qual to Italy, both with regard to its fine landfcapes and the fertility of the foil. The climate is undoubtedly much more falubrious. The foil produces corn, wine, oil, flax, fruits, &c. in great abundance. (3.) FRANCE, ANCIENT GOVERNMENT OF. The monarchy was abfolute till 1-89, and the fubjes were extremely devoted to their prince, evea under the greatest acts of oppreffion. The parliaments, for a long feries of years paft, had little or no fhare in the government; and their tubacfs was confined to the paffing and regering the arrets or laws which the king fent them. However, they did not always pay a bid obedience to the king, and there have been frequent inftances of their making a very fpirited oppofition. In civil caufes they were the laft telurt, provided the court did not interpofe. The pament of Paris was the moft confiderable, where the king ufed often to come in perfon to fe his royal acts recorded. It confifted of the dukes and peers of France, befides the ordinary members, who purchafed their places; and they ony took cognizance of caufes belonging to the crown. The revenues of the crown arofe from the taille or land tax, and the aids which proceed from the customs and duties on all merchandize, except falt, the tax upon which commodity was ced the gabelles. See GABEL. Befides thefe, there were other taxes, as, the capitation or polltax; the tenths of all eftates, offices, and employments; befides the 15th penny, from which neither he nobility nor clergy were exempted; the tenths and free gifts of the clergy, who were allowed to tax themselves; and, laftly, crown rents, fines, and forfeitures, which brought in a confiderable fum. All thefe are faid to have amounted to 15,000,000 1. fterling a-year. But the king had other refources and ways of raising money, whenever neceffity obliged him. (4.) FRANCE, ANCIENT HISTORY OF, FROM CESAR'S CONQUEST OF GAUL, TO THE ACCESSION OF CLODIO. France was originally poffeffed by the Celtes or Gauls; a very warlike people, who often checked the progrefs of the Roman arms: nor did they yield till Julius Cæfar totally fubdued their country, and reduced it to the form of a Roman province. See GAUL. The Romans continued in quiet poffeffion of Gaul, as long as their empire retained fufficient ftrength to reprefs the incurfions of the German nations, whom they were never able to fubdue. But in the reign of Valerian, the ancient Roman valour and difcipline had begun to decline and the fame care was not taken to defend the provinces. The barbarous na tions, therefore, began to make much more frequent incurfions; and among the reft the FRANKS, a German nation, inhabiting the banks of the Rhine, proved particularly troublefome. Their origin is varioully accounted for; but the moft probable account is, that about the time of the emperor Gordian, the people inhabiting the banks of the lower Rhine entered into a confederacy with those who dwelt on the Wefer, and affumed the name of Franks or Freemen. Their firft irruption, according to Valefius, happened A. D. 254, the 2d of Valerian's reign; when they were Tepulfed by Aurelian afterwards emperor. They returned two years after in far greater numbers but were again defeated by Gallienus, Valerian's partner in the empire. Others, however, continuing to pour in, Gallienus engaged one of their chiefs to defend the frontiers against his country. men as well as other invaders. But in A. D 260, the Franks taking advantage of the defeat and captivity of Valerian in Perfia, again ravaged Gaul, and afterwards Italy. In 275, they were driven out of Gaul by Probus, by whofe victorious and prudent meafures, 9 of their kings fubmitted to him, and promifed an annual tribute. They continued quiet till A. D. 287: when, along with the Saxon pirates, they plundered the coatis of Gaul. To revenge this infult, the emperor Maximian entered the country of the Franks the following year, and obliged two of their kings to fubmit to him. The Franks, however, did not remain long in peace. About the year 293, they feized Batavia and part of Flanders; but were entirely defeated by Conftantius Chlorus, who transplanted them into Gaul. All these victories, however, were not fufficient to prevent the incurfions of this reftless and turbulent nation; infomuch that, in 355, they had made themselves mafters of 40 cities in Gaul. Soon after, they were totally defeated by Julian, and again by count Theodofius, father to the emperor; but, in 388, they ravaged the province with more fury than ever. As the western empire was at this time in a very low ftate, they for fome time found more interruption from other barbarians than from the Romans, till, their progrefs was checked by Aetius. At this time, the Franks were governed by one Pharamond, the fift of