Chapter VIII: Part 8

In this same year of 1482, many noble persons of both sexes died of fevers and other incurable disorders. In the number were the archbishops of Narbonne and Bourges, the bishop of Lisieux, master John le Boulenger, first president of the parliament, sir Charles de Gaucourt, lieutenant for the king in the town of Paris, who was much regretted,--for he was a handsome frank knight, a prudent man and very learned. Several counsellors and advocates of the parliament died also: among others, master Nicolle Bataille, who was said to be the greatest lawyer in all France, a good and pleasant companion, and was, not without reason, much lamented. It was said that he died of indignation and grief at the conduct of his wife the daughter of the late master Nicolle Erlaut, who had been treasurer of Dauphiny. Notwithstanding that she had enjoyed all possible pleasure with her husband, had brought him twelve children, and he was not more than forty-four years of age when he died, yet she conducted herself most wantonly, and like a common strumpet, with several rakish fellows during her marriage. In the number, she was particularly attached to a young lad called Regnault la Pie, son to a woman who sold sea-fish in the Paris-market. He had been formerly in great confidence with the king, as his valet de chambre, but had been dismissed for some faults and irregularities, of which Olivier le Diable, called Le Daim, his companion, and barber to the king, had accused him.

This woman became passionately fond of him, and for his support sold or pawned her jewels, and the plate of her husband,--and even robbed her husband of money to give to her lover. Of all this, the husband was informed: and anger and grief thereat caused his death, which was a great loss. May his soul rest in repose in the kingdom of Heaven!

The king returned from St Claude to the abbey of our Lady at Clery very ill. He performed nine days devotion there; and by the grace of the blessed Virgin, in whom he had singular faith, he went away greatly recovered and eased of his complaints. During his stay at Clery, there was great mortality in his household: among others, died a doctor of divinity, whom he had lately appointed his counsellor and almoner: he was the son of a butcher, a native of Tours, and his name was doctor Martin Magistri. The king on leaving Clery went to Mehun sur Loire, and to St Laurens des Eaux, and remained thereabouts until the middle of August, when he returned to Clery to celebrate the feast of the Virgin. While at Clery, an handsome embassy came to him from Flanders, who explained to his ministers that the cause of their coming was to endeavour to obtain a conference to be holden,--for that the sole wish of the country of Flanders was to have a lasting peace with the king. These ambassadors were well received by him,--and he gave such answers as satisfied them. On their return to Flanders, they were, by the king's orders, conducted by the lord de St Pierre to Paris, and well feasted by the provost of marchands and sheriffs: thence they set out for Ghent, and the other towns in Flanders whence they had come.

After the return of the Flemish ambassadors, the king ordered the troops that were in garrison in Picardy to take the field under the command of the lord des Cordes. This army made a fine appearance, consisting of fourteen hundred well furnished lances, six thousand Swiss, and eight thousand pikes. They marched triumphantly, but without noise, to lay siege to the town of Aire, which is a considerable place between St Omer and Therouenne, and was garrisoned by a party from the duke of Austria. The French soon opened their batteries and frightened the inhabitants; but some of the captains of the garrison, having a good understanding with the lord des Cordes, concluded a capitulation for the surrender of the place to him. It was managed by a knight called the lord des Contrans[101], who was of Picardy, and governor of the town for the duke of Austria. On his surrendering the place, he took the oaths of allegiance to serve the king faithfully,--and the king, as a recompence, gave him the command of a hundred lances. He also received thirty thousand golden crowns in ready money.

In the months of August and September of this year, sir William de la Mark, surnamed the Wild Boar of the Ardennes, conspired to levy a bloody war against that noble prince, and reverend father in God, the lord Louis de Bourbon, bishop of Liege, by whom he had been brought up and educated. His object was to assassinate the bishop, that his brother might succeed him in the bishoprick. To assist him in his abominable enterprise, the king of France supplied him with men; and he collected in and about Paris a body of three thousand good-for-nothing fellows, whom he clothed in scarlet jackets, having on their left sleeve the figure of a boar's head. They were lightly armed; and in this state he led them into the country of Liege, where, on his arrival, having intelligence with some traitors in the city, he urged them to excite the bishop to march out of the town, that he might accomplish his ends on him.

Under pretence, therefore, of attachment to his person, they advised him strongly to march against the enemy at the gates, and assured him that they would all follow him in arms, and support and defend him to the last drop of their blood, and there was not the smallest doubt but the wild boar would be defeated with disgrace. The bishop complied with their advice, sallied cut of Liege, and advanced to where La Mark was posted. La Mark, observing this, quitted his ambush, and marched strait to the bishop; and the traitors of Liege, now finding their bishop in the hands of his enemy, fled back to their town without striking a blow. The bishop was greatly dismayed at this,--for he had now no one with him but his servants and vassals, while La Mark came up to him, and without saying a word, gave him a severe cut across the face, and then killed him with his own hand. This done, La Mark had the body stripped and placed naked in front of the cathedral church of St Lambert in Liege, where he was shown dead to all the inhabitants who wished to see him. Almost immediately after his death, the duke of Austria, the prince of Orange, and the count de Romont arrived with troops to succour him; but on hearing of his unfortunate fate, they marched away without doing any thing.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 101: Lord des Contrans. It is Cohem in Comines.]

CHAP. XXXII.

