THE KING DECAMPS FROM FORONUOVO, TO RETURN TO FRANCE.
On the morrow of the battle of Foronuovo, the 7th of July, the king, after hearing early mass, decamped from before Foronuovo, and posted his army on an elevated situation called Magdelan, about half a french league from his late camp, where he remained the whole day. The commanders of the artillery made such diligence in bringing up the cannon that they were placed round the king, as was usual in such cases. The king marched away, on the Wednesday, with his army and artillery, and repassed several towns wherein he had halted on his advance to Naples, notwithstanding the attempts of the enemy to prevent it. He came at length to Novara, and delivered the duke of Orleans, who had been shut up in that town, with a party of his men, by the traitor Ludovico of Milan. Thence the king proceeded to Asti and to Vercelli, where the duke of Orleans came to meet him. The king received him with much friendship, and they supped together.
On Friday, the 2d of October in this year, the lord de Vendôme died in the town of Vercelli. His death was much lamented by the king and his nobles, for he was a notable prince. The following Tuesday, the king had a funeral service performed with much solemnity in the cathedral-church dedicated to St Eusebius, where great grief was manifested by all the assistants; and afterward his body was transported to France, to be interred among his ancestors.
On Wednesday, the 7th of October, the bishop of Sion arrived at Vercelli, with a body of Swiss, horse and foot, and others from the german allies of the king, for his better security. The king thanked the bishop for his friendship, and grandly feasted him and the troops he had brought.
The next day, ambassadors came to the king from Ludovico of Milan and the Venetians, and earnestly demanded a treaty, having witnessed the strength of the king, and the enterprising courage of his troops,—when a treaty was agreed to, on much better terms than they deserved.
On Saturday, the 10th of October, the king heard mass in the church of the Cordeliers in Vercelli, adjoining his lodgings; and after his dinner, he proceeded to Trino, where he halted until the 15th of October, when he went to Crescentino, and from this place, by many days march, arrived at Grenoble, passing through the following towns; Sillans, Sessia[9], Turin, Quiers, Rivoli, Suza, Briançon, Nôtre Dame d'Embrun, Savines, Saint Eusebe, La Meure[10], and Tault near to Grenoble. He arrived at Grenoble about vespers, on the 27th of October; and all ranks of people went out in procession, and made another public entry for him on his return from the campaign of Italy.
The king, being unwell, remained in Grenoble until the 3d of November, when he set out for Lyon, passing through the towns of St Rambert, where he staid some days, Sillans, La Côte St André, and Chatonay,—from which last place he advanced nearer to Lyon, where he slept.
On Saturday, the 7th of November, having dined at Venisseu, he proceeded to Lyon, whence all the churchmen came out in grand procession, dressed in their robes, and bearing relics, to meet and welcome him on his return from Italy. He made a public entry into Lyon, as king of Jerusalem, Naples, and Sicily, attended by all the municipal officers, and persons of rank in that town, handsomely dressed. He was conducted triumphantly through the streets, accompanied by the nobles and captains, who were looked at with pleasure in consequence of the noble victory they had gained over such superior numbers. The streets and squares were hung with tapestries: bonfires and mysteries were exhibited in all the open spaces through which the king passed, in his way to the archbishop's palace, that had been prepared for his lodgings. Here the queen and the duchess of Bourbon his sister were waiting, with many noble ladies and damsels, impatient to receive him; and indeed he was deserving of such eagerness.
The king held most sumptuous justs at three different places in Lyon: at La Grenette in front of the convent of Cordeliers, in the Juerie, and before the palace: at all of them, he was foremost to offer himself, and performed many gallant feats with lance and sword, on horseback and on foot, as did several others of the french lords. In memory of these justs, three stone columns were erected,—and to this day there exist the latin verses that were inscribed on them, for king Charles was the principal tenant of the lists.