"--
_Oraison-funebre, &c_, p. 53.
Francis I. did not allow the magnificent reception accorded to him at
Alencon to pass unrewarded. He presented his sister with the duchy of
Berry, where she henceforward exercised temporal control, though she
does not appear to have ever resided there for any length of time.
In 1521, when her husband started to the relief of Chevalier Bayard,
attacked in Mezieres by the Imperial troops, she repaired to Meaux with
her mother so as to be near to the Duke. Whilst sojourning there she
improved her acquaintance with the Bishop, William Briconnet, who had
gathered around him Gerard Roussel, Michael d'Arande, Lefevre d'Etaples,
and other celebrated disciples of the Reformation. The effect of
Luther's preaching had scarcely reached France before Margaret had begun
to manifest great interest in the movement, and had engaged in a long
correspondence with Briconnet, which is still extant. Historians are
at variance as to whether Margaret ever really contemplated a change of
religion, or whether the protection she extended to the Reformers was
simply dictated by a natural feeling of compassion and a horror of
persecution.
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