Opening…

Chapter XIII

1562-1563.

Page THE FIRST CIVIL WAR 3 Unsatisfactory Character of the Edict of January 3 Huguenot Leaders urge its Observance 3 Seditious Sermons 5 Opposition of Parliaments 6 New Conference at St. Germain 7 Defection of Antoine of Navarre, and its Effects 9 He is cheated with Vain Hopes 10 Jeanne d'Albret constant 10 Immense Crowds at Huguenot Preaching 11 The Canons of Sainte-Croix 12 The Guises meet Christopher of Wuertemberg at Saverne 13 Their Lying Assurances 15 The Guises deceive Nobody 17 Throkmorton's Account of the French Court 17 The Massacre of Vassy 19 The Huguenots call for the Punishment of the Murderers 23 The Pretence of Want of Premeditation 24 Louis of Conde appeals to the King 26 Beza's Remonstrance 27 An Anvil that had worn out many Hammers 28 Guise enters Paris 28 The Queen Mother takes Charles to Melun 30 Her Letters imploring Conde's Aid 31 Revolutionary Measures of the Triumvirs 32 Conde retires to Meaux 33 La Noue justifies his Prudence 33 The Huguenot Summons 34 Admiral Coligny's Reluctance to take up Arms 34 Guise and Navarre seize the King and bring him to Paris 36 Montmorency's Exploit at the "Temples" 37 He earns the Title of "Le Capitaine Brulebanc" 37 Conde throws himself into Orleans 38 His "Justification" 39 Stringent Articles of Association 40 The Huguenot Nobles and Cities 41 Can Iconoclasm be repressed? 42 An Uncontrollable Impulse 43 It bursts out at Caen 44 The "Idol" of the Church of Sainte-Croix 45 Massacre of Huguenots at Sens 46 Disorders and War in Provence and Dauphiny 47 William of Orange and his Principality 48 Massacre by Papal Troops from Avignon 49 Merciless Revenge of the Baron des Adrets 50 His Grim Pleasantry at Mornas 51 Atrocities of Blaise de Montluc 51 The Massacre at Toulouse 52 The Centenary celebrated 53 Foreign Alliances sought 54 Queen Elizabeth's Aid invoked 55 Cecil's Urgency and Schemes 56 Divided Sympathies of the English 56 Diplomatic Manoeuvres 57 Conde's Reply to the Pretended "Petition" 59 Third National Synod of the Protestants 61 Interview of Catharine and Conde at Toury 62 The "Loan" of Beaugency 63 Futile Negotiations 64 Spasmodic Efforts in Warfare 65 Huguenot Discipline 66 Severities of the Parisian Parliament 68 Military Successes of the "Triumvirs" at Poitiers and Bourges 71 Help from Queen Elizabeth 73 Siege of Rouen 76 Ferocity of the Norman Parliament 80 Death of Antoine, King of Navarre 81 The English in Havre 84 Conde takes the Field and appears before Paris 85 Dilatory Diplomacy 90 The Battle of Dreux 93 Montmorency and Conde Prisoners 94 Riotous Conduct of the Parisians 96 Orleans Invested 98 Coligny again in Normandy 99 Huguenot Reverses 101 Assassination of Duke Francois de Guise 103 Execution of Poltrot 105 Beza and Coligny accused 106 They vindicate Themselves 106 Estimates of Guise's Character 109 Renee de France at Montargis 110 Deliberations for Peace 113 The "Noblesse" in favor of the Terms--the Ministers against them 114 The Edict of Pacification 115 Remonstrance of the English Ambassador 116 Coligny's Disappointment 116 Results of the First Civil War 118 It prevents France from becoming Huguenot 119

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Huguenot Ballads and Songs 120

Chapter XIV

1563-1567.

