemie fitting under the Cloth of State, (as Kings are wont to do) faid, That he had 
 called, and with very m.uch adoaffembled that Solemn Meeting, that they might take' 
 fome courfe to find a remedy for the calamities and miferies that afflidted their common 
 Country : He exaggerated the evils of the prefent condition, the danger of Religion 
 and the unhappinefs of the War i and concluded, that the only remedy was the cledion 
 of a King, who in the firft place fhould be fo conftant and fincere a Catholick, that he 
 fhould prefer the good and honour of the holy Church before his own life > and in the 
 fecond, fhould be fuch an one for valour, experience and reputation, that not only un- 
 ruly minds might willingly obey him, but alfo might be able to fight with and conquer 
 the Enemies of the Church and Kingdom. Wherefore he exhorted the AfTembly, that 
 being met, not to moderate grievances, or to find means to pay the debts of the Crown, 
 (things ordinarily introduced to be treated of in the States) but to provide a King, a 
 Paftor for themfelves, and the whole people of the greateft Kingdom of Chriftendom, 
 they fhould not let themfelves be carried away with any private interefts, but fhould 
 take that holy, that worthy refolution, which the prefent need and their common fafety 
 required. 
 
 when he had . done fpeaking, Cardinal Felle-ve, as Ecclefiaftical Prefident of the 
 Affembly, with a long tedious Oration full of digreffions, praifed the Duke of May- 
 f««f's 7eal and valour, and by feveral ways coming round about again, concluded at laft 
 with exhorting the Affembly to eled- a King , who as the prefent exigent required, 
 might be totally devoted to the holy Apoftolick See, and an Enemy to Herefie, againft 
 which more than any thing elfe, it was at that prefent neceffary to make oppoiition. 
 The Baron de Senecey for the Nobility fpake to the fame effed, but much more briefly, 
 and to the purpofe \ and the fame did Homre de Laurent^ Counfellor in the- Parliament of 
 Vroveme, for the third Order of the Commons. There was nothing elfe treated of at this 
 firft meeting, it being thecuftom only to ufe thefe Ceremonies at the firft overture. 
 
 The next day in a particular meeting, which was held among the chiefeft about this 
 {^"|j,"efs, there was a very fliarp difpute between the Legat joined with the Spanifh Anj- 
 'or, and fome of the greateft Perfonages of the Affembly i for the Legat pro- 
 ' _--.. _.. ^^ fhould take a 
 
 folemn 
 
 ballad 
 
 pofed. That at the fecond Seffion for the beginning of the States .
 
 o/FrancCi The Thirteenth "Bool^, ^85 
 
 fo'emn Oath, never to be reconciled to, nor acknowledge the King of Navar forSu-- 15^3. 
 perior, though he Chould turn his Religion, and make fliow to live as a Cacholick i 
 to which the Duke of Mayen>te not confenting, as a thing very different from his pra- 
 . (Slices and intentions, the other Deputies that were prefent fpake againft it with di- 
 •vers reafons : But the Legat urging, with wonderful vehemence, at laft the Arch- 
 bifliop of Lyons faid,that the States were Catholicks, obedient to the holy Church 
 under thefuperiority of the Apoftolick See in fuch cafes, and met together in obedi- i^,^' ^I'^ft!' 
 cnce to the Pope,- and that therefore they would not be fo impudent as to go about to hTs^AaiJiT' 
 bind his hands, and prefumptuoufly to declare that which he had not declared , pre- 
 venting his Judgments, and declaring the King of Navar irreconcilable to the Church 
 by a vain determination, which was out of the Secular Power, and wholly proper to 
 the Ecclefiaftical Jurifdidtion i and that therefore they were refolved not to proceed to 
 that Oath, left they ftiould offend their own confciences , and the Majefty and Turif- 
 didion of the Pope and the Apoftolick See. Which reafon, with the decency there- 
 of, ft opt the Legat's mouth i and the Dakeoi May erne's intention not to proceed to 
 that Declaration prevailed. 
 
 But upon the Twenty eighth day there came one of the King's Trumpets to the ATrumpe: of 
 Gate of the City, defiring to be brought in, that he might deliver a Packet of Letters '*" ^'"i\ 
 dire<aed to the Count de Belin Governor of it, and being ask'd what his bufincfs was > rC'nJ hrmg. 
 he anfwered freely and publickly. That he brought a Declaration of the Catholicks '1, '''"''" '° 
 of the King's party , addreffed to the Affembly of the States i and being come before whidi^lVing'' 
 the Governor, he gave the Letters into his hand, and made the contents of them more duT'' f""' "''' 
 fully known amcmg the People. The Governor carried the Packet to the Duke of '«^ "in th^"^' 
 Mayenne^ who lay troubled in his Bed i and not being willing to open it, but in the ^^^'''"('a 
 pretence of all the Confederates, he fent for the Legate, the Cardinal of Pfil/e-i'e, Diego ra'es. contains 
 d Jvarra, the Sieur de Bajfompiere Ambaflador from the Duke o( Lorahi, the Arch-bi- '," °?"f'°'" 
 (hop of Ljo«j-, Monfieur de Kofne, the Count ^^ Belin^ the Vifcount deTjvj»nes, the i-orj"jnd" 
 Sieur de Villars by him newly declared Admiral, Monfieur de ViUemy^ Prefident Jean- k"'A" °* ''" 
 «/«, and two of the ordinary Secretaries, which they called Secretaries of State \ in the "^^ ' ^*"''* 
 prcfence of whom the cover being taken off , there was a Writing found with 
 this Title : 
 
 The PropofitioH of the Princes, Prelates, Officers of the Crorvn, and chief Catholick^Lords 
 as rvell CounfeUors of the King, as others, now prefent with his Majefty ■, tending to 
 the end of obtaining Peace, fo necejfary to this Kingdom for the conj'ervationofthe Ca- 
 tholicks Keligion, and of the State : made to the Vttk^e of Mayennc and the Prinzes of 
 his Family, the Lords and other ferfons fent by fame Cities and Corporations^ at this 
 frefent ajfembled in the City of Paris. 
 
 Having feen the Title, and every one being defirous to hear the contents, the Wri-» 
 ting was read by one of the Secretaries, being of this Tenor following; 
 
 THe Princes, Prelates, Officers of the Crown, and Chief Catholick Lords , as well 
 of the Council, as attendance of His Majefty, having feen a Declaration Printed at 
 Paris in the name of the Duke oiMayenne, dated in the month of December, publifhed 
 with the (bund of the Trumpet in the faid City upon the Fifth day of this prefent 
 }>A6n\i\\ of January , as is found at the bottom of it, ai:d which came into their hands 
 at Chartres, do acknowledge, and are of opinion with the faid Duke o{ Mayenne^ 
 that the continuance of this War, bringing the ruine and deftrudtion of the State,doth 
 alfo by neceffary confequence draw along with it the ruine of the Catholick Religion, 
 as experience hath but too well fliewed us, to the great grief of the faid Princes, 
 Lords, and Catholick States, who do acknowledge the King, whom God hath given 
 them, and ferve him as they are naturally obliged, having, with this duty, ever made 
 the Confervation of the Catholick Religion their principal aimi and have then always 
 been moft animated with their Arms and Forces to defend the Crown under the obedi- 
 ence of his Majefty, when they have feen ftrangers, enemies to the greatnefs of this 
 Monarchy, and to the honor and glory of the French name, enter into this Kingdom ■■, 
 for it is too evident, that they tend to nothing elfe but to diffipate it, and from itsdif- 
 fipation would follow an Immortal War, which in time could produce no other 
 cffedls, fave the total ruine of the Clergy, Nobility, Gentry, Cities and Countries, 
 
 Ffff an
 
 ^g^ The Htfiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ^593- 
 
 an event which would alfo infallibly happen to the Catholick Religion in this King- 
 dom. Thence it is, that all good Frcnchfnen,and all thofe that are truly zealous there- 
 of oil ah t to ftrive'with all their Forces to hinder the hrft inconvenience, from which 
 the fccoiid is inftparablc, and both inevitable by the continuation of the War. The 
 true means to prevent them, would be a good Peace, and a reconciliation between 
 thofe whom the misfortune hereof keeps fo divided and armed to the deftruftion of 
 one another : for upon this foundation Religion would be reftored. Churches prefer- 
 ved the Clergy maintained in their eftates and reputation, and Juftice fetled again i the 
 Nobility would recover their ancicnc force and vigour, for the defence and quiet of 
 the Kingdom ; the Cities would recover their lofles and ruines, by the re- eftablifh- 
 ment of Commerce, Trades,and employments Cm.aintaineirs of the people ) which are 
 in a manner utterly extind: ; the Univerfities would again betake themfelves to the 
 ifudyof Sciences, which in times part have caufed this Kingdom toflourifli, and gi- 
 ven fplendour and ornament unto it, which at this prefent languifh, and arc, by little 
 and little,wal}ing to nothing i the fields would again be tilled, which in fo many pla- 
 ces are left fallow and barren, and in ftead of the fruits they were wont to bring forth 
 for man's nourifliment^arc now covered with thorrts and thiftles : in fumm, by Peace 
 everyone might do his duty i God might be ferved, and the people,enjoying afecure 
 Peace, would blefs thofe who had procured them that happinefs ■■> whereas, on the con- 
 trary, they will have juft caufe to complain , and curfe thofe that (hall hinder if. 
 To this effed, upon the Declaration which the faid Duke of Mayenne makes by his 
 writing, as well in his own name, as in thenamesofthc reft of his party alTcmbled in 
 tirlf, where be alledgeth, that he hath called the States, to take fome courfe and Coun- 
 fel for the good of the Catholick Religion, and the repofe of this Kingdom i it being 
 clear, that if for no other reafon, yet becaufe of the place alone ( where it is neither 
 lawful nor reafonable, that any other but they of their own party fhould interview^ no 
 rcfolution can proceed from it, that can be valid or profitable for the effed: which he 
 hath publiflied: and it being rather moft certain , that this can nothing but inflame 
 the War fo much the more, and take away all hopes and means of reconciliation > the 
 {aid Princes, Prelates, Officers of the Crown, and other Catholick Lords now pre- . 
 fent with His Majefty, being certain, that the other Princes, Lords, and Catholick 
 States who acknowledge Him,do concurr with them in the fame 2eal towards the Ca- 
 tholick Religion, and the good of the State, as they agree in the obedience and fide- 
 lity due unto their King and natural Prince i have, in the name of all,and with the leave 
 and permillion of his Majefty, thought fit, by this Writing, to make known to the faid 
 Duke of Mayenne^ and the other Princes of his Family, Prelates,Lords,and other per- 
 fons alTembled in the City oi Paris, that if they will enter into conference and com- 
 munication about the means proper toburythefe tumults, for the confervation of the 
 Catholick Religion and of the State, and depute any perfons of worth and integrity to 
 meet joyntly at a place which may be chofen between Paris and St. Venis^ they will 
 on their parts fend thither upon the day that fliall be appointed and agreed upon, to 
 receive and carry all thofe refolution^^nd overtures which may be propofed for fo good 
 a purpofe, as they are confident, that if every one will bring thofe good inclinations he 
 is obliged to, which they for their parts promife to do, mtans may be found to attain to 
 ifo great a happinefs : protefting before God and men, that if, negleding this way, they 
 fliall ufe other unlawful means, which cannot chufe but be pernicious to Religion and 
 the State, if they fhall compleat the reducing o( France to the laft period of all calami- 
 ty and mifery, making it a prey and a fpoil to the infatiable greedinefs of the Spani- 
 ards, and a trophy of their infolency, gotten by the pradices and blind paifions of a 
 part of them, who carry the name of French-men, degenerating from the duty which 
 hath been held in fo great veneration by our Anceftors j the fault of that evil that fliall' 
 come thereby, cannot, nor ought not juftly to be afcribed to any others than thofe who 
 fliall be notorioufly known to be the fole authors of fuch a refufal , as men who pre- 
 fer the ways that are fit to ferve their own particular greatnefs and ambition , and 
 that of their fomenters, before thofe which aime at the glory of God and the fafety 
 of the Kingdom. Given in the King's Council (where the faid Princes and Lords 
 have purpofely aflembled themfelves , and, with his Majeflies permilTion, refolved fa 
 make the above- faid Propofitions and Overtures) at Charms the Seven and twentieth 
 *>* /"'""'U', 1 5S»3. Subfcribed Kfw/. 
 
 •The
 
 of France. T^he Thirteenth ^oo^. 
 
 587 
 
 The firft mover of this Writing , penned and prefented in this manner, was the 
 Sieuxde Villeroy : for being of himfelf averfe to the Spanifli attempt, and rather inclined 
 to an Agreement with the King , than to any other refolution j and being fet on by 
 the Duke ofMayenne, defirous to put fomc Treiaty on foot, to make ufe of it, as occafi- 
 on fhould ferve, for his own advantage, wrote to his brother-in-law the Sieur deFeu- 
 ry, that addrefling himftlf to the Duke of Nevers and the other Catholick Lords that 
 were with the King, he (hould fhew them in how great danger the affairs of the King- 
 dom were, with how much earneftnefs the Spaniards had fet themfelves to promote 
 the eledion of the Infanta Ifabella, how many there were, that for their own interefts 
 favoured that eleiftion, and how the Duke of Mayenne, who had never been able to 
 indure the King to be reconciled to the Church, was now in fuch a neccflity , that he 
 would be conftrained to agree with the Catholick King, if by fome means they did not 
 interrupt thofe proceedings. That they (hould conlider, if ftrangers fhould obtain 
 their intent, and that the Lords of the Houfe of Lorain, and the other Confederates , 
 fliould oblige themfelves unto it, in how great danger the King would be to be depri- 
 ved of the Kingdom, being to fight with the Spanifli power, which then would em- 
 ploy it fclf wholly to his ruine » the mindes of the French Confederates would d come 
 MteconcileaUe, as if of their own accord they had put themfelves under the fervitude, 
 and engaged themfelves under the dominion of ftrangers: the way to a reconciliation 
 with the Pope and with the Church would be fliut up, when once he (hould have ap- 
 proved of the eledion which the States were to make within a few weeks j and that 
 therefore time was not to be loft, but fome way found to interrupt the courfe of 
 thofe defigns. 
 
 Thefe Confiderations were reprefented by the Sieur de Fleury, not onely to the Duke 
 of N^ven^ but to Gajpar Count of Schombergb, who about that time having been fenC 
 for by the King, was come to Court. He by birth was a German , and by nature a 
 man, not onely of great courage, but free in his opinions and words > and for his ex- 
 perience and valour, highly efteemcd by every one > wary in his courfes, provident in 
 bis actions, infinitely inclined and very faithful to the King, and C which at that time 
 was much to the purpofe) one, who had not been ptefent at the confukations that had 
 been held among the Catholicks about forfaking him, and for this caufe had more au- 
 thority and belief with him to treat upon this bufinefs, than the Duke of ATfwr/ and 
 many others: Wherefore, being of opinion, that the Confiderations reprefented by Vil- 
 leroy\ifeie moft important, and that to them many others were added i for already eve- 
 ty one knew, that the Cardinal of Bourbon was thinking to depart, and go over to the 
 League, and that many Princes of the Blood, and other Lords, were inclined to fol- 
 low that refolution > that the Catholicks, for the moft part, holding themfelves deceiv- 
 ed and mocked by the King's promifes, were very ill fatisfied \ and that every one 
 weary of the War, longed impatiently for Peace, he found a fit conjundiure to difcourfe 
 with the King about it v and with folid effe<^ual eloquence, wherein he was very 
 prevalent, made him fully acquainted with thofe reafons, which out ofrefpeft were 
 coldly, and but in part reprefented to him by others i and demonftrated to him the 
 nearnefs ofhisruifte, unlefs he fuddenly took fome courfe to content the Catholicks, 
 and to croft the defignes and attempts of the Spaniards. The conjudture of the time 
 was alfo favourable : for the King's late profperities had brought him into fuch a con- 
 dition, that if the Catholicks perlevered conftantly to ferve him, he had but little need 
 of forraign Forces i which of how little benefit they were, and how much mifchief 
 they did to his Country, he himfelf had already found : The Sieur du F lefts was far 
 off, who, with his reafons, partly Theological, partly Political, was wont to withhold 
 him, and put fcruples in his minde,.to the end he might not change his Religion: and 
 . the Duke of Bouillon, then Head of the Hugonots, who was prefent at the bufinefs , 
 had ever been one of thofe who were of opinion, that the King could never be a peace- 
 able pofleflbr of the Crown, unlefs he changed his Religion : and perchance for his own 
 intereft it difpleafed him not that the King fliould turn Catholick, to the end the firft 
 place among the Hugonotsa might remain to him : Wherefore, all thefe obftacles being 
 removed,and necellity urging s for already the Cardinal of Bourbon and Count Soijfony, 
 with many other, began to talk very plainly v and the States alTembled by the League be- 
 ing in much greater confideration with the King, than perhaps they were with the 
 Confederates themfelves-, after many confukations with the Duke of Bouillon , the 
 Duke of Nevers, the High'Chancellor , and Prefident deThou^ to whom, by reafon 
 
 Ffff2 of 
 
 i5P3' 
 
 The Situr Jt 
 V'Heroy, ivctfi 
 from the Spa- 
 niards, and a 
 friend to 
 peace, writes 
 ioihe Sieur de 
 Fletiry to aJ- 
 verrife the Ca- 
 tholicks of the 
 Hangei the 
 King was in, 
 anri of the ac- 
 tfmp-s t» 
 cauie ihe In- 
 fanta Ifabetla 
 CO be elcfted 
 Queen. 
 
 The Dake of 
 
 Bjuillon, a Hs- 
 gonoc, was e. 
 rer of opinion 
 That the King 
 could n»t be a 
 peaceabi: pof- 
 felTor of his 
 Crown unleft 
 he turned 
 Catholick; 
 perhaps to 
 the end be 
 miobt remaia 
 Head of the . 
 Kugofloci.
 
 588 
 
 The Htslory of the Civil IVar's 
 
 i5?3- 
 
 The Ltgjtt's 
 
 oppontinn a- 
 gainrt the 
 Propofitionsof 
 the Kin"'s 
 Catholicks, 
 
 It U conclu- 
 ded by the 
 Votes of the 
 major part of 
 ihc Lords in 
 the private 
 ■ meeting, th»t 
 the Willing 
 (hould be 
 read in the 
 artemliljr of 
 the Mites, not- 
 withltanding 
 the cppofi ion 
 of the Legac 
 and the Spa- 
 niards. 
 
 The tenor of 
 a Manifeft 
 fuUlilhed hj 
 I he King at 
 
 C ilt.tS, 
 
 of his learning and experience, the King gave mnch credit, he refolved that the Ca- 
 tholicks (hould make this Overture, with intent either to interrupt the courfe of the 
 State by that means, or elfe to refolve upon an Accommodation and Reconciliation 
 with the ApoftoJick See, and the Lords of the houfe oi Lorain. 
 
 As foon as the Writing was read in the prefence of the Duke ofMayenne, and the 
 other Lords, the Cardinal orFiacenza rofe up in choler, and without confulcation o^ 
 deliberation faid angerly,that that Propofition was fullofHerefies,and that they were 
 Hereticks that flioiild take it into conlideration, and therefore it was by no means 
 fitting to give any Anfwer to it : Cardinal Felle-ve and Diego d' J^/JcrjaflTen ted without 
 any demur i but the Duke of Mayenne remained in fufpence , as aMb the reft that 
 were prefent, who durft not immediately oppofe the Legate's words. But ViUtroy 
 and Jeantiin not lofing courage, without contradiding the Cardinal, found anothes 
 evafion, and faid, That the Writing not being direfted to the Duke of Mayenne alone, 
 but to the whole aflembly of the States, and the Trumpet having freely faid fo to ma- 
 ny at his entrance into the City, whereby the bufinefs was become publick, it was fit 
 to communicate it to the States , and refer it to them, to the end that the Deputies 
 might not be difgufled in the very beginning, and believe that they were not freely 
 and fairly dealt withal , but that endeavors were ufed to conceal many things from 
 them, and tc deceive them > That this would be an ill beginning, and would not one- 
 ly caufe fufpition, but alfo diiimion among the Deputies. The Count de Belin ad- 
 ded, that the Trumpet had not onely told, that the Writing was directed to the whole 
 Affembly, but had alfo fcattered fome copies of it among the People, as he thought 
 he had heard, whereby it was fo much the more publick, and could not be concealed 
 from the Deputies. 
 
 It was determined, that every one (hould confider of what he thought moft conve- 
 nient to refolve about it in the fame place againft the next day i which being come, 
 though the Legate and Spanifli Ambaflador laboured flifly that the Writing might be 
 fuppreflfed and rejected, the Duke of Mayenne neverthelcfs, with the votes of the ma- 
 jor part, concluded, not to ufe his Deputies ill, nor give them caufe ofdiftaftei but 
 bearing that refpeft to them which was fit, would have the Writing read in the full 
 AflTembiy, where afterwards that fliould be refolved on that fliould be thought moft 
 convenient : which while it was deferred, by reafon of the contrariety ofopinions,and 
 of the Obftacles that were interpofed, the King being at Chartres^ publiflied a Maffifeft 
 upon the nine and twentieth day > wherein, after having briefly attefted his Angular 
 affedion toward the general good and fafety. He faid he was extremely grieved to 
 have happened in fuch perverfe times, wherein many degenerating from that fidelity 
 towards their Princes, which had ever been peculiar to the French Nation, did now 
 ufe all their ftudies and endeavors to oppugne the Royal Authority, under pretence of 
 Religion i which pretence, how falfely it was ufurped by them, was clearly feen in 
 the War twice attempted againft the happy memory of Henry the Third, which it was 
 not poflible to value fo much, as to think the caufe thereof could be attributed to mat- 
 ter of Religion, he having ever been moft Catholick, and moft oBfervant of the Sec 
 of Row?, and imployed with his Arms even againft thofe that were not of the Catho- 
 lick Religion to fubdue them, at the fame time when they having furioufly taken Arms, 
 ran to tours to fupprefs and befiege him j and that now it was more clear than the 
 Sun it felf, how improperly and unjuftly they made ufe of the fame colour againft him-, 
 for by how much the more they fought to mask and palliate their malignity tinder that 
 fpecious cloke, fo much the more, breaking forth, did it ftiew it felf clearly to the eyes 
 of all men > nor was there any one who knew not, that their confpiracy, attempted 
 for the oppreftion and ruine of their Country, was not caufed by zeal to Religion » 
 but that their union appeared manifeftly to be compofed of three kinds of Perfons for 
 three different reafons. firft, the wickednefsofthem, wholed by an incredible defire 
 topoiTefs and dilTipatethe Kingdom, had made themfelves Heads sjnd Au;hors of this 
 Rebellion. Secondly, the craftinefs of Strangers, antient enemies to the French name 
 and Crown, who having found this opportunity of executing their inveterate defigns, 
 had voluntarily joyned themfelves with their affiftance to be Companions in fo perfi- 
 dious a Confpiracy. And laftly, the fury of fome of the meaneft dregs of the Peo- 
 ple, who being abandoned by fortune to extreme beggery and mifery, or elfe led by 
 their mifdeedsin fearof Juftice,out of adefueof fpoil, or hope of impunity, had ga- 
 thered
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'Boo^, ^89 
 
 thered themfclvcs together to this fadtious confederacy. But it being thecuftomeof 1502* 
 Divine Providence to draw good out of evil, fo it had now miraculouily come to pafs, 
 fince that the Duke of Mayenne, by fetting down in Writing his reafons of aflembhng 
 a Congregation in Paris, by him called the States, had clearly laid open and manifefted 
 his defigns by his own confeffion : for ftriving with all his power diffemblingly to re- 
 prefent the face of an honeftman, and to make it believed that he had no thought of 
 ufurping that which belonged not unto him, he could not in the interim give greater te- 
 ftimony of his ambition and impiety toward his Country, than by framing, an Edidtj 
 and fealing it with the Royal Seal for the Convocation of the States, a thing referved 
 onely to the Royal-Power, and never communicated to any other > whereby he had 
 made clear to the World his ufurpation of the Royal Oflice and Majefty, and his crime 
 of High-Treafon, having taken upon him the Royal Miniftry, and the proper marks of 
 Soveraignty. But, What eye was fo dazeled,or what mind fo blinded, as not to fee 
 how falfe thofe things were which he had inferted in his Edid with fo much pomp of 
 words ? That the Laws permitted him not to render due obfervance and obedience tti 
 the King God had given him : a Lye as apparent, as it is true, that the Salique-Luiv^i 
 wholefome fundamental one, born at one birth with the Kingdom, hath ever been the 
 bafif of the SubjeAs obedience, and the foundation and fafcty of the Crown : That 
 open injury is done to the conftitution of this Law, when the lawful Dominion of him 
 is called in doubt or controverfie,who, by the prefcribed order of it is called by God un- 
 to the Crown ; That the force and authority of this Law is fo great and venerable,that 
 ro other Law hath power to prejudice it, and the Kings themfelves , which are lonfe 
 from other Laws, are fubje<i, and not fuperiour to this alone ■-, and that therefore it 
 was a vain thing to alledge againft it the Vecree of the States at BloU in the year 76 j for 
 not the King, nor the States, but that Law it felf, ought to decide the SucceflTion of the 
 Kingdom : and yet. What man of found underftanding could ever hold the AflTembly 
 at Bloif to be a lawful Congregation of the States ? in which the liberty of votes being 
 taken away, and the voice of good men fupprefled, there was nothing elfe minded 
 by the Confpirators of that Confederacy ( the fruits whereof are now found J but to 
 oppugne the King's Authority who then reigned, and to reduce him to the flavery of 
 his enemies, difpofing of the affairs of the Kingdom, according to the will and fancy 
 of factious perfons : That perchance that violence ufed againft him, from which he 
 had fo much laboured to defend and free himfelf was not clear enoughs who was he 
 that could believe the late King would voluntarily break and violate that Law , by 
 vertue of which his Grandfather Franc'u the Firft was come unto the Crown ? But, 
 What needed there other proofs ? The fame men who had forcibly and treacheroufly 
 caufed that Decree to be made, had themfelves waved, forfaken, and declared it in- 
 cffedual and of no validity i for if the Duke of Mayenne had efteemed that conftitu- 
 tion valid, after the feditious depofing of King Henry the Third caufed by him , he 
 would not have entituled himfelf Lieutenant- General of the State and Crown of 
 France before the Kingdom were vacant, but Lieutenant to the Cardinal o( Bourbon^to 
 whom , by that feditious Decree, the Kingdom appertained. But what ? not onely 
 then, but alfo after the King's death ( who was by them caufed to be murtheredj he, 
 for three moneths togethcr,ufurped the fame title, declaring, how little valid he efteem- 
 ed the determination of thofe States •, that therefore it was manifeft and known, that 
 it was not out of reverence to the determination of his own States, which they now 
 publifh, that he made ufe afterwards of the fained perfon of the Cardinal of Bourbon^ 
 when it was convenient for him i but thereby to ufurp the Royal- Power and Miniftry, 
 and to gain time and means to eftablifli himfelf in his intended ufurpation. But that 
 no lefs vain was the reafon he alledged , viz. That he was not a Catholick, but of a 
 different Religion > for he was neither Infidel nor Pagan, but confeffed the fame God 
 and the fame Redeemer the Catholicks confefs and adore i nor ought fome difference 
 in opinion to make fuch a defperate irreconcilable divifion. That he would not be 
 obftinate, nor reftife to be taught and inftruded, and that he was ready, if his error 
 were ftiown him, to forfake it, and reduce himfelf to thofe rites which the Catholicks 
 of his Kingdom defired, and that he wilhed he could, with fafety of Confcience, take 
 away all fcruples from all his Subjeds i but he prayed the Catholicks not to wnnder if 
 he did not fo eafily leave that Religion which he fucked with his milk, nor ought it to 
 appear ftrange, that he fhould not forfake the ancient inftitution ofhis life, unlefs firft 
 he were made to fee the error, which they were of opinion he was in, which when ic 
 
 (houli
 
 -♦— 
 
 590 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,co.. fliould come to pafs, no body fliould need to defire his jeadincfs and willingnefs tocon- 
 ^^ demn his fault, and enter into that way which (hould be known to be the beft. That .t 
 was fit in a bufmefsthat concerned his Soul and eternal life,he Ihould prfoceed with great 
 circumVpeAion i and fo much the more, becaufe his example was like to draw many 
 with it whom he would not help to damn , but willingly to fave them if he could. 
 That therefore he had often demanded Councils, not to oppofc himfelf againft thofc 
 already celebrated , as his Enemies reported, but, to the end, that he together with 
 them of the fame Religion, might be inftruded and taught thereby : that it was no 
 abfurd thing to celebrate a Council, and moderate many matters which times and 
 occafions produce : and to fay they had already been decided by other Councils, was 
 nothing j for fo all later Councils would have been vain and abfurd in conHrmingand 
 ordering things again which had been fetled and determined by former ones : That 
 if a more fpeedy and more proper way were found for his inftrudion, he would not 
 #efufe iti and that he had given clear teftimony of it to the World, when he gave 
 leave to the Catholicks under his obedience to fend Ambafladors to the Pope to take 
 fomecourfein it, and when he fo often caufed his very adverfaries tobe told, that itl 
 the midft of Arms it was no time to talk of Converfions, but that making Peace, they 
 fliould refolveupon a Conference wherein he might be inftru6ed i but that they, abu* 
 fing his goodnefs, had made ftiew to lend an ear unto it, onely when for their own dc« 
 figns they delired to work a jealoufie in the Spaniards : That it was certain, they ab* 
 horred to have him inflrud:cd,fince now in their Writings, they reckoned it as a thing 
 to be defpaired of, having never yet fo much as attempted it, and becaufe that prefent- 
 ly affoon as the Marquifs de Tifani's Embaflfie tending to that effedt was agreed upon, 
 they had, by all poffible means, croffed his negotiation, and brought it fo to pafs, that 
 the Pope would not admit him to his Audience : That if they publiflied and vaunted, 
 That they would refer the bufinefs wholly to the Pope, He on the other fide did not 
 defpair, but the Pope at laft, knowing their fubtilty and cunning, would take that re- 
 folution which (hould be moft conformable to decency and reafon : That therefore fc* 
 ditious perfons ought no longer to tempt the good Catholicks that flood armed for the 
 defence and fafety of their Country > but that they rather fhould acknowledge their 
 error, and, as members gone aftray, return to joyn themfelves with the reft of the 
 Body: for, except the Princes o( Lorain^ who were Grangers, all the Princes of the 
 blood, Prelates, Lords, OfiScets of the Crown, and in a manner all the ftrength of the 
 Gentry, were of his party, and made the true Body of Frawce united for thedefenceof 
 their Liberty, and the fafety of the Kingdom : That they (hould confider how unwor-* 
 thy, how monftrous a thing it was, to open the Gates to the Spaniard to come and in- 
 vade the bowels of the Kingdom > their Anceftors, and even they themfelves, having 
 fpilt and poured out fo much blood to drive them from their confines : That they fliould 
 fee how impious that infatiablenefs was, which, for covetoufnefs of Gold, fold the 
 French Name, Glory, and Liberty : but that it was no wonder they felt not the prick 
 of confcience in that bufinefs , fince they felt it not in the moft cruel Parricide com- 
 hiitted on the perfon of the late King, which they were fo far from detefting and 
 abhorring, that they impioufly attributed it to Providence and the hand of God : 
 That if ('as they now madeftiew) they would beheld innocent of that fad:, which 
 fcbfcured the glory, and laid a foul blot of wicked perfidioufnefs upon the Name of 
 the French, they fliould not at the fame time joy and rejoyce at it, commend, exalt, 
 and Canonize the Name of the Murderer, and do fo many other barbarous monftrous 
 things V but fliould rather fliew, that they were moved at (6 great a wickednefs, and 
 f efolved to reconcile themfelves to that Country that had bred, nouriflied , and raifed 
 them to the height of greatnefs i and not take part with barbarous Nations , that are 
 eiiemies to, and feparatcd from France, as in language and manners, fo in candour and 
 difpofition •• That if thefe reafons could not prevail to perfuade thofe that were gone 
 aftray, and make them know their error, at leaft they would confirm the refolution of 
 good French-men, to continue conftantly in the defence of their Country, wherein He, 
 as he had for the time paft, fo he would alfo for the future afford them alwayes his ex- 
 ample, expofing his body, health, blood, and life before them all, as a facrifice for Co 
 f ffi''?^' ^° P'^o^if^We a work : That his affeAion and devotion till that prcfent, were 
 tutticiently known, and with what tendernefs of mind he had embraced the Catho- 
 Ilclfs, conferved, proteded, and maintained them in their poffdrtons,and in their privi- 
 ledgesi how he had favoured and preferved their Religion, and conftantly and invio* 
 
 lably
 
 o/ France. The Thirteenth ^oo^, 50 
 
 lably obferved all that he had promifed them at his comihg-Pothe Crown j and now^ l*^** 
 for more fecurity, and abfolutely to take away all fcrupleSj he fwore before God and 
 Men, that he was ready to perfevere in their protedion and confervation till his lateft 
 breath, and that he never would do any thing to the prejudice or diminution of them 
 or their Religion, and that he defired thofe things which his Subjeds required of him 
 might, to the glory of God, be orderly and fitly executed, as he hoped in Gods divine 
 Majelty, and in his infallible Providence, that theeifeds v;ould quickly be ften, which 
 out of a confidence in God's mercy he doubted not to promife and atteft. - That in 
 the mean time he,with the adviceof his Council,had decreed, and by that prtfentma- 
 nifeit did decree and declare, that the Duke of Mayenne in having aflembled a* Con- 
 gregation in Pjm under the name of States, had: feditioufly and unjuftly ufurped the r, ^j.,-r 
 office and power of King, and that thofe States being null, invalid, and fcditious, were 
 not to hold, nor to be effedual, nor any thing that in them ftiould be done, eftablifhed 
 or determined. 
 
 This Writing, which carried withitno neceffityof an Anfwer, was. according to 
 the difpofition of mens minds, varioufly received and interpreted i but, that of the 
 
 Catholick Lords of the King's party fent to the Aflfembly at ■F<»r//, held the Confede- 
 rates anxious and follicitous for different refpeds v for the Legate having eaufed it to 
 be examined by the Colledge of the Divines of Sorbonnc'^ perfifted to fay, that being 
 heretical, it was not worthy of any anfwerj and the Spanifti' Ambaffadorfiid, it was 
 but a trick to dillurb the good for which they were met together ; but the Arch-bifhop 
 of Lyons, ViUeroy, Jeannin, the Count deBelht, and thofe of the Parliament, maintairi- 
 ed, that what a kind of one foever it was, it ought neither to &e^ defpifed nor r^jeded, 
 and gave their reafons for m and between thefe the Duke of Mayenne flood doubtful 
 what fhould be refolved j for, on the one fide he had a great defire to begin a Treaty 
 with the Royallifts, and on the other he would not abfolutely alienate nor exaftcrate 
 the Legate and the Spaniards. In the end,atter many confultations held privdfilv with 
 his friends, he refolved to defer the coniideration of that bufinefs in the Alfehibly 
 till he had conferred with the Duke o^Feria, and the reft that were coming, aWd (ill he thj Duk of 
 had feen the flrength of the Army, and what Orders Count Charles of Mansfeh had Miycn- refgl- 
 who was already prepared to enter into the Confines, to the end he might regulate "r^the'^bna- 
 himfelf afterward according to time and occafioni wherefore he determified to go "''^^ "f 'i^' 
 and meet the Ambaffadors, and to receive and imploy the Army himfelf, left the ["hTic^'lTcaf 
 Duke of Cuife fliould go to receive it, and Cto the leffening of his reputation ) have '*'" 'cks^iii he 
 it configned to him by the Spaniards, who openly favoured him. He hoped alfo to withT/Duke 
 make fome progrefs in the War, which might augment his credit and reputation •■, but f ^"'■'> ■'^'"■ 
 above all, it was neceifary for him to draw a certain fumm of money from the Spaniards, s\r.tn " the"" 
 to be then diftributed C in favour of him ) among the Deputies , many of '^i="''^'y of 
 whom, by reafon of the dearth of ?aris, and their own poverty, had urgent need- 
 thereof. 
 
 This refolution being taken, he called the Deputies of the Afrembly,and prayed them 
 tobufie themfelves about fmaller matters, but not to deliberate any thing concerning 
 the Eledion till his return, it being fit that all the Catholick AmbafTadors fhould be The Duke of 
 there, as likewife himfelf, together with the Duke of Guije^ and the other principal ^'V" ^^- 
 men of the party, which he would bring along with him within a kw daves s and be- .^c"' with The 
 caufe his praying was commanding, they all promifed it without contradidion i and J^'^^jf?]"" 
 he having left Monfieur de Villeroy and Prefident Jeannin to prevent thofe fecret pradi- with matters 
 Ges which might be fet on foot in the m.ean time, went with Four hundred Horfe to l\\\'i\s"ia^^ 
 SoiJfoHS, where he had given order that his French Forces fhould be in a readinefs. Be- ?«" to sdf-' 
 ing come to that City upon the ninth of February, he found the Duke of Feria , and h,"v?nrcon!. 
 the other Spanifli AmbafTadors there > with whom having conferred, difcontents be- f""'^ with 
 gan to break forth in their firft meeting. _ A^bSo"?,, 
 
 In Spain they thought it very agreeable to juftice and decency, that the "^alique Law 'i^'y ^"'^ 
 fliould be broken, becaufe all they of the Family of Bourbon werenotorioufly either He- °"' '" ''''s"'** 
 reticks, or favourers of Herefie, and that the Kingdom fhould come to the Infanta Ifa~ 
 bella the Catholick King's Daughter, who, by the ordinary Laws, was the ncareft heir 
 to the late King, as being born of Elizabeth his eldeft fifter. And on the contrary, when 
 it wasalledged, that thepofterityof the Royal Family failing, the authority of making 
 anew King returned to the commonalty of the People oiFraHce\ they replied, that 
 though that were true, yet was it feemly , that the Commonalty in- thar eledion 
 
 fhould
 
 -Q2 The Hi/lory of the Civil IVars 
 
 U to chc Kirg- 
 (jom 
 
 ,,c5. niouldhaverefpefttothe Law of Nations which alwayes calls the neareft heirs v and 
 
 that it was very fit much fhould be condefcended to, in regard of the fo great expen- 
 
 ccs the Catholick King had been at, andofthofe many things he had done for tht 
 
 maintcn»nce of the Crown and of Religion i fince with great detriment to his own 
 
 affairs he had employed all his Armies, and all the revenues of his Kingdom, through 
 
 the courfe of fo iriany years, for the benefit of the affairs of France -, which if he from 
 
 the bcftinning had abandoned to the difcretion oithtNavarrois^ there was no doubt 
 
 but it would have been conllrained to bend its neck, and receive the yoke of Herefie : 
 
 whence certainly would have proceeded the total ruin of every Catholick in particular, 
 
 and tfic general fervitude and diflionour of fo Chriftian a Kingdom, Thus thefe 
 
 Counfeliors having perfuaded themfelves that thefe reafons would have the fame cf- 
 
 ihe Duke of ^^ in the mindes of the French, had concluded to apply themfelves fpeedily to the 
 
 ^M!ti^xtsT'- advancing of fo great a defign. Wherefore the Ambaffadors, having this exprefs or- 
 
 nftiAmbjiiJ- j^y fjoni •V/'j/'w, and believing alfo by 'Diego d'lvarrj'^ Letters, that the eledtion of the 
 
 Dukeof°A/'j- Infanta would willingly, and without contradiction be embraced by the States, did not 
 
 ckdion'of'he defer to urge the Duke of Mayenne about it, to the end that he affenting to it, might 
 
 Infanta //iw- fayour t^at Declaration. 
 
 They faid, that the Catholick King pretended juftly to that eledion j firft, by rea- 
 fon of the right which the Infanta (as born of the eldeft daughter of France) pretend- 
 ed to that Kingdom i and then, by reafon of the benefits France had received from 
 him, and of thofe likewife which it might receive for' the future, he being refolved to 
 ufe all his force and power to free them from the contagion of Herefie , and to efta- 
 bli(h tliat Crown affcon as could be polfible, in a quiet peaceful condition. To this 
 purpofe they added many magnificent promifes to every one in particular , and much 
 more largely in the Duke of Mayenne's interefts, (hewing, that the Catholick King 
 would ufe him honourably, increafe him in riches and reputation, and make hinri the 
 firft pcrfon in the whole Kingdom : finally, they demonftrated the honor the Catholick 
 King did him already, in putting his Arms under the authority of his Command, having 
 given order to Count Charles abfolutcly to obey and acknowledge him fuperi- 
 our. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne, who had already at his firft coming been advertifed , that 
 Count Charles brought not above Four thoufand Foot, and One thoufand Horfe, and 
 that the Ambaffadors had no order to pay him any more than Five and twenty thou- 
 fand Duckets, a fum much inferiour to thegreatnefsof his prefent need, anfwercdthe 
 Ambaffadors Propoficion very refentingly, and with more boldnefs than he was wont, 
 and reproached them with the weaknefs of thofe Forces, and their thriftincfs of mo- 
 ney, which things were not like to free the Confederates from the yoke of Herefie, nor 
 to make the Kingdom peaceable, as they boafted in their words, but to continue the 
 calamities of War without end, and t6 reduce the affairs of the League unto extreme 
 weaknefs and mifery : That it had been fecn in times paft, how the Catholicks Kings 
 Armies were hardly come in fight, when prefently they vaniftied again, fomenting, but 
 not remedying the mifchiefs that afflidled the Kingdom i which now appeared much 
 more clearly, fince in that very point, when a couife was to have been taken for the 
 common fafety, and when he, to fatisfie their fo great importunities and complaints, 
 had, with infinite difficulty, affembled the States of the Crown, there came fuch poor 
 alTiftance,as neither the Army was fnfficicnt to give heat and authority to fo great a bu- 
 finefs, nor the money able to fupply, or fo much as give the leaft eafe to the prefent ne- 
 ceflities: That he marvelled exceedingly at that prepofterous manner of proceeding: 
 That now indeed the prudence of the Catholick King, and his Counfeliors was rtqui- 
 fite 1 and that he knew no good could be expeAed for the future by that way : That 
 it was a vain thing to propofe the Infanta for Queen, and not to fend fitting means to 
 make her be acknowledged , and to eftablifti her in the Kingdom : That this was a 
 difficult weighty important bufinefs, and not well rellifhed by many, and to carry it on 
 with fuch feeblenefs of Forces, and fo fmall reputation, was onely the way to deftroy 
 and ruine it, which, out of his obfer vance to the Catholick King, he would not end ure : 
 That the mind of men , who had fetled the fum of their hopes in the prefent Con- 
 gregation , would be incenfed and put in dcfpair, when they fliould fee a ftranger- 
 Qyeen propofed, and that without power or means of attaining to the Crown: That 
 h S^- * ^^'"^ ^^"^^ ^^°"^ ^^^ nature of the French , croffed by the impediment of 
 the oahqueLaw, no way confonant to the ears of Freemen, and fuch as were not 
 
 accuftomed
 
 o/" France. The Thirteenth ^oof^ 593 
 
 accuftomcd to fiiffer themfelves to be brought under i and that therefore it was necef- I5^3« 
 fary firlt to engage mens minds both with high reputation, and the noife of great Ar- 
 mies, and alfo to win their affed^ions by the allurements of profits and riches ; but to 
 propound fo great a matter in fo faint a manner, was neither conformable to thegreat- 
 nefs of the Catholick King, nor decent for the name and reputation of the Confede- 
 rates i and that for his part, he neither thought fit, nor was able, nor knew how to 
 engage himfelf in that Propofition, being certain, not only that nothing at all would 
 be cffeded , but that in defpair it would necellitate the Deputies to turn to an Agree- 
 ment with the Hcreticks, rather than precipitate themfelves into a bottomlefs pit 
 of perpetual mifery , where both the publick and private defolation were moft vi- 
 fible. 
 
 This anfwer appeared as ftrange as unexpeded to the Ambafladors, and they per- rht Anfwer 
 ceived at the very firft, that they were far from the imaginary reckonings they had °! '■" catfc- 
 made j yet perfifting in their Propofition , they anfwered, That the commotions of dors'^rthc *" 
 Arragon^ and the long indifpofition, and afterward the death of the Duke of Farma^ Dukeof A/a^*- 
 had hindered the King from making thofe preparations , which fliould within few 
 months f if there were need of themj be made ready: That the Succours of the Ca- 
 tholick King had always been fo powerful, and fo opportune, that they had manifeftly 
 delivered the Kingdom and Religion from the oppreffion of the Hereticks i and that 
 the French could not complain of any but themfelves, who of themfelves had loft bat- 
 tels, and brought themfelves under in fuch m.anner, that afterward the King of Spain 
 had been fain to forfake his own affairs, to recover them as it were from death to life i 
 That the fums of money were not fmall, but the greedinefs of the French very great 
 and unfatiable •, and yet when they fhould give juft reafonable fatisfaftion to the Catho- 
 lick King, He would ftrive to the utmoft to content them •■, but that to defire all ad- 
 vantages, all conveniencies, all fatisfadions , and all contentments, and to give none 
 at all, was not an equal dealing, nor a fair reafonable way of proceeding : That they 
 fliould refolve to declare their good will in acknowledging the rights of the Infanta 
 to be juft and valid i and for the reft, it was not to be thought the Catholick King 
 would be carelefs of his Daughters interefts, but would empty his Kingdom both of 
 men and money to place her in the Throne, and to eftablidi her perfedly : That the 
 King, weary of fo many difturbances, and of fo many cxpences without fruit, would 
 no more tire his people and ruine himfelf, unlefs he knew the charge and labour (houlJ 
 in the end come to effed i but the Infanta being chofen, he would fend Fifty thou- 
 iand Foot, and Ten thoufand Horfe , which ftiould be paid till the enterprife were 
 perfected i and would freely pour out all the Treafures of his Kingdom upon the 
 French. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne fmiling at the proffer of thefe future Magnificences, faid it 
 was neceflary to think of prefent things i and that to make the States fwallow that 
 bitter Pill of Foreign Dominion, it was neceffary to temper it with the fweetnefs of 
 profit and reputation, elfe it would prove impolTible to get it down. But Iniga Men- 
 dozza (more able to difpute among learned men, than to manage fo weighty an Affair 
 of StateJ replied. That they knew all the Deputies would not only accept the Infanta, 
 but alfo befeech the King to grant her for their Queen i and that he alone oppofed 
 that Eledtion , which already was defired by them all. The Duke grew angry, and 
 told Mendozza. he was little acquainted with the bulinefTesof France^ and not knowing 
 the magnanimity of the French , promifed himfelf they fhould govern the Deputies, 
 as they were wont to do the ftupid fenfelefs Indians i but that in the efTedt he would 
 find himfelf much miftakeh. Mendoz^a added, That rather in the effed they would 
 make him know, they were able to make the Infanta be eleded by the States with- 
 out his help. But the Duke not enduring that, replied, That he feared it not i and 
 that if he fhould not confent unto it, all the world would not be able to make that 
 election. To which the Duke of Ff/'j anfwering, faid, They would quickly make 
 him perceive his errour, and would take away the command of the Army from him, ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ 
 and give it to the Duke of Guife. This netled the Duke of Mayenne more than all the Mau?au by 
 reft i and as he was moft paiFionate in his anger, he added, that it was in his power \"[^"°J^^i 
 to turn all Frj«cf againft them, and that if he pleafed, he could in a week fliut them thieitsofth« 
 all out of the Kingdom: That they play'd the parts rather of AmbafTadors from the b5'ir"j'^,f,™t. 
 King of Navarre , than the Catholick King, nor could they ferve him better if they pans in angtr 
 were paid by him : but they fhould not think to ufe him as their Subjcd, for he was Mcclinj* 
 
 G g g g not
 
 ^QA The Hiflory of the Civil U^ars 
 
 i<f>^. not fo yet , nor did ever think by that manner of ufage to be fo for the future j and 
 fcornfully taking leave, departed from them. ^^ 
 
 Juan BaPtijia lajjis took the bufinefs m hand agam the next day, Itnvmg to pa- 
 cific and overcome him with promifes i but the Duke told him freely, that if now 
 they ufcd him in that manner, he might, if he were not mad, perceive how he (hould 
 be ufcd when he was obliged, and a vafial i and refufcd a great while to confer any 
 Th« Popes more with the Duk of Feria, and Me>tdozz.a. But Pronotary ^guxhi, and Com- 
 M.nifttrv anJ m\ffar\ Malvjg/a, who were prefent by order from the Legat, and Count Charles of 
 (o f«\h,'t'"he Mansfdt, who was come thither to confult what (hould be done with the Army, la- 
 jiflFerencesbe- \^Q^J^^\ fo far jn the bufinefs, that on the one fide the Spaniards knowing they could 
 iruand >he do nothing without the Duke oiMayenne'-, and he, when the violence of his anger 
 spjniarasare ^^^ p^^^^ rcmembring that he was not in fuch a condition that it was convenient for 
 ih.nvi'but'not him to lofe the fupportation of the Spaniards, differences were compofed again at laft, 
 u their hearts ^^^ ^j^j^ ^^ ^^^^^1^ prejudice to the Catholick Kings defigns, that the Duke to put a 
 hard bit in their mouths, wrote to Villdroy, Jsannin, and the Archbiftiop of Lyons, by 
 all means to caufe the Writing of the Kings Catholicks to be anfwered, and that he 
 fhould begin the conference which they propofed, to the end they might have that 
 refuge in a readinefs, whenfoever they (hould be ill dealt withal by the Spaniards for 
 the future ; and yet difTembling on both fides, they agreed among themfelves, that 
 the Duke of Mjyemte (hould affent to the eledion of the Infanta, and favour it with 
 the States i and on the other fide, that (he being eleded, he (hould have the Title of 
 the Dutchy of Bourgngne, the Government of Picardy for his life, the Title and Autho- 
 rity of the Queens Lieutenant-General thorow the whole Kingdom, that all debts 
 (liould be paid him, as well thofe thaf were contraded in the name of the Publick, 
 as thofe in his own particular i and that he (hould be repaid all the money which he 
 could make appear he had fpent of bis own i they paid him Five and twenty thou- 
 fand Crowns at that prefent, and configned Letters to him for Two hundred thou(and 
 more, and gave order to Count Charles o{ Mansfelt with the Army to obey him, and 
 difpofe of himfelf according to his Orders. 
 
 This Convention pieced up in this manner, did indeed (iop the di(cords and diP- 
 gufts for the prefent, but made not things fo fecure js to go on unanimoufly in their 
 endeavours for the future > for the Duke of Mayenne on the one fide, did not believe 
 himfelf obliged to obferve what the necelTity of publick affairs had extorted from 
 him by force, and the Spaniards as they had but little confidence that he would ob- 
 ferve them , fo were they ready to imbrace any occafion that (liould prefent it fclf^ 
 of treating and eftablifliing the bufinefs withoQt him. But being departed from 
 Soifms upon the Five and twentieth of February , and come to VarU , as foon as 
 they began to converfe with the Deputies, they eafily perceived that the Duke of 
 Mayenne ruled all the AflTembly , and that without him nothing at all could be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 On the other fide he being gone to the Confines where the Army was, found it Co 
 weak, that he loft hope of doing any enterprife of fuch moment, as was like to bring 
 him either profit or reputation. They all agreed that the Army (hould not advance 
 into the inward parts of the Kingdom, but for diverfe ends : the Spanifh Mini- 
 fters,- to the end Paris might not be freed from fcarcity, following their conceit that 
 it was profitable for their defigns the League and the City (hould be ftreightened and 
 kept lowi the Duke oi Mayenne on the other fide, to the end the Spaniards might 
 not take heart by the nearnefs of their Forces, and Count Charles, becaufe by rea- 
 fon of the weaknefs of his Army, and that he had but little money, would not en- 
 gage himfelf in places far from the confines, and in adlions of long and difficult evenf,. 
 wherefore though the Legat and the Parifians were earneft, that the Army (hould ad- 
 vance and befiege St. Df«w, to free the pafTage of victuals into the City on that fide, 
 yet it was neverthelefs unanimoufly determined, that the Forces (hould be employed 
 in other enterprifes, among which, the Duke of Mayenne was better pleafed with the 
 befieging of Noyon than any other, as well becaufe he had almoft a certain hope of ta- 
 king that place, and coming off, with increafe of credit and reputation, as to difpatch 
 quickly, that he might return to the affiftance of the Affembly i alfo becaufe it was 
 " nf "i j° ^'"■''"^' where the Lords of the Houfe of Lorain were to meet, before the State 
 thould come to a final determination. 
 
 The
 
 of France. The Thirteenth ^ool^ ^nc 
 
 The Forces being come together from all places, the Army drew before the Town^ I5P3. 
 and having fortihed their quarters, without delay, began to break ground, to caft up ^""^ '^"•" «'f 
 trenches, and raife batteries. There were in the Army four thoufand Foot, and one "^IrT'Utb!^ 
 thoufand Horfe of the Catholick Kings i twelve hundred German Foot, and one hun- ^"'"^ «■»"- 
 dred Horfe, paid by the Pope s which Forces were commanded by AffioCnnti as Ge- 'cu^^^ o^'^ 
 neral of the Church, and by Commiflary Mj/i'j:^^^ i and between five and fix hundred ^'.'1^^'' '"'' 
 German Foot of the Prince oi Aiguillon''% Regiment i three thoufand French Foot, and commanJeXy 
 between eight and nine hundred Horfe of the Duke oi Miyenn;''s^ with which were ^fP''"^'"''j 
 the Dukes of Guife znd Aumale^ and the Sieur de hofne^ and dela Cbaiir^. In the Town own bcfiegcs 
 was Monfieur d"" Eliree with nine hundred Foot and about eighty Horfe, but not af- "''^'"** 
 firted by the Towns-men, who by an old inclination had ever dtfired to be under the 
 Confederates. Within a few days three batteries were planted , one of which was 
 that ^f the Walloons , under the command of Berlotte ■■, another where the Spaniards 
 wrought under Amonk Zunniga^ and Ludovico Velafco i and the third, where the Ger- 
 mans were, under the command of Appio Conti i and the French being entrenched on 
 the fide toward Chauny lay upon the way from whence relief might come. This fiege 
 laftcd but few days, in refped of what men had thought it would i for the Duke of 
 Mayeme himfelf with extraordinary diligence would needs aiTifi: at all the works, and 
 (how that now he commanded alone without the fuperiority of other Generals , he 
 knew how with valour and celerity to bring an enterprife to pcrfedlion j wherefore be- 
 ing bufied both in mind and body, and applying his utmoft endeavours to it, he wea- 
 ried the beCeged in fo many places, and with fo many forts of Mines, Batteries, turn- 
 ings of Water, and frequent aflaults, that not being longer able to refift, they agreed to 
 furrender, and upon the laftof May Monfieur^' Kjlree delivered the Town into their ^^''"fi""'''^- 
 hands, whereupon there was grievous connplaint in the Army i for by rcafon of the .'«rs A"'«'to 
 pains the Souldiers had taken, they pretended the pillage of it belonged to them v but ^^ ^^"^^' f 
 the Duke of Miyenne averfe from rapine, and knowing how well-affed'ed the Towns- a few dayi 
 men were , would not fuflfer ftrangers to enrich themfelves with the Blood of the ^"°'' 
 French. 
 
 But in the time of this fiege a thing happened which did vety much weaken the 
 Army of the League: for the Colonel of the Popes Lands-Kniglits having denied to 
 obey Appij Conti^ who commanded him to make his men work at the trenches, as the 
 other Souldiers did, and being come from words to fwords, Appi) Conti was flain by 
 a thrull the German made at him, who being feized upon in the midft of his men by 
 the Duke of Muy^nne himfelf, efcapcd afterwards out of the hands of them that kept 
 him i whereupon the German Captains furling up their Enfigns, refufed to bear Arms 
 any morei which not difpleafing Commiffary Malvagia, he (though the Duke fiifly . 
 contradidled it) difmiffed them from the Popes pay, with no lefs errour than Mtt- 
 ieuri had formerly fent away the Swiffers. The Catholick Kings Foot were likewife di- 
 mini(hed, efpecially the Walloons, who becaufe they were not paid ran in great num- 
 bers from their colours i and the French, accordmg to their wont, were both decreafed 
 in number and abated in force i wherefore it was neceffary to omit theprofecution of 
 other entcrprifes, M^nsf^lt net being willing to advance further, either becaufe of the 
 weaknefs of his Army, or of his Orders from the Spanifh Miniders, the Parifians al- 
 moft in an uproar, follicited the enterprife of St. DenU •■, which the chief Commanders 
 not being willing to undertake at that time, and they of the City infixing ftill that the 
 number of their Garifons might be increafed, to the end they might be able to convoy 
 their provifions more fecurely, which were taken away and hindered by the Kings 
 Garifons, it was determined in P(jr/> that the Popes Germans fhould come in thither, Jta',t*'"f"''" 
 that neither the Spaniards nor the Duke of A/jjf««f's Forces might be increafed, but thatth Popes 
 the Legats Order arriving after the death of Appio Conti, and after the CommHTary had entVrlnJ^The 
 difmiffed the Germans, the Duke of Nhyetote laid hold of the occafion, and in ftead of city, hm their 
 them, fent in the Regiment of the Prince his Son, thereby giving warmth to them that br''i^rk"i'|j5 
 depended upon him, and deCred his grcatnefs. Noyon being taken, and the Ar- ana The sont- 
 my half diffolved , Count Charles retired toward the Confines , expedting an op- f,a"th' dUc 
 portunity to return into Flanders , and the Duke of M.iyenn^ went to Kheims to <^ ^'t-^me 
 meet with the Princes of his Faniily , and then to go and allill the Affembly of Rr.im'nt^^l! 
 farm. t^" put 
 
 The King at this time was forced by an unthought-of accident to go to lotirs, a'heiem^, 
 which was not without prejudice to hisaflairs, and particularly caufed the lofs of N'yon. 
 
 Gggg 2 He
 
 59^ 
 
 The Htjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 Count 6(iijp"ii, 
 to whom the 
 King hiJ for- 
 merly promi- 
 fcd his Sifter 
 the Liiy Ci- 
 thrim to wife, 
 depirteJ from 
 the Camp, and 
 went fecrctly 
 into 'Be,:rnt, 
 where being 
 iffifted b)F Ma- 
 dam Jt Jrua- 
 Fi.x(, once be- 
 loved, and af- 
 ter forfakcDhr 
 the King, be 
 intends to 
 marry the 
 Princcfi ; hut 
 the King being 
 advercilcd, 
 goes into thofe 
 parts, and 
 bringing back 
 his Siller with 
 him , cuts off 
 the Counts dc- 
 figns. 
 
 The Writing 
 of the Kings 
 Catholicks 
 fent to the 
 Convocation 
 of the Statc'jis 
 damned by the 
 Spaniards for 
 Htrecical, and 
 therefore they 
 urge that it 
 Oiould neither 
 be acctf ted 
 nor anlwcrcJ. 
 
 He from the year 1587. had treated about giving his Sifter the PimccrsCatberme m 
 marriage to the Count de So>fo„s i but things not having fucceeded according to agree- 
 ments by rea(bn whereof the Count went unto him to the Army in Xamtonge, they re- 
 mained as ill fatisfied of one another, as the Prmcefs was pleafed with the gentle fa- 
 fliion and behaviour of the Count i wherefore though he both departed from, and re- 
 turned to the party of the Catholicks during the States at fc'/w/, yet had they continued 
 fccret converfation by Letters, whereby their hearts in progrefs of time were the more 
 enflamed and they were gone fo far by the means of the Madam de Granmont^ that 
 the Count, who was one of thofe that thpught of forfaking the King, being come to 
 r*;/r/ under the apparent pretence of vifiting his Mother, pofted from thence fecrctly 
 into Bearne, with an appointment to contraft and confummate the Marriage with the 
 Lady Cathtrine. But the King (who hoped the Marriage of his Sifter would be a 
 means to gain him the friendftiip of other Princes , and therefore made feveral defigns 
 about it) had his eyes fo intent upon the Counts adions, that he dived into that in- 
 tention before it was executed : For having in former times long loved Madam de 
 Granmont^ and then left her after his departure out of Gsfcogne, as fhe did all (he could 
 to difoblige him , but of difdain for having been forfaken j fo his Sifters, moft trufty 
 Gentlewomen, being corrupted by the Kings gifts, were as ready to give him notice of 
 every particular : Wherefore being come to the knowledge of all that was in agitati- 
 on, he gave order to fome of the Parliament to go into Bearne^ and hinder that Con- 
 trad j and he having before fent the Baron de Bymt (by him created Admiral) under 
 pretence of taking poffeffion of that dignity in the Parliament, followed him fpeedily, 
 leaving his houfhold and Council at Cbartres, and having caufed the Princefs to come 
 toTours, he brought her with him, after the fpace of two months, unto the fame Ci- 
 ty , being exceedingly angry to fee himfelf fo little efteemed by thofe of his own 
 Blood. But this was a thing that made him more clearly know , it was high time 
 fnor could he any longer defer) to take fome refolution , and to eftablifh his afTairs, 
 fince that even the Princes of the Blood were openly alienated from him. Thus every 
 little accident, though it feemed crofs, was yet always favourable to hisgreatnefs and 
 eftabliftiment. 
 
 Whilft they were fighting about No)'on , with no lefs ardour did they contend in 
 ?<»ri/ about refolving upon the Anfwer that was to be given to the Catholicks of the 
 Kings party v for the Spaniards fupported by the Cardinal-Legat, ftrove to crofs it, 
 and for a manifeft reafon alledged, that the Writing being heretical, as the Divines of 
 Sorbonne had declared, it could not be taken into confideration, nor ought the States to 
 give an Anfwer to it : That which made it heretical, they faid, was, becaufe it affir- 
 med that Subjeds were obliged to yield obedience to their Prince, though he were an 
 Heretick, both known to be fuch, and condemned by the holy Church : They added, 
 that this was a net to catch the inclinations of the fimple, an obftade to hinder the 
 progrefs of the States, and a ftone of fcandal to retard Gods fervice i that it was not 
 fit to lofe time about their Enemies (iibtilties, nor about the interpofitions of the King 
 of Navarre^ from whom it was certain that Writing was derived, fince they them- 
 felves that caufed it to be prefented , confefted they did it with his confent , and it 
 was fubfcribed by no other man but Rew/, one of the Secretaries of State ■, and there- 
 fore, as he that will do well ought not to hearken to the temptations which the Devil 
 fuggefts •, fo they that would procure the fafety of the Kingdom , and the eftablifh- 
 ment of Religion , fliould in no fort mind the interpofitions of the King of Navarre^ 
 and thofe that fpoke by his inftigation, and thorow his very mouth. On the other 
 iide, many of the Deputies faid, that they ought not to fhut their ears againft thofe 
 of the fame Blood and Religion, who perchance fought to amend their errours , and 
 cure their Confciences by retiring to the party of the good Catholicks, and adhering to 
 the Confederates i that if it (hould come to pafs, the King of Navarre would remain 
 fo weak and abjed, that it would need no great pains to vanquifh him i that all means 
 ought to be ufed, and covetoufly laid hold on, which might lead to Peace, that being 
 the laft end to which all good Frenchmen tended, and to which for their own fafety 
 all afpired i and if with a common confent the way to attain to quietnefs could be foundi 
 why (hould they ingulf themfelves in new miferies of War, and in new perpetual di- 
 firadions of Arms ? That to this end, the Duke of Mayeme had in bis Declaration 
 I" j" ^^^^^tholicks of the contrary party to meet and confer with him : That he 
 had protefted this unto them, adding, that if they refolved not to unite themfelves 
 
 with
 
 oy France. The Thirteenth ^oo^ 5^7 
 
 with him, they fliould be guilty of all the fubfequent mifchiefs and calamities : Which 1 5P|p 
 Protcftation the Catholicks trufting in, had now demanded a Conference, and if they 
 ftiould not accept it , they fhould make themfelves guilty of the fame crimes : That 
 their fpeaking by the Kings permilTion, imported nothing h for things are not done and 
 obtained all at once : That being now fubjed to his power, they were necert'itated to 
 fpeak in that manner j but that afterwards being perfwaded and drawn by little and 
 little, by reafon and gentlenefs, perchance they would make a more clear, more ex- 
 prefs refolution : That it was no matter though Revol were Secretary to the King of 
 Navarre^ for he was a Catholick^ and perchance nolefs inclined to a revolt than the 
 ireft : That it was already known , how even the Princes of the Blood thought of 
 changing their party, that the Catholicks were ill fatisfied, becaufe the promifes of 
 his Converfion were not kept j and therefore it was neceffary to foment that begin- 
 ning of alteration, to help them to bring forth a firm determination, and by means 
 thereof reunite all the Members into one Body, to attain the fafety and quiet of the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 This was the more plaufible opinion, and it was carried by the Duke of Mayeune'% 
 Confidents , from whom they had received order to bring it to pafs j nor did there 
 want any thing, fave the Legats confent, from whom neither the States, nor the Duke 
 himfelf would in any wife alienate themfelves. Therefore the Archbifhop of Lyms 
 went to him, and demonftrated, that if the Propofition of the Royalifts were not ac- 
 cepted, fomc very great tumults would follow i for the Nobility and the Order of 
 Con:imons rtood fo iTifly for it, that being tired out with the War, and toil of Arms, 
 they would make an infurre(3ion, with great danger of revolting to the King of Na- 
 varre : That no harm could be feared from that Conference i for fuch perfons (hould 
 beimployed in it, as there would be no danger of their forfaking the caufe of Reli- 
 gion : That if the Catholicks of the Kings party would join with that of the Confe- 
 derates, it would be the very point of Vicftnry h and if on the other lide, they fliould 
 (how themfelves averfe from doing fo, it would be eaiie, after having given fatisfa- 
 iftion to the World, and to the States in appearance, to dilTolve the Conference a thou- 
 fand ways : That alfo in the time of Cardinal Gaetana there had been many Treaties and 
 Conferences, both by himfelf and others, and yet no abfurdity had followed > and if 
 at that prcfent there fhould not be one, he would not only be accounted fcrupulous 
 and fevere, but alfo obftinate, and an Enemy to Peace : That if only through his op- 
 polition, the propofal of the Catholicks were not imbraced, it would be attributed to 
 an unfeafonable pride, and a too interefled union with the Spaniards, which perchance 
 would not be pleafing at Rome ■■, that already all men murmured at it, and that the de- 
 mand was (b juft, that whofoever (hould refufe it, would manifertly put themfelves 
 on the wrong fide. The Legat (whofe ears were already filled with the popular dif- 
 courfes, which condemned his too much aflenting to the Spaniards i the Prevoft des 
 Merchands hiv'ing added, that the City, which by this Conference hoped for the be- 
 nefit of being partly freed from fcarcity, would certainly mutiny if it were refufed, and Je'l^f^'^r''*'' 
 thofe of the Parliament ftill boldly crying, and giving out, that they would make Pro- dfS by the 
 teftationto the States) at laft vielded in fecret, that the Catholicks (hould be anfwer- ■^•'■^^■'hop of 
 ed, and that the Conference fhould be accepted , but without his apparent conlent. in fccrct that 
 So with a general Vote it was decreed in the States, that the Conference fliould be fh„ui"["["„-, 
 accepted , and upon the Fourth day of March they framed an Anfwer to the Catholicks ven to the ca- 
 of this Tenor. K^fprt;'' 
 
 WE have fecn fome few days ago, the Letter which was written to us, and fent The Tmor ol 
 by a Trumpet in your Name i which we could wifh came from you with fuch whtt"ilrthe 
 zeal and affe<5tion as you were wont (before thefe laft miferies) to bear to the prefer- Conference 
 vation of Religion, and with fuch refpeft and obfcrvance as is due to the Church, our acccp'ted. ' " 
 Lord the Pope, and the holy Chair j we fhould for certain quickly be agreed and uni- 
 ted together againft the Hereticks ■■> nor would other Arms be longer neceffary for us, 
 to beat down and break in pieces thefe new Altars which are fet up againft ours, and 
 to hinder the eftablifhment of Herefie, which (becaufe it hath been tolerated, or ra- 
 ther honoured with reward and recompence , when it fhould have been punifhed ) 
 is not contented now adays to be received and accepted i but will become Miftrifs, 
 and domineer imperioufly under the Authority of an Heretick Prince. And though 
 that Letter name no body in particular , nor is fubfcribed by any of thofe whofe 
 
 names
 
 598 The Hislory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,5P3. names it beats, and that we tlierefore ate uncertaiti who fent it us , or rather certain 
 that it was done at the fuggeftion of others, (the Cathohcks not having in the place 
 • where vou are that liberty which is neceflary, to hear, deliberate, and refolve with 
 the counfcl and judgment of their confcience , any of tliofe things which our mifery 
 and the common fafety require) yet fhould we not have fo long delayed to nnake an- 
 fwer to it had it not been that we flayed expeding to have the Affembly fuller, and 
 increafcd by a good number of perfons who were upon the way to come unto it, of 
 whom the greater part being arrived , out of a doubt that our fo long filence may be 
 calumniated, We do it this day, without deferring it to another, in expe(3:ation of 
 the reft who are yet to come. And we declare fitft of all, That we have alj fworn 
 and promifed to God, (after having received his molt precious Body, and the blelTing 
 of the holy See by the hands of the Cardinal-Legat) that the fcope of all our counfels, 
 the beginning, means, and end of all our adions fhall be to fecure and preferve the Ro- 
 man Catholick Apoftolick Religion, wherein we will live and die. Truth it felf which 
 cannot lye, having taught us, that by feeking the Kingdom and Glory of Gcd before 
 all other things, temporal blelTings fhall be added thereunto? among which inthefirft 
 place after Religion, we put the confervation of the State entire i and hold that all other 
 means of hinderance ruine and deftradion, grounded only upon humane wifdom, fmell 
 cf impiety, are unjuft, contrary to duty, . and the profeition we make to be good Ca* 
 tholicks, and without likelihood of ever having any good fuccefs. And we being freed 
 from thofe accidents and dangers which good men forefee and fear by reafon of the mis- 
 chiefs Herefie produceth, will not rejed any counfel which may help to diminifli our 
 miferies, or bring them to an end. For we acknowledge, and are but too fenfible of 
 the calamities which Civil War brings forth, and have no need of any body to ftew us 
 our wounds i but God and men know who are the authors of them. It fufficeth us 
 to fay we are trained up and inftruded in the Dodrine of the holy Church, nor can 
 our Souls and Confciences have repofe and tranquillity, nor tafte any happinefs while 
 they are in fears and jealoufies of lofing Religion, whofe danger can neither bediflem- 
 bled nor avoided, if men continue as they have begun. Thence it is, that, judging 
 as you do. that our reconciliation is moft neceflary, we feek it with a truly Chriftian 
 charity, and pray and conjure you in the Name of God to grant it us. Nor let the 
 blames and upbraidings which the Hereticks caft upon us any way hinder you. As 
 for ambition, which they publifh to be the caufe of our taking up of Arms, it is in 
 your power to fee us within , and difcover whether Religion be the caufe , or pre- 
 tence i kave you the Hereticks, (whom at the fame time you both follow and deteft :) 
 If we lift up our hands to Heaven to give God thanks, if we be difpofed and ready to 
 follow all good counfels, to love you, to honour you, to yield you that refped and fer- 
 vice that fhall be due to you i then praife us as honeft men, who have had the cou- 
 rage to defpife all dangers for the prefervation of Religion, nor have wanted inte- 
 grity and moderation to forbear the thought of any thing that is againfl honour and 
 reafon: but if the contrary happen, then accufe our diilimulation, and condemn us as 
 wicked perfons i by fo doing you will fet both Heaven and Earth againft us , and 
 make our Arms fall out of our hands as conquered, or leave us (b weak, that the Vi- 
 dory over us will be without danger, .and without glory. In the mean time, blame 
 the mifchief of Herefie which is known to you , and rather fear that canker that de- 
 vours us, and every day gets ground, than a vain imaginary Ambition, when there is 
 nofuch thing i or, if there be, it will be left alone and poorly attended, when it (hall 
 be deprived of the cloak of Religion. It is likewife a calumny to accufe us that we 
 bring Strangers into the Kingdom : it is necefTary either to lofe Religion, with our 
 Honours, Lives and Eftates, or elfe to oppofe the force of the Heretick, whom no- 
 thing can pleafe but our ruine j and therefore we are conflrained to make ufe of them, 
 fince your Arms are againft us. They are the moft holy Fathers, and the moft holy Sec 
 that have fent us relief i and though many have been called to that fupreme Dignity (ince 
 thcfe laft troubles, yet have there not been one of them who hath changed his afliedion 
 tovyards us, a moft certain teftimony that our caufe is juft. It is the Catholick King, a 
 Prince allied and confederate to this Crown, only powerful now adays to maintain 
 and defend Religion, who hath likewife helped us with his forces and powers , yet 
 without any other reward or recompence, but the glory which fo good a work hath 
 juftly acquired him. Our Kings againft the Rebellion of Hereticks, and in the like ne- 
 ceility have had recourfe to them j we have followed their example, whhout entring 
 
 into
 
 of France. The Thirteenth HooL 
 
 599 
 
 into any Treaty prejudicial to the State , or to our reputation, though our neceility *5?J» 
 hath been much greater than theirs. Rather fet before your eyes, that the Englifh, 
 who atFift you to eftablifh Herefie, are the ancient Enemies of the Kingdom, who yet 
 bear the title of that ufurpation, and have their hands imbrued in the innocent blood 
 of an infinite number of Catholicks, who have conftantly fuffered death for the fcrvice 
 of God and the Church. Ceafe likewifc to hold us guilty of High Treafon, becaufe 
 we will not obay an Heretick Prince, whom you call our natural King i and have i 
 care, that bending your eyes to the Earth to look upon humane Laws, you forget not 
 the divine Law that came from Heaven. It is not Nature, nor the right of Nations 
 that tcacheth us to acknowledge our Kings , but the Law of God , the Law of his 
 Church, and that of the Kingdom, which require from the Prince that is to command 
 us, not only proximity of blood, which you (land upon, but alfo the profelTion of the 
 Catholick Religion i and this quality hath given name to that Law which v/e call the 
 Fundamental Law of the State, always followed and obferved by our Anceftors with- 
 out any exception i though the other of proximity of blood hath been fometime al- 
 tered, the Kingdom remaining nevcrthelefs entire, and in its former dignity. To come 
 therefore to fo holy and neceflary a reconciliation, we accept the Conference which you 
 demand , provided it may be only between Catholicks, and to deliberate about the 
 means of preferving Religion and the State. And becaufe you defire it fliould be be- 
 tween P<«w and St. Pf«J^, weintreatyou to YiVe. o{ Mont-Martre, St.Meatex, oiCha- 
 liot in the Queens Palace i and that you would be pleafed to fend thofe that fliall be 
 deputed by you , upon fome day you (hall think fit, before the end of this month, 
 whereof we being advertifed, will not fail to have ours there, and to proceed with fin- 
 cere affedion, free from all paffion, praying to God that the event of it may be fuch, 
 that we may find the prefervation of Religion and of the State i and a good, fecure du-* 
 rable peace, as we alfo pray him to conferve you, and give you his Spirit to know, 
 and imbracethe moft wholfom profitable counfcl for the general fafety. 
 
 This anfwer being received and read in the Council of the King, who was not yet 
 come back from his journey into PoiSiote , they that were there prefent determined to 
 profecute the Conference, but to defer the particulars thereof till they had the Kings 
 eonfent to them, and the general votes of the Council. Thus by a Writing full of cour- 
 teous exprellions, they excufed the delay, and finally, having received their approba- summe is 
 tion, and replied again with other Letters, they concluded to hold the Conference at ehnfenfor ths 
 Swenne between Paris and St. ~DenU. ' feJence. ""' 
 
 There was great cdntention at Parit about the eledion of the perfons that were to 
 intervene at this Treaty i for the Legatand the Spanifli Ambafladors ftrove to procure 
 that one of them might be Guilliaume Rofe Bifliop of Senlk^ a man of a fowre nature, 
 and fharp eloquence, which for many years he had profufely ufed againft the Kings, 
 and againft their party •, and on the other fide, they that inclined to peace, defired the 
 Sieur deViHeroy might be admitted, who by many was excluded aspartial to theKing: 
 at laft for the common fatisfadion they were both left out, and thofe that were unani- The rtrfoiir e- 
 moufly chofen were, the Archbifliop of Lyons, Perkard Bifliop o( Auranche, Godefroy de itSed on both 
 Billy Abbot of St. Vincent de Laon, the Admiral ViUars, the Count de Belin, the Baron vcne 1° Jh" '" 
 deTalmay, the Sieurs <:/£' Montigny and Montaulin ^ Prefident Jeannin^ and.Prefident confcrcft«e. 
 Mjijire^ Ejiienne Bernard Advocate in the Parliament of Dijon, and Honore de Laurent 
 Counfellor in the Parliament of Aix. They of the Kings fide chofe the Archbifhop of 
 Bourges, the Sieurs de Chavigny, and Bellieure, the Count de Schombergh, Prefident de 
 Thou, Nicholas Sieur de KamboHiUett, the Sieur de Pontcarre, and Secretary Revol. But 
 at the firft meeting , with the mutual eonfent of the Deputies , there were added the 
 Sieur de Vic Governour of St. Denii on the Kings.fide, and for the League the Sieur 
 de Villeroy, who the Duke of Mayenne defired by all means (hould alTift in the Trea- 
 ty , and in the progrefs of it the Sieurs de Rofne and la Chajire were likewife ad- 
 mitted. 
 
 In the mean time, the Duke of Feria, upon the fecond of April, had folemn publick 
 iudience of the States, at which in a Latin Oration, he proffered the Catholick Kings 
 ailiftance and fupplies to the AfTembly, for the confcrvation of Religion, and the eledion 
 of fuch a King, as the condition of the times required, and likewife prefented Let- 
 ters from King Philip , wherein after many courteous exprellions, he referred himfelf 
 to what the Duke of Feriay and the otiier Arabaffadors fliould reprefent in his name, 
 
 who
 
 ^oo Tf^e Hijlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 «o3 who faid that they referved themfdves to do it, when the Duke of Mayenne and the 
 other Princes (hould be come unto the States, who were yet at the nneeting at Meims 
 
 with the Duke of !'"•'''«• , ^ ..^ . ^ . .. . r aot ■ x ■ 
 The lords of xhcfc their minds were no lefs difagrccmg, hor the opmions lefs differing than in 
 the Ho,-re of , r i £,^ij(. ^f Lorjht feeing the reft were not inclined to yield to him as 
 
 i,i;r"» heme mC oiait5> il" '"*- '-' . , ?■ ■ i IJ j-ii/- 
 
 mec at R/vm,, j^^^j q( j|,e Family , and knowmg the Spaniards were already engaged m the defign 
 Ih "icflbn"" of getting the Infanta eleacd, began to be weary of the War which he had fuftained 
 a Kino. ,.iffef ^jj ^^^(^ jjtg years to the great damage of his people i and though the Spaniards fome- 
 le2i."orihciI times Scattered reports, that the Intanta being chofen Queen (hould take the Cardinal 
 own inteiciti. j^jj g^^ to be her Husband , it feemed to him fo abfurd, that he was not at all incli- 
 ned to believe it, and lince he could attain to nothing elfe, would have been content 
 with Peace, whereby the Cities of T/w«/ and Feri«« fiiould remain his. On the other 
 fide, the Duke of Mayenne defircd he (hould perfi(t in Anns, and favour the eledion 
 of him and his Sons , thinking his pains and endeavours deferved that reward, and 
 that no other body at that prefent was able to undergo that weight , but he rather 
 gave (igns of this intention than propounded it, and laboured dexteroufly to infinuate 
 it into the reft i among which as the Dukes of Aumale and Elbxuf adhered to him, fo 
 the Dukes of Nemours and Guife a(rented not, both being intent to endeavour for them- 
 felves, and full of hopes that the Spaniards might at laft concur to marry the Infanta 
 to one of them. The Duke of Mayenne ftrove to withdraw them from that thought, 
 by letting them fee it was far from the intent of the Spaniards , who had no other 
 de(ign than to get the Crown into the power of the Infanta, and by her, either in her 
 life-time, or after hei death, to have it united and incorporated to that of Spain^ to 
 which it was very repugnant to give her a young French Husband, and fuch an one as 
 might be able not only to govern her , but alfo the people, and forces of the Nobility 
 and Kingdom. 
 Gira'iiw omii It ^yas a remarkable thing , that though this was an A(rembly of the Houfe of Lo- 
 ciand Duke rjia, the King ftiould yet have a very great party in it i for by the Grand Duke oCTbuf- 
 of rimf: dn'.'s^^ cany's confent, Girolamo Condi had formerly begun, and now continued to treat with 
 an Aori.mcnt the Dukc of Loraht , to induce him and the reft to think of agreeing with the King, 
 i7 L).'!:^»'^i'n ' propofmg his Converfion, full caution and fecurity for Religion, and to give his Sifter 
 the Kin^j bi- in Marriage to the Prince of Lorain , with thofe Cities which the Duke defired and 
 hfm'the^^'prin- Pretended to j and on the other lide, by means of the Count of Schombergh he had 
 ccfs a'iKrmt begun to deal with the Duke of Mayenne ^ (hewing him that they mighfwith much 
 rrTh^p^'nce '"0''^ "^^5 ^gxcQ privately between themfelves, than if they fliould ftay for the event 
 his ion ; and of the Conference , for he was ready to gratifie him, and give him that really in pre- 
 *cLm°c,"l" fsnfj which the Spaniards promifed but verbally to give in future. But the hopes 
 """ T ^ h °^ every one of thefe interefled perfbns were ftill too fre(h and lively, which dazling 
 fhrDuke'ct their underftanding and incumbering it with paflion, would not fuffer them yet to come 
 with'weVk'"'^ to this determination i fo that neither agreeing among themfelves, nor in any third 
 hope of fac- perfon, they parted at laft without any conclu(ion i fave that the Duke of Lorain gave 
 *''^'- CommilTion to the Sieur de Bajpmpier his AmbafTador to the States, to adhere in the 
 
 Treaty to the Duke of Mayenne's will , in what concerned their interefts and the af- 
 fairs of the Spaniards, without declaring himfelf in the bufincfs of eledion. The 
 Duke of Mayenne with his Nephew of Guife, and the Duke of Elbxttf went towards . 
 Pijrw, being yet uncertain of his own defign j the Duke of Lorain more deCrous of 
 quiet than any thing elfe, returned into his own State, and the Duke of Amiale v/ent 
 into Picardy to a(rift Count Charles, who ftaid about the confines with the forces of the 
 Catholick King. 
 
 In the mean time the Conference at Suremie was begun, upon the Nine and twentieth 
 of April, where after the firft Meetings, and mutual Exhortations, to lay afide all affe- 
 -ATrnce u ftions and interefts, and to apply themfelves fincerely to the common good and fafety i 
 pSK/fot ^^^ Deputies ftiewed one another their Commillions and Authority i they gave Pafs- 
 abou^'Tai'" ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ conducts On both fides, and a difcourfe was begun of making a Ccifa- 
 anr'as much ^'°" ^^ Arms in the neighbouring places, to the end that the Deputies themfelves, and 
 fi'MhV^''cutu T°^*^ °^ ^^^" retinue might ftay freely, and treat without difquiet or fufpition, which 
 ty of them " Truce was afterwards eftabliflied and publifhed upon the Third oiMayiox four Leagues 
 thJV/Xns* ^^^^^y^-'^, and as much about Surenne i which did fo rejoyce the Parifians, who had 
 fcjoyce at it °^^^ 10 many years ftiut up and imprifoned within their Walls, that every one might 
 »crymucb. ealily perceive how much joy and confolation the peace (if it fliould follow} would 
 
 bring
 
 o/ France. The Thirteenth ^oo{. 6oi 
 
 bring to all the people of France. Both parties agreed in this one point, that peace 
 was necefTiry to raifc up France from her prefcnt miferies and future ruine ; every 
 onepraifed it, and (hewed himfelf ready to embrace it, but they difagreed abfolutely 
 in the means proper to attain it. For the Deputies for the League held, the foundati- 
 on of all things to be Religion, and that no other agreement ought, or could be con- 
 cluded, wherein the firrt and chiefeft confideration was not about it i and therefore ex- 
 horted the Royallitis to forfake the Heretick Prince whom they followed, and uniting 
 themfelves all to one end, unanimoufly to chufe aCatholick King, fuch a one as might 
 be acceptable and approved by 'he Pope, by whofe eftabliOiment , the roots of dif- 
 cord being extirpated, which fprPng up from diverlity of Religion, they might joynt- 
 ly come to fettle Policy, good Government, Peace, -and the repofe of the Kingdom. 
 On the other fide, the Deputies on the Kings part maintained, that the foundation of 
 Peace, was the acknowledgement of, and obedience to a lawful Prince, truly French, 
 and called by the Laws: Under whofe fhadow all of them reuniting themfelves, trou- 
 bles and diflentions might be made to ceafe i they faid, Religion was a fecond confide- 
 ration, for Chriftians anciently had obeyed and acknowledged many Princes that were 
 iiot cnely Hereticks and Schifmaticks, but alfo enemies and perfecutors of the Church, 
 and the moft holy, moft learned Fathers of Chriftendom, nay, even the Apofties them- 
 felves had taught and preached that obedience > and therefore they exhorted thofc of 
 the League to reunite themfelves in the acknowledgment of their King, to whom the 
 Crown undoubtedly belonged, both by a right lineal defcent,and by vertue of theSa- 
 ligue Law i for as he would give all kind of fecurities, the moft full and ample that 
 could be defired for the prcfervation of Religion i fo, in time, he might alfo be reduced 
 to embrace and follow the Catholick Dodrine, from which he did not (hew himfelf ab- 
 folutely averfe. 
 
 The Archbifhop of Lj'(i«i-, and the reft of his fellow Deputies could not endure to 
 hear this Doctrine, but abhorred and confuted it with deteftation, though the Arch- 
 biftiop of Boiirges^ with great flourifties of Learning, Authorities , and Examples, la- 
 boured to maintain it i but they on the other fide faid freely. This was the way to 
 make the Kingdom Schifmatical, and alienate it from the Fellowfhip of the Catholick 
 Church, and that they would rather chufe to lofe their lives, than confent to fo brutifh, 
 fo pernirious a thing i and then again, the Archbifhop oi Bourges demonftrated, that 
 to be fo obftinate upon that point, was a fubjeding of the Kingdom to the Dominion, 
 not onely of Foreign Princes, but of its moft bitter enemies, and that for their parts 
 (fince they knew they might live with Liberty of Confcience, and in the maintenance 
 of their Religion) they would not by any means make themfelves guilty of fo great a 
 crime. After long difputations, the Archbifhop of Bowrgfj- propofed, that fince they 
 could not frame themfelves to acknowledge a King, that was not publickly and cer- 
 tainly a Catholick, they would joyntly exhort King Hemy to change his Religion, and 
 come into tiie bofome of the Church i for if he fliould accept of the invitation, and re- 
 folve to do fo, all doubts and occjfions of diffenting from hira would ceafe, and if he 
 (liould refufe it, then every Catholick would forfake him, and all united together 
 would chufe another Prince of the Blood , that were a Catholick, and one generally 
 approved. The Confederates replied, they neither could nor ought to exhort, nor in- 
 vite the King of N-ivar, who had not onely oftentimes (hewed he regarded not, nay, 
 rather defpifed thofe invitations, but alfo having promifed them to turn Catholick, had 
 deceived them and abufed their credulity i Wherefore, if he had made no reckoning of 
 his friends, much lefs was it to be believed, he would value his enemies , and that ha- 
 ving by the Apoftolick See been declared a relapfed Heretick, and excommunicated, they 
 could not treat with him, nor meddle with any thing that appertained to his intereft. 
 The Royallifts (liewed, that now he feemed to be of another opinion, and that the in- 
 vitations formerly made unto him, had been threatning ones, accompanied with force, 
 and therefore he had rejeded them , as unfeemly to his reputation ; but that now he 
 took thofe exhortations in good part, which were made to him by way of extremi- 
 ty, and (hewed a thoufand figns that he would reconcile himfelf to the Church i that 
 he had not kept his promife by reafon of the hinderance of Arms and War, for it was 
 fit his converfion (houM be with decency and honor, and without violence, and that 
 they hoped to fee him a Catholick very (hortly : to which the others replyed, that they 
 .fliouId be very glad of his converfion (if it (hould come to pafs) for his own fouls fakci 
 
 H h h h but 
 
 i5P3-
 
 5o2 The Hiftorj of the Civil JVars 
 
 15^3. but that thcfe were pclitick artifices to deceive the firr^ple, nor could they ground any 
 rcfolution at all upon it. . , ^ ,.r -i • ^r r 
 
 Divers Sittings were fpent m thefe difputcs , without cpinirg to a concluhon i lo 
 that manyjudge'd Cas they had prognofiicated from the beginning J that the Confe- 
 rence would be diffolved without truit. Hence the Spaniards taking courage both 
 becaufeof the refoiution which they of the League fhewed, that they would never af- 
 fent to acknowledge any other King than one that was fincerely a Catholick i and be- 
 caufe of the perfeverance they law in the King and his Deputies, to fet the point of Re- 
 ligion after the Salique Law and the politick Governiaent of the Kingdom ) refolved 
 to make the utmoA pufli for it, and to propofc the^rfedion of the Infanta for the laft 
 engine of their attempt. Wherefore the Cardinal-Legate having caufed many Pro- 
 ctilions and Prayers to be made, with no lefs pomp than devotion, to beg of God that 
 he would infpire the States in the good choice of convenient means for the common Sa- 
 fety : There met in his Palace upon the nineteenth of May, belides the Spanifti Am- 
 ji/j»ilie '9, . baffadors, who were to make the Propofition, the Dukes of Maytnue, Guift^ Aim ale , 
 i'prVvjtT' " and Elbixuf, tlie Count de Chaligny, the Sieur de BaJJompier in the name of the Duke of 
 mtcting inihe loraift, thc Sicur de la Pierre for the Duke of Savoy, Lorenzo Tornabmni for the Duke 
 wii'/r" fh'e'"' of Mfr((r«»-, Cardinal Telleve, znA the Count de BelinGoveniot o( Paris ■-, and in the 
 LorHs of the name of the States fix Deputies to treat with the Spanifli Minifters, the Arch-bifliop 
 r«"nlt° pre- of Lyotts and the Bifhop of Sealu for the Clergy, the Sieurs de la Chajire and Momolin 
 ient, and f^j j|^g Nobility, the Prevoji dei Marcbands ot Paris and Ljiienne Bernard for the Com- 
 ttpctftMiii; inons. In this meeting, wherein all the fpirits of the States, and the very foul of the 
 lie'/'"*' °' League con(il\ed, the Duke of Ffrw began todetefl the Conference that was held with 
 thofeof the Kings party i faying, that the Cardinal-Legate and he had affentcd to it 
 orely, that they might not fail of any poiTible means to reduce thofe that were gone 
 allray into the bofumeof theholy Church, and to the end that theobftinacy of thePo- 
 litickj being more clearly fcen, who fct Religion behind the confideration of ten.poral 
 things , the World might be certified of their wickednefs, and of the good intent of 
 the Catholick King whofe principal objcd was Chriftian Charity, the fafety of Fxli- 
 gion, and ( with thcfe conditions) the peace and happinefs of that moft Chriftian 
 Kingdom s but this trial alfo having been made, that nothing might be left undone, 
 and tofatishe the curiofityofall men, it was now at laft time to diffolve thofe Trea- 
 ties, which, without hope of any fruit, carried with them the danger of many mis- 
 chiefs, and thenceforth apply themfelves to the election fi£ one, who, by common con- 
 fent ftiould poffefs the Crown i for which end they were met together with Co much 
 difficulty, and from fomany feveral places : that as the Catholick King, who had fpent 
 fo much gold, and poured out fo much blood of his Subjedfsfor the upholding of that 
 caufe , had never refufed any overture of thofe remedies which he believed might 
 conduce to the general good i fo at laft he was come to know, that there was no bet- 
 ter nor more helpful refoiution for all parts than one alone, wherein both juftice and 
 decency , profit and conveniency did joyntly concur s that this was the eledtion of the 
 The Duke of Iitfjiitj Clara Eugenia Jfabella Daughter to his moft Catholick Majefty, to be Queen of 
 mVtfir" pro- * '"'"'cf , to whom, as born of t/7Zijif//j, eld eft daughter to Henry the Second, whofe 
 fofrih the malc-hne was ended, the Crown juftly and lawfully belonged, as by a thoufand Autho- 
 Vf 'nui°n \:c "ties, and conftitutions of Law and Reafon it was eafie to prove v that the King wifli- 
 D» 'ht'-'""° ^'^ ^"^ defired the confent of the States (hould concur in that juft eledtion for the more 
 ri>"pih/se° general faiisfadion, to the end, that the gratitude of the French, rcmembring how 
 "jil 1'"" "^ Ttuch he had done for their fervice, might agree with the juftice ot the caufe, to efta- 
 7.>hit ti'.cii blifti the common peace and contentment. Here he enlarged himfelf fully in the In- 
 f^'L%ki,d f'""''^ praifes, ftiewing her prudence, worth, and magnanimity, qualities worthy to 
 Kingoff,««e order fo noble a Government i and finally concluded, there were already Eight thou- 
 fand Foot and Two thoufand Horfe read^' at the States leaft requeft to enter into the 
 Confines, and that as m.any morefhould be ready within three months, all which For- 
 ces ihould be paid by the King till the Wars were ended ■■, and that the Duke of A/.i>'- 
 fx/jf ftiould have an Hundred thoufand Crowns paid him every month to maintain Ten 
 thoufand French Foot, and Four thoufand Horfe i that if thefe were thought lefs than 
 Was requifite, the Catholick King would add fo many more as ftiouW be fufficient ; it 
 heing to be believed, that out of the infinite alfedtion he bore his daughter, he. 
 Ihould not fail to imploy all his force to make her a free peaceable pcfleflbr of the King- 
 dom i pronaifing and affuring laft of all, that the Princes of the Houfe of Lorame 
 
 ^fpecially,
 
 of France. The Thirteenth ^oo\, 602 
 
 efpecially, and then all the other Lords and Gentlemen fliouId.be largely requited X'ig^i 
 and contented, the Clergy brought to their firft fplendor, the Nobility fatisfied the 
 People eafed, and all the feveral Orders of France fetled, not onely in full peace and 
 tranquillity, but alfo in the ancient luftre and glory of their Nation. 
 
 The Duke of Feria having concluded his fpeech in this manner, the Bifhop of Sen- 
 lis, who, with impatience had expedted the end of it, without giving time to any othet 
 body, whom it concerned, by order, to tell his opinion, ftood up, and faid fcornfully ; l^^^i^'ltovJ'^ 
 The Politickj were in the right, who had ever faid, that intereft of State was hid under » Imc" e.Tc, 
 the Cloak of Religion, which he, with thofe of his coat, having, with infinite labour, ^ , '' 'f„,,s 
 alwayes endeavoured to confute in their Pulpits, he was now forry at heart to hear ^^'^ ^«^^ "^ 
 from the ttiouths , and by the confeflion of Ambafiadors, that it was true, and that fndopH'esins 
 the Preachers deceiving themfelves and others, had defended and proteded a thing propoCcion, 
 that was falfe -■> that from thenceforward he fhould believe the Spaniards were nolefs 
 politick than the Navarroiy, but he prayed them for their own honor, and the reputa- 
 tion of the Holy Vnion, to defift from that thought j For the Kingdom oi Fru-ice ha- 
 ving, for thefpace of Twelve hundred years, been glorioufly pofTefTed by Men, accor- 
 ding to the inftitution of the Salique Law, 't was not fit now to transfer it upon 
 \Vomen,who,by the variety of their Marriages,might call in variety of Mafters,and fub- 
 iedl the French Nation to the dominion of Forreigners. This free, .unexpeded an- 
 fwer, made byoneof the chief inftruments of the League, and of the Kings fnarpeft 
 enemies, did not onely difmay theSpanifli Ambaffadors, butmany alfoof the AfTembly, 
 doubting that fo free a reproof, made without any refped, might difcompofe all things, 
 and put them in confufion.But the l^.oi Mjyenne endeavoured with dexterity to excufe "^j^l.^ahtf. 
 the Bifliop of Senlis his words,afcribing them to cxcefs of 2eal,or too much fervour of "o"fly "='<>• 
 inind,intimating,that fometimes he went beyond himfelf, and fliewing, that when he Eiaopofs^. 
 was made fenfible of reafon, and what was fit, he would of himfelf corred that '» h»d tro 
 which,« being drawn by his firft violence,he had fo licentioufly fpoken unawares.The ^'"'^ 'pokw. 
 Ambaffadors took heart again at theehcouragementof the Duke of M(2yf««e, of Car- 
 dinal Pfi/.T.^and fome others i but truely it remained evident, that it was not out of 
 ambition, or for any interefts (as many would have had it thought,^ but becaufe his 
 confcience fo perfvvaded him , that the Bifliop of Senlis, in all the courfe of thofe 
 commotions, had fo profufely favoured the party of the Vnion, and fpoken fo fliarply, 
 and with fuch continued Liberty againft the perfon of the prefent King, and the me- 
 mory of him that was dead. However it were, certain it is, his words helped to a- 
 bate the credit of the Spaniards, and his example moved many of thofe who followed 
 the League, not for their own interefl, but in refpedt of Religion. 
 
 And yet the Spaniards not loling heart, by reafon of the Dukeof Mj)if«>«e's didimu- 
 lation, and of the hopes they had in many of the Deputies, demanded publick audience 
 in the alfembly of the States, and having obtained it, upon the Six and twentieth day 
 Jtian Biptijia Taftf was the firft that fpoke, who, with aftiort, but very cunning ruanBam* 
 fpeech, made the propofition of the2«/i«fj,and after him 7«/j^o de Mendozza with a Ttfsis md' inu> 
 long difputation divided into fevcn heads, explained the rights that flie preteflded prnpo^^'the* 
 to the fuccelTion of the Crown v both of them concluding, that it was not to put that Eie6ionof 
 in controverfie, which was to be acknowledged from the voluntary eleftion of the Ihc 'p,nbiicV° 
 State, but to inform and fatisfie them, that he alledged thofe reafons, to the end, that AfTtmbiy of 
 with prudent advice, the free difpofal of the aflembly might go along with right and ' '^'*'*'' 
 conform it felf to Juftice '-, the Infanta being willing to acknowledge that from them 
 by way of ele<ftion,which duely belonged to her by rightful fuccelTion. This propofi- 
 tion was no lefs deeply refented by the major part of the Deputies, than it had been _, .^ ^ 
 ■ by the Bifliop of Senlif ; many difdain'd, that the dominion of Strangers fliould be pro- propoficiori u 
 pofed to them, as to men who were either flaves to the will of others, or ignorant of ''i"iini='i>)' 
 their own interefts: others laught to fee this propoiition made without preparations andeft«med' 
 of Arms, men, and moneys, as both need and the reputation of the bufinefs required: ""'"'*• 
 others condemned the Spaniards of little difcretion, in having had the boldnefs to de- 
 clare their defign , without having prepoffeffed their minds and difpofed them to- 
 wards it, by the powerful preparative of private intereft i and there wanted not of thofe 
 who difputed alfo about the right j and faid, that though women fliould be declared 
 to have right to the inheritance of the Crown, it probably belonged not to her, but to 
 the Kings of Ens^land, who were firft defcended from daughters of France, and with 
 whom there had been (6 many, and fo tedious Wars to rejed that pretention, and 
 
 Hbhhs to
 
 6o4 
 
 7 he Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 >S?3- 
 
 The Sranith 
 AmbafTiJors 
 Anfwer con- 
 cerning A 
 Husband for 
 the Infanta. 
 
 The Duke of 
 M:tjiiinc beina 
 alfiireii , thi: 
 none of his 
 Son5 fhould be 
 namcil for the 
 Infanca'5 Hus- 
 band, profe. 
 cures ihe 
 Treaty with 
 thcRojallifl , 
 
 Ptttendtts to 
 the Infanta 
 out of hope 
 to attain the 
 Crown. 
 
 to uphold the Saliqtie Law, and the legitimate fucccflTion of the Males. But they that 
 were mod of all difpleafed at it C though fecretly J were the Princes of the Houfc of 
 Lorain^ who pretended to the eledtion themfclves, and the Duke of Mayenne, though 
 he more" cunningly difTemblcd it, fhewing in appearance , that he would not difTent 
 from the King of Spain s will, nor from what he had agreed upon with the Ambaffa- 
 dors at Soipns, yet he underhand flirred up the Deputies to rejedtthat propo(ition,as 
 diflionorable to the Nation, dangerous in point of fcrvitude, hurtful to themfelves , 
 and to the liberty of thofe that fhould come after thcni, and not grounded upon any 
 prefent fecurity, but all vainly fupported by the uncertaiwy of future promifes. 
 
 There was no doubt but the Deputies* would unanimoufly rcfufe that propofition, 
 yet not to exafperate the Spaniards, and to give matters time to ripen, they anfwer- 
 ed, after many complements, that their defire ihould be taken into confideration, to the 
 end an anfwer might be given as foon as was poffiblei which while it was exped- 
 ed, the Duke o( Mayenne, to find out a way to exclude that bufinefs, began to treat 
 with the AmbafTadors, what Husband the Infanta fliould have when the Sates had 
 eleded her Queen, and urged them to declare what CommilVions they had from the 
 Catholick King concerning that. Their anfwer was altogether like the reft of the 
 treaty, for they made no fcruple to declare, that the Kin^ thought of matching her to 
 Emeji, ArcHduke of Aufiria^ the Emperors Brother, whom he had alfo appointed to 
 fucceed the Duke of Parma in his Country of Flanders. This anfwer was prefently 
 excluded i for all replyed with joynt confent, That they would not have a King of a 
 different Language and Nation, and that the Ears of Frenchmen could never endure 
 to hear it •, and though the Duke of Mayenne, for divers refpeds, feigned to approve 
 of the Archduke, the reft notwithftanding declared freely they would none of him » 
 which, as foon as the Spaniards knew, feeing the InfaHta''s election would go but in a 
 defperate courfe , if fome confiderable prop were not added to uphold it, they faid 
 they had Commiffionin cafe the States approved not of the Archduke, to prop(5fe,that 
 the Catholick King would marry the Infanta to a French Prince, who ftiould be no- 
 minated and elefted by him within fix months. This Propofition difpleafed not al! 
 of them in general, becaufe there were many pretenders, among which were the Duke 
 of G«;/f, the Duke of Nemours, and the Cardinal o( Lorain •, but the Duke oi Mayenne 
 publickly commending the propofition, endeavored to found, whether they inclined to 
 any one of his Sons, and being fufficiently certified they were not like to confent unto 
 it, becaufe they would not put the Dominion of the Kingdom into his hands , being 
 certain the Infanta fliould be barely a Wife, not a Miftrifs, he began to draw the con- 
 trary way, much more than he had done before, and applyed himfelf to foment the 
 Conference, which had never been intermitted at Surenne between the Catholicks of 
 both parties. 
 
 The King, who had notice of all that was in agitation, fought every way, by 
 means of the Conference, to hinder each refolution of the States \ but his Deputies 
 could not do much in it , by reafon of the important cppofition of Religion, nay, ra- 
 ther his own Catholicks were difcotitented themfelves, that his Converfion fo much 
 dcfired,andfo often promifed,was deferred more and more every day. The Princes of 
 the Blood threatned openly, and now thought in good earneft of taking fome refi^lu- 
 tion, becaufe they faw the eledion of a King of another Family was fo clofely treated 
 of; And every one, even of himfelf, fell eafily into an opinion, that by going over to 
 the League, he might come to marry the Spanifh Infanta, and have the protedtion of 
 the Catholick Kings Forces for his eftablifliment i whereupon, not onely the Cardinal 
 o{ Bourbon was extraordinarily moved, but alfo the Count de Soiffons newly difgufted,* _ 
 by being put befide the marriage of the Princefs Catherine ; the Prince o(Conti reckon- 
 ed not the infufficiency which was believed'of him, to be to his difadvantage , but ra- 
 ther thought the Spaniards would like him' the better, to the end that the Infanta re- 
 maining without iiTue, there might fome hope continue of uniting the Crowns s and 
 finally alfo, it was pretended to by the Duke of Mompenficr, a Prince valiant in War, of 
 a moli ready Wit, handfome perfon, and graceful Behavior : So that the Infanta's ele- 
 ction perchance was betttr thought on among the King's party ,than among thofe of the 
 League. But particular men, who had not thefe prctenfions, and were onely moved by 
 th^K-^a' "^^^^ of their own profit, and that of Religion, exclaimed openly. That 
 - Kings ftubbornnefs gave to the Spanifh'cunning and boldnefs opportunity of break- 
 ing out i that now at laft all the Kings excufcs and delays were come to an end i that . 
 ven ne himfelf had no longer the heart to alledge any reafon, oor propofe any ex- 
 
 cnfe i
 
 of France. The Thirteenth ^oo^. 
 
 605 
 
 cufei that it was evident he was bewitched with the fubtilties of the Minifters, 
 and faft tied to the Dodrine of his Arch-Hereticks i that it was fit now at laft to 
 think of their Souls, of their Religion, of the fafety of themfelves and their Children, 
 and not be made inftruments to fend themfelves, and all their pofterity to the Devil i 
 that they fhould even let him and his defperate Hugonots goto perdition alone, and 
 not carry the whole Kingdom with him for company. 
 
 Next after refpedt of Religion, particular interefts immediately fucceeded •, every 
 one detefted the toil and burden of War, every one had corapaiTion upon himfelf, upon 
 the fufFerings of his own Family, the ruine of his domeftick affairs, and the continued 
 expences, that found no end ; everyone llghed, every one longed for the repofe and 
 quietnefs of Peace i and among all the reft, Moniieur d'' 0, weary of being Treafurer 
 without Money, Bellegarde, St. Luc, Termes, Sancy, Grillott, and all the old Servants 
 c( Henry the Third, bewailed themfelves, and their ill Fortune, which, in fleadofa 
 King of Gold, whom they were wont to have, had given them now a King of Iron i 
 for the late King poured forth Gold plentifully to the benefit of his Servants, whereas 
 the prefent King, in the narrownefs of his Fortune, being no lefs thjifty in his mind 
 and nature, propounded nothing for reward or recompence, but Wars, Sieges, Skir • 
 mifhes, and Battels: They faid, they could no longer fuftain the intolerable toils of 
 War, and to live inchafed between a Back and BxeR of Iron, as Tortoifts are in their 
 fliells ; that they could not abide a King accuftomed after the Hugonot tafhion, to run 
 .up and down day and night, to live by rapine, upon what they could find in the mife-. 
 rabl^ Cottages of poor Countrey people, to warm themfelves at the flami: of an houfe 
 on fire, to have their Horfes their Chamber-fellows when they flept, or the ilinking 
 Cattel of wretched Peafants i that War was ordinarily made for fome time to attain 
 peace and quietnefs; But nqw theyferveda Prince, who did not care to end the 
 troubles of War, accounting volleys of (hot, wounds, death, and battels, to be the one- 
 ly delights. Thefe complaints fbmetimes accompanied with railings and curlings, fome- 
 times fpoken among Proverbs, and inrjiZ/.n?, after the French manner, were fo pub- 
 lick, that they came to the Kings ears, which were continually filled by the ferious ad- 
 vertifements of the Count deSchombergh, and the High-Chancellor, to whom was ad- 
 ded jfiz^^fj- D:»i'^ Sieur du Perron, who, while he negotiated the Cardinal of Bourhons 
 affairs, had, by difputing, converted the Baron de Salignao,ov\t of the Kings Bed-cham- 
 ber, whom he long had favoured, and by his means had got himfelf in to converfe 
 with the King at idle-times in his moft private Lodgings j where, fometimes with 
 ferious Learned Difputes, fometimes with Eloquent Difcourfes, fometimes with Ele- 
 gant Poetry ( in which he was very excellent J fometimes with wjtty, merry talking, 
 had gotten fp much favor, that from pleafing entertainments, he was begun to be ad- 
 mitted alfo to the handling of more weighty matters. This man feeing the way to 
 his own greatnefs, was much more eafie by the Kings Converfion, than in the Car- 
 dinal of Bourbons Exaltation, fet himfelf to procure it by moft vigilant means, and 
 with all poffible endeavors, making ufeof the prefent conjunif^ure, with admirable wa- 
 linefs and difcretion. 
 
