The Life of Marie de Medicis — Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 432 pages of information about The Life of Marie de Medicis — Volume 2.

The Life of Marie de Medicis — Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 432 pages of information about The Life of Marie de Medicis — Volume 2.

The treaty of Loudun was no sooner concluded than the revolted nobles separated, each dissatisfied with the other, and all murmuring at the insufficiency of the recompense by which their several concessions had been met.  The Prince de Conde, on his convalescence, withdrew to Berry, which government had been given to him in exchange for that of Guienne; Sully retired to Poitou, and the Duc de Rohan returned to La Rochelle; while of all the lately disaffected leaders the Marechal de Bouillon and the Duc de Mayenne alone proceeded to Court, in order to claim the immunities promised in requital of their secession from the interests of the Prince de Conde.  The King and the two Queens were residing at the Louvre on their arrival, where they had every reason to be satisfied with their reception; and the Marechal d’Ancre, who, terrified by the undisguised hostility of the Parisians, had not ventured to accompany his royal mistress, no sooner ascertained the return of the two nobles to the capital than he hastened to make them the most brilliant offers in the event of their consenting to espouse his interests.  Neither the Marechal nor the Duke were, however, disposed to second his views, and only profited by his advances to swell the ranks of his enemies.  This was a task of comparatively slight difficulty, as all classes in the kingdom considered themselves aggrieved by his unparalleled prosperity; and thus, ere long, the Duc de Guise was prevailed upon to join the new cabal, into which it was only further deemed necessary to enlist M. de Conde.  Bouillon, who possessed great influence over the Prince, exerted himself strenuously to prevent his return to Court, in order to increase his own consequence in the estimation of the Queen-mother; but his efforts proved ineffectual, as M. de Conde believed it to be more compatible with his own interests to effect a reconciliation with the Crown; and, acting upon this impression, he pledged himself to support Concini, on condition that he should be appointed chief of the Council of Finance, and take a share in the government.  His proposal was accepted, and to the great annoyance of M. de Bouillon, the Prince once more appeared at Court.  His reception by the citizens was, however, so enthusiastic that Marie de Medicis became alarmed, until she was assured by Richelieu, then the open and zealous ally of the Marechal d’Ancre, that the King had nothing to fear from a popularity which would only tend to render M. de Conde a more efficient ally; an assurance which afforded so much gratification to the Queen-mother, that she repaid it by appointing the Bishop of Lucon Almoner to the young Queen, and shortly afterwards Councillor of State.[234]

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Life of Marie de Medicis — Volume 2 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.