confirmed when an agent sent by Condé was captured with papers implicating him. They called an assembly of notables to discuss reforms for the kingdom, and agreed upon a package to present to a planned Estates General. Only Condé and Navarre were absent, being too fearful of arrest. To further isolate the renegade princes, two super-governorships were created for the kingdom, with one given to Charles, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon and the other to Louis, Duke of Montpensier, thus separating them from their cousins. Arrest, trial and release of Condé No longer able to tolerate this treason, Condé was summoned to join the soon to be convened Estates General of 1560-1. Thoroughly outnumbered by the troops under the Guises and Philip II, they had little choice but to attend. Upon arrival, Condé was arrested on October 31st, along with the Vidame of Chartres. Condé filibustered the proceedings, demanding a trial of his peers, and not recognising the authority of his judges. Eventually, though, the trial would proceed, and he would be found guilty, with an indeterminate sentence, likely at the prisons of Loches. However, his imprisonment was to be short. Not long after, Francis II, who had always been of fragile health, suffered an ear infection brought about by the cold, and he died on December 5th, 1560. This spelled the end for the Guise administration. Soon a regency was arranged for the young Charles IX under Catherine de Medici. She negotiated Navarre out of his position as regent (the usual prerogative as first prince of the blood) with the leverage of offering the release of the arrested Condé. Subsequently he was released on 20 December. Notes 1560 in France French Wars of Religion Conspiracies 16th-century coups d'état and coup attempts