GOD hath euermore, and e­uen vntill this present, by his speciall fauour so assisted the Kings affaires, that no man need doubt but that the eye of his diuine Prouidence hath alwaies been open for the protection and safegard of this Monarchie, against the bould and treache­rous attempts of those which haue gone a­bout to contriue the subuersion thereof. And as his faithfull seruants, which are neer about his person, striue who may best serue him: euen so such as are most remote, are [Page 6]no lesse zealous and affectionate to employ themselues worthily for the good of their Countrey. The Duke of Guise amongst o­thers (a true Imitator of the generosity of his Ancestors; who, vnder the fortune of our Kings, haue holpen to augment their Tri­umphs) was so impatient to see the vnsea­sonablenesse of the weather and contrarie winds to hinder him from doing some no­table exploit, that in the end he took the ve­ry first occasion and oportunity, as follows.

You must then knowe, that the 24 of Oc­tober his Maiesties Nauy arriued within sight of land, where they were constrained to come to an anchor at the entry of Hole Bretton, neer to Balenes; whither Monsieur the Earl of Rochefoucault came with 1500 foot and 200 Gentlemen, all of them ap­pointed to land after the Fight.

The Gallies also set fail, and came to the rendevous, remaining all day in view of the enemies Armie; whil'st the Earl of Ioygnie, Generall of the Gallies, went to the Duke of Guise to receiue such order from him as he should please to giue the rest of this day was imployed by the Duke of Guise about [Page 7]ordering of the fight; so as the fleet, beeing not able to make any way but with the tide, by reason of the great calm, all it could do was onely to come to an anchor at that place whither the Gallies were aduanced, about two houres after midnight. Where­upon it was resolued to assemble all the Captains 2 or 3 houres before day, which was done the 26. And after, hauing diui­ded the Fleet into three squadrons, namely, the Admirals, Viceadmirals and Rereadmi­rals, and giuen order to the captains to com vp in files, that they might haue their broad sides free to play with their great ordināce, without any danger to themselues, the Ge­nerall of the Gallies was appointed to giue the onset vpon the enemie, who lay at an­chor in sight of them in the open rode be­fore the Ile of Re belowe S. Martins; who seeing the Gallies approach, and the Kings fleet in sight, set sail, the winde little seruing the Kings Nauy, and the tide almost spent; so as all they could do, was to come within a league of their enemies: who seeing the Gallies, began to shoot; and the Gallies at them again. Then the Duke of Guise resol­ued [Page 8]to go himself to take a view of the ene­my, and to this end sent to the Generall for a Gallie: and in the mean time hee and the Earl of Rochefoucault put themselues with 5 or six other Gentlemen into a barge; and meeting with the Gallie, hee went aboard her, and by and by met with the Generall whom he had orderd before not to engage himself too far, but to stay for him. After this, he went aboard the Admirall, and re­solued to approach the enemy, to discouer the burden of their ships, and the bore of their Ordinance; which he so happily per­formed, that thereupon the fight began, and by little and little so increased, that hee con­strained them being but newly anchored, to set saile againe: and approaching them with his musket shot, putting his Gallies in front, and seuering them an hundred or six­score pases asunder, all the Cannons in their prowes were discharged, which caused many pieces of wood to swimme towards them, which their artillery had torne from their sides; so as he iudged it then a fit time to giue them battel, and cōmanded Mons. de S. Luc. Viceadmiral, to bring forward the [Page 9]fleet, and to pack on all sailes, which was done with all diligence; so as the Captains, striuing who should get one before another to set vpon the enemie, brake their order when they were but within half a league of them. In the mean time, the Duke of Guise put himself aboard the Admirall, and staied the forwardest of them, being within shot of the enemy, and already at blowes. The Rochellers fleeting close aboard the Ilands, and by little & little (all men iudging them to flie) got so much into the winde, as there was now no striuing for it. They diuided their Nauy into 3 bodies, as the Kings fleet was; and approaching softly vnto it, shewd they had a good will to fight. The Cannons began then to play within reach one of a­nother, about 3 a clock after noon: and within a while after, the hindermost of ours making haste, were within musket shot of them.

