The duke weighed well these matters in his own breast, and considered with his council on the best means of securing his dominions, which seemed likely on the first fair opportunity, to be attacked. He had, however, about him many prudent and valiant men, who exerted themselves to the utmost to preserve peace and union,--and in particular, on the part of the French, the archbishop of Rheims, lord chancellor of France, was very active to preserve the peace from being infringed. And although the duchess of Burgundy had left the king in an ill humour, there were daily communications between well-intentioned men on both sides, to bring to an amicable conclusion what differences might exist between the king of France and the duke of Burgundy. CHAP. XLVIII. THE FORTRESS OF MONTAIGU[87], BELONGING TO THE LORD OF COMMERCY, IS DESTROYED, AND RAZED TO THE GROUND, BY ORDERS FROM THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY. Sir Robert de Sallebruche, lord of Commercy, pressed the king of France and his council for the restoration of his castle of Montaigu; but this lord de Commercy was not in the good graces of the duke of Burgundy, whose indignation he had incurred by injuries done to his country and subjects. He would not therefore consent that this castle should be restored in its present state, and insisted on its being demolished. The towns of Laon, Rheims, St Quentin, and others joined in this request, because the garrison had made very oppressive inroads on all the country round. It was, therefore, concluded, with the king's approbation, that those within it should give security to the king for its due surrender in the beginning of June in such state, entire or demolished, as it might please the duke of Burgundy. The duke instantly sent a numerous train of workmen, to destroy the castle: but, while this was doing, the lord de Commercy practised secretly to get possession of it from those to whose care it was intrusted by means of bribes. It was discovered,--and those suspected of being concerned were arrested, four of whom were beheaded: one of them was the governor of the town of Montaigu. In revenge for this attempt, the fortress was razed to the ground. It was seated very strongly on a high mountain, and the adjacent countries had suffered greatly from it. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 87: Montaigu,--a town in Picardy, near Laon.] CHAP. XLIX. THE KING OF FRANCE LAYS SIEGE TO, AND CONQUERS, THE TOWN OF CREIL[88]. When the king of France had resided about a month in Laon, he departed thence, and went, through Soissons and Noyon, to Compiégne, where he tarried some time to wait for his army that he was raising to march to Creil.