THE King of Nauarre, vpon the view and consideratiō of the protestations, and Declarations of those that this daye trouble the estate of this Kingdome, vnder the name of the holy League, wherein they would couer their wicked intent, partly with zeale of Reli­gion, & partly with affection and good will towarde the common wealth: But par­ticularly take his Maiestie for the partie against whome they are bent, as though be were an Heretike, a Relaps, a Persecutor of the Church, a disturber of the estate, & a sworne enemie against the estate, &c. hath thought it, as appertaining to his dutye, to giue cleare euidence and manifest declara­tion, to all Kinges, Princes, and Natiōs of [Page 12]Christendome, against these slaunders: but specially to the King his soueraigue Lord, and to all manner of people, of what state or degree soeuer they bee, within this Realme, the rather, for that under his sha­dowe, they make no conscience to attempt against the Crowne of their Prince, and bring a miserable confusion vpō his whole estate.

First therefore, touching the matter of Religion, the sayde Lorde the king of Na­uarre, protesteth before God (who seeth the bottome of his hart, before the King his so­neraine Lorde, vnto whome his principall desire is to approoue his actions, before all the abouesayde Princes and Nations, to whose testimonie and iudgement hee wil­lingly yeldeth himselfe) that he hopeth not for any saluation, otherwise then in the Christian faith and Religiō, which hee em­braceth with all hartie affection, and for an infallible rule thereof, hee receaueth the word cōtained in the olde and new Testa­ment, which it hath pleased GOD to pre­serue in this darknes, for the light & dire­ction of his Church: that hee beleeueth one Catholike and Apostelike Church, for the [Page 13]preferuation & continuall endewing wher­of with all manner of graces, bee daily prayeth vnto to God, and would thinke himselfe most happie to shedde his blood in the defence thereof against the Infidelles: That he beleeueth the Creedes or abridge­ments of the Christian faith, which haue bene set downe by the same Catholike and Apostlike Church, to serue as markes or cognisances, whereby the Christians and Rightbeleeuers may be discerned frō such as thinke amisse of the faith, and from he­retikes: And also bee embraceth the most auncient, famous, and lawfull Counsels, that haue bene holden against them. He reiecteth and detesteth with all his hart, all doctrines by them condemned, and for the reuerence he beareth to the Church, yea, & wilbe alwayes ready to yeld to her iudge­ment, and stand to her decrée, when shee shalbe orderly assembled in a lawfull and holy counsell.

As touching the matter in controuersie, whereof in these dayes there is question in the church: The said Lord the King of Na­uarre desireth, that consideration may bee had, that hee is not the onely man; nor the [Page 14]first, that hath complained of the abuses brought into the church, and desired refor­mation of the same: And therfore it should bee too harde, that this most true Christian desire, to see the Church reformed, should be imputed vnto him as heresie, or enimi­tie against the same: In that for the space of fiue hundred yeares and aboue, it hath bene a common complaint of all Princes, of all learned men, and of all holy person­nages, that the Churche through all this long tract of tyme, hath lost much of her first puritie and sinceritie, for shee being thus compounded of men, who without doubt, euer with thēselues added & brought some what of their owne inuentions vnto her. So that it hath bene the voyce of all Councelles (without exception of any) which haue béene holden within the com­passe of the time aforesaid that the Church had great néede of reformation, which in euery age hath béene long desired, yea, and vehemently sighed for, by all the best sort of men, out of whose mouthes this sen­tence would neuer else haue procéeded: to witte, that whosoeuer should affirme the Church to haue néede of purging, ought to [Page 15]be taken for an heretike, and enimie of the same, That the most Christian Kings well perceauing the same, haue often for the like effect thought it to appertaine to their of­fice, and toward the discharge of their con­sciences, to exhort the Pope and Christian Princes to a generall Councell, which in the Popes default, and in case hee winked at the matter, they could very well take vppon them to call together by their owne authoritie, frō whence haue proceeded vn­der their owne names, most laudable or­dynaunces, for the reformation of the french Church. So that, in the ende after long complaint of many ages, whē they, to whome the matter seemed to appertaine, would not take in hande, but rather (as all men know) imployed themselues in the af­faires of the worlde, it came to passe, that many Princes, Peoples, and estates, with great care weying and cōsidering the rea­sons alledged vnto them, and seeing the defence and maintenaunce of the same, by the great constancie of infinite Parsons of all degrées, in most gréeuous torments, e­uen vnto th'extremitie of death: did remit the said reformation to a lawful Councell, [Page 16]and vpon refusall of the same, did protest a­gainst the abuses, which they pretented to be in the Churche: and thereunto did laye their owne helping hande to redresse the same: from whence sprang the Schisme, which the saide Lord the King of Nauarre doth nowe bewaile to see in the Christian Church, and against the which it was not vnpossible in so long tyme to find remedie, if the honour of God, and the saluation of men had touched vs as neere, as our owne glorie or particular profit.

The sayd King of Nauarre, in regard of him selfe, saith, that he was not only borne during this vnhappy Schisme, that thus hath happened in the Christian Churche, (the cōtinuance whereof, he iudgeth, ought to be imputed to such, as sought not means to revnite the Churche as they ought to haue done) but also that hee was brought vp in Fraunce, while th'exercise of both the Religions was permitted by the King, in the generall estates of his Realme, and after confirmed by many of his Maiesties Edictes: besides, he was nourished and in­structed in his tender years in this beliefe, that there were great abuses in the doc­trine [Page 17]of the Romishe Church, which [...] great neede of reformation: And after that hee was confirmed in the same, all [...]ell by the conference of many lenthed me; as all so by reading the holy Scriptures. So that he beléeueth in his hart [...] [...]éely cof [...]eth with his mouth, that he is verily per [...]a­ded that the trueth is on his side: Which hath beene an occasion of his falling, into very many dangers and losses, rather then to [...] the same. By which occasion al­so (to his great griefe) he neuer hande the meane to do such seruices, neither to bee partalier of the good grace & fauour of his soueraigne Lord and Prince, as otherwise without doubt, he might haue done, if hee could (with a safe conscience) haue framed himselfe so that profession, which his Ma­ [...]essle followeth. Yet (notwithstanding) to giue knowledge to all men, that what­soeuer hee hath done in that respect, was not of obstinacie, but of constancie, nei­ther by ambition, but for the onely desire of his saluation: hee most humbly bes [...] ­cheth his Maiestie, to cause a free and lawfull councell to be helden, according to the promises alwayes made by his edicts. The [Page 18]said King of Nauarre, being alwayes rea­dy to receiue instruction from the same, and to rule his beliefe according to that whiche there shalbe discided, concerning the contro­uersies in religion.

As for the counsel of Trent, it is not to be obeyed. For although the continuance there­of was prosecuted by the late king Charles, and in the ende obteyned at the handes of Pope Paulus the thirde, and after the pro­clayming thereof, Ambassadores were sent from his maiestie to the same counsell with Christian and Catholike instructions, agrée­able to the holy decres of the romish church, and approued by the Colledg, of Sorbonne, and the Doctors of the same, sent to the said counsell with the sayd Ambassadors: Yet not withstanding all their diligence vsed to­ward the Cardinales, Legates, and presi­dentes in the saide Counsell, by the space of eightéene Monethes and aboue, it was not possible to obteyne any thing conformable to the saide instructions, nor to reforme the ecclesiasticall order according to the same. When his maiestie was aduertised therof, and well perceiuing the harmes that might growe thereby: he gaue commaundement [Page 19]to his Ambassadores, to protest agaynst the sayd Counsell, and after their protestation made, to come home from thence, and so they did accordingly. And albeit great suite and intreatie was made vnto them, by the Pope and the sayd Cardinales, and the deceased Cardinall of Loraine, to returne to the said counsell, and stay there tyll the ende of the same: yet they would neuer yéeld so to doo. So that the same counsell was continued, ended, and concluded without them, & with­out their signet, according to the custome of all times. Wherby also it came to passe, that for any instant pursuit that was made, for the receyuing and publishyng of the same counsell, in the Court of Parliament at Paris, the said Court, the Chambers be­ing assembled, hath alwaies withstoode it, and that in the yeere thréescore and twelue, after Bartholmeweday, when the same sée­med greatly to fauour their suite.

