In this army there were likewise one Monsieur du Lau (who had been a favourite of the king’s, but upon some disgust had been kept afterwards a prisoner by him a long time, till at length he made his escape, and fled into Burgundy), the Lord d’Urfé[218], since master of the horse to the King of France, and the Lord Poncet de Rivière; all which company arrived before Peronne as the king came into the town. Bresse and the three last entered the town with St. Andrew’s cross upon their clothes (supposing they should have been in time enough to have paid their respects to the Duke of Burgundy, and to have attended him when he went out to receive the king), but they came a little too late: however, they went directly to the duke’s chamber to pay their duty, and in the name of the rest, the Count of Bresse humbly besought his highness that himself and his three companions might have his protection (notwithstanding the king was in the town), according to the promise he was pleased to make them in Burgundy; and at the same time assured him they were at his service, when and against whomsoever he might command them. The duke returned them thanks, and promised them protection. The rest of this army, under the command of the Marshal of Burgundy, encamped by the duke’s orders in the fields. The marshal had no more affection for the king than the above-mentioned gentlemen had; for the king had given him the government of Espinal in Lorraine, and taken it from him afterwards to give it to John, Duke of Calabria (who has often been mentioned before). The king had notice presently of all these persons being in the town, and of the habits in which they arrived, which put him into a great consternation; so that he sent to the Duke of Burgundy to desire he might be lodged in the castle, for he knew those gentlemen were his mortal enemies; the duke was extremely glad to hear it, appointed him his own lodgings, and sent to him to bid him fear nothing. CH. VI.—A Digression concerning the Advantage which the Knowledge of Letters, and more especially of History, is to Princes and great Lords.