, their friends their vassals, all
declared a zealous attachment to the king and exerted themselves in
resisting the violence of foreign invaders.

Charles himself, though only in his twentieth year, was of a character
well calculated to become the object of these benevolent sentiments;
and perhaps from the favor which naturally attends youth, was the more
likely, on account of his tender age, to acquire the good-will of
his native subjects. He was a prince of the most friendly and benign
disposition, of easy and familiar manners, and of a just and sound,
though not a very vigorous understanding. Sincere, generous, affable, he
engaged from affection the services of his followers, even while his low
fortunes might make it their interest to desert him; and the lenity of
his temper could pardon in them those sallies of discontent, to which
princes in his situation are so frequently exposed. The love of pleasure
often seduced him into indolence; but amidst all his irregularities, the
goodness of his heart still shone forth; and by exerting at intervals
his courage and activity, he proved that his general remissness
proceeded not from the want either of a just spirit of ambition, or of
personal valor.

Though the virtues of this amiable prince lay some time in obscurity,
the duke of Bedford knew that his title alone made him formidable, and
that every foreign assistance would be requisite, ere an English regent
could hope to complete the conquest of France; an enterprise which,
however it might seem to be much advanced, was still exposed to many
and great difficulties. The chief circumstance which had procured to the
English all their present advantages, was the resentment of the duke
of Burgundy against Charles; and as that prince seemed intent rather on
gratifying his passion than consulting his interests, it was the more
easy for the regent, by demonstrations of respect and confidence, to
retain him in the alliance of England. He bent, therefore, all his
endeavors to that purpose: he gave the duke every proof of friendship
and regard: he even offered him the regency of France, which Philip
declined: and that he might corroborate national connections by private
ties, he concluded his own marriage with the princess of Burgundy, which
had been stipulated by the treaty of Arras.

{1423.} Being sensible that, next to the alliance of Burgundy, the
friendship of the duke of Brittany was of the greatest importance
towards forw