The enemie seeing that our great & hea­uie vessels plied not to windeward so well as our little ones, they resolued to assail our Vantguard; which they so wel performed, that by & by they were at it pel mel, where [Page 10]Mons. de S. Luc. who commanded the same Vant-gard, and was the first set vpon, beha­ued himself very nobly, sustaining himself alone for a small while the brunt of the ene­my.

The Gallion of Malta, to which the Ge­nerall had sent two Gallies to hale her a­long, approached; and the other which were to leward, got into the wind to shoot at the enemie in the flank.

The Admirall by often boarding endea­uored by all possible means to get to wind­ward. In the end, seeing all the fleet set on the Vantgard, and to put her in great dan­ger, in stead of tacking once more about, turned short vpon the enemie, and alone opposed himself against them all. In this so dangerous an exigent, all the officers and pilots of the shippe were on their knees be­fore the Duke of Guise, to shew him into what perill he did thrust himself, not being any waies able to bee assisted by any of his other ships, which were all to lewards of him: but hee generously surmounting all things which might alter his purpose, re­solued to go on and approach the enemie, [Page 11]and saue his Vantagard which else would be lost: which caused them all to turn toward him, and to assail him in very good order, conducting before them vnder fauour of their cannon and musket shot, 2 ships full of fire-works chained together: and after their first charge crying, Aboard, aboard, they tied with their grapples the two fire ships to the waste of our Admirall, which suddenly took fire both within & on their sailes; so as the flame got vp as high as the Mast head. This was a stratagem which the Rochellers had made great boast of before their setting out to sea, as if it had been as easie a matter to burn our Admirall, as to make it their proiect.

In the mean time their musketshot and artillery plaied vncessantly; and then was le Sieur de Vinceguerre slain with a musket shot, being vpon the Nettings, neer vnto Mons. de Guise, who had commanded him to attend the quenching of the fire, as him­self to prouide for the rest.

This combate lasted two houres during the day light; and night drawing on, it continued yet an houre more, and it was [Page 12]so obstinately maintained, that many of the Rochelers were slain at the push of the pike

Mons. de Tauanes commanded in the fore­castle: The Count de Curse, in the poop; and Mons. de Queruenaux, the Voluntaries, who were diuided between them.

The Duke of Guise his guard, and some Gentlemen of the Earl de la Rochefoucaults, fought at the Orolope of the main mast. The Duke of Guise, accompanied alwaies with the Earl of Rochefoucault, went conti­nually vp and down to prouide for what was necessary. The Seiur de la Verdier, lieu­tenant of the Duke of Guise his company of horse, who was imployed to impart his wil on all sides, was hurt in the head with a musket shot: Some other Gentlemen and officers slain; amongst others, the master of the ship, who assisted the Lord of Vassale and the Seriant Maior who did vse won­derfull endeauours about quenching of the fire, already growne great, and almost past all hope of slaking: in the end it was not­withstanding put out by exceeding great diligence, in lesse than an houre. Our hap­pinesse was in this, that the enemie giuing [Page 13]ouer the fight, abandoned our Admiral, and gaue vs leasure to intend nothing but the quenching of the fire; which we should ve­ry hardly haue done, if we had been forced to fight and quench it both at once.

The ioy was incredible which the rest of our army had, which could helpe vs no lon­ger by reason of the winde and Tide which vvere both contrarie, when they sawe the Admyrall rout the Enemie hauing beene formerlie afrayde lest hee had been vtterlie burnt amongst them; which so encouraged the Kings fleet, as they endeuoured to reu­nite them selues at the same instant crying on all sides Victorie, Victorie, vntill three howers vvithin night; vvhen it vvaxed so darke on a suddaine that our ships came came foule one of another: so as the ene­mie making vse of the occasion vvithdrew themselues. And then our Admirall vvho beganne to bee agrovend, being but at 3. fathome vvater, in following the maine, vvas constrained to staie: then hee hung out his light and vvas alone a verie long while hauing aduanced himselfe in the heate of the fight a league from the place vvhere he [Page 14]vvas, at the first onsett.

