The declarations as vvell of the French King, as of the King of Nauarre Concerning the truce agreed vpon betwene their Maiesties: and touching the passage of the riuer of Loire.

THE DECLARATIONS AS WELL OF THE FRENCH KING, AS OF THE KING OF NAVARRE. Concerning the Truce agreed vpon betwene their Maieſties: And touching the paſſage of the Riuer of Loire.

AT LONDON Printed by Richard Field, dwelling in the black-Friers, neere Ludgate.

1589.

THE FRENCH KINGS DECLARATION VPON THE TRVCE BY HIS MAIESTIE, graunted to the king of Nauarre, conteyning the ſpeciall cauſes and reaſons thereto moouing him.

HEnrie by the grace of God, king of France and Poland. To our truſtie and welbeloued, the Officers of our courts of Parlemēt, gouernors and lieutenants general of our Prouinces, Bailiffes, Seneſchalles, Prouoſtes, or their Lieutenants, & to all other our officers & ſubiects, to whom it may appertaine, Greeting. If the trueth of things be iudged by that which appeareth vnto men, as it ought to be, ſith they can haue no other certaine proofe, and that to God onely it appertaineth to ſearch the inward parts and affections of mens hearts: the ſinceritie of our zeale and deuotion to the holy faith, and Catholique, Apoſtolique and Romane religion doeth ſufficientlie defend it ſelfe againſt all ſlaunders & deceits, by the proofes which we haue yeelded from our youth, and alwaies continued, as well in our life and ordinarie profeſſion, as in furthering by al meanes, yea euen by armes, without ſparing our owne life, the aduauncement of Gods glorie, and eſtabliſhment of the ſaid Catholique, Apoſtolique and Roman religion in all places of this Realme, where it hath bene changed & altred through the bringing in of a new opinion, to our great grief & diſpleaſure. Wherin our principal hinderance hath not proceeded ſo much of the induſtry and force of the followers and defenders of the ſaid new opinion, as of others, who ſhrowding themſelues vnder a falſe pretēce of zeale to the ſaid Catholique Religion, haue a long time ſought to ſeduce the moſt part of our Catholique Subiects by falſe perſwaſions, and practiſed a League and ſecret aſſociation among themſelues: whereof they were the chiefetaines, vnder colour of aſſuring after vs (if God ſhould call vs out of this world without iſſue) the preſeruation of the ſaid Catholique religion, againſt ſuch of the new opinion as might pretend to ſuccéede vs in this Crowne.

But their end and purpoſe tending to the vſurpation and parting of the ſame among themſelues, after they had made them a partie among our ſaid Catholique ſubiects, and vnderpropped them ſelues by intelligences with ſtrangers, who might ſeeke the weakening of this Realme, to encreaſe their authoritie and greatneſſe. They haue diſplayed againſt our perſon & authoritie, the ſecrets of their damnable driftes: Firſt by backbiting and miſreporting our actions, to bring them into hatred with our people, and to drawe their affections to themſelues vnder a plauſible hope which they ioyned with the pretence of religion, viz. to eaſe them of the charges, which the troubles of the time had brought vpon them: yet neuertheleſſe their behauiours in places vnder their commaund, were no fauourable witneſſes of their promiſes in that behalfe. Then beyng vnpacient of farther ſtay, they tooke and leuied armes openly againſt vs, the fruite whereof ſhould principally turne to their particular profit, in reſpect of ſuch aduantages & conditions as they would haue wreſted from vs. The effect of the ſame importing no other then the ruine and deſtruction of our ſubiects and all aduancement of the Catholike religion, againſt the which the continuall enterpriſes of the aforeſaid againſt vs and our auctoritie, haue debarred vs from doing that endeuour that had bene requiſit to repreſſe their procéedings. And in caſe the firſt aſſayes of their ſaid armies were pernitious to this ſtate, the ſequele is yet more hurtfull and daungerous, hauing by their ſubtilties newly repleniſhed France with trouble and vniuerſall ciuill warre, ſeditions, contempt of magiſtrates, bloud, pillage, ranſomings, ſacke of goods both ſacred and profane, forcing of women and maidens, and infinite other kinds of inhumanities and diſorders, ſuch as the like was neuer ſéene or heard of, & all to the great preiudice not onely of our auctoritie and royall perſon (againſt whom they haue openly declared themſelues, not being aſhamed to publiſh that they ſought after our very life) but alſo of this floriſhing Crowne in generall, which they purpoſe to ſhare and diſmember among themſelues, with the aſſociation of ſtrangers to the great diſhonour and obloquie of the French name, but ſpecially of the nobilitie in old time of ſuch fame and eſtimation through out the whole world for their vertue, proweſſe and ſingular loue & fidelitie to their Kings: yea and which is worſe, to the great detriment of the Catholike, Apoſtolike: Romane religion. For beſides that ciuil warre corrupteth good maners, & alienateth mēs harts no leſſe from all piety and reuerence to the honour of God, then from all humaine charitie: this diuiſion is the very meanes for thoſe of the contrarie opinion to enlarge and ncreaſe their conqueſts. The which neuertheleſſe we purpoſing to preuent to our power, and endeuoring to reduce all things into a good order, whereto through Gods grace we had brought them, and where from wée were diuerted through theſe preſent troubles, wée haue yet ſince the beginning of ye ſame ſought al meanes to vs poſſible by courteſie to reduce all our Catholike ſubiects to a good & firme reunion vnder our obedience, and by the meanes of the ſame to put in execution that which, at their inſtant requeſt we promi-ſed in the aſſembly of our Eſtates.

