The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 1 · History of century 16 · Biography 4
Maximilianus the second.
AFter the death of Ferdinand, Maximilian his sonne King of Hungarie was made Emperour, & gouerned twelue yeares: he gaue his two daughters in marriage vntounto two puissant Princes, to wit, to Charles the ninth: King of France, he gaue Elizabeth, and to Philip King of Spaine he gaue his eldest daughter Anna. Great troubles for Religion fell out in his time,Troubles in the low countries about Religion. namely, in the Low countries and in France. In the low countries, the number of them that professed the Gospell increased marueilously; and on the other part, the rage of the Popish Prelats causing the Spanish Inquisition to be severely executed, wrought great feare in the hearts of the professours of the Gospell.
Also Duke de Albe was sent with a great Armie vntounto the low Countries,Duke de Albaes crueltie against the professours of the Gospell. vtterly to extirpate and roote out the Gospell, who behaued himselfe most outragiously against the Nobilitie and Townes of the low Countries, in beheading Count Egmount, and count Horne, and permitting his souldiers to vse all kinde of villanie against honest matrons, and the daughters of honest Citizens, and oftentimes compelled the husbands themselues to stand beside, and be eye witnesses of the vilde abusing of their owne wiues. Also with so great severity he executed the Spanish Inquisitiō against the professours of the Gospell, that the people were compelled to take armes, vnderunder the conduct of William Nassaw, Prince of Orange, and Lodouicus his brother, to defend their liues, the libertie of their Countrie, and of their Consciences against the barbarous tyrannie of this Duke and his armie.
In this Warre although the Prince of Orange was oftentimes defeated, and his brother slaine, yet the Countrey so abhorred the crueltie of Duke de Albe, that the most part of Zeland and Holland was conquered by the Princes armie, and was free from the tyrannie of the Spaniards.
In France the professours of the Gospell could not enioy the benefit of the Edict of pacification made in March,The Prince of Orange warreth against the Spaniards. Anno 1563. except in a few parts where the authoritie of some noble persons fauouring the Gospell procured obedience to the foresaid Edict, as namely, the presence of Condie in Picardie, Andelot in Britannie, and the Queene of Navarre in Gascoigne. In other parts of the country, little regard was had to the Edict. The Cardinall of Loraine also a capitall enemie to the Gospell, had consulted with the fathers of the Councell of Trent,The Cardinal of Loraine taketh counsell how to suppresse the Gospell. by what way the Gospell might be suppressed in France, and it was thought meetest that a couenant should be made amongst them that fauoured the Catholique Religion (which they called the holy league) to extirpate and roote out them that professed the new Religion (for so they named it) and the two puissant Kings of Spaine and France in speciall should bee intreated to be of this league, and mutually to helpe one another to roote out the Gospellers. Now when King Charles the 9. was 14. yeares old, and declared to be Maior, it was thought meete that he should make a progresse through the bounds of his Dominions; pretending that it was expedient that the King should know the estate of his Country, and that he should heare the complaints of his people; but the cause indeed of this progresse, was that the King of France might meete with the King of Spain in Bayon, for binding vp of the league aforesaid. In this progresse was discharged all Preaching and exercising of the reformed Religion in the Townes of France, wherein it should happen the King to be, during the time of his progresse. Also many new interpretations of the edict of March were invented and found out, whereby the libertie granted to the Protestants was vtterly infringed and impunitie granted to them that should doe them wrong. In the end the King came to Bayon, where he met with his sister Elizabeth, wife to Philip King of Spaine, who after she had declared certaine causes why her husband could not be present himselfe,A league made betwixt the Kings of France and Spaine, for the rooting out of the Protestants. bound vp in name of her husband a couenant with Charles, King of Spaine, mutually to helpe one another in rooting out the professours of the reformed Religion. The report of this league was not kept so secret but it came to the eares of the Prince of Condie, and the rest of the nobilitie of France, that professed the Gospell, who all thought meete that the Prince of Condie should in proper person addresse himselfe to the King (being for the time at Moncellium) and should exhibite to the King the supplication of the Protestants in France, pittifully complaining, that contrarie to the edict of March they were iniuried and cruelly slaine, desiring redresse of the aforesaid iniuries, and that they might hauehave libertie to enioy their Religion according to the act of pacification aboue mentioned. But the King hearing of the Prince of Condies comming to him, and (namely because he was well accompanied with foure hundred men all in armes) fearing the malignitie and obstinate malice of his adversaries, left they should hinder his iourney or doe wrong to himselfe. The King (I say) hearing tell of the Princes comming, made hast to depart, and with all expedition, to Paris in great feare, and caused the Parisians to giuegive thankes to God, as though he had beene deliuered from a great perill and imminent danger.
After this,The second ciuill warre in France. without further delay, the second warre for Religion in France broke vp. The Prince of Condie approached with an armie to Paris, and so beset it about in all quarters, that this populous Towne soone began to be grieued for want of foode, and issued out of the Towne vnderunder the Conduct of the Constable, and came by S. Denis, where the Prince of Condies armie lay. In this Battell the Admirall set vponupon the Parisian souldiers, and disturbed their rankes and put them to flight. The Constables troope also was greatly perturbed by their flying, and the Constable himselfe refusing to be taken by M. Stewart, was shot by a Scottish Souldier, whereof hee soone after died.
