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the duke and him; and he had, therefore, been advised not to appear before him without first having a passport. The passport was at length sent him. It was reported that the count de St. Pol considered the lord de Croy, first chamberlain and principal minister to the duke, as his chief enemy, although, a long time before, a marriage had been agreed to between the eldest son of the lord de Croy, and the daughter of the count de St. Pol; and the lady of Croy had received the damsel, and had educated her as her own child, because she was too young for marriage. I know not whether the count repented of this match, but he wanted to have his daughter again, probably to match her more nobly,—and he sent secretly one of his sons to the place where she was, to bring his sister back; but the lord de Croy, having had intimation of this, managed matters so dextrously, that the young couple were married and bedded before the count de St. Pol could provide a remedy. This was the cause of their hatred.

The count, having received his passport from the duke, came to Brussels grandly attended by noblemen, and by more than two hundred horse. The next day, which was about the middle of September, he had an audience of the duke, and was accused of having slain, or caused to be slain, certain persons,-and of having taken, or caused to be taken, effects wrongfully and contrary to justice. It was on these grounds the duke had laid hands on the lands of Enghien; and he was told that he made but a sorry return for the numerous acts of kindness that had been done to him and to his family by the duke and his predecessors. To these charges the count replied, that he always had been, and still was, ready to serve and obey the duke in all things, whom he considered so good and benevolent; that if there were none who had prejudiced the duke's mind against him, he trusted he should satisfy him, as to these accusations, if it were his pleasure to hear him in private, for that he should submit himself wholly to his gracious mercy,-but that if he would not hear him in private, he was ready to reply instantly and publicly to the accusations that had been laid against him. This was accepted; but, notwithstanding any defence or excuses that he made, he could not obtain the repossession of the lands of Enghien, and returned this time without effecting anything.

In this year of 1457, a splendid embassy, consisting of upwards of seven hundred horses, arrived at Tours from Lancelot king of Hungary and Bohemia. Among them were an archbishop, twelve or thirteen great barons, and more than thirty gentlemen, who were followed by twenty-six waggons richly adorned and well equipped, to carry their baggage. Before they entered the city, king Charles sent out the principal lords of his household to meet and escort them into the town; the churchmen and people went out also to do them honour: but the king then resided at a favourite palace at Montils-les-Tours, where he had been ill, so that the ambassadors were forced to remain ten days at Tours before they could have an audience. The ambassadors went to Montils-les-Tours on the 18th day of December, where they were presented to the king, the queen, their youngest son Charles, and the princess Magdalen. When the presentations were performed, the archbishop of Bolisdastain* made an harangue in Latin, in such terms as he had received from his sovereign, and discoursed first on the love and friendship that had always existed between the kings of France and the kings of Hungary and Bohemia,—adding, that it was in consequence of their mutual affection that the king of Hungary had sent his embassy. "When," continued he, "peace and amity shall exist between you both, who in the world can hurt you? Thy predecessors and our sovereigns, the kings of Hungary and Bohemia, have been in alliance. Thou art the column of Christianity, and my sovereign lord is the shield: thou art the house of Christendom, and my sovereign is the wall." Many other fine compliments he addressed to the king, and, at the conclusion, formally demanded in marriage the princess Magdalen for king Lancelot his lord, which had been before done in a private manner.

As the king was well inclined to this marriage, he ordered his ministers to confer on the subject with the ambassadors; but the first days were employed in feasting the ambassadors, which was done by grand and plentiful entertainments given them by one lord after another. At these feasts, all the nobles of the court of France were present in the most sumptuous dresses, so that it was a splendid sight to view the dukes, counts, barons, knights, esquires,

Bolisdastain. Q.-In the former account of this embassy, the archbishop of Cologne and bishop of Passau, according to M. du Cange, are mentioned.

ladies, damsels, heralds, pursuivants, minstrels and trumpeters out of number. But above all these entertainments was the first given by the count de Foix, which in variety and magnificence surpassed them all. The first ornament was a castle having four small towers at the corners, and in the middle a larger one with four windows; in every window was seen the fair countenance of a damsel with her yellow hair, like fine gold, scattered over her shoulders, and no other parts of her form were seen. On the summit of this tower was displayed the banner of king Lancelot, having his arms properly emblazoned, and around the smaller towers were attached the arms of the principal ambassadors. Within this large tower, but unseen, were six boys singing so very melodiously that they were supposed to be damsels.