The first vessels which came vp vnto him, after his long staie for them vvere the Ʋirgin, wherein was the Sieur de Manty Rereadmirall, The Knight of Cuges, who vvas slaine aboord the Vize-admirall of the East, and the Sieur de l'Ist, Lieutenant vnto Mons. de Valencè.

The Gallion of Malta was assaulted by 3. Vessels, and rescued by Cuges, who sunk Arnauldes ship, vvhich vvas of 400. tunnes, wherein were a great many of Gentlemen and Voluntaries of Rochel, vvhich vvere ei­ther slaine or drovvned, except the Cap­taine and a Counsellor of Rochel, vvhich vvere taken prisoners.

There are found ten of the Rochelers ships sunk, more then 2000. men slain, or drovvned, and of ours some 400.

The Rochelers Fleet fled tovvards 30. Flemish Vessels, vvhich had not aduanced themselues to fight, to th'end their losse might not be knovvne by day. They haue taken frō them all their men they can spare to furnish their ships againe: If vve had had but one houre of day more, there had fevve of them escaped.

Their Army could not be recollected, but on the morrovv: Monsieur de S. Luc ralli­ed himselfe also for his part at the same in­stant vvith 30. Saile neere vnto Mons. de Guise, and the Generall of the Gallies like­vvise; vvho aftervvards, during the calme, sunke the S. Lewis which vvas one of Mons. de Neners his ships, vvhich those of Rochel had taken the last yeere.

The morrow after going to discouer them, we saw 20. of their ships which were run on ground and battered vvith our Can­non. So that of 70. ships vvhich the Roche­lers had on the day of battell, there appea­red no more but 32. vvhich vve hope to spoil vvith our Cannon, because vve cannot come at them vvithout running on ground. They haue shevved great boldnes, and haue indeed made valiant resistance, like men de­siring to dye or ouercome.

All the squadrons of both the Armies were pell mell at it, the space of two houres during day-light: th'obscurity of the night saued those which remain'd of the Roche­lers side; because crying Holy Virgine, and God saue the King, as we did, (vvhich was [Page 16]the word of the Kings Fleete) and because we could no longer discern our marks, our Vessels fell fowle one of another.

This is the truth of what passed in this Sea-fight, in which there vvas no Comman­der or Captaine, which shewed not proofe inough of his valour; the fight was so furi­ous, as we may truly say there was dischar­ged on th'one side and the other more then 15000. Cannon shot. Nor is it to be for­gotten, that on the morrovv after, Mons. de Guise hauing rallied his forces, sent to sum­mon those which commanded in the Diue, to render themselues, which is a Fort made in an Iland very neere Aiguillon, which they had lately surprised, which place yeelded at his discretion.

Finally, as Mons. de Guise was about to pursue his victorie, and land his Armie into those Ilands which the Rochellers held, he receiued letters from his Maiesty, which as­sured him of the peace; Which hath whol­ly stayed the course of a greater expedition, which he held himselfe almost assured of: such confidence hee hath in Gods protecti­on, who is the true auenger of Kings quar­rels.

DIEV a jusques à present fauorisé les Armes du Roy, d'vne grace si parti­culiere, qu'on ne peut pas reuoquer en doute que l'oeil de sa diuine Pro­uidence ne soit tousiours ouuert à la garde & protection de cette Monar­chie, contre l'audace & la felonnie de ceux qui en osent mediter la subuersion. Et si ses fideles ser­uiteurs s'animent de le seruir à qui mieux mieux aupres de sa personne, on void que ceux qui en sont les plus éloig­nez ne leur cedent en zele & en affection, à s'acquitter dignement de ce qu'ils doiuent à leur Patrie. Monsieur le Duc de Guise entr'autres, vray imitateur de la generosité de ses Peres, qui sous les auspices de nos Rois ont tous­iours releué l'honneur des Autels, auoit vne telle impati­ence de veoir que l'injure du temps & la contrariete des vents le retardoit de faire quelque signalee expedition de guerre, qu'en sin il a pris la premiere occasion qui s'en est presentee, comme s'ensuit.

