CONTENTS
| PAGES | |
| [CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY—KING RENÉ] | |
| King René’s titles—His character—A beau-ideal Prince—His occupations—Hiswork as an artist—Visits to Italy—Scrivani—“The BurningBush”—“Souls in Purgatory”—“La Divina Commedia”—“St.Madeleine preaching”—“Preces Præ”—“Pas d’Armes”—“Livresdes Heures”—René’s literary work—“Regnault et Jehanneton”—“Mortifiementde Vaine Plaisance”—“La Conquête de la DoulceMercy”—“L’Abuzé en Court”—“Le Tracte des Tournois”—Charlesd’Anjou-Orléans—Dance songs—Letters—Collections, books, curios,etc.—Work as a craftsman—Orders and Guilds—Agricultural tastes—Therose de Provence—Workshops—“Les Comptes de Roy René”—LaCheminée du Roy—Intercourse with his people—A troubadour King—Relics—Afamous winecup | [17-29] |
| [CHAPTER II YOLANDA D’ARRAGONA—I.] | |
| A Queen in labour—Natural children—Princess Juanita—“La GayaCiencia”—Troubadours—Iolande de Flandres—Bar-le-Duc—Highwaymen—Recruits—Fêtesgalants—Court of Love—Juan I., King ofAragon—A beauteous damsel—L’Académie des Jeux Floraux—A royalMainteneuse—Nails in their heads!—“Plucking the turkey”!—“Quiteas good as you!”—“A gay woman”—A royal baptism—PrincessYolanda—The Salic Law—A bridegroom-elect—Mauled by a wolf—Asilver throne—“The Queen!”—Bullfights—A royal trousseau—Abrilliant cavalcade—Louis II. d’Anjou—Attractive girls—Castle ofMontpellier—A royal progress—“The Loves of Louis and Yolanda”—AKing-suitor in disguise—An ardent kiss—A royal marriage—BeautifulArlésiennes—“A lovely creature!”—A splendid dowry—Gardensat Tarascon—Legend of St. Martha—A deadly dragon—State entryinto Angers—The castle and its contents—“Mysteries”—Inartisticfare—Feastings—Yolanda Lieutenant-General of Anjou—Englishinvasion—Rabbit with a medallion—Isabeau de Bavière—A wasp-likewaist—Jewels—Catherine de Valois—Yolanda’s first-born—The “BlackDeath”—Queen-Duchess Marie—Princess Marie—Taxes and tax-gatherers—Renéd’Anjou born—St. Renatus—The Queen’s enterprise—Cuttingoff his tail!—Claimants for a throne—A piteous little Prince—Aroyal betrothal—Henry V. of England—Louis II. in Italy—Hisdeath | [30-66] |
| [CHAPTER III YOLANDA D’ARRAGONA—II.] | |
| Royal mourning—Cardinal Louis de Bar—Yolande a constitutionalSovereign—The Duke of Burgundy—Matrimonial alliances—Tournaments—PrincessMargherita di Savoia—Louis III. fights for the crownof Naples—Queen Giovanna II.—Princess Isabelle de Lorraine—Astick for a bad woman!—René takes up arms—A vassal—Ordre dela Fidélité—The Van Eycks—Treasures—Gardens at Bar-le-Duc—Floralgames—Fortune is a woman!—Battle of Baugé—Birth ofLouis XI. of France—Jeanne d’Arc—A panel of matrons—Slanders—QueenYolande’s daring—Charles VII. inert—René Duke of Barrois—Adébauché Prince—A young widow—Preux chevaliers—A love-match—PrincessCatherine de Champagne burnt to death—René andIsabelle married—René Duke of Lorraine—Battle of Bulgneville—Aroyal prisoner—A foisted child—A beretta crown—Prince Jean—Dukeof Calabria—Princess Marie de Bourbon—Agnes Sorel, the most lovelygirl in France—Queen Yolande in private life—The Castle of Saumur—QueenYolande’s death—Her character—No trace of her grave—Théophainela Magine—A quaint epitaph—The stained-glass windowsof Le Mans Cathedral—“A good mother and a great Queen” | [67-93] |
| [CHAPTER IV ISABELLE DE LORRAINE] | |
| Child marriages—“The Pride of Lorraine”—A mailed fist—Duchess’sbare feet—Satin skin—Cardinal matchmaker—Ten considerations—Woman’swit supreme—A charming boy—Jean “sans Peur”—“Polluyon”—ASovereign’s oath—“Noël! Noël!”—First free Parliamentin France—Veterans—Antoine de Vaudémont—“You may go!”—Bulgneville—Renéa prisoner—Insecurity of life—The Duke’s terms—Twoboy hostages—La Tour de Bar—René’s parole—Money the crux—Renéat Naples—The Golden Rose—A royal artist—Music and song—DuchessMargaret dies—“Le Roi est mort, vive le Roi!”—The swordof Lancelot—A very young widow—Isabelle leads an army—Alfonsoin check—King René free—Women of Genoa—On the throne—Atroubled land—“Cette vraie Amazone!”—Fortune did not smile—“Toomuch blood”—A dastardly outrage—Peace—Princess Margueritebetrothed—Black armour—Jehanne de Laval—Black buffaloes—Greyhair—Splendid tournaments—Ordre du Croissant—Doublenuptials—Henry VI. of England—Ferri carries off Yolande—Cupid’s“Lists”—The spectre of war—Death of Queen Isabelle—“My hearthas lost its love!”—“Amour et Foy” | [94-142] |
