The Black Wolf's Breed

by Harris Dickson

  DOCUMENT No. 1

  Document No. 1, indorsed on back, "Notes chiefly written by the Abbotof Vaux."

  _In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Sanctus Spiritus. Amen._

  I, Laurent of Lorraine, Benedictine, by Divine permission Abbot ofVaux, do make these writings and divers memoranda, partly from my ownunworthy knowledge, and partly from facts openly notorious and restingon the testimony of witnesses as credible as there be in this world offalsehood and vanity.

  All of which latter portion, concerning one Pedro d'Ortez and hisdescendants, is here set down at the special prayer and persuasion ofsaid d'Ortez, a profane and sacrilegious lord, yet whose past serviceto the Holy Church should not be forgotten, though his late riotous andungodly life hath much grieved the faithful brotherhood.

  THEREFORE, I, Laurent, Abbot, as above stated, do make and inscribethis chronicle, beginning this, the 29th day of June, in the year ofgrace, one thousand five hundred and seventy-six, according to theeccleciastical computation.

  And herein:

  ITEM the first--(Being a copy of entries made by my own hand upon theregister of the monastery, now preserved in the archives of the same.)Aug. 26, 1572. Admitted to the sanctuary and protection of themonastery this day a certain suckling babe, aged about two years.

  The infirm servitor by whom said babe was tended, dying the same day,despite all efforts and prayers.

  August 28th, 1572. Died August 26th, 1572, at Cartillon, HenriFrancois Placide d'Artin, Count of Cartillon, Seigneur de Massignac,etc., a heretic and apostate, falling before the wrath of God onoccasion of the pious stratagem of the Feast of the BlessedBartholomew, arranged by Her Most Gentle Majesty, and the dutiful sonof Church, Henri, duc de Guise.

  Note. The babe aforementioned being the son and heir of above, wasadmitted to communion of the church and baptized Bartholomew Pasquier.

  Further note. Sept. 9th, 1589. Bartholomew Pasquier being designedfor orders, but unruly and rebellious in spirit, ran away upon themurder of our good King Henri, third of that name, and joined himselfwith the armies of the heretic Henri, Prince of Bearne, self-styledKing of France and Navarre.

  Afterward, when the said Henri, repenting of his errors, reunited withthe true Church, said Bartholomew appears again as a major in hisguards, holding a firm place, it was said, in the King's favor.