During these wars his ministers, who had the sole administration of affairs, engaged him on what side they pleased; and for the most part he entered into an alliance with the King of France against his own nephew, and in the end would have given his hereditary territories (which were very large) to a foreign family, and disappointed his own relations (for though he had been twice married, he never had any issue); but at last, about three years since[25], by the persuasion of another set of ministers, he conveyed all his estates to his nephew Maximilian (at present King of the Romans)[26], reserving only a pension of about a third part of the revenue, without any authority or power; but, as I have been informed, he has often repented of it since; and if the story be not true, it is at least very probable. And such is the fate of princes who live so carelessly, and like beasts; and who certainly are most highly to be condemned, upon account of the great responsibility and duty that God has laid upon them in this world. These errors and imprudent actions are not so much to be laid to the charge of weak and stupid princes, as of those who are endued with a sufficient share of sense and understanding, and yet squander away all their time in pleasure and folly; such princes have no claim on our compassion when any misfortune befals them. And, on the other side, those who divide their time according to their age, sometimes in council, and sometimes in festivities and diversions, are much to be commended; and those subjects are happy who have such princes to rule over them. The war in Burgundy was carried on for some time by help of the little assistance they received from the Germans: yet the king’s forces were too powerful for them; for the Burgundians wanted money, and their garrisons were corrupted. The Lord of Craon, who was the king’s lieutenant in those parts, besieged Dole[27], the chief town in the county of Burgundy; which he presumed he should quickly make himself master of, upon account of the weakness of the garrison[28]: but his confidence proved much to his disadvantage; for, being surprised by a sudden sally, he lost some few of his men, and a great part of his cannon; which so highly raised the king’s displeasure against him, that, being vexed at this unfortunate action, he began to think of sending a new governor into the county of Burgundy, not only upon account of this misfortune, but for the great and excessive sums of money which had been exacted in those parts. However, before the Lord of Craon laid down the command of the army, he engaged and defeated a party of Germans and Burgundians[29], in which action Monsieur de Chasteauguyon[30] (the greatest lord in Burgundy) was taken prisoner; but besides that, nothing of importance was done that day. I speak only by hear-say; though, if we may believe report, the Lord of Craon behaved himself with a great deal of valour and intrepidity in that engagement.