In the spring of 1507, Louis went to Genoa, to put down a revolt there, which, having done, he recrossed the Alps and came to Grenoble, where the Queen went to meet him. While he was there the Princess Claude was seized with a kind of continuous fever which greatly alarmed and distressed the Queen, who kept up a constant correspondence with Madame des Bouchage, governess to the little princess, being always fully informed of her condition. The doctors at first declared she would not recover, but as she very soon became much better, the Queen, who did not believe in doctors because they had been altogether wrong about her eldest son, and failed to save either him or any of her other children, was so angry, and so confirmed in her opinion that she wrote to Madame des Bouchage that the child was not to see any more of them, for they were no use, she must take care of her herself.[336] The Princess Claude soon recovered.
The Italian war dragged on. The league of Cambrai was formed against Venice in 1508, and Louis was eager to be again at the head of the French army. Anne did all she could to dissuade him, and tried to induce him to return to Blois, assuring him that Claude was fretting to see him,[337] but it was useless. He recrossed the Alps, and soon came tidings of the victory of Agnadel and conquest of nearly all the Venetian mainland provinces.[338]
He returned, safe and victorious, to Blois at the end of the summer, and there during that year took place the wedding of Marguérite, sister of François, Duc de Valois, with the Duc d’Alençon. It was celebrated with suitable splendour and followed by a great banquet and ball, after which there were joustes. The Duc de Valois kept the lists with eight others, served by the King himself, the princes who contended were so young that small lances were made on purpose. The Pope’s legate not being well, looked on from a window. Next day they fought again, this time in white armour, the bridegroom dressed in white satin. The Queen and her ladies gave the prizes.[339]
They all delighted in festivities and amusements, _fêtes champêtres_ were often given in the open air, a favourite day being Mid-Lent Sunday, called, especially in the valleys of the Marne and Meuse, _dimanche des fontaines_. M. Siméon de Luce describes those given in a preceding reign by Beatrix de Bourlemont when young men and girls from the neighbouring châteaux and peasants from the villages hung garlands, dined, sang, and danced under an ancient beech tree said to be haunted by fairies.[340]