Therfore the said King of Nauarre think­eth, that men of vpright iudgement, cannot accompt him either an heretique or an ob­stinate person, considering the matter is yet vndiscided and in respect he submitteth him selfe to the triall of a counsell, neither can [Page 20]they iudge him contentious or vmust, that will yéelde to the decrée of a Parliament, whatsoeuer the aduocate or counseller [...]vn the one partie can cauill to the contrarie, ne yet déeme him for a schismatique or stub­bourne offender, seeing he yéeldeth this obe­dience and reuerence to the assemblie of the estates, to be redy to make his appearaunce there both to yéelde a reason of his oppinion there, and likewise to learne there, yea and to chaunge to better, when better shall be taught him. On the contrary side he com­playneth, that hitherto for the space of ma­nie yéeres, he hath séene these zealous per­sons assembled to destroy him, but not to in­struct him. He complayneth of a processe: be­gynning with execution, of a teaching, be­gunne with excommunication, without any kind of formalitie that eyther is requisit, or may be allowed to procéede. Protesting be­fore al Princes and estates, and aboue all others, before the King his Soueraigne Lorde, to whom he maketh his recourse for iustice, & before the estate of this kingdom, vnto whom he intendeth to represent his ac­tions, against the aucthors and fauters of this league, of so manyfest violence, precipi­tation, [Page 21]and iniustice.

The said King of Nauarre also affirmeth, that the name & blame of a relaps or a back­slider, cannot rightly be applied vnto him, by vertue whereof, (though by a counsell he shoulde yeelde to chaunge his opinion) theyr pretence is to depriue him from the successi­on of the Crowne, whereon God graunt they thinke as litle as he. And therby he re­ferreth the cause to all mens vpright consi­deration, to thinke with what charitie his aduersaries procéede herein. And whereun­to their deuise may tend, to cut from him (as­much as lieth in their power) the desire to procure his instruction in a counfell, with­out entring into the depth that might ouer­throwe it, both by Cannons, and examples. In their language, they call them Relapses or backsliders, that haue been heretiques and abiured there heresies, and yet neuer­theles after wards fall into the same againe. Therefore forasmuch as the King of Nauar­re (as here aboue appeareth) hath not by the Cannons been an heretique: it is most cléere that he cannot be a relaps. He further affir­meth, that though he had been, or shoulde be an heretique, yet could he not be a relaps, [Page 22]considering he was neuer conuerted frō the pretended heresie, and considering also, that no one euer thought to take any payne, or seeke meanes howe to perswade or conuert him, but these zealous fellowes haue shot at no other marke, with all their driftes and endeuours, then to ouerthrowe and destroy him.

They alledge here, that the said Lord the King of Nauarre, after Bartholmewe day, sent to the Pope, and yéelded to goe to masse, Setting age asid, euery man knoweth what kinde of conuersion this was, and whether he had iust cause of scare or not, lenger refu­tation would be friuolous. The truth is, if, by all lawes, our actions are accompted of no force, when they procéede through feare or force: it is most certaine, that neuer had action lesse will, neither euer had any acti­on more force. The truth is also, that he had not so soone recouered his will, but he cau­sed she same to appeare by publique professi­on, what it was, and that in the middest of the Catholiques which were in his cempa­nie, and seemed to possesse him at that time: without either dissimulation or subtillie, whereby his errour might appeare to be al­together [Page 23]farre from hippocrfle.

The saide Lord the King of Nauarre most humbly beséecheth the King his Lord, that it would please him to take in good parte, his modest answere also, to that blame whiche they lay to his charge, that he is a persecuter of the Catholique Church. And touching this poynte, he citeth the consciences of his greatest enimies to answere before God, whether this title in any respecte can ap­pertaine vnto him. Let euery man here con­sider, that the ciuill warres sel in the tender yéeres of the said King of Nauarre, and whe­ther there be any likelyhood, that he enter­prised warre with a ioyfull hart persecute the Catholikes, euery man knowing their number, aucthoritie, and force in this king­dome, to be wholy without and frée from persecution: Who vnder the kinges onely name were in safetie, in regard of the sayde King of Nauarre, and of all that dependeth on him, from all attemptes, enterprises and iniuries whatsoeuer. Verily there haue ben rigours and persecutions heard, and spoken of in Fraunce, within the space of certaine yéeres passed: But no man at any time in­terpreted them other wise then passiuelie, in [Page 24]regard of them of the religion, and aniuely in regard of others. And to vse any woord to the contrary, would be so vnantly spoken, that no man would vnderstand it.

It pleased King Charles, to cause the said King of Nauarre repayre to his Coart, and to honour him with Marriage of his sister. He came thither in the religion wherein he was brought vp: [...]ut that which followed may better be shaddowed with silence, then to be now againe fresh repeated. When he departed from thence, he went backe into his owne Countries. When peace was made with my Lorde that is deceased, the said King of Nauarre vsed not so muche as one woord by way of request, for any thing concerning him selfe, neither is there any one article to be redde therein that toucheth him. And yet without doubt he had greater occasion then any other, either to beare some stomacke for matters passed, or to be as it were recompenced for the losses he suffered. How [...]eit the saide King of Nauarre woulde not, for his owne particular occasion, hinder the peace and tranquilitie of this Realme, and the succour and comfort of the people, so much as the space of one onely day. Yet it is [Page 25]well knowen, that if he had been so minded; it lay in his handes at that time, to haue ser­ued his owne turne with the armie, of the Rutters, who euery houre were readie (for default of their pay at the Kinges handes, according to the articles of the peace) to en­ter into a mutinie, and turne their heads to­wardes Paris.

Contrariwise, then was the time where­in the heades and maisters of this league (abusing his clemencie and goodnes) deuised this pretended holy league, agaynst the kin­ges edict then newly proclaymed, whereby in expresse woordes, they swoore the vtter de­struction of them of the religion, without a­ny exception or acception of persons, and without respect or regard of alliance, affini­tie, consanguinitie, kinred, or brotherhood. Such as entred thereinto, without looking into the depth of the matter, drewe them­selues out as soone as they knewe it. And a [...] concerning the saide King of Nauarre, then wore the instructions discouered, which as this day are put in execution, concluding his death & also the death of my Lord the prince his Cozin, and all their blood, Note of Dauid the aduocate. for the pre­paring of a more easie waye to the aduersa­ries, [Page 26](as is expressely set downe) to the in­uasion of this kingdome. Heere let all men indge, who at that time was the agent, or pacient, the persecuter, or the persecuted.

Thence issued the ciuill wars of the yéere one M. flue hundred & seauēty seanen, whē they had induced the assēblie of Bloys, to the execution of their deuise: it had béene alto­gether against nature, if the sayde King of Nauarre, or they that are of his profession, had not made resistaunce against the same. For thereby a snare was layde for his per­son and life: his conscience and honor were layd for by the same, and the kingdome or royall estate, (as nowe manifestlie appea­reth) was in daunger. The great inconue­nience and perrill, which the king perceiued not, did then but begin to bud foorth, inso­much, that his maiestie could not imagine anie such thing toward them, who helde all their prosperity of him. But the King of Nauarre wel foresawe it: yea contrariwise, the defaulte of resisting the same, woulde haue béene the betraying of himselfe, the destruction of this estate, and the submission of himselfe to their desires, in stéede of set­ting himselfe against the same.

In the meane space, though the cruell clauses of the conspiracie were very suffci­ent, immediatly to turne his patience into fury, and the naturall mildnes and mercy of them that issue of his house, into reuenge: although also he saw the professors of his re­ligion, to runne to him from all partes, bée­ing rigorously persecuted, or put to theyr choyse to depart the Realme, or recant theyr religion. Yet neuerthelesse, the sayde Lord the King of Nauarre, in the Townes vnder his power, would not vse the like ma­ner of dealing toward the Catholiques, nor against the Monkes and Clergiemen, which indéede might be suspected, and disfauoure the execution of his affayres. On the contra­ry side, they of Agen well know (which ex­ample he alleageth, for that there was the place of his resident, hauing a byshopricke in it, and being a towne of some fame) that the Catholikes there suffered no hard dealing in theyr persons or goodes, nor discontinu­aunce in the matter of their religion. That the Clergie applyed their accustomed ser­uices. That the Monkes preached freely in the greatest heate of the sayd troubles. That be was content the professors of his religion [Page 28]should make theyr sermons in priuate and borrowed houses, to the ende, the professors of the Romish religion shoulds not in any wise be troubled. That for the furnishing of necessaries for his defence, he tooke not a­boue the tenthes which the King was wont to leuie vpon the clergie. At what time all his patrimony was seasd and taken out of his handes in all places: whereof my Lorde the Duke of Montpencido may be witnes, a prince most affectioned to the Romish re­ligion, as all men very well knowe. And al­so Mounsier the Marshall of Biron, my L. the Archbishop of Vienna, Mounsir de Vil­leroy, secretary of estate to his Maiestie, and many others, that were beholders of it vpon the places, can giue testimony of the same.

