The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, Introduction 2 · Section 15 – Section 16

The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France · Introduction 2 · Section 15 – Section 16

p. lxiSECT. XV. The King's Edict for pacifying the Troubles of the Kingdom, made at Nantes in the Month of April, 1598. and publiſhed in Parliament, February 15. 1599. As alſo thoſe particular Articles about it which were afterward verified in Parliament.

HEnry by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre. To all preſent and to come, Greeting.

Among thoſe infinite Favours which God hath been pleaſed graciouſly to vouchſafe unto us, this muſt be confeſſed by all to be one of the moſt remarkable and illuſtrious, that he hath endowed us with that Courage and Vritue, as not to be over-born with thoſe dreadful Troubles, Diſorders, and Confuſions, which we encountered with at our firſt coming unto the Crown. For the Kingdom was then divided into ſo many Parts and Factions, that that which was the moſt juſt and lawful was become the leaſt and weakeſt; and yet notwithſtanding we were ſo ſupported againſt the aſſaults of thoſe ſtorms, that we have at length ſurmounted them, and are now ſafely arriv'd at the Port of Peace, and have ſetled the ſtate in repoſe and tranquillity. For which let God only have the Praiſe and Glory, to whom it is moſt peculiarly due, and let our Subjects alſo be ſenſible of his Grace, and their obligation to us, that he hath honoured us to be his Servant in the Production of ſo good a Work, which, as all of them may ſee, is not only the fruit and effect of our Duty and Authority, but of ſomething elſe, which poſſibly at another time might not have been ſo fit and convenient for our Royal Dignity, expoſed by us without fear unto the greateſt Dangers, as we have very frequently and freely hazarded our Life alſo. And for as much as there was a great concourſe of arduous and perillous Affairs, which could not poſſibly be compoſed all at once, we were neceſſitated to uſe this method, Firſt, to undertake them, which could not be terminated by any other way or means than thoſe of Force and Arms, and to defer and ſuſpend for ſome time the executing and diſpatch of others, which ought and might have been finiſhed by Reaſon and Juſtice; ſuch were thoſe general differences between our Subjects, and thoſe particular Diſeaſes, which had ſeized on the ſounder parts of the State, which we conceived might be more eaſily cured, when as the principal cauſe was removed, which was the continuance of the Civil War. And now having (through the grace of God) well and happily ſucceeded in it, and all Arms and Hoſtilities being wholly ceaſed within the Kingdom, we have great hopes, that we ſhall be as ſucceſsful in thoſe other Affairs, which are yet to be decided, and that by this means we ſhall be enabled to eſtabliſh a good, firm, and durable Peace and Tranquillity, at which we have ever levell'd and aimed in our Vows and Intentions, and which hath been the deſigned prize of all our painful Labours and Travails, undergone by us during the whole courſe of our Life. Among thoſe Affairs which have moſt exerciſed our Patience, the principal and chiefeſt were the Complaints brought in unto us from our Catholick Towns and Provinces, That the exerciſe of the Catholick Religion was not univerſally reſtored, as had been imported by the former Edicts made for pacifying the Troubles occaſioned by Religion: And alſo the Petitions and Remonſtrances tendered to us by our Subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion, for that thoſe Edicts granted them were not at all executed, and for that they deſired ſome further Conceſſions to be accorded to them about the exerciſe of their ſaid Religion, the Liberty of their Conſciences, p. lxiiand the ſecurity of their Perſons, Lives, and Fortunes: They preſuming, that they had too juſt grounds to fear and apprehend new and greater dangers, becauſe of the laſt Troubles and Commotions, of which the firſt and main pretext and foundation was their utter ruine. Wherefore, that we might not overburden our ſelves with too great a load of buſineſſes all at once, and for that the fury of War is incompatible with the Conſtitution of good and wholeſome Laws, we did prudently defer and delay their full and particular ſatisfaction, till ſuch time as we might make the beſt proviſion for them that could be deſired. And now at laſt, through the divine goodneſs, enjoying a greater quiet than ever, we believed, that we could not better employ our ſelves, than in thoſe concerns of the glory of his holy name and ſervice, and that he may he religiouſly adored, invocated, and worſhipped by all our Subjects, and although it be not his good pleaſure to permit at this time, that it ſhould be in one and the ſelf-ſame form and mode of Religion, yet at leaſt that it may be with one and the ſelf-ſame mind and intention, and in ſuch an order and manner, as there may not be any trouble or tumult among them for it, that ſo both we our ſelves, and this Kingdom, may always merit and preſerve that glorious Title entail'd upon us by the noble Atchievements of our Progenitors, of being the Moſt Chriſtian: and ſo by this means to remove the cauſe of all thoſe evils and troubles, which might fall out upon the ſcore and account of Religion, they being of all others the moſt ſpreading, taking, and influential. For theſe reaſons, we knowing that this was an affair of the greateſt importance, and meriting our beſt thoughts and deepeſt conſideration, after we had taken in hand the Bills of Grievances preſented us by our Roman Catholick Subjects, and had permitted our other Subjects of the aforeſaid pretended Reformed Religion, to aſſemble themſelves by their Deputies to prepare their Bills alſo, and to bring them in together with their Remonſtrances unto us, and had ſeveral Conferences with them about thoſe very matters at ſundry and divers times, and reviſed all former Edicts, we have judged needful now upon the whole to give unto all our ſaid Subjects one, and that a general, clear, plain, and abſolute Law, by which they may be ruled and governed in and about all thoſe differences, which have heretofore fallen out, or may hereafter happen and fall out among them, which, 'tis our hope, will moſt effectually contribute to their mutual and full contentment upon all occaſions and emergencies whatſoever. Sith, that we never deliberated nor adviſed with our Privy-Council about it, upon any other ground or reſpect, than that great zeal which we have for God's Service and Glory, and that he may be more religiouſly obeyed and worſhiped by all our ſaid Subjects, and that there might be ſetled and eſtabliſhed among them, a good, and firm, and durable Peace; For the obtaining of which, we do moſt devoutly implore and wait upon his Divine Goodneſs, hoping and expecting the continuance thereof, and of that wonderful Protection and Favour he hath always moſt illuſtriouſly vouchſafed unto this Kingdom, from its firſt Foundations laid many hundred years ago unto this very day, and that he will be ſo merciful unto our ſaid Subjects, as to give them to underſtand, that in the obſervation of this our Law, conſiſts (next and after their duty unto God and us) the principal baſis and ground-work of their Union, Concord, Tranquillity and Peace, and the ſetling and reſtoration of the whole ſtate in its primitive ſplendour, opulency, and power: As we for our part do purpoſe, reſolve and promiſe, to ſee that it be exactly obſerved, without ſuffering it in any manner to be tranſgreſſed or violated. For theſe Cauſes, We with the Advice of the Princes of our Blood, and other Princes and Officers of the Crown, and other great and Honourable Perſons in our Council of State, who are near about us, and attend upon us, having well and diligently pondered and p. lxiiiconſidered this whole affair, we have by this perpetual and irrevocable Edict, ſaid, declared, and Ordained, and we do ſay, declare, and Ordain,

I. In the firſt place, That the ſenſe and remembrance of all matters paſſed both on the one ſide and the other, from the beginning of March in the year 1585. unto the day of our coming unto the Crown, and during all the preceding Troubles, and all cauſes and occaſions of them, ſhall be for ever ſuppreſſed and forgotten, as if they had never been. Nor ſhall it be lawful for our Attorney-Generals, or any other Perſons whatſoever, whether publick or private, at any time, or on any occaſions that may be, to mention, ſue, implead, or proſecute for them in any of our Courts or Juriſdictions whatſoever.

II. We forbid all our Subjects, whatſoever their Eſtate or Quality may be, to revive the memory of paſt matters, or to aſſault, incenſe, injure, provoke, or reproach one the other upon thoſe accounts, or upon any cauſe or pretext whatſoever, to diſpute, contend, or quarrel with, or to wrong and offend any one, either in word or deed; but that they contain themſelves within bounds, and live together peaceably as Brethren, Friends, and Fellow-Citizens, on pain of puniſhing the Tranſgreſſors as Breakers of the Peace, and Diſturbers of the quiet and ſettlement of the Common-wealth.

III. We Ordain, That the Roman, Catholick, and Apoſtolick Religion ſhall be reſtored and ſet up again in all places and quarters of this our Kingdom, and in all other our Dominions ſubject to us, where the exerciſe thereof hath been intermitted, that it may be peaceably and freely exerciſed without any trouble, lett, or hinderance. And we do moſt ſtraitly forbid all Perſons, whatſoever their quality, eſtate, or condition may be, upon the Penalties before-mentioned, to trouble, moleſt, or diſquiet the Eccleſiaſticks in the Celebration of Divine Service, or in the receiving or injoyment of their Tithes, Emoluments and Revenues of their Benefices, and of all other rights and duties appertaining to them. And that all perſons, who in the late troubles, have ſeized upon Churches, Houſes, Goods and Revenues belonging to the ſaid Eccleſiaſticks, and who do poſſeſs and occupy them, do entirely relinquiſh the ſame, and do peaceably reſign and yield up their poſſeſſion and enjoyment of them, and of all rights, priviledges and ſecurities unto thoſe Churchmen who are diſſeized of them. Moreover we do moſt ſtraitly forbid all thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, to have any Sermons preached, or any other exerciſe of their Religion aforeſaid in any Churches, Houſes, or other Habitations of thoſe the ſaid Eccleſiaſticks.

IV. And the ſaid Eccleſiaſticks ſhall have full liberty to buy thoſe Houſes and Edifices which have been built, not upon holy but profane grounds, taken from them in the late troubles, or to compel the Poſſeſſors of the ſaid Buildings to purchaſe the land of them, at a certain rate and price, which ſhall be eſtimated and ſet upon it by perſons of judgment and experience in ſuch matters, and for which both the Parties ſhall agree. And in caſe of non-agreement between them, the Judges of thoſe places ſhall determine, ſaving always to the ſaid Poſſeſſors, that they may have recourſe at Law againſt the Proprietors. And in thoſe places in which the ſaid Eccleſiaſticks ſhall compel the ſaid Poſſeſſors to buy the Land, the Moneys accruing from the ſaid purchace ſhall not be paid into their hands, but the ſaid Poſſeſſors ſhall be accountable for them, and ſhall pay intereſt for them at the rate of five p. lxivper Cent. until ſuch time as the Principal may be better diſpoſed for the profit of the Church. All which ſhall be done within the term and ſpace of one year. And when as that time ſhall be laps'd, if the ſaid Purchaſer ſhall refuſe to pay any longer the ſaid rent of Intereſt, he ſhall be acquitted, by delivering up the purchace-moneys into the hands of a ſufficient reſponſible Perſon, by the authority of a Judg. And as for places Conſecrated, there ſhall be an eſpecial care taken by thoſe Commiſſioners, who ſhall be appointed to put this preſent Edict in Execution, according to particular Orders and Inſtructions, which they ſhall receive from us.

V. However no grounds nor places occupied in the repairing and fortifying of the Cities and Garriſons of our Kingdom, nor any of the materials employed therein ſhall be claimed or redemanded by thoſe Eccleſiaſticks, nor by any other publick or private Perſons, unleſs the ſaid Reparations and Fortifications ſhall be demoliſhed by expreſs Orders from us.

VI. And that we may leave no occaſion of troubles and differences among our Subjects, we have permitted, and do permit all thoſe who profeſs the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, to live and dwell in all Towns, Cities, and places whatſoever of this our Kingdom, without ever being ſued, vexed, moleſted, or conſtrained to do any thing upon the account of their Religion againſt their Conſcience, nor ſhall they by reaſon thereof be examined or ſearched for in thoſe Houſes and places in which they would inhabit, they always behaving themſelves in all things according to the import of this preſent Edict.

VII. We have alſo permitted unto all Lords, Gentlemen, and other Perſons, as well Natives of the Kingdom as others, who make profeſſion of the ſaid Reformed Religion, and have in this our Kingdom, and the Land of our Obedience, the priviledge of High Juſtice, i. e. Authority to judge and determine in Criminal and Capital matters, or a whole Fief of Haubert, i. e. to ſerve us compleatly armed in our Wars (as there be many ſuch in our Dukedom of Normandy) whether they hold it as Proprietors, or as Uſufructuaries, in the whole, or by the moiety, or by a third part, to have in any one of their Houſes of High Juſtice aforeſaid, or Fiefs aforeſaid, which they ſhall be bound to nominate before every one of our Bayliffs and Seneſchals, in his or their reſpective diſtricts, for their principal dwelling Houſe, the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion, as long as they ſhall reſide in it, and in their abſence, whilſt their Wives, or their Family, or elſe any part of it is there. And although the right of Juſtice, or the Fief of Haubert ſhould be controverted, yet nevertheleſs the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion may be there performed, provided that thoſe perſons aforeſaid who profeſs the ſaid Religion, be in actual poſſeſſion of the ſaid High Juſtice; yea, and although our Attorney-General himſelf were the Party againſt them. We do alſo permit them to have the ſaid exerciſe in all their other Houſes of High Juſtice, or Fiefs of Haubert aforeſaid, at all times when as they are preſent in them, but not otherwiſe. The whole as well for themſelves, their Family, their Tenants, and all other perſons whatſoever who ſhall pleaſe to go unto the ſaid Houſes for Religious Worſhip.

VIII. But in thoſe Houſes of Fiefs, where thoſe of the ſaid Religion have not the priviledge of high Juſtice, or Fief of Haubert, they ſhall injoy the exerciſe of their Religion for their Families only. Yet nevertheleſs, if other p. lxvperſons, even to the number of thirty over and above the Family ſhould come thither, whether it be upon the occaſion of Baptiſms, or Friendly Viſits, or otherwiſe, 'tis not our intention that they ſhall be ſought after for this; provided always thoſe Houſes aforeſaid be not in any Cities, Towns, or Villages, belonging unto Catholick Lords, who have the right and priviledge of high Juſtice, as we our ſelf have, and in which the ſaid Catholick Lords have their Houſes: In which caſe thoſe of the ſaid Religion may not exerciſe it in the ſaid Cities, Towns, or Villages, unleſs it be by Permiſſion and Licence from the ſaid Lords High Juſticers, and not otherwiſe.

