Aes. 1-7(0. HO

MEMOIRS O F MAXIMILIAN de BETHUNE, DUKE of SULLY, PRIME MINISTER OF HENRY the GREAT.

Newly tranflated from the French edition o.f M. de L’ECLLSE. To which is annexed. The TRIAL of FRANCIS RAVAILLAC, for the Murder of HENRY the GREAT.

IN FIVE VOLUMES. VOLUME L.

EDINBURGH: Printed and Sold by Gavin Alston* MjJDCC.LXXLU*- v, v o' A o"' T O

THE MEMORY OF

Sir JOSEPH YATES,

ONE OF THE JUDGES OF THE

COURT OF KING’S BENCH,

THIS NEW EDITION OF THE

MEMOIRS OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS DUKE OF SULLY,

IS HUMBLY DEDICATED BY

The EDITOR. Edin. Auguft 1773. o M. de i^Ecluse’s Preface. THE Memoirs of Sully have always been ranked among the beft books we have. This truth being eilablilhed long ago, by the judgment of all our good critics, and of all the lovers of literature, I may fave my- felf the trouble of a diicuffion, ufelefs to thofe who know the book. With regard to thofe who have never read thefe Memoirs, it is fufficient to give them an idea of the work, to fay, that they compre- hend the hiftory of what pafled from the peace in 1570, to the firft year of Lewis XIII. that is to fay, the fpace of more than forty years ; a period-that has furnifhed the moil copious matter to the hiftorians of our mo- narchy ; and that they treat of the reign, or, to fpeak more properly, of almoll the whole life of Henry the Great. Thefe memoirs prefuppofe, indeed, fome knowledge of the preceding troubles, which are only occafion- ally mentioned; but they difplay all the fucceeding events in the moft minute detail. Events equally numerous and diverfified; wars, foreign and civil; interefts of hate and religion ; malterpieces of ftate-adminiftra- tion ; unexpected difcoveries ; efforts of am- bition ; ftratagems of policy; embaflles and negotiations; are all to be found here, and are but a part of what the book contains. The Memoirs of Sully derive another, perhaps a hill greater value, from an infini- b tude vi The French Editor’s Preface. tude of more particular recitals, which are not the province of hifiory, but an advan- tage peculiar to memoirs. They admit a multiplicity of fubjects, and all the variety of incidents which one pleafes to introduce; and, moreover, they are not fubjected to the yoke that neceflity has impofed upon hiftory, to omit nothing of thofe over- general things, in writing of which a man feels himfelf perfe&ly difgufted. Would one give a thorough knowledge of the Prince he is about to fpeak of? The picture of his private life mull inceffantly be compared with that of his public life. Tie muft exhibit him in the midll of his courtiers, with his domeftics, in the mo- ments when he obfervcs himfelf leaft; and e- ftablifh his character by his letters and his con- verfation. The paffions delineate themfelves better by a fimple word, related as it was originally fpoken, than by all the art which an hiftorian can employ. This idea of me- moirs is fo perfectly anfwered by thofe of Sully, with regard to the Prince who is the principal fubjed of them, that it is not till after having read them, that one truly knows Henry IV. What they exhibit to us of this great Prince, in his good as well as his bad fortune, viewed as a private man or a king, as a warrior or as a politician; in fine, as a hufband, father, friend, &c. is marked with traits fo fenfible, that one can- not keep himfelf from being interefted in the particularities of his life, even the moft indifferent. The French EditorV Preface. vii indifferent. At the moll-, I can only ex- cept fome military details, perhaps a little too frequent in the beginning of the work, and a fniall number of others lefs pleafing; though otherwife thefe recitals are always connefted with the public affairs, and di- verfified, like all the reft, with the part which was borne in them by the Duke of Sully. He is, fo to fpeak, the fecond a∨ and this double action makes no breach in the unity of intereft, if I may here be per- mitted this expreflion, becaufe that this minifter fays almofl nothing of himfelf, which has not fome relation to the ftate, or to the perfon of his matter. The reader will, doubtlefs, be pleafed to know what judgment was formed of thefe me- moirs when they firft began to fee the light j and I fhall give him information from the author of an old difcourfe, to be found a- mong the MSS. (vol. 9590 ) of the King’s library. “ One of the mott beautiful images “ of human prudence and fidelity,” fays he, <£ is to be found in the account left to the “ public by the Duke of Sully, in thefe two “ volumes, of the nature of the counfels he “ had given, and of the number of the fer- “ vices he had done, to his King and bene- “ factor, as well for the particular glory “ of his perfon, as for the profperity of hts “ kingdom. And, in truth, the fortune of “ Henry the Great, and the virtue of his b 2 u prime via The French Editor’s Prefacs- u prime minifter, are two things which ap- “ pear alternately, or more properly, go «* hand in hand. The minifter, in this “ work, ferves and obliges the King, in all “ the ways that a great Prince can receive “ fervice or obligation from a fubjeft, with “ his hand, his courage, his fword, and- “ even with his blood, and his wounds, by “ his valour or difcretion, as occafion re- “ quired. But he particularly ferved him. “ in his council and cabinet, w ith the great- “ eft good fenfe and moft quick-lighted pe- “ netration, the moft; uncommon difmter- “ eftednefs, and the moft lingular fincerity, “ that has ever been known in the hiftories, “ either of our own or of other countries.,> It is natural, in the reign of a Prince like Henry IV. to look for great generals, pro- found politicians, and able minifters ; but what muft furprife us is, to find in the fame perfon, the warrior, the politician, the w'ife manager of bulinefs, the fare and fevere fiiend, as well as the intimate confident and favourite of his mailer. And what muft appear ftill more uncommon, is to fee, in a w ork where the actions of two fuch extra- ordinary perfons are colle&ed after their deaths, a great King reduced to conquer his owm kingdom, occupied with a minifter in his w'ay, not Ids great, in contriving means to make his undertakings fuccefsfuf; labouring afterwards, in concert with him, to render this fame kingdom nor only peace- able but flouriftiing, regulating the finances, founding The French Editor’s Preface. ix founding trade, eftablifhing the police, and, in fhort, recovering every part of the go- vernment from confufion. In this work therefore are comprifed two illuftrious lives, mutually accompanying, enlightening, and embellilhing one another; that of a king, and that of a minifter, his confident, nearly of the fame age, carried on from the infancy of both to the death of the firft, and to the time when the fecond faw himfelf removed from the management of affairs. Add to this, that thefe Memoirs of Sully are yet further recommended by excellent principles of morality, by civil and political maxims derived from truth, and by an in- finite number of views, projects, and regu- lations, of aimoft every kind with which they are filled. “ He alone,” fays the fame co- temporary author, fpeaking of the Duke of Sully, *cfirftdifcovered the union of two things M which our fathers not only could not ac-

SUMMARY of BOOK I. MEmoirs from the year 1570 to l^&o- Stats of affairs in the council of France, and thofe of the Calvinifts, at the peace of 1570. Rofny’s extraction, and anecdotes of the houfe of Bethune. Some account of the birth, education, and early years of the prince of Navarre. Idea of the go- vernment under Henry II. Francis II. and during the firft years of the reign of Charles IX. Artifice of Queen Catharine of Medicis, to ruin the Hugue- nots. Rofny engages himfelf in the fervice of the King of Navarre, and follows him to Paris. Death of the Queen of Navarre. The wounding of Ad- miral Cohgny and other caufes of fufpicion which; the Court gave to the Proteftants. Profound difix* mulation of Charles IX. Maffacre of St Bartho- lomew ; a particular relation of this event. Obfer* vations and reflections upon it. The conduCt of Charles IX. and Admiral Coligny. In what man- ner the King of Navarre and Rofny efcaped being; maffacred. Education of Rofny. The Calvinifts refume courage,.and retrieve their affairs. Flight of the Prince of Conde. Imprifonment of the Princes.. The infurrection of Shrove-Tuefday. Death of Charles IX. His character. Henry III. returns to* France, and declares war againft the . Flight of Monfieur and the King of Navarre. The Queen mother deceives them by the peace, called Phe geace of Monfizur. The war is renewed. Ikary-Mi* 2Clt SUMMARY. litary rencounters and taking of cities. Rofny^s firft exploits in arms. The peace of 1577. Con> ferenccs, between the Queen mother and the King of Navarre. More military expeditions. Taking of Cahors, 6r. Faults committed by Rofny. SUMMARY of BOOK II. Memoirs from the year 1580 to the year 1587. Affairs ot Flanders. The United Provinces offer their crown to Monfitur: he goes to Holland; Roiny attends him. The taking of Cateau-Cam~ brtfis, (drc. Monfieur 1'urprifes the citadel of Cam- bray t he gees to England; returns to France; is hated by the Dutch and the Proteftants, on account of the treachery attempted by him at Antwerp ; dilconcerted by the Prince of Orange. Rolny difiatisfied with Monfitur, who finding all his fchemes blafted, returns to France. Rolny returns likewile, after having vifited the city of Bethune- Spain makes offers to the King of Navarre. Rof- ny fcnt to the court of France by the King of Na- varre : he vifits Monfieur. Death of that Prince. Rolny’s fccond journey to Paris, and negotiation there : his marriage. Domeftic employments. Ori- gin, formation, and progrefs of the league. Hen- ry III. joins the league againft the King of Navarre. Divifions in the Calvinift party ; the views of its chiefs. Rofny is again fent to Paris by the King of Navarre, to obferve the motions or the league. An attempt upon Angers; fails. A dangerous journey taken by Rofny. The Prince of Conde in extreme peril. The King of Navarre in great per- plexities. Military expeditions. Rofny negotiates an alliance between the two Kings The taking of Talmont, Fontenay, be. Rofny goes to vifit and aflift his wife, during the calamity of the plague. Fruitlefs interviews between the Queen mother and the King of Navarre. A feries of military expedi- tions. SUMMARY. xHi tions. Rofny defeats one of the enemy’s fquadrons. Other fuccefles of the Calvinifts ; a declared perfe- cution againft them. Madam de Rofny in great danger. Rofny’s fecret journey to Paris. The Duke of Joyeufe leads an army into Poitou, and is beat by the King of Navarre at Coutras } a particu- lar account of this battle. SUMMARY of BOOK III. Memoirs from the year 1587 to the year 1590. Errors committed by the King of Navarre and the Proteftants after the . Secret de- figns of the Prince of Conde, the Count of Soiffons and the Vifcount Turenne. Death of the Prince ofr Conde; obfervations upon his death. The battle of the Bax ricades, and the confequences; reflec- tions upon this event. The Duke and Cardinal of Guife aflaflinated j refledtions and obfervations ca this occafion. Death of Catharine de Medicis. The pufillanimity of Henry III. with refpeft to the kague. Rofny negotiates a treaty of alliance be- tween the two Kings ; the difgufl: he receives upon this occaflon. Interview of the two Kings. The Duke of Maienne fits down before Tours ; military exploits on both fides. Battle of Fofleufe, at which Rofny is prefent. Death of Madame de Rofny. Military fuccefles of the two Kings. . Death of Henry III.; particulars of this aflfaffination. Henry IV. alks counfel of Rofny ; the perplexing lituation of this Prince. The dif- pofitions of the feveral officers in the royalift army with refpedl to him. Rofny furprifes Meulan. Mi- litary expeditions. A particular account of the battle of Arques, at which Rofny was prefent. Skirmifhes at Pollet. Henry IV.-often in danger. An attempt upon Paris. Rencounters and lieges of different places. Digreffions upon thofe Me- moirs. Siege of Meulan. A Spanilh army in France. Rofny defends Paffi. The ; particu- xlv S U M M A R Y. lars of this battle. Rofny often in great danger} is wounded in feveral places he is carried by his own orders to Rofny : Henry IV.’s affectionate be- haviour to him there. SUMMARY of BOOK IV. Memoirs from 1590 to 1592. A mutiny inr Henry’s army after the battle of Ivry; diffipations of the finances, and other caufes of the little ad- vantages he derived from it. Cities taken. At- tempts on others; difappointed. The taking of the luburbs of Paris ; the fiege of the city ; parti- culars relating to this fiege ; the caufes which obli- ged Henry to raife it. The Prince of Parma leads an army thither : his encampment, and other milita- ry details. An error committed by Henry: he obliges the Prince of Parma to retire. The fiege of Chartres. An adventure wherein Rofny is in danger of being killed : he retires to Rofny in dif- content. Succefs of Henry IV.’s arms. The ta- king of Corbie, Noyon, &c. An enterprife upon Manle. The Duke of Montpenfier’s expeditions in . Preparations for the fiege of Rouen ; error:; committed at this fiege. Mutual animofities between the foldiers and officers of Henry’s army. Attacks, aflaults, and other particulars, of this fiege. The Prince of Parma comes again with an army in- to France. The infolence of the council of fixteen. Henry advances to meet the Prince of Parma. An enterprife boldly feconded by the Duke of Nevers. The battle of Aumale; particulars of this battle, and obfervadons upon it. Henry raifes the fiege of Rouen : marches, encampments, rencounters, and battles, betwixt him and the Prince of Parma, in the neighbourhood of PiOuen. Obfervations up- on thefe battles. A glorious exploit of the Prince of Parma at the pafiage of the beine. Henry’s ar- my refufes to puri'ue him : the caufes of this refu- fal; and reflection upon it. SUM- SUMMARY. xv- SUMMARY of BOOK V. Memoirs from 1592 to 1 593. A fuccinft account of the ftate of affairs in the provinces of France du- ring the years 1591 and 1592. Intrigues carried on by the Count of Soifibns: his charafter. An abridg- ment of the Duke of Epernon’s hiftory : his difobe- dience; his charatter. Several parties formed in the fouthei’n provinces of France : a fhort account of what pafled there. The fiege of Villemur. Thefiege ofEperni, where Marechal Biron is flain : his eulo- gium. Death of the Prince of Parma. Rofny mar- ries again, and retires in difcontent. The caufe of it. He intercepts the memoirs of the negotiation be- tween Spain and the league. A detail and examen of thofe papers. A third party formed in France : the perfons who compofeit; and their views. Henry follows Rofny’s advice. The wife and cautious con- ffudl obferved by them both. Converfations betwixt them, wherein Rofny prevails upon him to change his religion. Henry founds the Proteftants upon this refolution. Rofny’s conference with Bellozane, the two Durets, and Du-Perron. Conditions offered by the league to Henry ; with what defign ; reje&ed. The meeting of the ftates of Paris. A project of the Prince of Parma’s badly executed. Dil union of the Catholic chiefs in thefe ftates : their intrigues and ar- tifices to fupplant each other. The parliament of Paris publilhes an arret. The zeal of its members for the honour of the crown. The truce. The great wifdom and ability of Henry in profiting of the dif- fenfions among the chiefs of the league. Conduft of Villeroi and Jeannin. Rofny gives the King very prudent advice. The fiege of Dreux ; taken by Rof- ny’s means. Henry removes all obffacles to his con- verfion. Particulars relating to his abjuration. SUMMARY of BOOK VI. Memoirs from 1593 to 1594. Condufl of Henry with regard to the Pope, S.pain, the league,Huguenots, and the SUMMARY, Huguenots, after his abjuration. Another truce. Artifices of Spain. Barriere’s attempt upon the life of Henry. The Jefuits accufed and cleared of this crime. Rofny begins a negotiation with admiral Vil- lars, to difengage him from the party of the league. Fefcamp furprifed by a very extraordinary method. A difpute raifed about this fort. Several cities fur- render to Henry. Rofny’s journey to Rouen : a detail of his negotiations with Villars. The charafter of that governor. Rofny is employed by Henry to ef- feft a reconciliation betwixt the Duke of Montpen- fier and the Count of Soiflbns, and to break off the marriage of the latter with the Princefs Catharine. He vifits the Duchefs of Aumale at A net. A far- ther account of his negotiations with Villars, Meda- vy, and others. The treaty with Villars, after many obftacles, concluded. Henry is received into Paris. Circumftances relating to this reduction. Several in- ftances of the generofity and clemency of this Prince. An accommodation with Villeroi. Rofny’s third journey to Rouen. Villars fends away the deputies of Spain and the league. The ceremony with which Rouen was furrendered to the King. The conditions upon which Rofny cpplents to receive any gratuities. Villars comes to count An inftance of Henry’s ge- nerofity. Lyons fubmits to the King, notwithftand- ing the endeavours of the Duke de Nemours to the contrary. Poitiers, Cambray, and other cities, do the fame. The taking of La-Capelle by the Spaniards. The fiege ot Laon commences. The affairs which oblige Rdfny to return to Paris: his converfation with the Cardinal of Bourbon : he fupports the Je- fuits in their procefs with the univerfity and curates of Paris : he returns to the fiege of Laon. A far- ther account of the fiege. Henry’s indefatigable la- bours there. A great convoy of Spaniards defeated by Biron. Rofny prefent at this rencounter. The King difpleafed with Biron. The Spaniards endea- vour in vain to throw liipplies into Laon. ME- M E M O I R S O F

SULLY.

BOOK I. THE court of Charles IX. flattered itfelf, that the calamities which had happened to the Reformed under the preceding reigns, would finally compel them either to fubmit to the will of the king, or to abandon the kingdom. The death of the Prince o£ Conde*, their chief, the lofs of twm great battles f, the utter difperfion of their foldiers, and the fmall likelihood of ever being able toreinfpire with vigour the feeble remains of troops difpirited by a long fe- ries of ill fuccds, all confpired to make the court believe, that their ruin w'as now become unavoid- able But a courage fuperior to all events, fup- * T ewis T. brother of Anthony King of Navarre, and fon of atChirico the battle of Bouibon, of Jarnar Duke in the of 1569,Vendome. and murderedHe was takenby piftol-fbot prifoner inDuke the ofbaik Anjou part wasof his accufed head, ofby havingthe baron otdered de Montefquieu. this gentleman 'fhe t» alhllinatef Jamac theand Prince Mon'ontour, of Conde. Memoirsj The readerwas a I muffroteftant. always remember, that the author of thefe Vol. I. A ported 5 M E M 01 R S Book I ported them in circumftances fo depreffing. They recollc6led their foldiers, who were dirperfed all o- ver the provinces ; and they began again to draw near to Burgundy, Bourboun, and Berry. La Cha- rite was appointed for the place of their general rendezvous ; Vezelai, and fome other towns in that neighbourhood, were ftill in their interefts. They had even the boldnefs to promife themfelves, they fhould Ipread the alarm as far as Paris, as foon as they received a conliderable fupply of horfe ard foot, which they were made to expert from Germa- ny. The notice of this gave a good deal of inquie- tude to the Queen-mother, Catherine de Medicis. She imagined, however, that it would be ea I “ ranthe King’sthe rifle forces of being had. taken A cavalieror flrirt; wasfor killedI had nowithin artillery, ten paces and “ thatof me day by toa flioffromGod, he madeaculverin. it favourable Recommending and happy.” the fnccefs In this of fameMarrcnnes, year the the Huguenots die of Oleron, gained Brouage, the battle Xaintcs, of Lucon, ire. and took t By this treaty of peace, they were put in pofltlCon of many privileges,therr churches of which was augmented,they had been and deprived.four cities wereThe givennumber them o'f Charitefor fccurity, Tins viz. peace, La Rochelle,svhich was Montauban, figned Aug. Cognac,11. was calledand Li-t'm lameKing, und by ill-foundedBiron, who peace, was became lame, itand was by concluded, N. de Mcfmes, in name Lord'of of the Mall^ Fiaa,is iffi e. which de fScthune, in French B.ion fignifies de Rolr.y, ill-founded. who died in ijtj. A 3 employed 4 MEMOIRS Book L employed himfelf in fettling his domeftic affairs. As it is the hiflory of my own life, jointly with that of the prince whom I ferved, that is to make the fubject of thefe memoirs, I ought to give fome ac- count of my family and perfon. While in this I in- dulge the curiofity of the public, I beg it would be believed, that I do it without vanity or affe&ntion. It is the obligation I am under to adhere ftri&Iy to truth, that induces me to relate every thing that will appear advantageous to me in this place, or in the progrefs of my memoirs. Maximilian is my Chrtftian name, and Bethune that of my family, which derives its origin, by the houfe of Coucy, from the ancient houfe of Auftria,, which is diftindi from the prefent houfe of Auftria that is in pofttflion of the empire of Germany, and the twQ Spains. This laft is defeended only from, the Counts of Habftmrg and Quiburg, private gen- tlemen, who three hundred years ago were in the pay of the cities of Strafburg, Bafil, and Zurich, and would have counted it their high honour to have been Rewards to fuch a prince as the King of France; fince Raoul, chief of this, fecond houfe of Auftria, was in a fimil ir office under Otrocar King of Bohemia. But it is from the fon of this Raoul, that the new ftock of Auftria properly begins, for he took the name of Auftria inftead of his own. The houfe of Bethune (which has given its name to a city of Flanders, and from whence iffued the counts that ajiciently governed that province) boafts. of one Robert de Bethune, patron *- of the church of Arras, whofe father and grandfather, bearing alfo the name of Robert, were declared protectors ot the province of Artois. One of theie two Ro- berts de Bethune, fignulized himfelf in France, by the taking of La Roche-vandais, a place of ftrength * The title of patron of the church wjs then fo noble, that many fo,vtteigu> thought it aa. honour to bo dtftinguilhed byupon. it. 1570. OF S U L L Y. 5 upon the confines of Auvergne, whither the rebel Emerigot Marcel had retired; and the other in the wars of Sicily, by killing, with his own hand, the tyrant Mainfroy,. in prefence of the two armies. In reward of which fervice, Charles of Anjou, the rival of Mainfroy, very juftly gave him his daughter Catherine in marriage. They mention a fourth Robert de Bethune, who gained a fea fight over the infidels in the Mediterranean. In the church, a James de Bethune, Bifhop of Cambray, at the time of the croifade of the Albigeois ; and a John de Be- thune, Abbot of Anchin near Valenciennes, who died in the year ) 250-, with the character of fanc- tity, and whofe relics are revered as thofe of a mar- tyr. The hiftory of the croifades has taken notice of thofe of the family who diftinguifhed themfclv.es at the taking of Jcrufalem, by being the firft that mounted the breach. Antony and Coefne de be- thune, treading the heps of their ancefiors,. were alfo the firft who mounted the ftandard upon the walls of Conftantinopje, when Baldwin,. Count of Flanders, carried this capital from Alexis Camnentis» and Coefne obtained the government of it. Whoever has fuch domeftic examples as thefe, cannot recai them too often to his mind, to ani- mate himfelf to fellow them. Happy, if, during, the cour.'e of my life, I have been able to demean myfelf in fuch a‘manner, that fo many illuftrious men need not difdain to acknowledge me, and that I need not myfelf blufh at being dtfeended from them. In progrefs of time the houfe of Bethune ihcrea- fed yet more in eminence. It allied itfelf with al- moft all the fovereign houfes in Europe ; it entere J into that of Aullria> and to conclude with what does it infinitely more honour, the auguft houfe of Bourbon did not contemn its alliance. But I ought alfo to acknowledge, that the branch from, which I am- defeended, had then loft much of A g its 6 M E M O IES Book r. its primitive fplendor. This branch is the ifilie oF a younger brother, and the lead fubftantial of alb thofe who have borne this name. I he eldeft branch having three times fallen into the female line, all the great eftates it poffJTd in dinirent parts of Europe, did. not go to the collateral branches, but went with the daughters to the royal houfes they married into. My particular anceftors, by marrying advanta- geoufly, did not fail to reftore to their branch what was wanting to enable it to iupport the name with dignity : but alt thefe riches were almoft entirely diffipated by the bad management and prodigality of my grandfather, who left nothing to his fon, who is my father, but the dfate of Anne de Melun his wife, of which it was not in his power to deprive him. As to my perfonal concerns: At the time which I fpeak of, I entered into my eleventh year, being born the 13th of December 1560. Although I was only the fecond of four male children that my father had, yet the natural indifptdkions of my eldeft brother made my father look upon me as him who mud be head of his family ; and all the marks of a drong complexion argued with him dill more in my favour. My parents hied me in the opinions and doctrines of the Reformed, and I have contir nued condantly in the proftflion. of them : neither threats, promifes, diverfity of events, not even the change of the king my protedor, joined to his mod tenner folicitations, have ever been able to make me renounce them. Henry King of Navarrewho will have the principal civilwars),• The houfe from of Lewis Bovthon, 1 X. to (faysHenry Volta're, IV. have inbeen his almottEflay alwayson the reeof Conde. eetcd ; bretinand was r to reduced Antony to K fuch ng ofpoverty, Navarre, that and the enJt famous m PrinceHenry t he Guat, had no more than Coo litres a year for Ida patrimony. rS7r* O- P S U L L Y. r principal fliare in thefe memoirs, was feven years older than i, and when the peace of 1570 was con- cluded, entered into his eighteenth year*. A ge- nerous, open, and engaging countenance ; an eafy, blithe, and fprightly manner : and a lingular ad.* drefs in all the exercifes peculiar to his age, incli- ned all hearts to fide with him. He began early + to give indications of the great talents for war, which have fo highly diftinguilhed him among other prin- ces. Vigorous and indefatigable, (thanks to the edu- But Mathieu {Hill, of Hen. IV. vol. a. p 1 & i.) tell* us. that thethan houfe bcOjSOO of Bourbon livres a-ycar was thenin lands in pofl'effion only, which of a revenuewas at that of snore time thoughtpolTefled a ofvery the ample ancient fortune. eflate of ItBourbon, is certain, or thateven this of thewas houfeall it ©fwhich M on came cad:, bythe very maternal opulent (lock; ana'iUulbious the eftates alliances, of thefe twobeing houfts, alie- natedChron. to vol. purchale 1. booh the 1. vifeounty p. »37- of Narbonne. See Cayet’s new. * He svas born at Pauin Bearni Deo. r;. isr3- Perefixe re- latesd’Aibret, lorae hisvery grandfather, curious particulars made his conceraing daughter hispromife.to birth. Henryfing a longmay tobring him me while a child Hie wasthat iuwill labour neither ; inweep order, nor faid make he, wry that faces.. yoti. Theof her Pnncefs pains, pronvfed,to keep her and word had ; loand much-courage fang a long as,in Btarnois,in the midfti her ownchamber. count!y-language, The child ascame loon into as firetire heard world her without fatlier enteredweeping her or crying.bed his littleHis grandfalips with her. a carriedclove ofhim garlic, to his andown madeapartment him fuck; rub- a dropetiunllrong of wine and out vigprous. of a gold Pe/cjixe, cup, inp. order1.. Cayet, to vol.render i.book his 1conftitu- p-14.1. judgmentf Tlvi* youngto discern Prince, the when,faults ofonly the thirteenPrince ofyears Coude, of age,and had.the Admiralthat, at thede greatColigny. tkirmifh He atwas Loudoun, of opinion, if the and Duke with of great-juttice, Anjou had hadthat troopshe did in.readinetsnot do it, but to attackchofe tothem, retire, he was would an evidence have done of it:Iris ' badthis condition,they ncgletffed, and thereforeand fo gave they, time flvould for all have his troopsattacked to joinhim; him. but theyAt the had battle not ofa favourableJarnac, he rcprcftuledopportunity to forthem fighting, as judicioufly, btcaufe that the jouforces all of joined the princes : but werethey werefcattered, too farand engaged thofe of to the retire. Duke Atof An-the criedbattle out,of Moncoutour, We iofe our whenadvantage, he was and but cuufcnueutlyiix.een years oftire age, battle. he £(re£. ibid, cation MEMOIRS Boole f. cation of his infancy #), labour was his element, and he icemed to wait with impatience for occafions of amitift* He rocks was brougfand mountains. t up in the caftleHenry of d’Albret Coartfie inwould Bearn, have fnuated him clothedcuflomed and to fedrun likeup andother down children the »>cks.in that country,It is faid, and that even his or-ac- hedinasy \va' oftenfood wasmade brown to walk i-read, barefoot beef, andcherfe, bareheaded. and gat lie ; Peref.and thatit. Ettle\\ biletime he after was inthey the gave cradle, him hethe was title caliedof Duke Prince of Beeunlont, of Vi ne. andA afterwardsmother, tot that k j^reat of Prince care ofot Navarrehis education, 1 he andQueen affigned of Navarre, him torhis hisHaving preceptor while La Gauchcrie,yet a child, a beenlearned prefented man, hut to a greatHenry Calvinifh II. the' pliedKing rfitedthe little him. Ptinee, it he pointingwould he to his the (on. king Heof isNavarre. my lather, Well, re- heart,faid the anfwertd k ng. Will the vou Prince. be my ibn-inFrom thatlaw thentime ?his Oh, marriage with all with my theMedina, Print tf.P oking Margaret earneftly was fettled.at him, faid,A t ThisBayonne, prince the either Duke will, de or Mought e find to inbe thean Emperor.memoirs ofC.yrt, Nevcrs,* vol fomei. boek letters t. p. 140-wiittcn, in. ral1567,17 ve'ry inteielting the priiiciptll particulars magidrates coacerning of Bourdeaux, the thatperlon contain of young feve- s'Hemy. fefled, ‘‘that V, het have is a prettyhere the youth. Prince At of the ilearu. age of Itthirteen, muft he he con- has “ aliable, the polite, qualities and of engaging. one of eighteen He converles or nineteen. with Heevery is agree- body “ withwhere-ever an air he fo is ealy,He thatenters he intooccafions a converfation a croud tolike afl'cinblfc an ac- “" ccmphihcdwhen the comt gentleman, happens fpeaks to he diealways ftilijciA to theof difeourfe,purpole; itand is n Mf. to fee that he is peifeftly well a quainted witli it, and ne- “ ver1 fhail f,.ys all mote niy lifencr hatelefs thanthe new he ought,religion in forwhatever having placerobbed he is.us «« 0f fo woithy a fubjetft ” And another, “ Though his hair be a «“ Hislittle face red, is the finely ladies fliaped, do not histhink nofe him neither the lefs tooagiee.bie large fornor that. too> «“ clearfmall ;; andhis ryeshi- whole full ofmien fwcvtnefs, anim .ted his with fkin an brown, uncommon but viv^very «a*' fo/unatt.”city ; fo that Again,if he is “cot lit well loves wi eliveifionll the ladies, and he good is vtiy cheer. un- «“ thatV lun in hea imnnerwants money,quite new, he hasand the equally addrefs agreeable to procure to it,himfelf and “ heas tobelieves others, his viz. friends, to thole, he fends whether a piomifl'or.y men or n. women,te, written whom and « orfigiv the d by(urn himfelf, contained and inprays it themJudge, to fendif there him be back a h the>eic note, toat •a can refufe him. It i- accounted an liouout to liave’anote from “ this prince,” &•(. vol, 2. p. 586. acquiring.. . T57l* OF SULLY. 9 acquiring glory. The crown of France not being as yet an objett upon which his defires could be in- tent, he loved to entertain himfelftwith fchemes of recovering that of Navarre, which Spain had fo un- juftly ufurped upon his houfe; aftd he reckoned he fhould be able to accomplifh this end, by entertain- ing fecret intelligence with the Moors in Spain *. The enmity he bore to this power, was manifeft ; it was born with him, and he was never at any pains to conceal it. He felt his courage heated at the relation of the battle of Lepanto f, which was fought at this time, fo intenfiiy, that a fimilar op- portunity of fignalizing himftlf againft the infidels,, became one of his mofl ardent willies. The vad: and flattering hopes which the diviners agreed in making him conceive, were almoft always prefent to his mind. He faw the foundation of them in that afleftion which Charles IX. early entertained, .for him, and which confiderably increafed a fliort time before his death: but as full as he was of thefe happy prefages, he laboured to fecond them only in fecret, and never difclofed his thoughts to any perfon but a final! number of intimate confi- dents. In order to form a juft idea, either of the gene- ral ftate of affairs in the government of France, or of thofe of the young Prince of Navarre in parti- cular, .and what he might have to hope or fear in ■ the times of which we are fpeaking, it is neceffary | fuccinftly to relate the different fteps taken by the miniftry, both before and after the death of the * My ewe, faid Henry d’Albret, has brought forth a lion. He KEpaioi added forfrom the a injuriesfecret prefage, flie had that done the him. child Ptref.would ib. revenge himon + Gained this year over the Turks by Don John of Auftria, Venetiannatural ton troop to s.Charles V. and gentralilDnio of the- Epaniihaud King to MEMOIRS Book f. King of Navarre his father *, flain before Rouen. I fliall go bark, therefore, to the rupture that kindled the War between Henry II. and Philip II. King of Spain. By which fide foever it was occa- fioned, the event was not fo favourable to France, as it was convenient for the views of the two men who had counfelled it. Thefe were the Conftable de Montmorency, and the Duke de Guife, who hoped thefe troubles would furnifh the means of reciprocally fupplanting each other’. In this war there was fufficient employment for both the two. The Duke of Guife, at the head of a ftrong army, pp.fied into Italy, where he performed nothing worthy his reputation. But the Conftable did a great deal worfe. The moft Ihining employment, which was the command of the army in Flanders, he referved for himfelf, and loft St Quentin, with the battle of that name, where he was taken pri- foner himfelf. This defeat was followed by that of Marfhal Thermes at Gravclines. The Duke of Guife faw all his wifhes completed by thefe unfortunate events. He was recalled from Italy, to put himfelf fingly at the head of the coun- cil and armies, with which he made an acquifition of Calais to France. The Conftable in his prifon felt exquifitely this blow j and to get off to defend his rights at any rate, he treated of a peace with Spain. It was not indeed honourable for the King his mafter, but it releafed him from captivity. He varre.* Antony He turned de Bourbon, Catholic. hutb M. .nd de of ThouJane d’relates Albret an Queen anecdote of Na- of him,riade. which Francis we dc-fhtll Guife, give fays in the he. wordsd( frgned of tothe aflallinate author of him the inHen- tits courage,chamber ofthough Francis his II.judgment Antony was Of Navarreweak, liehad was a greatinformed deal of executed.the plot, yetIf wentthey murder refolutely me, faidinto.tlie he to chamber Reinfy, whereone of it hiswas gentle- co he men,will learn take fromrry'hloody my blood flrirt; what and carrythey itought to my to wife do toand revenge foil. They me. deFrancis Guife. il. atdm leaving ft not ftainhis chamber,himftlf withcried this out, crime; What and a poorthe Dul.eKing have we! loff *57i* OF SULLY. I loft every thing in the perfon of Henry II. who was flain * amidft the pomp of the marriage of his daugh- I ter with the King of Spain, which was the feal of the f peace. Francis II who fucceeded him, was young, weak, and infirm ; and as he had married the niece of the Duke of Guife f, that nobleman came in his turn fingly to direft the king and the kingdom. | The Proteftants could not have fallen into the hands ,, of a more cruel enemy. He was bufied in forming vaft projefts, and meditating the ftrangeft cataftro- ; phes in France, when he himfelf did partake in the viciffitudes of fortune. Francis II. failed him ; a j difeafe of the ear X having put an end to the days of this prince, in a manner abundantly hidden. [ The reign of Charles IX. his brother, yet an infant, was lingular in this, that the authority feemed to be equally divided amongft the Queen mother, the princes of the blood, the Cuifes, and the Conftable ; ■ inafmuch as each of them fecretly headed a fepa- 1 rate party. The good deftiny of the Duke of Guife | placed him a fecond time at the head of affairs, by . the union that Catherine made with him. Upon this union Ihe even founded the principal part of her politics ; and it is pretended the hatred Ihe be- | gan to Ihow towards the princes of Bourbon, had a great fhare in it. This averfion arofe from her ( having taken it into her head, upon the faith of an ! aftrologer, that none of the princes her Tons Ihould f have iflue; upon which fuppofition the crown muft pafs to a branch of the houfe of Bourbon. She I could not refolve to fee it go out of her family, and E [therefore] deftlned it to the pofterity of her daugh- ter, who was married to the Duke of Lorrain. i ment,* Struck where in he the ran eye againfl with thethe Countfplinter de Montgomery,of a lance in a Julytourna- io. - 1/5f 9*Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, daughter of James V. King I of1 Scotland The abfceis and thatof Maryhe had of inLorrain, this patt of theturning hoiife to rt a mortifica-Guife. , IK jfu.fpiciontion, he diedof bis Dec. having j. ij6o.been poiloned.No more was ncceflary to taife a Whatever 12 MEMOIRS Book I. Whatever there may be in this predile&ion of the Queen-mother *, it is certain it gave birth to two parties in politics, as well as religion, which began from that moment to fill the kingdom with confu- iion, horror, and the moft frightful calamities. This terrible ftorm would feem as if it had ga- thered to break precifely upon the head of the young Prince of Navarre. The King of Navarre, his fa- ther, was juft then dead f. His death, indeed, left a prince and a king to be head of the Reform- ed religion in France : but this prince was a child of feven years of age, expofed to all the attacks of the new council, who afted in concert with the Pope, the Emperor, the King of Spain, and all the Catholics of Europe). In effecft, this party ex- perienced the moft cruel reverfes ; yet, by the wife conduit of its chiefs, and the forward talents of young Henry, it fupported itfelf with glory till the peace of 1570, at which period thel'e Memoirs com- mence. Prince Henry made ufe of the quiet that was given him, to vifit his eftates, and his government of Guyenne : after- which he came to fettle in Rochelle, with the Queen of Navarre his mother, the Admi- ral de Coligny J, and the principal chiefs of the * M. 1’ Abbe le Laboureur, in his athlitions to the Memoirs of -Caftelnau,King of Navarre. afligns anotherHe afihres reafon us, hefor had Catherine’s read in feme hared memoirs, to the theythat confpirtdthis prince to and ftrang the eDi ihe ke Queen-mother, d’ Altnyon being with prifoners their own together, hands, cutedwhen throughAre came intothe horrortheir chamber. they themfelves This refolution felt at the was f.uft; not exe-and Catherinethe King ofde MedicisNavarre wasafterwards to the laft but degree il| concealing irritated againftthe fecret, him. of fNavarre The author in 1560: is miftafren it did notin placing happen the till death ifSi, of Antonyby a wound King elogiumwhich he in receivedthe memoirs at the of fiege Biantome, of Rouen- vol. See3. p.his 241. charafler and of }France. Gafpard de Coligny, Lord of Chatillon fur Loirg, Admiral Proteftant r57i. OF SULLY. *3 Proteftant parry ; to whom this important city, far diftant from the court, feemed moft advantageous for the iritert ft of their religion. This was a moft wife refolution, had they only known to have fol- lowed it out. Queen Catherine diflembled the trouble this con- duit gave her, and, during the whole year 1571, fpoke only of faithfully obferving the treaties, of entering into a clofer correfpondence with the Pro- teftants, and carefully preventing every caufe that might rekindle the war. This was the pretext of the Marechal de Coflt’s deputation, whom fhe fent to Rochelle with Malaffize and La-Proutiere, ma- ilers of requefts, her creatures and confidents *, hut the true motive was, to obferve all the proceedings’ of the Calvinifts, to found their inclinations, and draw them infenfibly to fuch an entire confidence in her, as was abfoiutely neceflary to her defigns. She ntglefted nothing on her part of all that was ca- pable to inipire it into them. TheMarechal deMont- morency was fent to Rouen with the Prefident de Morfan, to do juftice there for the outrages com- mitted again!! the Huguenots; the infringements of the treaty of peace were feverely punifhed ; and King Charles daily called it his treaty, and his peace. This prince would on all occafions artfully infinuate, that he confented to this peace, in order to (upport the princes of his blood again!! the too great authority of the Guiles, whom he accufed of confpiring with Spain to embroil the kingdom f. - Thefe f Charles IX. naterally hated the duke of Guife. He was fo indifgufted marriage, at his that having one day,demanded talking the on Princefs this fubjedl Margaret to the his Grand filter Piicvtwo Iwords, of France, “ Of natural thefe two fon Avoids,of Henry that I[. thouhe faid, feeft, fhowing there is himone “ to kill tliee, if to-morrow at the chace thou dolt not kill the’ repeated“ Duke ofto Guifethe Duke with of the Guife, other.” who Thefe quitted words hispuifuit. were afterwards Mattb. fuedtook 6the p. Duke 3 3 3- of GuileThe fame one dayhiltorian with a adds, javelin that in labCharles hand, IX.whi.fe pur- he Von. I, J4 Itruck *4 MEMOIRS Book I. Tbefe noblemen feemed daily to decreafe in favour; and their complaints, whether true or falfe, gave all imaginable colour to this report. Charles did not even make the leaft difficulty of advancing as far as Blois and Boutfueil, to confer with the Re- formed; who for their deputies had named Telig- ny f, fon-in-law to the admiral, Briquemaut, Beauvais-la-Nocle, and Cavagne; and thefe four deputies, going afterwards to Paris, were there loaded with prefents and civilities. The Marechal de Cofle did not fail to make the moft of thefe appearances of fincerity. After he had by thefe means inlinuated himfelf, he began to e ntertain the Queen of Navarre more ferioufly, with *he projeft of a marriage between the Prince her fon, and the Princefs Margaret, lifter to the King of France : he was cemmiffioned by Charles to pro- mife a portion of 400,000 crowns. For the Prince of Conde, he propofed the third heirefs of Cleves, a very confiderable match; and the Countefs d’Entremont for the Admiral de Coligny. As they well forefaw, that he would be more obftinate to their perfuafions than all the others belides, there- fore the Marechal de Coffe annexed to this laft ar- ticle of marriages, a prefent of too,000 crowns, which the King engaged to give the Admiral, to- gether with a grant of all the benefices which his brother the Cardinal had enjoyed The Mare- chal offlruck it, forforcibly having into at aplay door, touched juft at him the with time a tile.the DukeIbid. came/>. 376. out f He had a face lb iweetand graceful, that, at the niaflarre of a>St inBartholomew, fulptnee, and thof'e had notwho refolution were firft lentenough to aiTallinate tofttike the him, blow. ftopt, } Odet de Chaftilloo, Cardinal KilhOp of Bauvais, Abbot of St Benoita