As soone as liberty of conscience was gran­ted, albeit with very great restraint in com­parison of the former edict, he vnarmde him selfe without delay, though (as hys Maie­stie best of all others knoweth) hee coulde haue continued the warres with greater power and meanes, by reason of the notable ayde which hee had procured from the Prin­ces of hys religion, béeing so farre for­warde, that a strong Armye of straungers [Page 29]was at the poynt of entring into this king­dome: thinking himselfe happy to haue dis­patched the same away, in sort, that y ^e poore people by occasion thereof might suffer no farther inconuenience: choosing rather by succouring them, to impayre his owne con­dition, then to better it with theyr hinde­raunce. Wherefore the sayd Lorde y ^e King of Nauarre, prayeth all men freely to speake theyr mindes, whether hee hath in any re­spect by his demencures, descrued the name of a persecutor, which his enimies attribute vnto him, that would not take this resolu­tion, to suffer them goe forwarde with the execution of theyr barbarous persecutions and bloudie deuises, against him at the first shewe, but consequently against y ^e Kinges Maiesty and his royall estate.

In those Countries where the saide King of Nauarre, by the grace of God, hath souc­raigne power and authority, he thinketh al­so to haue as little deserued this blame in the iudgement of them y ^t haue well knowne the nature of matters, and the order of his procéedinges: And in all that remaineth to him of the kingdome of Nauarre, where at his comming to hys dignity, he founde the [Page 30]exercise of the Catholique Romish religion, it is most certeyne, that he hath neither al­tered nor innouated any thing therein, in so much that the seruice of the same is there stil vsed at this day, without any exercise of the reformed religion, sauing in two places onely.

And as touching his countrie of Bearne, which is no great land, the Quéene his mo­ther in a generall assemblie of the estates, did there establish the said religion, whereof her selfe made profession, and no complaynt of the chaung of religion followed thereup­pon to the said estates, in the space of many yéeres after it had continued in the same es­tate, as he hath alredie fréely declared, ha­uing alwaies been of this opiniō, that a dis­créet and well counseiled Prince, without great necessitie or euident profit, ought not to bring any chaunge into his estate. And though commoditie or necessitie shoulde re­quire the same, yet it were expedient that it shoulde be accomplished by the like waye, whereby the constitution was before made.

Nowe he had well pérceiued, that after [Page 31]Bartholmew day, when him selfe, by force and violence, had yéelded in the cause of reli­gion, and sent Monsir de Mieussent for go­uernour and Liuetenant generall, into his sayde Countrie of Bearne (whom all men knowe to be a Catholique) with expresse commission there to set up agayne, the Ca­tholique Romishe religion: Yet notwith­standing the great dispayre that then was of the affayres of religiō in Fraunce, not­withstanding the contrary profession of him selfe, which might serue for an example to his subiectes, and notwithstanding the auc­thoritie of a gouernour by him expressly sent, they did all resolue to perseuer in their religion, and maintaine the forme of their estate, without receiuing the said alteration in religion.

Wherefore the sayde King of Nauarre, thought and let al men indge whether without good reason or not) that it was a firme and well grounded resolution of his estats, forasmuch as necessity, yea & that such necessitie, as giueth law to al laws, was not in any wise able to remoue them from it. Also it is most true, that in the assemblies of the estaes which are from yéere too yéere [Page 32]holden in his said countrie of Bearne, there neuer appeared any man that required this change of religion, though, (as it is well knowen, there is suche libertie vsed in those assemblies, that the least griefe pretended to haue béen rereiued from the Prince, may be propounded with request of reformation and recompence, whereby it appeareth to be afore any practise, of the enufers of the tran­quilitie of his subiectes, and not an in warde desire of them. And yet for all that, the sayde Lord the king of Nauarre hath not ceased, to make continual payment of the pentions of the Prelats, and other Ecclesiastical per­sons of his said countrie, (for proofe wherof, he will bring foorth no other witnesses but them selues) and that most often with his owne proper money, as the bishops of Ac­ques and Oleron, and others well knowe. And that more is, of his owne m [...]ere moti­on, for the contentation of such [...] of his sub­iectes, as might continue in the Catho­lique Romishe religion, he moderated touching the cause of Religion, the orde­naunces of the Quéene his mother [...]ceased, which were but very small amercen [...]entes in monie. So far of was it euer in those par­ties from such procéeding against the Ca­tholiques, [Page 33]by banishment, corporall [...] ­nishment, death, burnings, torments, searching & sifting, as they that in these bayes call themselues the protectors of the Catholique Romish religion; haue counsailed, practised, and brought in, a­gainst the professors of the contrary reli­gion. And héereof the Catholiques of Bearne are witnesses, who there liue, in all peace and tranquillity. Of whome, many doo exercise notable offices, either in the same Countrey, or néere about the person of the sayd King of Nauarre, and and hath the chéefest charge in his gards, and bee Captaynes of his best houses, which it is not likely that he wold euer allow, or consent vnto, if he had vsed any euill dealing toward them, or if he kept any grudge in his heart, to bee executed against them héereafter.

By the premisses, it is sufficiently an­swered to theyr affirmation, whereby they pretende him to be the sworne ene­mie of the Catholiques. Yet neuerthe­les, the sayde Lorde the King of Nauarre, desirous to open his hart to al the world, wil not sticke, to lay open vnto them, his [Page 34]affections, and actions. Wherefore the sayde King of Nauarre declareth, that he [...] acknowledgeth and beléeueth, and hath alwayes beléeued and acknowleged, that in case the foundation of a good consci­ence be layde thereon, the diuersity of re­ligion, is no empechement to a good Prince, to drawe very good seruice in­differently from his subiects, nor any hin­deraunce to the subiects, to yéelde theyr allegeance and bounden duties in all ma­ner of respects, as well to theyr superi­ours as to their Princes, forasmuch as it is euident, that both the religions, e­qually according to the word of God, doo recommend the duetie of the subiecte to­warde his Prince, and of the inferiour toward his superior. And therefore the sayd Lord the King of Nauarre, hath al­wayes noted thys, that he hath béene as faithfully serued by the one, as the other: As for example, in the destribution of the offices of his house, all men knowe well enough, he hath indifferently furnished them with both sortes of men. Also the sayd Lord, the King of Nauarre, knoweth himselfe to be well beloued, and faithful­ly [Page 35]serued by Catholique Gentlemen, and other persons of all degrees, wheme hée hath accepted into his seruice, as on their behalfes, they wil all volutarily acknowledge themselues to bee loued by him. without acception of religion, and that according to the proportion of his abili­ty, he hath bestowed goods and honours vppon them, as largely, and more abundantly, yea in the very tyme of warres, then he did to the professors of his owne religion. And further, it is not vnknown to the Lords, Gentlemen, and all other Catholiques, that during the time of the troubles, he spared them as much as hee coulde in theyr goods and houses, neuer suffering anie rigour of warre to be vsed to them, no not so much as against hys owne Vassalles that rose in Armes a­gainst hym, and were present at the de­stroying of his proper houses, who not­withstanding, after the warres were ended, making their repayre vnto hym, were all welcome to his presence, and neuer receyued for theyr disloyall doings so much as an euill word, or angry coun­tenaunce at his handes. So farre of [Page 36]hath he béene from practising against thē directly, or indirectly, according to the sundry meanes, which the Lord hath o­uer his Vassall, any kinde of stomacke or reuengement. Thus much also dare the King of Nauarre promise of his actions, that so many of y ^e Catholiques as vouch­safed to approche to him, departed againe with good contentation, without obser­uing any thing in him, whereby they coulde presnnre other wise, then that hee bare a naturall affection, to embrace all the Kings subiects and seruants, of what soeuer religion they bee: promising in like sort on theyr behalfe, the like good wyll that they haue alwayes shewed to­wardes his.

The sayve King of Nauarre thinketh that the effects aboue specified, which he hath hyther to continued, are of sufficient weight to confute the allegations pro­claimed against him by his enemies. Yet neuertheles, haue they affirmed, that the sayd Lord, the King of Nauarre hath sent into Englande and Germany, to con­clude a league, to the destruction and confusion of the Catholiques, for that [Page 37](as they allevge) he foresawe the Kinges death, and meant whensoeuer the same should happen, to be in a readinesse to chaunge religion &c. to inuade the pos­sessions of the Clergie, and confiscate them of the Novititie, which woulde not ioyne themselues as adherents to his in­ [...]ention. Vppon the which matter, they haue dispersed in all places, yea and cau­sed to bee read in Sermons in the open Pulpitte, a certaine concorde or agrée­ment of the yeere a thousand, syue hun­dred and eighty foure, pretending the same to beare date the fourteenth of De­cember: as resulting of an assembly hol­den (as they alledge) at y ^e instance of the said king of Nauarre at Magdebourgh, & that like wise, at an assemblie holden at Montanban, hee had promised & sworne (whensoeuer y ^e kings death shold chance) to abolish the Catholique Romish religi­on, stripping her of all her goods [...] pos­sessions, and to depriue the professors thereof from all estates and dignities.