Il est done à scauoir que le 24. Octobre l'armée Naualle de sa Majesté arriua en veue des terres, où elle fut con­trainte de mouîller à l'entrèe du pertuis Breton aupres des Balenes, auquel lieu se rendit Monsieur le Comte de la Rochefoucault auec 15. cens hommes de pied, & deux [Page 2]cens Gentils-hommes dans des petits vaisseaux, tout cela destiné pour mettre pied à terre apresle combat.

Les galeres estant aduancées se trouuerent au rendez­vous, & demeurerent tout le iour en presence de l'armée ennemie cependant que M. le Comte de Ioigny, General des Galeres, alla trouuer Monsieur de Guyse pour receuoir l'ordre qu'il luy plairoit luy donner: le reste de ceste jour­née fut employé par Monsieur de Guise à trauailler aux ordres que l'armée auroit à tenir pour la bataille. De sorte que l'armée ne pouuant faire chemin que par la marée, à cause du grand calme, ce qu'elle peust faire fust d'aller mo­uiller où les galeres s'éstoient aduancèes, enuiron deux heures de nuict. Sur quoy il fut resolu d'assembler tous les Capitaines deux ou trois heures deuant le iour, ce qui se fit le 26. & apres auoir separé l'armée an trois brigades, à scauoir celle de l'Admiral, Vice-Admiral & Contre Ad­miral, & donné rang à tous les Capitaines pour marcher par filles, & auoir les cos [...]és des nauires pour faire iouër [...]artillerie sans les endommager, Monsieur le General des galleres fust ordonné pour aller taster les ennemis, qui pa­rurent à l'ancre à la rade de l'Isle de Ré, au dessouz de sainct Martin, lesquels voyans auancer les Galeres, & l'armée du Roy paroistre, se mirent souz les voiles, le vent ne seruant gueres à l'armée du Roy, & la marée se retirant. Tout ce qu'on peust faire, ce fut d'approcher d'vne lieuë des en­nemis, qui voyans les Galeres, commencerent de leur tirer des canonades & les galeres à eùx. Monsieur de Guise prit lors resolution d'aller luy mesme recognoistre l'armée en­nemie, & à cest effect manda à Monsieur le General de luy enuoyer vne Galere, cependant il se mit dedans vne felou­que auec Monsieur le Conte de la Rochefoucaut, & quatre ou cinq Gentils-hommes, & ayant rencontré la Ga­lere, il monta dessus, & trouua Monsieur le General incon­tinent apres, à qui il auoit donné ordre de ne s'engager point, & de l'attendre. Apres cela il monta sur la Reale, & se resolut d'approcher les ennemis pour distinguer la [Page 3]portée de leurs vaisseaux & le calibre de leurs pieces. Ce qui se fit si à propos que l'attaquese commenca peu à peu, & en fin s'eschauffa si fort que les ayans trouuez de nou­ueau mouillés, il les contraignit de se remettre à la voile, s'approchant aux mousquetades, & faisans mettre les Ga­leres de front, les écartans l'une de l'autre de cent ou six vingts pas. Tous les Canons de Coursier commencerent à joüer, en facon que l'on voyoit force bois que la marée emmenoit des éclats que le Canon y faisoit; tellement qu'il iugea que l'occasion estoit belle de les combattre; Il manda a Monsieur de S. Luc, Vice-admiral, de faire ad­uancer l'armée, & de faire toute force de voiles. Ce qui fut fait auec tant de vigueur, que les Capitaines à l'enuy l'vn de l'autres aduan coient le plus qu'ils pouuoient, quittans leur ordre pour le desir qu'ils auoient de joindre l'ennemy qui n'estoit qu'à vne petite demy lieuë d'eux. Sur ces entre­faites Monsieur de Guise alla en toute diligence reprendre sa place sur l'Admiral, & arresta les Nauires les plus ad­uancées, qui estoient déja aux Canonades. Les ennemis rendirent le bord vers les bas fonds au long des Isles, & insensiblement, tout le monde croyant qu'ils fuyoient, gaignerent le vent si auant, que l'on iugea qu'on ne le leur pouuoit plus disputer. Ils separerent leur armée en trois Corps, comme celle du Roy, & s'approchans peu à peu, monstrerent qu'ils vouloient combattre. Les Canons commencerent donc dés lors de venir à portée. Cela fut sur les trois heures a pres midy, & les plus ésloignez des nostres faisans force de voiles, nous fusmes incontinent aux mousquetades.