The Constables sonnes,The Parisians ouercome by the Prince of Condie. Anveil and Momerance, being carefull for their Father, succoured him, and the battell was renewed againe, and cruelly fought, vntill night compelled them to make an end. The morrow after, the Prince of Condie came with his Forces againe to the place where the battell was fought, but none of the Parisians came forth to encounter him.
After the battell he marched toward Loraine, of purpose to ioyne with the Germane Armie, which was to be sent for his support from the Count Palatine of the Rhine, vnderunder the conduct of Cassimire, his owne sonne. This armie of the Germanes ioyned with the Forces of the Prince of Condie at Pontamonssou, a towne in Loraine on the riuer Mosell, and from thence marched forward without battell offered to them by the adversarie partie, vntill they came to Chartresse,The Protestants besiege Chartresse. a famous Towne within two dayes iourney to Paris.
This towne the Prince of Condie and the Germanes besieged, and when it was fore battered, and not able to indure the siege any longer, the Queene mother according to her wonted manner, thought meete to compasse them with faire and deceitfull promises, whom she could not get ouerthrowne by force. And therefore sent to the Prince of Condie, desiring him to require of the King conditions of peace, such as himselfe liked best, and they should be granted.
The Prince of Condies armie dismissed, & the townes by him subdued deliuered into the enemies hand through the policie of the Queene mother.The Prince of Condie being euer more bent to peace then prouident to foresee the deceitfull snares of his adversaries, required of the King, that the edict set forth in March Anno 1563. should be precisely kept, all new additions and interpretations of the said act being disanulled, and that the iniuries done to the Protestants should be seuerely punished, and not passed ouer with silence as they were accustomed to be. All this was granted, and the edict of pacification was proclaimed. The townes also which the Protestants had conquered with great paines and effusion of their blood, were all deliuered into the hands of their enemies, the Germane souldiers were dismissed, and eueryevery man returned to his owne house. But in the very time of their returning, it was knowne that this pacification was but a subtile snare to entangle them withall; for the professours of the Gospell were compelled to lay downe their armour when they entred into the townes where they dwelt, and strictly commanded to remaine in their houses, so that they had not libertie to visite one another.
EueryEvery where crueltie vsed against the Protestants.In all the parts of the Countrey great crueltie was vsed, and many cruelly massacred, so that within the space of three moneths, moe then three thousand were reckoned to be killed by the sword. Besides this crueltie committed against the inferior sort, all meanes were sought out to intercept the Prince of Condie, the Admirall, Andelot, Rupesocald, and other principall personages; for this counsell was giuen by Duke de Albe (whose aduise was often craued in this turne) that one Salmond head was better then an hundreth paddle heads,Simile. signifying thereby, that it was most needfull to cut off the principall Noble-men of the Protestants. The Prince of Condie, and the Admirall, after many advertisements, that their liues were directly sought, began to remoue, and the Prince came to Nucetum, a Towne in Burgundie, the Admirall lodged at Tauleum, in a place pertaining to his brother Andelot, not farre distant from Nucetum, where they receiued new advertisements, that the companies that were appointed to take them were with great celeritie approaching alreadie to Nucetum.The Prince of Condie & the Admirall flie towards Rotchell. Thus was the Prince of Condie and the Admirall compelled in all hast to flie with their wiues, young children, and families, and commending themselues to the prouidence of God, entered into a long and dangerous iourney from Noyers to the Towne of Rotchell. The good prouidence of God so conducted them, that albeit, all the bridges and passages were strictly kept, yet God prouided a foord in the river of Loyre,Note. neere to Sanser, which was not knowne before, neither was any passage found to be there two dayes after. By this way they passed very safely, and in the end came to the Towne of Rochell, although through many dangers and infinite perils.
In the meane time, the Prince of Condie had sent Letters to the King, heauily complaining of the Cardinall of Loraine, who so wickedly abused the Kings name and authoritie, and so maliciously sought the liues of his innocent Subiects for their Religion, expresly against the Kings edict of pacification, which was sealed with the Kings own handwrit, and his great oath solemnly made.The third ciuill warre in France for Religion. To those Letters no answere was made, but all the Countrey was inflamed with wrath, and bent to warre, and the Duke of Aniou, brother to the King was made generall commander of the armie. The Queene of Navarre, on the other part, adioyned her selfe, and her Forces to the Prince of Condie, and from Britanny came Andelot and his Forces, who had passed the river of Loyre by a certaine foord vnknowne before, and vnpassable afterward,Note. no lesse miraculously then the Prince of Condie, and his familie had done in another place of the same river before. After whose comming, Angolesme, a Towne of great importance in those parts, was besieged and taken by the Prince of Condie. Likewise Acierius brought with him to the Prince, a great companie out of Delphine, Provance, Languedok, and other parts fauouring the Gospell, to the number of twentie three thousand men.
