strewn along the ground in the immediate vicinity of the pool were close friends and followers of the duke, men who would, in all probability, have stayed faithfully by their master’s person, a volunteer bodyguard as long as they drew breath.  These bodies were all stripped naked.  Harpies had already gathered what plunder they could find, and no apparel or accoutrements were left to show the difference in rank between noble and page.  But the faces were recognisable and they were identified as well-known nobles of the Burgundian court.  Separated from this group by a little space at the very edge of the pool, was another naked body in still more doleful plight.  The face was disfigured beyond all semblance of what it might have been in life.  One cheek was bitten by wolves, one was imbedded in the frozen slime.  Yet there was evidence on the poor forsaken remains that convinced the searchers that this was indeed the mortal part of the great duke.  Two wounds from a pick and a blow above the ear—­inflicted by “one named Humbert”—­showed how death had been caused.  The missing teeth corresponded to those lost by Charles, there was a scar just where he had received his wound at Montl’hery, the finger nails were long like his, a wound on the shoulder, a fistula on the groin, and an ingrowing nail were additional marks of identification,—­six definite proofs in all.  Among those who gazed at this wretched sight, on that January morning, were men intimately acquainted with the duke’s person.

“There were his physician, a Portuguese named Mathieu, and his valets, besides Olivier de la Marche[18] and Denys his chaplain who were taken thither and there was no doubt that he was dead.  It has not yet been decided where he will be buried, and to know it better it [the body] has been bathed in warm water and good wine and cleansed.  In that state it was recognisable by all who had previously seen and known him.  The page who had given the information was taken to the king.  Had it not been for him it would never have been known what had become of him considering the state and the place where he was found."[19]

Before the body could be freed from the ice in which it was imbedded, implements had to be brought from Nancy.  Four Lorraine nobles hastened to the spot, when they heard the tidings, to show honour to the man who had been their accepted lord for a brief period, and they acted as escort as the burden was carried into the town and placed in a suitable chamber in the home of one George Marquiez.  There seems to have been no insult offered to the fallen man, no lack of deference in the proceedings.  The very spot where the bier rested for a moment was marked with a little black cross.

As the corpse was bathed, three wounds became evident—­a deep cut from a halberd in the head, spear thrusts through the thighs and abdomen—­proofs of the closeness of the last struggle.  When all the dignity possible had been given to the miserable human fragment and the chamber hung with conventional mourning, Rene came thither clad in black garments.  Kneeling by the bier, he said:  “Would to God, fair cousin, that your misfortunes and mine had not reduced you to the condition in which I see you.”