The grand differences between France, Spain, and the Empire with their severall titles, claimes, and pretences to each others dominions, discussed and stated / by an impartiall hand ; very necessary for the cleare understanding of the present commotions, and the great affaires of Europe.

CHAP. I. The Princes that govern Europe

Paragraphe I.

Europe , the least of the three parts of the world known to the ancient Geographers , and the most Northerly , but the most populous , and that within which almost all Christendom is comprehended , hath on the South the Mediterranean Sea , and part of the Ocean , and begins at the Cap. St. Vincent , in the extremity of Portugal , in the Kingdom of Algarba , near the Strait of Gibraltar , where the Mediterranean Sea begins , which takes several names , as it toucheth upon severall Provinces , as Spain , France , Italy , Sicily , Greece . The Isle of Candie is the utmost of Europe that way , and it is divided from Africa by the Mediterranean Sea .

Eastward ascending to the North , Europe is bounded again by the Mediterranean Sea , under the names of the Aegean Sea , called now Archipelago , Hellospont now Burdanelles , or the Strait of Gallipoli , Propontis now Mar de Marmora , Bosphorus , Thracius now the Strait of Constantinople , Pontus Euxinus now the black Sea , or Mar major . Higher it is bounded by Meotides Paludes , and the River Tanais , now Don , remounting to its spring . And thenceforward a line is imagined drawne to the North , butting either at the Golph of St. Nicholas , or some such other place thereabout , in the great Duke of Moscovia's Country : for that nothern Tract unknown to ancient Geographers is yet so little knowne , that the limits of Europe that way , could never be well assigned .

On all the East-side , Europe neighboureth upon the great Asia , and is Occidentall to it .

On the North-side , ancient Geographers have set no limits to Europe , but have comprehended these Nothern extremities either under the name of Hyperborean hills , although there be no hills in that Tract ; or under the name of Mare Glaciale or the frozen Sea , which we may take from the Golph of St. Nicolas ; or the mouth of the River Oby , unto the Sea which is about Norway and Finmarch , and so towards the Isles of Freezland and Island . On that side , Europe buts upon the Pole , and is not near any considerable Lands , some few Ilands onely , ill inhabited , as Nova Zembla , and Niewland .

On the West-side , Europe hath the great Ocean , from the Iles of Freesland and Is-land , to the Cap of St. Vincent , which is the extremity of Portugal . And that Ocean takes divers names according to the divers Countries that it toucheth ; as the Britannique Ilands , Norway , Denmark , Germany , Holland , Zeland , Flanders , the Strait of Calais , the coasts of Normandy , Brittain , Poitou , Saintonge , Guienne , the golph of Bayonne , the coasts of Biscay , Gallicia , Portugal , Algerke , to the Cap St. Vincent .

These are the limits , and as it were the four walls which inclose all that is comprehended under the name of Europe . The length whereof may be taken from the Cap St. Vincent , to the golph S. Nicholas , or the mouth of the River Oby , which is two thousand French common leagues , or as far north-ward as one will . The breadth , from Morea , towards the Isle Cythera , to the North towards Finmarch and Lapland , which is twelve of fifteen hundred leagues .

A more exact description of the Topography of each Country is not for this place . Here only we will enumerate the States , contained within that extent , and that but in the great ; as much as is necessary to understand that which belongs to the two Houses of France and Austria , the most considerable of Europe , of Christendom at least .

We shall be begin that enumeration by the West , and from thence passing to the East , we shall turn to the North , and there end .

Paragraphe II .

The first Prince on the West of Europe , is the King of Spain , who beares the name of the House of Austria , besides that which he hath in Africa , and in the East and West Indies . Besides a number infinite of Ilands , Caps , & Havens , from the Isles Azores , to the Cap of good hope , and from that Cap to the extremity of the East , towards the Molukes and Philippine Ilands .

1. That which he holds in Europe , is comprehended in that Peninsula enclosed within the Ocean , the Mediterranean Sea , and the Pyrenean hills under several names of Kingdomes , as we shall say in the following Chapter . And these distinguisht into three general Jurisdictions , of Castilia , Arragon , and Portugal . It is true that since the late Wars , the revolts of Portugal and Catalonia , have clipt so much of his Domtnions , and the French have taken from him the County of Rousfillon .

2. Upon the coasts of Spain , he possesseth the two Baleares , Mallorca , and Minorca , and the two Ilands in old time called Ophiusae , now Ivica and Fromentera .

3. In Italy , he hath all the Kingdom of Naples , which is almost the half of it ; and the most Easterly part from Cajeta or Fondi , to the golph of Tarento , and the Strait of Messina .

4. In the same Italy , he hath the Dutchy of Milan , with the territories of Pavia , Tortona , Cremona , &c.

5. Upon the coasts of the Tuscan Sea , he hath Final , Piombino , Porto Hercule , and Orbitello . Of late , the Prince of Monaco hath shaken off his yoak . In Toscana , the great Duke of Florence doth him homage for the Common-wealth of Siena , and oweth him service .

6. In that Sea about Italy , he hath the Isles of Sardinia , and Sicily , and is soveraign of the Isle of Malta ( which the old Geographers reckon among the African Ilands ) . The great Master of that Iland , oweth him some homage for it .

7. In the Celtique Gaule he hath the Franche County , or the County of Burgundy ; and in the Dutchy of Burgundy , he hath the County of Charrolois .

8. In the Belgique Gaule , he hath possest , till the end of the last age , all that was comprehended under the name of the seventeen Provinces . He keeps to this day the Dutchies of Luxemburg & Limburg , the Dutchy of Brabant , but pared about by the losse of Maestritcht , the Bose Breda and Bergupzom ; part of the Dutchy of Guelders , the Counties of Namur , Hainant , Artois , and Flanders , all maimed with the losse of some limbs , by our late Wars . Also the Marquisat of the holy Empire , which is Antwerp , and the Principality of Mechlen : The remnant of these seventeen Provinces , is in the hand of the States of the united Provinces , besides that which the King of France hath taken .

In all that large extent of Lands , the Spaniard suffereth the exercise of no Religion but the Roman . Though he go for a great soveraign , yet many of his Lands depend from oother Princes . The See of Rome hath great pretences upon the soveraignty of Arragon : He acknowledgerh without contradiction , the soveraignty of the Church over his Kingdom of Naples : Yet it is pretended that he oweth the same homage for Sicily . For the Dutchy of Milan , and other Lands , which he holds in Italy , he must acknowledge the Empire , from which he hath received the investiture of the same . Franche County , is an imperiall fee ; as also the Provinces of Netherland not depending of France , did owe homage to the Empire : And in the year 1608. when the truce was made between Spain and Holland ; these two States disputing of their soveraignty in the first Article , the Emperour Rodolphus framed an opposition against that Article , and claimed the soveraignty as belonging to the Empire , but the Treaty past without any reflection to that claim . Finally , although the Spaniard acknowledge our Kings no more , neither for Flanders nor for Artois , it is not well resolved yet , by what right he hath shaken off the yoak ; and the French pretend that the Treaties of Madrid , Cambray , and Crespy in Valois , which contain that cession , have not been authorized by the generall States of France .

The King of Spain being possessor of such a great extent of Lands , is a neighbor to most of the Christian Princes , as will be shewed more at large in the second Chapter , and hath alwaies some difference with them . The now King of Spain , is Phillip the IV . of the Roman Religion .

Paragraphe III .

Here we will look upon the King of France , whose state is comprehended in the old Gally , Narbonensis , Aquitanica , Celtica , and Belgica ; yet doth he not possess them all : the whole Narbonensis belongs to him , excepting Avignon , Nice , Savoy , Geneva , and Orenge . The whole Aquitanica is his , since the small principality of Bearn ( which with small reason hath been pretended to be soveraign in her Rights and Customs ) hath been united to the Crown , and began to have the same Prince , by the coming of Henry the fourth to the Crown . The whole Celtica belongs likewise to the King of France , excepting onely the Franch County , and the imperial Town of Besancon .

Of the Belgica , the King of France hath the least part , The I le of France , Pays de Caux Boulonnois , Picardi , Beau-voisis Champagne , Brie ; And by good or bad title , the Towns of Mets , Thoul , and Verdun ; of which in the first invasion , he declared himselfe Protector onely . By the late Wars , he hath made himself Master of most part of Lorrain , of the Town of Brisach , and of other Towns of Alsatia , beyond the Rhine .

The subjects of the King of France , are commonly Roman Catholiques , yet Protestants are tolerated in the State .

The King of France is neighbouring upon Spain , by the Pyrenean hills . On that side the French and the Spaniards have not much troubled one another but of late yeares , in which the French have unfortunately attempted Spain about Fontarabie ; but fortunately about Roussillon and Catalonia . But about the Low Countries , and Franche County , which lie open to both the Nations , there hath been much stir and action .

On the side of Provence and Daulphine , the Duke of Savoy is neighbour to France ; for Savoy and Piemont joyn to the foresaid Provinces . The County of Avignon belonging to the Pope , is inclosed within Provence . By Daulphine , the French touch the Commonwealth of Geneva . By the Country of Bresse , and the Bailliages of Gez and Verromey , they enter within Switzerland , into the Canton of Berne . By Champagne they have the Duke of Lorraine for their neighbour ; but now they are possest of his Country . So all their neighbours are weak , the King of Spain excepted . The present King of France , is Lewis the XIV . of the Roman profession .

Paragraphe IV .

In this Paragraphe we will set downe all the Princes contained within the ancient Gaules , besides the King of France .

1. In Gallia Narbonensis , the Duke of Savoy holds the Dutchie of Savoy , the Countries of Chablais and Tarantaise , and the Towne of Chambery 3 and upon the Sea coast neare the River of Var , the Town and County of Nice , which was sometimes a member of Provence , and being upon the River of Var , it is partly in France , partly in Italy .

2. The Pope holds the County of Venaissyn or Avignon , an ancient member of Provence , with the four Bishopricks belonging to it , Avignon , Carpentras , Cavaillon , and Vezon . There also is Orenge , belonging to the House of Nassau .

3. The City of Geneva with her Territory , made her selfe a soveraign Common-wealth about the year 1535. when the Duke of Savoy , the Bishop of Geneva , and the City being in contention about their right , the Citizens changed Religion , forced the Bishop to fly , and shut their Gates against the Duke of Savoy . But indeed that Towne , and all the other States , were pieces depending from the Empire . But the Emperours power being by succession of time confined within Germany onely , retain almost nothing out of it , but the shade of their ancient authority .

4. In the Celtique Gaule , Franch County belongs to the King of Spain ,

5. The City of Besancon , inclosed within Franch County , is an imperial City .

6. Then many little soveraign Princes ; the chiefe of them , the thirteen Cantons of the Suitzers , inclosed within the Alpes , between Franch County and the Rhine . Of them , four are Protestants ; Berne ( which alone is almost as large as all the others ) Basel , Zurick , and Schaffouse , which is a Town beyond the Rhine . Seven Catholique ( as they style themselves ) two greater , Friburg and Soleurre , and the five little Cantons , Uri , Switz , Underwall , Lucerne ; and Zough , and two halfe Catholick , half Protestants , Glaris and Appenzel . All these Common-wealths making one body of State , have their Associates ; the Abbot of Saint Gall , the commonalties of Valley , and the Bishop of Sion , with some other Towns , and beyond the Rhine , the three Leagues of the Grisons .

7. To these adde many pieces about the Rhine , which are held to be parts of Germany , as the County of Montbeliard , which the Kings of France have bought of late years of the Dukes of Wirtinberg . Alsatia beyond the Rhine , which did belong to the House of Austria , and consisteth of imperial Towns , and other Towns which the King of France now holds . Then the Palatinate on this side of the Rhine , which is now partly in the hands of the Spaniards , partly in that of the King of France and the Protestants .

8. The Dutchy of Lorrain , which before acknowledged the Duke , is now almost altogether in the King of Frances his hands .

9. The principality of Liege , is depending from the Bishoprick thereof .

10. The Dutchy of Juliers , and great part of the Dutchy of Cleves , now divided between the Dukes of Newburg , and the Marquess of Brandenburg .

11. The Arch-bishoprick of Treues on both sides of the River of Mosella .

12. The seventeen Provinces of Netherland , four of which are Dutchies , Brabant , Luxembourg , Limbourg , and Guelderland . They belong to the Spaniard , part of Guelderland excepted , and some Towns of Brabant ; the Marquisat of the holy Empire , which is the Town of Antwerp . Seven Counties , Namur , Hainault , Artois , Flanders . These four are in the hands of the Spaniard , excepting that which the French hold in Artois and Hainault ; and the ●luce and other places which the Hollanders hold in Flanders . The three other Counties are , Zeland , Holland , and Zutphen . There are five Lordships more , Mechlen which the Spaniard holds , and Utrecht , Overissell , West-Friesland , and Groning , which are possest by the Hollanders . All these are commonly called the seventeen Provinces of Netherlands , and the Belgique Gaule , although some of them be out of the extent of Gaule , and beyond the Rhine , as Overissel , Friesland , Groning , and part of Guelderland . All these estates contained within the extent of Gaule , are of no great importance , neither are they able to resist the French , excepting those that are in the hand of the Spaniard , or protected by the Empire . To these , Cambray must be added , an Imperial and Archi-episcopal Town held by the Spaniard .

Paragraphe V.

Here let us enumerate all the Princes contained in that great Peninsula called Italy , between the golph of Venice , the coasts of Genoa , Toscana , Naples , the golph of Tarento , the Jonique Sea , and the Alpes . Within that extent there are many Princes ; the most considerable are six .

1. The King of Spain holds the Kingdome of Naples , the Dutchy of Milan , with some places upon the Sea coast , and the soveraignty of the Town of Siena .

2. The Pope with the Church of Rome , besides the soveraignty over Naples and Parma , holds in proper dominion above three hundred miles in length , and a hundred in breadth , beginning from Caieta to Ferrara , and to the Country of the Venetians . He possesseth the whole Latium , commonly call'd Campagna di Roma , where the City of Rome stands , part of Toscana , with the Territory of St Peter , the Towns of Perousa , Viterbo , Orvietta , the Dutchy of Spoleto , where Marca d'Ancona is seated ; the Dutchy of Urbin , lately devolved to the See of Rome , by the extinction of the family of the Roveros which held it in fee ; the Towns of Bolonia and Ravenna , the Dutchy of Ferrara , returned to the Church under Pope Clement the VIII . an . 1598. by the extinction of the lawfull males of the family of Est. Also in the Kingdom of Naples , the Dutchy and Towne of Benevent . In these Countries there is above fifty Bishopricks , and above a million and a halfe of inhabitants .

3. The Common-wealth of Venice possesseth ( besides the city of Venice seated within the Marshes of the Mediterranean Sea ) within the continent of Italy , Histria , a Peninsula ; the Countries of Friuli , called in old time Forum Julii , Padua , Vicenza , Verona , Brixia , Bergamo ; and out of Italy from Histria , to the Common-wealth of Ragousa , almost all that is on that coast of the golph of Venice , where the Towns of Zara , Sebennico , Spalato , Cataro . And every were Venice bordereth upon the House of Austria , and shareth with it the Countries of Dalmatia and Slavonia . In the Mediterranean sea , Venice holds the Iles of Corsou , Zante , Cephalenia , Cerigo , and the great Iland of Candy , now disputed to them by the Turk , and even before the Turks invasion , Candy called it self a soveraign Common-wealth , acknowledging for their head Francisco Erizzo , of an ancient family . In the year 1470. one of his Ancestors being Governour of the Isle of Negrepont , was taken by the Turks , and sawed in two , contrary to the faith given to him .

8. The great Duke of Toscana is possest with the estate of three ancient Commonwealths , Pisa , Florence , and Siena ; his Territories run along the coasts of the Toscan Sea , where he hath also the Isle of Elva . The now Duke is Ferdinand II .

9. The Common-wealth of Genoa , possesseth almost all that which is comprehended under the name of Riviera di Genoa , and Liguria . They hold also the Iland of Corsica .

6. The Prince of Piemont is the same as the Duke of Savoy ; He holds in Italy , Valdosta , Vercellois , Piemont , the Marquisat of Salluces . The now Duke is Charles Emanuel .

Besides these six considerable Princes , there are some of a lower forme .

The Duke of Mantua , whose Country is compast by the Venetians on the one side , and the Dutchy of Milan , and the River of Po on the other .

The Duke of Modena and Rhegio , which is an imperial Fee , held by the remnants of the family of Est or Atestini .

The Duke of Parma and Placentia , who besides that Fee of which he was invested by Pope Paul the III . hath , or claimeth as a proper inheritance of the house Farnesi , the Dutchy of Castro in Toscana near Rome , out of which he was lately expelled by the Pope .

The County of Mirandola , held by the family of Pici .

The Dutchy of Montferrat , sometimes the patrimony of the house of the Paleologi , is at this time in the hands of the Duke of Mantua . There stands Cazal of St. Vaast , the so much disputed place .

The small Common-wealth of Luca in Toscana , between the two States of Florence and Genoa .

Besides these , two estates are attributed to Italy , though far from it ; the one is the Common-wealth of Ragousa in Slavonia , upon the Golph , in old time called Epidaurus . It is soveraign , yet payeth to the Turk her next neighbour , a tribute of fifteen thousand Sequins yearly .

The other Estate is Malta , with the next Iland Goza , possest by the Religion of Saint John of Jerusalem . But that Prince hath but the shade of a Soveraigne , being as for his person a Religious depending of the Pope , and punishable by the Pope , and the Iland of Malta , acknowledging the King of Spain as a dependance of Sicily .

In all these States of Italy , there is no exercise of any Religion but the Roman .

Although all these Princes will be acknowledged Soveraign , there is none properly so but the Pope , the Venetians , and the Common-wealth of Genoa . All the others are either Imperial Lands , as Mantua , Milan , Montferrat , Piemont , Modena , Mirandula , Florence , or depend of the Pope , as Naples , Sicily , Parma , and Placentia .

Paragraphe VI .

In the end of the Golph of Venice Eastward , lyeth Greece , possest by the Turk , who holds all that was comprehended in the names of Peloponnesus , Achaia , Epirus , Macedonia , Thracia , with the great City of Constantinople . Nearer to the River of Danubius , and above the mountaines of Thracia , he hold Bulgaria and Servia , which were the ancient Misiae , Bossena , great part of Hungary , as farre as Gran , or Strigonium , near the Towne of Commorra , and part of Slavonia and Dalmatia . By those more Occidentall Countries , he toucheth the Lands of the Venetians , and the the House of Austria . Beyond Danubius , he is acknowledged by the three Vaivodes , or Princes of Transylvania , Moldavia , and Walachia .

The Turk holds also all the Ilands of the Mediterranean Sea , from Candia to Pontus Euxinus . Beyond the mouth of Danubius , and the coast of Pont Euxin , he holds as farre as the River Tyrus or Niestra ; And higher in Taurica Chersonesus , the Town of Cafa , in old time Theodosia . His Dominion on that side buts upon the River Tanais , where his Frontier is the Town of Assou , taken about ten years ago upon the Muscovite . In all that Tract , though the Turk and the Mahometan Religion govern , most part of his People profess the Religion of Christ under he Patriarch of Constantinople . Yet there are many of the Roman Religion in Hungary , Bossena , and Servia . Transylvania is Protestant .

Paragraphe VII .

Above Pont Euxin towards Meotides Paludes , there is a great extent of Countries bordering upon Podolia and Muscovia . And within that Sea is that Peninsula , sometimes called Taurica Chersonesus , now Precops . All that Tract is called Tartaria Precopensis , or the Crim Tartar ; or about four hundred years ago , a Herd , for Army of Tartars , invaded that Country . It is now one of the considerable States of Europe , possest by a Mahumetan Prince , named Cantemiro . It bordereth upon the Turks towards Pont Euxin , and is in league with them . Westward it joyns with Poland , Northwards with Muscovia , and hath War almost continually with these two Nations .

Paragraphe VIII .

Beyond the dominions of Poland , there is a River called Danambra , in old time Borysthenes , which severeth Sarmatia , ( now called Poland ) from the old Scythia Europea , which comprehends that large tract of Land between Borysthenes and Tanais , and Northward unto the frozen Sea . This is that great Estate of Muscovia , denominated from the Capitall City Mosko ; The Prince , the great Duke of Moscovia , besides that part of Europe , stretcheth his Dominion very far into great Asia . He that reigned when the Author writ this Book , which was in the year 1644. was Michael Fedorowitz , who was elected in the year 1612. in the confusion of Civil Wars after the extinction of the antitient Royall Family . That People is Christian , but of the rudest sort , acknowledging the Patriarch of Constantinople . Westward they join with Poland , Southward with the Crim Tartar , and with each of them have alwaies some war .

Paragraphe IX .

All the Country from the River of Odera , in Germanie , or at least from the River of Vistula , or Weissell , as far as Borysthenes , and Northward as far as the point of the Baltique Sea above Livonia ; All that Country , I say , called antiently Sarmatia , containeth now the Kingdom of Poland , consisting of the greater and lesser Poland ; Russia alba , the Country of the Cossacks ; Podolia , and other Provinces with the great Dutchy of Lituania near Borysthenes . That State of Poland , whose capital City is Cracovia , joyneth Southward with the Lands of the Empire , and Hungary so much as belongs to the House of Austria , and with Transylvania and Moldavia ; Eastward it joines with the Tartar and Moscovite . The Court of Poland hath been of the Roman Religion hitherto : What it will be hereafter the successe of the present Warrs will shew . That State tolerates all sorts of Religions . Livonia or Liefland in the Baltick Sea is accounted as an appurtenance of Poland . Yet , because three Estates meet there , Poland on the South , Muscovia on the East , and North , and Sweden on the West ; it is alwaies disputed between these three Crowns , and is the occasion of great Warrs , which were appeased in some part by the peace between Poland and Sweden , An. 1635. but newly revived .

Paragraphe X.

By an arm of the great Ocean , that Mediterranean Sea of the North is formed , which is called the Baltique Sea : There the Dominions of Sweden and Denmark are seated , two considerable States .

The Kingdom of Sweden comprehends great part of the antient Gotthia , the Town and Dutchy of Stockholm , the great Dutchy of Finland , and Northward Botnia , Scrifinia , and other unknown Countries . The present King is Carolus Gustavus , by the cession of his Cosen-German , Christina Daughter to the famous Gustavus Adolphus . The whole Kingdom of Sweden is Lutheran : Yet in the North , there is some remnant of the antient Idolatry of Pagans .

The other State is that of Denmark , composed of the Hanse Teutonique , called antiently Cimbriea Chersonesus , which is a corner of great Germany , containing the Dutchy of Holstein , Juitland , and Schleswick . A second part of that Estate lyeth in Ilands , the chiefe of them Zeland , where Coppenhagen is seated , the Capitall City of the Kingdom . The third part is in the Peninsula of the Baltique Sea , and herein the Kingdom of Norway and Finmarch . To that State also belong the Ilands of Friesland and Island , far in the North . They are all Lutherans . The strength and wealth of that Kingdom , lieth in the passage of the Sund , which makes it considerable to all that traffick to or from the Baltique Sea .

Paragraphe . XI .

From thence sailing Westward , one comes to the great Brittanique Ilands , of which we that inhabit them , know more then this Author ; and therefore leave that little which he saith of them .

Paragraphe XII .

Being now come to the West , we meet with the most considerable piece of Europe , which is the Empire of Germany . The Empire begun by Julius Caesar , but founded by Augustus , possest all the known Countries of the West . But was greatly diminished about the year of our Lord 400. for then by the incursions of the Goths , Ostrogoths , Alans , Huns , Herules , Vandales , Frankes , and others ; many States were founded . And finally , the Empire ceased in the West , altogether in the year 445. by the death of Augustulus , and the whole Empire of the West was divided into many States .

In the year 800. the Empire of the West begun afresh in the person of Charlemaigne , who under that name , possest all the Gaules , part of Spain , almost all Italie , the great Germanie , Hungary , Slavonia , part of Poland and Denmark , and other Northern Countries . But his posterity having degenerated , that Empire went from his Family about the year 912. and after a long dispute about it , between the Italian and German Princes , Otho Duke of Saxony made himself Master of it : And from that time , that which remains of the Empire , hath continued in the hands of German Princes .

That which is called the Empire at this day , hath more shadow then substance . I call a shadow all the pretences of the Emperour out of Germanie , which are worn out with age and lost , or remain with small vigour , as the pretences of Soveraignty over the Princes of Italy and the Low-Countries , Savoy , Franche County , Besançon and the like . In Germany he hath some reall and effective power . Germany at this time comprehends all that Country between the border of Hungary and Poland on the East , the Baltique Sea and Denmark on the North , the Germanique Sea and France on the West , and the River of Rhine . and the Alpes on the South . Neither is the Emperour absolute every where , or in the most part of that large space . For it is divided into ten Circles , or great Provinces , which have a proper right to assemble themselves to look to their own businesses , and send Deputies to the generall Diets of the Empire . And in every one of these Circles , there be many free Cities , and many Secular and Ecclesiasticall Princes .

The chief are the seven Electours , three Ecclesiastical , the Archbishops of Mentz , Collen , and Treues ; four secular , the Count Palatine , the King of Bohemia , the Duke of Saxony , and the Marquesse of Brandenhurg . And next to these the Duke of Ba●ieres , the Duke of Wirtenberg , Luneburg , Mechelburg , Brunswick , the Lantgrave of Hesse , and many others . But above all these houses , that of Austria is considerable , of which we must speak in the next Chapter ; for , besides the title of Emperour by election , now continued in their family for many descents ; they possesse their antient Patrimony , Austria , Stiria , Carinthia , Carnia , Tirolis , Elzas . They hold also Bohemia and that little part of Hungary , which remains unto the Christians . All Germany is divided between Papists , Lutherans , and Calvinists . These three and the Mahumetan , and the Greek Religion , are the principall Religions known in Europe .

CHAP. II . By what degrees the house of Austria is come to those great Estates which it possesseth .

IT is certain , that among the Christian Princes , the two most considerable Families are those of France and Austria . And although it be known that the house of France hath all the Prerogatives of Antiquity , Nobility , and Glory above the other ; yet that of Austria is more powerfull for extent of Lands , and multitude of People ; and is invested with a more eminent quality , which is the Empire . But , because they hold it only by Election , they have that preheminence but for a time ; so that the Family of Austria from a Soveraign , may become a Subject ; which can never happen to the Soveraignes by succession , but by the ruine of the State .

Now , because these two Families draw to their motion , the most part of our Christian Western world , and that since one hundreth and fifty years the house of Austria hath taken a stupendious growth : It will be to good purpose to examine in this Chapter her Birth , Progresse , and Greatnesse . For we shall not need to speak of the greatnesse of France , which is a grounded Monarchie of twelve hundred years standing . But it is but of late that the house of Austria dareth claim equality with the house of France .

Paragraphe I.

Yet so much we will say of the house of France .

1. It is certain that this Kingdome was erected out of the ruines of the Roman Empire , in the year 419. Pharamond was elected King by the Frankes , beyond the Rhine , in the Country of Sicambria , which is Guelderland , Uretcht , Freeseland , and other Countries thereabout . But neither he , nor his Son Clodion the Chevelu , past ever into France for any thing that we read ; but sent forth their Armies to conquer it . Merovee the third King , was the first that came to Paris and took it , and setled himself with the Frankes in Gauls . From him was the first race of French Kings denominated , and called the race of the Merovingians .

