The
French
Kinges
letter
sent
to
the
people
of
Artois
and
Henault
requesting
them
to
remooue
the
forces
gathered
by
the
King
of
Spain
from
the
borders
of
France
,
otherwise
denouncing
open
warre
.
MAisters
and
freendes
,
it
is
a
thing
honorable
,
and
the
duety
of
a
worthy
and
indeed
a
Christian
prince
,
to
spare
shedding
of
mans
bloud
,
and
to
reppresse
the
afflicting
of
innocent
people
,
as
much
as
hee
may
.
In
consideration
whereof
God
hauing
made
vs
to
be
descended
of
a
very
famous
,
couragious
&
Christian
race
euen
as
the
Kinges
our
predesessors
haue
excelled
in
godlinesse
and
vertue
,
so
we
imitating
them
,
are
desirous
to
crowne
our
actions
&
our
raigne
with
excelling
glory
:
We
therefore
will
not
only
call
to
witnes
Gods
diuine
maiestie
,
who
is
the
alone
searcher
of
the
hearts
of
Princes
,
but
we
are
content
also
,
(
depending
on
nothing
but
on
Gods
helpe
and
our
owne
sworde
)
to
make
all
the
worlde
iudge
togither
of
our
cause
:
&
among
other
we
appeale
to
you
,
who
can
best
iudge
,
and
ought
rightly
to
censure
,
being
our
nearest
neighbours
,
and
such
as
haue
more
knowledge
of
the
right
of
our
matters
than
all
other
.
You
know
that
about
fiue
years
past
,
God
by
his
holy
prouidence
hauing
put
the
scepter
of
France
in
our
hands
,
by
lawfull
succession
,
hee
charged
vs
immediatly
with
maintaining
the
iustest
quarrell
that
euer
prince
in
the
worlde
could
vndertake
,
binding
vs
to
pursue
the
reuenge
and
punishing
of
a
most
execrable
murther
and
parricide
committed
on
the
person
of
the
deceassed
King
(
our
most
honorable
and
Soueraigne
Lord
and
brother
,
of
most
christian
memorie
)
and
to
defend
our
royall
patrimonie
against
the
ambition
and
rebellion
of
those
which
would
haue
vsurped
the
same
,
who
afterward
spared
not
any
meanes
that
might
be
to
haue
obtained
their
purpose
.
And
albeit
that
euer
since
wee
haue
had
both
courage
,
and
the
same
right
and
abilitie
that
we
now
haue
,
to
reuenge
our selues
vpon
the
countries
and
subiects
of
the
King
of
Spaine
(
the
principall
author
and
enterpriser
of
this
war
)
yet
being
holden
backe
by
many
considerations
of
great
importance
to
al
Christendom
,
we
haue
chose
rather
to
beare
much
,
defending
our selues
but
simply
,
than
to
set
vpon
those
forcibly
,
to
whome
we
could
peraduenture
,
haue
procured
and
done
as
much
hurt
as
we
haue
receiued
at
their
hands
:
but
hoping
to
winne
them
or
moderate
them
in
the
end
,
through
our
sufferance
,
and
the
equitie
of
our
cause
,
which
was
approued
and
warranted
of
God
by
many
speciall
graces
and
conquests
that
it
pleased
God
to
grant
vs
ouer
our
enimies
,
yet
the
eagernes
and
stomachfulnesse
of
the
Kinge
of
Spaine
and
of
his
adherents
hath
ben
such
,
euen
since
our
turning
to
the
Catholicke
Romish
religion
,
that
perceyuing
the
cheefe
Citties
and
the
principall
Lordes
of
our
Realme
,
who
had
before
made
war
againste
vs
,
to
haue
now
sworne
all
fidelitie
and
obedience
:
yet
notwithstanding
,
in
steed
of
doing
as
the
duty
of
peace
and
of
good
neighbourhood
(
couenanted
by
our
predecessors
to
be
betwene
our
crownes
,
countries
and
subiects
)
did
will
him
to
haue
donne
:
euery
man
knoweth
,
howe
hee
hath
still
maintained
and
openly
set
on
fire
the
obstiuate
indenours
of
the
residue
of
our
traitors
,
hath
battered
our
forts
,
put
our
subiects
to
ransome
,
hath
prepared
and
gathered
togither
from
all
partes
forces
and
armies
,
for
to
enter
afresh
into
our
realme
,
and
only
for
our
sake
laboureth
to
destroy
the
town
of
Cambray
and
the
country
of
the
Cambresians
,
vsing
against
vs
,
our
freends
,
seruauts
,
and
subiects
,
all
deedes
of
an
open
euemy
.
