The Follies of the King

by Виктория Холт

  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 gro
wn 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 be
cause of Gaveston.

  As it was impossible to let the coronation on the appointed day and the King was most anxious that the people should not know that it was postponed because of disagreement with the barons; he had a ready excuse. Robert de Winchelsea, Archbishop of Canterbury, was on the Continent. He had been banished by Edward the First with whom he had been in continual disagreement, but on his accession, Edward the Second had sent for him to return to England. Alas, the Archbishop’s health made the journey back to England very arduous, and it was therefore plausible Coronation should not take place because of the absence of the Archbishop.

  The Queen was aloof; her uncles were suspicious; and the people did not want the coronation delayed. If the Archbishop of Canterbury was absent, what was wrong with the Bishop of Winchester? They wanted their coronation.

  In desperation, the King sent for those barons who had confronted him before. They must change their minds, he told them.

  ‘There is only one thing which will make us change our minds,’ Warwick told him. ‘Your promise to banish Piers Gaveston.’

  The King was dismayed but he saw the purpose in their eyes. This could be disastrous. It could even be the beginning of civil war. Piers had only just been returned to him and now they wanted to send him away again.

  But there was purpose in their eyes.

  ‘The coronation must take place― soon,’ said the King.

  They agreed. If not, the people would know that something was very wrong.

  ‘What can I do?’ cried Edward.

  ‘Please the Queen and the people,’ he was told, ‘by banishing Gaveston.’

  ‘You don’t know what you ask!’ cried the King in anguish.

  ‘What we do know,’ said the implacable Warwick, ‘is what will happen if you do not.’

  These barons! They had too much power. Ever since Magna Carta a king was not in truth a king. He had to bow to their will or face― disaster.

  The King knew he had to promise. After all promises did not necessarily have to be kept.

  * * *

  The coronation was a disaster. The fact that it was postponed had tarnished whole affair in some way, and the people were aware of certain tensions.