Nouember the 29.

THE TRVE ORIGI­NALL EDICT OF NANTS, as it was enacted by Henry the third, and con­firmed by the last French King Henry the fourth of famous memory.

And reestablished by Lewis the thirteenth, for the better assurance of those of the Reformed Religion, as appeareth by the Kings Edict of Peace, dated in the Campe at Mompellier the ninteenth of October 1622. and proclaimed throughout all his Dominions for a finall ending of all ciuill troubles.

Cum Priuilegio.

LONDON, Printed by R. F. for William Garrat. 1622.

TO THE COVRTEOVS READER.

THe powerfull God of Armies, who onely giues true strength vnto the arme, and cou­rage vnto the heart, to fight the battels of his holy name and truth, euen in the midst of hopelesse perils, hath in all ages stood for the miraculous deliuerance of his afflicted Church, when pre­posterous and maleuolent minds vrged the finall ruine and extirpation thereof. This cannot in any thing more eui­dently appeare, then in the bloudie and fearefull agitations of the French Church, vnder the troublesome reignes of Henry the third and Henry the fourth, of indelible me­morie: when priuate massacres and open hostilitie had al­most extinguished the chiefe Nobilitie and gentrie of France, and yet in the very instant of dispaire, God with his mightie finger toucht the Kings heart the third Henry, and opened the eyes of his royall vnderstanding, which produced this happie Edict of Nants now here published, for a faire pacification of all former troubles and combu­stions. Yet was not this fire so cleare extinguished (omit­ting the deuastations of armes, during the reigne of the last renowned Henrie) but that the opposite spirits of these times found out some vnquenched sparkes, whereof to kin­dle a new flame of cruell warre and bloudshed, euen in the young and ambitious yeares of this present Lewis the thirteenth, the which notwithstanding after some sensi­ble feeling of his heauie hand and displeasure, it hath plea­sed [Page] God to moderate and qualifie, by informing his Prince­ly mind, that an externall vnion and formalitie of Reli­gion, cannot supplant the seeds of thirstie and insatiable ambitions, which do but attend ciuill and intestine dissen­tions, the better to propagate their haughtie and imperious designes. As proceeding from one and the selfe same cause, these instant French troubles haue bene accorded with one and the like effect, the Articles of this present Peace being drawne and extracted from the modell and frame of the former Edict of Nants in this Treatise di­uulged, which being at least more large and copious, by di­ligent comparing the one with the other, the best vnder­standings may more absolutely iudge, both of the forme and substance of the present conditions. And to this end onely (courteous Reader) I haue with some charge caused this originall Edict of Nants to be translated and published, being desirous herein to gratifie thee, as he that expects no other reward then thy acceptation and loue, and that thou wilt ioyne with me, and all those well affected to Re­ligion, in heartie desire and prayer, that this happie accord may stand firme and permanent. And thus I recommend my trauell and labours to thy loue, and remaine as I will euer perseuere,

Thy very louing and well affected: W. G.

THE KINGS EDICT, AND A DECLARATION VPON THE PRECEDENT Edicts of Pacification.

HEnrie by the grace of God, King of France and of Nauarre, To all those present or hereafter to come, greeting. Amongst those infinite graces which it hath pleased God to impart vnto vs, this is one most notable and re­marquable, that he hath giuen vs the constancie and power, not to be shaken with those terrible confusions, troubles, and disorders, which were on foote at our comming to this king­dome, the same being diuided into so many partiali­ties and factions, that the same most lawfull, was as it were the least in power: and yet neuerthelesse we bore vp so stifly in the midst of all this storme, as in the end we ouercame it, and are now entred into the harbour of safetie & repose within this State. The absolute and whole glorie whereof were downd onely to him, and the grace and bounden dutie therefore to vs, in that he was pleased to make vse of our labour and trauaile, for the performance of this so good a worke: wherein it hath bene apparent to the whole world, whether we [Page 2] haue not discharged therein, not onely our dutie and power, but further something more also, then in some other season had bene correspondent to the digni­tie we hold; the which we haue not bene afraid to hazard and expose, seeing we haue so mauy times so freely aduentured, and endangered our owne life. And in this great concurrence of so weightie and perillous affaires, not being able to compound them all at one time, we were tyed to obserue therein this order: first to vndertake those differences which could not be determined otherwise then by force; and rather to defer, and hold in suspence the other for a certaine time, which were or might be discussed by equitie and iustice: such as were the generall differences betweene our good subiects, and the particular aggrieuances of the more sound parts of our State, which we supposed might more easily be cured by remouing the princi­pall cause thereof, which was the continuance of the ciuill warre. Wherein (by Gods speciall grace) ha­uing had good and happy successe; and hostilitie and armes being layd apart in all the interiour parts of the kingdome, we hope it will succeed no worse also in o­ther affaires which yet remaine to be compounded: and that by this meanes we shall obtaine the establish­ment of a good peace, and quiet repose, which was e­uer the butt and ayme of all our vowes and intenti­ons, and the onely prize and reward we looke for after such wonderfull trauaile and paines wherein we haue passed the course of our life. Among the said af­faires which required our patience, and one of the most principall, was the complaints we daily receiued from many of our Catholicke Prouinces & Townes, [Page 3] in that the exercise of the Catholicke Religion was not generally reestablished, as the Edicts heretofore made for the Pacification of troubles through the oc­casion of Religion imported. As also the Supplica­tions and Remonstrances exhibited vnto vs by our subiects of the pretended reformed Religion, both for the execution of that accorded vnto them by the said Edicts, as further for that they desired there might be added for the practise of their said Religion, the the libertie of their consciences, and the security of their persons and goods: presuming they had iust oc­casion of new and more fearefull apprehensions, by reason of these last commotions and insults, the prin­cipall pretext and foundation whereof was for their ruine. Wherefore not to ouercharge our selues with too many businesses at one instant, and likewise that the furie of Armes might not interrupt the esta­blishment of lawes, how good or behoouefull soeuer, we deferred from time to time the prouision and care hereof. But now since it hath pleased God to giue a beginning for our enioyance of some better repose and quiet, we esteeme that we cannot better employ it, then in prosecuting and intending that which concerneth the seruice and glorie of his holy Name, procuring that it may be adored and prayed vnto by all our subiects: and though it yet stand not with his pleasure, that this should be vnder one and the same forme of Religion, notwithstanding that it might be at least with one intention and meaning, and with such gouernment that no vprores or tumults might accrew betweene them: and that our selues and this kingdome might alwayes deserue and preserue the [Page 4] glorious title of Most Christian, which was purchased so long time since, and with so many worthy demerits: and so by the same meanes to supplant the cause of all molestations and troubles which might ensue hereaf­ter vpon the point of Religion, which hath euer bene the most preualent and penetrant of all others. For the same occasion, obseruing this affaire to be of such high consequence, and worthie of deepe and waightie consideration, after a reuoluing of all Registers of the complaints of our Catholicke subiects, and hauing also permitted our said subiects of the said pretended reformed Religion, to assemble by deputies for the ex­hibiting of their aggrieuances, and for reducing toge­ther all their said Remonstrances: and hauing confer­red with them diuers times vpon this point, & reuiew­ed the precedent Edicts; We haue thought is conue­nient to enact at this time generally for all our sub­iects a Law vniuersall, cleare, plaine, and absolute, by which they shall be limited & gouerned in all differen­ces that haue heretofore growne betweene them in these points, or that may hereafter happen, and where­in both the one and the other may remaine satisfied, according as the quality of the present times doth per­mit: Our selues being entred into this deliberation, for no other end but out of the zeale we beare to the ser­uice of God, and that from this time forward there may be ratified and confirmed betweene our said sub­iects a firme and perpetuall Peace. Wherein we both inuoke and attend from his diuine Maiestie, the same protection and fauour which he hath euer most eui­dently conferred vpon this Kingdome from the ere­ction thereof, and during the many ages it hath con­tinued: [Page 5] and that he will bestow the grace vpon our said subiects, truly to apprehend, that in the obseruation of this our ordinance and Decree, (next to their imme­diate duties towards God and Our selues) consisteth the maine foundation of their vnion and concord, tranquillitie, and repose, and the restauration of this whole Estate to her originall splendor, opulencie, and power. Euen as We on our part promise to procure it most exactly to be performed, without permitting it in any sort to be disanulled or broken. For these rea­sons, hauing by the aduice of the Princes of our bloud, of other Princes and Officers of the Crowne, and of other eminent and remarquable persons of our Counsell and Estate neare about vs, maturely and di­ligently wayed and considered this whole businesse: by this perpetuall and irreuocable Edict we haue de­nounced, declared, and ordained, and do denounce, declare, and ordaine.

I.

First, that the memoriall of all things passed, both of the one side and the other, from the begnning of the moneth of March 1585. till Our comming to the Crowne, & during the other precedent troubles, or by meanes of them, shall remaine extingushed and razed out, as matters that neuer had happened. And it shall not be permitted nor lawfull for our Procurors gene­rall, neither for any other persons whosoeuer, pub­like or priuate, at any time or vpon any occasion what­soeuer, to make mention thereof, or to commence any processe or sute thereupon in any Courts or Iurisdi­ctions wheresoeuer.

