The coppy of a Letter written by the Lord of Themines, Seneschall of Quercy: to the Lord Marshall Matignon, the Kinges Lieuetenant Generall in Guyenne, concerning the battaile at Villemure, and the victory atchieued against the ennemies of his Maiesty.
Also, A Decree of the Court of Parliament sittinge at Chaalons, against a rescript in forme of a Bull, directed to the Cardinall of Plaisance, and published by the Rebels in Paris, in October last.
Faithfully done into English by E. A.
Heereunto are adioyned, the reportes of certaine letters, of Newes out of France, and Sauoya.
LONDON Imprinted by Iohn Wolfe.
1593.
THE COPIE OF A LETTER WRITTEN by the Lord of Themines Seneschall of Quercy, to the Lord Marshall Matignon, the kinges Lieutenant generall in Guyenne concerning the battaille at Villemure, & the victory atchiued against the ennemies of his Maiestie.
MY Lord, I accompt it my duety to aduertize you, of such occurrences as haue passed before Villemure, together with y e occasion that I entered therinto. Which was this: Beeing arriued in the towne of Montauban, I founde the affaires in so bad estate, and the said place of Villemure without speedy succour in such daunger of losse: besides all not seeing wherewith to take the fielde, I determined to goe thether with a hundred of my companions, and three hundred footemen. Hereof my Lord did I first giue you notice, as also of such meanes as I made accompt off to come to relieue me with a sentinell: for I foresaw that the los of the said Villemure was of very great importance concerning the kinges seruice, and the good of your gouernement: which (that beeing taken) all the townes here about with in Quercy would haue forsaken. This necessity would not giue me leysure to attend your permission, accordinge to my duety, and therefore it may please you my Lord to accept this reason for my excuse.
I will not stand to discourse vnto you, the combats and sallyes perfourmed in one moneth, the time that I was besieged, as also y t in our sallies, we got great aduantage of the ennemies, besides the taking of their ensignes, and forcinge of their trenches: for seeing themselues [Page 4] thus molested, they were forced to make fortes at all the corners of their campe. In the meane time the Lord of Montmorency, sent the Lord of Leques, of Chambault and of Montoison to succour the said Villemure, who after eight daies purposed to approach towarde the ennemy by a forte that they made shewe to assaile: but the place was by the ennemies army so succoured, that without farther endaungeringe of anye thing, they returned to attend some of my frendes: among others the Lord of Messillac, whome I had imployed, and the Lord Giscart, also the Lord of la Land, whome I had left to gather the forces of the Countrey. Upon their arriual, they approched the ennemies vpon Monday the nineteenth of this moneth, and them assailed at the very trenches, which, not finding all their horsemen in guarde, were forced. This aduauntage lost, the ennemy grewe into suche feare as not yeelding such battaile as I expected namely of their strangers, they were ouerthrowne, and the most part drowned, namely the Lord of Ioyeuse, their artillery was taken, whereof were fiue Cannons or Culueringes, There were also found those of the towne of Montaubon, that were taken from the regimente of the Lorde of Espernon, where I was presente with twelue horse, and that in good time, for the sauinge of a Cannon, which they had abandoned. All the saide ennemies Ensignes were taken, also all the leaders of their footemen, either dead or taken. To bee briefe my Lord: It was a very great ouerthrow. There be dead betwene twelue and fifteene hundred men, and about a hundred prisoners. It may please you my Lorde in your packet to his Maiestie so farre to honour me as to geue [Page 5] him to vnderstand of my duety perfourmed in effecting this seruice, as also if you please to honor me, as to giue him to vnderstand of my duety perfourmed in effecting this seruice, as also if you please to honor me with your commanndements.
From Villemure the twentieth of October 1592.
A Decree of the Court of Parliament, sitting at Chaalons, against a rescript in forme of a Bull, directed to the Cardinall of Plaisance, and published by the Rebels of Paris in the moneth of October last past.
