able to support it. Lewis XI,
indeed, from whom many of these advantages were derived, was dead, and
had left his son, in early youth and ill educated, to sustain the weight
of the monarchy: but having intrusted the government to his daughter
Anne, lady of Beaujeu, a woman of spirit and capacity, the French power
suffered no check or decline. On the contrary, this princess formed the
great project, which at last she happily effected, of uniting to the
crown Brittany, the last and most independent fief of the monarchy.

Francis II., duke of Brittany, conscious of his own incapacity for
government, had resigned himself to the direction of Peter Landais,
a man of mean birth, more remarkable for abilities than for virtue or
integrity. The nobles of Brittany, displeased with the great advancement
of this favorite, had even proceeded to disaffection against their
sovereign; and after many tumults and disorders, they at last united
among themselves, and in a violent manner seized, tried, and put to
death the obnoxious minister. Dreading the resentment of the prince for
this invasion of his authority, many of them retired to France; others,
for protection and safety, maintained a secret correspondence with the
French ministry, who, observing the great dissensions among the Bretons,
thought the opportunity favorable for invading the duchy; and so
much the rather as they could cover their ambition under the specious
pretence of providing for domestic security.

Lewis, duke of Orleans, first prince of the blood, and presumptive
heir of the monarchy, had disputed the administration with the lady of
Beaujeu; and though his pretensions had been rejected by the states, he
still maintained cabals with many of the grandees, and laid schemes
for subverting the authority of that princess. Finding his conspiracies
detected, he took to arms, and fortified himself in Beaugeune;
but as his revolt was precipitate, before his confederates were ready to
join him, he had been obliged to submit, and to receive such conditions
as the French ministry were pleased to impose upon him. Actuated,
however, by his ambition, and even by his fears, he soon retired out of
France, and took shelter with the duke of Brittany, who was desirous of
strengthening himself against the designs of the lady of Beaujeu by the
friendship and credit of the duke of Orleans. This latter prince
also, perceiving the ascendant which he soon acquired over the duke of
Brittany,