Note 1210 — Chapter XII

Montluc even ascribed the ravages of the plague to Damville in order to create popular prejudice against him! (Hist. du Languedoc, V, 449). His own words are: “Pour se montrer au peuple, qui avoit une marvelleuse envie de le voir, n’y pouvant arrêter à cause de la grande peste qui y est.” (Cf. his letters to Damville, December 31, 1567, and August 26, 1569, in Commentaires et lettres de Montluc, V, 103 and 159.) Montluc was doubly incensed at this moment because the peace of Longjumeau canceled orders which he had received in February to attempt to take La Rochelle by sea (ibid., VII, 148 ff.; V, 107 note, 109 note, 184 note).