 All thefe things (but particularly the neceflfity ) which were very well known to the 
 King, at laft moved him fo, that to begin with fome fecurity to declare himfelf, he 
 gave order to the Count de Schombergh, and Secretary Revol (who were come to him, 
 to know what they fhould finally propofe in the Congregation at Surenne ) that they 
 ftiould found the mindes of the Catholicks of the League, to find how they were like 
 torelifh and receive his Converfion, if he fhould truly determine to return unto the 
 Church i which bufinefs having been confulted of among his Deputies,' they refolved 
 to make overture of it, by demonftrating tothem of theZ/'/w«, that the King would 
 obferve his promifes within a few dayes i wherefore, being met at their wonted Con- 
 ference (in which they had till then contended with great difference, and without con- 
 cluding any thing to the purpofej the Arch-Bi(hop of B(7«rgfj- told them, he brought 
 them good news, and fuch as would rejoyce every true French heart, which was,that 
 the King, touched by Gods infpiration, would, within a few dayes, comfort all his Sub- 
 jeds, by turning to the Catholick Faith, and reconciling himfelf to the Church, and 
 that therefore , as they were certain this news would be acceptable to them all, (b 
 they prayed them to fee what wayes might be taken to favour and promote that 
 Converfion, or to guide it in fucli manner, that it might bring forth the general 
 peace and quiet. All the Deputies of the League remain'd in fufpence at this pro- 
 polition 5 but the Arch»Bi(hop of Lyons , left that doubtfulnefs of mind fhould 
 
 be 
 
 i5P3« 
 
 TheRoyalliftj 
 excluded from 
 the hopes of 
 rcionin^ , and 
 weary otthcitf 
 tolls, make 
 great com 
 p'aintsa^iinft 
 the Kings oij 
 hinjcy, tay- 
 in;, Iha: 
 •■ herca. ic- 
 fc c .''ey h.id 
 a Ku'" uf •jold 
 thcv haa now, 
 a King of 
 iion. 
 
 Th« King per- 
 fwaded by 
 thofe he trad- 
 ed in, and by 
 ncceflity, cau- 
 fes a Propofi* 
 tioB to be 
 made in the 
 Conference ac 
 Su enns,iofinA 
 tow his Con. 
 verfion would 
 be relifiied, if 
 he fliould ce- 
 fclve CO turn. 
 
 The Arch-Bi- 
 (hop of Bom- 
 gis tells them 
 in the Con- 
 ference, that 
 the King in- 
 fpired by God 
 would turn to 
 the Catholieh 
 Religion.
 
 6o6 
 
 I5P3- 
 
 The Dfputi" 
 of the Lrjgue 
 anfwci" the 
 Acthbilliopof 
 'Bougn b» 
 propofition. 
 
 The HiHory of the Civil Wars 
 
 The Kingt 
 I'eputies pre- 
 fenc J wriring 
 to ihofe of the 
 Lfaguejwhicb 
 is accepted. 
 
 The SpinUrJs 
 feitin? the 
 propofitient 
 of the Royal- 
 Iifts, offer, that 
 their Kinj 
 Jho»lJ give 
 the h:fania in 
 marriane to 
 one of the 
 Ptircesof the 
 Houfe of Lo- 
 riiin. 
 
 The CatJinal 
 1-egat writes 
 to Cardinal 
 FfUr-ut, tn 
 make prote. 
 flation in his 
 name unto the 
 States, that 
 they can nei- 
 ther treat of 
 the Kings coQ- 
 vetfion,pcace, 
 roc any thincT 
 elfe, bccaufe" 
 of the Decree 
 of the Ca- 
 nons , and 
 'he Oath the 
 Deputies had 
 taken. 
 
 be difcovered, anfwered readily, that he believed his fellow Deputies would give Mm 
 leave to fay, they rejoyced at the King of Navar's converfion, that they were very 
 slad of it, and that they prayed to God it weire true and real i and for the reft he de- 
 manded time to confult with them in private, which having done for many hours, 
 becaufe their opinions differed, they at laft anfwered , that ( as they had faid before ) 
 they rejoyced at his converfion, which though it fliould come to pafs, it belonged not 
 to them to know and declare, whether it were good and fincere or noi that that was 
 a bufinefs which concerned the Apoftolick Sea, and the Popes judgment, wherefore 
 they could not fo much as think of any thing depending upon that Converfion, fhe 
 cenfure whereof was not under their power and authority i and though they perfift- 
 ed in this opinion, yet the Kings Deputies would needs prefent a Writing to them, 
 which contained three points i One an offer of the Kings Converfion i another, that 
 in the mean time while that came to pafs, the means of fecuring Religion, and con- 
 cluding Peace might be treated of i and the third, that while thefe things were doing, 
 a general ceflation of Arms might be concluded through the whole Kingdom. The 
 Deputies could sot refufe to accept this writing,which being by them brought to be dif- 
 cuffed by the D. of Mayemie and the States, the debates were very long and various i 
 for as the Rovalifts endeavoured todifcover the intentions of the Cofitederates, fothey 
 would not declare what they would do if the K.fhould publickly return unto the Church 
 But this Propofition, made by the Kings party, wrought fuch a jealoufie in the Spa- 
 nifh Ambaffadors, that with their utmoft fpirits they preffed for a refolution to their 
 defire, for the facilitating whereof, they were fain to offer, that theXatholick .King 
 (hould be content, the Infanta (hould marry one of the Princes of the Houfe of Lorain h 
 but this propofition alfo raifed many doubts, becaufe there was no certainty, the In. 
 fanta being f)nce ekdted and declared, that either flie, or the King her Father woftld 
 obfervethat promife, to which any private man can hardly be obliged, much left a 
 Queen or Princefs > and again, becaufe if that firft Husband fliould dye, (he might per- 
 haps take another, either of the Houfe of Auftria^ or a Spaniard , or of fome other 
 Nation v Hkewifc, becaufe fhe having no children by this marriage, the King of Spain 
 would afterwards pretend right to the Crown i but much more than all the reft, be- 
 caufe the Duke of Mayenne faw himfelf and his pofterity excluded from that advan- 
 tage, whereupon, not Only this bufinefs was protracted, without coming to any refo- 
 lution, biit it was dcterfnined in the States,that there fticuld be a very moderate anfwer 
 made to the Writing prefented by thofe of the Kings party in the Conference,without 
 untying, or breaking off the thread of that Treaty, wherefore, both parties being met 
 at la Koquette, 3. hoafe in the field, without the Forte S.Anthoine^ the Arch-bifliop of 
 Lyo??/ faid, that as concerning the King's Converfion, they wiflied it might be real and 
 unfained, but that not only they could not hope it was fo, but on the contrary , they 
 had great caufe to believe it was not without diflimulation j for if it had proceeded 
 from fincerity,fomany delayes and puttings off would not have been fought, and if he 
 were touched with any infpiration, he would not remain in his Herefie, and in the pub- 
 lick exercife of it, he would not cherifti and keep about him the principal Miniftcrs 
 that taught it, nor would heftill leave the chief Officesof the Kingdom in their hands i 
 and yet becaufe it appertain'd not to them to approve or reprove that Converfion, they 
 left the Judgment thereof unto the Pope, whoalone had authority to determine it> as 
 for the Treaty of Peace, and fecurity of Religion, they could not treat thereof for the 
 prefent, for many confiderations, left they fhould treat with the King of Navar who 
 was without the Church, and left they (hould give a beginning to the acknowledgment 
 of him, or anticipate the Pope's judgment. Then for the point of Ceffation, they 
 would give anfwer to that when fatisfadion was given to the two firft Articles. Thus 
 neither affenting, nor very much diffenting, they held the matter in fufpence till the 
 Duke of Mayenne faw whether the bufinefs begun with the Spaniards was like to 
 end. 
 
 But the Cardinal-Legat being wonderfully folicitous, not only becaufe the Spanifti 
 negotiation went on difficultly, but much more becaufe he faw mens minds inclined to 
 tjie Ce(ratic)n,out of the hope they had conceived of the King's converfion, and the 
 dehre of quiet, ufed his utmoft power to hinder it i and faining himfelf not w''ll,wrote 
 a Letter to Cardinal Pfl/cwupon the Thirteenthday of J/^kw, praying him to go to the 
 Mates, and in his name to make them a grave' Remonftrance of the danger and 
 damage that depended upon the Conference of Surenne, and advertife them that not 
 
 only
 
 of France. The Thirteenth 'Boo^, 607 
 
 only they could not treat concerning the converfionof tlie NavarroU^ but not fo much J 5?3' 
 as about Peace, a CeiTition of Arms, or any other bufinefswith him, as well by reafon 
 of the Decrees ot the facred Canons, and the Declarations of the Apoftolick See, as al- 
 fooftheOith they had taken, never to afTent to,or make an agreement with the He- 
 retick : Which things were fet forth in the Letter with great vehemence of words,pro- 
 tclling in the end ,that if they (hould continue to treat of Peace, or a Ceflation, he would 
 depart from the City, and fr im the Kingdom, that he might neither affent to fo great 
 an evil, nor difobey the CommilTions he had from the Pope. This Letter fir(l read by 
 tiie Cardmal in the States, and afterward publKhcd in print to the knowledge of eve- 
 ry one, did fomething bridle mens minds , who were running on eagerly toward a cef- 
 fation of Arms. 
 
 In the mean time the King knowing how much harm the want of reputation, and 
 the weakncfs of their Forces did unto the Spaniards, and not being willing to run into 
 the fame error, refolved to fet himfclf upon fume notable enterprife not far off, with 
 the noife and fame whereof he might increafe his reputation, and foment thofe affairs 
 that were tranfading in favour of him: wherefore, having drawn his whole Army 
 together, with great diligence he commanded out all the neighbouring Garrifons,and 
 made plentiful provilion of Cannon, Ammunition, Pioneers, and other things proper 
 for a fecure refolute defign, upon the feventh oijune he had laid fiege to Pr«<;c, a ThtKing.to 
 Town but fixreen leagues from F^rw, which for its lituation, fortification, and the oTt^hrpa"" 
 quality of the defendents was accounted very llrong. The Suburbs of the Town were ^t, fcfiegtik 
 valiantly taken the tirft day, they within who before thought to defend them, being ""' 
 beaten back in all places-, but when they had loft all hope of making them good, 
 they endeavoured to have burnt them down : The whole Army being quartered with 
 great celerity, thev began the next day to throw up four Trenches, which were ha- 
 Ifened with fo much diligence by the Baron r/? Biron^ and the Sieuri^^ Mnntlouet^ one 
 of the Field-Marfhals, that upon the thirteenth day all four of them were brought in- 
 to the Moat "> nor with lefs diligence were four Batteries planted i one of four pieces 
 of Cannon againft the great Bulwark, toward i\\c Porte d; Cb Mires, another of lix a- 
 gainft the Port.- de Fjm, the third of three againll the curtain toward the great Church, 
 and the fourth of five Pieces in the Faitxbmr^^ St Jshin^ which battered a great Tower 
 that liooi on that liJe. The King haftened and encouraged the Works in all places 
 with his prefencci wherefore, fcarce was the Orihn of the great Bulwark beaten down, 
 when two Colonels drew near to view the place, which being by order taken by the 
 Army for the beginning of the affault, all the feveral Nations ran furioufly to it, dri- 
 ving in emulation who fhould be rirft to give the onfet. Whereupon the befieged, 
 over-matched bv the number and refolution of the Affailants, forfook the Orillon^ in 
 which a PN.egimcnt of French lodged and fortified themfelves the fame evening. The 
 next day all the Batteries continued playing upon the wall, and the breaches being al- 
 ready made, and the Army ready to tall on in four feveral places, the defendents took 
 a refolution to quit the Town, and retire into the Caftle, which while they were doing 
 in diG)rder, they were overtaken by the Army, which at the fame time entered fu- den's qui"he 
 rioufly, and were conlhained to fire fome houfes of the Town, that they might gain Town.an.Ua- 
 time enough to retire. But the fire having done very much harm , and burnt down ny"houfcs"to" 
 many buildings on all fides, at laft by the Kings command it was quenched by the ?/•'" "^"^^ 
 SwilTcrs, who remained lah in the battalia near his Perfi^n. So upon the eighteenth fdvcs, retire 
 day, the Town remained in the King's power; and with the fame eagernefs the be- '"'otheCaiUe 
 gan to beiiege the Caftle i within the Out-line whereof, without the circuit of the 
 Walls, there being a great deal of Cattel, many of the To wnfmen, and alfo many Coun- 
 try-men who were got in thither s the Baron de Biron caufed a Petard to be faftened 
 the fame night unto the Gate, and with a great flaughter of the enemies but not with- 
 out the Blood of his Soldiers, whereof he loft above an hundred, made himfelf Ma- 
 fter of that Out-line, with all the fpoil. But the taking ot the Caftle, by reafon of its 
 fituation and ftrength, proved very difficult, and a very great number of men were flain, 
 till [he Count ^?lo/-i^>;y making them work, notwithftanding any danger whatfocver, 
 had perfedted a great Trench , under the favour whereof, the Batteries were 
 planted i which, while the King, a defpifer of all danger, was carefully over-feeing, 
 two Colonels were killed clofe by him, and the Duke of M)>itp''rtfier fore hurt with a 
 (hot in the chin, which grazing upon his )iW, wounded him alfo in the (boulder. Q- 
 vcr againft the Kiugs Batteries there flood a Tower of an ancient form, and of (b 
 
 perfe(a 
 
 <!
 
 (5o8 
 
 The Htjlory of the Civil JVars 
 
 «5P3- 
 
 Tht Spanilh 
 Ambafladois 
 (iromire in 
 rhfir Kiiiis 
 
 pcrftdl a ftrudture, (hat the Cannon-(hot which were made at it did ven httle harm. 
 Wherefore an Eniilift Engineer, conf.dering the great wafte of powder that was 
 foert with very little orn^; fruit, took a refolution to try another means, and having 
 under (hclter of certain double Planks, lined with Plates of Iron got unto the foot 
 of the Tower hecaufed three great holes like Ovens to be digged under it,and putting a 
 ' Barrel of Powder in each, gave fire to them i which though it wrought a much Icfs 
 cffedthanaMineufestodo, yet it threw down part of the Tower, and made fuch 
 a breach tliat the Artillery did better fervicc in battering the reft ; Neverthelefs, tiie 
 beHeecd were not difmaid at it, but with valiant conftancy continued for fome dayes 
 to make reliftancc. But fo diligent and' eager was the oppugnation without, that at 
 lift, after many experiments, and many afTaults, the defendants, who, befides their not 
 having any Commander of authority to govern them, faw alfo, notwithftanding the 
 nearnefs of Fjrii-,that no relief appeared from any place, refolved, out of extream ne- 
 ceiruy,to yield the;nfelves,and delivered up the Caftle into the Kings hands upon the 
 Eighth of July. .-.. 
 
 The noife of the Kings vidory difmaid the Deputies in Paris^ who, in this interim 
 had laboured no lefs in their Negotions, than they at Vreux had done in matters of 
 War i for the Spanifli Ambafladors being refolved to make the utmoft trial, met with 
 the principal of them again in Council, and told them, that to takeaway all obftacles 
 that might hinder the Infanta's Eledion, the Catholick King would be content, as foon 
 as fhe was chofen, to marry her to the Duke of Guire, which, though it ftung the Duke 
 of M^j-ew^f to the quick, yet being taken unawares, and finding no other remedyjupon 
 bchaiCto's'ivc the fudden, anfwered. That he returned moft humble thanks to his Catholick Majefty 
 LutrS'to'" for t'le fo great honor he vouchfafed to do his Nephew, but he defired to fee the Am- 
 tht Duke of baifadors Commiirion, and to know whether that condition were exprefTed in it i fur, 
 as'mc'fhoiid" by how much the greater and moredefirable the favor was, fo much much the more 
 be chfcn warily was it fit to proceed in believing and embracing it. The. Duke of Mayemie 
 thought verily, that the AmbafTadors had not that power from the Catholick King,but 
 that they propounded it of themfelves, being drawn by the neceility of affairs : But 
 he prefently perceived the contrary > for, they taking their Commiffion, fhewed an 
 Article, wherein, by way of interchange, was contained the election of the Infanta, with 
 exprefs condition, that (he fhould be married to the Duke of Guife. The Duke o(May- 
 eniti was aftoni(hed,not knowing any way to untie that knot, nor could he diflTcmble 
 fo well, but that they all perceived the alteration of his countenance : But the Sicur de 
 Biffiimpierre^ AmbafTador for the Duke of L«Mi«, relieved him, who faid, that a thing 
 of fo great importance ought not to be concluded without making his Mafter acquaint- 
 ed with it, who, as he had been principally intercffed in the expcnces and troubles of 
 the War, fo was it fit nothing (hould be concluded without having firft his opinion 
 were adverti- 3"^ confcnf, and here, to give the Duke of Mayenne leafure to think>he enlarged him- 
 Ui of it. feJf in a long difcourfe of what the Duke of Lorain had done in favour of the League, 
 and of theefteem that was fit to be had of his authority. The Spaniards, when he 
 had made an end of fpeaking, anfwered, that they aflented the Duke of Lorji« (hould 
 be informed of all that pa(red, who they were certain would be well pleafed with the 
 honor done unto his Family. In the mean time, the Duke of Mayenne having recol- 
 ledted himfelf, after he had again thanked the Catholick King, and the Ambafladors, 
 faid,That he accepted the offer » but, as it was not convenient for the Catholick Kings 
 reputation, that the Infanta (hould be elected, without having firft certain means to 
 cftabli(h her: So neither was it fit to ha7ard the State of his Nephew, and of the 
 whole Family, without thofc conditions, which being acceptable in general, and ne- 
 ce(rary for the prefent affairs, were fuflicient to maintain and fecure him for the fu- 
 ture : For that end he demanded time to confult, and to propofe thofe conditions, 
 wherewith the delign was to be effected. With this delay they parted, the Cardinal 
 Legat and the Ambaffadors remaining extreamly contented, and as it were affured, 
 that they had fleered that Negotiation into the defired Haven. 
 
 But the Duke of Mayenne, intent by all means to difturb it, began to work upon his 
 Nephew, telling him, he doubted the Spaniards had propounded him, not to effect the 
 bulmefs, but to deceive him i he not being able to perfwade himfelf, that they ftould 
 
 have 
 
 triuMcs the 
 Duke of Maj- 
 enni. 
 
 The Sieut ic 
 Saffnmf'trrc, 
 AmbaflaHor 
 for the Dukq 
 of Loit «, de- 
 mands 10 have 
 that Treaty 
 fufpeniieJ till 
 
 The Dukt of 
 Mayenne defi- 
 Toustodidurb 
 the Ptopofiti- 
 on of the Spa- 
 niardsiposs 
 many diffical- 
 ties into the 
 Duke of Cu'ifi: 
 his confidcii-
 
 of France. The Thirteenth l^ool^ 6og 
 
 (hould have laboured and donefo much to bring the Infanta to the' Crown, and fliould i5^3' 
 after be content to fubjed: her to an Husband , who being a Frenchman, and encom- 
 paffed with his own party, might govern her, and be King indeed, while flic fliouId 
 only be Queen in title: That no protit nor advantage of any kind whatfoever would 
 redound thereby to King Philip znd his Kingdom i for if his defire were only to marry 
 his Daughter to a King o( France, he might eaCly compafs that with whofoever fhould 
 polTefs the Crown, whether he were Friend or Enemy i but if he afpired to unite the 
 Crowns, this was not the way to do it, and therefore he could not fee what advantage 
 could thereby refult unto the Spanifh Monarchy ; wherefore it was good to think and 
 provide againft the deceit that might lie hidden under it : That to eledl the Infanta 
 now, and referve themfelves afterward to marry her within a certain timt, was to re- 
 fer it to her choice, either to take or refufc him ■-, and that it was neccfTary to find fonie 
 conditions to fecure the Match : But moreover, though the Kingof Spain fiiould pro- 
 ceed fincerely in that bufinefs , it was good to confider (without letting ones felf be 
 deceived by pailron) what means there were to eftablifli' themfelves in the Kingdom : 
 That there was no doubt, but the Duke of Lorain, who had hoped to have the King- 
 dom for himfelf, or that the Infanta (hould marry the Cardinal his Son, would be dif- 
 gufted at it, and withdraw his airiftance i which, how much hurt it would do, might 
 eafiiy be comprehended, by reafon of the opportnnencft of his State, through which 
 all the fupplies palTed that came out of Gerwi^wy to both parties, that it might be doubted 
 the Duke of Savoy would do the fame, who had til! now upheld the War in Provence 
 and Daitphine ■■, for being deprived of the hopes he had already conceived of obtaining 
 the Kingdom, or at leaft fome Province of it, he would no longer fubmit himfelf and 
 his States to the dangers and calamities of War i that the Duke of Nemours was al- 
 ready almoft wholly averfe from them, and only the relped: he bore to an elder Brother 
 yet held him, which if it were taken away, he doubted not but he would do his own *Rul-;con,:»^ 
 bufinefs himfelf j that the fame was to be feared of the Duke of Mercxiir, as foon as "'T'afy!^;«fc 
 he fhould lofe the hopes of obtaining Cretagne : Wherefore the Forces of the League >i^"s csfar 
 being diminifhed in that manner, it was good to think how they fliould be able to op- ItHmJ^'cf'^Z 
 pofethe Kings power, which they could hardly rcfift now they were all united i that «'?<■'''■'■•« "■ 
 the King of Spain had his hands full with the War of Flanders, and the commotions wh'!tc°TJ,7/i 
 of dragon i that his Kingdoms were exhaulkd, and that he was indebted Two Milli- '''' Rubicon, m 
 ons to the Genouefes i that he had no good Commander in Chief, and therefore it was fiTtTiKuriltl 
 to be doubted he could not perform all he promifed •, and in conclufion, that this was a "/''■"«'■'"<* "- 
 * Rubicon which could never be fufliciently thought upon before it was part over. 
 
 To thefe confiderations, the Duke of Guile anfwered moderately, making (hew that "^"i' ^^J^' "f 
 he would not digrels trom his opinion, but in his mind he thought otherwife i whereof inwardly of 
 his treaties, and manner of proceeding, the concourfe of his adherents, the meetings " f?«V» "\'hjc 
 that were made in his houfe and his Mothers, gave manifeft con jefture i wherefore the he wiii nm di- 
 Duke of Mayenne, not trufiing abfolutcly to him, thought as a fecond means to pro ^ '^ "" ~ "" ' 
 pofe fuch high conditions as might terrifie the Spaniards •, which were. That the Duke i"cis, 
 of Guife fliould be eledled King at the fame time when the Infanta fliould be chofen 
 Qtieen v that the eledlion fliould be kept fecret till the marriage were confummatei to 
 which effedl, the States fhould give authority to the Duke oi' Mayenne to declare it 
 when it fliould be time, that in cafe the Intanta fliould die firfl, the Duke of Gnifi 
 fhould remain King alone, and govern the Kingdom by himfelf i that if flie were left 
 a Widow, flie fliould be obliged to take a Husband of the Houfe of Lorain, with the 
 counful of the Princes, Peers, and Officers of the Crown j that if flie had no iflue, the 
 eldeft of the Duke of Guife^s Brothers fliould fucceed, and fo the hrft-born of the Fa- 
 mily fuccelfively from male to male i that only French-men fiibuld be admitted to Of- ' 
 frees, Places, Dignities, Benefices, Governments of Provinces, Cities, Caflles, and .^j^^ p^jj^ ^^^ 
 Fortrcffes of the Kingdom ■> that the command of the Militia, together with Autho- Maymisehin. 
 rity of Lieutenant-General, fliould be left unto the Duke of M.iyenne ; that the Go- b^Vd'c'ffcmK''' 
 vernment of the Provinces of Bourgngne, Champagne, and Urie, fliould be given to him indeed toLio- 
 and his Heirs for ever, with power to difpofe of the Governments, Offices, and Be orc.!';/;^"''' 
 nefices of them all > that Two hundred thoufand Crowns fliould be paid to him in pre- grearncfsjasks 
 fent, and Six hundred thoufand more within a certain time, for which fit fecurity fliould condHon/of 
 be given him '-, that the debts fliould be paid which he had run info- upon occafion of iiie Spaniirdj, 
 the prefent War i that One hundred thoufand Crowns Revenue fliould be affign'd to 
 him for himfelf and his pofterity, as alfo the principality of Jainville, znd the Cities of 
 
 I i i i Vitry 
 
 grcfi from his 
 Unclts Coun-
 
 OIO 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil IVars 
 
 I S9? Vitry and St. Vifier ■■> and after many other lelTer demands, that all the prefentations and 
 nominations he had made of Churches, Benefices, Governments, Donatives, Places and 
 Favours beAowed by him as Lieutenant of the Crown Ihould remain valid , as like- 
 wife all thofe he (hould make or grant, till the confummation of the Marriage, and 
 fheeftablifhmentofthe King and Queen. a ^ x. o 
 
 But thefe conditions though they were high and difhcult, did no way ftartle the Spa- 
 niards who already were refolved to fatisfie him, provided they might attain to the 
 Infaatj's ckdion, being certain they fliould find a thoufand nccafions, and a thoufand 
 cxcufcs afterwards, to obferveonly what they fliould think convenient, and being alfo 
 The Duke of billing that the Duke of Mayenne (hould be reafonably requited i but he feeing he was 
 tVZmM( excluded from the reward of his labours^ and that they thought of giving the King- 
 exciuacdfrom j^^ to Others, and not to him and his pofterity, though the foundation of all things 
 g^ns^a°TKa7 coniifted in his perfon and endeavours , and finding that the conditions propounded 
 to bring in the yy^re neither fufficient to divert the refolution of the Spaniards, nor the inclination, or 
 Ww*' "^ rather the will and defireof his Nepl\ew, refolved to fet other engins awork, to inter- 
 rupt the courfe of thofe proceedings i wherefore having ftill f though but luke- warm- 
 ly; kept the Cardinal of Bourbon in good hopes, he now profecuted that bufineft with 
 fo much heat, that it was brought in a manner to a conclufion. He demonftrated to 
 every one of the Deputies apart, how odious a thing it was to break the Salique Law, 
 how difficult to exclude the Houfe of Bourbon from the Crown, whole fucceffion they 
 had confirmed when they declared the late Cardinal of Bourbon King, by the name of 
 Charles the Tenth i how diflbnant it would be to mens ears, and how unpleafifig to 
 mens minds, to hear. Treaties were held to introduce the fucceffion of Women, and 
 the afTumption of new Families to the Crown, while there were fo many Princes in 
 the Royal Family, among which one might be chofen to the general fatisfadion ■, that 
 though the King of Navarre was oblHnate in Herefie, the Prince of Conty infufficient 
 for Government, the Count de Soijjgns loft in the love of the Princefs Catherine^ who 
 was no lefs an Hugonot than her Brother i yet was there the Cardinal of Bourbon, 
 who had always with his own danger undauntedly oppofed the increafe of Herefie i 
 that he was a Cardinal, and had ever been obedient to the Church , (b that he could 
 neither be excluded by the Pope, nor by the King of Spain •, that he was in his manly 
 age, fo that he would be a King without a Guardian, and one able to uphold the Go- 
 vernment of the Kingdom himfelf : that no great truft was to be had to the Spaniards, 
 who had failed fo much both in publick and in private i that the Ambafladors who pro- 
 mifed fuch mountains of Gold, lived themfelves very mechanically, and without that 
 decency that befitted the Majefty of their King, and the greatnefs of thofe offers they 
 made » that he himfelf had very great fums due to him, and yet could not get fo much 
 as a denier from them i that they had feen the gallant exploits Count Charles his Ar- 
 my had done i that they had fo much to do in Flanders^ they would have no leifure 
 to mind other mens bufineffes , that on the other fide the Cardinal of Bourbon's ele(ftion 
 would of it felf deftroy and conquer the King of Navarre j for there was no doubt but 
 all the Catholicks of that party would follow the Cardinal, and the Navarrois would 
 be left alone with the defperate dependence of the Hugonots , whereby the French 
 Forces alone would be able to fubdue Herefie, and eftablifli a Catholick King, and a 
 true French-man, without having furtherneed of foreign Supplies i that it was need- 
 ful to remember the Bifhop of Senlis his words , and not confirm men in a belief^ 
 that whatfoever was part had been done out of intereft and ambition, but tha:t it was 
 neceflary to (hew the world, that the fole refpedof Religion had put Arms into their 
 hands. 
 
 Thefe reafons feconded by his authority , wrought a wonderful impreffion in the 
 minds of the French, of themfelves inclined to obfcrve the Salique Laxf^ and to reve- 
 rence the Royal Family •, wherefore the Duke feeing he had drawn the major part of 
 the Deputies to his opinion, difpatched the Admiral de Villars with a Writing of Ar- 
 ticles with his own hand, to confer with the Cardinal of Bourbon^ who was at Gallion. 
 a houfe of the Archbifliop of Ko«f«'s \ but he was no fooner gone, when he fent one 
 port after him, to give him order not to make too much hafte i for Prefident Jeannin, 
 and the Archbifliop of Lyons , together with Madam de Mompenfw\ had put him iu 
 piind of another, fufficient means to divert the Spanifli defigns, without running fi* 
 haftily to the eledtion of one that was his Enemy , who alfo by the weaknefs of his 
 underftanding , and lightnefs of his nature , would not be very fit to govern in times 
 
 c.^
 
 of France. The Thirteenth ^oo^ 
 
 6ii 
 
 of fo great diftracSion, and that he endangered the dividing of his party, for it was 
 very probable the Duke of Guife and his adherents, upheld by the Spaniards, would 
 not approve that eledlion > in which cafe his third party would be the weakefl of them 
 all. The remedy they propounded was that of the Parliament, whofe authority they 
 thought fuflicient to hinder the bufinefs in agitation : wherefore Madam de Montpenfier 
 having excited the firft Prefident le Maijire to think of fome means that the Crown 
 might not fall into the hands of Strangers ■■, he, as a man of good intentions, and who 
 had followed the League for no other end but the Catholick Religion, fct himfelf bold- 
 ly to the enterprife, and after the managing of it many days, aiTcmbled all the Cham- 
 bers of the Parliament, and with full confcnt of all caufed a Decree to be made of this 
 Tenor following : 
 
 UPon the Propofitions already made to the Court of Parliament by the Vrocurettr 
 General^ and the bufinefs taken into deliberation in the meeting of the Counfel- 
 lours of all the feveral Courts, the faid Parliament not having (as it never formerly 
 hadj any other intention than to maintain the Roman Catholick Apoftolick Religion, 
 and the State and Crown of France under the protedtion of a moft Chriftian Catholick 
 French King, hath ordered, and doth order, that this day after dinner Prefident la 
 Maijire, accompanied by a good number of the Counfellours of this Parliament, (hall 
 make remonftrance to my Lord the Duke of Mayenne, Lieutenant General of the State 
 and Crown of France , in prefence of the Princes and Officers of the Crown, who at 
 this prefent are in this City, that no Treaty ought to be held for the transferring of the 
 Crown into the hands of Foreign Princes or Princefles •, that the Fundamental Laws of 
 this Kingdom ought to be obferved , and the Decrees made by the Parliament about 
 the declaring a Catholick and French King executed i that the faid Duke of Mayenne 
 ought to ufe the authority that hath been given him , to hinder the Crown from being 
 ("under pretence of Religion) transferred into the hands of Strangers, againft the Laws 
 of the Kingdom: Moreover, that he ought to provide as foon as may be for the re- 
 pofe of the people, by reafon of the extream neceility to which they are reduced, and 
 in the mean time the faid Parliament hath declared and doth declare, ail Treaties held, 
 dr that (ball be held for the future, about the elhblilhment of any Foreign Prince or 
 Frincefs whatfoever, invalid, and of no force or effedt, as being in prejudice of the 
 Salique Larv, and the other Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom. 
 
 This Intimation or Remonftrahce being made in publick by the Prefident unto the 
 Duke of Mayenne, though he made (hew to refent it , and with grave words repre- 
 hended the boldnefs of the Parliament s yet it bridled the Spani(h Treaty very much j 
 for the A(rembly of the States (which more than any other body ought to have re- 
 fented this decree of Parliament as made in prejudice of their authority) (hewed on 
 the contrary that they were not difpleafed at it, and being poffeffed by the Duke of 
 Mayenne's Agents , abhorred the attempt of the Spaniards , and inclined to a Truce, 
 concerning which they treated now more hotly than ever in the Conference at Surenne, 
 Much greater was the inclination of the Parifians, who tired out with their neccllities, 
 and feeing no nearer way to their redrcfs than the conclufion of a Truce, the fweet- 
 nefs whereof they had begun to tafie in that little Ce(ration of Arms that had been in 
 thofe quarters, impatiently dcfired an accommodation, and raging, threatned the Princes 
 and the A(rembly, unlefs they took a ff ecdy refolution i and being perfwaded that the 
 Spaniards would not fuffer their Army to come and help the necellities of the City by 
 opening the pa(res , only becaufe their aim was to curb them, and keep them down, 
 whenfoever the AmbafTadors went abroad in publick, they were followed with ill lan- 
 guage and cries of derifion. 
 
 The Kings feafonable refolution abfolutely turned the fcale of aflfairs •, for he know- 
 ing all things that were in agitation, doubted with reafon, that if the League (liould 
 eled the Cardinal of Bonrban, the Catholicks that followed him, would all be like to 
 forfake him , whereof there appeared fuch manifeft figns, and fuch open murmurings 
 were heard, that it was not at all to be doubted i for the things alledged by thofe of 
 the Vnion in the Conference at Surenne, had made imprelTion in mens minds i and not 
 only the Princes and Lords, but generally all private men grieved and dete(ied to (pend 
 their lives and fortunes for the eftabli(hment of Herefie , which formerly they were 
 wont to light againit and perfecute ; and even in the Kings own lodgings there were 
 
 I i i i 2 heard 
 
 Th: Duke uf 
 *Mayntte to 
 fainJer chc 
 SpaDilh dc- 
 fign, gets the- 
 Parliament of 
 i'j li to make 
 a Decree, tbac 
 the Crown 
 lliould not be . 
 traosterrcd 
 upoa Ittan- 
 gers, and to 
 give order to 
 him to hindct 
 all fuch hue 
 TcMcici. 
 
 Tht Spmini 
 Ambafladors 
 going cbrou;;fa 
 the ftreets of 
 I'lris, are 
 irocked ani 
 abufednichiU 
 language.
 
 6 12 The Htslory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i^p.. heard continually the voices of them that curfed tlieir own blindncfs, and exhorted 
 another mutualiv to change their refolutions, (howing that lince fo many promifes 
 
 one ; 
 
 iTiade to them had been broken, they were obliged to take a courfe for the maintenance 
 of Relieion and their common fafety i that it was now no longer time to flied their 
 blood for a Prince obfiinate in Herefie , and who abuling their credulity fo long, had 
 fed them vainly with words i that it was high time to take notice how by fighting mad- 
 ly Catholick againft Catholick, they did nothing elfe but prepare the Kingdom, either 
 for the Spaniards or theHugonots, equally their Enemies ■■, that there had been enough 
 done to maintain the lawful Succeflbr of the Crown, but he (hewed himfelf ungrate- 
 ful for fo great fcrvices, and obftinate in his errour ; that he was no longer to be fol- 
 lowed in his perdition i but it was fit (reuniting the Confciences of the Catholicks) 
 to cliablifli a King who fhould acknowledge the gift he received from the good will of 
 bis Subjeds V that there were already fo many Princes and Lords, fo many Knights 
 and Gentlemen, and fo many valiant Souldiers flain in that caufe, that the Kingdom 
 was thereby all wounded, bloodlefs, and dying i and if fome remedy were not ap- 
 plied, they were near facrificing the very Carcafs of France to the wickednefs of the 
 Hagonots, and to the pride of the Spaniards. 
 
 The Princes of the Blood after many Confultations, were much more refohite, and 
 the Duke of Montpeitfur who lay in Bed by reafon of his hurt, told the King when he 
 came to vifit him , that all the Princes were ready to forfake him, and that he himfelf 
 in the condition he then wa», though he did it with grief of heart, would not yet be 
 the laii: to fave his Soul, and fatisfie his Confcience. Laftly, the Count of Schomherg, 
 being advertifed by Monfieur de Villeroy, told him, the Admiral Villars was already up- 
 on his way, carrying Articles to the Cardinal of Bourbon, that within a few days he 
 (liould hear, he, and all the reft of the Princes would be at Paris ■■, that God had given 
 him the vidory , and expedted the fruit thereof i that having taken Vreitx with fo 
 much honour in the very face of his Enemies, he might now turn unto God, and to 
 the Church, and none could believe he did it perforce. The fame did Secretary Re- 
 W confirm, the fame ^/i'frov himfelf wrote unto him (torn Pontoyfe, fhewinghim, that 
 he could not avoid one of two things, either that the Cardinal of Bourbon being ekdcd 
 King, would deprive him of the adherence of his Catholicks i or that the Infanta b^ 
 ing chofcn with the Duke ofGuife, all tlie ftrength of the King of Spain would be 
 poured out, and come like a torrent upon him. 
 
 The King moved by thefe confiderations, or elfe interpreting the fo urgent conjun- 
 cture of affairs, to be as it were a Divine Infpiration, and thinking himfelf called by 
 fome heavenly and more than humane power, determined to turn Catholick, and fens 
 Meffengers with fpeed on all fides, to call Prelates and Divines to afliift and inftrud; 
 femu fof Pre- him in his Converfion, Among thefe , he invited fome of the Preachers of I'arif^ 
 I'lliVsV'r'^ ^f thereof fome refufed to go, and fome few, among which was the Curate of St. Eu" 
 verji places," ft ache, (though the Lcgat advlfed and Commanded otherwife) woald yet be prefcntat 
 '{i^a&ld^t"' ^° folemn an adion. All thefe being met together at Mante, the King having received 
 Mmte, pub- fufficicnt inftrudion in matter of the Articles of Religion that were in controvGrfie, 
 tljf'^o';"'' feemed to clear up his mind, and vifibly to apprehend the Hand of God, which re- 
 MafsStstDj- calling him from his Errours , brought him back into the Bofom of the Church, and 
 Fwe"anS''" Uidide it be noifed abroad, that upon the Five and twentieth of Jpily he would go to 
 twtiKieth of Mafs at St. Dem. 
 
 TbJ Arciib- '^^^^ "^^^ '^'^ Deputies brought to the Conference of Snrenne, where the Archbi- 
 
 «i"Pofi3wja ^f*? oi Bourges recapitulating all things paft, concluded. That the King had cauJed 
 
 the'conTc'" ^^^ Marquifs of Pifany to be fent to Rome, to find means that his Converfion might be 
 
 »ence at Su. authorifed by the Pope v but fince he had not been received, he would no longer de- 
 
 KTny'iweV!!! ^"^"^ "Or put off his own Salvation, but would reconcile himfelf to the Church, thatafter- 
 
 eiich° f"°"' "^^^^^ he might fend to render due obedience to the Pope, by a folemn confpicuous 
 
 ttcchw!fa/° Enibafliei and that having confulted with the other Prelates and Divines, they had 
 
 determined. That the King fhould make himfelf be abfolved ad futuram cauteUm^ 
 
 and go to Mafs , that afterward he might demand the Popes Benedidion » and that 
 
 this for many reafons had been thought the neareft and rooft fecure way , as well 
 
 not to put the Crown in arbitrement to the difcretion and declaration of Strangers, 
 
 as to find a fpeedy remedy for the necelTities of the Kingdom. The Archbifhop' 
 
 ^Ir. "^ on the contrary difputed, that he could not be received without the Popes- 
 
 autnt, nor abfolved without his Declaration, and protefted, that they would neither 
 
 account
 
 of France^ The Thirteenth 'BooL 
 
 6i^ 
 
 account hiraaCatholick, nor acknowledge him King without order from the Pope, to 
 whom abfokitely addrcfs was to be made, before coming to thofe Adts of Abfolution. 
 
 But the report of his Converiion being fpread abroad among the people, there was 
 no curb could bridle men from rejoycing, nor their tongues from divulging and arguing, 
 that upon it depended the Pacification of the Kingdom i fo that the Cardinal-Legat in 
 great perplexity of mind , publifhed a Writing to the Gatholicks of France upon the 
 Thirteenth of /«/>', wherein he advertifed thetn of the perverfe Authority which fume 
 Prelates arrogated to themfelves of abfolving the King o( Navarre from Cenfures, and 
 exhorted them not to believe that falfe Converfion, and the perverfe way that was ta- 
 ken about it : And lafily, forbad all men to go to thofe Conventicles, with danger of 
 incurring the Cenfure of Excommunication, and of being deprived of thofe Ecclefia- 
 ftical Benefices and Qignities they polTeffcd. But it was all in vain i for all mens minds 
 were in motion , and the obftacle of Religion being removed , every one enclined to 
 acknowledge the lawful SuccelTor, and by that means to pacific the Kingdom. From 
 this general inclination the Great Ones were not averfe i who though they would not 
 fwerve from the Popes Judgment, and the Declaration of the Apoftolick See, thought 
 yet it was not fit to innovate any thing more, till they faw the elfed of his Conver- 
 fion, and the Popes intention i which opinion fomented by the Duke of Mayenne^ and 
 forced by the necefTity of affairs , was imbraced even by the Duke of Guife himfelf, 
 who in fuch a conjundure , thought his election would prove ridiculous to others, 
 and ruinous to himfelf i which he himfelf, being accompanied by the Marefchals de la 
 Chajlre and St. Faul^ gave the Spanifli Minifiers to underfland. 
 
 In the mean time, half the City of Pans ran to the fpedacie of this Converfion, 
 evtn from the day before the Abfolution, which was the Five and twentieth oi July^ 
 being the Feafl of the Apollle St. James -, which day, the King cloathed all in white, 
 but accompanied with the Princes, Lords, and the whole Court, with the Guards be- 
 fore them in Arms, went to the chief Church of St. Df«w, the Gates whereof they 
 found fhut, at which the High Chancellor knocking, they were prefently opened, and 
 there appeared the Archbifhop oi Bourges fitting in his Chair in his Pontifical Habit, 
 and invironed with a great number of Prelates. He asked the King, Who he was, 
 and what he would have ? The King anfwered. That he was Henry, King of France 
 and Navarre^ and that he demanded to be received into the Bofom of the Catholick 
 Church. To which the Archbifhop replying, asked. If he defired it from the bottom 
 of his heart, and had truly repented him of his former Errours ? At which words the 
 King protefling upon his knees, faid, He was forry for his former Errour, which he 
 abjured and detefled , and would live and die a Catholick in the Apoflolick Roman 
 Church, which he would proted: and defend, even with the hazard and danger of his 
 very life. After which words having with a loud voice repeated the ProfelTion of 
 Faith , which was prefented to him in writing , he was with infinite acclamations of 
 the people, and inceffant vollies of (hot brought into the Church, and kneeling down 
 before the high Altar, he repeated the prayers that were didtated to him by the Arch- 
 bifliop, and thence having been admitted by him to fecret Confeffion, he came to fet 
 under the Dj/z, or Cloth of State , and with a general gladnefs and rqoycing was 
 prefent at the folemn Mafs celebrated by the Bifhop of Nantes ■■, after which, thorow a 
 wonderful throng of people, and refounding cries of Vive le Roy, which afcended to 
 the Skies, He returned again to his Palace. 
 
 In this interim affairs having taken fuch a different impreifion, the States gave anfwer 
 to the Duke of Feria and the other Spanifh AmbafTadors i who being brought into the 
 AfTembly, the Duke of Mayennegx^vdY gave thanks unto the Catholick Kings Majefiy, 
 as well for the affiftance of his paft, and the promife of his future Supplies, as for the 
 honour done unto his Family, in offering the Infanta in marriage to his Nephew the 
 Duke of Guife ■■, and in the end told them, that the AfTembly having well confidered all 
 things, did not think the time feafonable to make any Eledion, but that they prayed 
 his Catholick Majefiy to ftay.for the ripenefs of opportunity , and in the mean time 
 not to fail them of his wonted protedfion and promifed Supplies. 
 
 After this refolution, which daflied all the Spaniards, it was determined in the States, 
 that they fliould follow the conclufion of the Truce : and though the Legat oppofed it 
 ilrongly, and protefted oftentimes that he would be gone i yet being pacified by the 
 leafons that were reprefented to him, and with the offer of caufing the Council of Trent 
 to be received in the States, he let himfelf be perfwaded to continue in the City, being 
 
 alfo 
 
 i5P3' 
 
 The Duke of 
 Cutfe ttlls the 
 Spaniards, thac 
 his ElcSionco 
 be King of 
 Trance would 
 prove ridicu- 
 lous ro others, 
 and ruinous 10 
 himfelf. 
 
 The Ceremo- 
 nies ufeJ in 
 the AS of che 
 Kings Cot>- 
 verfion upon 
 St. famts his 
 day, ^rtno 
 1593- liy the 
 Archbiflsop of 
 '£"Urge! in ths 
 chiet Church 
 oJ St. Denk. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Miytvns tells 
 the Spanifli 
 Ambaffadors 
 in tiie name of 
 all the States, 
 that chcy had 
 determined to 
 dtfer the ele- 
 fiion of their 
 future King 
 till anothcc 
 time.
 
 6i4 
 
 The Truce 1! 
 cpncluJed and 
 fublillied for 
 three monthi : 
 the States are 
 liilmifled, and 
 invited to 
 meet at the 
 fame place in 
 oa».'e. follow- 
 in" J having 
 firit made a 
 Decree for the 
 leeeiving the 
 Council of 
 
 The Hifiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 alfo uncertain whether his departure would be well taken at Rome So in the Coofe- 
 rcnce at Surenne a general Truce was eflabjjlhed thorow the whole Kingdom for the 
 three next months, Auguji, Seftewher, and Otwi.r and K was pubhfhed with infinite 
 joy among the people in all places i after whjch the Duke of Mayenne being defirous to 
 difmifs the AiTembly honourably, firft caufed a Decree to be made for the receiving the 
 Council cf IreHt, and then aflembling the States upon the eighth of Afguji, he made 
 thtm all fvvcar to perfevcre in tbeVtion, and not to depart from it ; and having given 
 order that they ftiould meet again in the fame place in the month ofOaober following, to 
 deliberate upon theftate of affairs with thofc InftrucSions they ftiould have from Home, 
 he atlaft difmifled them all, and the Depaties willingly departing, returned to their 
 own houfcs. 
 
 The End of the Thirteenth BOOK. 
 
 THE I
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F TH E 
 
 Civil Wars of France- 
 
 By HEV^%1C0 CATE'RI^O "DAVILA 
 
 The Fourteenth BOOK, 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THis Book^coMtains the means ufed by the Kwg to make his Converjion more 
 fruitful : the continuation of the Truce for the two other months, No- 
 vember and December , at the end of which Meaux fir^ of all fubmits to 
 his obedience: The Sieiir de la CXxd&tt foUorvs with the City ^/Bourges, and 
 the Admiral Villars with Havre de Grace and Rouen : the Count deBrifl'ac 
 Governonr of Paris mj.kes a compojition, and the King being received into the 
 City without tumult , drives out the SpaniJJ) Ambajfadors and Garifon j the 
 Cardinal-Legat departed alfo, and goes out of the Kingdom. Mzny other Ci' 
 ties follow the Kings fortune j and fnally the Duke of Nemours is imprifon^ 
 ed, and the City of Lyons furrenders it felf : The Duke of Mayenne renews 
 other conditions with the Spaniard to profecute the War ; he comes to parley 
 with Erneft Archduke of Auftria Governonr of the Low-Countries, and at 
 laji goes into Picardy with Count Charles of Mansfelt and the Army. The 
 King befieges Laon ^ the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniards attempt to re- 
 lieve it.^ there follow many encounters , at laji they retire, and the place is 
 yielded: The Sieur do. Balagny ^^e/ over to the Kings obedience with the 
 City of Cambray •■} he is Ukewife received into Amiens and other Towns in 
 Piccardy. The Duke of Montpenfier takes Honfleur. There happen divers 
 encounters ?«Bretagne, Languedoc, Provence and Dauphine. The King 
 being returned to Paris, is in his own Lodgings wounded in the Mouth by a 
 young Merchant:, he is taken, confejfes the fact, and is executed for it, and 
 the Jefuites are banified out of the Kingdom. The King public kly proclaims 
 War againji the King of Spiin, and renews the Negotiation at Rome, to ob- 
 tain Abfohttion from the Pope. The Marefchal de Byron is declared Gover- 
 nour of Bourgogne. He begins the War profperoufly in that Trovince, takes 
 Autun, Auxerrc, and at lafi Dijon , and bejieges the Cajiles of it. The 
 Sieur de Tremblecourt and d' Oflonville enter to infefi the County of Bour- 
 gogne, (which fsfubjeit to the Crown ^/Spain) and takes fime places there. 
 
 The 
 
 til
 
 "Hg^' 
 
 5ii^ The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5P3- 
 
 The Ctmjiahlc of Caftille Governour of Milan, goes to relieve that Province ; 
 the King ^oes likemfe to re-itiforce thofe that were beCieging the Cafile of Dl- 
 ion. They Ktcet, and fight rvith vponderfnl vario/ts fortune at Fountain Fran- 
 coiie. The Colifiable retires beyond the Rirjer Soane ; the King follows hifft^ 
 pjffcs the Riverj and they fight again, ivithoftt any great efeCl. The King 
 returns to the fiege of the Cajilcs, which furrender themfelves--, he concludes 
 a Truce with the Diik^ of Mayenne that they might treat of an accommoda- 
 tion •-, and makes his entry into Lyons. The Pope rejohes to give the King, 
 his Bencdi&ion 5 the Ceremony is fclemnized with great joy at Rome ; the 
 news of it is brought to the Court, whither there likewife come good tidings 
 from Dauphine and Laiiguedoc. 
 
 H E Kings Converfion was certainly the inoft proper, and moft 
 powerful remedy that could be applied to the dangerous difeafe 
 of the Kingdom i but the Truce fo opportunely concluded, did 
 alfo difpofe the Matter, and gave due time for the working of fo 
 wholfom a Medicine i for the people on both fides, having be- 
 gun to tafte the liberty and benefits that refulted from concord, 
 in a feafon, when Harvefl and Vintage made them more fenfible- 
 of the happinefs , fell fo in love with it, that it was afterward 
 much more eafieto draw them, without many fcruples, or cautions, to a defire of peace, 
 and a willing obedience of their lawful Prince. As foon as the Truce was begun, men 
 prefently fell to convcrfe freely one with another, being not only of the fame Nation, 
 and fame Blood, but many of them ftraitly conjoyncd, either by friendship or kinred ■■, 
 in fuch fort, that difcords and hatreds being driven away, or indeed thofe fadions and 
 intcreds that had kept them fo long divided, every one rejoyced to reunite himfelf with 
 his friends, and again to take up their former love, and interrupted familiarity, and 
 with mutual helps and alTiftances to redrefs thofe necelTities and calamities, which the 
 length of War had produced. And there being frequent kind meetings among all per- 
 fons, every one related his part fufferings, detefted the occafions of fuch wicked dif^ 
 cords, inveighed againft the Authors of fuch pernicious evils, praifing and magnifying 
 the benefits that followed Peace and Concord v in which meetings and difcourfes, the 
 Kings Caufe being much more favourable, (by reafon of the manifeil rights he had to 
 tlie fuccellion of the Crewn, and becaufe fcruple of Confcience was in great part taken 
 away by his Converfion) thofe things that.were fpoken in his favour, began already to 
 be popularly embraced, and mens minds enclined to yield themfelves to his obedience, 
 rather than continue fo ruinous a Civil War, to fatisfie the pretentions of the Duke of 
 Mayenne, or the already nianifeft intentions t)f the Spaniards. They of the Kings party, 
 talking and difcourfing with thofe of the League, alledged the clemency andgoodneft 
 of the Prince they ferved, the fincerity wherewith he had turned to the Catholick Faith, 
 his familiarity, and affability to all his followers, his valour and courage in Arms, his 
 prudence and fagacity in Government, his profperous fuccefs in cnterprifes : And on 
 the other fide , asked thofe that were for the League, if they did not yet perceive the 
 Ambition of the Houfe oi Lorain , and the fubtilties of the Spaniards ? Upbraided 
 them, that they made War againft the good true Frenchmen, in favour of the ancient 
 Enemies of the Nation , and that with their own bloods they fought to eftablifli the 
 Spanifli Monarchy upon the ruincsand dcfolations of France; they deplored fo great a 
 blindnefs, and prayed them, that recovering their wonted charity towards their Coun- 
 try , and taking compaifion of themfelves , they would take (belter under the benig- 
 nity of that Prince, who ftood with his Arms open, ready to receive and content 
 them. 
 
 Thefe things made wonderfial imprelTions in mens minds, quite tired with the War, 
 and beaten down with the calamities they had continually endured j and the King be- 
 having himfelf with his utmoft induftry, gratioufly received , and filled with very 
 large hopes, all thofe that came to fpeak with him j and under pretence of going to 
 fee their Houfcs , and their Friends, cunningly made his moft trufty Counfellors dif- 
 P"!"^. ^I^^n^felves into feveral places, labouring with great art to draw men in all places 
 to his devotign. And becaufc the Duke of Mayenne ftill kept pradiceson foot, cither 
 
 ■ -to
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^oo{. 
 
 617 
 
 to conclude the Peace, or prolong the Ceflation v under this excufe the Sieur de Saucy, 
 the Count of Schombergh^ and Prefident de Thou went to TarU^ and flaying there ma- 
 ny days, endeavoured both by wary managing the bufinefs, and by force of eloquence, 
 to gain the King the moft adherents they could poiTibly. The Archbifhop of Bonrges 
 went to that City, under colour of vifiting his Diocefs, to treat with the Sieur de la 
 Chajire, whom they had already difcovered to be much (candaliied with the Spaniards 
 xnanner of proceeding. The High Chancellor went into the Territories of Orleans 
 under pretence of over-feeing his own affairs. The firft Prefident of the Parliament 
 c( Rotten went thither, to introduce fome Treaty with the Admiral ViU-trs-., for which 
 «ffed: the King himfelf alfo hovered about thofe quarters. The Sieur de Fleury went 
 to Ponioyfe to treat with his Brother-in-law, the Sieur de Villeroy^ and the Prelates that 
 had had to do in the Kings Converfion , difperfed themfelves into fevcral places, to 
 teftilie the fincerity of his repentance, and to imprint thofe rcafons by which they ar- 
 gued in juftification of that authority whereby they had given him abfolution. In this 
 manner the Kings bufinefles went on within the Kingdom, whilft Lodovko Gomaga 
 Duke of Nevers, chofen AmbaflTador to Kowf, fet himfelf in order to go with a gallant 
 Train, to yield obedience in the Kings Name unto the Pope, and at his feet to delire 
 the confirmation of matters already done. The King refoWcd to fend along with him 
 Cljude d' Angenes Bifhop of Mam , a man for his learning and experience known in 
 the Court of Rome , Jaquet Davys Sieur dtt Ferron elefted Bifliop of Eureux, Louis 
 Seguiere Dean of Parii , and Claude Gonin Dean of Beauvit , both famous Canonifts : 
 fcut becaufe the Duke of Nevers, both by reafon of the quality of his perfon, and in 
 refped of his indifpofitions, could not make the journey with fo much hafte, the King 
 difpatched the Sieur de la Clielle polfe before, with Letters to the Pope full of humility 
 and fubmilTion, wherein he gave him account of his Converfion, and of the EmbalTle 
 he had appointed to ask his Benediction, and render him due obedience. The King 
 thought the Duke of Nevers very fit for that imployment, not only as being a Prince 
 exceedingly famed for wifdom , and a perfon full of honour and reputation ■> but alfo 
 becaufe, being an Italian , befides his readinefs of language to be able to negotiate 
 without Interpreters, he had many dependencies among the Princes of Italy, and much 
 intereft with many of the Cardinals : and he added thofe four Prelats, that with Cano- 
 nical and Theological reafons they might be able to reprefent and maintain what they 
 themfelves had done in his Abfolution : But he alfo thought good to fend la Clielle 
 before, as well to demonftrate his impatient defire to gain the Popes favour , as be- 
 caufe, being a crafty man, and of a deep reach, he hoped he might opportunely diP- 
 pofe the bufinefs before the Dukes arrival. Thus did the King fet forward the courre 
 of Affairs. 
 
 But the ends were neither Co certain, nor the means of handling them fo refblute 
 on the other fide '■> for the interefts of the Confederates being various, and often repug- 
 nant to one another, matters proceeded not in one and the fame way. The Duke of 
 Mayenne had given notice to the Kings party, that he had. embraced the Truce, to ex- 
 pe&: what fliouid be refolved on at Rome, interpofing no other difficulty but the Popes 
 alTent about the conclufion of the Peace : And therefore he continued to treat by the 
 means of Villeroy , and Prefident Jeannin, to whom he afterward added the Sieur ds 
 Baffompier, to fiiew, That in all things the Duke of Lorain was united with him, and 
 by means of thefe, who eagerly negotiated the conditions of agreement, he promifed 
 he would fend the Cardinal of Jnyettfe, and the Baron de Senecey to Rome to intercede 
 to the Pope, that approving the Kings Converfion, he would be contented that by ac- 
 knowledging him, an end might be put to the Civil War i and fetting this as a prime 
 foundation, he treated neverthelefs of fecuring the Catholick Religion, and of eflablifh- 
 ing the affairs of his own Family : But inwardly his thought was very different i for 
 his hopes of attaining the Crown not being yet quite extindt, and attributing all fini- 
 ftcr events to the malignity of the Spanifli Miniftcrs, and not to the intention of the 
 Catholick King , he fpeedily difpatched his Wives Son the Sieur de Montpezat, with 
 Bel'ifjire, one of his confiding Minifkrs, unto the Court of Spain to found the mind 
 of the King, and of his Conncil, and to labour to remove the jealoufies which the 
 falfe relations of the Duke of Feria, and Diego d' Ivarra had begot, and to defire that 
 the Infanta being chofen Queen, might marry his eldeft Son, and if the King con- 
 fented to it, they fhould fettle the conditions, and require fuch fupplies as were ne- 
 ceflTary to bring the enterprifc to a conclufion. For this end he had embraced the 
 
 K k k k Tjuce, 
 
 MP3- 
 
 :^iigt Duke of 
 A'cufM is cho- 
 fen AmbafTa- 
 lior of obedi- 
 ence to the 
 Pope from the 
 King after Iri» 
 Converfion, 
 and four Pre* 
 lates are ap- 
 pointed to ae- 
 companj him. 
 
 The Duk* of 
 Maycnut fends 
 the Sieur de 
 Mjtiifrx^i into 
 Span;, to treat 
 niih the Ca- 
 itioiick King, 
 that the Infin- 
 ta being «le3> 
 ed Queen of 
 Francej mi^bc 
 be given ia 
 marriage to 
 his eilcft Soa.
 
 5,8 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5?3- 
 
 Truce and defired it fliould continue to give time for the negotiating of this affair, 
 and for thofe preparations that (hould be made m S^sm. _ 
 
 On the other lide, the Spanifli Minifters were more than ever fixt in their refolution, 
 rot to aflcnt to his advancement i being certain, that when he fliould have attained his 
 intention he %■* ould be moil ungrateful for the benefit received, and a tnoft bitter Ene- 
 iTiy to thc'ir Monarchy : Whereupon they not only continued to honour and favour the 
 Duke of Guiji , and to promife him the marriage of the Infanta i but the Duke of 
 Fen J and Vifgo d' Ivarra, plotted how to transfer the Duke of Mayenne'^s power upon 
 him and to fupprefs his Uncle by his means i and they went on fo far, (being drawn 
 by hatred and difdainj that fometimes they thought of taking away his life i but that 
 was contradit^ed not only by Juan Bapiiji a Ttf//?j',and Inis^o de Me»dozz.a, men of more 
 moderate minds, and who meafured things more by rcafon than palTion : but even the 
 Duke o{ G/iiJe himfcif was not inclined unto it, being a youth of a (olid nature, and 
 TJoht intention i who on the one fide abhorred to plot againft his Uncle i and on the 
 other, knew himfcif too weak both in reputation and forces to overcome the mature 
 prudence of the Duke of Mayemie, and the well-grounded authority he had fctled in 
 his party. They that helped to keep the Duke of Guilds youthful thoughts in the 
 right way, were the Marefchals de la Chajlre, Kofne^ and St. ?a«/, who had been long 
 ago bred up by his Father j and both becaufe they had been exalted by the Duke of 
 Mayftine, and becaufe they knew the arts of the Spaniards, diffwaded him from fetting 
 himfelf upon that precipice, offering to his confideration , that he had neither Men, 
 Moneys, Cities, nor Commanders that depended upon him j that the Spaniards were 
 reduced to Cxtream necelTity for want of Money, Count Charles his Army deftroyed, 
 the affairs of Flanders in an ill condition, and without a Head that was able to order ■ 
 matters of fo great weight i that on the other fide, the Duke of Mayenne held all the 
 / Cities and Fortreffes of the party in his own hands, that he had a long fetled Autho- 
 
 rity among the people , was highly efteemed for valour and prudence , that all the 
 French Forces depended upon him , that the Duke of Lorain was joined with him, 
 that the Dukes of Aumale and £//>««/ depended on his will, and the Parliament was 
 united with him i fo that to let himfelf be ingaged by the perfwafions of Strangers, 
 was nothing clfe but to expofe his own fortune to a moft certain ruine, to pleafe two 
 malignant Minilters, who fowed fire and flames, to fatiate that hatred which without 
 much reafon they had conceived i which eonfidcrations added to the weaknefs and 
 ill carriage of the Spaniards, made fuch an imprellion in the Duke of G»//e, that he 
 began to be difgufted with them, accounting himfelf mocked in the marriage of the 
 Infanta, and being incenfed that they (hould go about to ufe his youth as an inftru- 
 Ttient to ruine his Family. 
 
 Among thefe, the Cardinal-Legat, as he did not totally affent to what the Spanifh 
 Minifters plotted againft the Duke of Mayenne i fo was he difpleafed with him for ha-r 
 ving croffed the election of the Infanta, and of the Duke of Guife--, in the invention 
 whereof, he thought he had (to the exceeding great glory of his wifdomj found 
 means abfolutcly to gain unto himfelf the good will of the Catholick King, with the 
 fecuring of Religion, and the exclufion and fuppreilion of the Kmgoi Mavarre ■, which 
 were the three principal points of his defigns, and that he had alfo found a perfon of 
 the Nation who was liked of by the people, which was the point whereupon he preffed 
 the Popes Commiilions > and now feeing that thought fruftrated, and the Truce pur- 
 pofcly concluded with the contrary party , he was extreamly vexed at it s wherefore 
 Itill perfifting and continuing to perfwade the Confederates not to make any reflcdlion 
 upon the imaginary Converfion of the Navarrois, (fo did he yet call him in contempt j 
 he laboured to make an agreement amongft them , to the end that the States coming 
 to meet again, they might perfedV the eftablifhment of the Royalty i for fo they call- 
 ed the joint eledion of the Infanta and Duke of Guije to be King and Queen of 
 
 The Pope nti- France. 
 
 ofVhtTfl" ^^ ftrove likewife to imprint thefe opinions ztRome by frequent Letters, penn'd 
 nor mlfr'ij^e ^"^"^o^ding to his dcfire i but the Pope, a man of mature prudence, fuffered not himfelf 
 Sf'thTnarSo! *° be abfolutely perfwaded by the Legats intelligence i but being advertifed of every 
 cniffl/mrto P"!!'"'"by the Venetian and Florentine i\mbaffadors, neither approved the Infanta^s 
 comentumo ^'^"•on, nor her marriage with the Duke of Guife: but feeing the bufincfs of it felf 
 iS^the" r"A, ^''"l^ 3nd ^roffed by fo many impediments, he judged it vain, and no way 
 ipInUrds. enable, and therefore cared not to declare himfelf, feeming only to give his confent, 
 
 that 
 
 : i
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^oo{. 
 
 619 
 
 Pope ttCPleftt 
 could have 
 widied th»c 
 feme Carho- 
 lick Prince of 
 the Houfe of 
 Bouriin might 
 be eleaeil to 
 tl-eCrown;anii 
 that fee (liould 
 marry the In- 
 fanta ; but 
 when he heard 
 the Kiogs in- 
 tention to turn 
 Catholick, he 
 be^an Co enn 
 chnc CO hini. 
 
 that he might not alienate the King of Spain from hinn, with whom he (aw it necef- '5? 3* 
 fary to hold a good correfpondence , left he fhould precipitate the affairs of Religion 
 and the Church into fome dangerous troubles. He could have been contented from 
 the beginning, that one of the Princes of the Houfe of Bourbon^ that was truly a Ca- 
 tholick, (hould have been thought fit to be married to the Infanta, bccaufc by the ele- 
 <S-ion of a Prince of the Blood, all the Catholicks of France would have been elefted, 
 and had by many ways given his Minifters notice of his intentions ; and to fuch a Princo 
 he could have been reunited in one body, and by the alliance with the Catholick King, 
 his alTiftance would have been affured i fo that neither the temporal ftate of. the King- 
 dom would have been in danger of falling into the hands of Strangers, nor the fpiritual 
 of being oppreffed by the Hugonots. For thefe very reafons he approved not the Duke 
 of Guiji's eletftion, believing the Catholicks of the Kings party would never be brought 
 CO acknowledge and obey him, whereby the War would become perpetual j and he was 
 Jikewife of opinion, that King Fhilip would nevet give his Daughter to a weak, poor, 
 and ill-grounded Prince, with almoft a certain danger, that (he ftiould never be Queen, 
 more than in namej befides, he perceived, this hated eledion would gain the King of 
 Navarre many adherents, and by this means turn more Cities to favour him in one day, 
 than he would be able to take by force in his whole life time. One thing only kept 
 him doubtful in this thought, Which was the unfitnefs of thofe Princes that were near- 
 eft in Blood •■, for the Cardinal of Bourbon was but a weak man, and very unhealthful •, 
 the Prince of Cnnty, by reafon of his natural defe<^s, unable to govern , and alfo (as 
 it was faid J to get children i the Count de Soiffons, though of a good wit, and noble 
 courage, was fo drowned in the love of the Prirtcefs Catherine, (the Kings Sifter, an 
 obftinate Hugonot) that the Catholicks durft not tonfidc in him, and the Duke of 
 Moittpsnfisr , a youth of exceeding great worth, was more remote in the decrees of 
 Koyal Confanguinity > wherefore aftbon as he' knew that the King was difpofed to re- 
 turn to the obedience of the Catholick Church ,' he" began to incline towards him 
 thinking it the (horteft way to fettle the cofntnotions, and remove the dangers of the 
 Kingdom. But it was a bufinefs not to be refolved on without great deliberation as 
 well to be aflTured that his Converlion was fincere, and that the heart of a Lyon lay not 
 hid under the skin of a Lamb , as becaufe it was not known which way the French 
 would receive that alteration , wherefore there was much (o be thought on, both to 
 be by all means pGilible made certain, that the King was a ttue fincere Catholick, and 
 that the people would willingly fubmit themfelves to his devotion 4 for if the King 
 fhould but feign that Converfion for Inteteft of State, Religion would be thereby left 
 in manifeft danger i and if the people fhould not accept him, the Popes own reputation 
 would be in no lefs danger, for having run to approve the Converfion of a relapfed 
 Heretick , more haftily than the common people \ befides!, the refpedl which by all 
 means was to be born to the King of Spain, (already poffefled of the Title of Defender 
 of the Catholick^ Faith, and Protedor of the See of Koine ■,) who very clearly fliewed he 
 had fpent fo much Gold , and poured out fo' much Blood of his Armies to preferve 
 Religion in the Kingdom of France , counfelkd that in a matter of high importance 
 he fhould proceed with great dexterity, length ofcHme, and with well weighed, and 
 perfcdt maturity ■■> being certain that King Philip's fiipplies had hindred the King from 
 getting the total Vidory, whilft he was obftinately an Hugonot, and therefore to them 
 tvas the reward and gratitude due for the Confirmation of the Gallique Church, and 
 great heed was to be taken not to eltablifh a fierce and powerful Enemy, who might 
 afterward difturbhim very much in the pofteffion of his Kingdom. ''^'--- '- 
 
 . By thefe reafons the Pope was perfwaded not to yield, nor affent at tfi^'very firft 
 but to let himfelf becounfelled by the event of things i and yet to begin his principal fiTTsetv^i 
 intention, he thought good to give fome glimpfe of hope to thofe who negotiated fe- 'r '''^ f*™'/ 
 cretly at Rome for the King, whom they called King of Navarre. The Pope favoured »» f.ivo''ured b/ 
 a principal fervant of the Family of Cardinal Fietro Aldobrandino, named Giacopo San- 
 uefio, a man obfcurely born in a Caftleof the Marches of Ancena, who had long fcrved 
 the Cardinals Father (as they faid) for a Companion of his Studies, whilft he was 
 employed in caufes in thtKttaKomana, and becaufe he was exceeding faithfnl, artd not 
 of too fcarching a nature, and therefore a man of very few words, the careof all his 
 Domeftick affairs lay upon him. This man was acquainted and fometimes held dif- 
 courfe with Atnaudd: OJfat, a man born at Auche in Gafcogne, of mean parentage, but 
 of a moft excellent vfit., and moft regular courfe of life, who having been btoughf to 
 
 K K K k 3 Rarftg 
 
 Ctctntnt the 
 Eioluh , was 
 afterward en- 
 riched, and 
 eleded Cardi- 
 nal. 
 
 pi Ajcnt at 
 Rome for the 
 Queen Dowar 
 Sjerofiieagr 
 ih: TMid,
 
 620 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 .'5P3- 
 
 Gtiiiofo S.miir- 
 fi>, a Friend 
 of .(' Opu, 
 hath order 
 fnim the I'opc 
 to treat with 
 liim (but as ot 
 Uimfflfjaboot 
 the atfjcrs of 
 the King of 
 frniuc and the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 Home by Monficur de Faux AmbaJTador from France, ftaid afterward behind in the Fa- 
 milv of Cardinal d' Elie, and bdldes his lingular learning and eloquence, was by many 
 years experience exceeding well verfed in the Court of Kome. He being a private 
 inan and lone time accuftomed to be feen in the Court, was not obferved by any body, 
 and manatiinK Spiritual bufineffes for the Queen Dowager of Hfwjf the Third, as the 
 
 Heiifigmte St- 
 rttfiiJJ OirjArto 
 having recei- 
 ved Letters 
 from the King, 
 brought by 
 Mooiieur »c la 
 Clielle, fliewi 
 them to the 
 Pope. 
 
 eredin^of Monalkries, granting of Indulgences, and other fuch like things, might 
 without (hew of any bufinefs of importance, negotiate with Sannefw in a corner of the 
 Antichamber, feeming only to talk of ordinary things j wherefore, the Pope who 
 avoided open proceedings, and defired to draw the thread of the bufinefs fecretly, gave 
 order w Sannefw, that as a Friend to this French-man, (who was well known to him 
 to be a n)an of worth) he fliould begin as of himfelf, to treat of the Kings affairs, 
 wliich Treaty being begun thus under-hand , proceeded fo far, that when Monfieur 
 de la Clielle arrived, there had already part many overtures on both fides- 
 
 The Sieur de la Clieie was come to Kome, with Letters from the King to Monflgnore 
 SerafimOlivario, Auditor o( the Rata Komana, a Prelat, who becaufe he was defccnded 
 of French Anceflors , had ever been faithful to the Crown, and defired to ferve the 
 Kings caufe, but faw the paflage very difficult, not only to introduce the Sieur de la 
 Clielle to have audience of the Pope, as he required^ but alfo to treat in any kind of 
 way, concerning that bufinefs : yet being a man of a fweet pleafing nature, both very 
 dextrous, and aifable in his difcourfe, and therefore acceptable to the whole Court, 
 and even to the Pope himfelf > cortiing to have audience, under pretence of other bu- 
 finelTes, he at laft brought in that j and in the end would needs (hew the Pope the Let- 
 ter which the King had written to him. The Pope, either taken at unaware by Sera- 
 fina, or intending lo perfevcre conftantly in his dillimulation, or being troubled to be 
 in a manner conllrained to impart his defigns to other than thofe he had determined, 
 fhewed himfelf highly, difpleafed, and would have broke off the difcourfe of that bu- 
 finefs, if the Auditor talking fometimes ferioufly, fometimes in jef\ , had not appeafed 
 him, concluding finally, That one ought to lend an ear even to the Devil himfelf, if 
 one could believe it poilible for him to be converted. The Pope likewife turning the 
 bufinefs into mirth , jefted a great while with Serafino, who prelFing him flill for an 
 anfvver , and urging him to hear la Cl/elle not as the Kings Agent , but as a private 
 Gentleman, from whom perchance to hjs fatisfadion he might learn many fecret par- 
 ticulars ; the Pope told him he would think upon it. The fame evening by the means 
 of Sanmfio he gave d" Oj]ht directions to go talk with the Gentleman that was come 
 from France, and to give him good hopes of his negotiation, and advertifing him (but 
 as from himfelf J that he fhould not be difmaid for any difliculty whatfoever he fhould 
 meet withal. , , . 
 
 The next night Silvio Antoniani the Popes Chamberlain went to Serafim''s Houfe, 
 and taking only the Sieut de la ClieVe mto his Coach, brought him by a private way 
 into the Pppes Chamber, where he having told him that the King of France had fent 
 him to his Holinefs Feet to prefent thofe Letters to him, (which he had in his hand) 
 the Pope without flaying till he had mldc an end, brake forth into angry words, com- 
 plaining that, he had been deceived, and that he had thought he fhould have received 
 a private Gentleman, and not an Agent of a relapfed, excommunicated Heretick, and 
 commanded him to depart out of his prcfence. La Clielle not at all difmayed, (accor- 
 ding to the advertifment that had been given himj added many words of humility 
 and fubmiffion, and fald that being able to do no more, he would leave the King his 
 onnol^admi' ^aftcrs Lcttets, and the Copy of his Commillion, which he had brought in Writing i 
 the Kings de. and though the Pope angerly bade him carry them away , yet he left them upon the 
 a" upfcd'Hc^ Table, and having kifs'd his Foot, was carried back to the place where he had been 
 ittick. taken up. : . 
 
 The day following he had order to confer with Cardinal Toledo, with whom having 
 had very long difcourfes three feveral times, flill it was concluded that the Pope could 
 not admit the Kings defires, becaufe he had formerly fent to the Apoflolick See, and 
 . yet had returned to the vomit of Herefie, and the Cardinal having taken particular in- 
 order to ^//" formation of the Kings bufinefTes , and of the condition of the affairs of France, left 
 littfetupet- the tnatter fo undecided. But the night before la Clielle departed from Rome, his an-' 
 fwer was with great fecrecy given him by the means of d' OJfat, that" the King fhould 
 8°|°'i^^2rd in (hewing himfelf truly converted, and fhould give figns of being fincerely 
 a Catholick v for the Pope was refolved to rejc<il the Duke of Nevert to fatisfie his 
 
 own 
 
 The Situr de 
 U (itrlle is 
 brought fe- 
 cretly to the 
 Pop', leaves 
 tlie Kings let- 
 ters , »n ' de- 
 pans witt no 
 \fry gojJ an- 
 iwcr. 
 
 Cardinal Trf.-. 
 ilo treats nfien 
 with U Ciicllc, 
 but rcfolves 
 
 ^wade the 
 '^King to 'goon 
 in Ihemng 
 himfelf a Ca- 
 tholick.
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^oo^ 
 
 6^1 
 
 own Confcience, and to try the Kings conftancy, yet with the opportunities of times, 
 he fhould at lalt obtain his intent. 
 
 With this conclufion la Clielle wtnt toward France , without having fo truch as 
 conferred with Monfignore Serafino, ( which had been given him in charge ) the Pope 
 defiling that every one fhould believe him moft averfe from approving the Kings Con- 
 vcrfion , which the greater part of the Court of Rome thought to have paffcd with 
 feme dif-reputation to the Pope, and that a few Prelats had licentioufly arrogated that 
 power to themfelves which belonged only to the Apoflolick See i whereupon there 
 wanted not thofe who wrote, and printed divers Treatifes, wherein they argued that 
 a relapfed Heretick, and one declared to be excommunicate, could not be admitted to 
 a Catholick Kingdom, and that the determination of the French Prelats to give him 
 Abfolution was Schifmatical, and to be cenfured by the Tribunal of the Holy Office^ for 
 fo they call the judgment of the Inquifition. Arnaud d' OJfat wrote againft thefe 
 Treatifes, maintaining with many reafons taken out of the Sacred Canons, and from 
 the Dodors of the Holy Church,and with many pious Chriftian Confiderations,that the 
 Pope not Only might, but alfo that he abfolutcly ought to approve the Kings Conver- 
 fion, and admit him to the obedience of the Catholick Church i but though in that dif- 
 courfe there was never any thing found, that was not manifeftly Catholick, and though 
 he wrote with exquifite modefty , yet could he not get leave to print it » and all 
 he could do , was to (hew fome Copies of it to difcrcet perfons, which was not only 
 not reproved, but fecretly approved even by the Pope, who was not difpleafed that 
 mens cars fhould by little and little be made acquainted with this Dodrine^ 
 
 But the Lcgat being wholly of another opinion, and more than over-defirous of 
 the propofed Spanifh Election, was bufie in managing all the Engins that were pro- 
 per to bring that defign to perfedlion i and therefore befides many exceeding long 
 Letters, and many diflin(ft informations fent to the Pope and to fome Cardinals , he 
 at laft alfo'difpatched Pier Francefco Montorio ^ to give more exacS advertifemenrs, 
 and to crofs the Kings EmbalTy ■, but a politick device which he fubtilly made ufe 
 of, redounded to the exceeding difadvantage of his delign i for Montorio falling fick 
 at Lyons , took a refolution to difpatch his inftru<fl:ions pofle to Rome ^ to the end 
 they might arrive there before the Duke of Nevers : in which the Legat having 
 written that he thought it convenient , by fome means which fhould feem fit , to 
 hold the Duke of Nevers in hand, and prolong the bufinefs, till it could be known 
 whether, when the Truce was ended , the Spaniards were like to attain to the Ele- 
 d:ion, and to have fufficient Forces in readinefs to ef\ablifh it, keeping the King of 
 Navarre alfo doubtful in the mean time, to the end he might'not apply his wonted 
 fpirit to make preparations for War. This Item ferved the Pope afterwards for a 
 pretence to admit the Duke of Nevers, who having in this interim paffed Langres^ 
 was gone toward Italy, through Switzerland, and the Country of the Grifins; bat 
 being arrived at Tofcbiavo a Town in the Valtoline, he was met by Ysitber Antonio 
 TojffviK!) a Jefuite , who was fent to him by the Pope , to let him know , that as he 
 rejoyced in the report of the King of Navarre^s ConvctCion, fo could he not admit an 
 EmbalTy, in the name of a King, whom he acknowledged not for fuch as he ftil'd 
 himfelf, and that therefore he might fpare the pains of coming. The Duke not loiing 
 heart, though much troubled , went forward, but not the ftraight way to Rome, and 
 being come to Mantua, he fent Fojfevino back unto the Pope, endeavouring by many 
 reafons written to him, and the Cardinals his Nephews, to obtain permiffion to execute 
 his EmbafTy, and the Marquifs de Pifani, Cardinal Condi, and the Monfieur de Metz 
 Lciger AmbalTador for the King at Venice being come unto him, they with a common 
 confent wrote, and treated many things, which were promoted at Rome by the Vene- 
 tian and Florentine Ambaifadors : Cardinal Toledo alfo carrying himfelf very favour- 
 ably in the bufinefs. 
 
 The Pope making ufe of the advertifement the Legat had given him, to colour his 
 fecret intention, fhewed that Article o( Montorio' s infkudions to the Duke of Sejfa Am- 
 balTador for the King of Spain, and to many Cardinals depending upon that party, 
 and feigned to let himfelf be drawn by that refpedt, and that to that end he would 
 not totally exclude the Duke of Nevers ■■> and though both the Duke of Sejfa, and the 
 Spanifh Cardinals ftifly oppofed it, affirming, that at the end of the Truce, the Catholick 
 , King would certainly have fuch forces in a readinefs, as fliould, to the general fatiG- 
 
 fa(Siorj 
 
 i$pp 
 
 Divtrs Trea- 
 tifes are prin- 
 ted againft the 
 Abfolution of 
 Hi-try the IV. 
 given him by 
 the French 
 Prelates. 
 
 D' Opt an« 
 fwers them, 
 but cannot t;c1) 
 Jeave to print 
 bis difcoutfe. 
 
 The Pope Tend* 
 Antonio l^oJfc» 
 vi-ic a Jefuite 
 to tell the 
 Duke of N,.. 
 vers, that he 
 
 Ihould not 
 come to Rune 
 to execute his 
 EmbafTy, be- 
 caufe the King 
 was not yet 
 acknowledged 
 a Catholick : 
 thcrcHpon the 
 King goes to 
 Muntut.
 
 62 2 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ^593- 
 
 The Pojx . 
 feoits rojfivino 
 goain to ihe 
 j/uke of *•«- 
 vjritobiJhinn 
 tome on to 
 Item', wl"" 
 he fliould be 
 
 ttceivtd IS * 
 Caiholick Itl- 
 Jian Ptirce, 
 though not as 
 an Ambaffa- 
 dor. 
 
 An infiirrefli- 
 onin the City 
 of Lytni 
 arraiolt the 
 puke of N.- 
 * r,»Kn,who be- 
 ing Governor, 
 filottcti to 
 make binifelf 
 abfolute Lord, 
 but beirif *lif- 
 covercd, he is 
 imprifoncd) 
 and the Go- 
 vernment gi- 
 ven to the 
 Archbifliop of 
 the Citjr, 
 
 ta<flion of the Confederates, be able to eftablifli the propofed eledion -, yet the Pope 
 took 3 middle way, which was to admit and hearken to the Duke, not as an Ambaf- 
 fadorfrom the King of France^ but as a Catholick Prince, and as an Italian, and 
 therefore he fent back Fojfevim to him again to Matttua-, to let him know that bis in- 
 tention and hft determination, and to advertife him that he (hould come without 
 ftate and vvith but a fmall retinue, to the end he might not be held, and acknow- 
 ledged in the degree of an Ambaffador, but of a private perfon i which though the 
 Duke thought very hard, and from fo difficult a beginning, gucfTed he fhould compafi 
 no profperous end of his EmbafTy, yet he refolved to go forward, as well becaufe he 
 would not digrefs from the Council of the Venetian Senate, and the other Princes who 
 were the Kings Friends, as alfo to make the uttermoft tryal in a bufinefs of fo mighty 
 importance. 
 
 But in France, there happened at this time (befides the ordinary difcords) a new 
 misfortune to the League : for the City of Lyons unexpededly took Arms againft the 
 Duke of Nemours, who was Governor thereof, and proceeded fo far that they made 
 him pr jfoncr in the Caftle of Pierre Anfife. The Duke of Nemours, a Prince of great 
 courage, but of a haughty imperious nature, being departed full of pride by reafon of 
 his profperous defence of tarvs, and come unto his Government of Lyons, had begun 
 to nourifli a defign within himfelf, to reduce it into a free Signiory, together with 
 Beauiolois and Forejis, (which were three Precin<fts jointly under his commands and 
 to add unto them as many other places and towns as he could j and his Brother the 
 Marquifs of St. Sarlht having the Government of Dauphine, he defigned to unite that 
 Province alfo unto himfelf, and by that means joining his State to that of the Duke of 
 Savoy, ffrom whofe Houfe his Family defcended^ to be alTifted, and fomented by him i 
 but becaufe he knew that neither the Nobility, nor people would ever confent wilhngly 
 to fcparate themfelves from the Crown of France, and fubmit themfelves unto his ty- 
 ranny, he had by long contrivance been raifing all thofe means, which might ferve to 
 obtain his intent by force : For (his purpofc he had under feveral pretences, driven 
 many of the chief Citizens out of the City \ and expofing the Nobility to manifeft 
 dangers, was glad to fee many of them perifh, who were able to oppofe his defign i 
 nor that fuflking him, lie had upon feveral occafions caus'd a great many Forts, and 
 Citadels to be built, which incompaffedthe City of Lp«x with a Circle, having begun 
 3t Toiffay, BfUeviVe, and Tijj', and then continued ztCharliett, St. Bonnet, Mombrifon, 
 Nirieu, Coindrieu , Vienne, Pipet, and laftly to perfedt that circumference, he treated 
 with the Sieur de St. Julien, that for Fifty thoufand Crowns he (hould let him have 
 ^uirieu to raife another Fort there likewife, and paiTing from the Circumference unto 
 the Center, he meant*to rebuild the ruined Citadel of Lyons, and defigns and plat- 
 forms were already drawn for that purpofe. In thefe ftrong places he kept Garifons of 
 Horfeand Foot, that depended upon his pleafure, and not having enough to maintain 
 them of his own, fed them with extorting from the people, and with a pernicious 
 licence of plundering and fpoiling the Country. To theft a(ftions were added out- 
 Vfard fhews not unlike them > for he kept about him a great retinue of Strangers, under- 
 valued and abufed the Nobility of the Country, and in his publick writings no longer* 
 ufed the Title of Governour, but barely of Duke of Nemours, as an abfolute Lord. In 
 this interim the time of holding the States at Paris being come, he, though invited, 
 would neither go, nor fend thither, ftill fpeaking diflionourably of the authority and 
 adiions of the Duke of M'^yf««i?,his Brother by the Mothers fide,and when the Truce was 
 concluded, though he declared that he accepted it for as much as concerned the Kings 
 party i yet neverthelefs would he not difmife the leaft part of his Souldiery, but rather 
 entertaining and raifing new every day, kept the Country more oppreffed in the time of 
 the CefTation than it was before in the heat of War. The principal men and the people of 
 Lyons moved by all thefe things, refolved to complain of it to the Duke of Mayenne, who 
 for the fafety of the City, and the maintaining of his own reputation, thought it good 
 to withftand his Brothers ambitious defigns, and therefore under colour of defiring that 
 the Archbifliop of Lyons fliould go to Kame with Cardinal Joyeufe, he caufed him to go 
 unto that City, giving him Commiffion to maintain the peoples liberty, and to give him 
 notice of every particular, to the end he might feafonably provide againft danger. This 
 Kemedy haftcned the breaking out of the mifchief i for the Duke of Nemours hzv'm^ 
 no good coriefpondence with the Archbifliop, and feeing the Citizens ran popularly 
 auer hioa, thqught to draw fome Companies of Soivldiers into the Town, either for his 
 
 own
 
 o/" France. The Fourteenth ^oo\. 625 
 
 own fcciirity or to bridle the people, who were already half in an uproar: But this 'SPS* 
 r.i:ws being come amongft the Citizens, incrcafed by the wonted additions of the re- 
 port, they no longer delayed to rife, and having taken Arms, barricadoed up the Ci- 
 ty, and Oiut the Duke into a corner of the TovVn, who having in this necefllty defired 
 to fpeak with the Archbifhop, whom before he had not cared to fee, the event proved 
 different from his dcHgni for the Archbifhop making then no account either of his words 
 or complements, fwhich he knew proceeded but froin necelTityj continued to exhort 
 the people to defend their own liberty i and told them which way they fliould manage 
 their bufinefsi fo that, finally the barricadoes being made up clofe, and a greater 
 number of men being in Arms, they of the Council went armed unto him, and told 
 Fiim that for the fccurity of hisperfon, the people being in a mutiny, and for the fafety 
 of the City that was in danger to be facked, they intended he fhould retire into the of ?hf chief 
 Callle of Vierre Auj^fi^ which not being able to contradidt, he was at laft brought thi- *'"''' '^ '*>= 
 thcr, and with morefevere Guards diligently looked, to i and the chief men having ^Ct v>ai-Zl' 
 aflembled the Council, made a Decree whereby they deprived him of the Govern- ^'"'>''»'-«'sput 
 ment, and likewife the Marquis his Brother, (though from him they confefTed they vermnent.and 
 had never received any injury at all; and gave the Authority of Governing the Ci- ''j' Marquif$ 
 ty unto the Archbifhop, which was afterward confirmed upon him by the Duke of outofihV'of 
 hla^enne. DdufUnt. 
 
 But this news being come to P^m, many were exceedingly troubled at it, the Spa- 
 nifh Minifters grieving that they had loft one of the chief Inftruments of their power i 
 but Madam de Nemours being afflided much more for the danger and ruine of her 
 Son i and many there were whoperfwaded themfelves that all the mifchief proceeded 
 from the Duke of May^nne, who not only had defired to abate the arrogance of his 
 Brother, but had alfo done it to get Lyons into his power, and join it to his Govern- 
 ment of Bourgogtjs ^ that he might rerr.ain Mafter thereof, v/hatfoever the event of 
 things fliould be i it being known to every one, that in the Treaties he held with the 
 King, and alfo with the Spanifh Minirters , he had demanded that Lyons and Bvut' 
 gogne Ihould jointly be granted to him i wherefore though belaboured to feem difcon- 
 tented and angry at the accident that had happened unto his Brother, there was not 
 any body that believed him, feeing he not only omitted to treat of freeing him indeed, 
 though he talked much of it s but alfo that he had confirmed the authority of Gover- 
 nour upon the Archbifhop, which thofe Citizens had conferred upon him. 
 
 This new dilTention opened a pafTage to new troubles , which at that time were 3wj>f«"r\'nd^ 
 like to have fleered a more profperous courfe '■> for the Duke of Mjyenne had at laff G«i/f uniced 
 reunited himfelf, and compofed matters with the Duke of G«//?, their common Friends afi^a'ion^and 
 having made them perceive that their difcord would in the end be the ruine of them »gr « )>'"fir 
 both i whereupon the Duke oi Mayennf, to free himfelf from the afperfions of crofling mheHnMiV 
 his Nephews advancement ', and the Duke of CMife, not to fhew himfelf regardlefs fi«fi'o" w be 
 of his Uncle's labour in upholding the party, were mutually agreed that if the Duke "'°' 
 of M.iyenns found means to atcain the Crown for himfelf, the Duke of Gitife fhould be 
 obliged to keep united with him, and alfift him with all his Forces i and in cafe the 
 Duke of Mjyenne could not obtain the Kingdom for himfelf, or for one of his Sons, 
 he fhould likewife be obliged to help the Duke of Cuife to attain it either by the mar- 
 riage of the Infjntj, or fome other way. 
 
 This accommodation did infinitely difpleafe the Djke of Feria, and Viego d' Ivarra, tJ'i^rd'ivSm*" 
 who faw themfelves deprived of the proper inftrumcnt to keep the Duke of M.?yv°«w F^«i.>i,treatf 
 in jealoufie, and to be able when occafion fhould -require by that means to keep down rndconfilcnce 
 and fupprcfs his greatnefsv and yet Jiean Bjptijia lafis being returned from Flanders^ with the Duke 
 who had been there to confer with Don Tedro Enriqusz of Toledo, Conde de Fuentes, ° ''^""'' 
 who held the Government of the Low-Counfries till the arrival of the Archduke En/e/f, 
 began to treat of piecing up again with the Duke of Maytiine, fuch being the opinion 
 and defire of that principal Minifter , who perceiving well that without his help and 
 confcnt, all other attempts would prove fruitlefs i and though the Spanifh Minifters 
 at Parii thought themfelves deceived, and ill dealt withal by him, yet the Co»de did 
 not judge it a fit time to take revenge, but to manage things with patience and dilli- 
 mulation, fince they had fcen by experience, that the principal Deputies of the States, 
 depended upon the will and authority of the Duke oi Mayenne. At TjJJjs his arrival they 
 began to treat, the Legat alfo interpofing, though he was much more inclined to the 
 Duke oiGuife, but not being willing to digrefs from the King of i'/>^;«'s refolwtions, 
 
 not
 
 ^24 T^he Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i«1. ■ not only by teafon of his ancient inclination , but alfo becaufe ih that State of affairs 
 there was no breaking friendfhip and good correfpondence with him , without indan- 
 
 ^*^Sj beean with letting him know the good will the CBtide de Fuentes bore him i 
 
 then he went on himfcif condemning the perverfe carriage of his Collegues i and in 
 
 the end intimated and impliedv but did not aftirmatively declare, That the Catholick 
 
 Kine would be content to give the Infanta to one of his Sons provided they could but 
 
 aeree in other matters. After this conference the other Spanifli Minifters began to 
 
 change their manner of proceeding, and to bear more refpedt to the Dukes perfon and 
 
 authority, and theCardinal-Legat himfelf to dothe fame v fo that it was eafie for him 
 
 TheKingof ^^ believe' there were new orders come from Sfain in favour of him i as it was true, 
 
 dJa'he'/'/w- King iV^////> being finally refolved to procure the Infanta's eledion with any Husband 
 
 tieac5'"re-' whatfoever, and having conceived an opinion , that the Duke of Mayenne ftanding 
 
 foives to give ^xt in his defign of attaining the Crown for his pofterity, would confent to moft pro- 
 
 bJid'"^ '"'^' litable conditions for his Kingdom. 
 
 But that which made the bullnefs difficult was the prefent weaknefsof the Kings 
 condition i for his Treafures being wonderfully exhaufted, he could not make fbofe 
 great preparations that were neceflary to uphold fo great an cnterprife , and he was 
 brought fo low that the Merchants could no longer accept his Bills of Exchange i and 
 the GenoLiefes , to whom he was indebted many Millions , refufed to make new pay- 
 ments : this weaknefs was with all polTible care concealed by his Minifters, and they 
 continued to affirm that againft the end of the Truce , twelve thoufand Foot , and 
 three thoufand Horfe fhould be in a readinefs to enter into Fkardy, and one hundred 
 thoufand Crowns (hould be paid to the Duke of Mayenne every month to maintain as 
 many French Forces » and, to gain the greater belief, they ftrained themfelves to pay 
 him twenty thoufand in prefent, and give him Bills for fixty thoufand more upon their 
 credits, ftriving in all things to win, and ftill to increafe new hopes in him everyday 
 more and more. 
 
 This piecing up with the Spaniards , befides the accommodation with the Duke of 
 Guife^ was the caufe of interrupting the Treaty of Peace which had been continued 
 many days with the Kings Deputies, in which though not only Monfieur de ViVeroy^ 
 but alfo Prcfident Jannin had laboured very much, yet was there not any conclufion 
 agreed upon i for the King was grown jealous, that the Duke of Mayenne treated but 
 feignedly, without any defire to conclude •, and this fufpition grew from fome of the 
 Legat's Letters to the Pope, which were intercepted, wherein though he fpoke very 
 ill of the Duke of Mayenne, and imputed it to his ambition, and malignity that the 
 Infanta and the Duke o(Guife were not eleded i yet he affirmed he had tyed him up 
 in fuch a manner, that he fhould never conclude an agreement with the King of Na- 
 varre, and that he had taken a fecret Oath to that purpofe in a Writing figned by him, , 
 the Dukes of Aumale and Elbceuf the Count of BriJJac, the Mareflials of Rofne, and 
 St. Paul, and many others of the principal men, a Copy of which Writing was inclo- 
 fed in the fame Letters, wherefore ViUeroy going to the King to treat on ftill about the 
 Peace, he would do nothing elfe but fliew him the Letters, and the Writings, whereof 
 he alfo gave him a Copy to fhcw the Duke of Mayenne, who not being able to deny, 
 but that the Oath was true, excufed himfelf yet for it with faying, that he had always 
 intended to conclude the Peace with a refervation of the Popes confent i and if hefliould 
 approve it, he was then immediately loofened from the obligation of that Oath i nor 
 did the fight of the evil which the Legat wrote concerning him, at all withdraw him 
 from his refolution i for he interpreted thofe to be old opinions, and that the new or- 
 ders from Spain, had varied all things ■■> wherefore applying himfelf to join dofe with 
 the Spanifh Minifters, from the Treaty of Peace, he came to negotiate the prolonging 
 proiolJea'fct ^^ }^^ Truce, to give things time to ripen i nor was it hard to obtain the lengthening 
 iwo months of it, for the other two months, November and December, becaufe the King alfo defired, 
 ""«• before he moved any farther, to know the event of the Duke of Nevers Embaffy, and 
 
 the Popes refolution. 
 
 But this accommodation made up betwixt the Duke of Mayenne and the Spaniards, 
 made the Pope more wayward to the Kings entreaties , not being willing to admit his 
 reconciUation, whilft he doubted the French of the League would not follow his judg- 
 ment, but continue the War, being united with Spain i it being fit for the reputation 
 ot the ApoftoUck See, for the ftcurity-of Religion, and for the fatisfa^ion of the World, 
 
 that
 
 «?/^ France. The Fourteenth ^oo^ 625 
 
 * ~ — ' ■ • ^ ■■ ■ ■ - - — ■ - I r II I I Mil - 
 
 that he fliould be the moft w:iry, the moft conftant, and thelaft man that fhould ap- IJPI* 
 prove the King's convcrfion i left thofe mifchiefs which might proceed from theefta- 
 blifhment of a K. not yet well fetled in his Religion ihould be imputed to his lightnefs ftBdsthe''i>. 
 and credulity » wherefore the Duke oiNevers being come near to Rome^ he fent Peffe- °^ ^a'Y'- 
 vino to him again, to let him know, he intended not he fhould ftay above ten dayes in tcnds'not'he 
 the City, and that he had forbidden all the Cardinals, either to fee him, or treat with ^f^^^V "' 
 himi which things, though they fecmed wonderful hard to the Duke, yet being re- tcndajes? 
 folved to profecute the bufinefi to the utmoft, and believing all thefe were but (hews to 
 fet a higher price upon his favour, he went on and entered privately into Kome^ at Por- 
 ta del Borgcv^on the twentieth day oi November. 
 
 He went the fame evening privately to kifs the Pope's kzt, and at the firft audience The Duke of 
 defired only that his time might be prolonged, the term of ten dayes being too (hort fnTred pri-° 
 to treat of a matter of fo great moment, and that he might have leave to vilit the Car- vatciy into 
 dinals, and to deliver the Letters he had to them from the King, offering to treat of that fhT^mV 
 bufinefs in the prefence of the King of Spain's AmbaiTadors, and of the Duke of May- "'ning to 
 enne''s Agents, and to (hew them that a King of France could not but be received, feet.' ' °^'* 
 who humbly fuing, and being converted, dedred to return unto the obedience of the 
 Church. He had no other anfwer from the Pope, but that he would confult with 
 the Cardinals, and with their Council would refolve i but in his following audiences 
 the Duke endeavoured, with many rea(bns, and great eloquence, to perfwade the 
 Pope, firft of all, that as being Pope, and the Vicar of Chrift, he coul^ not rejedlone 
 who being converted return'd into the bofome of the Church i and then,that as a pru- 
 dent experienced Prince, he ought not to refufe the obedience of the ftronger , and 
 more powerful party, and finally, that as a Protedor of the Common liberty, he 
 ought not to permit , that the Kingdom of France^ by the continuance of a ruinous 
 defperate War, (hould run the hazard of being divided and difmembrcd, with manifeft 
 danger of the liberty of all ChrifHan Princes, and particularly of the See of Rome. He 
 enlarged himfelf upon the firli point with proofs of Scripture, and with many exam- 
 ples, and authorities of the Primitive Church, and the Fathers i but knowing thedif^ 
 riculty didnot conllrt in that, he enlarged himfelf much more in the other two i and 
 thinking the Pope per(ill:ed to be fo obdurate, particularly becaufe he doubted of the 
 King's Forces, and that the Catholicks of the League, united with the Kingo^ Spam^ 
 were ffrong enough to fupprefs him, he took much pains to fhew, that the major part 
 of the Parliaments of France^ all the Princes (except thofe of the Houfe of Lorain,') 
 the flower of the Nobility, and two thirds of the Kingdom followed his party, that 
 his adverfaries were few and of mean quality, difagreeing among themfelvcs, and full 
 of defperation •. fo that to the King's perfedt eftablifhment, and the total quiet of the 
 Kingdom, there wanted nothing but the confent of the Apoftolick See, and the bene- 
 didlion of his Holinefs. He reckoned up all the King's Vidories, which did indeed 
 proceed from his valour, but alfo from the power and ftrength of the Nobility and peo- 
 ple that followed him i he exaggerated the weaknefs of the Spaniards, who might 
 well keep the Civil diffentions alive by art and induftry, but could not fuftain them by 
 force of Arms. He (frove to (hew the articles and artifices they ufed, and that their 
 aim was toufurp the Kingdom, as they had lately difcovered their fecret in the propo- 
 fition of the Infanta ; he excited the piety and juflicc of the Pope, not to make himfelf 
 author of violating the Saliqiie-Lsa> and the other fundamental ones of the Kingdom i 
 not to airilt thofe who laboured to difpoile the lawful blood of the Crown i and finally 
 not to permit, that dffcords fliould be fowed under his name to the utter ruine of the 
 foundations of a mofl: Chriflian Kingdom, and firft. born of the Holy Church. Laft of 
 all he concluded, that he brought along with him fome of thofe Prelates who had gi= 
 ven the King abfolution, and who delired to prefent themfelves at his feet, to give him 
 an account of what had been done, their mindes giving them, that they (hould make 
 him clearly fee, they had not fwerved from the obedience of the Apoftolick See, nor 
 from the rites and cuftomcs.ofit, and that what they had done was conformable to the 
 Sacred Canons, and the mind of the Holy Church. 
 
 The Pope was conftant in his determination, and though the Dukes reafons moved 
 him, yet being refolved howfoever not to be too hafty i and fo much the' rather be- 
 caufe the Duke feemed to urge, that the Abfolution given to the King in France^ might 
 be confirmed and approved, but not to propofe thefubmittingoftheKing tothecen- 
 fure and judgment of the Apoftolick See, he faid, he would think upon an anfwer, and 
 
 L II 1 two
 
 6^6 
 
 I5P3- 
 
 The Pope le" 
 the Ouke of 
 Uivt<< know, 
 that he can- 
 not prolong 
 the term ot 
 ten d ayes, and 
 that h: couW 
 not aomit the 
 Vrelai.es who 
 came alt'^'R 
 with him to 
 bis ptefencc, 
 unlefs they 
 fubmitted 
 themfelve* t" 
 the VentttnUi- 
 Yff Mu^g-eyOy 
 \»ho IS th' 
 chief Officer 
 chat natti 
 
 The HiHory of the Civil Wars 
 
 power to 
 
 ab. 
 
 folve a PcK'- 
 tent. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Kivtrt fallisg 
 upon his knees 
 befeechcs the 
 Pope at lead 
 to give the 
 Kinj abfoluti- 
 on in Foro 
 CaiifiicniiSy 
 and it is de* 
 me J. 
 
 The Duke of 
 ^'Vtti goes a- 
 way d!ieon- 
 tented ftum 
 Rtmi:. 
 The Duke 
 comes to Vc- 
 nke, where the 
 French pre- 
 lates print a 
 Book of the 
 reafons that 
 moved them 
 to abfolve the 
 Kins. 
 
 two daycs after, not having the heart to ijlk any more with the Duke, and to anfwer 
 his reafons he' let him know hy Silvio Antoniani^ that he could not prorogue the 
 term of ten daycs, left he fhould difcontent thofe Catholicks, who, being obedient to 
 the Church, had ever, and did yet uphold Religion, and that that time was fufficient, 
 having nothing elfe to treat of i that it was not fit he (hould fpeak unto the Car- 
 dinals having been admitted as a private man, not as an AmbafTador i and that as 
 concerning the Prelats that came along with him, he could not admit them to his pre- 
 fcnce unlefs firft they fubmitted themfelves to Cardinal Santa Severina the chief pe- 
 nitentiary, to be examined by him. 
 
 This was the Popes laft refolution : for, though the Duke obtained another audi- 
 ence, yet could he not alter his determination, but he fent Cardinal lokdo to let him 
 know the fame things, with whom, having had many long difcourfes, the fubftance 
 of the bufinefs varied noti and though the Duke, very much troubled with a Ca- 
 tarrhe, was of neceility fain to Itay beyond the time of ten dayes, yet could he not pre- 
 vail any thing at all i and finally, being brought to his laft audience in the Popes pre- 
 fence , after having at large repeated all his reafons, he fell upon his knees, and be- 
 feech'd him, that at leaft he would give the King abfolution in Foro Confckntite : but 
 neither could he obtain this, and departed exceeding ill fatisfied, having finally, with 
 more liberty and fpirit than he was wont, aggravated the wrongs that were done un- 
 to the King, and the injuries that were put upon his own perfon, who, forgetting his 
 want of health, his age, and quality, had taken the pains to come that journey, (of the 
 fafety and quiet of Chriftians. 
 
 After he was gone from his audience. Cardinal Toledo came to him again, and told 
 him, that if the Prelats did fo much abhor the f^ce of Caxd'mzl S anta S everiHa ^ they 
 fhould be heard by the Cardinal of ^rd'^o»,Chicf of the Congregation of the Holy Office--, 
 but the Dukeanfwered, that they being come as Ambafladors in company with him, 
 he did not mean they fhould be ufed as Criminals, but that the Pope fliould admit 
 them to his prefence > for, to him, as Head of the Church, they would give a good ac- 
 count of their adtions: but the Cardinal replied, that it v/as not decent for them to 
 contend and difpute with the Pope v the Duke added, that he would be content, if 
 the Pope would but admit them to kifs his feet, and that then they fliould render an 
 account to Cardinal Aldobrandino his Nephew. 
 
 But neither would the Pope accept of this condition ; whereupon the Duke of Ne- 
 vers having diftindtly fet down in writing all that he had done, departed from Kome^ 
 taking the Prelates with him, and went to the City of Venice^ where the Bifliop of 
 Mj«/ publiflicd a little book in Print, wherein he fet forth the reafons that had mo- 
 ved the Prelates to abfolve the King i one of which was, that the Canons permit the 
 Ordinary, whoni it concerns, to abfolve from excommunication, and every other cafe 
 when the penitent is hindred by a lawful caufefrom going to the Popes feet hinrifelfj 
 and another, that in the point and danger of death the penitent might be abfolved by 
 any one j in which danger the King manifeftly was, being every day expofed in the ^ 
 encounters of War, to the peril of his enemies i and befides that, confpired againft 
 a thoufand wayes by their wicked treacheries, to which reafons, adding many others, 
 he concluded, they had power to abfolve him ad futitram Cautelam, refervinghis obe- 
 dience and acknowledgment to the Pope, which he at that time fully rendred him. 
 
 When the Duke was gone, the Pope having affembled the Cardinals in the Confifto- 
 ry, declared. That he had not been willing to receive the Kfhgof Nijvars excufcs 
 and obedience > becaufe his confcience would not fuffcr him to lend his faith fo eafily 
 to one that had formerly violated it ; that to admit one to fo potent a Kingdom, with- 
 out great regard, and due caution, would have been a very great lightnefs i and being 
 certain , that others would have believ'd, and foUow'd his judgment, it was not fit, 
 proceeding blindly, to make himfelfa guide to the blind, and to lead the good French 
 Catholicks to the ruinous precipice of damnation i and that therefore they fliould be 
 affured he would continue conftant, and would not accept of falfe diflTimuIations, and 
 poUtick tricks in a matter of fo great confequence. Thus the Spaniards remained fa- 
 tished, and the Catholicks of the League contented , yet was not the King moved 
 with all this, or turned afide from his firft intention, the Sieur de la Chelles relation 
 having applyed an antidote to that fo bitter potion. 
 
 'he King at this time was at Melu», in which Town one Fhrre Barriere was 
 
 taken
 
 o/' France* The Fourteenth ^oo^ 627 
 
 taken and put in Prifon, who had confpired to kill him j but by whom he was infti- i5P3« 
 gated is not well known » he was born obfcurely in the City oi Orlejus^znd followed 
 the profelTion of a Waterman in thofe Boats that are wont to go upon the Loyn\ but a tloabond"' 
 being known for a man of a brutilh cruel nature, he had been made ufe of in the' ''''"'*> *■*- : 
 adting of many villanies : from which, and the diflblutcnefs of his carriage, being grown wTcfi ""o : ry- 
 to a vagabond kind of life, he was at lart fallen upon a thought of this fad,which having '^'v 'if^h " 
 imparted to two Fryers, the one a CapHclnn, the other a Carmelite, he was (as hefaid; Kir;;, bur be- 
 earneftly perfuaded to it by them jbut being yet doubtful and uncertain in his mind, ^^"(^'["tX'n 
 he would needs reveal his Secret alio to Seraphim Banchi, a Dominican Frier, born in tortured, and' 
 Florence, but living in Lyons. This man ftruck with horror, to hear the boldnefs, and ^"^ code«th. 
 wicked intent of this Fellow, diffembled neverthelefs, and told him, It was a thing to 
 be well confidered, and not to be fo foon refolved on, and bad him come again the next 
 day for his anfwer, which he would think upon, and liudy to know how he fliould 
 determine the queftion > in the meantime, thinking how the King might be warily 
 advertifed of it, he intreated the Sieux de Brancakon^z {cxvznt oi the Qoeen Dowagers, 
 who was then in the City, to come to him the fame day and hour he had appointed, 
 and they being both of them come at the fame time, he made them flay, and talk a 
 great while together, to the end that Brancaleon might know Barriere perfe<ftly ■■, then 
 having told him he could not yet refolve what counfcl he (hould give him, becaufe the 
 queftion was very full of difficult doubts, he difmilTed him, and difcovered the whole 
 bufinefs to Brancalean, to the end, that giving the King notice of it, the mifchief might 
 be prevented. Barriere going from Lyons, and coming not many dayes after to Paris , 
 conferred about it , firft with the Curate of St. Andre^^nd then with his father Vadare 
 Redtor of the Jefuits, who (as he affirmed; perfuaded him to do the deed, where- 
 fore he departed refolved to attempt the execution of it, and being come to St. Denif^ 
 lingered after the King, to find an opportunity to effeA his defign. But being come 
 with the King to Mf/«« , Brancaleon alfocame thither, by whom being known and 
 pointed out, he was put in prifon by the Archers of the Grand Prevoji, and being exa- 
 mined and brought face to face with Brancaleon, he confelTed that he was once mind- 
 ed to have Killed the King, and that he had conferred about it with the Dominican 
 Fryer at Lyons; but that afterward having heard of his converfion,he was refolved not 
 to du it i and that he was going towards Orleans, in which City he was born, being 
 determined to put himfclf into a Monaftery of Capuchins i but thefe things he fpoke 
 with fomuch infolency,and contempt, as plainly (hewed him to be guilty, having alfb 
 a great two-edged knife about him, which gave proof of his intention to commit the 
 fadt i whereupon, having been many limes examined, and tortured, he was by the ap- 
 pointed Judges condemned to die i which fentence being told him, with perfaufions 
 to a fincere confelTion of his crime, he confefTed the whole bufinefs, and related all the 
 particulars diftindtly i thence being brought to the place of execution, and having rati- 
 fied all he had faid before, he fuffered the ufual punifliments, as a reward for his auda- 
 cious raflinefs. 
 
