p«*;
-32.
Arcana Gallica :
OR, THii
Secret Hiftory
FOR THE
Last Century,
SHEWING,
By what Steps the French Minifters de-
ftroy'd" the LiBERTi E s of that Nation
in General, and the P k o t e s t a n i
R E L I G I o N in Particular.
With a View of the BiftraBions and Civil
Wars during the Two Minorities in that Pe-
riod'.
Collefted from the moft Authentick Authorities.^
never before Printed in Trance or EnjiUnd.
By the Author of the Secret Hiltory of £urope.
LONDON:
Printed for A.Bell, at the Crojs-Keys in
CornfUly N. Cliff and D. J a c k s o n, at the
Bible and Three Crowns in Cheaffide^ MDCCXIV.
Price bix S ii- n^;
TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE
fFILLIJM
EARL OF
PORTLAND.
Mr Lord,
TH E TrotetHion Your LORD-
SHIP was pleas'd to give
that Exaft and Faithful Htfiortan,
Monfieur Vajfor^ who Addrefs'd
his Hijiory to You^ has encourag'd
me to beg the fame Favour for
this, which is built entirely on
the fame Foundation,
Ai Your
"The dedication.
Your Lordship knows too
much of French Politicks and
French Merit to be in Love with
either ; and tho' no Man was ever
more Careis'd by them than Your
Lordship, when You accom-
pany 'd Your Noble Father in that
Embajfy of his, which was the
Glory of England and the Won-
der of France*^ yet You have never
had the leaft Complacency for
their Counfels^ but have Ihewn
that You are as Infenfible of Na-
tional Flattery as of Terjonal.
Your Lordshifs Heart is
fo perfedly Brtti/h^ that it is a.
Secret Reproach to many of our.
Country- Men who fiq^ne themfelves
of a long Deicent of Briti/h An-
ceftry, and yet feem to have no
more Regard for the true Intereft
of their Country than their Ance-
jiors^ the Normtins^ had, when they
invaded it. They have nothing
of
l^he ^eBcation.
of the Ancient Qerman Blood in
them : Have no Notion of that
Sfmt and Trinci'ple of Liberty
which infpir'd our Saxon Fathers
in the Defence of it. And feem
to be fo in Love with our Neigh*
hours the F?^n2Ci^^ that one wou'd
think they were prouder of being
defcended from a Nation that
enjlaVd^ than being ally'd to one
that deliver d us. ^ ,'
'T I s that Glorious Deliverance
which has endeared the Memory
of Your Iliuftrious Father^ who
had fo great a Hand in it, to all
good Englifh'Men : For 'tis that.
My Lord, to which they owe
the Prefent Happy Government^
and the hopes of the Future. The
Conftitution owes its birth to the
Principles that eifeded it, and its
Prefervation is built on the fame
Bottom. Every affault that is
given to it by advancing contrary
Doftrinesj is ftriking at the very
Root
The ^edicatim.
Root of the Eftablilhment, which
we cannot be too Jealous of, as this
Hillory will fufficiently evidence ;
and that a Nation no fooner takes
one Voluntary ftep towards Sla-
very^ but Power will prefently find
means to force them to take o-
thers. It is in Tolitich as in Faith^
and he who ers ever fo little in
the Ejfentials^ is in great Danger of
erring further till it ends in Per-
dition.
I am Confcious that I ought
not to interrupt Your Lordship's
Leifure with fuch fort of Lectures,
but my Zeal for the Truth made
me forget to whom I was Speak-
ing ; and that in whatever Minute
this Addrels meets You, whether
You had dedicated it to Bufinefs or
Pleafure, it is very Prefumptious in
me to give it any other Diverfion
without Your Lordship's Particu-
lar Command. To dare to come
Unbidden into Your Lordship's
Pre-
ne dedication.
PrefencCj is what I cannot Anfwer
to either Delicacy, Decency or Di-
fcretion. But there are fome
Paffions too ftrong for all, and
none ftronger than the Love of
One's Country. It will in fome
Meafure be an Excufe for me, that
when I confider Your Lordship
as one of the firft of the Briti/b
Peers, who have always appeared
Zealous in thcCaufe of Liberty^ I
couM not reftrain my felf from
paying that Acknowledgement
which is a Debt to You from all
who Love it.
This i^ a Virtue that Ihines
brighter in Your Lord SHIP than
fo many others which adorn Your
Charader. Generofity^ Humanity^
Affal?tlttyy and all the Qualities
that gain Love and Efteem, muft
give Place to that Tublick Spirit
by which You have on all Occa-
lions diftinguiffc'd Your felf Even
that pcrfeft Beauty of Body and
Mind.
The Dedkdtm. 'I
Mind, which are, with fo much
Joyi in fome and Envy in others,
beheld in Your Lordship, wou'dr;:
v;ant the Zeal of the "Patriot to;
finifli their Perfeaion. But with
it, it gives ineftimable Merit, and
makes every Man Ambitious of
being what I am, with all ima-
ginable Duty and Refpeft,
:6\VS
My LqroI
Jour Lordjbifs,
jAoJl Humhlef 'mofl''Oh'edieht,
ii
And mo(i Drv&^d'S&kJMt, ^
• t
i/i
( I )
THE
PREFACE
THERE will he the J ame Oh)Qdi\on to
this Hiftory^ as is generally made to all
Anecdotes, that the Fads are either
Falle or Common. But J have a ready
and (l)ort jinfwer to it^ that they are neither Common
nor Falfe, For, with refpeHr to the Englifh Reader^ not
a Tenth Part of them has ever ap fear d in EngliHi, nor
were they ever printed in France, and the Authors
from whence they are taken were of the mofi -undoubted
Veracity that ever that Nation -produced, to inftance
Vaiibr'j Life of Lewis the Xlllch, whofe Hiitory
conftfls of Twenty large Volumes^ and is a ColleUion of
the mofl valuablelVriters who wrote of that Reign with a
Spirit of LihQVty and Truth ^ moft of whofe Works
durfi never be printed in France, io this I may add
the Hifiory of the Edidof Nantes, confiftirig of Five
large Volumes in Qiiarto *, neither of which have been
tr an fated into our Tongue entire hut only by Parcels^
and Three only of Vziibr^s Twenty f^olufnes are to be
met with in it. If this Hijhry therefore were ncthir^g
more than an Abridgement of the fe Two Voluminous
Hiflories^full of Arcanas of the French Hifiory^ if^
as I may venture to fay it does^ it takes in every thing
Curious and Remarkable tending tofliew hoiv Tyranny
was efiabliflid /^France by Cardinal Richiieii'j Mini-
ftry, and what fteps that Court took to deflroy not only the
Liberties of the Protellant?, hut of the French Na-
tion in general^ were there ^ Jj^y-t Clothing more in it-^ this
Work coud not fail of being a grateful Prefent to th^
ii- The PREFACE.
Englifli, wh4i have the Frefervation of their Lihertie
fo much at Hearty and are fo SolUcltous to avoid any
Meafures which tend to their DeftruEtion. The follow-
ing Pages are full sf In^ruEiive Examples of the Trea
chery of great Men, and their Sacriffmg the Caiife of
Liberty^ and even Religion to their Avarice and Am-
bition. It ^r.ews us what I\egurd that Mini fry had
to their Treaties^ hdw complying they were in Di^
ftrefs^ how Infolem when out of it . and by what Steps
they laid the F&v.ndation of the late formidable great -
nefs of the French Monarchy.
It will he a melancholly Ir f]eB to fee with.what Set-
fifh views the great Lords of the Reform'd Religion
managd its Jnterefis^ and how eafily they abandon d
them when their own were in Onefiion. How they made
Confciencea Pretence to colour their Ambitious Defigns^
and made a Market ofthatCA-^iUTCh whofe Champions
they pretended to be. when they had a Th'^nto Serve by
it. There has no YLoxx\t in France been more fat^
to the Proteilant Religion there than that of Bouil-
lon. The Father of the Marefchal cle Turenne did
net turn Papift, but he always betray d the Protefiant
Cavfe^ and appeared at the Head of it for nothing but
to render himfelf by it ccnpderable at Court Had h&
been faithful to his Profeffion^ the Re form 'd had made .
another fort of a flan d, and had his Son the Afarefchal
de Tuienne<^^,w the fame^ the Edid of Kantes
might not have been fo tramphd. under Foot as it was
fo on after his Apoflacy.
The Reader' will obferve hov:) freely the Catholich took
Arms in the Defence of their Liberties in the Minority
and Reign of . Lewis the Juft, that the French were
pot then fo ccnvinc'^d of the Verity of the DoEtnne of
f ^^iVw'^'Oh^^i^T.CG and Kon-Refiflance as they
have been fince by the Arts cfthe Two Cardinal Mi-
riifiers^ and the Lejfons of an Army of Two or Three
Hundred Thoufand Men. Whether that brave Gallican
Spirit is irreccvcrahly lof} by it lirg nfzge of Arbitrary
power
The PREFACR. lil.
Tewer, md whether another Minority may not give
new Life to ity Time will difcover-, and the Difcovery
may not he at a Dlfiame.
I Jh^ll not be fo Impertinent as to recommend this
Work to the World for am other good Quality k has but
Truth. The utmofi Care has heen taken not to mention
any Event but what is attejled by the befi Authority, I
do not hate the French p much as to Falfify Hiftoryto
render them Odious'^ indeed they have taken Care by
their Politicks in the lafi Century^ to prevent an Hiflo-
rian^s having any Temptation to it. The FaEi does more
than Invention coud do^and if one hated them never fe
much for the Jnvafions they have made on the Rights of
Nations one need only Speak the Truth ef them to bf
fuffciently revenged-
This is not intended as d Satyr on the French Na^
tion in general J but o ' thofe that have involv d, them^
felves in the Guilt of their ill Minifiers^ and contribu^
ted to make their Government fo Ahfolute as it is^ fo
Ruinous and Deflruciive to all the refi of Europe,
France has obliged the World with fo many Excellent
Things in Letters and Arts, that it wou'd be ungrate-
ful notto Speak of her with Honour. But then the Two
Cardinal Minivers went fo far in eflabliflnng the Poli^
ticks fl/Matchiavel, and compelling otherCourts to fall
â– in with the fame Principles and Pra^lices^ that fure all
good Englifh Men cannot hut have an Abhorrence foi'
every Thing that^s French in Religion and Policy.—
This I hope may be fiid without Offence. Indeed I do
not fee how his Pojfhle for one to Offend in a Free Na--
tion^ Governed by Laws^ againfl a People that won d give
â– up all Law to the Wi/i of the Prince, I know very v^elL
what is the Duty of every SubjeHr in obferving the Trea-*
ties made with other Kingdoms and States^ and fliall
alivays PraBife it ^ hut J do not think it Inconfiftent
with that Duty to tell the Reader what has been done by
our Neighbours 1?% former Times^ that he may make the
better judgement what they will do now* It is 4
a 2 AUxim
\v. The PREFACE.
Maxim in Common Commerce^ for People to deaiwith
every Man as if he tie alt with a Knave ^ whether he is
known to be fo or not ^ hut when he has a certain pxt
CharaEher^ when his Reputation for Knavery is Incon-
teftahle^ the Folly of trufiing fuch a one is ever puniflj^d
with Shame and fever e Repentance, What holds good in
Trivate Things. generally does the fame in Ptihlick^and a
Nation that have been once bubbled by another muft fure-
ly fink in their Charatler if they are ever bubbled again*
I question whether the good Lvck c/Richlieu in
being trufted fo often^ was fo ??juch oiving to his own
Cunning as the Credulity of others \and whether a great
many People who -had to do with him,didnot ^ew that if
he had had lefs Dexterity \ others had eafinef enough
to have made the fame Bargains with him* This fort
of ConduH of the French and their Neighbours
Will not appear fo much in this as in other Parts of
their Hiftory, I have now had mofi Attention to their
Afanagement at Home^ their Divifons^ Commotions^
the Intrigues of their Regencies and Minifters,
and have touched very lightly on their Foreign Affairs
farther than they Conduce to fhew what is chiefly m^
tended by this Work \ and with what fecurity the
Neighbouring Nations may build on their Sincerity,
It will be Jeen in this Hiflory that France was not
only co'fitented to attack the Empire openly without any
juji Provocation^ but held a Correfpondence with ths
Arch Rebel VValleftein, to whom that Court wrote
a very Complaifant Letter^ a Secret which will never
he met with in theirown Story : I need net mention
ether fuch Important Secrets^ the whole is nothing elfe
but a CoileUiion of Aiemoirs which the French Hi-
forians muft not meddle with^ v.nlejs they fly or the
Liberty 0/ Hiftory to the Prote'dion of other Nations*
I have avoided as much as poffible to mention any
FaHs that are to be met with in thofs Authors that
have written in France of this Period. Mezeray is
a very faithful H'fiorian^^is far ^j was c&nfiltent with
Pru^
The P R E F A C E. v.
Prudence and Safety^ but he us*d to complain of the
breaches that had been made in the Ancient Gallick
Constitution^ and has to fome of our Countrymen in
whom he coud confide^ envyd us the Ha-pfynefs of ha-
ving preferv*d our own fo entire as it is from the Invafi^
ons of Arbitrary Power ufurpt by otherTrinces and their
Minifiers, His Difcretion kept him from touching fuch
Events as woud have given his Readers a frightful
Ideaofthofe ferfons and Things^ which the French
are fmce taught to hold Sacred *, and I have been fo
far from receiving any help from mm^ that I wou^d
not fo much as confult him \ being ajfurd that Ijhou^d.
foon lofe the CharaUer of a Writer ^/AnecdoteSj and
deaden the Cur i» fry oj the Puhlick if in the leaft I pre-
tended to Coppy after fo well known an Original,
This Volume takes up the Reign of Lewis the Juft,
and 'Thirty Three Tears of the lafl Century, A Reign
full of Intrigues and Ad;ions under the DireEhivn of a
Adinifler of as a great Cemus as ever France or any
other Kingdom produced. One who tho' he had afublinte
Capacity^ and was not for want of Ability to A5i openly,
reduced to the Scandalous necejjity of Tricking , yet of
fo u?jbounded an Ambition^ that there was no Arti^
fees fo mean and fo wicked which he wou'd not put in
VraU:ice to carry his Point j and when he dy*d hefeem*d
to have infused his Soul into Mazarine his bvcceffor^
whofe Genius^ however^ was not offo large an extent as
Richh'eu'j, but con fifed more in Italian Repnementy
than the Wife Politicks of an experienc'^d State fman.
Moth of them agreed in one HellifliDefgn toSacrifife ths
Rights and Privileges of the People of France ai well
Papifls as Proteftants to the Will &fthe Prince, and un-
der him to their own^ and theMeafures they took are the
fame which ail Miniflers will take who have the fame
Treacherous intent, in whatever unhappy State their
Lot fliall throw them.
Honefl Abel and his Brother the Examiner have
for above Two Tears been endeavouring to maks us in
Love
vl The PREFACE.
Love with the French, ?<7 reflore^ as thy Phrafe it,
the Afic lent kmity between the Two Nations, who
have not however known what ^tis to be Friends ever
fince they were Nations. Englifh and French are as
greatOppo/ites as Liberty atid Slavery -^and whatever
Meafures we are obligd to obferve with thsm-i as to
Peace or War, ix does not follow^ I hope ^ that we muft
have fuch a Veneration for what is done^ or has been
done by them, that we muft not dare to Speak the Trvth
of them. But we fjall not learn to write Hiftory by the
Examiner and Honeft Abel, .the former as diflin-
guijlj'd by hisgreat Modefty^ as the latter by his as great
V^eracity. They have indeed intra dvc^d a new way of
Writings which Pofterity wou^d be infinitely obliged to
them for^ if it was poffible [or either of their Papers to
live longer than the Day for which 'twas written. If
a Man fjou'd write a Hiftory of the Times^ and take
the Memoirs from Abei, and the ReileB ions from the
Examiner, I doubt not but ''twoud make the mod: In*
comparable Secret Hiftory that ever was written. How
many of their Heroick Events will Fifty Tears hence be
as entirely forgotten as if they had never been *, for no o-
ther Writers will venture to carry fuch a load along
With them to Futurity^ and the Memory of them can
never be pre fervd anywhere but in the Poft-Boy and
Examiner, which muji: therefore in the next Age be
the great eft Anecdotes that will be tranfmttted to it,
As great a Secret will it then be that Six or Seven
Tears of her Majefty^s glorious Reign, the moft glorious
that ever appear d in the Britifli Annals. difti?jguljh'd
hyfo many f^iSlories andConquefts Abroad ^by fuch a wife
and happy Adminif ration at Home^ were the fubje^l of,
the Ridicule of fuch Infamous Libellers. For our Chil-
dren will be afijam'd of the FrenTjy with which that Fa-
^ion is poffefs'd and will do what they can to hide their
ISfakednefs^ to bUt fuch Fnfolence and Ingratitude out of
Remembrance^ and it will be forgotten long before that ,
perhaps^ that France had ever any profejs'4 Fristjds a-
mo*^g us. In
The FRF F ACE. vii.
In this Hifiory there will be found Inftances of
fuch Libellers as theje^ Two Hireiings emfloy'^d by
Richlieu an J hii Creatures to vindicate iois fatal Mi"
fiiftry^ and bUckett the former. ^Txvik be found that
one of his Authors^ Father jofepb, a great CoTifi^
dent and Creature of his^ was fo Extrax'agant in his
Flattery^ that he wrote a Treatije ititittd d^ The
Unity of the Mmiikxy ^fliewingthe neceffitythat it
fhoud be .^ ingle ^ and by Arguments that he derived
from the Unity of thf Godhead. J make no manner of
doubt but if the Examiner coud frocure m Chapman^
he woud oblige its with jufi ftich another Treatife, and
with more of the bicophant and the Slave than was
in Father JofephV. The Relation there is between thv
French a-ad the fe Friends of theirs in all Things is
very Remarkable^ and was one of the main Infiigations
I had to profecute this Work.
It has beenfome Comfort ts me^ that I have not had
accafion in this Book to talk much of the Examiner/
new Friends. Thofe I here ffeak of^ hav^ been rotten
thefe Three fcore Tears ^^and I fljall on that Account come
of the better with him. He does not fure care what %sfatd
fjfRichiieiU'ZW^ Mazarine, as long as d^e Deference
is -paid to thofe that are in Being. For my Part if it
was not more out of Regard to the Opinion of othersy
than his or my owa^ 1 fjjou'd deal as^ freely with the
Living ^j with the Dead, for they have all alike been
the mofi Inveterate Enemies vf our Coiiniry.
/ cannot on this occafion omit an Excellent Ohfer-^
vation of that trziely Noble Lord the Earl <?/ Warring-
ton in his Charge to the Grand Jury of Che (hire y
he is f peaking of the late King James J Illegal Aciiom^
hisgo.ng to France, and learning there to continue ana
encreafe them from the Converfation of the French
King. It is nat probable, fays his Lerdfhip^ that
King woivd have treated him as he has done, had
hediicover'd in Kmg James any Difpofition to
govern more mildly and realbnably for the fu-
' ture.
viii. The PREFACE.
ture. How much he is influencM to the con-
trary is very Evident, by defigning to bring in
the Frer2ch upon us, the People of all other this
Nation ought to dread, being the old Irrecon-
cileable Enemies o^ England \ for whoever looks
into Hiftory will find that France has occaflon'd
more Trouble to England than all the World
befides. Nay, there has fcarce been any 111
Dcfjgn againft this Nation but France has had
a Hand in it, as if their very Climate did ne-
ceflitate them to be at Enmity with us. Is it not
then highly necejfary wejhou^d be well acquainted with
the Myfiery o'f their Politicks which will he found
to be as dark as the black Regions where they were
formd .<*
What Ohligatim do we lye 7wder not to look into
their Hifiory^ and expo/e it to the Judgment of an Jm-
â– partial Briton ? France has Frie-zids enough among
-us to whom fuch a Defign will give Offence \ but alas^
what jhould hinder an ^Vi'^\\^-yizn from offending a
Friend to France? / matter not the hatred offich
as h4te the Government and the Protefiant Succejfion
to it, as hate our Country and Conjlitution. ^T'is Glo'
rious to bear the Enmity of fuch ^ and the more they
are difpleas^d, the more^ I hope^ will all Lovers of
Liberty be pleased with this Worky for who fe Entertain-
ment 'twas tn an Efpecial Manner Written^ and with
whofe approbation all the Pains I have taken will be
abundantly rewarded.
Malice and Envy pretend to very great Penetra-
tion^ and will defile the rnofi pure and Innocent
Hiftory with {train d and corrupted .Applications ,
to prevent their doing fuch Injujlice to this-, we
mnft declare that the RefltBiont are every where
fuch as are born of the Subjefl-^ and are not to be
mifconflru d and abused with any Odious Parallels^
for which the Hiftory of our Affairs gives no Oc-
cafion,
THE
(l)
THE
Secret Hiftory
O F
FRJNCE,&cc.
I Do not pretend in the following Hiflory^ to
publifh the Secrets of Cabinets, and the
Arcana s of Council. It wou*d be a Ridi-
culous Impertinence to endeavour to impofe
thefe FadVs on the Reader for Novelties never
feen before. But. this I may venture to affirm^
he has never feen them in our own Language, and
they are all taken from Books which never durft ap-
pear in France.
I (hall not enter into the Hiftory of that Kingdom
for this laft Century, farther than it has relation
to 'my Defign, to-fhew the Steps taken in it to
ruin 'the Reform' d Religion and the Liberties of the
People, which was entirely accomplilh'd in the
laft Reign and this. The Civil Wars and the Fo-
reign in thofe Times, I fhali leave to the General
Hiuories of them. As far as Mez^eray has gone/
he is Hone!i and Excellent; but as for the otheV
French Hiftorians, particularly The Grand Hiflory
of Lewis the XlVth now Reigning, begun by Mon-
fieur Pelijfon^ and continu'd by Monlieur Racine^
Monfi-ur Boileauy Mdn fieur P^alincQurt and other s<
. . i B U
2 The Secret Htfiory
it will doubtlefs have a Relifh of the Profeffion
of thofe Gentlemen, who being Poets, will not
fail to Adorn it with all the Beauties of Fidion as
well as of Language.
One of their, greateft Wits of the laft Age, was
the Count Bujjy de Rahutm^ and one, wou'd think
an Author themoft likely to write Truth, when he
wrote in Banifhment, and under a Com men -Wealth :
Yet fuch is the Natural Vanity of the Nation, and
fuch their Idolatry to their King, that even this
Count, writing in Exile, borrowed a great Part
of his Hifiory of Lewis Ihe Great, from his Inven-
tion. I will give a few Inftances of it, that a
Judgement may be thence forni'd of the Ne-
ceffity w^e lye under to look into other Htflori-
ans than thofe of the National Religion in France^
if we wou'd well inform our (elves of their Affairs,
and the Methods taken to Eftablilli Popery and
lyranny^ without thofe Hated Rivals of Liberty
and Reformation,
The Count fpeaking of the Exploits of the French
at Tmmouth^ fays, Aionfievr Tourville, Burnt Twelve
Men of War there^ and a little after that, The
Prince of Orange was Beaten at the Boync, Not
content with this, he is fo hardy as to fay, fpeak-
ing of fome Advantage gain'd by the French Heet,
We commonly Beat both the Englifli and Dutch at
Sea. In a Word, tho* his Hiftory is only an Abridge-
ment of the Life of Lewis the XlVth, yet there
are more Falfhoods in it than in any Life at large,
that ever was written, all to the Honour of the
King or the Country.
To give other Inftances of the Honefty or good
Information of the French Hiftorians, one need only
refer to The Life of Cromwel, Dedicated to the
Famous Bifhop of Meaux, by a Perfon of no mean
Charafter^ in which there's hardly a Page with-
out one or more grofs Miftakcs, if not wilful Er-
rors. He fays, Cromml was a Prebend^ and that
Bifhop William's Quarrel with Bifhop Laud, was
aboi^t Precedence. But to fhew what Dependance
there is to be made on them, I ihall repeat what
Do£lor
ef
FRANCE.; 3
Do£lor Welwood has written on this ^ubje£l. j^U
the Hifioriet almojt of this and the lafi Jge, that
h^,ve been Printed in Paris, thefe Thirty Tears paji^
are full of Pvfitive falfljcods^ ~^wt to memion either
the Paramovnt Hijiory that Morjfieur PtjliiTon is jufl
vow affnting of the Life of Lewis le Grand, which
will certairdy he a Complication of Vntruths^ And a
Ffflfome Pa.^eg)rick on the French King. Nor need
I mention the fever d Hiftories that Maimbourg,
Varillas, and other of the Kings Penfioner.\ hav9
imposd on the World of late ; which makes it abfo-
lutely necelTary, if we wcu'd know the Hiftory
o^ France for this iaft Century, to look into other
Memoirs than thofe they fen(i us from thence.
We are nov/ at War with that King and his
Country, but how long we (hall be fo by the
prefent Difpofition of the Times, is not hard to
determine ^ and that perhaps the Promised Peace
will be 1 roclaim'd before thefe Sheets are pub-
lifh'd. However, confidcring vve Live under a Con-
ftitution where Truth is no Crime, and Liberty
is defended by Law, that of fpeaking what's True
of any Nati.on, is the Right of every EngHJ}} Man,
and God forbid we fhou'd ever be fo fond of the
French^ as to except that Nation out of fuch Li-
berty. I fhall therefore report ?II thofe Events
which tended to the Deftrudion of the Proteftant
Intereft, and the Erefting an Arbitrary Deipotick
Government in that Kingdom, from the Death
of Henry the IVth, to tiie Revoking the Edi^:
of Nantz^j of which the Crown of England VN'as
Guaranty, as has been reprefented to our Court,
in a late Memorial from the French Refue;ees.
This Hidory, for the Entertainment of the Rea-
der, will be diverfify'd with fevcral Incidents and
Events no where elfe to be met with in our Tongue,
and fuch as probably never v/ill be, the Memoirs
I took' them from being too Voluminous, and too
Particular to admit of any other Verfion or life.
I defire therefore, that (inc^ I have taken fo much
P'ains to divert him , be will allow me in my
Turn, the Pkafure oi making fuch R^fieaionson
B 3 the
4 The Secret Wfiorj
the Fa£ls as are of General Concern to all True
Lovers of the Proteftant Religion and Liberty, free
from the Scandal of Sedition and Schifm.
The Liberty of the Proteflants in France was
precarious, and depended on the Pleafure of the
Court, till Henry the IVth, the Fir ft Prince of
the Houle of Bourbon^ who fat on the French
Throne, confirm'd his bell Subjects by that Edi£t,
which was ccncerted with great induftry and De-
liberation, and by the Command of a King, who,
in his Leart, was fufpe^ted to think well of the
Protellant Religion, tho' he outwardly made Pro-
fefiion of the I opilli. I have two Authorities to
juilify this Sufpicion, one the faying of Hardouin
de Perefixe^ Arch-BiOop of Paris^ in his life cf
He?/ry the IVth, the other, that of liis Pupil Lewis
the IVth, to the Deputies of the Reform'd Churches
in France. The Arch Biil^op of Parity the prefent
King's 1 receptor, writes in the before mention 'd
Hiftory, When Henry the IVth fearing the King of
Spain wojJd prevail on the States ajfemhled for the
Choice of a Kmg^ turn'd Papifl, The Author adds,
// ffioit temps que le Ro) fe convert it ^ 'livas lime
for thi King to he Converted -, which (hews how
little Confcience was concern'd in that Converfi-
on ^ an J the King now wearing the Crown when
thofw' Proteftant Gentlemen complain'd to him that
his F.difts were not oblerv'd, laid, Tou look upon
me as upon the King my Faiher^ and the King my
Grandfather *, without doubt you believe I love you
like the one^ or fear you like the other ; but I wou'd
have- )Oti know I neither love you nor fear you.
As to the Murder o( Henry th^Wth by Ravillac,
it is not quefiion'd even by the Papifts, but that he
was iet on by Bigotted Vriefts to commit that
Aflailination. Thefe Bigotb being apprehenfive the
King waj formnig Tome Delign in favour of He-
refy, wiiich they imaging he had only abandoned
in Appearance. Raviliac v;hen iie was examined,
confefs'd, He had heard thiit the Kmg was about
to make War on the Pope^ that to make War on
the Fope^ is to make War on- Cod^ inafthuch as the
Pops
^/FRANCE. 5
Pope is God, and God is the Fope^ as may be
i^Qn in the Mercure Francois. 1610, which Dam-
nable Doftrine he had learil*d from the Sermons of
the Execrable Preachers of the League^ who jufti-
fy'd James Clement in his Murdering Henry the
Tlld.
One cannot determine what Henry the IVth in-
tended to do with the Army he was getting toge-
ther, whether to aggrandize himfelf by feme Fo-
reign Gonqueft, to fettle a Chimerical Ballance of
Power, or to return to the Reform'd Religion,
&nd maintain himfelf in it by Might. Tis pro-
bable Ambition was the Caufe of his Arming. A
Lufl: of Empire has for feveral Centuries burnt in
the Hearts of the Monarchs of Frame ^ they cou'd
not forget that a King of the Franks was once
Mafter of the Weftern World*, that Charlemagne
was the Reftorer of that Imperial Monarchy j and
they, tho' defcended of the Tepins and G'pets., were
fo vain as to look on themfdvesas the Sons of Pha-
ramondy who drove the Gauls out cf France, Being
delivered from the Fears of an Enghfl) Yoke, by the
unhappy Divifioas between the Two Houfcs of
Lancajler and Tork^ they cou'd not be content with
the Kingdom they had recover'd, but inflead /)f
•being Conquer'd, fet themfelvas up for Conquerors.
This Air have they aiTum'd ever fince the Reign
of Charles the Vllth, who having the good Fortune
to have Henry the Vlth of England^ a weak Prince,
for his Competitor, from a King cn Bourges^ be-
came a Monarch of frarxe, and left a Thirft
after Glory in all his SuccefTors, as well thofe
tiydit were airaid to War in Perfon, as thofe that
dar'd to Fight their own Battles. Nay, their in-
(atiable Dehre of Rule,- has pofTefs'd the very Wo-
.men, and none more than Katherine Ve Afedicis,
xali*d the Fury of Fr^.nce^ Mother to the Three
-laft Kings of the Race of K'dcis, It was iLe who
rais'd and fomented the firft Civil Wars about Pv.e-
ligion and Liberty, which ended in the Deftru<flion
of both. It w'.s llie who permitted the Guides to
perpetrate that Horrid MaiHicre at the Marriage
^ I of
€ The Secret Hijiory
of Henry the Wih, thinking if {he cou'd deflroy
the Proti:flaiit Intereli, that of Liberty wou'd fall
of CoiuTe, and the Government of France wou*d
be as Arbitrary as her Will. How that inclined
her to Dominion, may be feen by the following
Piece of Hif^ory.
In the firft Civil War, when the Prince of
Conds was in all appearance like to prevail, and
Kather'we was thought to be very near the End
of her much defir'd Regency, during the Young
King's Minority, fhe was known to have been for
Two Days together, retired to her Clofet, with-
out ad"mitting her menial Servants to her Prefence.
Some few Days after, having called for Monfieur
De A<iefmey one of the Long Robe, and always
firm to her Intereft, (he deliver'd him a Steel Box
faft lock'd, to whom flie faid, giving him the Key,
T^hat m refpeEi fije knew not what ?night come to
be her FortHne^ amidft thofe Intefiine Broils that then
fiook France. fl)e had thought fit to indofe a Thing
of great Value wLhin that BoXy which fije confignd
to his Care^ not to open it upon Oathj bnt by an
Expref Order under her own Hand. The Qiieen
Dying, without ever calling for the Box, it con-
tinu'd many Years unopened in the Family of Ve
MefrKe, after both their Deaths, till at laft Curi-
olity, or the Sufpicion of fome Treafure from the
heavinefs of ir, tempted Mon/ieur De Mefme's Suc-
cefTjr to break it open, which he did. Inflead
of any Rich Prefent from io Great a Queen^
what Horror mud the Lookers on have^ when
they found a Copper Plate of the Form and Bignefs
of one 0^ the Ancient Roman Votive Shields, on
which was Engraven Queen Katherine de Medicis
m her Knees^ m a Prajing Pojiure^ Offtring up to
the Devil fitting upon a I'hrone^ in one cf the ug-
Heft Shapes they rfe to Paint him , Charles the
iXth then Rsigningy the Duke of Anjou, afterwards
Henry the III4, and the Duke of Alanfon her Three
SonSy with this Motto in French, So he ity I but
Reign, This very Plate continues yet in the Cu-
jipdy of the Hotifs of M^jme^ of vvbich Monfieur
D' jivaux^
^/FRANCE. 7
D* jivauxj fo Faroous for his Ambaffies, was a
Branch, and was not only acknowledg'd by him to
be fo, when Ambadador in Hollami^ but he was alfo
pleas'd at that time^ to promife a Great Man in
England^ a Copy of it •, which is a Terrible In-
ftance of the Power of Ambition in the Minds of
French Princes, and to what Divinity, if one dares
give the Devil that Name, even in Irony, they are
ready to pay their Adoration, rather than part with
their hopes of Empire.
The Truth h^ King Htmy had got a Powerful
Army together, and had form'd mighty Projefts,
which fome fay terminated in no lefs than altering
the whole Frame of the Government of Europe,
That in order to this, he had enter'd into Con-
federacies with ffeveral Potentates, who found their
Interefts in his Model, to reduce this Quarter of
the World into the Fifrcen following Govern-
ments.
Monarchies. Lomhardy,com^o%i
of the Territories
The Tapctcy, ^^ ^^'^'y-
Gtrmanyy it.,
Franuy Republicks.
Spairij
Great Britain, Venice,
Hungary^ The Irdicli Repub-
Bohemiay lick, coa^os'd of
Poland, the Principalities
Denmark, of Italy,
Swedtn, The Low Countries,
The Swifs,
And befides the Ere£ling thefe New Kingdoms
and States, and the modelling others, they were
all to joyn to drive the Turk out of Europe^ ivhich
Projeft, as Chimerical as it is, is mention'd by Perl-
fixe *, but it is generally thought thole Prepa-
rations were intended againft Spainj and that the
Great Duke of Sully, his Chief Minifter, was the
fole Mafter of the Secret, if not the Advifer of
B ^ the
8 The Secrtt Hijlory
the War ', tho' as foon as the King was. Dead,
and the Qtieen Regent, Mary de Aiedkis and her
Two Minifters, appear'd againftit, that Duke, great
as he was in Office and Dignity, to make his
^ Court to the New Government, aflur'd Her Ma-
^efly he had endeavour'd to divert the late King
frcm his Deligns, appealing to the Duke of Ven-
dome for the Truth of what he had faid to his
'Father in his Prefence. Bafe Courtier I fays even
a Hugonot Writer, Who Sacrlfis'd fo early the Re^
put at ion of his Benefan:orj to his , Wavering, For_
tune,' . '.Z'^-. . : â– .'', }]' â– .
But the GKa^raJ^er of this Duke, as fhiiling as
it appears in the Memoirs^ of ^idli and Rohan, had
a mixture of Diffimulation in it, whch render 'd
•it unworthy the Purity or the Religion he profefs d.
His Ambition, fays the Author of the Hiftory of
the Edift of NamZj was very fingular '^ tho^ he
profefs* d the Reformed Religion, he made it his Study
to acquire phe Pope's Favour : He valud himfelf
upon having more FrieTids at Rome, and upon his
receiving more Applaufes there than among thofe of
his 07V n Religion, Neither did it burthen his Con-
fcience, to find that the Court of Rome was bet'
ter fatisfyd than his Brethren, with his way of ma-
naging their Liberties and Safeties, The Truth is,
he had behav'd himfelf fo well in the Opinion
of the Catholicks, at the Aflembly at Chatteleraud^
that Cardinal Du Perron, who was then at Rome^
v;rit to him to Congratulate his Succefs in his De-
putation. He fo far gave up their Security to
the Pleafure of the Papijh, that he endeavour'd
to perfwade them to hold no more General A flem-
blies, becaufe they always created fome Jealou-
fies in the Court. He put the King upon pofTef-
fing himfelf of the Marefchal De bouillons Pla-
ces: Heprevail'd with the AfTembly not to urge
the reftoring the Edid of Nantz, in its full Ex«
tent*, and tho' he afterwards, when in Difgrace
appear'd a ZealousDefender of the ProteflantChurch,
yet when he was in the height of his Favour in
King Henrys Time, he was very much fufpedled
by
^/FRANCE. 9
by the Re form 'd, who had Reafon to believe he
delign'd to change his Religion by his C6ndu6l
on the folJowing Occafion. The King had ofFer'd
him one of his Natural Daughters for his Son, pro-
vided they woud both turn Cat holicksj upon which
the Duke of Sulli was oblig'd to have fome Con-
ferences wiih Cotton the Jefuic, who fhar'd the Qua-
lity of Convertor with Cardinal Du Terrom Thefe
Conferences commonly produc'd the Effect they
defir'd, being feldom accepted but for a Pretence
to change \ neverthelefs, whether it were a Blind
contriv'd between the King and Sully^ or whe-
ther it were Real, the Duke refus'd "'to change,
but gave his Son leave to do it if he pleas'd.
The King preiling him to oblige his Son to do it.
he refus'd to Command him v however, he declar'd
that he left it to his own Free Choice, with
.wdiich the King feem'd not to be very well fitisfy'd.
'/ vpoii'd not affirm^ fays the above mention'd Au-
thor, thai this was any thing hut a Juggle te Re-
.ejiahl':fh Sully's Reputation amcngfi the Reformed^
who no^ longer looked upon hi/n as a Afember vf their
Party, Indeed it was not very likely that SullyyZow'i^
refiije in earnefl what the King proposed to hitny to
obtain an yilUance which fever at Princes of Eu-
rope v^oud not have dlfdaind. It was alfo as eafy
for him, according to the Nhtions he had infpird
into the King to n:ake a Religion to himfelf^ reduced
to certain General Articles^ as to perfwade another
to do it^ or to believe he 'might hinccewly Authorizle
his Son to turn Roman Cathoiick. This Incident
is mention 'd in the Duke of Sullies Memoirs to
his Honour. 'lis faid there the King upbraided
him with loving the Hugonots better than him.
Tho' it is a general Opinion that King Henry vj^^
not a good Cathoiick in his Heart, yet by his A£li-
or.s he did not give the Jefuits any fuch caufe to
dread him, as might put them on contriving his
Murder. His obliging tlie Prince of Co^^^^e to turn
Papift ^ His Endeavours to do the fame by the Duke
of Sally^ and other Proteflant Lords, are enough
to convince me, that whatever Religion he had 'o'i
bis
lo The Secret Hipry
his own, the Reformed was not fo much at his
Heart, as perhaps they flattered themfelves, or that
his lail Preparations, were in their Favour. Two
Years before he dy'd, he gave the Catholicks a Sub-
ftantial Proof of the little regard he had for his Old
Religion •, which was this^ The Moors being under
a Terrible Perfecution in Spain^ thofe Wretches
ofFer'd to fubmit to the King of Fra?ice^ if he would
take them under his Protection : But King Hsnry
not confiding in thofe People, naturally iSlfe and
Inconftant, thought fitfirft to fend a Perfon among
them, to fee what might be expefted from that
Overture. To this purpofe, he made choice of
Monfieur Pamjfant, a Gentleman of Gafcoyne, and
a Proteftant, to be his Envoy. Monfieur Paniffant
went to Granada^ in the Habit of a Francifcan^ and
negotiated the Affair with fo much Succefs, that
fome confiderable Advantage might have been made
of it, had he been fuflfer'd to go on. But the Popifh
Bigots told the King that Panijfant infpir'd them
with Herefy, and King Henrys rather than be ac-
ceiTary to fuch a Crime, recalled Paniffant^ and fent
a. Papift in his room.' whofe Dodlrine was fo ill re-
Iifh*a by the Moors^ that the Projeft came to no-
thing \ whereas Panijfant had brought them into a
good difpofition towards his own ^ which removes
from the Mahometans the Pretences of their Aver-
fion to Chriftianiry, on account of the RomiJJj Ido-
latry, Cou'd a King that had rather the Moors fhou'd
remain Mahometans than turn Hvgonots^ have form'd
any Defign in favour cf Heretkhf And yet that the
Proteftants had vain hopes of his Prote(n:ion, may
appear from the RefleClions of the Hiftorian be-
fore-mention'd, upon the King's formidable Power
at the Time oi his Death. The Blood boil'd^ fays
he, in the Veins of the Reform* d^ who expelled the
end of their Fears^ by the downfall of the Houfe ef
Auflria, and only defer d an occafinn to revenge them-
felves by a ^itji War of the Maffacres and P'lolences
they thought the Council of Spain had infpir^d that
cf France with* He had Great and Powerful Alii-
mces 5 Befides that of the United Provinces, which
has
c/ F R A N C E. II
had been renevp>'*d. Another had lately been tonclw
ded at Hall, in Swabia *, notwithftanding all the
Empeyo/s oppofition^ with about Fifteen Protejiant
Princes. Thefe Preparations made Rome tremble
for Its Religion, and Spain for its Greatnefsj &c.
Again, The truth isj the Kings Defign was not poji-
tively known^ but it is certain he woud never con-
fent to the Exterminating of Proteftants ; therefore he
was not look'd upon at Rome as a good Catholicky and
they did not doubt but he had retained from hisfirji
Religion the Defign of humbling that Haughty See,
Their fear was all grounded upon his having made almofi
all his Alliances with Protejiant s : From whence it
follow' d naturally that in cafe he fiould fucceed in his
Enterpriz,es^ none but Protefiants wou*d enjoy the
Benefit of hts Vi^ories* The Damages of which
would corifequently fall upon the Catholick Religion*,
Whatever King Henry had in his Head, I am not
iatisfy'd from all that has been faid, it was to ferve
the Proteftant Intereft that he took Arms, any
more than that it was to Reform the Govern-
ment of £i/r<?pe. The Monarchy of France did not
feem to be in a Condition to pull down and iet up
Empires at Pleafnre, and of her felf was in more dan-
ger of receiving Laws from that of Aujiriay than
in a Condition to prefcribe them : What is faid in
the Duke of Sally's Memoirs on this fubje^, has fome
Agreement witn the Arch-Bifhop of Pern's Life of
this King, as to the Airy Defign I have already
fpoken of, that he had a D<fign to found the Equi-
librium of the Powers of Europe, upon the Equili-
brium of the ReL'gicn.
In the Firil: (ten taken by the Regent there feems
to be fome fmall Remains of Liberty left in France^
for fhe carry'd the Young King Lewis the Xlllth,
than entring the i oth Year of his Age, to the Par-
liament of Paris^ and made this Speech to them, 1
hctve here brought yon my Son to intreat you to take
that Care of him which you are obliged to do \ I con"
jure you to do this by the Memory of hts Fr^ther^ by
the Love you ought to have for your fehes^ and
your Zeal for your Ountry-i IwiUinJiruU him tofol-
12 The Secret Hijlorj
low your Advice^ in all the Concerns of State, ft is
your part to fee this be whole fo me and Good, And
the Young King alfo promised in the Speech that was
made for him, that he woiid follow the Advice of his
Parliament, Anne ot Auftria and her Son Lewts the
XlVth, faid the fame thing in the next Minority,
when the Cabals of the Princes and Grandees for
the Regency and Miniflry made it prudent to give
good Words to all Men, Neverthelefsj fays a French
Hiftorian, We have' feen with onr own Eyes in the
prefent Reigrij and we fhall fee in that^ whofe Hiftory
I now nritej that Lewis XIII, and his Succejfor
have too much given Ear to Vde Flatterers^ who have
prompted them to annul -the Authority of a Body of
Meny on which the Prefervation of France does de-
pend, and ryhich was efiabiified, to curb the abfo-
lute Power of the King, The Regent to Eftablifh
her own Power, thought convenient to keep the
Proteftants in her friterefts, and to obhge tiiem
publifh'd a Declaration, to confirm the Edi£l of
Nants ^ tho' as the Young King is reported to have
faid^ this For mail y was not neceffary^ in regard that
Law was irrevocable and perpetual^ and the Loyalty
of the Proteftantswas then fo Exemplary, as that,
when Queen Mary de Medicis fent word to that
good Man, Monfieur^w Plejfis Mo^nay^XiQ might
ask what he lik'd beft, and her Majefty wou'd
readily grant it. He reply d.A^^ Man Jh all ever
reproach ?ne with taking Advantage of the Dfafters
of my Country J or extoHing the leaf thing from a
Minor King^ or his DifirefQ Mother^ &C. ^f
The Prince ofConde^ the Firfl Princeof the Blood,
had left France in Difguft for Kir>g Henry's A-
mours with his Wife, and retir'd to Bruffels^ where
he was when that King dy d - and the Con!e Fuentes^
the Governor, did his ucmofl to periwade hmi not
to neglect fo fair aii Opportunity to make him*
felf, King The Divorce of your lUnfman^ fays he,
from Ma) garet of France, and his Marriage with
Mary De Medicis, are contrary to the Laws of
God and the Church. Will you tamely. Ife a Crown
which belongs to you, • Have bv.: Courage to ajfert
your
o/ F R A N C E. 1}
your Ri^^ht^ you will not want Power or Support, I
offer you all the Kwg my M ijler can do- for you. If
the Authority of the Holy See interposed in the Di"
'vorce of Henry, we will find a way to engage Paul
V. to declare Null what his Predecejfor did. The
Thing is not without Example, The Propofal was
made to the Pope, and the Prince did not rejeft
it, till he found his Holinefs would not hear of it.
Spain never had a fairer Opportunity of revenging
herfelf fur all the Injuries fhe had receiv'd from
France, than by putting the Prince of Conde on
this Defign, which wuu'd certainly have involv'd
the French Nation in infinite Troubles, andatleaft
have fecur'd the Paroteftant Interelt, for it was then
very Powerful. The Marefchal De Bouillon^ the
Marefchal De Lfdifguieres^ the Duke of Sully, the
Duke of Rohan,, ard many of the moft Potent
Lords in France profeifing it. The Marefchal Bou-
illon advis'd the Prince to return to the Reformed
Religion, which Hnry had forc'd him to forfake,
and declare himlelf Protestor of that Church. The
Proteftants were Mafters of feveral of the moft
Important Offices and Cities in the Kingdom:
The Duke of Sully was General of the Ordinance,
Governor of the Baftile, and had all the Money
the late King had lodg'd there in his PofTeiTlon.
The Duke c^ Rohan was Colonel General of the
Swifs, the Marefchal De Lefdifguieres General of an
Army on the Frontiers of Savoy. The Marefchal
De Bouillon kept a drift Alliance, and conftant
Intelligence with Foreign Princes. TheSoveraignty
of Sedan made him confiderable at Home and A-
broad *, King Henry flood in fear of him, and had
he been a Man lefs Govern d by his ralTion, it was
in his Power to have done a great deal of Good.
He demanded the Coma^and of the Army intended
againft the Spaniards in the NetherUnds, but it
was given to the Marefchal De la Ch^^t?e^ upon
which the Marefchal faid, A<fufi my Religion ex-
clude me from all Employs due to my Rank and Set"
vices : IV hen the Prince returns^ III try to male
<i New Party to oppofg this New Triumvirate* But
the
14 The Secret Hijlory
the Prince had neither Vertue nor Courage enough
to Head the Proteftants, he was only for getting of
Money with the Spirit of a Country Gentleman j
and having good Words, and the Hotel of Gondi
given Him, he negledled fo happy an Occafion of
Eftablifhing the True Religion; and with that the
Liberty of France, Inflead of Uniting among them-
felves, the Lords of that Religion, hated one ano-
ther as much as they did the Faptfis ^ the Duke
Be Sully was Obnoxious to all the New Minifters,
on account of his Favour and Power in the laft
Reign : He was no\^ Zealous enough for his Religion,
butof fo Auftere an Humour, that he had few hear-
ty Friends y and when Conchmi the Italian Fa-
vourite to the Regent, joyn'd with the other Lords
in his Difgrace, the Duke De Bouilln was fo far
from fupporting him, that he perfwaded the Prince
of Co'^de to abandon him, tempting him with the
Confifcation of the Eftate of an Old Superintendant.
The Proteflants had fo little refped for this Prince,
that he having a Quarrel with the Duke of Guife,
the World was amaz'd to fee the Grand-Children
cf Admiral Coligny , the Dukes of Sully and Ro-
han^ the Marefchal De Bouillon^ and the Heads of
that Party, forget the Bloody Day of St. Uartho-
lomeWy and go olfer their Services to the Children
cf Bdafre againd the Son of the Brave Lewis Prince
of Conde, i he Duke oi Sully ftrenuoully vindicated
the Duke of Guife in Council, purely becaufe
the Prince had an Eye at the Confifcation ^ but
when Ihortly after the Super-Intendant's Dilgrace
was in Agitation, the Guifes deferted him, becaufe
the Pope and King of Spain were difTaiisfi'd that
a Hugonot was in the Chiefeft Employs. The Re-
gent cou''d not efFe£l the Fall of fo Experienced
and Upright a Minifter, while the Lords of his
Party efpous'd his Intereft, and therefore they or-
dered the Marefchal De Bouillon to be fifted on
that Head, who out of Envy declar'd readily. Sully
deserves the worjl that can befal him *, however^ I
muji not appear in it^ it concerns me very muchy that
thoje cf our Religion^ JJjoidd not reproach me with
c_/ F R A N C E. 15
removing a Man who is Necejfary to them in ths
Pofi he is in. Here is a fad inflance of the little
dependancc thofe who fide with a Party out of
Principle, can make on the Heads of it. The
Duke of Sully to maintain himfelf in his Poft, makes
his Court to the Houfe that were the Proje£lors
and Executioners of the Butchery of St. Barthoo
lomevp- The Duke De Bouillon to ruin him, aban-
dons an Intereft which he confefles is a fupport of
his Religion. 'Tiseafy to be imagined, whatufe the
P^p/]^; made of this ]ealou(y and Envy, among the
Chief of the Proteftants, and it was a very good
LefTon for others to have learnt by, how to avoid
the fame Rock, Uniting themfelves heartily for the
Defence of the Common Caufe, giving up all Tri*
vial Confiderations to that of the Publick Good.
But is this an Age to Preach Unity and Difin-
tereft in, and have x\\q B R IT A I N S {o many fuch
Shining Examples of Generous and True Zeal, that
they ihou*d pretend to cenfure their Neighbours
for the oppofite Vices ? Let them look round them
and judge, they need not put me to the Trouble.
At this time the Grandees liv'd in a fort of In-
dependency in France^ the King was a Minor, and the
Regent a Woman, who lov'd Rule better than
fhe underftood it. It is remarkable, that on every
flight Occafion, the Great Lords appeared at the
Head of Arm*d Bands, as if in an Fnemy*s Coun-
try. The Duke De Omfe . had a Difference with
the Count De Soiffmsj and immediately he has
always i jo Horfe in his Train. The Duke oi Eper-
non has a Quarrel with the Marquifs D Anere^
fo Conclim was now call'd, and he never came to
Court but attended with 7 or 800 Gentlemen,
his Men marching in Order of Battle, and when
the firft were at the Louvre^ the lafl: were at
the Hotel of Epernon. The Diltaoce of thefe is
near 2000 Paces.
It has been already obferv'd, that Lewis tho
Xlllth had in his Minority confirm'd the Edift
of Nantz.j to excufe which, the FLegent his Mo-
ther, fent the Cardinal De Joyevje to Rome^ to
reprefent
t6 The Secret Hijiory
reprefent the Necellity of doing it in a Minority.
But at that time the Proteftant Intereft was very
Powerful, infomuch that fhe thought it conveni-
ent to allow them the Liberty of a General Af-
fenibly, which was held at Saumur in 1611. But
the Qtieen took care to corrupt the Mareichal De
Bouillon^ by the Promife of the Government of
Foitou^ which fhe intended to take from the Duke
cf Sully^ and put Money into his Hands to di-
{tribute as he thought fit among the Members of
the AfTembly, to prevent their doing any thing
efFedually for the Advancement or Security of
their Religion •, and how the Marefchal De Bou-
illon fervd her in that Deflgn, will be feen pre-
fently. When he came to Saumur^ he who had
before declar'd, He rvoud not be Prefidem of the
yiffemhly^ faid, That DifiinUion was due to the Long
and Confiderahle Services he had done for the Re-
formed Churches of France. The Duke of Stilly^
the Duke of Rohan^ the Duke De la Trimovilie^
the Duke of Soubiz^e^ the Duke of Chatlllon^ the
Duke De la Force^ and other Proteflant Lord^^,
who aflided at the AfTembly, had a Sufpicion of
him, and Monfieur Du Tlejfi; Aiornay^ Governor
of the Town and Cadle of Saumur^ was Ekifhed
Prefident, which the Marefchal, who made his
Religion fubfervient to his Ambition, took for
fuch an Affront, that he refolv'd at any rate to
be reveng'd on the Dukes of Sully and Rohan^
whom he look'd upon as the Occafion of his be-
ing fet afide ; but he difTembled his Refentment
for the prefent, and in appearance was reconcil'd
to the Duke of 5.v//y, whom having upbraided for
drawing Canon our of the Ar\tnal in Henry the
IVth's Reign, to deflroy his Town of Sedan^ he
faid to him, Let us forget what^ is pa/f^ I -will be*
come your Fnend and Servant^ if you are attacked
in Sully upon account of Religton^ I :ri!l as readily
bring down the C ami en cf S^dan to defend you^ as
you drew out that of the Arienal to dejlroy me At
i^edan. Let us agree for the Benefit (f our Religi-
on ^ Confc.ence and our Common Ints- eft req-nre it \
ive
of ¥ K AN Ck. 17
rve cannot fuhjijl without an Vnion^ the Party we
foiiowy cannot procure us great Advantages^ hut is
capable of fupporting a A4o derate Fortwie. Yef as
foon as the AfTembly fhew'd that they wou'd fup-
port the Duke of Sully s Intereft againfl: thofe who
were for depriving him of his Pofl of M after of
the Artillery, and his Government of PoiEiouy
the Marefchal expeding the latter, procured the
DifTolution of this Airembly, {ending privately a
Letter to the Qaeen Regent, to be Sign'd by, her,
and return'd to the Meeting for that parpofe,
commanding them to Name their Deputies, and
break up. Bouillon had endeavour'd to perfn-ade
the Duke of Rohan to abandon his Father-in- Law,
pretending his Caufe was defperate, telling him
at a Vifit he made him, when he was under fome
Indiipofition, However Upright and Careful a Man
may he^ who has the Admrn^firaticn i)f the Fin an*
cts and Artillery-, it is hard for h^m to avoid coni-
mitting fome faulty which deferves to he punijr/dy if
it he inquird rigorou/ly into, A Superintendant of
the Finances^ and a great Majler of the Artillery^
are not only anfwerahle fcr what they do thsmfelves^
hut for the management of their Inferior Officers,
If the Court Jhould appoint Commiffioners to inquire
into the Duke of Sully's Admin iflr at icn^ do yoi%
think they would not find feme plaufible Pretence tb
take away his Places. The Affembly and the Re-
fcYm*d will have no Colour of Complaint ', nay, the*
Wrong he done to the Duke of Suliy, the M tetter
will be determined in the ufual Form of Law* For
you^ My Lord, you make a Profefficn cf exatl PrO'
hityj you are fo great a Lover of good Order^ m a
Wordy you have jo Loyal a French Hearty you will
not he able to fiir when the Matter ffjall he de-
termin*d Judicially. Is this the Sincerity of a IVlah
of Honour and a Proteftant ? What fhali we fay
of thofe Men, who Sacrifife Coufcierice and Ho-
nour to their Avarice jtnd Ambition. Thus is
Religion made a Cloak to Intereft, and we may
fee what dependance is to be made on thofe who
profefs ir^^ when they can make their Market by
G deftroym^.
1 8 The Secret Hifiory
deftroying it. The Churchy The Churchy is the Cr/.,
till they are provided for, and then She is no
more in their Mouths, than in their Hearts. The
Duke Ds Bouillon knew as well as any Body, that
the Froteftants cou'd not fubfifV without Union,
and that the Duke of Sully's keeping his Pofts,
was a great Strength to the Party of the Re-
form'd *, yet to get his Government of Foi^ouj
he confented to expofe them to the Perfecution
of their Enemies, by weakning the ProteJiantSj
and ilrengtliening the Papifls, In the Duke of
Rohan s Anfwer, will be fonnd the Sentiments of
a good Politician, a good Chrifiian, and a good
Soldier, one who knew very well how far he
was bounded by Scripture and Law, in the Es-
ercife of Refinance. What^ faid he, lifter the great
Services the Duke cf Sully has done to the tats
Kingy [hall he become a Prey to thofe who were
always doing Mifchief to the State, His Conduct-
is unhlar^;eahle^ and we d,o not fear it Jljould he ex-
(train d ; He is a Peer^ and canmt he judgd but
by a Court of Peers : If his Enemies endeavour to
bring him before any other Iribunal^ his Kinfmeii
and. Friends will never endure fuch an Indignity :
Be affurd^ my Lord^ that I will do my Duty on
this Occafwn^ and will not leave my Father-in-Larp
to be trampled on,
h this the Language of the Peers of Frar.ce at
this Day ? Durft any Duke in tiiat Kingdom Ay
now, / l[vill not leave iny Father-in Law to he
trampled on ? What will the Duke of Rohan do
to prevent it ? Is it not to take Arms, and that
to defend the Caufe of a particular Man? How
Lawful muft it then have been, in the Opinion
of that Chriftian Heroe^ to have Arm'd for the
Defence of Religion and Liberty? Are we more
reflraind by our Conditution than the French
were a Hundred Years ago by theirs ? Or are
o.ir Doil^ors better Chriltians, and better Politi-
cians than this Famous Duke, whofe Vertue, \'a-
iour and good Senfe, h^v- render 'd his Name
immortal ?
The
^/FRANCE. 19
The AfTsmbly of Saumur fat Three Monrhs,
was compos'd of the moft Eminent Men fur their
Birth, Ability, and Experience in Bufmeis, and in
all Probability they had efFeded foinething for
the Security and Advantage of the Proteflant
Churches of IFrmcSy had not the Marefchal Dq
Bouillon betray'd them to the Court; That Fa-
mily has been Fatal to the Reform'd Interefl in
that Kingdom, which was entirely ruin d by the
Apollacy of the Vifcoant Ds Turerme, Francs^ at
the Death of Henry IV. was in a ftri£l Alliance
with England^ Holland^ l^enice^ and other States,
to oppofe the then encroaching Power of the
Houfe of Aujlrh. This Allyance was of the lafl
Confequence to the Proteftants in that Kingdom,
moft of the States that compos'd it being of that
Religion ; yet at the Inftigation of the Pope, the
Queen Regent enter'd into a Private Treaty with
SpAin^ and concluded a double Match to confii-m
it. The Marefcbal De Bou'dlcn faid foaietimes
well in Council, that too flrid a League with
Spah^ would be prejudicial to the Stare, but at
the bottom he fell in with that Opinion in which
he found his Account bed. Lefdifguieref^ another
of the Principal Protefrants, longed Pailionately
to be a Duke and Peer, w^hich made him pli-
able to every thing the Court w^ould have hi in.
There is fbmething in the Affair of the Double
iMatch, which lets one into the Cabinet of Prin-
ces, and fliews us that Counfel is fometimes re-
quir'd for Form's fake, when Refolutions are be-
fore taken ^ and the Hiilory of our own Times
will furnifh the Vv'orld with an Event, which
bears To near a Refemblance to this, that 'tcvill
doubtlefs put the Reader in mind ofir. It had been re*
folv'd by the Queen and her Minifters, to con-
clude a League with Spam^ to xMarry the Fiincefs
Eiiz,abeth of Fraricfy with the Prince of Spub?^
and that the young King Leivis the Xllhh of
France^ (liould be contracted to th^ Infawa Aam
ot Aufiria, The Regent and her Creatures did their
utmoil to engage the Grandees to give into it.
C 2 The
ao The Secret Hijlory
The Marefchals De Bouillon and Lefd if o uteres Che
was lure of, the Coiiftable de Montmerency was
lur'd in, by a xMarriage of his Son with her
Neice, a Princefs of the Houfe of Mantua, The
Duke of Gmfe and his Family came into the Pro-
je<^5 out of hatred to the l^rinces of the Blood
w^ho oppos'd it. The Duke of Epermn was daz-
led by the more than ordinary Honours paid
him on this Occafion •, and things being thus pre-
par'd for a Council to conclude the Bufinefs, an
Extraordinary one was held, at which the Prince
of Conde^ and his Unkle tlie Count De Soijfons^
afliiled about the beginning of the Year 15-12,
and the managementt of this Confultation is,
what I think, has fometbing in it worthy our Cu-
riofity. ^ All Perfons jays Monfieur Fajfjr, were
^ brought about to confent to the Double Match
* whenever it (hould be proposed in Council, but
^ the Two Princes were not yet fatisfy'd. The
^ fame Day they were cali'd to Council, Conde
* firft demanded that every one might declare his
* Opinion according to his Degree ^ Chancellor
' Sileri fpoke much in Praife of the Queen's Ad-
* miniftration of Affairs, and laid open the great
* Benefit which would accrue to the State from
* this Double Match. The Duke of Oft^Je fet
* forth the Eloquence which was Natural to his
* Family, There's no need faid he, of Deliberation
* upon fo Advantagious a Propoptionj rve ought only
* to thank God that Her Majejiy hath happily brought
* about the Noble Defign which Heaven had Injpir'd
' into her. The Conftable Montmerency^ with the
* Dukes of Nsuers and Epsrnon^ extreamly ap-
* prov'd of what was faid. The Marefchal Bou-
* illon and Lefdifguieres faid only, that they ought
^ to take care the New Treaty with the Spani-
* ards might uot be prejudicial to the Ancient
* Allyances of the Crown with other Soveraigns,
* At laft came the Prince of Condes Turn to
' rpeak, but he was fo furpriz'd at the Duke of
* Guife's pofitive way of delivering himfelf, that
* he was quite out of Countenance, and after an
* indifferent
of
FRANCE. 21
* indifferent manner faid, Since this is an Jffair
*• refolv d upon^ it was needlefs to ask our Opinion.
' It was believ'd the Two Princes came with a
* Defign to oppofe the Match which People were
* Confirni'd in, by fome Words the Count Ds
* Soiffons let fall. Tou fee Sir, faid he, turning
* himfelf to the Prince o£ Conde, That we ars
^ dealt with here m Fools and Serving Men, The
* Queen vext at this Reproach, wou'd have fpoke,
' but the Chancellor cunningly turn'd her from
* it, by propofing fome other Matter to difcourfe
* upon, &c. The Prince of Conde and Count Soif-
* fons, fhew'd a great Weaknefs upon this Occa-
* fion, their Confciences would not fuffer them to
* approve the Thing, and either Fear or Hope
* hinder'd them from fpeaking as they ought to
* have done. Sir, faid the Gonftable to his Son-
' in-Law the Prince of Conde^ Tcu neither know
' how to Fight with Courage, oryeild ixith Prudence, "
which was made more evident by his Servile Com-
pliance fome time after. The League and Matches
between France a*nd Spain.^ alarming all Europe, ef.
pecially the Proteftant States, the Qaeen Regent
fent AmbafTadors to £«^te^ and Holland^ to difii-
pate all Sufpicions and Jealoufies. The Marefchdl
De Bouillon was pitch'd upon to go on that Er-
rand to England, one of his Inftruaions being to
get King James to difapprove of the Demeanour
of the Reform'd of Fra-nce in their laft AlTembly
at Saumur. A Pious MelTage for a Proteftant Mi-
nifter, to a Proteftant Prince. He was alfo to
bid that King Jar^^es beware of the Duke of
Rohan, one of the nioR Zealous of the Proteftant
Lords, and to interceed for the Papifts in Eng-
land. Thus we fee the Court of France made ufe
of the Hugoaots to deftroy themfelves, and that
Profit and Power are Temptations too ftrong for
Honour and Religion. King James, fays my Au-
thor, was eafily made to believe that France thought
of nothing but the General Good if Chrifiianity, in
making the Double AUyance with Spain. A Prince
ot his Pacifick Gounlcls, was not ea.Hjy brciight
C 3 * to
52 The Secret Hijiory
to believe any thing which was likely to bring Him
into a War. The Marefchal endeavoured alfo to
perfwade the King of the Pope's good Intentions to-
wards the Protefiants, and that be defjgn^d only to
Com'srt them by Preaching^ and the good Examples
cf the Clergy ', and his MajeHy out of the abundance
of his good Nature, pretended he was very willing
to let the Roman Catholkks be quiet \ tho' <* or 7
Years before, they had Plotted to Blow Him and
Parliament together up with Gun-Powder. As to
the Duke of Rchan, the Marefchal had a harder
Task to fet the King againft him, for that Duke
Kept a conflant Correfpcndence with his Son Prince
Henry^ and the King was prepared by that means to
return him an Anfwer, in vv'hich we fhali find that
King James did not only think it Lawful for Subjects
to make ufe of NecefTary Means for the Defence of
their Religion, but that he thought it was hi« Duty
to aflifi them. If the Quern your Mijirefsy fays he
to Bouillon, will break A^s agreed to the ProtefiaKts
of her Realmj I dont pretend thm the yJlliance I
have made a?id Confirm d with France, ought to hin-
der jne from Succouring and ProteUing them. When
tny Neighbours are attacked in a Quarrel that re-
fpeHs mej Natural Law requires that 1 fijou^d pre-
'vent the Mifihief which may arife from thence,
Believe me^ Monfieur Marefchal^ you maifi be re-^
ccncil'd to the Duke of Rohan, / will let him know
his tny defire that you Live Friendlily together. Up-
on which a French Hiftorian has this Refle<fi:ion :
IVoud to God King James and his Children^ had
alwa\is prefervd Sentiments fo Juji and Neceffary
for the Good of England and the Reformation^ Lewis
the Xlilth or his Son^ had never dafd to opprejs fo
many Innocent French Men, The Marefchal fuc-
ceeded fo ill in his Negotiation at the Court of
England^ that 'twas faid by the Minifters in Fra-nce^
He had neither follow'd the Intention nor Orders
of Her Majeiiy *, and the Marefchal on his fide com-
plained, he was not well dealt withal, and that
they had a mind to ajfront hiiii^ by fending hiu)
thither,
Ths
of F R A N C E. 2j
The Divifion between this Marefchal and th^
Duke of Rohinn, gave Afary de Afedicis and he*^
Minifters, the means of breaking the Edi«fl: o^Namz.f
which never wou*d have been attempted, if they
bad had a good Underilanding, and adled in con-
cert. But the former, as has been faid , con-
ceived fo Fatal a Jealoufie and Hatred of the
Duke of Roha^y that forgetting all the Interefls
of Religion, he drove his Hatred To far, as to
endeavour to get his Government of St. Jea?7 d\
jingell taken from him, tho' it had been an irre-
parable Damage to the Common Caufe. The Duke
of Rohm underftanding the ill Offices the Marel-
chal De Bouillon did him, went to Court to jaiiify
himfelf, and having reprefcnted to the Regent,
that he had behav'd himfelf as a good Man in
the AlTembly at Sazfmitr^ He faid, Ico/ifefsy A^a-
danty J opposed the Defigns of A4opfieur De Bouil-
lon, but this was only done in Order to give Tour
Majefty freQy Tokens of my Fidelity and Zeal, I
diflruji thofe Perfcns who turn Scales^ and pay their
Services en hcth -Sides, ^Tis feldom known that J uch
Men are Upright in their Intentions. If A-hnfieur
De Bouillon had brought his Defigns about in our
j^jfembly at Saumur, he might have unde/'fiood how
to have us'd them^ and prevailed even againji your
felf. When he becomes the A^'^fier among uSy your
Authoriy Jhall 'never be better EflabLffd in this
Realm, The Qtieen prepoiTcirsd by thel Maref-
chal, took no Notice of th^ Duke's Remon-
ftrances, and to put his Resolution to the Tryal,
Vv'ou'd have impos'd a Mayor on his Town of
St. Jean d' Angelt^ which if it had been effeaed,
wou'd have deilroy'd his Power there. The Duke,
without taking Leave of the Court, hafkns back
thither, and gives the Keys of the Town to aji
Alderman whom he could truft, turning fuch as
he fufpeifbcd out of the Place, and (lighting th^^
Order the Reaent had fent to him to the contrary.
This fo enrag'd Her, that llie talk'd of railing au
Army, which was to be Ccmm-inded by Two Pro-
teilants. The Marefchals De Boudlon^ and L^fdiy-
C 4. gui^rss.
24 1^^^ Secret Hiftory
gtiieres *, fhe cauS'd his Lady, his Daughter and all his
Family to be fecur'd •, (he put a Gentleman into the
Bajiile^ who was fent by the Duke to juftify his
Anions ; ^Q caus'd the Duke to be proclaim'd a
Rebel, and gave out fhe wou'd in Perfon head the
Army that was to a£l againfl; him : But by the good
Offices of Themines^ Senefcal ot Quercy, who was
fent to the Duke, and the good Advice of Monfieur
Du Plejfis /viornay^ the Matter, in appearance, was
accommodated. The Queen fearing many Provinces
wou'd declare for him, fhe at laft acknowledg'd,
that if the Duke of Rohan had withftood her Orders
with too much Haughtinefs, fhe alfo had too eafily
given way to have the King's Authority undermin'd *,
^nd fo the Matter was made up, the Duke readmit-
ting thofe whom he had turn'd out of the Town, and
the Regent providing otherwife for all the Officers
ihe wou'd have impos'd on him. Such was the State of
the Sovereign Power in France in the Minority of
Lewis the Xlllth. There were more Lords than
one that upon a Difguft thought himfelf ftrong e-
ijough to arm, and do himfelf Juflice. Such was
the Opinion not only the Papifls, who had leagu'd
againft their King, but the Proteftants had of
Obedience and Refiftance^ fuch their Praftice, in a
Kingdom where now but to fpeak wou*d be enough
to ruin the firfl Peer or Prince in the Nation.
^ It will not be ami fs here to take Notice of the
Power the Princes and Grandees of France always
afTume in a Monarchy. No fooner was the Breath
out of King Henrys Body, but the Court ftW imme-
diately into Cabals ; The Dukes of Sully ^ Rohan and
the Parliament of Paris were for a Regency of the
Princes and Minifters*, the Dukes of Epermn^ Guifcj
and others, for the Regency of Mary De Medicis \
the former imagining if they obtain'd their Ends
it would put them at the Head of Affairs, and the
latter afting the contrary with the fame Views. The
Count De Soijjons^ a Prince of the Blood, quarrels
with the Duke of Epernon^ becaufe he will not con-
lent to have the Duke of Sully affaflinated. In the
Choice of the Council, the Duke of Nevers cannot
be
^/FRANCE. 25
be admitted, for fear of offending the Duke o[Guifi.
If the Marefchal De Bouillon has a Place at the Board,
the Duke of Epernon will have none. The firft thing
proposed to them to confider was the double Match.
The Princes of the Blood oppofe it, but the Pen-
fioners of Spain are the Majority.
The Prince of Conde^ whohad fled out ofFr^>;ce,
returns, and prefently the Count of Soifot7s and
the Duke of Epernon take Arms. The Prince
of Conde appears at Court at the Head of one Faftion,
and his Uncle the Count De Seijfom at the Head of
another. The Marefchal De Bouillon endeavours to
unite the two Fa£lions. The C^ueen Regent traver-
fes the Union, thinking it better, fays my Author,
to keep up Jealoufies and Ad.fmderjlandings hetvteen
the contrary Varties^ and gain the Heads of both by
her Favours, Conchini and the Italians form a third
Fadion, and watch their Opportunity to make their
Advantage of the other two, who came behind them
in Favour, tho' in Appearance they had the ftart in
Authority. The Marquifs /)' Ancre^ fo Conchini was
call'd, has Apartments given him in the Palace, and
the great Mafter Monfieur De Bellguarde refufes to
give him the Keys. This is enough to create a new
Faction. The Count of Sotjfons falls in with Bell-
guarde^ and others with Conchini. The Prince of
Conti challenges his Brother the Count De Soiffons for
not giving his Coach the Way ; and the making up
that Difference caufes another between the Count
and the Duke of Gidfe, The Prince of Conde^ the
Conftable de Mommerency and other Grandees fide
with the Count De Soijjons ^ the Duke De Sully, the
Duke of I^ohany the Marefchal De Bouillon and the
Duke De Chattllon with the Duke of Guife, The
Citizens of Paris arearm'd. The Marefchal De Brifac
has Orders to fet a Guard on the Count Soijfon^s
Hotel \ the Marquifs De Vitry on that ofGuife^ The
Count of Soiffons threatens to leave Faris^ it he has
iiot Satisfadion ^ and by leaving Paris was meant at
that time retiring to a Government, and taking A rnis.
Not long after a new Party is form'd, of the Prince
of Conde^ thQ Count of Sejjfons^ and the Marquifs D*
Ancre^
26 Tk Secret Hipry
jincre^ to ruin the Duke of Bpernony who immedi-
ately appears in Purls at the H'^ad of eight hundred
Gentlemen. Tlie next Divifion, and all within the
Compafs of a Year, was tiiat cf Soifons and the Re-
gent *and her MiniAers. The latter finding the for-
mer prefum d too much on his Qaality of Prince of
the Blood, Ctt up the Duke of Eperncn againft him,
and engag'd the Prince of Conde on their fide. The
Count upon this reconciles bimfelf heartily with the
Prince his Nephew, both leave the Court, and
the Guifes and the Duke of Epernon triumph in their
Abfence. The Marquifs D' jincre and his Wife
quarrel. Wou'd one think the State was concern'd
in it ? Yet fuch is the fteady and wife Conduft of
the French in a Minority. The Queen and Mini-
fters fided with Galigai. The Marquifs, to be re-
veng'd, perfwaded the Princes to return to Court.
They came firft to Paris^ attended with 500 Horfe,
and from thence to Fonta'mehltau ^ where the Guifes
and Epernon receive the iVlortification to have their
Friend the Duke of Venhfrne refus*d his Pvequell', to
hold an Affembly of the States of Bretagne ', which
Commiffion was given to the iMarefchal De Brifacj
and that occaficns a Challenge from Vendofme, The
Princes are fet againft the Chancellor Silery^ and
LefdifguiereSy who was retir'd into Dauphme in Dif-
content, promifes to bring them 1 0000 Foot and 500
Horfe to the Gates of Paris. Conch'ml Cc^rries away
the Favour of the Regent from all -the Princes and
Grandees, and all but the Duke o{ Epernon enter into
a Combination agair.ft him *, which Combination was
broken by the Death of tlie ComMDe Soijfons, TheMa-
refchal De Bouillon was the hotteil: of all his Enemies,
and indeed they had great Reafon to be angry, for
this Italian had rifen overall their Hands, and what
\T-as a terrible Mortification to the French Vanity,
coa'd not or woii^H not.fpeak their Language. The
Marefchal De Bouilhn^ while he was at the Head of
thefe Cabals, feem'd to have no Share in them, and
manag'd himfelf with fo much Cunning, that he be-
came Mediator of the Differences between the Prin-
ces and the Court , during which the Dake De
Rohan s
of F R A N C E. Q7
Rohnn*s Poil of Colonel General of the Swtfs was ta-
ken from him, and given to Monfieur Baffompiere^
the Duke having ^atisfaftion in Money, he think-
ing fit to accept of it, rather than lofe his
Place without it, which, as Affairs then flood, it
was probable he would have done. The Count
Pe Soijfons \M?.s the nioft troublefbme fof the feveral
Pretenders to the Adminiftration ; he was hardeft to
be oblig'd, and foonefl difgufted. yaj(fer fays of him.
He had vaft Defigns rollwg in his Hsad when he dyd^
'Twas [aid he kept a fecret Correfpondence with Henry
Trince of Wales, Maurice Prince of Orange, the
Duke of Savoy, and the Hugonot Party. The Duke
of Rohan improv'd his Difcontent with the Regent,
to engage him in the Proteftant Intereft. He de-
manded the Government oi Quillehevf in Normandy,
to be in a Condition to receive the Succours he had
projefted to be fent him from England and Holland,
Nothing would fatisfy him but an entire Change of
the Minifters, and the Ruin of the Guifes and Eper-
non *, which it is probable he might have accompliih'd
by the Means above- mention'd, had not Death put
an End to all his Proje£ls. A new Party was now
fet up at Court, who having got the uppermofi-,
] diiTipated all the refl. The Prince of Conde headed
it. The Dukes of Mayonne^ Longiieville ^ the Ma-
refchal Be Bouillon^ and the Marquifs jy Ancre came
into it. The Guifes^ the Dukes q{ Epernom':\d^ Am-
ville could not make their Party good againft them,
tho" the Marquifs De Bellguard Vv'as of it. This Gen-
tleman was Mafler of the Horfe, and when the new
Party was formed was at his Government o( Burgun-
dy, which was intended to be taken from him, and
given to tl^e Duke of A'tayenne, The Queen Regent
order'd him to come to Court, and the Guifes wrote
to him to haften to their Relief. The Marquifs,
v/hen he arrives at Sens., had Notite he was fent for
only to be remov'd from his Government '^ upon
which, inflead of obeying the Regent's Orders to
come to Court, he returns to Burgundy : Such was
the Obedience of the Grandees in the Minority of
l^srvls the Xilltb^ fnch the Harmony of the Coun-
cils
^S The Secret Hiflorj
cils of France^ and the Concord between the Great
for the two firft Years of the Regency of Mary Ds
Medicis, The Prince of Conde's Party triumphing,
the Guifes and Epernon receiv'd Mortifications daily.
Tlie Duke of Cuife had not Intereft to fave his Bro-
ther from being banifh'd the Court with his Friend
the Count Be la Rochfaucaut, Gujfe enrag'd at this,
refolves alfo to fall in with the Party of the Prince,
for the Deftru£lion of the Miniftry •, which would
have been fuch a Weight, that it might have born
down the Reg^ency. Mary De Medtcis told Bajfom-
piere^ fhe muft have Guife coft what it will ^ and for
looooo Crowns, a Government for his Brother, and
an Abbey for his Sifter, the Bargain was made. The
Duke of Epernon alfo con fen ted to come into the
Intereft of the Regency •, and the two Dukes having
bad a private Audience of the Queen, Matters were
then concerted to break up a puifTant Faftion, con-
trived by the Firft Prince of the Blood and Grandees
of France ^ and thefe two Dukes joining with the
Regent againft them, ftie thought her felf fo ftrong,
as not to fear any Oppofition from the other fide.
To ftiew how little fhe dreaded it, fhe the very next
Morning fuffer'd an Affront to be put upon the Prince
of Conde^ which was a plain Declaration of the Lofs
of his Credit *, for when he came to Court, he found,
to his Amazement, that the Queen was fbut up in
her Clofet with the Minifters of State, and no body
offer'd to open the Door to him. Here again is a-
nother Revolution, and not two Years of the Regency
yet expir'd. There was at this time a Dilcoveiy
made of a Correfpondence carry'd on between Co-a-
chini and his Wife and the Duke of Savoy^ with
whom the Court of France had then a Rupture.
Yet fuch was the Jtalia^js Favour with the Regent,
that both the iVIarquifs and iMarchionefs were clear'd,
and the Miniflert of Stare courted them more than
ever. The Princes of the Blood and the Grandees
of their Party had withdrawn from Court, upon
the Reconciliation of Mary De A^t edicts to the
Dukes of Guife and Epernon^ and Conchini and his
Wife remained in full PoflefTion oi the Regent,
which
^/FRANCE. 29
which made the Miniflers endeavoar to ftrengthen
themfelves by their Protedion. The Infolence of
that Woman was intolerable-^ Ihe wasof an ordinary
Birth, yet the Queen had fuch an immoderate Affe-
ction for her, that fhe not only rais'd her but her
Husband and Brother for her Sake. Let us fee what
Monfieur raffor fays on thisOccafion : The Marquifs
and Marchionefs D' Ancre fet no Bounds to their Am-
bition. Conchini obtained the Staff of Marefchal of
France ^ and Galigai, not being content that her Hus-
band was raised to the fecond Military Honour in that
Kingdom^ propofes to obtain for her Brother the fecond
Dignity in the Church of Rome. This Creature Jo
far forgot her felf\ that Jhe did not obferve the Rules
of Decency with the Prince ffes of the Blood : A little
while before flje had fpoke in the Queen's Clofet to the
Frincefs of Conde, in fuch a proud imperious man-
ner^ that her Highnefs was extremely affronted. All
the World was offended at the Infolence <?/" ConchiniV
Wife^ whofe Behaviour did not a little' provoke the
Primes and Great Men againfi her Husbandj &c.
We fhall fee prefently what was the miferable End
of this Upftart She-Favourite, and how her Husband
was involv'd in her Ruin.
Some Mention has been already made of the Dif-
content of the Prince of Conde and the Grandees of
his Party, who left the Court, and were gone to
their Governments. The Duke of Epernon, tho' of
the contrary Faaion, did the fame, becaufe the
Queen would not give his Son, the Duke of Can-
daley a Poft he demanded for him. The Retreat of
the Firfl Prince of the Blood, of the Dukes De
Never s^ De Mayenne, De Vendofme^ Be Longueville^
De Piney Luxemburgh^ De Bouillon^ De Retz,^ and
other great Lords, fo alarm'd the Regent, that fhe
immediately invited the Duke of Epernon back to
Court, and gave him what he defir'd. It was the
fourth Year of the Minority, and after" fo many
Cabals and Quarrels at Court, that the two Parties
had Recourfe to Arms •, but the Prince and his
Friends, whatever they pretended, having only their
own particular Advantages in View, "were foon
tempted
§0 The Secret Hiftory
tempted to an Accommodation, before much Mif*
chief was done, which had never been offer d them
but out of a Jealoufy of the Marefchal D' Ancrs, to
prevent the Duke of Guije's commanding the Army
that was to be fent againfl the Prince. The Court
being thus divided upon the Prince's Retreat, Part
being for ufing Force, Part for Treaty, the Queen
embrac'd that Counfel which was recommended by
V Ancre^ and the latter falling in with thof^ who
were for Pacifick Meafures, Mary Be Medicls did
the fame *, purfuant to w^hich Commiilioners were
lent to the Prince at Alederes in Champag?ie^ to treat
of a Compolition. The Prince of Conde^ in the
Manifeflo he publiih'd, did like almoft all the other
Great Men that have taken Arms upon private Dif-
gufiS : He talks of nothing hut the Pubiick, and
with the Sentiments of a Gresk ox: Roman, He is ready
to give up all for a free AfTembly of the States, and
at the fame wanted only his particular Saiisfaflion
to give up them for ever. Thus it is that the Heads
of Factions commonly deal by the Multitude whom
they impofe upon. C3ne would think by their De-
clarations that they had nothing but the pubiick
Good at Heart, when let them be contented as to their
own private IntereRs, aud the pubiick Good is treated
as a vihonary Bleffing, afine'Word to flatter Fools,
and a Jell after thofe that ufs it have gain'd their
Ends. This Breach between the Regent and the
Prince was in the Year \6ij^, and the Reafons he,
gave for it was worthy the PvefoUition he pretended
to in requiring a Redrefs of Grievances. He com-
plain'd, That the Treafury was xvajled '^Tf/at the high-
ift Emplo)n^ents were given to People umrorthy of them *,
That the Minijlers had too great Authority j That lit-
tle RefpeEi was paid to the Peers of the Realm *, That
the Parliament met with Ohfiacles in the Exerc-fi of
their Power 'f and^ That the A^jembly of the States was
negletlsd. Grievances that will always be intolerable
to true Lovers of their Country, and which in this
Cafe were all v^eli founded. He demanded. That
Terfons of Honour and Integrity fhould^e placed near
her Majefiy^ and fpoke favourably of the Proteflants,
to
oj V R A N C E. ji
to engage them on his Side. But their Behaviour
then and at all times in France^ fhews that their
Religion made them the bell Sub;e£ls ; for tho*
the Prince did his utmoft to get them to declare
for him, tho* he Tent in an efpecial r/ianner to
Monfieur Du Plejfis Mornay^ to reprefent to him the
Care he had taken of the Reform d in his Manifefto,
yet they would not ftir, and Du PleJfis wrote imme-
diately to the Deputies General of thQ Proteftant
.Churches, to beware how they brought a Reproach
upon thetnfelves^ by fhewing any Difpofition to rife
upon any Account but the obtaining of the Liberty
of their Confciences ; forj fays he, it wou*d he to
•wrcng their good Caufs to mix it with Interefis purely
Civil J and that thofe of the Religio^y as they we? e
Reform d Chripilam^ cijght not to meddle with the Re-
formation of the State. His Anfwer to the Prince
of Ccnde\ MefTags by Monfieur De Marais^ Lieu*
tenant of his Guards, and a Hugonot^ is a Demon-
flration of the VVifdom of that excellent Perfon,
and the Innocency of the Proteflants, for which they
have been {mzQ fo barbaroufly and bloodily perfecu-
ted. We have feen fever al Princes^ fiys he, tfe the
fpecious Pretences of the Publick Goody only to earn
on their own particular hterefi, I woud believe the
Defgns of his Highncfs are upright and fincere^ but
that is not fujjicientj we mufi tifs lawful Means to
obtain a good End, All the World hnows that there
are Diforders in the State y they are greater than Men
imagine ^ but Prudence will not admit that Monfieur
the Prince fijould apply Remedies worfe than the Dif-
eafe. The weil meaning Towns of the Kingdom are fo
afraid of a Civil War^ that they will never declare for
him. He has a Mind to corracl fame Abufes^ which
the Toivns for their own Profit do not dsfire fijould be
correlated. ' Thofe who tell htm the Reformed will rife^
do not know us, or at leafi would imtpofe vpon his High-
nefs. They offer him People which are not a: their
Difpofd. Tis true we complain of fome Grievances^
hut we will remain peaceable as long as the Edl^s are
obferv'dyScc, Here are the Principle's and Pj-a^ices of
the Proteflants : They will not take Arms againit
the
32 The Secret Hijlory
the Government to reform the State, or redref^
Grievances ; but they will be no longer peaceable
than the Edifts for the Liberty of their Confciences
are obferv d. As to the Prince of Conde and his
Popifh Confederated Lords, fuch admirable Pra£li-
fersof Pafiive Obedience were they, that they wou'd
not conclude the Treaty with the Regent, unlefs
fome Places of Safety were put into their Hands,
that they might have an Opportunity to pradlife it
over again when they were again difgufted. This-
Condition was no more eafily obtained, than that of
fummoning the States of France, The Queen's
Council made great Oppofition to it, and the Dukes
of Guife and Epernon in the Fulnefs of their Loyalty
were pleas'd to fay, If the Regent granted Places of
Security to their Enemies j they would alfo demand the
fame J and would look for Ajfifiance out of the Kingdom^
threatning to call in the Spaniards, Such being the
Allegiance of the Catholicks abroad, tho'they and
their Abettors in England fo highly extol their exem-
plary Loyalty, Obedience and Fidelity But notwitlv
(landing their Threats, the Minifters, fupported by
the Parliament, prevail'd for tlie Concluiion of the
Treaty on thofe Terms. * The Prince of Conde had
the City and Caftle oi Amhofe put into his Hands
for his Security, the Duke De Never s^ St. Menehou^
and the Marefchal Be Bouillon a large Sum of Money
paid him> The Duke De Vendcfme refus'd to fign
the Treaty, and ftood on his Defence in Bretagne ^
and the Court of the Regent was in Confufion on
Account of the Differences between the Marefchal
U Ancre and the Minifters. The Marefchal had
marry'd his Daughter to a Grand fon of l^tlleroy^ Se-
cretary of State, and one of the oldeft Minifters in
France *, yet out of Difguft at his oppofing the Ad-
vancement of Dole his Confident, the Marefchal
was always doing the Secretary ill Offices. D' Ancre
was the Regent s Favourite, and nothing but FUle-
rays Merit and Experience cou'd have fupported
him •, the Chancellor .S'/Z/erj; being his clofeft Enemy.
The Favourites and Minifters had each their Friends
and Enemies, and neither the Authority of the Fve-
gent
of F R A N C E. j3
gent, nor even the Royal Authority prevait'd, lo
coHipofe thofe Jars which kept the Kingdom in per-
petual Diflraaion. The Prince finding he had ra-
ther loft than got Ground, by the Trouble he had
given the Regent and Minifters, wou'd have re-
uew'd it, and had an Interview with the Duke of
Rohan^ to bring him and the Hugonots into his Par-
ty. He did not forget to lay ail the Fault of his
ill Succefs, on the Treachery of the Marefchal Be
Bouillon y and to reprefent the great Intereft he
fhou*d have in the State's, which, were to be Af-
fembl.ed by his Procurement only. But the Duke
oiRohan^ tho' of a more Martial Genius than Mon-
fieur Bu Plelfis Mnrnai^ had the Prudence to re-
jeft this Teiiptation. He tdd the Prince, The
Queen poud have more Authority in^ the jjfenMy
than you \can hope for, Thofe whom you reckon up-
on at prdfentj will leave you inftead of fupporting
you *, Fear and Hope are the Two great Springs which
move the Members of thefe Jffemblles : Tou are not
in a Condition to pro wife them great Matter s, nor.
to fright them by Menaces, The Queen has Pre-
fer ments and Places to difpofe of '^ She can do a
great deal ofMifchiefto'ihofe that oppofe Her Will:
Who is there that will declare openly for you againjt Her
Majefiy. Believe it, Sir^ the States General will op*^
pofe your Defigns, Notwithltanding this wholefom
Advice, and that the Prince and his Party were
not fo ftrong as before the laft Rupture, yet he
attempted to make himfclf Mafter of Poitiers,
by means of the Governor the Duke of Rsannez.,
and the Marquifs De Bonnlvet \ but the Bifhop of
the Place by his Intrigues prevented it, and Short-
ly after the Queen and the young King, made a
Progrefs with an Army attending them, to reduce,
the Duke of Vendome^ and fecure the Peace of
PolEiou, Upon which the Prince retir'd to his
Seat in Berry^ not d^'-ing to return to his New
Government of Amboife, This March with an
Army, tho* not very Numerous, was made ufe of
by the Prince and his EmifTaries, to raife Sufpi-
cigns in the Reformed, but the Regent fent a Gen-
P tleraap
^4 The Secret Hifior)
tlemati to Monfieur Du Plejfts at Saumur^ to re-
move the Fears thole Sufpicions might create \ and
to give him a Proof of tiie Confidence She had
in him, She pafs'd through Saumur with the Young
King her Son. Monfieur Du Plejjis Mornay went
to meet her, follow'd by an Hundred Gentlemen.
As foon as the Young King enter 'd the Caftle,
Du Plefis offer'd to order the Garrifon to march
out, but his Majefty wou'd not permit him. Jt
is not agalnjl our King, faid the Governor, that we
have jirong Places in our Poffejfion. They have been
willing to grant them us^ againfi the Hatred of our
Sworn Enemies : If at any time his Majejly does
us the Honour to be prefent there^ we defire no other
Security but his Pre fence. Sentiments agreeable to
the Chara^ler that's univerfally given him of one
of the Wifeft, Noblefl, and moll Religious Gentle-
man of his Age and Nation.
This Year i^i+, being that of the King's Ma-
jority, by the Conftitution of France^ Founded on
the Edia of Charles the Vth, Sirnam'd the Wife^
in 137+ Lewis the Xlllth was declared Major.
Th^ French Kings when they enter their Fourteenth
Year, commencing their Majority, Mezsrai fpeak-
ing of this Ed id of Charles the Wife^ fays. That
King believed it was very important for the Aiinority
of Kings to he as Jfjort as pojftbly coud be^ for fear
the Regent of the Realm Ujoud grow fo Powerfuly
as to Dethrone his PupiL The firft thing they
made Young Lewis do^ was to publilh a Decla-
ration for the AiTembly of the States, and to con-
firm the Edift of Nants^ which, fays ^afor^ it
was faid, They woud keep Laviolahly, How they
have perform'd it, the Hiftory of Lewis the Xllltli
and his Son, fufficiently make appear. As the cal-
ling an AfTembly of the States, was the Effect of
the Stir lately made by the Prince of Conde^ and
the laft Appearance of Liberty among the French,
it will not be an improper Digreffion, to give a
brief Account of the Antiquity and Nature of fuch
AiTemblies,
111'
of F RANG E. 35
in the Eldeft Times of this Monarchy, the Prin-
ces, caird the Chief of the French Nation, met
together on Tome Extraordinary and Important
Occafions. . The Mayors of the Palace ufually Sum*
D3on'd them once a Year :, The Kings who had then
only t lie Name of Soverftigns^ prehded in the Af*
fembly -J Pepht exactly kept up tiiis Cuftpm. Th^
Principal Men of the Clergy were admitted to
aflift at it, and this Pra<^ice was continued by
(^harlemagne: Lewis tlie Meek rendered it more
frequent. It //J as in thofe AfTemblies,, the Kings
of ihQ Car ofovingi an Kd.CQypuh\i{\\d thi^k Capitular
JDecrees and other Orders, and what the^r Enaded,
by the Advice, and Confent of the Grandees and
Prelates of the Kingdom. ; H«W? Capet InwiDg been
recogniz'd K'mg,; by Virtue ©f an Agreement con-
cluded with. the Dukes, pirls and Barqns, us'd to
Aflemble his Peers and Vatfals, in which he was
imitated by his SuccefIo):s," who call'd, this the
Holding t'4^ir • Parliament, , , There the Differences
between the Peers and Barons with the King were
decided, and the Affairs of the greateft Confequence
to the Kingdom debated. There the Private Dif-
putes between the Dukes, Earls and Barons, were
definitively ended, and the Encroachments of the
Pope and Clergy repuls'd. There they heard the
Complaints 'of the People, about the Adminiftra-
tion of Juftice, and the Vexations of the Prieft-
bood. What fince has been call'd the Third Eftate^
or the Deputies of the People, owes its Original
to Philip the Fair, upon his Return from his Ex^
pedition againft the Flemings. Much about the
feme time, it is pretended thofe Deputies were
admitted to allift at the AfTemblies in Englandj
tho* the latter is only Pretence, for the Old Verfe
tells us what fuch Aflemblies were composed of,
even before the Gonqueft in the Saxon Monarchy.
Prelati Fraceres mijfifq-^ Potentibus Vrbes*
_ Jhe Prelates, Peers, the Cities by their Powrs : '
D 2j This
^6 The Secret Hipry
This FhlUp^ Sirnam'd the Fairy was the firflt that
Summon'd the Third Efiate^ or demanded Money
of his people, the Kings of France before his Ti^iiie,
living on their Demefnes. By this it appears,
that the Firft AfTeiiiblies were of the Nobles and
Clergy, and that about 450 Years ago, the Third
Eftate was added to raife Supplies for the Wants
of the Crown, when its Demefnes and Ancient
Revenues' were Embezel'd and Alienated. The
Kings of the Race of jyalois, us'd frequently to
call AiTemblies of the Three Ejlates^ the Prelates,
the Nobles, and the Deputies. Charles the Wife^
always a fFeifled to have his Orders received in the
AfTembly of the States, and confirmed the Third,
It is remarkable, that Thllip de Valois when he
was threaten'd by Edward the Third, for keep-
ing from him his Kingdom of France^ AfTembled
only One of the Three Efiates^ the Peers and Ba-
rons, who depending more immediately upon the
Crown, were fure to decide that Difpute againil
King Edward ', whereas the Deputies of the Peo-
ple, who, in the bed Times have their Intereft'
onjy in View, might not have been To hafly to
bring on themfelves a Bloody War for his fake
only.
I muft own freely, I wonder at the Madnefs
of foiiie Nations in the darker Ages, who have in-
volv*d themfelves in the moil Sanguinary Contefts
to fupport the Claims of Two Perfons only, each
of whofe Government wou'd have made them as
happy as the other. Philip de Valois^ John and
Charles the Vth, had a great Deference for their
People, and often communicated to them the Af-
fairs of Stare. When Charles the Vlth became
unfit to Govern, the Three Ejlates conferM the
Adminiftration on the Dukes of Berry and Bur-
gundy^ in preference to the Duke of Orleans the
King's Brother. The Authority of thefe AfTemblies
vs^as much lefTen'd by Lewis the Xlth, whofe Fa-
ther Charles the VII th, having driven the Englijh
out of France^ and polTefs^d himfelf of the Kingdom
by the Sword, began to Rule Abfolutely> and his
Son
of V R A N C E. :j7
Son had no Thoughts, but how to fettle his Arr
birrary Power, which was his Idol. He and his
Succeflbrs found Means to alter the Conftitutioii
of thefe AfTemblies, as alfo of their Great Coun-
cils Inflituted at firft for the Government of the
State, but reduc'd by them to Ordinary Courts of
Judicature, fuch as the Courts of Parliament now
in France,
From the Reign of Lems the Xlth, to that of
HefJry the IVth, there was no Regular Aflembly
of the Three Ejfate/^ and that which he held at
Koariy was too Partial to deferve the Name of the
States General. The Truth is, thefe AfTemblies
in France^ were almoft all along made Tools to
drain Money from the People, tho' fometinies a
Spirit of Liberty exerted it felf, as it feem'd to'
do in the Minority of Lewis the Xlllth, when
the Prince of Conde and the Lords of his Party,
demanded and obtained a Meeting of the Three
Eflates, the laft that ever met in France. It o-
pen'd the loth of OH-ober^ 1514, and tho* in the
Treaty concluded between the Regent and the
Prince, it was Stipulated to be holden at Si^m^ yet
She by her Authority, only remov'd it to Parisy
that the Prefence and Artifices of the Court i.aght
have the greater Influence *, and to render this
Meeting inefFe£lual, Sh^ fo divided the Three Or-,
ders, that it was loon feen no Good w^s ever in-
tended by admitting them to m.ett. For the very
firfl Thing they d d, was a Motion from the No-
.bility and Clergy, To fupprefs the Sale of OJfices^
which touching the Third Eitate, coinpos'd chiefly
of Gentlemen of the Long Robe to the quick,
they retaliated upon them by a Propofal for Icf-
fenning of Taxes^ and fuppreffifig of Penfirns, which
concerned the Two other Efiates to fupport. Af-
ter long Debates in the feveral Orders about thefe
Matters, the Clergy and Nobility Petition'd the
King to fuperfede the Sale of Offices •, and the
Third Eflate, to be reveng'd of them, did the
fi\me with refpe£l to Taxes and Penfionb. Tiie
(Courtiers vs^ere extreamly pleas'd with tliefe DJ-
D '3 viiions,
§9 The Sea'et Hiftary
vifions, which they look'd upon as a good EfFeft
of their Intrigues ; and nothing cou*d pe more fa-
tisfaftory to the Minifters, than to fee that the
Three Houfes fhou'd ieparateiy demand different
Things, without being able to come to an Agree-
ment among themfelves. This furnifh'd them with
^ Favourable Pretence not to grant any of their
Demands. The Nobility minded only the conti-
nuance of their Pen (ions j the Depuries only the fup-
prefTing of the Tailles which paid them ^ and the
Clergy had nothing fo much at Heart, as the
Tublicatlon of the Council of Trent ^ which had not
been received in France^ To this end, they were
very complaifant to the Nobility, and the Court
labour 'd to get their Demands com ply 'd with,
knowing it wou'd meet with infuperable Difficul-
ties in the Third Houfe, which wou'd foon give
^hem Occafion to break up their Seflion, and all
the Fault wou'd lye on the Three Orders, wlio
cou'd not agree among themfelves about their
Greivances.
The Nobility concurred with the Clergy, for
the receiving the Council of Trent^ but the De-
puties of the Third Houfe wou'd not hear of it'
And their Speaker, Mondeur Miron^ Provofl of
the Merchants of Varis^ lliew'd in his Speech to
the Deputies of the Clergy and Nobility, fent to
the Third Eftate for their Confent, that thofe
Trench Men who had ever any Love for their
Country, had always an Abhorrence of the Ty-
ranny and Ufurpation of the Pope, tho' they were
Members of the Koman Church. HoX9 many Com-
cils^ faid he, have there been^ which we have never
puhlipj'd in France ? And yet we obferve the good
Regulations made by them : The Gentlemen of the
Clergy may renounce the Plurality of Livings^ and
reform the other Ahufes Condemn d by the Councily
we jhall be mofi Edify d by ity and their Sincere
Submiffion to its Ordinances^ will be a tacite Ac-
ceptation of it. Their good Example in this Cafe^
will be as advantageous to the Council of Trent, as
a Formal Publication of it. The Hovfe of the Third
State,
0/ F R A N C E. ?9
Strtte^ return their Thanh to the Clergy for the Zeal
they Jhevo to propagate the Catholuk Religion^ anci
will endeavour to fecond their good Intentions :
Whilft thele Matters hung, a Propofal was made
to Eredl a Chamber of Juftice, to inquire into
the management of the Treafury during the Queen's
Adminiflration. This Propofal was firft mov'd
in the Houfe of the Nobility, and pafl: there cur-
rently *, but tliQ Clergy^ fays VafTor, fiillmore Slaves
to the Court than the Nobility^ had fome Scruples
about it. The Cardinal De Sourdis told them the
like had been attempted before en feveral Occafwns^
but it was never found to turn to the advantage
of the PMicL Meer Shame ^t laft obliged the
Houfe of the Clergy to agree to this Motion.
The Deputies of the Third Houfe heartily con-
curr'd in it, and the King v\^as petitioned to E-
reft fuch a Chamber. The Court fell immedi-
ately to their ufual Artifices of getting over fome
of the Nobility *, and after two or three Anfwers
to as many Petitions of ihQ Three Edates^ theSu-
perintendant of the Finances told them^ the King
wou*d chufe a Fit Number of Perfons out of the
Soveraign Courts of the Kingdpm, to inquire in-
to the management of the Treafury. The Houfe
of the Clergy prefently contented themfelves with
this Offer, and Voted it Satisfa5loyy . The Nobility
did not infift on the Erefting a Court out of the
Members of the Three Efiates^ and the Deputies of the
Third Houfe found themfelves too weak to fland
out againft the other two. .
It muft be obferv'd here, that when Henry the
IVth dy'd, there was a Treafure of near 20 Mil-
lions of Livres in the Bafldey wliich was fuppos'd
to have been prodigally fquander'd away by the
Regent in Penfions and Profufion, befides the Annual
Income of the Kingdom. To excule this, the Su-
perintendant told the Eftates, that the yearly Reve^
nueofFr^??ce was but 18800000 Livres, and the Ex-
pence 21500000, whence it fclJow'd that there were
near 3 Millions a Year wanting, and that might
very well take up what v;as left in King fEmy s
D 4 Coilers,
40 The Secret Hlflory
Coffers, adding to it the Charge of Secret Services
never brought to Account. This Revenue of
18800000 was encreas'd during the Minority to
57000000, of which ip only was brought into t tie
King's Coffers *, and during the Miniftry of Cardi-
nal RichlieiL 'twas rais'd to 80000000, of which
45000000 only were employ'd in raying the Charges
of the State •, the reft under the Minority and that
Miniftrv w^ere lavifh'd on Favourites and Courtiers^
the Minifters of the Luxury and Ambition of their
Princes. In Lewis the XI Vth's Time, this Revenue
mounted to no lefs than 140 Millions of Livres year-
ly, an Income fufficient to enilave fo corrupt a
World as that we live in *, and how near to Slavery
it was, let the Hiftories of this Age tranfmit to
Pofterity with the fame Pride that they endur'd
it.
1 cannot think this Digreflion will be tedious, and
then I am latisfy'd it will not be reckoned imper-
tinent. The honeft and well affefted Members of
the Three EJiates^ highly refenting the Treatment
of the Court in the Bufinefs of the Chamber of
Jnflice, thought they cou'd do their Country no
tetter Service than to incert an Article in their
Addrefs, in which they gave the King moft admi-
rable Advice, in lively and prelling Terms, concern-
ing the Method of regulating his Expences to the
beit Advantage : However, fays my Author, a French-
tnan, the Court did not micch trouble their Heads with
their Politicks^ being fully refilvdy as foon as the
States were broke upj to take the Liberty of following
fuch Councils as they fiould think fit. They alfo re-
prefented to his Majefty, that he ought by no means
to lay any extraordinary Taxes upon his People, for
That Hellifi) Maxitn^ adds he, that the King may
exacl from his Subjects whatever he pleafes, and that
therein his Will is the fate Rule of his Power was not
then received in France. What I have before call'd
an Addrefs, is in French term'd a Cahier^ and is a
kind of Petition each Eftate drew up to preient to
the King for the Redrefs of their Grievances. That
of theTiiird Eflate, at the Motion of the Deputies
of
of FRANCE. 4f
of Taris and of the Ifle of France^ incerted in theirs
a very material Artide for the Sovereign Power of
the King, and the Security of his Royal Perfon,
which was to this EfFciH:, That for preventing the
Consequence of a pernicious Do[irine^ which had been
hroach'dfome Tears fince^ againfi Kings and Sovereign.
PowerSy his Majefty P)oud be defird to caufe to he
pMifid in the Affemhly of the States General, as
an inviolable and fundamental Law of the King-
dom^ That the King being recognifed Supreme in
France, and holding his uiuthority from God alone^
there was no Power upon Earthy either Spiritual or
Temporal^ that had Right to deprive him of hts
Kingdom *, nor to difpence withy nor to abfolve his
Subje^s from their Fidelity ^ and the Allegiance they
pwd himy for any Caufe whatfoever^ &c. They then
defird an Oath might be taken to this Purpofe,
by all Magiftrates and Clergymen, with other
Circumftances which aim'd direftly enough at the
ufurp'd Authority of the Pope. The Deputies of
the Third Eftate were almoft unanimous in their
Votes for this Claufe, which the Murder of the
two preceding Kings had made as neceflary as rea-
fonable. The Houie of tlie Clergy cry'd out, All
is undone^ all is undone-^ there are Rafcals and Here-
ticks in the Ajfembly^ that have confpird the Ruin of
our Religion. See the Loyalty of the French Priefts,
fee the Happinefs of having a double Jnrifdidion
in a Conftitution ; the facred Power of Kings and
the Safety of their Perfons cannot be fecur'd againfi:
the AfTaffinations and corrupt Do£lrincs of Friefts,
Slaves to Rome^ but Religion is prefently in Danger.
The Clergy apply'd themfelves to the Nobles, and
they with great Complacency afTur'd them, they
wou'd enter on no Article of Faith or Do(n:rine
without their Advice. Tou^ faid the Seigneur De
Maintenon to the Deputies of the Clergy, are our
true and lawful DoHors^ and it belongs to you to in-
ftru5l uSy and prefcribe what we ought to believe in
thefe Matters* '' Was there ever, fays Monfieur
" Va'jfory a more bafe and ridiculous Piece of Fkt-
« tery than this ? For were the Deputies of the
' ■« Clergy
^S The Secret Bifiory
** Clergy fuch able and extraordinary Men ? Had
*' they all the Learning and Light imaginable ? So
'^ far from it, that their Houfe was compos'd for
*' the mod part of timerous, ignorant and fuperfti-
*' tious Monks ; and if there were any learned Men
*' among them, their Ambition made them perfeft
*' Slaves to the Court of Rome» In the mean time
the Parliament of Paris made a Decree in favour of
the Ariide of the Third Eftate, which the Nobility
and Clergy had rejected. Cardinal Bu Perron came
to the Lower Houfe, J]nd fpoke three Hours
againft it ^ and Monfieur Miron their Prefident
vindicated it with equal Reafon and Gravity. Thefe
Difputes were very agreeable to the Court, as ob-
flruding the Proceedings of the States General.
The Prince of Conde^ in an AfTembly of the
King's Council upon this extraordinary Occafion,
made a Speech, which ierv'd only to fhew the Weak-
nels of his Judgment and Spirit, for to ingratiate
hii.ifelf with the Clergy, he clos'd it with Advice,
Thiit the K'wg fljoud forbid the Clergy and the ihird
^fiate to difpiite any longer on the controverted Arti-
cle^ hvt that he fl)oud be Judge himfelf\ which was
accordingly done, and the Execution of the Arret
of Parliament fuperfeded. What lefs cou'd have
been expe£led from the blind Obedience of an Italian
Prince fs to the Bifhop of Rome ? But the Clergy
not thinking the Order of Council againft the Ex-
ecution of the Decree of the Parliament of Paris
ftrong enough, and encourag'd by the Partiality the
Minifte.rs had fhewn them in this Difpute, remon-
firated again, to which they receiv'd only a general
Anfwer. This did not fatisfy them, who fancy 'd
there were fome Perfons of great Intereft and Ability
in the King's Council, that obftrufted the Church
in her Defigns. The Marefchal De Bouillon was
chiefly rufpefted, and therefore Cardinal X)z^ Pfrr<7»
faid. We challcng'e fuch of the Kings Council who are
not Catholich^ and humbly defrre that his Majcfiy
woud not admit them therein when the Church Affairs
are concern d. I Woud not have appeared therein^
reply d Bouillon^ who knew very well that he alone
was
^/ F R AN C E. 4?
was meant in that Requeft, had the Church been con-
cerrfd m that Quejiion *, hut feeing the Dtfpute re-
lates to the Kings Sovereignty, that Afair is merely
political. Tou do wifely, Sir^ faid the Cardinal of
Sourdis^ in not medling in a Taint of Religion -i hut we
maintain that the Contents of the Article of the Ibird
Bfiate ii of f^^f Nature. '* Could any thing, jays
' *-' the Author I lafi mention d^ more plainly difcover
« the true Genius of the Clergy than that Anfwer ?
<' Here is a Cardinal who maintains, in the very
« Prefence of his Prince, that the Supreme Autho-
*' rity of Kings being a Point wherein Religion is
« concern'd, his Majefty cannot determine in his
<'. Council, that the Pope has no Right to deprive
*' him of his Crown whenever he will be pleased
*<i to declare him an Heretick. The Prince of
Conde cou*d not bear the Cardinal's Infolence, but
the latter mattered not his Reproaches, having fo
bigotted a Princefs as Mary De Medicis to proteft
him, who fo ordered it, that the Article in Conteft
was by the King's Command (truck out of the
Cahier of the Third Eftate, the' rot without the
Oppofition of above an hundred Members. The
Pope wasfooverjoy'dat thisTriumphof the Clergy,
which left it in his Power to depofe of Prin-
ces at his Pleafure, and encouraged his Ruffians
to Murder thein, that he wrote a Letter of Thanks
to the Two Upper Houfes of the States General,
The Article being thus dropt, there was form'd a
fort of Harmony between the Three Houfes. The
next about Duelling was agreed to by all of them.
But this Harmony was Toon interrupted by an
Affront one of the Nobles put on one of the De-
puties of the Third Eftate. Monfieur Bonneval^
one of the Deputies of the Nobility of Upper Li-
woifin^ Can'd one of the Deputies of the fame Di-
flrich. The Third Eftate complain'd to the King,
and his Majefty referr'd the Cognizance of the
Affair to the Parliament. The Nobles complain'd
to the Clergy, that they had not been ac-
quainted v^ith it : The Clergy appeared willing
enough to fide with them in it, but the Third
^ ♦ Eftate
44 7^^^ 'S'eri'^/ Hijiory
Eftate continuing a Vigorous Profecution, purru-
ant to the King's Reference of the Matter tc Par-
liament, Monfieur Bonneval abfconded, and Sen-
tence pafs'd againft him to be Eeheadec!. About
the fame time there happened a New Occafion of
Difference between Mary de Medicis and the Prince
oiConde-^ the latter had had a Gentkaian in his
Service, who, having deferted it, enter 'd into tiie -
Queen's, and was fufpefled by the Prince to be-
tray his Secrets to her, which he was fo offend,
ed at, that he order'd another of his Servants,
Mr. Rochfort^ to beat him whenever he met him.
Rochfort takes three or four Fellows wiih him,
fets upon, and Wounded him in feveral Places.
The King and Queen being inform'd of the Af-
front offer'd them in the Perfon of one of their
Servants, order'd Rochfort to be profecuted as an
Affaflin. The Prince went immediately to Coun-
cil, and faid, He thought it very jirange^ that they
pretended to deal with him as with the meanefk Sub'
jei^ 171 the Kingdom *, adding, I own whatever Roch-
fort has done^ 'tis by my Order *, Marcillac hat been
punijh'd for his Infolence and Infidelity: The Queen
reply*d, / have a better Opinion of Tour Honour^
than to think you will take upon Tou another s Crime
to proteU him from being Profecuted by Jtifiice. The
Queen and Prince had fome hot Words, and the
Young Prince, w^io had been prepoffefsd againft
the King, was about to fecond his Mother in
this Difpute, but Ihe hinder'd him, and the Pirnce
left the Council in a Paffion, the King Teeming
angry with his Mother that fhe did not let him
tell the Prince his Mind. This Violence in the
Prince of Conde ruin'd his Intereft in the States
General, who feeing what little Credit he had at
Court, declin'd embarking in his Quarrel. Th;i
Queen inform'd them of what pafs'd, and the Three
Orders addrefsd her that Rochfort might be prc-
jecuted notwithftanding the Declaration of the
Prince, which was done fo warmly, that his High-
nefs was forc'd to prefent a Petition to the Parli-
ament, fetting forth the Caufe he had to proceed
as
e/ F R A N C E. 45
as he did againft Marcillac, The Queen to pre-
vent their being influenced by it, fent for the Pre-
fident, and told them, he only intended to hinder
the Profecution of Juftice. Her Majefty's Inter-
pofition was too ftrong for his Highnefs's, and he,
"who had made fuch a ftir to proteiH: Rochfort^
was oblig'd to yield to a Warrant of Parliament,
and open all the Doors of his Houfe for tiieir Of-
ficers to fearch for the Offender. Upon this Sub-
miffion, the Queen accepted of the Mediation of
Queen Margaret and the Countefs of Soiffonsj in
behalf of the Prince, and the matter was in ap-
pearance accommodated between them. The Prince
coming to Court, was well recQiw'dy * Marcillac
being abandon^ by Mary de Medicisy when Ihe
had had the Satisfaction to let the Prince fee fhe
was too hard for him, both in the AfTembly of
the States and in the Parliament, Rochfort had a
Pardon, Marcillac in a Raee challenged him, but
the Prince wou'd not fuffer Rochfort to anfwer it,
fo the Affair dropt, all Parties thinking it Policy
to carry it no further.
The Prince of Coride finding he. fhou'd not ad-
vance his Affairs much by the continuance of the
AfTembly of the States General, did not concern
himfelf to procure it. The Court, who wifh'd
they coud have hinder'd their Aflembling at aiJ,
was weary of them, as Zealous as they appear*d
to be in its Service. Th^ Papifis hsid nothing to
expeft from them, which they cou'd not do bet-
ter without them ^ and the Proteftants no Good
to hope from an AfTembly fo much byafs'd by the
Clergy. Tis no wonder, that in fuch a Difpoil-
tion of Things, there was a' quick End put to
their Meeting , and that they never met more.
What contributed chiefly to the Future Perfecu-
tion of the Proteflants, was the Cahier of the Cler-
gy, in which they were treated not only as He-
reticks but Infidels : Their Religion not being cal-
led Religiotj Tretendue ReformeSy but Pretendue Re-
ligion Reformee, It confilled of 300 Articles, the
Principal of which were dire^ Invafions of the
Edi^s
46 Tlje^ Secrete Hijhry
E<3i£t5 in Favour of the Proteftants, ^nH there were
no lets than ^5 of that Nature. I iliall only name
fome of them, as The Rejioration of the Roman ^^•
ligion i'fi all Places under the Kings Dowi/iions^ the
Condewnation of all Booh injurious to the Pope^ the
Revocation of all Pe72fions given upon Benefices to
ProteftantSy Leave for Bifiops to fend to the Gal*'
leys, &c;
I cannot help obferving how fearful thefe Monks
were of the Preis, for there's another Article, That
the Printers in every City might be reduced to a cer-*
tain Number y and no Books be printed without the
Bifhop's Licence ; That all Books from abroad fijoud
he prohibited^ unlefs they, had the fame Approbation*
Thofe that are afraid of the Power of Truth will
certainly be of the feme Mind with thefe French
Priefts ^ tho' it is well known that the Proteftants
have done more tliaiithe PapiRs in France to polifh
their Language, to reSne their Tafte, and improve
their Genius. A Truth confefs'd by Monfieur Bran-
tome^ in his Memoirs^" long before the 5f^p/;d-?z/, the
Le Fevre*s-j the U Ahlincourt^s^ &c. appear'd in the
World, ' . - â– -
The Qergy further requcft in this Petition, That
the Marriage with- Spain might he â– accompli (//d 1
That the Treaty of St, Menethond, tho they ow'a
their Seffion to it might he annull d *, Thai all Church
Lands fijoud be refior'd •, That Proteflant Judges
P)Qud\rm take CognizMnce of Ecclefaflical Caufes ^
That all Privileges granted the Proteftants [inee the
Death of Henry r/;pIVth be revok'd j That the
Proteftants fi)ould -not bxry in Churchyards ^ but ba
ej}pos'd if they offer d ik by Arms ; That they J})ould
be forbidden to Write or fpeak againft
Ed. Nant. the Sacraments of the Roman Churchy
yd*. II. ;B; 5. or the Authority of ty Pope^ on Pain
''-Vl/f, "4" of fever e Punijhment 'y. That their
Aflmft'ers //joud not vi/k the Sick ^ That their Tern*
pies JJjoud be at leafi. 1000 Paces 'dift.wt frofn
Churches ; Ihat their P air o-nnges fwud go to the next of
Kin of the Cathohck RiUgion j That Proteflant Lords
P)oiid have Sermons m none of their Houfcs^ but'
where
^/ F R A N C E. 47
where they refided \ That their Colleges and Seniina'
ries J/joud he taken from them j That no Foreigners
Jhoud be allowed to preach or teach any Do^rine hut,
the Catholick within the Kingdom^ dec. It wou'd b«^
cndlefs to repeat all the Articles intended againft,
l^ie Reform'd^ which tho' they did not take Effect
immediately, yet the future Conduct of the Court
fhew'd they made ufe of this Cahier as a Scheme to
ruiu the Proteftants.
The Nobility, who were entirely gain'd over by
the Clergy, did not fpeak fo plainly in their Petition,
but they proposed a Claufe, That the King mighp.
be addrefid to maintain the Catholick Religion accor'
ding to his Coronation Oath* The Proteftant Lords
took this Propofal as an Attack upon them, finca
part of the Oath is to deftroy all H^rmV^.r, which\
the Catholick Church had adjudg'd them to be;
and the Debate was fo hot, that it was like to end
in great Extremities. The King hearing^ of it, put
an end to it, by giving both Sides good Words ^ and
by a new Declaration of the 12th o{ May^ k^ij-
he confirm'd all former Edifts to the Reformed. It
began with great Elogies of the Queen's Conduct,
of the Care (he had taken to confirm thofe Edifts,
in Imitation of the late King, and to remedy the
Infractions of it. After this the King exprefs'd in
his Declaration, That this good EffeB of the Queen's
Trudence had ohlig'd him to entreat her to cotitinue
to affifl him with her Council^ tho* he had been d^^
clar'd Major, with the fame Authority xii if the Ad*
miniflratlon of the Kingdom were flill in her Hands^ >.
There was ^o much Diffiniulation in this new De^-^
claration, that there was no likelihood of its an-
fwering the End proposed by it. The Parliament
of Paris let it lie ieven Weeks without Verification 5 -
and^ fays my Author, it was fo far
from curing the Evil rais'd by the Con- Ed. NatltsS-'^
tejk among the Nohility^ that it hm^dly Vcl.II, Ra^^
ferv'd to palliate. Hq ^OQS on. Indeed -* *' '-
'twas not very likely it JJjould fatisfy any body, "cdn-^-
fidering how it was pennd. It was natural to fufpeEb
that a conftant Laa>. coud not b^ th? Sequel of a-
Prefacs
48 The Secret Hifiory
Frefave without Truth , That Imitation ^/ Henry the
IVth*/ Prudencey fo much inpfied upon^ had never
appear d in the Queen s Condu^, on the contrary, fl}e
had abandoned all the late Kings Proje^Sy alter d^
confounded and defiroyd all that he had done for the
Peace and Grandeur of the Kingdom^ and concluded
the Alliance with Spain, for which he had exprefs*d
an invincihle Averfion to his Dying Day, That Af-
fetation of always f peaking of the Imitation of a
Prince y all whofe Alaxims had been Overthrown^ of-
fended thofe who griev'd to fee how much the Re»
gency had disfigurd the Government. It is Odious
to boajh of a things the contrary of which is Noto-
rious to every one ^ and Study d Proteftations of per-
forming a Duty which one fwerves from by a Thou-
fand A^ions^ fetdom perfwade a thing which Effe^s^
contraddh Moreover^ every Body was too fenfihle
how many Cabals and Fa^ions had torn the King-
dom during jhe Minority^ to reiiff) the Praifes that
were given to the Queen^ of having maintain d it in
Peacc^f &c.
The Difagrecment between the Vpper and Lower
Hoafes, was fufficicnt Ground for the Court to
difTolve an AlTembly that gave fo little Satisfa£li-
on to France, The Marelchal De Brifacy who
was fent to the Houfe of the Clergy, on the dif-
ference about the Controverted Article^ brought
in by the Lower, exhorted them to finiih their
Cahiersj in order to their Difmiflion. 'lis to be^
f«ar*df fays he, the Provinces will complain of the
/low Proceedings of the States *, there are fome un^
quiet Spirits that love to be Filing in Troubled IVa-
ters and Clamour becaufe of the long Sitting of the
Ajfembly j wherefore 'tis convenient to put a flop
to this Extraordinary Commotion^ and to reflore
Peace and Tranquility in the Kingdom, A Fort-
night after this, the Duke De rendefme was fcnc
tp the Three Houfes on the fame Errand, and to
let them know how much they were oblig*d to
the King that he did not demand Money of them
as his Anceftors were wont to do, which he did
WJt> probably, becaufe never intending to depend
on
of F R'A^iN^^Cl. i,9
bntbftm for Supplies, or to ttiake ufe^^^f ^&m any
iiiore,. he might make no New'-Pierjii^t of the
Neceility of thtir Meeting for thiii 4^rpo{^.
The Nobility joyn'd witH -the Lower Mbule, in
(lefiring they might not he difmirs'ei tiHube Kmg
had given his Aniwer to their fevepal. (S*Aifrii, ti^o*
wi^h different Views v^'® former beitig^ .earneft
to have the Sale e/ Oj^^c-eiTupprefs'd,'- i«ld<the lat-
ter to feve the famcidonefby Aw>;^A'^f^ie^Cler-
gy alfo finctiiig there was, no-othet way to gei'the;
Publication of the' Council df 7r^;?f , ' joy ti'd with
the other -Two Eftates in addreffiti^^ the \(mg\
that the tahUrs might be^a?]fv\fer-d .'^efor'e"th<3f
breaking up of the States General. Nay; there ii
on this Occafron 5 an In(l^Hc6 of Honefty in a French
Pi-ieft, that m'ight mfike fMie of the OfdiSf in our
own Church, 'tiie Bhlwark'^and Ornament of the Re-
form'd-ReUgi'ptt blufh.'^^For'he told tl^^'rlM ambers
bf his Houfc,' that the ftrppreffing the Sdb''of Offices
and Petifions^ was a Trifle -inComparifert^of li^
Affairs that tliey ought'io take Cogrir^kff(^e ^f : To
fettle the Kmgs Counfely-Md regvlate- the-^^rMfury^
thefe^ fays- hej are the Ajfaih the Thre& -Hohjes'^ught
mojily to- â– â– be taken up mthi There is nf jtijjemhly
but the States General to determine tht'fe Matter s^
for Vohat mher Afemhly woud be fo bdd^fir'to ex-
pofe th^Hifelves. to the Hatred a?]d Re^ntmbnf of
Powerful 'MeUj whofe Inter eft obliges them 'to hhder
ail they can the falling uptnlwi) juch Thtder Points
as thefe. 'Tis'k^pos'd this Honejt Monk was en^
gag'd by the Prince of Conde to make this Moti-
on, for inquiring into ti*re prefeiit AdminWration^
which the Prince aim'd at wnh a Defigri to turn
out the Chancellor Stiiery^ tlie Treafurer Jednnin^
and all the. Marefchal D' A-cre's Friends and
Creatures^ from the Council and Miniftry.- But
no Body had Courage enough to fecdnd this brave
Motion -^ y^t the Three EJiates took upon them to
direa the Ring, whom he iTioii d advife With, vv'hen
he tdck into Conlidefation the Anfwer to be given
to their Cahiersy naming only the Princei and Officers
i^f the Cntprii ntid defirinj if he Csiird iriany of hi?
E oth^r
50 The Secret Hiftory
other Counfellors, he wou'd pleafe to give in a
Lift of them, and confent that the Three Orders
might Name five or fix to confult with the Princes
and Officers of the Crown, about the Anfwer they
were to, receive to their Petition. Nay, they in-
fiftcd. That four or five Deputies of each Houfe
miqht be prefnt at the Counctl, when the Cahiers
Jbould there be Examind,
I defy tlie Engllfi) Hiftory to give any Inftance
in the^ moft Flouriihing, Times of Liberty, that
ever a Parliament of England fhou'd dare to pre-
fcribe to the Sovereign whom to chufe for his
Counrellors, and demand to have the Naming of
One of them. Is it not therefore Prodigious to
fee how the Spirit of the French are funk, even
from what it was a Hundred Years ago, in the
Reign of the Father of Lewis Le Grand. The on-
ly way the Regent had to avoid complying in feme
meafure with the States Demands, was to gain over
the Clergy, no hard matter for her to do, who
bad the Bilhopricks and Benefices at her difpofal.
She upbraided the Cardinal de Sourdis^ that the
Houfe of the Clergy had Blindly given in to the
Propofafs of the other Houfes ^ that they demanded
dangerous Novelties^ and the like. But what won
him at once, was, her giving him to underftand
that the Clergy fhou*d never obtain their De-
mands as long as the AfTembly fate : That if the
Minifters of State, who were in the Church Inte-
rcfl, were excluded from deliberating upon the
king's Anfwers, the Commons woud ftart infur-
mountable Difficulties, and perhaps the Nobility
joyn with them. She concluded, Tou are now pretty
well United^ when the u^jfcmhly is broke up^ they
cant reed their IVord^ and the Third Eft ate will no
further crofs yon with Renwnftrances. As foon as
Cardinal du Ternon was informed of the Queen's
Pleafure, he fell in with it immediately, and there
was no more Talk of continuing the icjlion among
the Priefts, whofe Order refolvd to he Obedient^
as the Phrafe began to be. A Specious Name^ fays
Vaflbr, with which the Timerousj or thofe who are
to
(?/ F R A N C R 51
to make their Interefis in France, Colour all their
Bafefjep. The Nobility mads fome Oppofition,
and reprefented to the Clergy, Hon? bafe it was to
^ive vp to the Court all that is difpleafing to the
Minijlers. They perfifted in fefolving to demand
the Calling of Six of the moft Ancient Counfel-
iors to aflift at the Deliberations of the Anfwcrs
to the Cahiers, and the Clergy durfl not refufe to
joyn in with them, for fear of the Nobility and
Commons uniting againfl them ^ fo the Arch- Bifhop
of u4ixj of the Family of Hopital^ was appointed
to make this Remonftrance to the king, upon which
the Duke de Fentadour was fent to the Houfe of
the Clergy, to feparate them from the Two other
Houfes, hoping then to make them all defift fronl
their Demands, on a Promife of accepting a De-
putation from each Order, to repreferit to the King
and his Council, the Reafons why their Orders
thought fit to make them. But it feems the Priefts
were not in fo good a Temper us was expected,
and the Cardinal de Sovrdis told the Duke in plain
Terms^ Tl^at Houfe xooiid perfifi in thsir Humble
Requefts. And accordingly the Bifhop oiCrefiohU^
it the Head of the Three Houfes, deliver'd ano
ther Remonftrance on that Head, upon which th«
Court a(runi*d the Air of Authority, ^\ Set them a
" Day for delivering their Memorial, and pro-
" mis'd if there was Occafion for their Meeting
*' again about the Anfwer, they (hou'd have timely
*« Notice; '' This contented the Clergy, and the
Two other Orders being deferred by them, were
bblig'd to fubmit, and all Three deliver'd in their
Cahte-ts: That of the Clergy, of which mention has
already been made, was deliver'd by Armand John
de Pleffis, Bifhop of Lucon, afterwards Cardinal
Eichlieu, a great Stickler for the Regent in this Af-
fenibly. He fpoke with great Vehemence againft
the Reform'd^ and particularly of a Riot at Mil-
hatr, in the D'ibccfs of Rhodes^ where they bad ta-
ken Arms, routed the EcckaalHcks^ broken the
Crucifixes, torn the Ornaments, broken down the
Altars, prophatn'd the Relicks, taken the- Fix out
E 2 OJ
52 :Tbe Secret Htfiorj
of the Tabernacle, flung down the Gonfecrated
Hofts, and trampled them ttnder their Feet, which
the King hearing (aid, He thought hmfelf as fTmch
cbligd to revenge the Stabbing of his God, as the
Parricide of his Father, and doiibtlefs he h?,d done
it, had not the Papifts committed a worfe Riot at
Beleftat m the fame Diocefs, pulling down the Tem-
ple of the Reform'd, and Plundering, Beating and
Wounding thofe of that Religion ^ of which Com-
plaint being made to Court much about xht fame
time, both Affairs were alike referred to Judges,
and after having been fome Months in Agitation,
came to nothing.
Upon the Breaking up of the General AfTembly,
which was the 20th of February ^ the Baron de Se-
7iecy made a Speech for the Nobility, and Men-
fieur Mircn for the Commons. The latter was
obferv'd to be full Refpeftful, and yet Bold, all
which had no other Effe^, than the Naming Com-
niiflioners by the Court to Examine the Cahiers^
jthat AnCwcrs might be given to the Deputies of
tiie Three Orders. And the Anfwer to that Part
of 'the Cahiers^ which related to the felling of Of-
fices, was, that it fhould be abolifh'd, but inflead
thereof,^ a Yearly Duty was to be laid on Salt,
which falling hard on the Midling fort of People,
the Lower Order oppos'd ity and met again to Ad«
drefs the King againli: it. The King had probited
any fuch Formal Meeting, and told them, / very
vrell underftand what you have reprefemed to z?;f,
J,v:ill eafe my People as much as lyes in ?ny Power ^
and to that end will advije with the Queen niy
Mother and my Council, Then the Regent told
them, fo long a CotJtinuancc at- Paris, bei'ag voy
Chargeable and Tr&ublefome to them^ it was high
time now for theinj to think of -repairing Home to
their refpeftive Comnries, Thus was the lafl: Af-
fembly of the States General of France^ fent pack-
ing, without having obtain'd the Redrefs of one
Greivance. The Clergy were the only Gainers,
and the Proteflants, tho' not the only, the Chief
Lofers. The Deputies of the other Orders obtain-
ed
^/FRANCE, 5j
cd nothing but Vain General Promilts, of whic^^
they were fenfible they (hou'd never fee the Ef*
feas.