Which
thing
being
so
,
as
we
cannot
nor
will
not
any
longer
forbeare
the
protection
that
wee
owe
our
subiects
and
our selfe
.
Wee
haue
also
determined
to
repell
the
iniuries
and
offences
which
we
receiue
by
the
same
meanes
that
they
are
offered
vs
.
But
calling
to
mind
the
olde
loue
and
affection
of
kings
our
predecessors
toward
you
,
and
your
good
will
and
duty
yelded
to
them
,
and
moreouer
it
being
manifest
that
you
be
a
little
faulty
of
this
war
,
you
must
endure
the
chiefest
and
most
fierce
assaults
,
when
it
shall
be
open
war
.
We
haue
ben
willing
to
dayn
of
the
proclamation
herof
for
your
sakes
for
to
giue
you
to
vnderstande
that
,
if
you
can
so
handle
the
matter
to
obtaine
that
the
army
gathered
togither
neare
our
fronters
,
by
commandemtnt
of
the
King
of
Spaine
(
by
whom
shall
be
no
lesse
annoied
than
we
doubt
to
be
)
may
be
remooued
far
from
vs
,
and
will
assure
and
promise
vs
,
that
they
shal
not
enterprise
any
hurt
against
vs
,
our
subiects
and
countries
,
the
Cittie
of
Cambray
and
the
country
of
the
Cambresians
nor
that
they
shall
not
fauor
our
traytors
:
then
wil
we
not
go
forward
with
our
proclamation
of
war
,
so
as
wee
may
see
the
same
take
effect
betweene
this
and
the
first
day
of
the
next
yeare
.
But
,
if
this
be
not
donne
wee
shall
bee
constrained
for
the
reasons
aforesaide
,
to
proclame
&
make
open
war
againste
the
Kinge
of
Spaine
,
his
subiects
,
and
countries
that
shall
abide
by
him
and
ayde
him
in
the
same
war
,
like
as
the
kings
our
predesessors
haue
donne
vpon
the
like
occasions
:
Protesting
before
God
and
his
holy
angels
,
that
we
shall
be
very
sorie
therefore
in
regard
of
the
euill
that
wee
foresee
like
to
ensew
vnto
Christendome
.
For
auoiding
of
which
,
wee
haue
don
that
a
Prince
louing
the
weale
of
Christendome
and
to
liue
in
concord
with
his
neighbours
,
could
haue
donne
.
You
shall
receiue
this
present
writing
one
of
our
trumpets
,
by
whome
if
you
shall
delay
to
make
answere
,
or
by
some
other
within
the
time
appointed
,
we
will
take
it
as
we
heare
from
you
.
So
we
pray
to
God
to
keepe
you
.
From
Amiens
the
xvij
.
of
December
.
1594.
THE
Kinges
Proclamation
.
A
declaration
of
the
French
kings
proclaming
open
warre
against
the
king
of
Spaine
and
his
adherents
,
with
the
causes
him
mouing
therto
.
THere
is
no
manne
in
this
Realme
,
nor
that
knoweth
any
thing
of
the
realm
but
knoweth
,
how
the
kinge
of
Spaine
not
hauing
beene
able
to
make
open
warre
,
&
so
to
destroy
France
(
which
God
hath
protected
and
defended
with
the
Kinges
thereof
,
of
happy
memorie
,
the
said
kinges
being
still
ayded
by
their
good
loyall
subiects
)
hath
raysed
vp
and
sette
on
fire
dissentions
and
partes
taking
in
the
same
,
whereby
he
thought
to
bring
the
realme
to
vtter
ruine
:
and
yet
doe
the
same
dissentions
greatly
trouble
the
realme
.
For
his
hatred
toward
vs
and
his
couetousnesse
,
haue
beene
so
vehement
,
that
not
onely
he
hath
spent
and
bestowed
many
large
summes
of
money
:
employed
and
wasted
his
principall
forces
and
Armyes
,
euen
so
farre
,
that
he
left
his
owne
countreyes
vnfurnished
:
but
also
he
hath
enterprised
vnder
a
colour
of
godlinesse
and
religion
,
to
attempte
openly
for
to
inuegle
from
time
to
time
,
naturall
Frenchmen
,
to
abandon
their
loyaltie
due
to
their
liege
princes
,
and
Souereigne
Lordes
(
a
practise
alwaies
wondered
at
of
all
nations
in
the
world
)
he
still
seeking
to
get
the
crowne
of
this
noble
realme
for
himselfe
,
or
for
his
.
