And Jeanne resolved to do so, but this was not allowed. After a few days
Charles announced his intention of returning to the Loire, and ordered
the army to make ready for the march. And now the cause of the shameful
treason at Paris was learned. There was a new treaty with Burgundy.
Charles had signed it just before coming to St. Denys. La Trémouille and
his party had triumphed, and an inglorious armistice which was to last
until Christmas was the result. The position of the Favorite was becoming
precarious under the great national feeling that was beginning to sweep
the land, and his only safety from his foes was to keep his hold upon
Charles. To this end the King was persuaded to consent to the abandonment
of the campaign. Charles was not difficult to win over, for by so doing
he would be left in peace to pursue his pleasures, and La Trémouille
would be free to misrule France as he liked.
The truce covered the whole of the country north of the Seine from
Nogent, sixty miles above Paris, to the sea. While it lasted Charles
might not receive the submission of any city or town, however desirous it
might be to acknowledge him, although strangely enough he might attack
Paris, while equally as strange, Burgundy might assist the Regent to
defend it against him. Compiègne was to be given as hostage to Burgundy.
The French hoped by giving him this city that he might be drawn from the
English alliance.
Compiègne, however, refused to be given, thereby showing more loyalty to
the cause of France than did the poor stick of a King. Burgundy entered
into the truce for his own purposes, playing France against England to
increase his power at French expense. Philip was justified in seeking a
truce, for many towns which had been Burgundian had thrown off such
allegiance, and turned to Charles. He wished to prevent such desertions
for the future. England might come into this peace at any time if she
wished. This left England free to wage war against France, and the French
could move against the English, but not if any stronghold was held for
the English by the Burgundians. It is difficult to see what France hoped
to gain by such an armistice, though there were those among the
Councillors who sincerely believed that from the arrangement a lasting
peace might result both with Burgundy and the English. Later it was
learned how Burgundy had beguiled them. Alençon and the captains
denounced the truce bitterly.
"If the King had taken Paris, he could have made his own terms with
Philip," the young duke told Jeanne.
"The noble King is deceived," said the girl sorrowfully. "There will be
no peace with Burgundy for six years, and not until seven are sped shall
the King enter his capital."
"Jeanne, do you in truth know that?" questioned the young man quickly.
"You speak as though you do."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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