THE KING'S ILLNESS CONTINUING, HE COMES FROM TOURS TO AMBOISE, TO RECOMMEND TO HIS SON OLIVIER LE DAIM.--OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE DAUPHIN WITH THE COUNTESS MARGARET OF FLANDERS.--A PEACE CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE KINGS OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND, WHICH INCLUDES THE GOOD DUKE OF ALBANY.--THE KING RECOMMENDS HIS HEALTH TO THE DEVOTIONS OF THE MONKS OF THE CHURCH OF ST DENIS.

The king was again so dangerously ill, at Plessis le Parc, that he was much afraid of dying, and, for this reason, was carried to Amboise, to see his son. He made many wise remonstrances to him on the state of his kingdom,--and as he thought his was an incurable disorder, he exhorted him, after his decease, to have some of his most faithful servants, whom he would name, in his good remembrance. He mentioned first master Olivier le Diable, called le Daim, his barber, and John de Doyac, governor of Auvergne, as having served him loyally,--and that Olivier had done him most essential services which he could never have accomplished himself without his aid: that Olivier was a foreigner,--and he advised him to make use of him and keep him in those offices which he had given him. The king recommended also the lord du Bocage, and sir Guyot Pot, bailiff of the Vermandois, charging the dauphin to follow their counsels, which he had always found good and prudent. He desired of his son that he would not dismiss any from their offices, and that he would pay every attention to his poor people, whom he had reduced to great distress and poverty. He remonstrated with him on many other subjects, which were afterward made public in the court of parliament, and in the principal of towns of the realm.[102]

The king advised the dauphin to give the command of his troops to the lord des Cordes, whom he had always found able and trusty, of excellent conduct, and a notable knight. Having held this discourse the king then returned to Plessis near Tours.

At this time, the king sent for a number of musicians, who played on low-toned instruments, whom he lodged at St Côme near to Tours. They were about six score in number, and, with some shepherds from Poitou that played on their pipes, assembled before the king's apartments, but never saw him, and there played for his amusement and to prevent him from falling asleep. On the other hand, he collected a great many devout people of both sexes, such as hermits and others of holy lives, to pray incessantly to God that his days might be prolonged[103].

In the months of October and November, an embassy arrived from Flanders,--and the king referred them to master John de la Vacquerie, a native of Picardy, and who had lately been appointed first president of the court of parliament, the lord des Cordes, and others. They held frequent conferences, and at length agreed to a treaty of peace between the king and the Flemings,--and by one of the articles, the dauphin was to marry the daughter of the duke of Austria, then under the guardianship of the town of Ghent. The king was much rejoiced at this, and was very willing to sign the treaty. Te Deums were chaunted throughout the realm, for joy of this event, and bonfires made in all the streets of Tours.[104]

It was now reported, that the flemish ambassadors were gone to Ghent, to bring back to Paris their countess, and that the king had ordered the lady of Beaujeu his eldest daughter, the countess of Dunois,[105] sister to the queen, the lady of Thouars, the lady of the lord admiral, and other ladies and damsels to be ready to receive her, as it was expected she would arrive at Paris about the 8th of December: but her arrival was postponed until some trifling matters of dispute, that had arisen on the part of the Flemings, should be settled.

In this year, a war broke out between the kings of England and Scotland; and the Scots advanced very far into England, where they did much mischief: but notwithstanding the Scots were one hundred thousand men more than the English, a treaty was entered into by means of the duke of Albany, brother to the king of Scotland. The duke of Albany had laid claim to the crown of Scotland, which he said his brother had usurped from him; for that they were twin-children, and he had been the first that was delivered on earth, and therefore, by right of seniority, the crown was his. The duke of Albany had concluded a treaty with the English, which had prevented any battle being fought: and the scots army returned to their country, and the English to their garrisons[106].

In the month of January, the flemish ambassadors, who had concluded a peace by means of the marriage of the dauphin with the lady Margaret of Austria, returned to France. By orders from the king, the principal persons of Paris went out to meet them, having at their head the bishop of Marseilles, the king's lieutenant in Paris, the provost of marchands, and the sheriffs. A doctor in divinity, named Scourable, made the ambassadors a fine harangue, which pleased them greatly. On the morrow, which was Sunday, the 4th of January, they attended high mass at the church of Nôtre Dame, whither a general procession was made,--and the doctor, Scourable, preached an excellent sermon, which gave much satisfaction. Te Deum was sung, and bonfires were made, and public tables were spread in the principal streets. When the church-service was over, the ambassadors were grandly entertained by the city of Paris in the town-hall.

The lord cardinal of Bourbon was as much, if not more, rejoiced than any one, on peace being restored: and in honour of it, had a splendid morality, or farce, exhibited at his hôtel of Bourbon, which numbers of the Parisians went to see, and were much delighted with their entertainment. It would have been more brilliant; but the weather was very rainy and wet, which damaged the tapestry and other decorations that adorned the court of the hôtel, for it was covered and hung with tapestry, of which the cardinal had very great abundance. The ambassadors, having been spectators of this entertainment, departed from Paris, on the ensuing day, to wait on the king at Amboise. They had a most gracious reception, and saw the dauphin twice, who treated them very kindly. On their quitting Tours, whither they had afterward gone, the king ordered thirty thousand crowns, stamped with the sun, to be given them to defray their expenses, besides a handsome service of plate which he presented to them. On the return of the ambassadors to Paris, they had all the articles of the peace publicly read, with open doors, in the court of parliament, and then enregistered. After this act, master William Picard, bailiff of Rouen, conducted them from the court of parliament to his house, in the rue de Quinquempoix, where he entertained them, and a large company, with a most plentiful dinner.

