To these charges the count replied, that he always had been, and still was, ready to serve and obey the duke in all things, whom he considered so good and benevolent; that if there were none who had prejudiced the duke's mind against him, he trusted he should satisfy him, as to these accusations, if it were his pleasure to hear him in private, for that he should submit himself wholly to his gracious mercy,--but that if he would not hear him in private, he was ready to reply instantly and publicly to the accusations that had been laid against him. This was accepted; but, notwithstanding any defence or excuses that he made, he could not obtain the repossession of the lands of Enghien, and returned this time without effecting any thing. In this year of 1457, a splendid embassy, consisting of upwards of seven hundred horses, arrived at Tours from Lancelot king of Hungary and Bohemia. Among them were an archbishop, twelve or thirteen great barons, and more than thirty gentlemen, who were followed by twenty-six waggons richly adorned and well equipped, to carry their baggage. Before they entered the city, king Charles sent out the principal lords of his household to meet and escort them into the town: the churchmen and people went out also to do them honour; but the king then resided at a favourite palace at Montils la Tours, where he had been ill, so that the ambassadors were forced to remain ten days at Tours before they could have an audience. The ambassadors went to Montils les Tours on the 18th day of December, where they were presented to the king, the queen, their youngest son Charles, and the princess Magdalen. When the presentations were performed, the archbishop of Bolisdastain[236] made an harangue in Latin, in such terms as he had received from his sovereign, and discoursed first on the love and friendship that had always existed between the kings of France and the kings of Hungary and Bohemia,--adding, that it was in consequence of their mutual affection that the king of Hungary had sent this embassy. 'When,' continued he, 'peace and amity shall exist between you both, who in the world can hurt you? Thy predecessors and our sovereigns, the kings of Hungary and Bohemia, have been in alliance. Thou art the column of Christianity, and my sovereign lord is the shield: thou art the house of Christendom, and my sovereign is the wall.' Many other fine compliments he addressed to the king, and, at the conclusion, formally demanded in marriage the princess Magdalen for king Lancelot his lord, which had been before done in a private manner.