Текст книги "The Follies of the King"

Автор книги: Jean Plaidy

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‘I am glad you are of my opinion and that we are in agreement on this

matter,’ said Philip.

What matter? wondered Edward lightly. What had the old man been talking about?

Isabella joined them.

‘She is upbraiding me for keeping her husband from her,’ said Phillip with a roguishness which did not match his shrewd face.

Isabella took Edward’s arm. ‘Well, I have found you now.’

‘We have had an interesting talk,’ said her father, ‘and we see many things from the same angle. This is a happy time for our two countries.’

Phillip led them into his private chamber and there he took a key from his chain and opened a wooden box with a strong iron lock. From it, he lifted a heavy chain of gold studded with rubies and diamonds of an unusual size and of great beauty.

This he placed about Edward’s neck.

‘A gift to you, my son. An outward sign of our promise to work together.’

‘Magnificent!’ cried Edward.

The King took a ring from the box. It was set with rubies and diamonds

matched the chain. Philip put the ring on Edward’s finger.

‘A token of our friendship,’ said Philip. ‘You are my son now.’

Edward was astounded at the magnificence of the gift and he immediately

wondered what Perrot would think of them. Perrot loved rubies almost as much as he loved diamonds!

Phillip was in a generous mood, which was unusual with him, and added a

special significance to the gifts. There were more of these to come for he had acquired so much booty from the Templars that he could well afford to part with some of it. He produced a belt and two fine brooches all set with glittering jewels and some bales of linen and velvet.

It was a token of friendship and the knowledgeable agreed that Phillip’s

generosity meant that he intended to rule England through his son-in-law.

–――――――

‘My father loves you,’ said Isabella.

They lay on their bed together, his arm about her, her lovely hair loose about her shoulders. Now and then she paused in her conversation to kiss him lightly on the lips or brow. He smiled benignly at these caresses. She was a beautiful and passionate girl and it had not been as difficult as he had thought it might be to do his duty by her.

‘How shall I like England?’ she asked.

‘You will love it.’

‘Because it is beautiful or because you will be there?’

‘For both reasons,’ said Edward.

‘Will the people love me?’

‘How could they help it?’

‘The French can be difficult. They are quickly angered. There are riots now and then and people speak against the royal family.’

‘This happens now and then. But when the people see you, they will love

you.’

‘Do they love you?’

‘So far, yes.’

‘You think they will change?’

‘They are fickle. They will tell you my father was the greatest of kings now that he is dead, but they did not always so while he lived.’

‘But they love you in spite of the fact that you are alive.’

‘I am a new King and they have not yet learned to hate me. At this stage

they blame others for my shortcomings. Perrot― for instance. They blame him.’

‘Perrot?’

‘Oh― he is just one of the knights. The Earl of Cornwall, in truth.’

‘Why do they blame him?’

‘They must blame someone. Now let me tell you what I have done for you.

We shall go to Westminster Palace. You will see what I have ordered to be done and it is all to please you. I have had the gardens returfed and trellises built and flowers planted just for you. And I have had a new pier built which shall be called the Queen’s Bridge.’

‘All for me.’

‘Yes, for you. You will find I am ready to do a great deal for you.’

She kissed him again and again― light butterfly kisses first.

His arms tightened about her.

Oh, yes, it was certainly a great deal easier than he had believed possible. He wondered if Perrot had found it equally so with his bride.

–――――――

The Dowager Queen of England came into her niece’s chamber and, as she

indicated that she wished to speak to her alone, Isabella’s attendants

disappeared.

‘It is nothing much,’ said Queen Marguerite. ‘I merely thought that as what is happening to you is so like what happened to me‚ we might have a little chat.’

‘My dearest aunt, you were very happy in England were you not?’

‘I was completely happy. Your husband’s father was good to me. I was

afraid when I left France. You are not afraid, Isabella?’

Isabella shook her head.

‘That is well, dear niece. You are young and beautiful and strong-willed. I was young but that is where the comparison ends.’

‘Oh, but Aunt Marguerite, you were always very pretty and still are.’

‘There are some in our family who have outstanding beauty. You are one.

Your father was another and so was my sister Blanche. Edward had heard of her charms and wanted to marry her. Then your father changed his mind and I was sent in Blanche’s place. It was not a good beginning. But Edward never showed his disappointment. He said afterwards how glad he was that I came instead of Blanche. It was a very happy marriage. But then Edward was a good husband―

a loved his family dearly. I wonder if―’

‘If my Edward will be the same. Dear lady, do not worry. I shall be.’