Here shall euidently appeare, how ea­silie euery slaunder, naturally shall open and confute her selfe.

First therefore the said king of Nauar­re, protesteth in his conscience before God, that with all his hart, he desireth and wisheth prosperous and long life, to the King his soueraigne Lord, and neuer entred into any conceipt or opinion, to builde any deuise or purpose either vpon his death or after. Whiche be thinketh were not onely offences of hygh treason, that could not otherwise proceede, then from a dis [...]oyall and miserable des [...]re of the death of his Prince, which would be pursued with all spéedie effect, if power serued thereto. But also an offence, (in all respectes,) against nature and com­mon sence, for as much as his maiestie, thankes be to God, is in y ^e chiefe strēgth and time of his age, and ful of health, and further, so smal difference betwéene both their ages, that it were a ridiculous mat­ter, in respect of the difference of twoo yéeres or there aboutes, to take suche ad­uantage one ouer the other. So farre hath the saide king of Nauarre alwaies been from conceyuing any imagination (as the heads of the league haue done) to condemne the king as readie to die, by foreseeing the consequentes of his death, [Page 39]or forty yéeres (as the sayde king of Na­uarre hopeth) before any neede require, and that vnder coulour of prouiding for the affayres of the Realme, although in the meane space they cast the same in­to most lamentable confusion.

So farre also hath he euer béene from making open declarations, touching the pronouncing and foreiudging of the [...] and Quéene his wife, to be barraine in the flower and best strength of their age, (as the said confederates haue done) be­inge a thing neuer practised before in the estates of christiendome, and a thing also which the estates of England, would not require of the Quéene of Englands yet vmnaryed, reposing them selues vp­pon her wisedome, that she hauing go­uerned them in peace during her life, wil leaue the same for an inheritance to their posteritie. To be breef, y ^e said kyng of Na­uarre neuer did se much as once require his soue raigne Lord and King, to declare him to be that which naturally and law­fully he is, or to giue any signe or token thereof, eyther by preferring and aduan­cing him, or otherwise, although the con­federates [Page 40]of the saide pretended holy league, haue enterprised the like, who haue armed agaynst him, my Lorde the Cardmall of Bourbon, a Prince of the age of thréescooe and sire yéeres, who is also a Prince without all hope both of maringe and posterity to be his heire: as though the Kinges Ma. their soueraigne Lord had not aboue a yéere or 2. to lyue to haue children, and as though we shold rather expect issue from an olde man, ha­uing alwaies liued in single life, then frō the kings maiesties florishing marriage, in the most chiefe and principall age of himselfe, and his Quéene and wife. And as though, for all that, the said Lorde the King of Nauarre, coulde not perceiue the subtil deuises which y ^e same persons haue a long time been in deuising against him, and also the practises which they made a gainst him in y ^e townes, together with y ^e conspiracies y ^t craftily they entred into Italy and Spayne to barre him, when the K. death should happen, from the right of succession to this kingdom: for y ^e which, his hope is, that God wil grant him such grace, giuing long life to the Kinges Ma­iestie, as that hee shall not haue any matter of controuersre, assuring him­selfe, [Page 41]that whatsoeuer it bee that L [...] or nature will giue vnto him, his oni­mies shall neuer with all their leagues & practises be able to empeach and hinder him from the obteyning of the same.

The saide Lord the king of Nauarre, frankely confesseth, that by a long space he hath perceined the indirect deuises of these confederates, agaynst the Kyng and his royall estate, And maketh most hum­ble petition to his maiestie, to call to re­membrance the aduertismenter, that the saide him of Nauarre, gaue vnto his roy­all maiestie in that behalfe, in the yéere of our Lorde. M.v.c.lx. and [...]. At what time he purposely sēt to his grace a gen­telman with certen remembrances, con­corning the very same matters, from poynt to poynt, that this day are taken in hande to be executed. When also these confederates beganne to lay their foun­dation, under colour of the name of bre­therhood and holy league. That soone as­ter thepease concluded, in the yéere. M. v.c.lx. and xvii, he perceiued the frame and building there of exected by the stur­ [...] then madoamong the estates, stir [...]od vp by thē diuers prouinces agaynst the [Page 42]seruice of his Maiestie, so farre, that they would haue enticed the very professors of the reformed religion to the same, & had entred into treaty with the most no­ble Prince Cazimire, Countie Palatine of Rhyne. Who (as he will alwaies con­fesse) seeing into the depth of their deuises pretended against the estate, for the ho­nour & amitie, which his auncesters had alwaies borne to the house of Fraunce, would not harken any further to that matter. That afterward as the affayres of the enemies proceeded from steppe to steppe, the king of Nauarre also made dis­couery of their treaties in Italy, & Spain, of the money that was receiued, of the matters by them propounded in those partes, and what answeres they recey­ned touching the same. Whereunto the King his maiesty, who in his mind could not conceiue so great ingratitud to lurke in their hartes towarde him, made it a hard matter to be beleued, neuerthelesse the said King of Nauarre vid expect some suddayne clappe of this mischiefe from day to day, (as a ruine throughly percei­ued by him before.) That he reme [...]red the taking and execution of Salcedo, who [Page 43]had confessed a great part of those things which are well perceyued; at this daye, which then were endeuoured to be obscu­red by craft and cunning sleightes, But yet the certenty thereof, stayed in the hartes of the kings true subiectes. That Mounsire (who is deceased) hadde not without good ground giuen aduertismēt thereof to the King, that vnlesse Salcedo had been gyltie of more then ordinarie crymes, the King would neuer haue ta­ken so much paines, as to send two of the chiefest of his counsell of estate into the lowe countries, to fetche him to his pre­sence. Neyther would haue been present at hys examinations and repetition of hys depositions &c. Whereupon it follo­wed, that by the diff [...]itiue sentence of the Courte of Parliament at Paris, hee was pulled in peeces with foure horses, as a high traytor to the king, and all the estate of Fraunce. That by theyr memo­rialls, proceedinges, and theyr assotiati­ons, newely made in the most part of the good townes of this Realme, there was sufficient euidence giuen, that theyr co­lour and pretence was, to roote out that religion which the King of Nauarre pro­fesseth, [Page 44]and most specially so bestroy him if it lay in their power, in sort that the first stroke of their thunderbolt [...] haue lighted first vpon his heade. If his maiestie in the meanespa [...]e sawe not in­to the ende of their practises. By occasion whereof, the saide king of Nauarre percei­uing the king his Soueraigne Lord, had giuen no order therein, and foreséeing their pretence, tended to destroy the pro­testantes, was iustly moued to haue re­gard to his affayres. And therefore about the ye [...]re. M.v.r.lxxx. and thrée, he dispat­ched Mounsir de Segur Pardillian, super­intendent of his house, to the Quéene of Englande, the King of Denmarke, the princes [...]lectors of Almanie, the Lant­graue of Hesse, and other Princes and es­tates. First, to exhort them, to séeke mea­nes to agrée the [...]outrouersies in religiō, which remayned [...] the reformed chur­ches, and were abused to their common destruction. Secondly, to renewe and as­sure a perfect amis [...]e with them: without desiring or employing them any farther. Thirdlye, to furnishe in Almanye a good some of money, therewith to prou [...]d (whē [Page 45]néede should require) a conueni [...]t succor against his mortal enimies. At the which Kings, Princes and estates, are straigh­ly allied to y ^e Crowne of Fraunce, with whom the King his Soueraigne Lorde hath Ambassadores, with which Ambas­sadores, the saide Mounsier de Segur had expresse charge to conferre, and so did at certaine times, whom he tooke for wit­nesses of his sayinges & doinges, of his propositions, negotiations & conclusions. And after his returne, the saide King of Nauarre most humbly besought his ma­ [...]estie to giue commaundement, y ^t with a [...] diligence, information might be taken & brought to his Maiestie of a [...] his legatiō, being fully assured, that therin they may most playnely beholde, his french hart, sincere affection, & true loyaltie towarde his maiesties person and Royall estate.

