The requestes presented vnto the Frenche Kinge and the Queene his mother, by the three rulers or triumuirat with an aunswere made to the same by the prince of Conde

¶ An aunswere made by the prince of Conde , to the request presented by the thre Triumuirat .

ALthough by sundry writinges which haue ben published , and by other meanes also I haue largely declared the causes which moued me to put on armoure , and there wythall vnder what condycions I was ready to lay of the same & to wythdrawe my selfe vnto my house : yet could I neuer get of theim whiche haue the kynge and queene in their power and custodye other language then threatning words and such as were full of reproch and menasing . And especially at my first being at Orleans , before they had vnderstandinge what my meaning was they sente hether letters and so straite commaunde mentes and in so outragious termes as if they had had a do with robbers by the highe waye or common theeues . But whan they perceaued that I set at naught their vndiscrete behauiour , and that neyther theyr anger ne craftes coulde tourne me from the way which I had already taken ( whiche was to continue in my iuste and reasonable request , grounded not vppon myne owne affectyon or profite , nor vppon mine ambicion , but vppon the zeale that I haue and oughte to haue vnto the libertie of the king and queene and vnto the wealthe and quietnesse of their subiectes ) they deuysed to presente vnto theyr maiesties a certayne writing , the whych they call a requeste , with all humilitie and reuerence , but except a man loke wel on it , and he do but lightly passe ouer it , a man woulde take it rather for a decree then a request , that is to say a determination concluded and decreed by the thre peticioners which ar the duke of Guise , the Constable , and the Marshall . S. Andre with the legate the Popes messagier , and the embassadour of the straungers . But they which by the space of these sixe monthes passed haue marked their practises and conueiaunces can beare wytnesse , and that according to the truth that this conclusion was grounded not vpon any zeale towardes the faith or religion , but rather vpon the crafte , subtiltie , and ambicion of the foresayde three peticioners , who seinge them selues out of the court , not for any displeasure whiche they had there receaued , but bicause they could neuer in any time endure that a prynce of the bloudde royall shoulde remayne nere aboute the kynge , and also for that they sawe well that the Queene wente about rather the kinges profyte and the comforte of hys people , than to please them , or ( that I may more truely speake ) to satisfy their couetousenesse already knowen & abhorred of euery man : they laid their heades together , and sought awaye howe they might be restored to their power , and recouer their aucthoritie to commaunde euerye man in more ample wyse then eeuer they had done theretofore . And for that they wel vnderstode that they could loke for noo helpe at all , neyther of the people , nor yet of the nobylitie , and that all honeste pretence , all meanes , all fauour and assistence of the kinges subiectes woulde faile them ( so well haue they behaued them selues syth the time of their gouernaunce ) they grounded theyr purpose and enterprise vpon religion , trustinge that the prestes & suche as depende vpon them and haue gayne by theyr order , woulde aide them with men and money . And to assure theym selues the rather of the victorye , they cauled vnto them straungers to be partakers of their practises , ( whyche thynge shall one daye be scene and iudged , to the ende they which come after vs may take example therof ) and so being prepared and trusting vpon folishe and vain hopes , they determined to call vnto theym all theyr frendes , as they haue sythe doone from all partes of this realme , howe bee it the number of theim was not verye greate . They appoyncted to visyte the kynge and queene beinge so furnished and accompanied as that no manne durste be bolde to wythstande what so euer it shoulde please them they shoulde commaunde . And for the more assuraunce of their longe raygne , they made a rowle of all suche as should suffer deathe , and of them whych should be banyshed , and of an infinite number of others whiche they purposed to putte oute of theyr offyces and estates and depryue them of theyr goodes . Emongste the firste number was the Chauncelour and diuers good men of the priuy counsell and other which were in honorable place and estymation nere aboute theyr maiesties . The men were alredy chosen and appoincted which should supply the rowme of them whych they purposed to murther or exile . And it pleased god that they should shewe their good iudgement by the sixe whiche they chose to be of the pryuye counsell in place of other syre whych they purposed to put oute of the same . The comparison of the one parts vnto the other is suche that children are compelled to make songes of them .

The queene shoulde haue ben sente vnto Chenonceau , there to haue occupyed her selfe in makyng of gardeynes . My lorde the prynce de la Roche Surion , a prynce of the bloude royall , a man wyse and of greate vertue shoulde haue bene remoued from the kynge , and the place which he hath , ben geuen and appoincted to others which shoulde haue taught the youth of his maiestie , neuer to here speake of god nor of any suche thing as might nourishe his wytte , whiche of it selfe is enclined to all goodnes and godlinesse . And yet muche lesse shoulde he haue ben taught to vnderstand his own affaires , and how he should vse his men as his ministers and not as his masters , to geue audience to euery one to honour his Nobilitie , to leue armes because of necessitie , to mainteine Iustice , to comforte his people , and to fauour the pore especially and to defende theim from all oppressions and vyolence , and aboue al other thinges not to suffer any Idole to remaine nere about him , that is to say , a man whiche maketh the kynge , and who vnder pretence of frendshippe or longe seruice vsurpeth his auctoritie ouer his subiectes . Suche is the bringynge vp whiche the queene hath bestowed vpon the kinge and whiche offendeth these gentil men verye muche , who desire rather to frame him for their owne toothe , and to make a kinge of him whiche can daunse well , ryde a horse , beare his staffe wel , make loue , loue ( as they say ) his neighboures wyfe better then his owne , and in the rest to be all together ignorante . For it is not syttynge for a kynge ( saye they ) to haue knowledge in any thynge at all . Let hym kepe his reputation with vsinge a certaine notable grauitie towardes pore people , who haue to do with hym . Let him auaunce his seruantes , & commytte vnto theym his affaires and the whole gouernemente of his realme , let him neuer giue audience to any man let hym neuer looke vppon any letters , neyther subscribe theym with his owne hande , to th entent he neuer vnderstand the deceptes whiche be vsed and passe vnder his owne seale . Lette him esteme onely twoo or three whiche he shall him selfe chuse , whoo shall be at debate one with an other for the pryncypall place of hys fauour , or for the especial meane and aucthoritie to robbe and polle . Let hym be prodigall towardes those whom ●e fauoureth : but nygardely and myserable towardes all others . Lette him be cruell towardes hys people and spoyle theym of all theyr goodes . Lette the estates of iudgemente be solde for readye money , into the handes of ignoraunte men , couetouse and ennemies of iustice . And fynallye lette the kynges house be tryumphant in vanitie and superfluitie of garmentes and other ornamentes , & a receptacle of men of euyll lyfe and behauyoure . I speake not these thynges without cause , but euery man may wel vnderstande what I meane , & the queene alredy knoweth the newes .

