benefits of civil government, which, at the time of his accession,
they had nearly lost.

Ere he succeeded to the crown, Louis had given evidence of his vices
rather than of his talents. His first wife, Margaret of Scotland,
was "done to death by slanderous tongues" in her husband's court,
where, but for the encouragement of Louis himself, not a word would
have been breathed against that amiable and injured princess. He
had been an ungrateful and a rebellious son, at one time conspiring
to seize his father's person, and at another levying open war
against him. For the first offence, he was banished to his appanage
of Dauphine, which he governed with much sagacity; for the second
he was driven into absolute exile, and forced to throw himself on
the mercy, and almost on the charity, of the Duke of Burgundy and
his son; where he enjoyed hospitality, afterwards indifferently
requited, until the death of his father in 1461.

In the very outset of his reign, Louis was almost overpowered by
a league formed against him by the great vassals of France, with
the Duke of Burgundy, or rather his son, the Count de Charalois,
at its head. They levied a powerful army, blockaded Paris, fought
a battle of doubtful issue under its very walls, and placed the
French monarchy on the brink of actual destruction. It usually
happens in such cases, that the more sagacious general of the two
gains the real fruit, though perhaps not the martial fame, of the
disputed field. Louis, who had shown great personal bravery during
the battle of Montl'hery, was able, by his prudence, to avail
himself of its undecided character, as if it had been a victory on
his side. He temporized until the enemy had broken up their leaguer,
and showed so much dexterity in sowing jealousies among those great