IX. We do alſo permit unto thoſe of the ſaid Religion to have and continue the exerciſe thereof in all Cities and Places under our Obedience, in which it had been eſtabliſhed and publickly ſolemnized for ſundry and divers times in the year one thouſand, five hundred, ninety and ſix, and in the year one thouſand, five hundred, ninety and ſeven, until the end of Auguſt laſt, notwithſtanding any Decrees or Judgments to the contrary.

X. Moreover the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion may be eſtabliſhed and reſtored in all Cities and places in which it was eſtabliſhed, or ought to have been eſtabliſhed by the Edict of Pacification made in the year 1577. and according to the ſecret Articles and Conferences made and held at Nerac and Fleix: nor ſhall the ſaid eſtabliſhment be in the leaſt hindred in the Lands of thoſe Towns and places given by the ſaid Edict, Articles, and Conferences for the places of Bailywicks, or which may be hereafter, although they may have been ſince alienated unto Perſons of the Roman Catholick Religion, or may be hereafter alienated unto ſuch. But yet nevertheleſs 'tis not our mind nor meaning, that the exerciſe of the Religion aforeſaid, ſhould be reſtored in thoſe places and dwellings of the ſaid Demeans, which were formerly poſſeſſed by thoſe of the pretended Reformed Religion, in which it had been ſet up out of pure reſpect unto their perſons, or becauſe of the priviledges of thoſe Fiefs, if now thoſe Fiefs aforeſaid be at preſent poſſeſſed by perſons profeſſing the ſaid Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Religion.

XI. Moreover in every one of thoſe ancient Bailywicks, Seneſchallies, and Governments, and reputed Bailywicks, clearly and immediately depending upon our Courts of Parliament, We do Ordain, That in the Suburbs of one Town, over and beſides thoſe other Towns, which have been accorded to them by the ſaid Edict, ſecret Articles, and Conferences, and in ſuch Bailywicks where there be no Towns, there ſhall be a certain determined place in a Burrough or Village of the ſaid Bailywicks, in which the exerciſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, ſhall be publickly performed by all perſons whatſoever, who will go unto it; although that in the ſaid Bailywicks, Seneſchallies, and Governments, there be already ſeveral other places in which the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion is eſtabliſhed, excepting always by the ſaid place of Bailywick newly granted by this preſent Edict, thoſe Cities in which there is a Biſhoprick, or Archbiſhoprick: but yet this ſhall not in the leaſt prejudice thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, ſo as to diſable them from demanding or nominating, for the ſaid place of Worſhip, the Burroughs and Villages near unto the ſaid Cities; excepting alſo the places and Lordſhips belonging unto the Eccleſiaſticks, in which 'tis not our Intention that the ſaid ſecond place of Bailywick ſhould he eſtabliſhed: We having out of our ſpecial Grace and Favour excepted and reſerved them. And we will and underſtand, that by and under the p. lxviname of ancient Bailywicks, be meant thoſe which were in being during the Reign of our Honoured Lord and Father-in-Law, the late King Henry the Second, and were reputed for Bailywicks, Seneſchallies, and Governments depending immediately on the Juriſdiction of our Courts aforeſaid.

XII. Nor do we intend by this preſent Edict to derogate from thoſe Edicts and Grants, which we have formerly made for the reducing of divers Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, and Catholick Towns unto our obedience by any thing which concerneth the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion; which Edicts and Grants ſhall be maintained and obſerved in this particular, according to the import of thoſe Inſtructions, which ſhall be given by us unto thoſe Commiſſioners, who ſhall be appointed for the executing of this preſent Edict.

XIII. We do moſt ſtrictly forbid all thoſe of the ſaid Religion to exerciſe any part thereof, whether as to the Miniſtry, or Order, or Diſcipline, or publick Inſtruction of Children, and any others in this our Kingdom, or any Lands under our Dominion, in what concerneth the ſaid Religion, unleſs in thoſe places permitted and granted by this preſent Edict.

XIV. As alſo there ſhall be no exerciſe of the ſaid Religion in our Court or Retinue, nor in our Territories or Countries on the other ſide of the Alps, nor alſo in our City of Paris, nor within five Leagues of the ſaid City. Yet notwithſtanding the Profeſſors of the ſaid Religion, who live in the Territories and Countries on the other ſide of the Alps, and in our ſaid City, and within five Leagues thereof, ſhall not be ſought after in their Houſes, nor be obliged to do any thing upon the account of the Religion aforeſaid againſt their Conſciences, provided that they do in all other things demean themſelves according to the import of this preſent Edict.

XV. Nor may the publick exerciſe of the ſaid Religion be performed in our Armies, unleſs in the Quarters of the Chieftains profeſſing the ſaid Religion; excepting always the place where our Royal Perſon ſhall be Lodged.

XVI. In purſuance of the ſecond Article of the Conference at Nerac, we do not permit thoſe of the ſaid Religion to build places for its exerciſe in thoſe Towns and places, where we have granted it unto them; and thoſe which they have already built ſhall be reſtored to them, or the Landlord of them, in that condition in which it is at preſent, and that in thoſe places, where the ſaid exerciſe is not permitted them, unleſs they have been ſince converted into ſome other kind of Buildings. In which caſe, they, who now poſſeſs the ſaid Edifices, and Buildings, Lands and places of equal price and value, according as they were rated, before they had built them, or their juſt price, as they ſhall be eſtimated by perſons of skill and judgment in ſuch matters. Saving always to the ſaid Proprietors and Poſſeſſors their recourſe againſt all to whom they may belong.

XVII. We forbid all Preachers, Readers, and other Perſons, who ſpeak in publick, to uſe any words, diſcourſes, or talk, which tendeth to ſtir up the People unto Sedition. Yea, we have enjoined, and do enjoin and Command them to contain and deport themſelves ſoberly, and to ſpeak nothing but p. lxviiwhat may be for the inſtruction and edification of their Hearers, and that they maintain the repoſe and tranquillity eſtabliſhed by us in our ſaid Kingdom under thoſe penalties expreſſed in our former Edicts. Enjoining moſt ſtrictly our Attorneys General, and their Subſtitutes, that according to the duties of their Office they do make information againſt thoſe who ſhall break and tranſgreſs this our Law, upon pain of anſwering for it in their own private and particular Capacities, and of forfeiting their Offices.

XVIII. We do alſo forbid all our Subjects of whatever quality or condition they may be, to take away by force, or by inticements, againſt the will of their Parents, the Children of thoſe of the ſaid Religion, and to cauſe them to be baptized or confirmed in the Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Church; as alſo the ſame Prohibitions are made by us againſt thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, and all this on pain of exemplary puniſhment.

XIX. The Profeſſors of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, ſhall not be in any manner conſtrained, nor ſtand obliged by reaſon of Abjurations, Promiſes, and Oaths, which they have made heretofore, or for any ſecurities given by them, upon the account of the ſaid Religion, nor ſhall they be moleſted nor troubled in any manner whatſoever.

XX. They ſhall be bound alſo to keep and obſerve the Holy-Days Commanded by the Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Church, nor may they work, ſell, nor keep open Shops on thoſe Days, nor may Artificers work out of their Shops, unleſs it be in their Chambers, and Houſes cloſe ſhut upon thoſe Holy-Days, and other days prohibited, in any Trade, ſo that the noiſe thereof ſhould be heard without by the Paſſengers or Neighbours. However none but the Officers of Juſtice ſhall make inquiry after it.

XXI. Nor may any Books of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion be Printed or ſold publickly, unleſs in thoſe Towns and Places where the publick Exerciſe of the ſaid Religion is allowed. And as for other Books, which ſhall be imprinted in other Towns, they ſhall be ſeen and peruſed, as well by our Officers as by Divines; according to the import of our Decrees. And we do moſt ſtrictly forbid the Imprinting, Publiſhing, and Sale of all Books, Libels, and defamatory Writings, under the Penalties contained in our Decrees; and we enjoin all our Judges and other Officers to look carefully unto it.

XXII. We do Ordain, That there ſhall be no difference nor diſtinction made upon the account of Religion, in the receiving of Scholars for their Education in Univerſities, Colledges, and Schools, and of ſick and poor Perſons into Hoſpitals, and Spittles, or to the participation of publick Alms.

XXIII. Thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion ſhall be obliged to keep the Laws of the Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Church, received in this our Kingdom about Marriages Contracted, or to be Contracted within the degrees of Conſanguinity and Affinity.

p. lxviiiXXIV. In like manner thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall pay according to the uſual Cuſtom, the Fees for entrance into thoſe Offices and Charges, which are beſtowed upon them, without ever being compelled to aſſiſt at any Ceremonies contrary to their ſaid Religion: and when ever they be called to take an Oath, they ſhall not be obliged to do it in any other manner than by liſting up of their Hand, Swearing and promiſing by God, that they will ſpeak the truth, nor ſhall they be bound to take out a Diſpenſation for that Oath given by them in paſſing of Contracts and Obligations.

XXV. We Will and Ordain, That all thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, and all others who have followed their Party, of whatſoever eſtate, quality or condition they may be, ſhall be bound and conſtrained by all due and reaſonable ways, and under the penalties contained in our Edicts, to pay and deliver unto Curates, and other Eccleſiaſticks, and to any other Perſons to whom they do belong, the Tithes, according to the uſe and cuſtom of the places in which they be.

XXVI. All diſinheritings or privations, made either by diſpoſition of the Living, or Teſtamentary of the dying out of hatred, or upon the account of Religion only, ſhall no more take place, either for time paſt, or for the future, among our ſaid Subjects.

XXVII. And that we may uſe our beſt skill for reuniting the hearts of our Subjects, as it is our Intention, and that we may take out of the way all Complaints for the future, We do declare, that all thoſe who do or ſhall make profeſſion of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, ſhall be capable of holding and exerciſing all publick, Royal, or Seignoral Eſtates, Dignities, Offices, and Charges whatſoever, or in and belonging to the Cities of our Kingdom, the Countries, Territories, and Lordſhips under our Obedience, notwithſtanding all Oaths to the contrary; and they ſhall be indifferently admitted and received into them, and our Courts of Parliament ſhall content themſelves and all other Judges with an Information and Enquiry, into the Life, Manners, Religion, and civil Converſation of thoſe, who ſhall be provided unto thoſe Offices, as well of the one Religion as of the other, without exacting from them any other Oath than to ſerve the King well and faithfully in the exerciſe of their Charges, and to keep the Laws, as hath been in all times obſerved. And when as ever thoſe ſaid Eſtates, Charges, and Offices ſhall become vacant, which are in our gift and diſpoſal, we will beſtow them indifferently, and without diſtinction of perſons, upon thoſe who are capable of them, as being a matter tending very much to the Union of our Subjects. And 'tis our mind and meaning, that thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, ſhall be admitted and received into all Councils, Deliberations, Aſſemblies, and Functions which depend upon thoſe matters aforeſaid; ſo that upon the account of the ſaid Religion they may not be excluded, nor hindred from the injoyment of them.

XXVIII. And we do Ordain, That in all Cities and places of this Kingdom, there ſhall be ſpeedily provided in every one of them, by our Officers and Magiſtrates, and by thoſe Commiſſioners, whom we ſhall Conſtitute for the executing of this our preſent Edict, a place as commodious as may be for the Interrment of the dead of the ſaid Religion. And thoſe Burying places, p. lxixwhich they have had heretofore, and of which they have been deprived by reaſon of the late troubles, whatever their quality was, ſhall be reſtored to them, unleſs that it appear, that they be now at preſent occupied by Edifices and Buildings, in which caſe they ſhall be provided of ſome others freely.

XXIX. We moſt ſtraitly injoin our ſaid Officers to put to their hand, that there be no ſcandal committed at the ſaid Interrments; and they ſhall be bound within a fortnight after it ſhall be required of them, to provide for thoſe of the ſaid Religion a commodious place for the ſaid Burials, without uſing any protractions or delays, on pain of being fined in their own private Capacities the ſumm of five hundred Crowns. And the ſaid Officers and all other perſons are forbidden to exact any thing for the convoying of the dead Corps, upon pain of being guilty of Extorſion.

XXX. That Juſtice may be rendred and adminiſtred unto our Subjects without any ſuſpicion of hatred or favour, which is one of the chiefeſt means to preſerve them in Peace and Concord, we have Ordained, and do Ordain, that there ſhall be eſtabliſhed in our Court of Parliament at Paris a Chamber compoſed of a Preſident and ſixteen Counſellors of the ſaid Parliament, which ſhall be called and entitled the Chamber of the Edict, and it ſhall not only take cogniſance of the cauſes and proceſſes of thoſe who profeſs the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, and live within the Juriſdiction of the ſaid Court, but alſo in the Diſtricts and Juriſdiction of our Parliaments of Normandy and Brittain, according to that Authority which ſhall be attributed to it by this preſent Edict, and this until ſuch time as in every one of thoſe Parliaments there ſhall be a Chamber eſtabliſhed to diſtribute Juſtice upon the Places. We do alſo farther Ordain, that of four Offices of Counſellors in our Parliament aforeſaid remaining of our laſt Erection, four Perſons profeſſing the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, being qualified and capable of them, and the ſaid Offices be vacant and to be diſtributed, ſhall be inveſted with them, and received into the ſaid Parliament; to wit, the firſt ſhall be received in the ſaid Chamber of the Edict, and the other three in order ſhall be received into the three Chambers of Inqueſts. Moreover that of the two firſt Offices of Lay-Counſellors, which become vacant by death, two perſons profeſſing the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, ſhall be provided of them, and theſe being received ſhall alſo be diſtributed into the two other Chambers of Inqueſts.

