in seeking who may take his place upon the throne, to the end that the common weal remain not in peril, neglected and without a head.  That is why on the last occasion we deemed it useful to put off this matter, in order that each of ye might come hither and submit to the assembly the opinion with which God should have inspired him, and that from all those sentiments might be drawn what is the general will.  Here be we assembled:  let us, then, be guided by our wisdom and our good faith to act in such sort that hatred stifle not reason, and affection distort not truth.  We be not ignorant that Charles hath his partisans, who maintain that he ought to come to the throne transmitted to him by his relatives.  But if we examine this question, the throne is not acquired by hereditary right, and we be bound to place at the head of the kingdom none but him who not only hath the distinction of corporeal nobility, but hath also honor to recommend him and magnanimity to rest upon.  We read in the annals that to emperors of illustrious race, whom their own laches caused to fall from power, succeeded others, at one time similar, at another different; but what dignity could we confer on Charles, who hath not honor for his guide, who is enfeebled by lethargy, and who, finally, hath lost head so far that he hath no shame in serving a foreign king, and in misuniting himself to a woman taken from the rank of the knights his vassals?  How could the puissant duke brook that a woman issuing from a family of his vassals should become queen, and have dominion over him?  How could he walk behind her whose equals and even superiors bend the knee before him and place their hands beneath his feet?  Examine carefully into the matter, and consider that Charles hath been rejected more through his own fault than that of others.  Decide ye rather for the good than the ill of the common weal.  If ye wish it ill, make Charles sovereign; if ye hold to its prosperity, crown Hugh, the illustrious duke.  Let attachment to Charles seduce nobody, and let hatred towards the duke distract nobody, from the common interest. . . .  Give us then, for our head, the duke, who has deeds, nobility, and troops to recommend him; the duke, in whom ye will find a defender not only of the common weal, but also of your private interests.  Thanks to his benevolence, ye will have in him a father.  Who hath had recourse to him and hath not found protection?  Who, that hath been torn from the care of home, hath not been restored thereto by him?’

“This opinion having been proclaimed and well received, Duke Hugh was unanimously raised to the throne, crowned on the 1st of July by the metropolitan and the other bishops, and recognized as king by the Gauls, the Britons, the Normans, the Aquitanians, the Goths, the Spaniards, and the Gascons.  Surrounded by the grandees of the kingdom, he passed decrees and promulgated laws according to royal custom, regulating successfully and disposing of all matters.  That