THE PEACE OF AMBOISE AND THE BAYONNE CONFERENCE 126 Charles demands Havre of the English 126 The Siege 127 How the Peace was received 128 Vexatious Delays in Normandy 129 The Norman Parliament protests and threatens 130 A Rude Rebuff 131 Commissioners to enforce the Edict 132 A Profligate Court alienated from Protestantism 132 Profanity a Test of Catholicity 134 Admiral Coligny accused of Guise's Murder 135 His Defence espoused by the Montmorencies 135 Petition of the Guises 136 The King adjourns the Decision 137 Embarrassment of Catharine 137 Charles's Majority proclaimed 138 The King and the Refractory Parisian Parliament 139 The Pope's Bull against Princely Heretics 141 Proceedings against Cardinal Chatillon 141 The Queen of Navarre cited to Rome 141 Spirited Reply of the French Council 142 Catharine seeks to seduce the Huguenot Leaders 144 Weakness of Conde 145 Recent Growth of Protestantism 146 Milhau-en-Rouergue 147 Montpellier--Bearn 148 Jeanne d'Albret's Reformation 148 Attempt to kidnap her 150 Close of the Council of Trent 152 Cardinal Lorraine's Attempt to secure the Acceptance of its Decrees 154 His Altercation with L'Hospital 155 General Plan for suppressing Heresy 156 "Progress" of Charles and his Court 157 Calumnies against the Huguenots 159 Their Numbers 159 Catharine's New Zeal--Citadels in Protestant Towns 160 Interpretative Declarations infringing upon the Edict 160 Assaults upon Unoffending Huguenots--No Redress 162 Conde appeals to the King 163 Conciliatory Answers to Huguenot Inhabitants of Bordeaux and Nantes 164 Protestants excluded from Judicial Posts 165 Marshal Montmorency checks the Parisian Mob 166 His Encounter with Cardinal Lorraine 166 The Conference at Bayonne 167 What were its Secret Objects? 168 No Plan of Massacre adopted 169 History of the Interview 170 Catharine and Alva 172 Catharine rejects all Plans of Violence 175 Cardinal Granvelle's Testimony 176 Festivities and Pageantry 176 Henry of Bearn an Actor 177 Roman Catholic Confraternities 179 Hints of the Future Plot of the "League" 180 The Siege of Malta and French Civilities to the Sultan 181 Constable Montmorency defends Cardinal Chatillon 182 The Court at Moulins 183 Feigned Reconciliation of the Guises and Coligny 184 L'Hospital's Measure for the Relief of the Protestants 185 Another Altercation between Cardinal Lorraine and the Chancellor 186 Progress of the Reformation at Cateau-Cambresis 187 Insults and Violence 192 Huguenot Pleasantries 192 Alarm of the Protestants 193 Attempts to murder Coligny and Porcien 194 Alva sent to the Netherlands 195 The Swiss Levy 196 Conde and Coligny remonstrate 197 Discredited Assurances of Catharine 198 "The very Name of the Edict employed to destroy the Edict itself" 199

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The Huguenot Attempts at Colonization in Florida 199 The First and Second Expeditions (1562, 1564) 199 Third Expedition (1565) 200 Massacre by Menendez 200 Indignation of the French Court 201 Sincere Remonstrances 201 Sanguinary Revenge of De Gourgues 202

Chapter XV

1567-1568.