XXXI. Beſides that Chamber heretofore eſtabliſhed at Caſtres, for the Extent and Juriſdiction of our Court of Parliament of Thoulouſe, which ſhall be continued in the ſtate in which it is; We have for the ſelf-ſame Conſiderations Ordained, and do Ordain, that in every one of our Courts of Parliament of Grenoble and Bourdeaux, there ſhall be in like manner a Chamber eſtabliſhed compoſed of two Preſidents, the one a Catholick, and the other of the pretended Reformed Religion, and of twelve Counſellors, ſix of whom ſhall be Catholicks, and the other ſix of the ſaid Religion, which Catholick Preſidents and Counſellors ſhall be taken and choſen by us out of the Bodies of our Courts aforeſaid. And as for thoſe of the ſaid Religion, there ſhall be a new Creation of a Preſident and ſix Counſellors for the Parliament of Bourdeaux, and of a Preſident and three Counſellors for that of Grenoble, who together with thoſe three Counſellors of the ſaid Religion, who are now in the ſaid Parliament, ſhall be imployed in the ſaid Chamber of Dolphiny. And the ſaid Offices of the new Creation ſhall be Created to the ſame Wages, p. lxxHonours, Authorities, and Preheminencies as thoſe others in the ſaid Courts. And the ſaid Chamber of Bourdeaux, ſhall ſit either at Bourdeaux, or at Nerac, and that of Dolphiny at Grenoble.

XXXII. The ſaid Chamber of Dolphiny ſhall take cogniſance of the Cauſes of thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion within the Juriſdiction of our Parliament of Provence, they not needing to take out Letters of Evocation, or other Proviſions, but in our Chancery of Dolphiny: As alſo thoſe of the ſaid Religion in Normandy and Brittaine, ſhall not be obliged to take out Letters of Evocation, nor other Proviſions but from our Court of Chancery in Paris.

XXXIII. Our Subjects of the Reformed Religion in the Juriſdiction of the Parliament of Burgundy, ſhall according to their will and choice, plead in the Chamber ordained for that purpoſe, either in the Parliament of Paris, or in that of Dolphiny. And they alſo ſhall not be bound to take out Letters of Evocation, nor any other proviſions, unleſs from out of the ſaid Chanceries of Paris or Dolphiny, at their choice and pleaſure.

XXXIV. All theſe ſaid Chambers compoſed as aforeſaid ſhall take cogniſance, try and judge Soveraignly, and without Appeal, by Decree, privatively of all others, of all Suits and Differences moved or to be moved, in which thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion ſhall be the principal Parties, or Defendants, in demanding or defending, in all matters, as well Civil as Criminal, whether the ſaid Suits and Proceſſes be by writing, or by verbal Appeals, and if it ſeem good unto the ſaid Parties, and one of them do require it before the Cauſe come to be conteſted, with reſpect unto the Proceſſes which may be moved; excepting always all matters beneficiary, and the Poſſeſſors of Tithes not impropriated, Patronages of Churches, and thoſe Cauſes in which the rights and duties, and Demean of the Church ſhall be debated, all which ſhall be tryed and judged in the Courts of Parliament, without granting any power unto the ſaid Chambers of the Edict to take Cogniſance of them. As alſo we will, that when as Criminal Proceſſes ſhall fall out between the ſaid Eccleſiaſticks, and thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion: if the Eccleſiaſtical Perſon be Defendant, in this Caſe the Cogniſance and Judgments of the Criminal Proceſs ſhall belong unto our Soveraign Courts, privatively of the ſaid Chambers: or if the ſaid Eccleſiaſtical Perſon be Plaintiff, and he of the ſaid Religion Defendant, the Cogniſance and Judgment of the ſaid Criminal Proceſs ſhall belong by Appeal, and finally without Appeal unto thoſe Chambers beforeſaid eſtabliſhed. Moreover thoſe ſaid Chambers ſhall take Cogniſance in times of Vacations of matters attributed by the Edicts and Ordinances unto the Chambers eſtabliſhed in time of Vacation, every one of them in their Juriſdiction.

XXXV. The ſaid Chamber of Grenoble ſhall be from this inſtant united and incorporated with the Body of the ſaid Court of Parliament, and the Preſidents and Counſellers of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, ſhall be accounted and called the Preſidents and Counſellors of the ſaid Court, and ſhall be reckoned and taken in the rank, quality, and number of them. And for theſe ends they ſhall be firſt diſtributed by the other Chambers, and then extracted and drawn out from among them to be imployed and ſerve in that which we ordain anew; but always on this condition, that they ſhall aſſiſt, and have Voice and Seſſions in all Deliberations that ſhall be made, p. lxxiwhen as the Chambers are Aſſembled: and they ſhall enjoy the ſame Sallaries, Authorities and Preheminencies, which the other Preſidents and Counſellors of the ſaid Court do.

XXXVI. We will, and it is our mind and intention, that the ſaid Chambers of Caſtres and Bourdeaux, ſhall be reunited and incorporated in thoſe Parliaments in the ſame form as others, when as there ſhall be need of it, and that the Cauſes which have moved us to make the eſtabliſhment ſhall ceaſe, and there ſhall be no place left for them among our Subjects: And to this purpoſe the Preſidents and Counſellors in them of the ſaid Religion, ſhall be accounted and held for Preſidents and Counſellors of the ſaid Courts.

XXXVII. There ſhall be alſo a new Creation and Erection in the Chamber Ordained for the Parliament of Bourdeaux, of two Subſtitutes of our Attorney and Advocate-Generals, one of which ſaid Proctors ſhall be a Catholick, and another of the ſaid Religion, who ſhall be poſſeſſed of the ſaid Offices with competent Sallaries.

XXXVIII. And the ſaid Subſtitutes ſhall not take unto themſelves any other quality than that of Subſtitutes, and when as the Chambers ordained for the Parliaments of Tholouſe and Bourdeaux ſhall be united and incorporated with the ſaid Parliaments, the ſaid Subſtitutes ſhall be provided of Offices of Counſellors in them.

XXXIX. The Diſpatches of the Chancery of Bourdeaux ſhall be made in preſence of two Counſellors of that Chamber, one of which ſhall be a Catholick, and the other of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, in the abſence of one of the Maſters of Requeſts of our Houſhold. And one of the Notaries and Secretaries of the ſaid Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux, ſhall make his Reſidence in the place where the ſaid Chamber ſhall be eſtabliſhed, or elſe one of the ordinary Secretaries of the Chancery, to ſign the Diſpatches of the ſaid Chancery.

XL. We Will and Ordain, That in the ſaid Chamber of Bourdeaux there ſhall be two of the Regiſter of the ſaid Parliament, the one for Civil, the other for Criminal Cauſes, who ſhall diſcharge their Offices by our Commiſſions, and ſhall be called the Deputies or Commiſſioners in the Civil and Criminal Office of the Regiſter, who notwithſtanding may not be abandoned nor revoked by the ſaid Regiſters in Parliament: Yet nevertheleſs they ſhall be bound to bring in the Emoluments of the ſaid Regiſters Office unto the ſaid Regiſters, and the ſaid Deputies ſhall be paid their Sallaries by the ſaid Regiſters, as it ſhall be adviſed and arbitrated by the ſaid Chamber. Moreover it ſhall be ordained, that the Catholick Uſhers ſhall be taken out of the ſaid Court, or from elſewhere, according to, our pleaſure; over and beſides which there ſhall be two new ones erected of the ſaid Reformed Religion, and who ſhall be put into thoſe places without payment of Fine or Fees. And all thoſe ſaid Uſhers ſhall be regulated by the ſaid Chamber, as well for the exerciſe and diviſion of their offices, as for the Emoluments, which they are to receive. There ſhall be alſo ſet up by Commiſſion, a Payer of Wages, and Receiver of Fines in the ſaid Chamber, which office ſhall be given by us to whom we pleaſe, in caſe the ſaid Chamber be eſtabliſhed any where elſe than in the ſaid City. And that Commiſſion formerly granted unto the Payer of Wages in the Chamber of p. lxxiiCaſtres, ſhall be in full power and effect, and the Commiſſion of the Receit of the Fines in the ſaid Chamber ſhall be joined unto the ſaid Office.

XLI. There ſhall be good and ſufficient Aſſignments made for the Officers Wages in the Chambers ordained by this Edict.

XLII. The Preſidents, Counſellors, and other Catholick Officers of the ſaid Chambers, ſhall be continued as long as may be, and as we ſhall ſee meet for our ſervice, and the benefit of our Subjects; and when any one ſhall be diſmiſſed, others ſhall be provided and put into their places before their departure, without ever being able, during the time of their ſervice, to depart, or abſent themſelves from the ſaid Chambers without leave, of which a judgment ſhall be made according to the Cauſes of that Ordinance.

XLIII. The ſaid Chambers ſhall be eſtabliſhed within ſix Months; till which time, (if the ſaid Eſtabliſhment ſhould be ſo long delayed) the Proceſſes moved, or that may be moved, in which thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall be Parties, within the Juriſdictions of our Parliaments of Paris, Rouen, Dijon, and Rennes, ſhall be called out unto the Chamber which is now eſtabliſhed at Paris, by vertue of the Edict made in the year 1577. or elſe unto the great Council, at the choice and will of thoſe of the ſaid Religion, in caſe they ſhall require it. Thoſe which ſhall be of the Juriſdiction of the Parliament of Bourdeaux unto the Chamber eſtabliſhed in Caſtres, or unto the great Council, at their choice; and thoſe which ſhall be of Provence, unto the Parliament of Grenoble. And if the ſaid Chambers be not eſtabliſhed within three Months after this our preſent Edict ſhall have been tendered to thoſe our Parliaments, that Parliament which ſhall refuſe ſo to do, ſhall be interdicted the Cogniſance and Judgment of their Cauſes who profeſs the ſaid Reformed Religion.

XLIV. The Proceſſes which are not as yet judged, hanging in the ſaid Courts of Parliament and great Council, of the quality beforeſaid, in whatſoever eſtate they may be, ſhall be diſmiſſed over unto the ſaid Chambers, and to their reſpective Juriſdictions, if one of the Parties being of the ſaid Religion do ſo require it, within four Months after their Eſtabliſhment: and as for thoſe which ſhall be diſcontinued, and are not yet in a condition to be judged, thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall be bound to make Declaration at the firſt intimation and ſignification that ſhall be made them of their being proſecuted, and the ſaid time being lapſed, they ſhall not be any more admitted to require ſuch Diſmiſſions.

XLV. The ſaid Chambers of Grenoble, and Bourdeaux, as alſo that of Caſtres, ſhall keep to the Forms, and Stile of the Parliaments, in whoſe Juriſdiction they ſhall be eſtabliſhed, and ſhall give judgment in an equal number, both of the one and other Religion, unleſs the Parties do conſent that it ſhould be otherwiſe.

XLVI. All Judges to whom the Executions of Decrees, Commiſſions of the ſaid Chambers, and the Letters obtained out of their Chanceries ſhall be directed, as alſo all Uſhers and Sergeants ſhall be bound to put them in Execution, and the ſaid Uſhers and Sergeants ſhall execute all Warrants throughout our Kingdom, without demanding a Placet, or a Viſa ne pareatis, on p. lxxiiipain of being ſuſpended from their Offices, and of paying the expences, dammages, and Intereſts of the Parties, the Cogniſance of which ſhall appertain unto thoſe Parties aforeſaid.

XLVII. There ſhall be no Evocations of Cauſes granted, the Cogniſance of which belongeth unto the ſaid Chambers, unleſs in the Caſe of Ordinances, which ſhall be diſmiſſed unto the next Chamber eſtabliſhed according to our Edict, and the Diviſion of the Proceſſes of the ſaid Chambers ſhall be judged of in the next, obſerving the proportion and forms of the ſaid Chambers, from which the Proceſſes ſhall be iſſued out; excepting for the Chamber of the Edict to our Parliament of Paris, where the ſeveral Proceſſes ſhall be divided in the ſelf-ſame Chamber by thoſe Judges, which ſhall be appointed by us, and by our particular Letters to this very purpoſe; unleſs the ſaid Parties would rather wait for the Renovation of the ſaid Chamber. And if it ſo fall out that one and the ſame Proceſs ſhould be divided among all thoſe mixed Chambers, then the Diviſion ſhall be diſmiſſed over to the ſaid Chamber of Paris.

XLVIII. When as there be exceptions made againſt the Preſidents and Counſellors of the mixed Chambers, they ſhall be only made againſt ſix of them, to which number the excepting Parties ſhall be bound to confine themſelves; but if they will not, then there ſhall be a proceeding unto Tryal, without any regard had of the ſaid Exceptions.

XLIX. The Examen of the Preſidents and Counſellors newly erected, in the ſaid mixed Chambers, ſhall be made in our Privy-Council, or by the ſaid Chambers, every one in his Diſtrict, when as there ſhall be a ſufficient number of them: and yet nevertheleſs the Oath accuſtomed ſhall be taken by them in the Courts where thoſe ſaid Chambers ſhall be eſtabliſhed; and if they refuſe it in our Privy-Council; thoſe of Languedoc always excepted, who ſhall make Oath before our Chancellor, or in that Chamber.

L. We Will and Ordain, that the Reception of our Officers of the ſaid Religion ſhall be adjudged in the ſaid mixed Chambers by plurality of Voices, as it hath been accuſtomed to be done in other Judgments, without any need of having more than two thirds of the Suffrages, according to that Ordinance, from which in this reſpect only there is a derogation.

LI. In the ſaid mixed Chambers ſhall be handled the Propoſitions, Deliberations, and Reſolutions which belong unto the publick Peace, and the particular Eſtate and Government of the Towns in which thoſe Chambers ſhall be.

LII. That Article of the Juriſdiction of the ſaid Chambers, Ordained by this preſent Edict, ſhall be followed and obſerved according to its form and tenour, yea, and as to all concerns about the Execution, or Unexecution, or Infraction of our Edicts, when as thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall be Parties.