The Queen Regent having given a Marefchal's-
Staff to Conchints Husband, now caH!d the Ma-
refchal D* Ancre^ it rais'd the Envy of almoft all
the Prime Nobility. Tho* the Prince of Conde had
loft Ground by the Meeting of the States, which
fhew'd what little Intereft he had in them, yet
being the Firft Prince of the Blood, and the Court
taking no Notice of the States Cahiers^ the Parli-
ament of Paris, the fliadow of that Aflembly, be-
gan to caft their Eyes upon him. About a Month
after the breaking up of the Eftates, they made
a Decree, inviting the Princes, the Peers, and Of-
ficers of the Crown that fit among them, to Af-
femble with them to remedy the Diforders of the
State. This Boldnefs very much aljarm'd and of-
fended the Court : They fent for the Parliament
to have an Account of their Enterprife, revers*d
their Decree, and forbad the Execution of it, as
will be feen hereafter more at large. The Parli-
ament, in/lead of f alFive Obedience, remonflrated
to the King, as became Men who Jov'd the Glory
/ and Peace of the State, infifting Vigoroufiy on the
Article of the Third Eftate, which the Court had
rejeded. One of the Articles of their Remon-
flrance ought not to be forgotten: They defirdhii
Majefly to preferve the Splendor and Dignity of the
Roman Religion ^ without fwerving from the Edt^s
of Pacificauon, See here ye Bigotted Britalns^ a
Body of French Paplfis bravely Handing up for re-
drefling of Greivances, and Toleration to Proteftants,
Men that declar'd themfelves for Moderation in
Religious Matters, and learn all of you, who know
not that LefTon, To Love your Country and your
Neighbours, The Marefchal de Bouillon was at the
bottom of this brave Attempt of the Parliament
of Purify to fave the Dying Liberties of France :
He was eYirag'd to find him felf neglected, and tho*
he had no great Opinion of the Prince of Conds's
Capacity or Conflancy, yet as he was Firft Prince
E 5 ^f
54 The Secret Hijlory
of the Blood,- he thought it his Intereft to joyii
in with him, and engage as many Great Lords
and others as he cou'd in his Party, to make Head
againfl the Marefchal D* Ancrz and the Miniftryl
To this Purpofe, he held Intelligence with Ed-
munds the Enz^liJJ} AmbafTador, Tho\ as Fajfor ex*
prefTes himfelf, There was little or no Ground tq
depend vpon a weak Kingj and one who was depen-
dant on his Almijiers *, yet the Marefchal was of
Opinion it wou'd do good if he cou*d fay only
King James was on their (ide. And it was on the
forming this Party, that the Parliament prefented
th"'nc Vigorous Remonlf ranee. The Queen look'4
upon it as an Invedive againft her Government *^
the Marefchal J>' Ancre as an Affront offer'd by
thofe that envy'd him '^ the Prefident Jsanmn^ as
a Reproach ol the Deflipation of the Finances :
And the Pukes of Cuije and Epemon having old
Grudges againft that Venerable Body, offer'd their
Service to the Queen and Miniftry, to Humble, if
not Deflroy them. Upon which a Decree of Coun-
cil was publiihd in the King's Name, to annul
that of the Parliament, Commanding it to be ta-
ken cut of the Regifters, and that of the Council
to be put in its room *, which Injury doiTe to the
Chief Senate of France^ increased the Prince's Par-
ty, to which the Marefchal de Bouillon^ did his
utmoft to add that of the Reforni'd , and at lafl
engaged their Deputies, Monfieur Kcuvray^ Mon-
Jieur Des Bordesj Monfieur Mirande^ and Monfieur
BertheviHe. But how did he engage them, by
FerfwaGons founded on the Welfare of the Pub-
lick, or the Advancement of Religion J Nu, by
promifing Advantages and Honours to themfelves
as Monfieur Roirjray to be Amballador to the
Vnitcd Prpvirjces^ Monfieur Des Bcrdes to be a
Counfellor in ParJiament, Monfieur BertheviHe
to be Deputy General of the Reform'd Churches
o\ rrance : fowerfid and Ferfwafive Motiv^s^ fays
the Duke of Rohan ^ ^
I havQ
(?/ F R A N e E. 55
I have before mentioned the Order of Council
publifh*d againft the Decree of Pa ili mien t, in thc^
Management of which happen'd feveral Turns,
that ftew how little one may depend on the Ho-
nour of Men in Places of Profit for their Love to
their Country, when their own private Intercft can
be better ferv'd at the Expence of both.
When the Court fent for Vionfieur Servietjy Advo-
cate General, to give him Inflruftions to kt up the
Order of Council againft the Parliament's Decree,
he at firft ftrenuoufly defended the latter, faying, Ijf
any body fljould go aijout to /peak againjl the Parlia-
7}jem^ we JJjoitd be obliged to maintain the Legality of
the Decree. The Queen reply'd in a Paflion, Tou
woudget more by obeying the King, Moiifieur Servien
perceiving a Biihop come up to hear with greater
Satisfadlion how fevcrely their Majefties exprefs'd
themfelves againft the Parliament, and that Prelate
being one of the moft zealous for the Pope's vSupe-
riority, the Advocate General rais'd hisV^oice. and
{iiid. Madam ^ ire have long ago obtain d the Glory
of rendring that Obedience -we owe to the Kingj that
Obedience which all who hear us owe him likewife^ of
what Quality foever they may be. We have always
fiewny and always fiall fljew by our Difcourfes and
Example^ Str^ continu'd he, turning to the King,
that you hold your Authority from God only^ and that
you in no way depend on any other Power whatfoever^
as to what concerns the Temporal Government of your
Kingdom^ ^c. All the Inftances of the Advocate
General and the King's Counfellors were to no pur-
pofe, they were order'd to acquaint the Parliament
with his Majefty's Pleafurc ; and tho' Monfieur Ser'
vien complimented that Body, as the lively Refem-
blance of an old Roman Senate, yet he found them
juft fuch another AfTembly as the Senate of Rome un-
der the Emperors. They readily complyM with the
Orders they received ,• and Monfieur Servien himfelf,
when he made his Report to the King, alTur'd him.
There was \nothing in the World that they more hear-
tily defird than the Prefervation of hii Authority^
and nothing was dearer to them than hU Favour, But
E 4. tlie
ShiySetref. Mfiory :
the MarefthalD? Bouillodfcmnd Means to aggravate
tbefe Mortifit^.tibns, in fucb a manner, to that Body-,
tiiat tliey' refolv'd to ftand by their Decree :, Mon-
fieur Ferditn^ the firft^ Preljdent, holding a ftri£V
Gorferpiofid^tice with the Marefchal. Upon this the
Prefidents are fent , for to Court, and told, That
holding their' Amharity from the King^ they ought td
jnake no other Vfe of it but to a[fert his Authority-, and
intimating,- that what was done was taken to be an
Effeft of the rafh and yoting Members of this Body*
Monfieur'^^r/j/w^ anfwer'd, that they were unani-
nious. ' The Queen faying. She return' d her Thanh
to all thai had opposed this Innovation -^^ that the King
ke^ Son fijould retnemher their Fidelity ^ and jhe would
tifi her Endeavonrs to prowpt htm to befiow jcme^
J'okem of Ms Kindnefs upon them^ the firft- Prefident
reply*d, M/idam^ we do nioft humbly defirs yeii to b^.
perfwaded that we have been all concerned in ih Decree j
to give no Credit to the conVtiary Report^ and to favour
Hi all equ(Myxoith your Kindnefs and your FroteElion
^iththe King. And the Parliament, when they re*
turn'd to' their Court, periifting in their Refolutioq
to maintain their Arret j (he ient for them again.
The King referrd thera to his Mother, who fet an
Example to all future Governpients m France^ to
treat that Body with no more Ceremony than the
meaneft Corporation in the Kingdom, in which fl^ie
bas been imitated by them all : He ^ your Xing and
your M^if^er, fliys fhe, be perfwaded he fhall exert hk
-Authority^ if yowtrefpafshts Injunctions-'^ thofe ar^
â– Men tli-affeiled to his Service^ who put you upon
yiightinj hu- Orders. The firft Prefidentfaid coldly,
'.He vtoud acquaint the. Tarliarnent with the Kings In-
tentions, However, the Ccmmittee they had ap-
^pointed to^ draw up a Remonftrance, purfuant to
their Decree; went on with it. The Qaeen and
Miniftry being apprehenfive that the i^arliament
M'ou'd not have taken tliis Step, if they had not
•been put upon it by the oppofite Party, thought it
advifeable to keep the prcteftants in as good a Hu-
mour as-tbay could, by Fromifes and fair Words.
"She reiy'd on the Probity acid Moderation of • Maii-
-'' iieur
of F R AN G R 57
HonYDuPleffis Mornay,' The Minifters and Secre-
fariesof State often wrote to him, and he was ac-
quainted with all the Proceedings, of the States Ge-
neral. In a w or d, the Court made a Shew, of fetting
a great Value oh the Advices of that wife Gentleman,
as if they refolvd to follovv them upon all Occa-
hons, and the Reform d having been alarm'd at
the Propofal made in the States General, that the
King fhould be addreft d to maintain the Catholick
Religion, according to his Coronation Oath, againft
Hereticks, to cafe them of tli^ir Fears, the beforer
hiention'd Declaration was put forth in iheir Favour
the i2th oi Marchy 1515-. wherein he declares. He
mil hep INri OLABLT what his Father And
'himjelf had granted to the Froteftants, commanding
that all EdiBs^ Declarations and private Article i
fiouldbenligioujly maintain d. We fliali fee p're-
fentiy how this Declaration and thefe Command?
were obfervxl. What follows is. a Confellion from
the Mouth of this King, ofaTruth he butillpra-
flis'd in the Courfe of liis Reign, and his SuccelTor
much^orfe than himfelf t We €xpeU:from the Divine
Mercy i fays iie^ that he will reunite all cur Subjects
in the fam^ Religion by the ordinary and vfual Means j
the Church' being fully perj waded by the Experience of
^im^s pajt that viole'rit Remedies were never effe^ual^
#r. Thefe fine Speeclies were to prepare the way
for a General Aflembly of the Reformed, which was
tp meet at Grenoble^ a Place the Proteftants did not
fit all approue of^ as being entirely in the Pofieiiion
of the Marefchal De Lefltfguieres^ whofe Diffimu-
iation and double Dealing they were as much afraid
of as afham'd of his fcandalous Life 5 of which the
following Story is a fufficient Proof, and in it will
be feen what infamous things the greateft Men are
capable of, to gratify their Ambitipn and Interefh
Charles Blanchefort^ Sire De Creqiti^ had marry*d the
only Daughter remaining of the Marefchal De Lef-
'difguieress lawful Children ; but the Marefchal had
two other Daughters by a certain Woman nam'd
,Mary Ftgnon^ whom he had taken away from her
YiM%hm^y , Smiimnd Matel^^^ ^i]k Merchant at
.;«.._-; " * • Grenoble,
^8 The Secret Hifiorj
Grenoble, Their Commerce was for feme time
kept private, Lefdifgutre$*s Wife being living^
but as foon as ihe cfy'd, he caus'd her to be calT'd
Madam De Moyranc^ the Name of one of his Lord-
jhip's, the* he was then above threefcorc Year's old.
La Moyranc not being fatisfy'd to be ferv'd and re-
fpcfted as if fhe had been his lawful Wife, would
needs marry him, her Husband being flill living.
To remove him out of the way, Co\ont\ Alar dim
Confident, a Man who carry d on the Intrigues be-
tween the Duke of Savoy and him, took upon him-
felf to get poor Afatel murder'd, and all the World
prefently fufpefted he was the Inftrument La Moy-
.fjanc had employed to rid her felf of her Husband.
The Parliament of Gienobk order*d Alard to be
apprehended on Sufpicion. The Marefchal, who
had abfented himfelt while the horrid Fa£l was per-
petrating, haften'd to Grenoble as foon as he heard
Alard was ftcur'd. But the Difficulty was how to
get him out of the publick Prifon. To this end he
went to it himfelf, and took him out, pretending
he was the Duke of Savoy*s Minifter, and not to be
medled with, unlefs his Highnefs gave Leave. The
firft Prefident of Grenoble being highly provok'd at
fuch a Violence, which plainly proved the Marefchal
was privy to the Crime, made a great Buftle •, but
nothing came of it» The Court, who flood mor«
in need of Lefdifguteres than of him, induc'd the
King to give an A^t, whereby he own*d all the
Marefchal had done, in order to take Alard out of
the Hands of the Magiftrate, He now gave Orders
that La Moyranc ihonld have the Title of Mar-
chioftefs of Tresfirty and afterv^ards marry'd her,
Hu^ues Arch-Bifhop of Anwrun giving his Bleffing
to that Criminal iMarriaj^re, La Moyranc being a
Roman Catholick, and Lefdifguieres^ who wou'd llill
retain the Name of a Proreftant, fubmitted himfelf
to the Ecclefiaftical Cenfure, ordain'd by the Re-
form'd againft thofe that marry after the way of
the Church of Rome. *Tis reported that Charles
Emanuel^ Duke of Savoy ^ being perfwaded that La
Moyranc had a pirevailing Intereft with the Ma-
refchal,
0f ¥K A N C E. 59
i'eOchal, was fo bafe as to propofe txD tliem a Match
between the Count of Sault^ Son to Cre/fui^ and
Lefdifguieres's Grandfon, and the Princefs of Savoy *,
as alio another Match between La Moyranc's fecond
Daughter, whom ^he Marefchal tenderly lov*d, and
one of Charles Ewanucl*% Sons. Perhaps this was
only an Artifice of that Duke's, who was paffionately
defirous to fecure Lefdtfgtiieres in his Intereft. The
Count of Sautt marry'd fince this fecond Daughter,
jiis Aunt, but (he dy'd without IfToe. Crequi was
then afraid left the eldeft Daughter of La Moyranc^
nurry'd to the Marquifs oi Mom^run^ fhou*d deprive
the Count of Saidt of a confiderable Share of the
Jncceflidn of his Grand-father •, and to prevent it,
ib eJFe^luall'y managed the matter that Momhrm\
Marriage was diffoWd. Crequi prefs'd his Son to
marry tier, tho' ihe was his Aunt, and his Sifter-
in-Law, which the young Count refus'd with Hor-
ror. 'Upon which his Father marry 'd her himfelf.
Sifter as {he was.to his firft Wife. All thefe in-
Ceftuous Marriages cou'd not be perform 'd without
Difpenfations from Koim \ which is enough to give
one an Idea of the Heligion and Juflice of that
Court, as it does of the Honour and V^irtue of i>/-
difguleres and Crequi,
Cou*d the Rerorm'd think of bringing fuch a
Scandal on their Religion, as to put themfelves in
tlie Hands of a Murderer and Adulterer ? Befides all
this, the Proteftants had very good Reafon to be
jealous of his keeping a clofe Correfpondence with
the Queen and Miniftry, ' to whom he was ready
enough to facrifife them at any time for his own
Intereft. They therefore defir'd to meet at fome
other Place than (tremble *, but hearing the Ma-
refchal was about to leave it, and come to Paris ^
they agreed to meet there *, which when they had
done, the Marefchal put off his Journey, and ftay'd
ito affift at the AfTembly. fending Ballufon to Court
with AlTurances of his Fidelity, and to receive their
prders,
\.'j ■•
In
ia The Secret Hi/lory .
In the mean the Parliament had fini/h*J the Re-
monftrance already fpoken of, and a Committee
of them went with grsat Ceremony to deliver it,
the People following their Coaches with loud Ac-
clamations to the Gates of the Louvre^ where was
in the Court, at the Windows, and on the Stair-
Cafes, as great a Crowd as ever was feen. They
were introduc'd by Munfieur f^itrl^ Captain of
the Guards, into thci Council Chamber, where
•were the King and Queen, accompany 'd by the
Dukes of Gmfe^ Nevers^ Vendome^ Afontmerency
and ^permn *, tlie Chancellor Silleni^ tlie Marei-
chals n Ancre and Souvre , and] many other
J.ords and Chief Councellors of State. The Re^
monftrance being deliver'd to the King, he gave
it to Lomenie^ Secretary of State, and his MajeAy
commanded the Parliament to withdraw ; upon
which Mr. Verdun^ the Firft Prefident faid, Sir^
we are ordered by the reft of our Body^ rAofi humbly
to befeech Tour Afa'iefiyj that our Remonflratice be
prefently read. All that were prefent, heard it
feemingly with with much Attention and Gravity,
under which appearance they concealed the moft
Furious Sentiments of Paffion and Refentment, ac-
cording as it feverally touch'd them. This was
one of the laft Efforts of Expiring Liberty in the
Parliament of Paris^ and therefore worth the
Readers being acquainted with it. They prov'd
by many uncontrovertible Inftances, that the Par-
liament had a Right to take Cognizance of State
Affairs : And then they proceeded to fet forth their
Greivances, which touching the Marefchal D' An-
crey the Chancellor Silleryy and others who were
at the hearing of it, gave Pleafurc to the Great
Lojds, who cou'd not forbear cafling their Eyes
upon them, as often as any Article was read where-
in they were concerned. The Subllance of the
Remonfirance, was to affert the Independency of.
the Monarchy of France, which flruck at Cardinal
du TerroJi's Speech to the States General, m fa-
vour of the Pope. They defir'd Foreign Alliances
m^ be maintain d. This the Regent underftood
* very
0/ F A R N C E. 6t
very well, to be aim'd at the Conclufion of the
Double Match, which broke the Treaties with
the Proteftant Princes and States, enter'd into by
Henry the IVtth, againft the Exorbitant Power of
the Houfe of Auflria. They pray*d his Majefty
to call the Trinces and the Great Officers of the
Crown to his Council^ and turn out thofe who had
been brought in by Fapotir^ without Merit, At the
reading of this, the Marrefchal D* Ancre and his
Creatures, turn'd Pale, to the Satisfaction of alnioft
all the Spe£latoas. They remonftrated againft Ven-
fions and Gratuities from Foreign Princes^ and againft
erv ploying Strangers in Offices^ either Civil or Mi^
litary^ They aflerted the Liberties of the Gallicia}t
Churchy in oppofition to the Vfurpation of that of
Rome. They infiuuated an Expulfion of the Je-
Tuits : They complain'd of the Abufes in the Ad^
mimflration of Jujiice and the Finances^ which was
defign'd againft tlie Chancellor Sillery^ ^nd the
Comptroller of the Finances Jeannin. They ^^n*d-
ed with humbly befeeching His Majefty to fuf-
fer their Arrets inviting the Princes and Peers
to deliberate with them about the State of the
Nation, to ftand in Force. Thefe Articles were
full and #^goroufly exprefs'd, and when the whole
Remonftraiice was read, the Members of the Par-
liament were order'd to withdraw. After they
were cali'd in again, the King laid, / have heard
your Remonftrance^ and 1 am not pleased with it \
the Queen my Mother^ will acquaint you with my
Intentions, 'Tho nothing had been faid particular-
ly againft her, on the contrary fhe had been com-
mended in fome Parts of the Remonftrance ^ yet
*twas plain all of it tended to oppofe her Adm>*
niftration, and Ihe took it accordingly, which \^t
her in a Violent Paftion, and in this Fury ftie
anfwer'd the Parliament to this purpofe. " The
*' King has juft Reafon to be offended at the Ac-
-^ tempts of his Parliament *, you have taken the
'' Affairs of State into your Confideration, noc-
" withftanding yon were forbidden fo to do. Do
V you relolve to reform the Kingdom ? Will you
[^ prefcribe
6t The Secret Hijioty
" prefcribe us Laws for the Government, and Adl*
" miniftration of the Treafury ? I perceive very
** well what it is you aim at *, you have a Defign
" upon my RegeiKy, which has been approv'd of
*' by all the Orders of the Kingdom, in the Af-
" fembly of the States General, and was even
*^ commended by the Parliament it felf. When
** you defire to have the pretended Abufes re-
" drefs'd, which have been introduced fince the
" Death of the late King, yoU plainly declare by
" that, that I have not Govern'd as I ought. I
*' have been fufficiently inforni'd, how all things
*' were carry'd in the Parliiment : Your Re-
*• monftrance has not met with a General Appro-
^' bation there, Six Prefidents oppos'd it ^ but the
*' Faftion of Six or Seven other PrefidehtS or
^' Councellors, have carry'd it: We will not for
" the future, fuffer any (uch like Attempts^ This
*' I fay pofitively, and I am pleas'd that all the
**' World fhou'd know it, France has never had
** a more happy Regency than mine. " She cou'd
go no farther, being To tranfported with Paflion.
The (Chancellor was in not much better Temper
than Her Majefty, but he put a better Face upon
it, and after having in his Speech enlar^'d on the
Boundlefs Power of the Kings of France^ he en-
deavour d to leflen the Authority of the Parlia-
ment, and flatter'd tiie Queen even more than Oie
had flatter'd herfelf, Jeamin defir'd them not to
believe Falfe Reports, and Vindicated himl'elf as
to the management of the Treafury. The other
Lords, who had not the Gift of Oratory, and be-
sides were not fo much concern'd in the Remon-
ftrance, did not make Speeches. The Dukes of
Guifcy Montmerency and Vendome^ rofe up and of-
fered to (land by the King with their Lives and
Fortunes, againft all who iliou'd dare to difobey
him, aduring him they wou'd not go to the Par-
liament, unlefs his Majefty fent them to main-
tain his Royal Authority. The Duke of Epernon
faid, The Parliament have no Power to Call the
PeerSy nor to Aj[9mhle them without the Kings Per-
mi([ion.
e/ F R A N G E. 6J
mijfton. I have the HmovT of fitting in it^ God
forbid I Jbou'd ever inform them of State jiffairs :
Such was the Slavifh Complyance of thofe Lords,
with the Queen and Her Miniftry • It will not
be long before we (hall find how they were them-
felves punifh'd for being acceffary to the dcftroy-
ing tlie Authority of tnis Venerable Body. The
Queen, and they too late, apply'd to them for
Prote^ion againit the Infblence of a Minifter, of
as little Merit ^s Conchini^ and they late repent-
ed of a Folly in which they now Glory. The
Firft Prefident endeavoured to reply to the Duke
de Epernony and they came to high Words, but
the Queen intcrpos'd, and prevented the ill Con-
fequences that might have happened. The Maref-
chal U Ancre had nothing to fay for himfelf,
but complain'd of Libels and Lampoons ^ fuch Fa-
vourites as he may very well be afraid of Wit
and Truth, for they will always be againft them.
He produc'd a Pamphlet, caird the French Cajfem-
dra^ fcveral Paffages ©f which he had mark'd for
the Queen to take Notice of. See here^ faid Ihe,
^011? Lampoons and Libels againft the Kln^ and
me are permitted^ and then gave it to the Secre-
tary to read thofe PafTages. The Firft Prefident
reply'd, He had made a firiEi Enquiry aftsK the
Printer, but coiid not find him out. The Duke
de Epernon anfwer'd, Tou Jhoud inquire after the
Authors of fuch Scandal^ Printers are poor forry
Fellows^ TPho have no other Defign^ but to get a Pen'
ny for a pitiful Livelihood,
Authors and Printers will never have a good
Word from th®fe who are Enemies to their Coun-
try, from the Creatures of Tyranny. There's not
fo forry a Fellow in the World, as he who be
trays the Liberties of his FeIlowSub;efts, nor a
Livelihood fo pitiful, let it be with all the out-
ward appearances of Grandeur, as that which fub-
(ifts by Flattery and Corruption.
The Duke of Never ^ was the only Lord that
had Courage to fay a Word in favour of the Par-
liainenr. / have given them no Commijfwn tofpeak
for
64 ThOSeirei, Hifiorj
formty feid he, / know what I owe to the Kwg-t;
there one jome good things in the Retnonfirance^ if
there be any that are iil^ hts Majejly may reject
r^w/i No Body rriinded him, and ^Thr^e Days
afterwards, the King's Decree in â– Council was
Publifh'd, declaring, The. Parlid/nent to have ^one
beyond, their Tower \ th^t it was only a Caurt ere tied
to admnijler Juftice. Their Ordinances touchiitg
thefe Matters were repeal'd, and they were en^
)oyii*d ' nop to meddle ariy more for the future^ with
State Affairs. This Decree bore Date the 25th of
May] isis-, and fror/i that time have their Senate
been indeed no nioi^ than a Court of,Jurrice, ex-
cept when there have been Commotions in the
State, and the Court or th6 Princes have thot^ght
it for their Intereft to engage them on thbir Mq.
They have then afJiim'd occafionaljy a Face of
Authority, but on no better Foundation than the
prefent Keceility of a Troublefome Tan£lu?e of
Affairs *, which being over, this Decree of Lewis
rhe Xlllth, under the direction of iiis Mother
Mary de Medicis^ was . the Rule of their Coil-
dud, and inftead of a Senate, they have from that
Year to this, been no more tiian a Body of Men
depending entirely on the Crown, ready to re-
ceive with a Slavifli Submifiion, all the Orders fent
them by the Minifters, and to give them the San^K
on of Laws. Thus in Three Months there was an
end put to the Authority of the Two AiTemblies,
that were the Bulwarks of the French Liberties,-
that of the States General, and that of the Par-
liament of Paris,
The Decree above- mention'd, did not pafs with-
out Obftacles, and thofe from the King's own Ser-
vants, the Advocate and Attorny - General, who
were order'd to carry it to the Parliament. Thefe
Gentlemen were Members of tlie AiTembly, and
reprefented that it feem'd as if they had a mind
to have tliem ill look'd upon by them, which
wou'd be .a means to render them incapable of
ferving his Majefty in ParliamcnL Monfieur Ser-
vien, the Advocate General, made ufe of all the
Flowers
of ¥ RANGE. 6^
Flowers of his Rhetorick to be excused from that
Mellage. The Queen told him with great Warmth,
The King will have it foj his Commands and. mine
ought to be obeyed without any Excvfe or Delays
Then Monlieur Mole, the Attorney-General, tcU
down at the King's Feet, to dcfire him to confi-
der their Station in Parliament, but the King was
alfo jnflexible^ / will have it fo^ faid he, and the
Qu^en too, Servien when he came to the Parli-
ament, reprefented how unwillingly he obey'd the
Royal Commands, and to moderate Matters, ad-
vis'd them to make their Submijfion, and Proteji
both to the King and his Mother^ that the Parlia^
tnent had never found Fault with their Proceedings'^
tho' 'twas plain that every Word of their Remon-
ftrance reflected on the Adminiftration of the Go-
vernment lince the Death of Henry the IVth. The
Parliament, whofe Spirit was funk with their ill
Succefs, inclin'd to do what the Advocate had pro*
pos'd, but the Qiieen fent for Servien^ and told
him, the King woud hearken to nothing till his^ Be'-
cree was read and regfier^d, Servien continu'd to
iiiake Excufes for the Parliament, with refped to
her Regency, but all in vain. The Decree muft
pafs in due Form, tho' by it all the Arrets of
Parliament on this Subjea:, were to be raz'd out
of the Regifters. The King Wills and Commands
you^ reply*d ihe with an imperious Air , to fee
that his Orders he punctually obey'd^ and that the
Decree of his Council be Read and Recorded under
Fain of Difobedience. At laft the Decree was
read, but the Regiftring of it met with a Stre^
iiuous Oppofition, and was not foon determined.
In the mean time the Double Match going for^
ward, the Frincefles of B^ance ?ni Spain were to
exchang-'d, and the Queen prefs'd the King to be-,
gin his Progrefs to the Frontiers for that purpofe;
the Prince of Conde opposed it to his utmoftj gi-
ving kveral plsofible Reafbns, which having no
weight with the Queen, hQ retnrn'd to his Coun-
try of Clermontj and the Marefchal de Bouillon to
his Principality of Ssdan^ th§ Duke de Mayenm
F to
66 The Secret Hijlory
to Soljfons, and the Duke de Longueville to Picardy,
Things tending thus to a Rupture, both fides be-
gaii a Paper War, in which the Weakeft in the
Field, had the befl at the Frefs, as it commonly
happens in other Cafes •, when Power prevails over
Right. The Queen being intent on the Progrefs,
and afraid of leaving tiie Parliament difgulled,
when the difcontented Lords were ready to take
Arms, thought to accommodate Matters with' that
Body, and to be contented with their former Of-
fers of Submiflion. Upon Notice of this from
the Advocate General, the Zeal of this other Ro-
?77au Senate vanifhes, and the Patriot Monfieur F'er-
dun^ the Firft Prefident, prefents himfelf with his
Company before their Majcrllies, to fignify to them,
Imv extreamly the ^ffemhly was affetled with their
JDtjfatisfaliion^ and to protej} they never had any
Dejign of concerning thern [elves with thetr Atlions^
highly applauding the Qiieen's Wife Condu<fl,
They declin'd all further 1 roceedings, and the De-
cree of the Council, which repeal'd their Arrets-,
was not executed with any Severity.
Let us not fay they were Frenchmen who fo bafely ^
gave up the Caufe of Liberty, unlels we can diftin-
guifh any other Nation by their Perfeverar.ee at all
times in maintaining it. Other Nations there are
who have pretended more to it, and yet have been
found as flavifh in their Compliance with Defpotick
Power as were thefe French Senators, who were
not likely to iave the Freedom of their Country,
v«hen they had not Courage enough to embrace the
Opportunity that was offering it felf to fupport itj
by the Declaration of the firft Prince of the Blood,
and the moft powerful Lords of the Kingdom, for
the Redrefs of thofe Grievances againit which they
remonftratcd.
The Queen, to hinder any Difturbances in her
Abfence, fent Fillcroy to the Prince of Conde\ with
Offers of giving h\va entire Satisfiftion as to his
Share in the Adminiitration of the Government •,
for well fhc knew if he was falisfy'd m that Point,
he wouU ikcrifice all others. But he had been fo
often
(?/ F R A N C E. 67
often aeceiv'd by her, he durft- not triift her ,-
other wife, no doubt, their Differences would have
been eafily and prefently adjufted. This Diffidence
made the Prince keep a Uttk more Heady to his
Party than lie us'd to do ^ and his Coldnefs in ac-
cepting the fair Propofals made him by ^ilkroy^
occafionM another Conference between hmi and
Vilkroy and "jeannln^ to endeavour to brmg hun
over. The Lords of his Party were come to hnn,
b fee how Affairs were managed, and to have an
Eye over his Condua: , and the Marefehal D' Aicre
and SiUerl the Chancellor, being apprehenfive that
VilUroy and Jeannin would give them up tor an
Accommodation, fo reprefented the Danger o^ thele
Negotiations, with the double Match, totheQiieen,
that Hie oQi the King to fend Fontchartrain^ Secre-
tary of State, with a Letter to the Prince, to de-
mand a pofitive Anfwer, Whether he wou'd attend
him or not in his Progrels ? This enrag'd the Prince
bf Conde to that Degree, that he comply'd with the
Defires of the difcontented Lords, and refolv d to
take Arms, He alfo wrote a Letter to the Kingj
in which having complain'd of the Abufes in the Go-
vernment, he charg'd the Mareichal D' Ancrez^wd
the Chancellor Silleri by Name. as,the chiet Inftru-
ments of it, and defir'd they might be call d to
Account for their evil Praftices. ,
While the Marefehal De Bouillon appear d tlie
inoft forward of the difcontented Lords to come to
a Rupture, he privately made his Court to the Ma-
refehal D* Ancre, and fent an Excufe to him for his
Name being incerted in the Letter, laying all the
Blame of it on the Duke Dc Longuevllle, who had
had a long Difpute with tiie Marefehal D' Ancrn
about the Rights of his Government of Pkardvi
which the other as Governor of A/msns^ Capital
of that Province, Wou*d have invaded.
The (^jeen, to ^^revent the fpreading oi thiS Lvi!,
caus'd a Declaration to be publiih'd in the King «
Name, vvhich, anaong other things faid tO' amui«
the People, had one PafTage in it that had its ht-
fea, aod that was. the Lords being diicontenteci
68 The Secret Hifiorj
purely for the Court's refufing them fome private
Advantages it was not convenient nor fafe for them
to grant. This being (o probable as it was from
the Chara^^ers of the Men, made the Prince's Friends
very backward in engaging in his Qii;irrel •, and
thole who were for redrefling of Grievances, de-
fpairing to have their Defires accompliOi'd by fuch
intcrefted Chiefs, lay quiet, and let them work
themfelves out of their Difficulties as they cou'd.
Others, outof Love tuthe Perfons of the difconten-
ted Lords, out of Dependance on their Fortunes,
or out of a warm Zeal for the publick Welfare,
to which they mightily pretended, join'd with them.
But their Force was not fufficient to juftify the Re-
fiRance, they had begun, and therefore it foon got
the Scandal of Rebi^llion. The King commanded
that no Towns fhould receive them, and that all
Governors of Provinces fhould hinder the raifing
of Forces for the Rebels^ as they were term'd. A
fure Sign the Court did not much fear them, for
then they would have made ufe of fome fofter
Term*, Rebellion being as eafily turn d into Dlfco^'
tcnt^ as the Rebellious into the DifaffeUed^ which is
very common.
The Reform 'd having a General AfTembly at Gre-
?7oble^ the Prince of CWf fent a Gentleman to invite
them to join with him in order to procure a good
Reformation of the State, in which he promis d the
Proteilants all the Sureties they could reafonably
expecl. A confiderable Part of the AfTembly inclin'd
towards the Jun£^ion. The Pretences the Prince us'd
were (o plaufible, and fo noble, they could hardly
fail of making an ImprefTion on People fo fenfible of
Liberty as were the Proteftants of France. His
Highnefs propos'd lo pafs tlie Independence of the
Crown into an A£l of State •, to fecure the King s
Perfon againil AlTalTinations, Excommunkatiuns and
Depofitions *, to revenge the too long negleiHied
Murder of the late King *, to hinder the Publica-
tion of a Council, aga^nft v^hich the King had
protefled *, to reduce Taxes and Impofitions to
reafonable Rates 5 to remove tiie excellive Autho-
rity
^/FRANCE. 69
rity of Foreigners ; to fettle the Edi£ls o'f Pacifi-
cation beyond Reach, &c, Thefe v/ere tempting
Baits, and hearken'd to by many of the AfTembly,
who were animated by the Intrigues of the Friends
of the Marefchal De Bouillon, But the more mode-
rate Part were of the fame Sentiments with that
good and wife Man- MonCeur Du Plejfis Alornay^
which he deliver'd to fome Deputies who came to
take their Leave of hmi before their fetting out for
Grenoble : I do not pretend^ fays he, to reflet upon
the Princcj nor the Lords that have )o'.nd With him.
It belongs to them to Ji^fiijy the Vprlghtnefs of their
Intentions before him who fearches all Hearts \ but
it does not concern our Ajfemblies to take any Cogni-
zance of the Affairs of State, We ought at mcfi to
concur with his Highnefs for the reforming what is
contrary to our Edi^isy fuch as the Coronation Oath^
fuch as the Reception of the Council of Trent. And
'tis probable the AfTembly wou'd have folio w'd his
Advice, had not that of the Clergy of France^ then
met at Paris^ alarmed them, by refolving on a Cahier
for the Reception of the Council of Trent \ and
had not the Jefuits in their Sermons done their
utmoft to exafperate the Catholicks, and kindle a
Fire, which they and the PrieHs were only to get
by. The Court, 'tis true, were angry with the ,
Clergy for their Cahier^ not becaufe they did tjot
like the Wording but the Timing of it, which might
prove dangerous now the Proteftants v^ere aflembled
at Grenoble, and the (irft Prince of the Blood was
folliciting them to declare for a Reformation in the
State, wherein they were to find fo many Advan-
tages.
Some few Days after the King put out his De-
claration, the Prince of Conde wrote to their Ma-
jefties, to defire Leave to fend a Manififto he had
prepared to all the Parliaments and Corporations in
the Kingdom, and to all the Princes and States in
Alliance with the Crown. The Subflance of it is
as follows : " He complain'd of the Queen Regent's
*' refufing to have any Regard to the Remonftrance'.
f, lie had often made her concerning her Male- Ad-
F 3 niiniflratioiU
fO The Secret Hijlory
^* miniftration \ of the Reflraint the States General
** had been under as to Freedom of Speech •, of
*' the Clergy s oppofing the Independency of the
*' Monarchy ; of the Marefchal D' Ancre's Crimes
*' and Abufes of her Majedy's Favour *, of the fquan-
*' dering away the Publick Money ; of the Precipe
^* ta'tion of the King's Marriage, and tlie Conteoipt
" of the Allies of the Crown ; of the ill U(age of
*^ the Parliament of Paris about their Arrets and
*' Rernonflrances ', of the Ground of Sufpicion and
*^ Diftrufi given to the Reformed ^ of the Oath
** taken by the AfTembly of the Clergy at Paris to
*? receive the Council ofTrerJtj &rc* This Manifeflo
being (ent to the Parliament, vs^hich was fo f avoii-
i-ably fpoken of in it, they ient the Packets to the
King unopened. The Prince took particular Care
to have it conveyed to Monfieur Du Pleffis Mornay ;
be (ent Monfieur Gifr/^e??^2 P/e??.7;2 with it and fome
private Letters. JDu Plejfis commended the Prince
of Conde'% Courage and Zeal, confeiTing there were
great Grievances to be redrefs'd *, but having read
the Manifefto, he coldly ask'd Ccurtcna'^ Whether
the Prince had a gcod Army to affert it ? He added,
/ am afraid all thefe grc^'it Dcfigns will come to no-
thi',iz like thcfe cflaji Tear, Covrtenai anfvv'er'd, His
HigKinefs is jure of \$ooo_ Soldier's '^ His Afr^pfiy of
Great- Britain affijis him with 5ooo, rv'ho are already
CfTibarkd, Prince Maurice fumljij^s. him with 4000',
end the re/l are to come out of Germany. ' Which J
liiention to thew how fondly thofe that eafily deceive
them'elves with vain Hopes, think they can as eafily
deceive others •, for the Troc.ps that were embark d
\x\' England^ according to Q'^r/^;^?.^/, were not fo
much as rais'd or defign'd to be raib'd. The King
was not as yet gone from Pnris^ w^hcn the Prince
difpatch'd this Gentleman to Monfieur Bn Pleffis
Morrjay ^ who, tho* he did not join his HigbnelSg
thought it a favourable Junfture to f^llicite the Court
to redrefs the Grievances of the Proteftants : /
have cften importuned yeur Majeftys Afimjiers^ faid
he, to take iiito ferious Confideration the Complaints
i'f our Chnrchcs 5 they have refused hitherto to hear
0/ F R A N C E. 71
me, 'Tii dnngernus to wait any lo'ngcr to give them
Satisfa^ion^ for fear they Jhould he compell'd to join
their Inter fjis to thofe of the Prince. The King did not
anfwer Dm Pleffis till he was fet put from Paris ^ he
then Taid, He kindly received his Remonflrance \ that the
Council had taken his Reafons into Con fid er at ion ^ hutfome
Renfons of greater Weight had carry d it, I have
pafs*d my Word^ added he, and I mitji forthwith
perform what I have promised to the King of Sp:un.
The Marefchal f/ Am re was proposed by the Duke
D' Epernon and the Chancellor SiAleri to command
the Army that was to a£l againft the Prince of
Conde : but they afterwards confidering haw-pro-
bable it was that the Marefchal might reconcile
iiimfelf to the Prince, by means of the Marefchal
De Bouillon, they fo frighten'd the Q^jeen with Ap-
prehenfions of the Refentment of the Parifuns^ if
a Foreigner had that Trufl given him, thatlhe took
it from him, and gave it to the Marefchal De Bois
Dauphin, to pleafe them, for at the Bo'tom fhewas
offended that D' Ancre did not command it ^ and
himfelf retiring to Amiens ^ contriv'd there the Ruin
of thofe that hinder d him of it, his Wife having
fuch An Influence over the Queen, that i\\c very
War, which was raised to deftroy him, turn*d to his
Advantage.
The Marefchal Detefdifguieres h^d undertaken
to have a watchfu^l Eye on the General Affcmbly of
the Reformed RtGrenotpUj and to hinder their taking
any Refolu lions contrary to the Queen's Intereft.
The Parliament of Paris had been fo mortify'd and
manag'd, that there was no great Fear of them.
However, to prevent their tak'ngany Stepin fuvour
of the Prince of Cofde^ fl^e refolv'd to terrify them
by a Proceeding, that none of fo timerous a Body
ihou'ci have Courage to put to the Trial Le Jay^
one of the Prehdents, w^as one of the Prince's moft
intimate Friends, He bore a great Sway in the
Parliament, ar.d the Court look'd upon him as th«
Man who had been moll bufy in procuring the Arret
for inviting the Princes and Peers^ which they were
f 4 afraid
72 The Secret Hi[iory
afraid be might fet a-foot again when they wer$
gone, and to prevent it, refolv*d to fecure his Per-
fon. He was therefore told his Majefty had fome
Thoughts to take him with him in his Progreis, to
have the Benefit of his good Counfel. But he mi-
firufted fo extraordinary a Complement, anddefir'd
to be excus'd on account of his Health. The Courip
thought there was fome Myftery in his Excufe, the
Prefident nor being very Sickly *, wherefore the Queen
refolv'd to have him apprehended, and to fhut him
up in the C?.?i\t oi Amboife^ as (oon as the Court
arrived there. On the Day of the King's Departure,
they came very early to acquaint him his Majefiy
woH'dTpeak with him. He was no fooner drefs'd,
and got out of his Houfe, than two Exempts of the
Guards, accompany'd with fifteen Troopers, put
Lim into a Coach with fix Horfes, immediately
drew up the Window, and inftead of carrying him
to the Louvre^ hxowght him to the King's Train then
going out of Paris, His Wife prefently complain'd
to the Parliament, who fent fome of their Mem-
bers to the Louvre to demand him ^ but their Ma-
jeilies were departed. They then fent fome of their
Eody after the Court, to know what they intended
to do with Monfieur Ls Jay. They were aufwer'd
bluntly. To make him ferviceahle during the Kine's
Trogrefs. Here was an open Invafion of the Liberty
of the Subjeft, no Occafior of Offence being ^iven
by the Prefident, except in the Diicharge of his
Trufl:. Rut tho' Monfieur Vaffor cries our fo much
againfl- this Violence, one would think he need not
have made fuch a VN^onder of it after having read fo
much of the French Hiftory.
As to the General Affembly of the Reform'd at
Grer.oble. FaO:ioiis and Divifions ruin'd all the Hopes
the Proteilants had of that Meeting. The Duke
Be Lefdif^/iieres v/as againft their joining with the
Piince, having a fecret Correfpondence with the
Court. The Duke De Botdllo-a wa^ for their joining
with him, becaufe he hop'd by that means to renew
his Correfpondence with the Court. The Seignior
J>u liejfis Mem ay was againfl that Jun^ion, be-
- .. - ^ c;iu{e
of
FRANCE. 75
jcaufe be wou'd not have Religion made a Sacrifice to
Politicks. The Duke De Rohan was firft againfl;,an<i
afterwards for their joyning, becaufe the Marefchal
De Bouillon was his Enemy, and becaufe the Queen
liad neale£led him. Thus we fee that only Du Plejfts
was a£ted by a Chriftian Spirit, and that Revenge
and Ambition infpir'd ail their other Counfels. The
Duke Ve Sully was agiinft or for joining the Prince,
as his Son- in Law, whom he look'd upon as the
Support of his Family, was for or againft it. The
Proteftants had fo little an Opinion of the Sincerity
of the Marefchal De Lefdifguieres^ that he had no
great Influence over their Determinations *, and Die
Pleffiss folid Arguments were not flrong enough
for' the plaufible Pretences of the Prince in favour
of the Reform'd. He fent Monfieur Le Hate to
Grenoble with his Manifefto, and that Gentleman
made a labour'd Speech at the Delivery of it, afTu-
ring them, his Higlmefs woud hazard every thing
for the Prefervation of their EdiBs ; clofing his
Speech thus, Such a noble Attempt as this is worthy
of you : 'T/i not long fmce your Fathers couragioufly
defended the Authority of oirr Kiiigs^ the Rights of the
Princes of the Bloody and the Liberties of their Coun-
try. But as yet the AiTembly were not in a Difpo-
fition to declare for the Prince's Party ^ they took
the wifeft Courfe, and refolv'd to take hold of fo
fair an Opportunity to get their Grievances redrefs'd.
They fent two Deputations to Court with their
CahierJ, in vvhich, contrary to DuFleJfus Advice,
who being there however feconded them with his
Rem on ft ranees, they mention'd feme Political Af-
fairs, as 7he Article of the Third Eflr.te^ the Spanifh
Matchy both very offenfive to the Court, and there-
•fore the Occafion of the Delay they met with in
getting an Ai:rvver. The Queen did not care to
drive them to Defpair, at a time when fhe had
Work enough upon her Hands to keep the dis-
contented Catholicks quiet. She reply*d as to the
deferring the Progrefs, That had it been defird
fooner^ it might have been put offj hut It was then
too late to th'nk npon itj it bslng impojfible to r£treat
with
74 3^^ Secret Hiftory
with Honour'^ the Piaffe was fix' d^ the Day appointed^
and they were too forward in their Journey to go back.
Fair Words of no more Weight than the Wind
that form'd them. Had it not been too late to go
back, it wou'd have been too hafty, and the Court
had had no Thoughts of it. Du Plcjjls preiVd them '
to give a favourable Anfwer to tlie Deputies*, but
the Queen depending on the AfTu ranees t) e Duke
De Lrfdifguieres had given her of croffing the
Intrigues of the Prince's Friends at Grcnoble\ and
the Duke U Epemons to convey them {A\t to the
Frontiers, did not much trouble themfelves about
the ill Confeqnences of negle£^ing the AfTembly,
.which Du Plefjis reprefented to them. That good
Man had feveral Conferences with the Minifters,
in one of wbich he told the Chancellor Siller l^ If
the Jefuits openly in their Sermons tell us-, the Defign
cf the double Match with Spain is to root out Herejy^
TJphy fljGuld you be furprlzsd that our Churches are
alarm d at it^ and that the Memorial of the ^jfemhly
Tncntlon it ? Sillery reply'd. Good God ! muft ycu
fnind every thing the jeiuits fay ? They do not go^
vern the Nation, Slr^ (aid Du Plejfis ' ^gzin^ They
are net ajarm^d at what other Monks may fay^ but
citr People believe they ought to take a pijfticular
Notice of all the Proceedings and Dlfcourfes of the
Jefuits *, we fee them continually attending on Priricei
and Minijicrs of State \ under the Colour of Reli-
gion^ they in finuate their Defgns and Political Fiews
into them. Sir, Ton know this better than I can tell
ycu ', France ha^ too much felt the EffeUs of the
Advices given by Jefijits. The AfTembly at Grenoble
fent Deputies to the Prince of Conde as v;ell as tc
the King •, Monfieur f'eneville and Cagni were ap-
pointed tor that Commifiion. The former was
only to make Tome general Complements, and re-
turn him Thanks for what La Haie (aid in his
Speech. The latter was to do his utmofl: to found
his Highnefs's real Intentions, and examine whether
he had Strength enough to make good his Manifefto.
The Court had given the hard Name of Rebelltpn
to all thole that fhould raifc Commotions in the
Pra-
of FRANCE. f$
Provinces, but did not particularly declare the Prince
and the Lords Rebels^ til^j^ey airiv'd at PolEliers,
This Declaration was fent to the Parliament of
Taris^ where feme Debate arofe about pafRng it ^
and they might well debate whether the Proceedings
of the Prince's Party were rebellious, when they
had fo lately in their Arrets and Rem onft ranees
faid as much againft the Miniftry as was faid in his
Manifefto. However that Blaze of Zeal being quick'
ly out, the Majority voted it downright Rebellion,
adding, We JJjall be Accomplices our felveSy if we
refufe to obey the Kings Will and Pleafure. Is it any
wonder that fach a Body of Men fhould have
loft all their Privileges, and from a Parliament of
Senators dwindle into a Bench of Juftices, All that's
left of their real Power, tho' the Formality of en-
regiflring, remain with them, hardly exceeding
thatof a Qiiarter-Sellions, except in Matters of Law
and Equity. There are fome Authors who reprefent
this Affair of the Parliament mere to their Repu-
tation *, That the i^lurslity of Voices declar'd againft:
tne Vei incation of the King's Declaration *, That
a Decree was made upon it, by which that Court
declar'd, that they neither could nor ought to regifter
it •, That the Party in the Intereft of the Miniftry
caus'd the Words nor ought to be omitted out of the
Extrafis of the Decree which was publilb/d *, and
foon after had Credit enough to forge another
Decree of InroUment without any Exception, which
was found in the Regifter in the room of the firft.
We may eafily imagine^ fays a credible Kiftorian,
that this bold Falfification of a folemn Decree^ in a
Cafe (f fuch Confequcnce^ was highly rejented : It
created great Dlfputes among the Members of the
Parliament, ivho proceeded on bcth Sides to Jnvcclivcs
and Troteflatlons. The Prince's Refentment was
not without Reafon, and it is faid in the Prelimi-
naries of the Treaty of Peace,he demanded that thofe
who were concerned in theFalfificationsof the Decree
fhould be punifh'd. The Truth is, the Prince of
C6nde\ Army gave no great Encouragement to any
one to join it. He cou'd only raife'a fmall Body,
' " which
76 The Secret Hifiory
which happily efcap'd the Purfuit of the Marefcha^
De Bois Dauphin, whoi^ight have oafily difpers'd
it: Whether he omitted it out of Negligence or
Defign, the Court was fo difpleas'd. that they gave
his Command to another. The Duke of Rohan had
been powerfully follicited to take upi^rms, but he
flood out even after his Brother the Duke of Soiihiz.e
had join'd the Prince. This Jundion facilitated
the other ; Scuhlz.e being a Man of Intrigue, zealous
for his Religion, and belov'd by his Brother. Not-
withflanding which and the Security that was pro-
pos'd by the Prince for the Proteftant Churches,
Rohan was for Pacifick Meafures in Oppofition to
the Marefciial De Bouillon^ 'till preffing her Majefty
to grant him the Survivorfhip of the Government
of Poi5louy held by his Father in- Law 5«//j/, and
being refus d, he openly declared for the Prince, and
engaged to join the Count De St. Pol in Guyenne
with 60OO Foot and 500 Horfe ^ which if he could
have done, a Stop had been put to the Progrefs of
the ( ourt, and to the double Match. But initead
of this the Count Be St. Pol deferted the Party, at
the Perfwafion of his Wife, a bigotted Papift, and
jRohans Friends cou'd not raife above 2500 Men.
By which Means the Court continu'd their Progrefs
uninterrupted to Bourdeaux. The AflTembly at
Grenoble were dilatory in their Proceeding's, ccca-
fion'd by the Awe the Marefchal De Lefdifguieres
had over them *, for which Reafon thofe that wifh'd
well to their Janftion with the Prince, propos'd to
remove their Seffion to another Place, and ih^ Major
Vote carry'd It for N'fmes, Lefdifguieres knowing
their Removal would (ofe him the Merit of mana-
ging them with the Court, oppos'd it in a ki Speech ^
and finding his Arguments wou'd not prevail, he
had Recourfe to Violence, and (hue the Gates.
Monfieur Chaufepie, o.ne of the Deputies for the
Province of PoiEiot^^ was flop'd as he was going
out only to take the Air *, which put the AfTem-
bly into fuch a Ferment, that the Marefchal doubt-
ing his own Power againlt that of the whole Body
of the Protedants of France^ who wou'd certainly
* * hav^
£?/F A R N C E. 77.
have highly refented the Affront offered their Ge-
neral AfTembly, ordered the Gates to be open'd, and
permitted the Members* to depart. The Seffion
being removed to Nifmes^ all their Afts wer<; look'd
upon by Du Plejfis Mornay and the moderate Prote-
ftants as Nulhties ^ the King's Writ not warranting
them to meet there. The Deputies that were fent
to Court for his Majefty's Permiflion, cou'd procure
none for any other Place except Montpdier^ where
the Duke De Chatillon^viho, tho' a Proteitar:t, was as
much in the Court Intereft as Lefdtfguieres^ was
Goveirnour. i his City the AfTembly did not like,
and infilling ft ill on Nifmes^ the QLieeti (eem'd paf-
five in the matter, referving a Pretence at any time
to call their Meeting Seditious, or to approve of
It, as their Conduft pleas'd or difpleas'd her.
What help'd to determine the Alfembly to declare
for the Prince, was an Accident that aftoniih'd all
France^ and that was the Convcrfion of the Duke
De Candale^ a Son of the Duke D' Epernorij the
greateft Enemy of the Reform'd in France j and
as all New Converts are moft Zealous, fo this Lord
did not give over his Inftanccs, till he prevail'd with
them to unite with the Prince of Co-rjcie, Tis true the
Duke did renounce theCatholickReligion,butitwas
only out of Defpight, Convidion had no Share in
it: His Father had procur'd his younger Brother
the Survivorfhip of the Poft of Colonel General of
the Infantry, and refus'd him himfelf fome Govern-
ments that were at his Difpofal. He thought no
Revenge cou'd be {o effectual, as that of his em-
bracing a Religion his Father abhor'd more than
any Man j and tho' his Converfion was all Grimace,
the Proteftants fond of fo illuftrious a Convert,
were willing to believe it fincere, and to truft him
accordingly. They thought they could not do too
much to confirm him in their Interefts, and to
oblige him, comply'd with thofe Counfeis which
he proposed to them ; the Confequence of which
was a Treaty of Union between the AfTembly and
the Prince, carry'd by two Voices only. The Court
a^cd
j% The Secret^ Hijiory
a£led very prudently ^ on this Occafion, andpublifh-
ing a Declaration, diftingu-fh<I between the Loyal
Proteflants of France^ and tnofe of the AfTemhly at
Nifyriss and their Adherents ; for in the Declaratiori
'twas faid, an infinite Nupiber of the Reformed re^
-main A faithful And this Diilili^ion had the in-
tended Effed ', the Proteflants in general did not
look upon the Union of the AfTembly at N'lfmes
with the Prince as any thing but a State Qiiarrel,
and therefore the Major Part of them flood Neuter.
The Proteflant Lords of the Prince's Party cou*d
engage none but their Creatures Several entire
Provinces, and almoft all their Cities, refus'd to
take Arms *, and this Commotion being much more
Catholick tiian Proteflant, the Reliftance it was
accus'd of is not to be laid to the Hugomts^ but to
the French Papifts, of whom none was more a
Bigot than the Head of it, the Prince of Conde
himfelf.
We mull not forget that the King, in the before-
mention'd Declaration, publifh'd upon the Union of
the AlTembly at Ktfmes with i\-\q Prince, expreiTes
aaain his Opinion as to compelling Confciences in
Religious Matters : We finnly believe^ Gys he, that
Differences about Religion ought to be left to the De^
cifion of God alone.
Let this be a LeiTon to you the Enemies of xMo-
deration all over the Chriflian World, a King of
France^ Father of the King now reigning > teaches it
to you ', one who had for his Mother an Italianj
for his Wi"e a SpanlJI) Bigot, who was environ 'd
with Popifh Counfellors and Priefts. He once more
affures tiie Proteflants, He will INVIOLABLY
ohferve the Edi^ofJ>lmtz, and all other EdlEhs mads
in Confeqvence of it.
The Prince's Party was now become pretty confi-
derable. The Duke De Nevers, who had rais'd
Men without declaring himfelf, and the Duke of
Fendofme^ the King's natural Brother, joined them.
The City of Rochde declar'd for the Prince •, and had
not the Exchange of the PrincefT^s of Spam and Francs
deftroy'd all manner of Hopes of preventing ths
double
(?/ F R A N C E. 79
double Marriage, it is probable the Peace wou*d not
have been io fooii concluded.
The Queen remembring the Advice formerly gi-
ven her by the Duke of Rohan to break the League
of the Prince of CW^, as Lewis XI. did that of the
Publick Good^ by gaining over the Chiefs of it one
after another, refolv'd to put it in Pradlice, as the
fureft and quickeft: way to extricate her felf and her
Friends out of thefe Difficulties. The firft fhe ap-
ply*d to was the Duke of Mayenne^ who hating the
lleform'd, fhe fuppos'd wou'd be the nioft ready to
quit a Party^ in the Succefs of which they propos'd
to themfelves fo many Advantages. This Duke ac-
cordingly being (ecur'd in his Governments, he»-
ken'd to the Propoilils that were made to him, and
enclin'd to a Treaty. The next ilie founded upon
it was the Duke De Bouillon^ who entered into the
"War only to (hew he cou a end as well as begin it,
and thus let the Government fee he was not to be
negle<^ed. A lucky Accident happen'd to bring
the Prince himreif into pacifick Meafures, and thac
was the Arrival oi Edmonds the EngllJI) Kvch^^-^^oK^
with Inflruftions to offer his Mediation between the
King and xX^s, Prince.
We have already mentioned the great Expe<flations
his Highnefs pretended to have from the Alliitance
of King James I. of England , whereas in Truth he
knew that King had refus'd to aflift him in any thing
but in his Mediation. God jorhld^ faid that King
to the Marquifsi^e Bonneval^ the Prince's Envoy, /
ftjoud, break the Peace and good Ccrrefpondence thers
is between the French King and me ! As I have no-
thing more at Heart than the Frefervation of ths
Peace in my own Kingdoms^ I wou'd be glad to pro^
cure the fame Happinefs to -my Neighbour s» All I can
do for the Prince of Conde is to ojfer him my good
Offices and Endeavours to reconcile him with the King
his near Relation.
Edmond' s oiTering this Mediation, the Court rea-
dily accepted of it in Appearance-, but however when
the Treaty was (et on Foot, the French King aflfumd
other Airs, and faid he woud give Peace to hisSub-
jeas
8o The Secret' Hijlory
Jefts without any one*s Intervention. The Prince
of Conde^ the Marefchal De Bouillon^ and the A.f-
fembly at Nifmes^ infifting on Edmonds's, being pre-
fent at the Ccnferences for Peace, it was allow 'd a^
a Witnefs only. Loudon was appointed for the
Place of Treaty, and t[-\Q Conferences carry'd on
vyith great Formality, tho' the Chiefs of the. Party
had made their Peace with the Court privately,
each as he thought molt for. his Advantage. The
Prince feem'd to ftickle on Behalf of the General
Aflembly of the Reformed, who fent Deputies to
make their Submiffion, and fome Articles were
agreed to in their Favour, but fuch as the Cour£
cou'd not hinder them of
The Conferences open'd on the i ®th of February^
j6i6' The King's Commiflioners were.
The Countefs of Soijfm^y
The Duke De NeverSj
The Marefchal De Bnfav,
Monfjeur De Ftlleroy, 7 secretaries of State,
Monlieur Pomchartratn^ f '
Monfieur De Thou^ Prelident of the Parlia-
ment of PartSj
Monfieur De Vic^ Counfellor of State.
For the Prince of Conde appear'd,
The Duke De Mayenne^
The Duke De Fendofme^
The Duke De LongnevilLe^
The Duke De Rohan,
The Duke De Luxembourg^
The Duke i>^ Trejnouiiley
The Duke De Sully,
The Duke De Candale^
The Marefchal De Bouillon.
Befides thofe great Lords, the Prince came in Per-
il)n to Loudon^ 'accompany d with his Mother the
Princefs Dowager of Longueville^ and the Deputies
of the General AfTembly of the Reform'd Churches.
l.ihall not enter into the detail of this Treaty^
which
of F H A N C E. 9i
ivhich niay be found at large in the Hiftories of
iPrancey. but obferve only fbme things that their
Hiftorians durfl not mention.
yUleroy^ in order to difpofe the Prince to Peace^^
jBatter*d him with having the chief Management of
State-Affairs *, that he fhou*d turn out and put in
whom he pleas'd ; which being the main thing he
aim'd at, his Highnefs gave into it immediately, and
refblv'd to conclude the Peace -^ all that w^as done
afterwards for the Lords vvho join'd him, or the
Reformed Churches, being to fave Appearances*
The firft Sacrifice the Queen made to him, was!
that of her fall: Friend the Proud Duke of Epernon^
who had to his great Impatience born feveral Slights
from her, by the Procurement of the Marei^hal
D' Ancrey who hated that Duke for not paying the
Refpeft he thought due to his Wife's Favour. The
laft Affront drove him from Court, depriving him,
at the Prince's Requefl, of the Difpofal of the Pofts
of Colonel and Captains of the Regiment of Life-
Guards, which had always been taken to be a Per-
iquifite of his Poft of Colonel-General of the FootJ
He cou'd not bear Attendance after fuch a Difgrace,
and took his Leave of both King and Queen in fuch
a manner, as fhew'd, he thought, they wou'd want
him before he vvanted them. His Retirement re-
moved a powerful Rival of Conchinis^ an 3 made
Wily for his rifing higher in Favour aftsr than be-
•fore the Rupture, tho' that was the main Occafion
bf it.
The Chancellor 5///fr^ had been devoted to the
Will of the Regent, and ftuck at nothing to keep
in his Office. He was a Man of mean Pai-ts, and
generally thought unfit for it. His Conduft had
treated him Eilemies on all iMes. The Marefchal
jy Ancre did not love him, becaiife being an old
Minifter he {jretended to fome Preference of him m
the Miniflry on tiiat Accounto The Prince hated
him for being a Tool to all the Qiteen's Favourite?;
Silleri finding the Treaty of Loudon v/as not likely
to break ofi^ fancy'd he might fecure himfelf in
hh Poll, by offering his Service to the Prince of
O Conds
82 The Secret Biftorj
Condcy to the Marefchal de Bouillon^ and other Lords
of that Party, on Condition he ihou'd by an Ar-
ticle of that Treaty, be continu'd in his Employ-
ment. A ihameful Inftance of the Meannefs of his
Capacity, to flatter himfelf that thofe Lords wou'd
fo expofe themfelves, as to infift on the continu-
ing a Man in an Office by a particular Article of
Peace, when the removing him was one of the
Articles of the War.
The Prince of Conde and the Duke de Bouillon
made themfelves merry v\''nh f^illeroy^ on the Chan-
cellor's Folly. The Secretary got his Collegue,
Tcmchartrain, to tell the Qdeen Mother of it, and
llie told Baffompierre^ who being one of the frank-
eft Perfons at Court, defir'd her leave to tell Sil-
ler i the ill Offices his Enemies had done him to
her Majefty, it being Bajfompierre's Character to
ferve every Body if he cou'd, that every Body
might ferve him. The Queen, weary of the Chan-
cellor, permitted him to load him with fo much
Shame, as the difcovering to him his Plot muft
bring upon him. , The Chancellor was fo filly as
to imagine Baffompterre had himfelf told the Queen
of a Project he cou'd not have known, but from
the Perlons Sillerl had informed of it. / am
mightily obligd to you^ Sir^ for the Information you
have given me^ faid the Chancellor to Ba^ornpierre^
in the Queen's Chamber, hut fome woud fain per-
fivade ??i£ it was from your felf the Queen received
the Intelligence you have now told me^ tho' I will
Pot believe it. Sir, reply'd Baffompierre very brisk-
ly, / JJjall Jhortly convince you I am not fo had a Man
as you are pleas' d to fuppofe me to he j the Queen
•will tell you her felf who wrote to her the Neivs'
which you imagine to he of my own Contrivance ^
Upon tnis Silleri conjur'd BaUompierre^ in the moft
humble and,, preiling manner, not to inhft fur-
ther on the Bu/inefs, but to keep it private
from the Qijeeu Mother. Tou wilt ruin me^ Sir^
laid the Cliancellor, and therefore take Pity of
a Man whom you know but too many already en-
deavQiir to imdo^ after fo long . Servicei, For all
thatj
^/FRANCE. 85
that, Baffompierre acquainted her Majefty with th^
Chancellor's Diftruft of him, and the Queen faio
to Siileri^ with a fcornful Smile, Methwksj Mon-
fieur Chancellor, you make but frnall Returns to Baf-
fompierre for the Services he endeavour d to do you^
knoTP then that this Bufinefs comes from Bouillon,
who communicated it to Pdntchartrain. What Con-
fufion muft the Old Fox, as he took himfelf to
be, Tnew on this Occafion, all he cou'd anfwer
was, Madam ^ the Marefchal de Bouillon hds been
this long time my profefs'd Enemy. I moji humbly
befeech your Majefiy^ not to givc^any Credit to what
he has caus'd to be written to you^ with a Defign
to ruin me. This poor Evafion made him a Jefl
to the whole Court, and every Body afterwards
looked upon him as a Loft Man there; '
During the Conferences at Loudon^ tl>e General
Affembly of the Proteftants were remov'd by l\-\^
king's Writ to Rochelle., which made them wdth-
out DifpUte, a Lawful Aflembly. They h^d Ten
Deputies at Loudon, to take care of their Inte-
refts, but it was rather to be WitneflTes of the
Prince of Conde'% Signing the Peace, than to pro-
cure advantageous Terms for the Reform'd. The
Dukes de Mayenne and de Bouillon, having receiv*4
Satisfaction as to their Demands, the Prince was
hot very follicitous to fatisfy either the AfTembly
or the other Lords : He lent for the Duke de
Sully ^ who feenVd moft cdiicern'd for the Intereft^
of the Reformed, and Filler oy v^ho had Ihewn a
great Complacency td his Highnefs during the
Treaty. He whifper'd fomething to the latter, and
foon after did the fame- to the former : He then
declared P^illeroy had granted what was defir'd, and
taking Pen in Hand^ Sign*d the Ti;eaty, without
allowing any Body Time to anfwer him; Thi^
abrupt Conclufion vext the Deputies heartily, but
there was no remedy for ito They difcover'd by-
fevcral Paflages, *twas a defign'd thing, to pay 'em
thus for the Services they had done ths Prince
in declaring for him^' and that they wou'd be
forced to accept of the Conditions' the Lords had
G 7. thoaghe
$4 The Secret Hifiorj
thought fit to demand for them. They defir'd on-
ly to Sit till their Edift was verify'd, which was
deny'dj inftead of it, they had a Time prefix'd
fur the Duration of their Sefiiion, after the Con-
cluiioH of the Treaty. Before they had fet their
Names to it, Orders were fent to the Minifter
of Loudon who was in his Pulpit, to acquaint the
People the Peace was made, and to exhort them
to return God Thanks for it. Here's a Peace
which they do not at ail approve of, which leaves
them more exposed to the Power and Rage of
their Enemies, yet they muft not only fubmit to
it, but give God Thanks for it. The Author of
the Hiftory of the Edi£l of Nantz.^ writes on
this Subjeft. This tnade thofe murmur who knew
there were Difficulties undecided^ and made them
judge it was a forc'd Peace, which they were <?-
hlig'd to accept of^ for fear of falling into greater
laionve-fUencies, What fijall they do, they are de-
ferted by their Proteciors, The Duke de Bouillon,
who was the Chief Author of the War, forgot
the Interefts of the Common Caufe, fays the fame
Hijiorian, becaufe he had iecur'd his own. He ex*
claimed higher than any Body again ji the Ajfcmbly^
tho* they had only fallowed his Motions, He de-
^lar^d he wou'd look upon thofe to be Enemies to the
Statey who flmu'd refufe to Sign the Peace, Is there
any Story extant, wherein a League was fo fhame-
fuily diffolv'd , wherein the Head is for War-
ring with the Members, becaufe they look to
themfelves, and do not like the Peace he likes.
Nay, Bouillon was accus'd of having engaged him-
feli to the King's Commillioners, by Writing, to
march againft the AfTembly, and to make War
againft them, in cafe they Ihou'd offer to conti«
nue their Sefnon longer than the King allow 'd
them by this Treaty. Good God ! Was he not
of the iame Religion, were not their Interefts in-
feparable ? If the AlIembLy was ruin'd, muft not
his Ruin foon follow ? What Madnefs, what In-
fatuation, Oh, the Fatal Power of Intereft, the
accuris'd Efrei^s of Ambition, in Minds infenhble
of
^/FRANCE. S5
of their Duties to their Religion and their Coun-
try. Bouillon caus'd his Nephew the young Duke
de Tremouillej to enter into the fame Engagements,
but the AfTembly gave them no ground to pro-
ceed to fuch Extremities againft them : They fub-
mitted to tiie Treaty, Nominated Deputies Gene-
ral, and Bertheville^ to whom the Marefchal de
Bouillon had given hopes of obtaining that Depu-
tation, was Ele£led according to his Promife.
The Edift for the Publication of this Peace,
was call'd the Pacification of Blots, and in it feme
fmall Favours were granted the Refonii'd, as a
New Office in the Parliament of Taris^ and ano-
ther in the Chamber of Accompts, one of the
moft con fiderable Courts of the Long Robe. The
Prince of Conde and the Lords of his Party, were
to have 1500000 Livres, which makes the Peace
a Purchafe of the Crown, tho' they had doub-
lefs as Loyal Divines as any in the World, to d^-
ter People from Refiftance, and Eftablifh the Or-
thodox Dodlrines of Pajfive Obedience and Non-
Refiftance. We (hall lee how they were praftis'd
again a few Months after, and it cannot* but be
matter of Confolation to us, that of all Nations
upon Earth, we are that which profcfTes them in
the ufmoft extent of thein •, and it is great pity
we have fo many Initances of Nature rebelling
againft Principle, and of our Praftices contradid-
ing our Profefiions.
The Marefchal U Ancre had the Satisfa£lion
to fee a Confederacy broken that was form*d for
his Deftrudion, and that he gain'd Ground in the
Favour of Ifls Miftrefs ; yet all that Satisfaction
was fower'd by the Hatred which he faw increafe
daily in the People to him and his Family. When
he firft enter'd into the Queen's Service, he was
8000 Crowns worfe than nothing, and in a few
Years lie was become worth fome Millions. His
Infolence was as boundlefs as his Wealth, and for
a long time he thought there wou'd be no end of
his xMiniftry. But alas, what are the Fomidati-
ons upon which fuch Favourites Build, Sandy and
G 3 Light,
86 The Secret Hipry
Ligbt, which the firft Tumultuous Storm tears to
Pieces. He \\as at Paris while the Conferences
W^re held at L-oudoriy and notvvithlianding there
was a Sufpenfion of Arms, the Parifians llill kept
a Guard at their Gates.
Tiie Marefchal D' ^ncre having Occafion to go
out of the City, came to one of them, where a
certain Shoemaker, nam'd Picard, kept Guard ^
the Fellow ftopt his Coach, and demander' his
Pafs, the Marefchal in a Paftion, commanded his
Coach Man to drive on, at which the Guard pre-
fented their Halberts and Mufquets, and fet them
to their Breads. Conchini putting his Head out
of the Coach, fai:l to the Shooemaker, Ton Rogue^
do you know who I am f Tes^ very weli^ anfwer'd
Ficardy in a haughty difdainful manner, however
you /ball not go^ unlefs you fijew me your Pafs. Du-
ring this Difpute, the Mob gather d about them,
and Ccnchiril fearing fomething worfe, fent fome
of his Servants to the Perfon who had the Com-
mand of the Guard, for an Order that he might
go out, refolving to be reveng'd of Picard when
the King return'd. Accordingly he order'd his
Gentleman of the Horfe, to take Two of his Ser-
vants, and give Picard the Shoemaker a thorough
Thralhing, which was fo well put in Execution,
that the poor Man w'as left almoft Dead upon the
Spot. The MarefchaFs Servants relying too much
on their Mafter's Credit, did not run away for it,
and being taken, were Try'd, Condemn'd and
Hang'd. a few Days after, before Picard's Houfe.
Their Mafter was forc'd to pay a j-Qund Sum to
Ficardy or his Gentleman of the Horll wou'd have
had tii,e fame Rate^ Conchini then Yav/ his Feli-
city in France was drawing to an end, and wou'd
fain have perfvvaded Galigai his Wife, to fly to
Italy in time, off-ring to buy the Dutchy of Per-
rara, of ll>e Pope for tlieir joint Lives •, but Gait-
'^gai had more Courage, or lefs Forefigiit, and wou'd
not leave Mary de Aiedicis, Conchini cou'd not
handfoniely defert his Wife, by whofe Favour he
had acquir d his own, and made fuch an envy 'd For-
tune. The
^/ F R A N C E. 87
The Danger he was in was not Vifionary, he had
proposed to enter into Engagements with the Dukes
de Mayenne and de BouUlon^ to ruin the Dukes
de Epernon and de Bellegard^ which they were fo
far from hearkning to, that having told the Duke
of Guife of liis Propolals, that Duke joyn'd with
them in a Confpiracy to deftroy the Marefcha^,
and there was no end of this Confederacy, till they
had accomplifh'd it.
The Parifians bore fuch an Hatred to J)' Ancre^
that he was afraid to enter the City, after the Re-
tarn of the Prince of Conde^ whom he was impa-
tient to wait upon, to put himfelf under his Pro-
tedlion, as the Queen had dehr'd his Highnefs. He
therefore wrote to Baffampierre^ to fend a Guard
of Horfe to meet him, which was done ^ and tho he
had a Convoy of an Hundred Horfe, Picard^hQcomQ
now one of his moft dangerous Enemies,' infulted
him, and endeavour'd to raife the Mob, who being
afraid of the Troopers, lay flill at that time.
'fis worth obferving wlut Mifchief an inconli-
derable Fellow as this Shoemaker was, is capa*
ble of doing, when once the Rabble have Lifted
themfelves under him.
The daring Boldnefs of Plcard^ acquir'd him fuch
a Reputation with the Populace, that he V\^as look d
upon immediately as their Chief, and the greateft
Lords did not difdain to make their Court to him.
Honefty or Parts are not necelTary to qualify a
Man to Head the Rabble ; Impudence and a Lucky
Event are enough to draw the Rabble after him,
and when once that's done, Fadlion and Curiofity
will always gather a Crowd about him. I know
a Man exactly of the Importance of this Shoe-
maker, but for his Proferiion lake I fhall fay no
more of him.
The Prince of Conde had given Mary de Medi-
cis a fort of an AiTurance, that he wou'd be the
Marefchal's Prote^or, but the Lords Confederated
againft him, foon diiTwaded him from it. They
met feveral times late at Night, but were fo di-
vided in their Opinions, that they met to no pur-
G 4 pofe •,
SS 'The Secret Bifiorj
pofe, fome were for prefenting a ^P€titiQn_to tlie
Parliament to Try him, others, as particularly the
Duke de Mayeme^ who ofFer^d to do it himlelf if
the Prince wou*d be prefent, for running hitn thro*
'the Body. The Prince at one of their Meetings,
faid, They had more need fludy how to remove Mary
cle M^dkis herfe if from the ^dmif7iJi:rat-io?7^ at which
faying, all the Lords prefent, puU'd of their Hats,
in token of Applaufe, except the Duke of Gmfe^
w^ho cry^d, God forbid I Jtwud involve Her Ma-
jefty iti the Plpt now on Foot for ruining the Md'
refchd D' Ancre, which creating in the Prince a
Jealoufy of Gutfe^ he fent for Barhin, one of Con-
chini's Creatures, who had a Place in the Trea-
fury, told him fomething of the Confpiracy, ancj
promis'd to Prote(ft the Marefchal, which he did
not long after, when the Prince gave an Enter-
tainment to the Earl of Carli/Ie^ the Engl'Jh Am-
balTador, who came to propofe a Marriage be*
tween the Prince of Wales^ and the Princefs C/7rz/?j-
Tia^ Sifter to Lewis the Xlllth. At this Enter-
tainment, were prefent Conchi?n's Enemies, and the
Jviarefchal himfelf, either out oflnfolence, to (hew
lie was not afraid of them, or out of Security,
to let 'em fee the Prince was his Prote^or, wou'd
needs go to his Palace at that Inflant. When they
heard ne was coming up to them, the Lords re-
hionftrated to the Prince, they ought not to let
fo fair an Opportunity flip to put in Execution the
Defign they had taken of ridding thernfelves ot an
Infolent Stranger, who came attended by Thirty
Gentlemen on purpofe to brave and affront them.
Conde generoufly excus'd himfelf from ^"io]ati^ig the
Sacred Rights ofHofpitality : Such an A^lion^ faid
he, Jhall never be CGmmltted in r/y Houfe^ you 7nay
find 61 1 Oppyrtwjities enough to /further Conchin?;.
While' they were thus difcourfing, the Marekhal
D' y^ncre enter-d the Hall, where the Entertakd.
ment was given, and fpoke a while v^'ith the Pnncc-
in Private. V\ hen he took his Leave of him, hi^
Enemies fet thernfelves to look fcornfully at him>,
of FRANCE. S9
le return'd Look for Look, Scorn for Scorn, want-
ing neither Pride nor Arrogance.
All the Hiftories of Trance reprefent this Man
as a Rapacious, Cruel, Arrogant, Falfe Italian^
iho' in Truth his Country was his greateft Crime.
The /next Reigning Favourite, a French Man, out-
did him in all his Vices, and had not one of his
Vertues. D' Ancre had Courage, Wit, a Frank-
ncfs of Temper to his Friends, which was as a-
greeable, as his Imperious Carriage to his Enemies
was ihocking. If he was Falfe, he had done well
to have added Difiimulation to it. But there. is
foniething in a Man's Comple£lion, fomething in
the Blood that will not admit of Cunning in cer-
tain Cafes, wherein the Heart will always be too
ilrong for the Head.
The Prince of Conde fent the Arch-Bifhop of
Amhrun to Conchini the next Day, to let him know
the Feril he had been in, and to advife him to
Jbe gone to his Government of Nortmndy, jD* An-
cre followed his Advicc» but laid fuch a Train be
fore he went, not only for the Lords, but for
the Prince alio, as blew them all up in his Ab»
fence, tho' in the end it blew himfelf up with
them, and made way for a New Scene, and Ne\y
A^prs at Court. |
' The Power of the Lords was fuch at this time^
that on the firfl: Difguft they wou'd take Arms and
Right themleives, as the Duke of Longueville di^
in his Government of Vicardy^ pofTelllng himfelf
of Alhevllie and Peronne^ which were part of
X)' y^nfres Command, and keeping them notwith*
ftanding the Remonftrances and Menaces of the
Court. The Queen Mother and her Confidents*
knew it was the Protedion of the Prince that
encouraged the Difcontented Lords to beliave theni-
felves thus •, they call d to Mind a faying of Fil^
feroys^ who with Jeanvin had loft his Employ-
ment as well as Sllleri^ upon the Princes Demand
oi^oolding thi Pen at the Council Table^ which is
in efFed to be at the Head of the Miniftry, and
Sign all Orders relating to tb? Finances, c^c*
^ ' ' ; ' " ' • Filleroj)
1^ The Secret Hijlory
Villeroy told her. She need not be afraid to put the
Ten into the Hand of a Man whofe Arm JJje might
hold whenever poe pleas' d. This made her come to
a Vigorous Refolution, at the Infiance of Barbin^
Comptroller of the Finances, a Creature of Con-
chini^ to feize the Prince's Perfon, Tliere was a
Ruffian-like Officer attending at Court, who want-
ed to be employed in fome defperate Attempt to
diflmguifh himfelf. This was Theminesj he did
not fl:ay to be ask'd, He defir'd Barbing That if
any thing Important and Da^/gcrous xvas to be- put
in Execution^ he vpou'd be fo much his Friend^ as lo
perfrvade Her Afajejly to fnake vje of him in it^ for
he ivoud Sacrifice his Life for her Service, This
Man Barbin recommended to the Queen as one
very fit to have the Execution of Her Orders for
feizing the Perfon o{ the Prince of Cor^e^ a Step
fhe durft not take till fhe had Sworn all her Chief
J^inifters and Servants to be True to her. She
confulted all her Confidents about it, and particu-
larly Bajfompierre^ who exaggerated the Power of
the Prince as greater than her own, with his ufuai
Treedom, and feem'd to blame her Negligence,
Do not you fancy that I am fo much Ajleep^ re-
ply'd the Queen, but fome Bufmeffes require a great
deal of Time before they be dif patched *, Jerve me
wellj and do not let the Ladies perfrvade you to do
any thing prejudicial to my Inter eft. The lafl: Part
of his Reply has Reference to his Gallantry with
the^Princels of Conde^ who had fallen out with
Galigat^ and BaJfo?npierre having an Amour with
her, the Queen was afraid Oie might prevail on
him to fall in with the Party fhe openly efpous'd,
that of the Duke her Brother, and the Difcon-
tented Lords, '
By the Memoirs which fome French Lords and
Gentlemen have left of themlelves, one wou'd
think no Nation in the World ever produc'd Men
of fo much Gallantry, Courage, Wit, Capacity,
jn a word, fo finiih'd as the French. If you look
into thofe of Baffompierre^ you will find in it fuch
an Image, as a Man who cou'd Paint well, and iov'd
himfelf
<>/ F R A N C E. pt
himfelf to a Fondnefs, wou'd make of bis own
Pifturel Every good Feature is plac'd in the beft
Ijght all the Blemilhes io well touch'd, 'that they
are rather like the Parches the Ladies flick on their
Faces to fet off their Beauty. When they are wri-
ting their own Lives in their Clofets, they cart
make what they pleafe of themfelves', every thing
they do is important •, their moll: Trivial Anions
are fet off as Heroick or Gallant Adventures,
and their Campaigns are as Co many Triumph?.
What they faid naturally and in Converfation,
has all the Advantages of Art and Rhetorick to
Adorn it ; and what is fiid to them, is only to
fhcw their Merit or their Bravery. There is no
trufting to the heft of them, with a little Hifto-
ry there's a great deal of Romance , and what
Hiftory there is, is fo introduc'd^ that it often
has another Effect than the plain Truth wou'd
iiave. The Duke of Rohan is not Guiltlefs in this
Point, and one fliall not from one end of his Me-
moirs to the other, find out that his Jealoufy of
Bouillon^ and his Refentment for the Lofs of the
Government of PoiEiouj were the Springs that
afted him in thofe Parts of his Life, where the
Patriot and the Proteftant fhine the brighteft.
The Marefchal U Ancre wou'd have had the
Queen to have ordered Tkemines to have feiz'd the
Prince of Conde, and the Duke de Mayenne, the
Duke de Bouillon^ and the Duke de Fendome alto-
gether, but (he was afraid the Farifians wou'd rife,
and fhe had not fecur'd her Treafure when they
came together one Day to the Lmvre^ fo the
(eizing the Prince was defer'd till her Strong Box
and Jewels were fafe. The Dukes de Mayeime and
de Bouillon^ had obferv'd fome extraordiiiary Mo-
tion while they were there, and fufpefting MiP
chief, refolv'd to keep out of the way. They ad-
vis'd the Prince to do {o -too, but he did not think
himfelf in fo much Danger as they, faying, It
[ignifyd nothing to him whether the Marefchd de
Bomlion vons fent to the Baftile or not. Bouillon
Jike a good Hugonot^ went to CharentQ'i^ attended
by
92 The Secret Htflory
by (everal of his Friends, and fome Soldiers of his
Guards. The Duke d^ Mayenne was upon the
Watch, preparing every thing to leave Paris. The
Prince Two Days after, the Fir ft oi Septemb, i6iSy
went in great State and Security to the Council,
Mary de Meakis having been up before Three a
Clock in the Morning, to order Matters for his
Apprehenfion, and her Flight if the Parifians rofe
Upon it. The Prince was mightily pleas'd to fee
the Court that was made to him that Day, and
the Queen beheld with a Scornful Indignation, the
vaft Number of Petitions that were prefented him,
faying to Bajfompierre^ Heres now the King of France,
but his Royalty fljould he like that of the Bean, it
will not continue long. The Duke de Mayenne had
bis Spies about the Louvre^ and they gave hiiii In-
formation that fomething more than ordinary was
^n Agitation. The Duke fent Monfieur Strange to
acquaint the Prince of it, and advife him by all
means not to go to the Louvre^ but he was gone
when Strange came. The latter follow'd him, and
waited for him at the Door of the Council Cham-
ber-, his Highnefs coming out, he told him what
MeiTage he had from the Duke de Mayenne : The
Prince reply'd, Jf fuch a Refolmion to apprehend me
he tahn^ I cannot now get off. He was then going
to the Queen's Chamber, Two of the Guards du
Corps fet as Two Extraordinary Centinels at the
Door, convinc'd him that what had been told him,
was but too True. However, he went in, ind
die Young King, who, fays MonHeur l^affor^ had
been carefully brought up in the An of Diffimulationy
invited him to go a Hunting with him. The Prince
defir'd his Majeiiy at that time to excufe him : If
he had gone a Hunting, he had been feiz'd and
fecur'd before the Parilians had known any thing
of the matter. The King then went to jiis Mo-
ther, who was in her Clofet, and Themines com-
ing up to the Prince with his Two Sons, Arretted
him in the King's Name. As much as the Duke de
Mayenne had prepared him for this Accident, it fur-
prizd him : Afy Lord^ faid Themines to him in a very
â– * ' ' refpe^ful
^/ P A R N C E- 93
rerpeftful manner, The King having hen certainly
inform d that you hearken to bad Geuncilj and fuch
as is prejudicial to his Service^ and that fame Per-
fins have been tampering to gain you over to a Fa^i-
on which is both contrary to the Peace of the Kingi
dom-y as well as your 9wn Quality *, his Majefly has
order d me to fecure your Perfon, for fear you (Ijou^d
fall into fome worfe Snares. Who /, anfwer'd the
Prince in a fort of Amazement, Tes^ your felf my
Lord^ reply'd Themines^ his Son at the fame time
coming up on each fide of his Highnefs, who faid
Tou know very well I am the Firji Prince of ths
Blood. The mines anfwer'd, / know my Lord the re-
fpeEh that is due to yoit^ but I mvfi Obey the King,
riow cou*d one read this Story, without envying
the Happinefs of that Conftitution, where tiie doing
any thing Illegal, Cruel and Unjuft, is fo eafily
excused, as by faying, I mt/Ji Obey the King. What
Charge was there brought againft the Prince of
Condcy fince the Peace of Loudon /* What Proof of
his being Guilty of a Crime deferving Imprifon-
ment ? The Prince demanded to fee Her Majefty,
but to no purpofe : Themines ask'd him boldly.
Whether he wou'd pleafe to go where the King had
ordered him to conduEi him ? His Highnefs in a great
Pallion turn'd about to the Perfons in the Queen's
Chamber, faying, Is there no Body that has ths
Courage to declare him felf in my behalf '.^ and per-
ceiving Du Vair^ Keeper of the Great Seals, he
faid to him, Sir^ I know you are a Man of Ho-
nour ^ have you advised them thus to break the
Solemn Promifes they have fo often viade me ? Du
Vair, Generoufiy anfwer'd, Tijey have not consulted
me in this Matter^ J ft) all be for their fpeedy re-
pairing the wrong Meafures they have taken for the
fhortejh Follies are the beji. As Themines was Car-
rying the Prince to the Place prepar'd for the
keeping him, his Highnefs feeing Delbene^ attended
by a great Number of Halberdiers, feem'd appre-
henfive leaft they fhou'd make fome Attempt on
his Life^ but Deibene told him, Thofe whom he faw
thercy were'tjentlem^n and not Ajfijjws, Gentlemen,
Was
^^ The Secret Hijlory
Was riot V^ttry^ Captain of the Guard, , i Gentle-
man, and yet before a Year is over, we fhall find
him an AfTailin ?. The Prmcefs of Conde hearing her
Husband was Arrefted, tryM all Means to rajfe
the ^arifians. To Arms^ To Arms^ (he and Her
Friends cry'd, the Marefchal D' Ancre is Murder-
ing the Firft Prince of the Blood at the Loavre ^
but the Citizens were conrent with ihutting up
their Shops. Such fort of Men are apt to talk ioud
when no Aftion is necefTary, but are Tame enough
when it is. The Rabble however fell upon the
Alarefchal's Houfe, and gutted it to his Damage
above 200000 Crowns. The firft of the Lords,
Conchim*s Enemies, that fled, was the Duke de
Fendome, then follow the Duke de Giilfe^ the Duke
de Mayenne^ the Marefchal de Bouillon, The two
latter wou'd have Headed the Farifians , and to
that purpofe fent word to Vicard the Shoemaker,
who was become a Perfon of Importance, that
in Cafe he wou'd raife the Mob, they wou'd ftand
by him with 500 Horfe. The Shoemaker did his
Endeavours, but the Guards were out, and the
Rabble will never venture, when thofe that fend
'em are in Earneft. An early Check foon difper-
fes them, and when they are fuffer'd to grow up-
on it, tis with Defign in thofe that cou'd hinder
it.
The Duke de Nevers ioyn'd in with this Party
afterwards, as did alio the Duke de Chevreufe and
the Cardinal o( Guife^ who, on the Defertion of
the Duke of that Name, was ofFer'd to be acknow-
ledge the Head of this New League, for the De-
liverance of the 'Prince, and the Deftrudion of
I)' Ancre, The Cardinal marry'd privately an
Old Miftrefs of Henry the IVth, and had feveral
Children by her, which was enough to alTure the
Lords that'tho' he w.is Arch Bi'hop of Kheimes^
he woud make no Scruple of accepting a Military
Command as well as a'Spiritual, but there was
no Occafion for it. The' Duke dc Guifs leaving
the Lords by the Intrigues of the Quesif Mother
and his Wife, the League againll Conchini was in
appear-
^/ F R A N G a 99
appearance broken, and his Enemies accepted the'
Terms ofFer'd by the Court, in hopes to gain Time
for the raifing an Army ftrong enough to make
Head againft the King's, which approached very
near them.
The Duke de Guife had appear'd one of the mod
violent Enemies of Conchini^ and yet he fir ft made
his Peace with the Queen. This Impotent At-
tempt to ruin D' Ancre^ feem'd the moft like-
ly to Eftablilh him \ yet we fliali fee in a few
Months, that the firft Step Mary de Medicis took
towards fecuring her Authority, by feizing the
Prince, was the firft towards deftroying it for ever.
From hence wou'd many Grave Hiftorians reafon
on the Uncertainty of Affairs of State, and the
Sandy Foundation of Worldly Grandeur ^ but till
People can fee into Futurity, Things will perpetually
happen which Huaiane Forefight cannot reach ,
nor Humane Prudence prevent, as well in all other
Affairs, as thofe of the State.
The Duke de Guifi wjjen he return'd to Court,
did indeed {ollicite with fome Earneftnefs to pro-
cure better Terms for the Lords than the Court
wou'd give them, and fpoke alfo for the Prince's
Liberty ^ but to ftiew him and the Lords that
they muft depend entirely on the King's good
Pleafure, for every thing that related to his High-
nefs, he was remov'd from his Confinement in the
Louvre to the BaflUe^ the very Day that the Duke
de Guife came back to Paris, A Declaration to
juftify the Imprifonment of the Prince, was car-
ry'd by the King in Perfon to the Parliament, to
be verify d. With his Majefty went the Queen
Mother^ the Duke of Orleans^ her Son, and the
Princejfles Chrtftinaj Henrietta Maria^ Daughters
of Fra?2ce ^ feveral PrincefTes, Three Ecclefiaftical
Peers, the Dukes de Aicntmere-ncy-t de Vfez^ Ret^iy
Rohan. Sulli^ the Marefchal de Brifac^ the Maref-
chal de Souvre^ and the Man who did that brave
Action, as to ieize the Prince of Conde^ for which
he had the Batoon given him , ih^ Marefchal
Themi?2£S»
It
9 6 ^he Secret tiijlor
It was with Indignation, that all Horfeft Mm
beard fo many wicked Grimes laid to the Prince's.
Charge, and it was obfervable that DuTair^ Keeper
of the Seals, was fo aiham'd of it> that in his Speech-
he affected to fay frequently, / am order d to [peak
thus^ which the Queen took fo ill, that ihe re-
folv'd not to be troubled long with a Man of too
much Probity. All the Favour their Majefties wou'd
allow the Prince, was the Company of his Wife,
who (hut herfelf up with her Husband in the Ba^
fiile^ from whence fome time after, they were
convey'd to Boys de Vincennes.
I wou'd fain be inform'd what wonderful Change
has happen'd in the Conftitution of France withid
thefe Hundred Years, that the Great Lords have'
loft all their Rights and Privileges, which are all
funk in the Pkajure of the Crown, Did Lewis the
Xlllth and his SuccefTor make a Conqueft of them^
or were thofe pretended Rights and Privileges only
the Pretences of thofe Lords taking advantage of
a Minority, or what's worfe, a weak Reign. Be
it as it will, they did not now ask leave to tak^
Arms *, for while the Lords, Enemies to Conchini^
were Arming in Ficardy^ another League was form'd
in the Southern Parts of France by the Duke de Eper-
non^ the Duke de Lefdifgnieres^ the Duke de Aiont-
tnerency^ and the Duke de Belkguarde^ who, without
entring into the Confederacy of the other Lords, G???-
chini^'i Enemies, many of whom hated Epsrnon as
much as U Ancre^ united among themfelves for their
mutual Support, and having a large Extent of Coun-
try under their Government, were by fuch a
Union, become very Powerful. Depending upon
it, Lefdifguieres carry'd on his Intrigues with the
Duke oiSavcy and the Republick of Fenice^ from
whom he got great Sums of Money, in hopes of
his Afliftance in their Wars with the Spaniards^
Lefdifguieres lending and marching the Troops un-
der his Command, as if they were his own, and
treating with the ^;Savoyards and the Venetians as if
he had no dependance oh Le-:vis the Xlllthj and
was
of F R A N C E. 9f
was Sovereign of the . Province of which he was
only Governour, as will be obferv'd more at large
hereafter.
The Duke D' Epervon having taken Offence a-
gainft the Citi2ens of Rochelle^ a«ftually laid Siege
to the Cicy, tho' he had pofiriye Orders from the
Court to the contrary. Boijjire a Councelior 'of
State, brought him frefh Orders to forbear, which
Epernon was fo far from hearkning to, that be-
fore Boijfires Face lie commanded the Horfe to
Mount, and his Army to march towards Rochelle^
into which Boijjire threw him felf, a:nd animated
the Citizens to defend themfelves with Vigour,
which they did, tra' there was no great Danger
of the place's being- taken by s or 6-doo fvfen,'
Eper-'wn thought to have fur prized it, and his Dif-
appcintment made him and his Entefprize a Jell,'
to the terrible Mortification of the Vained Man
of the Vaineft Nation upon Earth.
What }$ all this. Riot or Refiftance, Rebelliori'
or Frolick? Here's a French Lord in Arms, not
for his Mailer's Service, not hi Obedience to his
Commands, but in aftual Difobedience, and to"
pleaje his own Vain Glorious Humour. Are thefe
the EfFefts of a Minority in France, or was Lewis
the Xlllth a Minor to his Death ? Let not th^
French Papifis charge the Proteftants vnth thefe'
Rebellions y tlie Reform'd were the beft Subjedg
in France, and in all the Stirs in this Century,
the Catholicks vvere the AgrefTors.
Lewis the Xlllth was nov; Sixteen Years Old, and
Confidering the Advances Princes make by the Advan-
tages of Education, one wou'd think he might have
been able to judge of his Ijuereft, and determine for
himfelf with the Affiftanceof Wife Counfeilors, yet
the French Lords all over the Kingdom, took no No-
tice of him. The Qiieen Mother and her Creatures^
nianag'd all things at their Pleafure*, in the Provin-
ces the Governors were entirely Mafters,- leavini?
the Name only to tlieir.King. What hindered
them from EftabliOiing the Power they pretended
tx» I Waf n ReliRionf and itk F^a? of the Sin of
9 8 The Secret Bijiory
Refiftance? Every Day did one or other of them
Rehit, and every Man of 'em in his Turn. Vaffor
gives us the True Reafon of the Paftive Difpofiti-
on of the Grandees of Fra?tce, Such
Vol. II. Part is their Genius^ fays he, that they carry
II. Book 11. on their Havghtlnefs to the utmojl Iri'^
folence ivhenever they find the Go-
vernment to he meek \ but fo foon as the Kings
Authority is well fettled^ they do not only Obey with
a Profound and Lawful Refpe^^ but creep like the
f?ieaneji of Slaves and Villains, That this Reign
was a v^eak one, may be feen by the Charaf^er of
the Prince who Reign'd, which I fhall take out
of the Hiftory of the Hdid of Nantz., '' The
*' King, fays the Hifiorian^ was hardly minded at
*' Court: He was Young, and of a weak Con-
'• ftitution. He lov'd Hawking and Mufick, and
'' pafs'd his Time in thofe little Amufements, lea-
^' ving the Sole Authority of the Government to
*' the Queen his Mother. He was neverthelefs Jea-
" lous of his Power, even to excefs, though he
'' neither underftood, nor cou'denjcy it. During
'' the whole Courfe of his Life, he never cou'd
*' exert it him (elf, nor fuflPer it in the Hands of
*' another. It was equally impolYible for him not
^' to raife his Favourites to a vaft degree of Power,
*^ and to endure them, when poliefs'd of the Gran-
*' dieur to which he had raised them himfelf. By
'^ making them fuch, he put them in a State to
*' difpleafe him. His Sentiments were conceal'd in
*• his own Heart, and whereas he only communi-
^^ cated them to a few, thofe who are of Opinion
*• that there is always a Miftery in the Condu£l
'' of Princes, accus'd him of a Black and profound
'* Difiimulation. To fay the Truth, the Reafon
'' of his Silence was, that he neither confided
'^ in himfelf nor in others, and that he had a
*^ great deal ot Timoroufnefs and Weaknefs, &c.
He had as yet had no Favourite of his own : He
never lov'd D* Ancre^ and the Firil Man he be-
ftow'd his AfFedlion on, rofe to a greater height
of Forumi and Power, and Ub'd both worfe than
€Ye^
djf:]^R A N 6 E, ^9
k^er Cwchini rfid, But he was better born with be-
ckufe fte, wa^ kfrsnqh Man. The Man I am fpeaking-
of, 'v^ki' Hmdre Aiy'trt Ht'' Luines^ a Man almoft
tinknown, ififoiViUchth'at it was queftion'd whether
he was Born a Gentleman* Hehifinuated him (elf in-
to his Majefty*s Royal Favour, by prefenting hinl
with two Wary Angles, taught to fiy at fmall Bii'd^s
in Hedges, worth Hkiott ^ Shilling,;' which was esf-
treartily ^^ftW laid ont^' f6t*'k{)urChas'd hinrthe Con-
flable's ^afF of Tydnvi.' The Kin|r was Charm'd
with tiiie Prefent, taking a' great deal of Pleafurc
to fee thofe little Birds imitai:e thbfe of a higher
Flight, ^nd- Luinei Wa^ Very careiul to have him
Well fnppfy^d wi'tiv tliein ,. when hs found how
mighti^y hfs Majefty was taken with thehi. No
BodyU'Kohght 'hiiii capable of perfw?/ding the Kin^-
to any t'Mng but the Pleafures of Hawking, but
ihcy were iiiiilaken, for Luines perceiving the At-
cendant be had got over the King's Mind, left the
Pleafure of Hawking to his Ma;eftyV and thought
himfelf of enpying thofe of Power; The Marefchal
D' Aricre ^^ as foon as anyone, how Lulne> got
Ground dailj^ in Lewis's Favour, and to fupport
Ifis oWVr^djiclining Interefh pr®mis'd him his Pro-
te£tioii,^'w-]TOpes of that ox Luines if he fhou'd want
it. Wh'^ff tlie Marefchal returned from his Go-
vernment ^i6jf Normandy, he v/as afraid th/it in/lead
of ferving'him, as he at firft expc(fled, /.j//??ej Was
become bis 'Secret Enemy, and that he em ploy 'd
himfelf ab(5ut fometliit?g more important than Hunt-
ing and Hawking, Upon which meeting him one
Day, he-feid;with an afi^ry Look, M. de Lmjes
the Kin% llAs 2ipon r/te'wlfk ^^ Evil' Eye,,, but youl
fijallbe anfiverahle for it. This was enough to make
Luines fenfible that he wa^ in danger of being un-
done, nnlefs he cou'd* pi^eVent it, by\ruining the,^
Marefchal, which maiJeJiim do , his uthioft to iri'-jj
creafe the Avedion- he-fav/ the Kinghad for himi ;
He gave the DifafFecled Lords to underdatid, on '
what Foot'D' Ancredood With his Majefty, which
they v/eirc not acquainted with before, and the King
fallina. dahgerouny ill^* Luif^es took care to let Jiimi;
H" ^- Kn^w
lOo The Secret Hijlofy
know how much the News of it affli£led the Lords
at Soiffons, where they moftly refided The Car-
cinal de Guife coming to Paris^ joyn'd himfelf with
Luinesy and they both fo wrought upon the King,
that he himfelf enter'd into the Confederacy againfl
Concbinij declaring it wou'd be a great Satisfaction
to him, if the Lords who had forfaken the Court,
wou'd contitiue to be well United togeti^r, and
never be reconcird to the Marefchal D' Ancrej
Lu'mes gave them Information of it, and the De-
flruftion of Conchini was now a thing they look'd-
upon as accomplifh'd.
The /f^/itz« endeavoured on his Part, to fix himfelf
more fecurely than ever •, he put the Queen Mo*
ther on removing Du Fair^ Keeper of the Seals,
whofe Place was given to Mangot^ a Gafcon Law-
yer, who never rofe higher than to prefide in a
Country Court. All Men^ fays Va/Tor, were migh-
tily diffatisfyd to fee a Magistrate of fuch ex-
traordinary Reputation and A^erit , turned out only
to make room for an unworthy Creature of Conchini,
The Parliament paid fo much Honour to Du Fair^
that they fent Two of their Members to him ta
know whether he had voluntarily delivered up
the Seals, or whether the King had taken them
from him. He only anfv/er'd by recommending.
his SuccefTor, plainly declaring, that he faw his
Integrity and Probity were not agreeable to the
Relilhof thofe who pretended to Govern the King-
dom. At the fame tiniC that Mangot was made
Keeper of the Seals, Richlieuj Bifhop of Li/f p», was
madw Secretary of War, to the great Indignation
of the People, Richlictt^ fays my Autiior, was
^uite tird of reading Holy Books^ and the Fathers
of the Churchy and therefore let the World talk as
it WGud^ had foilicited for an Employment which
txfos fitter to enter him further into State Affairs^
and to fatisfy his Bomdlefs Ambition than that of
Great Almoner to the Queen,
Lulnes being thus gam'd by the Malecon tents,
and egg'd.on by the hopes of his enriching him-
felf by the Spoils of Onchmiy took advantage of
of F R AN CE. tot
the King's Foible which he knew, and filVd his
Head with jealoufies and Vexations againil thoCs
who had abused his Authority and Treafure. Three
Men ferv*d him in that Defign •, Deagaan^ a Subtle,
Violent, Ambitious Man, Firft Clerk to Barbing
Conchim*s Creature, lately put into Jeamms's Place.
This Man betrayd his Mafter, and came every
Night to give the King an Account how they play'd
with his Power, Marfillac^ an inconfiderable Per-
fon, feconded in the Day by his Difcourfe, what
Deagean advanc'd by Kight, the fame Man that
Rochfort^ the Prince of Conde\ Favourite Can'd,
as has been before related, Defplans^ a Soldier in
the Guards, but the only Man of Parts among them,
was Deagean, I fhall not enter into the Detail of
their Gintrivanccs, to bring the Young King to
confent to the Affaffination of Cone him : They
fometimes Council'd, fometimes perfwaded, but
moft often, and moft fuccefsfully frightcn'd him,
till they had got out of him an Order for the
Marefchal's Murder.
One fhall hardly ever hear of a Prince's giving
his Order for the Affaffination of fo great an Of-
ficer, in the Face of Day in his own Palace, and
in view of the whole Court. Murders have been
frequently enough committed in fuch Places pri-
vately, but for a King who is the Guardian of the
Law, to break it fp openly, fo bloodily, is hardly
to be parallel'd in all Chrifiian Story. As Potent
as fome of the Grandees of France might be by
iheir Friends, their Family, their Government,
their Eftates, what need he have been afraid of
bringing t^ Foreigner to Juflice, which all the King-
dom demanded of him ? Did not he or his Con-
fidents, who knew better, know that Juftice wou'd
not have tcuch'd the Life and Efbte of this too
happy Stranger in the Favours of Fortune ? And
where was there ever in Chrijiendom , a King, but
a French King, that Commiilion'd a Captain of his
Guards to Cut a Courtier's Throat, or Piftol him
in his Houfe, without Proof of any Crime defer-
ving Death. God be thank'd our Hiftories are not
H 3 ft^in'd
to 2 Tf;e iSe^feP ^ Hiji(yry
ftain^d with any tbing' fo black v we- have had
Gr^at Men Murder'd, but a Compliment has been
paid to the Law in committing tiie Murder, 'Twas
by the Form of Law, that tiie Lord Ruffe l^ and
Collonel Syd'^ey dy'd ^ and if the Earl of Efex
was Murder'd, it was in his Clofet, and by Ruf-
fians of another fort of CharaO:er, than that of a
Marefchal of France.
There were 'tis true^ Lords in France in thofe
Days, that cou'd not have been taken offwitiiouta
Battt-l, but £)* Jncre was not in fuch Credit ^ and as
the Courts of Juftice then flood affected, it is pro-
bable there was no occafion of putting the Cap-
tain of the King's Guards on fuch a Butchery.
I have in the aforegoing Pages mention 'd one
of thofe Lords, the Marefehal de LefdifguiereSy
'and his making War againft the Spaniardsl in con-
junifVion with the Duke oi Savoy ^ contrary to the
Orders of the Court*, an Event more extraordi-
nary happen'd not in this Period, and therefore I
ihall relate it.
As foon as Charles Emanuel^ Duke of Savoy^ had
by his Intrigues with the Marefchal, thought him-
felf fure of him, he wrote a very obliging Letter
to delire his Trufty Friend and Good Neighbour^
to perform the Promifes he had feveral Times
made him, to aflift him with the Forces of the
French King, in cafe the Governour of Milan fnou'd
refufe to execute what his Catholick Majefty had
promis'd by the Treaty of Afti^ of which King
Lewis had made himfelf ^Mediator and Guarantee,
The Marefchal prefs'd the C<^urt for Leave to
march to fuccour the Duke of Savoy ^ from whom
he had received confiderable Remittances, and ex-
pe£led more ^ but the Queen Mother, who had
newly enter'd into a ftrift Alliance with Spain^ by
a Double Match, wou'd not hear of it. She was
fo far from complying on a fecond Exprefs from
Lefdifguieres on the fame Subjeft, that a L^eclara-
tion was publifh'd^ forbidding his Levies of Men
under Pain of High Treafon : However, what by
the Perfwafion of his belov'd La Meyranc-, and
the
of ¥K A N CE, IC3
the SoIIicitations of the Prince of Tledmont^ with
whom he had an Interview, he refolv'd to raife an
Army,, and joyn the D\ikQ oi Savoy. Several Mef-
fages were fent to him to obliae him to defif]-,
fometimes by Flatteries, fometimes by Threats.
The King of 5p^/» ofFer'd him Money to raife 40000
Men to Conquer Savoy for himfelf, but that was
an Artifice too thin not to be penetrated by fuch
a Politician as he. New Orders came from Court
forbidding him to march his Forces into Foreign
Countries. Thefe Orders had no more Force than
the reft. / am now marching^ fays the Marefchal,
to the Alfiftance of his Highnefs the Duke of Savoy,
again ft the Intention and exprep Orders of the Court.
But upon fame Occafions vce ought to difobey our own
Mafier^ to ferve him better according t* his real
Jnterefis. The Parliament o^ Grenoble had Inftrufti-
on to verify the Orders fent him, and to endea-
vour to perfwade him not to march. He gave
them the hearing, banter'd that Awful Senate, as
I doubt not the Advocates often call them, gave
them the Royal Orders to verify, tho' againft his
marching, and at that very Inftant march'd his
Army under the Windows of the ParHament Cham-
ber, the Magiflrates fitting upon their fle^irs de
Lis^ and feeing with great Indignation this infuf-
ferabie Contempt of the King's and their Autho-
rity. Fajfor writes thus on this Occafion, What
difference good Godj between the Great Lords of
thofe 'TimeSj and thofe who Live under the prefent
Reign ! A Letter under the Signet ^ What fay I i*
A Word from a Aiinijier of State ?70W^ makes them
all to tremble more cringing ft illy than that unxoorthy
Roman, who Liv'd in the Tune of Tiberius, they
believe that the Power of the King is vnconfind^
and that a Blind Obedience to the mofl Vnjufl Com-
p-.ands^ and mo ft contrary to the Publick Weal of the
Kingdom') makes all the Glory and Diftinciion of an
Officer of the Cruim-i a Peer of France, ayid. a Prince
of the Blood,
H 4, Several
io4 The Secret Hi(lory
Several Letters were written in the King's Naqie
to the difcontented Lords, and Anfwers rtceiv'd
from them *, that to the Duke de Mayenne^ was
written by the Bifhop of Lucon^ afterwards CdiX-
diudil de Richlieuj wiierein that Florid Prelate makes
his Majefty fay, Jf a Soveraign h.-is' any Obligation
to a Subjett^ I confefs my [elf indebted to yovr Fa*
ther. The (Seniin^ lays a French Hiftorian, of that
Flattering and Ainbitioits Courtier^ began to difiover
it felf by this Fjjimiationi But whatever the Bifhop
made the King iay, his Majefty knew nothing of
jrhtf matter, and his Favourite kept a Correfpon-
dence with the Difcontented lords, whom the Mi-
niflry had dedar'd Rebels ^ and the Parliament fo
zealous for the Reformation of the State, and the
removal of D' Ancre a few Months ago, confirm'd
that Declaration *, in which was inferted the Pre-
frdent Le Jay, one of thejr own Members. Re-
nionftrances and Manifeftcs flew about daily. The
Lords anfwer'd the King's Declaration, and parti-
cularly the Duke de Nevers wrote a Letter to the
Pope in his Juftification, wherein he pretended,
that as Guarantee of the Treaty of Lovdon^ he
was oblige! to take Arms to defend it againft thofe
who had broken it. The Court wou'd not allow
the Guaranty of the King of Great Britain^ and
here one of their own :ubje^s ufurp that Quality.
How ftrangely different is one Century from ano-
ther/*' \{ there are not Dukes in France^ who are
not of the Blood of {q Illuftrious a Defcent as the
Duke^^ NeverSj yet there areftill Dnkesand Peers,
who have as good an Opinion of themfelves and
their Family, durft the Proud eft and moft Potent
of them pretend to be Guarantee of any one of
the prcfent King's Edi£ls^ and rake Arms if he
broke it ? What a want of Dukes and Peers wou'd
there foon be, to fill up that Auguft AiTembly,
the Parliament of Faris.
On the Subjeft of thefe Manifeftos, Letters and
Remonftrances5my Author writes : Asfuch Pavjphlsti
do principally come Abroad in Times of Civil War^
^0 prepojfefs and fiir up the People j fo tbg Publifh-
irs
<?/ F R A N C E. |©S
fTS thereof fancy they have a Privilege to fay or
•write ^any pittiful Stuffs provided it has but Sting
and Malice enough to make Impreffton on the Minds
of Ignorant^ Common People ; and that will have
greater EffeEl^ than all the Solid Arguments in the
World,
In this Difpute, the Loyalty of the Reform 'd
was fo Exemplary, that 'tis ftrange there fhou'd
be fo much Ingratitude in Princes, as not always
to confefs and reward it. The Junfture feem-d
fair for thera to procure Satisfaftion for the In-
fractions made on their Edifts. There was an
extraordinary AfTembly at Eochel^ on Account of
D' Epernons Attempt on that City, and the Duke
de Vendome ofFer'd to put himfelf at the Head of
them, if they wou'd joyn with the Difcontented
Lords, which notwithftanding all the Intrigues of
the Marefchal de Bouillon^ they refus'd to do : But
they publiih'd a fort of Manifefto of their Grei.
vances, and having provided for the Security of
Rochelle^ in cafe of any other Attempt upon it,
they broke up their AfTembly as foon as they heard
of U Ancre's Death. This Sefiion was not war-
ranted by Writ from Court, and their Enemies
cndeavour*d to mifrcprefenr it to the Queen and
Miniftry, tho* none cou*d think it unwarrantable,
when an Army was brought before the Walls of
a City, which was their greateft Security.
The Queen and her Confidents being jealous of
the growing Favour of Z.2^/V/ej, thought it their In-
tereft to ruin the Difcontented Party as foon as
poiiible, and then they imagin'd they might eafily
drive him from Court. An Army was fent againft
the Duke de Never s in Champalgne^ another againft
the Duke de Mayeme^ who was forc'd to fhut
himfelf up in Soijjont* The Royal Armies being
fo much Superior to tlie Lord s Forces, that they
couM not make Head againft them, the New Fa-
Vourite on his fide faw, that if the Lords were
difpers'd, and their Party broken, D' Ancre wou*d
Eftablifh himfelf more firmly than ever, and then
he wou'd certainly put his Threats in Execution,
t«
lo6 The Secret Hiprj
to nuke him anfwerable for the Kings Coldnels
to him. This put Luines^ his Two Brothel's, De-
agean and the Confpirators, on quickning his Ma-
jefty's Fears of Conchlnis Defigns againft his Life. A
Thoufand Terrible Stories they invented of him, I
iliall content mylelfwith relating one of their Con-
trivances, becaufe it was that which determin'd him
to confent to the. Murder of D' Aicre.
Some Men appointed and Inftrufted by Luines^
enter 'd one Evening into the King's Chamber with
a fad and difmal Countenance. Ihe deep Silence
they were in for fome Moments, fl:ir*d up the
King's Curiofity to ask them tiie Caufe of fuch
extraordinary Sadnefs : The Men figh'd, and gave
him to underftand, they durft not be fo bold as
to fpeak, for fear of their Lives. King Lewis flill
more frightned, commanded them to fpeak, and
at laft one of the Company broke Silence. Sir^
faid he, fighing as if from the bottom of his Soul,
77?^ CitiTie'fis of Paris are tn a very great Confterna-
tion'^ your Good and Faithful Subjects are afraid for
your precious Life : They Weep and Lament j you
are in the Hands of Italians *, and what ought they
not to fear from Perfons who know fo well how to
make uje of Poifon^ to come to the End of their De-
fgn. They had before infinuated to him, that
Katharine de Medicts wou'd have murder'd her
Son Charles the IXth in the fame manner, to make
room for her Favourite Son, Henry Y}\)kt d" An-
jou *, and that A^^iry d' Medicis might do the fame
for her belov'd Son Gajhn^ Duke de Anjou., the
King's Brother. Upon this, Lewis the Xillth,
confented to the Aflairination of ConchirUj and the
removal of the Queen his Mother.
Before the Bloody Fad was perpetrated, the
Biihop of Lucon, v^^ho found how matters were
going, and that his Protedor the Marefchal D*
jincre^ was not likely to be able to ferve him
Jong, fent a Kinfman of his Luines^ to oiFer him
Richlieus Service. He has taken vpon him^ faid his
Kinfman to the New Favourite, the Place of Se-
cretary of St ate J with a full Defign to ferve the King.
He
ef'V RANGE/ 107
He lias obferv'd with an extream Regret, That
things have not hem well mana^^d^ and that his Ala-
jefty is diffatisfyd with it. If his Majefly woud be
pleased to accept of the Services of M. du Lucon,
and receive him into the Number of his Mimflers^
you Jhall be^ Sir, exoEily inform d of all the Refolw
ttons taken in the Secret Council of the Queen Mo-
ther, Richliru had afterwards a Private Interview
witii the King and Lulnes, and engaged to betray
his Two Benefaftors, Mary de Medicis and Con-
chinij on Condition that he fhou'd keep his Place,
Is it not on the Genius and Politicks of this
Prelate, that the late Greatnefs of the French Mo-
narchy was Founded ? See therefore what thefc Po-
liticks are, what their Foundation *, and think what-
ever Turns happen in the Affairs of Europe^ whe-
ther a Monarchy, whofe Greatnefs is fo Founded,
can be favour'd by Heaven, and that Greatnefs be
lafting.
King Lewis being at a lofs which way to rid
himfelfofhis Wardftip, had tl imud to ^y to Meaux^
there to Summon his Subje£ls from all Parts to
his Alliftance • feme proposed to him to make a Pre-
tence to go to the Parliament, and there caufe the
Marefchal to befeiz'd in his Prefence \ others talk'd
of flying to the DKcontented Lords, but Luinesvi?Ls
for quick Difpatch •, and tho' when the A£l-iou was
on the Point of being done, h^ boggled a little a
Word or two from his braver Brothers. Cadenet
and Brantes diffipated all his Apprehenfions : He
communicated the Defign to f^itry^ Captain of the
Guards, who undertook it readily, in hopes of
Conchinis Batton, and Orders were given for his
being Arrejied^ as they call'd it in the Louvre. All
things being in readinefs on the 24th of April^
itfiy, the Marefchal coming to the Louvre^ attend-
ed by his own Train of Gentlemen, the great Gate
wasopen*d to him, and fhut upon him immediate-
ly. A Man who flood over the Gate, gave three
Flourifhes with his Hat in the Air, the Signal that
Vitri had order 'd to acquaint him, that th^ Ma-
refchal was enter d. Fitri^ Captain of the Guard?,
comw
10$ 7 he Secret Hiftory >
comes coldly out of the Swhzers Hajl^ with his
Cloak upon his Shoulders, and his Statin his Hand.
Du Hallaij his Brother Terfan^ Captain of the Jit-
ftile^ and fome other Ruffians, who were difnerfs'd
in fever al Places, joyn'd hira as if by Accident,
They went all to meet Conchini^ vvithour Viewing
the leafl AfFeftation. Among xh^ Geniieaieri who
waited on tlie Marefchal, were fonte of Fitriz Ac-
quaintance, who Complimented hi.n, Saluted h-ni^
and took him by tl-e Hr.nd. In the mean while,
Conchini went on beyond the Captain of irit- Guards,
who having loffc fight of him. aek'd, V/heve is the
Marefchal D' Ancre ? There he ii faid they, pc;int-
ing at Conchini reading of a Letter, Kitri iiade
Up to him, and laying his Hand upon hi 3 R1^^IJt
Arm, faid, I Arrejl Ton^ Sir, by the Order of the
King\ Who me ! reply'd the iVtarefchal in a very
great Surprize 5 Tes^ you^ your felf^ anfvver'd Fitri^
holding him by the Arm with all his Strength,
and at the fame time beckon'd to Du Hallai^ Per
fan and others, who were appointed to be his Mur-
derers. Thefe AfTaflins difcharg'd Three Piftols
clole at him, and Conchini fell Dead to the Ground
upon his Knees, half thrown back on the Parapet
of the Bridge, which was then at the Louvre, The
Ruffians bafely ran him through with their Swords^
after he was Dead *, Vitri kick'd him with his Feet,
and laid him at his full length, for which, very
fuddenly, he will be dignify'd with the Honouj?
of a Marefchal o{ France,
Thus fell Conchino Cvnch'ml^ whofe greatefi: Fault
was, that he was not a French Man ; and yet that
was no fuch a Fault in the Marefchals Tr/W?/ and
Strozx^iy both Italians as well as D Ancre. Confi-
dering the Maxims and Pra£lices ot Favourites in
all Ages and all Courts, Conchmi was much more
fufFerable than many that we read of*, and his
SuccefiTor Lmnes^ will 'ere long, let them feel the
difference between a Man of good Nature with his
Pride, and one as Infolent as l^e was Powerful.
Before we enter farther into this Tragedy, I
Ihall give the Charader of D' Ancre^ as given by
the
Sf:1?AR N C E. joj
the Marefcbal D* Eflrees in his Memoirs ot the
Regency of Mary dc Medic is. When I refleBy fays
he, ont,ieD?aib of the Aiarefchal D* Ancre, lean
•attribute it cdy to hi-^ Evil Dejlifzy, He was Na^
turally a Well ircd Per foa^ ard had difohligd very
ferv People. "Tis not tadly to he comprehended for
•what ail France roff agninji him : He was agreed^
ble in ih' Frrjon. Graceful on Horfahacky and in*
deed i,i all his Other Exercffes, His Converfation
tvas Sr^eet and Bafie ^ his Thoughts Towering and
Ambitious *, and yet he conceal' d them upon fome Oc'
cafions. He 'riever defird to come to the King^s
Council, This was the Man whom the French treated
in the Barbarous hianr.^r that has been, and will
be related , (uch extraordinary Events as thefe de-
fervitig to be treated of at large, they being equally .
Inftruftive and tntertaining.
The Queen Mother furpriz'd at the hearing of
F^iftols Gifcharg'd in the Louvre^ bid otle of her
Maids pt Honour look out of the Window, and
inquire what was the matter. The Lady feeing
the Captain of the Guards, ask'd him the Occa-
fion of that Diforder. f^itri anfwer'd without any
Concern, the Marefchal D' Ancre is killed : Who
was the Murderer ? faid fhe. Afy [elf reply'd
Fitri as feriouily as before ; The King Commanded
me to do it. The Lady prcfently drew in her
Head, and acquainted Mary de A4edicis with it,
who upon the Nevis of if, pull d off all her Head-
Clothes, iv^id with her Hair diihrivell'd, ran about
the Room \vringlng of her Hands in a moft def-
perate manner, being ftunn'd at this unexpe<^ed
BIow> not for Conchini% Death, but for the Lofs
of her i\uthority, as fhe exprefs'd herfelf after-
wards, wh^n iLe was more Miftrefs of her Rea-
(on, Ikying, / am -not troubled that the King has
faus^d ths Marefchal D* Ancie to he murder dy if
htf thought it necejjary for the Good of the Kingdom^
but the Mifiru^ he has fijow*d towards me ^ in con-
sealing his Refolution from his own Mother^ gives
v%e a very great AfflitJton, And i^e had Reafon
to be apprehenfive of her So!i s Coldnefs to^ her,
as.
ISO The, Secret Hijlory-
as fhe found prefently by Experience; fov-Vitri-
difarm'd her Guards, and his Majefly refus'd to
fee her.
The Farce they, made Lewis the Xlllth play
after this Tragedy, -is very extraordinary. As Toon
j^s the Piftols went off, a Man ran in a Fright
to the King's Chamber, crying out, They have mifs'd
the Marefchal D* Ancre, he is coming up with his
Meuf and their Swords in their Hands *, Tou had
heii^ Sir, take care of Your felf. What JJjall I do ?
iliys tiie Kmg to Du Bellier ? W1k> anfwer'd, Since
Tour Majejiy Jliews fo much Courage^ go meet^em^
run them through^ and every Body that dares re-
Jiftyou. *Tis very probable, as Fajfor ikys^ this was
a Trick play'd on purpofe by //wi^^e/s Contrivance,
to keep his Fears awake, and make him own the^
Murder. The King takes his Sword very Manful-
ly, and marches into the Great Hall, where they
told him X)' Ancre was kill'd, and making hihi'
ihew himfelf to the Crowd in the Court of the
£' Ouvre^ where he faw the Captain of the Guards,
he cry'd, / thank you Vitri, now I am King of
France. He bad the Soldiers To Arms^ To Arms.
Nothing was heard all over the Palace and City,
but Vive le Roy^ The King is now King^ the Mem-
bers of Parliament running fo faft, that they left"
their fquare Caps and Hoods, to pay their Coi-n-
pliments to his Majefty, as did all the Princes,
FrincefTes, and People of Quality *, the Crowd be*
ing fo great, that the King was forc'd to get up-
on his Billiard Table to receive their Homages:
And there are a hundred Stories of his Majefty's
fine Repartees, which not anfwering the other
Parts of his Life, I do not think there*s any need
of remembring, as being put into his Mouth ei- '
ther then or afterwards.
The moft Infamous Circumilance that attended
this Murder, was the Flattery of the Parliament
of Paris^ the Supream Court of Judicature in France^
and the only French Senate Paris cou'd boaft of.
The ICmg^ faid they, upon a Queflion whether the
Marefchal'sCarcafsihou'dbe Try'd, has caused the
of V R h N CE. ill
Marefchd D' Ancre to be kiWd^ whofe Crimes were
Notorious. The Confent of his Majejiy alone^ coven
all the wants of Formfilities, lo go about now to
make Procsfs upon the Trunk of a Dead Man^ woud
be thereby to call in Quejiton the Power 9f the King.
I fhall repeat hers cb^: very Words of a French
Hiftorian. ^'' What do I hear, Good God ! Are
" thefe who fpeak fo, Magiflrates of the Firfl
" Tribunal of France / h woud be to call in Quefti-
'* on the Power of the King. Has he then a Pre-
" rogative to put Men to Death without due Tryal
*' and Procefs according to Lav; ? Such are the
*^ fatal and deteftable Confequences of that Priii-
•' ciple, which allow to Kings an Arbitrary Pow •
^* er, and makes them Mafters of the Lives and
^' Fortunes of their Subje£ls. The Confent of his
" Majejiy done covers all Formalities, By this Bar-
*' barous and Cruel Axiom (more fit to be alledg'd
*' in the Divan of a Maho7nctan Soveraign, than
*' in the Council of the Moft Chriftian KingJ they
" may very well juftify the MafT^cre committed
" on St. Bartholomew's Day. Charles the IXth pre-
^' tended, that the Crimes of Admiral de CoUgnyy
*' and of all thofe Brave French Gentlemen whofe
*' Throats were Cut that Day, were ftill more
^* Notorious, than thofe the Marefchal I>* Ancre
*' was fufpefled to be Guilty of. And cou'd the
** bare Confent of that Inhumane King, Cover the
*' want of Formalities? What Reafon have thofe
•' Gentlemen of the Parliament, to fuppofe that
'' the Crimes of Conchini were Publick and No-
" torious? They were never prov'd. He was Con-
*' demnd, as being Guilty of High Treafon, by
" that very Sentence which was pronounc'd againft
** the Unfortunate Galigai^ whereby fhe was Con-
*' demnd to lofe her Head. Bat it is to be wifh*d,
'' even for the Reputation fake of the Parliament
*' of Paris, that the Remembrance of that Wicked
*' Judgement might be for ever obliterated.
What might I not fay on this Head ^ how do
Reflexions croud tiiemfelves upon me -^ but that of
all of them which touches me mofl, is, that I nnuft:
keep
Ill The Secret Flijtory
keef> them to my felf. Twas pretended that B
jincre made fome Refiftance, which is falfe *, he
only exprefs'd his Aftonifhment by fome Words:
And the Three Commifiion'd AfTalTins, the Three
Gentlemen, as Delbene phras'd it at the Prince of
Condes Apprehenfion, Shot him Dead upon the Spot,
with the King's Confent.
kichlleu having loft his Prote£lors, and doubting'
whether his profFer'd Service wou'd be accepted
now the King had taken the Government into his
own Hands, went however and prefented himfdf
to his Majefty. Well^ M. de Luccn^ faid King Lewis
fitting ftill upon his Billiard Table, / am at laji de-
liver' d from your Tyra'/iny. The Biihop was put
quite out of Countenance at thefe Words, and
while he was preparing to fay fomething in his
own Juftification, the King bluntly commanded
him to withdraw. Lulnes began to have a Jea-
loufy of the Bifhop's Artifices and Ambition, and
was glad the King had already forgot the great
hopes he had given Richlieu fome Days before.
The good Prelate had his Friends that put his
Majefty in mind of it, and Luines fent him word,
that tho* yUleroy was reftor'd to the Office of
Secretary of State, yet that of Counfellor was
referv'd for him, and an Officer was order 'd to wait
upon him as from the King, to. the Door of the
Chamber where the Council was then fitting. As-
foon as yUleroy and the Old Minifters heard they
were bringing in Richlieu, they ftarted (o many
Difficulties, that the Bifhop did not care to go
into the Council, but ftay'd without the Door, un-
der Pretence of difcourfing the Firft Prefident, and
finding his continuing at Court, when all the Friends
and Servants of Mary de Medicis were fo ill treated,
gave Jealoufy that be had betray*d her. He thought
it at that time, his Wifeft way to quit his Pre*
tenfion to the Place of a Councellor of State.
Barbin being apprehended, fell a railing at his Pro-
te^or Conchinl, and fhew'd that his Soul was fo
throughly bafe, both in his Ingratitude to his Pa •
Uon, and his Treachery and Ccrruption^ that he''
of F K A N C n. 115
better deferv'd the Fate of D* A'jcre^ than that
Unfortunate Italian'. Yet fo high iiad he been iri
Favour, that Ricblieu once courted him to marry
ftis Sifter, who was afterwards Mother of the
Firft Princefs of the Blood, Barbin not thinking
her worthy of him.
The Ufage Caligni^ the Wife of the Marefchal, met
with^ v/as ftiJl more Barbarous than any •, when fhe
heard her Husband was kili'd,ftie immediately hid her
Jewels in the Feathers of her Bed, and lay upon it,-
pretending Indifpofition ; but fome of Fltri's Men
made her get up, ?[nd upon fearch they found the
Treafure. They rob'd her of her very Stocking?,
infomuch that fhe was forc'd to burrow fome "of
her Son's fmall Money to buy fome Linnen One?^
for this Lady of a Marefchal of France, who the
Day before had been fo Richly Drcfs'd. As fhe was
carrying to the Place of her Confinement, (he bore
the Affront of the Infolent Soldiers, and the Infults
of her Enemies like a Heroine. She was not Teen
to fhed a Tear, and what fhe faid was with De-
cency and without Paflion. A'ly Husband has been
kili'dy faid fhe to the Guards, Is riot that enough^
let the King give me leave then to remove out of
France, &'C. But that wou'd not do Luines\ Bu-
finefs. who wanted the Forfeiture of the Marefchal s
Coods^and therefore fhe was to dye by the Hands of
the Common Hangman. Accordingly fhe was re-
mov*d from the Louvre ta the Bafiile, and thence
to the Common Goal, fufFering all the Indignities
that Cruelty and Infolence cou'd offer her. The
Guards feiz'd alfo a very Lovely Youth, the Son
of Conch in i and Galigai^ took from him his Hat
andClo.ik, and us'd him fobarbaroufly, that the Lad
in Defpair, refolv'dto flar.ve himfelf to Death, and
wou'd neither Eat nor Drink. A Gentleman of
the Court defir'd leave of the King to take the
Youth into his Hodfe, wd the Young Queen had
Itkewife fome Compsffion- upon him : She fent him
Sweat- Meats, and order 'd. hiii) to be brought to
^er.. She had been told lie I>anc'd very prettily,-
iofd wvVt» ti^d^ hate hrm Dance in her Pre fence.
I h
'â– */^.
114 The Secfet Biftory
A very impi'oper time for the poor Creature: to
be put upon fuch an Exercife ; however he obey'd her
Commands, and 'twas obfervable he did his utmoft
to conceal from her that Grief which ahnoft over-
whelnVd him. I muft own I was extreamly touch'd
at reading this Story, and have a very mean O-
pinion of tlie Tendernefs of that Princefs, for the
Misfortunes cf a Child involv'd in them , , by
tlK)(e of his Parents *, and the Horror of the Con-
clufion of this Tragedy is fuch, that hardly any
Hiftory can parallel. . After the Corpfe of tlie Ma*
refchal had been bury'd priv^Ltely in a Church near
the Lowz-r^, the -Rabble broke into it, dug up his
Grave^ took out the Corpfe, drag'd it to the Tom-
neuf\ where a Gallows had been kt up to Hang
fome Perfons -accus'd of allifting the Difcontented
Party- A Footman offer'd his Service to tye up the
Corpfe by the Feet, faying, He tbrcatendtohang ms
not. long ae^o. Galigal wondering at the Noife ilie
heard, ask'd Iier, Keepers what was the matter, they
anfwer'd, I'he -people are., going to hmig yow Hus-
band^ yet Ihe did not weep ^ and having not lately
been very, fond (5f him, fbefaid, They ufe him as
he defcrvefy He^ was a had, Man^ Vroud and â– Ar-
rogant, The Mob pluck'd ont the Eyes of the Dead
Marcfchal, cut off his Nofe and Ears, his Privy
Members and his-Arms ; then<^ivided them felyes into
Bands, and each Band dr^g'd a Fart of his Body
about the Streets. A Man well enough dlefs'd,
open'd his Belly, thruft his Hand into it, and drew
it out again, befmear'd with his Blood, and lick'd
it.- Another took his Heart, broil'd it upon Burning
Coals, and eat it, dipping every Bit in Vinegar.
The Trunk wasdrag'd to the Grave, the Bafiilie^
before the Hotel of Corule^ and even before his own
Houfe. The Rabble at lafi weary'd with their
Barbarities,; Burnt one part of the Corpfe at the
Grave^ and the other on the Vontneuf. The Gal-
lows ferv'd to make the Fire ^ his Alhes were ga-
ther 'd up and fold by the Ounce,
. Is
of F R AN C E. 115
is this the- Delicate, the Polite Nation, that pre-
tends to ,be the jpattern of .Politeneis and Delicacy
for all the World to imitate ? I queftion'if the Hi-
ftories of the Rifffes or Tartars^ has any thing fo hor-
jid and deteflable in it. All the Kealon they had
to hate Conchini, was, becaufe the Qyeen -Mother
lovd his Wife, and he did ^yhat all <3qUrtiers do,
make the belt ufe he cou'd of her rafv^q^, for his
own Advantage, in which he was .nei&JhcH'-i^ Rapa-
cious nor fo Haughty, as ii^piy whom tl^^ey bore^witl^,
without marmuririg. Is It not vei',y rttange to fee a
Man murder d'\\\ the Palace, apd a DeclaratioX) conojS
out after it, that the Marefci^a^- i)^ Vkri^ for fo WjC
muil now call the Murderer, and the reH of his Ac-
complices fhou'd never ,be troubl'd foi- (it- - This
AfTafiin went to the parliament in great rRoji^py to
take the Oath, of Marefchal of Fruucey-xy^-X: oxix^t
de Soljjons^ feveral Dukes ai^d Peers, Ibir.^.Qff'^^e^s
of the Crown, and a great Nuinber ofperfons gf
QiKility were prefent at; the Ceremony. Xiie Ad-
vocates flatter'd him in >tJtieir,Speeche^s^, an.c[.,noiie
•more than the Advocate (jln^rAl., Monfi^ur.'fe'i^iV??,
-whofe Oration on that Qc^afion, was fi^U, of the
vilefi: Flattery, and m oft Notorious Falihoqds.- tie
faid Concbini was a Notavy'-s.SQ^iof :/^rei;^<7 in T?/p
taufy^ that he was the greaTeft Motiftertip(3«.EurLi},
and no Encomiums cou d be too great for th^.vyorthy
Jnftrument his ^jajsfty had made ufe qi]yi<^At9ii.o^
him. Now:,\\hatever iva^d been repoi>ttd 'jof , U>e
Meannefs of D' Ancrs's Birth,- -tis cerral^ 'hife f-^thar
.was a Senator of Hcre^cf,. snd-.bis Graad.fFather
had been employed 'by the Great Duke in-l>;veral Am-
halFies, hut liich is the Integrity o^Frei'ich Lawyers.