Howbeit ſo farre was the hardneſſe of their hartes from being mollified or bent to any compaſſion of ſo many miſchiefes which they haue cauſed, as not cōtent with the diſorders paſſed, no not with the raiſing of moſt of our townes againſt vs, the ſlaying, impriſoning or depoſing of our officers, the ranſoming of the wealthieſt of ourrealme of what degrée, ſtate, qualitie, kind, condition or age ſoeuer, yea euen the Clergie, the breaking of our ſeales, defacing of our armes, renting and ſhamefull handling of our pictures, the eſtabliſhing of Counſels and officers at their owne fantaſies, the ſpoiling of our treaſury, with all other actes of contempt, deriſion, hoſtility and cruelty: but alſo heaping iniury vpon iniury, they prepared to come and aſſaile our own perſon with artillery taken out of our ſtorehouſes, and armies compoſed as well of our ſaid rebellious ſubiects as of ſtrangers in part contrary to the Catholike, Apoſtolike, and Roman religion, whereof they neuertheleſſe proclaime themſelues the onely protectors, to the ende togither with our ſelues to oppreſſe all our good Catholike ſubiects and ſeruaunts, in ſtéed of addreſſing themſelues againſt thoſe of the contrary opinion whom they ſuffer in peace and liberty to ſtretch as farre as they liſt, as indéed they haue not ouerſlipped the occaſion. For the king of Nauarre while we were preparing and furniſhing our ſelues of forces for our warrantize againſt the bad intents of the ſaid rebels, tooke and ſeazed vpon our townes of Niort, S. Maixant, Maillezais, Chaſtelleraut, Lodune, Liſle Bouchart, Montreuilbelay, Argenton, and Blanc in Berry, and aduanced his forces néere to this towne, whither we were come vpon the firſt day of his ſaid exploits, to the ende to take what order we could for the ſtopping of him from procéeding any farther. Thus in the end knowing our ſelues vnable to performe with our weapons, at ſuch time as we were vpon neceſſitie to employ them in the preſeruation and defence of our owne perſon, together withour ſaid good ſubiects and ſeruants againſt the rage and violence of the ſaid rebels whom we found inflexible to any conditions of reconciliation, vpon ſuch motions as we had cauſed to be made vnto them: and againe conſidering that albeit ourſelues did know that he ſought not, as they, to aſſault our life and authoritie, yet our ſaid good ſubiects might neuertheleſſe be greatly moleſted by his weapōs, in caſe we tooke not from him all occaſion to employ them according as the preſent eſtate of the affaires of this Realme did miniſter oportunitie: and on the otherſide being vrged & preſſed by the cries and complaints of our prouinces, moleſted by his partakers, to prouide ſome remedy, and that rather by ſome ſurceaſe of hoſtility then otherwiſe, without the which their force failing for to defend thēſelues, togither with the meanes to entertaine men of warre, all hope of ability to ſuſtaine their liues & families was taken from them, and ſome of them conſtrained through the violence of the euill, had of themſelues compounded already. All theſe ſaid reaſons by vs brought into deliberation with the princes of our bloud, the officers of our Crowne and others of our Counſaile about vs, among theſe extremities we could find no other meanes then to take and yéeld to our ſaid ſubiects ſome releaſe from warres on the behalfe of the ſayd King of Nauarre. And therefore to the ſame effect wée haue graunted to him for himſelfe and all his partakers a Truce and abſtinence of warre and of all hoſtilitie, according to his requeſt vnto vs made in acknowledgement of his duetie toward vs, and being moued with compaſſion for the miſeries whereunto this realme is now brought, which moueth all ſuch as yet retaine the feeling of good Frenchmen to helpe to quench the fire of diuiſion that conſumeth it and ſtill threatneth the vtter ruine thereof, wherefro we neuertheleſſe hope that God of his goodneſſe will yet preſerue vs to his glory againſt the driftes and endeuours of thoſe who for their priuate ambition do deſire and proſecute the diſſipation thereof: which Truce and abſtinence from armes we meane ſhalbe generall throughout our Realme for the ſpace of one whole yeare, beginning the third of this preſent moneth and ending at the like day including both the one & the other for all our good and faithfull ſubiects that acknowledge our authoritie, yelding vs their due obedience, as alſo for the ſtate of Auignon and Countie of Veniſe appertaining to our holy Father the Pope, whom we will to be therein compriſed, and that his ſaid ſubiectes may enioy it as being vnder our protection: with this charge and condition beſides promiſed by the ſaid king of Nauarre, who hath vndertaken for all his partakers, that he ſhall not during the ſaid Truce employ his power or armies in any place either within or without this Realme without our commaundemēt or conſent: That he ſhall not enterpriſe or ſuffer to be enterpriſed or attempted any thing in ſuch place & places of the coūtreys where our authoritie is acknowledged. And that whereſoeuer he ſhall paſſe or ſoiourne, except in thoſe places which he held before the day aforeſaid, he ſhall not change or permit any change or alteration in matter concerning the Catholicke Apoſtolicke and Romane Religion, neither that any harme or moleſtation be offered to our Catholicke ſubiects, Clergiemen, or others that abide faithfull vnto vs or are good ſeruaunts, either in their perſons, goods or otherwiſe howſoeuer: that if during this warre he or his do take any townes, caſtles, or other places by force, ſurpriſe or intelligence, either do enter in what ſorte ſoeuer, he ſhall immediatly leaue & permit them to be in our frée diſpoſition, according as he hath promiſed vs. That in reſpect of the premiſſes the ſaid king of Nauarre and his partakers ſhall haue the benefite of their goods, and the ſame to enioy ſo long as the ſaid Truce ſhall continue: As alſo interchangeably they ſhall permit the Catholicks both Clergie men & others our good ſeruaunts to enioy their goods and reuenewes in thoſe places that they do hold.