LIII. The Subalternate Royal Officers, or others, whoſe Reception appertaineth to our Courts of Parliament, if they be of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, may be examined and received in the ſaid Chambers: To wit, p. lxxivthoſe of the Juriſdictions of the Parliaments of Paris, Normandy, and Brittaine, in the ſaid Chamber of Paris; thoſe of Dolphiny and Provence, in the Chamber of Grenoble; thoſe of Burgundy in the Chamber of Paris, or of Dolphiny, at their own choice; thoſe of the Juriſdiction of Tholouſe in the Chamber of Castres, and thoſe of the Parliament of Bourdeaux in the Chamber of Guienne, nor may any other Perſons oppoſe their Reception, or become Parties againſt them, unleſs our Attorneys-General, or their Subſtitutes, and thoſe who be provided unto the ſaid Offices. Yet nevertheleſs the accuſtomed Oath ſhall be taken by them in the Courts of Parliament, which hath no power to take any Cogniſance of their ſaid Receptions; and in caſe thoſe ſaid Parliaments ſhould refuſe, the ſaid Officers ſhall take their Oaths in the ſaid Chambers, and after they have ſo took it, they ſhall be bound to preſent by an Uſher or Notary the Act of their Receptions unto the Regiſters of the ſaid Courts of Parliament, and to leave a Copy thereof collationed with the ſaid Regiſters, who are injoined to Regiſter thoſe ſaid Acts, upon pain of the expences, dammages, and intereſts of the Parties; and in caſe the ſaid Regiſters ſhall refuſe ſo to do, it ſhall be enough for the ſaid Officers to make report of the ſaid Citation expedited by the ſaid Uſhers or Notary, and to cauſe it to be recorded in the Regiſter of their own Juriſdiction, that ſo they may have recourſe unto it when ever they ſhall need it, on pain of a nullity in all proceedings and judgments whatſoever. And as for thoſe Officers who were never uſed to be received in thoſe ſaid Parliaments, in caſe thoſe to whom it doth belong, ſhould refuſe to proceed unto the ſaid Examen and Reception, the ſaid Officers ſhall betake themſelves unto the ſaid Chambers, to be provided for as in that caſe it behoveth.

LIV. The Officers of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, who ſhall be hereafter appointed to ſerve in the body of our Courts of Parliament aforeſaid, in the great Council, Chamber of Accompts, Courts of Aid, Courts of the General-Treaſurers of France, and other Officers of the Exchequer, ſhall be examined and received in thoſe places where they have been accuſtomed to be, and in caſe of refuſal, or denyal of Juſtice, they ſhall be provided for by our Privy-Council.

LV. The Reception of our Officers made in the Chamber formerly eſtabliſhed at Caſtres, ſhall remain in force, notwithſtanding all Decrees, and Orders to the contrary. And the Reception of Judges, Counſellors, Comptrollers, and other Officers of the ſaid Religion made in our Privy-Council, or by Commiſſioners ordained by us upon the refuſal made by our Courts of Parliament, of Aids, and Chambers of Accompts, ſhall be valid as if they had been done in the ſaid Courts and Chambers, and by thoſe other Judges to whom the Reception doth belong: And their Salaries ſhall be allowed by the Chambers of Accompts, without any difficulty. And in caſe any of them hath been raſed, they ſhall be reſtored, without needing any other Command than this preſent Edict, and without binding the ſaid Officers to cauſe any other Reception to appear; notwithſtanding all Decrees given unto the contrary, which ſhall abide null, and void, and of none effect.

LVI. And till that there be ſome way and means found out for defraying the charges of Juſtice in the ſaid Chambers out of the Fines and Mulcts, that may be levied, we ſhall take care to provide ſome valuable and ſufficient Aſſignments for the paying of thoſe Charges, excepting always our redemanding the ſaid ſumms out of the Goods and Eſtates of Condemned Perſons.

p. lxxvLVII. Preſidents and Counſellors of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, who were formerly received in our Court of Parliament of Dolphiny, and in the Chamber of the Edict incorporated with it, ſhall continue, and have their Seſſions, and Orders in it, that is to ſay, The Preſidents as they have enjoyed, and do enjoy them at preſent, and the Counſellors according to the Decrees and Proviſions which they have obtained in our Privy-Council.

LVIII. We declare all Sentences, Judgments, Arreſts, Proceedings, Seizures, Sales, and Decrees made and given againſt thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, as well living as dead, ſince the Death of the late King Henry the Second, our Moſt Honoured Lord and Father-in-Law, upon accompt of the ſaid Religion, the tumults and troubles ſince happened, together with the execution of thoſe Judgments and Decrees from this preſent to be broken, revoked, and diſannulled, and we do break, revoke, and diſannul them. We ordain alſo; that they ſhall be raſed and taken out of the Regiſters Office, and the Courts, as well Soveraign as Inferiour. As it is alſo our will, that all Marks, Prints, and Monuments of theſe Executions aforeſaid, Books, and defamatory Acts againſt their Perſons, Memories, and Poſterity, ſhall be removed and blotted out: And that the places in which upon this occaſion there have been demolitions and ruins, ſhall be reſtored in that Eſtate in which they are at preſent unto their Proprietors, who may enjoy and diſpoſe of them as beſt pleaſeth them. And in general we have broken, revoked, and diſannulled all proceedings and Informations done upon the accompt of any Enterpriſes, pretended Crimes of High Treaſon, and others; notwithſtanding that ſuch Procedures, Decrees and Judgments, do contain Reunion, Incorporation, and Confiſcation. And we will that thoſe of the ſaid Religion, and others who have followed their Party, and their Heirs do re-enter into the real and actual poſſeſſion of all their goods and eſtates.

LIX. All Proceedings made, Judgments, and Decrees given in the late troubles againſt thoſe of the ſaid Religion, who have born Arms, or have departed the Kingdom, or are in it, in the Towns and Lands held by them, or for any other matter than that of Religion, and troubles; as alſo all non-ſuiting of Cauſes, and Legal, Conventional and Cuſtomary Preſcriptions, and Foedal Seizures happened during the late troubles, or by lawful Impediments proceeding from them, the cogniſance of which ſhall abide with our Judges, ſhall be all eſteemed as if not done, given, or happened; and we have declared, and do declare them to be ſuch, and we have put, and do put them to nought, ſo that the Parties cannot be in the leaſt holpen or benefitted by them; ſo that they ſhall be remitted into that eſtate in which they were before, notwithſtanding the ſaid Decrees, and their Execution, and they ſhall be reſtored in this reſpect unto the poſſeſſion of them. And all this as aboveſaid ſhall in like manner take place for them, who have followed the Party of them of the ſaid Religion, or who have been abſent from our Kingdom upon the accompt of the Troubles. And as for the Children Minors of thoſe Perſons of the quality aboveſaid, who are dead in the late troubles, we leave thoſe Parties in the ſame eſtate in which they were before, without refunding of the Expences, or being bound to make any amends. Yet nevertheleſs 'tis not our mind nor intention that thoſe Judgments given by Preſidial Judges, or other inferiour Judges againſt thoſe of the ſaid Religion, or who have followed their Party, ſhould be p. lxxvinull, in caſe they were given by Judges ſitting on the Bench in thoſe Towns which were held by them, and whereunto they had free acceſs.

LX. The Decrees given in our Courts of Parliament in matters whoſe Cogniſance belong unto the Chambers ordained by the Edict of the year 1577. and the Articles of Nerac and Flex, in which Courts the Parties have not proceeded voluntarily, that is to ſay, they have alledged and propoſed declinatory ends, or which have been given for default, or by fore-cluſion, whether in Civil or Criminal matters, notwithſtanding which ends the ſaid Parties have been conſtrained to go on farther, they ſhall be in like manner null, and of no value. And as for thoſe Decrees given againſt them of the ſaid Religion who have proceeded voluntarily, and without propoſing Declinatory Ends, thoſe Decrees ſhall ſtand: Yet nevertheleſs, and without prejudice unto their Execution, they may, if it ſeem good unto them, provide againſt them by a Civil Requeſt to the Chambers ordained by this preſent Edict, without ſuffering the time imported by thoſe Ordinances to be ran out to their prejudice: And till ſuch times as the ſaid Chambers, and their Chanceries ſhall be eſtabliſhed, Appeals either by word of mouth, or tendered in by writing by thoſe of the ſaid Religion before the Judges, Regiſters, or Deputies, Executors of the Decrees and Judgments, ſhall have the ſame effect, as if they had been uplifted by Royal Letters.

LXI. In all Inqueſts which ſhall be for any cauſe whatſoever in civil matters, If the Inquiſitor be a Catholick, the Parties ſhall be bound to agree among themſelves of another to be in Conjunction with him: and in caſe they cannot agree, the ſaid Inquiſitor or Commiſſioner, ſhall by vertue of his Office, take one unto himſelf who ſhall be of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion: And the ſame alſo ſhall be practiſed when as the Commiſſioner or Examiner ſhall be of the ſaid Religion, he ſhall take an Aſſeſſor to himſelf, who ſhall be a Roman Catholick.

LXII. We Will and Ordain, that our Judges may take knowledge of the validity of Teſtaments, in which thoſe of the ſaid Religion are concerned, in caſe they do require it; and Appeals from thoſe Judgments may be taken out from the ſaid Chambers ordained for the Proceſſes of thoſe of the ſaid Religion, notwithſtanding all Cuſtoms to the contrary, yea and thoſe of Brittain alſo.

LXIII. To prevent all differences which may fall out in our Courts of Parliament, and the Chambers of thoſe Courts ordained by our preſent Edict, we ſhall make a good and ample Regulation betwixt the ſaid Courts and Chambers, and ſuch an one as that thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion may intirely enjoy the benefit of the ſaid Edict, which regulation ſhall be verified in our Courts of Parliament, and ſhall be kept and obſerved, without any reſpect had unto the former.

LXIV. We do prohibit and forbid all our Soveraign Courts, and others of this Kingdom to take Cogniſance of, or judge in the Civil or Criminal Proceſſes of thoſe of the ſaid Religion, the Cogniſance of which by our Edict is attributed unto the ſaid Chambers; provided that they demand the diſmiſſion of them thither; according to what was ſaid before in the 40. Article.

p. lxxviiLXV. We will alſo by way of proviſion, and till we have taken ſome further courſe, and ſhall have otherwiſe ordained, that in all Proceſſes moved, or to be moved, in which thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall be in the quality of Plaintiffs or Defendants, principal Parties, or Securities in civil matters, in which our Officers and Preſidial Courts have full power of judging finally without Appeal, that they ſhall be permitted to require, that two of the Chamber where the Proceſſes ought to be judged, ſhall abſtain from giving judgment on them; who without any cauſe ſhown, ſhall be bound to abſtain, notwithſtanding that Ordinance, that the Judges may not be held for perſons excepted at without cauſe offered; they retaining over and above this thoſe exceptions of right againſt the reſt. And in criminal matters in which alſo the ſaid Preſidial, and other Subalternate Royal Judges do judge without Appeal, the accuſed alſo of that Religion may require that three of the ſaid Judges do abſtain from judging of their Proceſſes, without ſhewing of any Cauſe. And the Provoſts of the Mareſchals of France, the Vice-Bailiffs, the Vice-Seneſchals, the Lieutenants of ſhort Robe, and other Officers of the like quality, ſhall judge according to the Ordinances and Regulations formerly given upon the account of Vagabonds. And as for the Inhabitants in the Juriſdiction of thoſe Provoſts, charged and accuſed, if they be of the ſaid Religion, they may require that three of thoſe Judges aforeſaid, who may take cogniſance of their cauſe, do abſtain from judging of their Proceſſes, and they ſhall be bound to abſtain, without any cauſe ſhewed by them, unleſs in that Company where the ſaid Proceſſes ſhall be judged, there be no more than two in Civil matters, and three in Criminal matters of the ſaid Religion; in which caſe they ſhall not be permitted to except againſt, or refuſe thoſe Judges without ſhewing of a cauſe why: And this ſhall be common and reciprocal with the Catholicks in that form as above, as to their refuſing of Judges, where thoſe of the pretended Reformed Religion ſhall be the greateſt number. And 'tis not our meaning nor intention that the ſaid Preſidial Courts, Provoſts of Mareſchals, Vice-Bailiffs, Vice-Seneſchals, and others who judge Soveraignly and without Appeal, ſhould in virtue of what hath been ſaid, take Cogniſance of the palled troubles. And as for Crimes and Riots which have fallen out upon other accounts than thoſe of the late Troubles, ſince the beginning of March in the year 1585. unto the end of the year 1597. In caſe they ſhould take Cogniſance of them, we will that they may take out their Appeals from thoſe judgments, and bring them before the Chambers Ordained by this preſent Edict. And the ſame ſhall be likewiſe practiſed by the Catholick Complices, and where thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion ſhall be Parties.