THE SECOND CIVIL WAR AND THE SHORT PEACE 203 Coligny's Pacific Counsels 203 Rumors of Plots to destroy the Huguenots 203 D'Andelot's Warlike Counsels prevail 204 Cardinal Lorraine to be seized and King Charles liberated 205 The Secret slowly leaks out 206 Flight of the Court to Paris 207 Cardinal Lorraine invites Alva to France 208 Conde at Saint Denis 209 The Huguenot Movement alienates the King 210 Negotiations opened 210 The Huguenots abate their Demands 211 Montmorency the Mouthpiece of Intolerance 211 Insincerity of Alva's Offer of Aid 212 The Battle of St. Denis (Nov. 10, 1567) 213 Constable Montmorency mortally wounded 215 His Character 216 The Protestant Princes of Germany determine to send Aid 217 The Huguenots go to meet it 219 Treacherous Diplomacy 220 Catharine implores Alva's Assistance 221 Conde and John Casimir meet in Lorraine 222 Generosity of the Huguenot Troops 223 The March toward Orleans 223 The "Michelade" at Nismes 224 Huguenot Successes in the South and West 226 La Rochelle secured for Conde 226 Spain and Rome oppose the Negotiations for Peace 228 Santa Croce demands Cardinal Chatillon's Surrender 229 A Rebuff from Marshal Montmorency 229 March of the "Viscounts" to meet Conde 230 Siege of Chartres 231 Chancellor L'Hospital's Memorial 232 Edict of Pacification (Longjumeau, March 23, 1568) 234 Conde for and Coligny against the Peace 235 Conde's Infatuation 235 Was the Court sincere? 236 Catharine short-sighted 238 Imprudence of the Huguenots 238 Judicial Murder of Rapin at Toulouse 239 Seditious Preachers and Mobs 240 Treatment of the Returning Huguenots 241 Expedition and Fate of De Cocqueville 242 Garrisons and Interpretative Ordinances 244 Oppression of Royal Governors 245 "The Christian and Royal League" 246 Insubordination to Royal Authority 247 Admirable Organization of the Huguenots 247 Murder runs Riot throughout France 248 La Rochelle, etc., refuse Royal Garrisons 250 Coligny retires for Safety to Tanlay, Conde to Noyers 251 D'Andelot's Remonstrance 252 Catharine sides with L'Hospital's Enemies 254 Remonstrance of the three Marshals 255 Catharine's Intrigues 255 The Court seeks to ruin Conde and Coligny 256 Teligny sent to remonstrate 256 The Oath exacted of the Huguenots 257 The Plot Disclosed 259 Intercepted Letter from Spain 259 Isabella of Spain her Husband's Mouthpiece 261 Charles begs his Mother to avoid War 262 Her Animosity against L'Hospital 263 Another Quarrel between Lorraine and the Chancellor 263 Fall of Chancellor L'Hospital 264 The Plot 265 Marshal Tavannes its Author 266 Conde's Last Appeal to the King 267 Flight of the Prince and Admiral 268 Its Wonderful Success 269 The Third Civil War opens 270

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The City of La Rochelle and its Privileges 270

Chapter XVI

1568-1570.

