THE COASTS OF SAINTONGE. 257 



unlimited attachment to its privileges, and unalterable 

 fidelity to the sovereign who respected them. The 

 republic claimed as an honour its title of vassal of 

 the crown, but in return it exacted that the sovereign, 

 before he entered its walls, should swear to respect 

 its liberties. On this condition alone the mayor cut 

 the silken cord which was suspended before the 

 city gate, while on the same condition La Rochelle 

 pledged herself never to aid the enemies of France 

 with men or money, and always to remain a faithful 

 and serviceable ally of the sovereign a compact 

 which she faithfully kept. The advance of society 

 and the antagonism of religious creeds at length, 

 however, severed a bond which for three centuries 

 had been consecrated by devotion on the one hand 

 and friendly protection on the other. La Rochelle 

 having become a stronghold of protestantism, the Count 

 de Montmorency, one of the generals of Charles IX., 

 severed the cord that had been respected by so many 

 kings, and entered the city without having tendered 

 the usual oaths of good will. This was a signal for 

 a war, which was sometimes carried on openly and 

 honourably, and at other times covertly and treach- 

 erously ; but throughout this long contest, which 

 endured for nearly a century, La Rochelle maintained 

 the struggle always with honour, often with success. 

 Indeed she seems to have drawn an additional degree 

 of energy from the association of a new faith with 

 her antiquated form of policy. Twice the entire army 

 of France was ranged in order of battle before her 

 walls, and when at length she succumbed, it was to 

 VOL. II. S 