2. Clouis the fifth King , was converted to the Christian faith in the year of Christ 500. and brought the French State to great splendour , by the expulsion of the reliques of the Romans , near Soissons , Laon , and Reims , by the Conquest of Gaule , Aquitanique , and by the defeat of Alaric , and the Kingdome of the Goths . The Sons of that Clouis about the year 527. conquered the state of the Burgundians , or Bourguignons : So that race of the Merovingians , about the year of 530. was possest of all the Gaules , yet divided into Tetrarchies by the children of Clouis , and again by their descent .

3 That race with the Gauls held great part of Germany , and having done great services to the Church , and protected desolate Popes , got from them the name of most Christians , & eldest Sons of the Church . When that title was given them , we cannot precisely tell ; yet Saint Gregory who lived in the year 600. saith , that the King of France is as eminent above other Kings , as every King is above his Subjects .

4 That first race kept long the fiercenesse of German-barbarousnesse , and about the year 650. after the death of Dagobert , they degenerated to idlenesse , and so continued for a hundred years , which gave occasion to the Mayres of the Palace , to incroach upon the Soveraign Authority . Among whom Charles Martel was most eminent , who having defeated the Sarrasins near Tours , and killed three hundred threescore and six thousand men , and relieved the Pope against the Lombards ; raised much the honour of France and his own , but to the destruction of the first Royal line , which ended in the degradation of the unfortunate Chilperic , in the year 752. having subsisted 333 years .

5. The second race much more illustrious then the first , began in the person of Pipin , Son to that Charls Martel . A valorous & fortunate Prince , devoutly addicted to the Roman See . He received Pope Stephen the first into France , and put down Adolphus King of the Lombards , who persecuted the Pope . But his Son Charlemagne raised the State of France more then any . For he conquered great part of Italie upon the Lombards , and quite destroyed them An. 774. overcame the Saxons , and other Nations of Germany , conquered part of Spain upon the Saracens , and made himselfe master of most part of the old Empire of the West , and so was crowned Emperour of the West , An. 800. And three years after , limits were set in Italy , between the two Empires of East and West ; Nicephorus being then Emperour of the East . And the bounds were the Rivers of Lyris now Garigliano , and Aufidus now Lofanto , both in the Kingdome of Naples . So that excepting the farthest part of Italy , part of Spain , and the Brittanique Ilands , divided between many petty Kings , he was possest of the whole Empire of the West .

6. These first Kings were very liberall to the See of Rome . Pepin , and Charlemagne , gave them the Exarchat of Ravenna , and other Lands which the Popes pretended to have been taken away from them by the Lombards . Lewis the Meek , who succeeded his Father Charlemagne , confirmed and amplified that gift An. 817. the Charter whereof Baronius hath published , taken from the Vatican , as he affirmeth . Lewis the Meek dying An. 840. left the State of France in a great height , possest of the Gaules , Germany , Italy , and part of Spain . All other Princes compared to the French Kings , were mean fellowes .

7. Lewis the Meek left three Sons , Lothaire and Lewis by his first wife , and Charles the Bald from Judith his second wife . These three Brothers for three years contended about their partage , the law of the eldest being not then in use among them , till that cruel battel of Fontenay near Auxerre was fought , where above a hundred thousand men were slaine , and especially much Nobility and Gentry whereby the State was weakned , and the Brothers were forced to come to an arbitrement ; That Lothary the eldest , should have all the Lands beyond the Rivers of Scaldis and Mosa , as far as the Rhine , namely the Provinces of the Low Countries , Liege , Treues , Juliers , Luxemburg , Lorrain , Alsatia , and others . Also that which lyeth beyond Saone and Rhosne , namely , Franch County , Savoy , Daulphine , Provence . Also as much of Italy as was left to the Emperour of the West , by the partage with the Emperour of the East . This was the share of Lothary the eldest , who took with it the Title of Emperour . Lewis , the second Brother , had all that their Father held in Germany , and there was called Germanicus . To the third , Charles the Bald , France was left , much about as it is at this day , inclosed within the narrow Seas of England , Scaldis , Mosa , Saone , Rhosne , the coasts of Languedoc , and the Pyrenees . That partage of the three Sons of Lewis the Meek , An. 843. is the most remarkable date of the French History . Then was that great Monarchy cut in shreds , and the greatness of France humbled , the name of which remained onely to the proportion of a third part . And from that time , the French State thus clipt hath remained with little alteration . Onely we have lost Flanders and Artois , and many times the borders of the Kingdome have been changed towards Mosa and Scaldis . But in recompence we have got Daulphine and Provence , beyond the ancient bounds .

8. As by this partage the State of France remained very much diminisht , so the French Kings lost the name of Emperours , which neverthelesse Charles the Bald took since . But his Descent being fallen to idlenesse as the first Race ; the State of France thus shortned , lingered among many civill broyles and misfortunes , till the year 987. when that race ended , having subsisted about 235 yeares .

9 Hugh Capet , head of the third Race , was descended as it is thought , from an ancient House of Saxony planted in France , by Wittikind the Saxon of the race of that other Wittikind , a Saxon Prince who so long made head against Charlemagne . This third race began to raigne in the year 987. It is that which this day subsisteth , and besides her ancient Nobility before she was Soveraign , hath now held the soveraignty above 660 yeares , and besides innumerable victories obtained over her neighbours , made great Wars against the Infidels in the East , and in Spain , and against Heretiques in all the Provinces of Europe , keeping still a great respect to the See of Rome . All these wayes she hath maintained her selfe in the prerogative of precedence and glory above all others . And although he that beares now the quality of Emperour , go before the French Kings , because he retaines the name and place of those great Monarchs of all the West , yet he hath neither right nor pretence over the Kings of France ; yea , Mr. de Breves , in the Appendix of the Negotiation of the East , added to the History of his voyage , saith , That in Henry the 4ths time , he had the precedence before the Ambassadors of the Emperour Rudolphus , at the Porta of the great Turk , who judged that the precedences of Christian Princes , in relation to the Church of Rome , and the Popes , were of no consideration at his Porta , where the strongest and the most couragious finds most favour . Also whereas the King of France was then in War with the House of Austria , he would not give his enemy any advantage over him . Neither do the Turks acknowledge the Emperour but as King of Vienna , but have a great esteem for the French Kings . But without insisting upon the History of their third Race now reigning , or making Panegyricks of their glory ; we will say that next to the precedence which they give to the Emperour lawfully elected , they have it over all the Soveraigns of Christendom .

Paragraphe II .

Now to understand the Origine , progresses , and rising of the house of Austria , we must observe ,

1. That the Empire which was left ( as we said ) unto Lothary , the eldest Son of Lewis the Meeke , subsisted ( though weakly ) in the house of Charlemagne , till about the year 912. when Lewis the last of that race being dead , there was a great contention betweene the German and Italian Princes , whereby the Empire was in confusion above fifty years , untill Otho the Great , Duke of Saxony invested himselfe of that quality , made himselfe Master of Germany and Italy , the onely remaining pieces of the Empire , in the year 963. and ruined all his competitors . This Otho I. was Father of Otho II . and he of Otho III . after whose death the Germans assisted by Pope Gregory the V. who himselfe was a German , took upon themselves the right of creating Emperours . And from that time all that have peaceably reigned have been Germans , because the Popes having made themselves Masters of a great part of Italy , have done their utmost to expell the Emperours out of it , and confine them to Germany .

2. As in France , by the idlenesse of the last Kings of the 2d Race , the Governours of Provinces made themselves Masters of them , and became Dukes and Earles . Likewise the idlenesse of the successors of Charlemagne in the Empire , and the confusions risen in Germany , after the extinction of that Race , gave a beginning to so many Fees both Secular and Ecclesiasticall which are now in Germany , the Governours having made themselves Lords , and laid the foundation of the great Houses now in being . Which neverthelesse have gone through many changes , some families being extinct , and some Fees sold , transported , or confiscated . Among these families , one of the chiefe , and indeed the most remarkable at this time , is that of Austria .

3. The French Kings of the first Race , possessing a Kingdom of vast extent , which they divided into Ostrick and Westrick . Ostrick which by corruption and French termination , was called Austrasie , was the Eastern part , and comprehended the Countries towards the River Msa , and beyond the Rhine , and as far as Hungarie , Westrick , which by corruption was called Neustria , comprehended the Western part , from Mosa towards Britain . These names were long preserved , even to the age of Charlemagne , and being lost by the new partage between the Children of Lewis the meek ; yet the name of Neustria stuck long to the Western part , which is now called Normandie ( for Brittain was a State by it selfe . ) The name of Ostrick being lost by the same partage , remain'd nevertheless to the most Eastern part , and the next to Hungary , and is that which we call Austria , a word corrupted from Ostrick and Ostenrick , and is that Province seated upon Danubius , where the Capitall City of Vienna stands .

4. In that Country Otho the III . about the year 1000 establisht Leopold a Marquis , that is a keeper of those Marches against the ordinary excursions of the Hungarians . That Leopold is the head of the first House of Marquisses since Dukes of Austria which continued , till a certain Friderick who went to the War of Naples against Charles brother of St. Lewis , and being taken with Conradin a competitor of that Kingdom , was beheaded with him .

By his death without Children , Austria returned to the Empire . But Wenceslaus King of Bohemia , sought to joyne it to his State , and sent thither his Sonne Ottocarus , who having conspired against the Empire with the Hungarians , was degraded and put to death by the Emperour Rudolphus , of whom we are now to speak .

5. By the death of the Emperour Friderick the Second , the great enemy of Popes , which was about the year 1231. the factions were so great about a new election , that there was an Anarchy of twenty years and above , under these titular Emperours , William Earl of Holland , Richard of England , and Alphonsus of Spain . In the end , after many assemblies and contentions , the Electors gave their Votes to Rudolphus Earl of Habsburg , who was acknowledged by the whole Empire . That Election was in the year 1255. five years after the death of St. Lewis . Philip le Hardy then raigning in France .

6. Between Basel and Soleurre , Cantons of Switzerland , there is Triestein Castle , the Lords whereof had the Title of Counts , and by the women inherited the County of Habsburg , and took the Title of the same . Of that House was this Rodolphus ( before whom there is no certainty of the History of their House ) who by his virtue was elected Emperour , An. 1275. and dyed in the 1291. The Dutchy of Austria being then vacant , and Ottocarus the Bohemian having invaded it , and made a league with the Hungarians against the Empire , Rodolphus divested him of it , and slew him ; and An. 1282. invested his Son Albert in the same . In that Albert we must take the birth of the house of Austria . And although that Albert was also Emperour from the year 1298. till 1308 ; yet his descent returned not to that quality , but 130. years after , and went for Princes of the Empire , as other Imperial Families ; Onely in the time of Pope John 22. there was a great contention for the Empire , between Friderick of Austria , and Lewis of Bavieres . The whole Pedegree of that house , is to be seen in the Tables of Bertius , from the Creation of Rudolphus of Habsburg , An. 1275. to the year 1438. when the Empire entred so into that house , that it did not come out since .

Paragraphe III .

So much is known then , that the house of Austria by the death of Albert the first , lost the Empire and fell back into the State of a private principality ; and that lesse considerable then the houses of Saxonie , Bavieres , and Luxemburg , which furnished many Emperours , and so it continued till the Emperour Albert the II .

Sigismond the Emperour , of the house of Luxemburg , was Son to Charles the IV . Emperour and Grand-child to John King of Bohemia . And that Charles the IV . was he that made the golden Bull , and establisht a certain form of Imperial elections . This Charles was Grand-child to the Emperour , Henry the VII . head of the house of Luxemburg . Sigismond had no male issue , and gave his onely Daughter Elizabeth to Albert of Austria ; who after the death of his Father in law , was elected Emperour , An. 1438. and this house hath ever since kept the Empire .

From that year these Emperours reigned . Albert the II . who reigned two years , Friderick the III . his Cozin who reigned 53 years . Maximilian Son of Friderick , who reigned 26 years . Charles the V. who reigned 36 years . Ferdinand I. brother to Charles , who reigned 9 years . Maximilian Son of Ferdinand , who reigned 12 years . Rodolphus II . Son of Maximilian , who reigned 36 years . Matthias brother to Adolphus , who reigned 7 years , Ferdinand II . Cozin to the two precedent Emperours , who reigned 19 years . To him succeeded his Son Ferdinand III . who is the tenth of that house from the year 1438. To which if you adde the Three of antient date , there have been thirteen Emperours of the house and name of Austria .

That house may be considered , either in her Patrimonial estate which she held in Germany before her greatnesse ; Or in her great rising , which sprung out of three heads .

1. The mariage of Maximilian with Mary , the Inheritrix of the seventeen Provinces of Netherlands , Franche County , and the goods , not masculine , of the house of Burgundy .

2. The mariage of Philip , Son of Maximilian , and Mary of Burgundy , with Jane the Inheritrix of Spain , and by consequent of Sicily , Naples , and the West Indies , and soon after of Portugal , and the East Indies .

3. The mariage of Ferdinand , brother to Charles the V. with Anne the Inheritrix of the Kingdomes of Bohemia and Hungaria . The great estate of that house being accrewed to them by these waies : We will speak here of the Patrimonial Dominions of the house of Austria , reserving the rest for the following Paragraphes .

The Patrimony of the house of Austria wholly seated in Germany , and upon the River Danubius ; hath on the South the Mountains of Tirolis , and towards the Rhine Alsatia , Bounded Eastward with Hungary and Poland , Southward by the Venetians , Westward by the Switzers , and Northward by many Princes of Germany . That Estate is composed with many pieces , which were united in one body as it followeth .

1. The Emperour Rodolphus of Habsburg , having overcome and slain Ottocarus , Son of Wenceslaus , King of Bohemia , gave to his Son Albert the Dutchie of Austria , where Vienna stands , the Dutchie of Stiria , where the Town of Gratz stands , the Lordships of Carniola and Windismark ; otherwise the March of Slavonia , and Portenan in the Country of Friuli , wherein the house of Austria is a neighbour to the Venetians . This is the first Patrimony of the house of Austria , of which Albert was invested by his Father at Ausburg , by the consent of the Generall States of Germany .

2. In the year 1283. Henry Marquesse of Burgan in Suevia , between Ulm and Ausburg , being dead without Children , the same Emperour Rudolphus gave that Marquisat to his Son .

3. Albert the III . Duke of Austria , Grandchild to the first Albert , was made Heir with his brothers of the Dutchy of Carinthia , and the Dutchy of Tirol within the Alpes neare Italy ; by Margaret , Daughter to Duke Henry as her nearest kinsman , by their Grandmother Elizabeth , Sister to the said Henry , and Wife to Albert the first ; and because the house of Bavieres laid a claim to the County of Tirol , the said house renounced it by agreement , Ann. 1362.

4. The County of Ferretta , is a little Country above the French County , near Basel , and on this side of the Rhine . It came to the house Austria , by Jane Wife to Albert the II . Duke of Austria , Daughter and Heir of Ulrich , Earl of Ferretta , about the year 1358.

5. Leopold Duke of Austria , bought of Agon Count of Friburg , in Brisgau , towards Alsatia , the Signory of that Town , and some other towards the Grisons .

6. Friderick the third , in the year 1458. after the death of Ulrich Count of Ciley , dead without Children , seized upon that County , and united it with the Dutchie of Stiria .

7. Maximilian the First , in the year 1501. seized upon the County of Goricia , vacant by the death of Count Leonard . So all these pieces make up the antient Patrimony of Austria , which hath many times been distracted and divided , for to make Portions to the youngest . And yet at this time the County of Burgau is in the hands of a Branch of that house which bears the Title of Marquesses of Burgau . And the County of Tirol belongs to the children of the late Archduke , Leopold , brother to the Emperour Ferdinand the II .

Paragraphe IV .

To make up the greatnesse of Austria , six of the greatest houses of Europe have met in one ; Austria , Burgundy , Castilia , Arragon , Hungary and Portugal .

1. Of that of Austria , we have spoken before .

2. The house of Burgundy was founded in the person of Philip , fourth Son to King John of France , who dying in the year 1363. left to his Son Philip the Dutchy of Burgundy . He and his three Successours , John , Philip the Good , and Charles slain before Nancy , gathered many Provinces by Marriages , Purchases , Gifts , and Usurpations ; whence that great Estate of the house of Burgundy was framed , four main pieces whereof depended from the Soveraignty of France : Namely , the Dutchy of Burgundy , the County of Flanders , with the Towns of Lilo , Doway , and Orches , the County of Artois , and that of Charalois . The rest he held from the Empire , Franch County , the four Dutchies of Netherlands , Luxemburg , Limburg , Brabant , and Gueldres . The Counties of Hainault , Namur , Holland , Zealand , Zutfen , Mechlen , West-Fresland , Over-Issel , and Groninghen . And in the year 1528. the Bp. of Utrecht yielded to the Emperour , Charles the V. the Lordship of Utrecht , and his claim in Over-Issel , because he was not strong enough to maintain it against the Duke of Guelders his Enemy .

After the death of Charles , killed before Nancy , Mary his onely Daughter , pretended to his whole succession ; But Lewis the XI . King of France , seized upon the Dutchy of Burgundy , pretending that it was a masculin fee , given by King John to his Son Philip le Hardy , for him and his Heirs Male ; for the reasons which we shall represent in the following Chapter . All the rest by right remained with Mary of Burgundy , even the County of Charolois almost inclosed within the Dutchy of Burgundy , although the French would have it to be a fee of the same Nature , as the Dutchy . Yet because it was found that it had been purchased from the house of Armagnae , by the Dukes of Burgundy , it was left to Mary ; And since that time , during the civill confusions , and the Wars with Spain , the French having seized upon it ; yet they restored it to the house of Austria , by the Treaty of Vervins , Ann. 1598. saving onely the resort and dependance upon the Parlament of Dijon

3. The house of Castilia is an offspring of that of Navarra : For Sanchez King of Navarra , divided all that he held in Spain to his three children . Garcias the eldest had Navarra ; Sanchez King of Navarra , divided all that he held in Spain to his three Children , Garcias the eldest had Navarra ; Ferdinand , Castilia ; and Ramires , Arragon . Of these Kings , the lives and actions must be seen in the History of Spain . In the year 1472. that House fell to Isabella , sister to Henry the IV . called the Impotent . Isabella was married to Ferdinand King of Arragon . From that marriage issued Joane the second Daughter and Heir , which brought all these Estates to the House of Austria by her marriage with Archiduke Philip . These Estates contained the two Castilia's , Gallicia , Leon , Asturia , Biscay , Mursia , Cordova , Andalusia , Estremadura . Since that time an . 1492. under the conduct of Christophorus Columbus , the Castilians discovered many Ilands of West-Indies , Hispaniola , Cuba , Jaimaica , and others . Americus Vespucius , discovered the Western continent , an . 1500. Fernando Cortez , subdued the great State of Mexico , an . 1518. and Francis Pizarro the Perou , an . 1525. All that , is comprehended under the name of Castilia , and is fallen to the House of Austria by that marriage .

4. As for Arragon , many Kings reigned in it of the line of the foresaid Ramires , and that family past through many changes . In the end that estate fell into the hands of Ferdinand the Catholique , at the same time that the Kingdom of Castilia fell to Isabella whom he married . So his estate came to consist of four parts . 1. Of the patrimoniall inheritance of his House , Arragon , Catalonia , Roussillon , Valentia , Marjorca , Minorca , Ivica , Fromentera , Sardinia , and Sicily . 2. The Kingdom of Naples , which he tooke from the French , An. 1503. as we shall say afterwards . 3. The Kingdom of Granada , which he and his wife Isabella got from the Saracens , Anno 1494. 4. The Kingdome of Navarra , out of which he dispossest John of Albret , An. 1512. All these Estates fell to his Daughter , married with Philip Arch-duke of Austria . 5. Hungary had her Kings , well known in the Histories , especially since the year 1000. the time of King St. Steven . That family fell to that of the Kings of Naples , descended from the Royall House of France , by the marriage of the inheritrice of Hungary with Charles the Lame , Son to Charles , brother to St. Lewis . Finally , after many great changes , that Crown fell to Lewis the last King of Hungary and Bohemia , slain by the Turks in the battel of Mohats , An. 1526. He dying without Children , the Crowne fell to his sister Anne , whom Charles the V. her brother in law presently caused to be married to his brother Ferdinand . So the two Kingdoms of Bohemia and Hungary entred into the House of Austria . To Bohemia were annext also Moravia , Silesia , and the two Lusatia's . Under the name of Hungary , was contained also Transylvania , with part of Bulgaris , Croatia , Slavonia , Dalmatia . But the greatest part of these is now in the hand of the Turks .

6. The State of Portugal began about the year 1090. in the person of Henry , a French Prince of the House of Burgundy , and continued among many changes to the death of King Sebastian , An. 1579. after whom in the raign of his great Uncle Cardinal Henry , there was a dispute between many contenders for the succession . But Philip the II . King of Spain , got it by Arms , An. 1580. claiming right to it by his Mother Isabella , Daughter to King Emanuel , for the reasons which we shal speak of in the next Chapter . From that Kingdom depends that of Algarba , the Towns of Ceuta , Tanger , and Marsagan in Africa . An infinite number of Ilands and Caps , from the Cap of good Hope , the Kingdoms of Congo , Angola , Bresia ; and beyond the Capeof good Hope , an infinite number of Towns , Isles , Countries , and Forts , as far as China , and the extremity of the East . All that is comprehended under the name of East-Indies , discovered at severall times since , Vasco Gamma , a Gentleman of Portugal past the Cap of good Hope , An. 1497. under Emanuel King of Portugal . It is then by the right of Isabella , wife to the Emperour Charles the V. that the great Estate of Portugal was devolved to the House of Austria . To which Estate they have since added several pieces by conquest or otherwise .

Charles the V. got the Lordship of Utrecht from the Bishop , as we said before . The soveraignty of Flanders and Artois , was appropriated to them ( as they pretend ) by the Treaties of Madrid , An. 1525. Of Cambray , An. 1529. Of Crespy , An. 1544. The same Charles got the Town of Mastricht , An. 1530. although the Bishop of Liege pretended the halfe of it to belong to his jurisdiction . In the year 1530. he invested Ludovic Sporza with the Dutchy of Milan , upon condition that if he dyed childlesse , Philip the II . King of Spain should succeed him , which happened five years after , An. 1536. he got the Dutchy of Guelders , the County of Zutfen , and the Lordship of Groning , by a Treaty with Charles , the Duk of Guelders , who dyed an . 1538. An. 1543. he made himselfe Master of the Town of Cambra , as Protector of that Imperiall Town , which being since got by the French , and lost again , was confirmed to the Spaniards by the Treaty of Vervins .

An. 1538. the same Charles having got the Town of Siena , gave it to Cosmo Duke of Florence , to be an homage for it to the King of Spain , paying six thousand Ducats of entry at every change of Duke .

Philip the II . King of Spain , took from the Turks , an . 1554. the Fort of Pignon , Veles , and Gomera , in Africa . An. 1571. he wrested the Marquisat of Final from the House of Carreto . Philip the III . took from the Moores in Africa , the Townes of Arrach and Mamora . These are the principal pieces of that great State of vast extent . And I think one may truly say , that the House of Austria holds more ground then ever any Prince did : But these pieces being scattered , that State is not strong , glorious , and formidable according to its extent .

That House of Austria was divided into two branches , the Spanish and the German , between Charles and Ferdinand brothers , and successively Emperours , Sons to Archiduke Philip , and Jane of Spain . Charles was the head of the Spanish branch , which holds in Europa , and out of it all that we said before . Ferdinand , brother of Charles , was the head of the German branch which now holds the Empire . To him Charles yeelded the ancient patrimonial Estate of the House of Austria , within the limits of Germany . The same Ferdinand by his marriage with Anne , inheritrix of Hungary and Bohemia , united those two Crowns to his States . These two Branches at this present hold these Estates , saving that which Gustavus the King of Sweden hath taken from them , and what the French have got in these Warres from the Spaniard . In the Low Countries , Hesdin , Arras Bapaume , Landrecy , Thionville , Quesnoy , &c. Towards Spain the County of Roussillon and Perpignan . Then the Catalonians have revolted and given themselves to the French . Portugal also hath shaken the yoak , and chosen a King of the House of Braganza , Of elder date , part of the Low-Countries have cantonned themselves , and are now Soveraigns . The Turk hath got the most part of Hungary ; and Transylvania acknowledgeth no more the House Austria .

CHAP. III . A discussing of the Rights now in dispute betweene the Houses of France and Austria .

THe contentions between these two Families these 150 yeares , and of the Nations subject unto them , especially the French and the Spaniards , comes not onely out of naturall antipathy and contrary inclinations but chiefly out of the pretences that the one house hath upon the other . For , as between private persons , so among Princes , the neighbourhood of grounds breeds quarrells . And these severall pretences yet undecided , ought to be examined , to know the ground of all the late and present Wars . Of these , large volumes of Histories , and Polemical writings might be , and have been , written ; but here I undertake no more , but faithfully to set down the grounds of pretences on both sides . Which though I will do briefly , and summarily , yet will I omit nothing essential and fit to decide the differences . To do this orderly , we will divide this Chapter into two points . The first , of the pretences of the house of Austria upon France . The second , of the pretences of France upon the house of Austria .

First Point , The pretences of the house of Austria , upon that of France .

ALthough the house of Austria , both the Spanish and the German , have pretences different from that of the Empire , which they hold only by Election , and upon Condition of yielding , and depositing it again in the hands of the Electours , after the death of each Emperour ; Yet their interesses are now so united , that the Imperial rights , and those of the house of Austria can hardly be separated . Wherefore we will examine them together .

All the pretences of that Family , are either upon the Soveraignty of the Kingdom of France , or part thereof ; especially upon the propriety of Province , the Dutchy of Burgundy , the Towns of Mets , Thoul , and Verdun , the Towns upon the River of Somme , and the Dutchy of Britain . These must be examined .

Paragraphe I. The pretended Rights of the Empire , upon the Soveraignty of France .

Concerning that Right , now stale , and indeed ridiculous ; four things are to be considered .

1. The Roman Empire which began in Julius Caesar , or Augustus , comprehended indeed all the West , and herein the Gaules . That Empire was made up of the ruine of many Nations , by right or wrong . Howsoever long prescription , and the consent of Nations , with the extinction of the royall Families , made up a reasonable right , which continued in the Roman Emperours , till the year of Christ , 400 ; when by the inudation of many Northern Nations ; Goths , Vandales , Franks , and others ; the whole Empire was dismembred , and the severall Conquerors of each part made themselves Soveraign . So did the Franks in Gaules . A beginning not to be excused of violence and usurpation . But the ruine of the Romans , prescription , and the consent of the conquered people did since authorize their dominion , and towards the end of the first age of these invasions , they were all justified , and the Conquerours remained just possessours , especially when the Roman Empire ended in Augustulus , An. 475.

And when Charlemagne restored the Western Empire , an . 800. that promotion did not alter the former Title he had to the Kingdome of France . It was but a Title of honour , which he , and after him his Sonne Lewis the Meek possest , with that of King of France . Afterwards , by the partage made An. 843. between the Sons of Lewis the Meek ; each of the three brothers had his portion independent from the others , and Lothary the Eldest , who had the Title of Emperour , pretended no right over Charles the Bald , who had France for his Portion , much as it is now . Since which time , all that would ascribe any Superiority to the Emperours , over the Princes of Christendom , that are acknowledged Soveraign , have with good reason bin hissed out as ridiculous . Only the precedence was left to the Emperour as the eldest among the brethren . But the subjection which he yields to the Pope , and the small right which he retains over the Lands and Princes of the Empire , weaken his authority very much , and make it unworthy of that precedence over all the Princes of Christendom . Wherefore he doth not stir those antient pretences over all the Kingdomes of the West .