I hope Proteftancs of that ProfelTiun, cannot be
Guilty of the like Bafenefs. The Marefchrl 1)' Jncre
had been AiTaffinated by Authority, the Mar^fchal de
P^itri was the Afraflin,and they cba'd uot compliment
the one, without abufmg the other. Twas known
to all the World, that the Parliament of Paris had
made their Court to Concbini as much as any Body
of Men in France^ yet the Honed Advocate-oeneral
es<:lamf d biimly againfl: all thofe that hiid .ador'd.
Ii6 The Secret Hijtory
the Fortune of the Marefchal D' Ancre^ terming it
Coionnene^ a Pitiful^ Cowardly JRehaviour. Yet at
the fame rime is hehimfelf adoring the Fortune of
a Man that got it by murdering him. An Allien fo
Villainous, that D' ^ncre cannot be charg'd with
zr\y thing Co bad during the whole Courfe of his Fa-
'jQ'jr, tho' 'twas made io uneafy to him, by thofe
mat envy'd him, that he had often Provocations to
proceed to Extremities. The News of jD* Aacres
Death, was receiv'd all over the Kingdom with great
Tranfport \ every one Congratulated his Majefty
on his afTuming the Government into his own Hands,
tho' iO. Truth 'twas only changing ConchirU for
Luines.
The Vroteftants were not behind hand with the
Tdpifts in this Congratulation : Du Plejjis Mornay
was prefently made acquainted with the Revolution
at Court, which follow 'd the Death of the Maref-
chal D' Anrre. He immediately fent his Son in-Law,
Monlieur Fillafnoux thitlier, to Congratulate hrs
Majefty upon this kind of New Acceflion to the
Throne. The Letter he fent by him, was fo accep-
table to the King and Favourite, that it was prefent-
ly publifii'd in Paris by his Majefty's Special Com-
mand. Du Plejjis made no mention of the Queen
Mother or Marefchal jD' Ancre^ only Commended
Iiis Majefty's AiTuming the Adminiliration into his
own Hands, and then beg'd that he wou'd bepleasd
to 'grant them their Vnqnejlionahle Rlght^ the Per-
formance of the feveral tdi<^s made in their Favour.
The King anfwer'd Du P/e//I/s Letter, and faid, /
caus'd your Letter to be read "to me feveral ti77jeSy
arjd am much pleased rrlth the good Advice you give
me therein^ and will he fure to follow it, He adds.
He will not only give his Reform d Subje^s their Un-
quefiionable Right, but alfo L&ad them with his Fa-
vours, Du Plejjis had advis'd his Majefty lo fet the
Prince of Conde^i Liberty, and recal the Difconten-
tcd Lords. The latter was refolv'd upon, the for-
mer Luraes wou'd not hear of, fearing the Authority
his Rank naturally gave •, the Firft Prince of the
Blood vYou'd be an Impediment to the Boundlefs
Power
of-'B RANGE. 117
Power he was aiming at. The King indeed, fent to
acquaint the Princefs of Coiide that he wou'd admit
her to his Prefence whenever fhe wou'd come to the
Louvre-^ fhe went prefently, accompany'd by the
Dutchefs de Angoulefme her Sifter, and threw her-
felf at the King's Feet. Siie thank d him for the Ho-
nour he had done lier, to admit her to wait upon his
Majefly, and, with Tears in her Eyes, intreated him
to beftow fome Marks of his Clemency upon the
Firft Prince of the Blood. Adding, Jf you do not
think fity Sirj to fet him at Liberty^ grant me the
Favour at leaji to /hut tny felf up in the BaftiiJe,
w^hich Favour King Lewis anfwer'd he intended to
grant her, faying, / love Monfienr the Prince and
his Family, and all imaginable Care jhall he taken of
him^ till I have put my Affairs in good Order, I
am very firry they do not allow me as yet to grant
him his Liberty, Ton may affure him from me^ that
J will endeavour to content him as foon as I can.
The Princefs went that very Day to be a Prifoner
with her Husband in tlie Baflille^ where for four
Months they expefted the Performance of his
Majefly's Promile, but then inftead of being re-
leas'd from their Confinement, they were, as an ex-
traordinary Favour, remov'd to tiie Tower of
rincennes^ where his Highnefs remained feveral
Years.
The Difcon ten ted Lords return'd to Court, with-
out any A3: of Abolition, to excufe their Proceed-
ings, contrary to the Advice of ^^//^m and others,
they having been d*:lar'd Guiky of High Treafon,
having raised Soldiers, and maintain'd Treaties.
Luines already carry'd his Ambitious Views fo
high, that he thought of no leis a Match than the
Duke de rendome's Sifter, the Natural Sifter of
Lewis. To ingratiate himfelf with him, " he ob-
tain'd a Pa.rs, that the Duke might return vyith-
put making any Publick Submiftion ^ and to gam
the Friendfhip of the other Lords, procar*d'^tLe
fame Permifiion for them, which brought diem all
fo Coufi:, where they were well leceiy a ^ and
i 3 the
Ii8 The Secret Hiflory
the Kirig's Declaration rcftoring them to his good
Grace, was Regiiler*din Parliament.
We have feen how ths State of Affairs was quite
alter'd by the De:\th of Conch'ml^ how the Qaeen
Mother was depriv'd of her Authority ; her Crea-
tures lofl their PlaceSj and ihe herfeif treated with
all the Contempt that an Infalting Enemy cou'd
fhew the Mother of his Mafter. OflBcers and Sol-
diers enter'd her Chamber, without asking her
Leave •, Search was made in her Clofet, under her^
Bed and Trunks ; and when one of her 1 adies of
Honour ask'd the Reafon of that Rudenefs, fhe
was anfwer'd, We have Orders to fee if there be
not fome Barrels of Gim-Fowdsr to Blow tip the
King^ who lyes over this Aparrtnient % one of the
Doors of which, was immediately Wail'd up. The
Draw Bridge, which let into her Garden, was
broken down. All her Difcourfes and Morions were
ilarrowly obferv'd ; her Adminillration was refled-
ed upon in all the King's Declarations, where
there was the leall: Occaiion to make mention of
it. She was abandon'd by almofl all the Lords of
the Court*, the Duke de Rohan ihew'd the moft
Generofiry on this Occafion of any of them. He
hid made his Compliment to the Qiieen, after
the Treaty of Loudon^ and w^is fincerely reconcil'd
to her, who favourably received his Excufcs for ta-
king Arms. All he obtain'd by the Treaty, was
the AlTurance of the Government of Foiciou. provi-
ded he cou'd obtain the Duke de Sulifs Demiiii-
on, which he did, and in Perron follicired his Let-
ters Patents fcr the Survivorfhip. He did it boldly
enough, and at laft the Queen granted it him, tho*
the Change of Affairs hinder'd his enjoying it. How^
ever, in Gratitude for this Favour, he apply d him-
felf to the Service of that Princefs with (o much
Fidelity, that in the end it prov'd a Ruin to him-
felf, and confequently an unipeakable Detriment to
the Reform'd- Intereft in France.
' In all the Commotions which happen'd in this
Minority, we Iwve feen that the Fapifts were the
AgrefTors. If the Protefiants fell in with any of
'em.,
^ F R A N C E. iH9
'em, it was as French Men, not as Hugonots, Mat"
ters were purely Civil, and they cannot as yet be
charg'd with the Wars that diflurb'd the Regency
of Mary de Aledlcisy or the Reign of Lewis the
XHIth. So far was tlie Court of France from
thinking it unfafe to eaiploy them, that there was
no Law which excluded them fro)n Offices, no Sa-
cramental Teft to oblige them to conform to the
National Church. Pofts of the higbeft Confequence,
as well Civil as Military, were in the. Hands of
Proteftant Gentlemen i the Marefchal de Lefdif^uir
eres was Governor oi DauphineytliQ Duke de Sully
of PoiU^ouj the Marquifs de la Force of Beam. In
iliort, there wou'd be rjo end of it, if I fhou'd
go about to infiance the feveral High Offices the
Proteftants held in France^ till their Toleration
was taken from them, as well as their Employ-
ments. 'Tis well known there were.P^r/j/ Cham-
bers, vfhexe the Judges were compos 'd of Papijls
and Prote/iants^ and that even in the Moil: Supream
Court, the Parliament of P^/W/, the Edi<fl:s allow d
a Number of them to be Protefiants-^ yet how often
lias the Uniformity of the Religion of the Perfons em-
ploy'd in Places of Profit and Tm{\ in France^ h^n
urg'das a Pretence for the fame rigidUnionelfewhere?
•True, fince the Dragoon jVlifiion commenc'd in the
fame Reign that aholifli'd all thofe Zdicls, took
-away the Vnquejlicnable Right of the Reform d, and
inftead of Loading 'em with Favours^ Loaded 'em
v^\t\\ Irons, Since a Proteftant has not been fufter'd
to Live in France^ it mull: be own'd a Proteflant has
not been employ 'd there, which is the mo i the
Enemies to Univerfal Liberty can make of the
French Conititution in th.^ Point :, and 'tis to be
hop'd , there is no Nation in the World befides
France^ can approve of the fame Barbarity.
1 cannot tliink that fuch Occaiional Refie£lions
as thefe,. will be thought Tedious and Impertinent^
• in a Hiftory fo crowded with Events as this muft
' needs be, that in fo narrow a Compaq takes up
Va Period which a fiundred Htftorians stud Meinoir
Writer i have wtitten upon.
I 4 Tl.@
I20 The Secret Hijlory
The Duke de Rohan*% being deny'd to pay his Duty
to the Queen Mother, v;as not the greateft Morti-
Kication ilie met with, ?.nd her Son ihewd in it a»
Inrenfibility of all Natural Affedion or Humane Ten-
dernefs, very little agreeable to the Character of
tint Eoma^^ whofe Vertues and Wifdom were attri-
buted to him by his Flatterers, who compar'd him
to Lucius Junius Brutus^ the Deliverer of Rome,
Theie Gentlemen pretended, that as Brutus counter-
feited Madnefs, the better to conceal his Deiign for
its Deliverance, fo Lewis tlie Xillth counterfeited
Chilaifhnefs to deceive hisMorher, and making her
th nkhe never aim'd at Government, to prevent her
Defign to hinder his afTuming it -^a jeft we fhall foon
fee difprov'd in the remaining Part of my Hifiory.
Her Enemies were always buzzing it in his Ears,
that his K^ other and Conchmi had Plotted to Poifon
bim, and fet up the Duke of Anjou on the Throne \
and it made fuch an Impreflion on him, he coa'd ne-
ver get it out of his Head. Mary de Medicis tir'd
out with her Confinement in the Palace, refolv'd at
!aft to quit a Place where a few Days before fhe had
receivd the Homages of all France^ and retire to
Moulins in Bourbonnois^ a Province fettled upon her.
She found her Son inflexible to her Prayers and
Tears for an Interview, fhe thinking fhe cou'd flill
prevail upon him, if be wou'd but fee her and hear
her. Several Requefls were made to him for Audi-
ence, and one particularly by the Marchionefs de
Guercheville^ her Lady of Honour, who meeting the
King one Day as he went through the Court of the
Louvre^ SIt^; approach'd him very Artfully with
Tears in her Eyes, and faid. Will you^ Slr^ hit the
Queen your Mother wltl^ Griefs your extream Severity
cajis her into fuch a Languifhing Condnion^ that we
are mightily afraid of the Confequences of it. Hqr
Health is daily impair d^ and if you deprive her any
longer of the Comfort of feeing you^ I don't know but
J}}e may dye in our Arms. Thefe Remonftrances
did not in the leafl move this Young Prince, who
wou d not fo much as allow her to fpeak with his
ConfefTon l.uines[idQQgn was to drive her to Extre-
niity.
<?/ F R A N C E. |i2?
nrity, and oblige her to defire of herfelf to qui;
the Louvre^ that they might tell the World another
Falijty, and declare as they did, the King intended
only to in treat Mary de Medicts to withdraw for a
a few Months, till he had Eftablifh'd fome good Or-
der in his Government *, but that the Qtieen being
grievoufly incensed at the Death of the Marefchstl
JD' jincre^ and not a little troubl'd that fhe had loft
the Power of Governing, earneflly defir'd the King's
Leave to retire. Richlieu^ whofe Admittance to the
Council Table the Old Miniftry opposed, refolv'd to
follow this Princefs, flattering himfelf that fhe wou*d
certainly return to Court, and reward his Services
in the loweft Ebb of her Fortune. Befides, he thought
he fhou'd by (laying with the Queen, become ne-
cefT&ry to the King and Favourite," in being a Spy up-
on her. Luines with this View, got the King's Con-
fent for Richlieus remaining near his Mother. Tiiis
Honeft Prelate did not fpeak his Mind plainly, but ^o
exprefs'd himfelf, that Luines very well underftood
how it was he meant to be ferviceable to him. Let
none^ faid Richlieu, expttl from me that I wdl become
a Spy in the Court of the Queen Mother^ I will only
promife to retire into my DiocefSj tn cafe Her Ma]efty
will not hearken to mv CowncilSj but will follow thofe
that will difpleafe the King. Mary de Med ids was
glad that fhe had got fuch a Faithful Servant to at-
tend her, and immediately put him upon the Firfl
Negotiation fhe had with the Couit for her removal
to Moulins^ which Place was afterwards changed for
Blots^ He carry'd her Demands, and got them fet-
tled J he drew the Speech fhe was to make, for the
very Words (he was to fay, were conlider'd in Coun-
cil, before the King wou'd agree to fee her :, and the
Ceremony of this Interview,rheir Dlfcourfeand their
Parting being fettled, a Day wasfix'd for her Depar-
ture. As the Queen's Compliment to her Son was,
confider'd by his Council, fo was his to her by her
Majefiy's,and the Anfwer alike taken into Confidera^
lion by both of them. A Pleafant Farce which Lu-
ines w^dQLeivis play, to prevent his Mother's fayi»?g
^ny thing he fhou'd not approve of. All the Prin-
cefTes,
1 2 S The Secret Mifiorj
cefles, Lords and Ladies, had Perm i (lion to take
their Leaves of Her Maiefty, but Firm and du'HalU-
er, the Two AfTaflins that had the main Hand in tlie
'Murder of the Marefchal^ whom her Majefty wou'd
not lee. The Day of her departure being come, and
the Interview well concerted, all the Court was in
fufpence for the Succefs of it. About Ten Days after
the Murder of Conchini^ the King coming from Din-
ner, went to the Apartment of Mary de Medicis
with G^^Jion his Brother. The King held Luines by
the Hand^ Cadenet and Brames the Favourite's Two
Brothers, walk'd before his Majefty, and the Duke
de Chevretife and Bajfompierre follow'd him. The
jQueen Mother's Anti-Chamber was the Place ap-
pointed for this Interview, the King and the Queen
enter'd it juft at the fame time from two feveral
Doors : Mary de A<fedicls us'd all her Endeavours to
fhew herfelf firm and conftant, but as foon as Ihe
Taw her Son, fhe burft out into a Flood of Tears.
Aiham*d of fuch Weaknefs, ihe put her Handker-
chief and Fan before her Face, and made up to the
King, w^ho very gravely and unconcernedly advanc'd
towards her. I fhall not incert her Speech, becaufe
the King*s An%er will Ihew the Tendency of it, it
being a dire£l Reply and almoft in the fame Words,
after the manner of certain Modern AddrefTes, on
certain Solemn Occafions. MadamyiAid King Lewts^
with a cold and ferious Air, / am perfwaded you
have managed my Affairs with all pofjible Care and
jiffe^ion *, / am very we II, pie as'- d 'wkhwhat you have
done^ and I thank you for it ; you have defir'd to go
to Blois, and 1 have confinted to ycirr defire\ Jf you
had been willing to have continud with me^ I woud
have given you the fiare you ought to have had in the
Adminifiration cf my Jiff airs, and I jl) all always be
ready to do it whenever you pleafe. Believe 7ne^ Ma-
dam^ J JI)alL never be wanting to Hono^ir v^k^ to Love
you, and to Obey you as your Son, upon all Occajions
what foe ver, and I affure you that I will be all my Ufi-
time your moft Humble Son, It had been before a-
greed upon, that when this Speech was over, the
Queen ihou'd iloop to Salute him, but Ihe iappofing
juftly
£?/ F R A N C E. rc^
juftly, fhe fhou'd not have many more Opportunities
to rpeak to him, broke in upon that Agreement,
which mightily puzled King Lewis, She then de-
fi?d ilie might remove from Blois to A^oulins^ when
thxt Caftle v\'as prepar'd for lier Reception. Tou
may vfe your Pkafurcj fa id her Son with the fame
affe<ri:ed Gravity, It is left to you to chufe what Town
foever in my Kingdom you fiall think mod for your
Conveniency ', you fl)ail have there as much Power as
myfelf. So far he came off pretty well, and aded
the Cicero as well as he had done the Brutus, But
his Mother continuing the Converfation, quite con-
founded him, 5ir, faid fhe, I am goings he pleased
to let me beg one Favour more of yoii^ Reftore Barbin
my Steward to me^ I do not believe you have any Z)<?-
fign to make nfe of him your felf. This unexpected
Requeft furpriz'd the King, wholook'd ftedfaftlyon
the Qiieen his Mother, w/thout faying a Word to
her. Siry added ihe, / befeech you do not refufe me
this Favmr, *tis perhaps the laji 1 fjjall ask you. King
Lewis Hill faid not a Word, and continu'd to look
coldly and ferioufly on her, who feeing fhe cou'd not
move him, floop'd and Saluted him *, he made her a
very low Reverence, turn'd away, and went from
her. Then her Majefty kils'd the Duke of jinjou^
who faid little or nothing, ^wd Luines coming up to
make his Compliment, li^.e receiv'd him very kind*
iy, and recommended Barbin to kirn. Wiiile fhe was
intrearing the Favourite to make ufe of his Intereft
with his Mafler, to obtain a thing of no Moment,
Lewis being impatient at fo long a Difcourfe, cry'd
out four or five times, Luines^ Lurnes^ which ferv'd
to deliver his Favourite from the Perplexity he was
in. He acquainted her Majefty he was indifpenfibly
oblig'd immediately to w%iit on the King who call'd
on him. Then it was fhe gave a free Courfe to her
lears', herGrief was fuch, fhe was not able to caft
her Eyes upon the Lords and the Officers, who came
to pay their Obedience to her : She prefently took
Coach, attended by the Two Daughters of Francey
the PrincefTes and Firft Ladies of the Court, who
Waited on her Two Leagues out of Paris. Her Sou
'"' ' -^ was
124 T^^^ Secret Hijlory
was more r^folate, he look'd out of the Window
to fee her go away, and ran alfo to the Balcony of
the Gallery of the £oKi^r^, that he might follow her
with his Eyes as long as he cou'd. When flie was
gone, he prefently forgot the Part of Brutus which
he was to play after the DifTembled one was over,
and inflead of delivering his Subje£ls from the Grci-
vancestl:^ey complain'd of, he returned to the Part he
play'd before, to his Childifh Diverfions, fo unwor-
thy his High Quality, as may be feen in Baffompierres
Memoirs. Lulnes willingly entertain'd him in that
Temper •, the lefs he rendered bimfelf fit for Go-
vernment, the more wou'd the Advantages of it fall
to hina, with the Authority. The Favourite was
well pleas'd to Govern while the King pafsd his Time
in Drawing, Beating the Drum, Winding the Horn,
and making little Waterworks with the^Quill of ^a
Pen. Having told Baffompierre one Day he refolv'd
to begin again to Wind the Horn, and fpend a v/hole
Day in that Esc^ercife, Baffompierre reply'd, Take
Care^ Sir^ it may do you a great deal of Harm *, 'tis
faid Charles the IXth broke one of his Veins in Wind-
ing the Horn^ and that he Dyd of that Accident,
Tou are mifiaken^ reply'd King Lewis^ the Difference
he had with Queen Catherine his Mother^ was the
realCavfe of his Death *, if he had not followed the ill
Advice which the Marefchal Retz gave him to return
to Queen Catherine, then at jMonceaux, he wou'd not
have Dyd fo Toung. The Marquils de AiontpouiUan,
Son of the Marquils de la Force ^ who was a Rival of
Luines in the King's Favour, tiUhis Religion be-
ing to be fupprefs'd, it gave Luines entirely the
Preference, applauded what the King had faid, as
if it had came from an Oracle. Well Sir^ fays he,
to Baffompierre^ Ton did not imagine his Majefly
hew fo much: No^ in good Faith^ Sir^ reply*d the
other in a great Surprize, / did not think the
King was fo knowing. One may perceive by what
the King faid of Catherine de Medicis, that his Fa-
vourites and Flatterers kept him in continual Appre-
iienfions of his Mother's Dt^ign to make away with
him. Thefe were the only Leflbns they inipir'd him
with»
of V A K N C E. 1^5
Vvith. As for Government and Politicks, tbey never
intended he fhou'd ftand in need of them, and all
their Care was to confirm him in his Fear and Ha-
tred of his Motl^^r. BajfompierrCy and thofe of the
Courtiers who had fiood very well in her good Gra-
ces, did not To much as name her before the King*,
they wou'd not venture his Difpleafure, to attempt
the doilig her any Service. Such is the Gratitude,
fuch the Honour and Humanity of Courts, fuch the
/Filial Duty and Natural AfFeftion of weak Kings.
Since Lewis the Xlllth was incapable of Governing
bimRis liis Mother, doubtlefs, cou'd have taken ort
that Cli:irgefrom him, as well as a Petty Gentleman
o{Froveac€^ Lulnes being no more, make the beft of
him, the' both he, and his Brother Cadenet^ were
made Dukes and Peers.
Intending in the Profecution of this Hiflory, to
obferve by what Steps the Protefiant Religion in
Frame was fo deftrov'd, as we fee it in our D^ys,
that there are hardly any Remains of it left there,
except in the Breaflsof fome DifTembled C-atholicks,
I muft not forget that the AfTembly which they
Summoned to meet at Rcchdle^ upon D* Epernon's
Attempt, did not break up after that Duke had given
it over. This AfTembly, according to a Regulation
made at Saumur, confiiled of the Deputies of the
Provincial Council of Five Neighbouring Provinces,
meeting on that Emergency without any Warrant
from Court, who therefore wou*d not give a favoura-
ble Anfwer to thofe Deputies, nor allow them to
hold a General AfTembly, which left that at Rochelley
with the Charafter not only of a Seditious Conven-
ticle with the Papifts^ but cf an Unwarrantable
Meeting with the greateft Part of the Proteftants
themfelves. The Difcontcnted Lords courted them,
and it was generally believ*d the Duke de Vendome
defign'd toputhimfelf at the Head of 'em, he having
an Agent on purpofe at Rochelle^ to treat with them.
It was not likely the Reform'd fhou'd obtain any
valuable Favour of the Court, or that thofe they
obtain 'd wou'd be lading. As the Power of France
^ain'd of that of the Houfe of Auftria^ the Court of
Romp
12* The Secret Hijlory
Rome was mindful of their Interefts, and cultivated
the ftrideft Correfpondence with that of France^ by
which means nothing was done there witliout their
Oonfent or Sufferance. The Queen liad been obliged
to give the Cardinal de Joyeufs ample Inftru£lions
before the AfTembly at Saumur^ to excufe what had
been done in f:ivour of the RefGrm'di upon the Ac-
count of Neceility either In Confirming their
Edi<fts, or allowing them to AfTemble. And fuch
being the State of their Vnquejilonabh Rights as the
King call'd it, 'tis no wonder that the Court of Frarwcj
when they were not afraid of the Piioteflants, o-
blig'd that of /^o^;.^. in Perfecuting and GpprefTing
theai; The RccheUe Deputies having met with an
ill B-^C^ption at Court, the AfTembly there Invited
the Provinces to fend their Members to it, and coin-
pofe a General Ailembly, publifhing a Manifefto of
the Infratlion of their Ldifts, and Ihewing the Ne-
ceility they had to AfTemble. But upon the News of
Conchini's Death, they. took hold of that Opportu-
nity to break up an Affembly which, the i^f/c?r;M*«^
did not generally approve of. \ They lent a Deputa-
tion to tne King, to Congratulate the recovering of
his Authority, but his Majefly wou^dnot fee them,
nor own the AfTembly to be Lawful ;, how^ev.er good
Words were given 'em. They were defir'd to be-
have themielves as good Subjecis ought to "do, to fe-
parate forthwith, and retire anto their refpeflive
Provinces, afTuring themfelves the King wou'd do for
'em what was Jail: and Reafonable. Upon this,
they drew up their C^kVr/, which as I have already
obferv'd, are Petkmis zud Defiiands^ xuad^ broke up,
having refolv'd to prote^ the Church of B^ar?j, then
terribly threaten 'd by XhtPapijis •, and indeed it was
thefiril Reform'd Church of France, l\^l the King
fupprers'd by Arms, as will be feen hereafter.
The end of this Famous Rezvlutw??^ in the Court of
Levels the Xlllth, was the Death of 6'^/;'^-.'??', D' An-
cre's Wife, of whofe hard Ufage fomething has been
faid already. She had deliver'd up Jewels to the
\\alue of Three Millions, but that did not fatisfy
Luina. he mult have all,- and he cannot have it un-
kfs'
^/ F R A N C E. 127
lefs fh^ dyes a Criminal. To this end an A£t was
fent to the Parliament to Try her, and to Impeach
her Husband s Memory. The Parliament appoint-
ed l^erdm the iirft Prefident, Seguier Prefideqt
au Mortier^ and Two Counfeflors, Courtin and Def-
latides to Arraign them, to hear the WitnefTes, and
make fuch Informations as are reqaifite upon fucf)
Occafions. But thefe Four Counfellors refus'd to b^
prefent at the reading the Comn^ilfion, which they
look'd upon its Cruel and Unjuft. People began to
refleft on what had happen'd •, Luwes\ Precipitatioa
in advancing himfelf to Dignities and Riches, was
already tiie Subjeft of their Clamours, and as "the^
grew angry with him and his Two Brothers, t"hey
cool'd in their Rerentments againft Conchwl-^ and his
Family. The moft penetrating and Judicious faixi
openly^ inllead of one Qonchini^ they iliou a in a lit-
tle time find Three, in Lu'mes, Cademt and Brantes.
They made this Political Pun upon them, lodging
them at the Sign of the T.res Kings., It was not -fuf-
ficient that the New Favourite had enrich'd himfelf
with the Marefchal U Ancre'^ beft. Spoils, th*;t lie
had his Office of Firft Centieman Qf the Bed-Cham-
ber, and his Government uf Nonncajdy. The Wife
of that murdered Marefchal muft he formally Con-
demn'd, tofecurehlm the PolTefiionof what Eftates
he had purchas'd in France^ aad his Memory be
blafted as a Tray tor, to give, a Colour to the
Cruelties exercised on them as Guilty of High
Treafon, which not only made the Forfeiture of
their Eftates and Goods, and the Grants of them to
him Legal, but juftify'd the Aflliffins in their AfTafli-
nation. Galigai was firft examin d at the Louvre
about her Treafure, and pretended Crimes, the
greateft of which was Witchcraft. She faid then^
?he l^id delivered up to the Value of Twelve Hun-
dred Thoufand Crowns in Jewels ^ fne was fo ftript
of all things, that when they remov'd her from the
Louvre to the Bafttle^ the Wife of Pcrfan, Captain
of the Place, was forc'd to lend her Two Shifts.
The Prince ofCo-^de was then in the fame Frifon, and
eommiferated the deplorable Condition to which this
Rich
iiS The Secret Hijior)
Rich an J Powerful Woman was rediic'd. Gatigal^
faid he, Is hot Guilty of the Diforders of the State ^ th'^
Fault is only to he laid on the Ambition of her Husband.
The Prince had beer^ Imprifon'd by the Advice and
Management of Gw^/;?/, whoow'd all his i^ower to
that of his Wife, yet his Highnefs cou'd not help
doing the miferable Woman fo much Juftice, as to
own heir Guiltlefs of thofe Diforders, for which her
Enemies profecuted her with fo much Malice and
Cruelty. From the Bajiille, this Lady, the Wido'W
of a Marefchal of France^xXit Favourite of the Widow
of Henry IV, Mother to the King then Reign-
ing, was remov*d to the Common Goal of the Pa-
lace, as has been before hinted. As (he was gotng
into it, Oiecry'd out,^/.'Zj / I am undone, which, my
Author, fays ihe might have guefs'd without being a
Witch, the Pfifon being a Place where thofe Prilb-
ners are kept who expert to receive their Sentence of
Condemnation. She brought w^ith her to the Goal j
but a fmaJl Bundle of Linnen, and about FoQrfcore
Crowns, which were taken from her at the very
Door of the Prifon. An Italian Woman who waited
on her, and her Apothecary, whom ihe wanted, be-
caufe of the ill State of her Health, had been admit-
ted to her in the BdftiLle^ but were not fuffer d to
attend her in the Common Goal. Notwithflanding
this monftrous Barbarity, fhe kept np her Conft'ancy
and Greatn^fs ot Soul y Ihe fpoke fo well in her own
Defence, before her wicked and corrupted Judges,
that every one who heard her applauded her. Byron
Dyd like a Worn an ^ faid they, and Caligai braves it
like a Man, There was nothing laid to her Charge
but what may be faid of all Favoarites^that fhedidnot
fo make ufe of her Power as to give no Body Caule
of Offence, except that fhe had a Ccck SacriHs'd
as a fort of Inchantment, which had refpe^^ to the Life
of the King, As Difconfolate as this Lady w^as, and
had Reafon to be, ihe cou'd not help fmiling when
ber judge's gravely interrogated her about the pre-
tended Sacrifice of a Cock. It was not fo when they
askM her feverai Quedions relating to the Death of
the late King, they Jeem'd to fuppofe fhe was art
Accomplice
•€v
of FRANC t. li^
Accomplice in it with the Queen Mother, and that
Mary de Medkis and ihe had hinder'd a ftrift In-
quiry into the matter. Gallgai wept bitterly, when
fhe perceiv'd they endeavour d to load her with fo
horrid a Treafon of which fhe had no manner of
Cognizance. But the Life of this Worn-n was not
enough to fatisfy her Enemies, thty muft blacken
her too, to' take oft^ the Odium of their Proceedings
againft her. She told her Judges, that Hatred and
Animofity had blinded them fo much, they went
beyond the Bounds of Honour and Decency. Never
were Men m&re harfh, nor feem'd more infenfible
of the Misfortunes of a Lad^, vohofe Innccence was
VifMt to all the World, She reprefented to them her
Infirmities, which threatned her with an approacii-
ing Dropfy *, but neither her Prayers nor her Tears
had any effeft upon tliem. And it was notlikely that
they ihou d pity her for Infirmities, who were ta-
king tiie fhorteft and fureft way to Cure them all.-
There was nothing Criminal in the Charge againft
her, of which there was theleaft folid Proof. Tiie
Parliament of P^m had no Opinion of rhe Crime of
Witchcraft, all Cliriftian Countries have Laws that
make it Capital, but really lay afide the Barbarous
Superftitionof the /K/|7?/^//?;Ages, we fi^all find very
little Reafon to believe thofe that have dy'd as
Witches, have deferv d fo todye. As to her engrof-
fmg PlacesV her turning out fuch as kid them, and
putting in her own Creaturef, Was ths enough
for thoie that came in after her to have her Burnt ?
Whowou'd be a Favourite on thefe lerms ? What
fhe faid in her own Juftification on that Head, is
more than many fuch, Favourites as flie vvas. coii*d
fay for thcmfelves on the like Occafion. / have
[ovght Opponumties^ faid fhe, to oblige Tnany Terfons^
mi 1 have got no Benefit at all by it , if J have re-
ceived fome PrefentSj the Queen Aiother firft gave me
Leave to accept of them,' And tho' you c'oud Convict
rne of having received Aioney f^om thofe whom J have
ferv'd ivith my Intereft:, wou'd that be a Legal and
fuffiiisnt Reajon to Condemn me? Do all the Ladies of
the Court SJ^e their SolticitatioTjs for rMhing ? J have^
K remitted
I JO The Secret Biftory
remitted fame Money to Rome and to Florence : ts
that a Crime againfl the Law f I bought of the Duke
de Guife for Two Hundred Thoufand Crowns, *the
EffeHs which the Cardinal tie jojeufe left at Rome.
Can any Body blame me for that ? Let us look into
the Hiilory of Favourites, lliall we meet with one
thafwouQ not accept of Preients, that wou'd not
difpoie of Offices, that wcu*d not do more than this
Lady is accus'd of ? And yet this certainly was her
greateR: Fault. All the Evidence againft her, as to
the other Crimes, was Frivolous and Ridicvlous^^ as^
the Advocate General Servien confefs'd one Day to
his Friends. De/landes^ one of the Judges, who
Sum'd up the Cafue, cou'dj never beprevail'd with
to deliver his Opinion for her Death. Some of the
others thought it was fufficient to Condemn her to
Banifhment and a Fine, But, lays my Hiflurian,.T^e'
Solltcitations and Intrigues of Luines prevailed upon the
greater Number^ and flje was Condemn d to Dye vpon
a Scaffold \ l^er Head to he Cut off^ her Body to be
Burnt ^ and her Afl)es to be thrown away^ to be a Sport
for the Wind, He goes on : The Advocate General
was aJJjam'd that the Parliame-nt of Paris, who Con-
demn no Body to dye upon Accufation of Witchcraft^
and jvftly look upon it as foolij}) and extravagant^ Jhoud
Condemn a Lddy^Marefchal 0/ France, /V a Witch,
Servien us^d his beji Endeavours to preferve the Ho'
now of an A^embly of which he was himfslf a Mem-
ber, and all he alledg^d to that purpofe^ provd fiill
more fully the Corruption and Wickcdnefs of the Ma-
gifirates. It was whifpey'd in their Ears^ as from the
King^ that he did not think his Life in Safety^ unlefs
Galigai dyd, Courtin^ one of her Judges, had not
the lame Integrity as Deflandes, he was Venal and
Corrupted, making no Scruple to buy with a more
Henious and Crying Injujficey as my Author exprefTes
himself, the Ambafy of Venice for his Son, which
had been refused him a little while before. Galigai
feeing fhe was Condemn'd, pleaded her Belly, tho'
ihe had laid in Pnfon, her Husband the Marefchal,
had had no Conjugal Commerce with her for Two
Years before his Murder. Ton forget yaur felf Ma-
dam^
of FRANCE. iji
tiarH, laid {omtoith^ln^gts^ you have declared thaP'
your Hu^land has not lain with yoiiHhefe Two Teans %
what will the World think of you then^ if it be True
that you are with Child, Upon which ihc J-fcover'd
herfelf, and without defiriiig the Search of ihe Mid-
wifes, flie ingenuoufly conrefs'd, that the defire of
prolonging her Life, had forc'd that Falfhood from
her, without having reflected upon what fhe h.id
faid before. This Crusl Sents^nce was Proiiounc'd
and Executed the Eighth of July^ Never had been
feen fach a Throng of People at the Place of Exe-
cution, call'd L't Grave. The Lady Marefchal was
expos'd to all the Ignominy that the Veiled Malefact-
or cou d fufFer. They fpar'd her nothing of the In-
famy of the Punifhment : She was carry'd to L^
Grave in a Cart, and her Behaviour was fo Brave,
And fo much like a Chriftian, that her moft invete-
rate Enemies adinir'd her. When /Le was on the
Scaffold, She moft Solemnly Prote/iedfje Dyd Innocent
of the Crimes her Judges Conde?nnd her for. How
did it pierce the Spedlators, to hear her Give God
Thanks^ with great Fervour of Zeal and Humility,
for that his Providence had deprived, her of all the
Grandeurs of this World^ of which fm had not made
a good Vfe, That he had granted her the Grace to
fvffer a Death more Glorious^ and more ConforrnahlQ
to that 0/ J E S U S CHRIST, than fuch a Sinner
as flje was had deferv'd ? She omitted no PraClice of
Devotion ordinary to tho(e of her Religion, and all
there prefent were mov'd by her Piety and Refig-
nation to the Will of God. The Multltade, who
had Curfb'd her and her Husband Tv/o Months be-,
fore, who had fo Inhumanely treated the Corpfe of
Cone hini^ cow' d not now help weeping at tbe Death
of his Widow. The Sentence was Executed, lier
Head Cut off, her Body Burnt, and her Afhes feat-
ter'd in the Air. ^- \
Thus fell a Lady, who had been from her Infancy
belov'd by the greateft Princefs in Europe : There is.
fomethingfo moving in her Catallrophe, that I can'
not think this. Detail of it will be thought tedious.
The Keflidions that will arife from the Fate of fo
K. 2 Famoui
Ip The Secret^ Htjiorj
famous a Favourite, are To Natural, that it vsou'd
be Impertinence in me to prevent the Reader^ who
will take Pleaiiire in making them for himfelf. She
isblanfcl fjr being jirrogaut and Covetous. Let me
ask tiiofethat blame her f^^r an Inliance of a Confi-
dence of a mighty Queen, that was not Proud of her
Power^ and d d not make ufe of it to enrich herfelf
and her Family. This was done by degrees, but
Lulnes, Cof;chi?7l tho' Dead, being alfo Condemned,
at once pofTt-Ms'd himfelf of the Fortune that was fo
much envy'd m U Ancre and in hi^ Wife. The
King gave him a Grant of all they poiTefs'd, both in
Trance and Italy, " By a New Chicanry of the Law,
^^ fays ny Author^ the Parliament of Faris declar'd,
^^ That all the Eftates belonging to Conchinl and his
'• Wife, out of the Kingdom, were Gonfifcated to
*' the King, as being Purchased with tiie Money that
^' had been taken out of the King*s Treafury. "
Du Vair^ Keeper of the Seals, at firft opposed the
Grant the King had made to his Favourite^ of the
Fiefs purchas'd in France by the Marefchal Z)' Ancre.
He maintain'd, that according to Law, they ought
to be reunited to the King's Demelnes, and confe-
quently were Vnalienahle. But alas the Trench Pro-
bity was not then F ovverful enough to refift a Pow-
erful Temptation. The Favourite prefented him
with the Rich Bifhopnck of L'fieux^ worth 50000
Livres a Year, and the Grant was not long without
the Seals.
The only Son of the Unfortunate Conchinl and
Galigal, was degraded fruiii his Title of being Noble,
and lliut up in the CaRlj of Nantz^^ but at laft he
was fet at Liberty, retir'd into his own Countiy.
and dy'd at Florence, where 'tis faid he ftill enjoy'd
Fourteen Thoudind Crowns a Year, his Father and
Mother luvingredeem'd their Eflates, which before
were encumbered. The Family of Conchinl was
Extindl by the Death of this Young Man in i ^3 1. He
was much elleem'd for his good Qualities, and had
his Father and Mother enjoy*d their High Fortune
under r.ny Government but a French Minority, 'tis
probable it had not fufFer'd fuch a furprizing Change,
nor
of F K A N C E. I3J
nor been fuch a Terrible Example to all the Fa-
vourites and Confidents of Minors and weak F^rinces.
There was fomcthing in the Chara£lers of Con-
chini and Gallgai^ that might have taken off from
the Envy of their Elevation and Riches. The one
was good Humour'd, the other Generous. She had
ferv'd People for nothing, an efFeo^ of ' "-entrofity
feldom known at Courts ^ and yet on a fudden are
they reduc'd from the higheft State of liumane
Grandeur, to the loweft Abyfs of Mifery. There have
been Examples of this kind before, Rome furnifhes us
with a Sejanus among feveral others ^ the Influence
they have had on thofe that have been pofr;?fs d of the
fame Favour fince, may fhew us plainly enough
what will be the effe<a: of fuch LefTons, to all that
are as happy as Cofjchinl vjcis. They cannot imagine
'tis pofiible for fuch Greatnefs to be approach^ by
Misfortunes, and there is nothing in the Godhevid of
Kings which they more depend upon, than the Eter-
nity of their Favour, the* it is not to be. doubted
but Events may happen, when Kings are not fo much
Mafters of their Authority and of their Wills, as to
be willing or able to prote£lthem.
What wab the Gonfequence of this Change of the
Miniftry in France^ One of the Flrji Artifices Luin«
made nfe of to impofe upon the People^ as a French
Hiftorian tells us, was to take in Appearance fome
Aleafures contrary to tljofe of the Queen Mother*s
Minifitr^. Mary de Medicis had been again ft af-
(ifting the Dukeof &2wj/: I'he Kn7gnow he Governs
is for it. An AfTembly of the Notables was Sum-
moned to advife about the mod proper Merhods to
reform the Irreaalaritiesofthe Government, which
AfTembly bcin^ next to that of the States General,
the Talk of it only was very Popular. Howfer,
Z.cn7/-c theXlIlrh wcisno more King in reality after
the Change, than he was before. Luine^ iuifer d no
Man of any Genius to be near h s Pcrfon, nor any
one of thofe who had any EHgagemenrs with the
Queen. To ftrengthen himfelf by the Alliance of
{bme Powerful Family, he marry*d the Daughter ©f
the Duke de Monbax.Qn^ cfthe Houfe oi Rohan y but
K 3 tlie
134 '^^^ Secrete Hiflory
^he Duke o( that Name, out of a Pun£lilio of Gene-
i"ority, keeping firm in the Intereft of Mary ds
Medicis^ as has been before-mentioned, he made no
Advantage of the Relation the Favourite had en-
ter'd into with his Family, either for himrelf or the
Reform'd. Luines and his Creatures exclaim'd a-
gainft the Adminiftration of the Quetn Mother,
who they alledg'd fufFer'd herfclf to be blindly led
ty the Pope's Nuntio, and the Spctmjh AmbafTador ';
yet the Favourite not loiig after, fhew'd himfelf as
Elind to the Condua of the Court of Madrid : It
being a Common Pradlice in fuch Men as he, when
they come firll to Power, to rail at all the Poli-
ticks of their PredeceiTors, and yet imitate them as
foon as their Railing is forgotten. They overturn
ever^ thing in the beginning of their Adminiftration,
as if there was nothing tolerable in all thole that
w^ent before them *, and when the Caufs of th« Re-
Volution is out of People's Mind?, theyiniennbly fall in*
to the fame Meafures, by which the others with more
Honour and more Wifdom, ferv'd themfelves and
the Publick.
^ 'Twas a Wife Saying of the Duke de Rohctn^ Tloat
the Ahfolute Reign of Favour it cs is the Ruin of a
Sta^e, Upon which he refle<^i:s thus further :
'' They change every thing according to their Inte-
" refts J they are the Occafion of forming Fallon?,
*^ and diftarbing the publick Tranquility, which
will appear fuiiy in the Courfe 'of this Hifiory.
When Lttines had-.fix'd his Friends and Creatures m
the Council, and about the King's Ferfon, he thought
of fccuring his Fortune by fome Powerful Alliance,
and afpir'd to no lefs a Match., thm Mademoifelle de
Ff;/^o/?2e, Natural Daughter of //f;;^;; thelVth, by the
Â¥civouv Gahricle d' Efirees ', but he had not yet fo far
fubjeacd the Spirits of the French Nobility, that they
coudfeehim pretend to the King's Si/ler, without
Envy and without Clamour. For which Reafon, he
moderated his Ambition, and, ^ has been laid, conten-
ted himfelf with a Daughter of the Duke de Monba-
z.GU^ a Younger Branch of the lioufe of Rohan. The
Hcxt thing he did, was to make fure of the King's
- • . ^- only
(/FRANCE. 1J5
only Brother Gaflon^ Duke of Argot?^ whofe Go-
vernor he remov'd, and put him into the Hands of
a Creature of his, the Count de Luds^ a Man of
Pleafure and Indolence. There are never wanting
Informers to blacken the Reputation of Men cf
Honour and Merit, when the Soveraign gives him-
feU up entirely to the Government of Men of none.
Plots will be daily invented, and the Ears of ill Mi-
nifters are always open to fuch wicked Intelligen-
cers, they being in continjual Fear of the Fate they
deferve. A Gentleman of the King's Houfhold,
call'd Glgnier^ finding Luines was very fufceptable
of ill Impreffions of the C^reat Lords of the Kingdom,
form'daConfpiracy of them by his own Invention,
and accus'd the Cardinal of Gwfe^ the Dukes de
Vendome^ Nevers^ Longueville^ Aiayen?2s and ^Che-
vreufej the Mareichal de Bouillon^ thti Prefident Jay^
and atlaft the Puke deGuife^ of being concenVd in
it. Nothing hinder'd their being Seiz d and Try'd,
but the Dignity of their Quality, and the Strength
of their Intereft. Deageant^ who was more Can-
ning than Luir.es^ wou'd not confent that iS many
Illultrious Perfons fhouVi be Apprehended on the
Report of an Inibrmer ^ and the Duke de Fe-ndcme
havin^^ Invited the King to Hand Godfather to a
Child of his, Gigriier pretended he was to he Poy-
fon'd at that Entertainment. The King feigning
himielf S^ck, did not go, and the Cuke fufpedling
fomething extraordinary, declarM to Luines and
Beageant^ he believ'd Gignier\\^d. done him ill Of-/
fices, upon which Luines told him the whole mat-
ter. The hiformer^ or if you will in the more mo-
dern Ph rate the L/<?;2, 6"/^^/f r, was Convided, Con-
demn'd, and Executed, having made a full Confel^
fion of his Treafbn.
During thefe Changes at Court, the Roman Ca-
tolicks all over the Kingdom, began to Infult the-
Proteftants^ and where they had Power, to deprive
them of the Benefits and Privileges of their Ediifl^.
The Jefuit Armux^ newly made Confcfiljr to tlie
King, in the room of Father Cotoriy who had been
Confefior to Henry the IVth, in a i^ermoa preachU
K 4 . «t
13$ The Secret Hijiory
2t Court, aflerted that the Texts cited bythePro-
'^ejlams J ill their Coiifeffion of Faith, were falfify'd,
and when the Minifters of Charenton anfwer'd him,
and prov'd the contrary in a Treatife, which with
great Eloquence and Spirit they addrefs'd to the
King, the Book was Tupprefs'd, and thofe Minifters
commanded not to Dedicate any Book to his Ma-
iefly without Leave. This Partial A£l was followed
by an Uujufl and Violent one, the depriving the
States of the Principality of Bearn^ of their Rights,
the annexing it to the Crown of France •, the refto-
ring all Church Lands to the Papifis^ which had been
appropriated to Religious Ufes, upon the Refor-
mation's being receiv d in that Principality by its
Soveraign, Queen Jane ci' Aibrct^ Mother of //fwry
the! IVtb, notv.'irkhnding the Remonilrances of
the States, of the Al:ambly of ijenrn^ and the Gene-
ral A fTembly of Fr^r.o^. The riirquis de [a Force^
QoMQxnom o{ Benrn^ was ^.Trct^flam-y and being at
Court, when the Eaicts of RcHauration of the
Church Lands, and Union of Beam to France were
onFo(!t, did hisutmodto p^reventthem, till Lmr^es
gave him the hopes of a Marefchal's Eatoon, and
then he not only acquiefs'd in them, bat promis'd to
fee them executed. Such is the Pov/er of Ambiaon
and Intereft, fuch the Protection that Proteftants
are to expe£^ from their Chiefs, when Honours
and Riches tempt 'em to betray them. I ihali not
meddle with any Part of thp French Uljlory^ whicji
their Hiftorlans have treated of from their Pubnck
Memoirs, and with the Countenance at ieaft of
their Court*, but thofe only that they have funk,
becaufe they ferve to let the Arbitrary Meafures of
this, and the following Reign in their True Light •,
becaufe the Royal Authority was not at the Height
it now Glories in, and the French had not as yet
learn'd to be in Love with Slavery.
' I have already made fome mention of the Con-
teriipt with which the Marefchal de Lefdlfguieres
recei v'd the King*s Command, not to aflilt the Du se
of Savoy. The Governour of Milan had in the
Year ici?^ taken Ferceilj and the Court of Fraice
â– a\,^ though^
of F R AN CE. n7
thought fit to interpofe fo far in Favour of Savoy^ as
to order the Marefchal to march to his Aftiftance,
but forbad him to proceed to Hofliliiies, his Order$
confining him to an Appearance of War. The Ma-
^Lefchal on the contrary, advanc'd to the Frontiers,
and tho' Monfieur Bvllion, a Counfellor of State,
was difpatch'd to him, to require him not to act
againft the Spamardf^ he beat up their CJnarters,
ann took 5000 Men prifoners. The Minifters at
the Frewf^ Court, difown'd him in it, and threatened
to take away his Government of Dauphiny for his
Difobedience, but wliether they were at bottom
afraid of him, or whether they were pleas'd with
the Blow he had given the Spaniards^ they content-
ed themfelves with fending him frefh Orders to
forbear Hoftilities, and ^o repafs the Mountains,
There was at that time, a Treaty on Foot, for an
Accommodation of the DifPerences between the
Spaniards and the Duke of Savoy^ and his Confede-
rates. Cardinal Ludovijlo ^{^Ail^d Kt it, on behalf of
the Pope and the ^Mareichal de Lefdifguieres, tho' a
Proteftant, cou'd not handfomely avoid paying him
aVifit, at the end of which, he faid to the Cardi-
nal, I hope in a little while to fee you Pope '^ the Car r
dinal reply'd, / am I'ery much obligd to you^ but
you -vo'ij}) me a Dignity for which 1 am not at all Qua-
i^fy^ '•) i P^^y God you may become a Catholick.
The Marefchal anfwerd fmilingly, I promife to be fo
when you are Tope, Lefdifguieres is faid to have
fpoken this in Raillery, for that he cou'd not ima-
gine thQ CdLxdmdiX Ludov I fio^ who, though an Old
Alan, was the Youngeft Cardinal , fhou'd fuc-
ceed Taul the Vth, However, fo it happen'd,
and the New Pope Gregory x\)& XVth, wrote very
obligingly to Lefdifguieres ^ to demand his Pro-
rnife of him, which he as obligingly anfwer'c} \ anj
whatever the Proteftant Minilters. and Cbnfiftory
cou'd fay to him to the contrary, he gave the Pope
the Title of Holy Father ^ and his Holinefs : But the
Compliment was only preparatory to that pretended
Converfion wlajch he refolv'd to fell as Dear as he
epu'd to the Court oi France^ who mightily prefs'd it-
,iv- ' • ; . , The
IjS The Secret Hiprj
The next Myfterious Event of this Reign and
Miniftry, will fliew us what a Happinefs France
enjoy'd under them, and the Bleffings they may ex-
pert from a weak King or a Minority. The Duke
de Rohan^ who was heartily reconcird to the Queen
Mother, watch'd all Opportunities to advance her
Intereft, and to infinuate to Luines^ how much more
it w^ou'd be for his Advantage to efpoufe it, than
that of the Prince of Conde^ who^ courted him.
The Duke's Reafons are too particular to be in-
certed in fo General a Htjhry^ their Weight we
may imagine from the Character of the Author,
oneof thegreatefl Men then Living. The Favourite,
feem'd to approve of them, and the Duke found
Means to let ^^;'l?/«5 vyho was in the ^^y?///^, know
what he had done for the Service of his Miflrefs.
Bournonvtlk^ Who Commanded there under Perfan^
was well afFefted to Mary de Aiedlcis^ and con-
vey'd Barhlns Letters to her : In them, headvis'd
the Queen to write to the King, to Luines^ and to
the Duke de Monbaz:on\ to the King, in a Toft,
re{pe£lful Manner, to iuilify her Condurt, and to
the Two others, to engage them to interceed for
her. The Letter which was to be fent to his Ma-
jefty, was drawn up by Barbm^ and Correrted by
the Duke de Rohan •, Barhtn fent it to a Bifhop in
whom he confided, to be convey'd to the Qiieen
Mother at Blois-^ but this Bilhop cnrry'd it to
Deagennt^ who apprebehjing he fhou'd be ruin'd,
if the Queen retufn'd to Court, refojv'd not only to
break off this intrigue, but to make ufe of this Falfe
Prelate to deflroy Barhtn^ and all the FritnJs to
Mary de Medici s. The Bifhop went feveral times
to Blois^ carry'd Letters to the Queen, and brought
back her Anfwers, in which there was nothing but
what was Innocentj tending to procure an Hoiioura-
ble Reconciliation between tiie Biftcp and his Mo-
ther. This not doing Deageant\ Bufme.^s, he got
the Bifhop to tell the Queen, that BQurnonvllle doul t»
ing whether her Majefty cou'd ever forgive the Ma-
refchal de Fitry's Brother-in Law, fhe wou'd do well
to fend him a Ring in Token of her good Will to-
wards
&f FRANCE. 139
wards him. Mary de Medicls who lov'd to a£l:
like a Queen in all Things, thought (he had not
one that was worth his Acceptance, but prornis*d
to buy a Jewel at Paris to be given to Bournonvilh;
The Bifhop reprefent^ the ill Confequence of a
Delay in fo nice an Affair ^ the Queen took a Ring
off of one of her Women's Fingers and deliver'd it
to the Prelate, who carry 'd it to Deageant. The
latter got one made by it, which the Bilhop gave
to Bourmnvllej Deageant keeping the Original. And
Luines being difTwaded by him from embracing
the Queen Mother's Party, was pervaild upon to
make ufe of that Ring to ruin that Princels's Ser-
vants. He fhew'd it the King, and made him be-
lieve that feveral great Lords had confpir'd to Ma-
iler the Louvre, to recal the Qaeen Mother, to put
all the Authority into her Hands, and that the Con-
(pirators wore fuch a Sort of Rings as that, which
came from Blois.
There needed no more to Frighten the Young
and Credulous Lewis^ and give him an ill Imprei-
fion of feveral Lords of his Court, which con-
firmed the Authority of the Favourite and his Crea-
tures. Another Adventure happen'd about the fame
Time, which contributed alfo very much towards
it. Deageant finds out another Plot for the Queen's
Return to Court, and deliver'd to the King and
Council a Packet o{ Letters, which was faid to be
found in the River Matne, Thefe Letters were
written by the Great Duke of Tufcanys Agent, to
the Dwich^hoi Lorraine'^ the Subllance ot 'em was
an Intrigue for the Return of the Queen Mother *,
importing, that the Agent had gain'd feveral Per-
fons near the King's Perfon, and in Confidence of
the Favourite. Ee fides the Men of Quality menti-
oned in the Letters, two Brothers Florentines call'd
Sltt, the Lady Marcfchal D^ Aacres's Domefticks
were named, as â– ^\'io Dur and 2l Frenchman^ Boic^^
nonville aud La Ferte^ a Servant of the Duke of
Rohans. This Packet was fuppos'd to be betray 'd
to Deageant by the Bifhop, who betray'd the Ring,
^nd that the Pretence of 'finding of it in the Marne^
d::.. ... vyas
^4o "Ihe Secret Htfiory
was us*d only to conceal his Treachery. Ver^an
was turned oat of the Government of the BajiiUe^
and he and his Brother Bourmnville put in Prifon,
Durand and the Two Siti*% were apprehended, Bar.
bins Chamber was fearch'dj^and his Faperrs fiez'd,
as were dl{b feveral of Mary de Med lees's Dome-
flicks.
The Parliament had Orders to Profecute them,
but .they were fo afham'd of the Injuftice done the
Marefchal D' Ancre^ that they were not difpos'd
to do blindly whatever the Favourite would have
them *, that was, however of little Service to the
Prifoncrs, for there was now a Cuflom fet up in
France which will give o?^e a Lively Idea of the
Juftice and Clemency of the Court. When the
Judges who were legally to Try thofe that were
accus'd, did not incline to Condemn fuch a^ the
^inifters wanted to get rid off, Commifiioners
were appointed to try them, who depending entire-
ly on the Favourites j never fail'd or making a Sa-
crifice of Juftice to their Fleafure. They found
out a Hundred Tricks to opprefs the Innocent, A
Deteficible Invemio77^ fays my Author, a Frenchman,
of thcfe who rvou^d put Princes above the tnoji Ancient ^
and the moji Sacred Laws. Diirand and the Two
5/>i'shad nothing brought in Proof againfi: them, but
fome Verfes found in their Clofets againfi Luines,
and confrquently, as his Accufers (aid, againft the
King. For as tl c f^me Writer has it^ As foon as
you Jay any Thing againjl the Favourite or againfi
the Mlnifier^ it will Jurely be pretended that you at-
tack the King. This was the Maxim of theMini.
iters of France in the former R'^ign ; and for thofe
yerfes which never had been made Publick, and
were Cifely ihut up in thtir Pocket Books, were
thefe Three Wretches condemn d to Death*, Bar-
bin had had the fame Fate, but Luines was afraid
of further exaiperating the Queen xMother, and fci
he was only baniih'd the Kingdom for Life. '
Thol'^ who lay the Foundatioi'! of their Fortune
on that of a Fovourite, vv4io ^jacrihie their Under-
handing, Honour and Gonfcience to flatter a Man
' ' ' ii«
^/ F k A N C E. 141
in Power, and vilify a Man in Difgrace, let tlieiu
with Attention read the following Story of xMon-
fieur de Richlieu^ BiHiOp of Luc 072^ who, as we l:ave
already ob;erv'd, retir'd with the Queen Mother ^
and finding the Favourite not fo well difpus'd as
he expelled to accept of his Service, Luines being
afraid of a Man of hie FHindlefs Ambition ar.d En-
terprifing Genius, the good Biihop afFefted to ap-
ply himlelf to Books and to mak. himfelf Popu*'
lar, anfwer'd that beforemention'd Treatlfe written
by the Minifters of Cherenton. Thi9 did not (b
defend him from the Jealouiyand III Offices of th6
Favourite, but that when he had fcarce been a
Month at Blois^ he received Orders to retire to his
Priory oiCouffai in Ay:jou > which Orders he obey'd,
aftefting a Difpolition to fpend the remainder of
his Life in Study and Dovotion. Luines was fo
little fatisfy'd of his Sincerity in it, that he took
care to have his Motions well watcli'd, and
^lifcover'd his Caballing in ToiEiou, where hs
privately Lifted Men for the Service of the Queen
Mother. It was therefore refolv'd to fend him
farther off, and he having Intimation of this Re-
folution from his Brother to prevent the Difgrace
he was threaten 'd vvith, retir'd to his Dioceis of
Luccn^ which not fatisfying the Court, he was com-
manded to refide out of the Kingdom at Avignon
in the beginningof the Year 15-18. Richlieu com-
plain d to the Hope that he was hindred from tak-
ing Care of his Flock ; his future Condu£l will
ihow how much his Flock was at his Heart, and
tho the Pope remonftrated to the French Ambaf-
fador, that the ufmg the Biihop of Lncon fo, was
contrary to the Rights of the Church, yet the
French Minifters took no Notice o^ it, and Rich-
lieu was forc'd to remain (ome time in his Ex-
ile.
Luines to gain the People's AfFedion, proposed aCon-
vention, which the French calJ Affejnblee de Notables^
confiftjng of Perfons chofen among the Clergy,
the Nobility and Men of the Long Robe. The Fa-
vourite appointed the Meeting to be at Rouen^ that
he
142 The Secret Hijlory
he might have ^m Opportunity to take PofTefiion
of his Poll of Lieutenant General of Normandy^
and not lofe fi^ht of his Mafler; nothing being
more Fatal to Favourites than Abfence. The Pre-
tence was to confult this Ailembly about the An-
fw^ers the King fhould give to the Cahiers of the
States General, and to redrefs other Grievances.
The Diiiimuilation of Courtiers towards their Cli-
ents is by long Cuftom become no more a Vice, or at
leafl: a very Pardonable one. But their DifTembling
with the Almighty, their taking his Sacred Name
in vain, and making their iMafter appeal to the Ma-
jefly of Heaven for the Performance of Thing
they intend fhall never be perform d, has fume-
thing in it fotremendoufiy Wicked, that one does
not look: on 'em fo much with Envoy as with Hor-
ror. See then what Lewis the Xlllth. is made to
fay in the Edift that was put forth for Summon-
ing this AlTembly. We proteji before the Living God
that ws have no other End nor Intention but his
Honour and the Advantage of our Subjects ; we con-
jure all thofe that wo Summons to this Ajfembly^ and
mofi earneftly enjoyn thejn by the Legal Power tk.t
Cod has ^iven us over thcm^ that without any H-.-
?7ia?je Refpeclj without Fear of Offending any one
whatfoeveTy without any Hopes of Pleafing any Body,
they will fincerely give us fitch Advice as they think
the moji Wholefomey and the mofl Agreeable to
the Welfare of the State. ^ And yet it is very plain,
that Luines had no Defign to make any other ufe
of this Convention than what has been before men-
tibn'd toamufe the People with Hopes of Kedrcfs,
and to take PofT^iiiion of his Government. For
after they had Jet Qaarrelling about Precedency
about Five Weeks, the Court on a. fudden depart-
ed for Varis^ under Pretence of the Seafon inco-
niojing the King's Health, leaving all the Publick
Grievances on the fame Foot as when they came
fro?n the Louvre.
The Royal Authority fo much infifled upon in
Trance, being then entirely in the Hands of a Mi-
nor, the King Seventeen Years old, and of Years
to
^/FRANCE. 145
to aflume the Government, let us obferve wlut Paf-
five Obedience was paid by his Subjefts French-
men and Papifis^ and by one of the greateft Bigots
and greateft Lords, the Duke de Epcmon. He had
follicited a Cardinal's Cap for his Youngeft Son the
Arch-Bifhop of Thoulovfe •, but the Duke deRetzJ^
Brother to Gondi Bifhop of Pmj,obtain'd it by means
of Luines and Deageam^ whom he courted with
flavifh Submiffion and Flattery. This Affront exaf-
perated the Proud Duke de Epernon^ and the Queen
Mother's Friends did their utmoft ta inflame hint
the more againft the Favourite, who on his Part
thought himfelf To fureof the King's Favour, that
he valu'd xioiVe Epernon%V^Qkntm^,\\t, and on the
contrary took occafion to mortify him dayly,
as he was Colonel General of the Infantry, by
abridging him of feveral Prerogatives of his Poft:
This llfage foon.occafion'd a Rupture,^ to the great
Joyof^^r)/ de Medkis. The Occa(ion of ffiew-
ing it, was on Application of the Duke's dt Mon-
merenci^ de Vfez,^ de Monbaz,on^ de Retz.^ and
others, who refeifting that Du Valr^ Keeper of the
Seals, took Place of them, reprefented the lojufticf
done to their Quality, to the Duke d' Epem&n^
the Eldeft of the Dukes and Peers in the Ivilig's
Council, and he immediately afTur'd themrthathe
wou'd Right himfelf and them at the firfi: Opportu-
nityj which was a Solemn Ma fs, fa id in x}:\t Church
of St. Germain d' L' Auxerrois^ before the Court at
Eafiery where Du Fair taking his Stat as he was
wont to do, above the Dukes and Peers, the Duke
d* Epernon took him by the Arm, and turn'dL
him out of it. Luines took this Affront ofFer'd
to Du Vair^ his Creature, as done to himfelf, and
reprefented the Duke d' Epernon to the King, as a
Perfon dilTatisfy'd that he had not the Share he
afpir'd to, in the Adminiftration that had for in 'd a
Party at Court againft his Authority, and put him-
lelf at the Head of the Dukes and Peers, under Pre-
tence of allcrting their Rights, againft the Preten-
fions ©f the Keeper of the Seals. This made a
ftrcQg Imprellion on the Mind of a weak Prince,
jealous
144 ^^^ Secret l-{iJiofy^
jealous of his Authority. However, Lewis diffeiif-
bled his Refenrment, waiting for a more favourable
Occafion to fhew it. He commanded the Duke and
BuVair to attend him. in order to accommodate
the DifFerence, The former complain'd of the
Keeper in very fharp Terms, and the latter treated
the Duke every whit as haughtily, encouraged by
the Prote£lion of tire Favourite; This was that
Wife, that Modeft, Publick Spirited Difinterefted
Lawyer, who fo lately had the Charader of the
Honefteil Man in France. He is perfwaded to ac-
cept of a High Poft, and fee what it has- made of
him. His Difinterefl is turned into Rapine, hi5
Modefty intolnfolence, his Publick Spirit into Flat-
tery, his Wifdom into Tricking. The King or-
dered them to attend him a fecond time, in hopes
to reconcile them. Epernon was ftili in the high
Tone, and treated Bu Valr with fo much Con-
tempt, that Young Louis was out of all Patience.
He rofe from his Seat, and handled the Duke fo
roughly, th.-it he was gUd when he was got out of
the Louvre^ for fear of being arrefted. The King
had taken Phyfick that Day, and having made fign
for everyone to leave his Chamber, Epernon going
our with the reft, found the Door of the Anti-
Chamber fhut, Baffowplerre feeing him in Confu-
fion, pointed to the Door of the Private Stair-Cafe,
and went down with him as faft as they cou'd.
Bajfowplerre afFe<Sled to be of no Party, and by that
means kept in with all. The Duke d' Epernon was
too Powerful for him, not to endeavour to be well
with him ^ he thc^-efore promisM hun to give him
Notice of whatever he cou'd learn, mat had Rela-
tion to bim f, the fame did the Princefsof Coiiti-y and
the Chancellor ^^ 5///m. Bajjompierre to\d LuineSy
That Monfieur d' Epernon mended to go to his Go-
*vernmer.t : 1 fear his Enetnies may take thi- Oppor-
tunity to irritate the King agalnji him. The Fa-
vourite gave Baffomplerre to underftand, he fhou'd
be glad if d' Epernon quitted the Court, and the
Duke having delii'd to take Leave of his Majefty, he
was informed he might do it with Safety. Accord-
ingly
c/ F R A- N C E. m
ingiy he waited on thci King, ivfo," itf appearance
received him very gracibufly. D\Fper?io.n con' d not
iv^folve to leave Paiys^ without hiddip'g'his FriencTs
j^dieu^ and that with great Porap^fasfit were in
defiance of the Favourite, accoftipan-y'd vv:ith his
Two Sons, and feveral GentlenieiY ^on Horft^back.
His Houfe was crowded' with Viritbr^^^. and the
iKing being at Vanzres^nzoiX Paris'^ . lie ftay'd be-
hind, paying and rfecdving Gompliments longer
than he intended, Whieir gave Tlich OflTence to thd
Court, that the King faid, IJJjatlreturn ta,t}je Louvrd
to piorrotPy if I find Monfieulr d' £per;fibn jiill /^
Tov^n^ he J}) all not go tut of it wheH l^swilL Bdffojr^
plcrre went immediately^ and oblig'd the Duke to
depart, but his Proud Spirit coa'd not fuhmit to do
it like a Flight ^ he made a flop at his Seat of Fon-
tenai in Brie^ where, With great Serenity, hepafsY!
feveral Days in the Diver hons of the Country, and re-
ceiving Vifits. This was reprefented to the King-
ks braving his Majefty, and a Body of.Korfeand
Foot, was order'd to march towards- Fontcnat
The Chancellor de Silleri^ gave him immediate No-
tice of this Order, and as Haughty as the Duke-
was, he made ou in the Night, and got to Aictz.
with all pofiible Diligence. Luiues fent a Spy to'
obferve him there, but this Old Statefman and Sol-
' dier, had fo good InteilFgence, that tha Spy was
difcover'd and feiz'd v^t the Gates of the Town^
and havirtg undergone fome proper Difc'pline, was"
fent back' to /'.<?m, where Z.2,^;«ff/ and his Lyon?,
were for a while the Jefl of the Town, At Aietz,y
;cbe Duke a' Ep^ernon and his Son, the Marquis de
la Valette refided, till by the Intrigues of Two
Italians^ Vincent io^ Secretary to the late Marefcbal
cC Ancre^ and Abbe RvceUai^ Conchi-ais Friend, he
undertook an Enterprize to deliver Mary de Me-
dicis from heir Confinement at Blds^ and to con-
vey her Xo Angouleme^ Before the Duke left Metz.^
lie foihcited^ By Jhls Ffi«?nds) ihQ King's Permifiion,
Whicii under tlii? Pretext cf the Cabals in Germany^,
Wasdeny'd, \M% at]d a New Order fent him to v^t-
tei^ in #at G'o\fcVnbient; In Anfwer to wbicii
it. Monficur,-
14<5 The Secret Hifiory
Monfieur de ^pernon fent a fort of Manifeflo, in
the Form of a Letter, to the King, which was drawn
up by the Famous Balzac his Secretary, and being
written at a Time when he had pofitivcly refolv'd
to deliver the Queen Mother, the Reader will
doubtlefs be equally pleas*d with the Sincerity and
Loyalty of it. For which reafon, I Ihall repeat
^ome 1 aflages of it. / ajfure nry felL fays the Duke,
Tour Majejly is fo Jufi^ Tou will have regard to the
Necejfity of my Private Affairs^ and will give me
the fame Liberty that's allow d to the meanefl: of
Tour Suhje^s, He then goes on, to fhew the ill
Condition he was in to Live at Afet^iy with the
Splendor becoming his Dignity, and how neceffary
therefore .it w^as for him to look after his Affairs.
I pro/mfe my felf continues he, that you will take
the Pains {to confider^ that fince Tour Ace effort
to the Throne^ I have borrowed a Hundred Thouf-
and Crowns for Tour Service^ for which I pay In-
tereft at Paris^ and having for thefe Two Tears
l.^fi pafiy received from your Bounty no other Gratim
ficaticn than the Simple Pay of Colonel, it is not
pojfible that I fjoud be able to fupply the great and
necejfary Expences to fupport the Grandeur of my
Foft:, and to fetve Tour Majefty with the State and
Magnificence fuitable to it. Again, Since my Ene-
rnies daily endeavour to give Tow Majejiy ill Im-
prejftons of me, and to raife in Tour Aiind a De^
fidence of my moji upright Intentions \ and jince 1
am fo unfortunate J that after having grown Old in
the Service of Three Great Kings ^ I find my felf
ztnder a Neceffity of defending fo long Fidelity a-
gamjl Calumny, I am obligd with a great deal of
Griefs to declare that 1 have kept to my £>utyy
when D if obedience has been rervarded^ and defended
Tour Authority when it has been abused by fome^
and difpis*d by others. 'Tis to do ms an Injury j
to think I woii'd at thefe Tears fail in itj and that
?ny Private Refentmems are dearer to me than my
Concern for Tour Service. This good Catholick
and French Man, this Favourite of Henry the Hid,
this inveterate Enemy to the Protcftants, boafls
of
^/FRANCE. 147
hf liis Vpright Inwnions^ and that his Cfincern for
his M^jefifs ServUi, is dearer to him than his Pri-
vate Refemmevts. A few Days before, ccnrrary
to the King's reiterated Command, he left his Go-
vernment of Metz., at the Head of a loo Horfe,
crofs'd the Province of Burgundy^ p«is'd the Loire ^
and fent his Son, the Arc li-bifhop of To«/'j?^/c, to
receive tlie Queen Mother, who, the 22 d fjf
February^ i(?i8, in the Night made her efcapefrora
Blots at Momrlchard, Her Majefty, accompany'd
by one of the Women of her Chamber, the Count
de Brenne^ her Firft Gentleman, and three or four
other Perfons, went out of one cf the Windows of
the Caftlc of Blois by a Ladder, to a Parterre in the
Garden, and tiienceby another Ladder totheSireer,
whence fhe walk'd over the Bridge to her Coach,
which waited for her with tiie Archbiilicp and his
Followers, whocenvey'd Iiqi' to Loches^ whence tiie
Duke de Epernon convey'd her to Angouleme^ a£
the Head of* about 200 Horfe, in pofitive Difobedi-
ence to tiie King's Command, and adual ReiiPcance
of his Authority* The Count de Schomberg had
Summon'd a Caitle in that Government to Surren-
der in his Majefty's Name, the Officer who Com-
manded it, flood an Attack, and the Duke haften'd to
the Relief of it. but the Garrlfon had Capitulated
before he couM come to their AjTiirance. The
Favourite, who had in Time received Information ci
this Confpiracy, but wou'd either not give Credit to
it, or negledled it, as thinking his Authority too well
fettled toreceiveany Shock byit, was in a Terri-
ble Fright when the News of the Queen's Efcape
from BUis arriv'd at the Louvre. He did his ut-
mofl to irritate the King againft his Mother and
the Duke, and to perfwade him to reduce the lat-
ter by Anns. The Queen WTote to iier Son front
Lockss^ and the Duke d' Epernon did the lame •, in
both-of whole Letters, are to befeen the Integrity of
a Courtier, and what an Abhorrence thofe that have
been bred in one^ haveofDiffimulationand Falfhood.
Her iMajefly haying told the King, that fhe was
mm*^^" ^x" befim cctifin'd at BleiSj becaufe it de-
L ^ pnv'd
148 The Secret Hifiory
priv'd her of an Opportunity to give him thbJe
good and falutary Councils, which thofe ttnder whofe
Power he Wc<s unfortunately r^duc'd,- wou'd not
fuffer hi:ii to hearken to, proceeds thus. To this end,
J defi) 'a my Confin the Duke of Epernon, to permit me
to retire r(? Angouleme. 1 am going thither^ convincd
of his Fidelity^ and his Zed for your Service, The
^Cing \our Father^ coffimanded me before he dyd^
to have an entire Confidence in the Prudence and
Prohitv of this Lord^ to intruji him- with all your
?noji hnportant AffairSy and wtth my Private One^
alfo^ if it was poffible that I cou'd have Irderefts
different frc?n yours. I aim at nothings biit to re-
medy thofe Jnco?jventencies that might dijlurb the
Happinefs of your Reign. Tou will do me anextream
flsafure^ if you will give me the Adeans to inform
you without Hatredy and without Ambition^ of fome
things that might male your Kingdom more Flourijh-^
tngy and preferve its Tranquility, 1 protejl I do not
defire to take upon 7ne again, the Adminijiration of
your A fairs \ my greatefi Pajfion is to fee you Go>-
I'ern your Dominions your felfj and to hear your
Subjects exalt your Fertues, and the Mildnefs of
your Government, The Duke d' Epernon, as if his
Heart was full of nothing but Paftive Obedience,
and he had not fo lately reiifted the King's Autho-
rity, fays in his Letter, As foon as I arrived at
LocheSj the Queen your Afother, commanded m.e tor
receive her there^ and coudulb her to Angouleme.
/ thought if I ffjoud difobey her, I fijoiid fail in
the refpeB I owe to your Majefiy, I mcfi humbly
befeech you^ Sir, to believe that a Many who -never
once a^ed contrary to your Majefvys Service^ or
the Service oj the Kings your PredecejforSy what-
ever ill IJfage he has met with^ has no Pnclination^
at my Age^ to do any thing unworthy the Fidelity
of which I have always made Profeffion^ and that I
fhall never give your Adajejly any juft Caufe to doubt
of the Vprightnefs of my Intentions, The King was
prevailed upon by Lumes^ not to anfwer his Mo-
ther's Letter, but to proceed to Extremities, and
to caufe the Duke de Eusrnon to be declar'd a
Rebel
?f F R A N C E; i0
Rebel in Parliament, which that AfTembly refused.
The Duke having had the Precaution to get a Let-
ter from Mary de Medicis^ inviting him to come
and receive her at Loches, which prevented a Charge
againft him for carrying iier off*, the Queen Mother
having alfb put into his Hands, a Letter of the King?^'
which permitted her to have the Liberty of tlie
Country about Bloif^ when fhe pleas'd. The Fa-
vourite fent the Count de Bethime to her, to try if
fhe xou'd be brought to abandon d' Epsrnon^ but
the Queen, tho* fhe had great Temptations to do it,
cou'd not think of a£ling /uch a Piece of Ingrati-
tude to her Deliverer. The Haughtinefs of his
Temper, kept off tlie other Great Lords, who
were upon the referve, and had rather fufFer the Fa-
vourite, than put themfelves under the Domination
of d' EpernGUj who wou'd be Abfolute where he
was Mafter; and as there was no movement any
where elfe in favour of her Majefty, the Accom-
modation the Court thought fit at laft to proffer
her, was accepted. There was a Circumftance
in this Accommodation, which gives one a high
Idea of the Duke d' Epernon^ a Spirit which France
is no more likely to Glory, when it was oiter'dthat
he fiaou'd be Re-eftabliih'd in all his PoiTelTions, and
be pardon'd, the Duke woi-'d not hear of a Par-
don \ inliead of being treated as a Criminal, he in-
filled upon it, that the King (hou'd Solemnly de-
clare, he had ferv'd his Majefly, in ferving the
Queen Mother ; and the Article relating to him in
the Treaty of Accommodation, was ioft, and to
tkefe Terms. The King premised to deal as Lovingly
by the Duh d' Epernon, hij Children^ and all thofe
who had ferv'd the ^Aeen Mother, a^ by his other
^iibjeBs, During this Negotiation, the Court who
began to think they coft'd have no Body about the
Queen, thatwou'd tervetliem better than the Biihop
of Liicon^ fo he was infornvd, that he might, if he
pleas'd, wait on her at Angoulsme^ where he was
moft graciouily receiv'd, and had Her Majeily's
Seals immediately given him. The Qu:en on tlie
Concluiionof this Treaty, wrote a Le:ter to her
L 3 Son,
150 'The Secret Hifrory
Son, which fhefent by ths Count de Br erne before-
mention'd,- who fhew*d fuch a Ccntempt of the
Favourite, that he woa'd not pull off his Hat to
him, as he came in his way ^ which the King took
fo ill, that he refus'd to return an Anfwer by him,
but difpatch'd one of his Gentlemen in Ordinary
with it. Wou'd the prefent King of pyance have'
been fatisfy'd with fuch an Indignity offer'd to a
Perfon that had fo affronted his Favourite and
Minifter ? Is there a Noble Man in that King-
dom Kow, that durft cock at the Man the King
delights to Honour, or are the Minds of the French
elated in the Minorities, and weak Reigns as much as
they are contra£led under the Reigns of Princes
thatjknow how to be xMaflers? This Accommoda-
tion was follow'd by a Royal Interview at TourSj
where the Queen met ber Son and the Court, and
there was as much fhew of Rejoycing, as it al!
was forgot, and the Favourites of Z/^n?/j the Xlllth,
and //a',y de A^e diets, had but one AfFedion and
Jntereft, the Service of the Crown.
Not long after the Interview^ at Tonrs, Beageant
who had betray'd his Mafter Barhl?:, and had been
il! receiv'd by the Queen Mother, being on ill Terms
with Arnoux^ the King's Confeffor.and not on very
good ones v^hh Luines^ was Tent into Davphrriyj un-
der Pretest of obferving the Marefchal de Lefdtf-
guiercs^ v>rho affefted at lea ft to be difcon tented, and
to efpoufe the Intereds of the Proteftants, for whom
he always appear'd Zealous, when he had anything
to manage at Court. Tho' the Trichfier Deagermt
knew very Vxrell that he was fent thither, becaufe
the Favourite wanted to get' rid of him, yet he put
a good Ccluur upon his Difgrace, and Luims was fo
far from fhewing any Di(guft, that, in Appearance,
he feem'd forry at their Sefferaticn, which the Ne-
ceftity of Affairs made abfolutely neceffary *, and
then his journey to Dauphiny, where he was to
refide and exercife his Office of Krft Pre/idem of
the Chamber of AccountSy was taken to beaMiftery.
This Man left A^cmoirs which have been very ufe-
f ul to us : He had a Superior Genius to Lmncs^ and
gQt
0/ F R A N C E. jsi
got ground daily in the King's Favour, which
alarm d the Favourite, who knowing his Cunning
and Fairhood, infinuaredto the King, tba there was
not a Alan in France fo proper as Deageam^ to ob-
ferve the Marefchal de Lefaifguieres^ to whom he
was Commiffion'd to offer the Conft ablets Staff, if he
wou'd twxnFapiji, This was all the Marefchal wanted ;
he made no Scruple to promife he wou'd abandon
his Religion, as he had done his Morals before.
However, he wou*d not do it till the Staff was put
in his Hands: In the mean time, he betray'd the
Proteftant Councils to Deageantj communicated to
him all the Difpatches he receiv'd from their Affem-
blies, and confulted him about the Aniwers he i~enc
them.
The Queen Mother's Intereft increafing daily,
after the late Accommodation, Luines and his Two
Bi^thren found it wcu'd be too difficult a matter for
them to fupport themfelves, without the Proteilion
of the Firft Prince of the Blood, wherefore they
refolv'd to procure the Liberty of the Prince of
Conde, and the Warrant for his Releafement was
carry'd by Lmnes in Perfbn to Boh de l^'mccnnes^
from whence th';: Prince w^ent immediately, accom-
pany 'd by the Princeis, the Favourite, and his Bro-
ther Cadenet to Chantilll^ where the King gave him
a very favourable Reception. The Declaration which
was fent to the Parliament, in favour of the Prince
of Cofide^ having a Preamble that refle£led on
the Mir.ifters of the Regency, it highly difguiled
Mary de Medic is ^ and the Eifnop of Lvcrn^ who
particularly had advis'd her to Imprifon the
Prince. Mary de Medicis cou'd not help exprefling
her Refentment to the Gentleman who was fent to
acquaint her with the Refoiution taken to fet the
Prince at Liberty, Richlieu kept his Sentiments to
himfelf, refolving to do hisutmoft to render himfelf
io neceflary to the Favourite, that he fhbu'd con-
tribute to his Advancement, as high as his Amli-
tion afpir'd, which of all things in the World,
L'^ines Yfis moft afraid of.
^ L 4 Thcrf
I5>2 The Stcret Hijhry
' There isoo.^ a new Sc^r-e of affairs ; thePrincp
lof Conde TiU^.rLumes are, or (qqiw to be, in the
Siri^teft League^, the (Jueen aiiarm'd at this clofe
jCorrefpondepce of a Prince whom (he had difo-
blig'd with i a Minifter»vW:iodiad fo difoblig'd her,
drought of Gommotions to; defend her Intereft a-
gaiiift born of them ^ ancl as Indilferent £s ihe ap-
;pears to he tqwards the Adininiftration, it is cer-
tain it was What eniploy'd ail her ThoOghtSj and
what iLc was impatient in the lofs of.
During tbefe Tranfa^iions the Poor Froteflants
inftead of gaining any Advantage by rhefe Divilions
between i\iQ Queen Mother and the Favourite and
die iMiniftry and the Difcontented Lords fai'd never
the better for it^ all the Papifis agreed to opprels
them. The Oppofition the States of Beam made to
the Execution of the King's Edi£l, which deftroy'd
their Religion and Liberties enrag d the Court againft
them,and Lttims engag'd hj the Pope, and the Lourt
of Afadrid was for reducing them by Arms. The
pop:; *s Intereft in their Deftrudion is obvious, the
Spaniards iicp'd by that means to prevent tlie French
King's concerriing himfelf in the Affairs cA Germany^
;\vhere the Power of the Houfe of Aufiria began to
decline, and iiad been broken, had the Prcteftants
j)ot been divided by the Artifices of their Enemies*
The Reform d held an AfTembly at Orthcz. in Bearn^
vviiich tor the conveniency of the other Province^
was transfer'd to Rochet and made General. The
JDukc d* Epernon had then dehver'd the iQueen Mo-
ther from her Confinement, and that Imperious Fa-
pifi who not Jong before had in fo hoflile a Man-
ner infulted the Rochelkrs^ fent his Agents thither
to court the Aflembly and them to declare for the
Queen Mother and him *^ but the Proteftants were
fo Exemplarily Loyal that they refus'd to give Au-
dience to thofe Agents ^ declar'dall Deferters of the
Union of the Churches, who fliould fide with any
Body but the King.
This AiTembly not being held a Legal one, as
not fummon'd with the King's Permillion, broke uj?
m the Prc^liiife of a Brief^ warranting a New one to
" li^eet'
of V R A N C E. JSJ
m^Qt at Loudun which met accordingly the 26-th of
Septerr.ber i6\^. arid v;as composed of Perfons ofthe
fceft Quality and Merit among the Reformed. The
Court was not at all Apprehenfive of the Con(e--
quence of the Meeting, knov^^ing how. the Prote-
ftants were divided among themfelves, and being
lure of Lefdiff^uleresy Chatlllon and oUiers of their
Leaders. However, the AfTembly came to fcveral
Vigorous Refolutions, and declar'd they wou'd not
break up till his Majefly licid given an Anfwer to
their Cahiers of Complaints, confifting of feveral
nianifeft Breaches of their Edi^s as the forcing
Children from their Troteftant Parents to be bred
up by Jefuits. the denying Frotejiants Chriftian
Burial , the fhutting up their Temples in feveral
Places -, and other Grievances too many to be par-
ticalariz'd in this Hiftory.
The Favourite gaind by the Courts of Rmie^w^
Madrid J infpir'd the King with the Spirit of Perfe.
cution *, and when the Deputies of the AfTembly fent
to Court with their Cahiers had ended their Speech,
the only Anfwer the King gave them was a Conir
mand to break up their AfTembly; La Haye who
was Speaker of the Deputation, having taken th^
Liberty to reply,his Majefly interrupted him, makii g
a fign to the Ufher to turn them out. The Marefchal
deLefdifguiers and the Duke deCbatillon pretended to
Mediate for them *, but that did not hinder a De-
claration, carry'd by the Prince of CWe himfelfto
the Parliament to be verify'd, by which all the De-
puties who remain'd at Loudun after Three Weeks,
were declar'd Guilty of High Treafon. The Prince
of Conde's meddling in this Matter, highly offend-
ed the Prot eft ants who had Petition'd for his En-
largement and ever wifh'd him well. They were
further allarm'd by a Paflage in a Speech of Dw Vairs
at the verifying Tome Pecuniary Edi<^s, that the
Money xvcud be wanting in order to Supprefs the
Reform'd. This made the AfTembly unite with thei
f^reateft Vigor, and refclve not to be Supprefs'd with
put Defending themlelves. Lulnes was frighten'd
ijC their Refolution, and confidering how ready the
'■• ■■■Oiieen
1^4 ^^^ Secret Hiftorj
Queen Mother and the Difcontented Lords were to
joyn with *em againft them, he thought fit to a-
mufe them with fome fair Promifes* of Redrefs of
their Grievances, efpecially with Refpedt to Bearn\
and the Prince of Conde gave them his Pa?ble for
the Performance of them. Upon which the Aflem-
bly nam'd their Deputies to Negotiate their Affairs
at Court and broke up *, being affur'd that if their
Grievances were not Redrefs'd by the time appointed
them, they fhould have Permifiion to meet again at
Rochelle. The Seperating this AtTembly juft as they
were about to fail in with the Queen Mother sPar-
ty was Luwes's Mafter Piece. The Duke de Rohan^
the moft fincere Friend to the Reform'dj had ear-
ncftly follicited them to do it -, but Lefdifguieres^
Chatillon^ and the Cautious Bu Plcjjis MorHoy were
for their breaking up^the Two former havingPrivate
Ends in it ; and the latter being apprehenfive that
the taking Arms would be entirely the Ruin of
the Religion in France.
The general AfTembly of the Trote^ants were not
the only Body of Men in France that oppos'd the
Meafures of the Court ^ the Parliament of Paris in-
fifting upon their Privileges, debated the pafling
Z Pecuniary Edift, Vv'hich ib incens'd the Mini-
flers, that they made Luims go in Perfon to that
AfTembly the 1 2th o^Feberuary i ^'i p. attended by his
Brother the Duke d' An]ou^ the Prince of Conde^
the Count de Soiffons, and feveral other Lords to
force Obedience without Contradidlion. Da Fair
that Man of Honour, void of Ambition and Avarice,
when he was a Counfellor in Parliament now he
has the Seals, a Bifnoprick and hopes of a Cardinals
Hat, is the only Man of that Shadow of a Senate,
who afferted the Parliaments having^ no Negative
m rpailing of Hdicl?. We repeat what he fays on
that occa'fion, to fhow the Corruption of Mans
Heart, and how apt the flrongeft Minds are to be
ibften'd by Favour and" tiie Temptations of a
Court. Toumay prefcnt a Reir;07ijira7ice orTvpo^ fays
he, but if the King has no Regard to them^ you ought
Hindly to obey him'^i Parliaments v;ere efiablifi'd to
render
0f FRANCE. 15J
render the Sovereign Atahority ofKwgSythe morefup'
portable to the People and not to refifi them ^ whoever
fays the contrary muji be either a Fool or a Rebel. As
Kings by a wife Condefcention have fubmitted their
Ordinances and Edicts to- the F-xamination of thePar"^
liament^ they can take away that Privilege when they
Pleafi ; Tour Obftinate Fefufal to Regifier the EdiHrs,
the King fent you is of Pernicious Confequencc. Will
you teach the People that they may rejfiji the Kings
Pleafurcy and that his Edicls receive their Authority
from the confent of the Parliament ? Horrid Do£lrine
in a Time v;hen the Authority Royal was in the
Hands of a Minion. The Parliament muft by no
means not Only Reflift the Pleafure of the Prince,
but that of his Favourite! To cppofe the Mini-
fters is to Rebel againft the King, and not to know
that his Will or the Will of his Favourite is above
the Laws makes a Fool of a Man. Du Vair who once
had the Reputation of the moft Upright Magi-
ftrate in France tells you fo. Was it likely that
AfTembly fhouki preferve their Privileges or Frame
its Liberty r* Luines being prefent when this
Conteft was, had the Mortification to hear the Evil
Counfeiiors refledled on as advifing this Edift to
Enrich themfelves by Impoverifhing the People. Not-
withftanding Du Valr threatned theParliament with
tlie King's Re fen tment if they delay 'd verifying the
Edi£l, f^erdun the firfl Prefident anfwer'd this
Slave to Favour with a Boldnefs worthy the Dignity
of his Office •, he exprsfs'd himfelf plainly that he
wou'd yeild to nothing but Violence. Sir^ iays
he to the King with equal Courage and Gravity,
We are extreamly troubled that the JSfeceJftty of your
Affairs feem to engage you to deprive your Parliament
pf its Ancient Rights^ to lock into the Wants of the
i^tate, and deliberate concerning the EdiBs you fend
to them* As the Omijfwn to fubmit your fetf to that
Law inviolably obferv'd in all Times by your Pre-
deceffors is a Prejage of the Decadence and Diminu-
tion of your Royal Authority *, we fljall redouble here-
after our f^ows fcr the Profperity of your Reign. We
pray Qod, Sir, that he will make kmm to your Ma-.
jefiy
X^6 The Secret Htfiory .
J€jiy the Prejudice that the Authors of thtfe Violent
Connfels do to the Soveraign^ And fince we cannot
present the pernicious Consequences^ ive will in
Difchar^e of our Confcience towards Cod and to
wards ovr King^ put in our Regijiers the Name and
Quality ^f thofe that advis'd you not to hearken to
cur Jufi Remonjirances* How has this AfTembly now .
loft its Authority? Has there been a Prefident fince
Monfieiir Verdun that durft tell the French King to
liis Face, he would let a Mark on fuch as broke in
upon the Privileges of the Parliament? but the Au-
thority Royal loon tryumphed over it. This Wife
and Brave Magift'rate with his Brethren was fent
for to Court and Reprimanded, theEdidRegifrer'd
in Oppofition to the Sentiments of the wdiole Af-
fembly, and with the Money rais'd by it Troops
were Levy'd not tg afiid the Emperor as was at.
firfl given out, but to deprefs a New Party form'd
in Favour of Mary de Medicis^ or rather againfl
Luinesj whofe Pride and Rapine were become
Intolerable. He engro^^'d very thing at Court ; and
was not content to be great himfelf, his Two Bro-
thers were marry'd into Two IJIuftrious Families,
and with their Eftates took their TiilQs^Cadenet was
rnade Marefchal and Duke de Chaulnes^ Brantes Duke
de Feney Luxemhurgh, Thus in about Three Years
time were thefe Three Brothers Sons of a Private
Gentleman of an Ordinary Fortune become Dukes,
and great not only in Titles but in Riches. ' The
hafty Rife of thefe Brothers could not avoid creating
Envy 7 and I have often wonder 'd at the Indifcretion
of Favourites, enough Inftances of which are to be
niet with in Hifloiy, v^ho thinking their Founda-
tion on a Rock fear no Shocks of Fortune, expofq
themfeives to all Flazards and^defy thejr Enemies.
To have Power and Wealth does not fatisfy them^-
they muft make an Appearance of it, Vanity has
ruined what Fraud has acquir'd. The Cunning who
are for Securing as well as Pofieiring, cannot con-
ceal the Advantages of their Pofls and Elevation ^
Pride will not fuSer fuch concealment, and weak
Minds, v;ho cannot bear thsEscs-fs of Fortune, eafe
â– ' â– them-
(/FRANCE. 157
â– themfelves by fhowing it, but fhew it often to their
-Diftruftion. We fhall fee prcfently from what fmall
.Beginnings that Quarrel arofe, which had like to
^have fct all France in a Flame. It was grown in
.France a Mark of the higheft Diftinftionin the Court
of France to give the King the Napkin-, this was a
Cuftoin at the Coronation of a King in Old Times,
but it was now become Ctjflomary at- common
•Meals at the Levee and Cotichee^ and a Token of
Servitude as it is 'twas a matter of Dignity and Im-
portance. The Prince of Conde demanded the Ho-
-nor to hold the ToweUs the firft Prince of the Blood,
the Count de Soiffons as great Mafler of the Houf-
hould, and they went fo far as to Struggle ^or it.
TheKina^to prevent furtl:>?r Mifchief bad the Duke of
jinjou his Brother give it him^ and the Two con-
tending Princes gave w::y lq him, not without
threatening Words to eacii other. TheCourt Lords
immediately ofrsr'd their Service to the one or other
as Inclination drove them, the Duke of 6'«//'e and
the Favourite's Friends deelar'd for CorJe y the Dukes
of Mnyenne^ Longneville and others for S)lifons\ the
Counters of Soijfons his Adother in hopes of his
Marrying the Princefs Henrietta Maria afterwards
Queen of England, took hold of that Opportunity
to engage feveral Lords to joyn with her Son and
cfpoule the Party of Mary de Medicts, The Duke
de Mayenne was one of the firft difguftedthatLw/W;
did not pay him Refpeft enough, and that he was
not paid fome Money that was due to him from
the Government. Richlieu did not let this Occafion
flip to ftrengthen the Party of the Queen Mother,
and by his Intrigues were many great Lords brought
over. Tlie Confederacy was lo Powerful that had
not tilt; Bifliop of Lncon betray'd his Miflrefs it
would have ruin'd the Favourite and his Followers*
The Duke de l^endome^ his Brother tiie Grand Prior
the Duke de Rohan^ the Duke de Longueville^wA the
Duke de Retz, came into it, as did afterwards the
Duke d* Epernon *, and Luines Affairs were now the
moft embarafs'd that they had ever been or will be^.
i4is
558 T^^ Secret Hifto-rf
His Brother Brontes] now Duke do Plney Luxstfl^
hurgh, was fent to Angers where the Queen JVl ae-
ther kept her Court, to invite her to return to
the Louvre^ which fhe would notconfent to un-
lefs Satisfaction was given her for the Affront put
upon her Regency in the Preamble to the Prince
of Conde% Decree, and Ihe had Security that fhe
fiiculd be well us'd there. The Duke de M^yen?ie
recir'd to his Government of 6'«ye««^ without tak-
ing his Leave of the King-^ De ^aine^ a Favourite
of Luir.es'^ was fent after him v^rith Letters from
the King to the Governors of the mofl Impor*-
tant Places and efpecially of ^/^/e, exhorting them to
continue Faithful, and to form no Fadion againll
his Service, which had Uttle effeft. The Gover-
nors of Provinces in France were Mafters there
during this Minority, and till the Miniftry ofRkh-
lieu'^ and we fhall fee how thefe Catholkh and
Frenchr/ten pradlis'd the Dod^rine of Obedience with
out Referve when they cou'd Difobey with Impunity.
The Duke de Mayenne being very Powerful in his
Government, the Favourite thought it moft advife-
able to gain him by fair means, and caused the King
to w'ite a Letter to him, inviting him to return to
Court, which the Dukeexcus'd, faying, He coud
be fnore Serviceable to hts Majefiy in Guyenne. The
Duke de Fendome v;ithdrew to the Queen Mother
at Angers \ he was follow'd by the Countefs of
Soijfcnsy her Son the Count, and the Grand Prior of
France ; her Party in a little Time became fo con-
fiderable that fhe had with her befides the Second
Prince of the Blood, Seventeen great Lordf^ Officers
of the Crown or Governors of Provinces. . Tliey
pretended the Publick Good only, whereas in Truth
neither Mary de Medicis nor her Followers aim'd
at any thing but the Adminiftration, and their Pri-
vate Advantage. Tis thus the People in all Nations
have been abus'd by the glorious Pretence of Re-
drefiing of Grievances, w^hen the Changes that great
Men have required in oi'der to it are accompliih'd,
other Perfons are indeed employ'd, but the People
remain where they were, the Oppreiiion is the
fame^
^/FRANCE. tS9
fame, tlio* the Oppv^fTors are forc'd to givePIaces ta
others.TheConfederacy did not go far in this attempt
to remove theFavouriie, means were found to divide
the Confederated Lords, who if they had continued
United and under the Queen Mother, might, if they
pleas'd have fecur'd thei^iberties (^France, The
buke de Lorfgueville, the Grand Frior of France,
and the Cuiait cie Torigni held Normandy^ the Count
de Soljfons fecur'd Ferche and part of MainSy the
Duke de Vendome was Mailer of fom« Towns oil
the River Loire ^ the Marefchal de Bois Dauphin pof-
fefs'd himfelf of others between La Sartre and La
Mademie^ the Queen Mother held Anders and
Tom de Ce^ the Dukes de TrimouUle and Retz. held
feveral good Towns in Toibiou and Breta^^e^ the
Duke de Rohan commanded in St. J^an d' Angelt,
the Duke de Epcrncn had la A;;goumois and la S'ain*
longe at his dilpofal •, the Vicounc de Aubeterra Go-
vernor of Blaie declar'd himfelf for Mary de Mt-
dkisy the City, the Parliament of Bourdtaux ^and
all Guyenne follow'd the Direaions of the Duke^e
Mayenne *, in a word, the Queen Mother had a
Country of Two Hundred Leagues in length from
T>iep to the Mouth of the Garonne ^tliQi' Devotion^
and had the Lords who were with heV, taken Care
to prevent her being govern'd by Perfons who had
their own Intereft only in view, they might
have foon put an End to the Tyranny of the
Favourite, who finding the Stream run fo ftrong
againft him, refolv'd rather to give way a little
to it, than by a rafh Oppolition to encreafe its
Fury. He began by praciiiing upon fome of the
Lords about her, and xajoling others that had not
yet taken her Party. The Dukes de Monbaz^on and
de Bellegarde, the Archbifhop of 5.?wj, andthePre-
fident Jeamin were difpatch d away to Angers as
Commiiiioners from the King to treat of an Accom-
modation with the Queen Motherjwho would at firft
hearken to no Propofition, burin concert with the
Lords that had declar'd for ber,which tbeCommiflio-
ners faying, The King woud not enter into a Treaty
with his Sjibje^s, ATone that has been fmce improv'd
in
mo the Secret Hijlory
in Frdmel Had the Queen Mother followed thb
advice of the Dakes de Rohan^ de Mayenne and d!
Epernonj the Court muft have foon alter'd their
Language, inftead of giving them Time to gain off
feveral Heads of the Party, and prevent others from
ioyning them, to raife Troops '^hd. be prepar*d to
fall upon Normandy^ before the Duke de Longuevllk
had got a fufficient Strength to make Head againft
them,' if fhe had retir'd to Bourdeaux tb the Duke de
Mayenne v^ho had a good Army of 18000 Men,
the otiier Lords vvou*'d immediately have joyn'd her,
and' by that Injundlion the Army have h^tn (b en'*
creas'd that nothing could havehinder'd their march
to Far is. But the Bifhop i^IMcon who was afraid of
the too great Influence thofe Lords would have over
h?r, if fhe was fo entirely in their PofTeflion, and that
he fhould not be able to value himfelf to the Court
(b much for his Management of her and Iier AfFairs,
diiTwaded her from it, under Pretence that if fhe
went to Bourdeaux it wou'd infallibly occafion a
Difference between the Duke de Mayenne^ whd
Wou'd pretend to the Superiority as Governor of the
Province, and the Duke d' Eperenon who wou'd
fubmit to no Body on account of Seniority and
his High Employments.
This Irrefolution deflroy'd the hopefuUefl Pro-
ject that ever was form'd in France tofecure that
Nation from the Abfolute Power of Favourites,
which was the Ruin of their Libertie-^, The King
attended by his Brother the Duke of Anjou^ the
Prince of Conde^ the Favouifite, Du Fair, and other
Lords of the Court march'd with an Army into
Normandy^ and obiig'd the Duke de Longueville ta
throw himfelf into Diep \ the Caflleof C^fwmade
a vigorous Reilflance; Monfieur Frtid.ent^ a Valiant
Officer commanded there for the Grand Prior^ and
the King s Army was forc'd to Befiege i't in Form,
There happen'd a Circumflance in this Siege which
was very Extraordinary j the Prince of Conde to
whom Lumes gave the entire Management of Mat-'
ters in this Difficult Jun^lure, perfwaded the
Young King Levpis and his Brother Cajlon to vihr
of F R A N C E. 76t
the Trenches ; the Befieg'tl did not difcont-nue
their Fire, and it w?is thtiuatit ibmewhat odd, that
the Firfl: Prince of the Blood (hould carry thofe
Two Princes to Tuch a Place cf Ditn^er, himfdf
being the next Heir after them to the Crown •, the
Courtiers gruaiMed at it, but the Tjav. .urite beir.g
how govern'd by CWe, every one elie th u^^ht it in
vain to oppofe him *, J nines ^ as other vfmions have
done, kept out of Harms way, and tho' he fen t the
King and the Duke d' Anjou to the Trenches, never
came near them himfelf-, the King commanded
the Garrifon to be Summoned again, but th. Brave
Trudent valu'd not their Threats to Hang him if
he refifted any longer ; upon which tlie B.^fiegers
had Recourle to an Artifice, and" order'd ihc Of-
ficer who was lent with the Summons, to cry out
to the Garrifon, tiiat if they wou'd throw the
Obftinate and Rebellious Governor over the Walls,
they Ihiould have Ten Thoufand Crowns befides a
Pardon •, Vrudent after that could not keep them
in Obedience, and being forced to Capitulate, had
Honourable Terms given him. The Redudlion of
Caen was followed with the Submiflion of the Counts
de Torignyy Beuvron^ Montgommeri, Lu'Z.erno and
other Lords *, the Duke dc LongnevUle hi m lei f fend-
ing the King a Letter, importing, that tho* lii^.
Malice of his Ememies oblig'd him to fL^nd on
his Guard m Diepy yet he promis'd not ^o do any
thing againft his Majcftys Service. .
Normandy being reduced, _ths Prince of Co!^de,
who was more than any one animated againfl: tiie
Queen Mother for his Imprifcnment, was for march-
ing without lofs of time to AUrJCO??^ and fo lo^Poat
de Ce to poflefs themfelves of that Pod, and cut
off the Queen Mother's Communication with tlie
Dukes de Rohan^ d' Epernon and Mayenne. A Ccrafi-
fel being held on this occalion, the Cardinal de Rttz.
reprefented to the King, that it was not decent to
jfall upon Aencofi which belong'd to the Qaeen Ms
Mother* Conde r^proach'd the Cardinal tha^t he was'
for rparing Jletjcon becaufe his Ksphew tne Duke
di:^.d^ Im^ eillbfacy the contrary Party, T^'z^^^^;^
1 62 The Secret Bijlory
afraid^ faidihe angrily, ifltJJjould be intirely defiroy*d,
the Dukt your Nephew-, willfuffer as well as the other
Aialecontents*, Slr^ reply d the Cardinal, I am the
Kirj^''s Servant^ and 1 am not afraid to own that I am
a Servant to the Queen Mother \ I know the difference
between the Fidelity I owe his Adajefiy arid the Re-
jpeEi I owe to the Queen his Mother, No body /hall
ever lay to my Charge^ added he Smiling, That I
have efpous'd any Party againfi the Kings Service^
nor have been too much concerned for thofe that have
taken Arms againfl. him^ whatever Proximity of Blood
there may be between me and them. From this Time
the Cardinal and the other Confidents reprefented
continually to Luines^ that if the Party of the Queen
Mother was utterly fupprefs'd, the Vrnz^cAConde
wou'd be Mafler of ali, and his Power be much
more intolerable than any thing that cou'd be ap-
prehended from X}£i^X.o{ Mary de Medicis, They in-
fmuated to him, that by gaining RichUeu^ Billiop
of Lucon^ who govern'd the Queen iMother, he might
eafily make her Favourable to him, and fecure him-
felf. Accordingly he enter'd into Secret Negotia-
tion with the Bifhop ^ the Favourite by his Agents
promis'd him a Cardinals Hat, and Richlieu gave
him AfTurance that he wou'd deliver up his Miftrefs
when the King arriv'd at Pont d9 Ce. The Royal
Army marching towards Alencon took Ferneuily
famous for the glorious Victory obtained there by
the Englifh over the French^ and Dreuxy where
Monfieur Bajfomplerre joyn'd it with 8000 Foot and
700 Horfe. Jt was now twice as Strong as the
Queen Mother's, which had taken La Fieche and
was advancing to Mans *, but hearing of the Jun-
ftion of Bafornpierre's Troops wath the King's, fhe
retir'd to Angers, Luines took Courage on this Suc-
cefs, and efpecially on the hopes he had form'd of
having Adary de Medicis betray'd to him by Liicon,
A Declaration was publifh'd in his Majefty's Name,
wherein the Queen Mother was tenderly dealt with,
but the Count and Countefs de Soiffons^ the Duke de
Vendome^ his Brother the Grand Prior of France^
the Dukes de Mayenne^ de Nemours^ de Longueville
of FRANCE. 1^5
de Rohan^ de la Tremoudle^ d* Epernon, de RetZy
de Roarinez.^ the Marefchal de Bois Dauphin^ the
Count de Candale^ the Marquis de^ la Valette^ the
Arch-Bifhop of Touloufe, and all others engag'd ou
her fide, were decUr'd Rebels, uniefs they laid down
their Aims in a Month. This Declaration was Re-
gifter'd in Parliament the Sixth of Augufi^ 1*^20.
The Cardinal de Gutfe was not Nam'd, in Compla-
cency to his Brothers the Dukes de Guife and de
Chevreufe^ who had done his Majefty Signal Servi-
ces,^ and the Court was not willing to drive the
Mifefchal de Bouillon to Extremites, tho' they
knew of his Engagements with Mary de Medlcis^
who being frighteu'd at her Sons Approach, was
for leaving Tome Troops to defend Angers and Fom-
de Cej and joyning the Duke d' Epernon and ds-
Mayennc V7ith the reft, which wou'd have made up
an Army of 30000. This was the befl Step fhe
had to rake, buc the falfe Rkhlieu difiwaded her
from it, by reprefenting to her, that if fliC put
herfelf into the Hands of thofe Two Ambitious
Lords, fhe, who might at Angers be Arbiter of
Peace and War, muft fubmit to what Conditions
they fhoii d think fit to impofe on her. This
Counfel cou'd not but be pleafmg to a Princefs^,
who believ'd it came from her beil Friend, espe-
cially fince it flattered that defire of Independency,
which had always appear'd in her from her firit
afTuming the Regency. The Queen confided wholly
in the Fidelity and Vigilance of RichUeu^ wha
plac'd his. Relations and Creatares in all the mod
Important C3fficesnear his Perron,and in all Military
Polls, infomuch that ihe vv^as entirely at his difpo-
faU The Magazines of Ponf de Ce he fo far neg-
lected, that there was neither Powder nor Ball
there on the approach of the Kings Army. The
Queen Motlisr fent the Duke de Belle gar de^ the
Arch-Bilhcp of Sens^ and Father Bendle 10 acquaint
her Son, that (he was willing to enter into a Ne-
gotiation with him, to which a ftop was put, by.,
the? King*s inhfling upon it, that the Lords of her
Party lhou*d fttbrnit to his Mercy : The Queen on
M 2 the
1^4 ^^-^^ Secret Hiftory
the other hand, wou'd not Treat but with their
Participation. While things were in this fufpence,
the Favourite, who had an Underftanding with
Rlchlieu^ fends Baffompierre to pofTefs himfelf of
Font de C?, where the Duke de RetTL commanded,
who havi!ig Intimation from his Unkle the Cardinal,
that M.iry de Aledicis was betray'd by Lucon^
abandon'd tiiat Command, and retird tohisHoufe.
The King's Troops eafily mafter'd the unprovided
Garrifon, and Butcher d a great part of it. Mary
de Medicls was for flying into Gvyenne^ and Rich-
iieu gave Notice of it to Lui?ies^ who took care to
fend out Parties of Horfe to intercept her.
The Queen Mother finding herfelf furrounded
by her Sons Army, accepted of what Conditions
he wou'd grant her* The mofi favourable of which,
was a General Pardon for all that had engag'd with
her, if they fubmitted in Eight Days, after the
Treaty was Sign'd. Rkhlieu was by a private Arti-
cle, to have the next Cap after the Arch-Biiliop of
Touloufe^ by the Recommendation of France *, and
the Queen Mother who imagin'd it wou'd mightily
advance her Affairs, if there was a Friendfhip be-
tween Luines and him, encourag'd that Intelligence
which Luccn liad Traiterouily carry 'd on. A iMatch
was talk'd of between a Nepl^w of tlie Duke d^
Luiries^ and a Neice of Rkhliens^ Famous after-
wards, under the Name of the Dutchefs de j4igiiil-
Ion. The Queen Mother having given the Duke d'
Epcrnon Notice of her entring into a Treaty of Ac-
commodation,that Duke,who pretended only to take
Arms for her Service, disbanded his Troops and
fubmittt^d. The Duke de Mayenne did not fubmit
fo readily, but finding it was to nopurpofeto (land
out, he follow'd the example of d^ Epermn^ as did
all the MaUcontents \ and the Queen Mother had an
Interview with her Son at Brtfac^ where, to all
outward appearance, there was a perfed Reconci-
liation of all Parties. The Prince of Conde leem*d
to have forgot his Prifon \ Rkhlieu was careis'd by
the Court, as the main In(lrumi:;nt of the Peace,
and after the Interviewj his Majefly went a Pro-
^rei^'
%,
(9/ F R A N C E. 1^5
grefs into Guyenne^ and other Provinces, where the
Malecont-ent Lords had beem mofl ftiring. He was
receiv'd every where with Joy, and treated with
the utmoft Refpedl and Magnificence by d' Epermn^
Mayennc^ and other Lords, wh^>m a few Da^^s be-
fore he had Proclaiifi'd Traytors.
The Happy IfTue of this Expedition, made the
Court refolve to enter upon another, that of an-
nexing i^earn to the Crown, and reftoring the Fo-
pilh Religion in that Principality. To which Qwi^^
at the Perfwafion of the Pope's Nuntio, the Spanifi
AmbafTador, dti Perron Arch-Bifhop of S^ns^ dii
Vair^ and others, Luines put his Mafter upon a
March to Beam in the Winter Seafon. The Parlia-
ment Tent leveral Deputies to his Majefty, to make
their SubmilTion in any manner, with preferving
their Ancient Rights and Privileges, which the
Beanwis appeared refolute in the Defence of, till the
Army approach'd and the Gates of Fan their Capi-
tal, were open'd to tliem. The King having made
his Entry into Vau^ fent a Det.ichment to pofTels
Na'verreins^ a ftrong Town, which might have
Tuftain'd a long Siege, but the Proteiians Governor
caus'd the Garruon to march our, to receive the
King, who went tbirher-in {'erfon with the more
refpei^. His reward was to be turn'd out of his
Government, and a PopiJ/j Governor and Popifi Gar*
rifon were left in it/ Tiiere \vas one Ridiculous
PafiTage in this A<fi:ion of the King's, which makes
one pity theHardlhips that ill Mr niters put on their
Mailers Confciences. Lewis being come back to
Pau^ in an AfTembly of the States" took the ufual
Oath to maintain their Rights, Privileges a: ct Im-
munities, vv'hich the very fame Day he began to
violate \ and before he ieft the Place, the whole
Order of Government, Eftablilh'd in that Province,
was fubverted •, and on the very Day that their Li-
berty was at an end, did a molt Cv'^el and Sangui-
nary Perfecution begin, the Forerunner of a General
One, with which the Furlcus Paplfts then thr<-aten'd
the Proteftants; Tisftrange, that while the Court
was acling thefe Violences in Bcarn^ the AlTerxibly
Ms c^
i66 The Secret Hiflory
of the Protell ants at ^/cr J -fhcu'd not interceed for
the Miferable Beamots their Brethren. They fuf-
fer d thtrm reives to be amiib'd by Falfe Reports, and
were io ht from fendhig *em Succours, that they
refus'd to order Prayers for them. Several of the
Deputies had fold thcmfelves to<he Court, and the
Afrembly faw it well enough, but they wanted ei-
ther the Means to Convlft, or the Courage to
'Chaftife them.
It was not likely the Liberties of the Reformed
Church of France cou'd be long maintained, when
the Marefchal de Lefdifguieres^ and the Marquis
de ChatiUon^ Two of their Chiefs, had a Secret
interview with the Duke ds Guife^ the moft In-
veterate Enemy of the Proteilants, to concert
Meafures to hinder their making a Diver fion in the
Provinces of Dayphine^ Langnedoc and Provencs,
Some of the very Minifters themfelves held CorreO
pondence with the King's Lieutenants, as La Farre^
Minifter of the Church sHuiubem'^ Codure^ Mini-
ller at Ganges^ and others. The Reform d were
every were infulted, and no Redrefs cou d be ob-
tain d for them : Monfieur 47^. Plejfis McYnay was
fiili for Pacihck Paftive Councils, he faw the Dan-
ger the Church cf Fnmce was in : He wrote to the
iMiniflers, and the Duke de AfGf2haz,G'n in their be-
half, but he wou'd not hear of coming to Action:^
and the extream Caution of this Lord, the Inte^
refted Principle of the Dnktde Bouillon, the Treach-
ery of Lefdifguieres and Chatillon, the Cowardice
^Wiji Incorilancy of the Marquis de la Forcc^ -hin-
der'd the efie:i which the Refolution and Zeal of
the r»ukes <^e Rohan^ and d.e Soitblz.c might have
produc'd, for the Safety of the Proteftant Churches
ot trance^ had they been Faithfully and Vigorouily
fupported. 1 (hall not enter into the Detail of the
Proceedings of feveral Provincial AiTemblies of the
Reform d ^ they had Communication with each
other, but the Falfe Brethren that v;ere among
them, hinder'd their refolving upon any thing Ef-
fecf^ual for their Defence. The Court had pro-
mis'd, that if their Grievances were not redrefs'd
"• ' ■. ^
of ¥K A N C E, i6j
in a Months time, the General AfTembly might
meet of themfelves. The Time was near expir'd,
and nothing done to give them Satisfaftion : Luines
fear*d his Intrigues wou'd not have the Succeis with
a General, as with a Provincial AfTembly, and
therefore got the^ King to caufe Two Coun-
fellors of the Religion to be receiv'd in the Par-
liament of Paris. The Prince of Conde went to
get the £di(fl for their Reception paQ'd, and it is
^id he afTur'd that AfTimbly, it \vou'd be the
lafl: Favour which wou'd be granted to the Hu-
gonots, Thefs, and other fuch Political Com-
pliances, not fatisfying the Reform d^ whofe Edicls
were daily infringed, a General AfTembly met at
Rochelle^ which the Court declar'd to be an Illegal
One^ as meeting without thtir Warrant -, and the
Jefuits fuggelled, that the AlTembling thus, being
a Rebellion, the Proteltants had forfeited all the
Favours that had been granted them. New Names
were given to Things to blacken them, and pre-
pare the way for their Deflruftion. When they
were Attack'd, if they Refifled^ they were Rebels ^
their Courage in AfTauUs, or in Sallies, in Com-
bats or in Sieges, was term'd Fury. All the
Enemies they kill'd in a Juft War, were MafTa-
cres: All their Undertakings to fecure themfelves,^
to Fortify their Cities, to prevent Surprizes from
their Rcpijfj Fellow Citizens, were nothing but
Barbarity, Impiety and Sacrilege. InaWord^ fays
the Author of the Edid of Nant^^ All their Pro-
ceedings were Vilify d. with all the Malice itiiagi"
nahle-i by Writers and Orators^ in order to engagg
the Catholicks the more to their Ruin I thinks con-
tinues he, this General Remark will be fujjictcm :
I thought it necejfary^ leafi People might be imposed
itpon by the Stile of thofe D^ys. is there no Period
of Time, when the like Reproach, the like Ma.
lice of one Guilty Part of a Nation againft ano-
ther Innocent one were thus pra^lis'd*, their Ani-
ons mifreprefented, their Arguments wrefted, odi-
ous Diftindlions given them, the Pulpits and tl->e
Prefs at War with them. Thefe were the Me-
i6B The Secret Hijlcry
thoJs the Jefaits made ufe of in Franee to cleftroy
the Proteftants. Huw th.y fucceeded, this Hiftory
will fhew in the Sequel.
An eve'U that fell out foqn after the Kirg's re-
turn from Pau to Bowdeaux^ fjie-vs the Pc vvcr the
Tavcurite had over him, and the flavifh Subjection
of the Courtiers to him. Monfieur de Bpffompierre^
one of the mjft Gallant Men of his Time, had in-
finuated himK:lt io far into his Mafter's Favour,
that Liunes conceived an incuraMe Jealoufy of him,
?jid would not let the King be eafy till hie got him
to al:er hisCondu6l towards him. ^Accorditv'y all of
a fadden, when he waited on his Majv-^fty, he was re-
ceiv'd very coldly ; he who us'd to Ipeak to him
with equal Freedom and Gaiety, faid, ylre you in
Earnej} bir^ cr is it only for the J eft fake^ thai you
fecm ^Ingry with me ?' The King reply 'd. gravely,
/ am not An^ry rvithyou; and immediately turn'd
frum him ^ Baffompierre went prefently to the Duke
de Luines waio received him fo iji, that he no lon-
ger donbted of a Defign againfr him at Court,
1 \\t Cardinal de Ret:^^ and the Count de Schomberg^
let him know that the Duke ^e /.z«V?5J complain 4
pf him, ar^d when Baffanpierre defir'd to come to
an EcLiirci([r;:cm on the Matter; the main Caufe
uf it was found to be his gaining Ground daily
in n^Q King s good Graces. The Favourite \v:.s re-
folv'd to ruin him or make him leave the Court.
One would have thought that thofe good Graces
of his Majefty might have been his Prpteflion, but
irftead of that he had the Comfort to hear him fry,
Do.i't 'Troulde thy filf. tah no Notice cf it, Baf-
jompierre was told fhar Luines cou'd not bear him
at Court, aiid that he maft think of leaving it
out of Hand. The Gallant Lorralmr refolv'd at
firil; not to fubmic to his unjuft Banifhment, but
his Friends reprefented to him that all Oppofition
' would be to no Purpole. He who had as much
Cunning as Gallann-y. tliought it his be/1 w^ay to
comply \vith an Ambitiou^ Favourite, who had the
entire (/overnmenc of his iVlafter,and that he might
WX be ruin'd paft recovery, to come to Terms with
' ^ ' hinij
^/FRANCE. 169
limj. The Duke de Luines propos'd to him to go
AmbafHidor Extraordinary to Spain : Bajfompierre^ to
oblige hiiTi, accepted of the Ambaffy, and they ha-
ving afterwards^ a Meeting about it, / nrnfi own^
plalrdy to yoii^ fays Luines meanly and ridiculondy,
/ am like a Husband who's afraid of being a Cuckold^
1 cant endure thap a Gallant Man (hndd make Love
to my Wife \ I Ihall alw-iys have an hjUem and Friend-
JJiip for you^ but 'tis on Condition that you do not en-
deavour to infinuate ycrrfelf too far into the King^s
Favour* Luines after liiatcarry'd him to the King's
Apart nent by whom he was gracioiifly receiv'd^
the Favourite Ihewing that blatters were made up
between them. Here's an Image of a fovereign
Genius \ Here's a Mafter of a Powerful Monarchy
that dares not Love or Hate hut ?.s his Minion plea-
fes. Happy the People whofe Religion, whofe Li-
berties, whofe Properties are at the Pleafure of
fuch a Prince. Good God ! Was there ever an In-
ftance of fuch Weaknefs ? Lewis not only Reigns,
but Smiles* and Frowns as his Favourite Will have
him -i a Favourite, of whom at the Bottom he is him-
felf weary, and w^hom the leaft Breatli of liis
Mouth would reduce to the meaiinefs of fc OrU
gin.
' The Court having performed that Notable Ex-
pedition to Bearn^ and finding the Proteflants fo
intimidated, that they durft not ftir upon it, kept
po Mea'ures with *ein^ and inftead of receiving
Ithe Remonstrance (;f the AiTembly at Rochelle^ or
the Petition of their Deputies General *, the for-
mer was in a manner prcfcrib'd, and the latter re-
fas'd Audience. This at lad made the AfTembly
befperate;, thty feiit Circular Letters to the Pro-
vinces order'd their Places of Secutity to be For-
tify'd, rai^'d Money, and chofe Generals to Head
their Troops if occafion reqair'd. I have not Pa-
tienciS with ihe cLtrnal Eulogies given by the Au-^
jthor of the Life of londeur duPlejfis Aiornay^to
the unparallerd Wifdom of that Gentleman, who
wou'd never con fen t to the Froteflants taking ArnT;;
till it was too late j who was for giving away every
I70 The Secret Hiflory
thing by degrees, rather than come to Extre-
niites. Whereas it was very plain that no Com-
pliances wou'd fave that Religion, which a Vigo-
rous, Un.imimous, and timely Keiiilance might have
maintain'd to this Day.
Tht Marefchal de Bouillon^ and the Marquis de
la Force were alfo for Submiflion to the King's or
rather to the Favourite's Will. Not half of the Lords
of the Reform'd Religion fell in with the AfTembly,
and a i^arty thus divided, cou'd not hope of prevail-
ing avianiit one Superior to tliem in every Thing ;
four times their Number, pofTeiVd of the Riches and
Strength of .he Nation. However, Affairs wereDef-
perate they would not be deftroy'd without Refift-
ance, and they could but be deflroy'd with it ^ if the
Caution of du PleJJiT^ and the Private Views of,
others of their Chiefs had not raised fuch fatal
DivifioRs ^ if they had with one Voice re(olv*d to
defend their Edi<fts, and been as Tnduftrious to Dif-
unite their Enemies, as their Enemies were tocaufe
Difunion among them, the Proteftant Caufe in
France had not been fuch a loft one as it not long
after prov'd to be. The Count de Soijjons ill fatis-
fy'd with the late Accomodation, the Dukes de
Mayenne and de Longiteville {'oHicited the AfTembly
to form a new Confederacy to oppofe the Favourite,
Monfieur du Plejfis was againll truftin^^ them ^ fo
the Proteilants refolv'd to do their Bufinefs them-
felves, and not accept of any AfTiftance. A Shallow
Policy 1 If they had fecur'd thelntereft of thofe
Lords on their fide, the Court would foon have
given them the Terms they delir'd. The Favourite
having fo many Ememies to flruggle with, wou d
not have long continu'd the Reform'd in the Num-
ber of them ^ and thofe Catholick Lords ought as
well to have fufpeded the F:Iugonots ^s x\\Q Hzigonots
to have fufpecfted them. The AfTembly ofFer'd the
Marefchal deLsfdifj^uieres the Command of an Army
of2ooooMen, and to pay him looooo Crowns a
Year in any Proteftant City of Europe he fliou'd
name; but the Marefchal in Expectation of the Con-
(tabled Sraftj promis'dhim by JD^ng^am^ had fold his
0f FRANCE. 171
Honour and Confcience to the Court, given them
A Ifu ranees of changing his Religion, and of heading
Troops againft the Proteftants, when there was Oc-
tafion.
It was very necefTary that the Reform d ihou*d
not beheve Lefdifguleres had abandoned them *, It
w^ju'd have diicourag'd the AlTcmbly and the Pro-
vinces . the former therefore made new Inftances to
him to fide with them, to mediate powerfully for
them with the Mmiftry, or to lead their Army
if a War was inevitable. Lefdifguitres reply'd ,
the Affembly were in the wrong to be fo frighted,
and to make fuch a Buftle-, neverthelefs he cali'd
God to Witnefs to his Zeal for the Welfare of the
Reform d Churches of France^ and admonifh'd them
to Sepera^e, I will remain faithful to you^ {a'^s he,
andferve the Church of God while 1 have Breath to
draw in that Religion Iprofefs, At the fame time were
there Irtreagues between him and the Court for
Ms cnv:r lion, and the Office ofConftableof fo?7fc?
being to be reviv'd by the King, he declar'd he re-
tarded it in Favour of theMarelchal d^ LefdifguiereSj
whereas in truth Luines got the Revival of it
with intent to have it himfelf ; but he was afraid
to (how the French that {o envy*d a Dignity was
teviv'd purely for the Sake of a Favourite of fo lit-
tle Merit, efpecially as a Soldier. The King, who
really intended the Staff for Lefdifguleres^ order 'd
his Commiffion to be fent him •, but Luines faid.
It woud he enough for the Vrefent to fend, him a
Brevet cnly^ and difpatch'd Bullion ^ a Creature of his,
to perfwade Lefdifguleres to accept of the Title of
Marefchal General, with the Pay of 5000 Crowns
a Month, for which he fliou'd not be oblig'd to
change his Religion. But alas, that was of no
weight in fo Important a Cafe as the PofTeffion of
the Conftable's Staff. Lefdifguleres difTembled his
Relentment, that his Name had been made ufe of
to revive a Dignity for Luines ^ and giving vvay to
the Perfwafions of D cage ant ^ and his ^Nt^q Mary
Vignon^ he came to a Refolution to accept of tlic
Favourite's offer. In the mean time the Bifhop of
\ â– â– â– â– â– â– :.'â– 'â– - Lucs/i
172 The Secret Hifiory
Lucon prefs'd for the Execution of the Secret Ar-
ticle of the Treaty, by which he wa? to have a
Cardinal's Cap after the Archbifhop o^Touloufe was
provided with one : which beii.g done, Richlieu be-
gan to grow Troublefome to h^-e his at the No-
mination of France. The Couit in Appearance was
difr\tisf;y'd, that Mie Ice had not given a more
Satisfa^if ry nfwer to tiie Marquis de Cavvre ths
French Amoaffador on that Head. The Ivlarqaifs
was not lei into the Secret: Dv.f^es. jealous of the
a(^ive and afpiring Ger:iu*i of Ric:.h€:>^ did not care
to fire it too much, by Clothing him \r;ith the j^^-
jK.7« Purple, and Intimatior was given to the Car-
dinal Nephew that whatever Sol 1 1 citations tiie Am-
bafTador us'd to obtain the Hat for the Biihop of
Lncon^ the King wou'd be better pleas'd if it was
not granted him. The Marquis having prefented
feveral Memorials on that Subie^t, and receiving
an Evafive Anfwer, at lail threatened the Court of
Rome with his Mafter's Refentment of fuch a Corn-
tempt put on his Recommendation-, and talking after
the fame Manner at an Audience of his i-'olinefs, the
Pope fhew'd him a Letter from the Duke de Lmnes
wherein it was faid that the King wou*d be better
pleas'd if Richlieu had not the Hat than if he had
it •, C&vvre in a Rage, to be thus made a Fool by
the Favourite, demanded to be recall'd, but means
were found out to make him eafy in his AmbafTy
and to keep him where he was. The Favourite
continued to complain of the little Difference paid
to Lems by the Court of Rome with refpeft to
the Bifhop of Luco-ns Hat:^ but Lvcon law thro' the
Difguife, and rightly imagin'd that his Holinefs
would not be fo ObfLinate i^" there was' not a Col-
lufion in the Matter. Lejdifguieres having Permif-
fion to Profefs the Refir/nd Religion^ till the Con-
ftable's Staff was given him, cou'd not help (how-
ing a Concern for its Prefervation, wJiich w^s un-
derftood at Court as a Blind only, and did not give
him that Chara^^ter there, which he expe.^ied from
the Infiuence he pretended to have over the Pro-
teftantSo i^uines depended on the Management of
^/FRANCE. I7J
the Tfaytor Deageanty who had aain'd the Con-
fidence of Lefdifyuieres and his Wife. The maiti
Inftrument of heageants's Power over the Maref-
chal, was a Cinplnin of his who being a Pro-
teftant, difcover'd all the Secrets of the Party to
him, by which means he knew how to Counter-
work any Defigns to engage L^fdif^uleres to conti-
nue firm in the Interefts of the Hugonots, Dea-
gednt obtain 'd a ikief for that Minifter from the
Pope, who allow'd him to perform the Functions
of his Miniftry Three Years longer, on Condition
he Ihou'd neither Preach againft the Doctrine of the
Komijh Church, nor AdminKier the Sacraments ac-
cording to the manner of the Reform A, Such
was the Damnable Hypocrify of the Court oiRomc^
fush the Hellifh Treachery of fome of the Hugo^
nots, Alas ! Where is there a Nation that the
Temptations of the Court have no Power over •,
Where ^a People Proof againft Bribery and Cor-
ruption ? Do not we lee Principle and Confcience
fold daily, and why fhou'd we fo much admire
at it in others, who have among our felves fo
many Inftances of the fame Vice, which this Hil-
gonot Minifler is charg a with.
The Duke da Luines having fo far wrought by
his Agents, that Lefdifguieres con Tented to be him-
felf a Petitioner to the King for the Conftable*s
Staff for the Favourite, the Marefchal went to
Paris *, the Motive of his Jorjrney was a mighty
Miftery, but upon his Arrival, 'twas known it
was to refign his Pretences to that Staff to Lu-
tmsy whofe Jealoufy not being cur'd by that Re-
fignation, he refolvd to have him Arrefted, and
communicated his Defign to Veageam^ who de-
pending now more on the Marefchal dc Lefdifgui-
eres^ than on the Conftable de Luines^ appeared
in an extraordinary Emotion, when Luines pro-
pos'd it to hmi. Stab me to the Hearty fays he,
If VQU will not fuffer me to give Monfieur de Lef-
diiguicres Notice of the Defign form'^d againjl him.
What Advantage will an ji^ion be to you^ which
is fo Injurious to the Kings Reputation-i which may
perhaps
174 -^^ Secret Hiftory
ptrhaps ruin his Affairs^ and bring on your [elf an
Eternal Infamy. The Ouke hearken'd to his Coun-
fel, and Deageant promis'd not to difcov^r the
Secret,
On the 22d o^ June^ i6ii^ was the Ceremony
of Enregiftring the New Conftable's Patent per-
form'd, the King, the Duke of Anm^ the Lords
of the Court, particularly the Marefchal General.
de Lefdlfguieres aflifted at it^ and Two Days after
a Declaration was publifh'd of the King's Intenti-
on to. reduce the AfTembly ^t Rochelle to Obedi-
ence by Force, which fo terrify 'd the Deputies^
that they grew very defirous of a Treaty. But
the Court con Tented to one only to gain time
to provide Money and other KecefTarics for the
War ^ and when the People thought an Accom-
modation was at Hand, the King left Varis^ and
remov'd to Tours^ where he immediately order'd
the Offices of the Receijpts of his Revenues, to be
remov'd out of the Reformed Cities ; turn'd the
Marquis de la Force out of his Government of
Bearn^ banifh'd the Marquis's Son, who, at the
fame tinte had no fmall fhare of his Favours from
Court, and (ent the Dnke d' Epernon into Bearn^
to make a Conqueft of that Principality:, eafily
cffeded, when there were no hopes of Succours for
the miferable Bearnois. The Court being refolv'd
Upon a War^ tlie AlTembly at Roche lie were not
of Opinion, that the Proteftanp Religion oblig'd
them to ftand (iill, and offer tlieir Throats to their
Enemies Poinards. They confider'd their Strength,
and how to make the beft ufe of it. To which end
the Proteftants of France were divided into Eight
Circles and Commanders appointed over each Cir-
cle, as follow.
