The question was whether France should remain a great nation, in full possession of itself and of its independence under a French king, or whether the King of England should, in London and with the title of King of France, have France in his possession and under his government.

Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, was called upon to solve this problem of the future, that is to say, to decide upon the fate of his lineage and his country.
[Illustration: Philip the Good of Burgundy----144] As soon as the conference was opened, and no matter what attempts were made to veil or adjourn the question, it was put nakedly.

The English, instead of peace, began by proposing a long truce, and the marriage of Henry VI.

with a daughter of King Charles.

The French ambassadors refused, absolutely, to negotiate on this basis; they desired a definitive peace; and their conditions were, that the King and people of England making an end of this situation, so full of clanger for the whole royal house, and of suffering for the people.