The history of France, from the foundation to the monarchy, to the death of Louis XVI, ...

Front matter

THE

FROM THE

FOUNDATION OF THE MONARCHY,

Index

A.

Abderamme, 22.

Abelard, 70.

Academie Frangaise, 211.

Acre, siege of, 74, 75, 96.

Agincourt, battle of, 128, 129, 130.

Aix-la-Chapelle, treaty of, 218, 241.

Albigenses, 73, 90, 91.

Almanza, battle of, 226.

Alva, duke of, 173, 190.

Anastasius, 16.

Ancre, marquis of, 204, 205.

Anselm, gen. 296.

Arnay-le-Duc, battle of, 184.

Artillery, 108.

Ascalon, battle of, 75.

Assignats, 276.

B.

Barrere, 299.

Bastile, destruction of, 271, 272.

Bayard, chevalier, 159, 162, 165.

Belgae, 11.

Belleisle, capture of, 245.

Berry, d. of, 247.

Blenheim, battle of, 225, 226.

Blondel, 76, 77.

Boileau, 231.

292.

Borgia, Caesar, 159.

Boumers, marshal, 223, 225.

Bouille, marquis of, 254, 278.

Boyne, battle of, 2'23.

Braddock, gen. 242, 243.

Brandon, Charles, 161, 162.

A 2

Brittanny, countess of, 105, 106.

Broglio, marshal, 272, 273.

Brunehaud, 19, 20.

Brunswick, d. of, 285, 296.

BufFon, m. 261.

Byng, adm. 243.

C

265.

Calvin, John, 174, 175.

Cambaceres, 299.

Camus, 295, 298.

Canada, capture of, 246.

Canal of Languedoc, 217.

Cape Breton, capture of, 241, 245.

Carloman, II. 41.

Castrees, marq. de, 262.

Catherine of Medicis, 171, 181, 182,

184, 185, 191.

Cerizoles, battle of, 170.

Charibert, 18, 20.

33 34 49.

Charles the Bald, 35, 39, 40, 49.

Charles the Fat, 41, 42.

Charles Martel, 21, 22, 23, 49.

Charles the Simple, 42, 43, 44, 45,

186, 187,188,189.

INDEX.

Chartres, d. of, afterwards Egalite

the younger, 250.

Chevalier St. George, See Pretender.

Childebert, 17, 18, 21.

Childeric, 11, 21.

Childeric, II. 26.

Chilperic, 18, 19.

66.

Choiseul, d. of, 251.

Clairfait, gen. 296.

Clery, M. 287, 300.

Clock, striking, 32, 123, 124.

Clodion, 11.

Clodoalde, 18.

Clodomir, 17.

Clodomir, 17, 18.

ClotaireJI. 17, 18, 19,20, Clotaire, III. 21.

Clovis, 21.

Colbert, 217, 221.

Collot d'Herbois, 295, 298.

Constituent Assembly, 279.

Closter-Seven, convention of, 244.

Clotilda, 13, 14.

Coligni, the younger, 194 Cologna, family of, 98, 162.

Columbus, 157.

Combat, trial by, 95.

Commines, Philip de, 148.

Con flans, m. de 246.

Conchini, 204.

216, 219, 220.

Conflans, m. de 246.

Constable, title of, 33.

Contades, marshal de, 245.

Conti, p. of, 194, 214.

Cordeliers, 90.

Corderius, 175.

Corneille, 231.

Cornwallis, marquis, 256, 257,258

Corsica, 247, 248.

Coucy, Ralph de, 75.

Crown point, siege of, 245.

Custine, gem. 296.

D.

Dagobert, 20.

Dainville, marshal, 189, 190.

D'Alembert, 261.

Damiens, Francis, 243, 244.

D'Angouleme, duchess, 302.

Daniel, Arnaud, 83, 84.

Dauphin, 112.

De Brienne, M. 265.

De Grasse, count de, 256, 258.

