[254] M. de Saint-Géran was an ensign of the gendarmes of the King's bodyguard, and one of the nobles who were known by the soubriquet of _The Seventeen_, among whom were the Marquis de Créquy and Bassompierre. He was a devoted ally of the Duc de Sully. [255] Bassompierre, _Mém_. p. 118. Sismondi, vol. xxii. pp. 378, 379. Richelieu, _Mém_. book vii. p. 335. [256] Richelieu, _Mém_. book vii. p. 335. [257] Unpublished _Mém_. of Richelieu in the archives of the Foreign Office. [258] Richelieu, _Mém_. book vii. p. 359. [259] Unpublished _Mém_. of Richelieu. [260] Richelieu, _Mém_. book vii. p. 368. Fontenay-Mareuil, p. 361. [261] Fontenay-Mareuil, book iii. p. 369. [262] Sismondi, vol. xxii. pp. 387, 388. CHAPTER IX 1617 The royal forces march against the insurgent Princes--Indignities offered to the young sovereign--Louis XIII and his favourite--Arrogance of the Maréchal d'Ancre--Indignation of the King--Confiscation of the property of the rebel Princes--Household of Louis XIII--Cabal of De Luynes--Infatuation of the Maréchal d'Ancre--An evil counsellor--Marie de Medicis resolves to withdraw from the Government, but is dissuaded from her purpose--Popular discontent--Precautions of Concini--Alarm of Louis XIII--The Duc de Nevers is declared guilty of _Use-majesté_--Firmness of the Queen-mother--Insolence of Concini and Richelieu--Condé is refused permission to justify himself--Success of the royal forces--Louis XIII consents to the arrest of the Maréchal d'Ancre--Bassompierre warns Marie de Medicis of her danger--She disregards the warning--Concini and Leonora prepare to leave France--Old grievances renewed--A diplomatic Janus--Blindness of Marie and her ministers--A new conspirator--How to be made a marshal--Incaution of De Luynes--Treachery of Richelieu--A narrow escape--A morning mass--Singular position of the Court--Assassination of Concini--Public rejoicings--Imprisonment of the Queen-mother--Barbin is sent to the Bastille--The seals are restored to Du Vair--A royal reception--Anguish of Marie de Medicis--She demands to see the King, and is refused--Her isolation--A Queen and her favourite--A mother and her son--Arrest of Madame d'Ancre--The Crown jewels--Political pillage--The Maréchale in the Bastille.