your people nor I for mine.  Nor could the two forces make juncture without attack, and my brother of Brittany would be very far from both.  To my mind, your best landing is Normandy, either at the mouth of the Seine or at La Hogue.  I do not doubt that you will soon gain possession of cities and places, and you will be at the right hand of my brother of Brittany and of me.  Tell me how many ships you want and where you wish me to send them and I will do it.”

On hearing further rumours of the actual arrival of the English, Louis hastened to Normandy to inspect the situation for himself.  There he learned that his own naval forces stationed in the Channel to ward off the invaders had landed on the very day before his arrival, abandoning the task.

“When I heard that we took no action, I decided that my best plan would be to turn my people loose in Picardy and let them lay waste the country whence they [the English] expected to get their supplies."[4]

At the same time, the rumour that was permitted to be current in France was, that Charles of Burgundy had been utterly defeated at Neuss, and that there was nothing whatsoever to apprehend from him.  He, meanwhile, was continuing his own preparations by strenuous endeavours to levy more troops and to obtain fresh supplies.  After the signing of the convention with the emperor, the duke proceeded to Bruges to meet the Estates of Flanders.  The answer to his demand for subsidies was a respectful refusal to furnish funds, on the plea that his expansion policy was ruining his lands.  Counter reproaches burst from Charles.  He accused the deputies of leaving him in the lurch and thus causing his failure at Neuss.  Neither money, nor provisions, nor soldiers had they sent him as loyal subjects should.

[Illustration:  KING RUHMREICH AND HIS DAUGHTER EHRENREICH

CHARACTERS REPRESENTING CHARLES AND MARY OF BURGUNDY IN WOODCUT IN EARLY EDITION OF TEMDANK.  POEM BY MAXIMILIAN I.]

“For whom does your prince labour?  Is it for himself or for you, for your defence?  You slumber, he watches.  You nestle in warmth, he is cold.  You are snug in your houses while he is beaten by the wind and rain.  He fasts, you gorge at your ease....  Henceforth you shall be nothing more than subjects under a sovereign.  I am and I will be master, bearding those who oppose me."[5]

Then turning to the prelates he continued:  “Do you obey diligently and without poor excuses or your temporal goods shall be confiscated.”  To the nobles:  “Obey or you shall lose your heads and your fiefs.”  Finally, he addressed the deputies of the third estate in a tone full of bitterness:  “And you, you eaters of good cities, if you do not obey my orders literally as my chancellor will explain them to you, you shall forfeit privileges, property, and life.”