rom putting an end to the disorder, only rendered it more general.
Bourges became the scene of another of those butcheries of Huguenots first
gathered in the public prisons, of which there are so many similar
instances that it seems impossible to avoid the conclusion that the orders
to effect them emanated from a single source at court.[1102]
[Sidenote: At Angers.]
We have already been admitted to the secret of the instructions sent by
the Duke of Anjou, through Puigaillard, to M. de Montsoreau, for the
destruction of the Huguenots of Saumur and Angers. Certainly there was on
his part no lack of readiness to fulfil his sanguinary commission; but the
local officers were less zealous, and many of the Protestants were merely
thrown into prison. Montsoreau's first exploit at Angers deserves
particular mention. M. de la Riviere, the first reformed pastor of Paris,
of whom I have spoken in a previous chapter, was at this time residing in
Angers, and Montsoreau seems to have been acquainted with him. Going
straight to his house, the governor met the pastor's wife, whom, according
to the gallant custom prevailing, especially among the Trench courtiers,
he first kissed, and then inquired for her husband. He was told that he
was walking in his garden, and thither his hostess led him. After
courteously embracing him, Montsoreau thus abruptly disclosed the object
of his visit: "Monsieur de la Riviere, do you know why I am come? The king
has ordered me to kill you, and that at once. I have a special commission
to this effect, as you will know from these letters." While saying this he
exhibited a pistol which he held in his hand. "I know of no crime that I
have done," calmly replied De la Riviere; and then, after obtaining
permission to offer a brief prayer to God, he fearlessly presented his
breast to the cowardly assassin. Montsoreau did not complete the
extermination of the Huguenots of Angers, and Puigaillard soon after
arrived to prosecute it; but the Protestant prisoners whom he was to have
murdered knew his venal disposition, and found little difficulty in
purchasing their liberation.[1103]
[Sidenote: Butchery at Lyons.]
The important city of Lyons, inhabited by a population intensely hostile
to the Reformation, had for its governor M. de Mandelot, a decided
partisan of the Roman Catholic faction. The municipal authorities,
however, either surpassed him in zeal, or, as is more probable, were less
apprehensive of the dan
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