The second pageant was the resemblance of a tiger, a horrible beast, with a short thick body, two small pointed horns on his forehead, and with tusks of a wild boar. A man was concealed within the beast, who moved him at his pleasure, to appear as if alive; and he was borne by four gentlemen dressed in the fashion of the country of Béarn, and dancing after their manner. The third was the resemblance of a great rock, on which were a fountain and great plenty of rabbits and other animals. From the rock issued five small children dressed as savages, who danced a morrice-dance. The fourth interlude was the appearance of a very able esquire as if on horseback; but the head and housings only were fastened to him, with which he pranced about the hall, holding in his hand a pot painted in various colours. From this pot there sprang roses, daisies, and other flowers; and, rising above all, was a handsome lily, loaded with flowers-de-luce. Having placed this pot on the table, another gentleman arrived with a live peacock in a dish, which he also put on the table, in order that all who wished to make any vows might then do so.* Upon which, two knights of the embassy did make vows to perform a deed of arms, and the other to hold a tourney

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At length, dishes full of spices and all kinds of sweetmeats were brought to the great table, under the figures of stags, wild boars, bears, monkeys, lions, and other beasts; and on each dish were the arms of those who were present at this dinner. When the dinner was ended, the dancings began.

*See a particular account of this strange ceremony of swearing on the peacock in M. de St. Palaye's " Mémoires sur l'Ancienne Chevalerie."

CHAPTER LXXXIII.-THE DEATH OF LANCELOT KING OF HUNGARY, WHICH CAUSES GREAT MOURNING AT THE COURT OF FRANCE.-THE DEATHS OF JOHN OF COIMBRA, KING OF CYPRUS, AND OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY,—WHICH LAST IS SUCCEEDED BY HIS BROTHER ARTHUR COUNT DE RICHEMONT.

ON Christmas-eve, in the year 1457, news arrived at Tours of the death of Lancelot king of Hungary, while his ambassadors were feasting, as has been said. This sad event changed their feastings into sorrow, and their grief moved the compassion of all; for they well knew the ardent desire their king had to marry the daughter of the king of France, not through any wish of obtaining lands or money with her, but through a strong passion to connect himself by marriage with the king of France, as he was then but eighteen years old. They also perceived, from the great respect and attentions that had been shown them in France, that the king was equally desirous of this match: you may therefore suppose that their grief was very great. This event was concealed six days from king Charles, lest it might increase his disorder, and in order to afford time for its being broken gently to him. Funeral obsequies were performed in the church of St. Martin at Tours, before the king was made acquainted with it; but on that day it was told him, and he much lamented it. On the morrow, the ambassadors set out on their return, very sorrowful at the unfortunate issue of their embassy.

Intelligence of the king of Hungary's death was carried to the duke of Burgundy on Christmas-day, for which he testified his grief; for king Lancelot and he were nearly related; although he well knew that the projected alliance between the two kings was meant for his disadvantage, and particularly to deprive him of the duchy of Luxembourg, which he had gained, as well by arms as by purchase. King Lancelot, it was said, claimed this duchy, and it was reported that he had bequeathed it to the lady Magdalen of France, and had ordered his executor, king Charles, to put her in the possession of it. Notwithstanding that duke Philip had heard all this, he cared very little about it. Soon after Christmas, the duke ordered a grand funeral service to be performed in the cathedral church of Bruges for the soul of the king of Hungary. It was rumoured, that he had died of poison given him by some of his ministers, who feared that, should he marry the princess of France, they would be dismissed from the government; and it was said that, from the time he had swallowed the poison, he only lived three hours.