The
^/FRANCE.
17^
The Ifle o^ France;]^
Normdndy,
^ Picardy^
^ Feaujfe^
The Firft Circle, Berry^
confifling of Anion,
Terchey
Tourain,
Defign'd for the
Duke de Bouillon^
who was alfo of-
fer'd to be Genera-
!>/;jy/W(? of the whole
Reformed Forces,
but he excus'd him-
fclf on account of
his Age,
corilifting of
Poi'^ou^ ) To be CommarKl-
the Duke ds
uke
The Second Circle, ^'"4"'^!.% \f^;^.^ ,,,,
and Ifle of \^e ^<?te's Brother
Bouchard.
jingouwois^ 1^
TheThird Circle, Saintonge^ 7 By the Duke de U
confifting of And ^ Trlmoullle.
The Iflands.)
TheFourth Circle, Lowfr GuylBy the Marquis ^e
confifting of eme, J la Force,
fi^oTT-m, r';K^io Bearm^^r)dj By the Marquis
The Fifth Circle, Depen- W. J— Son to the
conhfting of ^^^^J^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ i^ p^^^^^
theSi.tl.Circle, f^Xetl^^y the Df del.
confiftingof p,,Guyenl\ ^'^'''
Lower Languedoc^
the Csven'{
The Seventh Circle, ^^j, GlvawJ^
confiding of dan^ and
Fivaretr,
By the Marquis^ff
Chatitlom
The
t']6 Th Secret: Hifiory
Burgundy^ ^ By tlie Marcfchaf
The Eighth Circle, Frovencej ( de Lefdifguieres^
confining of And Cfromwhomitcou'd
Daiiphine. â– â– not be taken.*'
• â–
Rochelle wa? made a Particular Circle ^a'rt
from the reft, and left to the Government of the
Mayor. Here we fee a Form of a Settlement,
which had little elfe befides the Form. The Three
nioft Powerful Circles were left to Commanders,
who wou'd nota6l, and of all of them, there was
only that of Upper Guyemie whicii made any Re-
fiftance in the Firft Year of the War. We ha\ie
feen how Moniieur du Plcjjls A^fornay temporiz'd ^
we have given many Inftances of his Over-Cautious
Temper : He has a Character of Frobity and Wif-
dom, otherwife wou'd one not think he had !nte-
refts to manage with the Court, or he wou'd not
have ftood out till he was turn'd out of his Govern-
ment,, one, of the Bulwarks of the .Froteftants in
France, The Duke de Bouillon.^ tho' he wou'd not
take on him any Command, gave the AfTembly
good Advice, and particulary as to theii* taking
Care of Saumur, into which he advis'd them to
put 5000 Men; which being neglefted, the King
fcnt aMeflage to du Piejfts, to draw out his Gar-
rifon, he intending to come and Lodge in the
Caftle. This being done, he was told his Majeily
deh^n'd to keep it Three Months, and indexed du
Tkjfis was never reftor'd to his Government, which
was given to the^ Coni>t de Saidx^ Grandfon to
Lefdifguieres^ and a pretended Proteftant, bat the
Garriibn was Popijh. I fhall not enter into the
Particulars of this War; the Treachery and Cow-
ardice of the Hugonot Officers, and the Defer tion
of their Generals, made the Work eafy for the
King's Forces : The Towns open*d their Gates ^s
faft as they approach'd to them, and only St. Jean
d" Ar.gsh and MovtAuhan ftood on their Defence:
The Glorious Refiftance made by the latter, fhews
that if th^ other Lords had been as Zealous and
of F R A N C E. tyf
,as Brave as the Duke ^^ Roht^r;, the Proteflants
mighc have compelld their Enemies to ohferve the
many Edi6\s that had been Sworn to by this King
and his Father. Infread of which, the MarquilTes
de Chafillon^ and de la Force^ were gain*d by Lu-
ines to /land Neuter. The Duke de BouUlo'a was
the lame, as alio the Duke^^ la Trlmouille'^ and
the Marefchal de Lefdifguieres having bully'd the
Aifenibly at Rcch'elle^ ofter'd toX'ommand the Ar-
my that the King wou'd lend againft thofe of the
Religion which had been To ferviceable to him in
his Advancement The King having laid Siege to
St. Jean d\ Arigelt^ ai^I taken it, thought to iiave
done the hm^ by Mo-ntauhan., which defended it
(elf fo' well, that after the Lofs of above 8coo
Men, and among the reft the V:)\}.kQ. de Afayzmie^
the King atid Conftable were forc'd to raile the
Siege ;, a great Slur upon the^ving's Glorious Cam-
paign, in which he had taken Fifty Towns that
had not Fir'd a Gun in their own Defence.
I fhall not incert the feveral Declarations and
Manifeilos publifh'd on one fide and the other. The
Court, to render the Proteftants Odious, pretended
they were againfl Monarchy, and defignd to fet
dp a Commonwealth n Roche He, This was the
Scandal the Papifts blacken 'd the Reform d witb^
and reprefented em as fit only for Deftrue^ion^
oil account of their Antimonarchical Principles,
tho' *tis well known, that the Hug:n ts have been
the moft Loyal of any of the S ibjecls -of France^
ever lince the Reformation. But as it was then,
fo has it been fince, the Pradlice of the Papijis
and their Abettors. When a ftop is put to their Per-
fecution and Cruelties, The Church is immediately
in Danger : When Arms is taken for the Mainte-
nance of Laws and Liberties, *tis Rele'iion : When
Religion or Rights are Vindicated by Argument,
'tis Sedition. Such is the UTige that True Proteftants
are every where to expe<fl: from their /idverfaries.
The Difgrace that the King met with before
Ado-niauban^ was imptited to the Conftable de Lu-
ines's want of Valour and Experience, and the
N Mur-
178 The Secret Bipry
A'^urmiirsagainft his Tyranny encreafs'd daily. The
King himfelf, either out ot the Inconilancy of his
Temper or the goodnefs of his Nature, would
have been glad to have given hisSubjecls the Pleafure
of feeing this his Skilful Falconer fent to catch Birds
again. When his Majeiiy was at Cogmc in Guyenne^
Luines one Day came to the Caftle in great Pomp,,
his Guards and his Sniffers march'd before him,
and the Principal Officers of the Army behind
him, Lewis was (landing at the Window, and
being without Attendance, was piqu'd at the
Pompous enterance of his Favourite into theCaftle,
telling Baffompierrey who flood by him, There
comes the King^ Bajfompisrre artfully reply'd, No^
Sir^ 'tis a Conftahle bclov'd by his Mafier^ who
expofes to the Eyes of the People the Bounty and
Power of the Frince who rais'd him. Lewis took him
np, faying, J'ou dont know him^ he thinks I owe all
the reji to him *, dnz.z.1 d with his Fortune^ he woud fet
â– up for King^ hut I Jb all take care to hinder him, Baf-
fompierre anfwer'd, Tou are unhappy Sir^ to have
fuch Fancies enter into your Head.fuchfort of Jealoujies
as this will not hurt Monfeur the Con/iable ; and your
doing tne the Honour of this Confidence may perhaps
need your Majeftys Protection one of thefe Days ; you
may fall out one with another ^and you will fo on befriends
again* What will be the End of it f 7 he fame that
hippens to Men and their Wives when they Quarrel^
they a^rec together to turn off tlje Servants that were
xpitneps of it *, you will teH Monficur de Luinesf/?^?
you difcoverd your DiJJ'at is faction to me and others^
and we fijall he the FiEhiins, Your A^ajefy may re-
member th At his Imaginingonly that you had a Kimnefs
for me J was almofl the caufe of my Rum lafiTear,what
will he not do^ifbe flwud know what you have nowfaid
to me ? The King Swore he would never fpeak a word
of it to his Favourite, the' they (hould be as good
Friends as ever. / have told my mind^ fays Lewis,
only to father Arnoux fay nothing of it to him, keep
it Secret till I permit you to tell it. There's no need^
Sir J reply'd Baffompierre-^ to command me to hold my
TonguSy my fortuns and my Lifi depend upon it.
Luines
of FRANCE. 179
Luines had not a Party to fupport bim*, the Court
Lords and ih^ Lords in the Provinces, out of En-
vy to his prodigious Greatnefs, were all ready to
contribute to his Fall. The croud of Officers tiiat
furrcunded him at the Entrance into the Caftle of
Cognac would have abandon'd him at orce, if the
King imJ had the Courage to have Frownd upon
him ^ all his Greatnefs would have vanifh'd like a
Dr«^am, and this Objea of Envy been in a Mi-
Dute an Objed of Contempt, Yet had not Levoii
the Xlllth, RefoUuion enough to afTert his own
/iUthority, and tho he himfelf wasone of the Enviers^
of theFoitune he had himfelf made,yet he was forc'd
to kt it be a Canker to bis Mind, and to let his Envy
feed upon it as favenoufly as it did upon his Cour-
tiers and Servants.
Levois was not, one wou'd think, a Prince Born
to raife the Grandeur of the French Monarchy
to a height it had not known lince the Reign
q{ Charles the Great , he wiio did not dare to
let one of his Subie(^s know that he cou'd Love
him no longer ^ yet ^o it was, and all his De-
light was to rail at him to thofe who had Cou-
rage enough to hear it, I fhall inftance in a
Faliage or two more of this kind, which will
give one a lively Idea of Lexvis's Weaknefs and Ir-
refolution. King James the Firft of England had
teen iht danger the Reformed Church of France
was in, with the fame temper of Mind as he had
concerned himfelf in the Fate of his Son-in-Law
thQ King of Bohemia^ expell'd from that .Kingdom
and !iis Hereditary Dominions the Palatinate. He
was Deaf to the Clamours of his Subjects, and wou'd
aliift neither the Palatine nor the Huginots'^ his
food Offices he cou'd not deny them, and his Am-
affadors were always running up and down to no
purpofe. This Pacifick Monarch w'as well knowni
-^n all the Courts o^Et^rope^ and their Negotiations
were taken no more no*-^ce of than they defervVl,
being in the Name of a Prince who abhor'd Action,
without which Counfel isfeldom Succefsful in emer-
gencies. Purfuant to his ufual method, the Ki'ng
N ^ ^f
I So The Secret Hiflory
q{ England^ inftead of Succour, Tent a Scotchmm^ the
Lord Hay^ to intercecd for the Proteftants of France,
King L^vris was then before Montauhany and feeing
the AmbaiTidor going to Lmmi\ Lodgings, he (aid
to Bajj'omplerre and Puifieux Secretary, of State, He
is going to have his Audience of KinghmwQS, Baffom^
pierre was furpriz'd to hear the King fpeak*fo free-
ly before a Third Perfon, and made as if he did not
underhand his meaning. There's no fear <?/ Puifieux,
(iiys his Majefty, He's in the Secret. Bajfompierre
anfwer'd, Tou thinks there's no need to fear any'Thing^
and I am certainly ruin'd, Aicnfieur de Puifieux is
as tmerous as the Chancellor his Fa- her '^ HeH con-
fcfs all to the Confiable at the firji Word^ and thofe
that are iiJ the Secret will he difgracd. Be fatisfyd^
fays the King, Smiling, I will Anfver for Puilieux*
Notwithftanding Xeip/V had given this Politick Lor-
rainer his Word, he was loath to rely upon if,
and to fecure hiiiifelfon the lid e of the Conftable,
he thought it befi: to give him a hint to ftand
upon his Guard with refpedl to his Behaviour to-
wards the King, Give me leave Sir, faid he to
LuineSy to reprefent to you d's yoiir moji humble Ser*
vam.. that you are a Httle^'teo'Carelefs of the Kings
Favrur '^ he thinks himfelf at -Age^ he grows daily
more acquainted with Bujinefs.^ more Attentive^ more
Diffident^ and conjequemly ynu ought to cultivate
his g/^od Graces with more affiduity then ever ^ Be-
fideSj he is inccjfantly loading you with Favours^ which ^
requires greater Achwwkdgrnents. For God's Sake take
care , and-Pardon me for the Liberty I take, you fee
^t is only an Eff^e5l of n.y Zeal for your Service, Luines
Thank*d Bajjompierre for his Franknefs, and feem'd
to take it kindly, 77/ cnfy tell you, added the Con-
ftable, that I know the Kmg^ and as I knew how to
gain his Favcur knovp how to keep it ; I mufi put him
a tittle out of Humour fometim^es^ it ferves rather to
augment, tha?: to diminij/j his FriendJ/jip to me. Up-
on which I met withthefe K«ffledions, fo agreeable
to certain other Inftances in Hiilory, that I cannot
think the Reader will be difpleas'd to have them
tranilated from the French Author to the Letter.
Baf
/
o/F R A N C E. i8f
^^ Baffompierre faw then that Lutnes was like other
^^ Favourites, thefe Men lelieve their Fortune is'
' Fix'd and Eternal-, they do not perceive their
'' Difgrace till the Prince fays the Word , Lwnes
'^ was blind to what every one elfe faw" plainly.
*^ His Mafler continually compl'ain'd ot, hiiii, yet
^' he remained in wonderful Itidolence" King LtwW
carry'd his Spite to the Conftable fo far, that he
told him, the Duke de Chevnv[e was in Love witii
his Wife, and that the Lady was not infenfible.
He did this on purpofe to vex him, tho* 'tis pro-
bable the FaiH: was true enough, for not long after
the Conflable's Death the Duke marry'd her. T\\^
King confefs'd He took Fleafure in being rsvengd of
an Ingrate^ by vexing him as he had done with
this Story. In fix Weeh time, added he, I mil make
him difgorge all he has taken from ?nt\ This is the
Prince whofe Wifdom and A^alour the Flatterers of
France have recorded as the wonder of his Age^
this the Hero for whom they cou'd find fo many Pa-
rallels in Hiftory, who glories in the Revenge he
had taken of his Favour, by telling him he v/as a
Cuckold. To what Divinities do iome Men raife Al-
ters, but their Sacrifice is as bafe as the Deities to
whom it is oflfer d.
The Miniftry of Luines^ like that of other fuch
Favourites, affords great variety of Examples of In-
gratitude to Benefa<ri:ors. As foon as any Courtier
conceiv'd ho^esof Efcablifhing hunfelf ni the King's
Favour, he no longer had regard to the Favou-
rite that introduced them Rutellai^ the Jtalian, was
faft Friend to the Marefchal D' Ancre^ upon hiS
Death he was Zealous for the Inter efl: of the
Qpeen Mother, Being difgufled at her Court, he
otfer'd him (elf to Lulne^^^ who knowing his In-
triguing Spirit, accepted of hi^ Service, and adn-iiLed
him into his Conhdence.
Du Perron^ Archbiihop o^Srm dying, Luines re-
commended Rucellat to that Bilhoprick *, Arnoupc^ the
King's ConfefTor, thinking himfelf a greater Fa-*
vourite than he foon after foun'd he was pretended
%o oppofe his Promotion out of Confciencc. The/^i-
N I li^n
I §2 The Secret Hiftory
flan being a Man of Amorous as well as Political In-
trigues, the King who was a Bigot every way gave
the Bifhoprick to another, and the Favourite to be
reveng'd of Armtix^ demanded his Banifhment
from Court, which his Majefty had not Refolution
enough to deny, tho' 'twas his Confidence in the
Jefuit that made the Conftable his Enemy.
Lumesh^A r\(jt enjoy'd that High Dignity Eight
Months when he fell Sick of a Malignant Fever, and
dy'd at the Siege o^ Monhttrt'm Guyer2?7e^ the 14th of
December \62\, What was the Confequence of
the Death of this Prodigy of Fortune? Such as
will furely attend the Death of all Favourites without
Viitue or Merit. His Maftef iliow'd not the lead
Concern for the lofs of him, his Moveables and
Equipage were pillaged before the Breath was fcarce
oat of his Body , infomuch, .that there was not a
Sheet left to Bury him in; 'tis faid, the Abbot
Rucelhi gave Money' to Embalm his Corpfe and
tranfport it to the new Durchy of Luines, He had
Two Surviving Brothers, the Dukes de Chauhies and
de Luxe mburgh. Did neither of thefe whole Fortune
lie had made, dare to be at the ex pence of the
Funeral .^ Cou*d there be fuch Ingrates in France .<*
Let the Scene be laid where it will, as Toon as an
unworthy Favourite is no more, fuch may he expert
will be the treatment his Memory will meet with.
There vverefo many Libels and Lampoons publifh'd
againfl Luines wheti he was Dead, that they made
a pretty large Coile(f^ion-, never was any Man 'io
vilify *d, fo abus'd, if a Man can be faid to be abus'd
of whom the Truth itfelf mufl be an Inveftive.
His SuccefTors in the King's Favour were fo far
from g'.ving a Check to the Satyr which appear'^
againft him, that the Flatterers who courted them,
thought it the fureft*way to their Favour.
Upon the Death of Luines^ the Prince of ComU
made all poflible hafte to Bourdeaux where the
JCing flay a fome time, in hopes to make his Market
of the Vacancy of a Favourite, The Two Cour-
tiers wbo feem'd to have moft Power over the
King, were the Cardinal dc Rttz. ard the Count
d^
of ¥K A N CE. igj
t!e Scymbergy who infinuated to him, that now
-was the Time for him to take the Reins into his
own Hand, and that he fhou'd only confult fome
Perfons whom he cou'd cc^nftde in. This Flatter-
ing Advice pleafing his Majefty, the Advifers pre-
fently appeared to have mod Authority with him,
and with the New Keeper of the Seals. De Fie
manag'd every thing at Court. The Management
they knew wou'd fall to their (hare, if they cou'd
keep the King in this Mind, and prevent his dif-
fering again a fmgle Favourite. The Marefchal
de Crequi^ the Marerchals de Prajlin, de Ch:vJ?7es^
Baffompierre and fome other great Officers, for
whom the King had an Eiiet-m , did their ut-
moft to hinder the Eftablilhment of this New
Miniftry. They knew it was of Abfolute Necefli-
ty for them to prevent it in time, for if they fhou'd
fuflfer it to be ever fo little fix'd, it wou'd not
be eafy for them to gain upon a Princes Affe£li-
ons, who gave them entire if he gave them at all.
They therefore refcilv'd tocrofs it m its Infancy.
Baffopjpieryey who had the poUteil: and gayeft way
of Talking in the World, alarmed this Triumvi-
rate^ and they found he wou'd be too hard for
them, if they cou*d not remove him from Court,
which they therefore endeavour'd, under pretence
of leaving him to Command in Guyenne, in Qiia-
lity of Lieutenant General : But he had the Skill
to ward the Blow, by telling his Ma jelly he had
rather be near his Perfon, and di (charge his Office
of Colonel General of the Swifs^ than have the
other, tho' it was fo Honourable.
His Majefty was now in his Two and Twen-
tieth Year, the Year in which our late Glorious
Monarch delivered the Sever. provi?Jces from an
Invader, that by Niunbers and Treachery had pe-
netrated into the very Heart of Ho/land. What was
the Bravery, what tiie Conduil of that Immortal
HERO^ Did he give himiclf to the Govern-
ment of Minions ? Did not his own Head, his
own Heart and Hand, work tbofe Miracles for th.f
Deliverance of his Country ? Say not then, tiiat
N 4. Prince*
j84 The Secret Hijiory
Princes at that Age are incapable of Government :
Say rather, that the Prince who is then incapable,
will never le otherwife^ and that the Reiap of
JLexvls the Xlllth, was one continii'd Minority,
under which an Imperious Priefl: laid the Founda-
tion ot a moft hateful Tyranny, and mofl For-
midable Eivipire.
The Death of Lulnes^ as has been liiiited, hi-
ving given Rife to Two Parties at Court, the
Adilitary Aden, and the Men of Honour^ were for
making Peace with the Reform d. The Clergy and
the Men of the Robe, were for continuing the War.
The Prince of Conde finding the C:n'dinal de Retz.
^t the Head of the latter, fell in with them, not
doubting he ihou'd have the Superiority in a.Mi-
nifiry of To little Experience and Capacity. The
-weight of the Prince of Conde, turn'd the Scale
to their Side, and Ba(jompierre was obliged to fet
the King on all Occafions againfL them, the other
Lords of his Party not knowing how to do it,
and have it well taken, as any thing was from
iiim, his Wit and his /vlanner were fo agreeable.
Theie Lords, inflili'd into his Majefty an Aver-
fion to the Trimnviratey by reprefenting to hi'ii
that they protended to have him s? much in De-
pends nee as Luiues. That his Majefty was per-
petually teazd by them, and under Colour of State
AtFa-rs, That they were always intruding into
jiis Prefence. One Day as Lex^ts was about to
Play with his Courtiers before Supper, the Car-
dinal de Retz.^ Schcmhergy and the Keeper /of the
Seals enter'd the Room, Good God! faid the King
to BcJfot72pierre^ How trouhlefome thefe Hizn are f
lljey come to Tory'ient me when I am going to Di-
njen my felfy and frequently they have nothing to fay
to me Bajjc^-'pierrey who knew how to improve
all Opportunities, reply'd, How Sir^ do thefe Gen-
tlemen co.T.e without being fent for f Did they not
demand when Tour Mapjiy woud he at Lcifure to
confult with them^ about fome thing of which they
had hq^re given Notice ? The King anfwer'd, Noy
"Jhf^y iomc when they pleafe^ and very often when it
does
<?/ F R A N C E. i8s
does not pleafe me^ as at this time Jefus ! cry'd
Baffon'pierre, This is treating you Hks a Schocl-Boy ^
Vpbat do they fet up to be your Pedagogues^ to teach
you your Leffon when they think fit ? Sir, you jnujh
aU: like a King^ when you are on a Journey ^ and
come to any Flace^ a Secretary of State ought tq
acquaint Tour Aiajefty whether any thing has hap-
pened thap requires your Summoning a Council, Tou
then Name the Prefsnt^ or any other Tir.e^
which is , the mpji Commodious for you. If thefe
pentlemen have any ihing^ to fay to you^ they ought
to let you know what it is^ and wait Tour Order
for them to attend you. This was the King your
Father's way ^ take this Method^ and when thefe
Men come without being fent for^ e'en fend 'em
hack as they came. The King mightily pleas'd with
Bajfompierre's advice to exert his Royal Autho-
rity, made as if he did not fee tiiofe MiniHers
and entered into Dilcourfe with the Marefchal dl
Tra/iin. The Prince o{ Conde obferving it, went
to him, and faid, The Minifiers wait to enter in-
to Council, What Council^ Mo'nfieur^ faid his Ma-
jefly fomewhat angrily, / did not fend for them^
they I in ti^ne make m.e their Valet. Let 'em go
back if they will^ and cotne when I order them •,
they muji^ take my Time^ and not I theirs,. A Se-
cretary of State fjall every Day come and tell me
what has happen d^ afid as I think proper^ I will
order a Council to be Summon'd, For in Fine^ I
am Majier, Is it not pleoCmt, to fee how this
mighty Monarch has Tearnt the LefTon Bajfompi-
ffre h.is taught him, and makes ufe of his very
Words ? The Prince perceiv'd that the Lnrrainer
had put a Trick upon 'em, he went and inform'd
the Miniilers of it ; they w^ere extreamly morti-
fy'd, and to fave Appearances the Prince return-
ing to the King, told him, the Cardinal de Retz.y
tlv.^ Count de Schomberg. and the Keeper of the
Se-j's, w.re there as Si?nple Courtiers only. Adding,
^Ti ft Tear /y/ajefiy fiou'd at leaji fpeak one Word
to them, Soheadvanc'd towards tiiem, and faid,
MefSeyrs, / am goi-ag to Flay with this good Vom-
pany.
1 86 The Secret Hiftory
Veiny. So eafy was this Monarch, fb lightly did
he Love and Hate* Thofe that had his PeiTon,
had the Government \ and he gave himfelf almoft
to every Body that came at him.
During the Winter, feveral Councils were held
on the Affairs of the Hugomts. The Prefident Jean-
nin reprefented to the King with preat Force of
Reafon and Lloquencej the Danger and Injuftice
of continuing the War. The Queen Mother, the
Char.;:^!'cr de Silleri^ the Marefchal de Creqw^ iMon-
fieur B-'iffompierre^ and feveral others, were of the
fame Opinion with the Prelident. The Prince de
Conde, the Cardinal de Retz,^ the Count de Schom-
herg and their Cabal, were for fupprefling them by
Arms, which cou d rK)t have been done, had it not
been for the Divifions among them. Lejdifguieres is
no more to be look'd upon as one of tliem. The Circle
of Lower Languedoc having Elefted the Duke de
'Rohan their General, in prejudice of the Marquis
de Chatillon^ the latter, who had a great many
Friends, efpecially among the Proteftant Noble ffcy
obftrufted the Meafures they took to defend them-
felves. Lefdifguieres attack'd. and too|c the Places
belonging to the Reform'' d in iliQ Fivaretz^^ but put
Proteftant Governors into tiiem, depending entirely
upon himfelfj^ which did him double Service. It
amus'd the Reform' d^ with hopes that he wou d not
defert them, and made the Court more fcnfible of
the Neceility they were in to give him the Confta-
ble's Staff in exchange for his Converilon. The Cabal
finding the greateft Part c.f tiie Council were againft
the Continuance of the War, did not care to take it
wholly on themfelves, therefore a Treaty was, for
Form fake, fet a Foot. 'Twas managed by Lefdifgut-
erejand Rohan^ the former for the Court, and the
latter for the Proteftants. The Articles were as
<;ood as agreed on by them, confifling chietiy of
an A£l of Oblivion, a Confirmation of the Edi£ls,
and Satisfaftion to the Lords who had loft their
Places and Governments* The Prince of Conde
and his Party, reprefented to the King, that the
Demands of the Proteftants were Hxorbitant, and
that he oqght not to treat Y/ilh P^.ebeIs but with
Swor^
£!f F R A N C E. iPf
Sword in Hand. That the Duke deSouhix^e hai pof-
fefs'd himfelf of moft of the ftrong Holds in PoiEiou ',
That the Dukes de Montmerency and d? Guife^ cou'd
not togetiier make Head againft the Duke de Rohan,
and that if the Hugonots made Peace while their
Affairs were Flourifhing, it mufl be on fuch Terms
as wou'd tempt them to Rebel again on every llight
Occafion. This was enough to determine Lewi^ to
leave Paris^ and enter upon Adion in the Spring,
when it was expelled the Peace wou'd foon be con-
cluded. The King went out of the Back-Gate of
the Louvre about Eafter^ and Polled to Orleans, in
order to put himfelf at the Head of an Army. Hi^
Precipitate Departure alarm'd the whole City, and
every one thought there was fome great Myilery in
it. The Truth i5, the Cabal wou'd not let him
remain with Counfeliors that endeavour'd to infpire
him with Sentiments fuitabie to the Ju/lice and <Je-
mency of a Chriftian King. When he arriv'd at
Orleans^ they knew not which way he il ,ou*d march,
on the one Hand the Counts d^ Kochfaucault and
St. Luc wereprefs'd by Souhr^e, in PoiBou v on the-
other, the Duke de Rohan grew ftrong in Lower
Languedoc, It Vvas relolv'd therefore, to order th^-
Duke d' Epermn to joyn the T^vo Counts, and zCt
againft Soubiz^e. but d' Eymon had his Hands full
in Guymne^ and having iet his Heart upon reducin-^
or humbling the i?^dW/?r/, hewoii'd not go out ot'
his Government. The King k^^t him Orders up-
on Orders, but the Duke wou'd Obey none of
them. Here's the Loyalty of a Bigot, a Pmfi and
a French Man. U Epermn refused co Obey his iMi-
jefty's reiterated Commands, and did it at laft m
Terms that ftiew'd he valu'd not the Thrcatninas
which were to be the Puniihmentcf his Dil^.-bedience,
The King in a great Rage, march'd to Poic^cou in
Perfon, and having an Army twice as ftrong as that
ot Souhiz^e, the latter thought fit to retreat, which
t ^i?>" "^^ ^^ ^^ fuccefsfully, but that he loft the
beftPartof his Forces, and him.fdf, with Difficulty
efcap'd to Rochelle, attended by about loo Horfe'
Jhe Kmg exprefb'd fuch a Peiile to Fight the Hul
gonot
i88 7he Secret Hifiory
gonotSy that his Flatterers did not flick to compare
his pailing a Morafs in the Night, to the Emperor
Charles the Vth's pafTing the Elbe in fight of the
Enemy's Army, and Alexander's palling tiiQ Granieus
to Fight the Perfians, Nay, Baffo^jpierre himfelf
tells us, that Henry IV was not fo intrepid as his Son
Lewis the Xllfth : But as this A£lion is the moft
ihining of all his Adilitary Hiftory^ I think one had
better find out fome other Heroick Q^talities, both
for him and his Son, and afcribe Valour to the Houfe
o^ Bourbon J in the Navarre's and the Conde's only.
This Succefs of the Kings, fo animated the Court,
that when the Deputies brought him the Propoliti-
"ons of Peace, concerted betw-esn^^ Lefdifguiercsnidi
de Rohan^ they were refer'd to the Queen Mother
at Tarls^ and by her to the Chancellor Silleri^ to
delay Time, that the King might reduce Guyenne
and Langucdoc by Arms, which was render'd the
more eafy, by the Defertion of the Marquis de la
Force^ who, after a fnew of great Zeal and Refo-
iution in the Defence of the Religion he profefs'd,
traffick'd with the Court to betray it for a MareP
chal's Batoon, and 200000 Crowns in Money, as an
Amends for the Lofs of the Government of Beam,
and other Pofls pofTefs'd by him and his Sons. Thus
was the good Caufe of Liberty and Religion facri-
fis'd to Avarice and Ambition •, and thus it is that
the Court o^ France^ by Titles and Places, corrupted
thofe that called themfelves Lovers of their Country^
which, to the enflaving of themfelves and their Fel-
lov/ Subjects, they fo bafely betray 'd on fo many
Occafions. Not long after, the Marquis <^^ Chatillon
had alfo the Marefchars Baroon given him, and they
both furrendcr'd the places they or their Friends
held tu the King.
While his Majeity w^as in L^nguedoc^ whither he
march'd thro' Guyenne^ after the Viifbory obtain'd
over Soublx^e^ he heard the QjJeen Con Port and the
Qi-ieen Moti.er were comin;^ to give him a Vifit.
He appcinred the Meeting to be at lyons. During his
flay in that Province, ^heMiniilers were Cabal-
ling for the Superiority in the Miniilry : They not
â– ' only
^/FRANCE. 189
only made the King do what they pleas'd, they
made him love whom they pleas'd : and the Prince
of Conde^ the Cardinal de Retz., and the Count de
Schomherg^ohkx'^mg the Influence Monfieur Puifieux,
Secretary of State, gain'd daily over the King to
maintain themfelvesin their Miniflery, they refolv^d
to offer Monfieur de Baffompierre^ who was very
much in his Majefty's Favour, the Poft of Favou-
rite. Can any thing be more Merry, and yet Baf-
fampierre ix) his Journal, ro;«<r lI.afTuresus that both
at Saime Foi Agen and Maijfacj the firft Prince of
the Blood, the Cardinal and the Count, ferioully
offered him the Place of Favourite to the King ;
he afterwards tells us the very Difcourfe he had'
with the Prince of CW? on that Head, his Rea-
fons for refufing fo whimfical a Propofition, and
that his refufial made the Prince his Enemy.
Having fo often made mention of the Maref-
chal de Lefdifguieres and his intended Apoftacy
for the Conftable's Staff, which was the Temp-
tatiun that made him quit a Religion to which his
Morals were a I^ifgrace, it will not now be im-
proper to give the particulars of his Converfion and
Promotion to the firft Military Dignity in France.
He had been a little on the Pveferve ^R^ith the Court,
who knowing that it was in his Power to recover
the Affairs of the Reformed in Langusdoc^ and to
make their Deftruaion impraaicable, on which
they were paffionately bent, came at laft to a Re-
folution to give him* the Staff. Deageant was ordered
to tell him, that there was no Obltacle m his way
but his Religion, which he feem'd to part with
not very willingly, and, as if he did it more in Com-
phance with his Majefty's frequent Sollicitations
than for the fake of the Honour that was to be con •
fer*d on him, Lefdifguieres having given Affurance
that he was ready to renounce his Proteftantifm,
tiie Marefchal de Crequi his Son-in-Law was dif-
patch'd to him with his Patent for Conftable. The
Parliament of Grenoble were fentfor toafTlftat the
Farce that was about to be play'd •, the Magiftrates
and a numerous Affembly attended the new Con-
ftable,
1^6 The Secret Hijlory
f^able, and Crequl made him the following Speech.-
Sirj I have frequently acquainted you that the Kin^
wou'd Hontur you with the Conftahle's Staffs provided
ycft woud turn Catholick ; you have promised to de-
clare to me your intention^ J beg you to do it in the
Pre fence of thefe Gentlemen of the Parliament whom
I have defir'd to be Witveffes of your Anfwer. Sir^
reply*d Lefdlfguieres with great Gravity, I have al-
ways obeyd the King^s Order s^ I am a Catholick and
dlfpoid to do whatever his Majejiy fhxll pleafe to
command me. Then turning to the Magiftrates, he
faid, Come Gentlemen^ let's to Adafs. Such was the
Converfion of the Leaders of the Reformed m France.
The Duke de Sulll \n2l% indeed ofFer'd to be re^
ftor'd in his Foft of Superintendant of the Finances.
poffeiVd by the Couwide Schomherg^ if he wou'd
turn Catholick, but iic generouilyreje<5led the offer i
the fame did the Dukes ds Rohan and de Soubiz,ey
the latter went to England ah^r his Efcape to Ro-
chelle^to mediate Succor m a Court that was frighted
at the very Name of War, and the former with
extream vigor animated the Proteftants to* defend
their Religion in the Places that were within his
Circle. The Duke de Bouillon (Qewg the Papijls had
vow'd the Deftru^lion of the Reform d^ enter'd into-
a Negotiation with Count Mansfeldt^ who w^as re-
tir d out of Germany with an Army rais'd for ihe
Service of tlie King of Bohemia^ and was then oiV
the Frontiers of France ; but the Court having In-
timation of it, out-bid the Prote/lants, and Adanf-
fieldt led his Troops to the Netherlands^ where
they had no better Succefs than they had had in
Germa7:y: The Reformed being difappointed of thofs
expected Succours, Rochdle block'd up by the Count
de Soffonsy^nd A^IonpelUer b^fieg'd, the Duke de Rohan
began to cool in his Profecution of the War, and
to defire a Negotiation of Peace, which was made
the more eafy for that tne Cardinal de Retz. and
de ^7c, Keeper of the Seals, were lately Dead, and
the Prince of Conde had now no Body to fupport his
Intereft but the Count ^^ Schcmberg. He therefore
tiv'd it to tiie utmoil to get j4Ugrs made Keeper,
h\xl
^/FRANCE. 191
but by the Artifices of Ba[fompierre^ Caumartin had
the Seals given him ; The Prince of Condes Influence
in the Council daily diminifh*d, and with that the
Heat of the Court for Profecuting the War. Both
fides were weary ot it, and the Treaty that was re-
newed between the Conftable de Lefdifguieres and
the Duke de Rohan met with few Difficulties ; the
Prince of Conde finding it was not in his Power to
hinder the Peace, and that he had loft alJ his Au-
thority, left the Court under pretext of a Pilgri-
mage to our Lady of Lor^r/i?.
A few Days after he was gone, the Peace was
Proclaim'd in the Camp before MonpelUer the i^tli
of 05iober 1^22. and the Declaration Regifterd in
the Parliament of Pari/ the 22d of November, The
Articles were much the fame as had been granted
on the like occafion, the Edi6ls were again con-
firm'd, the Towns of fecurity continu a in Pro*
teftants Hands. There were to be no Political Af-
femblies of the Reformed without the King's Leave,
but Provincial and National Synods were allowed ^
by a Private Article the Duke de Rohan had a Million
of Li vres granted him,and a Penfionof looooCrowns
a Year as Satisfaction for the lofsof the Government
oiPoiEioUj and for that of 5r. Jean de Angell he had
the Government of iVT/^^/ej and Vfez. *, Soubiz^e's Pen-
fion was continued, SLudCalonge^ the Brave Gover-
nor of Montpellisr^ obtain'd one of 600© Livres.
Thus did thele Lords provide for themfelves as
well as for their Religion, which by the War
had loft its beft Barrier, no lefs than Fourfcore Places
were taken from them,- the Heads of that Party Dif-
pairing of recovering the Ground they had loft,
thought of reconciling themfelves to the Court,
and abandoning a Caule that was fo Defperate.
This Treaty was as ill obferv'd as the reft,
and what better cou'd be expelled when -the
Chancellor <a(e ^///^ry wrote to his Brother, then Am-
baffador at Ro^jw^ to afllire the Pope that it was
only the neceffity of the King s Affairs which made
him treat with the Hereticks, whom he wou'd not
fail to purfue witli Fire and Sword, and that he
had given em Peace only to Surprize and Deftroy
^hem tte more eafily, I
tp^ r/;^ Secret Hijiorj
I iliall not follow Lewis in his Progrefs to Avignon'^^
Grenoble^ and thence to Lyons to meet the Queens
as is above 4nention'd. Feftivals and Shows are no
part of Secret Hiftory, nor the Pompous Inflal-
ment of Richlieu in the Roman Purple in the Archi-,
epifcopal Palace of Lyons. The Qfieen Mother, whofe
Credit was greater at Court than it had been fince
the Death of D' Ancre.. did not give over prefiing the
King to procure the Hat for her Favourite till it
Vv^as obtained. He having received it, carry'd it to her
JVlajefly, and throwing it at her Feet, among other
Things told her. The Purple that he ow'd to her
Coodnejs^ wou^d rnake him always keep in remembrance
the Solemn ^cw which he made to fpend the lajl drop
of his Blood in her Service, Bear this in Mind
Header, this Solemn Vow of a T.om.an Cardinal
and Billiop, let us fee what is the Value of Fr^wd?
Vows, v\^hat the Dependance on the Faith of iucli
a Minifler. The Cardinal de Richlieu is to make
fo confiderable a Figure in the fequal of tliis Hi-
flory, that it will not be impertinent to be^a lit-
tle more particular in the Circumflances of his re-
ceiving this Dignity.
There was a French Gentleman at the Court of
Savoy ^ who had been forc'd to quit that of Fr^;?ce
by Reafon of fome Difguft he bad ^iven the Bifhop
of Lvcon ; thi? Gentleman who paTlionately dcHr'd
to be recopcil'd to the Bill.op, happen'd to be
in the Duke of Savo\f^ Pre fence when the Courier
who brought the News of the Promotion of Car-
dinals, diUver G him his I.cttsrs, which were im-
mediately opened to know the Names of thofe whom,
the Pope had promoted to the Purple. The Duke
read out the Names ofFour of the NewCardinals and ,
the Fifth being the Biiliop o{ Lucon, it came prcfently
into the Geiu;leman's Head, that if he cou'd carry
the Firft Nevv^s of it to the Bifhop, it might re-
ftore him to his Favour, and finding he had time
enough to reach Lyons before the Courier, betook
l^ofl immediately, and made luch hafle, that he
got thither Two Hours before the Expref^. He
went dire<^ly to the Bifhop's Appartn.ent, who was
no
of FRANC E. 193
td lefs furpriz'd at his Arrival than to fee him at
his Feet ; but when he underftood from feim the,
News of his Promotion,. and how lie came by his
Intelligence^ he abandoned himfelf to fuch an ex-
cefs of Joy, and after fuch an extravagant Manner,
as if the giving him the Cap had deprived him of
his Reafon. He forgot all the Gravity and Decorum
of liis Chara(fi:er, infomuch, that the Gentlemaa
Was. more than ever afraid of his Hatred^ having'
been a witnefs of his Tranfports ^ which however
the Bifhop did not much matter, only admonifh'd
him not to fay a word of what he had feen, nor
to appear ^at Court till after the Courier was ar-
rivV<. The good Prelate recollefting himfelf, com-
posed the Diforders of his Mind, and the firft Rap,-
tures being over when theQiieen Mother fent for,
him to impart the Welcome News to him, he re-^
ceiv'd it with fuch a Carelefs Hypocrify,' as if his
Soul had been above fuch a Tranfitory Dignity
The Gravity which he had time to ftudy, ac-
quir'd him a great Reputation, and causM the Cour-
tiers to fpeak many Things in his Commen-
dation. . , . -.
Let us now fee with what Sincerity the French:
Court dealt in the Performance of the Treaty of
Peace. The Duke de Rohan waited on the, King
at Lyofjs to Sollicite, and the Deputies of ^ocW^
did the fame, to obtain the Demoliuon of Fort
Lewii a^.was Aipulated in that Treaty.^ The Mi-
nifters wrote to the Commander accordingly, but.
fent another Letter by a (horter way5wherein he was
order'd not to give Credit to that which wou'd be.
brought him by the Deputies, who were anfwer d
with Scorn, and infiead.of Demolifhing the Fort,
it was put into a better State of Defence. The,
Duke de Rohan s Perfon wasalfo fceur'd when he re*/
turned to Montpelier hy yalerice^ whom the King.-
had left there with a confidcrable Garrifon. This
Notorious Breach of the Peace, gave ofFence even ,
to the Moderate Catholicks j and Fuifieux vyho was
the Ocrafion of it, to ingratiate jiimfdf with the
i^oj^V Nuntio, was g^ad .t^f the Queen Confort's^^
O' in-
Tp4 The Secret Wfiory
^nterpofition to bring him well off of a very Tn-_
tricate Affair. The young Princefs had appointed
a Ball, wlifirein the Dutchefsofi^o^^;? was to bear
a confiderable Part, and 'every thing was ready
when the News of the Duke's Imprifonment ar-
riv'd *, the Dutchefs infifled upon it, that 'twas not
decent for, her to affift at a meeting of Fleafare
while her Husband was in Prifon, upon which the
Queen promised to engage for his Difcharge, and
procur'd it on Condition he fhould retire into Up-
per Languedoc.
The Proteftants having fubmitted to his Majefty's
Pleafure in expe£lation of the Performance of their
Treaties and Edifts,and perceiving that was what the
Court never intended, held a National Synod at
Ch-:irentony to endeavour to find out means to pre-
vent the entire Opprefiion with which their Churches
were threatn'd. The Court thought of an Expe-
dient to hinder their Meetings having any EfFcdl,
and that was by Publifhing a Declaration, requi-
ring them to admit a Commiflioner to fit with them
at all thofe AiTemhlies, fuch a one of the fame Re-
ligion as the King or the Governors of Provinces
ihouid Name; which Commifiloner being a Crea-
ture of theirs, by his Intrigues and Prefence wou'd
fruftrate the Councils of thofe that were Zealous
for the. Prefer vation oftheProteftantReligon, which
the Favourites and Minifters of Lewis were bent
upon Deftrpying, and their Mailer whom they
govern'd in every thing, was but too well difpos'd
to hearken to aiiy Meafures to effc£l it..
The Bifnop of Luccn who had had of M^^ry de
Medicisin Rrefents to the Value of ^ooooo Crowns,
and a Service of Plate for his Chappel of Immenfe
Price, having now alfo l\\Q Roman Purple, his Mi-'
ftrefs did her utmoft to bring him into the Mi -
niflry, hoping that by means of his Superior Genius,
her own Authority wou'd be the greater. The
Chancellor de Siller I, and de Puifuiix his Son, the
Secretary of State, lad the fole Management
of Affairs, and knowing the Ambition of that Pre-
late, they, threw as many. Obflacles as they cou*d
in
of FRAN C E. 19^
ih'itte way of his A'dVdncemerit. The King was fo
fet again R him,.thkt he hardly ever Nam'd him,
but with this Epithet, the Rogue Richl^.€H\ and
when the Qiieen Mother prefs'd her Son to give him
a Place in the Council, he reply'd. Both you and I
have^good Reafin tp di^yuH- a Man of fo much
Cimmhg a7jd Pridhj ,i[^povo him better than yon.
Madam*. However 'the Queen was.ib {)repofIers*'d
in , Favoqr of her. Creature, that fhe took every
.thing that was faid to hts Difhondur as downright
FaUities and Inve£lives. Tis faid flijs King who
'had ,at leaft the Gift of Continence, abhor d him
for his Lfewdnefs, which one wouVl think fhou*d
have been no great Recommendation of him io his
Mother. ^/c/;//ez^ findingthe Chancel ior and Secre-
tary oppos'd his admiition into the ; Council, he
form'd a Party againfl them, into which enter'd
the Prince of G?We, the Count de SotjUor^s^ and eve^
f^ieuviliey Yjhq had obtain'd the Poft: of Superintend
dant of the, Finances mee'rly by the Intereft of
Father anfd Son. I {hall riot give the Reafdns of
their Hatred to the Chancellor and Secretary of
State, there is fome thing too particular in it. The
Dukes </^ Guife Siud Montmerency with their Fa-
milies vvere profefs'd Enemies to thofe Two Mini-
flers, Sihd'RicUieu faw they wou*d not be long able
to fuppoit themfelves ; Fiewuille reprefented them
to his . iVlajeRy as in the Intereft of the Pope and
Court of 4^z^i(r/^, and the King took a Difguft to
the Chancellor for tliat he was always againfl his
Travelling. and making ProgreiTes, which he took
great Delight in. Favourites are the laft that fee
the Prec ipice on which 'they ftand. Siller I in the
End perceived that his Difgrace was inevitable,
and to prevent it refign'd . the Seals himfelf, that,
as he told his Majefty, hp might prepare for Deaths
Monfieur AUgre^ one of his greatell Enemies, v/as
made Keeper of the Seals, he was proposed when
Caumartin had them, but Sihri prevaild for the
latter, alTifled by Bajfonlpierres's Interefl:. The Credit
of. the Chancellor and Secretary, both Friends to
Baffbmpisrrs'-^ being ruin'd, 4ie expe^ed no lefs. for %
Q 2 himfelf-^
jg6 The Secret Hiflory
himfelfv but being a Man ©f the greateft Quality
and Gallantry, he gave a turn to his former op-
pofing Aligre^ which reconcil'd them and made 'em
good Friends f Bafbmpiene being one of thbfe Tem-
porizing Courtiers who cou'd be in with every
one, and whom no Change cou'd hurt. He went
very frieridhly to Dine with tlie New Keeper, ac-
company'd by the JVlarefchal de Crequi and the
Marquis de St, Luc ^ Aligre gave them a very
fplendid Entertainment^ Doyouknow Gentlemen^ fays
BalJompierre, why my hord Keeper Treats us fo well ?
If it had not been for me he had 7wt now had the Seals,
Aligre furpriz'd at his faying fo, affur'd the Com-
pany he did not know what good Offices the Mare-
fchal de Bajfompierre had done him, Why I mil tell
you J fays he, If I had not done what I coud for
the late Monfieur de Caumartin, the King woiid have
given him the Seals Eighteen Months ago.' Not long
after both Silleri and Puifteux were order'd to re-
tire from Court, fo that in about a Year there
were Three Changes of the Miniftry *, the firft
fet was composed of the Prince of Co/?dej the Car-
dinal de Retz and the Count de Schomberg\ the
fecond of the Chancellor <^^ 5/7/en and of the Secre-
tary Fuifieux'^ the third of K^>2^'i;///e, Super inten-
dant of the Finances, and Ahgre made Chancellor
on the Death of Silleri. Mary de Aiedkis apply'd
her felf to Vicuville on the Difgrace of Silleri
to procure the Admiftion of the Ca,r dim\ deRichlieu
into the Council. But this new Favoui-ite was as
much afraid of him as his PredecelTors had been,
and endeavour'd to prefwade the King to fend him
to Rome. His Majefly wou'd very gladly have
done it, but he cou'd not tell how to come off
with his , Mother. Tioe Matter may be eafdy wade
vp with her^ fays the Superintendant, *tis hut re-
calling Barbin from his Exile^ he will not be fs
Troublefome as Riehlieu. The King approved of
his Expedient, and Lewis w^ent to Compeigne^ un-
der colour of Hunting, whereas his real • Defjgn
was to fend thence an Order to Riehlieu to go
immediately to Rome* The thing was not fo fecret-
ly managed but it came to Deageant*s knowledge-,
who
ofF R A N C E. 197
who dreading the return of Barhin, infornrd the
Famous Father Jofeph of it, and he told the Queen
Mother, who allarm'd at this Contrivance dF'ieu*
ville% follow'd her Son to Compeigne the very Day
he left ?^m, accompany 'd by the Cardinal de Rich-
lieu, Tiie Queen apply'd to Fieuville with fuch
earneflnefs to Soliicite the King for his Admiffion
to the Council Board, that he had not Refolution
enough to Excufe himfelf, Madam^ faid he, you
require a thing of me that will be mj Ruin j and I
don^t know but your Majejly may one Day repent of
your advancing a Man whom yet you do not know very
well \ fince you demand this Token of my Submifion
to your Pleafure^ I had rather haz^ard my Fortune
than lofe the Honour of your good Graces, Accord -
ingly P'ieuville reprefented to his Majefty, that it
were better to admit Richlieu to Council than ib
highly to difguft the Queen his Moiher. He
added, Tour Majefiy may do it with fuch ReftriUions
as may prevent the Inconveniences that a Man of
fo much Intrigue and Ambition might otherwfe caufe.
In purfuance of this Advice, the King confented
that he fhould have a Place in Council, where he
fhou'd only offer his Opinion on Affairs proper to
be confider'd, that he fhou'd treat of nothing in
his Houfe with Foreign AmbafTadors, and give no
Publick Audience as the preceeding Minifters had
done. Thus on the 24th of April i<5'24.. was Car-
dinal Richlieu declar'd of his Majefty's Council.
And from this Fatal Journey of the Queen Mo»
ther to Compeigne J may the French date the lofs
of their Liberties for ever. Tlie Minifters appre-
henfive of the Queen Mother's Credit at Court by
means of her Creature, invited the Prince of Ct?^?^?
from his Retirement at Bourges in Berry^ of which
he was Governor •, but the Prince offended at ihc;
Advancement of a Man who had been fo iniiru-
mental in fending him to the Bajiille^ wou'd not
return to Court. 'Tvvas at Ccmpeis^ne that the
Marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Princefs
Henrietta Maria, the Kind's Youngeft Sifler, was
firft talk'd of, and the AmbaiTadors of England^ the
Earls of Holland and Carli/le^ were die firft to
O ^ who:vi
398 TIj^ Secret Hiftory
whom O^t^ixsdX RicUleu gave Audience to treat of
this Marriage, contriry to ^Vz Pv€ftri£liotis ftipu-
lated bofore Ms Entrance into the Council. It i?
faid this .^rtfal Prelate was himfelfthe occafionof
theF^ Rffi-ridions, to Tn.^ke his w^^y.the eafier un-
der the ui'^guife of Indifference. He pretended that
he defir'd nothing fo much as R.etiremeiit, that his
ill State of Health cou'd not fuffer him to apply
himfelf much to Bufinefs, that very far from defi^
ring to give Audience at Home^ he cou'd not bear a
Croud about him, it wou'd kill him ^ he there-
fore wou'd only promife to come to Council when
his Health wou'd permit. This was all he cou'd
do to ihew his per fed Submifiion to the King's
Order. Every one laugh'd at the BiTnop's affedled
Modefty, he did not care, they laugh'd and he got
his Ends by it. After which he did not take fo
much pains to DifTemble his Pride ; for before he
took his Seat at the Board, he wou'd have his Pre-
cedence fettled above the Conftable Lefdifguieres^
which was a point that admited not of much De-
bate, when Princes of the Blood had themfelves
given Place to Priefls arrayed in the Roman Pur-
The next thing r/Vz/i;///* did which prepar'd the
way for his Difgrace, was the making an Enemy of
Gajhn^ Duke d' Anjou^ by caufmg his Governor, Col »
Ornant'^ to be fent to the Bafiilk^ for patting the
Duke upon demanding to be admitted to Council:
Vie''ville was Jealous o{ Ornanos Merit, and that
if the Duke had once a Place there, his Governor
w^ou a foon have another. He infmuated to tile
King that the Colonel's putting that Thought into
his Brothers Heaa, was in ord^r to make himfelf
Mafler cf Airair^, The King ordered him to re-
tire to his GovernL erir of Font St, EJprir, Ornano
defir'd lo have Audii -"ce tirft of his Majefty to vin-
dicate his Con;] act. This the King took as Difo
bedisnce, and commanded him to be (ent to the Ba-
fillle. The Duk€ ^' A^-jou was tranfported againfi:
Vkuvilk as the occafion of n, and refu^'d to accept of
a Purfe of a Thoufand Piftols, which W Super-
intendi^nt
of ¥ K A N C E: 199
intendant had fent him for his Pocket to appcafe
him. From that time his Ear was open to all
Kieuville*s, Enemies, the number of which was en-
creas'd by the ill ufage of Omano^ who had taken
care to give Gaj^on a good and Virtuous Education,
from which he prefently deviated, and fell into all
manner of Debauchery, making ufe of the Duke A'
Elheuf in his Pleafures, and that Duke wasfobafe
as to ferve him in Offices which a Footman wou'd
not have undertaken without Blufhing ; but by
thefe Offices it is that the Favour of other Princes
than thofe of France have been acquir'd, as may be
feen by the Hiftory of the laft Century.
The^ Affairs of the match between the Prince of
Wales and the Princefs Henrietta Maria being to
be negotiated , the Cardinal de Rkhlieu^ the Chan-
cellor Aligre^ the Marquis de Fieiiville^ Superin-
tendant of the Finances, and Lomenle de la faille
aux Clerc's Secretary of State, were appointed Com-
miflioners to treat of it wi':h tlie Earls of Hol-
lared and Carlifle, Now it v;as that this humble
Prelate who was for retiring from the World, and
was compelled, as it were, to enter into the Council,
was {() far from refufing to give Audience to Am-
bafladors, that he made great Difficulties about the
CeremoniaL but the Lords Holland and Car U fie wou*d
not acknowledge his Preheminence as a Cardinal,
and the good Prelate gave them Audience a Bed.
The Treaty flack at nothing but the Eufmefs of
Religion, and the Two Kings oi England^\^A France
fhew'd themfelves ready enough to hearken to any
i^eafures to accommodate that Matter. The King
of England's Minifters declared their Mailer wou'd
comply, as far as he con*d, in favour of the Catho-
licks without giving Umbrage to his Parliament',
and the French King's Minifters afliir d thole of
England that their Mafter wou'd do the fame on
his Mq as far as Decency and his Honour wou'd
permit. The fetting this Treaty a Foot, gave the
Paptjis in England hopes that thd French King wou'd
be a better Prote^or to them than the King o^ Spain
had been. Upon which they got a 5ci?rt;/? Monk to
O ^ write
200 The Secret Hijlory
write to the Bifhop of Ambrun^ whom he was ac-
quainted with, reprefenting to him that the Eng-
lift) Catholicks having met with great Indulgence
during the Negotiation of the Spanifl) Match were
prof ecu ted worie than everfince that with a Daugh-
ter of France was propos'd ; the Archbifhop inter-
ceeded for them with Lewis ^ and he gave him a
Commiflion to go to England^ and affure the Ca-
tholicks that they (hou'd have the fame Prote(Slion
from Fr^;2ce which they expefted from Spain, The
Archbifhop paf^M over in Di(guife, and went for a
Counfellor of the/ Parliament o{(Srenohle^ who came
out of Curiofity to fee the Country. 1 he Duke of
Buckingham had Intimation of his being here, and
ibon after they 'had a Conference^ the Duke in •
quir'd on what Errand he came, and the Archbfhop
was forc'd to confers it. Buckingham had pretended
a great Zeal for the Proteftant Religion to gain
the favour of the Puritans on the breaking off the
Spanijh Match, but now he has other Sentiments,
he is ready :o do anything in behalf of the Papijts,
and the Countefs of Buckingham his Mother, and
the Earl of Rutland his Father-in-Law, affur'd the
Bilhop that he was well aife<n:ed to them. 7 hey
gave him Inf-ruction how he Ihou'd manage the
Matter •, King Jar^es defir'd to fee the French Bi-
fhop, and gave him a Private Audience at Royfion^
Amhrim told the King that the Pope wou'd not
eafily be prevailed with to grant his Difpenfation
for the Marraige, unlefs the Papijis were more in-
dulg'd. Immediately the Prifon Doors were open'd
andcondemn'd Priejis reprievd,and the Kmg permit-
te dthe Arch-Bifhop to Confirm the Catholicks in
London, This was not done fo privately but it was
known and complained ofF^ however King James had
not the Proteftant Religion ^o much at Heart, nor
was fo afflifted at the Growth of Popery as he had
lately exprefs'd himfelf on theRupture of the Treaty
with Spain, J I avoit ouhlie deja^ fays my Author, des
Protejiations & les Sermons dont fes harangues ala
derniere feance du Parlement furent remplies. He
had already forgot the Frotefiations and Oaths of which
■• ■" • • Ini
of F R A N e E. aoi
^is Speeches in the laft Seffions of Varliament were
full. Nay, To mightily "pleas'd was his Majefty
with the French Archbifhop, that in great Confi-
dence he faid to him one Day taking him by the
Hand, Tou are a Man fent by God to the End that
J may open my whole Heart to you *, he then pro-
ttik^d lie had always a good Opinion of ihs Ca-
tholick Religion which had occafion'd him many
Troubles. He difcours'd of a meeting of able
Men of both Religions at Dover or Boulogne ^ the
King faying, / am very well inclind to the pre fent
Pope^ the Verfes he made on the Death of the Queen
my Mother^ Jhows he is a Man of Wit and Courage*
What follows I (hall tranflatc literally out of my
Frmch Author. " The detail of this Conference
" is not enough known, nor the extent of King
*^ James's Defign *, we find only that
^' what iie faid to the Archbifhop of Vajfor Hif.'
" Embrun was fufficient to make the •^^''^' XX.
*' King of France believe that he feri
'^ oufly intended to turn Catholick, and reftore
*' Popery in his Dominions. The moft favourable
" thing that can^be faid of this Prince is, that he
" had at leafl an Inciirmtion to eftablifh a general
'' Toleration : A Projeft of which L^tp/j was well
** pleas'd with, j^ll our -hopes in England are loji^
** faid he to the Archbifhop of Ambrun when the
.*' next Year he heard of the King of England*^
," Death. " This Story is told at large in Deageam's
Memoris in a Treatile by it felf, call'd, Relation
de V . Archeveque d' Embrvn ^ and one may lee by
it what an excellent Divine that Monarch was,
how free from Error or Diirimulation, While
this Secret Negotiation was carry'don in England ,
Vieuville Superintendant of the Finances, began to
feel the EfFefts of his putting too much Power in-
to the Hands of Mary de Medicis and her Crea-
ture Richlieu, He has the Charafter of a good
Manager of the Treafury, but it feems to be a
good or an ill Minifter was the fame with Lewis -^
he did not conflder their Merit when he took them
or turr)*d them ofF^ his Pafilon or his Weaknefs was
^- ' his
^02 The Secret Hiflory
liis Guide ; and his Ears being always open to Flat-
terers, the good Management of FiewvUle wasrepre"
fented to him as an Envy of the Favours he granted
to any one elfe. This Minifter had not only a Par-
ty within the Kingdom, his Enemies, but without
alfo^ he was hated by the Courts of Rome and
Madrid for advifmg the King to keep his Treaties
with the Proteftant Princes of Germany^ and the
Dutch to maintain the Ballance againft the Houfe
of Aufirla, The Queen Mother, fupported by the
Enviersof f^ieuvilie's Favour, having. prepofTefs'd the
King againft him ; his Majefty refolv'd to difmifs the
beft Servant he ever had . The Marefchal de Baffom-
jC^/err^knowing theKing's Refolution,as Gallant aMan
as he was, cou'd not help infulting a Minifter that
was not long to remain at Court •, Vkuville feeing
his Difgrace was determin'd, offer'd to refign his
Office 5 but the King ftill gave him good Words,
wliich not fatisfy'd the mortify*d Superintendant,
who feeing his Enemies Triumph'd over him, again
defir'd his Majefty to accept of his Refignation.
The King bad him be content and not trouble him-
felf, for when he wou'd no longer make ufe of his
Service he wou'd tell him fo himfelf,and he {hou*d
have permifion to take his Leave of him. That
Evening the Duke d' An]ou and others fet the Mob
upon infulting him, and Vieuvilk fearing he fhould
be affafliuated, fent to beg the ProteO:ion of Cardi-
nal de Rkhlieu his moft dangerous Enemy. The
Cardinal ran to him, not fo much to Prote<^ him,
as to take Pleafure in his Defpair. The next Morn-
ing he was fent for to Council, and the King told
him, That having promis'd^ to tell him himfelf when
he intended to make no more ufe of his per vice , he
then acquired hin.felf of his Promtfe for^ it was re-
folv'd ntwny and he might take his Leave of him,
Fieuville WitMxQ\s in great Confufion and Con-
flernation '^ and the Marquis de Thermes Arrefting
him as he came out of the Council, he was carry'd
to the Caftle oi Amboifej where he remain'd along
while a Frifoner without knowing for what he was
confin'd.
(?/ F ?l A N C E. ^03
confin'd. Upon this Difgrace pf the Favourite and
Minifter Fieuvilley the Finances, were entrufted to
Commiflioners^ the firft of whom was Marillac^
a Creature of the Qijeen Mother's ^ the Count d^
Schcmbergh was re<:all'cl and reftor'd to his Seat at
the Council BoarcJ^ Ornano was permitted to return
to the Duke d" Jinjou^ and the Face of AfFairs at
Court was entirely changed, which is the Fourth
kev©lution of the Miniftry in the fpace of a few
Months; and fliews what the Fremh Nation may
expedl from a Reign that is but one continu'd Mi-
nority,
-The next Miniftry is indeed a long one *, it met
with fome Interruption, but was never entirely
broken: Under it did the French learn a Paiiive
Submillion to the Will, not only of the King but
of the Favourite and Minifter ; new Politicks were
eftablidi'd in Franca, and inftead of a Ballance the
French Court afpir'd to Univerfal Empire. What
method they took to deftroy the Liberties of that
once Free and happy People, and to enflavc EuropCj
will be feen in the Hiftory of the Two Cardinals,
Miniftry and the Monarch that Reign'd after
them.
Tho' the fequel of this Hiftory and Reign will^
be in a great meafure the Reign and Hiftory of
Cardinal Rlchlieu^ rather than that of Lewis the
Xlllth, yet I ftiall not be too particular in what
relates to that Minifter farther than it has relation
to his Miniftry; as to his Birth, Education and
Cbaia£ler I refer to the Biographers, Panegy-
rics and Satyrifts *, his Rife was Prodigious, and
never was Prince more Mafter of a People tlian
J^ichiieu, was of the French* His Paternal t ftate of
Richlteu he* paid Homage for to a Neighbouring
Gentleman till he bouglit off that Vaftalage, and Iiad
it erefted into a Dutchy and Peerage, to which he
annex'd loooco LivresyearlyRent ; his Riches v^'cre
Immenfe, his Buildings and Furniture, his Guards,
his Magnificence in all things was Princely *, that
which contributed to his Advancement as much as
any thing, was the King's having conceived a Hatred
,«f
204 ^'^^ Secret KJlory
of his Wife and Brother, jealous that the latter
thought of fupplanting him both in Bed andThrone •,
and this Weak Prince flatter'd himfelf, that Richlteu
being the Queen Mother's Creature wou'd be the
belt fupport of his Authority againft the Defignsof
his own Family ; he indeed did fupport it, but 'twas
for himfelf and not for his Mafter.
In the beginning of his Miniftry he afted fo much
in favour of the German Proteftants, that he was
caird the Cardinal de la Rochelle, which City he af-
terwards enflav'dj and the Pope's Nuntio told him
plainly he talk'd like ameer IjxthtXdLW; Richlieu did
not care for that, his aim was to humble theHoufe
of Aujirta, If the Proteftant Princes of Germany
had been forc'd to yield to the Emperor's Tyranny,
it might not have been in the Power of France
to hinder the Empire of that Houfe, not only over
Germany 2ir\d Spain but oyer all Europe. The Bigots
hated him at firft fo much, that he v/as afraid of his
Life J and de/ir d a Guard, which he never parted
with but encreas'd it by degrees in Strength and
Splendor till his Troop out fhin'd the King's, and
the command of it was as ready a way to a Mare-
fchals Batoon, He went fo far as to banifh the King's
CohfefTor for admonifhing his Penitent not to en-
ter into any League with Hereticks; and foon af-
ter concluded a Treaty with the States General of
the United Provinces which remain d in force al-
2iioft Fifty Years. He had his Emiflaries all over
Europe^ under tl:^ management of his Confident and
Creature the Capuchine Father Jofeph, who had a-
bove ICO MiiTionary Monks travelling over Europe to
bufy themfelves about quite otherThings than matters
of Religion. We left Mon[ieur^<f/^/>«'z;//ii^ imprifon'd
in the Cadle of jimhoije, where he was treated with
great Rigor-, the King Eight Days before he turn'd
him out of his Place with fo much Ignominy, de-
clared to the Deputies of the Parliament of Paris
and other Soveriegn Courts, That Monfieur de Vieu-
ville had Enemies who endeavour'* d to defiroy him,
hut it woud he a Prejudice to his Reputation and to his
Service if he parted with him. May not Favourites
and
of F R A N G E. 205
and Minifters fee by this example, what it is to
have Dependance on the prefent Difpofition of fuch
Princes as Lewis the Xlllth. No foonerwas this
Minifter remov'd, but, fays 1115^ Author, he was ac-
cused Du peculat le plus honteux^ the mofi fijameful
Peculation. I muft confefs I was furpriz'd to find
this Word made ufe of on the Difgrace of fo Able
and fo Faithful a Minifter, a Perlon who had ma-
nag'd the Finances of France with fo much Skill and
Succefs. Peculate is A Word we hardly ever heard
of in England till about Three Years ago, and I think
the occafion was much the fime. Plundering^ and Pe-
culations were in every one's Mouth, and to what did
they all come too? Juft fo was it with Monfieur de
Vieuville^ as my Author reprefents it. They gave out^
fays he, That never Superintendant had heap'd up
fuch Prodigious Riches^ they affirm d and with a
Boldnefs that imposed upon the leaff Credulous^ he had
Six Hundred Thoufand Crowns in his Houfe^ his Chefis^
nay the very Trunks in which were his Childrens Lin-
neu were ranfacJid^ but little Money found. Another
Circumftance of Monfieur de yieuville's Hiftofy,
letsusfeethe PriKn:ice of Tyrannical Minifters with
refpea to their PredecefTors , the Hiftorian proceeds.
Cardinal de Richlieu fet Libellers to Work to blacken
de Vieuvilie'j Reputation, and render him Odious to
the King, a Pradice of which one may find more
inftances than one in Hiftory.
The Reign of Lewis the Xlllth was not only
difturb'd with Commotions rais*d by the Princes,
the PrinceiTes had alfo a i"hare m them, and foon
after Richlieu s Advancement to the Miniftry, the
Court Ladies by their Intrigues, caus'd a Diffe-
rence between the King and his Brother which
was never perfectly reconcil'd. Gafton was in Love
with the Princefs oiMontpenfiir, the Richeft Heirels
in France'^ and upon the Profpeft of his Marriage,
two Parties were immediately form'd at the
Louvre ; the Princefs of Cowr/, the Dutchefs of G'wip
and the Ladies of that Family were for the Match ^
the Dutchefs of Chevreufe and the Marchionefs de
/i?' A^^/m^,whofe Husband the Duke d' Epemons
Sou
^gS The Secret Hifiory
Son was nearly related to tbs Princefs de Mont},
penfter^ were of the Party that jbyn'd together tb
hinder the 'Marriage.* Thefe two Ladies werepic-
qu'd ^gainft the Princefs of Comiw^ho had the ma-
nagement of the Affair, and having the confidence
of the Qiieen Con fort, they infiiiuated to her, tha^
her' Credit wou-d fink mightily if the Duke d' Atijou
Ihou'd Marry and iia ye Children v they put her" in
mind of the King's weakly Conftitution, and (hew'xj
her how much it vfas for her Inter^ft that the Vt^-,
fumptive Heir ipf the Crown fliou'd not be fo fobn
iiiarry'd. TheQlie^n being preyaiVd upon by theit
Reafons, reprefented to the King that the Auth'orit^
of the Duke d' Orteans wou'd ' en'creafe if he fhbu'd
Marry and have Heir?. The. King, naturally Jea-
lous, took the rmpVefTions liis Con fort gave hiili^
and order'd Cohjnel Omano^ to i>?eak off the Duke
d' Afijdii's Intriguef,.aiid hinder his engaging hhii-
felfwith the Princefs of Mompenficr. By this w^
fee that not only tlii's Favourite" or that .Mil jifier,-
bcft every one who approach*d Lcrvis the Xllltli had
an Afcendant over him. The King was of himfel^f
well inclin'd to Juftice and Cleiiiency^ but of fo
weak a mind that he, CO u'd not fefifi: any Isaporr
' â– trappy" liacT^ if Been, /for tBe'Tifeirties of Franci â–
ifhis Minifters and Favourites had not iacrifis'd tl>eni
to x\\Q. Author hy /ct?^«/-, which it v/as not likely they
fhou'd not do when that Authority Royat was-, in
reality their own, while LeipzV had the Form and
l^ame of it." Tho. RicUieu to defer oy the Ballance
of P-ower and turn it wholly on the fide of France j
had promoted Alliances. with tht German Princes of
the Reform d Reti^ony and with i^he States General
of the: United Provinces againft the Hpufe of Au^rla^
yet ttie-'Proteftants of France iar'd Jiot the better
forJt..^ The Edids, that had been granted them, the
Stipulations that had been made wuth them, their -
Rights and Privileges vyere every where invaded-there
ivas. not one Article of the Peace of /Uompellier but
what" vvas broken.TheCity of^ock//f,in whofeLiberty
Itat i:^'-rrancs ^m a great meailire fubfifl, efpeci- ,
ali^
of F R A N e E. CLoj
ally that of the Proteftants was in a manner block'd
up by Land'^ and the Duke de Never s under pre-
tence of Cruifing againft the 7^?';^///^ Rovers, was
fitting a Sqnadron of Men of War at Blavet in Brc
tagne to do .the fame by Sea; Open Preparations
were made to Befiege the City in form, and the
lofs of it appear*d inevitable, unlefs its Port cou'd
be kept free to receive the Foreign Succours that
might be fent them.
Of all the Protertant Nobility the Dukss W« Rohm
and de Souhiz,^ were the moft Zealous and A£^ivc
in the Defence of the Reform' d (Churches oi France ^
the Spirit which animated the ^x{k Hugonotsktixidi
to be expired in all the reft and to live only in
them. The Spaniards who had inftigated the Court
o{ France to all the Perfecutions that had been rais'd
againft the Reforrndj finding their Councils tended
to embarafs the Houfe of Aufiria^ now offer'd
Afliftance to the Duke de Rohan which he did not
abfolutely refufe, being deferted by the other Pro-
teftant Lords, and having no other way to oblige
the Miniftry to obferve the Treaties and Agree-
merjtsthat had beeia made in favour of their Re-
ligion. The Rochellersy alarm'd at the Preparations
of the Court, iaiplor a the aid of that Duke and
his Brother ^ and it was refoWd on by them that
the Duke de Soubiz^e fhou'd fat outfome Ships, pre-
tending it was for. a long Voyage and to furprize thofe
the Duke de Nevers was fitting out at Blavet; The
Money for this Expedition was borrow'd by the
Two Dukes on their own Eftates •, and 'twas agreed
that if the Duke de Soubiz,e focceeded, the Duke
de Rohan fhou'd take Arms in the Provinces where
he had moft Reputation, if not, he Ihou'd difown
his Brother's Anions. When all Things were ready
to put this brave Enterprize in Execution, Navallles^
one of the Duke de Souhiz,e'i Officers, betray'd tlie
Secret; hovjQVQr^.Souhiz,e enter'd the Port of Blavet^
and made himfelf Mafter of all the Kings Ships,- he
attacked the Port, but the Garrifon had been rein-
fbrc'd on Navailles's difcovery, and the Duke de
J^endome had'time to march thither with the Forces
©f
2o8. the Secret Hijtory
of BretagJie^ of v^hich he was Governor; being ar-
rivM, he laid an Iron Chain and a Cable of extra-,
ordinary thicknefs a crols the Harbour, by which
means Souhize was block'd up within it, and exposed
for Three Weeks together to theShotof the Fort and
the Army from the Shoan In this defperate Condi-
tion there was hardly a Man of Note of hi- Religion
ttiat did not difown him, the Duke de UTrimovlUej
the MarquiFes de la Force and de Chatillon^ the De-
puties of the General AfTembly and of the Church
of Paris did it in Writing, the Cities of Nifmesy
Vfez.^ Montauban, the Communities of the CevemeSy
nay, the very City of Rochelle did the fame.
The DukQ de Rohan had form'd great Defigns to
(econd this of his Brother, which being fo unfor-
tunate Rohan's came to nothing, and de Souhiz.e was
left fingly to withftand the Power of France, ADecla-
ration was piiblifh'd againfl them in a Tone that had
not been yet us'd by the Court ^ the Treaties that
had been concluded with the Reformed were faid to
be afts of ¥cLVo\k ^Wherein the fentimems of a juft
Indignation had been over ruld hy the natural Be-
m^ntty of a King the Father of his People. It was
affirm'd that not only all Treaties, but even that
of Mompellier had been exadl:ly obferv'd, tho' all
France had been Witnefs, of the Infra£lions of it.,
that were made daily. The Building the Citadel of
Montauban^^x\di For t/.ffiP/V near Rochelle had made fo,
much noife, that it is incredible People cou'd be fo
abandon'd to common Modefty, as to boaft of their
keeping of Treaties in the m.idft of the Clamour
for their breaking 'em. There is no degree of
Impudence like this •, but an Inftance^or two of a
more Modern date which muil be referv'd for fome
other Occafion. The Duke de Soubiz^e &x\^ his Ad-
herents, we're declar*d Guilty of High Treafon. and
all Corporations and Communities that favoured him
were depriv'd of their Privileges, unlefs they in a
Months Time return'd to their Duty. In the mean
Time the Duke, taking hold of the Opportunity of
a High Wind that blew dire^lily out of the Port,"
broke the Chain and the Cable, notwithftandin^':
the"
of V K A N C E. 209
t-Hs Terrible Fire from the Fort and Army, sfnd
brought away all the VcfTels he had taken, e'xcept
two that ftuck in the Haven's Mouth. This was
certainly one of the mofl Glorious Adliorsth^t wa:s
perform'd in the Civil Wars of France, and hi^d the
Proteihmt Nobility declared them felvesvigoroufly in
favour of the Two Dukes, their Religion had not
been fo fuon facrifis*d to Popiih Vengeance.
: The Duke de SoubUe being thus Mafter of theSef,
he ealily reduc'd the Iflands of Rhe and 0!ero?7 : The
City o{ Rochelle alfo took Courage, and declared for
him His Enterprize, wuiich was before Condemned -
by both Friends and Enemies, as an Fffc6\ of Defpair,
was now excoird by both, as one of the moll Heroick
that ever was perform'd. The Lords of the Reform d
Religion^ were afham'd of their Precipitaricn in
difowning him, yet Intereft wou*d not let them
efpoufe his Quarrel, which was that of Religion,
tho* the Court endeavour'd to have it taken to be '
that of the Houfe oi Rohan only. The Duke de'
Soubiz^e's Succefs, gave Spirit to the Provinces and
his Brother's FfForts to engage them to War, as
they were Indefatigable, fo were they alfo Succefs-
ful. The Court had lately enter'd into Treaties
with England and Ih^Low Countries^ and they were;
afraid of engaging too far in this Rupture, lead;
thofe Nations, being Protefiants., .ou*d be provok'd to •
aiiiil their Brethren. This made them lay all the
Fault on the Two Brothers, and by that means the
other Prot^dant Lords, and, a good part of.the .Com-
monalty feeing they were not involved in the Dif-
pute, refolvd.tokeep clear, as ii they wou'd not
have been Sufferers alike with thofe that had own'd -
this Caufe, when it \yas ruin'd, and their Religion
had no more a Protestor. Whither the Duke ds
Rohan was not flatter'd with the Ambition of being-
the Head of a Party *, w^iether he did. not aim at
valuing himfelf to the Court, by the Strength of his
Intereft •, whether his Zeal was Pure, and unmixt
with any Sublunary Views, I leave to others to.
df^ermine. Great Men are fo.feldom Govern'd by;
tfeeHopeii of diftant and eternal Rewards^ that one";
P nuUt
2IO The Secret Bifiory
muft abouncl in Charity not to have fomeDiffidence -^
and as Vigorous as the Duke de^Rohan was, in
afTerting the Caufe of the Reformd Churches^ as Ge-
nerous as is liis Charafter, it is certain he Afted a
Part in this Scene, wliich had fomething above the
Life in it. The Author of the Hiftory of the Edi£t
of Namz.^ has the(e Refle£lions upon it, which I
repeat, to fhew how much the Proteilants think him
a Flayer in this Part of his Hiftory. Aud becaufe^
fays lie, he was not Ignorant how far [or;%e certain
extraordinary Dewonjlrations of Z^al and Tiety pre-
'uail among the People^ he affe^ed all the outward
Shews of an extream Devotion, He paid the Ailni^
fiers extraordinary Honour s* When he enter d into
any City, he caus'd a Bible to be carry d before him^
as the "^Catholicks in their Religion advance the Crojs
in their Fore Fronts. He alighted from his Horfe at
the Church 'Door of every City^ and never fpoke of
Bufincfs to any Body^ before he had faid his Pray-
ers upon both Knees, And this made himfo much the
more to be taken Notice cf^ hecaiife the Churches of
the Reform'd have neither Ornaments nor Rel'niues^
nor any thing of Pomp and Magnificence to invite a
Man, The Dutchefs his IVife^ was a Notable Se-
cond to him in all his Enterprifes ^ She labour d with
great Sedulity to perfwade the People to take Arms
tn all Places where fhe came \ and becaufe fhe Tra-
velled more by Night than by Day^ the Equipage
wherein ftje appear' d^ ftruck a kind of Awe into the
Country People : Befides^ that being in Mourning^ the
People that attended her were dl in Blacky her Coach
alfo covered with Mourning^ was drawn by Eight
Black Horfes^ which^ together with the Flambeauxs
that were carry d to Light her along^ made a So-
lemn Prcceffionj which touch'^d the Peafants with Com-
p'tifion^ and difpos^d them to joyn with her Husband,
The Duke de Soubtze publifh'd a Manifefto, enume-
rating the Breaches made upon the Edicts in favour
of the Reform' d^ tiie Cruelties exercis'd againil 'em,
and the Services they had rendered the Crown, fince
the Acceflion of Henry the IVth. The Court were
not a little alami'd, when they heard of his having
broken
of P't^ANCXn. -2Ji
broken the Chain and Cable, and carry'd offi^h^
King's Ships. -Peace was pre^ntly talk'd of, and th^
Duke ^e Soiih:z.e^ atid the City of Rochclle, fen^
their Deputies to the King, as did alfb tiie Duke.^^
Roha-ay and the inaces- that had adhered to him. The
Court hearken'd to a Treaty only to gain Tim^
tocomnleatthe Deftruftion of the Proteftant'? ,' for
ivhile they were Treating the Marefchai de Themimi
ravag'd the Provhice of Foix^ fparing neither Age
mr Sex, till he was driven out of it by the en rap d
Proteflants v the Papijis themfelves being Scandalii'c>
at his Cruelties. The Duke de Souhiz^e having been
Reinforc'd with fome DutehSU^s^ defeated a *?qua-
^ dron that was fent againfi: him -and this fecond Sac-
cefsfoSpiritedtiieProteftants, that with Unanimity
â– and Conftancy they might have fecur'd their Liber-
ties. The xMiniftry now were in good earned for
an Accommodation, and ofFer'd fome Conditions
which were more fivourable than was expelled ^
but the Reform d grew the higher in their Demands,
as the Face of their Affairs mended,' not confidering
that the Change which flatter'd them, was no Solid
6ne, and that divided, as they were, they cou'd rtot
hope to improve the Advantages they had obtain'd
by War. It had been well, if they had been as Re -
folate in Advef fity, as they were Obflinate in Prof-
perity. They were tocf foon f]uC-/d with good Suc-
cefs, too foon diihearten'd with bad. While the
Treaty hung, tha Court were very Induftrious to
â– raife Jealoulies oftheD.ukes de Roha-yj and ds Soubiz.2^
as if they were for accommodating Matters any how,
provided they cou'd gain by it.This was fo f^r from
being true^ that the Duke de Rohan prefs'd the Re-
formed to take hold of this Opportunity, to procure
good Terms, fearing they fhou'd never have fuch
another, which they were foon convinced of : For
the King s Fleet being ftrengthen'd with fome Englifl)
2nd Dutch Mefi of War, difperfs'd Soulpi^ie's Fleer,
the Vice- Admiral of which had been corrupted by
the Court, and drove his Men out of the Ides of
:^k and Oleron* His Forces at Land were alio cut
in Pieces, notwitliuut Sufpicion of Tr€aci:iery.ia,the
S'^^\ P 2 Mayor
212 The Secret Hifiory
M?iyoY of Rochelle, who wou'd not let 800 Gentle-
men and other Soldiers, go out to their AiTiftance.
Thus were Prrtcftams deftroy'd by Protefl-ants *, and
thus did the Engh'Jh and Dutch help the Court of
Fra?7ce to fupprefs their Brethren of the Reformed
Religion ^ in whole Defence their own Intereft en-
gaged them at all Ventures to Arm.
Thefe Tranfa£lions happened in the Year i<ri5, the
(^cond of Cardinal Richlleu*s Miniftry,in which it was
threaten'd with a Revolution •, and Baradas^ a young
Gentleman, and a New Favourite, was thought fofar
to have gain'd the King*s good Graces, that if he had
had a Genius fuitable to his Fortune, he might have
obtained the Miniftry. The Quke o^ Buckingham arri-
ving at Paris-^ tofojiicite the Departure o( Henrietta
Maria^ QuCen- of England^ and appearing with a
Splendor that dazled the French Court, the latter
not to be outdone in iMagnificence, were for fending
Baradns iQ London^ to make as fhining a Figure as
Buckingham did at Paris, But Baradas excus'd l>i^-
felf, and the King who lov'd him, accepted of his
Excules, to the great Mortification of /?/c/?//>M, who
thought eitiier to ruin him in his Abfencc on that
EmbafTy, or by his refufalofit. Mary de MediciSy
at the Inftigation of the Cardinal. intimated to her to
her 5on that fheconceiv'd feme Jealoufy of J5.^r^^^i's
Ambition. His Majcfty aflur'd her there was na
Occafion far it, he never troubling himfelf with
!^ate Affurs, and in appearance', this New Fa-
vourite afFcifled only to concern himfeU in the Plea-
fures and Diverfions of the Cour-t. He carry'd him-
felf very modeftly, and received few V'ifits: How-
ever, the Courtiers, knowing the King's Difpolition,:
apply'd themfelves to him, as the quickeft way to
carry their Point on all Occafions ,• and the Queen
Mother and iht Cardinal were very uneafie under
the Apprehenfion of the Confequences of this an-
expelled Favour, from a Prince whom they thought
to have entirely at their Di(pofaL
^ani informs us, that the Duke of Buckingham^
who, while he was in 5p^/?7, had been in Love with^
XliQ Co\xniQk d' Olivarez.. Wife to the Favourite of
miif
ofV RANG E. 213
fhH'tp the IVtli, with whom, on that Account, lis
had a perpetual Quarrel, while he was in France^ was
touch'd v/ith the fame Paflion for a much more ex-
alted Obje£l, the Queen Ame of Auftria which
occafion*d his Quarreling with Richlleu^ who was
mortally Jealous of him, and he had been more than
ever with OUvarez, K French Hiftorian fays, with
reference to this Ambitious Amour of Buckingham^
11 ejk vrai que certa'mes gens dlrent dans le monde^
qu'eile paroijfomt Senfihle an Aderite du Buckingham,
It is true then, fome did not Jrick to Jay, that the
^ueert W4s Senfihle of Buckingham's Merit. Cer-
tain it is, Richlieu was Jealous of the Duke's In-
trigues with the Court Ladies, and it is thought
he inftili'd a Jealoufy ©f him into the King. A Lady
of the Bed-Chamber, and fome other pf the Queen's
Domefticks, were banilh'd the Court as foon as
.Buckingham was gone ^ and whatever Foundation
there is for this Incident in Truth, it has found a
Place in feveral Hifioriesy which do not want Au- '
thority. ' ...
This clofe Correfpondence between the Courts of
England and France, prdcurd the fending a Squa-
dron of Emgliflj Men of War to the Affiflance of "
the French^ againft the Duke de ,So2ibiz.e and the
Rochel'erSi but the EngUflj Nation is dear'd of the
Guilt of that bafeA^lion, by tlie ire/zc/? them felves,
one of their Authors doing us this juflice. If there
were Englifh- Ships in the Kings Fleet^ it muft be
cwn*d they were got by the Artifices of BackinghRir^]^
mthoiit the Knowledge of the greate^ Part of his
Bnl2.m\c\C Majejiys Council^ againft the Intentions of
the Varliampn. and the Efforts of good Englifh M?n.
'Tisto this Buckingham then, tliat the Proteftant Re-
ligion owes the Lois of fuch a Barrier, as were the
Proteftants of France againft the Attempts of thiit
King. King James the Fir^l, who was lately Deac*,
did offer to. lend the French King fome Ships to I c
employ 'd againft Genoa^ but the Duke de Rohrn
informing him that the War of Genoa vvas only a
Pretence, and that thofe Ships woud be employ d
againft Rochtlle^ the Englifh Ships had Orders liot
P 3 to
214 T^^ Secret "H'ij.oYj
to 2idi againfi: the Rcchellers^ aild to have more En^-
///^ Hands than Fr^w/; Aboard, that they might be
enabled to Obey thofe Orders. But the fame Year
that King Charles tht Firft came to the Throne, v/as
xhtYan guards one of the beft Ships of the Englifi)
Fleet, lent to the French King, together with feve-
rai large Melxhant Ships, but. Captain Pe??;?//?^^!??/,
who Commanded them, wou'd not ferve againft
iliQ Roc hellers ', and underftanding at Diepe: that
he was to go upon that Service, he returned to Dover ^
where Orders' were again fenr him to joyn tlie french
Fleet with his Squadron. Accordingly he delivered
t-liem up to the B-ench Admiral at Diepe : The Capt.
of the G're^? Neptune being the onjy CamniAn/^ci' ^^
it/ who refus'3 to deliver his' Ship, ?.Vi([V'enmn^to?i
arid the other Officers returned in iiis to JEnglnndy
y^^Tere they complained of the Orders they had re-
ceived to the Parliament, which ' Buckingham got to
b& DifTolv d,, tb prevent a flrift Inquiry into that-
Mi'tter. i:^Q'R(fdi'jdi-eys beii^g BMrk'd up by Sea and
Land, and the Duke ^ei?£? Wad vriing them to Peace,
oti the AlTai'an'ce of the Guaranty of theKing o^ Great.
Bptain^ theyweile defirous of aTresty.^/ctowAvhofe '
H^.id was full of the Affair of the i^^z/fe//W, where
tH^ Spaniards, were Mailer^, and by that means
w^u'd" foon do what they ple^s'd in Swijjertand,
\^'as as inclir/able to Treat as 'the Reform" d were to
have him^ till the Defeat of Sd'uhiz.e by X^rrus^ anct '
rfei the Cp0r|: wou'd not con tent to it, urtlefs the
fiorhefers w^ere left out of the General Amnefty,
which the ProteHants wou'd trot hear of.. In the
niean time, the Rochellers frighten'd at the'Revolu-
|:i"Qn which had happened in their Affairs, lent 'De-
puties to theKing, whotbrew themfelves at his Ma-
jeffjr's Feet, and implor'd hi5 Pardon in the m oft
Submiilive Terms. The General Deputies inter*-
ceeded for them, in the Name of all the Churches,
which however was to no Purpofe. The Conditions '
they were to be pardon'd upon, were fuch as re-
duc'd them to a State of Slavery, which the Rachel-
lers refolv'd- rather to Dye, than fubmit to. A£
lift th^ £;^£///2> AmbalTddo-rs promifing that Fort
■• ' Lem4
^/FRANCE. 215
Ltwls fliou'cl be Demolifh'd, and that their Mafler
wou'd be Guaranty for the Performance of the
Terms given them hy xht^French King, thefeAm-
baflador? gave them an Inftrument, dated the nth
oi February, id'2 5-6', declaring that Fort Leip/V was
one of the Conditions on which Rocheiie fubmitted,
and that they wou'd not have done it, but in a Be-
lief that the King of England was Guaranty of the
Peace. Tho' there was fomething faulty in the
Draft of this Inftrument, and that his Britamiick
Majefty^s Guaranty was not exprefs'd with fufficient
Force snd Clearnefs, yet it was thought to be bind-
ing in Honour, as we may read by what follows,
taken out of a French Author. " Tho' this Papsr did
*' not clearly exprefs the Guaranty, of which the
*' King of England boafted, neverthelefs it cannot
^' be deny'd, but that it muft have oblig'd that Prince
*' either to have difown'd Ms AmbafTadors, or elie
*' to take care that what \vas granted the Refornidy
*^ fhou'd be faithfully perform'd, fmce he acknow-
*' ledg'd that the fole Force of his Sollicitations
*' had vanquifh'd then* good Nature, to be fatisfy*d
*' with the King's Offers. An Honeft Man needs no
^\ more to engage him to make anorlier Man's Bu-
** finefs his own, but that it was himfelf whocaus'd
'' the other to mifcarry, either by his Authority or
*' his Perfwafion. And in this Senfe it cannot be
*' deny'd, but that the King of England was the
*• Guaranty of the Peacc^ fince it was upon his
" Word, and in hopes that he w^ou'd be anfwerable
*' for it, that the /?^/W;'^ accepted of it. " Net
only the' EngliJJj Ambanadors. bat thofe of thu Vni-
ted Provinces^ of Venice and Savoy^ foll:cited for the
Reforrnd-^ the latter out of Political Views only,
that the French Court being at LeiTure at Home,
might bend all their Force a^^ainft the Houfc of
^ujiria. The Peace therefore was concluded, both
Sides intending to break it on the firfl Occafion •,
the Proteftants if Fort Lem^ was not demolifh'd ^
the Court as foon as they had an Opportunity, with
refpe^l to their Foreign Affairs, which they wou'd
firit fet upon a good Foot.
P+ In
21 6 The Secret Hijlory
In March id2^, an Edift was put forth in Conr
fequence of the Peace^ and verify'd in Parliament,
it confirm'd the former Edi^s, as far as they were
i^ot contrary to the laft Treaty. The Dukes de Ra-
ban and Soubi^e fubmitted, as did al! the Cities, their
Adherents. The former in his Memoirs, fays ot this
Peace, The Court of France in deceiving England,
and the Confederate Princes^ deceived alfo them-
felves *, every thing they propo.'d by it^ happened to
the Adv-antage <?/. Spain, to the Opprejfion of the Allies
of the Crown^ and to the Prejudice of France. How
Humane and Upright the <Papih are, wlien they
have the Power in their Hands, may be feen by the
Story of Monfieur Campredon^ a Gentleman that
was Tent to Spain by tlie Duke de Rohan^ during the
-War, and return'd on tiie Ccnciuiion of the Peace,
by which all that had been done, either within or
without the Kingdom, was pardon'd. Campredon
was taken in his Return by tiie Marquis de Ragni^
and his Procefs wasform'd by the Parliament of Iho-
loi/fe. Jufl: as they were about to Condemn him.
Majuyer^ the Firft Prelident, received the Edi£l of
|:he Peace, which Campredon ought to have the Ber
nefit of, but he conceal d it a whole Day, and did
tDot caufe it to be verify'd, till after the Gentleman
was Executed. A Bafe and Bloody A£^ of Treach-
ery, which a Prefident of the fame Parliament con-
demns. / own that in good Faithj Campredon ought
to have had the Benefit of the Cenerul Amnefty^
but Mafuyer was fuch an Enemy to the Hugonots,
he never matt efd good faith vohen he cou ddo them
a Milshief No wonder fuch Ufage forced them fo
joften to take Arms. . Slavery was not as yet a Na-
tural Principle in that Country : The Parliaments,
cfpecially that of Paris^ had frequently the Publick
<iood, and the Liberties of the People hi their
jViOuths ; a Language that lias not be^n us'd in
France-^ for above half a Century. The Advocate
General, Monfieur 5erw«, dying about this lime,
there was a Circumftance attending his Death which
piade it Glorious. The Intendant of the Finances
ibad brought certain Pecuniary Edi^s to the Parliar
^/ F R A N C E. 317
y^icnt of Paris^ to be verify'd ^ that Aflembly who
had not then learn'd to fubmit blindly to whatever
"Vvas required of them, debated the Verification of
'em. To obtain which, the King went in Perfon,
accompany'd by the Duke d' AnjouJ^ and fever al
Dukes and Peers; Servient who had been in his
Poft Fifty Years, and was iuft recovered out of a
Fit of Sicknefs, made a warm Remonflrance in fa-
vour of the People. At the clo{e of this Speech, he
rais'd his Voice with all the ft-rength he had, and
addrefs'd himfelf thus to the Young King. Ton may
render your Name Celebrated in Hijioryy in over-
coming your Enemies by the Force of your Arms^
hut you wtll acquire a mitch more Solid Glory in
gaining the J^earts .of your Suh}eBs by Mildnef and
Clemency, He was about to prove the Truth of
a Maxim fo little known to the laft Kings of
France y when his Speech fail*d him, and he fell into
a Swoon. He was prefently rub*d and f>iaken, but
ell to no Purpofe : All he ever faid aftewards, was,
'Jis Nothing^ and fo he expir'd, having with his laft
Breath, born this Glorious Teftimony to the Caufe
of Liberty. Has there been a Magiftrate of Frmce
fince that time, that durft Preach fuch a Lecture
to the King ? This fhews us that France has been
Free \ that in the laft Reign there were French
Lawyers who afTerted that Freedom *, and what
Jlight has there ftarted up in this to deprive her of
it, and trample all her Rights and Privileges un-
der Foot ? How came the Authority Royal to ufurp
the Place of Law ? Let it be faid at leaft, in favour
oftheprefent King's impartial Juftice, that if he has
extirpated the Proteftam Beligion^ he has alfo extir«
pated Liberty \ and who then can doubt to which he
has been moft favourable, to thofe that he has fuf-
^'er'd to leave their own Country, and live Free in
others, or to thofe that remain there under fo Def-
potick a Power. The Miniflers of fuch Princes will
always be very fevere with Libellers, Now all Au-
thors that fpeak Truth of fuch as are too great to
hear it, are of courfe Libellers, A General A (Tcmbly
i^f tjie Catholich Clergy being holden at Paris^ the
(., , . I' ^ ' Cardiwil
*2i8 The Secret Hiftorj
Cardinal complain'd of Z./W/ againft the Court, not
by Hugonots^ but by Rdnk Paptfis : For as to Re
bellion and Sedition, we fhall find the French Papifis
in this Minority, for fo the Reign may be ftill pro-
perly call'd, and the next, were the Rebellious and
Seditious, Thefe Libels contained fevere Reflexi-
ons on the Miniflry, in joyning with the Frotellants
in Germany and Swifjerland. One of the Authors of
'em fpeaking of the King, fays, God fufferd his Fa-
ther Henry f^e^lVth, to be Ajfaffin^d as foon as
he prepared to put Two Heretical Princes in Pojfejfwn
of Cleeves and Juliers. The Houfe of Aufhia has
no other Intereji, than to traintain the Cayfe of God :
To mah a War upon So'Veraigns^ Defenders of the Ca-
tholick Religion, is openly to reftfi the Wtll of God
himfelf The Magiftrates Condemn'd thefe Libels
to be Burnt by the Hands of the Common Hang-
man. One may fee plainly their Authors were
Orthodox in France, and thofe whofe Zeal flew
highefl. Thefe were the Men that cry'd out. The
Church is tn Danger^ becaufe the Court aflifted the
Trotefiant Grlfons and the Butch. Here's an Inilance
of their Loyalty, when the Government is again ft
them. Does one not Tremble to read in thisA/^-
worial of the French High Church, God fuffer'd
Henry the I Vth to be Affaffind, From {uch Loyalty
and fuch Divinity, Good Lord., deliver all Kings and
Princes^ whether Papifts or Proteftants. The Pope's
JMuntio Spada^ had the Impudence to oppofe the
Condemtiing thefe LzWj, both by tlie Sorbonne and
and the General Affembly of the Clergy *, and tho'
he cou*d not hinder their Condemnation, he hinder'd
its being done witli Particulars.^ and m General
Terms. The Libel that made mcll Noife, was one
Call'd 2in Advert ifement to the King^ which threaten'd
him with a Colleague, if he did not reform his Go-
vernment, with refpeffc to his Alliances with Here-
ticks. This Libel the AfTembly order d to be cen-
fur*d, and the Bifhop of Chartres was appointed to
draw up the Cenfure in French and Latin, The
Biihop, who h;id more Honour and Llnderflanding
than many of the reft of his Brethren, did it with
great
€f F RAN C K 219^
^reat FbVce, affirming Pajfive Obedience in as great '
Exterit,as has been aflerted by fome Britipj DoCtorfy
fam'd for that Principle above all others. The Bifhop ;
of Chartres ipYov'dj That S-ub\eBs ought' not to Refift cn\
any Account whatfdever \ That they ought to fufet^
as, the jipoftles and Martyrs did \ That there was
no F erf on in the li^crld who coJi*d difpenfe SuhjeBs .
from their Oath of Allegiance^ oh any Pretence yor''
on anv Caufe whatfoeve)r\ That Kings coud not ht^
deposd:^ and th^.t Alliances with Jfifiiels and Here-'
ticks are not abfolutely Wicked^ nor Condemned in-'
Scripture^ &c. The AlTembly approved of this.
Dodrine and Wr^tiiig, v^hich Spnd a, the Pope's
Nuntio, hearing, he fetthe Cardinals de Sourdis^ de
la Kochfaucaulty and de la Falette to- work, to gain '
the Members over by their Intrigues, and prevent
the Pilblication 'of ir. The Ard> Bifhop q{ Sens
crVd but, it wou'd'be a Shanle to all Europe,-' if'
the Clergy of Frat$a (hou'd Authorize a Doctrine
Condemn'd by Ju P^erron, in the iaft AfTembly
of tlie States Gtsnerai ; hisReafoti, and the In-
trigues of the Tsfui^tio, prevailed uf)on moft of the
Members ^ and t lie Approbation which had been en-
tered' in their Re'gifter,. in fivour of the Bifhop of
G?V7rfr«?i's Cenfure, Was raz'd out of it, under pre-
tence that the S^cretaty had not tak^n it right, oc-
calion'd by tlie; Confnfion of the Applaufes given to
^t. However, the Parliament forbad tiie Billiops
to Publifh, and the Bookfeller^ to Print any other
Cetiflire, than that of the E'lihdp o( Chartres^ So-
lemnly approv'd the i3tl:( of Dece?nber^ in the Af-
fembly of the Clergy. Nct-Aithflanding which, a-
nother was drawn up, and approv'd of in general,
which the Cardinal de la Falette Sign'd as Prefident.
The Parliament forbad the Bifhops and Clergy to
AfTembie. They, on the contrary, Publifh*d a De-
claration that tneir Arrets were Null. The Parlia-
ment threaten'd to feize their Temporalities, unlefs
they repaired to their DiocefTes by a Day appointed.
Thus did the Lay AfTembly contend with the Spiri-
tual, in maintenance of the Independancy of the
prpwn of Francs y and the Prerogative of Kings, in
^- ''■■'• ■which
220 The Secret Hijlorjf
which Lewis and his Miniftry abandoned them, bv
an Injun£lion to bring the Affair before the Council,
ivhere it dropt^ and the Pope wrote an obliging
tetter to his Faithful Bifhops, for {landing by the
Papal Authority in its Ufurpation, to Depofe Kings,
and Abfolve Subjeds from their Oatlis of Fidelity.
This Devotion of the Galiican Bifhops to the See of
Rome^ has not been conftant, and fometitnes they are
for its Abfolute Supremacy, and fometimes againli
it, as a prefent Turn is to be ferv*d, or the Couit is in
a good or bad Humour with it.
1 fhall not pretend to give the Reader a Vie// of
the Happy Confequences of the Marriage of the
Vmcth Henrietta Marla^ X^ir/ys Sifter, with King
Charles the Firft : Our Hiftories fpeak enough of it,
but wherein that Marriage occafions any Negoti-
ations between England and France y I muft touch
upon them. Her Domefticks in England^ intro-
duced the Jefuits into her Houfhold, and they forced
her to commit a Thouland mean Things beneath her
Grandeur, and unworthy of her Dignity. They
perfwaded lier to adore as Martyrs, thofe of their
Order, that had beer) Executed in the preceeding
Reign, asContrivers/ipd Accomplices in the Powder
T LOT\ and the Qccafion of a" Jubilee prefenting it
felf, they made Choice of the Place where tlie Com-
mon Malefactors ai-e Executed, whether theQieen
was to walk bare Foot to fay her Prayers. The,
King and the whole Nation were exafperated at this
Iqfolence •, His Majefty commanded the Queens ^
French Domefticks to be gone, upon which Cardinal
Rlchlieu fen t the Marefchal de Baffomplerre to Eng^~
iand to complain of it, as an InfraSion of the Trea •
ty, and to reconcile the Differences between the '
King and hisKoyal Confort, on that Occafion. The -
Marefchal was likely to iucceed in his Negotiation/
but the Caidinal who did VN^hiit he cou'd to thwart
Buchngham^ caused Baffompierre's Treaty of Ac- '
commodation to be difown'd, and Buckingham o-'
blig'd his King to revoke his Word. After which,
a Difpute about Commerce arifmg, Buckingham^ who
byrn'd with a defire of returning into France^ ^pd
brav<j
0/ F R A N C E. aat
brave the Cardinal, refolvM to go thither oh ce more*
as AmbafTador; but the Cardinal found out a \\i%
to let him underftand he wou'd not be Wel-
come. At this the EngliJIj Favourite was fo enra^'i
that he inftigated his Mafter to a Rupture, under
pretence of a Breach of the laft Peace with the
Proteftants, of which the King of England was
Guaranty. How little that Prince was really con-
cerned for the Maintenance of it, and the Prcfer-
vation of the Reformed Religion in France^ one may
fee by his Manner of profecuting that War and
the whole courfe of his Hiftory. I do not know
how it has happen'd, but fince the glorious Rcigti
of Queen Elisiaheth^ England has look'd upon the
Proteflants abroad with as much Indifference as if
the EngliJJj and they were not of one Religion,
and indeed for this lafl: Century, there has been a
Fa£^ion in England that treats the Foreign Pro-
teftants as Hereticks as much as the Tap-fts can.
It had been well for tho^t oi France if K'm^Charhr
the Firft had never meddl'd with them, unlefs he had
been more Earneft both in Council and Adion.
Something has been faid already of the Jealouly be-
tween Riihlieu and Buckingham^ ^nd the Probability
of it will appear from the Charadler of the far-
mer ^ I have touch'd it a little in the foregoing
Pages, to which for the better enlightning this Hi-
ftory, I (hall add here from an Author of the fame
Nation ; '* That he was Ambitious of oHtdoingall
*' others in Trifles, he cou'd not endure that another
" fhou'd excel him in the moft pitiful Things, to
" make Sonnets or Speak better than he did, was
*' no way to win his Favour, or to fhew that he
" underftood Huhianity, Philofophy, the Mathe-
*' maticks. Divinity, or Antiquity better than he,
" That he might enjoy the Reputation of being the
** moft Experenced Man of his Time in all Things ;
*' he ftretcht his Wcaknefs to that degree, as to
** attribute to himfelt the Works of other Men,
" and under his- own Name to own thofe Wri-
** ings, wherein perhaps he was no more concern'd
*^ than to liave been the tiril that conciev'd the
'* rude
i^i2 The Secret Hijiory
*' rude and indigefted Idea of the Subjea. Ke hadf
** the fame fentiments as to Magnifience and court-
•* ing the Ladies '^ and for a Man to prefume to'
^ tranfcend him in either ofthefe two things was^
'^ ,a certain way to lofe his Favour. However
'..*'; it were, he alw^ays us'd the Q^jeen but very fcur
.**• rvily after he obfervd the little value fhe had
• '^ for him. A Man of this Chara'f^er, coud not
.but be Jealous of {o Gallant and Mcjgnificent a
Man as was the Duke of Buckingham^ who, im-
patient of any oppolition Abroad or at Home, w^ou'd
be fare to ufe all his endeavours to revenge it.
One cannot think he was at all SoUicitous for the
Prefervation o{^ the Reform d Religion in France^ he
wiio was fo negligent of it in England. His aim
, was to embarrafs Richlieuy and to let him fee, if
.he intended to live in Friendfhip with his Mafter,
-he muft do it by complying with him.
. During thele Tranfad^ions, there happcn'd a Con-
teft between the Jefuitsand the Univerfity ofP^nV,
which made a great Noife ; the former had pub-
liOi a a Book under the borrow'd Name of SantareU^
-concerning Hercfy and Schifm, to juftifie their Opi-
vnions, then generally decry 'd by the Honeft and
Learned Men of France of both Religions. The
Llniverfity examined it, and publifh'd Remarks up-
on it, (hewing the Falifities that were in it, and their
Remarks ferv*d to render the Fathers (till more
.Odious. The leiliits petition d the King to inter-
pofe his Authority^ and hinder the publifhing fuch
Inve<flives againft them. For every thing is a Libel
wnth thofe Statefmen and Clergymen that fupport
their Caufe by Falfhood, and that cannot ftand the^
Teft of Truth ; the Univerftt^ petition'd to be
heard before they were condemn'd. Santarel's Book
was publifh'd at Rome With the Licenfe of the
Superior of the Society, and maintained that the
Vop^whofe Tribunal ts the fame with'Jefus Chriji^
had a riglit to depofe Kings if they did not defend
the Chi^rcb. It was Dedicated to the Cardinal of
Savoy, and Countenancd by all the JefiitedPapi/h.
The Parliameut of Paris esamin'dit as Well as the
Univerfity
<?/ F R A N C E. 225
Univerfity, they condemned it to be burnt by th2
Hands of the Common Hangman, Coton and thejefuits
were heard before the Sentence was put in Exe-
cution, rheir Prevarications, Evafions and Equivoca-
tions iTew how ill Craft behaves it felfin the Face
of Jufticc. The firft PreHdent faid, Speak plainly^
do you believe the Pope can Excommunicate the King^
and ahfolve his Sub] e [Is from their Oathof Fidelity f
How Gentlemen^ reply'd the good Fathers, Excom-
municate the King ? He is the Eldefi Son of the Churchy
he will never do any thing that fljall drive the Tope to
that Extremity, The Magiftrates demanded if their
General did not believe the Pope had fuch a Power.
The Jefuits anfwer'd, Our General is at Rome, he
cannot help approving the DoBrine generally approved
ef in the Country where he lives. And do you^
Gentlemen, fay the Magiftrates, believe what is
taught at Rome, concerning thefe Articles ? A^^, re-
ply'd the Jefuits, our Sentiments are quite contrary*
iVoud they be fo were you at Ronis} Continued the
Prefident .- The Jefuits anfyver^d, IVe Jhou'd talk like
the reji. The good Fathers having no Redrefs in
Parliament, and Cardinal de Richlieu declaring
himfelf in favour of the AfTembly, they were forc*d
to Sign a Writing difapproving a Do£lrine, which
however, they continu'd to affert upon all occa-
fions.
The compafs we have circumfcrib'd ourfelves in
this Hiftory, will not admit us to enter into Per-
ticulars of fuch Military or Political Aftions as
were done on the publick Stage of the World, or
are to be met with in the general Hiftory of
France,Yov that reafon nothing is faid of the League
Lewis enter'd into with the Italians and Swifs^ for
the recovery i^f the F'alteline from the Spalnards,
This was the caufeof the great Difference between
the the Courts of Spain and France^ and had like
to have come to an open Rupture, which Richlieu,
who had the ruin of the Proteflants in France in his
Head, was againft, but he durft not aiake it known
for fear of bfinging upon himfelf the Hatred of tlTofe
Allies, that were to be deferted by an Accommo-
dation
2'24 The Secret Hifiorj
dation with Spain^ which was privately negotiate^
by the Count du Fargis^ Amba/Tador in Spain^ while
the Cardinal was giving the Confederats new Af-
furances of liis Mafter's a£ling vigoroufly in Concert
with them to prevent the Growth of tiie greatnefs
of tlie Houfe of Auftriaon the fide of Italy. Father
Berrulle^ who had a great Influence over the Queen
Mother, was inftigated by fome of RiclMeus Emif^
faries, to remonftrate to the Queen, that his Ma-
jefty's Alliances with Hereticks were a great Pre-
judice to the Catholick Religion. The Cardinal
wou'd not appear in it himfelf, but he got others
of his Creatures to per (wade the C untefs^iz^ Fargis^
the AmbafTador's Wife and a Favourite of Mary de ,
Medicis^ to infinuate the fame things to her, and,
engage her to forward a Peace between the Two,
Crowns. The Countefs was ambitious of the Ho-
nour that wou'd accrue to her Husband if hecouVj..
concl.ude a Treaty in Spite, as (lie thought, of
Richlieu^ who at the bottom fet both her and Fa-
ther 5^rr«//e to work, about a Thing he durfl not
himfelf appear in. The Countefs prcfs'd Mary de
Medkis concerning it fo warmly, that at laft the
Queen order'd her to write to her Husband to Sign
the Treaty without any further delay, and ro af-
fare him that fhe wou'd procure her Son's Ratih-
cations. Du Fargls accordingly Signs it unknown
to the King, who when he heard it, fell into a
Pafiion, declar'd he wou'd difown it, recal an^
feverely Punifh the AmbafTador ; the Queen Mother
and the Cardinal heard him patiently, and after
the firft heat was over, the Cardinal blaming'
the Counts Condu£l, fhevv'd the Advamages that
wou'd ariie by the Treaty to his Majefty and his-
Allies, lo much to the fatisfaftion of the Council^
that not one of whom dar'd to oppofe a Thing the
Cardinal had approv'd of ^ the Treaty was con-
firm'd, only the. King infixed that fome Articles,
fhou'd be cxpla-n'd, and order'd his iVmbaflcidor to
demand Audience of Leave, if it was not douQ as he
requir'd ^ but Mary de Medkis causM it to be
intimated "to du Fargls^ that he lliou'd not be too;
Serupalous
of F R A N CE. 225
Sci'upulous in obeying 'thofe Orders, nor flart Dif-
Acuities which might obftrud the Peace. The
Cardinal being for it, the Bufme^'s came foon to an
iilue, notwithftanding the Oppofitions it met with
from the King's Allies when they, knew it, and-,
that the Prince of Piedmont came to the Court of
France in Perfon to hinder its being concluded.
Such was the Authority of Cardinal de Rkhiieu
in the Court of Lewis the Xlllth. Treaties were
made and broken at his Pleafure, and as he govern'd
ablblutely the Mind ofhisMafter, fo every one wa^
obliged to a compliance with him, or they were Cure
to be ruin*d by him, his luft of Revenge being e-
qual to that of his xAmbition.. .
it has been hinted that the Duke de Anjou^ whom,
we mult now caird Duke de Orleans^ wou'd have
marry *d Madamoifelle de Mompenfier^ and that the
King oppo'sd his Marriage, the Cardinal having
let that. Princefs know (lie w^as oblig'd to him for
its being fet a Foot again *, he condefcended to maks
advances to Orncmo^ the Dukes Favourite, who re>
fenting bis Imprifonment before the Marquis d^
l^ieuvilie's.Di^g'C^CQ^ rejefted tliofe Advances, and
openly difpis'd his Friendfhip, thinking him felf Safe
ill the Prote£lion of the Prcfumptive Heir of the
Crown. The Prince and Princefs ofConde obftrufted
tjie Marriage, ill. hopes the Duke wou'd prefer their
Daughter's Beauty to that of Vladamoifelle^^ Mont-
psnfier. Ornano was in Love with the Princels, and
promised her to diffwade the Duke ^V Or/e^wj fro ni
reviving a Negotiation, which the King had com-
ipanded him to put a flop to. The Lords of the Court/
apprehenfieve of the too. great Powers of the
Ottife's^ the Duke of that Name havingmarry'd thf
Mother, of Madamoifelle de Montpenfier, were for
themoft Part againft that Princefs's Marriage with
Monfieur^ the Dutchefs de Chevrevfe^ one of the
mod Intriguing Ladies of the Court, was- engagd
in the fame Interefl .by the Queen ^;?^^ of yhfina^
whom the Princefs ofCmde had fet againft the iMatch.
,Xhe Marquis de Chalais.^ Great Mafter of the W^rd- ,
robe, and the Dutchefs d^ Ckevreufe's Lover embrac'd
226 The Secret Uijlorj
^he fame Party, as did alfo the Favourite Ba/adas^
Chalais having kill'd Monfieur Tomgibaut in a Duel,
his Unkle, the Count de Schomberg^ and the Guifes^
demanded Juftice on the Murderer *, the Duke^^
Orleans^ the Count de Soiffons^ and a great number
of I.ords folMcited his Pardon ^ the Grand Priory
Chalais's intimate Friend, engaged hirti entirely in
the Intereft of the Duke de Orleans^ which prov*d
fatal to him a few Montiis after. In the mean
time the Duke of Savoy hearing the Duke de Or-
/f<3;?j wasadvis'd by Ornano and his Friends to ftreng-
then himfelf by fome Foreign Alliance, ofFer'd hi m^
by his Ambaffador, the Abbot Scaglia^ his Grand^
Daughter, the Princefs o^ Mantua, Heirefs o\ Mont'
f err at. Richlicu was the more carneft in forward-
ing the Match with the Princefs de Montpenfier^
and the Party that oppos'd it, refolv'd to rid them-
fclves and the Nation of him,ifpofrible. ThQ Spaniards
hoping to embroil Matters, fomented it ^ tlie Duke
of Buckingham gave the Duke de Orleans alTu ranee
of Afiftance from England ^ Ae-fen^^tht Dutch Am-
baflabor, was in the Intrigue, and the Princes who
were Enemies to the Houfe of Attfiria, hating Rich-
lieu for breaking the Alliance between France and
them,were all ready to contribute to hisRuin,but the
extricated himfelf by his wonderful Management out
of all Difficulties to the Deflruftion of his Ene-
mies both at Home and Abroad. He began with
the Marquis d' Ornano^ who having the entire Go-
vernment of the Duke d' Orleans, was the moft
dangerous of them, in order to betray the Mar-
quis, he got his Creature the Capuchin Father Jo*
feph to inlinuate himfelf into Ornano^ Friendlhipj
and the- Command of an Army deiign'd for the
Blockade of Rochelle being to be difpos'd of, Father
Jofeph reprcfented to theMarquis that the Duke ought
to demand that Pofl:, and not to be put off with a
Refufal or two, promifing he wou'd get the Car-
dinal to fupport his Pretences^ accordingly Orw^^o
^ot his Mafler to demand it, inftead of fupport-
inj him, Richlieu told the King, that his Bro*
l^^er intended by it to niak« himfelf Mafter of the
Forccf
^/ F R A N C E. 257
Pbrces of the State, and was put upon it by Or-
nanoj who fiird his Head with Ambitious De-
figns, ^vhich created an incurable Jealoufy in Lewis^
who refolv'd to take bold of the ftril Opportuni-
ty to Punifh the Marquis, The Marefchai^? Pr.if/'-
lin dying fome time after, Gafton remonilrated that
the Batoon was due to the Faithful Services of the
Man who had had the Cure of his EducatioiT. Rich-
lieu did not fail to put the fame bad Conflrudion on
this Rernonitrance, and to increafc the King's Jea-
loufy of his Brother and Ornanc^ infomuch, that he
propos'd in Council, to liavethe latter Arrelled, but
MAry de Medici s who delir'd to keep fair with the
Duke ^' Orleans J her Second Son, and to gain Orna-
no, fhew*d the Hazard there was in taking To defpe-
rateaStep, and tliat Gafton ought rather to be fa-
tisfy'd in a Thing that was Titular only, and was of
no Confequence, without a Command . So the Mar-
quis liad tne Batoon, and the Queen Mother^to win
iiMii, let him know 'twas owing to her Inflances;
He promised, at her Requefl, to promote the Mar-
riage between his Mafterand the Frincefs de Aiont-
penfier. Now Was this Favourite of the King's only
Brother Carefs'd, and Courted by all ; not the Car-
dinal himfelf had more Court made to him. Amidfl
this Glai'e of Fortune, 'tis no wonder he was daz-
led with it into a Security which prov'd his De-
ftruclion. The Cardinal was all the widle working
it ivith great Artifice and Induftry, and the Court in
the Spring, \626-7i being at FcniamhUau^ where
nothing; but Pleafure and Diver fions were thought of,
Ricblieu inlinuates to Lewis^ that all thofe wlio op-
pos'd his Brother's Marriage, were in a Confpiracy
to fhut hini up in a Coiwent, and to marry his Bro-
ther to his (^aeen j4n?ie of Auftria. Lewis in a
mortal Frighc, prefs'd the Duke /" Orleam\ Mar-
riage \vith Madamoifeiie ^e Mompe7jfisr more than
e^er, aud gave the Marefcbal pofitive Orders to pre-
pare the Duke' to fktisfy his Maje/I;y m thai matter."
fv^illdcdil hartj (ays the Marefcbal,, b-utldontfind
thiii 3ifr^jk>^j3 m all dtf pos'd to iU' I'his Aufwcf
^^^issrWh M^^K;'re Jealous of Orncmo'^ ar>d *t wi^'
2q8 The Secret Hijlory
refolv'd that his Perfon fhou'd be fecur'd. The Car-
dinal, to prevent any manner of Sufpicion, feemM
more than ever to be defirous of the MarefchaVs
Friendfhip, and Father Jofeph maliciouHy remon-
ftrated to him, what an Injuftice it was to the Duke
d' Orleans^ that he had no Place at the Council
Board. Ormno perfwades his Mafter to demand it ,
Rkhlieu reprefents it as a Defign of his Brother's to
raifea Party even in his Majefty's Council ;> that he
was put upon it by Ornano^ wliofe Ambition it was
to be at the Head of Affiiirs. Gajlon was with much
difficulty admitted, Ornano demanded to attend his
Maftcr to Council. The King's Jealoufy had new
Fuel to rekindle it, and the Refolution taken to Ar-
reft the Marefchal was put in Execution, under
pretence of fome intercepted Letters, between the
Party that oppos'd the Marriage of Monfieur, and
Madamoifelle de Montpenfier^ and the Courts of Spain
and Savoy. The Duke d' Orleans was inrag'd at the
Imprifonment of his Favourite, but his Rage did him
no Service. The Duke demanded of the Chancellor
Aligre whether he had given Council for the Im-
prifonment of Ornano^ the Chancellor denys it, and
for that has the Seals taken from him. Ornano's
Friends are Imprifon'd , and all the Queen Con-
fort's Confidents banifh'd from Court. Rkhlieu
by Bribes and Promifcs, corrupted the Duke of
Orleans's Servants, and Monfieur, who had put him-
felf at the Head of a Powerful Party, to deftroythe
Cardinal, was in the end oblig'd to do as others did,
and comply with the Minifter. The Duke d' Orle-
ans not being able to procure the Releafe of Omanoy
in the Height of his Refentment, gave Ear to fomc
Lords, who animated him fo far againft Richlleu^
that 'twas refolv'd to tak€ him off. The better to
conceal their Refolution, Gafiojfy in appearance, w^as
reconciled tohira, and feven or eight Friends agreed
to Dine with him at Flenry, under Colour of Hunt-
ing. The Defign was faid to be eitiier to Kill him,
or to force hiiii to Swear, the Dagger at his Throat,
that he w^ou'd not obftruft the Marefchal d* Ornanos
Liberty. The Grand Prior is charged to be the Au-
thor'
ofFKANC E. 229.
dior of this Confpiracy ; Chdais promisM to be one
in it, but his Heart fail'd him, and he difcover'd it
to the Cardinal, whofent him to the King to inform
him of it. Lewis at Eleven a Clock at Night, dip
patch'd an Officer with a Detachment of Guards,
for Rlchli€u*s Defence, and the Queen Mother fent
him the Nohlejje that were at her Devotion. The
next Morning, about Four a Clock, came the Duke
d' Orleafjs^s Servants to let thofe of the Cardinal
know, their Mafter wou'd be there at Dinner Time.
The Cardinal rofe early, and coming to Fontainbleau^
where theCourt then was,went diredly to the Duke's
Apartment, to whom he faid, Indeed^ Slr^ I have
Reafon to he angry with you-, that you . wov*d not do ,
me the Honour to Command me to provide a Din-
ner for you J 1 fhoiid have Entertained you as well
I cou*dj hut I perceive you love to he at Liberty ,
therefore I have left my Houfe to you intirely^ to
difpofe ,of every thwg there at your Vleafure. Gaf-
ton Kirpriz*d at feeing him there, and at a Compli-
ment which he did not expeft, diflembled it as well
as he cou'd, and they difcours'd together as freely
?ind as civilly, as if nothing had happen'd. Richlieu
growing every Day more Abfolute, and his Enemies
more exafperated, he thought it time by fome Ex-
emplary Chaftifement, to give a Check ro future
Con [piracies. He conceived a mortal Hatred to the
Uoxxt^oi Savoy ^Qw the Score of Abbot StagUas's Nego-
tiations with his Enemies and Charles Emanuel^ Duke
of Savoy ^ and he did each other all the Injury they
cou'd. The Duke de Vendome and the Grand Prior,
the King's Natural Brothers, were the firft that felt
the EfFedls of the Cardinal's Relentment. Richlieu
pretends to be weary of Bufineis, m account of his
ill State of Health, and wrote a Letter to his Ma-
jelly, to defire Fenniflion to retire to his Houfe at
Limoursy conjuring alfo the Queen Mother to inter-
ceed for him with the King. Both Lems and his^
Mother were alarm'd at this feign *d Refolution of
the Cardinal , they immediately wrote him a*
Letter, defiring him not to leave them, when his
good Councils and Services were fo necell^rv.
^ Qs The
^5<5 The Secret I^^flory
The King aiiur'd him of liis Prote£lion againft the
Duke d' Orleans., the Princes and great Lords of
the Court. They promised to let him know wliat-
ever was f^id to his Prejudice, without requiring-
him to iaftify himieif, Iti fhort, they appointed a"
Guard for hisPerfon, which confirted of a Troop of
Horfe, Rlchlieu w^as prevail'd upon by thele en-
dearing Promifes, to quit his Retreat, and affume
the Government. He, with a great deal of affe^led
Modeily, excus'd his ' taking a Guard , faying it
wou'd he more Glorious for him to dye in his .Ma-
jcity's Service ; and 'twas wich much feeming Re-
lu£):ance that he accepted of it. Bufthis Modeily of
his wore off afterwards, and he r^ot only kept his
jGuards to his Death, but fiJl'd his Troop with
Pick'd Men, and the Captain of it flood always'
faired for the Higheft Military Dignities. The
Duke d' Orleansy and the Prince of Conde^ the*
both hated him, vifited him at Llmours^ and folli-
cited his good Offices for them with the King.
Tho' Cofjde was not confin'd to his Government of
Berri^ yet he cou*d not come to Court without the
King':- Leave, to procure which, he apply'd to
Richlteu in his Retirement. Some of the Cardinal's
Creatures in the Duke of Orleans's Family, repre-
Tented to the Duke, that if the Prince was recalled to
Court, it was with a defign to remove him by de»
gfees from the Cognizance of Affairs, and ad vis d
him to prevent the Prince. Accordingly the Duke
got to Lwiours the Day before Condcj to reconcile
himfelf to the Cardinal, wiio made as if he did it
only becaufe he cou'd not refufe it ^ whereas at the
bottom 'twas the thing of the World he mod de-
fir'd, it being by no means fafe for him to have tlie
King's only Brother his Enemy. The next Day the
Firft Prince of the Blood came to him on the fame
Errand, to defirehis Friendiliip and Mediation with
the King, that he might return to Paris to look
after his Dome/lick Affairs; and as for his being
recaird to Court, he left it wholly to his Majefty s
good Pleafure, Rkhlleu carefs'd and amus'd hini
with fair Words, but ga^ehim no pofitlve Anflver.
^/FRANCE, 231
^he Cardiual beingp refsM to return to his Minift-ry,
Pretended his Health wou'd not permit him to come
nearer Tar is than Chaliot^ where he took up his
Lodging at Monfieur Caftille\ Father-in Law to
Monfieur Chalais^ whole Life he was then Treach-
(Croufly defigning upon. C^^z/t^/'/difcover'd whatever
the Dutchefs de Chevreufch^d told him^ and Richiieu
engag'd him further to ferve him to his otmoll with
his Intereft in the Duke d' Prleans; The Cardinal
inftru£led him to advife the Duke to leave the Court,
and retire to fome ftrong Place, as Havre de Grace^
-which wou'd be the only way to obtain the. Mare(»
chal Ornand's Liberty. Gajhon was fbme time far
that Place^ at other tim.es for Laon in Ficcardy^ and
Chalaii gave the King an exatl. Account of all his
Projects •, to which he added, out of hispwn Inven-
tion, to render himfelf rltore neci?flary to Lewis and
the MinifterSi By thefe w^ked Devices, was tlie
King made to believe Orficino was as Criminal, as the
Cardinal pretended, and that his Brother, fearing he
wou'd be brought to hi^Tryal, was refolyd,at any
rate, to endeavour to fave Jiim. The Dutchefs de
<Chevreufe was the Perfon whoprefs'd Monfieur moil
to leave the Court, but Matters were not as yet well
enough concerted. In the fnean time, the Duke^^
Vendome and his Brother, tlie Grand Prior, having
been tempted to Blois^ where the King then relided,
were both Arreftcd there i and the Duke of Orleans
frighten'dat that bold Proceeding, thotjght it moll
for his Intereft, to dilTenrble a little longer, and to
keep fiir with Richiieu, ^ Hq demanded the Releafe
of Ornanoy to have Ms.Appenage hx'd, and his
Yearly Penfion augmentej^. • The Cardinal ftood oif
a little, btat yielded after foiJKe Refinance. He pre-
tended atifirfl to be furpriz'd, XhnGajion (hou'd
apply to hixii, threatening that he wou'd ,not concern
himlelf for his Royal Hi^ncfs,(iiice Monfieur wou'd
do nothing for the Kir.g^ Satisfi£lion. And the Liv
prifonment of the Dulre de Vendome and the Grand
Prior, fo alaim'd him, that he fent.away the x\hbe
d' Auhazjne to the Duke d' E\>ernon^, to demand a
: Retreat in Guyeme* Chalaisy the Grand Prior's
Q^ 4. intimate
S3 2 The Secret Hijlory
'intimate Friend, was enrag'd at his being Arrefted^
but giving himfeU to the Duke of Orleans^ perfwa-
ded him to retire to Metz., engaging to procure the
Marquis ^r la Talette to receive him •, but neitlier
the Marquis nor his Father wou'd hear of it. On
the contrary, d* Epernon fent the Letter Orleans
wrote him, to the King. Gafion was advis'd to go
llrait to Rochelle. but that was thought to be too
much in favour of the Reformed, The Count de
Soijfons offered him 500000 Crowns, and 8000 Foot,
and 500 Horfe, if he wou'd take Arms againft the
JV] ini fter. Chalais cont inu'd to gi ve kichiku In for-
mation, as if he was ftill his Spy, and preteiided to
Monfieur to adt the fame Part for him with the Car-
dinal. But the Minifter was too cunning foir him,
and gave him to underftand that he Woisno Stranger
to his Gerrfefpondencc with Gafton, Chalais^ oat of
fear of Inconfi:ancy, made a New Dircovery, and
repented of it a Day or Two after. He then told
the Cardinal, that he cou*d ferve him no further
with Monfieur. Richlleu had got enough out of him
to take off his Head, ^x\^ Louvigni^ wlio hated him
for fading with the Count de Candale-^ the Duko
d' Epernon ^'^l^t^ Son, wit-iiw^iom he had a Quar-
rel of Gallantry, tiiey both being in Love with the
Dutchefs Of Rohan^ inhtm'd RtchUet^^ th^t Chalai^
had fent a Dorneflick of his to Metz,^ toi perfwade
the' â– hA^vqnU''de la Valme to receive the Duke of
Orleans mtd 'MetT^, ' Loumgni added, \,\\n .Chalais
promis d to kill the Kingij and that Ga^on and his Con-
fidents were- in the Confpiracy. The Court bei«g
|hen at Nantes in Bretagne^ Chalais was Arrefted,
knd the Parliament had > Orders to proceed againft
him. C/W.?/i confefs'd whatever they wou'd have
him : Richlieu privately^ vifited him in Perfon, and
promis'd to get his Pardow^ if he w^ou'd not confefs
that he had been inftigated by him, to follicite the
Duke ofOrleafjs to leave tlje Court, and perfifted ia
confirming Louvigms Information, that there was
a Conrpiracy againft the King, and that Gafion had
faborn'd him toniurder his Brother.
^/FRANCE. 23}
'Tlie 111 oft that was -in this Plot of Gajion^ was
a Talk among fome of the moft forward of his
:Creatures, to get the King declar'd to be Impotent,
and to marry the Queen, but neither the Queen,
nor Monfieur, nor the Vendomes^ nor Ornano ever
heard a word of it ^ yet this, as bad as it wiis, did
not content the Traytor Rkhlieu^ he muft have
Gafion and his Friends Sworn into an Aflaflination
Plot. Chalai.:^ under the Terrors of Death, is made
to Swear any thing *, the Cardinal ftill flatter'd him
with Hopes of a Pardon, and bad him fear no-
thing, tho he fhou'd be condemn 'd to dye, On the
Word of a Priefi^ fays he, you fijall have it, I wilt
arjfwer my Life for yourt^ and as foon as ever 1 am
got a little out of thefe Difficulties^! willfo manage it^
that the King JJjall load you with Honours and Riches^
Csli on in a Letter he wrote the King afterwards,
t affirms, he had clear and evident Proof of it.
'<5 See what wicked Minifters will do to blacken
thofe that oppofe them. Was there ever a more
damnable Treafoh ? Chalais con fefTcs Things he never
heard of before, his Life is promised him, but thofe
Promi fes are forgot, and 'tis in vain that he cries
-oat on the Scafiold, The Traytor Cardinal brought
fne hither. The Duke d' Orleans follicited for a
Reprieve, but to no purpofe .• he had try'd feveral
Lords, but none wou'd receive him, and his Con-
fidents advis'd him to come to an Accommodation
'^ith his Brother, who was now as much for his
marrying M&damciiQ\\Q de Montpen/ier^ as he iiad
ijefore been againft it. The more Gafion was prefs'd
to it out of a Spirit of Levity or Contradiction,
the more he was averfe to it, / had rather he damn'd
than marry d^ faid he with equal Folly and Impiety,
Richlieu urging it very much one Day, he reply'd,
/ will marry Madamoifelle de Monrpenfier, but not
fo foon as you woiid have me\ I have a Difiemper
upon me^ and will be cm'd of it firfi. The Cardi-
nal was a little confounded, and believing his Con-
fidents {qi him againft the Marriage ^ when they
came to fpeak with him about fomething concern-
ing their Mafter, he laid. Have not you all Difien^
H^ - â– ^srs
2 §4 "^^^ Secret Hiftory
pers as well as Alonfieur, Gajlon was as Wicked and
Profane as his Brother was Bigotted and Super-
flitions. One day, after having embraced the King
his Brother, and kifs'd the Queen Mother very or-
derly and affi£lionately, he fell all of a fuddeninto
a kind of a Fit, Mary de Medicis ask'd what was
the Matter with him, all the Anfwer he made her
was Swearing and Curfingin a moil execrable Man-
ner, that he was ill us'd \ The Queen Mother re-
ply'd, How can you expilh to be happy that do not
fear God ^ you have not been at Confejfwn t^is long
^hiky and the remorfe of Confcience torments you;
J)o not you trouble yourfelf about that^ fays Monfieur,
J care no more for God than I do for the Devil, Lewis
and Mary de Medicis were ftruck Dumb, to
hear his Blafpliemy ; the Cardinal faid their Ma-
jeflies ought not to fuffer him in their Prefence, and
applying himfelf to Gafion^ continued, Tou forgot^ Sir^
that you are before the King^ how foudyou fay Things
â– that ought never to come out of the Mouth of a Per-
fon of your Rank f The Duke ,d' Orleans held his
Tongue, but when he went away faid to his Mo-
ther, i pray you Aiadam to advife the Cardinal never
to take the Liberty to give me Leffons^ I am too Old
now to endure a Pedant about tne, Richlieu v/ho
took hold of all Advantages to deftroy hisEnemie$,
pretended to be in a wonderful Surprize, and infi-
Huated to the Queen Mother, that Omano muft cer-
|:ainly have bewitch'd . the Duke of Orleans, The
Marefchal was mightily adduced to Judicial Aftro-
logy, and that gave a colour xo his Infinuations,
Gajion^ who had ds aiuch Inconftancv as Impietyjfoon
after made his Per: cv'. with his Bii^riicr and the Car-
dinal- and marry G Madamoifelie 'Ac Montpenfm,
Richlieu manvig'd him fo well for his purpofe, that
!)€ got out of him a Declaration, in which he co^-
fefs'd that the Count <^e 5f?.'j[f67;jadvisa.him to retire
to Rec belle y that the Qaci^n, his S'lier-uiLaw, had
written him feveral Letters to dilfwade him from
marrying the Princefs of A<fontpc/?Jier^ that the
5^'z/<?>' AmbaiTador, the Earl of Holland^ the Engli^
Miiiiiier, and the Dutch AmbafTador Monheur J^ey-
fens
#/ F R A N C B. ajf
Jens were in the Intrigue. In return for this De-
claration, befides the Dutchy of Orleans^ he hath th^-
Dutchy of ChartreSy and the County of Blois fettled
on him, and his Revenue was augmented to a Mil-
lion of Livres, over and above wnat the Heirefsof
Montpenjier brought hiin. Upon the Imprifonmenc
of the Duke de Fendome^ Governor of Bntagne^ the
Cardinal, who wanted to have fome Maritime Pro.