IN as much as the Kinges Atturney general, hath declared vnto this court that the Rebels and seditious persons to the end to execute such wicked and wretched purposes, as they haue long since forecast, for the vsurpinge of this crowne, against the true and lawfull successors of the same: not content with replenishing the Realme with murther, massacre, robbery, and spoyle, also with bringing in the Spanyard, a most cruell and most pernitious ennemy to the Realme of Fraunce, but also perceiuing that the inhabitantes of the rebellious townes, began as it were out of a long lethargy and swounde, to recouer, and to enter the path of Obedience, whereto, by God and nature they are bound to their lawfull King: to the ende vtterly to quenche and stop vp all prickes and pointes of charity towarde their countrey, which in them began to shoote and waken, and to reduce the Realme into greater trouble and diuision then before, doe frame themselues to proceede to the election [Page 6] of a new king, for a pretence whereof, they haue procured the publishing of a certaine writing in forme of a Bull, importing power and commaundement to the Cardinall of Playsance to assist and auctorize the said pretended election. Wherein the said rebells and seditious persons doe openly reueale that which hitherto they had concealed, namely that they haue taken the pretence of religion to couer their wretched and damnable enterprize & conspiracy: A matter which euery good Frenchman and Catholicke ought to detest and abhorre, as being directly repugnant to Gods word, al holy decrees, all counsels and the liberty of the french Church, which also openeth a gate to the vtter ruine & subuertion of al policyes & humaine societyes instituted by God, namely of this so famous and flourishinge Monarchy, the foundamentall lawe whereof doth principally consist in the order of lawfull succession of kinges, for the preseruation whereof euery good man and trew frenchman is to hazard his life rather then to suffer it to bee altered or violated, beeing the henge wherevpon the certainty and peace of the estate doth torne. Desiring prouision for the same.
The Court admitting the request made by the kings Atturney generall, hath receiued and doth receiue it, appealing as of abuse from the graunt and purchase of the saide Bull, and the power thereof, therein contayninge the publication and execution of the same, and whatsoeuer els hath ensued, it hath holden and doth hold to be well relieued: doth decree that Philip of the title of Saint Onuphrius, Cardinall of Playsance, shall therein be sommoned, in defence of the said appeale, and whatsoeuer the exploites, performed in this towne of [Page 7] Chaalons, by publike cry, shall be of force, and in effecte and valour, as if they were performed vppon his owne person, or habitation. In the meane time the saide Court exhorteth all Prelates, Bishops, Princes, Lords Gentlemen, Officers and the kinges subiectes, of what estate, condition or callinge so euer, not to suffer themselues, to be led or wonne with the poyson or charmes of such rebels, and seditious persons, but to persiste in the duety of good and naturall French-men, and still to retaine that affection and charity, which they owe to their king and countrey, neither to cleaue to the subtelties of those who vnder the coulor of religion, doe seeke to inuade the estate, and to bringe in the barbarous Spanyardes, and other vsurpers. It doth also expresly inhibite and forbidde all persons, not to retaine or keepe the said Bull, neither to publish the same, or therwith to helpe themselues: neither to fauour the rebells, or to transporte themselues into any such townes or places as may be appointed for the said pretended election. Under paine to the noble men to be disgraded of all nobilite and to be denounced Infamous and Peasants, they and their posterity: to the clergy to bee depryued from the possession of their benefices, and punished together with other the offenders, as guilty of treason and desturbers of publike peace, forsakers and traitors to their Country: without hope for euer hereafter to obtayne pardon, remission or abolition. It also inhibiteth all townes not to receiue the said rebells or seditious persons to make their said assembly, neither to lodge, foster or harbour them. The said court also decreeth that the place where such deliberation shall haue beene taken, together with the towne wher [Page 8] the said assembly shall bee made, shall bee razed topsy turuy, without hope of euer beeing reedified, in perpetuall remembraunce to the posterity of their treason, trechery and falshood: It also enioyneth all men at the allarum bell to ouer-runne all such as shall transport themselues into any such towne, to assist the said assembly. Also there shalbe Commission deliuered to the saide Atturney generall, to enforme against those that haue bene the authors and promooters of such conspiracies and monopoles, practised against the state, and all such as haue ayded or fauored them. And this decree, to bee published with the sounde of the trompet, and common cry, in all the quarters of this towne, and sent to all the seas of this resort, there to be read, published and enrolled with all diligence, by the substitutes of the said Atturney generall. Whereof they shall certifye the Courte, within the space of one moneth, under paine of suspension from their Offices.
