p«*; -32. Arcana Gallica : OR, THii Secret Hiftory FOR THE Last Century, SHEWING, By what Steps the French Minifters de- ftroy'd" the LiBERTi E s of that Nation in General, and the P k o t e s t a n i R E L I G I o N in Particular. With a View of the BiftraBions and Civil Wars during the Two Minorities in that Pe- riod'. Collefted from the moft Authentick Authorities.^ never before Printed in Trance or EnjiUnd. By the Author of the Secret Hiltory of £urope. LONDON: Printed for A.Bell, at the Crojs-Keys in CornfUly N. Cliff and D. J a c k s o n, at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheaffide^ MDCCXIV. Price bix S ii- n^; TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE fFILLIJM EARL OF PORTLAND. Mr Lord, TH E TrotetHion Your LORD- SHIP was pleas'd to give that Exaft and Faithful Htfiortan, Monfieur Vajfor^ who Addrefs'd his Hijiory to You^ has encourag'd me to beg the fame Favour for this, which is built entirely on the fame Foundation, Ai Your "The dedication. Your Lordship knows too much of French Politicks and French Merit to be in Love with either ; and tho' no Man was ever more Careis'd by them than Your Lordship, when You accom- pany'd Your Noble Father in that Embajfy of his, which was the Glory of England and the Won- der of France*^ yet You have never had the leaft Complacency for their Counfels^ but have Ihewn that You are as Infenfible of Na- tional Flattery as of Terjonal. Your Lordshifs Heart is fo perfedly Brtti/h^ that it is a. Secret Reproach to many of our. Country- Men who fiq^ne themfelves of a long Deicent of Briti/h An- ceftry, and yet feem to have no more Regard for the true Intereft of their Country than their Ance- jiors^ the Normtins^ had, when they invaded it. They have nothing of l^he ^eBcation. of the Ancient Qerman Blood in them : Have no Notion of that Sfmt and Trinci'ple of Liberty which infpir'd our Saxon Fathers in the Defence of it. And feem to be fo in Love with our Neigh* hours the F?^n2Ci^^ that one wou'd think they were prouder of being defcended from a Nation that enjlaVd^ than being ally'd to one that deliver d us. ^ ,' 'T I s that Glorious Deliverance which has endeared the Memory of Your Iliuftrious Father^ who had fo great a Hand in it, to all good Englifh'Men : For 'tis that. My Lord, to which they owe the Prefent Happy Government^ and the hopes of the Future. The Conftitution owes its birth to the Principles that eifeded it, and its Prefervation is built on the fame Bottom. Every affault that is given to it by advancing contrary Doftrinesj is ftriking at the very Root The ^edicatim. Root of the Eftablilhment, which we cannot be too Jealous of, as this Hillory will fufficiently evidence ; and that a Nation no fooner takes one Voluntary ftep towards Sla- very^ but Power will prefently find means to force them to take o- thers. It is in Tolitich as in Faith^ and he who ers ever fo little in the Ejfentials^ is in great Danger of erring further till it ends in Per- dition. I am Confcious that I ought not to interrupt Your Lordship's Leifure with fuch fort of Lectures, but my Zeal for the Truth made me forget to whom I was Speak- ing ; and that in whatever Minute this Addrels meets You, whether You had dedicated it to Bufinefs or Pleafure, it is very Prefumptious in me to give it any other Diverfion without Your Lordship's Particu- lar Command. To dare to come Unbidden into Your Lordship's Pre- ne dedication. PrefencCj is what I cannot Anfwer to either Delicacy, Decency or Di- fcretion. But there are fome Paffions too ftrong for all, and none ftronger than the Love of One's Country. It will in fome Meafure be an Excufe for me, that when I confider Your Lordship as one of the firft of the Briti/b Peers, who have always appeared Zealous in thcCaufe of Liberty^ I couM not reftrain my felf from paying that Acknowledgement which is a Debt to You from all who Love it. This i^ a Virtue that Ihines brighter in Your Lord SHIP than fo many others which adorn Your Charader. Generofity^ Humanity^ Affal?tlttyy and all the Qualities that gain Love and Efteem, muft give Place to that Tublick Spirit by which You have on all Occa- lions diftinguiffc'd Your felf Even that pcrfeft Beauty of Body and Mind. The Dedkdtm. 'I Mind, which are, with fo much Joyi in fome and Envy in others, beheld in Your Lordship, wou'dr;: v;ant the Zeal of the "Patriot to; finifli their Perfeaion. But with it, it gives ineftimable Merit, and makes every Man Ambitious of being what I am, with all ima- ginable Duty and Refpeft, :6\VS My LqroI Jour Lordjbifs, jAoJl Humhlef 'mofl''Oh'edieht, ii And mo(i Drv&^d'S&kJMt, ^ • t i/i ( I ) THE PREFACE THERE will he the J ame Oh)Qdi\on to this Hiftory^ as is generally made to all Anecdotes, that the Fads are either Falle or Common. But J have a ready and (l)ort jinfwer to it^ that they are neither Common nor Falfe, For, with refpeHr to the Englifh Reader^ not a Tenth Part of them has ever ap fear d in EngliHi, nor were they ever printed in France, and the Authors from whence they are taken were of the mofi -undoubted Veracity that ever that Nation -produced, to inftance Vaiibr'j Life of Lewis the Xlllch, whofe Hiitory conftfls of Twenty large Volumes^ and is a ColleUion of the mofl valuablelVriters who wrote of that Reign with a Spirit of LihQVty and Truth ^ moft of whofe Works durfi never be printed in France, io this I may add the Hifiory of the Edidof Nantes, confiftirig of Five large Volumes in Qiiarto *, neither of which have been tr an fated into our Tongue entire hut only by Parcels^ and Three only of Vziibr^s Twenty f^olufnes are to be met with in it. If this Hijhry therefore were ncthir^g more than an Abridgement of the fe Two Voluminous Hiflories^full of Arcanas of the French Hifiory^ if^ as I may venture to fay it does^ it takes in every thing Curious and Remarkable tending tofliew hoiv Tyranny was efiabliflid /^France by Cardinal Richiieii'j Mini- ftry, and what fteps that Court took to deflroy not only the Liberties of the Protellant?, hut of the French Na- tion in general^ were there ^ Jj^y-t Clothing more in it-^ this Work coud not fail of being a grateful Prefent to th^ ii- The PREFACE. Englifli, wh4i have the Frefervation of their Lihertie fo much at Hearty and are fo SolUcltous to avoid any Meafures which tend to their DeftruEtion. The follow- ing Pages are full sf In^ruEiive Examples of the Trea chery of great Men, and their Sacriffmg the Caiife of Liberty^ and even Religion to their Avarice and Am- bition. It ^r.ews us what I\egurd that Mini fry had to their Treaties^ hdw complying they were in Di^ ftrefs^ how Infolem when out of it . and by what Steps they laid the F&v.ndation of the late formidable great - nefs of the French Monarchy. It will he a melancholly Ir f]eB to fee with.what Set- fifh views the great Lords of the Reform'd Religion managd its Jnterefis^ and how eafily they abandon d them when their own were in Onefiion. How they made Confciencea Pretence to colour their Ambitious Defigns^ and made a Market ofthatCA-^iUTCh whofe Champions they pretended to be. when they had a Th'^nto Serve by it. There has no YLoxx\t in France been more fat^ to the Proteilant Religion there than that of Bouil- lon. The Father of the Marefchal cle Turenne did net turn Papift, but he always betray d the Protefiant Cavfe^ and appeared at the Head of it for nothing but to render himfelf by it ccnpderable at Court Had h& been faithful to his Profeffion^ the Re form 'd had made . another fort of a flan d, and had his Son the Afarefchal de Tuienne<^^,w the fame^ the Edid of Kantes might not have been fo tramphd. under Foot as it was fo on after his Apoflacy. The Reader' will obferve hov:) freely the Catholich took Arms in the Defence of their Liberties in the Minority and Reign of . Lewis the Juft, that the French were pot then fo ccnvinc'^d of the Verity of the DoEtnne of f ^^iVw'^'Oh^^i^T.CG and Kon-Refiflance as they have been fince by the Arts cfthe Two Cardinal Mi- riifiers^ and the Lejfons of an Army of Two or Three Hundred Thoufand Men. Whether that brave Gallican Spirit is irreccvcrahly lof} by it lirg nfzge of Arbitrary power The PREFACR. lil. Tewer, md whether another Minority may not give new Life to ity Time will difcover-, and the Difcovery may not he at a Dlfiame. I Jh^ll not be fo Impertinent as to recommend this Work to the World for am other good Quality k has but Truth. The utmofi Care has heen taken not to mention any Event but what is attejled by the befi Authority, I do not hate the French p much as to Falfify Hiftoryto render them Odious'^ indeed they have taken Care by their Politicks in the lafi Century^ to prevent an Hiflo- rian^s having any Temptation to it. The FaEi does more than Invention coud do^and if one hated them never fe much for the Jnvafions they have made on the Rights of Nations one need only Speak the Truth ef them to bf fuffciently revenged- This is not intended as d Satyr on the French Na^ tion in general J but o ' thofe that have involv d, them^ felves in the Guilt of their ill Minifiers^ and contribu^ ted to make their Government fo Ahfolute as it is^ fo Ruinous and Deflruciive to all the refi of Europe, France has obliged the World with fo many Excellent Things in Letters and Arts, that it wou'd be ungrate- ful notto Speak of her with Honour. But then the Two Cardinal Minivers went fo far in eflabliflnng the Poli^ ticks fl/Matchiavel, and compelling otherCourts to fall ■ in with the fame Principles and Pra^lices^ that fure all good Englifh Men cannot hut have an Abhorrence foi' every Thing that^s French in Religion and Policy.— This I hope may be fiid without Offence. Indeed I do not fee how his Pojfhle for one to Offend in a Free Na-- tion^ Governed by Laws^ againfl a People that won d give ■up all Law to the Wi/i of the Prince, I know very v^elL what is the Duty of every SubjeHr in obferving the Trea-* ties made with other Kingdoms and States^ and fliall alivays PraBife it ^ hut J do not think it Inconfiftent with that Duty to tell the Reader what has been done by our Neighbours 1?% former Times^ that he may make the better judgement what they will do now* It is 4 a 2 AUxim \v. The PREFACE. Maxim in Common Commerce^ for People to deaiwith every Man as if he tie alt with a Knave ^ whether he is known to be fo or not ^ hut when he has a certain pxt CharaEher^ when his Reputation for Knavery is Incon- teftahle^ the Folly of trufiing fuch a one is ever puniflj^d with Shame and fever e Repentance, What holds good in Trivate Things. generally does the fame in Ptihlick^and a Nation that have been once bubbled by another muft fure- ly fink in their Charatler if they are ever bubbled again* I question whether the good Lvck c/Richlieu in being trufted fo often^ was fo ??juch oiving to his own Cunning as the Credulity of others \and whether a great many People who -had to do with him,didnot ^ew that if he had had lefs Dexterity \ others had eafinef enough to have made the fame Bargains with him* This fort of ConduH of the French and their Neighbours Will not appear fo much in this as in other Parts of their Hiftory, I have now had mofi Attention to their Afanagement at Home^ their Divifons^ Commotions^ the Intrigues of their Regencies and Minifters, and have touched very lightly on their Foreign Affairs farther than they Conduce to fhew what is chiefly m^ tended by this Work \ and with what fecurity the Neighbouring Nations may build on their Sincerity, It will be Jeen in this Hiflory that France was not only co'fitented to attack the Empire openly without any juji Provocation^ but held a Correfpondence with ths Arch Rebel VValleftein, to whom that Court wrote a very Complaifant Letter^ a Secret which will never he met with in theirown Story : I need net mention ether fuch Important Secrets^ the whole is nothing elfe but a CoileUiion of Aiemoirs which the French Hi- forians muft not meddle with^ v.nlejs they fly or the Liberty 0/ Hiftory to the Prote'dion of other Nations* I have avoided as much as poffible to mention any FaHs that are to be met with in thofs Authors that have written in France of this Period. Mezeray is a very faithful H'fiorian^^is far ^j was c&nfiltent with Pru^ The P R E F A C E. v. Prudence and Safety^ but he us*d to complain of the breaches that had been made in the Ancient Gallick Constitution^ and has to fome of our Countrymen in whom he coud confide^ envyd us the Ha-pfynefs of ha- ving preferv*d our own fo entire as it is from the Invafi^ ons of Arbitrary Power ufurpt by otherTrinces and their Minifiers, His Difcretion kept him from touching fuch Events as woud have given his Readers a frightful Ideaofthofe ferfons and Things^ which the French are fmce taught to hold Sacred *, and I have been fo far from receiving any help from mm^ that I wou^d not fo much as confult him \ being ajfurd that Ijhou^d. foon lofe the CharaUer of a Writer ^/AnecdoteSj and deaden the Cur i» fry oj the Puhlick if in the leaft I pre- tended to Coppy after fo well known an Original, This Volume takes up the Reign of Lewis the Juft, and 'Thirty Three Tears of the lafl Century, A Reign full of Intrigues and Ad;ions under the DireEhivn of a Adinifler of as a great Cemus as ever France or any other Kingdom produced. One who tho' he had afublinte Capacity^ and was not for want of Ability to A5i openly, reduced to the Scandalous necejjity of Tricking , yet of fo u?jbounded an Ambition^ that there was no Arti^ fees fo mean and fo wicked which he wou'd not put in VraU:ice to carry his Point j and when he dy*d hefeem*d to have infused his Soul into Mazarine his bvcceffor^ whofe Genius^ however^ was not offo large an extent as Richh'eu'j, but con fifed more in Italian Repnementy than the Wife Politicks of an experienc'^d State fman. Moth of them agreed in one HellifliDefgn toSacrifife ths Rights and Privileges of the People of France ai well Papifls as Proteftants to the Will &fthe Prince, and un- der him to their own^ and theMeafures they took are the fame which ail Miniflers will take who have the fame Treacherous intent, in whatever unhappy State their Lot fliall throw them. Honefl Abel and his Brother the Examiner have for above Two Tears been endeavouring to maks us in Love vl The PREFACE. Love with the French, ?<7 reflore^ as thy Phrafe it, the Afic lent kmity between the Two Nations, who have not however known what ^tis to be Friends ever fince they were Nations. Englifh and French are as greatOppo/ites as Liberty atid Slavery -^and whatever Meafures we are obligd to obferve with thsm-i as to Peace or War, ix does not follow^ I hope ^ that we muft have fuch a Veneration for what is done^ or has been done by them, that we muft not dare to Speak the Trvth of them. But we fjall not learn to write Hiftory by the Examiner and Honeft Abel, .the former as diflin- guijlj'd by hisgreat Modefty^ as the latter by his as great V^eracity. They have indeed intra dvc^d a new way of Writings which Pofterity wou^d be infinitely obliged to them for^ if it was poffible [or either of their Papers to live longer than the Day for which 'twas written. If a Man fjou'd write a Hiftory of the Times^ and take the Memoirs from Abei, and the ReileB ions from the Examiner, I doubt not but ''twoud make the mod: In* comparable Secret Hiftory that ever was written. How many of their Heroick Events will Fifty Tears hence be as entirely forgotten as if they had never been *, for no o- ther Writers will venture to carry fuch a load along With them to Futurity^ and the Memory of them can never be pre fervd anywhere but in the Poft-Boy and Examiner, which muji: therefore in the next Age be the great eft Anecdotes that will be tranfmttted to it, As great a Secret will it then be that Six or Seven Tears of her Majefty^s glorious Reign, the moft glorious that ever appear d in the Britifli Annals. difti?jguljh'd hyfo many f^iSlories andConquefts Abroad ^by fuch a wife and happy Adminif ration at Home^ were the fubje^l of, the Ridicule of fuch Infamous Libellers. For our Chil- dren will be afijam'd of the FrenTjy with which that Fa- ^ion is poffefs'd and will do what they can to hide their ISfakednefs^ to bUt fuch Fnfolence and Ingratitude out of Remembrance^ and it will be forgotten long before that , perhaps^ that France had ever any profejs'4 Fristjds a- mo*^g us. In The FRF F ACE. vii. In this Hifiory there will be found Inftances of fuch Libellers as theje^ Two Hireiings emfloy'^d by Richlieu an J hii Creatures to vindicate iois fatal Mi" fiiftry^ and bUckett the former. ^Txvik be found that one of his Authors^ Father jofepb, a great CoTifi^ dent and Creature of his^ was fo Extrax'agant in his Flattery^ that he wrote a Treatije ititittd d^ The Unity of the Mmiikxy ^fliewingthe neceffitythat it fhoud be .^ ingle ^ and by Arguments that he derived from the Unity of thf Godhead. J make no manner of doubt but if the Examiner coud frocure m Chapman^ he woud oblige its with jufi ftich another Treatife, and with more of the bicophant and the Slave than was in Father JofephV. The Relation there is between thv French a-ad the fe Friends of theirs in all Things is very Remarkable^ and was one of the main Infiigations I had to profecute this Work. It has beenfome Comfort ts me^ that I have not had accafion in this Book to talk much of the Examiner/ new Friends. Thofe I here ffeak of^ hav^ been rotten thefe Three fcore Tears ^^and I fljall on that Account come of the better with him. He does not fure care what %sfatd fjfRichiieiU'ZW^ Mazarine, as long as d^e Deference is -paid to thofe that are in Being. For my Part if it was not more out of Regard to the Opinion of othersy than his or my owa^ 1 fjjou'd deal as^ freely with the Living ^j with the Dead, for they have all alike been the mofi Inveterate Enemies vf our Coiiniry. / cannot on this occafion omit an Excellent Ohfer-^ vation of that trziely Noble Lord the Earl '*d. Another had lately been tonclw ded at Hall, in Swabia *, notwithftanding all the Empeyo/s oppofition^ with about Fifteen Protejiant Princes. Thefe Preparations made Rome tremble for Its Religion, and Spain for its Greatnefsj &c. Again, The truth isj the Kings Defign was not poji- tively known^ but it is certain he woud never con- fent to the Exterminating of Proteftants ; therefore he was not look'd upon at Rome as a good Catholicky and they did not doubt but he had retained from hisfirji Religion the Defign of humbling that Haughty See, Their fear was all grounded upon his having made almofi all his Alliances with Protejiant s : From whence it follow' d naturally that in cafe he fiould fucceed in his Enterpriz,es^ none but Protefiants wou*d enjoy the Benefit of hts Vi^ories* The Damages of which would corifequently fall upon the Catholick Religion*, Whatever King Henry had in his Head, I am not iatisfy'd from all that has been faid, it was to ferve the Proteftant Intereft that he took Arms, any more than that it was to Reform the Govern- ment of £i/rg Henry's A- mours with his Wife, and retir'd to Bruffels^ where he was when that King dy d - and the Con!e Fuentes^ the Governor, did his ucmofl to periwade hmi not to neglect fo fair aii Opportunity to make him* felf, King The Divorce of your lUnfman^ fays he, from Ma) garet of France, and his Marriage with Mary De Medicis, are contrary to the Laws of God and the Church. Will you tamely. Ife a Crown which belongs to you, • Have bv.: Courage to ajfert your o/ F R A N C E. 1} your Ri^^ht^ you will not want Power or Support, I offer you all the Kwg my M ijler can do- for you. If the Authority of the Holy See interposed in the Di" 'vorce of Henry, we will find a way to engage Paul V. to declare Null what his Predecejfor did. The Thing is not without Example, The Propofal was made to the Pope, and the Prince did not rejeft it, till he found his Holinefs would not hear of it. Spain never had a fairer Opportunity of revenging herfelf fur all the Injuries fhe had receiv'd from France, than by putting the Prince of Conde on this Defign, which wuu'd certainly have involv'd the French Nation in infinite Troubles, andatleaft have fecur'd the Paroteftant Interelt, for it was then very Powerful. The Marefchal De Bouillon^ the Marefchal De Lfdifguieres^ the Duke of Sully, the Duke of Rohan,, ard many of the moft Potent Lords in France profeifing it. The Marefchal Bou- illon advis'd the Prince to return to the Reformed Religion, which Hnry had forc'd him to forfake, and declare himlelf Protestor of that Church. The Proteftants were Mafters of feveral of the moft Important Offices and Cities in the Kingdom: The Duke of Sully was General of the Ordinance, Governor of the Baftile, and had all the Money the late King had lodg'd there in his PofTeiTlon. The Duke c^ Rohan was Colonel General of the Swifs, the Marefchal De Lefdifguieres General of an Army on the Frontiers of Savoy. The Marefchal De Bouillon kept a drift Alliance, and conftant Intelligence with Foreign Princes. TheSoveraignty of Sedan made him confiderable at Home and A- broad *, King Henry flood in fear of him, and had he been a Man lefs Govern d by his ralTion, it was in his Power to have done a great deal of Good. He demanded the Coma^and of the Army intended againft the Spaniards in the NetherUnds, but it was given to the Marefchal De la Ch^^t?e^ upon which the Marefchal faid, A;ce, returns, and prefently the Count of Soifot7s and the Duke of Epernon take Arms. The Prince of Conde appears at Court at the Head of one Faftion, and his Uncle the Count De Seijfom at the Head of another. The Marefchal De Bouillon endeavours to unite the two Fa£lions. The C^ueen Regent traver- fes the Union, thinking it better, fays my Author, to keep up Jealoufies and Ad.fmderjlandings hetvteen the contrary Varties^ and gain the Heads of both by her Favours, Conchini and the Italians form a third Fadion, and watch their Opportunity to make their Advantage of the other two, who came behind them in Favour, tho' in Appearance they had the ftart in Authority. The Marquifs /)' Ancre^ fo Conchini was call'd, has Apartments given him in the Palace, and the great Mafter Monfieur De Bellguarde refufes to give him the Keys. This is enough to create a new Faction. The Count of Sotjfons falls in with Bell- guarde^ and others with Conchini. The Prince of Conti challenges his Brother the Count De Soiffons for not giving his Coach the Way ; and the making up that Difference caufes another between the Count and the Duke of Gidfe, The Prince of Conde^ the Conftable de Mommerency and other Grandees fide with the Count De Soijjons ^ the Duke De Sully, the Duke of I^ohany the Marefchal De Bouillon and the Duke De Chattllon with the Duke of Guife, The Citizens of Paris arearm'd. The Marefchal De Brifac has Orders to fet a Guard on the Count Soijfon^s Hotel \ the Marquifs De Vitry on that ofGuife^ The Count of Soiffons threatens to leave Faris^ it he has iiot Satisfadion ^ and by leaving Paris was meant at that time retiring to a Government, and taking A rnis. Not long after a new Party is form'd, of the Prince of Conde^ thQ Count of Sejjfons^ and the Marquifs D* Ancre^ 26 Tk Secret Hipry jincre^ to ruin the Duke of Bpernony who immedi- ately appears in Purls at the H'^ad of eight hundred Gentlemen. Tlie next Divifion, and all within the Compafs of a Year, was tiiat cf Soifons and the Re- gent *and her MiniAers. The latter finding the for- mer prefum d too much on his Qaality of Prince of the Blood, Ctt up the Duke of Eperncn againft him, and engag'd the Prince of Conde on their fide. The Count upon this reconciles bimfelf heartily with the Prince his Nephew, both leave the Court, and the Guifes and the Duke of Epernon triumph in their Abfence. The Marquifs D' jincre and his Wife quarrel. Wou'd one think the State was concern'd in it ? Yet fuch is the fteady and wife Conduft of the French in a Minority. The Queen and Mini- fters fided with Galigai. The Marquifs, to be re- veng'd, perfwaded the Princes to return to Court. They came firft to Paris^ attended with 500 Horfe, and from thence to Fonta'mehltau ^ where the Guifes and Epernon receive the iVlortification to have their Friend the Duke of Venhfrne refus*d his Pvequell', to hold an Affembly of the States of Bretagne ', which Commiffion was given to the iMarefchal De Brifacj and that occaficns a Challenge from Vendofme, The Princes are fet againft the Chancellor Silery^ and LefdifguiereSy who was retir'd into Dauphme in Dif- content, promifes to bring them 1 0000 Foot and 500 Horfe to the Gates of Paris. Conch'ml Cc^rries away the Favour of the Regent from all -the Princes and Grandees, and all but the Duke o{ Epernon enter into a Combination agair.ft him *, which Combination was broken by the Death of tlie ComMDe Soijfons, TheMa- refchal De Bouillon was the hotteil: of all his Enemies, and indeed they had great Reafon to be angry, for this Italian had rifen overall their Hands, and what \T-as a terrible Mortification to the French Vanity, coa'd not or woii^H not.fpeak their Language. The Marefchal De Bouilhn^ while he was at the Head of thefe Cabals, feem'd to have no Share in them, and manag'd himfelf with fo much Cunning, that he be- came Mediator of the Differences between the Prin- ces and the Court , during which the Dake De Rohan s of F R A N C E. Q7 Rohnn*s Poil of Colonel General of the Swtfs was ta- ken from him, and given to Monfieur Baffompiere^ the Duke having ^atisfaftion in Money, he think- ing fit to accept of it, rather than lofe his Place without it, which, as Affairs then flood, it was probable he would have done. The Count Pe Soijfons \M?.s the nioft troublefbme fof the feveral Pretenders to the Adminiftration ; he was hardeft to be oblig'd, and foonefl difgufted. yaj(fer fays of him. He had vaft Defigns rollwg in his Hsad when he dyd^ 'Twas [aid he kept a fecret Correfpondence with Henry Trince of Wales, Maurice Prince of Orange, the Duke of Savoy, and the Hugonot Party. The Duke of Rohan improv'd his Difcontent with the Regent, to engage him in the Proteftant Intereft. He de- manded the Government oi Quillehevf in Normandy, to be in a Condition to receive the Succours he had projefted to be fent him from England and Holland, Nothing would fatisfy him but an entire Change of the Minifters, and the Ruin of the Guifes and Eper- non *, which it is probable he might have accompliih'd by the Means above- mention'd, had not Death put an End to all his Proje£ls. A new Party was now fet up at Court, who having got the uppermofi-, ] diiTipated all the refl. The Prince of Conde headed it. The Dukes of Mayonne^ Longiieville ^ the Ma- refchal Be Bouillon^ and the Marquifs jy Ancre came into it. The Guifes^ the Dukes q{ Epernom':\d^ Am- ville could not make their Party good againft them, tho" the Marquifs De Bellguard Vv'as of it. This Gen- tleman was Mafler of the Horfe, and when the new Party was formed was at his Government o( Burgun- dy, which was intended to be taken from him, and given to tl^e Duke of A'tayenne, The Queen Regent order'd him to come to Court, and the Guifes wrote to him to haften to their Relief. The Marquifs, v/hen he arrives at Sens., had Notite he was fent for only to be remov'd from his Government '^ upon which, inflead of obeying the Regent's Orders to come to Court, he returns to Burgundy : Such was the Obedience of the Grandees in the Minority of l^srvls the Xilltb^ fnch the Harmony of the Coun- cils ^S The Secret Hiflorj cils of France^ and the Concord between the Great for the two firft Years of the Regency of Mary Ds Medicis, The Prince of Conde's Party triumphing, the Guifes and Epernon receiv'd Mortifications daily. Tlie Duke of Cuife had not Intereft to fave his Bro- ther from being banifh'd the Court with his Friend the Count Be la Rochfaucaut, Gujfe enrag'd at this, refolves alfo to fall in with the Party of the Prince, for the Deftru£lion of the Miniftry •, which would have been fuch a Weight, that it might have born down the Reg^ency. Mary De Medtcis told Bajfom- piere^ fhe muft have Guife coft what it will ^ and for looooo Crowns, a Government for his Brother, and an Abbey for his Sifter, the Bargain was made. The Duke of Epernon alfo con fen ted to come into the Intereft of the Regency •, and the two Dukes having bad a private Audience of the Queen, Matters were then concerted to break up a puifTant Faftion, con- trived by the Firft Prince of the Blood and Grandees of France ^ and thefe two Dukes joining with the Regent againft them, ftie thought her felf fo ftrong, as not to fear any Oppofition from the other fide. To ftiew how little fhe dreaded it, fhe the very next Morning fuffer'd an Affront to be put upon the Prince of Conde^ which was a plain Declaration of the Lofs of his Credit *, for when he came to Court, he found, to his Amazement, that the Queen was fbut up in her Clofet with the Minifters of State, and no body offer'd to open the Door to him. Here again is a- nother Revolution, and not two Years of the Regency yet expir'd. There was at this time a Dilcoveiy made of a Correfpondence carry'd on between Co-a- chini and his Wife and the Duke of Savoy^ with whom the Court of France had then a Rupture. Yet fuch was the Jtalia^js Favour with the Regent, that both the iVIarquifs and iMarchionefs were clear'd, and the Miniflert of Stare courted them more than ever. The Princes of the Blood and the Grandees of their Party had withdrawn from Court, upon the Reconciliation of Mary De A^t edicts to the Dukes of Guife and Epernon^ and Conchini and his Wife remained in full PoflefTion oi the Regent, which ^/FRANCE. 29 which made the Miniflers endeavoar to ftrengthen themfelves by their Protedion. The Infolence of that Woman was intolerable-^ Ihe wasof an ordinary Birth, yet the Queen had fuch an immoderate Affe- ction for her, that fhe not only rais'd her but her Husband and Brother for her Sake. Let us fee what Monfieur raffor fays on thisOccafion : The Marquifs and Marchionefs D' Ancre fet no Bounds to their Am- bition. Conchini obtained the Staff of Marefchal of France ^ and Galigai, not being content that her Hus- band was raised to the fecond Military Honour in that Kingdom^ propofes to obtain for her Brother the fecond Dignity in the Church of Rome. This Creature Jo far forgot her felf\ that Jhe did not obferve the Rules of Decency with the Prince ffes of the Blood : A little while before flje had fpoke in the Queen's Clofet to the Frincefs of Conde, in fuch a proud imperious man- ner^ that her Highnefs was extremely affronted. All the World was offended at the Infolence The Duke De Vendcfme refus'd to fign the Treaty, and ftood on his Defence in Bretagne ^ and the Court of the Regent was in Confufion on Account of the Differences between the Marefchal U Ancre and the Minifters. The Marefchal had marry'd his Daughter to a Grand fon of l^tlleroy^ Se- cretary of State, and one of the oldeft Minifters in France *, yet out of Difguft at his oppofing the Ad- vancement of Dole his Confident, the Marefchal was always doing the Secretary ill Offices. D' Ancre was the Regent s Favourite, and nothing but FUle- rays Merit and Experience cou'd have fupported him •, the Chancellor .S'/Z/erj; being his clofeft Enemy. The Favourites and Minifters had each their Friends and Enemies, and neither the Authority of the Fve- gent of F R A N C E. j3 gent, nor even the Royal Authority prevait'd, lo coHipofe thofe Jars which kept the Kingdom in per- petual Diflraaion. The Prince finding he had ra- ther loft than got Ground, by the Trouble he had given the Regent and Minifters, wou'd have re- uew'd it, and had an Interview with the Duke of Rohan^ to bring him and the Hugonots into his Par- ty. He did not forget to lay ail the Fault of his ill Succefs, on the Treachery of the Marefchal Be Bouillon y and to reprefent the great Intereft he fhou*d have in the State's, which, were to be Af- fembl.ed by his Procurement only. But the Duke oiRohan^ tho' of a more Martial Genius than Mon- fieur Bu Plelfis Mnrnai^ had the Prudence to re- jeft this Teiiptation. He tdd the Prince, The Queen poud have more Authority in^ the jjfenMy than you \can hope for, Thofe whom you reckon up- on at prdfentj will leave you inftead of fupporting you *, Fear and Hope are the Two great Springs which move the Members of thefe Jffemblles : Tou are not in a Condition to pro wife them great Matter s, nor. to fright them by Menaces, The Queen has Pre- fer ments and Places to difpofe of '^ She can do a great deal ofMifchiefto'ihofe that oppofe Her Will: Who is there that will declare openly for you againjt Her Majefiy. Believe it, Sir^ the States General will op*^ pofe your Defigns, Notwithltanding this wholefom Advice, and that the Prince and his Party were not fo ftrong as before the laft Rupture, yet he attempted to make himfclf Mafter of Poitiers, by means of the Governor the Duke of Rsannez., and the Marquifs De Bonnlvet \ but the Bifhop of the Place by his Intrigues prevented it, and Short- ly after the Queen and the young King, made a Progrefs with an Army attending them, to reduce, the Duke of Vendome^ and fecure the Peace of PolEiou, Upon which the Prince retir'd to his Seat in Berry^ not d^'-ing to return to his New Government of Amboife, This March with an Army, tho* not very Numerous, was made ufe of by the Prince and his EmifTaries, to raife Sufpi- cigns in the Reformed, but the Regent fent a Gen- P tleraap ^4 The Secret Hifior) tlemati to Monfieur Du Plejfts at Saumur^ to re- move the Fears thole Sufpicions might create \ and to give him a Proof of tiie Confidence She had in him, She pafs'd through Saumur with the Young King her Son. Monfieur Du Plejjis Mornay went to meet her, follow'd by an Hundred Gentlemen. As foon as the Young King enter 'd the Caftle, Du Plefis offer'd to order the Garrifon to march out, but his Majefty wou'd not permit him. Jt is not agalnjl our King, faid the Governor, that we have jirong Places in our Poffejfion. They have been willing to grant them us^ againfi the Hatred of our Sworn Enemies : If at any time his Majejly does us the Honour to be prefent there^ we defire no other Security but his Pre fence. Sentiments agreeable to the Chara^ler that's univerfally given him of one of the Wifeft, Noblefl, and moll Religious Gentle- man of his Age and Nation. This Year i^i+, being that of the King's Ma- jority, by the Conftitution of France^ Founded on the Edia of Charles the Vth, Sirnam'd the Wife^ in 137+ Lewis the Xlllth was declared Major. Th^ French Kings when they enter their Fourteenth Year, commencing their Majority, Mezsrai fpeak- ing of this Ed id of Charles the Wife^ fays. That King believed it was very important for the Aiinority of Kings to he as Jfjort as pojftbly coud be^ for fear the Regent of the Realm Ujoud grow fo Powerfuly as to Dethrone his PupiL The firft thing they made Young Lewis do^ was to publilh a Decla- ration for the AiTembly of the States, and to con- firm the Edift of Nants^ which, fays ^afor^ it was faid, They woud keep Laviolahly, How they have perform'd it, the Hiftory of Lewis the Xllltli and his Son, fufficiently make appear. As the cal- ling an AfTembly of the States, was the Effect of the Stir lately made by the Prince of Conde^ and the laft Appearance of Liberty among the French, it will not be an improper Digreffion, to give a brief Account of the Antiquity and Nature of fuch AiTemblies, 111' of F RANG E. 35 in the Eldeft Times of this Monarchy, the Prin- ces, caird the Chief of the French Nation, met together on Tome Extraordinary and Important Occafions. . The Mayors of the Palace ufually Sum* D3on'd them once a Year :, The Kings who had then only t lie Name of Soverftigns^ prehded in the Af* fembly -J Pepht exactly kept up tiiis Cuftpm. Th^ Principal Men of the Clergy were admitted to aflift at it, and this Pra<^ice was continued by (^harlemagne: Lewis tlie Meek rendered it more frequent. It //J as in thofe AfTemblies,, the Kings of ihQ Car ofovingi an Kd.CQypuh\i{\\d thi^k Capitular JDecrees and other Orders, and what the^r Enaded, by the Advice, and Confent of the Grandees and Prelates of the Kingdom. ; H«W? Capet InwiDg been recogniz'd K'mg,; by Virtue ©f an Agreement con- cluded with. the Dukes, pirls and Barqns, us'd to Aflemble his Peers and Vatfals, in which he was imitated by his SuccefIo):s," who call'd, this the Holding t'4^ir • Parliament, , , There the Differences between the Peers and Barons with the King were decided, and the Affairs of the greateft Confequence to the Kingdom debated. There the Private Dif- putes between the Dukes, Earls and Barons, were definitively ended, and the Encroachments of the Pope and Clergy repuls'd. There they heard the Complaints 'of the People, about the Adminiftra- tion of Juftice, and the Vexations of the Prieft- bood. What fince has been call'd the Third Eftate^ or the Deputies of the People, owes its Original to Philip the Fair, upon his Return from his Ex^ pedition againft the Flemings. Much about the feme time, it is pretended thofe Deputies were admitted to allift at the AfTemblies in Englandj tho* the latter is only Pretence, for the Old Verfe tells us what fuch Aflemblies were composed of, even before the Gonqueft in the Saxon Monarchy. Prelati Fraceres mijfifq-^ Potentibus Vrbes* _ Jhe Prelates, Peers, the Cities by their Powrs : ' D 2j This ^6 The Secret Hipry This FhlUp^ Sirnam'd the Fairy was the firflt that Summon'd the Third Efiate^ or demanded Money of his people, the Kings of France before his Ti^iiie, living on their Demefnes. By this it appears, that the Firft AfTeiiiblies were of the Nobles and Clergy, and that about 450 Years ago, the Third Eftate was added to raife Supplies for the Wants of the Crown, when its Demefnes and Ancient Revenues' were Embezel'd and Alienated. The Kings of the Race of jyalois, us'd frequently to call AiTemblies of the Three Ejlates^ the Prelates, the Nobles, and the Deputies. Charles the Wife^ always a fFeifled to have his Orders received in the AfTembly of the States, and confirmed the Third, It is remarkable, that Thllip de Valois when he was threaten'd by Edward the Third, for keep- ing from him his Kingdom of France^ AfTembled only One of the Three Efiates^ the Peers and Ba- rons, who depending more immediately upon the Crown, were fure to decide that Difpute againil King Edward ', whereas the Deputies of the Peo- ple, who, in the bed Times have their Intereft' onjy in View, might not have been To hafly to bring on themfelves a Bloody War for his fake only. I muft own freely, I wonder at the Madnefs of foiiie Nations in the darker Ages, who have in- volv*d themfelves in the moil Sanguinary Contefts to fupport the Claims of Two Perfons only, each of whofe Government wou'd have made them as happy as the other. Philip de Valois^ John and Charles the Vth, had a great Deference for their People, and often communicated to them the Af- fairs of Stare. When Charles the Vlth became unfit to Govern, the Three Ejlates conferM the Adminiftration on the Dukes of Berry and Bur- gundy^ in preference to the Duke of Orleans the King's Brother. The Authority of thefe AfTemblies vs^as much lefTen'd by Lewis the Xlth, whofe Fa- ther Charles the VII th, having driven the Englijh out of France^ and polTefs^d himfelf of the Kingdom by the Sword, began to Rule Abfolutely> and his Son of V R A N C E. :j7 Son had no Thoughts, but how to fettle his Arr birrary Power, which was his Idol. He and his Succeflbrs found Means to alter the Conftitutioii of thefe AfTemblies, as alfo of their Great Coun- cils Inflituted at firft for the Government of the State, but reduc'd by them to Ordinary Courts of Judicature, fuch as the Courts of Parliament now in France, From the Reign of Lems the Xlth, to that of HefJry the IVth, there was no Regular Aflembly of the Three Ejfate/^ and that which he held at Koariy was too Partial to deferve the Name of the States General. The Truth is, thefe AfTemblies in France^ were almoft all along made Tools to drain Money from the People, tho' fometinies a Spirit of Liberty exerted it felf, as it feem'd to' do in the Minority of Lewis the Xlllth, when the Prince of Conde and the Lords of his Party, demanded and obtained a Meeting of the Three Eflates, the laft that ever met in France. It o- pen'd the loth of OH-ober^ 1514, and tho* in the Treaty concluded between the Regent and the Prince, it was Stipulated to be holden at Si^m^ yet She by her Authority, only remov'd it to Parisy that the Prefence and Artifices of the Court i.aght have the greater Influence *, and to render this Meeting inefFe£lual, Sh^ fo divided the Three Or-, ders, that it was loon feen no Good w^s ever in- tended by admitting them to m.ett. For the very firfl Thing they d d, was a Motion from the No- .bility and Clergy, To fupprefs the Sale of OJfices^ which touching the Third Eitate, coinpos'd chiefly of Gentlemen of the Long Robe to the quick, they retaliated upon them by a Propofal for Icf- fenning of Taxes^ and fuppreffifig of Penfirns, which concerned the Two other Efiates to fupport. Af- ter long Debates in the feveral Orders about thefe Matters, the Clergy and Nobility Petition'd the King to fuperfede the Sale of Offices •, and the Third Eflate, to be reveng'd of them, did the fi\me with refpe£l to Taxes and Penfionb. Tiie (Courtiers vs^ere extreamly pleas'd with tliefe DJ- D '3 viiions, §9 The Sea'et Hiftary vifions, which they look'd upon as a good EfFeft of their Intrigues ; and nothing cou*d pe more fa- tisfaftory to the Minifters, than to fee that the Three Houfes fhou'd ieparateiy demand different Things, without being able to come to an Agree- ment among themfelves. This furnifh'd them with ^ Favourable Pretence not to grant any of their Demands. The Nobility minded only the conti- nuance of their Pen (ions j the Depuries only the fup- prefTing of the Tailles which paid them ^ and the Clergy had nothing fo much at Heart, as the Tublicatlon of the Council of Trent ^ which had not been received in France^ To this end, they were very complaifant to the Nobility, and the Court labour 'd to get their Demands com ply 'd with, knowing it wou'd meet with infuperable Difficul- ties in the Third Houfe, which wou'd foon give ^hem Occafion to break up their Seflion, and all the Fault wou'd lye on the Three Orders, wlio cou'd not agree among themfelves about their Greivances. The Nobility concurred with the Clergy, for the receiving the Council of Trent^ but the De- puties of the Third Houfe wou'd not hear of it' And their Speaker, Mondeur Miron^ Provofl of the Merchants of Varis^ lliew'd in his Speech to the Deputies of the Clergy and Nobility, fent to the Third Eftate for their Confent, that thofe Trench Men who had ever any Love for their Country, had always an Abhorrence of the Ty- ranny and Ufurpation of the Pope, tho' they were Members of the Koman Church. HoX9 many Com- cils^ faid he, have there been^ which we have never puhlipj'd in France ? And yet we obferve the good Regulations made by them : The Gentlemen of the Clergy may renounce the Plurality of Livings^ and reform the other Ahufes Condemn d by the Councily we jhall be mofi Edify d by ity and their Sincere Submiffion to its Ordinances^ will be a tacite Ac- ceptation of it. Their good Example in this Cafe^ will be as advantageous to the Council of Trent, as a Formal Publication of it. The Hovfe of the Third State, 0/ F R A N C E. ?9 Strtte^ return their Thanh to the Clergy for the Zeal they Jhevo to propagate the Catholuk Religion^ anci will endeavour to fecond their good Intentions : Whilft thele Matters hung, a Propofal was made to Eredl a Chamber of Juftice, to inquire into the management of the Treafury during the Queen's Adminiflration. This Propofal was firft mov'd in the Houfe of the Nobility, and pafl: there cur- rently *, but tliQ Clergy^ fays VafTor, fiillmore Slaves to the Court than the Nobility^ had fome Scruples about it. The Cardinal De Sourdis told them the like had been attempted before en feveral Occafwns^ but it was never found to turn to the advantage of the PMicL Meer Shame ^t laft obliged the Houfe of the Clergy to agree to this Motion. The Deputies of the Third Houfe heartily con- curr'd in it, and the King v\^as petitioned to E- reft fuch a Chamber. The Court fell immedi- ately to their ufual Artifices of getting over fome of the Nobility *, and after two or three Anfwers to as many Petitions of ihQ Three Edates^ theSu- perintendant of the Finances told them^ the King wou*d chufe a Fit Number of Perfons out of the Soveraign Courts of the Kingdpm, to inquire in- to the management of the Treafury. The Houfe of the Clergy prefently contented themfelves with this Offer, and Voted it Satisfa5loyy . The Nobility did not infift on the Erefting a Court out of the Members of the Three Efiates^ and the Deputies of the Third Houfe found themfelves too weak to fland out againft the other two. . It muft be obferv'd here, that when Henry the IVth dy'd, there was a Treafure of near 20 Mil- lions of Livres in the Bafldey wliich was fuppos'd to have been prodigally fquander'd away by the Regent in Penfions and Profufion, befides the Annual Income of the Kingdom. To excule this, the Su- perintendant told the Eftates, that the yearly Reve^ nueofFr^??ce was but 18800000 Livres, and the Ex- pence 21500000, whence it fclJow'd that there were near 3 Millions a Year wanting, and that might very well take up what v;as left in King fEmy s D 4 Coilers, 40 The Secret Hlflory Coffers, adding to it the Charge of Secret Services never brought to Account. This Revenue of 18800000 was encreas'd during the Minority to 57000000, of which ip only was brought into t tie King's Coffers *, and during the Miniftry of Cardi- nal RichlieiL 'twas rais'd to 80000000, of which 45000000 only were employ'd in raying the Charges of the State •, the reft under the Minority and that Miniftrv w^ere lavifh'd on Favourites and Courtiers^ the Minifters of the Luxury and Ambition of their Princes. In Lewis the XI Vth's Time, this Revenue mounted to no lefs than 140 Millions of Livres year- ly, an Income fufficient to enilave fo corrupt a World as that we live in *, and how near to Slavery it was, let the Hiftories of this Age tranfmit to Pofterity with the fame Pride that they endur'd it. 1 cannot think this Digreflion will be tedious, and then I am latisfy'd it will not be reckoned imper- tinent. The honeft and well affefted Members of the Three EJiates^ highly refenting the Treatment of the Court in the Bufinefs of the Chamber of Jnflice, thought they cou'd do their Country no tetter Service than to incert an Article in their Addrefs, in which they gave the King moft admi- rable Advice, in lively and prelling Terms, concern- ing the Method of regulating his Expences to the beit Advantage : However, fays my Author, a French- tnan, the Court did not micch trouble their Heads with their Politicks^ being fully refilvdy as foon as the States were broke upj to take the Liberty of following fuch Councils as they fiould think fit. They alfo re- prefented to his Majefty, that he ought by no means to lay any extraordinary Taxes upon his People, for That Hellifi) Maxitn^ adds he, that the King may exacl from his Subjects whatever he pleafes, and that therein his Will is the fate Rule of his Power was not then received in France. What I have before call'd an Addrefs, is in French term'd a Cahier^ and is a kind of Petition each Eftate drew up to preient to the King for the Redrefs of their Grievances. That of theTiiird Eflate, at the Motion of the Deputies of of FRANCE. 4f of Taris and of the Ifle of France^ incerted in theirs a very material Artide for the Sovereign Power of the King, and the Security of his Royal Perfon, which was to this EfFciH:, That for preventing the Consequence of a pernicious Do[irine^ which had been hroach'dfome Tears fince^ againfi Kings and Sovereign. PowerSy his Majefty P)oud be defird to caufe to he pMifid in the Affemhly of the States General, as an inviolable and fundamental Law of the King- dom^ That the King being recognifed Supreme in France, and holding his uiuthority from God alone^ there was no Power upon Earthy either Spiritual or Temporal^ that had Right to deprive him of hts Kingdom *, nor to difpence withy nor to abfolve his Subje^s from their Fidelity ^ and the Allegiance they pwd himy for any Caufe whatfoever^ &c. They then defird an Oath might be taken to this Purpofe, by all Magiftrates and Clergymen, with other Circumftances which aim'd direftly enough at the ufurp'd Authority of the Pope. The Deputies of the Third Eftate were almoft unanimous in their Votes for this Claufe, which the Murder of the two preceding Kings had made as neceflary as rea- fonable. The Houie of tlie Clergy cry'd out, All is undone^ all is undone-^ there are Rafcals and Here- ticks in the Ajfembly^ that have confpird the Ruin of our Religion. See the Loyalty of the French Priefts, fee the Happinefs of having a double Jnrifdidion in a Conftitution ; the facred Power of Kings and the Safety of their Perfons cannot be fecur'd againfi: the AfTaffinations and corrupt Do£lrincs of Friefts, Slaves to Rome^ but Religion is prefently in Danger. The Clergy apply'd themfelves to the Nobles, and they with great Complacency afTur'd them, they wou'd enter on no Article of Faith or Do(n:rine without their Advice. Tou^ faid the Seigneur De Maintenon to the Deputies of the Clergy, are our true and lawful DoHors^ and it belongs to you to in- ftru5l uSy and prefcribe what we ought to believe in thefe Matters* '' Was there ever, fays Monfieur " Va'jfory a more bafe and ridiculous Piece of Fkt- « tery than this ? For were the Deputies of the ' ■ « Clergy ^S The Secret Bifiory ** Clergy fuch able and extraordinary Men ? Had *' they all the Learning and Light imaginable ? So '^ far from it, that their Houfe was compos'd for *' the mod part of timerous, ignorant and fuperfti- *' tious Monks ; and if there were any learned Men *' among them, their Ambition made them perfeft *' Slaves to the Court of Rome» In the mean time the Parliament of Paris made a Decree in favour of the Ariide of the Third Eftate, which the Nobility and Clergy had rejected. Cardinal Bu Perron came to the Lower Houfe, J]nd fpoke three Hours againft it ^ and Monfieur Miron their Prefident vindicated it with equal Reafon and Gravity. Thefe Difputes were very agreeable to the Court, as ob- flruding the Proceedings of the States General. The Prince of Conde^ in an AfTembly of the King's Council upon this extraordinary Occafion, made a Speech, which ierv'd only to fhew the Weak- nels of his Judgment and Spirit, for to ingratiate hii.ifelf with the Clergy, he clos'd it with Advice, Thiit the K'wg fljoud forbid the Clergy and the ihird ^fiate to difpiite any longer on the controverted Arti- cle^ hvt that he fl)oud be Judge himfelf\ which was accordingly done, and the Execution of the Arret of Parliament fuperfeded. What lefs cou'd have been expe£led from the blind Obedience of an Italian Prince fs to the Bifhop of Rome ? But the Clergy not thinking the Order of Council againft the Ex- ecution of the Decree of the Parliament of Paris ftrong enough, and encourag'd by the Partiality the Minifte.rs had fhewn them in this Difpute, remon- firated again, to which they receiv'd only a general Anfwer. This did not fatisfy them, who fancy 'd there were fome Perfons of great Intereft and Ability in the King's Council, that obftrufted the Church in her Defigns. The Marefchal De Bouillon was chiefly rufpefted, and therefore Cardinal X)z^ Pfrr<7» faid. We challcng'e fuch of the Kings Council who are not Catholich^ and humbly defrre that his Majcfiy woud not admit them therein when the Church Affairs are concern d. I Woud not have appeared therein^ reply d Bouillon^ who knew very well that he alone was ^/ F R AN C E. 4? was meant in that Requeft, had the Church been con- cerrfd m that Quejiion *, hut feeing the Dtfpute re- lates to the Kings Sovereignty, that Afair is merely political. Tou do wifely, Sir^ faid the Cardinal of Sourdis^ in not medling in a Taint of Religion -i hut we maintain that the Contents of the Article of the Ibird Bfiate ii of f^^f Nature. '* Could any thing, jays ' *-' the Author I lafi mention d^ more plainly difcover « the true Genius of the Clergy than that Anfwer ? <' Here is a Cardinal who maintains, in the very « Prefence of his Prince, that the Supreme Autho- *' rity of Kings being a Point wherein Religion is « concern'd, his Majefty cannot determine in his <'. Council, that the Pope has no Right to deprive *' him of his Crown whenever he will be pleased *. There was ^o much Diffiniulation in this new De^-^ claration, that there was no likelihood of its an- fwering the End proposed by it. The Parliament of Paris let it lie ieven Weeks without Verification 5 - and^ fays my Author, it was fo far from curing the Evil rais'd by the Con- Ed. NatltsS-'^ tejk among the Nohility^ that it hm^dly Vcl.II, Ra^^ ferv'd to palliate. Hq ^OQS on. Indeed -* *' '- 'twas not very likely it JJjould fatisfy any body, "cdn-^- fidering how it was pennd. It was natural to fufpeEb that a conftant Laa>. coud not b^ th? Sequel of a- Prefacs 48 The Secret Hifiory Frefave without Truth , That Imitation ^/ Henry the IVth*/ Prudencey fo much inpfied upon^ had never appear d in the Queen s Condu^, on the contrary, fl}e had abandoned all the late Kings Proje^Sy alter d^ confounded and defiroyd all that he had done for the Peace and Grandeur of the Kingdom^ and concluded the Alliance with Spain, for which he had exprefs*d an invincihle Averfion to his Dying Day, That Af- fetation of always f peaking of the Imitation of a Prince y all whofe Alaxims had been Overthrown^ of- fended thofe who griev'd to fee how much the Re» gency had disfigurd the Government. It is Odious to boajh of a things the contrary of which is Noto- rious to every one ^ and Study d Proteftations of per- forming a Duty which one fwerves from by a Thou- fand A^ions^ fetdom perfwade a thing which Effe^s^ contraddh Moreover^ every Body was too fenfihle how many Cabals and Fa^ions had torn the King- dom during jhe Minority^ to reiiff) the Praifes that were given to the Queen^ of having maintain d it in Peacc^f &c. The Difagrecment between the Vpper and Lower Hoafes, was fufficicnt Ground for the Court to difTolve an AlTembly that gave fo little Satisfa£li- on to France, The Marelchal De Brifacy who was fent to the Houfe of the Clergy, on the dif- ference about the Controverted Article^ brought in by the Lower, exhorted them to finiih their Cahiersj in order to their Difmiflion. 'lis to be^ f«ar*df fays he, the Provinces will complain of the /low Proceedings of the States *, there are fome un^ quiet Spirits that love to be Filing in Troubled IVa- ters and Clamour becaufe of the long Sitting of the Ajfembly j wherefore 'tis convenient to put a flop to this Extraordinary Commotion^ and to reflore Peace and Tranquility in the Kingdom, A Fort- night after this, the Duke De rendefme was fcnc tp the Three Houfes on the fame Errand, and to let them know how much they were oblig*d to the King that he did not demand Money of them as his Anceftors were wont to do, which he did WJt> probably, becaufe never intending to depend on of F R'A^iN^^Cl. i,9 bntbftm for Supplies, or to ttiake ufe^^^f ^&m any iiiore,. he might make no New'-Pierjii^t of the Neceility of thtir Meeting for thiii 4^rpo{^. The Nobility joyn'd witH -the Lower Mbule, in (lefiring they might not he difmirs'ei tiHube Kmg had given his Aniwer to their fevepal. (S*Aifrii, ti^o* wi^h different Views v^'® former beitig^ .earneft to have the Sale e/ Oj^^c-eiTupprefs'd,'- i«ld;^A'^f^ie^Cler- gy alfo finctiiig there was, no-othet way to gei'the; Publication of the' Council df 7r^;?f , ' joy ti'd with the other -Two Eftates in addreffiti^^ the \(mg\ that the tahUrs might be^a?]fv\fer-d .'^efor'e"th<3f breaking up of the States General. Nay; there ii on this Occafron 5 an In(l^Hc6 of Honefty in a French Pi-ieft, that m'ight mfike fMie of the OfdiSf in our own Church, 'tiie Bhlwark'^and Ornament of the Re- form'd-ReUgi'ptt blufh.'^^For'he told tl^^'rlM ambers bf his Houfc,' that the ftrppreffing the Sdb''of Offices and Petifions^ was a Trifle -inComparifert^of li^ Affairs that tliey ought'io take Cogrir^kff(^e ^f : To fettle the Kmgs Counfely-Md regvlate- the-^^rMfury^ thefe^ fays- hej are the Ajfaih the Thre& -Hohjes'^ught mojily to- ■■be taken up mthi There is nf jtijjemhly but the States General to determine tht'fe Matter s^ for Vohat mher Afemhly woud be fo bdd^fir'to ex- pofe th^Hifelves. to the Hatred a?]d Re^ntmbnf of Powerful 'MeUj whofe Inter eft obliges them 'to hhder ail they can the falling uptnlwi) juch Thtder Points as thefe. 'Tis'k^pos'd this Honejt Monk was en^ gag'd by the Prince of Conde to make this Moti- on, for inquiring into ti*re prefeiit AdminWration^ which the Prince aim'd at wnh a Defigri to turn out the Chancellor Stiiery^ tlie Treafurer Jednnin^ and all the. Marefchal D' A-cre's Friends and Creatures^ from the Council and Miniftry.- But no Body had Courage enough to fecdnd this brave Motion -^ y^t the Three EJiates took upon them to direa the Ring, whom he iTioii d advife With, vv'hen he tdck into Conlidefation the Anfwer to be given to their Cahiersy naming only the Princei and Officers i^f the Cntprii ntid defirinj if he Csiird iriany of hi? E oth^r 50 The Secret Hiftory other Counfellors, he wou'd pleafe to give in a Lift of them, and confent that the Three Orders might Name five or fix to confult with the Princes and Officers of the Crown, about the Anfwer they were to, receive to their Petition. Nay, they in- fiftcd. That four or five Deputies of each Houfe miqht be prefnt at the Counctl, when the Cahiers Jbould there be Examind, I defy tlie Engllfi) Hiftory to give any Inftance in the^ moft Flouriihing, Times of Liberty, that ever a Parliament of England fhou'd dare to pre- fcribe to the Sovereign whom to chufe for his Counrellors, and demand to have the Naming of One of them. Is it not therefore Prodigious to fee how the Spirit of the French are funk, even from what it was a Hundred Years ago, in the Reign of the Father of Lewis Le Grand. The on- ly way the Regent had to avoid complying in feme meafure with the States Demands, was to gain over the Clergy, no hard matter for her to do, who bad the Bilhopricks and Benefices at her difpofal. She upbraided the Cardinal de Sourdis^ that the Houfe of the Clergy had Blindly given in to the Propofafs of the other Houfes ^ that they demanded dangerous Novelties^ and the like. But what won him at once, was, her giving him to underftand that the Clergy fhou*d never obtain their De- mands as long as the AfTembly fate : That if the Minifters of State, who were in the Church Inte- rcfl, were excluded from deliberating upon the king's Anfwers, the Commons woud ftart infur- mountable Difficulties, and perhaps the Nobility joyn with them. She concluded, Tou are now pretty well United^ when the u^jfcmhly is broke up^ they cant reed their IVord^ and the Third Eft ate will no further crofs yon with Renwnftrances. As foon as Cardinal du Ternon was informed of the Queen's Pleafure, he fell in with it immediately, and there was no more Talk of continuing the icjlion among the Priefts, whofe Order refolvd to he Obedient^ as the Phrafe began to be. A Specious Name^ fays Vaflbr, with which the Timerousj or thofe who are to (?/ F R A N C R 51 to make their Interefis in France, Colour all their Bafefjep. The Nobility mads fome Oppofition, and reprefented to the Clergy, Hon? bafe it was to ^ive vp to the Court all that is difpleafing to the Minijlers. They perfifted in fefolving to demand the Calling of Six of the moft Ancient Counfel- iors to aflift at the Deliberations of the Anfwcrs to the Cahiers, and the Clergy durfl not refufe to joyn in with them, for fear of the Nobility and Commons uniting againfl them ^ fo the Arch- Bifhop of u4ixj of the Family of Hopital^ was appointed to make this Remonftrance to the king, upon which the Duke de Fentadour was fent to the Houfe of the Clergy, to feparate them from the Two other Houfes, hoping then to make them all defift fronl their Demands, on a Promife of accepting a De- putation from each Order, to repreferit to the King and his Council, the Reafons why their Orders thought fit to make them. But it feems the Priefts were not in fo good a Temper us was expected, and the Cardinal de Sovrdis told the Duke in plain Terms^ Tl^at Houfe xooiid perfifi in thsir Humble Requefts. And accordingly the Bifhop oiCrefiohU^ it the Head of the Three Houfes, deliver'd ano ther Remonftrance on that Head, upon which th« Court a(runi*d the Air of Authority, ^\ Set them a " Day for delivering their Memorial, and pro- " mis'd if there was Occafion for their Meeting *' again about the Anfwer, they (hou'd have timely *« Notice; '' This contented the Clergy, and the Two other Orders being deferred by them, were bblig'd to fubmit, and all Three deliver'd in their Cahte-ts: That of the Clergy, of which mention has already been made, was deliver'd by Armand John de Pleffis, Bifhop of Lucon, afterwards Cardinal Eichlieu, a great Stickler for the Regent in this Af- fenibly. He fpoke with great Vehemence againft the Reform'd^ and particularly of a Riot at Mil- hatr, in the D'ibccfs of Rhodes^ where they bad ta- ken Arms, routed the EcckaalHcks^ broken the Crucifixes, torn the Ornaments, broken down the Altars, prophatn'd the Relicks, taken the- Fix out E 2 OJ 52 :Tbe Secret Htfiorj of the Tabernacle, flung down the Gonfecrated Hofts, and trampled them ttnder their Feet, which the King hearing (aid, He thought hmfelf as fTmch cbligd to revenge the Stabbing of his God, as the Parricide of his Father, and doiibtlefs he h?,d done it, had not the Papifts committed a worfe Riot at Beleftat m the fame Diocefs, pulling down the Tem- ple of the Reform'd, and Plundering, Beating and Wounding thofe of that Religion ^ of which Com- plaint being made to Court much about xht fame time, both Affairs were alike referred to Judges, and after having been fome Months in Agitation, came to nothing. Upon the Breaking up of the General AfTembly, which was the 20th of February ^ the Baron de Se- 7iecy made a Speech for the Nobility, and Men- fieur Mircn for the Commons. The latter was obferv'd to be full Refpeftful, and yet Bold, all which had no other Effe^, than the Naming Com- niiflioners by the Court to Examine the Cahiers^ jthat AnCwcrs might be given to the Deputies of tiie Three Orders. And the Anfwer to that Part of 'the Cahiers^ which related to the felling of Of- fices, was, that it fhould be abolifh'd, but inflead thereof,^ a Yearly Duty was to be laid on Salt, which falling hard on the Midling fort of People, the Lower Order oppos'd ity and met again to Ad« drefs the King againli: it. The King had probited any fuch Formal Meeting, and told them, / very vrell underftand what you have reprefemed to z?;f, J,v:ill eafe my People as much as lyes in ?ny Power ^ and to that end will advije with the Queen niy Mother and my Council, Then the Regent told them, fo long a CotJtinuancc at- Paris, bei'ag voy Chargeable and Tr&ublefome to them^ it was high time now for theinj to think of -repairing Home to their refpeftive Comnries, Thus was the lafl: Af- fembly of the States General of France^ fent pack- ing, without having obtain'd the Redrefs of one Greivance. The Clergy were the only Gainers, and the Proteflants, tho' not the only, the Chief Lofers. The Deputies of the other Orders obtain- ed ^/FRANCE, 5j cd nothing but Vain General Promilts, of whic^^ they were fenfible they (hou'd never fee the Ef* feas. The Queen Regent having given a Marefchal's- Staff to Conchints Husband, now caH!d the Ma- refchal D* Ancre^ it rais'd the Envy of almoft all the Prime Nobility. Tho* the Prince of Conde had loft Ground by the Meeting of the States, which fhew'd what little Intereft he had in them, yet being the Firft Prince of the Blood, and the Court taking no Notice of the States Cahiers^ the Parli- ament of Paris, the fliadow of that Aflembly, be- gan to caft their Eyes upon him. About a Month after the breaking up of the Eftates, they made a Decree, inviting the Princes, the Peers, and Of- ficers of the Crown that fit among them, to Af- femble with them to remedy the Diforders of the State. This Boldnefs very much aljarm'd and of- fended the Court : They fent for the Parliament to have an Account of their Enterprife, revers*d their Decree, and forbad the Execution of it, as will be feen hereafter more at large. The Parli- ament, in/lead of f alFive Obedience, remonflrated to the King, as became Men who Jov'd the Glory / and Peace of the State, infifting Vigoroufiy on the Article of the Third Eftate, which the Court had rejeded. One of the Articles of their Remon- flrance ought not to be forgotten: They defirdhii Majefly to preferve the Splendor and Dignity of the Roman Religion ^ without fwerving from the Edt^s of Pacificauon, See here ye Bigotted Britalns^ a Body of French Paplfis bravely Handing up for re- drefling of Greivances, and Toleration to Proteftants, Men that declar'd themfelves for Moderation in Religious Matters, and learn all of you, who know not that LefTon, To Love your Country and your Neighbours, The Marefchal de Bouillon was at the bottom of this brave Attempt of the Parliament of Purify to fave the Dying Liberties of France : He was eYirag'd to find him felf neglected, and tho* he had no great Opinion of the Prince of Conds's Capacity or Conflancy, yet as he was Firft Prince E 5 ^f 54 The Secret Hijlory of the Blood,- he thought it his Intereft to joyii in with him, and engage as many Great Lords and others as he cou'd in his Party, to make Head againfl the Marefchal D* Ancrz and the Miniftryl To this Purpofe, he held Intelligence with Ed- munds the Enz^liJJ} AmbafTador, Tho\ as Fajfor ex* prefTes himfelf, There was little or no Ground tq depend vpon a weak Kingj and one who was depen- dant on his Almijiers *, yet the Marefchal was of Opinion it wou'd do good if he cou*d fay only King James was on their (ide. And it was on the forming this Party, that the Parliament prefented th"'nc Vigorous Remonlf ranee. The Queen look'4 upon it as an Invedive againft her Government *^ the Marefchal J>' Ancre as an Affront offer'd by thofe that envy'd him '^ the Prefident Jsanmn^ as a Reproach ol the Deflipation of the Finances : And the Pukes of Cuije and Epemon having old Grudges againft that Venerable Body, offer'd their Service to the Queen and Miniftry, to Humble, if not Deflroy them. Upon which a Decree of Coun- cil was publiihd in the King's Name, to annul that of the Parliament, Commanding it to be ta- ken cut of the Regifters, and that of the Council to be put in its room *, which Injury doiTe to the Chief Senate of France^ increased the Prince's Par- ty, to which the Marefchal de Bouillon^ did his utmoft to add that of the Reforni'd , and at lafl engaged their Deputies, Monfieur Kcuvray^ Mon- Jieur Des Bordesj Monfieur Mirande^ and Monfieur BertheviHe. But how did he engage them, by FerfwaGons founded on the Welfare of the Pub- lick, or the Advancement of Religion J Nu, by promifing Advantages and Honours to themfelves as Monfieur Roirjray to be Amballador to the Vnitcd Prpvirjces^ Monfieur Des Bcrdes to be a Counfellor in ParJiament, Monfieur BertheviHe to be Deputy General of the Reform'd Churches o\ rrance : fowerfid and Ferfwafive Motiv^s^ fays the Duke of Rohan ^ ^ I havQ (?/ F R A N e E. 55 I have before mentioned the Order of Council publifh*d againft the Decree of Pa ili mien t, in thc^ Management of which happen'd feveral Turns, that ftew how little one may depend on the Ho- nour of Men in Places of Profit for their Love to their Country, when their own private Intercft can be better ferv'd at the Expence of both. When the Court fent for Vionfieur Servietjy Advo- cate General, to give him Inflruftions to kt up the Order of Council againft the Parliament's Decree, he at firft ftrenuoufly defended the latter, faying, Ijf any body fljould go aijout to /peak againjl the Parlia- 7}jem^ we JJjoitd be obliged to maintain the Legality of the Decree. The Queen reply'd in a Paflion, Tou woudget more by obeying the King, Moiifieur Servien perceiving a Biihop come up to hear with greater Satisfadlion how fevcrely their Majefties exprefs'd themfelves againft the Parliament, and that Prelate being one of the moft zealous for the Pope's vSupe- riority, the Advocate General rais'd hisV^oice. and {iiid. Madam ^ ire have long ago obtain d the Glory of rendring that Obedience -we owe to the Kingj that Obedience which all who hear us owe him likewife^ of what Quality foever they may be. We have always fiewny and always fiall fljew by our Difcourfes and Example^ Str^ continu'd he, turning to the King, that you hold your Authority from God only^ and that you in no way depend on any other Power whatfoever^ as to what concerns the Temporal Government of your Kingdom^ ^c. All the Inftances of the Advocate General and the King's Counfellors were to no pur- pofe, they were order'd to acquaint the Parliament with his Majefty's Pleafurc ; and tho' Monfieur Ser' vien complimented that Body, as the lively Refem- blance of an old Roman Senate, yet he found them juft fuch another AfTembly as the Senate of Rome un- der the Emperors. They readily complyM with the Orders they received ,• and Monfieur Servien himfelf, when he made his Report to the King, alTur'd him. There was \nothing in the World that they more hear- tily defird than the Prefervation of hii Authority^ and nothing was dearer to them than hU Favour, But E 4. tlie 0 ShiySetref. Mfiory : the MarefthalD? Bouillodfcmnd Means to aggravate tbefe Mortifit^.tibns, in fucb a manner, to that Body-, tiiat tliey' refolv'd to ftand by their Decree :, Mon- fieur Ferditn^ the firft^ Preljdent, holding a ftri£V Gorferpiofid^tice with the Marefchal. Upon this the Prefidents are fent , for to Court, and told, That holding their' Amharity from the King^ they ought td jnake no other Vfe of it but to a[fert his Authority-, and intimating,- that what was done was taken to be an Effeft of the rafh and yoting Members of this Body* Monfieur'^^r/j/w^ anfwer'd, that they were unani- nious. ' The Queen faying. She return' d her Thanh to all thai had opposed this Innovation -^^ that the King ke^ Son fijould retnemher their Fidelity ^ and jhe would tifi her Endeavonrs to prowpt htm to befiow jcme^ J'okem of Ms Kindnefs upon them^ the firft- Prefident reply*d, M/idam^ we do nioft humbly defirs yeii to b^. perfwaded that we have been all concerned in ih Decree j to give no Credit to the conVtiary Report^ and to favour Hi all equ(Myxoith your Kindnefs and your FroteElion ^iththe King. And the Parliament, when they re* turn'd to' their Court, periifting in their Refolutioq to maintain their Arret j (he ient for them again. The King referrd thera to his Mother, who fet an Example to all future Governpients m France^ to treat that Body with no more Ceremony than the meaneft Corporation in the Kingdom, in which fl^ie bas been imitated by them all : He ^ your Xing and your M^if^er, fliys fhe, be perfwaded he fhall exert hk -Authority^ if yowtrefpafshts Injunctions-'^ thofe ar^ ■Men tli-affeiled to his Service^ who put you upon yiightinj hu- Orders. The firft Prefidentfaid coldly, '.He vtoud acquaint the. Tarliarnent with the Kings In- tentions, However, the Ccmmittee they had ap- ^pointed to^ draw up a Remonftrance, purfuant to their Decree; went on with it. The Qaeen and Miniftry being apprehenfive that the i^arliament M'ou'd not have taken tliis Step, if they had not •been put upon it by the oppofite Party, thought it advifeable to keep the prcteftants in as good a Hu- mour as-tbay could, by Fromifes and fair Words. "She reiy'd on the Probity acid Moderation of • Maii- -'' iieur of F R AN G R 57 HonYDuPleffis Mornay,' The Minifters and Secre- fariesof State often wrote to him, and he was ac- quainted with all the Proceedings, of the States Ge- neral. In a w or d, the Court made a Shew, of fetting a great Value oh the Advices of that wife Gentleman, as if they refolvd to follovv them upon all Occa- hons, and the Reform d having been alarm'd at the Propofal made in the States General, that the King fhould be addreft d to maintain the Catholick Religion, according to his Coronation Oath, againft Hereticks, to cafe them of tli^ir Fears, the beforer hiention'd Declaration was put forth in iheir Favour the i2th oi Marchy 1515-. wherein he declares. He mil hep INri OLABLT what his Father And 'himjelf had granted to the Froteftants, commanding that all EdiBs^ Declarations and private Article i fiouldbenligioujly maintain d. We fliali fee p're- fentiy how this Declaration and thefe Command? were obfervxl. What follows is. a Confellion from the Mouth of this King, ofaTruth he butillpra- flis'd in the Courfe of liis Reign, and his SuccelTor much^orfe than himfelf t We €xpeU:from the Divine Mercy i fays iie^ that he will reunite all cur Subjects in the fam^ Religion by the ordinary and vfual Means j the Church' being fully perj waded by the Experience of ^im^s pajt that viole'rit Remedies were never effe^ual^ #r. Thefe fine Speeclies were to prepare the way for a General Aflembly of the Reformed, which was tp meet at Grenoble^ a Place the Proteftants did not fit all approue of^ as being entirely in the Pofieiiion of the Marefchal De Lefltfguieres^ whofe Diffimu- iation and double Dealing they were as much afraid of as afham'd of his fcandalous Life 5 of which the following Story is a fufficient Proof, and in it will be feen what infamous things the greateft Men are capable of, to gratify their Ambitipn and Interefh Charles Blanchefort^ Sire De Creqiti^ had marry*d the only Daughter remaining of the Marefchal De Lef- 'difguieress lawful Children ; but the Marefchal had two other Daughters by a certain Woman nam'd ,Mary Ftgnon^ whom he had taken away from her YiM%hm^y , Smiimnd Matel^^^ ^i]k Merchant at .;«.._-; " * • Grenoble, ^8 The Secret Hifiorj Grenoble, Their Commerce was for feme time kept private, Lefdifgutre$*s Wife being living^ but as foon as ihe cfy'd, he caus'd her to be calT'd Madam De Moyranc^ the Name of one of his Lord- jhip's, the* he was then above threefcorc Year's old. La Moyranc not being fatisfy'd to be ferv'd and re- fpcfted as if fhe had been his lawful Wife, would needs marry him, her Husband being flill living. To remove him out of the way, Co\ont\ Alar dim Confident, a Man who carry d on the Intrigues be- tween the Duke of Savoy and him, took upon him- felf to get poor Afatel murder'd, and all the World prefently fufpefted he was the Inftrument La Moy- .fjanc had employed to rid her felf of her Husband. The Parliament of Gienobk order*d Alard to be apprehended on Sufpicion. The Marefchal, who had abfented himfelt while the horrid Fa£l was per- petrating, haften'd to Grenoble as foon as he heard Alard was ftcur'd. But the Difficulty was how to get him out of the publick Prifon. To this end he went to it himfelf, and took him out, pretending he was the Duke of Savoy*s Minifter, and not to be medled with, unlefs his Highnefs gave Leave. The firft Prefident of Grenoble being highly provok'd at fuch a Violence, which plainly proved the Marefchal was privy to the Crime, made a great Buftle •, but nothing came of it» The Court, who flood mor« in need of Lefdifguteres than of him, induc'd the King to give an A^t, whereby he own*d all the Marefchal had done, in order to take Alard out of the Hands of the Magiftrate, He now gave Orders that La Moyranc ihonld have the Title of Mar- chioftefs of Tresfirty and afterv^ards marry'd her, Hu^ues Arch-Bifhop of Anwrun giving his Bleffing to that Criminal iMarriaj^re, La Moyranc being a Roman Catholick, and Lefdifguieres^ who wou'd llill retain the Name of a Proreftant, fubmitted himfelf to the Ecclefiaftical Cenfure, ordain'd by the Re- form'd againft thofe that marry after the way of the Church of Rome. *Tis reported that Charles Emanuel^ Duke of Savoy ^ being perfwaded that La Moyranc had a pirevailing Intereft with the Ma- refchal, 0f ¥K A N C E. 59 i'eOchal, was fo bafe as to propofe txD tliem a Match between the Count of Sault^ Son to Cre/fui^ and Lefdifguieres's Grandfon, and the Princefs of Savoy *, as alio another Match between La Moyranc's fecond Daughter, whom ^he Marefchal tenderly lov*d, and one of Charles Ewanucl*% Sons. Perhaps this was only an Artifice of that Duke's, who was paffionately defirous to fecure Lefdtfgtiieres in his Intereft. The Count of Sautt marry'd fince this fecond Daughter, jiis Aunt, but (he dy'd without IfToe. Crequi was then afraid left the eldeft Daughter of La Moyranc^ nurry'd to the Marquifs oi Mom^run^ fhou*d deprive the Count of Saidt of a confiderable Share of the Jncceflidn of his Grand-father •, and to prevent it, ib eJFe^luall'y managed the matter that Momhrm\ Marriage was diffoWd. Crequi prefs'd his Son to marry tier, tho' ihe was his Aunt, and his Sifter- in-Law, which the young Count refus'd with Hor- ror. 