On the other side, the Duke de Anion was come with his armie to Poictou, and pitched his Campe at Castellerault, a Towne of Poictou neere to the river Vienna. The Prince of Condie and the Admirall daily provoked him to fight, but he was admonished by frequent letters from the Queene mother, that he should beware to hazzard the cause in battell, but should prolong time to abate the fierie courage of the Protestants,Note. and to take his advantage when he could see it.
In the meane time, both parties waited for supplyment of new Forces out of Germanie, and Duke de Aumald was sent to Loraine to meete the Dukes who came to support the Kings armie; as also to hinder the progresse of the Duke of Bipont, who was marching forward to support the Prince of Condies armie.
The Papists receiue support from Germanie.The first support came to the Kings armie the Count of Tend, brought three thousand footmen, Bingrane and Bossempeire brought two thousand and two hundreth horsemen out of Germanie to the Duke. This supplyment so encouraged the Kings armie, that they enterprised to recouer the Towne of Angolesme againe, and for recouering of it, it was needfull that the towne of Iarnaque should be taken for the commoditie of the bridge, to transport his armie ouer the river of Charence, but the Admirall prevented the Duke, and fortified the Towne of Iarnaque, and disappointed him of the commoditie of the bridge.
The Prince of Condie marched forward to Iarnaque, and the Admirall to Blansack, where he vnderstood, that a tymber bridge was set vp neere to the stone bridge that was at Casteaneur, for the greater expedition in transporting of the Dukes armie ouer the riuer of Charence. This great celeritie of the Duke (who transported all the armie ouer the riuer in one night) put the Prince of Condie and the Admirall in great feare, because their Forces were farre behinde them. Therefore it was thought expedient to retire backe in time to their Forces. But the Duke pursued so strictly,The Battell of Blansack. that before they had marched backe halfe a myle from Blansack, they were compelled to turne and fight.
In this battell the Prince of Condie was taken and slaine,The death of the Prince of Condie. and two hundred of the Protestants more, and fortie taken prisoners. The rest of the armie the Admirall led backe to Saint Iande-angeli: Soone after this, Andelot dyed at Sainetes, to the great griefe of all the armie: his body being opened was found to be poysoned.
The Queene of Navarre comforted the armie of the Protestants,The King of Navarre and young Prince of Condie governe the armie of the Protestants. and the King of Navarre her sonne, with the Prince of Condies sonne, tooke vponupon them the government of the armie, and sent Count Mongomrie to support the Towne of Angolesme, which was then besieged by the Dukes Forces, by whose comming the towne was so refreshed and encouraged, that the Duke was compelled to raise his Siege and depart from the Towne.
About this time the Duke of Bipont with his Germane Forces were entred into France,The Duke of Bipont commeth from Germanie to support the Protestants, taketh the towne of La charitie, and within two dayes dieth: having appointed Velrad Count of Manfelt to be Generall in his roome. to support the Princes of the reformed Religion, and tooke the Towne of La charitie in Burgundie, a Towne of no small importance, for the passage of the river of Loyre. The Princes of the Protestants marched forward to meete the Duke of Bipont, and by the way killed two hundred Hagbushers, who were appointed by the Duke of Andion to stoppe the passage of the river Vienna, in the river of Limosin, and so the passage being opened, they came the day after to the Campe of the Germanes, and receiued them with great gladnesse; but through the sudden death of the Duke of Bipont (who died two dayes after their meeting) their gladnesse was mixed with great heauinesse. Notwithstanding, the Duke before his death exhorted all his Captaines valiantly to debate that cause of Religion; For the which they were entered into France, and placed in his roome, Wolrad, Count of Manfelt, to be generall Commander of the Germane armie. In which were reckoned to be seauen thousand and fiue hundred horsemen, and sixe thousand footemen, besides two thousand French horsemen, who came in their companie, and ten Ensignes of footemen. The Prince of Orange with his brother Lodowick and Henry were also in this armie.
In the Countrey of Poictou, the Princes had taken many Townes, and the most part of the Countrey was alreadie subiect vntounto them. And it was thought meete to besiege the Towne of Poictiers it selfe,Poictiers besieged. and the Towne was willing to render to the Princes, vponupon reasonable conditions, if the Duke of Guise had not come to support the Towne. But the comming of the Duke altered their mind, and the Towne was strongly fortified, and valiantly indured a strict Siege.
The Admirall although he had lost two thousand men at this Siege, and great sicknesse, and penurie of victuals was felt in the armie, yet was he very vnwilling to raise the Siege, till at length the Duke of Andum strictly besieged Monsieur Loe in Castelleralt,The admirall raiseth his siege from Poictiers. whom the Admirall willing to relieue, left the siege of Poictiers.
Soone after this, the armie of the two Princes being at Moncontuire, in the Country of Poictou, was purposed to march toward Niort; and the armie of the Duke in like manner was purposed thither.The battell of Moncontuire, wherein the Protestants were discomfited. Through this occasion the two armies ioyned in battell a little space from Moncontuire, and the Duke of Andium had the Victorie. The footemen of the Germanes were cruelly slaine in this Battell, without all commiseration; some greater fauour was showne to the French Souldiers. The Admirall foreseeing (as appeareth) the euent of this battell, had caused the two Princes of Navarre and Condie to be conveyed out of the Hoast.
