[Page 43.—1]. Le duc d'Albe (1508-1582). Ferdinand Alvarez of Toledo, Duke of Alva, was a descendant of one of the most illustrious families of Spain. He early showed a genius for war and politics, and in the service of Charles V. was a violent opponent of the Protestants of Germany. He commanded the imperial forces at Metz opposed to the Duke of Guise, and not long after he was sent into Italy, where he reduced the power of the Pope. In 1559 he espoused Elisabeth of France in behalf of Philip II. In 1566 he was sent into Flanders to take charge of the Spanish forces sent against the Netherlanders; on account of his cruelties he was superseded in 1575. On his return to Spain he was treated with great distinction, but was subsequently banished from the court and exiled on account of some act of disobedience. He was, however, soon recalled and put in command of the army sent against Portugal, and succeeded in bringing back that country in allegiance to Spain.
[2]. Tenants du tournoi, "champions of the tournament." The tenants are those who begin the tournament and proclaim the first challenges by means of notices which are published by the heralds with the number of courses and the names of the combatants. The name is derived from tenir, because these champions undertook to hold (tenir) their places against every assailant. (See Le Père Ménestrier, Des Tournois, p. 194.)
[3]. Château des Tournelles, a palace built at the end of the present Rue des Francs-Bourgeois. On account of its connection with the death of Henry II., Catherine de Medici ordered the edifice to be demolished. Henry IV. began the erection on its site of the Place Royale, which was completed a year or two after his death. The revolutionists of 1789 deprived the square of its name and took away the statue of Louis XIII. erected by Richelieu. It is now known as the Place des Vosges.
[Page 44.—1]. Chastelart. Pierre de Bascosel de Chastelart was grandson of the celebrated Bayard, whom he resembled in personal appearance. On being presented to Mary Stuart, he conceived a violent passion for her and celebrated her charms in verse. He followed her to Scotland, but was soon compelled to return to Paris; there he mourned for her a year, and at last contrived to pass over again to Scotland. On account of his rashness and imprudence he was condemned to death; his affection for the princess, however, lasted till the end. Brantôme says of him: "Chastelard had as great talent and wrote as sweet and refined poetry as any nobleman in France."
[2]. This episode is probably based upon an event that took place shortly after the death of Louis XIII. Madame de Montbazon was the rival at court of the Duchess of Longueville, daughter of the Prince of Condé. One day, two unsigned love-letters were found in the salon of the former, who alleged that they were written in Madame de Longueville's hand and were the property of Maurice de Coligny. They were, however, written by Madame de Fouquerelles, and their real owner was the Marquis of Maulevrier. At the suggestion of the latter, La Rochefoucauld proved the falsity of Madame de Montbazon's accusations, recovered the letters, and burnt them in the presence of the Queen. The affair did not end here, but led to a duel, in which Coligny received a mortal wound at the hands of Henry of Guise, the champion of Madame de Montbazon. (See "The Last Duel in the Place Royale," Macmillan's Magazine, October, 1895.)
[Page 50.—1]. On lui en fit la guerre, "They taunted him about it" (see [page 83, line 9]).
[2]. À l'heure même, "immediately." (See also [page 57, line 32]; [page 63, line 11]; [page 75, line 7].) On the position of même, see Mätzner, Französische Syntax, ii, § 534, 12.
[3]. Qui avoit l'esprit prévenu, "who felt assured."
[Page 52.—1]. See note on Vidame de Chartres, [page 3, note 1].
[2]. Madame de Thémines, Anne de Puymisson, wife of Jean, Seigneur de Lousière, de Thémines, and Chevalier de l'Ordre du Roi, Governor of Beziers.