'Upon which his Father marry 'd her himfelf. Sifter as {he was.to his firft Wife. All thefe in- Ceftuous Marriages cou'd not be perform 'd without Difpenfations from Koim \ which is enough to give one an Idea of the Heligion and Juflice of that Court, as it does of the Honour and V^irtue of i>/- difguleres and Crequi, Cou*d the Rerorm'd think of bringing fuch a Scandal on their Religion, as to put themfelves in tlie Hands of a Murderer and Adulterer ? Befides all this, the Proteftants had very good Reafon to be jealous of his keeping a clofe Correfpondence with the Queen and Miniftry, ' to whom he was ready enough to facrifife them at any time for his own Intereft. They therefore defir'd to meet at fome other Place than (tremble *, but hearing the Ma- refchal was about to leave it, and come to Paris ^ they agreed to meet there *, which when they had done, the Marefchal put off his Journey, and ftay'd ito affift at the AfTembly. fending Ballufon to Court with AlTurances of his Fidelity, and to receive their prders, \.'j ■ • In ia The Secret Hi/lory . In the mean the Parliament had fini/h*J the Re- monftrance already fpoken of, and a Committee of them went with grsat Ceremony to deliver it, the People following their Coaches with loud Ac- clamations to the Gates of the Louvre^ where was in the Court, at the Windows, and on the Stair- Cafes, as great a Crowd as ever was feen. They were introduc'd by Munfieur f^itrl^ Captain of the Guards, into thci Council Chamber, where •were the King and Queen, accompany 'd by the Dukes of Gmfe^ Nevers^ Vendome^ Afontmerency and ^permn *, tlie Chancellor Silleni^ tlie Marei- chals n Ancre and Souvre , and] many other J.ords and Chief Councellors of State. The Re^ monftrance being deliver'd to the King, he gave it to Lomenie^ Secretary of State, and his MajeAy commanded the Parliament to withdraw ; upon which Mr. Verdun^ the Firft Prefident faid, Sir^ we are ordered by the reft of our Body^ rAofi humbly to befeech Tour Afa'iefiyj that our Remonflratice be prefently read. All that were prefent, heard it feemingly with with much Attention and Gravity, under which appearance they concealed the moft Furious Sentiments of Paffion and Refentment, ac- cording as it feverally touch'd them. This was one of the laft Efforts of Expiring Liberty in the Parliament of Paris^ and therefore worth the Readers being acquainted with it. They prov'd by many uncontrovertible Inftances, that the Par- liament had a Right to take Cognizance of State Affairs : And then they proceeded to fet forth their Greivances, which touching the Marefchal D' An- crey the Chancellor Silleryy and others who were at the hearing of it, gave Pleafurc to the Great Lojds, who cou'd not forbear cafling their Eyes upon them, as often as any Article was read where- in they were concerned. The Subllance of the Remonfirance, was to affert the Independency of. the Monarchy of France, which flruck at Cardinal du TerroJi's Speech to the States General, m fa- vour of the Pope. They defir'd Foreign Alliances m^ be maintain d. This the Regent underftood * very 0/ F A R N C E. 6t very well, to be aim'd at the Conclufion of the Double Match, which broke the Treaties with the Proteftant Princes and States, enter'd into by Henry the IVtth, againft the Exorbitant Power of the Houfe of Auflria. They pray*d his Majefty to call the Trinces and the Great Officers of the Crown to his Council^ and turn out thofe who had been brought in by Fapotir^ without Merit, At the reading of this, the Marrefchal D* Ancre and his Creatures, turn'd Pale, to the Satisfaction of alnioft all the Spe£latoas. They remonftrated againft Ven- fions and Gratuities from Foreign Princes^ and againft erv ploying Strangers in Offices^ either Civil or Mi^ litary^ They aflerted the Liberties of the Gallicia}t Churchy in oppofition to the Vfurpation of that of Rome. They infiuuated an Expulfion of the Je- Tuits : They complain'd of the Abufes in the Ad^ mimflration of Jujiice and the Finances^ which was defign'd againft tlie Chancellor Sillery^ ^nd the Comptroller of the Finances Jeannin. They ^^n*d- ed with humbly befeeching His Majefty to fuf- fer their Arrets inviting the Princes and Peers to deliberate with them about the State of the Nation, to ftand in Force. Thefe Articles were full and #^goroufly exprefs'd, and when the whole Remonftraiice was read, the Members of the Par- liament were order'd to withdraw. After they were cali'd in again, the King laid, / have heard your Remonftrance^ and 1 am not pleased with it \ the Queen my Mother^ will acquaint you with my Intentions, 'Tho nothing had been faid particular- ly againft her, on the contrary fhe had been com- mended in fome Parts of the Remonftrance ^ yet *twas plain all of it tended to oppofe her Adm>* niftration, and Ihe took it accordingly, which \^t her in a Violent Paftion, and in this Fury ftie anfwer'd the Parliament to this purpofe. " The *' King has juft Reafon to be offended at the Ac- -^ tempts of his Parliament *, you have taken the '' Affairs of State into your Confideration, noc- " withftanding yon were forbidden fo to do. Do V you relolve to reform the Kingdom ? Will you [^ prefcribe 6t The Secret Hijioty " prefcribe us Laws for the Government, and Adl* " miniftration of the Treafury ? I perceive very ** well what it is you aim at *, you have a Defign " upon my RegeiKy, which has been approv'd of *' by all the Orders of the Kingdom, in the Af- " fembly of the States General, and was even *^ commended by the Parliament it felf. When ** you defire to have the pretended Abufes re- " drefs'd, which have been introduced fince the " Death of the late King, yoU plainly declare by " that, that I have not Govern'd as I ought. I *' have been fufficiently inforni'd, how all things *' were carry'd in the Parliiment : Your Re- *• monftrance has not met with a General Appro- ^' bation there, Six Prefidents oppos'd it ^ but the *' Faftion of Six or Seven other PrefidehtS or ^' Councellors, have carry'd it: We will not for " the future, fuffer any (uch like Attempts^ This *' I fay pofitively, and I am pleas'd that all the **' World fhou'd know it, France has never had ** a more happy Regency than mine. " She cou'd go no farther, being To tranfported with Paflion. The (Chancellor was in not much better Temper than Her Majefty, but he put a better Face upon it, and after having in his Speech enlar^'d on the Boundlefs Power of the Kings of France^ he en- deavour d to leflen the Authority of the Parlia- ment, and flatter'd tiie Queen even more than Oie had flatter'd herfelf, Jeamin defir'd them not to believe Falfe Reports, and Vindicated himl'elf as to the management of the Treafury. The other Lords, who had not the Gift of Oratory, and be- sides were not fo much concern'd in the Remon- ftrance, did not make Speeches. The Dukes of Guifcy Montmerency and Vendome^ rofe up and of- fered to (land by the King with their Lives and Fortunes, againft all who iliou'd dare to difobey him, aduring him they wou'd not go to the Par- liament, unlefs his Majefty fent them to main- tain his Royal Authority. The Duke of Epernon faid, The Parliament have no Power to Call the PeerSy nor to Aj[9mhle them without the Kings Per- mi([ion. e/ F R A N G E. 6J mijfton. I have the HmovT of fitting in it^ God forbid I Jbou'd ever inform them of State jiffairs : Such was the Slavifh Complyance of thofe Lords, with the Queen and Her Miniftry • It will not be long before we (hall find how they were them- felves punifh'd for being acceffary to the dcftroy- ing tlie Authority of tnis Venerable Body. The Queen, and they too late, apply'd to them for Prote^ion againit the Infblence of a Minifter, of as little Merit ^s Conchini^ and they late repent- ed of a Folly in which they now Glory. The Firft Prefident endeavoured to reply to the Duke de Epernony and they came to high Words, but the Queen intcrpos'd, and prevented the ill Con- fequences that might have happened. The Maref- chal U Ancre had nothing to fay for himfelf, but complain'd of Libels and Lampoons ^ fuch Fa- vourites as he may very well be afraid of Wit and Truth, for they will always be againft them. He produc'd a Pamphlet, caird the French Cajfem- dra^ fcveral Paffages ©f which he had mark'd for the Queen to take Notice of. See here^ faid Ihe, ^011? Lampoons and Libels againft the Kln^ and me are permitted^ and then gave it to the Secre- tary to read thofe PafTages. The Firft Prefident reply'd, He had made a firiEi Enquiry aftsK the Printer, but coiid not find him out. The Duke de Epernon anfwer'd, Tou Jhoud inquire after the Authors of fuch Scandal^ Printers are poor forry Fellows^ TPho have no other Defign^ but to get a Pen' ny for a pitiful Livelihood, Authors and Printers will never have a good Word from th®fe who are Enemies to their Coun- try, from the Creatures of Tyranny. There's not fo forry a Fellow in the World, as he who be trays the Liberties of his FeIlowSub;efts, nor a Livelihood fo pitiful, let it be with all the out- ward appearances of Grandeur, as that which fub- (ifts by Flattery and Corruption. The Duke of Never ^ was the only Lord that had Courage to fay a Word in favour of the Par- liainenr. / have given them no Commijfwn tofpeak for 64 ThOSeirei, Hifiorj formty feid he, / know what I owe to the Kwg-t; there one jome good things in the Retnonfirance^ if there be any that are iil^ hts Majejly may reject r^w/i No Body rriinded him, and ^Thr^e Days afterwards, the King's Decree in ■ Council was Publifh'd, declaring, The. Parlid/nent to have ^one beyond, their Tower \ th^t it was only a Caurt ere tied to admnijler Juftice. Their Ordinances touchiitg thefe Matters were repeal'd, and they were en^ )oyii*d ' nop to meddle ariy more for the future^ with State Affairs. This Decree bore Date the 25th of May] isis-, and fror/i that time have their Senate been indeed no nioi^ than a Court of,Jurrice, ex- cept when there have been Commotions in the State, and the Court or th6 Princes have thot^ght it for their Intereft to engage them on thbir Mq. They have then afJiim'd occafionaljy a Face of Authority, but on no better Foundation than the prefent Keceility of a Troublefome Tan£lu?e of Affairs *, which being over, this Decree of Lewis rhe Xlllth, under the direction of iiis Mother Mary de Medicis^ was . the Rule of their Coil- dud, and inftead of a Senate, they have from that Year to this, been no more tiian a Body of Men depending entirely on the Crown, ready to re- ceive with a Slavifli Submifiion, all the Orders fent them by the Minifters, and to give them the San^K on of Laws. Thus in Three Months there was an end put to the Authority of the Two AiTemblies, that were the Bulwarks of the French Liberties,- that of the States General, and that of the Par- liament of Paris, The Decree above- mention'd, did not pafs with- out Obftacles, and thofe from the King's own Ser- vants, the Advocate and Attorny - General, who were order'd to carry it to the Parliament. Thefe Gentlemen were Members of tlie AiTembly, and reprefented that it feem'd as if they had a mind to have tliem ill look'd upon by them, which wou'd be .a means to render them incapable of ferving his Majefty in ParliamcnL Monfieur Ser- vien, the Advocate General, made ufe of all the Flowers of ¥ RANGE. 6^ Flowers of his Rhetorick to be excused from that Mellage. The Queen told him with great Warmth, The King will have it foj his Commands and. mine ought to be obeyed without any Excvfe or Delays Then Monlieur Mole, the Attorney-General, tcU down at the King's Feet, to dcfire him to confi- der their Station in Parliament, but the King was alfo jnflexible^ / will have it fo^ faid he, and the Qu^en too, Servien when he came to the Parli- ament, reprefented how unwillingly he obey'd the Royal Commands, and to moderate Matters, ad- vis'd them to make their Submijfion, and Proteji both to the King and his Mother^ that the Parlia^ tnent had never found Fault with their Proceedings'^ tho' 'twas plain that every Word of their Remon- ftrance reflected on the Adminiftration of the Go- vernment lince the Death of Henry the IVth. The Parliament, whofe Spirit was funk with their ill Succefs, inclin'd to do what the Advocate had pro* pos'd, but the Qiieen fent for Servien^ and told him, the King woud hearken to nothing till his^ Be'- cree was read and regfier^d, Servien continu'd to iiiake Excufes for the Parliament, with refped to her Regency, but all in vain. The Decree muft pafs in due Form, tho' by it all the Arrets of Parliament on this Subjea:, were to be raz'd out of the Regifters. The King Wills and Commands you^ reply*d ihe with an imperious Air , to fee that his Orders he punctually obey'd^ and that the Decree of his Council be Read and Recorded under Fain of Difobedience. At laft the Decree was read, but the Regiftring of it met with a Stre^ iiuous Oppofition, and was not foon determined. In the mean time the Double Match going for^ ward, the Frincefles of B^ance ?ni Spain were to exchang-'d, and the Queen prefs'd the King to be-, gin his Progrefs to the Frontiers for that purpofe; the Prince of Conde opposed it to his utmoftj gi- ving kveral plsofible Reafbns, which having no weight with the Queen, hQ retnrn'd to his Coun- try of Clermontj and the Marefchal de Bouillon to his Principality of Ssdan^ th§ Duke de Mayenm F to 66 The Secret Hijlory to Soljfons, and the Duke de Longueville to Picardy, Things tending thus to a Rupture, both fides be- gaii a Paper War, in which the Weakeft in the Field, had the befl at the Frefs, as it commonly happens in other Cafes •, when Power prevails over Right. The Queen being intent on the Progrefs, and afraid of leaving tiie Parliament difgulled, when the difcontented Lords were ready to take Arms, thought to accommodate Matters with' that Body, and to be contented with their former Of- fers of Submiflion. Upon Notice of this from the Advocate General, the Zeal of this other Ro- ?77au Senate vanifhes, and the Patriot Monfieur F'er- dun^ the Firft Prefident, prefents himfelf with his Company before their Majcrllies, to fignify to them, Imv extreamly the ^ffemhly was affetled with their JDtjfatisfaliion^ and to protej} they never had any Dejign of concerning thern [elves with thetr Atlions^ highly applauding the Qiieen's Wife Conduu liejfis Mem ay was againfl that Jun^ion, be- - .. - ^ c;iu{e of FRANCE. 75 jcaufe be wou'd not have Religion made a Sacrifice to Politicks. The Duke De Rohan was firft againfl;,an teaches it to you ', one who had for his Mother an Italianj for his Wi"e a SpanlJI) Bigot, who was environ 'd with Popifh Counfellors and Priefts. He once more affures tiie Proteflants, He will INVIOLABLY ohferve the Edi^ofJ>lmtz, and all other EdlEhs mads in Confeqvence of it. The Prince's Party was now become pretty confi- derable. The Duke De Nevers, who had rais'd Men without declaring himfelf, and the Duke of Fendofme^ the King's natural Brother, joined them. The City of Rochde declar'd for the Prince •, and had not the Exchange of the PrincefT^s of Spam and Francs deftroy'd all manner of Hopes of preventing ths double (?/ F R A N C E. 79 double Marriage, it is probable the Peace wou*d not have been io fooii concluded. The Queen remembring the Advice formerly gi- ven her by the Duke of Rohan to break the League of the Prince of CW^, as Lewis XI. did that of the Publick Good^ by gaining over the Chiefs of it one after another, refolv'd to put it in Pradlice, as the fureft and quickeft: way to extricate her felf and her Friends out of thefe Difficulties. The firft fhe ap- ply*d to was the Duke of Mayenne^ who hating the lleform'd, fhe fuppos'd wou'd be the nioft ready to quit a Party^ in the Succefs of which they propos'd to themfelves fo many Advantages. This Duke ac- cordingly being (ecur'd in his Governments, he»- ken'd to the Propoilils that were made to him, and enclin'd to a Treaty. The next ilie founded upon it was the Duke De Bouillon^ who entered into the "War only to (hew he cou a end as well as begin it, and thus let the Government fee he was not to be negle<^ed. A lucky Accident happen'd to bring the Prince himreif into pacifick Meafures, and thac was the Arrival oi Edmonds the EngllJI) Kvch^^-^^oK^ with Inflruftions to offer his Mediation between the King and xX^s, Prince. We have already mentioned the great Expe^ Trejnouiiley The Duke De Sully, The Duke De Candale^ The Marefchal De Bouillon. Befides thofe great Lords, the Prince came in Per- il)n to Loudon^ 'accompany d with his Mother the Princefs Dowager of Longueville^ and the Deputies of the General AfTembly of the Reform'd Churches. l.ihall not enter into the detail of this Treaty^ which of F H A N C E. 9i ivhich niay be found at large in the Hiftories of iPrancey. but obferve only fbme things that their Hiftorians durfl not mention. yUleroy^ in order to difpofe the Prince to Peace^^ jBatter*d him with having the chief Management of State-Affairs *, that he fhou*d turn out and put in whom he pleas'd ; which being the main thing he aim'd at, his Highnefs gave into it immediately, and refblv'd to conclude the Peace -^ all that w^as done afterwards for the Lords vvho join'd him, or the Reformed Churches, being to fave Appearances* The firft Sacrifice the Queen made to him, was! that of her fall: Friend the Proud Duke of Epernon^ who had to his great Impatience born feveral Slights from her, by the Procurement of the Marei^hal D' Ancrey who hated that Duke for not paying the Refpeft he thought due to his Wife's Favour. The laft Affront drove him from Court, depriving him, at the Prince's Requefl, of the Difpofal of the Pofts of Colonel and Captains of the Regiment of Life- Guards, which had always been taken to be a Per- iquifite of his Poft of Colonel-General of the FootJ He cou'd not bear Attendance after fuch a Difgrace, and took his Leave of both King and Queen in fuch a manner, as fhew'd, he thought, they wou'd want him before he vvanted them. His Retirement re- moved a powerful Rival of Conchinis^ an 3 made Wily for his rifing higher in Favour aftsr than be- •fore the Rupture, tho' that was the main Occafion bf it. The Chancellor 5///fr^ had been devoted to the Will of the Regent, and ftuck at nothing to keep in his Office. He was a Man of mean Pai-ts, and generally thought unfit for it. His Conduft had treated him Eilemies on all iMes. The Marefchal jy Ancre did not love him, becaiife being an old Minifter he {jretended to fome Preference of him m the Miniflry on tiiat Accounto The Prince hated him for being a Tool to all the Qiteen's Favourite?; Silleri finding the Treaty of Loudon v/as not likely to break ofi^ fancy'd he might fecure himfelf in hh Poll, by offering his Service to the Prince of O Conds 82 The Secret Biftorj Condcy to the Marefchal de Bouillon^ and other Lords of that Party, on Condition he ihou'd by an Ar- ticle of that Treaty, be continu'd in his Employ- ment. A ihameful Inftance of the Meannefs of his Capacity, to flatter himfelf that thofe Lords wou'd fo expofe themfelves, as to infift on the continu- ing a Man in an Office by a particular Article of Peace, when the removing him was one of the Articles of the War. The Prince of Conde and the Duke de Bouillon made themfelves merry v\''nh f^illeroy^ on the Chan- cellor's Folly. The Secretary got his Collegue, Tcmchartrain, to tell the Qdeen Mother of it, and llie told Baffompierre^ who being one of the frank- eft Perfons at Court, defir'd her leave to tell Sil- ler i the ill Offices his Enemies had done him to her Majefty, it being Bajfompierre's Character to ferve every Body if he cou'd, that every Body might ferve him. The Queen, weary of the Chan- cellor, permitted him to load him with fo much Shame, as the difcovering to him his Plot muft bring upon him. , The Chancellor was fo filly as to imagine Baffompterre had himfelf told the Queen of a Project he cou'd not have known, but from the Perlons Sillerl had informed of it. / am mightily obligd to you^ Sir^ for the Information you have given me^ faid the Chancellor to Ba^ornpierre^ in the Queen's Chamber, hut fome woud fain per- fivade ??i£ it was from your felf the Queen received the Intelligence you have now told me^ tho' I will Pot believe it. Sir, reply'd Baffompierre very brisk- ly, / JJjall Jhortly convince you I am not fo had a Man as you are pleas' d to fuppofe me to he j the Queen •will tell you her felf who wrote to her the Neivs' which you imagine to he of my own Contrivance ^ Upon tnis Silleri conjur'd BaUompierre^ in the moft humble and,, preiling manner, not to inhft fur- ther on the Bu/inefs, but to keep it private from the Qijeeu Mother. Tou wilt ruin me^ Sir^ laid the Cliancellor, and therefore take Pity of a Man whom you know but too many already en- deavQiir to imdo^ after fo long . Servicei, For all thatj ^/FRANCE. 85 that, Baffompierre acquainted her Majefty with th^ Chancellor's Diftruft of him, and the Queen faio to Siileri^ with a fcornful Smile, Methwksj Mon- fieur Chancellor, you make but frnall Returns to Baf- fompierre for the Services he endeavour d to do you^ knoTP then that this Bufinefs comes from Bouillon, who communicated it to Pdntchartrain. What Con- fufion muft the Old Fox, as he took himfelf to be, Tnew on this Occafion, all he cou'd anfwer was, Madam ^ the Marefchal de Bouillon hds been this long time my profefs'd Enemy. I moji humbly befeech your Majefiy^ not to givc^any Credit to what he has caus'd to be written to you^ with a Defign to ruin me. This poor Evafion made him a Jefl to the whole Court, and every Body afterwards looked upon him as a Loft Man there; ' During the Conferences at Loudon^ tl>e General Affembly of the Proteftants were remov'd by l\-\^ king's Writ to Rochelle., which made them wdth- out DifpUte, a Lawful Aflembly. They h^d Ten Deputies at Loudon, to take care of their Inte- refts, but it was rather to be WitneflTes of the Prince of Conde'% Signing the Peace, than to pro- cure advantageous Terms for the Reform'd. The Dukes de Mayenne and de Bouillon, having receiv*4 Satisfaction as to their Demands, the Prince was hot very follicitous to fatisfy either the AfTembly or the other Lords : He lent for the Duke de Sully ^ who feenVd moft cdiicern'd for the Intereft^ of the Reformed, and Filler oy v^ho had Ihewn a great Complacency td his Highnefs during the Treaty. He whifper'd fomething to the latter, and foon after did the fame- to the former : He then declared P^illeroy had granted what was defir'd, and taking Pen in Hand^ Sign*d the Ti;eaty, without allowing any Body Time to anfwer him; Thi^ abrupt Conclufion vext the Deputies heartily, but there was no remedy for ito They difcover'd by- fevcral Paflages, *twas a defign'd thing, to pay 'em thus for the Services they had done ths Prince in declaring for him^' and that they wou'd be forced to accept of the Conditions' the Lords had G 7. thoaghe $4 The Secret Hifiorj thought fit to demand for them. They defir'd on- ly to Sit till their Edift was verify'd, which was deny'dj inftead of it, they had a Time prefix'd fur the Duration of their Sefiiion, after the Con- cluiioH of the Treaty. Before they had fet their Names to it, Orders were fent to the Minifter of Loudon who was in his Pulpit, to acquaint the People the Peace was made, and to exhort them to return God Thanks for it. Here's a Peace which they do not at ail approve of, which leaves them more exposed to the Power and Rage of their Enemies, yet they muft not only fubmit to it, but give God Thanks for it. The Author of the Hiftory of the Edi£l of Nantz.^ writes on this Subjeft. This tnade thofe murmur who knew there were Difficulties undecided^ and made them judge it was a forc'd Peace, which they were e Pope for tlieir joint Lives •, but Gait- '^gai had more Courage, or lefs Forefigiit, and wou'd not leave Mary de Aiedicis, Conchini cou'd not handfoniely defert his Wife, by whofe Favour he had acquir d his own, and made fuch an envy 'd For- tune. The ^/ F R A N C E. 87 The Danger he was in was not Vifionary, he had proposed to enter into Engagements with the Dukes de Mayenne and de BouUlon^ to ruin the Dukes de Epernon and de Bellegard^ which they were fo far from hearkning to, that having told the Duke of Guife of liis Propolals, that Duke joyn'd with them in a Confpiracy to deftroy the Marefcha^, and there was no end of this Confederacy, till they had accomplifh'd it. The Parifians bore fuch an Hatred to J)' Ancre^ that he was afraid to enter the City, after the Re- tarn of the Prince of Conde^ whom he was impa- tient to wait upon, to put himfelf under his Pro- tedlion, as the Queen had dehr'd his Highnefs. He therefore wrote to Baffampierre^ to fend a Guard of Horfe to meet him, which was done ^ and tho he had a Convoy of an Hundred Horfe, Picard^hQcomQ now one of his moft dangerous Enemies,' infulted him, and endeavour'd to raife the Mob, who being afraid of the Troopers, lay flill at that time. 'fis worth obferving wlut Mifchief an inconli- derable Fellow as this Shoemaker was, is capa* ble of doing, when once the Rabble have Lifted themfelves under him. The daring Boldnefs of Plcard^ acquir'd him fuch a Reputation with the Populace, that he V\^as look d upon immediately as their Chief, and the greateft Lords did not difdain to make their Court to him. Honefty or Parts are not necelTary to qualify a Man to Head the Rabble ; Impudence and a Lucky Event are enough to draw the Rabble after him, and when once that's done, Fadlion and Curiofity will always gather a Crowd about him. I know a Man exactly of the Importance of this Shoe- maker, but for his Proferiion lake I fhall fay no more of him. The Prince of Conde had given Mary de Medi- cis a fort of an AiTurance, that he wou'd be the Marefchal's Prote^or, but the Lords Confederated againft him, foon diiTwaded him from it. They met feveral times late at Night, but were fo di- vided in their Opinions, that they met to no pur- G 4 pofe •, SS 'The Secret Bifiorj pofe, fome were for prefenting a ^P€titiQn_to tlie Parliament to Try him, others, as particularly the Duke de Mayeme^ who ofFer^d to do it himlelf if the Prince wou*d be prefent, for running hitn thro* 'the Body. The Prince at one of their Meetings, faid, They had more need fludy how to remove Mary cle M^dkis herfe if from the ^dmif7iJi:rat-io?7^ at which faying, all the Lords prefent, puU'd of their Hats, in token of Applaufe, except the Duke of Gmfe^ w^ho cry^d, God forbid I Jtwud involve Her Ma- jefty iti the Plpt now on Foot for ruining the Md' refchd D' Ancre, which creating in the Prince a Jealoufy of Gutfe^ he fent for Barhin, one of Con- chini's Creatures, who had a Place in the Trea- fury, told him fomething of the Confpiracy, ancj promis'd to Prote(ft the Marefchal, which he did not long after, when the Prince gave an Enter- tainment to the Earl of Carli/Ie^ the Engl'Jh Am- balTador, who came to propofe a Marriage be* tween the Prince of Wales^ and the Princefs C/7rz/?j- Tia^ Sifter to Lewis the Xlllth. At this Enter- tainment, were prefent Conchi?n's Enemies, and the Jviarefchal himfelf, either out oflnfolence, to (hew lie was not afraid of them, or out of Security, to let 'em fee the Prince was his Prote^or, wou'd needs go to his Palace at that Inflant. When they heard ne was coming up to them, the Lords re- hionftrated to the Prince, they ought not to let fo fair an Opportunity flip to put in Execution the Defign they had taken of ridding thernfelves ot an Infolent Stranger, who came attended by Thirty Gentlemen on purpofe to brave and affront them. Conde generoufly excus'd himfelf from ^"io]ati^ig the Sacred Rights ofHofpitality : Such an A^lion^ faid he, Jhall never be CGmmltted in r/y Houfe^ you 7nay find 61 1 Oppyrtwjities enough to /further Conchin?;. While' they were thus difcourfing, the Marekhal D' y^ncre enter-d the Hall, where the Entertakd. ment was given, and fpoke a while v^'ith the Pnncc- in Private. V\ hen he took his Leave of him, hi^ Enemies fet thernfelves to look fcornfully at him>, of FRANCE. S9 le return'd Look for Look, Scorn for Scorn, want- ing neither Pride nor Arrogance. All the Hiftories of Trance reprefent this Man as a Rapacious, Cruel, Arrogant, Falfe Italian^ iho' in Truth his Country was his greateft Crime. The /next Reigning Favourite, a French Man, out- did him in all his Vices, and had not one of his Vertues. D' Ancre had Courage, Wit, a Frank- ncfs of Temper to his Friends, which was as a- greeable, as his Imperious Carriage to his Enemies was ihocking. If he was Falfe, he had done well to have added Difiimulation to it. But there. is foniething in a Man's Comple£lion, fomething in the Blood that will not admit of Cunning in cer- tain Cafes, wherein the Heart will always be too ilrong for the Head. The Prince of Conde fent the Arch-Bifhop of Amhrun to Conchini the next Day, to let him know the Feril he had been in, and to advife him to Jbe gone to his Government of Nortmndy, jD* An- cre followed his Advicc» but laid fuch a Train be fore he went, not only for the Lords, but for the Prince alio, as blew them all up in his Ab» fence, tho' in the end it blew himfelf up with them, and made way for a New Scene, and Ne\y A^prs at Court. | ' The Power of the Lords was fuch at this time^ that on the firfl: Difguft they wou'd take Arms and Right themleives, as the Duke of Longueville di^ in his Government of Vicardy^ pofTelllng himfelf of Alhevllie and Peronne^ which were part of X)' y^nfres Command, and keeping them notwith* ftanding the Remonftrances and Menaces of the Court. The Queen Mother and her Confidents* knew it was the Protedion of the Prince that encouraged the Difcontented Lords to beliave theni- felves thus •, they call d to Mind a faying of Fil^ feroys^ who with Jeanvin had loft his Employ- ment as well as Sllleri^ upon the Princes Demand oi^oolding thi Pen at the Council Table^ which is in efFed to be at the Head of the Miniftry, and Sign all Orders relating to tb? Finances, c^c* ^ ' ' ; ' " ' • Filleroj) 1^ The Secret Hijlory Villeroy told her. She need not be afraid to put the Ten into the Hand of a Man whofe Arm JJje might hold whenever poe pleas' d. This made her come to a Vigorous Refolution, at the Infiance of Barbin^ Comptroller of the Finances, a Creature of Con- chini^ to feize the Prince's Perfon, Tliere was a Ruffian-like Officer attending at Court, who want- ed to be employed in fome defperate Attempt to diflmguifh himfelf. This was Theminesj he did not fl:ay to be ask'd, He defir'd Barbing That if any thing Important and Da^/gcrous xvas to be- put in Execution^ he vpou'd be fo much his Friend^ as lo perfrvade Her Afajejly to fnake vje of him in it^ for he ivoud Sacrifice his Life for her Service, This Man Barbin recommended to the Queen as one very fit to have the Execution of Her Orders for feizing the Perfon o{ the Prince of Cor^e^ a Step fhe durft not take till fhe had Sworn all her Chief J^inifters and Servants to be True to her. She confulted all her Confidents about it, and particu- larly Bajfompierre^ who exaggerated the Power of the Prince as greater than her own, with his ufuai Treedom, and feem'd to blame her Negligence, Do not you fancy that I am fo much Ajleep^ re- ply'd the Queen, but fome Bufmeffes require a great deal of Time before they be dif patched *, Jerve me wellj and do not let the Ladies perfrvade you to do any thing prejudicial to my Inter eft. The lafl: Part of his Reply has Reference to his Gallantry with the^Princels of Conde^ who had fallen out with Galigat^ and BaJfo?npierre having an Amour with her, the Queen was afraid Oie might prevail on him to fall in with the Party fhe openly efpous'd, that of the Duke her Brother, and the Difcon- tented Lords, ' By the Memoirs which fome French Lords and Gentlemen have left of themlelves, one wou'd think no Nation in the World ever produc'd Men of fo much Gallantry, Courage, Wit, Capacity, jn a word, fo finiih'd as the French. If you look into thofe of Baffompierre^ you will find in it fuch an Image, as a Man who cou'd Paint well, and iov'd himfelf <>/ F R A N C E. pt himfelf to a Fondnefs, wou'd make of bis own Pifturel Every good Feature is plac'd in the beft Ijght all the Blemilhes io well touch'd, 'that they are rather like the Parches the Ladies flick on their Faces to fet off their Beauty. When they are wri- ting their own Lives in their Clofets, they cart make what they pleafe of themfelves', every thing they do is important •, their moll: Trivial Anions are fet off as Heroick or Gallant Adventures, and their Campaigns are as Co many Triumph?. What they faid naturally and in Converfation, has all the Advantages of Art and Rhetorick to Adorn it ; and what is fiid to them, is only to fhcw their Merit or their Bravery. There is no trufting to the heft of them, with a little Hifto- ry there's a great deal of Romance , and what Hiftory there is, is fo introduc'd^ that it often has another Effect than the plain Truth wou'd iiave. The Duke of Rohan is not Guiltlefs in this Point, and one fliall not from one end of his Me- moirs to the other, find out that his Jealoufy of Bouillon^ and his Refentment for the Lofs of the Government of PoiEiouj were the Springs that afted him in thofe Parts of his Life, where the Patriot and the Proteftant fhine the brighteft. The Marefchal U Ancre wou'd have had the Queen to have ordered Tkemines to have feiz'd the Prince of Conde, and the Duke de Mayenne, the Duke de Bouillon^ and the Duke de Fendome alto- gether, but (he was afraid the Farifians wou'd rife, and fhe had not fecur'd her Treafure when they came together one Day to the Lmvre^ fo the (eizing the Prince was defer'd till her Strong Box and Jewels were fafe. The Dukes de Mayeime and de Bouillon^ had obferv'd fome extraordiiiary Mo- tion while they were there, and fufpefting MiP chief, refolv'd to keep out of the way. They ad- vis'd the Prince to do {o -too, but he did not think himfelf in fo much Danger as they, faying, It [ignifyd nothing to him whether the Marefchd de Bomlion vons fent to the Baftile or not. Bouillon Jike a good Hugonot^ went to CharentQ'i^ attended by 92 The Secret Htflory by (everal of his Friends, and fome Soldiers of his Guards. The Duke d^ Mayenne was upon the Watch, preparing every thing to leave Paris. The Prince Two Days after, the Fir ft oi Septemb, i6iSy went in great State and Security to the Council, Mary de Meakis having been up before Three a Clock in the Morning, to order Matters for his Apprehenfion, and her Flight if the Parifians rofe Upon it. The Prince was mightily pleas'd to fee the Court that was made to him that Day, and the Queen beheld with a Scornful Indignation, the vaft Number of Petitions that were prefented him, faying to Bajfompierre^ Heres now the King of France, but his Royalty fljould he like that of the Bean, it will not continue long. The Duke de Mayenne had bis Spies about the Louvre^ and they gave hiiii In- formation that fomething more than ordinary was ^n Agitation. The Duke fent Monfieur Strange to acquaint the Prince of it, and advife him by all means not to go to the Louvre^ but he was gone when Strange came. The latter follow'd him, and waited for him at the Door of the Council Cham- ber-, his Highnefs coming out, he told him what MeiTage he had from the Duke de Mayenne : The Prince reply'd, Jf fuch a Refolmion to apprehend me he tahn^ I cannot now get off. He was then going to the Queen's Chamber, Two of the Guards du Corps fet as Two Extraordinary Centinels at the Door, convinc'd him that what had been told him, was but too True. However, he went in, ind die Young King, who, fays MonHeur l^affor^ had been carefully brought up in the An of Diffimulationy invited him to go a Hunting with him. The Prince defir'd his Majeiiy at that time to excufe him : If he had gone a Hunting, he had been feiz'd and fecur'd before the Parilians had known any thing of the matter. The King then went to jiis Mo- ther, who was in her Clofet, and Themines com- ing up to the Prince with his Two Sons, Arretted him in the King's Name. As much as the Duke de Mayenne had prepared him for this Accident, it fur- prizd him : Afy Lord^ faid Themines to him in a very ■ * ' ' refpe^ful ^/ P A R N C E- 93 rerpeftful manner, The King having hen certainly inform d that you hearken to bad Geuncilj and fuch as is prejudicial to his Service^ and that fame Per- fins have been tampering to gain you over to a Fa^i- on which is both contrary to the Peace of the Kingi dom-y as well as your 9wn Quality *, his Majefly has order d me to fecure your Perfon, for fear you (Ijou^d fall into fome worfe Snares. Who /, anfwer'd the Prince in a fort of Amazement, Tes^ your felf my Lord^ reply'd Themines^ his Son at the fame time coming up on each fide of his Highnefs, who faid Tou know very well I am the Firji Prince of ths Blood. The mines anfwer'd, / know my Lord the re- fpeEh that is due to yoit^ but I mvfi Obey the King, riow cou*d one read this Story, without envying the Happinefs of that Conftitution, where tiie doing any thing Illegal, Cruel and Unjuft, is fo eafily excused, as by faying, I mt/Ji Obey the King. What Charge was there brought againft the Prince of Condcy fince the Peace of Loudon /* What Proof of his being Guilty of a Crime deferving Imprifon- ment ? The Prince demanded to fee Her Majefty, but to no purpofe : Themines ask'd him boldly. Whether he wou'd pleafe to go where the King had ordered him to conduEi him ? His Highnefs in a great Pallion turn'd about to the Perfons in the Queen's Chamber, faying, Is there no Body that has ths Courage to declare him felf in my behalf '.^ and per- ceiving Du Vair^ Keeper of the Great Seals, he faid to him, Sir^ I know you are a Man of Ho- nour ^ have you advised them thus to break the Solemn Promifes they have fo often viade me ? Du Vair, Generoufiy anfwer'd, Tijey have not consulted me in this Matter^ J ft) all be for their fpeedy re- pairing the wrong Meafures they have taken for the fhortejh Follies are the beji. As Themines was Car- rying the Prince to the Place prepar'd for the keeping him, his Highnefs feeing Delbene^ attended by a great Number of Halberdiers, feem'd appre- henfive leaft they fhou'd make fome Attempt on his Life^ but Deibene told him, Thofe whom he faw thercy were'tjentlem^n and not Ajfijjws, Gentlemen, Was ^^ The Secret Hijlory Was riot V^ttry^ Captain of the Guard, , i Gentle- man, and yet before a Year is over, we fhall find him an AfTailin ?. The Prmcefs of Conde hearing her Husband was Arrefted, tryM all Means to rajfe the ^arifians. To Arms^ To Arms^ (he and Her Friends cry'd, the Marefchal D' Ancre is Murder- ing the Firft Prince of the Blood at the Loavre ^ but the Citizens were conrent with ihutting up their Shops. Such fort of Men are apt to talk ioud when no Aftion is necefTary, but are Tame enough when it is. The Rabble however fell upon the Alarefchal's Houfe, and gutted it to his Damage above 200000 Crowns. The firft of the Lords, Conchim*s Enemies, that fled, was the Duke de Fendome, then follow the Duke de Giilfe^ the Duke de Mayenne^ the Marefchal de Bouillon, The two latter wou'd have Headed the Farifians , and to that purpofe fent word to Vicard the Shoemaker, who was become a Perfon of Importance, that in Cafe he wou'd raife the Mob, they wou'd ftand by him with 500 Horfe. The Shoemaker did his Endeavours, but the Guards were out, and the Rabble will never venture, when thofe that fend 'em are in Earneft. An early Check foon difper- fes them, and when they are fuffer'd to grow up- on it, tis with Defign in thofe that cou'd hinder it. The Duke de Nevers ioyn'd in with this Party afterwards, as did alio the Duke de Chevreufe and the Cardinal o( Guife^ who, on the Defertion of the Duke of that Name, was ofFer'd to be acknow- ledge the Head of this New League, for the De- liverance of the 'Prince, and the Deftrudion of I)' Ancre, The Cardinal marry'd privately an Old Miftrefs of Henry the IVth, and had feveral Children by her, which was enough to alTure the Lords that'tho' he w.is Arch Bi'hop of Kheimes^ he woud make no Scruple of accepting a Military Command as well as a'Spiritual, but there was no Occafion for it. The' Duke dc Guifs leaving the Lords by the Intrigues of the Quesif Mother and his Wife, the League againll Conchini was in appear- ^/ F R A N G a 99 appearance broken, and his Enemies accepted the' Terms ofFer'd by the Court, in hopes to gain Time for the raifing an Army ftrong enough to make Head againft the King's, which approached very near them. The Duke de Guife had appear'd one of the mod violent Enemies of Conchini^ and yet he fir ft made his Peace with the Queen. This Impotent At- tempt to ruin D' Ancre^ feem'd the moft like- ly to Eftablilh him \ yet we fliali fee in a few Months, that the firft Step Mary de Medicis took towards fecuring her Authority, by feizing the Prince, was the firft towards deftroying it for ever. From hence wou'd many Grave Hiftorians reafon on the Uncertainty of Affairs of State, and the Sandy Foundation of Worldly Grandeur ^ but till People can fee into Futurity, Things will perpetually happen which Huaiane Forefight cannot reach , nor Humane Prudence prevent, as well in all other Affairs, as thofe of the State. The Duke de Guifi wjjen he return'd to Court, did indeed {ollicite with fome Earneftnefs to pro- cure better Terms for the Lords than the Court wou'd give them, and fpoke alfo for the Prince's Liberty ^ but to ftiew him and the Lords that they muft depend entirely on the King's good Pleafure, for every thing that related to his High- nefs, he was remov'd from his Confinement in the Louvre to the BaflUe^ the very Day that the Duke de Guife came back to Paris, A Declaration to juftify the Imprifonment of the Prince, was car- ry'd by the King in Perfon to the Parliament, to be verify d. With his Majefty went the Queen Mother^ the Duke of Orleans^ her Son, and the Princejfles Chrtftinaj Henrietta Maria^ Daughters of Fra?2ce ^ feveral PrincefTes, Three Ecclefiaftical Peers, the Dukes de Aicntmere-ncy-t de Vfez^ Ret^iy Rohan. Sulli^ the Marefchal de Brifac^ the Maref- chal de Souvre^ and the Man who did that brave Action, as to ieize the Prince of Conde^ for which he had the Batoon given him , ih^ Marefchal Themi?2£S» It 9 6 ^he Secret tiijlor It was with Indignation, that all Horfeft Mm beard fo many wicked Grimes laid to the Prince's. Charge, and it was obfervable that DuTair^ Keeper of the Seals, was fo aiham'd of it> that in his Speech- he affected to fay frequently, / am order d to [peak thus^ which the Queen took fo ill, that ihe re- folv'd not to be troubled long with a Man of too much Probity. All the Favour their Majefties wou'd allow the Prince, was the Company of his Wife, who (hut herfelf up with her Husband in the Ba^ fiile^ from whence fome time after, they were convey'd to Boys de Vincennes. I wou'd fain be inform'd what wonderful Change has happen'd in the Conftitution of France withid thefe Hundred Years, that the Great Lords have' loft all their Rights and Privileges, which are all funk in the Pkajure of the Crown, Did Lewis the Xlllth and his SuccefTor make a Conqueft of them^ or were thofe pretended Rights and Privileges only the Pretences of thofe Lords taking advantage of a Minority, or what's worfe, a weak Reign. Be it as it will, they did not now ask leave to tak^ Arms *, for while the Lords, Enemies to Conchini^ were Arming in Ficardy^ another League was form'd in the Southern Parts of France by the Duke de Eper- non^ the Duke de Lefdifgnieres^ the Duke de Aiont- tnerency^ and the Duke de Belkguarde^ who, without entring into the Confederacy of the other Lords, G???- chini^'i Enemies, many of whom hated Epsrnon as much as U Ancre^ united among themfelves for their mutual Support, and having a large Extent of Coun- try under their Government, were by fuch a Union, become very Powerful. Depending upon it, Lefdifguieres carry'd on his Intrigues with the Duke oiSavcy and the Republick of Fenice^ from whom he got great Sums of Money, in hopes of his Afliftance in their Wars with the Spaniards^ Lefdifguieres lending and marching the Troops un- der his Command, as if they were his own, and treating with the ^;Savoyards and the Venetians as if he had no dependance oh Le-:vis the Xlllthj and was of F R A N C E. 9f was Sovereign of the . Province of which he was only Governour, as will be obferv'd more at large hereafter. The Duke D' Epervon having taken Offence a- gainft the Citi2ens of Rochelle^ a«ftually laid Siege to the Cicy, tho' he had pofiriye Orders from the Court to the contrary. Boijjire a Councelior 'of State, brought him frefh Orders to forbear, which Epernon was fo far from hearkning to, that be- fore Boijfires Face lie commanded the Horfe to Mount, and his Army to march towards Rochelle^ into which Boijjire threw him felf, a:nd animated the Citizens to defend themfelves with Vigour, which they did, tra' there was no great Danger of the place's being- taken by s or 6-doo fvfen,' Eper-'wn thought to have fur prized it, and his Dif- appcintment made him and his Entefprize a Jell,' to the terrible Mortification of the Vained Man of the Vaineft Nation upon Earth. What }$ all this. Riot or Refiftance, Rebelliori' or Frolick? Here's a French Lord in Arms, not for his Mailer's Service, not hi Obedience to his Commands, but in aftual Difobedience, and to" pleaje his own Vain Glorious Humour. Are thefe the EfFefts of a Minority in France, or was Lewis the Xlllth a Minor to his Death ? Let not th^ French Papifis charge the Proteftants vnth thefe' Rebellions y tlie Reform'd were the beft Subjedg in France, and in all the Stirs in this Century, the Catholicks vvere the AgrefTors. Lewis the Xlllth was nov; Sixteen Years Old, and Confidering the Advances Princes make by the Advan- tages of Education, one wou'd think he might have been able to judge of his Ijuereft, and determine for himfelf with the Affiftanceof Wife Counfeilors, yet the French Lords all over the Kingdom, took no No- tice of him. The Qiieen Mother and her Creatures^ nianag'd all things at their Pleafure*, in the Provin- ces the Governors were entirely Mafters,- leavini? the Name only to tlieir.King. What hindered them from EftabliOiing the Power they pretended tx» I Waf n ReliRionf and itk F^a? of the Sin of 9 8 The Secret Bijiory Refiftance? Every Day did one or other of them Rehit, and every Man of 'em in his Turn. Vaffor gives us the True Reafon of the Paftive Difpofiti- on of the Grandees of Fra?tce, Such Vol. II. Part is their Genius^ fays he, that they carry II. Book 11. on their Havghtlnefs to the utmojl Iri'^ folence ivhenever they find the Go- vernment to he meek \ but fo foon as the Kings Authority is well fettled^ they do not only Obey with a Profound and Lawful Refpe^^ but creep like the f?ieaneji of Slaves and Villains, That this Reign was a v^eak one, may be feen by the Charaf^er of the Prince who Reign'd, which I fhall take out of the Hiftory of the Hdid of Nantz., '' The *' King, fays the Hifiorian^ was hardly minded at *' Court: He was Young, and of a weak Con- '• ftitution. He lov'd Hawking and Mufick, and '' pafs'd his Time in thofe little Amufements, lea- ^' ving the Sole Authority of the Government to *' the Queen his Mother. He was neverthelefs Jea- " lous of his Power, even to excefs, though he '' neither underftood, nor cou'denjcy it. During '' the whole Courfe of his Life, he never cou'd *' exert it him (elf, nor fuflPer it in the Hands of *' another. It was equally impolYible for him not ^' to raife his Favourites to a vaft degree of Power, *^ and to endure them, when poliefs'd of the Gran- *' dieur to which he had raised them himfelf. By '^ making them fuch, he put them in a State to *' difpleafe him. His Sentiments were conceal'd in *• his own Heart, and whereas he only communi- ^^ cated them to a few, thofe who are of Opinion *• that there is always a Miftery in the Condu£l '' of Princes, accus'd him of a Black and profound '* Difiimulation. To fay the Truth, the Reafon '' of his Silence was, that he neither confided '^ in himfelf nor in others, and that he had a *^ great deal ot Timoroufnefs and Weaknefs, &c. He had as yet had no Favourite of his own : He never lov'd D* Ancre^ and the Firil Man he be- ftow'd his AfFedlion on, rofe to a greater height of Forumi and Power, and Ub'd both worfe than €Ye^ djf:]^R A N 6 E, ^9 k^er Cwchini rfid, But he was better born with be- ckufe fte, wa^ kfrsnqh Man. The Man I am fpeaking- of, 'v^ki' Hmdre Aiy'trt Ht'' Luines^ a Man almoft tinknown, ififoiViUchth'at it was queftion'd whether he was Born a Gentleman* Hehifinuated him (elf in- to his Majefty*s Royal Favour, by prefenting hinl with two Wary Angles, taught to fiy at fmall Bii'd^s in Hedges, worth Hkiott ^ Shilling,;' which was esf- treartily ^^ftW laid ont^' f6t*'k{)urChas'd hinrthe Con- flable's ^afF of Tydnvi.' The Kin|r was Charm'd with tiiie Prefent, taking a' great deal of Pleafurc to fee thofe little Birds imitai:e thbfe of a higher Flight, ^nd- Luinei Wa^ Very careiul to have him Well fnppfy^d wi'tiv tliein ,. when hs found how mighti^y hfs Majefty was taken with thehi. No BodyU'Kohght 'hiiii capable of perfw?/ding the Kin^- to any t'Mng but the Pleafures of Hawking, but ihcy were iiiiilaken, for Luines perceiving the At- cendant be had got over the King's Mind, left the Pleafure of Hawking to his Ma;eftyV and thought himfelf of enpying thofe of Power; The Marefchal D' Aricre ^^ as foon as anyone, how Lulne> got Ground dailj^ in Lewis's Favour, and to fupport Ifis oWVr^djiclining Interefh pr®mis'd him his Pro- te£tioii,^'w-]TOpes of that ox Luines if he fhou'd want it. Wh'^ff tlie Marefchal returned from his Go- vernment ^i6jf Normandy, he v/as afraid th/it in/lead of ferving'him, as he at firft expc(fled, /.j//??ej Was become bis 'Secret Enemy, and that he em ploy 'd himfelf ab(5ut fometliit?g more important than Hunt- ing and Hawking, Upon which meeting him one Day, he-feid;with an afi^ry Look, M. de Lmjes the Kin% llAs 2ipon r/te'wlfk ^^ Evil' Eye,,, but youl fijallbe anfiverahle for it. This was enough to make Luines fenfible that he wa^ in danger of being un- done, nnlefs he cou'd* pi^eVent it, by\ruining the,^ Marefchal, which maiJeJiim do , his uthioft to iri'-jj creafe the Avedion- he-fav/ the Kinghad for himi ; He gave the DifafFecled Lords to underdatid, on ' what Foot'D' Ancredood With his Majefty, which they v/eirc not acquainted with before, and the King fallina. dahgerouny ill^* Luif^es took care to let Jiimi; H" ^- Kn^w lOo The Secret Hijlofy know how much the News of it affli£led the Lords at Soiffons, where they moftly refided The Car- cinal de Guife coming to Paris^ joyn'd himfelf with Luinesy and they both fo wrought upon the King, that he himfelf enter'd into the Confederacy againfl Concbinij declaring it wou'd be a great Satisfaction to him, if the Lords who had forfaken the Court, wou'd contitiue to be well United togeti^r, and never be reconcird to the Marefchal D' Ancrej Lu'mes gave them Information of it, and the De- flruftion of Conchini was now a thing they look'd- upon as accomplifh'd. The /f^/itz« endeavoured on his Part, to fix himfelf more fecurely than ever •, he put the Queen Mo* ther on removing Du Fair^ Keeper of the Seals, whofe Place was given to Mangot^ a Gafcon Law- yer, who never rofe higher than to prefide in a Country Court. All Men^ fays Va/Tor, were migh- tily diffatisfyd to fee a Magistrate of fuch ex- traordinary Reputation and A^erit , turned out only to make room for an unworthy Creature of Conchini, The Parliament paid fo much Honour to Du Fair^ that they fent Two of their Members to him ta know whether he had voluntarily delivered up the Seals, or whether the King had taken them from him. He only anfv/er'd by recommending. his SuccefTor, plainly declaring, that he faw his Integrity and Probity were not agreeable to the Relilhof thofe who pretended to Govern the King- dom. At the fame tiniC that Mangot was made Keeper of the Seals, Richlieuj Bifhop of Li/f p», was madw Secretary of War, to the great Indignation of the People, Richlictt^ fays my Autiior, was ^uite tird of reading Holy Books^ and the Fathers of the Churchy and therefore let the World talk as it WGud^ had foilicited for an Employment which txfos fitter to enter him further into State Affairs^ and to fatisfy his Bomdlefs Ambition than that of Great Almoner to the Queen, Lulnes being thus gam'd by the Malecon tents, and egg'd.on by the hopes of his enriching him- felf by the Spoils of Onchmiy took advantage of of F R AN CE. tot the King's Foible which he knew, and filVd his Head with jealoufies and Vexations againil thoCs who had abused his Authority and Treafure. Three Men ferv*d him in that Defign •, Deagaan^ a Subtle, Violent, Ambitious Man, Firft Clerk to Barbing Conchim*s Creature, lately put into Jeamms's Place. This Man betrayd his Mafter, and came every Night to give the King an Account how they play'd with his Power, Marfillac^ an inconfiderable Per- fon, feconded in the Day by his Difcourfe, what Deagean advanc'd by Kight, the fame Man that Rochfort^ the Prince of Conde\ Favourite Can'd, as has been before related, Defplans^ a Soldier in the Guards, but the only Man of Parts among them, was Deagean, I fhall not enter into the Detail of their Gintrivanccs, to bring the Young King to confent to the Affaffination of Cone him : They fometimes Council'd, fometimes perfwaded, but moft often, and moft fuccefsfully frightcn'd him, till they had got out of him an Order for the Marefchal's Murder. One fhall hardly ever hear of a Prince's giving his Order for the Affaffination of fo great an Of- ficer, in the Face of Day in his own Palace, and in view of the whole Court. Murders have been frequently enough committed in fuch Places pri- vately, but for a King who is the Guardian of the Law, to break it fp openly, fo bloodily, is hardly to be parallel'd in all Chrifiian Story. As Potent as fome of the Grandees of France might be by iheir Friends, their Family, their Government, their Eftates, what need he have been afraid of bringing t^ Foreigner to Juflice, which all the King- dom demanded of him ? Did not he or his Con- fidents, who knew better, know that Juftice wou'd not have tcuch'd the Life and Efbte of this too happy Stranger in the Favours of Fortune ? And where was there ever in Chrijiendom , a King, but a French King, that Commiilion'd a Captain of his Guards to Cut a Courtier's Throat, or Piftol him in his Houfe, without Proof of any Crime defer- ving Death. God be thank'd our Hiftories are not H 3 ft^in'd to 2 Tf;e iSe^feP ^ Hiji(yry ftain^d with any tbing' fo black v we- have had Gr^at Men Murder'd, but a Compliment has been paid to the Law in committing tiie Murder, 'Twas by the Form of Law, that tiie Lord Ruffe l^ and Collonel Syd'^ey dy'd ^ and if the Earl of Efex was Murder'd, it was in his Clofet, and by Ruf- fians of another fort of CharaO:er, than that of a Marefchal of France. There were 'tis true^ Lords in France in thofe Days, that cou'd not have been taken offwitiiouta Battt-l, but £)* Jncre was not in fuch Credit ^ and as the Courts of Juftice then flood affected, it is pro- bable there was no occafion of putting the Cap- tain of the King's Guards on fuch a Butchery. I have in the aforegoing Pages mention 'd one of thofe Lords, the Marefehal de LefdifguiereSy 'and his making War againft the Spaniardsl in con- junifVion with the Duke oi Savoy ^ contrary to the Orders of the Court*, an Event more extraordi- nary happen'd not in this Period, and therefore I ihall relate it. As foon as Charles Emanuel^ Duke of Savoy^ had by his Intrigues with the Marefchal, thought him- felf fure of him, he wrote a very obliging Letter to delire his Trufty Friend and Good Neighbour^ to perform the Promifes he had feveral Times made him, to aflift him with the Forces of the French King, in cafe the Governour of Milan fnou'd refufe to execute what his Catholick Majefty had promis'd by the Treaty of Afti^ of which King Lewis had made himfelf ^Mediator and Guarantee, The Marefchal prefs'd the C<^urt for Leave to march to fuccour the Duke of Savoy ^ from whom he had received confiderable Remittances, and ex- pe£led more ^ but the Queen Mother, who had newly enter'd into a ftrift Alliance with Spain^ by a Double Match, wou'd not hear of it. She was fo far from complying on a fecond Exprefs from Lefdifguieres on the fame Subjeft, that a L^eclara- tion was publifh'd^ forbidding his Levies of Men under Pain of High Treafon : However, what by the Perfwafion of his belov'd La Meyranc-, and the of ¥K A N CE, IC3 the SoIIicitations of the Prince of Tledmont^ with whom he had an Interview, he refolv'd to raife an Army,, and joyn the D\ikQ oi Savoy. Several Mef- fages were fent to him to obliae him to defif]-, fometimes by Flatteries, fometimes by Threats. The King of 5p^/» ofFer'd him Money to raife 40000 Men to Conquer Savoy for himfelf, but that was an Artifice too thin not to be penetrated by fuch a Politician as he. New Orders came from Court forbidding him to march his Forces into Foreign Countries. Thefe Orders had no more Force than the reft. / am now marching^ fays the Marefchal, to the Alfiftance of his Highnefs the Duke of Savoy, again ft the Intention and exprep Orders of the Court. But upon fame Occafions vce ought to difobey our own Mafier^ to ferve him better according t* his real Jnterefis. The Parliament o^ Grenoble had Inftrufti- on to verify the Orders fent him, and to endea- vour to perfwade him not to march. He gave them the hearing, banter'd that Awful Senate, as I doubt not the Advocates often call them, gave them the Royal Orders to verify, tho' againft his marching, and at that very Inftant march'd his Army under the Windows of the ParHament Cham- ber, the Magiflrates fitting upon their fle^irs de Lis^ and feeing with great Indignation this infuf- ferabie Contempt of the King's and their Autho- rity. Fajfor writes thus on this Occafion, What difference good Godj between the Great Lords of thofe 'TimeSj and thofe who Live under the prefent Reign ! A Letter under the Signet ^ What fay I i* A Word from a Aiinijier of State ?70W^ makes them all to tremble more cringing ft illy than that unxoorthy Roman, who Liv'd in the Tune of Tiberius, they believe that the Power of the King is vnconfind^ and that a Blind Obedience to the mofl Vnjufl Com- p-.ands^ and mo ft contrary to the Publick Weal of the Kingdom') makes all the Glory and Diftinciion of an Officer of the Cruim-i a Peer of France, ayid. a Prince of the Blood, H 4, Several io4 The Secret Hi(lory Several Letters were written in the King's Naqie to the difcontented Lords, and Anfwers rtceiv'd from them *, that to the Duke de Mayenne^ was written by the Bifhop of Lucon^ afterwards CdiX- diudil de Richlieuj wiierein that Florid Prelate makes his Majefty fay, Jf a Soveraign h.-is' any Obligation to a Subjett^ I confefs my [elf indebted to yovr Fa* ther. The (Seniin^ lays a French Hiftorian, of that Flattering and Ainbitioits Courtier^ began to difiover it felf by this Fjjimiationi But whatever the Bifhop made the King iay, his Majefty knew nothing of jrhtf matter, and his Favourite kept a Correfpon- dence with the Difcontented lords, whom the Mi- niflry had dedar'd Rebels ^ and the Parliament fo zealous for the Reformation of the State, and the removal of D' Ancre a few Months ago, confirm'd that Declaration *, in which was inferted the Pre- frdent Le Jay, one of thejr own Members. Re- nionftrances and Manifeftcs flew about daily. The Lords anfwer'd the King's Declaration, and parti- cularly the Duke de Nevers wrote a Letter to the Pope in his Juftification, wherein he pretended, that as Guarantee of the Treaty of Lovdon^ he was oblige! to take Arms to defend it againft thofe who had broken it. The Court wou'd not allow the Guaranty of the King of Great Britain^ and here one of their own :ubje^s ufurp that Quality. How ftrangely different is one Century from ano- ther/*' \{ there are not Dukes in France^ who are not of the Blood of {q Illuftrious a Defcent as the Duke^^ NeverSj yet there areftill Dnkesand Peers, who have as good an Opinion of themfelves and their Family, durft the Proud eft and moft Potent of them pretend to be Guarantee of any one of the prcfent King's Edi£ls^ and rake Arms if he broke it ? What a want of Dukes and Peers wou'd there foon be, to fill up that Auguft AiTembly, the Parliament of Faris. On the Subjeft of thefe Manifeftos, Letters and Remonftrances5my Author writes : Asfuch Pavjphlsti do principally come Abroad in Times of Civil War^ ^0 prepojfefs and fiir up the People j fo tbg Publifh- irs comes coldly out of the Swhzers Hajl^ with his Cloak upon his Shoulders, and his Statin his Hand. Du Hallaij his Brother Terfan^ Captain of the Jit- ftile^ and fome other Ruffians, who were difnerfs'd in fever al Places, joyn'd hira as if by Accident, They went all to meet Conchini^ vvithour Viewing the leafl AfFeftation. Among xh^ Geniieaieri who waited on tlie Marefchal, were fonte of Fitriz Ac- quaintance, who Complimented hi.n, Saluted h-ni^ and took him by tl-e Hr.nd. In the mean while, Conchini went on beyond the Captain of irit- Guards, who having loffc fight of him. aek'd, V/heve is the Marefchal D' Ancre ? There he ii faid they, pc;int- ing at Conchini reading of a Letter, Kitri iiade Up to him, and laying his Hand upon hi 3 R1^^IJt Arm, faid, I Arrejl Ton^ Sir, by the Order of the King\ Who me ! reply'd the iVtarefchal in a very great Surprize 5 Tes^ you^ your felf^ anfvver'd Fitri^ holding him by the Arm with all his Strength, and at the fame time beckon'd to Du Hallai^ Per fan and others, who were appointed to be his Mur- derers. Thefe AfTaflins difcharg'd Three Piftols clole at him, and Conchini fell Dead to the Ground upon his Knees, half thrown back on the Parapet of the Bridge, which was then at the Louvre, The Ruffians bafely ran him through with their Swords^ after he was Dead *, Vitri kick'd him with his Feet, and laid him at his full length, for which, very fuddenly, he will be dignify'd with the Honouj? of a Marefchal o{ France, Thus fell Conchino Cvnch'ml^ whofe greatefi: Fault was, that he was not a French Man ; and yet that was no fuch a Fault in the Marefchals Tr/W?/ and Strozx^iy both Italians as well as D Ancre. Confi- dering the Maxims and Pra£lices ot Favourites in all Ages and all Courts, Conchmi was much more fufFerable than many that we read of*, and his SuccefiTor Lmnes^ will 'ere long, let them feel the difference between a Man of good Nature with his Pride, and one as Infolent as l^e was Powerful. Before we enter farther into this Tragedy, I Ihall give the Charader of D' Ancre^ as given by the Sf:1?AR N C E. joj the Marefcbal D* Eflrees in his Memoirs ot the Regency of Mary dc Medic is. When I refleBy fays he, ont,ieD?aib of the Aiarefchal D* Ancre, lean •attribute it cdy to hi-^ Evil Dejlifzy, He was Na^ turally a Well ircd Per foa^ ard had difohligd very ferv People. "Tis not tadly to he comprehended for •what ail France roff agninji him : He was agreed^ ble in ih' Frrjon. Graceful on Horfahacky and in* deed i,i all his Other Exercffes, His Converfation tvas Sr^eet and Bafie ^ his Thoughts Towering and Ambitious *, and yet he conceal' d them upon fome Oc' cafions. He 'riever defird to come to the King^s Council, This was the Man whom the French treated in the Barbarous hianr.^r that has been, and will be related , (uch extraordinary Events as thefe de- fervitig to be treated of at large, they being equally . Inftruftive and tntertaining. The Queen Mother furpriz'd at the hearing of F^iftols Gifcharg'd in the Louvre^ bid otle of her Maids pt Honour look out of the Window, and inquire what was the matter. The Lady feeing the Captain of the Guards, ask'd him the Occa- fion of that Diforder. f^itri anfwer'd without any Concern, the Marefchal D' Ancre is killed : Who was the Murderer ? faid fhe. Afy [elf reply'd Fitri as feriouily as before ; The King Commanded me to do it. The Lady prcfently drew in her Head, and acquainted Mary de A4edicis with it, who upon the Nevis of if, pull d off all her Head- Clothes, iv^id with her Hair diihrivell'd, ran about the Room \vringlng of her Hands in a moft def- perate manner, being ftunn'd at this unexpe<^ed BIow> not for Conchini% Death, but for the Lofs of her i\uthority, as fhe exprefs'd herfelf after- wards, wh^n iLe was more Miftrefs of her Rea- (on, Ikying, / am -not troubled that the King has faus^d ths Marefchal D* Ancie to he murder dy if htf thought it necejjary for the Good of the Kingdom^ but the Mifiru^ he has fijow*d towards me ^ in con- sealing his Refolution from his own Mother^ gives v%e a very great AfflitJton, And i^e had Reafon to be apprehenfive of her So!i s Coldnefs to^ her, as. ISO The, Secret Hijlory- as fhe found prefently by Experience; fov-Vitri- difarm'd her Guards, and his Majefly refus'd to fee her. The Farce they, made Lewis the Xlllth play after this Tragedy, -is very extraordinary. As Toon j^s the Piftols went off, a Man ran in a Fright to the King's Chamber, crying out, They have mifs'd the Marefchal D* Ancre, he is coming up with his Meuf and their Swords in their Hands *, Tou had heii^ Sir, take care of Your felf. What JJjall I do ? iliys tiie Kmg to Du Bellier ? W1k> anfwer'd, Since Tour Majejiy Jliews fo much Courage^ go meet^em^ run them through^ and every Body that dares re- Jiftyou. *Tis very probable, as Fajfor ikys^ this was a Trick play'd on purpofe by //wi^^e/s Contrivance, to keep his Fears awake, and make him own the^ Murder. The King takes his Sword very Manful- ly, and marches into the Great Hall, where they told him X)' Ancre was kill'd, and making hihi' ihew himfelf to the Crowd in the Court of the £' Ouvre^ where he faw the Captain of the Guards, he cry'd, / thank you Vitri, now I am King of France. He bad the Soldiers To Arms^ To Arms. Nothing was heard all over the Palace and City, but Vive le Roy^ The King is now King^ the Mem- bers of Parliament running fo faft, that they left" their fquare Caps and Hoods, to pay their Coi-n- pliments to his Majefty, as did all the Princes, FrincefTes, and People of Quality *, the Crowd be* ing fo great, that the King was forc'd to get up- on his Billiard Table to receive their Homages: And there are a hundred Stories of his Majefty's fine Repartees, which not anfwering the other Parts of his Life, I do not think there*s any need of remembring, as being put into his Mouth ei- ' ther then or afterwards. The moft Infamous Circumilance that attended this Murder, was the Flattery of the Parliament of Paris^ the Supream Court of Judicature in France^ and the only French Senate Paris cou'd boaft of. The ICmg^ faid they, upon a Queflion whether the Marefchal'sCarcafsihou'dbe Try'd, has caused the of V R h N CE. ill Marefchd D' Ancre to be kiWd^ whofe Crimes were Notorious. The Confent of his Majejiy alone^ coven all the wants of Formfilities, lo go about now to make Procsfs upon the Trunk of a Dead Man^ woud be thereby to call in Quejiton the Power 9f the King. I fhall repeat hers cb^: very Words of a French Hiftorian. ^'' What do I hear, Good God ! Are " thefe who fpeak fo, Magiflrates of the Firfl " Tribunal of France / h woud be to call in Quefti- '* on the Power of the King. Has he then a Pre- " rogative to put Men to Death without due Tryal *' and Procefs according to Lav; ? Such are the *^ fatal and deteftable Confequences of that Priii- •' ciple, which allow to Kings an Arbitrary Pow • ^* er, and makes them Mafters of the Lives and ^' Fortunes of their Subje£ls. The Confent of his " Majejiy done covers all Formalities, By this Bar- *' barous and Cruel Axiom (more fit to be alledg'd *' in the Divan of a Maho7nctan Soveraign, than *' in the Council of the Moft Chriftian KingJ they " may very well juftify the MafT^cre committed " on St. Bartholomew's Day. Charles the IXth pre- ^' tended, that the Crimes of Admiral de CoUgnyy *' and of all thofe Brave French Gentlemen whofe *' Throats were Cut that Day, were ftill more ^* Notorious, than thofe the Marefchal I>* Ancre *' was fufpefled to be Guilty of. And cou'd the ** bare Confent of that Inhumane King, Cover the *' want of Formalities? What Reafon have thofe •' Gentlemen of the Parliament, to fuppofe that '' the Crimes of Conchini were Publick and No- " torious? They were never prov'd. He was Con- *' demnd, as being Guilty of High Treafon, by " that very Sentence which was pronounc'd againft ** the Unfortunate Galigai^ whereby fhe was Con- *' demnd to lofe her Head. Bat it is to be wifh*d, '' even for the Reputation fake of the Parliament *' of Paris, that the Remembrance of that Wicked *' Judgement might be for ever obliterated. What might I not fay on this Head ^ how do Reflexions croud tiiemfelves upon me -^ but that of all of them which touches me mofl, is, that I nnuft: keep Ill The Secret Flijtory keef> them to my felf. Twas pretended that B jincre made fome Refiftance, which is falfe *, he only exprefs'd his Aftonifhment by fome Words: And the Three Commifiion'd AfTalTins, the Three Gentlemen, as Delbene phras'd it at the Prince of Condes Apprehenfion, Shot him Dead upon the Spot, with the King's Confent. kichlleu having loft his Prote£lors, and doubting' whether his profFer'd Service wou'd be accepted now the King had taken the Government into his own Hands, went however and prefented himfdf to his Majefty. Well^ M. de Luccn^ faid King Lewis fitting ftill upon his Billiard Table, / am at laji de- liver' d from your Tyra'/iny. The Biihop was put quite out of Countenance at thefe Words, and while he was preparing to fay fomething in his own Juftification, the King bluntly commanded him to withdraw. Lulnes began to have a Jea- loufy of the Bifhop's Artifices and Ambition, and was glad the King had already forgot the great hopes he had given Richlieu fome Days before. The good Prelate had his Friends that put his Majefty in mind of it, and Luines fent him word, that tho* yUleroy was reftor'd to the Office of Secretary of State, yet that of Counfellor was referv'd for him, and an Officer was order 'd to wait upon him as from the King, to. the Door of the Chamber where the Council was then fitting. As- foon as yUleroy and the Old Minifters heard they were bringing in Richlieu, they ftarted (o many Difficulties, that the Bifhop did not care to go into the Council, but ftay'd without the Door, un- der Pretence of difcourfing the Firft Prefident, and finding his continuing at Court, when all the Friends and Servants of Mary de Medicis were fo ill treated, gave Jealoufy that be had betray*d her. He thought it at that time, his Wifeft way to quit his Pre* tenfion to the Place of a Councellor of State. Barbin being apprehended, fell a railing at his Pro- te^or Conchinl, and fhew'd that his Soul was fo throughly bafe, both in his Ingratitude to his Pa • Uon, and his Treachery and Ccrruption^ that he'' of F K A N C n. 115 better deferv'd the Fate of D* A'jcre^ than that Unfortunate Italian'. Yet fo high iiad he been iri Favour, that Ricblieu once courted him to marry ftis Sifter, who was afterwards Mother of the Firft Princefs of the Blood, Barbin not thinking her worthy of him. The Ufage Caligni^ the Wife of the Marefchal, met with^ v/as ftiJl more Barbarous than any •, when fhe heard her Husband was kili'd,ftie immediately hid her Jewels in the Feathers of her Bed, and lay upon it,- pretending Indifpofition ; but fome of Fltri's Men made her get up, ?[nd upon fearch they found the Treafure. They rob'd her of her very Stocking?, infomuch that fhe was forc'd to burrow fome "of her Son's fmall Money to buy fome Linnen One?^ for this Lady of a Marefchal of France, who the Day before had been fo Richly Drcfs'd. As fhe was carrying to the Place of her Confinement, (he bore the Affront of the Infolent Soldiers, and the Infults of her Enemies like a Heroine. She was not Teen to fhed a Tear, and what fhe faid was with De- cency and without Paflion. A'ly Husband has been kili'dy faid fhe to the Guards, Is riot that enough^ let the King give me leave then to remove out of France, &'C. But that wou'd not do Luines\ Bu- finefs. who wanted the Forfeiture of the Marefchal s Coods^and therefore fhe was to dye by the Hands of the Common Hangman. Accordingly fhe was re- mov*d from the Louvre ta the Bafiile, and thence to the Common Goal, fufFering all the Indignities that Cruelty and Infolence cou'd offer her. The Guards feiz'd alfo a very Lovely Youth, the Son of Conch in i and Galigai^ took from him his Hat andClo.ik, and us'd him fobarbaroufly, that the Lad in Defpair, refolv'dto flar.ve himfelf to Death, and wou'd neither Eat nor Drink. A Gentleman of the Court defir'd leave of the King to take the Youth into his Hodfe, wd the Young Queen had Itkewife fome Compsffion- upon him : She fent him Sweat- Meats, and order 'd. hiii) to be brought to ^er.. She had been told lie I>anc'd very prettily,- iofd wvVt» ti^d^ hate hrm Dance in her Pre fence. I h '■*/^. 114 The Secfet Biftory A very impi'oper time for the poor Creature: to be put upon fuch an Exercife ; however he obey'd her Commands, and 'twas obfervable he did his utmoft to conceal from her that Grief which ahnoft over- whelnVd him. I muft own I was extreamly touch'd at reading this Story, and have a very mean O- pinion of tlie Tendernefs of that Princefs, for the Misfortunes cf a Child involv'd in them , , by tlK)(e of his Parents *, and the Horror of the Con- clufion of this Tragedy is fuch, that hardly any Hiftory can parallel. . After the Corpfe of tlie Ma* refchal had been bury'd priv^Ltely in a Church near the Lowz-r^, the -Rabble broke into it, dug up his Grave^ took out the Corpfe, drag'd it to the Tom- neuf\ where a Gallows had been kt up to Hang fome Perfons -accus'd of allifting the Difcontented Party- A Footman offer'd his Service to tye up the Corpfe by the Feet, faying, He tbrcatendtohang ms not. long ae^o. Galigal wondering at the Noife ilie heard, ask'd Iier, Keepers what was the matter, they anfwer'd, I'he -people are., going to hmig yow Hus- band^ yet Ihe did not weep ^ and having not lately been very, fond (5f him, fbefaid, They ufe him as he defcrvefy He^ was a had, Man^ Vroud and ■ Ar- rogant, The Mob pluck'd ont the Eyes of the Dead Marcfchal, cut off his Nofe and Ears, his Privy Members and his-Arms ; then<^ivided them felyes into Bands, and each Band dr^g'd a Fart of his Body about the Streets. A Man well enough dlefs'd, open'd his Belly, thruft his Hand into it, and drew it out again, befmear'd with his Blood, and lick'd it.