 In the mean time the term of the Ceflation was almoft expired i and the Duke of 
 Mdyenne, intent to gain the moft time he could poiTibly, had again difpatch'd the Sieur 
 de ViUeroy to the King, to get it prolonged i but he not having been able to obtain any 
 thing, he after him difpatched the Count de Belin , who was perfuaded he (hould 
 compafs it > but the King was utterly averfe from that intention, knowing certainly 
 that they defired to gain time, not to expe<3: the refblutions from Kome, but indeed 
 the fupplies and preparations from Spain s and therefore he was determined tolofe no 
 more time, but fince his adherents had held many practices through the whole King- 
 dom, he made hafte to let the War break out, that he might fee whether thofe Mines 
 that were prepared, would take eifedt. Wherefore, though the Duke of Mayenne, be- 
 fides others, ufed alfo Sebajiiano Zametti (who, of a Merchant of Piedmont, vvas become 
 a man of great bufinefs in Court} and though the Prefident de thou, and the Count df 
 Schomber^ met with him at Paris, yet was it not polTible by any conditions, how large 
 foever, to perfuade the King to prolong theCeiration,nonot for a few dayes. 
 
 But, no fooner was the term of the CelTation expired, when the eflfedis of the Kings 
 converfion, and of the pradtices his Minilicrs had opportunely fet on foot, began to (hew 
 themfelves \ for Monfieur de Vitry Governor of Meanx , who being deep in ar- 
 rears, had, in the time of the Truce, been with the Conde de Fuentes to get them paid, 
 
 L I 1 1 2 and
 
 628 
 
 The Hiftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5?3- 
 
 • * iVo Money, no 
 
 Monficur ile 
 I'lir^, Gover- 
 nor of Mfiiuy, 
 goes over to 
 the King's 
 Patti, 3nA 
 cguftc the 
 Townfmcn ro 
 fnJ Ijrputics 
 to the Kin;;,to 
 ('diver thi: 
 place into his 
 hjnJs. 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 •^Ivd , by 
 granting a 
 iliia atnbii;u- 
 ous parilon to 
 the Tlem- 
 mings, alie- 
 nates more 
 Ciiies from 
 the Catholick 
 Kirj, than his 
 former pu- 
 niftmerts and 
 rigours bad 
 done. 
 
 The Deputies 
 of Mennx arc 
 gracioufly rr- 
 ceived by the 
 King, who 
 grants them 
 many Ptivi- 
 let'gti , and 
 cnnfirnns the 
 Government 
 upon Mon- 
 fieur de Viiry, 
 and his Son. 
 
 and having not orely failed of that which he thought it ttioft reafonable to demand, 
 butalfo waited manydayes before he could be admitted to tell hisbufinefs, a thing 
 abfolutely intolerable to the French impatiency i he came back full of fpite and difcon- 
 tent often repeating thofe words, which are almoft grown a Proverbe, * Point d argent, 
 point deVitry; wherefore, taking occafion from his inability to pay the Soldiers him- 
 ftlf he called the people of the Townfo a Parly, and told them, he had conlhntly fol- 
 lowed the party of the League as long as the bulincfs was matter of Religion i but now 
 the King was turned Catholick he would not deny him due obedience , nor follow 
 them, who, for ambition and intereft, would profecute the War,and therefore deliver- 
 ed up the keys of the Town into their hands, and leaving them at liberty to difpofeof 
 themfclves, went firaight to put himfelf on that fide which he manifeftly faw was in the 
 right i and putting on a white Scarfe,and making all his Soldiers wear the fame co- 
 Jour, was going to march out of the Town i but the people, excited by thofe kw 
 words, and the example of their Governor, cryed out unanimoufly, For the King^for 
 the King , and prefcntly chofe four Deputies to go and deliver the Town into his 
 power. 
 
 This place was exceeding opportune, as well byreafon of its nearnefs to P^m , as 
 becaufe it (hut up the palTage of the River Marne i but, the example of it to all the 
 other Towns of the League, was of much greater confequence » tor being the firlt that 
 fubmitted it felf to the King's obedience, it was likely to open a way to a novelty of 
 fuch importance, that the fum of affairs confined in iti wherefore, the King delibera- 
 ting (as his cullom was) in his Council what courfe was to beheld, and what con- 
 ditions fliould be granted to it, was in a little fufpence, becaufe the opinions of his 
 Counfcllors were different among thcmifelvesj feme of a more fiery nature ( who 
 could not fo ealily forget the part infolencics of the Common people, and the invete- 
 rate enmity of the fadtionsj) with the adherents ot the Hugonots, ( for yet fome of 
 them came to Council) would have had them that returned unto their obedience, bri- 
 dled with fevere conditions, and that they fliould redeem their former faults, and of- 
 fences by fharp repentance , being, defirous to wreak their long fetled hatred , and 
 proudly to triumph upon the enemies which they already accounted conquered. But 
 the more wife and moderate men confidered, thatthefereturn'd unto their obedience, 
 neither through thencceflity of a Siege, nor for fear of force, but out of the inftind 
 of their own will, and that it was therefore fit, the example fliduld be fuch- as might 
 invite and allure other places of greater importance to follow it, that this beginning was 
 to ferve for a rule to other Compofifions, and Agreements \ wherefore, fince the King 
 ufed all polfible endeavours to win the People to acknowledge him, it would have 
 been a crofs Counfel, now to rejeft, and fright them with fliarpnefs, and feverity > that 
 it was neceflary to help this nrff motion to bring forth a happy obedience ; to accom- 
 modate ones felf to the imperfections of the fubjedts, and with the baite of good ufage 
 to promote thofe wavering thoughts; they called to mind how pernicious the par- 
 don granted to the Flemmings by the Duke of Alva had been byreafon of his ftridi'- 
 ncfs, exceptions, ambiguities, and want of fincerity in the conditions, whence it came 
 to pafs, that that ftiidlnefs and doubtfulnefs of pardon alienated more Cities and 
 more People from the Catholick King, than fo many punifliments , fo much blood, 
 and fo many violences had done before i therefore, they exhorted the King to grow 
 wary at his Neighbours coli, and not to run into thofe errors which they heard the 
 Spaniards reproached with every day. 
 
 This opinion being without doubt the bed and moft fruitful, fuited wonderfully 
 with the Kings nature inclined to gentlenefs and clemency, and with the necellity of 
 hisaffairss and the knowing that his enemies, though weak and divided, were not 
 yet fupprelTcd, and utterly ruined, induced him to confent unto it, and to refolve to 
 open that fo large gate, that all others might run willingly to pafs in at it i whcretbrc, 
 having received the Deputies with kind demonllrations, he gracioufly granted the Ci- 
 tizens of Mf.«z/.ic all conditions they knew how to ask, among which, that the exercife 
 of the Catholick Religion alone fliould be allowed in their Town ; he granted them al- 
 *°^^cmption from many impofitions, the confirmation of the offices and benefices grant- 
 ed by the Dyke oi Miyinne, and the continuation of the immunities and ancient Privi- 
 edges of the Place > he confirmed the Govenment upon Monfieur de Vitry, and after 
 ir" "F?" '^'^ eldeft Son, and gave him a certain fum of money to pay his debts, and 
 alio paidthe Soldiery that followed him, and entertained, them in his fervicc. 
 
 This
 
 of France. The Fourteen b Boo(. 629 
 
 This blaze of liberality, and clemency, fpread a wonderful luftre through all parts ^593- 
 of f rj«cif, fo that upon the fame thereof, many others refolvcd to follow d.e example, 
 and to try if they could find more quiet in the King's goodnefs, than in che troubles of 
 the War, and fo much the rather when they faw the King's Edid publiflied upon the 
 fourth o( January, 15^4. Wherein, with a great and fpecious flourifii ot words, he 1594. 
 confirmed theforefaid Conditions s which Edidt was alfo received without any kind 
 of delay, and approved of in the Parliament. 
 
 About the fame time the Sieur d' Ejiriemel, Brother in law to Mcnfieur de S. Luc, Thesitur at 
 and Governor of Peronae , Mondidier & B-oye made agreement for himfelf, and thofe MonTcur'"i. 
 three principal Towns of Ficcardy, to put themfelves under the King's obedience i but '■' '^■^^iH'"'"- 
 to make his revolt more fpecious, he would firft make a Truce for many months, th"King"foc 
 whereby thofe aforefaid Towns remained neutral. The fame did the Sieur d' Aim- !,'^,j™f^'"i 
 cw/rt and Monfieur de Villeroy ■with. Pontoyfeh for the King was content they fliould re- vctBmcnc 
 main neutral by a particular Truce, that he might make ufe of Viilerjy in drawing on the 
 treaty of Peace, which was yet kept alive with the Duke o{ MjyeH>i?i 
 
 But Monfieur de la Chajire, one of the principal men of the League, declared him- 
 felt for the King freely , and without any pretence in the beginning of February, for 
 having in vain demanded fupplys of men and money from the Spanifh Minilkrs, be- 
 ing incenfcd at the repulfe, and weary of the difcords, which he faw in his party, he 
 agreed with the King, by means of the Archbifliop oi^ Bourges, for himfelf and the Ci- 
 ties of Orleans and Eoitrges , obtained for them the fame conditions that had been 
 granted to Meaitx, and for himfelf the confirmation of the degree ofMarlhal oiFrance^ 
 conferred upon him by the Duke of Maye?me, and of the Governments he had in pof- 
 fellion, which after him were to come to his Son the Baron de la Maifin. 
 
 In the fame month happened the compofition with the City of Lyons ■■> for the pea- LyoitaccitTes 
 pie of that place having expedted that the Duke oi^Mayenne (liquid either come thither '"^ ''■^ ^'"3* 
 in Perfon, or fend a man of great authority to accommodate the bufineft with the D.of ''^^' 
 Nemours, and to remove him from that government, by giving him a convenient re- 
 compence,hc not being able to leave ?arU in the condition it was in, and not having an 
 equivalent recompence to offer, (for the Government of Gz«f««e which the Duke of 
 Nemours viovXA have accepted, was already promifed to the Duke of G«//f, and the 
 Marquifs of Villars who commanded there, would riot hear of fubmitting himfelf to 
 any other body,) he could neither remedy the popular Commotion, nor oppofe the 
 force of the Marquifs de S. Sorlin,who,to recover his Brother, molefted the whole Coun- 
 try of^ Lyons with exceeding great plunderings, and alfo ftraitned the City ', wherefore, 
 after the people had in vain expeifted many months, not knowing what refolution to 
 take, they at laft called Collonel Alfonfo Cor/o,who was near that place with a good num- 
 ber of men, and having brought him into the City, publicklyfet up the Royal Stand- 
 ard, having thrown and beaten down all the Arms and Monuments of the League eve- 
 ry where. 
 
 A while before the City of Aix in Trovence being ftraitly befieged by the Dake of The city of 
 E/Z^.tot;;, and feeing they could receive no relief, neither from the Dukeof^^z;^, J^Rcebefiej-d 
 nor from any other part, the Count de Carjy being in it, who had married a daughter in ^v ^^^ Duke 
 law of the Duke of Mayenn's, and was Commander in Chief of the forces of that Pro- btin» noc'ri- 
 Tince, took a refolution, fince the King was turn'd Catholick, to fubmit himfelf to his lievfd.fubmitj 
 obedience ; but upon condition that the Duke of Efpemon fhould not come into the obcdUn«"°* 
 Town, to whom both the Citizens, and the Count himfelf profeffed a particular enmi- 
 ty, in which point they were fatisfied by means of Monfieur Le-Wigwcrfx, and of Col- 
 lonel Alfonf) Corfo. 
 
 In this fo violent a motion of the principal Heads and Cities of the Vnion , part 
 whereof had already agreed to obey the King,and part talked of agreeing,the Cardinal's 
 Legat was in great fear and trouble, for he having promifed at Kowe that there fhould 
 'follow no alteration upon the King's converlion, was now in great perplexity, for fear 
 the Pope fhould account him , either a light, or a negligent man, and having per- 
 fuaded and urged , that the King's Embaffy might not be received by the A- 
 poftolick See , he doubted not that all finilkr events would be imputed to his 
 evil CoLinfcl , and was extremely vexed that fo much labour, and fo great en- 
 deavours ufed by him to bring the affairs of the League to the end he pretended, 
 fhould now prove vain and unprofitable,and that all the enginsof his contrivance fhould 
 be overturn'd in a moment i wherei'bre, being fallen into a profund confideration, 
 
 he.
 
 ^ The Hijlory of the Civil iVars 
 
 r<o± he after long confultation , refolved to fet forth a Writing ^J""''" 'l': •"^o^^'^ 
 and alfurcd the people oi France , that the Pope, judging the Kmgof AT^z/^r'scon- 
 Th:fubft.nce ^^^j^^^ (^ ^e feign'd, and counterfeit, had neither approved it,, nor admitted 
 ?l*„uh b? the Duke oi'Nevers as his Ambaflador, but as an Italian Prince, and a private perfon. 
 ,hc cardinal j^^ protclied moreover, that the Pope would never approve of that convcrdon , nor 
 ^h?ca:'hlV/ admit the King into the bofomcof the Church: upon which ground he exhorted 
 Lc.ouc on 3]] cathc.licks not to fwerve from the judgment and union oi the Apnjtolick^ See , nor 
 '■*'■ from the obedience of the Pope. With this Writing he thought he might ftop the 
 
 motion of mens minds, that inclined to fubmit themfclves to the King, and judged, 
 that the fcruple of Confciencc would be ftronger to withhold them, than the confide- 
 ration of temporal Laws tofpur them on > but this Counfel produced a contrary eP- 
 fed i for moft men were incenfed, that fo great a Prince (hould be refufed to be re- 
 ceived to repentance, whereas the Church is wont, with fo much pains, to endevour, 
 and with fo much tendernefs to embrace the converfion of every meaneft finner •, and 
 the people being perfuaded, by a defireof Peace, and reft , and abhorring civil dif- 
 cords, which had produced fomany mifchiefs, both in publick and in private, were 
 much the more ready to take a refolution , and flielter themfelves under the Kings 
 obedience i and yet the Legate, either perfevering in his old opinions, or his heart not 
 fufFcring him to unfay what he had writ and advifed at Kome , continued firmly to 
 uphold the League, as well with the Pope, as among the French Lords themfelves, 
 with whom he was every day at dofe confultations. 
 
 Equal to his was the trouble and terror of the King of Spains Minifters, who fee- 
 ing fome of them were fallen off, whom they accounted the moft confiding men j and 
 though pieced up, yet not totally trufting to the intelligence they held with the 
 Duke of Mjyenne, not feeing that the Duke of Guifi himfelf was very well fatisfied , 
 they knew that all their hopes would vanifh, if the prcfent need were not fpeedily 
 fuccoured, which was very difficult, as well by rcafon of the want of money, as the ill 
 conditions of the affairs of Flanders ■■, and though they beftirred themfelves with all 
 their power, they could neither find any that would pay their bills of exchange, nor 
 that would have to do with them; and to be fain to (lay for thofe provifions that 
 came flowly cut of Spaia, was a remedy too late, and too far off i they refolved there- 
 fore to makeufeof the neareft alTiftance, which was that of Flanders, and difpatched 
 many mcffengers to haften the advance of the Army, and at laft Juan BaptijiaTaffit 
 went thither himfelf: but befides that, there was no way fo pay their Forces », for 
 want whereof, fome Spanifh Tertians, and a great many Italian Horfe had mutined. 
 Count Charles of Mansfield alfo, who was to command the Army ( defiring, for his 
 own interefts, not to ftir from Flanders, either becaufe he inclined not to obey the Duke 
 of Mayenne, or elfe not thinking, that with fo few men, and no money, he could come 
 off with honour,) interpofed many delays, and many hinderances, fo that the Spanifh 
 Camp, fmall in number, ill provided, and difagreeing, durft not advance from their 
 own confines. 
 L*"/ ^n^li- ^"^ ^^^ Duke of Mayenne was more affli<3-ed and troubled than all the reft. He faw 
 veting in fo the Count de Carfy, and the Marefchal de la Chaftre loft, in whom he was formerly 
 ?Us"'i*hinks''" ^°"' ^0 confide more than in any others j the City of Ljaw/ gon , to which place he 
 to make his had rcfolvcd, what evcr happened, to reduce the reliques of his fortunes his Brother 
 icVng. ""'"'" *h^ ^"ke of Nemours no longer Prifoner to the City, but to the King himfelf", Meaux 
 and Tonioyfe'xn the Kings hands, which Town fo nearly bridled the City of Paris, the 
 people whereof, allured on theone fide by the benefits of Peace and Plenty, and on the 
 other fpurred on by their ancient inclination, and refpedt of Confcience, wavered in 
 their refolutions, and it was uncertain to which Party they would at laft incline. For 
 all thefe caufes he was many times thinking to make his peace with the King, be- 
 fore he was forfaken of all, to which the Sieur de ViUeroy perfuaded him with fre- 
 quent Letters, propofing to him honourable and advantageous Conditions i which he 
 fhewed him, that when he was brought lower, he could not be able to obtain i but 
 would be forced to capitulate, not as the Headof the T^^w//, nor as Lieutenant-Gene- 
 *ai of the Crown, but as a particular Prince, and private perfon i but on the other fide, 
 ne knew not how to quit his old hopes, in which the Spaniards did all they poifibly 
 could to confirm him V befides that, to make his Peace without the Popes confent, to 
 whofe judgement he had referred himfelf, feemed to him foundecent a thing, and fo 
 contrary to his reputation, that he could not accommodate his mind unto it, and what- 
 loever the event of bufineffes (hould be, he was refolved rather to perilh, than 
 
 fhew
 
 of France. The Fourteenth "Boo^. 621 
 
 (hew that the paft War had been imbraced by him, out of an ambitious end, and i'^94, 
 not for the maintenance of Religions and he made lefs reckoning of his own r'uine 
 and the deltrudion of his Family, than of the lofs of his honour and reputation ' 
 which he thought he fhould lofe, if he digrefled it never fo fmall a matter from the 
 will and determination of the Pope, and the Apoftolick See s for which reafons he de- 
 pended wholly upon thofe informations that were expedled from Rome, and from the 
 Court oi Spain, and in the mean time had fent Moniieur Je Rofne into Flanders , not 
 onely to haften that Army, but alfo that by him he might be fincerely advertifed of the 
 quality of thofe Supplies which he might certainly hope for from thence. 
 
 In this interim, Cardinal Joyeufe, and the Baron de Senecey, fent laft of all by him to 
 the Pope, and the Abbot of Orba'n fent by the Duke of Guij'e, were come to Kome up- 
 ■on the Two and twentieth oi January , and being brought to have audience of the 
 Pope, after the narration of all things that had part ( thelinifter courfe of which they 
 imputed to the evil Counfcl, and the too evident covetoufnefs of the Spaniards,) they 
 befeeched him that he would be Mediator, to know King Philip's laft refolution, and 
 firm determination i and that he himfelf would be pleafed with men and money to 
 fuccor the danger of Religion, and the urgent necellity of the League, as his Prede- 
 ceflbrs had done i to \yhich Propofitions, the Pope, after having related what had paft 
 with the Duke of Nfwi-x, anfwered. That as concerning theCatholick King's deter- JhePope be< 
 mination, he would endeavour to know what it was, and to confirm him in the good by°thf Duke 
 intention of defending the Faith, and upholding the League » but as for his aflTifting of Miiima 
 with men and money, he began to excufe himfelt from that, by the emergent occafion f^rffitT of 
 of the War with the Turk in Hungary, in which he was neceffitated for the univerfal mtnandiro- 
 fafetyof Chriaians,toimplo; the linews of his ftrengthv andyet he faid, That in as himfdTby'ths 
 much as he was able he would not fail to lend his alTilTance alfo to the affairs of France, war of //«b3- 
 It was not very difficult for the Ambafladors, and particularly for the Baron de Sene- fhe T^t!*'* 
 cey, a man of a quick underftanding to apprehend the Popes meaning, he being very 
 backward to fpend money, and not well fatisfied in the affairs of the Vmon\ where- 
 fore they wrote unto the Duke of Ma)'f««f, that he muft think to furnifh himfelf by 
 other means > for from the Pope there was nothing to be hoped for, nor was he to de- 
 pend upon him for the obtaining of any confiderable Supplies. 
 
 In the like courfe alfo went the negotiation in Spain ■■, for the Sicur de Montpez.it 
 having, after many delayes, treated with the King himfelf, and befought him , that 
 without referring himfelf to his Minifters that were in France^he would declare his Th; King of 
 pleafure, as well in matter of the eledion and marriage of the Infanta, as of the fup- thcUme°cM- 
 plies of men and monies,for the elhblifliment of the Princes thatfliould be eleded,and "<:'■« inaflift- 
 alfo of the Conditions he would grant the Duke o^Mayenne, he could never draw any Le"aaue,tothe 
 other conclufion from him, fave that he Vkould write to' Kowe, and to the Arch-Duke sieurdcA/^ni- 
 Erneji, to fettle what (hould be refolved on, and done, and that it was neceflary to ex- '"^"' 
 ped the informations and anfwersfrom both places, which coldnefsand irrefolutenefs 
 openly fliewed, that the King, either through wearinefs, or weaknefs,^as little incli- 
 ned to go on with the War h but, on the other fide, Don Bernardino Mendozza, by his 
 long abode there, well verfed in the aliairs oi France, having before this written to the 
 Sieur de Komboitillett, that if any body were fent to the Court of Spain, to treat in the 
 nameof theHoufeof BoMrZ'jw, it was very probable that theCatholick King would a- 
 gree to Peace, the King not palling by that occafion had caufed the Sieur de ta Varennc 
 C a Gentleman of great underftanding, and deep reach, and one whom he trufled^ un- 
 der^ pretence of going to fee that Court, and travelling through feveral parts of the 
 World Cas the French ufe to do) to joyn himfelf even with the company of Mont" 
 pezit,zn6. togo to the Courtof'S'/>j/« along with him, where, having conferred often- 
 times with Mendozza, and others of the Council of State, he brought back word at his 
 return, that the Spaniards would certainly conclude a Peace, if means could be found 
 that it might be propounded and negotiated with their reputation i which, though it 
 was attributed to the arts of that Counfel,tomake ufeof the fame engines againft the 
 Duke of Mayenne that he ufed againft them, yet being come to his knowledge, either 
 purpofely, or by chance, it confirmed him in the fufpition he was fallen into,by reafon 
 of the doubtful anfwers which his AmbafTador had received from the Kings own mouth. 
 
 But whilft at Koine they refer the refolution of Affairs unto the Court oi Spain, and in 
 5'/)j/« they are referred to the Advertifements (lomKonie and Flanders, the humour of 
 the French which was not capable of fo much patience, wrought fo effedlually 
 
 in
 
 6^2 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 in favour of the King, that all things were in great comirotions and the Vmm of 
 the Confederates diflblved of it felf in all places. The people of P^m murmured , 
 and kept a noifc, being reduced to exceeding fcarcity, and the benefit they had fclr 
 while before, during the Truce, made their prefent fufferings more troublefomc, 
 intollerabic, the dearth grew every day more neccffitous, and the interruption 
 of commerce, and the decay of trading had brought the common people to extreme 
 miferyforwant ofvidual, infomuch, as that powerful incentive failing, wherewith 
 
 a 
 
 more 
 
 The Parifians 
 murmur by 
 rtaf n nf thcit 
 iufferinjs, 
 which they 
 begin again 
 to feel, and fo 
 
 l"eVi'«>"ft IheChi7faino'ng them were wont to keep them to the League, which was the dan- 
 K'liTon'bf ger of Religion, iince that by many fignes the King's converfion was feen to be real and 
 ing'uken T- unfeigned i every one inclined to free himfelf from trouble, and by peace to make an 
 r''da'"he«'' end of the continued fufferings of fo many years. They faw, that in thofe places 
 of the^King' that fubmitted themfelves to the King's obedience, the Catholick Religion wasmain- 
 fhTca^hf-"^ tained, the Clcrgy-mens goods reftored to them, Garrifons taken away from thofe pla- 
 iickj. ces that belonged to Churches, the exercife of the Hugonot Religion excluded, the 
 
 Corporations maintained in their priviledges, the Catholicks had their Offices con- 
 firmed upon them, the Governments put again into the hands of the fame Comman- 
 ders, and that there appeared no innovation nor danger of any kind whatfoever. The 
 fame of the King's devotion flew abroad, and his inclination to the benefit of the Ca- 
 tholick Religion, that his Council was compofed of all Prelats, and perfons bred up in 
 the fame Faith", his clemency and benignity were exalted i his mind far from re- 
 venge commended, and befides all this, the plenty and quiet they of his party enjoyed, 
 were envied by thofe of the League in the extremity of their fufferings. The cove- 
 toufncfs of the Spaniards, and the ways they had gone in, had filled every one with 
 difcontent, the difcords thatraigned among the heads of the Fadion, put every un- 
 derfknding man in defpair of expeding any profpcrous end after fo longtoyls, and 
 • labours > wherefore the people began to make many Conventicles and Meetings, and 
 
 the Politickj failed not to reprefent fitting confiderations toall degrees and qualities of 
 Perfons i nor did the Count de-Belin, who, as Governor, had the charge to hinder the 
 progrefs of this inclination, feem to take any care of it: either becaufe he was indeed 
 unfatisfied with the Duke ofMayenne, and the Spaniards; or becaufe he thought it 
 impoffible longer to withhold the City from revolting, and therefore agreed to get the 
 King's favour, that he miightby him be confirmed in that Government. 
 
 But the Duke being prefent, it was not hard for him to find out what way the 
 Governor went , and being infligated by the importunities of the Legate, and Spa- 
 nifli AmbafTadors, he refolved to remove him from the Government, which when it 
 was known, the Parliament oppofed it ftifly, but in vain,becaufe the Duke of Mayenntf 
 after having feverely reprehended the Counfellors of Parliament, would by all means 
 have the Count de Erijfac accepted, whom he defired to fatisfie by that means, his 
 wonted Government oiVoiUiers having been violently taken from him a while before 
 by the Duke ofElbxuf, in which change the Duke was very much deceived v- for Brif- 
 Jac (though h^ependcd upon, and had been antiently bred up in his family, yet ) ha- 
 ving fpcnt all his own, to follow the Duke's fortunes, he hadalfo lately been deprived 
 of that Government which heonely loved s whereupon he was full of fecfet difcon- 
 tent, and was not likely to omit thofe occafions that fliould reprefent themfelves to fet 
 his fortune right again i nor was the Government of Paris propofcd to make Iiim a- 
 mends i for befides the expence which the fplendor of that charge carried along with 
 it, which was very unproportionable to his prefent ability, he was alfo certain that he 
 fliould not continue in it i for there was a Treaty already of giving the Government 
 of thelfleof Fr(i«cf to the Marquifs of S. S orliit, znd though they talk'd that it fliould 
 be given him excluding the City of P"7»vV,yet was it very probable, that by the impor- 
 tunities of his Mother heat laft would obtain it. 
 
 But the Duke after he had fettled Bajfac in the Government, confiding abfolutely in 
 him, refolved to go from Paris to Soiffons^ and from thence to the Army, believing ( as 
 it was true) that his lying idle leflen'd his reputation , and gave the people greater 
 conveniency to revolt i and yet at his departure many things crofTed him, and he was 
 put in a fufpition of the new Governors fidelity, and of the intelligence which the 
 Prevo^i des Merchands held with many Politicks that were affed^ed to the Kings par- 
 ty. The Legate, and the Spanifli Ambaffadors exhorted him likewife not to go, but 
 their words were not taken in good part , he thinking they defired his abode 
 in the City, that they might confer the charge of the Army and of managing the war 
 
 upon 
 
 ThtCountrfe 
 Bin is tftno- 
 veJ from the 
 Covcrnwicnt 
 of Vatti^ and 
 the Coont de 
 B"fai tUetti 
 
 in his place. 
 
 The Duke of 
 iin'stf.nt being 
 tefolved to lie 
 no longer idle, 
 to the leflcn- 
 ing of the rt- 
 pucationof bis 
 Partj, ooes 
 from Vtrii.
 
 o/ France. The Fourteenth 'BooJ^, 6^5 
 
 upon the Xyukt o£ Guife ■, indeed he was fomething moved by the perfwafions of his i5^4« 
 Mother Madam de Nemours^ flie telling him that the fum of all things confified now in 
 the confervation of Purij , and that fhe had difcovered fome pradlifes that pad be- 
 tween the Politickj of the City and the new Governor i but neither was that able to 
 diflTvvade him from his departures for it diminifhed his reputation, and prejudiced 
 the courfe of affairs too much to ftand with his hands at his girdle, and let himfelf be 
 ftraightned to the laft necellities without feeking any remedy i and he confidered, that 
 if the King being Mafter of Pontoyfe jnd Meaux^ and by confequence alfb Mafter of the 
 Rivers, and having Vreux, Orleans and Chartres in his power, fliould have a mind to 
 befiege Paris, he fliould be locked up in the City, and not be able to do any thing to 
 relieve it ■■, and having notice that the King had made a Levy of Six thoufand Switzers 
 which were ready to enter into the Kingdom, and knowing that the Queen of Eng- 
 land was fending new fupplies of Men and Ammunition, he thought it neceflary to 
 draw the Forces of the Confederates together, to make oppofition in the Spring-time, 
 if the King (hould take the Field with a great Army, which could not be done unlefs 
 he himfelf in perfon were adtive in thebufinefs, not judging the Duke of Gai/?, or 
 the Duke of Aumale either for authority or experience fufficient to raife, or command 
 the Army, in which charge the fecret intentions of men, now more fufpe<fted by him 
 than ever, would not fuffer him to truft any other perfon. Moved by thefe reafons, 
 and not being able to perfwade himfelf that the Count de Brijfac would forfake him, 
 and change that Faith which he, his Father, and his Grandfather had ever conftantly 
 kept, he at laft departed and took his Lady, and his Son with him, leaving his Mo- 
 ther, his Sifter, the Cardinal-Legat, and the Spanifti Ambafladors at Paris. 
 
 But he was no fooner gone, when the Governour finding himfelf alone, and little 
 valuing all the reft that were in the City, thought that occaiion for the raifing of his 
 fortune again, was not to be bit v wherefore having drawn Jchan ViUer, the Prevojl des ^^"^t^"""* * 
 Marcbands, and the two chief Efchevins, which were Guilliaume du Ver, Sieur de Ne- femi^ begin* 
 ret, and Martin /' Anglois, Sieur de Beauripaire unto his party, he went on to deal with 'r*^'?! "j^^ 
 the firft Prefident, and the other Counfellors of the Parliament. Thefe were difpleafed of the cic.y,to 
 with the Duke of Mayenne, becaufe in many occafions, and particularly in the laft of fht^to'futi- 
 changing the Governour, he had (as they faid} ufed them fliarply and ingratefully, mic to the 
 and openly derided and abufed them, and much more were they di(gufted at the Spa- f„'"p "'"'^^ 
 niards, by reafon of the Propofition of the Infanta, againft whofe eledtion they had 
 (hewed themfelves openly i but that which imported moft of all, was, That the Pre- 
 fidents and Counfellors of the Parliament, (as men diftrufted and difaffe(fted j were 
 ill ufed by the Catholick Kings Ambaffadors, and by the Garifon of Italians, Walloons, 
 and Spaniards, which depended on them fo , that they not only heard proud threats, 
 and opprobrious fpeeches againft themfelves to their very faces, with often mentioning 
 the name of Briton, but their Servants and Caterers were abufed in the Markets by 
 the Souldiers, even to the violent taking away from them whatfoever they bought i 
 for which they having often complained to the Duke of Mayenne, had not gotten any 
 remedy, but only perfwafions to be patient i but at laft from this long fufFerance, they 
 turned to fury, which wakening mens minds, (as it was wont) had made them fee 
 how near they were to the hated fervitude of ftrangers, and how much better it was 
 to f;cure their own fortune with the ftronger party, and free themfelves at laft from 
 anguifh and trouble j wherefore it was not hard to draw tHem to the opinion of the 
 reft, and bring them to confent to fubmit the City to the Kings obedience. 
 
 Things being thus fetled within, and the Governour thinking himfelf to be in fuch 
 a condition as to difpofe of the people his own way, began to treat with the King by 
 means of the Count de la Kochepet, with whom he had an exceeding near aflinitj and 
 friendftiip, and being come from the beginnings of a Treaty, to agree upon the con- 
 ditions, the Count de Schomberg, Monfieur de BeHieure , and the Prefident de TboH^ 
 were employed in the bufineCs, who within a few days concluded what was to be done 
 as well to fatisfie the Count de Brijfac, as to gain the City without tumult, or blood- 
 (hed, and finally the Count himfelf having conferred in the Field with the Sieur de 
 St. Lite, who had married one of his Sifters, under pretence of treating about her For- ^ j- - e 
 tion, about which they had been long in fuit, it was jointly agreed upon, That in the agreement 
 City of Paris, the Fauxbourgs thereof, and ten mile round about, there fliould be no '''j^'"*'i^''*' 
 publick exercife permitted, fave of the Roman Catholick Religion, according to all the King and tne 
 Edi<fts of former Kings : That the King fliould give a general pardon to all of what ftate °°^'""* °^ 
 
 M m m m or
 
 534 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 IS04. or condition focver, that had in word or deed upheld and foincntcd the League, flirr'd 
 up the people to fedition, fpokcn evil of his perlbn, written or printed -j'aind him, 
 thrown down or dcfpiftd his Royal Anns, or the Arms of the Kings his PredccefTors, 
 or that were guilty in any kind whatfoevcr of the pall feditions, excepting thofc that 
 had traiteroully confpired againA his Perfon, or tliat were accelTary to the murther of 
 tlie late King : That the goods and pcrfons of the Citizens , Hiould be free from 
 violence and plunder, all the Priviledges , Prerogatives, and Immunities coi firmed, 
 and kept in the fame degree they were wont te W ui the times ot former Kings: That 
 all Places, Offices, and licncHccs int(; which the Uuke of Mayciun- had put men wiien 
 they were vacant by death, as well within the Parliament as without, fliould be con- 
 firmed unto the fame perHms, but with an obligation to take new Patents from the 
 King: That all theprefent MagiUrates of the City fliould be confirmed it they woi.ild 
 fubmit thtmfelves to the Kings obedience: That every Citizen that would not flay in 
 the City, might have free liberty to depart, and without lurther leave carry away his 
 goods: Tiiat theCardinal-Legat Cardinal Ptiicvc^ and all the Prelats with their Ser- 
 vants, n.ight with their goods and furniture freely flay, or go, how, and when they 
 thought it feafonable: That the Princcflcs and Ladies that were in the City, nriight 
 flay, or go in like manner with full liberty and fecurity : That the Spanifh Ainbaffa- 
 dor^ with their attendants, goods, and families, might alio have Pafs-ports and Safe- 
 condudfs, from the King, to go fecurely whither they plcafed : That the ' ouldiers of 
 the Garifon, Krcncli and flrajigers of any Nation focver, might march out of the City 
 armed in rank and file, their Druiris beating. Colours flying, and light Match, to go 
 whither they thoight good : That two hundred thoufand Crowns fliould be paid to 
 Partiniiar thc Count de Briff'ac in rccompencc of his expenccs, and lofTcs, and .that he fliould 
 toaci'u'dt'd in have twenty thoufand Franks of an annual peufion, thc Charge of Marfhal of Fr./wcf 
 the favour of conferred upon him by the Duke of Mjyennc fliould be confirmed , and thc perpetual 
 BfijucT ' Government of Corbie and Mante granted to liim i wliich things with many other of 
 Icfs moment being agreed upon, both fides appiyed thcmfelves to the execution of them. 
 The KiitB de- Tiie King at this time was at Chartres, where he had caufed himfelf to be Crown' 
 cVowneV;' td, and Anointed, or fas they callit) Sucre ; about which there had been many dif- 
 fome oiijcfl ficulties, wliicii ntverthelcfs by the authority of the Council were fcafonably removed » 
 
 that It cannot ,■ i i i ■ i i t i i r i- i • i i i- • i • ^^ 
 
 lie iione but tor lie, that he iriight take away the doubts of fcrupulous mmds, delirmg to his Con- 
 whe'te'The vcrlion to add this Ceremony, which is wont to be ufed to all Kings, fome objedl'cd 
 XMir ^mpDii', that the Confecration by an ancient cuflom could not be but at the City of Kf/wf/, 
 kept'rfiyki!" "or by the hands of any other than thc Archbifliop of tiiat Church i but having dili- 
 (theyfaynvai gcntly ovct-Iookcd thc Hiflory of formcr tiiTics , the learned found that many Kings 
 He""vc'ni,y''a"n '''^'^ ^^^^ Confccratcd in other places j and fince that City was not in thc Kings power, 
 AurcI io a. rtafou confented not that he fhould therefore remain without that due Ceremony 
 OtHi], ""'' which they thought neccfTary for his pcrfcd' Eflabliflimcnt. Tliis difticulty being re- 
 moved, there fucceeded anotlier, how thc King could be Anointed without the Oyl of 
 St. Ampoule^ which was kept in the Cathedral of that City, and which Cas fame re- 
 ports) was brought down by an Angel from Heaven, purpofcly for the Confecration 
 of KingC/rw/V, and the other Kings of France his SuccefTors i but neither of tliis was 
 there any other necellity fave bare tradition ; whereupon it was dcteriTiined that nei- 
 tlier thc City, nor the Oyl being in thc Kings power, thc Oyl fliould be brought that 
 is kept in the City oi' 'lours , in the Monaflcry of the Friers of St. Martin^ of which 
 there is a report (confirmed by tiic authority of inany Writers) that it was likcwifc 
 Irought from Heaven to anoint that Saint^ when, falling from the top of a Ladder, 
 all his bones were broken, and fluttered in pieces i wherefore Monfieur de Soitvray 
 Govcrnour of I'ours, having caufed that Vial to be brought out in ProceflTion, by Uioft 
 A onks that had it in keeping, and having placed it under a rich Canopy of State, 
 •ct round pompoufly witii lights, in thc top of a Chariot iriadc exprefly for that pur- 
 pofc, and guarded by four Troops of Horfe, he himfelf going before it all the journey, 
 brought it along with him to the City of Chartres , and with that Oyl they Anointed 
 the King at his Confecration, caufing it afterward to be carried back to its place, with 
 the fame Ceremony and Veneration. 
 
 There arofc alfo a Competition among thc Prelates , Which of them fhould per* 
 
 ornn the Aft of Confecration i for thc Archbifliop of Bourses pretended , that Fun- 
 
 B'fl" '°"8'^<i "nto him , as Primate ", and on tiic other fide , Nichabf de Thou, 
 
 cilnop of Lhartres , alledged , That the Ceremony being to be Celebrated in his 
 
 Church,
 
 of France. The Fourteenth T^ooL 6 3< 
 
 Cluirch , it could not be taken away from Iiim. Tlic Council fLntcncccl in Tavour of isoA. 
 the liilliop oi tlic Diocifs i and fo upon tiic Twenty fcvtntli of l-'thiti.irv tlic King 
 was confccratcd with great Solemnity and Pontp, both Ecclcliallical and Military, the 
 twelve Tcers ot Frjwf being prefent at the Ceremony ■, lix liccleiiafticil, and lix Se- 
 cular, which were, the Eifliopof Cbartres^ NjiUcs^ '^ A/j;;.r, Mullc^.tyt^ Orlcjiis, and *TWFrf».| 
 /hifijcri^ reprclenting thofe of Keimcs^ L.tuj^ttes, I.joti^ heauvais^ Noyo>i, znd Chjloiit : /•'/'**'"«"• 
 and for tlic Secular Peers, the Prince of (.'fl«/| for the Duke of K(iur(ri)(rne^ the Duke 
 of Siiijfoiis for the Duke of Ciiiennf, the Duke of Mi'iit/'cnCn'r for tlic Duke of Nor' 
 m.Dirly, the Duke of Luxemhiirgh in Head ol the Earl of I- biulers^ tlie Duke of 2u7;i 
 in (lead of the Count de 1 auloitj?^ and the Duke oi Vantadour in flead of the Count 
 de Clojmpjpie t the Archbifliop of himrs^cs did the Oflice of Crand Aumofnier , the 
 Mareflul do M.iiiy»m of High Conllablc, the Duke of Lnii^iieviWc that of High 
 Cluni[)cr!ain, the Count f/c St. Paul that of (>r.»W M.njirc^ and the High Chancel- 
 lor Chiverny holding the Seals in his Right Hand, fate on one fide of the Cloth of 
 State. 
 
 The King, according to the cuftom of the Kings of Fmmcc, upon the day of this The oiiiRni- 
 Solemnity, received t!ie Communion in both kinds, took the Oath wiuch all the Kings """' ^j""",, 
 of fVjwa- are wont to take, to maintain the Catliolick Faith, and the authority of the of their con- 
 Holy Cluirch, and at his coming out of the Ciuu-cii, touciied thofe that had the Is,ings '""'»"""■ 
 Evil, to tlic number of tiircc hundred i from the Church he went unto the Fealt, 
 wliere, according to the cullom, fate the twelve Peers that had been prefent at the 
 Ceremony, the Princefs Katlwhu; Silkr to the King, with the other great Ladies 
 that were at Court, and the Ambalfadors of tiie Qi.ieen of \iii(;Jaitd^ and the Kepublick 
 of Venice. After Dinner the King went to I'ejjiers^ where he received the Order of 
 the St. fffrit-, renewing liis Oath for tlic; confervation of tiic faith, and the perfecution 
 of Hcrclici wliicii Ceremonies us they filled the hearts of his own party with gie.it 
 joy and gladnefs i to did they the more move the inclination of the others to acknow- 
 ledge and obey him. 
 
 In the mean time the Treaties in V-ius were ripening for the reducing of that City, 
 being managed witii great dexterity and fccreiie by the (iovcrnour, the I'rcvolt des Mir- 
 chandf, and Prclident le Ma/jire i but thwarted more than ever by the violent perfwa- 
 lionsofthc Preaciicrs, vviioccafed not to cry from their Pulpits, that tlie Kings Con- 
 verlion was feigned and dilTetnbled, and no body could acknowledge him with a good 
 Confciencc. The bulinefs was likewife crolTed by the pradtiees and boldncfs of the 
 Sixteen, who fnicc the accident of Prclident />»v|Q""/, having remained with fmall cre- 
 dit, and lefs power, being now fomented by the Legat and the Spaniards, and no Icfs 
 by the Dutchenes of Nemours and Moitlpenfter, (who had turned their Sails according 
 to the Wind) they began to rife again, meeting frequently, often flirring up commo- 
 tions, and proceeding auJacioufly againll tiiofc that were fufpedted to be of the Kings 
 party ; but the Governour making iife of his authority, and alfo of tlie Duke at M.iy- 
 f line's Name, laboured todillipatcand fupprefs them, under colour that he would have 
 no Conventicles, nor armed infurredfions in a time of fo great fufpition : and finally, 
 hivini!; accorded with the Pailiament, they caufed publick Proclamation to be made, ''i' '""'''"'' 
 
 1 • <- 1 1 1 ,■ r ■ L 1 /111 \ 1 111 tlie Oovcr- 
 
 riiat upon pain ot death, and conlifcation or goods, none flunild go to any Meeting, nour ot /'.nn 
 except in the Town-Houfe, and in the preftnce of above five Magillratcs. Upon the V',"'mZ*t'' 
 foundation of this Decree, the Governour fharply uling force, did within a tew 'ii" upon pant 
 days delhoy and takeaway the oppolition ot ihc Sixteen, infomuch , that being at cinliVcrlonol 
 la(( in fuch a condition, that he was able to difpofe of the City, he refolvcd tiiat he ?"»'«• """« 
 would receive the King upon the Twenty fecond of Mtrch in the M(jrning •, and to {!ie"blt°i1'!he 
 tiiis end, having fpread a report that tlie Duke ot A/./v'"'"' was fending Men and Am- ''own houfe. 
 munition from Soijjoui to re-inlbrce the City, and that it was neccllary to fend to Tht count j« 
 meet them , he caufed Colonel Gijcnpn Arc^enti to go forth the day before witli his "''f" '>»vin(; 
 Frencii Regiment, in wliicii he conlided not, fending them toward lie.nivaij , by tcivcihcKirg 
 which way he faid thofe Supplies were coming i M.triin I' Annlois had already dealt i"'", '^■"■'>. 
 
 ■ 1 ill ■(- ■,■ r c I I- /» • ■ I ■ feiiJifor hiha 
 
 with, and by tlie promne ot a great turn of money, drawn ?t.SJ«"'"" over to his party, lorces he di-, 
 who commanded the Tertia of Walloons that was in the Town : But the fufpicion of "'""•' '«'i^"- 
 
 • 1 • I r^ I .- .• ■ I III- I I • I i I I 1 i '"- "'" ''" 
 
 It being come to the Duke ot eeru, heeauled lum to l)e laid hold on u|U)ii the One and uukcofAf^,- 
 
 twentieth day, and removed that whole Tertia, as likewife that (jther of Spaniards into ""••••""*"<'- 
 
 the quarters near his own houfe, which being about the K-ue St, Antoine, in the rcmotelt a.i?iih»e iciv» 
 
 place from. that part where it was intended the King fliould be brought in, it proved ^,Vtt1b7m."* 
 
 M m m III 2 very
 
 6-^,6 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5j?4. 
 
 Thf manittr 
 ufsd by the 
 Covcrnour to 
 bring the King 
 into [be City 
 of Piih- 
 
 The Winntt 
 how the Kirg 
 and his Purees 
 cnietcd inio 
 Tj ij. 
 
 After eioht 
 ycirs fpice 
 (.for fo long it 
 Was finceKing 
 Htnvi the Xu. 
 fled from 
 thence) the 
 City of Var.i 
 returns iato 
 obedience, 
 and Hrttfy the 
 Fourth enterj 
 V'o it. 
 
 very much to the piirpofc, that the ftrongeft Forces were quartered at fo great a di- 
 llancc. The Neapolitan Tertia commanded by Aleffandro de Monti was fent by the 
 Govcrnour into that part of the City which lies beyond the River, faying, He would 
 keep them there in a readinefs to receive a great quantity of Vidual which was to be 
 brought in on that fide the next day. Only the Gerir.ans were retained toward the 
 quarters of St. Honore and St. Dem as being more eafie , either to be perfwaded, or 
 defeated i the Gnvernour not being willing by emptying that quarter utterly , to in- 
 creafc thefufpicion that already began to fpread hotly in all places. 
 
 The Evening being come, the Governour having at his houfe affembled the pTev(^ 
 dcs Marcbaitds, and thofe Heads and Magiftrates of the People, which he hoped would 
 confent , laid open to them his intention, the Articles of Agreement made with the 
 King, and the neceility they were reduced to of freeing themfelves by peace from thofe 
 fuiferings and dangers which had no other remedy i and having found them all una- 
 nimoufly difpofed to follow his advice, he exhorted them to do it freely, and with a 
 good heart, and to provide, that the alteration of things, and the introducing the 
 King might be effeded without ftir or tumult > to which every one there prefent be- 
 ing ready, they, about Nine of the Clock at night, difpatched Tickets fubfcribed by 
 the Frevoji des Marcbands , to the greater part of the Matters of the feveral Wards, 
 whom they had changed and chofen their own way, advertifing them that the Peace 
 was made, and that the Accommodation being to infue the next morning, they (hould 
 take care there were no uproar, but that every one imbracing Peace, which was fo 
 neceflary, and fo long defired, fliouldraife no tumult, the fafety and goods of the Ci- 
 tizens being certainly fecure. 
 
 This order being given, (which part w'ith infinite fecrefie, and was willingly exe- 
 cuted byallj the Governour went to Porte ZVZ'fw/we about midnight, and having brought 
 the Germans thither, fet them in order with their Arms, and in a fliort time caufcd 
 the Earth to be taken away wherewith that Gate had been dammed up long before. 
 The like did the Prevoji des Marcbands at the Forte St, Venii, where having left Mar- 
 tin P Anglois to guard it, he went to meet with the Governour at Forte bieufue The 
 night had been exceeding rainy, and with thunder and lightning very llormy and 
 dark \ wherefore the King having marched with his Army from Senlis to St. Denis the 
 night before, was two hours after the time appointed before he appeared ", and in the 
 interim the whole City being in a commotion, the noife was heard by the Spanifh Am- 
 bafladors, of which the Duke of Ffr/.^ pre(ently drew the Infantry that layabout hirn 
 into arms, and D/>^o adt^jrrj riding haftily on horfeback to Forte Neufite^ asked in his 
 wonted haughty manner, What was doing there ? But the Count de Briffjc no k-fs 
 haughtily anfwered him, That he was not obliged to give him an account what was 
 done : But in courteiie he would tell him, that the Men and Ammunition which were 
 coming from the Duke of Mayenne were to be received there j for that to avoid falling 
 into the Kings hands, they were come a by-way on that fide, and therefore he might 
 be quiet, and go take his reft. Diego either believing this, or knowing there could 
 not be any oppoiition, went alfo to the quarter of the Spaniards. 
 
 It was already Four of the Clock in the morning, when Monfieur de St. Luc arrived 
 with the firft Troops of the Army at the Tuilleryes without the Gate, and having given 
 the fign by three Rockets that were fired in the Air, as they had agreed, the Count 
 de Erijjjc advanced to fee if it were he, and to fpcak with him i and being come back 
 to the place where the Frevoji des Mercbands ftaid, they prefently cauftd the Gate to be 
 fet wide open, at which MonHzMx de St. Lwcentrcd firft of all, marching on foot with 
 hisPiftol in his hand, and placed Captain FavM with an hundred armed men in two 
 rows to guard the fame Port, and he himfelf with the Sieur de Vic, and Four hundred 
 Souldicrs of the Garifon of St. Denis poffeffed the Rue St. Tbsmas ■■> then followed 
 Monfieur d'' Hmnieres and the Count de Belin, (who was already gone over to fervc the 
 King out of anger for being put out of his Government) and Captain Kattllet all on 
 Foot with their Arms ready, and advancing with Eight hundred men , made them- 
 felves Mafters of the Pont St. Michel. Thirdly, entred Monfieur d' 0, Governour of 
 the lile of France, and deftined to be Governour of Farii, who with the Baron de Sa- 
 'f.?«^c, and Four hundred Souldiers marching along the Wall, went to poflTefs the Forte 
 p.Homre; the Marefchal ^f Matignon who led the Switzers, having at his entrance 
 h"-h i?^"^""^" Foot in Arms, cried out to them aloud to throw down their Arms, 
 Which they refufing to do, he having commanded thofe that followed him to charge 
 
 their
 
 of France. The Fourteenth 'Eool^. 
 
 657 
 
 their Pikes, caufed about twenty of them to be flain, and as many caft into the River i 
 whereupon the reft throwing down their Arms, were -taken and brought by him to 
 St. Ihiimas Church j from whence he fpread himfelf with his Switzers as far as the 
 Croix de liroir in the midft of the Kus St. Honore. After him eiitred the Sieur de Belle- 
 gardf^ and then the Count de St. Paul with two other Squadrons, who made a ftand 
 before the Louvre, fpreading themfelvcs as far as St. Germains Church. After thefe 
 marched the King himfelf on foot likewife, compleatly armed at the head of Four hun- 
 dred Gentlemen , and inclofed between two rows of the Archers of his Guard i and 
 having found the Count de Brijfacax the entry of the Bridge, he prefently took off his 
 own white ^carf he wore, and having put it over the Counts flioulder, embraced him 
 clofcly ■, and at the fame time the Governour crying out aloud, Vive le Koy •■, the word 
 was taken up firl\ by the Prevnji des Merchands who flood behind him, and then from 
 one to another was doubled thorow all the Wards of the City ■■, and even they them- 
 felves that were not privy to the bufinefs, joyfully reiterated the fam.c cry. The King 
 palling on in themidft of a Lane made by his own men, commanded that none upon 
 pain of death fhould do injury to any body, and with the fame attendance went ftrait 
 to the Church of Nojire-T>ame, where he was received by the Priefts with no lefs ap- 
 plaufe than he had been in other places. The lart that came in, was the Marcfchal 
 de Ketz, who advancing in excellent order to the utmoft parts of the City, to fecure 
 thofe quarters, met Viego d' Ivarra, who with two Companies of Spaniards was coming 
 towards the tumult i but the Kings Forces coming in fo much a greater number, they 
 retired where the reft of them were, and the Marefchal poflefled the Rne St. Martin ■■, 
 that of St. Denis being already pofleffed by Monfieur Vitry, and the Sieur de la No'xe^ 
 who cntred at that Gate. At the Kings coming out of the Church, the people al- 
 ready certain of what was come to pafs, and affured of their own fafety, took up the 
 cry of Vive le Koy again, m.ore joyfully than before, and began with very great emu • 
 lation of one another to put on White Ribbands, and Croflcs of the fame colour in 
 their Hats, ftriving with joy and gladnefs who fliould be the Hrft to open their Shops i 
 fo that within two hours the City was as quiet, as if there had been no innovation at 
 all 
 
 Before the King went to the Louvre, hefent Monfieur du Perron ("a while before re- 
 turned from Rome) unto the Cardinal-Legat : Letting him know, that it was in his 
 own liberty cither to go or ftay ■-, but that he prayed him to rind out fome means that 
 they might confer together , fince the Pope had refufed to admit Ambaffadors i to 
 which he aufwered , that fince he was at liberty, he would not only go out of the 
 City, but quite oat of the Kingdom, which though the King endeavoured to diffwadc, 
 yet was it not poirible to hinder him, as well bccaufe he would not be conftrained to 
 treat any thing with a Prince that was not acknowledged by the Pope, as becaufe of 
 his old inclination ; which even when all things were in defperation ( perhaps to 
 ftiew himfelf conftant ) he could not difTemble i and yet being ufed with great re- 
 fped, he ftaid fix days in the City , and thence being accompanied by the fame dit 
 Perron as far as Montargn, he continued in his way to go ftraight out of the Kint*- 
 dom. 
 
 At the fame time the King entred, Cardinal Pfil/f»e was drawing his Jaft breath, who 
 having heard the refolution of bufineifes, faid angerly, that he hoped yet the Arms of 
 the Spaniards and good Catholicks, would drive that Hugonot out of Paris ; and as 
 foon as he faid thofe words, he departed out of this life. 
 
 The Count de Bri(ptc went to the Spanifli Ambaffadors, and gave them charge from 
 the King to fct St. ^intin at liberty, which they refufed not to obeyi and having 
 recalled AieQ'jitdro de Monti to join with the Spanifti Forces, they refolved to be gone 
 the fame day i wherefore in the afternoon being accompanied by Monfieur de St Luc 
 and the Baron de Salignac , thev came in themidft of their Forces , which marched 
 in order toward the Porte St. Martin, at the entrance whereof the King ftayed on 
 horfe-back to fee them depart. They bowed down exceeding low, and were cour- 
 teoufly faluted by him again ••, fo without more words they went forth of the City, 
 and being convoyed by the Kings Forces as far as Bourget, they took the way tbward 
 Soijjons, and fo travelled to the Frontiers. 
 
 The King with the fame affability fent the High Chancellor, and Monfieur de Bel- 
 lieure to vifit the Dutchefles, and to make his excufe if that day he had not time to 
 vifit them in perfon, who having accommodated their affairs, departed, being very 
 
 civilly 
 
 15P4- 
 
 The Count lie 
 B-'JT'C cries 
 Kii/e le Ray, 
 and the faine 
 cry runs tho- 
 row the whole 
 City. 
 
 The people 
 ftiivc who 
 (hall mark 
 thtmfdvcs 
 firft with 
 white Kib- 
 birds and 
 white Crortet 
 in their Hats, 
 and open their 
 ShopSjthcCity 
 being quicc 
 within HV9 
 
 IttUti. 
 
 The Cardinal- 
 Lejit goes 
 
 out if the 
 Kingdom.
 
 638 The Htslory of the Civil Wars 
 
 1 594. civilly ufed, and honourably accompanied i the King with his couitef.e exceeding the 
 
 obligation of his promifcs. ^ v i. r- . -kt- 1 1 yr , 
 
 r Ti,^ R;(l„.n J ^enln one Orleans an Advocate, toucher a Curate, Nicholof Varade 
 
 Many out of 1 llC tillnop 01 jr«<w, uiiv. ■ c o ^ J t> II ^- .U /- . c c t 
 
 j.iouficJc- g T^fj^ijjj, chriiioPhle Aubrc Curate of St. ^Ww, Pe//f*«fr the Curate oi St. Jaques^ 
 GV^r^uu-' 7i«f J C«W Curate of St. Gfrm^^«.x, >/^« HamHton Curate of St. C.y;«e Father Guc~ 
 o„, jnaivith j:^-^^'^ Francifcan aiid divers others of the Preachers,- and Ejchevtnsoi the City went 
 tL\,lx,io,. away fome with the Legat, and fome with the Spanifli Minifters, all the reft of the 
 people and many of thofe that had been the Kings bitter Enemies remaining, againft 
 whom'caccording to his promife given; he fuffered not any commotion at all to be 
 
 Ti,«fl.(i.;r af. Tlie Baliile remained in the Enemies hands, governed by the Sieur du Bottrg, who 
 ur five days f^^ jj^^ ^^/j. g^ J fccoud day was fo far from making any fliew of yielding, that on the 
 LrrnjTeVto contrary with many Cannon-(hot he laboured to iniell the Town i but after that a 
 'h' Mc"ur'',/« Battery was raifed againll him , and that he found he wanted Vidual and Ammuni- 
 i"'^- ' ' tion, he furrendred it the fifth day, and having left it in the Kings power, followed 
 the journey of the reft. 
 
 Thus without tumult, without difficulty, and without blood, the City oi Tarit 
 was recovered abfolutely to the Kings obedience, who having caufed a general pardon 
 to be publidied, fent his Army forth of the Town, to quarter i recall'd the Parliamerir, 
 open'd the ways for provifions, to the publick comfort of men of all qualities > and 
 within a few days fetled the City again in its former populoufnefs and ancient fplen- 
 dour. 
 
 The Example of ?aris was followed' by Monfieur ds ViUars Governour of RoJiw, 
 who having treated and concluded by the means of Maximilian de Bethioie Sieur de 
 Kojhy^ agreed about the fame time to acknowledge the King, bringing with him the 
 free navigation of Seine, Harflenr, Havre de Grace, and all the Coaft of upper Normandy. 
 The Treaty pf his Agreement had been fomething difficult i for VtVars demanded the 
 confirmation of the degree of High Admiral, which Office he executed in the party of 
 the League, and the Baron de Byren, who a while before had obtained that dignity of 
 vonfJeut it the King, was very unwilling to let it go > but in the end it being clear that thofe who 
 ^Jx'c.i^ZZ'n returned to the Kings obedience, were to be allured by the Confirmation of the Offi- 
 fui_mits him- ces, and Governments whereof they were in poffeflion, the Baron was fain to quit if, 
 Kinss°otc!i- receiving in flead thereof the degree of Mareffial , which his Father had held very 
 '""• long ■, and yet was it not without his exceeding great discontent, though the King 
 
 made him a gift of Twenty thoufand Crowns, and promifed him many Governments, 
 he pretending his merit to be the chief in all the Kings Vidories, and that it was not 
 fit to deprive him of his honour and revenues to give them to Enemies j which though 
 he with his wonted freedom of fpeech exaggerated oftentimes, faying he would give 
 his Office of Marefiial for a Nag of Fifty Crowns , yet could he not divert the Kings 
 determination, whereupon he conceived fo great difdain, as in after-times brought forth 
 wonderful great inconveniences. But Vicars having got the charge of Admiral, the 
 confirmation of his Governments, entertainment for the Provencial Souldiers that fol- 
 lowed him, and the Government of Havre de Grace in reverlion for his Brother the 
 Chevalier d'' Oyfe, declared himfcif in the end of March, and put thofe places under 
 the Kings obedience, which obtained all things fit, as well for the maintenance of Re- 
 ligion, as their particular intercfts. 
 
 Thus the whole Province of Normandy being come into the Kings power, there re- 
 ^ maincd only Honfleirr in the lower Province which held for the party of the League. 
 That Town ffands in a corner which like a teninfula thrulls it fclf forwards and 
 advances into the Ocean Sea, over againft Havre de Grace, lying on the other fide juft 
 in the place, where the River Seine falls into the Sea, fo that between the two Fortreffes 
 there is nothing but the current of the Rivet which receiving the fluxof theSea, and 
 largely overflowing, is two great French Leagues in breadth. The Commander of 
 this, place was Commendatory Grillon, who as being a Provencial had got thither a grcs J 
 Garifon'of that fame Country, and there being with him in it one of the Sons of the 
 Sieur ds Foumaine Martel, a principal man m the Country of Caux, ,Caf tain la Tour, a 
 valiant and expert Warrior , Captain Glaife Nephew to the Governour of Caen, one 
 Irnv/he a Curate, who from a Prieft was become a famous Commander , and many 
 other Souldiers and Gentlemen who followed the fame fadion , they had made it a 
 principal retreat, and over-running and pillaging theCouRtry, and taking any prifoners 
 
 without
 
 of France* The Fourteenth "Book 67g 
 
 without regard, impofing taxes upon rich men, and with a good number of barks i<;o4k 
 well manned , making ptize of thofe velTels that paft at the mouth of the River had 
 filled the place not only with ftore of Souldiers, and all preparations for War, but alfo 
 with abundance of riches : wherefore the Duke of Montpsfifisr^ defiring to take away '^^'- ^"''« °f 
 that obftacic, that flood in the midft of his Government, and to free the neighbour- hy"'aTf"lo 
 ing people from thofe fufferings , refolved to befiege it in the beginning of April j '^••"fi "° 
 wherefore he fummoned in the Gentry of all the Province, and with two thoufand oniy'^'pilce'''' 
 Englifh Foot that were newly landed to go into Bretagne, eight hundred Germans who '^-^ ^^^^ '?' 
 had ferved in thofe parts a great while, four French Regiments drawn together out of lowe/Nf^Li- 
 the Garifons of that Province, which amounted to the number of three thoufand, three '''" 
 hundred HarquebulTiers on horfe-back, and eight hundred Gentlemen marched from 
 Lificux upon the tenth of A^ril, and appeared before the Town upon the eleventh in 
 the rr orning. 
 
 The vwn on the land- fide , is encompafTed with a Moat of forty paces broad, 
 through V hich the Sea ebbs and flows, and over it ftands a fpatious Bridge, upon 
 Pillars of Srone, but covered above with planks, and timber which the Duke had de- 
 figned'tc poffefi himfelf of, at his firft arrival > wherefore while the Army drew near 
 with an i^afie match, Colonel la Liferne advanced with his Regiment towards the Bridge, 
 beirg feconded by Monfieur de Fervaques with two hundred and fifty Horfe, but they 
 of the Town forefeeing the defign, had placed two Falconets upon the Bridge, and 
 had given the charge of making it good upon 7ruville the Curate with one hundred 
 Foot ■-, whereupon at the arrival of the Kings Infantry, they began a fierce skirmifh i 
 to which Captain la Tour coming on the Towns fide with another hundred of the 
 ftouteft Souldiers , la Litemes Foot he^^zn to retire, v/hen the Slcux de Fervaqttes 
 (perchance with more courage tha;i difcretion) ran full fpeed to beat back the Enemy, 
 who already was advanced into a large place without the narrownefs of the Bridge ; 
 but Truville and U tour, when they faw him fo far engaged, that he Was come with- /-J^fl'i''f/'' / 
 in fliot of their Falconets , made fo feafonable ufe of them , that being laden with- ^"'; ('"nticb 
 * Tarliag^ they killed above twenty of his men at a clap, and wounded twenty morej ftr^"l/row Tfr' 
 among which Henries Vavila who wrote this Hiftory having his Horfe killed under "/ f"'"'^-" h 
 him, was in very great danger of being flain > but Fervaques wheeling off, the ^ng- ""/ib'njhfri 
 lifli came up to the skirmifh, which (being reinforced fometimes by the French Foot, '^■'•'"rgi.'/t 
 ibmetimes by the Harquebufiers on horfe-back, fometimes by Fervaques with his Horfe 'r]'e^,,'",^bil7r'e 
 again) lafled that whole day, without being able to- beat the Defendcncs from the "»■"'''•'> "f"* 
 Bridge. /<^.ta.f«rA 
 
 Monfieur de Surrenne one of the Field Marefchals, caufed a Fort to be eaft up that 
 night, over againft the Bridge i which though the Artillery from within annoyed it 
 very much, was yet made defenfible the next day, and having planted four pieces of 
 Cannon in it, they played fo hot upon the Enemies, that Iruville the Curate being 
 killed with a Culverin Bullet, they were forced to forfake the Bridge > but they (hewed 
 fo firm refolution, that they would not leave it to retire into the Town till they had 
 feen all the wood-work burnt, or thrown into the water. The three days following, 
 the Artillery were planted, which to the number of fourteen Pieces battered from the 
 Gate to the Sea-(hore on the Weft-fide » but they were fo much defpifed by the be- 
 fieged for fome few days at firft, that Captain la Jour feared not between fliot and fhot 
 to appear upon the Wall, nor, for all the Cannoniers could do, (who interpreted that 
 aftion to be in fcorn of them) was it polfible either to hit him or daunt him » and yet 
 within five days they had made fo great a breach with their Artillery, that upon the 
 two and twentieth day, the Foot advanced to give the affault. 
 
 The Moat had been very ill difcovered, ("a thing more pernicious than all others in '^^« Kings 
 matter of alTault) and the Commanders believed it had been full of Sand, brought up on't" tlt'/ff- 
 by the flowing of the Sea, that might have been able to bear the weight of thofe that f^"'.' withonc 
 (hould fall on i fo that watching the opportunity of the Tyde, the Englifh and the diTcov"c«d the 
 Trenchj when the Water was at the loweft, gave on in feveral places of the Moat > ^'J'"' '." ^''- 
 but though they found firm Sand at the firft, and fo went on j yet being come into the (iiowcrr^" 
 middle, they funk in fo deep, that many of them ftuck faft, without being able to »"„''"' 
 get out, and fo like wild Beafts catched in a Net, were with cries and hillings pelted 
 to death with fmall fliot by the Enemies that were upon the Wall. Captain Gafco»et 
 was flain there with eighty French i and of the Englifh above 150, with their Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel. 
 
 Bat
 
 6^0 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15^4. 
 
 * Or Cultings 
 
 'S. 
 
 Henflexf is it- 
 hieted sp to 
 the Duke of 
 
 tMmtjc"ficr. 
 
 Haces th»t 
 ^ield thtm- 
 felvts to the 
 Xin^s obedi- 
 ence. 
 
 But the Duke vext at this Co great mifchance , would needs after that be prefenf 
 himfclf in all bufinefles, and with very great art, and no lefs diligence caufed certain 
 Bridges to be made of a middling length, which reached from the edge of the Moat 
 as far as the Mud , each having in the Front of it a little Gabion filled with Earth, 
 under fayour whereof, calling great brufh Faggots, Stones, and other rubbifh into the 
 hollow of the Moat, they laboured to fill it up by little and little, though it was done 
 with evident danger, and the lofs of a great many of the beft Souldiers, by reafon of 
 the continual (howring of Musket-fhot , Stones , Fire-works , and other inventions, 
 with which the Defcndents ufcd inceiTantly to offend them- But the work being fi- 
 niflied in four days, they found the Enemy had caft up a great Trench within, where- 
 with they had made up and covered all that fpace of the Wall that was battered : 
 Whereupon the place being viewed, it was judged ^ry diflicult, and in a manner im- 
 poflible to enter it. Wherefore the Duke making all their endeavours to be imployed 
 that fame night at the Bridge which was broken down, caufed it to be fo pieced up 
 with new Beams and Planks, that it might be paffed over, though with fome diffi- 
 culty, and but few in Front, which was effeded beyond every ones belief, for the 
 night was fljort, and they wrought in the dark, except only the light the Defehdents 
 made by throwing great ftore of Fire-works to difcover what was doing. The fame 
 night five pieces of Cannon were drawn thither from the next Battery, and they be- 
 gan furioufly to give fire by break of day, in fuch manner, that they beat down the 
 Tower of the Gate, and a great part of it before the befieged had time to make any 
 * Retrenchments. Scarce was the- breach (b wide , that two or three Ynight enter 
 abrelt, when the Sieur de Fompiere and the Baron d^ -^'^y, with two valiant Squa- 
 drons ran furioufly to the Affaultj but finding a no left valiant refiftance from the be- 
 fieged, there began a fliort, but furious conflidl", wherein they of the Town prevail- 
 ing, by reafon both the Commanders that made the Affault were forely wounded, the 
 Infantry within half an hour drew off" from the Wall i which that it might not be re- 
 paired,the ArtiHery began to play again without intermiilion » fo that toward the even- 
 ing Colonel la Liferne^and Colonel Colombiere^two Brothers, renewed the Affault in the 
 fame place, which though conftantly fuftained by thofe within, yet the ftouteft Pro- 
 vencjals being flain. Captain Glaife wounded', Fountaine Martel lamed , their Fire- 
 works fpcnt, and four of the befl: Pieces they had broken. Commendatory GrilloH be- 
 gan to think of furrendering ■■, fo that news coming thither opportunely by Sea, that 
 the Admiral ViUars , and the City of Kouen , Monti-villier , Honfleur ', and Havre de 
 Grace, {landing on the other fide of the River, had imbraced the Kings party > be- 
 ing by that means deprived of all hope of being relieved , he bent his mind to think 
 of faving the abundance of riches they had there gotten together : For which pur- ■ 
 pofe it was neceffary to make compofition, and not ffay till they were brought to the 
 utmoft weaknefs. Wherefore having fent to parley with the Sieurs de Fervaques and 
 Sitrene^ he at laft concluded to furrenderupon condition to go forth, their goods and 
 perfons fafe , laying down Twelve thoufand Crowns for the payment of the Army, 
 and to march on the other fide of the River , to thofe Towns that held yet for the 
 League. Thus the Town being put into the hand of the Sieur d' Jleret, Governour 
 of Tuques^ a Servant of the Duke of Mantpe}ifter''s, the whole Province of Normandy 
 remained in the Kings obedience > for la Fountaine Martel, who was Governour ct 
 Nenf-Chajiel in the County of Caux^ fubmitted himfelf in like manner about the fame 
 time. 
 
 But already the people, and the Governours being weary of the troubles of War, 
 and allured by the Kings clemency, and the liberal conditions he gave, who with full 
 fatisfaftion contented the dcfires of all thofe that came over to his Party, made hafte 
 in all places to acknowledge him > and the Court was full of thofe that negotiated the 
 Peace, either of their Friends and Dependents, or of the Cities and Towns that came 
 into the Kings obedience. Abbeville and Montrevil followed this counfel in the Pro- 
 vince of Picardy i Troys , a great City, and well-peopled, in the Province ofjCham- 
 pagne; Sens, a City and Archbilhoprick, in the Anfines of Brie and Bourgongne •■, Agett^ 
 ViUe-neufue , and Marmande , in the confines of Gttafcogne ■-, and finally , the City of 
 ToiUiers was reduced to the Kings devotion by Scevole de StMarthe, Treafurer oi France, 
 a man no lefs adorned with excellent Learning, and fweetnels of Eloquence, than with 
 Experience and Civil Prudence. 
 
 Charles
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^oo{. 
 
 641 
 
 Charles de Lgraht, Duke of Elbxuf^ compounded alfo by means of the fame St. Marthe, 
 to come over to the Kings Party, with promife, that the Government of that Town 
 flioiild be referved for him, and that he fhould have Thirty thoufand Franks in Penfion : 
 But he dcfired the Agreement might for fome time be kepf fecret, hoping that even 
 the Duke of Mayenne alfo would come in within a while, and deiiring, if it were pof- 
 fible, not tofeparate himfelf from him. 
 
 But the Duke of Mayenne was quite of another mind i for being ftill intangled in 
 his long-fetled hopes, or thinking it fo befitted his reputation, he was refolved to look 
 Fortune in the face, and not to come by any means to terms of Agreement, unleftthe 
 Popes judgment and confent preceded. Wherefore after he went from Tarn^ going 
 ftraight to Soijfons^ he began with infinite diligence to reunite his Forces, and fet them 
 again in order, and had fent to the Duke of Lorain, that together with the Dukes of 
 Cuife and Aumale, he would come and confer with him in fome convenient place, to 
 take fome refolution about their common affairs i judging, that if they would keep 
 united with him, they might gather fo many Forces again together, as being allilted 
 with Supplies from Spain, they might eafily, either fet their own Fortune on foot again, 
 or advantage themfelves in a beneficial and honourable Accommodation , in cafe the 
 Pope fhould refblve to approve the Kings Converfion. 
 
 The Duke of Lorain came to Bar-le-Vitc , in the confines of his State , and there 
 were the Dukes of Mayenne and Aumale ■■> but the Duke of Guife could not be at the 
 meeting, bccaufe the Province of Champagne was al! in a tumult , not only by reafon 
 that the City of Ti^oys had driven out his Brother the Prince of JainviUe, and declared 
 for the King, but becaufe the Count de St. Paul, anciently bred up in, and depending 
 on his Family, was fufpedted to plot new defigns : Wherefore not to leave thofe places 
 that yet acknowledged him, he was fain to flay in the Province, and to fend Pellicart 
 his Fathers old Secretary in his name unto the Meeting. There the opinions difagreed i 
 for the Duke of Lorain, weary of the War, to the end, that he might not fee his ftate 
 more deftroyed by the continual palling of Foreign Forces, inclined wholly to Peace. 
 But on the contrary, the Duke of Aumale, a man of a fierce obflinatc nature, was 
 more than ever inflamed to follow the War, and had determined rather to put himfelf 
 and the place he held in his hands, under the Dominion of the Spaniards, than fubmit 
 himfelf to the difcretion and obedience of the King. The Duke of Guife kept his 
 opinion the more fecret by not being prefent, and his Secretary with excufe of giving 
 him information of the things in Treaty , and of expedting his Orders thereupon 
 held his fentence ambiguous and unrefolved. But the Duke of Mayenne, in whom 
 the fum of the bufinefs conlifled, and who was able to turn the reft to his opinion, as 
 he was fjrmly refolved not to make Compofition without the Popes confent, fo think- 
 ing that might without much difficulty be obtained, if it were but endeavoured, was 
 in that cafe uncertain what he fhould demand •-, and whether it were better counfel to 
 follow the hopes of the War, or accommodate himfelf to the fecurity of Peace : But 
 becaufe he faw the Duke of Lorain, and thought he found the Duke of Guife more in- 
 clined to Peace, he took a middle Refolution i and permitting the Duke of Lorain to 
 manage a Treaty of Agreement in the name of them all, he caufed them all jointly to 
 determine that their Forces fhould draw together , and that Supplies from Flanders 
 fhould be earneflly laboured for, that they might have means to expedt what end the 
 Popes judgment would have , and that by the reputation of their flrength , and by 
 force, they might extort more advantageous conditions of Agreement. Wherefore the 
 Duke of Lorain prefently difpatched Monfieur de Baffsmpier into France, to treat with 
 the Count de Schomber^h and ViUeroy of an Agreement, and at the fame time gave or- 
 der that two hundred Lanciers, and three hundred Harquebufiers on horfeback fhould 
 go to Laon, to join with the forces of the Duke of Mayenne, who having till then, by 
 the means of Monfieur de Rofne, treated with the Archduke Erneji, who was newly 
 come to Govern the Low-Countries, going now to la Fere, he fent the Vice-Senefchal 
 de Montlimar, and his Secretary Des fortes to him. 
 
 The opinions of the Spanifh Minifters were no lefs entangled , yet very different 
 from what he believed i for Count Charles of Mansfelt, and Count Peter Erneji his 
 Father, a man of long experience, and much reputation, Prefident Kiccardotto , and 
 the major part of the Flemifh Councellors, were of opinion, that at lafl, giving over 
 the vain and ruinous hopes of France, and agreeing with the King in fome advanta- 
 geous refolution, they fhould apply their utmofl forces to their own interefts in the 
 
 N n n n Low- 
 
 155)4- 
 
 The Duke of 
 tlicciif is [he 
 firft of the 
 Houfe of Lc- 
 i-jin that 
 makes his 
 peace' with 
 th' King, 
 
 The Lords of 
 the Houfe of 
 Lorain meet ac 
 B.ir,to treat of 
 their comncn 
 intercRs. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Mayenne tec- 
 in» the Lords 
 of his Family 
 were inclined 
 to peace, per- 
 mits the Duke 
 of LQ)-&in to 
 treat of it in 
 all their 
 names, and in 
 the mean time 
 endeavours to 
 reinforce him- 
 fclf,tbat being 
 armed, he 
 might obtain 
 the bette* 
 CondicioDJ.
 
 ^.2 The Hifiory of the Civil JVars 
 
 I5P+. 
 
 Low- Countries, -where the united Provinces with the opportunity of the Armies being 
 
 diverted and of the Commanders being far off, had m a tew years made exceeding 
 
 great proRrcflls fo that the Catbolick King, according to the common faying, loft his 
 
 own State by attempting to get another's ; but on the contrary the Conde de Fuentes, 
 
 and the other Spanifli Counfellors, wrong informed of the affairs oi France by the 
 
 Duke of Ferij , and Viego d' Ivana, perfifted ftill in the thoughts of getting the In- 
 
 fjiita eledted , or at leaftto make themfelves Mafters of many places, and get firm 
 
 footing in Pkardy and Bourgongne^ Provinces confining upon Flanders , which in the 
 
 end ftiould either remain to the Crown of Spain^ or if the King of France got them 
 
 by compofition, he fliould be neceffitated to lay down money in exchange, and to piece 
 
 lip the vaft expences which the Catholick King had profufely been at for the fpace of 
 
 fo many years. While the minds of the Counfellors were in this doubtfulnefs, came 
 
 the news of the lofs of VarU, which made the Archduke refolve upon this laft Counfcl 
 
 of the Spaniards > for now all hopes failing that the League fliould be longer able to 
 
 The Archduke fubfift, having loft the City of Park its firft Bafu and principal Foundation > and on 
 
 ncwf oVthe' the other fide, not judging that the Catholick King, either could very eafily obtain, 
 
 hh'o^ p.. is or for his reputation ought to demand Peace, he thought it a very prudent Counfel 
 
 !hink noTong- (difintangling themfelves from the ingagement and impediment of the League in which 
 
 tr of the in- jt vvas ncceffary to fpend without meafure, to maintain many who at laft proved either 
 
 oD"butco'feiM faithlefs, or almoft fruitlefs) to make war in King Fhilifs own name, to imploy all 
 
 upon fome jj^^jj. forces in one place and fpend for their own interefts, and fince to talk longer of the 
 
 p?o"in«s, ' ' lnfanta''s eleftlon would be but ridiculous, to endeavour at leaft with the prefent op- 
 
 confining up- portunities to get poffeJTion of the places of Ficardy and Bourgongne that they might be a 
 
 miu'imLis limit to the affairs of Flanders , and ferve partly to make amends for their paft ex- 
 
 for iht pift pences. 
 
 With this refolution he prefently dealt with Monfieur de Eofne^ who agreed to ferve 
 '"^n'^fn ^'' ^^^ Catholick King for eighteen thoufand Crowns of annual penfion, and without much 
 ncyput7s'Jal difliculty compounded alfo vfkh the V ke-S enefcbal de Montelimar, that for the recom- 
 rjj^ f"/°" pence of thirty thoufand Crowns, and retaining the title of the Government for him- 
 Th^e Duke'of fclf, he fliould bring a Spanifli Garifon into la Fere, the principal Fortrefs of all Pkardy. 
 "^oooc/^wBs They treated at the fame time with the Duke of Aumate^ who was inclined more than 
 Penfion re- any Other to follow them, and with the eftablifliment of forty thoufand Crowns Pen- 
 spa'iaTd Vuh ^0" ^^^'i brought him over with the Towns he poffeffed, and with an hundred Cu- 
 the r^aces^ un, raffiers, and two hundred Light-horfe > nor did they fail to work with the other Go- 
 vernours in both Provinces, and to give warmth unto thofe pradifes i the Archduke 
 gave charge to Count Mamfelt , that drawing the Army together without delay, he 
 fliould advance, and make War refolutely upon the Confines of Pkardy. 
 
 The Archduke wrote all this diftinftly to the Court of Spain, ftiewing that this was 
 The ArchHuVe the moft profitable and moft expedient refolution i but offering to confideration at the 
 £,«.(i informs f^nne time, that it was neceffary to reinforce the provifions both of men and money, to 
 of'Ihe' ftateTf maintain it v that till then they had fpent unprofitably to feed the inftability of the 
 t^em know h? Ftencli, who as long as they had been able to fuck their milk , had made themfelves 
 determmaTi." fat at the expcnccs of others, and now they faw the breft dry, revolted another way, 
 and returned to their own nature » that their natural enmity with the Spanifli Nation 
 and their own lightnefs, could never confent they fliould think of any thing either pro- 
 fitable, or honourable for the Crown of Spain i that the propofition of the Infanta, 
 though born of a Daughter of France, and gotten by that King who had emptied his 
 Kingdoms to fuccour their neccflTities, feemed to them as ftrange and monftrous, as if 
 the Dominion of a Scythian, or an Indian had been propounded i that when to miti- 
 gate it, they propounded that flie fliould marry a French-man, to fliew clearly there 
 was no defign of fubjefting them to the Spanifli Empire, the difcords and ambition 
 that reigned amongft them had not fuffered them to confent i but they had rather 
 thoughts of making peace with their common Enemy, than to yield to one another i 
 that the little refiftance which had been made in not fatisfying their devouring gree- 
 dinefs profufely with Spanifli Gold, had in a moment not only difgufted them , but 
 P"t them in an uproar i for their natural impatience had brought fo many Cities, and 
 fo many great Lords to fubmit themfelves without regard to the faith and difcretion 
 of their Enemy , that already the principal Foundations of the League were fallen 
 away i the Cities of Paris, Orleans, B-o'iien, Bourges, and Lyons revolted •, the Admi- 
 liWihrs, the Count de Brifac, the Mutdihil 4e Jtt, Cbajire^ and the Sieur de Vitry, 
 
 principal 
 
 der his Gn- 
 vcrnn^cnt 
 
 ons
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^ooL 
 
 643 
 
 principal Heads of the Union, and who had fuftained the weight of the late War were 
 gone over to the Kings obedience, and already the Duke of Elbceufoi the very Hou(e 
 of Lorain, not with ftanding his fharp inveterate enmity to the Houfe of Bourhan, either 
 treated or had concluded an Agreement ■■, that therefore it was no longer time to re- 
 fer the Infanta's rights to the arbitrement of the French, but to uphold them by force 
 of Arms, and profecute the enterprize under his own name, and with his own hopes •, 
 that already in Bretagne (a member apart, in which the Salique Lano had nothing to 
 (do) the forces of the Spaniards were vigorous and powerful, which (if they were aC> 
 ififted and by help of the Sea opportunely recruited) would be able to maintain that 
 Province i that in Ticardy they held many places gained by means of the Duke of Au- 
 male, Mantelimar, and Kofne i that endeavours fhould be ufed to draw the Duke of 
 Mayennex.0 ferve in the fame manner, not as Head of the League, but as a Commander 
 for the King of Spain \ and by his means the attaining of many places in the Dutchy 
 of BoHrgongne fhould be attempted i that the fame fhould be done with the Duke of 
 Cuife for the places of Champagne , and with the Marquifs de St. Sorlin for thofe of 
 Danphine i that the Sieur de Montpezat might be treated with in Spain to obtain fome 
 places, to get footing in Frovence > that Count Charles was already advanced with the 
 Army to the Confines of Picardy^ in which Province they might make very great pro- 
 grcfs before the King could draw an Army together fufficient to oppofe them > but 
 that it Was neceffary to cut off delays, to haflen the raifing of moneys, to make Leavies 
 in Italy and Germany to encreafe the Army., and to labour now in good earnefl to do 
 themfelves fervice, and no longer to uphold the pretenlions and interefis of others i that 
 by pofTeiring themfelves of many places , efpecially upon the Confines , where they 
 might be relieved and maintained, a War would be prepared for the King of France^ 
 who would be fain to fpend many years in the regaining of his own, and by keeping 
 him bufie at home, that might hinder him from having time to think of the affairs of 
 the Low-Countries, and of the recovery of the Kingdom ci Navarre : and finally, if 
 it fhould be convenient for the Crown of Spain to defire peace , the King by having 
 that pawn in hand, might make himfelf be partly fatisfied for his expences and lofTes i 
 fo that the profit and reputation which would enfue from that Counfel being prefent 
 and manifeft, the Expedition likewife ought to be prefent, and the Supplies quick and 
 refolute. 
 
 Thefe Letters, very conformable to the humour and defigns of the Spaniards, pre- 
 vailed to caufe a refolution in the Court of profecuting the enterprize according to 
 this determination : Wherefore, though the Sieur de Montpezat flrove to get a favour- 
 able return to the Duke of Mayenne^ demands, he was anfwefed much more refolutely 
 than before i that Orders were given to the Archduke, and that determinations were 
 to be fetled there, at which the Duke of Mayenne being near might be prefent himfelf 1 
 And King ?hilip was fo pleafed with this Counfel, that applying his whole mind un- 
 to it , and with a more than ordinary brevity difpatching the execution of bufinefs, 
 in which he was wont to be very flow, he gave fitting Commiffions in Flanders^ It^lyt 
 and to his own Council, concerning what fhould prefently be done. 
 
 But this defign which (by many conjedures j was found out by the Duke of May^ 
 enne, made him more Ifcllicitous than before, feeing himfelf reduced between two ex- 
 trearas, to the hard neceflity, either of agreeing with the King, without expedting 
 the Popes determination, or elfe to put his own liberty and the places that depended 
 Upon him into the hands of the Spaniards , contrary to what from the beginning he 
 had firmly refolved. On the other fide, it afBided him that the Duke of Elbxuf had 
 made his peace with the King j on the other, that the Duke of Aumale had made a 
 Compofition with the Spaniards, and in this doubtfulnefs fometimes he inclined to 
 follow the Duke of Loraist's counfel, and conclude Bajfompier's Treaty i (bmetimes to 
 meet with the Archduke, who had invited him to come to Monr, and there jointly to 
 treat of their common Affairs i but before he determined to make"peace with the King, 
 he thought bed to flay for new informations from the Cardinal of Joyeuje, and the Baron 
 of Seuecey i and befoi e he treated with the Archduke, he defired to fee a new difpatch 
 from Montpezat, that might certifie him what Was refolved on in Spain y and amidfi 
 thefe ambiguities he was well pleafed that Madam de Cnife fhould treat for her Son with 
 her Sifter the Dutchefs ofNevers, to the end, that fhe might intcrpofe to make his peace 
 with the Kingi and he was glad to hear that the Queen Dowager was gone into Bretagne^ 
 to treat an Agreement with her Brother the Duke of Mercaur, noi did it difpleafc himj, 
 
 K n n a a that 
 
 i55'4« 
 
 The Ardi- 
 dukcs refola- 
 tiins are ap- 
 proved and 
 imbraced in 
 
 Th« Duk< of 
 Mtjennc fee- 
 ing the thred 
 of his hopes 
 brnken, and 
 knowing him- 
 felf to be con- 
 ftrained to one 
 of two Refo- 
 lutions,w«Ttf{ 
 in determining 
 and intcrpofct 
 obftacles to 
 gain tiniE.
 
 ^44 The Hiftorj of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,<P4. that his Mother Madam de Nemours, ^nA his Sifter Madam de, MoHtpeufier, being de- 
 
 parted from Paris where they had often difcourfed with the King about the prefcnt 
 
 affairs were come to him to propound Conditions of Peace : But in all thefe things, 
 
 he not' only interpofed del^s, but fecret obftacles and impediments, to the end , that 
 
 bufintfTes might be drawn out at length, and that between Peace and War, the Progrefs 
 
 of Arms and the Refolutions of the Towns that remained of his Party cooling might 
 
 allow him the benefit of time, to which, being by nature a Friend, he now thought 
 
 it the only remedy for the fafety of the prefent conjundure. But that which kept hini 
 
 moftof all from inclining abfolutely to an Agreement with the King, was, the obdu- 
 
 ratenefs of the Pope, who though (after the Duke of Mevert his departure, left he 
 
 ftiould utterly break off the Treaty of the Kings Abfolution) he had given way that 
 
 ThePoptp"^ Cardinal GoWi might come toKame, yet had he done it with exprefs command, that 
 
 Gon^Uwho' he fliould not open his mouth concerning the Affairs of France, whereby the Popes Te- 
 
 h"! "^y^'^'' j„ cret intention being hid , it was in appearance manifeft , that he continued in the 
 
 f/^rti'Tto thought of rejecting the Kings earncft defires : And on the othfr fide, that which with- 
 
 r"Vi°h''i"' ' drew him from agreeing with the Spaniards, was the obftinate perfecution of him by 
 
 lommind, not jfjg £)uke of Feria, and Diego d^ Ivarra j who after their departure from Tarit , had 
 
 wr'S'abMt difcourfed with him at Laon, and attributing all things that had come to pafs amift 
 
 the Affairs of (q j^jj fauJt, ufed him fcurviiy, and openly threatned him , which he not enduring, 
 
 ftmct. j^^ imputing the ill fuccefs of things to their imprudence, defpifed and abufed them 
 
 no lefs both in words and anions. 
 *fA/"^ ffthtn- ^"' *^^ Duke of Mayenne's doubts were removed, and he ncccilitated to take (bme 
 tcrs fnto" refolution by Count Mamfelt^s entry into Ficardy with Ten thoufand Foot, and a 
 hii^^nT'/and thoufand Horfe, and a convenient Train of Artillery i and though the Duke of Aw 
 b"(icgcs'^'-> male counfelled him to advance into the Province, and befiege Corbie, yet he refolved 
 On'"'- to fall upon la Cappelle, a place near the Frontiers of the Dutchy of Jerriache, accoun- 
 ted reafonably ftrong , but at that time (as they had intelligence^ in as great want of 
 Ammunition , as it was full of abundant ftore of Vid^ual > fo that they hoped , the 
 taking of it on the one fide would prove very eafie, and on the other very profitable 
 for the future fuftenance of the Army. 
 
 La CappeVe, fituate in a (pacious Plain, is of a Quadrangular fbrrn, of no great cir- 
 cuit, and flanked in the Angles with four Bulwarks : It hath a deep Moat, and full 
 . of Water, which coming rather from a Rivulet than a River, that runs through the 
 Field, is fwelled and raifed by a Bank or Dam, placed upon the edge of the Moat : It 
 was likewife encompaflfd with a covered way , and a Counterfi;arp after the Modern 
 Faftiion » fo that if to the ftrcngth of the place, there had been ftorc of Ammunition, 
 and conftancy in the Defendents , it would have held the Spanifti Army long in play. 
 But the coming of the Enemies having been altogether unexpedled, (for firft, it was 
 not believed they would come Into France without the Duke of Mayenne, and then it , 
 was thought they would fit down before Corbie) the Defendents had fo little Courage, 
 or fo little Conduft, that at the very firft arrival, Agojlino Mefiaes Tertia of Spaniards, 
 and the Marquift of Irevicoes Tertia of Italians, made themfelves Matters of the Coun- 
 terfoarp without difpute, and yet not having lodged themfelves. in the place where the 
 dam of the Water was, they fought two days with very great lofs of men , before 
 they could poflefs themfelves of it i for the beficged having placed their greateft hopes 
 in the defence thereof, ftrove with ftore of Cannon-fliot, Fire-works, and an inceflfant 
 Hail of Musket-bullets, to keep the Enemy far from thence. But the third day Co- 
 lonel la Berlotte advancing fuddenly with his Walloons in another place, came at laft to 
 the dam, and having broken the Engins that ftopt the Water, and by the help of Pio- 
 neers made a defcent to drain the Moat, it remained quite empty within a little time* 
 wherefore the two following days, the Trenches were made, and perfeded » and with 
 a Platform which it was eafie to raife in refped of the foftnefs of the Earth, they 
 planted Fourteen pieces of Artillery, Ten that battered right upon the Wall, and two 
 at each Flank, that cleared and took away their defences. The Artillery plaid twelve 
 hours together, and the breach having been viewed, la Berlotte with his Walloons ad- 
 vanced to fall on i but they within having thrown down a certain old Tower , and 
 rnade the ruines of it fall into the Moat, the Water was thereby ftopt in fuch manner, 
 * »! I^ '" ^" '"^^"'' " drowned above feventyof the affailants, and the reft had 
 much ado to fave themfelves, being plaid upon in their retreat with three Falconets 
 laden with Tailing, which the Defendents had turned toward the breach. The next 
 
 day
 
 of France. The Fourteenth 'Bool{. 
 
 645 
 
 day fhey laboured to make a new paflage for the Water to run out, which though it 
 was cffed-ed more eafily than before, yet there were flavin feven Captains, and above 
 one hundred Souldiers j but the defence of the Water being utterly taken away, and a 
 very great (pace of the Wall being beaten down, the Sieur d^ Mailieraye, Governour 
 of the place, not ftaying for the utmoft force of the Army, refolved to furrender, and 
 marching out with his Garifon , their Goods and Perfons free, delivered up the place 
 into Count Charles his hand. 
 
 In the interim the King laboured with infinite diligence to fet the affairs of Parii 
 again in order, for the eftablifhment whereof to the general fatisfa(Sion, it was necef- 
 fary to increafc the number of the Parliament, and of the other Magiftrates > he not 
 being willing to break his word, or pay them with ingratitude, who having been no- 
 minated by the Duke of Mayenne, held the degree of Prefidcnts or Counfellors, and 
 who had lent their effedual endeavours, as well in excluding the Eledion of the In- 
 fanta, as in reducing the City to his obedience \ And on the other (ide, not thinking it 
 fit to put out them who in the worft times had kept the Parliament in the City oflo^i". 
 Wherefore Prefident le Maijire who had held the firft place, yielding to Prefid ent 
 Hatky and his other ^niors, took the feventh place v and JehjH Htnllier^ Pwi's/? def 
 Marchands^ was created Prefident of the * Cbambre dts Compter •, as M.irim I' yiKghis 
 Sieur de Beaurepaire, and GttiUiaume dn Ver Sieur de Neret, obtained the degree of Ma- 
 tters of the Requefls of the Palace Royal. The Parliament being fctled, and itform- 
 ed, and the High Chancellor with the Officers of the Crown fitting in it, it -was fo- 
 Jemnly decreed , That obedience ought to be yielded to King Henry the Fourtl), as 
 lawful Succeffor of the Kingdom, declaring all thofe to be Rebels, who fhould deny to 
 acknowledge and obey him i and with another Decree they^deprived the Duke of 
 Mayenne of the Office and Title of Lieutenant-General of the Crown. The like De- 
 eree was made by the Colledge of Divines of Sorbonne, who to the number of Seventy, 
 declared the Abfolution that was given the King to be good, and valid ■■, and that, 
 without mortal fin, none could deny him the obedience that was wont to be yielded 
 to the other moff Chriflian Kings of France > and going to the Louvre with the fame 
 company , they did him fblemn homage, Jaques d' Amheife, Reftor of the tlniver- 
 fity, fpeaking for them all i which Ceremony was the more welcome to the King, 
 becaufe they were the Men that had even oppugned the lawful Title of his Succef- 
 fion. 
 
 But the affairs of PrfrJ^ being fetled, he received news that Count Charlet had be- 
 fieged la Cappelle, and having prefcntly difpatched the Marefchals of Byron and Mo" 
 tignan to draw the Army together, he himfelf with Monfieur de Guiry, Two hundred 
 Gentlemen, and Four hundred Light-Horfe went towards Fieardy the fame day that he 
 was advertifed of it. But being come to Chaurty, word came to him that the place 
 was loft i to make amends for which, he began to think of fetting himfelf upon fome 
 entcrprlzci 
 
 If the news of th6 fiege ^nd raking of la CappeVe was very fad and difpleafing to 
 the King, it was not much more welcome to the Duke of Mayenne, who apprehended 
 clearly, that fince the Spaniards had not made any application to him, they were re- 
 folved for the future to manage the War of themfelves : which thing grieving him ex- 
 treamly , becaufe it not only deprived him of the remainder of his hopes , but alfb 
 took awav from him both his reputation and force, by means whereof he thought 
 to better his condition for the accommodation , which he might have occafion to 
 make with the King, and judging that all proceeded from the finifier relations of the 
 Duke of Feria and Viego d' Ivarra, he refolved at laft, laying all refpe(fts afide, to have 
 an enterview with the Archduke, and try to fet his affairs right again with the Spa*" 
 niards. 
 
 The Archduke likewife defired this enterview , not for the fame end the Duke of 
 Mayenne hid, but to fee if he could induce him to put himfelf under the Catholick 
 King, as the Duke of Anmale had done, and to deliver up into his hands thofe Towns 
 and FortrefTes, which yet depended on him : and therefore with courteous friendly 
 Letters, and with meffages full of truft and confidence, invited him to come to Bru- 
 tcelles i which not being longer to be deferred , the Duke leaving his fecond Son the 
 Count de Sommerive at Laon, with part of the Forces commanded by Colonel dtt Bourg, 
 (he that came out of the Baflile) went with the remainder as far as Guife, where 
 having l«ft all his Souldieiy, he pafled on with a Train of only threefcorc Horfe to 
 
 meet 
 
 The SieuT ie 
 M.uUiraytjCo- 
 vernnuf of li 
 Cn^} lU, fur- 
 tenders IB 
 CouDt Mmp- 
 f.lt. 
 
 " The Cnrt r/ 
 i^f^cffi^ff or 
 Bxcb.qx'r^- 
 there it f.e of 
 ti'im '■' every 
 fatliamnu. 
 
 The Prlta- 
 T ' of Puiit 
 c'.-crees, That 
 
 till King 
 ought to be 
 ol y{ ' as 
 lawful Prince, 
 declares them 
 Frb-Js ihat 
 difoU-yj and 
 takes awrjy 
 the Duke of 
 Moyenne'i Of- 
 fice of Lieute- 
 nant General. 
 
 The Colledge 
 of arbaTtrtedc* 
 c\iici the 
 Kirigs Abfola* 
 tion valid, and 
 the Doflors 
 thereof come 
 to do him fo- 
 lemn homage 
 at the Louvre, 
 
 The Dnke i»f 
 Mi)e<!n! goe« 
 to Iruxelles to 
 crest with tha 
 Arcbdukb
 
 66<S 
 
 Tht Spttiilll 
 Miniftcfs aa- 
 vife to keep 
 the Duke of 
 Htynnt pn- 
 iovtx in iUn- 
 dtti. 
 
 The Ht^ory of the CM If^ars 
 
 It U ttrolvcd 
 at Etmellei, 
 that the Duke 
 of Majeiat 
 Ihall join 
 with Count 
 Mitisfdi to 
 rppofe the 
 Xing logetbct 
 
 The Ring be- 
 fitges Latin, in 
 which the 
 Duke of M.:}. 
 tniic't Son 
 wai, niih 
 much of the 
 Oukci weahb 
 
 meet the Archduke, who having received him with all the moft exquif.te demonftra- 
 tions of Honour in other matters (hewing himfelf very averfe from the beginning, to 
 e demands which he made. The Duke thought that the fame Spanifh Minifters. 
 who had croffed him in France, did Co hkewife in his prefent Treaty i and therefore 
 beina in private with ><»« Baptijla T#/, and Prefident R/cc^r^etfo, he began at large, 
 with the narration of all particulars, to (hew that the adverfencfs of bufineflTes had 
 proceeded wholly from the imprudence, and pcrvcrfe managery of thofe Minifters i to 
 whom it not being obfcure what was imputed to them by the Duke, (for they were 
 provoked to clear themfelves of many things) they went on fo far in anger, that they 
 began to counfel the Archduke to keep the Duke of Mayenne prifoner, and truft the 
 managing of affairs of France unto the Duke of Guife, accufing the Duke of Mayenne 
 of pcrfidioufnefs, and too crafty and difTcmbling a nature, and that only minding the 
 objed of his ambition, he was much a greater Enemy to the Catholick King, than to 
 the King of Navarre. But the Archduke not only thought that a counfel too unwor- 
 thy, and fuch an one, as he believed, would gain him the general hatred of all men v 
 but alfo judged that in many things the Duke had reafon on his fide, and that thofe 
 Minifters had indifcreetly abufed him beyond meafure > nor did it feem ftrange to him, 
 fince the Spanifh Minifters bad treated of making any other man King of France^ 
 without confenting to his perfon > that he on the other fide paying them in their own 
 coyn , (hould think of any other refolijtion , rather than to content and fatis/ie the 
 Spaniards > and as he was a Prince of great vertue, and a Friend to what was jait and 
 fit, he counted it too great a fault, to deny the principal recompences and honours to 
 Co principal a Head, and , one that had done fo much lor the common benefit : Be- 
 fides, he was of opinion that thofe Mini(ters counfelled very crofly, to take away the 
 management of affairs from a man of fo great reputation, and fuch experienced w'xC- 
 dom, to put it into the hand of the Duke of Gmfe, a young man , and though of a 
 high fpirit, yet by reafon of his youth , and want of experience, little able to rule fo 
 great a weight. To all this he added the continual treating of the Dutche(s of Gttife, 
 to make her Sons peace with the King, which befides that it was known in the Arch- 
 dukes Court, was Hkewife dexteroufly mentioned by the Duke oC Mayenne at con- 
 venient times i for which reafons , there having been many meetings between the 
 Princes, the bufinefs in hand began to change its form, the Archduke knowing that 
 the Duke of Mayenne was not in fo weak a condition, as that he would eafily fubmk 
 himfelf to the Spani(h yoke: and on the other fide, that he abated much of his former 
 pretenfions by reafon of the urgent neceffity which pre(red him at that prefent ■■> fo that 
 both of them referving themfelves for the opportunity of after-times, determined that 
 the Duke of Mayenne fliould go with his forces to join with Count Mansfelt, and that 
 jointly with a common confent they (hould manage the War, to oppofe the Kings 
 proceedings, deferring till another time, both the e(tabli(hing of conditions, and the 
 manner how they (hould order matters for the future. 
 
 The King Cto whom the Duke o( Nevers (lately returned out of Italy) and the 
 Duke of Bouillon, were joined) was already marched from Chauny with twelve thoir- 
 fand Foot, and two thoufand Horfe , with intention to befiege Laon ■■, where befides 
 the Duke of Mayenne's young Son, there was alfo the greateft part of his Perfonal 
 Eftate •, but to come upon it the more unexpedly, and catch the Defendents unpro- 
 vided, he marched with the Army before, and by the way of St. ^intin and CreJJy^ 
 came near to la Chappelle, making (how as if he would affault the Spani(h Camp i but 
 while (landing near and facing the Enemy, they were skirmi(hing with one another, 
 he gave order that the Reer led by the Marefchal de Byron (hould march off, and gp 
 back to befiege Lao?i, whither not many hours after, having firft fent away the Sieur 
 de St. Luc, and then the Baron de Salignac, he with the Duke of Nevers departed the 
 next morning, and came la(t of all before the Town. 
 
 In it with Colonel du Bourg, and the Count </f Sommerive, thete were many Com- 
 manders of note , fix hundred French Foot, two hundred Germans, three hundred 
 Neapolitans , fixty Cuiraffiers, and two hundred Light- Horfe , and befides the Soul- 
 diers of the Garifon, the Towns-men alfo concurred willingly to defend the place i 
 they had great ftore of Ammunition and Fire-works, and the Commanders (who hai 
 fufpefted a fiege ) had prepared and fortified all convenient places in fuch manner, 
 that the fiege feemed like to be of great difficulty, and uncertain event > and fo much 
 Che rather, becaufe the Sp3ni(h Camp being near, it might keep the Kings Army in 
 
 jealoufie
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^oo^ 647 
 
 *■ , - ■ — — _^__ 
 
 jealoufie many ways i nor was it to be doubted, but that the Duke of Mayenne would I5P4» 
 ufe his utmoit Forces to relieve and difingage his Son. Wherefore the King, intent be- 
 fore all things to (hut up the paffage againft the relief which might come from many 
 places, fent Monfieur ^e laChajlre, yvith the Troops under his command, to lie upon 
 the way that leads from Reims, and the ether places of Champagne, doubting that the 
 Duke of Giiife with the Forces he had in that Country, and perchance reinforced by 
 the Duke of Lorain, might come on that fide: on the other fide, the Dukeo( Nevers 
 places himfelf upon the other way that leads from Soijfons right unto the Town > the 
 Duke of LongneviUe with his Troops of the Province , quartered upon the way of 
 Hoyon, and of U Fere, and all thefc caufing the field to be fcowred with infinite dili- 
 gence, were ready to oppofe and fight with them that fhould advance to bring cither 
 vidtual or other relief to the befieged. The principal Pafs by which theSpanifh Army 
 might come diredlly remained yet, upon which the King lay himfelf i and becaufe the 
 way was incumbred with an Hill that had a Wood upon the right hand, and a great 
 Village upon the left, he took up his Quarters within the Village, and made Count 
 SotjJ'ons and the Sieur de Vic encamp on the other fide, at the entry of the Wood j and 
 upon the top of a Hill, where the way was, Monfieur d' Humieres lay in the Field 
 ■with three hundred Cuiratliers, and the Baron de Giury with five hundred Light-horfe : 
 befides, to the end the Enemy might not come unexpectedly, he {ent the Sieur de Cler- 
 mont of Amboife with five Companies of Harquebufiers on horfc-back to lie at Cre^^ 
 and ftrengthened the Garifon of St. Lambert, a Caftle ftanding upon the fame way the 
 Enemies might come direcftly. 
 
 The Pilfes fecured in this manner, five Redoubts were begun to make approaches to 
 the Moat , of the firft of which the Marefchal de B)'r9« had charge, Monfieur de St. Luc 
 of the fecond, the Baron de Salignac of the third, Monfieur de Montmartin of the fourth, 
 and the Count de Granmont of the laft ; and in every one of them the Infantry being 
 fet Oil work, befides many of the Country people, they laboured with wonderful great 
 (diligence, though they of the Town, both ^ith their Artillery and ftrong Sallies, ftrove 
 to hinder their Works in every place '■> infomuch that the two firft days, before the 
 Eefiegers had time to recover themfelves, there were above four hundred Souldiers flain, 
 and among them the Sieur de Forcade, one of the Marefchal de Byrons Lieutenants, 
 and there were wounded the Baron de Termes , who loft a leg, and the Marquifs de 
 Cceinres, who within a few days died of his hurt. 
 
