THE ASSOCIATION OF THE PRINCES OF FRANCE.
WEE vnder-written, weighing the miserable estate whereto this Kingdome is now reduced, with the confusion which threatneth an ineuitable separation, and iustly dreading that the Enemies of the same, aswell Domestique, as Strangers, will make their vse by preuayling through the ruine thereof, if good and speedy order be not taken, haue thought, that during the Kings minority, and the keeping prisoner of
[Page] the first Prince of the Bloud, there was no remedy more proper, to preuent, and stop so great an euill, then to vnite our selues most strictly together, vnder these Articles which follow.
FIRST, We protest to continue constant, and neuer to depart from that loyall Obedience, and most humble Submission which we owe as true and naturall Subiects of this Crowne, to the King our Prince & Soueraigne Lord.
And because it is well knowne, that Strangers and such as fauour them, haue seized on the sacred Person of the King, and on the whole Administration and absolute Gouernement of the Kingdome, which they doe most vniustly vsurpe, and exercise, with great Tyrannie and Oppression, and doe violently detayne the Prince of
Conde prisoner, for no offence or lawfull cause, against the publique faith of the Treatie of
Loudun, it is most apparant that they haue no other end, then
[Page] to destroy the house of
Bourbon, which now only remayneth of all the Royall Houses, and doe ayme at the death of our Princes, and in it, the change and subuersion of the State: For these causes wee doe faithfully promise to employ with one mind all our power, goods, and liues for the conseruation thereof, and to hinder the miserable effects of so pernicious dessignes; and to take the publique Authority from them who vsurpe the same, to restore the King vnto the dignity of his Crowne, to keepe and maintayne it in all sincerity, and integrity; to withdraw his Maiesty from their wicked purposes, and to keep him out of their hands; to set the Prince of
Conde at liberty, to repaire the wrong done him, by punishing the Authors of this violence, to reuoke all those Offices and Dignities which haue been bestowed since the with-holding of them from those to whom of right they belong: And to reduce the State into a due
[Page] forme, to establish vnder the Soueraigne Authority of the King, the lawfull Counsell of the Princes of his bloud, of other Princes, and Officers of his Crowne, and of those ancient Counsellers of State, who haue gone through many great and important charges, and such likewise as are descended from Noble houses, and Families of great antiquity, who by naturall affection and particular interest do affect the preseruation of the State, to whom during the minority of our Kings, or by reason of their indisposition, the Administration, Gouernement, and Direction of publique affaires ought to be referred, by the ancient and fundamentall Lawes of the Kingdome, by which, both Women and Strangers are debarred from it. And if it should so happen (from which GOD in his mercy keepe vs) that the King should depart this life, we doe by these declare, that wee acknowledge after his decease for our
[Page] King and Soueraigne Lord, my Lord the Duke of
Aniou, which is the true and lawful Heire and Successor of this Crowne, and during his minority, my Lord the Prince of
Conde to be lawfull Regent and Gardian of the Kingdom, to whom as first Prince of the bloud this preeminence doth belong, with the Councell before mentioned for the common direction and administration of the affaires of the Kingdome, and not to suffer any other to be admitted vnto the Regency, no not the Kings Mother, to the preiudice of the Lawes of this State. And if it should so happen that these Vsurpers, who are most expert in limitting the terme of life, and in plotting the death of those who serue for obstacles to their dessignes, and enterprizes, who ordinarily in such cases do vse Kniues, and Poyson, to hasten their Deuillish ends, should attempt (by these most detestable meanes) to take away the Kings life, or the Prince of
Conde's, we
[Page] protest before the Almighty, both to seeke, and prosequute the iust vengeance thereof, by all lawfull meanes to the vttermost of our powers, not only vpon themselues who are the chiefe Actors, but vpon their Adherents also, domestique Seruants, and Strangers, that in their persons we may leaue a memorable example vnto succeeding ages, as well of the fidelity and affection of true Subiects, as of the iust punishment of so abominable disloyaltie and impietie.