- Another took his Heart, broil'd it upon Burning Coals, and eat it, dipping every Bit in Vinegar. The Trunk wasdrag'd to the Grave, the Bafiilie^ before the Hotel of Corule^ and even before his own Houfe. The Rabble at lafi weary'd with their Barbarities,; Burnt one part of the Corpfe at the Grave^ and the other on the Vontneuf. The Gal- lows ferv'd to make the Fire ^ his Alhes were ga- ther'd up and fold by the Ounce, . Is of F R AN C E. 115 is this the- Delicate, the Polite Nation, that pre- tends to ,be the jpattern of .Politeneis and Delicacy for all the World to imitate ? I queftion'if the Hi- ftories of the Rifffes or Tartars^ has any thing fo hor- jid and deteflable in it. All the Kealon they had to hate Conchini, was, becaufe the Qyeen -Mother lovd his Wife, and he did ^yhat all <3qUrtiers do, make the belt ufe he cou'd of her rafv^q^, for his own Advantage, in which he was .nei&JhcH'-i^ Rapa- cious nor fo Haughty, as ii^piy whom tl^^ey bore^witl^, without marmuririg. Is It not vei',y rttange to fee a Man murder d'\\\ the Palace, apd a DeclaratioX) conojS out after it, that the Marefci^a^- i)^ Vkri^ for fo WjC muil now call the Murderer, and the reH of his Ac- complices fhou'd never ,be troubl'd foi- (it- - This AfTafiin went to the parliament in great rRoji^py to take the Oath, of Marefchal of Fruucey-xy^-X: oxix^t de Soljjons^ feveral Dukes ai^d Peers, Ibir.^.Qff'^^e^s of the Crown, and a great Nuinber ofperfons gf QiKility were prefent at; the Ceremony. Xiie Ad- vocates flatter'd him in >tJtieir,Speeche^s^, an.c[.,noiie •more than the Advocate (jln^rAl., Monfi^ur.'fe'i^iV??, -whofe Oration on that Qc^afion, was fi^U, of the vilefi: Flattery, and m oft Notorious Falihoqds.- tie faid Concbini was a Notavy'-s.SQ^iof :/^rei;^<7 in T?/p taufy^ that he was the greaTeft Motiftertip(3«.EurLi}, and no Encomiums cou d be too great for th^.vyorthy Jnftrument his ^jajsfty had made ufe qi]yi<^At9ii.o^ him. Now:,\\hatever iva^d been repoi>ttd 'jof , U>e Meannefs of D' Ancrs's Birth,- -tis cerral^ 'hife f-^thar .was a Senator of Hcre^cf,. snd-.bis Graad.fFather had been employed 'by the Great Duke in-l>;veral Am- halFies, hut liich is the Integrity o^Frei'ich Lawyers. I hope Proteftancs of that ProfelTiun, cannot be Guilty of the like Bafenefs. The Marefchrl 1)' Jncre had been AiTaffinated by Authority, the Mar^fchal de P^itri was the Afraflin,and they cba'd uot compliment the one, without abufmg the other. Twas known to all the World, that the Parliament of Paris had made their Court to Concbini as much as any Body of Men in France^ yet the Honed Advocate-oeneral es<:lamf d biimly againfl: all thofe that hiid .ador'd. Ii6 The Secret Hijtory the Fortune of the Marefchal D' Ancre^ terming it Coionnene^ a Pitiful^ Cowardly JRehaviour. Yet at the fame rime is hehimfelf adoring the Fortune of a Man that got it by murdering him. An Allien fo Villainous, that D' ^ncre cannot be charg'd with zr\y thing Co bad during the whole Courfe of his Fa- 'jQ'jr, tho' 'twas made io uneafy to him, by thofe mat envy'd him, that he had often Provocations to proceed to Extremities. The News of jD* Aacres Death, was receiv'd all over the Kingdom with great Tranfport \ every one Congratulated his Majefty on his afTuming the Government into his own Hands, tho' iO. Truth 'twas only changing ConchirU for Luines. The Vroteftants were not behind hand with the Tdpifts in this Congratulation : Du Plejjis Mornay was prefently made acquainted with the Revolution at Court, which follow 'd the Death of the Maref- chal D' Anrre. He immediately fent his Son in-Law, Monlieur Fillafnoux thitlier, to Congratulate hrs Majefty upon this kind of New Acceflion to the Throne. The Letter he fent by him, was fo accep- table to the King and Favourite, that it was prefent- ly publifii'd in Paris by his Majefty's Special Com- mand. Du Plejjis made no mention of the Queen Mother or Marefchal jD' Ancre^ only Commended Iiis Majefty's AiTuming the Adminiliration into his own Hands, and then beg'd that he wou'd bepleasd to 'grant them their Vnqnejlionahle Rlght^ the Per- formance of the feveral tdi<^s made in their Favour. The King anfwer'd Du P/e//I/s Letter, and faid, / caus'd your Letter to be read "to me feveral ti77jeSy arjd am much pleased rrlth the good Advice you give me therein^ and will he fure to follow it, He adds. He will not only give his Reform d Subje^s their Un- quefiionable Right, but alfo L&ad them with his Fa- vours, Du Plejjis had advis'd his Majefty lo fet the Prince of Conde^i Liberty, and recal the Difconten- tcd Lords. The latter was refolv'd upon, the for- mer Luraes wou'd not hear of, fearing the Authority his Rank naturally gave •, the Firft Prince of the Blood vYou'd be an Impediment to the Boundlefs Power of-'B RANGE. 117 Power he was aiming at. The King indeed, fent to acquaint the Princefs of Coiide that he wou'd admit her to his Prefence whenever fhe wou'd come to the Louvre-^ fhe went prefently, accompany'd by the Dutchefs de Angoulefme her Sifter, and threw her- felf at the King's Feet. Siie thank d him for the Ho- nour he had done lier, to admit her to wait upon his Majefly, and, with Tears in her Eyes, intreated him to beftow fome Marks of his Clemency upon the Firft Prince of the Blood. Adding, Jf you do not think fity Sirj to fet him at Liberty^ grant me the Favour at leaji to /hut tny felf up in the BaftiiJe, w^hich Favour King Lewis anfwer'd he intended to grant her, faying, / love Monfienr the Prince and his Family, and all imaginable Care jhall he taken of him^ till I have put my Affairs in good Order, I am very firry they do not allow me as yet to grant him his Liberty, Ton may affure him from me^ that J will endeavour to content him as foon as I can. The Princefs went that very Day to be a Prifoner with her Husband in tlie Baflille^ where for four Months they expefted the Performance of his Majefly's Promile, but then inftead of being re- leas'd from their Confinement, they were, as an ex- traordinary Favour, remov'd to tiie Tower of rincennes^ where his Highnefs remained feveral Years. The Difcon ten ted Lords return'd to Court, with- out any A3: of Abolition, to excufe their Proceed- ings, contrary to the Advice of ^^//^m and others, they having been d*:lar'd Guiky of High Treafon, having raised Soldiers, and maintain'd Treaties. Luines already carry'd his Ambitious Views fo high, that he thought of no leis a Match than the Duke de rendome's Sifter, the Natural Sifter of Lewis. To ingratiate himfelf with him, " he ob- tain'd a Pa.rs, that the Duke might return vyith- put making any Publick Submiftion ^ and to gam the Friendfhip of the other Lords, procar*d'^tLe fame Permifiion for them, which brought diem all fo Coufi:, where they were well leceiy a ^ and i 3 the Ii8 The Secret Hiflory the Kirig's Declaration rcftoring them to his good Grace, was Regiiler*din Parliament. We have feen how ths State of Affairs was quite alter'd by the De:\th of Conch'ml^ how the Qaeen Mother was depriv'd of her Authority ; her Crea- tures lofl their PlaceSj and ihe herfeif treated with all the Contempt that an Infalting Enemy cou'd fhew the Mother of his Mafter. OflBcers and Sol- diers enter'd her Chamber, without asking her Leave •, Search was made in her Clofet, under her^ Bed and Trunks ; and when one of her 1 adies of Honour ask'd the Reafon of that Rudenefs, fhe was anfwer'd, We have Orders to fee if there be not fome Barrels of Gim-Fowdsr to Blow tip the King^ who lyes over this Aparrtnient % one of the Doors of which, was immediately Wail'd up. The Draw Bridge, which let into her Garden, was broken down. All her Difcourfes and Morions were ilarrowly obferv'd ; her Adminillration was refled- ed upon in all the King's Declarations, where there was the leall: Occaiion to make mention of it. She was abandon'd by almofl all the Lords of the Court*, the Duke de Rohan ihew'd the moft Generofiry on this Occafion of any of them. He hid made his Compliment to the Qiieen, after the Treaty of Loudon^ and w^is fincerely reconcil'd to her, who favourably received his Excufcs for ta- king Arms. All he obtain'd by the Treaty, was the AlTurance of the Government of Foiciou. provi- ded he cou'd obtain the Duke de Sulifs Demiiii- on, which he did, and in Perron follicired his Let- ters Patents fcr the Survivorfhip. He did it boldly enough, and at laft the Queen granted it him, tho* the Change of Affairs hinder'd his enjoying it. How^ ever, in Gratitude for this Favour, he apply d him- felf to the Service of that Princefs with (o much Fidelity, that in the end it prov'd a Ruin to him- felf, and confequently an unipeakable Detriment to the Reform'd- Intereft in France. ' In all the Commotions which happen'd in this Minority, we Iwve feen that the Fapifts were the AgrefTors. If the Protefiants fell in with any of 'em., ^ F R A N C E. iH9 'em, it was as French Men, not as Hugonots, Mat" ters were purely Civil, and they cannot as yet be charg'd with the Wars that diflurb'd the Regency of Mary de Aledlcisy or the Reign of Lewis the XHIth. So far was tlie Court of France from thinking it unfafe to eaiploy them, that there was no Law which excluded them fro)n Offices, no Sa- cramental Teft to oblige them to conform to the National Church. Pofts of the higbeft Confequence, as well Civil as Military, were in the. Hands of Proteftant Gentlemen i the Marefchal de Lefdif^uir eres was Governor oi DauphineytliQ Duke de Sully of PoiU^ouj the Marquifs de la Force of Beam. In iliort, there wou'd be rjo end of it, if I fhou'd go about to infiance the feveral High Offices the Proteftants held in France^ till their Toleration was taken from them, as well as their Employ- ments. 'Tis well known there were.P^r/j/ Cham- bers, vfhexe the Judges were compos 'd of Papijls and Prote/iants^ and that even in the Moil: Supream Court, the Parliament of P^/W/, the Edii'shad nothing brought in Proof againfi: them, but fome Verfes found in their Clofets againfi Luines, and confrquently, as his Accufers (aid, againft the King. For as tl c f^me Writer has it^ As foon as you Jay any Thing againjl the Favourite or againfi the Mlnifier^ it will Jurely be pretended that you at- tack the King. This was the Maxim of theMini. iters of France in the former R'^ign ; and for thofe yerfes which never had been made Publick, and were Cifely ihut up in thtir Pocket Books, were thefe Three Wretches condemn d to Death*, Bar- bin had had the fame Fate, but Luines was afraid of further exaiperating the Queen xMother, and fci he was only baniih'd the Kingdom for Life. ' Thol'^ who lay the Foundatioi'! of their Fortune on that of a Fovourite, vv4io ^jacrihie their Under- handing, Honour and Gonfcience to flatter a Man ' ' ' ii« ^/ F k A N C E. 141 in Power, and vilify a Man in Difgrace, let tlieiu with Attention read the following Story of xMon- fieur de Richlieu^ BiHiOp of Luc 072^ who, as we l:ave already ob;erv'd, retir'd with the Queen Mother ^ and finding the Favourite not fo well difpus'd as he expelled to accept of his Service, Luines being afraid of a Man of hie FHindlefs Ambition ar.d En- terprifing Genius, the good Biihop afFefted to ap- ply himlelf to Books and to mak. himfelf Popu*' lar, anfwer'd that beforemention'd Treatlfe written by the Minifters of Cherenton. Thi9 did not (b defend him from the Jealouiyand III Offices of th6 Favourite, but that when he had fcarce been a Month at Blois^ he received Orders to retire to his Priory oiCouffai in Ay:jou > which Orders he obey'd, aftefting a Difpolition to fpend the remainder of his Life in Study and Dovotion. Luines was fo little fatisfy'd of his Sincerity in it, that he took care to have his Motions well watcli'd, and ^lifcover'd his Caballing in ToiEiou, where hs privately Lifted Men for the Service of the Queen Mother. It was therefore refolv'd to fend him farther off, and he having Intimation of this Re- folution from his Brother to prevent the Difgrace he was threaten 'd vvith, retir'd to his Dioceis of Luccn^ which not fatisfying the Court, he was com- manded to refide out of the Kingdom at Avignon in the beginningof the Year 15-18. Richlieu com- plain d to the Hope that he was hindred from tak- ing Care of his Flock ; his future Condu£l will ihow how much his Flock was at his Heart, and tho the Pope remonftrated to the French Ambaf- fador, that the ufmg the Biihop of Lncon fo, was contrary to the Rights of the Church, yet the French Minifters took no Notice o^ it, and Rich- lieu was forc'd to remain (ome time in his Ex- ile. Luines to gain the People's AfFedion, proposed aCon- vention, which the French calJ Affejnblee de Notables^ confiftjng of Perfons chofen among the Clergy, the Nobility and Men of the Long Robe. The Fa- vourite appointed the Meeting to be at Rouen^ that he 142 The Secret Hijlory he might have ^m Opportunity to take PofTefiion of his Poll of Lieutenant General of Normandy^ and not lofe fi^ht of his Mafler; nothing being more Fatal to Favourites than Abfence. The Pre- tence was to confult this Ailembly about the An- fw^ers the King fhould give to the Cahiers of the States General, and to redrefs other Grievances. The Diiiimuilation of Courtiers towards their Cli- ents is by long Cuftom become no more a Vice, or at leafl: a very Pardonable one. But their DifTembling with the Almighty, their taking his Sacred Name in vain, and making their iMafter appeal to the Ma- jefly of Heaven for the Performance of Thing they intend fhall never be perform d, has fume- thing in it fotremendoufiy Wicked, that one does not look: on 'em fo much with Envoy as with Hor- ror. See then what Lewis the Xlllth. is made to fay in the Edift that was put forth for Summon- ing this AlTembly. We proteji before the Living God that ws have no other End nor Intention but his Honour and the Advantage of our Subjects ; we con- jure all thofe that wo Summons to this Ajfembly^ and mofi earneftly enjoyn thejn by the Legal Power tk.t Cod has ^iven us over thcm^ that without any H-.- ?7ia?je Refpeclj without Fear of Offending any one whatfoeveTy without any Hopes of Pleafing any Body, they will fincerely give us fitch Advice as they think the moji Wholefomey and the mofl Agreeable to the Welfare of the State. ^ And yet it is very plain, that Luines had no Defign to make any other ufe of this Convention than what has been before men- tibn'd toamufe the People with Hopes of Kedrcfs, and to take PofT^iiiion of his Government. For after they had Jet Qaarrelling about Precedency about Five Weeks, the Court on a. fudden depart- ed for Varis^ under Pretence of the Seafon inco- niojing the King's Health, leaving all the Publick Grievances on the fame Foot as when they came fro?n the Louvre. The Royal Authority fo much infifled upon in Trance, being then entirely in the Hands of a Mi- nor, the King Seventeen Years old, and of Years to ^/FRANCE. 145 to aflume the Government, let us obferve wlut Paf- five Obedience was paid by his Subjefts French- men and Papifis^ and by one of the greateft Bigots and greateft Lords, the Duke de Epcmon. He had follicited a Cardinal's Cap for his Youngeft Son the Arch-Bifhop of Thoulovfe •, but the Duke deRetzJ^ Brother to Gondi Bifhop of Pmj,obtain'd it by means of Luines and Deageam^ whom he courted with flavifh Submiffion and Flattery. This Affront exaf- perated the Proud Duke de Epernon^ and the Queen Mother's Friends did their utmoft ta inflame hint the more againft the Favourite, who on his Part thought himfelf To fureof the King's Favour, that he valu'd xioiVe Epernon%V^Qkntm^,\\t, and on the contrary took occafion to mortify him dayly, as he was Colonel General of the Infantry, by abridging him of feveral Prerogatives of his Poft: This llfage foon.occafion'd a Rupture,^ to the great Joyof^^r)/ de Medkis. The Occa(ion of ffiew- ing it, was on Application of the Duke's dt Mon- merenci^ de Vfez,^ de Monbaz,on^ de Retz.^ and others, who refeifting that Du Valr^ Keeper of the Seals, took Place of them, reprefented the lojufticf done to their Quality, to the Duke d' Epem&n^ the Eldeft of the Dukes and Peers in the Ivilig's Council, and he immediately afTur'd themrthathe wou'd Right himfelf and them at the firfi: Opportu- nityj which was a Solemn Ma fs, fa id in x}:\t Church of St. Germain d' L' Auxerrois^ before the Court at Eafiery where Du Fair taking his Stat as he was wont to do, above the Dukes and Peers, the Duke d* Epernon took him by the Arm, and turn'dL him out of it. Luines took this Affront ofFer'd to Du Vair^ his Creature, as done to himfelf, and reprefented the Duke d' Epernon to the King, as a Perfon dilTatisfy'd that he had not the Share he afpir'd to, in the Adminiftration that had for in 'd a Party at Court againft his Authority, and put him- lelf at the Head of the Dukes and Peers, under Pre- tence of allcrting their Rights, againft the Preten- fions ©f the Keeper of the Seals. This made a ftrcQg Imprellion on the Mind of a weak Prince, jealous 144 ^^^ Secret l-{iJiofy^ jealous of his Authority. However, Lewis diffeiif- bled his Refenrment, waiting for a more favourable Occafion to fhew it. He commanded the Duke and BuVair to attend him. in order to accommodate the DifFerence, The former complain'd of the Keeper in very fharp Terms, and the latter treated the Duke every whit as haughtily, encouraged by the Prote£lion of tire Favourite; This was that Wife, that Modeft, Publick Spirited Difinterefted Lawyer, who fo lately had the Charader of the Honefteil Man in France. He is perfwaded to ac- cept of a High Poft, and fee what it has- made of him. His Difinterefl is turned into Rapine, hi5 Modefty intolnfolence, his Publick Spirit into Flat- tery, his Wifdom into Tricking. The King or- dered them to attend him a fecond time, in hopes to reconcile them. Epernon was ftili in the high Tone, and treated Bu Valr with fo much Con- tempt, that Young Louis was out of all Patience. He rofe from his Seat, and handled the Duke fo roughly, th.-it he was gUd when he was got out of the Louvre^ for fear of being arrefted. The King had taken Phyfick that Day, and having made fign for everyone to leave his Chamber, Epernon going our with the reft, found the Door of the Anti- Chamber fhut, Baffowplerre feeing him in Confu- fion, pointed to the Door of the Private Stair-Cafe, and went down with him as faft as they cou'd. Bajfowplerre afFeutyy when D if obedience has been rervarded^ and defended Tour Authority when it has been abused by fome^ and difpis*d by others. 'Tis to do ms an Injury j to think I woii'd at thefe Tears fail in itj and that ?ny Private Refentmems are dearer to me than my Concern for Tour Service. This good Catholick and French Man, this Favourite of Henry the Hid, this inveterate Enemy to the Protcftants, boafls of ^/FRANCE. 147 hf liis Vpright Inwnions^ and that his Cfincern for his M^jefifs ServUi, is dearer to him than his Pri- vate Refemmevts. A few Days before, ccnrrary to the King's reiterated Command, he left his Go- vernment of Metz., at the Head of a loo Horfe, crofs'd the Province of Burgundy^ p«is'd the Loire ^ and fent his Son, the Arc li-bifhop of To«/'j?^/c, to receive tlie Queen Mother, who, the 22 d fjf February^ i(?i8, in the Night made her efcapefrora Blots at Momrlchard, Her Majefty, accompany'd by one of the Women of her Chamber, the Count de Brenne^ her Firft Gentleman, and three or four other Perfons, went out of one cf the Windows of the Caftlc of Blois by a Ladder, to a Parterre in the Garden, and tiienceby another Ladder totheSireer, whence fhe walk'd over the Bridge to her Coach, which waited for her with tiie Archbiilicp and his Followers, whocenvey'd Iiqi' to Loches^ whence tiie Duke de Epernon convey'd her to Angouleme^ a£ the Head of* about 200 Horfe, in pofitive Difobedi- ence to tiie King's Command, and adual ReiiPcance of his Authority* The Count de Schomberg had Summon'd a Caitle in that Government to Surren- der in his Majefty's Name, the Officer who Com- manded it, flood an Attack, and the Duke haften'd to the Relief of it. but the Garrlfon had Capitulated before he couM come to their AjTiirance. The Favourite, who had in Time received Information ci this Confpiracy, but wou'd either not give Credit to it, or negledled it, as thinking his Authority too well fettled toreceiveany Shock byit, was in a Terri- ble Fright when the News of the Queen's Efcape from BUis arriv'd at the Louvre. He did his ut- mofl to irritate the King againft his Mother and the Duke, and to perfwade him to reduce the lat- ter by Anns. The Queen WTote to iier Son front Lockss^ and the Duke d' Epernon did the lame •, in both-of whole Letters, are to befeen the Integrity of a Courtier, and what an Abhorrence thofe that have been bred in one^ haveofDiffimulationand Falfhood. Her iMajefly haying told the King, that fhe was mm*^^" ^x" befim cctifin'd at BleiSj becaufe it de- L ^ pnv'd 148 The Secret Hifiory priv'd her of an Opportunity to give him thbJe good and falutary Councils, which thofe ttnder whofe Power he Wc- I'ern your Dominions your felfj and to hear your Subjects exalt your Fertues, and the Mildnefs of your Government, The Duke d' Epernon, as if his Heart was full of nothing but Paftive Obedience, and he had not fo lately reiifted the King's Autho- rity, fays in his Letter, As foon as I arrived at LocheSj the Queen your Afother, commanded m.e tor receive her there^ and coudulb her to Angouleme. / thought if I ffjoud difobey her, I fijoiid fail in the refpeB I owe to your Majefiy, I mcfi humbly befeech you^ Sir, to believe that a Many who -never once a^ed contrary to your Majefvys Service^ or the Service oj the Kings your PredecejforSy what- ever ill IJfage he has met with^ has no Pnclination^ at my Age^ to do any thing unworthy the Fidelity of which I have always made Profeffion^ and that I fhall never give your Adajejly any juft Caufe to doubt of the Vprightnefs of my Intentions, The King was prevailed upon by Lumes^ not to anfwer his Mo- ther's Letter, but to proceed to Extremities, and to caufe the Duke de Eusrnon to be declar'd a Rebel ?f F R A N C E; i0 Rebel in Parliament, which that AfTembly refused. The Duke having had the Precaution to get a Let- ter from Mary de Medicis^ inviting him to come and receive her at Loches, which prevented a Charge againft him for carrying iier off*, the Queen Mother having alfb put into his Hands, a Letter of the King?^' which permitted her to have the Liberty of tlie Country about Bloif^ when fhe pleas'd. The Fa- vourite fent the Count de Bethime to her, to try if fhe xou'd be brought to abandon d' Epsrnon^ but the Queen, tho* fhe had great Temptations to do it, cou'd not think of a£ling /uch a Piece of Ingrati- tude to her Deliverer. The Haughtinefs of his Temper, kept off tlie other Great Lords, who were upon the referve, and had rather fufFer the Fa- vourite, than put themfelves under the Domination of d' EpernGUj who wou'd be Abfolute where he was Mafter; and as there was no movement any where elfe in favour of her Majefty, the Accom- modation the Court thought fit at laft to proffer her, was accepted. There was a Circumftance in this Accommodation, which gives one a high Idea of the Duke d' Epernon^ a Spirit which France is no more likely to Glory, when it was oiter'dthat he fiaou'd be Re-eftabliih'd in all his PoiTelTions, and be pardon'd, the Duke woi-'d not hear of a Par- don \ inliead of being treated as a Criminal, he in- filled upon it, that the King (hou'd Solemnly de- clare, he had ferv'd his Majefly, in ferving the Queen Mother ; and the Article relating to him in the Treaty of Accommodation, was ioft, and to tkefe Terms. The King premised to deal as Lovingly by the Duh d' Epernon, hij Children^ and all thofe who had ferv'd the ^Aeen Mother, a^ by his other ^iibjeBs, During this Negotiation, the Court who began to think they coft'd have no Body about the Queen, thatwou'd tervetliem better than the Biihop of Liicon^ fo he was infornvd, that he might, if he pleas'd, wait on her at Angoulsme^ where he was moft graciouily receiv'd, and had Her Majeily's Seals immediately given him. The Qu:en on tlie Concluiionof this Treaty, wrote a Le:ter to her L 3 Son, 150 'The Secret Hifrory Son, which fhefent by ths Count de Br erne before- mention'd,- who fhew*d fuch a Ccntempt of the Favourite, that he woa'd not pull off his Hat to him, as he came in his way ^ which the King took fo ill, that he refus'd to return an Anfwer by him, but difpatch'd one of his Gentlemen in Ordinary with it. Wou'd the prefent King of pyance have' been fatisfy'd with fuch an Indignity offer'd to a Perfon that had fo affronted his Favourite and Minifter ? Is there a Noble Man in that King- dom Kow, that durft cock at the Man the King delights to Honour, or are the Minds of the French elated in the Minorities, and weak Reigns as much as they are contra£led under the Reigns of Princes thatjknow how to be xMaflers? This Accommoda- tion was follow'd by a Royal Interview at TourSj where the Queen met ber Son and the Court, and there was as much fhew of Rejoycing, as it al! was forgot, and the Favourites of Z/^n?/j the Xlllth, and //a',y de A^e diets, had but one AfFedion and Jntereft, the Service of the Crown. Not long after the Interview^ at Tonrs, Beageant who had betray'd his Mafter Barhl?:, and had been il! receiv'd by the Queen Mother, being on ill Terms with Arnoux^ the King's Confeffor.and not on very good ones v^hh Luines^ was Tent into Davphrriyj un- der Pretest of obferving the Marefchal de Lefdtf- guiercs^ v>rho affefted at lea ft to be difcon tented, and to efpoufe the Intereds of the Proteftants, for whom he always appear'd Zealous, when he had anything to manage at Court. Tho' the Trichfier Deagermt knew very Vxrell that he was fent thither, becaufe the Favourite wanted to get' rid of him, yet he put a good Ccluur upon his Difgrace, and Luims was fo far from fhewing any Di(guft, that, in Appearance, he feem'd forry at their Sefferaticn, which the Ne- ceftity of Affairs made abfolutely neceffary *, and then his journey to Dauphiny, where he was to refide and exercife his Office of Krft Pre/idem of the Chamber of AccountSy was taken to beaMiftery. This Man left A^cmoirs which have been very ufe- f ul to us : He had a Superior Genius to Lmncs^ and gQt 0/ F R A N C E. jsi got ground daily in the King's Favour, which alarm d the Favourite, who knowing his Cunning and Fairhood, infinuaredto the King, tba there was not a Alan in France fo proper as Deageam^ to ob- ferve the Marefchal de Lefaifguieres^ to whom he was Commiffion'd to offer the Conft ablets Staff, if he wou'd twxnFapiji, This was all the Marefchal wanted ; he made no Scruple to promife he wou'd abandon his Religion, as he had done his Morals before. However, he wou*d not do it till the Staff was put in his Hands: In the mean time, he betray'd the Proteftant Councils to Deageantj communicated to him all the Difpatches he receiv'd from their Affem- blies, and confulted him about the Aniwers he i~enc them. The Queen Mother's Intereft increafing daily, after the late Accommodation, Luines and his Two Bi^thren found it wcu'd be too difficult a matter for them to fupport themfelves, without the Proteilion of the Firft Prince of the Blood, wherefore they refolv'd to procure the Liberty of the Prince of Conde, and the Warrant for his Releafement was carry'd by Lmnes in Perfbn to Boh de l^'mccnnes^ from whence th';: Prince w^ent immediately, accom- pany'd by the Princeis, the Favourite, and his Bro- ther Cadenet to Chantilll^ where the King gave him a very favourable Reception. The Declaration which was fent to the Parliament, in favour of the Prince of Cofide^ having a Preamble that refle£led on the Mir.ifters of the Regency, it highly difguiled Mary de Medic is ^ and the Eifnop of Lvcrn^ who particularly had advis'd her to Imprifon the Prince. Mary de Medicis cou'd not help exprefling her Refentment to the Gentleman who was fent to acquaint her with the Refoiution taken to fet the Prince at Liberty, Richlieu kept his Sentiments to himfelf, refolving to do hisutmoft to render himfelf io neceflary to the Favourite, that he fhbu'd con- tribute to his Advancement, as high as his Amli- tion afpir'd, which of all things in the World, L'^ines Yfis moft afraid of. ^ L 4 Thcrf I5>2 The Stcret Hijhry ' There isoo.^ a new Sc^r-e of affairs ; thePrincp lof Conde TiU^.rLumes are, or (qqiw to be, in the Siri^teft League^, the (Jueen aiiarm'd at this clofe jCorrefpondepce of a Prince whom (he had difo- blig'd with i a Minifter»vW:iodiad fo difoblig'd her, drought of Gommotions to; defend her Intereft a- gaiiift born of them ^ ancl as Indilferent £s ihe ap- ;pears to he tqwards the Adininiftration, it is cer- tain it was What eniploy'd ail her ThoOghtSj and what iLc was impatient in the lofs of. During tbefe Tranfa^iions the Poor Froteflants inftead of gaining any Advantage by rhefe Divilions between i\iQ Queen Mother and the Favourite and die iMiniftry and the Difcontented Lords fai'd never the better for it^ all the Papifis agreed to opprels them. The Oppofition the States of Beam made to the Execution of the King's Edi£l, which deftroy'd their Religion and Liberties enrag d the Court againft them,and Lttims engag'd hj the Pope, and the Lourt of Afadrid was for reducing them by Arms. The pop:; *s Intereft in their Deftrudion is obvious, the Spaniards iicp'd by that means to prevent tlie French King's concerriing himfelf in the Affairs cA Germany^ ;\vhere the Power of the Houfe of Aufiria began to decline, and iiad been broken, had the Prcteftants j)ot been divided by the Artifices of their Enemies* The Reform d held an AfTembly at Orthcz. in Bearn^ vviiich tor the conveniency of the other Province^ was transfer'd to Rochet and made General. The JDukc d* Epernon had then dehver'd the iQueen Mo- ther from her Confinement, and that Imperious Fa- pifi who not Jong before had in fo hoflile a Man- ner infulted the Rochelkrs^ fent his Agents thither to court the Aflembly and them to declare for the Queen Mother and him *^ but the Proteftants were fo Exemplarily Loyal that they refus'd to give Au- dience to thofe Agents ^ declar'dall Deferters of the Union of the Churches, who fliould fide with any Body but the King. This AiTembly not being held a Legal one, as not fummon'd with the King's Permillion, broke uj? m the Prc^liiife of a Brief^ warranting a New one to " li^eet' of V R A N C E. JSJ m^Qt at Loudun which met accordingly the 26-th of Septerr.ber i6\^. arid v;as composed of Perfons ofthe fceft Quality and Merit among the Reformed. The Court was not at all Apprehenfive of the Con(e-- quence of the Meeting, knov^^ing how. the Prote- ftants were divided among themfelves, and being lure of Lefdiff^uleresy Chatlllon and oUiers of their Leaders. However, the AfTembly came to fcveral Vigorous Refolutions, and declar'd they wou'd not break up till his Majefly licid given an Anfwer to their Cahiers of Complaints, confifting of feveral nianifeft Breaches of their Edi^s as the forcing Children from their Troteftant Parents to be bred up by Jefuits. the denying Frotejiants Chriftian Burial , the fhutting up their Temples in feveral Places -, and other Grievances too many to be par- ticalariz'd in this Hiftory. The Favourite gaind by the Courts of Rmie^w^ Madrid J infpir'd the King with the Spirit of Perfe. cution *, and when the Deputies of the AfTembly fent to Court with their Cahiers had ended their Speech, the only Anfwer the King gave them was a Conir mand to break up their AfTembly; La Haye who was Speaker of the Deputation, having taken th^ Liberty to reply,his Majefly interrupted him, makii g a fign to the Ufher to turn them out. The Marefchal deLefdifguiers and the Duke deCbatillon pretended to Mediate for them *, but that did not hinder a De- claration, carry'd by the Prince of CWe himfelfto the Parliament to be verify'd, by which all the De- puties who remain'd at Loudun after Three Weeks, were declar'd Guilty of High Treafon. The Prince of Conde's meddling in this Matter, highly offend- ed the Prot eft ants who had Petition'd for his En- largement and ever wifh'd him well. They were further allarm'd by a Paflage in a Speech of Dw Vairs at the verifying Tome Pecuniary Edi<^s, that the Money xvcud be wanting in order to Supprefs the Reform'd. This made the AfTembly unite with thei f^reateft Vigor, and refclve not to be Supprefs'd with put Defending themlelves. Lulnes was frighten'd ijC their Refolution, and confidering how ready the '■ • ■ ■ ■ Oiieen 1^4 ^^^ Secret Hiftorj Queen Mother and the Difcontented Lords were to joyn with *em againft them, he thought fit to a- mufe them with fome fair Promifes* of Redrefs of their Grievances, efpecially with Refpedt to Bearn\ and the Prince of Conde gave them his Pa?ble for the Performance of them. Upon which the Aflem- bly nam'd their Deputies to Negotiate their Affairs at Court and broke up *, being affur'd that if their Grievances were not Redrefs'd by the time appointed them, they fhould have Permifiion to meet again at Rochelle. The Seperating this AtTembly juft as they were about to fail in with the Queen Mother sPar- ty was Luwes's Mafter Piece. The Duke de Rohan^ the moft fincere Friend to the Reform'dj had ear- ncftly follicited them to do it -, but Lefdifguieres^ Chatillon^ and the Cautious Bu Plcjjis MorHoy were for their breaking up^the Two former havingPrivate Ends in it ; and the latter being apprehenfive that the taking Arms would be entirely the Ruin of the Religion in France. The general AfTembly of the Trote^ants were not the only Body of Men in France that oppos'd the Meafures of the Court ^ the Parliament of Paris in- fifting upon their Privileges, debated the pafling Z Pecuniary Edift, Vv'hich ib incens'd the Mini- flers, that they made Luims go in Perfon to that AfTembly the 1 2th o^Feberuary i ^'i p. attended by his Brother the Duke d' An]ou^ the Prince of Conde^ the Count de Soiffons, and feveral other Lords to force Obedience without Contradidlion. Da Fair that Man of Honour, void of Ambition and Avarice, when he was a Counfellor in Parliament now he has the Seals, a Bifnoprick and hopes of a Cardinals Hat, is the only Man of that Shadow of a Senate, who afferted the Parliaments having^ no Negative m rpailing of Hdicl?. We repeat what he fays on that occa'fion, to fhow the Corruption of Mans Heart, and how apt the flrongeft Minds are to be ibften'd by Favour and" tiie Temptations of a Court. Toumay prefcnt a Reir;07ijira7ice orTvpo^ fays he, but if the King has no Regard to them^ you ought Hindly to obey him'^i Parliaments v;ere efiablifi'd to render 0f FRANCE. 15J render the Sovereign Atahority ofKwgSythe morefup' portable to the People and not to refifi them ^ whoever fays the contrary muji be either a Fool or a Rebel. As Kings by a wife Condefcention have fubmitted their Ordinances and Edicts to- the F-xamination of thePar"^ liament^ they can take away that Privilege when they Pleafi ; Tour Obftinate Fefufal to Regifier the EdiHrs, the King fent you is of Pernicious Confequencc. Will you teach the People that they may rejfiji the Kings Pleafurcy and that his Edicls receive their Authority from the confent of the Parliament ? Horrid Do£lrine in a Time v;hen the Authority Royal was in the Hands of a Minion. The Parliament muft by no means not Only Reflift the Pleafure of the Prince, but that of his Favourite! To cppofe the Mini- fters is to Rebel againft the King, and not to know that his Will or the Will of his Favourite is above the Laws makes a Fool of a Man. Du Vair who once had the Reputation of the moft Upright Magi- ftrate in France tells you fo. Was it likely that AfTembly fhouki preferve their Privileges or Frame its Liberty r* Luines being prefent when this Conteft was, had the Mortification to hear the Evil Counfeiiors refledled on as advifing this Edift to Enrich themfelves by Impoverifhing the People. Not- withftanding Du Valr threatned theParliament with tlie King's Re fen tment if they delay 'd verifying the Edi£l, f^erdun the firfl Prefident anfwer'd this Slave to Favour with a Boldnefs worthy the Dignity of his Office •, he exprsfs'd himfelf plainly that he wou'd yeild to nothing but Violence. Sir^ iays he to the King with equal Courage and Gravity, We are extreamly troubled that the JSfeceJftty of your Affairs feem to engage you to deprive your Parliament pf its Ancient Rights^ to lock into the Wants of the i^tate, and deliberate concerning the EdiBs you fend to them* As the Omijfwn to fubmit your fetf to that Law inviolably obferv'd in all Times by your Pre- deceffors is a Prejage of the Decadence and Diminu- tion of your Royal Authority *, we fljall redouble here- after our f^ows fcr the Profperity of your Reign. We pray Qod, Sir, that he will make kmm to your Ma-. jefiy X^6 The Secret Htfiory . J€jiy the Prejudice that the Authors of thtfe Violent Connfels do to the Soveraign^ And fince we cannot present the pernicious Consequences^ ive will in Difchar^e of our Confcience towards Cod and to wards ovr King^ put in our Regijiers the Name and Quality ^f thofe that advis'd you not to hearken to cur Jufi Remonjirances* How has this AfTembly now . loft its Authority? Has there been a Prefident fince Monfieiir Verdun that durft tell the French King to liis Face, he would let a Mark on fuch as broke in upon the Privileges of the Parliament? but the Au- thority Royal loon tryumphed over it. This Wife and Brave Magift'rate with his Brethren was fent for to Court and Reprimanded, theEdidRegifrer'd in Oppofition to the Sentiments of the wdiole Af- fembly, and with the Money rais'd by it Troops were Levy'd not tg afiid the Emperor as was at. firfl given out, but to deprefs a New Party form'd in Favour of Mary de Medicis^ or rather againfl Luinesj whofe Pride and Rapine were become Intolerable. He engro^^'d very thing at Court ; and was not content to be great himfelf, his Two Bro- thers were marry'd into Two IJIuftrious Families, and with their Eftates took their TiilQs^Cadenet was rnade Marefchal and Duke de Chaulnes^ Brantes Duke de Feney Luxemhurgh, Thus in about Three Years time were thefe Three Brothers Sons of a Private Gentleman of an Ordinary Fortune become Dukes, and great not only in Titles but in Riches. ' The hafty Rife of thefe Brothers could not avoid creating Envy 7 and I have often wonder 'd at the Indifcretion of Favourites, enough Inftances of which are to be niet with in Hifloiy, v^ho thinking their Founda- tion on a Rock fear no Shocks of Fortune, expofq themfeives to all Flazards and^defy thejr Enemies. To have Power and Wealth does not fatisfy them^- they muft make an Appearance of it, Vanity has ruined what Fraud has acquir'd. The Cunning who are for Securing as well as Pofieiring, cannot con- ceal the Advantages of their Pofls and Elevation ^ Pride will not fuSer fuch concealment, and weak Minds, v;ho cannot bear thsEscs-fs of Fortune, eafe ■ ' ■ them- (/FRANCE. 157 ■themfelves by fhowing it, but fhew it often to their -Diftruftion. We fhall fee prcfently from what fmall .Beginnings that Quarrel arofe, which had like to ^have fct all France in a Flame. It was grown in .France a Mark of the higheft Diftinftionin the Court of France to give the King the Napkin-, this was a Cuftoin at the Coronation of a King in Old Times, but it was now become Ctjflomary at- common •Meals at the Levee and Cotichee^ and a Token of Servitude as it is 'twas a matter of Dignity and Im- portance. The Prince of Conde demanded the Ho- -nor to hold the ToweUs the firft Prince of the Blood, the Count de Soiffons as great Mafler of the Houf- hould, and they went fo far as to Struggle ^or it. TheKina^to prevent furtl:>?r Mifchief bad the Duke of jinjou his Brother give it him^ and the Two con- tending Princes gave w::y lq him, not without threatening Words to eacii other. TheCourt Lords immediately ofrsr'd their Service to the one or other as Inclination drove them, the Duke of 6'«//'e and the Favourite's Friends deelar'd for CorJe y the Dukes of Mnyenne^ Longneville and others for S)lifons\ the Counters of Soijfons his Adother in hopes of his Marrying the Princefs Henrietta Maria afterwards Queen of England, took hold of that Opportunity to engage feveral Lords to joyn with her Son and cfpoule the Party of Mary de Medicts, The Duke de Mayenne was one of the firft difguftedthatLw/W; did not pay him Refpeft enough, and that he was not paid fome Money that was due to him from the Government. Richlieu did not let this Occafion flip to ftrengthen the Party of the Queen Mother, and by his Intrigues were many great Lords brought over. Tlie Confederacy was lo Powerful that had not tilt; Bifliop of Lncon betray'd his Miflrefs it would have ruin'd the Favourite and his Followers* The Duke de l^endome^ his Brother tiie Grand Prior the Duke de Rohan^ the Duke de Longueville^wA the Duke de Retz, came into it, as did afterwards the Duke d* Epernon *, and Luines Affairs were now the moft embarafs'd that they had ever been or will be^. i4is 558 T^^ Secret Hifto-rf His Brother Brontes] now Duke do Plney Luxstfl^ hurgh, was fent to Angers where the Queen JVl ae- ther kept her Court, to invite her to return to the Louvre^ which fhe would notconfent to un- lefs Satisfaction was given her for the Affront put upon her Regency in the Preamble to the Prince of Conde% Decree, and Ihe had Security that fhe fiiculd be well us'd there. The Duke de M^yen?ie recir'd to his Government of 6'«ye««^ without tak- ing his Leave of the King-^ De ^aine^ a Favourite of Luir.es'^ was fent after him v^rith Letters from the King to the Governors of the mofl Impor*- tant Places and efpecially of ^/^/e, exhorting them to continue Faithful, and to form no Fadion againll his Service, which had Uttle effeft. The Gover- nors of Provinces in France were Mafters there during this Minority, and till the Miniftry ofRkh- lieu'^ and we fhall fee how thefe Catholkh and Frenchr/ten pradlis'd the Dod^rine of Obedience with out Referve when they cou'd Difobey with Impunity. The Duke de Mayenne being very Powerful in his Government, the Favourite thought it moft advife- able to gain him by fair means, and caused the King to w'ite a Letter to him, inviting him to return to Court, which the Dukeexcus'd, faying, He coud be fnore Serviceable to hts Majefiy in Guyenne. The Duke de Fendome v;ithdrew to the Queen Mother at Angers \ he was follow'd by the Countefs of Soijfcnsy her Son the Count, and the Grand Prior of France ; her Party in a little Time became fo con- fiderable that fhe had with her befides the Second Prince of the Blood, Seventeen great Lordf^ Officers of the Crown or Governors of Provinces. . Tliey pretended the Publick Good only, whereas in Truth neither Mary de Medicis nor her Followers aim'd at any thing but the Adminiftration, and their Pri- vate Advantage. Tis thus the People in all Nations have been abus'd by the glorious Pretence of Re- drefiing of Grievances, w^hen the Changes that great Men have required in oi'der to it are accompliih'd, other Perfons are indeed employ'd, but the People remain where they were, the Oppreiiion is the fame^ ^/FRANCE. tS9 fame, tlio* the Oppv^fTors are forc'd to givePIaces ta others.TheConfederacy did not go far in this attempt to remove theFavouriie, means were found to divide the Confederated Lords, who if they had continued United and under the Queen Mother, might, if they pleas'd have fecur'd thei^iberties (^France, The buke de Lorfgueville, the Grand Frior of France, and the Cuiait cie Torigni held Normandy^ the Count de Soljfons fecur'd Ferche and part of MainSy the Duke de Vendome was Mailer of fom« Towns oil the River Loire ^ the Marefchal de Bois Dauphin pof- fefs'd himfelf of others between La Sartre and La Mademie^ the Queen Mother held Anders and Tom de Ce^ the Dukes de TrimouUle and Retz. held feveral good Towns in Toibiou and Breta^^e^ the Duke de Rohan commanded in St. J^an d' Angelt, the Duke de Epcrncn had la A;;goumois and la S'ain* longe at his dilpofal •, the Vicounc de Aubeterra Go- vernor of Blaie declar'd himfelf for Mary de Mt- dkisy the City, the Parliament of Bourdtaux ^and all Guyenne follow'd the Direaions of the Duke^e Mayenne *, in a word, the Queen Mother had a Country of Two Hundred Leagues in length from T>iep to the Mouth of the Garonne ^tliQi' Devotion^ and had the Lords who were with heV, taken Care to prevent her being govern'd by Perfons who had their own Intereft only in view, they might have foon put an End to the Tyranny of the Favourite, who finding the Stream run fo ftrong againft him, refolv'd rather to give way a little to it, than by a rafh Oppolition to encreafe its Fury. He began by praciiiing upon fome of the Lords about her, and xajoling others that had not yet taken her Party. The Dukes de Monbaz^on and de Bellegarde, the Archbifhop of 5.?wj, andthePre- fident Jeamin were difpatch d away to Angers as Commiiiioners from the King to treat of an Accom- modation with the Queen Motherjwho would at firft hearken to no Propofition, burin concert with the Lords that had declar'd for ber,which tbeCommiflio- ners faying, The King woud not enter into a Treaty with his Sjibje^s, ATone that has been fmce improv'd in mo the Secret Hijlory in Frdmel Had the Queen Mother followed thb advice of the Dakes de Rohan^ de Mayenne and d! Epernonj the Court muft have foon alter'd their Language, inftead of giving them Time to gain off feveral Heads of the Party, and prevent others from ioyning them, to raife Troops '^hd. be prepar*d to fall upon Normandy^ before the Duke de Longuevllk had got a fufficient Strength to make Head againft them,' if fhe had retir'd to Bourdeaux tb the Duke de Mayenne v^ho had a good Army of 18000 Men, the otiier Lords vvou*'d immediately have joyn'd her, and' by that Injundlion the Army have h^tn (b en'* creas'd that nothing could havehinder'd their march to Far is. But the Bifhop i^IMcon who was afraid of the too great Influence thofe Lords would have over h?r, if fhe was fo entirely in their PofTeflion, and that he fhould not be able to value himfelf to the Court (b much for his Management of her and Iier AfFairs, diiTwaded her from it, under Pretence that if fhe went to Bourdeaux it wou'd infallibly occafion a Difference between the Duke de Mayenne^ whd Wou'd pretend to the Superiority as Governor of the Province, and the Duke d' Eperenon who wou'd fubmit to no Body on account of Seniority and his High Employments. This Irrefolution deflroy'd the hopefuUefl Pro- ject that ever was form'd in France tofecure that Nation from the Abfolute Power of Favourites, which was the Ruin of their Libertie-^, The King attended by his Brother the Duke of Anjou^ the Prince of Conde^ the Favouifite, Du Fair, and other Lords of the Court march'd with an Army into Normandy^ and obiig'd the Duke de Longueville ta throw himfelf into Diep \ the Caflleof C^fwmade a vigorous Reilflance; Monfieur Frtid.ent^ a Valiant Officer commanded there for the Grand Prior^ and the King s Army was forc'd to Befiege i't in Form, There happen'd a Circumflance in this Siege which was very Extraordinary j the Prince of Conde to whom Lumes gave the entire Management of Mat-' ters in this Difficult Jun^lure, perfwaded the Young King Levpis and his Brother Cajlon to vihr of F R A N C E. 76t the Trenches ; the Befieg'tl did not difcont-nue their Fire, and it w?is thtiuatit ibmewhat odd, that the Firfl: Prince of the Blood (hould carry thofe Two Princes to Tuch a Place cf Ditn^er, himfdf being the next Heir after them to the Crown •, the Courtiers gruaiMed at it, but the Tjav. .urite beir.g how govern'd by CWe, every one elie th u^^ht it in vain to oppofe him *, J nines ^ as other vfmions have done, kept out of Harms way, and tho' he fen t the King and the Duke d' Anjou to the Trenches, never came near them himfelf-, the King commanded the Garrifon to be Summoned again, but th. Brave Trudent valu'd not their Threats to Hang him if he refifted any longer ; upon which tlie B.^fiegers had Recourle to an Artifice, and" order'd ihc Of- ficer who was lent with the Summons, to cry out to the Garrifon, tiiat if they wou'd throw the Obftinate and Rebellious Governor over the Walls, they Ihiould have Ten Thoufand Crowns befides a Pardon •, Vrudent after that could not keep them in Obedience, and being forced to Capitulate, had Honourable Terms given him. The Redudlion of Caen was followed with the Submiflion of the Counts de Torignyy Beuvron^ Montgommeri, Lu'Z.erno and other Lords *, the Duke dc LongnevUle hi m lei f fend- ing the King a Letter, importing, that tho* lii^. Malice of his Ememies oblig'd him to fL^nd on his Guard m Diepy yet he promis'd not ^o do any thing againft his Majcftys Service. . Normandy being reduced, _ths Prince of Co!^de, who was more than any one animated againfl: tiie Queen Mother for his Imprifcnment, was for march- ing without lofs of time to AUrJCO??^ and fo lo^Poat de Ce to poflefs themfelves of that Pod, and cut off the Queen Mother's Communication with tlie Dukes de Rohan^ d' Epernon and Mayenne. A Ccrafi- fel being held on this occalion, the Cardinal de Rttz. reprefented to the King, that it was not decent to jfall upon Aencofi which belong'd to the Qaeen Ms Mother* Conde r^proach'd the Cardinal tha^t he was' for rparing Jletjcon becaufe his Ksphew tne Duke di:^.d^ Im^ eillbfacy the contrary Party, T^'z^^^^;^ 1 62 The Secret Bijlory afraid^ faidihe angrily, ifltJJjould be intirely defiroy*d, the Dukt your Nephew-, willfuffer as well as the other Aialecontents*, Slr^ reply d the Cardinal, I am the Kirj^''s Servant^ and 1 am not afraid to own that I am a Servant to the Queen Mother \ I know the difference between the Fidelity I owe his Adajefiy arid the Re- jpeEi I owe to the Queen his Mother, No body /hall ever lay to my Charge^ added he Smiling, That I have efpous'd any Party againfi the Kings Service^ nor have been too much concerned for thofe that have taken Arms againfl. him^ whatever Proximity of Blood there may be between me and them. From this Time the Cardinal and the other Confidents reprefented continually to Luines^ that if the Party of the Queen Mother was utterly fupprefs'd, the Vrnz^cAConde wou'd be Mafler of ali, and his Power be much more intolerable than any thing that cou'd be ap- prehended from X}£i^X.o{ Mary de Medicis, They in- fmuated to him, that by gaining RichUeu^ Billiop of Lucon^ who govern'd the Queen iMother, he might eafily make her Favourable to him, and fecure him- felf. Accordingly he enter'd into Secret Negotia- tion with the Bifhop ^ the Favourite by his Agents promis'd him a Cardinals Hat, and Richlieu gave him AfTurance that he wou'd deliver up his Miftrefs when the King arriv'd at Pont d9 Ce. The Royal Army marching towards Alencon took Ferneuily famous for the glorious Victory obtained there by the Englifh over the French^ and Dreuxy where Monfieur Bajfomplerre joyn'd it with 8000 Foot and 700 Horfe. Jt was now twice as Strong as the Queen Mother's, which had taken La Fieche and was advancing to Mans *, but hearing of the Jun- ftion of Bafornpierre's Troops wath the King's, fhe retir'd to Angers, Luines took Courage on this Suc- cefs, and efpecially on the hopes he had form'd of having Adary de Medicis betray'd to him by Liicon, A Declaration was publifh'd in his Majefty's Name, wherein the Queen Mother was tenderly dealt with, but the Count and Countefs de Soiffons^ the Duke de Vendome^ his Brother the Grand Prior of France^ the Dukes de Mayenne^ de Nemours^ de Longueville of FRANCE. 1^5 de Rohan^ de la Tremoudle^ d* Epernon, de RetZy de Roarinez.^ the Marefchal de Bois Dauphin^ the Count de Candale^ the Marquis de^ la Valette^ the Arch-Bifhop of Touloufe, and all others engag'd ou her fide, were decUr'd Rebels, uniefs they laid down their Aims in a Month. This Declaration was Re- gifter'd in Parliament the Sixth of Augufi^ 1*^20. The Cardinal de Gutfe was not Nam'd, in Compla- cency to his Brothers the Dukes de Guife and de Chevreufe^ who had done his Majefty Signal Servi- ces,^ and the Court was not willing to drive the Mifefchal de Bouillon to Extremites, tho' they knew of his Engagements with Mary de Medlcis^ who being frighteu'd at her Sons Approach, was for leaving Tome Troops to defend Angers and Fom- de Cej and joyning the Duke d' Epernon and ds- Mayennc V7ith the reft, which wou'd have made up an Army of 30000. This was the befl Step fhe had to rake, buc the falfe Rkhlieu difiwaded her from it, by reprefenting to her, that if fliC put herfelf into the Hands of thofe Two Ambitious Lords, fhe, who might at Angers be Arbiter of Peace and War, muft fubmit to what Conditions they fhoii d think fit to impofe on her. This Counfel cou'd not but be pleafmg to a Princefs^, who believ'd it came from her beil Friend, espe- cially fince it flattered that defire of Independency, which had always appear'd in her from her firit afTuming the Regency. The Queen confided wholly in the Fidelity and Vigilance of RichUeu^ wha plac'd his. Relations and Creatares in all the mod Important C3fficesnear his Perron,and in all Military Polls, infomuch that ihe vv^as entirely at his difpo- faU The Magazines of Ponf de Ce he fo far neg- lected, that there was neither Powder nor Ball there on the approach of the Kings Army. The Queen Motlisr fent the Duke de Belle gar de^ the Arch-Bilhcp of Sens^ and Father Bendle 10 acquaint her Son, that (he was willing to enter into a Ne- gotiation with him, to which a ftop was put, by., the? King*s inhfling upon it, that the Lords of her Party lhou*d fttbrnit to his Mercy : The Queen on M 2 the 1^4 ^^-^^ Secret Hiftory the other hand, wou'd not Treat but with their Participation. While things were in this fufpence, the Favourite, who had an Underftanding with Rlchlieu^ fends Baffompierre to pofTefs himfelf of Font de C?, where the Duke de RetTL commanded, who havi!ig Intimation from his Unkle the Cardinal, that M.iry de Aledicis was betray'd by Lucon^ abandon'd tiiat Command, and retird tohisHoufe. The King's Troops eafily mafter'd the unprovided Garrifon, and Butcher d a great part of it. Mary de Medicls was for flying into Gvyenne^ and Rich- iieu gave Notice of it to Lui?ies^ who took care to fend out Parties of Horfe to intercept her. The Queen Mother finding herfelf furrounded by her Sons Army, accepted of what Conditions he wou'd grant her* The mofi favourable of which, was a General Pardon for all that had engag'd with her, if they fubmitted in Eight Days, after the Treaty was Sign'd. Rkhlieu was by a private Arti- cle, to have the next Cap after the Arch-Biiliop of Touloufe^ by the Recommendation of France *, and the Queen Mother who imagin'd it wou'd mightily advance her Affairs, if there was a Friendfhip be- tween Luines and him, encourag'd that Intelligence which Luccn liad Traiterouily carry 'd on. A iMatch was talk'd of between a Nepl^w of tlie Duke d^ Luiries^ and a Neice of Rkhliens^ Famous after- wards, under the Name of the Dutchefs de j4igiiil- Ion. The Queen Mother having given the Duke d' Epcrnon Notice of her entring into a Treaty of Ac- commodation,that Duke,who pretended only to take Arms for her Service, disbanded his Troops and fubmittt^d. The Duke de Mayenne did not fubmit fo readily, but finding it was to nopurpofeto (land out, he follow'd the example of d^ Epermn^ as did all the MaUcontents \ and the Queen Mother had an Interview with her Son at Brtfac^ where, to all outward appearance, there was a perfed Reconci- liation of all Parties. The Prince of Conde leem*d to have forgot his Prifon \ Rkhlieu was careis'd by the Court, as the main In(lrumi:;nt of the Peace, and after the Interviewj his Majefly went a Pro- ^rei^' %, (9/ F R A N C E. 1^5 grefs into Guyenne^ and other Provinces, where the Malecont-ent Lords had beem mofl ftiring. He was receiv'd every where with Joy, and treated with the utmoft Refpedl and Magnificence by d' Epermn^ Mayennc^ and other Lords, wh^>m a few Da^^s be- fore he had Proclaiifi'd Traytors. The Happy IfTue of this Expedition, made the Court refolve to enter upon another, that of an- nexing i^earn to the Crown, and reftoring the Fo- pilh Religion in that Principality. To which Qwi^^ at the Perfwafion of the Pope's Nuntio, the Spanifi AmbafTador, dti Perron Arch-Bifhop of S^ns^ dii Vair^ and others, Luines put his Mafter upon a March to Beam in the Winter Seafon. The Parlia- ment Tent leveral Deputies to his Majefty, to make their SubmilTion in any manner, with preferving their Ancient Rights and Privileges, which the Beanwis appeared refolute in the Defence of, till the Army approach'd and the Gates of Fan their Capi- tal, were open'd to tliem. The King having made his Entry into Vau^ fent a Det.ichment to pofTels Na'verreins^ a ftrong Town, which might have Tuftain'd a long Siege, but the Proteiians Governor caus'd the Garruon to march our, to receive the King, who went tbirher-in {'erfon with the more refpei^. His reward was to be turn'd out of his Government, and a PopiJ/j Governor and Popifi Gar* rifon were left in it/ Tiiere \vas one Ridiculous PafiTage in this Ae Prefs at War with them. Thefe were the Me- i6B The Secret Hijlcry thoJs the Jefaits made ufe of in Franee to cleftroy the Proteftants. Huw th.y fucceeded, this Hiftory will fhew in the Sequel. An eve'U that fell out foqn after the Kirg's re- turn from Pau to Bowdeaux^ fjie-vs the Pc vvcr the Tavcurite had over him, and the flavifh Subjection of the Courtiers to him. Monfieur de Bpffompierre^ one of the mjft Gallant Men of his Time, had in- finuated himK:lt io far into his Mafter's Favour, that Liunes conceived an incuraMe Jealoufy of him, ?jid would not let the King be eafy till hie got him to al:er hisCondu6l towards him. ^Accorditv'y all of a fadden, when he waited on his Majv-^fty, he was re- ceiv'd very coldly ; he who us'd to Ipeak to him with equal Freedom and Gaiety, faid, ylre you in Earnej} bir^ cr is it only for the J eft fake^ thai you fecm ^Ingry with me ?' The King reply 'd. gravely, / am not An^ry rvithyou; and immediately turn'd frum him ^ Baffompierre went prefently to the Duke de Luines waio received him fo iji, that he no lon- ger donbted of a Defign againfr him at Court, 1 \\t Cardinal de Ret:^^ and the Count de Schomberg^ let him know that the Duke ^e /.z«V?5J complain 4 pf him, ar^d when Baffanpierre defir'd to come to an EcLiirci([r;:cm on the Matter; the main Caufe uf it was found to be his gaining Ground daily in n^Q King s good Graces. The Favourite \v:.s re- folv'd to ruin him or make him leave the Court. One would have thought that thofe good Graces of his Majefty might have been his Prpteflion, but irftead of that he had the Comfort to hear him fry, Do.i't 'Troulde thy filf. tah no Notice cf it, Baf- jompierre was told fhar Luines cou'd not bear him at Court, aiid that he maft think of leaving it out of Hand. The Gallant Lorralmr refolv'd at firil; not to fubmic to his unjuft Banifhment, but his Friends reprefented to him that all Oppofition ' would be to no Purpole. He who had as much Cunning as Gallann-y. tliought it his be/1 w^ay to comply \vith an Ambitiou^ Favourite, who had the entire (/overnmenc of his iVlafter,and that he might WX be ruin'd paft recovery, to come to Terms with ' ^ ' hinij ^/FRANCE. 169 limj. The Duke de Luines propos'd to him to go AmbafHidor Extraordinary to Spain : Bajfompierre^ to oblige hiiTi, accepted of the Ambaffy, and they ha- ving afterwards^ a Meeting about it, / nrnfi own^ plalrdy to yoii^ fays Luines meanly and ridiculondy, / am like a Husband who's afraid of being a Cuckold^ 1 cant endure thap a Gallant Man (hndd make Love to my Wife \ I Ihall alw-iys have an hjUem and Friend- JJiip for you^ but 'tis on Condition that you do not en- deavour to infinuate ycrrfelf too far into the King^s Favour* Luines after liiatcarry'd him to the King's Apart nent by whom he was gracioiifly receiv'd^ the Favourite Ihewing that blatters were made up between them. Here's an Image of a fovereign Genius \ Here's a Mafter of a Powerful Monarchy that dares not Love or Hate hut ?.s his Minion plea- fes. Happy the People whofe Religion, whofe Li- berties, whofe Properties are at the Pleafure of fuch a Prince. Good God ! Was there ever an In- ftance of fuch Weaknefs ? Lewis not only Reigns, but Smiles* and Frowns as his Favourite Will have him -i a Favourite, of whom at the Bottom he is him- felf weary, and w^hom the leaft Breatli of liis Mouth would reduce to the meaiinefs of fc OrU gin. ' The Court having performed that Notable Ex- pedition to Bearn^ and finding the Proteflants fo intimidated, that they durft not ftir upon it, kept po Mea'ures with *ein^ and inftead of receiving Ithe Remonstrance (;f the AiTembly at Rochelle^ or the Petition of their Deputies General *, the for- mer was in a manner prcfcrib'd, and the latter re- fas'd Audience. This at lad made the AfTembly befperate;, thty feiit Circular Letters to the Pro- vinces order'd their Places of Secutity to be For- tify'd, rai^'d Money, and chofe Generals to Head their Troops if occafion reqair'd. I have not Pa- tienciS with ihe cLtrnal Eulogies given by the Au-^ jthor of the Life of londeur duPlejfis Aiornay^to the unparallerd Wifdom of that Gentleman, who wou'd never con fen t to the Froteflants taking ArnT;; till it was too late j who was for giving away every I70 The Secret Hiflory thing by degrees, rather than come to Extre- niites. Whereas it was very plain that no Com- pliances wou'd fave that Religion, which a Vigo- rous, Un.imimous, and timely Keiiilance might have maintain'd to this Day. Tht Marefchal de Bouillon^ and the Marquis de la Force were alfo for Submiflion to the King's or rather to the Favourite's Will. Not half of the Lords of the Reform'd Religion fell in with the AfTembly, and a i^arty thus divided, cou'd not hope of prevail- ing avianiit one Superior to tliem in every Thing ; four times their Number, pofTeiVd of the Riches and Strength of .he Nation. However, Affairs wereDef- perate they would not be deftroy'd without Refift- ance, and they could but be deflroy'd with it ^ if the Caution of du PleJJiT^ and the Private Views of, others of their Chiefs had not raised fuch fatal DivifioRs ^ if they had with one Voice re(olv*d to defend their Edi^ did not care to fire it too much, by Clothing him \r;ith the j^^- jK.7« Purple, and Intimatior was given to the Car- dinal Nephew that whatever Sol 1 1 citations tiie Am- bafTador us'd to obtain the Hat for the Biihop of Lncon^ the King wou'd be better pleas'd if it was not granted him. The Marquis having prefented feveral Memorials on that Subie^t, and receiving an Evafive Anfwer, at lail threatened the Court of Rome with his Mafter's Refentment of fuch a Corn- tempt put on his Recommendation-, and talking after the fame Manner at an Audience of his i-'olinefs, the Pope fhew'd him a Letter from the Duke de Lmnes wherein it was faid that the King wou*d be better pleas'd if Richlieu had not the Hat than if he had it •, C&vvre in a Rage, to be thus made a Fool by the Favourite, demanded to be recall'd, but means were found out to make him eafy in his AmbafTy and to keep him where he was. The Favourite continued to complain of the little Difference paid to Lems by the Court of Rome with refpeft to the Bifhop of Luco-ns Hat:^ but Lvcon law thro' the Difguife, and rightly imagin'd that his Holinefs would not be fo ObfLinate i^" there was' not a Col- lufion in the Matter. Lejdifguieres having Permif- fion to Profefs the Refir/nd Religion^ till the Con- ftable's Staff was given him, cou'd not help (how- ing a Concern for its Prefervation, wJiich w^s un- derftood at Court as a Blind only, and did not give him that Chara^^ter there, which he expe.^ied from the Infiuence he pretended to have over the Pro- teftantSo i^uines depended on the Management of ^/FRANCE. I7J the Tfaytor Deageanty who had aain'd the Con- fidence of Lefdifyuieres and his Wife. The maiti Inftrument of heageants's Power over the Maref- chal, was a Cinplnin of his who being a Pro- teftant, difcover'd all the Secrets of the Party to him, by which means he knew how to Counter- work any Defigns to engage L^fdif^uleres to conti- nue firm in the Interefts of the Hugonots, Dea- gednt obtain 'd a ikief for that Minifter from the Pope, who allow'd him to perform the Functions of his Miniftry Three Years longer, on Condition he Ihou'd neither Preach againft the Doctrine of the Komijh Church, nor AdminKier the Sacraments ac- cording to the manner of the Reform A, Such was the Damnable Hypocrify of the Court oiRomc^ fush the Hellifh Treachery of fome of the Hugo^ nots, Alas ! Where is there a Nation that the Temptations of the Court have no Power over •, Where ^a People Proof againft Bribery and Cor- ruption ? Do not we lee Principle and Confcience fold daily, and why fhou'd we fo much admire at it in others, who have among our felves fo many Inftances of the fame Vice, which this Hil- gonot Minifler is charg a with. The Duke da Luines having fo far wrought by his Agents, that Lefdifguieres con Tented to be him- felf a Petitioner to the King for the Conftable*s Staff for the Favourite, the Marefchal went to Paris *, the Motive of his Jorjrney was a mighty Miftery, but upon his Arrival, 'twas known it was to refign his Pretences to that Staff to Lu- tmsy whofe Jealoufy not being cur'd by that Re- fignation, he refolvd to have him Arrefted, and communicated his Defign to Veageam^ who de- pending now more on the Marefchal dc Lefdifgui- eres^ than on the Conftable de Luines^ appeared in an extraordinary Emotion, when Luines pro- pos'd it to hmi. Stab me to the Hearty fays he, If VQU will not fuffer me to give Monfieur de Lef- diiguicres Notice of the Defign form'^d againjl him. What Advantage will an ji^ion be to you^ which is fo Injurious to the Kings Reputation-i which may perhaps 174 -^^ Secret Hiftory ptrhaps ruin his Affairs^ and bring on your [elf an Eternal Infamy. The Ouke hearken'd to his Coun- fel, and Deageant promis'd not to difcov^r the Secret, On the 22d o^ June^ i6ii^ was the Ceremony of Enregiftring the New Conftable's Patent per- form'd, the King, the Duke of Anm^ the Lords of the Court, particularly the Marefchal General. de Lefdlfguieres aflifted at it^ and Two Days after a Declaration was publifh'd of the King's Intenti- on to. reduce the AfTembly ^t Rochelle to Obedi- ence by Force, which fo terrify 'd the Deputies^ that they grew very defirous of a Treaty. But the Court con Tented to one only to gain time to provide Money and other KecefTarics for the War ^ and when the People thought an Accom- modation was at Hand, the King left Varis^ and remov'd to Tours^ where he immediately order'd the Offices of the Receijpts of his Revenues, to be remov'd out of the Reformed Cities ; turn'd the Marquis de la Force out of his Government of Bearn^ banifh'd the Marquis's Son, who, at the fame tinte had no fmall fhare of his Favours from Court, and (ent the Dnke d' Epernon into Bearn^ to make a Conqueft of that Principality:, eafily cffeded, when there were no hopes of Succours for the miferable Bearnois. The Court being refolv'd Upon a War^ tlie AlTembly at Roche lie were not of Opinion, that the Proteftanp Religion oblig'd them to ftand (iill, and offer tlieir Throats to their Enemies Poinards. They confider'd their Strength, and how to make the beft ufe of it. To which end the Proteftants of France were divided into Eight Circles and Commanders appointed over each Cir- cle, as follow. The ^/FRANCE. 17^ The Ifle o^ France;]^ Normdndy, ^ Picardy^ ^ Feaujfe^ The Firft Circle, Berry^ confifling of Anion, Terchey Tourain, Defign'd for the Duke de Bouillon^ who was alfo of- fer'd to be Genera- !>/;jy/W(? of the whole Reformed Forces, but he excus'd him- fclf on account of his Age, corilifting of Poi'^ou^ ) To be CommarKl- the Duke ds uke The Second Circle, ^'"4"'^!.% \f^;^.^ ,,,, and Ifle of \^e ^t de Saidx^ Grandfon to Lefdifguieres^ and a pretended Proteftant, bat the Garriibn was Popijh. I fhall not enter into the Particulars of this War; the Treachery and Cow- ardice of the Hugonot Officers, and the Defer tion of their Generals, made the Work eafy for the King's Forces : The Towns open*d their Gates ^s faft as they approach'd to them, and only St. Jean d" Ar.gsh and MovtAuhan ftood on their Defence: The Glorious Refiftance made by the latter, fhews that if th^ other Lords had been as Zealous and of F R A N C E. tyf ,as Brave as the Duke ^^ Roht^r;, the Proteflants mighc have compelld their Enemies to ohferve the many Edi6\s that had been Sworn to by this King and his Father. Infread of which, the MarquilTes de Chafillon^ and de la Force^ were gain*d by Lu- ines to /land Neuter. The Duke de BouUlo'a was the lame, as alio the Duke^^ la Trlmouille'^ and the Marefchal de Lefdifguieres having bully'd the Aifenibly at Rcch'elle^ ofter'd toX'ommand the Ar- my that the King wou'd lend againft thofe of the Religion which had been To ferviceable to him in his Advancement The King having laid Siege to St. Jean d\ Arigelt^ ai^I taken it, thought to iiave done the hm^ by Mo-ntauhan., which defended it (elf fo' well, that after the Lofs of above 8coo Men, and among the reft the V:)\}.kQ. de Afayzmie^ the King atid Conftable were forc'd to raile the Siege ;, a great Slur upon the^ving's Glorious Cam- paign, in which he had taken Fifty Towns that had not Fir'd a Gun in their own Defence. I fhall not incert the feveral Declarations and Manifeilos publifh'd on one fide and the other. The Court, to render the Proteftants Odious, pretended they were againfl Monarchy, and defignd to fet dp a Commonwealth n Roche He, This was the Scandal the Papifts blacken 'd the Reform d witb^ and reprefented em as fit only for Deftrue^ion^ oil account of their Antimonarchical Principles, tho' *tis well known, that the Hug:n ts have been the moft Loyal of any of the S ibjecls -of France^ ever lince the Reformation. But as it was then, fo has it been fince, the Pradlice of the Papijis and their Abettors. When a ftop is put to their Per- fecution and Cruelties, The Church is immediately in Danger : When Arms is taken for the Mainte- nance of Laws and Liberties, *tis Rele'iion : When Religion or Rights are Vindicated by Argument, 'tis Sedition. Such is the UTige that True Proteftants are every where to expe" "^^ ^^ ^^ fuccefsfully, but that he loft the beftPartof his Forces, and him.fdf, with Difficulty efcap'd to Rochelle, attended by about loo Horfe' Jhe Kmg exprefb'd fuch a Peiile to Fight the Hul gonot i88 7he Secret Hifiory gonotSy that his Flatterers did not flick to compare his pailing a Morafs in the Night, to the Emperor Charles the Vth's pafTing the Elbe in fight of the Enemy's Army, and Alexander's palling tiiQ Granieus to Fight the Perfians, Nay, Baffo^jpierre himfelf tells us, that Henry IV was not fo intrepid as his Son Lewis the Xllfth : But as this A£lion is the moft ihining of all his Adilitary Hiftory^ I think one had better find out fome other Heroick Q^talities, both for him and his Son, and afcribe Valour to the Houfe o^ Bourbon J in the Navarre's and the Conde's only. This Succefs of the Kings, fo animated the Court, that when the Deputies brought him the Propoliti- "ons of Peace, concerted betw-esn^^ Lefdifguiercsnidi de Rohan^ they were refer'd to the Queen Mother at Tarls^ and by her to the Chancellor Silleri^ to delay Time, that the King might reduce Guyenne and Langucdoc by Arms, which was render'd the more eafy, by the Defertion of the Marquis de la Force^ who, after a fnew of great Zeal and Refo- iution in the Defence of the Religion he profefs'd, traffick'd with the Court to betray it for a MareP chal's Batoon, and 200000 Crowns in Money, as an Amends for the Lofs of the Government of Beam, and other Pofls pofTefs'd by him and his Sons. Thus was the good Caufe of Liberty and Religion facri- fis'd to Avarice and Ambition •, and thus it is that the Court o^ France^ by Titles and Places, corrupted thofe that called themfelves Lovers of their Country^ which, to the enflaving of themfelves and their Fel- lov/ Subjects, they fo bafely betray 'd on fo many Occafions. Not long after, the Marquis <^^ Chatillon had alfo the Marefchars Baroon given him, and they both furrendcr'd the places they or their Friends held tu the King. While his Majeity w^as in L^nguedoc^ whither he march'd thro' Guyenne^ after the Viifbory obtain'd over Soublx^e^ he heard the QjJeen Con Port and the Qi-ieen Moti.er were comin;^ to give him a Vifit. He appcinred the Meeting to be at lyons. During his flay in that Province, ^heMiniilers were Cabal- ling for the Superiority in the Miniilry : They not ■ ' only ^/FRANCE. 189 only made the King do what they pleas'd, they made him love whom they pleas'd : and the Prince of Conde^ the Cardinal de Retz., and the Count de Schomherg^ohkx'^mg the Influence Monfieur Puifieux, Secretary of State, gain'd daily over the King to maintain themfelvesin their Miniflery, they refolv^d to offer Monfieur de Baffompierre^ who was very much in his Majefty's Favour, the Poft of Favou- rite. Can any thing be more Merry, and yet Baf- fampierre ix) his Journal, ro;«2^'i;///e, Super inten- dant of the Finances, and Ahgre made Chancellor on the Death of Silleri. Mary de Aiedkis apply'd her felf to Vicuville on the Difgrace of Silleri to procure the Admiftion of the Ca,r dim\ deRichlieu into the Council. But this new Favoui-ite was as much afraid of him as his PredecelTors had been, and endeavour'd to prefwade the King to fend him to Rome. His Majefly wou'd very gladly have done it, but he cou'd not tell how to come off with his , Mother. Tioe Matter may be eafdy wade vp with her^ fays the Superintendant, *tis hut re- calling Barbin from his Exile^ he will not be fs Troublefome as Riehlieu. The King approved of his Expedient, and Lewis w^ent to Compeigne^ un- der colour of Hunting, whereas his real • Defjgn was to fend thence an Order to Riehlieu to go immediately to Rome* The thing was not fo fecret- ly managed but it came to Deageant*s knowledge-, who ofF R A N C E. 197 who dreading the return of Barhin, infornrd the Famous Father Jofeph of it, and he told the Queen Mother, who allarm'd at this Contrivance dF'ieu* ville% follow'd her Son to Compeigne the very Day he left ?^m, accompany 'd by the Cardinal de Rich- lieu, Tiie Queen apply'd to Fieuville with fuch earneflnefs to Soliicite the King for his Admiffion to the Council Board, that he had not Refolution enough to Excufe himfelf, Madam^ faid he, you require a thing of me that will be mj Ruin j and I don^t know but your Majejly may one Day repent of your advancing a Man whom yet you do not know very well \ fince you demand this Token of my Submifion to your Pleafure^ I had rather haz^ard my Fortune than lofe the Honour of your good Graces, Accord - ingly P'ieuville reprefented to his Majefty, that it were better to admit Richlieu to Council than ib highly to difguft the Queen his Moiher. He added, Tour Majefiy may do it with fuch ReftriUions as may prevent the Inconveniences that a Man of fo much Intrigue and Ambition might otherwfe caufe. In purfuance of this Advice, the King confented that he fhould have a Place in Council, where he fhou'd only offer his Opinion on Affairs proper to be confider'd, that he fhou'd treat of nothing in his Houfe with Foreign AmbafTadors, and give no Publick Audience as the preceeding Minifters had done. Thus on the 24th of April i<5'24.. was Car- dinal Richlieu declar'd of his Majefty's Council. And from this Fatal Journey of the Queen Mo» ther to Compeigne J may the French date the lofs of their Liberties for ever. Tlie Minifters appre- henfive of the Queen Mother's Credit at Court by means of her Creature, invited the Prince of Ct?