ed by certain historians and romancers evidently
rests upon no solid foundation. (4)

1 Renee, the younger daughter of Louis XII. and Anne of
Brittany, subsequently celebrated as Renee of Ferrara.

2 This letter is preserved at the Bibliotheque Nationale,
Bethune MSS., No. 8496, fol. xiii.

3 _Captivite de Francois Ier, &c_., pp. 167-207.

4 Varillas is the principal historian who has mentioned
this supposed intrigue, which also furnished the subject of
a romance entitled _Histoire de Marguerite, Reine de
Navarre, &c._, 1696.

After three months of negotiations, continually broken off and renewed,
Margaret and her brother, feeling convinced of Charles V.'s evil
intentions, resolved to take steps to ensure the independence of France.
By the King's orders Robertet, his secretary, drew up letters-patent,
dated November 1525 by which it was decreed that the young Dauphin
should be crowned at once, and that the regency should continue in the
hands of Louise of Savoy, but that in the event of her death the same
power should be exercised by Francis's "very dear and well-beloved only
sister, Margaret of France, Duchess of Alencon and Berry." (1) However,
all these provisions were to be deemed null and void in the event of
Francis obtaining his release.

It has been erroneously alleged that Margaret on leaving Spain took
this deed of abdication with her, and that the Emperor, informed of
the circumstance, gave orders for her to be arrested as soon as
her safe-conduct should expire. (2) However, it was the Marshal de
Montmorency who carried the deed to France, and Charles V. in ordering
the arrest of Margaret had no other aim than that of securing an
additional hostage in case his treaty with Francis should not be
fulfilled.

1 _Captivite de Francois 1er, &c._, p. 85.

2 Genin's Notice in the _Lettres de Marguerite, &c._, p.
25.

Margaret, pressed by her brother, at last asked for authorisation to
leave Spain. By the manner in which the permission was granted she
perceived that the Emperor wished to delay rather than hasten her
journey. During November she wrote Francis a letter in which this
conviction was plainly expressed, and about the 19th of the month she
left Madrid upon her journey overland to France.

At first she travelled very leisurely, but eventually she received
a message from her brother, advising her to hasten her speed, as the
Emperor