878-879 862-888 were drawn closer by surrounding pressures, and sought to dissemble their animosity. Parental love was strong in both. Louis the Saxon was earnestly anxious that his namesake, his sprightly child, should succeed to the German kingdomLouis-le-Bégue equally desired to secure his royal rights for Louis and Carloman, the sons of his first love. 878 1 Nov. Treaty of Foron. Bégue and Louis the Saxon mutually guarantee the rights of their children. Whatever opinions might have been fostered, no contradiction had, until the death of CharlesLouis-le-le-Chauve, been given to the doctrine that the Sovereignty was inherently and exclusively vested in the Carlovingian family, but the rights of the individuals composing that family were not definitely ascertained. It still continued to be a vexed question whether a Senior or a Senior's representative might not demand the dominion of a Junior or Junior's representative, in preference to the issue of such Junior-the son postponed to an elder collateral. This leaven of discord had fermented from the beginning, but now other causes of trouble had arisen, for the hitherto indefeasible supremacy of the collective Carlovingian lineage had been impugned by implication. Louis-le-Bégue confessed that he received his throne from the nation's choice. There also subsisted, what must be unfortunately termed a natural antipathy between the German line and the French; both were, however, now compelled to seek co-operating aid. 878-879 The sovereigns, Louis-le-Bégue and Louis 862–888 the Saxon, met at Foron in Lotharingia, not far from Maestricht, and concluded the articles of a treaty to be thereafter confirmed in a solemn Diet, Carloman and Caroletto being summoned to attend. The object which both parents had most at heart, a mutual guarantee for their children's security, they effected in words. Louisle-Bégue covenanted and swore to defend the hereditary right of the infant Louis. Louis the Saxon on his part covenanted, should he survive, to defend the sons of Louis-le-Bégue and any other children whom he might have, in the secure and quiet possession of their paternal kingdom, as their counsellor and protector. Never were the antagonistic theories and consequences of self-subsisting legitimacy and elective or constitutional monarchy, more distinctly contemplated and understood by any political reasoners, than by these kings. The compact concluded, each departed to his own dominions. Nov.-Feb. Bégue by encreas in the Ar The illness of Louis encreased: his bodily 878-879 strength declined rapidly. In the wilds of the Louis-leArdennes there was a renowned monastery dedi- detained cated to the hunter's legendary patron; there ing illness Saint Hubert's votary lingered. No longer dennes. stinted in his sport by a father's grudging behest, the jealously preserved forest was his own; but the poor beasts were now very effectually protected against their tormentor, by the feebleness 878-9 862-888 of the royal huntsman's nerves and the anxiety of his mind-no power had Louis to slip the hound, no care to dart the spear. A rebellion broke out in Burgundy. Bernard, Count of Autun, had been recently deprived of all his honours, which were divided between his namesake Bernard Plante-velue, and the High Chamberlain, Theodorick, the great intriguer. Some authorities assert that Theodorick was the father of Boso, or may be father-in-law, or may be his step-father, anyhow closely allied to Boso, and a prime mover in the little world of agitation disturbing the Gauls. 879 Feb. Mar. Burgundy. The deposed count Bernard insurrectionized Revolts in the country. Louis-le-Bégue, in nowise content to compromise his rights, determined to march against the revolters, and would have headed his troops, but at Troyes he sunk into a state of hopeless debility. His eldest son, the young Louis, was sent away under the care of Hugh the Abbot, Count Boso, and Bernard Plantevelue. Theodorick the High-Chamberlain was to have continued with them, but the narrative is much confused; and when the obscurity dissipates, we find that Theodorick had separated himself from the rest-and for a reason. Louis crept on, and with great difficulty reached the humble monastery of Jouarre, near Compiègne. He was now thoroughly exhausted, and feeling himself at the last gasp, he entrusted 879 to Odo, bishop of Beauvais and Count Alboin, 862-888 the crown and robe, the sceptre of mercy and rod of justice. The expiring Monarch charged these friends and ministers that they should deliver the royal insignia to his son Louis, together with a Writ, or precept, addressed to the council of regency, directing the inauguration 10 April, and consecration of the boy as his successor. Death of On the following day the winding-sheet shrouded Bégue. over the king's closed eyes. He died on Good Friday, and on Easter Eve they buried him. 879 Louis-le 879 Interreg num after the death le-Bégue. § 4. Great constitutional importance was attached, by usage and custom, to the regalia. According to ancient traditions, the delivery of of Louisthese symbols actually conveyed the royal authority. Analogies may be found to this opinion. The Lord High Treasurer of England, were there one, would receive his appointment by delivery of the Staff. The Lord Chancellor, as is wellknown, is created by the delivery of the Seals. Bishop Odo and Count Alboin took leave of their dying master, and set out upon their journey, with the full intention of retarding or defeating the Will which he had declared; for as soon as they heard of the King's death, they, instead of executing their commission, surrendered the tokens of sovereignty to the High Chamberlain Theodorick, investing him with whatever influence might result from possession of the insignia; and a revolutionary interregnum ensued. 862-888 879 Charles-le Simple. Besides Louis and Carloman, another heir might be expected. The Adeliza Judith was 17 Sep. 879. pregnant. She brought forth her babe (whom Birth of the mother called Charles, in honour of his ancestors) on Saint Lambert's feast day, five months after the death of Louis-le-Bégue. We do not hear anything more concerning the Adeliza: perhaps the Nun of Chelles, repenting her broken vows, returned to monastic seclusion. The child was first protected by Hugh the Abbot: he then disappears, until we ascertain that he had passed under the care of Rainulph the second, the son of Bernard of Septimania, Count of Poitiers; but anyhow the political existence of "Charlesle-Simple" was ignored during his early infancy, and when he afterwards was produced on the scene, uncharitable doubts were raised concerning his status, extending beyond the questions occasioned by the circumstances of his mother's marriage. Parties or factions § 5. Three parties, or factions, now arose, supporting by or through whose exertions or persuasions the thechildren succession was to be determined. All the great Bégue. men, clergy and nobles, had been fully preparing or opposing of Louis-le themselves for the vacancy of the throne, and all had determined to improve the contingency for their own advantage. Hugh the Abbot was preeminent in the party which supported the claims of the young princes Louis and Carloman. Others spurned the "concubine's sons." Gauzeline, the |