Whereas formerly the assemblies of the estates of this realm and those of notable persons chosen to give advice to
ourselves, and to the late king, our very honorable lord and father, on important affairs of this realm, and likewise the
assembly of the estates of the province of Brittany held by us in the year 1614, have repeatedly requested and very
humbly supplicated our said lord and father and ourselves to cause the demolition of many strongholds in divers places
of this realm, which, being neither on hostile frontiers nor in important passes or places, only serve to augment our
expenses by the maintenance of useless garrisons, and also serve as retreats for divers persons who on the least
provocation disturb the provinces where they are located; . . .
For these reasons, we announce, declare, ordain, and will that all the strongholds, either towns or castles, which are in
the interior of our realm or provinces of the same, not situated in places of importance either for frontier defense or
other considerations of weight, shall be razed and demolished; even ancient walls shall be destroyed so far as it shall be
deemed necessary for the well-being and repose of our subjects and the security of this state, so that our said subjects
henceforth need not fear that the said places will cause them any inconvenience, and so that we shall be freed from the
expense of supporting garrisons in them.
|
