ses empereurs historiens de Constantinople

Constantinople was captured by the crusaders in 1204 (fourth crusade) and was governed by western rulers until 1261. The first western or Frankish ruler was Baudouin of Flanders; his friend was the first great French historian, Villehardouin. 22. tour d'Anvers. One of the two towers of the cathedral; the other is incomplete.

68. — 24. le poignard de miséricorde. This was a dagger that could be passed between the joints of the armor of a fallen enemy so that he could be forced to cry for mercy.

70. — 4. qui leur arracha Calais. In 1558; this marks the end of English possessions in France.

5. le nom des fondateurs de Brest, de Dunkerque et d'Amiens. The date of the foundation of Brest is unknown. Michelet here refers to the beginning of the harbor-works by Richelieu. Louis XIV bought Dunkirk (church in the dunes) from the English in 1662. The town dates at least from the ninth century. In regard to Antwerp, the reference is to the enlargement of the harbor by Napoleon in 1800-1803.

71. — I. le Bourbonnais, berceau de la d3niastie. Because the Bourbon kings were members of the large family originating in this province; the family can be traced to the beginning of the tenth century.

4. le point de séparation des races. That is, the point of separation of those who speak the langue d'oïl from those who speak the langue d'oc and breton.