LXVI. We Will alſo and Ordain, that from henceforward in all Inſtructions, beſides the Informations of Criminal Proceſſes in the Seneſchallies of Tholouſe, Carcaſſonne, Rouergue, Loragais, Beziers, Montpellier, and Niſmes, the Magiſtrate, or Commiſſioner deputed for the ſaid Inſtruction, if he be a Catholick ſhall be bound to take an Aſſeſſor who ſhall be of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, of which the Parties ſhall agree, and in caſe they cannot agree, there ſhall be choſen by vertue of his office one of the ſaid Religion by the Magiſtrate or Commiſſioner aforeſaid. As alſo in like manner, if the ſaid Magiſtrate or Commiſſioner is of the ſaid Religion, he ſhall be bound in the ſame form as was ſaid before, to take unto himſelf a Catholick Aſſeſſor.

p. lxviiiLXVII. When as the Provoſts of the Mareſchals of France, or their Lieutenants ſhall be demanded to iſſue out a Criminal Proceſs againſt an Inhabitant within their Juriſdictions who is of the ſaid Religion, and is charged and accuſed of a Crime, which is triable in their Provoſt's Courts, the ſaid Provoſts or their Lieutenants, if they be Catholicks, ſhall be bound to call in to the drawing up of the ſaid Proceſſes an Aſſeſſor of the ſaid Religion: which ſaid Aſſeſſor ſhall be preſent at the Judgment of the Competency, and at the definitive Judgment of the ſaid Proceſs. Which Competency may not be judged but in the next Preſidial Court, in an Aſſembly of the principal Officers of the ſaid Court, who ſhall be preſent upon thoſe very places, upon pain of nullity, unleſs that the Accuſed ſhould require that the Competency ſhould be judged in the ſaid Chambers, ordained by this preſent Edict. In which Caſe as to what concerns the Inhabitants in the Province of Guienne, Languedoc, Provence, and Dolphiny, the Subſtitutes of our General-Attorneys in the ſaid Chambers ſhall cauſe, at the requeſt of the ſaid Inhabitants, to be brought in to them thoſe Accuſations and Informations which are made againſt them, that it may be known and judged whether thoſe Actions be triable in the Provoſts Courts, or not, that ſo afterward, according to the quality of the Crimes, they may be by thoſe Chambers remanded back unto the ordinary, or judged by the Provoſts, according to law and reaſon, they obſerving the Contents of this our preſent Edict. And thoſe Preſidial Judges, Provoſts of Mareſchals, Vice-Bailiffs, Vice-Seneſchals, and others, who judge Soveraignly and without Appeal, ſhall be bound reſpectively to obey and ſatisfy thoſe Commands which ſhall be made them by the ſaid Chambers, and all even as they have been accuſtomed to be done in the ſaid Parliaments, upon pain of being deprived of their Offices.

LXVIII. The Proclamations, Bills of Siquis, and Outropes of Inheritances, by which a Decree is proſecuted, ſhall be made in thoſe places, and at the hours accuſtomed, if it may be done, according to our Ordinances, or elſe in the publick Markets, provided that there be a Market in that place in which the ſaid Inheritances do lie; but where there is none, they ſhall be made in the neareſt Market Town of the Juriſdiction of that Court where a Delivery by Judgment is to be made. And the Bills ſhall be ſet up and affixed upon the Poſts in the ſaid Market, and at the entrance of the Auditory of the ſaid place; and by this means the ſaid Proclamations ſhall be good and valid, and they may proceed to the interpoſal of a Decree without ſtopping at the Nullities which may be alledged on this account.

LXIX. All Deeds, Papers, Writings, Evidences, which have been taken away ſhall be reſtored and returned back on both ſides unto their rightful Owners and Proprietors, although the ſaid Papers, or the Caſtles and Houſes, in which they were kept, had been taken and poſſeſſed by ſpecial Commiſſions from the late King now dead, our moſt Honoured Lord and Brother-in-Law, or by Commiſſions from our ſelves, or by Command of the Governours, and Lieutenants-General of our Provinces, or by the Authority of the heads of either Party, or by any other means and pretext whatſoever.

LXX. The Children of thoſe perſons who had departed the Kingdom ſince the late King Henry the Second, our moſt Honoured Lord and Father-in-Law, upon the account of Religion, and the troubleſome times enſuing, although p. lxxixthe ſaid Children were born out of the Kingdom, ſhall be reputed True Frenchmen, and Natives of the Kingdom, and we have declared and declare them to be ſuch, nor have they any farther need of Letters of Naturalization, or other proviſions from us beſides this preſent Edict: notwithſtanding all Ordinances to the contrary, from which we have derogated, and do derogate, upon Condition that the ſaid Children born in Foreign Countries ſhall be obliged within the term of ten years after the publication of this preſent to come and dwell in the Kingdom.

LXXI. Thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, and others who have followed their Party, and had farmed before the troubles any Office, or Demeſn, or Gabell, or Foreign Impoſition, or other Rights appertaining to us, which they could not injoy becauſe of thoſe troubles, ſhall be acquitted and diſcharged, even as we do now acquit and diſcharge them of all receits whatſoever of the Income of the ſaid Offices, or which they may have paid any where elſe than into the Receit of our Treaſury, notwithſtanding all Obligations made and paſſed by them on this occaſion.

LXXII. All Places, Towns and Provinces of our Kingdom, the Countries, Territories, and Lordſhips under our Juriſdiction, ſhall uſe and enjoy the ſame Priviledges, Immunities, Liberties, Franchiſes, Fairs, Markets, Juriſdictions, and Aſſiſes, Seats of Juſtice, as they did before the troubles began in the Month of March one thouſand five hundred and eighty five, and in the preceding years, notwithſtanding all Letters to the contrary, and the Diſpoſals of the ſaid Lordſhips to other Perſons, provided that this was done meerly and ſolely upon the account of the ſaid Troubles. Which Aſſizes and Seats of Juſtice ſhall be revived and reſtored in thoſe Towns and Places in which they were before.

LXXIII. All Priſoners formerly detained by the Authority of Juſtice, or by any other means, yea, and the Slaves in the Galleys, for and upon the account of the ſaid Religion, ſhall be inlarged, and ſet at full Liberty.

LXXIV. Thoſe of the ſaid Religion may not be hereafter ſurcharged nor oppreſſed by any ordinary or extraordinary Taxes more than the Catholicks, nor above the proportion of their eſtates and abilities. And the Parties which ſhall complain of their being over-burdened, ſhall appear before the Judges to whom the Cogniſance of theſe matters doth appertain: And all our Subjects, both of the Catholick and pretended Reformed Religion, ſhall be indifferently diſcharged of all Taxes which had been impoſed both upon the one and other, during the troubles, by them who were of the contrary Party, and not conſenting, as alſo the Debts contracted and not paid, and expences made without their conſent; however they ſhall not be able to redemand the moneys which had been imployed in payment of the ſaid Taxes.

LXXV. Nor is it our intention that thoſe of the ſaid Religion, nor others who have followed their Party, nor the Catholicks who were remaining in the Towns and Places poſſeſſed and held by them, and which ſtood up for them, ſhall be proſecuted for the payment of Taxes, Aids, Grants, Increaſe, and the little Tax (impoſed by Henry the Second) Utenſils, Reparations, and other Impoſitions and Subſidies, fallen and impoſed during the Troubles p. lxxxfallen out before, and till our coming unto the Crown, whether by the Edicts, Commands, of the late Kings our Predeceſſors, or by the Advice and deliberation of the Governours and States of the Provinces, Courts of Parliaments and others, from which we have diſcharged, and do diſcharge them, by forbidding the General-Treaſurers of France, and of our Revenue, the Receivers-general and particular, their Agents and Dealers, and other Intendants and Commiſſioners of our Revenues, to ſearch after, moleſt, or diſturb them any manner of way whatſoever, whether directly or indirectly.

LXXVI. All Chieftains, Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Officers, Corporations, and Communalties, and all others which have aided and ſuccoured them, their Widows, Heirs, and Succeſſors, ſhall be quitted and diſcharged of all moneys, which were taken up, and levied by them and their Orders, whether they were moneys Royal, how great ſoever the ſumm might be, or the moneys of thoſe Cities and Communalties, and of particular Perſons, their Rents, Revenues, Plate, Sale of Houſhold Goods, of Eccleſiaſtical Perſons or others, Trees, Timber, whether of and belonging to the Crown, or to other Perſons, Fines, Booties, Ranſoms, or moneys of another nature taken by them, upon the account of the troubles began in March 1585. and the other troubles foregoing until our Arrival to the Crown, without that either they, or their Agents imployed by them in the levying of the ſaid moneys, or who ever gave them any, or ſupplied them by vertue of their Orders, ſhall be hereafter, or at preſent ſued for; and they ſhall be acquitted, both they and their Agents, from all management and adminiſtration of the ſaid moneys, they producing for their diſcharge, within four Months after the publication of this preſent Edict, made in our Court of Parliament in Paris, Acquittances duly expedited by the Chief Commanders in the ſaid Religion, or of thoſe, who were Commiſſionated by them to audit and finiſh thoſe Accompts, or of thoſe who bore Office and Command in thoſe ſaid Corporations and Towns, during the ſaid troubles. Moreover they ſhall be acquitted and diſcharged of all Acts of Hoſtility, raiſing and leading of Souldiers, coining and valuing of money, done in Obedience to the Orders of the ſaid Chief Commanders, melting up and taking of Artillery, and Ammunition, making of Gun-powder, and Salt-Peter, Surprizals of Fortifications, Diſmantlings and demoliſhing of Towns, Caſtles, Boroughs and Villages, Attempts upon them, burnings and demoliſhments of Churches and Houſes, Eſtabliſhment of Juſtice, Judgments and their Executions, whether in matters Civil or Criminal, Policy and Reglements made about them, Voyages and Intelligences, Negotiations, Treaties and Contracts made with all Foreign Princes and Communalties, and Introduction of the ſaid Strangers into the Cities and other parts of our Kingdom, and generally of all that hath been done, acted, and negotiated during the ſaid troubles (ſince the Death of the late King Henry the Second, our moſt Honoured Lord, and Father-in-Law) by them of the ſaid Religion, and others who have followed their Party, as if it had been particularly expreſt and ſpecified.

LXXVII. Thoſe alſo of the ſaid Religion ſhall be diſcharged of all general and provincial Aſſemblies made and held by them, whether at Mantes, or ſince that time at any other place until now, as alſo of Councils by them Ordained and eſtabliſhed for the Provinces, of Ordinances and Reglements made in the ſaid Aſſemblies and Councils, placing and increaſe of Gariſon, Aſſemblies of Men of War, levy and raking of moneys, whether in the hands of general or particular Receivers, Collectors of the Pariſhes, or p. lxxxiotherwiſe in whatſoever way and manner it might be done, Decrees about Salt, Continuance or new erection of Tolls, Cuſtoms, and their receits at Royall, and upon the Rivers of Charante, Garonne, the Rhone, and Dordonne, Armings and Fights at Sea, and all accidents, and exceſſes fallen out about paying the ſaid Tolls, and Cuſtoms, and other moneys, Fortifying of Towns, Caſtles, and Places, Impoſitions of moneys, and ſervices, receits of thoſe moneys, rejection of our Receivers and Farmers, and other Officers, ſetting up of others in their Places, and of all Unions, Diſpatches, and Negotiations made both within and without the Kingdom: And generally of all that hath been done, deliberated, written and ordained by the ſaid Aſſemblies and Council, without ſuffering thoſe who have given their advice, Signed, Executed, cauſed to be Signed and Executed the ſaid Orders, Reglements and Deliberations, to be ſued, nor their Widows, Heirs and Succeſſors, neither now, nor for the future, although the particularities be not here amply declared. And our General-Attorneys, and their Subſtitutes, and all thoſe who may claim any Intereſts in whatſoever faſhion or manner it might be, ſhall for ever forbear all Proſecutions, notwithſtanding all Decrees, Sentences, Judgments, Informations, and Proceedings done to the contrary.

LXXVIII. Moreover we do approve, ſtrengthen, and authorize thoſe Accounts which have been heard, examined and ſhut up by the Deputies in the ſaid Aſſembly. We will that they, and their Acquittances which were brought in by thoſe Accountants, ſhall go and be carried into our Chamber of Accounts in Paris, three Months after the Publication of this Edict, and ſhall be put into the hands of our Attorney-General to be delivered in, and kept in the Books and Regiſters of our Chamber, that upon all needful occaſions there may be recourſe had unto them; nor ſhall thoſe Accompts be ever reviſed, nor thoſe Accomptants be bound to appear, nor ſhall there be any Correction of them, unleſs in Caſe of omitting the receit, or of falſe Acquittances. And our Attorney-General ſhall not at all act or proceed, although there be very many defects, and the formalities have not been duly kept nor obſerved. And we forbid our Officers in the Chamber of Accompts in Paris, and in all the other Provinces in which they be eſtabliſhed, to take any manner of Cogniſance whatſoever of them.

LXXIX. And as for thoſe Accompts which have not been yet brought in, we will that they be Audited, Examined, and ſhut up by our Commiſſioners, who ſhall be deputed by us, who ſhall, without any difficulty, paſs and allow all the parts payed by the ſaid Accomptants, by vertue of the Orders made by the ſaid Aſſembly, or others that were in Power.

LXXX. All Collectors, Receivers, Farmers, and all others, ſhall be duly and legally diſcharged of all ſumms of money, which they have paid in to the ſaid Agents of the ſaid Aſſembly, of whatſoever nature they may be, until the laſt day of this Month. And 'tis our Will and Pleaſure, that all their Accompts which ſhall be brought into our Chamber of Accompts, ſhall be paſſed and allowed purely and ſimply by vertue of the Acquittances, which ſhall be produced by them. And if any ſhall be hereafter expedited and delivered, they ſhall be all null; and thoſe who ſhall accept or deliver them ſhall be condemned in a Mulct and Fine for miſ-employment of them. And if in ſome Accompts already rendred there ſhall be found raſures and charges, we have upon this reſpect removed and taken them away; we p. lxxxiihave reſtored, and do reſtore the ſaid parts intirely, by vertue of theſe Preſents, without any need for all abovementioned of particular Letters, or other matters except the Extracts of this preſent Article.

LXXXI. The Governours, Captains, Conſuls, and Perſons Commiſſionated to recover moneys to pay the Gariſons of the places held by thoſe of the ſaid Religion, to whom our Receivers and Collectors of the Pariſhes may have lent moneys upon their Bills and Obligations, whether it were by Compulſion, or out of obedience to the Commands which were given them by the General Treaſurers of all theſe neceſſary ſumms for the maintenance of the ſaid Garriſons until that time when we agreed about the ſtate of that Accompt, which we diſpatched in the beginning of the year 1596. and the augmentation we have ſince granted, they ſhall be acquitted and diſcharged, and for what is already paid to the purpoſe above mentioned, although and for what is already paid to the purpoſe above mentioned, although that the ſaid Schedules and Obligations do not expreſly mention them, which ſhall be yielded up unto them as if they had been null. And that they may be ſatisfied, the General-Treaſurers in every Generality, ſhall furniſh the ſaid Collectors by their particular Receivors of our Taxes with Acquittances, and by the Receivers-General their Acquittances for the Receivers particular, and for the diſcharge of the ſaid General-Receivers the ſaid ſumms, of which they have brought in the Accompts as was ſaid, ſhall be endorſed upon the Commands iſſued out by the Treaſurer of the Exchequer, in the names of the extraordinary General-Treaſurers of our Wars, for the payment of the ſaid Garriſons. And in caſe the ſaid Commands ſhould not amount to as much as our ſaid Accompt for the year ſiſteen hundred ninety and ſix, and the augmentation, we ordain, that to make it up there ſhall be expedited new Commands for what is wanting to diſcharge the ſaid Accomptants, and for reſtitution of the ſaid Promiſes and Obligations, ſo that nothing ſhall be demanded for the future from them who ſhall have thus acted, and all Letters of Confirmation, which may be needful for the diſcharge of the ſaid Accomptants, ſhall be expedited by venue of this preſent Article.