 But in the mean time the Spanifli Army (which had received order from the Arch- cg^^t m 
 duke refolutely to relieve Laon, according as the Duke of Mayenne fliould think fit to /e'(ha»ing re- 
 manage the bufinefs j having left Cre^y and St. Lambert on the left hand, took upon the fromlhV''" 
 right, and came upon the thirteenth day oijune within a league of the Kings trenches s Archduke to 
 the Duke and Count Charles, as foon as the Quarters of the Army were entrenched "^i^hhhxcts 
 and fortified, intended to make themfelves Mafters of the Wood that was before them, »' the Duke of 
 and by means of it to draw fo near the Town , that they might relieve it without ftouM^think 
 venturing the fum of affairs. The Sieur Hontluet was fortified in the Wood with ^'^} marchet 
 four Companies of Foot, who, when upon the fifteenth day, two Captains, the one an lelU'e of the 
 Italian, the other a Spaniard, advanced with fifty men to difcover the quality and fi- Kings trenehe* 
 tuation of the place, and of the way, repulfed them valiantly, but without any great 
 difficulty, becaufe there came fo few of them, and had no defign to take that Poft : But 
 the next morning the event of the bufinefs was quite contrary j for la Eerlotte enter- b|.j'fP*K*'f' 
 ing unexpectedly into the Wood with two thoufand Foot, did with fmall refiftance forces out of* 
 beat out Montluet, who making his retreat in the Reer of all his men, was taken pr i- t^he"''^!^"^^" 
 foner '■> and the Kings Regiment of Guards being advanced to oppofe the Enemy, three fiedthcmftlvc'i 
 Captains and many valiant Souldiers were flain in the firft encounter : So that they 
 being thus handled, would have retired, if Monfieur de Vic, with the Regiments df 
 St. Ange and Navarre, had not come up to refift the Enemy : But the Tertia's of Aga- 
 ftino Mejpa, and the Marquifs de Trevico, being likewife advanced, the fervice was ex- 
 ceeding hot at the entry, of the Wood ; and to fecond thefe. Count Soijjons, and the 
 Baron de Giitry advanced on each hand i and on the other fide, the Duke of Mayenne 
 with his own Troop, and the Ltrain Light horfe appeared in the entry of the Wood, 
 to back the Foot of his own party. But the courage of the Infantry was not equal, 
 and the Horfe by reafon of the narrownefs of the place, fighting among Shrubs and 
 Trees , could do but little fervice i whereupon the Kings Regiments receiving very 
 great lofs in the fight, began to ftagger ■•> and (o much the rather, becaufe the I^ike df 
 
 M'vww
 
 ^aS The H'tjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 leoA. Mayenne feeing a Wing of Muskettiers advance in the opening of a Meadow, had 
 fain upon them with threefcore Horfe , and cut them all in pieces i whereby it not 
 only appeared, that the Enemies would have pofleiTion of the Wood , but alfo the 
 Foot was in exceeding great danger of being defeated. Thus difficult and dangerous 
 was the ftate of the encounter , when the Marefchal de "Byron came up, and knowing 
 the hazard of the Infantry, and of utterly lofing the Wood , drawn by his wonted 
 fiercenefs, he alighted from his Horfe, caufing the Count de lorigityes and Sieur de U 
 Curee's Troops to do the like, and placing himfelf in the Front of the Battel, fuftained 
 and ftopt the violence of the Spaniard. At the fame time the King alfo came up, 
 who though the Trees and Hedges hindred him very much, would needs have the 
 Baron de Ga/Vy advance with all his Horfe, to attack the Lorain Cavalry, which being 
 gallantly received, for the Duke of Mayenne himfelf was there in perfon, the conflict 
 was as difficult, as bloody ; and fupplies haftening upon both fides from all parts, Count 
 Mansfelt came into the Wood, and the Sieur d^ Humieres went down from the Hill, 
 (b that the bufinefs grew to a certain kind of battel, in which though all fought not, 
 yet the major part was either engaged or hindred by the unfitnefs of the place. The 
 fight laftcd with various fuccefs, and feveral encounters till the evening, at which time, 
 the King having caufed all his Infantry to lie upon the very way near the Wood, to 
 fortifie againft the Front of the Enemy, and flop up their paflagc, fent back his Horfe 
 to their wonted quarters. But the Duke of Mayenne^ and Count Mansfelt confidering 
 ' that the moft part of their Foot were advanced to make good the Wood > whereby 
 their quarter was left fo weak, that it might with danger be affaulted by the King in 
 the. Rear ■■> and (b much the more, if he (hould refolve apon it by night, they quitted 
 the Wood by little and little, and drew off their men to the Camp, the Wood being 
 left free, and expofed to the incurfions, and skirmifhes of both Armies. 
 Tht Kings While they fought here and kept the Kings forces bufied, the Duke of Mayenne had 
 
 gTeatdtaiof given Order, thzt Nicolo Bafii^ znd the Sku^ d' Efclufeaux, Colonel of a French Regi- 
 viauii and ment, ftiould move from Noyon with abundance of Vidlual and Ammunition, to put 
 
 Ammunition . . ' _ , .. /- r i i i i^ i r r -it . ^ . . 
 
 which w«te It mto LaoH, tor the reliet or the place i but the Duke or LsngueviUe^ who fcoured the 
 w°v"l'^\o^b'c" w^ys on that fide, having notice of it, laid an ambufh for them not far from the Town, 
 put iuco i,rt«». which though it was difcovered by the Scouts that went before, yet the Convoy being 
 either affrighted at that unexpeifted encounter, or thinking all the Kings Cavalry was 
 there, took a refolution to retire, which not being able to do without time, and much 
 confufion, by reafon of their carriages , the Sieur d^ Efchifeaux , who was in the lad 
 Ranks, as foon as his men were routed remained prifoneri the Powder was divided 
 among the Souldiers, and the carriages of vidual burnt, but Nicolo Bajii got back fafe 
 to Noyon. 
 
 The greatefl difficulty of the Spanifh Camp was want of vidua! , without which" 
 they could not lie long in that place, where while they flaid, they did fo incommode 
 the King, that he could not profecute the befieging of the Town i wherefore the Duke 
 of Mayenne had caufed great flore of provifions to be made at la Fere, having deter- 
 mined to have them brought to the Camp, the flraight way, which was in a manner 
 behind them > for this purpofe Six hundred Spanifh Foot, a thoufand Italians, and an 
 hundred Light-horfe were gone thither, the Commanders thinking that guard fuffi- 
 cient, becaufc they believed not the King would dare to pafs by their Camp, and 
 leave it behind him, to go to a place, fo far off, and fo dangerous to fall upon them -, 
 but the thing proved otherwife , for the Marefchal de Byron, taking with him the 
 Sieur de Montigny, eight hundred Switzers, and as many French Foot of the Regiments 
 of Navarre and St. -^nge, two Companies of Englifh , the Baron de Giury with the 
 Light-horfe, and four hundred Horfe of the Count de Torignyes, and the Sieur de la 
 Curees, departed by night from the Camp before Lann, and being come with wonder- 
 ful filence within a League of la Fere, caufed the Horfe to lie hid in two little Woods, 
 IhixJ^Byfc'rt ^^j^^ wcre on each fide the way, and he with his Foot hid himfelf in the Fields, 
 having placed Which being full ofCom almofl ripe, gave them con veniency to lie unfeen. The Spa- 
 ambuni'"faiis "'^ Camp was not above two Leagues from that place, and people going continually 
 uke" "e t u^ thence to la Fere, they were often like to have difcovered the ambufh, if the MareG* 
 ftorVo("'aii- ^ ' ^"y patient, beyond his own nature, had not with marvellous filence withheld his 
 £oine'ftom"4 J"^"'?^° "lany hours being already pafred,began to be hungry,and were with much ado 
 eerf to tht eI j^^P* "* °1 him > yet they perfevered fo long, that towards evening certain Carriages 
 Bcmics Camp, began to appear i having intended to have gone under favour of the night : Much more 
 
 difl'iculr
 
 of France. Tfo Fourteenth "Boo^, ^ao 
 
 difficult was it then to withhold the Englifh from falling upon the enemy before the 1C04 
 time \ but in the end, part of the Carriages being paft, they rofe up furioufly and af- 
 faulted the Guards on all (ides. The Van which was of Italian foot, made refinance 
 valiantly, and the fame did the Battel which was of Spaniards i but the Rear find- 
 ing themfelves nearer U Ffr?, faced about precipitately to retire i but with fo ill for- 
 tune, that falling among the Horfe, which was already come out of the Wood, it was in 
 a moment cut in pieces. The defeat of them was a wonderful difadvantage to the 
 reft of their companions, who, drawn into a Body, bravely withftood the fury of the 
 Kings Infantry i for, being left unguarded in the Rear, they were affaulted alfoon that 
 fide by the Harquebufiers on Horfe-back, and yet facing every way , and flieltrino- 
 themfelves with their Carriages, they made it good a great while, and that with no 
 fmalllofs to thofe of the 'King's party, among which. Colonel %U Ange^ ^ and Mon- 
 fieur Faveroles Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment of JV^z^^jr were wounded, and ftill 
 marching on, fought valiantly with their Pikes and Swords, being partly defended and 
 covered by their Carriages, till the MarefchaUt? ^zVi;//, fearing leaft the noife of it be- 
 ing heard, the whole Spanifli Array fiiould fall upon their backs 5 and therefore ma- 
 king hafie to put the bufinefs to an end, caufed the Gentry to alight, and advancing at 
 the head of the Switzers, charged with fo great violence, that the lefs number , not 
 being able longer to refill the greater,the Italians and Spaniards ftoutly defending them- 
 felves, were all flain upon the place : The Horfe that fled were purfued by the Ba- 
 ron de Ghtri, even to the Gates of h Fere ■■, and of all thofe that were about the Car- 
 riages, very few were taken prifoners. On the .Kings fide were killed above Two 
 hundred, and few lefs wounded, among which, in the laft brulh, the Sieur de Ca- 
 «/()', Son-in-law to the Marefchal de Mati^non, and the Sieur de laCuree. In this place 
 alfo tiemico VaviU Cwho was one of thofe that alighted from their horfes with the 
 Count delnrigm) put his Ankle outofjoynt with getting over one of the Carriages, 
 and was in very great danger, of being lamed for his whole life. The Marefchal dl 
 Bimi confidering, that by reafon of the enemies nearnefs, he might be afTaulted every 
 moment, fet fire on the Carriages to the number of Four hundred •■> and having fpoiled 
 fome, and bringing away others of the Teams that drew them, retired with infinite ce- 
 lerity the fame night. , 
 
 But the Spanilfi Army failing of this hope, the Commanders were no longer able 
 to fubfift, and therefore determined to take fome refolution, before they were further 
 ftraightned by the neceJfity of hungers but they difagreed among themfelves, about 
 the mannerof their retreat j for Count Mansfelt, for the greater fecurity, would have ' 
 raifed the Camp by night j and the Duke of Mayenne fearing both confufion, and dif- 
 honor, would needs have the retreat made by day; And becaufe Mamfeh' perfeve- 
 red in his opinion, he was content, that the Vanguard, led by the Sieur de la Matte , 
 and the Battel commanded by the Count himfelf, fhould march away, with the greater 
 Artillery, before it was light, and he, with theRere, undertook to make the retreat by 
 day. In this occafion, both the difcipline and valour of the Duke ofMayenne (quali- 
 ties for the moft part obfcured by ill fortune in his military enterprifes) appeared clear- 
 ly ; for being to retire four Leagues, through an open Country, in fight of the Ene- 
 my , who had fo much a greater number of gallant horfe, he did it with fo great or- 
 der and refolution, that he received no damage at all in his retreat. He placed eight 
 Corps de Garde, part Italians, and part Spaniards, commanded by Ceccho de Sangro^znd 
 Don Alonz.0 Mendoz^za, and behind thefe he put the flying Squadron, in the Rere of 
 which, he himfelf, with his Pike in his hand, and with him the Prince of AveVino , the The Duke f 
 Marquifs of Trevico, Agoftvio Mejjra, Don Antonio dejoledo^ Don Juan de Bracamonte , M.^jetne 
 and above 100 Reformadocs, and a little before la Berlotte retired with his Tertia of [^cjc"by'day' 
 Walloons, who had fix Field-pieces with them, ready to be turned againft the Ene- '" the face 
 my : As foon as it was broad day light , the Walloons began to march i and after ^'^u^^^h fup'^J- 
 rhem the flying Squadron 5 at which time the King C who had notice of it from Pa- " "> i>'<" '." 
 rahere, being encouraged by the Marefchal de Biron, who affirmed, he had le& fo many fooood'oider, 
 broken Carriages, and fo many dead bodies upon the way , that the Enemies would '^^^^ *" "- 
 find it extreme difficult to make their retreatj advanced with his Cavalry to fall up- « 'I«L °° 
 on them in the Rere : but the eight Corpi de Garde, who were the laft that moved, re- 
 tired with admirable expertnefs i for as foon as the Wings of Musketiers had given 
 fire, they fell off into the Rere of the Pikes without facing about, but fronting ftill to- 
 wards the Enemy, and in the mean time the fliot played that were among the Files, 
 
 O o o who
 
 6'yo 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 »5?4' 
 
 Tht Baton it 
 Oitry fliin 
 
 The minjsate 
 
 lpriin^,Aii(i« is 
 affiul'td, and 
 valiantly de- 
 fended. 
 
 * Fouga'e ij 
 
 a ^n:d of mnt 
 i'f abitxt tight 
 er tin fnot 
 fqunrc^ covered 
 will) (lo»fs, pit- 
 CCS if Trniter, 
 btic'^i. and fitch 
 tbwgs nsm.iy 
 do imfchitf ID 
 u -.h o/ni/.mn, 
 
 '' '''& ficrcd 
 
 ar(i'iii()r)icome 
 tipon ii. 
 The number 
 of the defen. 
 dents being 
 diminiflied, 
 they, not Ion. 
 ger able to 
 h'll out. Ca- 
 pitulate and 
 Surrender. 
 
 who had no fooner ended their volleys, but the hinder Wings were come to be the 
 Front, and while they gave fire, the Squadron retired without turning their backs : 
 after which, the fecond following, and after the fecond the third, and fo the reft one 
 after the other, drew off all by little and little to the Rere of the flying Squadron i 
 which,when the Baton de GiHrywzs come up unto,vi'ith the Count «^f 5<;/j(J'o»/,and the 
 reft that were at the Head of the Kings Cavalry, they fiercely charging their Pikes,and 
 po wring forth a terrible thick hail of Musket- (hot, repulfed them in fuch manner, 
 that they wheeled about, not daring to charge in amongft them i which having been 
 done feveral times, the retreat went on with partrciilar honor to the Duke of Mayenne, 
 who, very tall of ftature, and compleatly armed, ftirred up the courage of all by his 
 words and example, and alfb with his own hand over-turned the Sieur de Perfy upon 
 the ground, who, with a Troop of Light-horfe had the boldnefs to charge his Squa- 
 dron. But being come C already tired with fervice, and with heatj unto a narrower 
 way, h herlotte prefented his Artillery, placed on each hand upon the banks of ditches, 
 in fjch manner, that the Kings Horfe were conftrained to make an halt , letting the 
 whole Camp march off fafe unto la Fere : Nor did the obftacles alledged by the Ma- 
 refchaWe B/Vo« prove any hindcrance i for the retreat proceeding flowly and warily, 
 without hurry or confufion, the Pioneers had time to free and clear the way. 
 
 But the enemies Army being gone, the King returned unto the Siege, and began to 
 batter the Town i and while the Artillery played upon it, from every redoubt , they 
 made a mine, to blow up the Ramparts, and make a breach with more fpeed and Secu- 
 rity i but the befieged, not being willing to lofe themfelves, without making due re- 
 (iftance, fallied out at the Skjt-gates upon the firft of J"ly, and fell into the Maref- 
 chal de Biron's and the Sieur de Mnntmartin's Trenches, with fo much violence, that 
 making themfelves mafters of the Redoubts, they made a very great llaughter there. 
 Eleven Captains, and above Two hundred Soldiers being left dead upon the place i 
 But the Marefchal de Biron coming happily at the noife. and the foldiers running arm- 
 ed from all parts into the Trenches, the enemy was at laft beaten in again, who, taking 
 another courfe, made a furious counter-battery, from whence they difmounted and 
 fpoiled many pieces of Cannon, and yet all things being repaired with marvellous dili- 
 gence, there was already a great part of the Wall beaten down, after which, the Ram- 
 part appearing high, it was neceffary to ftay till the mines and works under ground 
 were brought to perfe(Sion ■■, which, while they were about, the Baron de Guiry^ who, 
 with extreme diligence haftened the work, was (hot in the head with a Musket in the 
 flower of his age, and to the infinite grief of every one, loft his lifei a Gentleman of 
 great courage, and exceeding worth, but ot fo fweet behaviour, and fo pleating a wit, 
 iniproved with additions of Learning, that forcing a general affedlion, he was praifed 
 and beloved by his very enemies » The mines ("which had been many dayes in hand) 
 being perfedted, had very different effedsi for the Sieur (if S. L?/c s proved fruitlefs, 
 bccaufe the water got into it i the Coant de Grammonis had vent given it by the be- 
 sieged 5 the Sieur deMontmartin's threw down the Wall, but did no hurt at all to the 
 Rampart •■, only the Marefchal de Biron's, and the Baron de Saligtjac's wrought very 
 great effeds, and yet being affaulted, one by Colonel Grillon ^ and the other by the 
 Count de lorigny^ they were valiantly made good by the defendents, who having at 
 the fame time fprung * a Fougade^ and blew up many of thofe , who inconfiderately 
 were advanced upon the Rampart i the next day the alTaults were redoubled feveral 
 times, the Duke de Bottillnn and the Marefchal de Biron having the care of them : in 
 which, though the affailants could not lodge themfelves upon the Rampart, yet the 
 befieged loft (b many men, that without relief it was not poffible for them to hold out 
 longer; wherefore they began to parley, and upon the 22th of July Capitulated to 
 furrender, if within twelve dayes the Duke of Mayeme did not either raife the Siege, 
 or put at leaft fix hundred Foot into the Town : but in fuch manner, that the befieged 
 might not alfift the relief any way, except onely in opening the Gate to it when it came, 
 nor might receive lefs than Three hundred Foot at a timci Which Articles being 
 made known unto the Duke, the King fent the Duke of Montpenfier^ the Admiral Vtl- 
 ''''•J, and the SieuT de Balagny^ ( who had newly fubmitted himfelf to his obedience) 
 topolTcfsthe wayes as far as laFere^znA hinder the paffageof relief, wliich not being 
 come within the time prefcribed, the Count de Sommerhe ^Co\one\ de Bourg, Prefident 
 Jf <»««/«, and the wholeGarrifon marching out with their Armes , and Baggage, were 
 
 convoyed
 
 of Frlnce. The Fourteenth ^oo^ 6< i 
 
 convoyed as far as la Fere, the King honouring the Duke oi^ Mayennes young Son with 15P4. 
 great demonlirations of courtefie. 
 
 The belieged of Laon had hoped, the Duke of Ga(/J would bring them fotne relief 
 by the way oiCh.tmpagnp, and the King had fufpeded the fame i but the affairs of that 
 Province were fo diftradted, that it was not poffible for him to think of ftirring at that 
 time •, for there were not onely pradlices on foot in every Town, but with every 
 Governor in favour of the King 5 and not onely the people were inclined to acknow- 
 ledge him, as had been clearly feen in the Commotion ztlroyes--, but more pernicious 
 thoughts reigned even among thofe of the very party. 
 
 Monfieur de St. Paul, a man of mean parentage, had, by all the degrees of War, 
 raifcd himfelf to the Office of Colonel in the time while the Duke of Guijes Father was 
 living, and had ferved him with fo much valour and fidelity, that he deferved not 
 onelv to hold one of the firft places in his favour, and alfo to be advanced to higher 
 charges of Command > but being favoured by his protedion, had, by the marriage of 
 a very rich Widdow, fetled himfelf in a gallant and plentiful fortune. He, after the 
 accident at Blois, having, as one of the principal dependants, taken part with the D. 
 of Mayenne, continued to ferve with fo much diligence, and fo profperous fuccefs,thaC 
 he not onely was appointed Lieutenant to the Government of Champagne, which Pro- 
 vince was governed under the name of the Duke of Guife, though a prifoneri but al- 
 fo in procefs of time he was by the Duke of Mayenne created and declared Marefchal 
 of France : He, when Far'n was befieged, having gathered together great fiore of vidtu- 
 al in the Province of Brye, put them happily into the City, while the King ftood fa- 
 cing the Duke of Mayenne. and he thence drew fo great a profit, that, added to the 
 Dowrv of his Wife, he made himfelf poffeflbr of very confiderable riches, which, toge- 
 ther with his pay from the Spaniards, (who at firft proceeded with an open free hand) 
 gave him conveniency to gain many followers and dependents, and to fet himfelf in a 
 condition of high reputation. His profperity of fortune was accompanied ( as it is 
 wont J with pride of mind, and haughtinefs of carriage, in fo much, that the Duke of 
 Guife, being at hberty, and come into the Province, he who was accuftomed to rule 
 of himfelf, did very unwillingly hear offubmitting himfelf to his command : and fince 
 the obligation of benefits received, and the greatnefs of his blood did not permit him 
 to refufe obedience, he endeavoured at Icaft to keep at a diftance from him, and in- 
 terpreting his Orders and Commiilions his own way, onely executed what futed with 
 his own fancy, and excufed himfelf for the reft under feveral pretences. The decK- 
 ning of the affairs of the League increafed his Pride and his Ambition j and feeing the 
 Princes of Lorain difagrced among themfelves, and were ill-grounded , he took the 
 greater boldnefs, and in his thoughts went on to a defignof making himfelf Mafter of 
 certain places, whereof he had the command. 
 
 He began with feizingupon the Dutchy of Kftf/, belonging to the Duke oiNevers ^ 
 and with intolerable arrogancy aflumed of himfelf the title of Duke of Keteloys > nor 
 flopping here, he went on plotting which way to make himfelf Matter oiVitry, Kheims, 
 Kflcj-rtj, and St. Differ; and he was the more fixt upon his thought wiien he faw the 
 Spaniards intent upon gaining the French Lords and Commanders, and getting them 
 into their pay i intending, as foon as he was in poffellion of thofe places, or fome of 
 them, to put himfelf under the protedtion of the Spaniard, and labour to eftablifli him- 
 felf in his ufurpcd greatnefs. 
 
 To this end he began 10 introduce a Garifon of his adherents into the City of Kheimt, f^^^^'^' "^""^ 
 and to delign the building of a Citadel, which might ftrve for a curb to keep the Citi- him the^ticie 
 zens in obedience, who, not being accufiomed to be commanded by a Mi/itw, fearful of °r,I^!"^'1^j 
 lofing their liberty, and of being made fubjedt to many burthens and infolencies of the while he piotj 
 Soldiers, ("to keep whofe affedtion St. Paul cared not, though they plundered and op- the°cit*"^f 
 preiTed the people ) oftentimes took rccourfe , and made their complaints thereof Mi^ms, he ic 
 nnto the Duke of Giufe, who having written alfo about it many times, and fee- cl'o'fow^* 
 ing he was not obeyed , not onely took a wondrous great difguft at it » but al- 
 fo began to perceive St. Paul's arts and his intentions. Wherefore , departing from 
 Paris after the Truce was expired, and being come into that Province with an in- 
 tent to remedy €0 great a danger , he wrote refolutely that there (hould be no more 
 foldiers brought into that City , the fidelity whereof he fufpedled not : But St. 
 PjuI continuing his defign , without making reckoning of the command he had 
 received, and the complaints of the Citizens multiplying, the Duke went thither well 
 
 Oooo 3 accompanied
 
 652' 
 
 The History of the Civil Wars 
 
 im- 
 
 The Sieur it 
 /Vf/J'rt), di- 
 ve rnor of Ciii- 
 
 fubmits him- 
 fclf withihac 
 place to the 
 Kiajs obedi- 
 ence. 
 
 The Citiient 
 of ^nuent 
 raife a tumult 
 sgainft the U. 
 of ^ittnaUi 
 and put 
 themfclves in- 
 to the Kings 
 hands, 
 
 The Sieur dc 
 Sulagnj, who 
 had had the 
 Govemment ■ 
 of Cimbdf 
 frcm Queen 
 K^tltrmt, as 
 htiicfs to the 
 
 D.ofv^/(fM.O«j 
 
 and after ad- 
 hering to the 
 league, had 
 made himfelf 
 Matter of it, 
 makes <ora- 
 ptifiiion with 
 'he King, up. 
 very large 
 conditions. 
 
 accomt 
 
 panicd to bridle the infolency of the attempt", but fo far was St. Vaul from for- 
 bearine that on the contrary, being either in greater neceffity or furpition,he perfift- 
 cd vet to call fome Companies into the Town i which being come to the Dukes know- 
 ledi and he inflamed with a generous difdain, not thinking to endure it, was tlie 
 cauTc' That coming one morning out of the Church, and meeting with St. Paa/, who 
 daigncd not to company him, he asked him the rcafon, W hy, contrary to his Orders, 
 he vet brought more Soldiers into the City > to which he anfwering, That he did it 
 for the common fecurity, and becaufe he had notice of fome pradices that were on 
 foot in the Town-, the Duke feeking to make a quarrel, replied angerly , and with 
 high injurious words, That thofe were inventions of his own i but that he would 
 teach him to obey. St. Pf«/ being incenfed with thefe contumelious fpecches, and not 
 enduring fuch a publick aflfront, told him. That being Marefchal of France^ he ac- 
 knovrkdgcd no fiiperior in matters of War : And in faying thofe words, whether by 
 chance, or by way of boafting, put his hand upon his Sword i at which adtion, the Duke 
 running upon him with his Sword drawn, and thrufting him quite through the body, 
 inftantly took away his life : With him fell his ill- grounded greatnefs i but the Sol- 
 diery was difpleafed ar ir^ which, by reafon of his indulgence to them, and of the pro- 
 fit they made under his command, loved and honoured his name > nor were the Citi- 
 zens f though they rejoyced at his death) any way (atisfied afterward i for the ftrength 
 of the League flili declining, the Duke of Gaife refolved both to keep the Soldiers 
 there, and profecute the detign of making a Cittadel. 
 
 But the example of Rheims ftirred up all the other Cities, and many Governors of 
 the Province •, in fuch manner, that' all of them were in acommotion, and had an in- 
 clination to put themfclvcs under the King's obedience, to free themfelves from immi- 
 nent dangers. So that fcarce could the Duke of Guife withftand the troubles of his 
 own Government, much lefs was he able to fuccor or aifift the neceffity of others: Nor 
 was his ftav there, and his diligent care fufficient to keep them all faithful ; for the 
 Sieur de Fefchay, Governor of ChajieaM-lhicrry^zt the fame time when Laon was fur- 
 rendered, made compolltion with the King, and with the fame conditions the reft had, 
 keeping his Government, went over unto his party. 
 
 Almoft about the fame time happened the revolt of the City o( Amienf ■■, (or, the 
 People ftirred up by the Kings adherent's, who told them. That the Duke of Anmale 
 having made agreement with the Spaniards, was likely to put the City under the do- 
 minion of ftrangers, attempted to drive out the Duke who was in the Town without 
 a Garrifon j for the inhabitants alledging their priviledges, would not receive any j but 
 the tumult having lafted four dayes without any certain refolution, the Duke of A/jj'- 
 fKWc' came thither, who being admitted only with the company of his Guard, appeal- 
 ed (as he thought) the tumult, and reconcil'd the Chief Citizens to the Duke of Aw 
 male i but, after he was departed, to return again to the Army, the people took up 
 Armes afre(h, crying out openly. For the King, far the King; and having brought Mon- 
 ileur 15/' Hrtwifr^j- into the City, draveoutthe Duke of Aumale^ who, having loft the 
 hope of being able to uphold himfelf, chofe to depart, before he (hould enter into a 
 thought of feizing upon his perfon. 
 
 The Sieur de Balagni was before this gone over to the King's party, with the City of 
 Cambrayt which having been in the power of the French, ever^lince the time of the 
 Duke of Alancon, and after his death pofTefled by his mother, as inheritrix of what her 
 fon had gotten, had been put under the Government of the Sieur de Balagny, who, 
 the Queen being dead, and the revolution of fr^zwn? following, chofe to take part with 
 the League, to the end the Spaniards might be kept from troubling him i and, of Go- 
 vernor, by little and little made himfelf abfolute Mafter, both of fo noble and famous a 
 City, and of its moft fertile Territory •, but now the affairs of the League declined, he 
 defiring to keep that dominion, held a Treaty with the King, that if he would declare 
 him Prince of Cambray, and after his declaration protedt him from the Spanifti Forces, 
 he would fubmit himfelf to his obedience , and to the Soveraignty of the Crown 
 of France , and that moreover he would receive the King's Garrifons into fh^ Ci- 
 |y, and Caftle, obliging himfelf to ferve him in time of War, with Two thoufand 
 f ootand Five hundred Horfe, and that on the other fide the King fliould pay Seventy 
 thoufand Crowns every year to maintain the Garrifon at his devotion. It was not 
 hard to obtain thefe conditions from the King , as well becaufe of his deiire to 
 Keep the fupream dominion of that Principality unto himfelf, «as to oppofe fuch
 
 of France. The Fourteenth 'Book. 
 
 ^53 
 
 a difficult encounter unto the enemy upon the frontiers i and though thefe reafbns 
 were manifclt and apparent, yet many Ituck not to fay, that the King condefcended 
 to grant BaUgni that Principality which was already in the power of the French to 
 pleafe Madam Gair/f& d'' Ejiree, whom he ardently loved, and who was nearly alli- 
 ed to Balasrm : However it was, the King having caufed the Patents to be difpatched, 
 and allowed in the Parliament before he went from P^inV, fent the Marefchal deHetz 
 about this time to malce him be eledted, and declared Prince of Cambray by the City, 
 coniirming the Title to his Wife, his Sons, and his pofterity, and after the taking of 
 Laon^ he entred perfonally into the Town with his Army, received the homage of obe- 
 dience, and having fetled a Garrifon, and the alfairsof the City, returned to /^wiew/ 
 where, being received with wondrous pomp, he granted the fame conditions to the 
 Citizens, which, with his wonted liberahty, had been granted to the other Cities. In 
 this expedition, the King created two Marefchals of f »-.//icd', the Duke of Bo«i//o«,and 
 the Sieur de Bjlagni, intending to make ufe of them both in the War, which he alrea- 
 dy defigned to makeagainft the Spaniards. 
 
 The news of the King's profperous fuccelTes, which, from feveral parts came fuccef- 
 fively to Rc»«f, moved, but did not much trouble the Pope h for, having already fe- 
 cretly given the King hopes, that he would give him his Benedidion, and fignified 
 fo much unto him, not onely by the Sieur de la Clielle, but alfo by words that might 
 receive a double interpretation, intimated as much to Paulo Paruta., the Venetian Am- 
 baflad*, a prudent man, who was well able to apprehend the Pope's intentions ; he 
 was pleafed to hear bufineffes went on in fuch a way, that he might not prevent, but 
 be prevented by the motion of the people-, and that he might come to his laft deter- 
 mination, in fuch manner, as he might feem to be drawn unto it by neceiTity, and that 
 the Spaniards might not condemn him of too inconfiderate forvvardnefs ,*nor accufe 
 him of want of inclination to the interelis of their greatnefs i For this caufe he had 
 from the beginning of the year, permitted Cardinal Gg»di to come to Romi\ and 
 though he did it with a manifefi injunction, that he fliould not open his mouth about 
 the affairs of France, yet fecretly in their private meetings he gave him leave to al- 
 ledge and repeat all the Kings reafons to him, to reprefent the diforders, and w^nts 
 of the Clergy, to put him in minde of the caufes, why Religion would be in danger, 
 if he (liould not fatisfie the King, and finally, to inform him of every fmajl particular, 
 that he might make ufe thereof to the advantage of his defign i For this fame caufe 
 C though he knew it J he was not offended at the Decree of the Divines at Paris, in fa- 
 vour of the King, but rather was well pleafed, thofe very men, who had made the pre- 
 amble and way to make him be excommunicated, fhould now be as adfive in fmooth- 
 ing the paffage to his reconciliation i and though upon all occafions he fliewed anger 
 and difdain in his words, in his private adions he did not fo, but rejoyced as often as 
 he heard that his perfeverance was interpreted obduratnefs, telling the Spaniards , as 
 well Cardinals, as Ambafladors, who were at his ear every day, that he fuffered much, 
 and expofed his own reputation to a general blame, becaufe he would not diflent from 
 their dclires i in the mean time, he alfo fatislied his own confcience, by making him- 
 felf certain of the King's conftancy, and of the truth of his converfion, and by means 
 of Sannefio, and d' Off'at had let him know, that many conditions were necelTary to 
 his rebcnedidtion, and particularly, that he not having any lawful heir male, the young 
 Prince oiConde, who was nearelf to the Crown, fliould be taken out of the hands of the 
 Hugonots, and bred up in the Catholick Religion, to the end that whatever fhould hap- 
 pen, they might not fall again into the former dangers and inconveniences i which ha- 
 ving been alfo intimated by way of difcourfe, both to Cardinal GoWi, and the Venetian 
 Ambaffador, the King was not only advertifcd of it, but counfel'd to take away that 
 fcruple, becaufe it might hinder the progrefs of what was in Treaty "> wherefore he be- 
 gan to think, by what means he might get him out of the Hugonots hands, who, after 
 the Kings Converfion, efteem4ed him much more dearly, that they might breed them- 
 felves up a head, and fupport unto their faction. 
 
 But Cardinal Gondi thinking himfelf informed of all thofe things that might take 
 away the Popes doubts, and facilitate the King's reconciliation, refolved to return into 
 France, and to endeavour the execution of them, by fpeaking with the King himfelf 
 in perfon i fo being come to the Camp before Laon, he was two dayes in clofe confe- 
 rence with the King, and going from thence to Parw, feared not to command the Cler- 
 gy to ufe thofe Prayers again, which were wont to be made for the moft Chriftian 
 
 Kings, 
 
 i5?4- 
 
 Cardinal Gon. 
 f'i being tc- 
 turncil to Pit- 
 r:j, commands 
 as fipcriorof 
 thr Clergy of 
 that City, that 
 they fhould ufe 
 again the 
 Prayers that 
 were wint to 
 be made for 
 the King of 
 f ranee, and 
 that they 
 fhotiU) ac- 
 knowledge H. 
 jtcfoxrib, their 
 lawful King.
 
 654 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i5*'4- 
 
 WotJs of 
 Pope climm 
 the Eighth to 
 the Duke cf 
 S'ffi the Spa- 
 nilh AmbjlTk. 
 dor. 
 
 TTie Duke of 
 Mtycmr gees 
 to BrmflUsy 
 where he is 
 treated with 
 complyjnce. 
 
 The SubRance 
 cf ihe sgree- 
 ment conclud- 
 ed between 
 the Duke of 
 M,i)ettnc and 
 the Spaniards 
 at BrHztkii. 
 
 Kings, and abfulutcly to acknowledge Henry the Fourth for their true and lawful Lord, 
 fliarply alfo reprehending , and driving from his prefence, certain men of Religious 
 Orders, who dared to oppofe that determination » which, though (as other things) it 
 was written to Rome, and amplified, the Pope made no other fliew of refenting it, 
 than to tax Gondi for no good Cardinal, and to threaten, that with time and opportu- 
 nity he would punifli him for his fault j adding, that the affairs of France were in 
 fuch a condition , as it was not lit to put more fuel to that fire, which was already 
 kindled ; fince the bufinefles of the Catholick Union went on fo ill, that it would be 
 no fmall matter to be able to uphold it ; but the news of the taking of Laou, and the 
 retreat of the Spanifli Camp being come, the Pope made (hew to be very angry i and 
 deliring to find means to make it appear, that the fault was the Spaniards , he told 
 the Duke of Sejfa , that the Catholick King defired to have him to refift onely with 
 fpiritual Arms, but that he in the mean time was not careful to make ufe of Tem- 
 poral ones i that he (hould remember, though Excommunications are pernicious to 
 the Souls of the obftinate, yet are they not deflirudive of their corporal affairs ; and that 
 whofoever would have bufineffes effeded, muft unite the two Swords, and proceed 
 equally with both hands ; that he faw, or thought he faw, the Catholick King was al- 
 ready weary of expence, and of the War, and that if it were fo, he defired to be made 
 privy to it, that he might in time find the bed remedy that might be for the danger 
 of Religion, fince the French Union was already in a manner dilToIved, and the Spanifh 
 Armies either could not, or did not care to fuftain that weight. Thefe flinging words 
 of the Pope, deeply pierced the minds of the Spaniards j who, fufpedling the end to 
 which he tended, and not being willing to give him that occafion, which they were of 
 opinion he fought, they wrought with the fame heat not only into Spain^ fhewing the 
 King the necelfity, cither of yielding, or of doing fomething in good earneil, but alfo 
 to hriixellef , to the end the Arch- Duke might fuflain the manifeflly falling affairs 
 of the League. 
 
 Wherefore the Duke of Mayenne^zitct the lofs of Laon, being gone back to that 
 Court, to find means to fettle their common affairs, yielding now fomething on both 
 fides to the quality of the time, they treated a little more pleafingly to each other i for 
 the Duke knowing himfelf in a weak efiate, had abated much of his firft demands, and 
 the Arch-Duke knowing it was no time to exafperate him, for fear he fhould be dri- 
 ven into utter defperation ■> and feeing that he could neither accommodate his mind , 
 nor his ears to hearken to a Treaty of putting himfelf under the Catholick Kings obe- 
 dience, asRoJke and the Duke of ^?/w<a/f had done, he refolved to hold him in hand 
 with a fhew of fitting conditions, and of a Treaty in a manner equal, flill keeping alive 
 the propofition of the Infanta's eledion, being certain afterwards to bring matters to 
 his own end and intention, and to behave himfelf in his fecret defign, in fuch manner 
 as time and opportunity fhould advife j Wherefore, there having been a long Treaty 
 between Prefident Riccardotto, andPretident J eannin, and the Princes themfelves, ha- 
 ving often conferred /together, they at laft agreed toefiablifli a Capitulation, which 
 feemed juff and honourable to both parties. 
 
 The Agreement contained in fubfiance, that the Catholick King fhould continue to 
 ufe the Duke of Mayenne as before, in the quality of Lieutenant-General of the State, 
 and Crown of France, and that fo he fhould be acknowledged in all places and Armies, 
 where he fhould chance to be: That the Ten thoufand Crowns by the Moneth,fhould 
 continue to go on, which had been afligned to him by the Catholick King from the 
 beginning: That he on the other fide, fhould continue to make War in thofe Places, 
 where he fhould think beft, and particularly in the Province of Bourgongne --, for the 
 upholding whereof, certain fupplies of Horfe and Foot fhould be given him > That 
 whatfoever fhould be acquired, fhould be held by him in the name of the King, who, 
 in due time fhould be chofen,by the common confent of the French Confederates of the 
 Apoftolick See, and of the King of Spain i That the faid King fhould be obliged, to re- 
 inforce his Armies to make War in Vauphine, Ficardy , and Bretagne , thofe conquefts 
 likewife which fhould be made, being to be held in the name of the future King, under 
 French Governors : and that the Dakes of Lorain, and G«;/e, and the other Lords,and 
 Heads of the l^wiOT, fhould be exhorted to continue the War. 
 
 J^^^ Duke of Mayenne, thinking, that by thefe conditions ( though ambiguous) he 
 had. infome meafure ftopt the precipice of his affairs, departed [torn Bruxelles, 
 
 and 
 
 fs^
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^Goi(, 
 
 655 
 
 and with a Gentleman Cent from the Arch-Duke , went ftraight to Nancy to fpeak 
 with theDukeof Lorain j His intention was to try to keep him united to the League, 
 and toperfwade him to continue the VVari but he by the means of Monfieur de Baf- 
 fompier. had not onely concluded a Truce with the King of France^ but alfo being defi- 
 rous to disburthen himfelf of the expence, permitted his foldiers to take pay under 
 him » wherefore the Baron d' Ojf'nnville , and the Sieur de Trembkcourt with Three 
 thoufand Foot, and Four hundred Horfe, had put on white Skarfs, and were gOne to 
 ferve the King, having obliged themfelves to moleft the County of Bourgogne, which 
 till then had been neutral , and had not been troubled on any Gde. The Duke of 
 Mayenne having found things in this Condition, and not having been able to remove 
 the Duke of Lorain from his inclinations to Peace, refolved to go into the Dutchy 
 of BoHrgogne^ ("the Dutchy and the County are Provinces divided one from ano- 
 ther j that appertaining to the King of France, and this by antient divifion to the 
 Y^n^oi Spain) and there endeavoured to eftablifli himfelf abfolutely, holding already 
 the moft part of the Towns, as Governor of the Province* for he had plotted, what- 
 (bever event his affairs fliftuld have, to retain either the free dominion, or at leaft the 
 Government of that Dutchy. But the King, who was very well aware of his dcfign, 
 after he faw the Treaties of Peace broken off, which had been held by the means of 
 ViHeroy and Prefident Jeannin , refolved to oppofe what he intended concerning the 
 Dutchy of Bottrgongne j and that he might make ufe of the boldeft of all his Com- 
 manders, he chofe the Marefchal de Biron Governor of that Province, and made him 
 be fet in order with convenient Forces to go to recover thofe places. 
 
 In the mean time 'Lremblecourt and Offanville were gone into the '^Franche Compte, 
 and having fuddenly made many incurfions into the Country, took Ff/« and JainviUe^ 
 putting the whole Province in wondrous terror, and confufion : for, by reafon of the 
 Neutrality which had made the People fecure, there were no Forces in the Province 
 able to opp'ofe their invafion > wherefore, having haftily demanded fuccors both from 
 Savoy and Flanders , though fome few were fent to keep Garrifon in the principal 
 places-, yet the Winter beginning, would not fuffer greater preparations to be made 
 by the Spaniards, and fb much the rather, becaufe the very feafon hindred the King 
 of France his Soldiers from being able, in refpedtof the fmallnefs of their number,and 
 the quality of the weather, to make any greater progrefs. 
 
 That which complcated the diforderingof the League, was the compodtion of the 
 Duke of Gtdl'e, who, either incenfed that the Duke o( Mayenne had hindred his great- 
 nefs , or elfe vext, that the Spaniard had fliewed him a flafh of exaltation, and then 
 had prefently drawn in thofe beams, fliutting up the paffagc to all other favors > and 
 knowing that his Fathers ancient grcatnefs, was all turned upon the Duke of May- 
 enne, whereby he, both in regard of his youth, and becaufe he had no Dependents , 
 was fain, not onely to yield the firft place, but alfo to content himfelf with one of the 
 inferior ones, refolved, about this time, to eftablifh his own fortune with the King, and 
 by the means of his Mother, and of the Marefchal de la Chajire, agreed for himfelt, his 
 Brother the Prince of J^ainville, znd Monfieur Lwi^ deftined to an Ecclefiaftical life i 
 to rertore Kheims, Vitry, KDcroy, St. Bifrer, Guife, Moncornet, and the other places in 
 Champagne', and the quarters thereabout unto the Kings obedience, receiving in recom- 
 pence thereof the Government oi ?rovence,Yom hundred thoufand Crowns, to pay 
 the Debts their Father had ran into and many Ecclefiaflical preferments for the third 
 Brother, which formerly were the Cardinal of Bourbons, who, after a long ficknefs, 
 held by the Phyfitians to be an Hedick Fever, departed this life about this time, not 
 without fufpicion of Poyfon. The Treaty of this agreement had been very long i for 
 the Dukeof Gk//^ Hood to retain the Government of C/;j/«;'jg«e, and the King would 
 not deprive the Hake oi Never s of it, and there were likewife exceeding great conten- 
 tions, about giving him the Government oi ? rovence Sot the Hvkeoi i^fpemon, who 
 had gotten it after the death of his Brother, and had, by many fuccefsful enterprifes 
 againft the Duke of Savoy, and againltthe League, fetled himfelf in the command, was 
 not willing to leave it •, nor was it this alone that hindred it ; but the High Chan- 
 cellor, and many of the Council perfwaded the King, not to put that Province into 
 the Duke of G«//^ his hands, to which he pretended right, as heir of theHoufeof An' 
 ']0!t i but the King defired on the one iide to have the Duke of Efpei-aon leave that Go- 
 vernment, into which he had skrew'd himfelf, in the greateft diftra<Sion of af- 
 fairs, without his Commiffion : and on the other, he knew that it was neceffary to 
 remedy the prefent , without having fo unfeafonable a fear of the future : 
 
 befidet 
 
 The Duke of 
 Ltrtm maket 
 a truce nittl 
 [he KiDZ. 
 
 * Or Cttatj ef 
 BourgoRgnc. 
 
 The King 
 fends the Lo- 
 rJ/n ToTces 
 that were 
 Cume to hinly 
 to make in- 
 curfions into 
 the Counijr of 
 BcUTgmgnt, 
 
 The Duke 0/ 
 ^uife leaves 
 the Leigue> 
 and makes hit 
 
 compoGtion 
 with cbe King. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Gki/>, as heir 
 of the Hrufe 
 of ^njou pre- 
 tends rightj 
 unto Provmi,
 
 6^6 
 
 The Htsiory of the Civil IVars 
 
 r^^V- 
 
 The Duke of 
 Mtnirur is 
 difgultcd it 
 the Spaniard* 
 in Btti.igne y\il- 
 caufc they 
 ivoulif not 
 mciidle in 
 maccet'f out of 
 that Province. 
 
 The Marcf- 
 chal d' ^u- 
 
 moniGoiitnai, 
 for rhtf'Kin^. 
 in Bicl(iri/r,bc-_ 
 fieges 3ic 
 
 Fortof:hv,7;^ 
 
 begun by the 
 Spaniard: 
 
 *Sir Jj'„n Net- 
 ris. 
 
 befides that, the Duke of Gttife's ingenuity and moderate nature, of which lie had gi- 
 ven clear tc'dimony in thebufine/res lately treated by the Spaniards, perfwaded the 
 Kino- to a conridence in him. Therefore the Agreement was eihbliflied, whereby, as 
 the°Kine's party incrcafcd in lirength and reputation, fo the League was not onely 
 weaknedand languifliing, but little lefs than utterly diflblved. 
 
 Now having told the principal matters of the War,appertaining to the main body and 
 fubftancc of affairs, the things that hapned in the remoter Provinces of the Kingdom, 
 ought likewife briefly to be related. The party of the League was moft firmly fetled in 
 BretJ^w^and more powerful there than in any other place i for,befides the Forces of the 
 Province, whichfmuch more united than any other) followed the Duk^of Mercxnr^ 
 who, by the profperity of many fuccefles, had raifcd himfelf to a very high elbmati- 
 on, there were alfo Five thoufand Spanifh Foot under Don Juan de PJgiiila^who, pof- 
 fcfling B/<?aff, and the neighbouring places about it, were ready to help wherefoevcr 
 need (hould require in that Province. But, their mindes here were neither more a- 
 greeing,' nor more fatisfied than in other places v for the Duke oi Msrcxur was dif- 
 cotTtcnted, that the Spaniards fhould proceed with ends and defigns apart i nor could 
 he frame his ears to hear talk of the pretentions which the Infanta oi Spain had unto' 
 that Province, as contrary to thofe rights which his Wife Margaret Countcfs oiFontle- 
 zre pretended alfo to it : nor did other things trouble him more, than the CommiiTi- 
 on they had, not to meddle in matters out of that Province i infomuch, that when 
 the courfeof Vidiory carryed him upon fome important delign into the neighbouring 
 Provinces, they dipt his wings, becaufe they fliould nbt pafs beyond the limits of Bjy- 
 tdgne ■ They, on the other fide, were ill-fatisfied, that he limitfing them within the 
 circuit of Blauet^ would not fuifer them to take footing in the Province i and becaufe 
 going forrh of that Fortrefs, feated in the extremity of a Peninfula, they had begun 
 to raifea' Fort in the neck of another Feninfula^ which blocked up on the Iand-fide,and 
 hindred the entrance of fhips into the Port of Bre\i^ a place frequented by the Nor- 
 thern Nations, the Duke fecmed not to confcnt unto it, and to ufe many arts, that the 
 Fortification might not go forward. 
 
 On the'nther fide, the Marefchal d'' Aumont Governor for the King, had more cou- 
 rage than fircngth i for the wants of the near adjacent Provinces, did not fufferhim 
 to draw together above One thoufand Englifli Foot, Two thoufand French, and Four 
 or five hundred Horfeof the voluntary Nobility of the Country." but after that the 
 King's converfion began to give him favour, and to move the humours of the Pro- 
 vince, he advanced, and received Laval, a Town that voluntarily fubmitted to hifri 
 and then having laid fiege to Morla'n, he took it, notwithftanding the Duke of Mer~ 
 cxur laboured to relieve it v and being recruited with new Englifli Foot, led by Co- 
 lonel Worm, which had been in Normandy, he refolved to aflault the Spaniards new 
 Foot before it was brought toperfe(ftion,and before they could fettle themfelves in the 
 pofiellion of that fertill and populous Sea-coaft : Wherefore, having drawn the Army 
 together, in which there were Two thoufand Englifh Foot , commanded by Colonel 
 ^ATww, Three thoufand French, commanded by the Baron deMolac, Three hundred 
 Harquebufiers on horfe-back, and Four hundred Gentlemen, and being abundantly fur- 
 niflied with Artillery, Ammunition, and other necelTarics, by Monfieur de S'ourdiac Go- 
 vernor of Brf/f, who, being hard by, to eafe himfelf of the trouble of the Spaniards 
 fupplyed all wants, he brought his Army before it upon the Eleventh oiOUobcr. 
 
 The Fort was feated upon a natural Rock, and incompaffed by the Sea quite round, 
 except onely where the Feninfitla joyns to the firm Land ■■, on which fide they had 
 raifed two Bulwarks in form of a Tenaille, and between them was the Gate, with its 
 Draw-bridge, Moat, and Counterfcarp, all defigned with excellent skill, though not 
 yetperfeded to a defenfible condition. The Governor of the Fort Was Don 'Imiafy 
 Praffcdes, an old experienced Commander, and he had with him Four hundred Spanifh 
 Foot, with plentiful provifions of all things neccflary for the defence of it. The diffi- 
 culty of that fiege appeared at the very firlt i for,as foon as they began to break ground, 
 and make their approaches by the help of Trenches unto the edge of the Counterfcarp, 
 they found, there was not above two foot of earth, after which they met with the im- 
 pediment of the hard rock ■■, wherefore it was neceffary to make ufcof Gabions, in 
 the bringing, planting, and filling whereof, they difputed for the fpaceof nine dayes, 
 with great execution upon the Befiegers i they within with fingular art ma- 
 king ufe of fmall pieces of Artillery , wherewith they were Abundantly fiored , 
 
 and
 
 o/^ France. The Fourteenth 'Book 
 
 657 
 
 and fallying out at the S}{_yt-gates fometime of one Bulwark, fometimcs of the other 
 molefled them continually, no lefs by day than they did by night i but at laft the con- 
 ftant rcfolution of the Befiegers, overcame the difficulty of the enterprife, and having 
 planted twelve pieces of Cannon, they began to play upon the Bulwarks i and though 
 at the firft their Bullets, ihiking upon the Earth, did little harm, yet their continual 
 battering having broke the fence of Bavins wherewith the Rampart was fattened to- 
 gether, and made it flip down , the Moat began to fill by little and little, affording 
 better conveniency of advancing to make the aflault. Wherefore the Baron de Molac 
 with the French affaulted the Bulwark on the right hand i and Colonel NorrU with 
 the Englifh affaulted the other on the left : But though the aflault was bold and vio- 
 lent, the Spaniards received it with fo much conftancy , that after a wondrous hot 
 fight of three hours, the Aflailants were precipitately beaten off, above an hundred 
 being flain, with three French Captains, and four Englifh i and that lofs was much 
 increafed by their own Cannoniers i for they, as the AfTailants were retiring, going 
 to fire their Artillery againfi; the Defendents that were upon the Rampart, did it with 
 fo little difcretion , that they blew up their Powder, and killed many of their Soul- 
 diers. This accident gave the Spaniard great opportunity to make up their Works 
 again i for while they fta ed for new Supplies from £rc/f, of powder, and new inftru- 
 ments to ufe their Cannon withal, they had time to mend up their Bulwarks again 
 with the fame Earth , fortifying them with two ftrong Pallifadoes Cthe French call 
 them * PhrjiPsJ which compafTed them round about : But the Battery being furnifhed 
 again, they began to batter again upon the fourth of November^ with more fury than 
 they had done before -, and the Pallifadoes yielding eafily to the force of the Cannon, 
 they began to plain the way once more, and make it fit for an aflault » which whilft 
 it was jufl ready to be given, there came fuch a fudden ftorm of Thunder and Light- 
 ning, and fuch abundance of Rain, that it was necefTary to defer it till the next day, 
 in which time the befieged cut off the points of the Bulwarks, and made a retrench- 
 ment, to cover themfelves in fuch manner, that the next morning they fuflained the 
 afTault very valiantly with fmall lofs to themfelves, and a very great one to the Ene- 
 mies, who were fcarce gone down from the alTault, and fetled to their reft, when the 
 Spaniards fallying out to the number of feventy , fuddenly made themfelves Mafters 
 of the Battery of the French, kill'd a Colonel , and above two hundred other Soul- 
 diers, whom they found unprovided, and laid to fleep, and nail'd three pieces of Can- 
 non ■■> yet the Baron de Molac being come up, they were beaten back into the Moat, 
 not having loli above eleven of their men. 
 
 The Siege went on but flowly ; for the Marefchal d'' Aionont being burthened with 
 years, but more with toil and labour, was fallen dangeroufly fick ■•, and yet the con- 
 tinual moleliation they of the Fort received, confumed them from day to day, in fuch 
 manner that they began earneftly to follicite relief i but the Duke of Mercxnr took fmall 
 care of them , for he was not difpleafcd that the Fort fhould be taken , knowing the 
 Spaniards aim'd to pofTefs themfelves of all that coaft, which, full of Iflands, fecure 
 Harbours, and great well-peopled Towns, by reafon of the Supplies it might receive 
 from the Spanifli Fleet, was marvellous opportune to nourifh a long War, and dange- 
 rous combuftion in all Bretagne •■, wherefore though he had been conftrained to grant 
 them Blattet, yet he took it extream ill, they fliould endeavour to enlarge themfelves 
 further i for this caufe alledging divers excufes, and caufing many obflaclcs and impe- 
 diments to arife , he ftill deferred the relief j Von Juan del AquHa, who had not any 
 number of Horfe with him, could very hardly move to raife the fiege of Fort Craifil^ 
 Cfor fo they called the place) yet the fiege fiill prefling, and it feeming to him a very 
 great fault to let his own Country-men be deftroyed without afliftance, he advanced 
 with four thoufand Foot, and two pieces of Cannon towards ^impercor.intin, to fee 
 whether the jealoufie of that place could move the French to draw off i but having 
 met the Sieur ds Mombaraut^ who lay upon that way with two hundred Curaflliers, 
 and fifty Harquebufiers on Horfe-back, though he retiring by little and little, drew at 
 laft within the Walls, yet the Town was fo fecured thereby, that the fear of Infing it 
 made no necclTity of raifing the fiege of Croifil, befides he had no fuch Artillery, nor 
 preparations, as were fufficient for that enterprife i wherefore turning another way, 
 and paiTing under the Walls of the Town, he came upon the Road that leads ftraight 
 from ^impercorantin to the French Camp, intending to encamp in advantageous places, 
 where the Horfe might not hurt them, and try in fomefort, by drawing near, to hinder 
 
 P p p p the 
 
 i5?4« 
 
 Th: French 
 aflault Ccifil, 
 but are btavcj 
 ly rcpulfed b/ 
 the Spaniard, 
 
 * Surm-ilUt, 
 
 The French 
 renew the af- 
 fault, but are 
 beaten off with 
 great loft. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Me,ca:iir takef 
 no care to re- 
 hevc C»'Ji/. 
 
 Don fudft dil 
 •^ijuiu march* 
 es to relieve 
 his Country- 
 men ; but ha- 
 ving neither 
 horfe nor othet 
 preparations 
 fufficient, he 
 finds the en- 
 tcrpriie vcrf 
 di£cu)t.
 
 658 ^^^^ History of the Civil Wars 
 
 the taking of the Fort » but Mombraut following them in the Rere with his Cavalry, and 
 ^ ^^ the Sieur ^« Tremblay advancing from the Camp with an hundred and fifty Horfe more. 
 
 Von Juan dd Aqtiila was forced to march not only very warily , but very (lowly , left 
 he fliould be molefted in open places by the Cavalry, to which the Chevalier de Fa- 
 ftonville , and the Sieur de Bajiernay being joined with the reft of the Horfe that be- 
 longed to the Camp, he was conftrained to go a great circuit of ground, to get to the 
 Feninfula by Land, which if he had had Shipping, he might have done in a fhort fpace 
 by Water. 
 
 In the mean time the Marefchal d Aumont recovered of his ficknefs, having call'd 
 Monfieur de Sourdiac unto the Camp, prefs'd the befieged with his utmoft power i 
 and having upon the eighteenth day of Nrvember, battered from break of day, till the 
 Sun began to decline, he caufed the Baron de Molac to give the affault, who being 
 beaten off, Colonel du Berdet fell op, and he being likewife repulfed, with a greater 
 flaughter than the other, the Englifli without delay ftormed it on the other fide, and 
 a vjjiant Squadron of Gentlemen renewed the affault on the other > and though A/^r- 
 tin trobijhcr^^ons of the Englifti Colonels, and Cdlonel Irej'cane^ one of the French 
 Commanders, were killed in the firft fury of the affault, yet the Defendents being over- 
 come more by their own wearinefs, than the valour of their Enemies, were at laft, af- 
 Afttr many tcr two hours refiftancc, all cut in pieces, without flirring one foot from the defence 
 °"f "'" 's'of '^^ ^'^^ Rampart, upon which they fought defperately to the jaft man, and that with 
 frV/(a"e all fo much lofs to the Affailants, of whom there were flain that day above fix hundred, 
 "ut '"iih'farae ^"'^ ^" '^^ ^^^ ^"^ ftoutcft Souldiers of the Camp, that if Don Juan del Aquib, who 
 ofmoftrfmsr- vvas comc Very near , had marched ftraight on, perchance the Marefchal ^Z' /^//wowt 
 an.1 vci'^''"".'! ^°^^^ "^^ ^^^^ efcaped a very great defeat, and the Fort would the fame day have been 
 jofs'to'lbi»i- loft and recovered i but heftayingfor fear of the Cavalry, and quartering fo near that 
 fjiiams. j^^ j^|,3j.j jj^g ratling of the fliot while the fight laftcd, when he at the fame time was 
 
 told of the fingular courage, and total deftrudion of his Country-men, he refolved to 
 retire the next morning v ; and not being followed by any body , marched away to 
 Blaitct without any other attempt. 
 After this the Kings forces increafed in that Province v for the Sieurs de St. Luc, and 
 ■ Mommnrun^ departing from the fiegeof L>w«, were come thither with five Companies 
 of Swit7ers , three Regim-ents of French, and three Companies of Harqucbufiers on 
 Horfe-back, who in their march having either by force, or compofition taken many 
 weak Towns, brought the Duke of Mercxur to a neceiVity of uniting himfelf with the 
 Spaniards, to hinder thefe new Forces from joining with the Marefchal d^ Aumont, and 
 Tor rm[ii thinking of fome enterprife of great importance i fo that the difguft ceafing which had 
 French"'"'" ^^^'^ ^^"' ^'^'^^ Croifd, Cwhich after it was taken, was by Monfieui Sourdiac utterly 
 llighted with great forwardnefs in the Country people j the Duke of Mercosur refolved 
 to unite all the Forces in one body, and labour to refift the Kings, as he had very pro- 
 fpcroufly done until that prefent. 
 ' In the beginning of this year there brake forth a little fire in Provence i the fparkles 
 
 whereof would have caufed a wonderful great combuftion in thofe parts, if there had 
 not been feafonable proviCons made againft the beginning of it. The Provencials and 
 Gafcons are by long and ancient emulation naturally Enemies, which rcfpedt not ha- 
 ving withheld King Henry the Third from giving the Government of Provence to the 
 Duke of Efpernon, though he was a Gafcon by birth , the Gentry and people of that 
 Province were fo incenfed at it, that it was neceffary to force them with an Army to 
 yield their wonted obedience i which as it was an occafion very much to encreafe the 
 followers and adherents of the League, fo would it have produced other mifchiefs, if 
 his Brother Monfieur de la Valette, who was left to govern as his Lieutenant, had not 
 with fingular dexterity , and mild gentle ufage appeafcd their minds, and brought 
 pl'iumcnt'tf ^'^^"^ ^° make more account of the merit of vertue, than difference of birth. But 
 .^13. not bting after his death the Duke of Efpernon being come thither with greater Forces than his 
 thiVrnjl'''^ Brother had, began alfo to execute his Government, and follow the War with more 
 foices mider vivacity, exadling a punctual obedience from thofc of the Kings party, and fighting 
 'tffern^n'hit. ^'S^'oufly againft the reft, who held part with the League, among which the Count of 
 'om^'iTb , '^'^^' ^"'^ ''■'^ ^'fy ^^^ Parliament of Aix w-hich he had befieged, when tliey faw 
 th"Dukr(iia'i 5 . "^y '■^"^'^ "ot refift fo powerful an Enemy, were content to yield to the King, and for 
 nont"°/"hVc ■ ""^° Monfieur de Les Diguieres or Colonel Alfonfo Corfo, but with exprefs condi- 
 f ity. 'ion , that the Duke fliould have no Power nor Superiority in that Town, which 
 
 though
 
 of France. The Fourteenth 'Boo\. 
 
 659 
 
 though it waspromifed them, the Duke neverthelefs made himfelf the ftronger, and 
 (being the more exafperated by the ill will they had (hewed againft him J began to 
 build a Fort, which commanding the City might keep it in fubjedion i this the Citi- 
 zens impatiently brooking, and the fame humours reigning through the whole Pro- 
 vince, they difpatched Agents to the Court, tobefeech theKing to take the Govern- 
 ment from the Duke of Efpernon, and provide another Governour. The King, who 
 by rea(bn of the uncertainty of his affairs, had till then diffembled, nor at that prefent 
 was willing to alienate the Dukes affedions from him, and who on the other fide faw 
 the difcontcnts of that Province, and the troubles that were like to come, thought it 
 a moderate way to refer the bufinefs to the Marefchal d AnviUe Governour of Lan- 
 gnedoc, who \yas newly by him made High Conftable of the Kingdom : For on the one 
 fide the Provencials being well affedled to his perfon > and on the other, the Duke of 
 Lfper>ion having married a Neece of his, he thought that by his prudence and dexte- 
 rity, he might find a middle way, whereby both the people might remain fatisfied, 
 and the Duke handfomly removed from that Government \ but after that he faw the 
 Duke refolved to maintain himfelf in that Office, and the Conftable flack in finding 
 out a remedy, he gave order to Les Biguieres to go, as he was wont, from Daxphine 
 into Provence^ and with as much fpecd as was polTible, oppofe the Duke of E/permtty 
 into whofe dcfigns he thought he could not fee very clearly. Les Diguieres ready to 
 make ufe of Arms, and enclining to fatisfie the Provencials , having drawn together 
 feven thoufand Foot, and twelve hundred Horfe, marched without delay, to pafs the 
 River Durance , and to enter hoftilely into the Province againft the Duke of Efper- 
 nou i 'but being come to the River fide, he met Monfieur de la Fin^ a difcreet man, 
 verfed in the affairs of the Court, who coming from the Duke of Efpemon, perfwaded 
 him to ftay his voyage > for without the tryal of "War the Duke was ready to obey the 
 Conftable's Orders, according to the Kings intention and command i which Les Di- 
 guieres believing, refolved to ftay in the fame quarters, not being willing to precipi- 
 tate matters for the delay of a few days , which were afterwards prolonged by his 
 falling fick of a feaver, which neceffitated him to ftay much longer in that place. But 
 though la Fin pafled often between thcm.and went alfo to know the Conftable's pleafure, 
 yet could no invention be found to accommodate Co different interefts ■■, for the Duke 
 pretended, that by his Sword he had acquired the merit of that Government, having 
 maintained it in the moft difficult times againft the Duke of Savoy, and againft the 
 League, at his own charge, with his own Forces , and with the blood of his own 
 Brother i and therefore declared that he would defend it in what kind fbever : On 
 the other fide, Les' Diguieres argued, that there was no reafon to put the whole Pro- 
 vince in defperation, and make it incline to caft it felf into the protedion of the Duke 
 of Savoy, or of the Spaniard > and that the Duke of Efpernon had fo many Govern- 
 ments, that he might be contented without ufurping this, to the damage and preju- 
 dice of the Kings affairs : and becaufe the divcrfity of Religions ftirred up their minds 
 one againft another, Les Diguieres being a Hugonot, and the Duke fincerely a Catho- 
 lick, they were very ftiarp upon one another i befides, the one having been (b much 
 favoured by Henry the Third, and the other an Enemy who had always lived in re- 
 bellion during his Reign, there grew a private enmity between them, very prejudicial 
 to the publick bufinefles they had in hand i whereupon the Treaty of Agreement being 
 broken, Les Diguieres paft the River with his whole Army in the beginning of the month 
 of May, and the fame day there was a hot encounter between the Forces of the two 
 Armies, which lafted many hours : but though the difference was not great in the event, 
 yet Les Diguieres remained Mafter of the Field, and the Duke made his retreat with- 
 out receiving any lofs, carrying away many of the Enemies prifoners with him. 
 
 But at lail the Duke feeing the Forces of Dauphine joined with thofe of Trovence 
 againft him, and fas he was very prudent) not feeing any feafonable opportunity of 
 forming a third party, nor no fupport ready to which he could have recourfe for the 
 prefent, having about the fame time received the news of the revolt of ?aris, and of 
 the other Cities of the League, he thought it no wife refolution to fwerve firom the 
 Kings obedience, when others returned fo faft unto it i and therefi^re taking hold again 
 of the Treaty of Accord, which had never been totally intermitted, he fubmitted him- 
 felf to the Conftables arbitrement > who declared that he fliould put the Fort of Aix 
 into the hands of Monfieur de la Fin , and draw out his GariCins from Thoulon^ 
 ,St. Paul, Treques and Mirebeait, till fuch time as the King ftiould determine the manner 
 
 P p p p 2 of 
 
 i59^ 
 
 The Maref. 
 
 chil d',Anvile 
 is dcpuced by 
 the King to 
 compcfe the 
 differences of 
 the Provenci- 
 als by remo- 
 ving the Duke 
 of £/?«ir,«». 
 
 The Duke of 
 f/pcmoa de« 
 clires, chit he 
 will defend 
 the Govern- 
 ment of Pro- 
 vince ; and the 
 Sicur dc Lti 
 Di^uierfs go€» 
 with good 
 forces into the 
 Province to 
 pat hi.-n ouCi 
 
 The Duke o! 
 Efptrnm re- 
 fers himfelf to 
 the Conftablet 
 arbitrement, 
 who declares 
 that he Ihoald 
 go out of the 
 Cevecnmenc,
 
 ^^Q The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ISOA. of proceeding for the future: in execution of which order, the Duke delivered the Fort 
 into the hands of /<« F''« upon the tenth of May^ and the fame day LesViguieres en- 
 tered into Aix^ and was received with great folemnity by the Citizens-, but whiles 
 their Arms are fijfpended in expedtation of orders from the Court, Les Diguieres ta- 
 king for an excufe that (bme of the Dukes Souldiers had taken fome of his, and pilla- 
 eed the Country, and that therefore the Truce was broken, entered fuddenly into the 
 Fort without flaying for the Kings orders, and delivered it up into the hands of the 
 Citizens, who with a wondrous concourfe of people flighted it fo in two days, that 
 ihcte remained not any kind of Foot-fteps of it j which being performed according to 
 the common defire, he having left the other places in the hands of the Count de Car- 
 fy, returned with the relt of the Army into Dauphine. Afterwards foMowed the Ac- 
 commodation with the Duke of GttiCe, to whom the King granted the Government of 
 that Province > which though it afflidted the Duke of EfperHon, yet he thought it beft 
 to diffembie the matter, referving himfelf to take a refolution with the benefit of time i 
 and being dedrous to have it believed that the bufinefles that had pafled were but pri- 
 vate enmities and contentions between him and Les Viguieres , though he was not 
 faulty to himfelf in negleding any means poffible to keep poffeffion of that Govern- 
 ment. 
 Lw^befi'-'cs ^"* \u Vaiiphink ^ whiles Monfieur de Les Viguieres in the beginning o^ September 
 B,iquerjs, Snd preparcs himfelf to go- into Piedmont, having received intelligence that the Duke of 
 beinR'aMc "to Savoji had laid ftrait fiege to Briquena , he was conftrained to do that by necelTity 
 pafs toteiitve which he would have done by choice before. The Duke of Savoy had got tqgether 
 ic, eta cj i:. j-^^^, tj^oyfa^d Germans commanded by the Count of Lodrone, five thoufand Italian Foot 
 commanded by Colonel Barnabo Barbo a Millainefe, and fifteen hundred Horfe undey 
 the condudl of Von Alonfo Idiaquei, with which Body of men he refolvcd to try to 
 drive the French from beyond the Alps : and becaufe Briquerof was the principal place 
 they held, he laid fiege before it, and afterwards having battered it with many Can- 
 nons, he caufed it to be aflfaulted by Don Filippo of Savoy ^ his Baliard Brother j and 
 at the fame time a fcalado to be given on the other fide by DonSamho Salina ; where- 
 fore the Defendents invironed en all fides, left the Town, and retired into the Caftle. 
 It was clofely befiegcd without delay ■> in which interim Les 'Digttieres having pafled 
 the Mountains, came to relieve that place : but the Duke had provided againft thati 
 for in the narrownefs and difficulty of thofe ways, of themfelves ftecp and full of Pre- 
 cipices, he had caufed all Paffes to be fo fliut up, and had fet (b ftrong Guards upon 
 them , that after the French had made many attempts without any fruit at all , they 
 wereconfiraincd to reti*e, and the befieged firaitned on all fides, and having no longer 
 any hope of relief, refolved to furrender ■■> fo upon the fecond of Odober they delivered 
 up the Caftle into the Dukes hands, who having freed himfelf from tha't impediment, 
 within a few days recovered Fort San Benedetto , which had been taken by Les Viguie- 
 res in his retreat i and within a while the Snows fell, which put an end to the troubles . 
 of this year in thofe parts. 
 I^moFr"''' "^ '^^^ Duke of Nemours efcaped not long before from his imprifbnment in the Caftle 
 tfcapcsoutof oiFierre-Ancife ; being much more cunning in faving himfelf, than he had been wary 
 in avoiding the dangers of imprifonment :• for having a certain Servant that had an ex- 
 tream long and thick head of hair , which fometimes hanging down covered all his 
 face, he found means to have a perruque made like it very fecretly , and knew how 
 to manage his bufincfs fo fubtilly , that one morning having put his Servant into his 
 bed, and covered him in his place, he went forth of the Chamber carrying a Clofe- 
 ftool-pan, as if he went to empty it, and going haftily, efcaped out of the Caftle-gate, 
 hiding himfelf firft among certain Houfes, and afterwards getting down opportunely 
 into the Field, where being received by fome few that waited for him, he came fafe 
 to Fienne in Vaitphine^ and there being joined with the Marquifs his Brother, conti- 
 nued to make War in favour of the League, and above all, to infeft the Country, and 
 trouble the Inhabitants of the City of Lyons, with which f befides publick bufinefles) 
 nehada private enmity : but bis, and his Brothers weaknefs, and their want of mo- 
 ney and adherents, would not fuffer them to do any great matter, 
 
 1 he year was fliut up with an hainous fad, dangerous beyond all belief, and winch 
 
 was like man inftant to have fubverted all that had with fo long paitts been vidtbri- 
 
 oully atchieved i for the King being returned to FarU from the War bf Vicariy, xi^on 
 
 uie ievenand twentieth of Z>e««^«- , whilft having alighted from his Horfe, he, in 
 
 -'■ 1 «i q '-i one 
 
 thcCiliU ol
 
 o/ France. The Fourteenth 'Bool(. 66 1 
 
 one of the Chambers of the Louvre, faluted the Knights, who being eledled to receive . 1 5?4' 
 the order of the St. Efprit upon New-years-day, were come to do their wonted obey- 
 fance to him , a young Merchant named Jehj7t Chajiel, born in Far'a, being got into Metchanfof* 
 the fame room with the train of the Sieur de Ra^ny, and Mantigny, in the action the ^'^ »' wounds 
 King ufed, (looping to imbrace one of thofe Knights, ftruck him with a knife in the th' mlllfch" 
 face, thinking to ftrike him in the throat : The blow being diverted, as it were by a ""^i » knifs. 
 Divine Hand, hit him in the lips, and having met with the hindrance of his teeth, s'lucns'the" 
 made but a flight inconliderable wound. At the commotion of the by-ftanders, the Kn.ghcsofthe 
 young Merchant having dextrouily let the knife fall, mingled himfelf in the crowd, h,s lodgings a" 
 hoping to get out of the room undifcovered \ but being known by many, he was in- ""c^'"-''"'- 
 ftantly feized on, and whilft every one tranfported with a juft. indignation would fu- 
 rioufly have fallen upon him, the King commanded that the Malefadtor fliould not be 
 hurt j and having caufed him to be delivered into the Cuftody of the Grand-Prevoji 
 de /' HfijieV, he was by him carried to prifon, from whence being put into the Power l'''^l "i^^w^ 
 of the Parliament, and examined with the wonted forms, he freely confefTed, and af- foned and tor. 
 terwards ratified his confellion when he was tortured , That he was bred up in the f"t"'lharhf* 
 Schools of the Jefuites, and had often heard it difcourfed, and difputed, that it was was moved to 
 not only lawful, but alfo meritorious to kill Henry of Bourbon, a relapfed Heretick, killing of'fhe 
 and Perfecutor of the Holy Church, who falfly appropriated to himfelf the Title of KmgCy the 
 King oi' France i wherefore having afterwards fallen into hainous and abominable fins, h'a"j^ea"n«:d'of 
 even to the attempting to lie with one of his own Sifters, he fell into fo great defpair '^■« Jtf"i-"; 
 of having Gods forgivenefs, that he chofe to execute that fad, which he believed to fomrofthcm 
 be of ineftimable merit, to free him from the hqrrour and punifliment of his offences i *'' P"= '° 
 that he had imparted his defign unto his Father, who had effeftually difTwaded him ''" °"' 
 from it, but that being more efFedually moved by an inward Spirit,he had at laft refol- 
 ved it, and attempted to perform his refolution » that having in his private confellion 
 conferred about it with the Curate of St. Andre in the City of Parii, he was by him 
 ("though ambiguoufly^ confirmed in his intention, fo that after long contriving, he 
 had chofen that place, and time to put it in execution. 
 
 As foon as he had made this confellion, they prefently fent to lay hold on his Fa- 
 ther, Mother, and Sifters, with the Writings that were in the houfe, among which 
 there was nothing found confiderable, fave a Confellion written with his own hand, 
 wherein he had fet down his fins, to confefs them to the Prieft, which for the moft 
 part confifted in wicked and beaftly diflblutenefs But the ill will the Parliament bore 
 unto the Jefuites, ("the firft Authors and continual Fomenters of the LeagueJ added 
 to the conjedures drawn from the confellion of the Traytor , who faid more than 
 once that he learned that Dodtrine from them, was the caufe that their Colledge was 
 fuddenly befet, and that fome of them were led to prifon, and the Writings which 
 every one had in his Chamber diligently fearched, among which in the Clofet of Fa- 
 ther Jehan Guiguard born at Chartres, there were many Writings found which taught 
 the Dodl-rine, praifed the murtherof the late King, perfwaded the killing of the pre- 
 fent, and contained many other fuch like things, with odious Epithets and Attributes 
 given to thofe Princes, and many others. They likewife proved many things of that 
 like nature, fpoken in the fury of the War by Father Alexander Haye a Scotch-man i 
 and others not very unlike, fpoken in the fame times, by Father Jehan Guerat Mafter 
 in Philofophy, and the ordinary Confeffor of this Jehan Chajiel i wherefore after ma- *tlwt/!t 
 ny debates in the Parliament, the Counfdlors at laft agreed in this fentence, Thatjc- tc dragged in 
 ban Chajlel being bare-head, and bare-foot, before*the gate of the Cathedral Church, hoVfcs?'' *"" 
 (hould abjure the Dodrine which till then he had believed, and confefs the enormity 
 of that parricide which he had attempted, and then be put into a Cart, and hisflefli 
 pulled off with pincers in the four principal places of the City, and being brought to 
 the place of execution, his right hand fliould be cut off, holding the fame knife where- 
 with he had hurt the King, and finally that he fhould be dragg'd in pieces by four 
 horfes ■■, that the Jefuites, as well thofe that were profeffed, as the others not profeffed, 
 fliould be as Enemies of the Crown, andof publick tranquillity, be banifliedoutof the The jefuites 
 whole Kingdom, their goods and revenues diftributed to pious ufes, and all French- »« ban.ihed 
 men prohibited to ftudy or'converfe in their Schools ; that Father Jehan Guigard whoU kmg- 
 fliould be condemned to the Gallows, znd¥^thct Jehan G iter eft and Father Alexander domoffrjBt*, 
 Haye perpetually baniflied from all places under the dominion of the Crown i that 
 Fierre Chajiel the Delinquent's Father fliould be banifiied for ever from Faru, and nine 
 
 years
 
 66i 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 >5?4- 
 
 The Divines 
 of Pin make 
 a Decree, 
 wirrein thty 
 dccljfc (be 
 Dcarinc thac 
 CC)ch:s tok:ll 
 Pcinccf, to be 
 Herccicil. 
 
 »5?5' 
 
 The Maref- 
 chal i'^nv^Ue 
 imbraces tbe 
 Kit's' Con- 
 
 The Hu'onots 
 threaten to 
 for Cake the 
 King.arJ, take 
 (he Crown 
 from him 
 which thty 
 faid thev had 
 gotten him, 
 
 years out of the whole Kingdom j that his Houfe (landing right over againft the great 
 Gate of the Palace of the Parliament, fliould be razed to the very foundation, and a 
 Piramide ctc£tcd in the place, wherein the prefent Decrees (hould beregiftred, as well 
 againft C/^j/W, asagainll the Company of Jefuitsi the Mother and Sifters of the Cri- 
 minal were let at liberty. , ^. . r u r- u • . . 
 
 To this decree of the Parliament, the Divines of the City being met together in Car- 
 dinal Gandi's Houfe, added a Declaration, whereby they determined, that the Dodtrine 
 which taught to kill Princes was Heretical, prodigious, and diabolical, and gave cx- 
 prefly in charge to all men of Religious Orders, to acknowledge and obey King Henry 
 the Fourth as their lawful Prince, and Lord i and that in their Mafles, and" Cano- 
 nical hours they fliould infertthofe prayers, which were wont to befaidforthe fafety 
 of the moft Chriftian Kings of France. In the end of the Decree they intreatcd the 
 Cardinal, as Bifhop of that City, to befeech the Ring in the name of them all, that he 
 would fend a new EmbafTy to the Pope, to hinder by his reconciliation, the imminent 
 and manifert danger of Schifm. This was.procured by the Cardinal himfelf, who be- 
 lieving he had apprehended the Popes mind , defired to give the King a fair colour 
 and occafion to try again to get his benediction. 
 
 In this condition of affairs began the year 1 5$>5, the firft bufinefs whereof after the 
 King was cured, was the promulgation of the Edift in favour of the Hugonots. They 
 at the Kings Con verfion, ha4 not only been much moved to their hopes Ioft~of ha- 
 ving a King of their own Fveligion, and of obtaining by that means, that it might be 
 the chief in the Kingdom , and that the Catholicks fbould be reduced to be but by 
 permiilion j but they had alfo begun to waken new thoughts, and pradtife new de- 
 figns, to unite themfelves more clofely to one another, and to provide themfelv£s a 
 new Head. For which having turned their eyes upon the Duke of Bauillon, they per- 
 ceived that he, as a moft prudent man, was very backward to feparate himfelf from 
 the Kings ptofperous fortune to follow the uncertainty of new, and not well grounded 
 hopes i and therefore he protraded bufineffes that he might take fome counfel from 
 the maturity of time. The Marefchal d* AnviUe likewife, who in former times would 
 have readily imbraced that occafion , at that prefent was little inclined to fide with 
 them i for being already old without Sons, (for thofe he had were unfortunately loft) 
 newly married to a young Wife, out of a defire of iffue, and as concerning the reft 
 of his fortunes, firmly eftablifhed in his Government of Languedoc, was not like to 
 adventure himfelf upon new defigns, and put that into the arbitrement of fortune, 
 which with fo much pains, and fo long patience, he had attained among the difficul- 
 ties of a thoufand dangers i wherefore they had neceflarily fet their thoughts upon 
 the Prince of Conde yet a Child, who living at St. Jehan d' Angely with his Mother, 
 was bred up in the rites of their Religion i but the tendernefs of his age, and the many 
 accidents that might happen before he could come to mans eftate, held the whole Fa- 
 ction in fufpence and trouble i wherefore ever and anon, 'making meetings and aflem- ■ 
 blies, fometimes at Rachel, and fometimes at Saumur, fometimes at St. Fey, and fome- 
 times at Mo/itauban, and not abftaining to fpeak high injurious words againft the King, 
 calling him an ingrateful man, and one that did not acknowledge what they had done 
 for him, and threatning not only to forfake him, but alfo to take that Crown away 
 from him, which they profefled (though without reafon) that they had gotten him, 
 they put jealoufie and trouble into the mind of the King himfelf, who by long expe- 
 rience knowing their humours, and what they might contrive, and put in execution, 
 doubted not only that they woulcf alienate themfelves from him, but that before he 
 could abfolutely conquer the forces of the League, they would ftir up War againft hira 
 otherwhere. And though he had gained one Morlas an Hugonot Minifter, born in 
 Bearne, and not Kottan, another born in Yiedmont, fubtil men, of great authority and 
 eloquence, who difcourfing feverally, among thofe of their Religion, -concerning his 
 Converfion, exhorted the party not utterly tolofe their confidence, but expedl: the be- 
 nefit of time, making profeflSon that they were privy to fome fecret defigns of his i 
 yet he feared thefe arts would not be fuflicient to bridle the violence of fome new 
 dangerous infurreftion. 
 
 This Doubt which had retarded his Converfion much' longer than the neceflity ef 
 his affairs required, had alfo made him yield to many things which were contrary to 
 r ftT *^^''''*^' ^"*^ inclination i for he had declared the Marefchal d' AmiUe High 
 Conftai)Ie of the Kingdom i though there were many to whorn he had much great obli- 
 gations,
 
 of France. The Fourteenth 'Boo^, 66^ 
 
 gations, that he might confirm him to his devotion, and deprive the Hugonots of the I5?5» 
 hopes of having him. He had likewife preferred the Vifcount de Turennf before the 
 Duke of Nei'ers, in the marriage of the Heirefs to the State of Bouillon, whereby he 
 had attained that Dukedom, and now he imployed him in the War upon the Confines 
 of the Low-Countries, to divert his thoughts, and ingage him in long bufineffes, far 
 from the Countries pofTeffed by the Hugonots '■> and finally defiring to get the young 
 Prince of Conde out of their hands, and in fbme part to fvveetcn the bitternefs which 
 they generally had received at his Converfion, he thought of caufing that Edi(ft to be ^ 
 proclaimed and ratified, in the Parliament, which Henry the Third had made in favour 
 of them, in the year 1577. which was much better regulated than all the reft. 
 
 It was a very hard matter to get it to be received in the Parliament, where the 
 debates were very long and diverfe , for by how much the more dexteroufly the King 
 laboured to proceed in the bufinefs, left he fliould difcontent the Pope, and put him 
 into an ill opinion of his inclination i fo much the more ardently did many of the 
 Counfellors oppofe it : and the King not being willing that either the Chancellor, or 
 any other fhould go in his name to defire it, the firft Prefident Hjrlay and Prefident 
 de tboti^ who knew his intention, had much ado to perfwade the reft (who thought 
 they did as they ought) to confent unto the promulgation of it. But in the end, 
 the Counfellors whom the King had confirmed through favour, after the reducing of 
 the City, and particularly Lazire CoqueiUe formerly a great Stickler, and a Minifter 
 for the League, defirous to fhew themfelves lefs fharp and fevere in what concerned 
 the Hugonots, left they fhould feem to perfevere in their old opinions , laboured fo 
 far, that the Decree was received and proclaimed ■■, though neither did this publica- 
 tion much fatisfie the Hugonots, with whom the King, both by reafon of his paft Ob- 
 ligations, and prefent need, proceeded mildly, and kindly, endeavouring to remove difficuin"^the 
 fufpicions out of their minds, and confirm them by good ufage to his devotion, and Ed.a in fac- 
 knowing by his long converfing with them, the poverty of many of the principal Hu- Hugnnocj, !s 
 gonots, and the narrownefs of the condition they were in, and being certain that the ««P"s<J.by 
 Heads and Incendiaries being taken away, the poor common people would be abun- men:, and" 
 dantly contented with quietnefs, and fecurity, he procured that many Deputies (hould f,j"jji'tJJ"r ' 
 be fent from feveral places, to treat of the affairs of that party, the moft part of which whicli King 
 he afterwards gained to himfclf, with gifts, penfions, and promifes, fo that by mild h^ad'^ 'de ,!]Ii 
 and gentle ways, he infenfibly took away the pulfe and ftrength from the whole par- »» 1577. 
 ty i but "if the Kings incredible want of money, and his own nature, frugal in expen- 
 ces, together with the hard aufterity of Monfieur de Rofny , who then manag'd the 
 Fiitjrtces, had given this remedy liberty to dilate it felf more amply, thofe that are 
 well verfed in the Kingdom, believe that a few years of fuch fweet poyfon would have 
 extinguifht that fadtion which fo many years of defperate War had not with the effu- 
 fion of fo much blood been able to weaken. 
 
 The fccond adtion of this year was the Kings refolution to denounce open War ^foWtstV^" 
 againft the King of Spain ■■, for though in the beginning of the year before, the Duke procUim opta 
 of BoiiiUoit, united with Count Philip of Najfjo', had taken fome weak Towns in the ^bc'Km»'of 
 County of Heinault,, and in the Dutchy of Luxembourg^ that was rather an incurfion ■^P""- 
 than a formed War , and partly by reafon of the fharpnefs of the weather, partly for 
 want of money, they quickly retired, having alfo received no fmall lofs from Count 
 tbarks his Army in their retreat i but now the King had determined to proclaim open 
 War, and turn all his Forces againft the States of King Philip. This refolution to many 
 feemed ftrange and unfeafonable, confidering that the King of France was fo troubled, 
 and fo unfecure at home, that he had no need of foreign contentions ■■> they faw the 
 Kingdom fo exhaufted of men and moneys, and fo tired and worn out with Civil 
 War, that they knew not which way he would be able to fuftain the weight of a Fo- 
 reign War ■■> and recalling to memory that the King of Spain, without hazarding at 
 all his own affairs, had in times paft troubled, and little lefs than conquered the King 
 himfelf in the heart of his own Provinces, and in the midft of his Forces, it feemed to 
 them a ridictilous thing, that now with his Forces ftill divided, and difcords ftill burn- 
 ing in his State, he ftiould dare to think of offending the States of the Catholick King 
 founded upon the Bafis of fo great a Monarchy i wherefore they fhould have thought 
 it much more to the purpofe , for the King to have endeavoured by fome tolerable 
 conditions to attain Peace, than to provoke and ftir up War, fo much the more, by 
 the vanity of a publick Declaration. 
 
 But
 
 66^ 
 
 The Hiftory of the Ctvil Wars 
 
 Caufc! that 
 moved King 
 Hcmyihz i'^. 
 to proclaim 
 Wari agj>uli 
 
 Upon the lotb 
 of Jan. iSJiJ. 
 Htnn the IV. 
 caufes War 
 againft Sfa'm 
 to be proclai- 
 n>edbyhisH«- 
 raMs in all the 
 Confines. 
 
 Kin; i'ljifip 
 antwtts the 
 Kingof Frniicj 
 his Declarati- 
 on about two 
 months after. 
 
 But the Caufes that moved the King were very powerful ", for he forefaw that the 
 overture of a Foreign War would help to clofe the wounds of a Civil War, as skilful 
 Chirurcions are wont with feafonabie Cauteries to divert the hurtful humours that 
 corrupt and infeA our Bodies i He knew there was nothing that could move the French 
 more to a Reconcilement and Re-union, than the appearance of a War with the Spa- 
 niards, the natural Enemies of their Nation s he defired the War might no longer 
 carry the name of a Civil War for Religion, but of a Foreign one for intereft of State, 
 and that in the flame of this Controverfie between Crown and Crown, the yet remain- 
 ing fparks of the League might be extingui{hed i he knew that howfoever he fliould 
 ftill have the Catholick Kings forces againft him, which fince they could by no means 
 be avoided, it was lefs hurtful to have them open andpublick, than treacherous and 
 di/Tembled : He thought the Princes confederate with the Crown of France would have 
 much lefs caution in lending him favour and affiftance in the War, between the Spa- 
 niards and the French, for matter of Empire, than between Frenchmen and Frenchmen, 
 whether they were real or feigned for matter of Religion : He confidered that nothing 
 would more pleafe, nor fatisfte the Hugonots, than War againft the Spaniards, in 
 which they being imployed with their utmoft fpirits, their minds might be withdrawn 
 and diverted from the thoughts of new defigns i befides all thefe caufes, having made 
 a League offenfive and defenfive with the United Provinces of the Low-Countries, 
 with a mutual obligation of concurring jointly in War, and hoping to draw the Queen 
 of England and fome of the Princes of Germany into the fame confederacy, it was ne- 
 celTary to imploy his forces in fome enterprize of common profit and conveniency in 
 Flanders., and the County of Bourgongne, and being delirous to do it for his own re- 
 putation, and to interefs the other Confederates, he judged the Declaration of the War 
 to be very proper to ftir up the minds of his Subjedts , and to neceffitate the forces 
 of the Confederates : But above all being again to treat of his Reconciliation to the 
 Apoftolick See, and knowing he (hould have all the power of the King of Spain againft 
 him, he defired to have him known for his open Enemy, and that he and his Mini- 
 fters might not be admitted to that deliberation, as being excluded, and excepted by 
 the publick and open War, which fhould yet be between the Crowns i and if the minds 
 of great perfbns , among fo many interefts of State , are fometimes alfo moved, and 
 driven by paflions, the old perfecution he had fuftered from the Catholick King, ftir- 
 red up and fpurred on by the fo late danger, in which he was like to have loft his life, 
 by the fuggeftions of perfons whom he efteemed to be dependents upon that Crown, 
 had perchance fome part in this refolution j for the execution whereof upon the Twen- 
 tieth day of January, he caufed a Declaration to be publifhed, and the fame to be pro- 
 claimed by Heraulds in the Towns upon the Confines, wherein after having related all 
 the injuries done by the King of Spain unto himfelf, and the King his Predeceftbr, 
 imputing alfo the aft lately attempted againft his perfon to the fuggeftion of his Cham- 
 pions j "he denounced open War againft him by Land and Sea, took away all Commerce 
 between the two Nations, and permitted his Subjeds to invade, fpoil and poflefs the 
 States under the Dominion of that Crown. 
 
 King Philip anfwercd this Proclamation about two months after with another Wri- 
 ting, wherein reckoning up the benefits and fupplies lent to the moft Chriftian Kings, 
 his Confederates and Allies, he declared and protefted, that he would not break the 
 peace which he had with the moft Chriftian Crown, and the good Catholicksof the 
 Kingdom, but perfevere in their affiftance, and defence, to the end they might not be 
 oppreffed by the Prince of Bearne, and the Hugonots his Confederates, and commanded 
 all his Subjefts not to moleft or hurt thofe French, that ftiould follow the Catholick 
 party in the Kingdom, giving order on the other fide to his Governours and Com- 
 nianders, to defend his Countries, and likewife to offend the Prince of Bearne, and his 
 adherents. 
 
 This Declaration was flow, but Co were not the preparations i for not only in Flan- 
 deri Count Charles his Army was recruiting, to enter upon the Confines of Picardy in 
 the Spring, but alfo Hernando de Valefco Conftable of Cajiile.^ and Governour of the 
 ^tatc of Milan., was preparing a great Army in Italy, to march into Boitrgnngne, and in 
 Spam new Forces were raifing, that they might fend new Supplies to Don Juan del 
 ylquila in Bretagne , as foon as the feafon would permit ; the like preparations were 
 made in France, Holland, and England, fo that the courfe of this year feemed on all 
 tides hkely to prove formidable and bloody. 
 
 In
 
 of France, ^he Fourteenth ^oo^ 
 
 In the mean time, the King, cured of his hurt, had celebrated the folemnity of the 
 Knights of the Holy Ghoji ■■, among the Ceremonies whereof, he renewed his Oath of 
 living and dying aCatholick, and of defending Religion, and afterwards with great 
 pomp and demonftrations of honor, he had received Vincenzo Gradenigo^ and Giovanni 
 BelfiKo^ AmbafTador of the Venetian Senate, who came to congratulate his alTumption 
 to the Crown, and Pietro Duodo, that came to refide in the place of Giovanni Mocenigo, 
 who, for the fpaceof feven years together, had madehis relidence with him, and the 
 King his Predeceflbr i having, with exceeding great praife of Angular prudence, ma- 
 naged the moft weighty bufineffes in the ambiguous revolutions of part affairs. 
 
 The hrft aftion in the War of this year, was the taking of Beaime^ a principal Tov^n 
 in the Dutchy of Bottrgogne, wherein fome of the chief Citizens having begun to muti- 
 ny from the year before, to put themfelves under the Kings obedience, the Duke of 
 Mayenite, who had a fpecial jealoufie concerning the affairs of that Province, ( as be- 
 ing his own particular government J went fpeedily , at his return from Lorain^ into 
 that City, where, having found bufineffes all in a combultion, he caufed fourteen of 
 the Citizens, which feemed to him more inclined to an alteration than the reft, to be 
 imprifonedin the Caftle, and having removed that difficult (cruple, he, in all things 
 elfe, fought to appeafe the generality of the Citizens, without ufing any kind of fe- 
 verity i He endeavoured to make them underfland , that he was about to conclude 
 the general peace, with the Popes confent ; and therefore it would be much more ho- 
 nourable, much more advantageous to them, to be included in the general agreement, 
 than to compound by themfelves , and forfaking him, who had alwayes governed 
 them gently, refer themfelves to the uncertain difcretion of a new Governor , with 
 which reafons thinking he had fetled their minds, he left a good Garrifon in the Ca° 
 fHe, and a convenient one in the Town, and went with fpeed to Dijon^ where he fear- 
 ed fomeinfurre(^ion,no lefs than in other places i but being advertifed, that after his 
 departure, there had been new tumults at Beaune, he would needs return to provide 
 againft them, and began to contrive how to fortifie both the Town and Caflle, which 
 being not to be done, according to the defign oi Carlo Bonaventura an Italian Engineer, 
 without pulling down fbme principal Monalteries, and a great many private houfes to 
 the very ground, the Citizens oppofed iti fhewing the Duke, that it was no time, to 
 come to fo precipitate a determination i but he , entring by this oppofition into a 
 greater jealoufie of their incrmations,refolved to profecute the Fortification, and brought 
 in a greater ftrength of Soldiers , which were diibibuted into feveral parts of the 
 Town, to bridle the People, and to fecure them to his devotion v and having given con- 
 venient order for thefe things, he departed, to overfee the reft of the Province, and 
 fecure other places, believing he had fufficiently provided againft that danger i but the 
 Citizens, exafperated by the pulling down of their houfes, and by the imptifoningof 
 the chiff ofthem, refolved to ufe their utmofl force to deliver the City totheMaief- 
 chzlde Biron, who, with Two thoufand Switzers, Four thoufand French Foot, and 
 Twelve hundred Horfe , was come into thofe quarters in the month of January i 
 wherefore, having fecretly invited him, and fetled the agreement, that he fhould pre- 
 fent himfelf at the Gates of the City upon the fifth of Ft-Zrw^ry, they, upon the fame 
 day, as foon as it was light, took Armes, and running up and down the flreets with 
 white Scarfs, began to cry out. Far the King > to which the greater part of the common 
 people anfwering, Jaques Richard, one of the Plot, ran to that Gate, which alone was 
 wont to be kept open, and letting down the Portcullifes that were on the infide, fhut 
 out the guard of Soldiers, who negligently and carelefly guarded the Raveline , then 
 many others running thither arm'd, they made themfelves Mafters of the Gate, driving 
 out the foldiers that were upon the guard, who, having forfaken the Kaveline to fave 
 themfelves in the Fields, were, by the Country-people (no lefs exafperated than the 
 refl) miferably defeated and difperfed. At the fame time GuiUiaume AVefan, and Mi- 
 chel Richard , two Other contrivers of the bufinefs, ran to the houfe of the Sieur de 
 Montmoyon Governor of the Town, and fuddenly made him prifoner, having killed 
 GmUermin a Colonel of Foot, and fbme other Captains that were with himi and Carlo 
 Bortavsntura the defigner of the Fortifications ( who, in his own defence, had wound- 
 ed Alefan^ and many othersj being almoft ftoned by the fury of the people, could fcarce, 
 by the diligent care of fbme, be carried alive into the common Gaol. The Gate and 
 the Governor being taken, the next work was to mafler the Quarters of the Soldiers, 
 who, though divided in different places, had fortified themfelves theie from the be- 
 
 Qjjqg ginning 
 
 The Vcnttiae 
 Ambaffidors 
 fent to con- 
 gratulate the 
 Kings afTump- 
 tion to the 
 Crown,arerei 
 ceived with 
 great demoiio 
 {irationi of 
 honor. 
 
 The Citiieni 
 of Brmne in 
 the Dntchyof 
 Eourgongtit cal- 
 lini; th; Ma- 
 refchal de BU 
 rcK , (ubmic 
 themfelves to 
 the Kings obS" 
 dicnce.
 
 666 
 
 1595- 
 
 "the Hisiory of the Civil War, 
 
 The Baron de 
 t„ncccj goes 
 over to the 
 Kings party 
 wirh the City 
 oiOJpjr.nc. 
 
 The Citiiens 
 ot' ^uiun put 
 themlcWes 
 under the 
 Kings oledi- 
 cnce. 
 
 The ConRi- 
 bit of C.^Ue 
 with 8000 
 loot, and Jooo 
 Horfc woes in- 
 to the fr.-nche 
 Cmif, Jn.i be- 
 ing united 
 with the Duke 
 of -^/.>>(>i«,-, re- 
 covers fotpe 
 places, and 
 takes o:heri, 
 
 TheSieut de 
 
 Tt emhirc^'jtr t 
 not being re- 
 lieved by the 
 Marefchal ,ie 
 iiroit, furien. 
 f^ers the Caaie 
 of I>;;iitotht 
 Cnnftablt cf 
 
 beginning of the tumult i in which combuftion the City being all in an hurly-burly, 
 and even the very Women and Children betaking themfelves to Arms, they began to 
 fiffht in many feveral parts oftheTovt^n with various and bloody events: In the 
 mean time came the Marefchal de Birm, who had delayed longer than the Citizens had 
 appointed, and being entered into the Town with his whole Army, the Soldiers, who 
 were no longer able to make refiftance, yielded, faving their goods and perfonsi and 
 he with very great and unufual feverity reflraining his foldiers from pillage, appeafed 
 the whole tumult that night. The next day fiege was laid to the CaOle, which, be- 
 ing battered with Twelve pieces of Cannon, after Three thoufand (hot, and having 
 held out Two and forty dayes, furrendred it felf into his hands. 
 
 The Baron de Senecey, with the City of Ojfonne followed the example of Beaune i 
 for, he having been Ambaflador to the Pope, and having found there was no hopes, 
 either from Rome or Spain , of fuch Supplies as were neceffary to uphold the enter- 
 prife, and having diligently informed the Duke of Mayenne of it,znd exhorted him (in 
 vain j to imbrace peace, he took a refolution, and fubmitted himfelf to the Marefchal 
 de Biron^ upon condition to keep the Government of that place. 
 
 The Citizens of Autun refolved to do the fame i but becaufe that Town was 
 guarded with a good Garrifon, nor could the inclinations of all be founded without 
 evident danger of difcovery, the Heads of the defign determined to call the Marefchal, 
 and not to make any ftir at all till he was at the Gates v one of which being kept by 
 tlicm, they had refolved to open to him : wherefore be being come fecretly into the 
 Suburbs upon the eighth of May at night, the Mayor of the Town, who had under- 
 taken to bring him in, with great filence caufed the Gate to be opened, into which a 
 Captain entering firftof all with Five and twenty CuiralTicrs and Fifty firelocks, quick- 
 ly made himfelf Mafttr of that Port i and having fent word that the Pafs was fecure, 
 the Sieur deS^piere and the Mitquik of Mireheau entered, after whom followed the 
 whole Army, which being drawn up in the open fpace between the Walls and the 
 houfes of the Town, was divided into four parts, which took poflTeffion of the flreets 
 of theCito four feveral wayes: One of thefe having fallen upon a good number of 
 Soldiers, which, according to the Military cuftom were going PatrouiHes, there began 
 a furious confli6t in the dark, at the tumult whereof all the Guards being wakened 
 and in Arms, as likewife all thofe Citizens that were not privy to the bufinefs, they 
 continued with various uncertainty fighting all the night, till day being broke, every- 
 one perceived that the City was poffeffed by the whole Army i whereupon , all laying 
 down their Arms, and hiding themfelves in houfes, Biron caufed a pardon to be pub~ 
 lifhed through all the Streets, and having plundered the Soldiers of the Garrifon, and 
 fent them forth of the Town, it remained without further harm under the Kings obe- 
 dience. 
 
 The zffi'ns of BourgoHgne hc'mg, in this condition,the Conftableof Cajlile having pafl 
 the Mountains with t ight thoufand Foot,and Two thoufand Horfe,had crolTed through 
 Savoy, znd was come into the Franche Comte ^ where, being united with the Duke of 
 A/4))f«w,who, with Four hundred Horfe, and a Thoufand French Foot was gone to 
 meet him, recovered Jaunevillet (which they of the King's party had quitted J and re- 
 folved without delay to bdiege Veztt; in which Town the Sieur ^e Tremblecourt was 
 with Four hundred Foot, anddoHorfei nor was it very hard to take it, becaufe his 
 weaknefs would not fuffer him to make any great refiflance : whereupon the Duke of 
 Mayenne, who, as a Soldier of greater experience, commanded in Military matters , 
 having caufed a Battery to be planted, made an open breach within few hours , and 
 the Sieur de Iremblecourt not being obflinate to make a vain defence, refolved to 
 retire into the Caftle, and expcdt relief from the Marefchal de Biron. But he could 
 not receive the afTiftance that was needful in due time j for the Marefchal being at the 
 fame time called by the Citizens of Di)on^ refolved to attend that as the more impor- 
 tant occafion v fo that the Sieur de IrembUcourt not being able in a weak place to refifl 
 • the Forces of a whole Army, was conftrained to furrender the Caftle. 
 
 But the Citizens of Dijon, having declared themfelves unfeafonably, ran a very great 
 naiard of being fupprefTed i for the Vifcount de Tavanes who governed that Province 
 ^^ ■ KKv ^^^^ °^ Mayenne's Lieutenant, being advcrtifcd of their intention, drew all the 
 ftn^^ ^"""^ Garrifons together with infinite celerity i and while the chief Citizens 
 Biro ^f"^'^'^^' and irrefolute, whether or no they Oiould call the Marefchal de 
 ''Of J tor feat of being fcacked , Tavanu appeared with a confiderable force to 
 
 enter .
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^oo^. 
 
 66j 
 
 enter into the City i but that being denyed him by the people already up in Arms he 
 turning towards the Caftle, was willingly received by the Governor of it : There, af- 
 ter having refrcflied and ordered his men, he caufed an hundred of his ftouteft Horfe- 
 men to alight, an?! placed them in the front of the Squadron, and then incouraging his 
 men to right gallantly, marched down in order the common way, to enter the pafTage 
 towards the Market-place, where, being encountred by the Townfmen in Arms, there 
 began between them a (harp and obftinate fight, which lafting ftifBy from the morn- 
 ing till it was far of the day, fome of the Heads of the people, taking a refolution in 
 necellity, determined to fend for the Marefchal de Biron, who, having already many 
 dayes expected that opportunity, hovered up and down about thofe quarters. But, not 
 being able to bring the Army with that celerity, which fo fudden an exigent required, 
 the Marefchal having left order, that the Cavalry (hould follow him with all fpeed,en- 
 tered into Dijon with onely Sixty Gentlemen towards the evening i at whofe arrival 
 the Citizens recovering courage, who not being able to refift, were already reduced into 
 a corner of the Town, and then the whole Army coming up (ucceilively one part after 
 another, Havanes not willing to lofe theCaftle, while he contended obftinately to 
 get the Town, refolved to retire thither, and leave the poflcllion of the Town unto 
 the Army > wherefore, making the Rereguard of his Squadron face about, he drew 
 off foftly, and ftill fighting, got fafe into the Fortrefs , the day being quite fhut in v 
 but leaving it to the care of the wonted Governor, he retired himfelf into the Caftle 
 of Talan, a little diftant from the Town. The Marefchal was reduced into a great 
 ftraight, his Army not being fufficient to divide it felf and-befiege both Caftles i and be- 
 caufe he feared the Duke of Mayenne, and the Conftable of Cajiile, having difpatched 
 at VezH, would come ftraight to Dijon, he folicited the King by redoubled Meffengers, 
 to advance into Bowrgongne^ whither the greateft weight of arms was already incli- 
 ned'. 
 
 The King had ftaid at Pam longer than he bad at firft intendeds for Prefident 
 Jeannin being come unto him, they had great hopes to conclude the lately renewed 
 Treaty of Agreement, which afterwards was prolonged many dayes i for not onely the 
 King was backward in granting conditions, by reafon of the profperity of his affairs in 
 Bourgoagne \ but alfo the Duke oiMayenne , according to the variation of hopes vari- 
 ed alfohisdeterminattons, and without proceeding further, would have had a Truce 
 eftablifhed, toexpe<^(as he faidj the Popes refolution, and (as the Kings faid ; the 
 refolution of King F^z/z/'i and finally, the revolt of thofe Towns having hapned on the 
 one fide, and on the other, the Conftable being come, the Treaty diffolved without 
 concluGon i and the King having left the Prince oiConti to govern Faris ^ and with 
 him the Count of Schombergh to counfel him, was come to Troys upon the thirtieth of 
 M-iyy to draw his Army together in that place, and to march thence whither need 
 (hould require. Thither the earneft defiresofthe Marefchal de Biron came unto hir», 
 who folicited hifn to march fpeedily to Vijon; wherefore, without interpofing any de- 
 lay, he, with the Troops that were with him, having left order that the reft fiiould 
 follow, took his way, with all hafte, toward Bourgongne , having with him the Count 
 of Aitvergne^ the Duke de la Tremouille, the Marquifs^f f>f*»y-, the Count de Torigny^the 
 Chevalier d Oyfe, the Marquiffes of Irefnel, and Mire^oix, and the Sieurs de Chiverny, 
 LiancoHrt, Vitry, Montigny, d Inteville,znd dela Curef, ' in-.voi v! m'.' » ')a! 
 
 Being come to Dijon upon the fourth of /««e, heptcfently gave order, tha^ both the 
 Caftles fhould be beleagured, fetting the Count de Tarigny tobefiegethat of the City, 
 and the Baron of Sti Blancard^Eiothex to the Marefchal de Biron, to take in the Caftle 
 of TaU>t i but becaufc to (hut up the Caftle round about was a work of many dayes, all 
 the Infantry not being yet come op ( which could not march fo faft as he had done ) 
 the King re(blved to advance with the major part of Cavalry towards the Spani(h 
 Camp » for, having intelligence , that the Conftable had caft two Bridges over the Ri- 
 ver Saone at Gray , to pafs all his Army at once, and come to raife the fiege of the Ca- 
 ftles, he hoped to foreflow him J, till fuch time that all his men were come up, and the 
 Trenches brought to perfe^ion. The Duke of Msvenne had likewife, partly with rea- 
 fon, partly with authority, partly by entreaty peifwaded the Conftable to advance to 
 recover the City oi Di']on, telling him, that the Marefchal de Biron s Forces were much 
 inferior to his, and that the Caiftles^ in which the fum of affairs confifted , afforded 
 them a very eaGe way to drive out the Enemies i and though the Conftable C a Lord 
 oi high btxth, and great tkhaS', but fmall expetience in the affairs of War ) was 
 
 Qaqq a very 
 
 I5P5- 
 
 The King 
 comes to ^i- 
 / «, ant) gives 
 order, thac 
 borh the Ca- 
 nr s be bt- 
 fiesed. 
 
 The Conffabfs 
 of OJt'U, pet- 
 ftraded by tb« 
 Dukeof Afu/- 
 ciiB<-,»dvancei 
 with his Ar- 
 my ;o attempt 
 the recove:/ 
 of Dijcn.
 