THE THIRD CIVIL WAR 274 Relative Advantages of Huguenots and Roman Catholics 274 Enthusiasm of Huguenot Youth 274 Enlistment of Agrippa d'Aubigne 275 The Court proscribes the Reformed Religion 275 Impolicy of this Course 277 A "Crusade" published at Toulouse 278 Fanaticism of the Roman Catholic Preachers 279 Huguenot Places of Refuge 280 Jeanne d'Albret and D'Andelot reach La Rochelle 281 Successes in Poitou, Angoumois, etc. 282 Powerful Huguenot Army in the South 284 Effects a Junction with Conde's Forces 284 Huguenot Reprisals and Negotiations 287 William of Orange tries to aid the Huguenots 288 His Declaration in their behalf 290 Aid sought from England 291 Generously accorded by Clergy and Laity 292 Misgivings of Queen Elizabeth 294 Her Double Dealing and Effrontery 295 Fruitless Sieges and Plots 297 Growing Superiority of Anjou's Forces 298 The Armies meet on the Charente 299 Battle of Jarnac (March 13, 1569) 301 Murder of Louis, Prince of Conde 302 The Prince of Navarre remonstrates against the Perfidy shown 305 Exaggerated Bulletins 307 The Pope's Sanguinary Injunctions 308 Sanguinary Action of the Parliament of Bordeaux 310 Queen Elizabeth colder 310 The Queen of Navarre's Spirit 311 The Huguenots recover Strength 312 Death of D'Andelot 312 New Responsibility resting on Coligny 314 The Duke of Deux Ponts comes with German Auxiliaries 315 They overcome all Obstacles and join Coligny 317 Death of Deux Ponts 318 Huguenot Success at La Roche Abeille 319 Furlough of Anjou's Troops 320 Huguenot Petition to the King 320 Coligny's Plans overruled 324 Disastrous Siege of Poitiers 324 Cruelties to Huguenots in the Prisons of Orleans 326 Montargis a Safe Refuge 327 Flight of the Refugees to Sancerre 328 The "Croix de Gastines" 329 Ferocity of Parliament against Coligny and Others 330 A Price set on Coligny's Head 330 The Huguenots weaker 332 Battle of Moncontour (Oct. 3, 1569) 333 Coligny wounded 334 Heavy Losses of the Huguenots 335 The Roman Catholics exultant 336 Mouy murdered by Maurevel 337 The Assassin rewarded with the Collar of the Order 338 Fatal Error committed by the Court 338 Siege of St. Jean d'Angely 340 Huguenot Successes at Vezelay and Nismes 344 Coligny encouraged 347 Withdrawal of the Troops of Dauphiny and Provence 348 The Admiral's Bold Plan 348 He Sweeps through Guyenne 349 "Vengeance de Rapin" 351 Coligny pushes on to the Rhone 351 His Singular Success and its Causes 351 He turns toward Paris 353 His Illness interrupts Negotiations 353 Engagement of Arnay-le-Duc 354 Coligny approaches Paris 356 Progress of Negotiations 356 The English Rebellion affects the Terms offered 358 Better Conditions proposed 360 Charles and his Mother for Peace 360 The War fruitless for its Authors 361 Anxiety of Cardinal Chatillon 363 The Royal Edict of St. Germain (Aug. 8, 1570) 363 Dissatisfaction of the Clergy 365 "The Limping and Unsettled Peace" 366

Chapter XVII

1570-1572.

THE PEACE OF ST. GERMAIN 367 Sincerity of the Peace 367 The Designs of Catharine de' Medici 369 Charles the Ninth in Earnest 370 Tears out the Parliament Record against Cardinal Chatillon 371 His Assurances to Walsingham 371 Gracious Answer to German Electors 372 Infringement on Edict at Orange 373 Protestants of Rouen attacked 374 The "Croix de Gastines" pulled down 375 Projected Marriage of Anjou to Queen Elizabeth of England 377 Machinations to dissuade Anjou 379 Charles indignant at Interference 379 Alencon to be substituted as Suitor 380 Anjou's new Ardor 380 Elizabeth interposes Obstacles 381 Papal and Spanish Efforts 382 Vexation of Catharine at Anjou's fresh Scruples 383 Louis of Nassau confers with the King 384 Admiral Coligny consulted 386 Invited to Court 387 His Honorable Reception 389 Disgust of the Guises and Alva 390 Charles gratified 391 Proposed Marriage of Henry of Navarre to the King's Sister 392 The Anjou Match falls through 396 The Praise of Alencon 398 Pius the Fifth Alarmed 400 Cardinal of Alessandria sent to Paris 400 The King's Assurances 400 Jeanne d'Albret becomes more favorable to her Son's Marriage 403 Her Solicitude 403 She is treated with Tantalizing Insincerity 404 She is shocked at the Morals of the Court 405 Her Sudden Death 407 Coligny and the Boy-King 408 The Dispensation delayed 410 The King's Earnestness 411 Mons and Valenciennes captured 412 Catharine's Indecision 413 Queen Elizabeth inspires no Confidence 414 Rout of Genlis 415 Determines Catharine to take the Spanish Side 416 Loss of the Golden Opportunity 416 The Admiral does not lose Courage 417 Charles and Catharine at Montpipeau 418 Rumors of Elizabeth's Desertion of her Allies 419 Charles thoroughly cast down 420 Coligny partially succeeds in reassuring him 421 Elizabeth toys with Dishonorable Proposals from the Netherlands 422 Fatal Results 423 The Memoires inedits de Michel de la Huguerye 423 His View of a long Premeditation 423 Studied Misrepresentation of Jeanne d'Albret 424

Chapter XVIII

1572.

THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S DAY 426 The Huguenot Nobles reach Paris 426 The Betrothal of Henry of Navarre to Margaret of Valois 427 Entertainment in the Louvre 429 Coligny's Letter to his Wife 430 Festivities and Mock Combats 431 Huguenot Grievances to be redressed 432 Catharine and Anjou jealous of Coligny's Influence over the King 433 The Duchess of Nemours and Guise 434 Was the Massacre long premeditated? 435 Salviati's Testimony 435 Charles' Cordiality to Coligny 436 Coligny wounded 437 Agitation of the King 439 Coligny courageous 440 Visited by the King and his Mother 441 Catharine attempts to break up the Conference 443 Charles writes Letters expressing his Displeasure 444 The Vidame de Chartres advises the Huguenots to leave Paris 445 Catharine and Anjou come to a Final Decision 446 They ply Charles with Arguments 447 The King consents reluctantly 449 Few Victims first selected 450 Religious Hatred 452 Precautionary Measures 452 Orders issued to the Prevot des Marchands 454 The First Shot and the Bell of St. Germain l'Auxerrois 455 Murder of Admiral Coligny 456 His Character and Work 460 Murder of Huguenot Nobles in the Louvre 465 Navarre and Conde spared 468 The Massacre becomes general 470 La Rochefoucauld and Teligny fall 470 Self-defence of a few Nobles 471 Victims of Personal Hatred 472 Adventures of young La Force 472 Pitiless Butchery 474 Shamelessness of the Court Ladies 476 Anjou, Montpensier, and others encourage the Assassins 476 Wonderful Escapes 477 Death of the Philosopher Ramus 478 President Pierre de la Place 479 Regnier and Vezins 480 Escape of Chartres and Montgomery 481 Charles himself fires on them 482 The Massacre continues 484 Pillage of the Rich 485 Orders issued to lay down Arms 487 Little heeded 487 Miracle of the "Cimetiere des Innocents" 488 The King's First Letter to Mandelot 490 Guise throws the Responsibility on the King 491 Charles accepts it on Tuesday morning 492 The "Lit de Justice" 492 Servile Reply of Parliament 493 Christopher De Thou 493 Ineffectual Effort to inculpate Coligny 495 His Memory declared Infamous 496 Petty Indignities 496 A Jubilee Procession 498 Charles declares he will maintain his Edict of Pacification 498 Forced Conversion of Navarre and Conde 499

Chapter XIX

1572.

THE MASSACRE IN THE PROVINCES, AND THE RECEPTION OF THE TIDINGS ABROAD 501 The Massacre in the Provinces 501 The Verbal Orders 502 Instructions to Montsoreau at Saumur 503 Two Kinds of Letters 504 Massacre at Meaux 505 At Troyes 507 The Great Bloodshed at Orleans 508 At Bourges 511 At Angers 512 Butchery at Lyons 513 Responsibility of Mandelot 517 Rouen 519 Toulouse 521 Bordeaux 522 Why the Massacre was not Universal 524 Policy of the Guises 525 Spurious Accounts of Clemency 525 Bishop Le Hennuyer, of Lisieux 525 Kind Offices of Matignon at Caen and Alencon 526 Of Longueville and Gordes 526 Of Tende in Provence 527 Viscount D'Orthez at Bayonne 528 The Municipality of Nantes 529 Uncertain Number of Victims 530 News of the Massacre received at Rome 530 Public Thanksgivings 532 Vasari's Paintings in the Vatican 533 French Boasts count for Nothing 535 Catharine writes to Philip, her son-in-law 536 The Delight of Philip of Spain 537 Charles instigates the Murder of French Prisoners 539 Alva jubilant, but wary 540 England's Horror 541 Perplexity of La Mothe Fenelon 541 His Cold Reception by Queen Elizabeth 543 The Ambassador disheartened 546 Sir Thomas Smith's Letter 546 Catharine's Unsuccessful Representations 547 Briquemault and Cavaignes hung for alleged Conspiracy 548 The News in Scotland 550 In Germany 550 In Poland 552 Sympathy of the Genevese 554 Their Generosity and Danger 557 The Impression at Baden 558 Medals and Vindications 559 Disastrous Personal Effect on King Charles 560 How far was the Roman Church Responsible? 562 Gregory probably not aware of the intended Massacre 564 Paul the Fifth instigates the French Court 564 He counsels exterminating the Huguenots 565

