obliged soon after to capitulate; and Henry found his acquisition of so
little moment, though gained at the expense of some blood, and what, in
his present circumstances, was more important, of much valuable time,
that he immediately demolished the fortifications. The anxieties of the
French were again revived with regard to the motions of the English. The
Swiss at the same time had entered Burgundy with a formidable army, and
laid siege to Dijon, which was in no condition to resist them. Ferdinand
himself, though he had made a truce with Lewis, seemed disposed to lay
hold of every advantage which fortune should present to him. Scarcely
ever was the French monarchy in greater danger, or less in a condition
to defend itself against those powerful armies which on every side
assailed or threatened it. Even many of the inhabitants of Paris, who
believed themselves exposed to the rapacity and violence of the enemy,
began to dislodge, without knowing what place could afford them greater
security.

But Lewis was extricated from his present difficulties by the manifold
blunders of his enemies. The Swiss allowed themselves to be seduced into
a negotiation by Tremoille, governor of Burgundy; and without making
inquiry whether that nobleman had any powers to treat, they accepted of
the conditions which he offered them. Tremoille, who knew that he should
be disavowed by his master, stipulated whatever they were pleased to
demand; and thought himself happy, at the expense of some payments and
very large promises, to get rid of so formidable an enemy.[*]

The measures of Henry showed equal ignorance in the art of war with that
of the Swiss in negotiation. Tournay was a great and rich city, which,
though it lay within the frontiers of Flanders, belonged to France,
and afforded the troops of that kingdom a passage into the heart of the
Netherlands. Maximilian, who was desirous of freeing his grandson from
so troublesome a neighbor, advised Henry to lay siege to the place; and
the English monarch, not considering that such an acquisition nowise
advanced his conquests in France, was so imprudent as to follow this
interested counsel. The city of Tournay, by its ancient charters,
being exempted from the burden of a garrison, the burghers, against the
remonstrance of their sovereign, strenuously insisted on maintaining
this dangerous privilege; and they engaged, by themselves, to make a
vigorous defence against the enemy.[**] Their courage