The Memoirs of Marguerite de Valois, vol 2 | Page 5

King, calling
upon the Bishops of Lyons, Ambrune, Vienne, and other prelates there
present, for their advice, was told that, after the oath taken at his
coronation, no oath made to heretics could bind him, and therefore he
was absolved from his engagements with the Huguenots.
This declaration being made at the opening of the assembly, and war
declared against the Huguenots, the King abruptly dismissed from
Court the Huguenot, Genisac, who had arrived a few days before,
charged by the King my husband with a commission to hasten my
departure. The King very sharply told him that his sister had been given

to a Catholic, and not to a Huguenot; and that if the King my husband
expected to have me, he must declare himself a Catholic.
Every preparation for war was made, and nothing else talked of at
Court; and, to make my brother still more obnoxious to the Huguenots,
he had the command of an army given him. Genisac came and
informed me of the rough message he had been dismissed with.
Hereupon I went directly to the closet of the Queen my mother, where I
found the King. I expressed my resentment at being deceived by him,
and at being cajoled by his promise to accompany me from Paris to
Poitiers, which, as it now appeared, was a mere pretence. I represented
that I did not marry by my own choice, but entirely agreeable to the
advice of King Charles, the Queen my mother, and himself; that, since
they had given him to me for a husband, they ought not to hinder me
from partaking of his fortunes; that I was resolved to go to him, and
that if I had not their leave, I would get away how I could, even at the
hazard of my life. The King answered: "Sister, it is not now a time to
importune me for leave. I acknowledge that I have, as you say, hitherto
prevented you from going, in order to forbid it altogether. From the
time the King of Navarre changed his religion, and again became a
Huguenot, I have been against your going to him. What the Queen my
mother and I are doing is for your good. I am determined to carry on a
war of extermination until this wretched religion of the Huguenots,
which is of so mischievous a nature, is no more. Consider, my sister, if
you, who are a Catholic, were once in their hands, you would become a
hostage for me, and prevent my design. And who knows but they might
seek their revenge upon me by taking away your life? No, you shall not
go amongst them; and if you leave us in the manner you have now
mentioned, rely upon it that you will make the Queen your mother and
me your bitterest enemies, and that we shall use every means to make
you feel the effects of our resentment; and, moreover, you will make
your husband's situation worse instead of better."
I went from this audience with much dissatisfaction, and, taking advice
of the principal persons of both sexes belonging to Court whom I
esteemed my friends, I found them all of opinion that it would be
exceedingly improper for me to remain in a Court now at open variance
with the King my husband. They recommended me not to stay at Court
whilst the war lasted, saying it would be more honourable for me to

leave the kingdom under the pretence of a pilgrimage, or a visit to some
of my kindred. The Princesse de Roche-sur-Yon was amongst those I
consulted upon the occasion, who was on the point of setting off for
Spa to take the waters there.
My brother was likewise present at the consultation, and brought with
him Mondoucet, who had been to Flanders in quality of the King's
agent, whence he was just returned to represent to the King the
discontent that had arisen amongst the Flemings on account of
infringements made by the Spanish Government on the French laws.
He stated that he was commissioned by several nobles, and the
municipalities of several towns, to declare how much they were
inclined in their hearts towards France, and how ready they were to
come under a French government. Mondoucet, perceiving the King not
inclined to listen to his representation, as having his mind wholly
occupied by the war he had entered into with the Huguenots, whom he
was resolved to punish for having joined my brother, had ceased to
move in it further to the King, and addressed himself on the subject to
my brother. My brother, with that princely spirit which led him to
undertake great achievements, readily lent an ear to Mondoucet's
proposition, and promised to engage in it, for he was born