Queen Of Four Kingdoms, The (23 page)

‘Tell me,’ she sighs, thinking that it really must be serious if he has gone to the trouble of a special visit. But her fears are nothing compared with the story that Jean struggles to find the words to tell her:

‘At his invitation, I was with the dauphin’s company to second him as his captain of one hundred and fifty soldiers recruited from his territory of Berry. We were making the rounds of the chateaux of the Loire; the dauphin was showing himself and drumming up support for the Armagnacs in the same way as the Duke of Burgundy’s men do. We arrived at the small moated chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, between Tours and Chinon . . .’ He pauses.

‘Yes, I know the place well,’ she says encouragingly.

He takes a deep breath. ‘The dauphin sent a messenger in the usual way, requesting to enter and dine with the company. This is what he does to win people to his cause, and he has done so successfully with many others in the area. His messenger returned with a reply, which, when he read it, turned him quite pale.

‘Madame, I was alongside him, and without a word he passed me the note. In vulgar language it mocked his pretensions to being the lawful dauphin, saying “God alone knows who your father might be in view of your mother’s gross immorality.”’

Yolande stifles a gasp, biting her lip. Jean Dunois looks at his feet, conscious of his own illegitimacy, and says quietly:

‘Madame, you can imagine what effect such a message would have on the dauphin.’

She pats his hand but says nothing.

‘Believe me, I begged him to leave in peace. But his face was red with rage. He ordered me’ – he pauses, taking another deep breath – ‘in front of his men, to storm the chateau. I had no choice. As his captain, I could not refuse.’

Even at his young age, Jean Dunois is already known as a talented strategist and soldier. He would have disagreed with this decision with all his heart. But Yolande knows he had to obey his dauphin.

‘Madame, since you know Azay-le-Rideau, you will recall that it was built more for love trysts than for war. The chateau was poorly defended and never expected an attack. Although our troops were outnumbered, we easily overwhelmed the stronghold.’ Here he pauses once more, looking at his feet again, his voice faltering.

‘In his anger at the insult to his pride and station, the dauphin ordered me, his captain . . .’ he paused, and swallowed, ‘to hang . . . and behead each soldier of the garrison . . . some two hundred men,’ he almost whispers.

Yolande is speechless. She has to force herself to remember that Charles is fifteen years old, Jean Dunois is sixteen. Both are men. They are no longer the children she was raising – but how could Charles have turned into someone who would give such an unreasonable order? And just when he is attempting to win allies to his cause?

For a moment she can say nothing and then, quietly, taking his hand, ‘No, Jean, do not think of it again. You obeyed, as you must, your commanding officer. He is not a monster, but there are some things he cannot stand to hear. You can be sure that will be the last garrison that dares call him a bastard.’ She, too, almost whispers.

When Jean Dunois leaves, she sits thinking about his story. What a troubled character has their future king. Her guiding principles in the children’s upbringing were to give them three great gifts: a good education; impeccable manners and self-restraint; and unconditional, unlimited love. The dauphin can be so gracious, a wonderful host, affable, persuasive, and he has a remarkable way of connecting with simple people as well as with the most educated and important. Despite this, she finds herself wondering sometimes what would have become of him if he had not had her restraining hand and advice to guide him. To be the son of a madman could never hold much promise, and a crazy act like this one at Azay-le-Rideau will only frighten people when they hear of it.

*

It is not long after this that the Queen of Sicily makes her first visit to the court at Bourges. The time has come to see how Charles is transforming his wonderful inheritance. What a strong and splendid city it is, its huge cathedral with its lofty pointed arches dominating the skyline. As she approaches the ducal palace, there is her darling Marie waiting for her. How they embrace and examine each other’s faces; and laugh; and embrace again with joy at their reunion. Marie leads her mother by the hand to a superb series of rooms decorated in the exquisite taste of the late Duke Jean. Her salon has walls covered in gilded Cordoba leather – one of the most ravishing decorative skills of Yolande’s homeland and she notices it is stamped with the royal arms of Valois. Wisely, Marie has not changed anything: ‘Maman,’ she says, ‘what do I know of decoration? And here I live in one of the most famous of our late uncle’s palaces, he who was known for his exquisite taste. But I have laid Papa’s bedspread with his arms in the middle of my bed – come look.’

