THE ARCHDUKE MAKES HIS ENTRY INTO LYON.—ANOTHER HERETIC.
The archduke Philip made his public entry into Lyon the 23d of March, and it was very handsome. He came from Spain; but before he entered the king's territories, he demanded that five or six of the princes of the blood should be sent to his country, as hostages for his safety during his stay in France. This was done, for the king had no evil intentions; but the archduke had made the above demand imagining that he might be somewhat inclined to be suspicious of him.
The populace were rejoiced at his coming, because he was charged to make peace between the kings of France and Spain, which he did; and it was proclaimed while the king, queen, and their court were at Lyon, on the 4th of April. The peace included, beside the kings of France and Spain, the archduke, the king of the Romans and their allies.
The archduke on leaving Lyon, went to Bourg en Bresse in Savoy, where he met the duke, and his sister the duchess of Savoy.
About the 13th of April, the lord John de Horne, bishop of Liege, waited on the king at Lyon, on account of a quarrel that had taken place between him and the lord de la Marche, which they had mutually referred for the king's decision, and he made peace between them.
The archduke had not been long at Bourg en Bresse before it was known that the king of Spain had landed a large army at Naples, and had instantly attacked the French unexpectedly,—for they understood that they were at peace with Spain. Notwithstanding this, a severe conflict took place,—and the duke of Nemours was killed treacherously. The Spaniards conquered the town of Naples, in contradiction to the oath their king had so lately made to observe the peace. It was said that pope Alexander VII. had supplied the Spaniards with provision. The lord d'Aubigny retired into Calabria with a few of his men; but had the French been supported, they would have prevented the Spaniards succeeding in their enterprise. It was likewise reported, that some of the French had joined the Spaniards, having an understanding with the king of Spain,—but this perhaps was discovered afterwards. The lord de la Trimouille was, in consequence, sent to Naples as lieutenant-general for the king; but he was seized with so grievous a malady on his road, he was forced to return to France.
In this year, an extraordinary event happened at Paris. A young scholar, twenty-two years old, a native of Abbeville, whose parents were of worth, and much respected, went on the feast of St Louis, to the holy chapel in the palace, while mass was celebrating at an altar on the right hand. When the priest was about to consecrate the host, this scholar snatched it out of his hands, and ran away with it into the court fronting the exchequer-chamber. Perceiving that he was pursued, he tore the wafer into pieces, and flung them on the pavement. When, taken, he was confined in the prison of the Conciergerie,—but no exhortations could make him repent. Upon this his parents were sent for, who were much grieved at his conduct, more especially for his obstinacy and malice,—and the mother died in Paris of grief.
The father renounced his son for a heretic, and wanted to put him to death with his own hands. When brought before the court of parliament, he was asked of what religion he was; and replied, Of the religion of nature. It was said that he had frequented the company of some scholars from Spain, who had fled. A general procession was made to the holy chapel, to offer up prayers to God that the scholar might be converted,—and a sermon was preached, while he was present, by an eminent doctor. The court of parliament finding him obstinate, condemned him to be dragged from prison to the place where he had thrown down the host; then to be put into a tumbril, and have his wrist cut off, and carried to the pig-market to be burnt. He was accompanied all the time by three doctors, who earnestly exhorted him to repent,—namely, master John Standun, a Cordelier, and a Jacobin: the first never left him until dead, notwithstanding he continued in his obstinacy to the last.