We farther will & command you, that euery one of you ſo farre as it may concerne him, to obſerue and procure the obſeruing of the ſaid Truce and abſtinence of armes with all the contents aboue mentioned from point to point, according to the forme and tenour thereof without gainſaying or ſuffering any gainſaying of the ſame. Alſo to procure theſe preſentes to be read, publiſhed and enrolled, according as néed ſhall require, to the end no man pretend any cauſe of ignoraunce: By the which we proteſt that beſide ſo much as concerneth the defence of our perſon and eſtat againſt the violence of the ſaid rebells, we haue bene alſo moued to make and agrée to the ſaid Truce for the benefite that redoundeth to our Catholicke, Apoſtolicke & Romane Religion, and the relief of our good ſubiects, as thereby hauing ſtopped the progreſſe which the king of Nauarre & his partakers without this preſent remedy might haue made to the great detriment of our Religiō, & the oppreſſiō of our ſaid good ſubiects, whileſt our forces, occupied about the effect aforeſaid, could not haue bene oppoſed againſt him: We do moreouer proteſt againſt the ſaid rebells for their infringing of the vnion of all Catholicke ſubiectes, ſworne and confirmed to vs by the Deputies of our Generall Eſtates in their laſt aſſembly: as alſo we vrge them to reioyne themſelues vnder our authoritie for the preſeruation and aduauncement of the Catholicke Apoſtolicke and Romane Religion, for that they onely are guiltie before God of all the calamitie that may enſue of the ſaid deuiſion to the preiudice of his honour and his holy Church, whereof the warre that they make againſt vs is the onely cauſe. Remaining for our owne part fully reſolued neuer to depart from any one poinct that may appertaine to the preſeruation and exaltation of the ſaid Catholicke Apoſtolick and Romane Religion, and to perſeuere in this holy entent through Gods grace, which we continually implore to our helpe for this effect vnto the laſt gaſpe of our life. And for aſmuch as in many and diuerſe places they may haue néede of theſe preſentes, wée will that vpon the ſight thereof being duely examined by one of our welbeloued and truſtie Notaries or Secretaries, credit be giuen therto, as to this preſent original: For ſuch is our pleaſure.

Giuen at Tours the ſixt and twentieth of April, in the yere of grace, one thouſand fiue hundred foure ſcore and nine. And of our reigne the fifteenth. Thus Signed. HENRY. And vnderneath, By the king. REVOL. And ſealed vpon a ſingle lable with the great ſeale in yealow waxe.

A DECLARATION OF THE KING OF NAVARRE, VPON THE treatiſe of the Truce made betweene the French king, and the ſaid L. king of Nauarre.

