[Illustration: Louis XI. and Charles the Rash at Peronne----209]
They made a more energetic and a longer resistance than had been
expected. The besiegers, confident in their strength, kept careless
watch, and the sorties of the besieged became more numerous. One night
Charles received notice that his men had just been attacked in a suburb
which they had held, and were flying. He mounted his horse, gave orders
not to awake the king, repaired by himself to the place where the fight
was, put everything to rights, and came back and told the whole affair to
Louis, who exhibited great joy. Another time, one dark and rainy night,
there was an alarm, about midnight, of a general attack upon the whole
Burgundian camp. The duke was soon up, and a moment afterwards the king
arrived. There was great disorder. "The Liegese sallied by this gate,"
said some; "No," said others, "it was by that gate!" there was nothing
known for certain, and there were no orders given. Charles was impetuous
and brave, but he was easily disconcerted, and his servants were somewhat
vexed not to see him putting a better countenance on things before the
king. Louis, on the other hand, was cool and calm, giving commands
firmly, and ready to assume responsibility wherever he happened to be.
"Take what men you have," said he to the constable St. Poi, who was at
his side, "and go in this direction; if they are really coming upon us,
they will pass that way." It was discovered to be a false alarm. Two
days afterwards there was a more serious affair. The inhabitants of a
canton which was close to the city, and was called Franchemont, resolved
to make a desperate effort, and go and fall suddenly upon the very spot
where the two princes were quartered. One night, about ten P. M., six
hundred men sallied out by one of the breaches, all men of stout hearts
and well armed. The duke's quarters were first attacked. Only twelve
archers were on guard below, and they were playing at dice. Charles was
in bed. Commynes put on him, as quickly as possible, his breastplate and
helmet, and they went down stairs. The archers were with great
difficulty defending the doorway, but help arrived, and the danger was
over. The quarters of King Louis had also been attacked; but at the
first sound the Scottish archers had hurried up, surrounded their master,
and repulsed the attack, without caring whether their arrows killed
Liegese or such Burgundians as had come up with assistance. The gallant
fellows from Franchemont fell, almost to a man. The duke and his
principal captains held a council the next day; and the duke was for
delivering the assault. The king was not present at this council, and
when he was informed of the resolution taken he was not in favor of an
assault. "You see," said he, "the courage of these people; you know how
murderous and uncertain is street fighting; you will lose many brave men
to no purpose. Wait two or three days, and the Liegese will infallibly
come to terms." Nearly all the Burgundian captains sided with the king.
The duke got angry. "He wishes to spare the Liegese," said he; "what
danger is there in this assault? There are no walls; they can't put a
single gun in position; I certainly will not give up the assault; if the
king is afraid, let him get him gone to Namur." Such an insult shocked
even the Burgundians. Louis was informed of it, but said nothing. Next
day, the 30th of October, 1468, the assault was ordered; and the duke
marched at the head of his troops. Up came the king; but, "Bide," said
Charles; "put not yourself uselessly in danger; I will send you word when
it is time." "Lead on, brother," replied Louis; "you are the most
fortunate prince alive; I will follow you." And he continued marching
with him. But the assault was unnecessary. Discouragement had taken
possession of the Liegese, the bravest of whom had fallen. It was
Sunday, and the people who remained were not expecting an attack; "the
cloth was laid in every house, and all were preparing for dinner." The
Burgundians moved forward through the empty streets; and Louis marched
quietly along, surrounded by his own escort, and shouting, "Hurrah for
Burgundy!" The duke turned back to meet him, and they went together to
give thanks to God in the cathedral of St. Lambert. It was the only
church which had escaped from the fury and the pillaging of the
Burgundians; by midday there was nothing left to take in the houses or in
the churches. Louis loaded Duke Charles with felicitations and
commendations: "He knew how to turn them in a fashion so courteous and
amiable that the duke was charmed and softened." The next day, as they
were talking together, "Brother," said the king to the duke, "if you
have still need of my help, do not spare me; but if you have nothing more
for me to do, it would be well for me to go back to Paris, to make public
in my court of parliament the arrangement we have come to together;
otherwise it would run a risk of becoming of no avail; you know that such
is the custom of France. Next summer we must meet again; you will come
into your duchy of Burgundy, and I will go and pay you a visit, and we
will pass a week joyously together in making good cheer." Charles made
no answer, and sent for the treaty lately concluded between them at
Peronne, leaving it to the king's choice to confirm or to renounce it,
and excusing himself in covert terms for having thus constrained him and
brought him away. The king made a show of being satisfied with the
treaty, and on the 2d of November, 1468, the day but one after the
capture of Liege, set out for France. The duke bore him company to
within half a league of the city. As they were taking leave of one
another, the king said to him, "If, peradventure, my brother Charles, who
is in Brittany, should be discontented with the assignment I make him for
love of you, what would you have me do?" "If he do not please to take
it," answered the duke, "but would have you satisfy him, I leave it to
you two." Louis desired no more: he returned home free and confident in
himself, "after having passed the most trying three weeks of his life."
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