The number of those that were slaine at this battell, are supposed by some to hauehave beene sixe or seauen thousand men; by others, twise as many. The report of this losse so discouraged the Protestants, that all the Townes which they had conquered in Poictou, were incontinent recouered by the adversaries;S. Ian Dangely besieged and taken. and S. Ian Dangely after it was besieged two moneths, was surrendered to the adversarie, vponupon certaine conditions. At the siege of this Towne Martiques, Governour of Britanie, a great enemie to those of the Religion,The death of Martiques, governour of Britanie, an enemie to the Protestants, and a blasphemer of the name of God. was slaine, wherein is to be noted the iust iudgement of God, punishing the pride of those that blaspheme his blessed name. This Martiques perswaded La Matpinolis, to yeeld the Towne to the King, and desired the towne to remember the battell of Moncontur e, wherein their strong God had forsaken them, and said it was time for them to sing, Helpe vsus now, O God, for it is time. Not long after, this proud man felt that the strong God was liuing, able to helpe the weake, and to confound the proud.
The Princes with the Admirall consulted in what part of the Realme it were meetest to sustaine the hazzard of the Warrefare;By a new edict of pacification the third ciuill warre endeth. and it was thought meetest in Languedok, because the Towne of Nimes was lately surprised by the Protestants, and many townes in that Countrie fauoured their Religion.
While new preparations are made by the Princes to sustaine the Warre, behold, a new edict of pacification is for forth, granting libertie of Religion to the Protestants againe, and granting to them for their further securitie, the keeping of foure Townes during the space of two yeares, to wit, Rotchell, Cognack, Montallan, and Caritea. This edict being proclaimed in both th… Campes, the people were in great ioy, being wearied with long and perillou… Warres, and being desirous to visite their owne houses and families. Thus was an end put to the third ciuill warre in France.
The King marrieth.After this pacification, the King married Elizabeth, daughter to Maximilian the Emperour: and the rumour went thorow the Countrey, that the King was inclined to peace. Likewise the apparent hatred betwixt the King and the Duke of Aniou his brother confirmed this rumour: for it seemed to the people, that the King was offended, because the Prelates of France depended more vponupon his brother then vponupon himselfe, and paied to him yeerely 200000 Frankes, to be a patron and defender of their cause. Wherefore it seemed to many that the King would incline his affection toward the Protestants, to abandon the power of his brother. But all this was deceitfull treacherie, to colour the intended malice of his heart.
Also the edict of pacification was better kept then it had beene at any other time before, except in a few places. And when the Queene of Navarre sent messengers to the King, to complaine of the violation of the edict in the Townes of Roane and Aurenge: the King returned backe againe to her a very pleasant answere, that he would not onelyonly punish most seuerely the transgressours of the edict,The King offereth his sister in marriage to the King of Navarre, that thereby he might insnare… the Protestants. but also for a further confirmation of a stedfast bond of Peace with the Protestants, he would bestow Margaret his sister in marriage to the King of Navarre her sonne.
The King himselfe passed to Bloyes, and sent for the Queene of Navarre, whom hee receiued so courteously, and conferred with so louingly, that the Queene was fully perswaded, that this marriage would be a sure pledge and bond of constant peace.
The Admirall also was sent for, and met the King at Bloyes, whom the King seemed to reuerence and honour out of measure; in so much that the Admiralls heart was betwitched with the Kings faire speeches, supposing that he meant vprightly, to bind vp indeed a bond of constant Peace with the Protestants. Specially for this, that the King seemed to prepare an armie for support of the Prince of Orange, and the Admirall was appointed to be generall Commander of the armie.
The time of the celebration of the marriage drawing neere (which was appointed to be solemnized in Paris by the Cardinall of Burbone) the Queene of Navarre addressed her selfe toward Paris,The Queene of Navarre being empoysoned, dieth. to make preparation for the marriage, and the Admirall with many earnest requests of the King was sollicited to bee present at the marriage; As also all the principall Noble-men of the Protestants.
The forerunners of the lamentable Tragedie that after followed began soone to appeare, if the hearts of men had not beene setled in a deepe securitie. For the Queene of Navarre, as she was busied in making preparation for the marriage, died hastily being cut off by empoysoned Gloues, which shee receiued from an Italian the Kings Vnguentarie.
But the King seemed to be in such heauinesse for her death, and the matter was so finely conveyed, that all suspition was incontinently quenched and buried,The King of Navarre married to the Kings sister. and the marriage was celebrated the eight-teenth day of August Anno 1572. Soone after, to wit, the twentie two day of August appeared a cleere presage of the future Tragedie: for the Admirall as he went from the Loover to his house was shot with two or three Bullets in the arme.The Admirall shot in the arme. This was taken in very euill part by the King of Navarre and Prince of Condie: who desired libertie to depart from Paris, wherein they saw so euident danger to themselues and their friends. But the King with so many attestations, protested the miscontentment of his owne minde in that matter: and that he would diligently search and seuerely punish the authors of that deed, that in some part he quieted the hearts of the complainers.