2. Some Germane Historians , as Trithemius , Lazius , Munster , Fiesdorpius make the house of Habsbur , ( which is that of Austria ) to descend from the first race of the French Kings ; a fable invented since 120. years , and newly taken up again by the flatterers of that house . Especially by Fiesdorpius , a name either true or forged by the Spaniards .

To understand this , we must know that the Kingdom of France was often divided into Tetrarchies under the first race , Kings of Paris , of Orleans , of Soissons , and Mets . In the last of these , Brunehault reigned with great power , that abominable woman so much renowned in our Histories , which confounded and destroyed that house by her ordinary murthers . That State of Mets being fallen into the hands of two brothers , Thierry and Theodebert , who contended for it ; Therry joyning with his Grandmother Brunchault , overcame Theodebert in battell , and put him cruelly to death . And by Brunehaul●s order , the two Sons of Theodebert were slain in her presence . This Tragedy was acted An. 617. But these Historians , to flatter the house of Austria , say , that of these two Sons of Theodebert , the one , called Sigebert , escaped the hands of his great Grandmother , and fled into Germany to Godfrey and Genebald , Dukes of Franconie , his Uncles by the Mother , by whose intercession he obtained of Lothary King of France , his Cosin , some lands in Switzerland , upon condition that he should renounce all his rights to the Crown of France . That he or his Son , or one of his more remote descent built the Castle of Habsburg , and founded that family . And upon that account , the house of Austria descends from that of France .

That relation is a blind tale ; for all antient Historians affirm , that both the Sons of Theodebert ( and he had no more ) were slain by Brunehault . And the first that mentions that escape of Sigebert , is Trithemius , who lived about six score yeares ago . And as it is false , it is ridiculous in the ordinary vicissitude of the affairs of the world , and the continuall changes of Possessions , to set up Titles after an interruption of a thousand years . For , upon that account , there is no Prince in Europe , but may be degraded , and no mean man , but may be intitled to some principality . It is with great reason , that the Title of prescription is every where preferred before all Titles . And though the tale were a true story , that Rodolphus of Habsburg , the head of the house of Austria , was descended from the Family of Habsburg by the women ; his masculine extraction was from the house of Tiestein . So this pretence is so ridiculous , that it is not worth speaking .

3. The branch of the house of Valois hath continued from male to male from Philip de Valois , who came to the Crown , An. 1328 , to the death of Henry the Third , An. 1589. males failing in that branch , the Crown by the fundamental laws of the Land was to pass to the next branch of the Males , which was that of Bourbon , and so did in the end . A Title so known to all the French , that even in the heat of the War of the League , against the house of Bourbon , as professing a contrary Religion ; yet they crowned the Cardinal of Bourbon , and called him Charles the Tenth .

In these confusions , Philip the Second King of Spain , seeing the party of the League inclined to the Election of a King , claimed the Kingdom for his Daughter Clara Eugenia Isabella , as Daughter of Elizabeth of France , his third wife , sister and Heir of the three last Kings , Francis II . Charles IX . and Henry III . and of Francis Duke of Alenson , the eldest of three Sisters ; of which the Second was Claude , married to Charles Duke of Lorrain ; and the third was Queen Margaret , wife to Henry the Fourth , then only titular King of Navarra . He alleadged then that representation being a good Title by the Laws of France , his Daughter entred into all the rights of her Mother Elizabeth , which should have inherited of her brothers ; and that her right extended even to the Crown , as the Patrimony of her Family ; That the pretended Salique Law of the French was imaginary ; yea , and against Nature , against Humanity , and the right of Political successions , which require that all Inheritances may go to the next Heirs . And though that Law had force among the French , that his Daughter being not a subject , nor borne in France , could not be tied by these municipall Laws . That between Soveraigns , the Law of Nature , not the particular Laws of Nations should be the rule . That all Laws of Nature reject this principle , that the successions should be for males only , as though females were unreasonable creatures ; or the excrements and sweepings of mankind , and no part of human society .

When the States of the League were assembled in Paris , An. 1593. some unadvised and rash heads moved the Election of a King , and the excluding of the house of Bourbon , which stirred the Parliament to make that famous Arrest for the maintaining of the Salique Law , to which the wisest of the League yielded . Philip the II . of Spain , in that Assembly of the States , set up his Daughters Title , and presented her to be Queen . But presently perceiving the weaknesse of that Title , and the aversion of the French , from the Government of a woman ; he offered to marry her either with a Prince of the house of Austria , or with one of the House of Lorraine ; Whose imaginary rights were at the same time pleaded . And to strengthen all these rights , he said , that the Election by the States would supply all defects in the Right of succession .

It appeared , that Philip acknowledged the weaknesse of his Daughters right , since he presented her to be elected . The Salique Law is fundamentall in France , wisely instituted , and observed twelve hundred years together .

As for Philips allegation , that Princes are not to be tied by municipall Laws , but by the Laws of Nature , it is utterly false . For in the discussion of the rights of all Soveraigns , the municipall Lawes are alwaies examined ; and none can have right to an Estate from which he is excluded by the Law of the Land . The decision of all suits for Estate , is taken out of the customes of the Land where the Estate lyeth ; but where those customes written or unwritten are wanting , the case is to be decided by reason onely . The French think they have both Law and Reason on their side . Howsoever , that Isabella in whose favour that Right was set up , dyed childlesse , an . 1633. Whose right , if she had any , should be devolved since to the Children of her second sister Katherine , wife to Charies Emanuel Duke of Savoy , from whom all the House of Savoy that now is , is descended .

4. Besides these imaginary Rights to the whole Kingdom , the Empire hath a weake pretended right to some parts of it . Whereupon we must observe , That by the partage between the Sons of Lewis the Meek , 843. all the Countries that lye between the Rivers of Rhosne and Saone , and the Alpes , viz. Provence , Daulphine , Savoy , and Franch County , remained Imperial Lands . And the French Kings in the second Race , yea , and very far in the third Race , pretended nothing to them till Daulphine came to them in the time of Philip de Valois , and Provence , in the time of Lewis the XI . And that part of the Empire being held by Lothary the eldest Son of Lewis the Meek , and after him by his Son Lewis the Young , who dyed without Heirs Male , a State was erected in favour of his Daughter Hermengard ; between these two Rivers and the Alpes , which was called the Kingdom of Arles , or the second Kingdome of Burgundy , which continued under its proper Kings ( whose pedegree was fully described by the Historian Du Chesne ) unto the death of Rodolphus the last King , who dying without issue , an . 1036. left his Estate to the Emperour Conrad the II , surnamed the Salique , who had married his sister Grisel , or ( as some say ) was his Nephew by her .

By that gift , besides the antient pretence of the Empire upon that Kingdome , at least for the soveraignty , the Emperours became Masters of the same both by soveraignty and propriety , and annext it to the Empire ; At which time the Arch-bishop of Treves tooke the name of Chancellor , per regnum Arelatense . But the Authority of the Emperours coming to a great decay out of Germany , especially during the Warres betweene the Emperour Henry the IV . and the Popes ; four Principalities were framed in that Kingdom of Arles , of the Counts of Provence , the Dolphins of Viennois , the Counts of Moriurre , called since Dukes of Savoy , and the Counts of Burgundy , which without question depended from the Empire as long as there was any vigour in it : But time hath worne out that title , and prescription is past upon it ; not to be broken , and the old title revived , unless the Emperour will together question most part of the Principalities of Italy , and the East and North Gaules .

Of these four Principalities , that of Savoy subsisteth to this day . Franch County is fallen to the House of Flanders , and so to the house of Austria . Daulphiné was given to Philip de Valois by Imbert Dolphin , about the yeare 1343. And Provence to Lewis the XI . an . 1482. by Charles Count of Maine , Heir to René King of Naples , and Duke of Anjou . All these changes and gifts as for the propriety only , the Soveraignty being still pretended by the Emperours , which they may well be accounted to have lost , by weaknesse , desertion , and by prescription , as many other Principalities at this side of the Rhine . Besides , the French Histories relate that in the year 1377. the Emperour Charles the IV , being come into France to visit King Charles the V , gave to his God-son Charles , who since was Charles the VI , the right which the Emperours pretended in Daulphiné , which was no great gift . And Theodorick à Niem , an Historian of that age , saith , That the same Emperour being come to Avignon to visit the Pope , gave to Lewis Duke of Anjou , brother to Charles the V. of France , the whole Kingdome of Arles , which had been under the jurisdiction of the Empire , in recompence of the magnificent entertainment which the said Lewis gave him at Villeneufue near Avignon . So all these Rights of the Empire , are lost either by prescription or donation . These are all the rights that can be imagined to be pretended by the Emperours and the House of Austria , upon the Soveraignty of France .

Paragraphe II . Of the Rights pretended upon Provence .

Let us now examine some pretences of the House of Austria , upon some Dutchies and other Dominions in France , beginning at Provence .

1. I shewed before , how Provence before the partage betweene the Sons of Lewis the Meek , ( a fundamental and famous Date in our History ) was part of the Kingdome of France ; And when it was divided into Tetrarchies , it was a member of the Kingdom of Mets , Austrasia , or Burgundy . But when ( before that famous division ) all France was reunited in the second Race under these two great Princes , Pepin and Charlemagne , Provence was a part of it .

2. By the partage betweene the Sonnes of Lewis the Meek , Provence , with all that was beyond the Rivers of Rhosne and Saone , was cut off from the portion , given to Charles the Bald , and was since called the Kingdome of Arles . All these pieces given to Lothary the eldest brother , were called the Empire , and Imperial grounds ; and to this day the Lands beyond the Rhone towards Italy , are called Terres d' Empire , Lands of the Empire , and the Lands at this side Terres de France , French Lands . Since that partage , the Emperours have alwayes pretended a Soveraignty to those Countries , a right strengthened by the donation made of the propriety of it , to the Emperour Conrad the Salique , by his Uncle or Brother in law Rod●lphus the last King of Burgundy .

3. Lewis the II . Emperour , Son to that Lothary , left but one Daughter called Hermengarda , which being incapable of the Title of Emperour , had instead of it that Country between the Rivers of Saone and the Rhone , the Alpes , and the Sea ; which Dominon was erected to the Title of a Kingdom by Charles the Bald , King of France , and Emperour in favour of that Hermengarda , whom Bozon one of the Court of Charles , and his wives kinsman took away . These two Bozon and Hermengarda , gave a beginning to that second Kingdom of Burgundy , or the Kingdom of Arles , about the year 875. which continued under these Kings among many alterations to that last Rodolphus , an . 1036. All that time Provence was part of that Kingdome of Arles .

4. Which Kingdom being extinct in that Rodolphus , and united to the Empire by Conrad the Salique , shortly after by the weakness of the Emperours , and the disorders risen in the Empire ; four Principalities were framed out of it , as we said before . That of Provence , under the title of a County , was the most considerable , as being full of good Towns , and of great commerce , by reason of the Sea . It was possest by the family of Berengers , with the title of Counts , whose History was written by Nostradamus .

5. That House of Berengers kept the County of Provence till the time of St Lewis , when Raymond Berenger the last Count left four Daughters , the eldest whereof Marguret was married to St Lewis . The three other were also married to Soveraign Prince , Eleonor to Henry the III . King of England ; Fancie to Richard his brother , who was since created King of the Romans ; and the fourth Daughter Beatrix , to Charles Count of Anjou , brother to St Lewis . Raymond dying an . 1231. left that Beatrix Heir of all his Estate , leaving Legacies onely to the three others , to each three thousand marks . Another Raymond Count of Thoulouse , would have taken away that Beatrix to marry her : But St Lewis prevented him , sending an Army into Provence , and taking her gave her to his brother Charles to wife , to whom he gave the County of Anjou . And thirty yeares after , the same Charles was invested by the Pope , with the Kingdome of the two Sicilies , as we shall see hereafter .

The County of Anjou returned to the Crown of France , being given as a portion to Margaret , Grand-child to that Charles , who was married to Charles Count of Valois , Father to King Philip de Valois . And many yeares after that first Branch of the Kings of Naples , and Counts of Anjou , pretended no right to that County , it was given to Lewis , brother to King Charles the V. who sounded the second House of Anjou , now erected to a Dukedome . But the two other pieces of that Estate , which Charles brother to St. Lewis enjoyed with his wife Beatrix , which was Provence , and the Kingdom of the two Sicilies remained alwayes united : and the Kings of Naples and Sicily , whether of the first House of Anjou , or of the second , or of the family of Arragon , have alwayes claimed a right to the County of Provence ; so that Naples and Provence go under one right , as we shall more fully expound when we shall speak of the claim of France upon Naples .

6. Jane , Queen of Naples , of the first house of Anjou , went out of Italie , An. 1347. with Pope Clement VII . and retired to Avignon when that great Schism began , which contitinued forty years . Since which time , although there have been many disputes for the succession of Naples , between the Families of Charles de Duras , the Dukes of Anjou , and the house of Arragon , and that portion of Italie past through many changes ; yet Province into which that Jane retired , was soon after put in the hands of Lewis , first Duke of Anjou , brother to Charles the V. and both he and his descent enjoyed it peaceably , without any disturbance from the houses of Hungary and Arragon , who were fighting for the Kingdom of Naples , although both pretended that Province belonged to them by the same right . But the conveniency of the place , as lying under the wings of France , which might assist it at any time , kept the possession thereof to the house of Anjou . And finally , from the house of Anjou it past to that of France , being left to Lewis the XI . by Charles Count du Main , Heir and Nephew to Rene , titular King of Naples , and reall Possessor of Province . Lewis the XI . though he knew the right of the French in Naples , which his Son Charles the VIII . and his other successours have pursued ; yet he neglected it , and contented himself to take Provence . By this discourse , it appears that who so hath the lawfull Possession of the Kingdom of Naples ( which we shall examine afterwards ) hath also a lawfull right to Province .

7. Besides that claim of the Possessors of Naples upon Province , disputable between that house first of Anjou , and that of Arragon & Austria ; there is a more particular claim of the Dukes of Lorraine against the French Kings , Heirs to that Charles du Main . The Lorriners pretend that René having a Daughter named Yoland , from which the house of Lorrain is descended , could not lawfully dis-inherit his Grandchild , to give his Estate to Charles du Maine his Nephew . To which the French answer two things .

1. That Province was a purchase of René , who could dispose of it .

2. And that Province useth the Civil or Roman Law , by which testaments are free . But the discussion of that point , is for another place .

Howsoever this remains , That the Dukes of Anjou , and the French Kings after them , have peaceably enjoyed the County of Province above 270. years , and the invaders of Naples never had any thing in it : Which indeed , hinders not , but that they may have a right to it . But the reason whereby we shall exclude them hereafter from any right to the Kingdome of Naples , will serve also to invalid their claim upon Province .

Paragraphe . III . Of the Dutchy of Burgundy .

1. The Burgundians came out of Germany , or some other Nation of the North , in that great inundation of Northern people over the Roman Empire , about the year 400. founded a State under the name of the first Kingdom of Burgundy , about the Rivers of Saone and Rhone , and near the Alpes : And that State having begun An. 407. was ruined by the children of the great Clovis about the year 527. and lasted about six score years .

2. Since which time , under the first race of the French Kings , Burgundy was part of the Kingdom of Orleans ; some part of it also belonging to the Kingdom of Mets , and Austrasia . And in the end , the Kingdom of Mets and that of Burgundy , became all one , till by the partage between the children of Lewis the Meek , that part of Burgundy , which is beyond the River of Saone , remained with the Empire , and in the portion of Lothary the eldest Son . The other on this side of the River of Saone , was allotted to France , and was a considerable member of the same . Before the institution of Fees , ( made in the beginning of the third race ) Burgundy was governed by Dukes , and three Brothers of Hugh Capet , the first of that race , held it . But the last of them , Robert , was divested of them by his Nepnew , King Robert , Son to Hugh Capet , and it was re-united to the Crown . All that was before the two Families of Burgundy , of which we are to speak to discusse the right which the Sp●●iar●s pretend upon that piece of the F●e●●h State .

3. So then from the beginning of the first Race , two Royall Families have possest the Dutchy of Burgundy . The first began by Robert , younger brother to King Henry the First , and Son to King Robert . To him his brother Henry gave that Dutchy , in the year 1032. That Family continued from Male to Male , without any interruption of Female succession , untill the death of the last Duke Philip , dead without issue , An. 1362. Then King John at that time reigning in France , seizd upon that piece as an apanage ; so the French call the Portions of the Sons of France , which are to return to the Crown , when Heirs Male fail . That apanage then being returned to the Crown , King John bestowed it in the same nature upon his fourth Son Philip . This was the head of the second house of Burgundy , which had four Dukes only successively . This Philip called le Hardy , invested by his Father , then Iohn , the third Philip le Bon , the last Charles killed before Nancy , An. 1477. who left his Daughter Mary his universall Heir . She was married to Maximilian of Austria , since Emperour , and so carried all her estate into the house of Austria . From that marriage came Philip Archduke , married with Jane , Inheritrix of all Spain ; and by her had two Sons , Charles the V. and Ferdinand , Emperours , founders of the two Families of Austria that now reign .

4. After the death of Charles , killed before Nancy , Lewis the XI , seized upon the Dutchy of Burgundy as an apanage of France , returning to the Crown . Although Mary and her Husband Maximilian alleaged , that the Dutchy had been given to Philip the Hardy , by his Father , King John , as an absolute gift , without any restriction of masculine descent . That question , though agitated on both sides , will alwaies remain undecided . The French Kings maintaining themselves in that possession . Charles the V. Grandchild to that Mary , grounding himself upon that right , which we will declare afterwards ; required by the Treaty of Madrid , that the Dutchy of Burgundy should be restored to him as his by his Grandmothers right , and taken from her by Lewis the XI . But after the return of Francis the I , that Treaty was declared void , as being contrary to all right of Nations , which disannull Treaties made in Prison , and extorted by violence , & contrary to the Munici●●all Laws of the State of France , which constitute the Kings to be alwaies Minors : that is , uncapable of absolute disposition , as for the alienation of their Dominions . So the Article of that Treatise , concerning the restitution of Burgundy remained null , though signed by the King . Besides , the States Generall of the Kingdom protested to the King , that it was never in his power to alienate any Province of his State without their consent . Which last opposition was of such force , that since neither in the Treaty of Cambray , nor in that of Crespy in Valois ( in which severall pieces were yielded unto the house of Austria ) any mention was made of Burgundy . Yet the Kings of Spain take still the Title of Dukes of Burgundy . So much for the Fact . We will now examine the right .

5. It must be acknowledged that the severity of Apanages for the Males onely , to the exclusion of Females , is not in use among the French but since the time of Philip de Valois , who began to reign An. 1328 ; for remounting higher to Hugh Capet , we find not that exclusion of Females from successions , saving the ordinary preference of the Males before them . And the Females were admitted Heirs , in all kinds of estates , whether given by the King , or by others . Yea , many times the houses of the Sons of France have ended in Females , that have transported their Estates to other Families ; as it appears in that of Dreux of Vermandois , of Courtenay , and of others . But since the time of Philip de Valois , no Son of France had any apanage but upon that condition . Which is evident , in that all the apanages are returned to the Crown by the extinction of Males , to the exclusion of Females , as those of Anjou , Berry , Alanson , and others . Yea , although that first house of Burgundy be much antienter , and hath begun almost with the third race ; yet as it was the first , and most important apanage , we have in the History thereof an example of the excsusion of Females and setling the inheritance in the Males . Hugh the IV . of that name , Duke of Burgundy had three Sons , Eudes his eldest , John Lord of Charrolois , and Robert the II . Duke of Burgundy . Eudes was married in his Fathers life time , died before him , and left three Daughters , Joland , Margaret , and Alice or Alix ; John the second Son was married , and died likewise before his Father , leaving a Daughter Beatrix of Burgundy , Lady of Bourbon . This was the Lady who being married with Robert , Son to Saint Lewis , gave a beginning to the house of Bourbon . When Eudes the IV . died , it seemed that the Daughters of the First or Second of his Sons should have inherited by the right of representation of their Father ; but they were excluded from it by their Uncle Robert , who enjoyed it , and his Heirs Male peaceably , though these four Daughters had been married in great and potent houses .

6. Philip the last Duke of that Race being dead , King John took the Dutchy in his Poss●●●ion ; yet did not reunite it to the Crown , but presently gave it to his fourth Son , Philip le Hardy , whom he especially loved , because he had saved his life in the battell of ●●i●●●rs , though he was then very young . He gave it him by a long Charter , which indeed co●●ains not in expresse termes the exception of Female Heirs ; but conferrs it upon him with the same rights by which himself came by it , and by which he possesseth it . Termes which have caused difficulty , because John could be said to succeed to it by two rights ; the one as King , the other as the next Heir-male of the last Duke . If he succeeded to it as King , the Dutchy being an apanage , returning to the Crown in defect of Heir-Male , then without doubt it was setled upon his Son Philip as a masculine apanage , both because his Father gave it him with the same right by whch himself had got it . And because the severe Law of Apanages was already in use from Philip de Valois , Father to John , and never was interrupted since .

7. But King John ( say the Spaniards ) inherited of the last Duke as the next of blood , and his Heir , ab intestato , because it appeareth in the Genealogy of that first Race of Burgundy , that Robert the II , he that had excluded his four Neeces , was Father to Hugh the V. who dyed without issue , and of Eudes the IV . both successively Dukes of Burgundy . This last was Grandfather to Philip the last Duke , who ended the masuline line . But that Robert the II . had three Daughters besides Margaret wife to King Lewis Hutin , whence came the house of Navarra , Jane wife to King Philip de Valois , and mother to King John , and Mary wife to Edward Count of Bar . They say then , that after the death of Philip the last Duke , King John took that Dutchy by the right of his mother Jane , which right he transported to his Son Philip le Hardy , without any mention of masculine apanage , wherby they will have it evident , that femals may inherit it .

8. Against that pretended right which was very much disputed in the Treaty of Madrid , the French have strong exceptions .

The first is , That from the time of Philip de Valois , within which that gift was made , no Son of France had any great Apanage but with that restriction , against which whatsoever King John may have said or done ( and he was a very imprudent and rash man ) he could do no valuable deed to the detriment of the State , or against the fundamental Lawes .

The second Reason is , That since we see by the example of Hugh the IV . that females are excluded from that succession , we must acknowledge that John did not succeed by right of his mother , but as King , receiving an apanage devolved unto him .

The third Reason is , That King John was not the next Heir in blood , for by proximity of blood , the children of the eldest Daughter , which was Margaret wife to King Lewis Hutin should have succeeded , not King John , who was Son to the second . Now that succession fell when that wicked man Charles King of Navarra , Grandchild to that Margares was in his strength , who if there had beene any life in that title , would not have failed to have set it up ; for Burgundy was better then all his Navarra , and the rest of his estate . And yet that stirring man did not stirre that point , or it was so slightly , that he left off presently ; but hotly pursued a recompence for the Counties of Champagne and Brie , which by right belonged to his mother Jane , Daughter to Lewis Hutin , Sonne to Jane Countess of Champagne and Brie , Queen of Navarra , wife to Philip le Bel . By all this it is evident , that the Dutchy of Burgundy was setled upon Phillip le Hardy his Son , in the nature of a true masculine apanage .

Paragraphe IV . Of the Towns of Metz , Thoul , and Verdun .

By the partage so famous among the Sons of Lewis the Meek , an . 843. it is certaine that all that was beyond the River Mosa towards Germany , was cut off from that which retained the name of Kingdome of France ; and that these three Towns remained Imperiall . But Mosa being the bound of these two States , the Empire and the Kingdome ; yet by an infinity of Warres , Usurpations , and Treaties , that bound and other limits between the two States were often changed . In the time of the weakness and declination of the House of Charlemagne , most part of the Cities and Lordships of the Empire , did canton themselves , and made themselves particular Dominions under the protection of the Empire , and some remained free , others were subjected to especial Lords , some Lay , some Ecclesiastical . All these make up now the great body of the Empire : Of that nature were these three Towns , Metz , Thoul , and Verdun , upon which the French Kings pretended no right till the time of Henry the II .

An. 1550. the Protestants of Germany called Henry the II . to their help , against the Emperour Charles the V. Henry sent them great Auxiliary forces by Ann de Montmorency Constable of France , who in his way seized upon Thoul and Verdun , & put Garrisons into them to assure the passage of the French Forces into Germany . The Government of Thoul was given to Monsieur d'Esclavoles , Lieutenant of the company of the Duke of Guise . And Charles Cardinall of Lorrain , was restored to his Lordship , annext to the Bishoprick of Verdun , the King retaining the soveraignty for himselfe , which he thought he could lawfully doe , because the Lord of it was his subject , and had an estate in France ; and because the Emperour was his declared enemy , whose Estate he might invade . In the same expedition the Constable seized on the City of Metz , which the Emperour Charles the V. besieged towards the end of the yeare 1551. but in vain , since which time the French have enjoyed these three Cities ; yet finding their right somewhat weak , they used it at the first with great moderation , calling themselves only Guardians and Protectors of the same , till Lewis the XIII . caused them to be altogether incorporated with France , and in them hath establisht a soveraign Court of Parliament .

Indeed these three Townes have of long continuance been Imperial , and being got by subtilty , upon pretence of the surety of the passage , the right of the French Kings in them should be much more disputable then in many other places , as themselves have confest in many of their instructions for the generall Treaties . Yet it may be said for the French , that Henry the II . took them as his enemies estate , when he made War against the Emperour . That the Emperour never made since any stipulation for the restitution of them in any Treaty . That the rights of the Empire on this side of Rhine , are so vanisht and lost , that the Countries seem now to be primum occupanti . That Holland , also Lorraine , Switzerland , Savoy , Franch County , Da●lphiné , Provence , were Imperiall Lands ; and yet all these are slipt from the Empire by a prescription grounded upon the weakness and neglect of the old Soveraigne . Also that the French Kings at the first , declared themselves onely Protectors and Guardians of these Towns : which if afterwards they have incorporated to their State , it was by the consent of the people , seeing themselves deserted and neglected by the Empire . Finally , in that point the French think they may use the right of Represals . And that if the Emperour and the House of Austria should do them right about all their pretences , there would be some reason why the Emperour should be contented about these Towns .

Paragraphe V. Of the Towns on the River of Somme , and other contained in the Treaty of Arras .

The four Dukes of the last House of Burgundy , were Philip le Hardy , John , Philip le Bon , and Charles .

John , after the death of his Father Philip le Hardy , an . 1404. caused great troubles in the State of France , and caused his Cousin German , Lewis Duke of Orleans to be slain , an . 1407. whence sprung those great Divisions and Wars between those two Houses , of which the Histories are full . That John was slain at Montereau foult-Ronne , by the command of Charles the Dolphin , an . 1419. His Son Philip de Bon , pursued with great power and eagernesse the vengeance of that death , made league with the English , and distressed very much the Kingdom of France . In the end seeing himself ill used by the English , he grew weary of their alliance , and ashamed of the harm which he had done to his Country . Being then contented to agree with the King , he met with him at Arras , An. 1435. This was called the Treatie of Arras , a fundamentall piece of the History of that age , and the following . By that Treaty , after that King Charles the VII . in as little dishonorable termes as might be , had asked pardon for the killing of Duke John , when he was Dolphin , they agreed about many other Articles , and the King gave many pieces belonging to the Crown . The chief were these .