Which
matter
he
began
to
attempt
immediatlie
after
the
decease
of
king
Frances
the
second
,
and
hath
euer
since
continued
the
same
by
diuers
meanes
sought
,
still
triumphing
and
abusing
the
minoritie
of
our
kinges
.
But
he
especially
manifested
the
same
,
and
made
it
plainelie
to
appear
,
a
little
before
the
end
of
the
raign
of
king
Henry
the
third
deceassed
,
of
most
christian
memorie
,
in
the
yeare
one
thousand
fiue
hundred
fourescore
and
fiue
:
for
the
Frenchmen
then
enioying
,
wholie
and
quietlie
,
Religion
,
Iustice
,
the
kings
great
fauonr
,
and
generall
rest
,
and
being
like
,
nay
assured
to
continue
in
this
happie
estate
to
their
owne
content
:
the
K.
of
Spaine
euen
then
vnder
false
forged
shewes
went
about
to
fill
all
the
Realme
with
fire
,
bloodshed
,
and
extreame
desolation
,
arming
the
Catholikes
one
against
another
;
yea
and
againste
as
Catholicke
a
king
as
euer
raigned
.
Wherupon
followed
his
wofull
death
,
which
will
bleed
continuallie
in
the
harts
of
those
that
are
right
Frenchmen
:
besides
other
murthers
spoiles
and
miseries
which
wee
haue
suffered
:
vnder
the
heauie
burden
of
which
,
France
and
Frenchmen
haue
and
should
haue
been
brought
to
yeeld
themselues
,
yea
to
haue
suffered
perpetuall
shipwracke
,
had
not
the
singular
grace
of
God
(
which
neuer
faileth
his
)
giuen
to
our
K.
and
souereigne
Lorde
nowe
force
and
valour
to
defend
coragiouslie
,
the
right
of
his
cause
with
our
liberties
,
goods
,
liues
,
houses
and
honors
:
and
to
bring
to
naught
the
vniust
purposes
of
the
said
king
of
Spaine
and
his
confederates
,
to
his
shame
and
their
confusion
.
So
that
France
may
nowe
be
in
hope
to
recouer
the
former
happie
estate
,
to
the
glorie
of
God
,
vnder
obedience
of
the
kinges
royall
maiestie
,
if
euery
body
wil
be
readie
to
yeelde
thereto
his
faithfull
endeuour
,
and
his
maiestie
employing
also
the
same
meanes
and
remedies
,
that
other
kings
his
predecessors
haue
in
times
paste
practized
,
for
to
defende
the
realme
against
the
ancient
enemies
thereof
.
Which
matter
considered
by
his
maiestie
,
together
with
the
tender
care
he
hath
of
maintaining
religion
,
his
owne
credite
,
the
defence
and
protection
of
his
subiects
,
whereof
hee
maketh
more
reckoning
than
of
his
owne
life
,
as
he
hath
often
hazarded
willinglie
,
and
is
still
readie
to
hazard
his
life
for
their
good
:
for
neither
the
kings
turning
to
the
same
religion
with
the
Spaniarde
aboute
three
yeares
since
,
nor
the
present
danger
that
threatneth
all
christendome
(
which
euerie
man
knoweth
to
haue
risen
through
the
discords
,
and
iust
gelousie
that
the
king
of
Spaine
his
ambition
hath
bred
euery
where
:
none
of
these
things
could
moderat
his
malitious
mind
against
this
realme
,
the
kings
maiesties
person
,
his
good
and
faithfull
subiects
,
the
people
of
Cambray
,
whom
his
maiestie
hath
taken
into
his
protection
,
against
whom
the
king
of
Spaine
and
his
people
vse
all
hostilitie
daily
continuallie
assaulting
them
violently
on
euerie
side
,
battering
and
taking
townes
,
leading
away
prisoners
,
putting
them
to
ransom
,
killing
his
subiects
,
raising
taxes
and
fines
vpon
them
,
and
dealing
in
al
things
as
a
sworne
enemy
:
yea
so
far
,
as
hee
hath
caused
attemptes
to
be
made
of
taking
awaie
his
Maiesties
life
,
by
trecheries
and
villainous
detestable
meanes
:
as
appeared
not
many
daies
past
:
and
worse
had
it
happened
,
to
the
greate
woe
of
France
,
had
not
God
the
true
protector
of
kings
,
wonderfullie
turned
aside
that
horrible
stroke
,
offered
by
the
hand
of
a
Frenchman
(
an
abhominable
and
monstrous
matter
)
but
driuen
to
that
act
by
a
spirit
most
voide
of
humanitie
and
indeed
Spaniardlike
,
euen
againste
the
kings
sacred
maiestie
.