LXXXII. Moreover thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall quit and abandon from this day forward all Correſpondencies, Negotiations, and Intelligencies, as well within as without our Kingdom; and the ſaid Aſſemblies and Councils, eſtabliſhed in the Provinces, ſhall break up ſpeedily; and all Leagues and Aſſociations done or to be done, under what pretext ſoever it be, in prejudice of this our preſent Edict, ſhall be broken and diſannulled, as we do now break and diſannul them: We moſt expreſly forbidding all our Subjects, that for the future they do not make any Aſſeſſments, or Levies of money without our Permiſſion, Fortifications, Enrollments of men, Gatherings or Aſſemblies, beſides theſe which are permitted by this our preſent Edict, and theſe to be unarmed; which we do prohibit and forbid them upon pain of being puniſhed moſt rigorouſly, and as Contemners and Tranſgreſſors of our Commands and Ordinances.

LXXXIII. All Prizes taken upon the Sea during theſe troubles by vertue of Grants, and Warrants then given, and thoſe which have been done aſhore upon thoſe of the contrary Party, and which have been judged by the Judges and Commiſſioners of the Admiralty, or by the Commanders in Chief of thoſe of the ſaid Religion, or their Council, ſhall be all ſuppreſſed by the benefit of this our preſent Edict, ſo that upon thoſe accompts, there p. lxxxiiiſhall never be made any Proſecution: Nor ſhall the Captains, nor any others who made the ſaid Prizes, nor their Sureties, nor the ſaid Judges, Officers, their Widows and Heirs be ſought after, nor moleſted in whatſoever manner it may be, notwithſtanding all Decrees of our Privy-Council, and of Parliament, and Letters of mark and ſeizures, yet depending and not judged, all which we will ſhall be fully and entirely releaſed and diſcharged.

LXXXIV. Moreover thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall not be proſecuted for thoſe oppoſitions and hindrances, which they have made before or ſince the troubles, about the Decrees and Judgments given for the eſtabliſhment of the Catholick, Apoſtolick, and Roman Religion, in divers places of this Kingdom were Executed.

LXXXV. And as for what was done or taken during the troubles, not in ways of Hoſtility, or by Hoſtility, againſt the publick or private Reglements of the Heads or Communalties of the Provinces, who then had Command, ſuch matters may be proſecuted according to due Form of Law.

LXXXVI. Yet nevertheleſs ſith that what was done on the one ſide and other againſt their Reglements is indifferently excepted, and reſerved in that General Abolition granted by this our preſent Edict, and is ſubject unto proſecution, and that there is no Souldier but is thereupon liable unto Impeachments, from whom new troubles may ariſe: for this Cauſe, We will and ordain, that only Execrable matters ſhall ſtand excepted, in and by the ſaid Act of Indemnity, ſuch as Rapes, and forcings of Women and Maids, Burnings, Murders, and Robberies committed treacherouſly, wittingly, and of ſet purpoſe, not in ways of Hoſtilities, but to exerciſe particular revenges, againſt the Laws of War, Infractions of Paſsports and Safeguards, with Murders and Plunderings, without Authority, of thoſe of the ſaid Religion, or of any who have followed the Party of the Commanders who had Authority over them, grounded upon ſpecial occaſions, which moved them to command and order it.

LXXXVII. We Ordain alſo, that thoſe Crimes and Offences committed among Perſons of the ſame Party, unleſs it be in acts commanded by the Chiefs of both ſides, according to the neceſſity, Law, and order of War, ſhall be puniſhed. And as for all Levies and Exactions of moneys, bearing of Arms, and other exploits of War done by private Authority, and unavowed, ſhall be proſecuted according to due courſe of Law.

LXXXVIII. The Towns which were diſmantled in the late troubles, their ruins, Licence being firſt had and obtained from us, may be reedified and repaired by the Inhabitants, and their charges and expences, and proviſions formerly granted to this purpoſe ſhall be allowed.

LXXXIX. We Ordain, and 'tis our Will and Pleaſure, that all Lords, Knights, Gentlemen and others, of whatſoever quality and condition of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, and others, who have followed their Party, may re-enter, and ſhall be effectually conſerved in the injoyment of all and ſingular their Rights, Titles, Priviledges, and actions, notwithſtanding the Judgments iſſued out againſt them during the late troubles, or by reaſon p. lxxxivof them: which Decrees, Seizures, Judgments, and all that hath enſued upon them, we have to this end declared, and do declare to be null and void, and of none effect and value.

XC. Thoſe Purchaces made by the Profeſſors of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, and of others who have followed their Party, by other Authority than that of the late Kings our Predeceſſors, of the immoveables belonging unto the Church ſhall not be allowed, nor take effect; but we do Ordain, and 'tis our Will and Pleaſure, that the Eccleſiaſticks ſhall re-enter immediately, and without delay, and ſhall be conſerved in the real poſſeſſion and actual injoyment of the ſaid alienated goods, without ever being bound to reſtore the price for which they were ſold, and this notwithſtanding the ſaid Contracts of ſale, all which we have to this purpoſe broken and revoked as null, without ſuffering the ſaid Purchaſers to recover it from their Chief Commanders, by whoſe Authority the ſaid goods were ſold. And yet nevertheleſs, that the moneys which they had truly, and without fraud paid down, may be reimburſed to them, we will Expedite our Letters Patents to thoſe of the ſaid Religion, with Licenſe, that they ſhall impoſe upon themſelves, and equalize the ſumms unto which the ſaid Sales did amount, without enabling the ſaid Purchaſers to take forth any action for their dammages and intereſts through want of enjoyment, but they ſhall reſt contented with the reimburſement of the moneys paid in to them for the price of the ſaid purchaces; they firſt deducting out of the ſaid price the profits received by them, in caſe it ſhould appear that the ſaid Sale was made at a very low and unjuſt price.

XCI. And that our Juſtices, Officers, and other our Subjects, may be clearly and certainly informed of our will and intention, and that we may take away all ambiguities and doubts, which may be made becauſe of former Edicts, about that difference that is found in them, we have declared, and do declare all other preceding Edicts, ſecret Articles, Letters, Declarations, Modifications, Reſtrictions, Interpretations, Decrees, and Regiſters, as well ſecret as other Deliberations done formerly by the Kings our Predeceſſors, in our Courts of Parliament or elſewhere, concerning matters relating to the ſaid Religion, and to the troubles happened in our ſaid Kingdom, to be of no effect nor force: From which, and thoſe derogations in them contained, we have by this our Edict derogated, and do derogate from this very inſtant, as we do now break, revoke, and diſannul it. Expreſly declaring, that we will that this our Edict ſhall be firmly and inviolably kept, as well by our ſaid Juſtices, Officers, as by all other our Subjects, without ſtanding upon, or having any regard unto all that, which may be contrary to, or derogate from it.

XCII. And for greater aſſurance of the maintaining and obſerving of this our Edict, which is ſo very much deſired by us, We Will and Ordain, and 'tis our Pleaſure, that all Governours and Lieutenant-Generals of our Provinces, Bayliffs, Seneſchals, and other ordinary Judges of the Towns of our ſaid Kingdom, incontinently after their reception of this our Edict, do ſwear, that they will cauſe it to be kept and obſerv'd every one of them in their Diſtrict: As alſo all Mayors, Sheriffs, Head boroughs, Conſuls, and Magiſtrates of Towns, whether annual or perpetual, ſhall ſwear it alſo. And we do alſo enjoin that our ſaid Bayliffs, Seneſchals, or their Lieutenants, and other Judges, ſhall cauſe the principal Inhabitants of the ſaid Towns, p. lxxxvboth of the one and other Religion, to ſwear immediately after the Publication of this our Edict, that they will keep and maintain it. We taking all the Inhabitants of the ſaid Towns into our Protection and Safeguard, the one to keep the others, charging them reſpectively, and by publick Acts to anſwer in a Court Civil for the tranſgreſſions that ſhall be made of this our preſent Edict in the ſaid Towns, by their Inhabitants, or to bring them before, and to yield them up into the hands of Juſtice, who ſhall have broken it.

We do Command our Beloved and Faithful Officers in our Courts of Parliament, Chambers of Accompts, and Court of Aids, that as ſoon as they ſhall have received this our preſent Edict, that, leaving all other buſineſſes, on pain of nullity for thoſe Acts, which they ſhall do otherwiſe, they do take the like Oath as above, and that they do cauſe this our Edict to be publiſhed, and regiſtred in our ſaid Courts, according to its form and tenour purely and ſimply, without uſing of any Modifications, Reſtrictions, Declarations, or ſecret Regiſters, or without waiting for any farther Command or Warrant from us: And our Attorneys-General ſhall incontinently, and without delay, require and purſue the ſaid Publication.

And we Command the ſaid Officers in our ſaid Courts of Parliament, Chambers of Accompts, and Courts of Aids, Bailiffs, Seneſchals, Provoſts, and other our Juſtices, and other Officers to whom it ſhall appertain, and to their Lieutenants to keep and obſerve punctually, and to cauſe the Contents and Articles of this ſaid Edict to be uſed and injoyed fully and peaceably, by all thoſe to whom it ſhall appertain, ceaſing and cauſing to ceaſe all troubles and impediments to the contrary. For ſuch is our Pleaſure. In teſtimony whereof we have Signed theſe Preſents with our own Hand, and that this matter may be firm and ſtable for ever, we have cauſed to be put unto it, and backed it with our Seal.

Given at Nantes in the Month of April, in the Year of Grace, one thouſand, five hundred, ninety and eight, and of our Reign the Ninth. Signed HENRY. And below, by the King ſitting in his Council. Forget. And at the ſide. Viſa. And Sealed with the Great Seal in green Wax, on threads of red and green ſilk.

Read, Publiſhed and Regiſtred, the Kings Attorney-General hearing and conſenting to it at Paris in Parliament,

this 25th of February, 1599. Signed Voyſin.

Read, Publiſhed and Regiſtred in the Chamber of Accompts, the Kings Attorney-General hearing and conſenting to it at

Paris in Parliament the laſt of March, 1599. Signed De la Fontaine.

Read, Publiſhed and Regiſtred, the Kings Attorney-General hearing and conſenting to it at

Paris in the Court of Aids the 30th being the laſt day of April, 1599. Signed Bernard.

p. lxxxviParticular Articles extracted out of the general ones, which the King hath granted unto thoſe of the pretended Reformed Religion, which his Majeſty would not have to be compriſed in the ſaid Generals, nor in the Edict which was made and framed for them, given at Nantes the laſt April: and yet nevertheleſs his ſaid Majeſty hath accorded, that they ſhall be entirely fullfilled and obſerved, as if they had been contained in the ſaid Edict. And therefore they ſhall be regiſtred in his Courts of Parliament, and elſewhere, as there ſhall be need, and all Declarations, Proviſions, and neceſſary Letters ſhall be expedited about them.

ARTICLE I. THE ſixth Article of the ſaid Edict, concerning Liberty of Conſcience, and Permiſſion to all his Majeſties Subjects to live and dwell in his Kingdom, and the Countries under his Juriſdiction ſhall hold good, and be obſerved according to its form and tenour; as well for Miniſters, Schoolmaſters, and all others who are or ſhall be of the ſaid Religion, whether Natives of the Kingdom or others, they as to all other things deporting themſelves according to the Edict.

ARTICLE II. Thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall not be conſtrained to contribute any thing to the Repairings or Buildings of Churches, Channels, or Prieſts Houſes, nor to the buying of Prieſts Ornaments, Lights, founding of Bells, holy Bread, rights of Confraternities, hire of Houſes in which Prieſts and Religious Perſons do dwell, and other ſuch like matters, unleſs they be obliged to it by Foundations, Dotations, or other Diſpoſals made by them, or their Authors and Predeceſſors.

ARTICLE III. They ſhall not be conſtrained to hang or cloath the forepart of their Houſes on thoſe Feſtivals and Holy-days, in which it is ordered to be done: but only to ſuffer that they be hung, and clad by the Authority of the Local Officers; nor ſhall the Profeſſors of the ſaid Religion contribute any thing on this account.

ARTICLE IV. Moreover thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall not be bound to receive Exhortation when as they be ſick, and near unto Death, whether Condemned to it by Juſtice, or otherwiſe, from any others than thoſe of the ſame Religion, and they may be viſited and comforted by their Miniſters, without ever being troubled: And as for ſuch who are Condemned by Juſtice, the ſaid Miniſters may in like manner viſit and comfort them, without praying in publick, unleſs in thoſe places, where the ſaid publick worſhip is allowed them by the ſaid Edict.