HEnrie by the grace of God, King of Nauarre, firſt Prince of the bloud, chiefe Péere, and protector of the reformed churches of Fraunce, &c. To all Gouernors of Prouinces, Captains of townes & cities, fortreſſes and caſtles, Chieftaines and leaders of men of warre, Maiors, Conſuls, and ſworne men of townes, Iuſtices and officers, as well of our ſoueraigne Lord the king, as to all others to whom it may appertaine, & that are vnder our authoritie and protection, Gréeting. Whereas it is wel knowen to all men that we neuer tooke or retayned armes in this miſerable warre, but ſo farre as neceſſitie enforced vs: Alſo, that we haue by our actions ſufficiently teſtified our extreame ſorow, ſéeing our ſelues entangled, and bound thereto through the malice of the enemies of this Realme. On the other ſide, the deſire that we had to be able to ſerue his Maieſtie againſt them for the reeſtabliſhing of his authoritie, and the reſt and tranquilitie of his good Subiectes: yet ſuch was the miſchiefe, that our good meaning was by ſundrie ſleights diſguiſed, & the bad mindes of the ſaid enemies ſo farre cloaked vnder beautifull and fauourable pretences, that this Realme was brought to the point of ineuitable ruine, had not the wiſdome of our ſaid ſoueraign Lord the king, ſundrie times contraried and croſſed with infinite lets, bene ſufficient to diſcerne our innocencie from among their ſlaunders, he had not alſo euen through their coulors and diſſimulations eſpied their inueterate malice: And it is moſt euident that this warre begun vnder colour of religiō, is euen at once found to be méere warre of eſtate: That thoſe of the League are not gone to ſéek or aſſaile thoſe of the religion which we profeſſe, but haue abuſed both the weapons and authoritie which were to that end deliuered vnto them, to get ſuch townes of this realme as were fartheſt of and leaſt ſuſpected for religion: as litle alſo haue they employed their preachers in the conuerſion of thoſe whom they did pretend to be hereticks, but contrariwiſe they haue vſed them in all townes to the ſubuerſion of this realme, as firebrandes to kindle the eſtate, to ſuborne the ſubiects againſt their prince, to make them reiect all obedience to their magiſtrates, to frame them to ſeditions and alterations, without any reſpect to confound all things both diuine and humaine: whereby haue happened to the great griefe of all good men, an incredible reuolt throughout this nation againſt our ſoueraigne Lord the king, and conſequently ſuch a confuſion in ſundry townes and prouinces that the pretended ſhadow of piety and iuſtice hath quite extinguiſhed the body, the feare of God, the reuerence of his true image, and the lawfull and ſoueraigne Magiſtrate by him inſtituted in theſe extremities: wherevpon acknowledging our duetie vnto our ſaid ſoueraigne Lord the King, and euen from the bottome of our hart bewayling the calamitie of this eſtate and people, we haue withdrawen our ſelues vnto his Maieſtie, and at his féete preſented him our liues and goods to aſſiſt him againſt his enimies, for the reeſtabliſhment of his authoritie and his good ſubiects. Proteſting, as before we had done, to intend to no other but his ſeruice: as alſo euery man may iudge that if we had otherwiſe meant, we had fit occaſiō to helpe our ſelues by ye publike miſeries: who did vs this honor to acknowledge vs & willingly to accept of our good willes: alſo to ye end to giue vs better means to ſerue him, he reſolued vpon a Truce or abſtinence of warre with all hoſtilitie, whereof we hope through Gods helpe, of a good peace to enſue. Therefore that wée giue you to wit, and to all and euery of you which acknowledge our authoritie and protection, and that haue and doe follow that part which we vphold, euery one for himſelfe, that we haue treated, decreed and concluded with our ſoueraigne Lord the King, vpon a truce or abſtinence generall from armes throughout this land for one whole yeare, to begin the third day of Aprill, and to end vpon the like day, as well the one as the other therein concluded. Wherein alſo our meaning is to compriſe the ſtate and Countie of Veniſe with the ſubiects thereof as being vnder the protection of our ſaid ſoueraigne Lord the King: & ſo conſequently we doo forbid all perſons of whatſoeuer eſtate or calling, not to attēpt or enterpriſe againſt thoſe places where his Maieſties authoritie is acknowledged, neither againſt the ſaid ſtate or Countie of Veniſe, or in any other place or places where we ſhall enter, paſſe by, or ſoiourne, expreſly cōmanding that there be nothing enterprized againſt his good and loyal ſubiects, no not againſt ye Clergie, neither to innouate or interrupt any thing concerning the Catholike Romane religiō, as alſo in caſe by Gods grace we enter whether by ſurprize, force or otherwiſe into any hold or towne occupied by the enimies, our meaning is there ſhall be no alteration in the ſeruice or other matter belonging to the ſaid Catholike Romane religion, according as more at large haue by vs béene concluded with our ſoueraigne Lord the King. Alſo whereas in conſequence of the premiſſes it hath pleaſed his Maieſtie to graunt and yéeld a generall enioyment of their goods, & to all thoſe of the religion which we do profeſſe and others of this partie, to enioy the ſame during this preſent truce, our intent reciprocally is that al his good ſubiects as well of the Clergie, as other ſhall enioy their goods and reuenues during the ſame in thoſe places that we doe hold, whereof beſides theſe preſents we will diſpatch them all letters neceſſary.

Moreouer we commaund you & euery of you ſo farre as to him appertaineth, to cauſe theſe preſents to be read, publiſhed, inrolled, kept and obſerued in euery point according to their forme and tenure, ceaſing and cauſing to ceaſe al troubles and impeachments to the contrarie. In witneſſe whereof we haue cauſed theſe Preſents, ſigned with our owne hande, to be ſealed with our Seale of armes. Giuen at Saulmur this 24. of April in the yere of grace. 1589.