Since Charles has his uncle’s suite, Marie has that of his late aunt, the clever lady who threw her heavy velvet train over his father when he was on fire during the the Ball of the Burning Men.

Marie gives her mother several rooms next to hers. Yolande admires her walls hung with silk taffeta in an enchanting shade of pale celadon green, with rare Chinese porcelain of the same colour in a dark wooden cabinet against the wall. The hangings of her bed and the curtains at the windows are all of the same silk, edged with a delicate silk fringe dyed to match. It is perfect, and when she tells Marie, how she glows with her mother’s approval.

It is a joy to catch up with her daughter on all that has happened since she came to Bourges with Charles, and it pleases Yolande to see her settled here. Marie is accompanied by four
demoiselles
from families known to them in Anjou. Another three are from good local families recommended to Yolande. They will help the Angevin girls find their way around the city, as well as being company for Marie. Heading her daughter’s small household is the faithful Juana, who Yolande knows will be in control of everything. Seeing her beloved Juana waiting in the doorway, she embraces her as she would a favoured aunt – just as she did in childhood.

‘Juana, tell me quickly, is Marie all right?’ she asks her. ‘Has she found her feet here away from home?’

‘Yes, my dearest madame, she has matured a great deal and has such a wise little head on her shoulders. And she and Charles are close, although I think our dauphin needs a healthy dose of his
bonne mère
around him!’ she says with a disapproving look, and Yolande has no doubt she will hear all later.

Marie’s tutors have come from Anjou with her, and an excellent painting master of Uncle Jean’s will instruct her. The park surrounding the chateau is large enough to ride in and has direct access to the fields beyond – an ideal situation as Marie loves to ride to hounds. In addition to this, she has her own horses, grooms, falcons and music teacher – altogether everything a young queen could need. Yolande and Juana will see to that. Her mother has brought her two of Ajax and Calypso’s wolfhound puppies as well, and she almost squeezes Yolande breathless when she comes in and sees them.

‘Maman, you angel, puppies! Oh, the darling things – and they can ride out with me as soon as they grow! No hare will be safe with Ajax’s young after them! Oh, I
am
so glad you have come!’ And she overwhelms her mother with affection.

Despite her lack of beauty, Marie seems to enchant everyone with her sweet nature and delightful laugh. In fact, despite her delicious sense of humour, she is quite a serious-minded girl at heart, who reads much and loves to learn, but her quirky jokes and japes entertain her audience – as much as her knowledge when conversing with the older members of the court. When she laughs, it is easy to forget that she is not beautiful; emotion shown from the heart does not fade – something Yolande repeated often to her children and also believes.

Marie’s life as the dauphin’s betrothed is ideal – with her delightful little court, charming
demoiselles
for company, living in the most tasteful, beautiful rooms one could imagine, as well as good teachers and a library such as Yolande would like to have herself at Angers – yes, she must admit, her daughter would appear to be perfectly installed in her own corner of Paradise. From all she hears, Marie is popular with the local nobility as well as the palace staff – both inside and out – who all seem to adore her. But her mother’s instinct tells her something is amiss – what is it that Marie has not told her? Has Charles changed towards her? Now that he is master here, could he have become someone other than the child she brought up to share the values she taught her own children and their cousin Jean Dunois?

It surprises Yolande to find that she is almost apprehensive about seeing Charles in his own court. She has heard so many conflicting stories about him – will he be changed? Will their old ease with each other remain? Her role in Charles’s life has always been the same – to be supportive, encouraging, advising, and to use her power, connections and wealth to his advantage while remaining in the shadows, as invisible as possible. Will he remember this; will her influence still hold sway with him? And yet, it is not as simple as that – not black and white – there are more grey areas she will need to observe, and then ascertain how best to use what influence she still has to ensure he is surrounded by courtiers of the right stamp. Often she wishes that he had come to her at a younger age so that he could have avoided his early childhood – and all its attendant horrors – at his parents’ court.

