Identifier: greatestnations05elli (find matches)
Title: The story of the greatest nations, from the dawn of history to the twentieth century : a comprehensive history, founded upon the leading authorities, including a complete chronology of the world, and a pronouncing vocabulary of each nation
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors: Ellis, Edward Sylvester, 1840-1916 Horne, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1870-1942
Subjects: World history
Publisher: New York : F.R. Niglutsch
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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onfiscated and his life was threatened. Fleeing fromFrance, he threw himself into the arms of Charles. Bourbon was the bestgeneral of the age. So here was all Europe—Germany, England, Spain, and most of Italyranged against Francis, and his ablest subject ready to lead their armies. Thelong contests that followed may be briefly summarized. Both Henry andCharles repeatedly invaded France. Each time they were forced to fall back.Herein lies the chief of the boasted claims of Francis to be considered great.He withstood the whole strength of his united foes, who were planning todivide his country among them. Yet the honor belongs more to the Frenchpeople than their King, who showed little wisdom in his methods of defense.Moreover, whenever the French ventured beyond their own border, they werebadly defeated. In those days of scant food and difficult transportation, all theadvantage of war lay with the defensive side. The most serious fighting occurred in Italy. There the exiled Duke of I
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France—Capture of Francis I. 859 Bourbon led the Germans, and there Bayard died. Having been ordered todefend the rear of the retreating French, the good knight did so till he fell.Even his antagonists lamented his death. Bourbon, in hot pursuit, passed thedying chevalier and stopped to express his regrets. Nay, it is not I, who amto be pitied, returned Bayard. I fall with honor as befits a soldier. Youare so unfortunate as to be fighting against your king, your country, and youroath. At last, in 1525, there was a decisive Italian battle at Pavia. King Francishimself was besieging the city; and he stubbornly and ill-advisedly insistedon fighting a relieving army under Bourbon. The French were defeated withfearful slaughter, and the King, fighting as always with great personal bravery,was crushed beneath his horse and taken prisoner. Report has represented him as sending to his mother that famous briefmessage, All is lost save honor. In truth, however, his letter said, All islost sav

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