By Letters of good credite, receiued this moneth of Ianuary 1593.
THe Duke of Florence hath sente succour by Sea, to the Frenche Kinge, the which succour hath beene incountered by king Philip his Gallies, but the Florentines haue giuen them the ouerthrowe, and are arriued safe to Diepe.
[Page 9] They of the League, haue created Lieuetenant generall for king Philip in the kingdome of France, a Spanish Cardinall which is in Paris.
The Parliamentes of France which doe hold for the king, haue a statute, by the which it is ordained, that all them which doe, and shall adhere to the League, are declared conuinced of high treason, and that therfore, they and their goods are confiscated to the king, and if any Common-wealth, doe adhere therevnto, it is ordayned that the same shall leese all their priuiledges and libertyes, and that (the walls of the same being beaten downe) it shall be left like a baren villadge.
They of Paris are in greate extreamity, so that the Crochetors, and other of the common sort, were risen against the better sort: but they haue appeased them, by encreasing their ordinary: and so they keepe them nowe quiet.
The Duke of Sauoy beeing in Piemount, to resist the Lord des Diguieres, sent to the Duke de Terra noua, gouernor of Myllan for helpe: who sent him his owne son with many of the nobility of Myllan, very strongly prouided, and they being ioyned with the Duke, did approach the Lord des Diguiers, who passing little for them all did take in their sight a stronge castell, the which he had bessieged neere Thurin, and after that, he fought with them a very sore battaile in the which, the sonne to the gouernor of Myllan was slaine. The Duke of Sauoy put to flight, and his whole army defeated, many of the Dukes men were slaine, and many were taken prisoners.
The Duke of Lorraine hath fought lately against the Duke of Bullion, there were many of the Duke [Page 10] of Lorraine his men slaine, and many were taken prisoners, amongest which were found about foure hundred Gentlemen.
The king doth aessmble his armie about Chartres, to resist the ennemie stranger, which is entered within France vnder the conducte of the Earle Charles Mansfield.
By other Letters that came on the 20. of this moneth of Ianuary 1593.
THe Duke of Espernon, hath taken Anthebe, and all the country about the same, so that all Prouence is now brought vnder the Kinges obedience.
He hath sent a hundred horsemen to the Lord des Diguieres in Prouence.
The Lord des Diguieres hath broughte vnder the Kinges obedience, all the valley of Angroigne, and the countrey about it, and hath forced the Papistes of that countrey to contract with him, by which contract, they are bound to pay euery moneth, thirty thousand french crownes, for the mainetenance of his army.
The Duke of Florence, and the Venetians, haue leuied sixe thousand Switzers, to ayde the French Kinge, against his ennemies.
The Mareshall d'Aumont, hath taken the towne of Dynan in Britany.
COPIE DE LA LETTRE DE MONSIeur de Themines Seneschal de Quercy, enuoyée à Monseigneur le Mareschal de Matignon, Lieutenant gen eral du Roy en Guyen, concernant la bataille de Villemur, & victoire obtenue contre les ennemys de sa Maiesté.
