They stayed at Lyon and Grenoble amidst much festivity until the baggage arrived, was unloaded from the chariots and packed on mules to cross the Alps. On September 1st, after attending mass, Charles bade the Queen farewell, mounted his horse, placed himself at the head of his army and started, accompanied by Louis d’Orléans.
TOUR D’AMBOISE.
Anne remained at Lyon, and at first the King’s daily letters brought news of unbroken conquests, which, however, like all the French victories in Italy, melted away, leaving nothing but disaster to France. It was fifteen months before Charles returned to Lyon where Anne had waited for him. In spite of his reverses he was in good spirits and resolved on another Italian campaign, for like all the Valois he was an ardent soldier. His favourite charger “Savoie,” a splendid black horse with only one eye, had carried him through all the battles and loved him so much that he would fight for him with his teeth and hoofs. He was given him by the Duc de Savoie.[291] Amongst other adventures is told the story of a young girl to whom he took a fancy at Naples. She was brought to his palace there and when left alone with him she explained that she had not come of her own free will, but had been carried off by force, and threw herself on his mercy. Charles assured her that she need fear no violence from him, sent her away in safety, and promised her his protection.
{1495}
In December, 1495, the Dauphin, then about three years old, was suddenly taken ill and died at Amboise, where he had always lived. Although he had been so little with his parents they were most anxious about him, and constant news of him had always been sent them. M. Le Roux de Lincy gives several letters written by the Queen to his governor, full of inquiries and directions respecting him. He was a beautiful, precocious child,[292] and his death was a severe blow to his parents. Philippe de Commines, who had a grudge against Charles because he had been imprisoned by him and the Regent, says that he cared very little, being jealous of the Dauphin, a most absurd supposition regarding a child of three years old, and it being most unlikely that he should have[293] preferred his heir to be Louis d’Orléans instead of a son of his own. On the contrary, the shock made both Charles and Anne so ill and depressed that the doctors ordered the King to be amused, therefore many more gaieties took place at court than the Queen felt inclined for. She hated being present at them, and quarrelled with the Duc d’Orléans because he seemed to her in such good spirits that she fancied he was glad to be again heir-presumptive and to be called “Monseigneur,” which she could not bear to hear.[294] This caused a coolness between Louis and the King and Queen, so that he retired to Blois, where he surrounded himself with literary men and collected a large library, including the books and manuscripts written by his father. Anne had another son next year, also named Charles, the following year one called François, and then a daughter named Anne. But although she got strong Bretonne women to nurse them and took every precaution she could not save any. None of them lived more than a few weeks. They were buried in an exquisitely sculptured tomb of white marble in the cathedral of Tours.
The King and Queen, finding no medicine or cure any use, had tried various superstitious means. They had a whole coffer full of charms and amulets, and the people said it was a curse on them because they had not been free to marry each other. But they were still very young and hoped yet to have living children. Charles began to think that these misfortunes were the punishment of Heaven for his dissipated life, and resolved to reform. Anne was so uneasy and jealous of his proceedings that she could not bear him to be out of her sight, and had at one time brought on a miscarriage by persisting in going out hunting when she was enceinte because she did not want him to go without her. Now, however, Charles declared he would have no more love affairs, would give his whole attention to his kingdom and people. He had planned another Italian campaign and a crusade against the unbelievers, but it was strongly represented to him that he ought not to leave France without having an heir. The Queen, who dreaded another long separation, was naturally of the same opinion, and Charles was persuaded to remain in France, and began to alter and decorate his favourite château of Amboise. He had brought books, pictures, statues, and all sorts of treasures from Italy, and had become much influenced by the splendour of the renaissance then prevailing there. He began the great tower with an inclined ascent by which a troop of cavalry can ride to the top, from the lower entrance down by the river.
{1496}
The splendid old château had become more comfortable and luxurious than ever under the rule of Anne de Bretagne.[295] Tapestries hung on the walls, thick carpets lay on the floors, curtains of damask and satin were over the beds and everywhere. The Queen was at Amboise with the King, who could not bear to be separated from her, and in whose pursuits and diversions she always shared. One day, about two o’clock in the afternoon, he proposed that they should go and look on at a game of paume which was to be played dans les fossés du château.
{1497}