[18] For whom he seems to have had a profound hatred--"Kein grosser verzagter Bösswicht ist in aller Welt nit als er ist."--v. Kraus, p. 27. [19] "Per omnem exinde vitam, cum de ea M. mentionem inferret, aut fieri audiret, a lachrymis aut suspirio abstinere non poterat." [20] Comines: "Le dit seigneur me compta ces nouvelles, et en eust grande joye; et aussi que les deux enfans estoyent demourés en la gardes des Gandois, lesquels il cognoissoit enclins à noise et division contre ceste maison de Bourgonge et lui sembloit avoir trouvé l'heure, pour ce que le duc d'Austriche estoit jeune, et pour ce qu'il avoit encores père, et guerre partout, et estoit estranger, et mal accompaigné." [21] Auxerrois, Maconnais and Charolais were added by "nos seigneurs de Grand" (as Louis XI. called them), who wished to conduct the affair majestically. [22] When Maximilian had defeated the forces of the rebels. [23] The decree founding the League was dated March 10, 1488, but it was actually formed in the previous year. [24] A free Imperial city. [24a] _Vertr. Briefwechsel_, p. 68. [25] As a matter of fact, Flanders was a fief of the French Crown. [26] If we except his coronation. [27] Maximilian was represented by Wilhelm v. Polheim, his confidential agent in Brittany. [28] To be more exact, the Pope had _promised_ the dispensation: it was not actually published till December 16, 1491. Anne's matrimonial experiences form one of the most disgraceful incidents in all history. The shameless manner in which the Papacy issued this dispensation is only surpassed by the later bull which released Louis XII. from his virtuous though childless wife Jeanne, that he might marry Anne of Brittany. [29] Battle of Dournon, January 23, 1493, in which 4-5,000 French horse were defeated by Kappeller and his Germans, inferior in number, but possessed of cannon. They held a hollow way and withstood the repeated charges of the French cavalry.--Ulmann, _Kaiser Maximilian I._, i. 169. {26} III Das liebe heil'ge Röm'sche Reich, Wie hält's nur noch zusammen?--Faust.