Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/504

490 the parliament complained. In this trying emergency the magnanimity of Louisa was eminently displayed, and that kingdom which her passions had endangered, her abilities were exerted to save; she assembled at Lyons, the princes of the blood, the governors of the provinces', and notables of the realm, who came to the generous resolution of immediately paying the ransom of the officers and soldiers taken at the battle of Pavia. The army and garrisons were recruited, and enabled to repel an attack of the Imperialists, whilst Louisa conciliated the favour of the king of England, whom she disengaged from the confederacy; and to her mediation Francis acknowledged himself indebted for his liberty, which he recovered in March 1526, and was joyfully received by his mother and the whole nation. The terms of his liberation by the emperor were so exorbitant, that he never intended to fulfil them, and the Pope absolved him from his oaths. Hostilities continued, till at length, Margaret of Austria and the Duchess of Angoulseme met at Cambray, and settled the terms of pacification, whence the peace derived the name of "The ladies' peace." Louisa died 1571, delivering Francis from a counsellor whose passions had frequently endangered the kingdom which her wisdom and magnanimity had contributed to protect. Mindful of her counsel, he completed her favorite project, of annexing the duchy of Britanny to the crown.

Gifford's France.

They however secretly left it immediately after their marriage,