MONSEIGNEVR, ie tiens de mon debuoir, de vous aduertir de ce, qui s'est passé deuant Villemur, & de l'occasion, qui me fit ietter dedans: C'est, qu'estant arriué en la ville de Montauban, i'y trouuay les affaires en si mauuais estat, & ledict lieu de Villemur en tel dāger de se predre, s'il n'estoit promptement secouru, & ne voyant dequoy me mettre à la campaigne, ie me deliberay de m'y en aller auec cēt de mes compaignons, & trois cens hommes de pied. I'en donnay la nouuelle à vous premierement, Monsieur, & apres à tout ce que i'estimois auoir de moyens, pour me venir releuer de sentinelle: car ie preuoyois que la perte dudict Villemur estoit tres-importante au seruice du Roy, & au bien de vostre gouuernement: car celle-là prinse, toutes les villes de ces enuirons, qui sont dansle Quercy eussent quitté. Ceste necessité ne m'eust peu donner loisir d'attendre vostre permission: car c'estoit ce que ie deuois. Vous receurez en ce subject, s'il vous plaist, Monsieur, mon excuse. Ie ne m'arresteray à vous discourir des combats & sorties, qui se sont faictes durant vn mois, que i'ay esté assiegé, & que en noz sorties nous auons gaigné grand aduantage sur l'ennemy, prins des drappeaux, forcé des trenchées, tellement que se voyant trauaillez de ceste sorte, ils auroyent esté contraints faire des forts à tous les coings de leur camp. Durant ce temps Monsieur de Mommorency enuoya Monsieur de Leques, de Chambault, & de Montoyson pour secourir ledict [Page 2] Villemur: & au bout de huict iours ils sevoulurēt approcher des ennemis par vn fort, qu'ils firent semblant de vouloir attaquer, mais ce lieu fust secouru de l'armée desdicts ennemis, tellement que sans vouloir rien hazarder, ils s'en retournerent pour attendre de mes amis: entre autres Monsieur de Messillac, que i'auois employé, & lesieur Giscart, & lesieur de la Lande, que i'auois laissé dehors pour assembler les forces du pays. Lors qu'ils ont esté arriuez, ils s'en sont venuz aux ennemis le lundy dixneufiesme de ce mois, & apres les auoir attaquez par le haut de leurs trenchées, & n'y trouuant toute leur caualerie en garde, ils ont esté forcez. Cest aduantage perdu, l'armée ennemie se mit en tel effroy, que sans rendre tant de combat, que ie croyois, mesmes des estrangers, ils ont esté deffaicts, & la pluspart noyez, mesmes monsieur de Ioyeuse, l'artillerie prinse, ou ily a cinq pieces de canon ou coleuurines, celles de la ville de Montauban y ont esté trouuées qui auoyent esté prinses au regiment de Monsieur d'Espernō, ou ie me trouuay auec douze cheuaux, & bien à propos pour sauuer vn canon, qu'ils auoyent abandonné, tous les drappeaux desdits ennemis prins, tous les chefs de gens de pied morts ou prins. Bref, Monsieur, c'est vne tres-grande deffaicte, il y a de morts, de douze à quinze cēs hommes, & enuiron de cent prisonniers. Vous me ferez bien l'honneur, s'il vous plaist, Monsieur, que lors que vous despecherez à sa Majesté, vous luy ferez entendre le debuoir, que i'ay rendu à l'effaict de ce seruice: & meferez aussi, s'il vous plaist, l'honneur de me commander. De Villemur, le vingtiesme d'Octobre, mil cinq cens nonante deux.
ARREST DELA COVR DE PARLEment seant a Chaalons contre le Rescrit en forme de Bule, adresse au Cardinal de Plaisance, publié par les rebelles de Paris, au mois a Octobre dernier.
SVR ce que le Procureur general du Roy a remonstré à la Cour, queles rebelles & seditieux pour executer les meschans & malheureux desseings qu'ils ont de longue main proiettez pour vsurper ceste Couronne sur les vrais & legitimes successeurs d'icelle, non contens d'auoir remply le Royaume de meurtres, massacres, brigandages, & pilleries, & auoir d'abondant introduit l'Espagnol trescruel & trespernicieux ennemy de la France, voyans que les habitans des villes rebelles cō mencoient comme d'vne longue lethargie & pamoison à retourner à soy & reprendre le chemin de l'obeissance dont Dieu & Nature les obligent enuers leur Roy legitime pour du tour amortir & reboucher les pointes & aigullions de la charité vers leur Patrie, qui se reueilloient en eux & remettrece Royaume en plus grand trouble & diuision que deuant, se disposent de proceder à l'eslection d'vn Roy. Pour à laquelle donner quelque couleur, ils ont fait publier certain escrit en forme de Bule portant pouuoir & mandement au Cardinal de Plaisance d'assister & authoriser ladite pretendue eslection. En quoy lesdits rebelles & seditieux descouurent apertement ce qu'ils ont iusques icy tenu cachè, & qu'ils n'ont fait que prendre le pretexte de la religion pour couurir leur malheureuse & damnable enterprise & coniuration. Chose que tout bon Francois & Catholique doit detester & abhorrer comme directement con traire ā la parole de Dieu, aux saincts decrets, conciles & libertez [Page 4] de l'Eglise Gallicane, & qui ouure la porte à l'entiere ruine & euersion de toutes polices & societez humaines instituees de Dieu, mesmement de ceste tant renommee & florissante Monarchie, la loy fondamētale de laquelle consiste principalement en l'ordre de la succession legitime de nos Rois, pour la conseruation de laquelle tout homme de bien & vray François, doit exposer savie plustost que souffrir qu'elle soit alteree & viollee, comme le gond sur lequel tourne toute la certitude & repos de l'Estat requerant y estre pourueu.