 <558 The Htjlorj of the Civil U^ars 
 
 I sp<j. very unwilling to do it, yet his confidence in the Dukes prudence and valor, and his 
 not knowing that the King was fo near, had induced him to yield unto it i where- 
 fore having pafTcd the River the day before with his whole Army, he had quartered 
 himfclf in the Villages on this fide of the River, eight Leagues from VijoH. Things 
 being in this condition, and neither the Conftable, nor the Duke of Mayenne knowing 
 of the Kings being come, he, without lofing time, upon the feventh oi June in the 
 morning departed from the City with Twelve hundred Gentlemen, and Curaffiers, 
 and Six hundred Harquebufiers on horf-back, and gave order that all fhould march 
 toward I«z, he being to break his fafl: that morning at the houfe of the Baron of that 
 Town, and to ftay there for fome intelligence of the Enemies moving : Luz ftands up- 
 on the confines of Bourgongne, and of the Franche Comte^kur Leagues from Gray^znd 
 as much from Vijon ■■, Co that he was in the way between the City and the Spanifli 
 Camp, between which and Gray there was nothing but the current of the River > As 
 foon as the King was come to the place appointed, and not meeting that intelli- 
 gence he expedled , to know what the enemy did, he fent forth the Baron d' Of- 
 foni'iUe, with Sixt.y Light-horfe, to difcover and to bring him back the certainty of all 
 Tht Eiron things > and he, refting his men, and refrefhing his horfes at leafure, gave order, that 
 {c°fi"l"hw at three of the clock in the afternoon all fhould meet at Fontain-Francoife ^ a village 
 difcove. the upon the edge of his confines, there to difpofe of themfelves according to the infor- 
 L.Tcutt'is' mation he (hould receive. It was not yet noon, when he and the Marefchal de Bi- 
 char°t;cd, an! ^g,,^ ^jth Thrcc hundred horfe went that way to be upon the Rendevouz firft of all, to 
 let^ie.*"" order and difpofe the Forces as they came one after the other, but when he was two 
 miles from Fontain-Francoifi^ he faw three Horfemen come full gallop towards him, 
 who brought word, that the Baron d' OJfoMviVe being charg'd with Three hundred 
 Horfc of the League, was forced to retire, not having been able to difcover any thing, 
 and that he defired relief, that he might be able towithftand the greater Forcesofthe 
 enemy » The King not knowing what to believe, whether the 300 Horfe were the ene- 
 mies Vanguard, or elfe but fome party that was fcouring the Campagne, fent forth the 
 Marefchal de Biron, and the Baron de Luz, and the Marquifs de Mirabeau followed by 
 60 horfe, to fuccor Ojjonville, and to know matters more certainly i who, advancing at 
 \''1 rf^ bT!" ^ '^""S^ ^'■^^' ^^^ ^^ hiCie to recover OJfonviVe, as foon as he was out of Fontain-Fratf* 
 going to re. coife, djfcovcred a Troop of do light-horfe which were upon the fteep of the hill, juft 
 "n'a'ofrw- "P'^" *'^^ ^^y ^^^^ '^*^ '° ^' -^"^^ a village that ftood upon the great Road which 
 u , put» a led flraight to the River Saone •, wherefore he refolved ("without doubting) to charge 
 Enemies Ci-' 'hem, and to advance to the top of the hill , from whence be thought heibight dif- 
 vairytofl'ghr. cover all the Ct)untrey: nor was it hard for him to obtain his intent v for the light- 
 horfe received the charge without oppofition, and left them the hill free, which, as 
 foon as he was gotten upon, he discovered the whole Spanifh Army at a diftancc, 
 which marching in its ranks,was coming to quarter at S.5«w, (landing in a Plain,which 
 on the right fide is bounded with a hill, and on the other is covered with a Wood i 
 wherefore, being defirous to carry back certain news of the quality and order of the 
 enemy, he refolved to advance , that he might have means diAindly to obferve the 
 march and order of that Camp ■, but he was no fooner defcended into the Plain,when 
 he faw the enemies Three hundred Horfe, who having routed and purfued OJfoH' 
 i"^c, came refolutely towards him : The Marefchal knowing himfelf inferior in flrength, 
 thought to retire without doing any more, giving the Baron de Luz order to make a 
 ftand in the Reer with twenty of his men , and endeavor to detain the enemies, if 
 they fhould come up to moleft him ; which the Baron courageoufly performing, their 
 fury came upon his back with fo much violence, that being overthrown with his horfe, 
 ThtMattfckai ^^^ ^ourof his m^n flain, who gallantly faced about, thereff were conflrained to gal- 
 rff ii.,"bting lop away: Wherefore, the Marefchal being likewife forced to face about towards the 
 h'earpiec''e' l ^"^"^V' ^^'^ '" futioufly to dif-ingagc the Baron, who, having freed himfelf from bis 
 woundeaii horfc, and much rnore difficulty from the enemy,; had got over a ditch and came to- 
 ihe head. wards him with his Sword and Piffol in his hand : The encounter was very fharp and 
 furious in the beginning •, but the Marefchal who fought without ahead-piece, being 
 wounded with a flafh in the head almoftatthe very firft, and fome of his men being 
 ilam and trampled under foot by the fury of the enemy, he began, by reafon of the 
 "iMT^"^ of the Forces, to be in extream danger of being defeated > yet was he not at 
 a ailmaid,nor did he flacken the ardor wherewith he fought, being accompanied by the 
 uaron d OffbKviVe.v/ho again was joyned with him,and the Baron «/«■ i.»2;,who was fortu- 
 nately
 
 of France. The Fourteenth ^oo{. 66^ 
 
 nately gotten again on horfe-back , till at the fitme time there appeared out of the t^PS- 
 
 Village, and out of the Wood eight Squadrons of the enemies horfe, which feparating 
 
 themfelves from the Army, came a round pace towards him ; wherefore, having fome- 
 
 thing reprefled the firft violence of them, who charged him firft, he turned his bridle, 
 
 and rallying his men, began to retire, galloping to get to Fontaine-Francoife^ where he 
 
 believed the King to be already come, with all the reft of his Forces : But the hour 
 
 ailigned for the Rendezvous was not yet come, wherefore the King, though he had 
 
 with himonely Two hundred hor(eof the Nobility, and fixty Harquebufierson horfe- 
 
 back that were come up before the reft i and though he had no other Arms on but The King ii«!f 
 
 his back and breft, yet was he neceflitated to advance, and receive the Marefchal de difarmed/fuc 
 
 Eiron, who was hotly purfued at the heels by a much greater number of the enemies. ^te(difi'd!V'^ 
 
 The firft Troops of the League were led by Lnnis d' Hudan Sieur de ViUers , and "«• 
 Captain Giovan Battijia Sanfoni a Milane/e; the firft one of the Duke of M<3:ye««f "s 
 field Marefchals j the fecond^ Lieutenant of the Conftables Light-horfe : the other 
 French Troops were commanded by the Sieur de Teniflay^ and the Baron de 'tianges^ 
 and the Italian and Boitrguingmn Light-horfe, by Don Koderigo Eellim,znd the Marquifs 
 d; Varambone. An hundred Carabines marched firft to begin the charge, and after the 
 other Squadrons followed the Duke of Mayenm^ with a body of Gens d* Armes. The 
 King was put upon a necellity of fighting with all this fury of the enemies , and his 
 Forces being not yet come up, he clofed upon the right hand with the Dukes de Iti 
 TremoitiUe, and d^ Elhmf, the Baron de Termei, and the Sieur de la Curee i and, upon his 
 left hand the Marefchal de Eiron, though weary and wounded, with the Baron of 0/- 
 foHville and Lux i and with the Marquifs de Mirabeau. Monfieur de ViUers with his 
 Squadron charged that part where the Marefchal de Biron was i and Giovan Battijia 
 Sanfoni k\\ upon the otherwhere the King himfelf was ; but with different fortune, 
 though they fought with equal courage on both fides s for Monfieur de Villert at laft 
 beat back the Troops of OJpinville and Lux, and forced the Marefchal to retire as far as 
 FouHtaine-FrancoiJ'f-, but on the other fide where the King was, new Troops of Gen-* 
 try and Cavalry coming up ftraglingly every minute, who, having heard the danger 
 he was in, advanced with all poifible fpeed to ailift him i Sanfoni was killed with five 
 wounds, and his horfe being routed and difperfed, were driven back, even to the laft 
 Squadron of the enemy » Nor could the Sieur de Vilkts profecute the victory on his 
 fide > for having received a fhot in his arm, he vvas likewife conftrained to retire-, For 
 all this the King's danger leftened not , for the Baron de 'tianges and the Sieur de Te- 
 «/jO%' advanced with frefti and numerous Squadrons to charge , and the fame did the 
 Marquifs Varambone , and Roderico Bellino^ in that plapc where the Marefchal de Biron 
 fought •, fo that being very much inferiour in number, their men wearied, and their 
 horfes haggled out and tired, they were almoft irt a certain danger of being overcome i 
 yet the King, with his voice even hoar{e, and with the example of his own valour , 
 encouraging every one i and the Marefchal Je Biron all bloody, and covered with fweat 
 and duft, charging defperately among the firft, they prevailed fo far, that each fighting 
 beyond his own power, and above his own ftrength, they gave time to the reft who 
 were upon the way to come up > amongft which , the firft were the Count of Au-^ 
 vergne, Monfieur de Vitry, and after them the Count de Chiverny,the Chevalier d'Oyfe^ TiieKinc fof^ 
 and the Monfieur d' Inteville •> At the arrival of thefe (after whom the whole Army '°ws t'>e"For- 
 was believed to follow ) the Dake oi Mayenne caufed the Troops to withdraw from i,"»u(,whicB 
 the fight, and the King feeing it was no time to think of any other fafety than what «='re,ftiii 
 courage afforded, followed them with a gallant skirmifli to the Plain and Wood of ''"'""'^'"S'' 
 S. Seine^ where they met the Spanifti and German Infantry, which advancing valiant- TheC(niftabr« 
 ly in two divilions, came to give their charge : when they appeared, the King drew "( Cjjii'' ^"ot 
 back his bridle, and the D of M^y^ww having rallied all his Horfe into one great body, p'ranchome 
 madeftiew as if he would charge him: but the King's Troops were already arrived > ^''v^*"!'', 
 whereupon the number of the Cavalry was not much different, and the Conftable of having* refot-* 
 Cajiile riding up to the head of the Army, commanded his men to make an halt, being re- g'lj""'^ '" 
 fol ved not to hazard all his Forces, and all the Francbe Compte to the danger of a Battel : " 
 wherefore, it being already late, the King began to retire with a gentle pace toward Theconftabk 
 Fontaine-Francoife ■■, and the Enemy, though at firft, to conferve their reputation, they "j'f'^cc^c's'* 
 made ftiew that th'ey wOuld follow him, retired alfo without doing any thing elfe. thoHgh ibe 
 
 The Spaniards lay that night at S. Seine^ the King's Forces at Fountaine-Francoife^ fm^iihot^rtut 
 and his own perfon at Lux, having that day run one of the greateft dangers that be- ihtcmtt»tf. . 
 
 fell
 
 S'-jo 
 
 The Htslory of the Civil fVafs 
 
 1 5? 5- 
 
 The Duke ol 
 Ma^cttnt fcc- 
 inp himfelf 
 fotfaken by 
 the Spaniard;, 
 and advertifed 
 that the Pope 
 inclined to 
 the ahfnintion 
 of the King, 
 makes an a- 
 Rtetment with 
 ^ioi. 
 
 fell him in all the revolutions of the part Wars v in which he ought to acknowledge 
 his fafetv no kfs to his own valour, than the courage ot thofe were with him, annong 
 which after Birsn the principal praifes were given to Marquifs </<? Mirabeau, the Count 
 deGrJmmont and' the Sieur de laCuree: In this encounter, which fame publiftied to 
 be much greater than the truth, there were kill'd about forty on the Spaniards fide, 
 and of theKing's above fixty i the wounded were many more, nor fewer were the 
 number of thofe that were taken prifoners on both fides : each party laboured to draw 
 the fame of the vidory and the honor of that day unto it felf i the "-panifli Commanders, 
 becaufe the number of the flain and prifoners were greater on the Kings fide i the 
 French, becaufe they remained Maftersof the field, and likewife of the dead bodies, 
 and becaufe they made the enemies retire to their very quarters. But that which con- 
 firmed the vidory on their fide, was, the determination of the Conftable, who, having 
 heard from the Prifoners, that the King himfelf was there, and had been in the fight, 
 refolved (though the Duke of Mayenne laboured much to the contrary j not to pafs any 
 further i and the next morning having caufed his Army to repafs the River, went to 
 lye in a place of advantage, having Graj behind his Camp, and the obdacle of the Ri- 
 ver before it. The King advanced the next morning with all his Cavalry , to fee which 
 way the Enemies would move , and being come to the hill firom whence he difcovered 
 the Plain, and the Village of St. Seine s he flood there a long time in Battalia,not feeing 
 the retreat of the Spaniards, in refpedt of the Wood, and of the oppofite hillj nor 
 would the King, being without his Foot, in a various Country, full of advantageous 
 places, and not well known unto his men, put himfelf into the danger of falling into 
 ibme great Ambufcadoj buj it being already paft noon, the Sieur de 7remblecourt, and 
 d' OJpnviUe, with a few horfe, went up to the very entry of S. Seine y where certain 
 Peafants that were working in the Fields told them of the retreat of the Army, where- 
 of having fpeedily informed the King, he advanced at a round trot to fall upon the 
 Enemies Rcre i but he found that already they were all fafely paft the River, and the 
 boats taken away , upon whic^ they had made two Bridges i wherefore , having 
 fcowred and beaten the wayes along the banks of the River, he returned that night 
 to his quarters at L«x, and the next morning went to DijoM to haften the Siege of the 
 twoCaftles. 
 
 The Duke of Mayenne on the other fide, not having been able to perfwade the Con- 
 ftable to ftay beyond the River, began to intreat him, to let him have fome number of 
 men, wherewith he might go and defend his own in BgurgongHe ■, but neither was it 
 poflible for him to obtain that i for the Conftable, who was come onely to defend the 
 franche Comte, thought he had done enough in recovering Vezu^ and all the other 
 Towns the French had gotten pofleffion of, and would no more put himfelf to the ar- 
 bitreraent of fortune, fo much the tathtr, becauft his want of experience in Military 
 matters, made him very much to fear, every fmall encounter 4 and though he had » 
 great Army about him, he thought not himfelf feeure from the celerity and courage of 
 the King of France; befides the continual Treaty the Duke oi Mayenne held of ma- 
 king his peace with the King, rendred him fufpedted to the Conftable, and to all the 
 Spanifli Minifters, nor would they truft any thing of moment to his fidelity : where- 
 fore ( feeing himfelf deftitute of all fuccor i and that the Conftable, being grounded up- 
 on good reafons, was not like to change his refolution) he determined at laft to cloft up 
 the treaty of agreement, and fo much the rather, becaufe he was advertifcd by his A- 
 gents at Rome, that the Pope manifcftly inclined to the Kings abfolution i and therefore 
 having fent the Sieur de Liguerac to Vijon, he concluded upon thefe terms i That he 
 leaving the Spanilh Camp, fhould retire to Chalons, upon the River Saone in the fame 
 Province of Bourgongne, where, without uGng Arms, he (hould expe<5t the event of the 
 deliberation at JLome ■■, and that on the other fide, the King fhould not any way moleft 
 him, nor any of his followers, nor fhould attempt any thing upon Chalms^ and that in 
 the mean time , while the Advertifements came from Italy concerning the abfolution 
 of the King, the difficulties fhould be fmoothed,and the conditions agreed upon,where- 
 with the Duke fhould turn unto the Kings obedience. This truce or fufpenfion of 
 Arms being eftablifhed, the Duke C making as if he had a minde to relieve the Caftlcs 
 oxBijon) departed from the Conftables Camp with the French troops, and went ftraight 
 ^"j^f^"^-) where piefently the Kings DefHHies arrived to conclude the agreement, 
 and he gave order to the Vifcount de lavanes and the Governor of the CaftJe of DmM^ 
 to luriender both theCaftles without delay. ■ , 
 
 But
 
 of France. The Fourteenth T^oo^ 
 
 6ji 
 
 But the King having difpatched that enterprife, rtfolved to go into the Franche 
 Compti , to attempt fomething againft the Conftablcs Army, and with Seven thon- 
 fand Foot, and Two thoufand Horfe marched towards the River Saone. The Con- 
 itable lay flill at Grjy^ thinking it a very convenient place to hinder the paiTing of the 
 River, and to turn which way foever the French Array fliould moves which being 
 quartered at S, Seine, fought all the banks for many dayes, without finding an oppor- 
 tunity topafsi but, it being already the month of Jnly^ and the waters of the 5j(?«e 
 very much fallen i by rcafon of the time of the year, the Sieurs c/i? Trembleconrt, and d' 
 OJfmville^ who attempted all manner of means to pafs, found that the River was ford- 
 able in a certain place about three miles from Gray,which was guarded onel by One 
 hundred Spanifh firelocks ; wherefore, upon the eleventh oi July in the morning they 
 appeared upon that Pafs, with Two hundred Curailiers, and Five hundred Harquebu- 
 fiers on Horf-back, and began to try the Ford where the River was fhalloweft. The 
 Spanifh firelocks oppofed them, and bravely relirting, hindred the Enemies paffagc 
 with their utmoft power \ but having no more Ammunition then what they carried in 
 their Flasks, after they had fought for the fpaceof half an hour, they were necellitated 
 to retire i at which, the French taking courage, pafTed rcfolutely to the other Bank 
 of the River, and after them the Count d' Auvergne^ and the Marefchal ds Bnon with 
 Five hundred Horfe more : The news of the Enemies palTing was already come toth^ 
 Spanifli Camp, and the Foot that had fought there, murmuring at the unskilfulneft of 
 their Commanders, who had left them without Ammunition, retired towards their 
 Quarters, when Hercole Gonfaga advanced with the firft Squadrons of Horfe to beat 
 back the French, and make them repafs the River, being not believed to be many in 
 number i but having found the truth to be different from what they thought, after the 
 firft volley he could not withhold his men from yielding to the greater number, though 
 he fighting valiantly, and fliarply rebuking thofe that turned their backs, did the Office 
 of a very gallant Commander. CavaUicre Lodovko Mslzi followed with another 
 Troop of Horfe, and having avoided the incounter of the firll;, who precipitately ran 
 away, fell in couragioully to oppofe the enemy i but the French were fo much ftronger, 
 there coming up new Troops of Horfe every minute to reinforce them, that it was 
 not polfible for him to fiop their fury , but being routed and difperfed, fell foul upon 
 the laft fquadronof Horfe, wherewith Don Alfrnfo Idiaqites came to fecond him , in 
 fuch manner, that the Squadrons mingling confufedly with one another, being juflled 
 and difordered by the violence of thofe that fled, they that came up to charge, began 
 likewife to run away without ftop ; in which flight, it being necelTary to pafs a great 
 Ditch full of water and dirt, to come to the quarters of the Army, the diforder proved 
 (b great, that many precipitated themfclves into the Ditch i and many,not to incur the 
 danger of being thrown down and trampled under foot, fell into the power of the 
 French "> among which, Don Alonfo Idiaqnes, his horfe having fallen under him, was 
 unfortunately taken prifoner by the Sieur de Chjuliot^and was fain afterwards tocom- 
 pound for a ranfbme of Twenty thoufand duckets. The French feeing the Conftable's 
 Infantry drawn up on the other fide of the ditch, (topped their purfuit, and flayed for 
 the King-, who, having pafl with all his Army, lodged in theneareft Villages two 
 miles from the Enemies Camp. 
 
 By thefe two great diforders the Spaniards gave the King of France liberty to 
 pafs j for there was no doubt, but if the Foot that guarded the Pafs had been more in 
 number, and better provided with Ammunition, they would have hindred the firfl 
 that came over, in refped of the difficulty of the pafTage, and the height of the banks 
 of the River i and after they were paft, if all the Cavalry had advanced in order to 
 beat them back, it is moft certain, they would either have totally defeated them , or 
 made them repafs to the other fide of the Fviver : but coming up diforderly, and in a 
 manner fcatteringly, they gave the French opportunity to conquer, and put themfelves 
 in danger of being utterly cut off i and therefore knowing Soldiers cannot endure thofe 
 ra(h runnings out of the trenches of Camps,without order or confideration,at every little 
 call of a Trumpets and that which the inexpert count boldnefs and refolution, they, 
 with very good reafon call rafhnefs and ignorance. 
 
 But the King of France his paffage, made with fo much fortune or valour, produced 
 little effedti for theConftable keeping himfelfin his wonted quarter excellently for- 
 tified , and placed between Gray and the current of the Saone , the King not having 
 power to force it,and not being in a condition to affault it,went on the other fide to make 
 
 incurfions. 
 
 The Kir^ 
 gr js lato ihi 
 triiicie iomjt 
 Co moleft the 
 Spaniatiii, 
 
 The French 
 pjfs tht Rvcr 
 S-iotii ar a 
 Fa ,/, and :hc 
 Spaniards tbac 
 lay CO uctend 
 the Pafs, loc 
 wan; of Am- 
 munition, 
 were forced 
 to leave it 
 anU retire. 
 
 The^pariar*f 
 are muted an4 
 diiferi'e(i. 
 
 Don ^'oxfo 
 iM.'quet takeo 
 pritonet^
 
 ^-2 The Hijiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I KQK. incurfions, and fpoil the Country, and fpent the time without receiving any fruit, fave 
 tliat Befanca>i a Town no way ftrong nor tenable againft his Army , to free it felf 
 from danger,' compounded for many thoufands of Duckets. In the mean time the 
 King's Camp was full of many dangerous difeafes , whereof, being in an enemies 
 Country, and in the exercife of Arms, there died very many, among which was the 
 Count de 1ofign\, who had the Office of Field-Marefchal : For which reafon, and be- 
 caufe there came every day ill news from Picardie, the Cantons of the Switzers inter- 
 pofing as common friends, and particular Protedors of the Francbe Compte, the wont- 
 ed neutrality was eftablirticd in that Province, which the King going out of, went to 
 J)ijo», and the Conlkble Vdafco having left part of his Army, returned with the reft 
 to his Government oi Milan. 
 incefs At Tiijon, the bufinefs of the Hugonots ftill troubling the King, and he defiring, for 
 of ^cJdf t>e- his own fecurity, and for the Pope's fatisfadion, to get the Prince oi Conde^oxxt of 
 r^efmcTby their hands, caufcd a Petition to be prefented by the kinfmen ofthePrincefs his Mo- 
 the King unto (her, whcrcin, relating in her name the imputation that had been laid upon her, of ha- 
 ment oV/'^fi', ving been privy to the death of the Prince her Husband, and the fentence that had 
 concerRingan {jggn given againft her by Judges that were not competent, nor capable to fentence 
 i!^d upnn her, her, they demanded, that ftie, having till then been kept in prifon, at S. Jehan d' An- 
 of being prU gf/y^ the King difanulling the firft fentence, would bepleafed to grant, that the Parlia- 
 blndsdeach.is mcnt oiFarps, a natural and competent Judge, might hear her caufe, and, having diP- 
 'f'^b^fh''"'- <^"'^^'' ''^^ proofs, give fentence upon it : to which Petition the King anfwered, That 
 r.ament, ha- if the Princeflcs Kinfmen would oblige themfelves to put her into the power of the 
 fi't"f to'Trn"' Parliament of Pari*, he would difanul and make void the fentence that had been given, 
 cathniick,and and would refer the cafe to the aforefaid Parliament, into whofe power the Princefs 
 Jhouid'bc^^n. W2S to be delivered within the fpace of four months. This fervcd for a colour and 
 ftiufleainiiie excufc to takc away fufpicion from the Hugonots, to deprive them of power to detain 
 fameRdigion. ^^^ perfon of the Princefs and of her Son. And the King fent the Marquifs de Pifani 
 to 5. Jehatt^ who, though the Hugonots murmured at it, brought them both away to 
 Paris, where the Princefs having declared, that (he would live for the time to come in 
 the Catholick Religion, was abfolved by the Parliament of that imputation that had 
 been layed againft her » the Prince of Cotide remaining not only in the King's power, 
 but inftrudied and bred up in the Catholick Religion. 
 
 The Duke of Montmorancy came likewife to the City of VijoM, and there took pof^ 
 
 feftion of his Office of Conftable i the Hugonots being thus deprived of thofe props, 
 
 wherewith they had dciigned to uphold themfelves. The Pope was by thefe lively 
 
 eftedls very .much confirmed of the King's fincerity, who already was wholly averfe 
 
 from them, and wholly intent to fecure the State of Religion within his obedience » 
 
 T*^' Pop'^ !i" ^^ flicwed the fame inclination by the ftrift orders, and particular Commillions which 
 
 cf the Kings he had given to rcftore the ufe of the MaG in all thofe places from whence it had 
 
 ''I'inel'towards ^^^^ taken i and he laboured continually in feeking means to reftore the eftates of the 
 
 him.antniews Clergy poffefTed by others, which, by reafon of the difficulty of the matter, proved ve- 
 
 ftTmitCs!*^^ ry hard and troublefomei for the Lords and Gentlemen, who, in reward of their fer- 
 
 vices had obtained them, and had already pofl"effed them a great while, could hardly 
 
 be brought to leave them without equivalent recompcnces » which, by reafon of the 
 
 number of the pretenders, and the narrownefs of affairs, in a time of (6 great diftradi- 
 
 on, it was not poilible to fatisfie v yet the King, with infinite patience and dexterity 
 
 fiudied how to compofe things, fothat if he could not altogether, he did atleaft in part 
 
 fatisfie the Clergy, though of neceflity many of the principal of them could not be ab- 
 
 folutely contented i but difcreet perfons commended both the King's inclinations, and 
 
 dexterous manner of finding a way to compofe interefts that were Co oppofitely di- 
 
 verfe and repugnant. 
 
 Thefe things brought by fame unto the Court of Row?, did opportunely promote the 
 King's interefts ■■, but much more were they helped on by the contrary circumftances, 
 •which troubled the mind of the Pope, and of that Court i for Schifm was in a manner 
 totally fetled ■■> the Parliament continued diligently to hinder, that none ftiould go fue 
 tor Benefices at Kome, and whofoever procured any by fuch futes, did not certainly ob- 
 tain the poffeflTion of them j the King, by fome one of the great Council, did ftill dif- 
 patch Spiritual Oecommics to the Bi(hopricks,and other cures of Souls that were vacant i 
 the namebf the Apoftolick See feemed to be utterly forgotten i and the King's Foitees 
 prolpering, it was doubted he would demand Abfolution no morei the Duke of 
 
 Nevers
 
 - ' .■-•■*:^— ?.i^ivg>y-*<.'-y ■ 
 
 (?/" France. The Fourteenth ^ooi^ 
 
 6yj 
 
 Nevers having faid publickiy at his departure , that they fiiould not look to have any 
 more AmbafTadors fent to Rome : wherefore though the Treaty was fet on foot again 
 by means of Cardinal Gondi^ and that d" OJfat continued to treat with Sannefio^ and 
 with Cardinal Aldobrandim , yet the Pope fearing the mifchief that was imminent, 
 and confidering the example of other States that had withdrawn themfelves from the 
 obedience of the Apoftolick See was wonderful anxious, by reafon of the danger of 
 this divifion. To this was added the Kings confederacy contraded with the States of 
 Holland i and the League which was ftill in treaty with England \ whereupon it was 
 doubted that fo near confederacy being made with Hereticks, Religion would in fome 
 part be injured by it. That which the more incited the Pope, was the fliarp War made 
 by the Turk in Hungary i for being conftrained to think of the progrefs of the common 
 Enemy on that fide, he defired toappeafe the tumults ot France^ that he might turn 
 all his Forces for the maintenance and benefit of the Commonweal of Chriftians i for 
 all thefe reafons being refolved within himfelf to condcfcend to the Kings benedidion, 
 to which he thought himfelf obliged in Confcience, he began to think of (bftning the 
 Catholick King i and therefore befides fatisfying him in all his demands, he refolved 
 to fend his Nephew Giovan Francefco Aldobrandim into Spain under colour of treating 
 of the affairs of Hungary^ but withal to negotiate the abfolution of France ■, to which 
 he laboured to bring the King of ^/'^i« gently, by fliewing that he depended much 
 upon his confent : In the mean time by the means of Monfieur d' OJfat, he fecretly let 
 the King know that things were already ripe, and that if he fent new Minifters to treat, 
 the abfolution perchance might be concluded. 
 
 The King defirous to reconcile himfelf fully to the Church, thought at firft to fend 
 
 a gallant Embafly i but being informed of the Popes intention, who defired that the 
 
 bufinefs fliould pafs privately, and with terms of very great fubmiffion, he determined 
 
 to fend only Jaqit^s Davy Sieur du Perron, who fiiould treat of matters together with 
 
 d' OJfjt, being alfo defirous in cafe the bufinefs fliould not take efFed, that the manner 
 
 of treating might not make it the more eminent and remarkable. Thefe men feafon- 
 
 ably making ufe of the conjundture of prefent affairs, managed the Kings intentions 
 
 modeillyand dexteroufly, (hewing no lefs the profperoufnefs of his enterprizes, which 
 
 at h(\ had gained him the whole Kingdom i than his Piety and moft ardent affedion 
 
 towards Religion , from whence proceeded his infinite patience, hardened to bear fo 
 
 many repulfes as had been given him by the Pope. But thofe that were well verfed 
 
 in the affairs of the World, gave loofe reins to their difcourfe concerning thofe very 
 
 things which much troubled the Pope, and faid freely through the Court, that in the 
 
 end the Kings patience would turn into fury, and that having fubdued his Enemies, 
 
 and made himfelf a peaceable Mafkr of his Eftate, it was to be doubted he would care 
 
 but little to reconcile himfelf to the Pope, or rather it was to be feared, that with a 
 
 dangerous Schifm in the Church of God, he would attempt to revenge fo many paft 
 
 injuries and perfecutions ■, and upon thefe points they repeated and alleadged thofe 
 
 reafons, for which it was jufl and convenient to receive and fatisfie him : The Pope 
 
 being between two contrary refpeds,one not to alienate nor offend the CatholicR King ; 
 
 the other not tolofe the obedience of the Kingdom of France, went very warily, and 
 
 endeavoured, that time, the courfe of things, patience and dexterity might unloofe 
 
 that fo difficult and fo dangerous knot : He knew that thofe that took part with the 
 
 King of France had reafon on their fide i that at length there was enough faid, and 
 
 enough done , to affure the fincerity of his Converfion , and that by (landing firm 
 
 againft fo many repulfes, he had merited the pardon and reconciliation of the Church: 
 
 but on the other fide he doubted the Spaniards might upbraid him, that they had been 
 
 more conftant , and more jealous Defenders of the Majefiy of Religion than he , and 
 
 he thought it very hard to alienate King Philip an ancient and confirmed Defender of 
 
 the Church, for a Prince, which, till then, had ever been an Enemy, and a Perfecu- 
 
 tor of it » to this was added, that the merits of the King of Sp^in towards the Apo- 
 
 ftolick See, and the many enterprizes he had done for the fervice of Chriftendom and 
 
 of Religion , had gotten him fo great authority in the Roman Church, that it feemed 
 
 not fit for the Pope to determine a matter of fo great confequence, without his liking 
 
 and confent. 
 
 But whilH: the Pope dexteroufly protrads this determination, the Kings Forces gain- 
 ing every day greater power, and greater fame, confirained him to come to a conclu- 
 fion i and the words of Monfignor Serafina wrought much upon him j who difcpurfing 
 
 R r r r often 
 
 15^5, 
 
 The Pope 
 fends his Ne- 
 phew G ovtin 
 fraficrfio ^L- 
 dobfdndino into' 
 Sfain, to trea: 
 ot the atfdirt 
 cf Hurga y, 
 and alfo of the 
 Kings abfolu- 
 
 tlQO. 
 
 Monfijnor 
 SerojiniitcWs 
 the Pope tbap 
 C.tmcni the 
 Seventh loft 
 England , and 
 Cltmtni the 
 £iabth woukl 
 lofe ttiTut.
 
 • ff 
 
 '^ The Btfiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,<c<. often with him, and, accordingto his wonted liberty, mingling jefts with ferious mat- 
 tcrs beine asked by the Pope what the Court faid about that bufinefs ; anfwered. That 
 it was now a common faying, that Clement the Seventh hath kjl England, and Clement 
 the Eiihth would lofe France : which conceit having pierced deeply into the Popes mind, 
 fpurred on by the evidence of reafon, and the effedual follicitations of the Venetian 
 and Florentine Ambaffadors, he determided to-take his refolution upon his Nephews 
 relation, who afiured him that in Spainmtns minds were no longer fo ardent as they 
 were wont to be in the affairs of Vrance , and that being exceedingly exhauftcd of 
 money, and weary of the War, they would make no great ftir at the determination 
 ofKonre, though they yet {hewed perfeverance, defiring that the refolutions of his Ho- 
 linefs might be protraded for fome few days more, out of a defire to better their 
 own conditions, than out of any hope they had that the King of Frdme at laft fliould 
 not obtain abfolution : wherefore the Pope taking courage , after he had oftentimes 
 felt the pulfe of the Duke of Saffa^ the Spanifli Ambaffadour, upon that point, he at laft 
 could not but tell him, that the taking a courfe about the affairs of France could no 
 longer be deferred, and that therefore he was refolved to hear the opinions of the Car- 
 dinals about it, to the end that with their advice he might determine what fhould be 
 thought moft convenient. The Duke of Se^'a believed that the Pope would hear and 
 gather the Votes of the Cardinals in the wonted Confiftory, and in the wonted man- 
 ner, and knowing that many of them depended upon the will of the Catholick King, 
 and that many others of themfelves diffented from the King of France his Abfolution, 
 did not argue much upon that particular, becaufe upon a diligent fcrutiny of the 
 Votes, he was of opinion that the Abfolution would not pafs in the Confiftory, and 
 he was certain the Pope would not do contrary to what the plurality of Votes fhould 
 The Pope that determine : But Clement^ who would not refer a thing of fo great weight, managed 
 thc^mo'teVrle till thcn with infinite dexterity, to multiplicity of opinions, which if they fhould be 
 and (ccure o- jaij open, would appear to be guided with particular interefts and refpecSs, after he 
 coi'k"g°/of ' had brought the Catholick Kings Ambaffadors not to refufe that the bufinefs fhould be 
 cardiiTais, re- puf Jn confultatioD, wcnt not the ordinary way, but having called the Confiftory, af- 
 [hemprTvate'y ter he had read the Kings Letters and Supplications, declared that he would hear the 
 one by one. counfel of the Cardinals about them i yet not briefly and confufedly at one only time, 
 but that they fhould one by one come into his Chamber, where no other body being 
 prefent, he would hear them privately i and gave them charge that they fhould come 
 four every day feverally to private audience, and to difcourfe with him concerning the 
 prefent bufinefs. The Pope (fhwing by this prudent manner, that he would ex- ' 
 elude all private refpedts, and give the Cardinals confidence to tell their opinions freely, 
 without fear that they fhould be difcoveredj referved unto himfelf the arbitrement of 
 the determination, being able, when all had fpoken, to declare what pleafed him beft, 
 and to fay in which opinion the major part of Votes concurred, fo that none might be 
 able tooppofeor contradid : and juft fo it came to pafs> for having firft caufed fo- 
 lemn prayers to be made in every Church of the City, and having in himfelf fhewed 
 figns of profound and Angular devotion, he, for the fpaccof many days, heard the 
 Cardinals one by one j and finally, being all met in the Confiftory, he faid he had 
 .^ heard the opinions of all the Cardinals , and that two thirds of them voted that the 
 thc'conFittoty King of France fliould be abfolved from Cenfures, and received into the bofom of the 
 two"hi'r<il''of Church i and that therefore he would treat with the Kings Procurators, and in his 
 the Cardinals Name impofc upon them thofe penances and thofe conditions which he fhould think 
 abfoiuTolof' rooft profitable and advantageous for the fervice of God , and the exaltation of the 
 H{n,j the IV. Church. Cardinal Marc Antonio Colonna would have contrad idled, and ftanding up, 
 fore'he w«"' ^^gan already to fpeak i but the Pope impofed him filence, faying, It had been fuffi- 
 rcfoived to ciently confulted of already, and determined with the plurality of Votes i and there- 
 Procutatots'* ^ore he did not mean that fhould be any more put into difputation, which had once been 
 »bout it. ordered and decided. 
 
 In this manner having difmift the Confiftory, the Pope betook himfelf to treat with 
 the Kings Procurators concerning the Conditions, which already had been debated ma- 
 iiy days by the means of Cardinal Toledo, who though a Spaniard by birth, and a Je- 
 fuite by ProfclTion, yet either becaufe his Confcience did fo perfwade him, or for fome 
 other reafon , was favourably inclined to the Kings affairs i and though he laboured 
 much, becaufe the Pope would needs declare that abfolution Null thzt had been given 
 him by the French Prelates at St. Denis, and the King ftood to have it approved and 
 
 confirmed
 
 ■of France. The Fourteenth ^oo^ 
 
 6y 
 
 confirmed by his accomplifhment, and becaufe many things oppofed the publication of 
 the Council of Trent, which the Pope by all means urged to have i and mofl of all bs- 
 caufe the Pope prefTed to have the Decree made in favour of the Hugonots to be bro- 
 ken and difanuiled, which could not be done without ftirring up new Wars ■■, yet fuch 
 was the dexterity and prudence of the Kings Procurators, and fuch the moderation of 
 the Pope , that with convenient words and claufes all things were fet right in fuch 
 manner, that the reputation of the Cathoiick See was kept whole, and the King was 
 not put into a neceiiity of new perturbations. 
 
 , Things being fetled and concluded, the Pope, upon the idth day of September, went 
 with all the Cardinals in their Pontifical habits into the Porch of St. Peter's, where 
 he fitting in the Throne prepared for that purpofe, and incompaiTed with all the Car- 
 dinals, except A lejJaHdri no and Aragott, who were not prefent at that folemnityv Juques 
 Tij-vy and Amaiid d' Offat appeared in the habit of private Prielts , and holding the 
 Kings Proxy in their hands, upon their knees prefentcd the petition to the Secretary 
 of the Holy Office, which being publickly read, the Secretary ftanding at the foot of the 
 Throne, pronounced the Popes Decree, which containing the narrative of the whole 
 bufinefs, did appoint and ordain that Henry of Boitrbon, King of France and Navarre, 
 fliould be abfolved from Cenfures, and received into the bofom of the Church, being 
 at that prefent obliged -to abjure all Herefics held formerly by him, to undergo the 
 publick penance that (hould be enjoined him, and obferve the conditions eftablifhed 
 by his Holinefs, which were thefe following : That the Cathoiick Religion (hould be 
 introduced into the Principality of Bearne, and four Monafteries of Friers and Nuns 
 founded there : That the Council of Trent fliould be received in the whole Kingdom 
 of France, except in thofe things that might difturb it, which the Pope was willing to 
 difpenfe withal : That within the term of one year the Prince of Conde fliould be given 
 to be bred up in the hands of Catholicks : That in the difpofing of Benefices and other 
 matters, he fliould obferve the courfe agreed upon with the Kings his Predeceflbrs, 
 taking away all abufes : That Cathoiick perfons, and fuch as were of exemplary life, 
 fliould be nominated unto Prelacies : That all lands and goods taken from Churches 
 and Religious places fliould be reftored without a judicial way, and without contradi- 
 dion : That thofe that were eleded into Magiftracy fliould be perfons no way fufpeded 
 of Herelie, nor fuch as favoured Hereticks , either diredtly or indiredly, but fuch as 
 fliould not tolerate them, fare in what could not be done without tumult and War % 
 And that he fliould give account of his Convcrfion and Abjuration to all Chriftian 
 Princes. The fpiritual penances injoined him were, That every ^i/wi/iiy and Holy-day 
 he fliould hear a Conventual Mafs, either in his own Chappel, or fome other Church ; 
 That , according to the cuflom of the Kings of France , he fliould hear Mafs every 
 day, and that upon fome fet days of the week he fliould fay certain prayers : That he 
 flipujd faft Fridays and Saturday!, and receive the Communion publickly four times 
 in the year. 
 
 The Procurators accepted the Conditions, and the publick ingrofTments were de- 
 manded by thetri i and then kneeling down at the Gate of St. Peter's Church, they 
 with a loud voice abjured the Hereiies that were contained in a certain Writing > after 
 which Abjuration, being touched upon the head by Cardinal Santa Severina the chief 
 Penitentiary with his Rod of Oifice, they received Abfolution: at which adion the 
 Gates of St-Peter's Church were opened, the whole Church rcfounded with joyful 
 mufical voices, and the Caflle of Su Angela with all its Artillery gave figns of extra- 
 ordinary joy and gladnefs : the Procurators clothed in their Prelatical habits v^ere pre- 
 fent at the Mafs in the wonted place of the French AmbafTadors ; after which they 
 went to St. Louis the French Church, where the joys and rejoycings were redoubled i 
 the Court and the people of Ixome exprefling infinite contentment, the one being much 
 inclined to favour the French , and the other rejoycing at the re-union of fo noble and 
 fo principal a Kingdom. 
 
 The Pope deputed Cardinal Toledo Legat to the Kingdom of France ■■> but afterward, 
 whatfoever the occafion was, having changed his mind, he appointed Cardinal ^/fj[p«- 
 dro df Medici, he who fucceeded him in the Papacy. The Procurators who had hap- 
 pily brought fo hard a matter , and of fo great confequence unto a condullon, were 
 at feveral times by the fame Pope created Cardinals, having often publickly faid. That 
 the modefty and prudent managery of them both had overcome thofe infinite difficul- 
 ties that arofe in his mind about the determination of that bufinefs. 
 
 R r r r 2 The 
 
 !5Pf«* 
 
 Upon the iS 
 of Sept. ijpjd 
 tht Pope in 
 the Porch of 
 St. I'n'.rs deiSi 
 with lolemn 
 Ccremonj ab= 
 folve H-n. IV. 
 fromccnfuris, 
 and he is re- 
 ceived into the 
 bofom o( the 
 Chilrch. 
 
 The conditi- 
 ons eftablifhed , 
 at Kome, to bc 
 oblerved by ' 
 the King of 
 France, 
 
 The Kings 
 Procurators 
 kneeling ac 
 the Oatc of 
 St. Pcurs 
 Church do 
 with a Inud 
 voice abjure 
 the Hetefie of 
 the Kinjs fjlfe 
 belief. 
 
 Cardinal ^- 
 
 lejp.indf'' Me- 
 dici, V, ho after 
 TOas Pope Lea 
 the XI. is ap- 
 pointed Legat 
 into FrdncD.
 
 ^7 5 T^ke Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 »5?5- 
 
 The news of the Abfolution was brought unto the King by Alejandro del Bene, dif- 
 patched Port from Kome i who thinking to find him at Lyons, arrived there when he 
 was already departed to return to Paris : For, having concluded a general Truce with 
 the Duke of Mayenne for three months, to the end, that the conditiops of Agreement 
 might be conveniently treated of, and the event expedled of matters at Kowe, which 
 went more flowly than was believed, the King (having fetled the affairs of that Pro- 
 vince and given way to treat an Agreement alfo with the Duke of Nemours, and his 
 Brother the Marquifs of St. Sorlin) was returned fpcedily to Faria, to attend the bufi- 
 nefs of Picardy, where the Arms of the Spaniards made themfelves be (harply felt : In 
 which time, the Marefchal de Bois Dauphin, one of the Duke of Mayeme's neareft de- 
 pendents fubmitted himfelf to his obedience : And on the other fide,the Duke ofElhxuf 
 formerly reconciled unto him,had eftablifhed a Truce with the Duke oCMercmr for Bre- 
 tjgite; (o that all things in all places inclined to favour the Pacification of the King- 
 dom, fave only, that on the fide towards Flanders, by reafon of the new War kindled 
 particularly with the Spaniards, there arofe by little and little new occafions of pertui- 
 bation and trouble. 
 
 The End of the Fourteenth BOOK. 
 
 • 
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 ISTORY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Civil Wars of France. 
 
 By HE^%ICO CATE'RIS^O T>AVIU. 
 
 The Fifteenth BOOK, 
 
 The ARGUMENT. 
 
 THis Book^ relates the progrefs of the SpaniJIo forces in Picardy 5 the td- 
 king and recovery tf^Han^ thejiege ofCa.he\etj the de(lgn of the Conde 
 de Fuentes, General of the Forces in Flanders, to befiege Cambray, the pre- 
 parations for that pttrpofe : To facilitate that enterprife, he refolves to befiege 
 Dourlans^r/^, and (its down before it: The French Commanders on the other 
 fide prepare themfelves to relieve it '•, they attempt to put in men , and come 
 to a Battel '-y the Spaniards get the Viifory^ and the Admiral ViWars is flain^ 
 vntb many of the Nebility : The Conquerors fiorm Dourlans with a very great 
 JIaughter : The Spanifl) Army beleaguer sQdiVihxzy ^ the Duke ^/Nevers, who 
 was arrived a while before for the defence of that Province, fends hif Son the 
 young Duke of R.hetelois to relieve the befkged, who fortunately paffes thorow 
 the Enemies Camp , and enters the Town. After him the Sieur de Vic gets 
 in, and they defend themfelves co?;Jiantly. The people ill fatisfied with the 
 Governvient of ^zhgny , who had gotten that Principality , mutiny, mzk§ 
 themfelves Mjfiers of a Gate, and open it to the Spaniards j the French re- 
 tire into the Cittadel, where finding neither Ammunition nor Vi&ual, they 
 are conjirained to furrender ^ the Conde de Fuentes grants them honourabU 
 conditions. The King departing from Bourgongne, marches to relieve them^ 
 but comes not time enough : He conjults what is beji to be done, and refolves 
 to befiege la Fere ••, there follows an Accommodation with the Duke of Ne- 
 mours and the Duke tf/ Joyeule, and finally alfo with the Duke of May^ 
 enne, who comes to wait upon the King before la Fere. Albert Cardinal and 
 Archduke of Auftria comes out tf/'Spain to govern the Low-Countries ^ he puts 
 relief into la Fere by means of Nicolo Bafti ^ but the King Jlackens not the 
 (lege for all that. The Archduke refolves to try if he could raife him by diver- 
 (ion, and fuddenly afpmlts Ca.\ais , and takes it: He obtains Cuines, lays 
 (lege to Ardres, which yields for want of men to defend it : la Fere yields 
 to the King at the fame time, who finding his Army in an ill condition, re- 
 
 folves 
 
 677
 
 6^% 
 
 i5i»S- 
 
 The Hijlory of the Ctvil Wars 
 
 folves to cUsband it. Carcliml de Medici , the Popes Legat , arrives in 
 France arid is received there with great honour. An Accommodation is 
 treated with the Duke of Mercoeur, who artificially prolongs it. The King 
 affembles the States in the City of Rouen to provide moneys^ and fettle the 
 affairs of his Kingdom , being indifpofcd, he retires into the quarters about 
 Paris. The Spaniards furprize Amiens the chief City of Picardy. The King 
 exceedingly firicken with that lojs, refohes to befiege it without delay ; the 
 varieties of the (lege and defence are related. The Archduke marches with a. 
 very potent Army torelie7je that place 'r, the Armies face one another many days, 
 and have divers encounters: The Archduke retires^ and the bejieged Cityfur- 
 rend&s. The King makes an incur fion into the Comity of kxx.d\s, ■-, but becaufe 
 of the Winter and of the Plague, he retires. A Treaty of Agreement between 
 the two Crowns is introduced by the Cardinal-Legat ^ the Deputies of both 
 parties meet at Vervins : The Duke of Mercoeur fubmits himfelf unto the 
 Kings Obedience : After fome defficulties in refpeB of the Duke of Savoy, 
 the g^rterdl Peace is at laji concluded andpublijfjed. 
 
 Ty [he Jtath 
 of chc Aicti- 
 Juke E,«./t 
 the Gnvtrn- 
 ment of the 
 Low countries 
 i^ *;ivcn to the 
 Ci'unt lis 
 
 Count ChurUs 
 of Mmsfelt 
 poes to fetve 
 the Empcrour 
 in the Wit of 
 
 Afters of War we^t not on faprofperoufly for the King of Frame- 
 in the confines of Vicardy^zi in Bonrgo»gne^zx\^ the Franche Cgmte i 
 for the Spanifh Forces ordered by Commanders of experience 
 and refolution, having found in the French either little unani- 
 mity, or much wcaknefs i befides the llaughter of men whiciv 
 had happened in divers encounters, had likewife made them- 
 fclves Matters of many Towns and places of importance. 
 
 The Duke of Bouillon^ and Count Fbilip of Najjarp^ had from 
 the year before profecuted the War unfuccefsfuliy in the Dutchy 
 oi^ Luxemburg, and made divers incurfions into it > where having poffcfied themfelves 
 of fome places of fmall cofifequence , they were fo ftreightened by Count Mansfdt^s 
 Army, but much more by the inundation of the Rivers, and the exccflive abundance 
 of waters, that they were neceifitated to retire, one into the City of Sedan, the other 
 by Sea into Holland ■■> and though the Duke of Bouillon had afterwards in the beginning 
 of the year rais'd the fiege of U Ferre which the Spaniards had laid, yet that was done 
 rather by art, than force, and, except fome ex'curfions, things were quietly fetled on 
 that fide. 
 
 But the Archduke Erneft dying unexpedVedly in the beginning of March, the Conde 
 de Fuentes took the Government of the Low-Countries, who full of Warlike Spirits, 
 and defirous to rertore the reputation of the Spanifh Forces, apply'd his mind with all 
 diligence to reform the Difcipline of the Militia, which he had feen flourifli glorioufly 
 in the time of the Duke of Farma ■■, wherefore Count Charles of Mansfelt being gone 
 to ferve the Emperour in the War of Hungary, he was left alone to the adminiftration 
 of both Civil and Military affairs , and making ufe of the ailiftance of the Sieur de la 
 Moite, the Prince of -4z/f//'iw, Moni\eur de Rofne, and Count Giov.tn Giacopo Belgio'pfo, 
 and Colonel de la Berlotte, old experienced Commanders, that were obfervant of Mi- 
 litary Difcipline, he had not only quieted a great part of thofe that mutinied for want 
 of pay, but alfo reforming and re-ordering the companies of every Nation, and filling 
 them up with old Souldiers, he had brought himfelf into fuch a condition, that with 
 an Army more valiant than numerous, he might put himfelf upon the attempt of fome 
 gallant enterprife i which whilft he was contriving in his mind, they of the Province 
 oLHaynault and of the County of Artois propounded unto him the taking of Cambray, 
 offering a good number of men, and great contributions in money as foon as they fliouid 
 r:c the Army encamped before that City, from whence thofe Provinces received great 
 and continual damage with the interruption of commerce and the hinderance of til- 
 lage. The Archbifhop of Cambray made the fame requcfl, who having been driven 
 out from the power of that Town, proferred likewife money and Souldiers, provided 
 the Spaniards would attempt to recover it. This enterprize feemed great and mag- 
 nificent to the Conde de Fuentes, as well by reafon of the greatneft and iplendour of the 
 City and its Territory, as for the glory he (hould attain thereby i for fince the time 
 
 it
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^ool(. 
 
 ^79 
 
 It was gotten by the Duke of AUitcon. the Spanifh Forces had never had the heart to 
 venture the recovery i and the Duke of Parmn himfelf, either withdrawn by more ne- 
 ceflary occafions, or diffwaded by the difficulty of eflfediing if, had given it over. But 
 if the enterprize carried with it fo great reputation, it carried al(b no lefs difficulty by 
 reafon of the ftrength of the City and Caftle, of the number of the people, the riches 
 of the inhabitants, the Garifon which Monfieur de Balagny kept in it, and many other 
 circumftances which reprcfented themfelves fo the confideration of the Count, who 
 though in mind he was refolved to attempt it, did yet diffemble it prudently, making 
 thofe preparations maturely which he thought convenient, that he might not ftrike in 
 vain. 
 
 But while being intent upon this adion, he waS preparing matters, a new Emergent 
 that fprung up in Ficardy did, with very great and reciprocal danger, haften the motion 
 of the War. Han, a confiderable Town in that Province, was governed by the Sieur 
 de Gomeron, who having in the declining of the League taken a refolution to join with 
 the Spaniards, agreed to receive what Garifon they fhould think fit, not only into the 
 Town, but al(b into the Caftle i to which efFed: dccho de Sangro being come with eight 
 hundred Italian foot, and Signer Olmeda with two hundred Spaniards, two hundred 
 Walloons , and four hundred Germans, Gomeron though he admitted them into the 
 Town, would not yet admit them into the Caftle, fearing left being become the ftron- 
 ger, they ftiould attempt to drive him out of the place ■■, upon which doubt, there ha- 
 ving part many letters and meffages, at laft Gomeron was perfwaded by Don Alvaro 0- 
 fom, Governour of la Fere, to go into Flanders, where he ftiould receive not only the 
 full fum of money that had been promifed him , but alfo fitting fecurity to continue 
 in the Government of the place i wherefore he having left his Brother-in-law the Sieur 
 d' Orvilliers and his own Mother in the Government of the Caftle, went himfelf with 
 his two younger Brothers to Antn>erpe, where the Conde de Fiientes, incenfed by the 
 ambiguity of his Faith, made him and his Brothers be kept prifoners, and wrote to 
 Orvilliers , that if he did not put the Caftle into the hands of his Commanders, he 
 would make himfeU fatisfadion with Gomeron^s head. But Orvilliers no lefs doubtful 
 than his Brother-in-law, (though the Mother anxious for the fafety of her Sons, prefs'd 
 him very much j could not tcU what refolution. to take, but fometimes intimating to 
 the Spaniards that he would give them the Caftle, fometimes treating with the Duke 
 oi' Longueville , and Monfieur d' Httinieres the Kings Lieutenant in that Province to 
 bring them in fecretly to fupprefs the Spanifh Garifon that lay in the Town, kept both 
 parties long in hope, till Monfieur d' H'.tmieres proffering him larger conditions , and 
 that all the Spanifti Commanders that (hould be taken, fliould be given to him to ex- 
 change Gomeron, he refolved at laft to adhere unto the French i wherefore Cthe Duke 
 of LorigueviUe having been flain a while before, with a Musket-ftiot, received by chance 
 in a Volley which his Souldiers gave him in honour) his Brother the Count de St. Paul, 
 to whom the King had granted the fame Government, having fent to the Duke of 
 Bouillon to meet him at St. §^intin , refolved to attempt that enterprife, though by 
 reafon of the doubt of Orvilliers his fidelity, and becaufe of the ftrength of the Gari- 
 fon it was thought very difficult. Monfieur d' Humieres undertook the charge of or- 
 dering the bufinefs, and that he might effedt it profperoufly, took very great care to 
 gather together all the Gentry of the Province, and all the Souldiery that was in the 
 neighbouring Garifons. 
 
 In the mean time the Conde de Fitentes having fetled the affairs of Flanders in good 
 order, was advanced with eight thoufand Foot and two thoufand Horfe unto the con- 
 fines to take in Cajielet, a place built by King Henry the Second, in the time of the Wars 
 with the Emperour C/;jr/."x the Fifth upon the confines of the Territory oi^ Cambray, 
 and becaufe the taking of this place was neceffary to the befieging of that City, he had 
 encamped himfelf before it, and battered it with twelve pieces of Cannon, which not 
 interrupting the defigns of the French, who thought it much more confiderable to take 
 Han, than to relieve Cajielet, had taken the field with Four thoufand Foot, and above 
 One thoufand Horfe, encamping fometimes in one place, fometimes in another, in the 
 quarters about that Town. But though they diffembled it, and made fhew to have 
 fome other defign, yet their drawing fo near, and fome provifions that Orvilliers 
 made in the Caftle, had put Ceccha de Sangro, and the other Spanifti Commanders in 
 a jealoufie, who doubting of that which indeed was true, determined to fhut up the 
 affige of thofe ways th at went from the City to the ^ Efphnade of the Caftle, and 
 . . there 
 
 I5P5' 
 
 the Sieur rfe 
 G^^merijn Go* 
 vernour of 
 Han agreef 
 with the Spa- 
 niards, and re- 
 ceives their 
 Garifon into 
 the Town, but 
 not into the 
 Caftle. 
 
 Cotieron hi- 
 ving left the 
 Sieur ii' Orwt/- 
 I'.ers in the Ca- 
 ftle of Hurt. 
 goes into f/jB- 
 dcrs, where be 
 is kept priro- 
 ner by the 
 ConJedc ftitlf- 
 tss. 
 
 The Dake of 
 
 L ngiteviUe, 
 Governour of 
 Ptairdy, killed 
 ^y a muskcc- 
 
 The Ccn^le dt 
 FhtKtis goes 
 iuto Picdrdy, 
 and befieges 
 CnjieUi, with ^ 
 defign after- 
 ward to be- 
 fiege Camtrtfi 
 
 *The Of tn fftet 
 without the C.i- 
 flU, {mm ib« 
 edge oftht 
 Ottntrrji^- ,
 
 ^gQ The Hijiory of the Civil IVars 
 
 i. u.- „ »j,,,=^ fV,,f Ipd thither they drew a traverfe crofs every one v raifing them 
 
 '5'^' lith Barrels and tnh anfmade holes through the Houfes on all fides, thaf with 
 
 their fmall (hot they might gall the place that extended it felf from the City to the 
 
 Muat and RaveJine before the Caftle Gate i and for more fecurity, they Cent with 
 
 fpeed to the Condi de Fuentei, letting him know the fufpition they had , and defiring 
 
 Or.,:/;,,, ha- '^^The French on the other fide, being afTured of Orvmers his fidelity, by many of his 
 ving ,»tctd „. r^^„ that were in the Army, drew near betimes m the evening between the Gate 
 Trench brings r ^<^^ Caftle, and that of the Town which led to the way of Noyon i but the Per- 
 rntoXS dues that lay without the works , having given the Spaniards notice of the Enemies 
 arrival, Ceccho de Sangro caufed many Cannon (hot to be made that way, whereby the 
 French knowing that the Garifon was advcrtifed , and in order to receive the affault, 
 refolved to enter into the Ca(\le,and go down to fall upon the Town^n that fide : The 
 thtFrtnehgo Count de St. Paul with all the Cavalry , and a Body of a thoufand Foot ftood firm in 
 outof thec*- ji^g ^g]j . Monfieur d' Hum'ieres and the Duke of Bomllnn went into the Caftle, where 
 f„'d°«fck"'he the difficulty of afTaulting the Enemy appeared exceeding great i for the Gate of the 
 hnn'fhe"''*' Ravcline wasfo narrow, that it forced them to go out but few at once ftragling. 
 Town. and as they went forth they came upon the Efplanade which lay open to the (hot of 
 
 the Town > wherefore they would not put themfelves in fo manifeft danger in the 
 darknefs of the night, but (laying for the morning, refolved to open the Gate of Re- 
 lief, which was walled up, and through it , go down without oppofition into the 
 Moat, from whence cutting away part of the Counterfcarp, they might come forth up- 
 on the Flank of the Caftle, in a place that was not fubjedt to their flior. This they 
 cffedted at Sun-rife, and being divided into three Squadrons, each of which had One 
 hundred Gentlemen compleatly armed in the Front of it, they marched on to fall up- 
 on thofe of the Town, who ftanding ready at their Works, received the aflault very va- 
 liantly. The conflid was (harp and obftinate, fighting on both fides with old SohI- 
 diers, full of experience and valour, but the event had different fuccefs in the three 
 feveral places where they fought > for Monfieur d' Humieres being fain on to afTault 
 the Traverfe that was guarded by Baldajjare Cartacciolo and Marcello del Giudice, was 
 not only oppofed, bat after two hours fight repulfed with much blood > on the other 
 fide, upon the left hand where the Sieur de Sejfavalle, and Colonel la Croix affkuked 
 the Traverfe guarded by Signior Olmeda^ they fought with equal fortune without ad- 
 vantage i but in the middle way, where the Vifdame of Amiens^ and the Governour 
 of Noyon afTaulted Ceccho de Sangro^ after they had fought a great while, (Ceccho ha- 
 ving received two wounds with a Pike j the French broke through the Traverfe, and 
 though they found a firm refiftance every where, yet they got near to the Vorte de Noyon^ 
 which they had defigned to open, and bring in the Count de St. Paul at it j but Ceccho 
 taking a refolution in the extremity of the danger, caufed the houfes of that quarter 
 to be fet on fire, which carried by a profperous wind for him, followed the French fo 
 clofc at the heels, that it conftrained them to retire, the flame making fuch havock, 
 that they were fain to ceafe the affault : It was already Noon, and the Souldiers being 
 weary every where, flackned the fight j and yet Monfieur d^ Humieree feeing the wind 
 turn, and the flames of the fire flie towards the Spaniards, fet his Squadron again in 
 order, and placing himfelf in the Front, went to renew the aiTault, in the beginning 
 whereof he received a Musket (hot in the head, and fell down dead upon the ground •, 
 which accident abated not the courage of his men, but being relieved by the Duke of 
 BoHiUon with fre(h Forces,they at laft po(refred themfelves of the Porte de Noyon^by which 
 the Count de St. Paul entring with the reft of the Army, the Spaniards ftraitned on 
 all fides , never turned their backs , but ftill courageoufly fighting , retired into the 
 Fauxboug de St. Sulpke, where having fought till night, and the relief not appearing, 
 which they expected from the Conde de Fuentes^ ordering their Pikes, they made (hew, 
 that they would yield themfelves v but the French either incenfed for the death of Mon- 
 fieur d' Humieres, or by rea(bn of their moft ardent hatred againft the Spaniards, pro(e- 
 cuted the Vidory without regard, and would have put them all to the Sword, if the 
 defire of recovering Gomeron had not perfwaded them to take many prilbners. Of the 
 Spaniards fide there were killed about Eight hundred men i Ceccho de S angrOyBaffadaffare 
 Carracciolo, Signior Olmeda, Ferrante Nimfa, Marcello del Giudice, and Aleffandro Bran- 
 cacao were all taken prifoners, with many other 0(ficers and Souldiers. Of the French 
 Were killed about One hundred and twenty Soldiers, stnd forty Gentleracn,among which 
 
 Colonel
 
 o/ France. The Fifteenth ^ooJ{, 68 1 
 
 Colonel I* Croix, the Sieurs de * Bayancourt^ des Mafieres , Lieutenant to Monfieur df *5P5* 
 
 Snrville, and many Captains of Foot. Among the wounded were Colonel Lwwffe , 
 
 and the Sieurs d' Arpajon, and de ChaUnde. ^u^'hIm^ 
 
 The Cond^deFfffntef, having received intelligence of the aflault which his foldiers curt. 
 expedted, left the Duke of Pajirjna at the fiegeof Cjliekt , and went, with a partpf 
 the Army to relieve them i but being come the day after the right within three miles 
 of Han^ he heard the news of their misfortune, and not thinking it fit to attempt any 
 thing for that time, returned to profecute the fiege he had begun i whereby the French 
 remaining free PoflefTors of the Town and Caftle, left the Sieurs d; Sejfavjlle and Plain- 
 ville with a convenient Garrifon in the Town, and configned Ceccho de Satrgro, and ma- 
 ny prifoners to OrviUierr^ with the exchange of which he might redeem the Sieur de 
 Gmeron: But the event of the bufinefs proved very different, for the Prifoners ha- Many Prifo- 
 ving fecretly dealt with a Neapolitan, ( who, as the Sieur de Ggmerons Rider lived in ""' "' ^^^'^ 
 theCartle,J they came to an agreement. That he, and two other Soldiers of the Gar- a' on'i t,]'^ 
 rifon , fliould free them out of the room where they were (hut up, and furnifli them j|^'l3^„™'r''^ 
 with Arms, fo that they might unexpededly , not onely recover their liberty, but by BVctbe?-in-' 
 killing Orw'i'zfr/, make themfelves Matters of the Fortrefs. The bufinefs fucceeded J^jthesicas 
 profjjeroufly at firft j for Ceccho de Sangro with his Companions , fuddenly affaulting 
 the Guards at noon-day, poiTefled and locked up the Cattle Gate i but running to the 
 Governors Chamber to kill him, they found that he with thofe about him, were alrea- 
 dy in a pofture of defence. Whereupon there began a very fliarp fight among them, 
 at the noife whereof the Commanders that lay in the Town fufpedting the matter, ran 
 violently to the Caftle, and tried to get in with Ladders, and fo the conflid was redu- 
 ced to a third party > but, the Italians not having ftrength to refill in two feveral pla* 
 ces, made Compofition with OrviViers, by the means of Madam de Gomeroit, that open- 
 ing the Gate towards the field, they (hould fuffer them to go out freely, and he as be- 
 fore fiiould remain abfolutely Mafter of the Caftle. Thus the Prifoners being at li- 
 berty, Gorneron remained without hope of help in the power of the Spaniards v and yec 
 his Mother ceafing not to try all means to free her Son, had, with Tears, Prayers, and 
 Promifes, brought Omi'iVr/ into fuch a wavering doubtfulnefs of mind, that he feem- 
 ed inclined to make a new agreement with the Spaniards i wherefore ftie judging,that 
 if their Camp ftiould draw near, he would eafily refolve to receive it, writ to the Conde 
 de Fuentes j that if he came with the Army, Orvilliers would deliver up the Caftle to 
 him. 
 
 In the mean time the Count had battered the Walls of Cafielet, and given it a vi- 
 olent affault,which, though it was ftoutly fuftaihed by thofe witlTin,yet as they fought, 
 the fire taking and blowing up all their Powder, the Sieur 6?e Liramont, Governor of The Coant./e 
 the place, was nccelfitated to furrender, and their goods and perfons being fafe, he ^p'rgivfn" 
 came forth in a fbldierly manner > whereupon the Count having difpatched that en- him by" Ma. 
 terpri2e, moved with the whole Army to draw near to Han--, but at his arrival, Orvilli- „»?cnm^T^! 
 ers^ more uncertain in his mind than ever, and not knowing what to determine,open- ^.^'^ j"r'' '^f 
 ed the Gate that was towards the Town, and fled out of the Caftle, retiring to Roy/i taking Tooc 
 and the Sieur de SeJJavalle being entred with Two hundred Soldiers, began to fire his '^""^f '""^•^'"^ 
 Artillery againft the Spanilh Camp, at which the Co^de de Fuentes much incenfed, cau- "" " beTe" 
 fed Gorneron to be brought within light of the Caftle, where, in the prefence of all, he {^'htof'tlie 
 made him to be Beheaded, and fent back his Brothers Prifoners to the Caftle of ^«n F?ench. ' 
 Tferp. The Count, perfwaded by the heat of PaiTion, was minded to befiege the Town, 
 but the next day, when that firft motion was quieted, not being willing to interrupt 
 the already intended enterprife of C(i«?^rj;(, he raifed his Camp and marched away to 
 (poil, and pillage the places of that Country : At the firft arrival of his Army, Clery 
 and Bray, weak Towns of that territory, ftanding upon th€ River Somme, yielded with- 
 out refiftance, and to the infinite terror of the Country people, they began to plunder 
 Cattel, and to fpoil the Corn in many places i- but the Forces were not yet in readi- 
 nefs which the Provinces of Artois and HeynauU had obliged themfelves to contribute, 
 and without them, by reafon of the great circuit of the Town, and the number of the 
 Defendants , the Commanders thought not fit to attempt the fiege : Wherefore the 
 Count, that his Army might not be idle, and to facilitate the enterprife of Cambray by 
 fhutting up the paflages in many feveral places, refolved to fall upon Vourlanr, a Town J„'^*,^°btl ** 
 not very great, but reafonable ftrong, and fituate near the confines, that feparate Picar- fieges Dm' 
 dy from the Territory of Cambray i but on the higher fide above Peranne and Corhie^thQ '*"'• 
 
 S f f f Sieus
 
 682 
 
 The Htsiory of the Civil Wars 
 
 J 5? 5- 
 
 There being 
 no comman- 
 der of Jutho- 
 rity in Doxr- 
 Inns, and all 
 defiring to 
 command, 
 there gruws a 
 confufinn a 
 morg ihe De- 
 fendants. 
 
 MonCeurr/c la 
 Mottr, Camp. 
 Matter-Gene- 
 ral of the Spa- 
 rilh Army, 15 
 (liin , Mon- 
 fieur ditRofne 
 is chnfcn in 
 bis place. 
 
 Sieur d' Arancourt was in flie Town, and the Sieur deKonfoy as Governor of the Caftle, 
 for all the places of that Province, was near the conhnes, are lecured by Caftles i the 
 fiiort part of them /Wronger by fituation than by art, with Walls of the old fa(hion,flank- 
 cd onelv with great Towers i but this, either by reafon of the nearnefs of the dan- 
 cer or of the Governors diligence, was much bettered by Ramparts and Ravdines, 
 according to the manner of Fortification of our times. The weaknefs of the Garri- 
 fon that was in the Town, being very much inferior to what need required, encoura- 
 ged the Count to fet himfelf upon that cnterprife i but though he refolved it upon the 
 fudden, and turn'd that way without lofing a minutes time, yet coi>?d not the fiege be 
 layed, and the paffages blocked up fo fpeedily, but that the Duke of BouiUon was ad- 
 vertifed of it, who being taken at unawares, put in four hundred Gentlemen, and 
 eight hundred Foot i but it was a very pernitious Counfel i for, if he had put into 
 the Town all the Foot that he had with him, which was above Two thoufand , he 
 would not afterwards have been neceffitated to attempt with fo great a lofs to re- 
 lieve it j and if he had not engaged the Gentry within the circuit of thofe Walls, he 
 would have been fo ftrong in Horfe, that by obftrufting the wayes , he might have 
 forced them to rife v but in fudden occafions, the wifeft perfons do not renitmber 
 all things. As foon as thefe Forces were entred into the Garrifon, which, in all, a- 
 mounted to the number of Eleven hundred Foot, and Five hundred Horfe, the fault 
 began to appear \ for, there being no Commander of Authority, to manage the weight 
 of the defence, the Lords and Gentlemen of the Country who were there, by defiring 
 all to Command, put all things in diforder and confufion, fothat their prefence, which 
 would have been very proper, very helpful in the field, proved rather deftrudive than 
 ferviceable in the Town i And yet every one knowing it was needful fo keep the Ene- 
 my at a diftance from the Walls, they betook themfelves to bring feme of thofe Rave- 
 lines that were without the circuit of the Ramparts into fo good forwardnefs, as to re- 
 tard the approach of the Enemy for fome dayes > but the defedt of the Garrifon ap- 
 peared- likewife in this v for the Gentlemen did not care to hy hand to the work, and 
 the Foot being few in refpeft of the neceffity, all preparations went on but 
 flowly. 
 
 The Spanifli Army encamped before Dourlam, upon the fifteenth day of July , and 
 the fame evening Valentine Sieur de la Mo»f ,who executed the Office of Camp-Mafter- 
 Gcneral, going to view the place near at hand, to refolve on which fide it fliould be 
 fitteft to aifault it, was killed with a Musket-fiiot in the right eye i a Soldier, who, from 
 fmall and low beginnings, palling through all Military degrees, was rifen with a mod 
 renowned fame of valour and experience, unto the cminency of the mbft remarkable 
 Offices, and molt important commands. The man whom the Conde de Fieentes- de- 
 signed to fupply his place, was Chriftian Sieur dn Kcfne^ who, by his fagacity, ( which 
 was exceeding great, (added to the valour and experience of many years, ) had got- 
 ten himfelf an infinite reputation among the Spaniar'ds i and by his Counfel, before alf 
 other things, they began to fortifie the quarters of the Army, and with Forts and Half- 
 moons to fhut up the Enemies, as well to hinder the relief that might endeavor to 
 get into the Town, as to fecure his Camp, which was not very great, from the fud- 
 den affaulfs and attempts of the French. Thefe Works being ended, there remained 
 to be refolved, on which fide the Place (hould be affaulted > for many were of opinion 
 to begin with the CaOle firft > and many others finding it very difficult to take the Ca- 
 ftlc, advertifed topoffefs themfelves of the Town firft, to facilitate the way to the ta- 
 king of the Caftle. But after long eonfultation, a third opinion carried it, propound- 
 ed by (i/wRo/;;?-, which was, that the Town fhould be affaulted on that fide, where it 
 joyned with the Caftle , becaufe at the fame time a breach might be made in the 
 Wall, and part of the defence of the Caftle taken away: The quality of the fituation 
 advifed the fame, which (in refpedtof the River Oyfe that paffes there ) was more 
 eafie to be madedefenfiblei whereby the Batteries would be the ftronger and better 
 Weltered from any attempt the Duke of Bouillon or the Count de S. Paul ftiould 
 Riakej who, it was already known, were with very great diligence drawing their 
 Forces together , to relieve the Gentry which they unadvifedlyfliut upin the Town. 
 The firft violence of the fiege met with an Half-moon without the Ramparts, that fe- 
 parated the Caftle from the Towni which, though of nothing but earth, yet being by 
 w^ f*^^^^""^ fiirmly knit together, did litrlfe fear the battering of the Cannon: 
 Wheretore, Monfieur du Kofne having found the fmall fruit of playing upon it, 
 
 began
 
 o/" France. The Fourteenth IBoo^ 
 
 683 
 
 began two Trenches , to approach covered from the (hot both of the Town and Ca- 
 ftle,and brought them within a ftones caft of the Half-moon > but while the Defen- 
 dants believed he would continue them to the Moat,he fuddenly caufed two Squadrons 
 that were prepared ready, one Italians, the other Walloons, to fally out of them i who. 
 Tome fcrambling up upon the Earth, others clapping fcaling ladders againft it, got fo 
 quickly upon the Parapet, that they fell in pell-mell with the Defendaiits, before the 
 Artillery of the Caftle could hurt them. The fight was (hort, but valiant i for the 
 Defendants were all foldiers of experience ■■> and yet their being taken fo at unawares, 
 was the caufc, that after they had fought a quarter of an hour, being over-pow'red by 
 the greater number, they were forced to retire, faving themfelves within the covered 
 Way that was without the moat of the Town. Monfieur de Kofne entering the Half- 
 moon, commanded la Berlatte''s Tertia to cover and fortifie themfelves in that place,ha- 
 ving dcfigned to make ufe of that fame Port to plant his Battery in it : The Walloons 
 were diligent and careful in fortifying themfelves i but they of the Town were no lefs 
 ready to hinder their work ■■, for with three Sacres that were upon a Platform of the 
 Town, and on the other fide, with the Artillery from the Caltle, they did fo play upon 
 the place where the befiegers wrought, that the flaughter of them was very great i and 
 yet the Italians, Spaniards, and Walloons working by turns, the Half-moon was at laft 
 made defenfible, and in it they planted feven Culverins, which battered the Works of 
 the CalUe, andfix Cannon that played againft the wall of the Town j infomuch,that 
 having fhot continually for two dayes together, matters were brought to fuch a pafs, 
 that they were ready to open two trenches into the Counterfcarp , wherewith ap- 
 proaching, they might advance to the alTault, 
 
 But, in the mean time, the Duke of Bmillsn and the Count de St. Paul being joyn- 
 ed with the Admiral Villars, and the Forces of Normandy, were intent upon relieving 
 that place i but not fo much for the importance of the Town, as in refpedt of the great 
 number of Gentlemen that were fhut up in it i and though the Army they had was not 
 very numerous^ yet they were confident the Gentry which they had with them would 
 inable them to put in men and ammunition, by forcing the Guards onfome fide or 
 other, though they were diligent, and well ftrengthened by the Enemy. The Sieur de 
 Sejfjvalle's defign was, to enter into the Town with a Thoufand Foot, and Four and 
 twenty Carriages of Ammunition , and at the fame time to make the 400 Gentlemen 
 that were in Doitrljitr, retire into the Army, wherein, befides the Infantry, there were 
 Twelve hundred Curalliers, and Six hundred Harquebufiers on Horfe-backi and be- 
 caufe the circuit and the entries into the Town were unequal, and fome on this fide, 
 fomeon that fide of the River, which neverthelefs, by reafon of its fiiallownefs,might 
 be forded in many places without difficulty j they determined to divide themfelves in- 
 to three Squadrons, and appear three feveral wayes, to keep the enemy divided and 
 imployed in divers places > they confulted among themfelves the evening of the twen- 
 ty third of Ji(l}\ what was beft to be done i the Count de S. Paul was of opinion C to 
 which the Marquifs of Belin, and the Sieur de Sejfavalle aflented) that they fiiould flay 
 for the Duke of Nn'ers , who being appointed by the King to the fuperintendence of 
 the affairs of that Province, was already near at hand : it feeming to them a very great 
 rafiinefs, to attempt that then with exceeding great danger,which they might under- 
 take within tivo days with more force, and more hope of good fuccefs: But the 
 Duke of BouiUon (an old emulator of the Duke of Nevers, not onely by reafon of their 
 difference in Religion, but alfo of the fameof wifdom, to thefirft place whereof they 
 mutually afpircd) could not endure to hear of flaying for his coming,and that the glory 
 fhould be referved for him, which he pretended fliould refult untohimfelf, by raifing 
 the fiege, or relieving the Town, and having drawn the Admiral to his opinion , he 
 caufed it to be determined in a manner by force, that the next morning they fhould try 
 their fortune. 
 
 On the other fide, the Count de Fuentes knowing that all the hope of the French 
 could confifl in nothing, but keeping him diflradted in feveral places, refolved to ad- 
 vance three miles to meet them, that he might oppofe their attempt with all his Forces 
 united > and having left Hamando Teller Fortocanero to guard the Battery, with Twelve 
 hundred Foot, and Gafparo Zappogna with a Thoufand more to defend their quarters 
 and works, he, with all the reft of the Army advanced upon the fame way the enemy 
 was coming : The Prince of AveUino led the Van, wherein were two Squadeons of Horfe, 
 one Walloons and Flemings , and the other Italians \ and on the Flanks of them , 
 
 S f f f 2 two 
 
 I5P5' 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 BouiUoamtni- 
 ing to relieve 
 D.scrUns, cau- 
 f s the Com- 
 manders to re- 
 folve, that his 
 opinion fliouU 
 be executed. 
 
 The Count dt 
 J-uentes having 
 left HJrtmdi 
 T'Uti at the 
 fieoe, draws 
 off to meet 
 and hinder the 
 relief.
 
 584 The Hislory of the Civil IVars 
 
 i5?5- 
 
 two Wings of Spanin. M.squettiers the li.±to^ Aumale and Monfieur du Kofne 
 two ^^'"&; ^^ V Sauadrons of Infantry, which had each of them four field-pieces 
 •° thTpront • and'n ?he laft was placed the reft of the Cavalry, with the Count him- 
 l^tf ^r.A Kv hi<; fide a Battalion of Gernnans. 
 
 On the ether fide, the Admiral and the Duke of E<.«fc led the Vanv the Count 
 5/ Taul was in the Battel, and had by him Monfieur de SefavaVe, with the Foot that 
 
 ■ into Vourlans, and the Marquifs of Belin commanded the Rear. It was 
 
 the four and twentieth of J«/y, the Eve of St. James the Apoftle, and it was near 
 noon when the Armies marching mutually to meet,came within fight of one another i 
 
 thout delay, the French Vanguard with very great violence charged the two Squa- 
 
 drons of the enemies Cavalry, whereof that of Walloons , which was upon the left 
 hand being broken and difordcred by the Admiral, manifeftly ran away > but thatof 
 Italians, where the Prince of AveUim was, did long fuftain the fury of the Duke of 
 BoHiUanluW the Admiral, who had routed and driven away the Enemy, drawing rear 
 upon the Flank, it likewife was conftrained to retire, though without falling into dil- 
 orderi but the Wings of Spanifli Mufquettiers coming up, the fervice was hot and 
 furious, and fo much the more, becaufe the Walloon Horfe rallying again, had like- 
 wife faced about, and fought with no lefs courage than the reft. In the mean time, 
 5f/f<if<»//f advancing out of hand, to march toVourlans^ fell into one of the Squadrons 
 of Foot that followed, being led by the Duke of Amnale, and there began between 
 them a no lefs fierce encounter than there was am©ng the Horfe. But as (bon as du 
 Kofite faw thofe Squadrons charge one another fo courageoufly, he, with that which 
 he led, turning a good pace upon the right hand, poffeffed himfelfofa higher ground, 
 which was upon the Flank of SeJfavaVe, and firft raking through them with his field- 
 pieces from thence, and then falling in with two Wings of Muskettiers that were in the 
 Front of his men, did fo great execution upon them, that the Sieur de SeJJ'avalle and 
 Colonel St.I>eMPi being flain, and all their Colours loft, the French Foot were fbdiC- 
 perfed, that they could no more be rallied, and the Carriages of Ammunition remain- 
 ed in the power of the Enemy. In the mean time, the Conde de Fuentes getting up to 
 an high place, from whence he difcovered the various fortune of his men, fent out two 
 Squadrons of Horfe to affift the Prince of ^i/fi'wo, and Monfieur du Ro/«f, with the 
 Duke of Aitmale, having put their Squadrons again in order, advanced on each fide 
 to the place of fight. Wherefore the Duke of Bouillon knowing how to yield to for- 
 tune, without being willing to adventure any farther, retired with fmall lofs towards 
 the Battel, with which the Count de St. Faul, referving himfelf untouched, had not at 
 all engaged in the encounter > but the Admiral, who much more fiercely had, from the 
 beginning , rufhed upon the greater number of the Enemy, havirg fecn the Sieur 
 d' Argmvilliers, Governor o( Abbeville, znd the Sieur de Hacgueville, Governor of ?<»»- 
 v";jn fighrV teatt de Mer, Captain Perdriel, and above Two hundred Gentlemen of Normandy fall 
 i"¥in*"''^' ^^^^ before him, though later, and with more difficulty, would likewife have taken a 
 refolution to retire, if pity and gallantry had not called him afrefh into the midft of 
 the Battel i for feeing his Nephew , the young Sieur de Mcntigny , with fifteen or 
 twenty of his followers, totally engaged, and ftiarply profecuted by the Spanifh Infan- 
 try o(A»to7ii(' Mendozza, he called back his men that were retiring, and fun'oufly turn- 
 ed about his Horfe to fetch him off i but being furrounded by the Spanifli Muskettiers, 
 and his paflage cut ofFbythc Italian and Walloon Cavalry, fighting valiantly, and 
 wounded in many places, he fell at laft from his Horfe i and though telling his name, 
 he offered Fifty thoufand Crowns in ranfome, he was killed, in cold blood, by a Spa- 
 nifli foldier ■■, and another, to get a very rich Diamond Ring he wore, without any 
 regard cut off his finger •, for which crimes they were, by the feverity of the Count de 
 Fuentes , both put to death. All thofe that followed him were killed upon the place 
 clofe by him, though, fighting defperately, they made the Vidory very bloody to the 
 Enemy. The Duke of Bottillon (either judging it a greater fervice to the King to fave 
 the reft of the Army, or elfe moved by his ill will towards the Admiral, who was a very 
 Zealous Catholick) perfwaded the Count deSt. Faul (who being a young man, referred 
 himfelf to the opinion of thofe that were elder) that without making further tryal to 
 recover the day, they fliould get the Battel into fecurity. But the Marquifs de Belin 
 aeteftingthat advice, fell on with the Rere, to relieve the danger of the Admiral , and 
 yet being encountred by four Squadrons of Lanciers, whom the Count de Fuentes 
 -lent out againft him , he had not ftrengthto refift their fury, and being routed and 
 
 difperfed 
 
 The Aimirjl
 
 of France. The Fourteenth 'Book SS^ 
 
 difperfed in a moment, the reft faved themfelves by flight i but he and the Sieur de j<g<!, 
 Lofigcbjmp remained the enemies prifoners; And this was one of thofe encounters 
 which gave clear proof, that Guiraffiers in the field are very much inferior to the vio- TheMarquifs 
 knee of Lances. The lofs the French received in this Battel, was greater, in regard of thfto^Zt^ 
 the quality, than number of the flain i for they were not in all above <5oo,but moft part ''' '-<"■!'''■'"'?, 
 of them Gentlemen, and perfons of note, whereof the whole Army was compofed j fo'crf "y "Jhe 
 which made the D. of 6(7?«//o«j excufe the better, in that he had faved the remainder sp»niar<jj. 
 though it was a moft conftant opinion, that if all the Squadrons had charged at once, or 
 if he obftinately fighting, had called up the Count de St. Panl with thefrefti Forces to 
 his alliftance,he might either have put relief into Voiirlans^ or at leaft might have retired 
 without receiving fo great a lofs. On the fide of the Spaniards there were killed but 
 few, and all obfcure perfons, and among the wounded, none was reckoned on but San- 
 cho de Luna. 
 
 While the Armies fought thus, the befieged in Dortrlans were not idle •, for having 
 heard the noifeof the fight hard by, they made a gallant fally toaffailthe Trenches, 
 in which, finding the Ports well fortified, and all the Guards in Arms, they were no 
 lefs valiantly repulfed i though in that aftion they received not much lofs. The Conde while the Ar- 
 de Fuentes returning viftorious to the Leaguer, and freed from the fear of being any ™'" Ss^" "» 
 more infefted by the French, applyed himfelf, with all his ftudy, to haften the end of the blfieg'J faUf 
 fiege, which, though the defendents anfwered with very remarkable courage and va- *"° °^' 
 lor, yet was not their condud and experience correfpondent v fo that it manifeftly ap- IrTtcpuifcd! 
 peared , the Town (though with much flaughter ) would fall into the power of the 
 Spaniards. Upon the 28th day the befieged made a great fally in the heat of the noon- 
 day,and becaufe they found the Foot ready and prepared for their defence, after a long 
 fight they were at laft conftrained to retire i and while they did fo very foftly, and 
 without any fign of flight, being aflaulted by the Cavalry, and charged very furioufly 
 on theflank, they loft many of their men, and were fain to run back full fpeed to the 
 ver,' Counterfcarp. The next day the Artillery, having battered not onely the Walls of 
 the Town, but made a breach alfo in a corner of the Caftle, the Count caufed the af- 
 fault to be given i and to divide the ftrength and courage of the defendents , he fent 
 Foot to fall on in both places. The Spaniards ftormed the Caftle, the Walloons the 
 Town, and a while after the Italians entering into both Trenches, reinforced the Af- 
 fault : In this occafion,the valor of Hernando Teller P ortocarrero zppezxed moft remarka- 
 ble, who being the firft that got up into the breach of the Caftle, fought there with 
 fo much courage, that the Count de Dinan being flain, who.on that fide had the charge ThtSpsniarJj 
 of the defence, and the Squadron of thofe within being beaten back and broken, the 'H^'^n^Tj'ks 
 Caftle was taken with a wonderful great flaughter » from whence the AflTailants go- "> "'^ 'o «- 
 ing down, without having found any obftacleor impediment of Trenches or Cafamats flauoLer'of 
 Cfor the unskilfulnefs or difcord of the defendents had been fuch, that there was no ""■> p"' 'i' 
 Works caft up) they impetuoufly alfopoffefled themfelves of the Town i where, in withtuc^Te"-"* 
 revenge of the flaughter of Hj», (the name of which founded aloud in the mouth of ^"\- '^^/*?" 
 every one) all that were in it, were, without any regard, put to the Sword, in the vio- T^nchctmt) 
 Jence of the fight : fo that of fo great a number of Gentlemen and Soldiers, fcarce the *„j''j1'"t "*' 
 S'leuT de Hjrjuconrt, and the Sieur de Griboval, with forty foldiers, remained prifoners, Htket), 
 there being flain upon the place Monfieur^f Kow/oyGovernorof the Caftle, the Sieurs 
 de Prjncnurt and ProuiUes who had principal commands, above Three hundred Gentle- 
 men, and above Six hundred Soldiers.The Town was facked in the heat of the adlion, 
 and continued at the difcretion of the Soldiers till the evening, and then thofe had 
 quarter given them who were retired to the fecurity of the Churches. The Conde de 
 b'ltentes having obtained fo full a Vidlory, betook himfelf to repair the ruines of the '^*" ''""''' ''' 
 wall,and to throw down the Works without, and having given the Government of the the''Gov<rrn- 
 place to Fortocarrero, who had behaved himfelf (b gallantly in the taking of it, applyed "«"= of ^"S'-- 
 nimlelt with very great diligence to make preparation to bebege Camhray, not being /arw^.aniap- 
 willing unprofitably tolofe that profperity which the countenance offortune fliewed him f^\[ ^ent'-'r- 
 
 In the mean time the Duke oi'Nevers was arrived at the half-defeated , and quite ptif: of dm- 
 affrighted Army, and though he ftrove to diflemble thofe errors that had been com- '''■'• 
 mitted, yet talking with the Count de St. Paitl^znd the Duke of Bff«i//'o« at Petjuigny^he 
 could not forbear telling them, that in their confultations they had been too courageous, 
 and in their retreat too prudent i By which words, and their old emulation, the 
 Duke of Bouillon being difgufted, departed from the Army> and likewife the 
 
 Count
 
 ^ _ I - — ^— ^^^ 
 
 ^§5 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I «? Count de St. Taul not very well fatisficd, rcttred toBologne the whole weight and 
 care of the defence remaining upon one man alone. The Duke ot Nevers having ta- 
 ken the charge of the Army, though brought to a very weak cftate, drew into Amiefis 
 upon the fecond day of /^uguji , to fecure that City, which, by the near flaughter of 
 Vourlans was ftruck with very great terror i and becaufe the Citizens running popu- 
 larly to him, Aewed him in how great fear they were,left Corbie, a Town not far from 
 the place where the Enemy was, fhould fall into their hands, he promifed to go in- 
 to it the next day himfelf in perfon, and fo having left his fon, the young Duke of 
 Jibeteloii at Amiens, he went without delay to Corbie v in which Town, though weak, 
 he began to fet himfelf in order to receive the Spanifh Army, in cafe it (hould march 
 that way i but the next day, theCoWf de Fttentes, who was not above feven Leagues 
 from thence, having raifed his Camp from Vottrlans , advanced in one dayes march 
 iiesi to PeroHrie--, wherefore the Duke with all his Forces leaving Coriif, went to quar- 
 ter at Arboniers, that he might go the fame night into Teronne. The Spaniards upon 
 the fifth day pafled near the Walls of the Town, marching towards S.^intin i where- 
 fore the Duk^ being fent to by the Vifcount d'' Auchy, who was in it, went thither up- 
 on the fixth in the morning, which day the Spanifh Army made a halt in the fame 
 quarters, and ftayed there four dayes, to make provifion of vidlual from all parts, and 
 upon the eleventh of ^«^KJ^, drawing within four miles ofCambray, difcovered theit 
 defign of befieging that place , freeing all the teft from the fufpition they had beea 
 in. 
 
 The Marefchal de Balagny who was in Cambray^ knowing himfelf weak in the num- 
 ber of his foldiers, and much more hated of the inhabitants, who could not indurc his 
 Dominion i and befides that, not having any means to pay and maintain the Soldiers, 
 (blicited the Duke of Nevers, by four Meffengers, difpatched port one after another, to 
 aflift him with fome men, and pleafure him alfo with a fum of money, ktting hini 
 know the little confidence he had in the people, and the great terror that was in the 
 The Duke of Garrifon , by reafon of the noife of the flaughter at Vourlans. The Duke of Nevers 
 tiivtn having having Called a Council of War, was doubtful a great while whether he fliould go into 
 cei"o1\va""' Cambray himfelf in perfon or not i for, on the one fide, the jealoufieof keeping that 
 itfoives not City, and the Glory of defending it, fpurred him on i and on the other, the necelTity 
 fci'f"m"f<im™ of endeavouring to recruit the Army, and fet it again in order, diffwaded him from 
 Ira,, but fends jf ; byt ^.W the Commandcrs agreeing, that he ought not to engage himfelf, fince they 
 Duke°of'j?'Y- hoped, that Balagny would (upply what was needful in the Command within the 
 tetoj, whoaf- Town, and that his prelence would bemoft neceflary to prepare relief -, he refolved 
 i5ukeou"i. to fend his Son Charles, D\x\i& o( Khetelois, with Four hundred Horfe, and fourCom- 
 >''-'>''"''* panies of Firelocks, which he mounted all on Horfeback, that they might march the 
 ^° " " ' fafter > he fent, in company with his Son, the Sieur deBujfy, and Inemulet, the firft a 
 Colonel of great experience, the other Governor of Ville-Franche ■■, He gave the com- 
 mand of the Firelocks to the Sieur de Vaudricoitrt, a foldier of long experience , and 
 intended, that within a while after, his Son Mox\^\mide Fie (hould attempt to get in- 
 to the Town, with an hundred Horfe, and Four hundred other Foot, to the end that 
 he might fupply the charge of the defence, in thofe things which the Marefchal de 
 Balagny could not attend, or had not experience in, under whofe obedience all thofe 
 Forces were to be. 
 
 In the mean time the Conde de Fuentes having received Five thoufand Foot , fent 
 from the confining Provinces, under the Prince of Cbimay, and a Regiment of Wal- 
 loons, rais'd and payed by Louts de Barlemont Arch-Ei(hopof Cambray, was drawn be- 
 fore the Town upon the fourteenth day, and prefently began to fliut up thofe paffts 
 by which the relief might enter, which he thought would come % which diligence,not 
 at all retarding the 'Dwkt oiKhetelois, he put himfelf upon the adventure of getting in- 
 to the City, and having marched all night, appeared by break of day upon the Plain, 
 which largely incompafles the Town on every fide s His appearing by day, contrary 
 to what he had deligned, was caus'd, not onely by an excelTive Rain that fell that night, 
 but much more becaufe being to pa(s a certain Water in the Village of ^««e, over a 
 Wooden-bridge , part of it was fallen, fi? that he was fain to make a halt , till with 
 I'lanks and beams, the Bridge were haftily made up again: wherefore the Spaniards, 
 who had had time, both to be advertifed of it, and to get to Horfe, at the Dukes arri- 
 val Were drawn up into the Plain , expeding him in very good order upon the 
 "taight way i He made a flop when he perceived the Enemy , being not well af- 
 
 fured
 
 ef France. The Fourteenth ^ooL 
 
 6^j 
 
 fured what he (hould do i but the Guide that led him, well verfed in the Countrey 
 fhewcd him, that between the Enemies Horfe, and a lower Gate of the City , there 
 was a hollow, craggy way, which could not fo eatlly be part, fo that turning on that 
 fide, they might get under the Walls of the Town, before they could be overtaken by 
 the enemy, who, of necellity, were to take a great compafs, not to diforder themfelves 
 in the hollow of that way i wherefore, the Duke placing himfelf couragcoufly at the 
 head of his men, went out of the great Road, and declining upon the left hand,march- 
 ed a round trot whither his guide led him, hoping to get to the Gate without any ob- 
 ftade of the Enemy : but when he was drawn very near the Town, he found a Corpr 
 de Garde of Fifty Horfe, who, at the Alarm, which founded aloud through the whole 
 field , had fet themfelves in order to flop the way v wherefore, being neceilitated to 
 fight, he fhut down his Beaver, and having incouraged his foldiers,charg'd up with (o 
 much fury, that in the firft encounter, he routed and beat back the Enemies Troops, 
 without the lofs of any one man, and ha ving quickly wheeled about, he clofed up, and 
 in his fir ft order continued to march on his way at a good rate \ but he was not ad- 
 vanced Two hundred paces further , when he fell upon another body of an hun- 
 dred and twenty Horfe, which being charged with the fame fiercenefs, were fain to 
 retire without making any great rciiftance. In the mean time the main bodyofthe 
 Spanifh Horfe, which from the beginning had difcovered him, moved on with no left 
 celerity towards him •, but, the hinderance of the hollow way , and the dirt of the 
 field, which by reafon of the rain the night before, was all wet and flippery, retard- 
 (cd their march fo much, that when the firft Troops came to charge the Duke, he was 
 already defended by the Artillery of the Town, which thundering with exceeding great 
 violence, and fcouring all the field, hindred him from receiving any harm i fo that en- 
 tring into the City, and being received with marvellous joy by every one, he found 
 he had loft only one Page , and an inconfiderable part of the Carriages, which having 
 not been able to come fo faft as the reft, fell into the hand of the Spaniards. 
 
 The Duke of Khetdois his getting in, neceilitated the Count ^^ Fuenter to ftrengthen 
 the fiege moreclofelv, that he might hinder any new relief from entringj to which 
 likewife he was perfwaded by his want of money to pay and maintain the Army, fince 
 though the Bifhop of C^jwzZtjj, and the confining Provinces, had obliged themfelves to 
 contribute Five hundred thoufand Florines, yet they denyed to pay them down, be- 
 fore he had begun the fiege, and was got upon the Counterfcarpe. To this was added 
 his ardent courage, carried on by the felicity of former fuccefs, which excited him to 
 undertake, even beyond the number and ftrength of his Army, as it were prefaging a 
 profperous event, notwithftanding many difficulties •■, wherefore the City being great in 
 circuit, and not having men enough, he refolved, with Forts and redoubts, to (hut up 
 all that part, which on this fide the River Scheld (that divides the City in the mid- 
 dle) lies towards France; judging, that with the impediment of Fortifications , he 
 might fupply that defed, all the Soldiers in his Army not being fufficient to poflefs Co 
 large and ample a Plain, which contains the fpace of many miles '■, but it appeared in 
 this occafion, as it hath done in many others, that Forts and Redoubts (if they be not 
 joyned with a convenient number of refolute men ) do not hinder the entry of 
 thofe, who take a refolution topafs,with the hazard of (bme Cannon fhot j and yet 
 the Count de Faf«ff/ having caufed Four thoufand Pioniers to come out of the adja- 
 cent Provinces, and having Seventy two pieces of Artillery of feveral fizes, and won- 
 derful preparations of all Inftruments of War and Ammunition, full of hope and cou- 
 rage, began to incompafs the City on all lides, buton that efpecially, where it might 
 be relieved by the French. Between Porte Neufue^ and the Porte de St. Sepulchre^ 
 over again ft that part of the City that ftood towards the South, he caufed a Fort to be 
 raifed after the n^anner of a Platform, which being able to contain One thoufand Foot, 
 was ( by the name of the Bourg dofe by it ) called the Fort of Gniargni, and caufed 
 another, not very much lefs, to be caft up over againft the place where the River enters 
 into the City on the Weft fide, which they called the Fort de Tremy^itom the name like- 
 wife of the adjacent Bourg •» and between thefe two there were feventeen Re- 
 doubts, like fo many Sentinels, in each of which, there were Twenty five men , and 
 the two Forts, with all the fpace between them , were guarded by the Prince of Cii- 
 may^ with the Forces that were newly come out of the neighbouring Provinces: 
 Befides thefe Pofts between the P©rte de $iuenumpre , and the Porte des Setles, 
 
 winding 
 
 1595- 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 ^fcffe.'oij, hi- 
 ving over, 
 come manjr 
 impedimcntt, 
 and fought 
 with two 
 Squadrons of 
 iht Enemy,tn- 
 tfrt wi-h re- 
 lief into ffurt- 
 I'ruj. 
 
 The mannfr 
 of Count de 
 rutaits be- 
 firging Om* 
 brtj.
 
 -iA 
 
 ^g§ The H'tflory of the Civil IVars 
 
 i.oc. winding towards the North, there was raifed another great Fort, which they 
 called St. Oloy^ where the Count de Bie commanded with a Regiment ot Ger- 
 mans from the Tortedes Selles as far as the Cittadel, over againft the Baftion de Ro- 
 bert a place that extends from the North unto the Eaft, they refolved to plant thi 
 Battery i therefore, in that fpace they intended to caft up Trenches, and the command 
 thereof was given to A^ojUno Mejfia. The Count de Fuentes with the Cavalrv of the 
 Army, and two Tertia's of Walloons was quartered in two little Villages behind the 
 Fortifications, and Amhrofw Landriano, Lieutenant-General of the Light horfe, with 
 Four hundred Horfe, and Six hundred Foot, placed himfelf upon that way that leads 
 to Perofine, keeping continually many Ambufcadoes in divers Woody places, to aflault 
 3nd hinder thepaffage of thofe that ftiould hazard the attempt ofentring the Town. 
 
 Things being difpofed in this order, they began to break ground, the Engineer Pac~ 
 ciotu, and Colonel la Berlotte overfeeing the Works, the one for his skill in Fortiricati- 
 on, the other for experience in War, men of exceeding high eftimation : But the work 
 proved difficult beyond all belief > for in the lower places where the River Sckeld 
 paflcs and oveiflows, they could not dig above a fpan for water, and the higher places 
 were (b gravelly and ftony, that they could not approach without great toil and much 
 time •> and yet the Soldiers accuftomed to labor, full of courage, by reafon of their paft 
 vidories, and afpiring to fack fo rich a City ,wrought with incredible patience: Either 
 Monfieur dtt Rofne^ or the Count himfelf, continually overfeeing the Works, and with 
 words, promifes and gifts, haftening the peifedting of them i fo that upon the firft of 
 September, two very large Trenches were brought to the edge of the Moat, between 
 the Baftion de Robert, and a Raveline in the midft of the Courtine. It is evident, that 
 if the befieged had, with Sallies and Counterbatteries molefted their Works, they 
 mufi; needs have approached with extream difficulty, and perchance without fruit at 
 laft i but it was well known, that Monfieur de Balagny^ either had lofl his courage, or 
 had not much experience j for, during the (pace of ten dayes, that the Works of the 
 Spaniards lafted, the Defendants continually lay idle, without moleliing them in any 
 kind i and the young Duke of Rbetehis^ who , by reafon of the tendcrnefs of his 
 years, referred himfelf to the difcipline of others, though hefaid,and laboured very 
 much, could not, or had not credit, to move the reft to do any thing ■■, in fo much,that 
 even the very day the Trenches were opened, there would have been nothing done, if 
 he himfelf levelling a Culverin, had not given fire luckily againfl the Enemy > for it 
 fhot into the very mouth of their Trench i by which example, his Gentlemen excited 
 more than many others, fhot many pieces of Cannon, and did fbme harm to the bc- 
 fiegers. 
 
 But the day following Monfieur </e T/'c came in opportunely, a man of great credit 
 
 and long experience, who having happily avoided all the Ambafhes laid by Landria- 
 
 kk witb'great ""■: S^t near the City, upon the fecond o( September in the morning, with all his men on 
 
 difficuiyen- Horfeback, and becaufe the guardsof the Infantry were but thin, and few, he pafTed 
 
 into rl^ir^." between Fort and Fort, without receiving any harm by the Artillery that plaid on all 
 
 fides, and got, without any lofs, near the Walls of the City, not far diftant from the 
 
 edge of the Moat > but when he believed he had efcaped all dangers, he faw himfelf 
 
 unexpeftcdly charged in the Rere by a Body of Italian Horfe, which led by Carlo Vif- 
 
 conte, was advanced full gallop towards him i fo that to avoid that imminent danger , 
 
 fince already, all the reft of the Cavalry were at his back , he prefently caufed 
 
 all his men to alight , atid leave their Horfes a prey unto the enemy, who, while 
 
 they were greedily bufied in catching them, afforded them fo much time, that he with 
 
 moft part of his men got into the Moaf, whither, though the Spaniards advanced 
 
 couragioudy, yet they could neither hurt him, nor hinder him, Caftera long skirmifh, 
 
 and an infinite number of Cannon fhot) from coming fafe into the Town. His prefence 
 
 feemed to put heart and fpirit into the Defendants ; for the fame night, the Soldiers flri- 
 
 ving who fhould work fafteft,two Platforms were raifed, behind the Courtine that was 
 
 plaid upon by the Enemy, and a Cavalier at the Gorge of the Eaflion de Robert, in which 
 
 places many pieces of Artillery were planted, and they made a furious Counter-battery 
 
 ^ith fo much violence, and fo much harm to the befiegers, that having lamed their 
 
 Artillery, and difmounted them, broken the Carriages, and beaten the Gabions all in 
 
 pieces, the Spaniards were three dayes without being able to do any thing of 
 
 ^"if°h ^^^ againft the Town : At the fame time he caufed two Mines to be made, 
 
 wftjch being profperoufly brought under the principal Battery , blew it up 
 
 into-
 
 of France. The Fifteenth "Boof^ 689 
 
 into the Air, and buried five pieces, overturning and difordering all the reft. Nor did I5P5. 
 he ccafe in the mean time, opportunely to make fomc Sallies, though the great number 
 of places which were neceffarily to be kept guarded, would not allow them to be fre- 
 quent or numerous. 
 
 Again ft fo gallant a defence, Colonel la Berlotte who had the principal charge of the 
 ficge, approached more under favour of Gabions than Trenches, though with the lofs 
 of many Souldiers , till he came to pierce the Counterfcarpi but it proved fo high, 
 that it was neceflary to make ufe of Ladders to go down into the Moat, which ap- 
 peared wonderful dangerous , for the Flank of the Baftion de Robert, and a Cafamat 
 (made about that time in the Moat) plaid openly on both fides upon whofoever dared 
 to come unto the Ladders, wherefore it was neceflary to raife a battery of five Culve- 
 rins, which thundred againft the flank of the Baftion de Robert ■■> and at the Cafamat 
 they fought defperately four days together , with an innumerable company of Fire- 
 works, to make themfelves Mafters of it. But to take the Cafamat by reafon of the 
 valour of the defendents, proved exceeding difficult ■■, and in the Flank by the Baftion, 
 Monfieur de Vic had caufed five pieces of Cannon to be planted fo low, that no vio- 
 lence was fufficient to hinder them from doing mifchief, wherefore the Commanders 
 refolved to remove the battery to a lower place, clofe to the Porte des SeUcs, where the 
 whole Camp working with infinite cagernefs, in two days time they planted two and 
 twenty pieces of Cannon, which plaid upon the Curtine, and upon the Flank fix great 
 Culverins, v;hich difcurtining the Flank of the Baftion de Robert made it very dange- 
 rous for the defendents to ftay and make good that plact. Almoft at the fame time 
 Colonel de Is Berlotte with two other Trenches, made his approaches fo far, that ha- 
 ving under covert pafled through to the Cafamat, he forced the befieged to quit it i fo 
 the Moat remaining free, the Artillery began to play, and the Army to fet it felf in or- 
 der, to give the aflault. 
 
 It troubled the Conde de Fuentei to hear that the Duke of Mevers ftaying at Yeronne^ 
 had gotten together above Four thoufand Foot, and between Seven and eight hundred 
 Horfe, wherewith he thought he would without all queftion hazard himfelf to relieve 
 the City, in which he had fo great a pledge as his own Son.v wherefore having with 
 marvellous diligence made all the Avenues to be cut off, and blocked up, he caufed 
 another great Fort to be raifed at the mouth of the High-way, in which he put GiJioHS 
 SpimU with one thoufand Foot, and all the Army was with admirable order difpofed 
 in fuch manner, that ftanding all to their Arms at every little ftir , the whole Plain 
 was on all fides filled vvith Forts and Squadrons, each between the other, which. 
 Flanked vvith the Troops of Horfe, and vvith field pieces in their Front, made it moft 
 difficult to get through the Town , without very great danger , or without coming 
 prefently to a Battel. But want of money troubled the Count no lefs than this, for 
 the neighbouring Provinces much forwarder to promife , than able to perform , had 
 been able to raife but half the money they had prornifed, whereof he had been fain to 
 fpend a great part in fatisfying the Souldiers that had mutinied at Liramont, to the end 
 that being quieted they might come to reinforce the Army i wherefore the provifions , 
 of Spain proceeding with the wonted delays, the Count was reduced into very great 
 perplexity how to maintain his Army , which being all imployed either in the ap- 
 proaches, or guard of the Forts, could not inlarge it felf to live upon the Country, 
 though the feafon of the year , and the fields full of fruits, were very favourable for 
 the fuftenance both of men and horfes : To thefe refpeds was added, the difficulty of 
 thefiege, which Cby reafon of the ftrcngth of the City, the number and valour of the 
 defendents, and the prudence and diligence of Monfieur de Vic) proved fo hard and 
 dangerous, that many counfelled to raife the Camp without lofing themfelves upon 
 an impoftible enterprize , and not ftay for the King of France his coming, who being 
 vidorious in Boitrgongne, was already known to be moving towards Picardy. 
 
 But in the midft of thefe difiiculties there arofe new untbought-of accidents : The 
 people oi^ Cambray accuftomed to live under the pleafing Government of the Archbi- 
 fliops, had impatiently brook'd the Pxule of the Marefchal de B.'lagny, and their dif- 
 dain and heart-burning had increafed fo much the more after the King of France, de- 
 priving the Crown of the Dominion it had over it, had granted it in Fee to Balagny, 
 whofe haughty covetous mind did very much augment the difcontents of the Citizens. 
 To this evil was added the infupportable nature of Madam de Balagny the Marefchals 
 Wife, who being partaker in the Inveftment, did not only turn and govern her Huf- 
 
 T 1 1 1 baud
 
 6()o 
 
 The H'tjlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 »5?5- 
 
 The Sieui it 
 
 etfliiy, "i"' 
 copper-money 
 
 TheCitizent 
 rifing in an 
 uproar, make 
 tnemfelvts 
 Matters of a 
 gate, anJ fend 
 their Deputies 
 to capitulate 
 with il^e 
 Count di in- 
 tales. 
 
 The Citizens 
 open the pates 
 and receive 
 their Deputies 
 with the Capi- 
 tulations, and 
 the Spaniards 
 are btought 
 into Cinlrra}. 
 
 band as fhe pkafed , but with extortions, rapines, womanifii taunts, and extream ill- 
 ufaee had brought the City into a general defperation : wherefore when the Spanifh 
 Camp began to hover in thofe quarters, the people under colour of fending to demand 
 leliei from the King, had difpatched unto him two of their moft noted Citizens, who 
 propounded , that if the King would take away the Dominion of the City from Ba- 
 lasn\ and incorporate it into the Crown of France , they at their own charge would 
 pfy thcGarifon, and defend and maintain it againft the fiege of the Spaniards, fo that 
 the King fliould be put to no manner of trouble nor expence at all i which requeft ha- 
 ving been rejeded by means of Madam Gahriele , infinitely beloved and favoured by 
 the- King, they were returned, and by putting the bufinefs in defpair, had abfolutely 
 ftirred up and enraged the peofle. When men were thus ill-afFe<9:ed, theheceirity of 
 the Siege came upon them , in which Monfieur de Balagny being utterly without mo- 
 ney, found a way to coin certain pieces of Copper, commanding by a publick Procla- 
 mation, that every one (hould receive them without difpute, thev being afterward to 
 be changed, when the City was freed from the prefent fiege •> but many being 'very- 
 backward to take that money, fas well becaufe they knew not what the event of the 
 fiege would be, as becaufe they trufted little to the faith of BaUgny) were the caufe 
 that he and his Wife ufed many violent ways to make their Decree be obeyed i by 
 which, the people exafperated, took their opportunity when (the breach being made> 
 all the Souldiers were diip fed in feveral places upon the wall , and rifing tumultu- 
 oufly in arms , made themfelves Mafters firft of the Market-place , kept by a Main- 
 guard of two hundred Switzers, and then of the Vorte de S. Sepulchre, which as fur- 
 theft from danger, was leaft guarded , and then difpatched two of the principal Citi- 
 zens to treat of furrendering upon certain Conditions : Thefe happening into the Squa- 
 dron of the Prince of Aveliim, were fent by him to the Conde de Fuentes, who being 
 affured by the Prince that the Citizens had indeed made themfelves Malkrs of the 
 forte de S. Sepulchre , commanded the Battery to ceafe , and applied himfelf to treat 
 with the Deputies. 
 
