Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-04-08

| tue Iedllul history ot tile war VI tllt sue
cession of Moha. Her father was but too
true prophet, and her cousin Henry lost
no time in demanding her patrimony as hi;
right. The Bishop of Liege, who also
claimed the county as reversionary fief OF
the church. took up arms in its defense.
At first, Henry was successful. At the
head of twenty thousand men he ravaged
the province of Liege, surprised the city
on the Sd of May, 1912, and in four days
made himself master of the place. 1t was
1 pillaged, and would have been fired, but
for the oath of fidelity taken by the clergy
and people. From this the Pope released
them, and on the 18th of October, 1918,
the Liegois fought the great battle of Warde
des Steppes. The duke was utterly routed,
and was obliged to subscribe the most hu-
initiating conditions. He surrendered his
sons as hostages, and walked uncovered and
barefotted from the gate of ST. Walburge
in Liege, to the Cathedral of St. Lambert,
opposite the Bishops palace. These hor-
rors spoiled Gertrude's pleasure for a time,
and rendered her absent and thoughtful I;
but every means was tried to divert her,
and she resumed her studies with her usual
obcdient care. At the age OF fifteen, she
appeared at Duke Ferry's court, where She
shone the loveliest and best OF that bril-
liant band, which his duchess had drawn
around her.
Among the knights " no sought her favor
by every possible exhibition of gallanry,
was Thibaut, the Fourth Count of Cam
payne, called the ..Song Maker" the most
celebrated of tYouoesreS. Educated at the
court OF Philip Augustus, while his mother
Blanche OF Castillo governed his heredita-
ry dominions, he had become skillful in
every exercise suitable to his high birth,
and the prospect of throne, to which he
was elevated upon the death of his mater
nal uncle, Sancho, King of Navarro.
Handsome in person and gentle in manner,
none surpected him to be governed by i'm
pulse rather than principle, or dreamed OF
! the hallowness of the bosom, which seemed
1 to throb alone TO the finest sentiments. For
time, Gertrude was saved from his bligth-
4 ing selfhness. Amidst the delirium Of a
fast ripening love, she resolutely banished
4 him from her thought, and received with a
\ kindness which she strove to make real, the
I betrothed of her childhood, her cousin
| Theobald. He was in character all that
! Thibaut appeared. "One of the handsom-
est men of the time" and what was much
better, brave, generous, humane and true
he loved her entirely; and she soon found
IN his unfeigned devotion a contented hap
pineSs, far superior TO the wild tumult O
feeling which had previously agitated her
j Scarcely were the wedding ceremonies
concluded when Duke Ferry died, and
| Theobald became sovereign Of Lorraine.
The young couple were looking forward te
a tranquil reign over the smiling country
which acknowledged their sway, and with.
out proposing any overturning of existing
laws, pleased themselves with laying many
plans for ameliorating the condition of their
people. But short and stormy was distain
ed 10 be the life which promised so much
The Emperor Otho and John of England
united for the destruction of philip Angus
tus, and as grand feudatory of the Empire
Theobald fought at the fatal battle Of Bou
vines which resulted in the entire over
throw of the 1mperialists. All that h(
!, could do was TO secure a retreat, after the
, day was lost. Treachery had been bus,
!, during this disastrous struggle, and Fred
rick, King of the Romans, forgetful of ever,
tie, seczed Roscheim, which formed par
) Of Lorraine. Scarcely stopping to bic
adieu to his wife, the Duke FASTENED TO
ward the town but Friedrich suddenly ap
pearlng with his whole force of cavalry
compelled him to take refuge in Arsace
] which he besieged. He also called upol
the Countess of Champagne to join him
: Notwithstanding her relationship to Theo
: bald, she did not scruple TO aid his enemies
: and with the Count of Bar took Nancy
] pilaged and burned it. Surrounded an
f hard pressed, the Duke was compelled t
e yield, purchasing his liberty by base conces
J sions; but after obtaining all that he desii
ed, the faithless King carried him captiv
: TO Wuzbufg, where he kept him prisoner.
During this time, Gertrude with he
4 mother-in-law were shut up in Metz b
e German troops. There were tried ski
0 and courage within the walls, but the gan
i rison was insufficient, and no provision ha
: been made for siege. In this emergenc
d the duchess applied to Conrad, Bishop
i Metz, the fast friend of her husband. III
d was immensely rich, and finally agreed t
+ pay to Frederick twelve hundred livres fo
= the dukes ransom.
Y Once more vision of home rose betor
e the unfortunate prince. As he trayele
g blithely and rapidly along, he thought M
; ture had been so gay, life had never bee
, so dear. There was no one to apprise hiI
e of the murderous hatred of Frederick, Il
n one to warn him that his emissary followe
st his every movement, threading forest
If crossing rivers, skulking IN the darkne'
Is along the highway, ever watchful, eve
h seeking the moment for certain blo'
d He passed the Rhine, and his vigianc
y and that of his attendants relaxed. Almo
Is within the shadow of his own walls, VIII;
l. need was ther for cautionl Stopping t,
r night at hostelry, he was surprised
1t the appearance Of lady of rare beaui
al riding a palfry, and attended by train
E. servants. which no less than her own ca
a riage. bespoke her wealth and rank. 81
e. was annarentIy aStonished to find guests