ubt. To St. Claude he travelled as rapidly
as his steed could go, and from that spot on Burgundian soil he
despatched the following exemplary letter to his father:

"MY VERY REDOUBTABLE LORD:

"To your good grace I recommend myself as humbly as I can. Be
pleased to know, my very redoubtable lord, that because, as you
know, my uncle of Burgundy intends shortly to go on a crusade
against the Turk in defence of the Catholic Faith and because my
desire is to go, your good pleasure permitting, considering that
our Holy Father the Pope bade me so to do, and that I am standard
bearer of the Church, and that I took the oath by your command, I
am now on my way to join my uncle to learn his plans so that I can
take steps for the defence of the Catholic Faith.

"Also, I wish to implore him to find means of reinstating me in
your good grace, which is something that I desire most in the
world. My very redoubtable lord, I pray God to give you good life
and long.

"Written at St. Claude the last day of August.

"Your very humble and obedient son,

"LOYS."[14]

This letter hardly succeeded in carrying conviction to the king.
He characterised the projected expedition to Turkey as a farce, a
pretence, and a frivolous excuse.[15] Probably, too, he did not
contradict his courtiers when they declared that the project had
been in the wind a long time, and that the Duke of Burgundy would
be prouder than ever to have the heir to France dependent on his
protection.

The epistle despatched, Louis continued his journey under the escort
of the Seigneur de Blaumont, Marshal of Burgundy, at the head of
thirty horse. Their pace was rapid to elude the pursuit of Tristan
l'Hermite. The prince needed no spurs to make him flee. Even if his
father did not intend to have him drowned in a sack his immediate
liberty was certainly in jeopardy. "In truth this thing was a
marvellous business. The Prince of Orange and the Marshal of Burgundy
were the two men whom the dauphin hated more than any one else,
but necessity, which knows no law, overcame the distaste of the
dauphin."[16]

Louvain was the next place where Louis felt safe enough to rest. Here
he wrote to the Duke of Burgundy to announce his arrival within his
territory. The letter found Philip in camp before Deventer. It is
evident that he was entirely taken by surprise, and was prepared to be
very cautious in his correspo