blacken his memory. The _dauphin_ promised a speedy reply. On the 11th
of September, accordingly, a new meeting of princes, lords, prelates,
parliament, the university, and burgesses was held in the great hall of
the Louvre. The Duchess of Orleans, the Duke her son, their chancellor,
and the principal officers of her household were introduced, and leave
was given them to proceed with the justification of the late Duke of
Orleans. It had been prepared beforehand; the duchess placed the
manuscript before the council, as pledging herself unreservedly to all it
contained, and Master Serisy, Abbot of St. Fiacre, a monk of the order of
St. Benedict, read the document out publicly. It was a long and learned
defence, in which the imputations made by the cordelier, John Petit,
against the late Duke of Orleans, were effectually and in some parts
eloquently refuted. After the justification, Master Cousinot, advocate
of the Duchess of Orleans, presented in person his demands against the
Duke of Burgundy. They claimed that he should be bound to come, "without
belt or chaperon," and disavow solemnly and publicly, on his knees before
the royal family, and also on the very spot where the crime was
committed, the murder of the Duke of Orleans. After several other acts
of reparation which were imposed upon him, he was to be sent into exile
for twenty years beyond the seas, and on his return to remain at twenty
leagues' distance, at least, from the king and the royal family. After
reacting these demands, which were more legitimate than practicable, the
young _dauphin_, well instructed as to what he had to say, addressed the
Duchess of Orleans and her children in these terms: "We and all the
princes of the blood royal here present, after having heard the
justification of our uncle, the Duke of Orleans, have no doubt left
touching the honor of his memory, and do hold him to be completely
cleared of all that hath been said contrary to his reputation. As to the
further demands you make, they shall be suitably provided for in course
of justice." At this answer the assembly broke up.