‘Yes, you will see to that. Of course Kings have such power and so many

seek to please them. Often they are tempted―’

‘Tempted?’

‘To― take lovers.’

Isabella laughed. ‘There shall be none of that. Why, my lady, Edward is a

meek man. He is a man who would not seek trouble. Never fear, I shall know how to deal with him.’

‘Of course you will, my dear.’

‘You are looking uneasy. Tell me, is there some scandal in Edward’s life of which I have not heard? I shall ask him. I shall demand a full confession.’

‘Oh no, no― You must not do that. All will be well. I was just over

anxious― nothing more. Pray forget what I said.’

Dear Aunt Marguerite! She was rather a simpleton, but she had the kindest

heart in the world. She was merely trying to warn her young niece of the ways of men.

Isabella kissed her warmly.

‘There is one thing you must know,’ she said. ‘I am able to take care of

myself― and Edward.’

The Dowager Queen nodded eagerly. Of course it would be all right, she

assured herself. Now that he had a young wife, this regrettable liaison with Piers Gaveston would cease.

–――――――

It was time to leave for England. The young bride said farewell to her

parents who had solemnly placed her in the care of her two uncles, Charles de Valois and Louis d’Evreux.

‘If you need advice on any matter, my child,’ said her father, ‘go to your uncles. They will tell you how to act.’

She promised that she would do this and Phillip seemed satisfied.

The journey across the Channel in spite of the bleakness of the February day was a calm one. Isabella stood on deck beside her new husband and watched

with some emotion the approaching white cliffs. She glimpsed the castle high on the hill, that almost impregnable fortress which she had heard called the key to England.

Her eyes shining with happiness she grasped Edward and told him that she

knew that the happiest time of her life lay ahead of her.

He kissed her hand and murmured that it was going to be his joy to make her so. She did not know how lightly he spoke and that the excitement in his eyes was not there because he was bringing home his bride but because soon he

would see Gaveston.

There were crowds waiting to greet them. Isabella could see the banners as they came in; she heard the shouts of the people. This was indeed a royal

welcome.

Edward took her hand as they went ashore. She heard someone say, ‘she is

indeed a beauty.’ Then the crowds took up the cry: ‘Long live Isabella the Fair.

God bless our Queen.’

She felt intoxicated with joy. She was a Queen; she had a handsome

husband whom she could love; her new people admired her and welcomed her

warmly to her new land. It was everything she had imagined.

This was happiness.

There was a sudden silence in the crowd. A man had stepped forward. He

was clearly of great importance for he was surrounded by extravagantly clad men who were in attendance. He was like a king himself– even more magnificent.

He must be an Emperor, she thought, or some ruler of even greater rank than the King himself.

His cotehardie glittered with jewels and the purple velvet cloak, surely a royal colour– was trimmed with miniver. He was dark-eyed, very handsome,

lithe and graceful.

‘My lord,’ he cried and then he and the King were embracing as though their reunion was the sweetest thing in the world

Edward was murmuring, ‘Brother― my brother― It has seemed so long.’

‘Forsooth Edward, you are back now. God’s ears, I thought the time would

never come. It has seemed an age.’

‘Perrot, how has it been? What of the lords―?’

‘Fiddler has been fiddling, and the Mad Hound foaming. What did you

expect, dear lord?’

‘Oh, it is so good to be back.’

Isabella said: ‘My lord, I pray you present your friend to me.’

‘My dear Isabella, of course― of course― This is the Earl of Cornwall, my

brother.’

‘I did not know of this brother. I thought your brothers were but children.’

Edward laid his hand caressingly on Gaveston’s arm.

‘This is my beloved brother. We were together in the nursery, and there he became my best-loved brother. He has remained so since. You will love him, Isabella. He is the most amusing, interesting, charming, delightful of all our lords.’

She thought she detected an air of insolence in the manner in which

Gaveston regarded her. She thought: The Earl of Cornwall, indeed! I shall soon put this fellow in his place. What possesses Edward to make so much of him?

She inclined her head slightly. She was then aware of a certain tension

which had fallen on the watchers.

‘Let us go into the castle,’ said Edward.

They walked up the steep incline, the crowds parted to let them through. The shouting for the King and Queen persisted, but the Queen detected that there was a certain difference in these and those which had at first greeted her.

