FOOTNOTES:
[236] Bolisdastain. Q. In the former account of this embassy, the archbishop of Cologne and bishop of Passau, according to M. du Cange, are mentioned.
CHAP. LXXII.
THE DEATH OF LANCELOT KING OF HUNGARY, WHICH CAUSES GREAT MOURNING AT THE COURT OF FRANCE.—THE DEATHS OF JOHN OF COIMBRA, KING OF CYPRUS, AND OF THE DUKE OF BRITTANY,—WHICH LAST IS SUCCEEDED BY HIS BROTHER ARTHUR COUNT DE RICHEMONT.
On Christmas-eve, in the year 1457, news arrived at Tours of the death of Lancelot king of Hungary, while his ambassadors were feasting, as has been said. This sad event changed their feastings into sorrow, and their grief moved the compassion of all; for they well knew the ardent desire their king had to marry the daughter of the king of France, not through any wish of obtaining lands or money with her, but through a strong passion to connect himself by marriage with the king of France, as he was then but eighteen years old. They also perceived, from the great respect and attentions that had been shown them in France, that the king was equally desirous of this match: you may therefore suppose that their grief was very great.
This event was concealed six days from king Charles, lest it might increase his disorder, and in order to afford time for its being broken gently to him. Funeral obsequies were performed in the church of St Martin at Tours, before the king was made acquainted with it; but on that day it was told him, and he much lamented it. On the morrow, the ambassadors set out on their return, very sorrowful at the unfortunate issue of their embassy.
Intelligence of the king of Hungary's death was carried to the duke of Burgundy on Christmas-day, for which he testified his grief; for king Lancelot and he were nearly related; although he well knew that the projected alliance between the two kings was meant for his disadvantage, and particularly to deprive him of the duchy of Luxembourg, which he had gained, as well by arms as by purchase. King Lancelot, it was said, claimed this duchy; and it was reported, that he had bequeathed it to the lady Magdalen of France, and had ordered his executor, king Charles, to put her in the possession of it. Notwithstanding that duke Philip had heard all this, he cared very little about it. Soon after Christmas, the duke ordered a grand funeral service to be performed in the cathedral church of Bruges for the soul of the king of Hungary. It was rumoured, that he had died of poison given him by some of his ministers, who feared, that should he marry the princess of France, they would be dismissed from the government; and it was said, that from the time he had swallowed the poison, he only lived three hours.
In this year, died also John of Coimbra, a Portuguese, nephew to the duchess of Burgundy. He had married the widowed queen of Cyprus, and in her right became king of that island. It was a great loss, for he had given great hopes of his being a good and virtuous prince.
The duke of Brittany departed this life without leaving any male heirs, so that the duchy fell to his brother Arthur count de Richemont, constable of France, who reigned as duke in his stead.