Footnote 672
This order (26 July 1415) authorizes the distribution of eight queues [large barrels] of wine as
a bribe, and is unusually blunt in admitting that this gift was designed "to expedite our affairs" at
the Council.
Among the sources for this information is the following text from historian Richard Vaughan, which includes a
quotation from the original letter:
"Other methods used by John the Fearless to protect his interests at Constance seem to have included both bribery and force. The bribery is well attested, and this was not only monetary, for plate and jewels, books and quantities of wine were despatched to Constance by him and distributed to the prelates assembled there. In one order to pay of 26 July 1415 the purpose of this liberality is clearly stated. 'Eight queues of Burgundy... delivered to... Pierre Cauchon, vidame of Rheims, who has been and is in embassy for us at Constance, for him to distribute and present this wine on our behalf to several cardinals, archbishops and bishops and other ecclesiastics at the said Council, in order to expedite our affairs there...'"(Excerpted from Vaughan's "John the Fearless: The Growth of Burgundian Power", pp. 211 - 212).