^?^? from his Retirement at Bourges in Berry^ of which he was Governor •, but the Prince offended at ihc; Advancement of a Man who had been fo iniiru- mental in fending him to the Bajiille^ wou'd not return to Court. 'Tvvas at Ccmpeis^ne that the Marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Princefs Henrietta Maria, the Kind's Youngeft Sifler, was firft talk'd of, and the AmbaiTadors of England^ the Earls of Holland and Carli/le^ were die firft to O ^ who:vi 398 TIj^ Secret Hiftory whom O^t^ixsdX RicUleu gave Audience to treat of this Marriage, contriry to ^Vz Pv€ftri£liotis ftipu- lated bofore Ms Entrance into the Council. It i? faid this .^rtfal Prelate was himfelfthe occafionof theF^ Rffi-ridions, to Tn.^ke his w^^y.the eafier un- der the ui'^guife of Indifference. He pretended that he defir'd nothing fo much as R.etiremeiit, that his ill State of Health cou'd not fuffer him to apply himfelf much to Bufinefs, that very far from defi^ ring to give Audience at Home^ he cou'd not bear a Croud about him, it wou'd kill him ^ he there- fore wou'd only promife to come to Council when his Health wou'd permit. This was all he cou'd do to ihew his per fed Submifiion to the King's Order. Every one laugh'd at the BiTnop's affedled Modefty, he did not care, they laugh'd and he got his Ends by it. After which he did not take fo much pains to DifTemble his Pride ; for before he took his Seat at the Board, he wou'd have his Pre- cedence fettled above the Conftable Lefdifguieres^ which was a point that admited not of much De- bate, when Princes of the Blood had themfelves given Place to Priefls arrayed in the Roman Pur- The next thing r/Vz/i;///* did which prepar'd the way for his Difgrace, was the making an Enemy of Gajhn^ Duke d' Anjou^ by caufmg his Governor, Col » Ornant'^ to be fent to the Bafiilk^ for patting the Duke upon demanding to be admitted to Council: Vie''ville was Jealous o{ Ornanos Merit, and that if the Duke had once a Place there, his Governor w^ou a foon have another. He infmuated to tile King that the Colonel's putting that Thought into his Brothers Heaa, was in ord^r to make himfelf Mafler cf Airair^, The King ordered him to re- tire to his GovernL erir of Font St, EJprir, Ornano defir'd lo have Audii -"ce tirft of his Majefty to vin- dicate his Con;] act. This the King took as Difo bedisnce, and commanded him to be (ent to the Ba- fillle. The Duk€ ^' A^-jou was tranfported againfi: Vkuvilk as the occafion of n, and refu^'d to accept of a Purfe of a Thoufand Piftols, which W Super- intendi^nt of ¥ K A N C E: 199 intendant had fent him for his Pocket to appcafe him. From that time his Ear was open to all Kieuville*s, Enemies, the number of which was en- creas'd by the ill ufage of Omano^ who had taken care to give Gaj^on a good and Virtuous Education, from which he prefently deviated, and fell into all manner of Debauchery, making ufe of the Duke A' Elheuf in his Pleafures, and that Duke wasfobafe as to ferve him in Offices which a Footman wou'd not have undertaken without Blufhing ; but by thefe Offices it is that the Favour of other Princes than thofe of France have been acquir'd, as may be feen by the Hiftory of the laft Century. The^ Affairs of the match between the Prince of Wales and the Princefs Henrietta Maria being to be negotiated , the Cardinal de Rkhlieu^ the Chan- cellor Aligre^ the Marquis de Fieiiville^ Superin- tendant of the Finances, and Lomenle de la faille aux Clerc's Secretary of State, were appointed Com- miflioners to treat of it wi':h tlie Earls of Hol- lared and Carlifle, Now it v;as that this humble Prelate who was for retiring from the World, and was compelled, as it were, to enter into the Council, was {() far from refufing to give Audience to Am- bafladors, that he made great Difficulties about the CeremoniaL but the Lords Holland and Car U fie wou*d not acknowledge his Preheminence as a Cardinal, and the good Prelate gave them Audience a Bed. The Treaty flack at nothing but the Eufmefs of Religion, and the Two Kings oi England^\^A France fhew'd themfelves ready enough to hearken to any i^eafures to accommodate that Matter. The King of England's Minifters declared their Mailer wou'd comply, as far as he con*d, in favour of the Catho- licks without giving Umbrage to his Parliament', and the French King's Minifters afliir d thole of England that their Mafter wou'd do the fame on his Mq as far as Decency and his Honour wou'd permit. The fetting this Treaty a Foot, gave the Paptjis in England hopes that thd French King wou'd be a better Prote^or to them than the King o^ Spain had been. Upon which they got a 5ci?rt;/? Monk to O ^ write 200 The Secret Hijlory write to the Bifhop of Ambrun^ whom he was ac- quainted with, reprefenting to him that the Eng- lift) Catholicks having met with great Indulgence during the Negotiation of the Spanifl) Match were prof ecu ted worie than everfince that with a Daugh- ter of France was propos'd ; the Archbifhop inter- ceeded for them with Lewis ^ and he gave him a Commiflion to go to England^ and affure the Ca- tholicks that they (hou'd have the fame Prote(Slion from Fr^;2ce which they expefted from Spain, The Archbifhop paf^M over in Di(guife, and went for a Counfellor of the/ Parliament o{(Srenohle^ who came out of Curiofity to fee the Country. 1 he Duke of Buckingham had Intimation of his being here, and ibon after they 'had a Conference^ the Duke in • quir'd on what Errand he came, and the Archbfhop was forc'd to confers it. Buckingham had pretended a great Zeal for the Proteftant Religion to gain the favour of the Puritans on the breaking off the Spanijh Match, but now he has other Sentiments, he is ready :o do anything in behalf of the Papijts, and the Countefs of Buckingham his Mother, and the Earl of Rutland his Father-in-Law, affur'd the Bilhop that he was well aife«'z;//ii^ imprifon'd in the Cadle of jimhoije, where he was treated with great Rigor-, the King Eight Days before he turn'd him out of his Place with fo much Ignominy, de- clared to the Deputies of the Parliament of Paris and other Soveriegn Courts, That Monfieur de Vieu- ville had Enemies who endeavour'* d to defiroy him, hut it woud he a Prejudice to his Reputation and to his Service if he parted with him. May not Favourites and of F R A N G E. 205 and Minifters fee by this example, what it is to have Dependance on the prefent Difpofition of fuch Princes as Lewis the Xlllth. No foonerwas this Minifter remov'd, but, fays 1115^ Author, he was ac- cused Du peculat le plus honteux^ the mofi fijameful Peculation. I muft confefs I was furpriz'd to find this Word made ufe of on the Difgrace of fo Able and fo Faithful a Minifter, a Perlon who had ma- nag'd the Finances of France with fo much Skill and Succefs. Peculate is A Word we hardly ever heard of in England till about Three Years ago, and I think the occafion was much the fime. Plundering^ and Pe- culations were in every one's Mouth, and to what did they all come too? Juft fo was it with Monfieur de Vieuville^ as my Author reprefents it. They gave out^ fays he, That never Superintendant had heap'd up fuch Prodigious Riches^ they affirm d and with a Boldnefs that imposed upon the leaff Credulous^ he had Six Hundred Thoufand Crowns in his Houfe^ his Chefis^ nay the very Trunks in which were his Childrens Lin- neu were ranfacJid^ but little Money found. Another Circumftance of Monfieur de yieuville's Hiftofy, letsusfeethe PriKn:ice of Tyrannical Minifters with refpea to their PredecefTors , the Hiftorian proceeds. Cardinal de Richlieu fet Libellers to Work to blacken de Vieuvilie'j Reputation, and render him Odious to the King, a Pradice of which one may find more inftances than one in Hiftory. The Reign of Lewis the Xlllth was not only difturb'd with Commotions rais*d by the Princes, the PrinceiTes had alfo a i"hare m them, and foon after Richlieu s Advancement to the Miniftry, the Court Ladies by their Intrigues, caus'd a Diffe- rence between the King and his Brother which was never perfectly reconcil'd. Gafton was in Love with the Princefs oiMontpenfiir, the Richeft Heirels in France'^ and upon the Profpeft of his Marriage, two Parties were immediately form'd at the Louvre ; the Princefs of Cowr/, the Dutchefs of G'wip and the Ladies of that Family were for the Match ^ the Dutchefs of Chevreufe and the Marchionefs de /i?' A^^/m^,whofe Husband the Duke d' Epemons Sou ^gS The Secret Hifiory Son was nearly related to tbs Princefs de Mont}, penfter^ were of the Party that jbyn'd together tb hinder the 'Marriage.* Thefe two Ladies werepic- qu'd ^gainft the Princefs of Comiw^ho had the ma- nagement of the Affair, and having the confidence of the Qiieen Con fort, they infiiiuated to her, tha^ her' Credit wou-d fink mightily if the Duke d' Atijou Ihou'd Marry and iia ye Children v they put her" in mind of the King's weakly Conftitution, and (hew'xj her how much it vfas for her Inter^ft that the Vt^-, fumptive Heir ipf the Crown fliou'd not be fo fobn iiiarry'd. TheQlie^n being preyaiVd upon by theit Reafons, reprefented to the King that the Auth'orit^ of the Duke d' Orteans wou'd ' en'creafe if he fhbu'd Marry and have Heir?. The. King, naturally Jea- lous, took the rmpVefTions liis Con fort gave hiili^ and order'd Cohjnel Omano^ to i>?eak off the Duke d' Afijdii's Intriguef,.aiid hinder his engaging hhii- felfwith the Princefs of Mompenficr. By this w^ fee that not only tlii's Favourite" or that .Mil jifier,- bcft every one who approach*d Lcrvis the Xllltli had an Afcendant over him. The King was of himfel^f well inclin'd to Juftice and Cleiiiency^ but of fo weak a mind that he, CO u'd not fefifi: any Isaporr ' ■ trappy" liacT^ if Been, /for tBe'Tifeirties of Franci ■ ifhis Minifters and Favourites had not iacrifis'd tl>eni to x\\Q. Author hy /ct?^«/-, which it v/as not likely they fhou'd not do when that Authority Royat was-, in reality their own, while LeipzV had the Form and l^ame of it." Tho. RicUieu to defer oy the Ballance of P-ower and turn it wholly on the fide of France j had promoted Alliances. with tht German Princes of the Reform d Reti^ony and with i^he States General of the: United Provinces againft the Hpufe of Au^rla^ yet ttie-'Proteftants of France iar'd Jiot the better forJt..^ The Edids, that had been granted them, the Stipulations that had been made wuth them, their - Rights and Privileges vyere every where invaded-there ivas. not one Article of the Peace of /Uompellier but what" vvas broken.TheCity of^ock//f,in whofeLiberty Itat i:^'-rrancs ^m a great meailire fubfifl, efpeci- , ali^ of F R A N e E. CLoj ally that of the Proteftants was in a manner block'd up by Land'^ and the Duke de Never s under pre- tence of Cruifing againft the 7^?';^///^ Rovers, was fitting a Sqnadron of Men of War at Blavet in Brc tagne to do .the fame by Sea; Open Preparations were made to Befiege the City in form, and the lofs of it appear*d inevitable, unlefs its Port cou'd be kept free to receive the Foreign Succours that might be fent them. Of all the Protertant Nobility the Dukss W« Rohm and de Souhiz,^ were the moft Zealous and A£^ivc in the Defence of the Reform' d (Churches oi France ^ the Spirit which animated the ^x{k Hugonotsktixidi to be expired in all the reft and to live only in them. The Spaniards who had inftigated the Court o{ France to all the Perfecutions that had been rais'd againft the Reforrndj finding their Councils tended to embarafs the Houfe of Aufiria^ now offer'd Afliftance to the Duke de Rohan which he did not abfolutely refufe, being deferted by the other Pro- teftant Lords, and having no other way to oblige the Miniftry to obferve the Treaties and Agree- merjtsthat had beeia made in favour of their Re- ligion. The Rochellersy alarm'd at the Preparations of the Court, iaiplor a the aid of that Duke and his Brother ^ and it was refoWd on by them that the Duke de Soubiz^e fhou'd fat outfome Ships, pre- tending it was for. a long Voyage and to furprize thofe the Duke de Nevers was fitting out at Blavet; The Money for this Expedition was borrow'd by the Two Dukes on their own Eftates •, and 'twas agreed that if the Duke de Soubiz,e focceeded, the Duke de Rohan fhou'd take Arms in the Provinces where he had moft Reputation, if not, he Ihou'd difown his Brother's Anions. When all Things were ready to put this brave Enterprize in Execution, Navallles^ one of the Duke de Souhiz,e'i Officers, betray'd tlie Secret; hovjQVQr^.Souhiz,e enter'd the Port of Blavet^ and made himfelf Mafter of all the Kings Ships,- he attacked the Port, but the Garrifon had been rein- fbrc'd on Navailles's difcovery, and the Duke de J^endome had'time to march thither with the Forces ©f 2o8. the Secret Hijtory of BretagJie^ of v^hich he was Governor; being ar- rivM, he laid an Iron Chain and a Cable of extra-, ordinary thicknefs a crols the Harbour, by which means Souhize was block'd up within it, and exposed for Three Weeks together to theShotof the Fort and the Army from the Shoan In this defperate Condi- tion there was hardly a Man of Note of hi- Religion ttiat did not difown him, the Duke de UTrimovlUej the MarquiFes de la Force and de Chatillon^ the De- puties of the General AfTembly and of the Church of Paris did it in Writing, the Cities of Nifmesy Vfez.^ Montauban, the Communities of the CevemeSy nay, the very City of Rochelle did the fame. The DukQ de Rohan had form'd great Defigns to (econd this of his Brother, which being fo unfor- tunate Rohan's came to nothing, and de Souhiz.e was left fingly to withftand the Power of France, ADecla- ration was piiblifh'd againfl them in a Tone that had not been yet us'd by the Court ^ the Treaties that had been concluded with the Reformed were faid to be afts of ¥cLVo\k ^Wherein the fentimems of a juft Indignation had been over ruld hy the natural Be- m^ntty of a King the Father of his People. It was affirm'd that not only all Treaties, but even that of Mompellier had been exadl:ly obferv'd, tho' all France had been Witnefs, of the Infra£lions of it., that were made daily. The Building the Citadel of Montauban^^x\di For t/.ffiP/V near Rochelle had made fo, much noife, that it is incredible People cou'd be fo abandon'd to common Modefty, as to boaft of their keeping of Treaties in the m.idft of the Clamour for their breaking 'em. There is no degree of Impudence like this •, but an Inftance^or two of a more Modern date which muil be referv'd for fome other Occafion. The Duke de Soubiz^e &x\^ his Ad- herents, we're declar*d Guilty of High Treafon. and all Corporations and Communities that favoured him were depriv'd of their Privileges, unlefs they in a Months Time return'd to their Duty. In the mean Time the Duke, taking hold of the Opportunity of a High Wind that blew dire^lily out of the Port," broke the Chain and the Cable, notwithftandin^': the" of V K A N C E. 209 t-Hs Terrible Fire from the Fort and Army, sfnd brought away all the VcfTels he had taken, e'xcept two that ftuck in the Haven's Mouth. This was certainly one of the mofl Glorious Adliorsth^t wa:s perform'd in the Civil Wars of France, and hi^d the Proteihmt Nobility declared them felvesvigoroufly in favour of the Two Dukes, their Religion had not been fo fuon facrifis*d to Popiih Vengeance. : The Duke de SoubUe being thus Mafter of theSef, he ealily reduc'd the Iflands of Rhe and 0!ero?7 : The City o{ Rochelle alfo took Courage, and declared for him His Enterprize, wuiich was before Condemned - by both Friends and Enemies, as an Fffc6\ of Defpair, was now excoird by both, as one of the moll Heroick that ever was perform'd. The Lords of the Reform d Religion^ were afham'd of their Precipitaricn in difowning him, yet Intereft wou*d not let them efpoufe his Quarrel, which was that of Religion, tho* the Court endeavour'd to have it taken to be ' that of the Houfe oi Rohan only. The Duke de' Soubiz^e's Succefs, gave Spirit to the Provinces and his Brother's FfForts to engage them to War, as they were Indefatigable, fo were they alfo Succefs- ful. The Court had lately enter'd into Treaties with England and Ih^Low Countries^ and they were; afraid of engaging too far in this Rupture, lead; thofe Nations, being Protefiants., 0 .ou*d be provok'd to • aiiiil their Brethren. This made them lay all the Fault on the Two Brothers, and by that means the other Prot^dant Lords, and, a good part of.the .Com- monalty feeing they were not involved in the Dif- pute, refolvd.tokeep clear, as ii they wou'd not have been Sufferers alike with thofe that had own'd - this Caufe, when it \yas ruin'd, and their Religion had no more a Protestor. Whither the Duke ds Rohan was not flatter'd with the Ambition of being- the Head of a Party *, w^iether he did. not aim at valuing himfelf to the Court, by the Strength of his Intereft •, whether his Zeal was Pure, and unmixt with any Sublunary Views, I leave to others to. df^ermine. Great Men are fo.feldom Govern'd by; tfeeHopeii of diftant and eternal Rewards^ that one"; P nuUt 2IO The Secret Bifiory muft abouncl in Charity not to have fomeDiffidence -^ and as Vigorous as the Duke de^Rohan was, in afTerting the Caufe of the Reformd Churches^ as Ge- nerous as is liis Charafter, it is certain he Afted a Part in this Scene, wliich had fomething above the Life in it. The Author of the Hiftory of the Edi£t of Namz.^ has the(e Refle£lions upon it, which I repeat, to fhew how much the Proteilants think him a Flayer in this Part of his Hiftory. Aud becaufe^ fays lie, he was not Ignorant how far [or;%e certain extraordinary Dewonjlrations of Z^al and Tiety pre- 'uail among the People^ he affe^ed all the outward Shews of an extream Devotion, He paid the Ailni^ fiers extraordinary Honour s* When he enter d into any City, he caus'd a Bible to be carry d before him^ as the "^Catholicks in their Religion advance the Crojs in their Fore Fronts. He alighted from his Horfe at the Church 'Door of every City^ and never fpoke of Bufincfs to any Body^ before he had faid his Pray- ers upon both Knees, And this made himfo much the more to be taken Notice cf^ hecaiife the Churches of the Reform'd have neither Ornaments nor Rel'niues^ nor any thing of Pomp and Magnificence to invite a Man, The Dutchefs his IVife^ was a Notable Se- cond to him in all his Enterprifes ^ She labour d with great Sedulity to perfwade the People to take Arms tn all Places where fhe came \ and becaufe fhe Tra- velled more by Night than by Day^ the Equipage wherein ftje appear' d^ ftruck a kind of Awe into the Country People : Befides^ that being in Mourning^ the People that attended her were dl in Blacky her Coach alfo covered with Mourning^ was drawn by Eight Black Horfes^ which^ together with the Flambeauxs that were carry d to Light her along^ made a So- lemn Prcceffionj which touch'^d the Peafants with Com- p'tifion^ and difpos^d them to joyn with her Husband, The Duke de Soubtze publifh'd a Manifefto, enume- rating the Breaches made upon the Edicts in favour of the Reform' d^ tiie Cruelties exercis'd againil 'em, and the Services they had rendered the Crown, fince the Acceflion of Henry the IVth. The Court were not a little alami'd, when they heard of his having broken of P't^ANCXn. -2Ji broken the Chain and Cable, and carry'd offi^h^ King's Ships. -Peace was pre^ntly talk'd of, and th^ Duke ^e Soiih:z.e^ atid the City of Rochclle, fen^ their Deputies to the King, as did alfb tiie Duke.^^ Roha-ay and the inaces- that had adhered to him. The Court hearken'd to a Treaty only to gain Tim^ tocomnleatthe Deftruftion of the Proteftant'? ,' for ivhile they were Treating the Marefchai de Themimi ravag'd the Provhice of Foix^ fparing neither Age mr Sex, till he was driven out of it by the en rap d Proteflants v the Papijis themfelves being Scandalii'c> at his Cruelties. The Duke de Souhiz^e having been Reinforc'd with fome DutehSU^s^ defeated a *?qua- ^ dron that was fent againfi: him -and this fecond Sac- cefsfoSpiritedtiieProteftants, that with Unanimity ■ and Conftancy they might have fecur'd their Liber- ties. The xMiniftry now were in good earned for an Accommodation, and ofFer'd fome Conditions which were more fivourable than was expelled ^ but the Reform d grew the higher in their Demands, as the Face of their Affairs mended,' not confidering that the Change which flatter'd them, was no Solid 6ne, and that divided, as they were, they cou'd rtot hope to improve the Advantages they had obtain'd by War. It had been well, if they had been as Re - folate in Advef fity, as they were Obflinate in Prof- perity. They were tocf foon f]uC-/d with good Suc- cefs, too foon diihearten'd with bad. While the Treaty hung, tha Court were very Induftrious to ■ raife Jealoulies oftheD.ukes de Roha-yj and ds Soubiz.2^ as if they were for accommodating Matters any how, provided they cou'd gain by it.This was fo f^r from being true^ that the Duke de Rohan prefs'd the Re- formed to take hold of this Opportunity, to procure good Terms, fearing they fhou'd never have fuch another, which they were foon convinced of : For the King s Fleet being ftrengthen'd with fome Englifl) 2nd Dutch Mefi of War, difperfs'd Soulpi^ie's Fleer, the Vice- Admiral of which had been corrupted by the Court, and drove his Men out of the Ides of :^k and Oleron* His Forces at Land were alio cut in Pieces, notwitliuut Sufpicion of Tr€aci:iery.ia,the S'^^\ P 2 Mayor 212 The Secret Hifiory M?iyoY of Rochelle, who wou'd not let 800 Gentle- men and other Soldiers, go out to their AiTiftance. Thus were Prrtcftams deftroy'd by Protefl-ants *, and thus did the Engh'Jh and Dutch help the Court of Fra?7ce to fupprefs their Brethren of the Reformed Religion ^ in whole Defence their own Intereft en- gaged them at all Ventures to Arm. Thefe Tranfa£lions happened in the Year ii^- felf, and the King who lov'd him, accepted of his Excules, to the great Mortification of /?/c/?//>M, who thought eitiier to ruin him in his Abfencc on that EmbafTy, or by his refufalofit. Mary de MediciSy at the Inftigation of the Cardinal. intimated to her to her 5on that fheconceiv'd feme Jealoufy of J5.^r^^^i's Ambition. His Majcfty aflur'd her there was na Occafion far it, he never troubling himfelf with !^ate Affurs, and in appearance', this New Fa- vourite afFcifled only to concern himfeU in the Plea- fures and Diverfions of the Cour-t. He carry'd him- felf very modeftly, and received few V'ifits: How- ever, the Courtiers, knowing the King's Difpolition,: apply'd themfelves to him, as the quickeft way to carry their Point on all Occafions ,• and the Queen Mother and iht Cardinal were very uneafie under the Apprehenfion of the Confequences of this an- expelled Favour, from a Prince whom they thought to have entirely at their Di(pofaL ^ani informs us, that the Duke of Buckingham^ who, while he was in 5p^/?7, had been in Love with^ XliQ Co\xniQk d' Olivarez.. Wife to the Favourite of miif ofV RANG E. 213 fhH'tp the IVtli, with whom, on that Account, lis had a perpetual Quarrel, while he was in France^ was touch'd v/ith the fame Paflion for a much more ex- alted Obje£l, the Queen Ame of Auftria which occafion*d his Quarreling with Richlleu^ who was mortally Jealous of him, and he had been more than ever with OUvarez, K French Hiftorian fays, with reference to this Ambitious Amour of Buckingham^ 11 ejk vrai que certa'mes gens dlrent dans le monde^ qu'eile paroijfomt Senfihle an Aderite du Buckingham, It is true then, fome did not Jrick to Jay, that the ^ueert W4s Senfihle of Buckingham's Merit. Cer- tain it is, Richlieu was Jealous of the Duke's In- trigues with the Court Ladies, and it is thought he inftili'd a Jealoufy ©f him into the King. A Lady of the Bed-Chamber, and fome other pf the Queen's Domefticks, were banilh'd the Court as foon as .Buckingham was gone ^ and whatever Foundation there is for this Incident in Truth, it has found a Place in feveral Hifioriesy which do not want Au- ' thority. ' ... This clofe Correfpondence between the Courts of England and France, prdcurd the fending a Squa- dron of Emgliflj Men of War to the Affiflance of " the French^ againft the Duke de ,So2ibiz.e and the Rochel'erSi but the EngUflj Nation is dear'd of the Guilt of that bafeA^lion, by tlie ire/zc/? them felves, one of their Authors doing us this juflice. If there were Englifh- Ships in the Kings Fleet^ it muft be cwn*d they were got by the Artifices of BackinghRir^]^ mthoiit the Knowledge of the greate^ Part of his Bnl2.m\c\C Majejiys Council^ againft the Intentions of the Varliampn. and the Efforts of good Englifh M?n. 'Tisto this Buckingham then, tliat the Proteftant Re- ligion owes the Lois of fuch a Barrier, as were the Proteftants of France againft the Attempts of thiit King. King James the Fir^l, who was lately Deac*, did offer to. lend the French King fome Ships to I c employ 'd againft Genoa^ but the Duke de Rohrn informing him that the War of Genoa vvas only a Pretence, and that thofe Ships woud be employ d againft Rochtlle^ the Englifh Ships had Orders liot P 3 to 214 T^^ Secret "H'ij.oYj to 2idi againfi: the Rcchellers^ aild to have more En^- ///^ Hands than Fr^w/; Aboard, that they might be enabled to Obey thofe Orders. But the fame Year that King Charles tht Firft came to the Throne, v/as xhtYan guards one of the beft Ships of the Englifi) Fleet, lent to the French King, together with feve- rai large Melxhant Ships, but. Captain Pe??;?//?^^!??/, who Commanded them, wou'd not ferve againft iliQ Roc hellers ', and underftanding at Diepe: that he was to go upon that Service, he returned to Dover ^ where Orders' were again fenr him to joyn tlie french Fleet with his Squadron. Accordingly he delivered t-liem up to the B-ench Admiral at Diepe : The Capt. of the G're^? Neptune being the onjy CamniAn/^ci' ^^ it/ who refus'3 to deliver his' Ship, ?.Vi([V'enmn^to?i arid the other Officers returned in iiis to JEnglnndy y^^Tere they complained of the Orders they had re- ceived to the Parliament, which ' Buckingham got to b& DifTolv d,, tb prevent a flrift Inquiry into that- Mi'tter. i:^Q'R(fdi'jdi-eys beii^g BMrk'd up by Sea and Land, and the Duke ^ei?£? Wad vriing them to Peace, oti the AlTai'an'ce of the Guaranty of theKing o^ Great. Bptain^ theyweile defirous of aTresty.^/ctowAvhofe ' H^.id was full of the Affair of the i^^z/fe//W, where tH^ Spaniards, were Mailer^, and by that means w^u'd" foon do what they ple^s'd in Swijjertand, \^'as as inclir/able to Treat as 'the Reform" d were to have him^ till the Defeat of Sd'uhiz.e by X^rrus^ anct ' rfei the Cp0r|: wou'd not con tent to it, urtlefs the fiorhefers w^ere left out of the General Amnefty, which the ProteHants wou'd trot hear of.. In the niean time, the Rochellers frighten'd at the'Revolu- |:i"Qn which had happened in their Affairs, lent 'De- puties to theKing, whotbrew themfelves at his Ma- jeffjr's Feet, and implor'd hi5 Pardon in the m oft Submiilive Terms. The General Deputies inter*- ceeded for them, in the Name of all the Churches, which however was to no Purpofe. The Conditions ' they were to be pardon'd upon, were fuch as re- duc'd them to a State of Slavery, which the Rachel- lers refolv'd- rather to Dye, than fubmit to. A£ lift th^ £;^£///2> AmbalTddo-rs promifing that Fort ■• ' Lem4 ^/FRANCE. 215 Ltwls fliou'cl be Demolifh'd, and that their Mafler wou'd be Guaranty for the Performance of the Terms given them hy xht^French King, thefeAm- baflador? gave them an Inftrument, dated the nth oi February, id'2 5-6', declaring that Fort Leip/V was one of the Conditions on which Rocheiie fubmitted, and that they wou'd not have done it, but in a Be- lief that the King of England was Guaranty of the Peace. Tho' there was fomething faulty in the Draft of this Inftrument, and that his Britamiick Majefty^s Guaranty was not exprefs'd with fufficient Force snd Clearnefs, yet it was thought to be bind- ing in Honour, as we may read by what follows, taken out of a French Author. " Tho' this Papsr did *' not clearly exprefs the Guaranty, of which the *' King of England boafted, neverthelefs it cannot ^' be deny'd, but that it muft have oblig'd that Prince *' either to have difown'd Ms AmbafTadors, or elie *' to take care that what \vas granted the Refornidy *^ fhou'd be faithfully perform'd, fmce he acknow- *' ledg'd that the fole Force of his Sollicitations *' had vanquifh'd then* good Nature, to be fatisfy*d *' with the King's Offers. An Honeft Man needs no ^\ more to engage him to make anorlier Man's Bu- ** finefs his own, but that it was himfelf whocaus'd '' the other to mifcarry, either by his Authority or *' his Perfwafion. And in this Senfe it cannot be *' deny'd, but that the King of England was the *• Guaranty of the Peacc^ fince it was upon his " Word, and in hopes that he w^ou'd be anfwerable *' for it, that the /?^/W;'^ accepted of it. " Net only the' EngliJJj Ambanadors. bat thofe of thu Vni- ted Provinces^ of Venice and Savoy^ foll:cited for the Reforrnd-^ the latter out of Political Views only, that the French Court being at LeiTure at Home, might bend all their Force a^^ainft the Houfc of ^ujiria. The Peace therefore was concluded, both Sides intending to break it on the firfl Occafion •, the Proteftants if Fort Lem^ was not demolifh'd ^ the Court as foon as they had an Opportunity, with refpe^l to their Foreign Affairs, which they wou'd firit fet upon a good Foot. P+ In 21 6 The Secret Hijlory In March id2^, an Edift was put forth in Conr fequence of the Peace^ and verify'd in Parliament, it confirm'd the former Edi^s, as far as they were i^ot contrary to the laft Treaty. The Dukes de Ra- ban and Soubi^e fubmitted, as did al! the Cities, their Adherents. The former in his Memoirs, fays ot this Peace, The Court of France in deceiving England, and the Confederate Princes^ deceived alfo them- felves *, every thing they propo.'d by it^ happened to the Adv-antage iaken, but ell to no Purpofe : All he ever faid aftewards, was, 'Jis Nothing^ and fo he expir'd, having with his laft Breath, born this Glorious Teftimony to the Caufe of Liberty. Has there been a Magiftrate of Frmce fince that time, that durft Preach fuch a Lecture to the King ? This fhews us that France has been Free \ that in the laft Reign there were French Lawyers who afTerted that Freedom *, and what Jlight has there ftarted up in this to deprive her of it, and trample all her Rights and Privileges un- der Foot ? How came the Authority Royal to ufurp the Place of Law ? Let it be faid at leaft, in favour oftheprefent King's impartial Juftice, that if he has extirpated the Proteftam Beligion^ he has alfo extir« pated Liberty \ and who then can doubt to which he has been moft favourable, to thofe that he has fuf- ^'er'd to leave their own Country, and live Free in others, or to thofe that remain there under fo Def- potick a Power. The Miniflers of fuch Princes will always be very fevere with Libellers, Now all Au- thors that fpeak Truth of fuch as are too great to hear it, are of courfe Libellers, A General A (Tcmbly i^f tjie Catholich Clergy being holden at Paris^ the (., , . I' ^ ' Cardiwil *2i8 The Secret Hiftorj Cardinal complain'd of Z./W/ againft the Court, not by Hugonots^ but by Rdnk Paptfis : For as to Re bellion and Sedition, we fhall find the French Papifis in this Minority, for fo the Reign may be ftill pro- perly call'd, and the next, were the Rebellious and Seditious, Thefe Libels contained fevere Reflexi- ons on the Miniflry, in joyning with the Frotellants in Germany and Swifjerland. One of the Authors of 'em fpeaking of the King, fays, God fufferd his Fa- ther Henry f^e^lVth, to be Ajfaffin^d as foon as he prepared to put Two Heretical Princes in Pojfejfwn of Cleeves and Juliers. The Houfe of Aufhia has no other Intereji, than to traintain the Cayfe of God : To mah a War upon So'Veraigns^ Defenders of the Ca- tholick Religion, is openly to reftfi the Wtll of God himfelf The Magiftrates Condemn'd thefe Libels to be Burnt by the Hands of the Common Hang- man. One may fee plainly their Authors were Orthodox in France, and thofe whofe Zeal flew highefl. Thefe were the Men that cry'd out. The Church is tn Danger^ becaufe the Court aflifted the Trotefiant Grlfons and the Butch. Here's an Inilance of their Loyalty, when the Government is again ft them. Does one not Tremble to read in thisA/^- worial of the French High Church, God fuffer'd Henry the I Vth to be Affaffind, From {uch Loyalty and fuch Divinity, Good Lord., deliver all Kings and Princes^ whether Papifts or Proteftants. The Pope's JMuntio Spada^ had the Impudence to oppofe the Condemtiing thefe LzWj, both by tlie Sorbonne and and the General Affembly of the Clergy *, and tho' he cou*d not hinder their Condemnation, he hinder'd its being done witli Particulars.^ and m General Terms. The Libel that made mcll Noife, was one Call'd 2in Advert ifement to the King^ which threaten'd him with a Colleague, if he did not reform his Go- vernment, with refpeffc to his Alliances with Here- ticks. This Libel the AfTembly order d to be cen- fur*d, and the Bifhop of Chartres was appointed to draw up the Cenfure in French and Latin, The Biihop, who h;id more Honour and Llnderflanding than many of the reft of his Brethren, did it with great €f F RAN C K 219^ ^reat FbVce, affirming Pajfive Obedience in as great ' Exterit,as has been aflerted by fome Britipj DoCtorfy fam'd for that Principle above all others. The Bifhop ; of Chartres ipYov'dj That S-ub\eBs ought' not to Refift cn\ any Account whatfdever \ That they ought to fufet^ as, the jipoftles and Martyrs did \ That there was no F erf on in the li^crld who coJi*d difpenfe SuhjeBs . from their Oath of Allegiance^ oh any Pretence yor'' on anv Caufe whatfoeve)r\ That Kings coud not ht^ deposd:^ and th^.t Alliances with Jfifiiels and Here-' ticks are not abfolutely Wicked^ nor Condemned in-' Scripture^ &c. The AlTembly approved of this. Dodrine and Wr^tiiig, v^hich Spnd a, the Pope's Nuntio, hearing, he fetthe Cardinals de Sourdis^ de la Kochfaucaulty and de la Falette to- work, to gain ' the Members over by their Intrigues, and prevent the Pilblication 'of ir. The Ard> Bifhop q{ Sens crVd but, it wou'd'be a Shanle to all Europe,-' if' the Clergy of Frat$a (hou'd Authorize a Doctrine Condemn'd by Ju P^erron, in the iaft AfTembly of tlie States Gtsnerai ; hisReafoti, and the In- trigues of the Tsfui^tio, prevailed uf)on moft of the Members ^ and t lie Approbation which had been en- tered'in their Re'gifter,. in fivour of the Bifhop of G?V7rfr«?i's Cenfure, Was raz'd out of it, under pre- tence that the S^cretaty had not tak^n it right, oc- calion'd by tlie; Confnfion of the Applaufes given to ^t. However, the Parliament forbad tiie Billiops to Publifh, and the Bookfeller^ to Print any other Cetiflire, than that of the E'lihdp o( Chartres^ So- lemnly approv'd the i3tl:( of Dece?nber^ in the Af- fembly of the Clergy. Nct-Aithflanding which, a- nother was drawn up, and approv'd of in general, which the Cardinal de la Falette Sign'd as Prefident. The Parliament forbad the Bifhops and Clergy to AfTembie. They, on the contrary, Publifh*d a De- claration that tneir Arrets were Null. The Parlia- ment threaten'd to feize their Temporalities, unlefs they repaired to their DiocefTes by a Day appointed. Thus did the Lay AfTembly contend with the Spiri- tual, in maintenance of the Independancy of the prpwn of Francs y and the Prerogative of Kings, in ^- ''■■'• ■ which 220 The Secret Hijlorjf which Lewis and his Miniftry abandoned them, bv an Injun£lion to bring the Affair before the Council, ivhere it dropt^ and the Pope wrote an obliging tetter to his Faithful Bifhops, for {landing by the Papal Authority in its Ufurpation, to Depofe Kings, and Abfolve Subjeds from their Oatlis of Fidelity. This Devotion of the Galiican Bifhops to the See of Rome^ has not been conftant, and fometitnes they are for its Abfolute Supremacy, and fometimes againli it, as a prefent Turn is to be ferv*d, or the Couit is in a good or bad Humour with it. 1 fhall not pretend to give the Reader a Vie// of the Happy Confequences of the Marriage of the Vmcth Henrietta Marla^ X^ir/ys Sifter, with King Charles the Firft : Our Hiftories fpeak enough of it, but wherein that Marriage occafions any Negoti- ations between England and France y I muft touch upon them. Her Domefticks in England^ intro- duced the Jefuits into her Houfhold, and they forced her to commit a Thouland mean Things beneath her Grandeur, and unworthy of her Dignity. They perfwaded lier to adore as Martyrs, thofe of their Order, that had beer) Executed in the preceeding Reign, asContrivers/ipd Accomplices in the Powder T LOT\ and the Qccafion of a" Jubilee prefenting it felf, they made Choice of the Place where tlie Com- mon Malefactors ai-e Executed, whether theQieen was to walk bare Foot to fay her Prayers. The, King and the whole Nation were exafperated at this Iqfolence •, His Majefty commanded the Queens ^ French Domefticks to be gone, upon which Cardinal Rlchlieu fen t the Marefchal de Baffomplerre to Eng^~ iand to complain of it, as an InfraSion of the Trea • ty, and to reconcile the Differences between the ' King and hisKoyal Confort, on that Occafion. The - Marefchal was likely to iucceed in his Negotiation/ but the Caidinal who did VN^hiit he cou'd to thwart Buchngham^ caused Baffompierre's Treaty of Ac- ' commodation to be difown'd, and Buckingham o-' blig'd his King to revoke his Word. After which, a Difpute about Commerce arifmg, Buckingham^ who byrn'd with a defire of returning into France^ ^pd brav fenting bis Imprifonment before the Marquis d^ l^ieuvilie's.Di^g'C^CQ^ rejefted tliofe Advances, and openly difpis'd his Friendfhip, thinking him felf Safe ill the Prote£lion of the Prcfumptive Heir of the Crown. The Prince and Princefs ofConde obftrufted tjie Marriage, ill. hopes the Duke wou'd prefer their Daughter's Beauty to that of Vladamoifelle^^ Mont- psnfier. Ornano was in Love with the Princels, and promised her to diffwade the Duke ^V Or/e^wj fro ni reviving a Negotiation, which the King had com- ipanded him to put a flop to. The Lords of the Court/ apprehenfieve of the too. great Powers of the Ottife's^ the Duke of that Name havingmarry'd thf Mother, of Madamoifelle de Montpenfier, were for themoft Part againft that Princefs's Marriage with Monfieur^ the Dutchefs de Chevrevfe^ one of the mod Intriguing Ladies of the Court, was- engagd in the fame Interefl .by the Queen ^;?^^ of yhfina^ whom the Princefs ofCmde had fet againft the iMatch. ,Xhe Marquis de Chalais.^ Great Mafter of the W^rd- , robe, and the Dutchefs d^ Ckevreufe's Lover embrac'd 226 The Secret Uijlorj ^he fame Party, as did alfo the Favourite Ba/adas^ Chalais having kill'd Monfieur Tomgibaut in a Duel, his Unkle, the Count de Schomberg^ and the Guifes^ demanded Juftice on the Murderer *, the Duke^^ Orleans^ the Count de Soiffons^ and a great number of I.ords folMcited his Pardon ^ the Grand Priory Chalais's intimate Friend, engaged hirti entirely in the Intereft of the Duke de Orleans^ which prov*d fatal to him a few Montiis after. In the mean time the Duke of Savoy hearing the Duke de Or- /f<3;?j wasadvis'd by Ornano and his Friends to ftreng- then himfelf by fome Foreign Alliance, ofFer'd hi m^ by his Ambaffador, the Abbot Scaglia^ his Grand^ Daughter, the Princefs o^ Mantua, Heirefs o\ Mont' f err at. Richlicu was the more carneft in forward- ing the Match with the Princefs de Montpenfier^ and the Party that oppos'd it, refolv'd to rid them- fclves and the Nation of him,ifpofrible. ThQ Spaniards hoping to embroil Matters, fomented it ^ tlie Duke of Buckingham gave the Duke de Orleans alTu ranee of Afiftance from England ^ Ae-fen^^tht Dutch Am- baflabor, was in the Intrigue, and the Princes who were Enemies to the Houfe of Attfiria, hating Rich- lieu for breaking the Alliance between France and them,were all ready to contribute to hisRuin,but the extricated himfelf by his wonderful Management out of all Difficulties to the Deflruftion of his Ene- mies both at Home and Abroad. He began with the Marquis d' Ornano^ who having the entire Go- vernment of the Duke d' Orleans, was the moft dangerous of them, in order to betray the Mar- quis, he got his Creature the Capuchin Father Jo* feph to inlinuate himfelf into Ornano^ Friendlhipj and the- Command of an Army deiign'd for the Blockade of Rochelle being to be difpos'd of, Father Jofeph reprcfented to theMarquis that the Duke ought to demand that Pofl:, and not to be put off with a Refufal or two, promifing he wou'd get the Car- dinal to fupport his Pretences^ accordingly Orw^^o ^ot his Mafler to demand it, inftead of fupport- inj him, Richlieu told the King, that his Bro* l^^er intended by it to niak« himfelf Mafter of the Forccf ^/ F R A N C E. 257 Pbrces of the State, and was put upon it by Or- nanoj who fiird his Head with Ambitious De- figns, ^vhich created an incurable Jealoufy in Lewis^ who refolv'd to take bold of the ftril Opportuni- ty to Punifh the Marquis, The Marefchai^? Pr.if/'- lin dying fome time after, Gafton remonilrated that the Batoon was due to the Faithful Services of the Man who had had the Cure of his EducatioiT. Rich- lieu did not fail to put the fame bad Conflrudion on this Rernonitrance, and to increafc the King's Jea- loufy of his Brother and Ornanc^ infomuch, that he propos'd in Council, to liavethe latter Arrelled, but MAry de Medici s who delir'd to keep fair with the Duke ^' Orleans J her Second Son, and to gain Orna- no, fhew*d the Hazard there was in taking To defpe- rateaStep, and tliat Gafton ought rather to be fa- tisfy'd in a Thing that was Titular only, and was of no Confequence, without a Command . So the Mar- quis liad tne Batoon, and the Queen Mother^to win iiMii, let him know 'twas owing to her Inflances; He promised, at her Requefl, to promote the Mar- riage between his Mafterand the Frincefs de Aiont- penfier. Now Was this Favourite of the King's only Brother Carefs'd, and Courted by all ; not the Car- dinal himfelf had more Court made to him. Amidfl this Glai'e of Fortune, 'tis no wonder he was daz- led with it into a Security which prov'd his De- ftruclion. The Cardinal was all the widle working it ivith great Artifice and Induftry, and the Court in the Spring, \626-7i being at FcniamhUau^ where nothing; but Pleafure and Diver fions were thought of, Ricblieu inlinuates to Lewis^ that all thofe wlio op- pos'd his Brother's Marriage, were in a Confpiracy to fhut hini up in a Coiwent, and to marry his Bro- ther to his (^aeen j4n?ie of Auftria. Lewis in a mortal Frighc, prefs'd the Duke /" Orleam\ Mar- riage \vith Madamoifeiie ^e Mompe7jfisr more than e^er, aud gave the Marefcbal pofitive Orders to pre- pare the Duke' to fktisfy his Maje/I;y m thai matter." fv^illdcdil hartj (ays the Marefcbal,, b-utldontfind thiii 3ifr^jk>^j3 m all dtf pos'd to iU' I'his Aufwcf ^^^issrWh M^^K;'re Jealous of Orncmo'^ ar>d *t wi^' 2q8 The Secret Hijlory refolv'd that his Perfon fhou'd be fecur'd. The Car- dinal, to prevent any manner of Sufpicion, feemM more than ever to be defirous of the MarefchaVs Friendfhip, and Father Jofeph maliciouHy remon- ftrated to him, what an Injuftice it was to the Duke d' Orleans^ that he had no Place at the Council Board. Ormno perfwades his Mafter to demand it , Rkhlieu reprefents it as a Defign of his Brother's to raifea Party even in his Majefty's Council ;> that he was put upon it by Ornano^ wliofe Ambition it was to be at the Head of Affiiirs. Gajlon was with much difficulty admitted, Ornano demanded to attend his Maftcr to Council. The King's Jealoufy had new Fuel to rekindle it, and the Refolution taken to Ar- reft the Marefchal was put in Execution, under pretence of fome intercepted Letters, between the Party that oppos'd the Marriage of Monfieur, and Madamoifelle de Montpenfier^ and the Courts of Spain and Savoy. The Duke d' Orleans was inrag'd at the Imprifonment of his Favourite, but his Rage did him no Service. The Duke demanded of the Chancellor Aligre whether he had given Council for the Im- prifonment of Ornano^ the Chancellor denys it, and for that has the Seals taken from him. Ornano's Friends are Imprifon'd , and all the Queen Con- fort's Confidents banifh'd from Court. Rkhlieu by Bribes and Promifcs, corrupted the Duke of Orleans's Servants, and Monfieur, who had put him- felf at the Head of a Powerful Party, to deftroythe Cardinal, was in the end oblig'd to do as others did, and comply with the Minifter. The Duke d' Orle- ans not being able to procure the Releafe of Omanoy in the Height of his Refentment, gave Ear to fomc Lords, who animated him fo far againft Richlleu^ that 'twas refolv'd to tak€ him off. The better to conceal their Refolution, Gafiojfy in appearance, w^as reconciled tohira, and feven or eight Friends agreed to Dine with him at Flenry, under Colour of Hunt- ing. The Defign was faid to be eitiier to Kill him, or to force hiiii to Swear, the Dagger at his Throat, that he w^ou'd not obftruft the Marefchal d* Ornanos Liberty. The Grand Prior is charged to be the Au- thor' ofFKANC E. 229. dior of this Confpiracy ; Chdais promisM to be one in it, but his Heart fail'd him, and he difcover'd it to the Cardinal, whofent him to the King to inform him of it. Lewis at Eleven a Clock at Night, dip patch'd an Officer with a Detachment of Guards, for Rlchli€u*s Defence, and the Queen Mother fent him the Nohlejje that were at her Devotion. The next Morning, about Four a Clock, came the Duke d' Orleafjs^s Servants to let thofe of the Cardinal know, their Mafter wou'd be there at Dinner Time. The Cardinal rofe early, and coming to Fontainbleau^ where theCourt then was,went diredly to the Duke's Apartment, to whom he faid, Indeed^ Slr^ I have Reafon to he angry with you-, that you . wov*d not do , me the Honour to Command me to provide a Din- ner for you J 1 fhoiid have Entertained you as well I cou*dj hut I perceive you love to he at Liberty , therefore I have left my Houfe to you intirely^ to difpofe ,of every thwg there at your Vleafure. Gaf- ton Kirpriz*d at feeing him there, and at a Compli- ment which he did not expeft, diflembled it as well as he cou'd, and they difcours'd together as freely ?ind as civilly, as if nothing had happen'd. Richlieu growing every Day more Abfolute, and his Enemies more exafperated, he thought it time by fome Ex- emplary Chaftifement, to give a Check ro future Con [piracies. He conceived a mortal Hatred to the Uoxxt^oi Savoy ^Qw the Score of Abbot StagUas's Nego- tiations with his Enemies and Charles Emanuel^ Duke of Savoy ^ and he did each other all the Injury they cou'd. The Duke de Vendome and the Grand Prior, the King's Natural Brothers, were the firft that felt the EfFedls of the Cardinal's Relentment. Richlieu pretends to be weary of Bufineis, m account of his ill State of Health, and wrote a Letter to his Ma- jelly, to defire Fenniflion to retire to his Houfe at Limoursy conjuring alfo the Queen Mother to inter- ceed for him with the King. Both Lems and his^ Mother were alarm'd at this feign *d Refolution of the Cardinal , they immediately wrote him a* Letter, defiring him not to leave them, when his good Councils and Services were fo necell^rv. ^ Qs The ^5<5 The Secret I^^flory The King aiiur'd him of liis Prote£lion againft the Duke d' Orleans., the Princes and great Lords of the Court. They promised to let him know wliat- ever was f^id to his Prejudice, without requiring- him to iaftify himieif, Iti fhort, they appointed a" Guard for hisPerfon, which confirted of a Troop of Horfe, Rlchlieu w^as prevail'd upon by thele en- dearing Promifes, to quit his Retreat, and affume the Government. He, with a great deal of affe^led Modeily, excus'd his ' taking a Guard , faying it wou'd he more Glorious for him to dye in his .Ma- jcity's Service ; and 'twas wich much feeming Re- lu£):ance that he accepted of it. Bufthis Modeily of his wore off afterwards, and he r^ot only kept his jGuards to his Death, but fiJl'd his Troop with Pick'd Men, and the Captain of it flood always' faired for the Higheft Military Dignities. The Duke d' Orleansy and the Prince of Conde^ the* both hated him, vifited him at Llmours^ and folli- cited his good Offices for them with the King. Tho' Cofjde was not confin'd to his Government of Berri^ yet he cou*d not come to Court without the King':- Leave, to procure which, he apply'd to Richlteu in his Retirement. Some of the Cardinal's Creatures in the Duke of Orleans's Family, repre- Tented to the Duke, that if the Prince was recalled to Court, it was with a defign to remove him by de» gfees from the Cognizance of Affairs, and ad vis d him to prevent the Prince. Accordingly the Duke got to Lwiours the Day before Condcj to reconcile himfelf to the Cardinal, wiio made as if he did it only becaufe he cou'd not refufe it ^ whereas at the bottom 'twas the thing of the World he mod de- fir'd, it being by no means fafe for him to have tlie King's only Brother his Enemy. The next Day the Firft Prince of the Blood came to him on the fame Errand, to defirehis Friendiliip and Mediation with the King, that he might return to Paris to look after his Dome/lick Affairs; and as for his being recaird to Court, he left it wholly to his Majefty s good Pleafure, Rkhlleu carefs'd and amus'd hini with fair Words, but ga^ehim no pofitlve Anflver. ^/FRANCE, 231 ^he Cardiual beingp refsM to return to his Minift-ry, Pretended his Health wou'd not permit him to come nearer Tar is than Chaliot^ where he took up his Lodging at Monfieur Caftille\ Father-in Law to Monfieur Chalais^ whole Life he was then Treach- (Croufly defigning upon. C^^z/t^/'/difcover'd whatever the Dutchefs de Chevreufch^d told him^ and Richiieu engag'd him further to ferve him to his otmoll with his Intereft in the Duke d' Prleans; The Cardinal inftru£led him to advife the Duke to leave the Court, and retire to fome ftrong Place, as Havre de Grace^ -which wou'd be the only way to obtain the. Mare(» chal Ornand's Liberty. Gajhon was fbme time far that Place^ at other tim.es for Laon in Ficcardy^ and Chalaii gave the King an exatl. Account of all his Projects •, to which he added, out of hispwn Inven- tion, to render himfelf rltore neci?flary to Lewis and the MinifterSi By thefe w^ked Devices, was tlie King made to believe Orficino was as Criminal, as the Cardinal pretended, and that his Brother, fearing he wou'd be brought to hi^Tryal, was refolyd,at any rate, to endeavour to fave Jiim. The Dutchefs de ernon^, to demand a : Retreat in Guyeme* Chalaisy the Grand Prior's Q^ 4. intimate S3 2 The Secret Hijlory 'intimate Friend, was enrag'd at his being Arrefted^ but giving himfeU to the Duke of Orleans^ perfwa- ded him to retire to Metz., engaging to procure the Marquis ^r la Talette to receive him •, but neitlier the Marquis nor his Father wou'd hear of it. On the contrary, d* Epernon fent the Letter Orleans wrote him, to the King. Gafion was advis'd to go llrait to Rochelle. but that was thought to be too much in favour of the Reformed, The Count de Soijfons offered him 500000 Crowns, and 8000 Foot, and 500 Horfe, if he wou'd take Arms againft the JV] ini fter. Chalais cont inu'd to gi ve kichiku In for- mation, as if he was ftill his Spy, and preteiided to Monfieur to adt the fame Part for him with the Car- dinal. But the Minifter was too cunning foir him, and gave him to underftand that he Woisno Stranger to his Gerrfefpondencc with Gafton, Chalais^ oat of fear of Inconfi:ancy, made a New Dircovery, and repented of it a Day or Two after. He then told the Cardinal, that he cou*d ferve him no further with Monfieur. Richlleu had got enough out of him to take off his Head, ^x\^ Louvigni^ wlio hated him for fading with the Count de Candale-^ the Duko d' Epernon ^'^l^t^ Son, wit-iiw^iom he had a Quar- rel of Gallantry, tiiey both being in Love with the Dutchefs Of Rohan^ inhtm'd RtchUet^^ th^t Chalai^ had fent a Dorneflick of his to Metz,^ toi perfwade the' ■hA^vqnU''de la Valme to receive the Duke of Orleans mtd 'MetT^, ' Loumgni added, \,\\n .Chalais promis d to kill the Kingij and that Ga^on and his Con- fidents were- in the Confpiracy. The Court bei«g |hen at Nantes in Bretagne^ Chalais was Arrefted, knd the Parliament had > Orders to proceed againft him. C/W.?/i confefs'd whatever they wou'd have him : Richlieu privately^ vifited him in Perfon, and promis'd to get his Pardow^ if he w^ou'd not confefs that he had been inftigated by him, to follicite the Duke ofOrleafjs to leave tlje Court, and perfifted ia confirming Louvigms Information, that there was a Conrpiracy againft the King, and that Gafion had faborn'd him toniurder his Brother. ^/FRANCE. 23} 'Tlie 111 oft that was -in this Plot of Gajion^ was a Talk among fome of the moft forward of his :Creatures, to get the King declar'd to be Impotent, and to marry the Queen, but neither the Queen, nor Monfieur, nor the Vendomes^ nor Ornano ever heard a word of it ^ yet this, as bad as it wiis, did not content the Traytor Rkhlieu^ he muft have Gafion and his Friends Sworn into an Aflaflination Plot. Chalai.:^ under the Terrors of Death, is made to Swear any thing *, the Cardinal ftill flatter'd him with Hopes of a Pardon, and bad him fear no- thing, tho he fhou'd be condemn 'd to dye, On the Word of a Priefi^ fays he, you fijall have it, I wilt arjfwer my Life for yourt^ and as foon as ever 1 am got a little out of thefe Difficulties^! willfo manage it^ that the King JJjall load you with Honours and Riches^ Csli on in a Letter he wrote the King afterwards, t affirms, he had clear and evident Proof of it. '<5 See what wicked Minifters will do to blacken thofe that oppofe them. Was there ever a more damnable Treafoh ? Chalais con fefTcs Things he never heard of before, his Life is promised him, but thofe Promi fes are forgot, and 'tis in vain that he cries -oat on the Scafiold, The Traytor Cardinal brought fne hither. The Duke d' Orleans follicited for a Reprieve, but to no purpofe .• he had try'd feveral Lords, but none wou'd receive him, and his Con- fidents advis'd him to come to an Accommodation '^ith his Brother, who was now as much for his marrying M&damciiQ\\Q de Montpen/ier^ as he iiad ijefore been againft it. The more Gafion was prefs'd to it out of a Spirit of Levity or Contradiction, the more he was averfe to it, / had rather he damn'd than marry d^ faid he with equal Folly and Impiety, Richlieu urging it very much one Day, he reply'd, / will marry Madamoifelle de Monrpenfier, but not fo foon as you woiid have me\ I have a Difiemper upon me^ and will be cm'd of it firfi. The Cardi- nal was a little confounded, and believing his Con- fidents {qi him againft the Marriage ^ when they came to fpeak with him about fomething concern- ing their Mafter, he laid. Have not you all Difien^ H^ - ■ ^srs 2 §4 "^^^ Secret Hiftory pers as well as Alonfieur, Gajlon was as Wicked and Profane as his Brother was Bigotted and Super- flitions. One day, after having embraced the King his Brother, and kifs'd the Queen Mother very or- derly and affi£lionately, he fell all of a fuddeninto a kind of a Fit, Mary de Medicis ask'd what was the Matter with him, all the Anfwer he made her was Swearing and Curfingin a moil execrable Man- ner, that he was ill us'd \ The Queen Mother re- ply'd, How can you expilh to be happy that do not fear God ^ you have not been at Confejfwn t^is long ^hiky and the remorfe of Confcience torments you; J)o not you trouble yourfelf about that^ fays Monfieur, J care no more for God than I do for the Devil, Lewis and Mary de Medicis were ftruck Dumb, to hear his Blafpliemy ; the Cardinal faid their Ma- jeflies ought not to fuffer him in their Prefence, and applying himfelf to Gafion^ continued, Tou forgot^ Sir^ that you are before the King^ how foudyou fay Things ■that ought never to come out of the Mouth of a Per- fon of your Rank f The Duke ,d' Orleans held his Tongue, but when he went away faid to his Mo- ther, i pray you Aiadam to advife the Cardinal never to take the Liberty to give me Leffons^ I am too Old now to endure a Pedant about tne, Richlieu v/ho took hold of all Advantages to deftroy hisEnemie$, pretended to be in a wonderful Surprize, and infi- Huated to the Queen Mother, that Omano muft cer- |:ainly have bewitch'd . the Duke of Orleans, The Marefchal was mightily adduced to Judicial Aftro- logy, and that gave a colour xo his Infinuations, Gajion^ who had ds aiuch Inconftancv as Impietyjfoon after made his Per: cv'. with his Bii^riicr and the Car- dinal- and marry G Madamoifelie 'Ac Montpenfm, Richlieu manvig'd him fo well for his purpofe, that !)€ got out of him a Declaration, in which he co^- fefs'd that the Count <^e 5f?.'j[f67;jadvisa.him to retire to Rec belle y that the Qaci^n, his S'lier-uiLaw, had written him feveral Letters to dilfwade him from marrying the Princefs of A' AmbaiTador, the Earl of Holland^ the Engli^ Miiiiiier, and the Dutch AmbafTador Monheur J^ey- fens #/ F R A N C B. ajf Jens were in the Intrigue. In return for this De- claration, befides the Dutchy of Orleans^ he hath th^- Dutchy of ChartreSy and the County of Blois fettled on him, and his Revenue was augmented to a Mil- lion of Livres, over and above wnat the Heirefsof Montpenjier brought hiin. Upon the Imprifonmenc of the Duke de Fendome^ Governor of Bntagne^ the Cardinal, who wanted to have fome Maritime Pro. -vince at his Difpofal to fecure a Retreat upon oc- cafion, intended to get that Government for him- felf *, but the King, who for onrc ventur'd to give away a Thing himfelf, beflow'd it on the Mare- fchal de Themines.: RichUeu m a little time got a Poft erefted for. him, that of Intendant General of the Navagatton and Commerce of France ,- which put the Marine entirely into his Poffeflion. While tlie Court was at Nantes^ the Dutchefs de Chevreufe withdrew into Lorrairi^ and tlience to England ; the Count de So'^Jfons went to Rome^ and' Lewis was fo fpiteful as to fend to his AmbafTador to hinder his having the Title of Highnefs there, in which the Count de Bethme excus'd himfelf, writing in An- fwer, if the Count deSoifTons is guilty^ the King ought to punlp) him in France, and not mortify him in a. XVay wherein the Honour of the Crown is concerned, J had rather quit any Employ than have a Q}are of an Jrldignity^ which will he an Eternal Reproach to rne. The Qijeen herfelf, Anrte of Auflria^ was not niuch better treated than the reft; Richiteu not fatisfy'd with rendering her Odious to the King, her Husband, prefwaded him to have her Sum- mon'd before^ the Council, and Lewis charged her in their Prefence that fhe woij'd have had two Husbands at a time. Chalais's Depofition about the Plot, to fnut him up in a Convent was read to her \ fio Man was allow'd to enter her Cabinet or Chamber unlefs Lewis was prefent, RichUeu tvou'd have had the Two Brothers the Duke de Vendome and the Grand Prior try'd for their Lives by CommifTioners, a way made ufe of firfl in this jEleign, for the Miniflers to appoint Perfonsto Judge ^pfe they wou'd take off, by whi^h means they 236 y^« Seeret Hijlory Cou'd not fail of being murder'd, the Judges being all their Creatures. However ^ the Council did not think it proper to proceed againft the King's two Natural Brothers, contrary to tiie Rules of Law \ the Privileges of Peerage wras pleaded for the Duke ofP^erjdome^ and the Order of Maltha for the Grand Prior ; fo they were both (hut up in the Caftle of Vinccnnes^ and the Cardinal remained abiolute Ma- fter. The Duke of Buchngham being difgufted, as has been already obferv'd at the Cardinars oppofing his EmbafTy to France^ refolv'd, as he faid he v\^ou*d, if he co'/d not come as an Amha^ador^ to come as a General. Soubiz^e animated him to a Rupture, by remonftrating to him the Grievances of the Reform d, and the Glory that v\,^ou'd redound to him to procure Redrefs of them. The King of England difpatch'd De Vic, a Vrtnvh Proteftant, to the DukeV^ Rohan^ 10 inquire into the State of their Affairs, and get the Reformed to apply to his Bri- tannlck Majefty as Guaranty of the lafl Treaty, The Duke fent Blanc art to London^ to give the King and the Duke an exaft Account of all Things, and he acquitted himfelf fo vvell of bis Commif- fion, that it was refolv'd in England to aflift the French Proteftants, which encourag'd them to be- gin a new W^r, the Third War of Religion in this Reign. Richlteu's Authority being greater than ever af- ter the difcovery of the pretended Confpiracy of Chalais^ it embolden'd him to make an attempt a- gainft BaradaSy the Favourite, who had intermeddled too much in the Affair of the Duke of Orleans's Marriage. Tlie Queen Mother and the Cardinal relenting that he had obflrudedit>bv degrees brought the King to an Indifference towards him, and he was then order'd to leave the Court-, Baradas had not i^hat Command of iiimlelf which was necefTary on that Occafion, and challenged the Commander de Souvre in the King's Chamber, for '«vhich he was banilh'd the Louvre^ and turn*d out of all his Offices. Richliei^^ to maintain his ov/n Authority, us'd many • Artifices 0/ F R A N G E. :ij7 Artificies to keep up the Jealoufy there was be- tween the Kinj^ and Duke of Orleans. The Two Brothers very often flood in need of their Mother's Mediation, and Mcdj de Medicis did nothh72 but in concert with the Cardinal. The Dutchefs of Orleans being with Child, the Duke had as great Court made to him as the King himfelf, his Children were like to inherit the Crown, and the King's impotence, as was then thought, fecur'd that Inheritance beyond doubt *, Gafion feeing himfelf liirroanded by great Lords and Courtiers, be- gan to think of revenging the ill Treatment the Marefchal Or;7^;/tf, the Tv^orendomes^ndi^sQtht^ Friends had met with. The Cardinal gave him to underftand that if he ofFer'd to attack him; the Prince of Coude, and Count de Soiffons fhou'd be re- tall'd to Court. The Duke of Guife and the other Lords that were aljy'd to the Duke of Orleans by his Marriage with the Princefsof Montpenfier. kept the Cardinal in continual Apprehenfions. To eafe himfelf of them, he refolv'd upon the Deftruaion of the Proreftant Party, and to humble the great Lords by le/Tening their Penfions, and taking from them the ftrong Holds in their PofTeflion. The Proteftans were a Party powerful enough to turn the Scale to whatever fide they embrac'd, and fuch ^ Power did not at all confift with that of a Mi- nifter who cou'd not fufFer a Rival, and confe- quently had made himfelf fo many Enemies. To filence the Clamours of the People, he perfwaded the King to fummon an AiTembly of the Notables m the Year 1^27 ; Men picktby himfelf, who un- der the appearance of a fair and equal Affembly, conhrm d the many Breaches this Tyrannical Mi- nifter had made in the Conftitution of France What elfe cou'd be expe^ed from Men devoted to the Court, from Clergymen and Lawyers whofe Fortune depended upon it ? I fhall not therefore enter into their Proceedings, nor repeat the Speeches ot Cardinal Richlieu, and Marillac^ Keeper of the |eals, his Creature, both full of the greatefl Falf- «OGd and Flattery j the appearauoe was Pompous, the ^jS The Secret iiipory the King caine to the AfTembly attended by his Brother, the Marefchals o^ France^ and the Knights of the Orders. Twas to thefe Notables that Rkh- lleu caus*d the Demolition of feveral Places to be prupos'd, on purpofe to lefTen thtt Anthority of the Governors of Provinces. He wou'd not take the Odium of it on himfelf, but turn'd it all upon themo Retrenching the PenOons was another popular Ar- ticle which the Minifter reprefented to the Af- fembly, and they regulated accordingly. Thefe tu'O Affairs were the moft Important that were tranf- adled by them, and after rhey had fat Two Months they were difmifs'd. In the mean while, the Court in Complacency to that of Rome, order'd the Doftors of the Sor- bonne to examine SantereUs Book beforemention*d. Of Sixty Eight Doctors, Fifty were gain*d over and declared for a New and Softer Cenfure.- Eigh- teen ftood to the laft. The Parliament made an' Arret forbidding any one, on Pain of High Trea- fon, to Publifh any other Cenfure than what had Been already publifh'd. The King commanded the firft Prefident, and the Magiflrates to attend him, when they came he forbid them to inter- meddle with the Affairs of the Sorhonne^ adding, other wife IJJjall make you know that I am Mdjier. A Language which by this time, the Parliament was pretty well accuftom'd to, f^erdmiyVjho dy'd not long after, reply'd very refpeftftilly, that the Par- liament had no other View than to provide for tiie' Security of the King's Pcrfon, and the Prcfervation of his Authority, and that the Magiffrates defir'd to make their moft humble Remonftrances to his Majeffy on that Subie^., / will not have you meddle pith it any more ; fays the King, 7/ you h^'ive any Thing to Remonftrare to me do it now. The ffi'it Frefidejit anfwcr'd. We have no Commijfwn^ Sir^ the Ajfembly mujl firH deliberate what they have 20 rcprtfent to your Majejiy. Well^ well, fays the King, / forbid you to take Cogniz,ance of this M^i- Mr^ my Council is as much concern d as you for tht Security of my Life and ths Prsfervation of my An-' fbrfftya , Tou fee Monfieur de Bourdeaux, he ii very willing to be your Servant <^ pray for my Sake be Friends with him. D" Epernon reply'd haughtily, and turning but fide-ways to him, Sir^ ^ ^nd you fee I hear it, Afa' rais was the King's Fool, and the Satyr of it was very biting. Thefe Particularities of fo great Men, cannot but be entertaining, bcfides, they ferve more than the Publick ones to fet their Characters in their True Light, which is the main end of AnsStodes, The, Cardinal de la V alette^ d* Epernon sSon^ was more Court ;y than his Father, and flatter'd him as much as the other fhockt him. The Duke was a- fham'd of the Meannefs of his Son's Temper, and us'd to call him not the Cardinal de la V^alette^ but Le Cardinal Valet, a Pun that has a very Satyrical Effed in the French Language. We have feen the beginnings of thofe Differences between Richlleu and Mary de Me die is ^ that drove the latter out of Fr^we. They broke out violently on the Cardinal's Return from his Expedition to Italy and Languedoc, His Mock Triumphs made him fo vain, that he cou'd not bear any the leaft Mortification, not even from his zMidrefs, to whom he was indebted for that Power, which he fo Arbi- ' trarily exercis'd. When he came firft to Fomaln- hleau^ after that Expedition, accompany'd by the Cardinals de la Falette and Eerulle^ the Dukes de Longuevlllej de Chevreufe^ and de Montbaz^on^ the Counts de St, Pol^ and de la Rochfaucault ^ in a word, by almoft the whole Court, he alighted at the Queen Mother's Apartment ^ fhe receiv'd him very coldly, asking him only How he did ? The Cardir.al knit his Brows, and his Lips trembling, as they did always when he was in a Pafiion, faid, / am better than abundance of People here mfh me to be. The Queen Mother blufh'd, and ftrove to bring him in- to a good Humour: It happened, that while they were talking, Cardinal de Berulle enter'd in a Coat, A la Cavalier J without his Cardinal's Robe, whicii made the Queen fmile. Rlchlieu coming up to Mary de Medicisj faid, / vpijf) I was as much in your good Graces^ as the Man you laugh at. She excus'd her SiTiiling, but the Cardinal was fo Ciaolerick, that Ihe 256 The Secret Hijlory ihe told him at lafl-, He was infupportahle. The King coming in, he went to him, and pray'd him to go into the Clofet, defigning to prepoffeis his Ma- jefty againft his Mother. But he was fo Paflionatej that the King did not like it. He upbraided him with his late Services, and threaten'd to retire. The Queen afterwards told her Story : The Cardinal's Infolcnce was condemn'd *, Richlleu wrote her Ma- jefly a Letter, carry'd it himfelf to beg her Par- don, and did it with Tears in his Eyes. His Neice Combalety his Kinfman Meilleraie^ and all his Creatures being packing up to be gone. But this feeming Sorrow (b mollify'd the Queen, that all was forgot, and they were good Friends again. The Cardinal, abfolute xMafter of the King's Will, cou'd not long keep his Temper: 'Twas not above a Week after, that he intreated her, in Prefence of the Qaeen her Daughter-in Law, to order the Payment of the Y'lkowuide Sardigni'sPQniior), I havejiofd it^ re- ply'd the Queen Mother, upon your complaining of him to me ', ifvou are fatisfyd^ J am^ and his Penfion may be paid him, Tou might have done it af your felfy fays Richlieu, as yen gave an Abbey to Vaultier your Pbyjietan-, of your own Head^ and. without confidting me. This Infolent Anlwer provok'd her, and fhe told him, 'Twas very ftrange he JJ)6u^d pretend to be Alafier of every thing that was in her difpofaL J have confuhed you concerning ny Recompences to my Ser' vants when I thought jit Tou are miftakenj if you think that I will be your Slave^ and will not difpofe of my own The iiext Day fhe fent him a Letter, by which fiie dilcharg'd him of his Office of Great Mafler of her Houlhold. The Cardinal ihew d it to the King, and proteiled he cou'd not quit it without quitting the Court, where he cou d not (lay with the Diigrace of being turn'd off by his Miftrefs^ The King promised to interceed for him, and ac- cordingly fpoke to his Mother, who alTur'd his Ma- jefly fte had no intent to deprive the State of the Cardinal's Services, if he thought him Serviceable. / only demand^ fays flie, that you will permit me to turn him out of my Houfe^ that I may not be obliged 1 9 0/ F R A N C E. ^57 have any th'wg to do with hir/iy but in your Covncil^ and in your Prefnce. The King blam*d the Cardi- nal, and ieem'd a little inclinable to go farther, but Richlleu left nothing unatteinpted, not fparing even Religion it felf to fupport himfelf, or the good Ge- nius oi F('a?i€e had baniih'd him to that Repofe which he banifh d from the Royal Family^ from France^ Mi^ d,\\ Europe There was now a' Powerful Party form'd agaii]/l him, the Spanip} AmbafiTador, and the Duke of Savoy^s EmifTaries were of it, and the Qtieen Con fort, ^nne of u4ujlria, Mother of Lervis the XlVth, joyn'd with them. She was afraid the Car- dinal wou'd Poifon her, and marry the King to Com- baht^ her Keice. A'fary de Afedicis did not knovY her own Strength. With fuch Seconds had fhe ablo- lutely infifted on his Removal, her Son Levris it is thought, was enough out of Humour to have com- ply'd with her. But her Thoughts were wholly taken up with the means of procuring Satisfaflicn to her Son Cdjion in his Demands ; and to engage Rich- iieuy (he con fen ted to his Patent ^ to be Frime Mi- nifter. He exercis'd the Fun(^ions before. As Car- dinal he had the Precedence, but he wanted the Title^ which made all the other Minifters rather his Ser- vants than the King's. What he makes tlie King fa jr of him, in the Preamble to his Patent, lliCws his wonderful Modefty, as in the following Paragraph. Con/iderin^ your Eminent Qualities^ that you have feconded our IVifies^ and executed our Dejigns *, That God has referv'd for our Reign the Extirpation of Herefy and Rebellion^ by your Care^ by your Valour^ by your M.t^naninnty, In fine^ that by your Prudence^ the y^ fairs of Italy have had the happy SuCcefs with which God has bkfs*d our Artm. We ought not to chufe any other Perfon to be admitted to the Participation of our importa?2t y^fairSj till we had preferably to all given you the Rank due to your Quality and Vertue r. The Cardinal de Berulle dying (uddenly about this Time, November i629y Richlieuy who was Jea- lous of his Intereft in Mary de Medicisy was charged with his Death by Poifon. No lefs a Man than the Duke oi Orleans, confirms this Charge^ when he tella 258 The Secret Biftory jis Brother in a Letter he wrote hii\i, The Cardinal e Berulle did me good Ogee's in reconciling me to my Mother^ but they were fatal to him^ for he dy'd foon after. Such was the Chara^sr of the Minifter that laid the Foundation of extirpating the TRVE RELIG 10 N and LIB E RTr in France. Po- pery and Arbitrary Power are there founded upon Treafon and Mtirder ; And v-vill the Juft GOD fuf- fer a Fabrick fo built, to be lading ? The Duke de Never s fucceeding to the Dutchy of Mantua^ and being refus'd the Inveftiture of all the Territories belonging to it by the Emperor, im- plor'd the Proteftion of France, Richlieu^ who let no Opportunity flip to weaken the Houfe of Aufiriay was for fending a Powerful Army to Italy to pro- te<^ him. The King wou'd needs go in Perfon to ac- quire new Glory/and the Cardinal, to whom it wou'd all redound, was alfo to honour it with his Prefence; J he Levies that were made of Men and Money, by Richlieus Councils, render'd him necefTary at that jun6lure, and the Queen Mother feeing fhe waS not able to remove him, laboured a Reconciliati- on between Lewis and Cafion, which Richlieu the more pallionately defir'd, for that nothing cou'd fo much facilitate his Succefs in Italy. Leip// offer'd his Brother the Dutchy of Falois^ and a 1 00000 Li- vrcs Penfion, the Government of Orleans^ Blois^ Vendome^ Chartres^ and the Caftle of ylmhoifi^ The Marefchal de Marillac was fent with thefe Offers to yjancy^ and this Nagotiation made Richlieu his irreconcileable Enemy. Marillac ow'd his Ad- .. vancement to the Cardinal, but iVlary de Medicis had gain'd him, and inftead ofafTuring Monfieur, as he was order'd, what an Affedion the King had for him, and how much Richlieu was his Servant, the Marefchal exaggerated the Cardinal's Power over his Mafier, enumerated the Places of Strength he had at his Difpofal, enlarg'd upon his Magnific^jnce and the Extravagance of the King's Bounty to him, which exafperated Gafim the more againft him ; and ^ when, in difcharge of the Commiflion, he received, Marillac^ told tiie Duke of Orleans, that Richlieu defir'd of F R AN C n. 259 dcfn^d bis Favour, Monfieur asking if he wou'd anfwer for his Sincerity, the Marefchal reply 'd No-, and rais'd fuch Diftruft in the young Prince's jMind, that Gafion wou d no6 return t® Court while the Cardinal was on this fide the Mountains. He de- parted in September J honour'd with a New Title^ that of Generalijfimo of the King's Armies, with the Dii^nityand Power of Conftable. His Majefry was diffwaded from accompanying him^ and the Cardi- ral was defirous to have all the Fatigue ojf an Expe- dition which cou*d not fail of ending in a Triumph. Lewis itaid behind at Pam, till Richlleu had made fome Progrefs, and w^hile he was treating with the Duke of Savoy for PafTage for his Troops, and Pro- vifions, he I'urpriz'd Pignerol, the Barrier of Pied- mom : A Conqaeft he was extreamly proud of, and wou'd never part with. When the Cardinal arriv'd in Italy^ there was immediately fet a Foot a Treaty of Peace, by the Mediation of the Pope, who em- ployed the Famous Maz^arine in it, tho' rather as a Courier, than as an Negotiator ^ he was continu- ally going to and fro with MefTages and Projeds of Accommodation, between Richlleu and the Impe- rial and Spanifh Generals. He acquir'd the good Graces of Spinola^ Governor of Milady of the Duke of Savoy^ and efpecially of Cardinal Rtchlieu^ who had feveral private Conferences with him, and find- ing him of an Intriguing,Tricking Genius refembing, his own, took fuch a liking to him, that he did his iitmoft to gain him over entirely to the Intereft of France^ which was not long a doing* MazMrine faw the Ground he had got in the c:ardinars Fa- vour, and knowing him to govern Abfolutely the Affairs of {o mighty a Kingdom, he judged wifely, that giving himfelfupto him, he fhou'd fhare with him in that Government^ while he was Living, and perhaps fucceed him when Dead. Thefe Negotiations of Peace in the Year i5'5o, for putting an end to the War of Mantua ^ were the Beginnings of Maz.arines\ Fortuae, which was no lefs Prodigious than his PredecelTor Rkhlieu's. Twas weH for the Cardinal, that this War broke S 2 out^ 260 The Secret Htfiory out, and that he had rais'd his Reputation by the Conquefl of Pi^fierol. The Pajrty formed again ft him inereas'd daily ; The Duke of Guife^ who was Governor of Provence^ pretended, that in Right of his OfFce, he was Admiral of the Levant, which the Cardinal aflum'd to him Tel f, as Great A^ajier and Superintendant of Trade and Navigation. Guife knowing he was not a Match for him, offer 'd to be his Lieutenant General in tlic Mediterranean^ or to refign his Pretenfions to him, if he wou'd accept of 'em as a Prefent, or to make an Exchange with iiim. The Cardinal, who hated the Foufe oi Gutfe^ re« jelled his Offer?, faying haughtily, He knew how to jnake good his Claim. Guije fearing he had Defigns againft his Government alio, to fupport himfelf and be reveng'd of him, fell in with his Enemies, and his Intereft gave great Weight to that Cabal. The Princefs of G?