1. He transported to the Duke , and to his Heirs lawfully begotten , the Towns and jurisdictions of Peronne , Roye , Mondidier , to hold them by homage from the Crown , and in Title of Peerdom , to depend of the Court of Parliament of Paris .

2. The County of Artois was restored unto him on the same Title , with all the impositions amounting to fourteeen thousand Livers . per an . But of the rights of France upon the County of Artois , we shall speak hereafter .

3. He transported to the said Duke the Towns of Saint Quintin , Corbi , Amiens , Abbeville , Dourlans , Saint Riquier , Crevecoeur , and all the other Towns , Castles , and Lordships seated upon the River of Somme on both sides , together with the County of Ponthien , and other Lands adjacent to the County of Flanders , and Lands of the Empire . All these Towns , Castles , and Lordships , redeemable with the sum of 400000 Crowns . Upon that Treaty all these Towns were delivered to the Duke of Burgundy , and all the time of Charles the VII . nothing was altered in this agreement .

Lewis the XI . came to the Crown . An. 1461. who being unthankfull and malicious , although he had great obligations to the house of Burgundy ; yet as soon as he came to the Crown , he conceived a great aversion against Charles Count of Charolois , Son and Heir to Philip le Bon , and would recover all those pawned Lordships , arguing the Treaty of Arras , of nullity and invalidity , maintaining that his Father could not alienate so many pieces belonging to the State , against the fundamentall Laws . To disingage these Lands , he laid great impositions upon the people , till he had raised the four hundred thousand Crownes , which he caused to be brought to Abbeville , and delivered unto the Duke , who soon after delivered all those places unto him . Charles Count of Charolois took that so heavily , that he almost died for sorrow , and conceived a mortall hatred against the Lord of Crovi , whom he accused to have advised his Father to it . And it was one of the causes of the War of the publique good ; which having been carried with various successe , till the Treaty of Conflans , near Paris , 1465 , the fourth Article whereof was , that the King should give again to the Count of Charolois , all the Townes seated upon the River of Somme , lately redeemed with 400000. Crowns , to enjoy them all his life time , and besides that , should give him the County of Guines for himself and his Heirs for ever . This Charles , who was since Duke of Burgundy , enjoyed these Lands , though not without Wars and Divisions , against Lewis the XI . Finally , Charles being dead before Nancy , An. 1477. Lewis the XI . did suddenly invade the Dutchy of Burgundy as a masculin apanage , returning to the Crown , and all the Townes upon the River of Somme , which the French have kept ever since . Neither can the house of Austria pretend any just right to them as Heir of the house of Burgundy ; both because Charles the VII . had not power to alienate these parts of his State ( as his Son Lewis the XI alledged ) and because all these Townes had been alienated upon condition of redemption with a certain sum , which was paid by Lewis the XI . unto the Duke Philip . And if they were restored to the Count of Charolois , it was for his life onely ; Wherefore Lewis did not seize upon them , but after the death of Charles . At which time also he took Arras , of which we will speak hereafter .

Paragraphe VI . Of the Dutchy of Britain .

The right of the house of Austria to the Dutchy of Britain , hath more ground then any of the former , and gave matter to many disputes , especially in the time of the League ; the King of Spain , Philip the II . representing the rights of his Daughter Isabella , both to the Kingdom , and especially to that Dutchy . And when the Duke of Mercoeur , who had cantonned himselfe in it ( finding himself too weak to maintain his own pretence to it , which was upon another ground ) threatned to give entrance to the Spaniards into the Dutchy , La Guesle the Kings Atturney Generall , made a long speech to defend the Kings right , of which the summary is this .

1. That Francis the II . the last Duke of Britain dying An. 1488. left two daughters , Anna and Isabella . The second died young . The eldest , Anne , had the whole succession , and was married first to Charles the VIII . of France , by whom though she had many children , none outlived the Father : Who being dead , she was married with his successour Lewis the XII . by whom she had two Daughters , Claude married to Francis the I. who by her had Henry the II , who was Father to three Kings , Francis the II . Charles the IX , Henry the III . and to Francis Duke of Alanson , all which left no issue . He was Father also of Elizabeth the Third , Wife of Philip the II . King of Spain , who by her had the Intanta Isabella , Wife to Archiduke Albert , and Princess of the Low-Countries , died An. 1633 , and Catherine , Dutchesse of Savoy .

2. By the death of Henry the III , all the masculine Race of Valois was extinct , and the next Heir of that house was Infanta Isabella , daughter to Elizabeth the eldest Sister of Henry the III . So if there was any Estate in that house inheritable by women , it belonged to Isabella without question . Philip the II , dealing for his daughter after he was once satisfied , that his pretence to the Crown of France in her behalfe was ridiculous , asked that at least the Dutchy of Britain should be restored to her , as the Estate wch her great Grandmother Anne of Britain had brought to Lewis the XII , an Estate which often had past to Females , saying ( as it was true ) that she was the next in blood .

To these allegations these answers are given .

1. That the Dutchy of Britain had been inserapably united with the Crown , by the coming of Henry the II . to the Crown ; for it is a fundamentall rule among the French , that a King coming to the Crown , uniteth unto the same all his Estate , both Paternall and Maternall .

2. Besides that tacit and municipall right , to which all contrary pretence must yield ; there was an expresse union made An. 1532. at the request of the States Generall of Britain , by Francis the I. upon condition , that the Dolphin should take the Title of Dolphin of Viennois , Duke of Britain ; which was then practised in the person of the Dolphin Francis , but was since neglected . That authenticall union of Britain with the Crown , cannot be disputed , since the consent of the whole Province did intervene , and that in all publique businesses , all private rights , must bow and yield to the publique good , Salus populi suprema lex esto .

3. Besides , ever since John of Montford by the battell of Auray An. 1364. remained Master of the Dutchy , and excluded Jane his Cosen-German , Wife to Charles de Blois , objecting that she was a woman , and that women were not capable Heirs of Estates of that nature ; Since that time , I say it may be affirmed that Females were excluded from the succession of Britain . And that if Anne , Wife to the two Kings , Charles the VII . and Lewis the XII . was admitted to it , it was by toleration ; For by right , after the death of Francis the last Duke , the Dutchy was devolved to the Crown . And truly , Francis the last Duke , by his great revolts , had given sufficient cause to the Kings of France , his Soveraigns to deprive him of his Estate .

4. The French also may here set up the right of Aubeine , which excludeth strangers , & admitted none but regnicolae , inhabitants of the Kingdom to successions . Which must especially be observed in great Estates and most of all in those that owe a liedge homage . For whereas the Duke of Britain did owe personal service to the King ; how can a woman born in Spain , tyed with blood and interesse unto a house alwaies jealous , and often declared Enemy of the State of France , perform that part of her duty to the Crown ? a duty absolutely necessary for the preservation of the body of the State unto which the establishing of all Fees must have regard .

6. The French may deale besides with the house of Austria by right of represals . For since that house withholds so many Dutchies , and Counties from the Crown of France , without any recompence or satisfaction ; they think not themselves bound to give ear to their pretences upon so little ground .

Second Point Of the third Chapter . The pretences of the house of France , upon that of Austria .

A Book was publisht An. 1634. intituled Inquisition of the rights of the King and Crown of France , upon the Kingdoms , Dutchies , Countries , Towns , and Countries usurped by forraign Princes upon the most Christian Kings , composed by Cassan the Kings Advocate in the Presidial of Beziers ; wherein all that we have to say of this matter , is fully and curiously set down : Which though we will but summarily relate ; yet we hope to adde somthing to it both for order and matter . Wee will stand here only upon those rights which are disputed against the house of Austria , and the Empire ; both because it is our present businesse , and because all other claims are stale and of small importance .

All the pretences of the French upon the possessions of the house of Austria , are either antient and almost worn out , as the pretences upon Castilia , Portugal , Arragon , Catalonia ; or later and important , upon Dominions to which they maintaine their rights , and claim them from time to time , to hinder a prescription ; joyning to their claim active prosecution by armes .

Though I might omit those first pretences as too stale , yet I will here set them down among the rest , for the information of curious Readers .

All the pretences either new or old of the French upon the Spaniard , are either within or without Spain .

In that Peninsula , called Spain , inclosed within the great Ocean , the Mediterranean Sea , and the Pyrenees , since the invasion of the Saracens , an . 713. there hath been a great number of petty States under the Title of Kingdomes , Dutchies , Counties , &c. into which that great Province was divided , either by the Moores when they conquered the Land , or by the Christians when they reconquered it ; and it is but a hundred and fifty yeares , since there was yet five remarkable distinct soveraignties in Spain , Castilia , Arragon , Navarra , Portugal , and Granada , four of which Castilia , Arragon , Navarra , and Granada were united by Ferdinand the Catholique . Portugal came to the House of Austria , an . 1580. under Philip the II . ( for here I speake not yet of the revolt of the Portugais and Catalans , which hath cut off two considerable limbs of that great body , of which we will say more before we have done ) This is not a fit place to examine how these severall States were founded , and how united as they are now . We consider onely that there be six pieces within Spain , upon which the French have pretences , Castilia , Portugal , Navarra , Arragon , Catalonia , and the County of Roussillon . And out of Spain they claim a right to the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily , the Dutchie of Milan , the Common-wealth of Genoa , and the Counties of Flanders and Artois .

Paragraphe I. Of the Kingdome of Castilia .

The Saracens Moores , having invaded Spain an . 713 , were manfully opposed by two Catholique Princes , Inigo Imenes , surnamed Arista , Count of Bigorre , who conquered upon them part of the Pyrenees , and founded the little Kingdom of Suprarba , called afterward Navarra . The other Prince was Don Pelagus , Uncle or Cousin to King Rodriguez , dispossest before by the Saracens . This Prince founded a Kingdom towards Asturia , called Gallicia or Leon , or the Kingdom of Oviedo . He , and his Descendants , and people , stretching themselves towards the plains , recovered the Country as farre as the Strait of Gibralter , and built many Castles upon their Frontier to keepe out the Saracens . Whence the Country was called Gastilia , which remained under the subjection of the Kings of Oviedo , till the year 896. when the Castilians incensed against their King Frocla , who had usurped the State of his Nephews , cantonned themselves , and chose two soveraign Judges . The two first were Nugno Rasuro , and Flavio Galvo . But about 40 years after , an . 939. Sanchez King of Oviedo and Leon , made himselfe Master of Castilia , and reunited it unto the Kingdom of Oviedo where it remained , till Dom Sanchez , surnamed the Great , King of Navarra , who had Castilia by his Wife , made that famous partage between his three Sons , giving Navarra to Garcias his eldest Son ; to Ferdinando , Castilia and Leon ; and to Ramires his bastard , Arragon . That partage was about the yeare 1036. which is the date of the birth and distinction of those three States in Spain . From that Ferdinand King of Castilia , descended long after Alphonsus the IX . the Father of three Children , one Son called Henry , and two Daughters , Blanch and Berengera . Henry reigned after his Father , and dyed without issue . Blanch was married to Lewis the VIII . King of Frances and was mother of St Lewis . Berengera was married to Alphonsus the IX . King of Leon .

After the death of Henry , Blanch as the eldest , was the undoubted Heir of Castilia , and Beringera had no right to it being the yongest . Yet because Beringera was within the Country , and Blanch lived in France very farre , she seized upon the state , and with it invested her Son Ferdinand , although many of the Grandees opposed it , standing for the right of Blanch , which caused great troubles till St. Lewis to whom Castilia belonged after his Mother , thus composed the difference .

Ferdinand , the usurper of Castilia over Blanch and St Lewis , was Father of Alphonsus the X. King of Castilia and Leon , against whom St Lewis having an Action for Castilia one of the two Kingdoms , married his Daughter Blanch , Grand-daughter of Blanch the inheritrice of Castilia , an . 1267. with Ferdinand , surnamed , De la Cerda , eldest Son to that Alphonsus the X. By the contract of marriage , it was agreed that S. Lewis yielded all his rights over Castilia , to his Daughter Blanch , and her Children after her ; upon which conditions performed , France lost her claime upon that Kingdome ; but that Ferdinand de la Cerda dyed before his Father Alphonsus , and his younger Brother Sanchez usurped the Crown , depriving his Nephews , Sons to Ferdinand and Blanch , of their right . From that usurper Sanchez , all the Kings of Spain to this day are descended . From the dispossest Children of Ferdinand and Blanch of France , is descended the House of the Dukes of Medina Coeli , who retaining still the memory of that degradation , and of their birth-right over the family of Sanchez , make their protestations at every change of State , that if the family now reigning should fail , they might enter upon their right .

Out of that discourse , four things doe result for our purpose .

1. That after the death of Henry King of Castilia , all the right of the Kingdome belonged to his sister Blanch , and after her , to her Son St Lewis ; and that Berengera the younger sister of Blanch , and her Son Ferdinand , were usurpers .

2. That St Lewis indeed yeelded his rights by the contract of marriage between Ferdinand de la Cerda , and his Daughter Blanch . One might say , that it was more then he could doe ; for the rights of the Crown cannot be alienated . But they had not then such absolute maxims , and were not so jealous as now of preserving the union of States , which in those dayes were often divided , exchanged , bought and sold . And St Lewis sufficiently perceived the impossibility of governing the French and the Castilians together .

3. But that Cession was conditionall , requiring that the Children of Ferdinand and Blanch , should inherit the Crown . That condition having been violated by the usurpation of Sanchez , younger Brother to Ferdinand , and the poor Princes , Children to Ferdinand and Blanch , being disinherited and proscribed , that cession of St Lewis becomes void by right , and the claim of the French might be good , if it was not somewhat too old .

4. At least all that Right of St Lewis remaines with the descendants of Ferdinand and Blanch , the Dukes of Medina Coeli , for they have double right , the one from Ferdinand , as elder Brother to Sanchez ; the other from Blanch , to whom her Father St Lewis had conferred his right . And if the House of Medina Coeli would prosecute it , they should be well grounded , and the French Kings might defend their claim very justly , as their successors and fetching their right from them .

Paragraphe II . Of the Kingdome of Portugal .

Portugal , a part of the old Lusitania , is one of the Provinces of Spain , near the great Ocean under Gallicia , between the Rivers of Duerno Minio , and Tajo : To which also belongs a little State , called the Kingdom of Algarba , which is the point of the Cap St Vincent , next to the Isle of Cadiz , and the Serait of Gibraltar . That Country was wasted and conquered by the Saracens , as the rest of Spain , by that great inundation of those barbarous Nations , an . 713.

All the Christian Princes , and all the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdomes of the West , ( even after the time of Charlemagne , and Lewis the Meek , who were there in person ) very willingly went to make Warre in Spain , against these Saracen Moores . Especially an . 1090. a little before the enterprise of the holy Warre , Philip the I. reigning in France , & Alphonsus the VIII . in Spain ; many Princes and Noblemen confederated themselves , and went into Spain against them . The most eminent was Henry , of the first Royal House of Burgundy ; for although there hath been much dispute about his Origine , now all Historians acknowledge that he was Grandchild to Robert , Brother to King Henry the I , who had Burgundy given him for his apanage . This Henry of Burgundy , having done great exploits against the Moores , married Teresa , naturall Daughter of Alphonsus , who gave her for her portion the Townes of Coimbra , Braga , and others in Portugal , with forces to conquer the rest , of which he quitted himself so well , that he expelled the Infidels from great part of Portugal , of which he was called Comes or Count , and no other title did he bear all his life time . He dyed an . 1112. and left a Son named Alphonsus , who took Lisbone , and much Country besides , and was called the first King of Portugal , an . 1139. From that Alphonsus is descended the whole House of Portugal , till the death of Henry the Cardinall King , an . 1580. at which time Portugal was united with Spain .

The great difficulty about the succession of that Kingdom , whether it belong to the house of Spain , or to that of Braganza , or to that of Parma , is nothing to this purpose . It hath wearied the reasoning of the greatest Polititians for threescore yeares , and finally hath ended in a generall revolt of Portugal , and a bloody War . Certainly , although such as are most jealous of the growth of Spaine , will vote for the House of Braganza , and that of Parma , the question is not without difficulty .

But France hath a further pretence to the Kindom of Portugal , for which we must remount higher . Alphonsus the II , King of Portugal , had two Sons , Sanchez the II , surnamed Capel , and Alphonsus . Sanchez raigned after his Father , but with small vigour , and was despised by his subjects . Alphonsus living then in the Court of St Lewis , where he received much honour , as being his kinsman by Blanch of Castilia the Kings Mother . By his meanes he married Mahaut of Dampmartin , Widow to a Prince of the blood , an . 1235. and by her had Children . The people of Portugal weary of their King Sanchez , desired Alphonsus to come home , and take the tuition of the State , which he did , leaving his wife Mahaut in France . And his Brother being degraded and himselfe made King , he forgot his wife and children in France , and married Beatrix , naturall Daughter of Alphonsus the IX King of Castilia , who gave her for her portion the Kingdom of Algarba . Because his first wife was living , that 2d marriage was accounted unlawful ; yea , Alphonsus was excommunicated for it by Pope Alexander the IV . and hated by all the Princes ; and Mahaut coming into Spain , made a heavy complaint against him . Who was so hardened in that sin , that he protested that if a hundred wives would have him , he would marry them all . Yet being a great Warriour , and a wise and prosperous King , he maintained himself by the love of his subjects , insomuch that Mahaut being dead , the Bishops of Portugal obtained his absolution of Urban the IV . and the confirmation of that second marriage of which he had Children . One of them , and his successour , was Denis , Alphonsus being dead , an . 1279. From that Denis are descended all the Kings of Portugal to this day .

Some of the French Historians affirme , that Mahaut had two Sons by Alphonsus in France , the one that dyed young , the other Robert , from whom the whole House of the Counts of Bullen is descended , which fell to Magdalen de la Cour , wife to Laurens of Medicis , by whom came Katherine de Medicis , mother of the three late French King , Francis the II . Charles the IX , and Henry the III , after whose death ( by the substitution set downe before in the contract betweene her and Henry the II , ) the inheritance of Katherine came to her Daughter Queen Margaret , first Wife to Henry the IV . That Queen made the Dolphin of France her Heir , who since was Lewis the XIII .

When the dispute for the succession of Portugal was open , after the death of Henry the Cardinal King an . 1570 , Katherine Queen of France , among other pretenders to that Crown , set forth her claim by Belloy , Advocate Generall in the Parliament of Toulouse , who pleaded that from the marriage of Alphonsus and Mahaut , a Son was born called Robert , and had succeeded in all his rights , that Beatrix was the Concubine , not the wife of Alphonsus ; and that the Pope could not legitimate Denis born of adultery , to the prejudice of Robert the true Heir of Alphonsus . Also that all the Kings that had reigned since Denis for three hundred years , made no prescription , because there can be no prescription for the right of Kingdoms . That right being propounded to the Estates of Portugal , was found too old and stale , and injurious to all their Kings ; neither did they make any account of it . Besides , the Spanish Historians affirm , that Alphonsus had no issue by Mahaut , and that among the protestations which Mahaut made in Portugal against Alphonsus , there is not one word of the injury which he did to her children , which she would not have forgot if she had had any : Yet that right may be defended by the testimony of the French Historians , and by this true allegation , that neither a bastard nor his Descent can prescribe against the lawfull Heirs .

Paragraphe III . Of the Kingdom of Navarra .

An. 713. when the Saracens invaded Spain , Inigo , Ximenes , Arista , Count of Bigorre gave a beginning to the little Kingdome of Suprarba within the Pyrenees , which a while after having spread into the vales , tooke the name of Navarra or Navierras , which in old Spanish signifieth plain grounds . It is certain , that two generous Princes , and great Catholiques resisted the Saracens in the very beginning of their invasion . Pelagius towards the Astures which are Leon and Gallicia , and this Ximenes Arista towards the Pyrenees ; though the date of the Conquests of this Ximenes be not so certain ; some Historians make him latter . Upon which one may read the History of Navarra written by Favin .

2. These Kings of Navarra in their beginings , made many Conquests over the Saracens ; and that Family continued to Sanchez the great , who about the year 1035. shared all his Estates among his three Sons , of whom the eldest Garcias , had Navarra ; to whom many Kings succeeded , till that State fell to the house of France , by the marriage of Philip le Bel , with Jane Inheritrix of Navarra , Countesse of Campagn and Brie , to whom Lewis Hutin , King of France and Navarra , succeeded in her Estates . But he having no child but a daughter , called Jane , which could not be Queen of France , he left her Navarra ; and so that State was soon separated from that of France . That Jane married Philip of the Royall branch of Eureux .

3. By that marriage , the house of Navarra became a Royall French house ; but the nature of that Crown being to fall to women , as the other States of Spain , it passed not long after into the Family of Arragon by marriage , and so again into the Family of Castilia , and again into the Family of Foix , after this manner .

4. Charles the III . King of Navarre , Grandchild to that Jane , daughter to Lewis Hutin had one onely daughter called Blanch , married to John , Prince and afterwards King of Arragon . From that marriage came Charles Prince of Viana , who got a great , but an ill renown in the Histories of Spain , for making War to his Father , and maintaining himself against him in his State after his mothers death . That Prince of great learning and courage , died a batchelour . The two other children of John of Arragon , and Blanch of Navarra were two daughters . The eldest Blanch of Arragon , who having been married with Henry the IV . King of Castilia , surnamed the Impotent , was separated from him , by reason of his impotency , and died without issue . The other was Eleanor , wife to Gaston the IV . Count of Foix , who after the death of her Father , Mother , Brother , and Sister , succeeded to the Kingdom of Navarra , and united it to the house of Foix . She enjoyed it but two months and a half , and died , An. 1469. Her eldest Son , Gaston Prince of Viana , being already dead , and having left , by his wife Magdalen , daughter to Charles the VII . of France , two children , Francis Phoebus , who succeeded his Grandfather in the Kingdome of Navarra , but enjoyed it but four years , and died unmarried ; and Catherine de Foix , who succeded him , and married John d' Albret , Son to Alen d' Abret , a man of great note in Gascony , but not of a soveraign house ; yet descended from that Amani d' Albret , who in the time of Charles the V. of France , married Magaret of Bourbon , Sister to Jane , Queen of France , and raised his house to a great splendour by that royal alliance , & advanced much the party of the French against the English .

5. John of Albret , and Catherine de Foix , had a Son called Henry , who was King of Navarra , and married Margaret , Sister to Francis the first of France , by whom he had Jane , Inheritrix of Navarra ; Jane being married to Antony of Bourbon , was by him Mother of Henry the IV . of France , Father to Lewis the XIII , and Grandfather to Lewis the XIV . Thus that house of Navarra was united with two great houses in France ; yet not Royal , that of Foix and that of Albret , and after to the Royal house of Bourbon , and became so powerfull in France , that her possessions from these three houses much exceeded the Kingdome of Navarra . Hence it is manifest , how the last Kings of Navarra by the interesse of their Alliance , and Estate were obliged to follow the party of France . Now it hapned , An. 1510. after that Lewis the XII . had humbled the Venetians by the victory of Aignadel , and brought terrour among all the Princes of Italy , that Pope Julius the II . fell out with Lewis , and prosecuted the quarrell with such animosity , ( Lewis on the other side , being as fierce as he ) that the contention grew almost into a Schism : Julius excommunicated all that took part with Lewis , and put an interdict ( as they call it ) upon their Estates . Lewis maintained himself against his fulminations , both by an Assembly of his Prelates at Tours , who cleared the obligations of the Kings conscience , as his History speaks , and especially by armes , whereby he represt all the invaders of his State , and put them to the defence of their own . But John d' Albret , and Catherine of Navarra , were expelled from their State by Ferdinand the Catholique , who making a shew to passe into Guienne to join with the English , and seize upon the Kingdom of France , by vertue of the Papall interdict , suddenly turned upon Navarra , and took it , An. 1512. both because John d' Albret was united with the French King , who was a rebell against the Church , and an Enemy to the English , with whom Ferdinand had alliance ; also because the Spaniards hold that there was a tacit agreement between the Kings of Spain , not to suffer that any of the Spanish Crowns should fall into forrain hands , or into houses not soveraign , as those of Foix and Albret . As the reason and pretence of that invasion , was leight and groundlesse , the French stand to their right to this day , against that manifest , invasion , and hinder the prescription by arms Treaties and Protestations .

Paragraphe IV . Of the Kingdome of Arragon .

Cassan in his Book of the rights of the Crown of France , with more zeal than judgement will ground those rights upon conquests 800. years old , and antient expeditions of the French Kings into Spain , where they took some Towns of Navarra , Arragon and Catalonia , not considering the many changes of successions in so many years . The Conquests of Catalonia and Arragon by Charlemagne , give to the French no more right there in these times , than those of Caesar in France to the now Emperours .

The rights of the French over Arragon , Catalonia , & Roussillon , which have some ground , may be reduced to two heads .

The first is how Charles Count of Anjou● Brother to Saint Lewis , was invested with the Kingdome of the two Sicilies , against the children of the Emperour Friderick the II . Peter , King of Arragon , who had married Constance , daughter to Manfred , bastard of Frederick , claiming that Kingdome from his wife , made those bloody Sicilian Vespers An. 1281. An action which did incense the whole Christendome against that Peter , well surnamed the cruell ; Pope Martin the IV . especially a Frenchman by Birth and affection , who excommunicated Peter , and put his Kingdome in interdict . Not only by the general maxime of the Popes , that in certain cases they have power over the temporals of Kings ; but because Arragon hath been , of great antiquity , a Fee of the Church of Rome . So the Pope dealt with that perfidious King as Soveraign of Arragon . To that purpose he sent a Legat into France which offered the Kingdome of Arragon to King Philip le Hardy for his Son Charles , Count of Valois . Whereupon Philip assembled the States Generall at Paris , accepted the Popes gift , and undertook the War against Peter ; took Arragon , Catalonia , & Valentia , and invested his Son Charles with these Kingdomes , paying five hundred Livers yearly to the See of Rome . It is true that after these Conquests , King Philip , as he returned into France , dyed at Perpignan , and the French soon after lost all that Country . Yet their right , if they had any by the donation of the Pope , remained as good as before .

But the Spaniards contradict that right , saying , that in the time of the greatest confusions about that quarrel , a marriage was made between that Charles de Valois pretended King of Arragon , and Margaret daughter to Charles the II , King of Naples . To which Margaret the Counties of Anjou and Maine were given for her portion ( which had been in the possession of Charles brother to St Lewis , and by him united to the Kingdome of Naples ) with this proviso , That though Margaret should die without issue , Charles should possess these Counties , yeelding all his right and claim to the Kingdome of Arragon , which Charles did , and so that great difference was ended .

