The Battle of the Queens

by Виктория Холт

  So Henry learned of his grandfather and his grandmother Eleanor of Aquitaine. ‘One does not often see their like,’ said Hubert.

  ‘My grandfather spent the greater part of his life at war,’ said Henry. ‘Was that wise?’

  ‘Your grandfather fought only when he could not settle his affairs with words. He was one of the greatest soldiers we have ever known. He had wide territories to protect and when all was well in England, there was trouble in Normandy. Now your possessions in France are sadly diminished. Your father lost them.’

  ‘We shall regain them,’ said Henry.

  ‘Let us hope this will come to pass.’

  ‘Then I shall be as my grandfather – fighting all the time.’

  Hubert shook his head. ‘We will try to make peace in the land. Louis is not the man his father is and Philip … although not so far gone in years is not in good health. If Philip were to die and Louis be King then there might be a chance of regaining our lost possessions. Although the King of France has a very forceful wife, who is a descendant of the Conqueror.’

  ‘Yes I know. She is Blanche. It was because of her that Louis laid claim to England.’

  ‘’Tis true. Philip was never the same after the Pope excommunicated him. It is a strange thing, my lord, that a man of great shrewdness, as is this King of France, should, when his emotions are aroused, forget his wisdom. You have heard of course of the Albigensians, that strange sect from the town of Albi in the South of France whose doctrines conflicted with Rome and whom Rome has determined to suppress.’

  Henry nodded agreement.

  ‘In his attitude towards them Philip Augustus has behaved with a wisdom which must be admired, applauded and emulated by every statesman. He never submitted to Rome, was never subservient, yet managed to keep on good terms with the Vatican without losing one iota of his independence. In a statesman’s eyes it was a masterly performance, but then Philip Augustus is a great ruler. That is why what happened is so astonishing. There will come a time, my lord King, when it will be necessary for you to marry. Not yet, you are over young. But when that time does come we shall have to choose your bride with the greatest care. A king must marry in a manner which best suits his country – and it does not always happen that his duty and his inclination run side by side.

  ‘I know this well, Hubert.’

  ‘Of a certainty you do. All royal princes know this. But to return to Philip Augustus. He was married to Isabella of Hainault who gave him his son Louis. Isabella died and after three years of widowhood Philip Augustus decided he must marry again. The Princess chosen was Ingeburga of Denmark. He did not see her until the ceremony was about to be performed but his ministers had assured him that the alliance with Denmark was necessary. The ceremony went off as such ceremonies do and the royal pair were left together in the state bed. No one knows what happened during that night or what Philip discovered about his bride, but in the morning he was white and shaken and declared that he would have no more of her, that she must be returned to Denmark, the marriage must be dissolved and he would take a new wife – and this would be one whom he knew and loved before the ceremony took place.

  ‘And being King he could do this?’ asked Henry.

  ‘No, my lord, no. In spite of his happy relationship with the Pope he could not defy the laws of the Church so blatantly. There is a lesson to be learned here. The Pope had the power to apply the sentence of the Interdict, and this is to be dreaded by all – king or commoner. If a king is excommunicated all religious ceremonies and forms of Church practice are banned. In the case of a king, he and his country are cut off from all benefits of the Church. You can imagine the people’s feelings over this.’

  Henry nodded gravely. ‘And did he rid himself of her?’ he asked.

  ‘He brought up the time-honoured excuse: consanguinity. His blood and that of his Queen Ingeburga were too close and as it is against the laws of the Church that people with close blood ties should marry, so the marriage was null and void.’

  ‘And was this proved to be?’

  ‘Philip Augustus was a king much feared by his people. If he told the council he had called together that the marriage was null and void it would need a brave man among them to declare otherwise.’

  ‘So it was agreed.’

  ‘In France, but of course there was Rome and Ingeburga herself had appealed to the Pope. Philip tried to send her back to Denmark, but Denmark would not receive her and the poor Queen was taken from the palace crying aloud: “Oh naughty France. Naughty France. Help me, Rome, against naughty France.” Which showed, of course, that she was not going to give in easily. While the decision was being awaited she was taken from castle to castle until Philip had the idea that she might be happier in convents and to these she was sent with the hope that she might develop a taste for the life, in which case she would be ready to relinquish her rights as wife to the King of France.’

  ‘And did she?’

  Hubert shook his head. ‘Meanwhile Pope Celestine, who reigned at this time, studied the relationship of Philip and Ingeburga, and partly because there could be said to be a closeness but more because he did not wish to antagonise the powerful King with whom Rome had been on such good terms, he decided to annul the marriage but he added the injunction that Philip must not remarry. This did not suit Philip, who immediately ignored it and looked for a bride, finally choosing Agnes of Moravia with whom he became infatuated.’

  ‘And the Pope said he must not marry again … yet he did!’

  ‘Ah, that is why I tell you this, my lord. Kings and Popes have been in conflict through the ages. It is always well to live in peace with Rome. Philip realised this but on this matter of his marriage was determined to have his way no matter at what cost.’

