‘Like Katherine my sister has much to recommend her.’
‘My brother had a crown to offer Katherine. She is Queen of England now and was as soon as she married my brother. I cannot offer your sister a crown, but I can give her almost anything else she might desire.’
‘It may be that she will not desire you, my lord. Have you thought of that?’
‘Yes, I have,’ said Bedford, ‘and so great is my esteem for her that I would not have her forced to a marriage if it were distasteful to her.’
‘You are a gallant suitor, my lord Regent.’
‘She fills my thoughts. My brother was a simple man, and so am I. Perhaps like him I lack the ability to make flowery courtship but my heart is sturdy none the less and my feelings go deep.’
‘Then you would take my sister without a great dowry, I daresay.’
Just a moment’s hesitation then Bedford said: ‘I would not demand what the great House of Burgundy could not give but knowing its wealth and power I doubt it would wish one of its daughters to be sent to her husband like some low-born woman.’
Burgundy began to laugh.
‘You have approached my sister?’ he asked.
Bedford shook his head, and looked shocked. ‘My lord Duke, I am surprised you could suggest I should be capable of such indiscretion.’
‘Nay, I did not think you would for I fancy you would not wish to displease me.’
‘It is the last thing I would wish.’
Burgundy nodded. It all made sense. Cement friendship with Burgundy. It was the wisest way Bedford could act. His respect for the Regent had always been there; it was growing fast.
And it would be wise. By God’s Head, thought Burgundy, if I stood with the English what chance would that miserable little monster who calls himself the King of France have against us?
He would see him humbled. It would be a shock for the silly young fool when he heard that Burgundy’s sister was betrothed to Regent Bedford.
‘You raise my hopes, my lord Duke,’ Bedford was saying.
‘Such matters cannot be decided in a moment.’
‘Nay, but I see you are prepared to give consideration to this.’
‘It would depend on my sister Anne. I know not what she feels about the English.’
‘She seemed ready to show friendship to this Englishman.’
Burgundy nodded.
‘If you gave your consent,’ went on Bedford, ‘if we could come to some arrangement agreeable to us both I should be the happiest of men.’
It was clear that Burgundy was not ill pleased with the idea. Now was the time for John to hint at the matter which was the real reason for his seeking this interview with the Duke of Burgundy.
‘I have heard disturbing news of my brother Humphrey,’ he began.
Burgundy raised his eyebrows. He was clearly surprised by the change in the conversation.
‘Oh, forgive me burdening you with these matters. But the lady concerned is a connection of yours … in a manner of speaking … and this affair is much on my mind. You know my brother is of a somewhat impetuous nature. It was a source of great anxiety to my brother Henry. Humphrey acts first and then faces the consequences afterwards. They are not always pleasant. To tell the truth he has made a foolish marriage … or not in truth a marriage … but it could be awkward. It is the lady in question, you see.’
‘What lady is this? Is she of my acquaintance?’
‘Well … she is in truth a kinswoman of yours. I refer to Jacqueline of Bavaria.’ The Duke was astounded.
‘Married!’ he cried. ‘Did you say … married to your brother Humphrey!’
‘I did.’
‘It’s nonsense. She is married to Brabant so how can she be married to your brother Gloucester?’
‘It seems there has been some sort of annulment.’ Burgundy looked as though he was going to strike his guest. It was clear that he was deeply shocked. John congratulated himself on having put him in a mellow mood before he gave this news.
‘Annulment!’ cried Burgundy. ‘How could that be?’
He had arranged the marriage between his cousin of Brabant and Jacqueline who was also his cousin and he had his eyes on those important territories Hainault, Holland and Zealand. It was not going to be difficult for powerful Burgundy to wrest them from the one-time Bishop of Liège and soon he had thought they would be back where they belonged – ostensibly with Brabant which meant with Burgundy.
Bedford was eager to soothe him. ‘It is not a true annulment. Benedict XIII pronounced it.’
Burgundy was relieved.
‘Ah, it is no true marriage then,’ he said.
‘You can understand my anxiety,’ said John.
‘Your brother clearly has his eyes on her lands. What does he propose to do? To attempt to take them?’
‘He will plan that most likely. But whether he will carry it out, who knows. He tires easily of his projects.’
Burgundy was clearly disturbed.
‘I shall find some way of dealing with him,’ said Bedford. ‘I am sure I can rely on your help.’
‘You may rest assured that I shall not allow my cousin to be treated in this way. Those lands came to him with his wife.’
‘ ’Twas a pity Brabant passed them over so lightly to the old Bishop of Liège.’
‘Like your brother he is not always wise.’
They looked earnestly at each other. ‘We shall know how to deal with this matter,’ said Bedford.
As he rode away he was congratulating himself on his cleverness. He had broken the news of Gloucester’s folly to Burgundy himself, for it would never have done for the Duke to hear of it from another source, and he had turned it to good account, he believed. It might even have strengthened the bond between himself and Philip of Burgundy.
Chapter III
A SCOTTISH ROMANCE
LIFE was pleasant at Windsor. Katherine knew that it could not go on like that. She would not be allowed to keep her baby to herself and live apart from ceremony. There had already been one occasion when she had had to take Henry to London for the meeting of the Parliament. So ironical it had seemed to have the King present, arriving in his mother’s arms, lying there looking with interest at those around him, laughing suddenly as though he found the proceedings ridiculous and then dropping off to sleep as if he found it after all unworthy of further attention.
How the people had cheered as she had ridden through the streets seated on a kind of moving throne drawn by white horses. Afterwards she had sat with her baby on her knees while the lords came up one by one to salute him, and they all said he had behaved with becoming gravity which was an indication of future wisdom.
But how glad she had been to come back to Windsor!
Two nurses had arrived. The first was Joan Astley and the Parliament had agreed that she should have a salary of forty pounds a year which was about the same as a privy councillor for the nursing of the King of England was a task of the greatest importance. She quickly became devoted to Henry and he took to her at once.
Then there was Dame Alice Butler who was given the same salary as Joan Astley and the same privileges including permission to chastise the royal infant if the need should arise. Katherine was thankful that this infrequently did, for Henry was a good baby – he rarely cried and he only did so when he was hungry or tired; he was contented and showed an interest in everything around him.
Katherine felt she could safely leave the care of her child with these two women.
Life at Windsor resembled that of a country house. There were not a great many visitors from Court. The Queen had implied that she wished to live quietly for a while as she continued to mourn her husband and her wishes so far had been respected but she feared that life would have to change in time.