And to this purpose we will employ both our Reuenues, and Liues, euen as long as one drop of bloud remayneth in our bodies, and will aduise our posterity to doe the like after vs. And that we may prouide for such an accident, and for the safety of the Kingdome against the plots of Strangers, and for the Gouernement, and Administration of the same; in case we want a Prince of the bloud, we will call a Parliament to be assembled in a free
[Page] place, whither we may haue sure accesse, to the end we may proceede with that order which is conuenient and necessary.
We doe faithfully promise to execute exactly, and obserue inuiolably the Lawes of this Kingdome; and in particular the Treatie of
Loudun, for the common good of all the orders of the State, and for the security of all the good and faithfull Subiects of the King.
We will maintayne, and continue the ancient Alliances, Treaties, and Confederations, renewed by the deceased King, with forraine Princes, Potentates, & Cōmon-wealths, Friends, Allies, and Confederates, who are in the protection of the Crowne, that we may reestablish in the conduct of the affaires of State the ancient maximes of the late King, which he so happily vsed during his raigne, for the security of his State, and the publique peace
[Page] of Christendom, the which many men haue left since his death.
We doe further promise, that we will oppose vnder the Kings authority, by all meanes possible, and namely by our iust Armes, and with the succours of all the Allies, and Confederates of this Crowne, all those who would hinder the effect of this our Vnion, wherin we haue no further end, then to preserue the Kings Royall authority, and the dignity of his Crown, to establish his Scepter in his hand, and in the hands of his lawfull Successors; And to maintayne vnder the common liberty of French-men, our Liues, Goods, Honors, and Dignities, against the disloyaltie, and perfidiousnesse of those who haue conspired not only our ruine, but the ruine of the Kings house, and of the whole Kingdome.
And that we may with the more security prosequute so laudable and
[Page] necessary a dessigne, for the common defence of the State, the obseruation of the publique, and priuate Lawes thereof.
And for the destruction of those who are Enemies both to the King and Kingdome, and by a firme connexion entertayne a true and perpetual concord, and liue together as true members of one, and the same body, vnder the head which shall be elected by vs; and following the rules which by vs hereafter shall be made, we doe all of vs promise, and each of vs giue his hand one to other, whereof God is a witnesse betweene vs, to keepe this Vnion faithfully, and to performe all those things which shall thereon depend, by common counsell, and agreement, and by a mutuall correspondency, and cōmunication, to maintayne, support, and succour each other, against all men.
And to this purpose, we doe renounce
[Page] all particular interests, respects, dangers, and considerations, which may be propounded to vs to the contrary, that we may ioyntly hasten to assist him or them who shall be assaulted, or encountred in hatred of the said Vnion, or in consequence thereof directly, or indirectly, by what way, or by whomsoeuer, to doe our parts, and faithfully to contribute our defence in common, and of euery of vs in particular al the power wherewith God shall enable vs, without excuse, delayes, or other shifts, and not to leaue the present Vnion and Association, nor lay aside our Armes, vntill the things before mentioned be prouided for, nor hearken vnto any accord, or treaty of peace, vnlesse it be by common consent.
This Vnion and Association shall be both for vs & our children, whom we meane to be comprised herein, and vnto whom, if any of vs should
[Page] chance to depart this life, or that for any necessary cause he were allieged, to goe out of this Kingdome: We promise in this case to giue the same succours and assistance, as it already said.
And to auoide all diuisions, and discontents which may happen amongst vs for any occasion whatsoeuer, we doe submit our selues to the iudgement of our Associates, or to the greater part of them in an equall number: to whose determination we will be lyable to conforme our selues, and not take pretext to waxe cold in that which concernes this Association. This present writing shall be kept secret amongst vs, and not manifested, vnlesse at such time as by cōmon aduice it shall be iudged profitable.
And for conclusion, protesting before GOD to keepe inuiolably the Articles already set downe, we beseech the same GOD to indue vs with his
[Page] grace, and to be pleased to blesse vs in al our good intentions, to guide them and cause them to succeed, to the establishment of the Crowne, and the good, and conseruation of our Countrey.
