_Swearing by Swans_ (Vol. iii., p. 70.).--An instance of the cognate custom
of swearing by pheasants is given by Michelet, _Precis de l'Histoire
Moderne_ (pp. 19, 20.). On the taking of Constantinople by the Turks,--
"L'Europe s'emut enfin: Nicholas V. precha la croisade.... a Lille, le
duc de Bourgoyne fit apparaitre, dans un banquet, l'image de l'Eglise
desolee et, selon les rites de la chevalerie, jura Dieu, la Vierge, les
dames, et _le faisan_, qu'il irait combattre les infideles." (1454.)
It seems, however, that in spite of all these formalities, the oath did not
sit very heavily on the conscience of the taker: for we are told
immediately after that--
"Cette ardeur dura peu.... le duc de Bourgoyne resta dans ses etats."
Michelet gives, as his authority, Olivier de la Marche, t. viii. _De la
Collection des Memoires relatifs a l'Hist. de France_, edit. de M. Petitot.