The king wrote letters addressed to all ranks in Paris, by which he earnestly besought them instantly to go to the church of St Denis, and pray to him to make intercession with our Lord Jesus Christ, that the north wind might not blow,--because, according to the opinions of physicians, the north wind did much harm to the health of mankind, and to the fruits of the earth. By the king's orders, numerous processions were made at divers times from Paris to St Denis, where public prayers were offered up for his recovery, and many masses chaunted.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 102: See the 366th number of Proofs to the memoirs of Comines, for a copy of the instructions of Louis XI. to the dauphin.]

[Footnote 103: Among others, he sent for Francis of Paule, afterwards St Francis, and the founder of the order of Minimes in France.]

[Footnote 104: For particulars relative to the treaty of Arras see number 369. of Proofs to Comines.]

[Footnote 105: Agnes, daughter to Louis duke of Savoy, wife to Francis I. count of Dunois.]

[Footnote 106: Mr Pinkerton attributes to Richard duke of Glocester the rebellion of the duke of Albany, and his assumption of the title of Alexander King of Scotland. Albany joins Glocester on his march against Berwick; but the scottish king is forced to return on account of a revolt of his nobles, who destroy his favourites.

See Pinkerton's history of Scotland,--for the account in the text is very erroneous.]

[A.D. 1483.]

CHAP. XXXIII.

THE LORD AND LADY DE BEAUJEU, AND OTHERS, COME TO PARIS, TO RECEIVE THE DAUPHINESS.--THE DEATH OF KING EDWARD OF ENGLAND.--THE DEATH OF THE LADY MARGARET OF BOURBON COUNTESS OF BRESSE.--THE ENTRY OF THE DAUPHINESS INTO PARIS, AND HER RECEPTION THERE.--THE STEEPLE OF THE CHURCH OF SAINTE GENEVIEVE BURNT.--THE MARRIAGE OF THE DAUPHIN AND DAUPHINESS.

On Saturday, the 19th day of April, after Easter, the lord and lady de Beaujeu arrived at Paris, on their way to Picardy, to receive the dauphiness from the hands of the Flemings, who, by the late treaty of peace, were to deliver her into the hands of the lord de Beaujeu, as representative of the king. The lady of Beaujeu made her entry into Paris, as the king's daughter, and created some new corporations of trades. She and her lord were handsomely accompanied by great barons and their consorts, such as the lord d'Albret, the lord de St Valier, and others,--the lady of the lord high admiral, and many more ladies and damsels,--who staid three days in Paris, during which they were magnificently entertained by the cardinal of Bourbon.

In this month of April, Edward king of England died,--as some said, of an apoplexy, and others, that he was poisoned by drinking too much of the good wine of Challuau, which he had received as a present from the king of France. It was said, however, that he was not carried off immediately, but lived long enough to secure the crown to his eldest son. In this same month, died also the lady Margaret of Bourbon, countess of Bresse, wife to Philip of Savoy, of a lingering illness, which her physicians could not check: it was a pity, for she was a good lady, full of virtue, and much beloved.

On the 3d of May, by orders from the king, all ranks in Paris, from the highest to the lowest, went in solemn procession to St Denis, to pray for the prosperity of the king, the queen, the dauphin, and all the princes of the blood, and also to return thanks for the flourishing appearance of the fruits of the earth.

Monday the 2d of June, the dauphiness made her public entry into Paris about five o'clock in the afternoon, accompanied by the lady of Beaujeu, and many others. She entered by the gate of St Denis, where three stages were erected: on the uppermost was a representation of the king, as sovereign: on the second were two beautiful children, dressed in white damask, to represent the dauphin and the lady Margaret of Flanders: on the lower one were representations of the lord and lady of Beaujeu. On each side of the different personages were hung escutcheons of their arms emblazoned. There were likewise four figures, to represent the peasantry, the clergy, the tradesmen and the nobility, each of whom addressed a couplet to her as she passed. All the streets were hung with tapestry, and there were other pageants allegorical to the dauphin and dauphiness. In honour of her arrival, all the prisoners in the different gaols were set at liberty, and several new corporations of trades were made.

On the 7th of June was a great thunder storm at Paris between eight and nine at night. A flash of lightning set fire to the steeple of the church of St Genevieve, burnt all the wood-work, which had lasted nine hundred years, and melted all the covering of lead, and the bells within the steeple. It was supposed that one hundred weight of lead on the steeple was destroyed,--so that it was pitiful to see the damages done.

During the month of July, the marriage-feast of the dauphin and the lady Margaret of Flanders was celebrated in the town of Amboise; at which were present the most noble persons of the kingdom, who had come thither by the king's orders, from the cities and principal towns of his realm.

CHAP. XXXIV.

THE HOLY AMPULLA IS BROUGHT FROM THE CHURCH OF SAINT REMY AT RHEIMS TO THE KING OF FRANCE, WHEN DANGEROUSLY ILL, AT PLESSIS LE PARC.--THE DEVOUT DEATH OF LOUIS XI.--HE IS BURIED IN THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY AT CLERY.--MAY GOD PARDON HIS SOUL!

In the course of this year, the king determined to have the holy ampulla brought to him from Rheims: which had descended filled with oil, by the Divine grace, by means of a white dove, in the year 500, to good St Remy of Rheims, to anoint and consecrate king Clovis of France, the first Christian king, who died in the same year,--and his body is interred in the church of St Genevieve at Paris.

