Beside the bed, and bowed with grief, knelt Anton, a half-brother of Charles. Though reviled by the Duke as a bad and ungrateful kinsman, he now refused to be parted from the dead. His sobs, the outpouring of the grief of a brave soldier, penetrated the hearts of all who entered the room. Last came Duke René clad in deepest mourning, but wearing, in accordance with the old knightly custom, a long beard of spun gold, in token of victory over a princely foe who had fallen in battle. With deep emotion he grasped the hand of the dead, saying in a low voice: “God rest your soul, fair cousin! Much sorrow and trouble have you caused us, yet ’twas by no will of ours that you were brought to this.” After sprinkling the corpse with holy water he knelt before the altar, where he remained in prayer while the knights and courtiers of Burgundy and Lorraine paid the last honors to Charles the Bold. On the twelfth of January, 1477, the last Duke of Burgundy was laid to rest in St. George’s Church at Nancy, whence he was removed in 1550 by his mighty great-grandson the Emperor Charles the Fifth, who wished that the remains of his ancestor might be buried in his native town of Bruges. Freed at last from their bitterest enemy, and crowned with victory, the Swiss returned to their homes and exchanged the implements of war for those of peace. With his youth and strength, Walter Irmy was soon restored to health and to the arms of his father, whose large business he conducted to the entire satisfaction of the worthy Councillor. Honored by his fellow-citizens and beloved by his people, he lived long and happily with his good wife, surrounded by a group of children who were the joy and delight of their grandfather. Who knows? Perchance his spirit lingers yet about the good city of Basle, ready to prove to the enemies of his country that the victors of Granson and Murten have not perished, but still live on in the courage and valor of their descendants. Appendix The following is a chronological statement of the principal events in the life of Charles the Bold during the period described in this volume: 1444 The French troops defeated at Saint Jacob. 1469 Charles the Bold secures Sigismund’s possessions. 1469 Charles appoints Hagenbach governor. 1473 Sigismund becomes an ally of Louis of France. 1473 Flight of Emperor Frederick from Treves. 1474 The “Everlasting Compact” signed. 1474 Hagenbach captured and put to death. 1474 Swiss Confederates declare war against Charles. 1476 Massacre of garrison at Granson. March 2, 1476 Charles defeated at Granson. June 9, 1476 Charles defeated at Murten. January 5, 1477 Charles defeated and killed under the walls of Nancy. Footnotes