-vince at his Difpofal to fecure a Retreat upon oc-
cafion, intended to get that Government for him-
felf *, but the King, who for onrc ventur'd to give
away a Thing himfelf, beflow'd it on the Mare-
fchal de Themines.: RichUeu m a little time got a
Poft erefted for. him, that of Intendant General of
the Navagatton and Commerce of France ,- which put
the Marine entirely into his Poffeflion. While tlie
Court was at Nantes^ the Dutchefs de Chevreufe
withdrew into Lorrairi^ and tlience to England ; the
Count de So'^Jfons went to Rome^ and' Lewis was fo
fpiteful as to fend to his AmbafTador to hinder his
having the Title of Highnefs there, in which the
Count de Bethme excus'd himfelf, writing in An-
fwer, if the Count deSoifTons is guilty^ the King ought
to punlp) him in France, and not mortify him in a.
XVay wherein the Honour of the Crown is concerned,
J had rather quit any Employ than have a Q}are of
an Jrldignity^ which will he an Eternal Reproach to
rne. The Qijeen herfelf, Anrte of Auflria^ was not
niuch better treated than the reft; Richiteu not
fatisfy'd with rendering her Odious to the King,
her Husband, prefwaded him to have her Sum-
mon'd before^ the Council, and Lewis charged her
in their Prefence that fhe woij'd have had two
Husbands at a time. Chalais's Depofition about
the Plot, to fnut him up in a Convent was read to
her \ fio Man was allow'd to enter her Cabinet
or Chamber unlefs Lewis was prefent, RichUeu
tvou'd have had the Two Brothers the Duke de
Vendome and the Grand Prior try'd for their Lives
by CommifTioners, a way made ufe of firfl in this
jEleign, for the Miniflers to appoint Perfonsto Judge
^pfe they wou'd take off, by whi^h means they
236 y^« Seeret Hijlory
Cou'd not fail of being murder'd, the Judges being
all their Creatures. However ^ the Council did not
think it proper to proceed againft the King's two
Natural Brothers, contrary to tiie Rules of Law \
the Privileges of Peerage wras pleaded for the Duke
ofP^erjdome^ and the Order of Maltha for the Grand
Prior ; fo they were both (hut up in the Caftle of
Vinccnnes^ and the Cardinal remained abiolute Ma-
fter.
The Duke of Buchngham being difgufted, as has
been already obferv'd at the Cardinars oppofing his
EmbafTy to France^ refolv'd, as he faid he v\^ou*d,
if he co'/d not come as an Amha^ador^ to come
as a General. Soubiz^e animated him to a Rupture,
by remonftrating to him the Grievances of the
Reform d, and the Glory that v\,^ou'd redound to
him to procure Redrefs of them. The King of
England difpatch'd De Vic, a Vrtnvh Proteftant, to
the DukeV^ Rohan^ 10 inquire into the State of their
Affairs, and get the Reformed to apply to his Bri-
tannlck Majefty as Guaranty of the lafl Treaty, The
Duke fent Blanc art to London^ to give the King
and the Duke an exaft Account of all Things,
and he acquitted himfelf fo vvell of bis Commif-
fion, that it was refolv'd in England to aflift the
French Proteftants, which encourag'd them to be-
gin a new W^r, the Third War of Religion in this
Reign.
Richlteu's Authority being greater than ever af-
ter the difcovery of the pretended Confpiracy of
Chalais^ it embolden'd him to make an attempt a-
gainft BaradaSy the Favourite, who had intermeddled
too much in the Affair of the Duke of Orleans's
Marriage. Tlie Queen Mother and the Cardinal
relenting that he had obflrudedit>bv degrees brought
the King to an Indifference towards him, and he was
then order'd to leave the Court-, Baradas had not
i^hat Command of iiimlelf which was necefTary on
that Occafion, and challenged the Commander de
Souvre in the King's Chamber, for '«vhich he was
banilh'd the Louvre^ and turn*d out of all his Offices.
Richliei^^ to maintain his ov/n Authority, us'd many
• Artifices
0/ F R A N G E. :ij7
Artificies to keep up the Jealoufy there was be-
tween the Kinj^ and Duke of Orleans. The Two
Brothers very often flood in need of their Mother's
Mediation, and Mcdj de Medicis did nothh72 but
in concert with the Cardinal. The Dutchefs of
Orleans being with Child, the Duke had as great
Court made to him as the King himfelf, his
Children were like to inherit the Crown, and the
King's impotence, as was then thought, fecur'd that
Inheritance beyond doubt *, Gafion feeing himfelf
liirroanded by great Lords and Courtiers, be-
gan to think of revenging the ill Treatment the
Marefchal Or;7^;/tf, the Tv^orendomes^ndi^sQtht^
Friends had met with. The Cardinal gave him to
underftand that if he ofFer'd to attack him; the
Prince of Coude, and Count de Soiffons fhou'd be re-
tall'd to Court. The Duke of Guife and the other
Lords that were aljy'd to the Duke of Orleans by
his Marriage with the Princefsof Montpenfier. kept
the Cardinal in continual Apprehenfions. To eafe
himfelf of them, he refolv'd upon the Deftruaion
of the Proreftant Party, and to humble the great
Lords by le/Tening their Penfions, and taking from
them the ftrong Holds in their PofTeflion. The
Proteftans were a Party powerful enough to turn
the Scale to whatever fide they embrac'd, and fuch
^ Power did not at all confift with that of a Mi-
nifter who cou'd not fufFer a Rival, and confe-
quently had made himfelf fo many Enemies. To
filence the Clamours of the People, he perfwaded
the King to fummon an AiTembly of the Notables
m the Year 1^27 ; Men picktby himfelf, who un-
der the appearance of a fair and equal Affembly,
conhrm d the many Breaches this Tyrannical Mi-
nifter had made in the Conftitution of France
What elfe cou'd be expe^ed from Men devoted
to the Court, from Clergymen and Lawyers whofe
Fortune depended upon it ? I fhall not therefore
enter into their Proceedings, nor repeat the Speeches
ot Cardinal Richlieu, and Marillac^ Keeper of the
|eals, his Creature, both full of the greatefl Falf-
«OGd and Flattery j the appearauoe was Pompous,
the
^jS The Secret iiipory
the King caine to the AfTembly attended by his
Brother, the Marefchals o^ France^ and the Knights
of the Orders. Twas to thefe Notables that Rkh-
lleu caus*d the Demolition of feveral Places to be
prupos'd, on purpofe to lefTen thtt Anthority of the
Governors of Provinces. He wou'd not take the
Odium of it on himfelf, but turn'd it all upon themo
Retrenching the PenOons was another popular Ar-
ticle which the Minifter reprefented to the Af-
fembly, and they regulated accordingly. Thefe tu'O
Affairs were the moft Important that were tranf-
adled by them, and after rhey had fat Two Months
they were difmifs'd.
In the mean while, the Court in Complacency
to that of Rome, order'd the Doftors of the Sor-
bonne to examine SantereUs Book beforemention*d.
Of Sixty Eight Doctors, Fifty were gain*d over
and declared for a New and Softer Cenfure.- Eigh-
teen ftood to the laft. The Parliament made an'
Arret forbidding any one, on Pain of High Trea-
fon, to Publifh any other Cenfure than what had
Been already publifh'd. The King commanded
the firft Prefident, and the Magiflrates to attend
him, when they came he forbid them to inter-
meddle with the Affairs of the Sorhonne^ adding,
other wife IJJjall make you know that I am Mdjier.
A Language which by this time, the Parliament
was pretty well accuftom'd to, f^erdmiyVjho dy'd not
long after, reply'd very refpeftftilly, that the Par-
liament had no other View than to provide for tiie'
Security of the King's Pcrfon, and the Prcfervation
of his Authority, and that the Magiffrates defir'd
to make their moft humble Remonftrances to his
Majeffy on that Subie^., / will not have you meddle
pith it any more ; fays the King, 7/ you h^'ive any
Thing to Remonftrare to me do it now. The ffi'it
Frefidejit anfwcr'd. We have no Commijfwn^ Sir^
the Ajfembly mujl firH deliberate what they have
20 rcprtfent to your Majejiy. Well^ well, fays the
King, / forbid you to take Cogniz,ance of this M^i-
Mr^ my Council is as much concern d as you for tht
Security of my Life and ths Prsfervation of my An-'
fbrfftya
<?/ P R A N C E. iaj9
thorlty. In fine the Parliament was forc'd to fub-
iiiit and to pleaie the Pope a Cenfure that was
fo much for the Intereft and Honour of the French
Monarchy was repeal'd, which was a fort of Ac-
knowledgment of the Doftrine afTerted in it, that
Kings might be deposd by the Pope, and their
Subjefts abfolv d from their Oaths of Allegiance. Ta
put the better face on this bafe Compliance, Car-
dinal Spada, the Pope's Nuntio, was defir'd by Her-
bauty Secretary of State, to get the Pope*s Con-
demnation of thefe dangerous Tenets; but Spada
wou'd not charge himfelf with foOfFenfive a Com^
mifijon, and Sam ar el's Doftrine was in a manner
confirm'd by this Submillion to the Pleafiire of
the Co\ino[Rome, by which the Cardinal ingra-
tiated himfelf with Vrbati the Vlllth, and being
well with his Holincfs, he had little to fear from
the Enemies to his Miniftry. The Clamours at
the Injuftice done the King's Two Natural Bro-
thers did not ceafe, and Richlieu^ to jaftify his Con-
dud:, had recourfe to his wicked Artifices to draw
out^ of the Two Fendomes a Confeffion of what is
call'd Chalai/s Confpiracy. Mighty Matters were
promis'd them, if they wou'd confefs. The Dutchefs
d' Elbeuf^ their Sifter, with whom they had no.
good underftanding, was engaged to attempt them,
ihe fent a Gentleman to perfwade them to reveal
the whole Secret to the King ^ he made great Pro-
teffions of Friendfhip and Service in the Name of
Madam d' Elbeuf^ if they wou'd difcover all they
knew concerning the Propofition of the Duke of
Orleans's Marriage with the Qiieen, and prefs'd the
Grand Prior to Name the Courtiers that vvere in
the Plot. Chalais faid fomethwg^ added he, and
Madam de Che vrcufe has declared other Circumfiances,
hut no Body knows Jo ?mich as you. The Grand Prior
protefted he never heard a Word of it, and that
he detefted an^ fuch Thing. 'Us true, continued
he, I endeavou/d to hinder Monfieurs marrying Ma^
damoifellede Montpenfier ', I did not think it for his
Majefi/s Inter eji, or for that of the State, hut J made
ufi of no other mans than what the King ns'd when
he
J240 ^^^ Secret Hifiory
heobdruEiedit, The Gentlemen than (?emandfed of
him, if he had not, advis'd the Dukt oi Orleans to.
retire to Seda^i or Aietz^ : The Grand Prior deny*d
it. Then, as had, been concerted before, enter'd a
Keeper of the Caftle at Ftmennes^ upon which the
Gentleman fa id aloud, 1 am talking volth Monfieur
the Grand Prior ^ about fomething tending to his
Liberty*, he owns he was in the Intrigue to obftruth
the Duke 0/ Orleans's A^arriage^ and of the Cabals
that have made' fd much Noife of late ; and the Pro-.
jeB had fucceeded^ in cafe Monfieur had. retired tQ
Metz or Sedan. The Grand Prior fell into a vi-
olent Paflion, reproach'd the Gentleman with his
Perfidy, repented what he had really faid, and gave
Richlieus GommilTary the Lye^ ^stofeveral Circuni;;
fiances of it. They pra£lis*d with more Succefs on-
the Duke de Fendome , he boggl'd at firfl, but in
the end he Sign*d a Confellion, wherein there being
enough to Condemn him, the Cardinal oblig'd him
to Sign another, in which were many more things
than he ever had been Guilty of, in hopes of his
Liberty. Richlieu notwithflanding it had been pro-
mised him, kept him ftill in the Caftle of Fmcennes^
where the Grand Prior, whom nothing cou'd work
upon to accufe him felf wrongfully, had much worfe
'Ufage, and bore it more like a Heroe.
The Reduiflion of Rochclle being refolv'd upon by
the Cardinal, to enable his M.ifter to make Head
againft the EngUJI) Fleet, he, by the Intrigues of
Father Berulle, enier'd into a Secret League with
the Spaniards^ by which the latter were oblig'd to
furnifh the French King vvith a good Number of
Men of War, and to attack JreUnd when the Eng-
liftj attack'd France. At the fame time did he renew
an Alliance with the States General, againft the
Spaniards^ who then were in hopes to reduce the
Siven Provinces^ which wou'd have been too great
an Augmentation of the Power of the Houfe of
Aujiria, AAirabel^ ihQ Span ifi Ambaffador at Par is j
got Intimation of it, and complain'd to Richlieu,
Haze Patience, fays the Cardinal, till rve have done
iviti: Ep«I:ind, you fhall then fee how ready irr are t».
4ft_
cf F R A N C E. â– !24t
fiffifl his Catholick Majefly againft all his Enemies^ not
excepting the Vnited Provinces. The Dutch Am-
baiTador having alfo Notice of the Secret Negotiati-
on between Spain and France^ coniplain'd too in his
Turn, and Richlieu endeavour'd to fatisfy him, by
faying the quite contrary to what he had faid to
MiraheL The King of Engla??d^ inftigated to it by
his Favourite the Duke of Bucki}7gham^ fsnt Mr.
Montague to the Duke of Lorraine^ whom the
Dutchefs de CI evreafe had prepared to enter into a
Confederacy againft France, Montague from Lor-
raine went to Ttirin^ and the Duke of 5^z/^j/ enter 'd
into the fame Engagejiient. From thence "he went
to Lanvuedoc^ and by Promifes, which had they been
perform'd, wou'd have fecur'd x\\q Frotedant Religion
in France^ encourag'd the Duke of Rohan to engage
the Reforn-'d of Languedoc in the Quarrel. The
Duke of Lorraine^ as foon as the Engll(/j had made a
Defcent in France^ was to Invade Piccardy or Cham-
pagne with his own Troops ^ and fome Germans^
wiiom the Emperor irritated by the French Intrigues
in Germany^ was to lend him. The Duke of Savoy
was to fend the Count de Soiffons at the Head of an
Army, to attack Bauphiny and Provence ; the Duke
de Rohan was to rife in Languedoc, and the EngUfi) to
Land 30000 Men in Normandy and Guyenne^ for the
Defence of Rochelle ^ but Buckingham's ill Conduct
and Fortune, render'd this fair Proje£l Abortive.
A^ontague ^:^^sk\T!di'm France^ and fent iotXiQBa-
fiilie^ and the Dukes of Lorraine and Savoy did not
fiir.
During thefe Foreign Tranfa£lions, there hap-
pened an Event in France which defcrves Notice on-
ly on Account of the Charafter of the late Duke
and Marefchal de Luxemburgh^ whofe Father, Fran-
cis de Montmerency^ Count de Bouteville^ loft his Head
on a Scaffold, for having fought feveral Duels con-
trary to the King's Edifts, Bouteville was a great Fa-
vourite of the Duke oi Orleans's^ and that Prince
refolv'd to endeavour his Refcue- but the Cardinal
being inform'd of the Defign, fet fo ftrong a Guard
wpon him, that there was no hopes of faving him
R but
242 The Secret Biftory
but by Mecliation, all which proved inefFeftual. The
Counters de Boutcville was brought to Bed of a Son
a little while after her Husband was Beheaded,
which Son, was he, whofe Cruelties in Holland^
whofe Vices in France^ and whofe Succefles in Fla-a-
ders^ have loaded his Memory wath fuch an equal
fhare of Glory and Infamy.
It was fufpe<5led5 that the Duke of Lorrane^ who
came to Tarls much about the time that Montague
was Arrefied. us^der Colour of demanding the In-
veftiture of the Dutchy of Bar^ had in view to en-
gage the Duke of Orleans in the Confederacy above-
mention'd ^ but that Prince fmce his Marriage,
feem'd lo have quitted all Thoughts of Politicks,
and to apply himfelf wholly to his Diverfions and
Studies. TheDutchefs, a Princefs of an excellent
Temper, won upon him fo far, as to create a Jea-
loufy in his Favourites of her hifiuence over him,
and the Duke, who was not a Man of the greateft
Honour in the World, having been advis'd hy A4on-
prifon^ a Gentleman of Normandy^ to refent the
injuftice done his Friends, the Marelchal Ornam^
the Vendcmes and others. Orleans, inftead of heark-
iiing to it, was fo bafe as to inform the King of
it, and Monprifon was thrown into the Bajiide.
Not long after this, the Dutchefs of Orleans was
delivered of a Daughter, and four Days after dy'd.
The Duke was a while very much troubled for the
Lofs of her, but Debauchery drove it out of his
Head \ and when he was reprov'd for his Lewd-
nefs, he wou'd fay, 'Tis their Fault who will not let
tne Marry again : For the King who had been un-
der great UneafinefTes while his Sifler-in Law w^as
with Child, fearing it might have been a Son, pray'd
his Mother not to make hafle in putting Gajlon on
a Second Marriage. His Brother Lewis affefted an
extraordinary Piety and Devotion, yet he wou'd
not let his Brother marry, to prevent the Enor-
mities he W'as Guilty of in his Infamous Amours.
And the good Qiieen Mother finding Lewis w^ou'd
not hear of it, and that Gafion\ Health, and per-
iiaps his Life , was in danger by his Lewd way of
Living,
of FRANCE. 245
Living, was for the Duke's having a Miftrefs, ra-
ther than he fhou'd run rambling after all forts
of Strumpets. Upon this PcrmiHion, feveral of the
Duke's Confidents ofter'd themfelves to procure for
him : Pretty Girls were brought to Feait and
Dance with him, in hopes he wou'd pitch upon
one or other of them, and keep to her.* But Gaf-
ton was for all of *em, and perceiving the Defign
they had upon his Conftancy, made a Jeft of it,
and l.iv'd to his own likin ^
To this time the Q^ieen Mother and Cardinal,
had had no mifundei Handing, they feem d ro a£l
always in concert, undRichlieuy in appearauct;, was
her Creature. But now A'fary ae Adedicis per-
ceiv'd he was wholly bent on the EftabliPnuig him-
felf, and negle£led the Intereft of his Benefaftoro
Marcillac^ Keeper of the Seals, which the Cardi-
nal had obtained for him, grew weary of livhig iri
an entire Dependance, and the Qiieen Mother cad
her Eyes upon Father Berulle, to make him her
Chief Miniller, in oppofition to Richlieu. BeruHc
•had a great Reputation for San^lity, but his Ge
nius was by no means equal to Richlieu s , and the
Choice Alary de A^edicis made, was not likely to
fupport her againft a Minifter who had very little
of the Affairs of the other World in his Head^
and was fo much taken up with this, which Be-
rulle afFe£|ed not to be. Richlieu faw into the
Queen's Defign, and therefore when ihe follicited
a Cardinal's Hat for the Superior General of the
Oratory, he privately oppos'd it to his utmoH:.
But M^r^y de Aiediciis Soilicitations with the Pope
prevail'd, and the Father had the Cardinal's Hat
given him at the next Promotion, when the King
was on his Journey to open the Siege of Ro-
cheile, Richlieu was furpriz'd when he heard of
it, and his Differences with the Oueen Mother
were now h often and fo p;reat, that his Confef-
for Suffcen, who was ufuafiy eaipioy'd to make
'em Ffiends again, found that Task a little too
difficult for him. The Cardinal infmuated to the
Kii'g, that hi% Mother had not forgotten her old
R. ;? AfFi^Mioit
244 ^^^ Secret Hifiory
AfFe£lion for the Duke of Orleans^ whom (he lov'd
better than him, and that Ihe wou'd always r»»
member the Death of the Marefchal D' Ancre,
Upon this Lewis's Sufpicions were reviv'd, and he
conceiv'd an Incurable Jealoufy of his Mother and
Brother. The Cardinal eafily made him believe
what he pleas 'd, and the King thought he fhoud
not be able to defend himftilf againfl the Defigns
of his neareft Relations, without the help of
JRichlieu. No w^onder that he was fo Abfolute a -
Mafter, and that every thing was done as he wou'd
have it.
Our EngliJJ) Hiftories teli us enough of the
Duke of Buckingham's fhameful Expedition to afTlft
the Rochellers^ who, after much Debate, agreed to
declare for him and the Duke de Rohan. Indeed
the Froteftants of France had riafon to defpair of
maintaining their Religion, when their Brethren
of£;;^/^Wfocarelefly Aflifted them, and their Bre-
thren oi Holland Fought againft them. The Dutch
fent a Squadron of Men of War to ioyn the French
Fleet, intended to reduce Rcchelle-^ but this Juftip%.
muft be done the Hollanders^ that while fome High
Flying Clergy Men in England were queftioning
the Lawfulneis of a (lifting the Reform d in France j
as being Rebels to their Popiflj King^ the iMinifters
in Holland preach'd with great Vigour and Free-
dom, againft the States General's compliance with
the French King. I fhall refer the Reader to Gene-
ral Hiiiories for the Siege of Roche lie, and the
Three Unhappy Attempts of the En'glijh to relieve
it, and only obferve, that the King falling ill as
he was fctting out for the Siege, gave the Com-
mand of the Army to his Brother the Duke of
Orleans ^ and repenting of it afterwards, took it
from him again, as if he wou'd alTume it himfelf ^
whereas in Truth., 'twas to give it to Richlieu^
who now difcharg'd the Offices of Conftable and
Admiral. Gafien^ in Difcontent, return'd to Paris y
where he renewed his Pleafures, and thus endea-
voured to divert his Meiancholly. He diflinguidi'd
the Pi'iucQk Mary^ Daughter of the Duke o{ Never ',
from the Beauties of the Court, and fhsw'd a Dif-
pofition
ofF R,A N C E. 245
pofition to marry her, which his Mother oppos'd,
having a Defjgn to marry him to a Frincefs of
7ufcany. Tho' Gafton was out of Humour with
his Brother, he was in a very good one with his
Sifter-in-Law, Ame of Aujirla^ whofe Vertue is
however well fpoken of by the befl Hijiorians. The
Queen and Duke carry'd themfelves very friendlily
towards each other, and all they differ 'd about,
was, That the Duke wou'd have his Sifter in-Law
remain Barren, and Anne of Aujlria pray'd to all
the Saints in Parls^ that (he might have Children.
Gafion meeting her one Day coming from her De-
votion, Tou come Madam^ fays he fmiling, from
folliciting your Judges againfi me^ I rvou'd willingly
lofe my Caufe, provided the King had Credit enough
for it. The City of Rochelle being reduc'd, Anno
i^2Sj Richlieu contented himfelf for the prefent
with that Mortal Blow, w^hich he had given the
HugonotSj and all his Politicks tended to lefTening
the Power of tiie Houfe of Aufiria. Cardinal Bs-
rullcy whofe Zeal was as Fiery as his Theology
jwas Myftical, advis'd the Queen Mother to ufe her
*Bideavours to break off his entring into any Confe-
deracy with Heretical Princes, eipecially not to make
Peace with England. What was faid to Mary de
Medicis on that Subie£V, may perhaps give one
a better Idea of our Affairs, even than the Engllff)
Hiftory; By continuing the War with the King of
Great Britain, fays Berulie, who is already weaken d^
and in ill Terms with his SubjetiSy we ha e reafon to
hope he will be foon forc'd to recal the Domefticks
of his Queen, who have been difoarded contrary to
the Solemn Treaty^ and to give over Perfecuting
the Englifh Catholicks : Who knows but that God
may re-ejiablijh the True Religion in England, while
Herefy is destroying in France, in Germany, and
elfswhere, Berulle^ Marctllac Keeper of the Seals,
and others, made tiiefe ImprelTions on the Mind
of the Queen iVlother. who was for ruining the
Proteflants in France^ before any Foreign Expedi-
tions were thought of. But Mary de Medicis^s
Influence was gone, fhe maintained it only by that
of her late Favourite, and Richlicu laugh'd at their
R 3 \Tiptent
246 The Secret Hijiory
Impotent Endeavours to obftruft his intended Mea*
fures. What niojl diflurb'd him, was the Duke
(ie Rohan s continuing in Arms in Languedoc^ af-
ter Rochelle was taken : He held out with invin-
cible Refolution againft Three Armies, Command-
ed by the Prince of Conde^ the Duke dc Montme-
rency^ and the Duke d* Epernon : And Rkhileus
Heart being fet upon relieving Cajalt and prevent-
ing the Spaniards pofTefTing Montferrat^ an Army
was rais'd, to be Commanded by the Cardinal in
Perfon.- He alfo got Contarini^ the Venetian Am-
bafTidor, who was Mediator of the Peace between
England and France, to engage Charles the Firll:
to promife that he wou'd not attack Lewis du-
ring his Abfence to relieve Cafal. The Cardinal
oblig'd his M after to accompany him againft his
Will, as he had done at the Siege of RochelU, The
Qsisen Mother was left Regent, and the Duke d'
Orleans accompany 'd the King feme part of his
Journey to Italy^ but made an Excufe afterwards
to return to Paris^ where his Mother affeded to
treat him with great Coldnefs, and he appear'd^(j|
be very much difcontented with her, which was
a Blind to deceive the World, and hide the Secret
Intelligence they had, and their Defign to ruin the
Minifter, if not to iliut the King ud in a Convent,
for which he feem'd more fit than for the Throne.
The Grand Prior dying foon after the King's De-
parture, 'twas fufpeaed that Richlieu had caus'd
him to be Poifon'd. The Duke of Orleans in his
Letter to the King, in the Year re-^iy infinuates
that the Sufpicion of it was not iH grounded^
for the Cardinal's Confcience was not (b icrupu-
lous, that he ftuck at any luch indireft means to
rid himfelf of an Enemy. Richiteu triumph'd in
Jtaly^ the Governor of Afilan rais'd the S'iege of
Cafal^ and in Three Months time the French Ar-
my was return'd to Dauphiney, to act againft the
Proteflants. The Duke de Rohan defpairing of
Succours from the King of £;?^/.'?W, whofe Friend-
iliip had been fo fatal to him, fent an Envoy to
Spaw^ to procure Afliftance from Philh, offering
for
of F K A N C E. 247
for ^00000 Ducats yearly to maintain 12000 Foot,
and 1200 Horfe to make a Diverfion in Languedoc^
Dauphine and Provence as the Spainards ihou'd think
fit. Claufel, the Dake's Envoy, concluded a Treaty
which was fent by Fetz. a Fkmand to the Duke
Felz. being taken in France^ and that renegotiation
difcover'd, the Reform d found it impofiible, divided
as they ftill were, to refifl: the Power that was
em ploy 'd again ft them.
In the mean time, the Duke of Orlea?is was,
or feem'd to be paffionately in Love wiili the
Princefs A4ary^ Daughter to the Duke of A'fanti-a and
NeverSy which his Mother appear*d dilTitisfy'd with,
and GaiiGYii Refentment of the Obftacles ihe rais'd to
that Match, made the World believe that the
afFefted Differences between them were really
grounded on Mary de -Medicls's Importuning him
to marry a Princefs 01 Tufa^y. The Duke, who
difTembled all this while, went fofar in his Amour,
that the Queen fearing he wou'd take her from her
Aunt, the Dutchefs of Longueville^ fecur'd her Per-
«and confin'd her to the Caflle of Vincennes,
Duke complain'd aloud, and fent a Gentle-
to the King in Italy to make his Complaints -^
Cardinal not yet prepar'd to come" to an open
Qiiarrel with Mary de MedkiSy approv'd of her
Condu£V,v/hich at the bottom he was very uneafy at,
doubting what wou'd be the efJedl: of a Rupture
between the Queen and her Son, or perhaps whether
that iRupture was not feian'd, and a colour to the
Defigns that were form'd againft him.
The Cardinal wou'd have been glad if Gafton had
marry'd the Princefs o{ Mantua againft iiis jMother's
Confent, 'twas a fure way to keep them at Variance,
and thereby preferve his Authority, which he knew
wou'd (ink if the Duke of Orleans was marry'd
to a Princefs of Tvfcany* The Dutcheis of Lon-
gueville flatter'd Combaletj the Cardinal's Niece, tliac
the Count de Soijfons her Brother lliou'd marry her,
if Richlieu facilitated the Princefs Alary s Max mgc
with Monfieur. This wou'd be a means o^ efta-
bliiliing Rkhlieus Fortune, tho' the King fhou'd
R 4, not
248 The Secret Hijicry
not Live, which his ill State of Health rendered very
doubtful. The Publick, who judg'd by Appearances,
cry'd outagaindthe Violence and.Obilinacyof A/^ry
de A'ledtciSj tho' fhc had done nothing but in Con-
cert with her Son the Duke of Orleans, Lewis was
for the Releafe of the Princefs, and Cardinal de
Beridley who Innocently advis'd the fecurity of her
Perfon, as Innocently advis'd the fetting her at Li-
berty;, being inform'd by the Duke d Orlearjs'%
Confeffor, that Gajlon never intended to take lier
away by Violence which was true enough, and the
Princefs s Name was only made ufe of to conceal
the Intrigue the Qaeen Mother and her Son iSajion
was carrying to out the Cardinal of his Miniliry.
The Duke d' Orleans promis'd at laft he wou'd not
marry without his Mother's and Brother's con Pent,
and Mary de Medicis took tiie Princefs Maij of
Mantua into the Louvre^ Gafton prefently repairs
thither as if he was in a mighty joy for her De-
liverance, the Queen feem'd very much furpriz*d,
and the Duke pretending highly to refent the force
his Mother wou'd put on his Inclination, reth"
Momargis, having before confulted with her
tlie Mealures that were to be taken to accom
their Defjgns.
'Tis faid that the Queen Mother and the Duke
o^ Orleans on the one fide, and the Cardinal de
FJehlleu on the other, were govern d by Two Aftro-
logers, and that their Predictions were the Foun-
dation of alJ their Counfels. Fabronl^ a famous
Jtalian Alirolo^er, afTur'd Mary de Medtcis that
Lewis wou'd dye in a few Months ; the Queen
Mother thought fhe cou'd not fecure the Admi-
riiftration to herfelf, but by marrying the Duke of
Orleans to a Princefs of Tufcany^ who wou'd be en-
tirely indebted to her for the Crown ; Cardinal
Michlieu depended as much on the Prediftion of
Campponella another Aftrologer of Italyy who al-
ways told him the Duke 01 Orleans wou'd never
Reign. This made him negleft Gajion as he did,
vv^hile the Duke built on the AfTurances given him
by a Fortum Teller calFd Duvd^ v\rho call the King's
Nativityjj
; rorce
(?/ F R A N C E. 249
Nativity, and declar'd he fhou'd dye before the.
Sun enter*d Cancer in the Year i(?3o. Vuvd was
unfortunately out doubly in his Prophefies, the
Cardinal having Information that he had caft the
Duke of Orleans's Nativity, and flatter 'd him with
the hopes of Succeeding the King in fo few Months,
caus'd him to be apprehended, his Papers were fiez'd,
and the veryScheme he had drawn found among them,-
Duval was Try'd and Condemn'd to the Galley.
Thefe Tranfa^ions happen'd during the War in
Italy and Languedoc^ whether the King march'd
when he returned from Piedmont^ and the firft Fn-
terprize he undertook was the Siege of Privas^ the
Capital of Flvaretz,^ which being taken by Trea-
fon, the Garrifon (vere put to the Sword, and tlie
Inhabitants riunder'd and Butcher'd, the Women
violated, and the City laid in Afhes. Before this
City fell feveral Gaiiant Officers, and among the
reft the Marquis d' Vxelles and Monfieur Des For-
fer, who were to have had the Batoon if they had
liv'd a few Days longer. Monfieur de Marillac^
^the Keeper of the Seal's Brother, was fcnt to Privas
by the Queen Mother, to inform the King and Car-
dinal of the State of Affairs at Court, efpecially
with Relation to the Princefs o^ Mannta\ he carry'd
with him Letters cf Recommendations for that Mi-
litary Dignity, drawn in fuch prefling Terms, that
there was no avoiding the giving him the Staff
witliout an open Rupture-, {o Rtchlieu who had
conceived a Jealoufyof the Two Marillacs and mor-
tally hated both of them,got it for him. A/fary deMe-
dicis's Proje^l was by the help of the Keeper of the
Seals and the New Marefchal to form a New Mini-
ilry under the Dire^^ion of Cardinal ds Berulle^ who
was to be chief of it in Appearance, but the Power
to be referv'd for the Queen Mother and her Two
Creatures : Hie latter depending on her Proteftion^
devoted themielves entirely to her, and the fatal
Confeqnence of this Proje£^ to them all was a
teriable LefTon, to all other Perfons to beware how
they dared to make Head againft a Minifter who
f arry'd ail Ijefore bini,
Twas
250 The Secret Hijlory
'Twas about May \6i9 that Vrivas was taken and
tleftroy'd. Alets^ frightened at the Deftruaion of
the Gapitaljof X\i<tVivarQz^^ open'd her Gates to the
Conqueror: the Conditions that were granted her
were obferv'd to take off fome of the Odium
which attended the Butchery at Privets^ and this
Moderation tempted the other Proteitants Cities
to follow her Example. However, the Duke de
Rohan remained ftill firm, and wou'd hear of no
other Terms but the Confirmation and Performance
of their Edicis and Treaties. The Cardinal, who
was impatient to apply himfelf to Foreign Affairs,
the Germans again threatning Ma'ntua2iX\^ Cafal^ gave
the Duke to underftand, in the King's Name, that if
he wou'd treat a part for himfelf his own Advantages
fhou'd be much greater than if he infilled on a
General Treaty J the Duke abhor'd a Seperate Trea-
ty, the Nature of which is fuch, that it cannot be
effe(5led without breach of all the Ties of Honour,
where Parties are engag'd on the Condition of
mutual Defence in matters of Peril, on Terms that
oblige them never to abandon one anothers InJ^
tereft, nor conclude any thing without Participation^
and Confent, which is tiie Tenour of all Treaties,
and an Article without which none cou'd fubfift.
What an A^bhorence muff Men of Honour have
for Propofitions fo contrary to Honefly and Equity,
that wou'd devide them from their Allies. It is
not for fuch Men as the Duke of Rohan was, to do
a Thing fo Bafe, fo Detefiable \ he wou'd have a
General Peace or none, which the Cities were in
the End forc'd to comply with on the King's own
Conditions, and it was proclaim'd in his Camp in
JuTie. By this Peace were the Proteffants deprived
of all their Security, the Fortifications of their
Cities were raz'd, and the ?(?/?//?» Religion rellor'd.
Liberty of Confcience and their Temporal Privi-
leges being only confirm'd to them, and that did
not laft long, tho' this Edi£l, as vv^ell as all the
reff, was cali'd. Perpetual and Irrevocable^ as alfo the
EdiEi of Grace^ becaule the King wou'd have it
worded in fuch a Manner that it^might be taken
for
*/ F R A N C E. 351
for a pure effe£l of his Clemency, and not of a
Stipulation between him and his Subje^ls, who were
in Arms to obtain it. Aiontaubnn made fome (how
of refinance after all the other Cities had fubmitted,
but 'twas only to give Richlieu the Glory of re-
ducing a Town that had made fo brave a Defence,
and driven the King himfelf from before it. The
Cardinal liad Intelligence within the Town, and
tho' the Marefchal de Bajjompierre^ who .was fent
with a Body of Troops to take PolTefiion of it, had
the Gates Ihut againft him, yet Rtchlieu was ad-
mitted as foon as became before if, he Garrifon'd
it and order'd the Fortifications to be Levell'd. The
Edift which was publifh'd upon the Couclufion of
the Peace, was no better obfervM than any of the
reft had been, and voithm lefr than Two Teartj[a.ys
my Author, the Reform'd had fo maiiy Injuries dene
'em as are hardly to he imagind. But Two Things
hinder d, the hafttnng of their Defirun:io?j. i ]ie(e
Two Things were the Combuftions at Court, and
the League with Gufiavus Adolphus^ King of Sweden,
»l||Thefe Combuftions and that League are too well
known to deferve a Place m this Kiftory. I fhali
therefore only touch upon fome Particulars of
the former which the French Hiflorians have not
ventur'd on in their Annals that have the Publick
Warrant. B^^fore I enter upon the Quarrel between
the Queen Mother and her ungrateful Servant, the
Cardinal de Richlicuj I muft give fome Account
of the Duke of Orleans^s leaving the Kingdom, and
retiring into Lorrain^ it being done in concert with
her. The King came to Pans \n July i^2i?, the
Duke hearing of his return, rerdv'cl to avoid fee-
ing him, and withdrew to Champagne)\m] thence
to Lorrain^ where he w^as receiv'dNvith Extraor-
dinary Honours by Duke Charles ; Gajion pretended
that his Mother's ufage of him with refpec^ to his
Marriage was the occafion of his Difcontent. Tho'
it was plain enough, that he was far from tak-
ing the lofs of the Princefs Mary of Mantua to
Heart, for he had not been a Wsck at Nancy be-
fore he Ihou'd himfelf Amcrcus of the Duke of
LGrrai?i'%
^ja *The Secret Hijlory
Lorraln's fecond Sifter, the Princefs Margaret ; Mon-
fieur, however, made terrible Complaints of the
Arrogance of the Miniftry fuppcrted by the Qaeen
his Mother, and Rkhlieu cou'd not awaken the
King's jealoufy of him, by faying, now that he
was the beft beloved Son • Cajlon declar'd openly
againft the Cardinal, whom he call'd his profefs*d
Enemy. But Rkhlieu % Succefifes in Italy and Lan-
guedoc had fo encreas'd his Credit with the King
Hnd Kingdom, that Alonfieur's Complaints made no
great Impreflion. The Letter he wrote to the King
from Nancy was in very ftrong Terms, and had this
Expreifion among the reft, that he cou'd not endure
a New Mayor of the Palace, that ufurp'd all the
Soveraign Authority.
Lewis, who of himfelf lov'd to be C^uiet, and to
live well with his Family and People, was for an
Accommodation, but Richlieu reprefenting Mon-
fieur's Demands as too Exorbitant, prevented it, and
the Cardinal triumphing over all his Enemies, law
the Princes and great Lords cringing and bowing
to him as to a Mafler ^ many of 'em attending ii^
his Hall and being often difmifbM without Audience;
The Prince of Conde who wanted to be meddling
with Burrnefs again, and found there was no other
Canal to it, wrote the bafeft and moft fiattering
Letter that one can meet with to his Enemy ^
wherein are thefe fhameful Expitfii )ns from the
firft Prince of the Blood to an Imperious Piiefl.
After having enumerated the Cardinal's glorious
Alliens at Rochelle^ in Italy^ and Languedoc. He
added, Thcfc Hcroick Acts aye fo wonderful, that
the King without flattery 7nay he called the grearefi
King that ever was^ and yourfelf the mr.fi IVife^
??ioji Pnident-, rnoji Difcerning Minifier that ever
fervid France ; every Body Loves you^ and is ohlig'd
to you by the general Knowledge of your Service to
the PuhlicJi *, but I who am entirely in the Inter efi
of the King and the State ^ to which I fljall live a?jd
dye wholly devoted ; J look upon wy felf hound as
your Servant to tejiify to you thefe Sentiments of my
Joy, There is fo much Fuftian in the Qth^^MdX
that
^/FRANCE. 25?
that it has not fuiter'd in the Tranflation, and we
may fee by it what was the Spirit of the French
under fo Tyrannical a Minifter. The Duke de
Montmerency who was unqueftionably a Lord of
tiie moft Ancient Family in France^ and wascali'd
the firft Ghriftian Baron, who had a Soul in fome
things equal to his Birth, in his Submiffions to
the cardinal, betray'd its Native greatnefs. He not
only paid hnii flavifh Compliments in Langiiedoc^
of which he was Governor, but affifted him to
fupprefs the States of the Province who had pre-
ferv'd their Liberty till then, as it was under their
Ancient Soveraign the Count deTholoufe \ In the
room of thefe States, Richlieu was for eftablilhing an
AfTembly of Twenty Four EUEls^ who being nam'd
by the Court, or the Governor of the Province,
might have the Form of Authority without the
Power. The Duke de Montmerency was fo well
belov'd in his Government, that had he fupported
the Liberty of his Province, the Cardinal durfl;
not have invaded it, but indead ct that he foli-
cited each Member of the AfTembly to Vote for
the Eielis. Generous and Brave was the Anfwer
of the Gentleman whoappear'd there for the Count
de Clermont Lodeve^ when the Duke ask'd his Vote
of him. Sir^ faid he, Jf we were Guilty of High
Treafon the King wou'd he content mth Puniflmg
tfSj and woii'^d not oblige us to fign the Sentence of
our Condemnation WonW you h^'ve lis give our Sue-
cefors fuch an ill Opinion of us^ that injiead of De-
fending and Maintaining what our Ancejiors left us
that was moft Dear, We fjjou'd our felves he the
fudges and WitneJJesfor our own Deflru^ton. The
AfTembly wou'd uoi confent to the Abolifhing the
States and Eflablifhing the Elects -, fo Richlieu fent
a Sergeant to command tliem to Seperate after
having verify'd a Peremptory Edid fcr creeling
Twenty Four Ele^s in that Province. Montmerency
paid dearly afterwards for his difhonourable Com-
pliance with the Cardinal, he came to Court, and
Richlieu*s EmifTaries gave out he was in Love with
the Queen AnmQiAiftria^ but the Queen Mother
G
254 The Secret Hiftory
fo fatisfy'd the King that the Report was a Fiflion ^^
that his Jealoufy had not the ill efFc(fls which were
intended.
While the Cardinal was at Montauban^ another
powerful Lord, the Duke ^' Epernon^ render'd him
a Vifit at the Importunity of his Friends, for d*
Eperfton's Proud Heart had much a do to ftoop to
that Proud Prieft's in fufferable Arrogance^ how-
ever, he fubmitted to the Cardinal's Ambition, and
went out of his way to pay him Homage ^ yet did
it with fo much Repugnance, that his Compli-
ments were ratlier To many Affronts, and his
Friends w^ere vex'd that they had oblig'd hifii to do
a Thing he was fo averfe to. The Duke d' Epernon
jiad a Quarrel with Sourdis Arch-Bifhop of Bour-
deaux a great Favourite of Rkhlieu'i \ the Arch-
fei("hop being then v;ith him at Montaubarij Rkhlieu
endeavoured to reconcile them*, after Dinner the
Cardinal prefenting Sourdis to ih^ Duke, faid, 5/>,
Tou fee Monfieur de Bourdeaux, he ii very willing
to be your Servant <^ pray for my Sake be Friends with
him. D" Epernon reply'd haughtily, and turning
but fide-ways to him, Sir^ ^<?«/;fz^r de Bourdeaux
and I know one another very well^ he then faluted him
very negligently, and continued his Difcourfe with
the Duke de Montmerency. Sometime after ano-
ther offer at a Reconcilation being made, Sourdis
protcfled he honour'' d. him as his Fa- her. Tou are in
the rightj fays the Duke with a Malicious Smile,
there may be fomethirig in it. The Arch-Bifhop s
Mother was it ieems a Lady of Gallantry, and ths
Duke d' Epernon was thought to have been one
of her happy Lovers. Richlieu was highly offended
at the Duke's high Tone and Airs, both at Mon-
tauban and the Court, when they both met there
and advis'd him to ufe a little more Complacency,
innftiug at the clofe of what he faid, U Eper-
mn^ G'afcon^ Bro^^ue and Aiien^ which he never left
to his Death. The Cardinal took care, however,
to make ufe of civil and obliging Expreilions, Ex-
cufe^ Sirj fliys he, the Liberty I take in being fo
FanrUiar with you. Why JJmi'd I h angry that
yon
of ¥ K AN CE. 255
you mimmic'k me^ fays d' Epernon, Marais tnimmlch
me every Day before yoM> ^nd you fee I hear it, Afa'
rais was the King's Fool, and the Satyr of it was
very biting.
Thefe Particularities of fo great Men, cannot
but be entertaining, bcfides, they ferve more than
the Publick ones to fet their Characters in their
True Light, which is the main end of AnsStodes,
The, Cardinal de la V alette^ d* Epernon sSon^ was
more Court ;y than his Father, and flatter'd him as
much as the other fhockt him. The Duke was a-
fham'd of the Meannefs of his Son's Temper, and
us'd to call him not the Cardinal de la V^alette^ but
Le Cardinal Valet, a Pun that has a very Satyrical
Effed in the French Language.
We have feen the beginnings of thofe Differences
between Richlleu and Mary de Me die is ^ that drove
the latter out of Fr^we. They broke out violently
on the Cardinal's Return from his Expedition to
Italy and Languedoc, His Mock Triumphs made
him fo vain, that he cou'd not bear any the leaft
Mortification, not even from his zMidrefs, to whom
he was indebted for that Power, which he fo Arbi-
' trarily exercis'd. When he came firft to Fomaln-
hleau^ after that Expedition, accompany'd by the
Cardinals de la Falette and Eerulle^ the Dukes de
Longuevlllej de Chevreufe^ and de Montbaz^on^ the
Counts de St, Pol^ and de la Rochfaucault ^ in a word,
by almoft the whole Court, he alighted at the
Queen Mother's Apartment ^ fhe receiv'd him very
coldly, asking him only How he did ? The Cardir.al
knit his Brows, and his Lips trembling, as they did
always when he was in a Pafiion, faid, / am better
than abundance of People here mfh me to be. The
Queen Mother blufh'd, and ftrove to bring him in-
to a good Humour: It happened, that while they
were talking, Cardinal de Berulle enter'd in a Coat,
A la Cavalier J without his Cardinal's Robe, whicii
made the Queen fmile. Rlchlieu coming up to Mary
de Medicisj faid, / vpijf) I was as much in your good
Graces^ as the Man you laugh at. She excus'd her
SiTiiling, but the Cardinal was fo Ciaolerick, that
Ihe
256 The Secret Hijlory
ihe told him at lafl-, He was infupportahle. The
King coming in, he went to him, and pray'd him to
go into the Clofet, defigning to prepoffeis his Ma-
jefty againft his Mother. But he was fo Paflionatej
that the King did not like it. He upbraided him
with his late Services, and threaten'd to retire. The
Queen afterwards told her Story : The Cardinal's
Infolcnce was condemn'd *, Richlleu wrote her Ma-
jefly a Letter, carry'd it himfelf to beg her Par-
don, and did it with Tears in his Eyes. His
Neice Combalety his Kinfman Meilleraie^ and all
his Creatures being packing up to be gone. But
this feeming Sorrow (b mollify'd the Queen, that all
was forgot, and they were good Friends again. The
Cardinal, abfolute xMafter of the King's Will, cou'd
not long keep his Temper: 'Twas not above a Week
after, that he intreated her, in Prefence of the Qaeen
her Daughter-in Law, to order the Payment of the
Y'lkowuide Sardigni'sPQniior), I havejiofd it^ re-
ply'd the Queen Mother, upon your complaining of
him to me ', ifvou are fatisfyd^ J am^ and his Penfion
may be paid him, Tou might have done it af your felfy
fays Richlieu, as yen gave an Abbey to Vaultier your
Pbyjietan-, of your own Head^ and. without confidting
me. This Infolent Anlwer provok'd her, and fhe
told him, 'Twas very ftrange he JJ)6u^d pretend to be
Alafier of every thing that was in her difpofaL J have
confuhed you concerning ny Recompences to my Ser'
vants when I thought jit Tou are miftakenj if you
think that I will be your Slave^ and will not difpofe of
my own The iiext Day fhe fent him a Letter, by
which fiie dilcharg'd him of his Office of Great
Mafler of her Houlhold. The Cardinal ihew d it to
the King, and proteiled he cou'd not quit it without
quitting the Court, where he cou d not (lay with
the Diigrace of being turn'd off by his Miftrefs^
The King promised to interceed for him, and ac-
cordingly fpoke to his Mother, who alTur'd his Ma-
jefly fte had no intent to deprive the State of the
Cardinal's Services, if he thought him Serviceable.
/ only demand^ fays flie, that you will permit me to
turn him out of my Houfe^ that I may not be obliged 1 9
0/ F R A N C E. ^57
have any th'wg to do with hir/iy but in your Covncil^
and in your Prefnce. The King blam*d the Cardi-
nal, and ieem'd a little inclinable to go farther, but
Richlleu left nothing unatteinpted, not fparing even
Religion it felf to fupport himfelf, or the good Ge-
nius oi F('a?i€e had baniih'd him to that Repofe which
he banifh d from the Royal Family^ from France^
Mi^ d,\\ Europe There was now a' Powerful Party
form'd agaii]/l him, the Spanip} AmbafiTador, and the
Duke of Savoy^s EmifTaries were of it, and the Qtieen
Con fort, ^nne of u4ujlria, Mother of Lervis the
XlVth, joyn'd with them. She was afraid the Car-
dinal wou'd Poifon her, and marry the King to Com-
baht^ her Keice. A'fary de Afedicis did not knovY
her own Strength. With fuch Seconds had fhe ablo-
lutely infifted on his Removal, her Son Levris it is
thought, was enough out of Humour to have com-
ply'd with her. But her Thoughts were wholly
taken up with the means of procuring Satisfaflicn to
her Son Cdjion in his Demands ; and to engage Rich-
iieuy (he con fen ted to his Patent ^ to be Frime Mi-
nifter. He exercis'd the Fun(^ions before. As Car-
dinal he had the Precedence, but he wanted the Title^
which made all the other Minifters rather his Ser-
vants than the King's. What he makes tlie King fa jr
of him, in the Preamble to his Patent, lliCws his
wonderful Modefty, as in the following Paragraph.
Con/iderin^ your Eminent Qualities^ that you have
feconded our IVifies^ and executed our Dejigns *, That
God has referv'd for our Reign the Extirpation of
Herefy and Rebellion^ by your Care^ by your Valour^
by your M.t^naninnty, In fine^ that by your Prudence^
the y^ fairs of Italy have had the happy SuCcefs with
which God has bkfs*d our Artm. We ought not to chufe
any other Perfon to be admitted to the Participation of
our importa?2t y^fairSj till we had preferably to all
given you the Rank due to your Quality and Vertue r.
The Cardinal de Berulle dying (uddenly about this
Time, November i629y Richlieuy who was Jea-
lous of his Intereft in Mary de Medicisy was charged
with his Death by Poifon. No lefs a Man than the
Duke oi Orleans, confirms this Charge^ when he tella
258 The Secret Biftory
jis Brother in a Letter he wrote hii\i, The Cardinal
e Berulle did me good Ogee's in reconciling me to my
Mother^ but they were fatal to him^ for he dy'd foon
after. Such was the Chara^sr of the Minifter that
laid the Foundation of extirpating the TRVE
RELIG 10 N and LIB E RTr in France. Po-
pery and Arbitrary Power are there founded upon
Treafon and Mtirder ; And v-vill the Juft GOD fuf-
fer a Fabrick fo built, to be lading ?
The Duke de Never s fucceeding to the Dutchy of
Mantua^ and being refus'd the Inveftiture of all the
Territories belonging to it by the Emperor, im-
plor'd the Proteftion of France, Richlieu^ who let
no Opportunity flip to weaken the Houfe of Aufiriay
was for fending a Powerful Army to Italy to pro-
te<^ him. The King wou'd needs go in Perfon to ac-
quire new Glory/and the Cardinal, to whom it wou'd
all redound, was alfo to honour it with his Prefence;
J he Levies that were made of Men and Money, by
Richlieus Councils, render'd him necefTary at that
jun6lure, and the Queen Mother feeing fhe waS
not able to remove him, laboured a Reconciliati-
on between Lewis and Cafion, which Richlieu the
more pallionately defir'd, for that nothing cou'd fo
much facilitate his Succefs in Italy. Leip// offer'd
his Brother the Dutchy of Falois^ and a 1 00000 Li-
vrcs Penfion, the Government of Orleans^ Blois^
Vendome^ Chartres^ and the Caftle of ylmhoifi^ The
Marefchal de Marillac was fent with thefe Offers
to yjancy^ and this Nagotiation made Richlieu his
irreconcileable Enemy. Marillac ow'd his Ad- ..
vancement to the Cardinal, but iVlary de Medicis
had gain'd him, and inftead ofafTuring Monfieur, as
he was order'd, what an Affedion the King had for
him, and how much Richlieu was his Servant, the
Marefchal exaggerated the Cardinal's Power over
his Mafier, enumerated the Places of Strength he
had at his Difpofal, enlarg'd upon his Magnific^jnce
and the Extravagance of the King's Bounty to him,
which exafperated Gafim the more againft him ; and ^
when, in difcharge of the Commiflion, he received,
Marillac^ told tiie Duke of Orleans, that Richlieu
defir'd
of F R AN C n. 259
dcfn^d bis Favour, Monfieur asking if he wou'd
anfwer for his Sincerity, the Marefchal reply 'd No-,
and rais'd fuch Diftruft in the young Prince's jMind,
that Gafion wou d no6 return t® Court while the
Cardinal was on this fide the Mountains. He de-
parted in September J honour'd with a New Title^
that of Generalijfimo of the King's Armies, with the
Dii^nityand Power of Conftable. His Majefry was
diffwaded from accompanying him^ and the Cardi-
ral was defirous to have all the Fatigue ojf an Expe-
dition which cou*d not fail of ending in a Triumph.
Lewis itaid behind at Pam, till Richlleu had made
fome Progrefs, and w^hile he was treating with the
Duke of Savoy for PafTage for his Troops, and Pro-
vifions, he I'urpriz'd Pignerol, the Barrier of Pied-
mom : A Conqaeft he was extreamly proud of, and
wou'd never part with. When the Cardinal arriv'd
in Italy^ there was immediately fet a Foot a Treaty
of Peace, by the Mediation of the Pope, who em-
ployed the Famous Maz^arine in it, tho' rather as a
Courier, than as an Negotiator ^ he was continu-
ally going to and fro with MefTages and Projeds
of Accommodation, between Richlleu and the Impe-
rial and Spanifh Generals. He acquir'd the good
Graces of Spinola^ Governor of Milady of the Duke
of Savoy^ and efpecially of Cardinal Rtchlieu^ who
had feveral private Conferences with him, and find-
ing him of an Intriguing,Tricking Genius refembing,
his own, took fuch a liking to him, that he did his
iitmoft to gain him over entirely to the Intereft of
France^ which was not long a doing* MazMrine
faw the Ground he had got in the c:ardinars Fa-
vour, and knowing him to govern Abfolutely the
Affairs of {o mighty a Kingdom, he judged wifely,
that giving himfelfupto him, he fhou'd fhare with
him in that Government^ while he was Living, and
perhaps fucceed him when Dead.
Thefe Negotiations of Peace in the Year i5'5o,
for putting an end to the War of Mantua ^ were the
Beginnings of Maz.arines\ Fortuae, which was no
lefs Prodigious than his PredecelTor Rkhlieu's.
Twas weH for the Cardinal, that this War broke
S 2 out^
260 The Secret Htfiory
out, and that he had rais'd his Reputation by the
Conquefl of Pi^fierol. The Pajrty formed again ft
him inereas'd daily ; The Duke of Guife^ who was
Governor of Provence^ pretended, that in Right of
his OfFce, he was Admiral of the Levant, which the
Cardinal aflum'd to him Tel f, as Great A^ajier and
Superintendant of Trade and Navigation. Guife
knowing he was not a Match for him, offer 'd to be
his Lieutenant General in tlic Mediterranean^ or to
refign his Pretenfions to him, if he wou'd accept of
'em as a Prefent, or to make an Exchange with iiim.
The Cardinal, who hated the Foufe oi Gutfe^ re«
jelled his Offer?, faying haughtily, He knew how to
jnake good his Claim. Guije fearing he had Defigns
againft his Government alio, to fupport himfelf and
be reveng'd of him, fell in with his Enemies, and
his Intereft gave great Weight to that Cabal. The
Princefs of G?^;fi, the Dutchefs ^* £/^ez//, and other
Ladies inceffantly fet yi^^ry <^(? A/f^/r/V againfl the
Cardinal, and excited her to punifh her Proud and
Ungrateful Domeftick. Thefe Intrigues were not un-
known to the Minifler and his Mailer, and both
were enough embarrafs'd by them. The Queen
Mother, the Duke of Orkam^ and the greatefl Hou-
fesof France^ wereengag'd in them*, and had not
the Juncture been favourable to Richlleu^ rendring
his Councils abfolutely necefTary, or had the Party
profecuted their Defigns with more Vigour and
Union, the future Tyranny of the Cardinal and his
SuccefTor, might probably have been prevented.
The way he took to raife Money for his Wars, ren-
der'd him ftill more Odious, and the Parliament of
Paris fecretly offer'd the D\AQoi Orleans to declare
in his Favour, if he wou'd demand the abolilhing
ibme Pecuniary Edi6ls, which turned more to the
Minifter s Profit, than to the King's.
Notwithflanding all thefe Difficulties, Lewis left
Paris in February, to repair to Lyons *, the Two Qiieens
v>rere to follow him, and the lame Day, as had been
before concerted, the Duke of Orleans came Poll: to
the Louvre^ and went direftly to the Queen Mo-
ther's Ciiamber, where a Circle was then AfTem-
bled.
ofFKANC E. 261
bled. She feem'd to be in great ConfaGon, difmifs'd
her Ladies, and fhut lieiTelf up in iier Clofet wi h
GaJloN. Tlie Farce of iiis Amour with the Princess,
Mary o{ Mantua, was continu'd : He immediately
went from his Motiier to his Miflrefs, then living
with the Counters of St. Poll, Mary de A^eScis
affe£led torefent his Courtfhip, fomuch againft her
Opinion, and took the Princefs again to the Louvrey
Cafion made mighty Complaints of this Crufclty,and
appear'd to be more difcontented than ever with the
Queen his Mother, and the Minifter. He To little
dilTembled his Chagrin towards Rkhlleu, that Car-
dinal de la Valette coming to Salute him, accom-
pany 'd by the New Cardinal of Lyon^ Rkhlieus
Elder Brother, he receiv'd ia Falerte with extraor-
dinary Marks of Diftin^lion, and left the other in
Lis Anti'Chamber, without taking the leaft Notice
of him, tho* Cardinal la Falette beg'd him again
and again to fliew fome deference to the Brother of
- the Prime Minifter. Lewis was at Nogem on the
Seine^ when he receiv'd a Letter from his Mother
with Advice of Gaftons Return. A^ary de Medicis
fet f )rth in lively Terms the Tourt that was made
to her youngeft Son, and the Danger there wa> m
letting him remain unfatisfy'd, giving it as her Sen-
timent?, that the beft way to appef.fe him, wou'd
be to give him the Command of the Army in Cham-
pagne^ and to make him Lieutenant General ofParis,
and fome Neighbouring Provinces, daring the King's
Abfence. Lewis fright;;n'd at this News, returns in
hafte to Fontainbleau^ and Gajion withdrew to his
Dutchy of Orleans. Mary de Medicis fent fome
Troops after him, under pretence ofobferving him,
Gajion complain'd of this, and his Mother media-
ting between both lier Sons, brought tliem into fuch
Temper, that Lewis gave Gajion what Hie defirM,
and Gajvon made hisSubmifllon to the King at Troies^
who receiv'd him with all outward Tokens of Af-
fe£lion. Lewis was naturally a Prince of a good
Temper, but an Eafinefs was a Branch of it; we
/ have feen, and fh all fee, how unhappy tis for a Na-
tion to have a goocj Temper'd Soverai^n, and an ill
S 3 TempCi'd
462 The Secret tiifioYy
Temper'd Minifler, The Soveraign's Virtues arc
all loll in the Vices of the Favourite, and whether
a King's Temper be good or bad, *tis all one to the
People, if he has not Refolution enough to be
his own Mafter, and lets his Minifters do w'hat they
pleafe both with himfelf and his Subje£ls.
The King being arriv'd at Lyons^ the Two Queens
followed hmi tnither, and the Cardinal coming
from Savoy ^^NZs received with new Marks of Honour,
Mary d^ Medicis herfclf fhewing him particular
Re(pe£t. That Princefs condtfcended fo far, hoping
to get him to put an end to the War, which had in-
volvd Savoy in it, and confequently might be pre-
judicial to her Daughter the Princefs oi Piedrhom*
Rkhlieu laid the Blame on tha Pope's Nuntio's Par-
tiality to Spain in his Mediatioti, and promised
to forward a Peace as mt-irh as lay in his Power,
Promi/es coil fuch Minifters nothing. Mary de
Medicis cou'd not hope to fucceed in her Defigns
agamft the Cardinal, while lie was at the Head
of an Army, and had lately added a confiderabie
Conquefl: to France-^ and Richlteu durft not further
offend her Majefty, by taking on himfelf the Blame
6f a War, which he knew was not pleafmg to
her. While Levpis was at Lyons ^ he djfcover'd
iiimfelf not to be infeniible of the Charms of Beauty >
he admir'd the Merit of Madamoifelle de Fayette ;
but he was a Platonick I.over, and whatever Lady
he prais'd, her Reputation was fafc^ for whether
'twas his Virtue or Impotence all Women with re-
lpe£l to him were, as he faid himfelf, Chajie below
the Girdle.
His Majefty's Genius for War and Love was much
a like, but Richlieu endeavour*d to cultivate the
former, his Safely confifting in the neceility the
State had of him during thofe Foreign Broils, of which
he himfelf was the occafion. He therefore prevail'd
with Lewis to crofs the Mountains in Perfon, and
inllead of making Peace, to make an entire Con-
queft o{ Savoy. This was efFefted in few Days
by a Royal Army, againfl which the few Troops
the Duke of Savoy feac^ in ttie Field, pou'd not
make
(/FRANCE. 263
make Head. The defencelefs Cities open*<3 their
Gates to Lewis. Chamberi^ Annecy and the Prin-
cipal Towns did not refift him a Day. Richlieu^ to
make his Mafter in Love with War, was conti-
nually crying up the Glory and Advantages ofthofe
Conquefts^ and taking him to a Window, when he
had order'd three Pitiful Places to be attacked at
onca, he faid to him, See^ Sir., with a glance of
your Eye^ what never Prince had the Pleafure of
feeing before >) fee the Smoak of your Cannon before
Three fever al C;>/>/, Charbonieres, Leville and Mont-
melian. The latter indeed was no Pitiful Place»
if the Citadel be included, hut as the King and
his Generalidimo made theiiifelves Mafters of the
Town alone, the Conqueft of it was no more
Glorious than that of Levilie and Charbonieres, The
Queen Mother, enrag'd to lee the Duke of Savoy
difpofTefs'd of his Dominions pretended to be mightily
concern'd for the King her Son's Health, and dit
patch'd the Marquis de Bertinghen to him, to pray
him t<f return to LyonSy afFefling fo great a defire
to fee" him, that he couu not refufe complying
with her. But Ihe cou'd not keep him when (he
had him there, his Impatience to return to the
Army was too ftrong for her Reafons to hinder it ^
and being fpirited by Richlieus Exaggerations of his
Military 'Glory he was fir'din the purfuitof Viclories
ib eafily obtained, as thofe muft be that were never
fought for. His returning to Savoy^ gave a Handle
to the Queen Mother to exclaim againft the Odr-
dinal, for that Country was very fickly, and
'twas againft the Advice of his Phyficians that
Lewis paft the Alps. In fliort) he was taken fo
ill ihat he faid himfelf he iliou'd dye if he
ftay*d there. The Plague had fiezM the Vilhiges
thro' which he was to repafs, iniomuch, that he
was forc'd to lye in the Fields, after he had p?.il
Argentine where his Hoilefs fell ill of the Di-
ftemper the veryl^light he lay in her Houfe. Thi«
Danger gave a colour to the Clamour rais'd by
Mary de Medicis at Rkhlieui putting him upcti
the journey; the Cardinal got a Gertiiicate [rem
S + - ih%
8^4 The Secret H'ljiory
the Premier Phyfician, that the King's Sicknefs was
not occafion'd by the Journey and Air of Savoy,
This Certificate was not enough to fatisfy the Peo-
ple, prepofTefs'd by the Complaints of him made by
the Queen Mother and the Court Ladies. What
added to his Chagrin was ihat Adcwtua, the De-
fence of which for the Duke Nevers^ its new So-
veraign, was the occafion of the War, was taken
and Sack'd by the Germans. The value of all
his pretended Conquefts^ except the Surprifal of
Fignerol, funk to nothing, and the Intrigues formVH
againft him at the Court, oblig'd him to return
alio thither. The Two Queens who did not a-
gree in any thing elfe, agreed in the Defign to
ruin Richlieu\ the Spainifi AmbafTador, the Dukes
4e Guife and Bellegarde^ the Princefs of Conti^ the
DutchefTcs d' Elbeuf^ and d' Ornano^ the CounteCs
dii Fargis^ Lady of the Bed chamber to the Queen
^rme of Auflria^ and feveral ethers were of the
Plot. The Duke de Guife ^ difgufted at the Car-
dinal's depriving him of his Office of Admiral of
the Levant^ did his utmoft to render him Odious.
The Duke went To far as to order an Officer he
fent to Trovence^ to be infulted, and imprifon'd.
The Keeper of the Seal?, Marillac^ was the moft
zealous of the Confpirators againft Rtchlieu^ the
hedifTemhrditas much as he cou'd. The Cardinal
had his Spies every where, and difcover'd the Con-
(piracy formed to ruin him, complain'd of it to
the King, who endeavour'd to recover him out of
his Fright, by afTuring him of his Protection a-
gainflall f erfons whatfoever ^ which was not, how-
ever, fuch a fecurity as Riehlien defir'd, knowmg,
as he did, how eafily Lewis was turn'.^. from any
Refolutions he had taken ; and the Affairs of Italy
prefling him fo, that he was forc'd to conclude a
Sufpeniion of Arms, and the King failing again
Sick at Lyons, never was there a more favoura-
ble Con;undure to deliver Fr^'/^ce from his Tyran-
nay than that in ifi^o.
On the 2 2d of September^ Lewis fell Sick of
I Fever at Lyons^ and Jiis Diftemper fo encreas'd
of F R A N C E. 2^5
upon him, that he took the Viaticum, and the^
talk'd of giving him the Extream Unction. Tiie
Two Queens were, in Appearance, over-whelm'd
with Sorrow, but at the bottom, their Thoughts
were taken up with quite other things than the
danger the K-ng's Life was in. Mary de Medl-
cis was meditating how to maintain her -Au-
thority under tlie Duke of Orleans^ and to banifh
Eichlieu from Court. Lewis recommended Richlku
to his Brother, and advis'd him to employ iiim ^s
a moft able and experienc'd Minifter *, but the Car-
dinal knowing the ill Offices be had done the Duke
of Orleans^ was contriving rather how to defend
himfelf againft his Revenge than how to continue
in his Employments.
The Keeper of the Seals and his Brother, the
Marefchal ^de MariUac^ coming to Lyons, carneflly
prefs'd the Queen Mother, to take hold of that
Opportunity, and turn Richlieu out of the Mini-
ftry 5 her prune Phyfitian, Vautier^ who iludy'd
Matchiavel more tiian Hypocrates^ the Princefs of
Conti^ the Dutchefs*^' Elbeufy the Countefs de Fargisj
and al! that were in the Intrigue did the fame, and
'tis faid fome of them were for having him kill'd.
The Queen ^me of Auftria who did not care to
be fent back to Spain^ nor iliut up in a Convent,
was perfwaded by her Favourite the Countefs de
Fargia^ to caufe the Propofal to be made to Gaflon^
that he fhou'd marry her, in cafe his Brother
Lewh dy'd. The Propofal was made as from the
Countefs, but the Dxx\i^ o^ Orleans iudg'd very right-
ly fhe durft nor do it without that Princefs's Par-
ticipation and Confent, fo he return'd a very civil
and obliging Anfwer. Lewis, when he recover'd,
was informed of this forward Step of his Con-
fort and Brother, and Richlieu' did not fail fo to
improve it to their difadvantage, that the King
never doubted but there was all along afterwards
a Plot between them againft him. Gafion ftay'd
at Paris^ and expe£led with Impatientec to hear
the iNews of his Brother's Death *, the Aftrolo-
gershad alTur'd him fo pofitively, that Lf jr/; vs ou'd
dye
766 The Secret Hiflorj
dye within the Year, that neither he nor his Con-
fidents made any queftion of it, when they heard
he was taken ill of a Fever at Lyons, The Car-
dinal, well inform'd of the Defigns carrying on
to ruin him, pitch'd upon Avignon as a Place of
Retreat, and fent away thither his Money, Plate,
and movable Treafure. He wrote to the Prince
of CorJ.e and defir'd his Prote£lion, propofing a
fort of league againfl the Q^ieen Mother tlTeir
common Enemy, who wou'd Govern all Things
more Abitrarily under Caftan^ than ihe had done
under Lewis, He alfo engag'd St. Simon^ the
King's Favourite, to Speak to his Majefty to
recomn-iend him to the Protection of the Duke
de Montmerency^ for th?it the hatred his Enemies
bore him was only for his Zeal and Fidelity in
Lis Service. The King did it in prefling Terms, and
the Duke promis'd to defend the Cardinal againfl
them all, and convoy him fafe to Marfeilles^ La
Vrillie^ey Secretary of Stat^, in the room of Her-
baut^ lately dead, provided Poft ilorfes and Chaifes
on the Road from Lyons to Marfeilies, for Riehlieu's
ufeifthe King dy'd. The Cardinal, naturally Ti-
nierous and Weak, cry'd incefia n tl y •, but the Af-
furances given him by the Duke de Montmerency
that he wou*d receive him in his Government of
Langnedoc^ gave him fome Comfort. The King's
Recovery difiipated all his Fears, and he ap-
ply'd himfelf with great Afliduity to be reconcird
to Mary de Medicis. In order to this, he courted
the Marillacs^ he got a Gratification of looooo
Crowns tor the Marefchal, and the Commatid of
the Troops that were fent, to reinforce the Army
in Italy, But neither Mary de Medicis nor the
Marillacs were gain'd by his Advance?, the Queen
Mother was perpetually complaining olhim to the
King, and atlafthaving lir'd him out with her Com-
plaints, he promis'd to remove him as foon as the
War of Italy was over, which is thought to have
been done by Coiluhon between. him and i^s Mi-
niller.
In
ef FRANCE. 267
In the mean time a Negotiation of Peace com-
nienced in Italy^ and was carry*d on by MaTiarine^
who manag'd matters fo well between Parties, that
it was concluded to the good liking of both. But
the French breaking fome of ihe Articles, tlie
.Spaniards had fall'n upon them and deftroy'd them,
had it not been for Maz^arwe, then t lie Pope's Mi-
nifter, but gained over by RichUeu to the French
Intereil. The Marefchal de Marillac was on the
other fide of Alps at the Caftle of Fouys, together
wiih the Marefchals^ff la Force i{nd Sche/nherg^ when
he iieard the joyful News of the Difgrace of the
Cardinal ^ the fame Courier brought him a I etter
from tlie King, giving him the Command of the
Army, with Orders to the Two other Marefchals
to return to France-^ Marillac went immediately
to Schomberg-i who was Richlieu*s Friend and Con-
fident, and with an Air of Triumph, told him the
News, little thinking that e're many Hours are
paft, that Marefchal fhall triumph in his turn,
and Marillac be his Prifoner. After the Affairs of
Italy were accommodated, Alary de Medicps re-
viv'd her Inftances to the King to perform his Pro-
mife to remove RichUeu from the Adminiftration,
and to fufFer her to dilmifs him her Service, to-
gether with all his Relations and Creatures. The
Marquis de Mirabel^ the Spaniflj AmbafTador, made
ufe of all his Addrefs to animate the Two Qjeens
in their Endeavours to ruin the Cardinal. For thofe
that pretend AmbafTadors have not us'd to concern
themfelves in the Changes that happen in Courts, .to
oppofe the making Minifters cf State, or turning
them out when made, are not more acquainted
with Hiftory than Politicks. The King making no
great hafte to part with RichUeu^ after he return'd
to Faris^ and Peace was concluded in Italy ^ Mary de
Medtcis was refolv'd to begin herfelf with Cowhalety
the Cardinal's Neice, and ail his Relations that were
in her Service. The King hearing of it, defir'd his
Mother to let RichUeu continue in the Miniftry
but 'Six Weeks longer, and he and Combalet to wm
, pn her, and pay their Duty in the mod Submil-
five
253 The Secret Hiflorj
five Manner, begging her earneftly to receive them
fkyouraMy at kaft in appearance. The King gave
the Cardinal and his Niece Intimation that they
fiiou'd wait on the Queen Mother at fuch an Hour,
and that he wou'd leavt^ them alone •, Comhalet came
hrft, and threw herlelf at the Qiieen's Feet, giving
Jicr a Tiioufand Thanks for all her Favours to her ;
Mary de Medicis cou'd not command her Pa (lion
at the fight of a Woman fhe hated, but fell upon
her in a moft furious manner, upbraiding her with
Ingratitude, and that in moft harfh and fhocking
Terms. Comhalet, who expefted other fort of Re-
ception, rofe in the utmoft Confufion, and St. Simon
led her out of the Queen's Cabinet ^ Lewis enter-
ing it as fhe went out, and feeing her drown'd
in Tears, reproach'd his Mother for receiving her
as fhe had done, contrary to his earne/l defire, jlt
leafi^ Madam, fays he, Speak more kindly to the Car*
dinal who is coming here, Richlieu entered trem-
bling, and Mary de Medicis fpar'd him no more
than (he did his Niece, {b.Q call d him Traytor and
Ingrate, Do you fee that wicked Man there ? faid
Ihe to the King, He thinks of nothing lefs than to
bring th Crown into his Family^ for that end he's
contriving to marry his Neice with the Count de
SoifTons. Lewis cry'd outj What do you fay ^ Aiadam^
your Anger carries you too far^ Monfieur the Cardinal
is an Honefi Man^ he feryes me Faithfully^ and I am
very well fatisfyd nith the Pains and Care he takes
for the good of my Kingdom^ your ufage of him is
fuch an jiffliliion to me^ that I fljallnot recover my
felf He then did his utmoft to appeafe her, but
all in vain. In fine, his Majefty bad the Cardi-
nal withdraw, and when he was gone, us'd his
endeavours to bring his Mother into a better Tem-
per with him, conjuring her not to come to Ex-
tremities. When he leit his Mother, he faid to
St. Simon^ taking him by the Hand, What thinkejl
thou ofwhnt thou haft feen and heard ? The Fa-
vourite reply'd, I confefs I thought my felf in a-
notherWorld^ butin focrt^ you are Mafter. TeSy TcSj
fays the King, lam fo. This fpiriting Word uf5f.
Simon'Sy at a timp wi>en Lerpts wanted fome body
to
of F R A N C E. *69
to encourage him in {landing by his Minifter, did
Rtchlieu more Service than all his Cunning and Ma-
nagement, the Cardinal did not doubt but his Ruin
was refolv'd on, and accordingly prepar'd to retire
to Havre de Grace ? his Moveables and Riches were
pack'd up, and every thing in readinefs to begone,
when a Servant of St. Simon brought him Word^
that Things were not in fuch a defpcrate Condi-
tion, and he woa'd Toon fend him better Tidings.
When Lewis was got to his owm Apartment, he
flung himfelf upon his Bed, crying, My Mothers
Obfiinacy will be the Death of me » She woudhavs
7ne turn of a Minlfter thats fo Faithful to me,
and put my Affairs into the Hands of thofe that
know not haw to manage them. Her- hatred to
the Cardinal^ continues he to StSimon^ Is fo Pro-
digious^ that fhe will not hearken to Reafon. Give
we fimething to Drink j I am fo dry I don't know
what to do with my felf\ tell me what wou*dfi thoU
have me to do in this Cafei J doubt not, fays the
Favourite, j^/owr Majefiy wdl proteH; the Cardinal a-
gainfi a Cahal that are fo Inveternte in fetting yotc
againji him to make room for themfelves ^ it will be
eafy for you to put a flop to the Malice of thofe that
are always fug^^ejllng Falfities to the Queen Mo-
ther, and that oppofe a Minifiry which is fo ad'
vantageous to the Government of your Kingdom^
Lewis then refolv'd to keep the Cardinal in fpite
of Mary de -Me die is. To lelTen the number of
his Enemies, he endeavonr'd to reconcile him to
the Duke of Orleans, and in order to it, prefented
him to his Brother at his firft coming to PariSj
defiring him to look upon Kichlieu as a good Ser-
vant to all the Royal Family, Gajlon reply d coldly,
/ fijall do fo if Monfieur the Cardinal behaves him-
felf to me as he ought. Richlieu^ who did not like
fo general an Anfv\rer, turned to BaQompierre then
pretent, and faid, Monjieur complains of me^ God
knows why^ but the weakefl: go to the Wall. The
Quarrel of A^ary de Medicis with the Cardinal and
Combalet was kept very Secret. The next Dyy,
being the i©ih of November^ ihe rsnew'd her In-
ftances
270 The Secret Hijlory
ftances with her Son to difcharge him, and the News
of the Peace concluded in Italy coming at the fame
time, Lewis cou'd not help afTurmg her once more
that be wou'd do what fhe defir'd. The Cardinal
hearing his Majefty and his Mother were fhut up
fometime in a Clofet together, doubted not but
Mary de Medicls was trying her laft efforts to
take the Adminiftration from him. He imme-
diately went to the Queen's Apartment, the Doors
of the Chamber and Anti chamber v/ere fhut, he
enter'd the Gallery and kratch*d at the Door of
the Clofet, no Anfwer was made, impatient of
flaying^ and knowing every Corner of the Houfe,
he went through a little Chappel, the Door of which
the Queen had forgot to have lock'd, into the
Clofet where fhe was v\^th the King, Ahy Madam ,
here he is^ cry'd Lervis^ who had jult given Con-
fen t to his Difgrace ; / believe you are talking of
me^ fays Richlieu^ percieving they were in a fuv-
prize, Noy no^ reply'd the Queen Mother, Come,
come^ Mad.am^ ronfefs It^ faid Richlie'U. Alary ds
Medicis provok'd at the Impudence of her Do-
ineflick, anfwer'd, ^Tis True, and raii'd at him
worfe than ever, declaring fhe wou'd never fee him
more*, fuch was the violence of her Paflion that
fhe forgot to put her Defign in Execution, which
was then to engage Lewis to command the Captain
of his Guards to arrefl: Richlieu ; however, fhe got
the abovemention'd Order fent to the Marefchal <;/?
Marillac to take on him the Command of the
Army in Italy y which being done without the Car-
dinal's Knowledge, he doubted not of his Difgrace,
and that the Marillaa^ h'S Sworn Enemies, wou'd
have the Management of all Things, Upon this he
order'd his Baggage to fet out for Havre de Grace j in-
tending to follow himfelf in a few Hours after. 'Tis
faid there were loo Baggs of Spa-aifl? Piftoles to the
value of Four Millions of Livers loaden on his
Mules. That the Cardinal believed himfelf to be ut-
tet4y ruin'd, one may perceive by what he faid to
the Marefchal de Bajfompierre^ Tou will not matter
a M.-.n in Dijejrace as I am. The Marefchal con-
duced
^/FRANCE. 271
du6led him to the Queen Mother's Apartment the
next Day, the nth of Xovember, He fell upon his
Knees, and moft humbly beg*d her Pardon in the
King's Prefence , but the Queen was inexorable, and
wou'd not hear him. Ay^ -^y^ faid fhe to thofe
that mterceeded for him, and reprefented the Trou-
ble he was in, He can change Countenance as he
ple<fifeSy let him he never fo Gay and Jo Joyfidj he'll
alter of a fudden^ and look as fad as if he wag half
Dead^ when the State of his Affairs requires it. It
was now that Riihlieu gave over all Thoughts of
remaining at Court, and declar'd he wou*d be gone
that very Day to Ponthoife^ in his way to Havre de
Grace, A fmall Convoy went with his Baggage,
and his People were afraid of entring any Town
with it, leafl it (hou'd be Plunder'd.
This very Day, the nth of November , kJ^jo,
was the fatal Crifis of the Liberty of France : If the
Cardinal de la Valette^ the Counfellor of StateC/?^-
teameuf^ and the Prcftdent Le Jay^ had not diflwa-
ded Richlieu from his purpofe of retiring to Havre
de Grace, he had been for ever banifh*d the Court,
and the Foundation of that Arbitrary Power, which
he and his SuccelTor Maz^arine eftablifh'd, had ne-
ver been laid. La V alette reprefenting to him the
Inconftancy and Irrefolution oi Lewis ^ the Number
and Importance of his Services, the Advantages his
Abfence wou'd give his Enemies, made him refolve
to try his Power over the King, and to fee him alone
before he departed. Ihe beginning of a Difgrace is
not the end of it, fays La Valette *, 77/ go with you
to Ver failles, and willingly expofe m]i felfto the fame
Peril with you, I have vow' d you an Eternal Friend-
fhip 'f you jhall find the Sincerity of my Vows in Ad-
verfity as well as in the Height of your Frofperity,
For thefe Generous Sentiments did Richlieu after-
wards make the moft unp^rateful Returns, in cru-
elly perfecuting his Friends, Father and Brother.
The Court, and all P^m believing the Cardinal's
Credit loft paft recovery, every one, according to
Cuftom, turn'd their backs on him, and made their
Court to Mary de Medics, Couriers were dif-
patched
272 The Secret Hijiory
patch'd by the Foreign Ambafladors, to give their
Mailers the welcome News of Richlieus, Dlfgrace*
Charles the Firft, King of England^ hearing of it,
faid to his Qiieen Henrietta Maria^ The ^ueen your
Mother is in the wrong \ the Cardinal has done great
Services for the King his Aiajler, This Adventure
puts me in mind of an Accufation intended agai77Ji
Scipio, t9 the People of Rome. He he^rd it out
patiently^ and injfead of anfwering^ cry'd out^ 1 re-
member that on fuch a Day I defeated ths Carthagi-
nians^^ follow me J Romans^ to the Capitol, to render
Thanks to the God^. If I had been in the Cardinal*s
Tlace^ I fioud have heard the Queen your Mother s
Complaints^ \with the fame Tranquility^ and have only
faid to the King y cur Brother ^ Within thefeTwo Tears
has Rochelle been taken^ Thirty Five Hugonot Cities
have been reducd and razJd \ Cafal has been twice
relievd \ Savoy, and a great part of Piedmont Con*
quer'd^ Thefe y^dvantages, Sir-^ which your Arms have
acquird by my Care^ anfwer for my Application and
iny Fidelity. His Britannick Majefty was, it feems,
mightily concern d for the Difgrace of a Minifter
who had gone fo far in fetting up a Defpotick Go-
vernment in France. Was there any Similitude of
Tempers in the Two Courts ? Had their Minifters
the fame Inclinations, and was there only want of
Genius in the one not to fucceed fo well as the other
in the Deftrudlion of the Liberties of their Country ?
Amidft all thefe Difficulties and Dangers, the ill
Fate o{ France will preferve Richlieu^ and bring him
off Triumphant. The Queen Mother, infle. d of fol-
lowing her Son to Ferfailles^ of obferving all his
Motions, and hindring the Cardinal's approaching
him, (lay d at Paris to receive the Applaufes of the
Courtiers, who crowded to pay their Homage to
her. The Duke d' EpemonwcLs one of the Firft of
them, while his Son the Cardinal de la Falette^ w^as
labouring with Richlieu to prevent his departnre.
i\ll this while did St, Shnon infiuuate to the King,
that the Lcfs of fuch a Miniller as Richlieu, wou*d
pur his Majefty wholly in the Power of the Queen
his Mother and her Creatures. Is not Lewis the Jufi
at
0/ F R A N C £. 275
at Thirty Years able to Reign without Guardians*
When for God's fake, arethsMoft Chriftian King^
out of their Minority? Did not the King promiie
his Mother to turn o^ Richlieu \ and is it a iicceifary
Confequence that he muft beGo^/ern'd by Man de
Medlcls^ if he is not Governed by the Cardinal
de Rkhlieu f It was under this Prince that the French
Empire became Abfolute. This Prince, who had
not theConimand of iiimfelf, made Slaves of a Free
Nation, as fam*d in Ancient Times for AfTcrting theit
liberties, as they have been Infamous fmce for their
Love of Slavery. It aggravates their Infamy, that
they fhou'd give up their Rights to a King, who had
hot of himfelf the Courage to take them. Indeed^
thofe Princes who are dire^^ed wholly by their Mi-
llions and Minifters, arefeldom the True' Fathers of
their People. Minifters and Minions have no Inte*
reft but tneir own to promote *, their Buhnefs is to
make their own their Mafters, tho' certainly the
Interefts of Princes and of ill Mifiifters are incom-
patible; and ill Minifters will always Govern under
weak Princes. St, Simon^ having given the Cardinal
Notice that all things went well, and that he fhou'd
fear nothing, Rkhlieu refolv*d to follow the Adyics
oUa Falette^ and go to P^er failles. La Falett ew^nt
fir ft to Lewis y to Tee what Difpofition hs w^is in i
Monfieur Cardinal^ (ays the King, / bellevi you ar&
furprizJ'd at what has happen d .* More than your
Aiajefiy imagines^ reply 'd La Valette. Monfeut
de Richlieu has a good Majier^ fays Lewis^ go and
bid him come to me immediately. The Cardinal ds
la Falette told him, that Richlieu was come
to throw himfelf at his Majefty's Feet, and thea
went out to bring him in* Sr» Simon^ the King'sJFa^
vourite, the Marquis <^e Mortemare^ and the Marquis
de Beringhen^ v,'ere with his Majefty wlien the Car-
dinal de la f^alette prefented his Brother Richlieu to
him. Richlieu embraced his Majefty's Knees*
thanking him for this extraordinary Favour granted
him by the beft Mafter in the World. And /,
faid Lewis, havi in you the mojt Faithftd and rnoft
^iUltnau Savant that can be, I think my jslf
T " tb9
274 Tfc^ Secret Hiftory
the mors ohiigd to proteB you^ in as ffiuch as I have
been a Wltnefs of your RefpeU: and Gratitude to the
Queen my Mother. I ftjou'd have ahand.on'd you if
you had not J}:ewn how juftly fenfthle you were of her
Favours : Depend upon my Protettlon^ I know how
to break the Cabal that are your Enemies, They im-
pofe upon the Credulity of the Queen my Another ^
who - is eafily led aivay by them^ Continue to ferve
me well\ and I will defend you againfi all thofe that
have vow'd your DeftruEilon. The Cardinal, who
cou'd weep when he wou'd, burft out into Tears,
fell a fecond time on his Knees, conjured him to
excufe his accepting fo great a Mark of his Royal
Goodnefs as ftill to continue to make ufe of his
Councils. He added, Jn the Name of God^ Sir^
let me not be the Innocent Occafion of the mifun-
derftanding which my Abode near your \ Majefty may
caufe between you and the ^leen Mother \ frff^r
me to bury my felf in feme profound Solitude^ to
deplore my Misfortune in being thought Vngratefuj
by a Queen who has overwhelmed ?ne with Benefits,
He embrac'd the Ki^ig's Knees more tenderly than
before, and then rofe with the Secret Joy to find
his Mafler was refolv'd not to part with him, as
he declared to all prefent. The Cardinal continu-
ing to defire him to let him retire from Bufinefs,
feeing he lliou'd be fo much expos'd to the Dange-
rous Strokes of Malice and Envy , 'Tis net the Queen
my Another ^ reply 'd Lewis ^ who raifes this Storm
Mgainfl you^ certain reliefs People are the main Caw
fes of it, I know them^ and how to punijh them for
their Crime, *Tis enough that I am fatisfy*d with
you J added he, raifwg his J^oice^ Stay with me^ and
â– /'// prote^ you agairift all the World, We fhall pre-
fently fee what was the Effeft of this Interview.
But to pleafe his Mother, Richlieu was ordered to
write a moft Submiflive Letter to Mary de Me-
dic is ^ which he did ^ it was a very Polite Piece,
weU Ubour'd, and as full of Flattery and Falfliood,
as ever came from the Pen of a French Man, and
a Prieft.
The
0/ F R A N C E. 27s
The next. E)ay the Seals were taken from if^-
f-illac : he was advertis'd of the good'®ceptipn- the
Cardinal had met with, and forefeeing what wou'd
happen, had taken care to remove all \i\i Papers
except one, which was unluckily the nioilJii'vpoiv
tant, being an Account of the Tuhlick Moneys
that hid been embezzl'd di\xt\x\gRlchlieus MiniAry-^
a Paper that the Marefchal his Brother, wili e'ei^
long pay dear for. The Cardinal not , being able
to charge the Keeper with any thing contrary to
Juftice or good Management, either; as he was
employ'd in the Finances, or as he had the Seals,
was file more Vigorous in the Profecution of the
Marefchal, who lay more open, and on himreveng'd
the FatalDraft, intended to expofe his Greedinefs
and Avarice to Len?y/. 'Such Miniilers as Richlleu^
who know they themfelves deferve no Mercy, are
always fure to fhew none. Cruelty is ever one of
the CharafVerifticks of an ill Miniftry, and Richlieu
diilinguifh'd himfeif as much by that Quality, as by
any ouier. The Exempt of the Guards, who Ar-
reiled Monfieur de Marillacy had Orders to treat
him roughly, and the latter falling ill of a Fever, as
he was carrying him to Lifieux^ the Exempt refus'd
to let him flay one Night in a Gotmtry Village, as
hedefir d to repofe himfelf. In the room of the late
Keeper wa.s ^ut Charles deT y^uhefpive. famous for
his Embafiles.^under the Names of the ^hhtdePreanx
and de C'mteauneicfj a Creature of the Cardinars
Lejay^ was made Firft PrefideHt of the Parliament
of Paris, This Man has already been mention'd,
as a Zealous AfTertor of the Rights of that then
Illuftrious AfTembly. Richlieu found niean$ to make
this Friend to Liberty his own Friend '^de Jay and
C/^^^f.^j/wci//, were the Two Men, who i>cxt to tfce
Cardinal de la Valette, had the greateft. Hand in
per (wading Richlieu ^ox. to fly for it, Mt ta~-vv»it
oil the King at Ferfailles. Thus ar^.^hey rewarded.
Now is tlie Cardinal Triumphant, hphas the Kitj^g's
Perfon at his Difpofal, Levpis has nQb!& bflirbis. Q^i-
fidents about him, and what can;B^jtl:iltjElfe^;^pf
this Abfolute Power, but Exiles^ Imptjlbliaientsand
2j6 The Secret Hfjlory
Murders. Revenge, the darling Paflion of fuch
Men, is as fweetaiithe Power thataccompliihes it.
There is nothing now to oppofe this Ambitious,
Arbitrary, and Cruel Minifter *, and the firft Exiles
we hear of, are out of the Royal Family, the King's
only Brother, and the Queen his Mother.' No Rank,
no Merit can proteft thofe that are (b unhappy as to
fail under the Difpleafurc of Favourites. The more
ConfpiGUous the Merit, the more Dangerous. The
more Exalted the Quality, tlie more Glorious the
Triumph.
The very next Day after the Marefchal de Ma^
rlllac had received the News of the Cardinars Dif-
grace, and the King's Letter in his Favour, arriv'd
1J Epine^ a Meflenger, with an Order to the Maref-
chals de la Force and de Schomberg^ to Arreft him
alfo, which was executed. There happen*d nothing
extraordinary on that Occafion, but that the Event
is varioufly related by Two Officers of the Guards,
Meiileurs de Puyfegur and de Poms, who in their
Memoirs differ fo much, that it gives one almoft an
ill Opinion of Hijlory it felf. Both of them being
prefent, and both on Duty, as Guards to the Prifo-
ner, the one writes that he received the Orders
with the Temper of a Stoick, the other, that he
fell out into the moll Violent Paffion, with feveral
other Circumftances of the fame contrary Nature,
too particular for fo General an Hiftory.
Richlieu having rid himfelf of the Mari/iacs, in-
fligated his Mafler to banifh the Countefs du Fargii^
the Queen Confort's Favourite, from Court, and .to
forbid the Marquis de Mirabely the SpanijJj Ambaffa-
dor, to come to the Loitvre without demanding
Audience. The Queen Anne of Au^ria wasen-
rag'd at the Lofs of fo beloved, and fo faithful a
Servant, and exclaim'd againft the Cardinal, who
did what he pleas'd, and njatter*d not what either
of the Two Queens thought of him. The Countels
du Fargis^ who was a Gallant Lady, had Two Lo-
vers that fufFer*d for her fake, the Count de CramallT,
and the Marquis de Beringhen ; the latter was ba>
niOi'd the Kingdom, and the other remained in it
purely
^/FRANCE. 277
purely by the Proteftion g^ Mary deMedkis, whom
Klchlteu was loath to irritate tocr much. Having
made himfelf fo many Enemies, he apply'd to the
Dukes ofOrltofJs's Favourites, Monfieur de Puylaw
rens^ and Mondeur le Coigneux^ to pocurc the Friend-
ihip of their Mafter for fiim. The Duke of Orleans
was a Prince of fo inconfhnt a Difpofition, that
thofe about him durft hardly truft him out of their
Sight, anil cou'd eafily tarn him which way they
pleased. The Cardinal, to gain his Confidents, had
recourfe to the fhorteft way and the fureiL to bribe
themi plentifully, Tho* he was not Treafurer,
the Treafure of France was at his Difpofal, and
whoever has the Treafure of a Nation to difpofe,
will not want Partifan«. Puylaurens had xooooo
Crowns given him, /> Cmgnevx the Promife of z
Cardinal's Cap and a gooA Penfion ; Monfigot^ the
Duke of Orleans* s Secretary, 50000 Crowns, and
thefe his chief Servants prevail'd with him, not
only to fpeak the Cardinal fair, but to pro^
mife to Love him as much as he had Hated him^
and to bind it with an Oath, which Monfieur was
ever very free of. Others of his Servants had Mo-
ney given them, and 'twas a common faying, that,
Monfieur has been Sold to theMinifier^ for a Million of
Franks. Twas the Duke's great Fault that he over
did it in every Thing, and he cou*d not be re-
conciled to Rkhlieuj without railing at the Ma-
rillacs : The Duke of Lorraln^ having kept up a
Body of Troops to oblige the French to do the
fame in Campagne^ and thereby give a Diverfion
to their Arms in favour of the JHoufe of Audria.
Gafton^ now a Friend to Rkhheuy Swore, By G-d
I know it very veelL The Marefck^l de Mar iliac xpas
the Caufe of ttj and made the Duke of Lorrain da
what he did. This Friend (hip was too hot to hold,
as will appear by the following Pages.
The Cardinal, to encreafe the number of his
Friends as that of his Enemies encreas*d, obtain'd
the Duke of ^andome*% Liberty of the King, on
Condition he left the Kiogdom. Accordingly he
went to Holland with the Duke de MercAur his
T 3 Eld^ft
278 The Sejcret Uiflory ,, , ,
Eldefl Son. The Cardinal Bagni /wsis em^ploy'd to
mediate a Reconciliation between Maryde Medicis
and RichUeit^ hMtth^ former told the King, She
woiid never- fie him^ aiid vyou'd dye' rather than
confent to 'be* Friends with him, l^ou may do what
you ir/Vy, Taid he, / jhail Honour you as long as I
'JLive^ biff 1 have fGlemnly promised to jiand hy the
'^Cardinal. /S\\^ went farther in»a Conference with
â– -^/////o,*^,, Coqitfellor of State, /'// rather be danrad^
â– fays fhe^ thm'i^t be rmem'dof that Ingrate^. And
r '-Jet by the' PerfW-aiion oi^-tfauti^T^ her Phyfician,
^'V/ho was'gain\I by Bagni^ iheconfemed to;a Vific
I'from hihr,Nhe 25th of December. 1530.-. The Je-
fuit Stfffrin' "^cconipirifdRkhLeuy wiK):JK) (botier
'* <enter'd tlS Qpeen's Cabinet, than fhe burft out in-
l' to TeaVs;"* the Jefuit and the Cardinal did the fame ;
•' the.^Qiteen^ Mother order -d a Chair to be fee for
Richlmij bad him fit down^ 6'6!^ forbid^ rcply'd
*^the ¥\y}6zfit(^dX PrQUtQ^ that J fiou*dlfi(m, ycmr
f^y^^ajefiyf^Prcfincej having the MlsforUme^ to lefe
"^^your good'G/iel^s, fo grea^ ti'mark of Dejiin^ion does
•'hot bh'cn^^ro-'wej' 'tis "ftst for vie to make ufe of
yWetPermlfTio^^YOu havc^^b^'en pleas' d to give 1 me, when
y^tt won W ' "do . me. The Effe<^ of, th;
•''--Inierviewi%^at',Uhe Qde^n affifted at a Coancil held
-*> fcbe pext Day 'where Richlieu was prefent, and as
^''feafe Mi^ids afe always puft up by. Succefs, the
"Cardinal grew To inlblent upon it, that he told the
•* King plainly,' he cou'd not be perfeftly reconciPd
' to^his Mother, unlefs his Neice Combalet^axid the-
reft of his Relations, whom ihQ had difcharg'd^ w?re
^ re admitted into her Service. Tho* Lewis was dif-
guftlr.d at RivhUetiS Arrogance, yet he cou'd not
j'idp humouring him, and the Cardinal not doubt-
ing bat he'w-ou'd jufiify him in it, fent the Pre-
^ fident £? Jay to Mary de Medicis with a threaten-
^ ing Mefiage, that fhe (liou'd be confin'd ,to one
•^ of her Houre;S if fhe did 'not do what the Minifter
' defir'd of 'her. Mary de Medici s complain'd of her
being fo iofokntly treatetd, Levpis difov/n'd his
Minifterj
of F R-A N C E. 279
Minifter, and, with Tears in his Eyes, pretended he
wou'd never leave her^ yet within a fe\v Days does
he part from her for ever.
In the mean while, Richlieu^ jealous of the Duke
of Orleans's two Favourites Le Coigneux and Puy.
/^tfre;;/, endeavoured to divide, and then todeilroy
them. Ke fir(i attempted Tu^laurevsy prom|fing
him wonders if he wou'd renounce his Friendfhip
to Le Coigneux TinA devote himfelf to RicUieu. Le
Coigneux heard of it, arid made his Complaints to
the Cardinal de la /^r^/^/re and the Marefchal de
Schomberghy who afTurMhim there w,as nothing in
it, and that *twas not likely the King wou'd lofe
the 1 00000 Crowns that had been' fo lately given
himyLe Coigneux reprefented to ?«yf^wrewj, that
there were 'Snares laid for them, and their fafety
depended on their Union. Both of them, being fa-
tisfy'd of the neceffity of it, they were mor6 united
than ever, and refolv'd to oblige their Mailer to
a Rupture with the Court, or to fecure them-
felves againft the Power and ArtiRc&s oiRichiieu^
Le Coigneux YQmoniiYUcd to Gafion that the Car-
dinal deciev'd him, that he endeavoured to debaech
his Miniflers, that his Mother's Credit funk daily,
and with it his own, for that it was infeperable from
her Majefty's. Richlieu apprehending the EfFeft
of Le G??^we2^;c's Refentment, declar'd plainly that
the King expe6led he wou'd quit the Duke of Or-
leanss Sqvw'icQj for Lewis did not thinJc' himfelf fure
of his Brother's Friendihip as long as he had Mi-
nifters about him, who had fuch an' Iniiuence over
him. Le Coigneux found it neceffar^j now to drive
his Maftcr to Extremities, and Ficyiaurens joyn'd
with him in advifing Gafion to leave. ;t:he Court,
and infifl upon Satisfaction in feveral points, where-
in theyfaid he was injur'd. Gafion purfuant to their
Advice, takes Twelve Gentlemen with hhii, and
goes to Richlieu, to whom he thus addr'efs'd him-
{elf-, / am come to dlfcharge my felffrom the Pro-
mife I made you to he your Friendj and to tell you
plainly I Jhall find a way to puniJJj juch a Man as
you are^ who has the Boldnefs and Malice to fet all
T4. the
$So The Secret HijlcYy
],.the Royal family in a Flame *, you owe your Fortune
and dignities to the Queen^ my Mothr, and if7fiead
of the Gratitude of a good and faithful Servant^ you
are become the greatefi of her Perfecutors ; you are
. always blacken wg her to the King-, and are fo far
from carrying your felf as you ought to tnc^ your In-
folence is greater than ever \ J Jbou'd have chafiis'd
it e'er ?ww had not your Friejihood hindered me^ but
know th^t your Character Jl)dl not hereafter defend
you from the Vunifliment due to the Injuries and
\^ffrorts committed againfi a Ferfort cf my Rank.
This Speech was accompany'd with all the out
ward Maiks of Indignation and Revenge in both
C aft on and his Attendants. The Cardinal was as
one Thunder (truck, trembled as it he had an
Ague upon hiiD^ and hardly a word to fay for him-
« (elf. Very glad was he when he faw Gafton and his
, Followers fairly out of his Houfe, and his Terrors
were foon turned into fentiments of Vengeance*
Gajion returned the fame Day, the i ft. of February
1^51^ to Orleans^ and Richlieu fen t an Exprefs to
VnfailleSy to prefs tlie King to come to the Louvre,
'" Lewis upon notice of his Brother's Retreat, haflen'd
to Paris J alighted out of his Coach at the Cardi-
sial's, anci embracing him, faid, Fear nothing^ Iwillbe
y9ur Second again ff dll the iVorld^ not excepting my
Brother^ my Honour is concerned ; what e%'er theywoud
do to you J I pjall look upon as defignd agamft my
^;felf and will be revenged for it. He then went to
^' the Qiieeii Mother, who protefied fhe knew no-
thing of the Duke of Orleans's Retreat ^ whereas
in Truth 'twas done in concert with her, and fhf
iiad given him her Jewels to fupport him in cafe
pfNeceility. •
The Cardinal was much given to Judicial Aftro-
logy, bnt Mary de A<fedlcis and Gafior? much
more, all their Counfells were direfted by it, and
the Predi£lion of the Quack Duval^ th?it Lewis
fliou'd dye fhortly, was one of tlit main Induce-
ments to the Duke of Orleans^ leaving the Court.
They did not doubt of a quick Revolution there,
and thought all wou'd be weH if they cgu'd but
fecure
of V K A N C E. ?8i
fecure his Perfon till that happy time came. There
vicL% an Aftrologer that did not Prophefy fo well
for them, he told Mary de Medicis plainly, that
She flioud be Vnfortmate^ and that all Richlieu'^
Defigrjs /hou*d fucceed ; which (he telling to the
Reftor of the Convent of Pkpus near Parisy the
good Fatiier exhorted her to a Reconciliation with
the Cardifial, faying very gravely, 7to, Madam^
is enough to perfwade you to Honour Monfuur the
Cardinal mth your Favour, But tho* the Fryer built
fo much on that happy Anfwer for Richbeuj the
Queen had another as unhappy, on which (he built
more. One of her Augurers had foretold her that
Ihe fliou'd be as Powerful as ever fhe had been,
before the end of the Year 1531. This Prophefy
was to her mind, and fhe thought the Prophet the
bell skird of any of *em *, Well then^ fays fhe, all
we have to do is to take care of our Health* Such
was the happinefs of France in the Reign of Lewis
the Juji. There were two Interefts incompatible with
each other, and both fo with that oi France^ in a per-
petual Struggle, that of the Minifter, and that of
the Queen Mother, both guided by Fortune-tellers
and Soothfayers ; yet their Pretences were both
for the Publick Good, than which nothing was more
diftant from their Hearts. Mary de Medtcis in
expectation that all France wou'd declare for Gafton
in oppofition to RichlieUj declared openly that fhe
wou'd never ceafe purfuing the Cardinal till (he
had. driven him from Court, She wou*d not aftilt
at the Councils becaufe he was prefent, and Rich-
fieu finding (he was implacable, confuked with hii
trufty Confident the Capuchin Jofeph^ how to de-
liver himfelffrom the Troubles (he perpetually gave
him. They both agreed the moil efFe£lual w'ay wou'd
be to get the King to confine her at Moulifts^ or fome
other Place of fuch a diftance from Paris, Lewis's
Confcience wa^ a little Scrupulous, and wanted the
afliftanceoffomeCaluifl: to fatisfyhim that he might
deal thus with his Mother without incurring the Sin
of Difobedience. The Perfon Richlieu recommencjed
,10 him to C0ifiiU wi;l^ on that occalion was the
' 4;00d
j82 The Secret Hijlorj
good Father Jofeph himfelf, who being the Author
of that bold Counfel, certainly knew beft how to
remove the King's Scruples. What moll; perplext
Richlieu vfSiS how to bring the Matter about. The
Parifians lov'd Mary de Medicis as much as they
hated him. She drop'd iome words that animated
him in hisRefolution to have her fent far enough
oiF^ / will joUgxv the King every where^ faid fhe, and
never give over demanding Jufilce of him again fi the
Author of all the pre fent Divifions in the Royal Fa-
mily, This Richlieu heard of, and reprefented to
Lexvis^ that there mufl be a Confpiracy againrt
his Authority, or perhaps againft his Perfon, which
it woud be eafy for him to ruin, if he was at fome
, diftance from Paris, Leu-is^ in a fright, prefently
•Ktefolves on a Journey to Compeigne^ under pretence
ki.of Hunting, and his Mother followed him con-
trary to the Advice of her Friends, to whom fhe
reply 'd. Had I fellow' d the King to Ver failles, the
Cardinal had now been in a Prifon^ God forbid J
fhoud commit fuch another over-fight. She never
committed a greater than in quitting Park^ and
putting herfeli into the Hands of her Enemy,
who durft not have taken the ftep at the Louvre^
which he took at Compeig-ne. When it was pro-
posal in Council to confine the Qii.een Mother ,at
Monllns, Richlieu made a long Harangue, full of
Artifices and Diftimulation, fometimes Teeming to
tremble at fuch an Expedient, fometimes repre-
fenting it as of ablglute NecePnty. Here fpeaking
of her in the mofi: refpedful Terms, and there
aggravating every Thing that look'd amifs in her
Conduft, but cloiing all wiih healing Advice, that
all foft Methods ihou'd firll be us'd to bring the
Queen Mother to Reafon. Lewis prefently confenterl
to whatever was propus'd to him, ai-id relolv'd to
return to Pans without taking hiskave of his Mo-
ther.
Ontht 27d of febru.^Yy J Orders were given to the
Mareichal d' Etrees to kt a Guard about the Caille
wh*re hisMother iay,and to prtTsthe PrincefsofCwri
to depart immediately not faiiering in-^i fee theQueen
Mother,
ofVK A N C E. 283
Mother, which precipitate Order fo afflifted that
.Princefs, tlldt fhe fell Siok and dfd a Vi^lim to
': Rlchlleus^ je^\ou(y. The Dutchefs d' ELheuf, the
^^'Dutch^fs d*iOrndno^ the Dutchefs de Lefdijguieres^
rand the Dutc^hefs de ' Roann'iz.^ were alfo banifh'd
f the Court*, the Queen Coufort was hurry'd away
â– 'with the King, Supen^t\\^ Jefuit, bringing Mary dc
Medicis word that Lewis wiis gone, fhe wou'd not
contain herfelf, but raird furioufly ^g^w.^ Richlieuy
who the next Day ca.\is*d La'nile-aux'Cleres^ Sq-
cretary of State, to ac/iuairit her that /lie might
take the Air of CGmpeigf7e i{ {hQ pleas'd. Thus is
the Queen Mother left in the keeping of a Mare-
fchal of France J Sind is to reckon it a high Favour
^;^i*f The might walk in the Garden of the Caftle.
I What is the Prefumption of Tyrannical Minifters?
^JS^ot the Parents of their Maft^er are fare from their
Perfecution. LewiS has given iiis Mother up to the
difpofal of Rlchlieu^ and 'tis not owing to his Duty,
if the Cardinal does not pufh his Vengence and
Ingratitude farjtber. He has her in his Power, and
what is it npt Ambition and' Revenge will not do ?
-xLewii hazards alf to pleafe his'Minifter, an Infolent
iPrdate, whom ho Ties of Virtue or Honour can
1 piri'd. Faultier^ the Queen Mother's Phyfician and
;Confident, was fent to the 'Bajiille^ as was alfo the
Abbe de Foix^ ani^ Two Days after tiie Marefchal
4^ Bajfompierre, The Cardinal Wou'd have had the
"Duke d* Fpernon'^ihd the Marefchal de Crequi ar-
reted, but he was afraid of their Sons ^ the Duke
de la ^ alette^ arid the Co\vc\t de Sault^ the former
in Poirefiion of.Metz., the other powerful in D^i^-
phine. The Duke ' ^' Epmuw gave Bajjompierre
Notice that he vvoit'd be arreiled, and advis*d him
to be gone, offering him 5:00.90 Crowns^ which
the Marefchal wou'd not borrow of him, nor ftir
from Court, depending on his Innocence, the
worft Guard a Man can have in ^ Court where a
F-ichlieu is Mailer. Baffompierre had as good a Clife-
radler as any one for Honour, Gallantry and grear»
nefs of Miiid 5 yet it is faid, he accus'd the Duke
^* Epernort^ the Duke of Guife^ the Marquis d' Aim-
court^
f84 T^^ S^^^^^ Hijlory
eoun^ the Marefchal de Crequi^ and the Count dd
U Rochfaucault of the Plot againft the Cardinal ;
that they had endeavour'd to bring him into it,
but hewou'd never liearken to 'em. Falfc or
True, Was tiieCharafter of an Informer worthy
the great Reputation Baffompierre had acquir'd as a-
Galiant Man and a Man of Honour ? What fhall
one fay of Courts and Courtiers ? Who is there
that can ftand the Ihocks of Fortune, maintain
his Integrity and bear up agaitift the Infolence of
an Imperious and Arbitrary Minifter .«* D' Epernon
as Imperious as he naturally was himfelf, truckles
to the Man whom lately he pretended to defy, and
makes his Court to him at the expence of his
Friendi. He Complimented the Cardinal on his
Triumph over the Ruini Party^ that of Marj/ de
Medicis, and told him, 71?^ King was too kind to
the Marefchal de Crequi and the Count de la Roch-
faucault, / know not by Hearfay^ hut of my own
Knowledge^ that they deferve to be fever ely punijh'd^
the one is a Rafcal and the other a Coward. Wou'd
one think one can find another fuch Inftanceasthis
of the depravity of Mens minds, and that in any
otlier than a French Hiftory. Will Men of the higheft
Quality (hew themfelves fuch Slaves to Fortune,
worfhip for their Intereft thofe they defpife, and
vilifie thofe whom they cannot but efteem ? Wliat
is Greatnefe if 'tis capable of fuch Treachery f
The Marefchal d' Etrees^ who was the Queen
Mother*s Keeper in her Imprifonment at Cornpeigne^
for furely that Caflle fo guarded by Horfe atid
Foot, may very well be caird a Prifon, had every
Day Orders to prefs Mary de Medicis to remove
to Mouiins^ where Richlieu iptended fhe fhou'd re-
main in Cuftody of that or fome other as watch-
ful a Keeper. The Queen, however, wou'd not
ftir, fometimes fhe was Sick, fometimes the Place
they wou'4 fend her to was infe^ed, fometimes
thi Roads bad \ at laft, fhe told them pofitively fhe>
wou*d not be remov'd but by Force *, the Duke of
Orleans was in motion, and fhe refolv'd to be as
Kear Paris and him as pofTiblc. The Orleannois de-
' ' clar^
ef F R A N C E; 295
xhr'A for Cajiony and the Marquis de la Feuaflide
rais'd Men for him in Poi^ou^ Normandy^ Maynt^
and other Places. The People fond of Novelties^
and opprefs'd with Taxes, cry'd, Long Live Mon-
fieur and Liberty, A Cry that will no more be heard
in France, Monfieur's Friends gave out to render
him Popular, that 'twas his Pity of the Peoples heavy •
burthens, and for their eafe that he demanded Re-
drefs and a Reformation of State Abufes. In the
Manifefto that Cafion publifh'd, we may (ee what
a deplorable Condition France was then in^ and
when has it fince been in a better f The third Part of
your Suhje^s^ fays he to his Brother I^wis^ do not
eat Bread in the Country'^ fome of *em live upon
OateSy others dye of Hmger^cr feed on nothing but
Herbs and what the Beafis feed upon^ thofe of *em
that are Lefs to he pityd^ are fed with the Blood they
rake out of the Kennels of the Shamble s-, having infevc-
ral Places fee?j thefe Wretches with my own Eyes,
Puylaurens and L^ Coigntux advis'd the Duke of
Orleans to retire to Burgundy.^ where tlie Governor,
the Duke de Belligarde^ v/as ready to receive him.
The Marefchal de Totras being on his way to Italy
to Command the Forces there, was invited by Gafion
to give him a Vifit at Orleans^ the Marefchal lent
the Letter unopen'd to the King. Richlieu was not
Idle on his Part, perfwaded his Mafter to follow
the Duke with all Diligence, to oblige him to fly
the Kingdom, or fubmit to whatever Conditions
ffiou'd be imposed on him. The King march'd to-
wards Orleans^ and Monfieur retired to Burgundyy
Lewis purfu'd him ^ and in the end the Duke of
Orleans was forc'd to retire into Lorrain, Inve-
ftives were publilh'd on both fides, the Minifter
keeping BaUac^ and other Pens in Pay to write
for him upon all occafions, to Anfwer anything that
came outagainft him,andRight or Wrong to blacken
his Enemies with the very Crimes that were laid
to his Charge. The Truth is the Qiiarrel between
Monfieur and his Brother was not fo much Perfonal
as it was Political. \{ Puylaurens and Le Coigneux
had been fatisfy'd, the two Royal Brothers had never
fal'a
a^6 Thfi Secret Hifiory^
fal'n out ; if Richheu ha<i not been ;caloas of Men'
fieur's Minifters, they had not been declared Guilty
of High Treafon as they were by the Parliament
of Dijon^ together with the Count de A'foret^ the
King's Natural Brother, the Duke et Elheuf, the
Duke de Be/legarde, the Duke de Roafmez,, Mo?jfigoty
Chanteeoohe^ Father of the Oratory, and others.
The .Manifeftos publifh*d in the Name of the Duke
of Orleans^ ("poke only the Sentiments of his Mi,^
riifters, the King's Anfwers did the fame with re:f'
fpecl to Richlien4, Twas in reality a Paper War
between the Favourites of the Two Princes, tho'
the State was madeufe of on both fides. What the
Duke o^ Orleans fays in one of them, fhews that
if Princes do not make the PublickGood the Rule
of their Government, . it is not becaufe they ^o not
Know *ti£ theirDuty to doit. After having upbraided
the King with his Unnatural Carriage towards his
Mother. He adds, As to what cor.cerns tny felf I
Piufi tell you that J did not leave the Court with a
dejign to difiurh the Peace of your SuhjeEhs *, / have
with my Eyesfeen fome of their A^fiferies^ they are
fo Deplorable that the rnoft Barbarous mvft be touched
with Compajfiofj^ very far from defiring to Augment
them^ I woud Sacrifife my Life to diminljh thern^
COD Is my Witnefs. Let us fee, in what 1 one
Richlieu makes his Mafter fpeak to his Brother,
Ajf^re your felf 1 am very well fatisfyd with tvy
Miniflers \ I know how to defend them^ and fljew tie
World, that the choice of my Counfellors depends only
on my Pleafure^ and not on the good liking of others.
It is merry to hear thofe Gentlemen talk after this
rate. If Minifters are charged with Male Admini-
fl- ration, we know how to defend them ', if evil
Counfellors are com plain'd of, the choice of 'em dq-
pe'rms on our Fleafure only. .Such is the Felicity
of Abfolate Monarchies, and of the Nations that
fall under the Tyranny of Favourites. Tliey have
not that Fatherly Love for the People which, a
King has or Ihou'd have, for their Subje£ls, they
l(>ok on them as their Property, to he u5*d as con-
liiis with their PaiTions and Int??re(ls. The King
Vvas
1/ F R A N C E. 2§7
was not content with the Declaration publilh'd a-
gainft the Duke of Orleans'% Friends by the Par-
liament of Djon^ he wou*d have it regifter'd and
verify'd by the Parliament of Paris^ but thofe Ma-
giftratcs were not eafily brought to CondAiil! Men
unheard ; three of the PrefidentsC^tef^F^r/fcand
Laifrjcy talk'd boldly againft it, fuggefling ^twa^
done at the Inftigation of a Minifter who abus'ct
the- Name of the King to revenge his own private
Quarrels. On the other Hand, Roger^ the Duke
o{ Orleans's Advocate, prefented a Petition to the
Parliament in the Name of Gallon j charging Rich-
lieu with feveral high Crimes which the Duke of-
fered to prove. Roger was threatened with a Prlfon
for prefenting it, and Lewis order'd in Council,
that the Petition fhou'd be fupprefs'd as Scandalous
and ' contrary to the Kings Service^ the Peace of his
Suhje^s, and the fafety of the State. The Parlia-
ment coming to the Vote about the Verification
of the King's Edi£l, the Voices were equal, which
made a Negative. The King enrag'd at that at-
tempt upon his Authority Royal, in daring to re-
fufe what he had commanded to be verify 'd. order*d
the Affembly to come to the Louvre a Foot, to
make their Submiffion, and tear the Arret out of
their Books, which gave the Negative to the Veri-
fication of his Edidl. The People crouded to fee
that once liluflrious Body maithing along like fo
many Criminals Two and Two, with their (quare
Gaps on their Heads, going to receive the laft mor-
tal Blow, which an Arrogant Minifter was to give
to what remain^d of the Liberties of the moft Au-
guft Tribunal in France.
The Magift rates were condu£led into the Gal-
lery of the Louvre^ where Lewis fat on his Throne
Surrounded by the Count de Soijfons^ the Cardinals
de la Valette and de Rtchlieuy the Dukes de Nemours y
Angoulemej Longueville^ Montmerency^ Chevreufe,<^vid
the Marefchals de Crequi^ de Schomberg^ de St. LuCy
and de Ejjiat, The Magiftratcs were oblig'dto
Kneel, and after having been feverely Repremanded
by Chateauneuf^ Keeper of the "Seals, he tore
their
288 The Secret Hipry
their Arret in Pieces and they were ordered to Regl-
fter that of the Parliament of Dijon. The Prefidents
Galant^ Barillotj, and Leifnie were fufpended and
banifh'd into feveral Protinces. After this notable
Exploit, ^his Glorious Victory over the Rights of
the Supream Court of Judicature o^ France ^LeniS
feeing one of his Penfioners by, who was writing
his Life, he went up to him, and clapping his Hand
on his Shoulder, faid. Don't forget to put nhat yoH
have feen in your Hiflory *, as if it was a Glory that
deferv'd to be Immortal to fupprefs the Liberty
of the Parliament, to whofe Charge he cou'd lay
nothing but that they vindicated the Reputation
of his Brother. Talon^ the Advocate Genera', moil
humbly befeeching his Majefty in behalf of the
Three beforemention'd Magiftrates, promifing that
I^ereafter they wou*d behave themfelvcs with the
Obedience of which the AfTembly had always made
Profeflion. Lewis took him up fhort, iaying, Don^t
tell me of your Obedience^ if I woud have any one
learn that Virtue^ I wov*d put him into a Company of
my Guardsy and net fend him to the Parliament ,
give me half a DoT^en of thofe young Counfellors who
tak'd fo loudly J Fll place them among my Musketers^
ril warrant you they Jhall fooner learn Obedience
than in a Court of Inquefts. Such was the Obe-
dience the French were to make a Virtue of, theObe-
dience of Soldiers : A rare Virtue. Thofe that wou'd
learn it, had beft ^o to France ^ the BritiJJ) Obe-
dience as Paffive as it is, is not yet fo much a Vir-
tue.
Richlieu having thus mortify 'd and filenc'd the
parliament, to leffen the Odmm of it, got the King
to recal the Three Prefidents from their Banilh-
ment. The Court of Aids at the fame time, made
a fhew of withftanding the Violences of Richlieu*s
Tyranny, and when the Count de Soiffons brought
them feveral Money Edifts to be verify'd, that Prince
having fent word to the Ma gift rates, that he wou'd
be there at fuch an Hour, they ail went out of the
Court, and he found nor one Body there, either to
receive him or hear him. The Cardinal prefently
repreferted
of F R A N C E. ^B4
ieprefents it as an Attempt againft the Authority
iloyal, and they were all Sufpended at once. The
lofs cf their Places render'd them lefs fenfible of the
lofs of their Liberties^ they made their moil hum-
ble Submifliori to the Cardinal, and after much
SoUicitatiorj and Mediation, they were reflor'd to.
the Exercife of their Offices. The flruggles of
the freftch to fave their Expiring Liberty were
weak. They had not Couirage enough to refift
the Tyranny of the Minifter, and their Pofts
were dearer to them than that Precious Freedom^
which makes Riches a Bleffing.
While the Duke of Orleans remain'd in Lorraine^
the King order'd his Revenues in France to 1)6
leiz'd« Upon thi^ Gafton writes him a Letter full
of Refentment, which not daring to fend by an
Exprefs for fear he fhou*d be arrefled as a Gen-
tleman had already been coming on that Errand,
lie enclosed it in one to the Parliament of Faris^
and d^Q^ivd him to deliver it, but the Magiftrate^
vvou'd not open the Packet. In the Letter cT^y?*??^
wrote the King, he amply fet forth the Methods
taken by Richlieu to ufurp the Power of the An-
tient Aiayors of the Pallace •, how he abus'd his Ma^
jefty's Name and Authority, how he mifreprefented
the Actions of tbe King's faithful Subjeds, and!
put none but his Creatures into Places of Truft
and Profit ^ in a word, his Reprefentition of Rich'
lieu, sgrees exaftly with the Character of all vyicked
JVliniftcrs *, and the Anfwer Lewis returned to his
Letter, is what one fhali commonly meet with frotn
fuch as are in high Favour in Arbitrary Govern-;
meilts. '77x me^ fiiys the King, you attack and not,
â– my A^ini^hrs, T'hefe AianifeHos are done with m ill
Intent. Such iJjingsare commonly made vje of to weaken
the Authority of the Soveraign^ to decry Princes un-,.
der Pretence of Exclaiming againft Mini^lrers. I
know the Qualifications of thofe that ferve me^ and
mide-i 11 Mid '>riy Affairs better than thofi that trouble
themfeives to talk of them. It isnotforyouyorthof^^
about youy to ce?ifure my Anions, or the Anions of
Pny M'niifersi Who can read this With-it!: k-tiH-
590 The Secret; Hiftory
ing the Felicity of France^ where neither the King
nor his Minifters can err^ where the |Monarch is
more Infallible than the Pope ? For ii it was pof-
fible for him or his Favourites to commit Errors,
the Brother of the King, the Heir Prefumptive to
the Crown, might certainly cenfure them as he
is fo nearly concerned in the Interefts of the State,
Lewis goes on with that Imperial Air which Dif-
potick Princes fo much Delight in. Tou have no
pGVper ever my ASmfierSy but J have a right to
Chaftinie your bomeJiicksvAoe^i they do ill'^ my Coufm
the Ctirdi?ial de Richlieu has on all occafms fervd
tne with fo much Courage and Fidelity^ his Counjells
have been fo advantageous and fo ufeful to me^ that
I ought to Tefiifie to all the World the entire Satis-
faUion I have tn the fignal Services he has rendered
me-i and every Day contmuts to render to my Perjon
and the State, The good Cardinal himfelf is mak-
ing his own Panegyrick, and putting it into the
Mouth of his Mailer, Such Kings as Lewis was,
will not only be flatter'd themfelves, they take Plea-
fure in the Flattery beftow'd on their Minifters,
and are tliemfelves fometimes the bafeft of Flat-
terers with refpe^l to their Favourites. Is not what
follows of this curious Piece as Ridiculous as a
Thing can well be ? I Jhoud -not deferve the Sur-
name of juft, // / did not acknowledge his Services^
and ififiead of repenting of what I have done for
him^ did not give him new A<farks of my Favour as
Opportunity fijall offer. My Affairs cannot be in bet-
ter Hands, Know therefore once for ali^ that I have
an entire Confidence in hlm^ and that he has never
done any Ihing hut by my exprefs Com m and j and
'with an exaEi Fidelity. His AEiions oblige me to
tell you 'i they can never be enough cemmendedy and
whatever is done or faid again fi a Tcrfon^ whom fo
rnany Services have recommended and endea/d to ?ne^
If hall take to be faid and, done again ft my f elf. So lay
all fuch Minifters and the Favourites of (ach Princes,
'tis their Mafters that the FacT^ions aim at. By Fa-
^lions, they mean, thofe that dare fpeak for the
good of the Publickj that are fo Sawcy as to talk
of
of E RANG E. 291
of Grievances Freedom is Fadlion, arid with all
the Duty and Affe£\iop a good ubied^ owes
bis Prince, if the Minifter, who furely^ tho* we
are told the contrary by iemV the Jkji; does not
do every Thing by exprefs Command, is not as
wdi pleas'd with him as the /Vlafter, it ;s Very well
if he efcapes the Charge of Sedition^ •
If to refift a Minifter be to refifl: the Prince, the
Duke of Gifife^ one of the moft Zealous Sons of the
Church, did not fetfoShinihg an Example of Pa (live
Obedience, as one might expe£l from a Fap^fi and a
Frs?jch Man. He enter'd into a Negotiation with
the Court oi M^drtd^to obtain Succours from .^p^/,'?
to defend himfelf again ft Richlleu. What was Lervh
then ? Was he a Cypher only ? Or v/as not the
calling in a Foreign Power for his Defence a-
gainft the Minifter as Criminal as if he had <^one
it againft the Prince ? The Truth is, the French
Lords in thofe Times had ndt very Scrupulous Con-
fciences in this Point, if they had Strength enough
they never fail'd of making ufe of it, and doing
themfeives Right. But Richlieu and 'Afaz^ar'me did
not fufFer them to encreafe or maintain their Power,
and they fmce have talk'd as dutifully as the" mod
Orthodox Nation can do.
To frighten the Duke of G'^^/f^, and iefTenhisi^ii'
thority in the Province of which he was Governor,
the Prince of Conde receiv'd an Order to prefide
in the AfTembly of the States which wa§ then to be
holden at Treafwn^ to take Cognizance of what-
ever related to the King's Service, and to have a
w^atchful Eye on the Condutl of the Governor »
Co77de^ whom the Cardinal kept at k diftance from
Bufmefs, had yearly fuch a Commiflion to prefide in
the AiTembly of the States of one or other of the
Provinces that prefcrv'd a iliadow of Liberty, as
Langmdcc^ Bretagne and Prover7ce, This was all he
got by his wonderful Complacency for Richlieu.
The Prince lov'd Money, and every Journey h^
made he' was fure to fill his Pockets with Pifloles,
Each Province prefented him a Gratuity, he affr;£led
to be Generousj and fonietimes excused himfelf front
S 3 hcerylri'^
293 Th Secret Hijiory
receiving above three Quarters of what he was of-
fer 'd, the' he had his Ways to get the other Quar-
ter, and perhaps more afterwards. The Cardinal
wink*d at it, well enough pleas'd that he cou*d
plunder any one, as long as himfelf was blamelefs,
and Conde never fail'd in his Difpatches to Richlieu
on thefe Occafions to* mingle a good deal of Pan^*
gyrick on the Cardinal. His Commiilion gave great
umbrage to the Duke oiGuife^ and an Order he re-
ceived Toon after to come to Court frighten'd him
yet more; Thinking himfelf not fafe in France^ h«
demanded leave to go in Pilgrimage to our Lady
of Loretto, The Cardinal, content that he went into
a voluntary Exile, procur'd him that Permiflion :
The Duke went to Florencey and was well received
by the Great Duke his Friend *, he was no fooner
gone, than the Magiftratcs of Vrovence haften'd to
Court with Informations againft him, and he was
fummon'd to render an Account to the King of his
h^\om.Gwfe kno\^ing that Rkhlieu^ who wanted to
make fpoil of his Offices, wou'd not flick at any thing
to ruin him, remained at Florence ^ his refufing to obey
the Summons paft for Contumacy, and he was turn'd
out of all his Pofts. The Cardinal did not let any
Lord keep his Enployment that was known to be
in the Intereft of the Queen Mother and Gafion.
