DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69942#0150
FRANCIS I. [FRANCE.
was induced to enter into an accommodation with his
competitor at Cambray, in 1529.
Notwithstanding these repeated checks, the restless
and aspiring disposition of Francis was ever at enmity
with the Emperor. The peace had scarcely been ratified,
when he renewed his claims to the Duchy of Milan, and
plunged his country into a scene of warfare. Thirst-
ing for conquest, Francis marched hjs troops into Italy,
Roussillon, and Luxembourg, and defeated the Impe-
rialists at Cerisoles : while Charles, who had entered into
an alliance with Hen. VIII. penetrated into Picardy and
Champagne. The Emperor was even at Soissons, and
the King of England at Boulogne. Such was the state
of affairs, when these rival warriors arranged another
peace at Crespi, in Valois, on the 18th of September, 1544.
From the year 1515 to this period, when he was
obliged to acknowledge the ascendancy of Spain, Francis
was . ever at war, occasioned either by his ambition to
possess Milan, his resentment towards Charles as Em-
peror, or by their rivalship in military glory. “ God
created them,” says Montluc, “ envious of the grandeur
of each' other: and thus caused the ruin of a million
of families.” But be the motives of his actions what they
might, these repeated broils involved his country in great
calamity. His wars had no commendable object: they
were neither undertaken to uphold the honour, nor pro-
mote the happiness of his people. Actuated by false
glory, he was incited to arms without previous arrange-
ment or precaution, and the consequences were evident;
- alternate victories and defeats, conquests no sooner
gained than lost; a long imprisonment—a treaty shamefully
subscribed to, and as shamefully violated,—and a nation
brought to the brink of ruin. Such, observes Condillac,
was induced to enter into an accommodation with his
competitor at Cambray, in 1529.
Notwithstanding these repeated checks, the restless
and aspiring disposition of Francis was ever at enmity
with the Emperor. The peace had scarcely been ratified,
when he renewed his claims to the Duchy of Milan, and
plunged his country into a scene of warfare. Thirst-
ing for conquest, Francis marched hjs troops into Italy,
Roussillon, and Luxembourg, and defeated the Impe-
rialists at Cerisoles : while Charles, who had entered into
an alliance with Hen. VIII. penetrated into Picardy and
Champagne. The Emperor was even at Soissons, and
the King of England at Boulogne. Such was the state
of affairs, when these rival warriors arranged another
peace at Crespi, in Valois, on the 18th of September, 1544.
From the year 1515 to this period, when he was
obliged to acknowledge the ascendancy of Spain, Francis
was . ever at war, occasioned either by his ambition to
possess Milan, his resentment towards Charles as Em-
peror, or by their rivalship in military glory. “ God
created them,” says Montluc, “ envious of the grandeur
of each' other: and thus caused the ruin of a million
of families.” But be the motives of his actions what they
might, these repeated broils involved his country in great
calamity. His wars had no commendable object: they
were neither undertaken to uphold the honour, nor pro-
mote the happiness of his people. Actuated by false
glory, he was incited to arms without previous arrange-
ment or precaution, and the consequences were evident;
- alternate victories and defeats, conquests no sooner
gained than lost; a long imprisonment—a treaty shamefully
subscribed to, and as shamefully violated,—and a nation
brought to the brink of ruin. Such, observes Condillac,