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A New Account of the Massacre at Orleans 569

Chapter XX

1572-1574.

THE SEQUEL OF THE MASSACRE, TO THE DEATH OF CHARLES THE NINTH 572 Widespread Terror 572 La Rochelle and other Cities in Huguenot Hands 573 Nismes and Montauban 573 La Rochelle the Centre of Interest 576 A Spurious Letter of Catharine 577 Designs on the City 577 Mission of La Noue 579 He is badly received 580 The Royal Proposals rejected 581 Marshal Biron appears before La Rochelle 582 Beginning of the Fourth Religious War 582 Description of La Rochelle 582 Resoluteness of the Defenders 583 Their Military Strength 584 Henry, Duke of Anjou, appointed to conduct the Siege 585 The Besieged pray and fight 585 Bravery of the Women 586 La Noue retires--Failure of Diplomacy 587 English Aid miscarries 588 Huguenot Successes in the South 589 Sommieres and Villeneuve 589 Beginning of the Siege of Sancerre 589 The Incipient Famine 590 Losses of the Army before La Rochelle 591 Roman Catholic Processions 592 Election of Henry of Anjou to the Crown of Poland 593 Edict of Pacification (Boulogne, July, 1573) 593 Meagre Results of the War 594 The Siege and Famine of Sancerre continue 595 The City capitulates 597 Reception of the Polish Ambassadors 598 Discontent of the South with the Terms of Peace 599 Assembly of Milhau and Montauban 600 Military Organization of the Huguenots 600 Petition to the King 601 "Les Fronts d'Airain" 603 Catharine's Bitter Reply 604 The Huguenots firm 604 Decline of Charles's Health 605 Project of an English Match renewed 606 Intrigues with the German Princes 608 Death of Louis of Nassau 610 Anjou's Reception at Heidelberg 610 Frankness of the Elector Palatine 611 Last Days of Chancellor L'Hospital 613 The Party of the "Politiques" 615 Hotman's "Franco-Gallia" 615 Treacherous Attempt on La Rochelle 616 Huguenots reassemble at Milhau 617 They complete their Organization 618 The Duke of Alencon 619 Glandage Plunders the City of Orange 620 Montbrun's Exploits in Dauphiny 621 La Rochelle resumes Arms (Beginning of the Fifth Religious War) 622 Diplomacy tried in Vain 623 The "Politiques" make an Unsuccessful Rising 625 Flight of the Court from St. Germain 626 Alencon and Navarre examined 627 Execution of La Mole and Coconnas 628 Conde retires to Germany 629 Reasons for the Success of the Huguenots 630 Montgomery lands in Normandy 631 He is forced to Surrender 632 Delight of Catharine 632 Execution of Montgomery 633 Last Days of Charles the Ninth 635 Distress of his Young Queen 636 Death and Funeral Rites of Charles 638 Had Persecution, War and Treachery Succeeded? 639

BOOK SECOND.

FROM THE EDICT OF JANUARY (1562) TO THE DEATH OF CHARLES THE NINTH (1574).