A running commentary of international criticism, fine feasts, ostensible negotiations about projects that probably no one expected would come to pass, and an undercurrent, persistent and mandatory, of demands emphatically made on one side, feebly accepted by the other while the two principals were together, and petulantly disliked by the emperor as soon as he was alone again —­such was the course of the conference.

Frederic III. had one simple desire—­to marry his son to the Burgundian heiress.  Charles desired many things, some of which are clear and others obscure.  The very fact that the emperor did not at once refuse his demands, gave him confidence that all were obtainable.  Very probably he hoped to overawe his feudal chief by a display of his resources, and by showing the high esteem in which he was held by all nations.  There at Treves, embassies came to him from England, from various Italian and German states, and from Hungary.

On October 15th, a treaty was signed that made the new Duke of Lorraine virtually a vassal to Charles, an important step towards Burgundian expansion.  There was time and to spare for these many comings and goings during the eight weeks of the sojourn at Treves, and the duke was not idle.  That his own business hung fire, he thought was due to the machinations of Louis XI.  He had no desire to prolong his visit, for he was well aware of the risk involved in keeping his troops in Treves.[8] At first the magnificence of his equipage had amused the quiet old town, but little by little, in spite of the duke’s strict discipline, the presence of idle soldiers became very onerous.  Charles did not hesitate to hang on the nearest tree a man caught in an illicit act, but much lawlessness passed without his knowledge.  Provisions became very dear; there was some danger of an epidemic due to the unsanitary conditions of the place, ill fitted to harbour so many strangers.  The precautions instituted by the Roman founders in regard to their water supply had long since fallen into disuse.

Weary of delays, the duke demanded a definite answer from the emperor as to the proposed kingdom, the matrimonial alliance, and his own status.  Frederic appeared about to acquiesce, and then substituted vague promises for present assent to the demands.  But when Charles, indignant, broke off negotiations on October 31st, and began to prepare for immediate departure, Frederic became anxious, renewed his overtures, and a new conference took place, in which he consented to fulfil the duke’s wishes, with the proviso the sanction of his election should be obtained.

Charles promised to go against the Turk in person, and to place a thousand men at Frederic’s disposal, so soon as all points at issue between him and Louis XI. were settled, and provided that his estates were erected into a kingdom, which