part we are determined to maintain all friendship between us and
you ... and if we make any treaty in the future we will expressly
include you in it and never will do otherwise."[23]


"Monseigneur the grand master, I am advised how while the truce is
still in being, the Duke of Burgundy has taken Nesle and slain all
whom he found within. I must be avenged for this. I wished you to
know so that if you can find means to do him a like injury in his
country you will do it there and anywhere that you can without
sparing anything. I have good hopes that God will aid in avenging
us, considering the murders for which he is responsible within the
church and elsewhere, and because by virtue of the terms of their
surrender [they thought] they had saved their lives.

"Done at Angers, June 19th.

"P.S.--If the said place had been destroyed and rased as I ordered
this never would have happened. Therefore, see to it that all such
places be rased to the ground, for if this be not done the people
will be ruined and there will be an increase of dishonour and
damage to me."[24]

One fact stated by Louis in this letter was true. Charles of Burgundy
broke the truce when it had but two weeks to run, and thus put
himself in the wrong. The death of Guienne made him wild with anger.
Apparently he had not believed in the imminence of the danger,
although he had been constantly informed of the progress of the
prince's illness. But to his mind, it was the hand of Louis, not the
judgment of God, that ended the life of the prince.