[1206] C. S. P. For., No. 2,273, June 17, 1568; Hist. du Languedoc, V, 482 ff.; Commentaires et lettres de Montluc, V, 18, 88, 142, 156; D’Aubigné, Book IV, chaps. xii-xiv.
[1207] C. S. P. For., Nos. 2,115, 2,135, April 8-10, 1568.
[1208] Hist. du Languedoc, V, 441.
[1209] For details see ibid., 443-64.
[1210] Montluc even ascribed the ravages of the plague to Damville in order to create popular prejudice against him! (Hist. du Languedoc, V, 449). His own words are: “Pour se montrer au peuple, qui avoit une marvelleuse envie de le voir, n’y pouvant arrêter à cause de la grande peste qui y est.” (Cf. his letters to Damville, December 31, 1567, and August 26, 1569, in Commentaires et lettres de Montluc, V, 103 and 159.) Montluc was doubly incensed at this moment because the peace of Longjumeau canceled orders which he had received in February to attempt to take La Rochelle by sea (ibid., VII, 148 ff.; V, 107 note, 109 note, 184 note).
[1211] Bulletin de la Soc. acad. du Var, 1876.
[1212] Claude Haton, II, 525. He repeats at different times the current play upon words which designated these free-booting nobles as “gens-pille-hommes” (gentilhommes). In general, in his estimation, the nobility had much degenerated. See Vol. I, Introd., p. lxii.
[1213] Volunteer bands of searchers visited Huguenot houses, to inquire into their faith (C. S. P. For., No. 2,191, May 17, 1568). At the court, certain of the nobles promised Charles to assure for all members of their retinue to be good Catholics (ibid., Nos. 2,191, 2,235, 2,236, 2,243, 2,248, May 17 to June 4, 1568).
[1214] “D’Anjou has marvellously stomached these dealings, and has kept his chamber, having uttered most despiteful words against them of the religion, saying that he hoped to march upon their bellies” (C. S. P. For., No. 2,177, May 12, 1568).
[1215] Ibid., No. 2,115, §1, April 8, 1568.