^;fi, the Dutchefs ^* £/^ez//, and other Ladies inceffantly fet yi^^ry <^(? A/f^/r/V againfl the Cardinal, and excited her to punifh her Proud and Ungrateful Domeftick. Thefe Intrigues were not un- known to the Minifler and his Mailer, and both were enough embarrafs'd by them. The Queen Mother, the Duke of Orkam^ and the greatefl Hou- fesof France^ wereengag'd in them*, and had not the Juncture been favourable to Richlleu^ rendring his Councils abfolutely necefTary, or had the Party profecuted their Defigns with more Vigour and Union, the future Tyranny of the Cardinal and his SuccefTor, might probably have been prevented. The way he took to raife Money for his Wars, ren- der'd him ftill more Odious, and the Parliament of Paris fecretly offer'd the D\AQoi Orleans to declare in his Favour, if he wou'd demand the abolilhing ibme Pecuniary Edi6ls, which turned more to the Minifter s Profit, than to the King's. Notwithflanding all thefe Difficulties, Lewis left Paris in February, to repair to Lyons *, the Two Qiieens v>rere to follow him, and the lame Day, as had been before concerted, the Duke of Orleans came Poll: to the Louvre^ and went direftly to the Queen Mo- ther's Ciiamber, where a Circle was then AfTem- bled. ofFKANC E. 261 bled. She feem'd to be in great ConfaGon, difmifs'd her Ladies, and fhut lieiTelf up in iier Clofet wi h GaJloN. Tlie Farce of iiis Amour with the Princess, Mary o{ Mantua, was continu'd : He immediately went from his Motiier to his Miflrefs, then living with the Counters of St. Poll, Mary de A^eScis affe£led torefent his Courtfhip, fomuch againft her Opinion, and took the Princefs again to the Louvrey Cafion made mighty Complaints of this Crufclty,and appear'd to be more difcontented than ever with the Queen his Mother, and the Minifter. He To little dilTembled his Chagrin towards Rkhlleu, that Car- dinal de la Valette coming to Salute him, accom- pany'd by the New Cardinal of Lyon^ Rkhlieus Elder Brother, he receiv'd ia Falerte with extraor- dinary Marks of Diftin^lion, and left the other in Lis Anti'Chamber, without taking the leaft Notice of him, tho* Cardinal la Falette beg'd him again and again to fliew fome deference to the Brother of - the Prime Minifter. Lewis was at Nogem on the Seine^ when he receiv'd a Letter from his Mother with Advice of Gaftons Return. A^ary de Medicis fet f )rth in lively Terms the Tourt that was made to her youngeft Son, and the Danger there wa> m letting him remain unfatisfy'd, giving it as her Sen- timent?, that the beft way to appef.fe him, wou'd be to give him the Command of the Army in Cham- pagne^ and to make him Lieutenant General ofParis, and fome Neighbouring Provinces, daring the King's Abfence. Lewis fright;;n'd at this News, returns in hafte to Fontainbleau^ and Gajion withdrew to his Dutchy of Orleans. Mary de Medicis fent fome Troops after him, under pretence ofobferving him, Gajion complain'd of this, and his Mother media- ting between both lier Sons, brought tliem into fuch Temper, that Lewis gave Gajion what Hie defirM, and Gajvon made hisSubmifllon to the King at Troies^ who receiv'd him with all outward Tokens of Af- fe£lion. Lewis was naturally a Prince of a good Temper, but an Eafinefs was a Branch of it; we / have feen, and fh all fee, how unhappy tis for a Na- tion to have a goocj Temper'd Soverai^n, and an ill S 3 TempCi'd 462 The Secret tiifioYy Temper'd Minifler, The Soveraign's Virtues arc all loll in the Vices of the Favourite, and whether a King's Temper be good or bad, *tis all one to the People, if he has not Refolution enough to be his own Mafter, and lets his Minifters do w'hat they pleafe both with himfelf and his Subje£ls. The King being arriv'd at Lyons^ the Two Queens followed hmi tnither, and the Cardinal coming from Savoy ^^NZs received with new Marks of Honour, Mary d^ Medicis herfclf fhewing him particular Re(pe£t. That Princefs condtfcended fo far, hoping to get him to put an end to the War, which had in- volvd Savoy in it, and confequently might be pre- judicial to her Daughter the Princefs oi Piedrhom* Rkhlieu laid the Blame on tha Pope's Nuntio's Par- tiality to Spain in his Mediatioti, and promised to forward a Peace as mt-irh as lay in his Power, Promi/es coil fuch Minifters nothing. Mary de Medicis cou'd not hope to fucceed in her Defigns agamft the Cardinal, while lie was at the Head of an Army, and had lately added a confiderabie Conquefl: to France-^ and Richlteu durft not further offend her Majefty, by taking on himfelf the Blame 6f a War, which he knew was not pleafmg to her. While Levpis was at Lyons ^ he djfcover'd iiimfelf not to be infeniible of the Charms of Beauty > he admir'd the Merit of Madamoifelle de Fayette ; but he was a Platonick I.over, and whatever Lady he prais'd, her Reputation was fafc^ for whether 'twas his Virtue or Impotence all Women with re- lpe£l to him were, as he faid himfelf, Chajie below the Girdle. His Majefty's Genius for War and Love was much a like, but Richlieu endeavour*d to cultivate the former, his Safely confifting in the neceility the State had of him during thofe Foreign Broils, of which he himfelf was the occafion. He therefore prevail'd with Lewis to crofs the Mountains in Perfon, and inllead of making Peace, to make an entire Con- queft o{ Savoy. This was efFefted in few Days by a Royal Army, againfl which the few Troops the Duke of Savoy feac^ in ttie Field, pou'd not make (/FRANCE. 263 make Head. The defencelefs Cities open*<3 their Gates to Lewis. Chamberi^ Annecy and the Prin- cipal Towns did not refift him a Day. Richlieu^ to make his Mafter in Love with War, was conti- nually crying up the Glory and Advantages ofthofe Conquefts^ and taking him to a Window, when he had order'd three Pitiful Places to be attacked at onca, he faid to him, See^ Sir., with a glance of your Eye^ what never Prince had the Pleafure of feeing before >) fee the Smoak of your Cannon before Three fever al C;>/>/, Charbonieres, Leville and Mont- melian. The latter indeed was no Pitiful Place» if the Citadel be included, hut as the King and his Generalidimo made theiiifelves Mafters of the Town alone, the Conqueft of it was no more Glorious than that of Levilie and Charbonieres, The Queen Mother, enrag'd to lee the Duke of Savoy difpofTefs'd of his Dominions pretended to be mightily concern'd for the King her Son's Health, and dit patch'd the Marquis de Bertinghen to him, to pray him ten Lerpts wanted fome body to of F R A N C E. *69 to encourage him in {landing by his Minifter, did Rtchlieu more Service than all his Cunning and Ma- nagement, the Cardinal did not doubt but his Ruin was refolv'd on, and accordingly prepar'd to retire to Havre de Grace ? his Moveables and Riches were pack'd up, and every thing in readinefs to begone, when a Servant of St. Simon brought him Word^ that Things were not in fuch a defpcrate Condi- tion, and he woa'd Toon fend him better Tidings. When Lewis was got to his owm Apartment, he flung himfelf upon his Bed, crying, My Mothers Obfiinacy will be the Death of me » She woudhavs 7ne turn of a Minlfter thats fo Faithful to me, and put my Affairs into the Hands of thofe that know not haw to manage them. Her- hatred to the Cardinal^ continues he to StSimon^ Is fo Pro- digious^ that fhe will not hearken to Reafon. Give we fimething to Drink j I am fo dry I don't know what to do with my felf\ tell me what wou*dfi thoU have me to do in this Cafei J doubt not, fays the Favourite, j^/owr Majefiy wdl proteH; the Cardinal a- gainfi a Cahal that are fo Inveternte in fetting yotc againji him to make room for themfelves ^ it will be eafy for you to put a flop to the Malice of thofe that are always fug^^ejllng Falfities to the Queen Mo- ther, and that oppofe a Minifiry which is fo ad' vantageous to the Government of your Kingdom^ Lewis then refolv'd to keep the Cardinal in fpite of Mary de -Me die is. To lelTen the number of his Enemies, he endeavonr'd to reconcile him to the Duke of Orleans, and in order to it, prefented him to his Brother at his firft coming to PariSj defiring him to look upon Kichlieu as a good Ser- vant to all the Royal Family, Gajlon reply d coldly, / fijall do fo if Monfieur the Cardinal behaves him- felf to me as he ought. Richlieu^ who did not like fo general an Anfv\rer, turned to BaQompierre then pretent, and faid, Monjieur complains of me^ God knows why^ but the weakefl: go to the Wall. The Quarrel of A^ary de Medicis with the Cardinal and Combalet was kept very Secret. The next Dyy, being the i©ih of November^ ihe rsnew'd her In- ftances 270 The Secret Hijlory ftances with her Son to difcharge him, and the News of the Peace concluded in Italy coming at the fame time, Lewis cou'd not help afTurmg her once more that be wou'd do what fhe defir'd. The Cardinal hearing his Majefty and his Mother were fhut up fometime in a Clofet together, doubted not but Mary de Medicls was trying her laft efforts to take the Adminiftration from him. He imme- diately went to the Queen's Apartment, the Doors of the Chamber and Anti chamber v/ere fhut, he enter'd the Gallery and kratch*d at the Door of the Clofet, no Anfwer was made, impatient of flaying^ and knowing every Corner of the Houfe, he went through a little Chappel, the Door of which the Queen had forgot to have lock'd, into the Clofet where fhe was v\^th the King, Ahy Madam , here he is^ cry'd Lervis^ who had jult given Con- fen t to his Difgrace ; / believe you are talking of me^ fays Richlieu^ percieving they were in a fuv- prize, Noy no^ reply'd the Queen Mother, Come, come^ Mad.am^ ronfefs It^ faid Richlie'U. Alary ds Medicis provok'd at the Impudence of her Do- ineflick, anfwer'd, ^Tis True, and raii'd at him worfe than ever, declaring fhe wou'd never fee him more*, fuch was the violence of her Paflion that fhe forgot to put her Defign in Execution, which was then to engage Lewis to command the Captain of his Guards to arrefl: Richlieu ; however, fhe got the abovemention'd Order fent to the Marefchal <;/? Marillac to take on him the Command of the Army in Italy y which being done without the Car- dinal's Knowledge, he doubted not of his Difgrace, and that the Marillaa^ h'S Sworn Enemies, wou'd have the Management of all Things, Upon this he order'd his Baggage to fet out for Havre de Grace j in- tending to follow himfelf in a few Hours after. 'Tis faid there were loo Baggs of Spa-aifl? Piftoles to the value of Four Millions of Livers loaden on his Mules. That the Cardinal believed himfelf to be ut- tet4y ruin'd, one may perceive by what he faid to the Marefchal de Bajfompierre^ Tou will not matter a M.-.n in Dijejrace as I am. The Marefchal con- duced ^/FRANCE. 271 du6led him to the Queen Mother's Apartment the next Day, the nth of Xovember, He fell upon his Knees, and moft humbly beg*d her Pardon in the King's Prefence , but the Queen was inexorable, and wou'd not hear him. Ay^ -^y^ faid fhe to thofe that mterceeded for him, and reprefented the Trou- ble he was in, He can change Countenance as he plecxt to tfce Cardinal de la Valette, had the greateft. Hand in per (wading Richlieu ^ox. to fly for it, Mt ta~-vv»it oil the King at Ferfailles. Thus ar^.^hey rewarded. Now is tlie Cardinal Triumphant, hphas the Kitj^g's Perfon at his Difpofal, Levpis has nQb!& bflirbis. Q^i- fidents about him, and what can;B^jtl:iltjElfe^;^pf this Abfolute Power, but Exiles^ Imptjlbliaientsand 2j6 The Secret Hfjlory Murders. Revenge, the darling Paflion of fuch Men, is as fweetaiithe Power thataccompliihes it. There is nothing now to oppofe this Ambitious, Arbitrary, and Cruel Minifter *, and the firft Exiles we hear of, are out of the Royal Family, the King's only Brother, and the Queen his Mother.' No Rank, no Merit can proteft thofe that are (b unhappy as to fail under the Difpleafurc of Favourites. The more ConfpiGUous the Merit, the more Dangerous. The more Exalted the Quality, tlie more Glorious the Triumph. The very next Day after the Marefchal de Ma^ rlllac had received the News of the Cardinars Dif- grace, and the King's Letter in his Favour, arriv'd 1J Epine^ a Meflenger, with an Order to the Maref- chals de la Force and de Schomberg^ to Arreft him alfo, which was executed. There happen*d nothing extraordinary on that Occafion, but that the Event is varioufly related by Two Officers of the Guards, Meiileurs de Puyfegur and de Poms, who in their Memoirs differ fo much, that it gives one almoft an ill Opinion of Hijlory it felf. Both of them being prefent, and both on Duty, as Guards to the Prifo- ner, the one writes that he received the Orders with the Temper of a Stoick, the other, that he fell out into the moll Violent Paffion, with feveral other Circumftances of the fame contrary Nature, too particular for fo General an Hiftory. Richlieu having rid himfelf of the Mari/iacs, in- fligated his Mafler to banifh the Countefs du Fargii^ the Queen Confort's Favourite, from Court, and .to forbid the Marquis de Mirabely the SpanijJj Ambaffa- dor, to come to the Loitvre without demanding Audience. The Queen Anne of Au^ria wasen- rag'd at the Lofs of fo beloved, and fo faithful a Servant, and exclaim'd againft the Cardinal, who did what he pleas'd, and njatter*d not what either of the Two Queens thought of him. The Countels du Fargis^ who was a Gallant Lady, had Two Lo- vers that fufFer*d for her fake, the Count de CramallT, and the Marquis de Beringhen ; the latter was ba> niOi'd the Kingdom, and the other remained in it purely ^/FRANCE. 277 purely by the Proteftion g^ Mary deMedkis, whom Klchlteu was loath to irritate tocr much. Having made himfelf fo many Enemies, he apply'd to the Dukes ofOrltofJs's Favourites, Monfieur de Puylaw rens^ and Mondeur le Coigneux^ to pocurc the Friend- ihip of their Mafter for fiim. The Duke of Orleans was a Prince of fo inconfhnt a Difpofition, that thofe about him durft hardly truft him out of their Sight, anil cou'd eafily tarn him which way they pleased. The Cardinal, to gain his Confidents, had recourfe to the fhorteft way and the fureiL to bribe themi plentifully, Tho* he was not Treafurer, the Treafure of France was at his Difpofal, and whoever has the Treafure of a Nation to difpofe, will not want Partifan«. Puylaurens had xooooo Crowns given him, /> Cmgnevx the Promife of z Cardinal's Cap and a gooA Penfion ; Monfigot^ the Duke of Orleans* s Secretary, 50000 Crowns, and thefe his chief Servants prevail'd with him, not only to fpeak the Cardinal fair, but to pro^ mife to Love him as much as he had Hated him^ and to bind it with an Oath, which Monfieur was ever very free of. Others of his Servants had Mo- ney given them, and 'twas a common faying, that, Monfieur has been Sold to theMinifier^ for a Million of Franks. Twas the Duke's great Fault that he over did it in every Thing, and he cou*d not be re- conciled to Rkhlieuj without railing at the Ma- rillacs : The Duke of Lorraln^ having kept up a Body of Troops to oblige the French to do the fame in Campagne^ and thereby give a Diverfion to their Arms in favour of the JHoufe of Audria. Gafton^ now a Friend to Rkhheuy Swore, By G-d I know it very veelL The Marefck^l de Mar iliac xpas the Caufe of ttj and made the Duke of Lorrain da what he did. This Friend (hip was too hot to hold, as will appear by the following Pages. The Cardinal, to encreafe the number of his Friends as that of his Enemies encreas*d, obtain'd the Duke of ^andome*% Liberty of the King, on Condition he left the Kiogdom. Accordingly he went to Holland with the Duke de MercAur his T 3 Eld^ft 278 The Sejcret Uiflory ,, , , Eldefl Son. The Cardinal Bagni /wsis em^ploy'd to mediate a Reconciliation between Maryde Medicis and RichUeit^ hMtth^ former told the King, She woiid never- fie him^ aiid vyou'd dye' rather than confent to 'be* Friends with him, l^ou may do what you ir/Vy, Taid he, / jhail Honour you as long as I 'JLive^ biff 1 have fGlemnly promised to jiand hy the '^Cardinal. /S\\^ went farther in»a Conference with ■ -^/////o,*^,, Coqitfellor of State, /'// rather be danrad^ ■ fays fhe^ thm'i^t be rmem'dof that Ingrate^. And r '-Jet by the' PerfW-aiion oi^-tfauti^T^ her Phyfician, ^'V/ho was'gain\I by Bagni^ iheconfemed to;a Vific I'from hihr,Nhe 25th of December. 1530.-. The Je- fuit Stfffrin' "^cconipirifdRkhLeuy wiK):JK) (botier '* fcbe pext Day 'where Richlieu was prefent, and as ^''feafe Mi^ids afe always puft up by. Succefs, the "Cardinal grew To inlblent upon it, that he told the •* King plainly,' he cou'd not be perfeftly reconciPd ' to^his Mother, unlefs his Neice Combalet^axid the- reft of his Relations, whom ihQ had difcharg'd^ w?re ^ re admitted into her Service. Tho* Lewis was dif- guftlr.d at RivhUetiS Arrogance, yet he cou'd not j'idp humouring him, and the Cardinal not doubt- ing bat he'w-ou'd jufiify him in it, fent the Pre- ^ fident £? Jay to Mary de Medicis with a threaten- ^ ing Mefiage, that fhe (liou'd be confin'd ,to one •^ of her Houre;S if fhe did 'not do what the Minifter ' defir'd of 'her. Mary de Medici s complain'd of her being fo iofokntly treatetd, Levpis difov/n'd his Minifterj of F R-A N C E. 279 Minifter, and, with Tears in his Eyes, pretended he wou'd never leave her^ yet within a fe\v Days does he part from her for ever. In the mean while, Richlieu^ jealous of the Duke of Orleans's two Favourites Le Coigneux and Puy. /^tfre;;/, endeavoured to divide, and then todeilroy them. Ke fir(i attempted Tu^laurevsy prom|fing him wonders if he wou'd renounce his Friendfhip to Le Coigneux TinA devote himfelf to RicUieu. Le Coigneux heard of it, arid made his Complaints to the Cardinal de la /^r^/^/re and the Marefchal de Schomberghy who afTurMhim there w,as nothing in it, and that *twas not likely the King wou'd lofe the 1 00000 Crowns that had been' fo lately given himyLe Coigneux reprefented to ?«yf^wrewj, that there were 'Snares laid for them, and their fafety depended on their Union. Both of them, being fa- tisfy'd of the neceffity of it, they were mor6 united than ever, and refolv'd to oblige their Mailer to a Rupture with the Court, or to fecure them- felves againft the Power and ArtiRc&s oiRichiieu^ Le Coigneux YQmoniiYUcd to Gafion that the Car- dinal deciev'd him, that he endeavoured to debaech his Miniflers, that his Mother's Credit funk daily, and with it his own, for that it was infeperable from her Majefty's. Richlieu apprehending the EfFeft of Le G??^we2^;c's Refentment, declar'd plainly that the King expe6led he wou'd quit the Duke of Or- leanss Sqvw'icQj for Lewis did not thinJc' himfelf fure of his Brother's Friendihip as long as he had Mi- nifters about him, who had fuch an' Iniiuence over him. Le Coigneux found it neceffar^j now to drive his Maftcr to Extremities, and Ficyiaurens joyn'd with him in advifing Gafion to leave. ;t:he Court, and infifl upon Satisfaction in feveral points, where- in theyfaid he was injur'd. Gafion purfuant to their Advice, takes Twelve Gentlemen with hhii, and goes to Richlieu, to whom he thus addr'efs'd him- {elf-, / am come to dlfcharge my felffrom the Pro- mife I made you to he your Friendj and to tell you plainly I Jhall find a way to puniJJj juch a Man as you are^ who has the Boldnefs and Malice to fet all T4. the $So The Secret HijlcYy ],.the Royal family in a Flame *, you owe your Fortune and dignities to the Queen^ my Mothr, and if7fiead of the Gratitude of a good and faithful Servant^ you are become the greatefi of her Perfecutors ; you are . always blacken wg her to the King-, and are fo far from carrying your felf as you ought to tnc^ your In- folence is greater than ever \ J Jbou'd have chafiis'd it e'er ?ww had not your Friejihood hindered me^ but know th^t your Character Jl)dl not hereafter defend you from the Vunifliment due to the Injuries and \^ffrorts committed againfi a Ferfort cf my Rank. This Speech was accompany'd with all the out ward Maiks of Indignation and Revenge in both C aft on and his Attendants. The Cardinal was as one Thunder (truck, trembled as it he had an Ague upon hiiD^ and hardly a word to fay for him- « (elf. Very glad was he when he faw Gafton and his , Followers fairly out of his Houfe, and his Terrors were foon turned into fentiments of Vengeance* Gajion returned the fame Day, the i ft. of February 1^51^ to Orleans^ and Richlieu fen t an Exprefs to VnfailleSy to prefs tlie King to come to the Louvre, '" Lewis upon notice of his Brother's Retreat, haflen'd to Paris J alighted out of his Coach at the Cardi- sial's, anci embracing him, faid, Fear nothing^ Iwillbe y9ur Second again ff dll the iVorld^ not excepting my Brother^ my Honour is concerned ; what e%'er theywoud do to you J I pjall look upon as defignd agamft my ^;felf and will be revenged for it. He then went to ^' the Qiieeii Mother, who protefied fhe knew no- thing of the Duke of Orleans's Retreat ^ whereas in Truth 'twas done in concert with her, and fhf iiad given him her Jewels to fupport him in cafe pfNeceility. • The Cardinal was much given to Judicial Aftro- logy, bnt Mary de A wou*d not be remov'd but by Force *, the Duke of Orleans was in motion, and fhe refolv'd to be as Kear Paris and him as pofTiblc. The Orleannois de- ' ' clar^ ef F R A N C E; 295 xhr'A for Cajiony and the Marquis de la Feuaflide rais'd Men for him in Poi^ou^ Normandy^ Maynt^ and other Places. The People fond of Novelties^ and opprefs'd with Taxes, cry'd, Long Live Mon- fieur and Liberty, A Cry that will no more be heard in France, Monfieur's Friends gave out to render him Popular, that 'twas his Pity of the Peoples heavy • burthens, and for their eafe that he demanded Re- drefs and a Reformation of State Abufes. In the Manifefto that Cafion publifh'd, we may (ee what a deplorable Condition France was then in^ and when has it fince been in a better f The third Part of your Suhje^s^ fays he to his Brother I^wis^ do not eat Bread in the Country'^ fome of *em live upon OateSy others dye of Hmger^cr feed on nothing but Herbs and what the Beafis feed upon^ thofe of *em that are Lefs to he pityd^ are fed with the Blood they rake out of the Kennels of the Shamble s-, having infevc- ral Places fee?j thefe Wretches with my own Eyes, Puylaurens and L^ Coigntux advis'd the Duke of Orleans to retire to Burgundy.^ where tlie Governor, the Duke de Belligarde^ v/as ready to receive him. The Marefchal de Totras being on his way to Italy to Command the Forces there, was invited by Gafion to give him a Vifit at Orleans^ the Marefchal lent the Letter unopen'd to the King. Richlieu was not Idle on his Part, perfwaded his Mafter to follow the Duke with all Diligence, to oblige him to fly the Kingdom, or fubmit to whatever Conditions ffiou'd be imposed on him. The King march'd to- wards Orleans^ and Monfieur retired to Burgundyy Lewis purfu'd him ^ and in the end the Duke of Orleans was forc'd to retire into Lorrain, Inve- ftives were publilh'd on both fides, the Minifter keeping BaUac^ and other Pens in Pay to write for him upon all occafions, to Anfwer anything that came outagainft him,andRight or Wrong to blacken his Enemies with the very Crimes that were laid to his Charge. The Truth is the Qiiarrel between Monfieur and his Brother was not fo much Perfonal as it was Political. \{ Puylaurens and Le Coigneux had been fatisfy'd, the two Royal Brothers had never fal'a a^6 Thfi Secret Hifiory^ fal'n out ; if Richheu haok on them as their Property, to he u5*d as con- liiis with their PaiTions and Int??re(ls. The King Vvas 1/ F R A N C E. 2§7 was not content with the Declaration publilh'd a- gainft the Duke of Orleans'% Friends by the Par- liament of Djon^ he wou*d have it regifter'd and verify'd by the Parliament of Paris^ but thofe Ma- giftratcs were not eafily brought to CondAiil! Men unheard ; three of the PrefidentsC^tef^F^r/fcand Laifrjcy talk'd boldly againft it, fuggefling ^twa^ done at the Inftigation of a Minifter who abus'ct the- Name of the King to revenge his own private Quarrels. On the other Hand, Roger^ the Duke o{ Orleans's Advocate, prefented a Petition to the Parliament in the Name of Gallon j charging Rich- lieu with feveral high Crimes which the Duke of- fered to prove. Roger was threatened with a Prlfon for prefenting it, and Lewis order'd in Council, that the Petition fhou'd be fupprefs'd as Scandalous and ' contrary to the Kings Service^ the Peace of his Suhje^s, and the fafety of the State. The Parlia- ment coming to the Vote about the Verification of the King's Edi£l, the Voices were equal, which made a Negative. The King enrag'd at that at- tempt upon his Authority Royal, in daring to re- fufe what he had commanded to be verify 'd. order*d the Affembly to come to the Louvre a Foot, to make their Submiffion, and tear the Arret out of their Books, which gave the Negative to the Veri- fication of his Edidl. The People crouded to fee that once liluflrious Body maithing along like fo many Criminals Two and Two, with their (quare Gaps on their Heads, going to receive the laft mor- tal Blow, which an Arrogant Minifter was to give to what remain^d of the Liberties of the moft Au- guft Tribunal in France. The Magift rates were condu£led into the Gal- lery of the Louvre^ where Lewis fat on his Throne Surrounded by the Count de Soijfons^ the Cardinals de la Valette and de Rtchlieuy the Dukes de Nemours y Angoulemej Longueville^ Montmerency^ Chevreufe,<^vid the Marefchals de Crequi^ de Schomberg^ de St. LuCy and de Ejjiat, The Magiftratcs were oblig'dto Kneel, and after having been feverely Repremanded by Chateauneuf^ Keeper of the "Seals, he tore their 288 The Secret Hipry their Arret in Pieces and they were ordered to Regl- fter that of the Parliament of Dijon. The Prefidents Galant^ Barillotj, and Leifnie were fufpended and banifh'd into feveral Protinces. After this notable Exploit, ^his Glorious Victory over the Rights of the Supream Court of Judicature o^ France ^LeniS feeing one of his Penfioners by, who was writing his Life, he went up to him, and clapping his Hand on his Shoulder, faid. Don't forget to put nhat yoH have feen in your Hiflory *, as if it was a Glory that deferv'd to be Immortal to fupprefs the Liberty of the Parliament, to whofe Charge he cou'd lay nothing but that they vindicated the Reputation of his Brother. Talon^ the Advocate Genera', moil humbly befeeching his Majefty in behalf of the Three beforemention'd Magiftrates, promifing that I^ereafter they wou*d behave themfelvcs with the Obedience of which the AfTembly had always made Profeflion. Lewis took him up fhort, iaying, Don^t tell me of your Obedience^ if I woud have any one learn that Virtue^ I wov*d put him into a Company of my Guardsy and net fend him to the Parliament , give me half a DoT^en of thofe young Counfellors who tak'd fo loudly J Fll place them among my Musketers^ ril warrant you they Jhall fooner learn Obedience than in a Court of Inquefts. Such was the Obe- dience the French were to make a Virtue of, theObe- dience of Soldiers : A rare Virtue. Thofe that wou'd learn it, had beft ^o to France ^ the BritiJJ) Obe- dience as Paffive as it is, is not yet fo much a Vir- tue. Richlieu having thus mortify 'd and filenc'd the parliament, to leffen the Odmm of it, got the King to recal the Three Prefidents from their Banilh- ment. The Court of Aids at the fame time, made a fhew of withftanding the Violences of Richlieu*s Tyranny, and when the Count de Soiffons brought them feveral Money Edifts to be verify'd, that Prince having fent word to the Ma gift rates, that he wou'd be there at fuch an Hour, they ail went out of the Court, and he found nor one Body there, either to receive him or hear him. The Cardinal prefently repreferted of F R A N C E. ^B4 ieprefents it as an Attempt againft the Authority iloyal, and they were all Sufpended at once. The lofs cf their Places render'd them lefs fenfible of the lofs of their Liberties^ they made their moil hum- ble Submifliori to the Cardinal, and after much SoUicitatiorj and Mediation, they were reflor'd to. the Exercife of their Offices. The flruggles of the freftch to fave their Expiring Liberty were weak. They had not Couirage enough to refift the Tyranny of the Minifter, and their Pofts were dearer to them than that Precious Freedom^ which makes Riches a Bleffing. While the Duke of Orleans remain'd in Lorraine^ the King order'd his Revenues in France to 1)6 leiz'd« Upon thi^ Gafton writes him a Letter full of Refentment, which not daring to fend by an Exprefs for fear he fhou*d be arrefled as a Gen- tleman had already been coming on that Errand, lie enclosed it in one to the Parliament of Faris^ and d^Q^ivd him to deliver it, but the Magiftrate^ vvou'd not open the Packet. In the Letter cT^y?*??^ wrote the King, he amply fet forth the Methods taken by Richlieu to ufurp the Power of the An- tient Aiayors of the Pallace •, how he abus'd his Ma^ jefty's Name and Authority, how he mifreprefented the Actions of tbe King's faithful Subjeds, and! put none but his Creatures into Places of Truft and Profit ^ in a word, his Reprefentition of Rich' lieu, sgrees exaftly with the Character of all vyicked JVliniftcrs *, and the Anfwer Lewis returned to his Letter, is what one fhali commonly meet with frotn fuch as are in high Favour in Arbitrary Govern-; meilts. '77x me^ fiiys the King, you attack and not, ■my A^ini^hrs, T'hefe AianifeHos are done with m ill Intent. Such iJjingsare commonly made vje of to weaken the Authority of the Soveraign^ to decry Princes un-,. der Pretence of Exclaiming againft Mini^lrers. I know the Qualifications of thofe that ferve me^ and mide-i 11 Mid '>riy Affairs better than thofi that trouble themfeives to talk of them. It isnotforyouyorthof^^ about youy to ce?ifure my Anions, or the Anions of Pny M'niifersi Who can read this With-it!: k-tiH- 590 The Secret; Hiftory ing the Felicity of France^ where neither the King nor his Minifters can err^ where the |Monarch is more Infallible than the Pope ? For ii it was pof- fible for him or his Favourites to commit Errors, the Brother of the King, the Heir Prefumptive to the Crown, might certainly cenfure them as he is fo nearly concerned in the Interefts of the State, Lewis goes on with that Imperial Air which Dif- potick Princes fo much Delight in. Tou have no pGVper ever my ASmfierSy but J have a right to Chaftinie your bomeJiicksvAoe^i they do ill'^ my Coufm the Ctirdi?ial de Richlieu has on all occafms fervd tne with fo much Courage and Fidelity^ his Counjells have been fo advantageous and fo ufeful to me^ that I ought to Tefiifie to all the World the entire Satis- faUion I have tn the fignal Services he has rendered me-i and every Day contmuts to render to my Perjon and the State, The good Cardinal himfelf is mak- ing his own Panegyrick, and putting it into the Mouth of his Mailer, Such Kings as Lewis was, will not only be flatter'd themfelves, they take Plea- fure in the Flattery beftow'd on their Minifters, and are tliemfelves fometimes the bafeft of Flat- terers with refpe^l to their Favourites. Is not what follows of this curious Piece as Ridiculous as a Thing can well be ? I Jhoud -not deferve the Sur- name of juft, // / did not acknowledge his Services^ and ififiead of repenting of what I have done for him^ did not give him new A« had heard ofaCon- fpiracy of the Lords of that Country, to throw off the Spanifi Yoke after the Death of Ifahella^ or whe- ther he imagin'd the Dean, who was difgufled at his having been refus'd the Biihoprick of Namure^ wou'd be a proper Perfon to (et fuch a Plot on Foot, he had unufual Honours paid him at the Court of France. He was fo Carefs'd by the Miniller^ and fo Magnificently entertained, that Rkhlleu made him liis Friend, and by Promises and Prefents engag'd him to rgive him Intelligence of wh.iteyer paft in the Netherla?ids^ in the Cour^t of Ifabeilt^ or that of Mary de Medkis^ whofe Fftate, Dower and Goods were feiz'd:i and all that Ihou'd go. to her or her Son Gajio^?^ dechir'd Guilty 1 of High Treafon, it being the ufual Practice of Ty- II 4. tannicjK ^9^ ^he Secret Hijlory rannick Minifters, to call every thing High Trea- fon which aims at putting an end to their Tyranny, and rhe Forfeitures they levy by it, are the (weeteft part of the Vengeance they take on their OpponentSo To be very Rich, with fuch Men, is the fureft way to be Criminal, and no Grimes turn fo well to tiieir Account as High Treafon. That Life is one cf the Forfeitures fignifies nothing. Th^ Richliens mA Ma- zarines imitating their great Mafter Matchiavel^ never boggled at any means, however faoguinary and unlawful, to rid themfelves of thofe they fear'd. The Cardinal de Rkhlieu having driven the King's Mother and Brother out of the Kingdom, to fhew bow little he was apprehenfive of their being able to do him a Mifchief, procur d Letters Patents to cre£l the little Lordfhip of Rkhlieu into a Dutchy and Peerage, affeding to be call'd the Cardinal Dule, as was the Duke of Lerma^ Favourite o{ Philip the Hid. of Spain. This Man, the vainefl: Creature a- live, went accompany*d by the Prince of Conde^ the Dukes de Montmerencyy de Chevreufe^ de Mont' haz^on^ de Retz^ de Crequij de Ventadour^ the Mare- fchals de Fitryy £ Etrees^ d' Efiat, and other Lords, to take his Teat in Parliament, yet fo over Modeft was he, that he wou*d not enter the Hall by the Great Door where the Croud waited for his En- trance, nor wou'd he be prais'd according to Cu- fioni by the Perfon who prefented his Letters Pa- tents, contenting himfelf with his Eulogy drawn up at large in the Preamble and fign'd by the King, which was read to the AiTembly. But tho' he went in at the little Door, he took Precedence of the .Duke de Montmerency and all other Dukes who bafely yeilded itto him, notwithftanding tht Roman Purple gave the Cardinal no Rank in Parliament.' I have already mention'd a Pra£Vice begun in this Reign to ereft Tribunals, on purpofe to Try and pondemn fuch as the Court had a mind to take off, Rkhlieu and the Minifters wou'd not truft to tiie Juftice of the Parliament of Parts^ who were the proper Judges of State Criminals.^ Commif- Caries were appointed by tiie Caurt, and pack'd Tfibunais of V K AN CE. 297 Tribunals fct up to deprive the Enemies of the Favourite of their Eftates, Liberties and^ Lives. The Cardinal to cajole the Parliament, nam'd fome of their Members to be of th« Chamber of Juftice, which he was about to ereft to proceed againft the Followers of Mary de Medicls and the Duke of Orleans, but the AfTembly rais'd Difficulties when their Commiflion was offer'd for Verification, in- fifting that all the Members fhou'd be of their Body. The Cardinal wou'd not hear of if, they then defir'd only the Deputy of the ProUor Gemral^^nd the Regifter might be of the new Chamber, which Kichlieu wou'd not confent to, becaufe their Pro- ceedings wou'd then be liable to be examin'd by Parliament, the Regifter having enter'd them regularly, according to the Cuftom of that Court. This wou'd not anfwer the Ends of the Minifter, which was to procure the Condemnation of the Perfons accus'd on any or no Proof, and not to fuffsr the re-hearingof the Procefson any Pretence what- foever. Thus were the greateft Lords of France de- prived of their Pofts and Eftates, and their Lives had alio been a Sacrifice to Jiichli&u's Ambition, cou'd he have got their Perfons in his Power. D^zval^ the Aftrologer beforemention'd, was fent to the Galleys, as was alfo Senelle^ another fuch Conjurer as himfelf ; the Duke de Roannez,^ the Marquis de Vieuville, and the Countefs du Fargh^ were con- demned to be beheaded in Effigy. The Eftates of the Duke de RoanneZy the Duke 2* Elbeu}\ the Diikv- de Bellegarde. the Count de Moret^ the King*sNct- tural Brother, the Countefs his Mother, the" Mar- quis de Boijfij the Marquis de Fieuvll'e^ the Marquis de Sourdeac, and tlie Prefident Le Coigneux . were Conhfcated. The fweec Revenge of aU Men ir» power who are infenfible of Gratitude and Humanity, and are bounded by no Laws, Humane or Divine, but juftify all their Anions by the Authority Roy- al. When the Marquis de Vttri alTairin d Conchiniy who firft introduc'd Rkhlieu to Courts he was hated by him as an ill wilier to his Mlftrefs tiie Queen Regent. Now he isbelov'd for the very fameKea- "'<-'•' ' ion ^98 The Secret Htfiory fon, and has the Government of Proveme given him, on no other Account, but that he was a Perfon who had fo far difbblig*d the Queen Mother, that they were fure he woS'd Hcver be forgiven by her. The Parliament of Taris had the Courage to make one attempt more for the Prefervation of their Rights and Privileges, and when the Court was at Metz.y following the Duke of Orleans in Lorrain^ tiiey put out an Arret to remonftrate to the King a- gainft the erefting of the Chamber of Juftice, and to forbid the latter to fit. The Cardinal, inftead of hearkening to their Remonflrances, got the King to fend for the Magiftratcs who had fign'd the Arret as far as Lorrain^ to An{\ver for their Difo- bedience. Accordingly the Poor Prefidents and Counfellors poft away in the midft of Winter to Metz,y where they attended a long time before they cou'd procure Audience. When they had that Honour, Lewis told them with a fevere Tone, He woiid for that time forgive them^ hut if ever they fioud offend fo again they Jhou^d dearly pay fort ^ that he lov'd his People better than thevy and coud tell better how to provide for the Glory aitd deputa- tion of his Crown, He forbad them for the future to meddle with any Matters but thofe of Meum and Tuum^ The Prefident de BelUevre faying they were bred up in a good School, and well inftru6led in the Duties of Obedience and Fidelity to his Ma- jefty, the King took him up faying, Tou do not then very well remember the Le jf on s you learnt there. And all they cou'd lay, cou'd not hinder their being oblig'd to dance after the Court till its return xo St. Germans en Laie. During thefe violent Proceedings a2,ainfl: the Fol- lowers of A<[ary de Me die is and Gafion^ the latter was bufy'd in Lorrain m proiecuting his Marriage with the Piincefs Margaret^ Sifter to that Duke, and railing Men and Money to invade France But tho' he marry 'd that Princefs privately, all his other Proicif^ncame^ to nothing, occafion'd as much by the Mifunderftandings in his Family, as by the Arti- fices and Power of Rtchlteu. The Prefident Le Coigneux Mary de Me diets who had been mightily earneft for her Son Gafion% Marriage with the Princefs of Lorrain^ was flill more exafperated a- gainft Richlieu for his ravifhing part of Duke Charles s Territories from him, at a time when fhe had en- tered into foclofe an Alliance with him. She again wrote a Letter to the King to demand Juftice againft the Cardinal ; but what cou'd fhe expert of Lewis, who had order *d the Efiates and Goods of bis unfortunate Mother to be feiz'd, an inventory of her Moveables to be drawn, her Dome flicks to be imprifon'd, bani{h*d and condesnn'd, for High Treafon? The Cardinal had hir'd a parcel of mer- cenary Libellers to vilify his BenefaClrefs as the greateft Enemy to the Kina and Kingdom, and re- folv'd that no fuch MeiTage iliou'd be brought them for the future. Lewis, at the Intligation of Rich- lieu» told the MefTenger, that if ever fhe wrore STiy 3 00 The Secret Hijlor^ any thing againfl: the Cardinal, the Bearer of the Letter fhou'd be thrown into Prifon. And having oblig'd CW/ef the IVth, Duke of Lorral?7j to en. ter into a Difhonourablc Treaty with him, which was concluded before the King's return to St. Ger- tnans^ Gafion was forc'd to retire into the Low- Countries, wlierc the Arch-Dutchefs received him with as extraordinary Honours as fhc had fhewn his Mother, and entertained them at her own Ex- pence fuitable to their Royal Dignity. As foon as he arriv*d at Brujfels, Mary de Me diets and Gafion concerted Meafures for raifing Money and ftrengthening their Intereft. Dourchaut carry d their Jewels to Amlierdam to Pawn, and the Spani- ^^^^y glsid that they had the Prefumptive Heir of the Crown of France in their Hands, promis'd won- ders, in hopes to kindle a Civil War in that King- dom, and hinder the French fending Succours to the King of Sweden and the States. But the Superior Genius of Rkhlieu prefer v'd him, and eftablifh'd his Authority on the Ruins of all his Enemies, Gafion held a Correfpondence with VValleBein^the Imperial General, and the Cardinal did the fame with the King of Svpeden^ who was then at the Head of a Vidorious Army in Germany, The Swedljh Ambaflador, Count Horn, defir'd an Interview be- tween the Two Monarchs, which Kichlieu wou'd not confent to, appirehenfive that a King who fluttered, as did Lewis the XlUth, and whole Capacity was not extraordinary, wou'd expofe himfelf before one who talked Gracefully and Eloquently in feveral Languages as GuBavus Adolphcs did, whofc Genius was equal to his Ambition, and who had a Con- fummate Experience in Affairs both Political and Military. The Cardinal fent his Brother in-Law, the Marquis de Brez^e, to excufe this Interview as. handfomeiy as polTible, and being return'd to Pa-ris^ prefs'd the Marriage of his Neice Comhalet with the Pfmce de Sot (Jons (o far tliat the Prince yeilded to it, on Condition the King exprer>ly commanded it, and wou'd give it qnder his Hand that he de-- fni he iliouM marry her, as being for his Service and ^/FRANCE; 3Ci and the the good of the State. The Cardinal did not imagine his Mafter durft deny him, and fpoke ot it to the King, who anfwer'd him in general Terms. Rkhlieu renew'd his Inftances, and oblig'd his Friends who were about Levpis^ to infinuate to him every now and then, that fo Indefatigable a Minifter as was the Cardinal deferv^d that Favour. At lajfl tirM out with their Importunities he told them plainly, That he had ferwu/ly confiderd the Matter^ and coud not in Prudence confent to it *, that the Count de SoifTons had already a great Imereft on Account of his Rank and Alliances j and to give him the Cardinal*s Niece^ woud put him into a Condition to ajpire to any Things and render him as TowerfuL and perhaps more Powerful than himfelf ' The Prince of Conde, jealous of the Agrandiz.ing the Tounger Branch if his Family^ rvou'dfall in with the Malecon- tents, and none woud be left with the King but the County who wou^d both be kept in Perpetual alarm hy the Cardinal's Enemies, Richlieu thought fit to dii- femble his Chagrin on this Occahon, and anfwer'd in fubmifive and refpeftf ul Terms. Having mifs'd his aim in the Marriage of his Niece, he comforted himfelf with the Revenge he was about to take on his Enemies. The Marefchal de Marillac was the firft who felt the weight of it, he was removed from the Callle of St. Menehudy in Campaigner to that of Verdun^ where Faubecour^ a profefs'd Ene- my of his, commanded. Twas thought the Car- dinal wou'd have him try'd there, that being at fo great diftance from Paris^ he might not get his WitnefTes together. On this and other Accounts, the parliament pafs'd feveral Arrets in his Favour, ^N\l^c\^\Richlieu wou'd not fufFer to be executed. Com- miffionerswere appointed by him, and his Creatures to Try the Marefchal at Verdun^ but he refufing to Anfwer, they threatened to Condemn him as a Mute-, upon which, after he had protefted againfl tlie Injuftice done him, he pleaded to \6o Articles which were exhibited againfl him. The number of them was made fo great to render him the more Odious to the King, The Marefchal perceiving the Malice ^62 The Secret Hijlorj Malice and Power of hisEnemies wou'd deftroy him^ drew up a Petition which was carry'd to Court, but the Cardinal wou'd not fufFer it to be prefented to the King. The Marefchale his Lady, who follicited for him at the Louvre^ was order'd to leave Taris^ as were alfo his neareft Relations, to prevent his Majefty's being troubl'd with their Renionft ranees in his behalf. The Lady Marefchale apply'd to Richlieu^ who bad his People to tell her he cou'd not hear her without the King's exprefs Order. How indeed cou'd this Cruel and Inlolent Prieft give Audience to the mournful Wife of a Man he was about to Murder under the form of Juftice ? They had refus'd to let him have his Tryal accord- ing to due courfe of Law. Rkhlieus Enimies had tlic fame ufage, as will all the Enemies to Tyranny have under Arbitrary and Sanguinary Miniftersi They were taken off by Men pick'd on purpofe to do the Drudgery, luchaswere our Jury -Men, when the ShrifFs o^ London ^lo gain the Favour of the Court, made fare of fuch Men as wou'd ftick at nothing to take off fuch as an ill Miniftry had firfl doom'd to Deflradion.The Cardinal nam'd,foroneof the Com- ymiSxov.QX^ duChatelet xhQ profffs'd EioQmy ofMarillac^ Keeper of, the Seals, the Marefchal's Brother, againft whom he had written a virulent Satyr, and did not fparethe Marefchal in it. This Man's Name was Paul Hay^ and his Family which was of Bretagne^ pre- tended to be G^Xhn Scotch Family, Famous in former Daysj and likely to be as Famous in future Times, for what has happen'd and may happen in this Age. He had been aCommiffionerin other State Tryals, and was pro\j'd to have received ijoooLivres for a Bribe to bring Si Spaniard oS who was try'd in a Criminal Cafe. Marillac^ Keeper of the Seals, fuf- pendtrd him for his Corruption, he being a Coun- iellor in the ParliaRient of Paris^ and for this did du ChateUt bear the Two Brothers mortal Enmity. Having a Satirycal Pen, he fell upon them with Libels which he read to Richlieu^ w ho, like otlier fuch Miniiiers,. took delight in the Scandal brought him daily by Parafjtes i{nd Sycophants. He wrote I?/ F R A N C E. ^o j once againft a Prince, who hearing of it^ refolv'cl to have him cudgell'd to Death, but the Keeper of the Seals coming to the Knowledge of it^ fav'd Hm by his Mediation ^ yet the ungrateful Libeller continu'd his hatred to the Marillacs^ and his Lam- poons againft their Friends, not fparing the Car- dinal de Bervlle thtn living, and as for the Mare- fchal he painted him as a iVlan that deferv*d no lefs than to be hang'd. The Marefchal had therefore good Reafon to except againft him, and the Peo- ple clamoured fo much at the Injuftice of making his Enemy his Judge, that at laft he was ftruck out of the' Lift, as were feverai Counfellors of the ^ Parliament of Di]on^ who, tho* highly difgufted at him for Quartering his Soldiers upon them in his laft march to Italy^ yet cou'd they not be prevail'd with to Condemn him againft their Conlciences and a new fet of Commiilioners was appointed , the chief of which was Chatsamjeuf^ Keeper of the Seals, who had gotten them by the Difgrace of the Marefchal's Brother. Mary ds Medic is and Gafton, Duke o{ Orleatst^ fent every one of the Judges word, that they ftiou'd one Time or another be cali'd to a fevere Account for their Proceedings againft the Marefchal de Ma- rillac^ whofe only Crime was his having ferv'd them faithfully. G'^/?';//:7(7s Relations, pre/ling him, be faid angrily, / advife you to retire as the King hadyoui and now I commend you to do it. The Poor Gentle- men feeing there were no Hopes, returnM to Varis. whither the Marefchal was brought bound like a Common Criminal, and beheaded at Le Greve^xh^ Flice of Execution. The main Charge againft this jVlarefch \q\ frame was Peculation j a Crime which he feem'd to wonder how they cou'd imaMne a Man of his Rank cou'd be Guilty of, and 'twas generally thought, that the Mifapplications of the Soldiers Money laid to his Charge wefe without Foundation, at leaft, that they cou'd hardlv make it a. Mifdemeanoitr. To all the Articles that were brought agamft him when his Sentence was read, he made a brave Speech becoming, his Quality and Con- dition, but in the end he cou d not help crvin^j out feyei-al times, Peculdt Bo-a Dieu ! Ben Dieil Pectilat. . The Cardinal was not fatisfyM with the Blood of this Gentleman, he fet his Libellers to work t.'i blacken his Memory after his Death, and amonc? the reft, the M^wmsdu Chat e let before niention'd'^ who had Sworn before the King that he wasnot the Author of fhe Libel which had already been' fpoken of, and afterwards own d he was, for which he was fent to Prifon. To get out, he undertook to write a rmdicadon of the tryal of the Afare^ jchal deMarillac, for People talkM very freely up. on it, and it was the general Opinion that it was tiot manag'd as it ought to have been. The Injuftice of it refleaing upon the Cardinal he employed his Hirelings to abufe the Marefchal in .lis r^rave, and Poltron, Robber and Fathious were ip^ beft Terms they had for him. The Defen^ ders of ihQ Queen Moth^f on the Contrar^', fepre- lent him as a good Chriftian, a good Statelman, a ;t»ne GliUleman, and a great General. Ws dre not ^ farther 3o6 The Secret Hiftory farther concerned in his Chara£^er, than to (hew the Tyranny oiEichHeu in opprefling Men of Merit, and 'tis certain, that had the Marefchal liad lefs, the Cardinal wou'd not have been To jealous of his Rivalfhip, nor have gone out of the v^ay fo much to rid himfelf of a Competitor, vehich, as his Crea- ture fets him out, cou'd never have been a dange- rous one. Wiien the Queen Mother heard of the De^ith of Monfieur de Marillac^ (he v^as fo enrag'd, that (he threatened to ferve Richlieu in the fame Manner if ever it was in her Power, which her threatening him fo was one of tiie fureft ways to hinder. The Sacrifice of a Marefchal of France to the Vengeance of the Minifter, did not fo far difpirit the great Lords that they durft not think of means of delivering themfelves from the Slavery he was bringing upon them. The Province of Languedoc was highly difgufted at the lofs of their Privileges, and the Duke de Montmerency^ who had been en- gaged in the Interefts of Mary de Medicis and the Duke of Orleans^ by his Nephew the Biihop of j4lby^ knew how to improve that difgufl in their Favour. He was Governor of the Province, and retir'd to it in Difcontent, which encreas'd , for that Richlieu feem'd to difpife it, at leaft, not to think it deferv'd his giving himfelf much trouble about it, imagining no Body wou*d dare to oppofc his Tyranny, after they had been Witnefles of the fate of Marillac, The Duke de Montmerency had been a long time prepar'd for an Intrigue with Cafion^ and his Mother, by his Wife, a Princefs of the Houfe of Vrfins^ related to that of Medicis. But he did not enter deep into it, till after his re- turn to Languedoc^ and v/hen Gajion was at Brujfels, The ftrft Publick ftep he took, which (hew'd his Difcontent, was, his prefling the Court to re-cfta- blifh the States of LanguedoCy and the abolifhing the Elects ; Richlieu wou'd not confent to the lat- ter, and as to the former he did it with fuch Re- ftraint, that the States found themfelves re(ior*d to the Name, without any Authority but what the Court of fK A N CK J6f CcJurt pleased to allow them by their CommiilioherS, Who were always to aflift' at their Affemblies. After this Montmerency demanded the Office of Mare fchal General^ his Father and Grand-father ha- ving fucceflivelyheld that of Conflable, fupprefs'd on the Death of the Gonftable Lefdifiueres ^ he alfo demanded the Government of rhe City and Citadel of Mofttpellter. RichlUu evaded his demands, and in fuch a manner, that be faw lie was to expert nothing more than he had. An event had happen'd before he left the Court, which made him the more uneafy there, and the more wiUing to quit it. He had a Quarrel v/ith the Duke de Chevreufe j3iiid fern the Marqui? de Pra/lin to him, td defire they might come to an Eclair cijfementy Vrafl'in received a fatisfaftory Anfwer, but as he was going away, ^ Gentleman, belonging to the Duke, drew upon him, Chevreufe feeing it drew alfo, and the Duke de Mont- tnerency^ who was in fightj running to the Afli- ftance of Vrajlln, a Combat enfu'd, feveral Lords ran in to part them and their Seconds; The two Dukes were too great to be arrefted without th^ King's exprefs Order j the others were fent to the Guard, and thence to the BafkilU, The King was highly offended with the Dukes for fighting in his Houfe, and ordered Montmerency to retire tci Chamiliiy and Chevreufe to one of his f^foufes. Th^ Courtiers were, as ullial, divided on this Occafion, fome took tb« Part of Chevreufe^ others that of Montmerency:^ among the latter was the Duke z:/^ St. Simon, the Favourite, which the Dutchefs d& Chevreufe^ who fince her return to Court, vVas very much in the good Graces of the Cardinal, fo re- lented that, from that time ihe began to let Rich- lieu agAinft him, and his Difgrace was the Confer q.uence of it. For Lewis the Xlllth, was not, as has been faid, more Mafter of himfelf than of his Kmgdom, he wiil'd as he reign'd, as his Minifter wou'd have him ^ be lov'd and hated by Direaion,- not Choice, and Richtieu knew too well how to make Advaiitage of his VVeaknefs to the Deflruaiori ©f all that oppos'd him* ^ ^ Dtiring i^. 5o8 The Secret Htjlory During the Retreat of the Duke de Mont- jnerency at Chantiiu, he talk'd freely enough of Ricklieuj and his Friends perceiv'd that it wou'd end in a Rupture-, to prevent it, they fet forth his own Impotence and his Enemy's Power, and advis'd him to temporize. But when he was in La-aguedoCj the Bifhop of Alby^ who held a drift Correfpon- dence with Mary de Aledkis and Cafton at Bruffels^ found means to work up his Refentment to the pitch they defir'd. He reprefented to Ivni, that he was a PcrfoiJ of more Confideration in the King- dom than the Duke d' Epernon^ who, however, obligd tlie King to Sign a Declaration, that what he did for the Queen Mother was for the good of the State, What are you afraid of^ fa id the Bifhop, the Gentlemen and People cf the Province will de- clare for you ^ and fecond your Defigns\ the Succefs cf which will he the ryiore Glorious^ for that you will nt once deliver the Widow and Son of Henry the Great from the Oppreffion of a Almifier tiniverjally h'ltcd^ and detefied by all l-rance as the mosi un- grateful and wicked Wretch that ever was. What is this Italian Prelate doing ? Is he not Preaching Refiftance to a French Lord ? If to refift any one ill Authority under the Soveraign be a damnable Sin, as one. wou'd think it is by the 12th ai Car* Sec. what Damnation wou'd Delbene^ Bifhop of u4lby^ bring upon his Llnkle thefirft Chriftian Baron in Europe f Muff A'fontmerency take Arms,becaufe the Minifler will not make him Marcfehal General} Is there any Inftance of fuch daring in the Reign of the Son of Lewis the Xlllth / What wou'd become of a Duke, Peer and iViarefchal now, if he fhou'd offer to ftand on Terms in his Government? It was not fo bad with the French a Hundred Years ago^ they had not forgot that there was a Time when the French were Free, and did not imagine there wou'd ever come one, w^hen the very Name of Freedom fhou'd be a Te*ror to them. The Bifhop of Alby continuing his Conferences with Montme- rency^ wrote at lall to Gaslon that he did not def- pair of his declaring for him, if he cou*d enter France ofF RANGE. 309 France with a few Troops, only to be able to make a ftand againft the firft fhock of the King's. Tiie Duke of Orleans engag'd to enter France with 2000 Horfe, and that the Duke of Lorrain Hiou d make a Diverfion with 15000 Men. But the Irrefolution and Tnconfl-an- cy of tliat 1 rince was fuch, that it rpoil'd all the Pro- jeds which had the leali Ekpendance on him. Rkh- lleus Spies giving him Intelligence tint fomething was on the Anvil in Langnedoc to his Prejudice, he wrote to the Marquis des Foffex^^ Governor of Mont- pellier, of his own Head, and without the King's Knowledge, to fecure the Perfon of the Duke de Montmerency^ who came often to that City, and had fo many Friends there, that he got Intima- tion of the Orders des foj^ez. had receiv q from Richlieu^ which being known, the Gentlemen of the Neighbourhood came immediately and oiTer*d their Service to the Duke, and advis'd him to fecure the Marquis des Fofez^ and to make himfelf Mailer of the Citadel, the Garrifon of which was weak. But Montmerency had not then deter min'd to de- clare for GaBon^ and contented himfelf to accept of the Guard they brought him to Conduct him to his own Houfe, where he remain'd fometime in uncertainty. He fent the Captain of his Guards to Court to alTure Richlieu of his Fidelity •, but the Cardinal was too cunning to be imposdupon, and wrote to the Arch Bii'hop of Na-bonne to i^au- deronne, Intendant of the Province, and every one that was devoted to the Court to obferve and op- pofe him. Montmerency wou'd not have had the Duke of Orleans come fo foon as he did, he was not fo well provided to receive him as he wou'd have been, and befides, the time concerted for his entering Languedoc was not come. But the Duke of Lorrain^ who was bent upon breaking the fital Treaty he had made with Lewis^ which pu: Alar- faly his beft Town into the French King's Hands, preding GaBon to haften his Irruption, for that the French Army was coming down upon him, the Duke of i Orleans parted from Bri^pls, and fjiarch'd to Burgtmdy.^ accompany d by a Body of JC 3 Horfe ^10 The Secret Hijlory Horfe, He gave the Dake de Montmerency Notice of his Approach. The Duke was furpriz'd at Gafton^s Precipitation, and found himfelf further engag'd than he defir'd to be. His Friends advis'd him to difown the Proceedings of the Duke of Orleans^ who coming before the Time agreed upon, had broken that Agreement, and Montmereficy was dif- engagd from any Promife he had made him. But that Duke was too Generous to abandon a Young Prince, who, in Confidence of his Friendfhip, was lo far advanc'd in the Kingdom, and wou'd be at the Gardinars Mercy without his Afliflance, which he again promised him, and fet hmifelf to engage tlie States then AiTembled at PeT^enas^ to fecond him, faying to Soudheilles^ Captain of his Guards, as he went out of his Clofet, Dear Friend^ the Die is flung, *Tis too late Slr^ reply*d the Gentleman hear- tily griev'd at it, Tou have forgot vour True Inte- red^ and the Interejl of your friends and Servants, *J}jirj\^ at ieafty that you are going to rum a Province that has always lov'd you^ and been belovd by you, "Twill bee one a Trey to Trvo or Three Armies, that will on all Sides Ravage it. Are not you afraid of \peing one Day reproached for all the Aiiferies which you will infallibly raife to Languedoc. The Duke Teem'd to be a little touch'd at what his Faithful Servant faid, but flattering himfelf that no Honcft Man cou'd blame his Undertaking, to deliver the King's Mother and Brother from the Perfecution of a Revengeful Minifter, it did not alter his Re- folution *, in the Profecution of which, he caus'd the Perfons of the Arch Bifhop of Narbon?iej of the King's CommifTaries Hemeri and Miron ^ and of the IntemdRm Lauder onney to be fecur'd. The States of the Province, not fo well convinced of the Do- £lrine of Pajfive Obedience^ as they ha¥e been fince they have not had the Power to Refift, wiade a fort of Declaration, wherein they defir'd him To Vnite his Jnterefis ir'feparably from thofe of the Province^ as they in like manner will }oyn theirs with hisy to the end that both might a[i together for the King's dsrvicfp and the Wdfars ^nd £afi of the Province. There ^/FRANCE. gii There are (b many curious and moving PafTages in the Story of this Gentleman, Monlieur de Momme- rensyy the Richeft, and mod Noble Lord in France y and it fo well fhews us of what Severe and Inexora;- ble Tempers were Lewis and his Minifters, that the Reader will not be difpleas'd with the Detail of it ^ which, however, (hall be (hortcn'd in proportion to the other Parts of this Hiftory. Before the Cardinal wou'd let the King march againfl his Brother, that there might be no Diver- iion on the Side of Lorrain^ he put him upon an Expedition which reduced that poor Duke toa worle Condition than the former Treaty *, for having im» mediately taken Three or Four Towns, and threat- ning to Inveft Nanci^ the Capitol, the Duke was forc'd to beg a Peace, which he procured by the hard Terms of delivering up Stenai and Jametz.^ Twoofhisbeft Places, *s silib Clermont in Tor gone. That he fhou'd give Free Paflage through his Coun- try to the Troops of France^ joyn his own to the King's, and renounce all Treaties and Engagements with Mary de Me diets ^ Gafton^ or any of his Ma- jefty's Enemies ; which Charles promifing to do, the Three or Four little Towns which Levfis had taken, were reftor'd to him, and the King turn'd his Arms againft the Duke ot Orleans and Montme- rency. The former, who had enter'd B-ance at the Head of 2000 German^ Spanijf)^ Flemijf)-, and French Horfe, found the Country in no difpofition to aflift him. The Towns Ihut their Gates againft him wherever he came : The French, intimidated by the Cruelty and Authority of ^/c^//fM, were afraid to look on Liberty when he offer*d it to them, or at leaft were afraid he had it no more at his Heart than his Brother, however 'twas in his Mouth. Two Falfe Steps in the beginning of their Enterprize contributed very much to the Ruin of it, and thofc were the Duke de Montmerencys negle£^ing to pof- fefs himfelfof the Cities of ^c^^fp^/^Vr and Narhonne^ and giving his Enemies Time fo to ftrengthen their Garrifons, that he durft not afterwards attempt it. "VVhen Monlieur arriv*d in Lan^uedoc^ he brought X ^ not gi2 The Secret Hifiory nor Money enough for his Subfiftance, and the Duke de Montmerency^ who had 500000 Livres in his Treaiurer's Hands at Pans^ had not taken Care to have it returned to him, by which means Rkhlleii came to the Knowledge of it, and feiz'd it. The Duke d' Epernon^ Governour of Guyeme^ and very powerful in the Neighbouring Provinces, feveral of which he had formerly been Governour of, was Momm^rencyh Friend, and not very well with the Court, yet he omitted to found him, X\[\d! Epernon faw the Afiair was too defperate, and refus'd to embark in it. There happened a PafiTage between the Dukes de I^fdifguleres ^nd Montmerency^ which will explain to us further what was the Obedience the Lords of France were difpos'd to pra£\ife in this Reign. The latter fending a Gentleman to Complement the DukQde LefdlfgulereSj on his having the ConftaMe's Staff, that Officer, who had a particular refpe£l for MontmereficyjdQmRndQd how it went with him, and 'the Gentleman making anfwer, Things wem as well as coud be expsBed with a Toung Lord^ Magnificent and Liberal^ ador d in Languedoc, and in Favour at Court, Thats very welly reply*d the Old Soldier, But I wifihim better fi ill ^ pray tell him from me^ that he Jhoud from Twie to Time refis5i on the Creatmfs tf hts_ Birthy his Perfonal Qualities^ and the Pojls he pcffefj^s. Fie will then findlt difficcvlty withfo many j4dv.zntages^ to avoid the Envy of Courtiers^ and the Jealoufy of Favourites. I experienced it in the Progrefs of my Fortune The heji Precaution a Man of his Quality can tale^ is never to be fur prized in his Go* Vernmcnty cr slfewhere^ but always to have wherewith to Arm I coco Men^ and 200000 Crowns in his Cof- fers., which IS very eajy for him to dsj he is Rich fnough. Tell him alfo^ if you will^ that befides this^ jpe Jjjou^d get as many Places and Governments as he can, either by Money or Favour^ and efpecially Pont St. Efprit. Such a Reputation as thts^ thd* not exaEily True^ got me more Confideraticn at Conn, and amongji thofe that envyd my Fortune ^ tha2J all the ^^ions J am now flatter d upon. Montmerency haU 0/ F R A N C E. 31J neither 200000 Crowns in his Coffers, nor where- with to Arm 1 0000 Men, nor any Places of confi- derable Strength, and Gafton brought him few Troops and no Money *, Meafures fo ill concerted werd not likely to fucceed, Orleam fent the Count du Fargi^-, who Tided with him, to Spain^ to Negotiate Matters at that Court. He was follow'd by tiie Famous Voiture^ a Domeftick o{Gafton\ themoA Celebra- ted Wit of his Time : His Letters are to this Day, the Standard of Gallantry and Politenefs, fmall Allowances being made for the Alteration in the Language and Manners. But notwithftanding his Politenefs and Gallantry, he got nothing but good Words from the Count Duke d' Olharez^j who then Govern d Spai?2. The King ordered the Marefchals de la Force and Schomherg^ to march before him to- wards Lnnguedoc, and enter the Province two fe- veral ways, to weaken Orleans's Army, by obliging him to divide. The Vifcount de la Strange^ who was raifing a Regiment for him, being taken, was Condemn'd to Death by the Intendant, and Beheaded, notwithftanding the Remonftrances and Threats of Gajion, who was foon reduced himfelf to the Necef- fity of accepting the Conditions that 'jvere offer d him. The Marefchal de Schomberg having laid Siege to St. Felix^ a fmall Place poffcfs'd by the Duke de MoYHnierency, the Dukc, who was brave to a Fault, reiblv'd to relieve it. The Two Armies engag'd at Cajielnaudai ^ that of the Dukes of Orleans and Montmerency^ animated by Montmerencfs Example, at fir ft had fo much the better of the King's, that turning to the Duke of Orleans^ he faid. The Day^ Monfieur^ is your own, you will Triumph over all your Enemies^ and re^unite the Mother and the Son^ mean- ing the King and Mary de Medids, But Fortune in a very little while declar'd for the other Side : The Superiority of Numbers, and their Experience prevail d, and the Army of the Two Dukes wasnat only routed, but Montmerency wounded, and taken Prifoner. The Duke of Orleans retiring to Bez^iereSj and being furrounded by the King's Forces, the In- Jiabitantiof Languedoc throwing doy/n their Arms 514 The Secret Hijfory and the Town throwing open their Gates, on Pro- jnife of Pardon, Gafton accepted the Conditions that Bullion^ Counfellor of State, and the Cardinal's Crea- ture, wasorder'd to make him. Accordingly, after a little wrangling on both Sides, the Treaty was S}gn*d the 29th of September^ ^6^2^ andnoProvi- fion made for the Safety of Monfieur de Momme- rency^ who had To generoufly ventur'd his Life and large Fortune, in the Service of his Royal High- nels and the Queen Mother. Nay, very few of his Followers were taken care of ; the Duke de Belle- garde^ the Prefident Le Coigneux and Monfigoty were forbidden to follow him to Tours^ where lie was per- mitted to refide •, and the Duke d* Elheuf with much ado, got the Liberty to retire to one of his Country Seats. Gafion difmifs'd his Foreign Troops, having pawn*d his Plate to pay them, and his fr^c/? Soldiers Disbanded of themfelves. Two Days after the Treaty was Sign'd, the Duke of Orleans went to Tours^ having left a Letter for RichUeu^ wherein he difown'd the Manifefto he put forth when heenter'd the Kingdom, declaring 'twas written without his JCnowledge. That is not all, he proteftcd he never had an Efteem for the Cardinal's Eminent Virtues, and Important Services, even when he was moft Angry with him. A Meannefs one wou'd hardly have thought the Son of Henry the Great cou'd be Guilty of*, but be confefs'd afterwards, he did it on- ly to iave the Duke de Montmerency^ and that never Trine e of his Birth^ fell m» futh a State of DejeElion 4S he then did, Lewis held the Aflembly of the States of Langtie- docy and after Chatea^weuf had feverely reprimand- ed them for the fhare they had in the late Rebellion, the King's Clemency in pardoning them was exagge- rated, and his Royal Goodnefs, in Re eftablilhing their Privileges, and fupprefling the Ele^ls, at a time when they had fo ill deferv'd it. The Truth was, the Court thought fit to humour them in things which they cou'd eafily recal afterwards, that the Death of the Duke de Montmerency might not occa- fion new Troubles, For that Duke was ej^treamly well ^/FRANCE. 31$ well beloved all over France, and cfpecially in Lan^ ^uedocy of which he was Governor. To be belov*d, and ro deferve it, is a Terrible Crime, when fuch Minifters fo haughty and hated a^ Richlieu^ are in Authority. They envy that AfFeftion of the People, which they feem to difpife more than others envy their Power, and will let no Opportunity flip of deftroying them. The Virtue of ^me of Auftria^ Mother to Lewis the XlVth, was not (o much queftion'd by them, as by jLfTp/j her Husband, whofe Jealoufy the Cardinal was always increafing by his Calumnies and Mifre- prefentations. It happened, that the Duke de Mont- merency had that Queen's Picture in a Bracelet of Diamonds round his Arm when he was taken, which being told Richlieu, he prefcntly acquainted the King with it, and gave it the worft Turn he cou'd, to render him inflexible to the Petitions he expe^ed wou'd be prefented him, in behalf of that Unfortu- nate Duke, who Wounded as he was, and not fure of recovering, was to be Sacrifis*d to the Cardinal's Revenge. Several Lords of the King's Council, try'd todifpofe him to Mercy, but Rkhlieus Council prevail'd againfl all of them. Twas no hard mat- ter to make out his Procefs, he had treated with Spain and was taken in Arms, wherefore Lewis declar'd he wou'd follow his Father's Example, in the Affair of the Marefchal de Biron^ and prevent the Rebellion of the Great Lords for the future, by the Exemplary V\imihn\tx\to^ Montmerency, He of himfelf inclina to Severity, and the Cardinal never let him learn any Leflbns of Clemency and Humanity. Gaflon hear- ing the Duke was order 'd to Tovloufe^ in order to his Procefs, fent Faupot^ one of his Gentlemen, to the King, to demand his Pardon, in the Name oi the Duke of Orleans his Mailer, f^aupot threw himfelf thrice at the King's Feet; to implore his Mercy for Monfieur de Momweremy, but he cou'd only get an Anfwer in general Terms. The next who came to interceed for him, was the Duke d" Angouleme'% Secretary, who w^s order'd to apply fait^ifelf ftri) to the Cardinal, whp reply'd flernly^ What » J 1 6 The Secret Hijlory Why does Movfiewr d' Angouleme meddle with this fatter f This is an Affair of State^ and not a Fa- mily Affair, The Count d' Aletz.^ the Duke d* Angouleme'% Son, and the Duke de Retz^^ prefented the Seretary to the King, and feconded his Inflances*, J)ut Richlieu prevented their Endeavours having any good efFed, telling them plainly, Aionfieur de Montmerency was become infupportahle and fo En- 'uiouSy that he cou*d not endure to fee any Body a- bove him. The Old Duke d* Epernon came from Guyenne to Touloufe^ to SoUicite in behalf of his Friend the Duke de Aiontmerency^ he fell down upon his Knees, and was beginning a io ng Speech, which he ended after his Majefty had rais'd him. The King did not feem to be at all fenfible of any Thing he faid to him, fo he beg*d leave to re- turn to Guyenne, Ayj with all my Hearty faysLfir/j, f Jhall not fiay hers long tny jelf D* Epernon was very much affli(^ed for the Misfortunes of his Friend, and went ftrait to the Princefs of Cunde^ A^ontmerency\ Sifter, who WdS at her Houfe near Touloufe^ whither fhe had come with all Diligence to mediate for ht^r Brother. But the King forbid her to come to Court while he ftay'd at Jouloufe^ fo fhe was forc'd to SoIIicite by the Interpofition of others. Cardinal Richlieu had been toVifither, and was coming out of her Koufe as the Duke d* Epernon came in. The Cardinal, as great a Comedian as ever was, a^led a Part then which made every Body laugh, as much as they were troubled for the Duke de Montmerency. A Gentleman fent privately by Rich- lieu^ made as if he was in queft of a Friend of his at Clunel^ fo the Princef^'s Houfe was call'd, and ifearch'd it very narrowly before Richllcu came thither. As he alighted out of his Coach, he cafl his Eyes about as if he was in great dilquiet and afraid of AfTalTms lying in wait for him f> at lafi: he went in, accompany'd by Bullior^r^^ Confident, and going dire?, and after his Death, with VV^/Ze-y??/??, then in a Confpiracy to ravifh part oftheEmpire from his Mafter, the German Emperor, and to lay the Foun- dation of a New Kingdom. Lewis fxx^^^Xfdi Guftavus with Money, and when afterwards upon his Death, the Germans began to recover their lofl Ground. Kkhlkiij as zealous a Catholick as he was. enter'd Y int^ 322 The Secret Hijtory into Negotiations with the Prot«ftant Princes of Germany^ to fupport them by the Afliflance of the French and the Swedes^ but on Condition that^/- face was put into Lewis's Hands to extend the Fron. tiers q{ France on that fide-, and on the fide of Flanders^ he at the fame time proposed a Divifion of the Netherlands^ between the* French and the Dutch, in Confideration of Lewises declaring War again ft Spain, The Conqueft of Roufillon was to make the Pirenees the Bounds of France towards Spain J and the Acquifition of Pigneroi open*d a Door for her to invade Italy at Pleafure. If Richlieu did not form a Projeft for the Univerfal Monarchy, he thought at leaft of extending the Dominion of Fratice as far as was that of the Ancient Gaules, He was often heard to talk of Annexing all the Teritories that had been fubjeft to them to the Crown. A Thoufand Years PofTeffion were not enough to give any Prince a Right, tho' the French had the leaft Pretence of any to a Divine one by Defcent, the Houfe of Lorrain being the Eider Branch of that of France. How far he might then have carry'd his Ambi- tious Defigns, if he had not been embroil'd with Domeftick Affairs, by means of the Queen Mother, and the Duke of Orleans^ one may imagine by the Succefs of thofe that have profecuted them fince, for 'twas on Richlieu s bottom that all the French Politicians, and even their great Mafter Lewis the XlVth, have fince built, ' Tho' the Cardinal had come off with Tryumph in the laft Troubles, yet as long as the King's Mo- ther and Brother were in a Foreign Court, and had Intelligence with his Enemies in France^ he did not think- himfelf entirely fafe. While Mary de Medicis and Gaflon were in the Hands of the Spaniards^ they wou'd doubtlefs have made great ufe of it in Cafe of an open Rupture with Spainj which the Swedes and Dutch mightily infifted upon. To get the Queen Mother out of their Hands, Richlieu tempted Gondij the Florentine Envoy, to perfwade his Mafter to invito her to Florence ^ but (9/JFRANCE. 