Nantz, the most important place in the duchy both for
strength and riches.

The French court now began to change their scheme with regard to the
subjection of Brittany. Charles had formerly been affianced to Margaret,
daughter of Maximilian; who, though too young for the consummation of
her marriage, had been sent to Paris to be educated, and at this time
bore the title of queen of France. Besides the rich dowry which she
brought the king, she was, after her brother Philip, then in early
youth, heir to all the dominions of the house of Burgundy; and seemed in
many respects the most proper match that could be chosen for the young
monarch. These circumstances had so blinded both Maximilian and Henry,
that they never suspected any other intentions in the French court; nor
were they able to discover that engagements, seemingly so advantageous
and so solemnly entered into, could be infringed and set aside. But
Charles began to perceive that the conquest of Brittany, in opposition
to the natives, and to all the great powers of Christendom, would prove
a difficult enterprise; and that even if he should overrun the country
and make himself master of the fortresses, it would be impossible for
him long to retain possession of them. The marriage alone of the duchess
could fully reannex that fief to the crown; and the present and certain
enjoyment of so considerable a territory, seemed preferable to the
prospect of inheriting the dominions of the house of Burgundy; a
prospect which became every day more distant and precarious. Above all,
the marriage of Maximilian and Anne appeared destructive to the grandeur
and even security of the French monarchy; while that prince, possessing
Flanders on the one hand, and Brittany on the other, might thus, from
both quarters, make inroads into the heart of the country. The only
remedy for these evils was therefore concluded to be the dissolution of
the two marriages, which had been celebrated, but not consummated; and
the espousal of the duchess of Brittany by the king of France.

It was necessary that this expedient, which had not been foreseen by any
court in Europe, and which they were all so much interested to oppose,
should be kept a profound secret, and should be discovered to the
world only by the full execution of it. The measures of the French
ministry in the conduct of this delicate enterprise were wise and
political. While they pressed Brittany with all the rigors of war, they
secre