This sacred ampulla had remained in the church of St Remy, for 983 years, when it was taken thence by Claude de Montfaulcon, governor of Auvergne, whom the king had especially commissioned for the purpose. It was brought to Paris on the last day of July, and was carried with much reverence, and in procession, to repose in the holy chapel of the palace, where it remained until the morrow, and was then conveyed to the king at Plessis le Parc. It was accompanied by the rods of Moses and Aaron, and the cross of victory, which had been sent to the good king St Charlemagne, that he might obtain a conquest over the infidels. They had remained undisturbed in the holy chapel, with other relics, until they were removed, on this first day of August, by the bishop of Sees, and others appointed by the king to bring them to him at Plessis.

The 25th of August, the king's illness so much increased that he lost his speech and senses. News was brought to Paris, on the 27th, that he was dead, by letters from master John Briçonnet, which obtained belief, from the writer being a man of honesty and credit. In consequence of this intelligence, the provost and sheriffs, to provide against accidents, ordered a strong guard at each of the gates, to prevent any persons from entering into or going out of the town. This caused it to be currently rumoured that the king was dead, but the report was unfounded,--for he recovered his speech and senses, ate and drank, and lingered on until the 30th of August, when, between six and seven in the evening, he gave up the ghost; and his corpse was instantly abandoned by those who had been so obsequious to him during his life.

His body was dressed as usual in such cases, and carried from Plessis to the church of our lady at Clery for interment, as he had thus ordered it before his decease; for he would not be buried with the noble kings of France, his predecessors, in the habitual church of St Denis,--but would never give any reason that induced him to refuse being there interred. It was, however, generally thought that it was owing to his attachment to the church of our lady at Clery, to which he had been a very great benefactor.

During his reign, there were some low persons always about him, such as Olivier le Diable, called le Daim, John de Doyac, and others, who had committed very many acts of injustice, in whom he had greater confidence than in all his ministers or kindred. They had so overloaded the people with taxes that, at the time of his death they were almost in despair; for the wealth he gained from his subjects he expended upon churches, in bestowing great pensions among ambassadors, and people of low degree, to whom he could not resist making great gifts, insomuch that he had alienated the greater part of the domain of the crown.

Notwithstanding the many serious affairs he had had upon his hands during his reign, he brought all his enemies under subjection; and he was so feared and redoubted that there were none so great in France, not even those of his blood, who slept in safety in their houses.

Before his decease, he was sorely afflicted with different disorders,--for the cure of which his physicians prescribed many extraordinary remedies. May these afflictions be the means of preserving his soul, and gain him admittance into paradise, through the mercy of Him who reigns for ever and ever! Amen.

CHAP. XXXV.

THE GREAT CHRONICLES OF THE MOST CHRISTIAN, MAGNANIMOUS, AND VICTORIOUS KING OF FRANCE, CHARLES VIII. COLLECTED AND PUT TOGETHER BY ME, PIERRE DESREY, SIMPLE ORATOR OF TROYES IN CHAMPAGNE.

PROLOGUE.

I cannot sufficiently wonder, when I consider the extraordinary mutability of fortune in this transitory life, nor hinder the tears from filling my eyes. I had determined to write a chronicle of the life of that most illustrious king, prince Charles VIII. of France, in the expectation that it might have been of great length; but although he was a magnanimous prince, full of prowess and victorious, the fickleness of Dame Fortune having allowed him several praiseworthy and triumphant conquests, resigned him into the hands of Atropos in the thirty-eighth year of his age, and in the prime of manhood.

As a commencement to this chronicle, I must say, that king Louis XI. departed this life in the month of August, in the year 1483, and that his only son, king Charles, VIII. succeeded him; who, in his youth, was somewhat tender and of delicate health,--but, as he grew up, he gave signs of a good understanding, that could distinguish between vice and virtue,--and, in the course of a few years, he became a man of greater ability by putting a check to his voluptuousness. From this, it may easily be foreseen how worthy he would probably have become if death had not carried him off so early.

His father, the late king, would not allow him to learn the latin tongue, as he thought polite literature would prove an hinderance to his attending to the well governing of his kingdom,--more especially as the father perceived that his son had quick parts, and being well informed in some things, he thought applying to letters would also prove dangerous in his delicate state of health; for, in his early years, he would have been unable to have gone through any laborious course of study.

However, not long after the death of his father, he willingly began to read books in the french language, and also made an attempt to learn the latin. He commenced his reign, like a pious prince, by paying his devotions toward his God, and by listening to the counsels of wise men, that he might be instructed how to govern his kingdom with uprightness. He was naturally affectionate to all his kindred, and earnest that they might unite with him for the general welfare of his people and kingdom.

[A.D. 1484.]

CHAP. XXXVI.

KING CHARLES VIII. CROWNED AT RHEIMS.--HE AFTERWARDS VISITS SEVERAL TOWNS IN FRANCE.--HE MAKES HIS ENTRY INTO PARIS.--MASTER OLIVIER LE DAIM AND HIS SERVANT DANIEL EXECUTED THERE.--JOHN DE DOYAC HAS HIS EARS CUT OFF, AND HIS TONGUE BORED WITH A HOT IRON.

