Charles was on his way to Nuremberg[1] to fulfil a mission with certain German princes when the dauphin alighted in Brabant, like “a bird of ill omen,” as he designated himself on one occasion.  The count did not return to Brussels until January 12, 1457.  Thus he took no part in the hearty welcome accorded to the visitor.  It is more than possible that the heir of Burgundy was not wholly pleased with the state of affairs placidly existing by mid-winter.

Instead of resuming the first position which he had enjoyed during his brief regency, or the honoured second that had been his after Philip came back, Charles was now relegated to a third place.  Further, without having been consulted as to the policy, he found that he was forced into following his father’s lead in treating a penniless refugee like an invited guest, whose visit was an honour and a joy.  It is more than probable that Charles was already feeling somewhat hurt at the duke’s warmth towards Louis when a serious breach occurred between father and son about another matter.

It chanced that a chamberlain’s post fell vacant in his own household, and the count assumed that the appointment of a successor was something that lay wholly within his jurisdiction.  When the duke interfered in a peremptory fashion and insisted that the appointment should be made at his instance, the son refused to accept his authority, especially as his father’s nominee was Philip de Croy, one of a family already over-dominant in the Burgundian court.  At least, that was Charles’s opinion.  Therefore, when he obeyed his father’s commands to bring his ordonnance, or household list, to the duke’s oratory, he unhesitatingly carried the document which contained the name of Antoine Raulin, Sire d’Emeries, in place of Philip de Croy.

The duke was very angry at this apparent contempt for his expressed wishes.  Indignantly he threw the lists into the fire with the words, “Now look to your ordonnances for you will need new ones[2].”

There was evidently a succession of violent scenes in which the duchess tried to stand between her husband and son.  But Philip was beside himself with wrath and refused to listen to a word from her or from the dauphin, who also endeavoured to mediate[2].

Finally, the irate duke lost all control of himself, ordered a horse, and rode out alone into the forest of Soignies.  When he became calmer it was dark and he found himself far from the beaten tracks, in the midst of underbrush through which he could not ride.  He dismounted and wandered on foot for hours in the January night until smoke guided him to a charcoal burner, who conducted him to the more friendly shelter of a forester’s hut.  In the morning he made his way to Genappe.