Les ennemis voyans que nos plus grands & plus pe­sans Nauires ne gaignoient si bien au vent que les petits, ils resolurent de venir à bord à nostre Auant-garde, c [...] qu'ils executerent si bien, qu'incontinent ils furent aux mains, où Monsieur de S. Luc, qui commandoit ladite Auant-garde, & qui fut attaqué le premier, fit tres-gene­reusement, ayant soustenu le choc de tous les ennemis.

Le Gallion de Malte, à qui Monsieur le General auoit enuoyé deux Galleres pour le remorquer, s'aduanca, & les autres qui estoient sous-vēt, toutes les Galleres r'assemble­es allerent aussi regaigner le vent, pour tirer à l'ennemy par les flancs.

L'Admiral par des bordées essayoit le plus qu'il luy estoit possible de monter au vent. En sin voyant toute l'armée fondre sur l'auantgarde, & la voyant en tres grand danger, au lieu de faire vn autre bord du costé de la bataill, il reuira tout court, & s'alla opposer seul à l'armée enne­mie. Ce fut lors & en vne occasion si hazardeuse, où tous les officiers & pilotes du vaisseau se jetterent aux pieds de Monsieur de Guise pour luy remonstrer le peril oú il s'alloit engager, ne pouuant ester assisté ny secouru d'au­cun de ses vaisseaux, estants au dessous du vent: mais Iuy surmontant genereusement tout ce qui pouuoit trauerser son dessein, il se resolut de passer outre, & d'approcher les ennemis pour sauuer son Auant-garde, qui autrement couroit fortune. Ce qui fut cause qu'ils tournerent tous vers luy, & vindrent l'inuestir auec vn grand ordre, con­duisans deuant eux à la faueur du Cannon & des monsque­tades, deux Nauires d'artifice, & pleins de feu, attachées auec des chaisnes, & apres auoir fait toute leur salue, criant à bord, à bord, ils attacherent auec des grappins les deux Nauires de feu aux hauts bancs du Mast de nostre Admi­ral, qui prirent feu si soudain par le dedans & par leurs voiles, que la flamme monta tout à coup aussi haut que les Gábies. C'est vne rodomontade dont les Rochelois s'estoient vantez auant que de partir, comme s'il eust esté aussi facile de brusler nostre Admiral comme ils a­uoient legerement promis.

Cependant leur mousquetairie & leur artillerie loüoit incessamment, & ce fut lors que le Sieur de Vinceguerre fut tué d'vne mousquetade estant sur le Pont de corde auprés de Monsieur de Guise, qui luy commandoit de remedier au feu & que pour luy il pouruoieroit au reste.

Ce Combat dura deux heures de iour, & la nuict com­mencant il ne cessa pas de continuer encore plus d'vne bonne heure; & fut si opiniastré que beaucoup des enne­mis furent tués par les nostres à coups de picques.

Monsieur de Tauane commandoit au Chasteau de Proüe, Monsieur le Comte de Carse du costé du Chasteau de Poupe & Monsieur de Queruenau aux volontaires qui estoient separez sous eux.

Les Gardes de Monsieur de Guise & quelques Gentils­hommesde Monsieur le Comte de la Rochefoucault combatoient au tillac du grand Mast, Monsieur de Guise tousiours accompagné de Monsieur le Comte de la Ro­chefoucault, alloit incessamment par tout pour pouruoir â ce qui estoit necessaire. Le sieur de la Vierdiere Lieute­nant de la compagnie de Gens-darmes de Monseigneur de Guise, qui portoit les Commandemens de touz costez y fut blesse d'vne Mousquetade â la teste. Quelques au­tres Gentils-hommes & officiers tuez, entr'autres le Nocher de son Nauiere qui assistoit le Segnor Vassale & le Sergent de battaille, qui firent des merueilles á estein­dre le feu qui estoit desia tresgrand, & quasi sans espe­rance de salut. Il fut neantmoins esteint par la diligence qu'on y apporta en moins d'vne heure. Le bon heur fut que les ennemis quittans la partie, abandonnerent l'Ad­miral & donnerent loisir à ne trauailler plus qu à estein­dre le feu, dont il eust estè tres-mal-aysé de se ga rentir, si tout ensemble il eust fallu combattre & l'esteind re.