A DISCOVRSE VPON THE SVRRENDRY OF THE SEALES INTO THE KINGS HANDS by M. du Vaiz.
SIR, I willingly render into your hands, the charge which it pleased your Maiestie to honour mee withall; and with the same countenance that I receiued it without demanding, I redeliuer without any griefe at all. The lawes had sufficiently instructed mee, what obedience I owe to your Maiestie; so that you needed not send the Captaines
[Page] of your Guard with twenty Archers to fetch me. Violence ought to be vsed but against such as resist, and not against mee that know how to obey my
Prince, and haue euer thought this honour rather to bee an heauy burthen, then a Dignity, which neuerthelesse I did accept for the good of your seruice, because euery vertuous man doth owe his care and time to the publique good, and it had beene a shame to haue refused to die with the Sterne in my hand, being able either to hinder, or at the least to keepe off awhile the storme that threatens vs. God grant, Sir, that I be the Man that suffereth most by this disfauour, and that your Maiestie and the State be least interessed. I am not taken at vnawares in this accident, hauing euer foreseene, that as my best endeuours were stil emploied, to follow so neere as possible I could, the integritie and vertue of
Monsieur de Ʋilleroy, and the president Monsieur
Iaunin, so ought I
[Page] also to expect a fortune like to theirs. Your Maiesties commandement agreeth in that with the choice my selfe should haue made, if I had beene at mine owne disposing; desiring, rather to be a companion of their disgrace, if I may so terme freedome from troublesome Employments, then to be vsed in the gouernment of the State, with those who now remaine, being subiect in time, by conuersing with them, to haue to touch of their bad tincture, whose prosperity I enuy not, nor the augmentation of their authoritie, which is giuen vnto them at my cost. For I haue neuer beene accustomed, to giue an account euery morning by stealth, neither will I suffer any man to prescribe me what I ought to doe, if the good of the State and reason doe not aduise me vnto it. It is more honorable for me, then the sealing of a bill of eight hundred thousand pounds, in this great penuriousnesse of th' Exchecquer,
[Page] to furnish his turne that blusheth not at it: Nay, who besides this, is not ashamed to demand the Duchie of
Alançon for a pawne, which is the portion of a sonne of
France, and to pretend the office of Constable, which the deceased King would expressely haue suppressed, after the Death of the late
Monsieur de Montmorency. Beleeue not, Sir, that because I would not consent to these things, I would oppose your Maiesties authoritie. I know, it hath no other limit then your owne will. Yet you are obliged to gouerne your selfe according to reason, and follow the counsell of those, that are entred into the managing of the State, by the choice of the deceased King, as being more capable to giue it vnto you then new-commers, drawn from the dregs of businesse and of the people. This exchange which is made from vs to them, is as Woolues vse sheepe, when the Dogges are absent. Doth not your Maiestie perceiue it?