Thus ſigned. HENRY. And vnderneath, BERSIAV. And ſealed vpon a ſingle lable with the ſaid Lordes great ſeale in redde waxe.

THE KING OF NAVARRES DECLARATION AT THE PASSAGE OF THE RIVER of Loire for the ſeruice of his Maieſtie the 18. of Aprill. 1589.

HEnry by the grace of God king of Nauarre, &c. To all thoſe to whom theſe preſents ſhall come, gréeting. As it hath pleaſed God to cauſe vs to be borne firſt Prince of the bloud, and chief Péer of Fraunce: whom nature hath taught to defend his king, law and duetie do bind to maintaine the Eſtate of this Realm: and that it may be apparant by the effects knowē to euery one, that the diſturbers whatſoeuer pretence they take, ſhot at no other thing but his Maieſties life and Crowne, neither purpoſe any other then the diſſipation and vſurping of this Eſtate, whereof can enſue no other then the confuſion of all things both deuine and humane, the extinguiſhing of all order pollicie and iuſtice, and the vtter ruine of each one in particular and of all the good ſubiects of this Realme in generall, euen ſuch as euery one doth foreſée and in hart bewaile, yea and the moſt part do in effect already féele it in their goods, liues, honours and liberties.

For this cauſe, wee being called of God, nature and lawe, to ſo neceſſary a worke, haue reſolued with our ſelues to employ our liues, goods and abilities vpon the reſtabliſhment of the king our ſoueraigne Lordes authoritie, the reſtauration of this Realme, the preſeruation and deliuerance (ſo farre as in vs may lye) of all the good ſubiects of the ſame againſt thoſe who ſo openly haue attempted againſt the perſon of his Maieſtie, and dared to enterpriſe the vſurpation of his Realme, and brought almoſt to the point of ineuitable ruine ſo many poore people, which God of his grace hath vnited & preſerued in ſo many ages vnder the ſacred and inuiolable lawes of this Realme.

We declare that we haue not, neither will hold for enemies any other then thoſe who by their effects haue proclaimed & openly declared themſelues enemies to this Realme: who haue ſo much as in them lyeth, extinguiſhed and blotted out the name of the king, of the ſoueraigne Magiſtrate giuen vs of God, heretofore ſacred to our nation, diſgraded his Parliaments and ſoueraigne Courts, ſo farre forth as to haue cruelly ſlaine the principall perſonages, againſt whoſe dignitie and life, whether for their Eſtate, or for their deſerts, no théeues or barbarous people or vtter enemies to mankind would haue enterpriſed: to haue broken & defaced the ſeales of the Realme, the ſacred inſtruments of ſoueraigne iuſtice, violating and profaning, ſo farre as they might, euen iuſtice it ſelfe: and to be brief, ſo cōfounding all things that whereſoeuer their power taketh place there reſteth nothing but ſacke, bloud, furie and inſolencie, deſolation among the people, carcaſes in the townes, mourning and lamentation in all families, and combuſtion and vniuerſall horror among all ſortes. Againſt theſe perſons do we oppoſe our iuſt weapons: againſt theſe do wo denounce warre with all rigour, and againſt theſe do we inuite and adiure all good Frenchmen the kings faithfull ſeruaunts, louers of their countrey and defenders of the good lawes thereof to aſſiſt vs with their vowes, weapons and wealth: as being reſolued and aſſured that GOD will bleſſe vs and giue vs grace vnder the kings authoritie to chaſtiſe them according to their deſert, and that he will no longer ſuffer ſo many miſchiefs vnpuniſhed, miſchiefs committed vnder a falſe ſemblant of goodneſſe, ſacriledges and impieties vnder the ſacred names of pietie and iuſtice. Neuertheleſſe in as much as we are not ignorant, but that many may haue bene entangled in theſe enormities, ſome being tranſported by furie, others ouercome by a iuſt feare, and the moſt part rather ſuborned by ſubtletie, then lead by their owne mallice: as alſo we can not thinck that Fraunce is ſo degenerated as maliciouſly of ſet purpoſe to renounce her fidelitie and loyaltie to her naturall Prince, that is to ſay, to the inheritance and patrimonie of her fathers.

