[Page 13.—1]. Le duc de Nevers, Francis II. of Nevers, elder brother of the Prince of Clèves (see [page 2, note 7]).
[2]. Le duc de Lorraine, Charles III., called "the Great," was the son of Francis I., Duke of Lorraine, and of Christina of Denmark, niece of the Emperor Charles V. He was born at Nancy, February 15, 1543. After the death of his father in 1546, his mother ruled over the Duchy during the minority of her son. He was sent to Paris and in 1559 married Claude, daughter of Henry II. He subsequently took charge of the affairs of his state, and ruled long and peacefully, dying at Nancy, May 14, 1608.
[Page 16.—1]. Courre la bague, "riding at the ring." Courre is an old infinitive of the verb courir, used only in a few expressions, as: courre le cerf.
[Page 18.—1]. Le maréchal de Saint-André. Jacques d'Albon, Marshal of Saint-André, was one of the most valiant commanders of the sixteenth century. He early won recognition from the Dauphin, afterwards Henry II., and distinguished himself at Boulogne and Cerisoles. He was appointed Marshal in 1547. He took an active part in the subsequent campaigns and was taken prisoner at Saint-Quentin, but was soon exchanged. Shortly after the death of Henry II., Saint-André, together with the Duke of Guise and the Constable of Montmorency, formed the famous "triumvirate" for the suppression of heresy in France. He was a most active upholder of the Catholic cause during the civil wars, and was killed at Dreux, December 19, 1562. A contemporary describes him as the "most elegant courtier of his time."
[2]. Elle fit dire qu'on ne la voyoit point, "she sent word that she would not receive."
[3]. Sa qualité lui rendoit toutes les entrées libres, "his rank allowed him always to be admitted" (even in spite of the order that had just been given).
[4]. Maîtresse = the lady who is loved; not "mistress" in the modern sense.
[Page 19.—1]. Duc de Ferrare. Alphonso II. of Este, Duke of Ferrara, was the son of Hercules of Ferrara and grandson of Alphonso I. He was a cousin of Henry II. and served in all the military expeditions of this monarch. He was a great favorite at Court and made a great display both in his own country and in Italy, whither he accompanied the French King. His brother was the famous Cardinal d'Este.
[Page 20.—1]. Qu'elle fît la malade: "that she should pretend to be ill."
[Page 22.—1]. Château-Cambrésis (usually written Câteau-Cambrésis), a city in the Department of Nord, situated upon a hill overlooking the Selle, about fifteen miles southeast of Cambrai. Here was signed, on April 3, 1559, a treaty between Henry II. and Philip II., by which certain cities, as Thionville, Montmédy, etc., were made over to Spain, and France recovered Saint-Quentin. The possession of Calais and of the three bishoprics (Metz, Toul, and Verdun) were also assured to Henry II.