Delphin classics, 230.

Dendermonde, siege of, 240.

De Retz, card. 206, 214.

De Ruyter, adm. 219, 221.

Desiderius, 29.

Dettingen, battle of, 236.

De Witt, Cornelius, 220.

De Witt, John, 219, 220.

Diderot, m. 261.

Dieskaw, gen. 243.

Dillon, marshal, 282.

Doria, Anthony, 107.

Droit d' aubaine, 276.

Drouet, m. de, 278.

Dubois, cardinal, 233.

296,297.

Du Quesne, fort, 242.

Du Quesne, marquis of, 246.

E.

Edgeworth, Rev. M. 301.

Egalite, M. See d. of Orleans.

Elizabeth, princess, 284, 286.

Eudes, 41, 42.

Eugene, prince, 224, 226.

F.

Fabre, 299.

Family Compact, 245, 254.

INDEX.

Fastolfe, sir Charles, 135.

Faustus, John, 150, 151.

Fayette, marquis de la, 252, 255

302.

Feast of the Ass, 59.

Flag, national, 277.

Fleury, cardinal, 233, 234, 235.

Fleury, m. Joli de, 257, 261.

Fontainbleau, palace of, 217; treaty

of, 246.

Fontenoy, battle of, 237, 238, 239 Fornova, battle of, 156.

Franklin, Benj. 252.

Franks, 11, 12.

Fredegonda, 19.

Frederick the Great, 234, 235, 236,

240, 241, 246.

Friends of the People, 270.

Froissard, 121.

G.

Gabelle, 112.

Galigni, Leonora, 204, 205, 206.

Gallisoniere, marquis, 243.

Gama, Vasca de, 157.

Ganganelli, pope, 250.

Garniere, M. 280.

Gauls, 11, 12,13.

Gemappe, battle of, 297.

Gerard, m. 254.

Gibraltar, siege of, 254.

Godefroy of Bouillon, 57, 58.

Godemar, 17.

Gondebald, 13, 17.

Gondebaud, 19.

Gondegisile, 13.

Gontran, 18, 19.

Gourdan, Bertrand de, 78.

Grammont, d. de, 238.

Grasse, count de, 256.

Gray, lady Jane, 162.

Grimoald, 21.

Guesclin, Bernard du, 118, 119.

Guichen, adm. de, 255.

Guillotine, M. 281.

Guise, d. of, the younger, 194, 199.

Guy of Lusignan, 74.

H.

Harfleur, siege of, 127.

Haroun Al Rashid, 32.

Hastings, battle of, 55.

Henry I. 53.

Hugh the Great, 44, 47.

I. Jarnac, battle of, 182, 183

Jerusalem, siege of, 57, 58.

India, trade to, 203.

Joinville, Sieur, 93, 95.

Jour, William de la, 87.

Jury, trial by, 276.

K.

Kellermann, gen. 296.

Koster, Laurentius, 150.

L.

Lacepede,M.280.

Lacoste, M. 280.

La Fontaine, 231.

Landen, battle of, 223.

La Perouse, 259.

Lamballe, princess de, 294, 295.

Lasource, M. 298.

Launay, marquis de, 271, 272.

Law, John, 233.

Le Brun, 286.

Legendre, M. 299.

Legislative Assembly, 279.

Library Royal, 121.

Vlll

INDEX.

Lorges, count de, 272.

Louisburg, capture of, 245.

Louis the Debonnaire, 34, 35, 36.

Louis the Stammerer, 41.

Louis III. 41.

Louis IV. 43, 44.

Louis VIII. 90.

Louis X. 101.

298, 299, 300, 302.

Louis XVII. 301.

Louis XVIII. 301.

Louvre, palace of, 217.

Luckner, marshal, 282.

Luther, Martin, 168.

Luxembourg, d. of, 219, 223.

M.

Main tenon, madame de, 221, 225.

Maria Antoinette, 248, 275, 277.

