PLATE XXIX.
THE KING OF FRANCE RECEIVING THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE DEFEAT IN TURKEY.
The unfortunate result of the King of Hungary’s campaign in Turkey, as well as the ransom of the prisoners, has been mentioned in the description of Plates XIV. and XIX. The present miniature represents the reception of the news at the French court. Sir James de Helly, who was one of the prisoners, had formerly served in Turkey under the sultan Amurat, so that he knew a little of the Turkish language, and was on that account selected by Bajazet to proceed to France on parole, in order to arrange the ransom of the other prisoners. Sir James arrived in Paris on the evening of Christmas-day, in the year 1396, and immediately waited on the king at the Hotel St. Pol, as represented in the miniature, in the same dress he had rode in, booted and spurred. Froissart tells us, that “when the intelligence brought by Sir James de Helly was made public, all who had lost husband, brother, father, or child, were in the utmost consternation, as may easily be imagined. The high nobility of France, such as the Duchess of Burgundy and the lady Margaret of Hainault, were greatly afflicted on account of their son and husband, the Count de Nevers, for he was greatly beloved by them. The Countess of Eu lamented her lord, the constable, as did the Countess de la Marche. The ladies of Coucy, Bar, and Sully, in like manner bewailed the melancholy situation of their lords. They were fortunate in having only their lords’ captivity to lament, and were somewhat comforted thereat. But the relatives and friends of those who had been massacred were inconsolable, and the grief of France lasted a long time.” For many highly interesting particulars, see Smith’s edition of Froissart, vol. ii., pp. 629, 630, and 631.[Pg 131][Pg 130]
The Duke of Gloucester and Sir John Lackingay.
PLATE XXX.
THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER AND SIR JOHN LACKINGAY.