The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-20
sasrnIng Star and Catholic Messenger
wHw ORLEANS, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 90 1874.

Hxw ORLEANS. SUNDAY, sEPTkMBER TO- 1914
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Flanders; for there was only too much reason
TO believe that tho king OF France would think
AL measures good which might secure to him
rs long as possible the possession of those
wealthy provinces.
Philip the Fair and his wife Joanna of Ma
ysrre had, in order to provide funds for their
reckless prodigality, drawn, so to say, all the
money of the realm into their treasury; yet
for all this, the enormous sums which they ex-
tracted from the people did not suffice for their
Unsuitable wants. His aDpricipled ministers,
above all Enguerrand dc Margny, daily in
cited the king to levying fresh taxes, raising
the already excrbitant salt-duty, and laying
the most intoerable burdens all three
tates of the realm, regardless of the murmurs
Of the people and the frequent symptoms of
armed resistance. Again aud again he expelled
the Jews from France, in order to make them
pay enormous sums for permission to returnf;
and of last, when every other means was ex-
hsusted, he resorted to the plan of debasing
the coin of the realm.
This debasement of the coinage was q des-
perate and ruinous expedient; for the merchants
not choosing to part with their wares for mere
worthless counters, left the kingdom; the
people fell into poverty, the taxes could not be
levied, and the king found himself in a most
critical position. Flanders meanwhile -four
ished by the industry of its inhabitants. All
the trading nations of Europe and Asia re-
garded 1t as their second country, and carried
their goods to its cities, as to the universal
market place of the world. At Brnges alone
moro money and goods changed hands than in
the whole of France; the city was, in truth, @
very mine of wealth. This did not escape
PHILIPPE observation, and for some years he had
been occupied with plans for bringing the land
OF Flanders into his own possession. First he
had laid down impossible conditions to Count
Guy, in order to drive him into contumacy
then he had arrested and imprisoned his daugh-
ter Philippa; and at last he had overrun and
seized upon Flanders by force of arms
Nothing of all this had escaped the old
Counts consideration, nor did he in truth con-
ceal from himself the possible consequences of
his journey; but his grief on account of his
younger daughters imprisonment was such as
induced him to reject no means, however des-
perate, which might possibly lead to her re-
lease. Doubtless, too, the safe conduct prom
ised by CHARLES de Valois had tended consider
ably to reassure him.
And now the old Count set out with his sons
Robert and William, and fifty Flemish mobiles
Charles de Valois, and o great number of
French knights, accompanying them on the
journey.
Arrived at Compiegne, the Count and his
mobiles were sumptuously lodged and enter
tanned by the Count do Valos, until such time
an he should be able to arrange for their ad-
Mittance to the kings presence. This mag
unanimous prince, moreover, SO well used his
influence with his brother, that the latter was
quite inclined to fall into his views with re-
: spect to the Count of Flanders, whom he &C
UoTdingly caused to be summoned before him
at his royal palace.
The Count was introduced into q large and
splendid hall, az the other end of which stood
y throne, with o canopy of blue velvet wrou ght
with golden lilies, and hangings of the like
falling on each side to the ground a carpet,
richly embroidered with gold and silver, COW
cred the steps which led up to this magnificent
seat Philip the Fair was pacing up and down
the hall with his son, Louis Hutin "a. G, the
-quarrelsome]; behind them followed MANY
French mobiles, and among them Que to whom
the king often addressed his conversation
This favorite was Messire de Nogaret, the same
who at Philips command had ventured to ar
rest Pope Boniface. with circumstances of spe-
cial contumely.
As soon as Count Guy announced, the
king retired to the steps of the throne, with
ont however, mounting -them.-By- his side
stood his son Louis, while his mobiles ranged
themselves on either hand along the walls
Then the old Count of Flanders drawing near
with slow steps, knelt on one knee before the
king.
g Vassal p said Philip, F." u humble attitude
truly beseems you after all the trouble Won
h2vo occasioned us. You have deserved death
and are, indeed, condemned to die neverthe-
less, out of our royal grace, We will now hear
yon. Stand up, therefore, and speak"
Upon this the old Count rose from the ground
and said:
My prince and liege lord with confidence
in your royal Justice have presented myself
Mt your feet, that you may deal with me nc
cording to your will"
Yosr Submission" returned the king, |