The second head whence the claim of the French upon Arragon doth arise , regards the second House of Anjou . The second Son of King John of France , was Lewis , who was invested with the Dutchy of Anjou ; A Prince well known in Histories , as he that was made regent of France , in the Minority of Charles the VI . and after invested with the Kingdome of Naples by Queen Jane the first ; a right which he prosecuted , and perisht in the prosecution . But he left the title to his Children . His Son Lewis the II , married Yoland daughter to John the I. King of Arragon , and of Yoland of Bar his wife . The eldest sister of that Yoland , wife to Lewis the II , of Anjou , which was Jane Countess of Foix , being dead without issue , and no childe remaining of John of Arragon , but that Yoland Dutchess of Anjou , she was the undoubted Heir of that State ; but her Uncle Martin , Duke of Montblanc , seized upon it . Lewis sent the Bishop of Couserans to represent his right . And when after the death of Martin , he would dispute his right by the sword , he was perswaded to put the businesse to an arbitrement ; for the Peers and people of the Kingdome of Arragon , had chosen arbitrators to umpire the businesse between Lewis and Martin , and examine the claimes of other pretenders . And though the Umpires were almost all Arragones , they would not pronounce any thing , so that quarrel remained undecided . And after the death of two Martins , Father and Son , the Arbitration being renewed , nine Arbitrators deferred the Kingdome to Ferdinand Brother to Henry the III . King of Castilia . That sentence was confirmed by the Anti-pope Benedict the XIII . who being forsaken almost by all the world , had taken sanctuary in Arragon . Against the nullity of that sentence , the Children of Yoland , Lewis the III , of Anjou and René , did protest . Yea , the Children of René make War in Arragon , to recover it in the time of Lewis the XI , of France ; but they were constrained to forsake all , and Arragon remained with the usurpers unto this day . Yet I see not that the French urge much that claim , being somewhat too old to be now revived .

Paragraphe V. Of Catalonia .

The like may be said of Catalonia , which is a great Province of Spain , bounded on the East and South with the Mediterranean Sea , and on the other sides with Valentia , Arragon , and Roussillon . It was both before the Romans and under them , part of Hispania Tarraconensis , as Arragon and other Countries near the River of Ebro . Since which time being conquered by the Gotths and Alans together , it was called by them Gottalania , which name was since corrupted to Catalaunia . It was under the Kings of the Gotths , till the invasion of the Saracens , an . 713. who made themselves Masters of it , as of most part of Spain ; But Charlemagne took it from them , and all the Country near the River of Ebro , about the year 800. expelling Zaron the Moore out of Barcellona , and put a French Garrison in it ; not long after he gave it to Bernard , who was the first Count of Catalonia , and was a powerfull and considerable man in the Court of Lewis the Meek ; and the Counts of that Province , who then were but Goverours , were a long time ordinary Courtiers and Attendants of the French Kings . But by the idlenesse of the last descent of Charlemagne , the Governours of Provinces ; and of this among the rest , made themselves Masters .

About the beginning of the third Race of the French Kings , the Family that ruled in Catalonia , was that of the Beringers . And that County was alwayes separate from the Kingdom of Arragon , till the yeare 1131 , when Don Alphonso King of Arragon , surnamed the Bellador , because he fought twenty two battels , being dead without issue , the people of Arragon tooke Ramires out of the Cloister of St. Pontius of Tomieres , where he had lived forty yeares a Monk , because he was of the Royal blood , and Son to Sanchez Ramires , King of Arragon . He was married by a dispensation of Anaclet the II , Pope , or rather Anti-pope , and had a Daughter named Petronilla , married to Raymond Berenger , Count of Catalonia . So Arragon and Catalonia were united , and never separated since . James King of Arragon , an . 1320. by the advice of the State of the Land , made the Law of union of the three Provinces , Arragon , Valentia , and Catalonia , not to be possest separately any more . Together with that Law , Catalonia agreed with the King of Arragon , that she should have her forces and priviledges apart ; and that the Kings of Arragon , who took only the title of Counts of Catalonia , should oblige themselves by oath to observe that condition . This precaution of the Catalans hath justified their late revolt , which the most conscionable among them have yeelded unto , acknowledging that their King had violated that Treaty .

It is a constant truth , that all that time , from the conquest of Charlemagne , Catalonia , was a Fee depending from France ; Charlemagne made the first Counts of it , who were his Courtiers . The first upon whom it was settled , as a French Fee , was Geffery le Velu , invested by Charles le Gros , an . 885. And Bera Count of Catalonia , being accused of felony before Lewis le Begue offered to purge himselfe by a Duell after the manner of the time , in which being overcome , he was deprived of his Fee , and another invested with it .

All that time also , all the publique Acts of Notaries in Catalonia , were done in the name of the Kings of France , which is an undoubted mark of Supremacy , and all the Kings of Arragon , Counts of Catalonia , did homage for it to the Kings of France , till the yeare 1181. and in the beginning of Philip the Conquerour , when Alphonsus King of Arragon called a Councill at Tarracona , a Town of Catalonia , where under colour of conscience and respect to Religion , he caused an Order to be made , that from thenceforth the yeares of the French Kings should no more be put in the Deeds and Contracts of Catalonia , but the yeares of Christ . And the same King having neglected that homage to the Kings of France , that right was lost under Philip Auguste , Lewis the VIII . and St Lewis , the claim onely remaining . In which consideration , likely the Princes of Arragon were educated in the Court of France ; one of them was James , who lived in the time of St. Lewis , and had been educated with Philip le Hardy , who being come to visit that King , and having given him his sister Isabella to wife ; the Spaniards say , that by reason of that match , and the cession which James made to Philip of the Town of Monpellier , and of some other Lands which he possest in Languedoc ; the said King Philip quitted all his right of supremacy over Arragon and Catalonia . That Treaty was an . 1270 , by which the Spaniards conceive that they have shaken the yoak of French Soveraignty . But whether that Treaty be valid or no , either for the fact or the right , that cession being above 380 years old , it seems authenticall , and the French have given over that claim .

But they have another of latter date . For by reason of the massacre made in the Siclian Vespers , an . 1281. Peter King of Arragon , Count of Catalonia , was excommunicated , & his Lands put in interdict , and given to Philip le Hardy , by Martin the IV , Pope , or to his Son Count of Valois ; but that right being the same , as the right which the French claime , or did claim upon Arragon , of which we spake lately , we will not here repeat .

So the French rights over Catalonia , are reduced to these two heads . The first is taken from the conquest of Charlemagne , the estabishing of Counts and Governours in the same , the homage done to the Kings of France , the years of their reign ascribed in their deeds both private and publique . The other is the same , as is pretended upon Arragon . Of both , the French make no great account . Onely because of late years , Catalonia hath shaken the yoke of the Kings of Arragon and Castilia , and have given themselves to the French ; it may be disputed , whether the French King may use any of these old stale Titles , or whether he must ground the justice of his possession upon the donation which the Catalans have made to him , holding themselves free from the obedience of the Spaniard , by reason of the infraction of their priviledges . Certainly in all particular Treaties , the unobservation of the conditions , freeth the parties from the obligations of the contract . But as for Soveraignties , and the mutual obligations of Kings and Subjects , many will reason otherwise ; saying , that although the obligation be mutual as for the conscience ; yet as for the retrocession and the penalty attending the breach of the obligation , it doth not reach to Kings , whose actions are not censurable by the people ; not by the nature of the contract which is mutuall and reciprocall , but for the danger of the consequence which might authorize revolts . Others also will say , that a Country giving her selfe to a Prince , what priviledges soever the people reserve to themselves by contract , they are all lost when they enter into subjection , which by its nature makes a man subject to another man without any exception , when the publique good is concerned ; & that those priviledges by that subjection , passe into the nature of meer liberties and concessions of Princes , which they may stretch , diminish , and over-throw , according to their discretion . Certainly in all these contentions between the people , and the Soveraign passion and interests bear a great sway , & make conscience plead on both sides . But any reason will passe when there is strength to back it .

Paragraphe VI . Of the County of Roussillon and Sardinia .

That little Country at the foot of the Pyrenees , and near the golph of Leon , was antiently part of Languedoc , and for a long time past through the same fortunes and changes . It was for a great while part of the County of Beziers , and Dutchy of Narbon . Then it came into the hands of particular Counts , which failing , the Country fell to the Counts of Catalonia . How , and in what time precisely , I find not . Onely I find that in the time of St Lewis , Alphonsus his Brother , Count of Toulouse , and the King of Arragon , being in suit about the County of Roussillon , St Lewis was chosen Umpire , as bearing himselfe for Soveraign of both , who therefore ought to be their Judge , and he did adjudge it to the King of Arragon against his own Brother . It seems that holy King acknowledged the justice of their possession . For as that County was united with that of Barcelonia , it was held also by the same right .

Since the union of these with the Crown of Arragon , it ran the same fortune with Arragon , and was conquered by Philip le Hardy , by vertue of the Interdict of Pope Martin the IV . Philip died at Perpignan , and soon after , all was lost , and quited by Charles de Valois his second Son . But of that right , & all the pretences of the house of Anjou upon Roussillon , as upon Arragon and Catalonia , the French themselves make no great account .

But upon Roussillon , the French have a Title altogether singular . John King of Arragon , that lived in the time of Lewis the XI . of France , being in War with his subjects of Arragon and Catalonia , as maintainers of his Son , Charles Prince of Vienna , and the true Heir of Navarra against him , and finding his Subjects too hard for him , as assisted by Henry , King of Castilia ; desired Lewis the XI . to assist him , which he did with great might , having sent him a good Army under the conduct of Charles d' Armagnac , Duke of Nemours , who confirmed the Crown to John , and composed the difference between him and his Subjects . At which time , John engaged the County of Roussillon , and the Town of Perpignan unto Lewis the XI . for three hundred thousand Crownes which he borrowed of him . Lewis , notwithstanding many treacheries and attempts of the Arrogenese , maintained himself in that Country , and Charles the VIII . his Son after him , untill the design of the Conquest of Naples .

It was in the year 1492. that Charles the VIII . began the enterprise of Naples . And fearing least Ferdinand , King of Arragon , Son to that John would assist the house of Naples , which was a branch of that of Arragon ; or should enter into France in his absence , he returned unto him that County of Roussillon , gratis ; not quitting , but not demanding the three hundred thousand Crowns ; the King of Arragon having promist , and sworn upon the holy Crosse , and upon the Gospels , that hee would serve the King against all his Enemies in that expedition of Italy . The Governour of Perpignan did not yield , but after many iterated commands , seeing the importance of that restitution , and fearing the infidelity of Arragon . The French Historians blame James Maillert , a Franciscan Frier , Confessour to Charles the VIII . saying , he was won by Ferdinand to perswade the King to that restitution . But Ferdinand instead of helping Charles in his expedition of Italy , helped his Enemies in Italy , and disturbed his enterprise of Naples . Since which time , the French have often redemanded that County , as not redeemed with the three hundred thousand Crownes , and represented that they were circumvented by Ferdinand ; but in vain , till finally the sword hath done what reason and justice could not . Perpignan being besieged , and taken by Lewis the XIII . of late years .

Thus of those six rights which the French pretend within the limits of Spain . Those of Castilia , Portugal , and Arragon , are old and stale . That of Navarra is in its full force by their ordinary protestations . That of Catalonia and Roussillon are no more pretended rights , the French having the real possession of them .

Paragraphe . VII . Of the Kingdom of Naples .

Out of the limits of Spain the French have three great pretences upon the house of Austria . 1. Upon the Kingdom of Naples . 2. Upon the Dutchy of Milan , and the Commonwealth of Genoa . 3. Upon the Counties of Flanders & Artois . Because they pretend that these rights are in their full force , they must be exactly examined . Wee will begin at Naples .

1. That part of Italie which is beyond Capagna de Roma , and comprehends these antient Provinces , Samnium , Appulia , Hydruntum , Magna Graecia , Campania , Calabria , and others ; all these , I say , which is well nigh one half of Italie , make up the Kingdome of Naples .

Compania , now Terra di Lavoro , the River of Aufidus , now Ofanto in Puglia , and the River of Liris now Cantigliano near Capua , were made the limits between the Empires of the East and West , An. 803. Nicephorus then being the Emperour of the East , and Charlemagne of the West . So that part of the Kingdom of Naples , and all that is on this side of the two Rivers remained with the Empire of the West . The part beyond them with the Iland of Sicily , remained with the Emperour of the East .

Not long after , the Saracens invaded Italie . The height of their fury , was about the year 850. and in the parts about Sicily , and Sicily it self , where they setled themselves . And for many Ages , those Countries were the sad stage , where the Latins on the one side , and the Greekes on the other , and the Saracens enemies to both , acted a bloody Tragedy .

2. About the year 1000 , forty Norman Gentlemen returning from the Pilgrimage of the Holy Land , gave a powerfull assistance to the Christians of the Kingdome of Naples against the Saracens , and being returned home , undertook not long after an expedition to Naples with more might , under the conduct of Tristan Cistel , a Norman . These gave the beginning to the State of Naples , partly by conquest , partly by marriage , under the names of the Counts of the Crosse of Puglia , and Dukes of Calabria , and in time advancing their conquests as far as Sicily , they were crowned Kings of the same . To that Family of Normans , succeeded that of the Germans in the persons of Henry the VI . and Friderick the II , Emperours and Kings of Naples . That Friderick being fallen into the hatred of the See of Rome , which is Soveraign of that Fee , he was deprived of that State . After his death his Son Conrard , and his bastard Manfred , and Conradin Son of Conrard , having laboured to maintain himself in it ; finally the house of France was called to it after this manner , about the year 1262.

3. By the falling out of all these Princes with the Popes , great confusions happened in Italie . The Pope Innocent the IV , weary of the German race , presented the Kingdome to Saint Lewis for his brother Charles , Count of Anjou , and Provence , who was reputed a great Warriour . And two years after , Urban the IV , invested them with it , An. 1264. That Country which he held from the Church , contained the Kingdom of Naples , and the great I le of Sicily , and was called Sicilia ultra & extra Farum , because of the For or Streight of Messina , which separates the I le from the Continent . But that Country was so given him by the Pope , that he was first to conquer it before he could enjoy the gi●t . Great Wars he had against Manfred , bastard of Friderick the II . Emperour , and against Conradin the Emperours Grandchild , whom he took in battel , and beheaded him ; A bloody execution , which caused much animosity , and Wars , between that house of France and the reliques of the house of Suaben , which was Constantia , daughter to Manfred , wife to Peter , King of Arragon ; who to avenge the death of that King Conradin , his wives Cosin , & to repress the insolence of the French , was the Author of the bloody Sicilian Vespers , whereby the French were utterly expelled from Sicily An. 1261. and Sicily remained in the power of the house of Arragon ; and since , although many Wars and Treaties have intervened to reunite these two States , they have alwaies been separated , till the house of Arragon hath got the Dominion of Naples . Wherefore we will speak no more of Sicily , which the French lost in effect , in that massacre , and since quitted their right to it by severall Treaties .

4. But as for the Kingdom of Naples , that French Family of Charles d' Anjou , was setled in it , from the year 1264. untill the death of Jane the II , An. 1435. in all 171. yeares , We intend not to relate that History , but only to observe these things which concern our present purpose .

First , that Charles the Lame , the second King and Son to that first Charles , married Mary , inheritrice of Hungary , and so these two Kingdomes were united . Of their Children , the eldest Charles , surnamed Martel , had Hungary for his portion , and from him some Princes of Hungary are descended . The second Son was Lewis , who would be a Franciscan Fryer , and was Bishop of Toulouse . The third Sonne Robert , inherited the Kingdome of Naples . There were more brothers who had severall apanages . But it was not this Robert that continued the line of the Kings of Naples . He was Father to Prince Charles , who dying before his Father , left a Daughter , that famous , or rather infamous , Queen Jane the First , that ruled that State almost forty years .

Next , it must be known that this wicked Jane , lascivious and cruel , so farre as to strangle her Husband Andrew , a young Prince of that other Branch of Hungary , filled her Kingdome with great troubles by her wickednesse . Towards the end of her reigne , an . 1378. hapned the great Schisme of the Church , when Urban the VI , being made Pope by violence , many Cardinals elected in his stead , Robert Cardinall of Geneva , who took the name of Clement the VII . Queen Jane being an enemy to Urban , who was born her subject , declared her self for Clement . Her crim whereby she had put her Husband to death , had been long covered by an accomodation made by Clement the VI , who appeased Lewis the great , King of Hungary , Brother to Andrew , whom Jane had strangled . But Pope Urban the VI , to be avenged of Jane , stirred again the House of Hungary against her , and a Prince of that House , named Charles de Duras , came and besieged her in Castello del Ovo at Naples , took her and strangled her , an . 1382. in the same place , as some say , where she had strangled her first husband .

3. But the same Princess seeing that Urban invited the house of Hungary to the conquest of Naples , called to her help King Charles the VI , of France , an . 1380. by the advice of Pope Clement . And by his leave , ( for he bore himselfe for her Soveraign ) she adopted Lewis Duke of Anjou , brother to Charles the V , of France , and head of the second house of Anjou . He was at that time Regent of France , in the minority of King Charles the VI . From that adoption the French fetch their right in the Kingdome of Naples , for from the offspring of that Lewis , the French Kings have inherited .

4. Charles de Duras , after he had strangled Queen Jane , seized upon the Kingdome , and reigned in her stead , and after him his two Children ; first Ladislaus , whom the French Historians call Lancelot , and Jane the Second . They three held the State 53. yeares , from the yeare 1382. till the yeare 1436. But because Jane the first , a little afore her death , had adopted Lewis Duke of Anjou , that house of Duras had continuall War with the house of Anjou . Lewis the I. came to Naples and there dyed . Lewis the II , his Son , had great Wars with Ladislaus , and for a time was Master of the Kingdome . That Ladislaus being dead without issue , an . 1414. his sister Queen Jane the Second , succeeded him , as bad a woman as the first Jane , for impudicity and extravagancy . She being degraded by the Pope , Martin the V : and Lewis the III , Grandchild of the first Lewis of Anjou , named by him to reign in her place ; she adopted Alphonsus King of Arragon and Sicily for her Son , with whom that Lewis the III , had great Warres , and had sometimes the better , sometimes the worst . But Jane being of an inconstant spirit , despised Alphonsus , being altogether governed by her favorite John Carraciolo , which Alphonsus not able to beare , made himselfe Master of the City of Naples . Upon which she cancelled her will made in favour of Alphonsus , and instead of him , adopted Lewis the IV . of Anjou , who before was her enemy . That adoption made an . 1422. is the second ground of the claime of the French to Naples , and the seed of so many Wars and Calamities , and of the greatest divisions between the Houses of France and Spain . The Spaniards maintaining the first adoption as valid , because Alphonsus , though accused by Jane of ungratefulnesse , upon which she grounded the disanulling of his adoption , did nothing ( as they say ) against the respect due to his adoptive Mother ; but onely went about to represse the extravagancies of that light-brained woman , to have that part in her affaires which by right belonged to him , and especially curb the insolency of Carraciolo , who kept a scandalous familiarity with that woman . The French say , that the second adoption is of more validity : That the cause of ungratefulnesse is sufficient to break an adoption : That Alphonsus misused his adoptive Mother , seized upon the City of Naples , besieged her , and kept her shut up , and did all acts of Soveraign , to her contempt and disgrace .

5. This Lewis the IV . Duke of Anjou , having recovered Naples , enjoyed it with some peace together with Jane , but dyed before her , an . 1434. Because he left no issue , she adopted his Brother René Duke of Anjou , and her selfe soon after dyed . But René being then kept prisoner by the Duke of Burgundy , he could not go to receive his inheritance . His wife Elizabeth went , but too late , though at the first she got some advantage . In the end Alphonsus remained Master , and the party of Anjou was quite expelled out of the Land . Onely René kept the possession of Provence , which was an appurtenance of that State : for since the first adoption of Lewis the I , Duke of Anjou , by Queen Jane the I. that second house of Anjou , had kept the possession of Provence . Neither did Charles de Duras , nor his Children , nor Alphonsus , possess any thing in it .

6. René dying an . 1480. although his Daughter Yoland Dutchesse of Lorraine , had left children , he left the inheritance of the County of Provence , and of his Rights upon Naples , Charles Count du Maine , Son to his brother of the same name and title . And Charles dying likewise without issue , left Lewis the XI , his Heir in all his states , and the Kings of France successours to Lewis . Lewis neglecting to go to Naples held by Ferdinand , bastard of that Alphonsus , and by his Children , contented himselfe to hold Provence . But his Sonne , Charles the VIII . undertook the conquest of Naples , an . 1493. and after him , Lewis the XII , and Francis the I. In the next Chapter we shall see the severall Wars , Partages , and Treaties , between these two Houses for that Kingdom

So all the Rights of the House of France to the Kingdome of Naples , are reduced to these heads .

1. The investiture by Urban the IV . in favour of Charles brother to St Lewis . A weak Right if it were alone ; the French Kings having not succeeded to that family by kindred ; for all that belongs to any branch of the House of France , doth not therefore belong to France .

2. The Adoption of Lewis the first , of the second house of Anjou , by Queen Jane the I. by the counsell and leave of Clement the VII . who was acknowledged by France for a true Pope . By that adoption the right of Naples fel to the house of Anjou , of which the French Kings have inherited .

3. The two adoptions made by Queen Jane the II . first of Lewis the III . Duke of Anjou , and after him , of his Brother René .

4. The will of Charles Count du Maine , who named Lewis the XI . his heir both of Provence , and of his right to the Kingdome of Naples , and his successors , Kings of France after him .

Paragraphe VIII . Of the Dutchy of Milan .

After the wrack of the Roman Empire , an . 400. all the Countries about the River of Po , towards the Alpes were taken by Theodorick Goth , and kept by his children , till about the year 550. that they were recovered by Belisarius and Narses , two Captaines of the Emperour Justinian . But soon after the same Countries were won by the Ostrogoths , Kings of Italy , and again by the Lombards , who setled a great State there , and maintained it till the time of Charlemagne , who destroyed it , an . 774. After which time all the Towns of those parts were Imperial , belonging to whosoever had the Empire of the West . The house of Charlemagne being degenerated and having lost the Empire , after the yeare 900. the Empire was disputed between the Italian and the German Princes for 50 yeares . In the end the Germans having prevailed in the person of Otho the I ; & the Emperors his successours having chosen the seat of their Empire in Germany , and being at odds many times with the Popes , their power sensibly decayed in Italy , and great part of the Towns of Lombardy slipt out of their Dominion , and chose to themselves Italian Lords , the Emperours retaining the shadow only of Soveraignty . Many also chose liberty , & a Popular State , as Siena , Pisa , Florence , Genoa , and others . In these confusions the City of Milan was usurped by the Viscounts of Angleria , a small place in the Dutchy of Milan , who maintained themselvs about six hundred years under that name and quality of Vicounts , untill the year 1497. that the Emperour Wenteslaus ( not Friderick , as Gassan saith ) erected Milan into a Dutchy . The first Duke was Galeas the III . who had married Isabella daughter to John , King of France .

That Galeas had three Sons , John Maria , that succeeded him and died without issue , Philip Maria that succeeded his brother , who likewise died without issue , leaving a bastard daughter named Bona , married to Francis Sforza , a Souldier of Fortune , but a gallant man . That first Duke Galeas , besides these two Sons had a daughter called Valentina , married to Lewis , Duke of Orleans , Son to Charles the V. King of France , an . 1398. Her Father gave her the County of Ast for her portion , with a Million of Livers wherewith the County of Blois was bought , Chasteauduro , Soissons , and other Lordships . And by the contract of Matrimony , it was declared , that if the masculine line of Galeas should fail , Valentina and her children should succeed in the Dutchy . It is true that this clause had this great defect , that the Dutchy beeing establisht a masculine Fee , Galeas could not make it feminine without the Emperours leave , which was not demanded , because the Empire was then vacant by the degradation of Wenceslaus , whom the Electors deposed for his idlenesse . But it is pretended that the Pope Benedict the XIII . who then had his See at Avignon , approved that contract ; for that right the Popes challenge in the vacancy of the Empire .

Howsoever John Maria , and Philip Maria , being dead without lawfull issue , none had more right to that succession then the children of Valentina . But that succession fel in the heat of the confusions of France , under Charles the VII , when the two Sons of Valentina , Charls Duke of Orleans , & John Count of Angoulesme , were Prisoners in England , where the eldest remained five and twenty years , and the second well nigh thirty . In that long time it was easie for Francis Sforza , who had married Bona the bastard , daughter of Duke Philip Maria , to make himself Master of Milan , of which he procured , and obtained the investiture from the Emperour Friderick the 〈◇〉 . This Francis Sforza had two Sons , whom he left to the tuition of his brother Ludovick Sforza , so samous in the History of Milan , who having made away his pupills , seized upon the State of Milan , and was expelled out of it by Lewis the XII . King of France , and since was taken & carried to Loches , where he died in Prison . He left two Sons , Maximilian , who was restored by the Switzers , and since taken by Francis the I. and died in France . His other Son was Francis Sforza the second , who died without issue , 1534. So that house of Sforza's maintained the usurpation of Milan well nigh a hundred years among many wars and divisions ; the lawfull right remaining still in the house of Orleans , with the possession of the County of Ast , which is part of that Dutchy .

But that right could not be prosecuted , 1. In the desolation of the house of Orleans , and the great divisions between that house and the house of Burgundy , 2. In the long inprisonment of the two Princes of Orleans , 3. In the great troubles of the State of France almost all the reign of Charles the VII . 4. Besides Lewis the XI . had many other businesses all his time . Neither did he love the house of Orleans , and the Princes of his blood ; And of all things he hated the Wars of Italie , whither he would never go , neither for the conquest of Naples , nor for the receiving the City of Genoa that gave her self to him . 5. All the time of Charles the VIII , was spent in Civill Wars , or in the Conquest of Naples . And Lewis the XII , Grandchild of Valentina , comeing to the Crown , an . 1498 , had no more in the Dutchy , but the County of Ast , the rest being held by Ludovick Sforza , Son to the invader Francis , and himself invader of the State of his Nephews . But Lewis following his right , comes to Milan , takes it and expells Ludovic , who returning not long after , enters into Milan , but there being suddenly invested by Lewis , he is taken , carried into France , where he dieth a Prisoner , Lewis remaining Master of the Dutchy . But because Ludovic had two Sons protected in Germany by the Emperour Maximilian I. Lewis to strengthen his right , made meanes to win the Emperours favour , of whom in the end he obtained two investitures of that Dutchy . The one An. 1506 for Lewis and his children , and lawfull Heirs , and Lewis for the acknowledgement of this investiture , paid him sixty thousand livers , and promist to give him every year a pair of golden spurrs at Christmas . Also in that investiture , the exclusion of Sforza is precisely exprest , and a marriage concluded betweene Charles the Grandchild of Maximilian , who since was the Emperour Charles the V. and Claude the eldest daughter of Lewis the XII . which also was comprehended in that investiture . The other was an . 1509. wherby the same Emperour confirms the former investiture , with a condition of the marriage between Charles and Claude , which indeed was not effected , but that hinders not the validity of the investiture , which was absolute , the first at least . By vertue of that right , Lewis remained possest of that Dutchy ; but towards the end of his reigne , maximilian Sforza was put in possession of that Dutchy by the Switzers , by the consent of the Emperour Maximilian , who was displeased that Claude , promised to Charls his Grandchild , had been married to Francis , who after was Francis the first King of France , which he took for an affront , and this was the first seed of the jealousies between the two houses of France and Austria .

Francis the first having regained the Dutchy , and taken Maximilian , neglected to do homage to the Emperour ; and a while after Charles having succeeded his Grandfather in the Empire , the animosities grew to a great height betwixt these two Princes , and they became implacable , fighting with great might about Milan , till that , by the Treaty of Madrid , Francis the first yielded his right , as we will relate in the next Chapter .