  ‘And this was unwise.’

  ‘No doubt Philip thought that he could placate Celestine who was eager to be on good terms with France and that he could come to some arrangement with Celestine. But this is a matter on which kings must be wary. Popes change, and what can be done with one cannot be with another. Innocent III had taken the place of Celestine, and Innocent immediately wrote to the Bishop of Paris saying that although Celestine had been unable to put a stop to the scandal, he was determined to obtain the fulfilment of God’s law.’

  ‘And so the King had to give way.’

  ‘Philip Augustus was not the man to give way without a struggle. He would not wish his subjects to witness such weakness. Moreover he was becoming more and more enamoured of Agnes and declared he would rather lose half his domains than separate from her. Whereupon the Pope told him that if Philip did not give her up he would pass the dreaded sentence of the Interdict which should be pronounced throughout the kingdom of France.’

  ‘And then?’ cried Henry, who as one King considering another saw himself in the role of Philip Augustus, and was clearly hoping for royal victory.

  ‘Philip stood firm, though the Interdict was pronounced in the churches throughout France. Philip remarked that he would rather turn Musselman than agree to the Pope’s commands. He added ominously that Saladin was a happy man and had got along very well without a Pope. He then turned all the prelates out of their sees because they had agreed with the Pope and had proclaimed the Interdict.’

  ‘So the King won,’ cried Henry well pleased.

  ‘Nay, my lord. The country was plunged in gloom. When anything went wrong – as it did continuously – it was said that God had turned his face from the King of France because of his insults to the Church. For four years Philip held out and then he realised what was happening in the country and that his subjects believed he was ruining France. If he went to battle his armies were sure of defeat because they believed the hand of God was against them. Agnes, who truly loved the King, said that she would go into a convent and Ingeburga must return.’

  ‘So the King lost the battle.’

  ‘As all must against God. Your father realised that when he suffered the Interdict. So do all that is possible to
remain on good terms with Rome while preserving your independence, which is what all kings must learn.’

  ‘Poor Agnes,’ said Henry. ‘So she truly loved the King.’

  The Pope was impressed by her virtue and although she must leave the court, His Holiness declared that the two children she had borne Philip should be considered legitimate. So she went away to a convent in Poissy and in a short time she died there.’

  ‘And lngeburga?’

  ‘The King continued to hate her and banished her to Étampes. And there she stayed for eleven years. But while he would not have her at court, the Pope continued to show his displeasure and finally Philip decided that peace with Rome was more important than his prejudices, so Ingeburga was brought back to court and given all the state of a Queen.’

  ‘But Philip does not love her.’

  ‘He is older now and doubtless feels that peace with Rome is more important to him than revenge on a wife who displeases him. I tell you this, my lord, because you must know of these matters. You must watch above all things your relations with Rome. There have been constant conflicts between the Heads of States and the Head of the Church. You know the story of your grandfather and Thomas à Becket, which ended in the murder of Thomas and his becoming a martyr. You know that your grandfather did penance for that murder, although it had not been committed by his own hands but by knights who misguidedly mistook his words. Never forget. Keep peace with the Church. We are fortunate in Stephen Langton. And another reason why we have talked at length is that you must know and understand always what goes on at the Court of France, for ever since William the Conqueror came to England and took the land he brought those two communities close; and since your grandmother brought Aquitaine to the crown, France has been important to us. We shall talk often of what is happening in France.’

  Henry was wishing that all lessons were as entertaining as the marriages and excommunication of the King of France had proved to be.

  * * *

  There had been great consternation when the news arrived of Queen Isabella’s marriage to Hugh de Lusignan. Both the Archbishop and Hubert were angry. That the marriage between Joan and Hugh had been cursorily set aside might not in the circumstances be such a bad thing because now the country was settled, she might prove a good bargaining counter and a better match be found for her than with a French count.

  As for Isabella, she was of no great interest to them; and secretly they were glad to be without her. ‘A troublemaker I am sure,’ Hubert confided to the Archbishop. ‘And if she chooses to return to her native land the better. But the demand of her dowry was sheer insolence and something which she would quickly understand was considered so in England.’

  Henry was summoned and informed of what had happened.

  ‘So my mother has a new husband,’ said Henry. ‘I wish her joy of him. I fear she had little with my father.’

  ‘It is unseemly,’ replied the Archbishop, ‘that the Queen taking her daughter to the husband chosen for her, should marry him herself.’

  ‘I think my mother and my father often acted in an unseemly manner,’ observed Henry gravely, ‘so we must not be surprised if she continues to do so.’

  ‘When her unseemly behaviour concerns this country,’ said the Archbishop, ‘we shall express not only surprise but our objections.’

  Making him feel like a child was typical of the Archbishop, thought Henry. Hubert would have put it differently.

  ‘We shall send at once asking for the return of the Princess,’ said Stephen Langton, ‘and perhaps, Sire, you will inform your mother that she will certainly receive no dowry from you.’