278, 279, 301.

Marignano, battle of, 163.

Marot, 230, 231.

Marquis, origin of the title, 30.

Martel, Charles, 21, 22, 23.

Mary, q. of Scots, 174, 175.

Mauntisier, d. of, 230.

Maurepas, count de, 249.

Mayors of the Palace, 20.

Mazarin, cardinal, 211, 212, 213,

182, 185, 186, 191.

Meroveus, 11.

Minden, battle of, 245.

Minorca, capture of, 243, 257.

Moleire, 231.

Monge, M. 286.

Montaigne, 230, 231.

Montcalm, marquis de, 245.

Montcolour, battle of, 183.

Montecuculli, 220.

Montesquieu, 261.

Montmorenci, constable, 166, 169,

194,211.

Munster, treaty of, 213.

N.

Namur, siege of, 223.

National Assembly, 269, 270, 271,

279, 298.

National Convention, 298.

National Guards, 273* Navy, 120.

Nimeguen, 221.

Noailles, m. de, 236, 238.

Notables, 264, 265.

O.

223, 225.

Organ, 32.

Orleans, d. of, afterwards Egalite,

P.

Paine, Thomas, 283.

Painting, 122.

Pandects of Justinian, 66.

INDEX.

IX

Paoh, gen. 247, 248.

Paper, manufactory of, 123.

Paris, becomes the capital of

France, 16.

Parliaments, 97, 100.

Pastoret, M. 280.

Pavia, battle of, 166.

Pepin d'Heristal, 21.

49.

Peronne, 145.

Peter the Hermit, 56, 57.

Peter the Great, 233.

Pharamond, 11.

Philip I. 54, 56, 58.

79, 80, 81.

Philip III. 96.

Philip V. 101, 102.

112.

Pius VI, 250, 281, 282.

Plessis-Les-Tours, 148.

Pondicherry, 245.

Pont-Neuf, 203.

Portsmouth, duchess of, 218.

Post-offices, 193.

Poictiers, battle of, 115, 116, 130.

Pragmatic Sanction, 95.

Printing, 150, 151.

Protestants, 168.

Provence, count of, 247, 279, 302.

Pyrennees, treaty of the, 216.

Q.

Quebec, founded, 203; siege of,

245, 246.

Querouaille, mad'lle, 218.

Quinault, 231.

R.

Racine, 231.

Radstadt, treaty of, 228.

Ramillies, battle of, 226.

Ratisbon, treaty of, 221.

Ravaillac, Francis, 201, 202, 204.

Raynal, 261.

Revolution, commencement of, 270.

Richard Cceur de Lion, 63, 74, 75,

208,209,210,211.

Rights of Man, 274.

Robert the Strong, 42.

Robert Capet, 51, 52.

Robespierre, Maximilian, 294, 299.

Rochambeau, count de, 255, 256.

Rochambeau, gen. 282. ■ Rodney, adm. 258.

Rodolph, 44, 45.

Rohan, d. of, 205, 210.

Roland, 31.

Rollo, 43, 45.

Rousseau, 261.

Rudel, GeofFry, 82, 83.

Ryswick, peace of, 223.

Salique Law, 24, 102.

Sans-Culottes, 281.

Santerre, M. 300.

Saracens, 22.

Sartine, m. 262.

Savannah, siege of, 254.

Schoeffer, Peter, 150.

Sieyes, abbe, 274.

Sigebert, 19.

Sigebert, II. 18, 21.

Sigesmond, 17.

Soissons, battle of, 16.

Sorbonne, college of the, 95, 96.

St. Bartholomew, massacre of,

186, 187, 188.

St. Bernard, 70, 71.

St. Cloud, 18.

St. Dennis, abbey of, 20.

St. Germain, count de, 251.

St. Just, M. 299.

St. Pierre, Eustace, 109, 110, 111.

St. Simon, marquis de, 256.

INDEX.

204.

Syagrius, 16.