These lordes therefore who presente this request , haue made this goodly faction more hurtefull and noysome vnto this realme , and therewithal more blud dye than euer were the factions of Sylla or Cesar , or the Triūuirat of Rome , whiche sithe chaunced , the whiche they had erecuted before this time , if god had not geuen me the grace to withstand them . And surely I maruaile greatlye at their boldnes & with what face thei dare speke in presence of the quene such thinges as they do speke . But more I wonder at the pacience of the forsaid lady who can endure to here them , especially where as from the time that they first beganne their prac 〈…〉 ses she hath ben aduertised and had intelligence day by day of that which they haue done and purposed to doo . And at this present she receiueth their glosing● wordes euen so as though she had neuer ben made priuie of theyr purposes , wherin she declareth euidentlye that she is a prisoner in dede , and more then a prisoner . For she taketh vpon her as though she neuer eyther vnderstode or suspected so wicked an acte , and suche one as deserueth publike reuenge , wherof she hath ben fully informed . And if she had not ben afraide lest she should haue ben strangled in her bedde ( as she hath ben many tymes thretened , wherein I reporte me to her othe ) she wolde not haue missed to haue denied their requeste , and to cast in their teethe that they haue ben the causers of al this trouble by their cou●tousnesse and ambicion . And sithe the danger wherein presently she remayneth , is cause that she can not eyther dare not as knowledge the facte as it is in dede , and aunswere vnto theym , who with fayre and flatteringe wordes cloke these matters : I am constrained for the mayntenaunce of the kinges aucthoritie & hirs , to make aunswere vnto their request in the name of theyr maiesties : of whose liberties I haue taken vpon me to be a defendour emongst others . Trustynge that if the foresaide peticioners wyl not acknowledge theyr faulte , God wyl assist me , and fauour the good minde and purpose which he hath geuen me , & that all the kynges good subiectes wil ioyne with me to delyuer this pore realme out of the handes of theym who woulde becomme tyrantes ouer it .

¶ In the beginning of their writing , to giue therby the more glosse and auctoritie vnto their woordes they declare their qualities , they make mencion verye honourablye of their greate and faithfull seruices , and wil that according to their deedes hearetofore men shall presentlye geue iudgemente of their myndes and purposes .

¶ But they neded not to haue made soo goodlye a beginning ( according to theyr owne iudgement ) to bring to passe therof so euyll an ende . For if they were yet greater than they are and their seruices worthye more commendation than they speake of , yet shoulde it not folowe that their fault which is present and so great and euydent should therfore be coucred , much lesse alowed as a good and reasonable work . And though some amongst them haue done seruice ( as surely I wil alwaies confesse that they haue ) & haue neuer receaued any recompence for the same : yet must they not presently seeke it by the vndoynge of the kynge and the ruyne of his whole realme . But thankes be to god they be so good husbandes all three , and so muche euermore regarded their own profite that they haue not taryed so longe before they asked and obteined their rewarde . My witnesses bere in are two hundreth and fyfty thousand liures in rentes , and a Million of golde in mouables , whiche at this daye ouer & aboue that whiche their fathers left them , besides three hundreth thousande liures in rent which their kinsemen possesse of the goodes of the church . And if they be not content with the goodes & honours which they haue receiued at the handes of our kings hertofore but for the ful aunswere of their naturall disposition wee must moreouer accompt emongst the rightes of reward certaine particular reuenges , in this behalf also they haue been satisfied to the ful . Let them cal to their remembrance a number of good and notable men whiche onely at their request without charge or information haue ben committed to prison , a number of houses decayed and of honourable famelyes empouerished during the raines of king Frauncis the first , Henry , and Frauncis the seconde . So that they haue vsed the fauours of their maiesties not onely in aduauncing and enrichinge them selues : but also in enpouerishing of others and reuenging their priuate quarelles .

And if they wyll ( as they say ) that their purpose be knowen by theyr doinges here tofore , it may be easely iudged that their enterprise is such as all the kinges good subiectes and seruauntes oughte to oppose them selues vnto , and withstande in all that they are hable .

¶ Afterwarde they saye that an euident and ineuitable ruine is greatly to be feared if it be not by them spedely preuented and remedied . And to this ende they present certaine articles with all humilitie and reuerence . But if a man shoulde aske them whoo were the cause of their ruine and who it is that hathe soughte and procured it ? If they would saye the trueth they shoulde be compelled to lay the blame therof vpon them selues . For after the publication of the statute concluded in Ianuary there was an vniuersall peace and quietnes throughoute all this realme . And a twoo coople of you ( that is to say the Constable of Fraunce and the Marshall . S. Andre ) can not denye but that so longe as they thoughte that those whiche were of the reformed religion would not be content with the order taken so long they toke vpon them to be pleased with it and to alowe it and swore betwixt the Queenes handes ( as did also the king of Nauarre and all the reste of the counsayle , that they woulde cause it to be mainteyned in the countreys appointed to their gouernaunce , & that they wolde neuer speake for dispensation or abrogation of the same for eyther the one parte or the other . But soo sone as they sawe and perceued that the professours of the relygion aforesayde , obeyed readely the kynges commaundement , they went about to exasperate the contrary faction . Howebeit they had so fewe to folowe theym that they coulde fynde no man fytte to be their mynister , but onely the Prouost of the marchauntes , Marcel , and. x. or . xii . porters , so that the Duke of Guise hym selfe was faine to take the matter in hand at Uassy , and there to cutte in peeces the poore people as they were at their prayers .