Thofe that had offended had no way of obtaining
Pardon but by refigning their Places^ the Duke^a
Vendome got his Liberty by giving up his Govern-
ment of Bretagncy which RicBieu took himfelf^
the Governments ofPicardy and Burgundy wqtq taken
from the Dukes de Belle garde and d' Elbenf, who
follow'd the Fortune of the DukQ of Orleans. Thefe
Governments were given to Rkhlteus Creatures,
and fecur'd to him the Frontiers. However, he was
not eafy while A/ary de Me diets was fo near as
Compeigne^ and the Marquis de S'Chaumnt was
difpatch'd to her, to prefs her Majefty to hafleii
her departure for Moulins\ but Gafton being in Lor*
mine and the King in Burgw^dvy the Qiieen Mother
refolv'd to fee what wou'd be the liTue of thofe
Commotions, and not to go farther unkfs fhe was
forced
^FRANCE. 29J
forced to it. The Queen faid, (he was informed that
Richlieu intended tohave her carry'd from Moulin^
to Lyons ^ to embark her on the Rhone ^ and thence
transport her on Board the Galleys that were ready
to Italy ; and this report was fo common, that tiie
Cardinal was forc'd to advife the King to let his
Mother flay (bme Time longer at Compeigne^ and to
name another Place than Mauling for her to re-
tire to. The Marcfchal de Schomberg was fent af-
tervvsards to offer her Monceaux or Mante^ and he
did it fo infolently, that Mary de Medicis wrote a
Letter of Complaint to the King •, but Schomberg
was a Favourite of Richlleu% and Lewis who heard
with no Ears, and faw with no Eyes, but his Mini-
fter's, did not refent it. The Defignof the Queen
Mother was to retire of herfelf into the Nether^
landsy if fhe cou'd not return to Court, nor engage
the Governor of La Capelle^ on the Frontiers, to
receive her. If he wou'd, fhe refolv'd to defend her
felf in that Place with the Troops promised her by
the Arch-Dutchefs Jfabelia^ and thofethe Duke of
Orleans was to bring her out of Lorrain. Richlieu
had Intimation of the Queen's Refolution, to
ieave'the Kingdom in cafe La Capelle did not open
her Gates to her, and inflead of taking Meafures
to prevent it, lie advis'd the King to forward it
by negleiiing the Advic^ tiiat were given by the
Marefclial d* Etrees and others. The Marquis de
Vardesy Son of the Governor of La Capelle^ was
gain'd by Richlieu^ dealt doubly With Mary de Me-
dicisy and gave her hopes of receiving her into the
Place till the very Day of her approachhig it. She
left Compeigne the i8th of Jvly 1^31, attended
only by five or fix Horfe. VVlien llie came near
La Capelle^ (^ardeSj who had promised tp open
the Gates to her, fent to tell her that his Father
was come unexpeftly and had taken on him-
felf the Command of the Place, To that he cou'd
not admit her. Upon this (he went flrait to Avejnes^
the Firft City in Hamnult^ travelling Twenty
Leagues in one Day, and arriv'd the 20th. She was
Complemented by the Governor of the County of
U 3 Ha'maulty
294 ^^^ Secret Uiftory
H^iinaidt^h^iht Spanip) kmh2i^\diOr^2inA receiv'd af-
terwards 2iiMcns by the Arch dutchefs her Aunt with
extraordinary Honours. Her Majefty caus'd fucb
another Petition to be prefented to the Parliament
againft RichUeu as Gafiori had done, but the Ma-
gifl: rates treated it after the fame Manner, and r«-
fus'd to give it a Reading* Do we not remember
how A^ary de Medtcis infulted them during her
Regency, how fl^e contributed to fupprefs the
Autiiority of an AlTembly to whom (he now in
vain fled for Juftice. $q far was the Parliament from
juflifing her, that they regifler'd a Declaration of
the faiiie kind againii: her Followers, as was againft
fhe Followers of her Son Gafr^n, From the Nether-
lands fhe wrote Three Letters in her own Jufti-
fication, one to the King, another to the Parliament,
ana a third to the City of Farls, The King's An-
fwer fliews how little Princes are govern'd by the
Laws of Nature when in the Hands of cruel and
unnatural Minifters. RichUeu tells her in Lewises
Name. Sufer me If you pleaje^ Mad am f to tell you
that what you have done noWj and for fame time
paft^ clearly dtfcovers to me your Intentions and what
J am'to expe^l from you hereafter ^ the RefpeB 1 owe you
hinders me from explaining tny felf farther. Her
three Letters are very moving, and paint the Car-
dinal to the Life in the mofl odious colours ima-
ginable, but neither of 'em had any efFeft, Lewis
woui*d not open his Eyes or his Ears. The Pe-
cidations charg'd upon the Cardinal by tke Qnttn
Mother and the Duke of Orleans are almofl infi-
nite. The Duke of Orleans particularly f«iys in one
of his LetterSo " That he fent Twenty Mules
'' loaden for the moft Part with Gold to Havre
'^ de Grace at one/ time ; that he embezled yearly fe-
" veral Millions of the Moneys appropriated for
" the Marine \ that he fpent Fifty Millions in the
" War of Italy ^ that he wafted above 200 Mil-
^' lions of the Publick Treafure. , and fpent in his
** Houfe Ten times as much as the King. '* The
Truth is, Richheu was very Poor before he was
taken into the Queen s Service, his Family and moft
of his Relations were Beggars, but he (bon raised
' â– " all
IP/ F R A N C E- 295
aH of 'em, and by Marriages and Employments,
enobrd and enrich d them to the envy of all the
Antient Nobility. He was Cunning and had a Con-
fciencc as well as a Head fit for any thing, yet if
we look curioufly into his Hiftory, we Oiall find
none of that Opennefs, that Honefly, that Ge-
nerous as well as that exalted Genius which di«
ftinguifh'd the Heroes ol Antiquity. Religion was
a Mask he wore to hide his Artifies*, he pre-
tended to a more than ordinary Ihare of Devotion,
but he was in that all Out-fide, as he was all In-
fide in his Politicks. He was at the bottom Lewd,
and in fine, what a Fre??ch Author calls him more
than once, Le plus grand Scelerate, in France, Ga-
fton in the abovemeation'd Letter gives one a dread-
ful Idea of the miferable Condition o^ France^ where
thofc deteftables Vv^retcbes the Informers were
in full Employment, every one's Looks were taken
Notice of, their Sighs obferv'd, and People did not
think themfelves fafe in their Clofets. Richlieti^ to
be reveng'd on the ArchDutchefs for her Pompous
Reception of the Queen Mother, did his utmoit to
embroil the Affairs of the Netherlands. The Arch-
Dutchefs fent the Dean of Camhray to inform the
Court of France of the Treatment Mary de Me-
dicis had met with in the Low-Countries, and
offer her good Offices f<ir the Re-union of the Roy-
al Family. Whether ^/(7/j//>« had heard ofaCon-
fpiracy of the Lords of that Country, to throw off
the Spanifi Yoke after the Death of Ifahella^ or whe-
ther he imagin'd the Dean, who was difgufled at
his having been refus'd the Biihoprick of Namure^
wou'd be a proper Perfon to (et fuch a Plot on Foot,
he had unufual Honours paid him at the Court of
France. He was fo Carefs'd by the Miniller^ and fo
Magnificently entertained, that Rkhlleu made him
liis Friend, and by Promises and Prefents engag'd
him to rgive him Intelligence of wh.iteyer paft
in the Netherla?ids^ in the Cour^t of Ifabeilt^ or
that of Mary de Medkis^ whofe Fftate, Dower
and Goods were feiz'd:i and all that Ihou'd go.
to her or her Son Gajio^?^ dechir'd Guilty 1 of
High Treafon, it being the ufual Practice of Ty-
II 4. tannicjK
^9^ ^he Secret Hijlory
rannick Minifters, to call every thing High Trea-
fon which aims at putting an end to their Tyranny,
and rhe Forfeitures they levy by it, are the (weeteft
part of the Vengeance they take on their OpponentSo
To be very Rich, with fuch Men, is the fureft way
to be Criminal, and no Grimes turn fo well to tiieir
Account as High Treafon. That Life is one cf the
Forfeitures fignifies nothing. Th^ Richliens mA Ma-
zarines imitating their great Mafter Matchiavel^
never boggled at any means, however faoguinary
and unlawful, to rid themfelves of thofe they fear'd.
The Cardinal de Rkhlieu having driven the King's
Mother and Brother out of the Kingdom, to fhew
bow little he was apprehenfive of their being able
to do him a Mifchief, procur d Letters Patents to
cre£l the little Lordfhip of Rkhlieu into a Dutchy
and Peerage, affeding to be call'd the Cardinal Dule,
as was the Duke of Lerma^ Favourite o{ Philip the
Hid. of Spain. This Man, the vainefl: Creature a-
live, went accompany*d by the Prince of Conde^
the Dukes de Montmerencyy de Chevreufe^ de Mont'
haz^on^ de Retz^ de Crequij de Ventadour^ the Mare-
fchals de Fitryy £ Etrees^ d' Efiat, and other Lords,
to take his Teat in Parliament, yet fo over Modeft
was he, that he wou*d not enter the Hall by the
Great Door where the Croud waited for his En-
trance, nor wou'd he be prais'd according to Cu-
fioni by the Perfon who prefented his Letters Pa-
tents, contenting himfelf with his Eulogy drawn
up at large in the Preamble and fign'd by the King,
which was read to the AiTembly. But tho' he went
in at the little Door, he took Precedence of the
.Duke de Montmerency and all other Dukes who
bafely yeilded itto him, notwithftanding tht Roman
Purple gave the Cardinal no Rank in Parliament.'
I have already mention'd a Pra£Vice begun in this
Reign to ereft Tribunals, on purpofe to Try and
pondemn fuch as the Court had a mind to take
off, Rkhlieu and the Minifters wou'd not truft to
tiie Juftice of the Parliament of Parts^ who were
the proper Judges of State Criminals.^ Commif-
Caries were appointed by tiie Caurt, and pack'd
Tfibunais
of V K AN CE. 297
Tribunals fct up to deprive the Enemies of the
Favourite of their Eftates, Liberties and^ Lives.
The Cardinal to cajole the Parliament, nam'd fome
of their Members to be of th« Chamber of Juftice,
which he was about to ereft to proceed againft
the Followers of Mary de Medicls and the Duke of
Orleans, but the AfTembly rais'd Difficulties when
their Commiflion was offer'd for Verification, in-
fifting that all the Members fhou'd be of their
Body. The Cardinal wou'd not hear of if, they then
defir'd only the Deputy of the ProUor Gemral^^nd
the Regifter might be of the new Chamber, which
Kichlieu wou'd not confent to, becaufe their Pro-
ceedings wou'd then be liable to be examin'd by
Parliament, the Regifter having enter'd them
regularly, according to the Cuftom of that Court.
This wou'd not anfwer the Ends of the Minifter,
which was to procure the Condemnation of the
Perfons accus'd on any or no Proof, and not to fuffsr
the re-hearingof the Procefson any Pretence what-
foever. Thus were the greateft Lords of France de-
prived of their Pofts and Eftates, and their Lives
had alio been a Sacrifice to Jiichli&u's Ambition,
cou'd he have got their Perfons in his Power. D^zval^
the Aftrologer beforemention'd, was fent to the
Galleys, as was alfo Senelle^ another fuch Conjurer
as himfelf ; the Duke de Roannez,^ the Marquis de
Vieuville, and the Countefs du Fargh^ were con-
demned to be beheaded in Effigy. The Eftates of
the Duke de RoanneZy the Duke 2* Elbeu}\ the Diikv-
de Bellegarde. the Count de Moret^ the King*sNct-
tural Brother, the Countefs his Mother, the" Mar-
quis de Boijfij the Marquis de Fieuvll'e^ the Marquis
de Sourdeac, and tlie Prefident Le Coigneux . were
Conhfcated. The fweec Revenge of aU Men ir»
power who are infenfible of Gratitude and Humanity,
and are bounded by no Laws, Humane or Divine,
but juftify all their Anions by the Authority Roy-
al. When the Marquis de Vttri alTairin d Conchiniy
who firft introduc'd Rkhlieu to Courts he was hated
by him as an ill wilier to his Mlftrefs tiie Queen
Regent. Now he isbelov'd for the very fameKea-
"'<-'•' ' ion
^98 The Secret Htfiory
fon, and has the Government of Proveme given him,
on no other Account, but that he was a Perfon
who had fo far difbblig*d the Queen Mother, that
they were fure he woS'd Hcver be forgiven by her.
The Parliament of Taris had the Courage to make
one attempt more for the Prefervation of their
Rights and Privileges, and when the Court was at
Metz.y following the Duke of Orleans in Lorrain^
tiiey put out an Arret to remonftrate to the King a-
gainft the erefting of the Chamber of Juftice, and
to forbid the latter to fit. The Cardinal, inftead of
hearkening to their Remonflrances, got the King
to fend for the Magiftratcs who had fign'd the
Arret as far as Lorrain^ to An{\ver for their Difo-
bedience. Accordingly the Poor Prefidents and
Counfellors poft away in the midft of Winter to
Metz,y where they attended a long time before
they cou'd procure Audience. When they had that
Honour, Lewis told them with a fevere Tone, He
woiid for that time forgive them^ hut if ever they
fioud offend fo again they Jhou^d dearly pay fort ^
that he lov'd his People better than thevy and coud
tell better how to provide for the Glory aitd deputa-
tion of his Crown, He forbad them for the future
to meddle with any Matters but thofe of Meum
and Tuum^ The Prefident de BelUevre faying they
were bred up in a good School, and well inftru6led
in the Duties of Obedience and Fidelity to his Ma-
jefty, the King took him up faying, Tou do not
then very well remember the Le jf on s you learnt there.
And all they cou'd lay, cou'd not hinder their being
oblig'd to dance after the Court till its return xo
St. Germans en Laie.
During thefe violent Proceedings a2,ainfl: the Fol-
lowers of A<[ary de Me die is and Gafion^ the latter
was bufy'd in Lorrain m proiecuting his Marriage
with the Piincefs Margaret^ Sifter to that Duke,
and railing Men and Money to invade France But
tho' he marry 'd that Princefs privately, all his other
Proicif^ncame^ to nothing, occafion'd as much by the
Mifunderftandings in his Family, as by the Arti-
fices and Power of Rtchlteu. The Prefident Le
Coigneux
<?/ F R A N G E. 299
Colgneux was for accommodating Matters with the
Court, the Duke de Bellegarde and others were of
the fame Sentiments. Puylaurens declar'd againft
any Accommodation till Satisfaction was given to the
Duke his Mafter and all his Friends. The Duke
de Elbeuf and bis Party fupported this Opinion,
which being the more Generous one, was the more
to Gajion^s Gout and he fent his Favourite Pzilyaurens
to the Netherlands', to follicite Succours. In this
Negotiation he had not the difir'd and expelled
Succefs, Lewis being fo near as he was with a
Powerful Army, every one was afraid of bringing
it upon them, ^nd Or/eaffs was forc'd to befatisfy'd
with large Promifes and a little Money, while Lewis
made himfelt Mafter of Two good Places He and
Moyenvic^ under Pretext that they were Depen-
dences of -the Bifhoprick o^ Metz., ihere were
German Garrifons in them, but fo thin and fo ill
provided, that all Refiftance was to no purpofe.
The Lorrainers and Germans had nothing for the
Towns but Complaints, and France has ever fince
been in PofTeilion of them. Richlieu wou'd not re-
turn to Pans, without fome new Acquifition^ and
never did Nation make any fo eafily and fo cheap
as France > Mary de Me diets who had been mightily
earneft for her Son Gafion% Marriage with the
Princefs of Lorrain^ was flill more exafperated a-
gainft Richlieu for his ravifhing part of Duke Charles s
Territories from him, at a time when fhe had en-
tered into foclofe an Alliance with him. She again
wrote a Letter to the King to demand Juftice
againft the Cardinal ; but what cou'd fhe expert
of Lewis, who had order *d the Efiates and Goods
of bis unfortunate Mother to be feiz'd, an inventory
of her Moveables to be drawn, her Dome flicks to
be imprifon'd, bani{h*d and condesnn'd, for High
Treafon? The Cardinal had hir'd a parcel of mer-
cenary Libellers to vilify his BenefaClrefs as the
greateft Enemy to the Kina and Kingdom, and re-
folv'd that no fuch MeiTage iliou'd be brought them
for the future. Lewis, at the Intligation of Rich-
lieu» told the MefTenger, that if ever fhe wrore
STiy
3 00 The Secret Hijlor^
any thing againfl: the Cardinal, the Bearer of the
Letter fhou'd be thrown into Prifon. And having
oblig'd CW/ef the IVth, Duke of Lorral?7j to en.
ter into a Difhonourablc Treaty with him, which
was concluded before the King's return to St. Ger-
tnans^ Gafion was forc'd to retire into the Low-
Countries, wlierc the Arch-Dutchefs received him
with as extraordinary Honours as fhc had fhewn
his Mother, and entertained them at her own Ex-
pence fuitable to their Royal Dignity.
As foon as he arriv*d at Brujfels, Mary de Me diets
and Gafion concerted Meafures for raifing Money
and ftrengthening their Intereft. Dourchaut carry d
their Jewels to Amlierdam to Pawn, and the Spani-
^^^^y glsid that they had the Prefumptive Heir of the
Crown of France in their Hands, promis'd won-
ders, in hopes to kindle a Civil War in that King-
dom, and hinder the French fending Succours to the
King of Sweden and the States. But the Superior
Genius of Rkhlieu prefer v'd him, and eftablifh'd
his Authority on the Ruins of all his Enemies,
Gafion held a Correfpondence with VValleBein^the
Imperial General, and the Cardinal did the fame
with the King of Svpeden^ who was then at the Head
of a Vidorious Army in Germany, The Swedljh
Ambaflador, Count Horn, defir'd an Interview be-
tween the Two Monarchs, which Kichlieu wou'd not
confent to, appirehenfive that a King who fluttered,
as did Lewis the XlUth, and whole Capacity was
not extraordinary, wou'd expofe himfelf before one
who talked Gracefully and Eloquently in feveral
Languages as GuBavus Adolphcs did, whofc Genius
was equal to his Ambition, and who had a Con-
fummate Experience in Affairs both Political and
Military. The Cardinal fent his Brother in-Law,
the Marquis de Brez^e, to excufe this Interview as.
handfomeiy as polTible, and being return'd to Pa-ris^
prefs'd the Marriage of his Neice Comhalet with
the Pfmce de Sot (Jons (o far tliat the Prince yeilded
to it, on Condition the King exprer>ly commanded
it, and wou'd give it qnder his Hand that he de--
fni he iliouM marry her, as being for his Service
and
^/FRANCE; 3Ci
and the the good of the State. The Cardinal did
not imagine his Mafter durft deny him, and fpoke
ot it to the King, who anfwer'd him in general
Terms. Rkhlieu renew'd his Inftances, and oblig'd
his Friends who were about Levpis^ to infinuate to
him every now and then, that fo Indefatigable a
Minifter as was the Cardinal deferv^d that Favour.
At lajfl tirM out with their Importunities he told
them plainly, That he had ferwu/ly confiderd the
Matter^ and coud not in Prudence confent to it *, that
the Count de SoifTons had already a great Imereft on
Account of his Rank and Alliances j and to give him
the Cardinal*s Niece^ woud put him into a Condition
to ajpire to any Things and render him as TowerfuL
and perhaps more Powerful than himfelf ' The Prince
of Conde, jealous of the Agrandiz.ing the Tounger
Branch if his Family^ rvou'dfall in with the Malecon-
tents, and none woud be left with the King but the
County who wou^d both be kept in Perpetual alarm hy
the Cardinal's Enemies, Richlieu thought fit to dii-
femble his Chagrin on this Occahon, and anfwer'd
in fubmifive and refpeftf ul Terms. Having mifs'd his
aim in the Marriage of his Niece, he comforted
himfelf with the Revenge he was about to take on
his Enemies. The Marefchal de Marillac was the
firft who felt the weight of it, he was removed
from the Callle of St. Menehudy in Campaigner to
that of Verdun^ where Faubecour^ a profefs'd Ene-
my of his, commanded. Twas thought the Car-
dinal wou'd have him try'd there, that being at fo
great diftance from Paris^ he might not get his
WitnefTes together. On this and other Accounts,
the parliament pafs'd feveral Arrets in his Favour,
^N\l^c\^\Richlieu wou'd not fufFer to be executed. Com-
miffionerswere appointed by him, and his Creatures
to Try the Marefchal at Verdun^ but he refufing
to Anfwer, they threatened to Condemn him as a
Mute-, upon which, after he had protefted againfl
tlie Injuftice done him, he pleaded to \6o Articles
which were exhibited againfl him. The number of
them was made fo great to render him the more
Odious to the King, The Marefchal perceiving the
Malice
^62 The Secret Hijlorj
Malice and Power of hisEnemies wou'd deftroy him^
drew up a Petition which was carry'd to Court,
but the Cardinal wou'd not fufFer it to be prefented
to the King. The Marefchale his Lady, who follicited
for him at the Louvre^ was order'd to leave Taris^
as were alfo his neareft Relations, to prevent his
Majefty's being troubl'd with their Renionft ranees
in his behalf. The Lady Marefchale apply'd to
Richlieu^ who bad his People to tell her he cou'd
not hear her without the King's exprefs Order.
How indeed cou'd this Cruel and Inlolent Prieft
give Audience to the mournful Wife of a Man he
was about to Murder under the form of Juftice ?
They had refus'd to let him have his Tryal accord-
ing to due courfe of Law. Rkhlieus Enimies had
tlic fame ufage, as will all the Enemies to Tyranny
have under Arbitrary and Sanguinary Miniftersi
They were taken off by Men pick'd on purpofe to
do the Drudgery, luchaswere our Jury -Men, when
the ShrifFs o^ London ^lo gain the Favour of the Court,
made fare of fuch Men as wou'd ftick at nothing to
take off fuch as an ill Miniftry had firfl doom'd to
Deflradion.The Cardinal nam'd,foroneof the Com-
ymiSxov.QX^ duChatelet xhQ profffs'd EioQmy ofMarillac^
Keeper of, the Seals, the Marefchal's Brother, againft
whom he had written a virulent Satyr, and did not
fparethe Marefchal in it. This Man's Name was Paul
Hay^ and his Family which was of Bretagne^ pre-
tended to be G^Xhn Scotch Family, Famous in former
Daysj and likely to be as Famous in future Times,
for what has happen'd and may happen in this Age.
He had been aCommiffionerin other State Tryals,
and was pro\j'd to have received ijoooLivres for
a Bribe to bring Si Spaniard oS who was try'd in a
Criminal Cafe. Marillac^ Keeper of the Seals, fuf-
pendtrd him for his Corruption, he being a Coun-
iellor in the ParliaRient of Paris^ and for this did
du ChateUt bear the Two Brothers mortal Enmity.
Having a Satirycal Pen, he fell upon them with
Libels which he read to Richlieu^ w ho, like otlier
fuch Miniiiers,. took delight in the Scandal brought
him daily by Parafjtes i{nd Sycophants. He wrote
I?/ F R A N C E. ^o j
once againft a Prince, who hearing of it^ refolv'cl
to have him cudgell'd to Death, but the Keeper
of the Seals coming to the Knowledge of it^ fav'd
Hm by his Mediation ^ yet the ungrateful Libeller
continu'd his hatred to the Marillacs^ and his Lam-
poons againft their Friends, not fparing the Car-
dinal de Bervlle thtn living, and as for the Mare-
fchal he painted him as a iVlan that deferv*d no
lefs than to be hang'd. The Marefchal had therefore
good Reafon to except againft him, and the Peo-
ple clamoured fo much at the Injuftice of making
his Enemy his Judge, that at laft he was ftruck
out of the' Lift, as were feverai Counfellors of the ^
Parliament of Di]on^ who, tho* highly difgufted at
him for Quartering his Soldiers upon them in his
laft march to Italy^ yet cou'd they not be prevail'd
with to Condemn him againft their Conlciences
and a new fet of Commiilioners was appointed ,
the chief of which was Chatsamjeuf^ Keeper of the
Seals, who had gotten them by the Difgrace of
the Marefchal's Brother.
Mary ds Medic is and Gafton, Duke o{ Orleatst^
fent every one of the Judges word, that they ftiou'd
one Time or another be cali'd to a fevere Account
for their Proceedings againft the Marefchal de Ma-
rillac^ whofe only Crime was his having ferv'd them
faithfully. G'^/?<?« particularly caus'd two.Sollicitors
againft him to be threaterAl, that they fhou'd be
iliot through the Head if they in the leaft tranf-
grefs'd the Rules of Juftice in their Procefs. He and
his Mother had contriv d to haye fome of Richlieus
neareft Relations carry'd off, to keep 'em in Ho-
ftage for Monfieur de Marlllat;, The Cardinal be-
ing inform'dof it by his%)ies, ail their Domefticks
were commanded to leave Paris, and the Citizens
forbiden to entertain them under fevere Penalties,
The New CommifTion was open'd at Pomhoifey whe-
ther the Marefchal was brought from Verdurij un-
der the Guard of Monfieur Puyfugur^ who was of-
fer'd loooo® Crowns if he wou'd let him Efcape,
which he generouHy refus'd. There lias been In-
ftances of thq G^uerofity of the Soldiery under Ty-
lannick
504 5n&^ Secret Hiflory
tanttick Minifters. They have behav'd themfejves
like Men of Honour, and wou'd not Sacrifife it to
tie Power of a prevailing Fadlion. Tliey wou'd not
vilify- the Generals they had ferv'd under with Glory,
nor, as far as they cou'd hinder it, fufFer them to be
vilify'd, for which Guilty and Cowardly Minifters
have born them implacable hatred, and taken all
Opportunities to mortify and humble them ^ but
thofe Inftances are few, and the Soldiers, whofe
Fortune depends on Courts, have generally been
the Inftruments of their Defpotick Government.
They are not the greateft Poliiicians in the World,
they judge commonly by the Prefent, thofe that
, can lerve them now, may be pretty fure of their
Service.
The Cardinal was fo afraid of Marlliac's making
his Efcape, that he order'd him to be removed once
more, from Pontholfe toRuel, a Houfe of his own be-
tween Paris and St. German en Late : Where upon
theTeftimony of WitnefTes fuborn'd for that purpofe
by his Enemies, he was condemned to be Beheaded
by Judges fuborn'd aUo to Condemn him ; the 8th
of May 16-2. Yet of thofe Judges Ten out of
Three and Twenty gave their Opinion that his
Crimes did not deferve Death. Upon News of
his Condemhation, his Relations flew to St. Ger-
mans en Laie^ to implore the King's Mercy •, they
apply'd firft to the Cardinal, who they knew manag'd
all Things at his Pleafure. RichUeu pretended to
be in a great fur prize when he heard it, tbo he
was well inform'd of every Circumftance of the
Procefs and Tryal. Ton tell me^ fays he, what 1
never heard of before^ I am forry Monfmir de Ma-
rillac has brought himfelf by his own Fault imo this
Condition^ go to the King, he is Merc'ifuh My Lord,
reply'd one of them, will you be pleas'd to inter-
ceed for the Marefchal ? The Cardinal anfwer'd
again ibllenly, Go to the King, Upon this they threw
themfelves at his Majefty's Feet, who told them.
He vpoud fee what he had to do, and bad them to
retire. They then returned to RichUeu, who ask*d
them, If they had Spoken to the King^ Tes^ yes^rt'^
plv'd
^/FRANCE. id
ply'd one of the Marefchars Kinfman, But his Ma-
jej}y only told us he mu'd fee what he had to do,
and then commanded us to retire, I advife you to
Obey him, reply'd the Cardinal. Another of Mon-
iKMYde .'J^^>';//:7(7s Relations, pre/ling him, be faid
angrily, / advife you to retire as the King hadyoui
and now I commend you to do it. The Poor Gentle-
men feeing there were no Hopes, returnM to Varis.
whither the Marefchal was brought bound like a
Common Criminal, and beheaded at Le Greve^xh^
Flice of Execution. The main Charge againft this
jVlarefch \q\ frame was Peculation j a Crime which
he feem'd to wonder how they cou'd imaMne a
Man of his Rank cou'd be Guilty of, and 'twas
generally thought, that the Mifapplications of the
Soldiers Money laid to his Charge wefe without
Foundation, at leaft, that they cou'd hardlv make it a.
Mifdemeanoitr. To all the Articles that were brought
agamft him when his Sentence was read, he made
a brave Speech becoming, his Quality and Con-
dition, but in the end he cou d not help crvin^j
out feyei-al times, Peculdt Bo-a Dieu ! Ben Dieil
Pectilat. .
The Cardinal was not fatisfyM with the Blood
of this Gentleman, he fet his Libellers to work t.'i
blacken his Memory after his Death, and amonc?
the reft, the M^wmsdu Chat e let before niention'd'^
who had Sworn before the King that he wasnot
the Author of fhe Libel which had already been'
fpoken of, and afterwards own d he was, for which
he was fent to Prifon. To get out, he undertook
to write a rmdicadon of the tryal of the Afare^
jchal deMarillac, for People talkM very freely up.
on it, and it was the general Opinion that it was
tiot manag'd as it ought to have been.
The Injuftice of it refleaing upon the Cardinal
he employed his Hirelings to abufe the Marefchal in
.lis r^rave, and Poltron, Robber and Fathious were
ip^ beft Terms they had for him. The Defen^
ders of ihQ Queen Moth^f on the Contrar^', fepre-
lent him as a good Chriftian, a good Statelman, a
;t»ne GliUleman, and a great General. Ws dre not
^ farther
3o6 The Secret Hiftory
farther concerned in his Chara£^er, than to (hew
the Tyranny oiEichHeu in opprefling Men of Merit,
and 'tis certain, that had the Marefchal liad lefs,
the Cardinal wou'd not have been To jealous of his
Rivalfhip, nor have gone out of the v^ay fo much
to rid himfelf of a Competitor, vehich, as his Crea-
ture fets him out, cou'd never have been a dange-
rous one. Wiien the Queen Mother heard of the
De^ith of Monfieur de Marillac^ (he v^as fo enrag'd,
that (he threatened to ferve Richlieu in the fame
Manner if ever it was in her Power, which her
threatening him fo was one of tiie fureft ways to
hinder.
The Sacrifice of a Marefchal of France to the
Vengeance of the Minifter, did not fo far difpirit
the great Lords that they durft not think of means
of delivering themfelves from the Slavery he was
bringing upon them. The Province of Languedoc
was highly difgufted at the lofs of their Privileges,
and the Duke de Montmerency^ who had been en-
gaged in the Interefts of Mary de Medicis and the
Duke of Orleans^ by his Nephew the Biihop of
j4lby^ knew how to improve that difgufl in their
Favour. He was Governor of the Province, and
retir'd to it in Difcontent, which encreas'd , for
that Richlieu feem'd to difpife it, at leaft, not to
think it deferv'd his giving himfelf much trouble
about it, imagining no Body wou*d dare to oppofc
his Tyranny, after they had been Witnefles of the
fate of Marillac, The Duke de Montmerency had
been a long time prepar'd for an Intrigue with
Cafion^ and his Mother, by his Wife, a Princefs
of the Houfe of Vrfins^ related to that of Medicis.
But he did not enter deep into it, till after his re-
turn to Languedoc^ and v/hen Gajion was at Brujfels,
The ftrft Publick ftep he took, which (hew'd his
Difcontent, was, his prefling the Court to re-cfta-
blifh the States of LanguedoCy and the abolifhing
the Elects ; Richlieu wou'd not confent to the lat-
ter, and as to the former he did it with fuch Re-
ftraint, that the States found themfelves re(ior*d
to the Name, without any Authority but what the
Court
of fK A N CK J6f
CcJurt pleased to allow them by their CommiilioherS,
Who were always to aflift' at their Affemblies.
After this Montmerency demanded the Office of
Mare fchal General^ his Father and Grand-father ha-
ving fucceflivelyheld that of Conflable, fupprefs'd on
the Death of the Gonftable Lefdifiueres ^ he alfo
demanded the Government of rhe City and Citadel
of Mofttpellter. RichlUu evaded his demands, and
in fuch a manner, that be faw lie was to expert
nothing more than he had. An event had happen'd
before he left the Court, which made him the
more uneafy there, and the more wiUing to quit it.
He had a Quarrel v/ith the Duke de Chevreufe j3iiid
fern the Marqui? de Pra/lin to him, td defire they
might come to an Eclair cijfementy Vrafl'in received
a fatisfaftory Anfwer, but as he was going away, ^
Gentleman, belonging to the Duke, drew upon him,
Chevreufe feeing it drew alfo, and the Duke de Mont-
tnerency^ who was in fightj running to the Afli-
ftance of Vrajlln, a Combat enfu'd, feveral Lords
ran in to part them and their Seconds; The two
Dukes were too great to be arrefted without th^
King's exprefs Order j the others were fent to the
Guard, and thence to the BafkilU, The King was
highly offended with the Dukes for fighting in
his Houfe, and ordered Montmerency to retire tci
Chamiliiy and Chevreufe to one of his f^foufes. Th^
Courtiers were, as ullial, divided on this Occafion,
fome took tb« Part of Chevreufe^ others that of
Montmerency:^ among the latter was the Duke z:/^
St. Simon, the Favourite, which the Dutchefs d&
Chevreufe^ who fince her return to Court, vVas very
much in the good Graces of the Cardinal, fo re-
lented that, from that time ihe began to let Rich-
lieu agAinft him, and his Difgrace was the Confer
q.uence of it. For Lewis the Xlllth, was not, as
has been faid, more Mafter of himfelf than of his
Kmgdom, he wiil'd as he reign'd, as his Minifter
wou'd have him ^ be lov'd and hated by Direaion,-
not Choice, and Richtieu knew too well how to
make Advaiitage of his VVeaknefs to the Deflruaiori
©f all that oppos'd him*
^ ^ Dtiring
i^.
5o8 The Secret Htjlory
During the Retreat of the Duke de Mont-
jnerency at Chantiiu, he talk'd freely enough of
Ricklieuj and his Friends perceiv'd that it wou'd
end in a Rupture-, to prevent it, they fet forth his
own Impotence and his Enemy's Power, and advis'd
him to temporize. But when he was in La-aguedoCj
the Bifhop of Alby^ who held a drift Correfpon-
dence with Mary de Aledkis and Cafton at Bruffels^
found means to work up his Refentment to the
pitch they defir'd. He reprefented to Ivni, that
he was a PcrfoiJ of more Confideration in the King-
dom than the Duke d' Epernon^ who, however,
obligd tlie King to Sign a Declaration, that what
he did for the Queen Mother was for the good of
the State, What are you afraid of^ fa id the Bifhop,
the Gentlemen and People cf the Province will de-
clare for you ^ and fecond your Defigns\ the Succefs
cf which will he the ryiore Glorious^ for that you will
nt once deliver the Widow and Son of Henry the
Great from the Oppreffion of a Almifier tiniverjally
h'ltcd^ and detefied by all l-rance as the mosi un-
grateful and wicked Wretch that ever was. What
is this Italian Prelate doing ? Is he not Preaching
Refiftance to a French Lord ? If to refift any one
ill Authority under the Soveraign be a damnable
Sin, as one. wou'd think it is by the 12th ai Car*
Sec. what Damnation wou'd Delbene^ Bifhop of
u4lby^ bring upon his Llnkle thefirft Chriftian Baron
in Europe f Muff A'fontmerency take Arms,becaufe the
Minifler will not make him Marcfehal General} Is
there any Inftance of fuch daring in the Reign of
the Son of Lewis the Xlllth / What wou'd become
of a Duke, Peer and iViarefchal now, if he fhou'd
offer to ftand on Terms in his Government? It
was not fo bad with the French a Hundred Years
ago^ they had not forgot that there was a Time
when the French were Free, and did not imagine
there wou'd ever come one, w^hen the very Name
of Freedom fhou'd be a Te*ror to them. The Bifhop
of Alby continuing his Conferences with Montme-
rency^ wrote at lall to Gaslon that he did not def-
pair of his declaring for him, if he cou*d enter
France
ofF RANGE. 309
France with a few Troops, only to be able to make a
ftand againft the firft fhock of the King's. Tiie Duke
of Orleans engag'd to enter France with 2000 Horfe,
and that the Duke of Lorrain Hiou d make a Diverfion
with 15000 Men. But the Irrefolution and Tnconfl-an-
cy of tliat 1 rince was fuch, that it rpoil'd all the Pro-
jeds which had the leali Ekpendance on him. Rkh-
lleus Spies giving him Intelligence tint fomething
was on the Anvil in Langnedoc to his Prejudice, he
wrote to the Marquis des Foffex^^ Governor of Mont-
pellier, of his own Head, and without the King's
Knowledge, to fecure the Perfon of the Duke de
Montmerency^ who came often to that City, and
had fo many Friends there, that he got Intima-
tion of the Orders des foj^ez. had receiv q from
Richlieu^ which being known, the Gentlemen of the
Neighbourhood came immediately and oiTer*d their
Service to the Duke, and advis'd him to fecure the
Marquis des Fofez^ and to make himfelf Mailer
of the Citadel, the Garrifon of which was weak.
But Montmerency had not then deter min'd to de-
clare for GaBon^ and contented himfelf to accept
of the Guard they brought him to Conduct him
to his own Houfe, where he remain'd fometime in
uncertainty. He fent the Captain of his Guards
to Court to alTure Richlieu of his Fidelity •, but
the Cardinal was too cunning to be imposdupon,
and wrote to the Arch Bii'hop of Na-bonne to i^au-
deronne, Intendant of the Province, and every one
that was devoted to the Court to obferve and op-
pofe him. Montmerency wou'd not have had the
Duke of Orleans come fo foon as he did, he was
not fo well provided to receive him as he wou'd
have been, and befides, the time concerted for his
entering Languedoc was not come. But the Duke
of Lorrain^ who was bent upon breaking the fital
Treaty he had made with Lewis^ which pu: Alar-
faly his beft Town into the French King's Hands,
preding GaBon to haften his Irruption, for that
the French Army was coming down upon him,
the Duke of i Orleans parted from Bri^pls, and
fjiarch'd to Burgtmdy.^ accompany d by a Body of
JC 3 Horfe
^10 The Secret Hijlory
Horfe, He gave the Dake de Montmerency Notice
of his Approach. The Duke was furpriz'd at Gafton^s
Precipitation, and found himfelf further engag'd
than he defir'd to be. His Friends advis'd him to
difown the Proceedings of the Duke of Orleans^
who coming before the Time agreed upon, had
broken that Agreement, and Montmereficy was dif-
engagd from any Promife he had made him.
But that Duke was too Generous to abandon a
Young Prince, who, in Confidence of his Friendfhip,
was lo far advanc'd in the Kingdom, and wou'd be
at the Gardinars Mercy without his Afliflance, which
he again promised him, and fet hmifelf to engage tlie
States then AiTembled at PeT^enas^ to fecond him,
faying to Soudheilles^ Captain of his Guards, as he
went out of his Clofet, Dear Friend^ the Die is
flung, *Tis too late Slr^ reply*d the Gentleman hear-
tily griev'd at it, Tou have forgot vour True Inte-
red^ and the Interejl of your friends and Servants,
*J}jirj\^ at ieafty that you are going to rum a Province
that has always lov'd you^ and been belovd by you,
"Twill bee one a Trey to Trvo or Three Armies, that
will on all Sides Ravage it. Are not you afraid of
\peing one Day reproached for all the Aiiferies which
you will infallibly raife to Languedoc. The Duke
Teem'd to be a little touch'd at what his Faithful
Servant faid, but flattering himfelf that no Honcft
Man cou'd blame his Undertaking, to deliver the
King's Mother and Brother from the Perfecution
of a Revengeful Minifter, it did not alter his Re-
folution *, in the Profecution of which, he caus'd the
Perfons of the Arch Bifhop of Narbon?iej of the
King's CommifTaries Hemeri and Miron ^ and of
the IntemdRm Lauder onney to be fecur'd. The States
of the Province, not fo well convinced of the Do-
£lrine of Pajfive Obedience^ as they ha¥e been fince
they have not had the Power to Refift, wiade a fort
of Declaration, wherein they defir'd him To Vnite
his Jnterefis ir'feparably from thofe of the Province^
as they in like manner will }oyn theirs with hisy to
the end that both might a[i together for the King's
dsrvicfp and the Wdfars ^nd £afi of the Province.
There
^/FRANCE. gii
There are (b many curious and moving PafTages in
the Story of this Gentleman, Monlieur de Momme-
rensyy the Richeft, and mod Noble Lord in France y
and it fo well fhews us of what Severe and Inexora;-
ble Tempers were Lewis and his Minifters, that the
Reader will not be difpleas'd with the Detail of it ^
which, however, (hall be (hortcn'd in proportion to
the other Parts of this Hiftory.
Before the Cardinal wou'd let the King march
againfl his Brother, that there might be no Diver-
iion on the Side of Lorrain^ he put him upon an
Expedition which reduced that poor Duke toa worle
Condition than the former Treaty *, for having im»
mediately taken Three or Four Towns, and threat-
ning to Inveft Nanci^ the Capitol, the Duke was
forc'd to beg a Peace, which he procured by the
hard Terms of delivering up Stenai and Jametz.^
Twoofhisbeft Places, *s silib Clermont in Tor gone.
That he fhou'd give Free Paflage through his Coun-
try to the Troops of France^ joyn his own to the
King's, and renounce all Treaties and Engagements
with Mary de Me diets ^ Gafton^ or any of his Ma-
jefty's Enemies ; which Charles promifing to do,
the Three or Four little Towns which Levfis had
taken, were reftor'd to him, and the King turn'd
his Arms againft the Duke ot Orleans and Montme-
rency. The former, who had enter'd B-ance at the
Head of 2000 German^ Spanijf)^ Flemijf)-, and French
Horfe, found the Country in no difpofition to aflift
him. The Towns Ihut their Gates againft him
wherever he came : The French, intimidated by the
Cruelty and Authority of ^/c^//fM, were afraid to
look on Liberty when he offer*d it to them, or at
leaft were afraid he had it no more at his Heart
than his Brother, however 'twas in his Mouth.
Two Falfe Steps in the beginning of their Enterprize
contributed very much to the Ruin of it, and thofc
were the Duke de Montmerencys negle£^ing to pof-
fefs himfelfof the Cities of ^c^^fp^/^Vr and Narhonne^
and giving his Enemies Time fo to ftrengthen their
Garrifons, that he durft not afterwards attempt it.
"VVhen Monlieur arriv*d in Lan^uedoc^ he brought
X ^ not
gi2 The Secret Hifiory
nor Money enough for his Subfiftance, and the Duke
de Montmerency^ who had 500000 Livres in his
Treaiurer's Hands at Pans^ had not taken Care to
have it returned to him, by which means Rkhlleii
came to the Knowledge of it, and feiz'd it. The
Duke d' Epernon^ Governour of Guyeme^ and very
powerful in the Neighbouring Provinces, feveral of
which he had formerly been Governour of, was
Momm^rencyh Friend, and not very well with the
Court, yet he omitted to found him, X\[\d! Epernon
faw the Afiair was too defperate, and refus'd to
embark in it.
There happened a PafiTage between the Dukes de
I^fdifguleres ^nd Montmerency^ which will explain
to us further what was the Obedience the Lords of
France were difpos'd to pra£\ife in this Reign. The
latter fending a Gentleman to Complement the
DukQde LefdlfgulereSj on his having the ConftaMe's
Staff, that Officer, who had a particular refpe£l for
MontmereficyjdQmRndQd how it went with him, and
'the Gentleman making anfwer, Things wem as well
as coud be expsBed with a Toung Lord^ Magnificent
and Liberal^ ador d in Languedoc, and in Favour at
Court, Thats very welly reply*d the Old Soldier,
But I wifihim better fi ill ^ pray tell him from me^ that
he Jhoud from Twie to Time refis5i on the Creatmfs
tf hts_ Birthy his Perfonal Qualities^ and the Pojls he
pcffefj^s. Fie will then findlt difficcvlty withfo many
j4dv.zntages^ to avoid the Envy of Courtiers^ and the
Jealoufy of Favourites. I experienced it in the Progrefs
of my Fortune The heji Precaution a Man of his
Quality can tale^ is never to be fur prized in his Go*
Vernmcnty cr slfewhere^ but always to have wherewith
to Arm I coco Men^ and 200000 Crowns in his Cof-
fers., which IS very eajy for him to dsj he is Rich
fnough. Tell him alfo^ if you will^ that befides this^
jpe Jjjou^d get as many Places and Governments as
he can, either by Money or Favour^ and efpecially
Pont St. Efprit. Such a Reputation as thts^ thd* not
exaEily True^ got me more Confideraticn at Conn, and
amongji thofe that envyd my Fortune ^ tha2J all the
^^ions J am now flatter d upon. Montmerency haU
0/ F R A N C E. 31J
neither 200000 Crowns in his Coffers, nor where-
with to Arm 1 0000 Men, nor any Places of confi-
derable Strength, and Gafton brought him few Troops
and no Money *, Meafures fo ill concerted werd not
likely to fucceed, Orleam fent the Count du Fargi^-,
who Tided with him, to Spain^ to Negotiate Matters
at that Court. He was follow'd by tiie Famous
Voiture^ a Domeftick o{Gafton\ themoA Celebra-
ted Wit of his Time : His Letters are to this Day,
the Standard of Gallantry and Politenefs, fmall
Allowances being made for the Alteration in the
Language and Manners. But notwithftanding his
Politenefs and Gallantry, he got nothing but good
Words from the Count Duke d' Olharez^j who then
Govern d Spai?2. The King ordered the Marefchals
de la Force and Schomherg^ to march before him to-
wards Lnnguedoc, and enter the Province two fe-
veral ways, to weaken Orleans's Army, by obliging
him to divide. The Vifcount de la Strange^ who
was raifing a Regiment for him, being taken, was
Condemn'd to Death by the Intendant, and Beheaded,
notwithftanding the Remonftrances and Threats of
Gajion, who was foon reduced himfelf to the Necef-
fity of accepting the Conditions that 'jvere offer d
him. The Marefchal de Schomberg having laid Siege
to St. Felix^ a fmall Place poffcfs'd by the Duke de
MoYHnierency, the Dukc, who was brave to a Fault,
reiblv'd to relieve it. The Two Armies engag'd at
Cajielnaudai ^ that of the Dukes of Orleans and
Montmerency^ animated by Montmerencfs Example,
at fir ft had fo much the better of the King's, that
turning to the Duke of Orleans^ he faid. The Day^
Monfieur^ is your own, you will Triumph over all your
Enemies^ and re^unite the Mother and the Son^ mean-
ing the King and Mary de Medids, But Fortune
in a very little while declar'd for the other Side :
The Superiority of Numbers, and their Experience
prevail d, and the Army of the Two Dukes wasnat
only routed, but Montmerency wounded, and taken
Prifoner. The Duke of Orleans retiring to Bez^iereSj
and being furrounded by the King's Forces, the In-
Jiabitantiof Languedoc throwing doy/n their Arms
514 The Secret Hijfory
and the Town throwing open their Gates, on Pro-
jnife of Pardon, Gafton accepted the Conditions that
Bullion^ Counfellor of State, and the Cardinal's Crea-
ture, wasorder'd to make him. Accordingly, after
a little wrangling on both Sides, the Treaty was
S}gn*d the 29th of September^ ^6^2^ andnoProvi-
fion made for the Safety of Monfieur de Momme-
rency^ who had To generoufly ventur'd his Life and
large Fortune, in the Service of his Royal High-
nels and the Queen Mother. Nay, very few of his
Followers were taken care of ; the Duke de Belle-
garde^ the Prefident Le Coigneux and Monfigoty were
forbidden to follow him to Tours^ where lie was per-
mitted to refide •, and the Duke d* Elheuf with much
ado, got the Liberty to retire to one of his Country
Seats. Gafion difmifs'd his Foreign Troops, having
pawn*d his Plate to pay them, and his fr^c/? Soldiers
Disbanded of themfelves. Two Days after the
Treaty was Sign'd, the Duke of Orleans went to
Tours^ having left a Letter for RichUeu^ wherein he
difown'd the Manifefto he put forth when heenter'd
the Kingdom, declaring 'twas written without his
JCnowledge. That is not all, he proteftcd he never
had an Efteem for the Cardinal's Eminent Virtues,
and Important Services, even when he was moft
Angry with him. A Meannefs one wou'd hardly
have thought the Son of Henry the Great cou'd be
Guilty of*, but be confefs'd afterwards, he did it on-
ly to iave the Duke de Montmerency^ and that never
Trine e of his Birth^ fell m» futh a State of DejeElion
4S he then did,
Lewis held the Aflembly of the States of Langtie-
docy and after Chatea^weuf had feverely reprimand-
ed them for the fhare they had in the late Rebellion,
the King's Clemency in pardoning them was exagge-
rated, and his Royal Goodnefs, in Re eftablilhing
their Privileges, and fupprefling the Ele^ls, at a
time when they had fo ill deferv'd it. The Truth
was, the Court thought fit to humour them in things
which they cou'd eafily recal afterwards, that the
Death of the Duke de Montmerency might not occa-
fion new Troubles, For that Duke was ej^treamly
well
^/FRANCE. 31$
well beloved all over France, and cfpecially in Lan^
^uedocy of which he was Governor. To be belov*d,
and ro deferve it, is a Terrible Crime, when fuch
Minifters fo haughty and hated a^ Richlieu^ are in
Authority. They envy that AfFeftion of the People,
which they feem to difpife more than others envy
their Power, and will let no Opportunity flip of
deftroying them.
The Virtue of ^me of Auftria^ Mother to Lewis
the XlVth, was not (o much queftion'd by them, as
by jLfTp/j her Husband, whofe Jealoufy the Cardinal
was always increafing by his Calumnies and Mifre-
prefentations. It happened, that the Duke de Mont-
merency had that Queen's Picture in a Bracelet of
Diamonds round his Arm when he was taken, which
being told Richlieu, he prefcntly acquainted the King
with it, and gave it the worft Turn he cou'd, to
render him inflexible to the Petitions he expe^ed
wou'd be prefented him, in behalf of that Unfortu-
nate Duke, who Wounded as he was, and not fure
of recovering, was to be Sacrifis*d to the Cardinal's
Revenge. Several Lords of the King's Council,
try'd todifpofe him to Mercy, but Rkhlieus Council
prevail'd againfl all of them. Twas no hard mat-
ter to make out his Procefs, he had treated with Spain
and was taken in Arms, wherefore Lewis declar'd
he wou'd follow his Father's Example, in the Affair
of the Marefchal de Biron^ and prevent the Rebellion
of the Great Lords for the future, by the Exemplary
V\imihn\tx\to^ Montmerency, He of himfelf inclina
to Severity, and the Cardinal never let him learn any
Leflbns of Clemency and Humanity. Gaflon hear-
ing the Duke was order 'd to Tovloufe^ in order to
his Procefs, fent Faupot^ one of his Gentlemen, to
the King, to demand his Pardon, in the Name oi
the Duke of Orleans his Mailer, f^aupot threw
himfelf thrice at the King's Feet; to implore his
Mercy for Monfieur de Momweremy, but he cou'd
only get an Anfwer in general Terms. The next
who came to interceed for him, was the Duke d"
Angouleme'% Secretary, who w^s order'd to apply
fait^ifelf ftri) to the Cardinal, whp reply'd flernly^
What
»
J 1 6 The Secret Hijlory
Why does Movfiewr d' Angouleme meddle with this
fatter f This is an Affair of State^ and not a Fa-
mily Affair, The Count d' Aletz.^ the Duke d*
Angouleme'% Son, and the Duke de Retz^^ prefented the
Seretary to the King, and feconded his Inflances*,
J)ut Richlieu prevented their Endeavours having any
good efFed, telling them plainly, Aionfieur de
Montmerency was become infupportahle and fo En-
'uiouSy that he cou*d not endure to fee any Body a-
bove him. The Old Duke d* Epernon came from
Guyenne to Touloufe^ to SoUicite in behalf of his
Friend the Duke de Aiontmerency^ he fell down
upon his Knees, and was beginning a io ng Speech,
which he ended after his Majefty had rais'd him.
The King did not feem to be at all fenfible of
any Thing he faid to him, fo he beg*d leave to re-
turn to Guyenne, Ayj with all my Hearty faysLfir/j,
f Jhall not fiay hers long tny jelf D* Epernon was
very much affli(^ed for the Misfortunes of his
Friend, and went ftrait to the Princefs of Cunde^
A^ontmerency\ Sifter, who WdS at her Houfe near
Touloufe^ whither fhe had come with all Diligence
to mediate for ht^r Brother. But the King forbid
her to come to Court while he ftay'd at Jouloufe^
fo fhe was forc'd to SoIIicite by the Interpofition
of others. Cardinal Richlieu had been toVifither,
and was coming out of her Koufe as the Duke
d* Epernon came in.
The Cardinal, as great a Comedian as ever was,
a^led a Part then which made every Body laugh,
as much as they were troubled for the Duke de
Montmerency. A Gentleman fent privately by Rich-
lieu^ made as if he was in queft of a Friend of his
at Clunel^ fo the Princef^'s Houfe was call'd, and
ifearch'd it very narrowly before Richllcu came
thither. As he alighted out of his Coach, he cafl
his Eyes about as if he was in great dilquiet and
afraid of AfTalTms lying in wait for him f> at lafi:
he went in, accompany'd by Bullior^r^^ Confident, and
going dire<flly io the Princefb's Chamber, fne forget-
ting her Quality, tkrew herfelfat his Feetto foften
{lis hard Heart and obtain his intercefiion for hei*
Brother :
(?/ F R A N C E. ?i7
Brother; Richlieu let her Kneel fome time, and
fell himfelf upon his Knees, Weeping as heartily as
the Princefs herfelf, and reem*d in mortal Affliftion
for that he cou d not prevail with the King to fhew
Mercy to Monliear de Monttnerency^ he promis'd her
that he wou'd try again, But that there ma^ he the
more hope ef my Succeedl?7g^diddGd hQ^pray^ Afadam^ be
pleased to Let me advice you to remove a little far-
ther from the City, That fhe might not have fb
many Opportunities to apply to the King by her
Friends at a Court that was within a League of her.
People of all Conditions mediated for Montmerencyy
St. Previly the Officer who took him ^SLuddu Chatalet^
mention'd in the Procefs of Marefchal de Mar iliac ^
fell both at the King's Feet, theCardinaW^ la Palette
did the fame ^ and even the Duke de Chevreufe^ who
had fo lately had a Quarrel with the Duke de Mont-'
tnerency^ appeared as zealous for him as the beft of his
Friends. Publick Proceffions were made, at which
feveral Perfons of Quality aflifl:ed,to pray GOD to in-
cline the King's Heart to Mercy. Mercy ^Mercy^ cry'd
a Croud of People at the Gates of the Pallace.
The King demanding what was the matter, the
Marefchal de Chatillon who alfo interceeded for the
Marefchal de Montmerency^ his Kinfman, faid, Sir^
If your Majefiy will look out of the Window, you
will have Compaffion on thofe Foor People ^ who im-
plore your Clemency for Monfieur de Montmerency.
Jf J j7jou'd do as the People woud have me^ reply'd
Lewis ^ I J}}Ou*d not aEt like a King, Happy, ye Peo -
pie who have fuch a Monarch for your Mafter?
Who will do what his Minifter, arid not what his
Subje^s wou'd have him. Are Subieds made only
for the Paffion of Princes? And Millions of Souls
equal, all in the Eye of Heaven to that of the Prince,
not to be confider'd when the Humour of tlieir
Mafter is again ft it ? Jf I flioud do as the People
woud have me. For whom are Kings made but for
their People, and ihou'd not they do as thefe wou'd
have them, whom they were made for ? God the
Judge of the World, will judge of thefe Things
if Men niuft not, and to him let us leave the De-
cilion
%
5i8 The Secret Hiftory
cifion of a Canfe that is not at all Times to be
judged upon Earth.
One may very well wonder why the Prince of
Condc does not all this while appear among thofe
that intercceded for liis Brother-in Law, but the fear
of difpleafing the Cardinal, added to the hope of
(b Rich a Succeflion as was that of Montmerency^
which was likely to come to his Family, made him
too Cold in this matter. He let his Wife mourn
for both of them, and went to hold an AfTembly
of the States of Burgundy^ to whom he made a long
Panegyrick on Richlieuy whofe Hands were then red
With the Blood of his Wife's Brother. The He-
roick Behaviour of the Marefchal Duke de Mont-
nierency from the beginning of his Procefs to the
end ofit, and to the Execution of his Sentence is a
Glory to his Memory, which brightens it more
than all the A6lions of his Life. 'Tis fo well known
that I fhall not enter into the Particulars, and take
notice only of one or two that are mofl remarkable.
Chateuneuf, who had been his Father's Page, pre-
Tided at his Examination and Condemnation. When
the Duke appear'd firfl before him, he, according
to Cuftom, ask'd his Name, My Name^ reply*d
Montmerency^ Ton ought to know it^ you Eat long
enough of my Father* s Bread. When the Mercenary
Judges condemn'd him, they all wept, and even
Chateauneufj who wou'd have condemn'd Ten fuch
Dukes to have obligM Richlleuy cou'd not refrain
fome Tears when he fign'd the Arret. His Con-
fefTor, the Jefuit Armux^ relating to the King, after
the Marefchal Duke was Beheaded, feveral Parti-
cularities of his Death, added. Tour Majefiy has
made a great Example vpon Earth by the Death
of Monfieur de Montmerency, and GOD by his Mercy
has made a great Saint in Heaven, I wiJJjj fays
Lewis^ I coud have contributed to his Salvation by
milder Methods. When the Count deCharlus^ who
was fent to fetch the Duke's Marefchars Batoon,
ana Ribon of the Order, brought them to the King,
Lewis was playing at Cheft with Monfieur Lian-
couTy who burft oat into Teart at fbe Sight of it.
pf F R A N C E. J19
as did all the Lords of the Court who were pre-
fent ; the King faw it with Difpleafure. Their for*
row's was a tacit Reproach of his Cruelty, but
they cou*d not conceal their Grief, and all of them
fell down at fiis Feet to beg Mercy for Montme-
rencvy he reply'd, fullenly, There's none for hiniy
he mvft Die, The Good God of Heaven be thank'd !
that cruel Kings and Miniflers can do no more,
that they can kill the Body only, and that the
Soul is above their Tyranny ; j4ll the Favour I can
grant him^ continues Levpis the Jvft^ iSj that th^
Hangman Jhall not touch him^ nor the Rope he put
about his Shoulders. Montmerency wou'd not ac-
cept^of thofe wonderful a£ls of Grace. / am a great
Sinner y fays he, and defire to be treated like other
Criminals^ the Innocent J ESV S was bound with
Cords. All the Circumftanccs of this great Man's
Death are equally Heroical and Chriftian, and
never was Man more lamented.
The Queen Mother, at the fuggeftion of Father
Chameloube, had form'd a Plot to have Gmbalet^
Richlieus Niece, carry'd off, but it was difcover'd
before it cou'd be put in Execution. The Defign
was to keep her as an Hoftage for the Duke de
Montmerency^ and if that was too late, to detain
her in hopes of obliging Richlieu^ who lov*d her
tenderly, not to oppofe the return of his Bene-
faarefs to France, When Lewis heard of this
Projedl, he was mightily enrag'd, and ordered Pro-
cefs to be made out againft Nine or Ten of the
Accomplices who had been apprehended. He de-
clared, that if they had taken Combalet^ he wou'd
have gone in Perfon and demanded her of the In-
fanta Jfabella at the Head of 50000 Men,^ The
Cardinal, to be reveng'd of Mary de Medicis^ per-
fwaded the King to prefs the Infanta to deliver up
Father Chauteloube and the Abbot de St. Germain^
Authors of mod of the Satyrical Pieces that came
out againft him, which had as much Truth in them
as Satyr. Combalet^ to make herfelf Popular, peti-
tioned the King in favour of thofe that were pro-
fecuted on her Account, and heartily frightened as
ihc
320 The Setret Hijlory
ihe was, left the {lately Pallace of Luxemhurgh^ wliiclt
the Cardinal had reiignd to her, to live with hini
under the fecurity of his Guards. The Palace
Comhalet left, had been given to him by Mary de
Medlcis^ on Condition ihe fhou'd have it again
when fhe wou'd, paying down 30000 Livres ^ Mary
de Medicis re-demanded it, but the Cardinal pre-
tended that by the Contraft fhe was not to have
it without th^. King's Confcnt, and paying him
down 30000 Crowns ; the Queen Mother faid the
Deed he produced was falfrfy'd. However, Lewis
fupported the Cardinal's Pretence? againft his Mo-
ther's, who had the Mortification to hear Combalet
kept a fort of Court in her Houfe, and did what
fhe pleas'd in it.
Now was the Prodigious Fortune of Rlchlleu at
fuch a height, that lie afpir'd to the Name and Do-
minion, as well as to the Authority of a Soveraign 5
he had form'd a Proje<ffc to ere£l a Principality out
of part of the Country oi Auftrafia^v^htiQ Charles
Martel and his Children laid the foundation of their
Ufurpation. His Defign was to get the Bifhoprick
of AketTL into his Hands fome way or other, and
to annex to it five or fix good Abbeys in its Neigh-
bourhood ^ tothiswa^ to be added t/ie Government
of the three BifhopricksofLorr^/^^and theirCitadels,
as alfo Stenny and Jametz. •, Sedan was to have been
taken from the Duke de Bouillon^ he was to buy
Charleville and Mont Olimpe, \n a word, to fee u re
himfelf a good Senilcment in the Frontiers ftrong
enough to defend him in cafe of any Revolution
at Court. Lorratn and Alface were alfo to be added
to thofe Cities and Countries, the Litter by means
of the Swedes, with whom he correfponded- In
order to this, he fcnt his Coi^hdent Bullion from
louloufe to begin to put his Proje£l in Execution,
by tempting the Duke d' Eper7?on to exchange the
Government of Metz. for theSurvivancy o^ Gueynne^
promis'd in that Cafe to the Duke de la Valitte^ d'
Epermn\ Son \ but the Duke d' Epermn thought
his Services deferv'd that Survivancy without parting
With fo Important a Government as was that d*
of F R AN CE. iit
Metz. and wou*d not hear of the exchange, which
put a flop to, and in the end ruin'd the Lardinars
Ambitious ProjeiH:, For without fecuring Metz.^ the
"vaft Country that he had laid out for the Seat of
Jiis Empire cou'd not be fecur'd, and to difpute it
jtoo much, with fo Proud and Obftinate a Manas
that Duke was, might give Umbrage. Richlleu ti'
\iAr\gGueyme\x\ his way as he return*d to Paris^
was treated with great Honour by d* Epemort^ but
as he was Governor of the Province, he took fe-
veral occafions to let the Cardinal know he was
Mailer there. Richlleu extreamly mortify*d at the
Dukes refufing to treat with him ^hout Metz.^ and
at his haughty Carriage towards him, conceiv d ari
incurable jealoufy and Hatred of him •, but the
Cardinal ke laFalette continuing his Favourite flili,
the Confequences of it were not fo Pernicious as
otherwife they might have been. ,
The Duke of Orleans was fo enrag'd, that all his
Sollicitations to fave Monfieur de Montmerency had
been ineiFe£lual, refolv'd again to leave Francey which
he did a Month after the Treaty of Bez^iers^ ac-
company'd by Puylaurens^ the Count du Fargls^ Mon-
fieur Sauveheuf\ and about Twenty Horfe. He ar-
rived at Brtiifels in January n5'3 3. and thence dif-
patch'd Envoys to the Courts of VUnna, England
and Madrid^ to give the Reafons for his returning
again to the Netherlands^ and to defire their A fi-
nance. We muft leave him a while at Bru[felsy
and return to the Court of France, where Richlleu
triumphing overtlie Prefumptive Heir of the Crown
and the great Lords of the Kingdom, laid a Plan of
Agrandizing that Monarchy, as well Abroad as at
Home. To weaken the Houfe of^ujiriay he always
kept a clofe Correfpondence with Guftavus AdalphuSj
King of5ire^e;>?, and after his Death, with VV^/Ze-y??/??,
then in a Confpiracy to ravifh part oftheEmpire from
his Mafter, the German Emperor, and to lay the Foun-
dation of a New Kingdom. Lewis fxx^^^Xfdi Guftavus
with Money, and when afterwards upon his Death,
the Germans began to recover their lofl Ground.
Kkhlkiij as zealous a Catholick as he was. enter'd
Y int^
322 The Secret Hijtory
into Negotiations with the Prot«ftant Princes of
Germany^ to fupport them by the Afliflance of the
French and the Swedes^ but on Condition that^/-
face was put into Lewis's Hands to extend the Fron.
tiers q{ France on that fide-, and on the fide of
Flanders^ he at the fame time proposed a Divifion
of the Netherlands^ between the* French and the
Dutch, in Confideration of Lewises declaring War
again ft Spain, The Conqueft of Roufillon was to
make the Pirenees the Bounds of France towards
Spain J and the Acquifition of Pigneroi open*d a
Door for her to invade Italy at Pleafure. If Richlieu
did not form a Projeft for the Univerfal Monarchy,
he thought at leaft of extending the Dominion of
Fratice as far as was that of the Ancient Gaules,
He was often heard to talk of Annexing all the
Teritories that had been fubjeft to them to the
Crown. A Thoufand Years PofTeffion were not
enough to give any Prince a Right, tho' the French
had the leaft Pretence of any to a Divine one by
Defcent, the Houfe of Lorrain being the Eider
Branch of that of France.
How far he might then have carry'd his Ambi-
tious Defigns, if he had not been embroil'd with
Domeftick Affairs, by means of the Queen Mother,
and the Duke of Orleans^ one may imagine by the
Succefs of thofe that have profecuted them fince,
for 'twas on Richlieu s bottom that all the French
Politicians, and even their great Mafter Lewis the
XlVth, have fince built, '
Tho' the Cardinal had come off with Tryumph
in the laft Troubles, yet as long as the King's Mo-
ther and Brother were in a Foreign Court, and
had Intelligence with his Enemies in France^ he
did not think- himfelf entirely fafe. While Mary
de Medicis and Gaflon were in the Hands of the
Spaniards^ they wou'd doubtlefs have made great
ufe of it in Cafe of an open Rupture with Spainj
which the Swedes and Dutch mightily infifted upon.
To get the Queen Mother out of their Hands,
Richlieu tempted Gondij the Florentine Envoy,
to perfwade his Mafter to invito her to Florence ^
but
(9/JFRANCE. 52J
i)ut the great Duke was in no better Difpofition
to put himfelf to that Expence, than Mary de
Medicis was to accept of it. She was indeed
weary of having been fo long a Charge to the
Infanta, and Negotiated with the King of Eng-
land for lier Reception at the Court of Charles the
Firft, or Ships to Convoy her to Spam\ but as her
Defign in ^oing to Spain^ was to joyn Ga^on in
Languedoc, the ill Succels of that Enterprize made
her alter her Refolution, and England was the
Place fhe had moft mind to retire to. But the
EttgliJJj were not of a Humour to entertain a Po-
piih Princefs, and her refiding long at London^
cou'd not but create ill Blood, as her coming there
did afterwards. Richlieu gave Gondi to under-
ftand, it wou'd be very well taken, if the great
Duke cou'd prevail with the Queen to live tome
time at Florence'^ Gondl wou'd not charge him-
felf with that difagreable Negotiation, and the
Cardinal was forc'd to give over all thoughts of
getting rid of the Queen Mother fo eafily.
We have feen what a Tool the Keeper of the
Seals, Chateauneufj has been to the Minifter, how
he has Sacrifis*d, m a few Months time. Two Maref-
chals of France to the Cardinal's Revenge 5 how he
gave iiimfelf up to him Soul and Body, as we are told.
Witches bargain with the Devil ^ yet hearing his
Patron was dangeroufly ill at Bourdeaux, the Keeper
flattering himfelf that he fhou'd fucceed him in
the Miniilry, and the good Graces of the Dutchefs
tie Chevreuje^ cou'd not help flying'out into Tranf-
ports of Joy^ infomuch that forgetting his Charai^ler,
as a Magiftrate and a Prieft, he fell to Dancing uf
Jigs and Ihowing the PleaPare the News gave him in
a Hundred Antick Motions, wliich the Cardinal's.
Spies gave him a faithful Accouut of. One of
the Keeper's Letters to the Dutchefs, wherein th#
Reverend Magiftrate moft delicately rally'd on the
Hemorrhoids Richlieu was troubled with, calling
hnn CuPourl^ Rotten Tail^ was intercepted and given
him. The Cardinal returning in good Health to
Court, as eafily prevail'd with the King to take
Y 2 the
324 The Secret Hiftory
the Seals from Chateauneufy as he hid prevaird
with him to give them him ; fo on the 25 th of
February^ la Frilliere, Secretary of State, and the
Marquis de Cordes^ Captain of the Guards, were or-
dered, the one to demand the Seals of him, and the
other to Arreft him. For 'tis obfervable that none
of thefs wicked Inftruments of Richlieus Miniftry
were ever difgrac'd, but they, and their Friends,
were thrown into Prifon. Happy if they efcap'd
the Gallows at the Price of their Fortune. Cha-
teanueuf was Ihut up in the Caflle of jingoulemej
the Marquis de Leuville^ his Nephew, the Che-
valier Le Jars^ his Confident, and others, fent to the
Baftilie^ and his Brother, the Marquis de Hauterivej
fav'd himfelfin Holland, The Marefchal ^' £/^reeJ,
as great a Soldier as he was, Jiearing of the Dif-
erace of his intimate Friend, the Keeper, was fo a-
fraid of the Cardinal, that he fled out of the Do-
minions of France, leaving the City of Treves and
the Troops he Commanded there, without a General
and Governor. But recolie«n:inghimfelf afterwards,
he Tent a Gentleman to beg the King's Pardon, and
the Cardinal's ; ingenuoally confeliing what it was
that made him quit Treves with io much Preci-
pitation : They bot;h frankly forgave him, and he was
order'd to return to his Poft. The Dutchefs d^
Chevrevfe was banifh'd the Court for calling the
Cardinal Cu Vouri *, and Veter Sequier^ Prefident of
the Parliament of Paris^ had the Seals given him,
with the Promife of the Title of Chancellor, after
the Death of Monfieur Aligre^ who was ftill con-
fin'd to one of his Seats in the Country.
Having mention'd the fright the Marefchal d'Etrees
was in, upon occafion of the Keeper's Diigrace, may
we not very well conclude that many more were in
mortal Terrors, The late Example of the brave Duke
de Mommerency^ intimidating the boldeft Spirits at
the thoughts of the Power and Cruelty of Rich-
iiett. The wicked Magiftrates of the Parliament
of Dijon^ condemn'd a Gentleman to theGalfies,
for no other Crime, but being of the Duke of Or-
kans'^ Party, they . alio condemn'd the Duke of
o/F R A N C E. 315
Elbevf^ Pu^lauret7Sj du Coudrai-Montpenjier^ and
Gotdas^ Perfons of Quality and Merit, to Death, for
Contumacy, anddiey were Beheaded in Effigy at
Dijon, Laffemas^ Intendant of the Army in Cham'
pagne^ one of tiie infamous Judges that murdered the
Marefchal de Mariilac. profecuted feveral Gentle-
men at Troles as Followers cf the King's only Bro-
ther, the Prefumptive Heir tu the Crown. He was
put into a Commiflion on purpofe with the Prefi-
dialof7><?/e^, andthofe Gentlemen were condemned
for Contumacy, fome to be broken on the Wheel,
and others to be Beheaded. Le Jars, beforemen»
tion'd, was fent from the Bajiille to Tr^ieSj to be
try'd by Lafemas ^ but his Fellow Judges cou'd
not find any Crime in him which deferv'd Death,
Laffemas afrur'd them, that the Condemning hiai
was only to terrify him, for it was intended to
give him a Reprieve on the Scaffold. Upon this
the Chevalier had Sentence of Death pronouncd
upon him. He was accordmgly led to the Scaffold,
and when the Executioner was going to do his Duty,
they cry'd out a Pardon, a Pardon •, then Laffemas
came up to Le Jars, highly extol*d tlie King's Cle^
niency, and exhorted him to reveal the pretended
Intrigue of Chateauneuf, L^ Jars reply'd with a
great dear of Courage, I fee through your hafe and
Wicked Contri'vances^ yo'A thought to take an Advan-
tage of the Terror which this mar profpe5l of Death
wou*d caufe in me *, know your Men better^ lam now as
much my own ALasier as ever 1 u^as in my Lifcp
Monfienr de Chateauneuf is a njery honest A4an^
and has ferv'd his Majesty well^ 1 always bellevd
fo^ and if I knew any Thing to the contrary^ nothing
JJjoud make me difcover hhat my Friends had con*
fided to me. Le Jars was brought back to Parls^
and thrown again into the Basfllie^ where he and
the Marquis de Leuville remain'd a long time Vi-
ctims to the Pride and ilerentaient of Richlieu,
The Cardinal did not only keep France in con-
tinual Motion, by his reftlefs Ambition, he iufiuenc'd
the Affairs Abroad as well as at Home, and treated
particularly by his Emiffnies with the Imperial
y 3 General
52ff The Secret Hi/lory
GenenlWalk/teif?^ to betray his Mafter the Em-
peror. Lewis himkU wrote a Letter to that Trac-
tor, which being very Curious,* I Ihall give an
Extradof it.
A Letter from Lewis the Xlllth, to
Wd/leflem, the Imperial General.
causiN,
ejr'-* OZ^R ^ffftion for the Tuhlick Good, and the.
•^ Peace of Chriftendoni, is fo agreeable to mcy
that I coudtno longer omit tejlifying to Tou my Ac^
knowledgment, and my defire to fee all Tour Defigns
brought to a happy JJfue» I have ordered the Bearer
cf this Letter to treat with Tou in my Name^ and
give Tou all pojfible Ajfurances of my good Will and
Efleem for Tou-, and difcover to you my Thoughts
on the Affairs of Germany. The Shccefs of Tour
good Intentions will give me great Joy^ and I Jball
fiipport them againfl all that wou'd oppofe them. J
'pray Tou to give Credit to the Terfon th^t brings
Tou this Letter^ and to believe that Tour Interefts
are as dear to me as my own*
At the fame time was Wallefiein at the point
of fucceeding in the moil dangerous Confpiraey
that ever was form'd againft the Houfe of Auftria ^
no lefs than to corrupt the Army he was intruftedf
with to oppofe the Viftorious Swedes^ to declare
himfelf King of Bohemia ^nd other Countries, and
to joyn the Swedes and French to ruin the Aujirian
Power in Qermany^ which wou'd not have el'tablfh'd
his own, but have exalted the Bourbon to a greater
Empire.-r Are the Interefts of fnch a Vih'ain as dear to
Lewis the Jufi as his own ? Were Wallefhins Defigns
forjhe Good and Peace o[ ChriBendom i Wliatdid
Lewis himfelf fay of him a little after, when he
heard he was kill'd ? May all fuch Traytors dye fo,
â– Feuquierei
«?/ F R A N C B. 327
Feuquieres was the Ag^nt em ploy 'd to engage
Walleliein to rebel againft the Emperor, and to •
Eromife that the Fremh fhou'd makfe a Diverfion in
is Favour. There was then an open Breach between
tlie Emperor and the French King, yet was Beu-
quieres not only to offer him Men, but Money, as
jooooo Livers immediately if he wanted them, and
a Million yearly, if he wou*d keep up an Army
of 50000 Foot and 4000 Horfe. Lewii wou'd not
afiift Frederick King of ^o/?e/«/^. Lawfully Ele£led
King of that Country, but he offers to afiift Wal-
leftein to obtain that Crown Vfurp'd contrary to
LaWy as was then faid. While this Negotiation was
carrying on, a Treaty of Accommodation was fet
on Foot between the Emperor and King of Spam
on one Hand, and Lewis the Xlllth on the other,
by the Intervention of the Pope. The Bench Mi-
nifter fpoke as fair as ill Men do when they have
Mifchief in their Heads, and cannot without De-
ceit accompliih it. Things being in this pofture
Abroad, the Empire involved in the Swedifi and
Confederate War, Spain in that of the Netherlands^
and Lorrain in no Condition to do France any In-
jury, Richlieu purfu'd his darling Pafuon of Revenge
on his abfent Enemies,
On the 12 th of April^ i^33- he caus'd the King
to take his Royal Seat in the Parliament of Paris^
attended by himfelf, the Cardinal de la f^aUtte^
the Dukes de Chevrei/fe, de Afonbaz,onj de BrifaCy
and de ChanlneSy the A-larefchals ^e la Force y de
TremcSy]sind de Killecfuiery and the Marquis <^^ Gordei,
Captain of the Guards. Tiie Defipn of it was to
deprive ^/c/.;//Ws Enemies, the PrdidQUt Le Co!g??enjCy
and other Followers of the Dizkeof Orleans^ of their
Places with the greater ft/^i/-, and make the Cardinal's
Vengeance the more Pompous. Le Coigneux was not
only depriv'd of his Seat in Parliament, but folemnly
condemned of High Treafon, as were alfo Mon-
fiQm des Landes-Paien, Secretary to the King's Mo-
ther, and Monfigot, the Duke of Orleans his Bro-
ther's Secretary. After this feveral Promotions were
made, and a New Order erected, call d thQ Order
14 oj
528 The Secret Hiflory
of the Holy Ghofl, of which were the greateft Lords
Spiritual and Temporal, and the greatefl: Generals
c^ France. The MsirekhaX de Toiras wasNam'dto
be one of them, but the Cardinal hating him for
his Bravery and Merit, found means to hinder his
having it, by getting an Order, that it fhou'd be
given to none that were not prefent at the So-
lemnity. Toiras depending on his Services, Fide-
lity, and the good Will of his Prince, thought to
fupport himfelf in an Independance on the Cardi-
naU Rtchlieu cou'd not bear the leaft Competitor
of that kind, and took hold of the firfl Opportu-
nity to ruin him, which was that of the Irrup*
tion of Gafton into Langnedoc^ where Two of Toi-
ras s Brothers, of whqm one was Bifhop of Nif-
â– mesy declared for the Duke of Srleans^' and the
Malicious Eichlieu infmuated to Lewis ^ That if
Monfieur de Toiras's Brothers imagind he woud have
been difpleas'd at what they had done^ they wou'd not
have hatarded his P rote 51: ion and FriendJInp^ owing^
as they did^ their Advanceinent to him^ and de.
pending entirely npm him. The Marefchal, who
was generally efleem'd and belov'd, had Intimati-
on of the Cardinal's ill Offices, and wrote a very
refpeftful Letter to him, difowning his Brother*^
jf\^i6ns. He alfb fent his Steward to juftify his
Conduft to the King and the Minifter. Rlchlleu
anfwer'd the one, and received the other very ci-
villy and obligingly, as was his way, when he had
a Defign againft any one, His Anfwer to' the Ma-
refchal, will ihew us what Bafenefs fuch a wicked
iViind is capable of. / am glad^ fa id he, that all the
World will fee you are not deceived in my Judgeinentof
you ; that the Fault of your Brother wou^d be an ex-
treajn Ajfi^iion to you : The King is convinced of your
Fidelity and ^ffeBion for the good of the State : If you
^r^ntsd Security on thefe Two Articles^ J wou'd wil-
lingly be engaged for you. I know your Humour^ you
are fometimes too fubjeB to be a little Taffionate^ but
\'ls focn over^ and III anfwer' for you\ you will never
do any thing which one might not expeU from an Ho-
mjl Man. I ^t vj- iliamais me plus Grand Scderate (fe.,
of V R A N CE. ?29
(ays a Country-man of his, Was there ever a greater
Piece ofFillany ? At the fame time that Richlieu wrote
tkus to the Marefchal de Toirasy he infinuated to
the King, That if the Marephal did not declare
againfi: him^ 'twas hecaufe he did not like the rajf) Vro^
ceedings of Monfieur^ and the Duke de Montmerenci.
That he found too great difficulty in making himfelf
Majier of Cazal, without delivering up the Tlace to
the Spaniards, from whom he took it^ which he did not
!'Care to do if he coud help it- A great many other
'Inhnuations, the Effefts of his Malice and Invention,
did he fill the King s Head with ^ but what he thought
wou'd make fure work, he told him the Marefchal
was fo Infolent, as to fufFer Difputes in hisPrefence,
on the Seditious Queftion of the Authority of Parlia-
ment s. Upon thefe continual Suggeftions to his
Prejudice, it was refolv'd to remove Irim from the
Command of the Forces in Italy. But for fear he
might be provoked to enter into the Service of the
Houfe of Auftria^ or joyn the Duke of Orleans^
the Cardinal pretended that the recalling him, was
only to give him the Government of Auvergne^^
vacant by the Death of the Marefchal d* Effiat.
Toiras did not want Friends, who let him know
what was intended againft him, and he faid pub-
lickly, // they demanded his Government of Cazal,
he wou'd know before he parted with i^-^ whether his
Services fliou'd he rewarded or not. If the latter^ he
,Wou*d fsek his Fortune zw Germany, where the Em-
peror wou'd not refufe him an Employment. Rtchlieu
hearing of it, got the King to give him the Go
vernment of Auver^ne. and to pardon his Two Bro-
thers at his Requeft. Upon which the Marefchal
feem'd fatisfy'd, and the Cardinal to get him out of
Italy^ had him Nam'd to be one of the Ne.w Knights
of the Order of St. Michael The Marefchal, as was
required, prov'd his Nobility, and expedled the blew
Ribon fhou'd have been fent to him, but Richlieu
ivou'd have him make his Appearance in Perfon to
receive it, and he not doing it, 'twas not given him,
as has been already hinted. The Cardinal b^irg dif-
appointed of his Prey, for he huended to have him
fhu;
5 JO The Secret Hifiofy
ihut up in the Baftille^ Quarreird with him dpenly;
got his New Government of Auvergne to be taken
from him, as alfo his Old one of Caz.aL The Ma-
refchal as Poor, and as Content in his Difgrace, as
the Famous Bellfarius, refus'd the Advantageous
Offers made him 6y the Emperor and King ofSpah^
went ftrft to Ro/rjey and then fettled nTurin^ where
he was receiv'd by the Duke and Dutchefs, with all
the marks of Diftinftion due to a Perfon of his rare
Merit, of whom the Lccirned Grotius fays in one of
his Lerrers,?/?^^ the Afar efchal's Enemies yWere Enemies
to f^irtue it f^lf. A CharafVer that Richlieu^ Prime
Minifter to this King Lewis the Jufi^ will deferve
during the remaining Part of his Miniftry, as well
as he has hitherto done.
Let us now fee how this Jufl: Prince anfwers the
Character of JuHrice, with refpe^l to his Mo-
ther, a Banilh'd Diftrefs'd Princefs, who had left
Bruffels out of Difguft, to live at a Court on which
-fhe ilepended, and remov'd to Ghent, as a Place,
where not feeing herProteftrefs, the hfanta Jfabella,
fhe might fancy hsrfelf in a little more Independance.
The ill Air of that Marfhy Country, threw her into
a Sicknefs, which threaten'd her Dfe : When Lewis
heard of it he difpatch'd Des Roches Fumee with a
fhort ai*d cold Letter, but wou'd not fend her Phy-
fician Vaiiltier^ tho' the Infayita frequently defir'd it
by her Miniiler, at the Requeft of his Mother. Rich-
lieu bad Des Roches reprefent to Mary de Medtcis^
the mighty AffiiBion he was in for the ill State of
her Healthy and the ill will (he bore him-, which was
fa near his Hearty that he cou*d not [peak of it with'
out Tears, He alfo chargd him to let the Queen
know how he wept^ and that the only way far her to
pjit it into his Fewer to ferve her^ was^p Banijk,
fuch of her Servants as the Kin^ did not Love,
The Traytor ! He had by Form of Law t^ken off
fome of her bed Friends, driven others into Banifh-
ment, depriv'd many of their Offices and tftates,
fhut up great Numbers in Prifon, entirely alienated
the Affection of her Son, and yet if you will believe
him, She has not fo^ Zealous and fo Faithful a Ser^.
vati^
^/ F R A N CE. 3^1
mnt ai hlmfelf. The Man he aim'd at mc^, was
the Abbot St. Germain^ whofe Writings continually
gall?d him ; and while he emplo^^'qi a Set of Libel-
lers^ as the Bifhop of St. Malo^ the Capuchin Jo-
feph^ BaUae^ Du Chatekt^ and others, to vilify her
with Impunity, flie muft not fufFer her Innocence tq
be vindicated, and his Wickednefs to be expos'd*
Des Roches was ordered not only not to fpeak to fe-
veral of the Queen Mother's Domefticks, as Fathet
Chantelouhe^ Des Landes-Paien^ and St. Germain^
but to turn his Back on them if they (poke to
him, v^\\\z\\ Des Roches tyidi€t\^ obferv'd, and made a
rude return to Des Landess Civilities. The Queet>
wasfo offended, that flie bad him tell the Cardinal^
That his Complements were more Trouhlefeme to her
than his Terfecution. Des Roches had Orders to
Treat of an Accommodation between the King and
his Mother, but fhe was difTwaded from it by Or-
nano her Confident, and Father Chantelouhe, They
frighten'd her with the Name of Vincennes^ where
they faid Richlieu wou*d not fail to have her con-
. fin'd. Qrnano had a Penfion of i ooo Livres a Month,
and Chantelouhe Fifteen Crowns a Day, which was
more than they cou'd expea in France^ befides the
Danger they wou'd be in from the Cardinal's Re*
fentment, Des Roches ofFer'd Mary de Medicis
Money, in the Name of the King, but (he wou'd not
accept of it, faying. She was very well us'd by the
King of Spain, her Son- in- Law ^ who took Care Jlje
JJjoud want for nothing : And to let Richlieu fee fhe
was far from intending to have any other Conditi-
ons from the King, than what fhe had all along in-
filled upon, his Removal, fhe fent an Anfwer to the
King's Expreft, by a MefTenger of her own, ma-
king Choice of the Perfon he knew wou'd be moll
ungrateful to him, Hertaut^ a Creature of cijan-
teloube'Sy the very Man that had prcfented her Peti-
tion againft him to the Parliament. She was fo irri-
tated againft Richlieu^ that fhe never made mention
of him before Des Roches^ but with fome biting
Epithet. The Cardinal finding nothing was to be
done with her by DiiTimulation, refolv'd to humble
' '■' • her
• ja Tke Secret Hijlor^
her flift more, and force her to truckle to him by
further ill Ufage. To divide the Duke of Orleans
from her Interefts, hecaus'dit to be told him, that
Mary ds Medicis was underhand Treating of an
Accommodation. Delhene^ one of the Duke's Do-
tnefticks, kept a fecret Correfpondence with Rich-
lieu-, in hopes of faving hisUnkle the Bifhop o^Alby^
who had been in Montmerency^s Infurrc£lion. Puy
laurem being informed of this Private Treaty by
Ddbene^ charg'd him to find out what Terms wou*d
be offered the Duke of Orleans, in cafe he wou'd come
to an Accommodation ; and in order to it, he was not
long after fent to Paris, to make Propofals in tiie
Name of Monfieur, which were very fubmiffive.
Among the reft, Puylaurens offer'd to abandon his
Miftrefs, the Princefs of Phatezburgh, Sifter to the
Duke of Lorraine, and marry any Relation, tho* the
Pooreft of the Cardinal's, which made ^/V^//ez^ heark-
en to him, and to pretend to be very much con-
cerned for the Succefs of his Negotiation', tho' in
the main he defign'd only to create a Jealoufy be-
tween Mary de Medicis and her Son Gajion, and
the EfFeft anfwer'd his Defign \ for the Queen ha-
ying Intimation of her Son's feparate Treaty, iiaften'd
from Ghent to Brujfels, to be near and obferve him.
There it came to a Quarrel and open Defiance, both
declaring they wou'd not be concerned for each
other, butTreat apart *, the Confequences of wiiich
will be feen hereafter.
The Cardinal reckoning himfelf pretty fecure a-
gainft any Attacks from that Quarter, aflTum'd ftill
a more Imperious Air than ever, and even out of
Wantonnefs ol Revenge, forc'd the Old Duke of
Bpernon to quit the Seat of his Government, and
retire to a Houfe of his in the Province of Guyenne.
Sourdls, Arch Bi (hop of Boiirdeaux, cou'd never
agree with the Duke, and being about to leave the
Court, to refide for a while in hisJ Diocefs out of
meer Decency^ before he departed, he defir'd to
know how he (hou'd behave himfelf with refpeft to
the Governor of the Province, and whether he might
clepend on the Cardinal*;; Proce£lioii, if it came to
an
, I?/ F R A N C E. jjj
an Open Rupture, which was what Rkhlieu de-
(ir'd \ and therefore having advis'd him to pay his
Complements to the Duke on his Arrival, he told
him, Jf he does not return them, and affeH^s to be
Trouble fome to you^ reji ajfurd that J will prote^
you with all my Credit, Be not afraid to refifl
him openly^ when yon feem to have Juflice and Rea-
foH on your Side, He is a Man whofe Pride and
Haughtiness ought to be mortify d. I have refoWd
to do it fenfibly^ when he ever fa little tranfgrtjfes
his Duty. This Advice agreed exacJ^ly with the
proud Prelate, who, when he arrived at Bourdeaux,
lent a Gentleman, as he had concerted, to comple-
ment D* Bpernon^ and thank him for (bme good
Offices in which he had obliged him. lell your
MaBer^ reply'd the Duke, He had no need to thank
a Terfin who never thought of obliging him. If any
thing has been done by my Order^ to the Advantage
of the Arch BiJJjop^ 'twas out of Jvftice only-, and
not out of Friendfljip. D* Epermn wou'd not let the
Jurats of Bourdeaux wait upon the Arch-Bi(hop,
as was the Cuftom when he Landed ^ and to Infult
him the more, made his Servants buy their Fifh at
a Market belonging to him , as others did, and
wou'd not allow him the Choice of it. Nay, on a
Filh-Day, he order'd his Men to hinder any Filh-
nionger's carrying Fifh into the Archiepifcopal Pa-
lace, becaufe the Arch-Bilhop wou'd not fuffer his
Servants to buy in Common. Thefe Trifles prov'd
a Matter of more Mortification to D* Epermn-^ than
any of the Troubles he had been involved in. The
Arch-Bifhop complain'd to the Magiftrates of this
Violence, and threaten 'd to leave the City, toge-
ther with his Clergy, if Provilion was not made f jr
his Security. A Day or two after, Naugas^ Lieu-
tenant of the Duke's Guards, was ordered to go to
him, and demand of him, if he thought he, or any
one belonging to his Mailer, was capable of doing
an ill Action, on purpofe to affront him. Naugas
met the Arch-Bifhop coming by in his Coach, but
Sourdis wou'd not hear him. Naugas ftopt the
Coajgji, and the Arch- Bifhop in a Fri^bt alighted,
and
^34 ^^ ^^^^^^ iiijiorj ^
and ran Home a Foot, crying out he was AttacW^
and his Life in Danger. Immediately he Excom-
municated Naugasy and went about the Streets of
Bdurdeauxy endeavouring to raife a Mutiny. Tlie
Duke J)* Epernon hearing it, went prefently in
Search of him, and when he came up with him,took
him by the Arm, held up his Cane at him, and
ask'd him how lie durft put the Town in an Up-
roar. Strike lyram^ fays Sourdis, Thy Blows will
h» Flowers and Rofes to me^ thou art Excommuni'
cated : He meant as an Accomplice of Naugas*So
The Duke ftruck the Arch-Bifhop's Hat off with
his Cane, laying, Tou do not know the RefpeEi you
ewe we^ I wotid teach it you, if it was not out of
Eefpect to your Chara^er, Epernon went home with
as much Indifference as if nothing had happen'd.
Sourdis Excommunicated him, and Interdicted the
Province. H« diipatch'd a Meflenger to the Car-
dinal, to inform him of what had pafs'd. Richlieu
aggravated the Duke's Infuking the Arch-Biihop,
to a Bigotted King, who order'd D' Epernon to
remove from Bourdeaux^ and confine himfelf to
Plajfacj a Place out of his Province. Sourdis ha-
ving done this Notable Exploit, w^ent to Court,
and took an Occafion to pafs by Plafac, to Tri-
umph over the Proudeft Lord in France, who cou'd
hardly forbear falling upon him for his Infolenee,
Thus did the Cardinal humble a Man whom no-
thing, cou'd till then Humble ; and the other Lords
(aw ^twas in vain for them to oppofe him, when
the moft Powerful Peer in France was fo difgrac'd
for a Trifle. Such will be the Fate of all King-
doms, where Haughty and Revengeful Minifters
have the Government, and Imperious Priefls have
the good Luck to have their Interefts, and thofe of
the State, thought to be infeparable.
The Duke D* Epernon was not the only Proud
Man whom Richlieu humbled. The Duke of Lor-
raine having offended him, by continuing to fa-
vour the Duke of Orleans s Party, and Lewis being
enrag'd to hear that his Brother had marry 'd that
Pf inceb's Sifter, it was refolv'd to Invade Lorraine^
and
^/FRANCE. f3$
and even to Befiege Nancy the Capital- The Duke
of Lorraine hearing of the King's Approach, at the
Head of a good Army, fent his Brother Cardinal
Francis of Lorramej to treat with him . I Ihall not
enter into the Particulars of the Conferences be-
tween the Two Cardinals. Richlieu demanded
Xsfanci to be depofited in Lewis's Hands, as a Se-
curity for the Duke's good Conduft. The Car-
dinal of Lorraine pretended his Brother cou'd not
yeild it up without the Emperor's Confent, that
Dutchy being a Fief of the Empire : Upon which,
Richlieu entered into a way of Argument that has
been ever (ince us'd by the Court and Miniftry
of France^ when they thought themfelves ftrong
enough to back it by Arms. As to Lorraine's he-
ing a Fief of the Empire^ fays he, Ihe King is fo
far from allowing ity that he pretends the Sovereignty
belongs to him j and that Homage is due to him.
The Empire long ago Vfurp'd it from the Crown of
France, but length of Foffejfionj my Lordj gives no
Right againjh Soveraigns, againfi whomy there's no
Trejcription^ they acknowledge no Superior Tribunal^
before whom their Rights are to be. Judged, They
may always Claim them^ and enter upon them by
Force. The Affairs of France did not formerly per'
mit our Kings to ajjert their Rights, Cod has now
given his Majefly the Means to reiiore the French
Monarchy to its Ancient Grandeur, Will not Pa»
fierity have Cauje to blame the King^ if he negle^s
to recover thofe of his Predecejfors^ and does not
employ the Power of his Arms tqthat purpofe ? Here's
Reafoning, here's Argument : We muft know by
the way, that the Houfe of Lorraine is tlie Elder
Branch of the Carolovlngian Race, that have Reign'd
in France fince Charlemagne's Time, and being
fet afide in the Courfe of Defcent, they polTefs'd the
Dutchy of Lorraine a Fief of the Empire, which
was alio Governed for a while by the Defendants
of Charles the Great ^ but Lewis the Jufi of France j
is ftronger than Charles the IVth of Lorraine, He
has an Army advancing towards Nanci^ the Duk^
Ixas none to oppofe him j the promis*d Succours
from
jj6 The Secret Hijlor)
from Germany and Spain^ cannot arrive time enoug^Ii
to prevent the Town's being taken, and what a
Bluftcr the French Minifter makes, with the Gran-
deur of the French Monarchy^ the Rights cf the
Crown^ and the Means to recover them ? How well
raught the King was by the Cardinal, in the Rights
of Succeflion, one may perceive by his Anfwer to
tlie Englifl} AmbafTador, who fet forth the Vio-
lence of this Expedition, That King Dagobert had
been Majier of Stratxburgh. Durft any of his Pre-
deceffors have raHy'd thus with a Minifter of Henry
the Vlllth, or his Daughter, Queen Elizabeth t
Durft a French Man, or even a French King, have
bantcr'd an AmbafTador of England^ after the Glo-
rious Days of Blenheim and Ramellies ? What fig-
nify'd Englijh Mediation, when it was become a
Jeft, from tiie Death of Queen Elizabeth^ to the
Reign of King William ? If we Mediated for any
one, it fignify'd no more than the Mediation of
Mr. Petkum^ wlien all the mighty Powers of Eu-
rope were at War. Twas in the Reign of King
Ch<irles the Firft, that Lewis the Xlllth told the
Englifl) Minifter, Dagobert had been Mafier «?/Stratz-
burgh. A Pretence fo abfurd, that among all the
abfurd Pretences of his Son Lewis the XlVth to
keep it, there has been none ftarted fo Infolent as
this. I hope the Reputation of England cannot
after fo many Vi£lories, fink again fo low, as to ex-
pofe us to be banter'd by the French^ when we
interceed for our Neighbours. Sure I am it was
not many Years ago, that France rejoyc'd» when
any Body wou'd interceed for her, and the fame
Power is ftili in being, and the fame General Lives
ftill, that wou'd make her Serious, tho* another Rich"^
lien was in the Miniftry.
All tne Cardinal of Lorraine*s Reafons and Entrea-
ties, were to no purpofe, he only beg'd that the
King wou'd advance no nearer to Nanct^ till he
had made his Report to his Brother. Lewis an-
fwer'd him furlily, / am forry^ Sir^ I cannot grant
what you de?nand of me^ I am rcfolv d I will be
before Nanci ai foo?i as pojjlble, and not leave ity
tili
(^/FRANCE. i?7
^iJl I have reduced the Town to my Ohedie?tce, 1 iie
Cardinal of Lorra'me came again, and ofFer'd to
give up the Dutchefs of Orleans into his PofTefiion,
but Rlchiieu told him. That unlefs the Duke of
Lorraine was ruind^ let them do what they uoid
to dtjjolve the Marriage^ ' twoud fuhfiji ft ill % and
with other fuch Arguments prevail'd on him not
to come to any Accommodation, without having
Nanci deliver'd up ro him. Lewis however, gave
the Cardinal of Lorraine good Words, and ofFer'd
him a Penfion (uitable to his Quality, if he wou'd
live in France, The Duke his Brother, being in-
form'd of the King's Obftinacy, 'twas refolv'd to
try to mollify Richlieu^ by propofing a Marriage
between his Neice Comhalet^ and Cardinal Franc iSy
to whom Duke Charles was to refign the Dutchies
of Lorraine and Bar^ and put the Frincefs Marga-
ret^ Gaftons VVit.^ into his Hands. This was how-
ever^ a Pretence only, yet Charles went fo far, as to
caufe ti e Aft of Renunciation to be drawn *, but
Rlchiieu, who knev^ very well that the Duke de Fcria
was marching with an Army of Spaniards^ Ger-
mans and Italians^ to the Relief of the Duke of
Lorraine, d^nd thn the latter only wanted to gain
Time, put off the Treaty of Combalet's Marrfage^
to another. Opportunity :j and having return'd a
handfome Complement to Cardinal Francis for the
Honour he did him in propoiing it, and given him
hopes, that theyeilding up the Dutchefs of Orleans^
wou'd facilitate a Peace, he concluded that tofecure'
all : the King infifted on having Nancl deliver'd to
him. For, fays he, to [peak freely^ fry Lord ^ I have
fometlmes good Inteliigence : Are yon Adafter of your
Sifter* s Terfon ? I believe venly jhe is at this Time
got out of Napci, and perhaps in the King c/ Spain's
Territories. The Cardinal of Lorraine pretended to
know nothing of the matter, but finding hecoud
obtain nothing of Rlchiieu concerning what he
eame about, the preventing the Lofs of Nanci^ lie
return'd to his Brother, and carry*d off that Prin-
cefs next Morning, through the French Guards, by
Virtue of a Pafs, he had to go to and fro, {^^x car-
Z trying;.
338 The Secret Bifiory
rying on the Treaty: When the Marriage of
Co?nhalet was propos'd in the King's Council, Rich'
lieu^ who perceiv'd 'twas an Artifice of the Duke
of Lorraine^ made ufe of to cajole him, afFe£led a
mofl admirable Spirit of Difintereft. God forbid^
iaid he, that the Prefent^ or Future T'itnes^ JJmud
reproach ?ne for tnixing my hterefls^ or thofe of my
Relations^ in an Emer prize, I only advis'd for the
Service of the liing^ and the Good of the State,
Cardinal d' Amboife did an irreparable Injury to his
â– Reputation^ when^ out of Ambition to make himfdf
Popey he perfwaded Lewis the Xllth to carry
Arms into Italy. It jhall never be fald that
the G^r^/;^^/ de Richlieu aEhd like the Cardinal d'
Amboife. 'Twas in this Lorraine Expedition, that
Levois the Xlllth erefted the Parliament q{ Metz.^
where his Son Lewis the XlVth, firft fet up his
Chamber of Reunion, to annex feveral Countries
to France^ as pretending they belong'd to her by
Hereditary Right^ from Ba^chertj or other their
PredecefTors, even of the Fable, as well as Hidory,
Bretag-ne, one of the Marefchal de Afarillac\ Packt
and Mercenary Judges, was made Firft Prefident of
the Parliament, as a Reward for the Hand he had
in the Murder of that Noble Man.
At a Fourth Conference, the French Army be-
ginning to ftreighten Nanci, the Two Cardinals of
Lorrai?2e and Rtchlieu, agreed on certain Articles of
Accommodation, the Chief of which were. That
the Duke fhou'd not meddle in the Affairs oi Gcr-
ma?jyj nor afiifl Gajion ^ and that Nanci fhou'd be
depofited into the Hands of Lewis^ as a Security
for the Duke's good Behaviour, till the Troubles of
Germany J and the Affair of G aft on were Accommo-
dated. And if the Peace of Germany was not re-
ftor'd in Four Years Time, Nanci was however to
be reflor'd to the Duke, who, in the mean while, was
to enjoy his Sovereign Rights and Revenues. Thefe
Articles were Sign'd by the Two Cardinals, and
Francis carry'd them to his Brother, who pre-
varicated in them, and w^aited only for the Ap-
proach of the Spanijb General, to break off all
Treaty.
(9/ F R A N C E. J39
treaty. Neverthdefs be Ratify 'd this, having gi-
ven the Prince de Mouiy Governour of Nanci^
private Orders not to deliver up the Place, with-
out freih Orders from himfelf. The Cardinal of
Lorraine brought the Ratification to the King, and
promis'd that the Town ibou'd be deliver'd in Three
Days Time •, which being expir'd, hedeckr'd frank-
ly, his Brother had chang'd his Mind, and given the
Governour of Nancl contrary Orders. Every Day
was a Week at that time a Year. Winter came on,
the Place was ftrong, the Garrifon numerous, and
Richlieu began to confider that the Siege might be
interrupted bv the Rains that fell uiaally then m
Lorraim.' For fear the King fhou'd reproach
him with advifmg his Majefiy to undertake the
Siege purely on Suppofition that the Duke wou'd
yeild up the Place, to fave the reft of his Territo-
ries, he fent a Confident of his to him, to aOlire
him, that his Interefts were dearer to him than he
imagined, and if he wou'd come and have a Perfo-^^
nal Conference with him, he doubted not but Matters
might be accommodated to his good liking. A Geti-
tleman arrived at the fame time fvoin the Duke of
Orlean^^ to perfv;ade him to defend Nanci to the
laft Extremity. This agreed better with Charles's
Inclination, than the Treaty that was proposed to
him*, however, he refolv'd to difTemble ftili his
real Intentions, tofpinit out by a Conference with
Richlieu^ and an Interview with the King. A fafe
Condua being fent him, CW/ei met the Cardinal
at Charmes^ and new Terms were agreed upon,
and Sign'd the 20th of September ', Nanci was to be
reilor*d in Three Motitlis, if they were perform'd,
and Charles to re(ide there, with all the Honours
due to his Rank. As to the Marriage of Combaletj
Richlieu was to give her a great Portion, and leave
her his Heir at his Death •, and Chmies to give his
Brother a Dutchy, with looooo Crowns a Year
Rent. He had no Dutchy but that of ^.^r to give
which is not worth halt fo much, except Lorraine,
and that fure was not meant by it. The Truth is,
Charles agreed to any thing to prevent the fudden
Z 3 Luis
340 The Secret Htjlory
Lofs of his Capital, which he hop'd vvou'd be re-
liev'd in a few Days. From Charmes the Duke went
to wait upon the King at Neuville^ where he was
very kindly received, and Lewis told him, That aU
was for gotten. All this while were he and his Mi-
niflers (x^^niulting how to force Charles to execute
the Treaty he had agreed upon , and at laft they came
to a Refolution %o Arreft his Perfon, contrary to the
Safe Condud they had Tent him. Accordingly, the
King, under feveral Pretences, kept him fo late, that
he cou'd not return to the Town, the Guards being
fet^ and the next Morning he found one at the Door
of the Houfe were he was Lodg'd. He tempted
Monfitur Tontis^ who was the Commanding Officer
of the Guard, to let him efcape, but x\\q French M^n
refufing his Offers, and finding it impra£licable, he
feem'd to flay by Choice w^here he was kept by
Compulfion •, and Two or Three Days afterwards
the King took PofTeflion of Nanciy where Charles^ was
no more Mafter. The Marefchal de la Force was
left in Lorraine^ with 20000 Men. Charles^ wea^y
of living in a fort of Honourable Prifon in Nanci^
retired to Bez^ancon^ and from thence to the Imperial
Army on the Rloine^ living the Life of an i\d ven-
turer all the reft of his Days.
Thus it was, that the Juit Lewis pofTefsVl himfelf
of Lorraine, which has never fince been entirely
reft or 'd to its Lawful^ Hereditary Soveraign, And
thus it is, that France has got into her Hands fo
many of her Neighbour's Territories ^ a great part
of which Ufurpations, v/ere recover d by the Arms
of our Mofi Glorious SOyERAlG N, under the
Command of the Duke of Marlborough^ of whom
one cannot lay, that he ever loft an Inch of that
Ground he recovered, either by War or Peace.
One of the firft A<fls of the Parliament of /l/c?f;:L>
was to offer up a Sacrifice to their Protedor, the
Cardinal i a Grateful Sacrifice, the Blood of one his
Enemies. There was a Plot either Pretended or
Real, to AfTaftin him, Chantelouhe was iaid to have
had a fhare in it. Wfiether T rue or Falfe, Alfefion^
one of the Plotters was Taken, Tryd, and on the
Evidence
ofF R A N C K 34T
Evidence of of two other Accomplices, Concleinn'd
and Broken on the Wheel. What fays a Fremh
Abbot on tbi^^ Matter ? JIl that can be faid of the
Bufmefs of Alfefton, ts^ that it appears by his Tryal^
he had never any Defign againit the Cardinal's Life^
and that the Two Soldiers who Accused him^ are a
Couple af Rogues, who^ having Accused t he mj elves ^
charged Alfefton with the fame Crime, on Pro-
wife of Impunity and Reward. 'Tis true^ Alfefton
did Accuje Father Chanteloube on the Rack, but in
his lajl Speech on the Scaffold, he called God to
IVitnefsj that the Torments he endurd, forc'd him to
fay what was not True, and that Father Chante-
loube never fpoke to him of any Attempt againji
the Cardinal: His ConfefTor, and fome of bis Judges,
confefs'd as much, and that Alfejian before Con-
demnation and after, difown'd what the Rack had
extorted from bim, with refped to Chanteloube.
What a Treaiure wou*d it be to the World, to
have the Arcana of Richlieu, and fuch Minifters
brought to light. How Gloomy and Horrid wou'd
their dark Councils appear ? Wiiat Terrible Prof-
pefts woa'd there arife from their Craft and Cun-
ninj ? Shou'd we not find that their quickefl Mea-
fures wou'd be thofe of Blood ? And tho* they
have had their Sycophants to put Falfe GlofTes on
the Foulefl uf their Aaions, What Horror wou'd
the Fairefl of them ftrike in us ? Not long after,
a Priefl and Two Lay-Men were Condemned and
Burnt, for Curfing Richlieu at Mafs : And as far
as it was in his Power, the Ungrateful Cardinal
ihew'd he wou'd have done the fame by Mary de
Medicis, for he caus'd her Name to be mentiou'd
in the Procefs, not only of Alfejlon. but alfo of
the Priefl and Two Lay-Men, to inlinuate to her
Son Lewis the Juji, that his Mother wou'd without
Scruple, make ule of Fire, Poifon or W^itchcraft,
to obtain her Ends. The Minift^r s Hatred to the
Queen, his Mafter's Mother, fecm'd to increafe
with her ImpoteiTce to hurt him Such was the
Malignity of his 1 emper , that it grew upon him ag
his Fortune ; and now that AUq de Me die is and
Z % her
242 The Secret Hifiory
lier Son Gajion arc living on the Charity of the
King of Spain^ embroird by tlieir Domefticks at
Brufjels^ and abandoned by ahiioft all their Friends
in France^ now does Rkhlieu perfecute thefe «n.
happy Princes with as great Fury and Inveteracy
as ever.
. The Mifunderftandings between the Queen Mo-
ther, and the Duke oiOr leans were fo great,occarion'4
by the Quarrels among their Servants, that they o-
penly threaten'd each other with a Separate Treaty.
The Duke was, as has been faid, as much governed
as his Brother Lewis'^ if the former talk'd more
honeftly, one may impute it to his Condition*, Misfor-
tune makes People Humble, and the Love which Ga^
Jion pretended to his Country, wou'd have turn'd to
that Domination his Brother afFefted, when^ his
Country was no longer necelTary to him. His Fa-
vourite Vzcylaiirens^ wou'd Rot fee the Queen Mo-
ther's ConfefiTor, Chant elotibe^ and the latter never
went, to vifit Monfieur. Twasnot likely that fuch
Differences lliou'd Qwl well, when, had there been
the ftri<fleft Union among them, they wou'd ilill
Lave been too weak to flruggle with the Powers
they oppos'd. Their Enemies were in Poffeflion
of the Perfon cf the Soveraign, and every thing
they did 5 had the Sandion of the Royal Authority,
while on the contrary, whatever was done in Op-
pofition to them, was treated as Sedition and Trea-
ibn. This cou'd not but intimidate their Friends in
France J who hearing how iU they themfelves agreed
in Flander.'^ 'twas not to be expelled their Party
wou'd encreafe, or People be fond of- joyning v>'ith
orre fo diftra^led and divided. Chanteloube infinu-
ated to Alary de Aledlcls^ that her Quality of
Queen and Mothrr, o«ght to give her the Prin-
cipal Authority in every thing which concern'd the
common Interefl. Puylaurens made his Maiier be-
lieve, that the Queen his Mother was not at all
confider'd in France^ but on his Account ^ tliat they
did not care whether fhe return d or not, defiring
only to fee the Prefumptive Heir to the Crown.
f^uylaunns |)lam'd Mary de M^dicif for following
the
e?/ F R A N C E. 34J
the Advice of Father Chantelouhe^ and the good
Father exclam*d as much ag^inft Gafton for being
gQvttx\*^\iy PuyU»yens. Tlie Truth is, neither the
Mother nor her Two Sons had the Government
of themielvesj and hov\r wretched then muft all
thofe be that were Govern'd by them, or depended
upon them, fubiedled to the PafTions and Intereft
of Ambitious, Defigning Favourities*, they were ex-
posed to continual Changes of Fortune, for Favour
being the Gift of Chance more than Merit, (el-
dom does there happen an Inftance where thofe that
have it do not abufe it.
The Queen Mother, to revenge herfelf on Puy-
laurens, concerted with the Infanta Ifabella^ to en-
gage the Dutchefs of Orleam to inlinuate to the
Duke, that Tuylaurens betray*d him to RichlieUj
v^ofe Coufin he was to marry. The Dutchels
was alfo made to believe, that her Divorce was
one of the Terms of the Accommodation Gafton s
Favourite was privately Negotiating. This was
enough to fet her againft him, but lier Husband,
was fo far from hearkning to her, that he for-
bid her to viht the Queen too 'often, or giving
Ear to any thing (lie faid againft Tuydaurens, He
not only laid thofe Injunftions on his Wife, he told
his Favourite what fhe had told him, and Tuy-
laurens^ to infult this unhappy Princefs, abandoned
by one Son, and in terrible Fears of being alfo a-
bandon'd by the other, boldly enter'd her Cham-
ber ose Day, attended by Five and Twenty Gen-
tlemen, with Swords longer than ordinary, either
to fhew that he was afraid of Chapitelouhe's at-
tempting to murder him, or wha.t Cham el oube might
expeft from him (elf. The Queen not being able
to bear this Infolence, went into her Clofet and
wept bitterly : Gaslon'i ¥d^yo\M'\tQ was infenfibleof
her Grief, and continu'd to difpofe his Mafter to
get the beft Conditions he cou'd from Rkhlieu.
The Duke of Or/(?^??i communicated his Intentions
to his Mother, who, with great Spirit, told him,
He ought to be aj}}amd of hearkn'rag to the Terms
that were proposed to him. IVhaty faid fhe, have
Z 4 3^^^
§44 "^'^^ Secret Hifiory
you forgot your Birthy and your Rank ? What will
'the World think of you ^ if you agree to fuch a Treaty ?
They will fay 'tis the particular Bargain of a Favourite^
arul not an Honourable Agreement of a Son 6?/ France,
the Prefumptive Heir of the Crown with the King
his Brother. Tour Honour .^ and the Interests of your
Spoufe are entirely Sacrifis d. If you are jo unjuft
arid fo bafe as to take another before the Death
of thtSj t'}OW can you be fure that the Children
you JJ) all have by the latter will be deenid Lti^ai-'
mate, I dont mention what concerns me^ when they
offer you fuch Conditions as are Re a f on able and Safe^
I f/jall be the firft that will advife you to ace ept of
them. The Duke of Orleans had not a word to
iky againfl what his Mother faid to him, and ha-
ving promis'd Puylaurens to come to an Agree-
TiT^nt of the fame Tendency as A^ary de Me die is
hinted, he forbad him to proceed a;)y further in
it. Puylaurens doubted not, but Chanteloube his
Enemy, had fct the Queen N^other againO: both
him and the Treaty, and falling itito d Padion, he
went immediately to her, us'd Chanteloube ill,
threaten'd him, and reprcach'd the Queen, that
it was only out of her Spite to RicUleu., that (he
hinder'd the Two Brothers bein,/ reconcil'd. M^iry
de Medicls very juftly reienting his Arrogance,
told him, The Cardinal hsr Enemy ^ never behavd
hifnfelf fo difrefpetl: fully towards her ; he never ^ con -
tinue? fhe, durft talk to me fo haughtily and irifelently *,
know that if I woud [peak b:(t one word of recei-
I'ing him into my favour again^ 1 jkoud ruin all
your Projects. Begone, or Fll have you thrown out
at the Window *, 'tis plain enough your Heart ts as
bafe as your Birth, The Difference between th?
Domeflicks o{ Mary de Medicis and GaHon.^ grew
to fuch a height, that the foraier was forc'd to
entreat the Lfanta^ to order the Garrifon oi Bruf
fels be be reinforc*d w^th Horfe and Foot. The
Queen had the greater Intereft with the Infanta
and the Spaniards^ who obferv'd (jaBon and his
Favourite very narrowly. The Dutchefsof O/e^/^i
fided with her Mother-in-Law, who iiififted on the
â– â– â– ' â– Validity
(?/ F R A N C E. 345
Validity of her Marriage^ and Gafion found him-
felf reduc'd to the neceility of making iiis Efcape
from Brujfels^ and abandoning his Mother and his
Wife, or living there againft his Will.
Mary de Aiedkis perceiving Fuylaurens conimu'di
to encreafe Cajlons Indifference for her, and her
Interefts, fhe was more earneft than ever to be
reconciled to the King *, but yet fo haughty Hill
v^'ith refpeft to his Minifter, without whofe Ap-
probation 'twas impoflible for her to return to
France^ that (lie no fooner thought of any means
of Accommodation than fhe fpoilt it by fome Aft
of Difguft and Refentment towards Richlleu,
We have mention'd Lewis's fending des Roches
to her, on her being taken ill at G'hef7t ^ and the
Perfon fhe fent to return her Son Thanks, was
Brajfeufe^ a Creature of Chantelouhe. The Letter
fhe wrote him, was far from fhewing the leaft
Complacency to the -Cardinal *, the King read it in
the Prefence of Braffeufe^ beckon d to him to re-
tire, and faid angrily. Let no Body comt here jor
the future from the Queen my Mother^ who has not
frfi demanded a Pafjport,
I have confider'd on this Occafion, whether L^wis
is blameable for his Cruel Ufage or not. A Prince,
as the Father of his Country, ought to have no
Relations when its Interells are concerned : 'He is
truely its Father, who Sacrififes Wife, Mother and
Brother to the Publick Good. But wherein was the
Publick Good concern 'd, in keeping Mary de Me-
dicls and Gajlon out of France ? What were the
People the better for it ? Did it fecure their Li-
berties, eafe their Taxes, and redreis their Grie-
vances ? And was the Sacrifice Lewis the Juji made
of his Mother and Brother, to the Good of his
People, or to the Vengaence of his Minifter ? One
cannot think of the latter without Horror. Can
Princes forego Nature, to pleafe thofe that flatter
them in their Arbitrary Meafures ? Are they not
bound by the Tyes of Religion as well as their Sub-
jefts? Muft they not account one Day for the iMi-
(eries they or th^ir Miniflers are the caufe of ?
Are
2^6 The Secret Hijlor)
Are they exempted from the Punifh ment of Sin,
as well as from tlie Terrors of Confcience ? If they
are not, how can they defTemble thus with God
and Man, how forget the Duties of Parents and
Children, and kt themfelves above all Laws Hu-
mane and Divine ? I muft confefs, I take great
Pleafure in thinking, when I read the Hiftory of
wicked Princes, and wicked Minifters, that tiiey
are not Immortal, that there will be a Day of
Account for them, and that the Avenger is in
Heaven. Thefe Refle£lions have often diverted me
in the Courfe of this Hiftory, which it was im-
pofiibe to go through without them.
Other Inftances there are of the Queen Mother's
Impolitick Carriage, with regard to the Cardinal,
and her Son Lewis's unnatural Behavour towards
her on that Score. Laumiy one of her Bed Chamber
Women, got leave to pay a Super ft iiious Vow (he
made to our Lady ofLieJfe in Ticardy^ and to go after-
wards to Faris about a Law-Suit, Comhdet Tent to
her, to know how Mary de Medkis did, and 'twas
expe£ted that Madam Launai wou'd upon that have
vifited the Minifter's Niece •, but fte not daring to
do il without an exprefs Order from her Miftref?,
fhe was charg'd with Caballing, and order 'd to
depart in Twenty Four Hours. The Queen Mo-
ther was not fo very eafy in her Sojourn at Bruf-
/f/>-,that fhe (hou'd not defireto leave it by any ho-
nourable Means. The King of Spain was drained
by the experice of the German and Flemifi Wars,
and his Allowance to her was fo diminiih'd, that
i]ie was forc'd to reduce the Number of her Do-
mefticks, and put thofe fhe kept to Board -Wages.
Mary de Medkis demanded Licences for the Ser-
vants fhe difinifs'd to return to France^ and Jac-
quelot^ one of her Gentlemen, who was fent to
Paris on that Errand, had Inftruttion to found
the King, to fee how well or ill he was aifpos'd
to a Reconciliation, Jacq'ieiot faw immediately
that Rtchlieu wou'd abate nothiiig of the hard
Terms imposed on Mary de Mediris^ to give up
Jier moil faithful Servants to the Cardinal's Re-
of ^ K hNCE. m
^venge. This Cruelty^ fays a French Author, was
cover d under the Jpecious Pretext of maintaining
the Kings A'thortty^ in chufmg and keeping his Mi-
ni/iers as he thoHght fit. It will be fo ; to except
againft any qiie ^hat has the Royal Choice on his
fide, however Tyrannical in bis Adminiftration,
however unfit for it, will be to attack the Royal,
Authority m chufing and keeping of Minifters.
Yet how can Princes know that they have good
or ill Servants about them, but by being told of it,
and how can they be told of it when they are fur-
rounded by fuch Minifters and their Creatures?
The Dclhenei follicited all this while the return
of Monfieur^ but there was a very hard Article to
be got over, his declaring his Marriage with the
Princefs of Lorraine invalid. Good God ! Can
LeTvii the Jufl demand fuch a Declaration of his
Brother, to turn off his Wife, whom a Holy Sa-
crament of his Church had joyn'd for Life, be-
caufe he had not given his Confent to the Mar-
riage ? Wou'd he have an injured Princefs fent Home
Debauch'd, and with the Infamy of a MiftrefsB
So it is, and fo little do the Titles given to fome
Princes agree with their Charaaers*, fome are call'd
>/?, that ftick at no Injujiice ; fome Great^ that
never Fought a Battel
Mary de Medicis lent Villien St. Genefl^ ano-
ther of her Gentlemen, to Paris foon after Jac-
quelot^ under pretence of Congratulating the King
upon his return from Nancy^ and to inquire after
his Health. The true Defign w^as to inform him-
felf of the Succefs of the Intrigues of Catherine
Forz^oni^ who cou'd not right herfelf, aod of the
Difpofition of the Minifters to an AccommodAtion.
Filiiers had Audience of the King at P^erfailles, and
reprefented to him in very moving Terms, the
ill ufage the Queen his Mother fufFer'd from Puy-
laurensy that he continually infulted her, and fhe
earnefty entreated him to iiave fome regard to the
Health of a Mother who tenderly lov'd him, and
not let her languilh under the Tyranny of th«
Duke q{ Orleans's Favourite j ciofing all with A f-
furances
^4? r^^ ^^^^^^ Hipry
furances that Mary de Medicis knew nothing of
Gafton's Expedition to Langnedoc, The latter was
falfe, and Lewis had infallible Proofs of her know-
ing and approving it in his Hands. I am forry^ faid
lie to F'illlerSy very coldly, f7ty* Brother ujes tny
Mother fo illy JJje might have fav'd herfelj this
Trouble, if fhe rvoud have followed my good Advice,
I once thought that JJ^e did indeed Love me^ hutjbe
has lately given me fo many^ and fo certain Tokens
of her ill Wtllj that I can hardly believe what fie
fays of her AffeEiion to me to be Sincere. I know
very well what Jhare fhe had in the Commotions in
Lanauedoc, her Jewels were Sold, to raife Money to
carry on a War with we^ Say True, has JJje ordered
you now to Vifit Mondeur the Cardinal f i here it
flicks : Nothing is to be done but with the Ap-
probation of the Miniftcr: Has this Cardinal a
Mafter ? Is he a Servant to a Adan, and dares he
fet his Will above the Duty of his Prince ? No,
Sir^ reply'd P^illiers, but I (/jail for all that pay my
m'ft: hinnble Refpecis to him wherever I fjill meet
him. Since your M^-jefy commands me to fpeak the
Truth-y I will not diffemble^ the . Queen Alother is
as much Prepojfefs'd againft the Cardi?jal as ever.
If fhe really lov d me^ fays Lewis^ 0:e wou'd love
dfo a Mmifier that has done fo many nfeful and
glorious Things for my Crown fmce the Siege o/Ro-
chelle ; / fee there's no hope of a fincere Reconcilia-
tion as loni as the Queen my Mother ,^ keeps fuch fort
of Teople about her^ as la Fargis and Chanteloube.
Villiers reply'd, Sir^ the Queen knows Aiadam da
Fargis very well. She know' her very yxell^ anfwers
the King, 1 can't thtnk it. That Creature is one
of thofe mifchievous Vtpers of Lion, who concerted
with the Duke de Bellegarde, the Keeper of the
Seals Mar iliac, and other Wretches^ to put the
^ueen my Mother upon making fu<:h a Noije and
Stir. Lewis inftead of" taking hold of this Oppor-
tunity to reconcile with the Perfon, to Vs^ham, next
under God, he ow'd his Being, thought of ma-
king ufe oi" it, to gain over Fuylaurens,, and by that
means bring Cafion to an Accommodaticii upon
9"!
^/FRANCE. 549
any Terms he fhou'd pleafe to grant him. When
Villiers came to take his iaft Orders, upon his Re-
turn to Brujfels^ Lexois told him, he had intercepted
a Letter, v^' herein Father Chant eloube made a Jeft
of Des Roches's Vifit to his Mother, and faid Ihe
wou'd never be reconcil'd to him. The Rogue^ added
he, thought I rvoud have fent Des Roches again^
that he might again have made himfelf merry with
my Meffages, I mud confefs^ Ifljoud have di f patch* d
htm thither once more^ if the Infolence of that Rafcal
had not made me change my Refolution. How can I be
fatisfyd oj the good Intentions of the ^ueen my Mo-
ther ^ when I fee her proteU fuch a miferable Hypocrite.
" I am afraid, /^j/i a French Author^ this Inter-
" cepted Letter was one of Richlieus Rogue's
" Tricks, or Father Jofeph^s, to hinder tlie Kings
^' being mollify 'd by fo many MelTengers from his
'* Mother. I lAy Rogues Tricks, for in hne the
" Cardinal, Father Jofeph^ and Father Chanteloube,
*' were all Rafcals aUke. " Twas likely the French
Nation fliou'd be happy, when whoever had the
Miniftry, they were fure to have a Man of that
Charat^ier at the Head. Whether A<fary de Medicvs
or Richlieu prevailed , a Rafcal, if you believe this
French Man, was fure to be Prime Minifler '^ and
what Friends fuch Wretches are to Liberty, one
need not be told, their Charadler explaining it fuf-
ficiently.
In Decency Lewis was oblig'd to deliberate with
his Council what was to be done on this Occafion ^
his Mother and Brother had made him Propofals of
Accommodation, and the People wou'd have cry'd
out Shame, had he taken no Notice of them , but
when his Council took them into Confideration,
Richlieu made a long Speech againft both Mary de
Medicis and Gajion^ letting forth that it was abfo-
lutely neceffary to keep them out of the Kingdom
while they were out, and had fuch Evil Counfeiiors
about them.
What a BlefTed Councellor in the mean Time had
Lewis the Jujl in himfelf ! True, his Councils ferv*d
for the Foundation of an Arbitrary^ Defpotiik Power
ia
<^50 The Secf^t Hi/lory
in France^ and Mazarine treading in his Steps, car^
ry'd on that dreadful Building, in the Ruin of the
French Liberty, and almofttheLiberty of all Europe,
his SuCcefTors having perfu'd the fame Plan. But
there at lafl: arofe a Genius for Council and War,
that overturn'd this Terrible Fabrick, and never
^jvou'd it have lifted up its Head again, 'had Heaven
thought fit to have continu'd its Miniftry.
While thefe things were in Debate at Paris^ Fran'
cis^ Cardinal of Lorr^/we, was Negotiating his -Mar-
riage with Comhdet^ but he infifled on the entire
Reltitution of that Dutchy and Bar^ to his Brother
Duke Charles. Richiieu fearing Francis's Courtfhip
of his Neice, was only an Amufement to gain thofe
Advantages for his Brotlier, kept him off, under
pretence that there was not fufficient Security offered
tor the looooo Crowns a Year, and the Duitchy,
which Francis was to have to fupport Cumbalet^ ac-
cording to the Quality of Richlieu's Coufm. That
Matter had been almoft accommodated, but Francis
continuing to demand the Reftitution oi Nanci^ atid
Richiieu being too proud of that Acquifition, to part
with it on Uncertainties, for when 'twas agreed to,
who cou'd anfwer that the Cardinal of Lorraine
wou'd perform his Treaty better than his Brother
Charles had done his : Richiieu told him he Paffio-
uately defir'd to enter into the Alliance of the Houfe
of Lorraine^ but his Neice having a long while de-
iign'd to retire to a Cloifter, he cou'd not prefently
diipufe her to change her Mind, Fr^??nj not doubt-
ing but this Coldnefs of his was to get him to con-
clude the Affair without any Obligation from Lewis
to reitore what was taken from his Brother, talked
no more of the Marriage, and took his Leave of
Richiieu lo begone. My Lord, faid the Cardinal,
my Neice is obVgd to you for the Honour you have
done her ^ we fii.ill know in a Months Time^ whether
fie will dcpstrt from her Intention to go into a CoH'
I'ent If you JJjall be the fiyji who is acquainted with
?'*% if Jhe refolves to the contrary. This he faid with
fiich a Sullen Air, that Francis might perceive he
vva5 in a Rage to have his Neice made a Dupe in
this
0/ F R A N C E. ?5i
this Affkir : For he went on, Let us now talk of
another Bufinefsj you know, my Lord, that according
to the Treaty of Cliarines, the Princejs Margaret
your Sifter^ ought to have been put into the Kmg's
Hands in Three Aionths Time. Thefe Three Months
are exptr^d^ his Majefty will have the Afarriaget
declared Null by the Parliament. One of the main
Grounds of the Procefs is^ the Rape^ that i$^ the
Se duUion of Monfieur by Perfons of your Hotife.
Monfieur^ the Duke of Lorraine, mufl not take it
amift, if he is cited to anfwer this Matter before
the Parliament. Was there ever any thing more
Infolent ? A Soveraign Prince, the Elder Branch of
the Houfe of France^ to anfvver before a Tribunal,
funk to that low Degree of Credit and Authority,
for giving the Princefs his Sifter, in Marriage to the
French King's Brother, compeird by the Tyranny of
a Minifier to leave the Kingdom. Tiie Cardinal of
Lorraine reply'd, his Brother was not oblig'd to de-
liver up his Sifter by the Treaty, which he had per-
formed to the utmoft of his Power, in earneftly fol-
liciring the Duke of Orleans to fend her to France^
In a word, he pray'd Richlieu to interceed with the
King, that liis Brother might not be affronted with
a Citation, with which, as being a Soveraign Prince,
he cou'd not comply. However, on the Sixteenth
o{ January^ i<^34> the King went in Perfon to the
Parliament, attended by the Prince of Conde^ the
Count de SoiJfonSy the Dukes de Chevreufe^ d^ Ufez.^
de Chamies^ and de la Valme ; the Marefchals dt
Chatillon and de Brez^e^ the Count de Trefmes^ the
Marquis de Ne/le^ the Marquis de Sourdis^ and
feveral other Great Lords. Ricblieuy contrary to all
Ufage, wou'd needs harangue the Parliament, to
whom the Chancellor, the Keeper of the Seals, the
Firft Prefident, or other of the King's Officers and
Servants, us'd only to fpeak on fuch Occafions. The
Cardinal having fet forth all his Eloquence in Praifc
of himfelf, and vilifying the King's Mother and Bro-
ther, the Declaration againft the Duke of Orleans's
Marriaae was read, and Regifter'd, and another, by
which tneKing fupprefs'd at oncej igsoQo Officers,
as
J 5 2 The Secret Hijlory
as Rkhlieu told the Parliament, ^or the Eafe of tl^
People. " Such, fays my Author, a French Man,
" is the deplorable Condition of the French^ fined
*' they were Co bafe as to Tuffer the Eftablifhment
'* of Arhitray Power. An infinite Number of Of-
*' fices have been Erefted to raife Money •, Rich Men
" are forc'd to buy them, and a little while after,
" thofe that bought them, are Calhier'd for the
"^ Eafe of the SubjefV* " A Happy Confritution^
which thofe that are enamour 'd with French Poli-
ticks may imitate if chey think fit.
We will now fee what Lewis the Juji fays parti-
cularly of his Brother's Marriage, and his annulling
it by the Declaration above-mention'd. We fhali
obferve in it the Grand Air affefted by France^ fnice
fhe had the good Fortune to be Govern'd by Cardinals
and Priefts. Our only Brother^ fays Lewis, being in
tfje Hands of the Enemies of the Grandeur of our
V^own^ who J to engage him in the Inter efts ofaHoufe,
iht Alliance of wkichj has always been of little Pro-
fit to France, have procurd him to Marry agawft
our exprefs Will *, and we having tryd feveral ways
to no purpofe^ to bring our Brother back to his Duty^
md not being willing to omit any thing in an Af-
fair of fo great Importance^ we have refolv'd to de-
clare our felf our Intention in our Parliament Pray
mind of what Authority this Augufl: Tribunal is,
all the Honour they have, is to hear what the
King intends, perhaps a little before other People.
And to declare to all the World, that this pretended
M^^rriage, being contrary to the Fundamental Laws
of our State, and the Dignity of our Crown being
concerned in the Affront we have received, we will
never co?7fent to it. God forbid that Pofterity fl)oiid
one Day reproach us for being lefs Jealous of the
Glory of France, than our Predecejjors, All the
while did the Pious Richlieu aim at nothing lefs,
by diflblving this Marriage, than to oblige Mon-
fieur to marry Combalet his Neice, whofe Husband
had been an ordinary Gentleman, from whofe Bed
'^his I Inkle alpir'd, to lift her to that of the King's
Brother, and it maybe to that of the King himlelf,
by Lewis'% Death. After
of ^V RANGE. :;55
After all this is faid, the King iti his Declaration
very kindly and pompoully invited his Brother Ga-
florij to come and take the Glorious Rank of the Second
Perfon of the Firfi Kingdom of Europe. If this
Firfl Kingdom of Europe had had the. Misfortune
to have feen that General on the Banks of the Somme^
who drove the beO: Army fhe ever had into the
Danube, what a Jeft woud the Glorious Rank have
been now to all Europe ? Is there no Moral Vertue
from which the Princes o'i France are not exempted ?
Is Vanity a Foible or a Vice in any one but them ?
Is Modelly not becoming in them ? And cannot a
King be truly Great, without being always bragging
of it? Efpeciallyif he contributes nothing to his
Greatnefs but by fetting his Name to Edicts, Ordi-
nances and Orders. Richlieu made him declare,
That the Happy Snccefs of all his Enterpriz,es^ was
the Effe[l of the Councils^ and the Wife ConduH: of
his Minifiers. The Mafter and the Servant are the
very Pinks of Modefty, and whoever wants to adorn
themfelves with that Vertue, let him confult their
Hiflory.
Nothing in the World cou'd be more Rafh and
Arbitrary than this Attempt to difTolve a Mar-
riage that had been Confummated. For God's
fake, What's the Will of a Prince, to the Com-
mand of God ? Befides, on a Political Account,
had it not been Richlieu's good Fortune, that the
Dutcbefs of Orleans did not bring a Son into the
World, what Mifcheivous Confequences muft thiis
pretended DiiToUuion have been attended with ?
Had the King and Monfieur dy'd without any
Heirs, but what fhou'd have been born of this
Marriage thus annuU'd, wou*d not the Prhices of
the Blood have difputed the Crown ? Wou'd not
the Younger Brethren of the Son born to Gajio-a^
by the Prince fs Margaret^ had fhe had more Sons
than one, have pretended that the Eldeft was born
during the NuIUty of tlie Marriage, or wou'd not
the Princes of the Blood, to divide the Royal
Family, have always been ready to raife Commo-
tions in favour of this or that Heir of the,Crown,
A a the
354 T"^^ Secret Hijlory
the Title being then liable to be controverted ?
But all thele Coniideratipns, and the Confufions
that might arife from them, cou'd not reftrain
Kichllcu from revenging himfelf in this manner,
on the Houfe of Lorraine^ and the Duke of Or-
leans.
