Bishopers and Commoners—Complaints against the Priests—A Young Woman kidnapped by the Bishop—The People compel him to restore her—Right of Resistance—Quarrels of the two Parties—The Duke's Threats—The Bishop's Fears—He determines to quit Geneva—His Night Escape—He arrives at St. Claude—Hugues returns in safety—The Hireling abandons his Flock

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CHAPTER V.
EXCOMMUNICATION OF GENEVA AND FUNERAL PROCESSION OF POPERY.
(August 1527 to February 1528.)

The Duke tries to gain the Bishop—The State of Geneva constituted—The Ducal Arms fall at Geneva—Geneva excommunicated—Geneva interdicts the Papal Bulls—Funeral Procession of Popery—Complaints of the Priests—Attempt to deprive Bonivard of St. Victor's—Bonivard on Excommunication—The Duke claims Authority in Matters of Faith—Resolute Answer of the Genevans—Canons sharply reprimanded by the Duke—Intentions of Charles

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CHAPTER VI.
THE KNIGHTS OF THE SPOON LEAGUE AGAINST GENEVA AT THE CASTLE OF BURSINEL.
(March 1528.)

Complaints of Bonivard about Geneva—Certain Huguenots go to St. Victor's—Bonivard's Address to them—Faults to be found in it—Huguenots eat Meat in Lent—The Meeting at Bursinel—Pontverre and the Spoon—The Fraternity of the Spoon—Alarm in Geneva—Rights of Princes and Subjects—Bonivard defends Cartigny—The Savoyards take the Castle—Bonivard fails to retake it—Progress of the Gospel in Geneva—Duke and Bishop reconciled—The City looks upon the Bishop as an Enemy

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CHAPTER VII.
INTRIGUES OF THE DUKE AND THE BISHOP.
(Spring and Summer 1528.)

The Bishop desires to withdraw the Criminal Administration from the Syndics—Noble Answer of the Genevans—The Bishop's Irritation—His furious Reception of a Genevan Envoy—Calm of the Genevans—The Duke convokes a Synod—Speech of Bishop Gazzini—Coldness of the Swiss—Ducal Intrigues in the Convents—The Order of the Keys—The Syndics at the Dominican Convent