[1636] C. S. P. Ven., No. 573, March 10, 1574.
[1637] Ibid., No. 574, March 17, 1574.
[1638] Ibid.
[1639] C. S. P. For., Nos. 1,377, 1,378, April 10-12, 1574; ibid., Ven., Nos. 580, 581, April 9-10.
[1640] But it is not to be doubted that back of the affair was a secret movement of the liberal Huguenots and the Politiques to put Alençon upon the throne in event of the death of Charles IX and so foil the succession of the bigoted Henry of Anjou. Vie de Mornay, 23: Jalluard à Taffin, ministre du St. Evangile, May 8, 1574: “L’emprisonnement du duc d’Alençon, roy de Navarre, mareschal de Montmorenci, et autres, ont apporté non seulement un grand estonnement, mais aussi rompu des grands desseins.”—Archives de la maison d’Orange-Nassau, V, 2; cf. IV, 375. Moderate men perceived the value of Alençon as a counterpoise to Henry of Poland (cf. C. S. P. For., No. 1,431, May 25, 1574). On the entire matter see De Crue, “La Molle et Coconat et les négociations du parti des Politiques,” Rev. d’hist. dip., VI, 1892, p. 375.
[1641] Arch. cur., VIII, 127 ff. Among other charges, La Mole was accused of practicing sorcery—“that there should be an image of wax and a strange medal in the chamber of La Mole for some enchantment.”—C. S. P. For., No. 1,398, Dr. Dale to Burghley, April 27, 1574.
[1642] Ibid., April 22, 1574; No. 1,398, April 27, 1574.
[1643] Ibid., Ven., No. 586, May 2, 1574.
[1644] Ibid., and ibid., For., No. 1,401, Dale to Burghley, April 30, 1574. The whole process was a mockery of justice. According to another report the King promised “that he would write to the Parlement to delay the proceedings. But the bearer of the letters, on arriving at Paris found the Porte St. Antoine closed. The execution was so much hurried that in a moment they were both executed. It is said this was done by reason of a perfumer relating to the first President what had passed in Court, and that the Queen Mother had obtained their pardon. For which cause they were made to come more quickly from the Conciergerie, the carriage made to journey hastily, and directly they arrived at the place of execution they were executed without the usual proclamations.”—C. S. P. For., No 1,403, May 2, 1574.
[1645] Claude Haton, II, 765.