To sum up the pretences of the French upon Milan ; They are grounded , 1. Upon the contract of marriage of Valentina , who is substituted Heir of the Dutchy , the lawfull Heires male failing ; and the contract is valid , as confirmed by the Pope in the vacancy of the Empire . 2. The investiture given by the Emperour Maximilian , in favour of Lewis the XII . and his Heirs ; yea of Claude and her children . 3. The second investiture , an . 1509. 4. Francis the I. having yielded all his rights by the Treaties of Madrid , Cambray , and Crespy , as we shall see afterwards ; one may say that ( besides the nullity of that cession , by the right of the Kingdom ) Francis may have quitted the right that came to him by his great Grandmother Valentina ; but that hee hath not quitted that which came to his children by Claude his wife , who being daughter of Lewis the XII . had for her and her issue the right of investiture both of 1505. and 1509. which her Husband could not take from her . And Francis made use of this reason among the nullities which he objected against the treatie of Madrid . In what time these cessions were made , and of what strength they are , the next Chapter will shew .

The Commonwealth of Genoa had also some dependance from the Kings of France . That City with the Country depending from it , having shaken the yoke of the Emperours ( as the other Commonwealths of Italie , while the Italian and German Princes were contending for the Empire ) form'd it self into a most flourishing State . In the Wars of the East , and Conquests of the Holy Land , Genoa was very considerable , no lesse than the Venetians and Pisans , possest many Countries in the Levant , the I le of Chio , the Town of Capha upon Mar Major , in Taurica Chersonesus , and others . But the Commonwealth being weakned by the jealousies of two potent Families , the Fregosi and the Adorni , the State submitted it self unto Charles the VI of France , an . 1390. who taking them under his Protection , sent to them the Marshall of Boulicaut , who received their Oath of fidelity . But great confusions being risen in France , by reason of the weaknesse of Charles the VI . for 29. years , by the invasion of the English , and by the extremity that Charles the VII . was brought to , that right over Genoa was neglected . But in the year 1458. the same Genoese being opprest with their own divisions , sent Peter Fregosa into France to Charles the VII . who received them under his protection , and sent them John Duke of Lorrain , eldest Son to the Duke of Anjou . And after Charles the VII , having again given themselvs to Lewis the XI , some Historians say , that he neglected that Conquest , so that they were forced to submit themselves to John Galeas , Duke of Milan . Others say , that Lewis the XI invested that Galeas in the Lordship of Genoa , upon condition of doing homage for it to the Crown of France . And Charles the VIII . passing to the Conquest of Naples , invested against Ludovick Sforza in the same by the Treaty of Vercel , an . 1494 , he paying thirty thousand ducats of entry , in consideration of the auxiliary forces which Ludovick promist unto Charles for the Conquest of Naples . After Charles , the City of Genoa remained subject to the Kings of France , as Dukes of Milan , and Lewis the XII , made a triumphant entry into it , and received of them all the honours and deferences of Subjects to a Soveraign , an . 1502. and gave them a Governour , John of Cleves his Kinsman . But an . 1527. while Charles the V , and Francis the I , were in the heat of their quarrell , the City of Naples being besieged by Monsieur de Lautree , Andrew Doria of Genoa , subject to the French King , and Generall of his Fleet , being ill satisfied of Francis the I , revolted from him , turned to the Emperour , and was the cause of the losse of Naples . The Emperour to win him to his service , offered him la carte blanche , that is , what conditions soever he would have . The first demand of Andrew was the liberty of his City , which he obtained , and it was freed from all subjection to the Dukes of Milan . But if the French have any right in the Dutchy of Mitan , they have the like in Genoa ; for Charles the V. could not cut off that limbe from it , since it did not belong to him .

Paragraphe IX . Of the Counties of Flanders and Artois .

These two Counties were antiently before the conquest of the Romans , parts of Gallia Belgica , and so under that Empire , and under the first and second race of the French Kings , till that famous partage of the children of Lewis the Meek , an . 843. when the River of Scaldis being set as a limit of that which belonged to Lothary , the Emperour on the one side ; and Charles le Chauve on the other , that Country remained within the partage of the last , who was King of France , and containes a great extent of Land beyond the River of Somme , near the Rivers of Scaldis and Lis , butting upon the Ocean . And because all that Country was full of Wood , which made it be called Sylva Carbonaria , Charlemagne , about the yeare 771. placed there a Governour whom he called the great Forester of Flanders . So also were his successors called , and were not very considerable .

The first that erected this Country into a County , was Charles le Chauve , an . 850. or thereabouts . The first Count was Baldwin , surnamed Bras de fer or Iron-arm , for his great exploits against the Normans , then barbarous and infidels , who coming from the North , infested those coasts both by Sea and Land . This Baldwin stole away Iudith Daughter to Charles le Chauve , and widow to an English King , which action at the first moved Charles to a great wrath and hatred against him . But Iudith having appeased her Father , and Baldwin being very necessary for the defence of those Countries against the Normans , he recovered the Kings Grace , and it was upon that reconciliation , that he was made Count of Flanders . So that Baldwin is the head of that house of Flanders and Artois , which then were but one Province .

1. All that Country remained thus united in one County , till the year 1180. when Philip August King of France , married Isabella Daughter of Baldwin the IV . Count of Hainaut and Namur , and of Margaret of Flanders . For Philip of Alsatia , Count of Flanders , uncle to Margaret , to shew his joy for that high alliance , gave her the Country of Artois , consisting in the Towns of Arras , Bapaume , Saint Omer , Aire , Hesdin , and some others which Philip August enjoyed , and his Sons after him , till Lewis the VIII , gave the Country of Artois to his third Son Robert , for whose sake his brother St Lewis erected the same into a County , of which this Robert did him homage , and that house of Artois was a Royal house for a long time after . Thus Flanders and Artois had their severall Counts and Lords , as most of the other seventeen Provinces of Netherlands .

2. King Iohn of France having given to his fourth Son Philip , the Dutchy of Burgundy , because he loved him dearly , he procured a great marriage for him , marching him with Margaret of Flanders , only Daughter of Lewis the III . Count of Flanders , and of Margaret of Brabant . That Princess was held the richest match of Europe , for she was Heir not onely of the Counties of Flanders , Burgundy , Artois , Nevers , Retel , and other great Lordships , but was also apparent Heir ( from her great Aunt by her Mothers side ) of the Dutchies of Brabant , Lothier , Limburg , and the Marquesat of Antwerp . That alliance made an . 1356. was the beginning of the greatness of the house of Burgundy . For that Philip , and his three successors , Iohn , Philip , and Charles , united all these great States , which afterwards fell into the House of Austria by marriage , as we have represented before .

3. Although the propriety of those two Provinces , Flanders and Artois , came to the House of Austria by the match of Mary of Burgundy with Maximilian ; the pretences of the Crowne of France upon that propriety , being quitted by the reddition of the Towne of Arras , an . 1435. Yet the soveraignty thereof hath remained with the French Kings , untill the Cessions by them made of the same by severall Treaties , of which the first was that of Madrid .

That soveraignty is proved by seven Reasons . The first is , The homages which the Counts have alwaies payed to the Kings of France for these Counties , and the investitures which they have taken from them of the same . The second , That the Kings of France have judged of the Counts of Flanders as Soveraigns , and given them Lawes . The third , That they decided of peace and war in Flanders , even against the will of the Counts . The fourth , That they have given grace to Flemmings as their Soveraigns , and punisht them of their rebellions . The fifth , That it was especially promis'd and agreed , that the Flemmings should resort to the Parliament of Paris . The sixth , That the Kings of France have protected as Soveraignes , the Counts of Flanders . The seventh , That they have confiscated the County for Felony . Briefly , the Kings of France have exercised all Acts of Soveraignty in Flanders and Artois , a thing never brought in question or denyed before Charles the V. who being promoted to the Empire , and fallen to great Wars against Francis the I. was delinquent in that duty , and obtained the cession of that right by divers Treaties .

4. It is then a known truth , that Flanders and Artois did belong to the Soveraignty of France , and that the question is onely , whether the cession made at Madrid was just and valid . Upon which the French say ,

1. That Charles the V , being born a subject of France at Gant , in the County of Flanders , committed the crime of Felony by his Wars against his Soveraign , whom also he took and kept prisoner , which was often upbraided to him ; yea a sentence of the Parliment of Paris , intervened against him , whereby he is deprived of his Lordships depending of the Crown of France for crime of Felony ; so that being a Felon against his Soveraigne , he had no right either to treat with him when he kept him prisoner , nor any way oblige him .

2. The cession made by the Treaty of Madrid , was invalid by the Law of Nations , as done by a man kept in prison .

3. That cession made at Madrid , and in other Treaties , is null by the fundamentall Laws of France which prohibit the alienation of the Soveraign rights of the Crown , especially without the consent of the States Generall , who never ratified all those Treaties . And in effect , the Parliaments by their sentences , the Peers of the Kingdom by their Votes , and all the learned and judicious by their discourses have condemned those Treaties . And to this day the Flemmings and Artesians are accounted Regnicolae , and have no need of letters of Naturalization .

CHAP. IV . Wars , Agreements , Treaties , between the houses of France and Austria about their pretences , from the Treaty of Arras to that of Vervins .

WE have seen how by the History , and by Reason , the two Houses of France and Austria will ground their several pretences . As the differences between private persons beget suits in Law , which end in the sentence of a Court ; so the jealousies between these two great houses have begot Wars , which haue ended in Treaties : Yet so that the Wars have begun afresh after . These Wars have been many , especially since the promotion of Charles the V to the Empire , an . 1519. For the Kings of France , who without contradiction had the precedence before all Christian Monarches were grieved to see a Count of Flanders , and an Heir of the house of Austria , a small Province of Germany advance himself so far as to offer to step before them , and ( as many think ) to affect the Empire of all Europe .

To understand all these Wars , Truces , and Treaties ; the History must begin at the Treaty of Arras , an . 1435. For although these six houses , Austria , Burgundy , Hungary , Arragon , Castilia , and Portugal , the limbes of that great Colossus of the now house of Austria , were then severall houses ; yet that Treaty will serve to see how the house of Burgundy is fallen into the house of Austria , and how their greatnesse began . Here then let us say in brief , what Wars and Treaties have been between these two houses since the Treaty of Arras , an . 1435. to that of Vervins , 1598. We will divide this into many Articles , according to the most remarquable dates , touching only the most principall points , leaving the rest to the generall History . 1. From the Treaty of Arras , Ann. 1435. to the marriage of Maximilian of Austria , with Mary of Burgundy , 1477. 2. Thence to the death of the Emperour Maximilian , 1519. 3. Thence to the Treaty of Madrid , 1525. 4. Thence to the Treaty of Cambray , 1529. 5. Thence to the Treaty of Crespy , or Saint John des Vignes , an . 1544. 6. Thence to the Treaty of Chasteau in Cambresis . 7. Thence to the death of the Duke of Alencon , and the beginning of the League , 1584. 8. Thence to the Treaty of Vervins , an . 1598.

Paragraphe I. From the Treaty of Arras an . 1435. to the marriage of Maximilian and Mary of Burgundy .

In all that time , which was not yet the time of the greatnesse of Austria , the French Kings had nothing to do with that Family , which in that period of years , enjoyed the Empire in the persons of Albert , and Friderick the III . They had also little to do with the Kings of Castilia and Arragon , which were then two severall States . But much they had to do with the Dukes of Burgundy , founders of that greatnesse of Austria . Of which this is the summary .

1. Philip le Bon after he had brought the State of France into great distresse , and given it for a prey to the English , to avenge the death of his Father . John , slain at Montereau Fautyonne , an . 1419 ; Finally being ill satisfyed with the English , was forced to agree with Charls the VII , who had killed his Father , which he did by the Treaty of Arras , an . 1435. whereby Charles gave to Philip what we said before , Peronne , Montdidier , and Roye , the County of Artois , the enjoying of the County of Bullen for his life , also all the Towns of the River of Somme , redeemable with four hundred thousand Crownes , and promist to join to the Dutchy of Burgundy , the Counties of Mascon , Chalons , Langres , Bar sur Siene , and Auxerre for ever , reserving the resort of these jurisdictions to the Parliament of Paris . This Treaty raised very much the house of Burgundy . After which , Philip was a loyall friend and servant unto Charles , and helped him to expell the English out of France . Neither did he meddle with the first falling out of Charles with his Son Lewis the Dolphin ( who was since Lewis the XI . ) which division was called , La Ligue de la Praguerie . And all the reigne of Charles nothing considerable hapned between these two houses but that towards the end of Charles , Lewis the Dolphin , having withdrawn himself discontented from the Court , and lived a while in Daulphiné , When the King his Father would have apprehended him by the Count of Dampmartin , he fled into Flanders , where he was received with great honour by Duke Philip , who assigned him the Town of Guenep in Brabant , to keep his Court , where he lived six or seaven years , till the death of his Father , an . 1461.

2. Now comes the reign of Lewis the XI , who had so much to do with the house of Burgundy , but nothing with that of Austria , and little with that of Arragon and Castilia . Historians observe , that Philip Duke of Burgundy , and his Son Charles Count of Charrolois accompanied Lewis into France , and were present at his coronation . And that Lewis at the first was very great with the Count of Charrolois ; but that soon after that friendship was separated , by reason of the great antipathy of their humours , and because while Lewis was retired into Flanders , they had been too much acquainted with one anothers conditions , which brought them to a mutuall contempt . Also , because Charles had a suspicion that Lewis had plotted against his life , and because Lewis would have brought the Gabell ( or impost of salt ) into Burgundy , which the Duke did oppose . Then the suddain redeeming of the Towns of the River of Somme , for which Lewis payed the four hundred thousand Crowns , incens'd the Count of Charolois very much . These were the causes of the great hatred between these two houses , which the house of Austria inherited together with the Estate . Hardly indeed could these two Princes agree ; for Lewis the XI was malicious , disobliging , and dissembled ; and Charles Count of Charolois was peevish and arrogant , and followed no Law but his own will . That hatred brought forth the War of the publick good , as they called it , in which Charles had the better . That War ended in the Treaty of Conflans , whereby it was covenanted that the King should restore to Charles all the Towns of the River of Somme , redeemed not long before , to enjoy them all his life , and that he should have the County of Guines for himself and his Heirs for ever .

3. John King of Arragon ; was assisted by Lewis the XI , and the said John sold or pawned unto him the County of Roussillon for three hundred thousand Crownes . This is the ground of the claime of the French to that County .

4. Henry the IV , King of Castilia , and John King of Arragon being in War , because Henry maintained the people of Arragon against their King , and about some Towns , Lewis the XI was chosen Umpire , and went to Bayonne , where he saw the Castilian on this side of the River of Vodazo , and upon the Lands of France . That enterview made them despise one another , for Henry was an ill favoured and ill behaved man , of little wit , and was altogether governed by the Count of Lodesme . Lewis used a short and coorse habit , and wore a little leaden , Our Lady , at his hat . The vanity of the Count of Lodesme seemed ridiculous to the French . He crost the River in a boat , with a sail of golden cloath , and wore pomps garnisht with precious stones . Ever since that enter view , the two Nations have despised one another .

5. After the peace of Conflans , the divisions were renewed between Lewis and the Count of Charolois , because Lewis cozened his brother Charles , gave him Normandy , and presently took it from him , banisht him into Guienne , far from the other Princes , with whom he was in League , and gave him a little Country under the specious Title of Duke of Guienne . This angred the Count of Charrolois , and increased his jealousies . Philip Duke of Burgundy dieth an . 1467. Charles succeeds him .

6. This new Duke of Burgundy is much considered in France , by reason of his great Lands , and turbulent spirit . All his time hee was in Wars with the King , and brought the English into France . The King also did raise him Enemies , which his own rashnesse did multiply . He was defeated by the Switzers at Granson and Morat , and killed before Nancy , an . 1477.

7. After his death , Lewis took the Dutchy of Burgundy , and Provinces annext to it , given by Charles the VII , to Philip le Bon , as a masculin apanage , with the Towns upon the River of Somme , which Charles was to hold all his life , not leave it to his heirs . He seized also upon the Town of Arras , upon which he pretended a right . He did his utmost to catch Mary the inheritrix of Charles , and desired the people of Gant to deliver her into his hand , or make her marry Charles the Dolphin , but they protected her , and soon after Maximilian of Austria married her .

8. In Spain , after the enterview of the two King , Lewis of France , and Henry of Castilia , and the sale or pawning of the County of Roussillon , King John of Arragon , seeing that Lewis had arbitrated in favour of the Castilian , and had sent John Duke of Calabria for the conquest of Arragon , took his time when the leagues in France were strongest against the King , to make Perpignan revolt against the French . The Garrison retired into the Citadel , and made it good till the Town was besieged by Lewis , and constrained to return to his obedience .

Paragraphe II . From the marriage of Maximilian with Mary , unto his death .

This period of forty yeares comprehends four reigns of the French Kings , the end of Lewis the XI , Charles the VIII , Lewis the XII . and the beginning of Francis the I : in which space the greatnesse of the House of Austria was founded by her union with that of Burgundy , and then with Castilia and Arragon .

Under Lewis the XI .

Since the death of Duke Charles , three remarkable things hapned under Lewis the XI . Mary inheritrix of Burgundy , whom her Father had promist to many Princes , in the end was married to Maximilian of Austria , an . 1478. Lewis would have her for Charles the Dolphin , but he was but six years old , and she above fifteen yeares elder then he . That preferring of Maximilian before Charles , was the cause of many evils to France .

1. The loss of all that Mary possest , which might have been united with France .

2. The increase of the house of Austria , which began then to be jealous of France , which she was very far from before that alliance .

3. Great Wars and endlesse envy , by the neighborhood of these two great Houses . That marriage lasted but four yeares , Mary dying of a fall from her Horse as she was hunting ; She left two children , Philip Archduke of Austria , Father to Charles the V. and Margaret .

2. By the jealousie risen between France and Austria by that marriage , and incensed by the revolt of the Prince of Orenge , a great Lord of Franch County , they broke into open War , and the battel of Guinegast was fought , of which the event was so uncertain , that both parties ascribed to themselves the victory .

3. Mary of Burgundy being dead , the Flemmings , especially the Gantois alwayes mutinous , would expell Maximilian , and dispose of Mary's Children . They married Margaret to Charles the Dolphin , and appointed for her portion the County of Artois , Franch County , and other Lands . Margaret was then but two yeares old , and Charles twelve . But Charles being married since with Anne Dutchesse of Britain , Margaret was sent back to her Father Maximilian , which was a new cause of jealousie betweene these two families . This Margaret being seperated from Charles , was married to John Son of Ferdinand of Arragon and Isabella of Castilia whom she never saw : Then she was for the third time married with Philibert the II , Duke of Savoy : They say of her , that she was three times married , and dyed a Virgin .

Under Charles the VIII .

1. Charles the VIII , had civil Wars against Lewis Duke of Orleans , the Duke of Britain , and others which ended by the battel of St. Aubin ; after which Charles married Anne the inheritrix of Brittain : whereby he offered two affronts unto Maximilian ; the one , that he sent him back his Daughter Margaret , withwhom he had bin married seven or eight yeares ; the other , that he married her with whom Maximilian was married by Proxie , for in Britaine all the Proclamations were then made in the name of the Dutchess , and of the Arch-duke of Austria . Upon which Maximilian made War against Charles , and took the Towns of Arras , St Omer , and other places which the French held as yet in Artois . But a Peace was made an . 1493. by which Charles was within four years to restore the Franch County , and some Towns which he held in Artois , unto Philip the Heir of Netherlands , Son to Maximilian .

An. 1494. Charles restored to Ferdinand King of Arragon , Perpignan and the County of Roussillon , though he received not the three hundred thousand Crowns which it was pawnned for . The reason why Charles did so , we have declared before .

3. The same year was the expedition of Charles the VIII , into Naples , against the house of Arragon . To that which we have said of that quarrel , this must be added . Alphonsus who was adopted by Queen Jane the II . and in the end expelled the house of Anjou out of Italy , left Naples to Ferdinand his bastard , saying , that he could lawfully doe it , because it was his own conquest . The house of that bastard enjoyed it after him , and had four Princes , Ferdinand the Bastard , Alphonsus his Son , Ferdinand his Grandchild , and after him Friderick , uncle to this last Ferdinand , and brother of Alphonsus .

Although that House of Bastards enjoyed Naples , the Kings of Arragon would say that it was by their toleration , becaus Alphonsus King of Arragon , who had been adopted by Jane the II . had conquered Naples with the Arms , the Blood , and the money of Arragon , & that he ought not to have left it to any but his brother John , King after him of Arragon . Wherefore Ch. VIII . fearing lest Ferdinand King of Arragon Son to John , should disturb his conquest of Naples , either to assist that Bastard House , or to make it his own conquest , restored unto him the County of Roussillon , gratis , upon Ferdinands promise , not to disturbe him , yea & to help him ; but Ferdinand broke his word with him . What was the right of Charles , was shewed before .

Charles with great expedition past through Piemont , Milan , Pisa , Florence , Rome , got the Kingdom of Naples without difficulty , and governed it without prudence , and instantly lost it by the ill behaviour of his Ministers , which got him the hatred of the Neapolitans . A league was made by the Pope , the Venetians , the King of Naples , and the Duke of Milan , not onely to stay his conquests , but to stop his return , and destroy him in Italy . The Generall of the Army of the league , was Francesco Gonzaga , Marquess of Mantua , who gave battel to the King at Fornova , which the King won with great glory . Being returned into France , he prepared to return into Italy , but dyed in that preparation .

Whilst Charles was about the conquest of Naples , Lewis Duke of Orleans , who soon after was King of France , stayed in his County of Ast , and renewed his claim to the Dutchy of Milan , possest by the usurper Ludovick Sforza the murtherer of his two nephews . As long as Ludovick kept good intelligence with the King , Lewis Duke of Orleans , durst not attempt any thing against him . But after that Ludovick had made himself one of the league against the King ; Lewis possest himselfe of Novara , a Town of the Dutchy , which presently was besieged by Ludovick and recovered , excepting the Castle .

Under Lewis the XII .

In sixteen yeares that Lewis reigned , he had Wars with Philip of Austria , Ferdinand King of Arragon , Ludovick Duke of Milan , and the Kings of Naples , of the Bastard branch of Arragon .

1. An. 1499. Philip Arch-duke of Austria , did homage at Arras in the hands of Guy de Rochford , Chancellor of France , for the Counties of Flanders , Artois and Charolois , a solemn action done with great pomp , and many formalities .

2. In the years 1499. and 1500. Lewis conquereth the Dutchy of Milan from Ludovick , loseth it by the returne of Ludovick out of Germany , regaines it by taking and imprisoning Ludovick , and by the chase which he gave to his Sons Maximilian and Francis .

3. From thence he goeth to Naples , conquers it from Friderick , the last King of the Bastard branch of Arragon , who puts himselfe into the Kings hands . The King recompenceth him with the Dutchy of Anjou , a pension of thirty thousand Crowns , and the first place in the Councell . Ferdinand King of Arragon , seeing that bastard branch failed , reneweth his pretences to Naples , Lewis compounds with him , and they share the Kingdom . The King of Arragon hath for his part Calabria , & Puglia , the rest remains to the French . But soone after , upon some differences which arose between the French and the Spaniards , for the confines of the Country of Abruzzo , and some Salt-pits , the grand Capitan Gonsalvo de Cordova , takes arms and expells the French , an . 1503.

4. The Emperour Maximilian , after the yeare 1593. seeing the house of Sforzas degraded from Milan , but two Sons remaining , threatneth Lewis of the Imperial Ban . Lewis appeaseth him , and obtaines the investiture of the yeare 1505. and promiseth his daughter Claud to Charles Duke of Luxemburg , who since was Emperour . But soon after Lewis , who loved dearly Francis d' Angoulesme his Cosin , and first Prince of his blood , made him marry Claud , by the counsel of the great men of his Kingdom , notwithstanding the promise made to Maximilian . This angred very much Philip Father to Charles , who would have taken a revenge of that wrong , had he not been prevented with death , an . 1506. He had married Jane the great inheritrix of Spain , by whom he had many children .

5. Yet Philip before he dyed , reconciled himselfe with Lewis , yea , and recommended to him the tuition of his Son Charles , which Lewis accepted , and gave him Antony de Ceu●es Lord of Crovy , for his Governour , a wise Knight , who formed that young spirit to great businesses in which Charles excelled afterwards .

6. An. 1507. the City of Genoa which had been conquered with the Dutchy of Milan , and where Lewis had made a glorious entry , revolted from him . Lewis passeth into Italy , and brings her to subjection . It was at that time that Ferdinand of Arragon returning from his new conquest of Naples , saw Lewis the XII , at Savone , a Town of the Territory of Genoa . In that enterview , Ferdinand who was then King of two little Kingdoms onely , both depending from the See of Rome , refused alwayes the honour and the precedence which Lewis would give him , as it is usuall to do to strangers when one is at home , even to inferiours . He would salute Lewis at his rising , and attended him going to Mass. Lewis , whensoever he gave to Ferdinand the precedence , made him understand that he did it out of civility , not out of duty . Go before ( said he to him ) for if I were at your house , and in your Country , I would in the like case doe what you would desire of me ; but because you are in my Country , you shall do so , for it is my will , and I beseech you so to doe . That might be done then without prejudice , when the House of Arragon was farre under the splendor of that of France , and was not so arrogant as now . How such another encounter should be ordered in these dayes in point of civility , it is more then I can determine .

An. 1508 , the league of Cambray was made , of Pope Jule the II . the Emperour Maximilian , Lewis King of France , and Ferdinand King of Arragon , and Naples , to beat down the arrogancy of the Venetians , who during the confusions of Italy , had incroacht upon all their Estates , the patrimony of the Church , the Empire , Milan , and Naples . Whence followed the battel of Aignadel , which Lewis won of the Venetians , which made him so glorious , that the Popes and the Princes of Italy grew jealous of him . Ferdinand leaveth the alliance of Lewis , who had restored unto him all the Towns which the Venetians held in the Kingdom of Naples , and made war against him , Lewis wins the battel of Ravenna against the Pope and the Spaniards , an . 1512.

8. Pope Jule the II , being declared enemy to Lewis , and all his adherents , among whom was John d'Albret , King of Navarra , Ferdinand invaded Navarra , an . 1512. The Switzers , set on by the Pope , expell the French from the Dutchy of Milan , and set up Maximilian Sforza , Son to Ludovic . The English and Maximilian being confederate , come into France and besiege Terovenne ; Lewis comes to helpe , and gives the battel which was called of the Spurres , because though the French at the first resisted manfully , yet they were put to the worst , and forced to make more use of their Spurres then Swords .

Finally , although Lewis had won the battel of Ravenna , an . 1512. he saw himselfe expelled out of all Italy , and the House of the Sforzas , restored at Milan before he dyed , which was an . 1515.

Under Francis the I.

In the beginning of his reign , he found the House of Austria in the hands of Charles , then of the age of fifteen years , who possest all the Low Countries by his Father Philip of Austria , and the Kingdom of Castilia from his Mother Jane of Arragon . Maximilian was yet living , enjoying the Arch-dutchy of Austria . His other Grand-father , Ferdinand was King of Arragon and Naples , both very old and broken . Charles was their Heir apparent .