Tallard, marshal, 225, 226.

Talleyrand de Perigord, 274.

Templars Knights, 58, 99, 100.

Thoedebald, 21.

Theodebert, 18.

Theoderic, 15.

Thomas a Becket, 71, 72.

Thou, M. de,211.

Ticonderoga, siege of, 245.

270.

Tournay, siege of, 237, 239.

Tourville, adm. 223.

Transtamara, count of, 118.

Triple League, 218.

Tronchet, M. 299, 300.

Troubadours, 81, 82.

Truguet, admiral, 296.

Tuilleries, built, 217; attacked, 285. Turenne, marshal, 214, 215, 216.

U.

United States, independence of,

252, 260.

Utrecht, treaty of, 228.

Valence, gen. 297.

Vauban, 219.

Vaudreuil, marq. of, 258, 259.

Vergennes, count de, 249, 260.

Versailles, palace of, 217.

Vidal, Peter, 87, 88.

Villars, marshal, 225,' 228.

Villeroy, marshal, 223, 224, 226.

Voltaire, 261.

W.

256, 272, 293.

William I. duke of Normandy, 45,

46.

William the Conqueror, 53, 54, 55,

56.

Wolsey, cardinal, 165, 167.

Y.

Yorktown, capture of, 256, 257.

THE

HISTORY OF FRANCE.

Chapter I. The First, Or Merovingian Race Of Kings

From the Foundation of the Monarchy by Clovis, to the Abdication of Carloman, the last of the first race of kings.

THE kingdom of France extends over the greater part of that vast territory, known, to the ancient Romans, by the name of Gaul. Under this appellation, were included, also, the Cantons of Switzerland, and the Low Countries, or Holland. The former were inhabited by a people called the Helvetii ; the latter, by the Belgae : but, to these nations, were given, in the time of Csesar, by whom they were reduced under the Roman power, the general name of Gauls.

In the reign of the emperors Valerian and Gallien, the Franks, a people of Gothic descent, were settled in Germany, between the Elbe and the Rhine. They received the name of Franks, or freemen, from their union to resist the domination of the Romans. We learn, from a medal of Constantine the Great, that there was, on the north side of the Rhine, in the beginning of the fourth century, a canton, which bore the name of Francia. A succession of kings began there, in the time of Honorius ; the first of whom was Pharamond, followed by Clodion, Meroveus, and Childeric. These princes made occasional irruptions into Gaul ; but none of them fixed his residence there ; having returned to their own habitations, with their spoil, or been driven back by the Romans, ,But Clovis, the son of Chil- * 8 g* deric, was not so easily satisfied with plunder, nor so easily repulsed. He passed the Rhine, at the head of a numerous army, and founded the monarchy of France, or the Land of Freemen, in that great and fruitful province.

It was in the fifth year of his reign, and the twentieth of his age, that he entered upon the execution of this great design.

The condition of the Franks, resembled that of almost every other nation, in their primeval state. More jealous of liberty, than desirous of obtaining the luxuries of life, they were strangers to silver and gold ; and all their commerce was carried on by exchange. Their forests were their only towns : their houses consisted of subterraneous caverns, or of rustic habitations, composed of wood, cemented with clay. Their possessions were confined to such lands, as the prince or the magistrate distributed amongst them, every year, according to their services, or rank. Their hospitality Was a theme of universal admiration. Their houses were always open to the stranger ; who was treated with kindness, as long as he chose to remain ; and, at his departure, was loaded with presents. Their religion was not less simple, than their manners. The sun, the moon, fire, trees, and rivers, were their deities. Their temples were rocky caverns, or the most gloomy recesses of their forests, impenetrable to the light of day. Human victims, sheep, wolves, and foxes, were the sacrifices, oifered by them to* their gods ; and their priests were less deeply versed in theology, than magic.

