he entry
of his troops, and that his rival, the Count of Armagnac, had just
arrived and been put in possession of the military power, as constable,
and of the civil power, as superintendent-general of finance. The duke
then returned to Burgundy, and lost no time in recommencing hostilities
against the king's government. At one time he let his troops make war on
the king's and pillage the domains of the crown; at another he entered
into negotiations with the King of England, and showed a disposition to
admit his claims to such and such a province, and even perhaps to the
throne of France. He did not accede to the positive alliance offered him
by Henry; but he employed the fear entertained of it by the king's
government as a weapon against his enemies. The Count of Armagnac, on
his side, made the most relentless use of power against the Duke of
Burgundy and his partisans; he pursued them everywhere, especially in
Paris, with dexterous and pitiless hatred. He abolished the whole
organization and the privileges of the Parisian butcherdom which had
shown so favorable a leaning towards Duke John; and the system he
established as a substitute was founded on excellent grounds appertaining
to the interests of the people and of good order in the heart of Paris;
but the violence of absolute power and of hatred robs the best measures
of the credit they would deserve if they were more disinterested and
dispassionate. A lively reaction set in at Paris in favor of the
persecuted Burgundians; even outside of Paris several towns of
importance, Rheims, Chalons, Troyes, Auxerre, Amiens, and Rouen itself,
showed a favorable disposition towards the Duke of Burgundy, and made a
sort of alliance with him, promising to aid him "in reinstating the king
in his freedom and lordship, and the realm in its freedom and just
rights." The Count of Armagnac was no more tender with the court than
with the populace of Paris. He suspected, not without reason, that the
queen, Isabel of Bavaria, was in secret communication with and gave
information to Duke John. Moreover, she was leading a scandalously
licentious life at Vincennes; and one of her favorites, Louis de
Bosredon, a nobleman of Auvergne and her steward, meeting the king one
day on the road, greeted the king cavalierly and hastily went his way.
Charles VI. was plainly offended. The Count of Armagnac seized the
opportunity; and not only did he foment the king's ill-humor, but talked
to him