  Henry was sorry. He would have liked to wish his mother happiness and would willingly have sent her a dowry if he had been allowed to do so. He sighed. He was of course very young and not really a king since he always had to do what he was told. But it would be different one day.

  The Archbishop explained to him that the country was settling down and thanks to the Church and the good will of Pope Honorius (another one since Celestine and Innocent who had played their part in the drama of the King of France and his marriages) the high offices in England were now being taken from those foreigners on whom John had bestowed them and were being returned to Englishmen. All the castles which had previously belonged to the King and taken from him by rebellious barons, were now being returned to the crown.

  ‘It is necessary,’ said the Archbishop, ‘that you should visit these castles throughout the realm and receive them into your hands. It will be a good opportunity for you to meet your subjects and to receive the oath of allegiance from those who were not present at the time of the coronation. Hubert de Burgh will discuss this with you and tell you what is expected of you. You must be firm, resolute and never forget your kingly dignity. You are hampered by your lack of years.’ The Archbishop looked stern, as though this was due to some lack of zeal on Henry’s part. ‘But that is a fault which can be remedied. But remember, you must show no levity. The barons must realise that although you are so young, you intend to rule.’

  ‘I shall do my best,’ answered Henry.

  ‘Hubert de Burgh will discuss the journey with you; and it would be well that it is undertaken without too much delay.’

  So a day or so after the coronation, Henry set out on his journey northwards.

  * * *

  The ceremonies took place – one very like another. The young King with the strong Hubert de Burgh beside him rode from castle to castle, accepting the keys and the oaths of allegiance.

  ‘When we reach York,’ Hubert told him, ‘there will take place the most important meeting of them all.’

  Henry knew he was referring to the encounter with Alexander of Scotland. Hubert had explained: ‘It is very important that we stop these perpetual wars with Scotland, and I am hoping we shall be able to make some sort of peace.’

  Henry was enjoying this trip. He had never felt so much a king and he supposed it was due to the fact that he was growing up. The older he grew the more homage he could expect; and he was waiting for the day when he need not take his orders from the men who surrounded him. It would be interesting, too, to meet another young King, although he discovered that Alexander was old by his standards, being twenty-two years of age and having reigned for several years.

  The meeting was to take place in York, a city of which any king could be justly proud. Henry was met at the Micklegate by the Archbishop of York and the leading dignitaries of the city, and passing under the Roman arch which supported the turrets was escorted into the castle which was said to have been built by his famous ancestor, William the Conqueror.

  The meeting of the two kings took place within the great hall of the castle where Henry felt somewhat at a loss on account of his youth; Alexander seemed very mature, having been King of Scotland for seven years; he was shrewd, Hubert had said, and like all good rulers, ever alert for the advantage of his country. Of small stature, with reddish hair and light eyes, he had a foxy look which suggested a certain cunning.

  Henry knew that when England had been figuratively on her knees through the bad rule of his father and the French had been on English soil, Alexander had taken advantage of the situation by attacking in the north and in the circumstances naturally achieving some success.

  ‘It was a good opportunity for him,’ Hubert had pointed out, ‘and one which such a shrewd ruler would take advantage of.’

  However when the French had been defeated and driven out Alexander had been forced to retreat behind the Border; and it was in the hope of bringing about a permanent peace that this meeting was taking place.

  Hubert with other important barons sat with the Scottish King and some of his supporters. Henry was there in a chair of state but had been made to realise that he was, though a figurehead, a mere observer.

  ‘It is important,’ Hubert had told him, ‘that you should learn how these conferences are conducted. Listen to discussion, watch parry and thrust, and see how both sides juggle
for advantage.’

  So Henry listened, thinking what a long time must elapse before he was twenty-two years of age and put his views before men like Hubert de Burgh and was listened to with respect.

  Hubert pointed out that a truce would be advantageous to both sides, for the English were eager to preserve the order they were beginning to experience after the lawlessness of John’s reign and Alexander admitted that he would be pleased to have peace on the Border in order that he might divert his energies towards settling quarrels among his own chieftains. But he would expect concessions.

  Hubert nodded gravely and said that the English would be prepared to consider these whereupon Alexander replied that he was in need of a wife and he would be happy with one of the English Princesses.

  ‘The Princess Eleanor is betrothed to William Marshal,’ said Hubert. ‘That leaves Joan and Isabella. Isabella is but seven years old.’

  ‘I knew well that Joan was betrothed to Hugh de Lusignan and that he married her mother,’ said Alexander. ‘Therefore as she is now free I will take Joan.’

  ‘The King will tell you that he would derive great pleasure from the marriage of his sister Joan with you, my lord.’

  Hubert was looking at Henry who said hurriedly: ‘Yes, yes. It would please me to see you and my sister married.’

  ‘I believe your sister is at this time in Lusignan,’ said Alexander looking full at Henry who replied: ‘That is so, but she is to return.’

  ‘And that there is some trouble about that return,’ went on the sharp-eyed King of Scotland.