Читать книгу Charles the Bold, Last Duke of Burgundy, 1433-1477 - Ruth Putnam - Страница 15
ОглавлениеIt is evident from all the stories that Charles protested against his father's orders as much as he dared and then obeyed simply because he could not help himself.
Yet, strange to say, the unwilling bridegroom proved a faithful husband in a court where marital fidelity was a rare trait.
Philip's plans for the international union against the Turk were less easily completed than those for the union of his son and his niece. In November, the diet met at Frankfort; the expedition was discussed and some resolutions were passed, but nothing further was achieved.
Charles VII. would not even promise co-operation on paper. He had gradually extended his own domain in French-speaking territory and had dislodged the English from every stronghold except Guisnes and Calais. Under him France was regaining her prestige. Charles had much to lose, therefore, in joining the undertaking urged by Philip and he was wholly unwilling to risk it. From him Philip obtained only expressions of general interest in the repulse of the Turks, and more definite suggestions of the dangers that would menace Western Europe if all her natural defenders carried their arms and their fortunes to the East.
When the anniversary of the great fête came round not a vow was yet fulfilled!
[Footnote 1: A performance repeated in our modern Lohengrin.]
[Footnote 2: The chroniclers are not at one on this point.]
[Footnote 3: DuClercq, Mémoires, ii., 159.]
[Footnote 4: This banquet at Lille was the subject of several descriptions by spectators or at least contemporary authors.]
[Footnote 5: Laborde, i., 127.]
[Footnote 6: II., 361.]
[Footnote 7: The text says in the Burgundian or recluse fashion. Béguine is probably the right reading.]
[Footnote 8: Mathieu d'Escouchy (ii., 222) gives all the vows as though made then, and differs in many unessential points from La Marche's account. The Count of St. Pol was the only knight present who made his going dependent on the consent of the King of France, a condition very displeasing to his liege lord of Burgundy.]
[Footnote 9: Du Clerq, ii., 203.]
[Footnote 10: '"Michel dit que le gigot de la cour était rompu."—La Marche, i., ch. xiv.]
[Footnote 11: Chastellain, iii., 20, note.]
[Footnote 12: "Toute fois que ce ne soit pas sans moy."]
[Footnote 13: The original, signed, is in the Archives de la Côte-d'Or, B. 200. See Du Fresne de Beaucourt, Histoire de Charles VII., v. 470.]
[Footnote 14: Chastellain, iii., 23, etc.]
[Footnote 15: Chastellain, iii., 24]
[Footnote 16: The chroniclers differ as to this date. Chastellain (iii., 25) says the first Sunday in Lent. D'Escouchy (ii., 270, ch. cxxii) the night of St. Martin. Alienor de Poictiers, Hallowe'en (Les Honneurs de la Cour, p. 187). The last was one of Isabella's ladies in waiting.]
