[52] Mezeray, vol. xi. p. 202. Mercure Francais, 1620-1621.

[53] Mezeray, vol. xi. pp. 206, 207. Lumieres pour l’Hist. de France.  Bernard, book iii.

[54] Mercure Francais, 1620.  Siri, Mem.  Rec, vol. v. pp. 135-137.  Le Vassor, vol. ii. pp. 212, 213.

[55] Le Vassor, vol. ii. p. 213.  Mezeray, vol. xi. p. 210.

[56] Le Vassor, vol. ii. pp. 213, 214. Mercure Francais, 1620.  Siri, Mem.  Rec. vol. v. pp. 139, 140.  Mezeray, vol. xi. pp. 210, 211.

[57] Mercure Francais, 1620.  Siri, Mem.  Rec. vol. v. pp. 140, 141.  Brienne, Mem. vol. i. pp. 342, 343.  Bassompierre, Mem. edit.  Petitot, vol. ii. pp. 193-199.

[58] Vie du Duc d’Epernon, book iii.  Le Vassor, vol. ii. pp. 216, 217.

[59] Mercure Francois, 1620.

[60] Le Vassor, vol. ii. p. 217.  Mezeray, vol. xi. pp. 212, 213.

CHAPTER IV

1621-24

Attempt to secure a cardinal’s hat for Richelieu frustrated by De Luynes—­Death of Philip III of Spain—­De Luynes is created Connetable de France—­Discontent of the great nobles—­Disgust of the Marechal de Lesdiguieres—­The Protestants of Bearn rise against their oppressors—­The royal troops march against them—­They are worsted, and despoiled of their fortified places—­The King becomes jealous of his favourite—­Le Roi Luynes—­Domestic dissensions—­The favourite is threatened with disgrace—­Cruelty of Louis XIII—­Death of De Luynes—­Louis determines to exterminate the Protestants—­A struggle for power—­Prudence of Bassompierre—­Conde encourages the design of the King—­The old ministers are recalled—­They join with the Queen-mother in her attempt to conclude a peace with the reformed party—­Marie de Medicis solicits a share in the government—­The King complies, but refuses to sanction the admission of Richelieu to the Council—­The Duchesse de Luynes and Anne of Austria—­Frustrated hopes—­Conde aspires to the French throne—­Louis XIII leaves the capital by stealth in order to join the army at Nantes—­The Queen-mother prepares to follow him, but is overtaken by illness—­Ruthless persecution of the Protestants—­Siege of La Rochelle—­Venality of the Protestant leaders—­Indignation of the Catholic nobles—­Resistance of the citizens of Montpellier—­Military incapacity of Conde—­The Duc de Rohan negotiates a peace, and Conde retires to Rome—­Montpellier opens its gates to the King—­Bad faith of Louis XIII—­Triumphal entry of the King at Lyons—­Marriage of the Marquis de la Valette and Mademoiselle de Verneuil—­Richelieu is created a cardinal—­Exultation of the Queen-mother—­Death of the President Jeannin—­Prospects of Richelieu—­His duplicity—­Misplaced confidence of Marie de Medicis—­Louis XIII returns to Paris—­Change in the Ministry—­Anne of Austria and the Prince of Wales—­The Queen-mother and her faction endeavour to accomplish the ruin of