The Constable because he could not entrappe the churche of Paris , wreaked his anger vpon the pulpittes of the prechours and vppon the houses where the assemblies were made , whiche he caused to be sette on fyer , and certayne houses of suche as professed the foresaide relygion to be spoyled . And it is not to be marueyled that the reuenge hath benne made vpon Images in diuerse partes of this realme . wherefore if they thyncke that the diuision of the people be the ruyne which they say is euydent , they them selues are the authours therof , & so they ought to be taken and blamed therfore . And as for the humilitie and reuerence whiche they vse towardes the kyng and Queene , hitherto I haue not seene that they haue obeyed any commaundement geuen them by the saide lady . But well I wotte they haue al three refused to go vnto the countreis commytted to theyr charge and gouernaunce , and I knowe also well that they woulde not come to Monceaux as I my selfe dyd at the quenes commaundement .

¶ They cam to Paris in armes against her commaundement , and thence wolde they not depart for any prayer that mighte be made vnto them , where as I came away from thence obeyinge the willes of their maiesties . They went to the king and queene beinge accompanyed with a bande of men in armes , althoughe they had expressely ben forbede the same .

They brought them from Fontaineblean to Melun , and from Melun to Paris , & that wholly per force . In whiche thing I reporte my self vnto the conscience of the queenes maiestie , and to her othe or word at such time as she shal be at libertie , so that she may safely say the trueth . They had rather see ciuil warre within this realme , yea so farre forth that they brynge forainers into the same , than be content to withdrawe them selues home to theyr howses without deminishing of their goodes or estates . Loe this is the reuerence and humilitie of them whiche presente the foresaid requestes . This is the ; eale whiche they beare to the saue-garde of the kinge as they saye , whome they loue & honoure so much that rather than they wyll go home they will se his realme in daunger of ruyne which they saye is euident and not possible to be auoyded . This is the loue whiche they beare to theyr countrey , into the which they brynge foraine power to pylle and spoyle it ( and if god holde not his hande ouer it ) to subdue and vtterly destroy it .

¶ Syth they require a decree which shal remayne for euer vpon th estate of relygion . And where as wee required that that shoulde be obserued whiche is alredy made vntyll the kynge shoulde come to age , they aunswered that it was an vnciuyle and an vnreasonable requeste , for that it is in the kynges power and wyll to change , lymitte , enlarge and restrayn his decrees when so euer he thinketh good . And that we in requyrynge that that whiche is alredye decreed by him and his counsel should be kept and obserued durynge his nonage , desyre to kepe his maiestie in pryson & captiuitie . And yet this notwithstanding they will that the decre which thei thre haue made shal remaine in force & vnchanged for euer . But if the reason which they aledge againste vs are to be receaued , we wyll also by the selfe same conclude that they them selues wil keepe the king prisoner both in his nonage and lawful age . But by like they thinke they are able to master and keepe at commaundement not onely the kynges person but also the whole realme . Seing that in a thinge of so greate weighte and whyche bringeth with it so many inconvenience , they dar● take vpon them to present a decree allowed onely by them thre . what more did euer August . Marke , Antonius and Lepidus , whan by their wicked & shamful triumuirate they subuerted the lawes & common wealthe of Rome . If they had ben mooued with a good and peasible zeale ( as they say ) & not sedicious , with a zeale of religion and not of ambition , they woulde neuer haue begon with rigorous punishement as they haue done , they woulde haue cume vnarmed and presented them selues with all humility and reuerence : They would haue declared the causes which moued them to mislike the decre of Ianuary . They woulde haue humblye besoughte the kinge and Queene to consider with their counsel , with the aduyse of the parlementes and of other estates . If any other meane mighte be founde to remedie these troubles , to the conseruation of Goddes honour with the sauegarde and encrease of the kinge and of this realme . And in so speaking they shoulde haue shewed that they had ben ledde by none other affection , but onely by the zele of their consciences . But their maner of proceadinge sufficiently declareth that their religion serueth them to gette folowers and partakers and to so we strife and diuision amongest the kynges subiectes , and with the one part hauing the straungers ther unto adioined , to make them selues lordes of the whole : vnto whom I am constrained to say that the princes of the bloude royall ( vnto whom they haue euermore ben enemies and thrust them backe in al that they might ) will in no wise suffer that & strange nation and such as be not called to the gouernaunce shall take vppon them to make statutes and ordinaunces in this realme . Moreouer they wyll and require that the churche of Rome ( which they call the catholicke and apostolicke Church ) be onely receaued and acknowledged in Fraunce , and that they which professe the reformed religion be excluded from preaching & receuing of the sacramentes . It is a duke of Guise an outlandishe prince , a lorde of Montmorency and a lorde of S. Andre which make an ordinaunce contrary to the decre of Ianuarye , which was agreed vpon by the king and the quene his mother , the king of Nauarre , the princes of the bloudd● royal with the kinges counsel , & forty of the chiefe of all the parlementes . They be three whiche make an ordinaunce againste the requeste presented by the estates , that is to say the nobility and the third estate at Orleans firste , and sith at S. Germaine . The whiche two estates require that it wyll please the kynges maiestie to giue and appoyncte churches for them that professe the forsaid reformed religion . They are three whiche make an ordinaunce that can not be executed with out ciuile warre and with out putting the realme in daunger of euident ruine . And they them selues see it and confesse it . Lo thus is the realme bounde vnto them , and this fruit bringeth forth their konwledge and good zeale ( or that I may more trulye speake ) their practises , their conueyaunces and ambition of rule and commaundement .