Likewise, the King himselfe came to visit the Admirall, with pittifull words, lamenting the chance that was fallen out, and affirming the dishonour to be done to him, although the Admirall had receiued the hurt. Also he desired that the Admirall would be content to be transported to the Loouer of Paris for his better securitie, in case any popular commotion should fall out, vntill he should be trying and punishing the authors of that fact. And when the King perceiued that the Admirall made excuse of his infirmitie, that he could not suffer to be transported, the King appointed some of his owne Guard to attend vponupon the Admiral… house,The Admirall attended vponupon by the Kings Guard. and the Protestants were commanded to prepare their lodgings neere to the Admirals house, to be a guard vntounto him, in case any commotion should happen in the Towne.
All this was done vnderunder deepe dissimulation, to put the Protestants in securitie, that they should not once imagine of the Tragedie that was to come. And the Admirall sent his Letters to all parts of the Countrey where the Protestants were, that they should make no stirre for that which was done vntounto him, for the wound was not deadly, and God and the King would see the authors thereof punished. The night after,The Massacre of Paris the 24. of August Anno 1572. was the appointed time for the horrible Massacre of the Protestants that were in Paris. The Duke of Aniou and the Duke of Guise having their souldiers ready armed in the streets, were waiting for the signe that was to be giuen to beginne their bloudie Enterprise: which being once giuen out of the Church of S. Germane, the Duke of Guise set first vponupon the Admirals house; Those of the Kings guard (of whom we spoke before) that were appointed for defending of the Admirall now euidently declared the true cause wherefore they were placed in that roome;The Admirall killed. for they rushed in violently, and killed the Admirall, and threw him downe out of a window into the close, where the Duke of Guise was awaiting for that spectacle, and for ioy would scarcely beleeue that it was he, vntill he had wiped the blood from his face.
Then he encouraged all his companie,The Duke of Guise encourageth the companie to murther the Protestants. and sayd. This is a good beginning, goe to, goe to: it is the kings will, it is the kings commaundement. What bloodie crueltie followed, without all commiseration, slaying men, women and children, no tongue is able to expresse, the sounding of bells, the shouting of the pursuers, and the pitifull cries of the slaine, all concurring together made the spectacle of that day to be verie terrible. Also the Duke of Guise with Mompensier and many others passed thorow the streets, encouraging the people and augmenting their furie and madnesse, saving that the wicked seede of the Protestants should be vtterlie rooted out.
The like outragious crueltie was also practised in the Lower where the king was.The companies which attended the king of Navarre and Prince of Condie, slaine For the whole companie that were attending vponupon the king of Navarre and Prince of Condie were commaunded to lay downe their armour, and goe without the Palace, where they were most cruellie slaine by armed Souldiers attending on their outcomming. The king of Navarre and Prince of Condie themselues were brought before the king and threatned that except they would renounce that religion which they professed, they should surely die.
The king of Navarre humbly requested the king to regard that new bond of friendship that was bound vp betweene them,The king v… geth the Prince of Condie and king of Nauarre to be come Papists. Their resolute Answere. and for his religion not to vrge him so, strictlie incontinent to forsake that religion wherevnto hee had beene trained vp from his very youthward.
The Prince of Condie added moreouer that his life was in the kings hands, to dispose of it as it pleased him but as for his Religion hee had receiued the knowledge of it from God, to whom also hee behoued to render account of the same, and hee would not renounce it for any feare or danger of this present life.
Some of the Protestants then lodged in the Fobers of S. Germane, as Count Mongomrie & diuers others, for intercepting of whom the king had giuen commandement to the Dean of Gild of Paris to hauehave in readinesse 1000. armed souldiers, but through the prouidence of God those souldiers were not in readinesse, and that by the ouersight of an inferiour captain to whom the Dean of Gild had giuen charge to execute the kings Commaundement.
This matter being signified to the Duke of Guise, hee tooke with him a Companie of armed men to intercept in time,Note. Mongomrie and his complices. But when hee came to the Port deuiding the towne from the Fobers, hee was compelled to stay a while, because in hast the wrong Keies had beene brought out in stead of the right keies of the Port.
Count Mongomrie and diuers others escape.In this meane time Count Mongomrie, Carautensis, and others that were in the Fobers had beene aduertised of the cruell Massacre that was in the towne, and scarcely would credit that the King could be partakers of so foule a treacherie.
But when they saw the Heluetian souldiers making hast by boates and shippes to crosse the water, and to come ouer to the Fobers of S. Germane to cut them off, they made hast and fled. The Duke of Guise with Duke De Aumald and the Count of Angolesme pursued them to Montfort which is eight leagues distant from Paris, but could not ouertake them and so returned backe againe to Paris. In this Massacre were slaine many noble men such as the Admirall, Telignius, Rupefocald, Renelius, and many learned men, amongst whom were Petrus Ramus and Lambinus: and of others moe than 10000. persons whose bodyes were layed on heapes vponupon cartes, and cast into the riuer of Seane which was coulered red with the blood of the slaine. The like crueltie was practised in Lions, and the bodyes of the slaine were cast into the riuer of Rhene, and the heapes of the slaine were carried downe to the sight of those of Delphin, Provance and Languedok that dwelt nigh vntounto the riuer, whose harts were compelled to detest the spectacle of so Barbarous crueltie, the like wherof was scarcely to be found amongst the Turkes and Infidels.