BOOK III. H A T the Proteftant party might have derived great advantages from the vittory of Comras, and that they did not derive any, is equally true. I am Cncere enough to confefs, that the King of Navarre did not, upon this occafion, do all he might have done. If with an army victorious, and mafter of the field, he had advanced to meet the foreign auxiliaries, nothing could have prevented their junc- tion ; and, after a ftroke fo important, his party would have been equal at leaft to the Catholics. It is certain, that one never knows all the value of a moment: the wifeft are deceived in this*. The ambitious defigns and interefted views of fome of the chiefs of the victorious army, fnatched from the King of Navarre the fruits of his victory ; but thi* is a truth few people are acquainted with. The Prince of Conde feduced by the advice of Tremouille, thought the time was at laft come, when he could execute the hardy projeft he had long premeditated, which was to difmember the crown of France of Anjou, Poitou, the countries of Aunis, Saintonge, and Angoumois, to compofe of them for himfelf an independent principality. With this view, he haftily withdrew all the troops he had brought to the general army, and turned all his thoughts to-make himfelf mafter of Saintes, and Brouage, which he imagined he would carry eafily upon the firft alarm ; after which he faw nothing that could be able to refift him. For ambition the* KingOur beof ft Navarre hiftorians knew are not equally how toagreed avail inthefe himfelf two of this things, vi&ory, that almoftar.d that the this only was perfon not entirelywho exculpates owirg toall hishimfelf. officers, D’Aubigneis and lays the blame wholly upon the {riacc himfelf. Vol. j. b. i.referable# c. rj. 1587. OF SULLY. 141 refembles the bird in the fatye, who has a ftrong wing, and an infatiable appetite *. The PlefiU-Mornay,* The Duke of and Sully the doesauthor not of agree the lifehere of with the D’Aubigne,Duke of Bouil- Du- regardlon. Itto is the probable defign he attributeshad better to memoirs the Prince than and them the all,Duke with on fionthis occafionon his fide. ; but In 1 ammy afraidopinion, there M. was de Thoufome prejudiceis better ableand thanpaf- quencesany other of perfon, the battle to decideof Coutras, this queftion. he fays, thatSpeaking a council of thebeing confe- afi. fembled,taken, the to Princedeliberate of Condeupon whatpropofed, meafures that were they neceflaiy fhould togo beto themMeet thea paii'age foreign over troops this river,a'ong theby feizingfide of Saumurthe Loire, ; that and this feeure ad- viceare very was hadnot ;followed, and it was for agree reafons f only, which that he therelates, Prince and of Condewhich fliouldGerman go, army with towardswhat troops the fourcethey could of the fpare Loire, him, taking to join his to way th£ Navarre,through the on heart his fide,of Angoumois feeing himfelf and Limofin.abandoned That by the Kinggreat, of “c partSt Foi of in the Agtnois, nobility fromin Poitou whence and he Saintonge,took the routemarched up towardsto Pau, leavingwho not the willing conduit to letof histhe littlefoldiers army be to idle, the Vifcountdebefieged Sarlet Turenne in Pe- ; notrigord, take defigning it. This at is lead what to De lay Thou it under fays contribution: to which may if he be could add- ed,true aone, very fince important neither circumftaace,the Duke of Bouillon,and at the nor fame his time apalogifts, a very couldwho rtjeited contradict the itPrince ; which of is,Conde’s that it prudentwas the advice. Vifcount From himfelf all hethis is it here follows, accufed that of the: which Prince is furtherof Conde confirmed was not byguilty D’Aubigne, of what whohim toadds, join thathim itfooa, was uponthat hea promifeadvanced the to King Augomois, of Navarre where made he clearedwaited aof long having time had to nolikewife purpofe. views This of independence,prince, however, of whichis not no Althoughuiftorian thedoubts. Vifcount Turenne appears to have ailed upon cilthis ; occafionyet, in myin confequence opinion, we of arc the not refolution the lefs authorof a general ifed to coun-think difadvantgrant on oneigeoi.fly fide, ollhat him. he wasIt isinftigated a b id rcafoning by his ambition in Marfolier, to wick- to fignsed defigns, are fuppofed and, on the the motives other offide, his to conduil. complain, I histhat is totlrofe deftroy dc- greatcllthe idea politicianhe would of give his ustime. of theThefe Duke rafli of judgmentsBouillon, asare of con- the demnedpolitical byconjectures religion, arebut oftenare allowed reduced by to the this law. foundation of hiftory alone. ; and A 142 MEMOIRS Book HI. The Vifcount Turenne, with fimilar deligns upon the Limofin and Perigord, where he already poiEfif- ed great eftates, puri'ued the fame conduit with the Prince of Conde ; and obliging all his troops (which alone compofed one third of the army) to follow him, led them to the fiege of Sarlat, flattering them that this expedition would enrich even the meaneft foldier. He perfectly juftified the proverb, that great promifers perform the leaf!: the check he re- ceived before this little paltry town, ought to have convinced him timeoufly of the vanity of his pre- tentions. The Vifcount had the misfortune not to be pitied by any, and leaft of all by the King of Navarre; for he had a (ted quite contrary to his advice. The Count of Soiflons concealed his defigns more artfully : however, it is certain that his new attach- ment to the King of Navarre was not more flncere, and had been diftated folely by felf-intereft. He had gained the heart of the Princefs Catharine, the King’s After, and he was continually exprefling to this Prince, the paflion he had of uniting himl'elf yet more clofely to him by marriage ; but this de- flgn concealed another too lhameful for him to futfer it to be perceived. He pretended by this marriage to fupplant the King of Navarre in all his rights ; and as he law no probability that this Prince, ha- ving the Pope, Spain, and the French Catholics for his declared enemies, fhould ever fucceed in his en- terpriies, he reckoned upon enriching hhnfclf with his fpoils, and upon gaining, at leaft, the gteat eftates which make up the appennage of the houfe of Albret on this fide the Loire. Such being his intention, he took care neither to aflift him with As for svh.it has befff fa:d in the fame place again ft the Count unanfwcrabk©f SoilTons, it ptoof.i‘, anti willDe T.bsu,be flill books?.; more fupporicd Mem. r,fh rcaftrr,Du PlejJii, ny rjbook oj Henry i.; D’Autigne, Duke Bouillon, vol 3. vol.hook 1. 1.book chap. 3. :$. } AlurJUier'i bijl*- his 1587. OF SULLY. 143 his advice, or his arm, to purfue his laft victory: on the contrary, he feized that moment to prefs him fo earneftly to allow him to go to Bearn to vifit the Princefs his lifter, that the King, feeing himfelf in a more forlorn condition than if he had loft the battle, thought he was obliged, in gratitude for the affiftance the Count had given him, to grant him this fatisfaftion. He himfelf was alfo dragged thither (and the Count was not ignorant of it), by a paflion which had always been the weaknefs of this Prince. Love called him back to the Countefs of Guiche, to lay at her feet the colours taken from the enemy, which he had caufed to be fet apart for that purpofe. Accordingly they took the road together to Bearn. Happily this unfeafonable journey did not produce all the difadvantages that might have been reafon- ably feared from it: it was fo far of ufe to the King of Navarre, as to give him a more particular know- ledge of the perfon on whom he was upon the point of beftowing his filter. The Count of SoilTons could not fo well difiemble, but that the King guelT- ed at lome part of his fentiments ; and a letter which he received from Paris perfectly revealed them. By this he learned, that the Count of Soif- fons had taken this ftep purely at the inftigation of the ecclefiaftics, who h td deviled this artifice to de- prive him of all his pofTeflions : that the Count had folemnly (worn to them, as foon as he had married the Princefs, he would bring her with him to Paris, and abandon for ever the party of his benefadtor, and afterwards concert meafures with them to ac- complifh the reft. This letter, which the King of Navarre received at his return from hunting, when he was juft ready to fall into the fnare that was laid for him, gave him an averiion for the Count, which nothing was ever able to efface. He broke with him, and regretted too late, that he had abandoned himfelf to his counfel. 1 had not the mortification to be a witnefs of all thole 144 MEMOIRS Book III. thofe refolutions which were taken after the battle of Coutras, and which 1 fhould in vain have oppo- fed. Some days after the battle, before thefe foolifh refleftions had impoifoned all their minds, the King of Navarre took me alide, in a garden, and alked my opinion concerning the condition into which this laft attion had put his affairs. I told him, that he muft, without lofs of time, march with all his forces towards the fource of the Loire, to receive the foreign fupplies, or, what would be the fame thing, facilitate their paffage, by taking poffeffion of all the towns on this fide of the river; which, unkfs it were Poitiers and Angouleme, which he might leave, feemed to me not difficult to be won. By this means he would at leaft lecure to himfelf, in all events, the fineft and beft provinces, from whence he could not be driven in a ffiort time, or by inconfiderable forces. The King of Navarre approved of this advice, and leemed to me determined to follow it exactly. He told me, that he had juft fent Montglat to the foreign army, and that fince he could not go to put himfelf at the head of it, he ardently wiffied the Prince of Conti would accept of that charge. He had juft received letters from this Prince, in which he oftered to affift him in perfon. The pretence of going to join the remains of the royal army, might enable the Prince of Conti to reach the auxiliaries without danger. The King then left to me the care of prevailing upon the Prince to take this ftep, and commanded me not to give it over. I fet out from the army, charged only with a letter of three lines, and lending my equipage to Pons, paffed into the Maine, where I expired to have found the Prince, by means of the acquaint- ance I had with the governors of thofe places through which he muft pafs. I learned, at my arrival, that the Prince of Conti had fet out by himfelf two days before, but had not been able to keep his route fo fecret. 1587. OF SULLY. *4$ fecret, but that his intelligence with the foreigners w is perceiveJ ; which was the Caufe that the roads were ftill infefted by detachments that were fent after him. I was therefore obliged to take a circuit, in order to join him, and to pafs by Ilofny ; from, whence coming to Neaufle, I was there informed, that the Germans engaged without order, and with- out guides, in provinces unknown, flopped by large rivers, and harrafled inceffantly by the troops of the league, hid at length been totally defeated at Auneau * : that the Swifs, to avoid the like misfor- tune, had inlifled, to the number of 12,000, in the troops of the league: that the King of Navarre was at Bearn, his troops inactive, and difperfedon all fides. This fad news fhortening my journey, and fru- ftrating my commifixon, nothing now remained for me to do, but to turn back to ilofny; where, while I deplored in my heart the effeifls of fo bad condudb, I feigned, for my fecurity, to take part in the pu- blic rejoicings that followed upon the defeat of Au- neau. 1 vifited my eftates in Normandy, expeffing the remedies which time, and the King of Navarre’s return, might bring to our misfortunes : and when I was informed that this Prince had returned from Bearn, I went to join him at Bergerac, where the news of the taking of Caftillon confoled him a little, * See the detail of this in De Thou, book 87. D'Aubigne, vol. $, bookp. 39. 1.and Matthieu, particularly vol. thei. bookMemoirs 8 p. ef 537. the Chron.league, Novm.vol. 1. vol.where 1. itriver is obferved, Yonne, Montglat that at the came time from this the" army King was of incamped Navarre, nearto drfire the Loire,the commanders where he ofwould it would put himfelfmarch attowards their head the ; fourcebut they of didthe rotor Dona, think properGuitry, to Clervant, do fo. TheBauvais leaders La-Nocle, were the ire. Baron Jf theyd’Onau, had obeyedBearn, wouldthis order, have hadthe Kingtime toof join Navarre, them with then all returninghis troops, from and latesthe army the Dukewould of not Guifc’s hive reply been todefeated. the Duke Davila of M.tienne, (book 8.) who re- thoughtnumber. it “a Thofe,”great ritk faid to he,attack “ that an enemydo not focare much to fuperiorfight, may in “ couldfay here. never Whatrefolve I uponcould allnot my refolve life.’' upon in half an hour, I Vol I. N amidft 146 MEMOIRS Book III. amidft fo many fubjefts of afflidion. The fiege of this place thad coft the Duke of Maienne a million of crowns, and the Vifcount Turehne retook it * for lefs than two crowns. A little afterwards, we were informed of two events that were likely enough to change the face of affairs. One of them was the death of the Prince of Conde f, a death as fudden as tragical, the im- prifonment of feme of his chief attendants, and the punifhment of one of his domeftics :}:, who was torn to pieces by four horfes, left no room to doubt but that he died by potion. The news of the populace | rifing at Paris §, and barricading the ftreets, and * By means of a ladder of cords. of Condet Although and the thereKing wasof Navarre, a fecret jealoufyyet the Kingbetween was theextremely Prince af-of fli&edthe Count for hisof Soiffons,lofs, and he ihutting was heard himfelf to (end up forth in his great cabinet cries, withand to fay,( “ That he had loft his right hand.” Perefixei, part 1. Thisfirft Prince Prince of was Conde called He Henry, had noand children was fon by to his Lewis hi ft wi;cof Bourbon, : butat threehis death months he left gone his withfecond, child. Charlotte Jt was Catharine a great deenor la Trtmouille,which was fpreadthat name, among was the born people, thirteen that months Henry afterof Conde, the death the fecondof his fa-of thert TheHe name was bornof this the domeftic ift of September was Brillant. following. C ne of his pages wasin this executed accufation. in effigy. Rtiie Ihe Cumont, Princefs the herfelf lieutenant-particulier was comprehended of Ston Jean,account commenced of the biith a procefs of Henry againft II. her, Prince which of wasConde. fufpended After parliamentfix years impriionment, of Paris, who the brought Princefs this affairprefented before a petitiontheir tribunal, to the andof which acquitted Hie was Charlotte accufed. Catharine 1 he Prince de la ofTremouille Conde died of at the St crimeJean, bookd’Angely, 90. Morifot,March J.1 knowijS8, nutaged upon thirty-five what authority, years. Defays, Thou, that woundthe death he ofreceived the Piince in his of fide,Conde by might a lance, he occafionedat the battle by ofa Coutias.|| Thurfday, Henry MayMegn. ia. cap. 11. p. a?* and§ may1 (hall befides not givebe found a detail in ofa great it here, many as itother would books. be too long,It is fignsfefficient of the to league,by, that having Henry ordered III. to about prevent 6coo the troops, dangerous the mod de- terspart cfSwifs, the city,to enter the peoplePari., rofe,and fpreadingand being themkept intogether different by quar-fome 1587. OF SULLY. 147 of the King’s departure from that city, followed foon after, and was fpread every where by the courier, of the chiefs of the league, fortified themfelves in the fireets, repulfedguards, theand foldiers,carried difarmedthe barricades the Swifs,within defeated fifty paces the King’sof the the.Louvre, Louvre, ire. andHenry not willingIJI. feeing to expofe himfelf himftlf ready to to the bebefteged violence inof anthe enraged fuburb populace,Montmartre, went from out whence privately he bygot theto Chartres.Tuileries, Th'eand affairQneen-mother was afterwards and the Duketurned ofinto Guife, a negotiationand the abfolute between dccifion the ».f it remitted to the ftates of Blois. HenryI obferve, Ilf that after his troopsD Aubigne, feized that and itkept was pofleffion very fortunate of the fub-for ofurb the St Honore,league thoughtand the ofback feizing of the thefe Tuileries; quarters. and Thofethat no whoone andguarded fee>ng the the gate ferry of Nefl’e boatof fired the at Tuileriesa difiance approach, upon the King’sin which troops, they AippofcdHenry III.the Kingwas, toon be, his cutfide, the guilty cable. of aChron. much Koven.greater tom.fault, 1. in fionforbidding of the fquareGrillon, Maubert, colonel ofand the the French quarter guards, of theto takeuniverfity, i oflef- ■ardwho byby hinderinga ftep more his firm foldiers and feafonable,from firing mightupon havethe populace been re- i attained Soifibns, in their not duty. daring The to come Duke to of Paris, Guife contrary waited fixto wholethe King’s days thatorders, he whichfint himwere at fignifieddifferent to times him byby Btllievre, the poft. in Theytwo letters were fendingto blame, tbefe as lettersMatthieu fey an alfo exprefs obferves, to the vol. Duke 1. of books, Guife ; for notthe ingDuke he hadimagined, received that the letters,he might as inelude effeift thishe did order, at theby Queen’s deny- protefted,palace, in thewith prefence deep oaths, of thethat King they anil were Bellievre; never deliveredto whom heta becaufehim. This they faulthad notwas 2 snot crowns committed to pay thethrough courier negligence,for his journey. but guardsHemy to III.affaffmate was advifed the Duke by theof GuifeDuke as of he Epernon, came to theto lufferLouvre'; his Villequierand this Prince, in the theydefign, fay, but would they havediffuaded engaged from La-Goefle it. It is and re- pottedcaded, alfb,Alphonfo that thed’Oimno fame dayaffured wherein him, hethe would ftreets bring were him barri- the headk is thought,of the-Duke that otthe Guife, I^ing ifdid he not would make permit ufe of him. half theIn aprecau- word, tionsof the he league, might havehaving done, himfelf informed narrowly as he mifled was ofbeing all takenthe defigr.s as he hadwas goinghappened to Vincennes; at the imprifonment and had juft ofbeen La-Morliere, convinced, aby famous what fultmgleaguer, him. that theThe people King’s only council w.aitrd adled, for without an opportunity compaiffbn of bet-in- N 4 ter> MS MEMOIRS Book in. courier, who was difpatched to give notice of it to the Duke of Epernon. To this fhameful condition a cades.ter in thatMen-oirs afTu'r ofef theLa-Morliere, league, vol. than J. Satyron the A.etiip. day of the barri- difputes,T he Duke’s which dcfignI cannot in here this enter enterprifc into a detailhas given of. rifeIn tothis, great, as Thofein all other who willdubious have matters,it, thathe much intended has beento carry, laid orpro fuffer and nwho this fecrcVy aftarr, whichfavoured was the never King’s followed'. party, HenryThis 11,oriel UK’s otreign, fetrci vol. hiftoiy t. p. is1 jv to betlJe^q. iound in the Journal of N 3 deily *5® MEMOIRS Book nr. derly goverrment. For the popukce, they never rebel from a defire of attacking, but from an impa- tience of fuffering. The juft refentment that filled the heart of the King of Navarre, for an inlult fo outrageous, offered to one of his own blood, and which, in fome degree, reflefted a difgrace upon all crowned heads, effaced in a moment the remem- brance of Henry IH.’s injurious treatment of him- fe!f. He declared his forrow for it in his council, who all, with one voice, approved of his refolution to affift and defend the King of France ; and he lent his fecretary immediately to this Prince, to affure him, that he might dilpofe of his perfon and of his troops. The Count of Soiffons, whofe mind was deliver- ed to perpetual chimeras, looked upon this event as a ftroka of fortune, which, by ridding him of all his rivals, would give him the chief fway in the council and court of Henry III. Changing there- • fore his battery in an inftant, he refolved to go and offer his fervice to this Prince; and to make a greater merit of this adtion, he fought dependents- in the court of the King of Navarre, and from a- mong his moft affectionate fervants, whofe fidelity he did not fcruple to tempt. The King of Navarre was fenfible, as he ought, of the indignity of this procedure; but diflembling his refentment, and re- flecting that it was his intereft to have fome perfoa with the Count of Soiffons, in whom he could con- fide, to watch all his motions, and ffudy the new lyftem he purfued at court; he commanded me to lend an ear to the Prince’s diftcurfe, and to affedt a zeal for him that I did not feel. The Count of Soiftbns fuff'efed himfelf to be eafily deceived ; he applauded himfclf for having gained me. The dt- ftindtioin with which he treated me, procured me fome enemies, who envied me the fliare I poffefled v of his favour. 1 accompanied him in his journey, after having fecretly received inftru&ious from the *58?. OF SULLY. King of Navarre, and concerted with him thofe meafures winch his fervice required me to take upoa this occafion. During our whole journey, the Count continually entertained me with the favour, the magnificence, and the honours that waited him at court. The King of Navarre, he fancied, would not even think to vie with him. In all the ftrokes of vanity and infupportable pride, which efcaped him, he infen» fibly mingled a vein of gall and bitternefs againft the King of Navarre, that difcovered the hatred and antipathy he bore him. I could neither refolve to flatter his inclinations, nor to applaud his ridicu- lous fchemes j and all my anfwer was, that I fore- faw the difunion of the royal family, which had been already the caufe of fo many misfortunes, would finally bring France under the power of the houfe of Auftria^ after it had made them defiroy each other. A difcourfe more flattering would have been more to his tafte ; but mine, however, feemed to bear the marks of a fincere attachment to him, which could not fail of pleating. We arrived' at Nogent le-Rorrou, and afterwards at Mante, where the King of France was. We found him abandoned to that agitation which arifes from the moft violent refentment, and filled with confufion for the affront he had fo lately fuflered. Notwithftanding all this he was fo incapable of profiting by this reverie of fortune *, that even at that • It is believed tKat if Henry I II. had adted with more prudence andIt is certain,fteadinefs, that he the would farifi.inS; have beenin.conflernation ftlll aMe to retrieveat his leaving his affairs. Pa- ris,kind fem of fubmiflion,deputies to himto. return at Chartres, to that tocity. fupplicite To render him withthis depu-every tationand ertei more the affetfting, cathedral they with made the inllruments the capuchins of thewalk pafiion, in procellioa, crying, Miferhordia.and authority Thefuitable King to receivedthe occalion. them withHe carclled the air the of deputiesmajtdy fromthe affair the Parliament,of the barricades; which thehad others not been he threatened any wife concerned, with a refo- ki lutioa 152 M E M O I R S Book III. that very time he made the Duke of Epernon Ad- miral, and foon after gave him the government of Normandy vacant by the death of the Marechal Joyeufe. The Count of Soill'ons was received fb rj ungracioufly, that it was impoflible but he mull have ft lt~the felly of his great prtijecls. The King addrefling himfelf to me, ;-lked me if I had quitted the King of Navarre ? 1 evaded this embarrafling queflicn, by tel * g him, that in coming to offer my fervice to his M. jefly, 1 did not reckon myfelf feparated from the King of Navarre •, becaufe 1 was allured, that that Prince, whofe interefts were the \ fame with his, would in a little time do the like. I found this anfwer did not difpleafe the King; but being furroundtd, and carefully obferved by per- . fons on whofe countenances it was eafy to read the uncc.flnefs whit h my difeourfe gave them, he con- < ceakd his fcntimtnts. The weaknefs of this Prince had fomething in it incomprebenfible ; his real e- jj ntmies cculd not be bid from him, after the auda- jj cicus manner in which they had fo lately taken off j the mafk ; but ftill feigning ignorance, he again ;| delivered himlelf up to the Queen mother *, and | through, ' andJinion fovert never ign again coerts to ;enter at which Paris, they and we:« to deprive fo greatly it ofalarmed, its charters that i1 pacifythe Duke them. of Guife needed all his addrefs and all his credit t» | after* Inthe the adliun circular of theletter barricades, that Henty and III. which fent I eganinto thethus, provinces, *‘ Dear J “ andthat inducedwell beloved, us to leaveourcityyou have, as of we Paris fuppofc, the i jthofheard this the month,” reafr ns . 1| i;cfends ; thishimfelf Prince for fpeakshaving more introduced like afupplieant a foreign thangarrifon a King iuto ; hePads, cle- |1 colourand ciouhted to hi.-evafion, the tidelity and of declaresthe PaiiCans. that heHe is gi'es ready a falfcto begin and badthe j thewar royal againft library, the No.Huguenots, 8866. at the head of the league. MS$. of | The author means the conferences whiih the Queen-mother ( andheld, the by Dukethis Prince’s of Guife, command, to which withwere thealfo Cardinal admitted, of as Bourbon, 1 find in vol. Sjotj of the MSS. iu the King’s library, the LordsLeuoucourt, de Lanfac, 1588. OF SULLY. *53 through her to his perfecutors, to whom fhe recon- cikd him. Perhaps, however, this la ft ftep was in this prince but a ftrcke of the moft profound diffimulation ; for the hardy adtion f he com- mitted Majefly,Lenoncourt, who Deshad Chateillers,been employed and in Miron, carrying firft mefl'ages phyfician between to his werethe two held parties at Chalons, on the atday Surry, of the a houfebarricades. belonging Thefe to the conferences Bilhop of Chalons,mands there, at Nemours, fuch as the 4jc. entire The abolitionof league made the moft pretended extravagant reformed de- abjuredreligion, ; the difmiflionpublication of of allthe the council Calvinift of Trent, officers, the even inquifition, if they ire.i i. which; and wasgivenat laft obtained in confequence all they demandedof thofe couierences. by the edidt Mem.of July of Chron-the league, Noveii. vol. vol. 1. Mem. 1. and of others. Mcvtrs, vol. 1. Matlbieu, vol. 1. books. Guile,t I he whom death this of thePrince two caufedbrothers, to bethe murdered Duke and in thebis Cardinalown apart- of Seen entr, this byexecution his guards, in the Dec. fame *3. hiftorians, at Blois, withwhere a hedetail held of the the ftarts. pro* CcedingsCardinal andof Bourbon intrigues was of keptboth prifonerpatties in ; thethe otherftates brothersof Blois. ofThe the DukeThe of Duke Guifc of fled. Guife perifhed as the Admiral de Coligny did ; whichprefumption they were hindered threatened. them Theboth Duke from heededfeeing nonethe dangerof the warn-with ingsNoirmoutier, that were thegiven fame him. lady It whois faid, made that fo ftiuchthe Mr.rchionefsnoife under thede namehim ; ofand Madam neither de bySauves, arguments came onnor purpofe intreaties to p urbs having no other intrenchments than feme flight barricades, eretted in hafte, by fix or feven regi- ments of royalifts, who defended them, I quitted the fuburb of St Symphorien, and ordered all my equipage to be traniported to the city. My precau- tion was by the officers taxed with timidity; but it was not long ere it was juftified. The Duke of Maienne attacked the fuburb. lie was flopped feme moments by means of five or fix houfes, on the top of the hill, where our people ] ad ported themfelves; but they were very quickly obliged to abandon them, in order to intrench them- felves behind the barricades, where expecting fecn to be aflaultcd, they made ufe of this interval to fnatch a morfel in hafte. “ *Courage, At the bridge my Lord,” of LaMotte, fakl Henry a quarter IV. to of Henry a league HI. from“ two Tours, Hcn- “p. rysijt. arc The worth DA'e more of Maicnnc’sthan one name,Carolus.” wav Charles,Mattheu, \o\. I. l 1589. O F S IT L L Y. 163 I found the King at the gate of the city, who made me enter it, by telling me that it would be idle, in his opinion, to defend the fuburbs, la effett, the barricades could not refill the enemy’s canon ; they were forced at the very firft ; and as they had no ditch to fupport them, their retreat in- to the city wasfo confufed, and fo much expofed to the enemy, that I am furprifed all the foldiers in the fuburbs were not either taken or Iktin, and even that the enemy did not enter the city along with them. Two pieces of canon would have been fufficient for this purpofe.. I beheld the rout of our people from the convent of Jacobins, which looked over the walls of the city and fearing left the misfortune Ihould become ftill greater, I ran with my two brothers to the gate, by which they were a'H entering tumultuoufiy. By the favour of fome flight intrenchments, which we ordered to be made, we leffened the danger, and with a little time and order they all entered y after which we doled up the gate, and fet a ftrong guard over it. It being no longer doubted, but that the city w’ould be befieged in form, I joined Chatillon, and fome others, and we went to intreat the King to confide fome important poft to our defence he gave us the ifles *, and we laboured there without inter- ruption from that moment till the next morning, when the King came in perfon. to vifit our work j and addrefling himfelf to me, greatly praifed our diligence. It was ufelefs. At the firft news of what had happened, the King of Navarre haftened with his troops to Tours, and appeared in three hours before the city. The Duke of Maienne did not wait for him, but retreated, after plundering the lub* urbs, and the neighbouring places. A fervice of this importance gave great expt&ations of the al« * Read the Ifle. Tliis quarter, which is inhabited only by defencewatermen, of andTours. the meancfl people, is of greatconfcqueuce to the liajice 164 MEMOIRS Book nr.. Eance of the two Kings, and made the inhabitants of Tours look upon the King of Navarre * as their deliverer. The two Kings pafTed eight or ten days together?, after whichahey feparated for the expedition that had been projefted on the city of Poitiers. While they carried on the works there, the King of Na- varre ordered me with 300 horfe, and a like num- ber of arquebuliers, to whom he alfo gave horles, to defend Chartres, it having been difcovered, that Maintenon was privily endeavouring to pofiefs him- felf of this city in the name of the league. I pro- vided myfelf with rope-ladders, petards, and other inftruments* and came direflly to Bonneval, with- out eating any thing that whole day. Some pri- foners whom we took from a detachment of twenty five troopers, informed us, that there was a party of 400 horfe in the field, having Brofle Saveufe at their head; and that Reclainville, who conducted the twenty-five troopers, had taken us for the troop of t ao horfe with which Lorges had juft furprifed Chateaudun. We judged from this account, that the party of 400 horfe wanted to come up with us y and we on our fide having the fame defire, left our arquebufiers to purfue the road to Chartres leifure- ly, and taking ours through the little hills, in order to reach the enemies fquadron, we met them on the top of a fmall hill, which each party had climbed up on his own fide ; fo that we neither faw them, nor they us, till we were within two hundred paces of each other. We came to blows without deliberation, and with fo much fury, that by the firft fhock, forty of our men were thrown to the ground. I was of this number, together with MelT. de Chatillon de fliewtd* He*ry great IV. courage highly uponextolled this the occahon. behaviour Mem. of Henryof Nevert, III- vrhovol. a. p. SS*. Mouy, 1589. OF SULLY. '65 Mouy, de Montbazon, d’Avantigny, and de Pref- faigny. Happily I had received no wound; my horfe, who was only fplit in the jaw by the pufli of a lance, got up again, and I found myfelf ftill on his back. Perhaps there never was an aftion, of this kind of combat, more hot, more obftinate, or more bloody. Four or five times we returned to the charge, the enemy rallying again the moment they were put into diforder. I had two fwords broke, and I had recourfe to a pair of large piftols loaded with balls of fteel, againft which no arms Were proof. Our enemies finding they had loft 200 of their men, left us at laft the field of battle. We were fcarce in a condition to relifh the fruits of our vidlory, becaufe of our wounds and our wea- rinefs, which rendered us almoft motionlefs. A little repofe was all we wifhed for, when a heavy rain fell, which, mixing with our fweat, wet us all over in an inftanf, for we were obliged to cover our arms with our cloaths: and to complete our misfortune, we learned that the Duke of Maienne was at our heels, in this melancholy fituation, a council being held, it was refolvcd, notwithftand- ing the condition in which we were, that we fhould march all night, and endeavour to get back to Beau- gency. We arrived there, almoft fpent with fatigue and thirft. My ftrength failing me, all I could do was to fink down upon a bed ; nor was it pofiible to awake me to take any nouriftnnent. The report of this battle being fpread, the King of Navarre came to Beaugency to vifit us, and praifed infinitely our action. Saveufe being among the prifoners, was brought before him -, and the King, who, from the fame principle of generofity, was led to carefs the brave, and to bewail the un fortunate, endeavoured to confole him, by praifes on his conduct, and every kind of good treatment. But Saveufe knowing that a great number of his re- lations, and almoft all his friends, had periftied in i66 MEMOIRS Book nr. the fight, his grief for their lofs, joined to the fhame of having been vanquifhed, and the coniiderable wounds he had received, threw him into fuch de- fpair, that he became furious, and died in the height of a raging fever, without fufFering his wounds to be dreffed. The King of Navarre made us fet out for Chateaudun, where eight days repofe made us forget the paft. I was ready to depart, when a courier brought me notice, that my wife was dangeroufly ill. I flew to Rofny, with Dortoman, firft phyfician to the King of Navarre, whom this Prince ordered to ac- company me. All this canton was in the interefts of the league; and one of my brothers, who had taken pofieffion of my houfe, the fame wherein my wife lay ill, had the cruelty to draw up the bridge, and refufe me entrance. Pierced to my inmoft foul with a treatment fo unnatural, I fwore I would enter or perifh. I began actually to force my own houfe, and the ladder was already applied to the wall, when my brother, who did not perhaps ex- pe£l fo much intrepidity, ordered the gate to be opened. The only confolation I had was to find my wife ftill alive, and to receive her lafl: embraces. All remedies were ineffectual, and fhe died four days after my arrival. I acknowledge, that the lofs of a wife fo dear, and whofe life had been expofed to fuch cruel viciflitudes, Ihut my heart, during a whole month to every other fentiment. I heard with infenfibility the progfefs of the arms of the two Kings, which at any other time would have in- flamed me with an ardent defire of having fome part in it ; for it was about this time that Gergeau, Fluviers, Eftampes, Chartres, Poiffy, Pontoife, the ifle Adam, Beaumont, and Creil, were befieged. Every little in con fid enable town boafted of having flopped her King, who found nothing but revolt and dilbbedience over all. He was now fen- fible 15*9- OF SULLY. 167 fible of the great advantage he drew from the King of Navarre’s affiftance. As for this prince, he was as prodigal of life as if be had been weary of it. Where-ever there was moft danger, there was he certainly to be feen at the head of his fol- diers. In one of thofe frequent encounters which he had to maintain, at the very moment when, to reft himfelf, he was leaning upon Charbonniere, 1 this colonel was, by a mufket-fhot, laid dead at his feet. I waked as from a profound fleep, when I heard that the two Kings kept Paris befieged * ; and tear- 1 ing myfelf from a place where every object I £iw | renewed my affliction, I haftened to join the army. It was here that I Toothed that grief which ftill I filled my heart, by expofing myfelf heedlefsly in ( all the fkirmifhes we had with the enemy, then more t frequent than ever, particularly in the field which i| was called the fcbolar’s meadow. The King of Na- '! varre perceived it, and obferving that Maignan, my ij equerry, whom he often ordered to go to me, and force me away, durft not do it, he defired him ( limply to tell me, that he wanted to fpeak to me. 1 Scarce had he uttered one word, when he was c| interrupted by a gentleman, who whifpered fome- dl thing in his ear, and left him immediately. The King of Navarre, ftruck with what he had heard, called me again inftantly, and told me an aflaffin had dangeroufly wounded the King with a knife f. He were* Ifnot we greatly msy believecontented Matthieu, with each vol. other.i. p. 3 Henrythcfe twoIII. Kingscould notto reign, conceal refolved his jealoufy to retire of Henryas foon IV. as who,he had far re-cftabliflied from expedting the Kingt By upon James his Clement,throne. a Jacobin monk, born in Sorbonne, a citorvillage general, in Burgundy. intu the HeKing’s was chamber, introduced as byhaving La-Gueile, a letter theof greatfoli- confequcncciindnefs for monks,to deliver rofe to fromhim. theThis elefe-ftool Prince, upon wlto which had hea great was fltpekfitting, him having in the already belly withread apart knife, of thewhich letter, he leftwhen Iticking the aflailin in the wound. 168 MEMOIRS Book III. He had about him only five and twenty gentlemen, with whom he took the road with all fpeed to St it■wound. in the fSrehead,The King who drew was it out,immediately and wounded killed bythe theJacobin gentlemen with ofthe his Seine. chamber. The hiftoriansHis body havewas burnt, not forgot and theto obferve,aibes thrown as a intocir- deredeumftance in the at thatfame time houfc, not anddoubted (if we of, believe that Henry them) III. in wasthe mur-fame Princechamber, had place,alliOed and at themonth, council, where, in which feventeen the mafiacre years before, of St Bar-that tholomewcredit to this was anecdote, refolved whichupon is nowM. Bayleproved feems to be falfe,to have the houfegiven diedat the in malfacre the night of between St Bartholomew the »d and not 3d beingof Auguft, built. aged Henry 38 years. III. fomeJames perfons Clement who lay fufpedled :he notes him, on the went Henriade; at night beinginto his at chamber,St Cloud, tobefore obferve him, him open They at the found article him of in Judith.a profound He fleep,failed, his confefled breviary himfelf,the King andHe received was praifed the facrament for this beforeaAion heat Rome,fet out toin aflafiinatethe chair ced.where AtHenry Paris, HI.’s his funeral-orationpidfure was placed ought on tothe have altars been with pronoun- the eu- charill.of the barricadoes, Cardinal dein Ret*thf minorityrelates, ofthat Lewis on the XIV. anniverfary he faw a gor-day neath,get upon St whichJames thisClement. monk was engraved, with thefe words under- kneeledThe Kingat his of bed-fide, Navarre (faysfighs andChron. tears Noven. not permitting vol. 1. p. him 1x3-) to them.fpeaka word.The King He tookperceiving his Majefty’s that he hands was filent between through his, andthe Qrongkiffed emotionshim, and withgave whichhim hishe wasbenedidtion. agitated, embracedHad not histhe head,knife killed been poifoned,not deep, andthe woundbad not wouldreached not the have inteftines, been mortal;p. 117. forBurgoin, it was couldprior ofextort the nothingJacobites, but was tbele tore words to pieces from byhim four : “ horfes.We have Theydone “made what it bewe believed,could, but that not Hemy what IV.we waswould deftgned have done;” to have which been aflaffinatedretted, for havingat the famedefired time to ttrikeThe the Sieur blow de himfelf,Rougemont p. ai8. was Hear- diedClement like himfelf,a good Chrittian.fays Matthieu. He foigaveSec, in histhe enemies, hiftorians, and a fullereven isaccount faid of of him his indeath. thefe MemoirsHis charadler He may was becalled, colledled at his from baptifm, what tonyEdward King Alexander, of Navarre by : Edwardbut Catherine VI. King made of England,him afterwards and An- al- lumeIt isthe faid, name that of his/ather.feventeen or eighteen perfons having gathered upinto the a boatallies with of Clement, thefe afhes, which the the boat wind was had fwallowed difperfed, up gettingby the Seine, and all that were in it, Cloud, 1589. OF SULLY. 169 Cloud, where the King’s quarters were. At his entrance into this Prince’s apartment, he found he had juft received an injedlion, which came away again without either pain or blood. He approached his bed, with all the inquietude that the fincereft friendlhip could infpire. The King comforted him with aflurances, that his wound would have no bad confequences, and that God would prolong his life, that he might be in a condition to give him new proofs of his affedlion. The wounded monarch pronounced thefe words in fuch a manner, as re- moved part of the King of Navarre’s apprehenfions, and feeing befides no mortal fymptom, he left him to his repofe, quitted his chamber, and returned to his quarters at Meudon. My lodgings were at the bottom of this caftle, in the houfe of a man named Sauvat. After I had feen the King of Navarre difmounted, I went home to fup, and had juft placed myfelf at table, when I faw Ferret his fecretary enter, who faid to me, “ Sir, “ the King of Navarre, and perhaps the King of “ France, defires you in an inftant.” Startled at thefe words, I went with him immediately to the caftle; and, by the road, he told me, that Dorto- man had informed the King of Navarre, by an ex- prefs, that if he would fee the King alive, he had not a moment to lofe. I went ftraight to the apartment of the Prince, where, while our horfes were faddling, he did me the honour to confult me upon the prefent conjunc- ture. The different refledaons with which my mind w as filled at this moment, kept me for fome time filent. The King was in no lefs agitation. It was no longer the happy iflue of a little negotiation, nor the fuccefs of a battle, nor a fmall kingdom, fuch as Navarre, upon which he meditated; it was the fineft monarchy in Europe. But to arrive at it, how many obftacles were to be furmounted ? and by what travel muft he not purchafe it i Ail that the Vol. I. P King 170 MEMOIRS Book III. King of Navarre had fuffsred until this moment, might, in comparifon, be accounted nothing. How crulh a party fo -powerful, and fo creditable, that it had made a Prince eftablifhed on the throne to tremble, and almoft obliged him to defcend from it ! This difficulty already fo great, appeared in- furmountable, when one reflected, that the King’s death would deprive the King of Navarre of the principal and the greateft part of his forces. He could not reckon either upon the Princes of the blood, or upon the grandees; and in his prelent condition, he had occaflon for every one’s afliftance, yet he had no one in whom he could confide. I trembled, when it came into my mind, that fuch furprifing and unexpected news might occafion a re- volution, which would expofe the King of Navarre, with only a handful of his faithful fervants, to the mercy of his old enemies, in a country where he Was deftitute of all refources. Notwithitanding all this, all agreed that the King of Navarre had but one only part to take, that of availing himfelf of the1 occalion, and of ufing it with all thofe precautions which ordinarily render it happy or otherwife. Indeed, without attempting to judge of the future, which depends upon too many things, and flill lefs to fubjeCt it to our pre- cinitation; in great and painful enterpriles, we Ihouli endeavour to lubdue obftacles one after an- otner; nor lufler ourfelves to be rebuted by their greatnefs, or by their number. We ought never to defpair of what has been poffible to any one. How many things to which we have attached the idea of impofliWe, have become eafy to thofe who knew how to take advantage of time, occafions, lucky moments, the faults of others, different dif- pofitions, anu an infinitude of other circumftances ? The anlwer I made the King was agreeable to thele maxims. He did not think differently him- fUf. We agreed therefore, that, inftead of return- 15*9' OF SULLY. r7i ing to the diftant provinces, this Prince fliould re- main in the midfi: of the royal army, to fupport his claim, and that we fliould fet out inftantly for St Cloud, but well armed at all events, taking care, however, to keep our extraordinary arms concealed, that we might not be purlelves the firfl: to create terror and lufpicion. Upon entering St Cloud, they told us the King was better; and obliged us to put off our fwords. I followed the King of Navarre, who advanced towards the caftle ; when all at once, we heard a man exclaim, “ Ah l my God, we are “ loft.” The King of Navarre making this man approach, who continued crying, “ Alas ! the “ King is dead,” afked him feveral queftions, which he fatisfied, by fuch a circumftantial recital of the King’s death, that we could no longer doubt the truth of it. Henry no longer doubted, when advancing a few fteps, he faw the Scotch guard, who threw them- felf at his feet, faying, “ Ah, Sire ! you are ac “ prefent our King and our mafter.” And fome moments after, MclT. de Biron, de Bellegarde, d’O, de Chateauvieux, de Dampierre, and feveral others, did the fame. The King of Navarre perceived, that this was one’ of thole critical moments,, the good or bad employ- ment of which muff decide his deftiny foe life, "Without fuffering himfelf to be dazzled with the view of a throne, upon which this inftant placed him, or overpowered by difficulties, or by ufeld’a grief, he calmly began to give orders for keeping every one in their duty, and preventing mutinies. He turned himfcLf to me, and with that air of fa- miliarity with which he entertained thofe of whofe affedtion he was a flu red, bid me go to the Ma- rechal d’Aumont’s quarters, and there, with aH the addrefs necefl’ary to attach them more ftrongly to his intereft, fpread among his troops the news of the King’s death, and to make this Maredial fpealc Pi to 172 MEMOIRS Book III, to the French guards, to engage their officers to come and pay their homage to him in the afternoon, and to prevail upon the nobility to do the fame. He recommended me to have a fharp eye upon my own quarters, and to keep all there in due obe- dience. He ftudied, moreover, to ftrengthen him- felf by all the foreign powers, on whofe affiftance he thought he might rely. He wrote or fent depu- ties to Germany, England, Flanders, Switzerland, and the republic of Venice, to inform them of this new event, and the right which it gave him to the crown of France. I reprelented to him, that one of the things that feemed to be moft prefiing, was to get pofieffion of Meulan, a place, upon this occafion, of the utmoft importance, the governor of which (who was called St Marc) he knew to be a zealous leaguer in his heart. I explained to him in few words, how eafily this might be executed ; and the King appro- ving ; I went to Meulan, and demanded a confe- rence with St Marc, upon affairs, I faid, of great confequence to him. He came to me 1 and while I amufed him with a feigned confidence, the Mare- chal d’Aumont palled over the bridge with his troops, and, taking advantage of the brft moment of confternation, proceeded to the caftle, which he madeJiimfelf mailer of, and we drove out the too^ credulous St Marc. The King offered me this government, which many confiderations kept me from accepting. Part of the King’s apprehenfions were foon juffified by the event. He found it impoffible to keep either the Duke of Epernon *, or many other diiaft'ectedCatholics, * The author of his life afligns very bad reafons for this re- treatit appears, ; it is plaiu{hat, thathefides nothing the Proteftantcan excuie party, it. Uponthere thiswere occafion, three compofedothers among of thofe the Catholicsperfons who themfclves abandoned : the Hcntyfirft ofIV. which after wasthe death of Henry III.; the fecund, thofe who not being prevailable to 1589. OF SULLY. *73 Catholics, in his fervice, efpecially thofe who owed | their fortune to the deceafed King. Their defer- tion reduced him almoft to thofe troops only which he had brought with him, and put it out of his power to continue the fiege of Paris, or even to continue in its neighbourhood. The foreign powers either gave him nothing but fine words, or offered him fuch fupplies as could be no remedy to adlual evils. He was obliged therefore to retire to the centre of the kingdom. He had already (though without difcovering his real motive for it) caufed a report to be fpread among the foldiers of an intend- ed journey to Tours. This retreat was no lefs ne- ceffary for the fafety of his perfbn, than for the ftate of his affairs. A thoufand dangers threatened him, in the neighbourhood of a city, where the | King his predeceffor, though a Catholic, and with a powerful army under his obedience,- could not e- fcape a tragical end. There they had juft taken fi- nal refolutions to rid themfelves of this Prince ; and I he had flill more reafon to tremble, when he re- fledted that thofe cruel counfels were held in the prevail upon thfe Prince to declare that very moment, that he would embracether afit&ion the CatKolk to his perfon, religion, nor continued a fiacere withattachment him, but to hishad inte-nei- reft.them wereThe thenumber Dukes of ofthefe Longueville was very andgreat. Nevers, The d’O, chief (who among had I . Ipoktnthird party to him was in made the nameup of of thofe the reft),who declaredand many publicly, others. (faysThe tionsIVAui : igne;,and thtfe that werethey indeed would fetvebut verythe Kingfew inwithout number any ; amongcondi- ■Henrywhich waswere extremely the Marechals perplexed d’Aumont at the rude and propofition Biron, Givry, made himire. ■bywould the retire,Catholics, if he and did the not declaration give them theythis fatsfaftion.added to it, thatHe theytold beenthem conftrainedrefolutely, thatto take he fuchwould a ftepnever ; andbe reproached demanded withfix monthshaving timepaiticularly to think D’Aubigne. upon it. Seevol. the 3. hiftoriansb. 