The principal amusements of their children, were wrestling and riding. Their arms were the sword, the lance or halbert, the sling, the mallet, the javelin, the battle-axe, and a species of heavy club. Their shield was oblong, composed of osier twigs, or the bark of trees 5 this, with a cuirass, covered with the skin of a bear, or wild boar, and a helmet crested with a horse's tail, dyed red, formed their only armour.

Such, were the ancient Franks, or Germans ; who were often attacked, sometimes beaten, but never totally subdued, by the Romans.

Gaul was, at this time, divided amongst the Visigoths, the Burgundians, and the Romans. The Roman territory extended along the Rhine ; and comprised nearly all the provinces between that river, the ocean, and the Loire. The Burgundians possessed those parts between the Saone and the Rhone ; and several towns, on both sides of these rivers. They were masters of Lyons, Vienne, and Geneva : they spread as far as that country now called Dauphine, and

HISTORY OF FRANCE. IS

also the province between the Durance and the Rhone, and . Savoy. The Visigoths occupied the rest of the country, from the Loire, to the Alps and Pyrenees. The young king Alaric then reigned over the Visigoths 5 Gondebald and Gondegesile, over the Burgundians. Italy was in the possession of Theoderic, king of the Ostrogoths ; the Roman Empire, the seat of which was Constantinople, was subject to Anastasius ; who, less hostile to the Franks, than to Theoderic, and the other chieftains by whom the empire had been dismembered, was desirous of being at amity with Clovis. The ordinary residence of the Roman general, who had then the charge of Gaul, was Soissons ; where, he was attacked by Clovis, and entirely defeated 5 after which overthrow, the Roman power, in Gaul, before rapidly declining, was totally extinct.

In the age immediately preceding the irruption of the Franks, learning flourished in Gaul ; and this country had as extensive a commerce, as any part of the Roman empire, Italy excepted. Marseilles was the chief emporium of its commerce. , The Gauls had long been completely Romanized ; and the Latin was the common language of the nation. 4 qj Clovis being, at this time, a pagan, his marriage with Clotilda, a Christian princess, niece of Gondebald, one of the Burgundian kings, was an event, very gratifying to the Gauls, lately subjected by Clovis ; they being themselves of the Christian faith. The Visigoths and Burgundians were Christians of the Arian sect ; the Gauls, recently brought under the dominion of Clovis, were of the Roman Catholic persuasion.

r But the marriage of his niece, to Clovis, was not altogether pleasing, to the Burgundian prince. The ambassador of the former, had not proceeded far, with Clotilda, in her journey towards his kingdom, when, the princess, having received advice, that a party was likely to be despatched, by her uncle, to bring her back, told her conductor, that, if he desired to carry her, in safety, to the country of the Franks, they must quit the carriage in which they travelled ; which being drawn by oxen, made but slow progress. Upon this, he set her on horseback, left a guard with the chariot, and then went forward, with great expedition, till they reached the frontier of the kingdom.

The necessity of this precaution, was soon apparent* A detachment of horse, sent after the princess, overtook the B chariot, and carried it back ; together with the greater part of the money, and other articles of value, given to Clotilda, as a marriage portion.

4 g_ Although, being a Burgundian, Clotilda had been nursed in the bosom of the Arian church, she had lately embraced the Roman Catholic faith. She was assiduous in her endeavours to convert her husband to Christianity; and was at length rendered successful, by a fortunate occurrence. In a battle with the Allemanni, who had passed the Rhine, with the intention of driving the Franks from the countries which they had conquered, Clovis, being hard pressed by the enemy, made a vow, it is said, that if he were victorious, he would embrace the religion of Clotilda ; and, having gained the battle, he accordingly, when arrived at Rheims, was there baptized. Three thousand of the most ' considerable persons of his court and army, followed his example, on the same day ; and Christianity was, in a short time, embraced, by all the royal family, and by almost the whole nation of Franks.

Clovis, being then the only monarch of the Roman Catholic religion, was particularly honoured, by the pope. He was considered worthy to bear the title of the Most Christian ; by which, he and his successors, with only one exception, have ever since been distinguished.