their kings of whom we have any diftinct account. He is fuppofed to have reigned from A. D. 417 or 418, to 428; and is thought by Abp. Usher to have been killed in the war with Aetius. By fome he is faid to have compiled the Salic Laws, with the affiftance of four fages, named Wof-geft, Lo egaf, Widegaft, and Solegeft. Pharamond was fucceeded by his fon Clodio, who likewife carried on a war against the Romans. (5.) FRANCE, HISTORY OF, FROM CLODIO TO CLOVIS THE GREAT. Clodio is faid to have received a terrible overthrow from Aetius, near the city of Lens; however, he advanced to Cambray, where he for fome time took up his refidence. After this he deftroyed the cities of Treves and Cologne, Tournay, and Amiens. He died in 448, ard was fucceeded by Merovæus. Whether the new king was related to Clodio, is not certain. From him the firft race of French kings were filed Merovingian. He was refpected by his people, and died in 458. Merovæus was fucceeded by his fon Childeric; who made war on the Romans and procceded as far as the river Loire. He took the city of Paris after a fiege of 5, fome fay 10 years. The Roman power was now totally defroyed in Italy; and therefore Clodovaus, Clovis, or Louis, who fucceeded Childeric, attempted the entire conqueft of Gaui. Part of the province was ftill retained by a Roman named Spgrius, who was defeated and killed, and his dominions reduced, by Clovis. Thus was the French monarchy eftablished by Clovis in the year 487. (6.) FRANCE, HISTORY OF, FROM CLOVIS'S ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FRENCH MONARCHY, TO HIS DEATH Clovis now poffeffed all the coun- perfon, by whom he was killed, and his army try lying between the Rhine and the Loire. He pursued with great flaughter. Aquitain now fubhad been educated in paganifm; notwithstanding mitted, and Clovis took up his winter quarters at which he allowed his fubjects full liberty of con- Bourdeaux. Tholoufe furrendered next spring; fcience. He married Clotilda, daughter of the and the royal treasures of the Vifigoths were traní. duke of Burgundy, who was a Chriftian; and, ported to Paris. Angouleme was next reduced, happening to gain a battle, where, being in great and Arles invefted. But here the victorious cadanger, he had invoked the god of Clotilda and reer of Clovis was stopped by Theodoric king of the Chriftians, he foon declared himself a convert, the Oftrogoths, who had overthrown Odoacer in , and was baptifed in 496. But his profeffion of Italy. He had married Abolfleda Clovis's fifter, Chriftianity was not followed by any amendment given his own daughter to the king of the Viñof life; he spent the remainder of his life in ag goths, and endeavoured to preserve a good undergrandizing himself and extending his dominions, ftanding between the two fovereigns. Finding by the most abominable treachery and violence. this impoffible, he fent one of his generals with a In his atta ks on Armorica be proved unsuccess- powerful army against Clovis; who defeated him ful. The inhabitants of that country, though a- with the lofs of 30,00o men. Clovis was thus o bandoned by the Romans, united together, and bliged to raise the fiege of Arles: however, the made a powerful defence against the barbarians Franks ftill retained the greatest part of their con who affaulted them on all fides. Clovis, finding quests, and Aquitain was indiffolubly annexed to !m too powerful, propofed an union, which their empire. In 509, Clovis was folemnly in they accepted, the more readily as he profeffed vefted with the title of Roman conful, in the Chritianity. Burgundy at this time extended church of St Martin in Tours; after which heerfrom the foreft of Volges to the sea of Marseilles, tered the cathedral clothed in a purple tunic and under Gondebald, the uncle of Clotilda; who mantle, the badges of his confular dignity. H: hai kiled two of his brothers, one of them the then proceeded to augment his power by the mu father of the French queen. The 3d brother, der of his kinimen the princes of the Merovingia Godagefil, whom he had spared and allowed to race. Among those who perished were Sigibert poets Geneva, confpired with Clovis to drive king of Cologne, his fon Cloderic; Cararic; a him from his doninius. A war having commen- nacaire, who governed the country lately caled ced between the French and Burgundian monarchs, Cambrefis; and Renomer king of the territory of the latter was defeated by Godagefil, and fled to Maine. All thefe murders, however, were expiAvignon, leaying his antagonist master of Lyons ated by his zeal and liberality to the church. I and Vienna. The victor nex beheged Avignon; died in 511, after having reformed and publified but it was defended with fuch vigour, that Clovis the Salique laws; a few lines of which