A true REPORT of the most execrable Murder committed vpon the late French King henry the 4. of famous memory, with diuers particularities as well concerning the Prisoner, as other matters preceding and ensuing the accident. Written in a Letter from good place, and much differing from the uncertain relations thereof heretofore published.  
 Woodcut portrait of King Henri IV, in ruff and doublet.  
AT LONDON, ✿ Printed for John Budge, and are to be sold at his shop in britain Burse. An. 1610.( {inverted⁂})   

A copy OF A Letter from Paris 17. of May, declaring the manner of the French kings murder,& other particularities thereupon depending.  

SIR, the misfortune of our France hath hitherto so amazed me, that I could not possibly writ unto you how it was, but now that the consideration of the evil( without remedy) hath given me time to breath, I will perform the duty I owe you in letting you know it, and thus it happened.  
A mischievous villain called Francis Rauaillart, and born at Angolesme, now prisoner in the Consergerie of the palace of Paris, confesseth that more than these 8. moneths he hath sought occasion to kill the King, because he suffered two Religions in his kingdom, but could not find the means to do it until the fourteenth of May last, A day which many Astrologians haue judged fatal to his majesty, whereof he was advertised both by the queen, and by Mons r. de Vendosme, with request not to go abroad that day. But he( not believing Predictions) said, that it was an offence to God to give credit unto them, and that having God for his guard he feared no man; yet was he almost all that morning at his prayers, and then went to walk at the Tuilleries, where being in the great gallery, this wretch thought to execute his deseigne, but being put by by Mons r. de Vendosme, talking with the King, he resolved to attempt him no further at that time, but returned to attend at the Lovre, where he tarried until four of the clock in the afternoon, sitting upon the steps of the hall, making show onely to behold the lackeys playing in the Court. At which time the King caused his Coach to bee brought to go to the Arcenale to see Mons r. de sully who was there somewhat in indisposition. The King sat in the hinder end of the Coach accompanied with the Dukes de Vendosme, Montbasson d' Espernon, and Mons r. le Grand, and so went forward without suffering any of his guard to follow him, being very confident, and yet after dinner before he went out of his Cabinet, he fell to his prayers again within his wardrobe.  
Passing through the street called la Ferronerie, which leadeth into Saint Denis street, a Cart or wagon crost his Coach and caused it to stop. This villain which followed it( seeing the King behind in the Coach leaning towards the boot thereof, to talk with Mons r. d' Espernon; and being without a cloak to put his arm out at the open place betwixt the two hindermost pillars of the Coach, and so the left side naked without defence of his arm, which the King in talking learned vpon on the other side) stabbed at him with a knife of a foot long, but the thrust ran a long the third rib and was not deadly. Whereat the King crying I am hurt, but it is nothing, this cursed wretch redoubled his blow, which went right to the heart, and would haue given him the third, but that Mons r. de Montbasson caught hold of his arm. At this second blow his majesty fell down upon his face dead, and was carried to the Lovre, where the Queen was, reposing herself after the great travail shee endured the day before at her coronation.  
This great princess beholding this sad spectacle, fell twice into a swoon,( the generosity of her mind and the greatness of her sorrow, stoping the fountain of tears.) Then coming to herself again, with a manly courage plucked up her spirits, and commanded the Dukes de Guise, and d' Espernon,( being the principal of those shee saw about her) to give order for the safety of the young King and his bretheren, and of the city of Paris, which they promised to do: and going out of the Chamber embraced one another, and swore friendship and love, with protestation never to remember old enmity. The like did Mons r. d' Espernon to Mons r. Montigny, with-whome meeting, he said, Sir, you and your brother are the men to whom I haue wished most harm of any in the world, but now I will bee a friend to you both, and do pray you to bee so to me, to the end wee may the better serve our King and our country.  
The said Duke d' Espernon that day shewed great effects of his fidelity, for with the Regiment of Guards he secured the King, queen, and late kings Children, and also the city of Paris, setting Courts of guard in all public places, which notwithstand were of no use.  
For the poor people were so confused with sorrow, that a man could see them do nothing else but go wailing up and down the streets, lamenting the loss of their King. Insomuch as they durst not carry this wretched villain to prison, for fear the sorrow of the people should haue turned into fury upon him, so that he was fain to be kept four and twenty houres at the Hostell de Retts.  
The same day the marshals of france and Officers of the crown, took their oaths to the King& Queen, and the Parliament assembling at six of the clock in the evening, declared the queen Regent during the minority of her son, and prayed her to bring the King to the palace the next day, to sit upon his seat of Iustice, and so he did.  
The King was accompanied with the Prince of Conty, the Duke d'Anguien( the count Soissons being absent) and with the Dukes de Guise, de sully, and d' Espernon, and with the marshals of france, Lavardin, Brisac, and Boy-dolphin.  
Monsr. de Fervaques was sent away in the night by the queens commandment to go to his government, so also was Mons r. S. Pole, and many other gouernours.  
All those which accompanied the King were on foot; the Constable, Cardinalles, and ecclesiastical peers were gone before to take their places, and so was the Duke de main.  
count Soissons arrived on Monday following the eleventh of this month, about two of the clock after noon, accompanied with five hundred Horses, of those which he brought with him, and such as went forth to meet him, two marshals of france going to him to Saint Clou, where he dined.  
he alighted at the Lovre, and coming to the queens presence, gave testimony by his tears, that he participated of her grief: He promised the King all assistance, even to the last drop of his blood.  
Monsr. Prasline was dispatched away to the army, to hold some order of discipline until the coming of the Dukes de nevers and Bullion.  
Thus Sir you see what doth and hath passed in this afflicted Court until this present, which I sand you for certain truth, and so cease till future occurents give occasion of further advertisement.  
17. May. 1610.  
FINIS.