1. c. 13. upon Henry this fubjtdk, IV. received and ron,fuch impottantthat it was fervictsupon reported, it wasthis heoccafion who madefrom thehim Marechal King : andBi- mthe thefe Marethal very terms.is faid Mem.to have ofBrunume, reproached vol. Henry 3. p.with 346. his fervice* midft 174 MEMOIRS Book HR midft of his army, and that the afiaffins were per- haps near his perfon. In a conjuncture fo embarraffing, it was neceffiry to place a governor in Mculan, who haefa regiment actually ready to defend it againft the league, which becoming infolent by the King's death, in imagina- tion already enjoyed the conqueft of it. I had not one; nor lufficient time to rail’e one; the go- vernment of Meulan was therefore given to Bellen- greville *. The King, in his retreat, took Clermont, and fome other fmall towns. His forces were too in- confiderable for greater etjterprifes; and this alfo was the reafon that I miffed of taking Louviers, up- on which I had a defign that in all appearance would have lucceeded. This defign I communica- ted to the King, and defired he would give me fome forces for the execution of it. He could give me only a company of his light-armed horfe, command- ed by Arambure, which was not fufficient; but he allured me that I Ihculd be joined at Louviers by a regiment of 1200 men, which was then at Nogent;, and for this purpofe he wrote to Coronneau the co- lonel of this regiment. In this hope I came before Louviers, where I waited in vain for the fupplies that had been pro- mifed me. The river o.f Eure, which ran into the ditches of Louviers, having been turned, a. great aqueduCt that fupplied the city with water, became dry. This I had remarked, and it was through this place that I propofed to enter it : but it was not probable, that Meff. d’Aumale, de la Londe, de Fontaine-Martel, de Medavy, de Contenanr, and many other officers of the league, of which this city was full, would furrender, or fuffer themfelves to be taken, without ftriking a blow, I thought it would be raflinefs to attempt to for.ee them with a * Read Joachim de Bercnguevill*. handful 1589-. OF SULLY. handful of men. In order therefore to juftify the truth of what I had ail'erted, I contented myfelf with fending feveral perfons into this aquedu&y where I employed them only in enlarging the en- trance, by forcing up with a petard the grate that elofed it. By this means they feveral times pene- trated into the city, and came out again without being perceived ; which convinced them, that the enterprife only failed for want of men. I returned by Pont de 1’Arche, to meet the King at Ecouay; from whence he hoped to pafs imme- diately to Touraine •, but he found the Normans fo well aftedted to him, that he was determined, by their offers, to attempt the important liege of Rouen. While preparations were making dor this expedition, we took Gournay, Neufchatel, the city-of Eu, Treport, and Darnetal ; where the King received advice, that the Duke of Maienne fought to come to a battle with him. I was com- manded to go with fifty horfe to i-econnoure this general’s army, which 1 found in the neighbour0 hood of Mante, and fpread over all my lands. I went and pofted myfelf in my foreft -, from whence I made obfervations, and brought the King infor- mation, that the army of the league confifted of 25,000 effedfive foot, and 8000 horfe. The King, who had only a little flying camp to oppofe fo for- midable an army, was not willing to negledf any precaution. He had already caufed the commander of Chaftes to be founded, to know rf in cafe of any inconvenience, he would receive him into Dieppe : and he had reafon to be perfedlly fatif- fied with his anfwer; but, in order to be better affured of this governor’s intentions, he went him- felf to confer with him, and returned very well fa- tisfied. Seeing therefore that he might reckon upon 176 MEMOIRS Rook HI. upon a retreat fo fecure as Dieppe *, he the lefs feared to keep the field before the enemy ; and re- folving to make head againft them to the laft ex- tremity, he came and ported himfelf before Arques. At the end of the caufey of Arques there is a long winding hill, coTered with coppice ; beneath is a fpace of arable land,, in the midft of which is the great road that leads to Arques, having thick hedges on each fide. Lower down, upon the left hand, there is a kind of great moral’s or boggy ground. A village called Martinglife bounds the hill, about half a league from the caufey. It was in this village, and the neighbourhood of it, that the whole ax-my of the Duke of Maienne wa* encamped. The King was fenfible, that by at- tempting to refift an ai'my of more than 30,000 men, with lefs than 3000, his condutrt might be taxed with temerity. Rut befides that it would be vex-y difficult to find a place more favourable for his few forces, and that there was danger in going back, he thought that the weaknefs of his pax ty de- manded fome bold ftroke at the beginning- He neglefted nothing that could any how compenfate for the fmallnefs of his number. He ordered deep trenches to be cut at the caufey, and above as well as beneath the gi’eat road ; he ported 1200 Swifs on each fide of this road, and 6^0 German foot to defend the upper trenches ' and placed 1000 or 1200 others in a chapel, whichr flood in the midft of the uppe; and lower trenches. It was all the infantry he had: his cavalry, which amounted upon the whole only to 600 men, he divided into two equal fquadrons : and with one ported himfelf the* wallsHenry of IV. this it city, is fa thatid, was he wasreduced upon to the fuch point an eitrcmity of retiring undei into England;him to make which good the his Marerhal poftat Arques. de Bircn Before prevented, the battle by at advifingArques, outhe faid,a wife, that and he awas warrieur a King without without money. a kingdom, a husband with- between 1589- O F S U L L Y. 177 between the wood and the road, and feparating the other into ’platoons, made them go down be- tween the road and the morafs, to fill in fome fort the interval. He did not lie down that whole night y during which, fearing that the enemy would make- themfelves matters of the caufey, he kept guard there himfelf. In the morning they brought him fomething to eat into the trench, where he called his principal officers to breakfaft with him y after which he thought, perhaps, to have taken a few moments reft, when he was informed by the guards, that the army of the league was marching towards him, in order of battle. At this news, he ordered the Vifcount de Chartres, Patcheux, BralTcufe, Avantigny, and three or four others, to advance into the wood, ta make fome prifoners : they returned in an inftant, bringing with them the Count de Belin. The King went to meet him, and embraced him fmiling. He, whofe eyes were every where in fearch of the . King’s army, feeing hardly any foldiers about him, anfvvered him no otherwife than by marking his furprife to fee fo few arouiid the King. “ You “ fee not all,” faid the King to him with the fame gaiety : “ for you reckon not God, and my juft “ right, who affift me.” Accuttomed as I was to fee this Prince, I could not help admiring his le- rene and tranquil countenance, on an occalion fo much the more defperate, as it left him full time for refle&ion. His air was fo ftayed, and his ar- dor tempered with fo much prudence, that he ap- peared to the foldiers to have fomething more than humanity, and infpired them in their turn with all the intrepidity of their chief. The Duke of Maienne ordered the upper trenches to be attacked by a fquadron of his Ger- man foot, who made as if they declined fighting, becaufe they had only Germans to encounter. They even pretended to furrender -, and our Ger- mans 178 MEMOIRS Book III. mans were fo effectually deceived by this artifice, that they flittered the others to advance and gain the trench, from whence they drove out ours ; and from this advantageous port they gave us a great deal of trouble. 1 foon loft fight of all that was done at the fide of the wood ; becaufe that part of the morafs where I was, with ten of my men, was that moment attacked by a fquadron of 8 or 900 horfe. At the approach of a troop fo fuperior, we drew together about 150 horfe, and drove them back as far as the valley; where meeting with four other fquadrons, we were obliged to re- treat, till being joined in our turn by the Count d’Auvergne *, who brought 150 horfe more to our afliftance, we a fecond time beat back the enemy’s fquadrons. This management could not laft long. Three hundred horfe from the enemy’s army join- ing the firft, we were forced to yield, and we re- gained the chapel in diforder; where fortunately our foot foldiers who were polled there, ftopped this cavalry fhort, and engaged in a battle, in which Sagonne and fome other officers were {lain. * Charles de Valois, natural fon of Charles IX. He is mention- Dukeed hereafter. of Agouleme, It is uponthat Fatherthe relst'on Daniel, of inthis his Count,hiftory ofafterwards France, bevol. added,9. has givenand differsa defeription but little of fromthis battle, that iu to our which Memoirs. n . thing canSee ttalfo feqq-; Matthieu, the Memoirs vol. 1. ofp. Nevoiis,14. el [eqq.; vol Cayet,t. p. 597. vol. and 1. theb. x.phylician p. tfij. dayDu Chefnc’sSept. tto. relation,It began ire. at tenThis o’clock battle in wa-.the morning,lought on and Wednef- ended ralat eleven.attemps uponThe DukeDieppe, of Maienne,which were five called days efcarrr.ouchesbefoie, made du iolkt.feve- regiment“ JVy companion,” of Soleur, laid“1 comeHeuty to11 die,. to orArreguer, to gain colonelhonour ofwith the “Gr..in, you.” book “ He$. drove“ My baikthe father,’’ treacherous faid this C’crman.-,”Prince to Col.&c. Go-Le “lati, battalion.” “ keeps a M.itthieupike for me,»i. p.for 14. 1 willAfter light theat thebattle head he of wre you* te to“ weGnllon have infought thefe at terms, Arques “without Hang thyfelf,thee. Adieu, brave brave Grill' Grilion, n, for “ X love thee whether 1 will or not.” The 1589. OF SULLY. 179 The Duke of Maienne commanding all the reft of his German foot to attack the chapel, we quitted at length this port ; and overpowered by numbers, abandoned the hollows in the road, and even the road itfelf. This was the beginning of a defeat: the confequences had been fearful, if we had not met the battalion of the Swifs, who fuftained the fliock, gave us time to rally, and put us again into a condition of renewing the fight. Nothing could have happened -more feafonably with regard to my- felf. My horfe that moment falling dead of hi$ wounds, I mounted a frefh one. To vanquifh the brave reliltance of our Swifs, the enemy thought proper to order 500 horfe to march along the lide of the morafs; they would have taken us in the rear, and have eafily overpowered the Swifs and the reft of the foldiers, when luckily the horfes ap- proaching too near the morafs, they remained en- tangled in the mire, and their riders with difficulty enough difengaged them, by leaving their lancss there. The battle continued fome time longer in this fttte, that is to fay, while we had any ftrength left; but at length wearinefs began to overcome us. On our fide they were the fame men who were always in atftion; inftead of which our enemies were re- newed, and multiplied every moment. Great part of our brigade was difarmed and difmounted. In this extremity I was deputed by the troop to repre- fent our fituation to the King, and to demand from him a reinforcement. 1 met this Prince coming to our quarter. “ My friend,” faid he to me, “ I have not a foul to fend you ; we rnuft not, how- I4'* ever, lofe courage for all that.” In effeft, he was in no better condition than we. He turned, however, towards M. le Grand, and bid him follow me with all the men he could get together from the tipper part of the road. I went back to my party, and with apparent joy informed them of a fupply, upon 180 MEMOIRS Book III. upon which I but little depended. Every one was reanimated, and one may fay, that at that moment afts of valour were done that were incredible. The thick fog, which concealed ms from our enemies, hid from us likewife a great part of our danger : but when this fog was diflipated, the fun fhewed us to them, and difcovered their whole army to us, ready to overwhelm us. It was by this time fo near, that we could not hope to gain the end of the caufey, where our lafl intrenchment was, and we thought of nothing but felling our lives dearly. Our fafety came from what we had looked upon as our greateft misfortune. The canon of the caftle of Arques had been rendered ufelefs by the thicknefs of the fog *, but as foon as the enemy could be diftinguifhed, it made a difeharge fo juft, and of fo terrible an effeft, although there were but four pieces, that the enemy were difordered. Four other vollies fucceeded with fuch rapidity, as went quite through their army ; which no longer able to endure the fire, retired in diforder to the fide of the valley: behind which, feme moments after, all this terrible multitude were loft; aftonifhed, with- out doubt, at the great lofs they had fuftained, and deprefled by a refiftance which the Duke of Mai- enne had not expected. The King, after an aftion which covered him with glory, retired to Arques; from thence he went to Dieppe, always harrafled by the enemy, and engaged in frequent Ikirmifhes ; the detail of which I fupprefs, as having nothing fufficiently in- terefting after the battle of Arques. The King, however, in one of thefe rencounters, found him- felf expofed to a danger ftill greater : for, believing the enemy at a diftance, he was exercifing with us a kind of military game in a meadow, and fuftain- ed a difeharge from 200 fufiliers, who lay in am- bulh upon the ground between two hedges, but two hundred 15*9- OF SULLY. 181 hundred paces at mo ft from the place where we were. It is certain, that any other than Henry would have infallibly funk under thefe difficulties, before he had received the fupplies which were preparing for him ; but by his valour # and his {kill in depu- ting the ground, he gave time to 4000 Engliffi and Scotch, that Q^Elifabeth fent him, to pafs the fea ; and this reinforcement was foon after followed by one greater, which was brought him by the Count of SoiiTbns, Henry of Orleans, Duke of Longue- ville, d’Aumont, and Biron. It was owing to the Count of SoiiTbns that he was fo often in danger at Dieppe, who amufed himfelf with difputing a- bout the command of the forces, inftead of flying to the King’s affiftance. M.tienne durft not wait for the jumftion of all theie troops ; he .difappeared with his army, and left the King mafter of the field. Henry fpoke no longer of keeping in Normaudy; he fit out again for Paris, which he had quitted with regret. He paffid through Meulan and Poifly ; and from this place detached me, with the Duke of Montpenfierf, to endeavour to perfect a correfpondence he had a long time before begun in Vernon, or to feize the city by means of that terror which his approach would caufe in it. We found no probability of nioft,* Sixtus finre v.he prefaged,was not longer thrt thein bedHearnnis than thewould Duke be of the Maienne upper- washis motions.at table. “The If heDuke does ofnot Maitune a£t in another was extremely manner,” fl >wfaid in theall ib.King part *‘ x.1 fh Theill certainiy-beat fame Pope, afterhim alwaysthe battle in the of field.”Arques, Perefixr,applied 41thefe adder words ; the to youngHenry lionIV. “and Thou the fhaltdragon tread fhalt upon thou the trample lion andun* “ tier feet," Pfal. xci ; 13. Meaning the Uuke of Maiemie, tltc Dt +ke Hcmy of Savoy, of Bourbon-Montpenfier, the Kng of Spain himfelf. Prince of the Wood, the only/even fon years of old.Francis Henry and Renee111. took of theinjou, government at that timeof Bretagnetwenty- fromtceur. him,He withoutfoon had any rcaftu caufe, to repentto bellow it. it on the Duke of Mer- VOL. I. CL fucceedin; iSz MEMOIRS Book III. fucceeding in either the one or the other. The Duke of Montpenfier returned to Normandy, and I joined the King at Villepreux. His dt fign was to alarm Paris, and even to at- tack it; and as he faw his time, to attempt to make himfelf mafter of it. He had taken the precaution to fend to demolifh the bridge of St Maixance, by which the Duke of Maienne might have been able to affift this great city ; for that general, alarmed by the King’s march, had alfo come near Paris by the oppofite fide, that he might not meet the King. This Prince, therefore, gave the necefl'ary orders for attacking all the fuburbs at the fame time : that of St Germain fell to M. d’Aumont, de Chatillon, and me. As foon as the fignal was given, we fell upon this fuburb, and having indeed an immenfie, but a confufed and frighted multitude to oppofe, we hemmed two confiderable troops of foldiers within the inclofure of the market of St Germain ; and there, in Id's than two hundred paces, we left 400 of them in a moment dead upon the place. I could hardly prevail'upon myfelf to kill men whom fear rendered more dead than alive; but putting them out of a condition to refill us, we palled for- ward, and advanced as far as the gate of Nefle: fifteen or twenty of us entered the pity, and went very near to Pont Neuf; but feeing that our men did not follow us, we turned back. An order from the King to give over the attack was' the caufe of their abandoning us. The perfon whom he had lent to demolilh the bridge of St Maixance * had dil'char- * De Thou obferves, that the guard of this bridge was given Senlis,to William he couldde Montmoiency, not defend it.Lord Book of Thore; 97. It butwas beingattacked lick onat tineAil-faint' gentleman, day, uponto Henry advice IV.fent inby thefeJames threeCorhineliy, words, a“ Floren- Come, clofcd“ come, in come,”a quill, writtenand held in in a hisbit mouth.of paper, They wl.uh did the not bearer carry in- it b\for 17.want Cajet, of canon vol. 1.to p.a/o.beat down the gates. Multticu, vol. a. 1590. 0 F S U L L Y. ig3 ged this eorftmiffion fo ill, that the Duke of Maienne appeared within fight of Paris with his whole army, almofl: at the iame moment that we came within view of it ourfelves. The King was now convinced that his enterprife was become impolfible, and that although w.e Ihould make ourfeives mafters of the city, which on our fide would infallibly have happened, an army thus difperfed in a city fo extenfive as Paris, would have been in danger of being overpowered, having an in- numerable multitude of people to oppofs within, and an army w'ithout to defend ourfelves againft, which would either have entered after us, or have kept us befieged there. It was thus that the ardor which this Prince difcovered fn battle, did not ever tranfport him fo far as to make him deaf to the counfel of prudence. He thought he had done e- nough, having created terror in the very heart of that city that dared to defpife him, and given it a fenfible imitation of what it had to fear from hint. Part of the fuburbs was pillaged : our foldiers left nothing in that of St Germain *, that they could conveniently carry away. 1 had for my fhare full 3000 crowns, and all my men made very confider- able booty. Two days-after this expedition, the King went to feize Eftampes; and reluming his firil defign of fhewing himfelf in the heart of the kingdom, at leaft with a part of his troops, he went towards Tours, and in a Ihort time took a great many little towns in Touraine, Anjou, Maine, and Lower * The Sieiirs de Chatillon and La-Noue (fays Le Grain, book wereS.) aflaulted richer and the fuburbsmore magnificent of St Germain, than BulTy,the others, and Ncfle, and whichwhere finethey houfeseapetfttd that to were find inmod the reafhnce, fubutb bf at St well Germain, upon accountwhich makesof the •itsmain, value which equal was to thefortified. fecond cityChatillon in France, made as itthe appear, abbey thatSt Ger- he rememberedthe murder, andSt Bartholomew’s appeafe the manes day, ofand the was Admiral refolved his tofather. expiate Normapdy 184 MEMOIRS Book III. Normandy *. He left feme troops with the Mare- chal Biron, who took Evreux, without canon. I drove the Catholics from before Anfrevilie. The King gave me all the countries about Mante and Rol'ny to preferve, with a fin all body of troops, with which I narrowly miffed taking the Duke d’Aumale, as he paffed by Rofny. After I joined the Marechal Biron, for the fiege of Evreux. I cannot give a more circumftantial account of adtions fo inconfiderable, and muff even fupprefs the great- eff part of them, as it is neither poffible, nor to. the purpofe, to expatiate upon fadts lo trivial. I forewarn the public, therefore, to expedt in thefe memoirs a detail only of events of fome con- fideration, and only fuch as 1 have been a witnefs to, or as happened to the King himfelf. If I join to thefe any others, they fhall only be fuch whofe certainty I can warrant, by the fidelity of memoirs which have fallen into my hands. As for all others, it will be fufficient juft to hint at them, that the reader may himfelf collate the affairs of Henry the Great, in the different periods of time. It was to affift my memory* that I at fit ft committed fuch traits as moft ftruck me to paper; particularly fuch difeourfes as the King held with myfelf, or as I have heard him hold with others, either upon war or upon politics, in which I apprehended there might be lingular benefit to myfelf. This Prince, who perceived it, by my fometimes repeating word for word, what he had fpoken, commanded me to put my work in fome order, find to extend it. I found great difficulties in this; for my ftyle was amongc the meantft : but upon the reiterated commands oP MaTenne,* A!er$oiY, I aval, Le-Mans, Aigent.ui, Chateau«Briant, Falaite, t.ifieui, SaMe, Chateau-Gontier,Baieux, Pouieau- denier,tc. De Ibnu,Prnt-!’Ev£eiue, hook 97. D'Auiigne,Honfleur, Havrc-de-Grace,vnl. 3. b. 3. c. 4.Pontront, | ed the charge. I fhall attempt nothing here againft the rights of hiftorians *, I leave it to them to particularize this I battle, and ftiall confine myfelf only to what I was i an eye vvitnefs of. It is fufficient to fay, that, upon | this occafion, the principal caufes that gave the J vi&ory to the weaker party, were, the valour of ;1 the Marechal d’Aumont, who prevented the entire | defeat of the light horfe ; the infinite difference ilj between the enemy’s manner of ufing their artillery fl and ours ; and more than all this, the Angular ta- il lents of the King, which were never fo perfectly fc known as in the day of battle, in the difpofition of i his troops, rallying them, their difcipline, and their : exaft and ready obedience. * “ My companions,” faid he, addreffing himfelf to his fqua- i* “dron, folved “ ifto to-day die, or you conquer run my with fortune, you ; keepI alio yourrun yours.ranks, 1 Ibefeech am re- “ you,immediately, and if I whichfhould will quit be them gaining in the the heat vitlory of the: you battle, will dorally it “ betweenand if you thole fhould three lofc trees, fight which of your you enfigns, fee up thereyour on,cornettes, the right ot } “ youryou fliallftanda>d>,keep ever find the my min white the plume road toof feathershonour andalways to vidtory."in view ; asfi Ferefixe,accompanied ibid, onlypart t.by twelveThey loft or fightthirteen of him perfons, in the battle, he was where, fur- ''Bt I lyfounded with his by own the enemy.h nd. “He We killed muft the ufe Countour piftols,” ot Egmont’s faid equer-he to kbr || hobook troop, i. p. ••3.6. the ire. mote men, the more gioty.” Muttbieu, vol. a. It 190 MEMOIRS Book HE It is certain the Duke of Maienne, and the Count of Egmont, who were at the head of the Spaniards, imagined, that if the King durft wait for them, the victory would certainly be theirs; and that, if he yielded, or gave ground before them, as they ex- pected, they did not reckon upon any thing lefs, than forcing him out of whatever place he fhould retreat to, and thus finifhing the war at a tingle blow. With fuch difpolitions, what mult be the confequence ? I fay nothing of the perfons of the generals, who alone are worth many thoufand men. The ftronger party never makes ufe of thofe pre- cautions that are neceffary againft an enemy of equal ftrength ; and, upon the other hand, the weaker never forms a refolution to defend itfelf a- gainft a more numerous army, without determining likewife to fupply, by valour and addrefs, the defi- ciency of numbers. The Furprife that a courage, animated by glory and difficulties, creates, affifts a fmail number againfl a greater: by this all become in fome fort equal. The King’s fquadron * where I was, had the at- tacks * See upon this aiVion De Thou, book 58. D'Aubhne, vol 3. book 3. chap 3. Lc Grain, book $. Memoirs ofan the an Fa- printedther Matthieu, in 1590, id. andChron. others. Novcn. vol. ». p. 317 • d account firedDe nineThou times and before Cayet the obferve, Duke ofthat Mai'enne’s Henry IV.’sbegan artillery ; they alfohad crefeent,blame the likeDuke Henry’s, for having when, difpofed being his fuptrior army inin ihe number, form ot hea thieu,ought toHenry have IV. given was it guiltythe form of aof great a triangle. fault, inAccording not beginning to Mat- the andbattle, upon by fallingthe Duke upon of the MaitnneY light horfe, body, commanded who. having by Uu-Terrarl, advan ed appears,too far,’was that obliged the cavalry to go only half fought a league there about ; and, in retreating,it we believe it hereisLe Grain, a little floe exaggeration. hoife defeated I hean King'sarmy armyof 10,000 was compofed wen. Hut ®f confidedabout 1000 of 5000cavalry, horfe and and 6 8cooor 700 foot. infantry; The Countand th?of Egmont, who had boafttd that his fquadron alone was fulhcient to lubdueth* I59°* OF SULLY. 191 tacks of the Count of Egmont to fuft iin. who fell upon us with his own fquadron, and a fecond of i goo or 1200 German horfe. It is true, the Ger- mans, who profelTed the fame religion as our 1- diers did, fired almoft in the air: but the Count of Egmont, we muft do him juftice, behaved like a man who was determined to conquer. He charged us with fuch fury, that, notwithffanding the de- fertion of the Germans* after a terrible fire, and encounter which lafted a full quarter of an hour, and covered the earth with dead bodies, the left of our fquadron fled, and the right was broke and gave ground. At the firfi onfet, my horfe was wounded in the noflxils, and in the neck at a fe- cond, where the faddle did not reach, and a third brought him quite down, carrying away two of his feet, and a piece of flefli off the calf of my leg. I received another wound in my hand. A piftol-lhot j>ave me a third wound more confiderable j the ball entered my hip, and came out near my belly. I Should have infallibly perifhed, if my equerry had,- not run to my afiiftance with another horfe, upon which I mounted, though with a good deal of dif- ficulty. This affection brought many wounds upon poor Maignari, and had like to have coft him his life. At a fecond charge, this horfe was likewife fl tin and in the fame moment I received a piftol-fhot in the thigh, and a cut with a fword in the head. I remained upon the fpot, and with my fenfes loft all the remaining part of the action, which, from the advantage the Count of Egmont had already gained, boded, I thought, no good to us: and moft cer- tainly the king had been vanquifhed, if all the reft of the enemy’s army had behaved in the fame man- . themiral rpyil d'Egmont, army, waswho Ihinwas beheadedin the fijht. at Brufl'etsHe was with the the fon Count of L’A- of JcomplimentedHome. It is f.tid,him, thatmixed when in hishe camedifcourfe to Hari», fome thepraifes perfon ot. L’A-who xuiral^ a iebd, his father. and defcrved “ Do not to die.”m.ntioa him,” he replied; “ be was ner. 192 MEMOIRS Book III. ner. All that I know is, that, a long time after, recovering my fenfes, I faw neither enemies, nor any of my domeftics near me, whom fear or dif- order had difperfed; another prefage which ap* peared to me no lefs unfavourable. I retired without a head piece, and almoft with- out armour, for my own had been battered to pieces. In this condition I faw a trooper of the enemy’s running towards me, with an intention up- on my life. By good fortune I found myfeif near a pear tree, under which I crept, and with that little motion I was ftill capable of, made fuch good ufe of the branches, which were extremely low, that I evaded all my adverfary’s attempts, and kept him at a diftance, w'ho being weary with turning round the tree, at laft quitted me. Feuquieres had not the like good fortune; I law him killed that moment before my eyes. Juft then La-Rocheforet (who has fince been with me) paffing by, I alked him for a little nag which he w as leading, and paid him for it upon the fpot thirty crowns. I always be- lieved, that on fuch occafions it is proper to carry a little money about one. Thus mounted, I was going to learn new's of the battle, which 1 believed to be loll, when I faw feven of the enemy coming ftraight towards me, one of w hom carried the W'hite ftandard belonging to the Duke of Maicnne’s company. I thought it impoffible to efcape this new danger; and upon their crying Qiii vive ? I told my n;ime, as being ready to furrender rnyfelf prifoner. What was my furprile, when, inftead of attacking me, I found four of thefe perfons intreating me to receive them- felves for priloners, and to lave their lives; and while they ranged themfelves about me, appearing charmed at having met with me, I granted their requeft : and it Itemed lurpriling to me, that four men unhurt, and well armed, fhould lurrender thenafdves to a fingle man, dilarmed, covered with 1590. O T SULLY. 193 his own blood, mounted upon a little paltry nag, and 1'carce able to fupport himfelf, that I was tempt- ed to take all I faw for an ilhifion, or the effect of nay wounds. I was foon undeceived. My prifoners (fince they would be fo) made themfelves known for MdT. de Chataigneraie, de Sigogne *, de Chan- teloup, and d’Aufrcville. They told me, that the Duke of M iienne had ioft the battle; that the King was that moment in purfuit of the vanquifh.d, wnicU, had obliged them to farrender, for tear of falling into worfe hands, their horfes not being in a condi- tion to carry them out of danger: at the fame time Sigogne, in token of furrender, prefented me with the white ftandard. The three others, who were the Duke of Nemours, the Chevalier d’Aumale, and Tremont, not feeming inclined to Turn nder, I endeavoured to perfuade them by good reafons, that they ought to do fo; but in vain. After re- commending their four comerades to me, feeing a | body of the viftors advance, they rode away, and fhewed me that their horfes were ftill vigorous e- nough to bear them from their enemies. I advanced with my prifoners towards a battalion, of Swifs, and meeting one of the King’s chief pa- ges, I gave him the charge of the ilandard, which, was a burden too heavy for me. I then faw more plainly the marks of our viftory. The field was full of the fugitive leaguers and Spaniards, and the viflorious army f of the King puri'uing, and Matter- ing foncle,* John Lord de Vivonne,of Srgogne, Lord Cornet of Chuaigneraie. of the Duke ofCharles Maienne’s de Beau-com- pany.took in Thethis hiftori: encounter, ;u take and notice the ofwounds the prifoners he received, M. de Rofnyto the ery mberIV. wa- of flain.feven. WhatIt was probably for fome occaftoned time believed,this talfe reportthat Hen-was, thethat King,die Marquis was feen of furroundedhLfle, who byhad the that enemy, day drelled and woundedhimfeif like in feveral+ The places, King ofcried, which “ heSpare died. the Multhieu,French, ib.and fall upon the “ Vojl.foreigners.” I. Pertjixc, ibid, it,part a. Henry (fays the authorUse of 194 MEMOIRS Book III. ing the reft of the large bodies, that had difperfed, or gathered together. The Swifs foldiers of the two armies meeting, bullied each other with their pikes lowered, without linking a blow, or making any motion. The white ftandard embroidered with black flowers-de-luce, “was known by every one to be that of the Guiles, which they bore in memory, and , through horror of the aflaffination of Blois, and at- tracted all, as to a prey equally rich and honourable. The black velvet coats of my prifoners, which were covered with filver crofl'es, were refplendent from afar in the field. The firft who flew to feize them, were MefT de Cambrai, de 1’Archant, du Rollet, de Crevecceur, de jdalcheux, and de Brafleufc, who were joined by the Count de Torigny. I advanced towards them, and fuppofing they would not know my face, altogether disfigured by blood and dull, I named myfelf. The Count de Torigny no fooner, knew La Chataigneraie, who was his relation, than judging that, in the condition he faw me, I could not prelerve my prifoners from infult, he intreated me to give Chataigneraie to his care, for whom he would be anfwerable to me. I readily granted his requefi, yet it -was with regret that 1 law him go away. What Torigny did through a principle of friendfhip, had in eftiCt a fatal confequence for the unhappy Chataigneraie. He was known fome mo- ments after, by three men belonging to d’O’s com- tlie Henriade) owed this victory to the fuperiority of his flcilj and dutiesValour. of aBut great he confefTed,general; hethat had Maienne no fault, had he performedlaid, but inall the caufe he fupported. The Duke of Maienne would have been, lietaken, fled. butBut for by his that precaution means he in butcheredbreaking thethe Germanbudge ofhorfe Ivry and as offoot, French noo infantiy. of which andwere icookilled horfe. upon theSome fpot; have a madelike numberthe lofs muchgemlemen greater. wete Ofkilled. the rcyalifts,T hi» battle joo wasprivate fought men, between and about Dieux zo and Ncuancourt, at the villages of St Andre and Foucrainville.pany. 1 S0°* OF SULLY. pany, who had been guards to Henry III. Thefs men levelling their pieces at him, ihot him dead, crying, (< ’Sdeath ! thou traitor to thy King, whom “ thotThaft murdered, and triumphed in the deed.”’ I might have made the Count of Torigny pay this prifoner’s ranfom, and 1 was counfelled by fe- veral perfons to do fo ; but I could not refolvc to add this new caufe of affliction to what he already felt for the death of a man with whom 1 had my- felf been particularly acquainted. I was not long ere I was furrounded by many perfons, amongft whom there was not one that did not envy my good fortune. B’Andelot came after the reft, and preffing through the croud, perceived Sigogne, and the page who carried the ftandard. He was preparing to feize it, believing his good deftiny had kept this prey for him, when a report that the enemy had rallied, obliged him to depart abruptly. I had not time to draw him out of his error ■, for after he had bid the page keep that ftandard for him, he fuddenly difappeared. The intelligence was found to be falfe, and had no other foundation than the arrival of 200 foldiers from Picardy, which Meflf. de Moy and de la Boifliere had brought to the Duke of Maienne. Being now difengaged from the croud, and ha- ving need of help, elpeciaily for the wound in my hip, by which I loft a great deal of blood, 1 advan- ced with my prize to the head of Vignole’s regi- ment, which had behaved bravely in the battle. Here, fearing no further furprife, I ordered a fur- geon to bind up my wound, and defired fome wine to prevent fainting, which I found coming upon me. My ftrength being a little recovered, I got to Anet, the keeper of which gave me an apartment, where 1 caufed the firft drefling to be put on my wounds, in pvel'ence •of the Marechal Biron, who fpent a few moments there after my arrival, and took a collation in my chamber, pie was conduft- R 2 jug 196 MEMOIRS Book III, ing the corps de referve, which he commanded, to the King, who, without flopping alter his vidory, had pafi’ed the river'of Eure, in purluk of the ene- my ; and, as it was reported to me, had taken at laft the road to Rofny, where he lay the fame night*. After the Marechal Biron was gone, D’Andelot arrived at Anet, full of refentment againfl me for wrefting from him his prize, for fo he thought it. He entered my chamber, attended by five or fix. armed men, and, with an air equally fierce and in- fulting, demanded an explanation, or rather fought to do himfelf juftice: for perceiving the white ftan.- dard, which, with that belonging to my company,, had been placed at the head of my bed, he would have taken pofitffion of it by force, without attend- * That night he fupped at the caftle of Rofny. Being in- countformed of that what the he Marechal had done, D’Aumont he rofe upwas to come meet to him, give and him embra- an ac- cingobliging him words,affcdtionately, that it was made but him juft, fit downthat he at who his tablehad fervedwith thtfe him partfo well 2. at his nuptials, fliould lliare in the fea(b Pcrefixe, ibid., doesPerefixe, honour in to the the fame King place, 1 e relatesremembered, another thir, eircun.ftance,.which the evening be- doriefore the Schomberg, battle, he who had hadufed alkcd feme him harlh for cxprefljnns mcney, and to Col.told himTheo- in moneya paflion, when that he it camewas notto takeaefting orders like afor man fighting. ot honour, Be toafterward* demand “went Colonel, to him, we when are nowhe was upon ranging the point; his troops perhaps in order, I /half and neverfaid, “ ago bravefrom thisgentleman place; asit youis not are juft of thatyour I honour;fhould deprive1 ccme a “ thereforeand incapable to declare, of committing that I know a bafe you adtion.”to be anSaying honeft this, man, he embracedved with thishim behaviour,with great replied,aft'tdlion. with The tears Colonel, in his eyes,lenfibly “ Ah!mo- “ me,Sire, youin reflorieg deprive tome me of mymy honourlife; for, of afterwhich this,you had1 Humid deprived be “ unworthyyour lervi-c. of yourIf i favour,had a thousand if I did lives,not lacrilice1 would itlay to-day them lorall “ Theat your Marechal feet." Biron,In ladl, who, he wasat thekilled head upon ot the this corps occafiona dc referve, IbiA. “had Sire, greatly'contributed you have performed towards what this Biionvtdlrxry, Ihould, faid andto HenryBiion hasIV. “ done that which the King ought to have done.” ing 1590. OF SULLY. 197 ing to what I faid to him. I changed my tone im- mediately, and words run high on the one part and on the other. In the condition wherein I w is, I could do no more. But as he fpoke with traniport, and made ufe of threats, the notfe drew fifteen or twenty of my armed troopers into the chamber, at the fight of whom D’Andelot reftraining his rage, went out, commanding Sigogne to follow him, which he refufed, endeavouring, but in vain, to make him comprehend the injuftice of his preten- fions. The next morning I caufed myfelf to be carried by water to Pafly, with an intention to go from that to Rofny, to get myfelf cured. On my arrival at Pafiy, 1 learned that part of the foldiers in my train, and my valets, with all my baggage, had retired thither, not knowing what was become of me, and intimidated by a falfe report which was fpread, that the King had loft the battle. Being ap- prehenfive of the reproaches I might make them, they kept themfelves concealed. 1 caufed them to be fought for, but they were fo much alhamed of having difcovered their cowardice, that the night following they fled away on foot j nor have I fince been ever able to learn what became of them. They left all my baggage behind them, with four of their own horfes, which I ordered to be fold by auction, and I diftributcd the money among their wounutd companions. As I was not in a condition fo endure a horfe, l ordered a kind of litter, compofed of the branches of trees, with the bark ftill on, and the hoops of fome vtficls, to be mane for me in haite, and tra- velled by Beurons, to avoid the afeents and declivi- ties of Rougevoie and Chatillon. Maignon, who was a youth full of gaiety and imagination, thought proper to give this march the air of a little triumph. Two of the groems of my {table were at the head of this train, each leading R 3 one ipS* MEMOIRS Book III, one of my fineft horfes ; they were followed by my pages, one of whom rode on my horfe, the fame who having received three wounds in the battle, and being thrown to the ground by a fourth, got up* again without a faddle, and running about the field of battle, was fortunately knowm by three of my arquebufiers. This page carried my cuirafs, and: the Duke of Maienne’s ftandard, the other bore my bracelets, and my helmet, all fo bruifed and bat- tered that they were no longer of any ufe. My equerry, the contriver of this pieafant fancy, march- ed next, his head bound up, and his arm in a fcarf^ he was followed by Moreines, my valet-de-chambre, drefied in my coat of orange-coloured velvet, with thin plates of filver, and mounted upon my Englifh. nag, holding in his hand, as a trophy, a bundle of the Ihivers of my pirtols, the broken pieces of my fwords, and the fragments of my plume of feathers.. The litter in which I lay came next, covered only with a cloth, upon which they had hung the black velvet coats of my prifoiters, with their plumes* and pieces- of their piftols and fwords at the four corners. Thefe prifoners themfelves followed my litter, and preceded the reft of my domefiics; af- ter whom, ranged in order, came my own com- pany of houfehold-troops, and the march was clo- fed with James’s and Baddit*s two companies of ar- quebufiers. They were fo maffacred, that you. could fee nothing among them, but heads bound up, and arms in fcarfs; and fome of thefe brave foldiers were even obliged to make themfclves be carried. When we came near Beurons, we perceived alt the plain covered with horfes and dogs ; and the King himfelf, who, after a flight repaft, had re- turned- from Rofny to Mante, hunting in my war- ren. This fhew feemed to rejoice him ; he thought it very happily difpofrd, and fmiled at the vanity of Maignan, who had the honour of being known to this. J590* O F S U L L Y. 199 this Prince, ever fince his father, who was a very brave man, had diftinguifhed himfelf at the taking of Eaufe. The King approached my litter, and, in the light of his whole train, difdained not to de- fcend to all the teftiraonies of fenfibility that a friend (if I may be permitted to make ufe of this term) could render to his friend. I could not ex- prefs my acknowledgment by throwing myfelf at his feet, but I allured him, and with truth, that I would fuffer with pleafure a thoufand times more for his fervice. He had made himfelf acquainted with all the hazards I had run in the battle. He inquired, with an obliging anxiety, whether all my wounds were of fuch a nature, that I might hope to be cured without mutilating any part of my bo- dy, which he thought almoft impoffible, knowing that I had been thrown down fenfelefs, and tram- pled under the horfes feet. When he was convin- ced that 1. had nothing to fear, he call himfelf on my neck, and turning to the princes and the gran- dees who followed him, he faid aloud, that he ho- noured me with the title of a true and honeft cheva- lier ; a title which, he faid, he regarded as luperior to that of a chevalier companion of his orders.. He was afraid of expofing me to fpeak too much, and finilhed this agreeable converfation with his or- dinary proteftations, that 1 Ihould fhare in all the good things that Heaven might fend him ; and, without giving me any time to anfwer, left me with faying, “ Adieu, my friend ; take care of yourfelf ; “ and be affured you have a good mafter.” There are princes who arc capable of gratitude ; but how rarely is this fentiment augmented, or even preferved in good fortune !