ARTICLE V. Thoſe of the ſaid Religion may lawfully injoy the publick exerciſe thereof at Pimpoul, and for Diepe in the Suburbs of Paulet: and the ſaid places of Pimpoul and Paulet ſhall be ordained to be places of Bailywicks. As for Sancerre, the ſaid exerciſe ſhall be continued as it is at preſent, ſaving that it ſhall not be ſet up again in the ſaid Town; the Inhabitants there making it appear, that the Lord of the place conſenteth to it; and care ſhall be taken herein by thoſe Commiſſioners which his Majeſty ſhall depute for the executing of the ſaid Edict. And alſo the ſaid exerciſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed free and publick in the Town of Montagnac in Languedoc.

p. lxxxviiARTICLE VI. Upon that Article which maketh mention of Bailywicks, it was declared and granted as followeth: Firſt, For the eſtabliſhing the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion in two places granted in every Bailywick, Seneſchalſy, and Government, Thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall name two Towns, in the Suburbs of which the ſaid Exerciſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed by thoſe Commiſſioners whom his Majeſty ſhall depute for executing the ſaid Edict. And in caſe they ſhould not judge it to be meet for them, thoſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall name two or three Boroughs or Villages near unto the ſaid Towns: and for every one of them the ſaid Commiſſioners ſhall chuſe one. And if by reaſon of Hoſtility, Contagion, or other lawful impediment, it may not be continued in thoſe ſaid places, others ſhall be given them for that time, that the ſaid Impediment ſhall laſt. Secondly as to the Government of Picardy, there ſhall be but two Towns provided for, in whoſe Suburbs thoſe of the ſaid Religion may have the exerciſe thereof for all the Bailywicks, Seneſchalſies, and Governments which depend upon it. And in caſe it ſhall not be judged meet to eſtabliſh it in thoſe ſaid Towns, there ſhall be given them two commodious Boroughs or Villages. Thirdly becauſe of the great extent of the Seneſchalſy of Provence, and Bailywick of Viennois, his Majeſty granteth, That in every one of the ſaid Bailywicks and Seneſchalſies, a third place, which ſhall be choſen and named as above, in which the ſaid exerciſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall be eſtabliſhed, over and beſides thoſe other places in which it is already eſtabliſhed.

ARTICLE VII. That which is accorded by the ſaid Article for exerciſe of the ſaid Religion ſhall have place for thoſe Lands, which belonged unto the late Queen Mother-in-Law of his Majeſty, and for the Bailywick of Beaujolois.

ARTICLE VIII. Over and above the two places accorded for the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion, by the ſecret Articles in the year 1577. in the Iſlands of Marennes and of Olleron, there ſhall be given them two others, which may be moſt commodious for the ſaid Inhabitants, to wit one for all the Iſlands of Marennes and another for the Iſle of Olleron.

ARTICLE IX. The Proviſions granted by his Majeſty for the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion in the City of Mets, ſhall obtain their full and intire effect.

ARTICLE X. 'Tis his Majeſties will and intention that the 27. Article of his Edict concerning the admiſſion of them of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion unto Offices and Dignities, ſhall be obſerved and maintained according to its form and tenour, notwithſtanding the Edicts and Grants formerly made for the Reduction of ſome Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, and Catholick Cities unto his Obedience, which ſhall have no place to the prejudice of thoſe of the ſaid Religion, as to their exerciſe of it. And the ſaid exerciſe ſhall be regulated according to what is imported in the enſuing Articles, according to which ſhall the Inſtructions be prepared for thoſe Commiſſioners whom his Majeſty ſhall depute for execution of his Edict, according to its import.

ARTICLE XI. According to the Edict made by his Majeſty for reduction of the Lord Duke of Guiſe, the exerciſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion ſh… p. lxxxviiinot be, nor ſet up in the Cities and Suburbs of Rheims, Rocroy, Saint Diſier, Guiſe, Joinville, Fiſmes, and Moncornet in the Ardennes.

ARTICLE XII. Nor may it be exerciſed in other plates near adjoining to thoſe Towns and Places forbidden by the Edict in the year 1577.

ARTICLE XIII. And to remove all ambiguity which may ariſe out of theſe words, near adjoining, his Majeſty declareth, that he would be underſtood to ſpeak of thoſe places within a league of the Precincts of thoſe ſaid Towns, in which places the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion may not be eſtabliſhed, unleſs it were permitted by the Edict of 1577.

ARTICLE XIV. And foraſmuch as by that Article the Exerciſe of the ſaid Religion was permitted generally in all Fiefs poſſeſſed by thoſe of the ſaid Religion, without exceptions made of the Banlieue before-mentioned (the ſpace of a League beyond the Precincts of thoſe Towns) his ſaid Majeſty declareth, that the ſame Permiſſion ſhall hold good as to thoſe Fiefs, which ſhall be held within the ſaid Banlieue by thoſe of the ſaid Religion, even according to the ſenſe and import of the Edict given at Nantes.

ARTICLE XV. And in purſuance of the Edict made for Reduction of the Lord Mareſchal de la Chaſtre, in every one of the Bailywicks of Orleans and Bourges, there ſhall be but one place of Bailywick ordained for exerciſe of the ſaid Religion; which yet nevertheleſs may be continued in thoſe places in which it is permitted to be continued by the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XVI. That grant of Preaching in Fiefs ſhall likewiſe take place in the ſaid Bailywicks, according to the form preſcribed by the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XVII. That Edict likewiſe for reducing the Lord Mareſchal of Boiſdauphin ſhall be obſerved, and the ſaid Exerciſe may not be made in the Towns, Suburbs, and places brought by him unto his Majeſties Service; and as for thoſe Lands near adjoining to their Bandlieue, the Edict of 1577. ſhall be obſerved, yea and in the Houſes of Fiefs, according to the ſenſe and import of the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XVIII. The ſaid Religion ſhall not be exerciſed in the Towns, Suburbs, and Caſtles of Morlais, according to the Edict made for the Reduction of the ſaid Town, and the Edict of 77. ſhall be obſerved throughout its whole Juriſdiction, yea and as to the Fiefs, according to the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XIX. In conſequence of that Edict for the Reduction of Quinper-Corantin, there ſhall be no exerciſe at all of the ſaid Religion in the whole Biſhoprick of Cor…wall.

ARTICLE XX. In purſuance alſo of the Edict for Reduction of Beauvais, there ſhall be no exerciſe of the ſaid Religion in the ſaid City of Beauvais, nor within three Leagues thereof round. Yet nevertheleſs it may be exerciſed and eſ…abliſhed beyond the bounds of the Bailywick in thoſe places permitted by p. lxxxixthe Edict of 1577. yea and in the Houſes of Fiefs, even as it was intended and imported by the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XXI. And whereas the Edict made for reducing the Lord Admiral of Villars is only proviſional, and till ſuch time as his Majeſty ſhould give ſome further order, now his Majeſty willeth and intendeth, that notwithſtanding it, his ſaid Edict of Nantes ſhall take place in all the Towns and Juriſdictions brought under his obedience by the ſaid Lord Admiral, as for all other places of his Kingdom.

ARTICLE XXII. In purſuance of the Edict for reducing the Lord Duke of Joyeuſe, the ſaid Religion may not be at all exerciſed in the City of Tholouſe, nor in the Suburbs thereof, nor within four Leagues round, nor nearer to it than the Towns of Villemur, Carmain, and the Iſle of Jordain.

ARTICLE XXIII. Nor may it be reſtored and ſet up again in the Towns of Alet, Fiac, Auriac, and Monteſquiou: but yet and if any of the ſaid Religion ſhould petition for a place where it might be exerciſed, the Commiſſioners which ſhall be deputed by his Majeſty to execute his Edict, or other Officers ſhall out of the places aſſigned for every one of thoſe Towns aſſign a commodious place, and of ſafe acceſs to them, and which ſhall not be in diſtance removed from the ſaid Towns above one League.

ARTICLE XXIV. The Exerciſe of the ſaid Religion may be reſtored, even as it was granted by the Edict of Nantes, within the Juriſdiction of the Court of Parliament of Tholouſe, excepting always in the Bailywicks, Seneſchalſies, and their Precincts, whoſe principal Seat was reduced under his Majeſty's obedience by the ſaid Lord Duke of Joyeuſe, for which the Edict of 1577. ſhall ſtand good and be obſerved. Yet notwithſtanding 'tis his Majeſty's intention and purpoſe, that the ſaid Exerciſe ſhall be continued in the borders of the ſaid Bailywicks and Seneſchalſies, where it was in the time of the ſaid reduction, and that the priviledge of Fiefs ſhall take place in the ſaid Bailywicks and Seneſchalſies, according to the intendment and import of the ſaid Edict.

ARTICLE XXV. The Edict made for the Reduction of Dijon ſhall be obſerved, and according to it there ſhall be no other Exerciſe of Religion than that of the Catholick, Apoſtolick and Roman Church in the City and Suburbs thereof, nor in four Leagues round.

ARTICLE XXVI. The Edict likewiſe for Reduction of the Lord Duke of Mayenne ſhall be obſerved, according unto which the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion may be exerciſed in the Towns of Chaalon, Seure, and Soiſſons, in the Bailywick of the ſaid Chaalons, and in two Leagues of the borders of Soiſſons, for the term of ſix Years, to begin from the firſt day of January, 1596, which being expired, the Edict of Nantes ſhall be obſerved, as in all other parts of the Kingdom.

ARTICLE XXVII. Thoſe of the ſaid Religion, of whatſoever quality, ſhall be permitted to come and go freely unto and from the City of Lions, and unto the other Cities and places of the Government of Lyonnois, notwithſtanding any Prohibitions to the contrary made by the Syndicks and Sheriffs of the ſaid City of Lion, and confirmed by his Majeſty.

p. xcARTICLE XXVIII. There ſhall be but one place of Bailywick ordained for the Exerciſe of the ſaid Religion in the whole Seneſchalſie of Poictiers over and beſides thoſe which are at preſent eſtabliſhed; and as for the Fiefs, the Edict of Nantes ſhall be followed. The ſaid Exerciſe alſo ſhall be continued in the Town of Chauvigny. But the ſaid Exerciſe may not be reſtored in the Towns of Agen and Perigueux, although that by the Edict of 1577. it might have been.

ARTICLE XXIX. There ſhall be but two places of Bailywicks for the Exerciſe of the ſaid Religion in the whole Government of Picardy, as it hath been before declared, and the ſaid two places may not be given within the Bailywicks and Governments reſerved by the Edicts made for the Reduction of Amiens, Peronne, and Abbeville. Yet notwithſtanding the ſaid Religion may be exerciſed in the Houſes of Fiefs throughout the whole Government of Picardy, according as it was decreed in and by the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XXX. There ſhall be no Exerciſe at all of the ſaid Religion in the City and Suburbs of Sens, and there ſhall be ordained but one place of Bailywick for the ſaid Exerciſe in the whole Circuit of the ſaid Bailywick; however this ſhall not in the leaſt prejudice the priviledge of Houſes of Fiefs, which ſhall hold good, according to the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XXXI. In like manner the ſaid Exerciſe may not be in the City nor Suburbs of Nantes, nor ſhall there be any one place of Bailywick ordained for the exerciſe of the ſaid Religion within three Leagues round of the ſaid City; yet notwithſtanding it may be done in the Houſes of Fiefs according to the Edict of Nantes.

ARTICLE XXXII. 'Tis his Majeſty's Will and Pleaſure, that his ſaid Edict of Nantes ſhall be obſerved from this very inſtant as to what concerns the Exerciſe of the ſaid Religion in thoſe places, where by the Edicts and Grants made for the reduction of ſome Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, and Catholick Cities, it was prohibited only for a time, and till further order. And as for thoſe places where the ſaid Prohibition was limited to a fixed certain time, the ſaid time being paſſed, the Prohibition ſhall ceaſe and be of no force.

ARTICLE XXXIII. There ſhall be given unto thoſe of the ſaid Religion a place for the City, Provoſtſhip, and Viſcounty of Paris within five Leagues at fartheſt of the ſaid City, in which they may enjoy the publick exerciſe thereof.

ARTICLE XXXIV. In all thoſe places where the ſaid Religion ſhall be exerciſed publickly, the People may be aſſembled and called together even by found of Bells, and they may do all Acts and Duties of the ſaid Religion, as the exerciſe of Diſcipline, the holding of Conſiſtories, Colloquies, National and Provincial Synods by his Majeſty's permiſſion.

ARTICLE XXXV. Miniſters, Elders, and Deacons of the ſaid Religion ſhall not be conſtrained to anſwer before a Court of Juſtice in quality of Witneſſes about matters which were revealed to them in their Conſiſtories, when as Cenſures were p. xcito be inflicted, unleſs it were for any matter concerning the King's Perſon, or the preſervation of the State and Government.

ARTICLE XXXVI. The Profeſſors of the ſaid Religion who live in the Country may lawfully go unto the exerciſe thereof in the Cities, and Suburbs, and other places where it ſhall be publickly eſtabliſhed.

ARTICLE XXXVII. Thoſe of the ſaid Religion may not keep any Publick Schools, unleſs in thoſe Cities and places in which the publick exerciſe thereof is permitted them, and thoſe proviſions which were formerly granted them for the erection and maintaining of Colleges, ſhall, if need ſo require, be verified, and obtain their full and entire effect.

ARTICLE XXXVIII. It ſhall be lawful for Parents profeſſing the ſaid Religion to provide for their Childrens Education in ſuch a manner as beſt pleaſeth them, and to ſubſtitute one or more Tutors and Guardians to them by their laſt Will and Teſtament, or by a Codicil, or any other Declaration paſſed before a Notary, or written and ſigned with their own Hands, the Laws, Ordinances and Cuſtoms of thoſe places in which they live, and received in this Kingdom, abiding in force and vertue as to all gifts and proviſions of Tutors and Guardians.

ARTICLE XXXIX. And whereas ſeveral Prieſts and Nuns have formerly contracted Marriage, 'tis his Majeſty's Will and Pleaſure for very many and good Conſiderations, that they ſhall not be proſecuted nor moleſted, and to this purpoſe our Attorneys General are injoyned ſilence, as alſo are all other our Officers. Yet nevertheleſs his ſaid Majeſty declareth, that 'tis his intention that the Children iſſued of the ſaid Marriages ſhall ſucceed only unto their Houſhold-goods, acquired and purchaſed Lands, and Immoveables of their Fathers and Mothers, and in default of ſuch Children, the neareſt of Kin ſhall inherit them; and the laſt Wills, Gifts and other Legacies made or to be made by perſons of the ſaid quality, of their ſaid Eſtates, Houſhold-goods, acquired and purchaſed Lands and Immoveables, are declared good and valid. However his ſaid Majeſty will not that the ſaid religious Perſons, Prieſts and Nuns, who were profeſſed, ſhall ſucceed directly or collaterally unto any Inheritance, but only they may enjoy thoſe Goods which are or may be left unto them by Teſtament, Gifts, or otherwiſe bequeathed to them, excepting always thoſe ſaid direct or collateral ſucceſſions; and as for thoſe who made profeſſion before that Age required by the Decrees of Orleance and Blois, the tenor of the ſaid Decrees ſhall be followed and obſerved in all caſes relating unto the ſaid ſucceſſions, every one for that time, in which they take place.