 In the mean time Monfieur de Vic having heard the noife, was come into the Market- 
 place, ftriving to appeafe the tumult, and quiet the Citizens with efFed^ual perfwafi- 
 ons , fince that by force they could not be compelled . being very many in number, 
 fierce in courage, well armed, and, which imported more, not only Mafters already 
 of all the ftreets, but alfo of a gate, whereby they might let in the Spanifli Army at 
 their pleafure : but his words did no good at all, fo that accommodating himfelf to 
 the necellity of time, he exhorted them to treat warily with the Spaniards, and to fe- 
 cure their bufinefs well, left they fhould run into the precipice of being facked, as it 
 often ufes to happen to thofe who flacken their defence, while they treat of compofi- 
 tion. This he faid, and perfwaded the people, becaufe he defired to prolong the time, 
 that in the interim he might withdraw his Souldiers into the Cittadel. After him came 
 Madam de Bala^ny, who with a manly fpirit made a long difcourfe unto the people : 
 but her prefence did rather ftir up than appeafe the tumult i infomuch, that fcarce 
 were the Souldiers gotten into the Cittadel, when the people began to open the gate 
 they had got into their power. The Deputies a; the fame time came in with the Ca- 
 pitulations fubfcribed by the Conde Fuentes.^ which in fubftance contained , That the 
 City (hould be freed from plunder, and fhould have a general pardon for all things 
 paft i That the Citizens fhould enjoy their ancient Priviledges, and remain under the 
 obedience of the Archbiftiop, as they were wont to be before i which Articles being ac- 
 cepted by the people, Gajhne Spinola and Count Giovan Giacopo Belgiojojo entered with- 
 out delay into the City with three hundred Horfe, and after them AgojHno Meffia with 
 the Spanifti Foot, and without any tumult or lofs to the Inhabitants , poffefled them- 
 felves of the place. The fame night entred the Archbifliop with the Conde de Fuentes, 
 and were received with marvellous joy by the Citizens, who were glad after the fpace 
 of fo many years to fee themfelves free from the vexation of an infolent power, and 
 to return to their old manner of Government. 
 
 In the mean time the French were retired into the Cittadel, with a refolution to de- 
 end it a long time •, but they prefently perceived the impoifibility of their defign i for 
 "aving opened the Magazines of Corn, and other Victual, they fcarce found where- 
 withal to fubfift two days; This unthought-of defed proceeded from Madam de Ba- 
 t^t^' ^^°^° lefs imprudent than covetous, had (unknown to her Husband) fold all 
 was in the publick Store i fg that the Count de Fuemes having fent to fummon 
 
 the
 
 of France* The Fifteenth 'BooL 
 
 6gi 
 
 the Defendents to yield before the Artillery were planted, they feeing they cqtJltJ not 
 fuftain themfelves, did to the wonder of every one that knew not the caufe, and to 
 the amaicmentof the Count himfelf, accept the propofition of furrendring upon certaia 
 Articles that were demanded by them i which the Count fhewing to bear refpedl to 
 the youth of the Duke of Khetelois, and to the valour and reputation of Monfieur 
 de Vic ; but indeed, that he might not make the obtaining of the Caftle more difficult 
 to himfelf, did very largely grant them. 
 
 The Conditions were , That the Cittadel fiiould be configned into the hands of the 
 Count de Fuentes^ with all the Artillery and Ammunition of War i and that on the 
 other (ide, he (hould be obliged to caufe the Caftle of Clery^ taken by his men a while 
 before, to be difmantled within fix days i that the Duke of Rheteloii, the Marefchal 
 de Baljguy, Monfieur de Vic, and all the other Lords, Commanders, Gentlemen and 
 Souldiersof what Nation foe ver, might march out in rank and file, their Cornets and 
 Colours flying. Match lighted, and Bullet in mouth, and that to that end, thofe Co- 
 lours {hould be reftored unto them, that had been left in the City, and that they might 
 march on their way, with Trumpets founding and Drums beating: that the Arms, 
 Horfes, and Baggage belonging to Souldiers, which had been left in the Town, fliould 
 be reftored ■■, and if any thing were wanting, the value of it ftiould be paid at that price 
 ■which (hould be agreed upon by Monfieur dn Kofne, and Colonel Mefm on the one part, 
 and the Sieurs de Vic and de Buy on the other i that like wife Madam deBalaguy, with 
 all the other women, the fick and wounded men. Courtiers, and fervants of any per- 
 fon whatfoever might go forth freely i that the prifoners fiiould be freed without ran- 
 fom V that Monfieur de Balagny's debts, whether about the money, or any other occa- 
 fion, ftiould be remitted , neither (hould he be molefted, or his baggage feized on for 
 them i that all that the faid Marefchal, his Wife, Sons, Captains, Officers and Ser- 
 vants had done in times paft, fliould be forgiven and forgotten, neither (hould any of 
 them be therefore queftioned, either by the Catholick King, or the Citizens of Cam- 
 bray. 
 
 Thefe Conditions were concluded upon the feventh of O^ober, and were executed 
 the ninth, which day all went forth in the manner determined^ marching towards Pe- 
 .ronne\ only Madam deBalagny, (being defperate no lefs becaufe (he was to leave the 
 Principality, than becaufe of her own improvidence, by reafon whereof they were ne- 
 ce(fitated to yield the CittadeU out of angui(h and afflidion of mind, fell grievaufly 
 fick, and not only refufing to take medicines, but alfo even all kinds of nourifliment, 
 died miferably before thd time of their marching out was come. 
 
 The Count de Fuentes having fo fortunately obtained fo many and Co fignal Victo- 
 ries, whereby his Name refbunded with infinite fame , feeing his men were tired, and 
 out of order, by their paft toils and fufferings, and finding himfelf in exceeding great 
 (traits for money to fatisfie the arrears of their pay, refolved to di(rolve his Army, and 
 draw it into feveral quarters i fo much the rather, becaufe the fea(bn was near to the 
 Ufual rains of Aittumn, and becaufe the King of France was expedred in Ficardy with 
 a vidtorious Army v wherefore having put five hundred Spani(h Foot into the Cittadel 
 of Cambray, under the command oi AgojUno Meffja, znd having left two thoufand Ger- 
 man Foot to defend the Town, he gave the Archbi(hop liberty to govern the City, in 
 the fame manner he was wont to do, before it came into the power of the Duke of 
 Alancon > and having divided his Foot into the Towns of Artois, Heynatdt, and Flan~ 
 ders, he went to the City oCBruxels, at fuch time when the King of France was come 
 with the greateft fpeed he could poUibly to Compeign, being exceedingly afflided at the 
 fufferings of his party, for which not only that whole Province was fad and grieved, 
 but even the very City of Parit was full of fear and terrour, feeing the Spaniards run 
 on vidtorious in a Country fo near it. 
 
 Thefe were the Progre(res of War between the French and the Spaniards upon the 
 confines of Flanders i but they were no lefs prosperous this year i for the fame party 
 in the Province of Bretaign , though they were ftill managed under the name of the 
 League j for the Duke de Mercxur (though there was no very good correfpondence be* 
 twceahim and the Spaniards v yet making ufe of their (helter, in things which were 
 of common intereft, and holding the principal places of the Province, and the major 
 part of the Nobility of the Country at his devotion) hindred all the proceedings of 
 the Marefchal d'' Attmont , and Monfieur de St. Luc, who commanded on the Kings 
 ilde > and though for the moft part, they fpent their time in incurfions, and adions 
 
 Tttt 3 of 
 
 1 5? 5- 
 
 The Count Ji 
 Futnifs having 
 put the Go- 
 vernmtnt of 
 CimiriJ into 
 the Archbi- 
 fliopt hands, 
 leaves Picurdy, 
 and goes to 
 BruxdS'
 
 ^^2 r/j^ Htftory of the Civil JVars 
 
 t Ko <. of fmall moment, wherein fortune often varied, yet the furn of affairs inclined ftill in 
 favour of the Duke infomuch that he had m a manner reduced all the Province into 
 Th.M,«r. iiis power i which was the more eafily effeded by him, becaufe the Marefc'iial d' An- 
 ''"'''' "kTicJ mont while he fruitlelly bufied himfelf about the fiege of the Caftle ot Compr ^ a 
 withrMus- wond'erous flrong place, was wounded under the left Elbow with a Musket fhot, 
 •"' "'°^- .which broke both the Bones, whereof he died within a while after. Wherefore Mon- 
 fieur de St. Luc, who fucceeded him in that command, though a Cavalier of exceeding 
 great valour, yet neither by the authority of his perfon, nor by the dignity of his charge, 
 could he equal the reputation wherewith the Marefchal upheld the precipitate declining 
 of affairs ; to which was added, that the King having conferred the dignity of Maref- 
 chal upon Monfieur de Lavardin, which St. Luc expeded (hould have been conferred 
 upon him, he was afterward by difcontent of mind, much cooled, and taken off from 
 a<aion ; Co that it wa<: neceffary for the King to call him to him, and give him hopes 
 of rifing to thofe honours which feemed due u. to his merit , by which changes, the 
 affairs of War, on that fide, went on but with fmall fuccefs. 
 
 But if the affairs of the League feemed fomething profpdrous in Bretagne, the ad verfe- 
 nefs of them in Dauphiny ^ reduced the ftate of it to utter ruine. The Duke of tie- 
 mours held in that Province , the City 'of Vieme^ whither he had retired after the loft 
 of Lyojts, and having well fortified the Town with the Caftlc of fipet, near unto it, 
 and furnifhed them with French Horfe, &nd Italian Foot, he did continually infeft the 
 Country about Lyons , obftrudting the wiys , and interrupting the commerce, which 
 that Merchant-City hath wich the Neighbouring Provinces i fo that by his tiercenefs 
 and diligence, he put all the Country of Lyons into fuch fear, that from the beginning 
 of the year, they had begged of the King to fend them fuch relief as might be fuffici- 
 ent to free them from thofe ftreights to which they were reduced. But the King bu- 
 Duke'ofwf- fi^'^ i" the affairs of BotirgoKgne, gave order to the Duke oi Montmorancy, (whom he 
 w««riwhoup- had already declared Conllablej that he fhould go down from Languedoc, and alTift 
 Lcalue'in ^^^ City of Lj/oM/ againft the Duktoi Nemours, which he preparing to do, Nemuuri 
 £>3Kphmr,i;oes knowing he was unable to refift, and hold out of himfelf, refolved to make his ad- 
 'munloti dreffes to the Duke of Savoy, and to the Conftable of Cajme for fupplies, for the faci- 
 fuppiics.co- litating whereof, he determined to go perfonally to litrin and Milan, leaving the Sieur* 
 Mi'his^Lieu- de Dipmieux, a Colonel of Foot, and a near Confident of his, to govern his Forces and 
 tcra,.- Jciivets jj^g Town of Vknne : But the High Conflable Montmorancy, coming much fooner than 
 i'c'^VnVd.7 the Duke believed, united his Forces, with thofe oi Alfonfo Cerfo, and fiercely made 
 ^"^Im^""^' ^^"^ againft his party. Whereupon Vifemieux, either following the inclination of 
 wheleu'pon he Fortune, (as moft men are wont to ao) or not thinking his Itrength fufficicnt to make 
 dVptfvcdo/lii refiftance, agreed underhand to deliver Up Vknne unto the Conftable i provided, the 
 rctrrar' in He- Dukc of Nemours his Forces might be fuflfcred to march away without moleftation, and 
 S'tiddits'!'''''' retire into ^^TOj/i and to the end the^defign might be ^he more eafily effe(fted, and not 
 be oppofed by the Captains of the Garifon, or Officers of the Town, he fecretly gave 
 the Caftle of Pipet into the hands oiAlfofifo Corfi; and then having unexpededly fent for 
 the Conftableto one of the Town-gates, which was guarded by thofe he trufted, he 
 at the fame time let the Captains of the Garifon know, that the Enemy was. at the 
 Gates, that he had delivered up the Caftle, and had made an agreement to admit him 
 into the Town, upon condition that they itiight march fafe away : Wherefore they be- 
 ing confounded and affrighted at a thing never thought on before , but much more at 
 the urgency of the bufineft , fince the Conftable was already received in at the Gate, 
 accepted of the fafe condudt, without contradidion, and retired unmolefted to the 
 confines of the Duke of iS'jz'o)'. All the other Towns followed the example of Vknne y 
 infomuch, that the Duke of Nemours returning out of Italy, found not any place, where 
 he could Hay ; wherefore going to Anicy, a Town of his own Patrimony, he was Co 
 oppreffed .with defpair, that he fell into a grievdus fickndfs, which brought him to his 
 end in the Autumn of this year. ' 
 
 Thus the whole Province oCDauphine being reduced unto the Rings obedience, 
 there remained only .the War which }^onC\tm Les Digukres CpalTing the Alps> had 
 carried into Tkdmont, which though it varied wi^hdiverfity of effeifts, and with fre- 
 quent valiant encountets, which by the difficulty bfplaces where they happened, viexc 
 lendred more (harp and bloody i yet in the main it prpved of very gteat datnage to the 
 Duke of Savoy, whdfe Country was the feat of tHie War, ' 
 
 ' ^ Nor
 
 of France. The Fifteenth 'BooL 
 
 693 
 
 Nor were the affairs of the League more profperous in Gafco^ne and Languedoc 5 
 for though the T>uVioi Joyeufe fvvho after his Brothers death had left the Cloifterof 
 Capuchins, and put on arms to fuftain the weight of that GovernmentJ laboured to 
 keep the Nobility united , under pretence of expedting what would be determined at 
 'Rome s yet many of them weary of the War, and deje<fted by (b many adverfities of 
 their party, came in daily to acknowledge the Kingi and the Parliament o^Tholoufe 
 ■Was fo divided, that part of the Counfellors declaring for the King, went forth of the 
 City, and retired to Chajhau Sarrazht, where being fuccoured by the Duke of Vanta- 
 dom\ the Con/table's Lieutenant in the Government of Languedoc^ and by the Maref- 
 chal de Mnignon Governour oiGuienne, the War was fiercely kindled : but fortune and 
 the will of men inclining already to favour the King's affairs, firft the Town of Kho^ 
 dez came in , with many Caftles and Towns depending upon it i and then Narbonne 
 and Carcaffome^ principal places for the League, making a tumult, yielded themfelves •, 
 fo that the Duke of Joyeufe was as it were (hut within the walls of Tholoufe^ and kept 
 himfelfup with nothing elfe but the meer hope of the Accommodation which was 
 clofely treated by Prefident Jeamin for the whole League •, for the Duke of Mayenne 
 who for that purpofe was come to Chahtt, after the King's Abfolution was publifhed, 
 (which to the exceeding great prejudice of his own affairs , he had refolvcd by all 
 means to ftay for; that he might (hew the end of his defigns had been barely refpedl 
 of Religion ■■, and that therefore he had never been withdrawn from the Pope's obedi- 
 ence by any adverfity whatfocver i being now freed from that impediment, clofed up 
 the Treaty of Agreement , in which , as Head of the Party, he referved an entrance 
 for all thofe that would follow him. 
 
 In the Treaty of this Accommodation there arofe two wondrous great difficulties, 
 which were very hjrd to be overcome i one, the great fum of the debts contradted by 
 the Duke of Mayeiinf, not only in many places, and with many Merchants of the King- 
 dom of France, but alfo with the Switzers, Germans, and Lorainers, for the railing 
 of Souldiers ■■> for the Duke of M.iyenne (landing upon it to have them paid by the 
 King, and he at that prefent not having money to fatisfie them, it was very difficult to 
 find a mean in that bufinefs : the Duke being refolvcd that his eltate (liould not be ly- 
 able to the payment i and on the other fide, the Creditors neither confenting to trans- 
 fer nor defer what they had trufted , but, would have fatisfadlion in ready money; 
 The other difficulty was the commemoration of the late King's death j for all the 
 Decrees and Agreements made in favour ol thofe of the League, who were returned 
 unto the Kings obedience , having (till contained pardon and forgivencfs of all paft 
 offences, except the death of Henry the Third, (which had always with exprcfs words 
 been diftinguilhed and excepted :j The Duke of A/jji^/zze would have fuch a kind of 
 mean found out, whereby on the one fide he might not appear to have been the Au- 
 thor of it i and on the other, he might not be fubjeft to the Inquiiitiori which might 
 be made concerning that bufinefs for the future, left under that pretence occafion 
 might be taken fome time or other to revenge pa(t injuries. It was exfreamly dif- 
 ficult to untie this knot i for not only the King, thought it very hard to let pafs into 
 oblivion fo hainous a fadt, and pernicious an example of attempting againft the per- 
 fons of Kings , but alfo the Parliament would not fuffer it, and, it was moft certain, 
 the Queen Dowager, who often had demanded juffice, would oppofe it. 
 
 Thefe two difficulties hindered the concluding of the Accommodation in Bonrgottgne ^ 
 and the King being necetfitated to go fpeedily into Tkardy^ had taken Prefident Je- 
 tf««i« with him to continue the Treaty i but nothing at all having been concluded in 
 the journey, much lefs could it be done when they were come to Par'n i for the affairs 
 of the War with the Spaniards were brought into fo great danger , that the King and 
 all his Minifters were taken up and afflidted both in mind and body : wherefore the 
 Prefident was fain to follow the Army into Picardy, whither the King marched with 
 an intent to relieve the City of Cambray i but the fpeedy vidory of the Spaniards ha- 
 ving taken away the necelfity of relief, the King being come to Fol-amhray^ (a houfe 
 of pleafure built by King FrancU the Fir(t for a hunting-featj called all his Council to 
 him, that the things appertaining to the peace with the Duke of M^)'f««e might with 
 maturity be difcuffed and determined. After much treating and much debating, ob- 
 ftacles and oppofitions arifing in all things, it feemed molt expedient to fend for the 
 proofs and inquifitions that had been made by the Parliament touching the' Kings death, 
 and alfo foi fome of the Prefidents and Councellois of that Court, to fee what clear- 
 
 I5p^ 
 
 The Uuke of 
 J'-'t-uft who 
 formerly 
 turned Capu- 
 chin for his 
 wife) deatl), 
 now upon oc. 
 cafion of his 
 brothers death 
 leaves [be 
 Cloiftet) and 
 takes arms foj 
 the League. 
 
 DifficHhies 
 that interpofed 
 themfelves in 
 the fetling of 
 the Accommo- 
 dation with 
 the Duke of 
 
 The Kinj be- 
 ing come to 
 Fi>!-ambrey, 
 confults long 
 about matcett 
 coneernint; 
 the AgrecmenS 
 with the Duke 
 of Ma)»>i!tt, 
 
 I
 
 694 ^'^^ ^^^^^-^ ^f ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ 
 
 r I. , . :„ fl^prr. and that they might determine which way was the beft to 
 ,55,5. nefs there ^f '"jf. ^"J'/.ha bulineft. The Writings being feen , and the matter 
 r S^tn SSthl h feme Jigns appeared diverfly againft divers perfons yet 
 5^H fhere not appear any fuch thing as was fufficient to determine the proceeding 
 f^inft anv bod^i and though neither the Queen Dowager as Plaintiff had ye? 
 hTmeht in the particulars of her accufation, nor the Parliament had dived very far into 
 the difcullion and inquiry into that bufinefs i yet it was thought, the not appearing, at 
 that prefent, that the Duke of Uayeme or any of his were guilty of that h&, might 
 f ve for a pretence of finding out a mean to fatisfie his honour, and likewife free him 
 from the danger of future inquifition. Wherefore it having been many days confultcd 
 of between the High Chancellour, the firft Prefident Harlay, the Sieur de Vihrny, the 
 Count de Schombergb, and Prefident Jeamin, they at laft determined. That in the De- 
 cree which the King was to caufe to be publifhed , and regiftred in the Parliament, 
 there fliould be a claufe inferted, which in fubftance ftiould Contain, That the King 
 having caufed tlie Procefs made upon the death of the late King to be viewer! in the 
 prefence of himfelf, the Princes of the Blood, and the Officers of the Crown in Coun- 
 cil, there had not been any token found againft the Duke of Mayettne, nor againft any 
 other Prince or Princefs of his Blood i and that having been defirous for the greater 
 certainty, to hear what they alledged about it , they had fworn that they had not any 
 The Duke ef gpy knowledge of, nor participation in that crimen and that if they had known it, 
 thTpZte, they would have oppofed the execution of it : Wherefore he did declare , that the 
 bi's^AdhVremi Duke of MayeHHi , and all the other Princes and Princeffes his Adherents were inno- 
 aredcciareT' cent of that faft i and therefore he prohibited his Atturney-General to urge at any time 
 d"a"h of«m! that they ftiould be proceeded againft , and likewife forbad the Court of Parliament, 
 4he Third. and all other Officers and Lawyers , to make any inquifition about it. 
 
 The difficulty concerning the payment of debts was alfo taken away : for the King 
 promifed fecretly to disburfe unto the Duke oi Mayenne Four hundred and twenty thou- 
 fand Crowns for the payment of his debts contracted to particular perfonsi and as for 
 the debt of the Leavies, the King freed the Duke of Mayeme from it , conftituting 
 himfelf Pay-mafter for him , and transferring the debt upon the Crown, forbidding 
 the Duke or his eftate to be molefted for that occafion It was likewife eftabliffied, 
 though not without difpute, that peace (hould be made with the Duke of Mayenne, as 
 Head of his Party i which the King had refufcd, by reafon of the multitude of thofe 
 that were feverally come in to his obedience i and chiefly in refped of Parif, and the 
 other principal Cities : And the Duke of Mayeme for his own honour, and the repu- 
 tation of his agreement, flood obftinately for it. 
 
 The TubRance xhe King granted three places to the Duke of Mayenne for his fecurity, which 
 mcnt wkh"k'e were SoiffoHs, Cbalon^ and Seure, the Dominion of which be was to hold for the fpace 
 uukt of M.-ty of fix years, and after the faid term to reftore them. He confirmed all the Collations 
 of Offices and Benefices that had been vacant by death during his Government, pro- 
 vided the Poffeffors (hould take new Patents for them under the Kings Broad- Seal. 
 He made a Decree of oblivion and filence of all things paft, intelligences with Foreign 
 Princes, raifing of Moneys, exadtions of Taxes, impofitions of Payments, gathering 
 of Armies, demoliffiings or buildings of Cities and Fortrefles, z(ks of Hoftility, kil- 
 lings of Men, and particularly of the MarquiCs de Mertelay, killed by Lieutenrnt Magny 
 at la fere \ and finally, all things done till the end of the War, which he with honou- 
 rable expreffions declared and certified to have been undertaken and continued for the 
 fble refpedt and defence of Religion. He granted him the Government of the Ifle of 
 France^ and the Superintendence of the Finances; and to his Son the Government of 
 ChaloM, feparated and divided from the (upcriority of the Governour of Bourgongne. 
 He comprehended in the Capitulation all thofe that together with him fliould re- 
 onite themfelves under his obedience, and particularly the Duke oi Joyeufe^ theMar- 
 quifs of ViUars and the Sieur de Montpezat , the Duke of Mayemte^s Sons-in-law « 
 Monfieur de /* Eftrange Governour of Puyti, Monfieur de S. Offange Governour of 
 ^ocheforte, the Sieur du Plejjii Governour of Craon, and the Sieur de la Severie Go- 
 ■^ernour of Ganache. He fufpended the Sentences and Judgments paft againft the 
 Duke of MercxitT and againft the Duke of Aumale^ till it were known whether they 
 would be comprehended in the Accommodation > granting to every one (befides the 
 oblivion of what was paft, and the full enjoying of their Eflates, Offices, and Dig- 
 nities^
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo{. 
 
 695 
 
 niiies) leave within fix weeks time to come into the Capitulation, and adhere unto the 
 peace. 
 
 Within thefe principal Conditions, and nnany other leflfer ones, the Duke of May- 
 enne concluded the Agreement i but there was enough to do to get this Decree accept- 
 ed in the Parliament of Paris ■■, for though the King with his own mouth forbad the 
 Queen- Dowagers Minifters to oppofe the publication of it, yet was there notwith- 
 fianding as great an obllacle and oppofition : for Diana de Valois Dutchefs of Ang^on- 
 lefm-^ and Balhrd- Sifter to the late King, appearing perfbnally in the Parliament, pre- 
 fented a Petition written and fubfcribed with her own hand, whereby contradidiing 
 the confirmation of the Decree, (he urged to have them proceed in the Inqueft about 
 the Kings death : whereupon mofi of the Counfellors being ftirred up , becaufe the 
 major part of their Fathers had either been created by that King, or highly offended by 
 the.Lcague,the acceptation of the Decree could not be obtained •, and yet the King with 
 very vehement Letters reprehended the Parhament, and declared that the publick peace 
 and fdfety requiring that the Decree fhould be regillred, his will and command was 
 that it fliould be accepted. Yet neither by this were the Counfellors of the Parlia- 
 ment quieted i but they came to this refolution. That the Decree (hould be publifhed, 
 but with two conditions i one. That it (hould be no prejudice to the right of the Duke 
 of Mlayen>ti''s, Creditors i the other, That he (hould be obliged to come into the Par- 
 liament, and with his own mouth fwear that he had not been any way acccfTary to 
 the tad i that he detefted the murther com.mitted upon the Kings perfon, and pro- 
 mifed nor to fave, protect, or favour any one that in time to come fhould be quefti- 
 oned for it. At which ftubbornnefs the King more than moderately incenfed, with 
 grave refenting words replied, Ibat they Jhoutd take bsedboro they put him to%s trouble 
 of leaving the I'/ar^ /* corns per/nnally into the Parliament ■, T'hat hen>Ji their Ki>i(r^ and that 
 he rpould be obeyed by them. But neither did this protcftation fuffice ■■, for they deter- 
 mined to accept the Decree, but with fuch words as (hould (hew that it was done by- 
 force of the Kings exprcfs command •, which neither pleaiing him nor the Duke of 
 Mayenne^ it was necelfary for the High Chancellour to go to Parhs^ and after a long 
 elfcd-ual demonftrationof theintereflsof the general quiet, caufe the Decree at la ft to 
 be approved, without claufes or conditions. 
 
 The Duke of Meyeme^s example was followed, not only by thofe that were named 
 in the Capitulation, butalfo by the Marquifs of St. Sorlin^ the City and Parliament 
 of IholoHfe, and all the reft which formerly held the partv of the League^ except the 
 Duke ot Aumale^ who having accorded with the Spaniards, and being exafperated 
 by the Sentence publiflied this year by the Parliament, (wherein he had been declared 
 Rebel J would not confent to fubmit himfelf unto the Kings obedience. The Duke 
 oi Mercxur^ though by means of his Silter the CLueen- Dowager, he kept the Treaty 
 of Agreement alive i yet being ftill full of hopes, by the help of the Spaniards, to re- 
 tain the Dutchy of Bretagne, he deferred it, and put off his determination till another 
 time. - '■ 
 
 But in the interim, while the conditions of thefe Accommodations were treated of, 
 and difcufTed in the Council, the King exceedingly afflided for his late misfortune, 
 and follicitous by fome means to repair the lofTes he had received, wherein he feemed 
 to bear a great part of the blame, as well by reafon of his too long ftay at Lyons^ as 
 of the ill-fatisfadtion he had given the Citizens of Cambray'm their requefts, Was ftill 
 contriving in himfelf, and continually confulting with his Commanders, to what en* 
 , terprife he (hould apply himfelf The Duke of Hevers had formerly an intention to 
 alTault one of the places of the County of Artois, belonging to the King of Spaiu^ not 
 only to do the fame mifchief unto his Country, which he had done to the Jurifdidtion 
 of the King of France •, but alfo becaufe he believed that long peace had abafed the 
 courage of that people, and made many of their provilions for defence ufelefs : Where- 
 upon he had exhorted the King, that increafing his Army to the greateft number he 
 could, he (hould unexpe(JJedly fall upon Arrx^ or fome other great City in thofe quar- 
 ters j judging that the CtfWe de Fnentes, troubled with the many mutinies of fevera! 
 Nations, and reduced to extream want of money, would very hardly be able to re- 
 unite his Army time enough to relieve the place that (hould be a(raulted : But after that 
 he being fpent with a tedious indifpolition, departed this life at NeJIe, this intention 
 (which was fet on foot by the reputation of the Author) came to nothing > for the 
 Other Commanders thought it too dangerous an attempt to invade the Bowels of an 
 ; r Enemies 
 
 Difiiciilaes 
 
 and oppofici- 
 onsin the Pat- 
 liament of 
 Tirpsj abouc 
 receivin<; the 
 Decree cf tbe 
 Agrccirent 
 wifth ht Duke 
 of Mtiynnt, 
 
 The Duke of 
 
 i^xm.!.'o incen- 
 fed by having 
 becu declared 
 Rebel, keeps 
 united with 
 the Spaniard;. 
 
 The Duke of 
 Merctrur Bro- 
 ther to the Q; 
 Dow3ger,pcr- 
 iids in his 
 propoficion of 
 keeping Bre- 
 mne to him" 
 fclf. 
 
 the death of 
 X-'ga, Duke 9f
 
 ^Q^ The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ISO";. Enemies Country, where all the Towns are populous and powerful, while by the lofs 
 of fo many places, they were fo much troubled at home, and while the SpaniOi Ga- 
 rifons over-running all parts, kept the M^iole Country in fear and terrour. 
 
 True it is, that of ail the places thaf'were lort , their opinions concurred not fo 
 well in the choice of that which they fhould aflault , as they did in refuling to invade 
 the Enemies Country > for fome held itbeAinthe fame heat of affairs to bcfiegeCaw- 
 bray^ to try to recover it before; the Spaniards had fetled themfelves, by mending the 
 breaches that were lately made ; but the fmallnefs of the Kings Army excluded this 
 opinion, it not being fufticient to begird a City of fo great circuit, exceedingly well 
 fortified with a very ftrong Garifon. Many others counfelled to fall upon DnnrUm^ 
 to take the fame way to ftrcightcn Camhray which the Spaniards had done., but the 
 oppolitions againfl this advice were, the ftrength of the place, and the diligence where- 
 with it was guarded by HernanduleUes Portocarero, who was the Governour of it : So 
 that at laft the opinion that prevailed was that ot the Marefchal de Syron^ and of Mon- 
 fieur de St. Luc, ( who was come to the Camp to execute the Office of General of the 
 Artillery, which was left by Monlieur de U (Jnkhe, to whom the King had given the 
 Government oi Lyont) they counfelled to befiege/<* Fere, a place of chief importance, 
 but fluit up in fuch manner by a Fen that invirons it, that there are but only two ways 
 to come from the field unto the Town: wherefore they dcmonftrated that by block- 
 ing up thofe two Avenues with a Fort upon each of them , the place might with a 
 fmall number of men be fo befiegcd and ftreightncJ, that there being no means to re- 
 lieve it with Vidtual, it might without much difficulty be .taken, not by force, but 
 famine. 
 ofT«?.HJ''' The King refolved to follow this advices and having drawn his Forces together 
 the Kinq ijyi which wctc fcattetcd thorow tlie Province, drew near unto la Fere upon the eighth 
 a'piVc" flro "g <^f November with Five thoufand Foot, and Twelve hundred Horfe, and having taken 
 1,0th by art the Aveiiues, and caufed the people of the Country round about to come in to work, 
 ind njtutc. ^^ .^ ^ ^^^ j^y^ raifed two Forts , each of which being able to hold One thoufand 
 Foot, and conveniently furniflied with Artillery, did totally block up the ways unto 
 the Town i the reft of the Foot in refpedl of the feafon, lay in a great Village upon 
 the edge of the Fen , and the Horfe took up their Quarters in the Villages on the 
 North-fide towards Flanders to hinder relief. Don Alvaro Oforio, an old experienced 
 Souldicr, was in la Fere; For the Vice-Scnefchal de Montelimar, to whom the Duke 
 of Mayenne had intrufted that place, had by little and little given it up unto the Spa- 
 niards, referving only the title of Count de la Fere , and the revenue of the place, 
 with other recompences , which had been liberally given him, firil by the Archduke 
 Fruefi , and then by the Conde de Fueutes. The place abounded in Ammunition of 
 War V for the reliques of all the Catholick Kings Armies which of late years had march- 
 ed into Frj;;cf, had been left there, and the Garifon of Spaniards, Italians and Ger? 
 mans, was not only fufficient, but more than need required for the defence of if, 
 which increafed the want of Vidtual , whereof C there being but fmall provifion in 
 the Town ) the Kings fudden approach had not given the^n time to get in any > 
 wherefore the Forts being raifed , aad the paflages of both ways fnut up on all 
 fides , the Defendents began from the firft days of the fiege to feel great fcarcity of 
 Visual. 
 3l('m ca"di* About this time Albert Cardinal of Aujiria deftined by the Catholick King to the 
 mut ^uflr-a Government of the Provinces of Flanders, was come to Bruxelles, and having received 
 v'tnnuX^'' ^'^'^ AfJminiftration, and the Army from the Co?;<:/e de Fuentes, he began to think how 
 tunitn. he might uphold that degree of profperity and glory, in which his Predeccflbrs in a 
 few months had fetled himfclf with victorious aftions j and becaufe the redoubled let- 
 ters of Don Alvaro from tlie very beginning of the fiege gave notice of the want of 
 Vidual in la Fere, he determined before all things c-lfe, to apply himfclf to the relief 
 of that place i but it was difficult to rcfolve upon, for the Army out of order by the 
 toils and fufferings of the late Summer, was divided into n»ajj^ feveral places, to their 
 VVintcr Quarters, and there for want of pay had made many infurredions, fo that the 
 Italian Cavalry had mutinied afreffi , and turned to feize upon Liramont ■, in another 
 , ^ place Gajhne Spinous Tertiii of Sicilians had done the like, two Tertia's of Spaniards 
 
 laving caft off" their obedience, did likewife quarter themfelves at difcretion in advan- 
 f k"^ r?"^ ' ^"^ ^^^ V^aiioons not openly in Rebellion, did yet deny to ftir out 
 ot thcu Quarters, unlefs they were fully paid i infomuch that before the Merchants 
 
 could
 
 of France. 7he Fifteenth "Boof^ j^j 
 
 could fitisfie the Bills of exchange brought by the Cardinal, and that the Soldiers could i'i9^' 
 be paid and regulated with that mony, much time of neceillty muft be fpent ■■, and 
 therefore there could not be a body of an Army drawn together fufficient for that or 
 any o'her enterprife. To this was added the crofsnefs of the feafon , by reafon of 
 raincs and other incommodities fo contrary, that before better weather it was impof- 
 libl; to thmk ct ftirringwith men, Artillery.and other provifions which War requires > 
 beildes, to enter into an Enemies Country, nay, and to the very center of one of their 
 Provinces, in a time, wlien not only the fields neither afforded fuitenance for men, 
 or horfes, but even the crop of the late harvelt was confun)ed by the ruinous War that 
 iiad been there already, was not a thing to be thought on, by reafon of the difficulty 
 of feeding the Army, and for fear of being reduced to fomc linifter accident, by the 
 diligence of the King o^ France ■, which confiderations feem.ed greater to the Cardi- 
 nal, not accufromed to the dangerous experiments of War i wherefore, after long con- 
 fultation, it was determined in the Counccl, that NicoloBajii, marching with part of 
 the light-horfe into Yicardy^ fliould attempt to put fome quantity of victuals into U 
 Fere, wherewith the befieged might fublift till the favourablencfs of the feafon, 
 and the courfe of affairs in Flanders would afford means to eive them full re- 
 lief. 
 
 With thefe Conn fels ended the year Fifteen hundred ninety five, leaving manyoc- i^p6, 
 cafions of War and bloody encounters kindled for the revolution of the year follow- 
 ing •, in the beginning whereof, the firft event was the recovery oiMarfeiUej^z City and 
 Haven of high confequence, (landing in the County oiPmvence, upon the (hoar of the 
 Mediterranean Sea. The people of thisCitv rich by Trafique of Merchandize, and 
 numerous in inhabitants, hold many privikdges, and injov many important immuni- 
 ties, obtained from the time that they were fubjedl to the Counts of Frovence ; and am- -j-he ci-r of 
 ply confirm'd afterward, when they came under the Doninion of the Kingdom of M.:rft,ut, in 
 Frjnce, among which the moft principal is this , that the Citizens chufe a Conful of '■tI^'Im^I"^ 
 themfclves, who, together with a Lieutenant named by him without other fuffrage, govstn'i by 
 governs the affairs of the Town, keeps the Keys of the Gates, and hath the care of the I'^coi'ffi °an/ 
 defence as well of the City as of the Haven i and this Prerogative, which looks rather i-i'utcnan:. 
 like a kind of liberty, than an intire fubjedtion , the Marfiluns have alwavcs conferv'd 
 with that vivacity, that is proper to their nature and difpofition, not admitting any 
 kind of Garrifon, and governing themfelves with cultoms, fit for a Merchant and Sea- 
 faring life , of which two forts of perfons the inhabitants for the mo(t part con- 
 filr. 
 
 In the beginning, when the firft originals of the League began to fpring up, this 
 City, by the authority of Monfieur (^c/'i«/, and by reafon the Conful and Lieutenant 
 had been gained, took part with that fide i and though by perfwafion of the Countefs 
 de Sjmx, it firfi received the Duke of Savoy^ and then out of jealoufie of their own li- 
 berty excluded him again, within a little while, and though the Count (s^c' CarJ^ and the 
 N'larquifs de ViJIjrs, were often call d for thither, for more fecurity, yet it had ever pre- 
 ferved its own being, and kept free from all forraign fubjedfion. True it is, that ha- ^^^^^ j^^.^ 
 ving from the beginning of the War eledted Charles Cafaut their Conflil, and he ha- by order from 
 ving nominated L '//if !^c'/4;.v. his Lieutenant, men of fubtil natures, and of bold fierce Kin^'^oes"'' 
 difpofitions, they agreed fo well among themfelves, and had fo great authority with the wi-fi"t?n gii- 
 people, that continuing in their Magiltracy for m.any years , without permitting any }^"v"to'^fo. 
 fucceffors to be chofen in their places, they had made themfelves as it were Lords of mtntthecon- 
 the City, and rul'd it their own way > But after the declining of the affairs of the nlKluhv' 
 League put every one upon a ncceility of thinking of himfclf, thefe men knowing them- C"y- 
 felves envied and ill-willed by the major part of the principal Citizens, and being in 
 fear, by reafon of their confcioufnefs of many mifdceds, which they had com^mitted, to 
 keep themfclves in their Government, thought of applying themfelves to the Spanifh 
 party, and held Treaties in that Court, about putting that City into the hands of the 
 Catholick King, which being of fo high importance and conveniency to his Kingdoms, 
 as its greatnefs, ftrength, richnefs, and fituation (hewed it to be, orders were given to 
 Carh D;ri./, that going t'rom G.'';;ci.-<j, into that Port, with ten Gallies well arm'd.and 
 mann'd, under pretence offayling towards ^^-^iw, he (hould favour their power, and 
 attempts, to the end that being back'd with his Forces, they might have the better 
 means dexteroully to draw the people to put themfclves under the Spanifh Signory, 
 which Voria performing with infinite diligence, things went on in fuch amannerjthat 
 
 U uuu the
 
 ^g8 The Hiftory of the Civil Wars 
 
 I cod the Catholick King was not far from obtaining his intent ; and fo much the rather,be- 
 ' caufe this attempt was coloured over with many reafons, for which they pretended 
 the Dominion of the County of Frowwf belonged to the Infanta I/hbeVa.hciides thofc 
 ■ other rights flic had to the Crown of Fr^«of. -^ 
 
 The Kin J of The King of France being jealous, that the leavies ot Spam and Italy, and the great 
 fr4«« mikes preparation of a Fleet which the Catholick King made, tended to this end, and that 
 trthe*PopT the flay which the Conde^e FneHtes and the Duke offalirana (who were gone from 
 cnnccrniniihe y ijndas) made at Geneva, was to overfee that buiinefs, was exceeding much trou- 
 theTranu"tas. bled in minde, becaufe he could not turn that way, and gave Commilfion to Monfieur 
 d' Of It to make complaint about it to the Pope, letting him know, that if he with- 
 Aood not that defign, he (hould be conftrained -by necellity to call the Turkifli Fleet 
 into the Mediterranean Sea for his reliefs which being effedually performed by d' Djjat, 
 the Pope flrudten, and grown pale, cither through fear or anger, made a grave difcourfe 
 a^ainft it : and yet, the Kings Agent fliewing, that if MarfeiHes, and the other Towns 
 of Provence , fliould fall into the hands of the Spaniards , Avignon alfo , and other 
 ' Towns of the Pope's would not be without danger i he promifed to ufe his indea- 
 vours to make that attempt be laid afide. But there being added to the Kings com- 
 plaints, the interpplition of the Venetian and Florentine AmbafTadors, jealous, that a 
 City and Haven of fo great confequence , and that overlooks Italy Co neerly, (hould 
 fall to the augmentation of the Spanifti Monarchy > the Pope having often confulted 
 about this buTinefs, and not finding any provifion againfl it, which he thought fit,took 
 it to be expedient, that the Cardinal of Joyeufe, who was returning into Francefi\o\x\d 
 pafs by Ai.?*/!/'//."/, and in his name ufe convenient mediation to Cjrp«t , and remove 
 liim from his defign i which, though it was diligently executed, produced but fmall 
 cifeft '■> for Cafaitt , a fierce man, and one more ftout than prudent, did not with- 
 draw himfelf for that, from his already eflabliflied appointment i fo that the Veneti- 
 an Senate, and the Grand Duke began to think of fomc more potent remedies to op- 
 pofe that indeavouri nor was the Pope altogether averfe from their intention. But 
 - this flone of fcandal was removed , either by the King's wonted fortune, or by the 
 
 courage and diligence of his Minifters. 
 
 He had newly conferred the Government of that Province upon the Duke ofGttife, 
 and to advance matters towards their proper end, had alfo chofen Monfieur de les Vi- 
 guiercshis Lieutenant, who, though they agreed not very well together, by reafon of 
 the difference of their Religion, and of the antient diverfity of their factions , were 
 yet both ill-affe6led to the Duke ofEfpermn, who, contending that that Government 
 was lawfully his, ufed all his indcavours and utmoft induftry, to put himfelf in the pof- 
 felfion of it, and to drive out , no lefs thofe of the King's party , than thofe that yet 
 held for the League i wherefore the King^ defirous that he fliould, by fome means, be 
 conftrained to quit what he^ already polTeffed there, receiving other Governments in 
 other parts of the Kingdom, had appointed the Duke of Gwfe as his old Emulator , 
 and lesDignieres as an honefl man, but his bitter enemy, to fecure the affairs of Fro- 
 vence. This determination had alfo other ends, and more remote confiderations j for 
 the Duke being newly come into the friendfhipand obedience of the King, with con- 
 dition, to have that Government, to which the Houfe of Loraine had fome pretenfi- 
 cns, by the antient hereditary rights of ^«jo« i the King thought it convenient to 
 alfure himfelf of him, by giving him a Lieutenant of fuch a condition, as not onely was 
 faithful by antient experience, but alfo wary, and refolute to oppofe whatfoever at- 
 tempt the Duke C in (o great a difcord of mens minds, their old enmities not fully laid 
 afide) might perchance contrive. To thefe , another important refped was added, 
 that les Diguieref, and Colonel Alfonjo Corf), refiding both in Vanphine, difagreed, and 
 thwarted one another in the fervice, to the prejudice of common affairs > wherefore the 
 King thought to remove the occafion of that difcord, by fending ler Viguieres into 
 P»-oj.f«cf, and by eledling Colonel Alfonfo Lieutenant to the Prince of Conty , who was 
 newly declared Governor of Vauphhte. 
 
 But though the Duke ot GKi/c- nourifhed fincere thoughts, and no indircdl ends, yr t 
 beingcomeintothe Province, ejthernot being well fatisficd to have a Lieutenant of fo 
 S|.^^^ "edit, and of another Religion i or defiring that, the bufineffes with the Duke 
 o tfpernon fhould pafs under the name, and by the means of les Diguieres, not to put 
 lis own authority and name of Governor in doubt, he had given charge to bis 
 Lieutenant to put the Garrifons out of many Towns, which the Duke of Ffpermn 
 
 held
 
 o/ France. The Fifteenth ^oo^, 6qq 
 
 Duke of Efpinton held in them i and he himfelf going to Aix^ applyed his mind whol- i <^$6. 
 ly to the recovery of Mjrfdlles, as a thing of greater glory and importance, without al- 
 lowing part in that to any body » and though many treaties, held by the means of men 
 banillied out of that City, proved vain and fruitlefs, yet at lafi he gained one Captain 
 Piitro Librrtj^ of Corfica by extradion, but born and bred in MarfeiUes^ who, with fome The Duke of 
 certain Foot, guarded one of the Town-gates i wherefore, fome of the Exiles being ^'"^' f'"" ^^ 
 got unknown into the City, and having fecretly ftirred up the minds of many , who f^mT^^y"" 
 hated the tyranny of Cj/a;<t, and who feared the Dominion of the Spaniard, thev re- J"" t<i^ '"'''- 
 folved, that upon the eighteenth day of Fe^nury, the Duke of G?///> fliould, with a 'clfi-.i, wlV 
 good number of Horfe and Foot, be, about break of day, at a neighbouring Village, lotttblic 
 where, if certain lignes were given him by them of the plot, he fliould draw near to 
 the Porte Koyale, ( a Gate fo called ) to be received in with all his Forces j where- 
 upon, having drawn the men together, which he had in that Province, except thofe of 
 les Diguieres, ( to whom he would not impart any thing of his defign , that he might 
 not fhare in the honor of it, ) he made fliew that he would go and befiege a Town 
 within rive Leagues of Marfdlles ■, and whilft mens minds were amuftd on that fide,he 
 turning his Forces another way, the evening before the day appointed, advanced, with 
 very great filence, toward the City i in which march, though in a very dark, and ex- 
 tream rainy night, and through dirty uneven wayes, he made fo much hafte, that he 
 came in the morning, according to appointment, to certain houfes near unto the 
 Church of St. Julian^ to expedt there till the counterfigns were given him. 
 
 They that were of the plot, doubting that the (trange ill weather might have flayed 
 the Dukes journey, fent fome of their foldiers forth of the gates, to the end, that difco- 
 veringCaccordingto thecuftom) if the coaft were clear round about, they might come 
 to know whether he were arrived or no i Thefe returning back with exceeding great 
 hafte, and faying, they had difcovered armed men, under St. Julian's, were the caufe 
 that Lom'h d' Aix (who was come to the gate a while before j after he had given the 
 Conful notice ofthedifcovery, went out himfelf, with twenty of his moft trully men, 
 to fee whether that were true which the Soldiers related. As foon as he was out of 
 the gate, they of the delign (hut down all the Portcullices i nor was it long before the 
 Conful came, who, while he was queftioning his Soldiers, of what they had reported, 
 was fuddenly fet upon by Fietr^ Liberia, and four of his companions, and being at rirft 
 knock'd down with a great blow of a Partef'jn, was prefently killed by them with their 
 daggers i which being luckily effcdled, and the whole guard willingly following the 
 will of their Captain, theCounterlignes were given by rire to the Duke ofG«//f, who 
 being advanced to draw near unto the Gate, met with Aix the Lieutenant-Governor, 
 and without much difpute routed him fo, that, being wounded, and in a very ill ta- 
 king, he ran back ; where, having found the gate fhut, and poffeffed, he was conrtrain- 
 ed to fave himfelf in the moat, and from thence fcaling the Wall near unto the Ha- 
 ven, got into the utmoll: parts of the City where, calling all his adherents into Arms, 
 together with Fabian Cafaut Son to the Conful , who was already llain , he march- 
 ed up tumultuoufly with above Five hundred armed men, to recover the Gate i but 
 in the mean time, it had been opened, and the Duke of Giufe was entered with his 
 Forces, and on the other fide, the exiles calling the Citizens and common people to 
 liberty, had rais'd the whole Townv wherefore, after that ^'a: and Cjp«* had fought 
 for the fpace of half an hour at the entry of the ftreet that led to the Port- Royal, the 
 tumult ftill increafing every where of thofe that being in Arms cried out Vive le Koy, 
 et Les Fleiirs-delis, they fearing to be catch'd in the midft, retired into the Town- 
 houfe, where, being fiercely prefs'd by the Duke of G«//d', who, among the bullets, 
 ftones, pieces of wood, fire-works , which flew on every fide, fought undauntedly at 
 the head of his men, they being unable to refift, fled fecretly from thence, and crolfing 
 the Haven in a Boat, got one of them into St. A/jr/Vz-Church, and the other into the 
 Convent of St. Viiioir, and their men being left without help, were,in a very little time 
 all cut in pieces. 
 
 The whole City was already run to the Duke of Guife, with white Scarfs j where- 
 upon he not lofing a minutes time, at the fame inftant aflaulted, and with fmall refift- 
 ance poffefled himfelf of the Forts of S. Jehan, and of Cape de More, which are upon 
 the Sea, and from thence began without delay to play his Artillery upon Doria's Gal- 
 lies, which were gotten near the mouth of the Haven : great was the fright and fu- 
 ll u u u 2 mult
 
 „oo The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 iKo6 tri'ik in the Galliesi but Parw, whohad wifely kept himfelf far from the Forts, and 
 ' in the beginning of the uproar had made all his Soldiers imbark, got out happily with- 
 *^"h "'"ke out receiving any harm, and putting out to Sea made away from the City. The Duke 
 Sf^V.^Vak" of Gitife, vidlorious every where, was bufied all that day in taking care, that the 
 'f^'the'ci'"" Town might not be indammaged in the tumult, and having lodg'd his men in the 
 lJ?\xtlo( rnoll principal pofts,made himfelf abfolute Mafter of the City, with fo much the greater 
 S«r'ir'^ facility, bccaufc with his courage in fighting, and prudence in appeafing the uproar, he 
 oorwt Gallics j^gj exceedingly won the affedions of the MarfiUans. Louis d" Aix, and Fabian Ca- 
 outof ihcHj p^^^YxMcd the next after, having articled, that they might go freely to Genoua with 
 their Goods, and that none of their adherents fhould be proceeded againft with more 
 than banifliment •, the City , in this manner , remaining free from their ufurped 
 Dominion , and utterly reduced unto the Kings obedience. The gaining of this 
 place was very feafonable , and of great confequence , being a principal Port of the 
 Mediterranean Sea, and a proper landing place for the commerce of many Nations » 
 and fo much the more feafonable was it at that time, when the Spanifli power had al- 
 ready got footing in itj for, if with the benefit of time, they had fetled themfejves 
 there, it would have been wondrous difficult, by reafon of the neernefs of the Catho- 
 lick Kings other States, to drive them out again. 
 
 In the mean time, while the re-union of the County of Provence is thus profecuted , 
 -the befieged in la Fere were reduced to exceeding great want of vidlual i wherefore 
 2<l/''i)lo Bajii, who was deftined to carry them relief, being come to Voway, was confi- 
 di ;ing with himfelf, which way he (hould manage the bufin.efs , to get (bme quantity 
 of proviilons into the Town > and every refolution feeming difficult, not only becaufe 
 the King's Cavalry , did with very great diligence obftrudt all the wayes, but becaufe 
 the narrow palTages that led to the Town were fo much incumbred by the largentfs of 
 the Forts, that there was no hope of getting part them v and yet neceflity urging,he gave 
 Abaro Ofirio notice, that he fliould keep fome little Boats ready lo come forth of the 
 Town, as foon as the fign was given him, and to draw near the Banks of the Fen, to 
 receive the relief which he would attempt to bring unto that place i which intelligence 
 being happily got into the Town, and the appointment made, he marched from Voway 
 with Six hundred horfe, and came by ni^ht toChajielet^ where he caufed the Gates to 
 be kept lock'd, to the end, that the French might not know any thing of his defign: 
 And having that day providcd,that every one of his men fhould carry a Bag of Meal be- 
 hind him, and a bundle of Match about his neck, ("for they had alfo great want of that 
 in la Fere) he fet forth when it began to grow dark,and having paft the River Somme^ 
 went upon the way of St. ^f«fi«,and leaving that Town upon the right hand, march- 
 ed with fo much diligence, that upon the fixteenth day of March in the morning , he 
 came near the quarters of the Kings Cavalry,who being advertifed by the Sentinels (hoot- 
 Jngs, took the Alarm, and got fpeedily to horfe, believing that fome relief of the enemy 
 mau B.ji;, ^^^ "^^"^ ' but, a thick mift, which, by chance, rofe by break of day, was fo favourable 
 under favor to Ba.ii s defigus, that the Kings Corpes de Gardes^ betaking themfelves to their arms 
 mft* pirt-;s '-'" ^" fides, could not difcover which way the Enemy came \ and while they warily 
 Kn?""'' '*" fiT^eavoured to know and make difcovery, Ba/h', without meeting any body, palTingbc- 
 tcrsfcs'rr^^s twcen the quarter of the Fx-eiters, and that of the Duke of Bouillon, came to the bank of 
 br'fitled o""' f'^fFtn near the current of the River, and having found 0/5™ ready with his Boats to 
 Ftrf.'and^c-' receive the relief, he made the Meal and Match be unladed with great celerity, faced 
 ^"aJ'VhhmiT' ^'^°"^' ^""^ with the fame fpecd, feeing the French and German Cavalry, who at laft 
 the leait lois. having notice of his arrival, had placed themfelves upon the Road of St. Huentin , to 
 hinderhisretreat, betook a contrary way, and falling into that which leads to G«(/?, 
 eame back fortunately to Cambray, without meeting any oppofition. 
 
 This reHef ( in which induftry and fortune were equal fliarers) gained Bafti a won- 
 Thc Kins derful reputation i yet gave but little help to the befieged ; the Meal that was brought 
 c*uJfc'o"f '^^'"S ^^^'^ b"f ^ ''"'e while, by reafon of their great number, and the King, who from 
 Rive//J«' ^^y *° <^3y had new Forces came up to him, ftreightned the fiege more clofely,and ftopt 
 with' "Tri „ l^ ^'' -^^ wayes, which being cut off, and fortified with Banks and Trenches , and 
 to ni»kc MT ^^P^ with ftrong guards of Horfe, left no hope at all of thinking of new relief. But the 
 "'f" ''btir" u^^ ''""8 prolonged by the conrtancy of the Defendants, the King was perfwaded by 
 *<'» w.i"v '"^ reafons of fome of his Engineers, to flop the courfeof the River which caufed the 
 .ffcatnfl'ctt f ^" °"^he^owerlide, thinking to make it fwell and rife in fuch manner, that the De- 
 rm the intcn. »endants Ihould be conftrained either to yield or drown. This work was begun with 
 
 an 
 
 licn.
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo^. jol 
 
 an exceeding great numher of Pioneers, drawn together from all the neighbouring pla- ^5^^* 
 ces, but though they vvrought at it with great art, and no lefs alliduity,yet therainS 
 of the feafon, which from time to time increafed the current of the River, which ordi- 
 narily was quiet and gentle, hindred theprogrefs by breaking down the Banks,often 
 carrying away the Piles,and in one hour fruftrating the laboursof many dayes i and yet 
 the King being himfelfprefent at the work,it was at lart brought to perfedion. But 
 it was no fooner finifhed , when it appeared, how deceitful the fancies of Engineers 
 prove oftentimes , for the Town being much higher than the Fen, ( a thing forefeen 
 from the beginning by many, and conlkntly oppugned by the authors of the defign,) 
 the water rofe not above a foot or two in the Town, and was folong making that 
 increafe, that the inhabitants had con veniency to remove their things into higher places, 
 without receiving any damages though the water falling within two dayes, by having 
 broke through the loweft part of the Fen in many places, the Town remained full of 
 dirt and mud, by the exhalation whereof the Air being corrupted, caufed dangerous 
 difcafes in the Town, fo that the befieged being endamaged onely by accident, and 
 after the fpaceof many d,ays i the labors and endeavors of the Kings Army proved 
 fruitlefs in their principal intent. 
 
 There yet remained the wonted hope of Famine, which, after fo many moneths 
 fiege encreafed exceedingly, and was already become irrepairable v nor did any thinj; 
 make the Defendants hold out, but hope of relief.The Cardinal was intent with his ut- 
 mort endeavors upon giving it to them i for having in great part quieted thofe tha^ 
 had mutined, and conveniently paid his men, he had fet the Army in a readinefs to 
 attempt the effefting of it, but none of his Commanders ( among which, the princi- 
 pal were the Duke ot Arefcot, the Marquifs of 2li»«ry,and Francifco de Msndozzj , the 
 Admiral oi Aragon) counfelled him to adventure his Camp upon that enterpriser and 
 the reafon was in a readinefs, for not onely the King in the fpace of many moneths,had \ 
 
 had full conveniency to fortihe his own quarters extraordinarily, but that which im- 
 ported more, he had put lirong Garrifons , and many Horfe into S. ^entin^Monjint- 
 eil^ Boulogne, and all the other Towns that ftand round la Fere^ in fuch manner, that 
 if theSpanifh Camp (hould pafs beyond them toraife the fiege, they remaining ac 
 their backs, would cut ofFthe wayes, and take away the concourfe of Provifions s fo 
 that ifthe enterprise of making the Kingdiflodge, fhould require many dayes, ( as if 
 was certainly to be doubted ) the Army would be put in danger of fome hard en- 
 counter i To this was added, that the King, having after the publication of the Agree- 
 ment received the Duke of Mayenne with great demonftrations of honor, being come 
 with his attendants to wait upon him in the Camjp before la Fere, and the Conftable 
 Montmnrancy, the Duke of MoK//'.-«[/ifr, and the greater part of the Lords of all the 
 Kingdom being come unto the Army , he had under his Colours Eighteen thoufand 
 Foot, and little lefs than Five thoufand Horfe i an Army fo potent, efpecially by rea- 
 fon of the valour of the Cavalry, that it was neceffary to proceed with great circum- 
 fpedion, in advancing fo far into that Province, againft fo great Forccs,and in the midft 
 of fo many of the Enemies Towns. The Cardinal likewife was not ignorant, that the 
 States of Holland, defirous that the War (hould continue in France, had fet forth a 
 fleet of many Ships to land men at Boulogne, in relief of the King of Frances and that 
 the Qaeenof England, though the King confentcd not to all her demands,had yet, to 
 uphold the common interefts, fent out a Navie tohisalTilbnce, with Eight thoufand 
 Foot aboard it, which it was believed were to land in the fame places wherefore, the 
 Commanders doubted , that thefe Forces uniting together , it would not onely be 
 vain to attempt to relieve la Fere , but alfo very dangerous to make their re- 
 treat. 
 
 Thefe caufes fully debated in the Counfel, made the Cardinal take a refolution to try 
 to do it by way of diverfion : for. by encamping before fome Place of importance be- 
 longing to the King, either he (hould conftrain him to rife from la Fere with his whole 
 Army, to fuccor the place fo flraightned, or if Cperfifting in the fiege) he (hould not 
 care to relieve it,he might eafily get another place as good as la Fere. But there arofe 
 no Icfs difficulties in chofing the place, that (hould be pitched upon i for Gnife, Han, 
 Gaines, and the other fuch like places that were nearelt to Flanders, were not to be 
 compared unto la Fere i and S. iutentin, Monfirueil, and Boulogne were fo well fortifi- 
 ed, and mann'd, that it was impoflible to think of attaining them i (b that between the 
 ambiguity of thefe confiderations,the Cardinal would have been long unrefolvedjif Mon- 
 
 fieur
 
 The Hijiory of the Civil iVars 
 
 i^j,6. flcur dn Kofne had not fecretly perfwaded him to a new enterprize , not forefeen by 
 
 any other body. , , . rj- n.u ir- r r^ 
 
 ' Monfieur du Rofite was , by long experience, vcrfcd m all the King of France his 
 
 Fortrefles and the example of things paft made him remember how eafily Calais 
 
 mieht be taken ; for by how much more the Ibength of it by fituation,and art, made 
 
 it in appearance be counted impregnable, fo much lefs carefull were the defendants to 
 
 guard It with that diligence wherewith places of fuch high importance ought to be 
 
 kept ■■> wherefore, while that Town was under the Dominion of the Kings of Ettg- 
 
 Tc'S^hl- /i'the fmallnefs of the Garrifon they kept in it had invited Francis Duke o(Guife 
 
 vcrcJ f- nil ^^ bdicge it in the year 1 557, which alfo had fo happy an event, that, contrary to the 
 
 ghfi, !!)«/."' Common expedation, he made himfelf Mafter of it only by that defect, which com- 
 
 '"^umom '"g off"^" '"^° du'Rofne's mind, he, as being curious and fullof induftry, had got cer- 
 
 l^"j""y°'>"i^f tain information, that Monfieur de Bidajfan, Govcinot of the place at that prefent,had 
 
 "'frfw^J" "ot above Six hundred Foot in it, a Garrifon no way fufficient to make it good : either 
 
 mjinHimngit' private intereft, or the general errorof men, having perfwaded him to truft more to the 
 
 ftrength of his Works, than to the number and valour of the defendants i fome add, 
 
 that the King of France, having fent the Sieur c/? la Noue^^nd de la Valliere, to view 
 
 the condition of all the places ftanding upon the Frontiers of Piwr^', they not making 
 
 their vifitation with that fecrecy, which ought to go along with fuch bufinefTes , had, 
 
 with the fame French lightnefs difcourfed very freely of the weak eftate of thofe 
 
 Frontiers, and the ftrength of Ciz/<ij^ fo magnified by fame, being obje(3"ed to them, 
 
 they inconfiderately anfwered, that whofoever fhould aflault that Fortrefs in the place, 
 
 and manner that was fitting, the taking of it would be but twelve dayes bufinefs» 
 
 which words being told du Kofne, by one that he had imployed as a Spie, excited him 
 
 to fearch out the place and manner which thefe difcoverers bad intimated. Thus being 
 
 fallen into a thought, that he might obtain the Town, famous for its fortification, by 
 
 reafon of its (landing upon the Sea, and the quality of the Haven opportune for the 
 
 affairs of Flanders, and England, he, with his reafons, made the Cardinal Arch-Duke 
 
 incline unto it, and fo much the rather, becaufe all other enterprizes were thwarted 
 
 with exceeding great difficulties. 
 
 But having determined between themfelves to apply their mindes to this attempt, 
 without making any outward (hew of it, they made all the other Commanders be- 
 lieve, they would affault Montrevil,3i place ftanding upon the ftraight way that leads 
 to la Fere, and kfs confiderable than cither St, ^entin ox Boulogne ; and with this 
 pretence, having caufed great provifion to bemadeof Vidtual and Carriages to bring 
 them to Vorvay, Arras, and the other confining places, the Cardinal having appointed 
 Valentiennes ioi the general Rendezvous of his Forces, went thither perfonally upon the 
 thirtieth of March, where, having muftred his Army, in which were Six thoufand 
 Spani(h Foot, Six thoufand Walloons, Two thoufand Italians, and Four thoufand Ger- 
 mans, Twelve hundred men at Arms, and CuiralTiers, and little lefs than Two thour 
 fand Light-horfe, he divided his Forces into many parts, and made them march feve- 
 ral wayes, to hold the Enemies in the greater fufpence. He fent Ambrogio Landriano 
 towards Montrevil, with part of the Light-horfe, and with the Marquifs of Irevico's 
 Tertia i with the reft of the Light-horfe Bajii marched into the Territory of Cambray j 
 Agoftino Meffia with a Tertiaof Spaniards, and two of Walloons went towards St Paitl, 
 and the Count de BoJJ'a, with the Flemifh Troops, took towards Arras and Bethunei 
 which outward (hews, while they held thofe of their own fide in fufpence no lefs than 
 the French, Monfieur du Rofne, with the Spanifli Tertia's of LudovicoValafco, and Alon- 
 fo Mendozza, and Four hundred Horfe went out of Valentiennes, upon the fourth of A' 
 Monfitut du /""''in the evening, and marched all the night toSt.Cwfr, where, having joyned with 
 f,°i{"' wftl^" Colonel la Berlotte, and the Count de Buquoy, who ftayed there for them with two Tcr- 
 the spaniih tia's of Walloons, he took along with him three pieces of Cannon, and four of fmaller 
 Array. Artillery, and advanced fpeedily towards Calais, where he arrived fo much the more 
 
 unexpe<ftedly, becaufe being a place out of the way, ftanding in the utraoft point of a 
 tongue of Land, which advances it felf a great way into the Sea, neither the Spaniards 
 ♦Til ^miw ^^^ ^^^. ^'^^"<='^ ^^^ ^^^' thought of defending or befieging it. 
 ii w.|i-.tf«,/i,r ^^^■^^^ (lands upon the fliore of the Ocean Sea, in the furtheft parts of a Promonto- 
 v« llm 17n"°^^*'°'^^ '^ "^^'"y Leagues from Engknd, and hath a very large Haven , which 
 iJieitred on each fide with great high banks of fandCwhich they commonly call/f/ Dmes} 
 
 is
 
 of France. The Fifteenth 'Boo{. -703 
 
 is made fccure and commodious for a very great number of Ships. The Town is irt- »5P<J« 
 vironed ahnoll quite round witii low grounds where the Sea overflows, and drownS 
 the Plain for many miles i and, being fhut up within four banks by a very large moat, on of t^heXu" 
 it is of a fquare torm, having, at three of the angles fbelides many great Towers,and ""onotoj;.);. 
 Ravclines along the CourtineJ as many Royal Baftions of modern llru{9:ure,with their 
 Cavaliers within them, and at the fourth angle which reaches from the Weft unto the 
 North, Hands the Caftle, built likewife of a fquare form, but with great Towers of 
 the old fafhion, that flank it round about, The moats are very large and deep, for 
 they receive the water on both fides, and the Town, which is little lefs than a League 
 in circuit, is all fortified round with thick Ramparts, though ( by reafon of the care- 
 lefsnefs of the Governors) in many places (by length of timej grown dcfedive, and 
 in fome, decayed and fallen down. On the outfide, along the Haven, there is a great 
 Suburb full of Inhabitants, in regard of Traffick, and the conveniency of Marriners, 
 and on that fide a great Current of waters, which coming from the Fenny grounds, is 
 rtraightned all into one Channel, and croffing through the Town, empties it felf im- 
 petuoufly into the Sea. On the other fide of the Haven, and in the point of the 
 Btines, which cover it on the North-fide, there ftands a great and exceeding ftrong 
 Tower, called the Kisbane^ which fhutting up the mouth of the Haven , is well fto- 
 red with pieces of Cannon, and with great eafe hinders any kind of Ships from enter- 
 ing into it. But on the fide of the firm land (which, in refped of the moorifh 
 grounds that largely environ it, is very narrow) about a league from the City there 
 ftands a Bridge over a Water that runs into the Sea , which being fortified with 
 Towers, doth totally fhut up the paflage which leads to the Town along a very narrow 
 bank j this is called the FaHxbonrg de Niettlet. 
 
 Monficur dit Kof>te knew, that all the hope of obtaining this Fortrcfs, was placed in 
 fpeedily polfelling the Bridge of Nieulet and the Kisbane; for if he took not Nieuht^it 
 would be very hard to pafs the water, and come under the Town > and if he poiTef- 
 fed not himfelf of the Kishatie, Co that he might be Mafter of the mouth of the Ha- 
 ven, there would come fuch fupplies into the Town by Sea, that there would no longer 
 be any building upon the fmall number of the Defendants : wherefore, marching to St, 
 Omer with admirable celerity, in regard of the Artillery he had along with him, he 
 came upon the ninth of ^pril, in the morning, by break of day, within fight of Nieit- 
 let, and without giving the Defendants ( who were not above forty ) time, either to 
 take courage, or to receive aliidance, he made it be afTaulted on the one fide by the 
 Spanifii, and on the other by the Walloon Foot, ftill playing with the four fmall pie- 
 ces, not becaufe they did any great harm, but to increafe the terror of the Defendants ■■, 
 who being fo few, ill provided, taken at unawares, and (which imported moftj with- 
 out any Commander , who, by his Authority, might keep them faithful , they bafely 
 quitted the defence, and retired flying to the Town. 
 
 Nieiclet being taken, da Kufne left four Companies of Walloons to guard that Poft, 
 and not lofing a minutes time, advanced the fame inftant to affault the Risbane, and 
 having planted his Artillery in exceeding great hafte, began furioufly to batter about 
 noon i befides which, having drawn three of the fmaller pieces to the brink of the Ha- 
 ven, with them and with the Walloon Muskettiers, he hindred more defendants from 
 entring into it,G:) that they of the Suburb, that ftands on the far fide of the Haven, ha- 
 ving often attempted toget in, were alwayes conftrained to retire. There were but 
 fixty men in the Kisban;^ and thofe alfo without any confiderable head, infomuch,that 
 though the place was Orong, and might have been defended many dayes, yet they , as 
 foon as they faw the aflault was preparing againft them, utterly lofing courage,quitted 
 it, and being fain upon and routed in the flight, fcarce thirty of them, with the help of 
 fome fmall Boats, got fafe into the Suburb •, dii Knfne not failing to profecute fo happy 
 a beginning, entred into the Kisbanes fet the Artillery again in order, and lodged ma- 
 ny Foot in it, to the end, that relief by Sea might more afluredly be hindred, and there 
 vvas very great need of it i for the next morning,many Ships of the Holland Fleet, that 
 was above Banlogne, appeared, and laboured with all polTible induftry to get into the 
 Haven } but being driven back and bored through by the Artillery of the Risbane^ 
 they were at laft made to tack about i and one Ship loaden with Wine , being funk 
 by many Cannon (hot in the mouth of the Port, the paffage was fo much the more flop- 
 ped up, againft whofoevet fliould try to enter > and yet twolittle Barks of the Holland- 
 ers,
 
 . ^o . The Hijlory of the Civil Pf^ars 
 
 1 5j)d. as, with two Captains and eighty men, got in fortunately, and landing in the Suburb, 
 flaid there for the defence of it _ ^ ,..,.,, • . . ^ 
 
 The Arcfc. jn the mean time the Cardinal of ^^ria having had notice of the profperous pro- 
 
 cotcslvi-h grcfs of his Forces, turning all his Army that way marched thither with the fame ce- 
 .hcreitof the fgjij „ Maundy- Thurfday (being the eleventh ot ^pril) in the evening , and ba- 
 c^p b"oK ving de%ned the quarters of the Camp, between C././^.M.., the Bridge ofN^e.let, 
 ^''■''"'- and the way that leads to Gravelin , he encamped in the Church of St. Ficrre, halt a 
 
 League from the Walls. The Town being belieged, and their quarters, in refpea: of 
 thefituation f which was all Moorifh grounds, and luUof Ditches J ealily fortified v 
 dn Rnfiie, well informed of the defe(ftof the Wall on that fide that ftands towards the 
 Suburb, refolved to plant a battery in the utmoit part of the Haven •, for, though the 
 impediment of pairing it,feemed in appearance exceeding great, yet he had obferved , 
 that at the ebbing of the Sea , the water fell in fuch manner, that the utmoit part of 
 Tht Dfftn- the Haven remained dry , and the bottom was fo iirm and gravelly , that it afforded 
 w'"houf a"'"' ' very convenient means of marching on to the aflTauJt ■, but that he might not leave the 
 ttmptin.; any bcfieged without trouble on the other fide, and to divide their weaknefs, hepurpofcd 
 S^'fur to make another battery, over againft the way to G/-dw/i« •, though the Wall on that 
 Ur the sp»- j^jg ^25 extreamly well lined with Earth, and defended by the Flanks of the two Roy- 
 fecMt/ The'"' al Baftions. Both the Batteries were perfedled upon the fourteenth day of the month, 
 '"'•'■ being E^j^ff day,and upon Munday in the morning, as foon as it was light, they be- 
 
 gan to thunder furioufly on both iidesi nor did the Defendants ( dilTieartned by the 
 fmallnefs of the number ) make any attempt to hinder the enemy , and only the firlF 
 day, while the Risbane was battered, they fallied, to bring in the Goods and Vidluals i 
 , i\or from that day forward, durit they attempt any other bufinefs. 
 
 In this ftate of Affairs, the King having had intelligence of the moving of the Spa- 
 ni(h Camp, and not being able to difcern, which way it would bend at laft , left the 
 Conftabic to Command the Army before la Fere, and marched with (5oo Horfe, and 
 the Regiment of his Guard to Al?beville, and from thence fent forth the Sieur deMun- 
 lnc with 2000 Foot to Mfl«/ra«/, doubting ( as fome reported J that the Spanifli Ar- 
 my would fall upon that Town i but having, upon the 13 th day had notice, that the 
 Camp was fuddenly gone before CalaU^ he fent the fame Monluc^thc Count de St.faitl^ 
 Governor of the Province, and the Warquifs de Bc/i>;,with great diligence, to imbarkat 
 St. Vallery, and try to get into the Town i and though they boldly executed the or- 
 ders they had received, yet being driven back by contrary winds, which blew impe- 
 tuoufly all thofe dayes, they were conrtrained to return to the fame place without fruit i 
 wherefore the King, become impatient at the near danger of his Subjeds, would needs 
 go perfonally into that Port, and the crofs weather Hill continuing , he went to 
 Boulogne, the next day hoping ( as the Seamen faid ) that it would not be fo diffi- 
 cult to relieve the befieged from thence i but being come to Boulogne, and the fame 
 winds holding, the difficulties were the fame, or perhaps greater; nor was there any 
 thought of giving the befieged any fuccor by Land, as well the Bridge of Niettlet, as 
 Cafjl de Mer , being flrongly guarded , and the Enemies whole Army encamped on 
 that fide •> wherefore the King, for a laft refolution, having put fomiC chofen Foot 
 aboard certain fliips, fent them forth to ride thereabout, and fight with the diverfity cf 
 weather, that they might be ready, upon the firil: gale of a favourable wind, to get, by 
 fome means or other into the Haven j but neither was this courfe any way beneficial i 
 for the Ships longtoffed, and driven into feveral places, could never get near the Ha- 
 ven, and if they hag, they would certainly have been beaten back by the Risbane. 
 
 At the fame time the King difpatched many Shallops to the Englifli Fleet, tohaften 
 the coming of it, hoping, if thofe men could be landed time enough, to make fome gal- 
 lant attempt, and force the Cardinal to raife his Camp from before that Town.i but it 
 ■was all in vain, for the Englifh Fleet gathered together in the Haven at Dover, and rea- 
 dy to fet fail, was yet detained by the Qyeens different intention. The French Am- 
 baffadors, and particularly Monfieurfi^f Saticy, (newly gone thither for that purpofej 
 treating clofely of the Conditions, upon which the men (hould land, about which the 
 Parties being not able to agree, by reafbn of the variety of interefts, the time ran on 
 without coming to any conclufion. 
 
 But in the interim, the Spanifli Artillery having plaid upon Fafter Munday , from 
 break of day till evening, and the opportunity of low water hapning at that time, the 
 Spanifli Foot advanced on both fides to give 3 refolute Affault. Fortune was not 
 
 altogether
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo{. 
 
 705- 
 
 altogether (b favourable to du Koftte's intentions in this as (he had been before : For 
 though the wind had fate right all that day for his Artillery, a thing of no fmall ad- 
 vantage to free him from the fmoke, that he might play the fafteri yet in the evening, 
 continuing, nay, blowing more ftifly every hour, it would not fuifer the Tide to fail 
 fo low, as that the farther part of the Haven might be quite dry i wherefore his Foot 
 were fain to go above the knees in water, and in fome places to the girdle, which re- 
 tarding the Aflault, proved no fmall impediments and yet having overcome thatob- 
 fiacle, and fought till Nine'of the Clock at night, f the Moon fhining brightly in the 
 Fullj the French having loft above an hundred of their men, and among them one of 
 the Holland Captains, refolved to retire, and having fired the Suburb in all places, 
 got fafely into the Town. Upon Tuefday, du Kofne drew his Artillery into the Suburb 
 \vhich they had quitted, and there being no Flanks on that fide that could hinder the 
 Battery, he without any difficulty planted two and twenty pieces upon the edge of 
 the Moat , with no other defence but fingle Gabions, and thofe not very high, and 
 the next day began to batter the Wall with fo great fury, that not being lined with 
 Earth, it in a few hours gave a large conveniency of aflaulting it : But while the 
 Infantry, being Spaniards, Walloons, and Italians mixt together, prepare themfelves 
 to fall on , the Defendents C terrified at the widenefs of the breach , and the fmall- 
 nefs of the number they were reduced to ) fend forth a Drum to Parley , and the 
 fame evening capitulated to leave the Town , and retire into the Caftle , which they 
 promifed to furrender into the Cardinals hands, if they were not relieved within fix 
 days. 
 
 The King , who was at Boulogne, quickly had notice of the compofition of Calais^ 
 and of the Earl of Effex his anfwer , who was General of the Englifii Land-forces, 
 •with whom Monfieur de Sancy having conferred, had entertained great hopes of get- 
 ting the Englifli to land, and that being re-inforced by them, the Caftle might be re- 
 lieved within the appointed time » but the Earl was not fo forward as he defired ; 
 for the King having often promifed to give fome place upon the Coafts of his King- 
 dom, for the conveniency and fecurity of the Englifli, and afterward with divers ex- 
 cufes deferred to do it, and his Ambafladors to Queen Elizabeth having at laft ("to get 
 the Fleet to move for his relief) condefcended to promife that it (hould be performed > 
 the Earl refufed to put into any Haven, or land men, unlefs firfl the promife wereeftc- 
 (Sually obferved ', and though Saucy urging the exigency of the need, and the fhortnefs 
 of the time, defired the Earl to confider of what importance the confervation of Ca^ 
 lais was to their common interefts, yet was it not pollible to move him from his de- 
 termination : wherefore he was necelTitated to write to the King to know his pleafure •, 
 who highly incenfed that his Confederates (hould m.ake ufe of his advcrfity to conftrain 
 him to their own appetites, anfwered refolutely. That he would rather be robbed by 
 his Enemies , than by his Friends v and being minded to try what he could do by 
 himfelf, he faw the fury of the wind which had been fo contrary all thofe days part 
 not at all abated , and therefore he fent the Sieur de Matelet Governour of Faix with 
 three hundred Foot , backed with a good number of the Duke of BjHilIon''s Cavalry, 
 to ftrive to pafs thorow the Enemies Guards, and get in to relieve the Caftle. 
 
 Thefe coming by night cbfe by the Quarter of the Italians , commanded by the 
 Marquifs of trevko , found fuch llack and carclefs Guards, that vvithout being per- 
 ceived, they got all into tflfjCaftle, where the Sieur de Matelet having encouraged the 
 Governour no lefs then the Inhabitants and Souldiers that were in it, after the time of 
 truce was expired, they not only refufed to furrender, but protefted they would de- 
 fend themfelves to the laft man i wherefore the Cardinal being aflured that fome relief 
 was got in unknown to him, gave order to Monfieur du Kofrie\ valiantly to profccute 
 the aflault, who having planted his Cannon againft the great Towers, or (as we may 
 call them) Bulwarks of the Caftle, battered them with fo much diligence, that upon 
 the fix and twentieth day it was in a fit condition to be itormed. All the Italian Foot 
 fell on thenext morning, who being defirous to cancel the reproach of having fo care- 
 lefly fuffered relief to pafs in, fought defperately, and being feconded hrft by the Wal- 
 loons, and then by the Spaniards, after a moft bloody fight of fix hours, the Gover- 
 nour BidojJ'au being flain, and above four hundred Souldiers cut in pieces, they at laft 
 entred the Caftle. where the Italians put all the reft to the Sword, except Monfieur 
 de Campagniole and fome few others, who having taken refuge in a Church, were re- 
 ceived upon difcretioni Aboye two hundred of the Spanifti Army were killed, among 
 
 X x X X Which 
 
 i5<?5. 
 
 TheEef«n- 
 dents bcin^ 
 few, when 
 they fa IV the 
 Spaniards 
 ready to give 
 the Artaul:, 
 fen: forth z 
 Drum, and >• 
 gcee to fur- 
 render, if not 
 relieved with- 
 in fix days. 
 
 M.-nlieiir lU 
 MateUi with 
 Joo Foot gets 
 into the CalUc 
 of CiUn : 
 whereupon, 
 the fu days 
 lieio»ixpired, 
 the Uelen. 
 dents refufc to 
 (urrender. 
 
 The Spaniards 
 ftorm the Ca- 
 ftle of CiUit, 
 kill the Go 
 vernour , and 
 put all to the 
 Swo.d.
 
 70 
 
 •^ The Hijiory of the Civil W^ars 
 
 r co< which Count GuidttbMo Tacckm an Engineer of high efteem, and about one hundred 
 wounded ■■, a lofs very inconfiderable for the taking of a place accounted impregnable, 
 and one of the principal ones of all France , irt To few days : but it had always been 
 alike ill-defended by the carelefnefs of thofe withm , the effects being no way corre- 
 fpondent to the fame of the place. 
 
 But the fo eafie and fo fudden lofs of CahU did not only much perplex the King, 
 but alfo put him in a neceffity of agreeing with the Queen of Emland and the States 
 of Holland; for la fere being not yet given up, he thought it very hard to rife from 
 that fiege, and lofe the expences and labours of fo many months, to the no fmall dc- 
 creafe of his reputation j and on the other fide, if he did not fpeedily receive Supplies 
 from both places, he was not able to draw another body of an Army together, where- 
 with he might refift the vidtorious force of the Enemy > (b that all othtr places in the 
 Province would be given over, with little hope that they (hould defend themfelves 
 more conftantly than CahU had done , a place excellently fortified by art and nature. 
 Being moved with this confideration, and judging that the authority of the Duke of 
 BojtiOon would be very prevalent to work upon the Queen , whofe determination he 
 was certain would be followed by the Hollanders , he difpatched him into England 
 with refolute orders,to the end that concluding a reciprocal Confederacy,the Fleet might 
 fet fail with all fpeed, to land men in the Port of Boulogne. 
 
 But the difficulties were great, and the Queen had no inclination toiti partly, be- 
 
 caufe (he intended to make ufe of the Kings neceflfity, to get a Port in his Kingdom i 
 
 for which end, before Calais was loff, fiie had been backward to relieve it, that (be 
 
 might confl'rain the French to put it into her hand i partly, becaufe feeing the King ) 
 
 reconciled to the Catholick Religion, (he thought it was in the King of Spain]<i~fot^r'' 
 
 to conclude a Peace whenCbever he would refolve no longer to molcft the Kingdom of 
 
 France : and therefore (he difficultly inclined to put her felf to new expences, which 
 
 it was in the will of her Enemies to fruftrate and make ineffedtual » wherefore having 
 
 (Hfly denied for many days to hearken to any Treaty of new Obligations, (he only prof- 
 
 ferred to give thofe affiftances for the time to come, which (he could without fuch great 
 
 inconvenience to her felf as (he had done in times pafi : and becaufe the French prei- 
 
 fed very earneftly to have the Earl ofEjfex come to Picardy with the Fleet i the Eng- 
 
 lidi anfwered , That it was for the moft part compofed of (hips and men that were 
 
 ' Voluntiers, who had put themfelves together under the conduct; of the Earl, to make 
 
 prize upon the Coafts of Spain, from which defign the Queen had not power to take 
 
 tliem off, having granted them licence for that purpofe i and that neverthele(s they 
 
 would be of great advantage to the King of France his affairs i for the damage the 
 
 Kingdom of S/rfiw would receive thereby, would divert the Catholick Kings Forces 
 
 from the War of Picardy. But thefe hopes and remedies were very far off, and the 
 
 Duke of Bouillon offering to confideration the interefts of their common Religion, if 
 
 the profperity of the Spaniards (hould (till increafc , excited both the principal Mini- 
 
 fters, and the Queen her felf to imploy her utmoft Forces in fb urgent and (b near an 
 
 occurrence : and he moved much with his authority, eloquence, and reafons, but moft 
 
 of all by being of the fame Religion > for he feemcd to be principally zealous for the 
 
 common interefts, and for the confervation of the Hugonot party in France, to the end 
 
 the King might not be conftrained to come to fuch an Agreement with the Spaniards 
 
 as might be prejudicial to the States of Holland , to the qttkt of England, and to the 
 
 dudtTiV.""' Liberty of Confcience in his own Kingdom : and yet the bufine(s went on fo (lowly, 
 
 tw«o Her, and with fuch weighty difficulties, that though the Confederacy with England was at 
 
 aBdlbcQ^jjcD ^^^ concluded, differing little from the other contrafted with King C/?<»r/fj- the Ninth, 
 
 of Enghnd, and without obligation to confign any Place, Cfor (hame made the Eng!i(h to defift 
 
 tcm'fro'mVhjt ^'^°^ '^at demand :) and though the Duke of Bouillon went with an AmbafTador from 
 
 b«'n m'^f b '^^ Queen into Holland , where the fame Confederacy was eibblidied i yet the time 
 
 thrE^giim ^ W3S fo far fpent, that the affairs of Picardy were no way relieved by it, and- the Earl 
 
 rhcNi^Th'" ^^ ^^^'"^ '^'^ ^'"^^^ having fcowred the Coafts of Spain, was difTolved without having 
 
 done any thing confiderable. 
 
 ■While this League was treated of in England, the Cardinal Archduke not depending 
 upon any body but himfelf, after he had (pent ten days in making up the breaches at 
 Calais \ Guines and Han having furrcndred at the bare fummons of a Trumpet, he de- 
 termined to fet upon Ardres, a place of a good circuit, excellently fortified, and ftand- 
 ing but three leagues from Calais, by the taking whereof he thought he (hould abfo- 
 
 lutely
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo^ 70. 
 
 / 
 
 lutely fecure what he had gotten : and though the fituation of it feemed very difficult, 15P<^^ 
 becaufe, lianding on the top of an Hill, it (as a CavalierJ commands all the Plain be- 
 low it, which extends it felf a little ir.ore than Cannon-fliot, and from the Plain there 
 are Mountains and Woods as unfit to encamp in, as opportune for the Ambufhes of an 
 Encmv ■-, yet the Cardinal encouraged by his profperous fucceffes, fided with the opi- 
 nion of Monfieur dtt Kofne, who hoped to carry it before the King could be difintangled 
 from 1 1 Fere, and able to relieve it. 
 
 There were in Ardres the M^irquik deBelia Lieutenant of the Province, Monfieut 
 d' Annebo'.trg Governourof the Town, and the Sieur de Manluc, who was come in to 
 re-ir,force it, and they had with them little lefs than Two thoufand Foot, an Hundred 
 and fitty Horfe, and convenient provifions of Artillery, Ammunition, and other things 
 neceiTary for defence. And becaufe the Siege had been forefeen by the Commanders, 
 they had hboured with all poiTible diligence not only to better the Fortification of the 
 Town, but alfo to repair thofe of the Suburbs that ftands towards Boulogne i for that 
 being the fide on which Batteries might moft eafily be raifed, they determined by de- 
 fending the Suburb to keep the Enemy as far as was polTible from the Wall. The Au- 
 thor of this counfelwas the Governour of the Town, a Souldier not only of much va- 
 lour^ but alfb of great experience , whofe defign was to defend the ground fpan by 
 fpan, to give the King fo much time, that In Fere falling, he might come to fuccour 
 that place before the lad extremities : but the Marquifs de Belin was of another mind, 
 and thought it a pernicious counfcl to lofe men in defending ufelefs places, and fuch 
 as were not tenable* wherefore he would have had them only engage themfelvcs in 
 ^.-^aintaing thofe Ports, which for their quality might be long made good i and yet al! 
 the other Commanders being of opinion, that the holding of the Suburb would be a 
 benefit of great importance, the Governours advice carried it i and there was a con- 
 venient guard put in there to keep it. Another difference of opinion there was among 
 the Commanders i for the Marquifs would have had the Enemy mole(icd, and their 
 works hindred bv fi,nart Counterbatteries, without fparing Ammunition i and on the 
 other fide, the Governour judging their iiore but fmall, in refpecft of fo great wafte^ 
 defircd it might be husbanded to prolong the defence, that they might not want a thing 
 fo neceffary in their preateft exigency i and becaufe the Marquiffes Authority was above 
 his, he kept part of the Ammunition hid, to the end they might make ufeof it op- 
 portunely when the other was fpent. 
 
 With thefe difcords (which to the great prejudice of mens own affairs, do commonly 
 reign where more than one commands J they in the Town prepared themfelves for the 
 defence > but the Cardinal Archduke having left Juan dc Kivas in the Government of 
 CaUli, upon the fixth of May moved with the whole Army, and made his firlt quar- i 
 ters at Gitines i the next day he marched to the Walls of Ardres^ fo early, that in that The Archduke 
 day and the next, their quarters were perfedted and fortified, which being made (as h.J'Ar^'y^o"* 
 far as they could polVibl >' j out of reach of the Cannon of the Town, were not yet very bcfitgcw^rifrcj 
 near to the Hills and Woods i but between the Hills and their Works, there remained 
 fo much fpace, that the Squadrons as well of Foot as Horfe, might commodioufly fpread 
 themfelves in Battalia i and upon all the ways that through thJ^oods come down the 
 HHIs, firong Corpf de Guards were placed with double Trenches, and double Works be- 
 fore them, or, to fay better, behind them, in thofe places that fiood toward Boulogne, 
 Montrneil, and the other of the King of France his Towns. The Army being encamped 
 and fecured with wondrous diligence, uponThurJilay the ninth of A/jj, Agojiino M(fia\ 
 Spanifli Foot, and Colonel la Berlotte's Walloons advanced to make their approaches, 
 that they might get under the Works of the Suburb i but the Sicur de MohIhc, whofe 
 fiercenefs pafTcd by no occailon of troubling the Enemy^^allied out fo briskly to skir- 
 mifii, that their Works were forcflowed for a long timi^and after that another Tenia 
 of Infantry under Jago Tepda , and Colonel Coquels Walloons came to re-inforce the 
 bcficgers, and that Monluc was conilrained to retires the Marquifs began fuch a furious 
 Counterbattery, that they were neceifitated to intermit their work, and Itay till night » 
 but it being very clear and light, the Artillery ceafed not to play with great damage to 
 the bcficgers, who nevcrthelefs conftantly overcoming all obiiaclcs, got to the Counter- 
 fcarp of the Suburb, and the next morning planted fome pieces of Cannon to facilitate 
 their entry j but becaufe Monlnc ceafed not tofally every hour, and to keep thofe that Afonfieur Je 
 brought in great perplexity, they made no greater progrefs till he being taken with a tZTi Ci^* 
 Cannon-fliotjwas raiferably torn in pieces>for after his death,therc being no Commanders non iho:. 
 
 X X ^ X 2 fo
 
 ,o8 The Bslory of the Civil Ifars 
 
 c i:,n» r.r (rs rlilieent the befiegers began to batter the Works of the Suburb, which 
 "^''' b7rS 'ofttfSr^efs, being eaiily beaterr down, they made an affault with fo 
 much violence tiiat the Defendents were conftrained to quit it with the lofs of above 
 fortv men • but while the Spaniards and Walloons enter pel-mel, Monfieur deMontaui, 
 a Colonel of French Infantry, fell upon them fo fliarply, that after a bloody confliA of 
 two hours he recovered the Suburb, having impetuoufly driven out the Enemy with 
 the lofs of three hundred of the ftoutcft Souldiers of the Army i and yet the next day 
 the Cannon having plaid from morning till fioon, the Foot ftormed it in four feveral 
 places, in each of which , fighting gallantly, Colonel U Eerlotte was fore wounded, 
 JfojliMo Mejia ftruck upon the head with a ftone, and the Suburb was defended till 
 the evening ; but the affault being renewed on all fides, the next morning the Mar- 
 quifs confidering the weaknefs of the place, gave the Defendents order to retire, that 
 he might not lofe fo great a number of valiant Souldiers : And yet the Enemies pur- 
 fuing clofcly , and they that were at the Town-Gate, fearing left they fhould get in 
 pel-mel with their own men , let the Portcullis fall fo icon , that above two hundred 
 of them were (hut out and cut in pieces. 
 
 The Foot covered themfelves diligently in the Suburb, and Monfieur du Kofne ha- 
 ving determined to play upon that fide, caufed two batteries to be raifcd, one of which 
 was plyed b;' the Spaniards with nineteen pieces of Cannon, and the other by the Wal- 
 loons with feventeen pieces of feveral fizes, the works of which being not yet finifii- 
 ed, the Counter-battery of the Town did a great deal of mifchief on all fides > but 
 after the Batteries were fufficiently covered, and that the Artillery began to thunder 
 againft the Flanks of the Baftions , the Marquifs either cut of mtannefs of coifrage, 
 (as the general opinion of men would have itJ or, becaufe he thought it impolTible to 
 defend that place, and had a dcfire to fave himfelf, and fo many other valiant Defen- 
 dents, for a better occafion i called the principal OfHcers to Council, and ftrove to pcr- 
 •rhe Marquifs fwadc them to furrender : But the Governour oppofing, a-^.d likcwife Charles Sieur de 
 '''u'T^rll!'.? V-^mbonrs, a man of great note in that Province, the Officers anfwered, that they 
 
 called a Couri- i o iiv# •/-»• in» 
 
 ciiofwar, would defend themfelves totheutmoltj and the Marquifs replying, that all the Am- 
 "ive"upthc munition was already fpent, and that he had no longer wherewithal to defend them- 
 fia«;rheGo. felves i the Governour made known that he had hid and prefcrved fo much , as being 
 tbc'oXtoffi- difcreetly difpofed of, would be fuflkient for many days, and that in the mean time 
 cers orpoffs they might be relieved by the King, to whom he believed la Fere would yield at laft. 
 ftnJin"fot'h To which words the Marquifs replied angerly. That he deferved to be punifhed for 
 a Captain, ca- having concealcd the true quantity of Ammunition from his fuperiour Officer, and that 
 ?he'EnVniy." two days morc Or two days lefs imported little, for he knew that the King would not 
 take la Fere fo eafily i and going incenfed from the Council, though many protcft ed 
 againft it , he prefently fent out a Captain , and articled to march forth with their 
 Arms and Baggage, their Colours flying, and Drums beating, and that the Towns- 
 men mig% be free to ftay or go as they pleafed i but thofe that ftaid were to acknow- 
 ledge the King of Spain to be their Supream Lord. Thus to the wonder of all men, 
 and the great murmuring of his Souldiers, the Marquifs marched forth vi^ith all his 
 inen in Arms upon the twenty third of May towards la Fere ; but Captain Mimferm.% 
 one of the Captains of the Garifon, having the guard of a Baftion towards the Spanifh 
 quarters, would by no means content to the Agreement ; and though the Enemies 
 were Mafters of all the reft of the Town, he intrenched himfelf within the circuit of 
 his Baftion, and defended himfelf undauntedly, till the Artillery being planted, and all 
 his defences beaten down, he thought he might honourably march away. 
 
 The day before this, the befieged in la Fere being reduced to extream necelTity, 
 and knowing by the effeds the Cardinals intention, that being intent to divert and 
 take new places, he had no hope to relieve them any other way, at laft yielded to the 
 Kings power , having by their conftancy afforded time and conveniency to make Co 
 great and fo important fuccelTes > the Kingdefirous to difengage himfelf, that he might 
 think of relieving Ardrei ^ granted them the conditions they demanded i for it was 
 agreed without contradidtion , that the Senefchal de Montelimar avouched Count of 
 laFere^ and Alvaro OJorio Goveinout of the Garifon, fhould march forth with all their 
 Souldiers, Foot and Horfe, with their Arms, offenfive and defenfive i aiJ their Bag- 
 gage, Cornets, and Colours flying. Trumpets founding. Drums beating, lighted Matc^ 
 and Bullet in mouth, and fliould be convoyed fafely as far as Cajielet y that they migW 
 take along-with them one piece of Cannon which had not the Arms of Frame upon it, 
 
 and
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^ool^ 709 
 
 and Ammunition for ten fliots i that the Senefchal fhould b^ acquitted of all the Pay- I55»<^' 
 ments. Rents and Contributions received, and that there might be no Inqueft made ^j* f^-^ y'J- 
 for any pad adSon , or crime either againft him , or any others of the Garifon , nor King" who de- 
 any of them molefted for the debts they had contraded s that the Inhabitants ta- }j"^"'J°j "' 
 king an Oath of Allegiance , fliould be ufed as good Subjects, and pardoned all part grants the b'e- 
 offences , and whofoever would go forth with the Garifon , might have liberty to ^^^f-^^ H^Ja- 
 depart. tions. 
 
 With thofe Articles U Fere yielded it felf unto the King upon the two and twen- 
 tieth day, and the next morning he impatient of delay, m.oved with all his Cavalry 
 towards Ardrer, leaving the Conliable to follow him with all the reft of the Army, in- 
 tending to draw near by the way of the Woods, and by all means to try his fortune i 
 but he had not marched above two miles when the news came of the Marquifles com^ 
 pofition, which feemed fo much the more bitter to him, by how much the more lively 
 the hopes were he had entertained of relieving that place. Being ftruck with a moll 
 piercing grief, and no lefs kindled with a moft juft difdain , feeing the courfc of all 
 his defigns cut off, by the pufillanimity of one man, he would not fuifer the Marquifs 
 to come into his prefence, either judging him unworthy of his fight, or doubting he 
 (hould not be able to contain his indignation : But having caufed his procefs to be 
 made by the Marefchal la Chajhe, he was often times minded to take away his life ig- 
 nominiouflyi yet Madam GjZrif/e intcrpofmg effedually, and begging for him, the 
 fentence publifhed after many days delay, contained nothing but that he fhould be de- 
 prived of all his Offices, and confined perpetually to his own lands. 
 
 Ardres being taken on the one fide , and U here on the other , the common opinion 
 was, that the Armies would meet, and that the King, defirous to make up his loffes, 
 and being grown ftrong by the concourfeof all the Nobility of his Kingdom, was re- 
 folved not to pafs by any occafion which might opportunely invite him to a Battel i 
 But the Cardinal Archduke more intent to keep what he had gotten, than forward to ^j^^ caniinal 
 adventure his Army to new dangers , and being re-called by the urgency of the atfairs Archduke lea- 
 oi^ Flanders ^ left ViUeverde z Spanifli Commander with a good Garifon in Ardres^ trt"(res''h/h°al 
 and in three days march retired into the Territory of St. O/n.T, and from thence ha- raken well 
 vinghad notice that the Cavalry left behind to guard the Provinces of fZ-^WtTj-, had W^c^taiorian- 
 had been routed by the Garifons of Bergen and Bredd, which freely over-ran all that di^s. 
 Country, he marched further to oppofe their incurfions , and to turn the violence of 
 his Arms againfl the States, who during the War in France , got daily greater 
 footing. 
 
 The King flood long doubtful whether he fhould apply himfelf that year to the re- 
 covery of fome of thofe places that were loft : but finding his Infantry (the principal 
 inflrument for the taking in of ftrong Towns^ much out of cafe, by their long lying 
 before la Fere : for, befides the continual watching? and toils of fo many months, the 
 illnefs of the Air in low mooriih places, had bred many difeafes among his men i who 
 having fpent the Winter in much hardfhip, began, now to feel the effeds of their fuf- 
 ferings. Befides this, he wanted the moft important finew of War : for many Pro- 
 vinces being newly returned to his obedience, and the reft that had been for him be- 
 fore, being undone by the War , the whole revenue of the Kingdom was, by long 
 troubles and infinite diforders, quite out of frame j infomuch that being utterly with- 
 out money, he was not able to maintain his Army in Picardy, which Province by the 
 laft two years Wars, was in great part deftroyed and defolate. To thefe two weighty 
 difticulties, was added the ill fuccefs the King had had in managing the War by his 
 Commanders i wherefore being conftrained to return to Paris, to receive the Pope's 
 Legat , who was come to confirm , and make thofe things be performed , which 
 had been promifed by his Interceifors , in the ad: of the Benedidion ; he thought 
 he ftiould reap but fmall fruit by his Army , in which he could not be prefent in 
 perfon. 
 
 For all thefe reafons, after long doubtfulnefs in the Council, he determined to dif^ The Kirgfee- 
 mifs the Nobility, that he might have them again more frefti for future occurrences, lir'fdou: tiuh 
 and to dilbibute the reft of his Forces into the Garifons of the moft important pla- '^",f"'"^°''„j'!^* 
 ces , fo that he might not fear the Enemies unexpeded return , and to go himfelf catifons, and 
 (afToon as he had received and fatisfied the Legat j into feme convenient City in the jj jj";^^'"^^. 
 centre of his Kingdom, where having made an Aflembly of the principal Magiftrates Popts Leg»-..' 
 ficora all the feveral Provinces , he might apply himfelf with diligence to fet his reve- 
 nues
 
 JIO 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil U^ars 
 
 1^6. 
 
 Cardinal •^- 
 ifjftijidro de 
 Mtiici, who 
 after was Pope 
 Lie II. now 
 legat from 
 the Pope, is 
 iccclved with 
 great Aimn- 
 itrations of 
 honour, by 
 Monfieur He 
 I i D'guiern, 
 though i Hu- 
 gonot. 
 
 TheKinnfo^s 
 pjft CO Monii^- 
 kirf to me;c 
 the Popts Lc- 
 
 The Cardinal 
 de Mcdki's fo- 
 Icmn entry in- 
 to Piriu 
 
 nues in order, and rcguljfe the domeftick affairs of his Court, and to make fitting 
 provilions, that upon a fplid foundation he might fet himfelf the next year to recover 
 the places 'he had loft in Picardy. In the mean time he hoped the League with the 
 Qiicen of E»g/j«^and the States, would be concluded ■■> fo that uniting all his Forces, 
 he intended to march fo Ihong into the field, that the Enemy fliould not be able to for- 
 bid him the recovery of his own. 
 
 Having taken this refolution , he left the Marefchal de Byron with Three thoufand 
 Foot and Six hundred Horfe upon the Banks of the Somme, to the end that coalt- 
 ing along the River fide, he might be ready upon any occafion that fhould happen 
 in the Country. He left Peromie, Bologn, Montrueil^ Abbeville^ and St. iiuentm^ well 
 guarded i and the Count de St. Paul in Amiens , though that City , great and po- 
 pulous, alledging its ancient Priviledges, refufcd to receive a Garifon , being con- 
 fident it (hould defend it felf, as it had formerly done in the revolutions of fo many 
 Wars. 
 
 In this interim , Alejfundro de Medici, Cardinal of Flsrsnce, and Legat from the 
 Pope, was come into France ^ with mutual fatisfadion as well of the King, who de- 
 fired wholly to gain the Pope, as of the Pope himfelf, who could not perfedly quiet 
 his mind, unlefs he eftabliflied the ancient obedience and refpeit which was wont ro 
 be held by the Crown of France unto the Apoftolick See. Wherefore being arrived 
 upon the confines of Vaitphine, he was received with great pomp, and with the Army 
 drawn up in Battalia, by Monfieur de Les Dignisres •, who though averfe from the Ca- 
 tholick Religion, omitted not any terms of duty and honour, as well in receiving 
 him, as in waiting upon him to Lynns, where having ftayed a few days, he haltened 
 h:s journey, and went to Moitlins ; from whence though, in regard of the Plague, 
 which was very hot in many places, he took a much longer way, yet he came upon the 
 nineteenth of July to Montl'bery, ten leagues from the City of Paris. Thither the 
 King C»ot with publick pomp, but as in a familiar vifit) coming from Picardy, pofted 
 with a hundred in his train to meet him i fliewing, by his impatiency to be with him, 
 and his familiarity in meeting him, his affedion towards the Pope, and his particular 
 confidence in his perfon , which, befides noblenefs of birth, and maturity of years, 
 had an exceeding great fame for wifdom, and ancient inclination to the affairs of the 
 Crown. The principal Lords of the Court attended the King in this vifit, but par- 
 ticularly the Duke of M^tyeane, to let the Legat fee the fincere reconciliation that was 
 between them , and how much the Headset the Catholick party were efieemed and 
 honoured. As the King in this firfi Interview omitted not any exquifite demonftra- 
 tion of reverence toward the majefty of the Pope, and toward the perlbn of the Le- 
 gat i fo did not the Cardinal fail to fliew himfelf fo moderate, and fo well difpofed to- 
 ward the interefls of the King and of the Crown, that the good cxpeftation formerly 
 conceived of him, was turned into a very great affedion. 
 
 The King returned the next morning toFaris ; and the Cardinal going on his jour- 
 ney, was met firft a league from the Fauxbourgs by the young Prince of Conde, to the 
 end that he might know how diligently he had endeavoured the Popes fatisfatftion, in 
 getting him out of the Hugonots hands : and at the Gate of the Fauxbourgs he was 
 received by Cardinal GcWi, all the Princes, and all the Court, with fuch a throng of 
 people, that if the Dukes of Mayenne and Efpernon, alighting from their horfes, had 
 not with Swords drawn made room among the people, there was fome danger that the 
 vehemence of thofe who crowded inconfiderately to honour him, might have ftifled 
 him in the heat and tumult. Thus being brought into the City with great joy and 
 contentment of evqry one, he performed the wonted Ceremonies in the Cathedral of 
 Nojlrc-Vjmch and being condudcd to his lodging furniflied with the Kings fluff, he 
 with infinite courtefie received the vifits of the Parliament , the firfl; Prefident Har- 
 l^y fpeaking for all s and then fucceifively the other Magiftrates of the City, and of 
 many particular perfons i every one rejoycing to fee with their own eyes, and hear 
 ■with their own ears, the reconciliation as well of the King as Crown unto the Apoiblick 
 See. 
 
 In the Parliament they accepted and publifhed the CommiflTions, or fas they call 
 It) the power of the Legat : and though fome of the Counfellors were of opinion that 
 certain claufes fliould be added to the publication, which had been wont to be ufed 
 '"i J ""^"^ times , to limit and circumfcribe the Authority of Legats within the Pri- 
 viledges of the Gallique Church j yet the King would have them freely publiflied 
 
 as 
 
 f.
 
 of France. The Fifteenth "Boo^ jii 
 
 as they were, without making mention of any fuch thing, to takeaway all fcruple that t 5P^,i 
 might be had of the fincerity of his mind : a thing which redounding to the full fa- 
 tisfadtion of the Pope, and the glory of his Papacy, not to find that oppofition which 
 the other Popes before were wont to meet, was exceedingly well recompenced by the 
 moderation of the Legat , whofe dexterity well inftrudted by prudent Orders from 
 'Rome^ ftill declined thofe occafions which might bring his Authority, the Priviledges 
 of the Clergy, or the Jurifdidlions of the Crown into controverfie i the true and only 
 way to avoid the fo hateful contentions of Jurifdidtion , and a temper very proper as 
 well to eftablifh the received obedience, as to ferve the difficult condition of the times. 
 This, bcfidcs the Pope's prudence, and the Legat's moderation , was the counfel of 
 Giovanni Delfino the Venetian Ambaflador at Kome^ and who afterward was alfo Car- 
 dinal who well verfed in the affairs oi France ^ advertifed both the Pope and the 
 Legat, that they fliould not take particular notice of the excefTes formerly committed 
 in the Ecclefiaftical affairs of France, while it was in a manner feparate from the Church 
 before the Abfolution i but that feigning not to fee many things that were paft, they 
 fhould content themfelves with great patience and dexterity to regulate the future: 
 which counfel greedily received , as from a perfon that was well verfed , and very 
 prudent, gave a rule to govern themfelves by, in many difficult bufineffes that happened 
 afterward. 
 
 The Legat had his firfl publick audience at St.Maur^ without the City, upon the J,t'sfu"°fi(i 
 firftof AKgH^i^ in which the Kingratified all the Conditions accepted by his Procura- pubiick 'audi- 
 tors in the Abfolution at Kome : By which ready demonfiration having fatisfied the leta^a:^'''^ 
 Pope in all points exadlly, he afterward received thofe Difpenfations which the pre- ^S, and «. 
 fent conjundiure perfwaded. From thefe things, appertaining to the Majef>y of Reli- co"diiion/ 
 gion, and of the Pope, the Cardinal-Legat paf^d to treat of thofe which concerned the accepted by 
 quiet of the Kingdom, and the peace of Chriftians : For the Pope knowing, how af- Jl^ts l'"^""' 
 flidled, and how bloodlefs the Kingdom of Frj«ce was , having betn tormented with 
 the folong Civil Wars, and how much need it had of eafc and tranquillity to recover ^^' pointof 
 its ancient vigour i and on the other lide , confidering how cxhau(kd the King of fctit"d"',"the"^ 
 Spain's Coffers were, and how much opprelTed and ruined his people, he faw the ^"jj'"*' ^*" 
 Crown of France^ by continuing the War, was in great danger to be diminifhed, and 'y^t'omme \ ° 
 the moft Chriftian King necellitated ftill to keep near correfpondencies and intercffcd J,clll.\°f 
 friendfhips with Princes that wereaverfe from the Catholick Church : And he believed the two 
 on the other fide, that King Philip being ill able to fupply two fo potent Wars, though ^'°"'"' 
 near, by keeping up the reputation of his Arms in Ticardy^ came to lofe much of his 
 own in Flanders^ to the increafe of the States of Holland^ and the diminution of the • 
 Faith i wherefore he was refolved to mediate Peace between thofe two Crowns, well 
 perceiving that neither of them would ever incline to demand it, if he, as a com- 
 mon Father, and independent Mediator, fhould not interpofe. To this was added, 
 the confideration of the War with the Turk , which was extream fierce and hot in 
 Hungary, which the Pope defiring the Chriftian Princes fhould vigoroufly concur in, 
 that the Forces of the common Enemy might not increafe any more, he thought it 
 chiefly necelTary to make an Agreement between thofe Crowns, to the end, that both 
 together, or at leaft the King of Spain , for the common intereft of the Houfe of 
 Aujiria^ might be able to lend his alTiftance. He therefore had given flridl Commif^ 
 fion to the Legat, that as foon as the Kings Abfolution was ratified, he fhould pre- 
 fently begin to introduce this bufinefs , which he accounted not only neceffary for 
 the fecurity and repofe of Chriflendom, but alfb highly glorious to the memory of his 
 Papacy. 
 
