The Other Historical Essays

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Frederick Schiller. The Other Historical Essays

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Overview of the European situation during the first Crusades (A fragment)

Breakfast at Rudolstadt Castle with the Duke of Alba in 1547

Overview of the most remarkable state events during the reign of Emperor Frederick I

The government of the Jesuits in Paraguay

Chronology

Frederick Schiller: The Essential in 200 Quotes

Frederick Schiller: The Essays on Aesthetics

Frederick Schiller: The Short Stories

Frederick Schiller: The Essays on Literary Style

Frederick Schiller: The Essays on the Sublime

Frederick Schiller: The Essays on Governance and Human Society

Frederick Schiller: The 30-Year War

Frederick Schiller: The Secession of the Netherlands from Spanish Ruling

Frederick Schiller: The Pitaval Casebook

Frederick Schiller: The Other Historical Essays

Frederick Schiller: Poems

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In the history books which describe the remarkable times of Francis I, Henry II and his three sons, people rarely see the name of Marshall Vieilleville. Yet, he has very closely taken part in the greatest negotiations of his era, and an honourable place close to the great statesmen and war leaders of these times is attributed to him. Among all the contemporary historians, only Brantome gives him justice, and his testimony has even more weight as both were running after the namely goals and yet, belonged to different parties.

Vieilleville was not one of those powerful natures who can overcome great hinders through the power of their genius or their passion, and through individual, outstanding enterprises which are universal, force History to talk about them. His merits consisted in avoiding the attention which the other people are seeking, and in seeking to be in peace with everyone, rather than to be admired and liked by everyone. Vieilleville was a member of the court in the highest and most dignified sense of this word, where it means taking one of the most difficult and most glorious roles on this world. He was devoted to the throne, even if he saw the persons on the same throne changing three times, without vacillating himself, observing the same perseverance; and he knew to interact so intimately with the Prince, that his dutiful devotedness showed the warmth of personal inclination toward all the successive persons on the throne. The beautiful image of the old french nobility and chivalry was again alive in him, and he exhibited to us the standing to which he belonged in such a dignified manner, that he could make us instantly understand the excesses of the same nobility and chivalry.

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This company of gendarmes was put together very negligently by the Marshall's father. It consisted mostly of the sons of inn- and tavern- keepers, and as the emblems of these places represented usually saints; hence, these people called these servicemen according to these saints. For that reason, this company was ridiculed in the whole Lyon. Some thanked God for sending a company of saints from paradise to watch over them; others called them the litany gendarmes. Hence, people did not even find fifty horses in the whole company. In addition to that, because of a favour from their chef, they have never been on the battlefield: they were indispensable to the Governor to keep in bridle such a great city as Lyon. Through this trick, people deprived them of their necessary horses and weaponry, and hence, this disorder lasted nine to ten years until the old Saint Andrew died; and now, his son received the commandment of these gendarmes, but left them in the same condition, because he did not want to cover their shame. Precisely for that reason, however, it was dear to him to have Vieilleville as Lieutenant, because he knew him as a severe and unforgivable man in terms of discipline and honour.

Vieilleville has ordered this company to go to Clermont in Auvergne, so it could not be so easily deprived of its weapons and horses. He then appeared there with sixty to eighty brave noblemen from the best houses of Brittany, Anjou and Maine, who mostly have taken part in war in Piedmont. Hardly has he arrived, that people gave to him a list of thirty to forty gendarmes who, by the means of an attestation from the doctor, have remained home, whom he therefore stripped off the company immediately. He did the same with the recruits issued from the commissioners, servants and the same, who have been accepted in the company as a favour to their excellent masters and mistresses. He allowed the remaining people who were left still in the ranks, to maneuver on horse, and as they really did not manage well, hence they were laughed at by the experienced soldiers. He sent them, however, also immediately back to their inns to wait guests there, advising that only noblemen belonged to the gendarmes' corps. Some of them complained, in truth, about it and used inappropriate expressions; however, seeing how the noblemen fell upon them with their stabs, the others simply fled, to the great amusement of society. And hence did Vieilleville sever himself of these rascals who have never used their weapons in the King's service, and filled their vacant positions with good noblemen who kept their honour and could equip themselves decently. Then, they would also recruit many other noble people from Gascony, Perigord and Limousin, who previously would never want to serve under disgraceful condition, so that this company, in the next army inspection, was counting five hundred horses and was one of the best among the whole gendarmes' corps.

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