BOOK lorn MEMOIRS Book nr.

BOOK IV. H E fame day that the King gained the battle of Ivry, his party alfo obtained a vidtory at Auvergne, where Randan commanded the troops- ofthe league. But fortune, it would ieem, when flie gave this Prince fuccefles iufficient to put him in poficffion of many crowns, took pleafure, at the fame time, in producing circumftances which hin- dered the effedf, and left him of his victories only the glory of having vanquifhed. After the battle of Ivry, terror and confternation feized the whole party of the league, fo that it feemed hardly poflible for the King, who was at this time attentive to avail himfelf of all his advantages, to have failed of drawing very great ones. Nor did he expedt to fee them ravifhed from him by a general mutiny of his army, particularly of the Swils, who refufed to advance a ftep further till they were paid the iums which the King owed them. This Prince had then neither money nor means in readinefs to recover any. He came to Mante, to demand fome of the fuperintendant of the fi- nances. This man, who lecretly bore a mortal hatred to the King, and beheld his luccets with grief, took pleasure in augmenting his embarralf- ment, and had but one anlwer to make to all his inftances. In this time of confufion, when the royal treafure became a prey to the firll invader, the finances were very difficult to manage, and the King’s revenues fcarcely fuflicient to fatisfy the avi- dity of the receivers, which ordinarily increafed with public mifery. Henry wanted that ablolute authority, which alone was able to cheek them. and : i 9©'. OF SULLY. 20* ! i sfnd ftill more the means of convicting them of any u mifdemeanour ; for he had not (he flighteft know- ’J ledge of the affairs ©f the finances. Notwithftaad- ing this, he entered, contrary to his inclination, into a detail which became necefiary for him, and j obliged d’O to remit certain fnms, which it was ij not difficult to fee had paffed through his hands, i Thefe lums he made ufe of to pacify his foldiersj but this affair took up at kaft five days, during which the King could not leave Mante, or, by con- fequence, derive any advantage from his vidfory. I remember to have heard this Prince declare, that at this moment, for the firft time in his life, he ; faw himfelf in a fituation to convert his defires into 11 defigns : “ for 1 have often had defires’% faid he, ! “ but never found the feafon to form defigns.” He took this laft term in the fignification that all i wife men give it, for a project, the fuccefs of which is warranted by refleCfion and prudence. In i this fenfe indeed a man may incline to take what feems right in his own opinion, without prejudice to any other perfon ; but fools only rafhly engage in defigns, without any appearance of fucceeding in them. During the King’s ftay at Mante, D’Andelot went to him to complain of me; and this Prince gave himfelf the trouble to come to Rofny, that he might hear us both. D’Andelot was there ge- nerally blamed, and the raillery his ridiculous pre* tenfion drew upon him from the principal officers,, made fuch an impreffion on his mind, that he went over to the party of the league. I did not think the fame juft ice was done me with regard to the government of Mante, the taking of which was al- moft the only fruit of the battle of Ivry. The King, of whom 1 requefted this poft, gratified the Catholics *, at which I could not help making loud • TkisgovernmentwasgiventoM. deRofny’syoungeft brother. complaints. 202 MEMOIRS Book IV, complaints. I confeft, to my confufion, that if I had ierioufty reflcfted upon the fituation the King was then in every moment upon the point of be- ing abandonedy by the foreigners for want of pay- ment, and thofe Catholics that were in his fervice, ready to feize the {lighted occafion of difcontent for a pretence to quit him, 1 fhould not have mur- mured that he granted to a Catholic, who had but little affection to his perfon, what he refufed to a faithful lervant. There was more greatntfs of mind in being fatisfied with the friendfhip of this Prince, without its effedts, than in deceiving favours, which he was obliged to adjuft to policy, and to the ne- ceffity of the times. AU obftacles being removed, the King advanced with his troops, took Dreux. and marched to- wards Sens, which he exptdVed to have furrendered through the con cfpondence he held within the city •, but this failed, and Henry, unwilling to have come fo far in vain, and being bcfides informed that the place was unprovided with ammunition, he under- took the fiege of it. It was not long before he found himlelf, through the malice of his fecret e- nemies, in a general want of all things neceflary to finilh this enterprife, and was therefore obliged to abandon it. To efface the fhame, he gave out, that he railed this fiege, only in order to go and invert Paris itfelf, and he took his rout thither by Corbeil, Meulan, Ltgny, and St Denis, which, he made himfelf mafter of in his way. I was not at any of thefe fieges *, and my wounds were not yet even half cured, when I learned that the King was before Paris. I could not refill the defire 1 had to be prefent at this expedition •, I fet out, with my arm in a Icarf, and fupported by two crutches: The King, forgetting all my complaims, received me with his utual goodnefs, and com- manded me to ftay near his perfon. He commu- nicated 1590. OF SULLY. 203 nicated to me the defign he had formed upon Pa« ris, all the fuburbs of which he w ts relbived to i make himfelf mailer of at the fame time, in order I to deprive the city of the fubfiftence it drew from I them, fuch as fruit, vegetables, drc. He divided | his army into ten little bodies, to equal the number 1 of the fuburbs he defigned to ftorm ; and having i made choice of the night for the execution of his I f’sheme, he withdrew to the mountain of Mont- I marte, to be able to fend fupplies where ever there < was occafion for them. He placed himfelf in an abbey, where he was not only followed by the i wounded, who could not partake in the glory of this night, but by all the aged, and the gentlemen of the robe and the pen. He gave me a place at the window from which he beheld the adlion ; during ! which he converfed with Du Plcflis, Rufe, de Frelhe, j Alibour, and me. (The attack began at midnight, with a terrible noife of artillery, which was anfwered by the city. There was not one perfon, who did not think that i this immenfe city would be deftroyed, either by the fire, or by the infinity of mines kindled in its intrails. Never was there a fpe&acle more capable of infpiring horror.. Thick clouds of fmoke, through which darted by intervals fparks of fire, or long trains of flames, covered all that place of the N world, which, by the viciflitudes of light and dark- )j nefs, appeared plunged in black darknefs, or buried | in an ocean of fire. The thunder of the artillery, I the noifie of arms, and the cries of the combatants, added to this objeft all that can be imagined fright- ful, which was moreover redoubled by the natural horror of night. This feene continued two whole hours, and ended with the reduction of all the fub- urbs, not excepting that of St Antoine ; although, by its great extent, we had been obliged to begin the attack at a confiderable diftance. They blocked Up the city-gates, fo that nothing could now enter without 204 MEMOIRS Book IV, wirhout the permiffion of thofe who guarded them ; and the people immediately faw themielves reduced to an excefs of milery and famine, which I cannot yet think of without horror. I muft be permitted to pafs rapidly over this place ; 1 find no pleafure in enlarging upon fo dread- ful a fubjedt. The King, naturally compaffionate, was touched. He could not bear the thought of feeing this city, the empire of which was deftined for him by Providence, becoming one vail burial- place. He underhand permitted every thing that could contribute to its relief, and ihut his eyes to the fuppliesof provilions which the officers and ibl- diers luffered to enter the city, either out of com- paffion to their relations and friends who were in it, or with a defign to make the citizens purchafe them at a high price. Doubtlefs he imagined this condudl would gain him, in the end, the hearts of the Parifians: but he was deceived-, they enjoyed his benefits, without ccafing to look upon him as the author of the public mifery; and, elated with the Prince of Parma’s arrival, they iniulted him, who only rail, d the fiege becauie he ddcovered himfclf too fenlible to the misfortunes of the be- fieged*. • Perefixe, Cayet. and many others, are alfo of opinion, that yieldingthe King towas the with-held repeated intreatiesfrom taking ot his Paris foldiers, hy particularlyand from the wereHuguenots, refolvedto by his revenge having rite perceived, maflacre ofthat St onB.uth this lomesv, occafton h1 .1 theypat- tingPertfixe. all within ftnt allParis ufelefs to the months fword. out Theof Paris Duke : theof MemoirsKing’s council t rys oppofedof the dreadful his granting fcarcity them to whichpaflage; thele but themiferaide King, beingwretches inf >rnied were “reduced, furprifed,” ordered faid that he, they“ that Ihould the Spaniards,be allowed and to pats the chiefs‘‘ 1 am of nott ie ‘“4 onlyleague, tyrants: have noas compaflionfor me, I am upon their thefe father poor and people; then K theyng, andare . “<« tocannot try inniuftheir the foul, recital arid of ardently their calamitu defiring s, towithout bring beingthem piercedrcht-f. * Perelixe, part a. The Cardinal de Gondy, ildh p ofharing Parrs, 1596. OF S TJ L L Y. 20! To juftify an acHon, in itfclf as much blamed by the mafters in the art of war, as praifed for its principle thoroughly humane, the King fpread a report, that he had railed the fiege of Paris, only to meet the Prince of Parma, and, by a decifive action, to terminate a war already too long. He made ulb of all the precautions neceffary to fecure a fafe retreat from a city fo populous as Paris, and commanded every one to hold themfelves in readi- nefs for a general fignal ; to the end that all the fuburbs being evacuated in, a moment, no perfon might remain at the mercy of the populace. This retreat required great wifdom and conduft, and was happily eftltted on the 1 ft or 2d o£ September in the fame year: after which the whole army arri- ved at the common rendezvous, without meeting with any inconvenience. having been fent, during this fiege, to make Henry propofitions for“ fcntrmentspeace : “ to1 willyou notfreely, difltmble,” i am willinglaid he, to “grant but youdifcover peace, my f f““ defiretwo to it have myfelf; a general I would peace. give Ione love finger my to city have of a Paris,battle, lamand 1,4“ jealousgrant her of moreher, Ifavours am defirous than flieof demandsdoing her of fervice, me ; butand I ivouldwould “ grantKing ofthem Spain, voluntarily, or the Duke and of not Maienne.” he compelled It may to itbe byadde’d, the thatPrince Henry of Parma’s IV. expe&ed arrival. the The Parifians extremity would to capital which itethis before city wasths '-reduced,a month, raifed30,000 at perfons once compaffion died of hunger; and horror. mothers In fed the upon fpace the of ‘fitilldug upof thetheir dead children bodies, ; by and the made Spanifli ufe ambafl'ador’sof their bortes advice, pounded. they Soelt compofepart of thofe a kind that of eat pafte. of iftheirThis lives.-deteftable See fooda relation coft the of great- this inf a fpy with a good deal of exaif- nefs. As foon as he faw any one appear in the field, though it were only a Angle perfon, he rung a certain bell, and at the fame flde hung out a great flag. We did not defpair of (h iking his fidelity j and 200 crowns of the fun, with a promife of a benefice of gooo livres of revenue, corrupted hina. It remained only to gain fome of the garrifon the Sieur Du-Rollet took this upon himfelf, and fuc- ceeded equally well. He addrefied himfelf to a cor- poral and two foldiers, who eaflly accuftomed the reft of the garrifon to truft the guard of one of the gates to them alone. Every thing being thus con- cluded, the King prefented him felt before Louviers, at eleven o’clock in the night *. No one rung the b^ll, nor was there the leaft motion in the garrifon. Du Roller entered, and made the gite be opened, through which the King palled, without the fmalleft refiftance, into the centre of the city. Fontaine- Mirtel made fome ineffectual efforts to draw the garrifon together; as for the citizens, they were wholly occupied in concealing their wives and their daughters. The city, whofe principal riches con- futed in its magazines of linen and leather, was en- tirely pillaged, f had a gentleman with me, called Beaugrard, a native of Louviers, who was of great life to us in difeovering where thefe kinds of mer- chandife were concealed, and a prodigious quantity of them was amafled together. The produce of my June j. T a fharff 220 M E M 0 I R S Book IV. fhare amoimted to 3060 livres. The care of Lou- viers was by the King configned to Du-Boiler. The fame good fortune attended the Duke of Montpenfier in all his enterpriles in Normandy *. This fuccefs was eo more than neceffitry to cpnfole the King for the news he received, that the Duke of Guife f, whom he conlidered as his principal ene- my, had efcaped from the caftle of Teurs, where he had been kept prifoner ever fince the afl'affina- tion at Blois. The King now refumed his former 1 delign of attempting every thing, to become mafter j of Rcucn. fill tired of the affiftance and affeftion j of aimoft all the cities of Normandy, he quitted I Mante, where for fome time part he had fixed his ] abode, and made it a little capital for the refidence I of his court and his council j and caufed his troops to file off towards this city. V/hile preparations ■were making for this important fiege, Henry made a fecret journey to Compeigne, of which love was zieux,* In &c.the weteLower in theNormandy, intereft ofFalaize, the league Baieui, : Oen, Argentan, Alengon, Li- ;>i happenedSeez, Ecouche, in April &c. ifSp,in the in King’s. the field The of iroftAigtnun, lontiderable near Pierre-action H’’j fitte,cut off Villars, the leaguers and Conimeaux, of thofe cantons, where whomthe Dithey ke caMedof Montper.fier Gautiers,. onto thetire numberfpot, and of a5 thoufandor 6ceo. taken1 hree ptifoners; tbouf-nd werethe rti! lelt tfcaped dead up- to • m Argentan.taken with Cotnmeaux,great difficulty. which At is length at prefent the Dukefearce ofa Montpenfutvillage, was H cities.extirpated He thiswas whole affifled party, by the and Count reduced of Torigny, fcveral of Me the if. rebellion*d’Krr.cry, jj deand Loncauni, others. deSee Btuvron,thefe expeditions dc Viques, in thede Bacqucville,3d volume of 1’Archant,. the-Me- ,|!J moirsf Chailesoj the league. of Lorraine, foa of Henry Duke of Guife, who was fliin1571. at “Blojs, The flightand ofof theCatharine Duke ofof Guife Cleves. will Heruin was the league,”born in yj chambielaid Henry having IV. as found it is relatedmeans byto Leamufe Grain. Rouvrai The Duke’sand his valetguards, de |j dowtithe* in by the play, caftle, or indrinking, the midft let of him the downday, fromwith thea rope,h gheft which, win- intohe afterwards a fimall boat, made which ule of carried to defeend him tohin.fclf. the other The fide Duke of thegot *1 t>.river, 81. whereCaret, twovol. horfes2. book waited 3. f-4«J' for him, £v. Mutlhieu, vol. *. ,59r* OF SULLY. 221 the true motive, though he gave out that it was to fend to Germany for a levy of cavalry. The Vif- count Turenne undertook this affair, from grati- tude for the King’s having effe&ed, and honoured with his prefence, his marriage with Mademoifelle de Sedan #, daughter and only heirefs of the de- ceafed Duke of Bouillon, which was concluded this >rear. I was not forry for my part, that this retreat gave me an opportunity of enjoying, fome time longer, at Mante, the .company of Madam Chateaupers, with whom chance had lately brought me acquainted, and to whom I felt myfelf attached ! more and more, by an inclination fo ftrong, that it made me think of a fecond marriage. The King had exprefsly forbidden all commerce, and tranfportation of merchandifes, and of every ; kind of provifion, into Paris and Rouen, as being i cities in open rebellion : but in this, as in every thing elfe, he was very ill obeyed. The governors of paffts, efpecially along the Seine, gained by the Iimmenfe fums, which their facility produced, al- moft publicly granted the neceffary paffports for merchants, and mafters of boats. De Fourges, whom I have formerly had occafion to mention, came one day to inform me, that a large boat, whofe lading was reputed worth 50,000 crowns, had gone up the river towards Paris, where, after * Charlotte de la Mark, daughter of Robert de la Mark, fo- frer,▼ereign by Princethe death of Sedan, of her and brother, of Frances William of RobertBourbon de Montpen- la Mark, ibeDuke became of Bouillon, heirels whichof this happenedprincipality. at Geneva,The Duke,in the yearin his t j88laftr thewill,_ dil'pofition, forbade his but filler the toKing’s marry friendlhip a Roman for Catholic. die Vifcount This Tu-was Montpenfier,renne, his delire and of Nevers, taking theeach lady of fromwhom the demanded Dukes of her Lorrain, for his fon;to the poli.y,Duke ofwhich Lorrain advifed ; and him perhaps to give the an belief ambitious that neighbourthis mar- siagehimfelf would head induce of the theCalvinifts Vifcountto in France; lay afide were his the defign motives of making which, ceuatdetermined Turenae. Henry IV. to many the hcitds of Sedan to the Vif- t3 a 222 M E M O I K S Book TV, a few days ftay, a lefs one' would bring back the value in lilver to Rouen : which be was well aflured of, becaufehis own father was to eondnft the boat.. I caufed it to be fo well watched, that in its return it fell into my hands, and I faw with aftonifhment the paffport figned by Berengueville^ and my bro- ther, the one governor of Meulan, and the other ©f Mante ; but they did not caae to mention this to me, nor did I take any notice of k to them, but caufed the boat and its conduttor to be brought to Mantei I opened two large packets, where I ex- i peeled to find the 50,000 crowns in fpecie. but feeing only fome pieces of gold and lilver thread, and Spanifh filk, I threatened to put the mafter of the boat into a dungeon.. The elder T’curges a-: larmed at this threat, prefented me with letters of exchange for 36,000 crowns, which he would have perfuadedi me was the whole produce of the fale. | .As he defended himfelf wkh a good deal- of aflion, the weight of the gold he had about him broke his pockets, and fo great a quantity, fell from them,, that the floor was in an inftant covered with crowns of the fun *. He probably intended to apply this i fum to his own ufe, or thought it could be in no- place fo feeure as about himfelf. One may ima- k gine what was his confufiom After diverting my- j'j ftlf fome time in obliging him to take leveral turns |j about the room, I ordered him to ft rip, and found || 7000 crowns in gold fewed up in his cloaths. I was then ia very great need, waiting the fale of my j corn, wood* and hay, at Rofny : the King made me a prefent of this fora, and was Angularly plea* fed with the reckal of poor Fourges’s adventure. , It was not fo wkh Berengpeville and my brother, xcig-n* A of geld.coin Lewis XL current and foin called thofe becaufeHires. thereIt was was fird the (truck figure in of the a 64fun fols.,above if the Blanc, crown. trait £The bifi, valuedcs moi.noie: ofithefe ic Framcrcwns e, p.j)-at this de 1’iutroetime is dutSioa, ct P. 37a. ttey 159I* OF SULLY. 32J they were extremely angry with me. I come to the fiege of Rouen. The King had not feen himfelf at the head of forces fo confiderable. Four thowfand Englilh ar- rived to him, conduced by •, and, moreover, he expected foon a fecond reirtforcemenc from this country, which difembarked during the fiege, under the commaud of the Earl of Eflex % the minifter and favourite of Queen Elii’abeth. The United Provinces, befides the two regiments in the fervice of this Prince, fent a fleet of fifty fail well equipped to the coafts of Normandy, having on board 2500 foldrers, commanded by Count Philip of Naflau. The Duke of Bouillon (for fo the Vifcount of Turenne called himfelf fince his marriage) fucceeded fo well in his negotiation in Germany, that he brought back 5 or 6000 horfe, befides foroe companies of foot with the Prince of Anhalt at their bead. Thefe foreign auxiliaries, joined to 6000 Swils, which the King had in his pay, to different reinforcements that came from fe- veral places, particularly Normandy ; and to thofe troops, either Proteftants or Catholics, that were at his own difpofal, compoled an army of 40,000 men. Caen, and the other chief towns of the pro- vince, engaged to furnifh provifions, and every thing neceffary for a fiege, which could not fail of being long, both becaufe of the goodoefs of the place, and becaufe of the ftrength of the garrifon. Ihe Marquis of Villiers, known for his bravery and capacity, fhut himfelf up there with the fon of the Duke of Maienne, refblved to bury themfelves under its ruins. In efteft, from the day that we fat down before this cry till the Prince of Parma’s arrival, which obliged us to raife the fiege, there * Robert D’Evreur, Eir] of EfTex, favourite to Q. Elifabetbt SeeriUeioj the iletter memoirs^ of thanks vol. 4- whichp 14$• Henry IV. wrote to Elifabeth, in paffed 2 24 MEMOIRS Book IV* pafied almoft fix months; and what is worfe, fix winter-months : for it was invefted in the beginning of O&ober, and abandoned the 20th of March fol- lowing, after efforts on the part of the befiegers* and a refiftance on that of the befieged, fome cir- cumftances of which I fhall relate. The troops of the befiegers were placed in dif- ferent quarters; the King’s were at Darnetal, and that of my company at Frefne 1’Efplen, whither I rarely went, the King having honoured me with a lodging in his. Here I difpofed myfelf for a long ftay, and hardly ever quitted him or the Marechal de Biron. At firft there appeared fuch an emula- tion amongft the officers to be employed, that, to avoid all difcuffions, the King regulated the time and duration of each of their fervices; and decla- red that one day of four he would himfelf work at the trenches, with'the gentlemen that were about his perfon, who were to the number of two or three hundred. I had folicited beforehand for a poft in the artil- lery, for which my inclination was lo ftrong, that I fubmitted to ferve not only under the Marechal de Bivon, but Meffi de la Guiche, de Born, and de Fayolles alfo. But Biron, who had no affection for me, gained over thefe general officers, and pre- vailed upon them to exclude me, with which I had afterwards reafon to be well contented ; for thofe pieces of ordnance of which I was to have the charge, happened to fall into the power of the enemy. The motive of this Marechal’s hatred towards me was, that in the council, where it was debated on what fide the place fhould be attacked, Biron being of opinion, that we fhould attack the eaftle j 1 was not afraid to maintain, that we ought firft to apply to the city, which would bring along with it the reduction of Fort St Catharine. This queflion was a long time the fubjedt of all converfations, as well 1591. OF SULLY. 22J well at the table as at the council; and Biron never forgot the expreffion I generally ufed, “ The city “ t :ken, the caftle muft furrender.” I cannot indeed comprehend, how a man fo ex- perienced as the Marechal was, could determine for attacking the caftle, which, not to mention the commander, or the ganifon, (and neither the man nor the garrifon were ordinary), nor its excellent fortifications, had this in particular from the nature of the place, that in attacking it without, not half the number of foldiers-could be brought again ft it which the befieged could oppofe to defend it; which is quite contrary in cities of war. However, the opinion of the Mareehal de Biron j carried it; for his authority and the dependence Ito which he had accuftomed the other general offi* cers, captivated all the votes. Without doubt, this Marechal flattering himfelf that nothing could be 1 able to refift fo ftrong an army, embraced the pat: i which he thought the moft glorious, and the like- Slieft to bring the fiege foon to an end ; and the King, who was refolved not to fpare himfelf*, by | following this advice, feemed to be of the fame i opinion. For I look upon as a pure calumny, dif- feminated by the Marechal’s enemies, that report which was whifpered in the army, that he had afk- ! ed the King for the government of Rouen, which ; this Prince had refufed him, becaufe he had before « promifed it to Du-Hallot, upon the recommenda- ISt 'Catherine Perhap': withalfo theythe mine depended : but theupon defign blowing was difcovered up the fortby theof btfirged.defended theMwobs Marechal of the Biron’s Ingae, advicevol. againftThofc that writers given that by have the gjoDuke the of attack, Sully, fay,with that regard it was to thevery place difficult, at which and atthey the fhouldfame time, he* thevery fort dangerous, of St Catherine, for the armythe hill ot efpeciallyHenry IV. beingto leave fo nearbehind the themcity. fe'-iq.;See, upon Cayet, rhe Cbronoperations Noven. of vol.this x.fiege, book Muf/A'ca, 4. (who vol.is for x. thep 96-Duke et. ttoriaas.of Solly's opinion agaiuoi the Mareclul fiiron) ; and other hi- tion 225 MEMOIRS Book IV. tion of M. de Montpenfier j and that he endeavour- ed underhand to fruftrate this enterprife, and, through envy, gave a counfel which he knew would render all our efforts upon this place ineffectual. It is more certain, that thefe eternal conteftations with the Duke of Bouillon had more than once been like to ruin all; for this nobleman, to be revenged on the King, railed a mutiny amongft the horfe, and other German forces which he had brought. The batteries were accordingly railed oppolite to the fort, and we contented ourfelves, for guarding the lower part of the river, to place there fome com- panies of German foot, which having been worfted in fome Tallies that were made on that fide, yielded the port to the Hollanders who underftood fieges better than they. In effect, thefe laft maintained themfelves there, and prevented fallies by that place.. It was not long before the King perceived that he Lad engaged in a work of extreme difficulty; but nothing he imagined was impoffible to obftinate labour. Villars was not contented with defending himfelf withiq; he came out of the caftle, and caufed a deep trench to be cut upon the declivity of the hill, over againft the fort, with which the end of it communicated, and placed there in the night a guard of 6 or 700 men. As this new work was extended far into the country, and as it not only incommoded the be-, fiegers in their attacks upon the caftle, but alfo ex- pofed them to be fallen upon in the rear, w'hile at the fame time they had the garrifon from within in front, the King refolved to feize it, and to render it ufelefs. He made choice of the fame night when it was his turn to watch the trench with his 300 gentlemen, whom he commanded to be completely armed, and to have, befides their ufual arms, hal- berts in their hands, and piftols at their girdles, and to his troop added 400 mulketeers or pike- men. It was at midnight, arid amidft the extreme i59t. O F S U L L Y. 127 cold of December, that we attacked this trench in different places, i'he a&ion, which was very ob- ftinate, continued half an hour with equal animo- fity on the one part and the other. We made con- liderable efforts to gain the brink, and the befieged repulfed us feveral times. I was twice thrown to the ground, my halbert broke, and my arms loofen- ed or broke in pieces. Maignan, whom I had ob- tained permiffion to bring with me, railed me, put my arms again in order, and gave me his halbert. The trench was at laft carried by main force, and we cleared it of more than fifty dead or dying ene- mies, whom we threw from the precipice of the hill. This trench was open to the canon of the fort; but the King had the precaution to order feme gabions, hoglheads, and pieces of wood, to be brought there, which covered the Englilh, to whom he committed the guard of it. Villars had not expe&ed to fee his outworks car- I ried in lo Ihort a time. When he was told it, and that it was the King in perfon who had conduced the enterprife. “ By heavens,” faid he, “ this ; “ Prince dd'erves a thoufand crowns for his va- ! “ lour. I am forry that, by a better belief, he M does not infpire us with as ftrong an inclination “ to acquire him new ones, as, by his prelent “ creed, he gives us i'ubjed: to difpme with him “ his own : but it Hull never be faid, that I have u failed to attempt in my perfon what a great King “at hasthe headexecuted of 400 in men,his.” armedIn effect, as he he had put been himfelf told the King’s were, and taking alfo 800 pikemen fe- kdted out of his whole number, he attacked the Englifh, and dillodgfd them from the trench. The King felt himielf piqued at the vanity of Villars, and refolving not to let go his hold, prepared for a fecond attempt. The Englilh, apprehending re- proaches, which they certainly had not merited, inircated the King to put 100 Englilh gentlemen in his 22S MEMOIRS Book IV. his troop, and to fuff r all the foot, who were to attend him on this occafion, to be f nglilh likewife. They alfo demanded leave to fuftain the firft effort •qf the enemy, and behaved in inch a manner, that infpiteofthe refiiflance of the befieged, who had doubled their number, the trench was a fecond time regained : they afterwards maintained them- felves in it, and took away from the befieged all inclination to approach it for the future, by what happened for a fnnple ditch, it is eafy to judge of the event of a fiege, of which this attack was but the beginning. The King was fenfible that not- withflanding all his care, and the infinite pains that he gave himfelf, he would find great difficulty in fucceeding. The defiiny of France alone preferved this Prince on occafions, when he hazarded his perfon in fuch a manner, as made us fometimes defpair of his fife. And it was upon this account, that, the next day after the trench was taken, I found occafion to- exprefs our common fears, when he drew me afide in the prefence of the Catholics, and all the courtiers, to converfe with me upon the prefent fituation of his affairs. “ I “ cannot do otherwile, my friend,” replied this Prince, as foon as i began to make my reprefenta- tions; “ and fince it is for my glory and crown “ that 1 fight, my life and every thing elfe ought “ to be of no confideration with me.” It is certain, that in the King’s fituation he could not do lefs than he did, to perfuade the world, that if this fiege failed, it was not through his fault; and all thefe inftances of eminent valour were no more than neceffary to evite the fhame of being foiled in an attempt which one half of his army feared he ffiould lucceed in, almoft as much as the enemy themftlves. Thefe were the very lame Ca- tholics whom 1 have formerly mentioned, who, not contented with having obliged him to begin the fiege at a place which rendered the taking of the poffibie,city im- 1591. O F S U L L Y. 229 poflible, fuffered him to fuftain all the trouble, o- beyed him but by halves, and with regret, created obitacles upon obftacles, and publicly declared, that nothing wa-s to be expe&ed from them, while he was of a religion ditF;rent from their own. It was to open his heart upon fo many fubje&s of disquietude and chagrin, that he was deiit ous of dil’couifing with me, and I then faid nothing to him which he did not know as well as myfelf; at io little trouble were his domeftic enemies to con- ceal their fentiments. He told me, he had per- ceived for fome time, that he was threatened with a mifehief ftill greater, which was the defertion of all the Catholics in his army ; “ which will bring along “ with it (thefe are the very words of this Prince) the ruin of the ftate, and that of the houfe of “ Bourbon ; for if they once break with me, they will never after c hule for a King a Prince of that family.” He added, that this dilobedience v/as an incurable evil, whuh he w;is obliged to difTemble. He made me obferve, that, at the very time he fpoke to me, Me firs de Nevers, de Lor.^ueville, de Xa Guiche, d’O, and dc Chateauvieux. jealous of fo familiar a converfation with an Huguenot, ob- served -us malignantly from a corner of the hall, and whifpered continually together. For this rea- son, he laid, it would be nectfTury to leparate, and that he muft be obliged to tell them, that our dif- enurfe turned foldy upon a negotiation with the 'Marquis of Villars, which, in reality, the King had hinted to me in this converiation. Nothing could have h ppened more advantage- ous for the King, than to have put kn end to the £ege of Rouen by a treaty with Villars, which, in •reality would have dilengaged him from the league, and brought him irfto his own paity. It was wh tt •this Prince ardently, wilhed for, but Aill lefs for the honour of his enterpri c, than for the advantage Vol.I. U of 230 MEMOIRS Book IV, of gaming over fuch a man as this governor. He imagined it might be brought about by means of La-Font, for whom Villars had great confideration, though he was only his Reward. The King was not ignorant that Villars had received this dome- Ric into his fervice, after he had left mine; and that La-Font owed his favour with his new mafter to thofe teftimonies I had given of his probity. This thought had ftruck me before it was mention- ed by the King, and I had even found means to get La-Font founded upon the fubjeft. His anfwer, which I related to the King, was, that at prefent he faw no appearance of what I propofed ; that he even thought himfelf obliged to prevent his mafter’s entertaining any fufpicion of his fidelity, to have no commerce with me, much lefs to fee me, as I pro- pofed ; that all he could do, was to obferve if M. de Villars changed his fentiments with regard to the King, and in that cai’e to confirm him as much as poflible in them, and to inform me of it. Henry thought no more of it; but before we fe- parated, hi afked me what he ought to do with re- gard to the fiege, and the Prince of Parma, who, he had juft learned, had palled the Somme, to join his troops with thole of the Duke of Maienne* The King doubted not but that his intention in this ■was to proceed dire^Uy to Rouen, and ftill lefs but that Villars would eafdy hold out till his arrival. I told the King, that I law but two things for him to do, and that it was his part to determine upon one of them; the firft was, to change totally the order and place of attack, and to carry it to the fide of the city, and there ufe his utmoft endeavours to make himfelf mafter of it before the enemy Ihould appear. The fecond was, that without lols of time he fliould go and attack the Prince of Parma, and oblige him to repafs the Somme, and continue af- terwards the fiege0 without fear. 1592- O F S U L L Y. 231 The King refolved upon this laft advice : but as by following it he had no defign to raile the liege, left the Prince of Parma, who perhaps had that only in view, fhould afterwards avoid the battle, he told me, that he would go and meet him with 7 or Sooo hori'e, who were of no ufe at the fiege ; i and that he would attack him with this cavalry, or, | if he had not palled the Somme, difpute his paflage. I He quitted me, ordering me to prepare myfelf to go i along with him with 1 5 or 20 troopers only, chofea j from the reft of my company. I 1 returned at the end of two days from Frefne j Phfplen, and, on my arrival at D irnetal, I learned I that Villars had made a Tally at the head of 100 J horfe, with whom he had overpowered the guard •„ | and would have been the caule of much greater j; diforder, if the King, armed only with a cuirafs, I had not run thither, followed by the Baron de Bi- |i ron, an ^nglfth officer whole name has efcaped me, |i Grillon/and fome others who were about him : j; thefe uyree gentlemen efpecially had covered them- l felvev'with glory. Grillon had his arm broke by % | £hot from an arquebufe. As for the King, having j precipitated himlelf into a danger, fomewhat like that which is related of Alexander the Great in | the city of the Oxydracte, he extricated himiLli? I out of it with the fame prell nce of mind, and the a fame intrepidity. If this, which is only an example, | has all the appearance of a fable, Henry’s achon had: | two whole armies for witnefies. I The Prince of Parma, with his whole army, j poirdTed the border of the Somme, and, fatisiied . with recovering this river, made fcarce any mo- 1 tion ; for belides, that the governor of Rouen had j fent to inform him, that as he intended to ftrike I fome important blow, be might 1st it be a good « while before he came to his affiftance; he waited for the arrival of Sfondrate, who was to bring him U * the *6o. MEMOIR S Book IV: tlte troops of his unde Pope Gregory XIV. * ; and thoie of the Duke r.f Maienne, who.howtver came not lb foon. He had been obliged to go with his beff troops to Paris, to punifh the inioknce of the Sixteen, who, abufing the power he had fuffered them to offume, had dared to hang, the Prefident Briilbn f, and tome other counfellors, as reip.dl- abie for their virtue as for their age ; and had doubtlels gone farther, if the Duke, fearing perhaps fbme tudden caprice of thofe leditious couniellors $ againtf himlelf, had not doomed them to the like punithment: but as, in executing this aft of ju* itice, he had certain meafures to keep, he did not join the Prince of Parma as foon as had been expefted. The King, when he was informed of tin's difpo« fition, thought it neceffary to haften his march. He left to the Marechal Biron the care of carrying on the liege, whole forces he weakened but by 7 or 8oqo horfe; coniifting from 3 to 4000 French troopers, as many German horfe, and j 000 horle* * Sixtus V. die in.Angeft tjjo, Heniy f\r. wken he Wis'in- formed“ have ofloft his a popedeath, who'was faid, *• myHere all is a tii< k of Spanilh policy : I ,l “ A. cataftrophe very unwosthy of fo learned and excellent a “ ufualman,” to fay- ihole Mczeray, svho think fpeaking to keep of well tlie withl r< lident two parties.”BrilTon, “ Forlint, ■thewas parliamentthe only beingone of transferred the fix Prelidents by the K whong toremained Tour-, atBrifioa. Paris. andThe itleague was he obliged that helped him to to perform degrade the King duties Henry of firft1! 1. Prefident,,Accord- uponing to to the be Duke a juft ofpunifbment News's ofQ.blervatiun his ingratitude- his death Henry was HI looked had? freelywas one beftowed of the greateft upon him men the of thepoft robe. of Pitfi.lent.1 he Duke However, of Maienne he revengedAmoux, fouritis death, of tr.e byhxteen, caufing to Louchtrd, be hanged Amtlitic, iu a parlour Aur.onet, of andthe Louvre.f One of the fixteen, named Normand, faid one day, in the Duke of Mai,tine’s chamber, “ Thofe who made him, have a ftirious“ right leaguer,to unmake came him himfelf, ” Hamilton, attended the by Curate priefts ofinftcad St Come, ot fol- a- ditrs, to fetze the Counsellor Tatdif in his houfe.arquebufiers;' 1 r-592. O F S U L L r. ^33 a-rquebufiers ; at the head of which he departed from Darnetal, and took the road to the Somme. He p:iiTed the firft day by Boiffiere and Neuf Cha- tel ; the fecond by Blangy, Londiniere, Longue- viile, Senerpont, and Camache ; and the third ad- vanced to Eolleville, with a limple detachment, leaving the body of his cavalry behind him, to be conducted by the Duke of Nevers. We met a confiderable party, led by MelT. de Bofue, de Balagny, de Vitry, the Baron de la Chatre, St Pol, La Mothe *, and others, who had doubtlefs advanced with the fame defign as we, to reconnoitre the fituation and forces of the enemy.. The King commanded the Baron de Biron, MeH*. de Lavardin, de Givry, de St Geran, de Marivaut, de Chanlivaut, la Curee d’Arambure, and feme others, to go and attack them ; who were repulfed and handled very roughly; and part fell, among which was Lavardin. Henry ran with 300 horle to difengage them and, believing this encounter might be followed by an aftion more »ferious, at lealt between the cavalry of the two armies, which was what he greatly wilhed for, fent orders to Nevers to quicken his pace.. But the Prince of Parma, who had a quite contrary defign, rellrain- ed his jiquadrons, who had retreated of themfelves- when they perceived ours advance ; and the King, feeing no appearance of affefting any thing in the. midft of fo many battalions,, and the night already/ the* countryLa Mothe, of Beauvaifts;gqverrvhr ofbut Valenciennes, he had all washis alife Frenchman, terved in theof atSpanifii the head army, ot theand Spanifh was fljin artilleiy, in rjps, viry at muchthe fi-.ge regretted of Dourlans, by the Ekelbeke.Spaniards. SeeThe his King dea;h of Spainand panegyric had jutt increated De Than, him book Count 111. of .fided, t La and Curee was was called one by ofhim thofe nothing penons but in Curee. whom Hethe performedKing con- wonders-atvolurre ot M^S.the battle in the of royal Ivry, library, and on manynuiked other 8519. occafions. is filled with:The fiege.ofrelations .Montaub.a. of his intrepidity. He was killed in an encounter at the. II approaching,, 234 MEMOIR' ,<4- Book PV„ approaching, contented himfelf with obferving this army clofely, and checking its motions, as he went to his quarters at Bretuil; where his cavalry, for fear of a furprife, were obliged to keep themfelves. extremely dole, and part of them even lay without all night, though the ground was covered with- ihow. The ardour with which the King went to meet, an enemy greatly fuperior, awakened our fears for the dangers, to which he expofed his perfon, and" obliged us hrongly to reprefent to him the confe- quences. But this prince, who had no conception. of that management we propofed to him, when glory was in queftion, changed not his conduit. He contented himfelf with naming thirty of us to. continue near his perfon, and not to leave him, upon any occafion whatever. An employment, very honourable in truth ; but the danger of it fomewhat abated the paflion for it. With this precaution, which was no more than fufficient, he. only expofed himfelf ftill more. Being informed that the Duke of Guife, who commanded the Prince of Parma’s vanguard, had put himfelf at the head.of his fquadrQn, to facilitate the lodgement of this infantry in a large town called Bures, he refolded to cut off this fquadron j. ■which he executed with the utmoft vigour, at the head of taco horfe and inoo horfe-arquebufiers., A great number, of the enemy were left dead upon, the place, and the reft betook themfelves to flight. The Duke of Guife’s green ftandard was taken, and. all the baggage plundered. Henry, who was not willing that any. of thefe cavaliers fhould efcape him,' efpecialiy their Colonel, fent immediately orders to the Duke of Nevers to advance with all" fpeed to Bully, that he might poflefs himfdf of the. road though which he conjedlured the Duke of Guile and the fugitiveswould retreat to the reft of the army, and take them prifoners. L had orders. I *-&*'• OF' SU L L T. 2J? to fuftain the Duke of Nevers with fixty horfej, I which I obeyed with reluctance, not doubting, but j in fuch hands the affair would base an ifl'ue little j worthy of its beginning. j The Duke of Nevers, the floweft of all men, be- gan by fending to make choice of the molt favour- | able roads, and marched with a flow pace towards I Bully, with his hands and his- nofe in his muff, and- j his whole perfon well packed up in his coach. This. J once he had no occafion to boaft of his extreme j caution. It was fo long before he arrived, that he | gave time to the Prince of Parma, who was greatly* | more alert than he, to throw a regiment of 15 or 11600 men into Bully, who made fuch hafte, that they reached the town in the beginning of the nights As for the Duke of Nevers, the fun rifing the next day found him at lafl upon the height of the moun- tain, at the foot of which Bully is fituated, preceded by his couriers, whom he had that day doubled,, through an excels of precaution againft a flying enemy: the firft, to the number of fifty, marched. | two or three miles before him ; and the fecond,. which amounted to too, went fome few. paces be- fore his coach. But unfortroately with all his fore- fight, he had forgot to make fure of this paflage,. and had not fent a Angle foldier to keep guard there. He began to defcCnd the mountain-with great tran- quillity, and doubtlefs with more tranquillity than; if he had known whom he was to find in Bully.. His firft couriers, entering the city, were fufficient- ly furpriled at the fight of fo much good company but as the cold had obliged thefe foldiers to difann, and to lay down their pikes, to range thcmfelves round a large fire which they had kindled, thefe fifty- couriers had time to fave themfelves by flight. This they did not indeed upon that fide where their ma- fter was, but by palling quite through the city, and getting out at the oppofite end as faff as their legs- could.carry them,, without troubling themfelves at bout. 23 d' ME MO I R S Book W. bout what might become of the Duke of Ncvers ; who, with his coach, was juft then flicking in the deepeft part of a defcent, equally fteep, rugged, and winding. It was in this place that the Duke of Nevers, hearing the noife of lome fufileers who were firing after his-firft couriers, and the lecond having come to make their report, full of eonfter- nation, was frozen with fright; and refolving now at laft to lofe no time, he threw away his muff and his furs, not without often exclaiming,- “ The devil,” nor without quarrelling his valets for not coming x-eadily enough to help him out.. All their endeavours could not difengage the coach, which w'as forced to be dragged back to the top of the mountain ; where the Duke again made ufe of it, to return a little more haftily to the place where he had lain the preceding night. It was thus that: we feconded the King upon this Occafion : a truly ridiculous exploit, where the danger did not equal the fear by a great deal, fince not a fingle man was loft. The Prince of Parma, by this important blow, knowing what fort of an enemy he had to deal with, durft not for tV future fuffer his vanguard to be feparated from the army; and perceiving that the King almoft never loft fight of him, redoubled his diffidence, which was, without doubt, the caufe that he did not take all the advantage he might have done of the encounter ar Aumale : an adlion An- gularly hardy on the King’s fide, and well deferving a particular relation. borne days after that I have juft ment:oned, the- King following the Prince of Parma at a great di- ftance, had advanced with 6000 horfe towards Au- male. Givry, whom he had fent at the head of fome troopers to get intelligence, returned, and in- formed him, that the enemy’s army was advancing direbtly towards him in the plain, in good order, apparently with a defign to force him back, and to cut' *592. OF SULLY. 237 cut him off in his retreat. The King called a coun* cil ; and finding, as he faid that he had too many and too few foldiers, he refolved to fend all his ca- valry back to Qphy, Blangy, and Neuf-Chatel, and to keep with hinumly 400 troopers, and 500 horfe- arquebufiers, and with this body of men to advance into the plain, to difcover exactly the condition and the number of the enemy; and hovering about them, to take or cut off fome Iquadrons. He mounted the hill of Aumale, with his goo horfe, and marched two leagues without perceiving any thing, till the Iky, which had been extremely | dark, becoming very clear, he a fecond time fiaw Givry return, who came to give him fu!lfatisfa£boa in all that he wanted to know about this army. It I was fo near, that they heard diftindtly the found of the trumpets and drums. But Henry would needs fee it himielf. He made an exaft review of it, and found that it confifted of 17 or 18,000 infantry, with 7 or 8000 cavalry, who marched very dole ; the cavalry in the midft of the battalions, and the whole flanked with, chariots and baggage, that ren- dered approach impoffible. From this lituation of the enemy, he found he had Hill too many men ; and retaining only 10© troopers, ordered the 8o» others to repafs the dyke and town of Aumale, and 300 horfe of his fquadron to flop upon the decli- vity of the hill, to be within reach to aflifl him, if there fhould be occafion. Five hundred arquebu- fiers he gave to the condudt of Livardin with or- ders to poll them in the ditches and hedges that were at the entrance of the town, from wiience they might incommode fuch of the enemy as ap- proached too near." As for himfelf, he not only waited for the enemy with his too horfe, but even marched to meet them. At this moment we all gazed upon one another, perfectly aftoniflied at the temerity of a defign, which leemed to expofe the perfon of the King to inevi- table 33s MEMOIRS Book IV* table death. No one durft venture to expoftulate with him, yet knew not how to be filent. At length 1 was chofen- and deputed by the reft, to reprefent to the King, in the name of us all, the danger to which he expofed himfelf, qnd to intreat him to alter his refolution. This comnaiffion l performed in the mt>ft cautious terms that I could devife. 41 ’Fis the language of fear,” replied the King j 4‘ from you, of all others, 1 would never have ex- 44 pe&ed it.” I prayed him not think fo unjuilly of any of us ; and told him, that the only thing we required was, that he would give us what orders he pleafed, provided he would hitnfelf retire. This Prince confeflld to me afterwards, that being fen- fibly affedted with thefe words, he repented of what he had laid to me. He anfwered, that no expref- fions of our fidelity could reach the idea he con- ceived of it. But,” added he coldly, and with an air that convinced me that it was uielefs to fpeak to him more, “ be you alio allured, that I am not “ fo ralh as you imagine ; that I am as much a* 44 fraid of my Ikin as another ; and that I will re- 44 treat fo leaionably, that no inconvenience Ihall 44 happen.” The Prince of Parma could not but look upon an attempt fo hardy, as a fnare that was laid for. him, to draw his cavalry into an open field, where he Ihould meet with the King’s, which he fuppofed to be concealed, and fuperior to his. He even fu- fpedted a long time, that the King’s whole army could not be far off; and having no defign to en- gage him, he did not quit his poft, which was in- the centre oi his army, where he was feared in an uncovered chariot, without arms or boots, and em- ployed in giving orders to reftrain the ardour of the foldicry, who luft’ered with impatience loo men to inlult 30,000. However, when be was aflured, by the report of his light horfe and his carabineers, that at prefent he had but too horfe in front, and ! *592. OF SULLY. 239 that if there was any cavalry, it muft be on the ! other fide of the valley, he thought he lliould run | no rilk by attacking us^ which he did with fuch 'I fury, and at fo many places, that we were broke 1 through, and driven back as far as the valley. Here it was that our arquebufiers ought to have polled I themfelves; and on our arrival, the King cried to 1 them to charge, after having firft warned us not to : charge, >n order that the enemy might fufpedl an ( ambufcade in this place, and ftcrp. In effedt, they 1 -did flop Ihort; and finding that this cry was follow- : ed only with fifty or fixty Ihots which we fired up- { on them, they came on again with more obltinacy. | Our arquebufiers, feized with fear, or perhaps jj willing to chufe a more advantageous ground, had retired much lower than the place that had been 1 marked for them, and they were the principal caufe 1 of the misfortune that happened. The enemy’s j fquadrons, encouraged by the little refiftance they n found, purfued their point, and we could not hin- I der them from mixing among us. We faw our- jj felves reduced to the necefiisy of fighting with this j vaft multitude with our piftols and fwords, in a I danger that may be eafily imagined $ and, indeed, in I my opinion, there could not be a greater ; for from j a hundred we were already reduced to forty. Hen- ' ry, feeing that none came to affifi: him, to extricate 1 himfelf out of this bad ftep, relblved to make his j retreat: which, on this occafion, was almoft as pe- rilous as his defence, becaufe we had a bridge to pafs, and that bridge at a great diltance. This Prince, with a compofure truly admirable, placed himfelf in the rear of his troop, and made it file oft' towards the bridge of Aumale, which, by the or- der he caufed to be obferved, it pafifed over without confufion. He was the laft that paffcd, and held firm againft the enemy till every one of us was on the other fide. That moment he was fhot in the ijreinsj and it was a fignal happinefs, that he re- ceived *40 MEMOIRS Book rv„ commander *, he was much upon his guard, not to let any thing I appear. The natural hatred of the Catholics of his party againft the Proteftants, took this occafion to infult the Marechal de Biron, who next to the t] King, was looked upon as the principal lupport of | the Huguenots. The Catholi s faid openly, that j Heaven would never favour Henry’s party, while ii he continued a heretic, (a fpeech very fenfible after all the fuccefles he had met with till this very mo- ;; mem 1) ; and that they expofed themfelves to the divine malediflion, by aflociating with this reprobate body. From thence, animated by their zeal, they formed a dcfign of taking up all the Huguenots, t^ho had been interred indifcriminately with the Catho- lics, and leaving their carcafes a prey to the crows. Two things hindered the execution of a dclign as rence* There which cannot Henry beIV. a fbongerthought proofhimfelf of theobli.-td refpedt to andfhew defe- the Chatillon,blarechal Biton,on a thancertain what occafit this n,Prin when e faid he oneoffered day lometo young very J. “re.ifoiuble The gi flings,” advice, faidbut he,contrary “ would to leadthe mindthe getfe of the to theMarechal paflure. : Q “ fomcWht nknowledge your beatd Iis do white, not approve pethaps of you your may fpcaking have fo acquired freely; had*'■ that threatened belongs onlyto retire. to my father“ We there,”muft,” purfuulpointing he,to Biron,embracing who him, “ go all to his fchool.” Matth'uu, vol. 2. p. 16.contrary * I 1592- OF SULLY. 243 contrary to religion as to nature itfelf: the difficul- < ty of diftinguifhing the bodies, and fear lelf the Pi oteftants, who compofe'd two thirds of the army, ihould think their honour engaged to revenge up- on the living Catholics an outrage, which, through a zeal for religion, exceeded all others. file King, wno perceived thefe difpofitions on both fides, inftead of blaming any particular perfon, or fu lie ring a dil'content to appear, which might in- .creafe the public broils, afTeifted to fay openly,’that the misfortune was not fo great as they figured to themfelves. In reality, great as it was, it did not j appear fo confiderabie to this Prince as a divifion, which, without the greatelf addrefs upon his ptrr, j might either deprive him of all the Catholics in his I party, or, on the firft opportunity, let one half againft the other. It was v^ ry h trd for this Prince, in the midft of fo many and inch fenfible difquie- j tudes, to be obliged to keep all withm his own I heart, and fubllitute unworthy compliances in the piace of abfolute commands: but he was not igno- | rant that the tone of authority, which ha the power of fubjedtirig all men, when it proceeds 5from a man/known for his luperior abilities, has no ef- fect upon minds inflamed and dilimited by religion. He was alfo purfedtly fenfible, that after the misfortune occafioned by fuch bad conduft, nothing now remained to be done but to raife the liege of Rouen: and he only fought for a plaufible pre- tence for doing fo, without awakening at the fame time the public difiehtions. He learned therefore with great joy, that the Prince of Parma, reinfor- ced by the troops of the Duke of Maienne and Sfondrate, was returning haftily to give him battle. He thought this a favourable opportunity to lefien the fhame of railing the fiege, and to turn againft: the common enemy the fury of two parties which were rending his army in pieces. •X i That 244 MEMOIRS BooK IV. That he might gain time to abandon his lines without confufion, and regulate the order of his march,, he fent Givry to throw himfelf into Neuf- Chatel, which the enemy w'ould be obliged to take before they could come to Rouen. This, although a place of fufficient ftrength, did not hold out near fo long as he had expired : the caui'e of which is difficult to be ; ffi^ned ; but the whole blame was caft upon Palcheaux, who was truth weaker, and worfe fuftaiotd, than Givry *. although an old ofii* cer, and diftinguiffied by his aftions and his wounds, he fuftaired all the violence of the ftorm ; and was put under arreft at Dieppe, in my opinion, very nnjuftly. The relations and friends whom the gar* rifon of Neut-Chatel had in the party of the league, feemed to me to be the true caufe that the place made fo flight a refiftance. It lurrendered in the middle of March. The King, by his care and di* ligence, repaired this misfortune, and drew oft'his troops from Rouen without receiving the lealt check f; and putting himftlf at their head, ad» vanced, v ithcut lofs of time, to that fide on which he knew the Prince of Parma was. approaching the cit y-On his arrival at a plain, where the enemy’s ar* my muft pafs, he waited for it; and as foon as it appeared, fent and offered the Prince of Parma battle. The Prince accepted it with apparent joy,, although inwardly he was very averfe. He was a- fraid of engaging with a general 1’uch as he knew Henry to be, and of expoiing to the event of a Mattbieu* Neuf-Cliatel ; who nevertheiefs, might have beenas weJl taken as thein an-hour’sDuke, of Sully,tine, faysbia-. Vol.mtd 2.Civry p/101. for fuirtmlering without making greater refinance. timest This it was fiege reported coft the that King he lofta great 3000 manymen, andfoldiers. the befitged In, thofe onr combat,Jy sco. whoThe replied, Earl of thatEflex his challenged quality of Adm. Governor de Villars forbade to linglshim. Sec the Chton. Noich. and Menrui, battle i&t. O F SULLY. 'm | battle the reputation of the moft able warrior in ’ Europe, which a long feries of great attions had i| acquired him among his partifans. Finding him- | felf now in fuch a fituation as that he might be for- jced to fight, he had recourfe to one of the moft artful ftratagems imaginable to avoid it: he caufed the beft troops amorvgft all his battalions to ad- ■ vance, and compofed of them a front of battle;. :| behind which he drew up, as without defign, all his :ij cavalry. Under favour of this front of infantry,, j ordered as ufual for an a&ion-, and feeming to wait i only for the fignal, all his cavalry, the remainder- of his foot, and the whole baggage, entered into ; the defiles, which ferved for an outlet to the ene- my’s camp; and, covered by hills and bufhes,. which the Prince of Parma knew marvelloufly well1 how to take advantage of, they faw themfelves very ; foon out of reach of the King’s army, who were: ignorant of all that palled behind the camp. This front of infantry, which had no depth, taking the fame route after the others, in four and twenty hours all difappeared •, nor was it pofiible, on ac- count of the ground being full of narrow ftreights and necks of mountains, to diforder the enemy’s; netreat, or to engage with his rearguard. The Prince of Parma was extremely rejoiced,, that, without the leaft lofs, he had reached the ve- ry gates' of Rouen.. He knew no perfon would be; hardy enough to attempt to ftortn him under the: walls of this city; his defign, therefore, was to* ftay there about fix weeks, which was a fufficient time to refrefh his army, and afterwards to marchi back to the Somme by Neuf-Chatel, Aumale, St- Valery, and Pontdormy; confining all the expedi- tions of this campaign to the advantage of putting; this capital, and the reft of the cities that kept firm,; to the league, out of a condition to apprehend any thing from the King’s army. Henry penetrated in- 446 MEMOIRS Book IV. to this general’s dtfigns and forbearing ohflinately to make head againft an army fo advantageoufly •pofted, fuffered the Prince of Parma to enjoy his triumph, and laid another fnare for him. He dif- banded his whole army, as if it had now become ufelefs to him, or as if he had been conftrained to it by neceffity. Part of it was difperfed in Arques* Dieppe, Gournai, Andely, Gilors, Magny, and qther diftant places *, and part had Mante, Meulan, and the adjoining places for its quarters : the reft he fpread about Pont de 1’Arche, Evreux, Paflyy Vernon, Concl es, and Breteuil, and fixed himlelf at Louviers. This conduct was fufficiently juftified by appearances : it would not have been long pof- jBble to have fubfifted a numerous army, had he kept them together ; but by the difpofition of his quarters, particularly the laft, where he had diftrh buted all his heft troops, and by the promile he had exacted from his i fticers to repair to Pont de- PArche at the hrft order, it was eafy for him to> reunite his army in a fhort time. This leparation^ he reckoned would make the Sp.inifh general per- fectly fecure, and iurnilh him with fome means of furpfiling him, at leaft in his retreat. In eff-Ct, the Prince, of Parma, fearing that Rouen, lurrounded by fo large an army, would be fpeedily fa mi fixed, arfd to whom it was reprefented,, that there would be no danger in fprcading himielf over the country, made part of his troops advance to Ponteau-denxer : D'HacqueviHe delivered up this- city to him cowardly enough ; and the King not only feemed to be indifferent about it, but feigned moreover an ignorance of the enemy’s delign upon Caudebec, which greatly annoyed the city oi Rouen ; and negh Cling to fend fupplies to La Garde* who was governor of it, fufftred this place to be taken He obferved, with extreme pleafure, that the enemy, after thefe two conquefts, attracted by the convenicucy of lodgings and provifions, extend- OF SULLY. 2^7 ed themfelves along the Seine, below Rouen, as far as they could. The Spanilh general, however* was not without fufpickm of fome fecret defign in this inactivity, lb unufual with Henry * and doubt- kfs, had he been the foie cbmmander of this army, he would not have hazarded fo much. But he repofed himfelf upon the affurances of his colleague, the Duke of Maienne, who was then detained in Rouen, by an indifpofition, that no misfortune could befal him; and he believed it, upon a fuppo- I fition that he was better acquainted with the hate and dilpofition of the countries. The King finding the enemy contributed of themfelyts to ferve his dcfigns, relolved to haften their execution. In Ids than eight days he aflem' bled 20,000 foot and 8ooo horfie, with whom he fpeedilybourg. advancedAll the paffages to Varicarville between andRouen Fontaine-le- and Cat> debec he fhut up, and began with revenging him- ,felf completely for the taking this, place and Ponte demer, by cutting oft from the troops which were there, all communication with the body of the ar- my, which put them wholly into his difcretion. He afterwards came in perfon with 10,000 foot, and . 3,000 troopers, to attack, without delay, the ene- my’s vanguard, commanded by the Duke of Guife^ The furprife into which his ludden arrival threw this troop, rendered the conqueft of them eafy. -The Duke’s fquabrons were broke through at the firft onfet, and he was obliged to fly, with precipita- tion, towards the body of the battalions, leaving* with a great number of the flain, all the baggage* ■which was conftderable,. in the power of the van.- quifher. , The Prince of Parma, ftruck as with a thunder- bolt at this news, applied hirnlclf wholly to lecu- *ing his other quarters, by placing the Duke of Guile at Yvetot, and in fortifying the camp, in which he lodged his difperfed troops, on all fides.. Me 248 MEMOIRS Boole IT. He was defirous of quartering all the army there^ but as this camp was too fmall to contain it, he commanded the reft not to remove far from it, to guard their pofts with great care, and to keep them- lelves very clofe. After this precaution, which he did not think fufficient, to fupport all the lodgements fpread around his camp, he polled 3000: men in a wood which bounded them, fortified this wood all round with intrenchments, and joined it by a line of communication with the camp. The laft ftep; the King had taken made him extremely for- midable to the Prince of Parma ; but this Prince thought to efcape him by his great forefight, and diligence in going where ever his prefence was ne- cefiary : he was again miflaken. The next day the King ordered the Baron of Biron to attack the wood with a body, of 8oeo infantry, compofed of an equal number of Englilh, Dutch, and Germans,, to animate them by emulation to excel each other,, and caufed them to be fupported by 6co troopers, completely armed. The attack lafted three hours} at the end of which the wood was carried. Thofe who defended it, feeing themfelves broke through,, fled in diforder to the fortified camp, after having: loft above 800 of their men. Their flight expofed the greateft partof the lodgements, particularly.that of Yvetot,. where the Prince of Parma thought he- had incloied, as in a place of afylum, the Duke of Guife, with the fame vanguai'd that had been ft)' badly handled already. Henry, as if he had a per- : fonal hatred to the Duke of Guife, haftened to x’e- connoitre the quai’ter of Yvitot} and judging by the alarm, and the confufed cries he heard there, that their confternation was not yet over, he fell upon this quai’ter with 400 mulketeers and 1000 foot, armed with piftols and halberts, and attacked it in. fcveral places at once.. The Prince of Parma, who had not expefted fuch rapid execution, faw his whole, tunguard upon the point of being put to the fword ;. i rS9i. OF SULLY. 34f I and taking counfel only of neceffity, ran thither I himfelf, and vigoroufty fuftained our efforts, till I the troops of this whole quarter had gained the for- Ij tified camp. He loft there y or 800 men, almoft I all private foldiers. The greateft misfortune 1 was, that in this aftion, wherein he behaved like a i man who knew as well how to fight as to cotnmand i he received a very dangerous wound in the arm *. > Night approached before this battle was ended, i The King, inflead of taking any reft after a day fo | well improved, employed the night wholly in pre- i paring himfelf for greater advantages. Judging i therefore, that the enemy’s army, numerous in- * The little reliance one can .have on die exa&nefs of thefe jji militaryin this, indetails, which which I have the obfervcd hiflorians agive great us, ismany fliewn con particularly trad i£tkn*- Iit heramongft and datethem, of withthe encounters.regard to dieThe encampments, author of thefeand thenum-Memoir* iillowf relates butall thefethiee expeditionsor four days in forfuch actions a manner which thatcould he not,feems and to Jwerejwife henot, jurfified performed than byin kfsfuppofing than three that heweek?. intended He tocan give no aother- frght i|1! notionignorant only of theof thisfadls, campaign. 01 had no H’Aubigne,defign to relate either them becaufehe minutely, was '1 givesc 1 j. roomIt is in for De the Thou, fame Davila, miftake, Matthieu, as our Memoirs, Cayet, and vol. the 3. Memoirs book 3. * ofas theI have league, juft faid,for ijpa,their relationsthat we mulldiffer look in formany them; circumftances. although, 1 meritAccording moil toto bethe credited.,memoirs ofthe the King league, defeated which, the inDuke my of opinion, Guife,. conMay; the oni8th the of filth April, attacked and another the fortifications body of troops before on thethe fullcamp;, of »ndattack, on indie which10th, theat five Prince o’clock of inPaima the morning, received beganthis dangerousthe. great j1 wound,of Caudebec vol. thatj. theDe PrinceiThou willof Parma have it,was that wounded, it was at and the thattaking he I didof thenot pafsfame theopinion; Seine till vol. the 2.aid b. of 4. May.p. Si. Bock et/caq. 103. MatthieuCayet is l blamesat the fkirmilh Henry IV.of Yvetot,for not and,taking with the asDuke little of reafon,, Maienne for prifoner avoid- 1 fliing II adecifivegreater faults, battle, in p. being 109. ignorantThe King of isthe by Prince feme othersof Parma’s accufed pre- of ventparations him. to pafs the river, and with not knowing how to pre- deed, 25® MEMOIRS Book IV. deed, and covered with intrenchments, yet c'ifTjay- ed, and half vanquiihed, would keep clofe within their camp where their number would huitthem more than it could ferve them, he hcfitated not a moment in undertaking to force it. That readinefs, which governed all the actions of this Prince was in him not only the effect of nature, nut the fruit of reading, in particular the lives of Cae ’ar and Scipio, whom he ftudied preferably to all the conquerors of antiquity. He drew out in the night fix pieces of canon, which he pointed againft the fortification of the camp, that he might make ufe of them at the dawn of day. He vifited his whole army ; and kept it in fuch a difpofition, that it might be drawn out at this hour at the fame place, in order of battle. His commands were exe- cuted with the greateft exa&nefs : his former fuc- cefTsgave an authority to all his words, that made the moft mutinous docile. Here I cannot refufe all my praifes to the Prince of Parma for an aftion, which, in my opinion, can never be fufficiently admired. His camp was be- tween Rouen and Caudebec, at fome diftance from the Seine, over which, in all that interval, there was not any bridge ; yet the next morning there was nothing to be found any longer in this camp. Ail the troops who lay there, if 1 may fpeak fo, heaped one upon another, thofe that were in Caudebec, . i d in general all that were Ipread about the neighbour- hood of it, had tranlpoi ted ihemlelves to the other fide of the river. Can it appear otherwtf'e than a fable, or an illufion ? Scarce could the King and his army believe their own eyes ? The Prince of Parma had forefeen the King’s refolution to attack him in his camp the next day and he did not doubt, after what had pafled, but it would be? foArd, and his whole army delivered up- to the mercy of the vittors. A forefight ufeJ] lefs, and only productive of defpair to any other,. whole *592. OF SULLY, 251 whofe prudence had not beforehand provided a re- ff'urce. But, notwithftanding all the Duke of Maienne’s reprefentations, he had not delivered himfelf up fo entirely to that fecurity he would have infpired him with, as to neglect any means that might extricate him from a bad ftep, if it fhould happen that he fh mid be one day inveigled in a country where there were few refources, as on the borders of the Seine below Rouen. Thel'e meafures had been to provide himfelf fe- ci-etly with all the boats he could find, which he caufed to be brought near Caudebe \ It was to this precaution, which few generals had been capa- ble of, that the Prince of P irma owed tne fafety of his troops, and the prefervation of his glory, of his reputation, and p rhaps of bis life. He caufed thefe boats to be laid over the river in the night; and notwithftanding the diforder of his camp, and I the inconvenience arifing from this wound, he gave fuch good orders, that a bridge -was built rtiat very t) ght, over which his whole army and baggage palT- dd fecurely. Thus we received particular informa- tion of the next day at Caudebec, which furrendered as foon as wc approached. He only deferves the reputation of a coufummate warrior, who, before a battle, is as cautious as if he was perfuaded he fhould be conquered, and in it behaves as if he was fure of conquering. On the King’s fide, the firft moment only was loft in lurprife; all the others were employed in ta- king fpeedy meafures to deprive the Spanifh general of part of the fruits of his dexterity. Henry, af- ter having well confidered his attempt, and remo- ved all doubts of fuccefs from his own mind, held a council of war, and there propofed to pafs his army over Pont de 1’Arche, or at Vernon, and purlue the enemy without lofs of time. Some of us, though indeed a very ftnall number, fupported th;s fentiment as it deierved. If it had been fol- lowed. a;t MEMOIRS BooTt IT. lowed, this campaign had perhaps been the laft of the war. But one may fay, that the Prince of Par- ma, having done more than could have been ex- pected from humanity, obliged fortune now to come over to his fide: for, upon the propofal of march- ing the army to Pont de f’Arche, a cry was raifed in the council, and a kind of general mutiny, as if the King had made the moft unreafonable propofi- . tion in the world. The Catholics, the Proteftants, and foreigners, femed to outvie each other, infearch- ing for difficulties to oppofeit: they cried, that the Prince of Parma’s army, being in a level country, might reach the gates ot Paris * in four or five days4 whereas it would be as long before we could even gain Pont de 1’Arche. They reprefented to the King, that the way through which they muft pafs being full of for efts, mountains, and defiles, the army could reach the rendezvous but in fmall divi- iions; and that, although it fhould have time to come up with that of the league, the fatigue of fo troublefome a march would make it impoifible foi**!} them to attack it. In a word, they all treated this propofal, in itfelf fo fenfible, as a defign equally ridiculous and chimerical. The King, more enraged at the fecret intentions of thofe who talked to him in this manner, than the purport of their diicourfe, could not hinder himfelf from replying, with fome bitternefs, that all thefe difficulties were only un fur mountable to thofe to whom fear, and a difltke of fatigue, made them appear fo. He made it evidently appear, that they might reach Pont de 1’Arche in two days, and Vernon in four, from whence they might continu- ally fend detachments of 4 or 500 horie, to retard the Prince of Parma’s march; to which alfo the * It is acknowledged by De Thou, that the King might have Pentft :pt dethis f’Arche. army, by Itlending is veiy his unjuflly, cavalry asto wefliut £nd up thehere, paffage that heto cj^atges Ktnry IV. with this enor. many t 1592. OF SULLY. 253 s many obftacles he would meet with would contri* |j bute, fuch as the paflage over the river of Eure; r Louviers, PalTy, Maintenon, Nogent le Roi, and I Chartres, all being fufficient to oblige him to go t greatly out of his way : that the enemy had no f bridge open to them but thofe of Aquigny, Coche- l rel, Serify, and two or three others which lay out : of their road, and that it would not be impoffible to break or burn part of thefe bridges, beiore the enemy arrived. Thefe reafons rendered the thing not only plau- I fible, but palpable; and it may be faid, that the ge- j neral officers, by refufing to yield to them, refilled I reafon with full convitflion. And this naturally fug* | gells two reflections: Firft, how it happened, that I a Prince, who in all his expeditions made ufe of mercenaries, picked up here and there, of different countries, manners, religions, and interefts, often a very fmall number, and always ready to mutiny, fliouid be able to perform what is related of him in his hill jry. The fecond is, what this Prince would have done, if, inftead of fuch troops, he had had a confiderable number of foldiers under his command, docile, united, difciplined, obedient to his will, con- ftantly attached to his perfon, and willing to facri- fice their lives for him ; in a word, fuch troops as thofe conquerors had, who have been fo highly ex- alted ? It thefe reflections are not made every time they offer, it is becaufe there is ground for them [ in every page : and'befides, no one can be ignorant, that we Ihould judge very ill of merit and abilities by the fuccefs, if we did not at the fame time judge of the fuccefs by the obftacles. It is fcarce poffible to conceive a reafon for that invincible obftinacy which the general ofticers in the King’s army diicovered upon this occafion, in oppo- fing fo wife an advice, unlefs it was owing to that lame difpofition of minds which I have juft now mentioned. If a fmall number cf French Pro- Vol. I. Y ttftants 254 MEMOIRS Book IV. tcftants be excepted, whofe fidelity was unquefiion- % able, and moft of the Englifh troops, who feemed to aft fincerely, all the reft of the King’s army, Pro- teftants. Catholics, and foreigners, ferved him with- ; out afFcftion, often with regret, aqd perhaps wifhed more than they feared that he might fufft r* fame ,! confiderable lofs. Notwithftanding this dififfeftion to their leader, there were occafions when all thefe p^rfons were as it were forced to fecond him, and to do their duty. Such had been the attack of the 1 Duke of Guife, the encounter at the wood, and the 1 battle that followed it. Such would have been the attack of the Pi ince of Parma’s camp, if he had waited for u? •, for at that time all the King’s opera- || tions, which he knew well how to conneft with each i other, were executed with fuch rapidity, that he did not fuffer their courage, when once heated, Jy to have time to cool, nor their minds time to return to their fiift fifliion of thinking. More- fl over, the conduft of a fmall number of brave men m is alone fufficient to raife emulation in a whole army, »[ and force it to follow their example, when they are 4 i once engaged: but this ficrcentis and this ardour, W once abated, their former ideas awakened more || flrongly, and they were lb much the more » capable of imbittering their minds, as they then I became fenfible that they had done the very con- trary of what they intended to do. Unhappily the chiefs of the royal army were oc- - cupied ift this wicked train of refleftion, when the ! King made a motion to purfue the Prince of Parma. s ||j The Catholics, who had a little time before pu- g blicly declared, that they were refolved to' with- draw their afliftance, if the King did not abjure Cal- ■ vinil'm, within a certain term which they prdcribed Ijj to him, and to reunite themfelves with the re it of j | France, there to appoint a King of their own reli- ®J gion : thefe Catholics, I fay, could not relifh a pro- : ; jeft, which, by making the King mailer of his ene- mies, 1592. OF SULLY. mies, would put him into a condition of giving them law, inftead of receiving it from them. The Huguenots, who feared this change of reli- gion as much as the Catholics, endeavoured to,en- hance the neceflity of it, took umbrage at every thing, and always thought they were upon the point oi being facritked, fo long as the King did not fa- crifice to them that interdt that made him court the Catholics. • Through an apprehenlion that, by exterminating the league, they ihould only labour for the Catholics againll themkiv .s, they the more eailly accommodated themfeivcs to a hate which would at leaft leave the balance even, and render them neceiTary : and, in cafe the King Ihould one day foriake their religion, they were refolved to take fuch meafures beforehand, as might make them be feared bath by the Catholics, anti by him whom they gave them tor a matter. Thefe precautions were, to procure fo great a number of towns to be yielded to them, to obtain fuch favourable edittts, and fo many other affuran- _ ces, that the King, although a Catholic, ihould hni it his policy and his interett to be well with them. It was towards this end that the Duke of Bouillon, who was the principal mover of the party, direfted all his views, and to which he made the 5 or 600 G.rman horfe under his command fubferviens. On the flighted: occafion of dilcontent, or rather on the firtt caprice, they broke into murmurs, and threatened, as they did then, that they would return immediately to Germany. The King, being obliged to behave in fuch a' manner as to iatisty equally fuch oppofite parties, was greatly perplexed by his endeavours to choak thefe ieeds of divilion : he was delirous of avoiding an open rupture, or at leaf: of protracting it, till he fhould be out of danger. It was this perplexity that reduced him to compliances and proceedings, very prejudicial to the ftatc of his attairs. Y 2 There 256 MEMOIRS Book IV. There is no labyrinth like this complication of interefts which divided the different partied that compofed the King’s army. I have yet but touched upon the fmallcft part. The Catholics, btfides their common ohytt, hadto each of them a particular in- perfonaltereiV which fervices was, very dear;make andHenry he waspurchai'e convinced, their that, without this fat is faction, they would not bring affairs to a general conclusion, ihe interefts of the French Calvinifts were not entirely the fame' with thofe of the foreign Proteftams. There w-ere certain times when the Englilh, w'ho alone were united, agreed among tbemielves, that, in all the dangers they were expoled to, they were aftuated by a principle of generofity, which, whatever turn affairs might take, would bring them no advantage; and, while this rtfltdlion employed their minds, they wmuld lock upon theralelves as madmen, who facrificed their lives purely to gratify the paffions of foreigners, and demand leave to retire, as they did • upon this occafion, when they abfolutely refuled to engage beyond the Seine, feeing neither any fecu- rity nor refource for them in a country fo diffant from the fea. To exafperate them more, and to flrengthen their fufpicions, theCatholic$ feized thole moments to perfuade them, that the King’s abjura- tion was become a point abfolutely neceflary. With regard to the other foreigners, who afled only as they were paid, d’O, and thefe fame Catho- lics, had a fecret equally fhort and infallible, and they made ufe of it frequently : this was to keep the King in want of money. Therefore, uhen the Swifs and German horfe were afked if they would purfue the Prince of Parma, they replied only by demanding their pay ; protefting, that if it was not inftantly given them, they would not pafs the river but to return home, or to engage in the fervice of the league. Even the Spaniards, the King’s declared enemies, had 1592. OF SULLY. 257 had alfo their intrigues, and took part in this prince’s affairs. At this very time they made a propofal to him, not only to withdraw their troops, but evea to lend them to him, to ferve him againft the league, in a word, to put the crown upon his head, provided he would yield Burgandy and Britany to them for ever. In order to aflift the King to van- quilh thefe fcruples which the making fuch liberality might raife in his mind, they recalled to his remem- brance the example of Francis I. who, they faid, in a fituation lefs prefling, had abandoned to them the * fovereignty of Flanders and Artois; and that of Henry II. who had given Spain more towns f than were contained in thefe two provinces. The King had fufficient reafon to believe, that a nego- tiation fo unfeafonable was a piece of Spanifh arti- fice, in the tafte of Hagemau, which tended only to create more confufion, and render him fufpetted both by the Proteftants and Catholics ; but, although this propofition had been really fincere, he had a motive for reje&ing it infinitely ftronger, which was the implacable hatred he bore to Spain and the houfe of Auftria. At laft, even the league, for fome view or other, entered into the refolutions that were in the King’s council. Villeroi, Jeanin', Zamet, and others, of- fered Henry, in the name of the league, to give him the crown upon certain conditions. It is very difficult to guefs the true motive of this ftep : whe- * By the treaty which was pafled during the imprifonment of this therePrince likewifeat Madrid, to Feb.the duchies15. >516, of FrancsBurgandy I. refignedand Milan, his toclaim the kmgdoratheuates ofof Naples,the kingdom &c.; aflembledbat this treaty at Cognac. was declared null by thet battleBy the of treaty St Quentin, of Chateau for threeCambrtfis, cities onlyin January of Ham, iccp, Caielet, after aud 5t Quentin, France yielded to Spain and her allies more thanlouty 1of jo the fortified Duke places.of Guife, The and hisConflable ea<-ernefs Montmorency's ,0 be Deed fromiea- Y 3 the? 25s M E M O' r R S. Boob. IT. therdifguft at the haughtinefe and infolence of tho ! Spaniards, an artifice to procure new fupplies, or a defign to alienate the Proteftants from the King.. 1 The only evidence of the fincerity of this- propoli- -j tion, was the very hard cotvditions that were an- nexed to it: I fivall loon have occafion to expatiate ’ upon this fubjict. The leaft confequence of thb chaos of views and interefts was the 1'preading over every alFair an im- penetrable obfcurity, and creating in every mind jealoufy and diftruft. It is indeed furprifing, that after this, the Eroteftams and Catholics could live together in the lame camp** without expofing the King to the grief of feeing them mutiny, or oi cut- ting one another’s throats. Thofe who in a prince fought what is termed policy, might here find ample room to praife the prudence of a King who kept fo. many jarring interefts united, and to admire his difcernment in diftinguilhing thofe who a&ed with fidelity towards him : nor ought it to palsunoblervedy as a finilhing ftroke, that lo many ferret movements prefented to.view an oudide tranquil and unilorm. Falfehood alfumed all the femblance of truth, and enmity concealed itfelf under the malk of friend- ihip* Thofe who pretended the greattft afte&ioa to the King, either betrayed him, or laboured only to advance their own interell. It would be ufelefs to diffemble, that the Ma- recbaj de Siroa often played this gpme, either through malice at being refufed the. government of; Rouen, or delire of grotrafting the war *, or a dif- ^ofition that took pleafure in creating over all difi- cord and. confulion. He was never known to agree with the general opinion, or to yield to the King’s incliaatioos.. lie incefiamly contradicted, either. *' *for “ Biron?”What then, faid rafealthis Marrchal I woul.ift tothou his fendfon, uswho to plantpropofed cabbages to J59*. OF SULLY. *59 for the pleafure of contradiding, or for that of s- bliging every one to embrace his opinion. In the council, when the queftion that has occafiontd this digreffion was debated, he was neither for purfuing the enemy, nor for flaying in Normandy : he thought it was neceflary to go before, and wait for the Prin^of Parma on the frontiers of Picardy, through which, he would be obliged to pais in his return to Flanders. A project Angularly chimeri- cal, which was immediately applauded by the Pro- teftauts, who were iubjcdha to all the inclinations of this Marechal. The King faw plainly, that all efforts to retain fiich difcontente'd troops in his fervice would be in vain. 1 he campaign was drawing towards an end* and a fiege lb long and fatiguing as that of Rouen made the foldiers extremely dehrous of repofe. The King was refolved to grant it them: he followed that maxim, That a Prince fhould always have the appearance of doing voluntarily even what he is conftrained to do. He fp( k-. to the foreigners who wanted to return home, and gave them permiflion,. He diftributed all the money he had amongft them,, leaving himfelf without any to luppiy his moft efien- tial expences : and though they were not wholly fatisfied in this refpeQ:, yet they had reafon to be pleafed with the noble manner in which he praifed and thanked them for their iervices. As he had left Normandy in peace, and (except Rouen, and a few other cities) entirely i-educed under his obe- dience and as there was no reafon to apprehend,, that the army of the league would come thither foon, he permitted all the officers of his army, as well Catholics as Proteftants, to retire to their habitations; and to lay the Marechal de Biron un- der a neceffity of not ab tndorling him with his Pro- teftants, which, after this perrniffion, he for.efaw he woi^d do, he declared, that he would abide by his advice, and in. a few days would fet forwards to Picardy y, a6o MEMOIRS Book V. Picardy; not that he really entered into this Ma- rechal’s views, but as he had not yet fliewn himfelf in that province, nor in Champagne, he thought it neceflary to make himfclf known there, and to en- deavour to conciliate the afte&ions of the people towards him. A more fecret motive * contributed to favour and confirm this refolution ; atnd Biron, who knew and flattered the King’s weaknefles, drew from thence his befi: i-eafon.