II.

We forbid all our subiects, of what estate or quali­tie soeuer they be, to renew any memorie, to assaile, vrge, iniurie', or prouoke one another by way of re­proach for what is past, vpon any cause or pretext soe­uer: to debate thereupon, to contest, quarrell, out­rage, or offend either in word or deed: but to forbeare and liue peaceably together, as brethren, friends, and fellow citizens: vpon penaltie, for the delinquents to be punished as breakers of the peace, and disturbers of publike quiet.

III.

We Enact, that the Catholicke, Apostolicke, Romaine Religion, shall be reestablished and restored in all the places and parts of this our King­dome and countrie vnder our obedience, where the exercise thereof hath bene interrupted, there to be peaceably and freely put in practise, without any hin­derance or disturbance. Forbidding expresly all per­sons, of what estate, quality, or condition soeuer they be, vpon the penaltie aboue mentioned, no wayes to trouble, molest, or disturbe Ecclesiasticall persons in the celebration of diuine Seruice, the enioyance or ta­king of tithes, the fruits and reuenues of their beni­fices, with all other rights and inmunit [...]s to them ap­pertaining; and that all they who during the troubles seized on the Churches, houses, goods, or reuenues belonging to the said persons Ecclesiasticall, or that detaine & possesse them, shall surtender vnto the said Ecclesiastickes, the entire possession and peaceable enioyance thereof, with such title, liberties, and securi­tie, as they had before they were disseized thereof. We [Page 7] also expresly forbid those of the said pretended refor­med Religion, to make any Sermons, or performe any other exercise of the said Religion in the Churches, houses, or habitations of the said Ecclesiastickes.

IIII.

It shall remaine at the choise of the said Ecclesia­stickes, either to buy such houses & buildings erected in places prophane whereof they were disposessed during the troubles, or else to constraine the owners of the said buildings to purchase the ground, euen conformable to the valuation made thereof by experi­enced men, which both the parties shall bring toge­ther: and in case they do not agree, the Iudges of the places shall giue order herein: reseruing euer vnto the said possessors their peculiar remedie to whom soeuer it shall belong. And where the said Ecclesiastickes shall constraine the possessors to purchase the ground, the estimate money shall not be put into their hands, but the said possessors shall remaine charged with it, to yeeld profit therefore after the twentieth penny while it hath bene thus let out for the benefit of the Church: and this shall be in the compasse of a yeare. And the same tearme being past, if the purchasor will no longer continue the said rent or profit, he shall be thereof dis­charged, by assigning ouer the money to the partie to whom it is due by order and course of Iustice. And for sacred places course shall be taken by the Com­missaries that are ordained for the execution of this present Edict, being by vs constituted for the same end.

V.

Notwithstanding no ground nor places occupied [Page 8] for the reparation and fortification of townes, and places within our kingdome, nor the materials there­in vsed, can be chalenged or recouered by the said Ec­clesiastickes, or any other publicke or priuate persons, but then onely when the said reparations and fortifica­tions shall be demolished by our Ordinances.

VI.

And that there may remaine no occasion of diffe­rence or contention betweeue our subiects, we haue and do permit those of the said pretended reformed Re­ligion, to liue and reside in all the townes and places of this our Kingdome & countrie vnder our obedience, without being vrged, molested, troubled, or constrai­ned to performe any thing in matter of Religion con­trarie to their conscience: neither by reason thereof to be searched or sought after in houses or places where they would inhabite, in all other things bearing themselues according as it is comprehended in this our present Edict.

VII.

We haue also permitted all Lords, Gentlemen, and other persons, as well inhabiters within the Kingdome, as others making profession of the pretended refor­med Religion, enioying within our Kingdome and the countrie vnder our obedience, high Title (or full fee of the Halbard) as in Normandie, being in propri­etie, or Vse-fruict, in the whole, or in the moyetie, or Like our tenor of knights ser­uice. for a third part, to haue in any such of their houses or mannors of high Title, or fee of the Halbard aboue specified, which they shall be bound to deliuer before our Baylifes and Stewards, euerie one within his limits for their principall habitation, the exercise of the said [Page 9] Religion, while they are there resident; and in their absence, their wiues or their family, or any part of the same. And though the right of Iustice in this case, or the full fee of the Halbart be yet in controuersie, yet the exercise of the said Religion may there be per­formed, prouided that the aboue-named be then in actuall possession of the said high Iustice or Tytle, though our Procuror generall be departed. We per­mit them also to haue the said exercise in their other houses of this high Iustice, or fees aboue mentioned of the Halbart, while they are there present and not o­therwise; the whole, as well for themselues, their fami­lie and people, as also for others that would repaire thither.

VIII.

In the houses of such infeoffed or those of the said Religion, they shall not haue the said high Iustice or fee of the Halbart, neither shall they performe the said exercise but onely for their familie. And yet we do not meane that if any other persons chance to come in, to the number of thirtie aboue their proper familie, whe­ther it be by occasion of baptisme, visitation of their friends, or otherwise; that they should be prosequuted or sought after: so in like manner; that the said houses be not within any Townes, borroughes, or villages, belonging to any Chatholicke Lords, high Iusticers, besides our selues, wherein the said Lords Catholicke haue their mansions. In which case those of the said Religion shall not within the said Townes, bor­roughes, or villages performe the said exercise, except by permission and leaue of the said high Lords, high Iusticers, and not otherwise.

IX.

We permit also those of the said Religion, to dis­charge and continue the exercise of the same in all the Townes and places vnder our obedience, where it was established and performed by them publickely sundrie and diuers times, in the yeare a thousand fiue hundred fourescore and sixteene, and in the yeare a thousand fiue hundred fourescore and seuenteene, till the end of the moneth of August; notwithstanding all Decrees and iudgements to the contrarie.

X.

The said exercise in like manner may be establi­shed and reestablished in all the Townes and places where it hath or might be established by the Edict of Pacification made in the yeare threescore and seuen­teene, the particular Articles & conferences of Ne [...]ac, and Flex: without that the same reestablishment shall be disturbed in the places within the Demaine gran­ted by the said Edict, Articles and Conferences, for places of Bailiwickes, or that hereafter shall be, though they haue bene since alienated to Catholicke persons, or hereafter shall be. And yet we intend not that the said exercise shall be reestablished in the parts and pla­ces of the said Demaine which haue bene heretofore possessed by those of the said pretended reformed Re­ligion, whither it shall haue bene brought in conside­ration of their present persons, or by reason of the pri­uiledge of their fees, if the said fees at the said present be possessed by people of the Catholicke, Romane, A­postolicke Religion.

XI.

Moreouer in euery one of the ancient Bailiwickes, [Page 11] Stewardships, and Gouernments holding the place of a Bailiwicke, hauing meere reference and without mediation to the Courts of Parliament: We ordaine and constitute, that in the suburbes of a Towne, besides those accorded vnto them in the said Edict, particular Articles, & Conferences, and where there are no great Townes, in a borrough or village, that the exercise of the said pretended reformed Religion may pub­lickly be performed for all such as will thither repaire, though in the said Bailiwickes, Stewardships, and Go­uernments there may be many places where the said exercise is at this present established: euer excepted for the said place of Bailiwicke newly granted by the pre­sent Edict, the Cities wherein reside any Archbishop, or Bishop: and yet those of the said pretended refor­med Religion shall not for all this be depriued of the meane to demand and nominate for the said place of the said exercise, the Borroughes or villages neare to the same Cities: excepted also places and Seignories belonging to Ecclesiasticall persons, where we do not intend, that the said second place of Bailiwicke may be established; we hauing by speciall grace and fa­uour reserued and excepted them. We conceiue and vnderstand vnder the title of ancient Bailiwickes, those which were in the time of the late King Henrie, our most honourable Lord, and father in law, held for Bailiwickes, Stewardships and Gouernments, hauing immediate reference to our said Courts.

XII.

We meane not by this present Edict to derogate from the Edicts and Accords heretofore made for the reducing of any Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, and Ca­tholicke [Page 12] townes vnder our obedience, in that which concerneth the exercise of the said Religion, the which Edict and Accords shall be entertained and obserued for this respect, according as it shall stand with the in­structions of such Commissaries as shalbe appointed for the execution of this present Edict.

XIII.

We expresly forbid all those of the said Religion to performe any exercise thereof, either in the behalfe of the Ministerie, Gouernment, Discipline, or publicke instruction of children and others in this our King­dome and countrie vnder our obedience, in that which concerneth Religion, in any other places, but those permitted and granted by this present Edict.

XIIII.

As also to performe any exercise of the said Religi­on in our Court or Attendance, nor likewise in our lands or countries which are beyond the mountaines, neither in our Citie of Paris, nor within fiue miles of the said Citie: notwithstanding those of the said Reli­on remaining in the said lands and countries beyond the mountaines, and in our said Citie, and fiue miles about the same, shall not be searched nor sought after in their houses, nor constrained to do any thing in re­spect of their Religion against their conscience: bea­ring themselues in other matters according as is com­prehended in this present Edict.