| [CHAPTER V JEANNE D’ARC—“LA PUCELLE”] | |
| “Give me René!”—Village of Domremy—Village feuds—A busy mother—Aweird accouchement—Le Bois Chènus—Voices—St. Michael—MadJehanne—A coarse kirtle—She touched the hilt—Duke Charles’sstrange visitors—A dash around the courtyard—“Vive la nostreRoyne!”—A pilgrimage march—Priests and minstrels—A famoussword—Jeanne’s oriflamme—A dissolute Court—Charles VI. at Chinon—Awinning hazard—Certain secrets—Jeanne’s double ordeal—Bishopsand matrons—“La Pucelle” so named by Queen Yolande—Filles deJoie—White armour—An ultimatum—Divided counsels—The siege ofOrléans—“The Maid” wounded—En route to Reims—The “Sacré”—Jeanne’smodesty—Her apotheosis—“Sire, I bid you farewell”—Renéthe hero—Jeanne the heroine—To expel the hated English—Thefall of Paris—“The Maid” a prisoner—Deserted by everyone—Amock trial—A human wreck—Burnt to death—A maiden’s heart anda white dove—“Ma Royne est mort!” René’s lament—Charles’sremorse—The memory of Jeanne d’Arc | [143-173] |
| [CHAPTER VI MARIE D’ANJOU] | |
| “The little Queen of Bourges”—A master-stroke—A lovely bride, an ill-lookinggroom—An evil mother’s influence—Three fair witches—Yolande’sprestige—Woman’s power in France—Marie v. Agnes—UnhappyCharles VI.—The Châtelaine de Courrages—A gallows and aflagellation—Marriage of Charles and Marie—Impecuniosity—Nevertouched her below the chin!—Jacques Cœur’s loyal succour—Terribledisasters—A treacherous deed—Isabeau’s rage—Queen Marie’s speech—Alovely bevy of Maids of Honour—Outrageous fashions—Correcte’scrusade—“À bas les hennins!”—Scudding stones—Plain chapelles—Afaint-hearted King—Queen Marie’s “I will”—Marie d’Anjou andJeanne d’Arc—No place for the Queen!—Agnes Sorel, “la Belle desBelles”—Serge chemises—“The plaything of the most valiant King?”—Agnes’sfour daughters—A loving son—Boxed her ears!—Agnes’sheart in gold—“Males femmes”—“Everything for France!”—Disastersand delirium—Marie in shade and shine—A pillion—Poor littlePrincess Margaret!—“A curse on life!”—A dissolute Prince—Slanderand hypocrisy—The Bastard of Orléans—A tryst disturbed—Theobscene Fête des Fous—A royal repast-Tours for delicacies—Afamous pack of cards—The Queen as a business woman—Cocks andhens—Marie dies at Poitiers—“A good and devout woman” | [174-215] |
| [CHAPTER VII GIOVANNA II. OF NAPLES] | |
| “Like Queen Giovanna!”—Anjou succession in Naples—A lover suffocated—KingLadislaus—Many suitors—Hard to please—A rare quality—Marriagering torn off—Louis d’Anjou’s advance—A poor old Queen—Butterflycourtesans—A champion of physical beauty—A wily woman—Thecord of St. Francis—A base-born athlete—The chief of the pages—TheQueen’s master—Vampire kisses—Louis v. Alfonso—A romanticstory—Fair Leonora—Not a tool of the Queen—Fierce rivals—Pulledthe Queen’s hands—Giovanna in her lover’s arms—Flashing eyes—Beneaththe lips—Superb entertainments—Giovanna discovers theliaison—René bravest of the brave—Treason—Duchess Covella Ruffoand her jewelled poniard—René at Naples—“Il galantuomo Re”—TheJews—Alfonso defeated and a prisoner—Belated pious deeds—Giovannaas the Virgin Mary!—An embassy from Naples—Manyclaimants for the throne—Isabelle a virago Queen—A macaroni basket—“I’llnot fight with a woman!”—Colossal orgies—A Spartan mother—Decisivebattle of Troia—End of the Angevine dynasty—Jean, Dukeof Calabria, raises the flag in vain | [216-252] |
| [CHAPTER VIII MARGUERITE D’ANJOU] | |
