nal attention. Months had elapsed
and Hericourt was unpunished--Berne had not been reproved.

Rene of Lorraine was formally admitted to the League of Constance on
April 18, 1475, and was now ready openly to abjure the "protection" he
had once accepted from Burgundy. There was a touch of old King Rene's
theatrical taste in his grandson's method of despatching the herald
who rode up to the duke's gorgeous tent of red velvet on May 10th. The
man was, however, so overcome at the first view of _le Temeraire_ that
he hastily delivered up his letter, and threw down the blood-stained
gauntlet, which he carried as a gage of war, without uttering a word.
Then he fell on his knees, imploring the duke's pardon.[14] Charles
was so little displeased at the signs of the impression his presence
made that, instead of being angry with the man, he gave him twelve
florins for his good news. The terms of the declaration of war carried
by the herald were as follows:

"To thee, Charles of Burgundy, in behalf of the very high, etc.,
Duke of Lorraine, my seigneur, I announce defiance with fire and
blood against thee, thy countries, thy subjects, thy allies, and
other charge further have I not."[15]

The reply was straightforward:

"Herald, I have heard the exposition of thy charge, whereby thou
hast given me subject for joy, and, to show you how matters are,
thou shalt wear my robe with this gift, and shalt tell thy master
that I will find myself briefly in his land, and my greatest fear
is that I may not find him. In order that thou mayst not be afraid
to return, I desire my marshal and the king-at-arms of the Toison
d'Or to convoy thee in perfect safety, for I should be sorry if
thou didst not make thy report to thy master as befits a good and
loyal officer."

Thus was Charles pressed from the south and lured to the north.
Excellent reason for obeying the order of the pope's legate that duke
and emperor must lay down arms under pain of excommunication did
either belligerent refuse! The armistice accepted on May 28th was
followed by a nine months' truce signed on June 12th. It was a truce
strictly to the advantage of Frederic and Charles. The Rhine cities,
Louis XI., Rene of Lorraine, were alike ignored and disappointed in
the expectations they had based on Frederic.

[Footnote 1: Plancher, _Histoire generale et particuliere de
Bourgogne, avec des notes et des preuves justificatives_