book V. TT; Hile the King, with a few Proteftants, pur- VV fued the road to Picardy, the Prince of Par- ma loft not a moment in regaining Paris, from whence, without any difficulty, he returned to Flan- ders, but little latisfied with his campaign, difcon- tented to the laft degree with the league and its chiefs, and much troubled at a wound which he perceived was incurable. It is in general and particular hiftories that a de- tail of all that was performed this year, and the preceding, in different places of the kingdom, muft be fought for. The attack of St Dennis f, where the Chevalier d’Aumale loft his life ; the taking Ste- nay and Dun, in Lorrain ; the defeat of the Sieur * His paflion for Mademoifelle d’Eflrees. He; fometimes ftole froma country-man, his army to pafled go and through fee her. the Hemidft once of difguifedthe enemy's himfelf guards, like taken.and came Notes to hei upon houfe, the Henrieide. not without running the rifk of being lem,f Claudehaving defurprifed Lorrain, this knight city at of the the head order of of a St body John of of troops Jerufa- in Chevalierthe ieryice d’A'omale of the league, was killed De Viein thisran encounter.and beat him back. The d’Amblife, t 1592- OF SULLY. 261 3i d’Amblife, with the Duke of Bouillon’s * other t m m il exploits, either before or after his marriage ; 1 the lofs of the battle of Craon f ; the defeat of the j S'pur de la Guerche, and the blockade of Poitiers, ! aic the principal affions, to which an infinite num- 1 btr of others in Provence, Dauphine, and Poitou, 1.: may be added. From the departure of the Prince f of Parma, to the negotiations which preceded the E King’s coronation, many things happened worthy of t remaik, and may likewife be found there. I have, l in another place, julfified my filence in all thefe re- | fpe&s, and the liberty I allow myfelf of fpecifying > only the moft important fatts ; among which are ti thole that regard the Count of Soififons, and the 1 Duke of Epernon ; and even upon thefe the narra- tion I have juft made has not permitted me to ex- patiate. Tine Count of Soifions, after having abandoned the King’s party, and been at open variance with him at Bearn, ftill retained hopes of marrying the Princefs, his filler, of whole aftedlions he always remained mailer. By the death of Henry HI. to whom he had laft attached himfelf, he was left in the King’s army, whom he ferved without affection. * TheDuVe of Bouillon took Srenay the fame day that his nup- tialsthe troops were celebrated.of Lorrain, comingAfricanus to d’Anglureattack Beaumont d’Amblife, in Argonne, general ofa citytaken three from leagues the Duke from Sedan,of Lorrain, which Bouillon the Duke defeated of Bouillon his troops hrd undert This the battlewalls ofwas the fought place, before and D’Amblife the city ofwas Craon flain. in Anjou, pofedwhich ofwas French, then befiegedEnglifh.and by theGermans, royalift to troops the number ; they of were 7 or com-8000 Conty,men, commanded the Duke of Damville,by tire Duke &c. of who Montpcnfier, were defeated the by Princethe Duke of ofleague. Mercoeur, About at the headfame oftime the George Spanifli de troops,la Villequier, and thofe Vifcount of the dewas la defeated Guerche, at attempting the head of to a pafsfmall the body Vienne, of troops a liver of the in league,Poitou, Poitiers,and him ft and If drowned the feverjl in thefkirmifhes river. See before a relation this city of thein D"Aubigne,blocadc of vol.the hiftoriaas5. book 3.above c. 11. cited. For alt thefe expeditions coafult likewife and 262 MEMOIRS Book V. and only till he had refolved upon feme new pro- jed, or till fome occafion favourable to his love pre- fented itfclf. He thought he found one in the fiege of Rouen, an enterprife, in his opinion; of too much importance to afford the King leifure to oc- cupy himfdf in other affairs. He ' eigned a journey to Nogent, and, healing away from the camp, went fecretly, and with the utmoft expedition, to Bearn, in order to accomplish his marriage there uaknown to Henry. But he was one of thole perfons whofe mo ft inconfiderable actions were Itricftly oblerved by the King. This Prince penetrating into the Count’s deiigns, lent iuch orders there, that the Count, up- on his arrival at Bearn, found the Princefs Catha- rine indeed in the moft • favourable difpoiitions towards him, and fome fay that fhe had herfelf folicited him to take this journey; but it was quite otherwife with the council, which the King had eftablilhed, in his ablence, to conduct this province. The Sieur de Pangeas, who was at the head of this council, made head againft him, Ihewed him the orders he had received from the King, raifed thfr country upon him,and obliged him at laft to return to France, with the difgrace of having failed in his at- tempt; for which the Count could take no other vengeance on Pangeas, than by throwing him down a ft Jr-cafe one day, when he met him in the King’s apartments at Pontoile. By all thefe ftrokes the Count of Soilfon’s charac- ter may be eafiiy underftood ; to finifh the pi&ure, let it be added, that there never was a more blind or more boundlefs ambition. 'To him all new events appeared as fo many fteps whereby to arrive at his ends, and engaged him in new meafurts, which threw him at fo much the greater diftance from them, as he imagined he approached nearer. He himfdf knew not well the objedt his wiihes aim- ed at ; reftlefs, uneafy, and jealous, his ambition was fed by every thing, and drew advantage from no thing* 1592. O F S U L L Y. 263 nothing. N tture had given him qualities quite con- | trary to thofe of the King; he refembled him nei- Ither in humour nor manners. The King was open and frank; the Count of Soiflbns, to a mind natu- rally dry and improvident, added an efft&ual phlegm, I and all that is defpicable in difiimulation. He en- I d-eavoured to impofe upon the world an afiumed fe- 1 rioufnefs for an air of grandeur; laboured to appear impenetrable, and miftook the frozen countenance \ which fdfe gravity wears for refpecl. Pomp and I apparel was perledlly his tafte: in a word, ambi- I tion h id taken poflkffion of his heart, and his whole * exterior conduft was made up of ceremonials and I formality. Tne near affinity this charadter bore to 1 that of the Spainards in general, was perhaps the I fource of that antipathy the King conceived for him, I and which he could never furmount. I As for the Duke of iipernon *, ambition was not his 1 .* John Lewis de Nogiret dela Valette, Duke of Epercon, Co- |il lonelcounty Generd of Miili'n. of France,He died Governor rn 1641, of aged Guieune, 88 years Metz, , aud, and as the I Ftanee,author of the his oldeft life ohferves,officer of thehe wascrow.i, the oldtftgeneral dukeof an and arn.y, peer gO- of jl vc^norand aim of oft a province,the oldeft rnanknight of of rank any in Older, his time. .,n I counftllorI e was called ot ftate, the 1 King’spoftclled wardrobe, in this Prince’s becaule houfehold. of the great There number is recorded of pofls a whichvery fine he withaciWer not of l hisiving to HenryIvm. IV.The who Duke one of day, Epernon, in anger, fay- reproached his hiltoiian, him withwithout great being gravity, furpiifed “ Sire, at ythe nr King’sMajtfty rage, has anfwered not a more coolly, faithful but “• faillerv.mt in the than leaft myfelf part ofin mythe dutykingdom to you : 51 wouldbut, Sire, rather as fordie, friend- than “ ffiip,fiiendlhip.*’ your Majelly The King, wdi whot nows, equally that knewis only how to beto admireacquired great by aftion.,into efteem, ar.d &c. fpteches Lijt of the thi Duke kind, of Eperuon.converted p. 1 alibisij. The indignation charaifter wjiiad \ mtageous;h is here given*of however, him it wouldby the no:r )uke be ealyof Sully, to refute is rather what toohe fays.dif- Allnon thewith hiftorians a boundlcfs agree withambition him, : inand charging his corr.fpor.dcnce the I .'like of -Eper- with liisSpain extiaClion, is proved “ by Patrem,” feveral lettersfays Busbtquhis, of the Cardinal habuit d’Oi.at. bcllo As egre- r giuitt, 264 MEMOIRS Book V. his only and predominant paflion ; he was likewife aftuatcd by an unconquerable pride ; an info- lence or rather a natural ferocity, which fhewed itfelf at the fiift inftant. Ambition, it is faid, makes ufe of various methods to accomplifh its de* flgns. Epernon, upon this footing, could not be an ambitious man ; for he knew only one way, which was that haughtinefs by which he expected to carry all before him. In a word, ambition was, in him, but a natural love of independence, infpired by hardnefs of heart, miianthropy, and a prelump* tion that made him confider himfelf above conde- fcenfion and recompence. He hated the King, be- caufe he hated the whole world; and, without doubt, there were many moments when he was not too well fatisfied with himfelf. A conftant difobe- dienceto his fuperiors, an ungainly intercourfe with his equals, and a cruel and unlupportable conduct towards his inferiors, make up the reft of this cha* rafter. Epernon, finding that his enterprifes had not the fuccels his pride had promifed him, was obliged to alter his behaviour, and fometimes, though but fel- dom, behaved courteoufly to thofe whom he might have occafion for; but even his very carefles • (it that phrafe may be allowed when fpeaking of him) had a fort of fpleen and contempt in them : fo that if he hated the world, he was equally hated by it: no one ferved him from any other motive than fear, which was the caufe that, with great difpo- fitions for war, and in a fituation which might have made them ufeful, he ruined his affairs Provence and Dauphine held for him, and for La-Valltte his brother. Thefc provinces, whole governor, be- gium, avum tabellionem five notarium.” Fpift. 17. On the con- detrary, Nogaret, according famous to Fatherfor his VaHTettc,quarrels withlie dcfcended the rope from in the William rcgn of Philip Ic Bel. Confult likewile our gcneali gifts. fore I59i- OF SULLY. 265 fore him, had been the grand prior *, the natural brother of their three laft Kings, dtfpifed him firft for his extra&ion, and hated him after for bis cru- elty. They were rejoiced when Epernon (who, when Henry III. was living, would not remove far from the court) fent them Li-Valette in his head, who made himfelf agreeable to Provence, and fer- ved the King with fidelity, Henry III. becoming acquainted with the true character of his favourite, began to be apprehenfive of him himfelf; he dif- graced Epernon, and had thoughts even of putting him under an arreft at Angouleme. La Valette, on this occafion loft, his government; but all was reftored to him after the murder of the Duke of Guife, which laid H nry III. under the neceffity of ftrengthening himfelf with every one whom he could engage in his party, at any price whatever. After the death of this Prince, Epernon, whofe vanity would not fuffer him to obey the King of Navarre, quitted him at Pontoife, notwithftanding all the in- ft inces he made him by Med', de Bellegarde and R tquelaure to return, and ail the prayers he him- felf employed. To oppofe a King was a circumftance too ft ottering to his pride, and in his government of Provence he forgot nothing that might contribute to it. He was the firft amongft the nobility to iign the King of Navarre’s exclulion from the crown. It will not be rafh to judge, by Epernon, of the fincerity of this motive of religion, with which it was then ordinary to cloak themfelves, in with- drawing from lawful authority. The remainder of the Duke of Epernon’s hiftory will give a fuperficial knowledge of the affairs of the provinces in the fouth of France. He there expe- rienced great reverfes : the two brothers affi ting each other mutually, were often worfted, and could not prevent three or four conliderable parties from Livin^ton,* Henry, aCount Scotch d’A.ngouleme, lady. fon of Henry II. and of Vol. I. Z being 265 MEMOIRS Book V. ' beings formed in Daupbine and Prorence, whirh oppoled them th re, without reckoning one in each of the great towns, which endeavoured to make themfclves independent. The Duke'of Savoy, and the Duke of Nemours his brother, carried on in- trigues there ; and their party became very power- ful, after the King of Spain had permitted the Duke of Savoy, who was his fon in law, and whom he vigoroufly fupported, to be acknowledged Count of Provence, and hold this fief of his crown. In the midft of their fuccefT.s, thefe two Princes met with a formidable adverfary, that flopped them in their career, and reduced their party to ineffefhial me- naces. This was Li fdiguieres, remarkable for his valour and good fortune againfi: the Duke of Savoy. Pie always continued faithful to the King, and could never be reproached with having appropriated to himfelf the fruits of his nflions, nor of having co- veted the (bvercignty of Dauphine. Perhaps he only wifhed that the King might long have occafion for Ins affiftance, and never come into this province. Mi IT de Montmorency and d’Ornano gave much ftrength to this party. The others were formed by the Duke of Joyeufe, the Countefs of Sault, and the Count of Carces, with the Sieur de Vins. Lewis d’Aixand Cajoux, Ligny, Martinengue, and many others, railed tumults there, and filled thefe countries with divifion and carnage; but their fac- tion did not yet extend ttfelf beyond the bounds of one city. La-Valette was hardly able to I'upport himfelf longer in Dauphine, when he was fl.tin at the fiege of a little inconfiderable town. Ih. Duke of ii per non immediately invaded this government: j for form’s fake, he demanded letters patent for it from the King, who durff not refuie them to him; but upon this, inftead of quelling a:l theie different parties, he went thither only to make a new one, upon which the King had as little reafon to depend as upon any of the others. One may judge of this. >! 1592. OF SULLY. 267 by what pafieJ at the fiege of Villemur, the only action which I Hull particulajif- from memoirs, the authenticity of which I can warrant. The Duke of J jyeufe, a zealous partizan of the league in Languedoc, having drawn together 5 or 6000 foot and 8 or 900 horfe, in the neighbourhood ofTouloufe, advanced with them on the 15th of June, in the year 1592, towards Montauban, pil- laged the little villages, and the flat counter s, and, after exercifing all the cruelties which p.ifed as common in thofe miferable times, came and laid fiege to Villemur. The Sieur d’Ariat, from whom I give this detail, and the citizens of Villemur, had recourfe to The* mines, who commanded for the King in that pro- vince, and intreated him to come immediately, with powerful fupplies, to their afliftance. Themincs, knowing he was n&t ftrong enough, addrefled him* felf to the Duke of Lperno.n ; and while he waited for the reinforcement the Duke promifed to give him, fent a detachment of fmall bodies of cavalry and foot, which got into Villemur with great diffi- culty, the troopers on foot, becaufe their horfes could be of no ufe to them, the city was fo clofely invironed. Joyeufe was feverely puniflled for the error he was guilty of there, as we fhall fee pre- fently. This error was the attacking the town itfclf, inflead of beginning with the caflle, which, although much ftronger in appearance, was in rea- lity the weakeft. Doubtlefs he was not fufficiently acquainted with the place, or had a defign to make ule of the magazines of corn, and other ammuni- tions, of wh'uh he knew the city was full. Epernon fent indeed a confiderable body of troops; but as he had given them orders to aft but faintly, and, above all, not to run the rifle of fighting theie troops, although upon their arrival they made a very great noife, minded nothing but recreation, aban- doned their polls, and, by their bad example, did & 2 more 268 MEMOIRS Book V. more harm than good to the other royalift foldiers. Joyeufe, who did not want courage, efpecially when he was to aft in perfon. finding the occafion favour* able, and perhaps doubtful of the Duke of kper- Bon’s defigns, fell upon his foldiers, furprifed them, and would have made a great flaughter, if The mines, had not run thither time enough to fave the re- mainder ; he could not, however, prevent y or 800 from being fiain. There needed no more to make Epernon rccal them abfolutely Themines afterwards ftrongly folicited both him and the Ma- rechal de Matignon for afiiftance, tut in vain; and all he could do was, to throw himfelf into Villemur, with d’Ariat, 250 arquebufiers, and about too or 120 troope rs, to fupport the befieged, whom Joy- eufe prefied more vigoroufly than before. He obli- ged Reiner, who was Lord of it, but who was grown too infirm to perform the duties of a go- vernor upon this occafion, to go out, and refolved to defend himfelf there till the laft extremity, being afiured, that the King, to whom he imparted his fituation, would not fuffer him to perilh. In effeft, this Prince wrote inliantly to the Dukes de Montmorency and Epernon, to lend him lup- plies. 1 his k:ft, accuftomed to difobey, gave no attention to this order; but Montmorency lent him Lecqjies and Chambaut, with fome brave Proteftant troops. Thefe were Hill too few in number to op- pofe the army of Joyeufe, lately reinforced by the inhabitants of Touloufc. Lecques and Chambaut, therefore, had recourfe to Mefiilac, lieutenant for the King in Auvergne, and to the Vifcouutde Gour- * All this is fo pofitive, that it may balance the authority of ofBe Epernon,Thou, who and mentions that of thethis authorfact very of favourably this Duke’s for life,the Dukewho frommaintains, \ illemur, that andhis fotdiersput this droveplace intothofe a belongingHate of defence, to the p. league 134>, likewiieThe Chron. the Woven,Memoirs agrees of the here league, with vol. our j. Memoirs, b. 4. p. as [ rj9*- O F S U L L Y. 2 of this brave general f happ< ned v^ry fortunately tj to remove the difquietuds of Henry, who faw him— jj felf not in a condition to refill: fuch an enemy. | The Spanilh army, having loft its chief, difperlcd. J The time that was taken up in appointing his fuo 1 ceflbr, gave the King leifure to breathe again; he I drew near to Paris, and thought of nothing but I availing himfelf of the Spaniards removal. I -* Which, took off his Head. He was almoft as famous f6r his- I| . learningwe have hadas-his of abilities his Corrme in war. tarics. De ThouHe commanded greatly regrets in chiefthe lof*- in fevena fear. battles, He was and godfatherevery wound to Cardinal he received be Richelieu,in thefe battles who madewas namenamed to after this hrm.family. Tlie See, city the of panegyricGonuut, inof Agenois,this Maiechal gave itsin Brantome,f At Airas vol. in 3.die abbey of St Vaafl. The Spaniards were ac- heculed received of having in Normandy- potfoned himthe throughyear before, jealouiy; joined but to the the w ,und.bad,, knowledgedmake of his body,when hewas wasthe onlyopened. caufe Cye/,of his ib. death, 90. Seeas wasin ac- T&ja,was carried book through104. a panegyricLorrain trlon Italy, his great attended qualities. by r710, to (where, be celebrated in p. »7l, oa j tirefecund 18th), wife or was in thecalled Memoirs Rachel of de Sully. Cochefilct, The Barondaughter de ofRofny’s James 1 Lord of Vaucelas, and of Mary d’Aibaleftc. She was Brlh married, j to FrancisShe Huraut, died, after Lord the of Duke Chateaupers, of Sully* andin x 65Marais, f, aged who 03 years,died ia i pofitioat T592. OF SULLY. 273 ihofition of mind which always diftates the intereft ||)f religion, formed all my refolutions, and were ; he foundation of a fyftem which 1 built for the f Cing, and which at that time feemed to me to be he only one reafonable. I would have had this ;■ ’rince doing juftice to thofe who had ferved him ivith zeal and aft'-: ftion, to have refufed all other l iliftance, and caft himfelf entirely in their arms, was perfuaded, that after fuch an open declara-> ion of his dependence upon the Proteftants, Eng- land, Holland, and all the Proteftant powers ia feurope, would exert themfelves fo effcftually in his favour, that they would foon, without any obligation jo the Catholics, feat him upon the throne. ! in this, as in every thing elfe, the King’s under- jianding was greatly fuperior to mine. He knew, from the firft inftant, that a kingdom, like France, jlvas not to be gained by foreign hands ; and al- 1 hough it had appeared even poffible, yet it was the tearts of the French, rather than their crown, that his good Prince fought to conquer. And he would tave thought the rewards which, on that occafion, he ihould be obliged to beftow upon the authors of pis elevation, to their prejudice, to have been of Incroachment upon their lawful right, fl My laft motive for retiring was, that a little after |K an ived at Mante, the wounds in my mouth and meek, which I had received in that unfortunate ren- counter at Chartres, opened again, and obliged me to go to Rofny to be radically cured, to prevent the fatal confequences which generally attend wounds of that nature. I continued there fome time : after a life fo tumultuous as that which till this moment 11 had led, 1 tailed the pure pleafure that a retired life offers to thofe who are devoid of ambition. I amuled myfelf alfo in writing the events, varied by good and bad fortune, to which I had been expo- led for twenty years. Buhy, 274 MEMOIRS Book V. Ruby, tbc King’s lieurenant in the Vexin, came one day to viiit me, and informed me, that the King had written to all the governors to draw to- gether all the troops they were able, and to come fpeedily to his afiiftance ; for it was about this time that they w^re in the fulleft txpefiation of the Prince of Parma’s return into France ; and Buhy, therefore, afked me, if I would not upon this occaiion do as others. This queffion recalled the remembrance of the many governments which l had requefted, and had been denied to me ; and laftly, the poft of one of the King’s lieutenants, which the Duke of Ne- vers and the Catholics had hindered me from ob- taining, in a haughty and infulting manner. I an- fv. red this officer, with fome emotion, that if the King had had any occafion for my fervice, he would have done me the honour to write me. Buhy found fomething of anger in my reply, and, like a good courtier, exaggerated it, when he repeated it to the King, and gave him to underftand, that he ought no longer to have any dependence on me,, for I had refolved to fpend the reft of my days in the country. This circumftance was altogether of his own invention ; for I did not efteem "Buhy fa much as to make him the confident of my lecrets. “ His humour then is greatly altered,” replied the King immediately, “ for he never failed to be pre- “ fent on fuch occafions as are now approaching. t( Although be excufes himfelf on account of his “ wounds, I know well what detains him j he is offended with me, and with fome reafon. He “ would play the philofopher for the future; but ts when I fee him, 1 fhall be able to make all up i( again ; for I know him.” This converfation puffed in the prefence of the Prefident Seguier, who dined with me fome time after, and related it to me. Having freely poured my heart into the bofom of this great magi (irate, . whom I knew to be equally a good friend, an neltho- *592. OF SULLY. 275 neft man. and an excellent politician, he anfwered 11 me in thefe words, which I Ih.ill nevtr forget, be- Jj caufe they firft began to open my eyes, and to cure B me of my firft way of thinking. “ Sir you ap- " pear to me to be a little in anger. We live in a 1 “ time when tranquility is very difficult to acquire. 1 The wifeft amongft us are filent, and patient, in , u hopes of a better age ; and the King is fo good, ' u and fo wife, that God has deftined him to be ** our reftorer.” From that moment, finding no other inconve- niency from my wound, than a little difficulty in pronunciation, I began again to ride, and followed by fome fifty horfe, I made excurfions over the great road of Verneuil and Dreux to Paris, in order to I refume my former occupation, which I perceived was again likHy wholly to ingrofs me. In the ie- cond of thefe journeys, one day when I was riding towards Dreux, between the villages of Marches and Gouflainville, I met ten or twelve men on foot, I who, the moment they faw us, ftruck into the woods with which that country abounds. I follow- ed them immediately, and m tde two of them be feized, who had not quitted the great road. Thefe were peafants who wrere returning from Paris, whi- ther they had b en to fell their poultry. 1 afked them lome queftions, and they anfwered me very ingenuoufly ; they told, that it was their cuftom to travel m the night, to avoid the inconveniencies they were expofed to in rhofe roads in the day ; but that they had taken courage this once, having nine or ten perfons in their company, among whom they faid two or three were domeftics belonging to MefT. de Mercoeur, de Medavy, and de Vieux-Pont. There needed no more to make me puriue thefe three men, whole myfterious journey excited my curiofity. It was impoffible to overtake them ; my people could only feize two others of thofe that were of Verneuil, from whom finding I could draw nothing 27S MEMOIRS Book V. nothing by threatenings, I made ufe of another me- thod. I gave them four crowns, and promifed them more, if they would tell me all they knew concern- ing thefe three domeftics. They defired me to fol- low them, and led me directly to a large hollow oak, furrounded with thickets, where they told me thefe fervants had flopped, and put fome papers which they had about them into the trunk of this tree: in effeft, 1 found there two tin boxes, and a ticking fick, which feemed to me to be full. I was confoled for the mcllengers efcape : and after fatif- fying the two men, I returned to Rofny, very im- patient to open my packets. They appeared to be fuch as I wiflW. In the firfl: I found commiflions from the Duke of Mat- enne to levy foldiers, feveral letters written in cy- phers, in this general’s own hand, to the Duke of Moerc' ur: but pieces more important foon enga- ged -.11 my attention ; they related to the third par- ty, which was then beginning to be talked of, and among thefe I found two memorials that feemed to be of the utmoft confequence. The firft was a me- morial of the demands which the Prefident Jeannin made upon Spain, in the 'name of the Duke of Maienne ; and the fecond contained the anfwer gi- ven to thefe conditions by the Archduke Erneft for the King of Spain. Ail the refledtions imaginable could not throw fuch light upon the Duke of Mai- enne’s defigns, the fpirit of the league, and the po- litics of Spain, as the conn, nts of thefe two pieces: of which it will not be diiagreeable to prefent the reader an extract. The Duke of Maienne fubmitted the league to the Pope, and put it under the King of Spain’s protec- tion, upon the following conditions, which regard- ed the party in general, as well as himfelf in parti- cular. Firft, That the King of Spain fhoulcl fur- nifh and maintain, in the fervice of the league, an army of i0,ooo foot and 3000 horfe} in which ar- my 1592. O F S U L L Y. 277 my there fhould be 2000 foot and 500 troopers all French, of whom he, the Duke of Maienne, was to have the abfolute difpofal, befides 4000 foot more, and 500 hoi fe, French likewife, who were to continue near his perfon only, and to be main- tained by Spain : that the number of thefe troops fliould be augmented as occafion required, but this without ftipulafion, and only in the way of favour: that the Duke of Maienne Ihould have the chief command of thefe troops, and thofe of all the party, with the title of Lieutenant-General of the crown, till a King of France was eledfed : that this elec- tion fhould be made in a general conference; by which expreffion they certainly meant the ftates of the kingdom: that till this election was made and accepted, the penlion which Spain already paid to the General Ihould be augmented to as much more, that is, from 30,000 livres a-month to 60,000, h^- fides ioo,oeo crowns which he fhould receive im- mediately, and 100,000 livres after the ratification of the treaty; in exp (Station of which, they fhould begin, by putting hi n in adtual pofleffion of Bur- gundy : that after the nomination of the future King, the Duke of Maienne fhould be continued in the government of the ftate, with the title of liieutenant-General ; and that then, and not before, he fhould yield up the city of Soiflbns to the Spa- niards, becaufe it was at prefent the only place of fecurity he had for himfelf in France: that if he found unfurmountable obftacles, either in the elec- tion of a future King, probably from the King of Navarre, or in the invafion and keeping of .Bur- gundy for the Duke of Maienne, the King of Spain fhould make the Duke amends for this iofs, by an annual penfion of 300,000 hVres,' for the pofleffions. he might lofe in France; which penfion fhould ne-* ver be lefiened or taken away, whatever agreerneqi/ might be made between the King of Spain and the acknowledged King of France, but fhould pafs to Vox,. I, A a his 278 MEMOIRS Book V. his heirs for ever. It was moreover ftipulated, that Spain fhould cancel all the Duke of Maienne’s debts, or thofe of the King elected with the con* fent of this crown, if he was a native of Fiance : that they fhould give fuitable fatisfa&ion to the Other principal officers of the league. They were rot expreffed, either becaufe the Duke of Maienne was lefs felicitous about the intertfts of others than about his own, or that he thought this article would be eafily fettled, becaufe, if money was wanting, the Lords might be fatisfied with penfions, dignities, or governments. Such were the demands of the chief of the league, in which, as we have feen, he was not forgotten. For all this, he offered the King of Spain, (befides the crown, which, although he was not mentioned, could only be defigned for a Prince of the houfe of Auftria, fince the Duke of Maienne feemed to ex- clude himfelf), he offered, I fay, a certain number of towns, for whofe names, as well that of the fu- ture King, bl.mks were left; thofe that Spain might take being to be reftored to the French Ca- tholics, under the prote£fion of the King of Spain and the Duke of Maienne. All was calculated for the fecurity and caution of Spain, till the ekttion of a King, without any further explanation ; which proves alio, that they thought this election would fufficiently indemnify this crov -i at leall that they wanted, by this favourable infinuation, to flatter it with hopes, in order to procure an immediate and effe&ual affiflance. "What gave rife to this lufpi- cion was, their care in inlifting upon, and often reluming the following claulc : that till ajl thefe articles were agreed to at Madrid, for which they allowed the fpace of a month, Spain ffiould firft begin by fending a powerful fupply into Burgundy, which they faid was in very great danger. The more to haften the refolutions of this court, the Duke of Maienne, who throughout the whole trea- *592- OF SULLY. 279 ty {hewed himfelf to be a faithful fervant (although a little iaterefted) of the houle of Auftria, affured them coldly, that if thefe conditions wer£ not thought advantageous enough for .Spain, fhe might turn to another fide than his, and that weary of bearing this burden, he requefted nothing better than to be difcharged. But this was only a feint j he had to do with a council who Would not fo eafily change, and who underftood their intereft ftill better. To this me- morial the Archduke Erneft afifwered, in the name of the King of Spain, That his Majefty was well pleafed with the title of Defender of the league, and wilhed to be regarded as the chief of the party : that they Ihould find him always ready to grant them whatever fupplies they demanded againft the King of Navarre, and even more than they demand- ed ; for he confented to fend into Picardy alone the 19,000 men formerly mentioned, (it is eafy to fee with what defign, for this province bounded the Low Countries), befides thofe which he offered to fend into different parts of the kingdom. He did not feem to be fo much alarmed on account of Burgundy as the Duke of Maienne, probably be- caufe the council of Spain difcovered that this Ge- neral, who had demanded the pofiefiion of the pro- vince, would be glad that the troops fhould be all employed there. Upon this article, he only grant- ed wherewithal to raife ifcoo German foot, and to maintain 300 horfe. He added, however, that if the whole force of the war was turned againft this province, his Catholic Majefty would not refufe to fend confiderable troops thither j and, doubtlefs, in this he meant to keep his word. As to what regarded Maienne in particular, his Catholic Majefty appeared much lefs liberal. Of all the articles this was .the moft reduced. He would make no addition to the penfion of 30,000' livres a-month; and would grant him only for himfelf 2000 A a 2 foot 28a MEMOIRS Book y. foot and 500 troopers, and that no longer than he was in the army in perfon. Upon the other articles he was perfeftly filent. With regard to thofe places which might be feized, Spain confented that the Duke of Maienne fhould keep what might be taken, provided fhe was allowed to do the fame. She would not defift from her demands of Soiffons,. and was abfol.utely refolved to have this city for a fecurity for thofe advances fhe made in this war ; fhe promifed only to relign it after the election of the King : this nomination appeared ftill doubtful to Spain, who gave diem to underftand, that if fhe was fatisfied with it, every thing might be expe&ed from her gratitude, but beforehand fhe would rilk nothing. For this purpofe, all the other articles were left unanfwered, and a new one was added ; whi^h was, that the Duke of Maienne fhould re- move certain perfons from about him, who, doubt- lefs, did not fupport the interefts of Spain with the French General; their names were not written j but it was faid, that they had been fignified by word of mouth to the agent of the treaty. Such were his Catholic Majcfty’s difpofitions, who, by attending only to his own interefte, and refolving to fell his affiltance very dear, followed exactly the Duke of Maienne’s example, and thought greatly more of it than of him. Upon reading tbefe papers, all my refentment was extinguiflied ; and thinking them of great im- portance to the King, I haftened inftantly to Com- peigne. I found time and abfence had not altered the lentiments of Henry with regard to me. I had half an hour’s private converfation with this Prince,, to whom I related in general the occalion of my journey. The reading of thele papers was put off till the evening of that day, v hen, all the couftiers being retired, I was introduced into the King’s a- partment, and remained there Unit up w ith his Ma- jefry, who ftnt for Beringhen and Choirin, cypherto de- OF SULLY. 2Sj cypher the greateft part of the papers. We learn- ed of whom the third party was coinpofed, which as yet had been only mentioned in whifpers. It was formed in the mtdft of the court, under the au- fpices and upon the plan of the Abbe de Belfozane, the two. Durets, and 1 believe the Abbe du Perron ; all of them creatures of the Count of Soiffons and of the Cardinal of Bourbon, and particularly at- tached to the lath in all appearance, thefe perfons were the authors, and at firft the only promoters of this faction j but it was afterwards joined by MclT. de Nevers, de LongueviHe, de Villeroi, d’O, and the reft of thofe Catholics who were in the court, who valued themfelves upon being too good French- men to luft’er the Spanifh dominion, and too zea- lous for the Roman religion, to confent to have a Pi oteftant King. The Count of Soiffons-iometime after joined thefe gentlemen ; and it was reported, that, inconftant to his former miftrefs, he was fe- veral times upon the point of marrying Mademoi- felle de Longueville. They had afiumed the name of politicians, to diliinguilh themfelves from the royaihis and leaguers, and to fliew that they re- garded the good of the ftate, and the prefervation of the rights of the crown beyond every other con- iideration. Their principal view was alike to ex- clude every foreign Prince, the Duke of Maienne, and the King of Navarre, from the throne. The bulk of the party knew no more : but the chiefs, who were mailers of the fecret, thought of nothing but getting rid of the two laft by the fword or by poilon * j after which they might, without any dif- ficulty, make the Cardinal of Bourbon King, and, not to difcontent Spain altogether, obtain a difpea- fation for him to marry the Infanta. * This accuf.ition is to lie met with in no other writer, and ss ed,of the without number giving of thole like wilewhich a proof.the authoj ought uot to h.r\cafiert- A a 3 When 2Z2. MEMOIRS Book V'.. When this project is compared with that of Jfean- pin, it is matter of furprife, that papers which con- tained fuch contrary fchemes fliould be found ir> the fame packet. Without feeking for the reafon of it in the fecrets of providence, which by prefent- ing the King, at one and the fame time, with all the plots that were formed againd his perfon, feemed to point out to him the meafures neceflary to pre* vent them ; it is my opinion, that- it may be found in the different imerefts of all thofe perfons, who correfponding together, and feme from a great di- ffance, fuch as the Duke of Mercoeur, without any other common motive than the hatred they bore to the King, hatched a thoufand- chimerical defigns* and delivered themfelves up to thofe hints which darted into their minds, without any other fixed and: determined objeiSl but that of excluding the King of Navarre. In this confufion of fentiments, it is not afionifhing, that he fhould, by the fame means*, meet with fucb oppofite machinations. I continued three days at Compeigne,. often in conference with the King, who appeared to be fen- fibly affected with the defigned attempts againft his perfon,, becaufe he had flattered himfelf, that his conduft ought; to have fuppreffed fuch thoughts; He fent me to Mante, perceiving that my endea- vours ter fpealc in thofe converfations might open my wounds. I received from this good Prince all the marks of a tender and undoubted confidence. At parting, he defired me to obferve carefully every motion of his enemies, and to prepare myfelf to give him good advice upon his arrival at Mante for he intended, belaid, to regulate his behaviour in fo difficult a conjundWe wholly by my directions. He ftaid no longer in Picardy than was needfary to make lome proper dil'pofitions there, and fetout for Mante.. This city he preferred to any other, be- eaufe, by its fituation, it feemed to him the moft proper rdidsnee to difsover and overthrow theferent dif- 1592. OF SULLY. 2*3 ferent cabals of his adverfaries, at a time'when tha intrigues of the cabinet were likely to fucceed to the operations of war. His council was already there, and he had caufed the Princefs, his filter, to be conducted thither. After the difcovery this Prince had juft made of the plots that were laid a* gainft his life, it had been extreme imprudence ta have negletted any precautions necdfiiry for his fe- curity. He doubled his guards ; he placed in Li- may, which is the fuburb of Mante, a body of Englilh troops, whofe aftettion to him was unque- ffionable, and refolved to hold all the world fufpe£ted, fince he was convinced, that thofe perfons whom he had admitted to his councils, to his table, and to his pleafures, were capable of forming the molt violent refohations againlt him. If of all the favours that a Pl-ince, as eftimable for the qualities of his mind as for his great actions, could grant, the ffcntiments of his heart are thofe which moft affedt a man of honour : I owe a great deal to this Prince, who honoured me in particular with his confidence, at a time when infidelity,,dark- nefs, treachery, and all chat intereft could fuggeft to fubjects who had exalted this idol into the place of love to their King, had left him no other part to take than that ot referve and general diilruft. I have fomething yet, further to fay, (for why Ihould 1 omit that part of ail ny life which leems moft: likely to-procure me the citeem of perions truly vir- tuous) ? It is, that in a conjundlure fo delicate, this Prince was refolved to ah i ion himfelf wholly to my direction, and to confix. > me his deftiny and his crown*; for without me ie undertook not the ftnalleft * If we rnay beiitve De Thou, Gafprrd Schomherg, Count of N.mteuil,greathand Lewisindeterminim; de Revol, Hemy Sei rctiry I V. to of change State, hisand religion. hiinfelf, hadThere a isthis no hold hiftorian ftroke who ; they fpecifies do not any even particular fee >. to haveman, dreamed as-having of ftruckM. de Sully in this affair; which however does not invalidate the truthaf 2S4 MEMOIRS Book V. fiTi.ilk'ft affair ; persuaded, doubtlefs, that the ad- vice of a man actuated by a fincere attachment, and (if I may ufe the cxpx-effion} a true friendfhip, ought to be preferred to penetration and abii.it), when they are joined with a doubtful fidelity. Nothing ever gave me fo pure and noble a delight as the ho- nour of fuch a dUfin£Hon : but after having wholly reiigned myielf to it for fi>me moments, I perceived the weight of that burden 1 was loaded with, and trembled ainkffi: my joy, left my weaknefs and inca- pacity fhould engage me in fome falfe ftep that might prejuaice, not me, (for on thole occafions felt, I believe, is leaft in one’s thoughts), but the Prince who repofed himfelf upon me. From this moment, all thofe precautions the King made ufe of for his perfon, I alio oblerved in the ^venof what in fameis »fT< rtefimanner in tbh wholly pirtof to hishim, memoirs, the honour thu of it itis ischiefly, due. audTa- minifterscitus teils entirelyus, that ofAuguft his favour, s, after permitted having dtptived him ftill oneto have of his the chief ap- pearancewas quite ofthe enjoying contrary it. ; forVs heiih alreadyregard wasto thein abfohDuke teof pofltlfionSully, it isof modhis roaftei's remarkable favour, in their"hillorywhile no one is,fufpe£ted that a longit. Andtime that after which tins feffionminifler’s of thefavour firft withemployments the King wasin the known, kingdom, by his even being until in pof- his mafter’s death, in public the King behaved to him with theutmoft fidenceeircumfpeCtion carried ;further while betweeninpii’ ate, a Kingnever and were his familiaiity fubjesft. andHence con- it which,was, that without in fome penetrating hiftories of into Henry tire fecretsthe Great, of the the cabinet, authors con- of tented thcmfelvts with reprefenting only the public face c f affai s, the name of Rolny is never mentioned, and that of Sully fo well,- partknown Sully to playedwriters duringbetter informed,the ten of twelvevery feldom, years ofconfiuering this Prince’s the appears,life- fnrom thofe prehen who Ablerc-flctJl as uponthis referved the (dilation and myfteriousof aff.brs inconduct thofe times,prehend together without with any thedifficulty, religion theof theneceffity Duke of the Sully, King will and com- his minifterfrom it. wereNor isunder, this oneto obferve of tlie leaflthis condutS,inflames ofand the never prudence to depart and thisabilities obfesvation of tbefe oncetwo forgreat all. men. “ Rofny,” 1 thought fiys itMuttkeu, necellary vol. to makea. p. “a7 8affairs; “ had and a fiomlong thetime time a lhare of Harry in the 111. King’s was onemoft of important his mod intimate confidents,’’ ire. advice *59*- OF SULLY. 2S5 advice I was going to give him. I prepared myfelf for it by the deepeft reflexions on the ftate of the neighbouring kingdoms in general, and on that of France, of the parties into which it was divided, and of the King in particular. I confidered, that if, in fuch employments as mine, one cannot com- mit faults, even innocently, without deferving fbme reproaches, we draw thofe reproaches upon our- felves, when we a£t according to the dictates of pafiion. This reflection led me to ftudy thoroughly my own difpofitton and inclinations', and convinced me of the nectflxty of beginning with obliging my own heart to fubdue and forget itfelf. A ferious review of my palt conduCt fliewed me the injuftice of thofe complaints which I fullered frequently to efcape me againit the King’s behaviour to me and the reft of the Proteftants. I fearched into the ground of it, and I foon found it in that common prejudice, that to be worthy of the religion one pro- fefles, cruelty, perjury, and deceit ought to pafs for nothing, provided one can (ucure its fuccefs. I fuppreffed thefe fentiments, equally injurious to the author of religion, and prejudicial to the religion that is promoted by fuch unworthy means ; and when 1 declare, that there was nothing I more diftrufted than thofe fnares which the zeal of reli- gion might lay for me, I lhall be eafily believed, if the advice I gave the King be confidered. When I was thus certain of myfelf, I the lefs feared to carry my views into that impenetrable chaos of different intereffs, and to found a futurity, ■which offered, on every fide, nothing but frightful precipices. Muft the miferies of France be perpe- tuated, .by giving arms, perhaps for more than an age, to two parties in religion, then nearly equal ? Muff a Prin’ce, who fo well deftrved to be happy, confume his whole life amidff the horrors of a war, which till then had not given him a moment to breathe i and (if I determined upon this) prepared 286 MEMOIRS Book V, for him labours infinitely greater than all he had yet endured ? On the other hand, ought I to ex- pofe the whole body of Proteftants in France, who fought only juftice and peace, to be vi&ims of hu- man policy, and at the mercy of their moft cruel enemies ? While uncertain of the event of the war, and of the moment when the King might be fudden- ly taken off, ought I to bring things to fuch ail extremity, that France might, perhaps, become a prey to Spain, and to all her neighbours, or difmembered by a thoufand tyrants, lole in one moment the glory of her name, the fplendor of her monarchy, and the fucceffion of her Kings ? What perils in war ? What lhares in peace ? What fubjecfs of fear on all fides ? How form a refolution, alarmed by fd many dangers almoft inevitable ? But the g reate If of all was the not fixing upon any. At laft, when all was thoroughly examined, it feemed necefiary to prefer that which would put an end to the civil war, reftore tranquillity to France, fubmit it to a good King, and put it in a condition to take vengeance on its foreign enemies ; I mean that refolution which might the moft effeflually re- move the prei'ent inconveniencies, and procure time to bring a remedy for thofe which were to be ap- prehended. In one word, I refolved to prevail up- on the King to embrace the Roman Catholic reli- gion, and to perfuade him to it by degrees. I was fenfible, that by this means I fhould give difguft to to two forts of perfons, the Proteftant neighbours of France, and the French Calvinifts. But as to the firft, France, when united with itfelf, had no occafion for any foreign afliftance ^ and it was eafy to give the fecond fuch advantages, as would make them behold this change without murmuring.. With regard to both I depended upon that gratitude which a Prince like Henry could not fail of having for perfons to whom he had the molt dfential obli- **““• • Theft Thefe reflcftions wholly employed my mind from the moment I left Compdgne, :md I was ftill ab- forbcd in them when the King arrived at Mante. The fit ft thing he did, was to fend for me jo come to him, with the uiual precautions. Jiquinot con- dufted me into his chamber before day, and we im- mediately entered upon our iubjecl Henry, who on his fide had made a thoufand refl.&ions on the perplexing fituation he was in, began by drawing a very natural reprefentation of it; irrcconcileable in- tereft in the Princes and nobility of the kingdom; hatred atnongft fhtmfelves, and againft him ; mu- tiny and difobedience in all minds ; inaelivity in the foreign allies; intrigues and animofity on the part of the enemies; treachery within; violence with- out ; rocks and precipices on all fides The end of this pathetic difcourfe was to deufiand what remedy I knew to all this. I replied, that, without taking upon me to give his Majefty advice, I faw limply three ways to take, and he might determine upon which he pleafed. The firft was, to fatisfy all at bis own expence, or rather at the expence of the ftate; the fecond was, tq fatisfy none, but to endeavour to carry all with a high hand ; the third, which held a medium be- tween thefe two, was, to remove all obftaclrs that Oppofed his accelfton to the crown, by turning Ro- mtn Catholic. The King then told me, that what I had faid to him was nothing but an advice, and commanded me to tell him plainly, what I would do it l were in his place. I endeavoured to make him underftand that, by reluming one after another the three different methods I had laid before him. I made him fee, that, by following the firff, he re- duced himfelf to nothing, and that if there was a neceflity to gratify wholly the avidity of Spain and the French leaguers, he would fcarce, out of fo great a kingdom, keep a few provinces for himfelf. -As to the fecond, I reprefented to him, that as foon 238 MEMOIRS Book V. as he fhould give occafion to believe, that he de- pended only upop the claim his birth gave him to the crown/the dekrtion of all the Catholics, and the unbridled fury of a whole nation of enemies, both within and without the kingdom, would draw upon him a terrible ftorm. The inconftancy of fortune, and the ufual reverfes of war, although this Prince had not yet experienced them, found their place in this refle£tion. I did not enlarge up- on the third, but only told the King, that being a PrOteftant myfelf, I could fay nothing to him upon this fubjett. As I was fpeaking, I perceived the perplexity in- to which the prefent conjuncture had thrown the King, to increafe every moment. I did not doubt, but the review of all thef$ difficulties would bring him to the point I defired. I was fure that he would not even think of the firft of my propofals. I knew him too well to believe him capable of agree- ing to an accomodation which would leave him only the femblance of King, a fubjd or dependent upon Spain, or reduced at laft to a fmall part of France. It was the two others only that embar- raffed him. On one fide, he faid, by continuing in his religion, faw united againft him all the Princes of his blood, the nobility of the kingdom, and thofe who were at the head of all affairs and the finances, fuch as Mcff. d’Epernon, de'N'.vcrs, de Longueville, de Biron, d’O, deRieux, de Villeroy, de Manou, de Chateauvieux, de Vitry, d'Entragues, and de Sourdis. It would be too tedious to men- tion them all. He faw them ready to refolve upon forming againft him a party independent of the league, or, what was molt probable, and likewifc molt dangerous, ready to unite themfelves with the league, and to concert together meafures for ob- Itructing all the avenues to the throne. On the other, he objected the complaints of the Dukes of Bouillon and la Tremouille, and the outcries of 159*. OF SULLY. ■289 fo many Prdteftants whom he was f'oing to aban- don ; thofe who were fo dear to him, and fro n whom he had fo long drawn his only affiftance. Ke reprefetited them as pafliog from difcontent to a re- folution which defpair, at being facrificed by an m- grateful Prince, would infpire; which was to eledt a chief, canton themfelves out in France, and oblige him to turn his arms againft them. He ended with, thefe words: “ I can never ufe them ill, nor declare “ war againft them ; I will always love them.” This fentiment, which difcovered a feniibdity and gratuude fo feldom to be found in the hearts of fovereigns, moved me extremely. I thanked him, in the name of all the Proteftants, by bending upon one knee, and killing his hand. Tlae reafons with which this Prince oppofed his change of religion, and the manner in which he delivered them, were . what alone diffipated my appreheniions, and con- firmed me in the opinion, tbit no other remedy could be found to the prefent evils. I told him, that M IT. de Bouillon and de la fremouille, and all of merit and diftimftion in the ,Calvinift party, would not be fo unrealonable as to take arms againft: him, for a refolution which mere neceflity had for- ced him to embrace, when he continued to treat them with all the regards due to their perfons and fervices. After explaining all my thoughts on this fubjeft to the King, 1 added, that the foundation of all religions which believe in Jefus Chrift being ef- fentially the fame; that is, faith in the fame mylleries, and the fame belief of the Divinity, it feemed to me, that one who from a Catholic be- came a Proteftant, or from a Proteftant became a Catholic, did not change his -religion, but followed, for the intereft of religion itfelf *, that practice in which * Add to thefe words of the Duke of Sully what he fays fome hepages fpeaks before, of the and duty what and has authority been obferwed of Kings a little in religioushigher, wheremat- You, I. Kb ters j 2^)0 MEMOIRS Book V. which policy alone had made them to differ. But although I may be miftaken in this notion, it was always inconteftable, that the embracing the Catho- lic religion did not include the neccflity of perfecu- ting all others ; on the contrary, that God perhaps difpofed the King to this change, to give a new ex- ample to Europe, and one more worthy of religion itftlf; that the difference of religion had long e- nough occafioned the moft tragical fcenes in France, and proved a fource of diiorders and calamities, by the averfion with which it infpired people againft thofe of a contrary faith from their own, which was equally the cafe with the Prottflams as well as Ca- tholics : that he might remedy this dangerous evil, by uniting thofe who proftffed the two reli- gions in the bands of friendfhip and Chriftian cha- rity ; or, if this was impcffible, prefcribe to them rules fo juft, as might make both parties be con- tented with what fhculd be granted them, 1 foften- ed this Prince by the fingle thought of immortali- zing his memory, in re-eftabhfhing in a deiolate kingdom, peace, abundance, and fccurity, and of meriting, by the ufe of thofe abilities he had re- ceived from Heaven, the glory of giving happinefs to France, after fhe had begun to defpair of it, and to look upon her wounds as incurable. I am cer- ters; it may be determined that he was a moderate Calvinitt, and damentalconfidered articles.all religions It is as thus indifferent that the authorwhi< h ofagreed the M.in S.the which fun- isI haveeven quotedthe chief in realonthe preface which of he this makes woik, ufefpeaks of ofto julit ; ifyand the it withoutDuke of this,Sully, would for having have but given ill agreedto Henry with IV. the luih laws advice, of con- as, ici“ fpeakingnee and ofnatural the Duke rcdlitirde. of Sully), " Itthat being the his King opinion, n ight (faysas eafily he, “ nowork great out vtolence his falvation to his in confcienre, our religion in as perfuading in his own, him beoffered to this “ change;nay, Chriftianity on the contraiy, itftlf, withoutit was effedlually hurting lervinghis reputation.” tie Hate, hisHappily, miniffer, Henry as he the himfelf Great acknowledgeddid not adopt verythe neutralficcerdy. opinions of | >592. OF SULLY. 