XV.

Neither shall the publicke exercise of the said Reli­gion be performed in Armies, but only in the quarters of such Chieftaines as make profession thereof, neuer­thelesse, [Page 13] not where our proper person shall belodged.

XVI.

Conformable to the second Article of the Confe­rence of Nerac, we permit those of the said Religion to build places for the exercise thereof, in townes and pla­ces accorded vpon: and those shall be restored to them they haue heretofore built, or the soile and ground of them in the same estate it is in at this present, that is to say, the places where the same exercise is not instant­ly permitted, except they haue bene conuerted in­to some other nature of edifices. In which case, there shall be giuen them by the possessors of the said edifi­ces, places and buildings of the same price and value that they were of before they were built, or the iust esti­mation of them, by the iudgement of men expert in those things. Reserued alwayes for the said proprieta­ries and possessors, their remedie against whomsoeuer it shall lie.

XVII.

We prohibite all Preachers, Lecturers, and others that teach publickely, to vse any words, speech or dis­course which may tend to excite the people to seditiō: but contrariwise we haue and do enioyne them to containe and beare themselues modestly, and to vt­ter nothing which shall not be for the instruction and edification of their auditors, and to the maintenance of that tranquillitie and peace by vs estableshed with­in our said Kingdome; vpon the penalties enacted by our precedent Edicts: Most expresly enioyning our Procurors general and their substitutes, to enforme out of their office against those who shall herein offend, vp­on penaltie of answering for it in their proper and [Page 14] peculiar persons, and by the priuation of their offices.

XVIII.

We also forbid all our subiects, of what qualitie or condition soeuer they be, to draw by force or any other manner of induction against the parents con­sent, children of the said Religion, to cause them to be baptized or confirmed in the Catholike, Apostolicke, Romaine Church: as likewise the same prohibition is made to those of the said pretended reformed Re­ligion, and that vnder penaltie of suffering exemplarie punishment,

XIX.

Those of the said pretended reformed Religion shall no wayes be constrained, nor remaine bound by reason of any abiuration, promise or oath formerly made, or cautions by them giuen, concerning the pra­ctise of the said Religion, neither shall they hereupon be molested or troubled in any sort whatsoeuer.

XX.

They shall also be bound to obserue all festiuall dayes bidden and diuulged in the Catholicke, Aposto­like, Romaine Church, neither shall they worke on those dayes, sell no [...] retaile in open shop, neither shall trade or handicrafts men worke out of their shops, or in close chambers or houses on festiuall dayes and o­ther prohibited dayes, in any profession or mysterie, the noise whereof may be heard without by neigh­bours or those passing along: which neuerthelesse shall not be sought or looked into, but onely by offi­cers of Iustice.

XXI.

Neither shall the bookes touching the said preten­ded [Page 15] Religion be imprinted or publickly sold, but in Townes and places where the publicke exercise of the said Religion is permitted. And for other books which shall be printed in other places, they shall be viewed and perused, as well by our officers as by diuines, as our Ordinances therin do import. We expresly forbid the impression, publication, and vent of all bookes, li­bels, and defamatorie writings, vpon the penaltie set downe in our Ordinances, enioyning all our Iudges and officers to haue a speciall care therein.

XXII.

We enact, that there shall be no difference or di­stinction made in respect of the said Religion, to enter­taine schollers to be instructed in Vniuersities, Colled­ges and schooles, and the sicke and poore in hospitals, guest-houses, and publicke almes houses.

XXIII.

They of the pretended reformed Religion shall be bound to obserue the lawes of the Catholicke, Apo­stolicke, Romane Church receiued in this our king­dome, in the point of marriages contracted and to be contracted, within the degrees of consanguinitie and affinitie.

XXIIII.

In like manner those of the said Religion shall pay the rights of entrie, as hath bene accustomed for the charges and offices appointed for their vse, without being vrged to be present at any ceremonies contrarie to their said Religion: and being cited by oath, they shall be bound to do it no otherwise then by lifting vp their hand, by swearing and promising vnto God that they will speake the truth, neither shall they be con­strained [Page 16] to dispence with the oath by them made in passing of contracts and obligations.

XXV.

We will and ordaine, that all those of the preten­ded reformed Religion and others who haue followed their partie, of what estate or qualitie soeuer they be, shall be bound and obliged by all due and reasonable meanes, and vnder the penalties comprehended in the Edicts hereupon made, to pay and cleare the tenthes to Curates and other Ecclesiasticall persons, and to all others to whom they appertaine, according to the vse and custome of the places.

XXVI.

All disinheriting and priuations, whether by dis­position of those liuing, or testamentaries, made only in hatred, or by reason of Religion, as well for the time past as that to come, shall take no place.

XXVII.

The better to reunite the wills of our subiects accor­ding to our intention, & to preuent all cōplaints here­after to come, we denounce all those that do or shall make profession of the said pretended reformed Reli­gion, capable to hold & discharge all estates, dignities, offices, and publicke charges whatsoeuer, Royall, Lordly, or of the Cities, Lands, Countries, and Seig­niories within our obedience, notwithstanding all oathes to the contrarie, and to be indifferently admit­ted thereunto: and our Courts of Parliament and o­ther Iudges shalbe pleased to enquire and take no­tice of the life, manners, Religion, and honest con­uersation, of those who are or shall be inuested into offices, as well of the one as of the other Religion, [Page 17] without taking any other oath of them, then well and faithfully to serue the king in the discharge of their functions, and to obserue the Ordinances as they haue bene obserued in all times. And when any vacancie of the said estates, places, and offices shall happen, for those that lye in our dispositiō, we wil indifferently fur­nish them, & without any distinction, with persons ca­pable, as a thing that concerneth the vnion of our sub­iects. We intend also, that they of the pretended re­formed Religion shall be admitted and receiued to all counsels, deliberations, & functions which depend on the aboue said matters; without that for cause of Reli­gion they be reiected or hindred from enioying this priuiledge.

XXVIII.

We ordaine, for interring of the dead of those of the said Religion within all the Townes and places of this Kingdome, that in each place (by our Officers and Ma­gistrates, or by the Commissaries whom we shall de­pute for the execution of this present Edict) there be as commodious a place allotted them for this purpose as may be. And such Churchyards as heretofore they had, and whereof they were depriued by reason of the troubles, shall be restored them, except they be at that present built vpon, of what qualitie soeuer they be, in which case they shall be prouided of others at free cost.

XXIX.

We most expresly enioyne our said officers to haue a care, that at the said interments no scandall be com­mitted: and they shall be bound within fifteene dayes after request made, to prouide those of the said Re­ligion of a commodious place for their said burials, [Page 18] without vsing any delay or protraction therein; vnder penaltie of fiue hundred crownes, to be seissed on their proper names and persons. The said officers also as well as all others are prohibited to execute nothing for the conueyance of the said dead bodies, vpon penaltie of seuere punishment.

XXX.

To the end that iustice may be yeelded and mini­stred to our subiects without any partialitie, hatred, or fauour, as being one of the principall meanes to main­taine them in peace and concord: we haue and do or­daine that in our Court of Parliament of Paris shall be established a Chamber or Counsell of estate, consi­sting of one President and sixteene Counsellours of the said Parliament, which shall be called and entitled the Chamber of the Edict: and it shall examine not onely the causes and processes of those of the said pre­tended reformed Religion which shall be within the iurisdiction of the said Court, but also of those depen­ding on our Courts of Normandie and Brettaine, ac­cording to the immunitie conferted vpon it by this present Edict; and this to go current vntill in each of the said Parliaments there be established a Chamber to minister iustice in their proper precincts. We also ordaine, that of the foure offices of Counsellours in our said Parliament of Paris, being of the last erection by vs made, there shall be presently receiued and en­tertained into the said Parliament foure of those of the said pretended reformed Religion, sufficient and capable, who shall be thus distributed; the first receiued into the said Chamber of the Edict, and the other three in order as they haue bene receiued into three of the [Page 19] Chambers of Inquests: and moreouer that of the two first offices of lay Counsellours of the said Court which by the death of any one shall grow vacant, they shall be furnished with two of the said pretended re­formed Religion, and they thus receiued to be distri­buted into the two other Chambers of Inquests.

XXXI.

Besides the chamber heretofore established at Ca­stres for a reference to our Court of Tholouse, which shall continue in the estate it now stands, we haue and for the same consideration do ordaine, that in each of our Courts of Parliament both of Grenoble & Bour­deaux, there shall be likewise a Chamber consisting of two Presidents, the one a Catholicke, and the other of the pretended reformed Religion, and of twelue Counsellours, whereof sixe shall be Catholickes, and the other sixe of the said Religion: which Presidents and Catholicke Counsellours shall be selected and chosen by vs out of the bodie of our said Courts. And as for those of the said Religion, there shall a new crea­tion be made of a President and sixe Counsellours for the Parliament of Bourdeaux, and of a President & three Counsellours for that of Grenoble: who with the three Counsellours of the said Religion which are at that present in the said Parliament, shall be employ­ed in the said Chamber of the Daulphiney. And the said offices of the new creation shall be lyable to the same pensions, honours, authorities, and preheminen­ces as the other of the said Courts. And the said Sessiō of the said Chamber of Bourdeaux shall be in the said Bourdeaux or at Nerac, and that of Daulphiney at Grenoble

XXXII.

