The people, on their side, had not forgotten the promises which they had received of a reform in the government, and De Luynes still continued to give them hopes of their accomplishment; but as no measures to that effect were taken, they, at this period, demanded a new assembly of the States-General. They were, however, induced to modify this demand; and a meeting of the _Notables_[320] was finally conceded, which was to take place at Rouen on the 24th of November, in the presence of the sovereign. This assembly was accordingly held, but thanks to the influence of De Luynes produced none of the results which had been anticipated.[321] A few days before the departure of Marie de Medicis from Paris the King of Spain declared war against the Duke of Savoy, who immediately appealed to France for aid, which was in the first instance refused; but, on the representations of the Maréchal de Lesdiguières, it was finally accorded, and troops were raised which proceeded to Piedmont under the command of that general.[322] Such was the general aspect of the Court and kingdom of France at the close of the year 1617; of which we have considered it necessary to sketch the principal features, in order to remind the reader of the exact position of the country at the period of the Queen-mother's exile. Henceforward we shall principally confine ourselves to following her in her banishment. FOOTNOTES: [293] The Comte de Fiesque was the equerry of Anne of Austria. [294] Le Vassor, vol. i. pp. 643, 644. Pontchartrain, _Mém_. p. 223. [295] Sismondi, vol. xxii. pp. 396, 397. Richelieu, _Mém_. book viii. pp. 420-428. Rohan, _Mém_. p. 144. Le Vassor, vol. i. pp. 647-649. Mézeray, vol. xi. p. 139. Richelieu, _Hist, de la Mère et du Fils_ vol. i. pp. 200-202. [296] Richelieu, _Hist. de la Mère et du Fils_, vol. i. pp. 202-204. [297] Siri, _Mém. Rec_. vol. iv. p. 63. [298] Le Vassor, vol. i. p. 643. [299] Rohan, _Mém_. book i. [300] Bassompierre, _Mém_. p. 126. Le Vassor, vol. i. p. 653. [301] Richelieu, _Hist, de la Mère et du Fils_, vol. i. p. 200. [302] Déageant, _Mém_. pp. 65, 66. [303] The dower of the widowed Queens of France was twelve hundred thousand annual livres. [304] Mézeray, vol. xi. pp. 140, 141. Le Vassor, vol. i. pp. 655, 656. Sismondi, vol. xxii. p. 403. [305] Jean Goujon, a celebrated architect and sculptor, who was surnamed the Correggio of sculpture from the grace and beauty of his productions. The finest of his statues was the Hunting Diana, which long formed one of the treasures of Malmaison. The Fountain of the Innocents, the bas-reliefs of the Hôtel de Carnavalet, and those of the Louvre were alike the monuments of his genius. He was occupied in completing the latter when he was killed by the ball of a carbine during the massacre of St. Bartholomew. [306] Richelieu, Unpublished MSS.