Wherefore y ^e said King of Nauarre, re­quireth al the aforesaid most noble kings & princes, to giue testimonye to the King vnder their owne signetts, & to his king­dome and al christendome, whether at a­ny tyme, there haue been on his behalfe [Page 47]any letters or instructions deliuered, [...] communication had, either againste the Kinges dignitye, or against the wealth and felicity of hys estate, or in any re­spect, cōtrary to the duety [...] a most hum­ble and most deuoute seruant & subiecte: whether euer hee mooued them to make warre vpon the King, to renue the trou­bles, or destroy the Catholiques: whe­ther euer any ouerture hath béene direct­ly or indirectly made vnto them, touch­ing the Kings death, or any matter to followe vpon the same. Also the sayde Lord the King of Nauarre most humbly beséech [...]th hys Maiestie, that he may be tollerated, to sende thys hys declaration to the sayde Princes, against the afore­mentioned flaunders: and to cause the same to bee presented by his Maiesties owne Ambassadors, to wytte, by euery of them in the place wher he is resident, to all Christian Princes, fréendes, and confederates of this kingdome. To thys ende, that if he haue treated of any lyke matter, then they nowe seeing him pro­test the contrary, may estéeme him for a counterfeyte Prince, of small fayth and [Page 48]troth, and in all respectes vnwoorthye of theyr amity and fréendshyppe, which hys abouesayd enemies goe about to make suspected. And which for hys owne parts he franklie declareth, that his desyre is, with all carefulnes to entertayne, as hee thinketh, he hath most reasonably sought the same.

As touching the concord or agréement, the aduersaryes allege it to beare date, the fourtéenth day of December, in the yéere 1580. and there make the sayds Mounsier de Segur present, as Ambassa­dour from the King of Nauarre: who had departed out of Almany, repassed in­to the Lowe Countries, and from thence into Englande, where he soiourned two monethes and aboue: and yet notwith­standing, the employment of all that tyme, was embarqued to returne into Fraunce, before the fourtéenth day of De­cember. In which concorde they bring in the Ambassadours of the Elector Pa­latine, and of the Prince of Orange, the one dead aboue a yéere before, leauing hys heyre vnder yéeres, during whose mynority, Duke Cazimir gouerneth the [Page 49]electorship: the other murbered foure monethe [...] before by a Je [...]uite, suborne [...] by such as are like to the confederates of this pretended holy league. And yet ne­nerthelesse, both the saide pr [...]es (as the aduersaries alledge) are bound to be pre­sent this moneth of May in the towne of Basill, concerning the concluding of some agréement in the controu [...]rsies of religi­on. The aduersaries adde with all, that the King of Nauarre, on the xviii. day of Aprill then next, promised to enter into armes, at which time forsooth they them selues were resolued to enter into them, and now goe about to deriue the hatred thereof vppon this Prince, who being on euery side compassed about with their conspiracies, yet sturreth not at al. They date the said contract at Maidenbourgh, a towne apperteyning to the sonne of my Lord the elector of Brandenbourgh, and yet in the concord they remember ney­ther father nor the sonne. And in truth it is no other but an imagniary assemblie: For neither in that place nor any other, canne there anye assemblie be founde to haue béen holden. Further, the tytles, [Page 49] [...] [...] [...] [...] so many other [...] to much [...], to [...] with so [...] [...]ncte, to [...] [...] [...] for a [...] pedlers [...], [...] Presthers [...], to [...] the [...] of [...] people inste [...]ius [...] they [...] [...] with bery [...] [...]: for what can they [...] war [...]e [...]?

The [...] of Mon [...]anban, reser­ [...] more bl [...]e, for any thing [...] thereof, nor more [...] any thing published by thē of [...], [...] the [...]. The true [...] wheir the king h [...]de conclud [...]d prace in the yeare [...] fiue [...] and [...] seaue [...], withful inte [...]tion [...] [...] should [...] [...], his Muiesty lest in the [...] of the King of Nau [...]r [...] and the [...] [...], for the [...] of [...] [...] [...] [Page 50]this god [...] of the [...], very ma­ny de [...]ous of nothing more then to [...] ­nus the troubles, (who after fette them­selues in Ar [...] with y ^e Authors of thys league) by all meanes possible, crossed the execution of the sayde evict of peace, and at all houres by sundry newe enter­prises gaus occasion of distrust, in sorte, that y ^e wounds which they ought to haue cured, wered forer: and the edict of peace, which in tyme past was to take effects, flydde backwards [...]ppe by steppe, and was cleane cut away from the Pro­testants, poynt after poynt. By the con­tinuaunce of which practises, it come to passe, that during the [...] yéeres, y ^e peace was diuersly interrupted, by surpry­sings, and attempts, yea and by open war, that continued the space of a whole yéere [...] whence issued y ^e conferences of N [...] rac & Flex, so y ^t the [...] yeres which were pre [...]ed for y ^e rendring vp of the places, [...]ised not to work the effect wherunto they were limitted: and that by reason of the impedimēt which came by means of these interruptions of the execution of the edict, & of the paci [...]ing of old grudges which were promised to be broughte to passe within y ^e tyms. In y ^e meane whyle, [Page 51]the [...] the [...] persons, [...] to be yéel­ded vp, for that the [...], on y ^e [...], the [...] of the refo [...]ed [...] the causes still to continue, to wit, the [...]ons of [...]strust, and old [...] re [...]u­ed by the troubles, made some [...] therat, most humbly [...] his M [...], not so much to regarde the time per [...] ­ed, as the harme and inconuenience hap­pened in the meane space, and rather to haue consideration of the effect that was promised during the fire yéeres, and at the exp [...]tion of the same, to witte, du­ring th [...] yéeres, the execution and con­tinuaunce of peace, and withal, the bury­ing of distruste & grudges: & consequent­lye at the end [...] of the sixe yéeres, the yéeld­ing up of the places, which for y ^e matter stoode then in such harde case as is afore specified, was not agréeable to that grace and equity of his Maiesty, from whence the graunt of the places first procéeded, forasmuch as the condition by him ex­pected, take no such effect as within that time [...] hoped for. His Maiestie ther­fore, not so much [...] of the obser­vation of the [...], as to heale the fore, [Page 52]and reunite [...], thought it ex­pedient, not [...] them of the religi­on with [...] the king of Nauarre had [...] vnto his Maiestie, that his sayd subiects of the religion, had great [...] to be exhibited to hys grace, concerning the execution of the e­dictes, which if they were hearde and sa­tissyed, then [...] the yéelding vppe of the sayd [...] the more easily attai­ned vnto.

The sayde Lorde the King, by the mouth of Mounsit de Belieure, one of the chéefest of hys counsayle of estate, at the request of the sayd Lorde the king of Nauarre, consented vnto the assembly of Montanban: consisting of the Princes, Lordes, Gentlement, and men of good calling, of the sayde religion. And du­ring all the tyme of the continuaunce of that assembly, the sayde Mounsir de Belioure, was present in the Kinges name in the [...]wne of Montanban, whom the said Lord the King of Nauarre requireth to [...]eare witnes of his actions, and desireth to be heards and [...]ited in all that be knoweth concerning the says assembly. So then this assembly of Mon­tanban was not like vnto theyr [...] of the [Page 53]league, [...], without the knowledge and [...] of the King, but by the consent and [...] [...]ment of hys Maiestie, which assembly of [...] after ryper deliverati [...] had vpon the same, he [...] to bee pro­ [...] for the [...] and tranquillity of hys estate. In this as­sembly, there was made a [...] of all the breaches and executions of the [...] of pears, which was presented to the King at S. Germaine in Lay, by Mounfie the Countie of Laual, and o­ther Mep [...]ties, with [...] humble re­questes, for remedy of the [...] of his sayd [...] of the religion Therin al­so, all [...]e [...] promised for any particular at­tempt [...] against th [...], [...] to séeke their re [...]urpence by like iniurious at­tempts, least the temerity of some parti­cular persons might cast thys [...]ealme in to trouble, as sometime, before was sup­posed to [...] béene [...] but to make theyr [...] to the King of Nauarre, who would cause [...] to be [...] gyu [...]n therof to the Kyng, who according to hys [...]ation suffyciently percey­ [...], [...] the tranquillity of hys subjects, knewe best howe to apply con­uenient [Page 54]remidyes to the [...]. And lykewyse the Kying of Nauarre promi­sed to embrace theyr cause towarde hys Maiestys, and carefullye to present the same vnto hym when néede should requyre, as hée hadde alwayes doone in tymes paste, to the [...], that they [...] hym take theyre cause in [...] the [...], myght the better bee retayned, within the [...] of reason, [...] imagyning any suche extraordynarye mea [...]s, as they had [...] attempted in former tyme, for lacke of recourse [...] supporte els where. Héere is all that [...] bee founde to haue [...] in the [...] assembly of Montanban, and no mods then thys. The fy [...] purpose, [...] is moste euident, to bee for the staying of pry­uate attemptes from r [...] to a pub­lique mischéefe and hurts, that might trouble the péere of thys Realme, lyke to the conference of Nerac, [...]lden wyth the Quéene Mother of the King, where there was an expresse Article in that be­halfe. And whatsoeuer the [...]ies dis­perse more then is héere expressed, is no truer then theyr allegatiōs touching the pretended concorde of Magden bourgh, [Page 55]where the Jesuits had forgot [...] that they had caused I [...] to [...], monethes [...] [...] they cause to [...] forth [...] the [...].