The said Chamber of Daulphiney shall determine the causes of those of the pretended reformed Reli­gion with reference to our Parliament of Prouence, without hauing need to take letters of summons or o­ther citations then in our Chamber of Daulphiney: as also they of Normandie and Brettaine of the said Re­ligion shall not be vrged to take letters of summons or other citations, then in our Chancerie at Paris.

XXXIII.

Our subiects of the Religion of the Parliament of Burgundie shall haue the election and choice to pleade in the Chamber erected in the Parliament of Paris or in that of Daulphiney. And they shall not also be tyed to take letters of summons or any other citations, but in the said Chanceries of Paris or Daulphiney, ac­cording to their owne opinion and liking.

XXXIIII.

All the said Chambers disposed as aforesaid, shall determine and iudge in soueraigntie and sentence de­finitiue, by finall decree before all other, of suites and differences moued and to be moued; in which they of the pretended reformed Religion shall be princi­pall parties or warranties in cases of plaintiffe or de­fendant, in all matters, as well ciuill as criminall, whe­ther the said processe be by writ or verball appeales: and that if it so seeme good to the parties, or that one of them requireth it, before any Plea in the cause, in re­spect of sute to be commenced: alwayes excepted mat­ters of benefices, and the possessors of tenthes not en­feoffed, Ecclesiasticall patronages, and causes wherein the rights & Demaine of the Church are questioned: [Page 21] all which shall be ended and iudged in the Courts of Parliament; without that the said Chambers of the E­dict shall haue any thing to do to determine therein. As also our pleasure is, that to iudge and recide crimi­nall causes, which shall happen between the said Eccle­siastickes and those of the pretended reformed Religi­on, if the person Ecclesiasticall be defendant in this case, the iudgement of the criminall cause shall belong pri­uatiuely to our Soueraigne Courts of the said Cham­bers, and where the Ecclesiasticke shall be plaintife, & he of the said Religion defendant, the iudgement and determination of the criminall cause shall belong, by appeale and in the last reference, to our said establi­shed Chambers. The said Chambers also in vacation times, shall determine of matters referred by the E­dicts and Ordinances to the Chambers or Courts esta­blished in times of vacation, each one in his proper pre­rogatiue.

XXXV.

The Chamber of Grenoble shall from this present be vnited and incorporated to the body of the said Court of Parliament, and the Presidents and Coun­sellors of the said pretended reformed Religion entitled Presidents and Counsellors of the said Court, and held in the rancke and number of them; and for these ends they shall be first disposed of in the other Chambers, and then culled and drawen out from them, to be employed and to serue in that which we institute anew; with iniunction notwithstanding, that they shall be present and haue a voice and session in all deliberations made, and Counsels assembled; and shall enioy the same pensions, preuiledges, and pre­heminences [Page 22] which the other Counsellours and Presi­dents of the Court do.

XXXVI.

Our meaning and pleasure is, that the said Cham­bers of Castres and Bourdeaux should be reunited and incorporated into those Parliaments in the same man­ner as the others, when need shall be, and that the cau­ses which haue moued vs to make any establishment thereof, may ceasse and haue no more place among our subiects: and the Presidents and Counsellors of the same for these endes, being of the said Religion, shall be held for Presidents and Counsellors of the said Courts.

XXXVII.

There shall be also newly created and chosen in the Chamber ordained for the Parliament of Bourdeaux, two Substitutes of our Procuror and Aduocate Gene­rall, whereof he in deputation to the Procuror shall be a Catholicke, and the other of the said Religion: who shall discharge the said offices for competent pensions.

XXXVIII.

Neither shall the said Substitutes take vpon them any other qualitie then of a Substitute, and when the Chambers ordained for the Parliament of Tholouse and Bourdeaux shall be vnited and incorporated into the said Parliaments, the said Substitutes shall be pro­uided of Counsellors places in the same.

XXXIX.

The expeditions of the Chancerie of the Chamber of Bourdeaux shall be performed in the presence of the two Counsellors of the same Chamber, whereof [Page 23] the one shall be a Catholicke, and the other of the said pretended reformed Religion, in the absence of one of the maister of Requests of our Hostell, and one of the Notaries and Secretaries of the said Court of Par­liament of Bourdeaux, shall make residence in the place where the said Chamber shall be established, or else one of the ordinarie Secretaries of the Chancerie, to seale the expeditions of the said Chancerie.

XL.

We will and cōmand, that in the said Chamber of Bourdeaux there be two Cōmitties of the Greffier of the said Parliament, the one ciuill the other criminall, which shall exercise their charges by our Commissi­ons, and shall be called Committies of the Greffe Ciuill and Criminall, and therefore they cannot be re­uoked nor displaced by the said Griffiers of the Par­liament: and yet they shall be tied to yeeld the emolu­ments of the said Griffiers to the said Griffiers, the which Committies shall be hired by the said Griffiers according as it shall be aduised and arbitrated by the said Chamber. Besides there shall be ordained certaine Catholicke Deputies: which shall be appointed by the said Court or otherwhere according to our good pleasure: besides which there shall be newly erected two of the said Religion, and freely hired: and all the said deputies shall be gouerned by the said Chamber, both in the execution and discharge of their places, as in the profits they do receiue. A Commission also shall be dispatched for a payer of pensions, and a re­ceiuer of fines for the said Chamber, to be prouided therein as shall be pleasing to vs, if the Chamber be established in any other place then in the said Citie. [Page 24] And the Commission heretofore agreed vpon to the Payer of pensions of the Chamber of Castres, shall take full authoritie and commission: and the Comission for the receipt of fines in the said Chamber, shall be en­ioyned to the same charge.

XLI.

There shall be prouided sufficient Assignements for the pensions of the Officers ordained by the said Edict.

XLII.

The Presidnts, Counsellors, and other Catho­licke Officers of the said Chambers, shall be conti­nued as long as possibly may be, and as we shall finde it most expedient for our seruice, and the good of our subiects: and in dismissing some, others shall be con­stituted in their places before their departure; and they shall not depart during the time of their seruice, nor absent themselues from the said Chamber, without their leaue, which shall be iudged by the procedings of the Ordinance.

XLIII.

The said Chambers shall be established within sixe monethes, during which (if the establishment conti­nue so long a setling) the su [...]es moued or to be mo­ued, wherein those of the said Religion shall be par­tie, from the authoritie of our Courts of Parliaments of Paris, Roan, Dion, and Rhemes, they shall be called to the Chamber established presently at Paris by ver­tue of the Edict of the yeare a thousand fiue hundred three score & seuenteene, or else to the grand Counsell at the election and choice of those of the said Religion, if they demand it: those that are of the Parliament of Bourdeaux, into the Chamber established at Castres, [Page 25] and into the said grand Counsell at their choice: and those that are of Prouence into the Parliament of Gre­noble. And if the said Chambers be not established within three monethes after presentation there made of this our present Edict, he of our Parliaments that maketh refusall, shall be prohibited to iudge or deter­mine of causes touching those of the said Religion.

XLIIII.

Sutes not yet determined hanging in the said Courts of Parliament and grand Councell of the qualitie a­boue-mentioned, shall be returned, in what state soeuer they stand, into the said Chambers, each cause to his Court of reference, if one of the parties of the said Re­ligion require it, within foure moneths after the esta­blishment thereof: and as for such as shall be disconti­nued and are not in state to be iudged and determined, the aboue-mentioned of the Religion shall be bound to make a declaration to the first intimation and signi­fication of the pursute which shall be made vnto them: and the said tearme being once past, they shal no more be admitted to demand the said Returnes.

XLV.

The said Chambers of Grenoble and Bourdeaux, as also that of Castres, shall obserue the forme and style of Parliaments in the precincts where they shall be e­stablished, and they shall iudge in equall number both of the one and other Religion, except the parties agree on the contrarie.

XLVI.

All Iudges who are sought vnto for the execution of iudgements and commissions of the said Cham­bers, or letters obtained out of the Chanceries thereof: [Page 26] and also all Officers and Sergeants shall be bound to put them in execution, and the said Officers and Ser­geants to performe all their executions in euery part of our Kingdome, without demanding placet, visa, ne pa­reatis, vpon penaltie of suspension of their places, and paying the dammages, charges, and interests of the parties: the censure whereof shall belong to our said Chambers.

XLVII.