[Page] dare you not remedy it for feare of disobedience? Sir, by nature you owe it to them that preach it vnto you, but they owe the same to you, both by diuine and humane Lawes. When you shew them the least obedience, they haue giuen you but too much example. Remember if you please, that you are past fifteene yeres of age, and Kings are Maiors at fourteene,
Isaac did follow his father
Abraham willingly to be sacrificed, because he was not of yeres to feare any thing. I beleeue, that had he beene a perfect Man, and had foreseene the danger, hee would not haue carried the wood on his shoulders. These are but deceitfull sacrifices, I pray God keep your Maiestie in these occasions from the effect. For when I see that the authority of the Court is made to moue when they will, that they create and dispose of the Officers of the Crowne, and none seeke to hinder them; The Princes of the bloud, some being imprisoned,
[Page] and others retired for the securitie of their persons; when I see that amongst the Lords those that are shewed but the shaddow of some better fortune, lend their hands to their owne seruitude. Those that haue attained to any establishment in this strangenesse, doe maintaine it for feare to returne to the misery of their first condition; so that it seemeth, the people and Prouinces doe suffer together in this exchange, by the example of the great Ones, seeing that the helpe of Lawes are vnprofitable, all being in disorder, through bribes, through violences, and through corruption. The
Louure it selfe hath taken a new face, as the Officers haue done. There is nought of the old Court remaining but the wals, the vse whereof is also changed, for they were wont to serue for the assurance of Princes, but now they serue for their prison, and (it may be) for yours, if I may freely say so. It is not without some plot, that
[Page] they giue you when you goe forth, a company of light-horse-men chosen by a suspect hand. These are your Gards, after the manner of the
Bastille: this distrust counselleth you sufficiently what you ought to doe, and there needs no other aduice. They hisse at me, they mock me and my discourse: so was
Cassandra serued in
Homer, when she fore-told the destruction of
Troy. Sir, I haue nothing remaining to serue your Maiesty but my tongue. If I were so happy as to draw your Maiestie out of the errour wherein you are nourished, I would a thousand times blesse my disgrace, which had giuen me the boldnesse to speake freely, yea in a time when words themselues are punished. The falshood of the
Alcoran is no otherwise authorised, then because it is forbidden to be spoken of on paine of death. Their vsurpation vpon your Maiesties authoritie hath no other footing, then the danger of telling you freely of it. Consider if
[Page] you please, Sir, that those who vsurpe this power ouer your Maiestie, are of that Countrey, where euery one will Raigne, neither is there any towne on that side the
Alpes that hath not his Republique or petty king: And if your Maiestie had somewhat yeerely looked into your
Historie, you would haue learned, that the bloudiest Tragedies that euer haue been in France, came from those parts, the last furies are the subiect of a little booke that I published, of constancie and the consolation of publique calamities. I feare, that contrary to my intent, it wil be a worke for your Reigne, if God in his goodnes haue not mercy vpon vs. Thinke not, Sir, that sorrow to see my selfe depriued of emploiments, induced me to speake so boldly. If I had beene grieued for it, it is like married people, that weepe when they must go from their parents power, to enter into the equalitie of Marriage: neuerthelesse it is true, that owing my seruice
[Page] vnto your Maiesty, I should haue receiued greater content to haue employed it in your Councell of State then in your Parliament, where matters are of lesse importance. For I suppose, that if the Carpenter who made the caruing worke for the Admirall, where
Don Iohn of
Austria commanded at the Battell of
Lepanto, had knowne that it should haue serued for so important an occasion, whereon depended the safety of the rest of
Europe, he would haue taken more delight in making of it, then if it had been a Vessell ordained for commers. Notwithstanding seeing your Maiesty commandeth me to retire, in a good houre be it. The lesser Starres are part of the perfection of the world, although they do contribute lesse then doth the Sunne and Moone. In what condition soeuer I liue, I will alwaies to the vttermost of my power, maintaine the good of your Maiesties seruice. But if there be any of those who
[Page] are neere you, that lament my remoue, for my sake: I will tell them freely, Weepe for your Children of
Ierusalem, that for want of courage suffered your Master to be betrayed, and not for me, that haue not offended, vnlesse, in being an honest Man. Wherefore I take my leaue of you, Sir, praying God that he will haue pittie of your State, and care of your education.
A REMONSTRANCE OF THE PRINCES, TO THE FRENCH KING. Dated the Fourth of FEBRVARY.