[...], the King who [...] [...], of all that [...] [...] fourth shair [...] [...], that of his [...] [...] them [...] [...] [...] his [...] was not so well [...] [...] thought [...] [...] of the [...] the [...] of the [...] [...] the King [...] [...] the Kings [...] [...].

[...] the King of Nauarre [...] eth, that [...] will call to [...] what hath [...] within [...] with [...] the [...] [...], wil [...] thinke [...] that [...] the [...] [...] of [...] [...] that request [...] [...], when the [...] [...], the [...] then [...] [...] the [...] not [...], that [Page 56]these securities might haue further con­tinuance for a certayne time [...] because [...] danger was [...] taken from [...] Pro­testants, and for that the ed [...]t of peace, wheron their life and tranquillity pe [...] ­ [...] was not th [...] s [...]ne to be in [...] estate, Neuerthelesse the [...] of Nauarre, [...] most fréely confesse, th [...] the principal, [...] wherefore, [...] [...] necessity of the professors of the re­f [...]rmed relig [...]on, he had a perticular de­sire to make [...] petition to his [...] to leaue the said to [...] stil for [...] the cons [...]te of these confederates, the effect, whereof [...] [...]tinually [...], the which the [...] resounded religion, whose deathes were cōspired by the said confederates had great [...] of places of refuge, till God should graunt them such [...]e, as that the King, might haue per­fect intelligence of their intentions; and verily the grante [...], [...] of them whiche during the peace, attempted vpon the said townes of sureties, (whom the King al­waies dissauowed) [...] at this pay sufficiēt­ly open vnto [...], by whose [...] and allowance, then durst [...] to trouble the peace, and enterprise vpp [...]n the s [...]s [Page 57]places and others of the religion: For [...], they had taken armes in the seruice of the [...]. Nowe the said King of Na­uarre, most humbly beséecheth the King to call to his remembrance, the aduerti [...] ­ [...] which he gaue to his M [...]estie, by the [...] of a moneth before the say [...] [...] of Montanban, which were ve­ [...]y sufficient [...] cause his Maiestie at that [...] to haue regard to hys affayres: and in default thereof, earnestly to admonish him, to s [...]ke or retayne out some place of surety for hys person, against whome they manifestly pretended some mis­chiefs.

If the enemies shall now alledge, that they haue taken Armes, and seased hys Maiesti [...]. Townes, to the intent to haue townes [...] security also, according to the example of them of the Contrary rel [...] on, as some of them haue affirmed. The [...] the king of Nauarre p [...]th them alto­gether, to make declaratiō to al Fraun [...] what distrust hath mooned them thert [...] For of trueth, it is harde to gesse, what causes they haue to distrust the King to mistrust the Catholiques, to complay [...] of the hatred iniuries, [...] quarrels of the professors of the reformed religion. [Page 58]Certenly it is to well knowen, that the King hath committed into their handes his forces and kingdome: If his maiestie [...] ment any [...]arme toward them, they could not now haue had so great meane to do har [...]is as they haue. It is well kno­wen also, that they haue as it were, de­ [...]ided this kingdome amongst their bre­thren, and betwéene them of their owne house, by meanes of the great offices, and ample gouernementes which they haue in their handes, yea some of them, to the damage of the prineth of the kings blood: That they haue comm [...]ed o­uer the armies: assualted Townes, giuen battay [...], [...]owed [...], and for a full reckoning haue for the space of cer­ten yéeres, [...] the kinges fauour as they lysted. That vutill his [...]ay, whi­lest they ma [...]e a shew to obey the kinges comma [...]s, they haue béen hono­red by the [...], and the good townes, they haue borne [...] in the same. They haue there assured whom soeuer it pleased [...]. So farre haue they béen from standing in néede them selues to be either [...] warranted by others, as agaynst any other. Further it is well knowen, [...] they haue [...] their [Page 59] [...], by the [...] [...] their [...] at the [...] them selues assured, w [...] at [...] raunces [...] it [...] their [...] of [...], if they [...] [...] they [...] King [...] clenu [...]cy and [...] [...] haue [...] a [...] selfe. And [...] that they [...] not put them selues in [...] seturity, [...] gaynst his ma [...] is, except it be by [...] selse, [...] they attempt against [...] person, and inuace his [...]. But if [...] alledg, that they [...] the pro [...]rs of the religion in Fra [...] [...] know well [...]ough, that for eight [...] which the Protestan [...] retaine th [...]se consedrentes haue as [...] wh [...] g [...]rnments within this king­dome: Who so [...] that [...] stand this inequiditie (as there is [...] so [...] will [...] [...] that they of y ^e [...] for [...] places of [...] [...], neither [...] that the [...] in any [...] to be assis­ted by them, that hitherto [...] cient [...] to defend them seluen, [...] [Page 60] [...] hurt their [...], except t [...]y, [...] by the King, [...] with his [...] [...] with his power.

To the [...] therefore, [...] men [...] of the said Lords the King of Nauarre, [...] [...]risie of hi [...] [...] that vnde [...] shadows [...] to him, [...] they shal not [...] any necessitie to de­ma [...]d the like [...]ainst him and [...]umely they which wars; alwayes in the Kinges [...] lay do no hann [...]e, but through the [...] that hath béene reposed in them, and the too great [...] hath héen dy [...] vn­to them; The sayd King of Nauarre, of­fereth for the common benefite and wealth of [...], (notwithstan­ding the [...] in all respectes, be­twéene his decrée and theirs) that he is read [...] to [...] into the Kinges ma­iesties handes; the Townes a [...] smertie which he hath in [...], and power, without [...] for the [...] of the two yéeres pr [...]larged, wh [...]ffit pleased his [...] to [...]. Vpon condition, that they of y ^e league vnarme th [...]selues, [Page 61]and yield by into the kinges han [...]s th [...]se [...] they haue sease [...], [...] [...] may dispose of the same [...] his pleasure Moreouer he [...], (not­withstanding the said [...]) as well on hi [...] [...] Lord the Prince of Conde his [...], for the re­mouing of all struples from the [...] saries ( [...] haue [...]ay) and to for [...] [...]: To [...] into the [...], the goue [...] which it [...] pleased his Maiestie to grannt vnto the in this [...], to be disposed [...] to hi [...] Maiesties will and pleasure: So that the [...]der saries, will [...] vp into his Maiesties ha [...]ek, those go­uerne [...] which they hold. Thus farre are they (from the assurance which al [...] know to be rather new vnto them) from being importunate vpō the king for new securities and newe gouernementes, as their neuersaries which are not [...] to [...]apitulate in their articles, that the go­uernementes of Normandy, Picar [...]y, Lionn [...]is, Salusse, Metz, Thou, and Ver­d [...]ur, &c. Would be distributed [...] them of their house. To wit, to [...] rightly, (considering what they haue [...] ­re [...]) the greater part of this kingdome.

By the preni [...]s, the King of Nauarre thinketh it clearely appeareth, whether his [...]duerferies or he, doo most [...], the common w [...]ith of the poore people, the contentation of the Kinges maiestie, and the rest and tranquilitie of this estate, verily it is too [...], that y ^e ser [...]t of the house woulde be credited to his more yea­l [...]us of the [...] of the same, then the [...] childe of the familie, That thes [...] stanngers words make vs bel [...]ne they [...] or cater care of the prefernation of this estate, then those in wh [...] that care is naturally borne with the [...]. These stra [...]s (I saye) whose great­nesse cannot be [...] without hi [...]u­ine and dissipation, who haue [...] no conscience to publish him for an ene [...]ue of this estate.