No reuocation of causes shall be agreed vpon, the triall whereof is referred to the said Chambers, except in the case of Ordinances, the reuocation whereof shall belong to the nearest Chamber established according to our Edict: and the issues of sutes of the said Cham­bers shall be tried in the next Chamber, obseruing the proportion and forme of the said Chambers from whence the processe proceedes: except for the Cham­ber of the Edict in our Parliament of Paris, where the processes depending shall be disposed of in the same Chamber, by the Iudges which by vs shall be nomina­ted by our particular letters to this effect, except the parties had rather attend the renouation of the said Chamber or Court. And if it happen that the same processe be commenced in all the Chambers separate­ly, the issue thereof shall be returned to the said Cham­ber of Paris.

XLVIII.

Refusals brought in against the Presidents & Coun­sellours of the Chambers distinctly, may be determi­ned by the number of sixe, to which number the par­ties shall be restrained, otherwise it shall go forward without any regard had to the said Refusals.

XLIX.

The examination of Presidents and Counsellors newly chosen in the said Chambers by equal numbers, shall be made by our priuie Counsell, or by the said Chambers, each one within its precinct, when they are met in sufficient number: and yet the accustomed oath shall by them be exhibited in the Courts where the said Chambers shall be established, and vpon their re­fusall, in our priuie Counsell; except those of the Chamber of Languedoc, who shall take their oath from the hands of our Chancellour, or in the said Chamber.

L.

We will and ordaine, that the reception of our Of­ficers of the said Religion, shall be iudged in the same seuerall Chambers by the pluralitie of voices, as is vsu­all in other iudgements, not being requisite that the voices should differ two thirds, according to the Or­dinance, the which in this respect remaines abrogated.

LI.

All propositions, deliberations, and resolutions, pertaining to publicke peace, and for the particular e­state and policie of Townes, shall be made in the said seuerall Chambers, and in the said Townes where the said Chambers reside.

LII.

The article of the iurisdiction of the said Cham­bers ordained by this present Edict, shall be followed and obserued according to forme and tenor thereof, especially in that which concerneth the execution, o­mission, or violation of our Edicts, when those of the said Religion shall be parties.

LIII.

The subalternate royall Officers or others, the re­ception of whom belongs to our Courts of Parlia­ments, if they be of the same pretended reformed Re­ligion, may be examined & receiued in the said Cham­bers: that is to say, those of the dependant Courts of the Parliaments of Paris, Normandie, and Brettaine, in the said Chamber of Paris: those of Daulphiney and Prouence, in the Chamber of Grenoble; those of Bur­gundie in the said Chamber of Paris or Daulphiney, at their choice: those of the Precincts of Tholouse, in the Chamber of Castres; and those of the Parliament of Bourdeaux, in the Chamber of Guyenne; and no o­ther to oppose their admissions or make parties, but our Procurors generall and their Substitutes, and those placed in the said offices: yet neuerthelesse the accustomed oath shall by them be exhibited in the Courts of parliaments, which shal haue no iurisdiction in their said receptions: and vpon the refusall of the said Parliaments, the said Officers shall minister the oath in the said Chambers; which being so ministred, they shall be bound by some Clerke or Notarie, to present the act of their receptions to the Greffiers or Registers of the said Courts of Parliaments, and to leaue a compared copie thereof with the said Greffier or Register: who are enioyned to register the said acts vpon penaltie of paying all the charges, dammages, and interests of the parties; and if the said Registers re­fuse to do it, it shall be sufficient for the said Officers to bring the act of the said reception drawne by the said Registers or Notarie, and to cause the same to be registred in the greffe or rowle of their iurisdictions, [Page 29] there to be viewed when need shall require, vpon pe­naltie of annihilating their proceedings and iudge­ments. And as for those Officers whose reception was not accustomed to be made in our said Parliaments, in case they whom it concerneth make refusall to pro­ceed in the said examination and reception, the said Officers shall repaire to the said Chambers, to be fur­nished as they ought.

LIIII.

The Officers of the said pretended reformed Reli­gion which shall hereafter be chosen to serue within the bodies of our said Courts of Parliaments, Grand Counsell, Chamber of Accompts, Court of Aydes, Receiuers for the Treasurers generall of France, and o­ther Officers of the Exchequers, shall be axamined and receiued in the places where they vse to be: and in case of refusall and deniall of iustice, they shall be constitu­ted in our priuie Councell.

LV.

The reception of Officers made in the Chamber heretofore established at Castres shall remaine in force, notwithstanding all Iudgements or Ordinan­ces to the contrarie: the reception also of Iudges, Counsellours, and other Officers of the said Religion made in our priuy Counsell shall be validious, or those chosen by Commissaries by vs ordained vpon the re­fusall of our Courts of parliament, of the Aydes, or Chambers of Accompts, euen as if they had bene made in the same Courts and Chambers, and by the other Iudges to whom such receptions appertaine; and their pensions shall be allowed by the Chambers of Accompts without scruple: and if any haue bene [Page 30] dismissed, they shall be reestablished without any fur­ther command then this present Edict, and the said Officers shall not stand bound to present any other re­ception, notwithstanding all Decrees passed to the contrarie, which shall remaine inualidious and of no effect.

LVI.

Vntill meanes be procured to defray the expences of the Iustice of our said Chamber out of the monies of fines or confiscations, we will assigne a valuable and sufficient proportion to discharge the said expen­ces, without leuying monyes out of the goods of those condemned.

LVII.

The Presidents and Counsellours of the said pre­tended reformed Religion heretofore receiued into our Court of Daulphiney, and into the Chamber of the Edict, incorporated into the same, shall continue, and hold their Sessions and places there, that is to say, the Presidents, as they haue and do enioy at this pre­sent, and the Counsellours according to the Iudge­ments and Decrees which they haue obtained in our priuie Counsell.

LVIII.

We further declare, that all sentences, Iudgements, Decrees, Seizures, Vents, and Orders set downe and established against those of the pretended reformed Religion, as well liuing as dead, since the departure of the late King Henrie the second our most honourable Lord and Father in law, by reason of the said Religion, troubles, & tumults since happened, together with the execution of the same Decrees, from this present to be [Page 31] razed, reuoked, and nullified. We ordaine that they shall be razed and wiped out of our Registers of the Stewards of Courts, as well soueraigne as inferiour: as likewise our pleasure is, that all markes, foot-steps, and monuments of the said executions, bookes, and Acts defamatorie to their persons, memoriall and posterity, shall be remoued and defaced: and that the places whe [...]e vpon these occasions, any ruines, or demolitions haue bene made, shall be restored in the same condi­tion they were, to the proprietaries of the same, to en­ioy and dispose of them at their pleasure. And gene­rally we haue reuoked, cashiered, and annihilated all proceedings and informations made for any enterpri­ses whatsoeuer, pretended crimes of treason, or others: notwithstanding the which proceedings, Iudgements, and Decrees, comprehending, reunion, incorporation, and confiscation, our meaning is, that those of the Re­ligion, and others who haue followed their partie, and their heires, shall reenter into the reall and actuall pos­session of all and each of their goods.

LIX.

All procedings made, Iudgements an decrees giuen during the troubles against those of the said Religion that haue borne armes, or withdrawne themselues out of our Realme, or within the same, into townes and countries by them held for some other occasion then that of Religion & the troubles, together with all exemptions of instances, prescriptions, as well legall & conuentionall, as those vsuall and customarie, and feo­dall seizures accrewing during the said troubles, or by lawfull impediments arising thereof, and whereof the censure remaineth in our Iudges, shall be estee­med [Page 32] as not performed, hapned, nor granted, and such we haue and do declare them to be, and haue and do annihilate, and the parties shall haue no aide nor au­thoritie herefrom: but they shall be restored to the same estate wherein before they stood, notwithstan­ding the iudgements and executions of them, and the possession shall be restored to them wherein they were, for this respect. That aboue mentioned shall likewise take place, in respect of others who haue followed the partie of those of the said Religion, or that haue absen­ted themselues out of the Kingdome by reason of the troubles. And for the yonger children of those of the condition aboue mentioned, which died during the troubles, we restore the parties to the same estate wher­in they were before, without paying charges, or being bound to bring in any forfaites: but yet we do not meane, that Iudgements denounced by Presidentall Iudgdes or other inferior Iudges, against those of the said Religion, or that haue followed their partie, should remaine inualidious, if they haue bene denounced by Iudges keeping their Sessions in townes by them held, and whither they had free accesse.

LX.

The Iudgements denounced in our Courts of Par­liament, in matters the decision whereof belongeth to the Chambers ordained by the Edict of the yeare 1577. and the Articles of Nerac and Flex, in which Courts the parties procecded not voluntarily, that is to say, they haue alledged and propounded ends decli­natorie, or which haue bene denounced through de­faut or misprision, as well in matters ciuill as criminall, notwithstanding the which ends, the said parties haue [Page 33] bene constrained to go forward, shall likewise be anni­hilated and of no worth. And in respect of Iudgements giuen against those of the said Religion, who haue pro­ceeded voluntarily without propounding declinatorie endes, those Iudgements shall remaine in force: and yet without preiudice to the execution of them, they may if they thinke good, take some course by way of ciuill request before the Chambers ordained by this present Edict, and the time runne set downe by the Or­dinancies, shall be no preiudice to them: and vntill the said Chambers and their Chanceries be established, verball Appeales, or those by writing, propounded by those of the said Religion, before the Iudges, Re­gisters, or Committies, executors of Sentences and Iudgements, shall take the same effect as if they had bene procured by letters patents.

