CHAPTER XXIX

Conditions of peace with the Huguenots decided upon--Refusal of the citizens of Montpellier to open their gates to the King until his army has been disbanded--Bullion advises Louis XIII to accede to their wishes, and is supported by the majority of the Council--Bassompierre is of the contrary opinion and urges the King to reduce Montpellier to “entire submission and repentance”--Louis XIII decides to follow the advice of Bassompierre, and the siege of the town is begun--A disastrous day for the Royal army--Death of Zamet and the Italian engineer Gamorini--Political intrigues--Bassompierre succeeds in securing the post of Keeper of the Seals for Caumartin, although the King has already promised it to d’Aligre, the nominee of Condé--Heavy losses sustained by the besiegers in an attack upon one of the advanced works--Condé quits the army and sets out for Italy--Bassompierre is created marshal of France amidst general acclamations--Peace is signed--Death of the Abbé Roucellaï--Bassompierre accompanies the King to Avignon, where he again falls of petechial fever, but recovers--He assists at the entry of the King and Queen into Lyons--He is offered the government of the Maine, but declines it......pp. 377-393