It was irritating that the Earl of Cornwall should walk beside them as they made their way into the castle.

–――――――

There was a banquet to celebrate their arrival and as her women prepared

her for it and kept exclaiming at her beauty, reminding her how the people who had gathered to see her and the King had been completely charmed by it, her spirits rose.

She had allowed herself to be irritated by that arrogant man who really had been ridiculously overdressed and tried to take up the King’s attention. That was something she would not endure. She would speak to Edward about him at the first opportunity.

She asked her women: ‘Why does the Earl of Cornwall give himself such

airs?’

There was a brief silence and she went on sharply: ‘Answer me. Are you all struck dumb?’

‘My lady, he is a great friend of the King.’

‘A great friend indeed! Methinks he had the appearance of an eastern ruler.

He was more richly dressed than the King or I were, and his jewels― if they are real, they must be worth a fortune.’

‘The Earl is a rich man, my lady. Since the King bestowed such titles on

him, they say he is the richest man in the kingdom. He is connected with the royal house too, for his wife is the King’s niece.’

The young Queen seemed slightly mollified. She thought she understood.

He had recently married Edward’s niece and because of this had titles bestowed on him. His newly acquired honors had gone to his head. This was often so. But he would have to be taught to mend his manners.

The women, having started to gossip seemed to find it difficult to stop.

‘He was Regent during the King’s absence. Some of the barons were not

very pleased.’

‘Regent! That popinjay!’

‘The King thinks him very clever. The King is his great friend.’

Isabella could not quite understand the meaning of one woman’s expression.

She was on the point of demanding an explanation but thought better of it. She would speak to Edward.

What a fanfare of trumpets burst forth as she and Edward entered the hall!

There had been no time to speak to him as yet for he had only arrived in time to conduct her to the banquet.

She heart the exclamation of amazement and she knew it was because of her

beauty. She saw her uncles exchange gratified glances. Edward pressed her

hand.

All was well.

She sat beside the King and to her dismay on the other side of him was the Earl of Cornwall. He had changed his elaborate garments for even more

splendid ones. Indeed, who did he think he was? The King? Oh yes, she would certainly speak to Edward.

The Earl of Lancaster was beside her. He was the most important of the

barons because he was the son of Edward the First’s brother Edmund and

therefore her husband’s cousin.

She found him excessively dull and it was irritating that Edward should have bestowed so much attention on his neighbor. They were laughing together and clearly had a great deal to say to each other. Of course he had held an important post in Edward’s absence. Perhaps that explained it.

After the meal, there was music and she played her lute to them for she

wanted them to realize how accomplished their Queen was. She knew that she looked very beautiful with her hair falling over her shoulders. She had refused to have it confined with a wimple or any such headdress. It was really very

beautiful hair and should be displayed to her new subjects, she believed. So she sat with her lute and sang the songs she had learned at her father’s court and afterwards she and Edward led the dance.

She whispered to him: ‘You talk a great deal to the Earl of Cornwall.’

‘Oh, Perrot! He has always been a close friend.’

‘Some were not very pleased.’

‘Some will always be displeased no matter what one does.’

‘ I was one of those who felt displeasure.’

‘You, Isabella? Oh you will soon be used to Perrot. I want you to appreciate him. I am most anxious for you two to be friends.’

‘I like not his arrogant manner and his style of dressing to outdo us all.’

‘Oh― that is just Perrot. You will understand.’

It was difficult to talk seriously while dancing so she did not tell him that she had taken an instant dislike to his Perrot and she thought it very unlikely that she would become his friend.

Edward was with her for the rest of the evening and she was longing for that time when they should be alone together. Dear Edward, he was so handsome

and he hated conflict. He would be ready to do exactly as she told him. It was a very pleasant prospect. One of her first tasks would be to put a stop to the friendship between him and the Earl of Cornwall. She would do it gradually so that Edward would not realize it was happening.

Now she longed for him to come. She had scented her hair with special

perfumes which she had brought from France. She would lavish her caresses on him; she would make him weak with love for her and after that when they lay languorous together she would hint to him that she wanted Gaveston to be less prominent at Court.

Her women had left her and she lay in anticipation of his coming.

‘Tomorrow, my lord of Cornwall,’ she murmured to herself, ‘you are going to find yourself decidedly out of favor.’

She smiled to herself. Dear Edward. He was tender, so eager to please.

