ABSTRACT
Charles was living at Bouillon, on Belgium’s border with France, and had set out for Italy on December 30. But it was not until January 23 that he reached the outskirts of Rome. On the way he had been met by a messenger with the news of his father’s death. He was too late for lying-in-state and burial at St. Peter’s. “The Romans were vastly impatient to bury him,” said Sir Horace Mann, “that their theaters might be opened.” It was a spiteful remark to make, but it was probably true. Charles had sent the messenger back with an order that Henry make preparations for his royal welcome in Papal City after an absence of twenty-two years. One longs to know his thoughts as the coach navigated the ice-bound roads over route he had taken on horseback with Vivier, Buchanan, and Godinet so long ago. Henry unwisely drove around in his opulent coach with Charles seated on his right side.