Likewise in many other townes the rage of the like crueltie was felt,In this Massacre were killed 30000 persons in France so that within the space of a monethmonth moe then 30000. persons were reckoned to be slaine. To all this Tragedie was added the defection of Rozarius a Preacher at Orleance who by his vilde Apostasie so brangled the King of Navarre and Prince of Condie,By the example of Rozarius, the King of Navarre and Prince of Condie fell away for a time. that they were induced by his example and perswasions, to fall away from their religion for a time, yet afterward this same Rozarius being grauely admonished of the vildnesse of his Apostasie departed out of France to Germanie; and writ letters to the Prince of Condie, wherein hee acknowledged his errour and begged merciemercy of God for that he had beene a snare and stumbling blocke to him.
The report of the Massacre was so detestable in the eares of all men that heard it that they were forced to beare out that matter with forged lies which they had begun with crueltie:The repentance of Rozarius. The Papists defend their crueltie by lies & to the end this Massacre should be the lesse odious in the eares of strangers, they alleadged that the Admirall & his complices were purposed to cut off the king & all the blood royal, (yea and the king of Navarre himselfe although he was of the same religion) & to set vp the Prince of Condie in the throne of the kingdome, to the end the Admiral might hauehave the gouernment & administration of al himself. And for this cause they tortured two noble men of the Protestants whom they had takē to wit Canagnius & Briquemald to drawe out of them by torturing a cōfession of the fore alledged cōspiracie. But the noblemen died constant in the true faith,Note. & w ithout confession of any such treason as was alleadged. Notwithstā ding they were not ashamed after their death to publish in their names a cōfession of horrible treason which they neuer confessed while they were aliue. After this pitifull disaster it seemed that the religion in France was vtterlie quenched, for the noble men were slaine, some had made defection, and others for feare had left the land. Only a few towns were in the Protestants hands such as Rochell, Montalban, Nines, Sauserr and some others of small account. Yet the Lord so wrought by those small beginnings that the force of the aduersaries was more wonderfullie resisted by this small handfull,The fourth ciuill warre in Fraunce for religion. Rotchell besieged. God miraculouslie prouideth for the poore, during the siege of Rotchell. then it was by forces of so many noble men with concurrance of strangers in the former warre.
The towne of Rotchell was the towne of greatest importance of all the rest, and the king thought meete to besiege it both by sea and land with a mightie armie, which siege began in the monethmonth of December, Anno 1573. and indured vntill the monethmonth of Iune next following. The maruelous prouidence of God was felt in this siege, for God sent a number of fishes called Surdonnes to the support of the poore during the time of the siege, and when the siege was loosed the fishes departed away, and were found no more in that coast.
Conditions of peace offered to the towne of Rotchell.In the monethmonth of Iune the Ambassadour of Poland came vntounto the Kings Campe to the Duke of Aniou the Kings brother, whom the Polonians had chosen to be their king, and immediately after conditions of peace were offered to the towne, & libertie to exercise their religion within their own bounds, and in this peace were contained their associats of Montalban and Nimes. The Rotchellanes had required that those of Sanfarre and all others of their Religion should bee comprehended in this bond of pacification, but no speciall mention was made of the towne of Sansarre, onelyonly a generall clause of their associats was cast in.
The towne of Sansarre besieged and (some conditions of peace being granted) at last surrendered.The towne of Sansarre likewise was besieged, but it was so strongly fortified, and the Protestants within the towne so couragiouslie repulsed the enemies that they were compelled to retire backe from battring of the walles, and to beset them round about on all quarters, that they might by long famine compell them to render whom they could not ouercome otherwise. This siege indured from the monethmonth of Ianuary vntill the monethmonth of August, so that the famine within the towne was so great that the famine of Samaria and Saguntum seemeth not to hauehave bin greater. In the end conditions of peace were granted, and the towne was rendered to Castrius the kings Lieutenant in those parts.
The townes of Montalban and Nimes was not besieged as yet, to whom and to all the rest of the Protestants dwelling in Lauguedok, Delphine & Provance was offered those same conditions, which the Rotchellanes had embraced. But they craued of the king & his brother liberty first to assemble thē selues together before they should giuegive their answere, which being granted & the assemblie conveened at Miliald,An assemblie of the Protestants at Miliald. it was thought meete with common consent to craue more ample cōditions & liberties then were contained in the peace of the Rotchellans: namely that in eueryevery Province of Fraunce two townes might be granted to the Protestants for their further securitie,The conditions which they required of the king. & those townes to be kept by the guardes of their own souldiers, & to hauehave their pay out of the kings treasury, and that libertie should be granted to al that were of their religion to exercise the same freelie, without any exception of places. Also that all those that should be found guiltie of the horrible murther cōmitted at Paris the 24. of August might be seuerely punished. Many other conditions were required, very amply & freely. Order was taken in like manner in this assemblie how the warre might be maintained in case those conditions of peace were not granted.
