“The ecclesiastics (Catholic) having come to the council, the consuls gave them every assurance for their persons and property, and took them under the protection and safeguard of the king and the town, without suffering or permitting any hurt, wrong, or displeasure to be done them. . . .  The ecclesiastics thanked them, and protested their desire to live and die in that town, as good townsmen and servants of the king . .”  On the 22d of May, in a larger council-general, the council gives notice to the Parliament of Toulouse that everything shall remain peaceable. . . .  Consul Beraud moves that “every one take forthwith the oath of fidelity we owe to his Majesty, and that every one also testify, by acclamation, his wishes and desires for the prosperity and duration of his reign.”

Ten years later, in 1620, the disposition of the Protestants was very much changed; distrust and irritation had once more entered into their hearts.  Henry IV. was no longer there to appease them or hold them in.  The restoration of the freedom of Catholic worship in Warn had alarmed and offended them as a violation of their own exclusive right proclaimed by Jeanne d’Albret.  In January, 1621, during an assembly held at La Rochelle, they exclaimed violently against what they called “the woes experienced by their brethren of Warn.”  Louis XIII. considered their remonstrances too arrogant to be tolerated.  On the 24th of April, 1621, by a formal declaration, he confirmed all the edicts issued in favor of the liberty of Protestants, but with a further announcement that he would put down with all the rigor of the laws those who did not remain submissive and tranquil in the enjoyment of their own rights.  This measure produced amongst the Protestants a violent schism.  Some submitted, and their chiefs gave up to the king the places they commanded.  On the 10th of May, 1621, Saumur opened her gates to him.  Others, more hot-tempered and more obstinate, persisted in their remonstrances.  La Rochelle, Montauban, and St. Jean d’Angely took that side.  Duke Henry of Rohan and the Duke of Soubise, his brother, supported them in their resistance.  Rohan went to Montauban, and, mounting into the pulpit, said to the assembly, “I will not conceal from you that the most certain conjecture which can be formed from the current news is, that in a short time the royal army will camp around your walls, since St. Jean d’Angely is surrendered, and all that remains up to here is weakened, broken down, and ready to receive the yoke, through the factions of certain evil spirits.  I have no fear lest the consternation and cowardice of the rest should reach by contagion to you.  In days past you swore in my presence the union of the churches.  Of a surety we will get peace restored to you here.  I pray you to have confidence in me, that on this occasion I will not desert you, whatever happen.  Though there should be but two men left of my religion, I will be one of the two.  My houses and my revenues are seized, because I would not bow beneath the proclamation.  I have my sword and my life left.  Three stout hearts are better than thirty that quail.”