CHAP. LXVIII.
KING CHARLES OF FRANCE SENDS AMBASSADORS TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY AT ARRAS.
ABOUT this time, ambassadors were sent to the duke of Burgundy, at Arras, by king Charles of France, to treat of a peace between them. The principal persons of this embassy were, the archbishop of Rheims, Christopher de Harcourt, the lords de Dammartin, de Gaucourt and de Fontaines, knights, with some counsellors of state. Having demanded an audience, some few days after their arrival, they remonstrated through the mouth of the archbishop with the duke of Burgundy, most discreetly and wisely on the cause of their coming, and, among other topics, enlarged on the perfect affection the king bore him, and on his earnest desire to be at peace with him,—for which purpose, he was willing to make condescensions and reparations even more than were becoming royal majesty.
They excused him of the murder committed on the person of the late duke of Burgundy, on the score of his youth, alledging that he was then governed by persons regardless of the welfare of the kingdom, but whose measures at that time he dared not oppose.
These and other remonstrances from the archbishop were kindly listened to by the duke and his council; and when he had finished speaking, one of the duke's ministers replied, 'My lord and his council have heard with attention what you have said: he will consider on it, and you shall have his answer within a few days.'
The archbishop and his companions now returned to their hôtel, much respected by all ranks, for the majority of the states were very desirous of a peace between the king and the duke of Burgundy. Even those of the middle ranks, although there was neither truce nor peace, came to the chancellor of France at Arras, to solicit letters of grace and remission, as if the king had been in the full possession of his power,—which grants, however, they obtained from the archbishop as chancellor.
The duke of Burgundy held many consultations with those of his privy council, which much hastened the conclusion of this business.