The dauphin has arranged a reception for her, and receives her as always with a deep bow in recognition of her status as queen. She notes with pleasure that he looks much more mature and elegant, more confident and assured. And she will find time to carefully probe his mind and discern how
that
has matured.

‘Are your rooms to your liking,
ma bonne mère
? Do you have everything you need?’ he asks anxiously – it is the first time she has been his guest. She pats his arm in approval and smiles into his eyes – ‘indeed, my dear Charles, everything is perfect. Now, let me meet your guests.’

He leads her around the company, stopping first of all before the Archbishop of Bourges and a group of clergy. It takes her mere seconds to see this is a wise and practical man. The mayor of the city is another who impresses her – and the senior councillors, lawyers and businessmen. She has done her homework and knows Bourges to be a prosperous city due to the excellent administration of the area’s substantial natural resources by the late Duke of Berry’s appointees. Seeing Charles at home in this company of the great and good, she is content.

Then he presents her to a man in his mid-thirties whose face captures her attention – chiselled but not aristocratic, with a strong jawline and a fine, straight nose. Most people who meet her bow and keep their eyes cast down. His meet hers, but not in an arrogant way – he seems curious yet respectful, as if making a rapid assessment before he bows. His smile shows even teeth, and his manner is straightforward with no attempt to charm – and all the more charming because of it. His name is Jacques Coeur, and he is a successful merchant of the city.

‘Madame and Majesty, it is an honour to be presented to you. I have heard much of your wisdom and abilities, most particularly in Provence,’ he says quietly, and then explains, ‘I use your port of Marseilles for my ships.’

Charles adds, ‘Madame, this excellent man has been of great help to me during my first year in my new territory. I suggest you mark him well – I have great hopes for our collaboration.’ And mark him she does. Jacques Coeur has the look of someone who knows much, and from personal experience. She also observes his respect for Charles’s position as much as for her own. Yes, he could be most useful to the dauphin.

As she makes her way among the company, her antennae are alerted to others whose faces she can read as the type of self-seeking young men of fortune she has encountered in various courts; invariably attractive, amusing, young men with a wit honed in order to entertain their principle, all the while studying how they can take advantage. She sees several such in the room as Charles presents his guests, and asks to meet one after the other, even though she is aware he would prefer to remain with the ‘great and the good’.

Charles is young, and she does not believe he has yet developed that most necessary quality for a successful monarch – the ability to read into hearts and minds. He must learn to judge the true ambitions and motives behind the more experienced and easily corrupt among the courtiers. Inevitably, those who amuse him the most are the worst. She has noticed in particular, among the figures at the court, companions like Pierre de Giac, older but still attractive and with that nonchalant air of a sophisticated man of the world; George de la Trémoille, another adept at subtle flattery, not physically attractive nor domineering, and yet she can see he has a most winning manner despite his brutish looks; Jean de Louvet, another charmer whose eyes betray his deviousness, particularly since he is in the Burgundian camp. When his name was mentioned she heard one or two suck in their breath and wondered. . . There are others, but these three she fears the most for the greed and cunning she can read in their eyes.

Perhaps more than anyone, the Queen of Sicily knows the value of good advisers and steady, brave and honest souls for the success of an administration. For her to help the dauphin – and who else is there to do it – she will search out several good Angevins; strong and worthy men she knows she can trust and place them close to Charles so that he can learn from their example and, hopefully, grow into a worthy king one day. In the months that follow she ensures that some of the best, including Tanneguy du Chastel, a long-standing loyal companion of her husband’s who took care of Charles in Paris; and also Arnaud de Barbazan, known as ‘le chevalier sans reproche’, stay close to the dauphin and guard him as far as they are able – not only from others, but also from himself, if they can.

T
o her regret, Yolande cannot remain in Bourges as long as she would like; family duties need her attention at home in Angers. Her eldest son, now Duke Louis III d’Anjou, has begged his mother to be his regent. Underage, he realizes he has so much to learn. She accepts, thanking his dear father in heaven for teaching her how to rule during his absence in Naples. Tiphane has also taken more on her shoulders to help her mistress and is standing by ready to protect her even more than before.