 Neither was the Cardinal (being a man of a mild peaceable nature, and full of ex- 
 perience in the affairs of the world) lefs ready to procure the general good, and his ^^"^f^^* 
 own particular honour, than the Pope was careful to incite him to it, fo that in the theKlnp'^to ' 
 firft meetings after the publick audience at St. Maur^ he deferred not to found the <J'.fi'e p«a" 
 Kings inclination, who no lefs quick-fighted than others in difcovering the wounds *"' ^'""* 
 of his Kingdom, and agreeing with the general opinion of all men, that peace was the 
 only remedy to cure them , was inclined to imbrace any kind of peace wherein his 
 reputation might not fuffer. The difficulties which his Ambafladors found in treating 
 the League with England, perfwaded him the fame i for he perceived very well, that 
 the Queen aimed without regard to get fome place in his Kingdom, that fhe might 
 have means to keep him bound , and to procure greater matters as occafion fliould 
 
 ferve >
 
 12 
 
 The Hi/lory of the Civil Wars 
 
 iijoS fcrve; and it was not unknown to him, that fl>e, by reafon of the Irifli commotions 
 ' which were then in their height, was fo much taken up, that though flie had a defire 
 to it, flic was not able to fpare many forces to his afliftance. To this was added, the 
 condition of the Hollanders, who though they endeavoured to have the War continue 
 in France^ that the Spanifli Forces might be diverted and divided, yet had they not 
 any ability to lend fupplies unto their Neighbours, whilfl; the War was fo hot in all 
 places at their own home. Neither were the Proteftant Princes of Germavy (whofe 
 minds were now bent upon the urgent neceffity of the Turkifli War; either able or 
 willing to trouble themfelves about the Kingdom of France •, which they thought 
 powerful enough of it felf , to make head againft the Arms of Spain : Infomuch, 
 that the King being able to promife himfelf little of the Foreign Aids of his Con- 
 federates, was fain to make his whole foundation upon the Forces of his own King- 
 dom. 
 
 But thefewere hindred and debilitated by many weighty accidents: For 'the Royal 
 Revenues by the ruines of Civil Wars, and the multiplicity of abufes introduced, were 
 fubverted, and little lefs than brought to nothing , and the profit that was wont to 
 rife from Imports and Gabels in the Merchant Towns of the Mediterranean and Ocean 
 Seas, was extreamly diminiflied by interruption of the commerce with Spain ^ the 
 JFcji Indies and the Catholick Kings other Territories : Nor did the trading in Englifh 
 and Dutch-bottoms help much i for navigation being interrupted, the bufinefs was re- 
 duced rather to a kind of Piracy than Traffick. To this want of money (the vital 
 • fubftance of the War) were added other perturbations. The Duke of Mercxm yet in 
 
 Arms, and potent in Bretagne, who with his forces over-running and difquieting the 
 Country, fometimes toward Normandy, fometimcs towards ToiUou and Xaintongc, kept 
 thofe Provinces in continual commotion : Provence and Vauphine not yet well reduced to 
 obedience, and fiercely molefted by the Duke of Savoy, fo that it was ncceflary to keep 
 two Armies ther^ continually employed •■> and, which imported moft of all, the Hu- 
 TheHugonots gonots, either incenfcd, or grown jealous at the fo near conjundtion between the King 
 Kine"co''njJn- ^"'^ ^'^^ Pope, wcre in a manner up in Arms, and Tasking liberty to meet togethfr to 
 aionwith the take fome courfe about their own affairs )fhewed defigns ofnewlnfurredtions: Where- 
 piot'ntw^'cou- "pon there was great danger, that before the Peace was totally eftabliflied with the Ca- 
 bJ". tholicks, it would be neceffary to begin a War with the Hugonots. 
 
 Thefe caufes moved the King to wifh for Peace v but the fpur of reputation, which 
 had ever been very (harp in his mind, did make him in appearance defire War : Where- 
 fore in the firft Treaties with the Legat, he told him refolutely, that he would not ac- 
 • cept of any kind of Peace, unlefs firft all the places taken were reftored, and all the 
 loffes of the Crown repaired > adding fuch lively ardent fpeeches, as (hewed he would 
 not lend an car to a negotiation of Peace, till firft by his Arms he had fet his reputation 
 up again in War » and yet the Legat gathering the Kings fecret intention from the 
 Hate of affairs, which were very well known to him, being upon the place > and judg- 
 ing it by all means nccelTary to break the Ice firft, though there appeared no glimp(e 
 of hope , he difpatched Father Bonaventura Calatagirone , General of the Order of 
 St. Franck, to the Court of Spain, to found how mens minds correfponded on that 
 fide. 
 
 But the diligence the Legat (hewed for Peace, hindred not the King of France from 
 aCo^s""S>"- ^^'"8 intent upon Provifions of Arms, and preparations for the year following i where- 
 oV''''"'f'h- ^'^^^ having called a Congregation of all the Officers of the Crown, principal Magi- 
 crmnitRou- Urates, and Treafurers of his Kingdom in the City of Rouen, where befides regulating 
 "fordmof''' '"^"y ^'^orders and abufes , he intended to eftablifh and fettle his Revenues, and to 
 hij Kirgdom, pcrfwade the Heads of the Provinces, and the chief of the Clergy and common people 
 malirsuppiies ^° ^^}^ '^''" '" ^^^^ manner, that he might be able to uphold the weight of the War 
 for the War. ^y himfelf, which he accounted not difficult , as well by reafon of the urgent necellity 
 well known to them all, as of the good condition many rich and fertil Provinces were 
 getting into, fince Civil Wars had ceafed in them, if neceffary rule and order were added 
 to the benefit of quiet i and he thought every one would run willingly to contribute to 
 that expence, which was not made as in former times, either to fatisfie the Kings ap- 
 petites, or to move domeftick Arms againft thofe of the fame Blood, but to maintain a 
 I^ar againft ftrangers, and to defend the Crown, affaulted and invaded by its ancient 
 tmuJators and inveterate Enemies. 
 
 And
 
 o/^ France, ^he Fifteenth '\Book^ 715 
 
 And becaufe from the year before, there had been a Truce ("though an uncertain ^')9^-< 
 
 f 
 
 one, and from time to time violated and interrupted ) with the Duke o? Merca'iir to 
 
 treat in the interim, and find fome temper of Agreement with him, the King at this 
 
 time deputed the Count of Scbombergh ^ and Prefident de Ihott, who were to go to 
 
 the Qiiecn Dowager of France to treat in her prefence with the Duke?; Deputies : But 
 
 this Treaty was not only doubtful , but alfo various and unfctled i for the Duke, 
 
 a fubtil man , of a deep reach, and one not eafie to be withdrawn from his dtfigns, 
 
 held feveral pradticcs both in Spain and France, promiling himfcif yet, that he 
 
 fhould difmcmber the Dutchy of Brf<j(T«e from the Crown (which had been united 
 
 no longer than fince the times of LervU the Twelfth, and Francis the FirflJ to efta- 
 
 blifli it to his Pofkrity i or, if he could not do fo much in favour of himfelf, at leaft, 
 
 to keep up that State in the name of the Infanta IfabeUa , who pretended to fucceed "^^^ I'fdiu 
 
 unto it, as next Heir of the Houfe of Valnu , fince women were not excluded from KHfion/upo" 
 
 the inheritance of firftrf^nf. For this parpofe he had Cent Lorenzo Tornabuany to the 'l»'^ c utchy 0/ 
 
 Court oi Spain ^ and ftill held pradlices within the Province, to draw many of the '"''^'"' 
 
 principal men to be of his mind , hoping he fliould obtain much larger conditions 
 
 from the Infanta , than he could do from the King of France. But becaufe the ad- 
 
 verfity of the affairs of the League croffed his defigns , and the agreement of the 
 
 other Princes of his Houfe , and particularly of the Duke of Mtyenne, held his mind 
 
 in fufpence i He liill kept the Treaty of Accommodation alive, and fiill prorogued 
 
 the Truce with fhort additions , making ufe fometimes of force, fometimes of art, to 
 
 obtain fome convenient place , and to keep the Provinces confining upon Bretagne in 
 
 commotion. 
 
 Following this his defign , he about this time fet on Charles Goudi Marquift of 
 Belijle^ Son to the Marefchal de Ketz, to feize upon Fougercs, a Town of much im- 
 portance upon the Confines of Normandy ■, and from that place he had held a Treaty, 
 that the fame Marquifs might be let in to Mont S. Michel, a wonderful ftrong place 
 upon the (hore of the Ocean, to which one cannot go by Land , except for the fpace 
 of two fhort hours by day and by night when the Tyde is low , which Treaty having 
 gone on fo far , that the Marquifs was already certain to be let in , he departed fe- 
 cretly by night from Fougeres with an hundred Horfe and four hundred Foot , and 
 came to St. Michel juft at low water i there having given and received the appointed 
 figns, he was invited by the Govcrnour of the Cattle to come* in with half a dozen 
 in his company to poffefs the firit Gate, and bring in his men i at which invitation 
 the Marquifs, a young man, more fierce than circumfped:, refufed not to enter, but 
 feeing the Gate that led into the firft Raveline was prefently fhut at his back , he 
 turned about with an angry countenance to the Captain that Qiut it, and commanded 
 him to keep it open •, which command being no left haughtily anfwered , they of 
 the Cartle took occafion to fell to their Arms, and having killed the Marquifs with 
 his fix Companions , they began to fire their Artillery againft his party, which be- 
 ing already certain of their Commanders misfortune , retired unpurfued io Fou- 
 gerer. 
 
 This accident flackened not the defigns of the Duke of Mercxur , who having 
 had the fuccefs to get the Fortrefs of 'i'lfan^e in FoiSou , and to make other pro- 
 greffes in divers parts, continued to treat of peace ambiguoufly, being minded to 
 govern himfelf according to the variety of affairs , fometimes moderating his de- 
 mands in the Kings profperity, fometimes enlarging them in his advtrfity , being 
 himfelf no lefs uncertain of the event than others. Nor did the King, to whom the 
 caufe of thefe alterations were known, withdraw himfelf from his purpofe of treat- 
 ing, being difpofed to grant him advantageous conditions, to exclude the, Spaniards 
 from Bretagne, and re-unite unto himfcif fo important a part .of the Crown > vvwtre- , , 
 fore to that effedt he had newly deftined the * Count and the Prefident , wHofe wif- \ii^^f^ 
 dom he thought fufficient to deal with the Dukes arts and inconftancy. ^ , . ^ 
 
 He likewife fent the Sieur V* Emery, and Godefroy Calig}ib)i'i!i}\iinct\\oih(79hine irh<-nB*«iM^s 
 to the Hugonots , who abfenting thcmfelves from the Court , and being retired to ?h\t#^« ' 
 
 from Court, 
 retire to pUecs ne»t RocbUt »nd ^r»wing Soulditis (cgwfaet, th« King tenet to trcit «ritli!^cliem<and app«»ft' then*, 
 
 Y y y y the
 
 714 The Htslory of the Civil Wars 
 
 • cod the Towns near KocheJ!, had drawn fonne number of armed men together, continuing 
 * to make their Conventicles and AlTemblies to the great jealoufic of the King , and 
 • great indignation of his Council : But the Duke of Mayemc^ , though formerly an 
 Enemy to that party, yet having moved the reft of the Council to confider how per- 
 nicious it was to provoke a new Civil War at a time when the whole State was af- 
 flided, and that the Arms of the Spaniards infulted with many fuccefsful proceed- 
 ings , they determined to fend thofe two perfons of very great efteem to treat , to 
 (hew' them that nothing prejudicial to Confcience was intended nor thought of: for 
 though the conditions impofcd by the Pope were fuch as every one knew, yet that 
 claufe was added, that they (hould be executed without danger of War or pertur- 
 bation; with which condition at the fame time the Popes obedience aud the fecu- 
 rity of the Hugonots was pvererved ■■> fince the conjun<fture of the times was rr,am- 
 fefily fuch , that the King could not conftrain their Liberty, not only withouf com^ 
 motion of War, but alfo not without great danger of the Crown. Thefc two De- 
 puties being come to the places of the Hugonots, treated many times with the Heads 
 of that pi»Jty , and the reft that were come to Ch zlhlr.inlt ^ and alfiinng them, that 
 the Edids made in favour of their Religion fliould be obferved, iiayed the breaking 
 out of new troubles which were already contriving; but thev could not obtain that 
 the Dukeof Bo«/ii';«, and the Duke de la 7remouille {hon]d fas the King defired; march 
 with the Forces of that party into Picardy ; for the coming of the Legat, and ttie near 
 correfpondence that paft, had made them fo fufpicious, that they would not ftir from 
 the places of their own fecurity. 
 
 The Mmf- While they were negotiating on this fide , Arms were not altogether quiet upon 
 makint' great the Confines of ficardy: for the number of Garifons on both fides did with fre- 
 incurfionsinfo quent cncountcrs keep matters in commotion , and the Marefchal de Byron not fail- 
 ^^ruh^^i^t" ing to moleft the Enemy in all places, made incurlions into the Catholick Kings Pro- 
 spaniards at- vinccs in fuch fort , that in the month of September being entered with his Horfe 
 l)ore''himi tifcy into the County of Artois^ he put the whole Country in a very great tumult : where- 
 nfa^rds'ate^*" forc thc Matquifs of Varambone Governour thereof, having fent for Count Gtovan 
 routed, and Giacopo Belgiojofo, and the Count de Moutecucoli, refblved to meet him with Eight 
 '^'^"mfmc ^^'^^^^'^ Horfe to put a ftop to thofe mifchiefs which he did on all fides > but the 
 theit Com- Marcfchal informed of his coming , having ftaid the whole day to reft himfelf at 
 Th^ef.'and the ^^' ^«^''^» within the Jurifdidlion of St. Omer, fet forward in the dusk of the even- 
 coum dcMm- ing with his men frefli, and purpofed to fall unexped^edly upon the Marquifs, who 
 ptTfoner *.'''" thought him a great many miles from thence : nor did he fail of his delign i for ha- 
 ving marched eafily all the night, in the morning at Sun rife he light upon the Ene- 
 mies Vanguard led by Montecucoli, and without much confidering they charged cou- 
 lageoufly on both fides. 
 
 In the beginning the French had the worfV i for their firft Troops were beaten 
 back half in difbider to the main Body i but a while after the Marefchal advancing 
 in perfbn , charged Montecucoli fo furioufly , that he was forced to turn his back full 
 fpeed j it not being poflible to ftay his men, who fell foul upon the Marquifs his Bat- 
 tel and difordered it , fo that he being forfaken , was taken prifoner with Montecu- 
 coli^ ftill fighting valiantly. Belghjofo advanced with the Reer, and for fome time 
 gallantly withftood the fury of the Conquerours \ but the other Bodies being rout- 
 ed , and he himfelf wounded with two Piftol-fhots in the Arm , was at laft con- 
 ftrained to fave himfelf by flight , leaving the Field free to the Marefchal de By- 
 ron, and free power to go where he would : fo that he would have done more 
 harm to the Country , and perchance have made greater progrefs , if the Rains of 
 Autumn, which that year fell much before the ufual time, had not put a hindrance 
 to his incurfions. 
 
 quamf iTthc About this time there happened an accident at Court , which as it gave private men 
 
 KingsAntc- an example of that moderation wherewith they ought to curb their paffions, fo did 
 
 tw'rnthe'" " advcrtife Princes how far they ought to bear thofe terms of neceility in their 
 
 inlmtind" ■" i^^' to which Honour conftrains them > for a Controverfie in words arifing in 
 
 Monfitu, rfe ^^ ."^'"gs Antc-chamber, between the Sieur de CoQueinviUier one of his Gentlemen- . 
 
 fhe'firft'^gJj^cV • '"^jj\^?^ * "^3" of approved Valour, and Monfieur de Bomvet, a Cavalier of an- 
 
 <he othti a ^'^"t Nobility and great note > CoqueinviUier forgetting the place where he was, ftruck 
 
 •"..onthcMt aomvet a Box on the Ear, who reftraining his own fury, in refped of the place, 
 
 they
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo^, 71-5 
 
 they went both out of the Court , and being feparated by their Friends into feveral 1 5P^. 
 places, Bon'ivet fent to challenge his Enemy, that he might be revenged of the affront 
 he had received : but he (acknowledging his errour , in having wronged him in a 
 place where it was not lawful for him to draw his Sword to right himfelf} refufed 
 to meet him in the field, and offered to ask him pardon , which all men knew was 
 not for want of courage, whereof he had given proofs in other Duels, but out of re- 
 mor(e of Confcience j yet Bonivet, notwithftanding the common opinion, reiterated 
 his challenge oftentimes , which not only was anfwered with the fame moderation, 
 but CoqueinviHier kept within doors for fome time to avoid the occafion of fighting, 
 and yet the other urging him with injurious Letters and Meffages, and not accept- 
 ing the offer he made , to refer himfelf to his difcretion , he was at laft conftrained 
 to meet him in a private place hand to hand , where having tpade his former prof- 
 lers, and protefted that he acknowledged himfelf much to blame-, he was con/trained 
 by Boiiivet's fiercenefs to draw his Sword, wherewith having wounded him with a 
 thruft in the firft bout , retiring back , he would have ended the bufinefs at the fir/t B.'»."y. ' cbai- 
 blood i but Bonivet furioufly infulting , and making many thrufts at him, he being ["r^toTduI 
 fo hard preffed , ran him thorow the body, and laid him dead upon the grounds 'U'^ey a-hz. 
 The news being come to the Kings ear, who knew all that had paffed very well, and *'"*'''" '^"°- 
 bearing not only with the necellity that had forced Corjueinvillirr to fight , but for his 
 Valours fake forgiving alfo the offence he had committed in flriking in the Court, 
 faid publickly. That fince one of them was loft, it was not good to lofe the other 
 too , and granting him his pardon , he commanded the Magiftrates not to proceed 
 againft him. 
 
 In the mean time the Deputies were met together at KoHen , whither the King 
 came upon the eighteenth of October , (accompanied with the Cardinal-Legar, the 
 Duke of Montpenfxer^ Governour of that Province, the High Conlfable Montmorancy^ 
 the Dukes of Nemours and Efperami, the Prince of Jainville , the Marefchals of Retz 
 and Mjtignoi^, tiie Admiral d' Anville, the Cardinals of Giitry and Gondy^ and a fe- 
 led number of the principal Lords of the Kingdom ■■,) and being received with a 
 very folemn pomp, he fpoke to the Affembly the fourth day of November^ fliowing 
 them how much need the affairs of "the Kingdom had of a Reformation, and the ur- 
 gency of Supplies to maintain the War upon the Confines : Which things after they 
 were more at large unfolded by the High Chancellor , every one fet himfelf with 
 great defire to think upon thofe remedies which they judged might prove convenient. 
 But the infirmities of that Body afflided with fo long diftempers, were fuch as could 
 not be fo eafily cured, and every one perceived how neccffary a general Peace was to 
 introduce and eftablifli a whoHbm permanent Reformation, fince that, amidft the ne- 
 ceflities of War, new diforders ftill fpring up i nor can the ftridnefs of Reforma- 
 tion be obferved , where Military exigencies continually extort licentious difpenfa- 
 tions. Nor was there any body who thought not , that the proper means to ob-, 
 tain peace was to have a great ftrength for the War, to the end, that recovering their 
 reputation, and the places that were loft, the two Crowns might agree in peace with 
 equal honour. But as the remedy was known , fo was the means of attaining it 
 -very difficult ; for the whole Kingdom was fo exhaufted and wcakncd, that the peo- 
 ple could confer but little to the Kings affiftance j who, to maintain the Armies in 
 Daitphine and Bretagne , and to raife a greater one in Picardy, was forced to think of 
 great preparations of Men, Money, and Ammunition, which was gotten out of Eng- 
 land and Holland at a very great charge ; and though it was hoped , that fome Pro- 
 vinces which had not been fo much divided, might (with good order taken) afford 
 fome confiderable fupplv, yet that required length of time, which the Exigency and 
 the War would not allow. But neverthelefs , not being able to forbear doing all 
 that was poffible, every one applied himfelf heartily, as well to reform, as to make 
 preparations. 
 
 With the confultation of thefc affairs, ended the year 159^. And though the 15P7. 
 Affembly continued in the beginning of the year following, yet the Reformation was a weak Re- 
 but very weak i for the matter was not difpofed to receive it, and the times were made'jPtovifii. 
 unfeafonable for the rigours of a refolute courfe » only the expence of the Kings ""' "/c°\ 
 Houfhold was leffened, fome fupernumerary Offices were taken away, and the Penh- KTngsmantj, 
 ons of particular men were reftrained, but not in fuch manner, that the Treafury was '"'^ '^'. co.n- 
 
 Yyyy 2 much Sifmiovd,
 
 7 
 
 i6 
 
 The Htslory of the Civil Wars 
 
 i597' 
 
 KtT'tnin Ttl- 
 
 being by the 
 Catotnal 
 Archduke lleft 
 Governour of 
 Del*' to;!, con- 
 trives hew to 
 furpriie ^- 
 tn<ns. 
 
 * The French 
 fays, Ok Mcu- 
 lin. 
 
 much cafed by it. The provifions made for the King , were fomething more con- 
 fiderablc v for the payment of the debts of the Crown were fufpended for the two 
 next years but without prejudice to the Creditors v an increafe was granted in the 
 peoples name upon the Gabelle of Salt , one of the chief Revenues of the Crown j 
 all Ufurpers of Confifcations were by a fevere Edid conftrained not only to re- 
 ftore the Land , but the profits fo ufurped , from which bufinefs there refulted no 
 fmall benefit : And finally , many of the Treafurers , and of the Clergy , volunta- 
 rily obliged themfelves to contribute a certain fum of money, though no very great 
 
 But the King having ended the AfTembly at Konen, and being come into the quar- 
 ters about Paris, to take Phyfick for fome private indifpofition, to the end, that be- 
 ing freed from it , he might more freely apply himfelf with the firft feafon to the 
 toil of Arms , a new important accident gave beginning to Adions of War before 
 the time. Hernando lelles Portocarrero, a man, who in a very fmall llature of bo- 
 dy, contained a lively fprightly courage, was Governour of BomUns: This man ha- 
 ving in the whole courfe of the War, given great proof of no lefs fagacity than va- 
 lour, ilood watchful upon all occafions that offered themfelves to atchieve fomething. 
 He having begun to court a very rich Widow, who, according to the ufe of the 
 French, dwelt in the Country, was fain into a defire of getting her for his Wifei 
 but having often difcovered his intent, (lie ftill anfwered him. That (he being fubjedt 
 to the King of France , and he to the King of Spain , who made War againft one 
 another, it was not fit to fatisfie him i but that fhe would difpofe her felf to do it, 
 when either he had put Vourlans under the Kings obedience, or drawn Amiens (in 
 which City (he was born) under the fubjedion of the King of Spain. Thefe words 
 moved the fpirit of tnrtorarrero, who (befides his natural defire to ferve his Prince, 
 fpurred on by love, and the hope of obtaining forich a Dowry) began to think how 
 he might make himfelf Mafter of the City of Amiens i and having had fome di{- 
 courfe about it with one * Dameline, a man that was baniftied out of thjf Town, he 
 heard that the City had refufed to receive a Garifon of Souldiers, and that the Towns- 
 men kept their Guards diligently by night , but carelefly by day, whereupon he en- 
 tred into good hopes of getting unexpedledly within the Walls , and by his fudden ar- 
 rival , eafily to make himfelf Mafter of it i but having heard afterwards, that there 
 were fifteen thoufand men in the City, well provided with Arms, and ready to run 
 together upon the ftir of any accident, he flood long in fufpence , and doubtful in 
 himfelf, whether he (hould attempt the cnterprife , notwithftanding that fo great 
 difficulty. He was much more out of hope, when he underftood that three thoufand 
 SwilTers ftnt to the King to convoy great ftore of Artillery and Ammunition into 
 the City for the provifions of the future War, ftaid to take up quarters in the neigh- 
 bouring Villages. But he took up his defign again, when he heard that the Count 
 de St. Paul, to fatisfie the obfiinate im.portunities of the Citizens, had made them 
 draw away ■■, nay, he was excited fo much the more out of a defire to get all the 
 preparations that were brought into that City j wherefore he gave order to a Ser- 
 jeant namicd Francifo del Arco, fa man whom he had tried in many occurrences) to 
 go into the City in difguife, and diligently to obferve the quality of the Citizens, and 
 the manner of their Guards. The relation was very favourable to his defign j for 
 the Citizens imployed themfelves by day, in following their bufineffes, and thofe few 
 that remained to guard the Ports, (being invited to it by the feafon) fhut themfelves 
 up in a room to enjoy the benefit of the fire, and the Gate was for the moft part left 
 alone, except one Sentinel that flood at the Turn-pike i whereupon being confirmed 
 in his defign , he difpatched the fame Serjeant to the Cardinal Archduke to obtain 
 leave and fupplics of men, that he might fet himfelf upon the cnterprife. The Arch- 
 duke confented , that he fliould venture upon a bufinefs of fo great hopes •, and gave 
 order to the Garifons of Cambray, Calais, Bapaulme, and Cajielet, that upon the day 
 appointed, they fliouId fend aid of men into the quarters of Dourlans, to obey and be 
 commanded by Tortocarrero. 
 
 He having well fitted all things, called the help that was prepared, and gave order, 
 that upon the Tenth day oi March, they fliould be toward t!ie evening, at a Village 
 h A ^/^'^^ ' ^ League from Vourlans ■■, whereupon there met from feveral parts fix 
 hundred Horfe led by Girolamo Caraffa, Marquifs oi Montenegro , and two thoufand 
 root ot divas Nations, commanded by old Spanifli, Italian, and Walloon Officers $ 
 
 to
 
 of France. The Fifteenth "BooL jij 
 
 to whom Foriocamro communicating nothing elfe , but that they were to go upon iSP?- 
 
 Amiens , marched all night i the ^ Cadet Pamre , a Walloon , and Inigo d' OUava * *^' y^ogt' 
 
 a Spaniard, who were privy to the whole defign, leading the tirft Troops, who ar- ^"•''"• 
 
 riving in the morning before day , laid themfelves in ambufh behind certain Bufiies 
 
 not hr from the City , and after them the fame did Captain Fernando Vtzza with 
 
 an hundred Spanirti Foot, and Captain Bojioc^ with as many Irifh. Portocarrero, who 
 
 had made an halt with the main Body, near the Abbey of Mary Magdalen^ above 
 
 half a Mile from the Town s after that the Cadet climbing to the Top of a Tree 
 
 had given him a fign , that the Gate was open , and that the ftir of thofe that 
 
 went in, and came out, was over, he fent forth Giovan Battijia'Dugnam ^ a Mi- 
 
 lancfe, and the fame Serjeant del Arco^ to execute what had been agreed of between 
 
 them. 
 
 They, with Twelve in their company, difguifed like Country-fellows, after the 
 fa(hion of that Country, wore certain long Caflbcks, fome of Cloth, fome of Can- 
 vas, under which each had a Cafe of (hort Piftols, and a Dagger. Four of thcra 
 drove a Cart with three Horfes faftned to the Draught- Tree in fuch m.anner , that 
 by pulling out an Iron, they might be loofned from the Cart, which being laden with 
 thick pieces of Wood covered with Straw , was fent before to Hop under the Port- 
 cullis , and hinder it from fhutting down. Behind the Cart followed other four, 
 who upon their Shoulders had Sacks full of Apples and Nuts, and after them came 
 the other fix Itragling, and laft of all Serjeant Vitgnano, the Captains Brother, with 
 a great Pole. 
 
 It was already Sermon-time , (for by reafon it was Lent, there was Preaching in 
 many Churches) and the people being gone feveral ways, had left few to guard the 
 Ports ; when the iirft entred with the Cart at the Turn-pike, and went on under 
 the Gate to do the effedl already defigned, and one of the fecond company making One of tSe 
 (hew to let his Apples and Nuts fall by chance fcattered upon the ground, many of 2:le"ii[^cCt 
 thofe that were upon the Guard ran to catch them up , and the reft laughing and ' 7 twelve 
 mocking, took no heed to the Cart, which being got under the Portcullis, the Horfes l^t"id\c''l°(:i 
 were prefently loofened, left being frighted with that ftir they fliould have dragged '■''5 cou.try- 
 it too far 5 and fo that impediment remained in the midft of the paftage, that it bt'n^ng^ 
 cnuld not be ihut down. The laft came unto the Turn-pike, and at the very iirft *^"j, """". 
 nWed the Sentinel, then prefently the reft difcovering their Weapons, fell upon them and fcattering 
 that were catching up the Apples, and fighting fiercely killed fome of them , and ['"'^ upon the 
 drove the reft into a room where the fire was, fhutting them up in fuch manner, ?eive'the 
 that the firft Companies of Foot had time to come unto the Gate. In this inte- Guards, wIm 
 
 * were very 
 
 rim the Sentinel that was above in the Gate-houfe , having heard the noife, fpee- regiisent, 
 dily cut the Ropes by which the Portciillis hung, which being made of feveral Bars 
 and not all of a piece, two of the Bars broke through the bottom of the Cart, but 
 the other three were kept up, leaving fpace enough open for two Souldiers to enter 
 abrert. Through that pafTage the Commanders and Officers advanced compleatly 
 armed, and after them above an hundred Souldiers , before any aid came from the 
 City , and yet the people coming up on all fides, they would at laft have defeated 
 the AfTailants, (among whom Dngnana was killed with a great wound on the head) 
 if the Bars of the Portcullis being broken , and all impediments taken away , the 
 Cada had not come in fcafonably with the Walloons, and Captain Bpjiock^v/ith the 
 Irifh ■, by which the people who ran ftragling thither without order or without 
 Commander, being beaten back and put to flight, and above eighty of the Citizens 
 killed, there was nobody that made refiftance any longer i for the Count de S.Faul^ 
 who was in the Town without any Garifon , at the firft notice of the bufinefs, got 
 out of the Yorte de Beauvais and fav'd himfelf by flight. Fernandn Dezza entred 
 prefently after the firft, and laft of all Portocarrero with the main Body, keeping the 
 Souldiers from running about to plunder, as well for fear of the people, (a very great 
 number in refpedt of themj as becaufe he doubted the Kings Forces that were not 
 far off, might ftrive to recover the Town in the firft heat. But the people too bold 
 before the urgency of the danger , and too fearful in the a<S , dejedted in fo fud- 
 den an accident , laid down their Arms, and the Kings Cavalry advancing to the 
 very Wall, having met the Marquifs de Montnegro, and feen that they could not- 
 efre<5l any thing, returned without further attempt into their own Quarters, 
 
 The
 
 7 
 
 jg 77;^ History of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,.r.n The nr-ws of th\s lofs frruck the King fo deeply, that defpifing his own health, 
 
 and brcakS off the courfe of Phyfick he had begun , he pcfted fpcedily into Pi- 
 
 cardv accompanied with none but thofe that were then about him, being con- 
 
 Hrnicd more f'lan ever in his old conceit , That where he was not himfelf in pcr- 
 
 Kn" (or fon bafwcifcs went on cither catelefly , or unfortunately i and paffing with great 
 
 tht'iofs'of ^- haza'rd in thofc places where the Enemy roved about vidlorioufly, he came to Cor- 
 
 „r«j breaks j^ Marefchal (^e' Byron wis, being refolved, or rather excited by defpair, 
 
 off the courle Pie. wuv-"- .11 ij j, » ji 
 
 of Phyfick he (^ (,fgin the War again, happen what would", and to encounter any danger what- 
 
 ''nd ao« iito foevfr to attempt fome enterprize, though without hope to effect it. For he thought 
 
 ^VicSj^otC- nothing more contrary to his fuccefs than eafe, and nothing more beneficial than 
 
 fift theaffii" n- 
 ofWarinpsf- aCflOn. 
 
 fon. But this accident ftruck the adjacent Provinces no lefs than him, and particularly 
 
 Thcv are t^c City of Par/s ', betwecn which and Amiens there not being above eight and twen- 
 „ucfcrroubicJ jy Lcsgucs of opeu Way, not hindred by any ftrong place , there entred a great ter- 
 lofs'of ^V- '0"'' '"^° ^^^ people, fearing left the Spaniards now vidorious (hould advance to 
 '"'' "jirii"' ^P°'' ^'^^ Country , and interrupt the concourfe of vidlual , while the King had no 
 ricKing- Army wherewith he could withftand their progrefsi and the frefli fufTerings which 
 were lately paffed , did by the yet bitter memory of them , make dangers feem more 
 grievous, and more near than was fitting j the whole people therefore was in an up- 
 roar i the Country frighted , the Nobility l^irred up , and many murmured againft 
 the King , as one who accuftomed only to conquer in Civil Wars , yielded in all 
 places to the difcipline, policy, valour, and diligence of Foreigners i and others go- 
 ing yet farther , fpoke againft his manner of life , as if having given himfelf a prey 
 to the love of Madam Gabriele^ he had retired to pafs his time idly with her, while 
 the Enemy follicitous and'vigiknt , infukcd furioully againfl the principal Cities of 
 the Kingdom : and that which thefe men faid, was not without probable appea- 
 rance i for the King having made great (how of the love he bore this Lady , even 
 to the having caufcd the Baptifm of a Daughter born of her, to be celebrated with 
 Royal pomp, in the face of the AfTembly at Kouen , was afterwards retired in her 
 company to the folitarinefs of St. Germains^ St. Maure^ and the other places of plea- 
 furc near the City , in fo much that thofe who knew not the nece'iruy he had to 
 take Phyfick, attributed all to the defire of eafe, and to the appetite of womanifii 
 delights. 
 
 Nor was the King himfelf ignorant of the popular rumours i whereupon excee-d- 
 ingly vexed , he ceafednot with words and letters to clear himfelf, attributing the 
 lofs of Amiens to the obftinacy of the Citizens , who never would receive a Gari- 
 fon , to which he would not conflrain them , bccaufe that City being newly come 
 unto his devotion, he was unwilling the people fhould believe that he fought to vio- 
 late the Priviledges of their Corporation, and fail of his Promifes. He fhcwcd like- 
 wife that not the pleafure of the Court , but his need of Phyfick, which would ad- 
 mit no delay , had conftrained him to enter into a courfe, though the feafbn were 
 yet cxtreamly cold , to the end that after the fpace of a few days he might be able 
 with perfed: ftrength to undergo the burthen of the War himfelf in perfon. And 
 Jj'f'J'j'IIfi^ft' to that which was faid of his being only skilled in Civil Wars : He objedted the two 
 theaccSfni. feveral times he had met the Duke of Parma, and what he had done the year be- 
 mu'ii'ti^s ^thc ^^^^ againft the Conftable of Cafhle's Army i in which enterprizes (contrary to what 
 frcncii. his Detradors faid of him } He had (hewn as much circumfpedlion and difcipline 
 
 as the cuftom of the French Nobility, and the quality of times and occafions would 
 
 The r <• h ^''°^* 
 
 fieget^»i,„j, To thefe words joining adions futable, though he had not above Four thoufand 
 
 to'r"c"comu''^ ^°°^ ^"^ ""^^^^ 'houfand Horfe , he determined to draw near Amiens to begin the 
 Ijege i for he was refolved to fet hi^ utmoft endeavours to recover that City ; con- 
 fidering that it was beft to begin betimes to ftraighten it by what means foever he 
 could i to the end that thofe within might not have conveniency to provide them- 
 felves of things necefTary to feed that abundance of people that dwek continually in 
 the Town. Wherefore being departed fwm Corbie, and paft over to the far fide of 
 the River Somme , he caufed his men to encamp in the midft between Amiens and 
 iJoiirlans, to the end he might interrupt the commerce and mutual alliflance of thofe 
 two places, and having left charge with Marefchal de Byron to advance the ficge ac- 
 cording as new fupplies of men came up daily to the Camp, He giving no reft un- 
 to
 
 of France. The Fifteenth "BooJ^, yia 
 
 to himfelf, went up and down to convenient places , drawing Horfe and Foot out I5?7« 
 of the Garifons to increafe his Army the moft he could , and at laft returned to Pa- 
 ris, to halkn fuch provifions as were neceffary, and to raife a Cum of money, fuffi- 
 cient to go through with the fiege , which at that time was the utmoft fcope of all 
 his thoughts. 
 
 The City of j^miens ftands upon the River Somtne, which being divided into many 
 ftreams , runs through the midlt of the Town , and encompafTes , and wafhes the 
 Wall in many places. On the one fide it hath the great Cartle of Fetjuigny , and 
 Corbie on the other » the Caftle four Leagues, and the Town leven Leagues diftant 
 from it. The City is invironed with thick and well-contrived Walls , flanked with 
 their Bulwarks and Ravdines, in fome places more, in fome left, according as it is 
 wafhed more or lefs by the River ; and though in all parts it be more excellently 
 fortified, yet it is much ftronger, and built with greater induftry on the fide beyond 
 the Riv^r towards Fland^s. On this fide the King had given order, that fiege fhould 
 be laiu, jt only to hinder the commerce of Vottrlans , but alfo becaufe he intend- 
 ed to fortifie the quarters of his Army in fuch manner, and to environ the Town 
 fo clofelv with Trenches and Forts, that the Cardinal Archduke , though he came 
 ftrong into the field, fhould not have power to relieve it, finding it wholly fliut up 
 on the ri^ht way. But the Marefchal de Byron not having ftrength enough to be- 
 gin the Trenches , had quartered himfelf with the Vanguard in the Abbey of Mary 
 Magdzhn, and fpread himfelf with the reft of his Forces upon the rode to Vourlans^ 
 breaking the ways with the Cavalry, and hindring vidtual or relief from getting into 
 the City. 
 
 On the other fide, Portocarrero, though befieged much fooner than he had at firft 
 imagined , having fent Serjeant deP Arco to Brufells^ as well to give notice of it, as 
 to require new fupplies , applied himfelf with his ufual diligence to repair the For- 
 tifications, and to provide againft all other wants > and nfrcr he (aw the French en- 
 camp fo near, he relblved while they were weak, to trout ' hem fo with falliTs. that 
 they fhould be fain to get further offi wherefore upon the thirtieth of .^l^-ch in the 
 morning, he gave order, that the Mziquiis de Mont- 'tezro ihoM march forth to fall 
 upon the quarter of the Vanguard, which was at the Abbey of Mjr\f Ma^Jalen^ who 
 having fent fifty Walloon Horfe before to afTault the firft Corps- de Garde , kept by 
 twenty Souldiers , he himfelf followed fo furioufly with two hundred other Horfe 
 that having beaten the Corpt de Garde^ and taken fome prifoners , he advanced un- 
 cxpeftedly to the quarter of the French, and yet four hundred Horfe coming forth 
 to receive the charge, they skirmiftied long without advantat,c . till the Marquifs 
 feigned to give back, that he might draw the Enemy into an Amhufcado, where Cap- 
 tain Inigo d' Ollava lay among certain bufhes with two hundrcu Spanifh Foot. But 
 the Sieur de Montigny, who commanded the French, having purfued them gallantly ac 
 the heels as far as the bufties, made a ftop, out of a doubt, that fome ambufh might be 
 laid in fo fit a place i whereupon the skirmifh ending, both parts retired without do- 
 ing any thing of moment. 
 
 The Marquifs fallied again the next day with three hundred Light-horfe, followed 
 by an hundred Lanciers ; but the skirmifh growing hot on all fides by their mutual 
 Fire-arms, neither would the French advance into the hollow places, which are near 
 the Walls i nor durft the Spaniards draw near the Port of M^ry Magdalens Abbey, both 
 the Commanders doubting they might be catched in fome trap. Portocarrero then took 
 another courfe to free himfelf from being fo nearly molefted by the Vanguard of the 
 French, and began to batter the Abbey with many Culverines, whereof he had found 
 (lore in the City, and continued to play upon it fo obftinately, that there was no flay- 
 ing in that Poft, and the Vanguard was fain to retire to a Village further back, from 
 whence though they obftrudled the ways with no lefs facility , yet they within had 
 more means to provide themfelves of Earth , Bavins , and other things neceffary to 
 raife new defences. 
 
 In this interim , the Cardinal Archduke had given careful order, that before the T^^ndt ouf- 
 French Army grew ftronger , new fupplies might be put into the Town •, where- "^aztlhcf in% 
 fore Juan de Gufmatt going from the Territory of Citmbray with four Companies of ^mr:!, bsc 
 Firelocks, but all mounted , and three hundred Light-horfe , took his way by night, rtTly 'thr*^ 
 that he might come betimes in the morning to the Gates of the City , which ha- F«nch, he 
 ving profperoufly done , as well becaufe the Air was cloudy and dark, as becaufe the j^o lave ymfttf 
 
 French
 
 7 
 
 2o The Hiflory of the Civil Wars 
 
 15P7, French advertifed of his coming, expeded him not till night i yet he deftroying 
 the benefit of Fortune by an unfeafonable Vanity, as foon as he faw himfelf near the 
 City, caufed his Trumpets to found, and a great Volley of Shot to be given in to- 
 ken of joy i at which noife the French who were prepared , ran fo courageoufly to 
 charge them , that the Troops being inftantly mingled pel-mel , the Artillery of the 
 Town had no longer any means to defend their own men i who being conftratned to 
 yield to the greater number , had retreated ftill fighting to the covered way , and 
 there would have been routed and defeated, if Fernando Vezza who defended it with 
 two hundred Spanifh Foot, giving fire without diftindion at them all, had not made 
 the French retire. In the mean time, the Firelocks that came with the relief, leaping 
 from their Horfes, faved themfelves almoft all in the Moat, and the Marquifs of Mjk- 
 tenegro fallying with his Horfe , after the French were feparated, valiantly beat than 
 back as far as the Abbey. The relief got in with the lofs of under forty men, yet 
 was it great , becaufe Kuggiero taccone was wounded in the left Leg , and Fernanda 
 Vez^za flain with a Musket-fhot in the head. There cntred together with the relief^ 
 Federico Facciotte, (Brother to Guiddbaldo, who was killed at the affaultof Calais) an 
 Engineer of very great fame, of whom the Commanders had exceeding great need 
 for the njaking of works, and together with divers forts of neceffary matters , there 
 got in alfo a good fum of money- 
 TheMit.f- Whiht with frequent bloody skirmifhes, and with minds vi'holly intent upon the 
 
 chai de Eyrm bufincfs, they fight thus under the Walls of Amiens, th^ Marefchal de Byron watch- 
 fn to D»«-- ing alloccafions of advantage, refolves to give a fudden Scalado to Vonrlans ■■, and 
 '■">'• '""'^' having caufed many Ladders to be prepared, he gave order that the Sieur de Moa- 
 very mnch too tigny who Commanded the Light-horfe, (houJd lead the Foot of the Fvcerguard upon 
 te'°"ii.e''fuc- tbat entcrprife , and he himfelf after having been forth in the evening, and made 
 ctcdsnot. divers skirmiQies under the Walls of the City, to the end , the Enemy might not 
 perceive the leflening of his Camp , marched with fixty Cuiraffiers , and his own 
 Life-guard of Horfe the fame way , to give coihrage to his men. It was two 
 hours before day, when the Sieur de FlaJJ'an on the one fide , and the Sieur de Faa^ 
 qiteroles on the other, both Captains of the Regiment of Ficcardy, feconded by two 
 hundred Switzers, clapt the Scaling-Ladders to the Walls of Vourlans , which be- 
 ing found extreamly much too fhort , the attempt proved vain without any other 
 danger, and the AfTallants rtturned the next day to'lie before Amitns in their old 
 quarters. 
 
 But the Marefchal de Byron exceedingly vexed at' -this unprofperous fuccefs, ha- 
 ving received four thoufand Englifh , ( at laft , after many delays , fent by Queen 
 Elizabeth to the Kings affiftance, in performance of the League lately made ) and 
 many other Troops of Horfe , and Companies of Foot, who made great hafte from 
 fevcral parts , being come up, he jnefolved to encamp juft under the City, and for- 
 tifying his quarters , to (hut up all the Avenues of the Town on the far fide of the 
 River at the fame time. His Ajrmy amounted to the number of Twelve thoufand 
 fighting men i but he with his diligence , courage , and vigilancy , made it appear 
 Tht M f ^^^^ greater, gallant in fight , careful in- adtion , unwearied in labour , rigorous in 
 thai Vfijron cxafting that from others which he himfelf did' in his own perfon : Which quali- 
 rumVto"L''Jf ''" '^^'"g naturally his , were now redoubled by a Spur which be received from the 
 the Kings, u- Kings words , who could not contain himfelf from faying openly, That where he 
 liVd'y "iTthc ^^^ "°^ himfelf in perfon, things went on eithcir with little fortune , or much neg- 
 ficgeof^m,. ligencei wherefore, the Marefchal who attributed a great part of the part Vido- 
 aa'ions'itiioht "'f^' t6 his own fortune and perfbnal courage , feeing now that glory called in que- 
 KinTft-''5 , ^'°"' which he accounted to be certainly his , as a man of infinite pride and infup- 
 woris. """"^ portable haughtinefs , was wholly kindled with an incredible indignation, and ftrove 
 with his iitmoft fpirits to do fomcthing that might plainly (hew the effeds of his Va- 
 lour without the Kings^a{G(iance or command » wherefore though the fiercencfsand 
 number of the Defendents were fuch, that a great Body of an Army was neceflfaty 
 Jo ftraighten and befiege them , yet Was he refolved 'to attetopt it with thofe forces 
 he had. 
 
 Thefirft thing that was begun, was a Bridge over the <S«himp, in a Village called- 
 h^rl' ^^°"' ^ League above the Town, and it was fortified with a Half- Moon on 
 each lide the River, as well that they might have free paiTage, both above and be- 
 low the City, as to hinder the Enetnies from paiFmg the River in that place, where 
 
 the
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo^ 
 
 1 
 
 21 
 
 the dreams divide themfelves, and relieving the City on that fide that was not be- 
 ficged. Bciides this Fortification, a Trench was drawn, which beginning within a 
 quarter of a League of the Town, near the Bank of the River came in the form of a 
 Half- moon encompalTing all the Plain, and ended at the other Bank of the River, about 
 the fame dilhnce below the City i and this Trench was divided intofcven parts, by 
 feven Royal Forts,which furnifhed with fmall Artillery,fcoured and flanked the Trench, 
 utrerly (hutting up all the paffage of the field. Such another Trench, though of much 
 greater circuit , and as many Forts , clofed up the outward part toward Dourlans, 
 and the other wayes that led into the Territory of Cambray , and into Flanders^ 
 and on that fide the Trenches were much deeper, and the Works much higher to de- 
 fend them on the back from the attempts of the Spanifli Armies. The whole Army 
 was imployed about this work, and a very great number of Pioneers, who being drawn 
 together from the Country round about, by Birons imperious feverity, wrought day 
 and night at an exceeding cheap rate. 
 
 The courage of the Defendents was no lefs fierce and refolute , who being careful 
 not to pafs by any opportunity of interrupting the Works, fallied every hour, fome- 
 times on horf-back, fometimes on foot, and making the whole Camp ftand to their 
 Arms , did, by very long skirmifhes, keep the Works at a flay, and do mifchief, fome- 
 times in one place, fometimes in another. The skirmifli was very (harp and bloody, 
 which hapned upon the twenty fourth of May, which day the Marquifs and Purtocar- 
 rero fallied out feveral ways, each with Three hundred Horfe and as many Foot » 
 and while Portocarrero gave a hot alarm on the lower fide, the Marquifs taking 
 towards LoHgpre i and paffing by the fide of the Trench, not yet finiflied , 
 put them that guarded it in a very great confufion, and would have deftroyed 
 the Half-moon, and nailed three pieces of Cannon that were in it, if the Sieur de Mon- 
 tigny had not hafted thither with the Light-horfe, with which, while he skirmifli- 
 ed courageoufly, the Marefchal de Birm thought to poflefs the Pafs between his 
 Trench and the River, and fo cut off the enemies retreat i but being advanced at a 
 good round pace that way with many Troops of Horfe, he found, that Viega Ditraii- 
 dj , FrjHcefco del Area, and Captain Falme , an Iri(h-man, had taken that Pafs, to 
 keep the retreat free and open for their own men i fo that the fight began there 
 again more furioufly than before •> for the Infantry making ufe of the hollow places 
 and bufhes, which in that place were very many, did much harm to the French Ca- 
 valry , and the Marquifs having faced about , charged the Marefchals Troop in the 
 flank and in the reer, in fuch manner , that being catcht as it were in the midlt, it 
 was in very great danger of being defeated, if the reft of the Cavalry, led by the 
 Commendutoiy de Chattes had not run fpeedily to difingage it, at whofe arrival the 
 Spanifti Foot giving back on the one fide, and the Marefchal retiring on the other, 
 each marched off free, it being already almoft Sun-fet, and there remained many, as 
 well French as Spaniards dead upon the place. 
 
 The King came to the Army upon the feventh oijune , to the Marefchal de Bi- 
 ron's great difpleafure, who defircd to finifh his line of circumvallation before his ar- 
 rival i fo th^t feeing Madam Gabriele was come with him to the Camp, he cryed out 
 publickly , that (he was the profperity and good fortune the King brought along 
 with him i nor would he Co eafily have been quieted, if the King, vifiting the Tren- 
 ches, had not highly commended his diligence and induilry, and given order, that 
 he fiiculd command the Forces, and all military matters, as he did before his com- 
 ing. The King, invironed with many Princes, took up his Port in theruines of the 
 Abby, among which there were yet fome Arches ftanding entire, nor would he ftir 
 from thence, though the Spaniards ceafed not to make many Cannon (hot that way. 
 The Conftable , the Duke of Mayenne , the Duke of Ffpernon , and the Prince of 
 Jaiftville quartered in the Forts, and the Marefchal de Biron got into an Hermitage 
 within musket-(hot of the Counterfcarp , intending to begin his approaches on that 
 fide , as foon as the Works of his Camp were brought to perfedion , in which they 
 made huts of boards to fhelter themfelves from the Rain, and other ill- weathers j 
 fince the King , in the Council of War, had determined to approach by Tapping , 
 though it were the longeft way, that he might not endanger the lives of his Soldiers 
 in aflaults, the War having fwallowed up fo great a number of them , that it was 
 necelTary to proceed very fparingly , the whole Kingdom being extreamly exhauft- 
 ed of men, and the Nobility more than moderately dimini(hed. 
 
 Zzz z The 
 
 I5P7* 
 
 The Dtfen- 
 dancs of ^- 
 mitni (iWj CO 
 skirmifti, and 
 Porto:iirreie 
 himfelf being 
 prefenc, the 
 6»ht is very 
 hot »nd bloo- 
 ^7- 
 
 The King 
 comes to cb: 
 Camp before 
 ^miis, and 
 leaves cbe 
 Command Co 
 the Marefchal 
 J< Birtn.
 
 722 
 
 The Hislory of the Civil IVars 
 
 «5?7- 
 
 A Cinnon. 
 fliot lights in 
 the Kings 
 Lodgings, 
 whettby the 
 King himfelf 
 is »ll covttcd 
 with dud. 
 
 A Treaty of 
 
 jiving one of 
 the Gates of 
 Amiens to the 
 Enemy is dif. 
 covered, miny 
 of the accom- 
 plices arc 
 hanged, and 
 many Augu. 
 ftine Frieri 
 imptifooed. | 
 
 "the pay of the Army C many of the old Officers beirg removed) palTed through 
 the hands of Monlieur d' Inquerville Superintendent of the Finances, -with the alli- 
 duous unwearied afliftance of Secretary Villeroy, who, having in great part laid other 
 bufineffes afide, applyed himfelf particularly to that, as well to the end the fraud of the 
 Commanders might not, by deceits, increafc the fcarcity of Money, which was ex- 
 ceeding great , as that the decreafe or increafe of the Army might be known from 
 day to day, and that the number might not differ in efFcd from what appeared in 
 their mufter- Books i nor ever was there foexadt diligence ufed in times pafti for 
 formerly the Soldiers maintained themfelves more upon free quarter and plunder 
 than upon their pay ■■, but now the Country being every where defhoyed and emp- 
 ty, and the Foot particularly being fain to work daily at the FortiHcaticns, and keep 
 continually in the Trenches, it was neceffary they fliould be paid, in which, and 
 the other occafions of the fiege , it is manifeft there were fpent above Three Milli- 
 ons of Ducates. 
 
 The Artillery was commanded by Monlieur de S. Luc, who, excited by his own 
 genius, and the emulation of Monfieur ^f /a G«ic/;e his predeceffor, buficd himfelf 
 with infinite induf^iy in all occafions , in which the SwifTers and the Englifh were 
 alwayes more ready and more diligent than all the reft j for the French Infantry, 
 except the Regiment of Ficardy and that of Navar, was all made up of i:ew men, and 
 fuch as were not accuflomed to toyles and labours, and to lie in the field i and yet 
 the healthfulnefs of that year was fo great, afTifted by the excellent Government of 
 the Commanders, and by the conveniences that were in the Camp, that almoft none 
 died, and but very few were fick. The light-Horfe commanded by the Sieur de 
 MontigHy were quartered at the back of the Army , and making large excurfions , 
 convoy'd in provifions , and infefted all the Country to the very Gates of Doitr- 
 lans, into which Town Cavalliere Lodovico Melzi being entred with ten Troops 
 of Horfe, there happened frequent skirmifhes , and bloody encounters between both 
 parties. 
 
 Nor were the befieged le(s ready to interrupt the Fortifications , and molefl the 
 Camp continually, though the French Army was increafcd to the number of 
 Eighteen thoufand fighting men j and though in the Town, whatfoever the occa- 
 fions were , many difeafes raigned, which, as the weather grew hotter , became alfo 
 contagious and peftilential j but the courage of the foldiers , and the valour of the 
 Commanders overcame all, infbmuch , that their fallies flackened not, and with 
 their Artillery they did much harm ■■, one (hot having hit into the Arch under 
 which the King himfelf lay, and filled the place with fo much duft and rubbifli, 
 that if the building of the Wall had not been very ftrong, he had been in great dan- 
 ger of being buried in the ruines with his attendants. 
 
 To the valour of Armies were added alfo Treaties with feme of the befieged i fo 
 that a BoHTguigmn Captain being got into the Town in the habit of an Auguftine 
 Frier, not onely induced thofe Fathers to receive fome others with ofFenfive Armes 
 into their Monaflery, but alfo got certain Walloon foldiers to confent to open a Gate 
 that was furtheft from the work, as foon as it fhould come to their turn to guard it : 
 but while they ftill treated to draw many others into their company, notice of it 
 came unto the Governor , who, having caufed nine of the accomplices to be hang- 
 ed , made moft part of the Friers be put in Prifon , and fet ftrid guards upon the 
 Monafiery. From this accident there arofe another trouble to the befieged i for not 
 confiding in the people , among which they thought there were many partakers of 
 the Intelligence difcovered, they were fain, when they made any fallies, to go round 
 the ftreets of the City at the fame time with ftrong guards, to the end that none 
 might rife within i and when an alarm was given, they were necellitated to man the 
 heart of the Town no lefs than the Bulwarks. But notwithftanding all thefe diffi- 
 culties, they omitted not any occafion of fallyingj judging that the moft powerful 
 •remedy to foreflow the Kings works, and give the Cardinal Arch-Duke time to draw 
 an Army together and bring them relief. 
 
 On the other fide, the Marefchal de BiroH, whileft all were intent, either fo make, 
 or fiinder the Works, thought to attempt fome unexpedted furprize v wherefore, up- 
 on ttie one and twentieth day o( June at night, which proved dark and cloudy, 
 ne caufed two Captains to advance filently with fome Foot, and to get down fecretlyr 
 into tfie Moat, where having caft many SaucifTons into the skip-gates, and the hol- 
 
 ■ • low
 
 o/" France. The Fifteenth ^ool^. 72^ 
 
 low places cf the C^Jfjmattes^ they gave fire to them without delay, and with (bme 
 affright to thofe within i but not having been able to aim them right, and they not ^5?7° 
 taking fire equally, made more noife than they did harm, having only beaten down 
 Come of the facing of the Wall, and fome loop-holes for fmall fliot, and kill'd only 
 three fentinels, fo that the Captains not feeing any breach at which they could make 
 an attempt, and great ftore of fire-works raining on all fides into the moat, they 
 retired, leaving many 5^«<;i(fo«j-, which, in regard of the Powder, were of great help 
 to the befieged. SjHciJfoni are long fackes of Leather , which , filled with Pow- 
 der, and fired at a certain time, do a like effed: (though much weaker) to a pettard 
 or mine. 
 
 This danger excited the defendants to man the Counterfcarp more carefully, fo 
 that they lodged two Companies of Spaniards there , and two others of Walloons, 
 who, after that, ftaid there day and night, and all the Caflamattes of the Moat, were, 
 with equal diligence, plentifully guarded, infomuch, that the Colonel of the Regi- 
 ment of Navar going to make another trial of the attempt of the Saudjfons , near the 
 Raveline of the Gate that looks toward Long-pre, was, at the entry of the Counter- 
 fcarpe forced to return back with fome lofs. 
 
 In the mean time Marefchal de Biron fortified the Hermitage, to begin two Trenches 
 of approach from thence i but the Marquifs t)f Montenegro being refolved to hinder 
 that as much as he could , fallied upon the nine and twentieth dav of the Month 
 with Four hundred Horfc, back'd by two hundred Iri(h and Italian Foot, and advan- 
 cing Ibaight as far as the Hermitage, began fo fierce a fight with thofe that were ac 
 work, that the Marefchal himfelf was fain to fall in with his Troop i nor would that 
 have been fufficient to repulfe him, if the Count of Aitvergne had not come up with a 
 Itrong Troop of Horfe , at whofe arrival the Marquifs retiring flill fighting, the Foot 
 came in courageoufly.to the encounter, and being placed in the hollow of the field, 
 did fo much mifchicf to the French Cavalry, that they were fain to retire without 
 much refiflance. Above Two hundred of the Camp were flain, and of the befieged 
 not above Ten. 
 
 The night following the Marefchal laid an Ambufh of Two hundred French Foot 
 in the ruines of St John's Church, which, together with the Suburbs had been pull'd 
 down by the Defendants from the beginning , and in the morning flood with his 
 Horfe in order, expeding their wonted fally, to which the Marquifs coming forth , 
 with a number equal to that of the day before, and having fain at unawares into the 
 ambalh , loll not courage for that, but rallying his Troop clofe, and wheeling, 
 would have turned back. But the Marefchal coming out of his quarter, overtook 
 him in the Rere, and made him face about again : Whereupon, there was fo clofe an 
 encounter, that the Marquifs ovcrpowred by the greater number, and charged in the 
 flank and front, would have been cut off with all his men, if the Governor with the 
 reft of the Horfe had not fallied forth to dif-ingage him i who having for that pur- 
 pofe fent on two Troops of Cuiraffiers, and one of Lances to the skirmifh, the fcrvice 
 was (b hot, that for a long fpace they fought defperately i but in the end, the Englifh 
 Tertia coming up, the Spaniards were repulfed, and driven full fpced to theCounter- 
 fcarp. There were flain that day feventy of the befieged , and among the xtHiJitan 
 de Gnfma,i^ a Cavalier of great birth, who had lately brought the relief. 
 
 Yet did they not forbear for this to fally the next day,, and charging the Foot that 
 wrought at the Hermitage, killed many Soldiers and Pioneers i but feeing four Troops 
 of Horfe, and the Battalion of the Englifh come toward them, they turned back 
 without doing any thing elfe. The Sallies continued fo frequent the following dayes, 
 that the Works proceeded very flowly i but upon the fifth day of July the Marefchal 
 having laid two Ambufhes in the field, catchcd thofe that fallied between in fuch 
 manner , that Diego Benjv/des his company was quite defeated , and he himfelf ha- 
 ving loft his Jlferes, and his Serjeant, had much ado to fave himfelf: And Kuggiero 
 Taccone^ who followed him with the Cavalry, being furioufly repulfed and puifued 
 at the heels, could hardly retire fafc under the flielter of the Covered- way. 
 
 By this misfortune, and the difeafes which increafed, the ardor of the Defendants 
 was fomething cooled, infomuch, that Biron had conveniency to plant eleven great 
 Pieces of Battery in the Hermitage i which fcouring the field,hindred them from fal- 
 lying out of the Counterfcarp, and flieltered thofe that began to work at the Trenches, 
 
 Zz22 2 which
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 r '•pj. which going on apace, the Defendants thought to diftuib them , by making fo ftrorg 
 ' a Sally, that part of what was done might be thrown down, Biron's Artillery nailed, 
 
 and tha't they miglit not be able to annoy them for fome dayes. Wherefore the Go- 
 vernor gave order, that Capfain Pif/ro Vurando^ and Francefco del Arco ( who had 
 alfogota Company) fhould ftand ready in the Covered- way i the firft with Two 
 hundred Spanifli Foot, the other with as many Italians and Walloons ■■, and that after 
 them two Irifh Captains fhould be ready to fally with Three hundred Foot of that 
 Nation ■-, and for the Rere-guard, Carlo de Saiigro, with eighty Men at Armes, who 
 marching on Foot fhould carry Halbards. He gave diredion, that Captain RHjs.iero 
 I'accone^ and Captain Francefco Fonte, fliould fally out at the Gate that was approach- 
 ed to, each with an Hundred Horfe to back the Infanfiy, and that Captain Simone La- 
 tro, with other Two hundred Horfe fallying at the Porte a'f Bm?«uw, fliould give an 
 alarm on the contrary fide, and then croiling through the Field, fhould come to re- 
 inforce his own party. It was the feventeenth day of Jtfly, upon the point of noon, 
 when the Governor, by a Cannon-fliot, gave fign to fall oni at which, all Tallying 
 courageoufly,Z)ifgff T-urando ran into the right hand Trench, and Francefco del Arco \mo 
 that on the left, and fell in with fo much violence, that having routed and beaten oiF 
 the firlt Guards, they affaikd the Regiment oi Ticardy that kept them, before it 
 ' had time to get into order to receive tht charge, fo that having killed the firft that 
 advanced to right, and having laid Fhjjan. la Viette, and Foptqueroles^ all Captains dead 
 upon the place, they routed and diflipated the whole Tertia, which they chafed fly- 
 ing to the very Redouts of the Hermitage i in which place, both the Fugitives and the 
 Enemies fell fo impetuoufly into the Regiment of Cijampagne that was upon the 
 guard, that it alfo being difordered, plainly took flight, running to get themfelves in 
 order in the Alarm-place that was at their back. In (o great a tumult and flight, the 
 Spanifli Commanders, valiantly followed by their men, having fiiled the Trenches with 
 llaughter, came up to the mouth of the Redoutsof the Hermitage, which would have 
 been quitted, and by confequence lofl, if the Marefchal de Biron^ with four Gentlemen 
 of his own, and with CaptdLin Francefco Benzi a Florentine, with fome few other Sol- 
 diers that followed him, taking up Pikes, had not expofed himfelf to the violence of 
 the Enemy i but ftill fighting dcfperately, thougli the pafTage of the Reaouts was 
 narrow i thofe few could not hold out long, and withftand the fury of fo man^', nei- 
 ther did any relief come up, for Captain 5i»2(?«:' fcouring t!ie Field', and behind hitn 
 the Marquifs of Montenegro and h uggiero "Taccone , and Francefco Fonte on the other 
 fide, put every one in a neceiVity of defending his own poft : Wherefore the Battery of 
 the Hermitage , and the Marcfciials life were in dcfperate danger , if the Prince of 
 Jainville^ who was in the neareff Fort, knowing in how great trouble they were, had 
 not rtfolved to run with One hundred men into thofc Redouts', at whofe arrival 
 <?•//«;■>•'/$ nicnflt Arn.s cam.e valiantly into the fight, who better enduring the blows 
 Tiie Marcf- ^^^t were given them, becaufe they were armed, gave the French fuch a fhock,that they 
 ^YV' ?'' ^^"^^^'^^ were retired f though fighting) as far as the Artillery. The Marefchal «/? B/- 
 vety'^rL'" ^ '" sH in fwcat and blood, with the right fide of his hair all burnt, fiill caufed many 
 fiTi" wh?ch ^^ns to fee given of his danger. Wherefore the King himfelf not having a more rea- 
 the Spaniards dy remedy, alighted from his horfe, and taking a Pike in his hand, with thofe Gcn- 
 !!!4m f«r'ih- *^'^'^'^" t'i'^f were about him, ran defperatcly to defend his Cannon > after whom the 
 Kiiij! ai'ijjh- Count </' Auvcrgne^ and the Count de St. Pjw/, halfing up one after another, with a 
 htvrc°!rnlta. 8f^3f number of the Nobilitv, who were come out of Mary Magdalens Abby, there 
 kins a Pike, grew fo hot a conflidl as had the appearance of a very great Battel. They fought 
 .hw..'° ' ^ obltinately above two hours, the King himfelf being at the head of his men » but at 
 lafi: the number of the French encreafing, and the Spanifh men at Arms finding their 
 I%7mccom! ftrcngth fail them, by reafon of the weight of their Arms in the greateft heat of the 
 in- in the day, began (though fnftlyj to retire, being (fill driven and charged home by the 
 fight wiiV Pi^inceof Jainvilie^ who, with a courage equal to his birth , fought very gallantly. 
 MMfeTj'he'i ^\^^^ corning out of the Trenches, the Battel was reinforced, the Spanifli Cavalry 
 hiToVn°ridef '^eingcome up to fuccor their party, which charging in upon the Flank , feparatcd 
 sp»iaid<' J Prince of Jainvilie and his company, from thofe of the King, and of the Marefchal 
 who were at- f^ B'rif?^ in fuch iTianner, that the conflid being divided into two parts, one not be- 
 to'rJu^rin'to '"§ ^°^*^ *o '^"ow anv thing of the other, the- fought defperatcly with extream danger 
 -ytmiin,. ^nd wondrous great contention', but the Duke of Mayenn? czmn \i^ feafonably with 
 
 Five or fix hundred Horfe, who, notwithftanding that'the Cannon of the Town fired 
 
 without
 
 oj^ France. The Fifteenth ^oo^ 725 
 
 without intetmiflion, had pafied through the Field between the Quarters and the Moat, 
 whither the Spaniards, being tired and wearied out, took a refolution to retire, being '5?7» 
 purfucd and followed at the heels to the very Counterfcarp. It was a great while be- ' 
 fore the Prince of jMnviUe was feen, and the King fta; ing at the mouth of the Trench, 
 called out aloud, enquiring earneflly after him, and every one already fufpefted he was 
 flain, when, with fome few in his company , he appeared all fmeared with blood, and 
 bruifed with blows, which put joy into the fadnefs of the Army, of which there were 
 killed that day above Nine hundred men, and of the Spaniards there remained above 
 Ninety dead upon the place. The wounded were many, and thofe of the moft re- 
 markable of the French Army, bcfides many private Gentlemen , among which al(b 
 Henrico Davila , who wrote this Hiftory , was hurt with a Partefan in the right 
 knee. 
 
 From that day , both by reafon of the number that had been flain in fomany other 
 Tallies, and by difcafes which ftill increafed more and more , malignant Fevers being 
 apparently turned into the Plague, their fallies flackned ■■> and in Uead of them. Cap- 
 tain Falme, an Iridi- man , and Francefco del Arco, fet up Pallifadoes round about the 
 Covered way, to keep the enemies fo much longer imployed,and at a di(knce,that they 
 might not come to offend the Counterfcarp, which was defended till the laft day oi Ju- 
 ly. But, upon the fixi\ o^ Attguji ^ the Trenches being already in a condition to be 
 opened , the Defendants faftned two Petards unto them , and breaking through 
 them before the time, affaulted them, and did fome harm i and yet the fame day to- 
 wards the evening, the French opened them, and got upon the Counterfcarp. and the 
 Spaniards at the fame time fpringing a Fougadc, which they had made there, fent 
 above forty of them into the air. The mouthes cf the Trenches were fortified that 
 night, and the fecond day they began to raifeagreat Cavalier, clofe by the right hand 
 Tiench, which (hould batter the Defences and Flanks of the Bulwarks, and the 
 following dayes they ftrove with Fougades, Sauciflbns, Fireworks, and other inffru- 
 ments to take or defiroy the CafTamats , in which adion they fought nolefs by night 
 than day with a continued aflault i but fo great was the induftry , and conilancy of 
 the Defendants, that in m.any dayes they could fcarce get a few fpansof ground. But 
 havmg gone as far as was polfible by,fapping, the Galleries were already brought jufi: 
 under the Walls i wherefore Monfieur de S. Luc raifed a Battery of eight pieces of 
 Cannon, to gain the Raveline that Hood to defend the Bridge and the Gate. The Ar- 
 tillery baftcr'd till the four and twentieth day, upon which the Englifli and the French 
 fevcrally gave the affault, and took the Raveline , but not having covered themfelves 
 fufficiently, by reafon of-their wearinefs, and of the fhortnefs of the night , the next 
 day at the beating of the lliveiUe^ Captain Vurando afTaulted them fo fiercely , that a 
 great number of Fire- works being thrown from the Wall, and Captain 0!iiv.is Mus- 
 ketiers playing upon their Flank, they were conlhained to forfake thatPoft, which 
 reverthelefs being all beaten in pieces by the Artillery, and the Cavalier (brought to a 
 jud height) already battering, it was recovered again the fame night, and the Regi- 
 ment of Camhrjy entrencht it felf in it. 
 
 But the Governor knowing the Wall was loft, caufed a little half-Moon to be 
 made upon the edge of the Rampart, for the raifing whereof they carried the earth 
 in fcuttles and baskets ■■> and at the fame time, to anticipate the cutting offthe retrench- 
 ments, tlie Marquifs of Montenegro caufed a great Trench to be made along the bank of 
 an arm of the River, which runs on that fide near the Walls, that the hrlt Works be- 
 ing loll, the enemy might find oppofition at the fecond. 
 
 In the mean timie, they without endeavoured to make themfelves Mafters of the 
 great Tower of the Gate, which being foundly battered, wasftormed upon the eight 
 and twentieth day, and at the fame time a Mine was fprung that had been made be- 
 tween the Tower and the Wall, which having made a very great breach, filled the 
 entrance of the Tower in fuch tnanner, that it was feparated from the City, and de- 
 prived of relief i and yet Captain Obva with one Alferer , who had that Guard, 
 made it good courageoufly i nor did the Marquifs and the Governor labour lefs care- 
 fully tocaufe the rubbifti to betaken away, that fome relief might be given them, fo 
 that working on all lides, the bufinefs was drawn on till night, when the paffage being 
 already opened, Fourfcore Irifli, and as many Italians , entered to defend the great 
 Tower, thofe that had triadc it good before, retiring weary, and in an ill condition i 
 and yet the Sap overcame what men could not, and four days after, not only the Tower, 
 
 but
 
 7' 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil Wars 
 
 »5P7- 
 
 Birnardo TiJ- 
 les Pn,ioiar- 
 rero killed 
 with a Mus- 
 ket (Iior, to 
 the extreme 
 lofs of the 
 tcficged , his 
 valour ma- 
 king his ve- 
 ry enemies 
 lorry for his 
 death. 
 
 Monfieur de 
 St, L«c, a man 
 of very Rteat 
 note,haltning 
 the Works, is 
 killed with a 
 Musket. fliot, 
 to the Kinos 
 St, at "iief. 
 
 but theadjoyning Wall was taken by the French i nor was it long before they got al- 
 fo upon the Rampart , where, befide the firft half-moon made by Gagliego^ t'edrico 
 Facaotto had alfo in the mean time made two others , by which the Affailants were 
 hindered from getting farther in, and in the front of them new Cafamattes^^ndz new 
 Trench were made. 
 
 In this interim the King having had intelligence that CommiflTary Conenea ^ 
 with many other Commanders , being departed from Vorvay^ came to difcover the 
 wayes and quarters of his Army, left the care of the Camp to the Duke of Mayenne^ 
 and upon the nine and twentieth of Augu\i in the evening , went in perfon with the 
 Marefchal de Biron and Six hundred Horfe to meet them, leaving the Count of Auvergne 
 to follow the day after with Eight hundred Horfe more. He himfelf marched before 
 with a Hundred Gentlemen „ and the Sieur de Montigny followed him with all the reft 
 of the Horfe i in which manner marching, upon the laft day of the month in the 
 morning, about eight of the clock, and being come to the top of an Hill, he found him- 
 felf fuddenly in the front of the Enemy, who came out of a Wood. The fpace be- 
 tween them was butfhort, and there was no thought of retiring-, wherefore, it was 
 necelTary to fhew a good heart in the inequality of Forces, and having fuddenly fliut 
 down their Beavers, the King trotted on to charge the Enemy. 
 
 Nor was this boldnefs without its due effed > for the Spaniards , aftonifhcd at 
 that unexpefted aflault, and judging, that the courage of the French grew, from ha- 
 ving ftrong Squadrons behind them, faced about without making refiltancc, and were 
 purfued by the King fighting a great way, till being come to a little River, which run- 
 ning from Miraumont, falls into the Snmme near Corbie, they paffed over it precipitately, 
 and being diiTipated feveral wayes faved themfelves with much adoe at Bajjaulme. 
 Yef there were but eleven foldiers killed with one Captain of Horfe , and fome kw 
 others remained prifoners/ But the King obtained not all his intent i for on the 
 other fide. Count Giovan Giacopo Belgio'yifo and EmamteVo de Vega not being met nor 
 heeded, becaufe they carried but few with them, got fo near unto the Camp, that they 
 had conveniency to difcover all things, and returned well informed to the Cardinal 
 Arch- Duke. , 
 
 The King being returned to the Army , and believing that relief would prefently 
 come, caufed the works to be fo haftened, that upon the fourth of September his men 
 attempted to gain the Half-Moons, which, though it fucceeded not the befieged receiv- 
 ed a greater lofs ■> for the Governor Fnrtocarrero , while he advanced to fuccor the Ra- 
 vcline, being taken with a Musket- fliot in the left- fide under his Arms, fell prefently 
 dead upon the ground ■■> which accident, as moft fad to the Defendants, fo was it, by 
 reafon of his courage, no lefs deplored by the enemies. 
 
 The Marquifs of Montenegro fucceeded him in the command, who, with equal va- 
 lour and conftancy afTumed the charge of the defence i for the continuance whereof 
 Alonfo Tubera, znd Captain Vurando entered into the Half-Moons i and on the other 
 fide, Monfieur de St.Luc^ with the Regiment of Navar^ and the Marefchal de Biron 
 with the Englifh Tertia, drew two Trenches in the midft of the Rampart, to take 
 away the defences on both fides, and to come to the work that was before them , at 
 which the Marquifs znd Federico Vacciotto were continually prefent : and becaufe the 
 Infantry was in a manner confumed by toil and hardfliip, and many of them lay fick, 
 the Men-at-Arms, Cuirailiers, and Light-Horfe, refufed not to do the fame duties, 
 working with fpades and (hovels, and fighting with Pikes and Muskets. While thefe 
 Trenches were making, Monfieur e'^ St. Lmc^ upon the eighth of September ^ being en- 
 tered to haften the Works, was hit with a Musket-bullet in the head, and was carried 
 dead into the Camp, to the exceeding great grief of the King, who was very aifedlio- 
 nate to his valour and dexterity i for, being befide Military experience adorned with 
 learning, and endowed by nature with a moft noble afped^, he did, in adlion, confultati- 
 on, convcrfation and difcourfe accomplifh all the degrees of perfedtion. The works 
 that were before the Trenches were ftorm'd upon the twelfth day •, but though the af- 
 fault lafted from Sun-rifing till two of the Clock in the afternoon, yet did not the affai- 
 lants get any advantage at alii and while in the following dayes they thought 
 
 the conftancy of the Defendants, the arrival 
 mindes from the Siege to more dangerous 
 
 to redouble the affaults , and break 
 of the Spanifli Camp diverted their 
 thoughts, 
 
 The
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo\, 727 
 
 The Cardinal Arch-Dukc had found many difficulties in drawing an Army toge- i'i97» 
 ther i for the Spanifh Minifters having overlooked the accounts of thofe who had lent 
 Money to the King, and having ufed much rigour unfeafonably, the Merchants, with- 
 held their hands, and afterward money could not be provided time enough for the pay- 
 ment of his Forces i whereupon , thofe that came out ot'Icaly^ under the command of 
 Alfofifa d' Avails moved late , and thofe that were raifed in Germany had been flowly 
 gathered together ■■> and yet the Cardinal overcoming all impediments with induftry 
 and diligence, had made a general Rendezvous of his Army in the end of Amufl at 
 Di)tpjy^ being Twenty thoufand Foot, and Four thoufand Horfe i and though the 
 States of Holland infulted in many places, and made great progrefles in Friefibnd and 
 the County of Brabant, yet he either having fuch Commiilion from Spain, or being 
 more inclined to defend and keep what had been gotten in the time of his command 
 refolvcd to lay afide all other interefts, and advance to relieve Amiens ■■, being defirous 
 to preferve fo many good Soldiers as were befieged in it, and judging that he (hould 
 obtain exceeding great glory, if he could make the King of France retire , who was at 
 that fiege with all the Forces of his Kingdom united. 
 
 With this determination departing from Doivay in the beginning of September, with 
 a great Train of Artillery, and great preparations of Bridges, Carriages, and Ammuni- 
 tion, he came to Arras, where, having the informations of Belgiojofo and Vega, he pro- 
 pounded in the Councel of War, what courfe was to be taken to put relief into Amiens^ 
 or to make the French Army rife. Some Counfelled to pafs the River below Corbie^ 
 and bring his Army on that fide, which ftanding toward France, was not belitged by 
 the King i for putting ftrongrelief into the City without refinance, there would be no 
 nccelfity of hazarding the danger of a Battel, and the Kings atcenipcs receiving a new 
 and powerful oppofition from new fupplies, would, with the help of Winter, which 
 was coming on, prove vain of themfelves. But the greater part of the Commanders 
 confidered, that to pafs the River, and march into a Country quite deftroyed, defolate, 
 and encompafied with fo many of the enemies Towns, was a befieging of themfelves > 
 for, if the King, who had all the palTes upon the River, (hould hinder them from go- 
 ing back, they would be conftrained, either to die for hunger, or to take many ihange 
 and dangerous refolutions '-, which difficulty was the principal caufe, that it was deter- 
 mined to go the flreight way by Vourlans to the French Camp •■> believing, that if the 
 King moved to meet them, he fliould afford them fome opportunity to put relief info 
 the Town •> wherefore the Arch-Diikc went to Voitrlans upon the twelfth of Septem- rht CniintA 
 b;r, and there having madeprovifion of vic5tual,as well to feed his Army, as to put Arch-Huke 
 into the City, if he could make paffage to it > upon the fourteenth day he marched be- Toxttt At'^lf 
 times in the morning towards the Enemy. tow»rd$ ^m" 
 
 The fiift Troops of Horfe were led by Lodovico Melzi, Amhrogio Landriam , between 
 whom marched the flying Squadron of Four thoufand Foot, Spaniards and Italians, un- 
 der the command of T>ieQ^o Pimentello: And in the Front of it,were above Two hundred 
 Captains armed with Pikes and Corflets. Next followed three Squadrons of Infantry, 
 twoofSpaniards,led by CartoColombo znd LodovicoVelafco iand thethird,which marched 
 in the midft , was oi' Walloons, led by the Count de BoHcquey. After thefe was the 
 Battle, in which were the Duke o{ Aitmale , the Count de Sore, and the Prince of 
 Orange ■■> and the Squadron of Alonjo Mendczza, in which were two Spanifh Tertia's , 
 brought up the Rere. The Artillery were guarded by the three fitft Squadrons, 
 and on both fides of the Army were the Carriages of Baggage chained together, as the 
 Duke of Pi?r/Kj's cuftom had taught them. The charge of Camp-Mafter General was Monfi'u.f i** 
 executed by Count Peter Erneji of Mansfelt, an old man of venerable gray hairs , who with'a c»n- 
 not being able to ride on horfeback was carried in an open Litter, and had taken that "o" fl><>' « 
 weight upon him, becaufe Monfieur ditRofne,hcC\egin^ Hitlji,^ few Months before, ««/ ° 
 had been killed with a Cannon (hot. The Archduke likewife was carried in a Litter, 
 and had near him the Duke of Are/cot, and the Almirante of Aragon for Counfel- 
 lors. 
 
 But the King, whofe Army, by the coming up of the Dukes of Nevers and Mjntpen- 
 fter, was fo increafed, that he had Eighteen or Twenty thoufand Foot, and more than 
 Eight thoufand Horfe, having ftrongly garrifoned Corbie 3nd Teqnigny, to make difficult 
 the paffage of the River, had an intention (being fo advifed by the Marefchal de Biron) 
 to go and meet the enemy in the Field with all his Cavalry i for judging hini- 
 
 feif
 
 728 
 
 The Hijlory of the Civil IFars 
 
 »5P7- 
 
 The King 
 bting conn, 
 felled by the 
 Marcfcbal de 
 Birun to go 
 meet the ene- 
 my with all 
 his Horfe, the 
 Duke of Mjy- 
 enne counfels 
 him to ftay 
 and expeA 
 them : The 
 King imbw- 
 cc> this court' 
 (el, and gives 
 the charge of 
 the Camp to 
 the Duke. 
 
 
 A difnrJcr a- 
 mon» the 
 Trench, gives 
 the Spaniards, 
 an evident af- 
 furance oP vi- 
 ftoty ; but 
 the Archduke 
 being uncer- 
 tain of the ac- 
 cident, ma- 
 king an Halt," 
 l»fe« fo re- 
 markable an 
 oc<a|ioh. 
 
 felf muchfuperior in number and quality of Horfe, he thought it good to keep the 
 enemy far from liis Infantry, in which he had little confidence i but while he was get- 
 ting ready to take Horfe, the Duke of Mayenne came in, who having asked and un- 
 derrtood the Kings del ign, faid fo loud.that he was heard by many, that thofe that gave 
 HisMajejiyJuch Coimfel, did not well k^ow the quality of the Enemy; and that venturing him- 
 felf with onely his Horfe, againft a potent old Army, be put himfelfin certain dangerofen- 
 countring fame finijier accident h whereby afterward his Infantry remaining alone, the men 
 would he lojl, the qttarters loji, and fo many toils and labours tindergnne tofortife them , all 
 hji ; and hit Kingdom fet upon one ftngle point of a Dye. To which the King replying, 
 TFhat then was to he done ? The Duke anfwered, Ihat they were come to tal^e Amiens, 
 and that they ought to mind that end ■■, wherefore, keeping the Army in the fecurity of their 
 Forts, they ought to leave the thought of ajfaulting them, and driving from thence unto the 
 Arch-Vul^e: And the King adding, That the enemy would pafs thelUver, and relieve the 
 befieged. The Duke anfwered again. Let your Majejiyfet yottr heart at reft, for the ene- 
 my neither will pafs the Kiver, nor can force thefe Trenches. So the Marefchal de Biron fret- 
 ting, who was alwayes inclined to precipitate refolutions, the King concluded to ftay, 
 and let the Duke ofMayenne manage the bufinefs of the Camp, who having caufed 
 Fifteen hundred Foot to pafs on the far fide of the River, under the command of Mon- 
 fieur de Vic, prefently made a Church to be taken and entrenched, which Hood upon 
 the further Bank, little more than a mile from" the Town ; and having fet many Corps 
 de Garde along the fide of the River , went perfonally to Lon^pre to fortifie it better. 
 The Foot were placed in the Forts and Trenches , and the Cavalry fpred it felf in 
 Battalia under the defence of the Works. 
 
 The Archduke lay with his whole Army that night at the Abby of Betricourt , and 
 caufed all his Cannon to be ftiot off, to give the City notice that relief was near. Mon- 
 iicut de Montigny, who, with the French Light-horfe had ftill fcoured the wayes 
 within fight of the 1 neniy, came into the Camp about midnight, and having given the 
 King notice where the Spaniards were, and that they would appear the next day, was 
 fent to quarters, torefrefh his Horfe, tired with the two lafl day es duty. The next 
 day, which was the fiheenth oi September , the firft Troops of the Archdukes Army 
 appeared about one of the clock in the afternoon, which having pafTed a Water that 
 was fordable two Leagues above Amiens, and left Tequigny upon the right hand, bend- 
 ing their courfe toward the left,made (hew as if they would march liraight to Longpre, 
 whereupon the rabble of Suttlers and Freebooters, with many other pcrfbns who lay 
 there for greater conveniency, taking flight precipitately, ran to fave themfelves in the 
 Camp, by which hurry, the Foot being affrighted C who believed it had been Mon- 
 fieur de Montigny, that fled routed from the Enemy ("for his return by night was 
 known but to a few) forfook the Trenches fo haflily, that neither the Conftable, nor 
 the Duke of Efpemou could f^op their flight, but with a full carriere they ran with 
 .their Enfigns (who fled more than therein toward the River, on that fide that leads 
 to Abbeville. 
 
 In the mean time the Spaniards Flyir^g-fquadron was come within fight of the 
 Trenches, and the experienced Captains that were in the Front, knowing thedifbrder 
 and flight of the Colours, cryed out aloud, ViCtory, ViVtory, and Battaile, Battaile, But 
 the Archduke hearing the tumult, and their voices, though he inclined to give way 
 that the Trenches fhould be ftormed , yet being perfwaded by the Almirante and the 
 Duke oi Are foot, not to credit the precipitancy of the Soldiers, who were flill defirous 
 to fight without confideration, but rather to proceed warily , and firfl to difcover the 
 condition of the French, refolved at laft to make a halt. 
 
 In this interim. The Dukes of Nevers and Uontpenfier fpreadingthe Cavalry of the 
 Vanguard in Battalia, hindred the Enemy from feeing the Trenches, and the Canno- 
 neers gave fire without intermiflion , to the end, the fmoak might hide the diforder 
 that was there, giving them time to recover themfelves •, for, the Marefchal de Biron 
 running full fpeed, made the Infantry know their error, and pointing with his finger 
 tofliew, that the Enemy had made a halt in the midft of the field, perfwaded them all 
 within a while to return unto their Pofts. In this manner, the Archduke, by the too 
 much warinefs of his Counfellors, loft fo certain an occafion of fo glorious and fo great 
 a viftory, which, at the firft arrival, had been very well obferved by the experience of 
 private Captains. 
 ti-'l ~ The
 
 of France. The Fifceenth ^oo^. 
 
 729 
 
 The Marquifs of Montenegro knew the advantage no lefs than they, and would have 
 fallied upon the Trenches of the French which were in the Moat, and upon the Ram- 
 part over againft his Retrenchments i but he found, that the Regiment of Navarre that 
 guarded them was not moved, and that the Switzers who were encamped fomething 
 lower, (food likewife firm in their Battalia. 
 
 The reft of the day was fpent in divers skirmiflies in the field , which the King 
 caufed purpofely to be made hot and furious , to keep the Enemy in play, the Arch- 
 duke ftill having a thought to aflault the Kings Fortifications i but the Commanders 
 (hewed , that it was neceffary firrt to fight with fo great a ftrength of Horfe drawn 
 up without the works, and defended by fo many pieces of Artillery, that the con- 
 quering of them was not to be thought on ; and fhewed the Trenches and Forts (b 
 high, that a ftronger quarter had not been fecn of many years: Wherefore it being 
 refolved at night to attempt fome other way, upon the fixteenth day in the morn- 
 ing, the Count de Bitquny with his Squadron , and many Boats carried upon Carts, 
 drew near the River to attempt to pafs it i but the Guards the Duke of Mayenne had 
 placed there , refifted ftoutly, and though they fought with fuch wondrous fury in 
 many places, and that fometimes it was likely the Walloons would obtain their intent, 
 yet after having laboured all day they retired without fruit. 
 
 In the mean time, they had skirmifhed fiercely on the other fide, both with Horfe 
 and Cannon i for the King having caufed feven Culverins to be drawn to a higher 
 ground that was behind the Vanguard , made them play from thence , and fo pro- 
 fperoufly, that twice they light upon the Mules that carried the Cardinals Litter j 
 whereupon he was conftrained to get on horfe-back , and the Enemies Cavalry re- 
 ceived much harm by them on all fides. The Spanifh Cannon fired no lefs hot- 
 ly i butbecaufe they were in a higher place , they (hot fo under mettle, that rhey 
 did but little execution. But in the variety of the skirmifhes that were continually 
 made in the field, many obferved, that while the bufinefs palTed between Cuiralliers 
 and CuiraiTiers , or between Carabines and Carabines , the French for the raoft part 
 had the betters but where the Flemifh and Bourguignon Men at Arms came in, the 
 French Cavalry were fain to yield to the violence of the Lances : to hinder which en- 
 counter, which happened to the lofs and trouble of the Nobility, the King himfelf ad- 
 vanced to the head of his Squadrons, gave order tbat ^s the CuiraiHers skirmifhed they 
 (hould not join fo clofe together, but leave a good fpace between one another,which ha- 
 ving been often done, they found that the (hock of the Lances not meeting a firm op- 
 pofition proved for the moft part vain > which was of very great advantage, as well 
 becaufe they skirmifhed with fmall Troops in the wide field , where it was eafie to 
 them to open , as becaufe the Spanifh Lanciers were very few in refped of the great 
 number of French Cavalry. 
 
 Toward the evening a Trench was finifhed, with which the Duke o{ Mayenne la- 
 bouring all that day , had (hut up the way to Longpre i wherefore the Count de Bouc- 
 qicois attempt being frufltated, and there being no more hope of getting the Pafs over 
 the River , fince that neither Longpre had been attacqued , nor the Kings quarters af- 
 faulted the firfl: day , the Commanders of the Spanifli Army C according to whofe 
 opinion the Cardinal Archduke governed himfelf ) determined to retire the fame way 
 they came, and make their retreat, before the vidual which they had brought with 
 them being fpent, the Army fhould begin to fuffer i for, as for the Country, it was 
 fo wafted,that for fifteen Leagues round about,there was nothing to be found that could 
 be uf;ful either to horfe or man. 
 
 The lign of their departure appeared the next morning by their Baggage and the 
 Free-bootcrs that covered all the way towards Vourlans ■■, whereupon the King defi- 
 rous not to let the Enemy draw off without fome trouble, commanded two Squa- 
 drons of Horfe flanked with two others of Carabines to fall upon them in the Reer i 
 but the Sun being many hours high when the Army departed, they faw them re- 
 treat in fuch a marvellous order , that their main propofition being chiefly to profe- 
 cute the fiege of Amiens^ the King himfelf thought beft , and all the reft of the Com- 
 manders concurred with him , not to attempt any thing. The Spani(h Army had 
 faced about , fo that Alonfo de Mendozza led the Vanguard, (if the fir(\ divifions that 
 retire can be called a Vanguard) and the flying Squadron now was left in the Reer- 
 guard to make the retreat. This, being Pikes in the midft, with two great wings of 
 Muskettiers on each fide, make a crooked form, and an appearance fomething like a 
 
 A a a a a Half- 
 
 i5?7. 
 
 The Cardinal 
 Arckduke re. 
 lires with bis 
 Army for want 
 of vidua); the 
 King follows 
 him,but feeing 
 their cxcellenc 
 order forbears
 
 y^o The Htflory of the Civil ]Vars 
 
 ^ ■-- — ■ ■■■'■■—■-■ '■ ■ — ^, ■ ■ - 
 
 *5?7* Half-Moon , fo that whofoever advanced to charge it , fell firft into a thick ftorm of 
 Musket-BuUcts, after which they found a firm Battalion before them, which fiercely 
 fiiaking their Pikes , made a terrible (hew of a valiant oppofition i and if any Body 
 ofHorfc made as if they would affail the Wings of the Squadron, prefently Mf/z/'s 
 and LanJriano's Squadrons advanced, which with two Bodies of Lancts flanked with 
 Carabines withftood the fhock, till the Muskettiers charging and fetting themfelTcs in 
 order, came furioufly up to give iire again. In this order the Pike-men with their 
 Pikes upon the left flioulder, retired ftcp by ftep, and facing inftantly about at every 
 little touch of the Drum, retreated fo quietly, and with fo flow a pace, that in two 
 long hours they were drawn off little more than half a mile i in which fpace the 
 Kings Light'horfe ceafed not to make many attempts, and to give many charges, but 
 ilill with great lofs v for they were too fiercely anfwered by the ranks of the flying 
 Jh« K*"?' Squadron i and at lift Moniieur de Montigny having obtained leave to skirmifh in 
 atrtmpt 17 many fcveral places, the Spanifli Squadron made a halt, pouring out fuch an abun- 
 d^'fomt'harm <^^tice of fmall-fliot, that the Light-horfe were forced to wheel about, and being at 
 tothespanidi the fame time furioufly charged by the Carabines who came out of each flank, they 
 tbeyth'ii'^come ^^"^^ driven back even to the Kings Squadrons, which advancing gently more for 
 off with the reputation than any thing eife, followed on the way the Enemy retired. Above forty 
 *"' • of the Light-horfe were flain, and many more wounded, among which the Sieur de 
 
 CoqiieinviUkr received a Musket-fliot in the left Arm. But after this laft charge of 
 the Light-horfe, the Kings Squadrons made a ftand a while, and the Spaniards con- 
 tinued retiring a great deal fafter v and after they were gotten off as far as Cannon- 
 fhot, fliouldering their Pikes and Muskets , they marched on their way without trou- 
 bling themfelves any further. But being come to the water, which of necedity they 
 were to pafs, the King advanced with all his Cavalry to fee if that impediment would 
 give him any opportunity to diforder the Enemy ; but the flying Squadron inflantly 
 facing about , made a ftand in the midfl of the way , till the reft of the Army was 
 paft over i and then obferving the fame order , part thorow the water up to their 
 knees without difordering their ranks at all , or making the leaft difcernable ftop : 
 which marvellous form of retreating, while fo great and (b numerous Squadrons 
 of the Enemies Horfe covered the field on all fides, drew from the Kings own mouth, 
 ThcKincs Ih^t m other Souldiers in the IVA-ld could do Jo much j and that if he had had that In- 
 priifc nf"the f.intry joined with his Cavalry , he rcould dare to undertake a IFar againji aU the IForld. 
 \lnTtj. ^°" When they were paft the water, the French forbore to follow any further i for the 
 King would needs fend back part of his Horft to defend the Camp, and towards the 
 evening he, with the Duke of Nevers zn^ Montpenfier, and with the Marefchal i^^ By- 
 ron, followed the retreat of the Spaniards. The Archduke lay that night in the Abbey 
 of Betricourt again, and the next day paflling near Dottrlans, marched Ihait to Arras^ 
 with a defign, fince he had not been able to relieve the befieged, to apply himfelf to 
 the affairs of Flanders. 
 
 Afttrthecar- The King being returned to the Camp, fent an Herald fo tell the Marquifs of Mon- 
 tu",''thtKing ^""g'^o-, that having feen the iffue of the relief he expeded, it was time now to think 
 fsnds an H«- of yielding j and that , becaufe he defired not the deftrudion of fo many gallant 
 mA(|ui^''oP Souldiers, he would grant him honourable conditions. The Marquifs (who in a note 
 Mcmtnr^yo,to brought him by a Boy, had already had leave from the Archduke to capitulate, would 
 «ofurtendcr.'" Y^^ ^car the Opinions of the Commanders , who having unanimoufly concluded, that 
 by reafon of the contagious mortality, of their want of Match, of the fmall number 
 The Mirquift ^^ f"^" to which they were reduced, and becaufe the Enemies were now Mafters of 
 ^"«'om''"J2 *^^ ^^'"P^'^t, there was no thought of hc^lding out) anfwered the King, That he de- 
 theKingspjf. fited Safe-condudt to fend a Captain to the Archduke, that he might know the cer- 
 c,"d/°an^t ^^'"^^ ^^ ^'^ Command , which being courteoufly granted, he fent Federico Pacciotto, 
 ie>ve to fur. who brought cxprcfs leave to make Compofition : whereupon having treated a while, 
 t<nd«. they agreed to furrender upon thefe Conditions : 
 
 The Articiti f. y^^^ *^^ Monuments of Hernando TeVes Portocarrero, and of all other Commanders 
 
 of^compof.. ilainin thefiege, fliould not be ftirred, nor their Infcriptions cancelled, it being ne- 
 
 ^?'k ^^ lawful for the Spaniards to take away their Bodies when they pleafed. That 
 
 r1 R ^°"l^'"s that were in the City fliould march out in Battalia, with their Arms 
 
 and Baggage , Colours flying, Drums beating, and Trumpets founding, and fliould 
 
 be
 
 of France. The Fifteenth Soo^. 
 
 73 
 
 be furniHwd by the King with Carts to carry away their Goods and their Sick as 
 far as Dourhns : That if any fick or wounded perfon (hoald remain in the City, 
 he fhould receive good ufage , and have liberty to go away at his pleafure : That 
 the Souldiers fliould be exempt from paying for any Phyfick or Surgery they had 
 had in the City , and likewife for Two thoufand pound weight of Musket-BuIIct 
 •which they had taken up from particular men and made ufe of : That Prifoners oa 
 both fides fhould be fet free without Ranfom : That the To^vns-men might ftay 
 without being oppreffcd, and be ufed as good Subjed-s , renewing their Oath of Al- 
 legiance to the King of France j but thofe that would march out with the Soul- 
 diers might have free liberty fo to do : That there fhould be a Truce for the fix 
 next enfuing days, within the term of which , if they were not relieved with at 
 leaft Two thoufand men , they fhould deliver up the City b and that in the inean 
 time they fhould give Hofi:ages for fecurity, a Spanifli Commander, an ItaKan, and a 
 Walloon. 
 
 The Serjeant Major carried the Capitulations to the Archduke, who having rati- 
 fied them,the Defendentsof/4w/if«x marched forth upon the Fi^eand twentieth oi Sep- 
 tember , beirxg Eighteen hundred Foot , and four hun'dred Horfe ; the Mfliquifs of 
 Mo}ite;iegrij being at the head of them in a Souldier-like galiantty, upon a brave Horfe, 
 with a Truncheon in his hand i and being come to the place where the King and the 
 whole Army in Battalia expeded him, laying afide his Truncheon, alighted and ki0ld 
 the Kings knee, andfaid, ( fo loud that he was heard by the by-ltanders ; Ibjt he 
 delivered up that place into the hands of a Souldier-Kiftg, fince it had not pleafed ihe Kim 
 bis Majhr to caufe it to be relieved by Souldier-Commanders i which words moved every 
 cne to confider, that if the Spanifh Army had either taken the way beyond the P\i- 
 ■ver, or laid hold of the occafion which fortune had prefented them at the djfurder in 
 the Trenches, the fiege had certainly been raifed. The King anfwered, Ihat it ou^ht 
 to fatijfie him^ that he bad defended the place tike a Soitldier, and nowrejiored it into the 
 hand of the lareful King xpith the honour of a Souldier. To thefe words he added many 
 other favourable demonftrations, as well toward him as the other Commanders,, whom 
 he defired to know by name, one by one i and being difmilTed with the, prajfe of the 
 whole Army, they were convoyed fafe to Voitrlans. '• " . ;i;;ir^r ' 
 
 There entred into Amiens^ the Conibble, who received the place, theMaiefchal 
 de Byron , and the Duke of Momhafon^ and after them the King himfelf , who ha- 
 ving vifited the Cathedral Church, gave the Government of the Town to Monfieur 
 de Vic , and went forth without making any (lay, as well out of a fufpition of the 
 Plague , as out of a defire to march after the Archduke i who having ftaid only two 
 days upon the Pafs of the River Ants^ was in this interim gottea within the Walls ot 
 
 Upon the fix and twentieth day, there hapned an accident', which if it bad filn ouf 
 before, would have difcompofed all things, but at this tittie.it prdvcd rathet i mat- 
 ter of fport than trouble i for there brake out fuddenly fo great a Fire in the Kin^ 
 quarters, fthe caufe thereof not being at all known) that in a fhort fpice ail the Huts 
 were burned, which was no way harmful, either to Men or Baggage, becaufe the 
 Camp was already raifed, and marching away. The whok Army rejoycfd, calling 
 it a Bonfire i and many from thence took a good Omen of fatuie quiet, wliifch was 
 corfirn^- . oy the event ■■> for the General of the Cordeliers being returned ftom the 
 Court of Spiin^ and come with Letters to the Archduke about the fame time, caufcd 
 an iatervi'^w upon the Confines which divide Picardy from the County of dnHoiiry .be- 
 tween Secretary ViLeroy^ on the Kings part, and Prefident Kiccardoito^ for the Arch- 
 duke, wiio determined that at Venins, a place upon the fame Confines, famous for the 
 Peaces that had formerly been treated there v the Cardinal- Legat, Father Francifco 
 Conzaga^ Bifhop of MtntttJ, the Popes Nuncio, and the Deputies oa both parts, fliould 
 ineet together to apply thcmfclves to a Treaty of Peace. ^ 
 
 That which moved King Philip to an inclination to Peace, was the urgency of the 
 affairs of Fia iders^ which by reafbn they bad been abandoned for two years togcrhcr, 
 were extreamly much gone down the wind i fo that the necelfity oi his own affairs, 
 conftrained him not to think of getting that which was aiK)thers. To this was ad- 
 ded, the exceeding great fcarcity of money, for which he had been fain this very 
 year, to fufpend all payments, to the difreputation of his greatnefs and the undoing 
 of thofe Merchants that were wont to have dealings with the Ciowh. Nor was the 
 
 A a a a a a iefpe<S 
 
 i597' 
 
 Uronthejjof 
 
 the Marqoifs 
 
 raa-chfi with 
 bis f fct5 on: 
 of .^mi ffj. 
 
 A fay n^ - 
 ch« .Maqjifi 
 to Che Ki(i^ ot 
 
 £i ire;. 
 
 The King* 
 Anfwcr. 
 
 The General 
 
 of cbe Fcinci/- 
 cans returns 
 from SjAin, 
 and it is 
 agr'eci', chat 
 the Depntiei 
 of both par- 
 ties Oiall meee 
 ac Vtrt,ins to 
 
 cceicofPcaee*
 
 y^2 The Htslory of the Civil Wars 
 
 ,SP7 refped of eftablidilng the SucceflTion upon his Son laft in his confideration, for being 
 The King of now far in years , and knowing that his death drew near , he defired that his S\^C' 
 SfiiH b£ins ^^^^j. ^^^ ^gg ygjy young, might not be ingaged in a great and troublefom War, 
 l\i, FcTb.. againft a King of manly age and ftrength, full of experience, and upheld by the tnani- 
 'Wih the feft favour of Fortune. His dependents add , that being in the latter end of his life 
 s.^tffion of careful to fatisfie his Confcience, he defired to end his days with the Peace of Chriften- 
 bi. young Son. ^^^^ ^^j ^^^ rellitution of that which was not his own i yet it is moft clear, that 
 The Cardinal jhg joft o( Amtens gave great force to his ftrft difpoficion, and perfwaded even the 
 *"Mm«ry' Cardinal Archduke, who being to marry the Infanta IfabeVa, and with her to have 
 thJ/^/j"'/ the Dominion of the Low-Countries, endeavoured not to have fo powerful and fo 
 tthe Do! troublefom a War as that with the King of France.^ 
 
 minion of the Secretary ri//Vro)i returned with the refolved appointment, and found that the King 
 wlrVh^'d'e" with his Army following the profperity of Fortune , was incamped before lonHim--, 
 firti aifo to for having made an incurfion, even to the very Walls of ^rr^.f, fillmg (he whole Coun- 
 ii'the pMc'e- try with terrour, he perceived afterward that the places of Ficardy were left behind 
 /ai poffeffion ^jj|^ y^^y g^ggj dangeif , and therefore was come to befiege Vourlans as the neareft 
 ' "^ place, the taking whereof would be of wondrous advantage to his Country. But 
 already the Rains of Autumn did very much incommode and annoy him j anJ his 
 Army which had been healthful till then, began now to be troubled with the Bloody 
 Flux, and the Plague > in fuch manner, that the Treafurers putting him in mind, that 
 all means of paying his Foot was utterly gone, the King refolved to disband his Army, 
 and to apply himfelt heartily to the Treaty of Peace, which now, being high in repu- 
 tation and honour, and having fatisfied himfelf and the cxpedl-ation of his people, he 
 defired more boldly and openly than before. 
 si^Jfifo^ This reciprocal dcfire of both Kings, facilitated the Treaty of Peace i but the Duke 
 to keep the o( Savoy's interefls kept all things in difficulty: For though the War thefe two laft 
 S'!."u"''to"'' y"" ^^^ been various, and with hot encounters, and bloody affaults, rather difad- 
 himfeif.cfcrr.s vantageous than otherwifei and though Monfieur de Lefdiguieres having taken 
 Puce.'"'' "^ St. Jeban de Moricnne , and all that valley in the Alps , was gone down into ?ied- 
 mont , to the mine and fpoiling of the Country j yet he being refolved to retain 
 the Marquefate of Saluzzo , either croffed the Peace , or cared not to have it con- 
 cluded. 
 
 But yet the meeting at Vervins held, whither Monfieur de Bellieure^ and Prefident 
 SiVery^ came from the King of France > and Prefident RicMr^or^o, Juan Boptiji-a lajjit^ 
 and Ludovico Verkhen^ Auditor of Brabanza for the King of Spain. The French De- 
 ■ puties were brought by the Popes Nuncio , and the Spanifli by the General of the 
 Cordeliers i and the Cardinal-Legat came to the fame place , by whofe Authority 
 all difficulties of precedency being removed , they entred upon the Treaty of the bu- 
 I5^S» finefsi but not before the beginning of the month o( February in the year 15^8, a 
 year deftined by Divine Providence to clofe up the grievous wounds of forty year* 
 paft. 
 
 Great was the defire of Peace on both fides, and great likewife the Authority of 
 
 the Legat with each party, nor were the demands very different : For the Spaniards 
 
 proffered without difficulty to reftore Ardres^ Dourlans, la CappeUe, Cajielet, and Moh' 
 
 taulin in Ficcardy, and the Port of Blauet in Bretagne, and defired only to retain Ca- 
 
 The pretenfi. '''" as long as the War with the Hollanders lafled, and to give the King of France 
 
 jns o' 'he an equivalent exchange in the mean time : And the French flood to have Calait re- 
 
 the spinUrd, Aored freely •, they likewife demanded Cambray , and renewed fome old pretenfions 
 
 fhTrreT '"f "P°" *^^ Confines of Flanders. The Spaniards (hewed, that all old pretenfions were 
 
 l>c»«t. ^ ° terminated in the Peace concluded between the two Crowns at Chajiean Cambrefit 
 
 in the year 155^, and that Cambray was not of the King of France his Jurifdidion, 
 
 but a City of the Archbifliops , ufurped a few years before by the Duke of Alancon's 
 
 Forces, and that therefore being a free Town, the King could not pretend any right 
 
 , unto it, but that the Mafter of the Low- Countries had the ancient protedion of it > 
 
 and yet not a dired Dominion, but one eftablifhed by reafon. Upon thefe Anfwers 
 
 the French eafily gave off their old pretenfions , and the demand of Cambray i and 
 
 xL'l^ as much facility did the Spaniards lay afide the demand of retaining Calais : 
 
 Whereupon all the difficulty was reduced to this point , That the King of France 
 
 would have had Blauet in the condition it then was, with all the Artillery, Shot, and 
 
 Aminunuionof War i and the Spaniards ftood totally to demolifh the Fort they had 
 
 built.
 
 of France. The Fifteenth ^oo^. 
 
 733 
 
 built, and to carry away the Artillery, and other things which they had brought thi- 
 ther of their own ■, but this diificulty alfo was eaiily taken away > for the Treaty be- 
 ing managed with great lincerity , the French fatisfied themfelves, knowing that the 
 Spaniard had reafon on their iide. 
 
 All other tnatters were of fmall importance, fo that nothing remained, fave to 
 treat about the interefts of their ad herents : for the King of France defired there might 
 be an Agreement made with the Queen of England and the States of Holland; and 
 the King of Spam would have had the Duke of Savoy and the Duke of Merrcew com- 
 prehended in the Peace. About this there arofe a iharp contention > for the French 
 having faid thar they would not include the Duke of Mercceur, as being the Kings Sub- 
 ject ; the Spaniards anfwered , That alfo the States of Holland were the King of 
 Spaias Subjcd:<;: and here mutually upbraiding one another that they fomented Re- 
 bels, they grew extreamly angry, and broke forth into words of indignation i and 
 yet the Cardinal-Legat interpofing, they agreed to make their Princes acquainted with 
 thebuOnefs, and expe(ft their refolute orders. But within a few days thefe diffi- 
 culties were removed i for the King having left the Conftablewith reafonable Forces 
 in Ficardy^ was gone perfonally to Angien to draw his Army together , and march 
 with all his Forces into Bretagne. Wherefore the Duke of Mercxur feeing his defigns 
 ruined, and not being willing to hold out till the laft necelTities, which he was not 
 able to refift, condefcended to the Agreements by which, marrying his onlv Daugh- 
 ter to C£fjr the Kings Baftard Son, and receiving other recompences of Penfions and 
 moneys , he delivered up that part of Bretagne that was in his pofTtirion unto the 
 Kings obedience v whereupon the occafion ceafed for which the Catholick King en- 
 deavoured to include him in the Peace. 
 
