Francis now had been for nine years, from 1525 to 1534, almost constantly at war. His kingdom was nearly ex hausted ; and not only did its finances require his care, but its internal regulations in almost every other respect. To these objects, therefore, he devoted some part of his time ; but a larger portion of it was given up to luxury, the pa tronage of letters, and the protection of the fine arts. Du• ing this repose from war, the most important events were, the annexation of the province of Bretagne to the crown of France with the consent of the states, and the marriage of his second son Henry with the celebrated Catherine of Me dicis, by which union he hoped again to open a path for the entrance of the French into Italy.
Francis had never regarded the terms of the peace of Cambray as advantageous or honourable to himself ; and consequently had eagerly looked forward for a good opportunity or excuse, in ()Her to break them. This op portunity occurred in the year 1535, five years after the treaty was concluded. Charles, at this time, was absent on an expedition to Africa. Sforza had put to death the French agent at Milan. Thus an excuse for hostilities was afforded, as well as a good opportunity for commenc ing them. The Duke of Savoy, however, refused permis sion to the French to pass through his dominions ; but he could make no effectual resistance. Savoy itself was soon conquered ; and Piedmont alone remained to the Duke. Sforza, alarmed at the approach of the French army, is said to have expired with terror ; and every thing seemed to promise a rapid fulfilment of the wishes of Francis. Again, however, he was destined to be disappointed. The Pope would not second his enterprise. Henry of England offered to support him, but on the condition that Francis should, like him, throw off the papal supremacy. To this condition, Francis refused his assent. The Protestant prin ces of Germany, to whom, as the natural opponents of Charles, he next turned his attention, renounced his alliance, because he persecuted their brethren in France. lie therefore was convinced, that on his own resources aricl vigour alone he must depend in his war with Charles. But this consideration failed of producing corresponding conduct. Instead of profiting by the unprepared state of Charles, he suffered himself to be duped by his profes sions. At last he saw his folly. While the emperor was amusing him with the hope that the Milanese should be restored to France, he entered Piedmont with an army of 40,000 infantry, and 10,000 cavalry. This country soon
yielded to hint ; and Francis next saw him direct his at tention and his march against the southern provinces of his kingdom. On this occasion, Francis conducted him self with a degree of prudence, which could not have been expected from his sanguine disposition. Instead of march ing to the frontiers to give his opponent battle, he resolv ed to act entirely on the defensive ; to garrison the strong est towns ; and to lay waste the country as the enemy ad vanced, so as to deprive him of subsistence. This plan was entrusted to Montmorency ; and to no fitter person could it have been entrusted. He acted strictly accord ing to the directions and the design of his sovereign. Charles advanced into Provence ; but he found it desert ed and desolate. There were no inhabitants, no cat tle, no grain. The open towns submitted, but the ford lied places resisted. Before one of these, the French general had encamped his army ; but in such a situation that he was invincible, and the town was safe, unless the emperor could tempt or provoke him to give battle. This Mont morency cautiously avoided. For two months, Charles besieged the town ; but he made not the least progress, while famine and disease thinned his ranks, and dispirited his troops. At last he was compelled to retreat. Now Montmorency came forth, and hung upon the rear of his opponent. Perhaps the emperor and his army might have been totally destroyed ; but the French general, even under the most favourble circumstances, would not depart from his plan, and hazard a battle ; declaring that a bridge of gold ought to be made for a flying enemy.
About the same time that Charles entered Provence, another of his armies invaded Picardy ; but it was equally unsuccessful. Francis now was at the height of his pros perity : His great rival was defeated and disgraced : His dominions were proved to be invulnerable, when properly defended. He himself had gained prudence and expe rience : The rashness and folly of youth had yielded to the cool and comprehensive wisdom of age ; but in the midst of these flattering circumstances, a most poignant disaster overtook him,—the dauphin died suddenly, not without suspicion of being poisoned.