For Dunois, one of the most faithful friends of the young Duchess, never saw her crowned Queen, having been seized with apoplexy as just described.
Although by this alliance Anne gained a much higher rank, she lost that of a sovereign princess. Charles was the conqueror, and she had no choice but to submit to the French terms, which were—that the duchy of Bretagne should pass entirely into the hands of the King; that if she should survive him but have no living children, it should again become hers, but that in that case, in order to avoid another war she should bind herself not to marry any one but the King of France or his heir; that she should receive the same dowry as the King’s mother; and, by his special desire, that any jewels, furniture, or property of whatever value, which might be in her possession at the King’s death, should be hers absolutely. The Prince of Orange approved of this contract, which she signed on her wedding day, December 6, 1491.
In spite of her poverty, Anne displayed royal magnificence in her dress and all the accessories of her wedding. It is probable that the States granted her a large sum of money for that occasion. At any rate her wedding-dress of cloth-of-gold with gold embroideries, cost 126,000 francs (present value), and all her travelling appointments were splendid. She gave velvet dresses to the ladies and gentlemen of her household, that of Madame de Laval being of violet velvet, and a costume of cloth-of-gold to the Prince of Orange.[289]
Anne was now fifteen years old and the King twenty. After their wedding, they went to Tours, and then to Paris, splendidly received all the way. Anne was crowned at St. Denis in the following February, on which occasion she was dressed in white satin. The crown was too large and heavy for the young head, and was held by Louis, Duc d’Orléans. The next day she entered Paris.
De Mézeray declares that Anne had an immense influence over the King, and that she ruled her own duchy entirely. But M. Le Roux de Lincy denies this statement, and quotes in support of such contradiction two well-known historians of Bretagne,[290] who assert that during the whole of the married life of Charles VIII. and Anne, all the actes de Bretagne are in the name of Charles alone, without that of Anne ever being mentioned.
In spite of the King’s jealous monopoly of her duchy, he was always much attached to the Queen, although this did not prevent his carrying on many love affairs and intrigues with other women, greatly to her displeasure; and every now and then arose quarrels and disputes about this or that person to whom his attentions were too much directed. But they were always together, except when he was at war; he lavished money and every luxury upon her, and was as much influenced by her as he could be by anybody. For Charles was obstinate, rash, and chimerical; and in many matters would take no advice from any one. He was not handsome like most of his family, being short and badly made; but he had beautiful eyes, a charming expression and manners so gentle and courteous that it was said that no one had ever heard him say a rude or harsh thing.
{1492}
Madame de Beaujeu, sister of the King, who had been hitherto the greatest lady in France, began by trying in vain to oppose and interfere with the Queen, who, having from childhood been accustomed to the deference and obedience due to a sovereign princess, declined to allow her authority to be questioned, so that the late Regent had to yield.
Charles and Anne lived chiefly at Plessis and Amboise, which he had caused to be magnificently refurnished and decorated for her reception.
Whenever it was possible Anne travelled by water, the rivers being still the chief highways, and the great barges with wooden houses on board the most comfortable conveyances. On October 10th was born the Dauphin, Charles-Orland, at Plessis, to the great rejoicing of France, Bretagne, and the King; he was christened with splendid ceremonial, his god-parents being the Queen-dowager of Sicily and the Dukes of Orléans and Bourbon. He was dedicated to the Virgin, and always dressed in white and cloth of silver. A few months afterwards the King and Queen set off for Lyon, leaving him at Amboise, surrounded by the strictest precautions, amongst which was one forbidding any one to visit him who had ever been in Italy.