52J i)ut the great Duke was in no better Difpofition to put himfelf to that Expence, than Mary de Medicis was to accept of it. She was indeed weary of having been fo long a Charge to the Infanta, and Negotiated with the King of Eng- land for lier Reception at the Court of Charles the Firft, or Ships to Convoy her to Spam\ but as her Defign in ^oing to Spain^ was to joyn Ga^on in Languedoc, the ill Succels of that Enterprize made her alter her Refolution, and England was the Place fhe had moft mind to retire to. But the EttgliJJj were not of a Humour to entertain a Po- piih Princefs, and her refiding long at London^ cou'd not but create ill Blood, as her coming there did afterwards. Richlieu gave Gondi to under- ftand, it wou'd be very well taken, if the great Duke cou'd prevail with the Queen to live tome time at Florence'^ Gondl wou'd not charge him- felf with that difagreable Negotiation, and the Cardinal was forc'd to give over all thoughts of getting rid of the Queen Mother fo eafily. We have feen what a Tool the Keeper of the Seals, Chateauneufj has been to the Minifter, how he has Sacrifis*d, m a few Months time. Two Maref- chals of France to the Cardinal's Revenge 5 how he gave iiimfelf up to him Soul and Body, as we are told. Witches bargain with the Devil ^ yet hearing his Patron was dangeroufly ill at Bourdeaux, the Keeper flattering himfelf that he fhou'd fucceed him in the Miniilry, and the good Graces of the Dutchefs tie Chevreuje^ cou'd not help flying'out into Tranf- ports of Joy^ infomuch that forgetting his Charai^ler, as a Magiftrate and a Prieft, he fell to Dancing uf Jigs and Ihowing the PleaPare the News gave him in a Hundred Antick Motions, wliich the Cardinal's. Spies gave him a faithful Accouut of. One of the Keeper's Letters to the Dutchefs, wherein th# Reverend Magiftrate moft delicately rally'd on the Hemorrhoids Richlieu was troubled with, calling hnn CuPourl^ Rotten Tail^ was intercepted and given him. The Cardinal returning in good Health to Court, as eafily prevail'd with the King to take Y 2 the 324 The Secret Hiftory the Seals from Chateauneufy as he hid prevaird with him to give them him ; fo on the 25 th of February^ la Frilliere, Secretary of State, and the Marquis de Cordes^ Captain of the Guards, were or- dered, the one to demand the Seals of him, and the other to Arreft him. For 'tis obfervable that none of thefs wicked Inftruments of Richlieus Miniftry were ever difgrac'd, but they, and their Friends, were thrown into Prifon. Happy if they efcap'd the Gallows at the Price of their Fortune. Cha- teanueuf was Ihut up in the Caflle of jingoulemej the Marquis de Leuville^ his Nephew, the Che- valier Le Jars^ his Confident, and others, fent to the Baftilie^ and his Brother, the Marquis de Hauterivej fav'd himfelfin Holland, The Marefchal ^' £/^reeJ, as great a Soldier as he was, Jiearing of the Dif- erace of his intimate Friend, the Keeper, was fo a- fraid of the Cardinal, that he fled out of the Do- minions of France, leaving the City of Treves and the Troops he Commanded there, without a General and Governor. But recolie«n:inghimfelf afterwards, he Tent a Gentleman to beg the King's Pardon, and the Cardinal's ; ingenuoally confeliing what it was that made him quit Treves with io much Preci- pitation : They bot;h frankly forgave him, and he was order'd to return to his Poft. The Dutchefs d^ Chevrevfe was banifh'd the Court for calling the Cardinal Cu Vouri *, and Veter Sequier^ Prefident of the Parliament of Paris^ had the Seals given him, with the Promife of the Title of Chancellor, after the Death of Monfieur Aligre^ who was ftill con- fin'd to one of his Seats in the Country. Having mention'd the fright the Marefchal d'Etrees was in, upon occafion of the Keeper's Diigrace, may we not very well conclude that many more were in mortal Terrors, The late Example of the brave Duke de Mommerency^ intimidating the boldeft Spirits at the thoughts of the Power and Cruelty of Rich- iiett. The wicked Magiftrates of the Parliament of Dijon^ condemn'd a Gentleman to theGalfies, for no other Crime, but being of the Duke of Or- kans'^ Party, they . alio condemn'd the Duke of o/F R A N C E. 315 Elbevf^ Pu^lauret7Sj du Coudrai-Montpenjier^ and Gotdas^ Perfons of Quality and Merit, to Death, for Contumacy, anddiey were Beheaded in Effigy at Dijon, Laffemas^ Intendant of the Army in Cham' pagne^ one of tiie infamous Judges that murdered the Marefchal de Mariilac. profecuted feveral Gentle- men at Troles as Followers cf the King's only Bro- ther, the Prefumptive Heir tu the Crown. He was put into a Commiflion on purpofe with the Prefi- dialof7> wasfo offended, that flie bad him tell the Cardinal^ That his Complements were more Trouhlefeme to her than his Terfecution. Des Roches had Orders to Treat of an Accommodation between the King and his Mother, but fhe was difTwaded from it by Or- nano her Confident, and Father Chantelouhe, They frighten'd her with the Name of Vincennes^ where they faid Richlieu wou*d not fail to have her con- . fin'd. Qrnano had a Penfion of i ooo Livres a Month, and Chantelouhe Fifteen Crowns a Day, which was more than they cou'd expea in France^ befides the Danger they wou'd be in from the Cardinal's Re* fentment, Des Roches ofFer'd Mary de Medicis Money, in the Name of the King, but (he wou'd not accept of it, faying. She was very well us'd by the King of Spain, her Son- in- Law ^ who took Care Jlje JJjoud want for nothing : And to let Richlieu fee fhe was far from intending to have any other Conditi- ons from the King, than what fhe had all along in- filled upon, his Removal, fhe fent an Anfwer to the King's Expreft, by a MefTenger of her own, ma- king Choice of the Perfon he knew wou'd be moll ungrateful to him, Hertaut^ a Creature of cijan- teloube'Sy the very Man that had prcfented her Peti- tion againft him to the Parliament. She was fo irri- tated againft Richlieu^ that fhe never made mention of him before Des Roches^ but with fome biting Epithet. The Cardinal finding nothing was to be done with her by DiiTimulation, refolv'd to humble ' '■ ' • her • ja Tke Secret Hijlor^ her flift more, and force her to truckle to him by further ill Ufage. To divide the Duke of Orleans from her Interefts, hecaus'dit to be told him, that Mary ds Medicis was underhand Treating of an Accommodation. Delhene^ one of the Duke's Do- tnefticks, kept a fecret Correfpondence with Rich- lieu-, in hopes of faving hisUnkle the Bifhop o^Alby^ who had been in Montmerency^s Infurrc£lion. Puy laurem being informed of this Private Treaty by Ddbene^ charg'd him to find out what Terms wou*d be offered the Duke of Orleans, in cafe he wou'd come to an Accommodation ; and in order to it, he was not long after fent to Paris, to make Propofals in tiie Name of Monfieur, which were very fubmiffive. Among the reft, Puylaurens offer'd to abandon his Miftrefs, the Princefs of Phatezburgh, Sifter to the Duke of Lorraine, and marry any Relation, tho* the Pooreft of the Cardinal's, which made ^/V^//ez^ heark- en to him, and to pretend to be very much con- cerned for the Succefs of his Negotiation', tho' in the main he defign'd only to create a Jealoufy be- tween Mary de Medicis and her Son Gajion, and the EfFeft anfwer'd his Defign \ for the Queen ha- ying Intimation of her Son's feparate Treaty, iiaften'd from Ghent to Brujfels, to be near and obferve him. There it came to a Quarrel and open Defiance, both declaring they wou'd not be concerned for each other, butTreat apart *, the Confequences of wiiich will be feen hereafter. The Cardinal reckoning himfelf pretty fecure a- gainft any Attacks from that Quarter, aflTum'd ftill a more Imperious Air than ever, and even out of Wantonnefs ol Revenge, forc'd the Old Duke of Bpernon to quit the Seat of his Government, and retire to a Houfe of his in the Province of Guyenne. Sourdls, Arch Bi (hop of Boiirdeaux, cou'd never agree with the Duke, and being about to leave the Court, to refide for a while in hisJ Diocefs out of meer Decency^ before he departed, he defir'd to know how he (hou'd behave himfelf with refpeft to the Governor of the Province, and whether he might clepend on the Cardinal*;; Proce£lioii, if it came to an , I?/ F R A N C E. jjj an Open Rupture, which was what Rkhlieu de- (ir'd \ and therefore having advis'd him to pay his Complements to the Duke on his Arrival, he told him, Jf he does not return them, and affeH^s to be Trouble fome to you^ reji ajfurd that J will prote^ you with all my Credit, Be not afraid to refifl him openly^ when yon feem to have Juflice and Rea- foH on your Side, He is a Man whofe Pride and Haughtiness ought to be mortify d. I have refoWd to do it fenfibly^ when he ever fa little tranfgrtjfes his Duty. This Advice agreed exacJ^ly with the proud Prelate, who, when he arrived at Bourdeaux, lent a Gentleman, as he had concerted, to comple- ment D* Bpernon^ and thank him for (bme good Offices in which he had obliged him. lell your MaBer^ reply'd the Duke, He had no need to thank a Terfin who never thought of obliging him. If any thing has been done by my Order^ to the Advantage of the Arch BiJJjop^ 'twas out of Jvftice only-, and not out of Friendfljip. D* Epermn wou'd not let the Jurats of Bourdeaux wait upon the Arch-Bi(hop, as was the Cuftom when he Landed ^ and to Infult him the more, made his Servants buy their Fifh at a Market belonging to him , as others did, and wou'd not allow him the Choice of it. Nay, on a Filh-Day, he order'd his Men to hinder any Filh- nionger's carrying Fifh into the Archiepifcopal Pa- lace, becaufe the Arch-Bilhop wou'd not fuffer his Servants to buy in Common. Thefe Trifles prov'd a Matter of more Mortification to D* Epermn-^ than any of the Troubles he had been involved in. The Arch-Bifhop complain'd to the Magiftrates of this Violence, and threaten 'd to leave the City, toge- ther with his Clergy, if Provilion was not made f jr his Security. A Day or two after, Naugas^ Lieu- tenant of the Duke's Guards, was ordered to go to him, and demand of him, if he thought he, or any one belonging to his Mailer, was capable of doing an ill Action, on purpofe to affront him. Naugas met the Arch-Bifhop coming by in his Coach, but Sourdis wou'd not hear him. Naugas ftopt the Coajgji, and the Arch- Bifhop in a Fri^bt alighted, and ^34 ^^ ^^^^^^ iiijiorj ^ and ran Home a Foot, crying out he was AttacW^ and his Life in Danger. Immediately he Excom- municated Naugasy and went about the Streets of Bdurdeauxy endeavouring to raife a Mutiny. Tlie Duke J)* Epernon hearing it, went prefently in Search of him, and when he came up with him,took him by the Arm, held up his Cane at him, and ask'd him how lie durft put the Town in an Up- roar. Strike lyram^ fays Sourdis, Thy Blows will h» Flowers and Rofes to me^ thou art Excommuni' cated : He meant as an Accomplice of Naugas*So The Duke ftruck the Arch-Bifhop's Hat off with his Cane, laying, Tou do not know the RefpeEi you ewe we^ I wotid teach it you, if it was not out of Eefpect to your Chara^er, Epernon went home with as much Indifference as if nothing had happen'd. Sourdis Excommunicated him, and Interdicted the Province. H« diipatch'd a Meflenger to the Car- dinal, to inform him of what had pafs'd. Richlieu aggravated the Duke's Infuking the Arch-Biihop, to a Bigotted King, who order'd D' Epernon to remove from Bourdeaux^ and confine himfelf to Plajfacj a Place out of his Province. Sourdis ha- ving done this Notable Exploit, w^ent to Court, and took an Occafion to pafs by Plafac, to Tri- umph over the Proudeft Lord in France, who cou'd hardly forbear falling upon him for his Infolenee, Thus did the Cardinal humble a Man whom no- thing, cou'd till then Humble ; and the other Lords (aw ^twas in vain for them to oppofe him, when the moft Powerful Peer in France was fo difgrac'd for a Trifle. Such will be the Fate of all King- doms, where Haughty and Revengeful Minifters have the Government, and Imperious Priefls have the good Luck to have their Interefts, and thofe of the State, thought to be infeparable. The Duke D* Epernon was not the only Proud Man whom Richlieu humbled. The Duke of Lor- raine having offended him, by continuing to fa- vour the Duke of Orleans s Party, and Lewis being enrag'd to hear that his Brother had marry 'd that Pf inceb's Sifter, it was refolv'd to Invade Lorraine^ and ^/FRANCE. f3$ and even to Befiege Nancy the Capital- The Duke of Lorraine hearing of the King's Approach, at the Head of a good Army, fent his Brother Cardinal Francis of Lorramej to treat with him . I Ihall not enter into the Particulars of the Conferences be- tween the Two Cardinals. Richlieu demanded Xsfanci to be depofited in Lewis's Hands, as a Se- curity for the Duke's good Conduft. The Car- dinal of Lorraine pretended his Brother cou'd not yeild it up without the Emperor's Confent, that Dutchy being a Fief of the Empire : Upon which, Richlieu entered into a way of Argument that has been ever (ince us'd by the Court and Miniftry of France^ when they thought themfelves ftrong enough to back it by Arms. As to Lorraine's he- ing a Fief of the Empire^ fays he, Ihe King is fo far from allowing ity that he pretends the Sovereignty belongs to him j and that Homage is due to him. The Empire long ago Vfurp'd it from the Crown of France, but length of Foffejfionj my Lordj gives no Right againjh Soveraigns, againfi whomy there's no Trejcription^ they acknowledge no Superior Tribunal^ before whom their Rights are to be. Judged, They may always Claim them^ and enter upon them by Force. The Affairs of France did not formerly per' mit our Kings to ajjert their Rights, Cod has now given his Majefly the Means to reiiore the French Monarchy to its Ancient Grandeur, Will not Pa» fierity have Cauje to blame the King^ if he negle^s to recover thofe of his Predecejfors^ and does not employ the Power of his Arms tqthat purpofe ? Here's Reafoning, here's Argument : We muft know by the way, that the Houfe of Lorraine is tlie Elder Branch of the Carolovlngian Race, that have Reign'd in France fince Charlemagne's Time, and being fet afide in the Courfe of Defcent, they polTefs'd the Dutchy of Lorraine a Fief of the Empire, which was alio Governed for a while by the Defendants of Charles the Great ^ but Lewis the Jufi of France j is ftronger than Charles the IVth of Lorraine, He has an Army advancing towards Nanci^ the Duk^ Ixas none to oppofe him j the promis*d Succours from jj6 The Secret Hijlor) from Germany and Spain^ cannot arrive time enoug^Ii to prevent the Town's being taken, and what a Bluftcr the French Minifter makes, with the Gran- deur of the French Monarchy^ the Rights cf the Crown^ and the Means to recover them ? How well raught the King was by the Cardinal, in the Rights of Succeflion, one may perceive by his Anfwer to tlie Englifl} AmbafTador, who fet forth the Vio- lence of this Expedition, That King Dagobert had been Majier of Stratxburgh. Durft any of his Pre- deceffors have raHy'd thus with a Minifter of Henry the Vlllth, or his Daughter, Queen Elizabeth t Durft a French Man, or even a French King, have bantcr'd an AmbafTador of England^ after the Glo- rious Days of Blenheim and Ramellies ? What fig- nify'd Englijh Mediation, when it was become a Jeft, from tiie Death of Queen Elizabeth^ to the Reign of King William ? If we Mediated for any one, it fignify'd no more than the Mediation of Mr. Petkum^ wlien all the mighty Powers of Eu- rope were at War. Twas in the Reign of King Ch was to offer up a Sacrifice to their Protedor, the Cardinal i a Grateful Sacrifice, the Blood of one his Enemies. There was a Plot either Pretended or Real, to AfTaftin him, Chantelouhe was iaid to have had a fhare in it. Wfiether T rue or Falfe, Alfefion^ one of the Plotters was Taken, Tryd, and on the Evidence ofF R A N C K 34T Evidence of of two other Accomplices, Concleinn'd and Broken on the Wheel. What fays a Fremh Abbot on tbi^^ Matter ? JIl that can be faid of the Bufmefs of Alfefton, ts^ that it appears by his Tryal^ he had never any Defign againit the Cardinal's Life^ and that the Two Soldiers who Accused him^ are a Couple af Rogues, who^ having Accused t he mj elves ^ charged Alfefton with the fame Crime, on Pro- wife of Impunity and Reward. 'Tis true^ Alfefton did Accuje Father Chanteloube on the Rack, but in his lajl Speech on the Scaffold, he called God to IVitnefsj that the Torments he endurd, forc'd him to fay what was not True, and that Father Chante- loube never fpoke to him of any Attempt againji the Cardinal: His ConfefTor, and fome of bis Judges, confefs'd as much, and that Alfejian before Con- demnation and after, difown'd what the Rack had extorted from bim, with refped to Chanteloube. What a Treaiure wou*d it be to the World, to have the Arcana of Richlieu, and fuch Minifters brought to light. How Gloomy and Horrid wou'd their dark Councils appear ? Wiiat Terrible Prof- pefts woa'd there arife from their Craft and Cun- ninj ? Shou'd we not find that their quickefl Mea- fures wou'd be thofe of Blood ? And tho* they have had their Sycophants to put Falfe GlofTes on the Foulefl uf their Aaions, What Horror wou'd the Fairefl of them ftrike in us ? Not long after, a Priefl and Two Lay-Men were Condemned and Burnt, for Curfing Richlieu at Mafs : And as far as it was in his Power, the Ungrateful Cardinal ihew'd he wou'd have done the fame by Mary de Medicis, for he caus'd her Name to be mentiou'd in the Procefs, not only of Alfejlon. but alfo of the Priefl and Two Lay-Men, to inlinuate to her Son Lewis the Juji, that his Mother wou'd without Scruple, make ule of Fire, Poifon or W^itchcraft, to obtain her Ends. The Minift^r s Hatred to the Queen, his Mafter's Mother, fecm'd to increafe with her ImpoteiTce to hurt him Such was the Malignity of his 1 emper , that it grew upon him ag his Fortune ; and now that AUq de Me die is and Z % her 242 The Secret Hifiory lier Son Gajion arc living on the Charity of the King of Spain^ embroird by tlieir Domefticks at Brufjels^ and abandoned by ahiioft all their Friends in France^ now does Rkhlieu perfecute thefe «n. happy Princes with as great Fury and Inveteracy as ever. . The Mifunderftandings between the Queen Mo- ther, and the Duke oiOr leans were fo great,occarion'4 by the Quarrels among their Servants, that they o- penly threaten'd each other with a Separate Treaty. The Duke was, as has been faid, as much governed as his Brother Lewis'^ if the former talk'd more honeftly, one may impute it to his Condition*, Misfor- tune makes People Humble, and the Love which Ga^ Jion pretended to his Country, wou'd have turn'd to that Domination his Brother afFefted, when^ his Country was no longer necelTary to him. His Fa- vourite Vzcylaiirens^ wou'd Rot fee the Queen Mo- ther's ConfefiTor, Chant elotibe^ and the latter never went, to vifit Monfieur. Twasnot likely that fuch Differences lliou'd Qwl well, when, had there been the ftri'ith orre fo diftra^led and divided. Chanteloube infinu- ated to Alary de Aledlcls^ that her Quality of Queen and Mothrr, o«ght to give her the Prin- cipal Authority in every thing which concern'd the common Interefl. Puylaurens made his Maiier be- lieve, that the Queen his Mother was not at all confider'd in France^ but on his Account ^ tliat they did not care whether fhe return d or not, defiring only to fee the Prefumptive Heir to the Crown. f^uylaunns |)lam'd Mary de M^dicif for following the e?/ F R A N C E. 34J the Advice of Father Chantelouhe^ and the good Father exclam*d as much ag^inft Gafton for being gQvttx\*^\iy PuyU»yens. Tlie Truth is, neither the Mother nor her Two Sons had the Government of themielvesj and hov\r wretched then muft all thofe be that were Govern'd by them, or depended upon them, fubiedled to the PafTions and Intereft of Ambitious, Defigning Favourities*, they were ex- posed to continual Changes of Fortune, for Favour being the Gift of Chance more than Merit, (el- dom does there happen an Inftance where thofe that have it do not abufe it. The Queen Mother, to revenge herfelf on Puy- laurens, concerted with the Infanta Ifabella^ to en- gage the Dutchefs of Orleam to inlinuate to the Duke, that Tuylaurens betray*d him to RichlieUj v^ofe Coufin he was to marry. The Dutchels was alfo made to believe, that her Divorce was one of the Terms of the Accommodation Gafton s Favourite was privately Negotiating. This was enough to fet her againft him, but lier Husband, was fo far from hearkning to her, that he for- bid her to viht the Queen too 'often, or giving Ear to any thing (lie faid againft Tuydaurens, He not only laid thofe Injunftions on his Wife, he told his Favourite what fhe had told him, and Tuy- laurens^ to infult this unhappy Princefs, abandoned by one Son, and in terrible Fears of being alfo a- bandon'd by the other, boldly enter'd her Cham- ber ose Day, attended by Five and Twenty Gen- tlemen, with Swords longer than ordinary, either to fhew that he was afraid of Chapitelouhe's at- tempting to murder him, or wha.t Cham el oube might expeft from him (elf. The Queen not being able to bear this Infolence, went into her Clofet and wept bitterly : Gaslon'i ¥d^yo\M'\tQ was infenfibleof her Grief, and continu'd to difpofe his Mafter to get the beft Conditions he cou'd from Rkhlieu. The Duke of Or/(?^??i communicated his Intentions to his Mother, who, with great Spirit, told him, He ought to be aj}}amd of hearkn'rag to the Terms that were proposed to him. IVhaty faid fhe, have Z 4 3^^^ §44 "^'^^ Secret Hifiory you forgot your Birthy and your Rank ? What will 'the World think of you ^ if you agree to fuch a Treaty ? They will fay 'tis the particular Bargain of a Favourite^ arul not an Honourable Agreement of a Son 6?/ France, the Prefumptive Heir of the Crown with the King his Brother. Tour Honour .^ and the Interests of your Spoufe are entirely Sacrifis d. If you are jo unjuft arid fo bafe as to take another before the Death of thtSj t'}OW can you be fure that the Children you JJ) all have by the latter will be deenid Lti^ai-' mate, I dont mention what concerns me^ when they offer you fuch Conditions as are Re a f on able and Safe^ I f/jall be the firft that will advife you to ace ept of them. The Duke of Orleans had not a word to iky againfl what his Mother faid to him, and ha- ving promis'd Puylaurens to come to an Agree- TiT^nt of the fame Tendency as A^ary de Me die is hinted, he forbad him to proceed a;)y further in it. Puylaurens doubted not, but Chanteloube his Enemy, had fct the Queen N^other againO: both him and the Treaty, and falling itito d Padion, he went immediately to her, us'd Chanteloube ill, threaten'd him, and reprcach'd the Queen, that it was only out of her Spite to RicUleu., that (he hinder'd the Two Brothers bein,/ reconcil'd. M^iry de Medicls very juftly reienting his Arrogance, told him, The Cardinal hsr Enemy ^ never behavd hifnfelf fo difrefpetl: fully towards her ; he never ^ con - tinue? fhe, durft talk to me fo haughtily and irifelently *, know that if I woud [peak b:(t one word of recei- I'ing him into my favour again^ 1 jkoud ruin all your Projects. Begone, or Fll have you thrown out at the Window *, 'tis plain enough your Heart ts as bafe as your Birth, The Difference between th? Domeflicks o{ Mary de Medicis and GaHon.^ grew to fuch a height, that the foraier was forc'd to entreat the Lfanta^ to order the Garrifon oi Bruf fels be be reinforc*d w^th Horfe and Foot. The Queen had the greater Intereft with the Infanta and the Spaniards^ who obferv'd (jaBon and his Favourite very narrowly. The Dutchefsof O/e^/^i fided with her Mother-in-Law, who iiififted on the ■ ■ ■ ' ■ Validity (?/ F R A N C E. 345 Validity of her Marriage^ and Gafion found him- felf reduc'd to the neceility of making iiis Efcape from Brujfels^ and abandoning his Mother and his Wife, or living there againft his Will. Mary de Aiedkis perceiving Fuylaurens conimu'di to encreafe Cajlons Indifference for her, and her Interefts, fhe was more earneft than ever to be reconciled to the King *, but yet fo haughty Hill v^'ith refpeft to his Minifter, without whofe Ap- probation 'twas impoflible for her to return to France^ that (lie no fooner thought of any means of Accommodation than fhe fpoilt it by fome Aft of Difguft and Refentment towards Richlleu, We have mention'd Lewis's fending des Roches to her, on her being taken ill at G'hef7t ^ and the Perfon fhe fent to return her Son Thanks, was Brajfeufe^ a Creature of Chantelouhe. The Letter fhe wrote him, was far from fhewing the leaft Complacency to the -Cardinal *, the King read it in the Prefence of Braffeufe^ beckon d to him to re- tire, and faid angrily. Let no Body comt here jor the future from the Queen my Mother^ who has not frfi demanded a Pafjport, I have confider'd on this Occafion, whether L^wis is blameable for his Cruel Ufage or not. A Prince, as the Father of his Country, ought to have no Relations when its Interells are concerned : 'He is truely its Father, who Sacrififes Wife, Mother and Brother to the Publick Good. But wherein was the Publick Good concern 'd, in keeping Mary de Me- dicls and Gajlon out of France ? What were the People the better for it ? Did it fecure their Li- berties, eafe their Taxes, and redreis their Grie- vances ? And was the Sacrifice Lewis the Juji made of his Mother and Brother, to the Good of his People, or to the Vengaence of his Minifter ? One cannot think of the latter without Horror. Can Princes forego Nature, to pleafe thofe that flatter them in their Arbitrary Meafures ? Are they not bound by the Tyes of Religion as well as their Sub- jefts? Muft they not account one Day for the iMi- (eries they or th^ir Miniflers are the caufe of ? Are 2^6 The Secret Hijlor) Are they exempted from the Punifh ment of Sin, as well as from tlie Terrors of Confcience ? If they are not, how can they defTemble thus with God and Man, how forget the Duties of Parents and Children, and kt themfelves above all Laws Hu- mane and Divine ? I muft confefs, I take great Pleafure in thinking, when I read the Hiftory of wicked Princes, and wicked Minifters, that tiiey are not Immortal, that there will be a Day of Account for them, and that the Avenger is in Heaven. Thefe Refle£lions have often diverted me in the Courfe of this Hiftory, which it was im- pofiibe to go through without them. Other Inftances there are of the Queen Mother's Impolitick Carriage, with regard to the Cardinal, and her Son Lewis's unnatural Behavour towards her on that Score. Laumiy one of her Bed Chamber Women, got leave to pay a Super ft iiious Vow (he made to our Lady ofLieJfe in Ticardy^ and to go after- wards to Faris about a Law-Suit, Comhdet Tent to her, to know how Mary de Medkis did, and 'twas expe£ted that Madam Launai wou'd upon that have vifited the Minifter's Niece •, but fte not daring to do il without an exprefs Order from her Miftref?, fhe was charg'd with Caballing, and order 'd to depart in Twenty Four Hours. The Queen Mo- ther was not fo very eafy in her Sojourn at Bruf- /f/>-,that fhe (hou'd not defireto leave it by any ho- nourable Means. The King of Spain was drained by the experice of the German and Flemifi Wars, and his Allowance to her was fo diminiih'd, that i]ie was forc'd to reduce the Number of her Do- mefticks, and put thofe fhe kept to Board -Wages. Mary de Medkis demanded Licences for the Ser- vants fhe difinifs'd to return to France^ and Jac- quelot^ one of her Gentlemen, who was fent to Paris on that Errand, had Inftruttion to found the King, to fee how well or ill he was aifpos'd to a Reconciliation, Jacq'ieiot faw immediately that Rtchlieu wou'd abate nothiiig of the hard Terms imposed on Mary de Mediris^ to give up Jier moil faithful Servants to the Cardinal's Re- of ^ K hNCE. m ^venge. This Cruelty^ fays a French Author, was cover d under the Jpecious Pretext of maintaining the Kings A'thortty^ in chufmg and keeping his Mi- ni/iers as he thoHght fit. It will be fo ; to except againft any qiie ^hat has the Royal Choice on his fide, however Tyrannical in bis Adminiftration, however unfit for it, will be to attack the Royal, Authority m chufing and keeping of Minifters. Yet how can Princes know that they have good or ill Servants about them, but by being told of it, and how can they be told of it when they are fur- rounded by fuch Minifters and their Creatures? The Dclhenei follicited all this while the return of Monfieur^ but there was a very hard Article to be got over, his declaring his Marriage with the Princefs of Lorraine invalid. Good God ! Can LeTvii the Jufl demand fuch a Declaration of his Brother, to turn off his Wife, whom a Holy Sa- crament of his Church had joyn'd for Life, be- caufe he had not given his Confent to the Mar- riage ? Wou'd he have an injured Princefs fent Home Debauch'd, and with the Infamy of a MiftrefsB So it is, and fo little do the Titles given to fome Princes agree with their Charaaers*, fome are call'd >/?, that ftick at no Injujiice ; fome Great^ that never Fought a Battel Mary de Medicis lent Villien St. Genefl^ ano- ther of her Gentlemen, to Paris foon after Jac- quelot^ under pretence of Congratulating the King upon his return from Nancy^ and to inquire after his Health. The true Defign w^as to inform him- felf of the Succefs of the Intrigues of Catherine Forz^oni^ who cou'd not right herfelf, aod of the Difpofition of the Minifters to an AccommodAtion. Filiiers had Audience of the King at P^erfailles, and reprefented to him in very moving Terms, the ill ufage the Queen his Mother fufFer'd from Puy- laurensy that he continually infulted her, and fhe earnefty entreated him to iiave fome regard to the Health of a Mother who tenderly lov'd him, and not let her languilh under the Tyranny of th« Duke q{ Orleans's Favourite j ciofing all with A f- furances ^4? r^^ ^^^^^^ Hipry furances that Mary de Medicis knew nothing of Gafton's Expedition to Langnedoc, The latter was falfe, and Lewis had infallible Proofs of her know- ing and approving it in his Hands. I am forry^ faid lie to F'illlerSy very coldly, f7ty* Brother ujes tny Mother fo illy JJje might have fav'd herfelj this Trouble, if fhe rvoud have followed my good Advice, I once thought that JJ^e did indeed Love me^ hutjbe has lately given me fo many^ and fo certain Tokens of her ill Wtllj that I can hardly believe what fie fays of her AffeEiion to me to be Sincere. I know very well what Jhare fhe had in the Commotions in Lanauedoc, her Jewels were Sold, to raife Money to carry on a War with we^ Say True, has JJje ordered you now to Vifit Mondeur the Cardinal f i here it flicks : Nothing is to be done but with the Ap- probation of the Miniftcr: Has this Cardinal a Mafter ? Is he a Servant to a Adan, and dares he fet his Will above the Duty of his Prince ? No, Sir^ reply'd P^illiers, but I (/jail for all that pay my m'ft: hinnble Refpecis to him wherever I fjill meet him. Since your M^-jefy commands me to fpeak the Truth-y I will not diffemble^ the . Queen Alother is as much Prepojfefs'd againft the Cardi?jal as ever. If fhe really lov d me^ fays Lewis^ 0:e wou'd love dfo a Mmifier that has done fo many nfeful and glorious Things for my Crown fmce the Siege o/Ro- chelle ; / fee there's no hope of a fincere Reconcilia- tion as loni as the Queen my Mother ,^ keeps fuch fort of Teople about her^ as la Fargis and Chanteloube. Villiers reply'd, Sir^ the Queen knows Aiadam da Fargis very well. She know' her very yxell^ anfwers the King, 1 can't thtnk it. That Creature is one of thofe mifchievous Vtpers of Lion, who concerted with the Duke de Bellegarde, the Keeper of the Seals Mar iliac, and other Wretches^ to put the ^ueen my Mother upon making fu<:h a Noije and Stir. Lewis inftead of" taking hold of this Oppor- tunity to reconcile with the Perfon, to Vs^ham, next under God, he ow'd his Being, thought of ma- king ufe oi" it, to gain over Fuylaurens,, and by that means bring Cafion to an Accommodaticii upon 9"! ^/FRANCE. 549 any Terms he fhou'd pleafe to grant him. When Villiers came to take his iaft Orders, upon his Re- turn to Brujfels^ Lexois told him, he had intercepted a Letter, v^' herein Father Chant eloube made a Jeft of Des Roches's Vifit to his Mother, and faid Ihe wou'd never be reconcil'd to him. The Rogue^ added he, thought I rvoud have fent Des Roches again^ that he might again have made himfelf merry with my Meffages, I mud confefs^ Ifljoud have di f patch* d htm thither once more^ if the Infolence of that Rafcal had not made me change my Refolution. How can I be fatisfyd oj the good Intentions of the ^ueen my Mo- ther ^ when I fee her proteU fuch a miferable Hypocrite. " I am afraid, /^j/i a French Author^ this Inter- " cepted Letter was one of Richlieus Rogue's " Tricks, or Father Jofeph^s, to hinder tlie Kings ^' being mollify 'd by fo many MelTengers from his '* Mother. I lAy Rogues Tricks, for in hne the " Cardinal, Father Jofeph^ and Father Chanteloube, *' were all Rafcals aUke. " Twas likely the French Nation fliou'd be happy, when whoever had the Miniftry, they were fure to have a Man of that Charat^ier at the Head. Whether A the King went in Perfon to the Parliament, attended by the Prince of Conde^ the Count de SoiJfonSy the Dukes de Chevreufe^ d^ Ufez.^ de Chamies^ and de la Valme ; the Marefchals dt Chatillon and de Brez^e^ the Count de Trefmes^ the Marquis de Ne/le^ the Marquis de Sourdis^ and feveral other Great Lords. Ricblieuy contrary to all Ufage, wou'd needs harangue the Parliament, to whom the Chancellor, the Keeper of the Seals, the Firft Prefident, or other of the King's Officers and Servants, us'd only to fpeak on fuch Occafions. The Cardinal having fet forth all his Eloquence in Praifc of himfelf, and vilifying the King's Mother and Bro- ther, the Declaration againft the Duke of Orleans's Marriaae was read, and Regifter'd, and another, by which tneKing fupprefs'd at oncej igsoQo Officers, as J 5 2 The Secret Hijlory as Rkhlieu told the Parliament, ^or the Eafe of tl^ People. " Such, fays my Author, a French Man, " is the deplorable Condition of the French^ fined *' they were Co bafe as to Tuffer the Eftablifhment '* of Arhitray Power. An infinite Number of Of- *' fices have been Erefted to raife Money •, Rich Men " are forc'd to buy them, and a little while after, " thofe that bought them, are Calhier'd for the "^ Eafe of the SubjefV* " A Happy Confritution^ which thofe that are enamour 'd with French Poli- ticks may imitate if chey think fit. We will now fee what Lewis the Juji fays parti- cularly of his Brother's Marriage, and his annulling it by the Declaration above-mention'd. We fhali obferve in it the Grand Air affefted by France^ fnice fhe had the good Fortune to be Govern'd by Cardinals and Priefts. Our only Brother^ fays Lewis, being in tfje Hands of the Enemies of the Grandeur of our V^own^ who J to engage him in the Inter efts ofaHoufe, iht Alliance of wkichj has always been of little Pro- fit to France, have procurd him to Marry agawft our exprefs Will *, and we having tryd feveral ways to no purpofe^ to bring our Brother back to his Duty^ md not being willing to omit any thing in an Af- fair of fo great Importance^ we have refolv'd to de- clare our felf our Intention in our Parliament Pray mind of what Authority this Augufl: Tribunal is, all the Honour they have, is to hear what the King intends, perhaps a little before other People. And to declare to all the World, that this pretended M^^rriage, being contrary to the Fundamental Laws of our State, and the Dignity of our Crown being concerned in the Affront we have received, we will never co?7fent to it. God forbid that Pofterity fl)oiid one Day reproach us for being lefs Jealous of the Glory of France, than our Predecejjors, All the while did the Pious Richlieu aim at nothing lefs, by diflblving this Marriage, than to oblige Mon- fieur to marry Combalet his Neice, whofe Husband had been an ordinary Gentleman, from whofe Bed '^his I Inkle alpir'd, to lift her to that of the King's Brother, and it maybe to that of the King himlelf, by Lewis'% Death. After of ^V RANGE. :;55 After all this is faid, the King iti his Declaration very kindly and pompoully invited his Brother Ga- florij to come and take the Glorious Rank of the Second Perfon of the Firfi Kingdom of Europe. If this Firfl Kingdom of Europe had had the. Misfortune to have feen that General on the Banks of the Somme^ who drove the beO: Army fhe ever had into the Danube, what a Jeft woud the Glorious Rank have been now to all Europe ? Is there no Moral Vertue from which the Princes o'i France are not exempted ? Is Vanity a Foible or a Vice in any one but them ? Is Modelly not becoming in them ? And cannot a King be truly Great, without being always bragging of it? Efpeciallyif he contributes nothing to his Greatnefs but by fetting his Name to Edicts, Ordi- nances and Orders. Richlieu made him declare, That the Happy Snccefs of all his Enterpriz,es^ was the Effe[l of the Councils^ and the Wife ConduH: of his Minifiers. The Mafter and the Servant are the very Pinks of Modefty, and whoever wants to adorn themfelves with that Vertue, let him confult their Hiflory. Nothing in the World cou'd be more Rafh and Arbitrary than this Attempt to difTolve a Mar- riage that had been Confummated. For God's fake, What's the Will of a Prince, to the Com- mand of God ? Befides, on a Political Account, had it not been Richlieu's good Fortune, that the Dutcbefs of Orleans did not bring a Son into the World, what Mifcheivous Confequences muft thiis pretended DiiToUuion have been attended with ? Had the King and Monfieur dy'd without any Heirs, but what fhou'd have been born of this Marriage thus annuU'd, wou*d not the Prhices of the Blood have difputed the Crown ? Wou'd not the Younger Brethren of the Son born to Gajio-a^ by the Prince fs Margaret^ had fhe had more Sons than one, have pretended that the Eldeft was born during the NuIUty of tlie Marriage, or wou'd not the Princes of the Blood, to divide the Royal Family, have always been ready to raife Commo- tions in favour of this or that Heir of the,Crown, A a the 354 T"^^ Secret Hijlory the Title being then liable to be controverted ? But all thele Coniideratipns, and the Confufions that might arife from them, cou'd not reftrain Kichllcu from revenging himfelf in this manner, on the Houfe of Lorraine^ and the Duke of Or- leans. Soon after the Arrival of the Cardinal of Lor- raine at Mire court ^ where the Duke his Brother then refided, the latter made a Formal Refigna- tion of his Dutchy to Cardinal Francis his Bro- ther, who fent a Gentleman to Notify it to Lewis and Richlieu, Tlie latter inveigh'd againft both Charles and Francis^ about the Marriage, and read- ing the Sabfcrption of a Letter, the Exprefs had brought, Duke of Lorraine^ He cry'd, This Title is affiim'd to deceive the King^ but we are not to be 7rick'd by it. He faid fo many Outragious Things againfl: the Houfe of Lorrajney that the Gentleman who brought him the Letter, fell a Trembling. He afterwards recovered himfelf, and very handfome- ly vindicated his Mafter, the Cardinal, Duke of Lcrraine. Richlieu continu'd to rail at him, and at laft faid, ^Till nov^ I have profefs'd my felf to be one of the Cardinal of Lorraine's Servants^ but jinee I fee he will follow hii Brother s ill Example^ J -am ohligd to d.eclare my felf his Enemy. A Not^le Enemy had the Bilhop of Lucon been to the Duke of Lorraine if the King of France^ his Mafter, wou'd have hearken'd to the Crys of his Mother, his Brother, and all his People, Hovv- ever as it was now, his Power was fo great, that he oblig'd the New Duke of Lorraine^ the Prin- cefs Claude hisi Coufin, whom he had marry'd, the Princefs of Phaltz.burghy to make their Efcape in Difguifes from Nancit for fear of being fhut up in Priion : A Circumftancc happened in it, which was merry enough. The Duke chofe the jhirft of y^pril to execute his Purpofe, and it be- ing the Cuftom of the Lorra'mersj as it is of the Englijh^ to put little Tricks on People on that Day, to call them jipril Fools j the Dukecaus'dit to be given out feveral times before he fied^ that he of FK AN C fi. J55 he was gone •, the Count de BraJf^Cy Governor of Nanci^ fent to fee whether it was true or not, and always found him and his Dutchels there^ where they were lodg'd under a French Guard. Being often impos'd upon by fuch Reports, whert the Firil of j4prU came, the Duke and his Con- fort got off in Difguifc ^ a Peafant met them on the Bridge, and told a Soldier of the Guard, who communicated it to his Officer, and he thinking ic was to make an April Fool of him^ Poyfon {i\ Avril^ as they call in Lorraine^ negleAed it. Two Hours after he told the Governor what he had heard, ^and Brajfac negle£led it alfo, on the fame filly Account, infomuch, that no fear ch was made for them, till they were too far gone to be over-taken. By the Evalion of this Prince and thp Two PrincefTes, the Houfe of Lorraine was entire- ly difpers'd, and Lewis the Juft kept PolTefiion of their Territories, having no manner of Pretence to deprive them of their Right but that of Force, fo little agreeable to the Sirname he had afTum'd. The Dutciiefs of Guife was banifh*d the Kingdom for endeavouring to fupport the Marriage of Men- fvur with the h'rincefs of Lorraine^ and (hewing too much Concern for the Misfortunes of that Fa- mily. In x}c\t mean time Gafion^ Duke of OrUansy to fruftrate all attempts to annul his Marriage^ foleir'nly ratify'd it at Brujfels^ arid with all the Forms which it was pretended had been omitted, and without which the Popi/b Cafuifls alledge, it lay liable to Objection. During thefe Tranfad^ions the Two Favourites of Mary de Mtdicis and Gafion had perpetual Quarrels. Mary de Afedicis had a new fupport, tho' a fmall one, in the Friend fljip of the Princefs of Phdtz.hurgh^ Sifter to the Duke of Lorraine , ^'ho Was retir d to Brujftls^ not fo much for th* fecurity of her Perlon, as to follow her Lover Pwj/te'-ew;, of whom fhc was become Jealous, This Favourite of Gafion liad, as (he was inform''d, fre- quently vifited Madamoifelle de Chimaiy Daughter of the Princefs of that Name,, and was very iuucti A a ? in "35 6 77;^ Secret Hifiory in Love with her ; For JPuylaurens, fugitive as he was, minded Gallanty in his Exile, as well as Po- liticks, and his Amours were often what Richlieu upbraided him with, tho* himfelf was as Guilty that way as any one. Tuylaurens before he left Lorrainey had receiv'd a Romantick Favour of the Princefs of Fhahzhurgh. a Blew Ribon with an Amorous Device, which he always wore on his Breaft, till he had feen Madamoifelle de Chimai^ and then he cbang'd the Blew Ribon for a Green one, Madamoifelle's Favourite Colour. The Princefs of Phaltz^birrgh retiring to Bruffels^ fell in imme- diately with Mary de /Medtcis to be reveng'd on PuylaiirenSj and engag'd the Dutchefs of Orleans to do him ail the ill Offices fhe cou'd with the Duke I but her Power over him was nothing in comparifon with his Favourite's. Gallon liad given himielf up as entirely to Piylaurenf as Lewis was given up to Richlieu^ and the - Duke of Orleans's Favourite continu'd to give/yfary de A^edkis {uchirQ- quent Mortifications, that fhe rejov'd, on any Term?, to be reconciled to her Son the King. She con- defcended ib far as to write a Submiftive Letter to Kichlicu^ and lent herFirft Efquire, Monfieur Laleu^ to Negotiate her return with the King and Car- dinal. "Tills Gentleman vvras a Man of Parts and Addrefs, and Rkhlieu fearing he might move the King in a particular Audience, got his M^jefty to order him to deliver his Letter in Council, where Ssguier^ Keeper of the Seals, declared his Opinion againil the return of A4ary de Medkisy till Chanteloube^ St. Germain j and the Aftrologer, Fabroni^ were put into the Hands of Juftice : A Preliminary RahlieukuQw the Queen Mother wou*d never confent to^ and therefore caus'd Seguier to propofe it on purpofe to hinder the Queen*s being reconcil'd to her Son. Every one cry*d out Shame againfi: this Obflinacy and Infolence of Richlieu^ and the inflexible Temper of Lervisy with refped to the Perfon in the World whom he ought to have mofl Lov'd and Honour'd. The Re* fiei^ions of a French Hiftorian on this event are very jufl. ofFRANCE. 557 3 ufl:. Suchj fays he, are the firdnge efeEli of Am- bition and Self love^ a little . Pries} raised by a mighty Queen to a Sovereign degree of Fortune^ ts not contented to have reduced his BenefaUrefs fo lorVf as to humble herfelf before him^ and acknow- ledge his Power fo far^ as to proteji that a main Reafon-i of her de firing an Accommodation was to give him new Proofs of the Seneerity of her Friendfljip^ the Widow of Henry the Great, the Mother of the King of France, of the Queens of Spain and England, e-^ds her Life in a fort of Exile^ becaufe Arniand John du Pleffis, third Son of a Gentleman of Poidlou, is afraid his Prodigious Fortune wou'd he in danger^ if his firji Benefatiref: liv'd nith the King her Son. He who thought himfelf happy in the Bifhoprick of Lucon. now will be fatisfy'd with nothing lefs than the abfolute Government of Lewis d.n(^ France, The delivering up thore of the Queen's Domefticks, whom fhe lov'd belt was an Article from which the King wou'd not depart, and to fhew Laleu that Jiis Miilrefs^. muft expedl no Accommodation without it, himfelf ^ was kept Eight Hours without Audience. EidjlieU appeared little in this Matter,, he put his Creatures upon fpeaking what he. wou'd have them, to tlirow the Odium off himfelf. He for his own part, invited Laleu to his Huufe at Pafcl^ where he found him alone, and was received by him with fuch Extraordinary Complements, that the Queen's Efquire was in a manner confounded. The Cardinal's deceitful Speech on this Occafion is worth reading: There is nothing furprifmg^ fays he- perceiving ■ Laleu % Confufton, / have fuch a profowid .Refpett for the Queen Mother, fo jirong a Paffion to .Jheiv how muck I am devoted to her^ that L cqwd, treat all thofe that comes from bet with much more De- iiinclion, 1 cannot well tell you haw I was overjoyed when / read the Letter fhe did me the J^ongur 4$ write me. .What matter afVomjort wiOrtt be tourney to find that the Malice vfjhe Enemies af the St ate ^ has not. been able to leff^n - k^.r\ goodnefuPow^rds.me^ Aa 3 that ^^S The Secret Hijlory that it is fo rooted in her Hearty that Jhe again lets it Jhoot out to my inexprejfible Joy. J mofi humbly entreat her /kfajefty to permit me to give her cer- tain Marh of the Gratitude of my Intentions by fpeaking to her hereafter with the fame freedom I vSd to do before 1 unhappily loft the Honour of her good Graces and Confidence. Things are gone fo far^ 'tis impojfible hut there mvft be fome re??mln5 of Sufpicien and Diffidence, Let all the Clouds be aifpers*d once^ and then we fiall build on a folid Foundation. The new knot of Friendfijip forming between the King and the Qmen Mother will become in- diffoluble for the future^ Jhe will receive all the Tokens of AffeEiton and Tendernefs that fije can ex^ peEi from the be ft Son upon Earthy as foon as fije will take Two or Three Steps ^ which the King thinks fieceffary. As for my felf^ 1 protefl- to the Queen^ I will do her aU the Service that lies in my Power ^ and will let no Opportunity flip to fijew hgr that th0 Remembrance of her Goodnefs to me will never he blotted out of my Heart ^ 1 only beg her Ma- jeBy to confider that the Place I am in^ obliges me indijpenfihly to purfue the Kings Intention with the tttmoft Exa^nejSy and that in the prefent Conjund:ure I cannot depart from what he prefer ibes me • without fenfibly Dijpleafwg him, Notwithflanding all this, was Richlieu his very felf the occafion of Lewis his Maker's infilling on liis Mother's giving up Three of her moft faith- ful Servants to his Revenge. 'Twas very ftrange that the Cardinal of Richlieu fhou'd have forgot, what thQ Bifhop q>{ Lucon told the Y^Xikt de Luines on theifubjeft of5>. Germain^ one of the Men he defii'd to be delivered up, Luines refenting a Ma- nifello publifh'd by that Abbot, when the Queen Mother took Arms at Angers^ demanded he fhou'd be banifh'd the Queen's Court. Her Ma)efty, fays Richlieu^ then Bifhop of Lucort^ will rather per if}) than abandon any of her Domefticks : Monfuur de St. Germain, who has done her good Service^ will always have the Honour of her FroteBion, Laleu returning of F K AN C E. 359 returning to Brulfels, gave the Queen a melanchol- ly Account of the ill Succefs of his Negotiation. Her Domeftick, who doubted not of Richlieu's ready embracing the Queen's humble Offers for an Ac- commodation, (he having condefcended to court his Favour, and promis'd him lier Friendfiiip, ex- peiHied to be in France in a few Days, and were terribly difappointed, to find the King and hisMi- nifter was fo far from grantiag the Requefl: of the Queen Mother, that there was no profpe^l of her return at alU To make one attempt more, Mary de Medicis refolv'd to fend Father Suffren, her Con- fefTor, to the King, as whofe ConfcfTor he bad alfo (been •, but a Pafsport being demanded for him, Richlieu fearing the Influence this'Jefuit might have over a Confcience he had dire£led. and which was it felf very Timerous and ScrupuMs when 'twas not govern d by the Cardinal's Cafuifts, wou'd not let Suffren have a Pafsport, crying, his coming was needlefs, till her Majefty had done what the King defir'd of her. Mary de Medicis was the only Perfon of all her Family who did not de- fpair, finding their return to France was impolTible, without fhe wou'd do Things which did not con* fift either with Juftice, Honour or Gratitude, TuyUurens faw, with Pleafure, that all her endea- vours after a Reconciliation were ineffeftual, and particularly, that the Cardinal wou'd hear of no Ac- commodation his till Eneniy^ Chamelouhej was given up. This Favourite oi Gaflon did not doubt, the Court wou'd be better difpos'd to receive again the Prefumptive Heir to the Crown. The Delbenes reviv'd a Negotiation, Overtures were made by Richheuy and Couriers were daily coming and going between Faris and Bruffels^ at which the Queen Mother, the Marquis d* Ayetone^ Governor of the Netherlands upon the Death of the //j/^wf^, the Duke d' Elheuf, and the Princels oi Phaltz,- burg, were terribly allarm'd*, all being done by Oafion and his Fwarite witliout their Participa- tion. ^, Aa^ They 5^0 The^ Secret Htjiory They C):fd out that Gaflon was about to make ungrateful Returns to the King of Spalri^ who had fogencroufly entertain'd him in his Misfortune, and the Marquis d' Ayetone a6ling in concert with Mary de Medicis^ they together hindcr'd the Duke of Orleans s Reconciliation on the Terms Rkhlreu wou'd have impos'd upon him. The Abbot Velhene came twice from Taris to Bruffels, to perfwade Cafion to throw himfelf on the King's Generofity, and not to infift upon a Place of Safety : As al fo to fufFer the Validity of his Marriage, with the Prin- cds o^, Lorrame J to bed*ebated and determin'd by Commiflioners, but Movfieur wou'd not confent to the latter, Lc Coigmux. his Chancellor, had been ^ifmifs'd for oppofing Puylaurens^ but hearing Ga- slon was likely to come to an Accommodation, lie went to him, and was introduced into his Clofet by fume of his Friends. Ke reprefented to him his Services, and that he had abandoned every thing to follow him. Monjisur interrupted him feveral times, and at lafr left him, faying only, / mil take care cf your Interefis. Such is the Gratitude of French Princes, fuch ih^ Reward of their moft faithful and ufeful. Servants, and what better can one expea from thofe that think all Mankind are oblig'd to ferve them, and they, under no Obliga- tion to ferve any body ; that their Will and Plea- fire is Reafon and Juflice, and that to (ijffer for Fidelity, is a fort of Glory, which one ought to be proud of as much as fufFering for Confcience, For my one part, thefe Sublime Notions have no Effect on me, and I fhall never envy ' the Condi- tion of fuch as have had the happinefs to be ruin'd by the Ingratitude of Princes. Richlisu fearing the Duke of Orleans \nou"^ en- ter into new Engagements with the Spaniards^ who tempted him more than ever on the ProfpeiH: they had of lofing him, was refolv'd not to depend on the Inconftancy of that Prince, but whether he wou'd come to an Accommodation or not, to be firong enough of himfelf to (upport his Fortune. He had thoughts of forming a League of his Frieqds and De- of V R A N C E. j'fii Dependants, and had the Infolence to make the following Speech in the Council, when DelhenevQ- turn*d to Paris^ and brought Word that Monfieur wou'd not permit his Marriage to be canvafs'd by Commiflioner?; I fee but Two W ay s^ (diys he, for the King to fecure himfelf agawfi the ill De- figns of Monfieur, the one depends 071 the Benedi- Elton of Heaven J the other on his Majeflys Pnidence. Ihe firji is the Birth of a Dauphin^ by taking a- way all hope of Succeeding to the IhronCy the Birth of an Heir will take away from him the Defign of feeing it vacant* The feco'nd Expedient conftfis in a firiEh Vnion between thofe in whofe Fidtlity the King may confide. This will let all Men of Senfs^ engaged in Monfieur'i Party fee that if any attempt is made on the Life of the King^ there will not mly be Perfons difpos'^d to revenge fo horrid a Crime^ but that Monlieur ivill find a powerful League ready to oppofte him and his Party^ even tho* the Throne became vacant by the ordinary Ways, 7^ Monfieur fees once that the Succejfion to the Throne may he firongly difputed after the Death of the Kingj he will not defire it ^ his Interefl will make him comply with the Kin^s good Servants^ whofe Confederacy will .be formidable if he does not alh according to P.eafon. This Expedition will defend the State againfl the Pernicious Defigns of the Spaniards Abroady and the BifaffeSled at Home, in cafe the King flioud dye. • Neither the one nor the other will dare to compel Monfieur to grant them what they may demandy as the Reward of their having proteBed and defended him. Their Power will be counter hallancd by the V- mon of the Ki'ngs faithful Servants^ who find their fecurity in maintaining the jufi fights of Monfieur, and defending the State againji the Enterpriz^es of the Spaniards. Did ever one meet with fo Infolent and Infamous a Propofal, againft tlie Prefumptive Heir of fo abfolute a Monarchy ? He infinuates no lefs than that GaH:on had Defigns againft the Life of his Brother, and wou'd have the King's Council enter into an Aflbtiation to fupport his Interefts, which he ^62 The Secret Hijfory he calls thofe of the State, in cafe Monfieur fhou*d out live his Brother. By this and the Poilefiion of fo many ilrong Towns held by him and his Rela- tions and Creatures, he doubted not to be able to oblige GaftoH to come to an Accommodation with him, if Lems, who was as weak in Body as in Mind, fhou'd dye without u Son. He had another Projeft, if a Son had been born and the Kingdy'd, which was by the Power of hisjConfe- jBeracy, to get himfelf declar'd Regent, and to banifh the Duke of Orleans to P^enice^ where he fhou'd live on a fmall Penfion. The King, who heard this fine Speech, faid nothing. He reem'd to have terrible Apprehenfions of the Confequences of his Brother's Succefiion to all his faithful Servants, if Riehlieu*s iSdeafures were not taken. But the Death of the Cardinal's Friend, Walleftein in Ger- ntany^ having puzzl'd his Foreign Affairs, he was forc'd to turn his Thoughts that way, and leave his Domefrick Affairs to another Opportunity. Gafton continuing firm in his Refolution not to have his Marriage deflblv'd, entered into a new Treaty with the Spaniards^ which was fufpended a little by an attempt made to AfTaflinate his Fa- vourite Tuylaurens, who was fhot in his Palace, but the Wound was fiight. The AfTafTm got off in the hurry and fright it put Gascon's whole Court into. Who it was that employed this AfTaflin to murder Fuylaurens was not difcover'd, but 'twas generally thought, that Chanteloube was the Man that ki him to Work, and fome Souldiers he us*d to have about him were taken up and examined, which Mary de Medicu highly refented. The Duke d' Elbeufsind the Princefs of Phaltz^burgh were (uf^ pefled to have had a Hand in the Plot againfl: Pny- laurens ^ the former was playing with Mmjieur m his Clofet, when the Favourite was wounded, and 'twas faid he had contriv'd to be there on purpofe to prevent Sufpicion. Be it as it will, Gajlon^ who was mightily concerned for the danger his Favourite had been in, look'd very (ourly on d' Elbeuf iince that Accident happened, knowing the Duke hated Puy ^/FRANCE- 3^j Tuylaurem. D* Elbeuf took an occafion to juftify himfelf, and Monfieur reply'd, / dont believe you xcoud engage in Jucb a P'illamus Defign^ if I had thought fo^ Ifljoud have pimiOidyou for it before nowjf I vpoud only have you to know, that if J coud dif- cover the Author of this Attempt and his Accom- plices, Iwou^d not fpare them. i>' Elbeuf provdk'd at Monfieur s Carriage towards him, and that he fhou'd in the leaft doubt of his Innocence^ faid, 5/>, / have lofi all my Ejiate for your Ser-^ viccy I woud at leaji preferve my Honour* Tour Honour^ reply'd Gafton^ 1 do not meddle with ity I leave tt all entire to you. As to your Ejiate^ 'tis well known you were ruin'd and had lofi your Government before you came to me, ElbefifanfvjQxdy ■ Tis True-i Sir^ but J have been offer d my Govern- ment fince if I woud abandon you. They dont be- lieve it in France, reply'd Gajhn^ I know very well what they think of you there. Let them think what they pleafe, fays Elbeuf J underfiandy Sir^ you are about an Accommodation with the King •, if by chance you have comprehended me in it^ I beg you to do me the Favour to raz,e out what concerns me ^ I will never return to France but vpith the Queen your Mo- ther, Gafion fell into a furious Pallion, and Elbeuf was no lefs furious, venting againfl Pnylaurens tlie ChoUer, he durft not vent againfl the Brother of his King Du Condrai-Montpenfier^ the Favourite's Creature and Confident, challeng'd the Duke d' Elbeuf J whp bid the Gentleman' that brought the Challenge tell du Coudrai\ He woud have him Cun'd^ that 'twas not for him to fet himfelf on a level with a Prince • that ^/'Puylaurens wou^d fight him^ he might lay afide his. Quality^ to let him f&e he knew how to rid himfelf of his Enemies by Honourable ways^ and not by hiring AJajfins. Misfortunes are always apt to four People's Tempers, and Chanteloube and puylaurens not being able to gain their Ends by their Negotiations in France^ animated Mary de Med ids and Gafion more againft each other, as if each was the Occafion of the others Dilap- pointuient, Thefe Heats fo Imprudent andUnna- * ■ ■ - • - j^^^.^1^ 564 7 he Secret Htfiory tural, caus'd continual jars among their Domeftick?, infbmuch, that Mary de Medtcis was forc'd to go to Antwerp^ under Pretence of a Religious 'Vilit to fome Saint, that her Servants might not Fight with her Son Gajion'^. However, the Duke d* Elbeufy as foon as Tvylaurens was well enough recovered of his Wound, fent him a Challenge in the following Terms : Since you falfely Charge me with being the caufe of the Wound that rendered your Life in Danger I have made choice -^?/ a fure and honourable Means to take it from you by my own Hand \ come to the Place this Gentleman wtll tell youy bring Three of your Friends wtth yOUy I will bring Three of mine. Puylaurens accepted of the Challenge, and was preparing to go to the Place of Rendefvous, Monfieur hearing of it, fet Guards upon him, and fell into a violent Paflion againft the Duke, The Challenge^ fays he, is aim'd at me and not Puylaurens ^ the Affair fi)all be de- termined in a manner agreeable to a Son ofFrSLUCQ towards a Duke of Elbeuf. The glorious Privilege to be the Son of a Country. What Laws might one not impofe on all one*s Dependants, with io Magnificent a Title? Gafton got the Marquis d' Ayetone to defire the Duke dJ" Elbeuf not to come to Brujfels'^ the Queen Mother exclaim'd againft It, carry'd him thither in her Coach, appointed him Lodgings in herPallace, and fet a Guard upon him to hinder his Fighting with Puylaurens. Thefe broils went to far, that t lie , very Priefi Chanteloube was fore 'd to be guarded, for fear he alfo fhou'd have Fought. The Two Families of Mary de Medicis and Gafton were (o QuarreHoine, that it was as much as the Gto the King's annexing the Dutchies of Lor- raine and Bar to the Crown, and condemn'd the Marriage of the Duke of Orleans as a Rape upon his Perlbn, tho' he had fo folemnlyconfirm'd it fince his Arrival at Bruffels^ and was fo inflexible on the Article of its DifTolution. I have already made mention of the Nunciature of Aia-Lnrine in Frarice, The Artful, Italian^ who was refolv'd to make his Court to the Cardinal de Richlieuy2ind gain the King's good Graces before he wou'd accept of that Employment, went to the French AmbafTador, andprotefted 'twas forc'd upon him, and that he fliou'd not obey his Holinefs, but with the utmoft Repugnances, defiring the Ambaf- fador to alTure Richiieu, he had not a Servant more at his Devotion than iiiiziifelf j and when he came to ^/FRANCE iji to Francey tho' the Bufinefs of Lorraine was the main Affair he was fent about *^ yet knowing the Fr^^w/; Court were obftinately bent againft tliefe Princes, he fpoke little in the behalf of them, and facrifis'd their Interefts, and even the Interefts of the Pope, whofe Minifter he was, to the Pleafure of Lewis and his Minifter. The Spaniards were not fo blind but they cou'd perceive it, and demanded of the Pope to recall him, which he cou'd not refufe them. In the fequel of this Hiftory will be feen, what a rare Minifter fuch a falfe Intriguing Prieft makes, a worthy SuccefTor of Richlieu his Prote£lor, and an admirable Preceptor for a Monarch who was to Tryumph over the Liberties of bis own Subjeiis and of all Europe. Richlieu v/ho carry*d every thing before him in France., and was become terrible to all the Princes and States round about him, was liimfelf kept irt perpetual Terror of AlTaffins. He fear d no Body fo much as Chanteloube^ and thinking he ihou'd be fafe if Mary de Medici s was further off, he got Gondii the great Duke's Envoy, to go to Brufftls under pretence of taking it in his way to Holland^ and deliver a Letter from the great Duke inviting her to Florence, The Queen Mother wou'd not ftir without the Participation of the King of Spain, fh^ knew if ftie accepted of the great Duke's Offers, and was once on the other fide of the Mountains, ftie fhou'd never be recall'd to France again, and therefore fhe only return'd the great Duke's Com- plements with equal Affeftions and Civility, (aying^ When there wai no wanner of hope of her being re- concil'd to the King her Son^ fije wou'd then retire to Italy. Gondi finding fhe cou'd not be prevailed upon to accept of his Mafter*s Invitation, return'd to F^m, and reprefented the Matter to Richlisu as favourable as poflible •, but the Minifter wou'd not abate any thing of his Inveteracy towards her, nor hear of any Treaty with her, till thofe that had abus'd him in Libels were deliver 'd up; that was what ftuck to him moft, and will eternally f^ick to all ill Minifters, To kt their Alliens in i Bba tr?29J 372 The Secret Hijlory true Light will ever be call'd Sedition, Where are the Proofs of this Truth, cry their Sycophants, bring them out, and who will be convinc'd by it, that hope to make their Fortune by Favour ? Where are the Impartial Judges timt will decide a Caufe agaiiiil a Favourite, where the Merit that is a match for Power ? Lewis gave Gondi feveral Au- diences, but never fo much as ask'd how his Mo- ther did, which was the more ftrange in him, be- caufe he pretended to great Scruples of Confcience in other Cafes, and one wou'd think his Duty to his Mother is plain enough taught him in the Fifth Commandement j for let Princes imagine what they will, the Table is as binding to them as to their Subje^ls, and their Portion muft be with them in the other World according as they have kept God's Laws in this. One of thefe Scruples 'came upon iiim, w^ith refpe£l to his affifting the German Proteftants. 'Tis thought that his ConfelTor, the Jefuit A<[alllant^ had alfo allarmM him on Ac- count of his Ufurping the Dutchy ofI;(7rr^/«^,and Banilliing his Mother and Brother. It ^vas fup- pos'd tiie Superior of the Order, or perhaps the Fope, had fecretly given Order to Maillam^ to fet Lewiis Soul in jnotion on thefe Articles. The King was fo far mov'd by his ConfelTor's Remonflrances, that he reproach'd Rkhlieu with having put him upon feveral unjuft Enterprizes. The Cardinal not doubting but Aiaillam was the Occafion of thefe Reproaches, endeavour'd to perfwade the King, not to let the Jefuits any longer have the Direftion of liis Confcience^ but to make a Bifhop of the Kingdom his ConfefTor, v^rhom he knew wou'd de- pend on himfelf. To quiet his Majefty's Confcience, Eight Do£lors of the Sorborme were to beconfulted with on the Difficulties he had ftarted ^ Four of the Dodors declar'd his Scruples were w^ell ground- ed, and Four, brib'd by Richlieu, alTur'd his Ma- jefl-y there was nothing in them, that he might lawfully affift the Hereticks, and let his Mother Ian- guifh in Exile. Notwithflanding this, Lewis flill earry'd hinafelf very i^efervedly to the Cardinal, who ofF R A N C E. 375 who, as he was wont to do on thefe little Mifun" derftandings, retir'd from Court, afFefted to be weary of the Fatigues of the Miniftry, and defir'd to live at Eafe. Lewis being left a while to himfelf, foon felt the weight of Affairs too heavy for him, and being involved in Intricate Matters widi the Houfc o^ Aufiria^ tending daily more and more to a Rupture, he long'd pailionately to have his Mi- nifter come and eafe him of his Burthen. The Car- dinal remained fome Days in his Retirement at Chilli^ and fevera) People no longer made a doubt of his Difprace ; thofe that wiHi'd it, did their utmofl to conceal it, having paid too dear for lliewing their joy at it, when he was formerly fo near being re- moved. The Secretaries of State, who a£led in concert with Richlleu, carry'd to Lewis all the Dif- patches that requir'd the moft Expeditious Anfwers. The King not knowing what Anfwers to make to Things he did not underftand, pretended to go a Hunting, and Rode as faft as he cou'd to Chilli^ v;here after much Intreatment, he prevailed upon the Cardinal to return to tiiat Miniftry which he had refolv'd never to quit, if it was in the Power of Cunning and Treachery to maintain it. I avoid as much as poffible to enter further into the Hiftory of Frn7ice^ than to expofe the A«5ls which her Minifters have made ufe of to eflablifh Arbitrary Government*, their Negotiations with the Swedes and other Foreign States, and their Intrigues to weaken the Houfe of yluflrla are to be met with in all their Hiftories, and I endea- vour to touch thofe Points only which other Hifto- rians durft not meddle VN^ith. After tlie Rout of the Swedes at Norilinge-amGerma?iy^ Duke Charles of Lorraine knt tiie Standards, taken by his Troops, to A'fary de Med ids and the Duke of Orleans^ the Baron ^e CUnchamp who carry'd them pad privately through Paris^ which when the King and his Mini- fter afterwards heard of, they were highly offended fltfucha piece of Prefumption. The Duke of Lor- raint hop'd by this Complement, and the-Negotia- * B b J ' tioris, ^74 ^^^ Secret Bijlory lions of that Baron to prevail upon Gajion not to fubmit to the hard Conditions the Cardinal wou'd impofe on him. But the Treaty of Accommodation was renew'd and Pi^laurens cau*sd it to be carry'd with fo much Precipitation, that 'twas concluded in a few Days, and fign'd the ift of OBoher 1554. The chief Articles were thofe of Amnefty,and the DifTolution of the Marriage. The latter was re- fer'd to the Pope, the former excepted only La P'ieuviile^ Le Coigneux, Monfigot^ Vteuxpont^ and the Eifhops of Langnedoc^ who had joyn'd Gafton. Will the Example of the Duke of Orleans encourage any one to embrace the Party of weaker Princes, who lo cafily abandon them for their Convenience to the flronger ? Why iliou'd one of thofe Gentlemen, whofe only Crime was their leaving their Country and their All to follow him, have been left out of the Pardon. Bat fuch was ever Gafton's Ingrati- tude, and Inconftancy. Care was taken of Puylaw Yens in the Treaty, he was to be marry'd to one of Richlieus Coufins, the Baron de fmtcbateaus Daughter •, but the Cardinal all the while amus'd bim with the Promifes of Friendfiiip. He cou'd not think of leaving Gafton in the Hands of fo af- piring a Favourite, and waited only for an Oppor- tunity to fhut Vuylaurens up in a Place where he cou'd do noMifchief, faying often, while this Treaty was Negotiating, We Jhall in Time have Age^ a Pun on Puylaurens% Name, which was Antoine de VAge, A matter of this Concernment cou'd not eafily be carry'd on, aiid the Marquis d' Ayetone have no knowledge of if, and when the Duke of Orleans got to Namure^ in order to retire out of the Spanifi Netherlands^ he found Ayetone there to his great furprize, apprehending he might be ftopt, but the Marquis, tbo' he let him know he underflood what had been doing, (poke him very fair, and promised to take care that he fhou'd receive more fatisfadion in the Low- Countries than he hitherto had done, occafion'd by the ill State of their Affairs. The Duke return'd to ^r*^/^? and Two or Three Days after of V R AN C E. 375 after left the Place under pretence of going a Fox Hunting. A little while after Puylaurens followed in his Coach, took Horfe in the Suburbs, joyn*d his Ma- tter in the Forreft of Soignies, and with about Ten or a Dozen of his Domefticks, Gafi-ofi got fafe to Capelie, From thence Delbene was fent to Court to inform the King of his Brother's arrival, and Sti Quentin to Madam and the Marquis d' Ayetone^ to acquaint them with the Reafons that induced Mon- Jieur to leave the Netherlands, St, Quentin was or- dered to tell the Dutchefs of Orleans^ that the Duke wou*d always Love her as he ought, and as he had promised her, of which hedefir'd her to reft afTur'd, and that no Confideration in the World Ihou'd make him change. Tho' Puylaurens had been very Inftramental in facilitating the Accommodation of the Two Royal Brothers, Richileu refolving not to let him remain near Monfieur^ began betimes to give him Jealoufies of what he was to expe any thing again/i his Conjcience. This not fucceeding, BouthilUern Superintendant of the Finances, and Father Jofeph, the Cardinal's intimate Friends and Confidents, were fent to argue the Cafe with him, which was no more effcdlual than the Arguments of the Sor bonne Doftors. Puylaurens refolv'd not to undertake a thing which his Mafter w^as averfe to, or did not think fit to comply with, till fomething more ad- vantageous was oifer'd him. The Cardinal per- ceiving no good was to be done by Artihces with Gafions Favourite, fet himfelf to get him out of the way, ar he had done the Marefchal de Aiarillac^ the Duke de Montmerency and others. Monfieur himfelf was teaz'd by the Ecclefiafticks and others, whom Lewis and Richlieu fent to get him to confent to a Declaration of the Nullity of his Marriage, but neither their Sophiftry nor Perfwa- fions 378 The Secret Hipory fions couM extort from him the lead Word which tended to what they importun'd him to comply with. His Anfwer will fhew us how well Lewis the Xlllth deferv'd the Sirname of Jufi^ by afTuming a Power over the Confcience of his Brother, in the mod tender Point that cou*d be, that of his Marriage, For God's fake, cannot a Prince of the Blood bind himfelf by the Laws of God without his Brother's Confent to itr Has not Gafion as good as Twice marry'd the Princefs of Lorraine^ firft at Navci^ and then at Bruffels? Is not a Marriage perform'd with all the Solemnities required by the Laws of God and Man^ confum mated by the Parties, and con- firmed by a Cohabitation of many Months valid in the fight of God ? What then fignifies the pretence of Lewis and his Minifter, God gave leave, and then the Kings w^as not wanted to Confecrate it. Let us fee what Gajlon faid himfelf to the Devines and others, with equal Senfe and Courage : The pre^ tended Nullity of my Marriage is founded in the Arret of the Parliament of Paris, on the Princes of Lorraine having feducd me and forc'd me to marry the Princefs Margaret their Sijier. If that's falje my Marriage is valid and lawful^ now I declare that thofe Princes defignd mthing hut to put their Sifter into a Nunnery. As I had an Efieem for her Merit and Virtue^ I demanded her of them ^ with fuchpref* fng Inftances^ that they coiid not refufe me. Since they will have it that there was Seduttion and Vio- lence in the Cafs they are on my fide *, if the King or- ders me abfoliitely to Live apart from my lawful Wife J will obey his Adajefiyy hut will never have another as long as Madam lives, I think nothing in the World can be plainer to prove there was no Violence and Sedu£tion in the Cafe-, behdes^ is it not very merry to hear grave Divines, and the Parliament of Pans determine for the Diflolution of the xMarriage on account of the Rape committed on the Perfon of the Duke of Orleans ? Such Allegation? as thefe may do before a mercenary, cowardly Court uf ludicature, and be niade ufe of by Ambitiaus felf-iiirerefted Priefts, but ^/FRANCE. 