YOur most Humble and most Faithfull Subiects and Seruants, the Dukes, Peeres, ancient Officers of your Crown, and principal Lords of your Kingdome; seeing the dangers which inviron you, and the euills which threaten your State with an inevitable
[Page 14] subuersion, if speedy order be not taken, and that they are denied all accesse vnto your Person, wherewith they might freely, and securely, discouer the causes, and propound the remedies thereof; doe in all humilitie beseech your Maiestie to take in good part, this their most humble
Remonstrance, which cannot but well befit their mouthes, sithence it doth testifie nothing but fidelitie and affection vnto your seruice, to the conseruation of your Sacred Person, and the good of your States. And it is by so much the more conuenient, because they are thereunto obliged, both by Diuine and Humane Lawes, by the Oath which they haue taken, and the dutie which they owe vnto your Crowne. We are not ignorant, that the euill is disguised by those who doe it, and who labour by all possible meanes to couer it, as well as commit it, still indeuouring to make those distastfull
[Page 15] vnto your Maiestie, who complaine thereof. And the vnhappinesse of
France is such, that they hauing all the power of your Estate in their hands, they cause you to hold your faithfullest seruants for Enemies. But the violence of their Tyrannicall carriage is growne to that excesse, that it cannot longer be indured; The complaints of it are generall; euery one seeth it, and feeles the miserable effects; And their Artifices can no longer hinder the cryes, and publique griefe from striking your Maiesties eares, and from mouing your compassion to releeue your People; and your iustice against the Authours of so great miseries; which euery one knoweth, and openly detesteth; And by a common vow of your faithfull Subiects are destined to iust punishment, according to their demerits.
The insatiable ambition, and auarice, of the Marquesse of
Anchre, and
[Page 16] his Wife is the only cause of the euils we are sensible of; of the disorders we see, and of that wee feare most.
This is the vlcer which hath festered, yea, spoyled the whole body of your State. It is of him only that men doe complaine, and of the Ministers and Executors of his violent and raging passions, and no other.
This is the complaint of the greatest part of your Subiects, who as yet haue true French hearts: who seeing themselues compassed about with feare and apprehensions, and exposed to all manner of dangers, by the intestine conspiracies which ayme at the ruine of your State, doe implore your Iustice, to protect them from the oppression and seruitude, vnto which those persons would make them subiect; and for to free your Crowne from the many disasters, which now increase to the ouerthrow of the same.
The remedy
(SIR) is in your own
[Page 17] hands, and in your power, which if you doe not make vse of, the disease will shortly grow incurable: And therefore to shunne it, the cause must be taken away, which being knowne vnto you, there needeth now no other thing then your word only; to giue order that the Marquesse of
Anchre, with his Wife and Adherents, be chased from your Sacred Person, and from the Queene your Mother: And to giue way vnto Iustice, that it may duly punish them for those crymes whereof they are culpable touching your State.
Euery man well knoweth what deceit hee hath vsed, since the death of the last king of most happy memory, to draw vnto himselfe th'entire and absolute Administration of your Kingdome; to make himselfe Master of your Councels, of your Treasure, of your Armes, and of your Fortresses, to dispose of your publique Offices,
[Page 18] and Charges, your Fauours, and Pardons; because hee would bee the sole Iudge of Honours, and Dignities, and dispose of the life and death of your Subiects. The courses hee hath taken to banish the Princes of the Bloud from the Court, and to breed discord betweene them, are not vnknowne; and likewise of the rest of the Princes, Officers of your Crowne, and principall Lords of the Kingdome: The practizes and corruptions which he hath vsed to weaken and depresse the authoritie of your Parliaments, and violently to choke the lawfull freedome of their
Remoustrances, imprison your chiefe Officers, and make a diuision through all the orders of your Kingdome; that hee might haue the whole disposing of them, and raigne alone within the State, as he doth now with an insupportable presumption and insolency, supposing that nothing can resist his ambitious
[Page 19] Dessignes, seeing that, through extreme wrong and iniustice, hee hath imprisoned the first Prince of your Bloud; and by this audacious Action violated the publike faith of the Treatie of
Loudun; vpon the obseruation of which did depend the repose and tranquillity of your State, which he had rather plunge into the calamities of a Warre, then to haue the maske of your Royall Authority taken from him; whereof hee makes his benefit, and vseth it as an Instrument, for the destruction of your most faithful Subiects.
These things are so manifest, & his proiects & guile so plainly discouer'd, that no doubt can bee made hereof. And the strange proceedings, and violence, which he vseth euery day vnder your Maiesties name, against the Duke of
Neuers, vpon so notorious pretexts, and forged imputations, that euen the voice of the people serueth
[Page 20] for proofe enough to refute them; do witnes sufficiently, that the conspiracy is generall, against all the Princes and Nobles of your Kingdome; who will not stoupe to his tyranny, and can resist his plots, which he continually puts in execution, thereby to subuert the State.
