From Southampton Henry V. sent a letter to the King of France warning him of his intended invasion, and adding that if the southern provinces and the hand of Katherine were not bestowed on him at once he would take them by force.
The king replied: "If that was his mind he would do his best to receive him; but as to the marriage he thought it would be a strange way of wooing Katherine, covered with the blood of her countrymen." This answer might have had a favorable effect on the young king had not the Dauphin Louis excited his anger by sending him a cask of tennis balls, saying, "that they were fitter playthings for him, according to his former course of life, than the provinces he demanded."
"These balls," replied Henry, making an angry pun, "shall be struck back with such a racket as shall force open the Paris gates."
A.D. 1415. He left Southampton in August, 1415, and after a furious battle took possession of Harfleur in October. In the winter he finished his campaign by the victory of Agincourt, which shed everlasting glory on his name. But it was a sad day for the enemy. France was thrown into a dreadful panic by the number of her nobles and princes that were slain at that battle. The Dauphin Louis is said to have died of grief on account of it; but when, shortly after, his death was followed by that of his brother, there was a report that the unnatural Isabeau had poisoned both her sons. The malady of poor King Charles returned with so many misfortunes, and his wicked wife, taking advantage of the confusion in the country, made her escape from prison. She then joined the Duke of Burgundy, took the reins of government in her own hands, and obtained control of her beautiful daughter Katherine.
Strange to say, although this woman had so shamefully neglected her children when they most required her care, she became quite proud of Katherine when she saw her such a lovely young woman, and soon exercised a surprising influence over her. The young princess had set her heart on becoming Queen of England, and in this her mother heartily seconded her.
When Henry V. was laying siege to Rouen Isabeau sent him a picture of Katherine by an ambassador, who was to ask him, "whether so beautiful a princess required such a great dowry as he demanded with her?" The king gazed long and earnestly on the portrait, and acknowledged that it was suprisingly fair, but refused to diminish his demands in the least.
A.D. 1418. At last the city of Rouen fell. France was in a state of despair, and the queen resolved to try what effect Katherine herself would have on the proud heart of the conqueror, since her picture had failed to satisfy him. A truce was therefore obtained and a conference appointed at a town called Pontoise.
The poor crazy king, with the queen and Katherine, came to the place of meeting in a richly ornamented barge. There was a large enclosure made with planks on the banks of the river Seine; outside were tents and pavilions covered with blue and green velvet worked with gold. Some of these were occupied by the King and Queen of France, the Princess, the Duke of Burgundy, his council and a thousand soldiers. Then the King of England arrived with his two brothers and his escort of men-at-arms, and took possession of the remaining tents.
When the conference was about to commence the queen entered the enclosure from the right side followed by Katherine. The King of England entered from the left, advanced towards the queen, whom he saluted with profound respect, and kissed her as well as the princess. He then took his seat opposite, while the Earl of Warwick made a long speech in French. Some time was spent in discussion, when the parties took leave of each other and separated, leaving everything as unsettled as before. Three weeks later the same personages, with the exception of Katherine, met for another conference on the same spot. Finding that her daughter's beauty had not induced the conqueror to lower his demands, Queen Isabeau would not permit Katherine to be present the second time. This arrangement displeased Henry very much, for he was desperately in love with the handsome dark-eyed princess. Still he remained firm, and the second conference ended as unsatisfactorily as the first had done.
Hoping that the family of his beloved would send some flattering messages, Henry waited a few days; but losing patience at last he demanded a third interview. He had now made up his mind that he would be satisfied with something less than he had at first required, and felt certain that he would only have to open his arms to receive his pretty lady-love. But lo, to his great surprise and disappointment, on arriving at Pontoise he found the tents removed, the fence that marked the enclosure torn down, and all the planks taken away, showing plainly that the marriage treaty was supposed to be at an end. It served him right, but he looked upon himself as the injured party, and flew into a perfect rage. He now loved Katherine more than before, and turning to the Duke of Burgundy, the only member of the royal family of France who was present, he said; "Fair cousin, we wish you to know that we will have the daughter of your king, or we will drive him and you out of his kingdom." The duke replied angrily, and many high words passed between the two men before they separated.