In the year 1484, king Charles, being fourteen years of age, was conducted by the noble princes of his blood, namely the duke of Orleans, the count of Angoulême, the count of Foix, the count of Vendôme, the lord of Beaujeu, the lord of Dunois, the duke of Lorraine, and numbers of other princes, barons, and gentlemen, to the city of Rheims, to be consecrated and anointed with the holy oil. He was also attended by the twelve peers of France, or their substitutes, who all appeared to serve him in their different functions, according to ancient usage, in such cases established. After the ceremony of the consecration, he departed from Rheims, to visit some of the adjoining towns, where he was received with all due honours: the streets were hung with tapestries,--and the clergy, with all ranks of people came out to meet him,--and bonfires and every demonstration of joy at his arrival were displayed in every town he came to.

About this time, one Daniel, a native of Flanders, and servant to master Olivier le Daim, was condemned for certain crimes by him committed, to be hanged on the gibbet at Paris[107], which was done. And not long after, his master Olivier, who had been in the confidence of the late king, was sentenced to a similar punishment for having acted criminally, and been too bold in his wickedness. Another of the late king's favourites, John de Doyac, was, within a short time, condemned by the court of parliament to be publicly whipt by the hangman, and to have one of his ears cut off, and his tongue bored with a hot iron in the pillory, at the market-place of Paris, for having made too free with the effects of some of the princes, and for having insulted them. He was afterward carried from Paris to Montferrant, where he was again whipt, and had the other ear cut off.

After king Charles had been consecrated at Rheims, he was conducted to the abbey of St Denis to be crowned, and to perform the accustomed ceremonies. Thence he was carried by the aforesaid lords to Paris, and made his entry as follows: On the 6th of July, all ranks in Paris issued out in handsome order, each person well dressed, and according to his estate, to wait on the king at St Denis, and to do him the honour and reverence belonging to him. The bishop of Paris and all his clergy were among them, together with the whole court of parliament, the provost of Paris, all the officers of the courts of justice and of accounts, the provost of marchands, the sheriffs, dressed in their robes of state. This procession advanced a little beyond the chapel of St Ladre, where it met the king, accompanied by the duke of Orleans and the lords before named. The provost and sheriffs having paid due obeisance, presented to the king the keys of the gate of St Denis, through which he was to make his entry into Paris. Each company having paid their respects, and made offers of all appertaining to their different professions, withdrew to the rear, to follow the king according to their rank.

Thus accompanied, the king entered Paris on a courser, having rich trappings of cloth of gold, armed in brilliant armour excepting his helmet of parade, which was triumphantly borne before, on a courser of great value, and caparisoned in the same manner as that he rode on. Instead of a helmet, he wore a most brilliant crown, adorned with precious stones, to show that he was king,--and a rich canopy of cloth of gold was carried over him. The princes and the other lords, were richly armed,--and their horses were superbly decorated in divers manners, to do honour to the king on his entrance into the capital of his realm. The gentlemen and pages of honour were likewise superbly dressed, and so numerous that it is impossible to notice them.

Many pageants, mysteries, and other devices, were displayed by the town, having an allegorical allusion to the king's name of Charles. The streets were all hung with tapestries: and there were persons appointed in the principal ones to offer meat and wine to all passengers. In short, every one exerted himself to show his loyalty, and his cordial love to the king. He was conducted by the clergy in their robes, many bearing relics, and rich jewels, to the church of Nôtre Dame. At the corner of the rue neuve de Nôtre Dame, he was met by the rector of the university of Paris, attended by all the doctors and other persons of science, who, having made his reverence, delivered an eloquent oration. The king then proceeded to the cathedral, and offered up his thanksgivings; which being done, he was conducted to the palace, where a magnificent and plentiful supper was served up in the great hall to the king, the princes of the blood, and other great lords. He lay that night at the palace, and remained in Paris some days.

After his entry the king held a royal session in his court of parliament; and he sojourned several days in the city of Paris, where he daily displayed the great love he had for his people, and for the general welfare of his kingdom. He had been well instructed in his youth as to religion, and ever remained a good Catholic, beloved by his subjects. Many councils were held during the king's stay at Paris, of the princes of the blood and great lords, on the most effectual means for the relief of his subjects,--and when the conduct of the late king in granting such prodigal pensions, in the profusion he was accustomed to do, was laid before them, it was considered that the revocation of these grants, and applying them to the use of the state, would be the best and speediest mode of affording ease to the people. These affairs being settled, sumptuous jousts and tournaments took place, on the joyful arrival of king Charles in his town of Paris.

The king, on quitting Paris, went to visit other towns, such as Rouen, Troyes, and Orleans, into which he made his public entry attended by his princes and nobility. These and other towns which he visited received him most honourably, and tried to rival each other in their exertions to display greater magnificence and more splendid entertainments on the king's coming among them, so much was he respected and beloved throughout his kingdom.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 107: See a preceding note.]

CHAP. XXXVII.

THE DEATH OF POPE SIXTUS IV.--HE IS SUCCEEDED BY POPE INNOCENT VIII.--OF THE VICTORIOUS WAR OF KING CHARLES IN BRITTANY.--HE MARRIES THE PRINCESS ANNE DAUGHTER TO THE NOBLE DUKE FRANCIS OF BRITTANY.--OTHER EVENTS.