¶ The Duke of Guise and hys bretherne takinge vpon theym this enterprise to banishe awaye the professours of the refourmed religion , what good zele so euer they pretend to haue can not deny but that they willingly go aboute to trouble and bring into daunger this realme , wher as they se that in the lyke enterprise their matters had so euyle successe in Scotlande . In the which contrey the one parte and the other liued in peace vnder the obedience of that good and vertuouse princesse the queene dowagier , vnto such time as it was by the aucthoritie of the forsayd Guise published and proclaymed that the kyng minded not to permit that any other religion wer receaued in the sayde contreye but onely the religion of the churche of Rome , whyche was cause that a certayne smal number of people of the common sort rise and put themselues in armes , who were by the prudence of the saide lady and the helpe of the nobilitie within short time dispersed . This beginninge might haue serued for an admonition to the sayde Guise of the daunger whiche mighte ensue of greater troubles , if they geue not ouer theyr enterprise , of whiche thinge yet not withstandinge they would take no regarde at all : but ( contrarywise ) beinge in greater heate than euer they were theretofore writ vnto the sayde lady verye sharpe letters blaminge her for that she had vsed to much gentlenes , especially in the quarell of religion . And that for the amendes of her faultes passed it was needeful that she shoulde bluddie her handes vpon them especially whiche were the chefe . And for this purpose they sente vnto her the bishoppe of Amiens , and M. de la Brosse , whoo to declare theym selues at their firste cumminge good catholickes of the Romishe secte , they woulde haue constrained euery man to cum to masse . They obiected oftentimes to the said lady and to M. de Oysel that thei had marred al. They proclaymed their purpose which was that they would vse force and constraint in the matter . The bishoppe of Amiens as the popes legate lokynge for the bulles of his legacie , promised that he would refourme the most parte of them which he said were out of the way . M. de la Brosse promised within the space of one moneth to banysh them which woulde not be refourmed .

And for so much as couetousenes is euermore the companion of crueltie , they cast a pleasant eye vpon the landes and possessions of the nobilitie . They wryte vnto them who had sent them that by taxinge the people and putting to death out of the way such gentylmen as fauoured and folowed that reformed religion , meane might be found both to encrease the kinges reuenues two hundreth thousand crownes by yere , & to furnyshe a thousand frenche gentilmen with houses & goodes , who might continuallye dwell there and serue as an ordinarie garrison of men of war . This condition was wyllingly receiued & well lyked and alowed , to the great commendation of theym who were the authours therof . And notwithstanding al demonstrations that the foresaid lady and M. de Oysel were hable to make , that the Scottes coulde nat so easely be brought vnder yoke , but that if they went about to constrayne them they wold put them selues into the handes of strangers , by whose ayde to assure them selues of the whole they wold banishe the name and obedyence of the churche of Rome , & that therupon they shulde put in danger the estate & so much as aperteined to the aucthoritie of the king & queene . Al this was mislyked & reiected . The queene was a good gentylwoman but she hadde marred all . M. de Oysell was but a fole without all vnderstandynge , because he wolde not lose that whiche he had by his labour and diligence kepte so longe . In conclusion these gentilmen ( who se so far in a mylstone ) handled the matter so wel by their wytty deuises , that the chief and greatest part of the nobilitie aryse and in armes & ioyned them selues with their ancient ( and that I maye so say ) with their natural enemies . And within short tyme dryue away all their priestes , who might wel inoughe haue liued and continued in their estate , if they coulde haue ben contente with a common peace betwyxte the one parte & the other . So that bothe the name of Guise & the name of the churche of Rome was sent backe agayne on thys side the sea . And so those folke which wold haue had all to them selues lost al.

Hereof shuld the duke of Guyse and his brethern haue taken example and haue acknowleged the fault which he committed in putting the realme of Scotland in dangier , & shulde haue kepte in those wordes whiche so many times they haue rehersed and publisshed : whiche are that th one of these two religions muste of necessitie be banished out of the realme of France , and that th one part must nedes geue place to thother . These wordes are not sitting to be spoken of a subiect or seruaunt . These are the wordes of a king , being in his ful age & auctoritie , who hath been aduised not onely by his ordinaries counsel , but also by the wisest of that thre estates of this realme . For in such a matter wherein commeth in question the diminishing of the force of a king & of the halfe ( I speke of the least ) of his nobilite & of the people which is able to serue , we must not go so generally and roundly to work , as wel because there is no king which feleth not as sensibly such a losse , as if a man cut away the halfe of his limmes from his own bodye , as also consideringe the daunger whiche shoulde ensue ( at the leaste at this presente tyme ) where as our kyng by reason of his tender age ruleth onely according to the opinion and affection of an other man ) that this halfe seinge it selfe persecuted dyd not instede of departure and geuing place , take courage and driue out the other . And as concernyng the estate of the Romishe relygion , they whiche go about by force of armes to plant the same onely in this realme , put it in danger of dimynishing euery day more and more , in that they tōmytte it vnto the force and defence of armes . And it had ben farre better to haue kept the one & the other in peace & vnion , & not to haue disputed of these matters any other wise but with paper & parchment & not with manslaughter & effusion of blud , which ( peraduenture ) hath prouoked the anger of god and called vpon his vengeaunce in suche sorte , that the priestes and the other of their order ( who might haue liued quietly in their charges and enidyed their goodes ) shall be the fyrste whiche shal susteyne the daunger of the folly , and ( that whiche is worse ) of the rage of the people . And what soo euer come to passe hereof , the protection of these gentilmen the peticioners can not but brynge vnto them a certain losse and the danger of an huge ruine . For seynge they were once assured that they shoulde not be troubled or molested in their lyuing , in their charges , nor in their goodes : they could not say that they hadde any occasion at all to complaine , excepte they wyll take vppon them that they were moued with compasshion for the losse of our soules . But how is it come to passe that they are lately become so carefull , where as there is neyther byshop nor curet emongst them who can proue that he hath heretofore regarded theym any thynge at all .

