“Diverse were the opinions in the above-mentioned council-meeting.  Some held that the safe-conduct accorded to the king protected him, seeing that he fairly observed the peace as it had been stated in writing.  Others rudely urged his capture without further ceremony, while others again advised sending for his brother, the Duke of Normandy, and concluding with him a peace to the advantage of all the princes of France.  They who gave this advice thought that in case it was adopted, the king should be restrained of his liberty.  Further, it was against all precedent to free so great a seigneur when he had committed so grave an offence.

“This last argument so nearly prevailed that I saw a man booted and spurred ready to depart with a packet of letters addressed to Monseigneur of Normandy, being in Brittany, and stayed only for the Duke of Burgundy’s letter.  However, this came to naught.  The king made overtures to leave as hostages the Duke of Bourbon, the cardinal, his brother, and the constable with a dozen others while he should be permitted to return to Compiegne after peace was concluded.  He promised that the Liegeois should repair their mischief or he would declare himself their foe.  The appointed hostages were profuse in their offers to immolate themselves, at least they were in public.  I do not know whether they would have said the same things in private.  I rather suspect not.  And in truth, I believe that those who were left would never have returned.

“On the third night after the arrival of the news, the duke never undressed, but lay down two or three times on his bed, and then rose and walked up and down.  Such was his way when he was troubled.  I lay that night in his chamber and talked with him from time to time.  In the morning his fury was greater than ever, his tone very menacing, and he seemed ready to go to any extreme.

“However, he finally brought himself to say that if the king would swear the peace and would accompany him to Liege to help avenge Monsgn. of Liege, his own kinsman, he would be satisfied.  Then he suddenly betook himself to the king’s chamber and expressed himself to that effect.  The king had a friend[15] who warned him, assuring him that he should suffer no ill if he would concede these two points.  Did he do otherwise he ran grave risk, graver than he would ever incur again.”

When the duke entered the royal presence his voice trembled, so agitated was he and on the verge of breaking into a passion.  He assumed a reverential attitude, but rough were mien and word as he demanded whether the king would keep the treaty of peace as it had been drafted, and whether he was ready to swear to it.  “Yes” was the king’s response.  In truth, nothing had been added to the agreement made before Paris, or at least little as far as the Duke of Burgundy was concerned.  As regarded the Duke of Normandy, it was stipulated that if he would renounce that province he should have Champagne and Brie besides other neighbouring territories for his share.

    Then the duke asked if the king would accompany him to avenge the
    outrage committed upon his cousin the bishop.