We, vpon a deſire to ſeparate, ſo farre as lieth in vs, the innocent from the guiltie, and with all diſcretion to vſe the iuſt ſword that God hath put into our hand for the ſeruice of our ſoueraigne Lord the king, & the preſeruation of his ſubiects, doe ſignifie to all Prouinces, townes, communalties, clergie men, nobilitie, and men of law, captains of men of warre, citizens, burgeſſes, and all other perſons of whatſoeuer condition, eſtate, or calling, that with all ſpéede they retire from all communication and felowſhip with the ſaid enemies, diſturbers of this eſtate, and reunite themſelues vnder his Maieſties obedience, geuing him aſſurance of their fidelitie and ſeruice. In ſo doing, as alſo being by them duely certified, we will carefully preſerue them according to ſuch order as we haue from him, and doo deſire to employ vnder his commandements: otherwiſe, in caſe they ſhew themſelues either obſtinate or careleſſe, we denounce againſt them all the miſchiefe that may incurre by the rigor of armes, as worthie to participate in the iuſt puniſhments of thoſe, to whoſe iniuſtice and violence they ſhal miniſter either conſent or countenance. We doe conſequently entend to preſerue and maintaine all the good ſubiects and ſeruants of our ſoueraigne Lord the king: alſo, thoſe that ſhall (as is aforeſaid, reunite themſelues vnto him) in their goods, liues, honors, liberties, religion & conſciences, without exception or acception whatſoeuer: eſpecially thoſe of the Clergie, of whom we wil the rather take care, becauſe they are more commonly oppoſed to the extremitie of warre. Prouided alſo, that for their partes they remember to loue peace, and modeſtly to conteyne themſelues within their boundes, whereas ſome of them, to the great reproch of their vocation, are become the inſtruments of theſe diſorders.

We doe expreſly forbid all our men of warre, and other our adherents in this our purſuite, not to attempt or enterpriſe any thing againſt the kings ſaid good ſubiects and ſeruants, and others to him reconciled as aforeſaid of whatſoeuer ſtate or condition: namely againſt the ſaid clergimen, or the places appointed to the vſe of their eccleſiaſticall ſeruice, wherein we will not that they be any whit moleſted, vnder paine to the infringers of theſe Preſents, of puniſhment and correction according to the exigence of the caſe and the rigor of our martiall lawes. As alſo, we do moſt ſtraightly commaund our lieutenants generall, gouernors, officers of our armie, heads and captains, and all other perſons of commaund, diligētly to ſet to their hands euery one in his calling: vnder paine to the ſaid heads and captaines, through whoſe negligēce or winking at cauſes any miſhap may fall, to anſwere therfore in their own names & perſōs. Neuertheleſſe, admoniſhing the ſaid good ſubiects and ſeruants of the king our ſoueraigne Lord, of all degrées & callings, & all that are to him recōciled as is aforeſaid, to helpe to diſtinguiſh the good from the bad, & to preuent the inconueniēces which may more eaſilie be ſtopped then amended, alſo in time to retire to vs, and to our ſaid lieutenants, gouernors and officers, to the end to be furniſhed of paſports, warrants, and neceſſarie diſpatches: intending neuertheleſſe, that our ſoueraigne Lord the Kings warrants, made ſince the date of theſe preſents, ſhalbe inuiolably kept & obſerued, vnder paine of rigorous puniſhment to the breakers of the ſame.

