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)._