to a close in the more punitive Peace of Bergerac. Alençon Reconciled with Alençon, he was among those in his close circle as he weighed up whether he wished to return to court. In outlining his demands for a return to Paris, Alençon opined that he would need Bussy and La Châtre to receive a place on the conseil privé where they could represent his interests. He was convinced to return to court. La Châtre's proximity to the prince displeased the king. Several of the king's favourites, Maugiron and Saint-Luc used their authority to ensure La Châtre lost a trial he was engaged in, in the hopes this would persuade him to detach from the king's brothers' retinue. Meanwhile, the attorney Le Riche attempted to look for methods to compromise Alençon's position through charging his favourites Bussy, La Châtre and Simiers for the fights they engaged in with other gentleman, however this came to nothing. In February, having taken La Châtre's council Alençon decided to flee court under the pretext of going to Saint-Germain for a hunt. The preparations he undertook for the hunt were so secretive however that it aroused the attention of Henri and Catherine. On 10 February they invaded his chambers with the assistance of the captain of the Scots guard Jean de Losses. Bussy, Simiers and Rochepot were put under house arrest in the Louvre. For La Châtre who had suggested the enterprise, the Bastille was chosen to hold him. After Alençon was coaxed into apologising for his attempt to depart court by his sister, his favourites were released from their various arrests. La Châtre immediately set about planning a new escape from the court with Alençon, Bussy and Simiers, succeeding only 4 days later on 14 February. The party reached Angers by 19 February, with Catherine catching up to her son on 23 February in the hopes of negotiating his return again, he refused to see her, feigning an illness. She returned from her negotiation efforts furious at how she had been treated, both by her son and also his favourites La Châtre and Bussy, who behaved haughtily with her. In August 1579 he was among those trusted to represent the prince in his negotiations with the Dutch States General to arrange the prince's ascent to kingship, meeting with a delegation at Tours alongside Marshal Cossé and the Marquis d'Elbeuf. After a month of tense