| “The loveliest Princess in Christendom”—A storm-rocked cradle—Achild’s kiss—Troubadours and glee-maidens—An eligible suitor—Thelove of all the boys—Neglected education—A delighted grandmother—Marriagetangles—Philippe, Count de Nevers, repudiated—Henry VI.of England looking for a Queen—The “Three Graces of Armagnac”—CardinalBeaufort charmed with Marguerite—An unpainted face—“Ohfie! oh fie!”—An autograph letter—Splendid nuptials—LaConfrèrerie de la Passion—Too poor to buy her own wedding dress—Apeachy blush—Fine fashions—Gold garter chains—Sumptuous hair-dressing—A“Marguerite” flower-holder—A sorrowful parting—Atruly royal train—The entente cordiale—The Queen short of ready cash—Astormy passage—Chicken-pox?—The King’s ring—A famous tire-woman—Extraordinarypresents—Pageants—Queen Margaret crowned—“LaFrançaise”—The Queen’s strong character—The Duke ofYork nonplussed—Pious foundations—The King’s seizure—She had toplay the man!—The Prince of Wales—York’s dastardly insinuations—Acostly churching-robe—Civil war begins—Margaret leads theLancastrians in person—Success and failure—York’s grey gory head—“LoveLady-Day”—Lord Grey de Ruthen’s treason—King Henry aprisoner in the Tower—“Fie on thee, thou traitor!”—The Queen inScotland—King Louis’s double game—A shipwreck—A common robette—GalantSir Pierre de Brézé—“Une Merrie Mol!”—The kiss ofetiquette—Thorns—All the poets sing of Margaret—All is lost!—Margaretat home again—Earl of Warwick’s loyalty—A diplomaticmarriage—The sea flouts Margaret—Perjured Lord Wenlock—Atreacherous blow—The Prince murdered—“Bloody Edward”—The“she-wolf”—Hands tied behind her back—King Henry killed—TheQueen in a dungeon—René’s pathetic letter—The great heroine of theWars of the Roses—Repose at Reculée—A lioness at bay—“The grimgrey wolf of Anjou”—A sad and lonely death | [253-305] |
| [CHAPTER IX JEHANNE DE LAVAL] | |
| Roses—“December” and “May”—A famous House—The Queen ofBeauty—All in love with Jehanne—The champion’s crest—A tournamentbanquet—The Grand Prix—René struck with Jehanne—HisGenoese innamorate—“Devils at home”—A second marriage desirable—TheKing bemoans Isabelle—No festivities—A moral allegory—Anew course of life—Costly offerings—“Les Tards-Venus”—Court ofLove at Les Baux—“La Passe Rose”—A coffin full of golden hair—Ruralizingroyalty—Jehanne, nymph of the bosquets—“Pastorals”—“Regnaultet Jehanneton”—All fall in love, and all fall out!—Anallegory of chivalry—Cuer reads the strange inscription—Louis XI.’soutrageous behaviour—“L’Abuzé en Court”—René the victim—ThePageant of the Pheasant—An elysium of love—The Queen’s virtues—Herportrait—René’s school of architects—St. Bernardin, the King’sconfessor—René’s heart—Pious Sovereigns—Relics—The crown ofCatalonia—Queen Jehanne and Queen Margaret—Church spectacles—Magnificenthospitality—Demoiselle Odille—La Petite Hélène—Patronessof crafts—“The Golden Rose”—René’s green old age—“Lebon Roy est mort!”—Marie de la Chapelle’s children—Queen Jehanneretires to Beaufort—A studious widow—“I have no other rôle toplay!”-“La Reine” in an iron cage—The Queen’s sweet death—Herwill—Her monument and René’s—“Priez pour la bonneJehanne” | [306-356] |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
| FACING PAGE | |
| Ceremonious Entry of the “Lady of the Crest” | [Frontispiece] |
| Queen Yolanda d’Arragona | [30] |
| Entry of a Queen into her Capital | [40] |
| Favourite Recreations | [50] |
| A Mystery | [60] |
| King Louis II. of Sicily-Anjou | [68] |
| Communion of a Knight | [74] |
| A Royal Repast | [80] |
| Street Scene in Aix | [86] |
| Queen Isabelle de Lorraine | [94] |
| King René (circa 1440) | [106] |
| Royal Patronesses and Crafts | [118] |
| “Cœur” and “the Island of Love” | [130] |
| “The White Queen”—Jeanne d’Arc | [144] |
| Expulsion of Gay Women | [152] |
| Siege of Orléans | [160] |
| Sacré of Charles VII. | [168] |
| Queen Marie d’Anjou | [174] |
| A Besieged Castle | [184] |
| King René and his Court | [194] |
| Queens, Judges, and Knights | [204] |
| Queen Giovanna II. da Napoli | [216] |
| Homage of a Vassal | [226] |
| King and Queen in Stone | [236] |
| King René and Guarini da Verona | [246] |
| Queen Marguerite d’Anjou | [254] |
| Before the “Lists” | [268] |
| King René in his Study | [280] |
| Agricultural Pursuits | [292] |
| Queen Jehanne de Laval | [306] |
| St. Madeleine preaching | [320] |
| “The Burning Bush” | [334] |
| King René (circa 1470) | [348] |