Soon after the Arrival of the Cardinal of Lor-
raine at Mire court ^ where the Duke his Brother
then refided, the latter made a Formal Refigna-
tion of his Dutchy to Cardinal Francis his Bro-
ther, who fent a Gentleman to Notify it to Lewis
and Richlieu, Tlie latter inveigh'd againft both
Charles and Francis^ about the Marriage, and read-
ing the Sabfcrption of a Letter, the Exprefs had
brought, Duke of Lorraine^ He cry'd, This Title is
affiim'd to deceive the King^ but we are not to be
7rick'd by it. He faid fo many Outragious Things
againfl: the Houfe of Lorrajney that the Gentleman
who brought him the Letter, fell a Trembling. He
afterwards recovered himfelf, and very handfome-
ly vindicated his Mafter, the Cardinal, Duke of
Lcrraine. Richlieu continu'd to rail at him, and
at laft faid, ^Till nov^ I have profefs'd my felf to
be one of the Cardinal of Lorraine's Servants^ but
jinee I fee he will follow hii Brother s ill Example^
J -am ohligd to d.eclare my felf his Enemy. A
Not^le Enemy had the Bilhop of Lucon been to
the Duke of Lorraine if the King of France^ his
Mafter, wou'd have hearken'd to the Crys of his
Mother, his Brother, and all his People, Hovv-
ever as it was now, his Power was fo great, that
he oblig'd the New Duke of Lorraine^ the Prin-
cefs Claude hisi Coufin, whom he had marry'd,
the Princefs of Phaltz.burghy to make their Efcape
in Difguifes from Nancit for fear of being fhut
up in Priion : A Circumftancc happened in it,
which was merry enough. The Duke chofe the
jhirft of y^pril to execute his Purpofe, and it be-
ing the Cuftom of the Lorra'mersj as it is of the
Englijh^ to put little Tricks on People on that
Day, to call them jipril Fools j the Dukecaus'dit
to be given out feveral times before he fied^ that
he
of FK AN C fi. J55
he was gone •, the Count de BraJf^Cy Governor of
Nanci^ fent to fee whether it was true or not,
and always found him and his Dutchels there^
where they were lodg'd under a French Guard.
Being often impos'd upon by fuch Reports, whert
the Firil of j4prU came, the Duke and his Con-
fort got off in Difguifc ^ a Peafant met them on
the Bridge, and told a Soldier of the Guard, who
communicated it to his Officer, and he thinking ic
was to make an April Fool of him^ Poyfon {i\
Avril^ as they call in Lorraine^ negleAed it. Two
Hours after he told the Governor what he had
heard, ^and Brajfac negle£led it alfo, on the
fame filly Account, infomuch, that no fear ch was
made for them, till they were too far gone to be
over-taken. By the Evalion of this Prince and thp
Two PrincefTes, the Houfe of Lorraine was entire-
ly difpers'd, and Lewis the Juft kept PolTefiion of
their Territories, having no manner of Pretence to
deprive them of their Right but that of Force,
fo little agreeable to the Sirname he had afTum'd.
The Dutciiefs of Guife was banifh*d the Kingdom
for endeavouring to fupport the Marriage of Men-
fvur with the h'rincefs of Lorraine^ and (hewing
too much Concern for the Misfortunes of that Fa-
mily. In x}c\t mean time Gafion^ Duke of OrUansy
to fruftrate all attempts to annul his Marriage^
foleir'nly ratify'd it at Brujfels^ arid with all the
Forms which it was pretended had been omitted,
and without which the Popi/b Cafuifls alledge,
it lay liable to Objection.
During thefe Tranfad^ions the Two Favourites
of Mary de Mtdicis and Gafion had perpetual
Quarrels. Mary de Afedicis had a new fupport,
tho' a fmall one, in the Friend fljip of the Princefs
of Phdtz.hurgh^ Sifter to the Duke of Lorraine ,
^'ho Was retir d to Brujftls^ not fo much for th*
fecurity of her Perlon, as to follow her Lover
Pwj/te'-ew;, of whom fhc was become Jealous, This
Favourite of Gafion liad, as (he was inform''d, fre-
quently vifited Madamoifelle de Chimaiy Daughter
of the Princefs of that Name,, and was very iuucti
A a ? in
"35 6 77;^ Secret Hifiory
in Love with her ; For JPuylaurens, fugitive as he
was, minded Gallanty in his Exile, as well as Po-
liticks, and his Amours were often what Richlieu
upbraided him with, tho* himfelf was as Guilty
that way as any one. Tuylaurens before he left
Lorrainey had receiv'd a Romantick Favour of the
Princefs of Fhahzhurgh. a Blew Ribon with an
Amorous Device, which he always wore on his
Breaft, till he had feen Madamoifelle de Chimai^
and then he cbang'd the Blew Ribon for a Green
one, Madamoifelle's Favourite Colour. The Princefs
of Phaltz^birrgh retiring to Bruffels^ fell in imme-
diately with Mary de /Medtcis to be reveng'd on
PuylaiirenSj and engag'd the Dutchefs of Orleans
to do him ail the ill Offices fhe cou'd with the
Duke I but her Power over him was nothing in
comparifon with his Favourite's. Gallon liad given
himielf up as entirely to Piylaurenf as Lewis was
given up to Richlieu^ and the - Duke of Orleans's
Favourite continu'd to give/yfary de A^edkis {uchirQ-
quent Mortifications, that fhe rejov'd, on any Term?,
to be reconciled to her Son the King. She con-
defcended ib far as to write a Submiftive Letter to
Kichlicu^ and lent herFirft Efquire, Monfieur Laleu^
to Negotiate her return with the King and Car-
dinal. "Tills Gentleman vvras a Man of Parts and
Addrefs, and Rkhlieu fearing he might move the
King in a particular Audience, got his M^jefty
to order him to deliver his Letter in Council,
where Ssguier^ Keeper of the Seals, declared his
Opinion againil the return of A4ary de Medkisy
till Chanteloube^ St. Germain j and the Aftrologer,
Fabroni^ were put into the Hands of Juftice : A
Preliminary RahlieukuQw the Queen Mother wou*d
never confent to^ and therefore caus'd Seguier to
propofe it on purpofe to hinder the Queen*s being
reconcil'd to her Son. Every one cry*d out
Shame againfi: this Obflinacy and Infolence of
Richlieu^ and the inflexible Temper of Lervisy
with refped to the Perfon in the World whom he
ought to have mofl Lov'd and Honour'd. The Re*
fiei^ions of a French Hiftorian on this event are very
jufl.
ofFRANCE. 557
3 ufl:. Suchj fays he, are the firdnge efeEli of Am-
bition and Self love^ a little . Pries} raised by a
mighty Queen to a Sovereign degree of Fortune^
ts not contented to have reduced his BenefaUrefs fo
lorVf as to humble herfelf before him^ and acknow-
ledge his Power fo far^ as to proteji that a main
Reafon-i of her de firing an Accommodation was to give
him new Proofs of the Seneerity of her Friendfljip^
the Widow of Henry the Great, the Mother of
the King of France, of the Queens of Spain and
England, e-^ds her Life in a fort of Exile^ becaufe
Arniand John du Pleffis, third Son of a Gentleman
of Poidlou, is afraid his Prodigious Fortune wou'd
he in danger^ if his firji Benefatiref: liv'd nith
the King her Son. He who thought himfelf happy
in the Bifhoprick of Lucon. now will be fatisfy'd
with nothing lefs than the abfolute Government of
Lewis d.n(^ France, The delivering up thore of the
Queen's Domefticks, whom fhe lov'd belt was an
Article from which the King wou'd not depart,
and to fhew Laleu that Jiis Miilrefs^. muft expedl
no Accommodation without it, himfelf ^ was kept
Eight Hours without Audience. EidjlieU appeared
little in this Matter,, he put his Creatures upon
fpeaking what he. wou'd have them, to tlirow the
Odium off himfelf. He for his own part, invited Laleu
to his Huufe at Pafcl^ where he found him alone,
and was received by him with fuch Extraordinary
Complements, that the Queen's Efquire was in a
manner confounded. The Cardinal's deceitful Speech
on this Occafion is worth reading:
There is nothing furprifmg^ fays he- perceiving
â– Laleu % Confufton, / have fuch a profowid .Refpett
for the Queen Mother, fo jirong a Paffion to .Jheiv
how muck I am devoted to her^ that L cqwd, treat
all thofe that comes from bet with much more De-
iiinclion, 1 cannot well tell you haw I was overjoyed
when / read the Letter fhe did me the J^ongur 4$
write me. .What matter afVomjort wiOrtt be tourney
to find that the Malice vfjhe Enemies af the St ate ^
has not. been able to leff^n - k^.r\ goodnefuPow^rds.me^
Aa 3 that
^^S The Secret Hijlory
that it is fo rooted in her Hearty that Jhe again lets
it Jhoot out to my inexprejfible Joy. J mofi humbly
entreat her /kfajefty to permit me to give her cer-
tain Marh of the Gratitude of my Intentions by
fpeaking to her hereafter with the fame freedom I
vSd to do before 1 unhappily loft the Honour of
her good Graces and Confidence. Things are gone
fo far^ 'tis impojfible hut there mvft be fome re??mln5
of Sufpicien and Diffidence, Let all the Clouds be
aifpers*d once^ and then we fiall build on a folid
Foundation. The new knot of Friendfijip forming between
the King and the Qmen Mother will become in-
diffoluble for the future^ Jhe will receive all the
Tokens of AffeEiton and Tendernefs that fije can ex^
peEi from the be ft Son upon Earthy as foon as fije
will take Two or Three Steps ^ which the King thinks
fieceffary. As for my felf^ 1 protefl- to the Queen^
I will do her aU the Service that lies in my Power ^
and will let no Opportunity flip to fijew hgr that
th0 Remembrance of her Goodnefs to me will never
he blotted out of my Heart ^ 1 only beg her Ma-
jeBy to confider that the Place I am in^ obliges me
indijpenfihly to purfue the Kings Intention with the
tttmoft Exa^nejSy and that in the prefent Conjund:ure
I cannot depart from what he prefer ibes me • without
fenfibly Dijpleafwg him,
Notwithflanding all this, was Richlieu his very
felf the occafion of Lewis his Maker's infilling on
liis Mother's giving up Three of her moft faith-
ful Servants to his Revenge. 'Twas very ftrange
that the Cardinal of Richlieu fhou'd have forgot,
what thQ Bifhop q>{ Lucon told the Y^Xikt de Luines
on theifubjeft of5>. Germain^ one of the Men he
defii'd to be delivered up, Luines refenting a Ma-
nifello publifh'd by that Abbot, when the Queen
Mother took Arms at Angers^ demanded he fhou'd
be banifh'd the Queen's Court. Her Ma)efty, fays
Richlieu^ then Bifhop of Lucort^ will rather per if})
than abandon any of her Domefticks : Monfuur de
St. Germain, who has done her good Service^ will
always have the Honour of her FroteBion, Laleu
returning
of F K AN C E. 359
returning to Brulfels, gave the Queen a melanchol-
ly Account of the ill Succefs of his Negotiation.
Her Domeftick, who doubted not of Richlieu's ready
embracing the Queen's humble Offers for an Ac-
commodation, (he having condefcended to court
his Favour, and promis'd him lier Friendfiiip, ex-
peiHied to be in France in a few Days, and were
terribly difappointed, to find the King and hisMi-
nifter was fo far from grantiag the Requefl: of the
Queen Mother, that there was no profpe^l of her
return at alU To make one attempt more, Mary
de Medicis refolv'd to fend Father Suffren, her Con-
fefTor, to the King, as whofe ConfcfTor he bad
alfo (been •, but a Pafsport being demanded for
him, Richlieu fearing the Influence this'Jefuit might
have over a Confcience he had dire£led. and which
was it felf very Timerous and ScrupuMs when
'twas not govern d by the Cardinal's Cafuifts, wou'd
not let Suffren have a Pafsport, crying, his coming
was needlefs, till her Majefty had done what the
King defir'd of her. Mary de Medicis was the
only Perfon of all her Family who did not de-
fpair, finding their return to France was impolTible,
without fhe wou'd do Things which did not con*
fift either with Juftice, Honour or Gratitude,
TuyUurens faw, with Pleafure, that all her endea-
vours after a Reconciliation were ineffeftual, and
particularly, that the Cardinal wou'd hear of no Ac-
commodation his till Eneniy^ Chamelouhej was given
up. This Favourite oi Gaflon did not doubt, the
Court wou'd be better difpos'd to receive again
the Prefumptive Heir to the Crown. The Delbenes
reviv'd a Negotiation, Overtures were made by
Richheuy and Couriers were daily coming and
going between Faris and Bruffels^ at which the
Queen Mother, the Marquis d* Ayetone^ Governor
of the Netherlands upon the Death of the //j/^wf^,
the Duke d' Elheuf, and the Princels oi Phaltz,-
burg, were terribly allarm'd*, all being done by
Oafion and his Fwarite witliout their Participa-
tion. ^,
Aa^ They
5^0 The^ Secret Htjiory
They C):fd out that Gaflon was about to make
ungrateful Returns to the King of Spalri^ who had
fogencroufly entertain'd him in his Misfortune, and
the Marquis d' Ayetone a6ling in concert with Mary
de Medicis^ they together hindcr'd the Duke of
Orleans s Reconciliation on the Terms Rkhlreu
wou'd have impos'd upon him. The Abbot Velhene
came twice from Taris to Bruffels, to perfwade
Cafion to throw himfelf on the King's Generofity,
and not to infift upon a Place of Safety : As al fo to
fufFer the Validity of his Marriage, with the Prin-
cds o^, Lorrame J to bed*ebated and determin'd by
Commiflioners, but Movfieur wou'd not confent
to the latter, Lc Coigmux. his Chancellor, had been
^ifmifs'd for oppofing Puylaurens^ but hearing Ga-
slon was likely to come to an Accommodation,
lie went to him, and was introduced into his Clofet
by fume of his Friends. Ke reprefented to him
his Services, and that he had abandoned every thing
to follow him. Monjisur interrupted him feveral
times, and at lafr left him, faying only, / mil
take care cf your Interefis. Such is the Gratitude
of French Princes, fuch ih^ Reward of their moft
faithful and ufeful. Servants, and what better can
one expea from thofe that think all Mankind are
oblig'd to ferve them, and they, under no Obliga-
tion to ferve any body ; that their Will and Plea-
fire is Reafon and Juflice, and that to (ijffer for
Fidelity, is a fort of Glory, which one ought to be
proud of as much as fufFering for Confcience,
For my one part, thefe Sublime Notions have no
Effect on me, and I fhall never envy ' the Condi-
tion of fuch as have had the happinefs to be ruin'd
by the Ingratitude of Princes.
Richlisu fearing the Duke of Orleans \nou"^ en-
ter into new Engagements with the Spaniards^ who
tempted him more than ever on the ProfpeiH: they
had of lofing him, was refolv'd not to depend on the
Inconftancy of that Prince, but whether he wou'd
come to an Accommodation or not, to be firong
enough of himfelf to (upport his Fortune. He had
thoughts of forming a League of his Frieqds and
De-
of V R A N C E. j'fii
Dependants, and had the Infolence to make the
following Speech in the Council, when DelhenevQ-
turn*d to Paris^ and brought Word that Monfieur
wou'd not permit his Marriage to be canvafs'd
by Commiflioner?; I fee but Two W ay s^ (diys he,
for the King to fecure himfelf agawfi the ill De-
figns of Monfieur, the one depends 071 the Benedi-
Elton of Heaven J the other on his Majeflys Pnidence.
Ihe firji is the Birth of a Dauphin^ by taking a-
way all hope of Succeeding to the IhronCy the Birth
of an Heir will take away from him the Defign of
feeing it vacant* The feco'nd Expedient conftfis in
a firiEh Vnion between thofe in whofe Fidtlity the
King may confide. This will let all Men of Senfs^
engaged in Monfieur'i Party fee that if any attempt
is made on the Life of the King^ there will not mly
be Perfons difpos'^d to revenge fo horrid a Crime^
but that Monlieur ivill find a powerful League ready
to oppofte him and his Party^ even tho* the Throne
became vacant by the ordinary Ways, 7^ Monfieur
fees once that the Succejfion to the Throne may he
firongly difputed after the Death of the Kingj he
will not defire it ^ his Interefl will make him comply
with the Kin^s good Servants^ whofe Confederacy will
.be formidable if he does not alh according to P.eafon.
This Expedition will defend the State againfl the
Pernicious Defigns of the Spaniards Abroady and the
BifaffeSled at Home, in cafe the King flioud dye.
• Neither the one nor the other will dare to compel
Monfieur to grant them what they may demandy as
the Reward of their having proteBed and defended
him. Their Power will be counter hallancd by the V-
mon of the Ki'ngs faithful Servants^ who find their
fecurity in maintaining the jufi fights of Monfieur,
and defending the State againji the Enterpriz^es of
the Spaniards.
Did ever one meet with fo Infolent and Infamous
a Propofal, againft tlie Prefumptive Heir of fo
abfolute a Monarchy ? He infinuates no lefs than
that GaH:on had Defigns againft the Life of his
Brother, and wou'd have the King's Council enter
into an Aflbtiation to fupport his Interefts, which
he
^62 The Secret Hijfory
he calls thofe of the State, in cafe Monfieur fhou*d
out live his Brother. By this and the Poilefiion of fo
many ilrong Towns held by him and his Rela-
tions and Creatures, he doubted not to be able to
oblige GaftoH to come to an Accommodation
with him, if Lems, who was as weak in Body
as in Mind, fhou'd dye without u Son. He had
another Projeft, if a Son had been born and the
Kingdy'd, which was by the Power of hisjConfe-
jBeracy, to get himfelf declar'd Regent, and to banifh
the Duke of Orleans to P^enice^ where he fhou'd
live on a fmall Penfion. The King, who heard
this fine Speech, faid nothing. He reem'd to have
terrible Apprehenfions of the Confequences of his
Brother's Succefiion to all his faithful Servants,
if Riehlieu*s iSdeafures were not taken. But the
Death of the Cardinal's Friend, Walleftein in Ger-
ntany^ having puzzl'd his Foreign Affairs, he was
forc'd to turn his Thoughts that way, and leave
his Domefrick Affairs to another Opportunity.
Gafton continuing firm in his Refolution not to
have his Marriage deflblv'd, entered into a new
Treaty with the Spaniards^ which was fufpended
a little by an attempt made to AfTaflinate his Fa-
vourite Tuylaurens, who was fhot in his Palace,
but the Wound was fiight. The AfTafTm got off
in the hurry and fright it put Gascon's whole Court
into. Who it was that employed this AfTaflin to
murder Fuylaurens was not difcover'd, but 'twas
generally thought, that Chanteloube was the Man
that ki him to Work, and fome Souldiers he us*d
to have about him were taken up and examined,
which Mary de Medicu highly refented. The Duke
d' Elbeufsind the Princefs of Phaltz^burgh were (uf^
pefled to have had a Hand in the Plot againfl: Pny-
laurens ^ the former was playing with Mmjieur m
his Clofet, when the Favourite was wounded, and
'twas faid he had contriv'd to be there on purpofe
to prevent Sufpicion. Be it as it will, Gajlon^ who
was mightily concerned for the danger his Favourite
had been in, look'd very (ourly on d' Elbeuf iince
that Accident happened, knowing the Duke hated
Puy
^/FRANCE- 3^j
Tuylaurem. D* Elbeuf took an occafion to juftify
himfelf, and Monfieur reply'd, / dont believe you
xcoud engage in Jucb a P'illamus Defign^ if I had
thought fo^ Ifljoud have pimiOidyou for it before nowjf
I vpoud only have you to know, that if J coud dif-
cover the Author of this Attempt and his Accom-
plices, Iwou^d not fpare them. i>' Elbeuf provdk'd
at Monfieur s Carriage towards him, and that
he fhou'd in the leaft doubt of his Innocence^
faid, 5/>, / have lofi all my Ejiate for your Ser-^
viccy I woud at leaji preferve my Honour* Tour
Honour^ reply'd Gafton^ 1 do not meddle with
ity I leave tt all entire to you. As to your Ejiate^
'tis well known you were ruin'd and had lofi your
Government before you came to me, ElbefifanfvjQxdy
â– Tis True-i Sir^ but J have been offer d my Govern-
ment fince if I woud abandon you. They dont be-
lieve it in France, reply'd Gajhn^ I know very well
what they think of you there. Let them think what
they pleafe, fays Elbeuf J underfiandy Sir^ you are
about an Accommodation with the King •, if by chance
you have comprehended me in it^ I beg you to do
me the Favour to raz,e out what concerns me ^ I will
never return to France but vpith the Queen your Mo-
ther, Gafion fell into a furious Pallion, and Elbeuf
was no lefs furious, venting againfl Pnylaurens tlie
ChoUer, he durft not vent againfl the Brother of
his King Du Condrai-Montpenfier^ the Favourite's
Creature and Confident, challeng'd the Duke d'
Elbeuf J whp bid the Gentleman' that brought the
Challenge tell du Coudrai\ He woud have him Cun'd^
that 'twas not for him to fet himfelf on a level with
a Prince • that ^/'Puylaurens wou^d fight him^ he
might lay afide his. Quality^ to let him f&e he knew
how to rid himfelf of his Enemies by Honourable
ways^ and not by hiring AJajfins. Misfortunes are
always apt to four People's Tempers, and Chanteloube
and puylaurens not being able to gain their Ends
by their Negotiations in France^ animated Mary
de Med ids and Gafion more againft each other,
as if each was the Occafion of the others Dilap-
pointuient, Thefe Heats fo Imprudent andUnna-
* ■■- • - j^^^.^1^
564 7 he Secret Htfiory
tural, caus'd continual jars among their Domeftick?,
infbmuch, that Mary de Medtcis was forc'd to go
to Antwerp^ under Pretence of a Religious 'Vilit
to fome Saint, that her Servants might not Fight
with her Son Gajion'^. However, the Duke d*
Elbeufy as foon as Tvylaurens was well enough
recovered of his Wound, fent him a Challenge in
the following Terms : Since you falfely Charge me
with being the caufe of the Wound that rendered
your Life in Danger I have made choice -^?/ a fure
and honourable Means to take it from you by my
own Hand \ come to the Place this Gentleman wtll
tell youy bring Three of your Friends wtth yOUy I
will bring Three of mine. Puylaurens accepted of
the Challenge, and was preparing to go to the
Place of Rendefvous, Monfieur hearing of it, fet
Guards upon him, and fell into a violent Paflion
againft the Duke, The Challenge^ fays he, is aim'd
at me and not Puylaurens ^ the Affair fi)all be de-
termined in a manner agreeable to a Son ofFrSLUCQ
towards a Duke of Elbeuf. The glorious Privilege
to be the Son of a Country. What Laws might
one not impofe on all one*s Dependants, with io
Magnificent a Title? Gafton got the Marquis d'
Ayetone to defire the Duke dJ" Elbeuf not to come
to Brujfels'^ the Queen Mother exclaim'd againft
It, carry'd him thither in her Coach, appointed
him Lodgings in herPallace, and fet a Guard upon
him to hinder his Fighting with Puylaurens.
Thefe broils went to far, that t lie , very Priefi
Chanteloube was fore 'd to be guarded, for fear he
alfo fhou'd have Fought. The Two Families of
Mary de Medicis and Gafton were (o QuarreHoine,
that it was as much as the G<i)vernor of the Ner
therlands couM do to keep them from falling to-
gether by the Ears. Tiiey were in defpair of re-
turning with Honour to France^ and feem^d weary
of thofe Lives which were to be fpent in Exile, uniefs
the new Treaty Gafton had enter'd into with philip
the IV of Spain^ had better EtFe£^ than the reft
had had. The King of %2//? oblig'd himfelf to aftiii
Gafton with 1500Q Men, and Money in proportion,
which
(?/ F R A N C E. 565
which the Duke of Orleans wa? to repay when
he cou'd get it, or when he came to the Crown.
Mary de Medtcis refus'd to Sign this Treaty, which
at the bottom was not fo fincere on the fide of
Monfieur as on that of the Spaniards, Twas one
of bis, or his Favourite's Artifices, to conceal their
Negotiation with Lewis -^ and this Deceit v/as fo
far carry'd on, that Gafton fent one of his Guards
with Letters to his Friends, to give them Notice
of a Treaty which he defir'd them to fupport;
RicUieu had the Soldier fiez'd and hang'd, to a-
mule the Spaniards with a belief that the Duke
of Orleans was in Earneft, while he was endea-
vouring to get out of their Hands as foon and as
well as he cou'd. The poor Fellow was facrifis^d
to the Bloody Politicks ot Rtchlieu 2ind, Puylaurens.
There happen'd another Accident in this Affair of
the Treaty, which look'd like Collufion. The King
of 5p^w's Ratification of it was fent to Flanders by
a Ship from Sehajiian, which either thro* ftrels ot
Weather, or rather Treachery, was driven into
Calais^ and this Paper, of all the reft, happen'd to
fall into the Hands of the Mayor of that Town,
who fent it to Court, and Orders were difpatclfd
to the Governors of the Frontiers to be on their
Guard, tho' Richlieu and Fuylaurens ftilJ carry'd
on the Reconciliation of the Two Royal Brothers,
and it daily drew nearer to an End;
The New League between Gafton and the Spa-
mards^ tho* managed with fo much Treachery on
the Duke of Orleans s fide, made Richlieu prepare
for an open Rupture with Spain^ knowing the In-
conffancy of Orleans^ and the readinefs of the Court
of Madrid to fupport him. In order to this he
let Treaties of Alhance on foot with fsveral Neigh-
b*ring Princes, efpecially of Italy^ and the Count
de Noialles was difpatch'd away to Rome, to keep
the Pope from taking Meafurcs in favour of the
Houfe of Auftria, Vrban was then about to Tend
an Extraordinary Nuntio to Paris^ to mediate for
the Queen Mother, the Duke of Orleans^ and the
Houfe of Lorraine, This Nuntio was to be Julius
Maz.<irine^
^66 fhe Secret Hiprj
Mazarine^' who llnce his Succefsful Negotiations
to put a flop to the War in Italy, had embrac'd
the Ecclefiaftical Profeffion. The Pope thought he
cou'd fend no Body elfe that wou'd be more a-
greeable to the Fremh Court ^ but Rkhlleu was
jealous o{ MdTiarmes great Capacitye He was afraid
lead the Cunning Infinuating Italian^ fhou'd make
ufe of the Privilege of Nuntio, to entertain the
King in Private, and fpeak in favour of the Prince^
he refolv'd to continue to Profecute ^ therefore,
one of the Count de Noialles's Inftru£l:ions was to
do his utmoft to prevent Maz.arme*s being fent to
France ; which, iiowever, lie cou'd not obtain, the
Italian having too well fecur'd his Intereft againfl
all the Intrigues of the French AmbalTador. Tho*
the Count de Noialles joyn'd with the Mareiirhal
de Crequi to obtain ihe Pope*s DifTolution of the
Duke of Orleans's Marriage, yet both Vrban^ and his
Nephew Cardinal Barherino^ were Inflexible, and
wou'd by no means confent to it.
Another Mortification happsn'd to Richlieu about
the fame time, he being difappointed in his Eleftion
to the Coadjutorfhop of the Bilhoprick of Spire m
Germany^ to which he pretended. The EleAor of
Triers was Bifhop of that Diocefs, and being in, the
Power of t\\Q French^ the Cardinal thought he might
eafily gethimfelfdeclar'd his Coadjutor. But the hm-
peror order'd kis AmbalTador at Eome^ to reprefent to
the Pope, that he wou*d by no means fuffer Richlieu
to enjoy any Benefice in the Empire, and wou'd
rather hazard his Crown than give Invefliture of
it to the greatefl Enemy of his Koufe. If the Car-
dinal had got that Bilhoprick, he doubted not of
getting that of Triers alfo with the Ele:i orate.
The Eieftor, brib'd by Richlieu, engag d the Chapter
of Spirein his Interefl, and they fent a Canon to Ron.e
to fullicite in favour of the Cardinal. The Canon
was fupported by the Minifier of France^ but Vrban
wou'd not hear of the Cardinal's Admiftion to that
Coadjutorlhip, faying. It was againfi the German Con-
cordat^ adding, wou'd the French be pleas' d if Ger-
aians were [em to Govern tkem j and wiiAtever the
lij Ambaf-
<?/ F R A N C E. 3^7
AmbalTador cou'd urge in hchsilf of Rlchlleu, theCo-
adjatorlhip cou*d not be obtain d for him. The fame
Year, i<^347 was Marchevi/le the Ambaflador of
France at Conftantinoplej for (bme Infolenccs com-
mitted there by him, ordered to be gone in half
an Hour's Time on Pain of Death, a Ship being
got ready for him to embark upon fo Ihort
Warning. Charnaccy the French Minifter in HoU
land, concluded a Treaty with the Dutch againft
the Spaniards^ who having laid Siege to Maeftricht^
Gallon^ Duke of Orleans^ was prefent at it, but the
Marquis d* Ayetom gave him only good Words,
and had he been difpos'd to have executed his
Treaty with the Spaniards^ they were in no Dif-
pofition, or rather Condition, t© execute it on their
Fart, which made him fo chagrin with them, thai:
Delbene eafily perfwaded Puylaurens to get the
Treaty of Accommodation renew'd. It .was done
at firft by Letters to prevent its being known,
for fear Mary de Medicis fhou'd obftruft it j we
fhalJ fee in the fequei how it fucceeded.
We have frequently obferv'd that this Prime
Minifter of Lewis the Jufi was a moft irreconcila-
ble Enemy, and his Revenge defcended to the
loweftObjefts. He cou'd not bear Oppofition nor
Contradiftion tho* but in a Paper Quarrel ^ fuch
Minifters dread the Appearance of Truth, and will
not fail to punifh feverely thofe that dare fpeak
it againft them. The Curate of St. Peters in
Louduriy whofe Name was Grandier^ had written
a Satyr, in which RichUeu was not fpar'd ; and the
Cardinal to be reveng'd on him, ftood ^by the
Monks of St. Crofs at Loudun^ who accus'd
Grandier of Sorcery, and having bewitched the
Vrfuline Nuns of that Place, feveral of whom
pretended to be poflefs'd with Devils, and laid it
all to the charge of Grandier^ who was Governor
of that Nunnery The Man was Learned, a good
Preacher, and pleafant in Converfation ^ he had
alfo written a Book againft the Celebacy of the
r-Priefts, and fpoken freely of fome other Pra^ices
of the Rom^flj Church, This gave Rkhlieu a handle
3-60 The Secret Hijtorj
to have him profecu ted, and to make his Profe-
cution go down with th^ People. The Credulous
Vulgar believ'd that the Nuns were really pofTefsd,
and by his means too. But the Authors of this
.Farce perform'd their Parts To ill, and Grandier
defended himfelf fo well, that is was a long Time
before Judges cou'd be found to Condemn him.
The Parliament of Parley w^ho never condemn
any one for Magick alone, were not permitted to
have Cognizance of the Affair, and thofe that took
it upon them, to pleafe Richlieu, committed fuch
OverTights in their pretended Exorcifims, that the
Spectators were fully convinc'd of Grandier s In-
nocence by the time his Procefs v^us finifh'd, and
his Judges condemn'd him to be burnt. Richlieu
took this Matter fo much to Heart, that Father
Jofeph was fent to Loudun to examine Matters, and
prepare a way for Laubardemont^ a Councellor of
State and the Cardinal's Creature, to try Grandier
in Commifllon with other hireling Judges. Jofeph
not finding things fo well attefted as he wifh'd for,
cunningly difengag'd himfelf from the Bufinefs,
which Lauhardsmont went thro' with the Cruelty
of fuch Mercenary Magiflrates. Several Perfons
of Quality went to Loudun to fee the Nuns that
were pofTeiVd, and hear the Exorcifims of thofe that
were to Cure them. The Exorciiis afFefting to
fhew* their Learning, fpoke in Gr^^-^, but it had no
EtfeCi: on the Nuns, who underftood nothing but
French *, upon which the txorcifts cry'd out,
"There are for/ie Devils as dull as ploughmen. The
Count de Lude^ a Young Lord who lov'd to laugh,
and gave no great Credit to this Conjuration com-
ing to Loudun^ pretended to be convinc'd of the
Truth of it, and faid to one of the Exorcifts, /
believe verrily 'tis as True as the Gofpel ; / have
hr ought a Box of Re licks with ;;;(?, they were given
to or:e of my Ancejiors^ and have been keept in our
Fannhj ever [wee. Authentick Relicks dej'crve to be
held '^in Veneration by Chriitians, Hugonots only
deny the Power of them- But you know as well
hs J tfjen are abundance of falfe ones *, before I put
-*C^ â– mins
m
c/ F R A N C E. i6(}
mine in a fine Depofitry \ 1 woud fain know rvhetf:s'''
they are true or no^ I cannot have a better Proof
of it than to apply them to one ofthefePoJefs'd Si-
fters^ if my Relicks are Authentick^ the Devil will find
out the Virtue a?jd Effeacy of them* The Priefl: ap-
proved of the Count's Thought, and one of them
made a Sign, which Liide obferv'd, and upon which
one of the Sifters took her Cue, This Sifter had no
lefs than Seyen Devils in her. The Exorcift ad-
vanc'd up to her and apply'd the Box, the Nun
cry'd out in a moft terrible Manner, (he fell into
violent Convulfions, the Box was taken away, and
the Poftefs'd became as quiet as before. / don't
doubt ^ Sir^ fays the Exorcift to the Count, you are
now very Well fatisfyd of the Truth of jour Relicks,
JSlo more than J am of the Truth of the Pojleffiony
reply'd Lude gravely. Pray do us the Favour ^hys
the Prieft, to let us fee what ts in the Box. jiy^ with
all ?ny Hearty reply'd the Count. The Box was o-
pen'd in the prefence of abundance of People in-
vited to be WitnefTes of the Spectacle, and no-
thing found within it but fome Hair and Feathers.
The Prieft cry'd in great Confufion, yiy, Sir^ why
did you mock us? The Count anfwer'd, And rthy
my good Father do you mock God and the World jo ^
The Abbot Quillet hearing that the Devil threatened
to carry away any Body that did not believe in
the Pofteftion, went the next Day and defy'd him
in prefence of the Exorcifts, declaring he laugh'd
at his Threats. Laubarde??iont prefently ifTu'd out
his Warrant to take the Abbot up, and Quillet
perceiving the whole was a Trick of Rtchlieu%
thought it beft to be gone, accordingly he fied to
Italy. Combaletj the Cardinal's Neice, went to Lou-
dun alfo to fee the VrfuUneSy and was ffo honeft as
to tell her llnkle the Pvoguery of it was fo plain,
every one cry'd out lliame againft it. Upon which
Richlieu took off the Penfion of 4000 Livres that
had been given to the Exorcifts, and after that the
Devils immediately left the Nunnery. They vfou'd
not declare the Poileflion to be an Impofture, becaufe
not only the Cardinal but the King himfelfhadpro-
Bb kWl
370 The Secret Hifiory
fefs d the belief of the Truth of it, the Bifiiop of the
Diocefs la Rochepoz.ai had done the fame. The Duke
of Orleans^ who came to France before this matter
was ever, profefs'd it alfo, and 'twas made a fort
of State Crime to disbelieve it. The Impofture
was not acknowledged till after Grandier had fuf-
fer'd the cruel Sentence pronounc'd againft him,
and expir'd in the Flames, infulted by the Priefts
in the agony of Torment and Death.
The Parliament of Paris, on the 5th of September
16-34., P^ft ^^ Extraordinary Arret ^ by which the
Duke of Orleans s Marriage was not only declared
Null, but the Dukes Charles ^nd Francis oi Lorraine j
and the Princefs of Phalt^hurgh^ their Sifter, are
condemn'd as if they were the King's Subjefts^ an
Example which was imitated by the Son oi Lewis
the Xlilth, when he caused the fame Affront to be
offer'd in the fame Court to the Prince of Orange:^
our late Soveraign of Glorous Memory, by the
Naii5e of Mejfire William of Najfau^ Burgher of the
Hague, tho' as much a Soveraign as the Prince who
Affronted him. This violent and unjuft Proceeding
compleated the Ruin of the Parliaments Reputation.
All the World faw they had devoted themfelves
to the Will of the Minifter, and declar'd Duke
Charles Guilty of Felony and Rebellion, to give a
Colour>to the King's annexing the Dutchies of Lor-
raine and Bar to the Crown, and condemn'd the
Marriage of the Duke of Orleans as a Rape upon
his Perlbn, tho' he had fo folemnlyconfirm'd it fince
his Arrival at Bruffels^ and was fo inflexible on the
Article of its DifTolution.
I have already made mention of the Nunciature
of Aia-Lnrine in Frarice, The Artful, Italian^ who
was refolv'd to make his Court to the Cardinal
de Richlieuy2ind gain the King's good Graces before
he wou'd accept of that Employment, went to the
French AmbafTador, andprotefted 'twas forc'd upon
him, and that he fliou'd not obey his Holinefs, but
with the utmoft Repugnances, defiring the Ambaf-
fador to alTure Richiieu, he had not a Servant more
at his Devotion than iiiiziifelf j and when he came
to
^/FRANCE iji
to Francey tho' the Bufinefs of Lorraine was the main
Affair he was fent about *^ yet knowing the Fr^^w/;
Court were obftinately bent againft tliefe Princes,
he fpoke little in the behalf of them, and facrifis'd
their Interefts, and even the Interefts of the Pope,
whofe Minifter he was, to the Pleafure of Lewis and
his Minifter. The Spaniards were not fo blind but
they cou'd perceive it, and demanded of the Pope to
recall him, which he cou'd not refufe them. In
the fequel of this Hiftory will be feen, what a rare
Minifter fuch a falfe Intriguing Prieft makes, a
worthy SuccefTor of Richlieu his Prote£lor, and an
admirable Preceptor for a Monarch who was to
Tryumph over the Liberties of bis own Subjeiis and
of all Europe.
Richlieu v/ho carry*d every thing before him in
France., and was become terrible to all the Princes
and States round about him, was liimfelf kept irt
perpetual Terror of AlTaffins. He fear d no Body
fo much as Chanteloube^ and thinking he ihou'd be fafe
if Mary de Medici s was further off, he got Gondii
the great Duke's Envoy, to go to Brufftls under
pretence of taking it in his way to Holland^ and
deliver a Letter from the great Duke inviting her
to Florence, The Queen Mother wou'd not ftir
without the Participation of the King of Spain, fh^
knew if ftie accepted of the great Duke's Offers,
and was once on the other fide of the Mountains,
ftie fhou'd never be recall'd to France again, and
therefore fhe only return'd the great Duke's Com-
plements with equal Affeftions and Civility, (aying^
When there wai no wanner of hope of her being re-
concil'd to the King her Son^ fije wou'd then retire to
Italy. Gondi finding fhe cou'd not be prevailed upon
to accept of his Mafter*s Invitation, return'd to
F^m, and reprefented the Matter to Richlisu as
favourable as poflible •, but the Minifter wou'd not
abate any thing of his Inveteracy towards her, nor
hear of any Treaty with her, till thofe that had
abus'd him in Libels were deliver 'd up; that was
what ftuck to him moft, and will eternally f^ick
to all ill Minifters, To kt their Alliens in i
Bba tr?29J
372 The Secret Hijlory
true Light will ever be call'd Sedition, Where are
the Proofs of this Truth, cry their Sycophants,
bring them out, and who will be convinc'd by it,
that hope to make their Fortune by Favour ? Where
are the Impartial Judges timt will decide a Caufe
agaiiiil a Favourite, where the Merit that is a
match for Power ? Lewis gave Gondi feveral Au-
diences, but never fo much as ask'd how his Mo-
ther did, which was the more ftrange in him, be-
caufe he pretended to great Scruples of Confcience
in other Cafes, and one wou'd think his Duty to
his Mother is plain enough taught him in the
Fifth Commandement j for let Princes imagine what
they will, the Table is as binding to them as to
their Subje^ls, and their Portion muft be with
them in the other World according as they have
kept God's Laws in this. One of thefe Scruples
'came upon iiim, w^ith refpe£l to his affifting the
German Proteftants. 'Tis thought that his ConfelTor,
the Jefuit A<[alllant^ had alfo allarmM him on Ac-
count of his Ufurping the Dutchy ofI;(7rr^/«^,and
Banilliing his Mother and Brother. It ^vas fup-
pos'd tiie Superior of the Order, or perhaps the
Fope, had fecretly given Order to Maillam^ to fet
Lewiis Soul in jnotion on thefe Articles. The King
was fo far mov'd by his ConfelTor's Remonflrances,
that he reproach'd Rkhlieu with having put him
upon feveral unjuft Enterprizes. The Cardinal not
doubting but Aiaillam was the Occafion of thefe
Reproaches, endeavour'd to perfwade the King,
not to let the Jefuits any longer have the Direftion
of liis Confcience^ but to make a Bifhop of the
Kingdom his ConfefTor, v^rhom he knew wou'd de-
pend on himfelf. To quiet his Majefty's Confcience,
Eight Do£lors of the Sorborme were to beconfulted
with on the Difficulties he had ftarted ^ Four of
the Dodors declar'd his Scruples were w^ell ground-
ed, and Four, brib'd by Richlieu, alTur'd his Ma-
jefl-y there was nothing in them, that he might
lawfully affift the Hereticks, and let his Mother Ian-
guifh in Exile. Notwithflanding this, Lewis flill
earry'd hinafelf very i^efervedly to the Cardinal,
who
ofF R A N C E. 375
who, as he was wont to do on thefe little Mifun"
derftandings, retir'd from Court, afFefted to be
weary of the Fatigues of the Miniftry, and defir'd
to live at Eafe. Lewis being left a while to himfelf,
foon felt the weight of Affairs too heavy for him,
and being involved in Intricate Matters widi the
Houfc o^ Aufiria^ tending daily more and more to
a Rupture, he long'd pailionately to have his Mi-
nifter come and eafe him of his Burthen. The Car-
dinal remained fome Days in his Retirement at Chilli^
and fevera) People no longer made a doubt of his
Difprace ; thofe that wiHi'd it, did their utmofl to
conceal it, having paid too dear for lliewing their
joy at it, when he was formerly fo near being re-
moved. The Secretaries of State, who a£led in
concert with Richlleu, carry'd to Lewis all the Dif-
patches that requir'd the moft Expeditious Anfwers.
The King not knowing what Anfwers to make to
Things he did not underftand, pretended to go a
Hunting, and Rode as faft as he cou'd to Chilli^
v;here after much Intreatment, he prevailed upon
the Cardinal to return to tiiat Miniftry which he
had refolv'd never to quit, if it was in the Power
of Cunning and Treachery to maintain it.
I avoid as much as poffible to enter further into
the Hiftory of Frn7ice^ than to expofe the A«5ls
which her Minifters have made ufe of to eflablifh
Arbitrary Government*, their Negotiations with
the Swedes and other Foreign States, and their
Intrigues to weaken the Houfe of yluflrla are
to be met with in all their Hiftories, and I endea-
vour to touch thofe Points only which other Hifto-
rians durft not meddle VN^ith. After tlie Rout of
the Swedes at Norilinge-amGerma?iy^ Duke Charles
of Lorraine knt tiie Standards, taken by his Troops,
to A'fary de Med ids and the Duke of Orleans^ the
Baron ^e CUnchamp who carry'd them pad privately
through Paris^ which when the King and his Mini-
fter afterwards heard of, they were highly offended
fltfucha piece of Prefumption. The Duke of Lor-
raint hop'd by this Complement, and the-Negotia-
* B b J ' tioris,
^74 ^^^ Secret Bijlory
lions of that Baron to prevail upon Gajion not to
fubmit to the hard Conditions the Cardinal wou'd
impofe on him. But the Treaty of Accommodation
was renew'd and Pi^laurens cau*sd it to be carry'd
with fo much Precipitation, that 'twas concluded
in a few Days, and fign'd the ift of OBoher 1554.
The chief Articles were thofe of Amnefty,and the
DifTolution of the Marriage. The latter was re-
fer'd to the Pope, the former excepted only La
P'ieuviile^ Le Coigneux, Monfigot^ Vteuxpont^ and the
Eifhops of Langnedoc^ who had joyn'd Gafton. Will
the Example of the Duke of Orleans encourage any
one to embrace the Party of weaker Princes, who
lo cafily abandon them for their Convenience to
the flronger ? Why iliou'd one of thofe Gentlemen,
whofe only Crime was their leaving their Country
and their All to follow him, have been left out of
the Pardon. Bat fuch was ever Gafton's Ingrati-
tude, and Inconftancy. Care was taken of Puylaw
Yens in the Treaty, he was to be marry'd to one
of Richlieus Coufins, the Baron de fmtcbateaus
Daughter •, but the Cardinal all the while amus'd
bim with the Promifes of Friendfiiip. He cou'd
not think of leaving Gafton in the Hands of fo af-
piring a Favourite, and waited only for an Oppor-
tunity to fhut Vuylaurens up in a Place where he
cou'd do noMifchief, faying often, while this Treaty
was Negotiating, We Jhall in Time have Age^ a
Pun on Puylaurens% Name, which was Antoine de
VAge,
A matter of this Concernment cou'd not eafily
be carry'd on, aiid the Marquis d' Ayetone have
no knowledge of if, and when the Duke of Orleans
got to Namure^ in order to retire out of the Spanifi
Netherlands^ he found Ayetone there to his great
furprize, apprehending he might be ftopt, but the
Marquis, tbo' he let him know he underflood what
had been doing, (poke him very fair, and promised
to take care that he fhou'd receive more fatisfadion
in the Low- Countries than he hitherto had done,
occafion'd by the ill State of their Affairs. The
Duke return'd to ^r*^/^? and Two or Three Days
after
of V R AN C E. 375
after left the Place under pretence of going a Fox
Hunting. A little while after Puylaurens followed in
his Coach, took Horfe in the Suburbs, joyn*d his Ma-
tter in the Forreft of Soignies, and with about Ten
or a Dozen of his Domefticks, Gafi-ofi got fafe to
Capelie, From thence Delbene was fent to Court
to inform the King of his Brother's arrival, and Sti
Quentin to Madam and the Marquis d' Ayetone^ to
acquaint them with the Reafons that induced Mon-
Jieur to leave the Netherlands, St, Quentin was or-
dered to tell the Dutchefs of Orleans^ that the
Duke wou*d always Love her as he ought, and as
he had promised her, of which hedefir'd her to reft
afTur'd, and that no Confideration in the World
Ihou'd make him change.
Tho' Puylaurens had been very Inftramental in
facilitating the Accommodation of the Two Royal
Brothers, Richileu refolving not to let him remain
near Monfieur^ began betimes to give him Jealoufies
of what he was to expe<a, unlefs he did very thing,
and make his Mafter do every thing the Cardinal
wou*d have him, the latterhaving nothing more at
Heart than the DilTolution of the Marriage, the
Houfe of Lorraine being the moft Powerful of
Michlieus Enemies, and tlie Gentlemen that were
fent to Conplement Monfieur on his' Arrival at Aiar-
les near Laon^ were order'd to found him on that
Article. Puylaurens who knev^ his Mafter's Intereft,
and his Inclination, were for adhering to the Mar-
riage, declared himfelf frankly to the lame Purpofe.
The Gentlemen told him the King was- refolv'd to
have it annul'd, and had only refer'd it to the Church
to fave Appearances. Puylaurens perhikd in his
Opinion, and Bautru^ one of the Gentlemen, (liid
to him, Jf this is your Refolution^ Sir^ I have a great
many Reafons to voijh you vn ere ft ill ^.' BrufTeis. Puy-
laurens knew very well what he meant by it, but
feem'd not to hear him. He found he iiad put him-
felf into the Hands of thofe whocou'd not prefently
forgive, and that lie Ihoud iiruggle with more Dit-
ficulties than he was aware oi to preferve him-
felf, GaFion was difcontented at what Bautru fa id
B b 4. t (^
^j6 The Secret Hijhry
to his Favourite. He arriv*d, out of Humour, at St ,
Germain- en-laie the 21ft oiOciober. St. Swion^ the
King's Favourite, receiv'd him in the Court of the
Cafile^ and conducted him to Levois^ who expefted
him in his Cliamber, where were the Count de
Soifons, the Dukes de Longueville and Monba^on^ the
Marefchals ^e Chaulnes^ de Chatilion, and de Brez^e^
the Keeper of the Seals, and a great number of
Lords to be WitnefTes of the Interview, or rather
the Farce that was to be play'd. Gajion when he
enter'd, made a very low Bow to his Elder Brother,
which he follow'd with a ftudy'd Complement,
wherein he beg'd Pardon for all his Faults, dclir'd
the King to take him into his Favour, and promis'd
for the future to be faithful and fubmiffive to his
Ma jelly's Pleafure in all Things. The King reply'd.
Do not [peal of what is pafi^ all is forgot ten j let us
embrace like good Brothers. They Kifs'd three Times
with all outward appearance of Tendernefs, and Ga-
fiou prefented Fwj/tere«j and other Gentlemen, who
came from B-ruJje Is with him, to his Majelly, who
receiv'd them all very favourably. Rtchlieu arriv'd
at the fame time from Ruell with his Court, almoft
TiS numerous as the King's^ when he came up to
them, Lewis prefented Richlieu to his Brother,
whom he defir'd to love the Cardinal. Sir^ fays
the Cunning Priefi, / was extreamly grievd all the
while yon were abfent^ for that it hinder d me of fa-
tisfying the ftrong Pajfwn I have always had to ferve
you. J {hall now fetch up that loji Time^ and take
hold of all Occafions which your Reconciliation to the
King will give me^ to fijew my profound Refpefl and.
my fin cere Devotion to your Perfon. G afi on emhrs-c'd
Richlieu^ pro:eil:ing he was entirely undeceiv-'d, and
that aU the ill Imprefiions which had been given
him of the Cardinal were Falfe, promihng to
follow the Counfels of [o able and To well afFe£led
a Miniiler.
The next Day the Farce was renew'd with more
merry Incidents, for all this v;hile did the Duke
of Orleans hate the Cardinal as heartily as ever -^
all that v;hiie did Richlieu fear the Duke, and to the
utmofc
^/FRANCE. 577
iitmoft of his Power render him daily ill Offices.
Gajion went to Ruell to Dine with the Cardinal,
who receiv'd hiin with all poffible Honour. They
had a Private Conference together, in which the
Artful Minifter got out of the Duke a great part
of his moft Important Secrets. The Cardinal pre-
fented him with the Napkin himfelf, there was but
one Elbow Chair kt^ which was for his Royal
Highnefs. The Feaft was Magnificent, and after
it Gafton won Six Thoufand Piftoles at play \ and
'twas plain to all the Company, that Richlieu over
a£led his part of Complaifance and Civility, which
it is ^rohdihXt G ajhn faw himfelf; for the next Day
he took his leave of the King, went to his Houfe
at Limours^ from thence to Orleans^ and thence
to Blois^ where he grew daily more and more out
of Humour with his Brother and the Minifter. .
The Cardinal in the mean time, order'd feveral
Doftors of the Sobronne^ to attend Pnyiaurens^ and
anfwer what Objeiflion he had to make to the
lawfulnefs of DifTolving Monfieurs Marriage, but
Gallons Favourite told them, Ge:itle}nen^ I a?n con-
vinc^d of your Capacity^ and your Reafons feem good;:^
but Monfieur is not yet fufficiently fatisfyd^youwoud
not adv:fe we to prefs him to do> any thing again/i
his Conjcience. This not fucceeding, BouthilUern
Superintendant of the Finances, and Father Jofeph,
the Cardinal's intimate Friends and Confidents, were
fent to argue the Cafe with him, which was no
more effcdlual than the Arguments of the Sor bonne
Doftors. Puylaurens refolv'd not to undertake a
thing which his Mafter w^as averfe to, or did not
think fit to comply with, till fomething more ad-
vantageous was oifer'd him. The Cardinal per-
ceiving no good was to be done by Artihces with
Gafions Favourite, fet himfelf to get him out of
the way, ar he had done the Marefchal de Aiarillac^
the Duke de Montmerency and others.
Monfieur himfelf was teaz'd by the Ecclefiafticks
and others, whom Lewis and Richlieu fent to get
him to confent to a Declaration of the Nullity of his
Marriage, but neither their Sophiftry nor Perfwa-
fions
378 The Secret Hipory
fions couM extort from him the lead Word which
tended to what they importun'd him to comply with.
His Anfwer will fhew us how well Lewis the Xlllth
deferv'd the Sirname of Jufi^ by afTuming a Power
over the Confcience of his Brother, in the mod
tender Point that cou*d be, that of his Marriage,
For God's fake, cannot a Prince of the Blood bind
himfelf by the Laws of God without his Brother's
Confent to itr Has not Gafion as good as Twice
marry'd the Princefs of Lorraine^ firft at Navci^
and then at Bruffels? Is not a Marriage perform'd
with all the Solemnities required by the Laws of God
and Man^ confum mated by the Parties, and con-
firmed by a Cohabitation of many Months valid in
the fight of God ? What then fignifies the pretence
of Lewis and his Minifter, God gave leave, and then
the Kings w^as not wanted to Confecrate it. Let
us fee what Gajlon faid himfelf to the Devines and
others, with equal Senfe and Courage : The pre^
tended Nullity of my Marriage is founded in the
Arret of the Parliament of Paris, on the Princes of
Lorraine having feducd me and forc'd me to marry
the Princefs Margaret their Sijier. If that's falje
my Marriage is valid and lawful^ now I declare that
thofe Princes defignd mthing hut to put their Sifter
into a Nunnery. As I had an Efieem for her Merit
and Virtue^ I demanded her of them ^ with fuchpref*
fng Inftances^ that they coiid not refufe me. Since
they will have it that there was Seduttion and Vio-
lence in the Cafs they are on my fide *, if the King or-
ders me abfoliitely to Live apart from my lawful Wife
J will obey his Adajefiyy hut will never have another
as long as Madam lives,
I think nothing in the World can be plainer to
prove there was no Violence and Sedu£tion in the
Cafe-, behdes^ is it not very merry to hear grave
Divines, and the Parliament of Pans determine for
the Diflolution of the xMarriage on account of the
Rape committed on the Perfon of the Duke of
Orleans ? Such Allegation? as thefe may do before a
mercenary, cowardly Court uf ludicature, and be
niade ufe of by Ambitiaus felf-iiirerefted Priefts,
but
^/FRANCE. 379
but at the Great Day of Account, when all that were
concerned fhall be ask'd why they divided whom God
had joyn'd, will this Rape, this Violence and Se-
duaion be a fufficient Plea? Will the King's
Confent be there wanting to make his Brother's
Marriage with a Princefs be efteem'd valid, or is
the Pleafure of Kings above the Laws of God too ?
And are they exempted from the Eternal Punifh-
ment that is threatened to thofe that break them ?
I have already carry'd my Reflexions on this mat-
ter as far, and I fhall do it as often as I am pro-
vok d to it by the lawlefs Praftices of Arbitrary
Power.
While the Duke of Orleans was at Blois^ the
Marquis de Celade took that Place in his way from
Flanders to Spain^ he waited on Gafton^ and found
he had left the Court becaufe he had met with
new occafions of Difguft i he immediately gave^tlie
Marquis d' Ayetone notice of it, who conferred
upon it with the Duke de Lerma and the Prelident
Koje at the Princefs of Chimais^ where the Countels
du Fargis lodg'd, they fent for La^ere^ whom Mon-
fieur had left with the Dutchefs of Orleans^ and in
whom he and Puylaurens very much confided. The
Marquis de Ayetone bad him write to the Duke,
That they under II 00 d the new Caufes of Complaint
which had been given him in France, and tho he
had left them in a manner a IjttU Extraordinary^
they had fiill the fame RefpeEi for his Perfon^ and
the fame Vaffion to ferve htm. They offer'd him
a Retreat in the Territories of the Catholick King,
where he fhou'd have the fame Liberty and the
fame Security he had had before, and they wou'd en-
deavour to entertain him with more Dignity. Not-
withftanding that all poflible care was taken to fend
an Exprefs to Monfieur with their Advice as fecretly
as cou'd be, yet Richlieu than, whom no Body ever
manag'd his Intelligence better, nor paid more for it,
intercepted the Packet, and this haften'd the Im-
prifonment of Puylaurens^ who had not been created
Duke and Peer as was promis'd him, nor been
parry'd to the Cardinal's Coufin, both which Ga-
jt-on
^8o 7he Secret Hijiory
fion fent to demand of Richlieu purfuant to the
I'reaty. Fuylauren^ embarrafs'd by the Cardinal's
afFe£led Delays, and" frighten'd by his Reproache?
which he took to be To many Threats, thought of
retiring to England, And Richlieu^ well informed
of what paft at Blois^ bagan to be afraid of Mon-
fjeur's refenting this negleft of his Favourite con-
trary to the Treaty made before he left Brujfels,
So he difpatch'd the Abbot Delhene to BloiSy to
tell his Royal Highnefs and Puylaurensy that the
latter might come to Faris and conclude his Mar-
riage with the Second Daughter of the Baron de
Tont Chateau^ the Duke de la VaUtte had marry 'd
the Elder, and the Count de Guiche, Son to the
Count de Grammont^ Madamoifellc du Plejfis
O^w^/, as near a kin to the Cardinal as the other
Two Ladies.
That Men of finall or defperate Fortunes, tho*
of great Titles, are fond of Alliances with Favourites
and Minifters is not ftrange, but that thofe Men or
Women of Quality who have large Eftates, and
can fupport themfelves by them independant of Fa-
vour, Ihou'd involve themfelves in the Fortune of
fuch as have arbitrarily held the Reins of Govern-
ment, feems to me to be very Impolitick. Honours
that are New are like new Wines to which Age
only gives Spirit and Value. That fuch Minifters
and Favourites ufe all their Arts and all their Power
to unite their Interefts with the moil: Noble and
PuifTant FamOies is what may be expelled. But
the Difgrace that almoft always befals them and
thofc that are ally'd to them are methinks a Lef-
fon to the Great not to ally themfelves to them, or
have to do with them farther than Prudence and
Decency require.
Gafion returning with TuyUturens to fari^^ the
Cardinal cntertain'd them with Extraordinary Mag-
nificence, and carry'd them to St, Ger?nainen-laie to
finilh the Bufmefs in the King's Prefence. A Young
Gentlewoman who wou'd have been glad enough to
have marry'd a Financer^ had not her Coufin been
Prime Minifter, cannot now be difpos'd of to a
Daks
of ¥ R A N C E. 381
Duke and Peer, but the King hinifelf mull afiift
at the Wedding to give a Sanaion to it. The Cere-
mony was perForm'd the 28th of November 1^34.
and the Lord (hip of Aigmllon was erefted into x
Dutchyand Peerage in favour of Pz^j/Z^^rf^j, to whom
'twas given. He was now as happy as Heart cou*d
wifh, having (?ooooo Crowns in Land and Money ;
the Favour of the Prefumptive Heir of the Crown,
and the Promife of the Cardinal to be a Marcfchal
of France, to have the Command of an Army and
Im men fe Riches, but then he muft depend entirely
upon him, which the Duke de Puylaurem wasfo far
from being refolv*d on, thathedefpis'd his Promifcs,
and made *em the fubje£l of his Raillery. He was
fo indifcreet, that when the Cardinal defir'd him to
break off Friendfhip with one of his Confidents,
C9udrai'Montpenfier^m^Q2^^^ of obliging him, he took
him Home, and gave him an Apartment adjoyning
to his own.
The Proud Duke d* Epernon was forc'd to confent
to the Marriage of his Son the Duke de la Falette to
i?/c-/7//e«'s Coufinjtoget himfelfout of the Troubles
in w^hich he was involved by his Quarrel with Sour-
dis Arch-Bid^op of Bourdeaux. The matter was re-
fer'd to the BiQiops in and about Paris to determine ;
the Duke dela Falette defir'd lo be heard by them,
and made a Submillive Speech, protefting his Father
wou'd do whatever they fhou'd require of him.
Some of the Prelates were for accommodating of
it, but the Majority, influenc'd by Rkhlien, and
SourdiSy went in a Body to the King and demanded
Juftice for the Violence committed by Epernon a-
gainft one of their Order. The Arch-BiHiop of Arles
(poke tor them to his Majefty, whom he did his
utmoft to irritate againfl the haughty Duke. Cof-
pean, Bifhop of Nantes^ was fo offended at the
Arch-Bifhop*s aggravating the Duke's pretended
Crime, that he cou'd not forbare telling his Bre-
thren, 'T/i very jirange *, if the Devil cou'dfubmic
himfelf to God as humbly as Monfieur d' Epernon
fubmits to the Pafiors of the Churchy he woti*d obtain
Mercy, And we reffe to //jsw it to an Old Lord
wh9
382 The Secret Hiftory
who has always been very fervicable to the Catholic^
Religion, Such was the Moderation of thofe French
Priefts, fuch perhaps wou'd be the Moderation of
others, if they had fuch a Prince and fuch a Mini-
ftry to fupport them. In fine, the Cardinal after
the Arch-Bifhop had done fpeaking, pronounc'd the
Sentence, That the Duke d' Epcrnon was deprivd
of all his Offices and Dignities till ^e was juri-
die ally andfolemnly abfolv d by the Church, Eperribn
Lad Recourfe to the Pope, who granted him only
3. Provifional Abfolution, not to be in Force till he
had the Arch-Bifhop di Bourdeaux's. whom Richlieu
lupported at Rome with all his Credit. At laft the
Duke and Cardinal de la Valette foften'd him fo far as
to confent that the Matter fhou'd be made up on
Condition <5/*£per«o?2 parted with his Government of
Metz^ to the Cardinal de la Falette^ and that the
Cardinal's Brother marry'd his Coufin. However,
Sourdis as True a Pried as any of his Religion,
wou*d not comply with the leafl Alteration in the
manner of the Duke d' Epernons receiving his Abfo-
lution, he wou'd give it no where but at the Door
of one of the Parifh Churches of Bourdeaux^ and in
prefence of Six Counfellors of that Parliament. His
Imperious Behaviour was fuch, that Lewis, himfelf
was offended at it, and even with his Minifter for
malting fuch a Bufinefs of a Trifle, and mortifying
fo old an Officer to the Crown as was the Dake^*
Epernon,
When Sourdis QimQ to Court, after hisTryumph,
he immediately receiv'd an Order to depart, which
Richlieu himl'elf cou*d not get repeal'd, and his Ene- '
mies began to conceive hopes that his Tyranny was
drawing to an end •, but he who made no Scruple to
abandon his Benefaftrefs the Queen Mother, when it
was fgr his Interefl, wou'd not hazard it for a
Creature. He gave up Sourdis to his Mafter's Re-
fentment, was prefently reinflated in full Favour \
infomuch, that to his Two Troops of Guards, his
Troop of Light Horfe, and his Gens d'Armes, were
added Three Hundred Musketeers for the greater
Safety of his Perfon,
What
^/FRANCE. g8}
What made IRkhUeu fo inflexible in the Affair
• of the Duke q[ Orleans's Marriage was the hopes
he had ot his prevailing y^ith Monfieur to marry
Combalet, if his Marriage with the Princefs o( Lor-
rame was annul'd •, that ^/c/j/Z^w'sunmeafurable Am-
bition went fo far, one may fee by the Atteftation
ot thole that knew the Court very well, and par-
ticularly Monjieur Fontrailles who tells us, He ima-
gir^d, that by marrying Combalet ?(7 Monfieur, hii
Power wou d be equals and perhaps fuperlor, to thofe
of the Ancient Mayors of the Palace, What mi^ht
he not have hope from the Duke of Orleans'sln^
conftancy, if he cou'd have got Puylaurens to have
feconded him ? What might he not expeft from the
King's Weaknefs, which was fo great that th§fame
Fontrailles aflures us, His natural Timidity was aug-
wented by the Perfwafion^ that he wanted the Jallents
necejfaryfor Government, and cou*d d$ nothing without
the Cardinal's ajfifiance. When Princes have fuch
a mean Opinion of themfelves, and fo good a one
of their Minifters, how many and how hard Ma-
ilers will their Poor Subjeas have? Richlieu be-
lieving th^t Puylaurens was the main Obftacle to
the Duke of Orleans's confenting to the Diflblutioa
of his Marriage, refolv'd to facrifife him to his
Revenge on the firft Opportunity. Richlieu had dif.
cover d that there had been a Letter fent to the Pope
before 6-^^^^ left 5r«/^//, defiring that his Holinefs
woud not mind what was told him of the Duke of
Orleans's confenting to the Nullity of his Mar-
riage after his return, for that it wou*d be extorted
from him by Violence. The Cardinal upbraided
Puylaurem with not having told him of that Letter
the latter replyUr.« never ask'd me. Sir. whether
his Koyal Highnejs had wriiten to Rome, The Car-
dinal fwore, He might have fav' d him the Trouble of
asking the ^ueflion ^ and left him with a Look thac
Spoke nothing but Fury and Vengeance. Accord-
ingly he continually reprefented him to the Kin^
as a dangerous Perfon in thelntereft of th^ Spaniards
with whom he correfponded. Richlieu had no Proof
oriuch Correfpondence; an^ 'ds not likely that Puy.
Imrens
384 ^'^^ Secret Htjtory
laur^ns who expe£led to rife ftill higher in France
by his Mafter and his new Couiin's Favour, wou d
carry on any unlawful IntelHgence with the Spimi-
ards^s long as he had thofe Expeftations ^ but what
Trjs a. French Author J Richlieu fpa/d no Manwho
coiid hinder or retard the execution of his Tro]eEhs^
and Lewis naturally inclining to AUs of Severity, con-
fented with Pleafure to the Propofal that was ?nade
him tofecure Puylaurens'i Power. In order to thi?,
his Majefty, as he had done more than once before,
confented alfo to be in a Plot with his Minifterto
apprehend him. He gave out that he wou'd have a
Royal Ball in the Carnaval, and 6'/?/?6??2 and his Fa-
vourite were invited to it ^ they both came to Court,
and were carefs'd more than ufually. The i4.th of
February 1635 w^as the Day on which this Ball
was to be given, the Guard of the U^uvre was
doubrd, one of the Duke o^ Orleans's Footmen ob-
ferv'd it, and gave his Mafter Intimation of it,
but Gafion not taking much notice of it, went
to the King's Chamber and talk'd with him till Rich-
lieu came. The Cardinal din'd that Day with Seguier^
Keeper of the Seals, where alfo dm d du Fargis and
Coudrai' Mo77tpenfier-y Two of Puy/.wrens's muft in-
timate Friends, whom they kept there for fear they
fhou'd difcover any thing. Richlieu after Dinner
took du Forgis to the Louvre^ and Coitdrai-AIont-
pc'fifier ftay'd with the Keeper, who was to have
him arrefted if he ofFer'd to be gone. The Duke
de Puylaurens did not come fo foon as he was ex-
pelled, which made Lewis and Richlien afi'aid their
Plot was dete£led ^ they kept it (o Secret, that the
Favourite St. Simon^ lately alfo created a Duke and
Peer, knew nothing of the matter. At laft Puy-
laurens came; after a little -Talk with him, the
King carry'd the Duke of Orleans into his Clofet,
whither Richlieu and fome others follow'd them.
This was the Signal to the Marquis du Gardes to
arreft Puylaurens^ and to the Count de Charrcji to
arreft du Fargis, Puylaurens was examin'd that
very Ev^^ning by the Magiftrates, but no Crime.
W'tich juftify'd this ufage of him cou'd be prov'd
upon
^/FRANCE. ?S5
upon him ; however, he was thrown into Prifon,
and had a cruel Keeper put over him *, he lay there-
in great Mifery Four Months, and then dy'd of Poi-
fon, as feveral Authors report, and as others of the
Spotted Fever ^ but all agree that the bad Air of the
Goal was enough to have kilFd him in that
time. Happy's the Nation that has fo Glorious a
iVlinifler at their Head, a.s wdisRlchlieu^ where the
Liberty of the greatcft Lord depends on him, and
Guards are call d to hurry People to Dungeons or
Death, unhear'd or unconvicted, with as much eafe
as are the Theatrical Murders of the Tyrants of the
State. The King gave his Brother good Words, fo
did Richlieu^ they alfo fpoke to Gajlons other Ser-
vants very fair, and engaged the Captain of his
Guards, Goulas and others of them, to follow the
Example of the Abbot Ddhene^ who, while he
pretended to ferve the Duke of Orleans with more
than ordinary Zeal, was flili in the Confidence and
Intereft of the Cardinal.
The Duke of Orleans being, as has been faid, in
the King's Clofet when his Favourite was arrefled,
to prevent the ill EfFe^s of his Brother's and
the Cardinal's Averfion to Puyhurens^ he protcited
he would abandon him to his Majefty*s Juftice,
provided he was found Guilty of any Crime fince
his Return to France. Rkhlieu on the other hand
endeavoured to foften Gajlons Refentment, and re-
move the Jealoufies he might conceive upon this
Enterprize, by afTuring him the King was ready to
give him new Proofs of his good Will, and that he
fhou'd hereafter be call'd to all the King's Counfells ,
We will talk of that another Timey reply'd the Duke,
/ only asli you norv^ whether the King will permit we
po lye at the Hotel c/Guife *, Richlieu anfwer'd.
Tour R^al Hlghmfs may do what you pleafi^ for hi?
Majcfty had left them together. The Duke having
taken leave of his Brother, went immediately to
thQ Hotel o( Guife J whither Richlieu was about te
follow him, to ufe further Atguments to bring hinl
into Temper, for he appear d very Sullen en the
apprehending of his Favourite j but the Cardinal^
G c a^
386 The Secret Hifiory
as Powerful as he was, ivas afraid of his ufmg Re-
prizals when it was hi his Power^ wherefore he fent
the Cardinal de la Falette and Bonthillter to make
new Proteftations of Service, and affure him he was
very much troubled that Ft^ylaurem's ill Conduct
had put the King under a Neceflity of fecuring his
Perfon. The Duke of Orleans heard them patiently,
and then having declared that he did not beUeve his
Favourite had held any Intelligence with the Court
o{ Brufjels fince he left it, unlefs it was aboutMat-
ters of Gallantry, he proceeded thus : If Puylaurens
has cans' d this Misfortune to himfelf^ becaufe he has
not advis'd me to take any Step to the Prejudice of
fny Marriage^) I muji declare plainly^ that neither he
nor any Man in the World Jfjall ever obtain my confent
to a Thing which I believe to he contrary to my Ho
ncur and my Confcience. I will live feparated from
my Wife^ fince the King will have it fo^ what greater
Proof of my Submi[fion can be requir d of ?ne. If his
Majefty willProfecute the Dijfolution of my Marriage
I tfm'iibear tt^ but Jljall never demand it ', God forbid
I ftjoiid ever be fo bafe as to co77iplain of having fuffe/d
the leafl Fiolence in a thing Ide fir d.^ and prefs'd the
Coyjclufwn of it. There never was greater Evidence
of the Validity of a Marriage, and of the Violence
they wou'd have put upon Gajion's Confcience,
than this repeated Solemn Declaration of his having
voluntarily com menc'd and com pleated if, yethis
Treacherous Servants, brib'd by Richlieu^ conti-
nually importun'd him to fubmit to the King's
Pleafure, reprefenting to him, that his Grandeur
and the Safety even of his Perfon depended fo entire-
ly on the Cardinal, his Ruin wou'd be inevitable un-
lefs he enter*d into ftric^er Engagements with him,
whether they intended his marrying Combalet or only
to favour Richlieu in his A-liniftry, is not determined
to us. Be it as it will, GafionwoM not be governed
by them, hut took Montr ef or into his Confidence in-
(lead of Puylaurens^ and to that Gentleman he
freely open'd himfelf, having very juftSufpicions of
the Fidelity of moft of bis other Domefticks, which
tncreas'd his Chagrin, and to divert it, he fpent his
Time
of ¥ K A N C E. J87
Time at Btois^ Orleans^ and other Places of his
^pennage in Country Sports and Diverfions.
The Pleafure of the arrefting PuyUurem was very
much abated, by News that the ImperiaLifis had
fnrpriz'd Philipsburgh^ where Arnaud^ a Creature
of Father j£>/e;7/?'s, Commanded. The King thought
no more of his Ball, but went and fhut himfelf up at
rerjaillesj thefCardinal pretended to be Sick, and
retir'd to Ruel *, his Enemies were inwardly pleas'd
that this Difgrace had happened by means of one of
his Confidents, Father Jofeph having recommended
Amaud to be Governor of that Important Place,
which the French hadpofTefs'd themfelves of to fa-
cilitate their junftion with the Swedes in Germany.
But Richlteuj with all pofTible Difpatcb, fent away
Orders to fortify Heidelberg and Manheim, and
reintorc'd the Garrifons on the (Serman Side, kvu
Apology was alfo pubiilh'd for Arnaudy throwing
the Fault on the Treachery of the Germans wh.o
were in the Place. Z^n?/^ recover'd himfelf after a
few Days MelanchoLly, and returned to Paris^ where
his Minifler was arriv d before him, and had re-
newed the Preparations for the Ball.
I fhall not enter into the Particulars of the Cardi-
nal's Intrigues with the Swedes^ the Princes of Italy^
and the States General of the Vnited Provinces^
only obferve, that fo long ago did France look with
a greedy Eye on the Netherlands^ which by her
Treaty with the States, made in 1 <f 3 y, were to be
thus divided. Lewis referv'dfor himfelf all the Ma-
ritime Places as far as Blankenhergh, indufively, with
Two Leagues within Land , dnd the Cities of Ojiend^
Namur^ and Thionville, The States General were
more moderate, and only defir'd Dam^ Hidfi^ the
Country of Waes^ the Town of G elder and Steven/'-
waert. The reft of the Country they pretended to fet
free and to ereftit into a new Republick •, for the
French^ as good Catholicks as they were, as much as
they Preacii up Pajfive-Ohedience and Non-Refijiancej
have praiftic'd it as little themfelves, and have as
much tempted other Nations net to praftife it as any
Nation in £iir6';)£f.They now joyn with thofe Repub-
C c 2 licins
5^8 The Secret Hiftory
Ucans the Vutch^ to invite the Suhjen;s of the King
cf Spain, in the Low Countries, to declare for the
Common Caufe^ to drive cut the Spaniards and fet
themfelves at Liberty. They promised to back ttiis
Invitation with an Army of 50000 Foot, and loooo
Horfe*, not long after the War with Spain was de-
clar'd, but the Uouk of ^^flria was not then. fo low
that France made her Market o^t (o much as
ilie has done fmce, by Peace as well as lVar»
There are fome Remarkable PalTages on this fub-
jeft, in the Memoirs of Montr e for before mentioned.
" The War, fays he^ was declar'd by the Sole Au-
*' thority of the Cardinal, without afTembling the
'* States or confuitiug the Principal Lords of the
^' Kingdom who ought to be (iammon d to delibe-
'' rate upon an Affair of that Nature, according as
" was always praftis'd ; but Richlieu*s Pride was
" above all Laws, and he may very well beterm'd
'' the Flail of God to Panifh the Sins of Men. *
Tis a French Man that tells us the French were al-
ways wont to have the States or the Principal Lords
confulted about Peace and War ; the Prerogative
of their Monarchs in thefe Points is doubtkfs as
extenfive as any, but Affairs of that Nature were
never reckoned regularly managed, it feems, unlefs
the States had it in Deliberation.
The Rupture with the Houfe of Aujiria and the
Bufinefs of the W^ar, did not hinder Richlieu from
Profecuting his Revenge in the AfF?ir of the Duke of
Orleans Marriagean which he had alfo other Views,
as has been hinted, and the Marriage of his Neice
was the greatefl of all of them.
By what we have already obferv'd of the repeating
the Solemnity in all its Forms at Bruffels^ and Ga-
fions frequent Declarations of his ailing voluntarily,
and by Choice, they cou'd not wirh any Face pre-
tend it was Clandefiine or by Sedu^ion. There was
no Pretence, but the confent of his Brother which
was ^vanting. The Matter was therefore refer'd to
an AfTembly of the Clergy, held this Year at Paris,
to give their Free Gift to the King. The AfTembly
appointed a Committee to examine whether the Pre-
fumptivs
o/F R A N C E. 389
Jumpti've Heir to the Crown^ coud lawfully Marry
without leave of the Prince in Toffeffion ', Let us fee
who compos'd this Committee to decide (o Notable
a Controverfy. We find them to he Peter Femuillesy
Bifhop of Montpellter^ Jaques Ctmus^ Bifliop of
Seez^^ Leonard Etampes^ Bifhop ot Chartres^ Achilles
de Harlaiy Bifhop of St. Aialo^ and Denis Cohon^
Bifhop of iVz/? »fi. Five PrelateSy f^ys CrotiuSj de-
voted, to the Cardinal^ which made every body believe
their Opinion wou'd be exaBly what he wou*d have it,
'Tis fuch Priefts as thefe that bring Religion it felf
into Queftion. The wicked Examples of Ambitious
Prelates have made more Sceptic ks than all the Diffi-
culties raised by Men of little Faith and lefs Mora-
lity. The Divines who were confuUed by the Bifhop?,
were alfo all Creatures of the Cardinal, and they had
the Impudence to call the Jlmighty God^the Searcher
of Hearts^ to witnefs to their Sincerity* So far did
Richlieus corruptions prevail, th^xGoudren^ the Duke
oi Orleans ConfefTor, fign'd the Anfwer of the Fathers
of the Oratory for xht Nullity, This good Father
having had fome Converfation with the Abbot deSt.
Cyran about it, and having cited the Council o^Trent
as an Authority,St. Cyran rt]cCtQd it with Contempt ;
That j^Jfemblyy faid he, being only ccmposd of Scho-
lafiick Divines^ little converfant in Ecclefiafiick An^
tiqitity *, for which, not long after, Richlieu found
an Occafion to throw the Abbot into the Bafiille.
The Clergy, as was expefted, declar'd the Marriage
Null, and the Bifhop of MontpelUer was fent to
Rome to reprefent the Juilice of that Declaration
to the Pope. Tlie Qaeen Mother and the Dutcheis
oi Orleans^ had their Agents there alfo, and .'Ur^^;/,
at the Soliicitations of the Spaniards.^ wou'd not con-
firm that Declaration. What Adary de Medicis faid
on this Subjedf:, in her Letter to tiie Pope, fliews
the Happinels of a People that have fuch Governors
and Guides as thefe French Bilhops •, I know thofe
Prelates, fays fhe. They are to D.iy of one Opinion.^ and
to Morrow they will be of the contrary., if there p)ou^d
happen to be a Minijier lefs Vnjuji a-id lefs klolent
"^han. Cardinal Kichlieu j their Private Lncrefis arc
59^ The Secret Bijlory
^he only Rule of their Sentiments. Such are tht Bifhops
that will be advanced by fuch Minifters, and no
wonder the Duke of Orleans's Marriage was de-
clared Void, by an AlTembly who was guided by an
Ambitious Tyrannical Priefl, who, without that
Declaration, cou'd not compafs his Ends of making
his Niece Queen of France ^ and himfelf Regent, with
Abfolut« Soveraign Power, for that it was no Chi*
wera^ more than one Author- of Senfeand Judgment
aflure us. One of the Duke of Q rictus's greatefi jip-
prehenfwns^ with RefpeU: to the Marriage proposed to
him with RichlieuV A7f cf , fays Fontrailles, was^that
the Cardinal was ted blindly by his Ambition^ and
Tnight rid himfelf of his Royal Highnefs as foon as he
had Children by her^ that nothing might hinder htm
*tfter the Kings Death from governing the State^ under
the Name <?/ Minors, and the Regent his Niece, There
was hardly any one who queftion'd whether Richlieu
iiad too much honedy to be Guilty of fuch a damiia-
ble piece of Villainy, at leall, Aionfieur did not
Joubtit, and that Apprehenfion made him the more
refolute in aflerting the Validity of his Marriage,
but he wanted Refolution, when his Brother fent to
him, to forbid his fending any more Money to his
Wife at Bruffelsj who was forc'd to demand Subfift-
ance of the King oi Spain,
Adary de Medicis order 'd her Agent at Rome^ tht
Abbot fabroni^to defire the Pope, that Maz^arine his
Nuntio in France^ might deliver a Letter fhe had
written to her Son Lewis on the Rupture v^'nh Spain.
She w^as forc'd to take that Method, the King having
of late rsfus'd to receive her Letters by the ufual
ways, and Margarine was fo far engaged in Richlieu %
Interefts, that {he cou'd not expeft he wou'd give
her Son the Letter without a pofitive Order. Ma^
z.arme had difcover'd his Partiality toF/-^;2f^fomuch,
that before the War broke out X^tSpanijh Ambaila-
dor at Fans refus'd to Treat with him. The Pope, in-
deed, was weliinclin'd to the Houfe of y4w/?r/Vz, but
the cunning Italian knew well how to prevent his
Mafters doing any thing to the prejudice of that of
Bourbon* Maz^antiQ wou'd not deliver the Letter
without
of FRANCE. 591
without Richlieu^sconiQnt ^ he n-iew*d him a Copy of
it^ and another the Queen Mother fen t to himfelf.
The Cardinal prefently ccy'd, He might fend the Pac-
quet to his Alajejly^ which he did, either to (hew
he was not allarm*d at any thing the Qaeen Mother
cou'd fay of him, or being afraid to keep the Letter
from the King, as fome Letters had been lately kept,
to prevent knowing the State of his Affairs in the
Netherlands^ ^/c/^Z/tz^ having begun the War before
he had made due Preparations for it.
A Gentleman, difpatch'd by the Prince of Orange^
informed Leip/j of thefe Things, which Richlleu and
his Creature BouthllUer had difguis'd on feveral Oc-
cafions, and the latter coming to him a little while
after, Tou are a Lyar^hys the K\ug^ar?d don't deferve
that I j})oud have any Iruji in yQu.f Know^ I will not
he led by the Nofe^ nor you nor any body ftjall deceive
me any longer ; I will^ for the future^ have all my
Difpatches opend in my Pre fence, Bouthillier was fo
frighten'd that he fell Sick, and Richlleu appeared
more Thoughtful and Melancholly than ever he did
in his Life. The Cardinal, to prevent the King's
Mother's tender and reafonable Letter having
any EfFefton the Mind of her Son, caus'd it to be in-
finuated to Lewis^ that Mary de Medicis hadfent
one Clatiz.ely of whom mention has been made in
the 'foregoing Pages, to tlieDuke of ^i? W,who com -
manded the French Army in the f^alteline, to corrupt
that Lord, and promife him even the Soveraignty of
the Country of the Grifons and the Falteline, in
in cafe he wou'd ferve the King oi Spain. Claiiz^el
had formerly been in Favour with the Duke of
Rohanj who ordered him to be feiz d, and his Pro-
cefs to be made by the Intendant of the Army.
The King v/ as in Champagne when Mazarine fent
him the Letter Mary de Alcdicis had writ, which
he accompany'd with another of his own. Laivis
anfwer'd that, telling him the Queen Mother's Me-
morial fhock'd him very much ; but he did not
trouble himfelf to Anfwer his Mother's. A<faz.arine
took fo little care to difTemble his Engageniirntswith
Richlieuy that he dated the Letter he wrote in An-
C c 4 iV/eK
§92 The Secret Hifiory
fwer to Mary dc Me diets s from Ruel^ the Cardi-
nal's Houfe, either to infult the Queen, or to fhew
he did nothing but in communication with the
Cardinal. Rk'hlieu affefted to be much at that
Country Seat of his, whether he made the King
come every Council Day from St. Germains or Ver-
failles^ to the great Scandal of all true Lovers of
ivls Royal Dignity, which was fubje^led to the
Caprice of this Imperious Minifter. One Reafon
of the Cardinal's Sojourn fo often at Rust w^as out
of fear of AfTaflins, the Duke of Orleans was dif-
gufted, Puylaurens had Friends, the Queen Mother,
abfent as fhe w^as, did not want them to Revenge
her, if fhe had given them Encouragement. The
Clamour of the People againft his Tyranny was
almofl llniverfal, his hireling Flatterers being the
only Perfons that gave him a good Word, and as
Si French Author fays, The Remorfecf his Confcietjce
tvas fiichy that he liv*d like the Tyrant of Oldj who
thought he was in the fame Condition as the Man
that had aSrvord hanging over his Head by fo /lender
a hold as a Horfe^s Hair,
In the former part of this Kiftory, we have feen
with what Zeal and Vigor the Duke of Rohan de-
fended the Froteftant Religion in France •, we have
feen alfo how that Lord, fo highly extoird by the
Hugonot Writers, was not always fo generous and
difinterefted as at other Times he appear'd, and his
giving up Clauz^elycLU old Servant of his, to Richlieus
Revenge, was another Inftance of his Complacency
for thoie on whom his Fortune depended. Clauz^el
at his Tryal confefs'd fomething of his being em-
pioy'd by the Spaniards^ and Richlieu took hold of
what he faid to form a new Accufation againft the
King's Mother. Clauzel had renounc'd the Fro-
teftant Religion at Bruffels^ and for fear he ftiou'd
retra^ ihis Cqnfellion he was Strangl'd fuddenly
and privately.
The Cardinal, enrag'd at the Letter Mary de
Medicishzd written againft him to the $* Pope, got
Orders fent to the French Ambaftador at Rome, to de-
jQiand of his Holineis that Fabroni^ the Queen Mo-
â– " ' " ' jher's
(7/ F R A N C E. j9}
thor's Agent, fhou'd depart that City ; Vrhan did
not think fit to fupport the Queen's Intereft in op-
pofition to Richlieuy and Fabroni had private Notice
of what was demanded againft him, with Advice
to leave Rome^ without obliging his Holinefs to
order him to do fo. Thus did the Minifter of
Lewis perfecute his Mother in all Parts of the
World, and her Son, the King^feem'd to be fo en-
tirely infenfible of her Sufferings, that he hardly
ever nam*d her himfelf, or fuffer'd her to be nam*d
to him.
In this Year 1^35, was the famous French Aca-
demy founded under the Protecffcion of Cardinal
Ricblieu^ againft whom were fo many iharp Satyrs
continually publifh'd, that he was forc'd to keep
a good Number of Mercenary Pens in Pay to vin-
dicate him, and put fair GlolTes on his Tyranny,
Moft of thefe Academicians had Penfions from, or
ow*d their Preferments to him, and the Society
was eftablifh'd with all imaginable Pomp and Cere-
mony. Barhon of the Parliament of Farls faid
wittily, Monfteur the Cardinal's Condutt in this mat'
ter puts me in mind of what was done by an Em-
-persr of Old \ after having taken away from the Senate
the Cognisance of Puhlick Jffairs^ he fent to confult
them about the Sauce that jhoud be made to a huge
Turbet which had been fent him from a far off. One
of the firft Statutes of this Society was. That every
Aiember Jhoud promife to revere the Virtue and the
Aiemory of the Lord Cardinal their VroteU:or. His
Virtue was fuch, that he keept the Lewdeft of
the Academicians the Abbe Boifrobert in his Houfe,
till he was out of meer Ihame forc'd to remove
him. He was a moft Notorious Sodomite, and *twas
a common Saying, That the j^bbot went to Church
out of Fajhions Jake, However, Rlchlieu made him
one of the King's Almoners, and foon took him in-
to his Family again after a fhort Difgrace.
The War with Spain being fet a Foot, Richlieu
fent daily Pecuniary Edi(ri:s to the Parliament to
raife Money to carry it on; the People every where
cry'd out againft him, as the caufe of thofe into
" ^- ^ ' lerable
394 Th^ Secret Hi (lory
lerable Taxes, and at laft at Bourdeaux they took
Arms, as they did alio at Agen^ Condom^ Leytoure,
Afoijfdc^ and Ferigneux \ but the Duke d^ Eperno-n
and his Son the Duke de la Valette, by their Valour
and Vigilance put a ftop to the encreafe of thofe
Commotions, and in a little while fuppreft'd them.
The Parliament of Tholoufe, ready enough to pais
any Edifts againfl the Reform' d^ reje£^ed thofe that
were fent them to raife Money. They paft an Arret
forbidding the raifing it. The Court immediately
fufpended the firft and fecond Prefident, and fent
for the Principal Magiftrates. The Parliament pafs'd
another Arret y commanding the Prefidents to con-
tinue their Funftions, and forbidding thofe that were
fent for to Court to go thither, for that the Kings
Service required their Prefence at Tholoufe. Are
thefe Arrets Inftances of that Faffive Obedience
which is now made a Do£lrine neceflary to Salva-
tion ? The Truth is, People will generally Obey
pretty well as long as their Purfes are not touched,
but when Property is attacked, whether it be by
illegal Taxes, or lofs of Revenue, they will do
like the Parliament of Tholoufe.
Tho' I fhall not meddle with the Wars between
France and the Houfe of Aufiria^ farther than to
explain fome Events which are not obferv'd in other
Hiftories, yet I muft not omit certain PaflTagesthat
are moft for my prefent Purpofe, to give a true
Idea of this Reian and Mitiiftry, fo much boafted
of in Hiftory, for the Juftice of the King, and the
Genius and Grandeur of the Minifler.
The Imperialifts threatning to invade Lorraine ^
the King v^m towards that Frontier in Perfon in
Augitfi 1^3 5, expeAing a Powerful Army ready
for him to march at the Head of it againft the E-
nemy ^ inftead of which his Majefly got to the
Place of Rendezvous before the Train of Artillery
was ready, having left Richlieu behind him, to whom
he wrote a very angry Letter, not without Threats
for his being fo negligent in bis Preparations when
he knew himfelf was to ad^ in Perfon. Soon after
he
<?/F R A N G E. 39S
he had writ it, he was forry for it, and wrote
the following Letter to beg his Pardon :
COUSIN,
J Am in defpair for my over haflinefs in writing
^'Tqu that Billet Tefierday on the fubjeB of my
Journey^ I pray yon to burn itj and at the fame time
to forget the Contents of it. Believe that as I have
no Defign to trouble you in any Things I fhaU never
have any other Thoughts than pun^ually to follow your
good Counfels in alllhings. I pray you once more to
forget it. Write me by the Bearer that you think no
more of it \ that X9ill make me eafy in my Mind,
ReB apir*d that 1 fhall never be fattsfyd till I can
give you further Proofs of my Afe^ion for yoUj
which will laH as long as my Ltje,
Richlieu's Anfwer is long and cunning, he feciiis
to (hew a great Submiflion to the King's Will, and
concern for his Health and Honour, but he fhew5
much more the Power he had over him, tho' he
was naturally of fo unequal an Humour, that Rich'
lieu us'd to fay, he was infinitely more cmbarrafs'd
with it than with all the Intricate Affairs of his
Miniftry.
The Cardinal's Enemies that were about the King,
endeavour'd to make ufe of his Abfence, and to (et
his Majefty againft him. Alas ! They did not
know that the King and he very well underftood
one another, tho' there feeiii'd to be an Alteration
in Lewis's Carriage with refpeel to his Minifter,
who, upon his being taken into Favour again af-
ter the Queen .Mothcr*s lafl: attempt for his Dif-
grace, had made the King promife, That he woud
not give Ear to any thing to his Prejudice^ or if he
did^ woud he fur e to tell it him,
Lewis proceeding in his Expedition, finiOi'd his
Campaigne with the taking a fmall Town in Zor-
tainej, caU'd St. Mihd. Notwithitanding that the
Town
59^ The Secret Hijlory
Town farrender'd upon Terms, the Governor and
his Principal Officers were fent to the Bafiille^ cf
the Soldiers Ten were hang'd, and the reft fent
to the Galleys. A Glorious Inftance of the Cle-
mency and Generofity of this Vidorious Mo-
narch.
Richlleu*s Enemies did their utmoft during this
Siege to make their Advantage of his Abfent^.
They formed an Intrigue againft him, and 'twas fu-
fpe£led that the Count de Soijfons was in it. The
King had us*d him very ill while he lay before St.
Mihel, never once calling him to Council. Rich»
lieu inftigated him to treat this Prince of the Blood
fo haughtily, to revenge his obftinate Refufal to
marry Comhalet, The Count de Cramail was the
Head of this Confpiracy, He had been in former
Cabals with the Princefs of Conti and the Coun-
tefs du Fargis^y^^hok Lover he was faid to have been.
For at this time, the Court of /r^^ce, notwithftand-
ing the Impotence and Superftition oi his Majefty^
was fo very Gallant, that there was hardly a great
Lord or great Lady who had not a Love- Affair up-
on their Hands. Cramail had afterwards, in Ap-
pearance, reconcil'd himfelf to the Cardinal, and
V/as made Marefchal de Camp during this Siege. He
liad given his Advice againft the King's Command-
ing the Army in Perfon in this Expedition, which
was fufficient to Ruin him with Richheu^ who had
been the Author of it. He had faid feveral violent
Things againft the Cardinal ., and did not fpare him
to his Majelty when he thoaght Lewis was fo
out of Humour with him, that it wou'd be agreea-
ble. He infinuated to hm:, That the Cardinal was
enjoying the Delights of Peace^ and the fveetnefs of
his fine Seats in the Neighbourhood of l^ari?^ while
his Majefty under went all the Fatigues and Penab
of War. He aggravated his Negligence in not
making timely and due Provifions for an Army,
which his Mafter was to Command •, and declared
always, that 'twas not Safe for the King to he fo
far from his Capital in a Time of fach Diflra£tion.
When Lei^^is returned; RiMeu met him at Nevilli^
and
of V R AN CE. 597
and was received with all poffible marks of Ten-
dernefs. Lewis among the reft did not fail to tell
him all that Cramail had faid, and the next Day the
Count was Arrefted by an Enfign of the Guards,
and fent to the BafiUle, What a great Comfort 'tis
to a Nation to have fuch quick Methods ofjuftice,
andfuch able Diftributorsof it as the Soldiery. Here
is no Charge, no Crime appears, and a great Officer
is, however, thrown into Prifon.
The fame Day the Cardinal told the Count de
Soiffons his Majefty was very angry with him, and
he wou'd do well to abfent himfclf from Court. He
did this to fhew his Credit was not diminifh'd.
The People cry'd outagainfthim, and Rkhlieu "wsls
glad enough, that foon after he got him recalled as
eafily as he got him banifh*d, and was outwardly
reconcil'd to him.
The Miniftry of Richlku eftablifh'd that heavy
Grievance m France, praciis'd ever fince when Mo-
ney is wanting to create Officers. Several Edids
made for that purpofe, were carry'd to be Regifter*d
in Pomp. The next Day after Seguier was made
Chancellor on the Death of AUgre, Le Jay^ the firft
Prefident, who had fold himfelf to the Court, and
abandoned the Intereft of that AfTembly, and thofe of
the Piiblick, to the Will of the Cardinal, fpoke for
them. The Advocate-General Blgnon^ had more Cou-
rage and more Honour. He remonftratcd to his Ma-
jefty, who was there Prefent with his Minifter, that
the felling of Officers which had been firft introduc'd
in the Reign of Francis xht Firft, had caus'd great
Mifchief to France, and that the continual Crea-
tion of new Offices at fo dear a rate was the moft
prejudicial thing in the Wor.'d. Lewis and his Mi-
nifter were very much out of Humour with the
Advocate -General for his excellent Difcourfe, which
all honeft Men applauded *, but they durft not punifh
a Magiftrate for doing his Duty Seguier repri.
manded him, and Lvxls only faid fome Days after,
that if the Advocate-General had come to St, Ger-
mains with the other Members of that Body, h«
Wou*d have been ill receiv'd.
Richlieu
598 The Secret Htftory
RichUeu try'd all means to get Money, and not-
withftanding his Authority met with inextricable
Difficulties, he demanded Four Millions of the
Clergy. The Prelates afTembled at Par if made
very warm Remonftrances, Athilles de Hatlai^ Bi-
fliop of St. Maio, formerly a Creature of the Car-
dinal's, being offended that the Cap was talk'd of
for Father Jofeph and not fot bim, faid, that thofe
who fo prefiingly reprefented the King's Kecel-
fities attack d indire£lly the Reputation of the
Cardinal. 'Tis malicious to infinuate to the World^
continues he, that fo wife and clear fighted a Minister
has Advised the King to make War without having
frfi provided the means to carry it on. The Court
was very angry witii the Biiiiop, His feign 'd A-
pology for the Cardinal, was iook'd upon as a
piece of Raillery, and this Prelate refenting alfo that
Cohort had the good Bifhoprick of Nifmes given
him, notwithftanding the Obfcurity of his Birth,
took hold t)f an Opportunity which offer'd to
fhew his Refentment. Cohon had fpoken fome-
thing againft the Interefts of his Order, upon
which Harlai interrupting, faid, Ton jnight he be
ajharnd to Death^ the Church has taken you out of
the Dufi^ with what Front dare you betray her. This
Salley was immediately carry'd to the King, and the
Cardinal telling him Cohon had been fpeaking fome-
thing for the Court. Lewis^ to be reveng'd of
Harlai, relblv'd to tell him, that unlefs he had given
him a good Bifnoprick he vvou'd not have had
wh«re Withal to iablill himieii. Monfieur St. Malo^
fays he, the firit time he came to Court, I have taken
you out of the Dufi. I own it^ Sir, replys Harlai very
"briskly, But Tour A<fa]efly has only done me Juftice^
Aiy Father f pent all his Ejlate in aidi?ig the late King
to moimt the Throne of his Ancefior^ ; Lewis had
not a word more to iay to him. The Truth is,
Harlai de Sanci had been a very Faithful Servant
to Henry I\\ and had met with nothing but In-
There
(/FRANCE. J99
There happened at the fame time fome Difordei*
in the Court of Inquefts, that Court being fat to
examine fome Edifts, and to fee whether they cou'd
hinder an Augmentation of Twenty Four Coun-
feliors and a Prefident au Mortier^ the Firft Pre-
fident, told them, he had received a Letter from the
King, forbidding them to alTemble Extraordinarily.
The Court demanded that the Letter ihou*d be read.
The Firft Prefident, who 'twas thought, had no
fuch Letter, refus'd it, and the Court adjourned for
a Fortnigiit, to the 4th q{ January^ 16^6 . when
the King's Order was produc'd for Thirty of the
Members of the Parliament to appear before his
Majefty. The Counfellor Laifne talk*d boldly a-
gainft the Firft Prefident, accused him of Trea-
chery and Bafenefs in betraying the Interefts of the
iLfTembly, to gain the Favour of the King and his
Minifter. There was then even m France, a Spirit
of Liberty which rofeagainft the Tyranny of an
Afpiring Prieft, but wherever it appear'd. Care
was taken to fupprefs it immediately. Accordingly
feveral Counfellors of the Parliament, for daring to
defend thofe Rights, to the Defence whereof they
were Sworn, were fent to feveral Places of Con-
finement ; as Monfjeur Barillon, to the Caftle of
Saumur^ Monfieur Laijhe and Monfieur Faucauty to
the Caftle of ^ngers^ Monfieur Sevm^ toClermorjt^
in Avergne^ and Monfieur d* Ardonm^ to Brefi.
They were confined there for fome Months, and
difcharg'd afterwards on the Petition of their Bre-
thren, who humbly fubmitted X.Q the King's Orders.
U Jay, the Firft Prefident of the Parliament, who
formerly had been fo rare a Patriot, that he was,
himfelf imprifon'd in the Caftle of Amboife^ had
been feverely reprov'd by Laifm^ for deferting the
Caufe of the Society, and doing whatever the Court
wou'd have him. He now opposed thofe Counfellors
who were for vindicating their Priviledges, and
facrifis'd the Interefts of the Afiembly to his own
Private Advantage j for one of his Relations was
made Provoft of the Merchants of Varis^ and him-
felf Chancellor of the King's Orders, Bidllon^ Sa-
perin-
409 The Secret htjiOYy
perintentdlantof the Finances, refigning that Office
to hinij and taking that of Trefident au Mcrtier^
newly erefted. Such is the wonderful Power of
Places, when at the Difpofal of fuch Minifters as
Richlieu-^ it turns Patriots into Parafites, and Men
of Honour into Slaves. Let us fee what a fine Lord
Chancellor this good Minifter has given to France^
what a fine State he has reduc'd the Parliament of
Tarts to, the only poor remaining Barrier of what
was left of Freedom in that Kingdom. Why, the
Members of the AiTembly appear'd before the King
upon their refufing to admit the NewCounfellors
that had bought their Places •, Tou ought always to
re member y fays he, that if Kings have depojited Pt^rt
of thetr Authority in your Hands^ 'tis not to give
you the means of rifmg up againft them and. refifting
their Wills, what a Word is this, Wills to ufe, w^heii
the good of Mankind, their Rights and their Wel-
fare are at Stake ? Magtftrates are Organs^ chofen
to explain to the People the Jufiice of the Lavosy
which the Sovereign Judge proposes to make^ not to
examine the Juftice of them, but to explain it,
whether there is any Juftice in them or no, to
take it for granted, that they are Juft becaule as this
Chancellor wou'd have us believe, the French Kings
and their iMinifters are infallible, and can no more
err than the Pope ? Afagifirates^ continues he, are
to teach ethers to fubmit^ the Ki?jg obeys the Laws of
God^ he acknowledges that his Almighty Hand has
plac'd him on the Throne ^ in that he fljei^s his Religion
a?7d his Piety \ as if that Almighty God was o-
blig*d to him ior acknowledging iHsSuperior Power,
and 'twas Piety and Religion enough for a King not
to afTume Divine Attributes and fet up for Omni-
potence, If they were Immortal too, 'twou'd be
a much ftronger Argument in Favour of their being
Infallible than is that of the Sword, without which,
many Princes w^ou'd be thought to run into as many
Errors as ether w^eak or wicked Men. Jfhis Majefty
orders any things adds he^ He follows the Rules of
Reafon and Jufiice :, let it be what it will, as par-
ticularly the felling Twenty Four Counfellor*s Places
m
of F RANGE. 401
at once, to take away a- good part of 'thofe Profits
that had been fairly ibid before to theprerentPoflef-
^brs, by this he renders his Authority more fir ?n and
rejpe[table \ the Magick thefe Men think there is in
this other Word A uthority ? When it is the Inftru-
nient of Law, nothing is more ^acredj and requires
a moft Pailive Obedience. When 'tis made ufe of to
contrary Purpofes,, as in this very Fad, to fupport
an unjuit Innovation, 'tis only a Sotmd, which with-
out that of the Musket and the Gannon wou'dbe
perfedly empty in the Ears of honeft and reafona-
ble Men. By this^ the Chancellor further tells us,
he Stigmatifes his Prudence^ if he fijoud comply with
his Subjetls mhen they fay any thing 'again ft what he
ordains^ tf he (houdfuffer them to' refill: him with
Impunity it woud be an extream Folly • That is, if he
Ihou'd lupport them in thofe very Rights he had not
long before fold to them, and was now bringing
to Marketagain. The Profits of thefe Offices muit
be confiderably diminifh'd by the Addition of
Twenty Four New Partners, but it is the King*s^
Wtlly it renders his Authority more firm^ and to refift
him will not go ofF without PuniHiment j Seguter
goes on, It does not belong to you to argue upon what
the King Commands^ Magifirates are tnftnuted for
nothing but to make the Orders of the Soveraign to be
received with Submijfion'^ if you forget what you are^
the King will remember , that he is Mafler^ obey firfiy^
and .admit thofe the King has been pleas' d to Create
Miigifiratesby hislaji Edi^s^ after that ^ his Majefty
will hear your Kemonfirances in Favour of your Bre^
thren in Exile^ and in Prifon, La Vilie aux-ClercSj
Secretary of State, carry'd a few days after an Order â– .
from the King to the Parliament, forbidding the'
Magiftratesto alTerablc extraordinarily. This\^io--
lence and the Chancellor's Threats^ fo provok*d them i
that they put a flop to their fitting, and theCourfe
of Jultice was fufpended. Their Refolution wou'd
have been much more commendable, had it been
exerted againft thofe Exorbitant Taxes that were
daily conhrm'd by them in verifying the King's
Pecuniary Edifts. But on thefe Occafions they
D d laid
4©2 The Secret Hkjlory
faid very littfe or nothing: This Courage of tfieifs
was not entirely free from a Mercenary Blemifli,
their Interefts being concerned in the admiffion
of the New Counfellors. The Clamours the Par-
liament made began to raife a Ferment in the
Minds of the People, who generally were on
their Side, looking upon them as the Guardians
of Juftice. The Cardinal got the Prince of Con-
de to go to the AfTembly, and infinuate that if
they wou'd admit fome of the New Created Ma-
gift rates, the King wou*d not infift upon their
admitting of the reft. Conde endeavoured to a-
mufe them with fuch Hopes, and told them 'twas
the King's Command that they wou'd admit Co^
lombet. He was a good Civilian, and had
written feveral Books in that Science which were
wellefteem'd. The Court thought that the Parlia-
ment wou'd make no Scruple of admitting a Man
who had Taught many of them the firft Ele-
ments of the Civil Law, but the Magiftrates faw
thro* the Dcfign of their prefenting Colomhn as
a Man they did not dare to Refift or Examine.
However, they put certain Queftions to him,
which either relating more to Pradice than The-
ory, or he being put out of Countenance by the
Imperious way of asking them by his Old Schol-
lars, returned very indifferent Anfwers to them.
Some Days after Bullion was alfo admitted Prefi-
dent au Mortier on the Foot of the New Crea-
tion. The Aflembly durft not oppofe his Ad-
miflion, knowing him to be the Cardinars Con-
fident and Creature •, Kichlieu not minding the
Parliaments Oppofition, continu'd to eredl New
Offices, which, however, the People were not over-
fond of Purchafing. The Prince of Conde feem'd
to be difgufted, that the word he had given the
Parliament that there fhou'd be no more made
was no better kept, but the Cardinal knew how
to appeafc him. A Sum of Money was given him,
and inftead of fupporting that AfTembly in the
Defence of their Rights, he accepted of a Com-
mift'on to get feveral other New Edifts as grie-
' V0U5
of ¥ K A N C E. 4d3
vous to tke People reciev'd in trovence] Where
the People had been in Arms againft them, and
the Parliament of Bourdeaux^ more refoluts than
the reft, forbad the execution of them*
As Ricklieus Hiftory makes fo confidetable a
Part of that of Lewis XIIL we muft not omit
taking Notice of thofe Events which have parti-
cular relation to his Family, which was now
look'd upon to be of as much Importance as
thofe relating to the Royal Houfe of France*
The Marefchal de Breze liv'd in perpetual Mif-
underftanding with Combalet, both of them had
their Creatures and Partifans. Servien^ Secreta-
ry of State, fided with the Marefchal, but means
were found to fet the Cardinal againft both of them,
and Camhalet's Party prevailed. Strvien had liad a
Qimrrel with Bvllion^ and Chavigni^ Son of Bou-
thilUer^ on occafion of the Army's being ill fupply'd
with Money, and the Cardinal de la V'aletu joyn*d
with the latter againft him, infomuch, that he was
ordtr'd to lay down his Place and retire to 5<2m-
Tfiur, Richheu, when he went to take his leave
of him, told him he might take his Choice of
Saumur or Names •, a moft Happy Conftitutiom
This Servien is banifh'd Parii at the Pleafure of
the Minifter, no matter for Tryal or Evidence,
Fault or no Fault, he is ordered to retire. He
muft not live where he will, nor do what he will*
When a Favourite in France does not like your
Company you muft pack up and be gone. Dei
Noiers was made Secretary in his room. The
Marefchal de Brez.e^ sl very Paflionate Man, re-
proached Bullion alfo that his Negligence was the
Caufe of tlie ill Succefs of the King's Arms in the
Low Countrie^y that he had not fupply'd the Ar-
my with Money to Purchafe Provifions, of which
they were in great want. Bullion^ on the con-
trary, pretended that Money enough had been fent
but that it was ill husbanded. Brez^e was not
long after order'd to his Government of Saumur.
Servien^ fome time before his Difgrace, had threat'
ned to Q2iXi^ Botjrobert in ^rV/;//VM*8 Anti- Chamber,
Dd 2 ^^T
404 The Secret Hijlory
. 'or complaining of his Negleft in not pafling a
Warrant for a Sum of Money that had been gi-
,ven him, and the Cardinal cou'd not bear that
fueh Airs fhou'd be afTum'd in his Houfe towards
any of his Creatures.
The Affair of the Duke of Orleam^s Marriage
remain'd ftill in the fame Pofture. Richlleu was
indefatigable in his Endeavours to get it dedar'd
Kull by tlie Pope, and Gajion to con Tent to the
'DifFolution, but the Pope evaded giving any
iatisfaftory An[vjfiv to Fenoulllet^ Bifhop of Mont-
pelUer^ fent to Rome to foliicite the Matter, and
CaHon cou'd not be prevailed upon to agree to any
thing more than to Sign a Warrant, imporring, that
lie fubmitted it to the Decifion of the Clergy vo-
ting in a Synod of Gallkan Bifhops, the Pope's
Legates preciding in the Affembly -^ he added, A>-
'uenhelefs^ whatever Judgment is given in Rome
or in France, 1 will never have any other Wife
than the Princefs Margaret, to whom I lawfully
e-figagd my Jelf, Le Coigneux^ who was reflor'd to
fome Degree of Favour at Court, undertook to
prevail on Charles Duke of Lorraine to confent
to the DifTolurion of, the Match, in hopes of the
Reftitution of his Dominions, and Charles going
foon after to the Netherlands^ 'twas thought he
w^ent thither to perfwade his Sifter to do the
fame, but it all came to nothing. Richlieu wou'd
even have contented Duke Charles in many things,
jf he cou'd havcremov'd thatinfurmountable Obfta-
cle to Comhalet's Marriage with ihe Duke of Or-
leans.
While thefe things were in Tran faction, a New
Revolution happen'd in Cajion's Court, the Abbot
de la Riviere^ his Confident, quarrell'd with Cha-
vignl and was feht to the Bailille, feveral other of
his Servants were turn'd off, and the Duke, to be
reveng'd far thefe A£ls of Violence, did the fame
by tiie Abbot Delhene, one ot Richlieu s Spies.
C/;.'7i;/^«/ endeavouring to juftify himfelf one Day
that he had no Share in the Orders the King had
^iven, with Reference to his Brother's Domefticks;
(jood
o/F R A N C E. 405
Cood Godi, fays Gallon ! / don't co^r.plain ef you nor
«/ Monfieur the Cardinal^ you are onr A f afters-^
Rkhlleu had infinuated to Letois that his Brother
was meditating new Troubles, and had caui'd it to
be fo reported about Paris, which he did to pro-
cure him to Banifh tiie Duke of Orleans's moft
Faitliful Servants as his Evil Counfellors.
The carrying every Point thus in France^ did
not eafe Richlieu of his Chagrin at the Oppolition
he met with at Romcj where the Pope feem'd to
take Pleafure in vexing him, not only in the Affair
of the Duke o{ Orleans's Marriage, but others. Vr-
ban fent a Brief to the Cardinal de la Falette^ who
commanded the French Army which a6led in Con-
;unftion with the Swedes under Duke Bernard of
SaxeWeymar^ to quit that Command, It not being
decent for a Member of the Sacrtd College^ as the
Brief had it, to be ajfociated with the General of an
Heretick Army, Upon which Richlieu wrote his
Friend the following Letter of the loth of January
I
Have not been wanting to do what I thought ne-
ceffary for the King's Service and your Satisfa-
Bion on the fubje5i of the Brief the Pope has fent
you^we have made great Complaints of it to the Numio,
Aionfeur the Cardinal of Lyons, mid Monfisur the
Ambajfadory have fpoken to the Pope and to his Ne-
phew-) making vfe of all the Reafons and Examples that
were to be us'd on fuch an Occafion. I jusr now
fpoke to Monfieur Mazarine about ity he tells me the
Anfwer the Nuntios have received to what thty wrote
to Rome on the Part of the King is^ that the Pope
coud do no lef^ but that he woud do no more^ what^
ever concerns you will always touch me more fenfibly
than yourfelf
The Cardinal of Lyons^ Richlieu*s Elder Brother,
receiv'd alfo a Mortification. That Prelate, taken
Dd 5 out
4^6 The Secret Hijlory
<>ut of the Order oiChartnux^ thought he ftiou'd
*^ot be ib deform'd as he was by Nature, and that it
wou'd take off a great deal of his Uglinefs and
rude Air, which were extreamly fhocking to the
l^idies, if he let his Hair grow as long as the other
Cardinals. Accordingly he did fo, and Vrban or-
dered him to Shave after the manner of his Bro-
therhood. The Pope gave another Inftance of his
ill Will to Lewis's Minifter, or rather Governor.
f^wii^ at the inftigation of Richlieuj had nanVd the
Capuchine Father Jofeph to be a Cardinal at the
next Promotion, and Father Jofeph was fo earned
to have that Nomination fucceed, that Richlieu^ who
knew his infinuating and ambitious Temper, pri-
vately obftru£led it, being allarm'd at theprefling
Inftatices the Capuchine made for the Cap, which
he apprehended was done with a Deiign to fup-
plant him. Father Jofeph miftrufted that the Car-
dinal dealt doubly with him, and intended to put
Mazarine in his Place. Chavigni^ Secretary of State,
in a Letter which he wrote the JVIarefchal d* Etrees^
then AmbafTadorat Rome^ has a Particularity which
ihews us admirably well what is the fincerity of
Courts and Minifters of State. For after a long
Letter of Lewis i> to the Pope, wherein the Pro-
motion of Father Jofeph is prefs'd with the utmoft
carneftnefs, Chavigm gives the Marefchal Inftruftion
to pretend that he folHcited the Affair more than
he really did or was defir'd to do. The PafTage in
the King's Letter is very ftrong in favour of the
Capuchine's Promotion. Jf after all^ fays Lewis ^ his
Holinefs continues to make Difficulties in the matter^
you muft tell him J am abfolutely determined not to
change my Nomination on that Account, That /, and
not Hey are to name Perfons ^ that he ought to aC'
eept thofe whofe Manners are approved of by all the
Worldy and whofe Zeal and Sentiments for the Ca-
tholick, Apoftolical and Roman Religion are what
they ought to be, Lewis went fo far, as to order d*
Etrees to give out that he wou'd leave Rome^ if
Father Jofeph was not promoted to the Purple, and
yet did Chavtgni write him as follows : Be fure to
(^FRANCE, 407
/ay in your Difpatches that you prefs* d the Tromotion^
and hope in a Little while to obtain it, "Tii necef*
fary to content Father Jofeph, to prevent his taking
Vmhrage, and that he might not think you a5i with
Negligence in what concerns him.
Not long after there happened an Event at Taris^
which was all the Talk of Court and City, the dif
ferent Reception and Entertainment given to Two
Princes, Friends to France^ who came to vifit the
King, and negotiate their Affairs with that Court,
I mean the Duke of Farma and Duke Bernard of
Saxe-Weymar. Farnefe^ Duke of Farma^ was
threatened with an Invafion by the Spaniards^ and
Bernard's Army was almoft deftroy'd by Defer-
tion and Skirmiihes. Farnefe was receiv'd with all
poffible Honours, tho' the great Lords were fhock'd
at his Haughtinefs, which tliey caird Arrogance.-
He had not given the Duke de MercAur the Hand
iij his Appartment, nor waited on the Duke de la
Valette out of his Chamber. All the Dukes and
Peers cry d out againft it, and protefted they wou'd
not Vifit the Duke of Farma unlefs he gave them
the Hand in his own Appartment. The King's
Counfel took cognizance of the Difference, and at
the inftigation ofRichlieUj thefe Gentlemen loft their
Caufe. The Cardinal was fet upon keeping Farnefe
fteddy in the French Intereft, hoping by his means
to embarrafs^ the King of Spain % Affairs in Italy.
For this Reafon he fupported the Pretenfions of a
Prince made fo by the Scandalous Ambition of a
Pope, to the Prejudice oftiie beft Families in France.
Notwithftanding that Farnefe s Great- Grandfatiier
was only a Pope's Baftard. and had been made
a Prince againft the Rules of Religion and De-
cency ; yet fee the Infolence of Richheu to in-
gratiate himfelf with the Duke of Farma. lis a
Jhame, fays he, that Men who have fprung itp like
Mufl)rooms^ fboud demand Precedence even in the
Kings Fallace of a Sovereign Prince defended of an
Ancient and Illujirious Houfe. Can any of 'em pretend
that Monfieur the Chancellor gives them the Hand
at his Houfe ? Never thelefs Monfvsur the Chan-
D d 4s cellor
â– 408 The Secret Hifiory
cellor knows better Things than to carry his Preten-
fions fo far as the Dukes and Peers, If I was not
a Cardinal 1 flwud make no fcruple of giving Place
to the Duke of Parma at his own jippartment, tho*
the King has honour d me with the Dignity of Duke
and Peerm His Majefiy ought on this Occaficn^ to o-
bilge a Prince allyd to France, and humble th^'fe that
rvoud Jo mal-a-propos egual themfelves to Soveraigns.
This Ancient and llluftrious Hoife was hardly heard
of before Pope Paul the Kiel s Time. Suppoie
that Farnefe was Superior to Epernon and Luines^
lAtiifprung up like Mujhrooms^ was his Family to be
compar'd to the Houles of Lorraine^ Savoy-, Lon-
^ueville^Vendome^ and Angouieme^ The Eldeft and
Youngeft of thole great Families were order'd to
give Place every where to the Duke of Parma^ as
well as the Dukes and Peers ; but only the Duke
de Men^ur^ Eldeft Son to the Duke de Fendome^
the Count de Harcourt, Brother to the Dukeri' El-
heuf of the Houfe of Lorraine^ and the Count de
AletTiy Son to the Duke d' Angouiemey fubmitted
to the Decifion of the King's Council. The Duke
of Orleans and that Afpiring Prieft, Richlieu^ had
Ceremonials agreed upon particularly for them.
The Cardinal entertain'd Farnefe at his Houfe with
a Comedy, a Ball and a Supper, which coft him a
Million. Abundance of fine Things were promis'd
jiim, as that he fhou'd have the Command of the
Confederate Army in It^ly in the abfence of the
Duke ofSavoy^ and have fufficient Forces to defend
his Territories j but the Honours ihat were paid
him at his coming and going, and during his Abode
at Paris ^together with a Prefenf of iodqoo Crowns,
were all that he got by bis Journey to Fr^^wf^.
This Event is a little too particular for fo gene-
ral a Hiftory, but it is necefTary to be mention'd
to introduce one that is as great an Anecdote as
any we have met with, and has Relation to Duke
Bernard of Saxe-Weymar^ who came to Paris^ and
was there at the fame Time with Farnefe. Whe-
ther it was tliat Richlieu did not like Bernard's Er-
rand or the Man, the German V7as not treated fp
honourably
^/ F R A N C E. 409
honourably as the Jtalian^who defcended of a Princely
â– Houfe, that gave an Emperor to Germany. Not-
vvithftanding Duke Bernard's Army was in a def-
perate Condition, yet he had feveral ftrong Places
in his PofTeflion, and cou'd eafily recriut it with
Money. His Alliance was ftill courted by Richlieu,
who not only hop'd to get him to turn Catholick,
and by his means to procure for himfelf the E-
leftorate of Treves, the Bifhoprick of Spire^ and
perhaps his Chimerical Kingdom of ^uftrafiaSy a
Map of which he had order 'd to be drawn out,
but alio to marry his Neice ComhaUt^ and to efta-
blifh her in the Landgravate o{ Alface^ The Car-
dinal refolving to make his Market of her, and
finding fo many obftaclfcs in the Projeft of marry-
ing her to the King's Brother, thought he cou'd
not do better than to fettle her in that New Prin-
cipality, r.nd by her means fecure Bernard in his
Interefts But the Marriage being propos'd to the
Duke o^ SaxeWeymar^ the German did not ftand
hefitating about it, as the Duke of Or/e^^j fome-
times did, but faid plainly Madam de Combalet
is Handfome enough to make a Mljlrefs^ but Mon-
feur the Cardinal does not know me^ if he thinks
me capable of confenting to fo unequal an Alliance,
Bernard told this Repartee of his to Hervarty his
Confident, afterwards Comptroller-General of the
Finances under Mazjirine'^s Miniftry. Hervart wa$
very much concern'd at his Franknefs, and faid to
him, Thefe Sentiments^ my Lord^ are worthy of a
Prince of your Avgvji Houfe^ but I wou*d to God
you had not declared them jo openly. " The Cardinal
will jurely hear of it, you know he cannot bare Con-
tempt^ and to what excefs his revengeful Humour is
apt to carry him. Duke Bernard did not feem to
be veryforry at what he had faid, and the Cardinal
certainly made that Difference between his Treat-
ment and that of the Duke of Parma^ on purpofe
to mortify him. He was extreamly difgufted at
it ', they only Icdg'd him in the Arfenal^ whereas
Farnefe was lodg'd in the Queen Mother's Appart-
nient. The Officer$ that waited on him were of
4IO The Secret HiJIory
a lower Degree than thofe who waited on Tarmd.
In the firft Audience he had of the King, Lewis
put on h!«y Hat, and Bernard uncovered •, the German
ftaid a while for the Sign to put on his Hat, which
not being given as he expe£^ed, he did it of himfelf,
Lewis changed Colour, prefently pull'd off his HU
to oblige Bernard to do the fame, broke off the
Converfation, and went into his Clofet; Btrtire^
who perform'd the Office of Mafter of the Cere-
monies, was caird, and the King demanded why he
did not do as he had been order'd, and tell the
Duke of SaxeWeymar that he had no Right to be
cover'd in his Ma;efty*s Prefence. Bertire reply'd,
/ did exaUly what J was commanded ; ij Monfieur
the Duke of Weymar had no regard to the Notice
J gave hiniy 'twas becaufe he wou'd not have it,
Lewis^ recollefted himfelt, returned into the Cham-
ber of Audience, and condufted Bernard into the
Queen's Appartment, the Duke flood bare, the
King with his Hat on, but Bernard gave People to
underftand, *twas a Compliment paid to the Sex
and not the Dignity. The Duke of Parma fent one
of his Gentlemen to Compliment him in his Name \
however, Bernard cou'd not for bare crying out
againfl him. Monfieur the Duke of Parma is very
Proud of the Extraordinary Honours that are paid
him here^ fiou*d he have forgotten that my Anceftors
wore the Imperial Crown ^ when his were but plain
Gentlemen? This was told Farnefe^ who'reply'd,
Iconfcfs the Empire has been in the Hottfe <?/ Saxony,
but with Monfieur Duke Bernard'^ leave ^ my Ancejkors
were at the fame time Knights and Counts, Is itpoffible
that hefljoudmt know thwCoitnts 0/ Italy were former-
ly a fort of Soveraigns ? But not to ft and upon that,
I muft fay that when we obtain d the Dutchiej of
Parma ^^<s^ Placentia,/^^ Branch <?/ Saxe- Weymar
loft their Territories with the EleH^oral Dignity for
Rebelling againft Charles the Nth *, the Anceftors of
Duke Bernard were reducd to the Condition of Pri-
vate Men *, their Rank and Con/ideraHon in Ger-
many were gone^wherMnine acquird a fair Sovereignty
in Italy,
The
^/FRANCE. 411
The Knights and Counts in the Hoafe ciFarnefh
arc not eafily to be met with till the Pope'^ Ba-
ftard afTum'd that fair Sovereignty, and Weymar
might, if he pleased, have taken upon himfelT the
Tide of DuKe of Fra^conia^ v^hich Cul^avus Add*
phus promised to give him. Lsrvis ordered him to
be told, that if he did it, his Majefty wou*d make
no Scruple of letting him be cover'd in his Pre-
fence, for that Ceremony belong*d to the Dignity
and not to Uie Birth. Tho* the Duke of Weymar
had not thofe Honours paid hira by the King as
Farnefe had, all the great Lords feem'd to outvie
one another in their Civilities to him, which they
did not only out of Relpeft to his Superior Me-
rit, but to vex the Duke of Parma, At one of
the Conferences which Bernard had with the Car-
dinal de Richlieu-, Father Jij/ep^, and other Minifters
about the Affairs of Germany^ th« Duke rally'd the
Capuchine very handfomely for meddling with Mat-?
ters which did not belong to him. The Monk ta^
ing up a Map, pointed to feveral Towns which
he faid might be taken one after another, and how
the Germans might be driven out of the Countries
they conquer'd lince the Battle of \orltngen, M
this is very welL fays Duke Bernard^ but Monfieur
JofephV lowns are not taken with a Finger's End*
The Company laugh'd, and the Capuchine wasfadly
out of Countenance. Duke Bernard had dooooo
Florins paid him, with which, and a great many
fair Promifes, he departed for Germany,
About this time, Maz^arine was recalJ'd from
his Nunciature in France^ tho* Lewis and his Mi-
nifter did what they cou'd to have hiin continu*d
there, but it was reprefented to the Pope, " That
*' his Nuntio Extraordinary demean'd himfelf fhame-
*' fully, that he was Cardinal RichUeus Valet,
** that his Holinefs's good Graces were not, in his
*' Opinion, fo ready a way to make his Fortune,
^' as the Favour and Prote£^ion of the moft Chri-
*' flian King's Minifler. He minded the Affairs o(
** France and Sa'my more than thpfe of the Ho-
1^
412 7he Secret Hiftorf
** ly See. Twas he who nunag'd the Duke o^S<ivoy
** to entet into a League with the King of France^
*< and if he could have done it, he wou d have made
*' the Duke of Modena have joyn'd in it alfo;
*' what has he done for the Houfeof Lorraine^ tho*
" he was fent on purpofe to follicite that Affair,
" He is looked upon at Ruel and at Taru not as
*^ his Holinefs's Minifter^ but as the Minifterand
" moft afliduous Courtier of Cardinal Richlieu^y
Manarine was fo far from concealing his Devo-
tion to Richlieuy that he accepted of an Appart-
ment at Ruel^ the Cardinal's Houfe, and Lewis
finding his Inflances to the Pope to hinder the
Italians being recaird ineffe^iual, faid, His Ho-
linefs cou'd not have difohlig'd him more than in
recalling a Minifterwho was Jo muchto his liking^ at
the Sollicttation of the Spaniards. Richlieu did
not ftick to tell the Pope in a Letter, that his re-
calling MaTLarine lhew*d very plainly the Spaniards
might obtain what they wou'd of him to the Preju-
dice of France,
Vrban did not mind the Cardinal's Remonftrances,
on the contrary he continuM to give him new Caufe of
Mortification and Chagrin. Richlieuy whofe Vanity
was as Boundlefs as his Ambition or Cruelty, wou'd
needs be the greateft Man in France in all Things^
in Power, in Learning and in Religion. To encreafe
his Charafter as a Devotee, and perhaps with fome
fuch View as our Famous Cardinal IVoolfey had in
getting feveralgood Monafteries into his Hand, be-
(ides the Abbies he already poflefs'd, he got himfelf
to be chofen Jhbot de Clugni, de Gfieaux & de
Fremontre^ Three Monafteries, chief of their Or-
ders in Fr^ncej fche Abbots of which are as Superiors
General of a great Number of Abbeys and Priories
in that Kingdom and in other Parts of Europe, Healfo
ordered it to be given out that he intended to reform
thofe great Abbies, and all depending upon them, un-
der pretence of reftoring the antient Splendor of the
Galiican Church, but in Truth, toenlargehis Autho-
rity in Ecclefiaflical Matters, as alfo to oblige the
Pope by it to declare him Legate of the Roman See, to
be
(?/ F\R A N C E. 415
he a kind of Deputy to him, as was Cardinal de Am-
boi]€\v\thQK.Qignoi Lewis XII. The Pope appriz'd
of Rkhlieus Ambitious Projefts, refus'd to contirni
his Bulls for theThree great Abbies before -mentioned.
To be reveng'd of his Holinefs, Rkhlieu perfwaded
his Mafter to recal the Count ^s(^ AT^^/Z/ej, and leave
only the Marelchal d' Etrees at Rome, Vrban was
difgufted at that Marefchal*s haughty Behaviour, he
had been AmbafTador thereunder the Pontificate of
Paul V. to whom he carry 'd himfelf fo proudly and
fo rudely, that it is faid the Pope kW in fo Violentt a
FitofCholler againft him as to throw himfelf into
the Apoplexy, of which he dy'd. This very Hu*
niour of d* Etrees was the very Merit that recom-
mended him to Richlieu to be left Sole AmbafTador at
the Court of Rome, but Vrban let him remain with
that Character a confiderable time without giving
him Audience or receiving him with the Diftinaion
dlie to his EmbalTy. This occafion'd a long Letter
from Richlieu to the Pope, complaining of his Par-
tiality to the Spaniards^ as well in the Affair of
the AmbafTaelor of France as in the recalling of Ma-
zarine, Vrban wou'd not abate of his Rigor towards
the Marelchal, and to prevent the Milchief that
might attend it he fent for Maz^arine from Avignon^
where he was Vice-legate to Rome^ knowing that the
Court of France wou'd be well pleased to have him
about him, as depending on his fupporting their In-,
terefts. Mazjirine^ for Form fake only, wrote to
Richlieu to recal Monfieur d' Etrees tho' he had him •
felfadvis'd the fending him to R«me, where he was
as troublefome as he had been in a former Pontifi-
cate.
The Hopes of diftrefs*d People when they ire un-
der the Tyranny of Cruel and Powerful Minifters,
are in the Difunion that Succefs will neceffarily cre-
ate among them. Their Interefls may be at firft the
lame, wnile their Power is unfettled, and they have
Competitors in the Miniftry, but when by their
Authority or the Authority of their Mafters, they
liave fupprefs'd all oppofite Parties and have no more
ti^ir common Antagonifts to contend with, they
begin
4T4 ^^ ^^^^^^ Hiflorj
begin to think each of his own Advantage, and to rife
higher on the Rains of one another, as they rofe toge-
ther before on the Ruins of their Rivals. The Capu^
chine Jofeph thought hinifelf as able and deferving as
his Bcnefa£^or Rkhlieu^ that the Cardinal had been
Prime long enough, and it was novir his Time and
Tarn. The King had a kindneQ for Madamoifelle
de la Faiette^ and the Fr ewe/? will have it, 'twas only
a kindnefs for one of his Queen's Maids of Honour.
She was related to Father Jofephy and Neice to the
Bilkop of Limoges^ who in Conjunftion with the
good Father perfwaded her to infinuate to the King
that it was a Sin in him to detain Lorraine from tlie
Lawful Prince, and that the People were impo-
veriih'd by the Load of Taxes laid on them to conti-
nue the War. Richlieu had feme Intelligence of
wliat Madamoifelle's Infinuations were. Thofe that
put her upon it were expell'd the Court. Ifthe
Cardinal did not find out the Capuchme in his BCi-
finefs, he at leaft difcover'd that the good Father
was watching an Opportunity to trip up his Heels,
for he had feveral times decry'd his Meafiires to the
King. Richlieu exclaim'd bitterly again ft tlie Fa-
ther's Ingratitude and Infidelity, and Jofeph feem*d
not to be much concern'd at his Relentment, de-
pending on the Support of the She Favourite, and
apprehending that Richlieu dealt doubly with him
^1 the Matter of the Cardinal's Cap.
There happen'd an Event in the beginning of this
War, between the Houfes of Aujlria and Bourbon^
which fhews us whatNo vices the French were then in
Navigation and Maritime Expeditions, and what
Fools thofe Princes have been that have helpt to in-
ftruft and affift them in it. The Spaniards who were
at that time a Match for the French at Sea, had taken
the I (lands of St. Margaret and St. Honor at on the
Coafls of Provence^ which the Cardinal refolv'd to
recover, and alfo to favour feme Commotions that
were in the Kingdom of Naples^ by equiping a good
Fleet. The Count de Harcourt was to Command it,
and the Arch-Bifhop of Bourdeaux to accompany
him, as was alfo the Bifhop of Nam:^ , for F.ichlieuj
who
(?/ F R A N C E. 415
who was bimfelf a Prieft, made no Scruple of gi-
vingMillitary Employments, both by Sea and Land,
to Men of that Order.
Some Inftancesofthefe fighting Bifhops have been
met with in other Countries befides />/iw^, but thefe
Prelates have been every where fuch as feem'd to
have been forc'd upon the Church, and to live in it
asifit wasby Conftraint, having the Learning, and
living after the manner rather of a Camp than of a
Cathedral. Men of Senfe laugh'd at the Cardinal's
Injudicious Favour to thefe Bifhops, in giving them
Commands Aboard Men of War, and exclaim'dal-
fo againft his putting the Count de Harcourt over
the Fleet, that Count having never yet ferv'd at Sea.