The
king
therfore
herevpon
giueth
notice
to
all
those
vnto
whome
it
shall
appertaine
:
that
he
will
no
longer
forbeare
the
maintaining
of
his
honor
,
the
protection
of
his
subiects
to
whom
he
is
bound
,
&
of
the
people
of
Cambray
(
whose
part
he
would
defend
,
though
he
did
yet
longer
with
patience
forbeare
the
going
forward
with
the
attempts
)
seeing
those
of
Artoys
and
Henault
make
small
account
(
to
the
greefe
of
his
maiestie
)
of
exhortations
that
he
by
his
letters
was
about
to
make
them
,
that
they
should
putte
to
their
helping
hand
with
him
,
to
turne
awaie
or
appease
the
furie
of
war
,
raised
by
the
said
Spaniards
,
being
no
lesse
noysome
and
pernitious
to
those
of
Artoys
and
Henault
,
than
to
his
subiects
:
)
he
hath
determined
and
is
resolued
,
from
henceforth
to
make
open
warre
against
the
said
king
of
Spaine
,
his
subiects
,
vassals
&
countries
,
for
to
be
reuenged
vpon
them
,
of
wrongs
,
iniuries
and
offences
,
that
hee
and
his
haue
sustayned
at
their
hands
,
like
as
other
kings
his
predecessors
haue
done
vpon
the
like
occasions
:
vndoubtedly
trusting
that
God
who
knoweth
the
secrets
of
his
hart
,
and
the
equitie
of
his
cause
,
will
alwaie
assist
him
with
his
diuine
power
,
&
will
blesse
him
and
make
him
prosper
and
al
his
armie
,
with
the
helpe
of
his
good
subiects
.
In
regard
whereof
the
kings
maiestie
commaundeth
and
most
straightly
enioyneth
al
his
said
subiects
,
vassals
and
seruants
,
to
make
war
hereafter
against
the
said
king
of
Spaine
,
by
sea
,
and
by
land
,
and
against
his
countreys
,
subiects
vassals
and
adherentes
,
as
against
enemies
to
the
kings
person
and
his
realme
:
and
for
the
accomplishing
hereof
,
that
they
go
with
forces
in
to
his
saide
countries
,
to
assault
and
surprise
townes
,
Fortes
,
and
places
that
are
vnder
his
obeisance
:
and
there
to
leuie
taxes
,
fines
&
ransomes
:
To
take
his
subiects
and
seruants
prysoners
and
put
them
to
ransome
,
and
to
deale
with
them
like
enemies
,
euen
as
they
doe
and
would
doe
with
his
Maiesties
subiectes
and
friendes
.
Therefore
his
Maiestie
hath
forbidden
,
&
dooth
by
these
presents
streitly
prohibit
and
forbidde
,
all
manner
of
communication
,
entercourse
of
Merchandise
,
giuing
intelligence
,
company
keeping
,
or
dealing
with
the
saide
king
of
Spaine
,
his
adherents
,
Seruauntes
and
Subiectes
,
vpon
paine
of
being
taken
and
adiudged
Traytors
:
He
hath
also
reuoked
,
and
doth
by
thes
presents
reuoke
all
licenses
,
pasports
,
and
safe
conducts
giuen
and
granted
by
his
maiestye
,
or
by
his
Lieutenants
generall
or
other
,
being
contrarie
to
this
present
decree
,
declaring
them
hereby
to
be
of
no
value
,
forbidding
them
to
bee
holden
of
Magistrates
as
things
of
no
regard
,
after
fifteene
daies
expired
after
the
publishing
of
this
decree
.
Which
decree
he
hath
therefore
caused
to
be
proclaymed
with
sound
of
Trumpette
,
and
publike
Proclamation
throughout
the
Prouinces
and
frontiers
of
the
Realme
,
to
the
ende
that
none
may
pretend
ignorance
,
but
that
euerye
one
may
obserue
and
put
the
same
inexecution
,
vpon
paine
of
disobedience
.
Yeouen
at
Paris
the
xvii
.
day
of
Ianuary
,
1595.
Signed
Henry
Neusuille