379 but at the Great Day of Account, when all that were concerned fhall be ask'd why they divided whom God had joyn'd, will this Rape, this Violence and Se- duaion be a fufficient Plea? Will the King's Confent be there wanting to make his Brother's Marriage with a Princefs be efteem'd valid, or is the Pleafure of Kings above the Laws of God too ? And are they exempted from the Eternal Punifh- ment that is threatened to thofe that break them ? I have already carry'd my Reflexions on this mat- ter as far, and I fhall do it as often as I am pro- vok d to it by the lawlefs Praftices of Arbitrary Power. While the Duke of Orleans was at Blois^ the Marquis de Celade took that Place in his way from Flanders to Spain^ he waited on Gafton^ and found he had left the Court becaufe he had met with new occafions of Difguft i he immediately gave^tlie Marquis d' Ayetone notice of it, who conferred upon it with the Duke de Lerma and the Prelident Koje at the Princefs of Chimais^ where the Countels du Fargis lodg'd, they fent for La^ere^ whom Mon- fieur had left with the Dutchefs of Orleans^ and in whom he and Puylaurens very much confided. The Marquis de Ayetone bad him write to the Duke, That they under II 00 d the new Caufes of Complaint which had been given him in France, and tho he had left them in a manner a IjttU Extraordinary^ they had fiill the fame RefpeEi for his Perfon^ and the fame Vaffion to ferve htm. They offer'd him a Retreat in the Territories of the Catholick King, where he fhou'd have the fame Liberty and the fame Security he had had before, and they wou'd en- deavour to entertain him with more Dignity. Not- withftanding that all poflible care was taken to fend an Exprefs to Monfieur with their Advice as fecretly as cou'd be, yet Richlieu than, whom no Body ever manag'd his Intelligence better, nor paid more for it, intercepted the Packet, and this haften'd the Im- prifonment of Puylaurens^ who had not been created Duke and Peer as was promis'd him, nor been parry'd to the Cardinal's Coufin, both which Ga- jt-on ^8o 7he Secret Hijiory fion fent to demand of Richlieu purfuant to the I'reaty. Fuylauren^ embarrafs'd by the Cardinal's afFe£led Delays, and" frighten'd by his Reproache? which he took to be To many Threats, thought of retiring to England, And Richlieu^ well informed of what paft at Blois^ bagan to be afraid of Mon- fjeur's refenting this negleft of his Favourite con- trary to the Treaty made before he left Brujfels, So he difpatch'd the Abbot Delhene to BloiSy to tell his Royal Highnefs and Puylaurensy that the latter might come to Faris and conclude his Mar- riage with the Second Daughter of the Baron de Tont Chateau^ the Duke de la VaUtte had marry 'd the Elder, and the Count de Guiche, Son to the Count de Grammont^ Madamoifellc du Plejfis O^w^/, as near a kin to the Cardinal as the other Two Ladies. That Men of finall or defperate Fortunes, tho* of great Titles, are fond of Alliances with Favourites and Minifters is not ftrange, but that thofe Men or Women of Quality who have large Eftates, and can fupport themfelves by them independant of Fa- vour, Ihou'd involve themfelves in the Fortune of fuch as have arbitrarily held the Reins of Govern- ment, feems to me to be very Impolitick. Honours that are New are like new Wines to which Age only gives Spirit and Value. That fuch Minifters and Favourites ufe all their Arts and all their Power to unite their Interefts with the moil: Noble and PuifTant FamOies is what may be expelled. But the Difgrace that almoft always befals them and thofc that are ally'd to them are methinks a Lef- fon to the Great not to ally themfelves to them, or have to do with them farther than Prudence and Decency require. Gafion returning with TuyUturens to fari^^ the Cardinal cntertain'd them with Extraordinary Mag- nificence, and carry'd them to St, Ger?nainen-laie to finilh the Bufmefs in the King's Prefence. A Young Gentlewoman who wou'd have been glad enough to have marry'd a Financer^ had not her Coufin been Prime Minifter, cannot now be difpos'd of to a Daks of ¥ R A N C E. 381 Duke and Peer, but the King hinifelf mull afiift at the Wedding to give a Sanaion to it. The Cere- mony was perForm'd the 28th of November 1^34. and the Lord (hip of Aigmllon was erefted into x Dutchyand Peerage in favour of Pz^j/Z^^rf^j, to whom 'twas given. He was now as happy as Heart cou*d wifh, having (?ooooo Crowns in Land and Money ; the Favour of the Prefumptive Heir of the Crown, and the Promife of the Cardinal to be a Marcfchal of France, to have the Command of an Army and Im men fe Riches, but then he muft depend entirely upon him, which the Duke de Puylaurem wasfo far from being refolv*d on, thathedefpis'd his Promifcs, and made *em the fubje£l of his Raillery. He was fo indifcreet, that when the Cardinal defir'd him to break off Friendfhip with one of his Confidents, C9udrai'Montpenfier^m^Q2^^^ of obliging him, he took him Home, and gave him an Apartment adjoyning to his own. The Proud Duke d* Epernon was forc'd to confent to the Marriage of his Son the Duke de la Falette to i?/c-/7//e«'s Coufinjtoget himfelfout of the Troubles in w^hich he was involved by his Quarrel with Sour- dis Arch-Bid^op of Bourdeaux. The matter was re- fer'd to the BiQiops in and about Paris to determine ; the Duke dela Falette defir'd lo be heard by them, and made a Submillive Speech, protefting his Father wou'd do whatever they fhou'd require of him. Some of the Prelates were for accommodating of it, but the Majority, influenc'd by Rkhlien, and SourdiSy went in a Body to the King and demanded Juftice for the Violence committed by Epernon a- gainft one of their Order. The Arch-BiHiop of Arles (poke tor them to his Majefty, whom he did his utmoft to irritate againfl the haughty Duke. Cof- pean, Bifhop of Nantes^ was fo offended at the Arch-Bifhop*s aggravating the Duke's pretended Crime, that he cou'd not forbare telling his Bre- thren, 'T/i very jirange *, if the Devil cou'dfubmic himfelf to God as humbly as Monfieur d' Epernon fubmits to the Pafiors of the Churchy he woti*d obtain Mercy, And we reffe to //jsw it to an Old Lord wh9 382 The Secret Hiftory who has always been very fervicable to the Catholic^ Religion, Such was the Moderation of thofe French Priefts, fuch perhaps wou'd be the Moderation of others, if they had fuch a Prince and fuch a Mini- ftry to fupport them. In fine, the Cardinal after the Arch-Bifhop had done fpeaking, pronounc'd the Sentence, That the Duke d' Epcrnon was deprivd of all his Offices and Dignities till ^e was juri- die ally andfolemnly abfolv d by the Church, Eperribn Lad Recourfe to the Pope, who granted him only 3. Provifional Abfolution, not to be in Force till he had the Arch-Bifhop di Bourdeaux's. whom Richlieu lupported at Rome with all his Credit. At laft the Duke and Cardinal de la Valette foften'd him fo far as to confent that the Matter fhou'd be made up on Condition <5/*£per«o?2 parted with his Government of Metz^ to the Cardinal de la Falette^ and that the Cardinal's Brother marry'd his Coufin. However, Sourdis as True a Pried as any of his Religion, wou*d not comply with the leafl Alteration in the manner of the Duke d' Epernons receiving his Abfo- lution, he wou'd give it no where but at the Door of one of the Parifh Churches of Bourdeaux^ and in prefence of Six Counfellors of that Parliament. His Imperious Behaviour was fuch, that Lewis, himfelf was offended at it, and even with his Minifter for malting fuch a Bufinefs of a Trifle, and mortifying fo old an Officer to the Crown as was the Dake^* Epernon, When Sourdis QimQ to Court, after hisTryumph, he immediately receiv'd an Order to depart, which Richlieu himl'elf cou*d not get repeal'd, and his Ene- ' mies began to conceive hopes that his Tyranny was drawing to an end •, but he who made no Scruple to abandon his Benefaftrefs the Queen Mother, when it was fgr his Interefl, wou'd not hazard it for a Creature. He gave up Sourdis to his Mafter's Re- fentment, was prefently reinflated in full Favour \ infomuch, that to his Two Troops of Guards, his Troop of Light Horfe, and his Gens d'Armes, were added Three Hundred Musketeers for the greater Safety of his Perfon, What ^/FRANCE. g8} What made IRkhUeu fo inflexible in the Affair • of the Duke q[ Orleans's Marriage was the hopes he had ot his prevailing y^ith Monfieur to marry Combalet, if his Marriage with the Princefs o( Lor- rame was annul'd •, that ^/c/j/Z^w'sunmeafurable Am- bition went fo far, one may fee by the Atteftation ot thole that knew the Court very well, and par- ticularly Monjieur Fontrailles who tells us, He ima- gir^d, that by marrying Combalet ?(7 Monfieur, hii Power wou d be equals and perhaps fuperlor, to thofe of the Ancient Mayors of the Palace, What mi^ht he not have hope from the Duke of Orleans'sln^ conftancy, if he cou'd have got Puylaurens to have feconded him ? What might he not expeft from the King's Weaknefs, which was fo great that th§fame Fontrailles aflures us, His natural Timidity was aug- wented by the Perfwafion^ that he wanted the Jallents necejfaryfor Government, and cou*d d$ nothing without the Cardinal's ajfifiance. When Princes have fuch a mean Opinion of themfelves, and fo good a one of their Minifters, how many and how hard Ma- ilers will their Poor Subjeas have? Richlieu be- lieving th^t Puylaurens was the main Obftacle to the Duke of Orleans's confenting to the Diflblutioa of his Marriage, refolv'd to facrifife him to his Revenge on the firft Opportunity. Richlieu had dif. cover d that there had been a Letter fent to the Pope before 6-^^^^ left 5r«/^//, defiring that his Holinefs woud not mind what was told him of the Duke of Orleans's confenting to the Nullity of his Mar- riage after his return, for that it wou*d be extorted from him by Violence. The Cardinal upbraided Puylaurem with not having told him of that Letter the latter replyUr.« never ask'd me. Sir. whether his Koyal Highnejs had wriiten to Rome, The Car- dinal fwore, He might have fav' d him the Trouble of asking the ^ueflion ^ and left him with a Look thac Spoke nothing but Fury and Vengeance. Accord- ingly he continually reprefented him to the Kin^ as a dangerous Perfon in thelntereft of th^ Spaniards with whom he correfponded. Richlieu had no Proof oriuch Correfpondence; an^ 'ds not likely that Puy. Imrens 384 ^'^^ Secret Htjtory laur^ns who expe£led to rife ftill higher in France by his Mafter and his new Couiin's Favour, wou d carry on any unlawful IntelHgence with the Spimi- ards^s long as he had thofe Expeftations ^ but what Trjs a. French Author J Richlieu fpa/d no Manwho coiid hinder or retard the execution of his Tro]eEhs^ and Lewis naturally inclining to AUs of Severity, con- fented with Pleafure to the Propofal that was ?nade him tofecure Puylaurens'i Power. In order to thi?, his Majefty, as he had done more than once before, confented alfo to be in a Plot with his Minifterto apprehend him. He gave out that he wou'd have a Royal Ball in the Carnaval, and 6'/?/?6??2 and his Fa- vourite were invited to it ^ they both came to Court, and were carefs'd more than ufually. The i4.th of February 1635 w^as the Day on which this Ball was to be given, the Guard of the U^uvre was doubrd, one of the Duke o^ Orleans's Footmen ob- ferv'd it, and gave his Mafter Intimation of it, but Gafion not taking much notice of it, went to the King's Chamber and talk'd with him till Rich- lieu came. The Cardinal din'd that Day with Seguier^ Keeper of the Seals, where alfo dm d du Fargis and Coudrai' Mo77tpenfier-y Two of Puy/.wrens's muft in- timate Friends, whom they kept there for fear they fhou'd difcover any thing. Richlieu after Dinner took du Forgis to the Louvre^ and Coitdrai-AIont- pc'fifier ftay'd with the Keeper, who was to have him arrefted if he ofFer'd to be gone. The Duke de Puylaurens did not come fo foon as he was ex- pelled, which made Lewis and Richlien afi'aid their Plot was dete£led ^ they kept it (o Secret, that the Favourite St. Simon^ lately alfo created a Duke and Peer, knew nothing of the matter. At laft Puy- laurens came; after a little -Talk with him, the King carry'd the Duke of Orleans into his Clofet, whither Richlieu and fome others follow'd them. This was the Signal to the Marquis du Gardes to arreft Puylaurens^ and to the Count de Charrcji to arreft du Fargis, Puylaurens was examin'd that very Ev^^ning by the Magiftrates, but no Crime. W'tich juftify'd this ufage of him cou'd be prov'd upon ^/FRANCE. ?S5 upon him ; however, he was thrown into Prifon, and had a cruel Keeper put over him *, he lay there- in great Mifery Four Months, and then dy'd of Poi- fon, as feveral Authors report, and as others of the Spotted Fever ^ but all agree that the bad Air of the Goal was enough to have kilFd him in that time. Happy's the Nation that has fo Glorious a iVlinifler at their Head, a.s wdisRlchlieu^ where the Liberty of the greatcft Lord depends on him, and Guards are call d to hurry People to Dungeons or Death, unhear'd or unconvicted, with as much eafe as are the Theatrical Murders of the Tyrants of the State. The King gave his Brother good Words, fo did Richlieu^ they alfo fpoke to Gajlons other Ser- vants very fair, and engaged the Captain of his Guards, Goulas and others of them, to follow the Example of the Abbot Ddhene^ who, while he pretended to ferve the Duke of Orleans with more than ordinary Zeal, was flili in the Confidence and Intereft of the Cardinal. The Duke of Orleans being, as has been faid, in the King's Clofet when his Favourite was arrefled, to prevent the ill EfFe^s of his Brother's and the Cardinal's Averfion to Puyhurens^ he protcited he would abandon him to his Majefty*s Juftice, provided he was found Guilty of any Crime fince his Return to France. Rkhlieu on the other hand endeavoured to foften Gajlons Refentment, and re- move the Jealoufies he might conceive upon this Enterprize, by afTuring him the King was ready to give him new Proofs of his good Will, and that he fhou'd hereafter be call'd to all the King's Counfells , We will talk of that another Timey reply'd the Duke, / only asli you norv^ whether the King will permit we po lye at the Hotel c/Guife *, Richlieu anfwer'd. Tour R^al Hlghmfs may do what you pleafi^ for hi? Majcfty had left them together. The Duke having taken leave of his Brother, went immediately to thQ Hotel o( Guife J whither Richlieu was about te follow him, to ufe further Atguments to bring hinl into Temper, for he appear d very Sullen en the apprehending of his Favourite j but the Cardinal^ G c a^ 386 The Secret Hifiory as Powerful as he was, ivas afraid of his ufmg Re- prizals when it was hi his Power^ wherefore he fent the Cardinal de la Falette and Bonthillter to make new Proteftations of Service, and affure him he was very much troubled that Ft^ylaurem's ill Conduct had put the King under a Neceflity of fecuring his Perfon. The Duke of Orleans heard them patiently, and then having declared that he did not beUeve his Favourite had held any Intelligence with the Court o{ Brufjels fince he left it, unlefs it was aboutMat- ters of Gallantry, he proceeded thus : If Puylaurens has cans' d this Misfortune to himfelf^ becaufe he has not advis'd me to take any Step to the Prejudice of fny Marriage^) I muji declare plainly^ that neither he nor any Man in the World Jfjall ever obtain my confent to a Thing which I believe to he contrary to my Ho ncur and my Confcience. I will live feparated from my Wife^ fince the King will have it fo^ what greater Proof of my Submi[fion can be requir d of ?ne. If his Majefty willProfecute the Dijfolution of my Marriage I tfm'iibear tt^ but Jljall never demand it ', God forbid I ftjoiid ever be fo bafe as to co77iplain of having fuffe/d the leafl Fiolence in a thing Ide fir d.^ and prefs'd the Coyjclufwn of it. There never was greater Evidence of the Validity of a Marriage, and of the Violence they wou'd have put upon Gajion's Confcience, than this repeated Solemn Declaration of his having voluntarily com menc'd and com pleated if, yethis Treacherous Servants, brib'd by Richlieu^ conti- nually importun'd him to fubmit to the King's Pleafure, reprefenting to him, that his Grandeur and the Safety even of his Perfon depended fo entire- ly on the Cardinal, his Ruin wou'd be inevitable un- lefs he enter*d into ftric^er Engagements with him, whether they intended his marrying Combalet or only to favour Richlieu in his A-liniftry, is not determined to us. Be it as it will, GafionwoM not be governed by them, hut took Montr ef or into his Confidence in- (lead of Puylaurens^ and to that Gentleman he freely open'd himfelf, having very juftSufpicions of the Fidelity of moft of bis other Domefticks, which tncreas'd his Chagrin, and to divert it, he fpent his Time of ¥ K A N C E. J87 Time at Btois^ Orleans^ and other Places of his ^pennage in Country Sports and Diverfions. The Pleafure of the arrefting PuyUurem was very much abated, by News that the ImperiaLifis had fnrpriz'd Philipsburgh^ where Arnaud^ a Creature of Father j£>/e;7/?'s, Commanded. The King thought no more of his Ball, but went and fhut himfelf up at rerjaillesj thefCardinal pretended to be Sick, and retir'd to Ruel *, his Enemies were inwardly pleas'd that this Difgrace had happened by means of one of his Confidents, Father Jofeph having recommended Amaud to be Governor of that Important Place, which the French hadpofTefs'd themfelves of to fa- cilitate their junftion with the Swedes in Germany. But Richlteuj with all pofTible Difpatcb, fent away Orders to fortify Heidelberg and Manheim, and reintorc'd the Garrifons on the (Serman Side, kvu Apology was alfo pubiilh'd for Arnaudy throwing the Fault on the Treachery of the Germans wh.o were in the Place. Z^n?/^ recover'd himfelf after a few Days MelanchoLly, and returned to Paris^ where his Minifler was arriv d before him, and had re- newed the Preparations for the Ball. I fhall not enter into the Particulars of the Cardi- nal's Intrigues with the Swedes^ the Princes of Italy^ and the States General of the Vnited Provinces^ only obferve, that fo long ago did France look with a greedy Eye on the Netherlands^ which by her Treaty with the States, made in 1 - 'uenhelefs^ whatever Judgment is given in Rome or in France, 1 will never have any other Wife than the Princefs Margaret, to whom I lawfully e-figagd my Jelf, Le Coigneux^ who was reflor'd to fome Degree of Favour at Court, undertook to prevail on Charles Duke of Lorraine to confent to the DifTolurion of, the Match, in hopes of the Reftitution of his Dominions, and Charles going foon after to the Netherlands^ 'twas thought he w^ent thither to perfwade his Sifter to do the fame, but it all came to nothing. Richlieu wou'd even have contented Duke Charles in many things, jf he cou'd havcremov'd thatinfurmountable Obfta- cle to Comhalet's Marriage with ihe Duke of Or- leans. While thefe things were in Tran faction, a New Revolution happen'd in Cajion's Court, the Abbot de la Riviere^ his Confident, quarrell'd with Cha- vignl and was feht to the Bailille, feveral other of his Servants were turn'd off, and the Duke, to be reveng'd far thefe A£ls of Violence, did the fame by tiie Abbot Delhene, one ot Richlieu s Spies. C/;.'7i;/^«/ endeavouring to juftify himfelf one Day that he had no Share in the Orders the King had ^iven, with Reference to his Brother's Domefticks; (jood o/F R A N C E. 405 Cood Godi, fays Gallon ! / don't co^r.plain ef you nor «/ Monfieur the Cardinal^ you are onr A f afters-^ Rkhlleu had infinuated to Letois that his Brother was meditating new Troubles, and had caui'd it to be fo reported about Paris, which he did to pro- cure him to Banifh tiie Duke of Orleans's moft Faitliful Servants as his Evil Counfellors. The carrying every Point thus in France^ did not eafe Richlieu of his Chagrin at the Oppolition he met with at Romcj where the Pope feem'd to take Pleafure in vexing him, not only in the Affair of the Duke o{ Orleans's Marriage, but others. Vr- ban fent a Brief to the Cardinal de la Falette^ who commanded the French Army which a6led in Con- ;unftion with the Swedes under Duke Bernard of SaxeWeymar^ to quit that Command, It not being decent for a Member of the Sacrtd College^ as the Brief had it, to be ajfociated with the General of an Heretick Army, Upon which Richlieu wrote his Friend the following Letter of the loth of January I Have not been wanting to do what I thought ne- ceffary for the King's Service and your Satisfa- Bion on the fubje5i of the Brief the Pope has fent you^we have made great Complaints of it to the Numio, Aionfeur the Cardinal of Lyons, mid Monfisur the Ambajfadory have fpoken to the Pope and to his Ne- phew-) making vfe of all the Reafons and Examples that were to be us'd on fuch an Occafion. I jusr now fpoke to Monfieur Mazarine about ity he tells me the Anfwer the Nuntios have received to what thty wrote to Rome on the Part of the King is^ that the Pope coud do no lef^ but that he woud do no more^ what^ ever concerns you will always touch me more fenfibly than yourfelf The Cardinal of Lyons^ Richlieu*s Elder Brother, receiv'd alfo a Mortification. That Prelate, taken Dd 5 out 4^6 The Secret Hijlory <>ut of the Order oiChartnux^ thought he ftiou'd *^ot be ib deform'd as he was by Nature, and that it wou'd take off a great deal of his Uglinefs and rude Air, which were extreamly fhocking to the l^idies, if he let his Hair grow as long as the other Cardinals. Accordingly he did fo, and Vrban or- dered him to Shave after the manner of his Bro- therhood. The Pope gave another Inftance of his ill Will to Lewis's Minifter, or rather Governor. f^wii^ at the inftigation of Richlieuj had nanVd the Capuchine Father Jofeph to be a Cardinal at the next Promotion, and Father Jofeph was fo earned to have that Nomination fucceed, that Richlieu^ who knew his infinuating and ambitious Temper, pri- vately obftru£led it, being allarm'd at theprefling Inftatices the Capuchine made for the Cap, which he apprehended was done with a Deiign to fup- plant him. Father Jofeph miftrufted that the Car- dinal dealt doubly with him, and intended to put Mazarine in his Place. Chavigni^ Secretary of State, in a Letter which he wrote the JVIarefchal d* Etrees^ then AmbafTadorat Rome^ has a Particularity which ihews us admirably well what is the fincerity of Courts and Minifters of State. For after a long Letter of Lewis i> to the Pope, wherein the Pro- motion of Father Jofeph is prefs'd with the utmoft carneftnefs, Chavigm gives the Marefchal Inftruftion to pretend that he folHcited the Affair more than he really did or was defir'd to do. The PafTage in the King's Letter is very ftrong in favour of the Capuchine's Promotion. Jf after all^ fays Lewis ^ his Holinefs continues to make Difficulties in the matter^ you muft tell him J am abfolutely determined not to change my Nomination on that Account, That /, and not Hey are to name Perfons ^ that he ought to aC' eept thofe whofe Manners are approved of by all the Worldy and whofe Zeal and Sentiments for the Ca- tholick, Apoftolical and Roman Religion are what they ought to be, Lewis went fo far, as to order d* Etrees to give out that he wou'd leave Rome^ if Father Jofeph was not promoted to the Purple, and yet did Chavtgni write him as follows : Be fure to (^FRANCE, 407 /ay in your Difpatches that you prefs* d the Tromotion^ and hope in a Little while to obtain it, "Tii necef* fary to content Father Jofeph, to prevent his taking Vmhrage, and that he might not think you a5i with Negligence in what concerns him. Not long after there happened an Event at Taris^ which was all the Talk of Court and City, the dif ferent Reception and Entertainment given to Two Princes, Friends to France^ who came to vifit the King, and negotiate their Affairs with that Court, I mean the Duke of Farma and Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weymar. Farnefe^ Duke of Farma^ was threatened with an Invafion by the Spaniards^ and Bernard's Army was almoft deftroy'd by Defer- tion and Skirmiihes. Farnefe was receiv'd with all poffible Honours, tho' the great Lords were fhock'd at his Haughtinefs, which tliey caird Arrogance.- He had not given the Duke de MercAur the Hand iij his Appartment, nor waited on the Duke de la Valette out of his Chamber. All the Dukes and Peers cry d out againft it, and protefted they wou'd not Vifit the Duke of Farma unlefs he gave them the Hand in his own Appartment. The King's Counfel took cognizance of the Difference, and at the inftigation ofRichlieUj thefe Gentlemen loft their Caufe. The Cardinal was fet upon keeping Farnefe fteddy in the French Intereft, hoping by his means to embarrafs^ the King of Spain % Affairs in Italy. For this Reafon he fupported the Pretenfions of a Prince made fo by the Scandalous Ambition of a Pope, to the Prejudice oftiie beft Families in France. Notwithftanding that Farnefe s Great- Grandfatiier was only a Pope's Baftard. and had been made a Prince againft the Rules of Religion and De- cency ; yet fee the Infolence of Richheu to in- gratiate himfelf with the Duke of Farma. lis a Jhame, fays he, that Men who have fprung itp like Mufl)rooms^ fboud demand Precedence even in the Kings Fallace of a Sovereign Prince defended of an Ancient and Illujirious Houfe. Can any of 'em pretend that Monfieur the Chancellor gives them the Hand at his Houfe ? Never thelefs Monfvsur the Chan- D d 4s cellor ■408 The Secret Hifiory cellor knows better Things than to carry his Preten- fions fo far as the Dukes and Peers, If I was not a Cardinal 1 flwud make no fcruple of giving Place to the Duke of Parma at his own jippartment, tho* the King has honour d me with the Dignity of Duke and Peerm His Majefiy ought on this Occaficn^ to o- bilge a Prince allyd to France, and humble th^'fe that rvoud Jo mal-a-propos egual themfelves to Soveraigns. This Ancient and llluftrious Hoife was hardly heard of before Pope Paul the Kiel s Time. Suppoie that Farnefe was Superior to Epernon and Luines^ lAtiifprung up like Mujhrooms^ was his Family to be compar'd to the Houles of Lorraine^ Savoy-, Lon- ^ueville^Vendome^ and Angouieme^ The Eldeft and Youngeft of thole great Families were order'd to give Place every where to the Duke of Parma^ as well as the Dukes and Peers ; but only the Duke de Men^ur^ Eldeft Son to the Duke de Fendome^ the Count de Harcourt, Brother to the Dukeri' El- heuf of the Houfe of Lorraine^ and the Count de AletTiy Son to the Duke d' Angouiemey fubmitted to the Decifion of the King's Council. The Duke of Orleans and that Afpiring Prieft, Richlieu^ had Ceremonials agreed upon particularly for them. The Cardinal entertain'd Farnefe at his Houfe with a Comedy, a Ball and a Supper, which coft him a Million. Abundance of fine Things were promis'd jiim, as that he fhou'd have the Command of the Confederate Army in It^ly in the abfence of the Duke ofSavoy^ and have fufficient Forces to defend his Territories j but the Honours ihat were paid him at his coming and going, and during his Abode at Paris ^together with a Prefenf of iodqoo Crowns, were all that he got by bis Journey to Fr^^wf^. This Event is a little too particular for fo gene- ral a Hiftory, but it is necefTary to be mention'd to introduce one that is as great an Anecdote as any we have met with, and has Relation to Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weymar^ who came to Paris^ and was there at the fame Time with Farnefe. Whe- ther it was tliat Richlieu did not like Bernard's Er- rand or the Man, the German V7as not treated fp honourably ^/ F R A N C E. 409 honourably as the Jtalian^who defcended of a Princely ■Houfe, that gave an Emperor to Germany. Not- vvithftanding Duke Bernard's Army was in a def- perate Condition, yet he had feveral ftrong Places in his PofTeflion, and cou'd eafily recriut it with Money. His Alliance was ftill courted by Richlieu, who not only hop'd to get him to turn Catholick, and by his means to procure for himfelf the E- leftorate of Treves, the Bifhoprick of Spire^ and perhaps his Chimerical Kingdom of ^uftrafiaSy a Map of which he had order 'd to be drawn out, but alio to marry his Neice ComhaUt^ and to efta- blifh her in the Landgravate o{ Alface^ The Car- dinal refolving to make his Market of her, and finding fo many obftaclfcs in the Projeft of marry- ing her to the King's Brother, thought he cou'd not do better than to fettle her in that New Prin- cipality, r.nd by her means fecure Bernard in his Interefts But the Marriage being propos'd to the Duke o^ SaxeWeymar^ the German did not ftand hefitating about it, as the Duke of Or/e^^j fome- times did, but faid plainly Madam de Combalet is Handfome enough to make a Mljlrefs^ but Mon- feur the Cardinal does not know me^ if he thinks me capable of confenting to fo unequal an Alliance, Bernard told this Repartee of his to Hervarty his Confident, afterwards Comptroller-General of the Finances under Mazjirine'^s Miniftry. Hervart wa$ very much concern'd at his Franknefs, and faid to him, Thefe Sentiments^ my Lord^ are worthy of a Prince of your Avgvji Houfe^ but I wou*d to God you had not declared them jo openly. " The Cardinal will jurely hear of it, you know he cannot bare Con- tempt^ and to what excefs his revengeful Humour is apt to carry him. Duke Bernard did not feem to be veryforry at what he had faid, and the Cardinal certainly made that Difference between his Treat- ment and that of the Duke of Parma^ on purpofe to mortify him. He was extreamly difgufted at it ', they only Icdg'd him in the Arfenal^ whereas Farnefe was lodg'd in the Queen Mother's Appart- nient. The Officer$ that waited on him were of 4IO The Secret HiJIory a lower Degree than thofe who waited on Tarmd. In the firft Audience he had of the King, Lewis put on h!«y Hat, and Bernard uncovered •, the German ftaid a while for the Sign to put on his Hat, which not being given as he expe£^ed, he did it of himfelf, Lewis changed Colour, prefently pull'd off his HU to oblige Bernard to do the fame, broke off the Converfation, and went into his Clofet; Btrtire^ who perform'd the Office of Mafter of the Cere- monies, was caird, and the King demanded why he did not do as he had been order'd, and tell the Duke of SaxeWeymar that he had no Right to be cover'd in his Ma;efty*s Prefence. Bertire reply'd, / did exaUly what J was commanded ; ij Monfieur the Duke of Weymar had no regard to the Notice J gave hiniy 'twas becaufe he wou'd not have it, Lewis^ recollefted himfelt, returned into the Cham- ber of Audience, and condufted Bernard into the Queen's Appartment, the Duke flood bare, the King with his Hat on, but Bernard gave People to underftand, *twas a Compliment paid to the Sex and not the Dignity. The Duke of Parma fent one of his Gentlemen to Compliment him in his Name \ however, Bernard cou'd not for bare crying out againfl him. Monfieur the Duke of Parma is very Proud of the Extraordinary Honours that are paid him here^ fiou*d he have forgotten that my Anceftors wore the Imperial Crown ^ when his were but plain Gentlemen? This was told Farnefe^ who'reply'd, Iconfcfs the Empire has been in the Hottfe /iw^, but thefe Prelates have been every where fuch as feem'd to have been forc'd upon the Church, and to live in it asifit wasby Conftraint, having the Learning, and living after the manner rather of a Camp than of a Cathedral. Men of Senfe laugh'd at the Cardinal's Injudicious Favour to thefe Bifhops, in giving them Commands Aboard Men of War, and exclaim'dal- fo againft his putting the Count de Harcourt over the Fleet, that Count having never yet ferv'd at Sea. This Fleet confifted of about Forty Men of War, and was the greateft France ever put to Sea, it pafs'd the Streighs, and approached the Coafts of Naples! where, by that time the Fleet arriv'd, all things were quiet, and the Count ^e Harcourt and histwo Bifhops had nothing to do but to Sail along a fine Country. The next thing that was enjoyn'd them was to recover the Iflands o{ St. Margaret and St. Honorat^ which was hinder'd by a Divifion between the Count de //^rc(7«rr and the Marefchal ^^ ritri^ Governor of Provence. The latter refented the Count's having a Commiffion given him, which he thought belong'd to him as Governor of a Province, Which thofe Two Iflands made a parto^ befides he was not very fond of an Expedition, which was like to deprive him of the Profit he made by tlie Troops kept on Foot, to defend the Coafls againfl the De- fcents of the Spaniards from thofe Ifles. He therefore refus'd to obey the Count de Harcourt of the Houfe of Lorraine, when the attacking the Two Iflands was debated in the Council of War. This he did, not- withftanding the King had fent him pofitive Orders to ferve under the Count, the Marefchal was more pafTively obedient when he was to cut the Throat of the Marefchal de Ancre. He now refufes to obey the King's Command. Shou'd a Governor of a Pro- vince dare to do fo in the Reign of the Son o{ Lewis the Jvft^ what wou'd become cfbini ? Fitrl left his Sol- 41 6 The Secret Hijlorj Soldiers with, Harcourt^ but wou'd not accompany, him in his Expedition. A Month was fpent by the- Count and liis Two Prelates in ufelefs Confultations, after which Provifions fell ihort, and the Fault was laid to the Door of the Bifhop of Nantes^ whofe Charge it was in Particular to provide all NecefTa- ries. People made themfelves merry with the Neg- ligence of this EpifcopalCommilTary, li^hy fiou^d he .he hlMd^ faidthey, Is a Blflr^p obltg'd to know any thing be fides his Profejfion ? He of A^^wr^j w^as,it feems, very Ignorant; the Arch- Bifhop of ^oWe^/^.v wlio had built an imaginary Fortune on the Succefs of this Fleet, was enrag'd'to find they were all difappoint- ed*, lie cry*d out againfl the want of Provifions and Money, and the Mifunderftandings between Vitrl and Harcourt, The Prelate reproached the Marefchal in a Coun-. cil, at which the Firfl: Prefident of the Parliament of Provence afllfted on this Account. Vitri Can»d the Arch -Bifhop, giving him Twenty Blows, but he being out of his Diocefs, he cou'd not fulmi- nate as he had done againft the Duke d' Epernon. The Bifhop's Difgrace brought that Story into Re- membrance, and every Body laugh d at him for afTaming a Station he was (o unequal to. Cha- vigni wrote to the Cardinal de la Faktte^ that the Marefchal de Vitri had reveng'd the Duke d' Eper- 7ion. I believe^ fays he, A^onfieur de Bourdeaux en-^ deavours to be Cand wherever he comcs^ that he may fdlthe whole Kingdom with excommunicated Peo- ple. While the General Officers were Quarreling thus a Shoar, the Spanijb Galleys landed Three Thoufand Men in the Two Iflands, And the French Fleet fail'd fairly back again, having only fhewn its felf in the Mediterranean. The Two Biihops that were aboard it, being fufficiently rally'd, as was the Cardinal de Richlieu^ for employing them in a Bufinefs they were fo unfit for. This dil- honourable Expedition, and the Prince o^ Conde*s raifing the Siege of Dole^ in the French County, very much afflidled Lewis^ who if he had been his own Mafter, wou'd certainly have Ihewn his Re- fen tment of FRANCE. 417 fentment in another manner to the Cardinal, for putting both of thofe Enterprizes into fuch Hands. The Siege of Dole being left to Conde, and a Cou- fin of RichUeu% Monfieur de Meilleraie ; the for- mer feeing a Man who lov'd Money better than Glory, the latter a rafh fiery Bravo. The Ger- mans having found means after a hve or fix Months Siege, to advance with a good Army to the relief of the Place, Rlchlieu was terribly embarrafs'd how to bring the Prince and his Coufin off with Honour, after he had promised the King fi'om time to time that the Town {hou'd be in their Hands in a few Days. The Prince of GorJe hearing of the Approach of the Germans^ fummon'd the Place a- gain to Surrender, but they difpis'd his Impotence and Prefumption, fending him a Summons in forn\ to raife the Siege. A Trumpeter came to him from the Town to declare, that if he wou'd retire, they wou'd give huii Six Days Time, But if hi- High- nefs reje^ed that Offer, it w^ou*d be the worfe for him. Conde reply*d in a Fury, Tell the Inhabitants of Dole, / will not accept of their Surrendring by Compofihon, unlefs they beg it of me with Hat- ters about their Necks, The Befieg'd infulted him yet further, they caus*d Letters to be thrown into the Camp of the Befiegers, threatning to keep him as long before the Town as he lay in his Mo- ther's Belly, which was faid to be a Eleven Months, At lad Lewis fent pofitive Orders to the Prince to raife the Siege, if a certain Mine on which 'twas given out the Succefs of it depended, did not take EffefV. The Mine was fprung to no purpofe, and his Highnefs, the Prince of Conde and Richlieus Cou- fion Meilleraie^ niarch'd off with the remains ot a fine Army, their Rear expos 'd to the Attack of the Germans^ who were not very forward to fol- low them, the Town being reduc'd to the laft Ex- tremity. Thefe Difgraces were followed by the loii of Capelle^ and the ravageing the Provinces ofPicardy^ Champagne^ and even the Ifle of France by the Ger- visns and Spaniards j Catelet followed the Fate of CapelU^ The Parifmns vfQi'Q in a dreadful Fright. E e Every^ ' i 41 8 The Secret Hifiory Every one cry'd out againft the Cardinal for cen- tring fo rafhily into the War, and leaving the Fron- tiers To weak and expos'd. Rlchlieu,to throw as much of the Odium as he cou'd off himfelf, caused the Marquis du Bee, Governor oiCapelle^ and the Baron de S'Leger^ Governor of Cata'ety to be profecuted for delivering up tiiofe Places.^ The Two Gover- nors having notice of the Orders he had given, made their Efcape, for tiio' they really cou'd not have defended the Towns longer than they did, they knew the Cardinal woud have made no Scruple of taking off their Heads right or wrong, to flwe his own Reputation. The Truth is, the Soldiers of thofe Two Garrifons had been heard to fay, they wou'd not venture their Lives in a Quarrel in which the King w^as not concern'd, but only the Prime Minifter's Authority was in Queflion. The Germans and Spaniards pafl the Somme^ took Roie and Corbie^ the latter ill defended by Soyecourt, Brother-in-Law to the Qouuld' Avaux^ a Confident of Richlleus and Fatiier Jofeph's, Such Minifters as Rkhlieu will never confider a Man's Ability, Cou- rage and Merit in advancing him to a Civil or Military Pofl, but his Difpofition to be a Tool to facrihfe Honour and Confcience to their Intereft, and whenever a Country is attack'd that has their Tools for its Defenders, it may expcifl the fame Defence us France had now her fcncmies are within a few Leagues of her Capital. The Panfianf began to Ihut up their Shops, and it was fa id of Rkhlieu ^ if he had not thrown down the Walls of Paris to make Gardens and build Monafteries, they had not needed to have been in fuch fear of a Siege :j but the ill Condu6l of the Germans {av*d them from the Ruin which the Cardinal's raOmers had brought them fo near to. This great Politician, wdiofe Charafler cannot be touched but to his Advantage, if an Hiftorian wou*d be read, was however, f) abcindon'd to his PafTion, that he did not give Jiimfelf Time Xo think w^har was to be done, befides breaking with the Houfe of Aufiria^ before he broke with them. He artfully drew e/ F R A N C E. 4t9 drew feveral Princes into a Confederacy with France againft them, but had not made due Pre- parations to fupport it. He was himfelf in fuch a Confternation after tlie lofs of Corhte^ tliat at firft he was for removing with tlie Court to Orleum or Blots, but the Fright being a little over, he de- fcended from his haughty obflinate Manner, to an obliging complying one. He promis*d that the Peo- ple liiou'd be eas'd in their Taxes, they were ex- horted to take Arms, the King was advis d to give the Command of the Armies to the Duke oi Or- leans^ and the Princes of the Blood. Several great Lords v^ho had been forbidden the Court, as the Duke d* yhgoulemcj the Count de la Rochfaucaultj and the Marquis de Valencai^ were recall'd. The Minifter did that out of Fear, which he ought to have done out of Juftice. The Terror People were in, was fuch, that they readily offer'd their Money and their Perfons to defend their Country. The Parliament of Varls ofFer'd to raife and to maintain.- ■— « . 2<^oo Foot.' The Chamber of Accounts. ^-^ 700 The Court ai Aids, 400 The King's Secretaries^ _— ■ 400 The Chancellor, the Two Superintendants of the Finances and their Clerks. 500 Horfei The City of Varis. . . » ■ 6^00 Foot. The Neighb'ring Towns. 4joa The Towns between Varis and The CcUjiines and Chanreux* . 400 The Univerfity of Faris, — — . 400 The next Day after the Parliament had made this OfFer, they met to confider how to raife the Mo- ney, and proposal to dtpute T welve Counfellors to the Hotel de Fllle^ to take care for the Guard of the City, and to have an Eye on- the due Applicadon Ee 2 of 420 The Secret Hifiorj of the Money granted to be rais'd for this Service- The Prefident Le Jay opposed this, for what figni- fies the giving Money for the Publick Service, if tlie Minifters have not the fole Difpofirion of it. The Mkhlf'eus of ?A\ Times do not care whether there be Money given or not, unieis it pafTes thro' their Hands or the Hands of rheir Creatures. Le Jay faid the AlTembly were not met to that Purpofe, but the Prefident de Mefmes made a long Speech to fhew the necefTity of tiieir delibeiatng upon it, and in the Speech he mention'd the mono- polizing of Places by Richlleu and his Relations, a Grievance fo very common, that I have often wonder'd cunning Minifters will not rather make ufe of other Mens Names to enrich their Fa- milies than fill the Court Lifts with thofe of their own. He alfo complain'd that no Care was taken in the Management of the Finances, and that immenfe Sums of Money and a prodigious quan- tity of Ammunition and Artillery had been fen t to Havre de Grace where the Cardinal was Mafter. Mefmes reproach'd Le Jay with facrififing the Publick Welfare to his Private Intereft. To give a Check to this Impertinent Zeal for the good of their Country, the King fent for the Prefi- dents au A'forticr a Prefident and Dean of each Chamber of Inquefts to the Lovure^ and bad them Meddle with their cvpn Bufvjepy adding, / krjoro hoxv to govern fny Khgdomj Ij you have aijy Ad' H}ice to give me I xolll readily hear you ; you ivay alfo adfdrefs your felf to Monfieur the Cardinal^ he will receive you very wdl^ but I forbid you to talk m a Tujuidticous Seditious ma-nner of State Affairs tn your Afjembly, if any thing has been fent to Havre de Grace it was by my Order, Then Rlchlieu took up the Difcourfe, iaying, If the King had not fufnciertly jaflify'd him, he wou'd give fo good an Account of his Anions that no reafo- nable Man fhou'd have a Word to object to them. The Magiftrates being in great Appre- henfions of Confinement, as had been lately the Cu- cf¥ RANGE. 421 Cuftom on fuch Occafions, made a mofl Sub- miffive Anfwer, and withdrew trembling, the Prefident de Mefmes cringing and trembling as well as the reft. In Times of Peril, few People fufFer for fpeaking againft thofe that have brought them into it, the Lofers have always leave to fpeak, and we feldom meet with Threats againft the Seditious, a Term that in fome Countries is to be underftood of thofe that Ipeak Truth out of Seafon. Accordingly the Tongues of the Fremh were loud and bold enough againft the Prime Minifter. The Invaders were carrying Fire and Sword thro' feveral of their beft Provinces, and 'tis a wonder they were fatis- fy'd with ufing their Tongues only. The Cardinal not daring to throw the Seditious into Dungeons, as he was wont to do, got his Mercenaries to write Panegyricks for him, as faft as his Oppo- nents publilh'd Libells, as they were call'd, and as all Hiftories will ever be call'd that are not to the Gout of the Minifter, Thefe Mercenaries who thought the more Flaming their Incenfe was, and the ftronger it fmelt, the richer it wou'd be thought and the Price be the greater, always over did it, and never more than now that their Patron was fur- rounded by an Army of Enemies, not French Men, but Foreigners triumphing over the Arms of France, A Doftor of the Sorbonne, m one of hisNaufeous En- comiums,call'd RicMieu a Divinity to whom they ought to Sacrifice, Another more wicked faid, he fhou'd not be caird Fichlieuhwt Rich Dicu, becaufe nothing hut a God cou'd give the King fuch I/Fife Cmaifel. Pope Vrban who was as much given to Judicial Aftro- logy as any Body in France, not excepting the Car- dnial himfelf, did not Compliment him (o when he fent him Word that a certain Aftrologer, a Famous Artift, had caft his Nativity, and found he had but a Year to live, adding that the Peace wou'd be con- cluded in Three Years, The Defign of the Pontiff was to difpofe Richlieu to hearken to the Propofals of Peace that had been offer'd. E e 3 Lewus 422 The Secret Hiftory Lewis was for fome time a little-refe^vd to- wards the Cardinal, who had brought him into thefe Dangers and Difficulties, out of hatred to the Houfe of Anuria for ^rote^ling Mnvy de Medicis^ and the Dukes of Orleans and Lorraine. The King's Cariage fo difcourag'd liim that he re- folv'd to give up his Employ , but Father Jo- fephj who in this Emergency, thought his own In- terefl concern'd in Richlie'u% earncftly prefs'd him to continue it, doing hmi in this the fame good Office the Cardinal de la f^alette had be- fore done him on a like Occafion. The Capu- chine knew that if he had abandon'd the Minilby at fuch a Junfture there mufl be a thorough Change at Court, and that then he wou'd fufter for his former Intrigues with him. This uni- ted them as faft as ever. Peril generally fixes (lich Friendihips *, tho' Men may Envy and Hare thofe that they had formerly Leagu'd with, to make their Fortune, yet flanding on the fame Bottom, they will furely IHck clofe together when they are in Danger, for the Knot once broke, the whole Work will be unravv^li'd, the Michief come our, and the Doers of it be punifh'd. The Confternation was (o great in Paris^ that the Cardinal durfl not appear there, he was ib funk in Bod^ and Mind, that he wou'd have been gone had not his Friend FatherJ^/fp^ kept him in Heart. His Confident went to the Superintendant of the Finan. cesto pray him to go about the Streets of Paris^ to hear the Railings of the Rabble, to Salute every Bo- dy with an Air of AfTu ranee, and teil the Parjfians it they will alFiR the Kuig with Men and Money, he wou'd drive away the Spaniards^ enter th^^ Low Countries^ and put every thing to Fire and Sword. All was at Stake, and Bullion^ whole Fortune depend- ed upon RtchlieuSy got a Horfe-back, rode thro' the City with only Two Lackeys by his Side. The Rab- ble firftfell a Railing at and Curfmg him, and the Cardinal bore all patiently. They call'd him Robber and Hangman^ he bow a, and by his Civilities fo ap- ^/FRANCE. 423 appeas'cl them, that at laft they turn'd their Threats and Curfes againft the Spaniards and Germans, The Way being thus prepar'd for the Cardinal, he made his Appearance the next Day, he rode in his Coach without Guards or Halberdiers, he ftopt where the Croud was greateft, and his firm Look had fo good an EfFea, that tlie Parifmns durft not Infult him. His Courage, Conftancyand Promifes fo pleas d them, that tiiofe who Yefterdayrail'd fo bitterly at his Mi- nidry, to Day give him a Thoufand Bleffings, and put up Prayers for his Profperity. Never had the Affairs oi France been fo embarrafs'd fmce the Battle oLSt, Quintln^ as they were this Y^ar 1 6-3 6. The MiniRer whofe Politicks are fo cry'd up by his Mercenaries, and the Slaves that admire them -, this very Minifter, I fay, has brought France mto the moft miferable Condition it was in fmce Charles the Fifth's Time. Tiie Spaniards are ravaging the Country on one Side to the Gates of Pari s^ on the other the Germans do the fame in Burgundy, and the Spanifl) Fleet infuits theCoafts oiGuyenne. VVlien Comit Gala^, who commanded the Imperial Army under the King of Hungary, enter'd Burgundy^ he publiih d a Manifefro complaining, " Tiiat Lewis «' had endeavour'd to kindle a Civil War in the Em- *' pire, That he had continually affifted the late '• Wiwgoi Sweden^ That fince the Death of C'^/y^^^z/^ " Molphusj he had bought of the Swedes feveral *' Places belonging to the Emperor, That contrary « to ail juftice he had taken away the Duke of Lor- ^' maze's Territories, That he had facrifis'd the In- *' terefl of his Religion, and ihe Welfare of his Sub- " jeas to his unjuft Projeas, That fo many Aas of '^ Violence and Injuilice, had oblig d the Emperor *' and the King of Hungary his Son, to take up Arms *f to put a flop to the Courfe oi the Violent Coun- '' fells given to Lewi^ ', that rii'ey both iiop'd all good ^^ French Men wou'd approve of their Refolution, " and be fo far from fupporting a Bloody Minifter, *^ Author of the War, that they would aflift their « Imperial and Hungarian Majeflies in their laudable *' Deiinn, to edablilh a Solid and Ufting t'eace thro* " E e 4 all 424 T^he Secret Hifiory ^V all E-irope, That to give a certain Proof of the ^^ Sincerity' of their Intentions, the Emperor and ^ his Son took into their Proteaion all thoiQ French ^' Men that made no Refiftance, anddeclar'd that ' thofe only ftou'd feel the Effe£ls of their Majefties ' Indignation and Wrath, who obftinately perfilled ^' in fupporting Lewis's Minifl:er,by whofe ill Coun- ' fells this Unjuft and Bloody War was kindled in *' Chrifiendom*'' If the Spaniards had known how to improve the Opportuniny put into their hands, by i?/c/?//Vw'sRa(]inefs and his Ignorance in Military Affairs, France had not made fo formidable a Figure m the Reign of the Son of Lewis the Ji- ferable Condition to which] fhe was lately reducd by the Arms of Queen Anne^ our mofl Gracious So- vereign,, ev'n in the War we are now treating of had the King of Spain $ Gounfellors acted with that . . ■ ^'i- ^' ^ 426 The Secret Hiflory Vigor and Conftancy which RlchUeu fhew'd on this Occafiog, to recover the Ground loft by the ill ftep he had taken in entring fo rafhly into the War, or had the Germans for once fhewn their Heads were as fit for Council, as their Hands for a£ling. But the flbwnefs and irrefolution of the Confederates gave the Cardinal time to get a Powerful Army together, at the Head of which Lewis march'd a- gainftthe Enemy in Perfon. However, all his Pru- dence wou'd not have prevented the 5p^;7/^r^i entring into the Heart of France^ had not the Prince of Orange \iXQk*di them hard in the Netherlands ^^ndi the Catalans and Portugidefe made a Diverfion on their fide. Fortune has been the Safety of Frarjce more than once within this Century, fometimes by Lucky Turns in War, fometimes by Turns as lucky in Peace. And now all the Clouds that hung over her difpers'd on a fudden as faft as they gather'd, ow- ing more to the ill Conduft of her Enemies, than either her own Politicks or Power. The Cardinal's Body was as much out of Order as his Mind, yet amidft the troublefome Pains of his ulcerated He??7crrhoids he followed the King, accompany'd by hisCapuchine. In a letter he wrote the CardinaWc laV^alette of the 23d of At^gufz lo;'^", he gives us a lively Idea of the State of Affairs in the French Court at that time. Tou will fee the War does not go very well with vs^ fince as nil as I am, I am forced to go 77iy felf ; the Cowardice of Three Rafcds who rroud not defend themfelves in Three Places^ with which they were tnijied^ has put our Affairs into a had Condition. J^ext Month we fij all have an Arm"^ of 10000 Horfi^ and 25000 Foot,^ we JJjall then ma^ch direEily againji the Enemy. The Cardinal wou'd very feign have Commanded this Army, the Count de Soijfo-^s to have commanded under him. He caused the Propofal to be made to the Count, who reje«5^ed it with Scorn, / had ra- ther^ faid he, the Cardinal fljoud be my Enemy^ than 1 he his Slave, To mortify him Richlieu got the Duke of Orleans to be declared Lieutenant General, tho' Gajion v>'as to liave had no Command at all, had of V R hNCE. 427 Jiad the Cardinal's Propofal to Soijfofis been accepted. The Cardinal knew very well he iliou'd have the fole Command in efFe^: as long as the King was Prefent, and therefore he did not care who had the Title. He had confulted his Aftrologerson the Succefs of the War. Wicked Minifters are always Superftitious, and none was ever more fo than this Pricft. Being promis'd that his old good Luck fhou'd attend him, he was for marching imaiediately to the Enemy, the Marefchal ^e/^ F<9rre objefted, that it were better to Hay a little, the Troops be- ing new Levies. The Cardinal reply'd with an Air of Difdain, This Phlegm i; neither feafonable^ nor to my Gout. We muft march immediately and oblige the Enemy^ now very much weaken d^ to retire, Propo- fals of Peace being made at the fame time on the part of Mary de Medlcls^ We will keay them^ lays he infalting her, when the Queen Mother is return d to France. RicUleu did not only confult AUrologers % about the Succefs of the War, he entertained a Fellow calPd Borfmetlley^Nho pretended to have found out the Philofophers Stone, arJ promis'd to furnifh 200000 Crowns a Week to ca: ry it one. Crotlus in one of his Letters, (peaks of th\^ Impoftor, who was a little while after thrown into Prifon, and the Court did what they cou'd to ftifle a Bufinefs that had made them fo Ridiculous, and fhew'd fo much their NecefTities.- By the Junftion of the Nobles and Gentlemen of file Frontier Provinces Lewis's Army was encreab'd to 50000 Men, and the Spaniards having ftrengthen'd thQ Garrifons of the Towns they had taken, re- pafsd the Somme. *Tis faid the Duke of 0>lea?7s and the Count de Soijjons^ who commanded under him, might Eave cut off their Rear, hat thofe two Princes did not think fit to put too much Power into the Hands of the Cardinal, by the Defeat of his Enemies. Rlchlleu faw, or fufpetted, their Negligence, and did not fail to repreient it in the worft Colours to the King, that his Majefty might give him the Sole Command as well in Title as in Subilance. For that Report feenid to juftify his be- 428 The Secret Hiflory ing prefer 'd to the Prefumptive Heir to the Crown, and the Second Prince of the Blood. One may percieve what were his Sentiments by this PafTage, in a Letter of his to one of his Friends. The Emmy retird too foon out of Picardy, where thofe that had the Charge of purfumg them marched too/lowly* MuU titude of Generals never forward Affairs. In the mean time the Confpiracy againft him contina'd, 2ind A^ontrefor de St. Ihal endQ^vom'd to pufh the Duke q[ Orleans and the Count de Soiffons to Extremities.They hinted the taking him off now they had him in the Army, and anOpportunity offer'd which was a flrong Temptation •, but theTwoPrinces wou'd not hear of getting rid of him by AfTafiination. When the Cardinal came fir ft to the Army, 'twas drawn up in Order of Battle to do him Honour. His Troop of Gens d' Arm e^ wou'd take the Right of the Count de Solffons's^ the Difpute went fo far, that they laid their Hands on their Piftc^s on both fides. St. Jhal told the Count, that nov^ was the Time for him to deliver himfelfof a dangerous Ene- my. He might have done it without running any Risk, the Count was as much belov'd as the Cardinal was hated by the Soldiery \ however he wou'd not hear of having him kill'd. Dont name it to me^ fays he to his Confident, it fJ)a!l never be faid that J gave my Confent to the Murder of a Priefi:. The Cardinal order'd his Troops to give Place to the Count de Soifons's. When the King heard of this Difpute, he faid, /r might have coft him dear, what Bufmefs had he there ^ His Troop ought not to take Place of A^onfieitr the Count s^ whofe Poft is next to my Brothers, The next Day his Majefi:y din'd with the Count, and was in a mighty good Hu- mour with him, which made People think, that if any fuch Accident had at that Time happen'd to the Ciirdinal, he wou'd not have been very forry for it. This Occafion of ridding themfelves of him being loft, another happen'd foon after. There was a«-'Extraordinary Council held at A>^nens^ Five Hundred Gentlemen and Officers of the Army at- tended, the Duke of Orleans and the Count de Soijjoni fl/ F R A N C E. 439 Soiffons^ belides their Ordinry. Guards. The Two Princes might have done what they wou'd, the King going as foori as the Council was broken up to his Quarters without the City, and the Duke and the Count were alone with the Cardinal. Montrefor took an Opportunity to demand of Ga- fion whether they kept in the fame mind flilJ, the Duke of Orleans faid, Tes^ but when he came to the Point, neither of the Princes wou*d confent that he fhou'd be kill'd. They were for doing their ut- moft to remove him, but wou'd not have him mur- dered. Gajion^ hovs^ever, declar'd that he wou'd do any thing clfe to have the Miniftry put into other Hands ^in order to which, hedifpatch'd Montrefor to Gujenne^ to engage the Duke d' Epernon^ and his Son the Duke de la Valette to joyn with them. Gaflon left the Army after Corhie was re-taken, and retir'd to Blots ^ to have more leifure to think of forming a Par- ty againft the Cardinal, and to take from him the many Opportunities he had, while he and the Count de Soijfons were together, to lieze both their Perfons. The King and Court returning to Parisj when the Campaign was over, GaBon came thither alfo, but did not Itay long there. He and the Count de Solffons left the Court the fame Night without taking their leave of the King. The Duke of Or- leans having concerted Meafures with the Count for carrying on their Defigns, went to Blols^ and the Count to Rheimsj from whence he remov'd to Sedan 'j both of them excus'd their withdrawing .by Letters to the King, in which all their Com- plaints center'd in their Grievances under Rich- lieu s Miniftry, and the danger that threatened their Liberty. Montrefor was fent to engage the Duke d' Epernon^on whofe Afiiftance theTwo Princes depended, encourag*d by the Promifes of the Duke de la Palette ^ but tho' d Epernon hated the Cardi- nal, yet either he was too Old or too Prudent to embark in a Bufinefs that was fo hazardous, and had hitherto failM of Succefs whoever attempted it. The Duke^e la /^^/efre prefs'd his Father, but he was inflexible, and all he wou'd do for Momrejor was 4^0 The Secret Hifiorj was to Promife not to difcover that he had beca fent to him, or on what Errand. However, the Cardinal who had his EmifTaries every where, came to the Knowlegde of it, and of the Advice the Duke had given the Two Princes not to embroil the Kingdom in a Civil- War. To continue him in that Loyal Difpofition, the Chan- cellor Seguier was ordered to write him a Letter, to let him know how well the King was fatisfy'd with his Condu£l. The Duke turn'id off the Com- plimenr, that he might not break his Word given G^fton to keep what had been done on this Oc- calion a Secret. But all this Buftle ended as o- ther fuch Qiiarrels had ufually done. The Car- dinal thought it his i'urcft way to divide the Two Princes. He fet upon the Duke of Orleans firft, and one of the Perfons that was fent to bring him to an Accommodation was the Count de Guiche^ afterwards Marefchal de Grammontj who at a Supper with the Duke of Orleans at Blois^ drank {b freely, that he grew Drunk, and in his Cups addrefs'd himfelf thus to Monfieur ^ / have been of- fer d^ Sir. to he made fir ft Gentleman of your Bed- Chamber^ hut I excused my felf'^ God forbid Ifljou^d ever a[b the Fart of a Traytor as fever al of your Domefticks have done. Then henam'd fome of them. / am a Man of Quality^ continues he, and will do nothing but what's Hotwurahle *, / afn one of the Cardinals Servants^ and am ready to ferve him again/l you^ and all the Royal Family, I do not wonder that Minifters who ufurpmore Power than belongs either to them or their Mafters, fhou'd find fuch Zealous Servants •, where the Power is, the Pofts will be, and Courtiers feldom conhder any thing elfe in their Politicks. Tho' one wou'd think the Cardinal fhou'd have check'd 6'«/V/;^ for this Impudent Declaration yet he was the better receiv'd by him for it, and found his Account in infulting the Prefumptive Heir of the Crown to his Face, and at his own Table. The Cardinal after he had with Succefs began a Negotiation with Gafton^ fent Monfieur Liamourt to of FRANCE. 4JI to the Count de Soijfons to do the fame with hiai, for the Count talk'd of entring into Alliances with Foreigners, and Richlieu dreaded more than ever to fee the Germans and Spaniards in France again, whence they had been driven as much by the Winter as by their Enemies. The Count <^^ Soijfons did not iiearken to a Treaty fo readily as the Duke of Orleans^ who, to colour the matter, talk'd of bis Interefts a little in the Negotiation, but did not adhere to them, abandoning them as foon as ever his own cou'd be advanc'd by it, as he had done the Interefts of all that had engag*d with hira. Soifons infifted to Liancourt that the Treaty fhou'd' be carry'd on joyntly, and St. Ibal, his Confident* demanded in his Mafter's Name, a Place of Safety, telling him the Count had very Advantageous Of. fers from Prince Thomas of Savoy ; that John de Wert and Picolomini^ the Imperial Generals had Or- ders to fupply him with what Troops he wanted, and that there was Money in Bank at Luxemburgh to ferve upon Occafion, We fee how the Princes and great Lords of France will talk in the Reign of Minors, and Kings, whofe Minority never end when 'tis in the Un- derftanding and not in their Age. The Count de Soifjons muft have a Town, or France fhall be in-! vaded h^j ^German Army paid out of Money from the Low-Countries. Things of this Nature are not impoflible to happen again, but when it will be, I am not Prophet nor Politician enough to deter- mine. Richlieu^ impatient to put an end to an Accom- modation with the Duke of Or/e^wj, whofe junaion with Soiffons he was afraid of, not fo much out of Apprehenfion of his own Power, as of the Aug- mentation it wou*d be to the Count's, a Prince of more Courage and Conftancy, he therefore ad- vis'd the King to draw towards ^^// with a Body ■ of Troops to haften the Negotiation, but he facili- tated it more by prefwading the King to Confent to the Duke of Orleans's Match, aCondition, with- out which, Gafion was refolv'd to put all to xh^ Ven- ture. 4J-2 The Secret Hi ft or j ture. Was not this a Glorious Triumph of the Duke of Orhan^y that after all the Oppofition he had met with in that Affair from his Brother and his Minifter, he at laft obliges them to own that Marriage which they had ^o iblemnly declar'd Null by the Voices of a pack'd AfTembly of Biihops, and the Parliament of Var'n / Richlieu who dreaded the Count de Soijjons more than Orleans^ got the King to write him an obliging Letter on the Ac- commodation WithGaJlon^m^ himfelfalfo fent him another. He had heard of a Treaty concluded be- tween Alary de Medicls md the County for tho the Queen Mother had no Money nor Men of her own, fhe cou'd get what was wanted of the Car- dinal Infant^ Governor of the Netherlands^ and the Spaniards^ if there was an Encouragement from France, But Soiffons not being willing to depend on that Aftiftance, broke his word with her and them, and made up his Matters with the Court, on Condition he fliou'd have leave to flay at Sedan, or any other Town of his Governments of Cham- pagne and Dauphine^ that the King ihou*d pay the Garrifon of Sed,an^ and Pardon the Houfe of Bou- illon for giving Entertainment to Soiffons^ that he fhou'd pay the Duke ^^ Bouillo?i the Arrearages of his Penfions and AfTignments, that the Count be reftor'd to the peaceable Enjoyment of all his Offices, Benefices and other Revenues, that all his Followers fhou'd be pardon'd, &c. Thus did Ga- fton and the Count make their Advantage of their Difpute with the Minifter, who had fo much Dan- ger threatning him from Abroad, that he cou'dnot do what he wou'd with his Enemies at Home, efpc- ciilly (uch Enemies as the King's Brother, and the Second Prince of the Blood. His own Inclination, and the Authority given him by the v/eaknefs of Lewis the Juji, wou'd have concluded thele DifFc rence? in another Manner, had not the Cowv^tde Olivarez. at Madrid cut him out other work, 1 he Vvar abroad cofl immenfe Sums, and France ind not yet learn'd the Doi^rine fince preach'd and pra- CiWd there, that All Monsy is the King's. The Far- 0/ F R A N C E. 4JJ parliament of Roan refus'd to verify any of the Pecuinary Edidls. But RichUeu took the fhorteft way with them, he fent the Ciiancellor Seguler to execute tiiat Commiflion, not attended by Lawyers and learned Men to prove the Law, and the Reafon of the Thing, but by the French and Swifs Guards, feveral Regiments of Foot, and 1200 Horfe who quartered at Roan all the while Seguier was there ma- naging the Affair of Verification, Thefe powerful Arguments have fince convinced the French Nation of their Duty in^ fubmitting to Will and Plea- fure^ and patiently paying whatever is enjoyn'd them. The Count de Soiffhns expelled great Mat- ters from this Norman Bufinefs, in which he found himfelf difappointed, as in the Dependance he made on the Promifes of the Duke de la Falette, Upon which, fays my Author,//^ refolv'd to remain for fome Time quiet at Sedan in Expe^ation that the Frefich growing weary of enduring the Tyranny of RichUeu^ woiod at lati open their Eyes^ and embrace PrtH' ciples worthy a brave Nation and a Free one^ accord- 'ing to the fir ft Conjlitution of its Government, This is what a Frenchman tells us, and by this we fee that 'tis not the Law, but the Sword» that makes *em what they are now, the moft miferable Slaves in Europe •, fuch Slaves that they feem to have forgot they had ever been Free, and fo us'd to it, that 'tis become as natural to them as their- Vanity and Impertinences. This muft not be in« tended of the Wife and Great Men of that Nation as productive of both as any in Chrijiendom^ but of the many of the Multitude who have fo long been the Inftruments,not only of their own Slavery, but of that almoft of all the other Chriftian Nations, which had the Vniverfal Afonarchy obtain'd, w^ou a have had no more Kappineis in this World than Turks and Pagans. In the Year j 6^ 7, the Arms of France were a little more fuccefsful than they had been tl^e Year before, only in the F'alte line the French Army was forc*d in a manner to deliver themfelves up Prifoners of War, being obliged to March off by what Routes^ in what Proportion of Numbers, and with what F t Arms 4? 4 ^^^ Secret Hijiory Arms their Enemies wou'd let them. The French Strength was at the htight this Year, during this Miriiftry, they had 80000 Foot and 2 0000 Horfeof their own Troops m Pay, befides the Troops of their Confederates^ they paid 1000000 Livres yearly to the Crown of Sweden^ 1200000 to the States Gene- ral of tlie United Provinces, 500000 to the puke of Savoy y 500000 to the Landgrave of Helje Caffely 300000 to the Duke de Save Weymar^ and 1 000000 for the Maintainance of his Troops. They had Two Fleets at Sea, and the whole Expence amounted to 30000000, which was then thought to be an incredi- ble Sum, but the French have ^lince expended, for the Ambition of their Crown, 150 iMiiiions year- ly- In onr Days had a General Officer been fo well thralVd as the Arch- Bifhop of Bourdeaux was by tlie Marefchal de Fkrl^ he wou'd hardly ever have been able to have recover'd his Reputation j but that good Prelate, fupported by the Cardinal, had the iame Command giyen him this Year as he had the laft, and the Two liles of Si\ Margaret and St, Mono- ' rat being re-taken from the Spaniards^ the Bilhop, who had been fo well bang'd, was of a fuddemexalted into a Heroe^ thePublick News writers faid of him as they did of the Marefchals de Boufflers and f^i/iars at the Rout at Tanieres, My Lord Arch Bifijop of Bourdeaux behavd himfelf not like a General of an Artny but like a Private Centinelj he was follow' d by all the Nobles who did Wonders, This Account was given by himfelf, and a great deal more of fuch Stuff, with an intent to have it put in the News- papers at Parh'^ which was done accordingly qjer^ ^atij7u Vvith much ado, the French Arch- Bilhop with about 20000 Men Soldiers and Sea-men, drove J 000 Spaniards out of the liland o{ St, Aiargaret \\v a Month or two's time, upon which they left the 'ille oi St, Honor at, TliQ Normans ^NQXQ not the only People of France that murmur'd at the heavy Burthen of Taxes im- posed on them by a Voracious Miniiler. Thofe of (jvysrme agahi tcok Arms, but the puke dela Va- Istte ^/FRANCE, 4J5 lette, tlie Marquis de Duras, the Count de Afailie and other Lords fell upon them and forc'd them to fubmit. However, the Court thought fit to eafe them a little of their Burthen to prevent another Rifmg. The Spaniards having entered Languedoc and laid Siege to Leucate^ the Duke du Halluin^ afterwards Marefchal de Schomberg, whofe Son he wi^s, obliged them to raife the Siege by an A^ion which the Car- dinal and Lewis XIII. himfelf cry'd up as one of the greateft Victories of that Age *, the King faid in his Order for caufmg Te Deum to be fung all over France^ that his Coufm Halluin had gained an entire Fiiiory and kill' d 3^90 Men en the [pot. The Duke de Halluin himfelf in his Letter to the Parliament of Toulofe fays, it was but 2000 Men •, the King tells the World that he took and flung into the Lake de Salces 66 Cannon^ the Duke lays but 37- Halluin's Letter is much more Modeft and True, yet as True and as Modeft as his was./twas an Exaggeration of the the Fa£t, which was thus, as French Authors them- felves report it in Exadl and Impartial Memoirs. *' The Duke de Halluin attacking the Spaniflj In- " trenchments before Leucate after Sun-fet, the *' Spaniards when Night came on coii'd not diftin- " guifti Falfe Attacks from True, and in that Con- " fulionthe French enter'd their Camp, which they ^' never thelefs maintain'd till Morning, when they " made a Brave Retreat, and fo Vigoroufly re- " puls'd thofe that purfu'd them that feveral fled <' back as far as Narhomie.'* I mention this parti- cular becaufe it fhews us how long the French Court have been us'd to impofe upon the World and mock God in tiieir Te Deums, an Author of that Nationmakesthefe JuftRefie^lions on this fubje, rte Jhall fee- whether you will keep it long', BoiT^enval not ^oxxhl- jng but tlie Cardinal wou'd make good his Threat,^., went to him and m oft humbly beg'd his Prote£lio^, promifing to devote iiimrelf entirely to his Service. Richlieu reply'd, Ton may expert any ThitJg of ^^•> ^f y^'^ f^l^ ^^^ faithfully every thing that paffes between the King and Madamoifelle de la Faiette, give me the Billets they write to one another. before you deliver them, I know very well they have taken you to make ttfe of you in fuch Me [[ages. This Incident will fhew us with what Honour, what Opennefs fuch Minifters as Richlieu behave themfelves in their Miniftry, how free they are from corrupting others or being corrupted themfelves. Such Aftions as thefe in the Lov^^er World wou'd be deem'd and nam'd downright Fraud and Viliany, but among certain States men they are dignify 'd with the Title of Politicks, and thofe only Laught at whoaredeceiv'd by them. The Traytor Boiz.enval too pnnflualiy obey'd the. Cardinal, As he faid he did^ nothing by Order of Lewtsd^udla Faiette but he acquainted ^/V/jZ/fM with it ^ he gave him thsir Billets, by which means the Cardnial difcover'd what Defigns were carrying on againft him. He took the Alarm, and left no Stone unturn'd to get la Faiette removd from Court, he perfwaded Bolz^enval to report things to the King and the Lady, otherwife than they were faid by both of them, to create in them a mutual Difguft ^ he opened their Billets, kept thofe that he did not like, and put others very well counterfeited into the Place of them ', he ni-^de the King fay what he knew wouM vex his Friend, and la Faiette what he thought wou'd do the fame by the King. Boiz.en' val was found out in the firft Converiation Lewis and the Lady had on this fubje<5^, the King lurn'd th^ Rafcal out of his Poft, and Richlieu was fo far from interceeding for him, that he was glad he was ferv*d E f 3 io 4j8 T^^ Se€yet Biftory rohimfelf. This Tdck not fucceeding, the Cardi- ral threaten'd the Marc hionefs deSenecey^ Firft Lady of Honour to the Qiieen, and the Bifhop of Limioges^ la Faiett€*5 Unkle, to ruin them, unlefs they both engaged her to quit the Que.en's Service, the Marchi- onefs and the Biihop knowing his Revengful Spirit and his Power to execute his Threats, lb fet the Lady againft the King by Falfe Reports and Counter- feit Letrers^, that fhe at lafl: refolv'd to retire into a Convent. Father Jcfeph^ who was afraid the In- trigue (hou'd be difcover'd, together with his iliare in it, contributed to her Retreat, and fhe left the Court with a Conftancy that encreas'd the Efteem which every Body had of her Vertue and Merit. She told the King fhe was refolv'd to leave the World to devote her felf to the Service of a Lord who was greater than al! the Monarchs upon Earth, and conjured his Majefty with Tears in her Eyes to give Peace to his People. Lewis wept as much as" fhe, and and after fhe was gone went often to the Grate of the Monaftery to converfe with her. Sometimes the Gates were o- pen'd to him, and he never came away from her hut in a deep Melancholly. The Queen was afraid it wou'd have had anilleffeft on his Health, and be- ing very well fatisfy'd of la Falette^s Vertue, en- deavoured to perfwade her not to take the Veil. All her Perfwaflons were in vain, the Lady fpenttbe refl of her Days in the Monaftry, where Lewis having been once to vifit her;, flaid fo late that he cou'd not return to the Place from whence he came to hei-. Groshois^ where lie thei] lodg'd, \c^x the Diverfion of Hunting, a ShourofRain drove him to theZ, «^'r^, and that Night he Lay with his Queen, whofoon after was found with Child, if you will believe fome Hiflorians-, others give another Turn to the Con- ception of Am of Anflria^ but I fhall not pretend to determine a Matter fo dark as the Birth of Princes, Not content with having render'd all the Princes of the Blood Royal odious, or fufpefted by his Ma- je/l:y, with having entirely alienated his AfFediions from his Brother, and kept his Mother in a long Ex- ile, of FRANC E. 4?9 ild, ftith having banifh'd his moft dear Friend Ma- damoifelle de la FaiettCy the Cardinal endeavour'd to create a Divifion in the King's Bed, and to alienate. his AfFe£^ions alio from his Wife, whom RichUeu hated. It now came into his Head to engage the King to repudiate the Queen, and take his Niece Combalet in her Place. Hereprefented her as unlawful both to his Bed and Crown, Horrid Calumny ! That ilie correfponded with the Cardinal hfam, which ilie did only to incline him to do his good Offices for procuring the Peace of Chrfjlendom, De Porte^ who had been a Servant to the Dutchefs de Chevreufe^ and was by her recommended to the Service of the Queen Confort, was employ'd to carry that Prin- cefs's Letters to the Cardinal Infant at Bruffeh. She U5*d to put them into a Box in her Oratory nValde Grace., where [he often retir'd for her Devotion*, one of the Nuns of that Monaftery gave them to De Vorte^ who deliveiVJ back the Anfwers he brought to the fame Nun and gave them to the Queen, wiio read them in her Oratory and kept them there. Eichlku having intimation of this Cor- refpondence, refo] v'd to break it off, and that in as publick a manner as he cou'd. Lewis believ'd every thing that was told him of his Wife's correfponding with the Spaniards, and had great expeaation of making further Difcoveries by the examination of de Porte, who was order'd to be apprehended and brought before C/^/2t//g;?i,Secretary o^ ^utQ\7^ being afraid oftiie Spa- mar ds and her Brothers-in-law tlie Princes of Savoyy was forc'd to content the King, but fhe wou'd not fend Monod to Chamheri or Nice^ which the Cardi- nal infifted upon becaufe he had been expos'd in thofe Two Places to Richlieu's Vengeance, which ftuck ut nothing when he cou'd get his Enemies in his power. She confin'd her ConfefTor to Gjw, and the Cardinal feeing lie cou'd get no more of her, feem'd to be well enough pleas'd with that. The Solemn Dedication of the Kingdom of Fraf7ce to the BlefTed Virgin this Year, is an Event worth takuig Notice of. Grotius gives the beft Account of it in another Letter to the Chancellor of Sweden as follows ; np// E King has confecrated both his Per/on and his "■• Kingdom to the Bleffed Fir gin ^ he dtd it in the beginning #/ the Tear^ not doubting but the Prsf feri- ties of the follomng Campaign wou^dhe an effe^ of his Vow •, he ereEiedan Altar in the Cathedral of this City^ which cofi 400000 Livres^ and refolvd to Celebrata the Feajf of the Affumption with fnore than ordinary Solemnity, Jn order to this^ he fern his Letters Patents to the Parliament* Let us leave to thofe Magifirates the Care of examining^ whether the Confecration of the Crown of France 10 a She Saint agrees well with the^ Salick Law. I am in Pain only about one Things if ttfljQud happen^ as there is great likelihood.