CHAPTER XXXVI

Siege of La Rochelle begins--Immense difficulties of the undertaking--Unwillingness of the great nobles to see the Huguenot party entirely crushed--Remark of Bassompierre--Courage and energy of Richelieu--His measures to provide for the welfare and efficiency of the besieging army--The lines of circumvallation--Erection of the Fort of La Fons by Bassompierre--The construction of the mole is begun and proceeded with in the face of great difficulties--Responsibilities of Bassompierre--The Duc d’Angoulême accuses the marshal of a gross piece of negligence, but the latter succeeds in turning the tables upon his accuser--Louis XIII returns to Paris, leaving Richelieu with the title of “Lieutenant-General of the Army”--Critical state of affairs in Italy--Unsuccessful attempts to take La Rochelle by surprise--Intrigues of Marie de’ Medici and the High Catholic party against Richelieu--The King rejoins the army--Guiton elected Mayor of La Rochelle.....pp. 529-541