Seing therfore that it was of our parte determyned that no man shoulde in anyewise trouble them , what neded you to name them in this quarell and to couer your selues with the name of them & of the church of Rome ? Is not this the way to prouoke and kindle the one part against the other ? Is not this the way to make this order odiouse to the whole people which already is to muche offended with it ? Is not this the way to kyndle ( if god do not set to his helping hand ) emongst them which lyued in peace , the lyke furyouse hate vnto that which was in Scotlande . And what so euer chaunce therof seinge it is so that one of the two partes must nedes be banished & that the petycioners wyl haue it so , ther neuer chaunced in this realme so piteous● a spectacle as that is lyke to be . Is there any profit in the world , is there any commoditie , is there any power ( yea and if it were for the king him selfe ) that ought to be bought so deare and with such a ruine and desolation ? What pardones , what in dulgences , what bulles of the pope can euer recompence the losse of the bloud whiche shal be shedde for this quarell ? These thre peticioners may saye vnto the kinge sometime hereafter that in the defence of that which no man did assault in maintenaunce of the religion of Rome ( which no man troubled nor letted ) they haue caused him or would haue caused him to lose the halfe of his nobilitie and of the best of hys maiesties subiectes . A man may and that according to the trueth lay to their charge that euen as with their fayned and false opinions they put the realme of Scotland in daunger of an euident ruine , and were causers of a great and piteouse effusion of bloude , so wyth the same opynyons , the same purpose , the same mynysters theye haue cast the apple of discord amidde this realme , & so haue instigate one against an other that these thre peticioners and their ministers shal be noted to posteritie as the onely authours of all the harmes and inconueniences which shal chaunce both to those that be of the refourmed church and also of the church of Rome .

Moreouer least they should faile to cause troubles ynough , they require that all officers , whether they be of householde , of ordinaunce , of iudgement , of finaunces , and others hauing administration or commission , & likewise prelates of the church shall make confession of their fayth . And they which delay or refuse the same , shall be depriued of their estates and pensions , and the men of the churche of their benefyces . These be three priuate personnes , which make a law contrary to the lawes of this realme . For it hath neuer ben eyther seene or vnderstoode that the kynges heretofore haue at any tyme constrayned their subiectes to make other confessyon of their Fayth eccept onely their ordinarye beliefe or Credo . This lawe is contrary to the lawes of the churche , I vnder stande of the churche as they do that is taken of the general counsells and of those auncient fath●rs whiche they allowe .

Wherfore he who endyted theyr request , who is of so great knowledge shuld haue brought some example therewith to haue cloked his wycked pourpose , the whiche in dede he canne not do excepte he brynge into this realme the inquisicion of Spain . The whiche was iudged so vniust of al other nations that not one emongest them all would vse or accepte it . And yf I shall say the trueth this law is the trappe whiche they hadde sette at Orleans sumwhat before the death of king Frauncis lately deceassed , the which can tende to no other but to the ruine and vtter subuersion of al the kinges subiectes . For the foresaid peticioners do knowe wel that there be ten thousande gentle menne and an hundreth thousand men after them able to beare armoure , which neither for force nor authoritie will euer forsake the religion which they haue receaued . Neyther wil they suffer that eyther preachinge administration of the sacramentes be taken from theym . And the kynge beinge vnder age as he is there is no man that hathe aucthoritye to commaunde them to avoyde the realme , yea they wyll defende theym selues with the sworde againste them who in this behalfe wil abuse the aucthoritie of his maiestie . This great and notable companye can not be ouercome ne vanquisshed , if it so come to passe ( which god forbidde ) with out the ruine of these whiche shall assayle them . So that the straungers the whiche they haue already called ( which is treason and an offence worthy of death ) shal beare away the fruict of this ciuile warre . And for a conclusion speakinge as I doo bothe for my selfe and for a number of great lordes of thys realme , and for ten thousande gentelmen and other of oure trayne who will liue and die in thys quarrell . I saye that the forsayde decree was made by thre priuate persons who by their aucthoritie haue broken them whyche were made by the kynge and hys counsell . And because they woulde execute it before they had by lawful consultacion approued it they put on armure & toke by force the kinges person . I say moreouer that the foresaide decre is against the lawes of this realme , that custome of whole christendome againste the decre of Ianuary , against the requeste of the estates , against the quietnesse & securitie of the kinges subiectes , & agaynst the concience , the honour , the life & goodes of an infynite number of honeste people , who haue sought to brynge some to deathe , to driue others out of their contreys vnder that cloke & pretence of concience and religion . This decre also is made against the libertie of going to the general counsell . The which he that gaue them the aduise should haue better marked . For if it be sayd that in thys realme suche confession of faythe as they require shall be made with declaracion of maintenaunce of the doctryne and ceremonyes of the churche of Rome , it is a sentence geuen against them of the refourmed churche . wherfore neyther our ministers nor the ministers of other nations muste not go to the generall counsel , seing they are condemned before they be hearde . But before that the saide duke of Guise and the Cardinall his brother can sette foorth this decree of confession they muste renounce a number of artycles of the confession of August which they agreed vpon at Sauerne and promised a great prince of Almaine that they would cause theym to be obserued in Fraunce . And if they wil denie this let them put it in writinge and they shal be answered by them vnto whom they made the promise . The saide Cardinall must also put in writinge that it may be sen and publisshed whether he remaine in the same minde the whiche he ones hertofore declared vnto the quene in the presence of a great sorte of honest● men touching the articles of transubstanciacion , of the keeping and bearing of the holy sacrament of Iustification , of the Inuocation of Saintes , of purgatorye , of Images , of al whiche articles he spoke contrary to the opinion of his catholike , apostolike Romishe Churche .