He was long in putting in an appearance. He might be delayed of course. It was his first night in his country. Surely, none of those dreary barons would detain him tonight? This was not the night for talking State business.

But how long he was!

An hour had passed. But still he had not come. What could it mean?

She rose from her bed and went to the door of her chamber. One of her

women came to her at once.

‘Is aught wrong, my lady?’

‘The King has been delayed. He has not yet come to his bed.’

The woman averted her eyes and Isabella caught her by the wrist. “Do you

know where he is?’

‘No, my lady.’

‘Find out.’

The woman escaped. Isabella went back to her bed. She sat on it, her eyes

on the door. At any moment he would come. She would scold him, pout a little, insist that he placate her.

But he did not come.

Of course the woman came in, nervous, eyes downcast.

‘The King was seen in conversation with one of his ministers.’

Isabella curbed her rising anger. She did not want to betray her feelings.

People gossiped. She would not let Edward know how much he meant to her.

That would be unwise.

‘State matters,’ she murmured yawning.

‘It is so, my lady.’

She was angry. Her mother would have said: ‘A King is first a king. You

must remember that.’

Her father was a man who would always consider his kingship before

anything else.

But Edward― Who would have believed it! She was going to be very angry

with him.

–――――――

It was late next day when she saw him. He was in the in the company of

Piers Gaveston. They were seated together in a window-sear, the light falling on Edward’s flaxen head which was very close to Gaveston’s dark one. They were laughing and whispering together. Of state matters! she thought angrily.

She advanced into the room.

‘Edward.’ Her voice was cold with its suppressed anger.

‘Ah!’ Gaveston had risen. He gave a bow which might be called ironic.

‘The Queen.’

‘Isabella!’ Edward sounded suitably contrite.

‘So you are here,’ she said advancing. ‘Are your state matters so pressing then?’

There was a short silence then. She stared for she could not believe what she saw– Piers Gaveston was wearing the diamond and ruby chain– Templars’

spoil– which her father had given to Edward.

Gaveston knew that she was startled. He lifted the chain with a delicate hand on which she immediately recognized the ruby and diamond ring, another of her father’s gifts. She was too bewildered for speech.

‘Very pressing,’ Gaveston was saying. ‘It is long since the King and I were together. We had much time to make up for. Is that not so, dear lord?’

‘Oh yes, yes,’ said Edward.

Isabella turned to the King. ‘The chain,’ she said, ‘the ring. He must have stolen them. Have you not seen―?’

Gaveston laughed. ‘Are they not beautiful? I could have swooned with

delight when my dear lord set the chain about my neck and put the ring on my finger.’

Edward spoke then haltingly, his eyes still on her fearful and yet faintly defiant. ‘Perrot loves rubies almost as much as diamonds―’ he said.

‘And the two combined are quite irresistible,’ added Gaveston.

‘These are priceless ornaments,’ cried Isabella. ‘They are my father’s gifts to us. They are for our children. You cannot let this man wear them.’

‘Ha!’ retorted Gaveston with a smirk. ‘My lord the King would never

attempt to stop me wearing what is mine. Very precious they are to me but more because of the giver rather for their value.’

It was like a dream, a nightmare. Why should Edward give costly gifts to

this young man? Why should he desert her for him?

She felt dizzy with apprehension. She remembered sly looks which she had

failed to interpret.

She said: ‘I do not understand what this means. Edward, please dismiss this man. I have much to say to you.’

Edward looked at Gaveston who slowly shook his head.

‘Edward!’ cried Isabella, arrogant and appealing all at once.

Edward said, ‘I will see you later, Isabella. You see, my dear, having been away, there is so much to say to Perrot. Later I will explain.’

She felt weak and inadequate to deal with this situation and that was not due to Edward but to Gaveston.

She turned and went back to her chamber. She turned her attendants away.

She lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Understanding was beginning to dawn on her. How many had married, gone to a new country and found

confronted by a husband’s favoured mistress.

She did not have to face a mistress. She had to face Gaveston.

–――――――

Perhaps her Aunt Marguerite was the best choice of confidante for she

understood now that her aunt had made an attempt to prepare her.

What sort of man had she married? This was monstrous. How could he have

deceived her so? She wished she had been told from the beginning. She had

heard of these matters. Richard Coeur le Lion had loved his own sex and had neglected his wife. Consequently he had left no heirs and the kingdom had

passed to his brother King john. Was that what was happen again? She would be no barren Queen. She would be the mother of kings. She had determined on that.

