1 It was in June 1529 that Margaret of Austria came to
Cambrai to treat for peace, on behalf of Charles V. Louise
of Savoy, who represented Francis I., was accompanied on
this occasion by her daughter, Queen Margaret, who appears
to have taken part in the conferences. The result of these
was that the Emperor renounced his claims on Burgundy, but
upheld all the other stipulations of the treaty of Madrid.
Having been brought about entirely by feminine negotiators,
the peace of Cambrai acquired the name of “La Paix des
Dames,” or “the Ladies’ Peace.” Some curious particulars of
the ceremonies observed at Cambrai on this occasion will be
found in Leglay’s Notice sur les fêles et cérémonies à
Cambray depuis le XIe siècle, Cambrai, 1827.—L. and B. J.
2 This is Frances of Luxemburg, Baroness of Fiennes and
Princess of Gavre, wife of John IV., Count of Egmont,
chamberlain to the Emperor Charles V. They were the parents
of the famous Lamoral Count of Egmont, Prince of Gavre and
Baron of Fiennes, born in 1522 and put to death by the Duke
of Alba on June 5, 1568.—B.J.
When this great assembly separated, the Countess of Aiguemont returned to her own house, and, Advent being come, sent to a monastery of Grey Friars to ask for a clever preacher and virtuous man, as well to preach as to confess herself and her whole household. The Warden, remembering the great benefits that the Order received from the house of Aiguemont and that of Fiennes, to which the Countess belonged, sought out the man whom he thought most worthy to fill the said office.
Accordingly, as the Grey Friars more than any other order desire to obtain the esteem and friendship of great houses, they sent the most important preacher of their monastery, and throughout Advent he did his duty very well, and the Countess was well pleased with him.
On Christmas night, when the Countess desired to receive her Creator, she sent for her confessor, and after making confession in a carefully closed chapel, she gave place to her lady of honour, who in her turn, after being shriven, sent her daughter to pass through the hands of this worthy confessor. When the maiden had told all that was in her mind, the good father knew something of her secrets, and this gave him the desire and the boldness to lay an unwonted penance upon her.
“My daughter,” said he, “your sins are so great that to atone for them I command you the penance of wearing my cord upon your naked flesh.”
The maiden, who was unwilling to disobey him, made answer—
“Give it to me, father, and I will not fail to wear it.”
“My daughter,” said the good father, “it will be of no avail from your own hand. Mine, from which you shall receive absolution, must first bind it upon you; then shall you be absolved of all your sins.”
The maiden replied, weeping, that she would not suffer it.
“What?” said the confessor. “Are you a heretic, that you refuse the penances which God and our holy mother Church have ordained?”