A Pattern of Popish Peace, Remembrances 2
REMEMBRANCES SENT BY the King to all Governours, and Lieutenants of his Provinces, to put out and remove all those of the Religion from their estates and charges, although they would abjure the same, saving such as have but smal estates and offices, to whom his Majesty permitteth continuance, on condition that they abjure the said Religion according to the forme of Abjuration sent for that purpose.
THe King considering how much his Officers and Magistrates of Justice, and such as have the administration and dealing of his Fines and payments, which be of the new Religion, are suspect and hated, and put his Catholike subjects in great mistrust if they should presently exercise their offices after these fresh commotiōs: therfore lest the people should thereby be brought to a new occasion of stirre, and they of the new Religion bee in danger or hazard of their owne persons, although they would abjure their said new Religion, and professe the Holy Faith and Catholique Religion of Rome: His Majestie desiring to avoyd the new mischiefes and troubles which may come, hath advised to discharge the said Officers from the exercise of the said Offices, untill he shall otherwise appoint. And yet neverthelesse, in the meane while, if the said Officers bee obedient unto his will, and live quietly in their houses, without attempting, practising, or taking any thing in hand against his service, they shal receive their wages, and they that will resigne their said Offices to Catholique persons, and come to his Majesty, shall be honourably provided for. And as touching other small Offices without wages, which cannot be troublesome, as Notaries, Sergeants, and such where the Officers have none authority, which cannot be so odious nor mistrustfull to the people as the other; his Majesty is advised, that such small Officers which will abjure the said new Religion, and professe the faith Catholike, Apostolike, and Romish, and therein live continually hereafter, shall continue in the exercise and enjoying of their estates: but they that will continue in their new opinion, shall depart from their Offices, untill his Majesty hath otherwise provided. And this is for the great mischiefe and inconvenience that may betide them, if they should exercise their said estates, because of the great mistrust and suspition which the Catholikes have conceived of them of the new Religion. Neverthelesse his Majesty well considering that the most part of the said officers have none other way to live, but the exercise of their said offices, willeth that they shall be in choyse to resigne to Catholique and capable persons, and then to come to him for that effect, and he will grant them the greatest favour and moderation of his treasury that is possible. The which resolution and pleasure of his Majesty he willeth to be declared to the said officers of the new pretended opinion as well by Governours and Lieutenants generall of his Provinces, as by them of his courts of Parliament, of the Chamber of his accompts, of the Court of his Aydes, them of his great Councell, of the Treasury of France, the Generals of his Fines, his Baylifes, Seneshals, Provosts, Judges, or their Lieutenants, and every one of them as shall appertain. And to this intent his Majesty willeth and intendeth that every one of them in their calling shal send particularly & apart for every of the said officers of the new Religion, which be of their incorporation, charge and Jurisdiction, and shal admonish them in this behalf to conform themselves to his Majesties mind: and if any of them in authority, because of their said estates, will returne to the bosome of the Catholique and Romish Church, it shall be said to them that his Majesty liketh very wel of it, and that he taketh a great and singular affection therin, and that it shal give him the greater assurance and credit of their good will, and that his Majesty will not bar them from his service hereafter, but will provide for them as their behaviour shall deserve. And notwithstanding, for the reasons above-said, hee willeth that they shall cease from the exercise of their estates and offices, untill he otherwise appointeth. And because that in many places of the Realme they have proceeded by way of seazing the goods of them of the new Religion which be dead or absent, and hide themselves: and sometimes of those which be in their owne houses, although his Majesty gave to understand by his Declaration of the 28. of August last, that hee would and intended that they of the new Religion should enjoy their goods, neverthelesse to the intent there should be no doubt of his purpose, and that no mistrust might arise thereupon, he declareth, willeth, and intendeth againe, that according to his Declaration of the 28. of August, they of the new Religion which be living, whether they be present or absent, and bee not culpable or charged with the last conspiration, or to have attempted against his Majesty or his Estate, since his Edict of Pacification, shall be restored to their houses, and put in possession of all and singular their goods moveable or unmoveable. And that the widowes and heires of them that be dead, may and shal succeed them, and apprehend all and singular their goods, and that they shall be maintained in them, and kept under the protection and safeguard of his Majesty, so that no hurt shall be done or said unto them in any manner of wayes or sort. Willing for this purpose that all necessary surety shall be given them, and that all Officers, Magistrates, Majors and others, which have publique charge, shall maine them in all safety, forbidding all persons of what estate, quality or condition soever they be, not to hurt them in person or goods upon pain of death. And neverthelesse his Majesty willeth, that they of the new Opinion shall submit themselves, and promise upon paine to be declared rebels and traitors to his Majesty, that they shall hereafter live under his obedience without attempting any thing to the contrary, or taking their parts that doe attempt against his Majesty and estate, or things against his Ordinances, and to acknowledge none but his Majesty or such as hee shall appoint under him to have authority to command them. And if they know any that shall enterprise against his Majesty and service, to reveale them incontinent to him and his Officers, as good and faithfull subjects. And to take way all doubt and suspition, as well from the Nobility as others, because that in the Declaration of the 24. of the last monethmonth, these words are contained, (Except they be those of the chief, which had commandement for those of the new Opinion, or those which made practises and devises for them, or those which might have had intelligence of the said conspiracy.) His Majesty declareth that he meaneth not of things done and past during the troubles which were before the Edict of Pacification in August 1570. and that there shall be no inquisition thereof, and none shal be troubled in goods or person therefore (but for that respect they shall enjoy the benefit of the Edict of Pacification) but that the said words extend only to those which be found to be guilty or accessary to the last conspiracy done against his Majesty and Estate, and that others which are imprisoned, shal be set at liberty. And as touching them which will make profession of their faith, and return to the Catholike Religion, his Majesty desireth that his Governours and officers shal excite and comfort them as much as they can, to that effect, and execution of that good will: and that their friends and kinsfolkes should also be exhorted to do the like for their part. And if any should hurt them in goods or body, his Majesty willeth ready and speedy execution to be done on them. And to the intent that they may follow the forme which hath bin kept, in professing the faith which they do make that returne to the Apostolique and Romish Church, there is sent herewith a memory thereof.
From Paris the 22. day of Septemb. 1572. Signed CHARLES, and beneath PINART.