Hereupon, the said Lord the [...]inge of Nauarre, prayeth all orders and [...] of this Realms, to make a comparison in this plare (although in truethe they be matters vncomparable. Of the deme [...]nours of his predecessors in this kingdome, who from the father to the same, haue kept this name, that they were neuer authors of any appression to the people, nor of iniurie to the nobiti [...] [Page 63]tis; with the [...] of the prede­cass [...]r [...] of the beades of this league, who wi [...]be founde to haue erected since they set soote in Fraunce, the sale of offices, of iustice, newe subsidies vppon the poore people, whose iuice and substance they drewe out vnder King Henry and King Fraunces the seconde: And also consusi­on in offices and dignities, which they first of all transferred at their pleasures, and solde from one hand to another? To conclude, it wilbe founde that they haue encreased Simony in the Churche, and brought in the sale of the temporalties for their owne profite, to be reuanged vp­pon their memies, vnder coulour of be­resse.

As touching his owne person, he also, prayeth all the estates of this Realm [...], to remember, or make inquirie, what char­ges soeuer he had to beare & maintaine [...] Whether euer be were the cause, of any surcharge of the people: Contrariwise, how he gouerneth that small number of subjects which God hath giuen vnto him, who wilbe f [...]unde not to haue béen pur­charged with any imposts, tares, nor sub­ [...], notwithstanding, the great affairs [Page 64]hath had a long time: whether he euer [...] ­mitted any outrage, in worde, or déede, in [...]oods, or person, to any gentelman what­soeuer (though he hath béen strangly [...] ­ded by many) for any maner of occasion, either in his house, or in his countries. Whether for any rigour that he receiued at y ^e hāds of the professors of the Romish religion, he neuer did wrong to any Pre­late, Curate, Monke, or any other of the Cleargie, Contrariwise, whether they haue not alwaies béene welcome to him, and courteously receiued at his handes, [...] he more readie to forget those offences which they had committed agaynst him, then others by whom he had béen offen­ded, were to cease from renewing their euil demeanour toward him. Whether he haue not alwaies yéelded honour and respecte to the Soueraigne Courtes, and the officers of the same, and also to all o­thers that beare the marke of Justice. And whether he did euer either forcibly cōmit any violence to iustice, for els deny ed necessary strength to iustice, if it were in his power to aybe her. And as tou­ching all other parties of this estate, he that to euery of them hath not shewed a­ny thing, sauing honour, frendship, and [Page 65]good will, neither euer displeasured or de­sired otherwise then to pleasure them, cannot easily be beléeued, nor iudged for an enimie of this estate.

Concerning the estate ingenerall, he will not denye, but that the Ciuill warres haue brought into this king­dome, great confusion in all thinges, pouertie to the people, decaye to the no­bilitie, Ruine to the Cleargie, Contempt to iustice, men addicted to warre, and a­boue all the rest, ciuill warre which he be waileth in his hart, and woulde reme­die if possibly he could, yea with his owne proper blood.

But God is witnesse, his conscience witnesseth, Fraunce her selfe witnes­seth, hauing bryght eyes, and verye freshe memorie, by reason she saws and well remembreth all the course of that time, whether he entred into arms, except it were through the counsel of ex­treame necessitie, though long afore­hande he might haue foreséene and pre­uented her by reason. The assembly of Bloys is witnesse, stirred vp by this pre­sent league, where he was declared to be [Page 66]banished out of this realms with all the professors of his religion, except they chaunged their religion very quickely. Which to him paraduenture were no hard chaunge, if he had as litle religion in him as the aduersaries haue, whether also he euer delayed y ^e receiuing of peace, for any particuler occasion whatsoeuer, (albeit his degrée is suche, as that which to him is particular, might rightly be iudged for publique) when his conscience might be satisfied, and could see that the professors of the same religion which he professeth, might serue God according to their fayth, in tranquilitie and quietnes: Whether he euer demaunded any thing gaynefull to him selfe, encrease of auctho­ritie, encrease of pencions, or encrease of offices: Whether contrariwise, he hath not rather chosen, to see him selfe as he is, without aucthoritie in his gouernemēt which by the peace ought to be al yéelded into his handes, then to prolong the war neuer so little, then by the space of so much as an houre, to delaye the comfort and succour of the people, by the peace, or to trouble the peace after it was made, for default of enioying that which was promised in his regarde. The articles of [Page 67]the last peace may be for witnesses, and the conference of Flex, wherein he might fitly haue serued his owne turne to in­large his conditions, by reason of the great desire which Mounsir that is de­ceassed, had to passe into the Low Coun­tries, whether he was called by a gene­rall Ambassage of the estates of y ^e coun­trye, who most instantly required and sollicited him to come thyther. Yet the King of Nauarre, at that time rather yéelded away his owne intrrest to the ad­uauncement of this kingdome, then he would neuer so little, differ or stande to make merchandise of a benefite as might thereby come to his partie. Therefore he made peace, and accepted it with suche conditions as pleased his maiestie to graunte, to the intent too further the conquest of those countries, and to trans­port him selfe thither in person, yf it might so stande with his maiesties fa­nour and good liking. These good French­men the heades of the league, to em­peach the ioyning of Flaunders to Fraunce, when the Ambassadoures of the Low Countryes offered it to the King, with such conditions as that they were [Page 68]readie to receyue lawe from his Ma­iestie, and admytte into their townes, suche Garrisons, and gouernours as pleased hym: To the intent to let and hinder his maiesty there from, doth vexe and trouble his kingdome, cause his peo­ple to rise into mutinies, and in time of full peace begyn to make warres.

What pacience the King of Nauarre, hath vsed in all that time, notwithstan­ding the discontentment that he might conceiue by the dealing which at the sug­gestion, of such as be like to the aduersa­ries, vsed toward hym, I leaue it to the consideration of all the worlde, beyng seperated from the King, without auc­thoritie in his gouernement, not payed of that whiche was due vnto him, and much lesse respected in his affayres, then the least Captayne of the kingdome. Be it spoken without reproche.

And to vtter the plaine truthe of his demeanours. If he had béen no more touched with the féelyng and consideration of the griefe and detry­ment of the people, and of all Fraunce, then they of the league bee at [Page 69]thys day, béeing that partye which hee is: both people and Country myght haue fallen into vtter destruction. But hee is a Frenchman, and a French Prince, a number of Fraunce, and fée­leth her gréeses and woundes.

Diminishing of authority, want of fauour, particular interest, hadde neuer the power to make hym rage and spight agayust hymselfe, whyth is a thing pro­per to the Leaguers, who are but light­ly grasted in Fraunce, and are lyke to wodden legges, and tymber Armes, that féele nothing when the body is bur­ned. To which kinde of men, may bee easily gyuen the outward parte, but not the inwarde affection, neyther the moo­uing or féeling of a true and naturall Frenchman.

Touching these broyles and commoti­ons, whych they declare and protest to bee directly against him, bending themselues agayust hys person, his lyse, hys honour, hys conscience, séeing them armed, and and taking Townes in the myddest of hys Gouernment, béeing on euery side compassed and encombred by them, his pacience incessantly styrred and mo­ued: [...]f he had not respected the King [Page 70]more then his owne pryuate daunger, if he had not earnestly desired the wel­fare of this Realme, with hope of a pub­lique peace (if he may haue any peace at these mens handes) yea and that more then his owne preseruation, is there a­ny likelyhoode, or was there any reason, he shoulde holde hym selfe content as he hath done: But all is well, so the people be at quiet, he lyketh all well, so the estate remayne in peace, the King obey­ed, the King honoured as he ought to be, yea though it were to his owne euident peryll with his losse vnrecouerable.

Here is the whole somme of al things, whereby the Kyng of Nauarre canne be blamed with these fayre tyrles of here­tique, Relaps, persecutor of the Church, enemie of the Catholiques, and distur­ber of this estate. As touching the conclu­sion which they drawe from thence, whereby they declare him vncapable to succéede in the kingdome, and haue cau­sed my Lorde the Cardinall of Bour­bon his Vnckle, to take vpon him the name of the first Prince of the blood and Heire apparent.

This certainly is the poynt y ^t most of all others sticketh in theyr harts, where­vpon [Page 71]the sayd King of Nauarre, hath he­therto thought least, and nowe last of all it is presented to him. Touching this: point, the said Lord the King of Nauarre, contenteth himselfe, in hope that God will long preserue life to the Kings Ma­iestie, for the benefit and common wealth of thys Realme, and graunt him issue in due time; to the great gréefe of all his e­nemies. Hys confidence also is, that hee hath to doo with Frenchmen, notwyth­standing, al the care and dilligence that hath béene vsed to corrupt them, who know the rights, are not ignoraunt of the discentos, and will maintaine him in the place and degrée which he ought to hold. He comforteth himselfe in God, the de­fender of all right, the reuenger of all violence, who [...]eth both parties, whose most righteous iudgment is not like to to corporal mens, whose most diffinitiue sentence is certaine, and the execution therof inuariable, in sort, that nothing is of power to resist the same.