1. Francis the I. comming to the Crown , received the homage of the Count of Nassau , in the name of Charles , Count of Flanders , and Artois , to whom he promist Renee , second daughter to Lewis the XII . But that marriage was not fulfilled . Hee confirmed also that peace with Ferdinand , which Lewis the XII . had made a little before he died .

2. His next work , was the Conquest of the Dutchy of Milan . He passeth into Italie , and wins the battail of Marignan in Piemont against the Switzers , who had undertaken to maintain Maximilian Sforza in his new possession of Milan , which they had got for him . He gets Milan . Maximilian Sforza yields himself to him for a Pension of threescore thousand Crowns , and retires himself into France . This was the third time that the French had got Milan of the Sforzas .

3. Francis and Charles being both young , and ambitious , it could not be expected that they should long live in peace , because Charles being born a subject to France , kept Navarra , which the house of Albret had lost for adhering to France ; Then Ferdinand had expelled the French out of Naples , wrongfully say they . This Ferdinand died an . 1516. and Charles inherited all these great States , exalted to the height of greatnesse , wanting nothing but the Empire and Austria , which his Grandfather Maximilian left him by his death three years after . In the birth of these two eminent powers , which have cost so much , blood and tears to the Christian world , before they had conceived that great hatred which was between them after ; the Deputies of both sides met at Noyon , and this was called the Treaty of Noyon , an . 1516 , where it was concluded , that Francis should yield all his rights in the Kingdom of Naples for a yearly pension of a hundred thousand Crowns . 2. That Charls then called the Archiduke , should marry Lovise , the eldest daughter of Francis , instead of Renee , sister to the Queen Claude . 3. That the Archduke should restore the Kingdome of Navarra to Henry , Son to John d' Albret , or in defect of it that he should otherwise content him within six months . The King and the Archduke swore that Treaty , and give the one to the other , the order of Knighthood . The King that of St. Michael , the Archduke that of the Golden Fleece , made an alliance for ever ; and to confirme it , promist to have an interview at Cambray . But Ferdinand being dead soon after , Charles made hast to passe into Spain to take possession of his Estates , and neglected the Articles of Noyon , especially the restitution of Navarra .

4. Yet for three years after , nothing was stirred on either side , because Martin Luther having alarmed all Europe with his Doctrine , the Pope Leo the X procured a generall truce for five years among all Princes . But Maximilian the Emperour being dead , an . 1519. and Charles being increased with the inheritance of Austria , and the Title of Emperour ; Francis the I. conceived a great indignation , that a vassall of his should have been preferred before him to the Empire , whcih he had been a suitour for with great earnestnesse ; which jealousie would never suffer these two Princes to agree .

5. Each of them had a great Minister of State by their persons , Francis had Artus Gouffier , Sieur de Boissi , Great Master of France . Charles had been bred by Guillaume de Crovy Sieur de Ceures , whom Lewis the XII . had recommended to him . These two foreseeing the misfortune which the ambition of these two Princes was drawing upon Christendom , resolved to meet to make a peace , and alliance for ever . Montpelier was the place chosen for that meeting . But as soon as Boissi was come , and began to treat with Ceures , he fell into a fever and died , leaving that great work imperfect , which no body since was able to finish .

Paragraphe III . From the death of Maximilian , an 1519. to the Treaty of Madrid an . 1525.

By the death of the Emperour Maximilian , Charles was made possessour of Austria , and the Empire , being possest before of the Inheritances of Burgundy , Arragon , and Castilia . A greatnesse which swelled his mind , and made him loose his respect to Francis . Hee complained that Francis had taken Claude from him , the eldest daughter of Lewis the XII , which was promist to him . Francis redemanded Navarra , Naples , and the homages for the Counties of Flanders and Artois , which Charles took to be too low for the quality of an Emperour . Charles also complained that the Dutchy of Burgundy , the Patrimony of his Grandmother Mary was kept from him , and the Dutchy of Milan belonging to the Sforzas , and to the Empire .

The great fire of War which lasted forty years between these two houses , brake out upon a very slender occasion . Robert de la March Duke of Bovillon , adjudgd by the Peers of his Dutchy , which pretend themselves to be Soveraigns , the Town of Hierges in Ardennes to the Prince of Chimay , of the house of Crovi , against the Lord d' Esmeries ; to whom the Emperour gave a writ of relief , although Robert pretended the judgement of his Peeres to be Soveraign . Robert incensed against the Emperour , made his addresse to Francis the I , and offered him his service . The King received him courteously , yet forbad his subjects to assist him , not willing to break with the Emperour . But Robert , proud to have the protection of France , denounceth Warre to the Emperour , who was then at Wormes to pacifie the troubles rising in Germany about Luther , and attempts to surprise some places in Luxemburg . But the Emperour presently seizeth upon the Estate of that little Prince , and constrains him to ask him pardon ; reproaching Francis in an odious manner for receiving his rebellious subject . About the same time , Francis upon the inexecution of the Treaty of Noyon ( Charles refusing to make restitution of Navarra to Henry d' Albret ) took the quarrell of that dispossessed Prince , and sent Andrew de Foix , Lord de Esparre , brother to Monsieur de Lautre into Navarra , where the French did some exploit at the first , but were soon repelled by the Spaniards . Charles taketh that enterprise for an infraction of the peace between the two houses , though it was but a succour given to a confederate of France , to prosecute his rights . He makes great preparatives of war , makes Leo the X , break with France , & joyn with him promising that after the Conquest of Milan , he would give to the Church the Townes of Parma and Placentia , members of that Dutchy , to which the Popes had some old pretence .

Such was the origine of the first War between Francis and Charles , an . 1521. The first three or four yeares there were great exploits in Champagne , in Navarra , in Provence , and in the Dutchy of Milan . In Tierasche the Emperour took Mouzon , and besieged Mezieres , which Anne de Mommorency , who since was Constable of France , and Chevalier Bayard defended bravely . And Francis took Bapaume and Landrecy from the Emperour , and gave him the Chase .

In Navarra the French had advanced but little in the years 1519. and 1520. But in the year 1521. the Admirall of Bonnivet besieged Fontarabie and took it , and made Monsieur du Lude , Governour of the same , who being besieged a whole year by the Spaniards , defended it with great valour , till la Palisse since Marshall of France made them forsake the Siege . But Frauget an old Captain being made Governour instead of Lude , he delivered it basely to the Spaniards , for which he was degraded of Nobility . With this the French lost all Navarra , and never came into it since .

For Milan , Francis having given the Government of it to the Constable Charles de Bourbon , he removed him and gave it to Lautree , of the house of Foix , a great Captain in the field , but an ill Politician in a State . Hee so misused the people of Milan , both by himself and by his brother the Marshall de Lescun , and together was so ill assisted with money from the Court , that the Emperour had an easie entry into the Country . Milan is taken , and plundered by the league of the Pope and the Emperour ; and the French expelled out of the Dutchy . At which they say , that the Pope died for joy , an . 1621. Soon after the battell of la Bicoque was fought , which the French lost by the stubbornesse of the Switzers . Lautree being returnd into France , the Admiral de Bonnivet was sent to Milan , where hee did no better , and was forced to forsake all . In that retreat Chevalier Bayard was killed , an . 1523. These prosperities of the Emperour were much helpt , by the revolt of the Constable of Bourbon , 1522 , who was incensed by the little account that Francis made of him , the incroaching of the Duke of Alanson , and the Marshall of Bonivet upon his Office of Constable , by the Kings favour ; the hatred of Lovise the Kings mother , and the Chancellour du Prat against him ; and the small justice which hee expected in a suit which concerned almost his whole Estate . Being turned to the Emperours party , he helped him to conquer Milan , and to give the chase to the Admiral of Bonivet , past into Provence with the Imperiall Army , besieged Marseille , where he is repulsed by Renso de Cera a Roman Baron , and Philip de Chabot that kept it for the King . He repasseth the Alpes , and the King after him , who comming to Milan , recovereth presently the whole Dutchy , Pavia only accepted .

While Francis is besieging Pavia defended by Antonio de Leva , Charles de Bourbon brings Troops out of Germany to relieve it . The battell of Pavia is fought , where the victory being already on the Kings side , he would follow in person the Enemy which was retiring , and had no sooner overtaken them , but hee was taken by them , an . 1524. upon Saint Mathias day . Francis having been kept a while in the Castle of Pissigitun , is carried into Spain , and there kept Prisoner . His Kingdom labours for his deliverance & for peace . This brought forth the Treaty of Madrid , an . 1525 , where Gatinara Chancellour to the Emperour , and John de Selva first President of Paris , who were the two learned among the Deputies , disputed at severall times the rights of their Masters . Selva claimed Naples , Navarra , and the Soverainties of Flanders and Artois . Gatinara claimed the Dutchy of Burgundy , and the Dutchy of Milan which the Emperour then possest . In the end , the Treaty of Madrid was made , where among other things it was concluded Febr . 14. 1525 ,

1. That within the 20. day of the month of June next , the King will put the Durchy of Burgundy into the Emperours hands , with all the appurtenances and dependances thereof , and all that he holds of the Franch County .

2 , That he shall renounce the Soveraignty of that Dutchy and County , and of the Counties of Flanders and Artois .

3. That he shall renounce all his claim to the Kingdom of Naples , the Dutchy of Milan , Genoa , Ast , Doway , L' Isle , Tournay , and Hesdin .

4. That the King with all his power shal procure that Henry d' Albret , forsake his claim to Navarra in the Emperours behalf ; or if Henry refuse it , that the King shall not assist him with his forces .

5. That the Emperour shall likewise disclaim all his right to the Counties of Ponthieu , Bullen , and Guines , and to the Townes of Montdidier , Roye , Peronne , and other Towns and Lordships of Picardy .

Paragraphe . IV . From the Treaty of Madrid , to that of Cambray .

That period containes but four or five years , in which many considerable things did happen .

1. The King is delivered out of prison , giving his two Sons for Ostages , the Dolphin Francis , and Henry Duke of Orleans ; goeth to Bayonne and Bordeaux , stayeth at Angoulesme and Gognac , accompanied with Charles de Lanoy , Viceroy of Naples , to be present at the execution of the Treaty . But that Viceroy saw in short time three actions repugnant unto it .

1. The first that the King having caused the Articles to be read in presence of the States of his Kingdom , they told him that they were unjust , contrary to the fundamentall Lawes of the State ; and that he was not obliged to observe them , although the King did protest of his willingnesse to see them observed .

Two things made these Articles unjust ; 1. The right of Nations , whereby all Treaties made by one kept in prison , are accounted void as extorted by violence . 2. The fundamentall Lawes of the State , by which the King is alwayes a Minor , as for the alienation of the royal patrimony .

The second opposition to the Treaty in the presence of the Viceroy of Naples , was that the Deputies of the Dutchy of Burgundy protested before the King , that he could not alienate them without their consent , and refused to submit themselves to the Emperour .

The third , That he saw a league made at Cognac , for the expelling of the Emperour out of Italy .

The Emperour having made himselfe formidable to all Princes , to the Italians especially , and going about to devest Francesco Sforza from Milan , which he had conferred upon him after the battel of Pavia , the Pope Clement the VII , King Francis , the Venetians , the Switzers , the Florentines , make a league which was called the Sacred league , to deliver Italy from oppression , without naming the Emperour , who also in a scorn was invited to make one in it , upon condition that he should restore the two Sons of France , suffer the Duke Sforza to live in peace , and give over the siege of the Castle of Milan . By that league the War was to be maintained with common charges . And because the Italian Princes might be afraid of the power of the French in Italy , no lesse then of that of the Emperour ; King Francis was to renounce his right to the Dutchy of Milan in favour of Sforza , for a pension which should be arbitrated by the Pope and the Venetians , not under fifty thousand Ducats . That the County of Ast should remaine to the King , with the Soveraignty of Genoa , under the Government of Antonio d' Adornat , with the title of Duke , if he would subscribe to that league . The Kingdom of Naples was to be put into the Popes hands , he paying for it sixty thousand Ducats of yearly pension . That league was publisht and proclaimed at Cognac , in presence of Lanoy , to whom the King made excuses for the inexecution of the Treaty of Madrid , shewing how he was disabled and declared Minor by the State .

3. Lanoy being returned into Spain , presently the War of the league begins in Italy , at Milan , at Rome , and at Naples . At Milan , the Duke of Bourbon Generall of the imperial Army , besieged Francis Sforza , whom the league had taken in her protection . Sforza is constrained to surrender the Castle and retire into the Army of the league , the Generall whereof was Francesco Maria , Duke of Urbin . The Duke of Bourbon having taken Milan , goeth straight to Rome , takes it , and is killed in the assault . The Cardinalls are imprisoned and ransomed .

At the same time Lautree was at Naples with an Army , and laid a strait siege to it by Land . And Andrew Doria with the Gallies of France besieged it by Sea . Yea , he won a battel by Sea , in which Moncado Viceroy of Naples was slaine . But being ill satisfied of King Francis , who denyed him the ransome of Prisoners , and used him with contempt , he turned to the Emperour , and relieved Naples with victualls by Sea . And Lautree presently after happening to die , the French lost all in Italy , and the Emperour settled himselfe in it with more power . He restored the Dutchy of Milan to Sforza , and made him marry his neece Christina , daughter to the King of Denmark . Yet he cut off from that Dutchy the Commonwealth of Genoa , which was made Soveraign at the request of Andrew Doria . He confirmed also Parma and Placentia to the Popes .

4. While this War was in Italy , King Francis made a league with Henry the VIII . of England , and both declared War against the Emperour , who having said to the Herald of France , that his Master was not in a condition to declare Warre against him , till he had disingaged his faith and fulfilled his promises , which if he repented of , that he should return into prison to make a new Treaty .

King Francis exasperated with these words , declared in presence of all the Court , that he would satisfie the Emperour by a Duel , and sent him a challenge , saying , that the Emperour lied , if he said that he had broken his word . The Emperour , though he made a shew to answer the challenge , kept himself still to his answer , that King Francis was not in a condition to require satisfaction of him , till he had discharged his promise . So all these threatnings vanisht into smoak .

5. While these Princes were thus contending , two great Princesses , Lovise the Kings Mother , and Margaret the Emperours Aunt , were labouring for an accommodation . By their meanes the Treaty of Cambray was made , which therefore was called the Treaty of Ladies , it was in the year 1529. By that Treaty a marriage was concluded between King Francis and Eleanor the Emperours sister , widow to the King of Portugal ; and it was agreed that King Francis should pay two millions of Gold for the ransome of his Sons . And that he should disclaim all his rights to the Counties of Flanders and Artois , and to the Dutchy of Milan , and ( as some adde ) to whole Italy , which is like enough , since the Treaty of Cambray changed nothing in that of Madrid , but that there was no mention of the Dutchy of Burgundy .

Paragraphe V. From the Treaty of Cambray , an . 1529. to that of Crespy , an . 1544.

By the Treaty of Cambray , War ceased between these two Princes , but not the jealousies and hatred : Yet they kept peace till the year 1533. when Merville an Italian Gentleman , the Kings servant , was condemned and executed at Milan , because some of his servants had killed a man . But the secret and true reason was , that the Emperour had complained to Duke Sforza , that this Merville was at Milan as a Spy for the French , which was true ; yea he was a secret Embassadour , and Sforza had desired that he should not openly take the title of Embassadour , for fear of offending the Emperour . That murther of Merville broke the peace ; for the King taking Armes to chastise Sforza , the Emperour also took arms to defend him . It was at that time that King Francis instituted a new form of Militia , which was called Legionary .

The Emperour also was incensed by the alliance which the King had made with the German Princes Protestant ( though perhaps that name was not yet in fashion ) who being persecuted by the Emperour for their Religion had their refuge to the French King , as the antient confederate of the Princes of Germany , for the defence of the Rights and Liberties of the Empire . These Princes were the Duke of Saxony , the Palatine , the Duke of Bavier , the Duke of Wertenberg , the Lantgrave of Hesse . Yea , he lent a hundred thousand Crowns to the Duke of Virtenberg , who engaged to him the County of Montbeliard . But that engagement was simulate , and Francis did very willingly assist the Enemies of Charles . These were the motives and occasions of this War . Of which , these were the chief passages .

1. Francis to passe to Milan , demands of Charles Duke of Savoy , passage through his Country . The Duke denies it by the instigation of Beatrix of Portugal his wife , sister in law to the Emperor , & very partial for him . That deniall cost the Duke the losse of all his Lands , both of Savoy and Piemont , which the King took , and kept them till the Treaty of Chasteau in Cambresis , an . 1559. The pretence of that invasion was the right which Francis pretended in these States from his Mother Lovise of Savoy . A little before that invasion , the Emperour seeing that thick cloud threatning Milan , himself returning from Tunis with a weary and broken Army , sends to the K. propositions of peace , & many fair words . Yet he stood so stiffely upon the Treaties before , very advantageous for him , that the King would not hearken to him , perceiving that he would only protract the time till he had recrewted his Army . Besides Francis Sforza being dead without children , at the same time the Emperour had seized upon the Dutchy of Milan . And it was reported , that he intended to bestow it upon a Sonne of Portugal , his wives brother . For these reasons these two Princes fall to action . The King conquereth Savoy and Piemont , and the Emperour fortifies himself at Milan .

2. The Emperour passeth into Italy , visits the Pope , Paul III , an . 1536 , and in presence of the Conclave , inveigns against Francis , relating all that past between them ever since they came to their States , reproaching him especially for joining with the Princes of contrary Religion in Germany : And offereth three conditions to the King to choose which he would . The first was to give the Dutchy of Milan to the Kings third Son , the Duke of Angoulesme , not willing to give it either to the Dolphin , or to the Duke of Orleans , for fear ( said he ) of giving jealousie to the Italian Princes , if persons so near the Crown grew so powerfull in Italy , especially the Duke of Orleans , who had lately married Catherine de Medicis , which had some pretences upon Florence and Urbin . If the King accepted that condition , he desired to know what assistance he would give him against the Turk and the Heretiques . The Emperours second offer was , to fight a Duell with the King , either upon the Land or in a Boat . That he left to the King the choice of the Armes ; That the vanquished should give all his forces to secure the sitting of a Council , and to make War against the Heretiques and Infidells . That the King should deposite the Dutchy of Burgundy , and himself that of Milan to be the price of the Victory . The third offer was , that if the King refused these two conditions , he declared mortall War unto him , till one of the two was made the poorest gentleman of his Kingdom . The King purged himself to the Pope by letters of all the Emperours accusations .

The War grows hot in Piemont , an . 1536. Many exploits are done , Fossan is besieged by Antonio de Leva for the Emperour , and taken . The Marquis of Saluces leaves the Kings service and turns to the Emperour , who enters into Provence , and besiegeth Marseille , but in vain , being defended by the Kings presence , and by the generosity of Ann de Montmorency , who since was Constable of France . The Emperour is beaten out of Provence . At the same time the Count of Nassau makes some exploits in Picardy for the Emperour , takes Guise , besiegeth Peronne , but is repulsed .

4. Jean Capell the Kings Atturney General , moveth the Parliament that a proces be made against Charles as Felon , and Traitor against his Soveraign , of whom he held the Counties of Flanders , Artois , and Charolois , in fee . The Court of Peers hereupon assembled decree , that Charles should be cited with sound of Trumpet , upon the frontier of his States , to appear before them . And he not appearing , he was condemned , and his Dominions depending from the Crown were confiscated . Presently after , the King tooke many places in Artois .

An. 1538. the Pope Paul the III . comes to Nice , where both the Emperour and the King met also ; the Pope communing separately with each of them , for hee could not obtaine of them that they should see one another . Yet they concluded a truce for ten years . That meeting being ended , the King returnes into France , the Emperour into Spain , but seeth the King by the way at Acquesmortes ; They confirme the truce , and are civill one to another . Shortly after , the City of Ghent being revolted , and having killed their Magistrates , Charles desireth Francis to give him passage through his Lands , which the King granted him . In that passage the Emperour received all the royall honours . The King went to meet him at Chastellerant . In that enterview , the Emperour gave the King some hope to give him satisfaction about the Dutchy of Milan .

6. An. 1641. the King sent Antony Rincot , a Spaniard that had taken sanctuary in France , to the Turk , and Caesar Fregosa to the Venetians . Both were slain upon the River of Po , going to Venice by Boat . This murder was done by the order of the Marquess du Guast Governour of Milan , who hoped thereby to get their Papers and Instructions , but they had been sent to Venice another way . The Marquess was accused and convicted of the fact by those that executed it , who were taken at Venice . Upon this the King breaks the truce of tens years . The Dolphin , who was since Henry the II , falls upon the Roussillon , besieged Perpignan , but is repulsed with losse . Charles Duke of Orleans , seizeth upon Lutzenburg . The Emperour on the other side makes a league with the King of England , enters Picardie , besiegeth Landrecy , but Francis relieveth it , and driveth the Emperour from the siege : Barbaressa the Turk comes by Sea to the Kings help , takes the Town of Nice , wasteth those coasts of the Mediterranean sea , & goeth away having done little good to the French , and ill satisfied of them , having given a great matter of obloquy against Francis , to the Christian Princes .

In Piemont , after many exploits on both sides , the famous battel of Cerisoles was fought an . 1544. and won by the French , the French Generall being the Duke of Anguien , the Spaniard , the Marquess du Guast .

At this time Ferdinand King of the Romans , brother to Charles the Emperour , being sore prest by the Turk in Hungary , sends a Dominican Fryer , his Confessor to Charles to exhort him to peace ; Charles is perswaded to it , and Francis also . Their Deputies meet at St. John des Vignes , in the Suburbs of Soissons , and begin a Treaty which soon after was concluded at Crespy in Valois , of which these were the chiefe conditions .

That Charles Duke of Orleans , the Kings second Son , should marry the Emperours Daughter , or that of Ferdinand King of the Romans , at the Emperours choice within six yeares ; and for her portion , that the Emperour should invest the said Duke with the Dutchy of Milan , or the County of Flanders , or Charolois , or Franch County , at the Emperours choyce likewise . And that upon his investiture with one of these , the King should renounce all his claim to all the rest , and to the Kingdom of Naples . That till there were Children born by that marriage , if the Emperour had before assigned the Dutchy of Milan for the Ladies portion , he should retain in his power the Castles of Milan and Cremona .

That the King should restore to Charles Duke of Savoy , all that he had taken from him on both sides of the Alpes ; yet that he might retain the Citadels as long as the Emperours kept the Castles of Milan and Cremona .

That both the Emperour and the King should restore all that they had taken the one from the other , since the truce made at Nice by the Popes mediation . This Treaty beares date of Octob . 18. 1544. and was executed , but the King restored many more places then the Emperour .

Paragraphe VI . From the Treaty of Crespy 1544 , to that of Chasteau en Cambresis , an . 1559.

Francis out-lived three years the Treaty of Crespy , all which time he had no War with Charles , who had retired himself to Bruxelles . Francis being dead , his Son Henry the II . succeeded him , who also had no War with the Emperour till the year 1550. Two accidents made the old jealousie to break into open War .

1. The Pope , Paul the III . had invested his Bastard , Peter Lewis Farnesio , with the Towns of Parma and Placentia , which the Emperour had yielded to the Church upon the claime of Leo the X. without much examining the Popes right , onely because it had been so covenanted when the Pope and the Emperour united themselves to expell the French out of Italy , an . 1521. That investiture troubled Charles afterwards , who pretended , either that these Towns should remaine united to the patrimony of the Church , or that in case of alienation they should return to the Dutchy of Milan . Now this Peter Lewis , Farnesio , having made himselfe odious to his subjects , by his cruelty and impudicity , was slain by the people of Placentia , who put themselves under the Emperours protection . At the same time Paul the III , being dead , Jules the III , that succeeded him , maintained at the first Octavio , Son to Peter Lewis , in the investiture of Parma and Placentia . But soon after repenting of that donation which he saw to be displeasing to the Colledge of Cardinals , joyned with the Emperour for the dispossessing of Octavio , who put himself in Henry the II , his protection ; and that King powerfully assisted him both against the Pope and the Emperour , and was at such odds with the Pope , as to prohibit the bringing of any money out of France to Rome . At which the Pope amazed , desired peace of the King , and desisted to oppose Octavio , yea and caused the Emperour to restore Placentia to Octavio , since which time Octavio and his successours have enjoyed Parma and Placentia . At the same time the King protected also the Prince of Mirand●la , whom the Pope would oppresse .

Before that time , an . 1545. the Emperour got a great victory over the Protestant Princes of Germany . Their two chiefe men , Friderick Elector of Saxony , and Philip Lantgrave of H●sse were taken prisoners . Whereby the Protestant party was so humbled , that in the year 1550. they implored the help of Henry the II , of France , who past into Germany to relieve them .

The Constable of Montmorency in his way seized upon the Townes of Metz , Toul , and Verdu● , upon the Rights which we have set down in the third Chapter . That enterpize of Henry in favour of the Protestants , made the Emperour conclude a peace with them in haste . So that the King being come to Strasburg , was desired by them to return , because they were agreed with the Emperour . Returning from Germany , he took many Towns in Lutzenburg , Rochemars , Danvilliers , Ivoy , Bovillon . And the Emperour towards the end of the year 1551. besiegeth Metz , so well defended by Francis Duke of Guise , that the siege was raised the first day of the year 1552 Terrovenne is taken and razed by the Emperour .

The people of Siena fearing lest that Cosmo de Medicis , Duke of Florence , should make himself Master of their Commonwealth , had put themselves into the Emperours hands hoping that he would bring them in their liberty . But seeing that he would bring them under the subjection of Cosmo , they called Henry the II , to their help , who gave them Blaise de Montlue for their Governour , who since was Marshal of France ; in his Commentaries he hath described how that City was besieged . But in the end they were forced to submit to the Florentine .

In the year 1555. the Emperour Charles resigned the Imperial Crown to his brother Ferdinand , and all his other Estates to his Son Philip the II . A Treaty of Peace betweene Henry and Philip , was moved near Ardres , and perfected near Cambray , an . 1556. for ten yeares , and sworne by the two Kings Feb. 6.

But presently after the death of Jule the III . and the Pontificat of Marcel the II . which lasted but two and twenty dayes , the peace was broken upon the Election of Paul the IV . a Neapolitan of the house of Caraffa , allied to that of Melpha , which had alwayes been of the French faction , and was odious to the Spaniards , who used all their power to hinder his election ; And when in spite of them he was elected , they raised two powerfull Families of Rome against him , the Columna's and the Vitelli's , who revolted against the Pope , being assisted by Philip . The King sends help to the Pope , so the Truce is broken . Many exploits of Arms were done about Rome . But , Octob . 14. 1557 , the Pope and the Spaniard agreed , and Henry called his Army back .

But at the same time Philip having married Queen Mary of England , made his wife declare War to Henry by a Heralt of Arms , who spoke to the King himself at Reims , whence followed many various effects of war in Picardie and Champagne , till the memorable battell of Saint Quintin lost by the French , an . 1557. where the Constable was taken . But Francis Duke of Guise , newly returned from Italy , revived the sad condition of France by the taking of Calais , Guines , the Land of Oye , and the Town of Thionville .

