Many of her nobles urged the claims of France.

But love in the heart of Mary was stronger than political expediency, and more persuasive than the entreaties of her nobles.

To relieve herself from importunity, she was hurriedly married, three months after the death of her father, by proxy to Maximilian.
In August the young prince, but eighteen years of age, with a splendid retinue, made his public entry into Ghent.

His commanding person and the elegance of his manners, attracted universal admiration.

His subjects rallied with enthusiasm around him, and, guided by his prowess, in a continued warfare of five years, drove the invading French from their territories.