291 tain, that this motive is more inrerefting than that i of his own quiet ; which, however, I did not for- j get; and I obliged Henry .tacitly to confefs, that j his ipirits, after being exhaufted, if I may ufe that term, with war, demanded a lunation lets turbu- lent, and more tranquil. The ftrongeft proof that I pleaded upon this oc- cafion for realon and juftice, was, that the King, who poileffed that happy fagacity of diftinguithtng immediately the truth or falfehood of any polition, confdTed to me, that my difcourfe had penetrated to the bottom of his heart: he added, that he would refl upon it more thoroughly, but that he believed he fhould follow no other advice. In ef- fect, at the end of three days he had taken his re- * folutiori, and he now only endeavoured to remove the diffi ulties which remained. Some of theie re- garded himfelf; for as fincerity and rettitude were rooted in his heart, and regulated all his words and actions, 1 am perfuaded, that there is not any thing which could have prevailed upon him to embrace a religion which he internally defpifed, or even but doubted of. A Prince who had never deceived man, was far from intending to deceive God. The other difficulties related to the leaders of the Proteftant party, whom the bare propofidon of changing his religion would n6t fail to make re- volt, as well through fear, as through a point of honour. He affembled them, and addreffing him- felf to the moft diftinguifhed amon'gft them, which were Melf. de Bouillon, de Sancy, du Pleflis, ds Salignac, de Morlas, de Conffans, and Saiettes * ; I * Salettes was Prefidcnt of the parliament of Pau, and memberO>unf.'llor of theof ftateprivy atcouncil, Navarre. Counfellor Morlas, of hisdate, natural and fon,Superin- was tenHenry iant IV. of theyrrheu magazinei he was informedof Franc^. of theThey death, were ofboth Moilas, converted. who B U a was 2()Z MEMOIRS Book V. X alfo being prefent. He told them, (with an in- tention to found their inclinations), that he had brought them together to know their ientiments tipon what he had to communicate to them. He laid he had received certain advices, that Btllo- zanne and the two Durets, agents for the third pgrtv, had an interview with Villeroy and Jean- nin f, and that it was agreed upon, to unite all the forces of the league and the other Catholics a- gainft him j that the time which the Catholics had i'o often threatened him with was now come, for they were going to abandon him unanimoufly ; their common defign being now to place the Car- dinal of Bourbon upon the throne, to marry him to the Infanta of Spain, and to endeavour, by all pcffible methods, to rid themfelves of his perfon. That the Cardinal, indeed, had expreffed great re- luttance to this laft propofition, but, by all appear- ances, they would foon gain his confent, when they convinced him, that the crown could by no other means be fecured to him. He conjured them to tell him, fincerely, what they thought he had to do upon this occafion, particularly upon the defer- tion of the Catholics, which would reduce his par- ty to the laft extremity. By the noife and confufion this declaration crea- ted in the affembly, it well appeared that all thofe who comppled it, without any forecaft or manage- ment, without any fettled point, and even without any lincere attachment to the King, had till then thought only of living from day to day; of gaining time, and profiting by their mafter’s abilities for war. Tfaey could never agree, nor form any con- nected vefolution. I hey did not know whether to wilh for peace, or continue the war. One laid, “was in’my a man kingdom.” of great merit, Chroi:. faid, :\oven. “ 1 have hooky* loll oneofP* S4,$* thi. wifeftmen Mem.* See de. Matib.Nevers vol.; Mem. a. p. de, 66 Ktlleray, &c. &c*Chron. A'oien. 1. a. Dt Thu. that *59*- OF SULLY. m that there was nothing for it but to refume their arms, and riik all at one caft. Another imagined, that by arrelting eight or ten of the principal Ca- tholics, who were not y-et upon their guard, parti- cularly the authors of the plot, it might be ren- dered abortive. Others, more moderate, or per- haps more irrefolute, contented themfelves with, faying, that it would be necelfary to accommodate matters by negotiations, without being able to tell how. I feized this overture, and by digefting it to fomewhat reafonable, I carried all the votes for a negotiation. It was known that I had fome in- fluence over the Count of Soiflons, and that I had free accefs to the Cardinal of Bourbon-. This Car- dinal often faid in public, that although I was a Huguenot, there was no perfon for whom he felt fb ftrong rnf inclination as for me. I offered to ufe my mediation with thefe two Princes, to prevail upon them not to liften to the perfuafions of the King’s enemies •, and the better to infure luccefs, I promifed I would endeavour to gain their creatures, and their counfellors, efpecially the Abbot de Bel- lozanne, the Durets, confidents to the Count of Soiflbns, and a lady called Madam des RoJJicrs^ an- intimate friend of the Cardinal’s. No perfon contradidled this opinion, doubtlefs becaufe the Proteftants, who had heard the decla- ration, fenfible that they were too weak a&ually to renew hoftilities, thought that at prefent there was nothing better to be done. The King, on his fide,, was not lorry at its being unanimoufly voted by the Proteftants, that he ftiould addrefs himfelf to the Princes of the blood, and hold a commerce with, the Catholics of the league. According to my plan,, 1 began with the Abbe de Bellozanne. 1 knew jea- loufy had made him the fecret enemy of the Du- rets, and believed that by taking him on this fide,, confirming him in his hatred, and flattering him jWith having fhortly the chief hand in all affairs, I. li b 3; fhouldL. 294 MEMOIRS Book V, ftiould reach my end. I introduced myfdf with, telling him, that 1 was come to thank him, in the name of the King, for having in his favour fo gene- rally oppofed the enterprifes of the Durets ; which could only proceed from the re&itude of his heart,, and his good-will towards the King, which his Ma- jefty, although he had but afmall acquaintance with him, efteemed as he ought, till he fhould be in a> ftate to give him more fenfible proofs of his affedtion, which he would certainly do, by procuring him a Cardinal’s hat, or at leaftoneof the richeftbenefices, ia the kingdom, when tbofe favours were in his power, by the change of his religion, which was likely to happen very fhortly. This introduction, which flattered the vanity o£ the man extremely, gave me occafion to enter, as if undefignedly, into the fecret proceedings of the Durets, which 1 pretended to be very pofitively. informed of, in order to learn them from him, and to engage him to oppofe them yet more refolutely. In effect, I had fcarce dropped a few words on this fuhjedt, when my man, giving way to his inclir nations, fell upon the Durets, and (poke fo much to their difadvantage, that l fell into the otheu extreme, and believed that he was induced by his hatred of them to accufe them falfely. The hint ©f the Cardinal’s hat and the bilhopric producing its effedt, B.llozanne. pretended to feel that zeal for tha King’s lervice, which I attributed to him from pure fldtion. It was not his fault that I was not per- fuadtd, that he had oppofed all the violent refolu* tions of the Catholics, whofe intrigues and views he informed me of., I flattered mylelf for fome time, that I had brought over this man to the King y but rogues Coon refume their natural charadter. Immediately after he had made this proteftation to me, he made one quite contrary to the Cardinal of Bourbon, and afterwards to Villeroy and Jeannin, to whom he repeated from one end. to the other all 1592. 0 7 SULLY. 295 the converfation he had juft held with me. If he ' drew advantage from bis treachery, by the new de- gree of favour it procured him, I, bn my fide, per- haps, made better ule of it for the King, than if he had kept the fecret. Moreover, I had hereby found means to inform thofe gentlemen of the King’s coming difpofition to embrace their religion, which drew them internally towards this Prince, but efpe- cially the Cardinal, who was more enamoured of religion than of a crown. Bellozanne’s imprudence likewife produced another effe£t, which was the in- fpiring them with a defire of fupplanting each other,, in their endeavours to acquire the good graces o£ the Kmg. 1 heartily therefore pardoned Bello- zanne’s double dealing and even drew a third good confequence from it, with regard to the Durets. Thefe gentlemen preeiving the honour Bellozanne had gained by the new fecrets he had difclofed to his patrons, and the increafe of favour they had procured him, were the more ready to hear the propofitions I went afterwards to make them. I told them, the King, offended at the knavery of Bellozanne, (which in reality he was, becaufe he had carried it fo far as to give umbrage to the Pro* teftants), w mid have no commerce for the future with a man fo faiihleis, and was difpofed to make tife of them in his future meafures. L confided fome papers to their care, the reading of which I was certain would have a marvellous effe£L It wa$ the project of accomodation between the league and Spain, and the anfwex in confequence of it, which they had no knowledge of, and which I fhewed to them that moment. This ftroke piqued them 1 they thought themlelves defpifed, and the projedt fo reafonable as to fear it might be executed, and affairs brought to a conclufion without their contri- buting any thing to it; which to thefe fort of men is the moft mortifying confideration. They hefita; ted not a moment in offering me with ardour their Cervices. 196 MEMOIRS Book V. fervices for the King. The change of religion, which I had alfo infinuated to them, feemed to remove all the oppofition that could be made to this Prince. They were ravilhed with being inter- meddlers in a project, the invention of which ap- peared to them more happy than that which the Duke of Maienne had propofed to Spain; or rather,, there remained no other part for them to take, after the vi&ory Bellozanne had juft gained over them.. In effett, they kept the lecret better, and laboured in it ufefully enough. I applied myfelf afterwards to the Abbe du Per- ron, who, by his cbara&er, his reputation, and his eloquence, had more power with the Cardinal of Bourbon, when lie aimed at making him either take or quit a refolution, than all the artifices o£ Bellozanne and the Durets. We had been ac- quainted a long time, and he had fome obligation to me. I concerted my difcourfe, as having to da with a man for whom eloquence, grand fentiments,. and deep reafoning, had powerful charms *; and I introduced into it as much or more of politics and worldly views, as of religion. My brother, the Governor of Mante, was prefent at this converfa- tion, when after having thrown out my ordinary inlinuations about the King’s future abjuration, I undertook toprovetoDu-Pcrronvthat, except Spain, and feme turbulent perfons in France, it was the intereft and advantage, not only of France, but of all Europe, that the King of Navarre fhould aicend the throne, and pollcl's the kingdom in the fame extent, and with the lame power, which had been enjoyed by the Kings his predecefibrs. 1 began with the Pope. I told Du-Perron, that he who had fo perfect a knowledge of the court of * The Duke of Sully’s judgment of the Cardinal du Perro*; fcphfeems Scaiigtr, more conformable who treats tohim truth, only than as thata babler, given kiutu'.eius,him by. Jo-car kiutu U.ms,. Rome,, 1592- OF SULLY. 297: Rome, knew better than any perfon, that Cle- ment VIII. now in poffeffion of the holy fee, was neither lb violent as Sixtus V. nor fo changeable as Gregory XiV That this Pope confidered the pre- fent affairs of Europe and Chriftianity in a clear and impartial view. That it was not his intention, by breaking the neceffiry balance between the houfes of Auftria and Bourbon, to lubjeft France to Spain ; becauie he was not ignorant ol any of the views of this laft power for univerf.l monarchy. That the Pope would in this find not only his intereft, as common father of the Catholics, but alfo his tem- poral interefts in particular ; becauie Italy and the patrimony of St Peter would foon follow the deftiny of France, and the other kingdoms ; and the Pope would be in danger of feeing himfclf one day redu- ced to the quality of Ample chaplain to the Kings of Spain. That befides, his Holinefs had too much judgment not to open his arms to a King, as foon as he Ihould exprefs his defire to be received there, without troubling himfelf about that mighty phrafe a relapfe, with which fools only were aff-ffed. I had ftill lefs difficulty to fupport my propofition, with regard to the other crowned heads of Europe ; I therefore did not dwell long upon them, that I might turn all the coverfation upon Spain. I alkecl the Abbe du Perron, if he did not agree with me in the opinion, that thofe deep politicians who gave rife to all the djforders in France, began to de- fpair of the fuccefs of the great project they had formed to conquer all France, and this upon the kn.r.vledge they had, as well of the King and the Proteftants in his intereft, as of the French Catho- lics ? Could the King of Spain ever ierioufly intend to make a Spanilh province of France, and flatter himfelf that his domination would be endured by a people who had always emulated and hated Spain ? Of all this there was already more than mere fofpicion. By MEMOIRS Book V. By the King of Spain’s condu£t it was yifible, that he imagined the Dukes of Maienne, Guife, and Merroeur, fought only to make him their dupe; nor had he a more favourable opinion of the Dukes of Savoy and Lorrain, whom he law make pfe of his troops and money without (hewing any greater refpe£l for him. One convincing proof that thefe were the real fentiments of Philip, was, the propo- rtions he had made, aijd often renewed, to the King of Navarre, by D. B rnardin de Mandoce, Moreau, and the Count de Taxis. For, in reality, this Prince feeing that all he could pretend to from the troubles in France was, at the moff, the pof- feflion of two or three of its provinces, it was of little confequence to him, whether he obtained them from the King or from the league. It is true, that if he divided France amongfl the chiefs of the league, he gained hopes of one day getting it all to himfelf, by feparately attacking thofe petty kings ; but that, in effect, he purchaled thefe hopes at a very high price, by that fcarcity of troops and mo- ney into which the avidity of the league had thrown him. And although the King fhould be able to maintain the war but a fhort time, Philip perceived that he might be obliged to recal the fupplies he lent to France, having but fufficient for himfelf ia Flanders, where the war was kindling more and more every day. Obferving that Du Perron liffened to me atten- tively, and feemed to be inwardly convinced of the reafonablenefs of all I faid, I did not fo foon quit the fubjedl of Spain. I told him it was not pro- bable, that fo many brave men, fond of their liber- ty, their laws, and cuffoms, would ever be eafy under a foreign flavery, and refolve to bear away no other reward for their gallant aflions, than the honour of being dependents upon the grandees of Spain, or at beft penfionaries of a King, who, al- though he had greater obligations to the Prince of Parma 1592. O F S U L L Y. 29* Parma than to any other perfon, fufFered him to wait for the recompenfe of his fervices till his death: that the whole view of the French Lords, by leem- ing to join the King of Spain, was only to procure the grant of greater rewards from Henry, while he continued in the profeffion of the Proteftant reli- gion ; after which they would abandon, without difficulty, that hackneyed reproach of a relapfe, as well as the defign of chufing a King from amongft themfelves, the marriage of the Infanta, and all the reft of their vague prcjefts. For a proo£ of the truth of what 1 laid, 1 produced the treaty which the league had propofed to Henry by Villcroy and Jeannin, loon after the railing of the fiege of Rouen, which I could not give a full account of in its place, but fhall lay before the reader in a moment. After this, turning with vivacity to Du-Perroh, I alked him if he was not of the intereft of all good French- men, and of himl'elf firft of all to prevent fuch de- figns from being accomplilhed, whether the good «i- the ftate required, that by deftroying in a mo- ment an edifice which had coft the Kings ot France fuch labour to raife, and which fome of them had cemented with their blood, France fhould be again filled with thole little tyrants, ambitious and cruel, who claimed a right of'giving law to their Prince, and w ho were always ready to fly before the fit ft enemies that attacked them ? And laftly, if he did not confefs that a monarchical government, by which all the members are united, and under the direction of one only chief, was the meft glorious and moft advantageous of any, and for the French nation in particular ? 1 cut fhort my difeourfe upon this third party of politicians, by oblerving to Du ferron, that one of thefe tw'o things mult nect Airily happen, either that they would unite themlelvts to the league, and fo deprive it of all affiftance from Spain ; or take meafures leparately from it,, which would produce the <300 MEMOIRS Book V. the neceflity of deftroying ir, or of being deftroyed by it. In any of thefe cafes, nothing could happen that would not be for the King’s advantage. To conclude with what related to the perfon of the King himfelf, I found no difficulty in making the Abbe confefs, that this Prince was abfolutely fitted to reign over the French. I reprefented to him, that his reputation was fo well eitabliffied every where, that the league had great reafon to fear, and the third party (fo far from being creditable) Rill more; that in the provinces, where no one de- livered himfelf up fo blindly to the caprices of the league as in Paris, they would put themfelves en- tirely under the protection of this Prince, when their intoxication was over, and had given place to that love of repofe fo natural to thole who have fuffered. That the provinces began already to te- ftify openly their difcontt nt. But without all this could not the King, brave and experienced as he was, and affifted only by the Proteftants and foreign- ers, maintain the war a long time, and guard againft domeftic attempts upon his perfon ? They had feen him when he had not ten cities in his party, and with only a handful of men, make a hand againft all the forces of the kingdom. I concluded with faying, that inftiad of giving the enemies of France the pleafure of feeing her wafte and deftroy herfelf, it was the general intereft, to favour and fupport a Prince, who appeared capable of reftoring her to her former tranquility, and of railing her to a new de- gree of Iplendor. The Abbe Du Perron had no reply to make to all thefe reafons, he was convinced of their force; and, as I had expeCted, knew well how to bring o- ver the Cardinal of Bourbon to his opinion, by add- ing to them all thofe which his own penetration fug- gelfed to him, and which he did not fail to adorn with all the brilliant apparel of eloquence. The remainder of this year, and the beginning of nextthe 1592. OF SULLY. 301 next were employed on his part and 09 mine in go- ing backwards and forwards, and in conferences of this kind. As foon as a negotiation was begun, we had more negotiators than we wiflied. It was true, that Villeroy and Jeannin had a long time before prefented the King with a project of a treaty, in the name of the league, by which they offered, upon certain conditions, to acknowledge him for King. This piece is curious enough to de- ferve an abdraft to be given of it. The true fpirit Avhich animated the league, clearly manifelis itfelf in it. The King’s abjuration was at the head, as the firft and principal condition. They required, that in the fpace of three months he fhould make a public profcfSon of the Catholic religion ; that he fhould reftore it in all thofe places from whence the fuperiority of the Reformed had banifhed it j that he fhould break off all alliance with them ; that they fhould have no fhare in the dignities, em« baffies, and employments of ftate, of any kind what- ever ; in a word, that their continuance in France fhould be tolerated only, and for a certain time, which might be prolonged as exigency required. Many other articles leemed to be inferted there, only to perfuade the people that the chiefs of the league, by treating with Henry, had nothing but the iervice of religion and the flate in view. Such was the claufe of naming to benefices, conformable to the canons ; and that of holding the Rates from fix to fix years; and many others. Thefe were all fpecious conditions ; but they add- ed, (which was the moft efTentfil point for the au- thors of the project), that the King fhould acknow- ledge, authorife, and fupport the league with alibis power : that he fhould leave a certain number of towns in their hands, into which he could not even put garrifons r that is to fay, that he fhould reign under them : that he fhould diftribute all the go- vernments of France amongft fuch of his principal Vol. L C c officers 302 MEMOIRS Book V, officers as they fhould name to him : that he fliould keep a fufficient number of troops in each of thefe governments., to maintain the Roman Catholic reli- gion there: that he fhould not difpofe of the taxes, impofts, and other revenues of the crown ; but they fhould be all applied to this ufe, according to a divilxon proportioned to the quality and occafions of thofe governments : that all the garrifons which fhould be put in the fortreffes of the kingdom, fhould be paid in the fame manner. The deffina- tion of thele governments was as follows : Provence was to be given to the Duke of Nemours, Langue- doc to the Duke of Joyeufe, Bourbonnois and Marche to the Duke of Llbeuf, Bretagne to the Duke of Mercoeur, the two Vcxins. with the title of Governor, to d’Alincourt, part of Normandy to Villars, the ifl : of France to the Baron of Rolne, Orleannois and Berry to La-Chat re, Picardy to the Duke of Aumale, Champagne to the Duke of Guile, with the poll of High Reward, ant: all the dignities and benefices which his family had en- joyed. The Duke of Maienne had, with reafon, the largeft fhare. To the government of Burgundy, which was alotted for him, they added thole of Lyonnois, Foret, and Bcaujolois ; and in all thefe provinces gave him a power that had annihilated that of the King; the right of difpofing, as he plea- fed, of governments, lord-lieutenancies, and ether employments, not only in the army, but alio in the finances, and courts of judicature; and what was ftill more, the nomination to eccldiaftical dig- nities and benefices : and to crown all thefe extraor- dinary advantages, they added the poft of con- flable, or lieutenant-genend of the crown. It was this only that fetmed worthy of the Duke of M.ii- enue’s acceptance. Thcj likewife kept in refervefour 1592. OF SULLY. 3®3 four Marechals batons *, and the league, at their own leifure, were to name the perfons on whom they were to be beft'owed; belides very confiderable penfions to the moft diftinguifhed amongft them, they carried their excefs fo far, as to preferibe to the King the clearing the debts of fome conlider- able perlbns. of their party whom they ftiould name, to the number of twenty. And, to conclude, with abfolutely tying up his hands, they added, that he Ihould allow the league to chufe the foreign Princes that were to accede to the treaty, and to be guar- fantees for its execution. The Pope’s name only was exprefled ; doubtlefs, the blanks were to be filled up wkh the King of Spain among others. By this they too plainly acknowledged the views of the Spaniards. Charles V. required nothing elfe than fuch a fcheme, when he faid, that he had been falfely accufed of hating a King of France, fince in- ftead of one he wifhed there had been twenty. No perfon believed that the league, by treating with the King on conditions fo injurious to this Prince, could perfuade themfelves that he would fubmit to them. It is probable, therefore, that they did it in order to make his refufal give difguft to the dregs of the populace. The King likewil'e, far from treating thefe propofals as a ferious mat- ter, or anfwering them privately, as he would have done had he thought it pofiible to have come to a- ny accommodation, facrificed them immediately to the Proteftants, who gave to the piece all the qua- lifications that it merited ^ it even turned the Ca* tholics againft the author ; for thefe Catholics find- ing that all there was badly arranged ; that it was to * RoHre.Thefe fourLa-Chatie, Mareduls Hois-D.iu, baton, hin,were andgiven Saint the followingPol, each year of whomS:m mol wdlrelated be mentionedof Chanvallon. hereaiter. “ Sir,” On faidthis he, occafion one day there to isthe a “Duke be legitimatedof Maienne, at “your you eipeuce-.”have made fome bailards, which will C c 2 full 304 MEMOIRS Book V. full of articles, which, being only fnares, would prove an inexhauftible fource of difficulties ; and that there were lorae which it was abfolu'tely im- poffible to execute, they took no notice of what made the ftrongeft impn-ffions upon them, which Was, that, by the diftribution of favours and re- wards, nothing remained for them. The King made no other ufe of thefe propofals than to bind thofe who ferved him more clofely ta his interefts, gave a very fhort and a very dry an- fwer to the Prefident Jeannin. It was at the camp before Caudebec. There is no nectffity to repeat the contents. Civil wars, efpecially thofe wherein religion has a ffiare, give an air of licence and effrontery, which cn all other occafions would be furprifing. Jean- nin, offended at the ridicule with which his prejeft had been treated, anfwered in writing, which he addreffed to the King himfelf, that he was greatly aftonifhed at the tone that he had .taken with him c that if his projeft was well examined, he would find that he had not yet treated well enough for the league: that the only fear he had when he drew it up was, that it would be difavowed, efpe j cially by the Duke of Nemours, who, inftead of a government, had already formed a principality for himfelf in Lyonnois, with the approbation of tht King of Spain -, and ftill more by the Duke of Mai- enne, whole interefls had been alfo too much ne- gledlcd in it; (certainly this moderation of Jeannin’s was truly admirable): that, in his opinion, he had fbewn the King his readinefs to ferve him, by not mentioning his giving the league any towns as a fe- cm ity for the peformance of his word, (as if thofe which were to be bellowed upon the governors did not anfwer the fame purpofe): that, to pleale the King, he had eluded the queftion, of making thefe governments hereditary. This indeed was true; but after all the other rights with which he hadverted in- i $92* OF SULLY. 305 vefted them, would it be difficult for them to ac- complfih this for themfelves ? Jeannin afterwards obfervec! to the King, with a liberty that might well be called immoderate impu* dence, that the Catholics having with j-uftice taken arms againft him, he ought not to make ufe of the words crime and abolition with them ; for they were imitled to treat with him upon the foot of an equal,, becaufe, they did not look upon themfelves as enemies fubdued, nor him as King, while the Cardinal of Bourbon, the only acknowledged King in France, was alive ; nor even after his death, on account of his religion : therefore it was the body of the monarchy which treated with a foreign Prince : that, for the fame reafon, the King’s acceptation could not be called an edifl of pacification, granted by a King to his fubjefts, but an amicable convention with a people, who freely chofe a King after the reafons for refufing him were removed. Many other impertinencies with which this letter was filled, do not deferve to be repeated. Jeannin concluded, by abfolutely rejecting all af- fiftance from Meffi de Bouillon, Du-Plcffis, and the other Proteftams whom the King had mention- ed in his letter, and declared he would have no communication with them. While the King deliberated upon what refolu- tions he fhould take, the ftates were held at Paris The .thought of aflembling them came from the Prince of Parma *, and it muft be confefled, that by the manner he was to have taken there, in order to accomplifh his defigns, a refolution more de- ftruflive of the King’s caufe could not have been they* Tluwere datesnot opened were orderedrill next today, meet in t!the e 15thLouvre, of January, which wasbut preparednies of this for aflembly that purpole. may beAll found the fpee*in many hes, adts,of the and bi‘'orians. ceremo- theSee league,particularly vol. 5.De Thou,Villcroy'i book tv'-cm. ioj. of Jlate,Davtln, vol. b. 4. 13. MemMen-.oin 'of he- tf Scityrtyers, vol.Menifee, a. Mutthieu, Sec, vol. a. Chroii, haven, for IJ93- b. £* C c 3 formed. 2 ©6 MEMOIRS Book V. formed. This General intended to have fummon- txl them at Rheims, and to have renewed all his endeavours to make himfelf mafter of the delibera- tions within ; while, with a fuperior army withour, he retained the people in his party, and the nobility in their duty, he affured himlelf that he fhould obtain an eledh'on entirely to the tafte of Spain, and caufe the defied Monarch to be crown- ed immediately. This whole plan was the effcff of deep politics*, quick difpatch, great liberality, a well-chofen opportunity, and, above all, an army capable of infpiring awethefe were indeed the true means of bringing affairs to an ili’ue, and of excluding the King for ever from the throne. But the Prince of Parma dying juft as he was upon the point of executing thefe projcfls, they all expired with him, or were afterwards conducted neither with order, diligence, nor the other necef- f try meafures. It is true, that the Count of Manf- fidd, who fuccecded him, came at laft with an ar- my as far as Noyon ; but at that time, the lame fub- miftion was not made to Spain, as had been before they had conceived hopes of feeing the King abjure Calvinifm and the Count of Mansfield returned without having done any thing; befides, there was now an alteration in a circumftance, which, to the Priqce of Parma, had always appeared elfential: this was, that inftead of getting the ftates afifcmbled at Rheims, the Duke of Maienne had prevailed upon the Pope and the Spanifh plenipotentiaries, who were Don Diego d'Ibarra, the Duke of Feria, Ini- go de M indoce, and Count John Baptift de Taxis, to conlent that they fliould be affembled at Paris. Each of thefe perlons hoped, that in a city which was entirely in their mterefts by their alliances, their intrigues, and their prefents, they might move KingSee of the Spain. Puke ofCiron. Parma’s Novell, letter b. written4. p. S- upon this fabjeft to the 1593- OF SULLY. 3©r a thoufand fprings to engage all the fuffrages. But when this great diforderly body was a&mbled, they found themfelves crofl'ed by fo many and fuch diflerent interefts, that the Spaniards having only their own voices, like others, and deftitute befides of the means of making them be heard by force, found that they fliould meet with more obftades. than they had forefeen ; and from that time they feared, that they fhould reap no other fruit of afl their intrigues and fecret praftices, than the em- broiling affairs* fome time longer, till this complica- tion of ib many views, and the impoffibility of ever ■uniting them, would at length oblige them to liilen to the dictates of reafon. How indeed was it pofiible to reconcile the Pops,, or rather his legates, who had their particular de- fign, the King of Spain, the Dukes of Savoy and Lorrain, the Dukes of Maienne, Nemours, Mer- cosur, and Guife, in fine, the Princes of the blood, who had alfo their different defigns *, of which they were no lefs tenacious ? All thole parties, a& foon as the ftates were opened, reflecting that this was the Lift effort of the party, had recourfe each of them to a thoufand ftratagems which mutually de- ftroyed one another, and according to the notion of what is called fine policy, involved and concealed themfelves under falfe meaiures to bring others ta their ends. They joined to the multiplicity of ma- chinations already lb perplexing, a flux and reflux of opinions, which brought them into a labyrinth where no perfbn longer knew where he was. No one declared his fentiments honeftly, but ftemed to fpeak only to difguife their defire, and to fet people about divining its objetft. The Spaniards at this juncture regulated their conduit by their ordinary maxim, and their parti- that* Theevery league cue was was willing of this to advantage couunaud toin France,it, and fays-Lenone to Grain, obey. culiir 3 ©3 MEMOIRS Book V. colar chara&er i or perhaps thtir defiijn was to found the inclinations of the French, to difeover if they would bear willingly a foreign prince to reign over them. When they perceived that by this de- lay they were in danger of lofing what they had been fo long aiming at, they at laft made their moft reafonable propofition, which was the marriage of the Infanta * with the Cardinal of Bourbon. All the French nobles, with the Guifes at their head, waited only for this ftep of the Spaniards, and con- curl-ed in one common defign, which was to make ufe of this propofal to kindle between the King and Cardinal ail the hatred that could animate two de- clared rivals, and confequently between the King and the leaders of the contrary party, the Count of Soiffons, the Duke of Nevers, Longueville, and others.. They fuftered this propolition to be car- ried fo far as to have the articles drawn up, and fent by Bcllozanne to the Cardinal: but all the nobles afterwards uniting, knew well how to make k fall. With what defign ? That may be eafily pe- netrated into, in order that what thefe Lords took * Clara Eugenia of Auftria, fecond daughter of Philip II. of butSpain. not tillCatharine, after the the Cardinal elded, ofwas Placentia, married toLegate, the Duke and ofCardinal, Sav. y, jedtionde Pelleve, to Spain,had endeavoured, hy the marriage in vain, of this to bringInfanta France with underPrince lut>-Er- neflMemoirs of Auftria, of theimpute eldeft to ofthe the.court Emperor’s of Madrid, brothers. as an error,Villeroy’s hy fanta,which ttieSpain future loft Queen,the crown to tomeof France, to France, their not unlefs fullering tjae thisPrince In- ledgedwhom : theybut deftinedI doubt whethertor her Ivusbandthe arrival was of declared this Princefs and acknow-at Pari* Dukewo. id of have Guife’s removed party allwas obftaejes. fo powerful, According by the unionto De of Thou, Spain andthe Mai'enne,the cleigy fecretlyoppofedhim,of France, that had andnot thehis Kingown uncle,of Navarre the declaredDuke of Veryin all feafonably probability his this refblution Prinse towould embrace have thebeen Catholic declared religion, King. HiforyThe Duke of Frame, tif Guile, vol. faysj. p. Fatheraj 7. was de praifed Chalons, for afterthe moderationMatthieu, havinghe difeovered flattered on himfielf this occafion. with fuch He a gaveagreeable no indicationshopes, not Ihewedof hi* any folicitude for fo great a fortune. pway i593- O F S U L L Y. 3c^ away from the Cardinal and the Princes of the blood might fall upon themfdves. As the Prinoes of the blood, by feeming to refign their hopes in favour of the Cardinal, they had an oblique view towards themfelves; which mewed them, that after him the crown would more eafily revert to them,, than if it paffed to the head of a foreigner. The Spaniards comprehended the meaning of all the in- trigues of the Princes of Lorrain, and, one may eahly imagine, never forgave them. This common intereft of the nobles, which united them againft Spain and the Princes of the blood, divided them afterwards into as many branches as they had heads. Every one believed his own fitteft for the diadem. Jealoufy and malice were foon of the party, and each difputed for the crown, for the foie pleafure of hindering one another from obtaining it. It was the confolation of thofe who found themfelves excluded. Some of thefe parties ob- jected to one perfon only, and comforted himfelf for not being able to fucceed for himfelf, if he could fruftrate his machinations. Of this clafs was the clergy, which, without naming any perfon for the throne, ufed only their utmoli endeavours to hinder the King of Navarre from being eledled. Another undertook to fupplant two, three, or more of the competitors: but there was not one from any of thefe motives who was capable of forming a party fo much fuperior to the others, as. to bear down all its oppolers. The people, al- though generally the flaves of their prejudice in fa- vour of a fubjeft, were here by the number of fubjefb, hindered from determining. And upon this occafion it happened, as has been often expe- rienced, that adopting the ftile of that fort of in- diil'erent and neutral perfons who were always to be found in public alleinblies, an affiiir of this import- ance was turned into a mere flxew, and caufed only laughter 31a MEMOIRS laughter at the unhappy candidates who were re- jetted.. But thefe intrigues, this play of falfehoods, could not laft long. In fuch fort of debates, the firft de- liberations, and the firft motions, are fuggefted by the paflions. If by a concurrence of caufes, they are prevented from fuccteding, reafon, though it flowly appears in tumultuous affemblies, yet forces isfelf at laft to be feen and acknowledged, and after long oppofition is followed through nectdlity. The firft thing that was done on this occafion was by mean of the parliament, which weighing more maturely the difierent propofals that were brought upon the carpet, either for a Spanifh King, or one of Lorrain, found that it would be an everlafting reproach to them, to fuffer a law fo fundamental as the hereditary right of fucceffion to be infringed, and began, without knowing well what would be the conlequence, by granting an editt * which for- bade the carrying the crown out of the royal family- This was far from being a new thought j there was not one who had it not, and who did not feel the injuftice of atting contrary to it. But in order to give it due efficacy, it feems it was neceflary it * The edi<3: was pafled the 18th of June. “ This adtion,” lays Vi!leroy,s t vol. t. p 58. “ was the'more applauded hy all good “ men.ly of greatas the ufe, danger and that I mud attended fay, itthat was thelogreat: kingdom it was owed certain- its **dent fafety of the to theParliament court.” ofJohn the leagueLe Maitre, by the althoughDuke of Maienne.made Prefi- the wardsPrefident keeper Edward of the Mole, feals, the Stephen Counlellor Fleury, William Peter D’Amours,Du-Vair, after- La- confequencezarus Coquely, of it,&c. the were Prefident the chief Le Maitre,promoters with of thethis Counfcllorseditft. In De Fleury, and D’Amours,, were deputed that fame day, to make theremonflrauces crown. The-Duke to the ''uke complained of Malenne, bitterly as Lieutenant of this affront general from of havingthe Parliament repeated ; theand wordthe Archbilhop afronl in aof p.iffion, Lyons, andwho treatedwas with the him,, de- withputies great with authority bad language, and dignity. the Prefident See Memoirs Le Maitre of the filcnced lergue, himvol. 9. Memoirs of Ntv<.rs, vol. a. p 635. fliould I 1*93. OF SULLY. 311 [, /hould be propofed with weight and gravity. The » edidt did the bufinefs. The rights of the royal family began to appear h facred to a thoufand p rions. who a moment be* ; fore had not refledted upon them. Spain, whofe attempt was fruftrated by this edidf, might have ftill warded off the blow, had Are united with the Lorrains, whom it equally (truck at; but the more file thought (he was entitled to reck n upon their fuffrages, the more irreconcileable was her enmity toward them, when (he found they had betrayed her. They could never make up to her, and their conftant mifunderftandin.g infeniibly paved the way for the vidtory of their common adverfary. To a complifh this, there remained but one ftep to be uken, which was prevented by the ftrong op- pofition of the clergy *. A flop therefore was put to the affair for (ome time : they refumed, as if for amufiment, fome of their former worn out projedts. Different hopes were again raifed to be foon and ef- fedtually extinguiffied ; for there was not one per- fon who did not tacitly confefs, that if the King f abjured, all conteftation would be at an end. E- very one voted for the engaging him to comply with this demand, and they applied themfelves to it, not (lightly as before, but from a more dear and diftindt view of the true imereft of the ftate; and* outrageousAll the memoirs behaviour of thefe of thetimes Cardinal confirm tie the Plefance, violent Legate,proceedings and ofSorbonnt ..Imoft all“ theDebourbcniii bifhops of z France,nous Seignior,” an 1 Curates was theof Parisexplication and the a cachetout of givethe miry of that clay.” pafiage '1 here of Scripture, is an infinite “ Deliver number me, of fuchO Lord, dt- zealcumlLni.es, tor the truethe religion.malignity Deof whichThou cannotobferves, finely that thebe eicufedclergy was by thet only(t was one demonflratcd of three eflates at this that time, perfifted that inHenry voting V. forwas a notwar. only tirthe t lawfulin his heirpenon to thethe threecrown, races that of wasour neverKings difputed,were united, hut all*fee *" pioorthe fimitign in a new hunilics/'work entitled, in the aid“ Genealogical genealogical table.hiftories cf all 3T* MEMOIRS Book V. a view which from this moment became that of the parliament and the whole people, and which met with no more oppofition, but what fome nobles, for their perfonal intereft, were pleafed to create. The Dukes of Maienne, Nemours, and Mer- coeur, teftified the greateft obftinacy, as was moft natural, confidering that they, of all others, had been moft flattered : but bad as their intentions were, they could not hinder a conference with the King from being propofed in the ftates, and car- ried by a plurality of voices. It was, however, in their power to deftroy or 1'ufpend the efF dt; and they did not fail to do fo: for this purpofe they ufed their utmoft endeavours-, they fet their emif- faries to work, took advantage of the King’s bad fuccefs at S< lies *, caufed Mansfield to advance, who took Noyon, gave all the force they were able to the Pope’s refufing to allow the Cardinal de Gondy, and the Marquis de Pifany, whom the King had fent to him, to enter Rome, or even to let foot in his Holinefs’s territories. Could they flat- ter themfelves, that the irregularity of thefe pro- ceedings would not be remarked, after having fo often protefted, that in all their adtions they had only the intereft of religion in view, and that they were ready to fubmit to Henry as foon as he fhould quit his errors ? No perfon was deceived j but al- though they prevented all the confequences which the conference held at Surene, in the month of A- pril f, might have produced, it was thought the laft effort * The journey which Henry tV. took towards Tours, and the «freceffity Selles into whichBerry, hewere reduced then himfeifthought of confidtrahle raifing the fiege-fault-. of the city May.f In theSec inlatter the records,end of April, vol. 8S89. and ofduring MSS. partin the of royal the month library; of TheViUtroy's Ar ftanding which had already rifen among the Princes,, the nobles, and the minifters of Spain, gaining ftrength every day, we could not but expert to fee them foon ftudious to deftroy each others preten- iions. This being fuppofed, which was the eflen- tial point, it muft necellarily happen, that thofe who were inditferent, and. had right intentions, would, bind themfelves more clofely to the King’s party : that this effeA was already indubitable, with regard to thofe cities of France which were at too great a, diftance from the league and the cabal, to be influenced by their imprefSons and warmth : that the chiefs of the league themfelves, through ha- tred, jealoufy, or even a confideration of their own intereit, would, one after the other, dirow themfelves into the King's party: that the bare- hopes only which this Prince would fuffer them to entertain, would give him beforehand moft of thofe advantages he could gain from the accomplifhment; of them, and would not expofe him to dangers t that the dangers of a too precipitate execution were, firft, an open feparatkm of tlte Proteftants, who were not, yet fufficiently prepared for this change, which might produce the moft fatal confe- queoces; fince the King, not being yet lecure of ail the Catholics to oppofe them, would remain at the mercy of both parties, and, fecondly, the ne- cefllty he laid himfelf under, by throwing himfelf into the arms of the Catholics, of granting all theirs demands, however, exorbitant they were} which, both. *S93- OF SULLY. 3** both for the prefent and the future, was of danger- ous confequence: that it was necelTary to allow thefe fchemers, and all the chiefs of the league, time to give a preciie form to their demands, by which they would perceive that they were encroach- ing upon each other; which would oblige them to reduce of themfelves their exceffive pretenfions, to agree, that by fetting too high a value upon flight fervices, they would put it out of the King’s power to fatisfy them, and at length to feek their own in- tereft in the general intereft of the ftate. I told the King, that he would find the firft who took this ftep would be thofe, who having, only at the inftigation of foreign powers, demanded fatisfaftions which they were perhaps defirous of {haring with them, would begin to be fenfible of the injqflice of their proceedings, in proportion as their hatred of thofe foreigners increafed: and that thof foliiitude for the conveilion of the young Prince of Conde;his '3^4 MEMOIRS Book Y. •vantage of both religions : fo that there was a kind of general confpiracy to draw him to it. The Pro* teftant clergy either defended themfelves no longer, or did it fo weakly, that their adverfaries had al- ways the advantage. The Abbe du Perron, who was there as in the Held of his glory, was not a man who would lofe the fruits of his vittory. With that foft and infi- •nuating converfation, that ftrong and perfuafive e- loquence, that inexhauftible fund of erudition, fup- ported by a prodigious memory, he could neither be overthrown, nor convifted of falfthood, but by the help of a whole library ; a kind of languifhing defence. With Princes, the tranfition from com- plaifance to flattery is very eafy. Some of the Proteftant clergy, who were moft about the King, and whom he confulted upon his difficulties, for- mally betrayed their faith * •, or, by a concerted perplexity, flattered that religion which they already looked upon to be the religion of the King. The leaders of the Proteftant party were not fo eafily brought this length. They were fometimes untradlable. It was in vain to remonftrate to them, that, by their obftinacy, the King would lole the crown and that, fince it was neceflary it fhould be poffeired by a Catholic Prince, it was an advantage to them, that this Catholic Prince was the fame who had fo long been afll&ionanly united with them, and upon whofe friendfhip they might reck- his alliance with the Pope, by marrying theTrinrefs of Florence; reignhis endeavours Pontifl'and to thecultivate King ofa good Englancf; intelligence tjie marriage between of thehis fov©-fifler otherwith thebuildings Duke of; the Bar; fepulrhie the eredtion of our of Lord, the hofpital and the tor holy fnk, places; and theCalvinifts fatisfadlion hy the whichBiihop lie of fluEvreui, wed atdrc. the vidlory gained over the alfo,* D’Aubignethat die Marchionefsnames fome deof thefeMonceaux, Protefhnts; the King’s and obfervesn.ifbefs, Henryadted thefliould fame be part, declared in the King. hope ofVcl. becoming 3. book 3.Queen chap. herfclf,3.1. if on. *393* O y SULLY. 325 kon. They lud flittered themfclves, that they fhould.fee a Prince of their own faith upon the throne, and that Calvinif m ftiould be the eftablifh- ed religion in Fiance. They thought it hard to be deprived of this advantage. Self-love in all reli- gions makes fuch a lofs be looked upon as irre- parable *. The King experienced this excefs of bad humour, when fome of the chief cities in the kingdom, that hid been fuffered to groan under the oppreflion of an infinite number of little tyrants, firft applied to his Majefty, and deputed the Count of Belin to de- mand of him the freedom of commerce. Henry was either at Mante, or at Vernon, when the Count of Belin came to make him this propofition, which he received in the prefence of his whole council. There was not a Proteftant there who appeared willing that he fliould grant it; and what is ftill more furprHing, it met with equal oppofition from the Catholics, without their being able to afli.n a lawful, or even a plaufible reafon. All thele per- sons perplexed one another in their deliberations, and perceived plainly that their opinion was ground- ki's, yet they could not alter it. The King look- ing at me that moment, “ Monfieur de Rainy,” fa id he to me, “ what maks you fo thoughtful ? “ Will not you fpeak your mind abfolutely any more than others I took the word, and.was not afraid to declare myfelf againft all thofe who had given their opinions, by maintaining, that it was neceflary not to hefitate a moment in com- pleting the gaining the people over to the King’s in- named* If IL.-F-ay,. follow yourwho advice,addrefled (replied him in Henrythe name ly. ofto the-Protdtmt a clergyman party,dom inT France,here vr.JI init ha 1my ttle delve time tobe ne.thergive peace a K t) 11 rall nor my king- fub- “ jeCt-., and rep jfe to my 'loul. Conlider amon^ yourfelvo what “ meis moft ready necedary to content for you.”your-own Chron. lecurity Nvticu. ; you ib. /lull always'fi.id Vox,. I. £ e ter efts. 326 MEMOIRS Book V. terefts, by an infiance of kindnefs which he might revoke if r^e found that they abufed it This advice raifed a cry of difapprobation, which I have always regarded as a recrimination of that confcnt I had extorted from the council, which has been men- tioned before. The King was obliged to yield to their importunity; and the Count of Belin return- ed without fuccefs. Henry, however, made his reflexions upon this refufal; and judging that there wanted but little more of the fame nature to alienate totally the people’s affeXions from him, and to induce them to go over to the party of his enemies, he refolved to defer his converflon no longer. He well per- ceived, that he ought no longer to expeX to van- quifh the oppofition of certain of the Proteftants, or to obtain their full confent to this ftep *; but that it was neceflary to do fome violence, and to hazard fome murmurs, which would end in no- thing. As for the Catholics of his party, the King endeavoured only to diflipate their fears, that, look- ing upon them as perfons of whom he was fecure, he would apply himfelf wholly to the gaining the reft, by bellowing all favours upon them. He therefore at laft declared publicly, that the 20th of July fhould be the day of his abjuration ; and named the church of St Denis for this ceremony. This declaration difconcerted the league, and filled the hearts of the people, and the Catholics of the royal party, with joy. The Proteftants, al- though they had exptXed it, murmured and Ihrug* ged up their Ihoulders, and did for form’s- lake aft * I-Vivy iv, was always ftnflMe, that his abjiiration wonld e^pofeto Mademoilellehim to great hazirds;tl’KIlrets- which“ On made Sunday him write1 ill til in take this man-a pe- tilous leap. 'A hile 1 am writing to you, 1 have a hundred ' nis''oublciome as much peopleas you aboutdo Mante,” me, which &f. makesSee the me new deleft edition >t De- of Henry' the Great’s letters. tVldt *591- OF SULLY. 3^7 that fuch a jun&ure required of them; but they did not exceed the bounds of obedience. AH the ecclefiaftics, with Du-Perron, intoxicated with his triumph, at their head, flocked , together; every one was defirous of a (hare in this work. Du- Perron, for whom I had obtained the bifhopric of Evreux, thought he could not fhew his gratitude for it in a better manner, than by exercifing his funttion of converter upon me. He accofted me with all the confidence of a conquerorand propo- fed to me to be prefent at a ceremony, where he flattered himfelf he fhould fliine with fuch lights, as woulddiflipate the profoundeft darknefs. “Sir,” replied I, “ all I have to do by being prefent at “ your difputes, is, to examine which fide pro- “ duces the flrongeft and mofi: valid reafons. The “ ftate of affairs, your number, and your riches, “ require that your diftinations fhould prevail.” In etfcfk, they did. There was a numerous court at St Denis, and all was' conducted with great pomp and fpleudor. I may be difpenfed withe dwelling upon the defcription of a ceremony, which the Catholic hiftorians * will do with equal prolixnefs and complacency. I did not imagine I could be of any ufe at this time; therefore kept myfelf retired, as one v/ht> had no intereft in the fhew that was preparing, when I was vifited by Du-Perron, whom the Car- dinal of Bourbon had fent to me, to decide a final difpute that had arifen about the terms in which the form of the King’s profeffion of faith fhould be conceived The Catholic pri. fh and do£tors ftufi- ed it indufirioufly with all the trifles their heads * See, betides the above mentioned hiftorhns, MeiJrai, and themay volume be found of likewiseMSS. nu the ked lenei 8935. written in tiic to King’s his Holinelslibrary; bywhere the King, tliecommiiriim given t<> M du t'ei ron, whets he went to Rome towtiea nuke of a .us.tender saoiives of obedience of his ci nverfton.to the Pope, and the King’s decla- L ? a were 3^ MEMOIRS Book. V. were filled with ; and were going to make it a ridi- culous piper, in Head of a grave and fio'emn compo- fition. The Proteftant mmillers, and the King himfclf, could not away * with the childifh infigni- ficancics with which they had Huffed this formula; and it occafioned a conuffatioa which had like to have ruined all. I went immediately with Du-Perron to die Car- dinal of Bourbon, with whom it was agreed, that none of the points of faith which were controvert- ed by the two churches fhould be omitted, but that all the reH Ihould be fupprefltd as ufclefs. The parties approved of this regulation ; and the inftru- mtnt f was drawn up in luch a manner, that the King acknowledged there.all the Roman tenets con- cerning the Holy Scripture, the church, the num- ber and the cex-emonies of the facraments, the fa- crifice of the mafs, tranfubftantiation, the dedtrine of jpffification, the invocation of Hints, the wor- fliip of relics and images, purgatory, indulgences^ and the fupremacy and power of the Pope After which the latufadtion was general jl. BOOK u * “ Let us not fpeak of a requiem, (faid Henry IV.) I am not •fdead, See they^t,'*' original of it in the old memoirs. Du-PlcflSs Mor- lics,nay, apparentlyand Mezeiai without after him, any foundatihn,reproached thethat King thh amifird theinftrument Catho- whichthe Pope, thty as fupprciTtd, if the King was had however compcftd, the written,fame that and was figned lent toit ■with his own hand, but, in reality, counleifciicd,1 J by M. Lomi- nie.1 AnotherTbefe areadt hisof ownequal words, validity, hook by i.which p. gHenry . book IV. i. acknow- p. aoj. ledgedtei his theconveifion, Pope’s authority, that it was is thenectffaiy, declaration and whichthe confufion he made af-of aflsirs,fiance, tliat rather obliged than himfiom to thofe rtfufe of abfoluticnSt Peter. fromThis the declaration Prelates ofis itto|J Jtdod was ia VUletey’iRenauld, n emoitsofor Beaune fiatt, de volScmblainyai, ;. p. (51. Archbifliop of Boutges,£onil on, whowho received was not thea Iriell, King’s and abjuration. nine other 1Biihnps, be Cardinal allifted of AuhLCiOgat the ceremony, laid .0 Henryhim, “ IV. Who enter.ng aic you. the?” chapel (Henry of replied),St Denis, “the f> t®?.. OF S-ULLY. 3*9