LXI.

In all inquiries made vpon what occasion soeuer, in ciuill causes, if the Inquisitor or Commissarie be a Catholicke, the parties shall be bound to appeare with one consent: and if they appeare not, one shall be taken by vertue of his Office by the said Inquisitor or Commissarie, who is of the said pretended reformed Religion: and the like course shall be taken, when the Commissarie Inquisitor is of the said Religion, for the partie which shall be Catholicke.

LXII.

We will and ordaine, that our Iudges shall deter­maine of the validitie of Testaments, wherein those of the said Religion shall be interessed, if they demand it, and the Appeales of the said Iudgements may be taken out of the said Chambers, ordained for pocesses of [Page 34] those of the said Religion, notwithstāding all customes to the contrarie, yea euen those of Brettaine.

LXIII.

To preuent all differences which may happen be­tweene our Courts of Parliament and the Chambers of those Courts ordained by our present Edict, we will set downe an ample and plaine order betweene the said Courts and Chambers, and such as those of the pretended reformed Religion shall haue entire be­nifite of by the said Edict, which order shall be rati­fied in our Courts of Parliament, and obserued and kept, without hauing respect to those precedent.

LXIIII.

We prohibit and forbid all our soueraigne Courts and others within this Kingdome, to determine or Iudge the ciuill or criminall causes of those of the said Religion, the triall whereof by our Edict is referred to the said Chambers, so any returne be demaunded, as was expressed in the fourth Article aboue mentioned.

LXV.

Our will also is, by way of care and circumspection, and till we haue otherwise ordained, that in all sutes moued or to be commenced, wherein those of the said Religion shall stand as plaintifes or defendants, par­ties principall, or warranties in ciuill causes wherin our Officers Presidentall tribunes haue power to Iudge for a last triall, they be permitted to demād that two of the Chamber where the cause is to be tried, abstaine from the Iudgement of them, who without alledging any cause, shall be bound in this case to abstaine, not­withstanding the Ordinance by which the Iudges can­not be excepted against without iust cause, there re­maining [Page 35] vnto them besides this, Refusals of right a­gainst the others: and in matters criminall wherein al­so the said Presidents and other royall Iudges subalter­nate, iudge with peremptorie triall, the conuented be­ing of the same Religion, may demand that three of the said Iudges abstaine from iudgement of their cau­ses, without any expression of cause. And the Pro­uosts of the Marshals of France, Vicebailifs, Vicemar­shals, Lieutenants of the short Robe, and other Offi­cers of such like qualitie, shall iudge according to the Ordinances and Rules heretofore set downe in respect of vagabonds: and as for housholders charged and ceassed with maintenance of Prouosts, if they be of the said Religion, they may demand that three of the said Iudges abstaine from iudgement of their causes; and they shall be bound to abstaine, without any ex­pression of cause, except when in the companie where the said causes shall be iudged, there be to the num­ber of two in matters ciuill, and three in matters cri­minall of the said Religion, in which case they shall not be permitted to refuse without allegation of cause: the which shall likewise be common and reciprocall to Catholickes in manner and forme aboue mentio­ned, in respect of the refusall of Iudges, where those of the said pretended reformed Religion shall be in greater number. But yet we do not meane, that the said Presidentall Tribunals, Prouosts of Marshals, Vicebailifs, Vicemarshals, or other which iudge with absolute triall, should take vpon them by vertue of that which hath bene said, the iudgement of tumults and troubles past: and as for crimes and insolencies grow­ing vpon other occasions then about matters of the [Page 36] troubles, from the beginning of the moneth of March in the yeare a thousand fiue hundred fourescore and fiue, till the end of the yeare 1597. in case they do pro­ceed in triall of them: Our pleasure is, that they may haue an appeale from their Iudgements before the Chambers ordained by this present Edict, as shall in like manner be obserued to Catholicke complices, wherein those of the said pretended reformed Reli­gion shall be parties.

LXVI.

We also will and ordaine, that from this time for­ward, in all instructions other then criminall processes in the Stewardships of Thoulouse, Carcassonne, Rouergue, Loragais, Beziers, Montpellier, and Nis­mes, the Magistrate or Commissarie deputed for the said instruction, if he be a Catholicke, shall be bound to take an Associate of the said pretended reformed Religion, whereupon the parties shall meete; and if it so fall out that they cannot meete, one by authoritie shall be taken of the said Religion by the aboue named Magistrate or Commissarie: as in like manner, if the said Magistrate or Commissarie be of the said Reli­gion, he shall be bound in the forme aboue mentio­ned, to take a Catholicke Assistant.

LXVII.

When any occasion of criminall triall groweth by the Prouosts of the Marshals or any of the Lieute­nants, against any one of the said Religion an hous­holder, who shall be charged and accused of any pub­licke crime, the said Prouosts or their Lieutenants, if they be Catholickes, shall be bound to call to the pro­ceeding of such a matter, an Assistant of the said Reli­gion: [Page 37] the which Associate shall also iudge in iudge­ment of the offence, and in the iudgement definitiue of the matter: which offence shall not be tried in any o­ther place but at the next Presidentall Tribunall, in o­pen assemblie, by the principall Officers of that circuit who are then in place, on paine of being put out of office, except the conuented require to haue the said offence tried in the Chamber or Courts ordained by this present Edict: in which case, for those inhabiting in the Prouinces of Guyenne, Languedoc, Prouence, & Daulphiney, the Substitutes of our Procurots Ge­nerall in the said Chambers, at the request of those in­habitants, shall cause the inditements and informati­ons made against them to be brought in, to discerne and trie whether the matters be liable to Prouosts courts or not, that afterwards according to the quality of the crimes, they may be returned to the ordinarie, or Prouostall Iudges, as they ought to do by reason, in obseruing the contents of this present Edict. And the Presidentall Iudges, Prouosts of Marshals, Vice­bailifs, Vnderstewards, and others that haue definitiue authoritie to iudge, to obey respectiuely, and obserue the commandements imposed on them by the said Chambers: euen as they vsed to do in the said Parlia­ments, vpon paine of forfait of their estates.

LXVIII.

The outcries, publicke sales by writing, and ven­dition A custome in France. of inheritances by the Speare, shall be perfor­med in the places and at the houres accustomed, if it may be, according to our Ordinances, or else in the open market places, if in the place where the same inheritances be seated there be a market place, and [Page 38] where there is none, they shall be made in the next market place within the precinct of that Session where the iudgement should be passed: and the paper of no­tice shall be fastened on a post in the said market place, and at the entrie of the Auditorie of the same place: and so by this meanes the said publicke outcries shall be good and validious, and so to go forward to the in­terposition of a Decree, without depending on such nullities as may be alledged in this respect.

LXIX.

All titles, papers, instructions, and informations that haue bene taken, shall be rendred and restored of the one side and the other, to those to whom they ap­pertaine, although the said papers, or the Castels or houses wherein they haue bene reserued, were ta­ken and seized vpon, whether it were by speciall Com­mission from the late last King deceassed, our most ho­nourable Lord and father in law, or the commande­ments of the Gonernours and Lieutenants generall of our Prouinces, or by authority of the Heads of the other part, or vnder what pretext soeuer it were.

LXX.

The children of such as haue retired themselues out of our Kingdome, since the death of the late King Henrie the second, our most honourable Lord and fa­ther in law, by reason of Religion and the present troubles, though the said children were borne out of the Kingdome, shall be held for true French men, and subiects, and such we haue and do declare them to be: and they shall not need to sue out letters of naturalitie, or other warranties from vs then this present Edict; notwithstanding all constitutions to the contrarie, the [Page 39] which we haue and do abrogate, vpon condition that the said children borne in forreine Countries, shall be bound within ten yeares after the publication of this Edict to come and reside within the Kingdome.

LXXI.

Those of the said pretended reformed Religion, and others that haue followed their partie, who shall haue farmed before the troubles, any Offices or other De­maines, customes, forreine impositions, or other pre­rogatiues to vs appertaining, the which they could not peaceably enioy by reason of the same troubles, shall remaine discharged, as we discharge them, of that which they haue not receiued out of the said farmes, or that without fraud they haue payed otherwise then into the Receipts of our Exchequers, notwithstanding all obligations entred into by them in this respect to the contrarie.

LXXII.

All places, Townes, and Prouinces of our Realme, Countries, Lands and Seignories vnder our obedi­ence, shall vse and enioy the same priuiledges, immu­nities, liberties, enfranchisements, faires, markets, iuris­dictions, and seates of Iustice, which they did before the troubles begun in the moneth of March in the yeare 1585. and others preceeding; notwithstanding all letters to the contrarie, and the remouing of the said seates, so they were made onely by reason of the trou­bles, which seates shallbe restored and reestablished in the Townes and places where before they were.

LXXIII.