The Queene mother when shee had read the conditions that were required, said with great indignation; that if the Prince of Condie had beene in the midst of Fraunce with 20000. horsemen, and 50000.…footmen yet would hee not hauehave required the halfe of those conditions. This great boldnesse of the Protestants in crauing so great liberties put the enemies in suspicion and feare that the Nobles of Fraunce had secretlie banded themselues with the Protestants.
About the same time Count Mongomry had returned out of England,Count Mongomrie besieged in Donfront, taken, & sent to Paris. & had taken some townes in Normandy; but soone after he was besieged in Donfront a town of Normandy, by Matigonus the kings Lieutenant in those parts; to whō he yeelded himself vponupon certain conditions which were not kept vntounto him, but he was sent immediatly to Paris to the king. The Duke of Aniow had departed from France to the kingdome of Polonia,Duke Aniow chosen king of Poland depareth thither. & the king of France was fallen sicke: also many noble men in the land were highlie offended at the ambition, pride, and crueltie of the Queene mother, who had not onelyonly cut off the noble men of the Protestants, but also intended the like crueltie against many other noblemen in Fraunce, whose names were insert in the bloody roll of the Massacre, albeit they professed the Roman religiō. The Queene mother knowing that she was vehementlie hated in the land and fearing left this matter should tend to her vtter disgrace and abandoning of all her authoritie thought meete to prevent all the deuices of the nobilitie of France against her,The Queene mother imprisoneth diuers of th… nobilitie who were discontent with her. and begun to lay hands on those of the Nobilitie whom she most suspected, and cast them in prison: such as D. Alauscone her owne son whom she knew to be discontent with her forme of gouernment, and the king of Navarre, also Monmerance, and Cassens Marescallis. The Prince of Condie also was to be taken, but he conveyed himselfe away secretly vntounto Germanie.
The death of King Charles.In the meane time the king died in the monethmonth of May Anno. 1574. with greateffusion of blood from many parts of his body. And the Queene mother had all the gouernment in her owne hand vntill the returning of her son out of Polonia, whom shee aduertised of the death of his Brother Charles, and desired him without all delay to returne againe to Fraunce.
Count Mongomrie condemned to death by the Queene.In the meane time the cruell heart of the Queene mother thirsting for blood procured that Count Mongomrie should be condemned to death. This is that noble man who had slaine king Henry the father of Charles with a speare, whom king Henry would not suffer to be harmed for that cause, it being done in game and against Mongomries heart. Neuerthelesse when he came in the hands of this mercilesse woman he must die. Before king Henry returned out of Poland vntounto France, the Prince of Condie had sent from Germanie to France, Messengers to declare to the Protestants the great care of his minde to advance the Religion, and to procure the peace and libertie of his countrie, who also was chosen to be generall commaunder of all the Protestants.The Prince of Condie chosen the Protestants generall. Many Catholikes were associate with him, who being of a contrarie religion, notwithstanding tooke armes with the Prince of Condie to restore the countrie to the owne libertie. In the monethmonth of December Anno 1574. the king came to Lyons where the Queene mother accōpanied with Alauscon her son, and the king of Navarre, and Duke of Guise were awaiting for his cōming. In this towne they aduised what was most expedient to be done, whether they should prosecute the war, or they should quiet the countrie with new edicts of pacification. The Queene mothers aduise was, that the king should assault the townes of Languedok & Delphine that were kept by the Protestants, because the presence and terrour of the king would so astonish the peoples hearts that incontinent they would yeeld and giuegive ouer the townes into the kings hands.The fifth ciuill warre in France for Religion. Libero besieged in vaine by king Henry. This aduise was followed and the king besieged the towne of Pusinum in Viuaret, & tooke it, also the towne of Libero in Delphin was strōgly besieged, but the king was cōpelled to leaue his siege & to depart from the towne, which according as the name of it foretokened remained free and vnconquered by the aduersaries: during the time of this siege the Cardinal of Loraine died vponupon this occasion. The king being in Avinion some Paenitentiaries fortuned to scourge themselues in a cold winter season,The death of the Cardinall of Lorain procured by himselfe. the Cardinall would ioyne himselfe to their fellowship, and walked barefooted in the companie of those Paenitentiaries, wherby he contracted a deadlie disease, and soone repented this repē tance. The king himselfe was content to afflict his body after the same forme,King Henry scourgeth him selfe, after the manner of the penitentiaries. Many Ambassadors sollicit the king for peace, but in vaine. which was expoūded by many to be an euil presage that he should not conquer that little towne of Libero, but should be scourged from the towne, & leaue the siege of it with shame, which truly came to passe. From thence the king went to Paris to his Coronation, where many Ambassadours came to the king; not only from the Prince of Condie who as yet remained in Basile, but also from the D. of Sauoy and the Cantons of the Switzers, and from the Queene of Englād to treat for peace, but al their trauels were ineffectuall: for the conditions of the peace could not be agreed vponupon, so the war continued & waxed hote. In Languedoke Anvillius although he was of the Romane religion, yet had ioyned himselfe to the Protestants, and tooke Agnes Mortes a towne of great importance in those parts with many other townes. In Delphin Mombruniris was chiefe commaunder,Mombruniris taken and executed by the Queene. and had so good sucesse in all his attempts that he was a great terrour to the aduersaries. In the end he was sore wounded and taken, beside Dia a towne in Delphine, and by the commaundement of the king and Queene mother, was carried to Grenoble and there was executed in the sight of the people. This war was much different from the former warres, wherein those that were of one religion were also on one side, but now the Catholikes were mingled with the Protestāts which thing albeit it seemed for a time to augment their number, yet in the end it turned to euill, as shall be declared hereafter, God willing.
