The war’s center of gravity is soon transferred to the Loire, where the Frondeurs had been commanded by intriguers and quarrelsome lords until Condé's arrival from Guyenne.

His bold leadership makes itself felt on April 7, 1652, in the Battle of Bléneau, in which a portion of the royal army is destroyed; but fresh troops come up to oppose him.

From the skillful dispositions made by his opponents, Condé feels the presence of Turenne and breaks off the action.

The royal army does likewise.

Condé invites the commander of Turenne's rearguard to supper, chaffs him unmercifully for allowing the prince's men to surprise him in the morning, and by way of farewell remarks to his guest, "Quel dommage que de braves gens comme nous se coupent la gorge pour un faquin" ("It's too bad decent people like us are cutting our throats for a scoundrel")—an incident and a remark that displays the feudal arrogance which ironically will lead to the iron-handed absolutism of Louis XIV.

After Bléneau, ...