Il est encroyable quelle fut la ioye du reste de nostre ar­mée qui ne nous pouuoit plus secourir à causu du vent & de la marée, laquelle vit que l'Admiral mettoit les enne­mis en rout & les menoit battant, fuit sur la crainte qu'ils auoint que l'ennemy ne l'eust bruslé tout à fait. Ce qui donna vn tel courage á toute l'armèe du Roy, qu'elle tascha de se r'alier en mesme temps, crians de tous costez Victoire, iusques à trois heures de nuict, laquelle denint soudain si obscure que nos Nauires s'entre abordoiēt les [Page 6]vns les autres, si bien que les ennemis se seruans de l'oc­casion se retirerent, & lors nostre Admiral qui comman­coit à toucher, n'estant plus qu' à trois brasses d'eau en suiuant l'ennemy, fut contrainct de s'arrester, lors il fir phanal & se trouua tout seul forte long temps pour s'estre aduancé dans la chaleur du combat plus d'vne lieu é par delà où il s'estoit commencé.

Les premiers vaisseaux qui le vindrent ioindre long temps apres, furent la Vierge, où estoit le Sieur de Manty contr'-admiral, le sieur Cheualier de Cuges, qui fut tué estant sur le Vice admiral de leuant, & le sieur de I'Isle Lieutenant de Monsieur le Cheualier de Valencé.

Le Gallion de Malte fut inuesty de trois vaisseaux; & secouru de Cuges, qui mirent à fond le Nauire d'Arnault qui estoit de quatre cens tonneaux, où estoient grand nombre de Gentils-hommes & volontaires de la Rochel­le, qui furent tuez ou noyez, horsmis le Capitaine & vn Conseiller de la Rochelle qui sont prisonniers.

Il se trouue dix Nauires à fond des ennemis, plus d­deux mille hommes morts ou noyez, & des nostres quel ques quatre cens.

L'Armée ennemie s'enfuit vers 30. Vaisseaux Flamands qui ne s'estoient point meslez au combat, afin qu'on ne recogneust par au iour leur perte.

Ils leur ont osté tous les hommes qu'ils ont peu pour regarnir leurs vaisseaux, s'il y eust eu vne heure de iour d'auantage il en fust fort peu eschappé.

Leur armée ne se peut rallier que le lendemain au ma­tin, Monsieur de S. Luc se r'allia de son costé à mesm [...] heure auec 30. vaisseaux aupres de Monsieur de Guise, & Monsieur le General des Galleres aùssi, lequel apres a du rant le calme coulé a fond à coups de Canon le Sainct Louys qui estoit l'vn des vaisseaux de Monsieur de Ne­uers, que ceux de la Rochelle auoient pris l'an passé.

Le lendemain les ayant esté recognoistre on a veu vne vingtaine de leurs vaisseaux eschoués & brisez de noz [Page 7]Cannons. Tellement que de soixāte & dix vaisseaux des ennemis qu'ils auoient le iour de la battaile, il n'en est plus paru de reste que 32. lesquels on espare de ruyner auec le Canon, d'autant qu'on ne peut aller â eux sans eschouêr. Ils ont tesmoigné vne grande audace, & ont tres vaillamment combatu, comme gens qui vouloient mourir ou vaincre.

Tous les corps des armées ont estè mestés de part & d'autre, & abordés l'espace de deux heures de iour, l'ob­scuritè de la nuict a sauuè ce qui restoit aux ennemis, d'au­tant que crians Saincte Vierge & viue le Roy, comme nous, qui estoit le mot del' Armée du Roy, & que nous ne pouuions plus discerner nos marques, nos Vaisseaux s'entrechoquoient l'vn l'autre.

