949-950 was compelled to halt: his troops could not 942-954 cross the river; the boats had been cleared away; pontoons had not been thought of; and the King returned to Rheims. Hugh now tried to throw Louis off his guard. For this purpose he offered a settlement of their differences; but whilst the discussions were pending, he made an attempt to recover the City of Laôn by a coup-de-main. The scheme did not answer: and though the Normans fought on his behalf, the attack failed. Hugh fails The endeavours for a pacification were renewed, ing to rethe Bishops of Auxerre and Troyes concurred with Duke Conrad as mediators, and a lengthened truce was concluded, to endure until the Paschal festival of the following year. § 75. Notwithstanding the checks which Louis had received, he was acquiring support from public opinion. His undaunted perseverance, his unity of purpose, and the justice of his cause, all pleaded potently in his favour. Hugh-leGrand boldly spurned the ecclesiastical censures : yet the excommunication, which damaged him before the world, was weighing upon his mind, and this sentiment possibly motived his overtures for peace. in attempt cover Laôn. Hugh-le- excommu Agapet, though the most quiet of Pontiffs, 949could no longer delay asserting his authority. He summoned a Council to be held at Rome the Pope in Saint Peter's Basilica. The Acts of the unless he nicated by in Council 949-950 942-954 Council of Engleheim were produced and read, sentence was pronounced condemning Hugh, the Pope subscribed his name, and commanded the Italian Prelates-for none other were summoned shall satisfy the King. -to do the like; and he then promulgated the Excommunication against Hugh, the great disturber, unless and until he should have given satisfaction to his King. This Decree being transmitted to the Prelates of the Gauls, they exerted themselves strenuously in labouring to promote the much-desired restoration of tranquillity, addressing themselves to Hugh-le-Grand's conscience, and warning him against the impending peril:-the Apostolic Anathema was a sword piercing through body and soul,—and, at last, he agreed to treat. In fact, all parties, including Louis, were tired out, and he entreated Otho to co-operate. Duke Conrad was sent forward to open the negotiations; and Hugh-le-Grand gladly entertained the proposals of accommodation. An interview ensued on the shores of the Marne, the parties being, as usual, separated by the stream. Hugh-le-Noir, of whom we have so long lost sight, also attended as a common friend. Neither King Louis nor Hugh-le-Grand had much inclination to face each other: their reciprocal propositions and answers were exchanged by Conrad and Hugh-le-Noir, and by the Bishops Adalbero and Fulbert, crossing Pacifica tween the Hugh-le latter per age and re Tower of and re-crossing the water. A peace was con- 942-954 cluded, and all points which Louis could fairly 950-951 demand were conceded. Hugh surrendered the 950object, so precious in his sight, the Tower of tion beLaôn, which was forthwith evacuated by his gar- King and rison. The proud Duke of all the Gauls became Grand: the the King's Homager, performing the ceremony forms homwhich testified the Vassal's subjection to his stores the Suzerain, renewing the oath of fealty, and clench- Laôn. ing his oath by earnest declarations of friendship. It appeared as if their present love was no less ardent than their previous enmity; and Hughle-Grand's actions were consistently conformable to his words. He obeyed the King's behests, raising the forces which Louis required for the expedition he was contemplating. A complete and triumphant victory seemed to have been achieved by the King, and Louis entered Laôn, now all his own.-Tower, City, Gates, Walls, once more in his possession, without dispute or challenge, and he was preparing for the full resumption of his power.-But the hand of God was upon him; he became grievously ill, took to his bed, and his work was stayed. Louis afflict illness. § 76. Louis laid by, fresh political troubles 951perplexed him. A harassing series of disturb-ed by severe ances ensued, not exactly directed against the King, and yet as troublesome as if they were, being connected with the interminable dispute between Artaldus and the Parvulus. Compelled 951-952 sure. 942-954 to be inactive, Louis improved his enforced leiAfter nearly a year of illness, convalescence and languor, his flesh a cumbrance and a burden, but his spirit unsubdued, recollecting his past sufferings and disgraces and humiliations only as incentives to vigorous action, he again rose up for the purpose of completing the great stroke of policy which he had so long contemplated, the restoration of the Royal authority in the Kingdom of Aquitaine. But even success in this important enterprise would be unsatisfactory, unless Louis could ensure the Royal Succession to the line of Charlemagne.What claimants might not arise when the Throne should become vacant by his own death, an event possibly near at hand? Louis therefore, according to the antient usage of the be desig- Monarchy, caused the young Lothaire to be deKing. signated as King, but no evidence remains to shew that the act was followed by any solemn recognition. 951 Louis causes Lothaire to nated as Respect rendered by The undelayed surrender made, erewhile, by the Aqui- the Aquitanian Princes of their charters to the Royal Louis, when, after his successes in Burgundy, See p. 393. he presented himself beyond the Loire, in tanians to authority. order to obtain a legal renewal of their authority, afforded the most remarkable testimony of the respect commanded by that tower of strength, the King's name. Louis therefore determined to avail himself of their passive loyalty. 951-952 Could the supremacy of the Crown be again un- 942-954 equivocally acknowledged and actively obeyed by these important and semi-regal Potentates, Louis would be King indeed. Louis accomplished the journey alone, leaving Gerberga in the management of affairs. Had not Louis effected his compromise with Hugh-le-Grand, his entry into Aquitaine would have been impracticable, for whether he proceeded by the route of Paris or by the route of Burgundy, he must traverse Hugh's dominions. He preferred the latter road, probably that he might confer with his trusty friend Lethaldus, the Count of Macon. It was in this country that Louis fixed his camp, being joined by Hugh's levies. -No force, no menaces were needed: wherever Louis appeared, he was joyously greeted and obeyed. of Louis of the tanian Many of the Princes of Aquitaine eagerly Progress prevented Louis at Macon, repairing thither to submission renew their fealty. First and foremost, Charles AquiConstantine, Count of Vienne, the grandson of Princes. renowned King Boso,-Guillaume Tête d'étoupe, -Stephen, Bishop of Clermont,—and many more whose names are not recorded, also rendered due homage. In treating of French affairs it must always be recollected that the Aquitanian chronicles are few in number, very scanty and jejune; hence the history of half France is in a manner unknown. |