For what offence is the same Dukes, sauing only, that he is a Prince of the most renowned Houses of your Kingdomes, one that loues his Countrey, seekes the peace of it, and who hath alwaies testified his zeale vnto your seruice, and acknowledgeth no other Authority lawfull then your Maiesty?
Hee complaineth of some iniurie done him by one of his Tenants; and that in contempt of the dignity of his Office, he cannot freely exercise his charge in his Gouernment.
He hath prosecuted an execution of some feodal rights within his owne possessions, by the ordinary means of
[Page] Iustice, as vnwilling to lose that which his Predecessors left him: Perceiuing some secret enterprises, ready to bee executed vpon his Houses, he prouided, as indeed he ought, for the securing, defence and keeping of them vnder your Authority, and for your seruice.
These lawfull and necessary causes are wrested to his rebuke; nay, are imputed to him as a haynous crime and Rebellion.
We haue seen the Declaration that hath bin published against him, vnder your Maiesties name, and the reasonable conditions vnto which hee doth submit himselfe for his triall, and make his innocencie appeare, which being knowne vnto vs, we most humbly beseech your Maiesty to be pleased to protect the same, and not to suffer it to be oppressed & violēced by the Marquesse of
Anchre, whose outrages and offences we can no longer dissemble,
[Page] because our long patience hath not hitherto serued for ought else, then for to render it more audacious, and insolent; that we be no more vpbraided, that our affection is so small vnto your Maiesty, that we are so ingratefull to our Country, so disloyal and vnprofitable vnto our selues and to our Posterity, as to be silent, when we behold the prodigious fauour of this Stranger, trampling thus insolently on the throate of your State, holding prisoner in his hands the first Prince of your Bloud, treading vnder foot both Lawes and Magistrates, emptying your Coffers by his profusions, consuming, your people with excessiue charges, and causing your Subiects to be trecherously murthered, without any punishment at all. And for recompence of such trechery and disloyalty, conferring vpon them the Gouernments of your places; deposing and discharging the chief Officers of your
[Page] Councels and Parlements, bereauing them of those Titles & Honors, which their Age, their Vertue, and their Deserts haue purchased them; for to establish in their places his creatures, who are persons altogether vnworthy, and vnexperienced for the manageing of your State, being men borne in bondage, and therefore enemies to all honest men, and most proper to execute his passions, what detriment soeuer may ensue thereby to your seruice, holding nothing vnlawful which may aduance his passionate dessignes.
This is that which hath induced vs, thus humbly to beseech your Maiesty to consider the miserable estate wherinto your Kingdome is now brought, and to apply, by your Wisdome and Authority, the necessary remedy, which dependeth vpon your own wil, and not to suffer either your name, or your Armes to be employed to the effusion of your Subiects bloud, and
[Page] oppression of your Domesticall seruants, for the maintaining of Strangers to their preiudice, but to banish them for euer from you: and by the chastisement and due punishment of the guiltie, reestablish confidence and security in your Kingdom, repaire the publike Faith, which hath bin broken, and set the Prince of
Condé at liberty. And to the end that order may be taken by conuenient meanes, against the disorders of your State; to cause the Treaty of
Loudun to be obserued; call againe vnto you, and into your Councels, the Princes of your Bloud, with the rest of the Princes, Dukes, Peeres, and the ancient Officers of your Crowne, and Counsellers of State, whom the deceased King vsed during his Raigne, who also by naturall affection, and as being particularly interessed, as strictly oblieged to the conseruation of your State. And then we shall haue the happinesse to
[Page] render you in all securitie, euery
[...] according to his Ranke, Dignitie, and Place, that most humble seruice, and faithfull obedience which wee owe you, and which whilest we liue we will yeeld you, as being
Your most humble, most loyall, and most obedient Subiects and Seruants,
Signed,
-
Caesar de Vendosme.
-
Henry de Lorraine,
- Duke of Mayenne.
-
Henry de la Tour,
- Duke of Bouillon.