Francis agreed to pay a ransom of two million crowns for his sons.

Though he was put to desperate straits to raise the money, levying a 40 per cent.

income tax on the clergy and a 10 per cent.

income tax on the nobles, he finally paid the money and got back his children in 1530.
By this time France was so exhausted, both in {187} money and men, that a policy of peace was the only one possible for some years.
Montmorency, the principal minister of the king, continued by an active diplomacy to stir up trouble for Charles.

While suppressing Lutherans at home he encouraged the Schmalkaldic princes abroad, going to the length of inviting Melanchthon to France in 1535.