Henry of Navarre by Paul Willert

Author:Paul Willert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pronoun

THE KING GOES TO MASS AND ENTERS PARIS. 1592-1595.

THE GREAT HOPES FOUNDED by Henry on the powerful army which had been so painfully collected, were baffled. Rouen and Paris had been snatched from his grasp. Yet it is not true that after a struggle of two years, after heroic exertions and brilliant victories, the King was in no better position than before Ivry.

Frenchmen had at least learnt to know what manner of man it was who claimed their allegiance as the legitimate heir of St. Lewis. His gay and chivalrous valour, his jovial wit, his genial affability, which, free from all condescension, rather raised those to whom it was shown than lowered him who showed it, his marvellous placability, his humanity, his ready sympathy, nay his very vices recommended him to his countrymen. Even the most credulous must have smiled when they heard Henry of Bourbon inveighed against from the pulpit, as a merciless and fanatical tyrant!

In Paris the Moderates at length began to stir. In the previous year (1590) Mayenne himself had broken the power of the fanatical faction. The Parliament, although composed of those members who had refused to follow their more loyal brethren when they seceded from the rebellious capital, had never entirely forgotten the conservative traditions of their profession; and, by acquitting a lawyer accused of royalist proclivities, aroused the anger of the “Sixteen.” The people, they exclaimed, must seek by the dagger that justice which was denied in the law courts. Lists of the proscribed were prepared. Brisson, the first President of the Parliament, a jurist of European reputation, and two other magistrates of high position and character were seized, dragged before a tumultuary and illegal tribunal, and hurriedly executed. But the mob listened with apathy to the wild and inflammatory harangues of preachers and demagogues. So unusual was such moderation on the part of the excitable and violent populace of Paris, that in L’Estoile’s opinion it could only be ascribed to an extraordinary and singular mercy of God.

Not only the Politicians, but all Leaguers who had any sense of humanity and justice, called upon the Lieutenant-General to put an end to the tyranny of a handful of murderers and fanatics.

Mayenne had no love for a faction which was devoted to Spain and which would gladly have assisted the young Duke of Guise to supplant him. He hurried to Paris, obtained possession of the Bastille, seized and executed four of the most active members of the Sixteen. Others not less guilty saved themselves by flight. An oath of obedience to the Lieutenant-General of the Union and to the Parliament, until the Estates should have elected an orthodox King, was imposed on all.

The vigour shown on this occasion by Mayenne, gave him for the moment an appearance of strength, yet it was but the appearance. He was hated by the fanatics, suspected by the Spaniards, neither liked nor trusted by the Moderates; he was supported only by a few personal followers, and by some ambitious nobles

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