For conclusion, and as concerning re­ligion, the said Lord the King of Nauarre declareth to the King hys soueraigne Lorde, to all orders and estates of thys Realme, and to all Princes and estates [Page 72]of thys Realme, and to all Princes and estates of Christendome, as well tempo­rall, as ecclesiasticall, that he is, and e­uer wyll be most ready, to submit hym­selfe to the determination of a lawful, Generall or naturall counsell, as is ex­pressed in hys Maiesties edict of pacifica­tion. And as concerning this estate & the administration of the same, that he most wyllingly dooth and wyll embrace and repose hymself vpon, whatsoeuer in that behalfe shalbe ordayned in a lawfull as­sembly of the estates of thys Realme, when it shall please hys Maiestye to call the same together. In the meane space, the onely request and petition of the said King of Nauarre is nothing els, but that be may liue quietly vnder the benefite of the edicts. Béeing ready to employ hys lyfe, his meanes, lands and goods, and all hys fréends, for the defence of the King, of hys Maiesties estate, and all the good subiects of thys Realme.

And forasmuch as they of y ^e said league haue taken the said King of Nauarre, for the matter & pretence of theyr rysing in Armes, I would haue all men think, that their quarrell is onely against him, & no man els, sowing diuers slaunders abroad [Page 73]against him, in their saide protestations, wherin by expresse name, they publishe him to he desirous of y ^e kings death, a di­sturber of the estate, & sworn enemy of y ^e Catholiques, &c. Duer and aboue all the premisses, which he thinketh sufficiēt to satisfy euery man, the K. of Nauarre with al reuerence, most humbly beséecheth the K. his soueraigne L. (to whose eares he doubteth not but these slāders are come) not to take in euil part (sauing alwaies the honor & respect due to his M.) that he affyrme and pronounce in this place, in that maner and sorte which presently he he doth: to wit, that all they which haue sowen abroade and published the saide flaunders, contained in y ^e said protestati­ons against, him haue falsly and slande­rously lyed, excepting the saide Lorde Cardinall his Vncle.

And further, to giue their slaunders the lye, by his acttons, the said Lord the R. of Nauarre, most humbly beséecheth the King his soueraigne L. to vouchsafe the good liking of his most hūble fidelitie and deuotion, in this offer which hee hath thought good here to make to his Maic­stie, to witte, that for the quietnes and ease of his Maiestye and people, it would [Page 74]please him; wyth good liking to decyde thys quarrell betwéene them of the sayd league, and hym the sayde King of Na­uarre, wythout hazarding his Maiesties life therein, which would be too greate a losse in thys kingdome: and without a­ny further paynes to be taken by his M. about the same. Hoping that God wyll gyue him grace, to find sufficient fréends, and allyes of hys crowne, to bring them to reason, & to driue thē to acknowledge theyr most bounden duetye, which they owe to the saide Lord the king hys soue­raigne, and the respect and honour that vnder hys M. ought to appertaine to the sayd king of Nauarre.

But specially for that he can not with­out sighing and shedding of teares, think vppon the great spoyling of the Nobile­ties blood, which may procéede of thys warre: nor vpon the extreame pouertye and desolation, which the poore people of thys Realme shall bee driuen to suffer, neyther vpon the disorder and confusion which thereby will bee brought into all estates, in stéede of the great piety, mer­eye, and wysedome of hys Maiestie, in preparing, (if this commotion hadde not happened) as all men knowe to establish thys estate agayne, in her former beau­tye, [Page 75]prosperity, dignity, and integrity in all resperts: and aboue all the rest, hee can not without sighing and great an­guish of mynde, thinke on the execrable blasphemies which war bringeth foorth against God, and the ouerflowing of vi­ces which growe through the licence and liberty of y ^e Armies. To shorten these mi series, which the sayd L. the King of Na­uarre would willingly redéeme with hys proper bloode, he most humbly and with all duetifull affection, beséecheth hys Ma­iesty, not to thinke straunge of the offer which presently hee maketh to Mounsir de Guyse, séeing the aduersaryes haue taken him the sayd king of Nauarre, for party in theyr pretence, and the sayde Lorde of Guyse commaundeth in theyr Armies, to wyt, that thys quarrell (as well wythout puttyng all the orders and estates of thys kyngdome to any fur­ther dammage, molestation or trouble; as also wythout leuying or bringing in any domesticall or forrayne Army, touch­ing the same, which coulde not choose but be the destruction of all poore people) may be decyded and determined, betwéene the sayd king of Nauarre and the sayd Mon­sir de Guyse, by way of Combat in their [Page 76]owne proper persons, either one against one, two against two, ten to ten, or twen­ty to twenty, more or lesse, in such num­ber as y ^e saide L. of Guyse will appoint, with such kind of Armour & weapons as are accustomed to bee vsed amongst Knights of honor. And cōcerning y ^e place, if be desire it within this kingdome, the said K. of Nauarre most humbly be [...]ch­eth his M. to vouchsafe him the honor to naminate the same. Or in case Mounsier de Guyse shall suspect this Realme, then the King of Nauarre offereth him, to bee readye in such other place out of this Realme, as he the said L. of Guyse shall choose, so it be a place of sure accesse, su­spected to neither party. An honor cer­tainely, considering the difference and in equality of their persons and degrées (be­ing such as all men know) that the sayde L. of Guyse ought by all meanes to em­brace and purchase: a felicity also, which the said Lord the King of Nauarre, and my Lorde the Prince hys Cozin, wyll most wyllingly buy with theyre owne bloods, to redaeme the King theyr soue­raigne Lord, from y ^e vocation & [...], which the aduersaryes moste distoyally put hym to, hys estate from trouble and [Page 77]confusion, his Nobility from destructi­on, and all his people from extreame mi­sery and calamity. The sayde Lord the King of Nauarre protesting before God, and in hys conscience, that he is not moo­ued to choose thys way, through any am­bition raigning in hym, nor by any ha­tred that he beareth to hys enimies, nor for any reuenge that he wysheth toward them, nor yet in regarde of that spight­full and malicious spoile and destruction, which they would tryumphe and reioyce to see executed vppon hym.

But contrariwyse, hys resolution to take the fortune of the Combat, pro­céedeth as well from y ^e great zeale & fer­uēt desire which hée hath to sée God true ly serued and honoured, hys Kyng frée from vexation and trouble, hys estate in peace, and the people at reste and qui­etnesse, as also from the great displea­sure, annoyaunce and woe, (whych eue­ry moment he setteth before his mynde) not onelie to see God blasphemed againe in thys estate, béeing in the waues and perills of shypwracke: but also to see thys poore people caste againe into the extreamytye and myseryes paste, whereinto (yf they fall once agayne,) [Page 78]skant can any man reléeue and delyuer them from the same.

Fynally the sayde Lorde the Kyng of Nauarre is most certainly perswaded, and reposeth all hys trust and confidence in the almighty, who séeth the secretes of all harts, and is chéefe president and bea reth the whole sway in all exploytes and déedes of Armes, that he of his infinite mercy and goodnes, by the euent and suc­cesse, wyll manifestly declare, and shews to all the whole world, not onely the sin­cerety, but also the righteousnes of the cause, to the intent it may serue for an ex­ample to all posterityes and ages: whose wrath, vengeance, and curse, he wysheth to fall vpon him, yf he protest falsly, or euer imagined barme, eyther toward the kynges person, or against hys estate or subiects, of what calling, degrée or reli­gion soeuer they be. If euer he contriued any deuyse or plotte to take effect vppon the kinges Tombe or death: Or euer compassed or cast in hys mynde, any vio­lence, against either the Romish religi­on, or the Catholiques: reposing his whole and onely hope in God, to receiue from hys eternall Maiesty hys mercifull blessing, gracious goodwyll, and louing [Page 79]fauour, against all them that wythout oc­casion séeke hys destruction, and vnder shaddowe of hys name, molest the king­dome, ouerthrowe all good order, destroy the people, and meane to stryp the kyng out of his royall estate and diguity.

Gyuen at Bergerac the tenth day of Iune, in the yéere of our Lorde, a thousand, fiue hundred, foure­score and fyue.