The result of the several conflicts, maintained, by Clovis, with the Burgundians, was of less importance, than his war with Alaric, king of the Yisigoths. This was one of the most glorious of all his expeditions, made the greatest alteration in Gaul, and enabled him to extend, still further, the boundaries of his dominions.

Alaric ascended the throne of the Visigoths, about the same time that Clovis began to reign over the Franks. They were both nearly of the same age; but the incidents of their lives, had, till then, been very different. Alaric had found a fertile country in Gaul, already conquered Clovis" made his way, to his kingdom, by the sword. The one had enjoyed uninterrupted peace; the other had always been engaged in war. Clovis had the reputation of an accomplished soldier, successful and victorious, in all his undertakings; Alaric, that of a wise and moderate prince, who, when the neighbouring states were continually harassed, by foreign or domestic wars, preserved his own kingdom, from being disturbed by the din of arms.

- ft - It was discovered, that Alaric was forming an offen- " sive league, with Theoderic ; and making clandestine preparations to surprise Clovis, while he amused him with the appearance of perfect friendship. But Clovis was soon aware of this design. He not only stood upon his guard, but was first ready to take the field. He entered Poictou, at the head of an army, and met Alaric on the plain of Vouille.

At the first onset, the Visigoths were driven back: but an accident occurred, which, for some moments, held the issue in suspense. The two kings, who rode along the ranks, to encourage their men, encountered each other, in the midst of the field of battle. Every eye was turned towards the interesting scene. Every sound was hushed, save the clashing of the royal arms. Both sides stood still, waiting the event of a single combat, that was, in all appearance, to decide the fate of the two nations. They made many pushes at each other, and many blows were given, by each prince, which they warded off with their shields ; but, at length, Clovis dismounted his antagonist, and gave him, at the same time, a stroke, of which he quickly died.

It was not difficult, to complete the overthrow of an army, that had already begun to turn their backs. The Visigoths, after this defeat, were able to preserve only a small part of the territory possessed by them, in Gaul. Clovis detached a numerous body of troops, under his son Theoderic (or Thierry); who, treading in his father's steps, signalized himself by the conquest of Albi, Roiiergue, and Auvergne; and of nearly all the places held by the Visigoths, on that side, as far as the frontiers of Burgundy: and, at the same time, Clovis himself brought under obedience, Touraine, Poictou, Limosin, Perigord, Xaintogne, and Angoumois; carried his conquests into Armorica or Brittany; compelled the kings of the latter country to relinquish the royal title, for that of duke; and finished the campaign, with the taking of Bourdeaux.

- og Clovis was not yet satiated with conquest. He availed himself of the favourable tide in his affairs. In the ensuing spring, he began with the siege of Toulouse, the capital of the Visigoths; which having reduced, he there found the treasures of Alaric. Thence, he proceeded to Tours, as well with the design of performing his devotions in the church of St. Martin, as of receiving ambassadors,

Sent to him, by Anastasius, emperor of the East; and, after these ceremonies, he went to Paris, which, in the same year, he fixed as the capital of his kingdom.

Paris, named, by Julius Caesar, Lutetia, was, in his time, comprised within the narrow limits of that island in the Heine, now called the Island of Notre Dame; and did not cover one-twentieth of the area of the present city.

To atone for some enormities, of which Clovis, in common with nearly all the sovereigns of that age, had been guilty, he founded monasteries, and erected churches; the most efficient mode, according to the superstitious practice, then encouraged, by the Roman clergy, of obtaining forgive- <-,, ness, for every crime. He also assembled, at Orleans, a council of bishops, the first held in Gaul, under the dominion of the Franks.

This is the last act, of importance, recorded of this famous prince. In the month of November, in the same year, he died, at Paris, in the forty-fifth year of his age, and thirtieth of his reign.