BOOK VI. T H E ceremony of the King’s abjuration was followed by a deputation * of the Duke of Nevers to Rome, who, together with the Cardinal de Gondy, and the Marquis de Pifany, were to make the Pope the obeifance ufual in fuch cafes. Although this change was a mortal ftroke for the league, the Spaniards and the Duke of Maienne “ am the King.” “ What is your requcft ?” (faid the Archbi- fhop).“ Catholic, “ To Apoftnlic, be received and (faid Roman the church.”King) unto “ Dothe youpale ofdefire; the; King.“ it ?” Thenadded kneeling, the Prelate. he faid,“ Yes,“ i proteft1 do defireand fwear, it;” repliedin the pte-the “ ftolic,fence ofand Almighty Roman God,,religion to : liveto protedland die andin the defend Catholic, it againft: Apo- “ ail its enemies, at the hazard of1 my blood and life, renoun* “ eingman allchurch.” herefies-contrary He afterwards to this Catholic,put this fameApoftolic, confeffion, and Ro-- in writing,his ring tointo kifs, the giving hands himof theabfolution Archbifhop, with whoa loud prefemed voice, himand aheard particular his confeflion, account ofduring the whichceremony- Te Deitm in the was hiftorians, fung, &c. Cayct, See books-* Clement p. in. VIII; ctfeqq. retufed Mattbicu, to acknowledge &c. and receive the Duke ofto goNevers and asprefent ambaflador, themfelves and to would the grand oblige inquifitor, the French pretending Bifhops withthat theyas much had noreafon; power the to Pope’sabfolve inflexibility the King. M.upon de thisThou occafion, blames, theas he Duke extols ofthe Nevers, courage, book prudence, toS. Seeand Me-n. the wholede Nevers, conduit tom. ofa. theMSS. particulars de bibliot. of duthe Roi,emballies and inof the Nevers hifiorians and aboveLuxemburg, mentionedj, and- theAbu negotiations ts du Perron of and Father d’Oflat Scraplfn with theOlivari, Holy DeFather. la CUelle, The of Pope the ftillfire deferredto giant, a a.ndlong received time an very abfolution, ill La CUelle,whi h be who had prefented a great de- to< himftnt, theand letters plainly of perceivedHenry IV. that Fatherthe rope’s Seraphin, anger waswho only was feign- pre- “ed, to laid come to andhim afkmerrily, an audience “ Holy ofFathe., you, ifand the ifdevil there himielf was wasany ‘‘“ it.’’hope ofThis converting made his him, Holinefs you couldfmile. not in confeienee deny him IL e. £ (lilU 33® MEMOIR S Book vr. frill held out. They endeavoured to perfuade their partifans, that there ftill remained refources capable of fruftrating it but all of them fpoke at that time contrary to their lentiments ; and this feigned con- fidence was only defigned to obtain greater advan- tages from the King, before he was well eUablilhed; on the throne. This is not a Ample conjeflure, at leaft with re- gard to the King of Spain, lince it is certain, that he ordered Taxis and Stuniga to offer the King fuc- cours fufficient to reduce all the chiefs of the league and the Proteftant party, without annexing any o- ther condition to this offer, than a Ariel alliance be- tween the two crowns, and an agreement, that the King fhould give no (Support to the rebels in the Low Countries. Philip 11. judged of Henry by himfelf, and confidered his converlion only as the principle of a, new political lyfttm, which required liim to betray his oldeft engagements. It may not perhaps be unufeful to make here a remark upon Spain: it is, that although before and after the death of Catharine de Medicis, fhe had put a thou- fand different fprings in motion, and although fhe had changed parties and huercAs every time fhe thought it expedient to draw' advantages from the. divifions that agitated this kingdom, theProteAant party was the only one to which fhe had never turned hedielf. She has often publicly proteAed, that fhe never had the leaft intention to gain or fuller their alliance, h is by conltquence of this fame antipathy, that the Spaniards have conftantly refufed the new religion admiffion into the ftates: whith cannot be attributed to any thing but the republican maxims with which thele religionifts are accufed of being tainted. The King' being more and more convinced, that to choke the feeds of fchifm in his kingdom, it was neceffary to give none of the different factions occafion to boaft, that his power was at their diipofai; and that, to reduce OF S IT L L T. 33’1 all parties, he muft not efpoufe any; he therefore conftamly rc jefted thefe offers from hpain, and thofe I which the Duke of Maienne made him to the fame purpoie ; but, at the lame time, appeared willing to treat with any of the chiefs or of the cities of the league which would furrender,. and to recompenfe them in proportion to their forwardnefs and fer- vices: and it was this prudent medium, that he was i-efolved to perfift in. Although his laft action had united him to the religion of the league, yet his averfion to the fpirit of that body, and to the maxims by which it had ever been condudted, was notdirni- nilh . d : the very name only of the league was fuffi- dent to kindle his indignation. The Catholic leaguers fiippoling that his abjuration authorifed them to abolilh, in fome cities which depended upon them, the edids that were favourable to the Huguenots, the King caufed them to be re-eftablilhed : and. though in fome places, the leaguers had obtained the confent even of the Huguenots themfelves (de- termined to purchafe peace at any price) for this purpoie, yet the Proteftant party murmuring at it, Henry cancelled all that had been done to that eftHt*,, and manifefted, that his intention was to keep the balance always equal.. The Duke of Maienne, finding that in his lafb fcheme, which he had believed infallible, he was dilappointed as well as the reft, placed all his future dependence upon his old friends the Parifians, and neglcdted no method by which he might awaken their mutinous humour. But very far from iuc- ceeding in this attempt, he could not even hinder them from difeovering their joy at what had fcmbfjr* The of King,the Protefhnts on ill? nthat Mante, of December in which this, he publicly-declared,,year, held an af- di.it his changing his religion Ihould make no alteration in the affairv.aiiU of having the Pioteltants. made many Alem. demands, de la ligue,he n-Ul tome them J. thatAnd he the could Cal- a.not b. grant i. p. them, ns*. but that he would tolerate them. Matthieu, tonfci 332 M E M ©• I R S Fook.vr, j«ft pa{Ted at St Denis. They talked publicly of peace, and in his very prefence ; and he had the mortification to hear a propofal to fend deputies to the King, to demand a truce for fix months, and to be obliged to give his own confent to it. The truce for three months, that had been granted them at Surene *, had only given them a relilh. for a- longer one. The King gave audience to the deputies in full- council. The greateft number of thofe who com- poied it, liftening only to their jealoufy of the Duke of Maienne, whom they feared as a man that had the means in his power of purchafing favour, and rewards, were of opinion, that no regard ought to- be had to the demand of the deputies, becaufe the pcrfon who fent them perfifted in his revolt againft the King, ever fince his abjuration. Notwithftand- ing the juftice of not confounding the Duke of Maienne with the Parifians, I law this advice was. likely to be followed ; and certainly it could not but have produced fome terrible misfortune. 1 infifted. fo ftrongly upon the advantage of letting the people, already recovered from their firft wanderings, taffe the fwectnels of a peace, which would intereft them hill more in the King’s favour, that this Prince de- clared he would grant the truce they demanded of him, but only for the months of Augufl;, September, and October. The next day'a prodigious concourfe of the po- pulace of Paris aflembled at St Denis. The King; Ihewed himfelf to the people, affifted publicly at mals ; where ever he turned his fteps, the crowd, was lo great,, that it was f fometimes impoffible to. pierce ferved* Or in at the Villet, Mortons frtuated of tbt between le.gut. ParisIt is and dated St JulyDenis, ,3*. as andit is \va»-ob- publiflied•j-. “ They the arc next wild,!’ day atlaid Paris. Henry, “ to fee a King.’’ Etoik, ii. In a letter which he wrote to Mademoifelie D’Eft ecs, upon this,, or lonre huiihr oecafion, he fays. “ A pleafaijt adventure “me.befet I593- OF SULLY. 333 pierce through them : at the fame moment, a mil- lion of voices together, ci;ied, Long live the King. Every one returned, charmed with his good mien, his condefcenfion, and that popular air which was natural to him. “ God bid's him,” laid they, with tears in their eyes, “ and grant that he may foon “ do the fame in our church of Notre Dame in Paris.” I obferved to the King this difpofition of the people with regard to him : tender and fenflble as he was, he could not behold this fpe&ade without a lively emotion. The Spaniards had recourfe to their ordinary fubtleties. D’Entragues came to me one morning, and told me, that a Spaniard was juft arrived at St Denis, charged with important difpatches, from Mandoce, who had ordered him to addrefs himfelf dirtftly to me, as being the only man who had any knowledge of the propofals which he had a long time ago made to the King at Bearn, by Moreau and the Vifcount de Chaux. This Spaniard, wbofe name was Ordognes or Nugnei, had been a domeftie of D’Entragues, whofe fervice he had quitted for that of Mandoce : D’Entragues correfponded by his means, with the Spanifh ambaflador to the league : this is what I learned of this man by the recital, whether true or falfe, that D’Entragues made me. 1 did not confide much in this Spanifh emiflary, and fcarcely more in D’Entragues, with whofe turbulent difpofition I was acquainted. I received him therefore coldly enough ; for I did not doubt but this was all a Spanifh ftratagem. But D’En- tragues feemed fo oft'ended at my fufpicions of his fidelity, and added fo many affurances of the ve- racity of his Nugnes, that I permitted him to bring him to me that evening. The King, whom 1 in- ““• meby theat churchhead and : an kified old womanme; I wasof eighty n« t the years fi.-ft of who age, laughed feized meat d’Henry“ it; to-morrow It Qraud. you flaall puiify my mouth,” JltcueU da Uttut- formed 334 M E M O I R S Book Yl. formed of D’Entragues!s vifit, had the fame opinion of it that I had : however, he commanded me to hear the envoy. D’Entcagues did not fail to return at the time appointed, accompanied by the Spaniard; who, after fome vague converfation about the joy there was in the court of Spain for the King’s abjuration, and infinite proteftations of good-will, which I had no reafon to believe very fincere, at length told me, he was charged to propofe a marriage between the King and the Infanta of Spain, with fome other ar- ticles, which he declared he had been ordered to explain only to the King’himfelf, to whom he in- treated me to prefent him. Henry being willing to hear him, I told Nugnes, without any ceremony, that fince he came from fo fufpefted a place, he muft purchafe the honour of an audience from his Ma- jefty, by lubmitting to a few precautions that would perhaps be a little mortifying. He thought nothing too hard. I therefore began tofearch him myfelf, and afterwards caufed two of my valets de chambre to make a more rigid ferutiny about his perfon and deaths ; one of them having been a taylor, acquitted himfelf perfectly. When he came into the King’s apartment, I made him kneel, and held both his hands betwixt mine. He added no- thing to the propofals he had already, made me ; but talked of the alliance between the two crowns, in terms fo Ipecious and fo magnificent, that the King, who at firif would hardly lilfento him, could not hinder himfelf from approving of the Spaniard’s propofal, to lend fome perfon on whom he could rely, to inquire of Don Bernardin de Mendoce himfelf, if the truth of what he had juft faid could be reckoned upon. This deputation, Which wouldhave the appearance of a myilcry, I could not approve of, and flail lefs of the choice his M ijelly made of La-Varenne ios *593- OF SULLY. 35 for this occafion, a man full of vanity *. The King, to whom I difcovered all my apprehenfions, thought he ihould avoid any appearance of an en- gagement or negotiation with Spain, by giving La- Varenne no commiffions in writing, and making the regulation of fome boundaries upon the frontiers of Spain the pretence for his journey. La Varenne had no fooner received orders to depart, than he boafted of his commiffion, affumed the ambaffador, and reprefented himfelf as fuch to Mandoce j who, on his fide, paid him greater honours than he had required. This produced the effedi which the Spa- ni irds defigned it fliould. It was for fome time be- lieved in England and Germany, that Henry court- ed the King of Spain’s friendlhip. and to break the ftlliance with the Proteftant powers j which might Li* VarenneHis name from was the William nurq Fouquet,ifati of La and Varenne he derived in Anjou, the titlewhich of Catharine,he bought. andHis hisfirft chiefemployment excellency w^s in that l wasof a cooklarJing to themeat. Priuctfs If it andbe true, (aid tothat him, this “Prin La efsVartnue, met him you one hive day gained after hismore preferment, by carry- “enc ing may pou'ets one hide,* to mythat brother, the mcanr than I y whichby larding he gained pullers the to King’llme , favour w.1 e not the moil hoheft. He wrs firft maele cloak hearet to this rince, afreiwauls; counfellor ot ftate, and comptroller- W.thgcncial cnof ythe IV. poft whaolTice, gave andhim alwletters y. oflived nobility. in great La-Vartnnefamiliarity appointedPrince to him,a gentleman “ if thou to harlftattend given I is (on.thy fon“ toWhat,’’ a gentleman, Laid this I “ gentlemanfhnuld havr tohim, under'.tood is what what I cannot you con.piehend.”would be at . Theybut tofay gi' like- C a V’tthich fe, thatthe LaChancellor Varenne dehaving Bcliievre obtained nude lome lon efavour difR ultyof the to King,grant him,“ nion La-Vaienne of yourldr. laid I toworld him, have “ :ir, you don’t kn havew that fuch if amy h ghmailer opi* 41“ was twcnty-fiv< years younger, 1 w mid not change my eo.ploy- ieM- ment U Duetm yours,” d'Atiguleme, Sec D’Awig*e,cm. de Du- Gei I’leJJis, eal.de &c. Samte Meriagirnia- Alarlhe, Mem.C y t, Ri:d.Spain, tom. in a j.quite p. ijc. different fpeiks manner of the from emhafTy our Memoirs.of l.a Vaienne into find• aThe girl. original word is of tn mlh-cus mcrn'ng, denoting bolt a pullet perhaps 336 MEMOIRS Boc perhaps have produced an open rupture, King had not taken meafures immediately to con- vince them of the contrary. A laft refource which the league now depended upon, and which was the caufe that they always protrafted an agreement or rupture with the Spa- ; niards, was the horrid refolution of aflaflinating the King : a relolution with which they knew well how to inipire a fmall number of determined men, whofe heads they had turned with the alluiing profpett of great rewards, if they iuccceded in their enterprife, and the hopes of meriting a crown of martyrdom if they failed in it. Nature itfelf fo recoils at the re- fit ftion, that thofe who boaft of being the iupporc-' ers of religion, Ihould fo monftroufly abuie what it holdeth molt fiicred, that this palfage ought to be effaced from all hiftories j were it not likewife cer- tain, that there is not any lociety of men, who bear the name of Chriftians, that would not ivj ft with indignation the imputation, of authoriling luch a defign. It were even criminal to accuie any body of men, or even any individual, without proofs too clear to be contefted. The King had them but too frequently * in thofe journeys he took from St Denis to Chalons-lur- marne, to,Fort de Gournai, to Brie Comterobert, to Molun, and afterwards to Meulan and Fontain- bleau. Upon this article, the monks ei’ptcially have contracted a ftain which they will not eafily efface. Henry, while at Melun, had like to have perifhed by the hand of thefe furies,, whom the Jeluits and Capuchins had diiperled over all. Among other ©f *thofe Ccyet, confpiracies Chrnn. Woven, againft hook the 5. lifep. 180.of Henry fpealcs IV. more Marifot politivcly tay>, tothat Aah a Fhniand,this fijnee; namtcl but oblerving, can:e with to what St Deni' devotion with hea deiignbeha- veddon at; butmafs, afterwatds, he thiew himftlfreluming at hishis firfttt, ft ipitinibn,and implored he was his broke par- upon the wheel in Jjpj. Chap. 33. informations I593- OF SULLY. 337 informations which were fent him upon this fub- je£t, he received advice, that one of thefe villains had fet out from Lyons, with a refolution to come and attempt to affaflinate him. f Fortunately, be- fore he left Lyons, he declared his defigns, in con- feffion to a prieft ; who, frighted at his frenzy, re- vealed it to a gentleman of Lyons. This gentleman ported away immediately to get to Melun before the murderer, and defcribed him fo exattly to the King, from the pitture the prieft had drawn of him, that he was known and feizcd amongft the croud at Melun, confefled his crime, and received chaftifement. The King was afhamed even for his enemies, who, by this w'ickednefs, difcavered fo ma- nifeftly the bottom of their hearts. He found him- feif equally alarmed with all thefe attempts againfl his perfon, and tormented with the precautions he was obliged to take; and often complained to me in the bitterert manner. He had been happy, if the behaviour of the Ca- tholics in his court had at leaft confoled him for that of the C uholics in the league. But the King’s abjuration had produced no more change in them than the others; and they thought they had no Ids right to lubjetrt him to all their caprices. They bore with impatience the King’s not breaking otf all commerce with his old Proteftant fervants, and openly murmured if he but converfed with any of them, efpecially with me. The apprrhenfion of my bringing him back to his former belief, affedted f See Davila, book 4.; Mem. of the league’, ie Thou, b. «©7. ; thatMerer,y, when b.the <*. Duke &c. ot ItSully, it proper and otherto obferve Calvimft here writers, once forthrow all, outJefmts fich it imputationsfignifies no more,upon inVilleroi, the ferife Jeannin, or the writers D’OflTat, themfelves, and the thanwriting', that futheies, h a thingpreachings, happenei' the in ipirit, confei)uence in „ wo of d, thethat principles, aftuatfd thethor league and mover; and notthatof the allion. fuch a perfonSee Cayet, or fuch b. 5.a Jefuit&c. Was the au- Vol. I. F f them 335 MEMOIRS Book VI. them much lefs than their fu^picibns that, in thefe converfations 1 had with the King, I ftiould pfevail upon him to rectify the abufes in the government, eipecially the dilbrder 'n the finances. Henry, who was not yet in a condition to fpeak as a mafter, had the complaiiance to avoid ail particular converfation with the Huguenots, refumed his conferences upon religion with the Catholics only, and conti- nued them at Andrefy and Milly *. I took this opportunity to afk the King’s permiffion to go to Bontin, where 1 had grain to fell to the value of 5 or 6000 crowns. He granted it, and told me, that, at my return, he might perhaps fee more clearly into his affairs, and be able to talk farther with me. I came to Bontin with my wife, at a time when grain bore a very high price. All the great cities, taking advantage of the truce, haftened to fill their magazines, whatever might happen, and paid for vehat they bought with the money which the Spa- niards had fcattered over all. Spanilh piftoles were then fo common, that commerce was generally car- ried on in that money. I had fcarcs fold half of my grain, when a letter the King wrote to me from Fountainbleau obliged me to attend him. He had, in my abfence, open- ed three letters direfted to me, from which he could draw no intelligence, becaufe two of them, one of which came from Madam de Simiers, fifter to Vi- try, and a great friend of Admiral Villars, and the other from La-Font, were written in cyphers } and all that the third, which came from a man named Ddportes, of Verneuil, contained, was, that he had * And likewife at Pontoife in Plenty, a caftle in Gatinois, be- longingters. The to HenryRoman Claufe, Catholics grand who mafiei were there,of the were,foreib accordingand the wa- to vel,M.deThou, Jeannin, Meff.and Dede Schomberg,Thou himfelf, de Villeroi,who gives de us Beiin, alio deto Re-un- derhand, that they fpoke more of politics than of religion.iomething I593* OF SULLY. 339 fomething to communicate to me, relating to the propofal I made him in my abbey of St Taurin of Evreux. The King, rigidly watched by the Catho- lics, could only give me thole letters, with the con- tents of which I afterwards acquainted him. De- fportes was the agent employed by the Baron de Medavy, to treat of an accommodation with him, and the furrender of Verneuil. The letter from Madam de Bimiers, and that from L -Font, turned only upon fome facilities which now prefen ted them- felves, to engage Villars in the King’s intereft. But affairs foon took another turn with regard to him: the lois of Fei'camp fo afTfted this governor, that, for this time, he broke off all accommodation. I was informed of it by new letters from Madam de Simiers and Li-Font, in anl'vver to mine, at the very moment when, by the King’s command, I was pre- paring to go and confirm Villars in his good refo- lutions. This was what had happened at Fefcamp ; it is a ftroke of hardinels that merits particular mention. When this fort was taken by Byron from the league, in the garrifon that was turned out of it, there was a gentleman called’ Uois-rofe, a man of heart and of head, who remarked exactly the place out of which, he was driven j and taking his precautions deep, contrived to get two foldiers, whom he had gained, to be received into the new garrifon which was put into Fefcamp by the royalifts. That fide of the fort next the fea is a perpendicular rock fix hundred feet high, the bottom of which, for about the height of twelve feet, is continually wafhed by the fea, ex- cept four or five days in the year, during the utmoft recel's of the fea, when for the fpace of three or four hours, it leaves fifteen or twenty fathom of dry fand at the foot of the rock. Bois rofe, who found it impoflible by any other way to furprife a garrifon, who guarded attendvely a place lately taken, did not doubt of accomplifhing his defign, 34* MEMOIRS Bock ¥1. if he could enter by that fide which was thought inacceffible. He thought no longer but how to render the thing poffible j and this was the expe- dient he took. He had agreed upon a fignal with the two foldiers whom he had corrupted, and one of them waited for it continually upon the top of the rock, where he pofted himfelf during the whole time that it was low water. Bois-rofe taking the opportunity of a very dark night, came with fifty refolute men, cho- fen for the purpofe from amongft all the Jailors, and lauded with two Hoops at the foot of the rock. He had provided himfelf with a thick cable, equal in length to the height of the rock, and tying knots at certain diftances, run fliort fticks through, to ferve to fupport them as they climbed. The ioldier whom he had gained, having waited fix months for the fignal, no fooner perceived it, than he let down a cord from the top of the precipice, to which thole below faftened the cable, by which means it was wound up to die top, and made fall to an opening in the battlement with a ftrong crow run through an irou-ftaple made for that purpofe. Bois rofe giving the lead to two ferjeants, whole courage he was well convinced of, ordered the fifty foldiers to mount the ladder in the fame manner, one after another, with their weapons tied round their bodies, himfelf bringing up the rear, to take away from the faint-hearted all hope of returning which indeed foon became impoffible j for before they had afeended half-way, the fea riling more than fix feet, carried off their floops, and fet their cable a-floating. The neceffity of extricating one’s felf from a difficult ftep is not always a fecurity againft fear, when there is fo much caufe for appreben- fion. Let one but reprefent to himlelf thefe fifty men, fufpended between heaven and earth, in the midlt of darknels, trufting folely to a machine fo infecurejthat the leaft want of caution* the treache- ry *593- OF SULLY. 34* ry of a mercenary foldier, or the flightefl: fear, might precipitate them into the abyfs of the fea, or dalh them upon the rocks *, add to this, the noife of the waves, the height of the rock, their laffitude and faintnefs-, it will not appear furprifing, that the mo ft refolnte of their troop fhould tremble, as, in effeft, he who conducted them began to do. This ferjeant telling the next man that he could mount no higher, and that his heart failed him, Bois-rofe, to whom this difcourfe paffed from mouth to mouth, and who perceived the truth of it by their advan* eing no higher, took his. meafures without helita* tion. He pafted over the bodies of all the fifty that were before him, advifing to keep firm, and got up to the foremoft, whom he attempted to reani- mate j but finding that gentlenefs would not prevail, he obliged him to mount, by pricking him.in the back with his poinard •, and, doubtlefs, if he had not obeyed him, he would have run him through, and precipitated him into the fea. At length, with incredible labour and fatigue, the whole troop got to the top of the rock, a little before the break of day, and was introduced by the two foldiers into the caftle, where they began to flaughter without mercy the centinels and the whole guard r deep de- livered up almoft all the garrifon to the mercy of the enemy, who carried it with a high hand over all who reiifted, and pofielTed themfelves of the fort. Bois rofe immediately fent notice of this almoft: incredible fuccefs to Admiral Villars, and thought the government of the citadel he had fo dearly bought was the leaft gratification he might exptft. However, he heard that Villars, or rather the Com- mandeur de Grillon, had a defign to drive him out of it. In the firft tranfports of his rage for this in- juftice, he delivered the caftle of Fefcamp to the King, whofe converfion he had juft been informed of. Villars, at this news, broke off the negotiation which he bad permitted Madam de Simiers and La- F f 3 Foot 34* M E M O I R S Book: VL Font to cari'y on in his name, and fent forces to in- vert Fefchamp. Bois rofe, finding himfelf too weak to make a long refirtance, called the King to his aid, ; who inftantly fet forwax-d for Dieppe, and came to St Vallery in Caux. Wheo this hoftility broke out, the three months truce was expired ; but the King had been prevailed upon to prolong it for two or three months, upon the Duke of Maienrie’s repre- fentation, that it was neceflaryhe ftiould have more time to fettle an affair of fuch importance as his ac- commodation, and that of the league. He failed not to exclaim againft this violation of the truce ; and fent the Count of Belin, governor of Paris, to the King, to complain of it. Belin came to St Vallery, acquitted himfelf of his conimiffion, and demanded a further prolongation of the truce for three months; a time necert'ary for the Duke of Maienne to make known his htft intentions at Rome and Madrid, whither he had fent Cardinal de Joy- eufe and Montpczat for that purpofe. 'The King,, who perceived he only wanted to amufe him, re- jected the Count of Belin’s propofals j and, without liftening to any more complaints of the action, which }>is enemies had been the firrt cauie of, marched direCtly to Fefehamp, forced the troops of Villars to retire, and provided this forcrels abundantly with all that was neceflary for its fecurity. The King, at his return to Mante, being in- formed that the Marquis de Vitry was inclined to receive him into Meaux, to fecond the good inten- tions of this governor, he came to Lagny, where all. ; was regulated in fuch a manner, that he made his public entry into Meaux * on the firft day of the yea® f 1594- fcim,* Thein delivering E>i Se cf theMaienne city of upbraiding Meaux, into Vitry the forKingb having hands. betrayed Vitry j «fcidto■* make his me meflengcr, fpeakas becomes “ ifou aprefs toklier. me tooSuppofc much :a thiefyou willhad atflolen. laft: j v“ ^a putfe, Imowkdge and confided a£ the lightit-to my owner, care Ii flioultlif arttiwards, tehore itcoming him, and to ; i?94. OF SULLY. 343 1594. La-Chatre immediately followed this ex- ample, with the cities of Orleans and Bourges. The truce being at an end, the King laid liege to Ferte Milon. 1 would have taken this opportunity to finilh the bufinefs that had carried me to Bontin ; but his Majefty commanded me to review fome bat- talions of Swifs at Montereau. I fent to Madam de Rofny to' meet me at this place, from whence I intended to carry her to Marne. She waited for me there in vain. Two days before that in which I was to review the Swifs, I received new dil’patchea from Madam de Simiers and La-Font, which in- formed me, that the man (meaning Villiers) was ap- peafed, and that nothing hindered me from relu- ming the fcheme that had been laid alide. This af- fair the King thought of fuch importance, as not to admit of a moment’s delay. The Count de Chalig- ny, juft then coming to the army with a paffport for Paris, intreated the King to fend a perfon whom he could depend upon, to conduft him to that city; and the King was willing that I Ihouki avail myfelf of this double occafion of learning more particular- ly the difpofitions of the Duke of Maienne and the league, and of getting to Rouen fecurely. I accompanied, therefore, the Count de Chaligny to Paris: from whence, after having an interview with the Duke of Maienne, I went to Louviers, to the houfe of the Situr de St Bonnet, about two leagues from Rouen : from this place I lent notice of my arrival to the intromitters: they came to fetch me the next evening, and introduced me into Fort St Catharine, where Capt Boniface re- ceived and treated me magnificently, while we wait- ed for Villars, who came at night, attended only by one fervant; I likewife having none but my va- let de chambre with me. We did not part till after u refute to give if back, to the thief who had intruded me wi h it, “ Sndo you think,n ttle I fliould commit a wicked and treafonable aftion ?' ‘ihprj n "of France, tom. die city of Mcaux.” Memoirs for the ter 344 MEMOIRS Book VI. a converfation of two hours, which left me entirely fatisfied of the lentimems of this governor. Out interview was conducted with the utmoft fecrecy j for, befides that the governors of the principal royalift cities in the neighbourhood of R.ouen would not have failed, either through jealouly or through intereft, to crofs the negotiation, and perhaps have done fomething worl'e, as, in effcft, they did, as foon as they had any fufpicion of the affair. There were in this province a great number of forces, as well foreigners as thofe belonging to the league, of which Villars was not entirely mafter, and which might in a little time be joined by fuch confiderable iupplies, as to make him repent of his meafures. I ffaid five whole days in Fort St Catharine with the fame privacy ; during which time 1 had feveral conferences with Villars, and entered upon the prin- cipal conditions of his accommodation. Intereft was not here the greateft difficulty to get over; he was lefs folicitous to gratify mercenary views, than to be convinced that the King, by treating with him* fought not only to gain the capital of a province, but to bind to his intereft a man who manifefted as great an inclination, as he had abilities, to ferve him. It has been already obferved, what idea Vil- lars had conceived of the King, As foon as my difcourfe had confirmed him in it, l could perceive the treaty to be in great forwardntfs ; but I could not then go any farther, not having in writing the neceflary powers for concluding the affair. But to give a more perfett knowledge of this governor : all that you could lee of him had a re- ference to one or other of two qualities that pre- dominated in his character, or was produced by their mixture. Thefe two qualities were valour and integrity. The firft rendered his heart ele- vated and generous, full of a pri'de noble and natu- 1594* OF SULLY. 345 ral *, which is nothing elfe but the fentiment of our worth ; a fentiment that has nothing of that pitiful vanity and affedtation, by which one is loft in an overweening admiration of himfelf. The fe- cond makes a man fincere and ingenuous, incapa- ble of artifice and furprife, and ever difpofed to fubmit to reafon and to juftice. He who unites both the two, has rarely any other fault than a haftinefs in the firft moments of anger. Such was Villars ; and what I have ftill to fay concerning him will juftify the truth of this charac- ter. Nature had not formed him to continue long an enemy to a Prince with whom he had fo great a conformity in his humour. The only difference between them was, that Henry, by continual reflec- tions upon the effedfs of anger, by a habit acquired in a long courfe of adverfity, by the neceffitydie was under of gaining friends ; and finally, by the bent of his heart to tendernefs, had converted thefe firft tranfports, fo vehement, into fimple movements f difcernible in his countenance, in his gefture, and but rarely in his words. The * M. de Thou, {peaking of the Admiral de Viltars, fays, that hef was Here of isan an harfh anecdote and overbearing taken from fpirit.the Memoirs Book ofioj. the life of concerningthe Prelident the de charadker Thou, which of Henry proves IV. whatand whichthe author has abofay* fomehere relation“ One day to whatthat Grilloahad been came faid beforeinto the upon King’s the clofet,fiege of to Rouen. ercufe “ andhimfelf forwards upon tohis treatbeing with reproached, the Admiral, that hishad goingafforded backwards him the “ occafionbeen mentioned, and the meanshe paffed of makingfrom excufcs that furious to conteftations, fally which andhas “ beingfrom cuntellationsirritated at this to behaviour,tranfport and commanded blafphemies. him Theto go King, Out; “11 but as Grillon was coming back every moment from die door, “ andimpatien. they perceivinge, they were that afraid the Kinghe would grew feizepale uponwith fomtbody’sanger and “ fword,laft, being and come flrike to the himfelf, fellow afterthat wasGrillon become went fo out, infolent. and turn-At ‘‘“ >ngThou, towards had admiredthe Lords the who patience attended with him, which and he borewho, fuch with crimi- De “ naJ 34<> M E M O I H S Book VT. The King was juft come to Chartres *, which place he had chofen f for the ceremony of his co- ronation, when I joined him, to give him an ac- - count of my journey, and to procure full powers,; I had reckoned upon felting out again inftantly, and little expected to be detained with him ten or twelve days, as 1 was. He was then endeavouring to re- concile the Count of Soiflons and the Duke of Montpenfier, whofe enmity was firft occafioned by ibme difputes relating to the prerogatives of their rank, as Princes of the blood, and was afterwards exafperated by their competition for the fame pofts, the fame governments, and above all, for the fame miftrefs, who was the Princefs Catharine, After to the King. The Duke of Montpenfier had, without contraditftion, the advantage in the good graces of the King, as well as in fortune } for he had im- ““ ate;na! brutality,but fince Ihe h faidive beento them. fenfible ‘ Nature of this has fault, formed Ihavc me paflion- always “ endeavouredpaflion. i know 10 gua’d by experience, again!} the that dilates it is a badof counfellor,fo dangerous and a “ amcertain glad that to h his .ve temperament, fuch good witneffes his continual of my moderation.’fatigues, and Itthe ;s “‘‘ differentthat was morefituations proof of agamlt his life, anger had giventh n himagatnfl: a firnintfs his p fliouof foul, for “ ingpleafure. with him,It was M. remaiktd,Biron, who that was while then Griilonin the King’swas thus room, contefl- fit- “ grewting uponwarmer, a trunk, his fleep pretended became tomore be nflcepprofound ; and : th as ughthe Griilondil'pule “ came near him in Older to abufe him, and cried aloud in his_ ! “ ears,peifuaded, that he that was the a mangyMarcclial fnarling only affeifted dog. thatThe deep company fleep, thatwas “ hebrained might man not ; expofewhich himfelfhe would to thehave brutality bein obliged of fuih toa floydo, hot-bad j “ hewilling been toever leave fo littlethe King awake. all theIt wasfatigue alfo ot believed, the conveifation.”' that he was mj • Feb. t7 tSP4 milsf Againftthe ceren a frivolous ony, unlefs decree it is of made the inflates the ofcity Blois, of Rheims. which an-It ,,; ■dewas Thou, decided Bifliop that ofhis this Majefty city, and fliould not bybe the crowned Archbifliopof by Nicholas Bour- Jj■ fainteges, whoampoule, claimed or holy that bottle, honour fliould as Lord be difpenledAlmoner; with. and thatSee thisthe «1J ceremony deferibed ia the hiftbiiaus. menfe'ljJ *594- O F S U L L Y. 347 menfe eftates; he appeared at the coronation with a train of 4 or 500 gentlemen, while his rival could with difficulty maintain ten or twelve : but poor as he was, without places, without governments, and difliked by the King ever fince his efcape from Rouen, he was fuperior in one point, he pofTelTed the heart of the Princefs, which nothing could a- lienate from him. The Countefs of Guiche # was the depofitory of their fecrets, and their common meffengcr when they could not fee each other. She had fo well cultivated this attachment, that fhe had made them both fign a promife of marriage, which only the difficulty of the times hindered them from carrying into execution. His Majefty was fo paffionately defirous of re- conciling thefe two Princes of the blood to each o- ther, that this confideration fuperfeded the treaty with Villars. He had no regard to my inflances, nor to the danger which 1 made him fee would at- tend the delaying it; 1 muff: determine to under- take this difficult reconcilement, conjointly with the Bifhop of iivreux, whom he had at firff pitched up- on, but he found he was unable to fucceed alone in fo delicate an affair. It is true, I Hill preferved a great fhare of the Count’s efteem \ but I knew his haughty and difdainful fpirit, and that the very fear of deeming to pay a deference to a rival who was his fuperior, would not only make him rigid in his pretenfions, but perhaps induce him to form new ones. I will not tire the reader with a detail of the conteftations, the refufals, and the fallies of ill hu- mour which we had to undergo: we were more than once upon the point of abandoning the pro- jeft. However, by the force of arguments, drawn from the will and the fatisfattion of the King, with a good deal of patience, many intreaties, and much * The fame who had been miftrefs to Henry IV. but flic was Hgrown enry in.very tom. fat, 1coarfe, • p. a 79. and rcd-faccd. Journal of the reign of importunity, 348 MEMOIRS Book VI, importunity, we prevailed upon the two Princes to fee and to embrace each other. I was not to anfwer for the heartinefs of this reconciliation : the article of their paffion for the Princefs, and her marriage, which I carefully avoided mentioning, continued Rill undecided, left between them the principal feeds of divifion: but this I looked upon as an ob- ftacle abfolutely unfurmountable. . I was extremely well fatisfied at having fucceed- ed, without touching upon this article, and I now faw nothing to delay my journey to Rouen. I was not yet where I thought. The King's ardent de- fire to reconcile thefe Princes, was with a view of attaining another end, which he ftill more paffion- ajely defired; and this fecond point was the very fame that I thought I had fo prudently fhifted, the marriage of the Princefs his lifter. To crown all, I was the very perfon his Majefty fixed upon to ac- complifh this matter. I was therefore charged a- new to get up the promife of. marriage, which I have juft mentioned ; that, this obftacle being re- moved, the King, rdolute to gratify to the full the Duke of Montpenficr, might finally employ his au- thority to put the Princefs into his poflcffion, and by that means free himfelf from the apprehenfion of fet ing a marriage concluded, which, though clan- dt(finely, would be no lels perplexing, fince the Count ot Soifions would become his heir, whether he confenttd to it or not, and make ufe of his own riches againft him. If there were any children of this marriage, a thing hardly to be doubted, it would give his Majefty, who had none, another caufe for uneafintfs. 1 trembled when I received the King’s order for this purpole. 1 would have reprefinted to him, that Viliars would certainly engage himfelf in the enemy's party for ever, as would alio Medavy, and feveral other governors in Normandy, unlefs 1 went immediately to all thofe places. It was a thing re- folved 1594. OF SULLY. 349 folved upon ; the King would not hear me, and only granted me what 1 demanded of him to be able to fucceed ; which was, that he would give no fulpicion of my being charged with this employ- ment, and that he would leave me to m^ke choice of the irteans. When I was alone, and had refletted upon the commiffion which I had received, I confefs I found myfelt in the utmoft perplexity. From the know- ledge I had of thePrincels Catharine’s humour, from w hom I muft wring this writing, I was convinced it was not in the power of human eloquence to make her rclilh the King’s dcligns with reipedt to her perfon. What likelihood was there of persua- ding a woman, and a Princtls, to 'renounce the man (lie loved, and beftow herfelf upon one whom fhe hated ? There was no probability of fucceed- ing but by artifice. For this I laid to myfelf, What though in deceiving her I confult not her heart, at kail 1 confult her interelf, and divert the misfor- tunes which the irregularity of her conduft might bring upon the King and the kingdom. 1 flattered myfclf, that the Princefs would one day think her- felf obliged to me for having, by an innocent ftra- tagem, hindered her from lofing her fortune, to- gether with the friendfhip of the King her brother. Specious as thefe realons were, I cannot help con- felling, that I did betray her ; and this reflection gave me pain. The impoffibility of iucceeding by any other means, and the hope that even (he would one day pardon me, and confefs that I had done her a real fervice by it, finally determined me. As for the Count, having no occafion to make any application to him, and being likewife but little at- tached to him, the refpeCf that was due to his per- fon ought to be laid alide, when it oppof d the pu- blic utility, and what the fervice of the King my mailer exaCfed of me. Ihe whole of this affair was, in the ifliie, pr oductive of disquietudes to me, Vol. I. G g from 35° MEMOIRS Book VI. from which, doubrlefs, my fcruples and rtlu£tuncc ought to have preferved me. There was ftill another difficulty to be removed. I faw the Princefs very rarely, becauie of my con- tinual occupations ; and I*knew her fufficiently. Dot to doubt, but that whatever meafures I made ufe of to obtain the central in queftion, my unu- iual affiduity would, in a mind naturally diftruihul, create fuipicions which would guard her againit all I could lay, or get others to fay to her. I therefore endeavoured to aft in fuch a manner, that ffie fhould prevent me herfelf. For this purpoie, I made uie of the two Du-Perrons, who 1 knew (e- fpeciaily the youngeft) were of a humour to make their court to the great, at the expence of a fecret. I was moft intimate with the Bifliop of Evreux, the cldeft; but one rilks nothing in-reckoning upon the good opinion all men have ol their own mciit; on this article they begin with being dupes to them* lelves. 1 went, therefore, to vifit the younger Du- Perron. I flattered him ; 1 inlinuated myielf into his favour, by feigning to impart fecrets to him. He regarded himfelfasan important man, and, through vanity, believed every word 1 laid to him. When I perceived him intoxicated with lelf love, I told him, (with all the marks of the moft perfeft fin- cerity, and even exafting an oath of fecrecy from him, which I fhould have been very forty if he had kept), that the King had imparted to me in confi- dence his intentions with regard to the Priucefs j that he was refolved to make her marry the Count; and that fomc little difficulties which ftill remained to be got over, prevented his Majefty from publicly declaring bis determination. 1 was aflured two days only would be fufficient for Du Perron to get rid of a fecret lo weighty, in luch a manner that it would reach the Princeis Catharine. Accordingly, he imparted it, almoft in a moment, as a profound fecret, to M. tie Courtenai, and two other ofCount the <594- OF SULLY. Count of SoifFms moft intimite confidents, to whom they run to communicate it, as he alfo did to the Princefs and to the Countefs of Guiche. 1 reckoned the Princef's, flattered with an hope fo agreeable, would make me the firft advances ; and I was not miftaken. Going to take leave of her, as a man juft ready to undertake a long jour- ney, I had a complete proof of Du Perron’s fide- lity. Phe Princefs added coniiderably to the di- ftiniftion with which (he ordinarily received me ; and the Countefs of Guiche, unwilling to lofe fo favour- able an opportunity, after fome converfation upon indifferent matters, made hafte to bring upon the carpet the amours of the Princefs and the County who was alfo prefent, and embracing me in a tran- fport of friendfhip, “ See,” faid fhe to the lovers, “ a man who is able to ferve you in your defigns.” The Princefs then addreffing herfelf to me, told me, that I knew the Count and her had always e- fteemed me greatly; and that fhe would be fen- fibly obliged to me, if I would affift her endeavoura to reftore herfelf to the good graces of the King her brother. She fpoke only thefe few words, and left the care of faying more to that infinuating and gracious air, which fhe knew better than any other woman in the world how to alTume when fhe plea- fed. I feemed to be gained; and, after thanking the Princefs for the honour fhe did me, I added, that if 1 could depend upon the diferetion of all who heard me, I would inform them of many things which would not be indifferent to them. Women make nothing of promifes of fecrecy, accufed as they are of keeping them badly. They promifed, they added an oath, and fuperadded a thoufand ; but I had no-mind to open myfelf farther at that time. I afked them far three days delay : they af- ftfted me in finding an excufe for deferring my jour- ney to Rouen ; and i took leave of the company, who impatiently expefh d the time I had marked. 