debarring accepted of a ranfom, and an annual tribute from women from inheriting any part of the Salique Gondebald; who was likewife obliged to cede to lands, were extended fo far as to deprive the fe Godagefil, Vienne and several other places. Gon- males of the royal family of France of their right debald was no fonner at liberty than he affembled of fucceffion to that kingdom. Clovis was buried a powerful army, and advanced towards Vienne, in the church of St Genevieve, in Paris, where his where God geal refided. It was ftrongly garri. tomb is ftill to be feep. Icned by 5000 Franks; bnt Gondebald being admitted through an aqueduct, maffacred most of the Farks, fent the reft prifoners to the king of he Vitigoths, and put Godagefil to death. All the other places fpeedily fubmitted: and Gondebald, now thinking himfelf able to refift Clovis, informed him, that he must no longer expect tribute; Clovis, though much mortified with this defection, put up with the injury, and accepted of the alliance of the king of Burgundy. He next at.cked the Vifigoths, who had poffeffions on bh Rides of the Pyrenees, and whom he attack ed under pretence of zeal for the true religion. To his nobles, aifembled at Paris, he faid, "It is with concern that I fuifer the ARIANS to poffefs the most fertile part of Gaul; let us, with the aid of God, march against them; and having conquered them, annex their kingdom to our domi. nions." The nobility approved, and Clovis attacked a prince for whom he had but lately proffied the greatest regard, vowing to erect a church in hor our of the holy apoftles, if he fucceeded. Alaric king of the Vifigoths, was a young man of 10 nitary experience, though perfonally brave. He did not therefore ifitate to engage his antaporift; but his army was utterly defeared on the parts of the Clain, ic miles S. of Poictions; A. D. Alaric ruiled defperately agaft Clovis 'n (7) FRANCE, HISTORY OF, FROM CLOVIS'S DEATH, TO THAT OF CLOTAIRE I. Clovis's do. minions were divided among his 4 fons. Thierri, or Theodoric, the eldeft, had the eastern part the empire; and from his making the City of Metz his capital, is commonly called the king of Mitz. Clodomir, the eldeft fon by Clotilda, "ad Orleans; Childebert and Clotaire, who wore both infants, had the kingdoms of Paris and So:f fons, under the tutelage of their mother. The prudence of Clotilda kept matters quiet it all parts of the empire for 8 years; but about A. D. 59 a numerous fleet of Dancs arrived at the mouth of the Meufe; and their king Cochiliac, having landed his forces, began to deftroy the country with fire and fword. Againft him Thierri fent his foa Theodobert, who defeated the Danilharmy and navy, and killed their king, forcing the reft to retire with precipitation. In $22, Hermar froi, king of Thuringia, having deftroyed one of his brethren named Berthaire, an feized on .3 dominions, apped to Thieri, for affistan te again't hi other brother Balderis, whom he ritended to treat me fame manner. In this infamous t terraiz Thori embarked, on cond tin that he fhould have es halt of Balderia, odam ons; bit aftor Balderic was overes me and kille Herman froi feized all Lis dominions to opportunity of revenging himself till 531; when ving invaded his dominions, and taken Rheims perceiving the power of the Oftrogoths, whom and fome other places. Againft him, therefore, he much dreaded, to be confiderably leffened by Sigebert marched, made himself master of Sciffons the death of king Theodoric, he engaged his bro- his capital, and of his eldeft fon Theodobert. He ther Clotaire to affift him. They accordingly en- then defeated him in battle; and not only recovertered Thuringia with two powerful armies; joined the place which he had feized, but overran the ed their forces after paffing the Rhine, and were greater part of his dominions: by the mediation quickly after reinforced by a confiderabie body of of the other two brothers, Sigebert abandoned his troops under the command of Theodobert. The conquefts, fet Theodobert at liberty, and thus re a attacked the army of Hermanfroi, which was ftored peace. Soon after, Sigebert married Bruneadvantageously pofted; and having defeated it, haut daughter to Athanagild king of the Viligoths he was forced to fly from place to place in dif- in Spain; and his brother Caribert, king of Paris, gule. Soon after this the capital was taken, died, whofe dominions were divided. In 567 and Hermanfroi himself, being invited to a con- Chilperic married Galfwin ha, Bruneau's eldest ference by Thierri, was treacherously murdered; fifter, whom he obtained with fome difficulty. after which his extensive dominions became feu- Before her arrival, he difmiffed his mistress, FreLatory to Thierri, In the mean time, Clotilda degonde, a woman