In the course of the latter end of this year pope Sixtus IV. died at Rome: he had been general of the Franciscans, and had well and catholicly ruled the holy see during the space of nearly thirteen years. He had been very solicitous about the public welfare, in the reparation of churches, and in embellishing the city of Rome, without sparing his private purse where he thought the honour of God was any way interested.[108]

On the 13th of August, he was succeeded in the papal dignity by Innocent VIII.[109] He was from Genoa, of parents in the middle ranks, but much respected and beloved. His father's name was Aaron, but his own was John Baptista,--and he was a cardinal-priest, under the title of Cardinal of St Cecilia, but commonly called the cardinal of Melfe. He was the poorest and most humane of the whole college of cardinals, and was deserving of his election to the papal chair for his benignity and humility.

He was magnanimous, and very prudent in all his actions,--and from his conduct during his legation at Sienna, he gave a good example to his brother-cardinals, and of what might be expected from him if raised to the popedom. On that event taking place, he opened the treasures of the church to all faithful Christians for the remission of their sins. He lived in good union with the Romans and all other people in Christendom.

At this period, king Charles, with the advice of his council, made arrangements for the war in Picardy. The command of that army was given to sir Philip de Crevecoeur, lord des Cordes; for Maximilian duke of Austria, who had married the heiress of the late duke of Burgundy, had raised a powerful army, to enable him to demand with success the country of Artoise, and other parts in Burgundy, although they had been occupied by the late king, Louis XI. and were since peaceably possessed by his son, the present king.

The lord des Cordes was therefore ordered into Picardy, to resist any hostile attempts that should be there made, and to oppose Maximilian. According to the chronicle of master Robert Gaguin, a severe war broke out in the year 1485, in Brittany, which was so prudently conducted on the part of king Charles that he victoriously gained almost the whole of that duchy. During this war, duke Francis of Brittany died, leaving two daughters: the one called Anne succeeded shortly after to the duchy, on the death of her sister. The king now took the field in person, and attended by many great lords and valiant captains, made several attacks on the town of Nantes, to prevent these daughters of the late duke of Brittany from marrying without his consent. This campaign, however, was not very successful: for king Henry VII. of England had sent a large force to the assistance of the Bretons, although, a short time before this, Henry had fled from that country as a fugitive, and sought an asylum with king Charles. He remained with him some time, as he was liberally aided with money and men, with whom he crossed the sea to England, where, after the death of king Richard, he peaceably enjoyed that kingdom, by means of the aid he had received from king Charles, which clearly shows the ingratitude of the english monarch[110].

The before-mentioned master Robert

Gaguin was sent on an embassy on this subject to England, in company with the lord Francis de Luxembourg and Charles de Marigny[111]. However, after all, the french army, under their king, was victorious, more especially at the battle of St Aubin[112], while the king was at Laval, when the Bretons and English were totally routed, with very great slaughter. The French gained the field of battle,--and for two leagues around, nothing was to be seen but dead bodies. Near to where the battle was fought was a wood in which the Bretons had lodged a great deal of gunpowder; and thinking that the French would attempt posting an ambuscade therein they played their artillery, which set fire to this powder, and it blew up, to the great astonishment of the French, who, by Divine Providence (the true Protector of the French blood) had not entered this wood. The explosion alarmed a stag, who ran out of the wood, with eyes full of tears, and made for the french army as for a place of refuge.

It should be noticed, that prior to the engagement, large flecks of pies and jays were seen to fight with such obstinacy in the air, at a place called La Croix de Malere, that when victory declared for one party, the roads and fields were covered with the vanquished, which seemed to the French a very extraordinary circumstance.

After the battle of St Aubin, a pursuit took place, when many prisoners were made, and others driven to seek shelter in some of their strong places, to save their lives. The French in consequence of their victory, conquered the greater part of Brittany.

The principal lords of Brittany now began to consider on the means of establishing a lasting peace with the king of France; and as they thought his projected union with the lady Margaret of Flanders was not agreeable to him, since war with Maximilian her father had hitherto been the only fruits of it, they proposed that he should marry the duchess Anne of Brittany,--and by this means that duchy would be firmly united to the crown of France, and would form an alliance of the utmost utility to all parties.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 108: In a note, p. 135 of Mr Andrews' History of Great Britain, a very different character is given of this pope: 'As ignorant as turbulent.' 'He received without respect, or hospitality, the learned Greeks who fled from the Constantinople, and gave so trifling a reward to Theo. Gaza for a translation that the angry sage flung it away, and, leaving the audience, repeated a greek proverb, that thistles only could delight the palate of an ass.' Luckily the pope did not understand the language of the sarcasm.]

[Footnote 109: Innocent VIII.--John Baptista Cibo, a noble genoese, but originally of greek extraction. He was called, prior to his elevation to the papacy, the Cardinal of Melfe. He had several children before he entered holy orders, and did not neglect them during his reign.]

[Footnote 110: See the english historians.]

[Footnote 111: Their passport is, in the Fœdera, dated 10th December 1490, for themselves and four score horses.]

[Footnote 112: See l'Histoire de la Bretagne.]

CHAP. XXXVIII.

KING CHARLES GENEROUSLY RESTORES ROUSSILLON TO KING FERDINAND OF ARRAGON.--THE INSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF FILLES REPENTIES AT PARIS.--THE TOWN OF ST OMER IS TAKEN BY THE LORD DES CORDES.--A TREATY OF PEACE CONCLUDED WITH THE KING OF ENGLAND AFTER THE SIEGE OF BOULOGNE.--THE TREASON COMMITTED BY CARQUELEVANT IN THE TOWN OF ARRAS.--AMIENS WELL GUARDED.--THE TREATY BETWEEN THE KING OF FRANCE AND THE ARCHDUKE OF AUSTRIA.

