xli. Gairdner's
PASTON LETTERS, i. 27, 99.
(3) Champollion-Figeac, 377.
John the Fearless had been murdered in his turn on the bridge
of Montereau so far back as 1419. His son, Philip the Good -
partly to extinguish the feud, partly that he might do a
popular action, and partly, in view of his ambitious schemes,
to detach another great vassal from the throne of France -
had taken up the cause of Charles of Orleans, and negotiated
diligently for his release. In 1433 a Burgundian embassy was
admitted to an interview with the captive duke, in the
presence of Suffolk. Charles shook hands most affectionately
with the ambassadors. They asked after his health. "I am
well enough in body," he replied, "but far from well in mind.
I am dying of grief at having to pass the best days of my
life in prison, with none to sympathise." The talk falling
on the chances of peace, Charles referred to Suffolk if he
were not sincere and constant in his endeavours to bring it
about. "If peace depended on me," he said, "I should procure
it gladly, were it to cost me my life seven days after." We
may take this as showing what a large price he set, not so
much on peace, as on seven days of freedom. Seven days! - he
would make them seven years in the employment. Finally, he
assured the ambassadors of his good will to Philip of
Burgundy; squeezed one of them by the hand and nipped him
twice in the arm to signify things unspeakable before
Suffolk; and two days after sent them Suffolk's barber, one
Jean Carnet, a native of Lille, to testify more freely of his
sentiments.
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