seized on Burgundy and a part of Artois, as fiefs devolving to the crown in default of male issue.

Several of the provinces refused to pay the new subsidies commanded in the name of Mary; Flanders alone showing a disposition to uphold the rights of the young princess.

The states were assembled at Ghent, and ambassadors sent to the king of France in the hopes of obtaining peace on reasonable terms.

Louis, true to his system of subtle perfidy, placed before one of those ambassadors, the burgomaster of Ghent, a letter from the inexperienced princess, which proved her intention to govern by the counsel of her father's ancient ministers rather than by that of the deputies of the nation.

This was enough to decide the indignant Flemings to render themselves at once masters of the government and get rid of the ministers whom they hated.