Memoirs of Philippe de Mornay

...had not reached the age of twenty-four before he had mastered all the sciences that might adorn a well-born gentleman, read a good portion of sacred and secular history, written several judicious treatises on the occurrences of the time, and made himself capable of the management of public affairs.

He was therefore employed from that point forward in various negotiations (to say nothing of his feats of arms) for the service of those of the Reformed Religion original: "Religion reformée"; this refers to the French Protestant (Huguenot) movement., of which he made an open profession. And the King of Navarre Henry of Navarre, the future King Henry IV of France, who was the political and military leader of the Huguenots., who styled himself its Protector, received him into his council, entrusting him with his most important affairs. This was in the year of our Lord 1576; from then until the death of Henry III, which occurred in the year 1589, he composed the greater part of the pieces contained in the first volume of his Memoirs.

When the King of Navarre succeeded Henry III Henry IV became King of France in 1589, though he had to fight for several years to secure his throne. and, a short time later, changed his religion Refers to Henry IV's conversion to Catholicism in 1593, a strategic move to end the civil wars and unify France., Monsieur du Plessis certainly remained in his service and held some share of his favor, though much less than before. This, however, did not prevent his noble heart from always bringing the same devotion to the welfare of his State. But he particularly manifested his zeal in the pursuit of the Edict of Pacification original: "Edit de pacification"; referring to the Edict of Nantes, signed in April 1598., granted at Nantes in the year 1598, by which those of the Religion were granted the liberty they have enjoyed since then. Of this, the pieces in the second volume, which ends with the year 1599, bear ample witness.

From that time on, Monsieur du Plessis found the Court even more opposed to him. But this did not discourage him from persevering ever better, serving the King and the State with all possible fidelity until the detestable assassination of that great King in the year 1610. He continued in the same manner under the reign of his son, Louis XIII, until it pleased God to withdraw him from the world toward the end of the year 1623. This is what may be seen in the two volumes of Memoirs that we now give to the public; of which, so that everyone may better recognize the va-