When the king was returned from his expedition into Brittany, and had concluded a treaty with the Bretons on the terms before mentioned, he generously restored to Ferdinand king of Arragon the county of Roussillon, and gave him a free acquittance of the sums of money this county had been mortgaged for,--and for the accomplishment of this, he sent thither, as his ambassador, the lord Louis d'Ambois, bishop of Alby. There were some, however, who thought that this county should not have been restored,--and, to appease all murmurings on the subject, the king had it published that he had only acted in conformity to the orders given by his late father, king Louis, when dying. It was therefore the opinion of many, that a perpetual friendship should now be established between the kings of France and of Arragon.

In the year 1494 was established the order of repentant women and girls, who had been public strumpets at Paris. The institution of this order, in honour of the blessed Mary Magdalen, was commenced by a devout sermon preached by friar John Tisserant, a Franciscan monk,--and a house that belonged to the family of Orleans was granted to them, wherein reside many devout women.

After the restoration of the county of Roussillon, the lord des Cordes was so active with his army, in Picardy, that he gained by force of arms, for the king, the town of St Omer. He valiantly passed the breach into the town, his battle-axe hanging on his wrist, and followed by numbers of gallant men at arms, shouting out, 'Vive le roi!' which so astonished the inhabitants that they submitted to his pleasure.

Some days after this, the king of England, ungrateful for the services he had received from the king of France, as has been mentioned, landed a large force at Calais, and marched it to lay siege to Boulogne. The lord des Cordes, imagining that the English would make great efforts to gain Boulogne, he being governor of Artois, left St Omer, having well garrisoned it and other towns, in company with the bastard Cardon captain of Arras, and hastened, with a body of French, to throw himself into Boulogne, to oppose the English, and force them to raise their siege. In consequence of this, only Carquelevant, a Breton, remained in the castle of Arras,--and that town was given up traitorously to the archduke, as shall be more amply detailed hereafter.

When the lord des Cordes[113] and Cardon had shown their resistance to the king of England's troops before Boulogne they found means to conclude a peace which was very advantageous to the kingdom of France: for the English were to recross the sea without interfering more in the quarrel with the archduke.

Master Gaguin tells us, in his chronicle, that this peace was very agreeable to the king of England; for he loved the French in his heart, but had been constrained by his subjects to send this armament to Boulogne,--and by his advice and remonstrances he had prevented its advancing farther into the kingdom; but that he had been obliged to dissemble, to avoid being suspected by the English of having too strong an inclination to king Charles, whose former kindnesses he could never forget, and this treaty of peace was not long in being ratified by the two kings.

Within two or three days after this peace had been concluded, the town of Arras was won by a party from Maximilian's army during the night, owing to the treason or neglect of Carquelevant. He had entrusted the keys of the gates to some of his people,--so that the enemy entered the place without meeting any resistance whatever, while he was asleep in bed. They first plundered all the principal persons, and then the churches; and according to Gaguin, these Germans committed such destruction that it seemed as if they were come not to take possession of the town but utterly to destroy it.

After some months, Maximilian demolished a large tower in the market-place, and several other fortifications, which Louis XI. had erected to defend the city against the town of Arras. He also caused the walls of the city to be destroyed, and fortified the town against it, which was not displeasing to several of the inhabitants, as they hated even the french name, although, from the remotest antiquity, they had been always dependant on the kings of France, as their sovereign lords.

Shortly after, Maximilian found means to obtain a truce, that he might again employ his army on similar expeditions,--for the truce on his side was only a pretence. It was not long before a party from the garrison of Arras appeared under the walls of Amiens at midnight, thinking to take it by surprise; but the French garrison and the townsmen were too well on their guard, and made such good use of their bows and artillery that they repulsed the enemy with vigour, so that they were glad to retreat from the suburbs of St Pierre, where they had formed a lodgement, and return in all haste to Arras, whence they had come. Had the lord de Rubempré been allowed to follow his inclinations, he would have sallied out after them, for he was very eager to defeat them; but sir Anthony Clabaut, then mayor of the town, and the council would not permit him, saying, that in their opinion it was fully sufficient to defend the town well when attacked.

The principal lords of France, in conjunction with those of Picardy, solicited the king to conclude a lasting peace with the archduke: terms were, in consequence, agreed on,--and the county of Artois was restored to Maximilian; by which means all Picardy was in perfect union with France, and remains so to this day, which is of very great advantage to the whole realm.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 113: The lord des Cordes--was used to say, that he would willingly pass seven years in hell to recover Calais from the English.]

CHAP. XXXIX.

KING CHARLES MARRIES ANNE DUCHESS OF BRITTANY.--SHE IS CROWNED QUEEN OF FRANCE IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT DENIS, AND MAKES HER PUBLIC ENTRY INTO PARIS.--THE KING VISITS HIS PROVINCE OF PICARDY.--A PRIEST EXECUTED AND BURNT AT PARIS.--THE DEATH OF POPE INNOCENT VIII.--HE IS SUCCEEDED BY POPE ALEXANDER VI.

When king Charles had espoused Anne duchess of Brittany, as a proof of his affection and love, he willed that she should be crowned queen of France with every magnificence. The ceremony began by a grand mass chaunted in the abbey-church of St Denis by a reverend cardinal, assisted by the archbishop of Sens and other bishops. When this was done the queen was solemnly crowned; after which, a magnificent dinner was served and an open court was kept. Having made a short stay at St Denis, she prepared for her public entry into Paris, where she was received with all due honours.

