One broiling day he insisted, in spite of the advice of his uncles, on leaving Le Mans with the troops. He was dressed in black velvet, and almost suffocated with the heat.
As they were entering a wood a tall figure rushed out and caught his horse by the bridle, crying out that he was betrayed (which by the by is the typical exclamation of the modern Frenchman). This particular man, however, appears to have been mad, and while he was raving and warning the King not to go further he was seized by the guards.
Charles said nothing at first, but rode on for about an hour till the troop came out of the wood on to a sandy plain where the dust and heat were overpowering. One of the pages, who was so exhausted that he was falling asleep, let his spear fall against some one else’s armour. The clang it made startled the King, who suddenly gave a shout and rode furiously forward striking at everybody. He struck down several men, killing four, and rushed at the Duc d’Orléans, who fled for his life and escaped. The Duke of Burgundy rode up exclaiming, “_Haro! le grand meschef! monseigneur est tout dévoyé!_” They tried to catch the King, but it was most difficult and dangerous. However, at last a cavalier who was very fond of him got behind him and threw his arms round him. He was laid on the ground, the paroxysm passed off and he fell back insensible. They placed him in a litter, and the whole troop turned back to Le Mans. The expedition was at an end, and the King was mad.[142]
Tyranny of Duchess of Burgundy--Birth of Marie de France--Duchesse de Berry saves La Rivière--Doctor Hassely--King recovers--The masquerade--Dreadful fire--King ill--The sorcerers--King recovers--Dr. Fréron--King ill again--Accusations against Louis and Valentine--Birth of Louis de France--Betrothal of Isabelle de France to Richard II. of England--Their marriage--Disastrous crusade--Marriage of Jeanne de France to Duc de Bretagne--Marie de France takes the veil.
The consternation of everybody and the confusion into which the kingdom fell can scarcely be imagined. The King was taken to Creil where he slowly improved, but was by no means fit to have anything to do with affairs; indeed for some time he only had partially lucid intervals, and was altogether much weakened.