If there be any prisoners yet detained by authority of Iustice or otherwise, yea euen in the Galleys, by rea­son [Page 40] of the troubles, or of the said Religion, they shall be enlarged and set at free libertie.

LXXIIII.

Those of the said Religion shall not hereafter be sur­charged nor oppressed with any charges ordinarie or extraordinarie more then the Catholikes, and ac­cording to the proportion of their goods and sub­stance: and the parties that pretend themselues to be surcharged, may haue remedie before the Iudges to whom the ordering thereof belongs: and all our subiects, as well of the Catholicke Religion, as of the pretended reformed, shall be indefferently dis­charged of all charges that haue bene imposed on the one partie and the other during the troubles, vpon those that were of the contrarie partie, and not cohe­ring together, of debts credited and not payed, and expences disbursed without their consents: but so, not to recouer those profits which haue bene employed in the payment of those charges.

LXXV.

Neither do we meane, that they of the said Religion, and others who haue followed their parties, nor the Catholickes who dwelt in the Townes and places by them occupied and detained, and who haue contribu­ted to them, shall be prosequuted for the payment of taxes, aydes, grants, increase, sessments, wastes, repa­rations, or other impositions and subsidies, accrewing and imposed during the troubles happened before and since our comming to the Crowne, whether it were by Edicts and commandements from the late Kings our Predecessors, or by the counsell and aduice of the Go­uernours and States of Prouinces, Courts of Parlia­ment [Page 41] and others, whereof we haue and do discharge them, forbidding our Treasurers generall of France, and of our Exchequers, and Receiuers generall and particular, their Committies, Intermedlers, and other Ouer-seers and Commissaries of our Exchequers, to seeke after them, neither to molest or trouble them, di­rectly or indirectly, in any sort whatsoeuer.

LXXVI.

All Commanders, Lordes, Knights, Gentlemen, Officers, corporations of Townes and Communal­ties, and all others who haue aided & succoured them, their widowes, heires and successors, shall be quitted and discharged of all monies which by them and their Ordinances haue bene leuied and taken vp, as well roy­all debts to what summe soeuer they amount, as of Townes and Communalties, and the particulars of rents, reuenues, plate, Vents of Ecclesiasticall moue­able goods, and other woodes of high growth, whe­ther of Demaine or other forfeitures, booties, ransoms, or monies of any other nature, by them raised by meanes of the troubles begunne in the moneth of March, a thousand fiue hundred fourescore and fiue, and other precedent troubles, till our comming to the Crowne: neither they, nor those by them authorized for the leuie of the said monies, or that haue giuen and furnished them by their Ordinances, shall be any waies troubled for it, either now or hereafter: and both they and their Committies shall be discharged of all the managing and disbursements of the said moneys, bringing in for a full discharge within foure moneths after the publication of this present Edict made in our Court of Parliament of Paris, acquittances duly taken [Page 42] from the Heads of those of the said reformed Reli­gion, or from those who by them shall be deputed to the heating and clearing of Accompts, or from the Communalties of the Townes which had authoritie and power during the said troubles. They shall in like manner be quitted and discharged of all acts of hostili­tie, leuies and conducts of men of warre, enhauncing and raising of monies, raised according to the Ordi­nance of the said Heads; the melting and taking of artilleries and munitions, making of powder, and saltpeeters, surprisals, fortifications, dismantellings and demolitions of Townes, Castles, boroughs, or villa­ges; of any enterprise vpon them, combustions, and ruining of Churches or houses, establishments of Iu­stice, iudgements and executions by them, whether in matter ciuill or criminall, of any policie or gouern­ment instituted amongst them, of voyages and intelli­gences, of negotiations, Treaties, or any Contracts made with all forreine Princes or Communalties, and introduction of the said strangers into Townes or any other part of our Kingdome, and generally of what­soeuer hath bene done or negotiated during the said troubles, from the death of the late King Henrie our most honourable Lord and father in law, for those of the said Religion, or others who haue followed their partie, though it be not particularly specified nor ex­pressed.

LXXVII.

Those also of the said Religion shall be discharged from all generall and Prouinciall assemblies by them called or held, as well at Mants as since elsewhere till this present; likewise of Counsels by them established, [Page 43] and ordained in the Prouinces, of deliberations, Decrees, and Ordinances made in the said Assemblies, and Counsels, of the establishment or augmentation of garrisons, assemblies of armed men, leuies and ta­king vp of our moneys, whether in the hands of our Receiners generall or particular, Collectors of Pari­shes, or otherwise in what manner soeuer, the custome of salt, the continuation or new erection of treaties, im­positions, and receipts thereof: that is to say, at Roan, and vpon the riuers of Charante, Garonne, of Rosne & Dordone, fights and incounters by sea, and of all acci­dents and violences happening in procuring the pay­ment of the said treaties, and taxes, and other monies, of fortifications of Townes, Castles and places, of the impositions of moneys and tolles, receipts of the said moneys, of the supplantation of our Receiuers, Farmers and other Officers, of the establishing of o­thers in their places, and of all vnions, negotiations and dispatches made, as well within as without the Realme: and generally of whatsoeuer hath bene done, deliberated, written, & enacted by the said Assemblies and Counsell: and they who haue giuen their aduice, sealed, executed, or caused to be sealed and executed the said Ordinances, Orders and deliberations, shall not be questioned herein, nor their widowes, heires, nor successors, at this present nor hereafter, as well as if the particularities were here amply set downe and declared. And perpetuall silence shall be imposed euery where vpon our Procurors general, their Substi­tutes, and all those who may challenge any interest therein, in what manner and forme soeuer it be, not­withstanding [Page 44] all Sentences, Decrees, Iudgements, In­formations, and proceedings made to the contrarie.

LXXVIII.

We further approue, allow, and authorise the ac­compts which haue bene taken, cleared and examined by the Deputies of the said Assembly. We will, that they together with acquittances & seuerall discharges which haue bene brought in by the accomptants, be brought into the Chamber of the Accompts of Paris three monethes after the publication of this present E­dict, and committed to the hands of our Procuror generall, to be deliuered to the custodie of him that keepeth the bookes and Registers of our Chamber, there to be consulted with vpon any necessitie what­soeuer: & the said accompts neuer to be reuiewed, nor the accomptants bound in any appearance or rectifi­cations, but in case of omission of receipt, or false ac­quittances; we imposing silence on our said Procuror generall, for the surplussage which might be alledged as defectiue, or that formalities were not well obserued: forbidding all men of our accompts, as wel in Paris as in other prouinces where they be established, to take any notice thereof, in what manner or forme soeuer.

LXXIX

And as for those accompts which haue not yet bene broughtin, our pleasure is, they shall be heard, cleared, and examined, by the Commissaries which by vs shall be thereunto deputed; who without difficultie shall passe and allow of the said parcels paied by the said accomptants, by authority of the Ordinances of the said Assemblie, or others hauing power and force.

LXXX.

All Collectors, Receiuers, Farmers, and all others well and duely discharged of all the summes of money which they haue well and truly paied to the said Com­mitties of the said Assemblie, of what nature soeuer they be, vntill the last day of this moneth, we will haue them all passed and allowed in our Accompts, which shall be giuen vp in our Chamber of Accompts, sim­ply and sincerely by vertue of the acquittance brought in and deliuered, and if any were afterward dispatched or deliuered, they shall remaine voide, and those who shall deliuer or accept of them, shall be condemned in a penaltie of false demeanor and cheuisance. And if there be any accompts alreadie brought in, by which there remaineth any reckonings or charges due in this respect, we haue accquitted and cleared them, we haue and do reestablish the same parties absolutely by ver­tue of these presents, they being no wayes required for any thing aboue mentioned, to obtaine particular let­ters, or any other testimonie of discharge, then the co­pie of this present Article.

LXXXI.

The Gouernors, Captaines, Consuls, and persons authorized for the gathering in of monyes to pay the garrisons held by those of the said Religion, whom our Receiuers and parochiall Collectors shall haue furni­shed by way of lone vpon their bils and obligations, whether by constraint, or to obey the commande­ments imposed on them by the Treasurors Generall, the necessarie monies for entertainment of the said garrisons till the publication of that which was infer­red in the Proclamation, we caused to be dispatched in [Page 46] the beginning of the yeare 1596. and the addition thereunto by vs granted, shall be held acquitted & dis­charged of that which was payd for the effect aboue mentioned, although in the said bills and obligations expresse mention be made thereof, which shall be re­turned to them as voyd. And to giue satisfaction here­in, the Treasurers Generall in each generalitie, shall cause the said Collectors to haue quittances from the particular Receiuers of our taxes, and so from the Re­ceiuers Generall quittances to passe to the Receiuers particular: for discharge of which Receiuers Gene­rall, the summes which they haue to demand by way of account, as formerly was said, shall be endorsed vpon the mandates presented by the pettie Treasurer of the wars, vnder the names of the Treasurers Gene­rall extraordinarie of our wars, for the payment of the said garrisons. And if the mandates amount not to so much as our Proclamation and addition of the yeare 1596. imported, We ordaine that for the sup­plying of the same, new mandates shall be dispatched, to furnish what is wanting for the discharge of our ac­comptant, and restitution of the said promises and obligations, so that nothing may hereafter be deman­ded of those that passed them, and that all letters of al­lowance requisite for the discharge of the accomptants be granted, by vertue of this present Article.