She took her aunt’s hand and said to her: ‘I want you to tell me the truth.

What sort of man is this I have married?’

The Dowager Queen flushed to the roots of her hair. ‘So, you know about

Gaveston.’

‘I know that I saw the King not all through the night. Do you mean he

shared that man’s couch?’

‘It has been an unfortunate friendship,’ said the Dowager Queen. ‘His father feared it and sought to break it. He banished Gaveston but as soon as Edward became King he recalled him.’

‘He must be banished again. He is a loathsome creature.’

‘I agree, my dear, but will Edward?’

‘He must be made to.’

‘The barons would be with you.’

‘Ah the barons. Then there is hope. Oh, my dear aunt, I was so happy.

Edward seemed― perfect. I cannot believe this. I saw that man wearing the

jewels my father had given to my husband. How could he give them to that

man!’

‘He will give anything to Gaveston.’

Isabella stamped her foot in fury. ‘I’ll not endure it. He has deceived me. If my father had known this, he would never have allowed me to marry him.’

The Dowager Queen looked sad. Of course her brother had known of it.

Everyone knew of it. But Edward was a king and his friendship for another man need not prevent his having children. Philip wanted a bond between England and France. He wanted peace for a while so he had agreed to the marriage. He would reason that Isabella was a beautiful and virtuous young woman. It was for her to wean Edward from Piers Gaveston.

‘My dear aunt, you must help me.’

‘It is what I want to do, my child.’

‘How can I be rid of that man?’

‘The barons are in revolt against him. It is said in some quarters that they will not endure him for much longer.’

Isabella narrowed her eyes. ‘It shall be so. I shall do all I can to help them.

When I saw him wearing the chain and the ring, I could not believe my eyes. I thought of my sisters-in-law. Do you remember when you visited us you gave them costly gifts of jewels. They gave them to their lovers who foolishly wore them at Court― flaunted them that all might know of their relationship with these foolish women. My father saw them. He was furious. You know angry my father can get.’

‘I never knew any who could be so coldly ruthless.’

‘My dear aunt, he arrested those two brash young men. Do you know what

happened to them?’

Marguerite shook her head. She did not want to hear but Isabella was

determined to tell. ‘They were flayed alive and my sisters-in-law were sent to prison. They are still there.’

Marguerite covered her face with her hands. She has grown very soft here, thought Isabella. But then she always was. It was good that she married an old man who, wicked though he no doubt was, was ready to be a good and faithful husband to a docile wife.

Isabella knew what her aunt’s advice would be, she would tell her to be a

docile wife, that she must accept her husband’s peculiarities; she must hope that he would not ignore her altogether and that she would, in due course, bear the heir to the throne.

But there was nothing docile in Isabella’s nature. She was not like her

predecessor Berengaria who had meekly waited for her husband’s attention. She wondered what had happened to that gentle Queen. She had died neglected and there had never been any children to comfort her.

It was unfortunate that Edward was the man he was. She hated to think how

he had deceived her and how she had allowed herself to become enamoured of him. She would not sit by quietly and wring her hands.

Gaveston― and Edward― had better beware.

–――――――

She had seen very little of Edward since that meeting with him and

Gaveston. Edward was evading her, which was typical of him. He hated conflict and he knew that she was deeply offended. She had time to overcome her shock and rage in some degree and could plan more calmly what action she could take.

Her first impulse had been to go to her uncles and demand to return to France, but she knew that would not be permitted. She was Queen of England and that was what her father wanted her to be, so here she must remain.

When she next saw Edward alone she was aloof and cool. He pretended not

to notice this and behaved as though he had not neglected her and everything was as it had been before her discovery.

‘My dear,’ he said, ‘the coronation is approaching.’

‘So I am be crowned your Queen?’

‘But of course.’

‘I thought you might have reserved that honour for Gaveston.’

He looked at her uneasily and laughed as though they shared a joke.

‘He is making the arrangements,’ he said quickly. ‘There is no one who can manage these matters better. You will have the most splendid coronation, I promise you.’

‘This Gaveston― has he estates outside England?’

‘He is rich. He has estates in Gascony.’

‘Of course, he is a Gascon. He must sigh for his native land.’

‘Oh, he is happy enough here.’

‘I doubt it not but the happiness of others must sometimes be considered

besides his, I daresay.’