Clovis signalized himself more, by his valour and his conquests, than any other sovereign of his time. The design of becoming sole and absolute monarch of all Gaul, was his ruling passion. Could he have moderated this desire, his reputation had been more illustrious, and the last years of his life, more innocent; nor should we have blamed in Clovis, the Christian, such cruelties, as are opposite to the soft and humane disposition, for which he was admired, when a Heathen.

The kings of the Franks were invested with high authority; but were, at the same time, restrained by laws, which they did not dare to violate. After having gained the victory over Syagrius, the Roman general, at Soissons, Clovis wished to present, to a bishop, a superb vase, which had been taken in the pillage of the town; but, one of the Franks, a soldier of a fierce and independent spirit, struck the vase, with his battle-axe; declaring, with ferocity, that the plunder must be shared, by lot, and that the king himself had no better right.

The death of Clovis was a severe blow to the grandeur of the French monarchy. He left four sons; who divided his extensive dominions amongst them. Thierry, the eldest, had the largest share. He was king of Austrasia; which comprehended not only the north-eastern part of

France, but also the German conquests of his father. His seat of government, was Metz. The other three kingdoms took the name of their respective capitals. Clodomir was king of Orleans? Childebert, of Paris? and Clotaire, of Soissons.

This division of the empire, not only weakened its force, but caused also most deplorable quarrels. The brothers became enemies, whenever /their interests jarred. The most dreadful barbarities were the consequence of these dissensions; and, mean while, a new and unexpected enemy _-,£ arose. An army of Danish pirates, entered the Meuse, and ravaged the country, between this river and the Rhine. Thierry sent against them his son Theodebert, then about eighteen years old, with a fleet and a land-force. The enterprise was happily conducted. This young prince, who afterwards became formidable to the most powerful enemies of France, defeated the Danes, both by land and sea, took many prisoners, and seized upon all their spoil.

-ncs Sigismond, the son and successor of Gondebald, king J °* of Burgundy, having been defeated, in battle, by the Franks, and fallen into the hands of his nephew, Clodomir, was carried prisoner to Orleans, together with his- queen, and his two sons. But Godemar, the brother of Sigismond, soon raised another army, and recovered, in a few days, all that the Franks had taken. This reverse did not dishearten Clodomir, who resolved to continue the war. Fearing, however, that Sigismond, with his wife and children, might, in his absence, escape, the ties of consanguinity were rent asunder, and he put them to death, by a mode, then not unusual in France — throwing them into a well.

The two armies joined at Veseronce, not far from the Rhone and the town of Vienne* Godemar was defeated here, also; but escaped. The defeat, however, was fatal to the victor. Clodomir, in the heat of pursuit, was carried, by his horse, into the midst of the enemy; and, being discovered, by his long hair, was slain* Godemar, having taken off his head, stuck it upon the point of a lance; and then, rallying some battalions, retook the field; hoping that the loss of their king, would induce the Franks to lay down their arms. But the event was otherwise. Animated by a desire of revenging the death of their victorious chief, their courage was changed to fury; and, felling upon the b 2

Bur<nmdians, they cut them to pieces, and left not their illfated country, until they had entirely laid it waste. ( -.,<, The beginning of this year, was marked by a most cruel and barbarous act. Childebert and Clotaire persuaded their mother, Clotilda, to bring to Paris the three sons of their deceased brother, Clodomir, under a pretence of putting them into possession of their father's kingdom; but, in reality, with a design of murdering them. Clotaire stabbed two of them, with his own hand; Clodoalde was conveyed away, out of his reach, received the tonsure, and became a monk.

The church and village of St. Cloud, are named after Clodoalde; and in the former, he w^as interred.

On the death of Thierry, king of Austrasia, his son Theodebert was declared his successor. The king of Burgundy was unable to withstand the powerful alliance now formed against him, by the two uncles and the nephew. After the loss of a battle, he w r as forced to yield, was taken, and imprisoned in a castle, where he ended his days.