In this year died also John of Coimbra, a Portuguese, nephew to the duchess of Burgundy +. He had married the widowed queen of Cyprus, and in her right became king of that island. It was a great loss, for he had given great hopes of his being a good and virtuous prince. The duke of Brittany departed this life without leaving any male heirs, so that the duchy fell to his brother Arthur count de Richemont, constable of France, who reigned as duke in his stead.

CHAPTER LXXXIV.-KING CHARLES IS DANGEROUSLY ILL.-ON HIS RECOVERY, HE SENDS TO INFORM THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY THAT HE SHALL TAKE UNDER HIS WARD THE

ESTATES OF THE YOUTH OF RODEMAC‡.- -THE DUKE'S ANSWER. OF THE STORMS OF WIND, FROST, AND SNOW IN THIS SEASON.

Ar this period, king Charles of France was so grievously ill at Tours that it was thought he could never recover, and processions and public prayers were made and offered up in several parts of the kingdom for the restoration of his health. He shortly after this recovered; and then sent a gentleman of his household with credential letters to the duke of * In right of his mother Elizabeth, duchess of Austria. John duke of Coimbra, son of Peter, brother of Edward king of Portugal. He married Charlotte, only daughter and heir of John III. king of Cyprus; but it seems to be a mistake of Monstrelet's, where he calls her the widowed queen. She survived the duke of Coimbra, and married for her second husband Lewis prince of Savoy. in Luxembourg,

The crown of Cyprus was usurped by James, the bastard son of John III., and never enjoyed either by Charlotte herself or by either of her husbands. Isabella duchess of Burgundy was sister of Edward king of Portugal, and of Peter duke of Coimbra.

"Rodemac." Rodemacheron, or Rodemark,―a town

Burgundy; and, having laid them before the duke, he said, that the king of France signified to him by his mouth, that he had taken under his wardship all the lands of the youth of Rodemac, as well those in France as elsewhere. The duke instantly replied, that the lands of that youth were not in France but in the duchy of Luxembourg, and that, as he was his subject, the king had nothing to do with it. "I would wish to know,” added he, “whether the king means to keep the peace of Arras, which I shall not on my part infringe; tell him, I beg of you, to make me acquainted with his will, and recommend me to him; for I know that he has some in his council who are no friends of mine." When the duke had given this answer, he sent off on the morrow a secret embassy to the king.

This youth of Rodemac, whose estates lay in the duchy of Luxembourg, had always been of the party of king Lancelot, in opposition to the duke of Burgundy, and was still against him. On the other hand, the count de St. Pol, in the expectation of being constable of France, had attached himself to king Charles; so that, from these circumstances, war rather than peace was looked for between the king of France and the duke of Burgundy. In this year, the winter was so severe and long that the frost lasted from Michaelmas-day until the 18th of February, and the large rivers were so hard frozen that carriages passed over them. At length the frost broke up, with such falls of snow and rain that the country was greatly damaged by the inundations. These miseries were increased by storms of wind that blew down many houses and steeples, and chimneys without number: great damage was done to the vessels all along the coast. Toward the end of this year, there were such numerous pilgrimages of Germans and Brabanters,—men, women, and children,—to St. Michael's Mount, that the like was never seen before; nor could any one divine the reason of their being so numerous at this time, but from a sudden fit of devotion that had seized them.

CHAPTER LXXXV.-THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY, AT THE REQUEST OF THE TOWN OF GHENT, GOES THITHER.-A GREAT FEAST IS MADE THERE. [A. D. 1458.]