Cassimire the sonne of Count Palatine promiseth to aide the Protestants.The Prince of Condie had required helpe of Cassimire the sonne of Count Palatine, who also had condiscended to support the distressed Church of Fraunce, and very strict obligations of mutual duties were passed between them, as these namely, that they should not dissolue their armes vntill that libertie were obtained to the Protestants fullie to enioy their owne Religion. And likewise that Cassimire should hauehave the townes of Metis, Tullion, and Verdum, in his hands; besides other townes in all the Provinces of France which the Protestants were to require for there further assurance, and as pledges of the Kings fidelitie & faithfulnesse towards them. While this armie of Cassimire was marching forward towards Loraine, Alauscon the kings brother departed from Court, and many of the nobilitie of France resorted to him, all pretending that they could not suffer the countrie to be exhausted with ciuill warres, and the people to be vexed with exorbitant and vnnecessarie taxations.Alauscon the kings brother ioyneth himselfe with the Protestants.
All those tumults were found in the end to be the subtile policies of the Q. mother by the meanes of Alauscon her son to dissolue the army of Cassimire. Notwithstanding the army of the Germanes and French-men, entered into France vnderunder the conduct of the Prince of Condie and Cassimire; and came forward to Charossium, a towne in Borbon, not farre from Molins: where Alauscon the Kings brother ioyned with them, and the whole army being mustered was found to bee of horsemen, and footmen thirtie thousand. The King of Navarre about the same time departed from Court and returned to his owne countrey, whereby the feare of the King and Queene mother was greatly encreased. In conclusion the army approached dayly neerer and neerer to Paris, yet no battell was fought, because the Queene mother listened more to the instructions shee had given to Alauscon her sonne, then to the doubtfull successe of battell, and force of armed men, and indeed a more sure way to obtaine their purpose. For messengers being sent to the King to treate for peace, the Queene mother perceived that all other conditions how ample soever they had beene, might bee easily eluded and broken, but if the townes of Metis, Tullion, and Verdum, were in the hands of a potent stranger, it would be a great abandoning of the Kings power in all time to come. Therefore the matter was so brought about, that Cassimire was content to receiue from the King a great summe of money, in stead of those townes which should hauehave beene put in his hands, and libertie was granted to the Protestants to exercise their owne religion openly and freely, without exception of places, the Court and the towne of Paris, with a few leagues about, onelyonly excepted. Also they were declared to bee capable of places in Parliament, and places of Iustice Courts: all iudgements which were made against them for any enterprise whatsoever was declared voyd: The cruell day of Sant Bartholomew disavowed, and for better assurance and performance of the conditions, they had eight townes delivered vntounto them, with the conditions of their governments, Aques Mortes, Bencaire, Perigneux, Le mas de verdun, N…ons yissure,By an edict of pacificatiō the fift civill warre ended. La grand tour. Thus was the edict of pacification proclaimed through the countrey, in the monethmonth of May, 1576. and an end was put to the fift civill war in France for religion.
In this Emperours time Solyman being now stricken in age,Solyman the Turke besiegeth Zigeth. came notwithstanding into Hungarie againe with a great army, and besiedged Zigeth: In the meane time of the siege Solyman dyed,Solyman dieth, the towne taken, Selim sent for & proclaimed Emp. but his death was so secretly concealed, that the siege continued after his death, and the towne was taken by force. Likewise Selim the sonne of Solyman, was in haste sent for to come from Constantinople to Hungarie: all this was done before the death of Solyman was knowne, either to his owne army, or to the Emperour Maximilian.
Selim taketh Famagusta from the Venetians. The battell of Lepanto, wherein the Turkes received a great overthrow by the Christians.This new Emperour of the Turkes Selim, tooke Famagusta, in the Isle of Cyprus, which belonged to the Venetians: and did fight a cruell battell by Sea against the Christians, in the gulph of Lepanto, of olde called Sinus Corinthiacus: in the which the Turkes Navie was overcome, and Haly Bassa the chiefe Governour of the Turkes was slaine, and his head was set vp vponupon the top mast of his owne shippe, to the great terrour and astonishment of the Turkes. This battell was fought the seventh day of October, Anno 1571. Don Iohn de Austria was Generall commander of the Navie of the Christians: the number of the Turkes that were slaine, is supposed to hauehave beene fifteene thousand men, and thirteene thousand Christians were delivered from the captiuity of the Turks. Onuphrius writeth, that an hundred and seventeene shippes were taken, with thirteene gallies, and thirty two thousand Turkes were slaine in this battell.