Voila au vray ce qui s'est passé en la battaille, en la quelle il ne s'est trouué aucun Chef ny Capi­taine qui n'ayt rendu es preuues de sa valeur. La meslée a estè si rude qu'on peut dire auec verité, qu'il s'est tiré de part & d'autre plus de quinze mil coupz de canon. Il n'est pas mesmement â oublier que le lendemain ou Combat, Monsieur de Guise ayant rallié ses forces, enuoya sommer ceux qui commaudoienta la Dyue de se rendre, qui est vn fort fait en vne Isle fort pres de l'Aiguilon qu'ils auoient surpris depuis peu, lesquels se sont rendus a discretion.

Finalement comme Monsieur de Guise estoit sur le poinct de poursuiure sa Victoire; & de faire prendre terre à son Armée dans les Isles tenues par les Rochelois, il receut lettres de sa Majestèqui l'asseuroir de la paix. Ce qui a tout â fait arrestè le cours d'vne plus grande expedi­tion qui luy estoit comme toute asseurée, tant il à de con­fiance en la protection de Dieu vray vengeur de la que­relle.

THe antient Histories doe eleuate the naturall goodnesse of Alexander the Great vnto the skies, who neuer suf­fered his scaffold to be tainted with his sub­iects bloud, that craued his fauour: the thunder-boult neuer breakes those things which bend at the lightning of his fire; and the stout harted Lion cannot hurt him that bends before him. But all the examples of goodnesse are nothing to be paralleld with the royall clemency of Lewis the Iust, vvho [Page 18]after so many vexations, so much paines, and offences that haue been offered by the disobedience of rebellious subiects, hauing iust occasion to make them feele the tokens of his indignation, who went about to de­stroy themselues with a little patience, dis­persing themselues from one another hour­ly: neuerthelesse, to make the effects of his royall bounty apparant, and to giue peace and rest to his people, who breathed vnder the burthen of a thousand sorts of griefes, which the warres produced and brought vpon them; he is at the last resolued to par­don those, who acknowledging their faults do humbly appeale for mercy at his Maie­sties feet.

Monsieur, the Duke de Rohan, had be­sought Monsieur le Connestable to renue the treaty which had bin already begun in Au­gust last past, and to work a vniuersall peace with his Maiesty. The which, the sayd Lord Constable hath vndertaken, with so much more courage, that hee hath alwaies shewed himselfe most affectionate to the quietnesse of the kingdome, and the Kings seruice.

Hee went then to Montpellier, according to the Kings pleasure, where were presen­ted to his Maiestie the submissions of the sayd Duke de Rohan, together with the af­faires concerning the Townes in the lower Languedoc.

In the meane time notwithstanding, the batteries of the King did not cease to dis­charge as furiusly as before, against the said Towne of Montpellier, to the great asto­nishment of the Rochellers.

The eighteenth of October last at night, the Peace was resolued on in the Kings Chamber; Monsieur le Connestable, Mon­sieur the Prince of Ioniuille, and Monsieur de Puisieux being present; who hath made it apparant by these affairs, that he is a wor­thy heire of the wisedome and knowledge of Monsieur the Chancelier, his Father.

Thursday, the ninth of the same month, all things being quiet, Monsieur the Duke of Espernon, by the Kings commandement entred the Towne of Montpellier with the regiment of his Guard, the Companies of the Suisses, and the Marshalls of the Kings house, to take possession of the place, and [Page 20]there to make his Maiesties lodgings, who the next day after the 20 of October entred therein in arms.

The inhabitants cast themselues at the feet of his Maiesty, crauing pardon of him; which he kindly granted.

He resolued that the new fortifications of the town should be beaten down; that the Churches, which in two yeers before had been demolished, should bee new built at the charge of the said inhabitants of the pre­tended reformed religion.

After that the reducing of Nismes, Castres, Vses, Milbaud, and other places which are in the obedience of the King, the new fortifi­cations shall be puld down, and the Chur­ches reestablished, as heerafter shall be seen by the Articles brought by the Sieur Defiat, which shall be published with the declara­tion of the King.

