CHAP. LXIX.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE COUNT DE ST POL DEPART FROM ARRAS, AND WAIT ON THE KINGS OF FRANCE AND OF ENGLAND.—OTHER MATTERS.
THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AND THE COUNT DE ST POL DEPART FROM ARRAS, AND WAIT ON THE KINGS OF FRANCE AND OF ENGLAND.—OTHER MATTERS.
Whenthe duke and duchess of Burgundy had solemnly celebrated the feast of the Nativity at Arras, they separated from each other a few days after, but not without much grief at heart and many tears, especially on the part of the duchess; and they never saw each other again, as you shall hear.
The duke went to the castle of the count de St Pol at Luchen, where he lay one night, and on the morrow went to Amiens, and was lodged at the house of the bailiff. He had sent his men at arms forward to wait for him between Amiens and Beauvais.
He lay one night at Amiens, and thence departed with displayed banner and a large body of men at arms in noble array, having a van and rear guard. Hewas quartered that night at Franc-Châtel, and thence, taking the road to Beauvais and through Beaumont, arrived at Paris.
His lady-duchess, on quitting Arras, went with her household to Lille, and thence to Ghent. The duke entered Paris, attended by the count de St Pol and all his chivalry, and was most respectfully received by the Parisians. The king and queen of France were at that time at Vincennes, whither the duke went to visit them.
Having remained some days at Paris, he went to Lagny sur Marne, to wait on the king of England, who was employed in the siege of Meaux. He was most honourably received by the king, and they held many councils on the affairs of the realm.
The prince of Orange, and a considerable number of the burgundian lords and gentlemen, quitted the duke just before he left Paris; and the reason commonly given for this was, that they were unwilling to accompany him to Lagny, lest king Henry should require of them oaths of allegiance, as he had demanded from the lord de St George, who, a short time before, hadwaited on him, humbly to solicit the deliverance of his nephew, the lord de Château-vilain, who, by command of king Henry, had been long detained prisoner in Paris, but was soon after delivered, in consequence of the application of the lord de St George.
The duke returned in a few days to Paris, and thence, passing through Troyes, went to wait on his mother, the duchess-dowager, and his sisters, in Burgundy, who received him with the utmost joy. The usual oaths from his burgundian vassals were made him, and, having finished his business, he went to see his uncle in Savoy, who was much rejoiced, and, to do him the more honour, had justs and other entertainments for his amusement. When these were over, he returned to his duchy of Burgundy, where he remained a considerable time.