CHAP. XIX.
THE CARDINAL OF SANTA CROCE IS SENT BY THE POPE TO FRANCE, TO ENDEAVOUR TO MAKE PEACE BETWEEN THE CONTENDING PARTIES.
At this time, our holy father the pope sent to France the cardinal of Santa Croce to appease the quarrel between the king of France on the one part, and Henry king of England and the duke of Burgundy on the other. The cardinal made great exertions to procure a peace, but in vain: however, he did succeed by his diligence in establishing a truce between the king of France and the duke of Burgundy for six years,—and they mutually exchanged assurances of this truce under their hands and seals, drawn up in the strongest manner.
The people fondly hoped that this truce would be lasting, and in consequence returned to their agricultural labours, restocking their farms with cattle and other things: but their joy did not long continue, for within the first half year, so bitter were the parties against each other, the war recommenced with greater fury than before.
The principal reason for this renewal of war was owing to the French seizing some of the burgundian party with the English; and in like manner, some poor adventurers among the Burgundians having joined the English, and wearing a red cross, made war on the French,—so that by these means the truce was broken. Justice was no where attended to, and numberless plunderings were daily practised against the lower orders of the people and the clergy; for notwithstanding they paid very large sums to the leaders of the two parties, according to the country they lived in, to enjoy security, and had received from them sealed papers as assurances of not being disturbed, no attention was paid to them, and thus they had none other resource than to offer up their prayers to God for vengeance on their oppressors.