We do here beſéech all ſtates & degrées of this Realme to ſet before their eyes the dommage that hath and conſequently will more and more enſue in euery of them by their confuſions. The Clergie to conſider how pietie is ſtifled among weapons, Gods name blaſphemed, & Religion contemned, euery one practiſing to play with the ſacred name of faith, when they ſée the greateſt take it for a pretence to ſhadow the moſt execrable infidelitie that may be. The Nobilitie to note what a fall their order hath lately had, when armes, either the badges of hereditary Nobilitie or the rewards of vertue, are as it were trailed through the mire, committed to a communalties hands, who from libertie will paſſe to licence, & from licence will giue themſelues ouer to all inſolencie, without further reſpect (as hath bene ſene already) of deſert or calling. The Magiſtrates, what théeuery is crept in at the gate of common weale, when in the chamber of the Péers of this Realme, where the greateſt vpō reuerence to iuſtice, do leaue of their ſwords, an Atturney ſhall enter in armes accompanied with twentie raſcals & cary his ſword to the throat of the Parliament of France, and in triumph lead it away in red robes to the Baſtille: when a chief Preſidēt ſhalbe murthered, trailed about, and hanged at Tholouze (one that was a zelous follower of his Religion, if euer there were any, and the moſt formall enemy of the contrary) by the conſpiracie of a Biſhop: and with what ſhew of hereſie? Oh monſters of furie, crueltie and barbarouſneſſe, who neuertheleſſe can not liue long, vnleſſe peraduenture by ſome ſhamefull memory to this world & to the nation that hath borne and doth ſupport them, deteſtable whereſoeuer it commeth to the poſteritie. The third Eſtate, who at the leaſt were to take profite of theſe domages, let them looke whether they be eaſed of their taxes & ſubſidies, whether they be diſcharged of the men of warre, whether their ſhoppes in the townes, or their farmes in the countrey be in better caſe, whether the treaſury be better huſbanded then aforetime: nay contrariwiſe whether deuourings be not doubted, whether the graſſe groweth not before their gates, whether for one hand that was wont to grope in ye treaſury there be not thrée: whether it that they call huſbāding be not the ſacking of good houſes giuen to porters, and the ranſoming of good men that grone vnder theſe diſorders: A matter that can not continue many dayes, which expired, the communaltie being fleſhed in the ſpoyle of thoſe whom they terme Politicks, as wolues vpon carrion, and their booties failing them, wil cruelly & without reſpect fall vpon all that be of any countenance. Let thoſe townes that haue taken their parte remember in what ſtate they were before, and in what they be now: The traffick (who ſo liſt to ſéeke it) in the midſt of a forreſt? Iuſtice, in ye dungeōs of the Baſtill? Learning, where barbarouſneſſe poſſeſſeth all? yet be theſe the meanes that haue brought them to ſo great glorie and wealth: yea euen the meanes that onely could therein enterteine them: At this day it is hereſie to be a Politick: but the pollicie that had brought them to their flower is runne to contempt: Shortly it will be an vnpardonable treſpaſſe to be ritch. Moreouer if they haue any garriſon their libertie periſheth, and the lickerouſneſſe of this word hath made them loſe it: If they haue no garriſon, then are they a pray, oppreſſed with gardes and badly kept, at euery moment in daunger of ſurpriſe: and thus behold an imaginary libertie in ſtead of a priſon. Neither ſhall the fields haue any better bargaine, if this miſchief continue. A king cannot abide to be diſgraded by his ſubiectes: Rigour muſt be ſet againſt rigour, and force againſt force: The licentiouſneſſe, exceſſe and diſorders of theſe perturbers will draw on others: Againſt the vſurpation of a ſtraunger his Maieſty muſt be ſuccoured by ſtraungers: againſt the Spaniardes drifts with Suitzers and Germaines: our fieldes ſhall become forreſts, & our warres yong ſprings, a diſeaſe common to the laborer and the burgeſſe, to the Gentleman and the Clergie: a diſeaſe that will multiply robberies in the fieldes and rages in the townes: then woe to the auctors and fauorers of theſe miſeries: the people will conuert this fury againſt them, and with their bloud will redéeme their abolition, their owne peace and life, and to their coſtes they ſhall ſée what it is to wreſt the ſcepter from the ſoueraigne, and the ſword from the Magiſtrate therewith to arme and authoriſe the licentiouſneſſe of the people.

Marke their imaginations, after they haue plucked the king out of his throne, they haue left the place empty: aſke then whom in conſcience they will place therein: the Duke of Mayenne? What prince is there in Chriſtendome that will not withſtand it? that knoweth not himſelfe to be hurt in this example? Of our nobilitie, how many families be there that will not obey the houſe of Lorraine? much leſſe the varlet of varlets? ye houſes honored with the alliance of our kings and princes about vs, who alſo haue this article aboue the reſt. That they are borne French and haue perſeuered in their birth, what a hart breaking will it be for ſuch to ſtoupe vnder ſo weake a yooke? to ſée their liues and honours at the diſcretion of theſe vpſtarts? whom nature hath made their equals, whoſe ſworde the law of the Realme hath meaſured with the ſame foot, whom God hath no way preferred before them ſaue onely in that he hath geuen them ouer to their owne preſumption. How many princes of the houſe of Bourbon muſt they pierce before they come there? Princes I ſay armed with right, with courage and with credite againſt this imaginatiue Chimere of vſurpation, for whoſe bloud the nobilitie wil hazard theirs: the Nobilitie which in like alterations findeth it ſelfe ſtill buried with the Monarchie: Nobility, whoſe honour and degrée is tied to that of our kings: Nobility which to be briefe can not hope to kéepe that degrée ouer the commons which God hath giuen it, when it ſhall ſée their ſoueraigne, him of whō it holdeth the ſword caſt headlong from his. Let euery man hold his peace: let vs ſuffer them at leaſure to do what they liſt. If they will ground their vſurpation vpō Charlemains pretēſes, how will they agrée with the Duke of Lorraine and his children? how? albeit they will agrée with the braunch of Vaudemont? Againe if they thinke the crowne due to the deſerts, to the labours & to the vertues, that is to ſay, to the late Duke of Guiſes Monopoles, how can they fruſtrate his heyre? but who doubteth that all the varlets of the houſe pretend not a ſhare, that is, that they are not reſolued to rent aſunder the ſtate and to ſhare out the péeces?

O Frenchmen, imagine what your eſtate ſhall then be. Theſe chaunges out of one extremity into an other are neuer made without a moſt violent ouerthrow: the houſe wherein we are now lodged cānot be ouerthrowen but we ſhall be oppreſſed therein. Our bodies turne not to wormes and ſerpents before death catcheth hold: theſe ſerpents can not be borne, neither procéede out of the body of this eſtate before it be diſſolued, periſhed and rotten, and that wée all which do not liue, other then in it, muſt runne to ruine. It is very eaſie to deſire a crowne: it is very eaſie for a people moued and paſſionate againſt their Prince, to thinke vpon the alteration of the Eſtate. Betwéene an ambitious deſire and the accompliſhment thereof, betwéene your haſty chollers, and your reuenges ſo far of, how many daies workes and battels? what plenty of bloud, ſacke and miſery? the ages of the world will not ſuffiſe to decide this quarrell: the ſonne will take the fathers place, and the brother the brothers: you ſhall make a perpetuall confuſion to the poſteritie which ſhall curſe the memory of your madneſſe.