LXXXII.

They also of the said Religion shall desist and giue ouer from this present, all practises, negotiations and intelligences, as well within as without our kingdome, and the said Assemblies & Counsels established in the Prouinces shall presently dissolue, and all leagues and [Page 47] associations made or to be made vnder any pretext whatsoeuer, to the preiudice of this our present Edict, shall be voide and annihilated, We expresly forbid­ding all our subiects to make hereafter any collections or leuyings of money without our permission, any fortifications, enrolement of men, congregations or assemblies, other then such as are permitted them by our present Edict, and that without armes: the which we absolutely prohibit, and forbid them, vpon paine of being seuerely punished, and as contemners and in­fringers of our commandements and Ordinances.

LXXXIII.

All prizes which haue bene taken during the troubles, by vertue of licences or letters of Mart, and those that haue bene taken by land from them of the contrarie partie, and which haue bene examined by Iudges and Commissaries of the Admiraltie, or by the Heads of those of the said Religion or their Counsell, shall lye dead by the benefite of this present Edict, and no prosecution thereof to be made, neither the Captaines and others that haue taken the same reprisals, or boot, their pledges, and the said Iudges, their widowes or heires, shall not be troubled or molested in any sort whatsoeuer, notwithstanding all Decrees of our priuie Counsell and the Parliaments, and all letters of rapine and seizures hanging in question, and not being deci­ded, whereof we would haue them to be fully and clearely discharged.

LXXXIIII.

Neither shall they of the said Religion be molested or troubled for oppositions or disturbances by them made heretofore, yea though since the troubles, vpon [Page 48] the execution of sentences and Decrees diuulged for the reestablishment of the Catholicke, Apostolicke, Romane Religion.

LXXXV.

And as for that which hath bene done or taken du­ring the troubles, either with or besides the way of ho­stilitie, against the publicke or particular Orders of the Heads, or of the communalties of Prouinces who had authoritie, it may be prosecuted by course of Iustice.

LXXXVI.

But neuerthelesse, in respect that if the same which was performed against the Orders both of the one part and the other, be indifferently reserued and ex­cepted out of the generall abolition inferred by our present Edict, and is subiect to be called in question, there is not a souldier which may not be brought with­in the compasse of it, whereupon tumults and troubles may be renewed. For this cause, We will and ordaine, that only execrable cases shall be excepted out of the said abolition: as rauishing and enforcing of women and maides, combustions, murders, and thefts fel­loniously acted by lying in priuie waites, besides the courses of open hostilitie, and to compasse particular reuenges, contrarie to the proceedings of warre, brea­king vp of Passeports and safe conducts, with murders and pillages, without any iniunction or command, in respect of those of the Religion and others who haue followed the partie of the Heads, who had authoritie ouer them, grounded vpon particular occasions, which moued them to command and ordaine such things.

LXXXVII.

We also ordaine, that punishment be inflicted for crymes and delicts, committed betweene persons of the same partie, except it be in actions commanded by the Heads of the one part and of the other, according to the necessitie, lawes, and orders of warre. And as for leuies and exactions of monies, bearing of armes, and other exploits of warre, performed out of priuate au­thority, and without auouchment, it shall be prosecu­ted by way of Iustice.

LXXXVIII.

In townes dismanteled during the troubles, the same ruines and dismantelings may by our permission, be reedified and repaired by the inhabitants at their expence and charge, and the prouisions heretofore set downe in this respect shall hold and take place.

LXXXIX.

We will, ordaine, and are pleased, that all the Knights, Gentlemen, and others, of what condition or qualitie soeuer, being of the pretended reformed Re­ligion, and others who haue followed their partie, may reenter and really enioy all and each of their goods, rights, titles, claimes, and actions, notwithstanding the Iudgements denounced during the said troubles, and by reason of them: the which sentences, seizures and Iudgements, and all that ensued thereof, we haue to this end declared and do declare void and of no effect nor value.

XC.

The purchases which they of the pretended refor­med Religion haue made, and others vpholding their partie, vnder the prerogatiue of any other then of the [Page 50] late Kings our predecessors for stable possessions be­longing to the Church, shall take no place nor effect: but we both will and ordaine, and are well pleased, that the said Ecclesiasticks reenter incontinently and with­out delay, and that they shall be maintained in the actuall possession and enyoiance of the said goods so alienated, without being bound to restore the price of such sales; and this notwithstanding the contracts of vendition and sale, the which for this effect we haue abrogated and made voide: and that the said purchasors shall haue no remedy against the Heads by whose authoritie the said goods haue bene sold. And yet ne­uerthelesse for the disbursement of moneys by them truely and without faud layed out, letters patents of permission shall be granted to those of the said Religi­on, to sesse, and equally lay the said summes vpon them, whereunto the said sales shall amount: and the said purchasors shall not pretend any action for their dammages and interests for defaut of enioyance, but they shall be contented for the disbursement of those moneys by them furnished for the price of the said acquisitions or purchases: making good vpon the same price the fruits and benefites by them receiued, in case that the same vent and sale was made at too meane and vnequall a price

XCI.

And to the end that as well our Iustices and Offi­cers, as other our subiects, may be clearely and with all certaintie aduertised of our will and intention, and to remoue all ambiguities and doubts which may be cast by meanes of the precedent Edicts, by reason of the diuersitie of them, we haue and do cleare all prece­dent [Page 51] Edicts, secret articles, declarations, mode­rations, restrictions, interpretations, Iudgements, Registers, as well secret as other deliberations, here­tofore by vs or the Kings our predecessors made in Courts of Parliaments or otherwhere, touching the matter of the said Religion, and troubles happened within our said Realme, to be of no effect and validitie: the which, and all abrogations therein contained, we do by this our present Edict annihilate and abrogate, and and from this present, as then, we do reuoke, cashire, and annihilate, declaring expresly how our pleasure is, that this our Edict shall remaine firme and inuiola­ble, to be obserued and held not onely by our said Iu­stices and Officers, but also by other subiects, without depending or hauing respect to whatsoeuer may be de­rogant or contrarie to the same.

XCII.

And for the greater assurance of the obseruation and keeping thereof, which we ayme at, we will and or­daine, and it stands with our pleasure, that all the Gouernours and Lieutenants of our Prouinces, Bai­liffes, Stewards, and ordinarie Iudges of the Townes within our said Realme, incontinently after the recei­uing of this Edict, shall sweare euery one within their peculiar iurisdictions to obserue and keepe it: as also Mayors, Shiriffes, Deputies and Consuls, and Iurours of the Townes, whether annuall or perpetuall. We fur­ther enioyne our said Bailiffes, Stewards, or their Lieu­tenants and other Iudges, to cause the inhabitants of the same Townes both of the one and other Reli­gion, to be sworne to the embracing of this pre­sent Edict, presently after the publication thereof; [Page 52] taking all those of the said Townes into our prote­ction and safegard, and one to the protection and safe­gard of another: charging them mutally, and by publicke acts, to answer in comely manner to all oppositions that shall be made within the said Townes to this our said Edict, by any of the inhabitants of them, or else to commit into the hands of Iustice the said opposites.

We commaund our faithfull and beloued, those that keepe Courts of Parliament, Chambers of Ac­compts, and Courts of Aides, that presently after this Edict receiued all things ceasse; and vpon paine of annihilating the acts they shall otherwise performe, to minister the like oathes as aboue mentioned, and to cause our said Edict to be published and inrolled in our said Courts, according to the forme and tenor of it, plainely and sincerely, without vsing any qualifi­cations, restrictions, declarations, or secret Registers, nor attending any other iniunction or command from vs: and so we will our Procurors generall presently and without delay to require and prosecute the said pub­lication.

In like manner we impose our command vpon the said people keeping our Courts of Parliament, Cham­bers of our accomtps, Courts of aides, Bailiffes Ste­wards, Prouosts, and other our Iustices and Officers to whom it shall appertaine, and their Liuetenants, that they cause to be read, published, & enregistred this our present Edict and Ordinance, in their seuerall Courts and iurisdictions, and the same to embrace, obserue & keepe, from point to point, and to cause all such whom it any wayes concernes, fully and peace­ably [Page 53] to enioy the benefit of the contents thereof, ceassing and causing to ceasse, all lets and hinderances to the contrarie. For so our pleasure is. In witnesse whereof, we haue sealed these presents with our owne hand: and to the end it may euer continue for a firme and stable Act, we haue set and put to our Seale. Gi­uen at Nantes, in the moneth of Aprill, the yeare of our Lord a thousand fiue hundred fourescore and eigh­teene. And of our reigne the ninth.

Signed, HENRY.
And vnderneath, By the King sitting in Counsell. FORGET. And on the side. VISA. And sealed with the great Seale, in greene wa [...], vp­on labels of red and greene silke.

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.