The king was so troubled, for fear of some accident happening to the count, that he swore he would not drink until he should hear something of him. In the mean time, the count, doubting that the king would be uneasy at his absence, and learning from his host that he was but two leagues from Tours, wrote him an account where he was by one his servants, whom he sent under the guidance of a peasant, and desired him not to be uneasy at his absence, for that he had only lost his way. The king, on the receipt of this letter, was much rejoiced and sent for him very early the next morning. The duke of Somerset was at this time with the king of France, having been banished England by king Edward, whose enemy he was, and against whom he had made war, in support of queen Margaret's quarrel. He had fled to France to take refuge under king Charles, but, on his arrival, had found him dead. He had been arrested by the officers of the new king, and carried to his hôtel; but at the request of the count de Charolois, the king gave him not only his liberty but handsome presents of gold and silver, for he was a great favourite with the count, because he was his relative, and also because he preferred the party of king Henry to that of king Edward, although he knew well that his father the duke of Burgundy, was of a contrary way of thinking. The duke of Somerset was desirous of retiring into Scotland; but as he was informed that king Edward had put spies to watch his conduct, he withdrew to Bruges, where he remained in private a considerable time. The count de Charolois, having staid nearly a month with the king, was desirous to take his leave, which the king granted, together with an annual pension of thirty-six thousand francs, and appointed him his lieutenant general of Normandy. The count returned by Blois, where he was handsomely entertained by the duke of Orleans, and thence proceeded through Normandy. He was met by processions from all the principal towns through which he passed, and received as many honours as if he had been the king himself,--for the king had so ordered, by commands which he had sent to the different towns. At Rouen, in particular, he was magnificently received. He passed through Abbeville and Hêdin without stopping any where, until he came to Aire, where his countess was: from Aire he soon after departed, to wait on his father the duke of Burgundy then at Brussels. About this time, John bishop of Arras, through the instigation of the pope, prevailed on the king of France to abolish the pragmatic sanction[24], which had been established in France for upward of thirty years. In return for having done this, the pope sent him the red hat, and made him a cardinal, under title of Cardinal of Arras. While this pragmatic sanction was in force, the benefices of the kingdom were disposed of at the nomination of the universities, whence arose innumerable law suits,--and this practice was greatly prejudicial to the court of Rome.