On the 23rd day of April, after Easter, in the year 1458, duke Philip of Burgundy made his entry into the town of Ghent, at the request of the inhabitants; but not on their first soliciting it, for they had frequently made this request through the dauphin and other great lords. He would not, however, agree to go thither until that day, when he made his entry with the dauphin; for he would not, for particular reasons, take thither the count de Charolois, nor the lord de Croy his first chamberlain. He was there received with greater honours than any prince had ever obtained, for the whole town came out to meet him,-the churchmen, in their robes and copes, as far as a quarter of a league, followed by the officers of justice, as well those of the town as of the prince, then the deacons of the different trades, to the number of seventy, each attended by ten of his trade, all variously and appropriately dressed; after them came the knights, esquires, and burghers of the town, to the amount of more than four hundred. When they approached the duke, the bailiff of Ghent advanced and addressed him, saying, that the inhabitants of the town of Ghent were come out to meet him, and he entreated that he would hear what they had to say. magistrate of the town then stepped forth, and made the following harangue :-" My most redoubted lord, behold your subjects of Ghent, who request and supplicate (here they all fell on their knees, with uplifted hands,) that you would be pleased to forget and forgive all their former outrages and ill-conduct, for they are ready and willing to obey you in all things, to remain your faithful servants, and, should need be, to die for you." He added other words, nearly to the same purport.

The chief

With the duke, were the count d'Estampes, the lord de Ravenstein, and others, to the number of three hundred knights. When this harangue was finished, the duke advanced to the town, the procession that had come out to meet him taking the lead, and the duke following, preceded by his heralds and trumpets in their tabards of arms. He was surrounded by fifty archers of his body-guard, clothed in their jackets, each having a hunting-spear in When the duke approached the gates, he found them open, for they had been

his hand.

thrown into the fields; and as he passed, a virgin descended by machinery, who saluted him, and said, "Inveni quem diligit anima mea.'

"

From this gate to the ducal palace, all the streets were hung with rich cloths; and at the windows of the houses were numberless lighted torches, and the people crying for joy at seeing their lord, and conducting themselves with the utmost humility. At each of the squares on his way were temporary stages erected, whereon very magnificent historical pantomimes were acted, and great bonfires were made in every street. So many fine shows were exhibited that the whole seemed like a dream; and the duke was two hours before he arrived at his palace, from the pleasure he took in looking at such beautiful pageants. At the entrance of his palace was a man dressed in skins to represent a lion, who took his horse by the bridle, and led him into the court-yard. On the morrow, the town repeated these rejoicings, and placed tables covered with all sorts of refreshments in the streets, for all to partake of who would, showing the greatest joy and humility on the occasion.

CHAPTER LXXXVI.—THE DEATH OF THE KING OF ARRAGON.-HIS BASTARD SON FERNANDO SUCCEEDS TO THE THRONE OF NAPLES.-OF POPE PIUS AND THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ABOUT THAT TIME; SUCH as the death of the DUKE OF BRITTANY, AND THE EMBASSY FROM ENGLAND TO THE DUKE OF 3URGUNDY.

ABOUT St. John Baptist's day, in this year, Alphonso, king of Arragon, Naples and Sicily, departed this life in the city of Naples *. He had been in his time very powerful, redoubted, and rich, as was apparent after his death; for it was commonly reported that he had left to his bastard son Fernando, besides the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, six millions of florins in coin, and his chapel, which was marvellously rich, together with all his jewels, estimated at more than a million of gold. He had formed the largest ship that had ever been seen at sea, which returned to the port of Naples the very day of his decease. It happened that in so doing she struck on a bank of gravel with such force that she was dismasted, and the mainmast falling on the deck, split it into a thousand pieces, and the vessel sunk. The mast was so thick that five men could not encircle it with their united arms; and the noise of its fall was horrible to hear. Eight days after his death, a very richly gilt and painted tabernacle, that was placed over the seat he usually sat on in his hall, fell down just at the same hour that the king deceased. King Alphonso had been brother-in-arms to the duke of Burgundy; and although they had never seen each other, they were so strongly attached that they wore their different orders.

Pope Calixtus, then on the papal throne, hearing that the kingdom of Naples had escheated to him from the late king's dying without legal heirs, claimed that kingdom from Fernando the bastard; and because he would not give it up, excommunicated him and all

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