ARTICLE XL. His ſaid Majeſty will not, that thoſe of the ſaid Religion, who have formerly, or may hereafter contract Marriages in the third and fourth degrees, ſhould be moleſted, nor that the validity of the ſaid Marriages ſhould be called in queſtion, nor in like manner, that the Children born or to be born of them ſhould be quarrelled with or deprived of their ſucceſſion. And as for Marriages which have been already contracted in the ſecond degree, or of the ſecond and third degree betwixt thoſe of the ſaid Religion, they applying themſelves unto his Majeſty who are of that quality, and have contracted Marriage in ſuch a degree, all needful Licences ſhall be granted them, that ſo they may not be proſecuted nor moleſted, and that their Childrens right of Inheritance may never be cavilled nor diſputed.

p. xciiARTICLE XLI. That the validity of thoſe Marriages made and contracted by thoſe of the ſaid Religion may be judged, and decided as to their legality; if the Profeſſor of the ſaid Religion be defendant, in that Caſe a Royal Judge ſhall take cognizance of the fact of the ſaid Marriage; but in caſe he be plaintiff, and the defendant a Catholick, the cognizance thereof ſhall belong to the Official or Eccleſiaſtical Judge: and if the two parties be of the ſaid Religion, the cognizance thereof ſhall appertain unto the Royal Judges. It being his Majeſty's Will and Pleaſure, that as to what concerneth the ſaid Marriages, and differences which may happen about them, that the Eccleſiaſtical and Royal Judges, as alſo the Chambers eſtabliſhed by his Edict ſhall take cognizance of them reſpectively.

ARTICLE XLII. All Gifts and Legacies given and already bequeathed, or which may be ſo hereafter given and bequeathed, whether by the laſt Will and Teſtament at their death, or whileſt they are alive, towards the maintenance of Miniſters, Doctors, Scholars, and the Poor of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, or to other Pious Uſes ſhall be valid, and obtain their full and entire effect, notwithſtanding all Judgments, Decrees, and other Matters contrary thereunto, and provided they do not in any wiſe prejudice his Majeſty's Rights, or thoſe of any other perſon, in caſe the ſaid Legacies and Gifts ſhould fall under a Mortmain. And all Actions and neceſſary Proſecutions for the injoyment of the ſaid Legacies and Pious Uſes, and other Rights, as well for Judgments as without them, ſhall be done by an Attorney, in the Name of the Body and Commonalty of thoſe of the ſaid Religion who ſhall be concerned, and in caſe it ſhall appear, that the ſaid Gifts and Legacies ſhall have been otherwiſe diſpoſed than was intended by the ſaid Article, they ſhall not be able to claim any reſtitution of what is paſt, but only of what is now in being.

ARTICLE XLIII. His ſaid Majeſty permitteth thoſe of the ſaid Religion to aſſemble themſelves before a Royal Judge, and by his Authority to equalize and levy upon themſelves ſuch a Sum of Money as they ſhall conceive needful to defray the Charges of their Synods, and their Maintenance who are imployed in the Exerciſe of the ſaid Religion, of which an account ſhall be given in unto a Royal Judge, to be kept by him, the Copy of which Account ſhall be ſent by the ſaid Royal Judge every ſix Months unto his Majeſty, or to his Chanceler, and the Taxes and Impoſitions of the ſaid Moneys ſhall be raiſed and gathered, notwithſtanding any Oppoſitions or Appeals whatſoever.

ARTICLE XLIV. The Miniſters of the ſaid Religion ſhall be exempted from all Guards and Rounds and Billetting of Soldiers, Aſſeſſings and Gatherings of Taxes, as alſo of being Overſeers, and Guardians, and Commiſſioners for Goods ſeized by Authority of Juſtice.

ARTICLE XLV. Whereas thoſe of the ſaid Religion have heretofore buried their Dead in the Church-yards of the ſaid Catholicks, or in any Place or Town whatſoever, 'tis his Majeſty's Will that they ſhall not be ſued or proſecuted for it, and his Officers ſhall be injoyned to ſee that there be nothing as to this matter done unto them. And as for the City of Paris, over and above the two Church-yards which are at preſent poſſeſſed by thoſe of the ſaid Religion, to wit, that of the Trinity, and that of St. Germain, there ſhall be given them a third commodious place for the enterment of their Dead in the Suburbs of St. Honorius, or of St. Denis.

p. xciiiARTICLE XLVI. The Catholick Preſidents and Counſellors, who ſhall ſerve in that Chamber ordained in the Parliament of Paris ſhall be choſen by his Majeſty out of the written Roll of the Officers in Parliament.

ARTICLE XLVII. The Counſellors of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, who ſhall ſerve in the ſaid Chamber, ſhall aſſiſt, if they think good, at thoſe Proceſſes which ſhall be determined by Commiſſioners, and ſhall have their Conſultive Vote, but without participating in the moneys conſigned, unleſs it be that they be bound by the Order and Prerogative of their reception to aſſiſt at them.

ARTICLE XLVIII. The moſt ancient Preſident of the mixt Chambers ſhall preſide at the Hearing, and in his abſence the Second, and the Proceſſes ſhall be diſtributed by the two Preſidents, conjunctly or alternatively, by Month, or by Week.

ARTICLE XLIX. The vacant Offices, of which thoſe of the ſaid Religion are or ſhall be provided in the ſaid Chambers of the Edict, ſhall be ſupplied with Perſons capable, who ſhall bring a Certificate from the Synod or Colloquy unto which they do belong, that they are of the ſaid Religion, and honeſt Men.

ARTICLE L. That Act of Indempnity granted unto thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion by the 74. Article of this ſaid Edict, ſhall be of force, as to all taking away of Royal Moneys, whether by breaking up of Coffers, or otherwiſe, yea, and as for thoſe which were levied upon the River of Charante, although they had been affected and applied unto private uſes.

ARTICLE LI. The 49. Article in the ſecret Articles made in the year 1577. touching the City and Archbiſhoprick of Avinion, and County of Veniſe, as alſo the Treaty made at Niſmes, ſhall be obſerved according to their form and tenour, and there ſhall be no Letters of Mark given by vertue of thoſe Articles and Treaties, but only by the Kings Letters Patents Sealed with his Great Seal. Yet nevertheleſs ſuch as would obtain them may get them by vertue of this preſent Article, and without any other Commiſſion from the Royal Judges, who ſhall take informations of the contrary actings, denial of Juſtice, and iniquity of Judgments, propounded by thoſe, who ſhall deſire to obtain the ſaid Letters, and ſhall ſend them, together with their advice, cloſed and ſealed up unto his Majeſty, that he may Ordain therein according as he ſhall ſee reaſon.

ARTICLE LII. His Majeſty accordeth and willeth, that Maſter Nicholas Grimoul be reſtored and maintained in his Title and Poſſeſſion of the Offices of ancient Lieutenant-General Civil, and of Lieutenant-General Criminal in the Bailywick of Alanſon, notwithſtanding that Reſignation by him made unto Mr. John Marguerit, and his admiſſion into it, and the Proviſion obtained by Mr. William Bernard, of the Office of Lieutenant-General Civil and Criminal in the Court of Eximes, and the Decrees given againſt the ſaid Marguerit, reſigning it during the Troubles, unto the Privy-Council, in the years 1586, 1587, and 1588. by which Mr. Nicholas Barbier is maintained in the Rights and Prerogatives of the ancient Lieutenant-General in the ſaid Bailywick, and the ſaid Bernard in the ſaid Office of Lieutenant at Eximes, p. xcivwhom his Majeſty hath caſhiered, and all others contrary to this Article of the Edict. Moreover his ſaid Majeſty for certain and good Conſiderations, hath granted and Ordained, that the Grimoult ſhall reimburſe, within the ſpace of three Months, the ſaid Barbier, of that Revenue which he paid in unto the Caſual Parties, for the Office of Lieutenant-General Civil and Criminal, in the Viſcounty of Alanſon, and of fifty Crowns for charges, and he ſhall order the Bailiff of Perche, or his Lieutenant Mortaigne, to do it. And the money being reimburſt, or if the ſaid Barbier ſhall refuſe or delay to receive it, his Majeſty hath forbidden the ſaid Barbier, as alſo the ſaid Bernard, after the ſignification of this preſent Article, to intrude themſelves into the exerciſe of the ſaid Offices upon pain of being guilty of Cheating; and he the ſaid Grimoult is put into the poſſeſſion of his Offices and Rights unto them appertaining; and thus doing, thoſe Suits which were depending in his Majeſty's Privy-Council, betwixt the ſaid Grimoult, Barbier, and Bernard, ſhall be terminated and ſuppreſſed; his Majeſty forbiding the Parliaments, and all others, from taking Cogniſance, and the ſaid Parties from all Proſecutions for them. Moreover his ſaid Majeſty hath undertook himſelf to reimburſe the ſaid Bernard of a thouſand Crowns furniſhed unto the Caſual Parties for his Office, and of the ſixty Crowns for the mark of gold and coſts, having to this purpoſe now ordained a good and ſufficient aſſignment, which the ſaid Grimoult ſhall diligently get in, and at his ſole Charges.

ARTICLE LIII. His ſaid Majeſty ſhall write unto his Ambaſſadours, that they do importunately deſire, on behalf of all his Subjects, yea, and for thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion, that they be not proſecuted for their Conſciences, nor ſubjected unto the Inquiſition, going, coming, ſojourning, trading, and trafficking in all Foreign Countries, Allies and Confederates of this Crown, provided that they commit no offence againſt the Government of thoſe Countreys in which they ſhall be.

ARTICLE LIV. It is his Majeſties Pleaſure, that there ſhall be no inquiry made after the receipt of thoſe Impoſitions which were levied at Royan, by vertue of the Contract made with the Sieur de Candelay, and others who ſucceeded him; and he confirmeth and approveth of the ſaid Contract for that time in which it took place in the whole Contents thereof, until the 18th day of May now coming.

ARTICLE LV. Thoſe Riots which were occaſioned about Armand Courtines in the Town of Millaud in the year 1587. and of John Reines, and Peter Seigneuret, together with the proceedings againſt them by the Conſuls of the ſaid Millaud, ſhall by vertue of this Edict be aboliſhed and ſuppreſt; nor ſhall it be lawful for their Widows and Heirs, nor for the Attorneys-General of his Majeſty, their Subſtitutes, or other Perſons whatſoever, to make any mention, Inquiry, or Proſecution, notwithſtanding, and without any reſpect had unto the Decree given in the Chamber of Caſtres the tenth day of March laſt, which ſhall be null and without effect, as alſo ſhall be all Informations and Proceedings, both of the one and other ſide.

ARTICLE LVI. All Proſecutions, Proceedings, Sentences, Judgments and Decrees, given as well againſt the late Lord of La Noue, and againſt the Lord Odet of La Noue, his Son, ſince their detention and Impriſonment in Flanders, which happened in May 1580. and in November 1584. and during their continual imployment in the Wars, and for the ſervice of his Majeſty, ſhall be void, null, p. xcvand of none effect, and whatſoever hath enſued in conſequence thereof. And both the ſaid Lords De la Noue, ſhall be admitted to defend themſelves, and be reſtored unto that Condition and State in which they were before the ſaid Judgments and Decrees, they not being obliged to refund the expences, nor to pay the Fines, if they had incurred any, nor ſhall there be alledged againſt them any non-ſuit or preſcription during the ſaid time.

Done by the King in his Council at Nantes, the ſecond day of May, 1598. Signed HENRY. And a little lower. Forget. Sealed with the Great Seal upon yellow Wax.

HEnry by the Grace of God King of France and Navarre, To our Beloved and Faithful Officers holding our Court of Parliament at Paris, Greeting.

We did the laſt April cauſe to be expedited our Letters of Edict for the eſtabliſhment of a good order and peace between our Catholick Subjects and thoſe of the ſaid pretended Reformed Religion. Moreover we have granted unto thoſe of the ſaid Religion, certain ſecret and particular Articles, which we will to be of the ſelf-ſame force and vertue, and to be obſerved and accompliſhed in like manner as our Edict. For theſe Cauſes, We Will, We Command, and do moſt expreſly injoin you by theſe preſents, That the ſaid Articles, Signed with our Hand, and attacked unto this, under the Counter-Seal of our Chancery, you do cauſe to be Recorded in the Regiſter of our ſaid Court, and that in every point and particular, you keep, maintain, and obſerve their Contents, even as this our ſaid Edict, Ceaſing and cauſing to ceaſe, all troubles and impediments to the contrary. For ſuch is our Pleaſure.

Given at Nantes this ſecond day of May, in the Year of Grace 1598. And of our Reign the Ninth. Signed by the King, Forget. And Sealed on a ſingle Label of yellow Wax.

SECT. XVI.

N. B. A Learned Advocate of Niſmes, relates from the Preſs, how that Monſieur de Thou, Preſident in the Parliament of Taris, and the Lord de Calignon (a moſt Zealous Proteſtant) Chancellour of Navarre, drew up this Edict, and ſpent three years about it. If De Calignon would but have followed his Maſter Henry the Fourth in his Apoſtacy from the Reformed Religion unto Popery, he had been made Lord High Chancellour of France. But that moſt Pious Lord refuſed the Greateſt Honour that a Perſon of the Long-Robe was capable of in France, that he might not loſe the Eternal Glories of the Kingdom of Heaven.