‘The people are very happy. They are looking forward to the coronation.

Lancaster says they took to you at once. They do not always, you know. The people can be very unkind. Do you know the Londoners nearly killed my

grandmother once because they were displeased with her?’

‘It is only when kings and queens have complete power that they can afford to offend the people. I suppose that is something we should always remember.’

‘It was what my father always said.’

‘He was a wise man and it is never easy to follow such. People make

comparisons. To follow a strong man one must be seen to be as strong.’

‘My father’s shadow has always haunted me.’

‘I doubt not that it will be more than his shadow that haunts you if you do not mend your ways.’

‘Isabella!’

‘Yes,’ she cried suddenly her anger rising. ‘I have no intention of being set aside for your paramour.’

‘I― I don’t understand.’

‘You understand very well. Everyone knows of your relationship with this

man. It is unnatural. It must stop.. You have a queen now. It is our duty to produce an heir.’

‘I know― it is what I want.’

‘Then dismiss this man and behave as your people expect.’

Edward realized for the first time that his wife was by no means the meek

girl he had been telling Perrot she was. She was a virago facing him now. She clenched her fists, her eyes blazed and she trembled with rage.

‘I will not have people talk. I will not be your neglected wife awaiting your pleasure. I will not endure this insolent fellow. Do you hear that? I shall see my uncles. I hear there are many in the country who do not care for this man

Gaveston. You will banish him as your father did― or it will go ill with him, I promise you.’

Edward was dumbfounded. He had come to discuss the coronation and the

beautiful clothes she would wear and to tell her how she had enchanted his people with her grace and beauty. And this had happened.

He hated trouble. He turned abruptly and left her.

–――――――

The barons had arrived at the palace for an audience with the King.

Lancaster, Pembroke, Lincoln and Warwick were among them.

They had come, they said, to speak of the approaching coronation with the

King as they had heard disturbing reports of it.

Edward, fresh from his interview with Isabella, received them cautiously.

Lancaster was the spokesman. ‘My lord,’ he said, ‘we are made uneasy by

rumor.’

‘You should not allow yourself to be made uneasy by rumour, cousin. If you do, you will never have a moment’s peace.’

‘We have had little since we have heard of the Queen’s displeasure, my

lord.’

‘The Queen’s displeasure! What means this?’

‘It has been brought to our notice that her royal uncles are not pleased with her treatment here and it is certain that they will carry ill reports to her father, the King of France.’

‘The King of France has enough to concern him in his own kingdom.’

‘His daughter’s welfare must be one of his main concerns.’

‘Do not believe it, cousin. The King of France concerns himself only with

his own advantage.’

‘His daughter is part of that, my lord. We have come to ask you that the Earl of Cornwall be sent out of the country.’

Edward was scarlet with rage.

‘You must be mad. Why should I banish the Earl of Cornwall?’

‘Because he is a disruptive presence and he has displeased the Queen and

her uncles.’

‘The Queen must conform to our ways,’ mumbled Edward.

‘This is a matter to which she will not become reconciled. We have come

here to tell you that we will not have Gaveston at the coronation.’

‘Not have him at the coronation― my coronation! It is he who has made all the arrangements. They are almost complete. The coronation is to take place in a few days. What do you mean, you will not attend?’

Warwick, foaming at the mouth with suppressed anger, said: ‘We are not

alone, my lord. We represent a large company. We were with your father when he banished Gaveston. We want you to do as your father did.’

‘I am heartily sick of being compared with my father.’

‘It is understandable,’ said Warwick wryly.

‘I will rule in my own way. I will brook no interference.’

‘In that case, my lord, more barons will absent themselves from your

coronation than will attend.’ Lancaster bowed and stepped backwards toward the door. The others followed him.

Edward stared after them.

‘The insolent dogs!’ he cried. But he was afraid.

–――――――

It was necessary to postpone the coronation. Obviously, it could not take

place with so many barons absenting themselves. They must be there to acclaim him as King and show their allegiance.

How difficult they were! After Perrot had made such grand arrangements!

Perrot was going to carry the crown and sword before him and he was so

looking forward to doing it. The people of London were anticipating it with pleasure, too. They loved such celebrations and the King so newly married to a very beautiful wife would make it a doubly joyous occasion. Moreover the

Queen was the daughter of France and that could mean peace on the Continent.

Such linking of families always benefited those who might be called on to fight.

It could be a happy occasion and the barons going to spoil it because of