This Fleet confifted of about Forty Men of War, and
was the greateft France ever put to Sea, it pafs'd the
Streighs, and approached the Coafts of Naples!
where, by that time the Fleet arriv'd, all things
were quiet, and the Count ^e Harcourt and histwo
Bifhops had nothing to do but to Sail along a fine
Country. The next thing that was enjoyn'd them
was to recover the Iflands o{ St. Margaret and St.
Honorat^ which was hinder'd by a Divifion between
the Count de //^rc(7«rr and the Marefchal ^^ ritri^
Governor of Provence. The latter refented the
Count's having a Commiffion given him, which he
thought belong'd to him as Governor of a Province,
Which thofe Two Iflands made a parto^ befides he
was not very fond of an Expedition, which was like
to deprive him of the Profit he made by tlie Troops
kept on Foot, to defend the Coafls againfl the De-
fcents of the Spaniards from thofe Ifles. He therefore
refus'd to obey the Count de Harcourt of the Houfe
of Lorraine, when the attacking the Two Iflands was
debated in the Council of War. This he did, not-
withftanding the King had fent him pofitive Orders
to ferve under the Count, the Marefchal was more
pafTively obedient when he was to cut the Throat of
the Marefchal de Ancre. He now refufes to obey
the King's Command. Shou'd a Governor of a Pro-
vince dare to do fo in the Reign of the Son o{ Lewis
the Jvft^ what wou'd become cfbini ? Fitrl left his
Sol-
41 6 The Secret Hijlorj
Soldiers with, Harcourt^ but wou'd not accompany,
him in his Expedition. A Month was fpent by the-
Count and liis Two Prelates in ufelefs Confultations,
after which Provifions fell ihort, and the Fault was
laid to the Door of the Bifhop of Nantes^ whofe
Charge it was in Particular to provide all NecefTa-
ries. People made themfelves merry with the Neg-
ligence of this EpifcopalCommilTary, li^hy fiou^d he
.he hlMd^ faidthey, Is a Blflr^p obltg'd to know any
thing be fides his Profejfion ? He of A^^wr^j w^as,it feems,
very Ignorant; the Arch- Bifhop of ^oWe^/^.v wlio
had built an imaginary Fortune on the Succefs of this
Fleet, was enrag'd'to find they were all difappoint-
ed*, lie cry*d out againfl the want of Provifions
and Money, and the Mifunderftandings between
Vitrl and Harcourt,
The Prelate reproached the Marefchal in a Coun-.
cil, at which the Firfl: Prefident of the Parliament
of Provence afllfted on this Account. Vitri Can»d
the Arch -Bifhop, giving him Twenty Blows, but
he being out of his Diocefs, he cou'd not fulmi-
nate as he had done againft the Duke d' Epernon.
The Bifhop's Difgrace brought that Story into Re-
membrance, and every Body laugh d at him for
afTaming a Station he was (o unequal to. Cha-
vigni wrote to the Cardinal de la Faktte^ that the
Marefchal de Vitri had reveng'd the Duke d' Eper-
7ion. I believe^ fays he, A^onfieur de Bourdeaux en-^
deavours to be Cand wherever he comcs^ that he
may fdlthe whole Kingdom with excommunicated Peo-
ple. While the General Officers were Quarreling
thus a Shoar, the Spanijb Galleys landed Three
Thoufand Men in the Two Iflands, And the French
Fleet fail'd fairly back again, having only fhewn
its felf in the Mediterranean. The Two Biihops
that were aboard it, being fufficiently rally'd, as
was the Cardinal de Richlieu^ for employing them
in a Bufinefs they were fo unfit for. This dil-
honourable Expedition, and the Prince o^ Conde*s
raifing the Siege of Dole^ in the French County,
very much afflidled Lewis^ who if he had been his
own Mafter, wou'd certainly have Ihewn his Re-
fen tment
of
FRANCE. 417
fentment in another manner to the Cardinal, for
putting both of thofe Enterprizes into fuch Hands.
The Siege of Dole being left to Conde, and a Cou-
fin of RichUeu% Monfieur de Meilleraie ; the for-
mer feeing a Man who lov'd Money better than
Glory, the latter a rafh fiery Bravo. The Ger-
mans having found means after a hve or fix Months
Siege, to advance with a good Army to the relief
of the Place, Rlchlieu was terribly embarrafs'd
how to bring the Prince and his Coufin off with
Honour, after he had promised the King fi'om time
to time that the Town {hou'd be in their Hands
in a few Days. The Prince of GorJe hearing of the
Approach of the Germans^ fummon'd the Place a-
gain to Surrender, but they difpis'd his Impotence
and Prefumption, fending him a Summons in forn\
to raife the Siege. A Trumpeter came to him from
the Town to declare, that if he wou'd retire, they
wou'd give huii Six Days Time, But if hi- High-
nefs reje^ed that Offer, it w^ou*d be the worfe for
him. Conde reply*d in a Fury, Tell the Inhabitants
of Dole, / will not accept of their Surrendring by
Compofihon, unlefs they beg it of me with Hat-
ters about their Necks, The Befieg'd infulted him
yet further, they caus*d Letters to be thrown into
the Camp of the Befiegers, threatning to keep
him as long before the Town as he lay in his Mo-
ther's Belly, which was faid to be a Eleven Months,
At lad Lewis fent pofitive Orders to the Prince to
raife the Siege, if a certain Mine on which 'twas
given out the Succefs of it depended, did not take
EffefV. The Mine was fprung to no purpofe, and
his Highnefs, the Prince of Conde and Richlieus Cou-
fion Meilleraie^ niarch'd off with the remains ot
a fine Army, their Rear expos 'd to the Attack of
the Germans^ who were not very forward to fol-
low them, the Town being reduc'd to the laft Ex-
tremity. Thefe Difgraces were followed by the loii
of Capelle^ and the ravageing the Provinces ofPicardy^
Champagne^ and even the Ifle of France by the Ger-
visns and Spaniards j Catelet followed the Fate of
CapelU^ The Parifmns vfQi'Q in a dreadful Fright.
E e Every^
' i
41 8 The Secret Hifiory
Every one cry'd out againft the Cardinal for cen-
tring fo rafhily into the War, and leaving the Fron-
tiers To weak and expos'd. Rlchlieu,to throw as much
of the Odium as he cou'd off himfelf, caused the
Marquis du Bee, Governor oiCapelle^ and the Baron
de S'Leger^ Governor of Cata'ety to be profecuted
for delivering up tiiofe Places.^ The Two Gover-
nors having notice of the Orders he had given,
made their Efcape, for tiio' they really cou'd not
have defended the Towns longer than they did, they
knew the Cardinal woud have made no Scruple
of taking off their Heads right or wrong, to flwe
his own Reputation. The Truth is, the Soldiers
of thofe Two Garrifons had been heard to fay,
they wou'd not venture their Lives in a Quarrel
in which the King w^as not concern'd, but only
the Prime Minifter's Authority was in Queflion.
The Germans and Spaniards pafl the Somme^ took
Roie and Corbie^ the latter ill defended by Soyecourt,
Brother-in-Law to the Qouuld' Avaux^ a Confident
of Richlleus and Fatiier Jofeph's, Such Minifters as
Rkhlieu will never confider a Man's Ability, Cou-
rage and Merit in advancing him to a Civil or
Military Pofl, but his Difpofition to be a Tool to
facrihfe Honour and Confcience to their Intereft,
and whenever a Country is attack'd that has their
Tools for its Defenders, it may expcifl the fame
Defence us France had now her fcncmies are within a
few Leagues of her Capital. The Panfianf began to
Ihut up their Shops, and it was fa id of Rkhlieu ^
if he had not thrown down the Walls of Paris to
make Gardens and build Monafteries, they had not
needed to have been in fuch fear of a Siege :j but the
ill Condu6l of the Germans {av*d them from the
Ruin which the Cardinal's raOmers had brought them
fo near to.
This great Politician, wdiofe Charafler cannot be
touched but to his Advantage, if an Hiftorian wou*d
be read, was however, f) abcindon'd to his PafTion,
that he did not give Jiimfelf Time Xo think w^har
was to be done, befides breaking with the Houfe of
Aufiria^ before he broke with them. He artfully
drew
e/ F R A N C E. 4t9
drew feveral Princes into a Confederacy with
France againft them, but had not made due Pre-
parations to fupport it. He was himfelf in fuch a
Confternation after tlie lofs of Corhte^ tliat at firft
he was for removing with tlie Court to Orleum
or Blots, but the Fright being a little over, he de-
fcended from his haughty obflinate Manner, to an
obliging complying one. He promis*d that the Peo-
ple liiou'd be eas'd in their Taxes, they were ex-
horted to take Arms, the King was advis d to give
the Command of the Armies to the Duke oi Or-
leans^ and the Princes of the Blood. Several great
Lords v^ho had been forbidden the Court, as the
Duke d* yhgoulemcj the Count de la Rochfaucaultj
and the Marquis de Valencai^ were recall'd. The
Minifter did that out of Fear, which he ought to
have done out of Juftice. The Terror People were
in, was fuch, that they readily offer'd their Money
and their Perfons to defend their Country.
The Parliament of Varls ofFer'd to raife
and to maintain.- ■— « . 2<^oo Foot.'
The Chamber of Accounts. ^-^ 700
The Court ai Aids, 400
The King's Secretaries^ _— ■400
The Chancellor, the Two Superintendants
of the Finances and their Clerks. 500 Horfei
The City of Varis. . . » ■6^00 Foot.
The Neighb'ring Towns. 4joa
The Towns between Varis and
The CcUjiines and Chanreux* . 400
The Univerfity of Faris, — — . 400
The next Day after the Parliament had made this
OfFer, they met to confider how to raife the Mo-
ney, and proposal to dtpute T welve Counfellors to
the Hotel de Fllle^ to take care for the Guard of the
City, and to have an Eye on- the due Applicadon
Ee 2 of
420 The Secret Hifiorj
of the Money granted to be rais'd for this Service-
The Prefident Le Jay opposed this, for what figni-
fies the giving Money for the Publick Service, if tlie
Minifters have not the fole Difpofirion of it. The
Mkhlf'eus of ?A\ Times do not care whether there be
Money given or not, unieis it pafTes thro' their
Hands or the Hands of rheir Creatures. Le Jay
faid the AlTembly were not met to that Purpofe,
but the Prefident de Mefmes made a long Speech
to fhew the necefTity of tiieir delibeiatng upon
it, and in the Speech he mention'd the mono-
polizing of Places by Richlleu and his Relations, a
Grievance fo very common, that I have often
wonder'd cunning Minifters will not rather make
ufe of other Mens Names to enrich their Fa-
milies than fill the Court Lifts with thofe of their
own. He alfo complain'd that no Care was taken
in the Management of the Finances, and that
immenfe Sums of Money and a prodigious quan-
tity of Ammunition and Artillery had been fen t to
Havre de Grace where the Cardinal was Mafter.
Mefmes reproach'd Le Jay with facrififing the
Publick Welfare to his Private Intereft. To give
a Check to this Impertinent Zeal for the good
of their Country, the King fent for the Prefi-
dents au A'forticr a Prefident and Dean of each
Chamber of Inquefts to the Lovure^ and bad them
Meddle with their cvpn Bufvjepy adding, / krjoro
hoxv to govern fny Khgdomj Ij you have aijy Ad'
H}ice to give me I xolll readily hear you ; you ivay
alfo adfdrefs your felf to Monfieur the Cardinal^
he will receive you very wdl^ but I forbid you
to talk m a Tujuidticous Seditious ma-nner of State
Affairs tn your Afjembly, if any thing has been
fent to Havre de Grace it was by my Order, Then
Rlchlieu took up the Difcourfe, iaying, If the King
had not fufnciertly jaflify'd him, he wou'd give
fo good an Account of his Anions that no reafo-
nable Man fhou'd have a Word to object to
them. The Magiftrates being in great Appre-
henfions of Confinement, as had been lately the
Cu-
cf¥ RANGE. 421
Cuftom on fuch Occafions, made a mofl Sub-
miffive Anfwer, and withdrew trembling, the
Prefident de Mefmes cringing and trembling as
well as the reft.
In Times of Peril, few People fufFer for fpeaking
againft thofe that have brought them into it, the
Lofers have always leave to fpeak, and we feldom
meet with Threats againft the Seditious, a Term
that in fome Countries is to be underftood of thofe
that Ipeak Truth out of Seafon. Accordingly the
Tongues of the Fremh were loud and bold enough
againft the Prime Minifter. The Invaders were
carrying Fire and Sword thro' feveral of their
beft Provinces, and 'tis a wonder they were fatis-
fy'd with ufing their Tongues only. The Cardinal
not daring to throw the Seditious into Dungeons,
as he was wont to do, got his Mercenaries to
write Panegyricks for him, as faft as his Oppo-
nents publilh'd Libells, as they were call'd, and as
all Hiftories will ever be call'd that are not to
the Gout of the Minifter, Thefe Mercenaries who
thought the more Flaming their Incenfe was, and
the ftronger it fmelt, the richer it wou'd be thought
and the Price be the greater, always over did it, and
never more than now that their Patron was fur-
rounded by an Army of Enemies, not French Men,
but Foreigners triumphing over the Arms of France,
A Doftor of the Sorbonne, m one of hisNaufeous En-
comiums,call'd RicMieu a Divinity to whom they ought
to Sacrifice, Another more wicked faid, he fhou'd
not be caird Fichlieuhwt Rich Dicu, becaufe nothing
hut a God cou'd give the King fuch I/Fife Cmaifel. Pope
Vrban who was as much given to Judicial Aftro-
logy as any Body in France, not excepting the Car-
dnial himfelf, did not Compliment him (o when he
fent him Word that a certain Aftrologer, a Famous
Artift, had caft his Nativity, and found he had but
a Year to live, adding that the Peace wou'd be con-
cluded in Three Years, The Defign of the Pontiff
was to difpofe Richlieu to hearken to the Propofals of
Peace that had been offer'd.
E e 3 Lewus
422 The Secret Hiftory
Lewis was for fome time a little-refe^vd to-
wards the Cardinal, who had brought him into
thefe Dangers and Difficulties, out of hatred to
the Houfe of Anuria for ^rote^ling Mnvy de
Medicis^ and the Dukes of Orleans and Lorraine. The
King's Cariage fo difcourag'd liim that he re-
folv'd to give up his Employ , but Father Jo-
fephj who in this Emergency, thought his own In-
terefl concern'd in Richlie'u% earncftly prefs'd
him to continue it, doing hmi in this the fame
good Office the Cardinal de la f^alette had be-
fore done him on a like Occafion. The Capu-
chine knew that if he had abandon'd the Minilby
at fuch a Junfture there mufl be a thorough
Change at Court, and that then he wou'd fufter
for his former Intrigues with him. This uni-
ted them as faft as ever. Peril generally fixes
(lich Friendihips *, tho' Men may Envy and Hare
thofe that they had formerly Leagu'd with, to make
their Fortune, yet flanding on the fame Bottom,
they will furely IHck clofe together when they are
in Danger, for the Knot once broke, the whole
Work will be unravv^li'd, the Michief come our,
and the Doers of it be punifh'd.
The Confternation was (o great in Paris^ that the
Cardinal durfl not appear there, he was ib funk in
Bod^ and Mind, that he wou'd have been gone had
not his Friend FatherJ^/fp^ kept him in Heart. His
Confident went to the Superintendant of the Finan.
cesto pray him to go about the Streets of Paris^ to
hear the Railings of the Rabble, to Salute every Bo-
dy with an Air of AfTu ranee, and teil the Parjfians
it they will alFiR the Kuig with Men and Money, he
wou'd drive away the Spaniards^ enter th^^ Low
Countries^ and put every thing to Fire and Sword.
All was at Stake, and Bullion^ whole Fortune depend-
ed upon RtchlieuSy got a Horfe-back, rode thro' the
City with only Two Lackeys by his Side. The Rab-
ble firftfell a Railing at and Curfmg him, and the
Cardinal bore all patiently. They call'd him Robber
and Hangman^ he bow a, and by his Civilities fo
ap-
^/FRANCE. 423
appeas'cl them, that at laft they turn'd their Threats
and Curfes againft the Spaniards and Germans, The
Way being thus prepar'd for the Cardinal, he made
his Appearance the next Day, he rode in his Coach
without Guards or Halberdiers, he ftopt where the
Croud was greateft, and his firm Look had fo good
an EfFea, that tlie Parifmns durft not Infult him. His
Courage, Conftancyand Promifes fo pleas d them,
that tiiofe who Yefterdayrail'd fo bitterly at his Mi-
nidry, to Day give him a Thoufand Bleffings, and
put up Prayers for his Profperity.
Never had the Affairs oi France been fo embarrafs'd
fmce the Battle oLSt, Quintln^ as they were this Y^ar
1 6-3 6. The MiniRer whofe Politicks are fo cry'd up
by his Mercenaries, and the Slaves that admire them -,
this very Minifter, I fay, has brought France mto
the moft miferable Condition it was in fmce Charles
the Fifth's Time. Tiie Spaniards are ravaging the
Country on one Side to the Gates of Pari s^ on the
other the Germans do the fame in Burgundy, and
the Spanifl) Fleet infuits theCoafts oiGuyenne. VVlien
Comit Gala^, who commanded the Imperial Army
under the King of Hungary, enter'd Burgundy^ he
publiih d a Manifefro complaining, " Tiiat Lewis
«' had endeavour'd to kindle a Civil War in the Em-
*' pire, That he had continually affifted the late
'• Wiwgoi Sweden^ That fince the Death of C'^/y^^^z/^
" Molphusj he had bought of the Swedes feveral
*' Places belonging to the Emperor, That contrary
« to ail juftice he had taken away the Duke of Lor-
^' maze's Territories, That he had facrifis'd the In-
*' terefl of his Religion, and ihe Welfare of his Sub-
" jeas to his unjuft Projeas, That fo many Aas of
'^ Violence and Injuilice, had oblig d the Emperor
*' and the King of Hungary his Son, to take up Arms
*f to put a flop to the Courfe oi the Violent Coun-
'' fells given to Lewi^ ', that rii'ey both iiop'd all good
^^ French Men wou'd approve of their Refolution,
" and be fo far from fupporting a Bloody Minifter,
*^ Author of the War, that they would aflift their
« Imperial and Hungarian Majeflies in their laudable
*' Deiinn, to edablilh a Solid and Ufting t'eace thro*
" E e 4 all
424 T^he Secret Hifiory
^V all E-irope, That to give a certain Proof of the
^^ Sincerity' of their Intentions, the Emperor and
^ his Son took into their Proteaion all thoiQ French
^' Men that made no Refiftance, anddeclar'd that
' thofe only ftou'd feel the Effe£ls of their Majefties
' Indignation and Wrath, who obftinately perfilled
^' in fupporting Lewis's Minifl:er,by whofe ill Coun-
' fells this Unjuft and Bloody War was kindled in
*' Chrifiendom*'' If the Spaniards had known how
to improve the Opportuniny put into their hands,
by i?/c/?//Vw'sRa(]inefs and his Ignorance in Military
Affairs, France had not made fo formidable a Figure
m the Reign of the Son of Lewis the Ji<fi.
The Dake o^ Orleans being at the Head of one Ar-
my, and the Count de Soipns of another, the Two
Princes enter'd into a Correfpondence to take hold
of theOccallon, and deftroy their common Enemy,
RicUieu. The Duke de la f^alkttc^ Governor of Per-
ronne, promised to deliver that Place to them, the
Dukes de Bouillon and de Retz, were in the Secret,
Montrefor, the Duke of Orleans's Confident, had a
Couhn German^ Monfieur Su Ibal,v^\\Q was as much
in the Confidence of the Count deSoi[fon^, and thefe
Two Princes meeting at Perorme^ by means of their
Two Confidents, enter'd into Conferences to effed
the Ruin ofRich'Heu : Some of their Friends were for
caufing it to be repreknted to the King, that the
Vv/ar was only on Account of die Cardinal's Ambition,
that twas very dangerous, the Couutry being ex-
pos'd to thQ Jnvafion of Foreigners, and the Nobili-
ty fo difcontentedjthat civil Commotions were every
Day breaking out in many Parts of the Kingdom.
Others were for the fhcrter way, and that was to
fecure Richliaus Perfon, which wou'd prelently re-
ftore Peace be^th at Home and Abroad.
V/hile this Intrigue was on Foot between the Two
Princes, the Cardinal's Enemies, hi mfelf had another
to remove the Dake ^'^ St, SJmon, tliQ King's Favou-
rite •, that Duke, difgui^ed that he cou d n'ot fawQ his
Uncle St. Le^r,'^ Governor of CataUt^ from being
condemn'd to be torn in Pieces by Four Horfes, had
carr/dhimielr a little Sullenly tor^ie Cardinal, who
re^
of V R A N C E. 425
refoly'd to let no Opportunity Slip to get him out ot
the way. Thefirft that offer'ddid the Bufinefs. it
being known that St. Simon had fent a Courier to
to his Uncle to advife him of what v/as afting
againfl him, and that he might make his Efcape,
the Cardinal reprefented this as an unpardonable
Crime, for tho' St. Leger was not provided for a
Siege, and Richlieu kmw it his own Fault in not ta-
king Care to have him well fupply'd,yet for his own
Reputation fake he wou'd have had tliat Gentleman
to have been fo barbaroudy Murder'd,and by Form of
Law too, had not his Nephew done what he did to
fave him. The Duke de St. Simon was however
order'd to his Government of Blaie^ under Pretence
that the Spaniards threaten'd it \ a little while af-
ter he had new Orders fent him not to ftir
thence, and Chavigni^ Secretary of State, was in
Hopes of fucceeding 5:. Simon in his Majeily's good
Graces, but the Cardinal took care to prevent his
inilnaatinghimfelf farther into them than he thought
fit. Chavlgnl, wrote a Letter to the Carainal de la
yallete on this Subjed, which ended thus :
I
Accompany d the King to Chantilli. My Lord,
the Cardinal, order d me not to leave his Afajc-
fiy'y the good Humour he is now in^ fljews that
Monfieur de St. Simon had not done voell.^, he is
confind to his Government \ when I tell you the
Particulars of all this^ you will be JmprizJd^ the
King has not cafi his Eye upon any one ^ in al^l
likelihood^ he will not have a-nother Favourite ; he
H'ill Loves Madamoifelle de la Faiette, who does
neither Good nor Harm *, Neverthelefs he talks
frequently to Madamolfelle de Hautefort.
Nothing cou'd Jaave fav^d France from the m>-
ferable Condition to which] fhe was lately reducd
by the Arms of Queen Anne^ our mofl Gracious So-
vereign,, ev'n in the War we are now treating of
had the King of Spain $ Gounfellors acted with that
. . â– ^'i-
^'
^
426 The Secret Hiflory
Vigor and Conftancy which RlchUeu fhew'd on this
Occafiog, to recover the Ground loft by the ill ftep
he had taken in entring fo rafhly into the War,
or had the Germans for once fhewn their Heads
were as fit for Council, as their Hands for a£ling.
But the flbwnefs and irrefolution of the Confederates
gave the Cardinal time to get a Powerful Army
together, at the Head of which Lewis march'd a-
gainftthe Enemy in Perfon. However, all his Pru-
dence wou'd not have prevented the 5p^;7/^r^i entring
into the Heart of France^ had not the Prince of
Orange \iXQk*di them hard in the Netherlands ^^ndi the
Catalans and Portugidefe made a Diverfion on their
fide. Fortune has been the Safety of Frarjce more
than once within this Century, fometimes by Lucky
Turns in War, fometimes by Turns as lucky in
Peace. And now all the Clouds that hung over her
difpers'd on a fudden as faft as they gather'd, ow-
ing more to the ill Conduft of her Enemies, than
either her own Politicks or Power.
The Cardinal's Body was as much out of Order
as his Mind, yet amidft the troublefome Pains of
his ulcerated He??7crrhoids he followed the King,
accompany'd by hisCapuchine. In a letter he wrote
the CardinaWc laV^alette of the 23d of At^gufz lo;'^",
he gives us a lively Idea of the State of Affairs in
the French Court at that time. Tou will fee the
War does not go very well with vs^ fince as nil as I
am, I am forced to go 77iy felf ; the Cowardice of
Three Rafcds who rroud not defend themfelves in
Three Places^ with which they were tnijied^ has put
our Affairs into a had Condition. J^ext Month we
fij all have an Arm"^ of 10000 Horfi^ and 25000 Foot,^
we JJjall then ma^ch direEily againji the Enemy. The
Cardinal wou'd very feign have Commanded this
Army, the Count de Soijfo-^s to have commanded
under him. He caused the Propofal to be made to
the Count, who reje«5^ed it with Scorn, / had ra-
ther^ faid he, the Cardinal fljoud be my Enemy^ than
1 he his Slave, To mortify him Richlieu got the
Duke of Orleans to be declared Lieutenant General,
tho' Gajion v>'as to liave had no Command at all,
had
of V R hNCE. 427
Jiad the Cardinal's Propofal to Soijfofis been accepted.
The Cardinal knew very well he iliou'd have the
fole Command in efFe^: as long as the King was
Prefent, and therefore he did not care who had
the Title. He had confulted his Aftrologerson the
Succefs of the War. Wicked Minifters are always
Superftitious, and none was ever more fo than this
Pricft. Being promis'd that his old good Luck
fhou'd attend him, he was for marching imaiediately
to the Enemy, the Marefchal ^e/^ F<9rre objefted,
that it were better to Hay a little, the Troops be-
ing new Levies. The Cardinal reply'd with an Air
of Difdain, This Phlegm i; neither feafonable^ nor to
my Gout. We muft march immediately and oblige the
Enemy^ now very much weaken d^ to retire, Propo-
fals of Peace being made at the fame time on the
part of Mary de Medlcls^ We will keay them^ lays
he infalting her, when the Queen Mother is return d
to France. RicUleu did not only confult AUrologers %
about the Succefs of the War, he entertained a Fellow
calPd Borfmetlley^Nho pretended to have found out
the Philofophers Stone, arJ promis'd to furnifh
200000 Crowns a Week to ca: ry it one. Crotlus in
one of his Letters, (peaks of th\^ Impoftor, who was
a little while after thrown into Prifon, and the
Court did what they cou'd to ftifle a Bufinefs that
had made them fo Ridiculous, and fhew'd fo much
their NecefTities.-
By the Junftion of the Nobles and Gentlemen of
file Frontier Provinces Lewis's Army was encreab'd
to 50000 Men, and the Spaniards having ftrengthen'd
thQ Garrifons of the Towns they had taken, re-
pafsd the Somme. *Tis faid the Duke of 0>lea?7s
and the Count de Soijjons^ who commanded under
him, might Eave cut off their Rear, hat thofe two
Princes did not think fit to put too much Power
into the Hands of the Cardinal, by the Defeat of
his Enemies. Rlchlleu faw, or fufpetted, their
Negligence, and did not fail to repreient it in the
worft Colours to the King, that his Majefty might
give him the Sole Command as well in Title as in
Subilance. For that Report feenid to juftify his be-
428 The Secret Hiflory
ing prefer 'd to the Prefumptive Heir to the Crown,
and the Second Prince of the Blood. One may
percieve what were his Sentiments by this PafTage,
in a Letter of his to one of his Friends. The Emmy
retird too foon out of Picardy, where thofe that had
the Charge of purfumg them marched too/lowly* MuU
titude of Generals never forward Affairs.
In the mean time the Confpiracy againft him
contina'd, 2ind A^ontrefor de St. Ihal endQ^vom'd to
pufh the Duke q[ Orleans and the Count de Soiffons to
Extremities.They hinted the taking him off now they
had him in the Army, and anOpportunity offer'd which
was a flrong Temptation •, but theTwoPrinces wou'd
not hear of getting rid of him by AfTafiination.
When the Cardinal came fir ft to the Army, 'twas
drawn up in Order of Battle to do him Honour.
His Troop of Gens d' Arm e^ wou'd take the Right
of the Count de Solffons's^ the Difpute went fo far,
that they laid their Hands on their Piftc^s on both
fides. St. Jhal told the Count, that nov^ was the
Time for him to deliver himfelfof a dangerous Ene-
my. He might have done it without running any
Risk, the Count was as much belov'd as the Cardinal
was hated by the Soldiery \ however he wou'd not
hear of having him kill'd. Dont name it to me^
fays he to his Confident, it fJ)a!l never be faid that
J gave my Confent to the Murder of a Priefi:. The
Cardinal order'd his Troops to give Place to the
Count de Soifons's. When the King heard of this
Difpute, he faid, /r might have coft him dear,
what Bufmefs had he there ^ His Troop ought not to
take Place of A^onfieitr the Count s^ whofe Poft is next
to my Brothers, The next Day his Majefi:y din'd
with the Count, and was in a mighty good Hu-
mour with him, which made People think, that if
any fuch Accident had at that Time happen'd to
the Ciirdinal, he wou'd not have been very forry
for it. This Occafion of ridding themfelves of him
being loft, another happen'd foon after. There was
a«-'Extraordinary Council held at A>^nens^ Five
Hundred Gentlemen and Officers of the Army at-
tended, the Duke of Orleans and the Count de
Soijjoni
fl/ F R A N C E. 439
Soiffons^ belides their Ordinry. Guards. The Two
Princes might have done what they wou'd, the
King going as foori as the Council was broken up
to his Quarters without the City, and the Duke
and the Count were alone with the Cardinal.
Montrefor took an Opportunity to demand of Ga-
fion whether they kept in the fame mind flilJ, the
Duke of Orleans faid, Tes^ but when he came to the
Point, neither of the Princes wou*d confent that
he fhou'd be kill'd. They were for doing their ut-
moft to remove him, but wou'd not have him mur-
dered. Gajion^ hovs^ever, declar'd that he wou'd do
any thing clfe to have the Miniftry put into other
Hands ^in order to which, hedifpatch'd Montrefor to
Gujenne^ to engage the Duke d' Epernon^ and his Son
the Duke de la Valette to joyn with them. Gaflon
left the Army after Corhie was re-taken, and retir'd to
Blots ^ to have more leifure to think of forming a Par-
ty againft the Cardinal, and to take from him the
many Opportunities he had, while he and the Count
de Soijfons were together, to lieze both their Perfons.
The King and Court returning to Parisj when
the Campaign was over, GaBon came thither alfo,
but did not Itay long there. He and the Count
de Solffons left the Court the fame Night without
taking their leave of the King. The Duke of Or-
leans having concerted Meafures with the Count
for carrying on their Defigns, went to Blols^ and
the Count to Rheimsj from whence he remov'd to
Sedan 'j both of them excus'd their withdrawing
.by Letters to the King, in which all their Com-
plaints center'd in their Grievances under Rich-
lieu s Miniftry, and the danger that threatened
their Liberty. Montrefor was fent to engage the
Duke d' Epernon^on whofe Afiiftance theTwo Princes
depended, encourag*d by the Promifes of the Duke
de la Palette ^ but tho' d Epernon hated the Cardi-
nal, yet either he was too Old or too Prudent to
embark in a Bufinefs that was fo hazardous, and
had hitherto failM of Succefs whoever attempted
it. The Duke^e la /^^/efre prefs'd his Father, but
he was inflexible, and all he wou'd do for Momrejor
was
4^0 The Secret Hifiorj
was to Promife not to difcover that he had beca
fent to him, or on what Errand.
However, the Cardinal who had his EmifTaries
every where, came to the Knowlegde of it, and of
the Advice the Duke had given the Two Princes
not to embroil the Kingdom in a Civil- War. To
continue him in that Loyal Difpofition, the Chan-
cellor Seguier was ordered to write him a Letter,
to let him know how well the King was fatisfy'd
with his Condu£l. The Duke turn'id off the Com-
plimenr, that he might not break his Word given
G^fton to keep what had been done on this Oc-
calion a Secret. But all this Buftle ended as o-
ther fuch Qiiarrels had ufually done. The Car-
dinal thought it his i'urcft way to divide the Two
Princes. He fet upon the Duke of Orleans firft,
and one of the Perfons that was fent to bring him
to an Accommodation was the Count de Guiche^
afterwards Marefchal de Grammontj who at a
Supper with the Duke of Orleans at Blois^ drank
{b freely, that he grew Drunk, and in his Cups
addrefs'd himfelf thus to Monfieur ^ / have been of-
fer d^ Sir. to he made fir ft Gentleman of your Bed-
Chamber^ hut I excused my felf'^ God forbid Ifljou^d
ever a[b the Fart of a Traytor as fever al of your
Domefticks have done. Then henam'd fome of them.
/ am a Man of Quality^ continues he, and will
do nothing but what's Hotwurahle *, / afn one of
the Cardinals Servants^ and am ready to ferve
him again/l you^ and all the Royal Family, I do not
wonder that Minifters who ufurpmore Power than
belongs either to them or their Mafters, fhou'd
find fuch Zealous Servants •, where the Power is, the
Pofts will be, and Courtiers feldom conhder any
thing elfe in their Politicks. Tho' one wou'd
think the Cardinal fhou'd have check'd 6'«/V/;^ for
this Impudent Declaration yet he was the better
receiv'd by him for it, and found his Account in
infulting the Prefumptive Heir of the Crown to
his Face, and at his own Table.
The Cardinal after he had with Succefs began a
Negotiation with Gafton^ fent Monfieur Liamourt
to
of FRANCE. 4JI
to the Count de Soijfons to do the fame with hiai,
for the Count talk'd of entring into Alliances
with Foreigners, and Richlieu dreaded more than
ever to fee the Germans and Spaniards in France
again, whence they had been driven as much by the
Winter as by their Enemies. The Count <^^ Soijfons
did not iiearken to a Treaty fo readily as the Duke
of Orleans^ who, to colour the matter, talk'd of
bis Interefts a little in the Negotiation, but did not
adhere to them, abandoning them as foon as ever
his own cou'd be advanc'd by it, as he had done
the Interefts of all that had engag*d with hira.
Soifons infifted to Liancourt that the Treaty fhou'd'
be carry'd on joyntly, and St. Ibal, his Confident*
demanded in his Mafter's Name, a Place of Safety,
telling him the Count had very Advantageous Of.
fers from Prince Thomas of Savoy ; that John de
Wert and Picolomini^ the Imperial Generals had Or-
ders to fupply him with what Troops he wanted,
and that there was Money in Bank at Luxemburgh
to ferve upon Occafion,
We fee how the Princes and great Lords of
France will talk in the Reign of Minors, and Kings,
whofe Minority never end when 'tis in the Un-
derftanding and not in their Age. The Count de
Soifjons muft have a Town, or France fhall be in-!
vaded h^j ^German Army paid out of Money from
the Low-Countries. Things of this Nature are not
impoflible to happen again, but when it will be,
I am not Prophet nor Politician enough to deter-
mine.
Richlieu^ impatient to put an end to an Accom-
modation with the Duke of Or/e^wj, whofe junaion
with Soiffons he was afraid of, not fo much out of
Apprehenfion of his own Power, as of the Aug-
mentation it wou*d be to the Count's, a Prince of
more Courage and Conftancy, he therefore ad-
vis'd the King to draw towards ^^// with a Body â–
of Troops to haften the Negotiation, but he facili-
tated it more by prefwading the King to Confent
to the Duke of Orleans's Match, aCondition, with-
out which, Gafion was refolv'd to put all to xh^ Ven-
ture.
4J-2 The Secret Hi ft or j
ture. Was not this a Glorious Triumph of the
Duke of Orhan^y that after all the Oppofition he
had met with in that Affair from his Brother and
his Minifter, he at laft obliges them to own that
Marriage which they had ^o iblemnly declar'd Null
by the Voices of a pack'd AfTembly of Biihops,
and the Parliament of Var'n / Richlieu who dreaded
the Count de Soijjons more than Orleans^ got the
King to write him an obliging Letter on the Ac-
commodation WithGaJlon^m^ himfelfalfo fent him
another. He had heard of a Treaty concluded be-
tween Alary de Medicls md the County for tho
the Queen Mother had no Money nor Men of her
own, fhe cou'd get what was wanted of the Car-
dinal Infant^ Governor of the Netherlands^ and the
Spaniards^ if there was an Encouragement from
France, But Soiffons not being willing to depend
on that Aftiftance, broke his word with her and
them, and made up his Matters with the Court,
on Condition he fliou'd have leave to flay at Sedan,
or any other Town of his Governments of Cham-
pagne and Dauphine^ that the King ihou*d pay the
Garrifon of Sed,an^ and Pardon the Houfe of Bou-
illon for giving Entertainment to Soiffons^ that he
fhou'd pay the Duke ^^ Bouillo?i the Arrearages of
his Penfions and AfTignments, that the Count be
reftor'd to the peaceable Enjoyment of all his
Offices, Benefices and other Revenues, that all his
Followers fhou'd be pardon'd, &c. Thus did Ga-
fton and the Count make their Advantage of their
Difpute with the Minifter, who had fo much Dan-
ger threatning him from Abroad, that he cou'dnot
do what he wou'd with his Enemies at Home, efpc-
ciilly (uch Enemies as the King's Brother, and the
Second Prince of the Blood. His own Inclination,
and the Authority given him by the v/eaknefs of
Lewis the Juji, wou'd have concluded thele DifFc
rence? in another Manner, had not the Cowv^tde
Olivarez. at Madrid cut him out other work, 1 he
Vvar abroad cofl immenfe Sums, and France ind
not yet learn'd the Doi^rine fince preach'd and pra-
CiWd there, that All Monsy is the King's. The
Far-
0/ F R A N C E. 4JJ
parliament of Roan refus'd to verify any of the
Pecuinary Edidls. But RichUeu took the fhorteft
way with them, he fent the Ciiancellor Seguler to
execute tiiat Commiflion, not attended by Lawyers
and learned Men to prove the Law, and the Reafon
of the Thing, but by the French and Swifs Guards,
feveral Regiments of Foot, and 1200 Horfe who
quartered at Roan all the while Seguier was there ma-
naging the Affair of Verification, Thefe powerful
Arguments have fince convinced the French Nation
of their Duty in^ fubmitting to Will and Plea-
fure^ and patiently paying whatever is enjoyn'd
them. The Count de Soiffhns expelled great Mat-
ters from this Norman Bufinefs, in which he found
himfelf difappointed, as in the Dependance he made
on the Promifes of the Duke de la Falette, Upon
which, fays my Author,//^ refolv'd to remain for fome
Time quiet at Sedan in Expe^ation that the Frefich
growing weary of enduring the Tyranny of RichUeu^
woiod at lati open their Eyes^ and embrace PrtH'
ciples worthy a brave Nation and a Free one^ accord-
'ing to the fir ft Conjlitution of its Government,
This is what a Frenchman tells us, and by this
we fee that 'tis not the Law, but the Sword» that
makes *em what they are now, the moft miferable
Slaves in Europe •, fuch Slaves that they feem to
have forgot they had ever been Free, and fo us'd
to it, that 'tis become as natural to them as their-
Vanity and Impertinences. This muft not be in«
tended of the Wife and Great Men of that Nation
as productive of both as any in Chrijiendom^ but
of the many of the Multitude who have fo long been
the Inftruments,not only of their own Slavery, but
of that almoft of all the other Chriftian Nations,
which had the Vniverfal Afonarchy obtain'd, w^ou a
have had no more Kappineis in this World than
Turks and Pagans.
In the Year j 6^ 7, the Arms of France were a
little more fuccefsful than they had been tl^e Year
before, only in the F'alte line the French Army was
forc*d in a manner to deliver themfelves up Prifoners
of War, being obliged to March off by what Routes^
in what Proportion of Numbers, and with what
F t Arms
4? 4 ^^^ Secret Hijiory
Arms their Enemies wou'd let them. The French
Strength was at the htight this Year, during this
Miriiftry, they had 80000 Foot and 2 0000 Horfeof
their own Troops m Pay, befides the Troops of their
Confederates^ they paid 1000000 Livres yearly to
the Crown of Sweden^ 1200000 to the States Gene-
ral of tlie United Provinces, 500000 to the puke of
Savoy y 500000 to the Landgrave of Helje Caffely
300000 to the Duke de Save Weymar^ and 1 000000
for the Maintainance of his Troops. They had Two
Fleets at Sea, and the whole Expence amounted to
30000000, which was then thought to be an incredi-
ble Sum, but the French have ^lince expended, for
the Ambition of their Crown, 150 iMiiiions year-
ly-
In onr Days had a General Officer been fo well
thralVd as the Arch- Bifhop of Bourdeaux was by
tlie Marefchal de Fkrl^ he wou'd hardly ever have
been able to have recover'd his Reputation j but that
good Prelate, fupported by the Cardinal, had the
iame Command giyen him this Year as he had the
laft, and the Two liles of Si\ Margaret and St, Mono- '
rat being re-taken from the Spaniards^ the Bilhop,
who had been fo well bang'd, was of a fuddemexalted
into a Heroe^ thePublick News writers faid of him
as they did of the Marefchals de Boufflers and f^i/iars
at the Rout at Tanieres, My Lord Arch Bifijop of
Bourdeaux behavd himfelf not like a General of an
Artny but like a Private Centinelj he was follow' d by
all the Nobles who did Wonders, This Account was
given by himfelf, and a great deal more of fuch
Stuff, with an intent to have it put in the News-
papers at Parh'^ which was done accordingly qjer^
^atij7u Vvith much ado, the French Arch- Bilhop
with about 20000 Men Soldiers and Sea-men, drove
J 000 Spaniards out of the liland o{ St, Aiargaret \\v
a Month or two's time, upon which they left the
'ille oi St, Honor at,
TliQ Normans ^NQXQ not the only People of France
that murmur'd at the heavy Burthen of Taxes im-
posed on them by a Voracious Miniiler. Thofe of
(jvysrme agahi tcok Arms, but the puke dela Va-
Istte
^/FRANCE, 4J5
lette, tlie Marquis de Duras, the Count de Afailie
and other Lords fell upon them and forc'd them to
fubmit. However, the Court thought fit to eafe
them a little of their Burthen to prevent another
Rifmg.
The Spaniards having entered Languedoc and laid
Siege to Leucate^ the Duke du Halluin^ afterwards
Marefchal de Schomberg, whofe Son he wi^s, obliged
them to raife the Siege by an A^ion which the Car-
dinal and Lewis XIII. himfelf cry'd up as one of the
greateft Victories of that Age *, the King faid in his
Order for caufmg Te Deum to be fung all over
France^ that his Coufm Halluin had gained an entire
Fiiiory and kill' d 3^90 Men en the [pot. The Duke
de Halluin himfelf in his Letter to the Parliament
of Toulofe fays, it was but 2000 Men •, the King tells
the World that he took and flung into the Lake de
Salces 66 Cannon^ the Duke lays but 37- Halluin's
Letter is much more Modeft and True, yet as True
and as Modeft as his was./twas an Exaggeration of the
the Fa£t, which was thus, as French Authors them-
felves report it in Exadl and Impartial Memoirs.
*' The Duke de Halluin attacking the Spaniflj In-
" trenchments before Leucate after Sun-fet, the
*' Spaniards when Night came on coii'd not diftin-
" guifti Falfe Attacks from True, and in that Con-
" fulionthe French enter'd their Camp, which they
^' never thelefs maintain'd till Morning, when they
" made a Brave Retreat, and fo Vigoroufly re-
" puls'd thofe that purfu'd them that feveral fled
<' back as far as Narhomie.'* I mention this parti-
cular becaufe it fhews us how long the French
Court have been us'd to impofe upon the World and
mock God in tiieir Te Deums, an Author of that
Nationmakesthefe JuftRefie^lions on this fubje<ft,
71?^ King's Account of this Battle in his Letter for a
General Thankfgivi fig did not agree with the Duke
de Halluin'i 5 the fame Error will be often obferv*d in
latter Tarts of the French Hijlory^ by comparing the
Letters of Lewis XIV. with the exa ft Relations of his
pretended FiEiories^ for which he has fo often caused
Te Deums to be Sung, the' he has lofi more Men than
F f 2 his
4j6 The Secret Hijlory
his Enemies, This Succefs made the Duke deHalluin
•a Marefchal of France^ as has been hinted, and that
confirm'd him ftill more in the Interefts of the Car-
dinal Minifter, who perfwaded hi^ Mafter to throw
the Adarefchal de Vitri into the Ba^ille^ and tlie
Count ^'^/efz,, the Duke d'Af^gouiefrjes*sSon had his
Government of Preve?7ce. None fure cou'd pity the
Fall of that Cruel Marefchal, who had made his
Fortune by the Blood of a 'Minifter lefs Arbitrary
than his SuccefTors, whole Creature Fim had been,
and fuch Creatures, however they may for a time
Flourilh, will always be Examples of the Juftice and
good Providence of God in giving them the Reward
of tlieir Evil Doings, in this Life as well as the
next.
We have already made mention of Lewis's Friend-
lliip to Madamoifehe ^e la FaiettCy Maid of Honour
to his Confort j4?m of Aujiria. Grotius calls this
Love Flatonick^ be it what it will, and putting the
beft Conftru£rton upon it, 'tis certain Lewis was very
well inclin'd towards her^ and ready enough to fol-
low her Advice. The Cardinafs Enemies of whom 'tis
faid the Queen's Confort was one, after there re^
main'd lio Hopes of hurting him by the Differences
between the Duke of Orleans and the Count ds
Soiffcns, and the Court, gain'd over this la Faiette
and the King's ConfefTor to reprefent to him the
Injuftice andWickedneis of carrying on a BloodyWar
for the Pleafure or Profit of his Minifter. Some are
of Opinion that Father Jofeph^ who was willing
enough that ^/VWzVzdhou'd be turn'd out, provided
he might be put in his Place, excited his Kinfwoman,
i^ Faiette under -hind, to endeavour to raife Scru-
ples in the King's Mind about the War and parti-
cularly his Alliances with Proteftanrs. The Cardi-
nal difcover'd all that pad between Lewis and la
Faiette^ by means of one Boizenval whom the King
had taken out of the Wardrobe to make one of his
firft P^alets de Chambres'^ Richlieu fufpe^^ed there
nnifl: be fomething extraordinary in giving him aPlace
fo near the King's PeiTon without his Kncnvledge, and
that there were Secrets eniruHed with him which it
was
ofF RAN C E. 4J7.
was for his Intereft to know; fo- meeting him one
Day, lie faid to him with a four and threatuing Looky
Well Sir, yoii are Firft Valet de Ciiambre, andyoMr^
got the Place without my knowing of ;>, rte Jhall fee-
whether you will keep it long', BoiT^enval not ^oxxhl-
jng but tlie Cardinal wou'd make good his Threat,^.,
went to him and m oft humbly beg'd his Prote£lio^,
promifing to devote iiimrelf entirely to his Service.
Richlieu reply'd, Ton may expert any ThitJg of
^^•> ^f y^'^ f^l^ ^^^ faithfully every thing that
paffes between the King and Madamoifelle de la
Faiette, give me the Billets they write to one another.
before you deliver them, I know very well they have
taken you to make ttfe of you in fuch Me [[ages.
This Incident will fhew us with what Honour,
what Opennefs fuch Minifters as Richlieu behave
themfelves in their Miniftry, how free they are from
corrupting others or being corrupted themfelves. Such
Aftions as thefe in the Lov^^er World wou'd be
deem'd and nam'd downright Fraud and Viliany,
but among certain States men they are dignify 'd
with the Title of Politicks, and thofe only Laught
at whoaredeceiv'd by them.
The Traytor Boiz.enval too pnnflualiy obey'd the.
Cardinal, As he faid he did^ nothing by Order of
Lewtsd^udla Faiette but he acquainted ^/V/jZ/fM with
it ^ he gave him thsir Billets, by which means the
Cardnial difcover'd what Defigns were carrying on
againft him. He took the Alarm, and left no Stone
unturn'd to get la Faiette removd from Court, he
perfwaded Bolz^enval to report things to the King
and the Lady, otherwife than they were faid by
both of them, to create in them a mutual Difguft ^
he opened their Billets, kept thofe that he did not
like, and put others very well counterfeited into the
Place of them ', he ni-^de the King fay what he
knew wouM vex his Friend, and la Faiette what he
thought wou'd do the fame by the King. Boiz.en'
val was found out in the firft Converiation Lewis and
the Lady had on this fubje<5^, the King lurn'd th^
Rafcal out of his Poft, and Richlieu was fo far from
interceeding for him, that he was glad he was ferv*d
E f 3 io
4j8 T^^ Se€yet Biftory
rohimfelf. This Tdck not fucceeding, the Cardi-
ral threaten'd the Marc hionefs deSenecey^ Firft Lady
of Honour to the Qiieen, and the Bifhop of Limioges^
la Faiett€*5 Unkle, to ruin them, unlefs they both
engaged her to quit the Que.en's Service, the Marchi-
onefs and the Biihop knowing his Revengful Spirit
and his Power to execute his Threats, lb fet the
Lady againft the King by Falfe Reports and Counter-
feit Letrers^, that fhe at lafl: refolv'd to retire into a
Convent. Father Jcfeph^ who was afraid the In-
trigue (hou'd be difcover'd, together with his iliare
in it, contributed to her Retreat, and fhe left the
Court with a Conftancy that encreas'd the Efteem
which every Body had of her Vertue and Merit.
She told the King fhe was refolv'd to leave the
World to devote her felf to the Service of a
Lord who was greater than al! the Monarchs
upon Earth, and conjured his Majefty with Tears in
her Eyes to give Peace to his People. Lewis wept
as much as" fhe, and and after fhe was gone
went often to the Grate of the Monaftery to
converfe with her. Sometimes the Gates were o-
pen'd to him, and he never came away from her hut
in a deep Melancholly. The Queen was afraid it
wou'd have had anilleffeft on his Health, and be-
ing very well fatisfy'd of la Falette^s Vertue, en-
deavoured to perfwade her not to take the Veil. All
her Perfwaflons were in vain, the Lady fpenttbe refl
of her Days in the Monaftry, where Lewis having
been once to vifit her;, flaid fo late that he cou'd
not return to the Place from whence he came to hei-.
Groshois^ where lie thei] lodg'd, \c^x the Diverfion of
Hunting, a ShourofRain drove him to theZ, «^'r^,
and that Night he Lay with his Queen, whofoon
after was found with Child, if you will believe fome
Hiflorians-, others give another Turn to the Con-
ception of Am of Anflria^ but I fhall not pretend
to determine a Matter fo dark as the Birth of Princes,
Not content with having render'd all the Princes
of the Blood Royal odious, or fufpefted by his Ma-
je/l:y, with having entirely alienated his AfFediions
from his Brother, and kept his Mother in a long Ex-
ile,
of FRANC E. 4?9
ild, ftith having banifh'd his moft dear Friend Ma-
damoifelle de la FaiettCy the Cardinal endeavour'd to
create a Divifion in the King's Bed, and to alienate.
his AfFe£^ions alio from his Wife, whom RichUeu
hated. It now came into his Head to engage the King
to repudiate the Queen, and take his Niece Combalet
in her Place. Hereprefented her as unlawful both
to his Bed and Crown, Horrid Calumny ! That ilie
correfponded with the Cardinal hfam, which ilie
did only to incline him to do his good Offices for
procuring the Peace of Chrfjlendom, De Porte^ who
had been a Servant to the Dutchefs de Chevreufe^ and
was by her recommended to the Service of the
Queen Confort, was employ'd to carry that Prin-
cefs's Letters to the Cardinal Infant at Bruffeh. She
U5*d to put them into a Box in her Oratory nValde
Grace., where [he often retir'd for her Devotion*,
one of the Nuns of that Monaftery gave them to
De Vorte^ who deliveiVJ back the Anfwers he
brought to the fame Nun and gave them to the
Queen, wiio read them in her Oratory and kept
them there. Eichlku having intimation of this Cor-
refpondence, refo] v'd to break it off, and that in as
publick a manner as he cou'd. Lewis believ'd every
thing that was told him of his Wife's correfponding
with the Spaniards, and had great expeaation of
making further Difcoveries by the examination of
de Porte, who was order'd to be apprehended and
brought before C/^/2t//g;?i,Secretary o^ ^utQ\<Chavlgni
cxamm'd him in his Bed-Chamber, RichUeu lying on
the Bed v;ith the Curtains drawmclofe that he might
hear and not be feen. De Porte miftrufting fome
fuch Ambufcade, was very careful not to fay any
thing in the Anfwers to theQueftions that were put
to hun, which might be a Proof againit him. The
Cardinal being thus difappointed, got an Order
for the Chancellor Seguier to go to P^al de Grace
when the Queen wa« there for her Devotions, to ex-
mineher, and carefully Vifit her Appartment, to
open all Boxes, Trunks, Clofets, &c, and bring
away all the Papers he cou'd find there, a Commir
fion which none but fuch an abandoned Slave to the
F f 4 Mlniiler's
440 Tl?^ Sevret Hiflcrj
Minifters Will cou'd hare darM to accept of; £^w-
cvcr he gave her Majefty private Notice of it, the
Queen immediately fent her Firft Lady of Honour,
the Marchionefs de Senecey^ to Tuyfieux, late Secre-
tary of State, who liv'd at a Country Seat of his
near Parts^ and beg'd him to advife her what fhe
fhou'd do at To Critical a Jun^flure. Fuyfieux cou'd
not tell what to do, he iinew his utter Ruin wou'd
be inevitable if Richlieu Hiou'd come to tiie Know-
ledge of his affifting the Qaeen with his Counfels ^
however, at lafr he refolv'd rather to expofe him-
felf to the Refentment of an Enemy than refufe to
ferve a Princefs in (o great Diftrefs. His Advice
was to hear what the Chancellor had to fay to. her, to
ftudy her Anfwers well before hand, and to give
Seguier-y who appeared io be well difpos'd, no Handle
againft her. Seguler came to f^dde Grace^ attended
by the Arch-Bifhop oi Paris, presented his Com-
niiiTion to the Queen, and ask'd her the Queftions
that were prefcrib'd liim. He did it alfo ni fuch a
manner as toinfinuate to her Majefty what fhe (hou'd
fay for her Juftification. J never wrote any things
faid fhe, pre judicial to the State ^ I ovtn I Love 7Ty
'Brother^ hut I alfohncvo my Duty to the King The
Qu^en gave him her Keys, the Boxes were open'd
and no Papers to be found. She had time to re-
move all that were there, the Chancellor found only
fome DevotionalxMemoirs, which he gave the King
and Cardinal an account of. The Cardinal was fo
•onfounded hecoud fcarcetei! how to behave him-
felf: He turnd the Matter off as well as he cou'd,
and appeared mighty Zealous in promoting a Recon •
ciliation between the King and Queen, which was
affefted in a few Days. The Dutchefs -^f Chevreuje
who had been confin'd to Tours^ was order'd to
Lochesy from whence (he made her Efcape by the
way oi Berry toSpain^ fearing the cruel Effe£ls of
the Minifters Revengeful Temper. The Prince of
Mir (lilac y Son to the OukQ de la Rochefaucault^ who
sfilfled the Dutchefs in her Ei'cape, was fent to the
B^ifiUle* Some time after RichUeu offer'd her a Par-
dun fcr her pretended Crime, in concealing the
, . . , . Queen's
^/FRANCE. 441
Queen's Intelligence with the Spaniards^ on Condition
ihe wou'd confeft, which the Dutchefs refus'd.
Being thus got rid of a Faiette^ the next thing
the Cardinal had to do was to clear the Court of
Father Caujjin^xht King's Confeffor^ and Father Mo-
nod DireEior to the Dutchefs of Savoy^ the latter
was invited to Paris by Richlieu himielf, in hopes
of gaining him over to his Intereft, and by that
means always have a faft Friend in the Court of
Savoy, But Monad was fo Faithful to the Dutch-
efs q{ Savoy J Daughter of Mary de Medicif^ that
he never left perfwading Caujfm till he had «n-
gag'd him to promife to do his utmoft to oblige
his Penitent Lewis XIII. to do his Duty to his
Mother. Accordingly Cz^/jf/Iw let no Occafion flip
of urging it with the greateft Vehemency. By
this means was Lewis's Confcience in Trouble,
not only on Account of his Mother but the A^-^
fiftance he had given the Swedes and the States
General, Hereticks againft Catholick Princes. H*
pufh'd thefe Matters Co home, that the King be-
gan to fear God wou'd , demand an Account
of him for all the Injuftice Ruhheu had made
him commit, infomuch that he promised with a
Sigh, that the Cardinal fhqu^d be remov'd as foon
as they cou'd propofe to him a Perfon as capa-
ble to bear the Burthen of Affairs. Caujfm was
not prepar'd to make any fuch Proportion, he
had thoughts of recommending Father Jofephy but
that Capuchine was too cunning to embark on his
Bottom. About this time the Duke of Savoy
dy d- and an Accident happened which might have
been improv'd to the Cardinal's Difadvantage, had
his Enemies known how to make the befl ufe of,
Opportunities. Funeral Obfequies for that Prince
being to be perform'd in the Church of Notre
Dame, the Cardinal went thither, accompany'd
by his Guards, their Captain at the Head of
them. u4 Frie Dteu and a Fantevil were pre-
pared for him, the fame as for the King him-
ielf, the Cardinal plac'd himfelf '.vith his Guards
furrrounding him. . : ^
• . 1. Nothing
443 The Sicret Wpry
Nothing was wanting to this Royal Pomp but tltat
tlie Velvet Covering was not adorn'd with Flower
de Luces. Every Body was fupriz'd at this Pre^
fumptious Innovation. Tis not enough^ they cry'd,
that he has had the Arrogance to ufvrp the Authority
Royal^ in a little time he will not have left the King
the leaft mark of DiftlnEhion, Father Caujfm offer'd
the Duke d* Augouleme the Place of firft Minifter,
and nani'd him to the King as a Perfon whole long
Experience and Capacity, qualify d him for the Ad-
jniniftration of Affeirs \ Lewis was of the fame
Opinion. The Duke at that time defir'd CauSin to
afiift him in procuring an Abbey, which he had beg'd
of his Majefly. / wlU do it with all my Hearty re-
ply*d the Jefuit taking him by tne Hand, hut in a
little while you will have more (hare than any one in
the Difirihution cf Benefices •, the King is thinking of
fomething great for you. Angouleme prefs'd the je-
fuit fo earneftly to know what it was, that at laft
Be confefs'd 'twas to make him Prime Minifter, and
he beg'd the Duke not to refufe fo Important an
Employ. Angouleme was at firft (urpriz'd at the
Jefuit's boldnefs, and hefitated in the matter, but
at bfl he gave him his Word, made him a Thou-
fand Promifes of Gratitude, and left Cauffm the
moft contented Man in the World. But a little
while after reflefting on the Vindiftive Complexion
of Riehlieu^ on his Intelligence.vvithin and without
the Kingdom, on the Power of a Man that had
divided and difpers'd the Royal Family, he was
afraid that not only Cwffin^ but himfelf and all
his Family, wou'd be facrifis'd to his Vengeance.
So be went to the Cardinal and difcover'd all he
knew to him. RichUcu carefs'd him, and returned
him a Thoufand Thanks, J [fjoud have known all in
a little time^ fays he, a-nd J wonder the King fboud
fo long have made it a Myjiery to me \ neverthelefs
I flmll he obliged to you as long as I live for this
Token of your Frievdflnp. This bafe Treachery was
generally exclam'd againft, and People cry'd, what-
e]fe cou'd the King's Confeffor expeft from a
Man who had been fo vile as to Coin falfe Money,
and
<?/ F R A N C E. 44?
and had lain Fourteen Years in the Baflilk for a
Confpiracy againft Henry the IVth.
Richlieu fearing the ill Confequence of the King's
Intrigues with his ConfefTor, had recourfc to hisi
old Artifices to pi*eferve himfelf in the Miniftry,
by pretending a defire to quit it. He wrote a
Letter to the King to that efteft. It was full of
Diforder and Confufion, a true reprefentation of
the ftate of his Mind. Neverthelefs being back'd with
the Infinuations of his Creatures, and meeting
with a good difpofition in his Majefty to hearken
to any thing in his Favour, it anfwer'd the ends it
was intended for. Lewis's Scruples about the In.
juftice and Sin of his management in the War, and
with refpeft to his Mother diminifh'd daily. Other
Jefuits, at the inrtigation of Richlieu^ were con-
fulted, and afferted the quite contrary to what Cauffin
had done. Will you maintain bejore Monfieur the
Cardinal^ faid the King one Day to his ConfefTorjj
that your Exhortations are reafonable^ and cof^formd-
tie to Religion. I have talkd to fome of your Fa-
thers^ they dre not of yoirr Opinion. Do not believe
them^ Sir^ reply'd the Jefiiir, They have a Church to
huildy That's the Reafon that Pere S.^guerand and o-
thers make their Court to the Cardinal, lamfatify^d
that neither they nor any any other Divine can alledge
any thing folid againfi what J have remonfirated to
your Majeftyj and I very readily accept of the Pro-
pofal you were pleas'd to make me^ to maintain it
before Monfieur the Cardinal, Very well^ reply'd the
Kiiig, come to me to St, Germans on Conception-
Day. Richlieu wou'd not enter the Lifts to defend
a Caufe which apparently was fo bad. Inilead of
that, he made ufe of ail his Wiles to fet the King
againft his ConfefTor, whom he perfwaded him to
baniih the Court. Accordingly when the Jefuit
came to St. Germans at the time appointed, he
found the King and Cardinal lock'd up in a Clofet
together \ he expelled v^rith Impatience to be call'd,
inftead of which des Noyers, Secretary of State,
came to him, and told him, that the King not do-
in? his Devotions at that tin;e, had no need of his
Con-
444 ^^^ Secret Hiftory
ConfefTor: He returned to Faris, expelling to be
ruin'd, as it happen'd, for that very Night an Ex-
empt of the Guards came to him, with an Order
to deliver up alJ his Papers, and be gone prefently
to Quimpercorantin in Bajfe-Bret^gne, The Jcfuits,
afraid that Richlieus Refentment fhou'd reach their
whole Body, difown'd Father Caujfm^ made great
Submiflions to tiie Triumphant Minifter, and faid
every thing they cou'd think of to the Prejudice of
Caujfm'j nay, they were fo bafe as to offer to de-
grade him of his Order. But Richlieu did not care
to carry his Revenge fo far, for fear it fhou'd have
at laft turn'd upon himfilf, by bringing the whole
Body ofthe Jefuits upon him *, the greater part of
them wou'd have cry'd out againft To flagrant an
A£l of Infolence and fnjaftice.
I have already made mention of the Imprifon-
ment of the Marefchal de Baffompierre^ one of the
Braveft and mofl G-^llent Men of his time-, he re-
mained ftiil in the Baflille. The Cardinal had ail
along flatter'd him with Hopes of a fudden Dif-
charge. But at the latter end of the Year 1^3 /»
he found that a Prifon w^as not enough to defend
a Man from the Jealoufy of a Minifter, fo wicked
and jealous as was Richlieu. The Marefchal tells
ushimfelf the Accident, which more than any thing
confirm'd his Majefty in the Offencp he had taken
againft him. ^' A Rafcal I will not Name,/??)/ /?^,
*' becaufe he does not deferveit, talked of me to the
'' King in fuch a manner, as fet him more than
*• ever againft me, and loft me the Remainders of
" that good Will which he fortnerly bore me,
'' if there were any fuch Pvemainders in his Breaft.
'' iifter that another Rogue caird Dupleix, a falfe
'-^ Hiftoriographer, if there ever was a falfe one,
- did me all imaginable ill Officer. Dupleix fiwQ
^' Years before, had pnbliftid a Hiftory of the
" Kings of Fawc^ full of FaUirJes and Trifles. 'Twas
^' brought to me to the Bafiille^ I read it as 1 do
^^ other Books, making Marginal Notes of what
-^ I found, either Falfe or Foolifti in it. A Yearaf-
'- ter Father Rcnaud^comwg to the Bafiille io com-
• fcfs
(?/ F R A N C E. 445
« f«fs the Abbot de FotXy told him in Difcourfe,
^' that one of his Fraternity was about refuting the
« Errors of Dupleix. The Abbot reply*d, I kmnf
** fowething that will be a great help to him^ Mon-
*< fieur de Baflbmpierre has made very good Re-
'^ marks on Dupleix, which are written in the Mdy
" gin of his Book Upon this they came both to
<« me, and defir'd me to lend them the Book for
*« a Day or two, which I did accordingly, and they
*< got a Copy taken of the Notes I had made.
« They then reftor'd my Book, and publiih*d my
*' Remarks fome time after, with fcveral Addi-
« tions, makin|*no fcruple to alledge that what
'' was moft fevere and Shocking was mine, what
*' modeft and civil their own. Dupleix carry*d
** the Remarks to feveral Friends of mine, point-
** ing to fome malicious Calumnies incerted among
" them, which I knew nothing of,and endeavouring
" to perfwade them that I wrot€ them as well as
** the reft of the Notes. The Parties concerned
^^ complained to me of ir, I fhew'd them the Ori-
** ginals, and they were fatisfy'd. However, Du-
" pleix had better fuccefs with the Minifters, to
" whom he alfo carry a them. There were feve-
'* ral pafTages put in againft the prefent Goyern-
«* ment, and all imputed to me. The King was
^' told of it, 'twas infinuated that itappear'd plainly
'' by thefe pretended Remarks, that f hated both
*^ his Perfon and the State. Some, whom I had
*' obliged in my good Fortune, w^erethe moft for-
^' ward to give his Majefty thefe ill Impreflions
^'' of me, and the matter was carry'd fo far, that
*« the Scoundrel Dupleix was permitted to write a
*' Book on that fubjea againft me, and got Letters
*-' Patents for the Printing of it.
Anotlier Adventure happened about the fame time,
which tho' it relates particularly to the Marefchal
de BajTvmpisrre^ ferves to give us a general Idea of
the Malice and Authority of Richlieu, A Trooper
was fent to the Baftille for finging a Song which
began with thefe Words, Mettre Bajjompierre en
Frifon. There were fome biting Things in it a-
gainft
446 The Secret Hifiory
gainft the Cardinal, which was enough to hurry
the Soldier a way to Goal. He was feveral times
examined, and prov'd that the Song was made
when Bajfompiene was firft arrefted, neverthelefs,
without any formal Procefs, the poor Trooper
was fhut up in the BaftiHe^ and Richlieu did what
he cou'd to make the Ballad againft him a State
Crime. In which as well as in other fuch Cruel
and Tyranical Pra^ices, he has been more than once
imitated by hisSucceffbrs in the Minillry of Fr^;?re,
and all Minifters that aft upon the fame bottom.
The Duke of Savoy dying this Year 1(^37. the Car-
dinal's boundlefs Ambition for m'd*Bo leis Chimeri-
cal Projeft, than to make himfelf Prime Minifler of
tiiat Dutchy, as well as the Kingdom of France.
Hemeriy the French Ambaffador in Savoy ^ was to
pofTefs himfelf of f^erceily by means of fome French
Troops in that Neighbourhood, and to fecure tlie
Perfon of the Dutchefs Dowager and the Two
Princes her Sons. This Projeft cou'd not be efFefted
without communicating it to the Marefchal de
Crequij who commanded the French Troops on that
fide. God forbid^ fays the Marefchal, thatljlmid
of my own Head be guilty of fuch an alh of J^io •
lence againft a Dmghtsr of France and a new Sove-
raign^ whofe Perfon and Territories are under the
King's TroteEiion, 1 cannot imagine his Majefly will
ever approve of fuch a thing committed without his
exprefs Order. Hemeri reply'd, Kings ^ Sir, will often
?jot Command certain Things to be done, which they
approve, at ieaji tacit ely when they are well executed.
Crequi wou*d not hearken to him, and Chrifiina,
Dutchefs Dowager of Savoy ^ either by his or fome
other means, difcovering the Defign, fo reinforc d
the Garrifon.of rerceil, and had fuch a watch-
ful Eye on the French, that Hen;eri\ Plot was quite
fpoil'd. However, the Cardinal did not difpair of
making himfelf Mailer of the Dutchefs s Counfels, if
he was not of her Perfon. In order to this, his
main endeavour was to get the Dutchefs to bdnilh
Father Monod, her ConfefTor, from Court, He has
been msiuion'd as a Friend to Father Caufm, and
always
of FRANC E. 447
always firm to the true Intcrefts of Savoy ^ which
made him a Friend to the Cardinal of Savoy^ and
Prince Thomas^ the Young Duke's two Unkles.
Chriftina^ jealous that thofe Two Princes wou*d
form Defigns againft her Regency, began to con-
ceive a jealoufy alfo of Monody who talk'd, as fhe
thought, too much in favour of them. The French
AmbafTador obferving the beginning of her Cold-
nefs towards Father Monody let no Opportunity
flip to encreafe it. Richlieu reprefentcd him as a
Traytor that intended to Poifon her and her two
Sons, to make room for the Cardinal of Savoys
' Succeflion. One merry Thing he added in a Let-
ter of his to Hemeri, to be communicated to the
Dutchefs Dowager. It does not belong to a Man
in his holy Orders^ to meddle with State Affairs^ and
when Madam commands him to follow his Vocationy
file cannot hut he commend.ed hy all the World. Sure
there are Courtiers who believe the refl of Man-
kind have not common Senfe, and cannot find them
out when they talk Nonfence, and make themfelves
Ridiculous. Why fhou d not all the World com-
mend Lewis the Xlllth as well if he va^i^ Richlieu
and Father Jofeph follow their Vocation, The Car-
dinal added. Madam may fend Father Monod to
France. He wanted to have him in his Clutches,
but the DuLchsfs Dowager was Toon after fo well
(atisfy'd of Monod's Integrity and C^rpacity, that fhe
wou'd not then part with him •, which for a while
made the Cardinal give over his wicked Projeft,
to get the Government o^ Savoy alfo into his Pof-
feflion.
1 avoid entering upon the Military Exploits of
the French Generals during the Continuance of the
War, which was carry'd on pretty equally on both
fides, only one event that happen'd worth men-
tioning. The King impatient, that la Capelle^ in
Picardy^ remained ftill in the Hands of the Spani-
ards^ was for going in Perfon to prefs the Blockade,
Richlieu kciv-ipg his ablence from Paris wou'd be
fatal, while the Q^tsn and la Faiette flill continu'd
their Inu:igues agalnfl him, difTwaded him from it,
not
448 Ttje Secret Hifiory
not without much Oppofition, Lewises Heart be-
ing {et upon that Enterprize. Some time after he
iaeard that Monfieur de Meilleraie^ the Cardinars
Coufm, who commanded the French Army in the
Low -Countries under la f^alettCj had inverted it,
and that b VaUtte had left the Siege of Avefnes^
to retake la Capelie, The King thinking this to be a
Turn play*d him by Richlleuy that Meilleraie might
have tlie Glory of the Expedition, fell into a fu-
rious Paffion againft both the Cardinal and his
Goufm \ but Father Jofeph and others, who were
plac'd about his Perfon to take off the ftrft edge of
his fury on aH Oceafions, foon made him believe,
that what was done was for the beft, and that
Richlieu, tho* he knew nothing of his Coufin's in-
tended'Enterprize againft la Capelie, had approved of
it, becaufe he found his Majefty's Heart was fo much
fet upon recovering that Important Place. Tho'
this was plainly a Defign to give Meilleraie more
Reputation, and juftify his claim of the Batoon,
yet the good Monarch put up this Affront aseafily
as he had done many other.
'The Tear i<^3 8, fays the Marefchal de Baffompierre
in his Memoirs, began with a good Augury for
France, the Queen-i as appear'dbyjezeral Tokens^ was
with Child. She had been marry' d Twenty Two Tears.
The King was in extram Joy^ and the French had
great hopes of happinep. The mighty Blefling of
Peace, which we now enjoy, has feal'd up our Lips
arJ ty'd down our Pens with refpe^l to the Mo-
narch, whom in Compliment we muft call, The
mofi Chrijiian King. The Incident of his Birth
wou'd otherwife admit of various Speculations. I
fhall fee what the fame Marefchal fays of it when
I am come to it, and in the mean time content
my felf with the Reflexions of a Frerjch Author
on this Paflltge of the Marefchal's *' Few People
" are now of the Marefchal's Opinion, the Year of
" the Dauphin's Nativity was unfortunate to Leip/j
*' by the ihamefnl raifmg of Two great Sieges, and
'^ to his Allies by the iJl Succefs of the Prince o^
" OraHge"% Campaign, 'a bad J\ugury for France
and
(?/ F R A N C E. 449
'* and the United Provinces. Tis true the French^
*' weary'd out by the continual Troubles, occafion'd,
*Mn a great Meafure, by the Queen's Sterility,
^ thought they had reafon to rejoyce at her being
* with Child, in hopes that 'twou'd be a means to
*' procure their Tranquility at HomeJj but they
' knew not, Poor Creatures, that the Dauphin, for
** whofe Birth they put up fuch Ardent Vows to
** Heaven, wou*d be he of all their Kings, whole
*' Reign wou'd be the moft Long, the moft Hard,
*' and the moft Tyrannical 7 God gave him in his
*' Wrath to Chaftife the Sins of Fr^c^, and afflid
*' all Europe •, not contented to render his Subjefts
*' the moft wretched of any People in the World,
*' he has endeavour d to fupprefs the Liberty of al!
** his Neighbours. They oegin^ Thanks be to God,
^' to punifh him with eclatj for the Infinite Mif*
*' chiefs he has done them, but what Refource has
*^ thou, Oh France ^on Thine. The Rod of the Op-
^' preffor is almoft entirely broken for Strangers ^
" but Ah / My dear Country, when will it be
'' broken for thee '* This Frenchman furely wrote
when the Duke of Marlborough was approaching the
Banks of the Somms^ and the French Minifters were
beging Peace at Gertruydenbergy and not when
theMarefchal^e ^/7/^rj had furpriz'd the Allies at
Venain, when the Army of England had left the
Confederates, and the French Minifters were iufult-
ing the Dutch at Vtrecht.
The Parliament of Varis had, as we have feen by
degrees, loft almoft the very Shadow of a Senate,
their Authority depended on the King's Will and
that of his Minifters^and the Court, who hated them
for the very Appearance of Liberty, to which they
pretended,took hold of all occafions toMortify them.
In March 1 6^ 8. feveral Payments of Arrears of the
Gabelles ftaiiding out, the Farmers Petitioned the
Council with more warmth than was agreeable to
them. When they came out of the Chancellor's
Houfci they metOrwwe/, Intendant of the Finances,
they fell upon him with Reproaches, and forc'd him
to get a$ faft as he cou'd into the Superintendant's
.G g Houfc
45© The Secret Hijlorj
Houfe to be deliver'd from their Pcrfecutions. Three
of the Farmers, Bourges^ Chenu and Cervois were
fent to the Bajiille^ the reft Petition'd the Parliament,
and were told the Chambers wou'd confider the
Matter, but when the Great Chamber met to de-
liberate it according to Cuftom, the Firft Prefident
fhew'd them a Letter from the King, forbidding
them to take Cognizance of that Matter. This Let-
ter was debated, and the next Day Gaiant and Cham-
prond^ Prefidents of tlie Inqueits, were order'd to
confine themfelves to their Houfes*, Bout lion ^^x\Qt\\tt
Prefident, was confin'd at Tours, Salo^ Seviriy The-
heuf and Bouvllle^ Counfellors, had Orders to go to
Tours J Amboife and Caen^ where, as foon as they ar-
riv*d, they were imprifon'd in the Caftles of thofe
Places. By the Laws oi France before this Reign, no
Man cou'd be banifh*d Faris and ihut up in Prilons
without a fairProcers,but now the King's Orders are
Law, and the Members of tlie Supream Court of Ju-
dicature of the Kingdom are thus us'd for afTerting
their own and the People's Rights.
About this Time the Abbot de St. Gran and Tere
Seguenot^ Father of the Oratory, were imprifon^d.
The Abbot had been an fntimare Friend of Zamet^
Bifhop of Lm^res^ to whom, in private Converfa-
tion, he had often freely talked againft certain Tenets
of the i?owz/Z; Church, efpeciaily the Degrees of the
Council Q^ Irent. Zamet^ to ingratiate himTelf with
Father y^/^p/;, bafely betray'd that Converfation to
him, and he told it to Richlieu^ who hating St. Gran
for his afTerting the Validity of the D\xkQQiOrleans*%
Marriage, caused him to be apprehended and impri-
fon d in the Caftle of Vimennes, St. Clran was a
great Friend of Janfenws^ Bifhop of Tpres^ and a
Zealous Propagator of the Doftrine of St. j^uftin^
with refpeft to Grace and Predefrination. Father
Seguenot'sCxim^Y^^s his aliedging that the Vow of
Virginity was not fo acceptable to God as a Volunta-
ry Celibacy. This ollended all the Monks, and they
never left oiF per fecu ting him till they got him
thrown into the BjJliiU.
I
I
^/FRANCE. 451
I have already made mention of the Dutchefs of Lo.
mines Reception atP^rzV,where fheliv'd rather like a
Pri loner than a Gueft • growing weary of theReftrainr.
fhe was in, fhe often exprefs'd herRefentment, and
that tempted a Fellow to make a Propofal to her to
rid her of her Enemy, the Cardinal ds Richlieu, She
found a Nota in her Chamber without a Name to
it which ofFer'd for 1000 Piftoles to Murder the Car-
dinal : The Dutchefs fhew*d it to Richlieu^ who ha-
ving return'd her his Thanks, faid, If you pleafe^
Afadamy Atifwer that you have not fo much Money ^
hut if ^00 Crowns woudfuffce^you woud borrow
fo much upon your Jewels provided you lik*d the Fro-
pojaL This Anfwer was convey'd to the Man accord-
ing as he had appointed, and a few Days after the
Dutchefs found another Billet in her Chamber, in-
finuating that if fhe wou*d convey the 500 Crowns to
him by tliefame way, a Houfe ftjou'd be hir'd over
againft the Cardinal's Palace-, from whence he fhou'd
be fhot in his Coach. The Cardinal having Notice
from time to time of this Matter, fent yoo Crowns^
and caus'd them to be put under a Stone in a Field
near St, Denis^ as was dire^^ed by the Billet,ordering
Seven or Eight Stout Fellows to lie in wait for the
Man who came to fetch the Money. The Man
defending himfelf very couragioufly, kill'd Three of
the Cardinals Men and was taken defperately woun-
ded. CommifTaries were prefently fent to examine
him in Prifon, the Man faid he did it only to cheat
the Dutchefs of the Money, as one might fee by the
impradlicablenelsof the Attempt. The Commilta-
ries, all the Cardinal's Creatures, were not iatis-
fy'd with this Anfwer *, the Prifoner wounded, as
he was, received Sentence to be Broken on the Wheel,
he was carry'd in his Bed to the Place of Execution,
and had Eleven Blows of the Bar before he dy'd*
The Cardinal^ fays Grctitis^ in a Letter to the Chan-
cellor Oxenftiernj hoping by this great Severity to
hinder the doing or promifing to do the like Enterpriz.es
for the future. The Revengeful Cardinal did not
give over lolliciting the Dutchefs of Savoy to part
with her ConfefTor Father Monody and at laft got
G g 2 the
4$a The Secret Hijlory
the King to threaten to abandon his Sifter if (he did
not remove him ^ C/?r/;^/>7^ being afraid oftiie Spa-
mar ds and her Brothers-in-law tlie Princes of Savoyy
was forc'd to content the King, but fhe wou'd not
fend Monod to Chamheri or Nice^ which the Cardi-
nal infifted upon becaufe he had been expos'd in thofe
Two Places to Richlieu's Vengeance, which ftuck
ut nothing when he cou'd get his Enemies in his
power. She confin'd her ConfefTor to Gjw, and the
Cardinal feeing lie cou'd get no more of her, feem'd
to be well enough pleas'd with that.
The Solemn Dedication of the Kingdom of Fraf7ce
to the BlefTed Virgin this Year, is an Event worth
takuig Notice of. Grotius gives the beft Account of
it in another Letter to the Chancellor of Sweden as
follows ;
np// E King has confecrated both his Per/on and his
"■• Kingdom to the Bleffed Fir gin ^ he dtd it in the
beginning #/ the Tear^ not doubting but the Prsf feri-
ties of the follomng Campaign wou^dhe an effe^ of his
Vow •, he ereEiedan Altar in the Cathedral of this City^
which cofi 400000 Livres^ and refolvd to Celebrata
the Feajf of the Affumption with fnore than ordinary
Solemnity, Jn order to this^ he fern his Letters Patents
to the Parliament* Let us leave to thofe Magifirates
the Care of examining^ whether the Confecration of the
Crown of France 10 a She Saint agrees well with the^
Salick Law. I am in Pain only about one Things if
ttfljQud happen^ as there is great likelihood.^ that by
Virtue of this new Right to France, the Virgin fijoud
Name the Cardinal de Richlieu her Vicar General^
and give him Power to a^ in her Name* What will the
King have left ? The Obligatum to pay an entire
Obedience to his Adinijhr*
There fell out an Accident at this Confecra-
tion in the Cathedral of Pans, wnich turn'd the
Feflival to a Farce. In the Proceilions '^vhere the
Sovereign Courts appear, the .Parliament take the
Right
ofF R A N q E. 455
Right, and the Chamber of Accounts the Left, fo
that the Two firft Prefidents of both Companies
march in Front. In the Church, the Parliament
takes the Canons Seats on tiie Right, and the Cham-
ber of Accounts fit on the Left over againft them *,
when the Two Companies were going out of the
Choir, the Firft Prefident of the Ciiamber of Ac-
counts wou'd go immediately after the Firft Prefi-
dent of the Pariiament,but the Prefidents au Momer
wou'd let no body go between them and their firft Pre-
fidentjbut the Governor of Paris, Accordingly they
ftopt the Firft Prefident of the Chamber of Accounts,
upon which the Two Companies joftied one ano-
ther and fell to Blows, which occafion'd a great
Diforder in the Church. The Duke de Momhaz^oft,
Governor of Parls^his Officers and others, laid their
J-lands on their Swords to keep the Peace *, the
grave Magiftrates had recourfe to their Natural
Weapon the Pen, feveral Writings appear d a-
gainft each other, feveral Informations w^ere taken
of the Faci, which the King put a ftop to by
taking on himfelf to regulate fo Important a
Bufinefs.
We are nov; come to that Great Period, the Birth
of the prefent King of France^ who was Born the
5th of September 15-38, N. S. I lliall not trouble
the Reader with the flattering Letters that paft
between the Cardinal de Rlchlieu and the French
King and Queen on this Occafion, contenting my
feif with that of Monfieur de Ba(fompierre to the
Bifhop of Gremble, mention'd in the
Ct'/^?^*?^ Edition of that Marefchal's Me- page in-
moirs, and is thus Tranflated by Dr.
Wellwcod,
Gg5 My
454 ^^^ Steret Uifiory
My Lord,
2N my lafij I gave you the good News of the
Queer^s being brought to Bed cf a Dauphin ^
all J have to tell you at prefent isy That Her
Majefly recovers every Day^ and the Child is
Strong and Ltifty^, and ft; ems to promife a long
Life, There is one Thing of hm that is ta-
ken much Notice of by fome^ that his Gums
have Teeth pointing out already^ and there is
fcarce a Woman th^t can fuffer him to Suckle her^
for he Suds fo eagerly that he brings Blood with
his Milky and upon this account he has had Two
Nurfes chang'd already. 1 pray God this may not
be an ill Omen to France^ Vue need Princes of a
healing and mild Temper^ Corrofives not agree-
ing with the Good of this Monarchy, The Fnnce
ts to be nanU LEWIS DIEU D(3NNE, Given
of God, as his Majefiy was pleas' d Tefterday to
declare tn Council.
What the Learn'd Gr,otius writes to the Chan-
cellor Oxenfiierny is of more Authority. Delphinus
jam ter mutavit nutricem, Fugmnt eum conquifitiC
ad hoc famintSj quod vera earum n-jorjitando lane met
noH fine Omine future rapaatatis, Faveant Vicinl
at am matura rapaatate: The Dauphin did not only
hurt the Breafts of his Nurjes^ he tore them by his
biteings. Let the Neighbours of France bewarej
and arm themfelves againfi fo prompt a Veracity.
The French were fo over-;oy'd at the Birth of tiie
Dauphin^ that they did not trouble themfelves a^
bout their Armies Abroad, Both in Italy and on
the Frontiers of 5p.-z/;? they were unfucceisful. The
Spaniards took Verceil in Savoy ^ and the l^ri nee of
C'nde and the Duke de la Vaktte were driven from
before Fonterahia. The Prince Liid the Fault on the
Duke, and the Duke on the Prince. Conde had the
better Intereft, and la Valette^ whom the Cardinal
hated, was condemn'd to lofe his Head ; to avoid
which he Fled to England where the Dutchefs de
Che-
of F R AN CE. 455
Chevrenfe was arriv'd before him, and Mary de
Medic is coming foon after was far from being
welcome to the People, however fhe was in Ap-
pearance fo to the Court. She was lodg d at St,.
James's^ where her Court leok'd fomething more
like a Queen than (he bad feen one in many Years.
The Duke d^ la Falette, the Duke de Souhlz^e, the
Dutchel^. de Chev^eufe and other Perions of Quality
were of it. BelHevrej the French AmbafTador, had
Orders not to pay any Civilities toMary de MsdiciSy
and to avoid feeing her as much as he cou'd. Rich-
Iteu^ to be reveng'd of Charles I. for giving her Re-
ception, entcr'd into a Correfpondence \vith the
Mdecontems of Scotland. Davii Le/Isy offered to
form an Army of 30000 Men in that Kingdom if he
was but iupply*d with 50000 Crowns, the Cardinal
ofFer'd him 1 00000; and 'tis thought Le/ley had
that Money from France vyhen the Troubles com-
nienc'd in Scotland,
Bellievre^ the French Ambaitador at London^ ac-
cording tothe Inftiu6lions he received hoin France.^
did his utmoft to avoid meeting with Mary de Me-
dicifj but thQ Earl of HoUand knowing the Queen
was coming to White Hall, kept him one Day in
Difcourfe till \hQ enter'd the Room, acconipany'd
with King Charles and Qaeen Henrietta Maria. My
Lord Ambaffador, faid the Queen Mother, / wou'd
willingly [peak withyoua little. The King and Queen
of England went afide, and the Earl of Holland
withdrew. BelUevre cou d not hajidromly refufe to
hear her, but attended with a great deal of RefpeA
to what fhe faid, / have, for fotne time^ fays fhe,
tryd fever al means to let Monjicur the Cardind know
what an cxtream Pajfion I have to return to France by
his Procurement, but all my Advances have been
to no purpofe, I can receive no Anfwer, Biliie-
vre reply'd. Madam I moft humbly beg your Alaje-
fiy to permit me to reprefent to you^ that tho' I have the
Honour to be the King's Minifter in this Court, it does
not give me the fame Charatler with you, perhaps ycur
Ma] e fiy deftgns to give me fome Commiffion in Charge.
Infucha cafe^ I de fire, be fore hand^youwoud^xcufe
Gg4 ^^^,
456 The Secret Hiflcry
me ^ I have pofitive Orders not to meddle in- any wife
with what concerns Tour Majeftys Perfon or /Affairs.
Mary de Medicis anfwer'd, Tou are not forbidden to
hear vthat 1 have to fay j I own it Madam^ faid Bellie-
vre, but fince I have no Orders to doitythats enough to
oblige me to dejire you to difpenfe with ?ny obeying you^
if you order me to write any thing to the King
my Majier. 'lis no Matter ^ reply 'd the Qaeen Mo-
ther, Hear me. The Pains and Troubles I have en-
dttv'd fince my Retreat into the Low Countries, have
infpir d me with Sentiments very different from thofe
I had when I left Compeigne. / beg you to let Mon-
fieur the Cardinal hioyo that I conjure him to deliver
me out of the Mifery I am in^ and the Necejfity of
begging Bread of my Sons -in Law. I woud wiilingh
return to the King my Son^not that I have ariyThovghts of
concerning my fe If with the Government of his Kingdom,
J aim at nothing but tofpendthe remainder of my Day ^ in
quiet y and to prepare myfelffcr Death, If Mon fieur
the Cardinal cannot obtain the King*s Permiffionfor my
Return to Court, let him at leafl demand it for my re-
fiding in feme City of the Kingdom, to enjoy there my
Revenues. I offer to turn off all my Servants that are
odiou; to orfujpe^ed by thh King, and to do whrJever
he wou'd have me. His Orders and the Cardmal's good
Council ffiall be the only Rule of my Conduli. Tlois is all I
dejire you to let him know from me^ I am afraid thofe
whom^ I have- formerly addrefsd to have either wanted
Courage 'or Inclination to execute the Commifflon I have
charg'd'em with. BeiJicvre anCwQr'dyTour Majefiy has
no Reafon to co-mphin of me ^ 'tis with extream Regret
that I proteji I cannot ferve you on this Occafion,Thls is
the ufual Stile of ylmhajfadorsy replyes Mary de Me-
dicis, They excufe the mfelves from accepting certain
Commifftonsy and yet they write what ha! been told
them : I knew feveral Inftances during my Regency,
She then turn'd to the King and Queen of Great
Britain^ in whofe Prcfence Bellievre repeated what
he had faid, with refpeft to his not charging himfdf
with any CommifTion. Tou^ without doubt^ re-
member J-dys h^, applying himfelf to the Queen
Henrietta Marta^ That vou have ordered fne to writs
•in
0/ F R A N C E. 457
in your Name in favour of the Queen Mother^
and I have always defird your Majefiy to excufe
me on account of the pofitive Orders I have not
to concern my felf with any ^ff^ir^ the Cogniz^ance
of which the King my MaFter referves to himfelf
The Queen of England reply'd, 'Tis true^ hut
fince the King my Brother will receive no Inter ^
cejfion as to what regards the Queen my Mother^
the King my Husband^ and /, thought the only
way the Queen my Mother had left was to explain
her felf immediately to the King my Brother's
Minijlers in all the Courts JJje comes to. There is
no inflance of a Princefs reduc'd to fo mifera-
ble a Condition by a Son, to pleafe a Miniftcr
for whom he at the Bottom had no great Affe-
^ion. He fear d Richlieu^ but die' not Love him,
and out of Complacency to one to whom he had
no Obligation but for making his Subjefts Slaves,
he lets the only Perfon in the World to whom
he was bound by the Laws of God to be dutiful,
wander up and down without any other main-
tainance than what (he receiv'd from the Gene-
rofity of the Kings that had iii^viy'd his Sifters.
Her hard Fate drove lier to an ill Place when
fhe came to England- The Fears of Popery were
almoft general, and the Grounds of them the
Influence of her Daughter Queen Henrietta Ma-
ria over her Husband King Charles L The People
grumbled even at the cheap Reception that was
given her, and Report fwell'd the Expence to
a much greater Sum than it was in King CW/e/s
Power or hiclination to cjisburfe for her.
BelUevre fent Richlieu a particular Account ct
all that had p?fs'd between the Queen Mother
and him. The Cardinal was inflexible, and made
the King write his Mother a Letter full of Re-
proaches, concluding that if fhe wou'd not go to
Florence^ which was the moft fuitablc Place for
her, he thought himfelf difcharg'd both in Confci-
ence and Honour from having any regard to her
Remonftrances. Richlieu didated this Letter him-
felf
4$8 The Secret Hlflory
felf to Chere his Secretary, and Lewis the Ju^
afterwards fet his Name to it.
Faih?^ Joj'ephj of whom mention has fo often been
m.nf!e, being taken with a Fit of an Apoplexy
in December Kf^S. Richlieu when he was a little
recovered of it invited him to Ruel, where, fo
wicked did the People think him, 'twas faid he
forwarded his Death. Ouelques uns cm cru que
Richlieu ^aleux & inquiet la lu avanca^ fays
my Author, who however feems not to give Credit
to it. Grotius writes on this Occafion in one of
his Letters. Richlieu is the only Man that's for-
ry for Father Jofeph, he has lofi the great En-
gine of his Plots and Contrivances. The Capuchine
was in hopes a little hefore his Death to have got
a Cardinal's Cap^ and the Archbifiwpriik of Rheimes,
which wou'd have made him the Firll Duke and
Peer of France. He proceeds. The Englifh have
eaufe to rcjoyce^ for Jofeph fomented the Commo-
tions in Scotland, tnaking nfe of another Capuchine
his Confident c air d ]\cmtQ, Whether or no Rich-
lieu was really Jealous of him and wifh'd him out
of the way, he conceal'd his Wifhes with his
ufual DifT^mularion. He (hed Tears upon Father
y('feph's Tuj:ib when a Solemn Service was per-
formii^g for him. I have loft my Cotnfort^ my only
help^ fays he, my Confident and my Support. The
Knig, whofe Thoughts were always conformable
to the Cardinal's, cry'd, / have lofi one of my mofi
Faithful Subje^fy and A'fonfieur the Cardinal his
Confident and Intimate Friend. The Nuns of Cal-
*yary, which this Hipocritical Capuchine was the
inftitutor of, to acquire the Reputation of a Man
infpir'd, thought they had loft another Af(//ej. They
beg'd his Heart and it was given them, Cofpean,
Biihop of Lifieux^ pronounced his Funeral Oration
in their Church, holding the Heart in his Hand.
Thofe poor Creatures pray and make Vows to him
to this Day, they keep his Cloak as a moft
Precious Relick, tho' he was, to uie the Words
cf my Author, Vn Franc Scelarat^ an Errant Raf-
cal. The King liimfelf had fo good an Opinion
of
^/FRANCE. 459
of Father Jofeph that he look'd upon what he
faid as Divine Oracles *, Rlchlieu^ to make his
Advantage of his Majefty's PrepofTeflion in Favout
of Jofephy perfwaded Lewis to prefs fo extraordina-
ry a Man to write down iMaxims for the good
Government of his Kingdom. The Gapuchine
play'd his Part in the Farce very well, he com*
pos*d a little Political Treaty, and prefented it to
his Majeily. 'Twas entitled, j4 Difcourfe of the
Vnky of the Minijier and the Qualities necejfary
for him, AH his Maxims tended to juftify Rich-
lieu s Adminiftration, advifing him to put all his
Authority into his Hands, to hide nothing from
him, and to prefer him to thofe Perfons that ought
to have been more dear to him. He told him in
his Book,that after having once chofen his Minifter,
for which Foft an Ecclefiaiiick was more proper
than any other Perfon, he fhou'd entirely love him
and never remove him, that he fhou'd load him
with Honours and Benefits, give him a Sove-
reign Power over the People, believe nothing
that was faid againft him, and difcover it tho'
he bad promised to keep it Secret. Thefe Max-
ims were fo grofs, that Lewis Xllf. was the
only Prince in the World who wou'd not have
been prejudiced by them againft both the Author
and the Cardinal, for endeavouring to impofc up-
on him after fo Scandalous a manner *, but he
contented himfelf with making no more ufe of
them than he thought fit, which was indeed as
much as they cou'd defire, for he continu'd to
follow the Meafures of the Cardinal and the
Gapuchine. Father Jacinte^ Companion and Con-
fident to Father Jofeph, was in hopes of fucceed*
ing him in his Favour at Court: But Richtieu
had been too often alarm'd by the Capuchine's
Intrigues to admit another Prieft into his Confi-
dence, fo Jacinte receiv*d Orders to confine hin^i
felf to his Convent.
The Mourning that was made for the Death of
Father Jofeph was foon forgotten, and Richlieu
and the whole Court were full of Joy for the
Mar-
j^6^ The Secret Hijlor^
Marriage of the Dutchefs of Puylaurem his Coufin
to the Count de Harcourt. For the Celebration
of which there was a mod Magnificent Ball at the
Card inal's Palace ; the ordering of it was left to the
Bifhop of ChartreSy tho* he was one of the Com-
miliioners appointed by the Pope for the Refor-
mation of th^ Manners of the Billiops. There was
an Entertainment of Mufick after the Ball, in
which feveral Songs were fung in PraifeofDuke
Bernard^ who had lately taken Brifac^ which
Conqueft the French Court had an Eye upon,
and refblv'd, if they cou'd, to get the PofTeffion
of it. The Count de Guehriam^ who command-
ed the French Army that afted in Conjunftion
with Duke Weymars^ was ordered to negotiate
that Matter with him, but Bernard anfwer'd, To
demand my Gonqueji of me is like demanding of a
Virtuous Girl her M.aidenhead^ or of a Gallant Aian
his Honour, However the Duke fent Erlach to
Paris to treat of certain Affairs, and excufe his
not complying with the King's Demands. Lervis
did not care to Qiaarrel with bim, and therefore
gave way to his Obftinacy to keep Brifac, But.
Richlieu ' {o far gain'd over Erlach, that he pro-
mised the Place fhou'd be delivered to the French
if Duke Bernard^\who was not in very good Health,
ihou'd dye. Thus were all the Minifters and
Friends of thofe Princes the Cardinal correfpon-
ded with engag'd and corrupted by him, which
contributed not a little to the Succefs of his Mi-
niftry, with refpe^l to Foreign Affairs.
Mary de Medicis had got her Son-in-Law King
Charles I. to fend the Lord Jernyn to France to
make her Peace with the Cardinal. That Lord,
notwithftanding all her Submiflions to a Man whom
fhe had fo much oblig'd, and who was entirely
indebted to her for his Prodigious Fortune, had
no better Succefs than all her other Mediators
had already had. Richlieu^ fince the Birth of the
Dauphin^ having new Rcafonsto keep her out
of France as long as fhe liv'd. He knew very
well the ill State of his Majefty's Health, tho*
it
^/FRANCE. 4«i
it was kept from the Publick as much as poffible,
and flatter'd himfelf upon Lewis's Death he might
obtain tiiQ Regency. The beft Pofts and Places
in Frarjce were in the PolTefiion of his Relations
and Creatures. Toaccuftom the People to fee him
cloath'd with fo much Royalty he every Year
put the King upon fome needlefe Journey or o-
ther to the Frontiers, that he might be Regent
in his Abfence. The only Perfonswho cou*d have
ft<jod in Competition vnJLth him for the Regency,
befides Mary de Medicis was Ame of Aufiria^
and the Duke of Orleans who had neither of them
any great Intereft, and he did not doubt of pre-
venting their having it, if he cou'd hinder the
Return of the Queen Mother, who was of an
Intriguing Spirit, had been Regent before, and
uniting with her Son and her Daughter-in-Law,
might have had no great Difficulty in difpoiling
him of his vafl Wealth and punifhihg him example-
rily for his many Aas of Violence and Injuftice;
The Lord JermyrC% Negotiations being to no pur-
pofe, the Queen of England demanded to come
in Perfon to France under pretence of her Health,
but in reality to mediate with her Brother
in behalf of her Mother. Richlieu made the
King Anfwer that he was oblig'd to go to the
Frontiers of his Kingdom at that time, and fhou'd
not have the Pleafure of feeing her. Upon this
King Charles recall'd the Earl of Leicefter and
the Lord Scudamore^ his AmbafTadors in Ordinary
and Extraordinary, and Richlieu to hinder his
ioyning with the Houfe of Aufiria was very In-
duftrious to cut him out Work at Home, which
he did effe^ually by fpnienting the Scotifi? Trou-
bles, to which end he had always an Agent among
the A'lale contents.
The Enfmies of the Cardinal not only cry*d out
that he kid a Defign upon the Regency, but to
form a Schifm, and to caufe himfeU to be declar'd
Partriarch, of France, This Glamour encreas'd,
upon publiOnng a Book calld, Proofs of the Li-
berties of the Galilean Churchy written by Peter
and.
462 The Secret Hifiorj
and James du Tuy at the Sollicitation of {bme
eonfiderable Pcrfons. The Pope's Nuntio and the
Monks made a great Noife about it» and Richlieu
finding that Point was a little too difficult dropt
it, and the Cardinal de la Rochfaucault^ who was
a Slave to the Court of Rome^ aflembled fe-
veral Bifhops in his Abbey of St, Genevieve in Pa-
ris^ by whom the Book was condemn'd as Schifmati-
cal and Heretical. Grotius tells us of a long Con-
ference he had with the Prince oiConde on this
Occafion, in which the Prmce was convinc*d, "That
*' the Ecclefiaftical Funftion was a fimple Mi-
" niftry inflituted by the Son of God, which
*^ ought to be maintain'd by all Soveraigns, that
^' the Abufe of it is dffagreeable to God and per-
*' nicious to Church and State, that the Sovereign
*' is oblig'd to hinder it fince his Principal Duty is
" to maintain the Obfervation of the Law of God,
^ to take Care of the Safety of the People and to
^* fupprefs Injuftice." Grotius urg'd further, that
the Scriptures are tlie Rule of Faith, with many
other things againft the Dodrines of the Church
ofRomey which the Prince agreed to, and faid, that
all Men of Senfe- were of the fame Opinion. In
the clofe of this Letter to Chancellor Oxenjiierrij
he fays, This has no Relation to 7ny Embajfyj how-
ever I thought fit to acquaint you with it that you may
know what Men of the firft Rank begin to think of
thefe things, Almofi all the Magiftrates of the Par-
liament are of the fame Principle^ and they are
looked upon at Rome as little better than Hereticks,
We have mention'd the Retreat of the Duke
de la Valette to England, The Cardinal de Rich-
lieu not contented with his having left the Kingdom,
caus'd a Procefs to be commenced againft him, for
that he, asGovernor oiGuyenne^irA left the Province
without the King's Permiiiion, to lay Sie^e to Pome-
rabia. The Cardinal "coiitinu'd to penecute him,
notwithftanding he had marry'd the Dutchefs of
Puylaurens's Sifter, and was Brother to his dear
Friend the Cardinal de la raiette^ for his appearing
in the Court of Mary de Medicis, He cou'd Inot
bear
of FRANCE. 465
bear thai any body Ihou'd fhewthe leaft Friend'fhip
for that unfortunate Princefs. nor forgive the Difpo-
fition the Duke had to fide with Gafion, Duke of Or-
leans, againft him. The Members ot the Parlia-
ment who were at his Devotion, were order'd to
come to Court to proceed againft the Duke de la
Falette ^ they came to St, Germains^ and the King
condefcended to prefide in a Bufinefs which Rich'
lieu carry d on purely to execute his Revenge on
the Son of one of the greateft Lords of France.
There was one Magiftrate Pimriy Dean of the Great
Chamber, who was very willing to give his Opi-
nion againft the Duke de la f^alette, wJaom they de-
fign'd ftiou'd be condemn'd unhear*d.
This Man was the fir ft whofe Vote Lewis de-
manded. Sir^ fays the old Magiftrate, / have been
a Member of this Court Fifty Tears^ and never yet
met with an Affair of .fo much Impcrtance^ Monfieur
the Duke de la Valette had the Honour to marry your
Maje^iy*s Natural Sifter ^he is befidss a Peer of France.
/ mofi humbly befeech you to refer this Matter back
to the Parliament. Lewis interrupting hiiij, cry*d
out, Give yeur Vote^ Sir. Pmon reply 'd coldly, /
am of Opinion that the Duke de la Valetre'; Cafe be.
refer d to theParliament to Judge it. Iwi% not do it,
fays the King, this is not voting, Pinon modeftly
anfwer'd, A Reference is a Lawful Opinion. Lewis
in great Wrath reply*d. Give your Kote pofitively^
otherwife I ftjjill know what I have to do. This
frighten'd him,and feveral other Magiftratesto Vote
as the Court wou'd have them •, but Believere^ {econd
Prefident of the Parliament, inlifted upon it, that
the Cafe ought to be refer'd'back to that Aflem-
bly. What he faid on this Occaiion is very re-
markable, Ihere is fome thing very odd in this Mat'
ter ", a King giving his Opinion in the Criminal Pro-
cef of one of his Suhje^s *, 'till now Kings have
been wont to referve Pardons to themfelvef^ and re-
fer the Condenmation of the Gmlty to their Officers.
Can your Majefty^ Sir^ be able to bear the fight ef
a Gentleman here at the Bar^from whence he JJjoud
go only to the Plage of Execution. ^Tis incompati^
bis
464 5r&^ Secret Hijiorj
hie with Royal Majefly, The Sight of a Prince carries
Mercy with it everywhere^ if he enters an inter diEied
Churchy the Cenfure is immediately taken off accord-*
ing to the Canons^ all thofe that come before the
Prince fhoitd go away content and joyful. He then
reprefented how pernicious it might be to Brow-
beat the Judges, and not give them the Liberty
of fpeaking according to their Confciences. Give
your Opinion pofitivelvy fays the King, who heard
him patiently. / cannot he of any other ^ repJy'd
Bellievre^ mine is Cathobck. The Chancellor was
going to fpeak to the Prefident, who took him
up fhort, If yf^u pretend to give me JnfiruEiions here
^tii loft timcy I per f ft in my Sentiments, The Cou-
rage of this brave Magiftrate lb embolden'd fome
of his Brethren, that they infifted upon it to have
theCaufe refer*d back to their AfTenibly. But the
King, the Dukes and Peers, the Chancellor and the
Cardinal, having given their Votes againft the Duke
de la Palette, he was condemned, only Three Days
were allow'd him to appear in, after Summons by
found of Trumpet, a matter of meerForm ^ the
Duke was iq England and cou'd in that time know
nothing of the Bufmefs. Twas pleafant to hear
one of the Magiftrates Le Bret juftify the Proceed-
ings againft the Duke by the Examples of Procefles
in Turkey and Perfia, When the pretended Tryal
was over, the King call'd the Prefidents de Bel-
lisvre^ de Nefmond, le Baikal, de Novion, and faid
to. them, Tou always difobey ?ne^ I am very much
dilfatisfyd with you* I hate thofe that fay I eannot
form a Procefs againft Dukes and Peers but in Par-
liamenr^ they are Ignorant and not worthy their Office*
I do not know but I may provide my felf ofotherSy
1 will be obey'dy and you fljall he made to know that
all Privileges are founded on ill Cuftom^ let me here-
after hear no more of 'em* Very good. Here's a
frank Declaration of a King, who has the Sirname
of Jitft^ that all the People's Privileges, and even
the "Privileges of Parliaments are founded on ill
CuftoAi. Why is he To angry, but becaufe Three
or Four honeft' Magiftrates wou*d not give their
Vote
(7/ F R A N C E. 465
Vote for the Condemning a Duke and Peer of
France to Death, to gratify the Vengcante of a
bloody minded Minifter. A Vrench Author writes
thus on this fubje£l. " Let us make no Reflections
" on fuch a Piece of Tyranny, 'tis enough to ex-
** pofe it ^ a wretched Flatterer alledges in theCoun-
'' cil, and in the Prelence of the molt Chriftian
" King, the Pradice of the Turh^ and pretended
" that the Example of their Sultan^ who when he
** pleafes, and without any form of Juftice, puts
" to Death his Viziers and BafTas, fhou'd be fol-
*' low'd by a Prince who takes the Sirname of
*' 7»/i?-, and that he is not bound by eftablifh'd
" Laws and Cuftoms when the Honour and Life
" of the Peers of his Kingdom and Officers of
*' his Crown are in Queftion, This Opinion was
" applauded and follow'd. What Horror, what
*' Infamy.'* /?/V/;//ez^, who had been the fole Pro-
moter of this Cruel Prccefs, went out when Sen-
tence was giving, faying, he was related to thi.
Duke de la VaUtte. When the Duke was condemn'd
to Death, JLf rrn flay'd Four Hours to hear ali the
Preparatory Papers read, tho' he had drunk the
Waters that Day, and was fc)rc'd to go out to
Evacuate. The xMagiftrates were more complaifant
at the Condemnation, than they had been at the
Procefs ; only Bellievre continued in his Integrity,
and wou'd not agree to any thing more tharl Banifh-
ment and a Fine* The 'Duke de Id Rochfaucault
being to give his Vote at the Sentence, follow'd
the Example of the pack'd Judges, and gave it fot
condemning him to Death, tho* at the Procefs
he had declar'd he cou*d not think the Duke de
la Falette Guilty of Treafon and Cowardice, and
that there was not fufficient Proof againlt him. The
King made a Speech uncovered when he gave his O-
pinion, which was for Death, and accordingly the
Duke de la VaUtte was beheaded in Efiige the gth
of Jz^we i^3P.
the Cardinal de la VaUtte dy'd foitietime after
in haly-i the Duke de Candale was Dead fome-
time before, and the Duke d' Epernon, their Fatberj
importuned in his old Age, by th^ ?xim^ oi Cor.d»
H fo tQ
466 The Secret Hijtory
to refign his Government of Gu\eme to procure a
Pardon for bis Son the Duke de la Falette, The
Poft of Colonel General^ if he cou'd be prevail'd upon
to part with it, was intended for Monfieur Cinq-
mars^ a new Favourite, taken by the King upon
the Retreat of MadanK)irelle de la Fatene^ ofwhom
we fhall have Cccafion to fpeak further m the fol-
lowing Pages.
It will not be difagreeable to the Reader to give
an Account of a Quarrel between the Courts of
Rome and France^ upon Occafion of the Murder of
Rouvrai^ the Marefchal d' Etreeis Gentleman. Rou-
vrai had refcu d an Italian^ in whofe Houfe he had
lodg'd Two of his Whores from the Officers that
were conveying him to the Galleys to w^hich he
was condemn'd for keeping an Infamous Houfe.
D' Btrees was afham'd of the A^lion, and promis'd
to deliver up his Gentleman, but afterwards refus'd
it, or to fend him to France. Rouvrai was profe-
cuted according to Law, and d' Etrees retiring in
Difguft to Frefiatij carry'd him along with him.
The French-ma-a was condemn'd to Death for Con-
tumacy, and a Price fet upon his Head as was the
Cuftom in fuch Cafes. When d* Etrees return'd
, to Rowe^ he was advis'd not to bring Rouvrai with
him*, inftead of which he brought him, as it were,
in Tryumph, and to infult the Barharirn, the Pope's
Nephews, with whom he had a Mifunderftanding.
As they came along Rouvrai was (hot Dead from
behind a Hedge, his Head cut off ^od carry'd to
the Governor of Ro?ne -, 'Twas expos'd in Publick :
The Hangman carry'd it about, and Proclamation
was made that 'twas the Head of the Fre/uhAm-
bafFador's Gentleman ^ at lail it was thrown into
the Place where the Heads of the Banditti and
otlier Capita] Criminals are flung. The Mare-
fchal d' Etrees fent his Secretary to the Court of
France for Particular Inliruclions in this Affair.
The King and Cardinal oh one hand did not car«
to come to an open Rupture with the Pope, and
on the other they thought themJeves obliged to fup-
port the Ambaiiudcr. 1 he Treatment of Rouvrai' s
Budy
^/FRANCE. 467
Body after he was aflaflinated, prov'd plain enough
that he was murdred by Order of Cardinal Francis
Barharwij the Pope's Favourite Nephew, or his Bro-
ther Don Thadeoy Prefeft of Rome^ who both hated
d* Etrees •-> and the Truth is, the Barbarinis own'd
afterwards that the Murder coft them 2000 Crowns.
Ecoti the Pope's Nuntio in Fr^;7re,being remonilrated
to on this fuDJed, anfwer'd, That they cou'd not with-
out the foulefl: CatUmny attribute [0 black an Affair
to a Cardinal of fo known integrity^ and fo Ange-
lical a Life, However, Cardinal Francis's Re-
venge was his Mafter in the Bufinefs of Rouvral,
And the Marefchal d' Etrees had Orders not to
have any Audience of tiie Pope or his Nephew, till
LexM had fatisfa£lion for the Indignities, put
upon his Minifter. Ric hi ieu vf^s in hopes that the
Clergy of France who had feveral Reaibns not to
be fatisfy'd with the Court of Rome, wou'd have
joyn'd with him to mortify Vrban^ but Scoti^ the
Pope's Nuntio, by means of the Cardinal de la
jRochfaticault ^n^oihtx Prelates.devoted to the Papal
See, difappointed all his Proje£^s, which fo irritated
Richlieu^ that he caus'd Chavigni to tell the Nuntio,
To2t may write to Rome, that the King has fo much
Right to revenge the Death of Rouvrai, was not hts
Majcfiy rejirain d by his natural Moderation^ that
he might fend his Officers to infult Monfieur Scoti
m his Houfe^ and perhaps have him cudgel' d on the
Pontneuf. The Nuntio replyM to Chavigni^ That
r/?e Turks durjl not threaten the Venitian Miniiier
foj whofe Injolence was known to all Europe. The
King afterwards fent Scott an Order to abftain
from Audience, but he refus'd to receive it, and
his Servant flung it into the Mafler of the Cere-
mony's Coach, who wou'd have left it in his HoUfe.
This Feud went fo far that they taikd at the
Court of France of calling a National Synod, and
even a General Council, but 'twas not in Richlieu's
Power, as great as 'twas, to do either, for there was
a Party among'lt the Gallican Clergy, who (lic-kled
hard for tlie Papal Authority,, and that which he
headed in Oppofition, cou'd not carry their Point.
H h i* J^
468 ..The Secret Hifiorj
1 have already made fome mention of Madamoi-
felle de Hautefort^ and Monfieur de Cinqmars^ the
King's Male and Female Favourites. Hautefort was
cncourag'd by the Cardinal to drive the thoughts
of la Faiette out of the King's Head, but fhe foon was
gain'd over by the Queen, and KichUeu refolv'd
to punifh her and her CouMtut Che mer ant as In-^
grates. The Cardinal having fuch ill fuccefs with
Women Favourites, thought it his Intereft to give
the King one of his own Sex in the room of the
Duke d,e St. Slmon^^ot Lewis muft have a Favou-
rite of one Sex or the other He pitch'd upon
Monfieur de Cinqmars^ the iVIarefchal d* Ejfiat's Son,
in hopes that out of Gratitude for his own and his
Father's Elevation he wou'd entirely depend upon
him. He was made Mafter of the Horfe by the De-
miflion of the Duke de Belkgards ^ the King quickly
fhew'd an Extraordinary Kindnefs to him, his Amia-
ble Qtialities gain'd him his Majefty's good Graces
to fuch a degree, that 'twas not long before Rkhlieu
grew jealous of him. Upon the Cardinal de la
Valette's Death, Richlieu Tent the King a Lifl: of the
vacant Benefices, which he had held, to be dif-
pos'd of. A fmall Abby was all he intended for
the new Favourite's Brother ; his iMajefty was fo
offended at it, that he tore the Paper, and imme-
diately gave the Abbot d* EJfiat one of the bed
Abbeys the Cardinal dela Vnle'tte had pofFefs'd. The
King defign'd x\-\>i Cap for his Favourite's Brother,
and us'd to C2A\ him x\\q Little Cardinal., all which
terribly allarm'd RlchUeu, He gave Cinqmars to un*
derfland his Favour came by his means, and he ex-
pefted anotiier fort of Conduct from him. Cinq-
mars thinking himfelf fureof the King, def;y'd him.
Lewis bid him not go fofaft. I love you as well as
you can wijh^ fa^'S he, and. I hate the Cardinal mor-
tally ', however^ if you fall out with him^ dont think
that I will fiand by you again f} him ^ / will never
injure my Affairs for the fake of any Body whatfoe-
ver^ they are in fuch a Pofiure that I cannot part with
my Minifter, The Kings good Advice was a fure
fign that he lov'd Cinqmars as well as he faid he
' * â– â– did,
ofV R A N C E. 469
did, but he was too Vain and too Proud to follow
it. His Friends all gave him ths fame wholefome
Counfel, but he wou'd nut tubmit to the Cardinal,
and hardly to the Kipg, as will appear by a Let-
ter Lewis wrote fometime after to Rkhlieu on the
fubjeft o{CinqmaYs*s Behaviour, / am forry to im-
portune you about A^onfieur Le Grand'/ ill Humour s»
At his return from Ruel he gave me the Vacquet you
fent me, Monfieur the Cardinal, p/V / to him^ tells
me you have declared a great Readinefs to pleafe
me ill every things however, you do not do it
in a thing I dtm^d^ him to fpeak to you about. He
faid fome thing of it^ reply 'd he, but J cannot do
etherwife^ nor be more Laborious than I have been \
1 was troubled at his Difcourfe, and told him,Idlenefs
does not become a Man of a Condition, who ought
to Qualify hitnfelf for the Command of Armies, ad'
ding, you have declar'd to me often that that was
your Defign. I don't aim fo hlgh^ fays he very briskly,
i am fatisfy'd to the contrary, j^/^ /, and wou'd not
pufh that any farther ^ then returning to the Article
of Lazinefs, / told him, Twas a Vice that render'd
a Man incapable of any Thing that's good. Let
the People of the Adarfl)^ ( a quarter of Paris fo
call d where wanhe Hotel d' Effiat) give themfelves
up entirely to Pieafure, you was bred among them;
It you relolve to continue that way of living, you
had e'en as good go and live with *em again. With
all my Hearty fays he very iirrogantly. I made
anfwer. If I was not wifer than you, I know what
1 fhou'd reply to you, ought you to talk after
_this Rate to a Mafter who has done fo much for
..you? Our Spark aniwera me after his ufual Cu-
llom, / don^t value what you have done for me^ I
can eafily be ivithout it ^ and can as willingly be Cinq-
mars a: Mcnfieur Le Grand. In fijort^ I cannot
live otherwife^ and will not alter. We continu'd
wording of it till we came to the Court of the
Caftle. If you are of that Humcur,/^/^ /, you will
pleafe me if you do not come into my Prefcnce, Fie
reply dy What you will^Sir, And 1 ha v^ not k^xx
him fmce. All this pad, Gordes being by, to whom
H h i I
470 The Secret Bijlory
I read what I write ypu, and he juftifies it to be all
True.
This Arrogant Dialogue between Cinqmars and
his Mafter happen d before Richlieu fell out with
Le Grand, as he was callu al/o on Account of
his Office, and he endeavour'd, or pretended to
endeavour, to keep them Friends. This Difpute
was refer'd by both Lexvis and his Favourite to the
Cardinah Cinqmars wrote this to him about it.
My Lord,
/Am in extream Confvfion to think that your Eml*
ncnce JJmud have a continual din in your Ears
of Cofnplairjts again fi r/ie. There muji he fome End
or other put to it . Rather than have recourfe to 45
long and ufelefs Juftification^ I wdl own my felf
Guilty thd' I do not know my fault. By this^ my
Lord^ I demand of your Eminence that you will
no longer hearken to your Goodnefs for me^ but pre-
fer ing y ur Reprfe to my Advantage^ -aoud think
cf this Matter as the Kings Anger woud have
you, I woud not have your Eminence look upon it
as a fally of Pafflon which I may repent of. J hav^
jcrioufly confider^d every things and pr&tefi I am not
afraid of the CorSequence provided the King does not
take an Aver [ton to nie^ and will remember that I
Jljall he eternally his mott humble Servant.
To Bes JSJoyers^ Secretary of State, he wrote as
follows :
CT" HE Extremity to which you fee me reducd^ m,ay
-^ make you judge the Condition J am in, J con-
jure you by all the Erlendflrp you ever had for me^
to confent that there ma^ be an end of the mifera-
ble Life J lead. Confult with his Eminence what
is to be done to get me cut of it^ and prevent the
Xing*s perfecuting me with his Aierfmh JJjat^s all
J demand^ /ill J defirt.
The
^/FRANCE. 471
The young Rake wou'd not have his Mafter be-
lieve he cou'd ©r wou*d turn his Head to Bufinefs,
he wou'd be Belov*d on his own Terms or not at
all. * ris not likely fuch a lazy Thoughtlefs Crea-
ture fhou'd long maintain himlelf/A^hen the Minifter
was as much againft him, as lie was at hrft for him. "
Towards the latter end of the Year 153P, the
Normans took Arms to defend themfelves againft
the infufferable Violence of the Tax- Gatherers.
Richlieus Miniftry was become fo generally Odiouf,
that the Parliament of Roan and the Gentlemen of
Xormandy wink'd at this Infeirredtion, in hopes it
w^ou'd embarrafs him. During the Campaign,
the Court was alfo forc'd to let the pretended Re-
bels alone ^ but after 'twas over, Seguier^lhQ Chan-
cellor, was fent to Normandy with Collonel G'^j^po;^
and his Regiment, to dellroy thofe Miferable
Wretches, whom the Taxes had impoverilli'd. The
Chancellor's ComHiiflion was executed as Jeffery
executed his in the Weft of England^ and Gajfion fe-
conded him as Kirk did Jeffery\ As foon as he came
with his Soldiers to Roan^ he interdudled the Parlia-
ment and Courts of Juftice, revok'd the Privileges of
the City, and Confilcated the Revenues ; after that
he condemn'd feveral Citizens and others to the
Gibbet and Wlieel, and caus'd fo general a Terror
thro' the whole Province o[ Normandy, that a great
Number of the Inhabitants fled to England and
the Ifles of Guemfey and 'jcrfey. He order'd the
Walls of fome Towns to be raz'd, and every where
were to be feen the Bloody marks of his Power,
This Chancellor of France^ ibis Protedlor of the
French Academy, to w^hom that Society rais'd fo
many Altars of Flattery being one of the tiioft
cruel and flavifh Minifters that ever a£l8d under a
Tyranny fo intollerable as was that of Richlieus,
Having made fome mention of the War between
France and Spain^ and Difficialties th^ Cardinal
met with in carrying it on, I fhall now take np-
tice of fome Secret Steps towards a Peace in the Year
1(^4.0, when the Arms of France had not all the Sucx
cefs that was expe^lt^d The Court being at Self- *
H h 4 fons
'47^ ^^^ 5^rr^^ Hijiory
fons^ Richlieu went to Blerancourt under pretence
of making a Vifit to the Marquis de Tremes's
Brother, where v/as Breth, Agent of the Low-
Countries at the Court of Madrid, whom the Count
Duke d' Ollvarez., the King of Spain's Prime Mi-
' nifler, had ordered to confer privately with the
Cardinal Duke de Richlieu upon fome Propofals of
Peace between the two Crowns. Breth demanded
as Preliminaries, That Lorraine /bou'd he reftord to
the Duke^ Brifac to the Emperor, and what the
Dutch had taken in Brafil to the Spainards, The
Cardinal rejeftcd thefe Demands, and ask'd Breth
if he had no Power to enter into a Negotiation on
other Propofitions, the Flemand declaring he had
not, Richlieu told him that the King's Pretenfions
to Lorraine werefojufl, the Catholick King ought
to fupport his Majefty in them , adding further.
He fhoud he glad that the exemplary Punijhment
cfthe Duke of Lorraine, woud teach all tittle Prwces^
that they fljall not with Impunity offend a PuiJJant
Crown, here's Richlieu that good Prieft's excellent
Realoning and Divinity : For God's Sake are not
little Princes as much Princes as great? Muft they
they lole their Rights mi PofTefTions becaufe great
Princes have taken Oil^^nce? Muft not the Fre?ich
King be put out of Humour but at the Expence
of two or three Dutchies ?
On the 21 ft of September^ this Year ii^^o, was
Born Philip Duke o{ Anjou ^ upon the Death of his
Unkle Gajion^ made Duke of Orleans by his Bro-
ther Lewis the XlVth. The Prince of Conde was
then holding an AiTembly of the States o\ Langue-
doc, and tho' the Birth of another Prince made
his Succefiion to the Crown more diftant, yet he
had fo well learn'd the Art of Flattery, that he cou d
not help (hewing it in this Extraordinary manner
to the AfTembly. ^' The taking of Arras and
^^ Turin^ is not equal to the happinefs of having
?' another Son born to our King ; it fecures the State
^' like a Pillar of perpetual fecarity againft all ill
/'" Events. We cannot doubt of the good Succcfs
^*^ of the Publicfe Afiairs, Good FortAine and the
(?/ F R A N C E. 4T?
*' King's Valour, the Miraculous Conduft of Mon-
*^ fieur the Cardinal gives us continual Aflurances
" of It, and that nothing is impoflible under fuch
^' Divine, fuch Happy, fuch Prudent, and fuch Cou-
*' ragious Directions. " This Speech is made by
the fir ft Prince of the Blood in France, and is not
out done by the moft Impertinent of all Richlieus
Flatterers.
The Catalans and Tortuguefe having thrown off
the Spamjh Yoke, v^'ere both a (lifted by the French.
So far have the latter been from encouraging Paf.
five Obedience in the Subjeds of their Neighbr'ing
Princes. But the Joy of this Embarras given to
the Affairs of 5p^/«, was not fo tranfporting to the
Cardinal, as that of marrying his Neice, the Mare-
fchal de Brez,es Daughter, to the Duke d' Enghien
afterwards the famous Prince of Conde. The ex-
pence of one Entertainment at the Celebrating of
thefe Nuptials^ coft the Proud Prieft a Million.
Enghien was forc'd by his Father to marry this
Woman. A match fo Scandalous to a Prince of
his Birth, that 'twas thought he wou'd never have
comply'd with it, and ^tis (aid Erighien was bully'd
into by it by the Cardinal •, iin coming to tell him
he was engag'd to another, and feeing Richheu
whifper to the Captain of his Guards, he was afraid
of being Arrefted. and inftead of rejecting her, told
Richlieu he was come to thank him for the Ho-
nour he did him in offering him his Neice. The Car-
dinal t-of k him at his Word, and the Articles were
fign'd immediately. The Prince o'iConde^ the Duke's
Father, whom the Cardinal fuppor ted in plunder-
ing the Provinces by railing Money of the States,
under the notion of Free Gifts, was very earneft
for the Marriage, as may be feen by a Tetter re
wrote to the Cardinal fome time before Tou know
that I difire but one thing in all the iVorid^ which
is to place what is ?nofi: dear to rne in your Houfe,
J hope you will continue to love we, 'tis my only
happinefs^ Again, / have no Defign^ and but one
Pretence in the World^ which is to enter into your
Miance. Thus does one uf the firft Princes of the
Houfe
474 Th^ ^^(^^^ mpry
Houfe of Bourbon court a Pricft, who by the
weaknefs of his Mafter is become a Terror to
the Royal Family it felf, Tis faid that Enghien
m the fright the Cardinal's whifpering to the
Captain of his Guards put him into, fell upon
his Knees to demand his Neice in Marriage. He
was charg'd with it in Parliament, but the Prince
gave the Perfon that faid it the Lye. Richlieu
paffionately^defir^d the Marriage of his Niece with
the Duke d' Enghien in hopes that it wou'd be an
Addition to his Inteteft in carrying his Ambitious
Projea: of the Regency, which was never out
of his Head, but it was not without great Anxiety
of Mind, that he- faw the Count de Soiffons^ the
Duke de BoutUon^ and the Duke de Guife in a
ftri£l Union at Sedan. Tkere were feveral other
dilconrented Dukes, as Fendome^ Epernon^ de la
' Falette^ and ^ feveral great Lords in France that
fhew'd a Diipofition to joyn in with any Party
againft him.
'"The Cardinal cry'd out, TW Sedan was as had
as Rochelle, that in good Policy it ought not to be
tndurdj and that the King was pofitively refolv^d ta
have an end of thcfe CahalUngs. About this time
a Gentleman difparch'd by the Duke de Souhizein
England, with Letters to his Friends in France^
was feiz'd in Normandy and fent to the Baftille.
He confefs'd at his Examination that the Count
de Soiffons held Coi refpondence with Soubisie^ or
rather Richlieu to blacken the Count ai^- render
him more Odious to the King got him to confefs
it, and then reprefented the Matter to Lervis as
malicioufly as his Fraud and Hatred cou'd make it.
The Count complam'd of the Fallhood of the Ca-
lumny, and fent his Confident Campion with Letters
to the King and Cardinal in his own Vindication.
Campion found the King very much ^i^t againft Soiffons.
He gave his Majefty the Letter, and Ipoke in behalf
of his M'afler. Monfieur the Count, lays the King,
Does very well to Vindicate himfelf^ but he does it a
little too late^ why did he not write to me fooner*
Campion replyd with a great deal of warmth, That
he
<?/ F R A N C E. 475
he wottd anfwer with his Head for his Mafter*j In-
nocence, Lewis pardon'd his Zeal and faid, / will
confider what's to he done and write to the Count,
Campion^ was to go from him to the Cardinal
at Ruel. Lewis took Care to give Richlieu Notice of
every thing that pafs'd, and when Campion had de-
liver'd the Cardinal the Count's hQtt^r ^Richlieu faid,
/ am forry the Jccufation againjl Monfieur the Count
is fo firong \ the Depofitions are fo clear ^ and fo cer-
tain^ that he will find a hard Matter to refute them.
Then he order'd des Noyers^ Secretary of State,
to read them, jib Sir, reply'd Campion, Cannot
one make a Wretch in the Baftille/^j/ what he plea*
fes ? He will not dare to ajjert before upright Jud-
ges^ that Monfieur the Count holds Intelligence with
the Dukes Soubrize and de la Valette whom he hate^,
'Tis a plain Calumny which the Count can eafily dif-
prove ! Good God^ what Times do we live in ? the
Man of the mofi Honour m the World will not hereafter
be J.ife from the Malice of his Emmies^ Richlieu
reply'd very coldly, / am Monfeur the Counts mort
humble Servant^ and wou'd feign believe him Innocent j
ajfure him from me that 'tis r}:jt r/y Fault the Kin^
does not think him fo. Several Letters pafs'd be-
tween the Count and the Court on this Occalion.
The former rather than lie under this Scandal, de-
manded the Affair fr.ou'd be brought before the
Parliament of Paris^ the Cardinal knowing what
Artifices had been us'd ro procure the Depofitions^ a-
gainfi the Count chofe rather to let the King make
as if he believ'd Soiffons innocent.
We have mentioned the Duke de Guifes being
at Sedan^ where the Count de Soiffons and the Duke
deBouillon enter'd into an Agreement to fupporteach
others Intered, and to endeavour the Ruin of Rich-,
lieu. Both of them fign'd it, fo did the Duke de
Cuife\ it was fent to the Emperor and the Car-
dinal Infant^ Governor of the Low Countries-^ who
promis'd to affift them with 7000 Men each. Boit^
tllon fortify'd Sedan^ and rais'd Men in the Country
of Liegey the Spaniards engaging to fupply the
Duke with 200000 Crowns for thufe Levies, . But as.
their
47 6 The Semi Hiflory
their Cuftom was, fell Jfhort of their Promifes wliicH
more than once fpoilM a very good Defign form'd
againfl Richlieus Tyranny. Richlleu to find our the
bottom of the Intrigues of the Princes at Sedan^ en-
deavour 'd to engage the famous Colonel Gajfion to
ad the Part of a Spyc Gajfion was in his Winter
Quarters on thofe Frontiers, he had devoted himfelf
to the Service of the Cardinal, who therefore be-
liev'd he might engage him to do any thing, and in
this Belief wrote him the following Letter.
7
N all Timei of Peace your Company will be defird
here ; the King who woud have you with his Ar-
mies when they are upon A^ion^ woud not deprive
you of the Pleafure which the common Repofe brings
with it. I have told you what his Defign was^ come and,
tell him what you think of it^ your Journey JJjall not be
unprofitable ; if there are Favours to be difpens'd with
I will give you my Word you fljall not be forgotten *,
your Pre fence may create fuch Thoughts as do not arife
but upon fight of the ObjeHs. In a PP'ordy you fhall be
as well fatisfy'd with the Court as they are with
you»
Gaffion who had talk'd fomewhat freely of -the
Cardinal's well-belov'd Coufm the Marefchal de U
Aleilieraie^ fufpefted there wasfomething more than
ordinary in Richlleu s wonderful Courlily,and v/ou'd
not flir till he was convinc'd that it was not a
Snare. Richlieu wrote him a longer and more
prefling Letter, upon \M\\\ch Gaffion haften'd toRuel,
After fome genera] Compliments, the Secretary des
JSIoyers began to Sift him. Bear Friend^ faid he,
The State and Fortune are at work for you^ give your
felfup entirely toMonfieur the Cardmal^approve without
examining Things of whatever he fhall propofe to you.
What the y^/rf/r,replysGafiion,who was a Proteftant?
No No fays the Secretary, There's no Talk of that
now^ *J is Faith Humane^ that's required of you, Des
Noyen
0/ F R A N C E. 477
Noyers introduc'd him then to the Cardinal, Taying,
My Lordj Here's a Gallant Man^ on whofe Bravery
and Fidelity your Eminence may depend, I wijh for
nothing mtrey replys Richlieu^ and having Sworn him
to Secrecy he went on. / have Enemies Monfieur
de Gallion, you know them and they know you^ they
will do their utmofl- to engage you on their Side a-
gainfi me^ and in'Oolve you under falfe Pretences m
the Defigns they are forming agawfi the King and the
State. Jfijoud be in Defpair to fee you embrace an
IJnfortunate and Criminal Party \ I thought ft to
give you Warning that you might not fall into their
Snares. God forbid I fljou^d fee a Man I Love fo "Well
ruined by them. Be plain with me^ are you free^ tell
me truly ^ can you engage your Jelf wholly tomef My
Lord^ lays Gallion, I am perfe^ly devoted to your
Emine 
