The Queen of Four Kingdoms by HRH Princess Michael of Kent

Author:HRH Princess Michael of Kent
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beaufort Books
Published: 2014-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two

To 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.

And indeed, these are dangerous times. The English king has taken possession of Rouen, the powerful capital of Normandy, and with his army of ten thousand men systematically proceeds to conquer his way towards Paris. To protect her elder son’s duchy of Maine, Yolande requests—and is granted—Charles VI’s permission to enter into a separate treaty of non-aggression with the King of England. To start negotiations, Yolande sends him a team of delegates which includes Pierre de Brézé, her late husband’s bright young equerry, the only child of a minor Norman noble family. Being neither particularly rich nor from the high nobility, he would appear unremarkable to anyone opposed to her. And it will be a useful way for her to see if he has talent. He is certainly ambitious, and hungry. There is something irresistible about him—he makes Yolande laugh, a guaranteed entry card into her entourage. He is also quite the most handsome young man she has seen—almost too beautiful—with bewitching long-lashed hazel eyes, dark hair, olive skin, a winningsmile with perfect teeth; and he is both tall and well built for someone so young. Despite excellent manners and a certain way with words, he shies away from being noticed or drawing attention to himself, which she finds interesting. He is worth watching, and Yolande will take her time and see how young Pierre de Brézé develops.

After the lengthy negotiations by her team on her behalf, the Queen of Sicily is finally able to sign an official treaty with Henry V, placing her provinces of Anjou and Maine outside any military offensive he might set in motion against France. Her neighbour the Duke of Brittany, on her advice and also with their king’s permission, does the same. For the present, Louis’ inheritance is safe, and Brittany, an ally of Burgundy’s, has come a step nearer to becoming attached to his king.

While Yolande takes charge in Angers, young Louis has installed himself—at least for the time being—in Marseilles, in order to see how his territory of Provence operates. He travels about the countryside, showing himself as the people’s new sovereign, and the reports that are sent back about him bode well. He has his father’s vocal reticence, but with his handsome face and physique, his natural way with people, and the same honest blue eyes, he inspires trust just as his father did. Marseilles is essential to the income of the Anjou family—as is all Provence, which Louis knows only too well and it is right that he spends time there.

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