352 M E M O I R S Book Vf. . I returned punflually at the end of three days. 1 futiered mylelf to b>: prefled a long time ^ at lafl, feeming to yield to the importunity of the two la- dies, 1 told them that having feveral times founded the Kii.g upon the marriage in queflion, he at firft fhewed ibme reludfance to it, without caring to ex- plain himfelf farther; but my earnert entreaties had at length prevailed upon him to open his heart to tnr upon this fubject : and he confefled, that, far from feeling any repugnance to conclude this union, he thought it a very proper one and that iince he h id no ifftie of his own, he fhould be overjoyed to fee the offspring of his After, and a Piince of his blood, whom he would look upon as his own chil- dren : that the fweet and peaceable difpofltions of the Count of Soiffbns and the Princefs were greatly to his tafte; but that he always felt it would be very diflicult to forget, that the Count had ibughr to deceive him, and to obtain his After without his confent. This I'peech, every word of which 1 had preconcerted, produced its effcft. All the three b.gan to confels, that they might have a£ftd other- v ife, and to condemn one another for having con* dufted the affair with fo much independence. This was. what I waited for : I feized this opportunity to convince them, that I believed the evil might be very eaflly Remedied ; that the King was natu- rally kind, and eafily forgot j>aft injuries; all that was now neceflary to be done, was to behave in a quite contrary manner, to lolicit his favour, to lean abfolutely dependent upon him, and to leave him mailer of their perfons; in fine, (and this was the. grand point); to facrifice to him the written engage- ment they had mutually given, as being that by which he had moll of all been exafperated ; and not to fear giving him even a declaration in wri- ting, in which they fhould both bind themfelves not to marry without his conlcnt: after this condefeen- fion upon their part, L believed 1 could them.afi'ure 1^94- O F SULLY. 353 them, that in lefs than three months, the King would himfelf prevent their defires, and cement their union. I found no difficulty in gaining credit; and that very inftant they promifed to facrifice the contraft of marriage, poffibly becaufe they thought it would be of no ufe to them, if the King, when become abfolute mafter in his kingdom, fliould not agree to it. The Countefs of Guiche faid fhe had left it at Bearn, but would fend for it immediately. They did not fo eafily fubmit to the declaration I de- manded afterwards, and without which their re- ligning the contrail: fignjfied nothing, which the parties interefted might renew at pleafure. This was the very argument which I urged fuccefsfully and by which I convinced them, that, without this,r the King could neither depend upon their fincerity, nor be allured of their obedience. This article was ftrongly debated ; and when at laft, by the force of remonftrances, I had obtained a writing, by which* the Princefs and the Count difannulled all promifes that had palled between them, releafed each other mutually from all engagements, and fubmitted themlelves abfolutely to the King’s difpofal ; the confequence of this writing alarmed them, and they had recourfe to a medium, without which it is probable the affair had refted here. This me- dium was, that I only Ihould be entrufted with it,, and Ihould not fuffer it to go out of my hands, not even to pafs into thofe of the King. Luckily they did not add, that it Ihould be returned to the Prin- cefs, if matters turned out otherwife than was ex- pefted. 1 gave my parole of honour ; with which they were contented ; and the writing was delivered to me in form, figned by the Princefs and the Count, and fealed with their arms. The King’s joy for my fuccefs, which he durft hardly Hatter himfelf with the hopes of, was confiderably lefs,, when he found the writing avas to remain in my G g 3 hands» 354 MEMOIRS Bock VI. hands. He often intreated me earneftly ro give it him; but finding, by my perfifiiog to refufe him, tliat the obedience I owed him, could not influence me to a breach of n.y promife, he no longer infifted. The two lovers ie< ing the agreeable hopes I had' given diem flill unaccomplilhed, could not, as it may be well imagined, pardon me the impolition L had put upon them. The fequel of theie Memoirs will fhew it. After the condufion of this affair, the n mem- brance of which was always difitgreeaWe to me, I was wholly employed in prepaiing for my journey to Rouen. 1 was £apprehenfrve, and not without j'eafon, that fo long a delay had abfolurely broke all my fi»ft meafures with Admiral Viihtrs. 1 ob- tained a cart-blanche * from the King, to conclude- a treaty, hot only with this governor, but alio with, all the Other governors and officers of the province. Juft s s 1 was going to let cut, Defportes arrived, and flopped me once more. He was lent by the Baron de Medavy to the Bifhop of Evrtux, to de- fne that he would lend him his houfe ot Conde for a little time; and alfo prevail upon me to come thither, that he might confer with me upon the conditions of his treaty, and that of Vtrneuil. I left Chartres, and came in the evening to A net. Madam h’Avmale having long folicited me ftrongly to vifit her there. This lady, who had more underftanding and pru- dence than her hi fliand, corjureci him incdlantly to break with the league, and re fig n himfelf to the King. She was feulible, that not only his duty ard let utity reejuired that he Ihculd take this ftep, but hisinteicft likewile ; for the Duke cl’Aumale’s do- meftte afiairs were in Inch diiordcr, that there was * The prc'tnt Di V:e of Sul'y ha? the original of this ft 1! power inli..n his dt poiitflion,hahenc’s lactrsas hktwifc upoo n this any ful of jeet. the originals 01 Manina- no -15'94- OF SULLY. 35 5 no other way to avoid approaching ruin, but by be- ing among the firft who ihould avail himtelf of the advantages which they might obtain, who upotv this occaiion were moft forward in returning to their duty. I alighted at an inn in Anet; and while my fupper was preparing, went to wait upon Ma- dam d’Aumale, attended only by a lingle page. To the joy that animated the countenance of this lady the moment Ihe perceived me, Ihe added all the graces of a friendly reception ; and that Ihe might not wafte moments fo precious, took my hand, and made me run over wr.h her thole line galleries, and gardens, which make A net a molt inuiaming place. Here Ihe expreired to me her earned; dehre to have her hufband return to the obedience due to his iovtreign, and named the conditions upon which he might be induced toconient to it. 1 omit all the propolitions, either approved or nj.ctcd, that palled between us. Hitherto I had letn no- thing but what did honour to the mailer of a houi’e truly royal; and I Ihould have been ignorant of the deplorable ftate to which the Duke was reduced, if Ihe had not intreated, and even forced me, to fup with her, and to ft ay there all night. Af- ter a repaft, which we waited for a long time, and as ill ferved, 1 was conduced into a van cham- ber, all ihining with marble, but io naked, and fo cold, that 1 could neither get heat nor fletp, in a bed where the ftiort narrow ftlk curtains, a lingle flight coverlid, and damp flicets, were lufficiem to benumb one, even in the mid ft of lummer. Not able to continue in bed, 1 role, and thought to le- cure myfelf againft the inconveniencies of my damp lodging by making a fire -, but 1 could find no other wood to burn than green holm and juniper, which, ir w'as impcllible to kindle. 1 was obliged, there- fore, to wear my gown the whole night; by which means I was very early awake; and joy- fully quitting lo difagreeable a lodging, I went to 356 MEMOIRS Book Vi. join my attendants, the meaneft of whom bad fared better, and pafled the night more comfortably, than their mafter. 1 made myfelf amends for this fatigue at Conde where I found every conveniency effential to goodr reception. As foon as 1 arrived, I got into a good bed, Medavy not being expected till noon. At firft he regulated his behaviour according to that notion, that in fuch a conjuntture as the prefent, the moft inconfiderable nobleman has a right to fet a value upon hindelf ten times above his worth. He per- formed his part perfectly well, by an air of falfe- diftruft, and an afle&ed fuperiority, which he imagined would greatly advance his affairs. I con- trafted his vanity with a franknel's that brought him down, and told him very fimply, that if he waited till the great cities came to an accommodation, he, who had only Verneuil to offer, his facrifice would immediately lofe above the half of his value; and that afterwards, perhaps, his propofais would not be even regarded, or any thing granted of all that he might demand. My fincerity forced him to be candid hkewife ; he appeared more reafonable, and we«foon agreed ; he only intreated me not to make the affair public till the end of March, becaufe he had engaged to Villars to do nothing without his participation. He lent Defportes with me to Rouen, to pay this compliment to the governor, and to ob- ferve, at the fame time, whether 1 concluded the treaty with Villars, whofe accommodation drew his along with it, and in fome mealure neceffarily. 1 came to Louviers the next day; from whence,, making known my arrival to Admiral Villars, he fent the captain of his guards to receive me at the gate of the city. I did not enter fecretly as before, but publicly, and with a kind of pomp. The ftreets were filled wkh the people; and the hopes of a peace, by which tranquillity and commerce would be. reftored, drew a thouland acclamations of joy from *594- OF SULLY. 357 from them as I pafled. Villars had caufcd the fineft houfe in Rouen to be prepared for the reception of me and my train, which confided of twelve or fif- teen gentlemen, and had given all the necefiary orders for treating us magnificently. La-Font, who had the care of my reception, waited to conduit me thither ■, he outdid his mailer, and at night gave me the mufic, and the diverfion of dancers and jugglers, whom 1 could not prevail upon to receive either money or prefents. I fent Du Perat to make my compliments to the Admiral, Madam de Simiers, and the Abbe de Tit on, who had a great lhare in the management of this affair: they inllantly returned me the lame civility by the Sieur de Perdriel, and defired him to tell me, that after I had repol'ed myfelf this day, we Ihould enter upon bufinefs the next. This, however, did not hin- der the Abbot from viiiting me in the evening, without ceremony. Indeed, his whole conduit upon this occafion difcovered a degree of reilitude and fincerity rarely to be found in luch conjunc- tures. I found by his difcotirfe, that the King had been within a very little of lofing Villars irretrievably. A deputy from Spain, named Don Simon Antonio, and another called Chapelle Marteau, from the Duke of Maienne, came to Rouen lome time be- fore my arrival, and had made very advantageous propofals to this governor ; he had likewife daily received letters from the Catholics, even thole in the King’s party, which tended to render him fufpi- cious of his Majefty’s defigns, and to prejudice him againft a negotiation conduced by a Proteftant agent. This argument had great weight with Vil- lars, always zealous for his religion, and would have infallibly determined him for the enemy’s party, if, in this perplexity, his mind had not been balanced by other lette s trom the Cardinal of Lourbon, the Ihlhop of £vreux, and the Marquis 358 MEMOIRS Book VI. of Vitry, who all allured him he might depend upon the King’s word, and my lincerity. Tiron Ihrwed me part of each of thefe letters, and thought it necellary to warn me, that as the Admiral had been perpetually befet by deputies of the league, and ofirended likewife at the delays that had been ufed with him, I muft not expedf to vanquilh his irre- folution, without fuffering fome of thole fallies of rage, fo natural to him, and which, with a little patience, it was eafy to allay. I went to wait on Viilars *, well prepared to fuftain ail thc-fe little afiaults; and at firft perceived plainly, that the fight of me awakened fome re- mains o'f diftruft and anger in his mind. My be- haviour foon dilfipated this cloud, and he with great calmnefs and ferenity propofed his conditions, which were comprifed under the following heads : That he Ihould continue itill in his port: of Admiral, V-hich had been bellowed on him by the league; and in his government of Rouen pofiefs a power in- dependent of the Duke of Montpenfier, governor of that province, at leaft for three years ; and that this power Ihould extend over the bailiwicks of Rouen and of Caux: that the exercife of the Pro- teftant religion Ihould not be allowed in this capital, nor fix leagues around it : that all the officers polled by the league in the cities belonging to his government Ihould be continued there, with 1500 foot and 300 horfe, to be maintained by the King for the fecurity of thofe fame cities : that his Ma- jelly fhould give him the- fum of-120,000 livres to pay his debts, and a penfion of 60,000: that Fef- cainp Ihould be delivered to him : and, in fine, * M. de Villars, in die Memoirs cf diofe times, is reprefent'-ci tbitas a manthe extremelyBaton ds. fierceRofny and was paffionate. the only oneIt istha there t coidd obterved, fuccetd illThefe thel‘e negotiations nego tiations. of theMentors Baron for de theKolny hijtory are ofalto France, commended vol. ». ky' M. nor could 1 hinder him from fol- lowing 1594- OF SULLY. 261 lowing me. I was likewife abfohitely igftdtant of this Dupre’s being the very fame perfon who had been employed by Du-Rollet before to cabal againft Villars in Rmen*. He was no fooner entered, than, renewing his former acquaintance, he put liimfelf at the head of a party of fool-hardy per- fons, with whom he laid a plot to feize the old pa- lace, and fec'ure the governor’s perfon; perfuading them, that he adted thus by my orders. As he had no other delign than to alarm the governor, land to infpire him with the utmoft deteftation of mf, he was not at much trouble to keep the affair fecret. In effedt, Villars was informed of it immediately. The excefs of anger this news threw him into, and the injurious thoughts it infpired 3 all I had heard, “ have you done yet talking inju- “ iloully and at random? You have reafon to be u fatisfied at having thus behaved like a madman, “ without being contradi&ed in your extravagan- “ cies.” Perceiving that the calm tone in which I fpoke to him, obliged him, in fpite of himfelf, to liften to me, I proceeded to tell him, that what he had juft done in my prefence, appeared to be no- thing but an artifice he had conceived to retraft the word he had folemnly given; but that this fetch would always difhonour him, and greatly leflfen my opinion of his wifdom and integrity. “ Sdeath,” cried he, flopping ftiort, “ it has not yet befallen ** me, it never Ihall befal me. I am too much a “ man of honour; fuch breaches of faith are only “ fit for thofe who betray their friends, and endea- “ vour to get them afiafllnated.” Hitherto he had faid nothing fo pofitive as this laft word, by which, though I could not comprehend it, I begin to be able to conjecture from whence Inch a tranlport of fury proceeded. I aiked him to explain himfelf, and protefted to him, with that air of fincerity and confidence, which makes itfdf felt, even by the moft prejudiced, that 1 was abfolutely ignorant of his meaning; and that if I could be convicted of the flighteft infincerity, I was ready to deliver myfelf into his hands, with- out defiring either pardon or favour. This obli- ging him to be more explicit, he reproached ms with having employed Dupre to aflaffinate him, and to feize upon the old palace. The violence of his agitation not permitting him to fpeak otherwife than in broken and interrupted fentences, the af- fair appeared to me devoid of all probability, and 1 could not hinder myfelf from entertaining fufpi- cions of his fincerity, nor from telling him, that he had been feduced by Spanifti-piftoles to contrive fuch a frivolous pretence for breaking with me. “ Who 1” ! cried he, relapfing again into a rage, II h z ^’Sdeatb, 3^4 M E M OIR S Book VI» u ’Sdeath, muft I confefs that I have a&ed treache- roofly with you, and broke my oath? I would “ rather die than be guilty of fu:h bafcnels.” “ By “ heaven, Sir,” anlwered I, “ for you teach me to “ fwear, it is only by your fulfilling or breaking “ off the treaty, that 1 fhall know whether to tf believe you an honed or a perjured man.” The eclairtiflement was dill protracted, and be- came worfe n dead of better in proportion as anger got an al'cendant over us. Very leafonably, during this contedation, the Abbot de firon came in, and entering immediately into the occafion of our quarrel, brought us nearer to one another. “ Depend upon “ it, Sir,” laid he to Villars, “ the Boon de Rolby “ is not capable of the defigns that have been pro- “ jtfbd againd you; he is a man of too much « honour, and, in fuch a cafe, too prudent to “ throw hitnfelf into your power.” Thefe words began to open my eyes. I turned calmly towards Villars, telling him, that I was con- vinced anger alone dictated all that he had laid ^ and that I eapefied, as foon as it. was allayed, he would do me judice agamd himfclf for all the in- juri.us things which had efcaped him, and that he would make good his former dipulation. “Well “ Sir,” faid he, already half pacified, “ I will keep “ my word : ,but take care alfo not to fail of your’s, “ with regard to the three articles yet undetermi- ned.” I anfwered, that if it had not been for his, fury, which made him. throw the treaty into the fire, he might have feen that the King had confent-. ed to them all three. We were upon tbefe terms when Madam de Si- miers was introduced. “ Don’t be angry with me, I “ Madamj” laid he, as he went to receive her, k witlr a ferene countenance, and even fmiling, “all. “ is over, we are good friends again ; but, by hea- ; “ ven, the traitor who made all this milchief lhall “ die before I. eat or drink.” He kept his wordfor. ;• I *594' OF SULLY. 365 for caufing Dupre to be brought before him, after he had confelTcd the whole affair, he ordered him, without the formality of a trial, to be hung up at a window. Villars intreared me afterwards to fhew him the King’s letter. I did not fcruple to tell him, that his Majefty’s fecrets ought only to be communica- ted to his declared fervants. To make Villars of this number,, nothing more was nccelfary, but to draw up the treaty again; which we figned, and of which each of us kept a duplicate. We agreed on- ly, that the affair flaould remain a fecret for fome time, on account of the league and the Spaniards ; againft whom this governor took new meafures, by reinforcing the troops he had in Rouen. After this, I'no longer made any difficulty in (hewing hiih all my letters, as well thofe which f had written to,, and received from the King before, as that in which I’informed him of the ratification of the treaty, and his Mijefty’s anfwer to it. The courier who car- ried thefe laft difpatches was not more than four' days on his journey. Thefe letters gave infinite fatisfaffion to Villars,, particularly the laft, written with the King’s own hand. His Majefty, in that, thanked me more like; a friend than a lovereign* for the fervice 1 had juft done him, and concluded with thefe words, “ Come “ to me at Senlis on the 20th of March, or at St; “ Denis on the 21ft, that you may help to cry,, “ Long live the Kingy in Paris; and afterwards we; “ will do the fame at Rouen:” (for I wrote to him,, that his prefence there was neceflary).. “ Shew this “ letter,” added he, “ to the new friend you have “ acquired me, that he may fee I recommend my- “ felt to him, that he may know I love him well,, “ and that I know how to prize and reward fuch M brave men as he is.”' “ By heaven,” laid Villars,, at this place, “ this Prince is too graciouSj and too “ obliging to remember me, and fpeak of me in. “ fuch high terms.” From that moment, Villars tl h & continued:- :66 MEMOIRS Book VI. continaed firm in his obedience and afFe&ion to the King : nor had his Majefty, amongft his moft an- cient fervants, one more abioiutely devoted to his interefts. He d< fired me to be fatisfied with his word for the execution of all the articles compre- hended in the treaty, and I accepted it as the beft fecurity he could give me. The remainder of the time that I ftaitf in Rouen, was employed in regulating fome affairs of the fame nature. 1 fpent the day with the Admiral, and fhut myfelf up at night, to give audience to the principal'officers, as well of the city, and of the parliament, as of the army, fcattered throughout the province, who came to me privately to concert meafures for difuniting the league. Medavy was of this number, and I concluded the treaty with him. Verneuil not being a city of fuch importance as to nuke it neceffary to ufe the fame precautions with it as with Rouen, the King ordered Medavy to publifh his treaty, for an example to other gover- nors. As I was folicitous not to neglett meeting his at the place he had appointed me, I made halte to leave Rouen, overloaded with the thanks and civilities of the governor. I parted with the fame fatisfaflion from the Abbot de Tiron, and Madam de Simiers. I promifed them to return in a little, and allured Madam de Simiers, I would bring her brother, the Marquis de Vitry, along with me, with a body of troops luffident to put Villars into a condition to explain himfelf without fear. The ob- ligations l owed to them were great enough to de- mand this fervice of me, although his M.ijefty’s inttreft had not been an additional motive to it. it was upon fome correfpondences the King car- ried on in Paris, that he founded his hopes of being fbon admitted there ; and he was on his way thither from St Denis when 1 joined him. His party in that city was fo well formed, and lb many sonsper- r594- OF SULLY. 3^7 Tons of equal courage and fidelity bad joined, that it was in a manner impofiible that it fliould not iuc- ceed. Ever fince the battle of Arques, where, as has been feen, the Count de Belin was taken pvi- foner, he had been convinced, from his own expe- rience, of the great qualities of the King, and the weaknefs of his enemies; and the Duke of Maienne had perceived that the inclinations of this governor- leaned fecretly towards the King. Upon this fu- fpicion, he did not hefitate about depriving him * of the government of a city fo confiderable to the party as was that of Paris, and feeking for a marv of known fidelity to hhnfelf and to the league, who could be intrufted with the care of this great city,, at a time when the neceffity of his affairs obliged! him to repair to the frontiers of Picardy; accord- ingly, he had fixed upon Briffac, whom he gratified with this government. He anlwered his expectations perfectly in the be- ginning. The ftudy of the Roman hiflory had in- fpired this officer (who valued himfelf greatly upon' his penetration and judgment) with a very lingular projeCt, which was, to ereCt France into a republic, and to render Paris the capital of this new ftate^ upon the model of ancient Rome. Had Briffac de- flended ever fa little from this high ipeculation to particular circumflances, which, in the greateft de- figns, it is neceffary to have a regard to, he hudi leen that there are conjunctures when the happieft projects become equally chimerical and impofiible, by the nature of ooftacles, by the difference of ge- niuffts, and of the character of nations, by the fpirit of the laws which they have adopted, and by inveterate cuftom, which, as it were, ftamps. the laft feal upon all. Time only, and long expe- imurable* The Parliamentfor the Count upon of thhBelin occafbn The maoecitizens a decree,are theie highly erhoited lio- rathermsirs fir to tbtpartake hfiory than of France, fuflfer vol.hi, baniUtment *. Memoirs fromof tk theleague, city. voi.Me* &. lienee, ?68- MEMOIRS Book VL Kience, can remedy the defeats in the cuftoms of a ftate whole form is already decided ■, and this- ought always to be attempted upon the plan of its original confutation *. This is fo true, that.when- ever we fee a ftate conduced by meafures contrary' to thole of its eftablilhment, wre may be alTured a great revolution is at hand. Moreover, the appli- cation of the moft effectual remedies does not ope- rate upon the difeafed who refufe to receive them.. Bi iliac went not lo far : he could not for a long, time comprehend, from whence the general oppofi- tion his dcfigns met with proceeded ; for he had opened himlclf freely to the nobles and all the chief partiians of the league : at lad he began to be ap- grehenlive for his own fafety, left while, without a feccnd, he was labouring to bring his project to perfe£Uon, the King Ihould frudrate it by ieizing his capital. This fear made him very readily fall from ideas purely Roman to the French fpirit of. thofe times, which was to be folicitous only for his own advantage. When a predominant principle' of intereft is yet farther fortified by the appre- henfion of any danger, there is fcarce a man who may not be induced to betray even his bed friend. Thus Brifiac + ailed : he refumed .the defign of the Count de Belin, but from a motive far lefs noble ; and thought of nothing but of making the King purchafe, at the higheft price, the treachery he me- a.nd* theThe true fenfe one iu in which whith (he it oughtDuke ofto Sullybe taken, underftands is, that this the maxim,ancient fromforms as and little fund as mentalpofEble. principles He does of not government mean, that are we to arebe variedto ad- differentmit the abufes inftitutions which relatingignorance ro ortire neceflity finances, have politics, introduced ire. He in will-the treatf Ti.ethis Dukefubjetfl of more Maitnne, largely as in De the Thou fequel obfei of ves,thefe was Memoirs. iuforrnei}. ; heof wouldBrifiac’s not treachery believe her.by the Confult Duchefs upon of Guife, this reductionhis mother; of butthe -J1 p.city 334. of j Paris,and otherMattbieu, hiftoriaus.. vol. a. b. i. p. 174. ; Cbnm. Kovcn. b. 6. } ditated 1594. OF SULLY. 3^9 ditated againftrthe Duke of Maienne in his abfence. | St Luc, his brother-in-law, was employed to nego- | tiate with the King; and having procured very ad- vantageous conditions, Briffac agreed to admit Hen- ry with his army into Paris, in fpite of the Spaniards. The troops of the league were abfolutely at his dil- pofal, and there was no longer occaiion for violent meafures with the people. D’O * was forward enough in his applications- for the government of Paris, and of the ifle of France, and obtained his requcft. There was here a conflidd of intereft which perplexed this fuperin- tendant to fuch a degree, that, notwithftanding his new dignity, the reduction of P^ris was one of the things in the world he mold feared to fee happen. According as he gave it out, this fear had no other motive, but that of feeing the finances become a prey to the men of the fword and the gown, by whom, he faid, the King, as loon as he was polfeld- ed of Paris, would be oppreiFed, for the payment of penfions, appointments, and gratifications. But this difeourfe deceived only thofe who were ignorant of the advantage he found in keeping things in their firft confufion, and who knew not with what fuccefs he had hitherto laboured for that purpofe. The King put all the friends of the Count of Belin in motion, on whom he had no lefs depend- ence than, upon Brifiac; and at five o’clock in the morning f prefented himfelf, at the head of 800a men, before Porte Neuve, where the Mayor of Pa- ris and the other magildrates, received him in form. * Our Memoirs make no mention of M. D’O’s being deprived byupon the hirn.league Perefixe,of this government,part a. which Henry 1IJ. had bedewed tf ThisMarch Mayor 12. of Paris was John L’Huillier, who, when. BrifTaa befaid replied, to him, ““ We mud mult.rendcr render to them Caelai indeed, the things but thatnot arcfell Carai's,'’ them to “ him/* 570 MEMOIRS Book V!; form. He went immediately and took poffeffion of the Louvre, the palace, the great and little Chate- let ; and finding no where any oppofition, he pro- ceeded even to Notre Dame, which he entered to return thanks to God. His foldiers, on their fide, fulfilled with fuch exadtnefs the orders and inten- tions of their mafter *, that no one, throughout all this great city, complained of the flighted violence upon their part. They took poflllflon of all the fquares and crofs-ways in the ftreets, where they drew up in order of battle. There was not the lead: commotion; and, from that very day, the {hops were opened with all the fecurity which a long continued peace could have given. The Spaniards had now only the Baftile, the Temple, and the quarters of St Anthony and St Martin in their pofleflion ; and there they fortified themfelves, being about 4000 in number, with the Duke de Ferta and Don Diego d’Evora, at their head ; all greatly aftoniflied at fuch unexpetted news f, and firmly refolved to defend themfelves “L’Huillier him ” F.was L. rewarded Etoile’s journal with the aferibes poft of this Prefident bon-mot of to the Henry chamher TV. aldeimau,of accounts, was and made CounfeJlor-of mayOTof Paris (late in ; Hisroom.and Martin LeGrain, L’Anglois, b. 6. anIt library,is obferved, that inHenry the volume IV. entering of MSS. Paris marked by the 9033.new gate, in thewhich King's has beenand returnedlime called fevetal the times,Gate offearing, the Conference, notwithftanding he went the out repeated again, troopsafiurances to enterof the Paris, mayor their and defign aldermen, was to cutthat them by inpermitting pieces, andhis feize* Thehis perfon.King perceiving a foldier take a loaf from a baker by Perefixeforce, ran fays, to him,that andLa-Noue would being have killedarrefted him. for L'Etoile'sdebts which journal. his infolence.father conuadted The Kingin this in Prince’sfervice,complained public laid to him, “ La-Noue, to him of thatyou Inkingmuff himpay elide,your debts,be gave I himpay minehis jesvels faithfully to pawn tobut the afterwards creditors, inflead+ L’Etoile of the obftrvts, baggage thatthey this had news feized being of his.broughtto Ferefixe, the Spaniardspart a. Whileof the LangloisRoman hiltoiy,was atmifmg the Duke them ofwith Feria relating cried outcircomfhnees two or three out times, “ Ah, great King, great King! ’ VEttik'sjournal. to r.594- OF S U L L T. 371 to the laft oxtremity, if any attempts were made to force them from thofe advantageous pofts The King relieved them from their perplexity, by fend- ing to tell them, that they might leave Paris, and re- treat in perfect afiiirance. He treated the Cardi- nals of Placentia and Pelleve with the fame gentle- nefs, notwithftanding the refentment he ftill retain- ed for their conduit with regard to him. Soifibns was the place whither thefe enemies of the King * retired, under favour of a ftrong efcort. His Ma- jefty then publiflied a general pardon f for all the French who had born arms againft him. When this facrifice is not extorted by neceflity, but, on the contrary, made at a time when vengeance has full liberty to fatiate itfelf, it is not one of the leaft marks of a truly royal heart. Madam de Mont- penfier, being introduced to the King, he received her as politely, and converfed as familiarly with her, as if he had fome very important reafon for fparing her the confulion with which any other perfon in his fuuation would have taken pleafure to cover her The * The King had a mind to fee them much out, and locked at Withthem thenfrom hats a window off bowing ovec Stprofoundly Denis’s gate. low. TheyThe King, all fah.ted with great him -couwords, 1 tefey, “ Renumberreturnrd the me falute to your to the mailer principal : go officers,in a good adding hour thefebut “ return no more.” P ref. part 3. This anecdote agrees with bythat the in Journalthe Memoirs written for bythe the lofb fame ry of author. France, but is contradi&ed Henry’st A:l tlemenry,the Memoirs and of his thofe lively times and agreeableare filled repartees.with inftances See theof Memoirs above cited. A leavuer coming to him one day when he was ;mplaying at Primero, “ You art welcome, ” faid the Kingta “ th Perefixe 5 for 'fobfer we win,es, tiaatyou hewill played be ours. at cards Lc Grain,with her book that 10. very evening.de Nunour’s L’Etoile vifit; andadds, relates that he a fiogularreturned couverfationboth her’s and that Madam palled penfrer,between whofethis Prince hatred and for'Henry her; at the was end publicly'known, of which Madam taking de Mont- no- 'Vsetice Dukeof his ofentei olaienne, ng Paris, who Are had wifhed let down that itthe had bridge been fother hisbrother Ma- 37 2 MEMOIRS Book VI, The King had not yet found an opportunity to converle with me upon the negoti itions of Rouen ; therefore, that evening, when the croud was over, he took me afide to a window in the Louvre, and made me give him a circurr.ftamia! relation of all that had pafled, even to the minuteft incidents; to which he liftened with a good deal of attention. He accuf d himfelf of being the caufe of Du Rol- let’s unfeafonable interference, by not acquainting me with the proptfals he had made him, which would have put me upon my guard againft all that could have happened from that quarter. The King had not yet mentioned to the Duke of Montpenlier, or the Baron de Biron, the conditions which, at their expence, he had granted to Admi- ral Villars : and this was now all that perplexed him ; for he condu&ed himlelf by quite different maxim? from thole Princes, who, in luch cales, in- Read of prudent demeanor and condefcenfion, be- gin by lilencing all complaint, and owe the obe- dience which they receive to the tone of authority. He agreed with me that I fhould make him, in the prefence of thole two noblemen, the fame detail I had jrtft now done, as if it were for the fit ft time; and ftiould give them to underftand, that the cen- clufion of the treaty with Villars depended upon their facrificint to him their rights. The thing be- ing executed in this manner, the King, turning to- wards them, laid, with feme emotion, that he would rather loft Villars and Rouen both, than gain them by doing anv injultice to two perfons whom he efteemed. Montpenfier and Biron w'tre fo affected jefty. “ Atlzokers,” replied the King, “ he might poflihly have 41“ early.”made me 1 wait hh lady,a long purfued time, he,and heai1 fhould iog the not populace have enteied cry, Ler^ fo wite,livt the who, K'rg. in fifteenfaid, laughing, years, had th.t made Briflachad but one cuckowdom mote frng, than where- his fingas he, in inParis. eight days,L’Etoile, had unn.made 15 more s*. than twenty thoufand parrots with ■i594* C F SULLY. 373 'with this manner of treating them, that they decla- red they would, with all their hearts, defiil from their preteniions. Henry thanked them ; and, as an equivalent, gave the firft the governments of Perche and Maine, to be joined tothat of Normandy, as foon as it Ihould be entirely reduced ", but Vd- lars’s generofity changed this diipofition. As for Biron, a MarechaPs baton, with 420 000 livres in money, indemnified him for the lofs which, hs duftained. The reduftion of Paris threw the King into new perplexities, which obliged him to delay Hill longer -his journey to Rouen. He was employed in re- ceiving the homage of the different courts *, of the tmiverfity, and of the other corporations of the city of Paris^ whofe fubmiffion he thought he could not better reward, than by applying his cares to the reftofing them to that harmony and good order which the civil wars had interrupted. He had likewile anfwers to give to feveral governors of towns and fortreffes, particularly of the ifle of France, who, after the example of the capital, came to make their obeifance. Villeroy was not amongft “the 'firft; k was ne- ceffity alone, that either fixed his irrefolution, or forced his inclinations. Some places of little im- portance ftill held out for him and his fon, with which, by means of Du-Pleffis his friend, and San- ‘cy, whole daughter was.juft married to his fon, he made very advantageous conditions for himfelf : af- ter obtaining, by repealed importunities, two tru- •ces, the one of two months fpa e, the other foi •three months ; which he procured to be ratified by the Duke of Maienne ; after having a long time aftedted a neutrality, and put a thoufand fprings ia had* beenThe pailianieritremoved by of letters-patent Paris was recalled from thefrom King, Tours, dated Where March it VOL I. I i 374 MEMOIRS Book VI. motion to protraft, till the laft extremity, his kpa- ratior. from his old friends, he at laft concluded a treaty # almoft after all the reft, and obtained the poft of fecretary to the King, in recompence for that he had given up. ty *De This Thou, circumft which, he added, could only be occahoned by this Prince’s not having any regard for him, or that he was not fincerely attached to-the Catholic religion j for how indeed could he be a good Roman Catholic, and difoblige a Cardinal ? Afterwards, without confide ring whom it was he was fpeaking to, he in* treated me to defend the Romilh religion to the King, to confirm him in it, to prevail upon him to keep up a clofe correfpondence with the Pope, tor demand of St Peter his benediction, that he might afterwards obtain of him the, diffblution of his marriage with Queen Margaret of Valois,.and be at liberty to marry another Princefs, by whom he might have children who would fecure the crownt to the houfe of Bourbon, and peace and.tranquillity to France. The end of this difcourfe was much more judicious than I had reafon to expert: nor was the Pope’s panegyric improperly, introduced irv it; for it mult be confefled, that Clement VIII. waa not only poflelTed of great wifdom and juftice, but. alfo fo good a politician, that the court of Madrid, could never boaft of having deceived him by their dilguifes. The Cardinal afterwards brought the affair of the Jefuits upon the carpet; and although, as a. man. devoted to the court of Rome, he openly favoured them, yet the arguments he made ul’e of to prevail upon me to fupport them, were founded upon po* licy and the intereft of the King, and fo folid, that l.was convinced his underftanding.was not impaired by ficknefs, but only upon the chapter of himfelf. All the fteps I took, in that affair were in confe- quencc of his Eminence’s prudent reflections on the danger of banilhing the whole fociety from France in luch a conjuncture; for, as we fliall ioon iee^ nothing lefs was in agitation.. A 392 MEMOIRS Book VI. A fourth affair, which he recommended to me, was, to fupport, againfi the fuperintendant, the old archbilhop of Glafgow in Ireland, whom he loved and honoured as if he had been a near relation. This archbilhop bore the name of Bethune *. The Queen of Scotland, his benefretrefs, being dead, all he now defired was, to fpend the fhort remnant of his life in peace, far from his native country; but in the luperintendant he found an enemy, to whofc perfecutions he was perpetually txpofed, and who itemed refolved to drive him out of France I ne- ver could dilcover the true caufe of this hatred; peihaps it was owing to the attachment this prelate alwajs Ihewed to the family of the Guifcs, from whom the Queen of Scotland * was defeended. T t Cardinal laid, that D’O had no other motive than the imereft which the Cardinal took in the archbilhop: and it is certain, that, a& often as his Eminence 1'olicited the fuperirueodant in favour of the old prelate, he feenvrl to be more eagerly bent upon his deftrudfion. The Cardinal, therefore^ intreated me to prevail upon the King to take * James de Bethune, arch' ifhop of Glafgow, in Scotland, and fromnot in ti Iceland,e Queen ca of re Scotland, to i'aris, inand quality died'there of ambai in KSoj 'adoi agedin o eigh.y-dinary 11tides x years; ot fortune, having, finceriuiing the fifty murder feven of years, Ca din hn in 1546-f Later.in. His thatAmelot Nicholas de la Houfiaye,Dcnctz bilhop in his of Memoirs,O.leans, mentionsbad with theM.ncinul pro efsn dtlFrancis puted Dukethe right of Sully,this family in which, had to itthe appears, n e -t Hcthune.that they “unjuftly How- “ everfamily this of may Beam be.” in faitlScotland he, fpeakingdffrom whence this were .irchbilhop, defeended *• the “ Glalguw,Caidinal aamhaffadorfiom chhifliop of St QueenAndrew’s, Mary and Stuart the in archbiflropFrance, where of “M he died in 1660, or 1661, , here is an error in the date), is ac- « theirknowledged-by houfe.” vol Mefi. 1. pde 68 Suliy riurefore,and de ■ harofl, according tor ato branch our Me- of themoirs, archhifliop the true ofname S Andrews,both of the was ar.hbdlrop Bethune, andof Glafgow. not Bctun. and of ia *ig30, Mary to of James Lorrain, Stuart daughter King of of Scotland. Claude Duke of Guife, married 1594. O F S U L L Y. 393 the archbiftiop under his proteftion : he had pro- mifed to have no concern, for the future, in any affairs, either within or without the kingdom : in- deed, he was no longer capable of it, and his con- du£V, moreover, irreproachable. To gain me en- tirely over to his interefts, the Cardinal told me, that this archbifhop had fo great an affedfion for | me, that he wept continually for my unhappinefs, in being educated in the Proteftant religion. He refumed again the fubjecl of his benefices, with which he concluded his difcourfe ; and earneft- ly intreated me to obtain for him his Majefty’s per- miffion to relfgn them, confeffing that the poffeflion of thcfe benefices had given dreadful uneafinefs to the deceafed Cardinal, his uncle, from whom he had them, as well as to himlelf, fome of them having been forcibly taken from families who were the lawful proprietors of them ; and his Eminence thought, he fhould make a fufficient atonement, both for himfelf and his uncle, and pacify his confidence, by reftoring them to the injured perfons after his death. He had nothing new to tell me, when his phyfician entered the chamber. Duret (for* it was he) having recommended filence to his patient, took upon himfelf the care of acquainting me with all the fecrets of the Cardinal, whofe confideive he pofTeffed; and he acquitted himfelf like a very elo- quent man, that is to lay, he wearied me fufficiently. 1 made no other ani'wer to his tedious fpeeches, than reiterated promifes of ferving his Eminence. During the three days which I pafFed at Paris, I was fufficiently convinced of the dangerous corre- fpondencies carried on by the Count de Auvergne, D’Entragues, and his wife. Their houfe was the rendezvous for all the King’s enemies, either in the league or the Spanifh party; every night they held fecret councils againft the King’s intereft and ier- vice. Till I fhould have an opportunity of con- ferring 374 MEMOIRS Bock. VL ferring with his Majefty upon the meafures neceflary for fuppreffing this wicked cabal, I reprefented to Meff. de Chcverney, de Pont-carre, de Bellievre, and de MaieiTe, that they could not watch too nar- rowly the motions of thefe incendiaries; and I particularly recommended it to Maiefle, with whofe afrivity I wtas well acquainted. f afterwards applied myl'elf, with a particular at- tention, to the affair of the Jeluits, againft whom a procefs was adtually commenced before the parlia- ment, and vigoroufly purfued by the univerfity and curates of Paris, who accufed them with having monopolized to themfelves the education of the youth *, and the direction of confciences, reprefent- ed them as a fociety very pernicious to the ftate ; and propofed their being banifhed as fuch from all the dominions of France. It was nothing lels titan certain, that all thefe adverfaries of the fociety would triumph over them, as they had promifed themfelves, even if the King fliould not interpofe his authority. The Jcfuits had afted powerfully upon this occafion. The party was already fo well fupported, that, without laying any ftrefs upon the. Pope, Spain, and their partifans in the league f, who wefe not few, one half of the parliament was. on their fide, and openly folicited in their favour. The caufe was put into the hands of advocates in the bigheft repute at the bar : the Jefuits retained Duret and Verforis ; and their adveriarks Arnaud and Dolle In Paris nothing was talked of but thefe two powerful faffions. I refledted upon what the Cardinal de Bourbon- had reprefented to me, that there was no extre- * See Richel. polit left- part i. chap. 2. fedt. re. Seguire,t The King’sCardinal advocate, of Bourbon, and a thegreat fuptrintendant many others, D’O,openly Antony loli- cited| See for the the particularsJefuits. of this procefs Dr Thou, book iro. ; Hift. sf the Univerftty of L’arh, vol. 6. p. 86S.; and others. mity •*594- OF SULLY 395 mity to which this order would not proceed, fti- mulated either by revenge, or by the hope of for^ cing us to repeal their banifhment: tliat, by their -intrigues, they might animate part of Europe againft •us: that they well knew how to make their per- fecution be looked upon as an injury offered to re- ligion itfelf, and bring the King under a fufpicion of being fecretly attached to that which he had juft quitted ; whi. h, in the prefent ftate of affairs, might have very dangerous confequences, Clement ViII. mot having yet been able to refolve upon granting the abfolution folicited for at Romet the King be- ing engaged in one of thefe enterprifes, the event ‘of which is always fo uncertain, and often fo dan- gerous ; and, in a word, the Catholics who had moft power in the kingdom, as well thofe who were at Paris, as thofe that filled the court, fear- ing, or feeming to fear, for their own intereft, that they had not yet fufficiently provided for the fecu- rity-of the Romifh religion.in France. I was fen- iible, that Mclf. de Longueville, Nevers, and Biron, had publicly exprelfed themfeives to this purpofe, and had ufed all their endeavours to communicate their apprehend jns to the Cardinal ot Bourbon, by means of D Entragues, D’tiumiers, Des Bourdis, and lome others. It is not my defign to impute here any bad intention to thefe perfons; but it is certain, that, among thefe zealous Catholics, there were few who were not actuated by a motive like that of Biron, who did not diffeminate thefe dif- courfes till he had loft all hope of obtaining the go- vernment of Laon. Be this as it will, prudence, I thought, required, that the authority of the abfent King fhould not be expofed for a quarrel between priells and theolo- gifts ; and did not doubt but his Majefty, in fuch a cafe, would chufe the moft moderate fide. I therefore declared to the council, that the King did met think the accufaticns whuh were brought a- gainft 39

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