At the instant when the peace was con­cluded, Monsieur le prince departed to go to accomplish his vow at our Ladies of Loret­te in Italy, with the Kings leaue, promising to return shortly.

Monsieur the Archbishop of Lions is also [Page 21]departed in poste to go to Rome to informe his Holinesse of the peace.

The King wil that the Estates of the coun­try of Languedoc in the Town of Beaueaire, which shall hold but three weeks: and the whil'st they assemble, his Maiesty will go to Marselles.

By the reducing of Montpeiller, the chief of lowe Languedoc, France begins, to take ease, vpon the assurance which she is about pre­sently to enioy, through the obedience that at length is granted to his Maiesty by the greatest part of his rebellious subiects. And as the Town of Montpeiller was the first oc­casion of all the rebellion of Languedoc, the rule of all the other places which were ri­sen against the seruice and authority of the King, and that which gaue law to the rest: so this being resolued to obedience, and ha­uing had recourse to his Maiesties mercie, to keep them defended from all the wicked storms wherewith shee saw herself threat­ned for the chastisement of her rebellion; the other Towns, as Nismes, Vsez, Castres, & other places, haue followed and imitated her in the like duty.

Euen so, thanks be to God, all these places are reduced to the King, without murder or effusion of bloud: so great is his goodnes and mercy towards them that had insolent­ly offended him; Mercy and clemency, that shall be eternally celebrated, as long as the memory of Lewis the Iust shall flourish in the durance of ages, hee beeing admired in this, aboue the examples which the history produceth of the like graces which the Kings his Predecessors haue vsed, vpon the repentance of their subiects who haue im­plored their clemency after a long continu­ation of errors; thereby shewing himselfe the true Father of his people, who desiring to chastise his subiects, not to destroy them, but to correct them, receiueth them with pardon when they demand it, & acknow­ledge their faults; and takes from them the means to do mischief, by the new fortifica­tions which his Maiesty vnderstands to be beaten down and defaced.

This newes of the peace was not so soon publisht through France, as the best towns of the Kingdom took occasion to beginne their ioy, by their thanksgiuing to God, and [Page 23]publike merriments, as is seen in Thoulouse, Lions, and other Towns, reseruing their greatest solemnities, vntill that the sayd Peace shall be generally published by Par­liaments, and through all the Iurisdictions and Seneschalships of France.

The Kings returne is shortly hoped for: the Queens, who are at Lyons, would go no farther after the new receit of this Peace, they will tarry there attending the arriuall of his Maiesty and of all the Court, to goe together to Paris.

In the meane time we shall see hereafter all Troupes dismissed, except those which his Maiesty reserueth, to serue him in places and quarters where he shal iudge necessary; the Field shall be assured and the waies free, liberty all ouer, and the King serued and ho­noured of all his subiects, as well of the one Religion as the other, vnder the banner of peace: which God grant vs, if it please him, and make his Maiesties reigne prosperous.

SIR: we are sent from all the reformed Churches of France and soueraigntie of Bearne, in their names humbly to craue peace of your Maiesty, humbled more then our bodies prostrate themselues at your feete, to demand and earnestly beseech your pardon, because the false rumours which are spread abroad amongst vs by your Maiesties dessigne, haue cast vs into these misfortunes wherein we remaine: It is not that we desire to change our name to mischiefe; we confesse our selues faultie. Wherefore we present our selues to your Maiestie, crauing pardon and humbly be­seeching to receiue vs into grace, and to haue pitty on our infirmities, which is the image of Gods example. And giue some thing to the feare that we haue, that we [Page 29]may see the liberty of our oppressed consci­encies: which so much more as you finde vs blamelesse, so much also you may be pleased to imploy your clemency. Henry the great your Maiesties father was serued by vs, trus­ted in vs, and loued vs: We humbly beseech you, that, as successor in his royall virtues, it may come of your free pleasure to haue res­pect vnto vs, and from this time forward to make no distinguishment betweene vs and your other subiects, for the seruice which we owe vnto you. For thereby we pretend to make it apparant to your Maiestie that none besides vs can be more humble, obedient and faith full subiects and seruants.