and had it countersigned by our Chancellor, in the Council of State and Secretary for his commands.
- SignedHENRY.
and below, De Neufville.
This day, the last of April, 1598, the King being at Nantes, wishing to content his subjects of the pretended Reformed religion as much as possible, and to grant all their requests to him, for such things as they considered to be essential for the safety of their persons, property, and estates. And for the confidence that His Majesty reposes in their fidelity, and their sincere affection, with some other important considerations affecting the tranquility of the state; His said Majesty, in addition to what is contained in the Edict he has lately resolved upon, and which ought to be published, for the regulation of what concerns them, has granted, and promised to them that all places, cities, and castles, of which they had possession until the end of the month of August last, in which they shall have garrisons, the list shall be drawn up and signed by His Majesty, and shall remain in their keeping, under the authority of His Majesty, for the space of eight years, to count from the day of publication of the Edict. For other places which they hold, where they shall have no garrison, there shall be no change or innovation. His said Majesty does not mean it to be understood, that the towns and castles of Vendome and Pontorson be included in the number of said places, left in the keeping of those of said religion. He does not mean to include within the said "number, the City, Castle and Citadel of Aubenas, of which he wishes to have the free disposal, without its being of any consequence, that if now in the hands of one of the said religion, it shall afterwards be appropriated to another of said religion as in other cities granted to them. And as for Chauvigny, it shall be restored to the Bishop of Poitiers, Lord of the said place, and the new fortifications shall be razed and demolished. And for the support of the said garrisons, which are to be maintained in the said cities, places and castles. His said Majesty has granted the sum of one hundred and eighty thousand crowns, without including those in the Province of Dauphiny, for which there shall otherwise be provided the sum of one hundred and eighty thousand crowns annually: promising and assuring, that appropriations shall be made of the most available and undoubted nature, where the said garrisons are established. And if these shall