Thus, the kingdom of Burgundy was united to France, about one hundred years after its foundation, and the three kings divided it amongst them.

~~ the death of his two brothers and his nephew,

Clotaire became sole monarch of the French empire. But he enjoyed this great accession of power, only for a short time. When hunting, in the forest of Cuise, he was seized with a fever; and, having been carried to Compeigne (at that time, only a pleasure-house) he died, there, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and the fifty -first of his reign; 5 q exclaiming, with his latest breath, "How great, must that King of Heaven be, who destroys, when he pleases, the greatest kings on earth!"

Clotaire was a crafty and cruel prince: having scarcely any good qualities, except valour, intrepidity, and a talent for war: which were inherited, in common, by all the male children of Clovis.

He left four sons — Chilperic, Charibert, Gontran, and Sigebert.

The experience of the evils arising from the division of the French monarchy, amongst the sons of Clovis, did not psevent a similar partition, alter the death of Clotaire. His four sons apportioned the four kingdoms amongst them, by lot. The kingdom of Paris fell to Charibert; Soissons, to

Chilperic; Austrasia, to-Sigebert; and Orleans, to Gontran; in whose lot, was also included the Burgundian realm; which had been conquered by the united forces of Childebert and Clotaire.

This new division was followed bj consequences, still more fatal, than the former.

Brunehaud, princess of Spain, wife of Sigebert, and Fredegonda, wife of Chilperic — two queens, who might be called furies, rather than women — sacrificed every thing to their ambition. Their mutual hatred, conjoined with their influence over their husbands, produced a series of crimes, alike ruinous to the royal family, and the people.

Two kings, and several princes of the royal blood, were, by their means, murdered.

- 7 - Chilperic being besieged, in Tournay, by Sigebert, ' without any hope, either of relief, or escape, his queen, Fredegonda, sent, to the latter, two resolute assassins, in the peaceful character of negotiators; who, under a pretence of proposing an accommodation, stabbed him, through the heart.

The face of affairs was, by this event, in a moment changed. The siege of Tournay was quickly raised. Fredegonda despatched a messenger to Paris, to inform those of her faction, there, of what had happened, and ordered them to seize upon the queen of Austrasia, the widow of Sigebert; who, with her children, had come to that capital, to meet her husband. Brunehaud and her children were taken into custody. This was Chilperic's shortest way to become master of Austrasia. Treachery and murder seemed, for a while triumphant. But he was defeated in this criminal attempt. Gondebaud, one of the generals of the Austrasian army, having bribed or overreached the guards, let down the young prince, Childebert, in a sack, through a window, and carried him to Metz; where he was placed upon his father's throne. -g 4 In the summer of this year, Chilperic, king of Soissons, died, by the hand of an assassin, supposed to have been employed by his own queen Fredegonda. 61 ^ After the murder of many other princes, and many years of civil war, carried on with a most vindictive spirit, Clotaire II., son of Chilperic and Fredegonda, became sole monarch of France.

Fredegonda was allowed to die, by the hand of nature; but her rival in atrocity, Brunehaud, was put to death, in a manner corresponding with the cruelties committed, by her, upon others. Having reproached her, besides other crimes, with the murder of ten princes, Clotaire delivered her to the executioner; who, for three successive days, inflicted upon her every species of torture. After this, she was placed upon a camel, and compelled to ride through all the camp, where the soldiers offered her a thousand insults; and at length one of her feet and an arm were tied to the tail of a wild horse; which, dragging her around the camp, tore her to pieces: and thus- ended her dreadful punishment. Her body was then thrown into a fire, and burned to ashes.

The tortures inflicted upon Brunehaud, are shocking to humanity, at this enlightened period of the Christian world; yet, Clotaire, by whom they were directed, was of a disposition widely different from that of his atrocious parent. He re-established tranquillity, gained the hearts of his people, by his justice and generosity, and attached the nobles to him, by augmenting their importance.