And how much more conuenient for you were it to abridge ſo many calamities with a peace? a peace which out of the darke Chaos wherein you haue plunged your ſelues, might reduce you into the light, which might reſtore you to your ſelues, to your nature & to your ſences, which might deliuer you out of theſe diſquietneſſes wherein you are, frō this labyrinth wherinto you are entered, which you do wel déeme you can not get out of, & whereof in the meane while you ſée not the end: a peace which might replant euery one in that he loueth: might reſtore to ye huſbandmā his plough, to the artificer his ſhop, to the marchant his traffick, to the countrie aſſurance, to the townes gouernment, & to all men indifferently vpright iuſtice: a peace that might returne you the kings fatherly loue, to him the obedience & fidelitie that you owe him: to be briefe, a peace that might render to this eſtate both ſoule and body: the body which through theſe ambitious is haled in a thouſand péeces: the ſoule, I meane the good order that hath preſerued it, which from the higheſt degrée to the loweſt runneth all to confuſion.

Theſe things conſidered, euery one ſounding the very bottome, whether it be the euil that he doth himſelfe, or that he is to ſuffer: in theſe confuſions we aſſure our ſelues that they who hitherto haue perſiſted in their dueties to his Maieſtie, will double their affections and courage to ſerue him from good to better againſt his enimies: that they who vnder ſimplicity haue let themſelues run into their practiſes, would not be inſtruments of their owne deſtruction, by vndermining the foundation of this eſtate to pull it vpō their owne heads, but will rather abandon ſo bad a faction, & haue recourſe to his Maieſties clemency, who ſtill kéepeth the gate open to all that ſéeke it.

As for ſuch as obſtinately ſhall perſiſt enemies to the king, to this Realme & to their owne good, as they ſhall moſt iuſtly purchace Gods wrath & the hatred of man, ſo are they to expect no other but a fearefull iudgement from aboue worthy their merites, which God for his mercy haſten vpon the obſtinate, to the abridging of ſo many miſchiefs and miſeries, & to the weale, peace, & quiet of ſo many poore people.

In reſpect of our ſelfe, we proteſt that ambition armeth vs not: ſufficiētly haue we ſhewed that we do deſpiſe it, & it is honour enough to vs to be that we are, neither can ye honour of this Eſtate periſh but we muſt decay. And ſo litle, (God is our witneſſe) are we lead by reuēge that none hath receaued more wrongs & iniuries thē we, neither hath any hitherto made leſſe purſuite: neither ſhal any be more liberall to forgiue the enemies, if they amend, in any caſe that may cōcerne the tranquilite & peace of France. That which afflicteth vs, which we can neither ſée nor foreſée without teares, is that this Eſtate ſhalbe brought to that point that its harme is ſo growen and ſtubburne, that it can not be holpen without great miſchief.

From theſe miſchiefes doo we proteſt againſt the wound and thoſe that made it: he that made the wound is guiltie of the fire, the coroſiue, the inciſions, and the griefes that neceſſarilie they make. It ſufficeth, and euery one may ſée it, that in that little which we may, we bring the care of the good ſurgeon that loueth the patient. The enemies in deede that loue the diſeaſe, will, beſides the iron, bring both hatred & fraud, as they that cā haue no contentatiō but in their ambition ouer this eſtate, neither can they content thmſelues but in her ſinall death, a death which we will redéeme with the price of our life and all our goods. But rather (as we truſt in God the preſeruer of kings and kingdoms) we ſhal ſhortly as the fruite of our labours, ſée the king in his due authority, whereto he is borne, and the Realme in like force and dignitie as heretofore, to the contentment of all good Frenchmen, the comfort of ſuch numbers of poore people, & the hart breaking of ſuch as doe couet the ruine thereof.

We doe therefore beſéech the Lordes of the Courtes of Parlement, all gouernors, lieutenants generall of the prouinces, chambers of accompts, courts of aides, treaſourers generall of Fraunce, prouoſtes, bailiffes, ſeneſchalles, iudges, maiors, ſheriffes, iurats, conſuls, headboroughs, bodies and communalties of townes, and all other iuſtices and officers my Lord the Kings ſubiectes, to aſſiſt, fauour, & leane vnto vs, for the benefite of his affaires and ſeruice: For ſuch is our deſire.

Giuen at Saulmur, the eighteenth of Aprill, 1589. Thus ſigned HENRIE. By the king of Nauarre, firſt Prince of the bloud, and chiefe Peere of Fraunce. DEVICOSE. FINIS.