Chapter VIII

209

Chambéry—The Cathedral—The Château—The Chapel—The holy shroud
distilling blood—Mules’ refusal to carry the relic
away—Respected by the flames—St. Charles of Borromeo’s
pilgrimage to its shrine at Turin—Its authenticity denied by
Calvin—Drawing made of the Saint Suaire by desire of Philip
the Fifth of Spain—Artist on his knees—Savoy—Peter of Savoy
favourite of Henry the Third of England—Savoy Palace, his
residence—The Green Count Amedée—His tournament—The Emperor
Charles the Fourth’s passage—Homage done to the Emperor—The
Banquet served by Horsemen—The Carmelites’ whitewash—The
Crusade—The Green Count’s embarkation—The Red Count
Amedée—His Death-wound in the forest of
Lornes—Poison—Physician beheaded—Duel between Estavayer and
Grandson—Its real cause—Place of combat—Bourg en
Bresse—Otho conquered—His tomb at Lausanne—Duke Amedée’s
retreat to Ripaille—His authority delegated to his Son—Six
Knights his Companions in the Monastery—Astrologers’
prediction—Author of Peace of Arras—Elected Pope—His
renouncement of the Tiara—His return to Ripaille, and
death—His tower and those of four of his knights still
standing—Fête Dieu—The priest commander of the forces—Les
Charmettes—The young Abbé—The old Governor—Censure—Severe
laws for small offences—Rejoicings—Montmeillan—Abymes de
Myans—The Black Virgin’s power—Chignin—Iron
collars—Fortress of Montmeillan—Its resistance—Sully’s
stratagem—Proof of the King’s Catholicity—Treason of the
Governor—Christina of Savoy’s confessor a captive—His vain
intrigues against Richelieu—Richelieu’s anger chiefly excited
by a satire written by Père Monod—Monod’s
death—Bourget—Amedée the Fifth—Hautecombe—Sepulchre of
Counts of Savoy—Tomb of Amedée, who defied to single combat
three English Earls—Abbey changed to a manufactory—Spectres
of the sovereigns of Savoy—Its restoration