of great abilities, very ambiti had excited her fons to make war on the Burgun ous, and capable of the blacket crimes. The dians, to revenge the death of her father Chilpe, new queen, who brought immenfe treasures from nc, whom Gondebald had murdered. Gonde- Spain, and made it her whole ftudy to please the bald was now dead, and had left his dominions king, was for fome time entirely acceptable. Howtotis fons Sigifmund and Godemar. Sigifmund's ever, Chilperic gradully fuffered Fredegonde to forces were quickly defeated; and himself deliver appear at court, and was fufpected of having ree up to Clodomir, who threw him into a pit, nowed his intercourfe with her; which to hurt where he perithed. Godemar thus became maf- the queen, that he defired leave to return to ter of Burgundy. Clodomir defeated him, but Spain, offering to leave all her wealth. The king parfaing too eagerly, was furrounded by his ene- knowing that this would render him extremely oha and flain. After the reduction of Thuringia, dious, quieted her fufpicions, and soon after cauLowever, Childebert and Clotaire ent: red Bur- fed her to be privately ftrangled; upon which he pody with a powerful army, and in 534 com- publicly married Fredegonde. This attrocious ac pered the conqueft of it; Godemar was killed; tion excited the greatest indignation. His docers fay, he retired into Spain, and thence into minions were publicly invaded and conquered by Alca. In 60 Crotaire became monarch of France. Sigebert and Gontran; after which they made He had murdered the funs of Clodomit. Thierri peace, Chilperic consenting that Brunehaut should and his children were dead, as was alfo Childe- enjoy thofe places which he had beftowed upon best; fo that Clotaire was fole heir to all the Galfwintha, viz. Bourdeaux, Limoges, Cahors pinions of Clovis. He had fons; and Chram- Bigore, and Bearn, now called Lefear. The French res bad forme time before rebeiled in Auvergne. princes were not long at peace: A war quickly While Childebert lived, he fupported the young commenced; Gontran and Chilperic coalefced aprice; but on his death, Chramnes implored his gainft Sigebert. The latter prevailed; and comer's clemency. He was at this time pardon- pelling Gontran to a feparate peace, femed de ed; but oon after engaged the count of Bretagne termined to make Chilperic pay dear for his retot him in another rebellion. The Bretons, peated perfidy; but he was affaffinated by order bow..r, were defeated, but Chramnes, perceiving of Fredegonde, who thus preferved herself and Mate and children furrounded by his father's Chilperic. On his death, Brunebaut fell into the tre pi, attempted to refcue them. He was taken hands of Chilperic; but Gondebald, one of Sige. proner, and with his family thrust into a thatched bert's beft general's, efcaped into Auftrafia with Coge near the field of battle; which when the Childebert, the only fon of Sigebert, about 5 years heard of, he commanded the cottage to be of age, who was proclaimed king. In a fhort let un fire, and they all perifhed in the flames. time, however, Meroveus, eldeft fon to Chilperic, Care did not long furvive this cruel execution fell in love with Bruschaut, and married her prifon and grand-children, but died in 562. vately. Chilperic immediately went to Rouen, 8) FRANCE, HISTORY OF, FROM CLOTAIRE I's where Merovéus and his confort were; and haDEATH, TO THAT OF CLOTAIRE II. After Clo- ving feized them, fent Brunehaut and her two laire's death, the empire was divided among his 4 daughters to Metz, and carried Meroveus to Soifremaining fons, Caribert, Gontran, Sigebert, and fons. Soon after, one of his generals being deCalperic.-The old king had made no divifion of feated by Gontran, who efpoufed Brunehaut's 1 dominions before he died. They therefore caufe, Chilperic, in a fit of rage, caufed Meroveus Cde them by lot; Caribert had Paris; Gon- to be shaved and fout to a monaftery. From Orleans; Sigebert, Metz, or Auftrafia; and hence, however, he efcap d, and arrived in AuCoperic Soiffons. Provence and Aquitaine ftrafia; but the jealoufy of the nobles forced him Were poffeffed in common. Peace was firft dif- to leave that country; and being betrayed into furbed in 563, by the Abares; a barbarous na- the hands of his father's forces, he was murdered tion, faid to be the remains of the Hunns. They at the inftigation of Fredegonde. France was at entered Thuringia, belonging to Sigebert; who this time divided between Gontran king of Orledefeated and obliged them to repats the Elbe. ans and Burgundy, Chilperic king of Soiffons, Sebert purfued them clofe, but quickly conciu- and Childebert king of Auftrafia. Chilperic, in wad a peace with them; his brother Chilperic ha- 579, had a difpute with Varoc count of Bretagne, 1: Chilperic |