merous body of
Germans were preparing to ravage Burgundy: but all these perils from
foreign enemies were less threatening than a domestic conspiracy, which
had been formed, and which was now come to full maturity, against the
French monarch.

* Guicciard. lib. xiv.

Charles, duke of Bourbon, constable of France, was a prince of the most
shining merit; and, besides distinguishing himself in many military
enterprises, he was adorned with every accomplishment which became a
person of his high station. His virtues, embellished with the graces of
youth, had made such impression on Louise of Savoy, Francis's mother,
that, without regard to the inequality of their years, she made him
proposals of marriage; and meeting with a repulse, she formed schemes
of unrelenting vengeance against him. She was a woman false, deceitful,
vindictive, malicious; but, unhappily for France, had, by her capacity,
which was considerable, acquired an absolute ascendant over her son. By
her instigation, Francis put many affronts on the constable, which it
was difficult for a gallant spirit to endure; and at last he permitted
Louise to prosecute a lawsuit against him, by which, on the most
frivolous pretences, he was deprived of his ample possessions; and
inevitable ruin was brought upon him.

Bourbon, provoked at all these indignities, and thinking that, if
any injuries could justify a man in rebelling against his prince
and country, he must stand acquitted, had entered into a secret
correspondence with the emperor and the king of England.[*] Francis,
pertinacious in his purpose of recovering the Milanese, had intended to
lead his army in person into Italy; and Bourbon, who feigned sickness
in order to have a pretence for staying behind, purposed, as soon as
the king should have passed the Alps, to raise an insurrection among
his numerous vassals, by whom he was extremely beloved, and to introduce
foreign enemies into the heart of the kingdom. Francis got intimation
of his design; but as he was not expeditious enough in securing so
dangerous a foe, the constable made his escape;[**] and entering into
the emperor's service, employed all the force of his enterprising
spirit, and his great talents for war, to the prejudice of his native
country.

The king of England, desirous that Francis should undertake his Italian
expedition, did not openly threaten Picardy this year with an invasion;
and it was late before the duke of Suffolk, who command