The two Armies of these two Princes being both in sight one of another in Picardy , near the River of Somme , the Constable of France and the Marshall Saint Andrew , both Prisoners of the Spaniard , the Popes Nuntio and Christina Dowager of Lorrain , Cosen-german to Philip , manage a peace which was concluded at Chasteau in Cambresis , in February 1559. By the first Article of that Treaty the French King was to execute religiously all the Treaties made between Charles the V , and Francis the I. ( whereby they understood the cessions made of Naples , Milan , Flanders , and Artois ) unlesse the present Treaty did contradict it ; but that Treaty mentioned onely the restitutions of the Towns taken on both sides , and the rendition of the States of Savoy and Piemont to Philibert Emanuel , Duke of Savoy . Also by that Treaty a marriage was agreed on between Philip , then newly a Widower by the death of Queen Mary of England , and Elizabeth daughter to Henry the II . which for that reason was called the Queen of Peace . In the celebration of that marriage , Henry the II was slain .

Paragraphe VII . From the peace of Chasteau in Cambresis , 1559. to the death of the Duke of Alenson , 1584.

There was no open war between the two Crownes all that time which comprehends the reign of Francis the II , Charles the IX , and great part of that of Henry the III . But by the vertue of that Queen of peace , the Union was so great , that the troubles of Religion being risen in France , Philip assisted the French Kings with his Armes .

Under Francis the II .

In this reign of ninteen months , the History observeth two notable things , which are much for our purpose .

1. The State of France being in trouble at the entry of this reign , by the great favour of the Guises , Unkles to Queen Mary of Scotland , wife to Francis the II , and by the Queenmother Catherine de Medicis , who took the Regency of the Kingdome to the prejudice of Antony of Bourbon , King of Navarra , and first Prince of the blood of France after the Kings brothers , who being kept low , and all the house of Bourbon with him seemed to threaten France of a Civil War . Philip the II considering that State of France , sent to Francis the II a letter which was read in the Councell , whereby he said , that he had heard how some great men of France being ill satisfied of the Government establisht by him , his brother in law Francis , threatned his State of a Civill War . That he Philip was ready to imploy all his Forces , and his life , to make him obeyed as his good confederate and neighbour , remembring the good instructions , and the holy education which his Father Charles the V , had received from Lewis the XII , his Guardian .

2. The house of Bourbon , being degraded from the rank it ought to have had in the Court , Antony King of Navarra retired into Bearn ; and when the Cardinal of Bourbon , and the Prince de la Roche sur Yon , conducted the Queen of Spain to her husband , he bore them company . Now because by the Treaty of marriage , that Princesse was to be delivered to Philip upon the frontiers of Spain , the Duke de l' Infantasqua , and the Cardinall of Burgos came to receive her in the Abbey of Roncevaux , which was in Navarra . There King Antony protested that the Queen was not delivered upon the frontires of Spain , but in the heart of his own Kingdom , that none should believe hereafter that Roncevaux did belong to the King of Spain .

Under Charles the IX .

All this reign past among civill confusions about Religion , and scarce any dispute was between the two Crowns . Yea Philip furnisht Charles many times with Forces to subdue his Protestant subjects . Only these things are to be remembred for our purpose .

1. After the first peace with the Protestants , an . 1564 , Charles made a progress about his Kingdom , and saw his sister Elizabeth Queen of Spain at Bayonne . There the Queen-mother had an earnest and secret conference with the Duke of Alba . It is thought they agreed about a mutuall assistance between the two Crowns , against the Protestants of France and Netherlands ; for in that year 1565. they began to stir in those Dominions of the Spaniard . Philip assisted Charles with some Troops , which kindness Charles could not return , the fire being kindled in all the parts of his Kingdom .

2. An. 1566. two things were near to have made a breach between the two States . Bertrand de Montlue , whom his Father in his Commentaries calleth , Captaine Peyrot , seeing peace in France , undertakes to make some conquest upon the Sea , comes to the Isle of Madera , subject to Portugal , and desiring to take water , is repulsed with Canon-shot , upon which he makes a descent into the Iland with strong hand , besiegeth the Town , takes it , but is slain in that exploit . A complaint is made of this to Philip , as Uncle to the King of Portugal , as an infraction of the Treaty , in which Portugal was comprehended . Philip incenseth Charles against his own subjects about this , but the Admiral appeaseth Charles , shewing that it was but a mis-understanding among private persons .

Another businesse of that nature was that of Gourgues . Dominique de Gourgues was a Captain of Gascony , who in the Wars of Italy had been taken by the Spaniards , and ill used in prison . To be avenged of them , he went to Florida in the West-Indies , besieged the Fort which the Spaniards kept there , takes it by force , kills or hangs all the Souldiers , then returnes into France . Of this , Philip makes high complaint unto Charles , and Gourgues was in great danger of his life ; but he was protected by the Admirall of Chastillon , a Protestant , and an enemy to the Spaniards . He represented unto the King , that it was an Act of private revenge . Also , that a little before Melander , a Spanish Captaine , had expelled out of the same Fort in Florida , John Rebaut of Diepe , with five hundred French-men , whom he had killed or hanged every man with this inscription .

Not as to French-men , but as to Lutherans .

The wisest French Historians affirm , and so did Gourgues himselfe ; That not any private revenge , but the desire to punish that horrible treachery and murther upon his Country-men , made him undertake and atchieve that high enterprise .

An. 1570. Charles married Elizabeth daughter to the Emperour Maximilian , a vertuous Princess , much beloved of her Husband . Shortly after Philip married another daughter of the same Emperour . This double affinity did confirm the friendship betwixt the two Crowns .

Under Henry the III .

Henry the III . returning out of Poland , an . 1574. passeth through Vienna , where he is wel received by the Emperour Maximilian , although one of his Sons had been Henries competitor for the Crown of Poland . Yea , the Emperour gave him wholsome counsels for settling peace in his State .

An. 1577. The Protestants of Netherlands being opprest by the Spaniard , and little helped by Matthias brother to the Emperour Rodolphus , whom both Papists and Protestants had chosen for the expulsion of the Spaniard , the States of those Provinces called Francis Duke of Alanson , the French Kings brother , who in his way thither , made himselfe Master of the City of Cambray ; but being ill used by the Dutch , he returned home without doing any thing . But in the yeare 158● . he came againe with the title of Duke of Brabant , and Count of Flanders , but he made no long stay there , having made a malicious attempt upon Antwerp and other Towns ; and returning full of shame , he dyed at Chasteau Thierry , an . 1584. These enterprises of the Duke of Alanson , bred great jealousies between the two Crowns , and were taken for a breach of the peace . Wherfore also Philip assisted the League of France against the Royal house with great eagernesse .

An. 1579. Sebastian King of Portugal being dead in Africa , Philip King of Spain got the Kingdom , an . 1580. Among his Competitors was Antony bastard of Lewis , Prince Constable of Portugal , but pretending himselfe a lawfull Son , as legitimated by the Pope Antony , expelled by Philip , retired into England , where finding no countenance he passeth into France , agreeth with Katherine the Queenmother , who ( as I shewed in the third Chapter ) had great pretences to the Crown of Portugal ; and for some Lands in Portugal which he promiseth her , she gives him helpe , and raiseth an Army of French-men under Peter S●●oz●i . They go to the Terceras , where some lands held for Antony , where they had very ill success . That enterprise exasperated Philip very much , so that he was one of the first that signed the League . Some think it began at the death of the Duke of Alanson , when none remained of all the house of Valois but Henry the III , who had no Children , and was not like to have any ; and the house of Bourbon ( saving onely the old Cardinall of Bourbon ) was Protestant or favourer of Protestants . This encouraged the Spaniard to trouble the State of France , and the house of Guise to set up for themselves , under pretence of zeal of Religion .

Paragraphe VIII . From the death of the Duke d'Alanson , 1584. to the Treaty of Vervins , 1598.

This date comprehends the end of Henry the III . and the beginning of Henry the IV .

Under Henry the III .

Without examining the severall designes of the League ; this onely we must know , that after the death of the Duke of Alanson , the Duke of Guise having formed the League , made a Treaty with Philip the II , of Spain , at Joinville , whereby Philip promist him a monthly pension of fifty thousand Crowns to foment the League , which being not openly against the King , but after the killing of the Guises at Blois ; and the King himselfe having entred into the League , under the title of Holy league against the Heretiques ; the animosities and designes of the King of Spain , against the State of France , were not plainly detected under this raigne .

Under Henry the IV .

Here the League did rage , and civill War was in all parts of France . In these troubles Philip had a great hand , and Henry being once acknowledged King , was eeven with him , and powerfully Warred against him . But these things must be seen in order .

Henry the III , being stabbed , an . 1589. after he had seen the revolt of most part of his Kingdome ; Henry the IV succeeded him , and is acknowledged by the Protestants and part of the Papists . The Duke du Maine who kept Paris , receiveth Baptista Taxis , and others for the King of Spain , who raise parties for the degrading of the House of Bourbon , and the advancing of the League . In March 1590. Philip publisheth an Edict , whereby he exhorteth all Catholique Princes to joyne with him for the deliverance of Charles the X , ( meaning the Cardinall of Bourbon , whom the League had made King ) to the exclusion of the rest of the House of Bourbon .

The same yeare 1590. King Henry besiegeth Paris . Philip sends the Duke of Parma out of Flanders with a great Army , who takes Lagny and raiseth the siege of Paris . The next yeare after , the Cardinall of Bourbon being dead , the Leaguers consult about the election of a King . Many of the Seize , that is of the sixteen men that governed Paris , affected to the Spanish party , vote for Philips Daughter , Clara Eugenia Isabella , of which claime we have spoken before . But the Duke du Maine , who desired rather to have the Crown either for himselfe , or for some of his house , protracted that businesse , and turned it over to the States Generall of the League . And in the mean while sent President Jannin into Spain , unto whom Philip promist all assistance to the League , upon condition that his Daughter should be acknowledged Queen , either alone , or with such a Husband as she should chuse . That President returned , much offended with Philips proceeding , especially because speaking of the Towns of France , he would say , My City of Paris , My city of Orleans ; and ever since solicited the Duke du Maine to reconcile himselfe with the King .

An. 1591. King Henry the IV , besiegeth and presseth Roven very sore . The Duke of Parma returneth , and maketh him raise the siege . Before the Duke of Parma came into France , he propounded two conditions to the Duke du Maine ; the one , that he should put the Town of La Fere into his hands , which he did , and the Parmezan put a Garrison in it of four hundred Spaniards . The other , that he should press the assembly of the States of the League , to declare the Infanta Queen of France . Du maine promist him to move the Assembly about it , and gave him hope that King Philip should be contented .

In January , 1593. was the opening of the States of the League , where the Duke of Feria extraordinary Embassador of Spain , declared his Masters zeal for the defence of Religion , desired them to chuse a Catholique King , and to preserve unto the Infanta of Spain , the right she had to the Crown of France . Upon which that famous Arrest or sentence was given by the Parliament for the maintaining of the Salique Law . And though afterwards the Spaniards proposed the marriage of the Infanta with the Duke of Guise , or with Ernestus brother to the Emperour Rodolphus , they were rebuked by the States , as making a proposition contrary to the Salique Law . When they prest againe , that the Infanta should be acknowledged Queen with such a Prince as Philip should name within two months , they were answered , that when the States had chosen a Catholique Prince , if he was not married , they would consent that he should marry the Infanta . But the hope which Henry gave at the same time to the party of the League , that he would come to their Religion , destroyed all these designes of the Spaniard , and he was anointed King at Chartes in the beginning of the year 1594 , and soon after entred into Paris , whence the Duke of Feria departed with the Spanish Garrison .

The same year The Duke du Main having lost Paris , and seeing the League falling to pieces , went to Bruxelles , and asked succour of Ernest of Austria , Governour of the Country , who sent Charles Count of Mansfeld into France . Mansfeld takes la Capelle , and returns into Flanders . But Henry having laid the Siege to Laon , Mansfield returns , and in vain endeavoureth to make him raise the siege . The King takes Laon , passeth to Cambray , an Imperiall Town which Balagni held with the Title of Prince , since the first voyage of the Duke of Alanson . The King confirmeth that principality to him , under the protection of France .

Towards the end of the year 1594. Henry having broken most part of the League , declareth War to the Spaniard by the counsell of the Duke of Bovillon , by reason of Philips open enmity against him , and the assistance which he had given to the League , and because he held from him La Fere , and La Capelle . That Declaration being made to the Archduke Ernest , he answered , that he would send word of it to King Philip ; and a delay of two months being granted , War was proclaimed by a Herald . The War begins . The Duke of Bovillon hath ill successe in Lutzemburg . King Henry passeth into Burgundy , makes his entry into Dijon , notwithstanding the resistance of the Duke du Main , and wins the battell of Fontaine Francoise in Burgundy , against the Duke du Maine , and the Constable of Castilia . The Count of Fuentes takes from him Catelet , Dourlans , and Han , and Cambray from Balagni . Marshall d' Aumont opposeth the Spaniards in Britain , into which they were let in by the Duke of Mercoeur , Governour of Britain for the League , who had delivered Blavet into their hands .

An. 1595. King Henry got his absolution from Pope Clement the VIII . The Spaniards opposed it , representing Henry to the Pope as relapsed and impenitent ; but Du Perron and d' Ossat , since made Cardinalls , overcame that party .

In the year 1596. Charles de Casaut , and Lovis d' Aix Viguier of Marseille , treat with the Spaniard to deliver the City into his hands . But Peter Liberta kept it in the obedience of his Soverain Henry , and killed Casaut with his own hand .

The same year Albert Cardinall of Austria , Governour of Netherlands , takes Calais and Ardres , and Henry retakes la Fere . He makes alliance with Queen Elizabeth of England , with the States of Holland , and with the Princes of Germany .

In the year 1597. Ferdinand Teil a Spanish Captain , surpriseth Amiens , which suddenly is retaken by Henry . Cardinal Albert in vain attempted to relieve it .

The year before , the Cardinal of Medicis , who since was Leo the XI . being in France to procure the execution of the Articles promist by the King when he received his absolution from the Pope , had been preparing his mind towards a peace with Philip the II . who seeing himself very old and drooping to the grave , sought to leave his Dominions peaceable to his Son , who was but weak in body and mind . Henry also desired to give peace to his subjects , tired and exhausted with continuall Wars forty yeares together . So that Cardinall with the Generall of the Franciscans , Bonaventure , Calatagirona a Sicilian , disposed both the parties to a Treaty . The place was chosen for it at Vervins in February , 1598. where a perpetuall peace was concluded between the two Crowns . And the Treaty of Chasteau in Cambresis , an . 1559. was confirmed with the restitution of places on both sides ; And the frontiers between the two States , setled as they have been kept till the rupture of the year 1635.

There , upon the dispute for precedence of Embassadours , the Legat devised this expedient . Hee sitting under a Canopy at the boards end , set the Popes Nuntio at his right hand , and after him the Embassadours of Spain , John Richardot , President of the Councell of State in Flanders , John Baptista Taxis a Knight of the Order of Saint Jago ; and Lewis Verriken first Secretary of State in Flanders . At his left hand were the French Embassadours , Monsieur de Belliure , and Monsieur de Sillery , of whom the first was over against the Nuntio , and so preceded by one degree the first of the Spaniards .

CHAP. V. The Affaires between the two Crownes from the Treaty of Vervins till now .

THat space of time wee will subdivide into three .

1. From the Treaty of Vervins to the death of Henry the IV .

2. From that death to the rupture between the two States .

3. From that rupture till now .

Paragraphe I. From the Treaty of Vervins to the death of Henry the IV .

After the Treaty of Vervins , the two States kept reasonable good intelligence . Philip the II . died in the time of the Treaty .

The first difference between Henry and Philip the III King of Spain , was about the Marquesat of Saluces , which Henry redemanded of the Duke of Savoy , who did nothing but by the order of the Councell of Spain ; And the Spaniard would not suffer the French to possesse any thing in Italy . An exchange then was made of Bresse for the Marquesat . Herein Philip did nothing against the alliance . For the Duke having broken his word with Henry , Philip refused to assist him , and to be a favourer of his perfidiousnesse , although the Count of Fuentes raised great forces to assist him .

In the year 1602. was the conspiracy of the Duke of Biron . It was believed that the King of Spain had a share in his designes . But the depositions of the witnesses against him , speak only of Treaties and Intelligences with the Duke of Savoy , and of the sharing of the State of France among the conspiratours . Yet they said that Biron should have had the Dutchy of Burgundy , Franch County , and Bresse under the protection of the King of , Spain . Fontanelles a Gentleman of Britain , who was convicted to have been one of the conspiratours , for which he was put to death , was accused to have treated with the Spaniard to deliver the I le of Tristan in Britain into his hands . But Henry , who had no mind to break with Spaniard , would take no notice of that treachery .

The Spaniards pretence for these secret plots against France , was that Henry assisted the Rebells of Holland with men and money . Which the Spanish Embassadour having complained of , he answered that the money which he sent to the Hollanders was to pay his debts , for monies lent to him during the civil Wars .

As for the French Souldiers that served the Hollanders , he could not hinder his subjects to take party where they listed ; and that some of them also served the Archiduke . Howsoever that assistance was so resented by the Spaniards , that they lost no occasion to stir disorders in France .

Many things hapned in the yeares 1605. and 1606. which shewed the enmity of the Spaniard against France . As the Treason of Loste , Secretary to Mr. de Villeroy , who had intelligence with the Ministers of Spain , and let them know all the secrets of the Cabinet Councell . He was discovered by one Rassis a Frenchman , that had taken Sanctuary in Spain . Loste ran away , and in his flight was drowned in the River of Marne , so no more could be known of that Treason .

Then the Lady Marquesse of Vernuiel ill satisfied of King Henry , whom she accused to have broken his promise to her , treates with the Spaniard , and inveigleth into her reason her Father d' Antragues , and her brother the Count of Auvergne , since Duke of Angoulesm . Their design was to retire to the Spaniard , and to make one day that Ladies Son a stone of scandall unto France . Being discovered , all three were convicted and condemned to death . But the King gave them their grace .

In the year 1605. the reliques of Birons conspiracy appeared in the Provinces of Perigort Limousin and Querey . All was done under the name of the Duke of Bovillon . Whether the Spaniard had a hand in it or no , it was not known .

At the same time Mairargues a Gentleman of Provence treated with the Spaniard to yeild Marseille unto him . He was discovered and taken conferring with the Secretary of the Spanish Embassadour , and put to death . This passage was near to have caused a breach between the two Crowns , for the Embassadour of Spain expostulated with the French King , because against the Law of Nations his Secretary had been taken and committed to prison . The King justified the fact , saying , that he was found monopolizing against his State . Nevertheless all was suddenly appeased : Although at the same time another Treason was discovered , a plot upon Laucate by two brothers Luquisses , who had been won by the Governour of Perpignan .

In the year 1608. Henry the IV . mediated a truce between the King of Spain and the Hollanders . At the same time the Morisco's of Spain secretly implored his aide against the oppression of the Spaniards . But he sent them back , saying , that he would not be the first that should break peace , but that if he was compelled to make War , he might make use of their proffers .

Paragraphe II . From the death of Henry the IV . to the rupture betweene the two Crownes an . 1635.

A yeere before the Kings death an . 1609. John William Duke of Cleves and Juilliers being dead without issue left his succession disputable betweene the Emperour Rodolphus who said it was devolved to the Empire , and the children of foure sisters of that Duke married in the houses of Brandenburg , Newburg , Deuxponts , and Burgan . It was thought that the great Army which Henry had prepared a little before his death was intended to assist these Princes against the Emperour . It seemes the Queene Regent knew so much , for when the Archiduke Leopold had seized upon Juilliers after the Kings death She sent Marshall de la Castre to assist these Princes , to whom he caused luilliers to be surrendred . There the French had to doe with the house of Austria , of the German branch .

In the year 1612. the two Crownes were allied by the marriages , of Lewis the XIII . with Anne daughter to Philip the III , and of Philip Prince of Spaine ( who is now Philip the IV ) with Elizabeth eldest daughter of Henry the IV . And in the yeare 1615. these marriages were accomplisht at Bourdeaux . The world was full of hope that this double alliance would strengthen the peace betweene the two Crownes .

An. 1616 the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua being in War one against another about Montferrat , the Kings of France and Spain intervened to make them friends . And this was done without prejudice to the peace betweene the two States .

Valteline is a vally seated between Germany , the Venetians , the Dutchy of Milan , & the Grisons . It was in old time a part of the Dutchy of Milan , or at least an appurtenance of the same . And was engaged to the Grisons by Lewis the XII . for foure hundred thousand pounds arrear , due to them for their service in the conquest of Milan , since which time it was subject to the Grisons . But the differences of Religion intervening and the Grisons being turned Protestants for the most part , Valtolina kept for the most part the Religion of Milan . Which made them desire to shake the yoke of the Grisons and returne under the subjection of Milan , invited to it by the Spaniards . So that an . 1619. the great revolt began , and the Valtolins expell the Grisons their Masters . Who had recourse to the protection of France , by whom they held that Countrey . King Lewis the XIII . sends Monsieur de Bassompierre into Spaine to Philip the IV . ( for Philip the III . was lately dead ) who granted according to the Treaty of Madrid that all garrisons of strangers should depart out of Valtolina , and that order should be taken for the maintaining of the Catholique Religion . The Duke of Feria having refused to execute that command , and the Valtolins unwilling to returne to the obedience of the Grisons . King Lewis exhorted the Switzers and Grisons to maintaine their rights , and sent them an Embassadour the Marquis de Coenures whom he made afterwards General of their army and Marshall of France , known by the name of Marshall d'Estree Then did the French and the Spaniards fight , yet without breaking the Treaty of Vervins because both acted for their confederates .

Pope Vrban the VIII . having made himselfe Depositary of the principal places of Val olina , sent his nephew Cardinal Barbarint into France an . 1625. who not being able to make an accommodation , as pretending to deliver Valiolina from the obedience of the Grisons , war began in Italie by the aliance made betweene the French and the Duke of Savoy against Genoa which was assisted by the Spaniard . Thus these quarrels upon the by , came very neer to an absolute rupture betweene the two Nations . For at the same time some Spanish ships passing from Barcelona to Genoa and driven upon the coasts of Marseille were arrested by the Duke of Guise . Of which the Genoese complained to the King of Spaine , whose Councel irritated with these wars , and with the taking of many places about Genoa , gave order that all French ships in the havens of Spaine , should be arrested , and all the goods of the French trafficquing in Spaine , seized upon . The Councell of France to bee even with them made two Edicts ; the one to forbid all traffick with Spaine , the other to seize upon all ships of Spain , Portugal , Naples and other places of the Spanish dominions ; yet onely by right of represalls and for restitution of the goods taken from the French .

War continued in Piemont all that while , till the winter of that yeare 1625 , when the armies retired into garrisons . That winter Du F●rgis the French Emassadour in Spain began a Treaty which was called the Treaty of Monson in Arragon , whereby without any Commission from his Master or his principall Minister of State the Cardinal de Richelieu ( as it was pretended ) he did greatly derogate to the right of the Grisons over Valtolina , making the Valtolins well nigh Soveraines , taking from the Grisons all power to refuse the Iudges and that forme of Government which the Valtolins would set up among themselves . That Treaty was disavowed by King Lewis and the Cardinal who commanded the Embassadour to reforme it . Wherein so much tedious protraction was used , that Lewis was in the end constrained to take upon him the protection of the Valtolins , and sent them the Duke of Rohan who there continued the war , even after the rupture between the two Crownes .

In the yeare 1628 Vincent the II . Duke of Mantua being dead , Charles Duke of Nevers the next heire male succeeded ; but the Emperour made some difficulty about it because he was borne in France , and because he did not come personally to him to render his homage . But besides his right of lapse for want of homage , he set up the right of Duke Guastullo of the same house of Mantua , which yet appeared at the first to be weake and of no force .

At the same time , the Duke of Savoy renewed his rights to Montserrat . So the new Duke of Mantua saw himselfe almost swallowed up by the Emperour , the Spaniard , and the Duke of Savoy . Yea Do● G●nzales de Cordova besieged Cazal , the old apple of discord between the houses of Mantua and Savoy . King Lewis , resolved to maintaine his subject and confederate , sends Be●ron and Guron to defend Cazal . Himselfe passeth into Italie , forceth Le pas de Suze , driveth the Spaniard from the siege of Cazal , and compelleth the Duke of Savoy to let the Mantuan be in peace .

The Protestants in France being in armes , Rochel besieged , and their party brought low , some say that the Duke of Rohan sent Clausel from Montpellier to Madrid , to put the Protestant party under the protection of the King of Spain . The History of Dup●●ix sets downe the whole Treaty betweene the King of Spai● and the Duke of R●●●an , whereby the Spaniard promiseth to assist Rohan with men and money . But Lewis returning victorious ou● of Italie , suddenly overcame the Protestant party , and forced them to receive peace . The Spaniard thought he might as lawfully assist the Protestants of France , as the French assisted those of Holland .

Whilst Lewis was busy about the pacification of his owne State , the Duke of Savoy reneweth his pretence to Montserrat , the Emperour sends Colalio against the Duke of Mantua ; and the Marquesse of Spinola besiegeth Cazal , but in vaine , being well defended by Toiras , since Marshal of France . Lewis repasseth into Italie , makes himselfe Master of Savoy and Piement . The Imperial Army takes Mantua , but all is pacified by the Trea●y of Queyras an . 1631. and the Duke of Mantua is setled in his Estate .

In that yeare 1631. Mary the Queene Mother of France retireth into Flanders . The next yeare 1632. the Duke of Orleans her sonne doth the like . Where getting some Dutch and German troopes he makes an inrode into France ; and in the yeare 1633. he makes a Treaty with the Spaniard to enter into France with an Army . All this without absolute rupture betwixt the two Crownes ; Onely the Spaniard fomented the divisions of the Royal house of France .

Gustavus Adolphus , King of Sueden , after a long war against Poland comes into Germany an . 1631. for the restitution of the Dukes of Meckelburg his kinsmen into their Estates , out of which the Emperour had expelled them , and to restore liberty to the Cities of Germanie . Lewis jealous of the greatness of the house of Austria , and having causes enow to ressent the wrongs offered to him by the Emperour , made a Covenant with the King of Sueden for the defence of their common friends opprest , the safety of the commerce upon the Sea , & the liberty of the States of the Empire . The King of Sueden promist the assistance of his armes and his person , and the King of France a million of livers per annum . Hence followed the great victories of Gustavus , till he was slaine at the battell of Lutzen in Novemb 1632.

An. 1634. the Duke of Orleans leaveth Flanders and returnes to the King his brother .

III . Paragraphe . From the Rupture of the peace till now .

These mutuall offences being accumulated , in the end brake into open war . It was declared by the French by a Herald in Flanders in May 1635. That declaration was grounded upon that old complaint , that the Spaniard aspires to the universal Monarchy of Europe , and to devoure all the Princes thereof ; and because the Spaniard vexed the confederates of France with wars , but more particularly by reason of the imprisonment of the Archbishop of Treves who had put himselfe under the protection of King Lewis . To all the complaints of the French , the Spaniards have their answers , and have enough on their part to complaine . Howsoever this war hath produced many great exploits on both sides , in Germany , in Italy , in Flanders , in Spaine . And though the fortune of war have alternative successes , yet France had hitherto the advantage of that bloody game , having stretcht her dominions beyond the Rhine , united Lorraine to the French Crowne , got many townes in Flanders and Artois , Perpignan and the County of Roussillon , and got a good footing in the Dutchy of Milan . Besides Catalonia , which hath submitted her self to the Soveraignty of France . The greatest losse of the Spaniard is that of Portugal by the practices of France , whereby the King of Spain hath lost Brasill , and the East-Indies .