ne
Visconti, the Duke of Milan's daughter, whose dowry had gone to pay the
ransom of King John, was at Chateau-Thierry when she heard of her
husband's murder. Hers was one of those natures, full of softness and at
the same time of fire, which grief does not overwhelm, and in which a
passion for vengeance is excited and fed by their despair. She started
for Paris in the early part of December, 1407, during the roughest
winter, it was said, ever known for several centuries, taking with her
all her children. The Duke of Berry, the Duke of Bourbon, the Count of
Clermont, and the constable went to meet her. Herself and all her train
in deep mourning, she dismounted at the hostel of St. Paul, threw herself
on her knees before the king with the princes and council around him, and
demanded of him justice for her husband's cruel death. The chancellor
promised justice in the name of the king, who added with his own lips,
"We regard the deed relating to our own brother as done to ourself." The
compassion of all present was boundless, and so was their indignation;
but it was reported that the Duke of Burgundy was getting ready to return
to Paris, and with what following and for what purpose would he come?
Nothing was known on that point. There was no force with which to make a
defence. Nothing was done for the Duchess of Orleans; no prosecution
began. As much vexed and irritated as disconsolate, she set out for
Blois with her children, being resolved to fortify herself there.
Charles had another relapse of his malady. The people of Paris, who were
rather favorable than adverse to the Duke of Burgundy, laid the blame of
the king's new attack, and of the general alarm, upon the Duchess of
Orleans, who was off in flight. John the Fearless actually re-entered
Paris on the 20th of February, 1408, with a thousand men-at-arms, amidst
popular acclamation, and cries of "Long live the Duke of Burgundy!"
Having taken up a strong position at the Hotel d'Artois, he sent a demand
to the king for a solemn audience, proclaiming his intention of setting
forth the motives for which he had caused the Duke of Orleans to be
slain. The 8th of March was the day fixed. Charles VI., being worse
than ever that day, was not present; the _dauphin_, Louis, Duke of
Guienne, a child of twelve years, surrounded by the princes, councillors,
a great number of lords, doctors of the university, burgesses of note,
and people of various conditions, took his