¶ In the request not muche after thys is made mencion of the breakynge of Images . And requeste is made by theym that presented it that the damages shoulde be recompensed and the offendors punished . Where vnto I will aunswere this worde that the bloudde of them who breoke the foresayde Images the whiche was shedde by the handes of certayne of oure retinue who woulde haue stayed them and syth by auctoritie of iustice in the same place of Orleans , wyll beare wytnesse euermore before god and before men , howe greatly suche executions done by the ignoraunte people alwayes myslyked me for manye respectes , and specially because the same was contrary to the decree of Ianuary , & also to an assosiation which we had caused be published a fewe dayes before . But if the breakynge of Images deserne any restitution and punishemente ( because it is done contrary to the kynges ordynaunce ) what punishement loke they for who garnyshe them selues so well with the name of the kyng : for the murthers the which partely by them selues , and partely by their example and motion haue ben committed at Uassy , at Sens , at Castesna de Arry , and at Angiers . In whiche places it is well knowen that betwixt men & women there haue ben slayne aboue . v. hundreth persones for none other occasion but for religion . He who made the request should haue examyned his owne conscience and haue acknowledged that it is not found that the deade image did euer crye vengeaunce but the bloude of man ( which is the liuely image of god ) requireth it in heauen , & as it were pullith & causith it to come at that length although it be for a time let passe .

¶ Than the peticioners or ( that I may speake more truely ) the commaunders require that their armure shal be taken from them who haue borne the same withoute the expresse commaundement of the kinge of Nauarre , and that they whyche haue worn armure in that manner be declared rebelles and ennemyes to the kynge and realme . Now would I aske of these lords who say they are so wise & so gret frendes of the common wealth . If their requeste tende not to take a waye all hope of agrement , Seing they require that I and they whiche be with mee be declared rebelles & ennemies to the kinge and realme . For they say not that they which will not leaue of their armoure , but that they which be in that sorte armed , shal be declared rebelles . Which is an article that deserueth an other maner of answeare than by writinge , wherfore I trust within fewe daies to go and meete with theym , and dispute with them with the sworde whether it be meete that an outelandishe manne with a couple of meane mates such as they are to pronounce a prince of the bloudde royall and the two partes of the nobilitye of this realme rebelles and ennemyes to the king . Neyther behoueth it them to vse the name and authoritie of the kinge of Nauarre , to whom they haue bene continually deadly ennemies euen from the time of other kings . They haue thrust him backe and kept him behind so muche as possibly they mighte , yea in soo muche that they wold not make mention of him ne of hys rightes at such time as question hath ben as concerninge the conclusion of a treatie of peace . They cannot say that he euer obtayned at their hande any thing which he requyred , whether it were for him selfe or for an other . They can not say but that when soeuer occasion serued they put him beside the place which of duetie he oughte to haue commaunded were it in tyme of warre or peace . And for to make vp the matter , in the time of king Frauncis last deceassed they made as little count of him as if he had bene the poorest gentilman in this realme , and since they caused him by threatnings to come vnto them , they caused that no man durst be so bolde as to go out of Orleans to mete him . They forbed all knightes of the order and other gentilmen to vysite hym or communycate with him in any wise . They sent a marshall of Fraunce with a bande of horsemen & sore men to sease vpon his whole landes , & called in straungers to the spoile of the same as it is wel knowen to al the world . And seing their enterprise broken by the death of the forsayd late kyng Frauncis it is welknowen what counselles they helde to be faite him all together .

They continually so withstode him that he neuer could haue authority to command The foresaide prince of Guise by the counsaile of the Constable , saide nowe a yeare ago that he woulde not departe from the court neyther at the request nor commandemente of the kinge of Nauarre . The marshal of S. Andre said vnto him in full counsel . I wil obey the king and the quene & none other . And nowe they wyl vse his name for their profyte . Whome in times paste they haue so naughtely entreated . And they intende to vse the auctoritie of his name , therby to destroy his owne brother . And where as the foresaid lord king of Nauarre was so wel loued ( as euer he was ) they seeke meanes to make him hated of the moste parte of the nobilitie and people hoping that if they can wholly put him out of conceyte with them who haue so long and faithfully loued him , then they may well inough set him at naughte and handle him at their pleasure as they haue done in times past : but the deceipt wherby they thought to come to their purpose is disclosed and wel knowen & shal shortly be set forth and published throughoute all christendome , to the shame and confusion of suche as haue bene the mynysters thereof .

As touching their request that the king of Nauarre maye assemble force to put in execution the things before rehersed , they therin shewe euidently eyther great folye or a great desire that we neuer come toany agremente . For seynge they haue determined to constrayne by force of armes them of the reformed religion , to do that which they require they shoulde not haue tolde vs so before we had laide apart oure armes . For seinge they haue so plainely geuen vs to vnderstande their purpose we wil take hede that we be not deceiued and wil not lay of our harnesse ( but with very good tokens . )

¶ Theye require also that certaine other articles whiche shal be geuen by the court of parleament of Paris may be receaued , wherin they declare the littel regard that they haue to the queene and king of Nauarre & the kynges counsell . And I maruaile greatly that at the least they had no respect to the sixe great wise personages which they placed in the counsel , at whose handes I doubt not but a man might easelye receiue good and notable aduertisement . And I doubt not at all but that in the saide parlemente there be many good men , who in vertue and knowledge , represent the auncient integritie of the Senate . Howebeit the thre peticioners haue taken so good order therin that partly by benefices , partly by offices some sold and some halfe geuen and by other vnlawfull meanes , and not to be suffered in this realme , they haue made suche a number of friendes , that the good men be many times ouerlaide by the badde . And concernynge this matter it shal be sufficient to all edge that the legation hath ben twise refused , folowing the edicte made and confirmed at the requeste of the states , published and proclaymed in all the courtes of this realme . And ( that whiche is more ) their refusall was grounded vpon their consciences and the conscience of the kynge . And yet without loking for any other commandement but of a symple letter of the seale they haue receiued & approued it through the sollicitation and practises of these . iii. and their ministers . Loo what hope we haue that wee shall there fynde good aduise and counsell .