The whole of the clergy in their copes of cloth of gold, and bearing holy relics, came out to meet her, as did the bishop of Paris, the provost of marchands, the sheriffs, and all the companies of trades in their holyday dresses. When they had paid their obeisances, the queen entered Paris in triumph. All the streets were hung with tapestries: many pageants and mysteries were exhibited,--and bonfires, and all other usual demonstrations of joy, were made on her arrival. She was conducted in great state toward the cathedral of Nôtre Dame; and at the corner of the rue neuve Nôtre Dame, the rector of the university, attended by all his doctors, was waiting to make his oration; after which, she proceeded to the cathedral to offer up her prayers. She was then conducted to the palace where apartments had been handsomely fitted up for her, becoming her state.

During the queen's residence in Paris, a variety of amusements took place, such as justings, tournaments, dancings and feasts. The king lived with her in the greatest harmony and love; and, in course of time, they had three fine boys, who were spared to them but a short time; for they all died in their infancy, during the expedition to Naples, according to the Divine will. May God give them grace to pray for us!

When peace was concluded with the archduke, the king resolved to visit Picardy, which he did at divers times, accompanied by some of the princes of the blood, his lords, and valiant captains. He made a public entry into several towns wherein he was most honourably received and grandly feasted,--for they were delighted to see their king. Although every town tried to surpass the other, yet the entertainments at Amiens were the most sumptuous and magnificent. The barons, and common people, of Picardy were exceedingly pleased that the king had come to visit them, and were more ardent than before in their affections to so benign a prince.

On the morrow of Corpus-Christi-day, to the great scandal of all Paris, a priest called master John L'Anglois, while in the chapel of St Crispin and St Crispinian in the church of Nôtre Dame, moved and instigated by the devil, approached the priest saying mass,--and after the consecration of the host, this wicked priest tore it furiously from the hands of him who had just consecrated it, and threw it on the ground with contempt, thinking to trample it with his feet. He was instantly seized and carried to prison, wherein he was some time detained for examination. When this took place, he persevered in his iniquity and refused to adjure his errors; for which he was publicly degraded from his priesthood in the church of Nôtre Dame, and delivered over into the hands of master Pierre de la Porte, then lieutenant criminel for the provost of Paris. De la Porte sentenced him to be drawn on a hurdle to the pig-market, there to have his tongue cut out, and his body burnt until consumed to ashes,--which sentence was executed.

About this time, pope Innocent died at Rome. He had peacefully governed the church during his papacy, and was full of mercy, for he absolved the Venetians from the censure which had been fulminated against them by his predecessor Sixtus. Roderigo Borgia was elected pope in his stead, and took the name of Alexander VI. The new pope was a Spaniard by birth, and of a robust and courageous disposition: he had been vice-chancellor to Innocent, and was full of enterprise and revenge against his enemies. During the reign of this pope, king Charles made a most victorious expedition into Italy, as shall be more fully related hereafter.

CHAP. XL.

OF THE EXPEDITION WHICH KING CHARLES UNDERTAKES TO RECOVER HIS KINGDOM OF NAPLES, AND THE REASONS THAT MOVED HIM THERETO.

When king Charles had, by his prudence, subjugated or reduced to peace all the countries that were immediately on his frontiers, so that he had not any disturbances to apprehend from those quarters, like a magnanimous prince, and full of prowess, he turned his thoughts to regain the kingdoms of Naples and of Sicily, which legally and justly belonged to him. Although he was small in body, he had a great mind,--and from the time he had determined on his project, nothing could dissuade him from it.

Master Robert Gaguin declares, in his chronicle, that he would never listen to the ambassadors that were sent to him by the Parisians, to entreat him to lay aside the expedition to Naples: on the contrary, he assembled, with all diligence, a most numerous army of horse and foot, and selected able captains to command them.

The king was strongly excited to this measure by pope Alexander and Ludovico Sforza, who both hated Alphonso, for having, as it was said, usurped the crown of Naples, and done many injuries to the barons of that country. For this reason, the pope and Ludovico had invited Charles to invade Italy. The king, for the more readily assembling of his men at arms, made the city of Lyon his chief residence, to be near at hand for the march of his army.

CHAP. XLI.

FRIAR JEROME SAVONAROLA[114] FORETELS THE INVASION OF ITALY BY THE KING OF FRANCE,--THE KING WHILE AT LYON PRUDENTLY ARRANGES A REGENCY TO GOVERN THE KINGDOM DURING HIS ABSENCE. HE DEPARTS THENCE FOR GRENOBLE, WHERE HE TAKES LEAVE OF THE QUEEN.

Before king Charles had shown any intentions of marching into Italy, friar Jerome Savonarola preached publicly in the year 1493, in several towns of Italy, the invasion of king Charles, which caused him to be looked up to by the Florentines as a true prophet.

While the king was at Lyon, regulating the plans he should pursue in his intended attempt to recover the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, he sent the duke of Orleans forward over the Alps, in company with many other lords and captains and a large detachment of troops, as ambassadors to Milan, Genoa, Venice, Florence, Lucca, Pisa, Viterbo and Rome, and to different towns in Lombardy, to learn whether they would keep their promises to the king, and support him in his expedition to Naples. Having been honourably received every where, the duke of Orleans returned to his county of Asti, when the promises of support were again repeated.