LA COVR en entherinant larequeste faicte par le Procureur general du Roy, l'a receu & reçoit, appellant comme d'abus de l'octroy & impetration de ladicte Bule, & pouuoir y cō tenu publication, execution d'icelle, & tout ce qui s'en est ensuiui, l'à tenu & tient pour bien releué, ordonne que Philippes du titre de S. Onuphre Cardinal de Plaisance, ser a assigné en icelle, pour defendre audit appel, & vaudrōt les exploits faits en ceste ville de Chaalons, à cry public, & seront de tel effect & valeur comme si faits estoient à personne ou domicile. Et cependant exhorte ladicte Cout tous Prelats, Euesques, Princes, Seigneurs, Gentilshommes, Officiers & subiets du Roy, de quelque estat, condition & qualité qu'ils soient, de ne se laisser aller ou gagner aux poisons & ensorcellemens de tels rebelles & seditieux, ains demourer au deuoir de bons & naturels François, retenir tousiours l'affection & charité qu'ils doiuent à leur Roy & Patrie, sans adherer aux artifices de ceulx qui soubs couleur de religiō veuillent enuahir l'Estat, & y introduire les barbares espagnols & autres vsurpateurs, faict tresexpresses inhibitions & deffences à toutes personnes, de te nir ny auoir chez soy ladite Bule, icelle publier, s'en aider, ou fauoriser lesdits rebelles, ny se transporter aux villes & lieux qui pourroient estre assignez pour ladite pretēdue election, Sur peine [Page 5] aux Nobles d'estre degradez de Noblesse, & declarez insames & roturiers eux & leur posterite, & aux Ecclesiastiques d'estre decheuz du possessoire de leurs benefices, & punis ensemble tous contreuenans, comme criminels de leze Maiesté, & perturbateurs du repos public, deserteurs & traistres à leur pays, sans esperance de pouuoir obtenir à l'aduenir pardon, remission ou abolition, & à toutes Villes de receuoir lesdits rebelles & seditieux, pour faire ladicte assemblee, les loger, retirer, ou heberger.
Ordonne ladicte Cour que le lieu ou la deliberation aur a esté prise, ensemble la Ville ou ladicte assemblee se fera, seront rasez de fonds en comble, sans esperance d'estre redifiez, pour perpetuelle memoire à la posterité de leur trahison, perfidie, & infidelité, enioinct à toutes personnes de courir sus à son de toxain, contre ceux qui se transporteront en ladicte ville, pour assister à icelle assemblee, & sera commission deliuree audict Procureur general, pour informer contre ceux qui ont esté autheurs & promotheurs de tels monopoles & coniurations faictes contre l'Estat, & qui leur ont aidé ou fauorisé. Et sera le present arrest publié a son de trompe & cry public par les carefours de cest Ville, & envoyé par tous les sieges de ce ressort, pour y estre leu, publié, & enregistré à la diligence des substituds du Procureur general, dont ils certifieront la Cour dans vn mois, à peine de suspension de leurs estats.
Faict en Parlement le XVIII. Nouembre M. D. XCII. A Chaalons.