Page:Historyoffranc00yong.djvu/98

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74 HISTORY OF FRANCE. [chap. to La Tremouille. Philip of Burgundy signed a truce with Charles for two years, and as this put an end to all hope of taking young Henry to Rheims, he was crowned at Paris on the 17th of December, 1431, by his great uncle, Cardinal Beau/o7-f. But the Parisians showed only discon- tent, being afraid that under English rule their city would be reduced to a mere provincial town. Anne of Burgundy, Bedford's good duchess, who had been much loved there, and had been a bond of union between her brother and husband, died in 1432 ; and Bedford, by marrying Jaquetta of Luxemburg, a vassal of Burgundy, further affronted Duke Philip. ■ The Duke now began to draw nearer to the French interest : he released Ren^ of Anjou, and gave Lorraine back to him on condition of a future marriage between his daughter Yolande and Ferdinand, son of the Count of Vaudemont. Meanwhile, Charles, count oj Maine, Rent's youngest brother, together with the queen and Agnes Sorel, had reconciled themselves to the con- stable, and obtained of him some Bretons to kidnap La Tremouille, and carry him away from court, while the Count of IkLiine took the management of the king. 29. The Congress of Arras, 1435. — The war had be- come a weariness. Bedford's health was failing, and a great congress was held at Arras. The Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon, who had been captives in England ever since Azincour, were to come to it, but Bourbon died on the way. His son and the constable met Philip of Bur- gundy beforehand and agreed on terms. The Congress was attended by envoys from the pope and the emperor, and was exceedingly splendid, Philip playing the part of host with his wonted magnificence. After many discus- sions, during which no terms could be agreed on between England and Prance, Duke Philip made a separate treaty with France. Auxerre and Macon were ceded to him, with Amiens, Abbeville, and the other towns on the Somme, with a promise that France might buy these last back. Philip was also released, but for life only,from all homagefor the fiefs which he held of the French crown. This change of sides on the part of Burgundy made the English cause hopeless, and in September, 1435, it was still further weakened l>y the death of the great regent, Duke John of Bedford. War followed between England and Burgundy, and Ihimfrey duke of Gloucester, added the insult of causing his nephew Henry, as king of France, to grant him the county of Flanders, a possession of Duke Philip.