the elector of
Brandenburg, whom he knew to be influential with the emperor, and
who was a leader in the anti-Burgundian and anti-Bohemian German
party. This seemed fair, but the emperor suddenly put on a show of
authority and declared, with an injured air, that he was perfectly
free to act on his own initiative without confirmation. In the
interests of Christianity and of the empire he would appoint
Charles of Burgundy chief of the crusade, and he would crown him
king.

The organised opposition to his plan came to the duke's ears and
made him very angry. Yet, at the same time, he had no desire
to dispense with electoral consent. Possibly he felt that the
imperial staff alone was too feeble to conjure his kingdom into
permanent existence. It was finally decided that Frederic III.
should display his power to the extent of investing Charles
at once with the duchy of Guelders, while the more important
investiture should be postponed.

Very imposing was the ceremony enacted in the market-place.
Frederic was exalted upon a high platform ascended by a flight
of steps. Charles, clad in complete steel but bareheaded and
unattended, rode slowly around the platform three times, "which
they say was the custom in such solemnities of investiture," adds
an eyewitness,[10] as though he considered the ceremony somewhat
archaic. Then the candidate dismounted, received the mantle of the
empire from an attendant, and slowly ascended the steps to the
emperor's feet, while a new escutcheon, displaying the insignia of
the freshly acquired fiefs, quartered on the Burgundian arms, was
carried before him. Kneeling at the emperor's feet, the duke laid
two fingers on his sword hilt and repeated the oath of fealty and
service in low but distinct tones. Other rites followed, and then
Charles was proclaimed Duke of Guelders.

[Illustration: MAXIMILIAN OF AUSTRIA, MEDAL]

Thus one object of the conference was attained, and all the
world thought it was only a question of time when the greater
investiture would be celebrated. Charles's star was in the
ascendant. There seemed no limit to the power he had acquired
over his suzerain, who apparently graciously nodded assent to his
requests, while the duke, too, withdrawing from his alliance with
the King of Hungary, appeared very conciliatory in all d