 Nor was there any need to contend long for the Queen of England and the States 
 of Holland i for thofc Princes, after they had done all that was polTible ro hinder the 
 Treaty of Peace, fhewing themfelves ill fatistied with the King, becaufe in the League 
 of the year before he had promifed not tt) agree. without thetn, declared that they 
 "would not be comprehended as Adherents, and that they would have no Peace with 
 the King of S^ain. 
 
 There remained only the point concerning the Duke of Savoy , which was like to 
 tiave Interrupted the whole agreement when it was brought to perfedtion : for the 
 Marquifs de LuUin the Dukes Ambaffadour, being introduced into the Conference, 
 faid. That Prefident Sillery , one of the Deputife therfeiprefent , had from the year 
 before treated an accommodation with the Duke, and that the King was then con- 
 tented he fhould hold the Marquefate of Salnz.zo in fee from the Crown. The Pre- 
 fident anfwered. That it was true, the King was fo contented, but at a time when 
 the ftate of his affairs perfwaded him by all means to divide the Duke from the 
 King of Spain, and that to that condition the Marquifs knew well there were others 
 joined, which he would not mention, left he (hould fet difcord among Friends i by 
 which words he meant to infer that the Duke to retain the Marquefate Jwd proffered 
 to make War againfl the State of Milan. Many contentions there were about it, and 
 the whole Treaty feemed to be difcompofed i but the General of the Cordeliers going 
 to the King, and Jttan Baptijia Taffis to the Archduke, they returned within a few 
 days, and concluded, that the Duke and the King fliould retain what they poffefled 
 at that prefent, and that the difference about the Marquefate fliould be referred to the 
 Pope, who was to give judgment within the fpace of one year, and then what each 
 beld of the others would mutually be reftored. But the Marquifs refufed that the 
 King fliould retain the Valley of Morienne, and would not ratiiie it without adver- 
 tiling the Duke, and this by reafon of his nature, would have been a difficult impe- 
 diment, if good fortune had not removed the obftacle i for the Duke about this time 
 recovered Morienne with a great flaughter of Les Viguieres his Forces i and on the 
 other fide. Lei Bi^uterei took a Fort which the Duke had built near Grenoble, and 
 having put the Garifon to the Sword, deraoliflied it to the very ground : wlicrefore 
 there remaining nothing but Berre in frwettce in the Dukes poffellion, they agreed that 
 he fliould rertore that Town in prefent , and that the bufinefs of the Niarquefatc 
 (hould be decided by the Pope. 
 
 i5j)8. 
 
 TbtDukecf 
 M^-naur Eto- 
 therin hw co 
 Hmrf the lit. 
 being reduced 
 almoft to cx- 
 trfini'Tjaoretf 
 wi'h th? kicg 
 oivino bib cn- 
 WD-u^ht r CO 
 Ca (.t ot Bflllf- 
 h n . Biftard 
 Sop to Hrn 4. 
 jn J TC up 
 nia- he held 
 in £-t'j^«f un- 
 to the Kings 
 obedience. 
 
 Thf Duke ef 
 S^vcy^y Am- 
 l-affador eing 
 ptefent in the 
 nice;in» ac 
 V rvm. faid. 
 That he had 4 
 promife the 
 Duke fhould 
 retain the 
 Marguetue of 
 
 The difftren- 
 ces about the 
 Marquefate 
 are referred 
 to the Pope, 
 who is to gire 
 judgment 
 Wit QUI a ^tu, 
 
 The
 
 794 
 
 The Hifiorj of the Cml Wars 
 
 The Peice is 
 toncludcil and 
 publiflicd. 
 
 The Peace was concluded and fubfcribed by the Deputies upon the fecond day of 
 Mjy, with exprefs condition that it fliould not be publifhed tiU a month after i fot 
 the King of Frame defired that the Englifh and Holland Ambafladors liould firl> be 
 gone from Court, that the Peace might not be publiflied in their prefenc. •, and the 
 Cardinal Archduke defired fpace to receive the Counterfign of BUuet from Spa>n. 
 The Peace was publiflied upon the feventh day of June in taris^ and the fdme day at 
 Amiens, in the prefence of the Legat, and the Kings Deputies, as by agreement it 
 was likewife done at Bru^a^els ■■, all men generally rejoycing, that after fo long and fo 
 calamitous Wars , the Kingdom of frame diftraftcd into fo many Fadtions , was at 
 laft re-united in the entire obedience of a Catholick French King, to enjoy the fruiu 
 and blellings of Peace for the future , in recosnpence of fo many paft naiferies and af- 
 
 
 
 F I 
 
 i: .V 
 
 IS. 
 
 5 til r ,>«3io r 
 
 ■ -.(kv no; 
 ,h h;>'; 
 
 vd) iL'odf. 3-)iit;-jj11ib 
 
 ■■'^ •■ r -< ■'. ....... . .. :(.i 3/[j I 
 
 .oqo*-l jrlj Y>! -'^i-
 
 A N 
 
 Alphabetical Table 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PRINCIPAL THINGS 
 
 Contained in this 
 
 A. 
 
 ABbot (if Orbais [cut to Rome l^y the Duke of 
 l/hyence^treatt of the affairs of the League 
 very effeEltiatly- Pjge 387 
 
 Adminidration of the Royal Family. 4 
 
 Admiral Coligny'j- Propofitions to the Alalecoments 
 embraced, I9. made General of the Wugonois,?)^. 
 hires one to kill the King, 107 flies to Koi:\\e.\^iig. 
 the Army committed to his care^ 143 . fick»eth,jet 
 defijls not from the Siege o/Poiftiers, 155. ejuits 
 it, andgoes to relieve ( haftel-raulr,i 56 tvoMnded, 
 And flees, 161. being fick^, ii carried ^ith the Ar- 
 my in a Litter, i6t<. Dfi^e of Savoy grows fuf- 
 piciofu of him, for marrying Aiadam d'Antra- 
 monc, rf Savoyard, againfi his will, 174. after 
 many years Jf^ars againfi the King, profr.ites at 
 his feet, and !^ graciou(ly received, jO. caufes the 
 Hugonots to ffirpriz.e Mo(\3 «« Flanders, to force 
 himtoalVarrvith Spiin, 17S. is feemingly made 
 friends rfith the Lords of the Houfe of llorrain 
 hcfore the King, ibid, prefers himfelf before Ju- 
 lius Cajfir , or Alexander :!":€ Great 179. that 
 in the left elbotv , 181. King and £lueen mother 
 fet jlriEl Gitards upon his Honfe, is fl*in, thrown 
 out at the Tiiindo'^\ and drag'ci into a Jlable, ih. Cm- 
 . elti/f Kfedtohis Body,ii^, his Statue burnt, and 
 his Palace raz.ed, 1 85 
 
 Admir ,1 Villats goes to>befiegt Quillebacuf, 558. is 
 fore d torifefrom thence, 559 fubmits Rouen to 
 the King, 63S. flhtiig gallanrly at Dourl-an% 
 is p.'iin. i 84 
 
 ORY 
 
 Agreement between Henry I Y. and Duke of May- 
 ence. 69^ 
 
 Aix in ?rovence ffibmits to the King. 629 
 
 Albinian«!,cr Croats, 3,4, tkirftorj 3 ^ 
 
 Ambartadors /row the Low-Countries to the King 
 of France, entreating him to take rh; PrrteEiion 
 and Dominion of their States, Zf^g. from th: Pope^ 
 King of Spain , and Duke of Savoy, to Charles 
 IX. to fllicite the i-ubliation of th; Cotinctl of 
 Item, gi. from the Protefiant' Princes of Gzr- 
 miny, f peaking highly to the Ki'tg for the Hugo- 
 rots, <irf [hartily anfvfered, and depart, 300. from 
 the King to Pope Sixtus, to excufe theCardi>^al de 
 Guife'j- death, foarply anfxpered, 3S2. from Ve- 
 nice to Henry I ( I. pa^e a Compliment in Pub- 
 lick^Tfith Henry I V. <» Kingof France, 427. of 
 Venice, fent to Congratulate Henry I V. his Af- 
 fiimption to the Cro'ii^n. 665 
 
 Amiens putt it felf into the Kings hand:, 6^z fur- 
 priz.ed by Poro-Crrero, 7 '6, 717. b^fi.ged hy 
 Henry I V. an account thereof. 7 1 8, ^'c. 
 
 Andclot, with the Reliijues of the H"gonors,/«/?4»w 
 the Siege of Orleans, 85 mingling wi:l} the Ene- 
 my at Brifac, lifts up the Dnkf of McTilcz'x 
 B'.ver, and difcharges a Pifl I in his face, 140 af- 
 ter lofs of the Battel, dyes for Grief 142 
 Anfwcr of the King, Qiieen, and Parliament of Pa- 
 ris to the Prince of «..ondc'/ Mantfefto, 62. cf 
 Griilon Captain of the Guards ' 363 
 Antony of Vendofm, 0/ the Honfe ^/Boiirbon, he 
 that -VDOs Father to Henry 1 V. marriith the 
 Daughter of the King cf N ivarre, by whom he 
 inherits the Pretenfuns .-f that Kirgdom. ic 
 Anronio Poflevino a Jeftiite, f.nt by Pope Clement 
 V 1 II. to till the J)!tks ff Never; h: fhotild not 
 C c c c c amt
 
 ^v=-!.>' 
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 come to Rome , to execute his Err/hjfage, 621. 
 fcMeis him again to bid him come^ as a Cathohck. 
 Italian Prince, though not m Ambiij[a^or.V&S,^ 62^ 
 
 Arcenil is the Magazine of jirms,d>figmd to be 
 tak[», ^i*t >">t effeHed. 3 02. 
 
 Archbifhop cf Lyons mad^ Prifomr , 370. often 
 examined; Would ftever artftver, alledging^ m Pri- 
 mate of all France, he had no Superior but the Ca- 
 tho/ick^Church, 374. trith others put into the Caftle 
 of AmboiSjib // made I^igh Chancellor to the Duke 
 ef Mayenne,437. hcandCardiml Gondi choje by 
 the Cottncil of Paris, to treat with Herry IV 
 
 466. 
 
 Archbifliopef Bourges,^// TreteJ^fions upon the Spi- 
 ritual Superiority of Gallia. 558 
 
 Archduke Ernell>«s refolutions at the lofsof Pitis^ 
 64-. approved by themof Spain. ^43 
 
 Archduke Albert, Cardinal of Auilri.i , goes to be 
 Governor in Yhoders,6g6- his Hifiory. 704,81c. 
 
 Arms (f Henry 1 1 I. thrown down. 579 
 
 Armies difmifed., and Peace publijhcd, tpj. an Ar- 
 my fcnt by Henry 1 1 f. againfi the King of Na- 
 varr, 3 1 1 . one cf 40000 men raifed by the Prote- 
 Jlant Princes of Germany,«wi/f r conduEl of Prtnce 
 C Qifim)re,ledby the Baron d'Onaw his Lieut cna>it 
 General^ 3*3. its Tranfaciwns, 315, &C. dtf- 
 handed- 3 28 
 
 Afllmblie? fecret of the Princes of Buurbon , and 
 other difcrnttnted Lords. 14 
 
 Aflcmbly of the States at Fontainbleau, 28, &;c. dif- 
 mijfed, and a general one rtfclvid nn,7, '. . begins, ^y. 
 difmifed, 4%. d? Moulins, the Decree made there, 
 98 appointed at ?)\o[%^zio. meets, x^j. whether 
 it or the Kingbe fi'.pcrior^ 228. is dtfmijfed, with- 
 CHt concludi'ig any thing, 132. 3 y8. of Catholtcks 
 to confuit about a future King^ 40S . of the States 
 appointed by H^nry IV'. at lours. 416 
 
 Auigny taken by Henry IV. and the Germans, he 
 g ives them the pill^.ge. 512 
 
 hu(one,aftrongplace in Boiirgngne befieged^ and 
 taken by the JL>'uke of GuiCc. .305 
 
 B. 
 
 B'\rons take Jirms againfi ^een Blanch Mo- 
 ther to St. Lewis ( taking upen her the Go- 
 vernment in her S-ns minority ) to rnaintain the 
 right in vrhom it belonged. j 8 
 
 aron de Guiry recovers Corbicl and L^gny, tnhich 
 hadbeentinkenby the Duke of Vstn):i,4jS. having 
 tin^iertaken to dffend New-C^aQei though T»etik_, 
 againfi the Dfih.ecf Parm.a ; he does it gallantly ^at 
 lafi the Duke grants him honourabU conditions, 
 'il'). forely wounded, Sl^- /?•«». 6-^0 
 
 Baron d'Onnw, LieutenaM- General to Prince C^Cu 
 mire, leads the Arr^j^ ,13. His excufe to the 
 Emperor commanding him to diibavd, lb. h^s JBs, 
 
 524. 
 
 diib.tndi bis Army. 
 
 328 
 
 ^Attt\ between the Armies, ^-y. 4f Briric,i4o. at^u 
 Denis. i\y 
 
 Belief :irde ufurpsthe Mar/juifate c/Saiuzza. 238 
 Birth 0/ Henry IV. in the Territory of Pau, 10. 
 in the Vifcounty of Beam a free J'?4ff,Decen:ib.T j. 
 .1554. ib. 
 
 Bifhop of Mens fent on purpose by the King to de- 
 mand abfci/ttita for the Cardinal of Gmit's death. 
 
 385 
 
 Bifliop of Paris gives way that the Church-Plate 
 
 Jhmld be turned into money for relief of the Poor. 
 
 460 
 
 BKhops to judge of Herefie. .'{ " 5 a 
 
 Blois taken and pillaged by the Kings Army. 70 
 
 Jean Bodin contradict the Prelates in, the General 
 
 Affimbty. 229 
 
 Body of Henry III. laid in the great Church of 
 
 Cimpeign. 416 
 
 Francis de Bonne made Head of the Hugonots, and 
 
 after Conflable of the Kingdom. Z i Z 
 
 Bourges rendred upon Condition. 7 1 
 
 Brigiies»>/ French y5^«//?a FaUions. 64 
 
 c. 
 
 CAhors ta\en and facked by the Hugonots. 
 241 
 
 Cab is recovered from the Englifh, and befieged by the 
 Spaniftl Army,'Jo^' A defcription of itsfituati- 
 on, 703 . agrees to (urrender, if net relieved within 
 fix days i but de Martciet getting in with 30O 
 Foot., they refufc^ the Caflle fi armed., Governor kH" 
 lid., dud all put to the Srvord. 705 
 
 JohnC.iIvin <z Picardpreacheth., andpublifheth i» 
 Print 128 Principles., differing from the Romctn- 
 Cathclick, Religion., tvhich had their foundation in 
 Geneva, at ftrfl hearkned to out of curifity., hut 
 
 , at Lilf produce great mifchicf., 19. Henry 11. fe- 
 vere againfi the Calviniils , of rohofe death they 
 hoaft much. 20 
 
 Cambray itsSiege.,68$, &c. yieldf to /fc Spaniard. 
 
 690 
 
 Cardinal AlefTandrino, Legat from Pope Pm QuJn- 
 tus, refufes ii rich feml prefented to him by the 
 Kings orvn hand» 1 77 
 
 Cardinal Alcflandro de Medici, »?)!;(? voas after Pope 
 Leo X f. appointed Legat into France, 67 j. recei^ 
 ved with great demonfirations of Honour by Mon^ 
 fieur dcs Diguiercs a nugonot. His f'emn entry 
 mo Paris, 710. f et ling Religion ^he begins to pro- 
 mote a Treaty bet^'cen France and Spain. 711 
 
 Cardinal of Bourbon Vncle to the King of Navarre, 
 defiTcdfortbe Headef the Catholicks ,2$2. fjii 
 pretenfions to the fuccefpon of the Crown, 2 j 3 . 'put 
 into the Cajlle of Amboife, 574. tieckred Kingof 
 France by the League., and called Charles X. 417 
 
 Cardinal u/ Chartillon changing his Religion., calls 
 himfelf Count of Beauvais, 64, the Lye p^es 
 hitmen tbe Confiable and him, ilj. flics dfgm- 
 
 fed
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 fed /ike a Alariner into England, andrefnains with 
 the ^tttiM A^etitfBr the Hugonots. Page 1 3d 
 
 Cardinilo/ Giilfe mude Prifoner-, 3 70. tjJI.ii^^Md 
 his hod) ^ and the Duke of Guife'/ two Brothers^ 
 burn'd in ^^ickzlimc, and their bones buried in an 
 ftnknoxpn place. 373 
 
 Cardinal Goniii nnd the Legat meet the A'farcjuis of 
 Pifani upon alrcAtj^but nothing concluded, i\t'y. 
 heand the Archbiihpnf Lyons chofe bj the Conn- 
 cilofP'ins to treat with the King, 4.66. he and 
 the AfarefMS of Pifini chofen to go to Rome by 
 Henry i V. ^'^j. fends his Secretary to excufe him- 
 feif to the Pope, s 6 1 . notice that hefhouid not enter 
 into the Ecclefiafiical State,by the Pope,i6$. tsptr- 
 mitted by the Pope to come to Rome, but not tofpeal^ 
 a word of the ,iff.iirs of France, 644. return' d to 
 F^iris, comma'tds thsy fhould ufe the Prayers were 
 VDont to be made for the King, and to ac^noTvledge 
 }ienr\ I v. /a\\f>:i King. 655 
 
 Cardinal Heniiio Gaecuno^ aman partial to Spain, 
 declared Legat to the League i« France, 43 i. the 
 J^opet Commiffions to him, 43-. hi£ requcfl to 
 Colonel Alphoiilo Corfu, <?««( his anfaer, 433. 
 overcomi»(^many difflsidtits, arrives at Paris, 434. 
 Grants the Duke of Mayenne 300000 Crowns^ 
 brought for enlargement of the Cardinal of Bour- 
 bon, 439, meets with the Marejhal dt Byron, 
 thtj treat cf divers things without any comlpifion 
 
 Cardinal of SarctiQviatrro/«c«f^/ Gregory XIV 
 by name -of Innocent 1 X. ' 530 
 
 Cardinal Hipp olito d Elte Legat in France. 5 1 
 Cardinal Hippoluo Aldtbrandmo aged ^6, fucceed; 
 Pope Innocent 1 X. by the name of Cle.iienc VHI 
 
 555 
 
 Cardinal of Lenon- Court givfs the King notice of 
 
 the Cardinal of Vendofme'j- difigns. 499 
 
 Cardinal Sega Legat in France, hath prudent in- 
 flrucli ns from the I'l-pe by Monfignor Agucthi, 
 touching the affairs thereof, 564. executes not his 
 Orders, ib. his Declaration and Exhcrtatinn.'^jj, 
 his Frofofuion, 584. ofpofes an offer of theCatho 
 lick^ Lords, but to no piirp'fe, 500 perfnaded by 
 the Archbijhop of Lyons, be fecretly confents to it, 
 597. fets forth a writing to ks^p the League on 
 foot, 6 10 GoiefoHt cf the Kingdom 637 
 
 Cardinal of lo*iriion ealiedajecondtime toCottrt. 
 
 13 
 Cardinal uf VendofiTre raifes a third party of Ca- 
 
 thtlicks, to make himfel\ Head, and f come to thi 
 
 Croivn, 498. fends Stipio 15 :lbani to treat rvith the 
 
 t ope, and cemmiinicate his drfit^n^^^g Cardinal 
 
 Lenon-Court oivet the King notice of his defigns, 
 
 ib 
 
 Catharrre de Medvcis, f^'ifeto Kerry I T. dyed in th<- 
 
 "jkOth Jsar of Ixr ^.ge thirty^ Tvbrreof ffe fp:nt in 
 
 '■ the regtrtiy and management of greatefi affairs and 
 
 tfimbtes rf France- 3 74 
 
 Catholicks bifiege la C liarite, riphich being flot-tly de- 
 fended^ theygrpn it over, 1 56, raife the Siege be- 
 
 fore Cliaftd-rault, 157 take all the Uvgomti 
 Baggage and Cannon, an^ 200 Cohtrrs^ 63 King 
 (?/NaVdri'e prcceeds again/} them, 217. de re the 
 Cardinal of Bourbon /r their Head, 2J9 War 
 again between them and the Hugotm -.,2^^, reco- 
 zer the Cafile of Anglers taken fnddenly bj the 
 Hugonots, 290 befpge Maran, 295. Lfa Bat- 
 tel, are all kjHed and ta^tn Prifners , except a. 
 very fitp that favethen-fhes by flight, 122. af- 
 femble themf}lves to confidt about a future King,, 
 408. rcfolve to declare the Kingof Navarre King 
 of t ranee, upon affurance of changing his Reli- 
 gion, AfOg fivear Fidelity to the King by a V/ritin^ 
 fign'd and efiablifrj'J, 4 1 0. complain cf Heavy 1 V. . 
 continuing in C\\ym{m,^o^. they of Henry IV. 
 party, dif'pleafed that the Peace fhould be treated by 
 du Pleifis a Hugonot, renew a third party. 555 
 Caufcs that moved the Guifes to frame the Leag'c. 
 
 224.- vid. 3 5 
 
 Caufe of diflafle betrveen Duke d'Efpemon , and 
 
 Secretary Villcroy, 348. rf Hatred between the 
 
 frifjceand K ng of NiVirre, 4C7. that moved 
 
 the Dul^e of Mayen.ie to h-^pe to be ch fen King, 
 
 565 
 Ceremonies ufed at the Conve-rfwtof Henry IV. 
 
 613 
 
 Chancellor Bin go made Cardinal, and Pliilip Hu- 
 
 rak choft in his place, 235 
 
 Chancellor Ciiiverney /)«?(!»? of his place,, ^^y. re~ 
 
 calfd to his Offce by denry I V. 466. his opinion, 
 
 467 
 Chancellor Ol'vier call'd afecond time to Court^ 13. 
 dyes, Chayiceicr de 1' Holpital fucceedt him, 29, 
 put out of his Ojfice upsK the Kings jeaLufe, 130. 
 and conferred upon Mor.fieur de Mo'villiers. ib. 
 Charles IX. marries\^^\ie:\\\ Daughter of Wi.-sS.m- 
 lixn the Emi^eror. jji 
 
 CharlotcedelaMarr, Heir to theDutchyof Bouil- 
 lon, married to Henry de la Tour Ftfcomt de Tu- 
 rennc. ju 
 
 Chirtres voluntarily fets open its Gates,^o2.its De- 
 fcription and Siege. 4^4496 
 
 Chaftel-rault ^fyjfgf^, I y6. Siege raifd. 157 
 
 j^quesClemcnt hit birth, age and condition 404, ha' 
 vmg advifed tvith the Priir and others of his Or- 
 der,rfolves to kill the King, ^0%. his anfiver to a 
 (jueftion made to him -, brought in to the King^ives 
 him a Letter, then drawing a Knife, thrufis it into 
 his Belly, ib. cafi out of the window, and torn in 
 pieces. Jb. 
 
 Colonel Alphonfo CorfoV anfmr to Cardinal Gae- 
 t^no' s rii^uefl, 435 
 
 Colonel St. Paul kill'd by the Duke of Guife. 65 1 
 Colled^e cf Sorbon decl.ires Henry 1 II. ro ha-de 
 forfeited his Right to the Crown, and his Subjcilf 
 free from their Oath cf Alltgiance, 378. its De- 
 crff,439. Declares Henry I V. Abfolution va- 
 liii, and the Doctors thereof do him Homage at the 
 Louvre. 645 
 
 Conditions of Pence concluded at Orleans. 8S 
 
 Con*
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 Conditions agreed apo» between the Deputies cf the 
 
 King of Spain, and the Heads of the Catholick, 
 
 League. Page 254 
 
 Condicions between Henry III. cf France, and the 
 
 Lcigue- ■ 353 
 
 Cordicions ta be obfervcd bj Henry 1 V. ufon h.T 
 
 ylbfoltition. 675 
 
 Confpiiacy agahifl the pcrfu» of Uenry III. 334 
 
 Conllable Momorancy fa/h i» difgr ace with King 
 
 Francis, 7, recallcdto management of affairs, ib. 
 
 Contbblcs Vnlon tvith the King of Navarre and 
 
 D»kf of Gu\k, 52. taken Prifoner^ and his Son 
 
 killed^^l. par/ies with the Hugonots, and the 
 
 Zje paffes between him and the Cardinal de Cha- 
 
 liilloa 115 
 
 Confultation between the Di^ke of Guife, and the 
 
 Cardinal his brother. 369 
 
 Corbiel befteged and taken bj the Duke rf Parmn, 
 
 477,(^c. 
 Corby a faulted bj the King, and ta^en. 485 
 
 Council of Trent breaks up , Noveinb. 1563. in 
 the Papacy of Pius Quintus- 92 
 
 Cabinet t ouncil its beginning, izj. a Propofition of 
 receiving it made in the ylffemblj of the States 
 General , rejtEled, 561. TheCcur.cil if fixteen 
 framed at Paris , by fuggeflion of the Heads of 
 the League, 300. informs the Dttke of Guife of 
 200CO Wfw ready for any defign, 533. fufpcEi a 
 Plot of theirs difcovered by the Kings prep.irati- 
 ons^difmay d thereupon,fendfor the Dukf e/Guife, 
 336. of the Union, conffiing cf 40 of the chiefefl 
 perfons of th 'League. 385 
 
 Secret Council rcflves to punijh the Favourers rf 
 the Hugonoc. 27 
 
 Counfellors (f Parliament who (.dkredto Henry III 
 imprifoned in the Birtille. 3 79 
 
 Count de ^owh:^^c,Brotherto theD^tiks of Joyeule, 
 after the death of hts wife, whom he dearlj loved, 
 turns Capuchin. 3 i2 
 
 Count de Brienne defeated by the D^ks of Mayenne, 
 /ind taken Pri/oncr. 3 97 
 
 Count de Brifac'/ Fo>ces,that came to divert thefiege 
 cf Falaife, defeated by Monpenfier, 3 96. is made 
 Governor of Paris i» place of Count Beiin, 632. 
 deals prefently with the chief of the City to fub- 
 mit to King Henry IV. 633. Conditions in fa- 
 vour of him,6i-\ by his artifice Proclamation u 
 TK.-ide, that upon pain of Death, and conffcation cf 
 Coeds, none Jhould afjlmble bi-.t in theJown-hoptfe, 
 635. his Decree to receive the King w/o Paris. 
 
 656 
 Count Egmont and his Landers all cut in pieces. 
 
 446 
 Count deSt.Fiore finds 2.6 Enf.g^s toKomtjiaken 
 by his Soldiers. 163 
 
 Count de Fnentes made Govirntrof the Low Coun- 
 tries, 678. b(fieges Chaftelec in Picardy, 679. 
 catifes Goneron f« be beheaded in fght of the 
 French, and b(fi,ges Dourlans, (jSi. h^ wanner 
 cf bif:egi„gCzmbn)\ 687 
 
 Count Mansfik fucceeds the D.ike cf Deux-ponr, 
 146. enters ?r?.nce, and befieges la Chapeile,644, 
 the Governor furrenders it. 64^ 
 
 Count dc Schomb^rg treats With the'Duke of May- 
 enne, but with weak^ hope of fuccefs. 600 
 
 Count deSoiffoni of the Heafeof Bourbon, 36j, 
 a faulted <!if 'Chafteau-GuJron by the Dftke ^f 
 Mercsur, and taken Prifoner^^Oi. renioved from 
 the Government of Poi^tou. 501 
 
 CiOWn pretended to by the Cardinal of Bourbon,253. 
 afpir'd to by the Cardinal of Vendofnne, 498 <i^«- 
 vslved upon the Hoafe of Bourbon. 400 
 
 D. 
 
 DAughter of Charles the Great, and Godfrey 
 of Bulien were Ancef^ors of the Houfe of 
 Lorra in ^»^ Guife. 6 
 
 Declaration of the Duke d' Alanfon, 2 14. of the 
 Heads of the Catholick. League, 261 of the King 
 cf Navarre, 276. of the Duke of Mayenne /isr 
 the States, 511. of the Popes Legat. 577 
 
 Decree at Moiilins. 98 
 
 Decree 0/ the Holy Union, fwWe to combine then.' 
 fives for defence of Religion, 378. for recetviag 
 the Council of Trent, 6 14. ef the CoUedge of 
 Sorbon, 439. of Henry IV. in favour of Lccle- 
 fia/iical Dignities andCathoUck, Religion. 55S 
 
 Deputies of Henry 1 V. prefent a Writing to the 
 League^ is accepted, 604 
 
 DeicripMon of the mifrable condition France fell 
 into by the death of the Duke of Guife, 381. of 
 the Confederate jirmj. 53 I 
 
 Defign of taking Baftille, Arcenal, Paris, and the 
 Louvre, and to cut in pieces the Kings Minions and 
 Adherents^ and to take him frifner, revealed, and 
 not cfeHed. 302 
 
 Device of the MoyalliJIs, 422. cf the Colledgi of 
 Sorbor. 439 
 
 Difcord arifes between the Duke d'Efpernon and 
 Secretary V\}\ttoy., producing evil effe£ls. 280 
 
 Dreux j?rf;«/,82. ^^^^r^^^ Henry IV. 400,607, 
 
 C^c. 
 
 Francis Duke ef Alanfon, the Kings youngefl Bro- 
 ther, ma\es himfeif Head of the Afalecontents^ 
 with hope te ufurj) the CroV(>n,ig 5 , imprifoned, 1 96. 
 excluded from the CroVi^n of PolaDd,2l3 his flight 
 and declaration, 214. declared Head of the Hugo- 
 nots by the Prince of Conde,2i 5. mufl er s I'^COO 
 fighting men, ~ig. made the Kings LieutenAnt 
 General, 233. reje^ed by thofe called him into 
 Flanders, driven thence by the Duks of Parma^f- 
 turns into France, andaWhile after dyes. 34 J 
 
 Henry Duke of Anjou made Lieutenant General of 
 the Army, 1 18. batters Loudun on one fide, and 
 the Prince of Conde coming to relieve it on the 
 tther, both refolving to fight, are hindred by coldneft 
 cf weather, 136. difmtff'es the Nobility of his Ar' 
 mj^ftnds the reji into Carifon, andgoes to Loches, 
 
 149-
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 149. recovers many flaces from the Hugonocs, 
 165. goes with mighty j)rep.ir,iti(j»s to the fi.ge cf 
 Rochcl, 1 90. not to prejudice his EleRion to be 
 King of Poland, moves jlorvlj i» that enter prif" 
 
 p.ige 192 
 Duke d'Aum"'le made Governor of Paris bj the City, 
 arms them^ and orders them Commanders, 3 1 8. is 
 in readinefs With 500 Horfe to ajfifl the Con/piracy 
 cf the Panfians, 333. h<fieges Scnlis , Longue- 
 ville rrith fmall forces raifes it , lofes his Ar- 
 tillery, Baggage, and 30 Colours, 400. going to 
 rfZ/fZ/eNoyen, after a fljarp Fight retires, 506. 
 for 4000c Cro'dfKs Peitfton revolts to the Spaniard 
 with the places under his Government, 6^Z. incen- 
 fed at being declared Rebel, keeps with the Spani- 
 ards. 695 
 Duke of Bouillon flies to Geneva, and dyes there. 
 
 328 
 Duke of Dcuxponts enters Yr^t\ce,fpoiling theCoun. 
 trey, dyes with excefs of drinking before he joins the 
 Princes. 145 
 
 Duke d'Elbeuf, firfl of the Houfe of Lorrain that 
 maX^s peace with Henry IV. 641 
 
 puke d'Efpernon/f»r /row henry III. tomeetthe 
 King of Navarre, 257. Government of Provence 
 conferred on him by the King, 283. marries the 
 Conntefs of Candale a rich Heir, 312. Treats 
 with the Suiffi;s Army, and they have leave to return 
 home, 327. « declared Admiral of the Kingdom, 
 ■ and Governnr of Normandy, 348. caufeofdijiafie 
 between him and Villeroy, ib. ^i^ts his Govern- 
 ment of Normandy bj the Kings^der, and retires 
 /o Ai golefme, ;5^' where he is cot^fpired again/} ^ 
 Villeroy fomentiKg the bufinefs by fecret order from | 
 the King, 355. returned to his former greatnefs, 
 treats aTruce ^nth the King ef Havarte, 389. 
 ftanding npm precedency , will not Jign the writing to 
 make him King 'f Fr;jnce, parts from Court, 4 1 I . 
 recalled bj the King, 486. recovers all the ToWns 
 held by the Duke »/ Savoy as fara-s Vare, 568. 
 will not be removed from the Government of Vto- 
 ver.ce, b:.'t refers hirrfelf ta I he Confiable, who de- 
 dares he fhould go out. 659 
 
 Duke cf Feria and lAcr]dozzi,Spa>!ij% Ambajfaikrs^ 
 ^nd Ja^n Baptifta Tafiis , at the meeting of the 
 States, urge and propofe the Infanta to be d'fen 
 ^liieen, 592, &'C. tlxir Anfwer concerning a Huf 
 band for her^6o4, promife to give her to the Duke 
 cf Guife, as foon asfhe fiall be chofen ^een, 608. 
 are abufed going through theflreets of Paris, 6 1 1. 
 Duke of Guife falls into difgrace with K- Francis. 7. 
 recalled to management of affairs, ly. Keyesrfthe 
 Palace tak^n from him, and given to the King of 
 Navarre, 46. as fir ft Peer of Yrance, is declared 
 TO precede the reft, 47. his union with the King of 
 Navarre, andConflahle, 52. is hart with aftone,in 
 acoKpEl between his Servants and the Hunonots : 
 A faying of his made him thought At^thor of the 
 War, 57. giving it under his hand that he would 
 leave the Court, the CathoUck^ Lords, leave the 
 
 Camp, 66. takfs the Prince rf Conde Prifoner,%i- 
 fups and lies in the fume Bed with the 'Prince of 
 Conde his bitter Enemy. Made General of the 
 Kings Forces, %J^. (hot in the fhmlder treachercufly 
 by one Polcroc aWu^onoi .whereof he dyis , 86. 
 leaves three Sons, Henry Duke of Guife, Lodo- 
 wick a Cardinal, whcm Henry III. canfid to be 
 murthtred, and the Duk^e of May enne, who was af- 
 ter Head of the Catholick,^ League. 94 
 Qharles Duke of Guif; havmg been long Prifoner at 
 Tours, efcapes at nucn d.iy, an^ flees to Bourges, 
 5 1 0.tells the Spaniards his being chofen King would 
 prove ridiculous to others, and ruinoiu to himflf, 
 613. he and the Duks 'f Mayenne unite, to fav.r 
 eachither to be cho'en K;ng,62-^. leaves the League, 
 andmak^s his compofiiionwith the King, 6$^. at 
 Heir of the Houfe of Anjou , pretends right to 
 Pro/ence, ib. plots to g'et into Marfeiiles, 699. 
 makfs himfelf Mafer of ir. 7 CO 
 Francis Duke cf Guife recovired Calais fnm the 
 Engliji, anno 1557. invited by their negligence in 
 guarding it. 'JOZ 
 Henry the young Duke ef Guife.gf f J great reputation 
 byfuftaining the Siege of PoiCtiers, 156. admitted 
 to the Cabinet Council, 1 58. refo.vei to marry Ca- 
 tharine de Cleves, 1 73. befets the Admirals hmfe, 
 183. (hot in the face, 2 1 6 by his cur.nirg^\;i!litick, 
 difcourfes are brought into Ajfemblies inflituted for 
 Devotion, 2Zl. \_Caufes that moved him and his 
 Brothers to frame thi League, 21^^. v- ^25. thty 
 foment the peoples hatred againfi the King,Z^y. 
 forefteing their own ruine, contrive neW defxgns,Z\j^ 
 \ by means of Preachers and Frjars in Put fits , and 
 other places of Devotion , hbcttrs to infnujte the 
 Catholick. League into the people, 2^0. befieges and 
 tak;s Aufone, 305. falls upon the Germ 1 iis in their 
 ijHarters, and gives them a fuddin efj.tult at Au- 
 neau, and with a great flaughter cbrains a familts 
 Fi^ory, 326. canfes a jyriti':g to be prtfented to the 
 King, with many cunning demands, redounding to 
 his own benefit, 3^2. is difcomented at the Kings 
 declaring the Duk^ ef Elpcrnon Admiral of the 
 Kingdom, andGovernor of Normandy, 333. difo- 
 beys the King commanding him not to cciite to Pans, 
 3 3 7. g/^es to wait upon the ^ieen-mother,vifirs the 
 King^ who is angry with him in words and liokj V 
 perceiving what danger he was in, take's leave , and 
 di parts, 358. being fearful of the King,is ftrongly 
 guarded, and goes ( with 400 Gentlemen privately 
 well armed) te the Louvre, to wait upon the King 
 to A'fafs H his difco;irfe with the King and ^-een- 
 mother, 339. makes the Pm(\2im believe the King 
 meant to put One hundred and twenty of the chief 
 Catholickj to death, 341 . ceafes to force the Louvre, 
 and appeafeth the pe pie, feeing the King as it rvire 
 aPrifoner.Andth; City inhispcwer,l\i. he and 
 his adherents are flung at the Kings Speech at the 
 Jffemblyof Blois, 359. fends With the King and 
 States to the Duk^ of S^voy, to demandreflitution 
 of the Marquifate of Saluzzo, and upon refnfal t» 
 D d d d d deaouHtt
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 (icnoiittce War, 365. hisconpthationmththe Arch- 
 liilhopof Lyons, the Cardinal his hot h:r^ar.d Duke 
 d'EIbeiif, 369. bath an ha^akarchief fent him by 
 his Secretary Pelicarc, tokidhim fave himfetf, but 
 it comes not to his hands i [woons in the Cettncil- 
 chamber, an illomtn of hu approaching death ifaiy} 
 as he liftf ftp the h.tngmgs of the Clofet-door, all his 
 chif Adherents made Prijlners; 'tJvas reported 
 he received two millions of Crowns from Spain, 
 370. his,andthe Cardinal his brothers bodies burnt 
 in afiickrlime,and their banes buried in an unknown 
 place, hts virtues arid endoivments both in body and 
 mind page 373 
 
 Duke of Joyeufe at Coutras prepares to Battel vetth 
 great conf teflon, 321. is thrown to the ground, ojfers 
 1 00000 Crowns in ra»fom, yet is flain. 3-2 
 
 Dnke of Lorrain agrees feeretly reith the Duke of 
 Mayenne not to eleU: atiy to be King that noi not 
 tnly ajlranger, but not of their family, 513- '■ff-''-' 
 the grand Duke c/Thufcany in the Kings behalf, 
 the Py/Wf/f Catharine, :» marriage to the Duke 
 hit fon. 610 
 
 Dukcef Mantua, Ludovico Ganz^gi, marries Hen- 
 rietta de Cte vc [ijler to the Duke of Nevers. 99 
 
 Duke nf Mayenne commands his mutinous Soldiers to 
 be cut in pieces,- 1 8 . perfuadeJ by hif fijier, /Madam 
 dc Monpenfier, w^jj^fi- himfelf Head of the Holy 
 Union,<jf Paris w declared Lieutenant General of 
 the Crown of France, 384. refufes aTruce, 388 
 defeats the Count de Bri^nne, and takes him Pri- 
 foner, 397. affaults the Kings Army at Tours, 
 fights a long time, butfupplies coming from the King 
 if Navarre, gives off, ^gS a Treaty of Agree- 
 ment betVfeen him and Henry IV. 436. he will 
 not hearken to it, 437. make' the Archbifhop of 
 Lyons his High-Chanceuor, ibid, layes fiege to 
 Mclun, 439. after fifenty five dajes rai/es the 
 fiege, and marches towards Ro^en, to appeafe nerv 
 Troubles, ^j\0. invites the Deputies of the Provin- 
 ces, upon the death of the Cardinal de Bourbon, to 
 chnofe another King, 460. confers the Government 
 of Paris on the Duke d'£!gui!lon his eldefi Son,and 
 appoints the Marquis of Belun his Lieutenant, /^^%. 
 u troubled at the attempts of his Family , deftgns 
 of the Duke of Savoy, and delays of the Spaniard, 
 489. is not fatisfied with the new Pope, fends Prefi- 
 dentJeawtintotheKingof Spain, and Sieur des 
 Portes to the Pope , to foRtcite aid, ibid, orders 
 Marquis Menehy to be killed, gives a Scalado to 
 Man'e, but is beaten iff, 504. goes to affanlt the 
 SuiflTes at Hudam,^«f forced to return. ^Oymar- 
 ches to Han, to give courage to the befieged of Noy- 
 on, 506. Tvill not hazard a Battel with the King, 
 507. afflifled for the Duke of Guif«*/ efcape, 
 firives to Ih^rv figns of joy, but treats underhand 
 vith the Cardinal of Bourbon and oth'r Lords,to 
 fet up a third Party ,511 he and the Du^e of Lor- 
 rain agree, not toeUEl any King of Fra'iee, that is 
 wt only a Stranger, but nor of their Fumily , or a 
 Prince of theb/eod,andaCatholicky 513- receives 
 
 the Duks 'f Guife at Retcl, with outVt>ardfbe\\:'s of 
 love, but correfponds not in their conference, ibid. 
 goir.g to oppofe an InfurreEtion in Paris, takes the 
 iiaiu I:?, andcaufes four of the Council of fixteen to 
 be ftrangl(d . ^ 8. murmurs againfl the D::k^ of 
 Varma, a fcribing the glory -of all anions to him'felf 
 5Ji. ^f^f^f/Ponteau dc Mcr,558. tak;sit,'^'iQ. 
 gives Villeroy liberty to favor the King converfioa 
 at Rome, and at the fame time oppofes it with all his 
 power, 563. interpreting the Popes proceeding in fa- 
 vour ef him,h'pes to be chofen King, 564. Caufet 
 moving him thereto, his Declaration for the States, 
 571. Troubled at the pretenfions the Lords of his 
 Jioufe had to the Crown as well as he, Sic. 583. 
 fitting under the Cloth of State as King in the Hall 
 of the Louvre, exhorts the States to choofe aCa- 
 thol.King.'^'Sii^.Threatnedbjthe Spanifll Ambaffa- 
 dors, departs in anger, 593. brfieges\>ioyon,is fur- 
 rendredto him, fends his Sons Regiment to Parir, 
 59J. being fure none of ha Sonsfhould be named 
 Htubandto the Infanta, profecutes a Treaty Veith 
 theRoyalifis, 604. TroubUdat offering to give her 
 to the Duke of Guife, defires to difiurb it,(kc. 608. 
 d firing to hinder the Duke of Guife' s greatnefr^ 
 askj exorbitant Conditions of the Spaniards, 609. 
 feeing himflf excluded from the Crown, treats to 
 bring in the Cardinal of Bomhon, 6^0. gets the 
 Parliament ff Paris, fo decree the Crown Jhould not 
 be transferred on Jlr angers. Sic. 61 1- fends Mont- 
 pezat into Spain, to have the Infanta ^iw« to hit el" 
 defl Son, 6 1 7. he and the "Dukj of Guife agree to 
 favour eachihther to be chofen King, 6z^, v, 630, 
 643 . his office of Lieutenant General taken a\eay by 
 the Parliament of laris, ^»w to Bruxcis to treat 
 Vfith the Archduke, 645. makes an Agreement 
 with the King, 670. declared innocent of the death 
 of Henry 1 1 1. 694 
 
 Duke de Mercoeur takes the Count de Soifons Prifo' 
 ner at Cha{leau-Eyron,40t. hispretenfiomto the 
 Dutchj of Bretagne,482. heing hrethtr-in-Uvf 
 to Henry 1 1 1, agrees rvith Henry I V. giving 
 his onely Daughter to Cstfar of Bourbon his 
 Baflardfon,ar,d what he had /» Bretagne unde r his 
 obedience. yjj 
 
 Duke.*/' Monpenfier begins the trar againji th^f} of 
 the League, and ^f/jt-^fJ Falaife, 394. defeats the 
 Count de Brifac, "itho came to divefi it, 3 96. dyes at 
 Lifeaux. 551 
 
 Duke of NemonrV vigilancy at the fiege of Pdtis, 
 475 refufes the Government of it, for fome dif- 
 content front his brother th: Dukeof^-\\enne,iSfiZ. 
 InfurreElion a^aiyifi him at Lyons, imprifoned, and 
 ef capes out of theCafile, 660. feeing himfelf de- 
 prived of all retreat, falls fiik-> anddjes, 6gz 
 
 Duke of Nevers difgufled at the marriage of Vif- 
 count dc Turenne, and Charlotce de la Mark, 
 5x1. relieves the Kings Army,^ 3 3 ordered by the 
 Pope not to come to Rome as yumbaffador from 
 Henry IV. but as an Italian Prince,62i, 622. 
 entred privately , goes the fame evening to kifs hif
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 feet, 62$ l>efeech(S the Pope upon hisk^eei he "ioouU 
 fbfolve the King at lead in Foro Confcientia?, is 
 deniedfgots difconte/ittdto Venice, 6Z'-.A« death. . 
 
 Page 695 ' 
 Duke of Parma'/ ftijing rf the Duke of Guife,344, 
 refafes to treat with him without the Duks of May- 
 enne, 5 i 9. refolves to fticcor the League only for 
 Jieligion, 529. marches with his, the Popes and 
 French Forces, in allTrventj four thouf and Foot, 
 and Six thoiffand Horfe, to relieve Rouen, 530. 
 his Anf\\>er to the French Lords , 554 hefuges 
 Neuf-chaiel . and grant s^)'XOn deGmr^ honoit- 
 rable Conditions, 535 fends Eight hundred Horfe 
 into Rouen, goes to hefiege Sr.Efpric de Hue, 539. 
 leaves it , and goes to relieve ^outn, 54.0. viewing 
 the Siege of Laudebec, fljotwith a Mufejitet in the 
 arm, 544. flawing he had twice delivered the 
 League, fayes the French were the cat^fethe King of 
 Njvarre was not cjnite fuppreffed, 551. gees to the 
 SpiW to de cured of a F>ropfie , 559. his death 
 hurtful to the imerejls 15/ Spa 1 n. 556 
 
 Duke of Savoy hath certain places refiored him (by 
 Henry J 1 1, at 1 hucin coming from Poland ) 
 kept by the Kings of France for fecurity. 2 07 
 
 Grand Duke of Thufciny, Ferdinandode Medicis, 
 isdefiredby Henry IV. fa ufe his endeavors with 
 the Pope and Colledge of Cardinals about his recon' 
 ciliation with the Church, 556- With his conjent, 
 Girolamo Condi treats tfish the Duke of Lorrain 
 in the Kings behalf , off :rs him the PrincefsC^lbv^- 
 rine in marriage fcr the Duke his Son. 6 1 o 
 
 Dutchefs of Guife demands jnflict of the Parlia- 
 m nti they gram it her, and choofe thofe fhouldform 
 thiProcefs. 380 
 
 E. 
 
 Earl of Eflex challenges Sieur de Villars to a 
 Duel,n>ho putsit rff till another time. 524 
 
 Waller <i'Everea\,Brother tothe EarlofE&ii (lain 
 in thefirft Sk'^'^'-fl' ^' 'he Siege of Rouen. 523 
 
 Ecdefiartical ^ff.drsin an unhappy condition. 563 
 
 Edift that no bodylhouldbe molefted for Religion., 48. 
 0/ July, 49. ^January, 51. to forbid the Wago- 
 nois ^ffemblies in Pari', or near the Ctttrt, 63. 
 .Another againjl them, I 3 I. forbidding raifng of 
 Soldiers, 260. againjl the Hagoaois^ iS L . tofuc 
 cor them. 48^^ 
 
 Emperor Rodalphus I I. commands the Baron 
 d^On^w, by apublick^Edicl, to disband the Army 
 he had railed without his leave, upon pain of Impe- 
 rial hanifhment. 3 i 3 
 
 ^;f/er Enemies Conde and Gui(e fup together, ana 
 lie in the fame Bed 84 
 
 Evtors imputed to Henry IV. and hit Army,/^T) 
 Excufes in his favour, 476 
 
 Efpernay tak^n by the-League. 550. yields to Henry 
 I V. with condition to leave their Colours much de- 
 fired by him.becaiife there were fome Spirwttl En- 
 
 figns among them . 561 
 
 Elhmps taken bj the King, the Magiflrates h.-.nged^ 
 
 and /- iUage giv?M to the Soldiers , 40 i. cauftd to be 
 
 difmantledbyhim. 425 
 
 Eftaccs of the Kingdom are three. 3 3 
 
 F. 
 
 FAclions, by the name of Hiigonoc a»d Catholick, 
 46 of Royalifls and Guiz.ards,l6^.arefo.'ighr 
 fcr by Learned men with their Pins as Soldiers 
 with their Swords. 4,4 
 
 Father Robert a Francifcan, ccndtmn'd to death , t 
 Vcndofme, for having commended the kj/ltng if 
 Henry 1 1 !. 4-6 
 
 La Fere, a place Jirong by art and nature, bcfieged by 
 Henry 1 V. <i\,6. yields, h.iVirg large Conditions 
 granted 709 
 
 Flanders, «Wfr that name the Italiins ufuaHy compre- 
 hend all the Low-Countries. 299 
 
 Forces &/ H;nry W.fnt to relieve Villamur, the 
 Foot almofi all ait in pieces. 570 
 
 France, the Princes that afpir'd to its Kingdom. 435 
 
 Francis, ^0 to King. 
 
 ^ta.ncor\nns , a people of Germany, not being able to 
 fubfifl in their own Countreyjjfne out in armed mul- 
 titudes, anno 419. and piffefs themfelves of the 
 Gallias, being then p.Jfe^ of the Romans. 3 , 4 
 
 Fougade, what [tit, t^o 
 
 G. 
 
 GAbekj are a kjnd of Impofitions, ffpccially upcn 
 Salt. 114 
 
 Qirde des Seaux is Lord Keeper. 3 > 7, 3 59 
 
 Qiutiers {Cctmrey People ) Sixteen thoufand of 
 thtm fight for the League, 395. fortified in three 
 places ; after they had fought a long time, fome ere 
 cut in pieces, and fome yield. 396 
 
 Geneva undertaken to be proreBd by Uenry IIL-50. 
 bfftcged by the Duke of Savoy. 426 
 
 Gentry, ab^ayes meant by the French Nobles, as n-ell 
 
 AS Lords. 
 
 -37 
 
 A German Troopers hold afl, 3 1 7. Sixteen of them 
 
 killed by a Woman with a Kni^e. 3:8 
 
 Germans 0/ the League make figncf coming to the 
 
 Kings Party,are receivedbj them at the MU idery i 
 
 but being entred, fall h'ftilelj upon them that 
 
 brought them in., and make ihemfelves Alajiers of 
 
 thi place. 4-0. German Infantry raifed for the 
 
 King, turn to th- League, 44 1. all put to the 
 
 Sword, 447. kil. little Children tocatin Piris,469. 
 
 jointtig With the King, and taking Atcigny , he gives 
 
 them the Pi hge. c i j 
 
 I Geux a fort of ^Hereticks. icd8 
 
 Du Ghall Captain of the Kings Guards, caufes the 
 
 Cardinal of GaHe te bejiain by fonr Soldiers. 
 
 373 
 Godfrey
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 Godfrey cf Bullen, a>>J a Daughter of Charles the 
 Grcnt, roere Anccftors (f the Houfe of Lorrain 
 .T^^ Guile. Page 6 
 
 Goville a put Priifl^ffigithofwgly, alwajesgot the 
 victory ^ 5 15- ^ i*^i^ ""'^ ^ Mtuket\(f}ot. 528 
 
 Grand Mailhe is Lord High-flexvard cf the Kirgs 
 Houfh.ld, heretcfore called Count de Palais, and 
 le Scnefchil de Fiance. 248 
 
 Gr nd Provnil AnVHoWcl 37<5 
 
 Cienohk, fiftcr a long Sffge,retHrm to the obedience 
 of Henry I V. 484 
 
 De !i Gutfle runs Jacques Clement through^ who 
 kj.led Henry 1 1 I. 40S 
 
 Gui fc's the three Brethtrs of them made a^folttte 4d- 
 mrniflrators of the Politicly and A'tHitary Govern- 
 ment, hj reafonofthiir AlltMce with the Daufhm. 
 
 9 
 
 a 
 
 \ 
 
 HA N, Itr Siege. (>79 
 
 Ha qucbulier5,o» Horfeback^ differ d from tttr 
 Drai'oons , in that they ferved both on foot and 
 Jicrfeback^, and 'tis conceived the J were the fame 
 with Argolettiers. 276 
 
 Havre de Grace ddivtred uponConditicns. 89 
 
 Henry 1 1. ('i,/^d' in a Tournament by Montgomery, 
 his Olfe^uies lafl Thirty three dayes. 11,12 
 
 Henry I V. his birth ^ O 
 
 Henrietta, de Chve,S'fier to the Dnks «/ Nsvers, 
 married to LudowcoGonZ'gi Buke c/ Mantua. 
 
 99 
 
 Herefie to he judged by the Eifhofs. 50 
 
 Hereticks fcfef/r divers opinions, $0. ^ Seat of them 
 cai/ed GueViX. 108 
 
 Houfe 0/ Eowihon next to the Crown, and grown to a 
 monFlrom greatmfs, was hated, and fuppreji by the 
 Kings^'y. the Crown divclvedupon it. 4O6 
 
 Houfe of Guife defanded from that cf Lorrain, 
 reckons in the Afale-Line of their Anceflors, God- 
 frey of Bullen, andjhews a Pedigree from a daugh' 
 ter of Charles the great. 6 
 
 Houfe cf Lorr lin, too muchpufc up bjprofperoiiffitc- 
 
 ccfs,in. 'v^i\. Lords. 
 Koufe of N!omorancy dtfcended from one of thofe 
 that iffued out of Franconia, with the frft King 
 Pharamond, and pretends to be the firfi that recei- 
 ved Baptifm. 6 
 Houfe ef Valois ended in Henry III. 405 
 Hugonots whence named, 20. manner of their pro- 
 ceeding,Z ;. determine to meet at B!ois, rvhere the 
 King and Court was. are defeated at A;r,bois, 25. 
 Petition, find demand by the yidmiral Liberty if 
 Corfcience, and EreElion of Temples, 30. grorv in- 
 fohnt towards the Catholickj^^g. flight the Kings 
 EdtB, 6 5. their Heads declared Rebels,-/ 1 receive 
 the Englifh to Hauvre de Grace, Diepe, Rouen, 
 72. Negligence, their ordinary defeB,8l. one of 
 their Mincers prints and preaches, '(it lawful to 
 
 l(tll the King^ 1 1 o. jealous of his preparations , re- 
 folve upon a tVar, ib. refolving to befiege Paris, flop 
 p.iffages^make incur jions into the Suhurbs, and burn 
 the Mills, 1 12. retake the City of Orleans, 1 14^ 
 accept not the ^Accommodations motioned by the 
 ^Itieen, 1 24. their Manifejlo, 130 fet out a Fleet 
 to fetch in Provifion, ibid, rife from before the Ca- 
 tholickj for rvant of Provifion, 1 48. poffefs them- 
 fives of Chaftel-rauit, &c. 152. rife and do great 
 outrages, 167. chief of them in the Louvre are 
 killed, 183. Ten thmfand of them maffacred at 
 Paris, at ringing a Bellynhereof Five hundred were 
 Barons, and Men of Quality, 85. begin again to 
 take Arms, J 96. fiir up neVc Commctions,^^O.take 
 and fack_Cihors, 241 . their u4nfweT to the Kings 
 Edifl 28 1. take the Caflle of Angicrs fuddenly, 
 289. inc;mpaff:d by the Catholicks, they disband^ 
 andfave themfelves by flight, 291. threaten to for- 
 fak^the King, and take the Crown from him, which 
 thcj faid they had gotten him, 662. plot nerv Trou- 
 bles, being jealom of Henry I Vs- conjunElioft with 
 the Pope, J 1 2. the chiefs abfenting from CoUrt, and 
 drawing Soldiers together near Rochel, the King 
 fends to apptapc them. 715 
 
 Philip Huralt chofe Chancellor, in the plate of Birago 
 made Car dinaL 33 J 
 
 I. 
 
 JEfuites hanifhedotit of the V!>hole Kingdom cf France.' 
 661 
 Inclinations cf Innocent IX. to the affairs of 
 France. 530 
 
 Infanta of Spiin proprfcd and urged in the Affembly of 
 the States, to be cbofe §ueen cf France, 592, &c. 
 her pretenfions t^Btc^tagne. 713 
 
 Inheritance of the Royal Family- 4 
 
 Tnfurredion of the Hugonots, 1 97. tf the Parifi- 
 ans, 3 77. anoth: r appe.%fed with the death of divers 
 that made it. 464 
 
 Interview between Charles IX. and Dukf of S^voy, 
 95. ^irrn'ffw Charles IX and the £lueen- Mother 
 with the ^een of Spain at Bsyonne , 96. be- 
 tween the ^ueen. Mother, and King of Navarre 
 at Bris, 30 j. between the lAoH Chri[tianKing,/?»i 
 J<r»»^ of Navarre <if Tours. 396,397 
 
 John Bodin contradiEls the Prelates of the General 
 Affembly at Blois. 229 
 
 ]ohaChiM\, a Merchant of ^ix\s, wounds Henry 
 I V. in the mouth , whil'ft he was faluting the 
 Knights of the Holy Ghoft at the Louvre : Ccn- 
 feff'es he was moved thereto by the JDcEirine he learn- 
 ed of the Jefuites, condemned to be dragged to pieces 
 by four Horfes. 661 
 
 D*I varra his opinion concerning the League. 5^9 
 
 Izabella, D^»^i/fro/ Maxitnilian the Empmr,mar- 
 ried to Charles I X. S^^ 
 
 K. Keyes
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 K. 
 
 KEye? cf the Palace taken {rem the Duke of 
 Guile, aKd delivered to the King of Navarre. 
 
 Page 4<5 
 
 King Charles IX. after much oppofitie>}, declared out 
 of Aiimritj by the Farliamem of Pari?, 91. ofpT- 
 fes the Popes Aionitorj againji the ^een of Na- 
 varre, 94. mak^s a gtrteral Vifitaticn of the whole 
 Kingdom, ib. meets with the Popes Afiiiifters at 
 Avignon,95 J^ot heingabk to perfuade the ^ueen 
 of N.ivarrc to change Religion, moves her to rejlore 
 the A'laffe fi.nd Priefts to their former liberty^ 97. 
 disbands part of his Army by advice ^tfhich proves 
 hurtful, 167. his anfrver to th; Duke of Guifc, 
 refolved to marry Catharine df Cleves, ly^. com- 
 mands Llgnccolsi to be kill' d, fur Jheiving he kntv 
 what he defir'd t) be k/pt fecret . ly^- Graciouflj 
 receiz es the Adrr.ir.il , pyojtratir,g himfelf at his 
 feet^ after fo many years iVars, 176. diffembles fo 
 rvith the Hugonocs, that he ufufpiEled bj firange 
 Trinces, prefents a rich fewel rrtth his nvn hands 
 to Cardinal Weff^ndio and Pope Pius Vs. Legat, 
 who refufes it ; his S ifier married to the Prince cf 
 Navarre, ^ji difpenfaticn from Pope Gregory XII] 
 1 77. difpleafed rvith the Admiral, but diffembles 
 it, 178. vijits the Admiral, and under pretence of 
 defending him, fets friB Guards upon his Houfe, 
 j'il. his words to the Prince cf C'nde^ i%6. de. 
 prives the Marfhal d'Anville, Son of Anna de 
 Momorancy, if his Dignity, by .t Decree, 198. 
 dyeih May 30, 1574. 20I 
 
 King Chi!p?ric of an Effeminate Nature, put into a 
 Mo-'iaflery by Charles Martel and I'epin, Afafirrs 
 of the Pal Me. 360 
 
 King V lodian, fectndKing of France, r/iade himfelf 
 A-faJler of Belgii , and this iras firfi conquered. 
 
 4 
 
 King Frarcisl. advances Cb2t]es of Bourbon, and 
 
 afterwards fupprejjeih him, whereupon he rebelleth, 
 
 5. taken rrithan Ap>plexy under the Barbers hands. 
 
 38 
 King Henry in. /'//fc«</j Charles IX. 205. re- 
 turning out of Poland, <rf Th.irin, reflores certain 
 pLtces to the Dul{; of. Savoy, k^pt by the Kixgs of 
 ^tznze for fecuritj,ioj. is til affcEledta the King 
 cf Nav.irre, and Prince cf Condi, Heads of the 
 liugonois, and D>ik^ of GuikUeadof theCatho- 
 lickj ^20g. demands the King of Sueden'/ Sifter to 
 JFife, -II. Ccnf crated at Rheims bytheCardi- 
 7i.il cf Lorrain, Brother to the Duke of Gnik, and 
 next d^y marries Louyfe de Vaudemont, Neece to 
 the Dukf of Lorrjin, 2 12 tak^s Mombrum, H'/jo 
 had tak^n his Carriages, and executes him, ibid. 
 frames anew model cf Government,!! 3. his Speech 
 at the brgi>tn!ng of the Affembly at Blois, 2^7. de- 
 clareshimfelf Head of the Catholicl^ League,!^!. 
 f:nds tvo Armies againfl the HugOnocs, and makes 
 
 Duks cf Alanzon Lieutenar.t-General, 233. hii 
 manner of Life, 2.^6. Infiitutes the Order of the 
 Holy Ghoft, 238. fends forth three Armies, 242,- 
 Takes upon him the prcteHion of Geneva, 250. a»» 
 frvers the Spanifli AmbaJJ'adir fharplj^ makes tm 
 EdiB again/} raijing Soldiers, 260. his Anfwer to 
 the Catholick Leagues Declaration, 267. efieems 
 Luigi Davila the Authors Brother, andmak^s ujfe of 
 him in managing Aff.tirs and War, 274. mak^s a 
 fpicioui Proportion of Peace,27$. his EdiB againfi 
 the Hugonocs, 28 1. calls the Heads of Pans to^ 
 gether, and demands money fcr the W'ars, of the 
 Catholicks againfi the Hugonot?, 282. a Saying 
 of his,2.S^. confers the Government cf Provence '• 
 on the Duke d'Efpernon, ibid, defpairing of If. 
 fue, refolves to farther the King of Navarre'j right 
 to the Crown, and ur.ite himfelf With him fcr the de- - 
 flruciicn of the Guifes, 297. his /oleKnOath,icS. 
 Another Saying of his, finds an Army againfi the 
 King of Navarre, and gives fecret Order to Savar- 
 dm to oppife, but not jupprefs him, 3 1 1 . Honours 
 the fredding of the Df-k^ of Erpernon,rf»</ Coun- 
 rf// dc Candaie with great Prefents,i 12. Goes in 
 perfon to keep th: German Army from joining with 
 the King c/ Navarre, 32c. declares Duks d'Ef- 
 pcrnon Admiral of the Kingdom, and Governor of 
 Normandy, 353, commands the Dtike of Guife 
 not to come to Paris, 337. fhews himfelf angry with 
 the Duke of Guife coming to vifit him ,338. »> 
 firongly guarded for fear of him ,339. commands 
 Fifteen thoufand to he driven out of Paris, 341. 
 leaves it, and retires to Chirtres, 346. orders the 
 Duke d'Efpernon to ^uit his Government of '^ot- 
 mandy, ? 5 1 . receives the Duke cfGuife at Char- 
 tres jvi:h great demonfirations of kjndnefs in appea- 
 rar.ce, 3 54 difmiffeth many old Servants fcr their 
 too much wifdom, after the example of his Grand' 
 f at her, s 57- begins the Affmbly at Blois rvith a 
 fine Syeech, which flings the Du\e of Guife and his 
 Adherents, 359. fwears, With the States, to per- 
 form a former EdiEl, 360. after muchopptjitton, 
 confeits Coldly to declare the King of Navarre, and 
 all others fufpeHed of Herefte , uncafable of the 
 Crown, 362. He, the States, and Duke of Guife, 
 fend to the D^f cf Savoy, fo demand reflitution of 
 Saluzzo,<?«<^ upon refufal to denounce War. 365. 
 goes Armed to a fa^icm quarrel, ibid, admits PiO 
 Mocincgo /)mbaJJador from Venice, though he 
 mere not one of the Savii de terra firmi, 367. re- 
 folves to free himfelf of the Duke of Guife, 368. 
 orders him to be killed, 3 69. admits every one into 
 his pre f nee , fpeakjng very refentingly , 5 7 1 . A 
 Saying of his upon the Duke of Guifes being killed^ 
 ihid.difcourfes a long while with Cardinal Morcfini 
 about the Dukes death, ib. highly offended at the 
 Popes (Ijarp Anfwer to his Ambaffadors fent To ex- 
 cufe the Cardinal of Guifes death, 382. promifes 
 the Duke of May ct\ne very great things by Letter, 
 3 84. /ends the Bifhop of Mons on purpofe to de- 
 mand ab/o/ution for the Cardinals death , 3 8 J. 
 
 £e ee e 
 
 fHtt
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 - puts himfe/f if. the Fight,aridord(rshis Soldiers at 
 Tours, 39?. takts Gergeau and Pivicrs, 402. 
 Troubled tut the Popes Cenfure a»d Monitory , and 
 fafts 48 hours, 402, his words upon being Excom- 
 r/iunicAted, ibid, taking Ertamps/^«^/ the Magi- 
 Jlrates, andgives the Pillage to the Soldiers jh.lajes 
 Siege to Paris, 405. A Saying of his ^hen looking 
 ttpon it, 404. called Henry of Valois, the tyrant 
 andTsrfecutor of the Faith, ibid, is ihruji into 
 the Belly yfith a Knife by Fryer Jaqucs Clement, 
 firikes the fameKmfe into his forehead,dyes Ai'guft 
 10. 1 589. having lived Thirty fix years ^ and 
 B. etgned fifteen and two months. Page 406 
 
 King Merove the third King of France , continues 
 the Conquests of Be\%ia by C\odhn,ai far as Pari?, 
 and unites it to Fra nee, 4 
 
 King of Navarre folHcits in the name of the Princes 
 of the Blood, that they might (hare in the Govern- 
 ment, 16. kept a Pr'iforter^ ?6. excommunicated by 
 the Pope, applies himfdf to the Opinions of geza 
 rfw^Pf-ter Martyr, 42. ^/f/. 76 
 
 King of N-fvanejaftermards Henry IV. his An - 
 fwer to Henry Ills. vords,at the Exccmmuni- 
 cation digainfl him,^$. is in great pefplexitj, 407. 
 his Anfrccr about changing his Religien,/^o2 f'^ears 
 to maintain the Catholick.ReUgion, 410. raifcs the 
 Siege before Paris, and divides his Forces to conve- 
 nient plaoes, 412, defires to fpeal^Veith Villeroy, 
 Irut the Duke of Mayenne mil not confent,\b. tie 
 and the Daks treat by a third perfon, but nothing 
 done^\h. appoints t he Affeublj of States <jf Tours, 
 416. marches fuccefsfullj toDiepe, and fortifies 
 the pUces about it, 4I 7, &c. is in great danger in 
 the midfi of his Enemies j a Speech of his, 421. a 
 Saying <f his, 422. refufes inmodefly to go under 
 theCanopy of State at Amiei\s, 423. marches to- 
 Tvards Paris, affaults the Suburbs. gives the Pillage 
 to^ his Soldiers, 41^. difmantlet EftampsJ, ibid. 
 takes Vendofme , r gives the Pillage to his Sol- 
 diers, condemns the Governor to death for his infi- 
 delity, and Father Robert a Francifcan for com- 
 mending the kjHing Henry III. 426. acknowledged 
 King of France l^y Publick. Solemnity at Tours, 
 and by the Republick^of Venice, 427. mak^s him- 
 felf Majler of all To^ns and Fortrejfes in Nor- 
 mandy, 428. befiiges Dreux , 440. raifes the 
 Siege, 442, defjgns his form of Battel,and drams 
 it with his o'^n tund,^/^^ . All armed on Horfeback^, 
 viftts and exhorts his Soldiers with great efficacy h 
 and at the head of his Army, lifting up his eyes ts 
 Heaven, prayes heartily, 446. hit Clemency towards 
 the French, gives the SuifFes quarter, puts the Ger- 
 mans that revolted to the Sword, 4,^^. takes Two 
 hundred and four Enfigns and Cornets, with all the 
 Cannon and Baggage j on his fide but Five hundred 
 flain, 449. after Fi£lory,made his Commanders fup 
 Tfith him at Kohy, familiarly fpeaking to every one, 
 and praifing the meanefi Soldier, 450. befieges and 
 r«^f/Melunj,454. his Anfvcer to Villeroy, per- 
 fpiading him to turn Catholick.^ 453. difmi^es him, 
 
 not refolvcd to grant a Ceffationof -Arms, 457. af- 
 (aults the Fauxbourgsr/ Paris,/?;/ o« his Horfet 
 back. Forty fair hours at the Siege of St. Denis, 
 
 465. recalls the ChanCillorC.hixerDy to hisOjfice, 
 
 466. rifts from the Shgi cf V->y\i,and marches 
 fo Chelles to hinder the relief, ^"ji jenasy I rum- 
 pet to the Duke of Mayenne ih^.Ue'gi'^g him ti 
 Battel, ^-jO deceived by th . uk^ f i'^rm ,ibid.. 
 withdraws and marches towards S ■ CClA,4J.^, 
 in the midfi of night gives aScaladoto the w.M> of 
 Paris, &c. 475- coming to it Denis, without 
 visuals or money fparates his Army fpprtffed with 
 difeafes,^-j6. batters C\t'[n\ont, andtak^s it off 
 the third day, ibid, affaults the Spanidi Army, and 
 his Horfe had cut the Rear- guard in pieces, if 
 Georgio Bafti had not difwgaged them with his 
 Landers, 480. affaults Cotby, and takes it,'i^S' 
 hii remedies to canferve the affeElions and obedience 
 of his Party, 4^6. recalls the Duke of Eipercotl, 
 and other Catholi- k. Lords to his Army, ibid, his de- 
 fign upon Paris difcovered a fecond time,49 1 Char- 
 tres furrenders to him, 496. declares i» Council 
 the necejfity of giving the Hvgonotifomefatisfaili- 
 cn , confirms an EdiEl of Henry III. granting 
 thtm Liberty of Confidence, 498. bifieges Noycn, 
 605. furrendred to him, 507. gives the GcrmdiDS 
 the Pillage if Attigny, (fftrs Battel to the Duke of 
 Mayenne in the Plain of Verdun, 51-2. fummons 
 Rouen, and refufed, S<c. 524. raifes the Siege ^ 
 540. his Saying of Guity gives di/lafle toothers, 
 539. returns, 545. efcapes a great danger, 546' 
 prayes the Republick. of Venice by their Ambaffa- 
 dor to treat with the Pope, about bis reconciliation^ 
 ^^g, weeps for the death of Marfhal de biron, 
 560. defires the Duks of Thufca'iy aif to ufe Hr 
 endeavors with him and th' Cardtnais^\bid ch./ofes 
 Cardinal Gondi and Marcjuis of Pil'-m ti go to 
 Rome, 5S7. fends his Forces rorfcswr Eipein'^y, 
 559. d( fires a Meconiiltation with the Cath4icl^ 
 Church, by way of agreement, not pardon, 562 hps 
 Manifefio at Chjrtres,5><8. prtffts hit Cvnver- 
 fion, to fee how it wouldberelifhed,6o^. brfi'geth 
 Dre\ix, to giv-e reputation to his Party, toy- fends 
 for Prelates and Divines, and being inftru5led at 
 Maule, publijhes he will go to Maffe at Sr. './enis, 
 6 1 2, fends the Duk£ of Nevers and four Prelates 
 ■Ambaffadors of Obedience to the Pope, 6^7.gO(S 
 to Mantua, 621, defires ro be downed, 634. be- 
 fieges Laon, and fttrrendred, 646, 650 fends the 
 Lorrain Forces to make hirurfions into the County 
 (// Bourgogne, 655 caufis open vvarto be proclaim- 
 ed againft Spain , 664. befieges the Cdftles ef 
 Dijon, 667. half difarmed,fucccrs the Afarjhal 
 de Byron, 669 routs the Spaniards in Franche 
 Conite, 671. is ebfolved of his Herejle , 675. 
 agrees with the Duke of Mayenne, 694. I ays Siege 
 to la Fere, 696. complains to the Pope of the Spa- 
 niards, 798. hit defign about SoiTime anfwers not 
 the intention, "] CO. goes Prfi fo Mont-le-hery to 
 meet the Legat, 110. ratifies all his Procurators 
 
 had
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 had done^ 71 1, calls a Congrtgation <if Rouen of 
 the Oncers of his Crovenjto fettle hit Kingdom,and 
 Supplies for IFar^j 1 2. breaks off a cemfe of Phj- 
 fic\ , and goes to relieve Amiens, txcufes the mur- 
 mur ings about it, 718. fotlc'^s the Archdukg go- 
 ing from Amiens, <j«<i hifpraife of the Spanifh /»- 
 famrj. Page 730. 
 
 K ing Viiiramond c hofen firfl King of f^f French at 
 the Rivir Sala, and the Salique La^ eflablifbed* 
 
 3 
 
 L. 
 
 LAdy Marguerite king ask^ed. If JhewouUhave 
 the King of Navarre for her Htuband , an- 
 frvtred nothing "> being urged by the King^bowed her 
 he Ad. 180 
 
 Lagny taken by the Duke of Parma before the face of 
 the KiKgs Army, 474. recovered by the Baron de 
 Guiry, 478 
 
 Ihe Popes Legate propounds a Truce to the Duke of 
 Mayenne,i?/<? he refufes it, 388. makes grievotu 
 complaints to the King, 390. is fufpeEied bj the 
 Pope to fide with theKing^ 393. as foon M Peace 
 teas concluded with the Hugonocs, departs from 
 Courtytogo out of the Kingdom, ibid, moves the 
 Dukf of Maycnne again to an. Accommodation, 
 but he rifufes. ib. 
 
 League its form, 222. compffed of the difaffeEledto 
 the Government, and Zealots in Religion, 2 5 r . fet 
 forward by Mendozz3, the Spanifh Ambaffador, 
 260 ^he Heads publijh a DecLrration, 261. fet 
 jfc Parifians to frame a Council of Sixteen, 300, 
 confftlt to taki the King returning from Hunting > 
 to take the Baftille, Arcenal, V^.ns,andthe Louvre, 
 cut in pieces the Mimoas, and hii Adherents, and 
 himflf Prifoner, 3 02. firfi aQ'ault the Germans 
 t^iLorrain, 316. Forty of their chiefefl perfoiis 
 ch'ife for the Councilof the Union,385. ta^e Ven- 
 doime by agreement tvith the Governor, 397. great 
 (laughter of them at the Siege of Senlis, 400. de- 
 clare Cardinal of Bourbon King , and. call him 
 Charles X. 417. takes a difgufl at the Duke of 
 Mayenne, which is fomented by the Spaniards, 
 487. befiegeCsiaiehecrt^ith no good advice. 544, 
 
 &.C. 
 
 A Lengae concluded between Henry IV. and the 
 Slueenof England, atmofi th^fame that was made 
 with Charles 1 X. 706 
 
 Learned Men fight for their FaiUoHt tpith their 
 Pens, as Soldiers With their Swords. 434 
 
 Lewis Duke of Oile.^ns, in the time »/ Charles VI II. 
 tak^s up Anns to maintain the Right of Govern- 
 ment in rehom it belonged. 1 8 
 
 Ligneroles killed by the Kings command, for Shewing 
 he knew W'hat he defired to be keptfecret. lyi 
 
 Livery made to wards. 90 
 
 Lord Peregrine Bertue Zcu'^Willoughby, Fabter to 
 the valiant Earl of Lindfey, zrAo Vpm fiain at the 
 
 Battel of Edgehill . being General of the Kings 
 Army, was General of the Forces fent into France 
 rff Henry I V. ^7 Ji«ef» Elizabeth. 423 
 
 Lowyfe de Vaudemont, Neece to the Duke of Lor- 
 rain, married to Henry 1 1 1. 312 
 
 Low-Countries withdrawn from the King of SpainV 
 Dominions, feek. firfi ProteSiion from the King of 
 France, then put themfelves under the Duke <f 
 Al.nzon,2 39. find Amb,ijfadors to the King of 
 France, intreating him to take the Prote^ion and 
 Dominion of thnr States. 259 
 
 Ludovico de Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua , marries 
 Henrietta de Cleve, Sifter te the Duke of Ne- 
 vcrs. 99 
 
 Lyons, the firfi that rebelled, and lafi that returned to 
 obedience, 6^9 
 
 M. 
 
 M" Adam de Monpenlier perfuades the Duke of 
 Guife her Brother, to make him ft If Head of 
 the Holy Union, l^^.fl^e and others exhort him to 
 make himfef be declared King of France. 413 
 Managamento/ Affairs under Francis II. commit- 
 ted to his Mother,' Duke of Guife, and Cardinal 
 cf Lorrain, by his Wifesperfuafwi. 1 2 
 
 Manifefto of the Hugonots, 130. of the King. 588 
 Marks of Jufiice, ii having the Authority to difpofe 
 of the chief Ecclefiaftical and Temporal 'Dignities, 
 
 437 
 
 Marquis de Villars made Admiral in the place of Co- 
 
 ligny, 161. ^f/^t;^fjQuillebcuf, 558. ts forced to 
 
 rife from it , 559. fubmits Rouen to the King. 
 
 638 
 Marquis of Pifani meets the Legal about a Treaty , 
 but nothing concluded, 465 , is chojen to ffo to Rome 
 rvitb Cardinal Gondi, ^ji Henry IV. 557- hath 
 notice from the Pope not to enter the EccUfiaftical 
 State. 563 
 
 Marftiil d'Anville, i'owo/" Ann^ de Montmorancy, 
 deprived i>f his Dignities by the Kings Decree. 
 
 198 
 
 Marfhal de Byron meets with the Popes Legat, but 
 
 nothing concluded, 45 3 . treats ^ith Mocinego,^»t 
 
 accepts not of aCejfationof Arms. 458 
 
 Marflia! de Byron /«j/5/>^f fa Rouen, 558. k'lfid 
 
 With a Cannon.fijct in the 6^ih year of his age,')^g, 
 
 the King W'ept for him, 561. his Son Jo revenge his 
 
 death, fcales a great Tower ^ifEfpernay, and takes 
 
 it, though forely wounded, 56. routs the Spaniards, 
 
 at his entrance into A rtois, 7 1 4 . gives a Scalado to 
 
 Dourlans,^«f the Ladders being toofhort,itfHCceeds 
 
 not, 720. labours unrveariedty in the Siege ef 
 
 Amiens. ibid. 
 
 Marfti.I de Cofle, inclining to the Hugonots, mid(es 
 
 no progrefs again fl them. 1 5p 
 
 Maffacre^ir Paris. 183,184, &c. 
 
 Michael de I'Hofpita! y«f«f^; Francis Olivier in 
 
 I the ChanceJlcr/hip. 29 
 
 Mode-
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 Moderation more prcfitdle in ViBorj than at ansther 
 time. i;^p455 
 
 Money coped by the ^een of Navarre wuh her own 
 Fkure on cm fide , and her Sons on the ether. 
 
 143 
 
 Monitory Letters from the Pope,decreed to be burnt bj 
 the Parliament of Chalons W Tours. ^02 
 
 Monfieur des Difguires, though a Hugonot, receives 
 Aleffindro de Medici, the Popes Legatytth great 
 demonjf rat ions of Honour, 7 ' O 
 
 N. 
 
 NAmes cf Royalifts and Guizards. 365 
 
 Names which the Fatlions give or.e another. 
 
 381 
 
 A Narration of fever al Succeffes which happened 
 
 through all Fnince. 4^5 
 
 Navarrifts andPolitics perftcutedandflain. 379 
 
 Negligence , the ordinary defeit of the Hugonot?. 
 
 81 
 
 Nicholas Paulain difcovers all th: Plots of the League 
 
 to the King^ 391. and one againji his perfon. 
 
 334 
 Nobility and Militia divided intotrvo Faflions. 40 
 Nobility return to Henry iVs. u^rmy with great Sup- 
 plies- 544 
 De la None fent Governor by the King to Rochel,f«r»/ 
 General of the Hugonots , 1 89. flirs up a new 
 ir.furreUion of them, I gj. tells the King of Navarre 
 he muft mv^rthinkjo be King of France,*/ /?£ turn 
 »5f Hugonot. 410 
 Noyon, its fjtuation, befieged by Henry IV. 505. 
 fnrrcndred, 5^7 
 
 o. 
 
 OBje6tions againfi Crowning Henry I V. 634 
 Obligations of */;; Ar««f J of France upon the 
 day of their Confecration 655 
 
 Obfequies ef Henry 1 1, lafis Thirty three dayes. 
 
 12 
 
 Offer cf the Catholick Lords cf the Kings Party, 
 
 585. condemned by the S^inmds for Heretical. 
 
 S96 
 
 Officers that adhered to Henry III. imp-ifoned in 
 
 ^/)fBaftille. 379 
 
 Ox\\\on%,^hat they are. 524 
 
 Orleans, made the Seat of the Hugonot Faction, 61. 
 
 withwhcfe Relii^ues Andelot fuflains a Siege there, 
 
 85. have Conditions of Peace, 88, retaken by 
 
 them. XI4 
 
 Opinions of the Herctickj, 50 
 
 P. 
 
 I Alace of the Admiral raz.*d , and hU Statue 
 btirnt, 185 
 
 In Paris were 800 000 Inhabitants , yet du- 
 ring the Siege, neither the LeUurers nor Lawyers 
 difcontinued their LeU^ures or Audiences, 79, CouK' 
 cil (f Sixteen framed, and governed by it, 3 00 
 
 Parifians make InfurreSiion at the News of the Duk^ 
 of Guifc*/ death, 377. at the news of the Truce 
 between Henry 1 1 1, and the Hugonots ; befides 
 public k.figns of Contempt, forbid him to be pray' J 
 for in the Canon of the A^affe, 3 94. being blocked 
 up, are in great want cf visuals, 459, ^C their 
 Bifhopgives W<JT theChurch P late Jhould be turned 
 into money to relieve the Poor, 560. themiferies they 
 fttfft^r'd,^^^. ma^e bread of dead mens bones,'^^^. 
 their Council , for fear of an /nfnrrc£lion, choo/e 
 Cardinal Gonde and the Archbifhop nf Lyons 
 Deputies, to treat with the King, and their Speech 
 to htm, 4 66 make provijion of vi&uals, 47 1 , & c. 
 after 8 years fpace, they return to the obedience of 
 Henry I V. 637. murmur againfl the King at the 
 I'fs (f .'\ miens. 639 
 
 Ptirley betrveen the Prince of Conde and ^een-mc- 
 ther. 64 
 
 Parliament of Paris expels the Hugonots the King' 
 dom, 49. its Anfwer to the Prince of C onde'/ 
 Alanifefio, 62. Eight Parliaments in France, 5 1 . 
 that of Paris declares Charles I X. ottt of m'tno- 
 rity, 91. c/ Chalons and Tours decree thePi^pes 
 Monitory Letter to be burnt^ 502. that of Paris 
 the contrary , 503. of Paris and Tours Decree 
 none fr}-juld go to Rome toprocure Benefices, s 57. 
 of Tours forbids to acknowledge the Legat,andthe 
 Parliament of Paris exhort all to give him due 
 reverence, ^l^. of Paiis determines to do fuftice to 
 the Dut chefs of Guife, demanding it, and choofe 
 thofe flmild frm theProcefs. 380 
 
 A third ?irty compofed of Catholic ks and Hugo- 
 nots, called Politicks and Malecontents- 1 94 
 
 Peace publified,but full of jealoufie, I70 publifhed^ 
 and the Army difmiffed, 193. publifhed byTorch- 
 light ^ 234. csncluded betrveen Henry 1 1 1, and 
 King of Hwzrxe. 390 
 
 Peers of fCAnce are 'twelve, Ecclefiajfical and Civil. 
 
 47 
 
 Petitions, f^f manner obfervt a at Cottrt in granting 
 
 them. . •■* ' 213 
 
 Pope Clement V II !• gives Supplies to the League 
 with more modirate Expences than hU Predecef- 
 fr'rs,^$6. gives notice to Cardinal Gondi , and 
 Marquis de Pifarii, that they Jhould not enter into 
 the Ecclefiajlical State, 563. fnds Monfeignetir 
 Ai^uechi to Cardinal Sega Legat in France, with 
 prudent infiruBions touching the Affairs ef that 
 Kingdom, 564. fenh Innocentio Malvagia into 
 France, «'» place of Matteuchi, to Cardinal Sega, 
 582. approves the Infanta's EleElion and Mar- 
 riage as not feafible,and feems to confent only not to 
 difgujithe Spaniards, 618. ''XAJhes fame Catholick, 
 Prince of the Houfe of Bourbon might be ele^ed 
 King, and marry the Infanta > and when he heard 
 Henry I V. intended to turn Catholick i inclines 
 
 to
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 i) him, 619 /fW/ Antonio Poffcvino a Jefuite, to 
 let theDttk^ ofHcyitxikjioro he Jhoddrnt come to 
 Rome as Ambaffador^ becamfe the King was not 
 jet acknowledged Catholick^^ 62 1 , &c. his reords 
 to the Dnke o( Seffx the Spanifli Amhajfador, 654. 
 inclines to the King, and is averfe to others^ 672 
 fends his Nephe'^tntoSpim^to treat of the Affairs 
 if Hungiry, andof the Kirgs ahfolution^ 6js,Scc 
 abfoLves him in St. Peter V Porch. Page 673 
 
 Pope Innocent IX. his inclinations concerning the 
 affairs of France, his death ^ 530. fucceeded 
 hj C^sr^^/WHippohco Aldcbrandino. 555 
 
 Pope Julio II. excommunicates the Kingdom e/France, 
 and its Adherents. 42 
 
 Pope Pius Quintus requires the Cardinal o( Chnftil- 
 lon be deprived his Habit, and Ecchfuftical Prt^ 
 ferment, becaufe he ^as of Calvin'/ beliefs lOJ. 
 Gregory XII I. fucceeding him, grants a Difpen- 
 fatton for the Marriage between the Prince of Ns- ) 
 varre, and the Kings Sifler ^ 177* dyes, 1585. ' 
 Sixtus Quintus fucceeds, 284. who a>rites Congra- 
 tulatory Letters to the Duke of G'Sik, full of high 
 praifes j fold he'thought he faw not clearly into the 
 affairs of the League, 555. told cf the Cardinal 
 cf Guifc'/ de^h^ is much offended at it, and an- 
 ftvers the Ambuffadors comivg to excufe it very 
 jharplj^ 38 i. choofes a Congregation tf Cardinals^ 
 to coufult of the Affairs 0^ Fr.ince, 383. fufpt^ls 
 Morefini his Ltgat to the King, and counts him 
 guilty ^igo. declares the King liable to Cenfure by 
 a Monitory, if within Sixty days he rele,ife not the 
 Prelates, and do Penance for the Cardinals death, 
 40-. refolves tofendajfifianceto the League a^ainfi 
 the King 43 i . his Commijfons to Cardinal Gae- 
 tano Lcgat in France, 432. his Breve puhliflnd 
 at Vith^andihe Contents thereof, 4 ?4 groVcs jea- 
 lous GaeCano inclines to favour the Spanifli de- 
 figns,^%l. his death. 4k 8 
 
 Pope Urbsn V 1 1, lives but Twelve dayes, and is 
 
 fucceeded by Gregory XI V. <? Milantfe, ib. Vcho 
 
 refdves to fendmen andmor.ej to ajfiji the League, 
 
 493. choofet MaftilioLandriano Legatto Vraucej 
 
 affigns Fifteen thoufand Crowns per menkm for 
 
 the League, ibid, fends Twelve hundred Horfe^ 
 
 and Six thoufand Foot into France, under command 
 
 e/ Monce-Marciano, 503 dyes. 530 
 
 Preheminences of the Royal Family, are Inheritance 
 
 and Adminiflration, 4 
 
 Princes c/ the Blood, ib. 
 
 Prince of Conde fet at liberty, 28. praSllfes ta pof- 
 
 fefs Lyons, but rpithout fuccefr, ; 2 committed' to 
 
 Frifon^ excepts againfl his Tryal, and appeals to the 
 
 King, but not accepted, 37. Sentence pronounced 
 
 againfl him, ^S. fet at liberty, and declared void, 
 
 44. his Manifeflo,6i. Cnns the Plate belonging to 
 
 the Churches ^61. his demands in favour of him- 
 
 felf and the Hugonots, dj. returns to his -Army, 
 
 67. going to befiege Paris, anmfes himfelf before 
 
 Corbicl, "thereby hefailt of his deftgn, 78. taksn 
 
 Fri/oner by the Duke of Guife,83. fupt and lies 
 
 in the fame Bed Veith the Duke hit bitter Enemyt 
 84. offers the King a great number of HugonotS> 
 to make fi^ar with 6pnn, log, incenfeth the Kirg 
 with a Letter of Frotefiatitn, izS. fells the Goods 
 of the Church for the Huj^onor?, 1 3 7. u Jhot in 
 the head at the Battel of Brihc, and dyes, I-^O. 
 his Body is carried in Triumph f.-pon a i'ack^ her ft , 
 by the Catholic{s, and after refiored to the Srin':e of 
 Navarre his Nephew, I41. his Son a Child , and 
 the Prince of N .varre, made Hea'is of the Hugo- 
 nots, /42. is k:pt in the KingsCbamber dttr'ngthe 
 Maffacre, and after k;pt Prifoner, 183 he .-tnd his 
 Brother turn Catholickj, th6 made Head cf the 
 Hugonors, 2c 6. brings a great Army out of ij^cr- 
 raany, and decl.ires the Dul^cf Alanzon Head (f 
 the Hugonots, 215. vff:nded at his power, fu\ 
 to make Peace with him, iZjg. is declared Lieu- 
 tenant General of tSe H .goriocs, 2i6. WiH net ac- 
 knowledge the Aftmbly at Blois to be the States 
 General , nor treat with their Commiffioners ,230. 
 excommuricated by Six:-'- Quintus, and declared 
 incapable of Succeffionjo th: Cr:wn, 284. Poifoned 
 at St. jehan dc Angely by his own Servants. 
 
 235 
 
 Princefs of Conde dextero'^jly refer dhjthe King to the 
 Parliament of ?^ns, about imputation of her bcimr 
 guilty of her Hmbands death, and vi ; lear d by 
 them,fhe promifing frft to turn Catholickj, and in- 
 firuEl her Sonintheftme Re.igion. 672 
 
 Prince cf Navarre marries the Kings Sijfir, by d.f- 
 pcnfation from the Pope, I77. ajfumes the Title cf 
 King. J -p 
 
 Prince of Orange, formerly declared Rtbcljs refiored 
 to hit Ejiatt. ' 220 
 
 QUeen Blanch, Mother to Sc Ltmi,taking up- 
 on her the Government in her Sons minority, 
 the BarcKS take Arms, to maintain the Right in 
 wh'im it belong d * J 8 
 
 Qiieen Catherine joint yicith the Prince of Conde, 
 and the Admiral in cppofition to the Triumvirate, 
 •il. feigns an inclination to rAfHngonoc Religion, 
 ibid, forced to declare for the C^thnliciis, and at 
 the fume time maintains hopes in the Hug'>nors. 
 
 60 
 
 Queen Elizabeth of England offers Conditions to the 
 Hugonots, 6, imprifcns Mdry (^ueen of Scot', 
 296. grants ajfiftancs to Henry I V. by rifccunt 
 de Turenne. ^Sj 
 
 QjeenUirgitit^iyifetotheKing of Navarre, hr 
 licentious Life,caufes the King and ^een-mother, 
 to refolve to breakjhe match,and give him hri'.hen 
 Daughter of the Duke of Lorrain to ff^ife , who 
 afterwards married Ferdinand de Medicis, Grand 
 Z)«/i^?'p/ Tufcany. 3)7 
 
 Mary Q^ieen of Scots, Coufm to the Guifes, ir/ipri.')- 
 
 fted by Elizabeth ^eeft of Ei gUnd. 206 
 
 Fffff Q^een=
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 Qo^' r.-niocher. ani Prime of Conde p^rWfj, 64. 
 \'r[»aars the Duk' «/ Guile, Con9.Mt^a»d Ma- 
 rcjl^.L <^t '-t. Andre, ro have theCourt, hath it 
 fromijeel unl r their hands they will ■■> \vhereupm the 
 Cx.hnlick^ Lords leave the Camp,6$, 66 W threat- 
 neJ in a Letter t» h'- killed, 1 07. with the King Jhe 
 vifitsthe Admiral^andnndirfretence of di fending 
 hirn.ftftriil Guards upon his Hofife, i8l- fends 
 three ArrfJics into feveral farts of the Kingdom to 
 fufprffs lnfpirreflio>u,i9S. favours Lugi d'Avila 
 the Authors Brother, iji^. (1)^ is refolved to breaks 
 the match hetween the King of N i varre W ^een 
 Margjrec by reafon of her licentious Life, and give 
 him CbrAien, Daughter to the Duke of Lorrain, 
 to Wife, 397. treais an Accommodation -with the 
 ■Hugonots, ibid an Interviervbet^^eenher andthe 
 K'n^of N iV^irrif^ but nothing co»clf{ded,ioU -^ 
 Saying of hers, 335. becomes pale and afrighted at 
 theDul^e if Guiles wailing upon herS dijfuades 
 the King from his thcnghts againfl him , ^ ^S . is 
 firoKgly guarded fur fear of kim, 339. goes to him 
 in her Sedan, t>.ing denie d paffage in hcrCoachcon- 
 fers with him-, but brings bac\ nothing but com- 
 plaints and exorbitant demands, :?44. goes with 
 him to the King at Chanres, i%\.dyes on Twefth- 
 Eveinthe^Oih year of her age ., 30 whereof jhe 
 fpent in th; Rigencj, and management of greateft 
 affairs and troubles of the Kingdom of France. 
 
 Page 374 
 Qneen of Navarre caufes Churches to be ruined, and 
 expels the ^yriefis, 9.1. ro's with all the Hugonots 
 to 'he Prince of Conde, and the Admiral at Ro- 
 che;!, 129. her Letters, and their A^anifeJ}o, i :?0. 
 Ciins mon'ywith her oirn Figure on one Jide,andher 
 Suns on the ether ^i^^. is poifoned with a pair of 
 (] loves. 178 
 
 An ancient Queftion, jvhether the Affembly of the 
 , \ States or the King be Superiir? 228 
 
 R. 
 
 REformed Religion began to fpread in ^xmcz in 
 the time of Francis I. 20 
 
 Reicers.rfr^ German Horfe, 2^0,3^7 '^e of the 
 League fight till they are all defiroyed. 448 
 
 Religion, a veil of private Interefis. 46 
 
 Remedies jifed by Henry I V. to con/erve the affeEli- 
 ons and obedience of his Party. 486 
 
 Renard, Procw^re/ Chafteler, with others , put to 
 death, for crying Bread or Peace. 464 
 
 Renaudie,4wrf»o/<j defperate fortune. Head of the 
 Hugonot Confpiracy. 2 1 
 
 Republicli 0/ Venice acknowledges Henty IV . K ing 
 of France, and Mofenigo their Ambaffador to 
 Henry III. paffes a Compliment with him in pub- 
 li<:K 427 
 
 ^^e'ifr\%aFial of Ojlkeptthere, wheretvith the fir ft 
 Chriflian King Louis rvas C on fe crated, 4,7. a meet- 
 "»g thert diffdved without any determination. 503 
 
 River Varc divides Italy from France. 565 
 
 Rochel revolts to the HugonoK^ rvhich ferves them 
 ever after for a SanBuarj, 1 1 2. its ftrong fitw 
 fition, 1 90. yielded to the King, 1 92. they breaks 
 the Truce. 205. permit Catholtcks to fay Mafs at 
 the interceffton of the King of Navarre. 226 
 Rouen taken by the Catholickg, and faek^t, 75. dif- 
 li\ing their G .vernor de Tavennes, they make an 
 InfurreUion, 504. A Relation of its Siege, 523, 
 
 524, &c. 
 Royal Races. 5 
 
 s. 
 
 Sh\^,the River rvhere the Salique Law wo* f/?**- 
 bhjhed. i 
 
 Salii Priefts. ibid- 
 
 Savii de Terra Firma, are Magiflratesof Venice fo 
 called. Sic. 367 
 
 iecrecary Viileroy and Duke d'Efpernon fall into 
 fuch a difcord, its inpracefs of time produces ma»y 
 evil effeBs, 280. foments a Con/piracy at Anga- 
 iefme againfi the Duke, by afecret Order from the 
 King, 3^6, goes over to the League , where the 
 Duke of Mavenne Voill not let the Kingfpeak. with 
 him, who dfftredit,^\Z, he dijfuades the Da^e of 
 Mayenne from canfing himfelf to be made King, 
 1 14. treating With the King at Melun , perfuades 
 him to turn CuhoWck. 454 
 
 Secretary Pinart, Governor of Chaftcan Thierry, 
 brings all hit Goods into it, treats a Compofition with 
 the Duke o/ Mayenne for Twenty thauf and Crowns, 
 and renders it. 497 
 
 Sieur de Baligni in neceffny at Cambray , Coins 
 Copper- money, 640. makes comppfttion with the 
 King upon large Conditions. 6^2, 
 
 Sieur de Monthclon made Lord-Keeper. 357 
 
 Sieur de Vins receives a Aiufquet-fhot at Roche!, ro 
 fave Henry III. 151. he and the Cotmtefs de 
 Seavix conclude to give the Suprriority of Pcovence 
 to the T)uke of Savoy, d"c. 48?. repenting him- 
 felf, begins to disfavour the 'Duke of Mayenne'/ 
 defigns, though he wrote refentingly to him. 484 
 
 Skyt-gate, jj'/;^; »V fef. 524 
 
 T. 
 
 "Tp Avennes, W. Vifcounr, 
 
 Tercera Iflands. 244 
 
 A kind of Toleration permitted to the Hugonots. 
 
 46 
 
 Toquefaint, an Alarum-Bell, ufed as the Ringing of 
 
 Bells backward with tu. 72 
 
 Henry de la Tour Fifcount de Turenne , marries 
 
 Charlotte de la Matk,Htirtothe DutchyofBou- 
 
 illon. jrt 
 
 Tours take" by the Kings Army at the firfl Affault, 
 
 70. an Interview there between the Mofi Chriflian 
 
 King,
 
 THE TABLE. 
 
 Ki»g-,and the King of Navarre, ig-j.~made the 
 Head-quarters Henry I \'s. Partj,^i6. is there 
 acknoivkiiged King of France ^j PHblick^ Selem- 
 fiitj. Page 427 
 
 Triumvirate, vld. Union. 
 
 yl Treaty of Agreement betrveen Henry I V. and 
 
 the Di;l>e of Mjytnnc, 436. Treaty propottr.ded, 
 
 the L'g-it and Cirdinal Gonde meet the Alarcj-.m 
 
 of V\hm, but ntthing concluded. 465 
 
 jii Truce m.'ide for two months in the new King Henry 
 
 Ills. ab/c>ice^20^. Truce pr pounded tot he Dttkf 
 
 cf M2y<nne,7vhor(fi.'fes it^ 388- concluded for a 
 
 year between the Moft Chrijlian King and King of 
 
 Navirre, 391. concluded for four Leagues about 
 
 'Pms, and oi much about %xcnae^ 600. for three 
 
 months, malting firfl a Decree for receiving the 
 
 Council of Trent, 614. prolonged for trvormnths. 
 
 6?4 
 
 V. 
 
 V Alois, fee Crown and Houfe. 
 Anthony e/ Vendofme 0/ the Houfe o/Bour- 
 bon^thatrvof Father to Henry IV. marrieththe 
 Daughter of the King of Navarre, bj rohom he in- 
 herits the pretenfir/tr of the Kingdom. 10 
 Vendofme taken by the League by agreement mth the 
 . Governor, 397. taken by Henry IV. mho gives 
 the Village to the SoUi:rs , condemns the Govermr 
 for his ^m&dplitj, and Father Robert a Francifcan, 
 for commending the killing of Henry III. 426 
 Veedor-Gener?,], it Commijfary-General, &c. 235 
 Verdun, the firjl City taken by the Leagtie. 265 
 In Vidory, moderation more profitable than at another 
 tiyr:e. 45 5 
 De Vins.t/jW. Sieur. 
 
 Vifcountde Tavenne's error, in draVeingup hii clivi- 
 fions of his Horfe^^\'y. Governor of Rouen, but 
 mt liking him, an Infarreiiion there, 504. defeated 
 
 and tak^n Prtfoner, going to put relief into Noyen* 
 
 506 
 VifcounC de Turenne obtains affijlance of ^een 
 Elizabeth of England,:^? Hollanders <i»^ PnU- 
 ftant Princes of Germany, for Henry I V. 486. 
 brings him Germ'^n Supplies, jiz 
 
 Union of the King of Navarre, Duke 'f Guife,<j»i 
 t^f Conftable, called ^jf/;; Hugonots the Trium- 
 virate, 52, oppefed by ^een Catharine. 53 
 Holy Union, a Decree fo called , made to combine 
 themfelves for defence of Religion^ ^jg. its Coun- 
 cil, confining of forty of the chief efl perfons of the 
 
 384 
 
 League. 
 
 w 
 
 w. 
 
 A R ivith Spain breakj out againfi Charles 
 IX. his will, 178 between the Catho- 
 licks and the Hugonots,288. againfi the 
 League begun bj the Duke of Monpenlier. 394 
 
 Civil War, the Incendiaries thereof are perfons of 
 defperate fortunes. e^ 
 
 Wolphangus of Bavaria aids the Hugonot* with 
 Fourteen thou/and men. 144 
 
 ^ Woman ^7/j- «^W» German Soldiers with a 
 Knife. 3 28 
 
 A Writing fet forth by the Legat, tokeep the League 
 on foot. 63a 
 
 Y. 
 
 YEar begun, U taken far the Tear ended^in mat- 
 ters of favour. 90 
 
 z. 
 
 ZEalots in Religion, and men dif^ffeEied to the ffa- 
 vernment, compofe the Catholick. League. 251 
 
 FINIS.
 
 -Sfc-.' 
 
 '7.
 
 
 ,v^ 
 
 AWE w\mi"-- 
 
 <fJ13DlWS01 
 
 .invAnr.fifr. 
 
 ..iV.IIRBADYo^ 
 
 .a(.|IRDARV/)A 
 
 \WF ll(JIVFBV/^j, 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 ,^V\EUNIVER 
 <fJl]ONVSO' 
 
 ^;^IIIBRARV 
 
 dec' 9 19^'ii 
 
 ^v^^nmi 
 
 Hi 
 
 FEB^ 
 
 ^OFCAIIFO 
 
 Ift 
 
 II 1983 
 
 
 >- 
 
 ^WEUNIVER 
 
 ,^WEUNIVER 
 
 <rii]ONVsoi^ 
 
 RENEWAL j^pp g^ggj 
 
 LD URL 
 
 MAY 
 
 Form L9-Series 4939 
 
 6 
 
 '01D4J8E-. 
 
 1983 
 
 ^lOSA1CElfj> 
 
 ,s>:lOSANCElfj> 
 
 .<; 
 
 
 <?r 
 
 ^OfCAllFOff^ 
 
 <:3 
 
 ''OAavaaiH^ 
 
 o>;lOSANCElfj> 
 
 
 ^NMllBRARYQr 
 
 .:V 
 
 ^HIBRARYO/^ 
 
 
 \WEUNIVERJ/A 
 
 Sill 
 
 • 30 
 
 > 
 
 "^/Sa^AlNftlViV^ 
 
 University of California 
 
 SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 405 Hllgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1 38< 
 
 Return this material to the library 
 
 from which It was borrowed. 
 
 ,^OFfAllFO% 
 
 ^OfCAllFOfiV 
 
 _ o 
 .^WEUNIVERS/A 
 
 \ AC (m) \} i^uOi 
 
 ■^/iaaAi 
 
 ^OAavaan-^^ 
 
 .^WEUNIVERJ/A 
 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj> 
 
 Cfc -^i>- -^^ 
 
 '^sjmmm^ 
 
 A^^tllBRARYO/r 
 
 .^^EIB 
 
 ^-TilJONVSOl^ 
 
 AMEUNIVERS/a 
 
 -< 
 
 ^Aa3AINI13WV^ 
 
 ^lOSANCElfjV 
 
 ^<!/OdllVDJO'^ 
 
 ^OFCAllFOfti^ 
 
 %0J 
 
 '"-''iHONVSOl^ %a3AINI13\\V' 
 
 V^UIBRARYO/^ ^HIBRARYQa, 
 
 '^ommx^ ^(?Aa 
 
 -< 3 
 
 cA;OfCAllFO% AOFCALIfO% 
 
 
 ^f^UDNVSOl^ %a3AINn3ftV^ 
 
 ^^WEUNIVER% vj,lOSANCflfj> 
 
 ^OFCAllFORil^ ^OFCAllFOff^
 
 ^^lllBRARYO/r 
 
 ^OJITVDJO'^ 
 
 AVEUNIVtKJ/A 
 
 ^lOSA'JCEtfj> 
 g ^^ ^% 
 
 
 wmi^ 
 
 
 
 ^vjr Ililiwrn 
 
 %OdllVDJO^ 
 
 ^(^OJITVD 
 
 -^^OFCMIFOff^ 
 
 ■^OAavHani'*^ 
 
 v^lOSANC[lfj> 
 
 ^a^AiNnjwv 
 
 AWEUNIVERJ/a 
 
 ^ o 
 
 ^tllBRARY(?/- 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj> 
 o ^ 
 
 %a3MNI1]WV 
 
 ^v^l-llBRARY<9^ 
 
 ^iJOJnVJJO't^ 
 
 o 
 
 ^OFCAllFO/iV 
 
 ^.OFCAllFOft*^ 
 
 A^EUNIVERJ/A vvlOSAN 
 
 FACILITY ^^ O 
 
 '^J'ilJDNVSOl^ 
 
 ■^/IJHMNIHWV*' 
 
 ■^/ia^MNn] 
 
 ^tUBKArtYQ^ ^IIIBRARY 
 
 '^OdllVDJO'^ 
 
 '^<!/OJIlVD J 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj> 
 
 .-;;OFCALIF0% 
 
 ^OFCAllFOfti^ 
 
 ,^WEUNIVER% 
 
 ^lOSANCEl£;y. 
 
 o 
 
 ^/ia3AiNn-3WV^ "^OAavaaiii^^ ^^<?Aavaan# ^tji^qnvsoi^ "^AaaMNfljtf^ 
 
 ^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 ^OFCAllfO 
 
 
 ^lllBRARYOx 
 
 AWEUNIVERi-//, 
 
 ^lOSANCElfj> 
 o 
 
 %OJI7V3JOV' <rii]OKVS01^ %a3AINa]WV^ 
 
 ^lUBRARYQ^ ^^lUBRARYQ^ 
 
 5E ■;? 
 
 
 , ^\^E UNIVERiyA 
 
 <rjl]DNVS01^ %a]AIN„., 
 
 \,.0FCA1IF0R|^ 
 
 '^Aavaaii-^^ 
 
 <slOSANCElfj> 
 
 ^/Ja3AINil3V\V 
 >;lOSANCElfj> 
 
 ^/5a3AINIl-3l\V 
 
 
 AMEUNIVER5'//i 
 
 L2^ 
 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 vvlOSANCflfj> 
 
 .^.OFCA1IFO% 
 
 vy ^OFCAllFOff^ 
 
 /aan-^'^"^ 
 
 WCElfj> 
 
 >o 
 
 \IN(l-3ftV 
 
 
 \IN,1 3V\V 
 
 -< 
 
 AirtEUNIVERiy/i 
 
 'Jr :i>;lO^ANCEU 
 
 <rjl]DNVSOV^ %a]AINi1 ]l 
 
 * S f^" 5 
 
 Q CO y 
 
 5>^lllBRARYQ^ 
 
 ^^>^t lIBRAk-- 
 
 ■< s 
 
 .? 
 
 ^(^0JI1V3J0'^ 
 
 ti i 
 
 ^OfCAllFOR^ 
 
 -i.OFCAllFi 
 
 ^<?Aava8iii'»i^ 
 
 ■^OAavaa 
 
 ^lllBRARYQc 
 
 ;OFCAllF0ff^ 
 
 OAavaaiH'^ 
 
 j.lOSANCEiaK 
 
 — © 
 
 'AaaAiNnjwv" 
 
 ^■lOSANCElfj> 
 
 ■5* 
 
 iRARYOc 
 
 TV>JO>' 
 
 CElfj-^ 
 
 
 CO 
 
 > 
 SO 
 
 -< 
 
 :fifj-^ 
 
 AWEUNIVERS/a 
 
 <rjl3DNVS01^ 
 
 ^lOSANC 
 
 %a3AiN;i 
 
 iFO/?^ ^ 
 
 '^i i 
 
 I s? — 
 
 I 5 5. 
 
 .^MEUNIVERS/A 
 
 aii^v^' <rju3Nvsoi^ 
 
 "^/sajAiNii 
 
 ^tUBRARYOr ^IIIBRA!