¶ By a remembraunce presented with their requeste they desire that the townes may be rendred into the kinges handes with newe othe of fidelitye . And they woulde gladlye ( as they dyd in the tyme of kynge Frauncis lately deceassed ) perswade the world that al they which will not endure their tirannie are the kinges enemies . It myghte suffice the duke of Guise and hys brethern that they haue ones already had the vse of thys craftye inuencion , to the greate displeasure of a number of honest● men . Whereas to defende them selues against suche as ought them euil will they couered theyr priuate quarell with the kynges . If anye manne were eyther by priuate or publicke iniury susspected onely to haue spoken euyl of anie of them , he was streight waye emprisoned , persecuted , and by letters patentes declared ennemie to the kynge and to the estate . And bycause this goodlye inuencion of theirs hathe once hadde good successe ( wherwith they hadde brought to passe greater matters if god hadde not put to hys helpinge hande ) they would nowe returne agayne to the same and although there be at this day no manne within this realme ( at the leaste emongest them whiche be of our side ) which is not readie to endaunger his lyfe and goodes in the seruice of the kinge , yet for al that they call vs rebelles . There is no man of oure parte ( as god is oure witnesse who woulde not with all hys heart hazarde his lyfe ) to saue and preserue hys maiestie from harme or daunger , whome we loue derely and honoure as a singuler and preciouse gift whiche god hath geuen vs . There is none emongest vs whyche hathe taken armes to aske anye thinge at all at the kinges hande ne at the queene● hys mother , ne yet at the kynges of Nauarre . Wee require to haue none other king ne other prince but him who is oure naturall lorde . We desire not to haue the custodie of his personne , neyther any aucthoritie of rule and gouernaunce . Wee require not the diminishing or releasinge of anye taxes , subsides or other ryght appertayninge vnto hym , but contra 〈…〉 wise our men haue neuer murniured what but then so euer haue bene layed vpon them . And they haue offered and presently offer , that they wyll wyth all their harte agree vnto al that it shal please him to require , so farre as their goodes and landes wyll stretche . The townes which are named to be rebelliouse , haue not chaunged their maister ne lorde , but acknowledge more gladly than euer heretofore the obedience whyche they ought vnto oure kinge . And who so shal se the Aunswere whiche they haue made , shal easely perceiue that their armes were not taken in hand against the kinge . They shall perceaue that we haue not required any thing which concerneth the person aucthority the gouernaunce or life of hys maiestee . They shall perceaue that oure armes are borne againste the house of Guise , the Coustable and Marshall S. Andre . And that doone with such modestie that wee seeke not their goodes their liues nor their estates . Wherfore he that wil say that we beare armes against the kinge ( as they woulde make men beleue ) muste needes confesse that hee is a slaunderour , or rather that he is willinge to helpe theym forwarde to vsurpe thys realme , and to take vppon them the name and doynges of the kinge . And those that shall counsell the kynge to receaue their protection , to graunte vnto them the vse of his name and aucthoritie , to lend them men and money against vs as though we made warre againste hys maiestye : suche counsellours I say ( chaunce whan it wil ) shal one day be called to iudgement wher they must declare howe they coulde ioyne the quarell of three priuate persons wyth the quarrell of hys Maiestye and of the whole realme . They muste also make accomptes of the money which shal be spent in thys warre , agaynste the decree of the estates and of the kynges counsel , to defende that which pleaseth these three priuate persons : for it is none other but their pleasure , that is to say , to be at the court or at home at theyr houses . And if suche counsaylours haue goodes wherewith to make aunswere . I truste that at the endethe warre shal be made vppon their charges and the charges of such as be principall authours therof . Upon whose goodes I hope to take so much as shal be spent and to restore the same vnto the kynges treasure to the comfort of the people .

