988-989 988-991 Charles prepares vigorously for the contest. Laon. AND THUS was the third Dynasty founded, destined to reign until their domination should be subverted by the operation of the doctrines, the principles, nay the very vices, out of which their power arose. But the strife had not concluded. Charles forthwith appealed to his friends and connexions, the Vermandois princes, not merely for his own sake, but for the sake of his children. The new Carlovingian party encreased; high and low joined him, probably from his Belgic dominions, where the military and the industrial arts were already flourishing, doughty warriors and skilful artillerymen, bowyers and fletchers, and trained arbalisters. And, in this last convulsive struggle, the Duke of Lorraine, displaying a spirit worthy of his ancestry, resumed the contest with unbroken energy. As yet, the Capets had not advanced beyond their Duchy, they were Kings of Paris and of Orleans, but no more. Charles determined to be Asceline in King of Laôn. The antient seat of royalty was in the possession of the Count-Bishop Asceline, who, dwelling in the Tower, assumed the state appertaining to his episcopal and temporal Emma lives authority: and should we, or should we not, marvel to learn, that he had for his companion the dowager Queen of France, the Widow of Lothaire, Emma?-Was she displaying the undaunted confidence of innocence? or, did she brazen out her infamy? with Asceline. Laôn defied assault, but an easier way of 988-989 entry was opened by the dissensions pre- 987-991 vailing between Asceline and his flock. He had infringed the rights of the Citizens, seizing their communal property, or demanding rents and services for the same. Charles, felt his way among the malcontents. Through his agents, he promised, not merely to remedy their wrongs, but to enlarge their possessions; and the compact being confirmed by oath, Charles prepared to act like his father before him, and win the place by stratagem. When the autumnal season had fully turned, the grapes ripening, and the twilight shortening, Charles and his detachment paced slowly up the rock, and approached the City, murk night having come on. But the Sentinels were on the alert, they heard the neighing of the horses, and the rustling of the armour. They challenged the advancing party, and, no answer being made, they began to send their missiles in that direction. But the Carlovingian partisans were ready, and, opening the gate, Charles and his forces rushed in, galloping furiously, doing their best to heighten the confusion, clashing their weapons, shouting, hooting, pealing their horns. The inhabitants unknowing of the plot, were scared out of their wits, fled to the Churches, hid themselves in the holes, and the nooks, and the corners. Many leapt from the walls, and amongst them Bishop Asceline, who, dropping to the ground lightly, scampered down the rock and 988 Sept, Oct. Charles takes Laon by sur prise. 988-989 Asceline escapes, but is caught again. 987-991 made for the vineyards, leaving Emma to her fate. But the fox was tracked out by his trail. Caught, brought before Charles,—and clapped into confinement. If any one ever deserved to be bucketted into the pit, and not drawn up again speedily, it was he. But his tonsure was respected, and, though locked up in the royal Tower, he did not sustain any other duresse. 988Charles in possession of Laon. As for Emma, confined to her chamber, severe was the treatment bestowed by Charles upon his wretched sister-in-law ;-a close prisoner, deprived of her attendants, guards placed at the door. She made lamentable appeals to Theophania's generosity; equally did she seek help from her mother's compassion, earnestly entreating Adelaide to intercede on her behalf; but, after a time, she was not worth the trouble of keeping, and she utterly disappears from history. Charles now had Laôn.-What he had he would hold; and he prepared for defence.Ample store of provisions collected, stone and timber brought in, the battlements heightened, fosses dug, and palisadoes planted. The smiths set to work upon the ordnance: much reliance, placed upon the arbalisters: their sight so sharp, and their aim so steady, that, men parabled, the bolt they shot would thread through two opposite loop-holes, or bring down the bird on the wing. as men Charles having attained a position which gave him a right to speak with confidence, he at some Ineffectual between Charles and the Capet kings. tempted a negociation with the Capets, probably 987–991 for a share in the kingdom. Amongst Gerbert's 988-989 enigmatical correspondence, we find a note addressed to Charles by Archbishop Adalbero. negociations We collect, though very obscurely, from this document, partly written in cypher, that such proposal had emanated from him Adalbero, after disclaiming any hostility against the Carlovingian race, intimated that, if an important personage, designated by certain capital letters which baffle interpretation, would repair to Rheims, the matter should be fairly considered. But the overture came to nought. 989-Nov. Hugh Capet having sum moned his siege to Laôn. Exceedingly troubled were the Capets, and with sufficient cause. In such a contest, not to advance is to recede. But they acted resolutely. Hugh Capet summoned his lieges from the Marne to the Garonne. A Council was then held;-a Council of State and also a Coun- army, lays cil of War. Some were inclined, if Charles would sue for peace, to confirm him in all the territories he occupied. The greater number of the Lieges, however, urged active measures. The Pretender's success provoked them, and they were determined on vengeance. Hugh Capet was heartily supported; his cavalry mustered to the amount of six thousand; and with these forces he invested the City. But the brumal season had advanced, winter approached, the troops uncomfortable, and particularly distressed by the long night 957-991 watches. Apprehending a sortie, the Capetians retreated the two Kings, with all the power 988-989 of France at their command, were shamed Hugh Capet and Robert by the Pretender. Thus ended the first year's campaign. retreat-end of the first campaign, Escape of Bishop Asceline. 989 Hugh and Robert open campaign. Upon the departure of the enemy, Charles prepared to give them a warm reception, should they visit him again. He, himself, surveyed the City, searched out all the deficiencies and weak points, walled up the posterns, explored the holes and the corners and the venelles, erected further outworks, and restored the old ramparts. Carefully as the Prince had made his examinations, and secured all the entries, there was one way out of the Tower, which remained unguarded. Bishop Asceline's chamber looked down upon the pleasant country; that prospect which no one can forget who has been at Laôn. The window was neither closed nor grated. An accomplice was always to be found for any body, when engaged in any plot or intrigue. A rope had been furnished for him, by which he swarmed down. A horse was ready. He rode away: and, seeking Hugh Capet's protection, was received into high favour. § 75. The second campaign being opened, the second Hugh Capet re-commenced operations with great shew of vigour, such as implied that he would never desist until Laôn should be won. The wide-spread royal Camp was encircled with ram |