^ that by Virtue of this new Right to France, the Virgin fijoud Name the Cardinal de Richlieu her Vicar General^ and give him Power to a^ in her Name* What will the King have left ? The Obligatum to pay an entire Obedience to his Adinijhr* There fell out an Accident at this Confecra- tion in the Cathedral of Pans, wnich turn'd the Feflival to a Farce. In the Proceilions '^vhere the Sovereign Courts appear, the .Parliament take the Right ofF R A N q E. 455 Right, and the Chamber of Accounts the Left, fo that the Two firft Prefidents of both Companies march in Front. In the Church, the Parliament takes the Canons Seats on tiie Right, and the Cham- ber of Accounts fit on the Left over againft them *, when the Two Companies were going out of the Choir, the Firft Prefident of the Ciiamber of Ac- counts wou'd go immediately after the Firft Prefi- dent of the Pariiament,but the Prefidents au Momer wou'd let no body go between them and their firft Pre- fidentjbut the Governor of Paris, Accordingly they ftopt the Firft Prefident of the Chamber of Accounts, upon which the Two Companies joftied one ano- ther and fell to Blows, which occafion'd a great Diforder in the Church. The Duke de Momhaz^oft, Governor of Parls^his Officers and others, laid their J-lands on their Swords to keep the Peace *, the grave Magiftrates had recourfe to their Natural Weapon the Pen, feveral Writings appear d a- gainft each other, feveral Informations w^ere taken of the Faci, which the King put a ftop to by taking on himfelf to regulate fo Important a Bufinefs. We are nov; come to that Great Period, the Birth of the prefent King of France^ who was Born the 5th of September 15-38, N. S. I lliall not trouble the Reader with the flattering Letters that paft between the Cardinal de Rlchlieu and the French King and Queen on this Occafion, contenting my feif with that of Monfieur de Ba(fompierre to the Bifhop of Gremble, mention'd in the Ct'/^?^*?^ Edition of that Marefchal's Me- page in- moirs, and is thus Tranflated by Dr. Wellwcod, Gg5 My 454 ^^^ Steret Uifiory My Lord, 2N my lafij I gave you the good News of the Queer^s being brought to Bed cf a Dauphin ^ all J have to tell you at prefent isy That Her Majefly recovers every Day^ and the Child is Strong and Ltifty^, and ft; ems to promife a long Life, There is one Thing of hm that is ta- ken much Notice of by fome^ that his Gums have Teeth pointing out already^ and there is fcarce a Woman th^t can fuffer him to Suckle her^ for he Suds fo eagerly that he brings Blood with his Milky and upon this account he has had Two Nurfes chang'd already. 1 pray God this may not be an ill Omen to France^ Vue need Princes of a healing and mild Temper^ Corrofives not agree- ing with the Good of this Monarchy, The Fnnce ts to be nanU LEWIS DIEU D(3NNE, Given of God, as his Majefiy was pleas' d Tefterday to declare tn Council. What the Learn'd Gr,otius writes to the Chan- cellor Oxenfiierny is of more Authority. Delphinus jam ter mutavit nutricem, Fugmnt eum conquifitiC ad hoc famintSj quod vera earum n-jorjitando lane met noH fine Omine future rapaatatis, Faveant Vicinl at am matura rapaatate: The Dauphin did not only hurt the Breafts of his Nurjes^ he tore them by his biteings. Let the Neighbours of France bewarej and arm themfelves againfi fo prompt a Veracity. The French were fo over-;oy'd at the Birth of tiie Dauphin^ that they did not trouble themfelves a^ bout their Armies Abroad, Both in Italy and on the Frontiers of 5p.-z/;? they were unfucceisful. The Spaniards took Verceil in Savoy ^ and the l^ri nee of C'nde and the Duke de la Vaktte were driven from before Fonterahia. The Prince Liid the Fault on the Duke, and the Duke on the Prince. Conde had the better Intereft, and la Valette^ whom the Cardinal hated, was condemn'd to lofe his Head ; to avoid which he Fled to England where the Dutchefs de Che- of F R AN CE. 455 Chevrenfe was arriv'd before him, and Mary de Medic is coming foon after was far from being welcome to the People, however fhe was in Ap- pearance fo to the Court. She was lodg d at St,. James's^ where her Court leok'd fomething more like a Queen than (he bad feen one in many Years. The Duke d^ la Falette, the Duke de Souhlz^e, the Dutchel^. de Chev^eufe and other Perions of Quality were of it. BelHevrej the French AmbafTador, had Orders not to pay any Civilities toMary de MsdiciSy and to avoid feeing her as much as he cou'd. Rich- Iteu^ to be reveng'd of Charles I. for giving her Re- ception, entcr'd into a Correfpondence \vith the Mdecontems of Scotland. Davii Le/Isy offered to form an Army of 30000 Men in that Kingdom if he was but iupply*d with 50000 Crowns, the Cardinal ofFer'd him 1 00000; and 'tis thought Le/ley had that Money from France vyhen the Troubles com- nienc'd in Scotland, Bellievre^ the French Ambaitador at London^ ac- cording tothe Inftiu6lions he received hoin France.^ did his utmoft to avoid meeting with Mary de Me- dicifj but thQ Earl of HoUand knowing the Queen was coming to White Hall, kept him one Day in Difcourfe till \hQ enter'd the Room, acconipany'd with King Charles and Qaeen Henrietta Maria. My Lord Ambaffador, faid the Queen Mother, / wou'd willingly [peak withyoua little. The King and Queen of England went afide, and the Earl of Holland withdrew. BelUevre cou d not hajidromly refufe to hear her, but attended with a great deal of RefpeA to what fhe faid, / have, for fotne time^ fays fhe, tryd fever al means to let Monjicur the Cardind know what an cxtream Pajfion I have to return to France by his Procurement, but all my Advances have been to no purpofe, I can receive no Anfwer, Biliie- vre reply'd. Madam I moft humbly beg your Alaje- fiy to permit me to reprefent to you^ that tho' I have the Honour to be the King's Minifter in this Court, it does not give me the fame Charatler with you, perhaps ycur Ma] e fiy deftgns to give me fome Commiffion in Charge. Infucha cafe^ I de fire, be fore hand^youwoud^xcufe Gg4 ^^^, 456 The Secret Hiflcry me ^ I have pofitive Orders not to meddle in- any wife with what concerns Tour Majeftys Perfon or /Affairs. Mary de Medicis anfwer'd, Tou are not forbidden to hear vthat 1 have to fay j I own it Madam^ faid Bellie- vre, but fince I have no Orders to doitythats enough to oblige me to dejire you to difpenfe with ?ny obeying you^ if you order me to write any thing to the King my Majier. 'lis no Matter ^ reply 'd the Qaeen Mo- ther, Hear me. The Pains and Troubles I have en- dttv'd fince my Retreat into the Low Countries, have infpir d me with Sentiments very different from thofe I had when I left Compeigne. / beg you to let Mon- fieur the Cardinal hioyo that I conjure him to deliver me out of the Mifery I am in^ and the Necejfity of begging Bread of my Sons -in Law. I woud wiilingh return to the King my Son^not that I have ariyThovghts of concerning my fe If with the Government of his Kingdom, J aim at nothing but tofpendthe remainder of my Day ^ in quiet y and to prepare myfelffcr Death, If Mon fieur the Cardinal cannot obtain the King*s Permiffionfor my Return to Court, let him at leafl demand it for my re- fiding in feme City of the Kingdom, to enjoy there my Revenues. I offer to turn off all my Servants that are odiou; to orfujpe^ed by thh King, and to do whrJever he wou'd have me. His Orders and the Cardmal's good Council ffiall be the only Rule of my Conduli. Tlois is all I dejire you to let him know from me^ I am afraid thofe whom^ I have- formerly addrefsd to have either wanted Courage 'or Inclination to execute the Commifflon I have charg'd'em with. BeiJicvre anCwQr'dyTour Majefiy has no Reafon to co-mphin of me ^ 'tis with extream Regret that I proteji I cannot ferve you on this Occafion,Thls is the ufual Stile of ylmhajfadorsy replyes Mary de Me- dicis, They excufe the mfelves from accepting certain Commifftonsy and yet they write what ha! been told them : I knew feveral Inftances during my Regency, She then turn'd to the King and Queen of Great Britain^ in whofe Prcfence Bellievre repeated what he had faid, with refpeft to his not charging himfdf with any CommifTion. Tou^ without doubt^ re- member J-dys h^, applying himfelf to the Queen Henrietta Marta^ That vou have ordered fne to writs •in 0/ F R A N C E. 457 in your Name in favour of the Queen Mother^ and I have always defird your Majefiy to excufe me on account of the pofitive Orders I have not to concern my felf with any ^ff^ir^ the Cogniz^ance of which the King my MaFter referves to himfelf The Queen of England reply'd, 'Tis true^ hut fince the King my Brother will receive no Inter ^ cejfion as to what regards the Queen my Mother^ the King my Husband^ and /, thought the only way the Queen my Mother had left was to explain her felf immediately to the King my Brother's Minijlers in all the Courts JJje comes to. There is no inflance of a Princefs reduc'd to fo mifera- ble a Condition by a Son, to pleafe a Miniftcr for whom he at the Bottom had no great Affe- ^ion. He fear d Richlieu^ but die' not Love him, and out of Complacency to one to whom he had no Obligation but for making his Subjefts Slaves, he lets the only Perfon in the World to whom he was bound by the Laws of God to be dutiful, wander up and down without any other main- tainance than what (he receiv'd from the Gene- rofity of the Kings that had iii^viy'd his Sifters. Her hard Fate drove lier to an ill Place when fhe came to England- The Fears of Popery were almoft general, and the Grounds of them the Influence of her Daughter Queen Henrietta Ma- ria over her Husband King Charles L The People grumbled even at the cheap Reception that was given her, and Report fwell'd the Expence to a much greater Sum than it was in King CW/e/s Power or hiclination to cjisburfe for her. BelUevre fent Richlieu a particular Account ct all that had p?fs'd between the Queen Mother and him. The Cardinal was inflexible, and made the King write his Mother a Letter full of Re- proaches, concluding that if fhe wou'd not go to Florence^ which was the moft fuitablc Place for her, he thought himfelf difcharg'd both in Confci- ence and Honour from having any regard to her Remonftrances. Richlieu didated this Letter him- felf 4$8 The Secret Hlflory felf to Chere his Secretary, and Lewis the Ju^ afterwards fet his Name to it. Faih?^ Joj'ephj of whom mention has fo often been m.nf!e, being taken with a Fit of an Apoplexy in December Kf^S. Richlieu when he was a little recovered of it invited him to Ruel, where, fo wicked did the People think him, 'twas faid he forwarded his Death. Ouelques uns cm cru que Richlieu ^aleux & inquiet la lu avanca^ fays my Author, who however feems not to give Credit to it. Grotius writes on this Occafion in one of his Letters. Richlieu is the only Man that's for- ry for Father Jofeph, he has lofi the great En- gine of his Plots and Contrivances. The Capuchine was in hopes a little hefore his Death to have got a Cardinal's Cap^ and the Archbifiwpriik of Rheimes, which wou'd have made him the Firll Duke and Peer of France. He proceeds. The Englifh have eaufe to rcjoyce^ for Jofeph fomented the Commo- tions in Scotland, tnaking nfe of another Capuchine his Confident c air d ]\cmtQ, Whether or no Rich- lieu was really Jealous of him and wifh'd him out of the way, he conceal'd his Wifhes with his ufual DifT^mularion. He (hed Tears upon Father y('feph's Tuj:ib when a Solemn Service was per- formii^g for him. I have loft my Cotnfort^ my only help^ fays he, my Confident and my Support. The Knig, whofe Thoughts were always conformable to the Cardinal's, cry'd, / have lofi one of my mofi Faithful Subje^fy and A'fonfieur the Cardinal his Confident and Intimate Friend. The Nuns of Cal- *yary, which this Hipocritical Capuchine was the inftitutor of, to acquire the Reputation of a Man infpir'd, thought they had loft another Af(//ej. They beg'd his Heart and it was given them, Cofpean, Biihop of Lifieux^ pronounced his Funeral Oration in their Church, holding the Heart in his Hand. Thofe poor Creatures pray and make Vows to him to this Day, they keep his Cloak as a moft Precious Relick, tho' he was, to uie the Words cf my Author, Vn Franc Scelarat^ an Errant Raf- cal. The King liimfelf had fo good an Opinion of ^/FRANCE. 459 of Father Jofeph that he look'd upon what he faid as Divine Oracles *, Rlchlieu^ to make his Advantage of his Majefty's PrepofTeflion in Favout of Jofephy perfwaded Lewis to prefs fo extraordina- ry a Man to write down iMaxims for the good Government of his Kingdom. The Gapuchine play'd his Part in the Farce very well, he com* pos*d a little Political Treaty, and prefented it to his Majeily. 'Twas entitled, j4 Difcourfe of the Vnky of the Minijier and the Qualities necejfary for him, AH his Maxims tended to juftify Rich- lieu s Adminiftration, advifing him to put all his Authority into his Hands, to hide nothing from him, and to prefer him to thofe Perfons that ought to have been more dear to him. He told him in his Book,that after having once chofen his Minifter, for which Foft an Ecclefiaiiick was more proper than any other Perfon, he fhou'd entirely love him and never remove him, that he fhou'd load him with Honours and Benefits, give him a Sove- reign Power over the People, believe nothing that was faid againft him, and difcover it tho' he bad promised to keep it Secret. Thefe Max- ims were fo grofs, that Lewis Xllf. was the only Prince in the World who wou'd not have been prejudiced by them againft both the Author and the Cardinal, for endeavouring to impofc up- on him after fo Scandalous a manner *, but he contented himfelf with making no more ufe of them than he thought fit, which was indeed as much as they cou'd defire, for he continu'd to follow the Meafures of the Cardinal and the Gapuchine. Father Jacinte^ Companion and Con- fident to Father Jofeph, was in hopes of fucceed* ing him in his Favour at Court: But Richtieu had been too often alarm'd by the Capuchine's Intrigues to admit another Prieft into his Confi- dence, fo Jacinte receiv*d Orders to confine hin^i felf to his Convent. The Mourning that was made for the Death of Father Jofeph was foon forgotten, and Richlieu and the whole Court were full of Joy for the Mar- j^6^ The Secret Hijlor^ Marriage of the Dutchefs of Puylaurem his Coufin to the Count de Harcourt. For the Celebration of which there was a mod Magnificent Ball at the Card inal's Palace ; the ordering of it was left to the Bifhop of ChartreSy tho* he was one of the Com- miliioners appointed by the Pope for the Refor- mation of th^ Manners of the Billiops. There was an Entertainment of Mufick after the Ball, in which feveral Songs were fung in PraifeofDuke Bernard^ who had lately taken Brifac^ which Conqueft the French Court had an Eye upon, and refblv'd, if they cou'd, to get the PofTeffion of it. The Count de Guehriam^ who command- ed the French Army that afted in Conjunftion with Duke Weymars^ was ordered to negotiate that Matter with him, but Bernard anfwer'd, To demand my Gonqueji of me is like demanding of a Virtuous Girl her M.aidenhead^ or of a Gallant Aian his Honour, However the Duke fent Erlach to Paris to treat of certain Affairs, and excufe his not complying with the King's Demands. Lervis did not care to Qiaarrel with bim, and therefore gave way to his Obftinacy to keep Brifac, But. Richlieu ' {o far gain'd over Erlach, that he pro- mised the Place fhou'd be delivered to the French if Duke Bernard^\who was not in very good Health, ihou'd dye. Thus were all the Minifters and Friends of thofe Princes the Cardinal correfpon- ded with engag'd and corrupted by him, which contributed not a little to the Succefs of his Mi- niftry, with refpe^l to Foreign Affairs. Mary de Medicis had got her Son-in-Law King Charles I. to fend the Lord Jernyn to France to make her Peace with the Cardinal. That Lord, notwithftanding all her Submiflions to a Man whom fhe had fo much oblig'd, and who was entirely indebted to her for his Prodigious Fortune, had no better Succefs than all her other Mediators had already had. Richlieu^ fince the Birth of the Dauphin^ having new Rcafonsto keep her out of France as long as fhe liv'd. He knew very well the ill State of his Majefty's Health, tho* it ^/FRANCE. 4«i it was kept from the Publick as much as poffible, and flatter'd himfelf upon Lewis's Death he might obtain tiiQ Regency. The beft Pofts and Places in Frarjce were in the PolTefiion of his Relations and Creatures. Toaccuftom the People to fee him cloath'd with fo much Royalty he every Year put the King upon fome needlefe Journey or o- ther to the Frontiers, that he might be Regent in his Abfence. The only Perfonswho cou*d have ft and the Truth is, the Barbarinis own'd afterwards that the Murder coft them 2000 Crowns. Ecoti the Pope's Nuntio in Fr^;7re,being remonilrated to on this fuDJed, anfwer'd, That they cou'd not with- out the foulefl: CatUmny attribute [0 black an Affair to a Cardinal of fo known integrity^ and fo Ange- lical a Life, However, Cardinal Francis's Re- venge was his Mafter in the Bufinefs of Rouvral, And the Marefchal d' Etrees had Orders not to have any Audience of tiie Pope or his Nephew, till LexM had fatisfa£lion for the Indignities, put upon his Minifter. Ric hi ieu vf^s in hopes that the Clergy of France who had feveral Reaibns not to be fatisfy'd with the Court of Rome, wou'd have joyn'd with him to mortify Vrban^ but Scoti^ the Pope's Nuntio, by means of the Cardinal de la jRochfaticault ^n^oihtx Prelates.devoted to the Papal See, difappointed all his Proje£^s, which fo irritated Richlieu^ that he caus'd Chavigni to tell the Nuntio, To2t may write to Rome, that the King has fo much Right to revenge the Death of Rouvrai, was not hts Majcfiy rejirain d by his natural Moderation^ that he might fend his Officers to infult Monfieur Scoti m his Houfe^ and perhaps have him cudgel' d on the Pontneuf. The Nuntio replyM to Chavigni^ That r/?e Turks durjl not threaten the Venitian Miniiier foj whofe Injolence was known to all Europe. The King afterwards fent Scott an Order to abftain from Audience, but he refus'd to receive it, and his Servant flung it into the Mafler of the Cere- mony's Coach, who wou'd have left it in his HoUfe. This Feud went fo far that they taikd at the Court of France of calling a National Synod, and even a General Council, but 'twas not in Richlieu's Power, as great as 'twas, to do either, for there was a Party among'lt the Gallican Clergy, who (lic-kled hard for tlie Papal Authority,, and that which he headed in Oppofition, cou'd not carry their Point. H h i* J^ 468 ..The Secret Hifiorj 1 have already made fome mention of Madamoi- felle de Hautefort^ and Monfieur de Cinqmars^ the King's Male and Female Favourites. Hautefort was cncourag'd by the Cardinal to drive the thoughts of la Faiette out of the King's Head, but fhe foon was gain'd over by the Queen, and KichUeu refolv'd to punifh her and her CouMtut Che mer ant as In-^ grates. The Cardinal having fuch ill fuccefs with Women Favourites, thought it his Intereft to give the King one of his own Sex in the room of the Duke d,e St. Slmon^^ot Lewis muft have a Favou- rite of one Sex or the other He pitch'd upon Monfieur de Cinqmars^ the iVIarefchal d* Ejfiat's Son, in hopes that out of Gratitude for his own and his Father's Elevation he wou'd entirely depend upon him. He was made Mafter of the Horfe by the De- miflion of the Duke de Belkgards ^ the King quickly fhew'd an Extraordinary Kindnefs to him, his Amia- ble Qtialities gain'd him his Majefty's good Graces to fuch a degree, that 'twas not long before Rkhlieu grew jealous of him. Upon the Cardinal de la Valette's Death, Richlieu Tent the King a Lifl: of the vacant Benefices, which he had held, to be dif- pos'd of. A fmall Abby was all he intended for the new Favourite's Brother ; his iMajefty was fo offended at it, that he tore the Paper, and imme- diately gave the Abbot d* EJfiat one of the bed Abbeys the Cardinal dela Vnle'tte had pofFefs'd. The King defign'd x\-\>i Cap for his Favourite's Brother, and us'd to C2A\ him x\\q Little Cardinal., all which terribly allarm'd RlchUeu, He gave Cinqmars to un* derfland his Favour came by his means, and he ex- pefted anotiier fort of Conduct from him. Cinq- mars thinking himfelf fureof the King, def;y'd him. Lewis bid him not go fofaft. I love you as well as you can wijh^ fa^'S he, and. I hate the Cardinal mor- tally ', however^ if you fall out with him^ dont think that I will fiand by you again f} him ^ / will never injure my Affairs for the fake of any Body whatfoe- ver^ they are in fuch a Pofiure that I cannot part with my Minifter, The Kings good Advice was a fure fign that he lov'd Cinqmars as well as he faid he ' * ■ ■ did, ofV R A N C E. 469 did, but he was too Vain and too Proud to follow it. His Friends all gave him ths fame wholefome Counfel, but he wou'd nut tubmit to the Cardinal, and hardly to the Kipg, as will appear by a Let- ter Lewis wrote fometime after to Rkhlieu on the fubjeft o{CinqmaYs*s Behaviour, / am forry to im- portune you about A^onfieur Le Grand'/ ill Humour s» At his return from Ruel he gave me the Vacquet you fent me, Monfieur the Cardinal, p/V / to him^ tells me you have declared a great Readinefs to pleafe me ill every things however, you do not do it in a thing I dtm^d^ him to fpeak to you about. He faid fome thing of it^ reply 'd he, but J cannot do etherwife^ nor be more Laborious than I have been \ 1 was troubled at his Difcourfe, and told him,Idlenefs does not become a Man of a Condition, who ought to Qualify hitnfelf for the Command of Armies, ad' ding, you have declar'd to me often that that was your Defign. I don't aim fo hlgh^ fays he very briskly, i am fatisfy'd to the contrary, j^/^ /, and wou'd not pufh that any farther ^ then returning to the Article of Lazinefs, / told him, Twas a Vice that render'd a Man incapable of any Thing that's good. Let the People of the Adarfl)^ ( a quarter of Paris fo call d where wanhe Hotel d' Effiat) give themfelves up entirely to Pieafure, you was bred among them; It you relolve to continue that way of living, you had e'en as good go and live with *em again. With all my Hearty fays he very iirrogantly. I made anfwer. If I was not wifer than you, I know what 1 fhou'd reply to you, ought you to talk after _this Rate to a Mafter who has done fo much for ..you? Our Spark aniwera me after his ufual Cu- llom, / don^t value what you have done for me^ I can eafily be ivithout it ^ and can as willingly be Cinq- mars a: Mcnfieur Le Grand. In fijort^ I cannot live otherwife^ and will not alter. We continu'd wording of it till we came to the Court of the Caftle. If you are of that Humcur,/^/^ /, you will pleafe me if you do not come into my Prefcnce, Fie reply dy What you will^Sir, And 1 ha v^ not k^xx him fmce. All this pad, Gordes being by, to whom H h i I 470 The Secret Bijlory I read what I write ypu, and he juftifies it to be all True. This Arrogant Dialogue between Cinqmars and his Mafter happen d before Richlieu fell out with Le Grand, as he was callu al/o on Account of his Office, and he endeavour'd, or pretended to endeavour, to keep them Friends. This Difpute was refer'd by both Lexvis and his Favourite to the Cardinah Cinqmars wrote this to him about it. My Lord, /Am in extream Confvfion to think that your Eml* ncnce JJmud have a continual din in your Ears of Cofnplairjts again fi r/ie. There muji he fome End or other put to it . Rather than have recourfe to 45 long and ufelefs Juftification^ I wdl own my felf Guilty thd' I do not know my fault. By this^ my Lord^ I demand of your Eminence that you will no longer hearken to your Goodnefs for me^ but pre- fer ing y ur Reprfe to my Advantage^ -aoud think cf this Matter as the Kings Anger woud have you, I woud not have your Eminence look upon it as a fally of Pafflon which I may repent of. J hav^ jcrioufly confider^d every things and pr&tefi I am not afraid of the CorSequence provided the King does not take an Aver [ton to nie^ and will remember that I Jljall he eternally his mott humble Servant. To Bes JSJoyers^ Secretary of State, he wrote as follows : CT" HE Extremity to which you fee me reducd^ m,ay -^ make you judge the Condition J am in, J con- jure you by all the Erlendflrp you ever had for me^ to confent that there ma^ be an end of the mifera- ble Life J lead. Confult with his Eminence what is to be done to get me cut of it^ and prevent the Xing*s perfecuting me with his Aierfmh JJjat^s all J demand^ /ill J defirt. The ^/FRANCE. 471 The young Rake wou'd not have his Mafter be- lieve he cou'd ©r wou*d turn his Head to Bufinefs, he wou'd be Belov*d on his own Terms or not at all. * ris not likely fuch a lazy Thoughtlefs Crea- ture fhou'd long maintain himlelf/A^hen the Minifter was as much againft him, as lie was at hrft for him. " Towards the latter end of the Year 153P, the Normans took Arms to defend themfelves againft the infufferable Violence of the Tax- Gatherers. Richlieus Miniftry was become fo generally Odiouf, that the Parliament of Roan and the Gentlemen of Xormandy wink'd at this Infeirredtion, in hopes it w^ou'd embarrafs him. During the Campaign, the Court was alfo forc'd to let the pretended Re- bels alone ^ but after 'twas over, Seguier^lhQ Chan- cellor, was fent to Normandy with Collonel G'^j^po;^ and his Regiment, to dellroy thofe Miferable Wretches, whom the Taxes had impoverilli'd. The Chancellor's ComHiiflion was executed as Jeffery executed his in the Weft of England^ and Gajfion fe- conded him as Kirk did Jeffery\ As foon as he came with his Soldiers to Roan^ he interdudled the Parlia- ment and Courts of Juftice, revok'd the Privileges of the City, and Confilcated the Revenues ; after that he condemn'd feveral Citizens and others to the Gibbet and Wlieel, and caus'd fo general a Terror thro' the whole Province o[ Normandy, that a great Number of the Inhabitants fled to England and the Ifles of Guemfey and 'jcrfey. He order'd the Walls of fome Towns to be raz'd, and every where were to be feen the Bloody marks of his Power, This Chancellor of France^ ibis Protedlor of the French Academy, to w^hom that Society rais'd fo many Altars of Flattery being one of the tiioft cruel and flavifh Minifters that ever a£l8d under a Tyranny fo intollerable as was that of Richlieus, Having made fome mention of the War between France and Spain^ and Difficialties th^ Cardinal met with in carrying it on, I fhall now take np- tice of fome Secret Steps towards a Peace in the Year 1(^4.0, when the Arms of France had not all the Sucx cefs that was expe^lt^d The Court being at Self- * H h 4 fons '47^ ^^^ 5^rr^^ Hijiory fons^ Richlieu went to Blerancourt under pretence of making a Vifit to the Marquis de Tremes's Brother, where v/as Breth, Agent of the Low- Countries at the Court of Madrid, whom the Count Duke d' Ollvarez., the King of Spain's Prime Mi- ' nifler, had ordered to confer privately with the Cardinal Duke de Richlieu upon fome Propofals of Peace between the two Crowns. Breth demanded as Preliminaries, That Lorraine /bou'd he reftord to the Duke^ Brifac to the Emperor, and what the Dutch had taken in Brafil to the Spainards, The Cardinal rejeftcd thefe Demands, and ask'd Breth if he had no Power to enter into a Negotiation on other Propofitions, the Flemand declaring he had not, Richlieu told him that the King's Pretenfions to Lorraine werefojufl, the Catholick King ought to fupport his Majefty in them , adding further. He fhoud he glad that the exemplary Punijhment cfthe Duke of Lorraine, woud teach all tittle Prwces^ that they fljall not with Impunity offend a PuiJJant Crown, here's Richlieu that good Prieft's excellent Realoning and Divinity : For God's Sake are not little Princes as much Princes as great? Muft they they lole their Rights mi PofTefTions becaufe great Princes have taken Oil^^nce? Muft not the Fre?ich King be put out of Humour but at the Expence of two or three Dutchies ? On the 21 ft of September^ this Year ii^^o, was Born Philip Duke o{ Anjou ^ upon the Death of his Unkle Gajion^ made Duke of Orleans by his Bro- ther Lewis the XlVth. The Prince of Conde was then holding an AiTembly of the States o\ Langue- doc, and tho' the Birth of another Prince made his Succefiion to the Crown more diftant, yet he had fo well learn'd the Art of Flattery, that he cou d not help (hewing it in this Extraordinary manner to the AfTembly. ^' The taking of Arras and ^^ Turin^ is not equal to the happinefs of having ?' another Son born to our King ; it fecures the State ^' like a Pillar of perpetual fecarity againft all ill /'" Events. We cannot doubt of the good Succcfs ^*^ of the Publicfe Afiairs, Good FortAine and the (?/ F R A N C E. 4T? *' King's Valour, the Miraculous Conduft of Mon- *^ fieur the Cardinal gives us continual Aflurances " of It, and that nothing is impoflible under fuch ^' Divine, fuch Happy, fuch Prudent, and fuch Cou- *' ragious Directions. " This Speech is made by the fir ft Prince of the Blood in France, and is not out done by the moft Impertinent of all Richlieus Flatterers. The Catalans and Tortuguefe having thrown off the Spamjh Yoke, v^'ere both a (lifted by the French. So far have the latter been from encouraging Paf. five Obedience in the Subjeds of their Neighbr'ing Princes. But the Joy of this Embarras given to the Affairs of 5p^/«, was not fo tranfporting to the Cardinal, as that of marrying his Neice, the Mare- fchal de Brez,es Daughter, to the Duke d' Enghien afterwards the famous Prince of Conde. The ex- pence of one Entertainment at the Celebrating of thefe Nuptials^ coft the Proud Prieft a Million. Enghien was forc'd by his Father to marry this Woman. A match fo Scandalous to a Prince of his Birth, that 'twas thought he wou'd never have comply'd with it, and ^tis (aid Erighien was bully'd into by it by the Cardinal •, iin coming to tell him he was engag'd to another, and feeing Richheu whifper to the Captain of his Guards, he was afraid of being Arrefted. and inftead of rejecting her, told Richlieu he was come to thank him for the Ho- nour he did him in offering him his Neice. The Car- dinal t-of k him at his Word, and the Articles were fign'd immediately. The Prince o'iConde^ the Duke's Father, whom the Cardinal fuppor ted in plunder- ing the Provinces by railing Money of the States, under the notion of Free Gifts, was very earneft for the Marriage, as may be feen by a Tetter re wrote to the Cardinal fome time before Tou know that I difire but one thing in all the iVorid^ which is to place what is ?nofi: dear to rne in your Houfe, J hope you will continue to love we, 'tis my only happinefs^ Again, / have no Defign^ and but one Pretence in the World^ which is to enter into your Miance. Thus does one uf the firft Princes of the Houfe 474 Th^ ^^(^^^ mpry Houfe of Bourbon court a Pricft, who by the weaknefs of his Mafter is become a Terror to the Royal Family it felf, Tis faid that Enghien m the fright the Cardinal's whifpering to the Captain of his Guards put him into, fell upon his Knees to demand his Neice in Marriage. He was charg'd with it in Parliament, but the Prince gave the Perfon that faid it the Lye. Richlieu paffionately^defir^d the Marriage of his Niece with the Duke d' Enghien in hopes that it wou'd be an Addition to his Inteteft in carrying his Ambitious Projea: of the Regency, which was never out of his Head, but it was not without great Anxiety of Mind, that he- faw the Count de Soiffons^ the Duke de BoutUon^ and the Duke de Guife in a ftri£l Union at Sedan. Tkere were feveral other dilconrented Dukes, as Fendome^ Epernon^ de la ' Falette^ and ^ feveral great Lords in France that fhew'd a Diipofition to joyn in with any Party againft him. '"The Cardinal cry'd out, TW Sedan was as had as Rochelle, that in good Policy it ought not to be tndurdj and that the King was pofitively refolv^d ta have an end of thcfe CahalUngs. About this time a Gentleman difparch'd by the Duke de Souhizein England, with Letters to his Friends in France^ was feiz'd in Normandy and fent to the Baftille. He confefs'd at his Examination that the Count de Soiffons held Coi refpondence with Soubisie^ or rather Richlieu to blacken the Count ai^- render him more Odious to the King got him to confefs it, and then reprefented the Matter to Lervis as malicioufly as his Fraud and Hatred cou'd make it. The Count complam'd of the Fallhood of the Ca- lumny, and fent his Confident Campion with Letters to the King and Cardinal in his own Vindication. Campion found the King very much ^i^t againft Soiffons. He gave his Majefty the Letter, and Ipoke in behalf of his M'afler. Monfieur the Count, lays the King, Does very well to Vindicate himfelf^ but he does it a little too late^ why did he not write to me fooner* Campion replyd with a great deal of warmth, That he c. But that was not enough to take him off, the Eneruy having clear'd him oflmyill DeOgn*, therefore des Noyers got an Information againft him, for having violated a Nun, whereas the truth was, he only fearchd a Nunnery at Dour lens for Arms, whxh he found there. The Secretary aid) charged him with hanging a Fellow, that he might have the free Enjoy- ment of his Wife •, but that Fellow was proved to have held Intelligence with the Spaniards, Never- thelefs thefe Pretences being urg'd againft him, and fome hot AClions in his Governments of Dour lens and Arras^ the Judges, pack'd for that purpofe out of the Prefidials of J/mtns 3iud yihheville^coud^miM him to Death. Beilcjamhe^ Intendant of Picardy and Prefident oftbeCommillion, was forc'd to uie Threats to bring them to it, and the Lieutenant Ge- jieral of the Prefidial of Amiens^ refus'd to the lafl to Condemn him. But Richlieu had given the Judges their luftruftions, and his Head was Cut off at Amiens by the Sentence of thofe Corrupt Judges. He (?/ F R A N C E. 487 He had been in the Service ever fince he was Fourteen Years Old, and the Deutentant General of the Prefidial of Amiens faid boldly at his Tryal, The leafi of his Services was enough to at- tone for the mofi Enormous Crime that was laid to his Charge. Every one tl at mentions this Monfieur de St. Preuil fpeaks of him as a very Gallant Man, as Liberal, Generous, and Brave as any Officer in the Armies oi France^ Qualities that are far from giving a Man Merit in the Opinion of fuchMinifters as the Cardinal ^f ^/c/7//>2^, to whofe Charge the Blood of this unhappy Gentleman muft be alfo laid. Having mention'd the Revolt of the Catalans^ w« muft add that ^/V^A'ez^ taking them into his Prote^- ion, perfwaded the King his Mdfter to go in Perfon to Catalonia, The Cardinal's Creatures were at the Head of Armies in Italy and the Low Countries, His Brother-in-Law tlie Marefchal de Breze was declared Viceroy of Catalonia, The Marefchal dg la Meille- raie his Coumi, commanded an Army of 20000 Men defign'd for the Conqueft of Roujjillon, The Cardinal advis'd the King to take his Wife and Brother along with him, and the Dauphin and Duke of Anjou his Sons were to be put into the Hands of Chavigni^ Se- cretary of State, and Governor of the Caftle of Fin^ cemies^ who was at Rlchlieus Devotion, as was to a moll ihameful Degree the prince of Conde^ whom Lewis appointed to Command in Parisy where the Chancellor, and others the C ardinalsConhdentsand Tools, were nam'd to be the Council. This Projed occafion*d great Murmurings, rk Af//?iy?er,faid the People,hasmade himfelf Mailer of the Kings Perfon, his Queens, his Two Sons and his Brothers, of all his Armies and Fleets, and of the befl Places in the Kingdom. What can hinder his Abfolute Power if the King fhou'ddye in lb long and fatiguing a Jour- ney? His firil Phyfician who faw he grew worfe in hisHealth, declard it wou'd endanger his Liife. The Queeo cryM and faid flie wou'd rather dye than part with her Children. Lex^is was mov'd by her Tears, and confented fhe fhou'd ftay with them at St. Ger- pjain^en-laigy and Richlieu^ who by means of the 1 i 4. Prince 488 The Secret Hijiory Prince of Conde and his other Creatures, won*d be Mafter o{ Pariy, and its Neighbourhood did not oppofe it. While Preparations were making for this Expedition J which was delay'd on account of the King's frequent Indifpcntions, Clnqmars founded iiim feveral times as to his Difpofition to RichUeUy but tho' he wou'd fome times appear very angry with him, and hear any thing faidagainft him, his Mindfoon chang'd, and they wou'd prefenily be as good Friends as ever. Lewis wou'd then fay to his Favourite. Remember what I told youy ifMorifjeurthe Cardinal declares hi»^feif openly your Enemy ^ I cannot keepyou about me. Depend upon it When the King .was pretty welJ and thought himfelf able to Travel, he was fo fond of being liimfelf the Conqueror of Ca- talonia, that he wou'd hear nothing againfi: RlchUeUy Author of that Pre'/ £>. When he was out of Order, and afraid tliat h^ ilioa'd not be able to go thither in Peslon, he wou'd privately rail againft his iMinifter to Cmqmars, He did it once fo wai15ily, that the Favourite having no room not to think him in ear- ned, boldly reprefented to him, In what Bondage the^ Cardinal held h'tm^that //RichiieuV Project fucceeded^ there wou^d 'not be an Army nor Place at his Difpofal in all his lOngdum. He vvenr fu far as to propole uo the King to kiii him, oiTcring to (Irike the Blow himfelf. Whether he agreed to the Propoial or not, I (hall not fan her examine than to fay i\\d.\.Cinipnarsnh\i T/yal affirm'd he did Ci>nfcnt, and that it is certain he was afterwards in greater Favour with Lewis than ever, and the Cardinal in lefs Cm^imays upon this Encouragement renew'd his Negotiations with the Duke of Orleans And Builian. De Jhou immgd tht liKrigue with the latter, and FontraU'es with me former, ui behalf of thii Favourite, who was al- ways fiuih'd upon any Marks herecciv'd of his Ma- jeffy's good Grar for them. The Duke oi Orleans ^x\d Cinqmars had a private Conference atChiHiy a fine Houfe which rhe Mare- fchal d' Effiat^ Cinqmars's Father, built in the Neighbourhood of Paris -., when the Court pals*d by it to Fonta'mhleau in their way to Lanouedoc, Ch^q- mars's Defign was lo engage the Duke to come to Lyons^ where he intended to execute his En- terpnze agaiwit Richliew^ but neither the Duke of Orleans nur the Duke of Bullion Vv'ou'd appear there to Countenance his Bloody Attempt. *Twas in this Journey thai the Cardinal began openly to talk againft the Favourite to the King, and to per- fwade hnn to remove him from about his Perfon. He watch'd an Opportunity when his xVlajefty had a Fit of Superftkion upon him, to repreient O^- ptars'^ debaucb'd Life and M^n^^^ to him in the . ■ " - \vorii 49© The Secret Hiflory worft Colours •, but Lems^ as Devout as he was, received his Remonftrances with great SuIIennefs, Kxidi Rkhlteu retir'd in Extraordinary Confufion. Gajjlon took Notice of it, the Cardinal made him follow tlie Court in order to ferve in Catalonia^ the King out of Spite commanded him to return to the Army in the Netherlands^ and feem'd to take Occa- fions to mortify Btchlieu, Whether it was that the- Favourite had fet his Mafter entirely againft the Mini fler,or that Lewis was offended at the CardinaFs Mag- nificence in Travelling, which w^as as great as his own, Richlieu feem'd now to be in worfe Terms with his Majefty than he had ever been during his Miniftry. The expenctof Rkhlieu's Houfe amounted toa Thoufand Crowns a Day^his Train was fo nume- rous he w^as forc*d to take another Route, there not being room enough for his and the King's on the fame Road. They had, however, Interviews at Briare^ Cones and Alotilins, where he again made fome un- fuccefsful attempts to ruin Ci'nq^mars with his Ma- jefty. At Briare the Cardinal Ijappen'd to be alone in the King's Clofet, and fome of Cinqwars's Ac- complices reprefented to him, that he cou'd never have a better Opportunity to rid himfelf of his Enemy, but his Heart fail'd hi?n, and he put it off to his arrival at Lj'o;//, where the Noble j[e of Auvergne had promis'd him to afTemble and fupport him. There were to be 7 or 800 of them, and had the Duke of Orleans came thither the Blow had certainly been given. Whv^n Richlieu arriv'd at that City, he found his Credit fo funk, that 'twas in vain tor him to fpeak any thing more againfl the Fa- vourite. Des Noyert^ his Creature, writing a Let- ter of Confolation in his Name to Gaffton for his miffing the Batoon on the Promotion of the Mare, fcbals de Guehriant and la Mot he Hodancourt^ has; thefe remarkable Exprefiions, Be f 'Arc to exprcf your Gratitude to his Eminence for his good Intention towards you» j4t this time one Complement is worth mo. Do not believe Bublick Reports^ keep firm to the Service^ the King is J^ifl, Soon or late he will perceive who are his faithful Servants, The Cardi- nal ^/FRANCE. 49* nal wrote Gajfion to this efFeft himfelf. The Kwg has made Two Marefchals^ 'tis not my Fault that he did not make a Thirds our Affairs hinder me from asking the continuation of your AffeBion^ but not my keeping you in mind as one ofmytrueji Friends, There is nothing in the World that Minifters en- deavour to conceal more than the Dedenfion of their Credit, no Artifices they will not make ufe of to hide it, no Reports they will not fprcad to fupport it, efpecially ill Minifters who know that they cannot lofc their Authority without the lofs of their Lives, or atleaft their Liberty and Wealth, and one may be fure that this Confulion of fo Cunning a States -man as Richlieu proceeded from the depth of his Defpair, but as cunning as he was, his Mafter dcceiv'd him this time, fhewing him he was more Weak and Inconftant than even him- felf took him to be. While the Court was at Lyons^ the Noblejje of Auvergne made their Ap- pearance there, as had been concerted. When they were aflemblcd, expelling Cinqmars's Orders, he came to them, and told them he was going to the King and wou'd return totii-n. prelently ;, accord- ingly be went to his MajeQy, with whom he had not been long before Richlieu enter'd attended by le Bar J the Captain of his Guards The King and Cinqmars feem'd to be extreamly furpriz'd, Clvq- mars whifperd fomething to his Mafter, which tlie Cardinal took to relate to himfelf by their be- ing both in fuch diforder. Cinqmars not being able to bear the fight of him, left the King and him, and went to the Noble ffe of Auvergne whom he bid to return every Man to his Home. 'Tis thought the Favourite in that W^hifper demairded per- miffion to execute what he had formerly propos'd to his Mafler, and that Lewis^ frighted at the thoughts of fuch near Danger, cou'd not bring him* felfto confent to It. Others will have it thzxt Lewis knew nothing of the Matter at that time. The Marquis/Ze i^orf^/«^r, who was let into the Secret «f the AlTaffination Plot, dilcover'd it to RxbVeu, who '49^ ^'^^ Secret Hijlory who was in a mortal Fright as will be fhewn hereafter. As the Court was going to Langvedoc to be nearer Rovffdlwn and Catalonia^ it ftop'd at Faience^ where the' King gave the Cardinal's Cap to Aia- z^arine, who had been promoted to the Purple by his Nomination for having facrifis'd the Popes aiiS King of Spain's Intereft, whofe Agent he was, to the French. While the King was on this Journey, Fontraille went to the Court of Madrid to a£l for the Duke of Orleans and C'nqman. The former gave him a Cane Blanche fign'd by himfelf, to fill up with Ar- ticles hs fhou'd a«ree upon with the Spaniards. Gajion empowered him to Negotiate for an Army of I20D0 Foot and 4^00 Horfe, German Veterans, and Money to maintain them. Fontra'dks concluded a Treaty, by which rhele Troops were to be lent him, and he was befides to have 200000 Crowns to make new Levies The Duke de Bull on was to have a Penfion of 40000 Crowns a Year, and G'w^- mars as much :, Bullion w^^s to have befides 100000 Livers to fortify 5f^«i;^ and 25000 Livers a Month for the Maintainance of the Garrifon. Gajlotis Pen- fion was to be 12000 Crowns a Month. For thefe and •cher Confiderations the Dukes of Orleans and Bullion^ with Monfieur Clnqmars.^ were to declare themfelves Enemies to all the Enemies of the Houfe of Avj^riA^ and this Treaty the Favourite hop'd wou'd fupport him in his Enterprizes againft Riehlieu^wht- ther Lewis confented to them or not. The Queen Anne of Au^ria had Intelligence of this Trea- ty. De Tbou knew nothing of it till after 'twas niade. In the mean time the Siege o^ Frrpignan^ the Capi- tal of Roujfillony commenc'd, and the Cardinal who WIS not very well in Health, hut much worfe in Hu- mour, left the Court under Pretence of taking the Waters in Tarafco?? in Frovcnce. He was fo afraid of his Mailer's abandoning him to his Enemies that he departed w^ith great Precipitation, fick as he was, and in- very ili Weather, He gave our that he was going 0/ F R A N C E. 49J going one Road .ind he took another. Ht went part of the way by Sea to difappoint thofe that might have form'd any Defigns againft him by Land, and intended to retire into Italy if the Power of his Enemies encreas'd. His Money and Jewels were order'd to be ient him from Paris on tlie firft No- tice. When he left the Camp, he affefted to do it with great Pride and Refolution, as if he did not matter the Poft he had held, but for the fake of the Kingdom, not for his own. 5/r, fays he to the King, / will never /peak to Tour Majefiy of my Services^ nor of my Perjon^ I am going to remove a dlfagrceahle Ohje^i out of your fight ^ Tour Aid- jel}y may cxercife' all your Royal Power over me^ and make me Jenfihle of the terrible Effects of yonr Wrath^ but never fijall any thing hinder me from appearing where the Welfare of the State and the Danger of your Sacred Perfon fjjall call me. About this time Rkhlieu made' his Will, and divided his vaft Eftate between his Darling Niece the Dutchefs d' Aiguillon^ Armand de Maiiie^ his Nephew, Son to the Marefchal de Breze^ and Armand de feigner od another Nephew of his, 5on to the Baron de Pont- courlai'^ i5re;^m*s Death they defer a it from time to time till 'twas too late. The King hearing of the Defeat of the Marefchal de C niche in Flanders, and <>/ F R A N C E, 495 and being tir'd with the length of the Siege of Per- pignan began to want his Old Minifter, and was ready to receive any ill Irapreflion of CinqmarSj whofe Favour had driven him from Court. His Illnefs made him uneafy to himfelf and all about him. The Marefchal de Schomberjr and Chavigni, Secretary of State, continued to reprefent to him the Danger of Gwfw^r/sConfpiracy, and the Neceflity offecuring his Perfon *, but it was fome time before Lewis wou'd believe the one or confent to the other. His ConfefTor Father Sirmond^ exhorted him to it as a cafe of Confcience, and to execute it with the more Safety, Lewis left the Camp and returned to Norbonne^ where on the 13 th of June 154.2, Cinqmars was arrefted. De Thou was appre- hended in hdy^ where he was confering with the Duke de Bidlion^ who was aHo feiz*d in the fame manner, tho' he commanded the Army there, and that too with particular Marks of Difgrace. thctvigni and des Noyers were ordered by Richlieu> to perfwade the King to return to Paris^ he growing daily worfe and worfe, and before he returned to vifit his fick Minifter at Tarafcon to let the World fee his Power over his Mafter was ftill fo great that he cou'd make him follow him wherever he pleas'd. Ill as he was, Lewis order'd himfelf to' be carry*d to Tarafcon^ and to Richlieu*s Chamber, where a Bed was made for him to lie and talk with the Cardinal, who was fick in another. The Cardinal upbraided him with hearkening to the Calumnies of a Yonng Audacious Favourite, and Lewis x]ot being able to bear his Reproaches wept plentifully. He promised his Minifter to do fo no more, and to Proted him on all Occafions. Richlieu did not know then that Lewis had given Cinqmars fo much Encouragement as he did in his intended AfTiflination Plot, or he wou'd have been more rough with him. This Re- conciliation was however affefted, Lewis never lov'd Richlieu afterwards Maz.arine perceived it, and with great Dexterity Co managed both the King and the Cirdinal, that without otiending or allarming the latter, he infmuated himfeU moreand more in- to the good Gra ces of the former. The 496 " The Secret Hijlcry^ The Duke of Orleans was in a terrible Fright nporj the Apprehenlion i^of the Duke d9 Bullion^ Monfieur de Cinqmars and Monfieur de Thou, He immediately fent the Abbot de la Riviere to make his Submillion and beg Pardon •, the Cardinal was as fulien as the King, and bothtalk'd of no lefs tlian banilhing him to P^enice to live there on a fmall Pen- fion. At lad upon his betraying the whole Secret of the SpaniJJj Confederacy, giving an ample Con - feffion of it to the Chancellor Seguler^ who made ufe of it in Evidence againft Monfieur ae Cinqmars and Monfieur de Thou^ he was permitted to flay in' France upon figning this Scandalous Writing; Ha^ ving made a full Declaration to the King of the Crime^ Afonficur de Cinqmars has been guilty of^ and tempt- ed us to commit^ and having recourfe to his Afajejty'f Clemency^ we declare that we think our fef extream- ly ohligd and well dealt with^ if it will pleaje his Maj-jiy to let lis live in the Kingdom as a private Per- fon^ without Government^ without a Troop of Gens d' Armes, Light Horfe^ or Power to take the Uke Charge or any Adminiflration whatfoever^ ^nd upon whatfoever Occafion. We con fent further to this Private Life which the King fl)ctll he pie us' d to prefer ibe us without any Train y but what hefljall be pleas' d to allow ^ and with- out ente'^taining any Perfon in our Service that J})all be difagreeable to him^ under Pain of forfeiting what the Kings Goodnefs has been pleai'd to grant us after we have committed fo great a Fault, This was not all, the Royal Evidence that was produced againft Cinqmars, The King himfelf declar'd in anAuthen- Tick manner, by a Letter to the Parliament of /^m^, ieveral things againil him of his own Knowledge. Lewis in that Paper fays he had lately fuffer'd hini to at^ and fpe:\k more fretly than he had done he - fore, on purpole to find out his ill Defigns. The great Criine of all is cuntain'd in the following Para- graph. This Man's Endeavour was to decry the Actions of our Coufin the Cardinal de Richlieu^ and extol thcfe of the Count Duke d* OUvarez. He favoured a!l that were m Dif^race with us^ and appoM thoje that ferv'd us^ he- continually diftp- pro-j'd of F R A N C E. 497 proved whatever we did that was tifefvl to the State. My Author reflets upon this Occafion. What Venom, what Malice ! He afterwards informs a - gainft him for Profane fpeaking. He [poke^ fays the King, of the moji H4y things mth fo great Impiety^ that *trvas eafy to fee God was not in his Heart-, This Royal Information was mightily infifted on at th^ Tryal of the Criminals, tho' there was no need of fo much Form to take them ofF, when the Chan- cellor Seguier and Lanbardemonty a Creature of the Cardinal's, were to be their Judges. The Prifoners were convey 'd from their ieveral Prii'ons to Lyons^ whither Richlicu came in Perfon to be Prefent at the Procefs. He was very ill, yet his Revengeful Temper wou'd not let him ftay at Terafcon^ he wou'd needs go to Ly^wj for fear the Judges fhou'd not befevere enough in his Abfence, and the manner of his travelling was fo very extraordinary, *tis worth relating it. He had a fort of Portative Chamber made cover'd with Damask, with fomeCire Cloth over it. There was a Bed within it, and he cou'd talk as he lay with any Perfon who fat in a Chair by the fide of it. Eighteen of his Guards re- liev'd from time to time by others carry'd this Ma- chine bare headed in rainy as well as dry Weather, When 'twas too big or too high for the Gates of fome Towns thro* which 'twas to pafs, the Walls were puird down to make w^ay for it, as were aifo the Walls of the Houfes where he lodg'd. The Roads were widen 'd where too ftrait, and levelled where too uneven •, Two Hundred Leagues was he carry* J after this manner, from Terafcon to Lyons^ and fr'mi thence to Paris Both he and the King were migh- tily troubled with the Hemerrhoids ^ Lewis was as ill as the Cardinal, but his manner of travelling was far from being fo Pompous and Expenfive. He only borrow'd Richlievs common Litter from Terafcon to Lyons^ and thence he went by Coach to Pans. 1 fhall not enter into the Detail of the proceedings 2ig^\x\^Cinqwars and de Thou, The Chancellor came to Lyo«f, he viilted the former and faid, Inftead of be- ing afraid^ Sir, Tcu have reafon to hope for every K k thin^ 49^ The Secrst Hiflory ^hing that's to y^ur Advantage. Tou have a good Judge in 7ne, and God forbid Ifioud not he gratejul for past Favour s» I am not ignorant that ij it had r:Qt been for you. the King woud have taken away the Seals from me ^ fo great an Obligation requires not 6?:ly an Immortal Remembrance^ but an Infinite Gra- titude which J fljall j9jew you upon Ocinfion. What he •faid was true enough, as to Cinqmars\ being Inftru. mental towards his Keeping the Seals, but tr.e Gra- titude he \^'as to fhew, ended in the Condemning this fine Young Gentleman to the Rack •, tho in- deed he afterwards got it off upon his Confeffion of theCrime he w^as charg'd with/or which he was con- demn'd to dye, as was alfo Monf. de Vjou^ for Mif- prifion of Treafon. The latter behav'd himfeifwith fo muchChrifiian Heroifm, that his Enemies wept when the Sentence pafs'd upon him. Both his and Cinq- mar's Behaviour at the Place of Execution was very edifying •, , and fome w^ho gave the worfe Turn to the latter's Carriage, as if 'twas to give the Lye to the Cardinal's Report of him after the Seige of Arras^ that he was a Coward, cou'd not help owning that greater Courage, and at the fame time greater JVIodefty were never feen in a Man of his Years, C/«^ mars being not Two and Twenty when he dyd. He was an Ambitious Gallant Young Gentleman, belov^d by the King, but not lovi«g him ^ his Man- ners w^ere (hocking to his Joyous Temper, and v^/hen his Friends us'd to Reprove him for his carrying himfelf lb dilagreeabiy towards his Majefty, he re ply 'd, leant bear his j} inking Breath, This Prince had fometliing very iothfome in his Perfon, but thofe who wou'd- keep the Favour of Princes fhou'dhive neither Noies or Eyes to any thing that is ofrenlive in them. As to the Duke de Bouillon^ as foon as he heard of the Condemnation of his Two Friends, he fent immediately to defire the Chancellor Seguier to come to him, and offer 'd to give up Sedan to the King to prevent the i'\me Fate to himfeif His Wife had threaten'd to deliver up tiiat Place to the Sp.rnl- ards, Richlieu was not fo much alarm'd at that, knowing how incapable the Spaniards wa'c at that -"*'■■ time cf B R A N C E. 499 time to maintain it, as be was pleas'd with the Duke's Voluntary Offer to part witli it upon what- ever Terms he wou'd. A4az.arine was the Perfon i^zc/?//^?/ entrufted with the management cf this Af- fair ^ he was (hut up with Bouillon feveral Hours in Prifon, and they agreed upon writing a Letter to th^ Cardinal to offer the Place on Promife of Pardon, and an Equivalent in Lands in France^ which Condi- tion being comply'd with, M.iiLarim was fent to take PofTcfrion of Sedan^ to whom the Dutchefs of jPi?w///c;? yielded it, with as muchPleafure as if fhe had had the Soveraignty given her, it being the Price of the Life of a Husband whom ihe dearly lov'd. The Cardinal de Richlieu did not ftay at Iae no otljt?r Delign in putting ih many Ferfons of of -P K A N C E. $03 of Quality to Death, meerly out of Revenge- or Jealoufy, in banifhing the King's Mother and Co many other Illullrious Perfons, than to- Serve Re- ligion and the State} and yet on this -Integrity of his, does he build all his hopes of Salvation. Surely fuch Tyrannical Minifters as this Prieft was, be- lieve they can deceive God as well as Man, -bat as fure as there is a God, To fure ^A?i^ tliey be condemn'd by hinij and Richlieu had no need of that Prayer, but to impofci on the Worl-d. Wlien the Curate came to give -the Extream Vniiion^ Fat her y (^ys he. /' beg' you to Speak to ins as a great Sinner^ to deal with me as with the rfieji 771' f era- hie Creatitre tn the World: Havina faUl the^ Lord's Prayer" and kifs'd a Grucilix he held in his Hand, the Curate ask'd him if he^ believ'd all the Anicles of faith. The Cardinal reply*d, T^cs^-all of \hem •without my Reftrl^ion^ 'tf'^I hfid a Thoi'0ind- Lives I WGud ■ Sacrifife all of them for 'the ftfith^ -and for the Church^- The Curate ask'd him if he- pardon'd his Enemies, and all that. had ofi^ended him. This was a hard Queflion, 'twas but a lew Days ago thAt he wou'd not refk till Four Gentleinen were turn'd Gutof their Places to pleafe him, yet Rich- lieu reply'd without any Heiitation, With all Tny Heart, and I pray God to Pardon them-i^ forgetting that a few Hotirs before he ha^ advis'd tl>e King to have a Declaration regifter'd in Parliamient againft his only Brother the Duke of 0 r/^. /??•',- t'o* exclude him fi'om all his Lawful Pretenhons to* the Re- gency after the Death of Lems^ Vx'hich unnatural Aft was accordingly done with great Rigor and liidignity to Gafton, The Curate demanded of Richlieu whether in cafe God n.o-i'd prolong his Life, he wou'd ierve hirn more faithfully than ever. Let me dye a Thousand Deaths^ reply'd the Cardinal, // he for e fees that 1 fhoud ever cofnmit one, mortal Sin only. Wou*d one not think tliis good Man a perfed Sainty if one had not Cttw by the Hiftory of his Minidry, that there is hardly a mortal Sin which he did not conmiit daily ? He then took leava cf his Dear Ncice the Dutchefs oi AnguiUon^ and K k \ Expired 504 The Secret Hijtory Ixpir'd the 4th of December 1H2, in the 58th Year of bis Age. As foon as Vvord vv^as brought to the King that he was Dead, all he faid was, Then there's a great Politicm? gone^ which is his Charaiier in a word, and (hall f;;rve iiiftead of the Volumiisof Panegyricks, which the Wri- ters, ImHlrelmgSy wrote upon him. immediately upon the Death of Richlleuj the King cali'J the Cardinal Maz^arme to Council, but being a Foreigner he cou'd not obtain the fame Precedence as the Cardinal de Riehlleu had. The Princes of the Blood refused to give Place to him. the Matter being left to the King, he deiermiii'd it in their Favour.~ Great were the Brigues upon Richlieu's Death for the Regency and Mmiftry. The King's Life was difpair'd of, fotne of the Lords were for the Duke of Or/e^;^/*, others for ^mie o{ Austria. JDes Noiers was in hopes of Succeeding Rtchiieu by means of the Queen, whofe Intereft he had always efpous'd. A'Liz^arhe and Chavhm had been Friends a long while, and they enter'd into the flridefk Engagement for thefupport of their joynt luterefl: with Refpeft to the Admin.iftration, which they hop'd to preferve, whether the Queen or the Duke had the Regtncy. They courted both of them, and endeavour'd to make their Creatures their Friends. The Bifhop of Bcauvalr: was one of the Qiieen's Principal Favourites, and him they did their utmoft to engage on the fame bottom with them, but that Bifhop hoping to be Prime Mi- niiler himfelf, avoided any fuch Engagement, giving them as good Words as they gave him. Not long after Rtchliei/s Oeath, Afazarifie^ to Ingratiate himfelf with Gaflor?^ procured his Return to Court, notwithflanding the Declaration that had been Regifter'd againft him, fall of Calumnies and Mifreprelentations. As foon as heenter'd the King's Clofet, he fell upon his Knees, and humbly ask'd Pardon for all his paft Faults, promifing more Obedience and Fidelity for the future. The King embraced him, faying, 'Tis tttne that your Anions pjoud arifwer your Word-'^ If you continue in / Richlieu'i Difgrace. p. 272. Chatillon, Marefihal de, betrays the Protejlants^ ^ , 185. rewarded* p. 188. Tlhevreufej Dutchefs of^ the Name Jhe gave Rich- ^ieu, p 323. LI Gateleg The CONTENTS. Catelet, ^irV by Richiieu to write Lihel/s againfl: great Men, p. 302. Cinqmars, Monfieur^ his Rife and Fortune^ 468. & feq. The King^s Difsourfe with him. p. 47^^. Circles, France divided into Eight for the De- fence of the Proteftant Religion. p. 1 7 5. Clanzel, Strangled privately in Trifon, p. 392. Clergy of Fr^ncc^ their Dffloyalty. p. 219- Com bale t, RichlieuV Niece ^ proposed to the Count deSoiflbns, 247. 301. /// us'dhy the Queen Mother^ 16%. Her Greatnefs^ ^i^^ ^20, Pro* pos^d in Marriage to the Duke <>/ Lorraine, 33S, 3 3 p. What hindered ity^^i Refused by Duke Bernard of Saxe-Weymar, p. 409, Courtiers, their Slavery to Fortune. P- 184 Creqni, Count de^ his Incefiuous Marriage, p. 59. Ci'XiQltyiill Minifiers diftinguijh'^d by it. p. 275. Dea^eant, his Treachery, 179, His Vif^race and Char a^er^ P^5o Decree of the Parliament of Paris faljifyd by the Court. P* 75. Demon of LoncUin, an Impoflor encouragd by the French Court: 3<^7' & feq. DifTmnilation of French Minifiers. p. 142. Difiinion among ill Minifters^ the Safety of the People. P' 413^414' Dnpleix Libells the Marefchal de BaUbmpierre. p. 444. Dutch affifl the French againjl the Protefiants, p. 21:1. Duvalj the jiftrologer^ his Prediftions, 248, 280. Sent to the Galleys , P 2 -j p. Elbeuf, The CONTENTS. E jElbeuf, Duh of^ his Quarrel with the JDuh of *^ Orleans J F^i/<7«me Puylaurens. p 352. Englifh ajjifl the French King againfi the Pro- ^.. tenants J ill, Hor9 a FaH^ien amorjg them treats l. Forreign Proteftants. p 221. Epernon, Duke d'. Attach Rochelle contrary to the Orders of the Courts 97. Quarrels with the Keeper of the Seals about Precedence^ 143. Jllus'^d by the King^ 144. His Manifefio^ 146, Takes Arms^ 147. ^Proclaitn'd a Rebell^ 148. His Haughtinefsj 149. His Quarrel with the Arch'Btjhop of Bomde2iU-i^^ 1^^. 333. His Saying to Richlieu who had mimicJCd his Gaf- con Brogue and Mien^ 254,255. Hebafely truckles to him, 784. His Notion of the DoEl- n^e^fPaflive-Obedience, 212, 213. Mor- tifyd ^j'Rfchlieu, p 334. 381, Fabroni, an Italian Aflrologer^ his Tredi^hni P 248. jFa^lion, what ill Minifters vnderfland by itj . P- 290. Fargis, Countefs de, facrifis*d to Richlieu, p 267. Vdi^omilGSy blind to Danger^ 181. Libell'd when Dead^ p 1S2* Fayette, de la Aifadamolfelley a Favourite sf Lewis the XIII. 252. She leaves the Courts P 43S. Force, Marefckal de la, betrays the Proteflam Jn^^ terefl^ 1 36. 1 88. Rewarded for it, ib. Fortune-tellers in great Vogue at Courts p 281. French have always had a Lvft of Power ^ p 5'. i- 1 2 Gaflion, br.- ^t The CONTENTS. Gaffion, Monfour^refvfes to give htmfelf to Kich- lieu, as he wou*d have had him p 476, & feq. Galigai, the Wife of the Marefchal d' Ancre, her Tragical Story J P- ii3j I 26, 5C feq. Ghoft, /it?/)', the Order of it Eftablifh d^ p 328. Gignier, a French Lyon, ha?7g d for Inventing a Sham- Plot, P ^3S- Graiidier, a Priejl put to Death for having written fome thing againfl RichHeu, p 370- Grenoble, an Affembly of the Frotefiants there^ p 68. 75. & feq. Grotius, his Letter about Confecrat^ng France to\the Virgin Mary, 452. What he wrote on the Birth of the prefent French lOng^ p 454. Guaranty, the King of En^hnd^ s, for the Prote- fiantsofVr^ncQ^ p 215. Guife, Duke of^ a great Error of his againji the Do^rine of Paffive-Obedience, p 291- Henrietta Maria, ^ee;?, how -us^d hy the Je- fuits^ p 220. Henry the IVth of France, never a real Papifi^ p 4. His Proje^ for a New Form of Government in Europe, p 7. High Church, French, their Loyalty^ p 21S. Hiiiory tf/ Lewis the XIV th^ full of Flattery p 2. I James the Ijl, King c/ England, fends Jmbaffa- dors about infiead of Armies, p 1 79. jefuits wrirte againft the Authority of Kings 121. The/r The CONTENTS. Their Dlfpute with the Parliament of Paris, p 223. Infallibility of Miniilers of St ate ^ p 290. Informers, a good Trade, at the French Courts ip^^5' Jofeph, Father^ does ^\ch\\tu good. Sermce to- wards hif Adtancement tp the Afinifrry^ 197, Has a Hundred Monks travelling for him^ 204. Rally d by the Duke 0/ Saxe-^Weyniac, 41 1 . Woud Supplant KichVi&u^ p -^14- K Katherine cle Medicis Trays to the Devil for her Sons., . , p 6". King and Mlnifler Synonymous V/erds In France, p'140. Language made Polite by the Protefiants^ P4^« Le Jay, A^onfieur^ a Zealous ajferter of the Rights of the Parliament of Parrs, fiezjd^p 7 i . Afade Fir (I Prefident^ 275. Hop h^ was-^orrupf^dby the^ Court J ^^^~ . i.^\ . v.. p .400,^ 40 I . Lefdifgiiieres, Di^ke ofy betrays the lrotefi,at^t Jn- terefiy'^-j. His Amour with hHry Vignon,* ib & ieq. Acls Independent on the Ceur^.^^b-- Leagues with the Duke ofSdVoy contrary' toOr • der^ 1 02. Marches to.hisA^fijlafice.,, i 37. r • Be- trays the Proteflants^ '151-, '172. jhe r^poflacy and Treachery of his Chaplain^ ij^. 'Fights ^-* gainjl: ^ the Protefiants^ i'^6, 'Turns Papifiy ^' '\,^; , • \w''l/ p 1^-" LG'^'liWe''XIIhh, his Chafa^Ier, 98 Orders Coh- chini to be A^urder*d^ 100 His Behaviour on the Murder of the Marefchal d' Ancre, \ 10. L 1 3 HOTQ - The CONTENTS. How he was flattered upon itj 1 20* . IJis farting Interview with his Mother^ 1 2 1. His Weaknefs^ 1 24 Loves and Hates as his Favourites would have him 159. His Reign a continual Mino' rity-i 1 84. Difcourfe between him and Baflbm- pierre, 1 78, 1 84. Faneygrich on his great Va- lour^ 188 Hates his Wife and Brother^ 204. Threatens the Parliament of Paris, 238 298. What he f aid of Women, 162. KichVi^u flatters him for his J^iBories^ 263 Is like to dye^ 265. Prcten-s Richlieu, ^68. His Difcourfe withSty Simon about Kich\ieusDiJgrace^26p. Always, to be under Government^ 273. He Sacrifices his Mother to his Afinifier^ 279. Gives Orders to fet A Guard upn her^ 282. Declares for his Minifier againft his Brother j 28(5, 2S9. Cruel to his Mot her J 299, 300. His Weaknefs, 307 His Inexorable Temper ^ 3 1 7. His Letter to Walieftein, 326. His Cruelty to his Mother^ 331- 345. 34<^^ 957» 372. Begs Pardon of Richiieu, 395. His Power^ 4.^^ Appears in the Frofecution againfj; the Duke de la Valette, p 453, 454. Lcv^^is the. Xir Born, 448. Marefchal de Baf- fompierres Letter ttpcn it, 454. p [3:?. Liberty of^onfcience ajferted by Ltwis tne Xlllth^ P78, Liberty, fome fmall remains of it in France, II. The French take Arms for it,, p 285. Libellers, all Authors fuch that write th'e Truth of III Mintfters, ' ' • p 2L7. Lorraine fiezjd, p 335. dsc feq. Lords of the Court, their great Power in the Mi- noyity of Lewis ;k Xlllth^ p 89, 96, 104. 160. Loudun, The C O N T E N T S. Loudun, AJfembly of the Trotiftmts there ^ 1 5-?. Demon of, p j^y, Lude, Comt de, the Trick he put en the Triefts of Loudun, V \^^ l.ucon» Armand John de Pleflls Bijhop of his Zed for the Queen Recent againfi the ProteflantSj $1 Emfloy^d by Mary de Medicis, 100, His early Treachery to her^ 106. Falls in With her inter eft again^ 121. He is hanijh'd^ 141. Is reftofd to the Service o/Mary de Medicis, P »49* See Richlieu. Luines,i)2/^e de, his Rife ^ 99 His great Amhitiony 117. The greatnefs of his and his Brothers For- tttne^ 187. Is in danger /lb. Made ConftaUe^ 174. His Infolence^ 1 78. His Death^ p 1S2, Lyons, Modern ones employ d by the French Mi- ^^Py^ PJ35-I45' M Mafuyer, Monfieur^ his hatred to the Proteftamsy p2i6. Mar iliac, Marefchal de, deferts Richlieu V /«- tereft^ 258. Siez!d and imprifond^ 276. Hit Tryal, ^01. The Injufiice done him, p30I. Marriages, Incefluous^ 59. Into the Famlies of III Minifters dangerous J p 3&0. Mary de Medicis, her Regency full of Trouble, 14. 24, 30. & feq. Her faying to Monfeur^2i^~ fompierre, 90. How flje receivd the News of her Favourite the Marefcal d'Ancre'j Death^ I Op. Infulted by her Sons Servants^ 1 18. And by him himfelf 1 20. Her parting Interview with him, 121. Betrayed by a Bifoop^ 138. Her Efcape from Blois, 147, Impatient for the lofs of the Regency^ 152. Has a Powerful Party^ 159. Ll 4 Re. "llie GONTENT%. RecdttciPd^tty her Sufi^ \6a^. Wou'd'Mirel^r Toungefi Son have a j\flfirefs ^ 243. Her frfi Quarrel with K\c\\\\^xx^2^^.' Her j?itriiues a- gainfl him^ 248, 249. . hfulted hy Ricblieu> 255. She turns him out of her Service'^ 256. che dijfe7nhles with her Son Lewis, .^61. Vfes Richlieu rudely^ 26%Her ill CondvBfaves him^ 270. She is furiovfly enrag d againfl him 278. Jnftdted by him^ ib. -She retires to Flanders, 293. Her Svfferin£fj'^^by'Z^T: 342. She parrels there with the Duke %^^: vr^v^fT ^ . . : '^^^ 'bl2iZ2it\ntgaind to theWttr'ifl.ofVrmCG by Rich- lieu, '^ ' '.^"^ '^^' ' - p 2^9. Memoirs written by ^TK'Hith' Ldrds'of them^ felves not to be trvjled^ ^ . p 91. M etZ^ a Parliament ejlablijh W there, P 3 3 8 . Miniilry changed in Prince. 13;, They abufe the King s Name and Authority Pi 86". ■ IVI i n iltr y Vnity of it^ 'd-Bifcourfe fo caH^d^ written by Father Jofeph^ , , P 459- Minorities, French, what Charles 7^e Wife faid of them:- ■.^^^)'^V'- ^'^ '^'-^'^P 34. Minority f?/ Lew is theWIThh. Faifi(n^s ditring it, 14. Quarrels among the Princes and great Lords, 24. 27.66.94. 137. Great Difiurbance and Danger, -pi 59. Miniitry chang'^d Four Times m a few Months, p203. Miron, Monfeur his brave Speech againft the Ty^ ranny of the Pop at the Ufi J^JJemhly of the States 0/ France. : ' ' P 3^. Mifery of France vnder KichliQu, ^ defcrib'd by the DukeofOxie^nSj p 285, 286, Modefly, The GON TENT S. Modefly, great In fiancee of it inthe French King ' and his Mmifiers^ '■ -' • P'3S3- Klontmerency, Dvke de^ his bafi Compliance vpith Kich jeu, 243., Said to he in Love with ^Otieen Anne (?/ Anflria, ib. Tromifes to froteH: Rich- lieu if tie King dfd^ 166. • He repents of his falling in with him^ 306. Takes Arms for the Duke tf/ Orleans, 31a He is taken , 313. He is Executed. p3lS» •■'■• ■■;■• ^ ^ ,^.Ui\i^ Na m e s of Reproach given to the Prote flams p 1 67 "Nevers, Duke de, takes Arms as Guarantee of a Treaty between Mary de Medicis and the Prince of Conde, - - p 104, Notables, 4n AJfembly ofthem^ 1313. Another^ 141. Another^ P 2<37. O Obedience of Subjects^ whatL^'^is thejuRfaid of it. '• -^^^ p288. OfhcQXs J Mifitar^^ generous to great Men in Dip grace ^ p 304. OrHces Sold and then Supprefs'd, p3 52. Orleans, Duke of His De'fign againfl Richlieu, 228. His Impiety^ I'^T, I'^J^y Quarrels with the King his Brother J 237. His Debauchery^ 242, 243. His Saying to the Queen his Sif er-in- Law aho24t her Barrennefs^ 245. Retires to Lorraine, 271. Quarrels with Richlieu; 2 ~ 2. H^ re- turns to Court 2(5 1 . His Servants brib d by Rich- lieu, 277; He Infults him/ 279- Quits the Court, 280. Retires to Lorraine, 29. He enters France with an Army^ 309. Submits and fays he ever had an Efteem for RichlieuV (Vir- tues The C O N T E N T S. tues and Service^ 314. Leaves Fra.nct ag at ft, 322. Quarrels with his Mother in Flanders, 342. Returns to Court y ^^6, Will not turn a- way his Wife^ ^ p 4^4. OrnAno, the Duke of Anjou'j Favourite Jmprifond Ip8. Carefsd by ths Courts 227. Imfrifon^d a* gain. p 228. Pamphlets, always full of Scandal^ P 105. Parma, Trince of^ his Entertainmtnt at Paris, p 407. Parifians terrify' d by the Spaniards, p 4 1 9. Paris, Tarliament of^ have fome [mall Remains of Liberty y f i . /// us'd by Mary de Medicis, 54, 55. ^ bold Remonjlrance of theirs^ 60, & leq. Their Privileges defiroyd^ (S4. They Flatter Lewis the XllJth on the Murder of the Marc" /rWd'Ancre, iio, Further Breaches %n their Confiitutiony J 54, Threaten d by the King^ 238. A mortal Blow given to their Liberties^ 287. /// us'^d again^ p 2p8, 397. 400. 42^. Peculation, a Term made ufe of in France, P205. Paffivc-Obedience, how PraEiis'd in France, p 24. ij.^l^ H-- i^^- 312. Peers ?, 41 3. BUfphe- mo us Flatteries of him ^ 421. His Tyrannical Ad- tnini^rationy^ll. He is in Danger ^2%. His 'treachery, 436, 437. Sets the King againfi his Wife^ 439. Has a Man broken on the Wheel ^ 451. HtS Intrigues with the 5c(?/-j, 455. Ouar^ rels with the Pope^ p ^6j, Roan, Parliament of\ chafiis^d by Richlieu, P433 Rochelle, JJfembly of the Proteftants there \ their Condu[ty 125 Another^ 167. Declare an Illegal one^ ib. They refolve to fland on their Defence^ 169. Siege of P 244. Rohan, Duke de, a bold Saying of his^ 18. His Memoirs not exaBly faithful^ pi. Falls in with the Jntere^ of Mary de Medicis, 118. Prejudices that of the Protefiants by it -^ih. Sets vp for Head of the Protejiant Interefi^ 2 10. Ap- plies to Spain /or AJfiJfancc^ 246. His Bravery 250, and Honour^ ib. Roiivrai, Shot at Rome for his Infolence, p456'. Ruceljai, an Italian Ahbot^ his Ingratitude^ p 181 Rotten-Tale, a 2^ame given to Richlieu, p 323, St. Cyran, Abboty throxtn into the BaftiUe, and rvhy^ p 389. 4S0. St. Simon, Duke ofy perfwades Richlieu to ft ay at Court when he was for quitting it^ 2(5p. Dip- grac d, p 424. Savoy Conquer''d by KichVicu^ p 253. Savov, Charles Emanuel Duke of his League with the Duke de l.efdifguieres contrary to the Orders of the French Court^ i02. Hate-d by . Kichiieu, p 229, Seguenot, Father^ thrown into the Baflille, and why^ P450. Seperate, The CONTENTS. Sc]^^X^t^ Treaties to he abho/d^ p 250. Servien, Advocate General^ his Bajenefs^ 115. fits honefi Advice to the King juft before his Deaths p 2 17. %\\\txi')Monfieur Aq^ his mean Sprite 82. What he wrote to his Brother about the JDefiru^iofiofthe TtQte flams, p 191. Soiflbns, Count of^ proposed to by Marry d to Com- balet, Richlicu'f JSleice^ 301. The Kings An- fwer^ ib Soldier, one hanged to colour a Trick o/Richlieu'^, P 3^3- Soubize, Duke de, defeated by the King, 1 87. His hold Attempt at Blavet, 207, 108. The Pro- teftant Lords defer t him. ib. Stratsburgh, the pretence of France to it^ how fib fur d and Info lent , P 3 3 ^« SuW'hDukedQy his Diffimulatlon^ p. 8. Superflitious^ /// Mimflersfo^ p 427 Tc-Deums Sung unfeafonahly in France, p 4-J5. Tempers of Weak Princes net to be minded fo much AS thofe of their Minifters, p 262. Themines, Marquis A^ de fires to be employ" din fome Ruffian like Attempt, po. Arrefts the Prince of Conde^ ^ ^ p 92- Toiras, Marefchal de, RichlieuV double dealing with him, p 3^^- ToWvdition, Parliament of FslUS for giving it to Prote flams ^ P 53- Treaibn, a %/ery Beneficial Word to ill Miniflers, p 29<^. Treaties with the Proteflants broken by the Courty 1 93. 205. They at the fame time boafi of their Keeping them-, ioS. A?Jother broken, P 2 5 1 Tryals, The CONTENTS. Tty2i\s^ Illegal Ways of managing them in State Cafes^ p 140.295. 303* Valette, Cardinal At la, what his Father [aid t9 him for his Flattering Richlieu, 255. Per- faades Richlieu not to quit the Miniflry^ p 271. Vair Dti Monfieur^ Keeper of the Seals^ his Fro* bity not ftrong enough for Temftation.y 1^2, Afz fronted by the Duke d' Epernon, 143. His Spech againfithe Proteftants, 1^^. He betrays the Privileges of the Parliament tf/Paris, p 1 54. Vanity the Ruin of Favourites^ p 1 57, Verdun, Monfieur^ his bold Speech to Lewis th» Xlllth in the Parliament of Psaisj i$6. Ano" ther^^ p 238- Vieuville, Monfieiir^ his Difgrace, 204. The King s Jnconfiancy with RefpeEi to him^ ib. Villiers, one of the Queen Mothers Servants^ hts Difcourfe with the King about his Mifirefs^ P 348. Virgin Mary, France Confecrated to her^ p 452. Vitry, Captain of the Guards y Murders the Mare- ■■ fchal d' Ancre, 1 08. Made a Marefchal of France for itj i ]^, Favoured by Richlieu who had halted him^ 298. His Pajfive Obedience^ 414. Cams the ArMifhop of Bourdeaux, P4id. Urban Vllir^, Pope^ w^-mj^ex Richlieu, p3^4. 355,405,405, 412. Voiture, an Agent for the Dnke of Orleans in Spain, P3M. Ufurpations of France, p 340. Walleftin, The CONTENTS, w Walleftein the GeTm2inTraytor, his Correfpon- dence with Richiieu, 325. Lewis the XWitks , Letter to hinty ib« ^illiam the llld King 0/ England, his glorious Atiions at an Age when the French King was mt .thought pt for Government^ p 83. THE END W ...*^^.