¶ For th end & conclusion of their request they protest that if that which they desire be fully executed , they are ready to withdrawe them selues home to their houses . Yea ( if nede be ) to go to the worlds end . So that we nowe vnderstande when we may trust that they wyl withdrawe them selues . Than ( say they ) when the thynges beforesaid shal be done , accomplished , and executed . That is to saye , when the decree of Ianuary shal by their auctoritie be broken , when by their ordynances all the ministers shall be banysshed , when they which be of the reformed religion shal not be suffered to heare any sermon , nor to receiue the sacrament but of theym of the churche of Rome . When all that be of the foresaid religion shal be depriued of their estates , of their charges , of their offyces , and moreouer spoyled & sent home to their houses in open danger of the rage of them who wyll deuoure them , & cause them to lese their lyfe with their libertie if they incurre any offence . Interpreting offence ( as they haue in tymes past done ) not to come to the masse , the assembly of neyghbours together to make their prayers to god . Lo this is it that they call an offence . When we shal be proclaymed rebelles and ennemies to the kynge and realme , because we haue borne armoure and when thei haue taken away the same from vs , and that no man maye beare it but in the execution of their determinations . Loo these be the conditions whiche we may loke for at these noble mens handes . Lo this is the moste honest pourpose that they pretend . But they are wiser than to declare to what pas they purpose after warde to attaine . Nowe let my requeste be reported and set in comparison against theirs . I require the maintenance of the decree of Ianuary , and they wyl by their auctoritie breake it and disanull it . They require the decay and ruine of an infinite number of houses , as well of the nobylitie as of the thirde estate . I require & desire that all the kynges subiectes of what sorte so euer they be , may be mainteyned and kept in their estate and goodes , & defended from all iniurie and violence . They purpose to banishe all them that be of the reformed religion : And I desire that we may be reserued til the time that the king be come to full age , at what time we wil be ready to obey al that it shal please him to commaunde vs : & in the meane season that thei which be of the Romishe church be not troubled , molested , ne hindred , neither theyr goodes , nor in the exercyse of their charges . They require an armye , wherwith to execut that which they haue taken in hand , and consider not that they shal constrain an infinite number of good men to defende them selues . They consyder not the lacke of expenses : neyther the incommodities and ruines whiche ciuile warre bringeth with it . And ( that which is the worst of all ) they haue sent for and haue agreed together to cause forrain soldiours to come into the countrey , whiche is to say in plaine language , to geue this realme in praye vnto forayners . On the contrary parte I require not to haue men of warre remaine with mee . I spende not the kynges money , I call not straungers into my countrey : but haue refused to receaue suche as were offered me , as god is my witnesse . I prayed them that they shulde not come , and that they wold let others to comme eyther with me or agaynst me . And I require ( as I haue done euer heretofore ) that we may put awaye our armes as wel on the one parte as the other , beinge assured that on oure parte there shall neyther be rebellion ne disobedience , & that on our behalfe armes shall neuer be of such force and efficacie as the loue , the fidelitie , the obedience whiche we ought vnto our kynge , for whose sake we will neuer sticke to hasarde our lyues and goodes . And we haue geuen to vnder stande that we are not Ideotes , as it was reported , and that we are more hable to do hym seruice in his nede than they who wolde banysshe vs , with all their trayne and practises . They require that we may be proclaimed rebelles , they require oure lyues , our honours and consciences . We require nothing at al parteyning to their lyues , to their honours , to their goodes , nor to their consciences : neyther do wee wyshe them any more harme than that whiche we will binde our selues vnto , which is that they and we withdraw our selues home to our houses , folowing wholly the conditions which are written at large in oure declaration and protestations made heretofore , and sent to the kyng & queene . And thei can not say that their honour is therin any thinge touched at all . For seinge we also accept the same condicions , there remayneth no place for them to complaine or discontent them selues . Our request is iust , for so much as they came to their kynge ( as hath ben ofte reheried ) otherwise than accordynge to their duety , and with suche purposes as haue ben the causes of the troubles which we presently se . And they haue required and sought the vndoynge of so many good men , that notwithstandinge our requeste were not vpon so good a grounde as we suppose it is , yet ought we rather to displease . v. or vi . ( for so many they be ) than offende th● two parts of the whole realme . And they whiche be of the lyke sorte and force as be they them selues , who wolde banishe them acknowledge and confesse this daye that there is no way to assault them , much lesse to ouercome theym , without the ayde of forraines and straungers .

¶ And although ther be no like comparison of the on request vnto thother , forsomuch as the one is ful of iustice and equitie , the other of vniustice , tiranny and crueltie . And that they who presente the blouddy & violent requeste , meane for their pleasure & to bryng their purposes to passe to trouble this royalme : The other require nothing elles but a common rest and quietnes , and haue not taken armes but vpon constraynt and for to defende their lyues , their honours and their consciences . The queene may iudge which of that two requestes oughte to be receaued or denied . And wheras presently either because she is not at lybertye ( as shee is not in deede at thys time ) or for some other consideration shee can not gyue iudgemente hereof , neyther would displease them who haue presented them . May it please her maiestie , that these troubles may the rather be brought to an end , to cause the foresaid two requestes to be registred in the court of parlemente at Paris . That the decree of Ianuary bee mayntayned and kepte , and that the one parte and the other lay away their armes and withdrawe them selues to their howses till the kynge be come to ful age , that he may iudge who hathe done well & who euyll . Orelles that the queenes maiestie will geue iudgement herein with the aduise of the estates whiche shall for this intent be caulled together . This remedy is common to vs all , and no man shall haue occasion to complaine or discontent him self therwith . And may soo easely and readely be executed that he who wil not agre therunto , cannot deny but that he is ennemie vnto the kyng and realme . And it is not to be iudged that there is any man in the world ( if he be not caried away● wyth some pryuate affectyon ) but he wyll condempne all them that myght and woulde not slake this fire and flame which threateneth vs so many euilles and inconuenience . Moreouer euery man maye iudge who is the rebell and enemy to the kyng , whether he that offerethe to leaue hys armes & to withdrawe himself to his house , or he that will rather lose all then to lette go the praye whych he hath of the kinges person . And for so muche as in all ciuill war none other ende can be loked for , but such as is full of all misery and calamity , and that it is a harde matter to stape the handes and affections of Souldiours being prouoked against them who would become tirannes ouer them . I protest before god and before al men , that I am greatly sory & agreued to take armes and to leade theym who beare the same . And that I would wyth my bloud if I coulde take awaye the myserable effectes wherewyth the warre threateneth vs . But syth my requeste is not regarded , sithe mine ennemies will be my iudges and commaunde nowe adaies vnder the name and authoritie of the kinge . I protest that my purpose tendeth to none other ende but to set the king at such liberty as he was in now sixe monethes passed , to restore the gouermente to the queenes handes with the assistence of the king of Nauarre as was concluded by the estates . And to keepe & preserue the nobilitie and people from all tiranny & oppression of suche as be not called to rule & commaund theim . And that of thys whole enterpryse I looke not for nor wyll loke for ( but had rather die ) any priuate profite , neyther any purpose that tendeth to couetousenesse & ambition .

But I wyll referre all my doinges and the grace whiche god wyll geue me , vnto the honoure of god , to the seruyce of the kyng , and to the quietnesse and comforte of all his subiectes .

Ended at Orleans the. 19. of May . 1562. thus subscribed . Lois d' Bourbon .