Illustration:  MARY OF BURGUNDY (AFTER THE DESIGN BY C. LAPLANTE)]

Before Charles arrived at the rendezvous, another event had occurred that had an important bearing on his fortunes.  Nicholas, Duke of Lorraine, died (July 27th), leaving no direct heir.  He had been relinquished as a son-in-law, but the geographical position of his duchy made the question of its sovereignty all important to Charles of Burgundy.  If it could be under his own control, how convenient for the passage of his troops from Luxemburg to the south!  The taste for duchies like many another can grow by what it feeds upon.

Prepared to set out for his journey to Treves, Charles hastened his movements and proceeded to Metz with an escort so large that it had a formidable aspect to the city fathers.  Whether they feared that their free city was too tempting a base for attack on Lorraine or not, the magistrates yet found it expedient to keep the Burgundian thousands without their walls.  The emperor, too, was on his way to Treves.  Many of his suite were occupying quarters in Metz.  Room might be found for Charles and his immediate retainers, indeed, but the troops must make themselves as comfortable as possible outside the gates.  So said the burgomaster, and Charles was forced to yield and he made a splendid entry into the town under the prescribed conditions.

His own paraphernalia had been forwarded from Antwerp, so that there should be an abundance of plate, tapestry, etc., to grace his temporary quarters, and the forests of Luxemburg had been scoured to secure game for the banquets.

It was all very fine, but Charles was not in a humour to be pleased.  He was annoyed about his troops; very probably he had intended leaving a portion at Metz, ready to be available in Lorraine if occasion offered.  He cut short his stay in the town and marched on with his imposing escort to Treves, whence he hoped to march out again a greater personage than any Duke of Burgundy had ever been.[11]

[Footnote 1:  Commines, iv., ch. i.]

[Footnote 2:  Hist. de l’Ordre, etc., p. 64.  One of the places to be filled at this session was that of Frank van Borselen, the widower of Jacqueline, Countess of Holland.  Thus the last faint trace of the ancient family disappeared.  It is expressly stated in the minutes of the session that Adolf of Guelders was asked to nominate candidates from his prison, but he would not do it.  Striking is Charles’s remark on the nomination of the son of the King of Naples.  Considering that the Order was already decorated and honoured by four kings, very excellent, he judged it more a propos to distribute the five empty collars within his own states.  Nevertheless the infant was elected, as was also Engelbert of Nassau.

Various members are criticised as permitted by the rules of the Order.  There was reproach for Anthony the Bastard for taking a gift of 20,000 crowns from Louis XI.  Payable as it was in terms, it savoured of a pension.  Had Henry van Borselen done all he could to prevent Warwick’s landing in England? etc.