CHAPTER XLIII.
A ROYAL VISIT.
THE countenance of the King of France did not belie his heart. He wassad, and much more dejected than when he was in captivity and chains atMansourah, bullied by the Saracens, and threatened with the bernicles.Nor was there any affectation in his continuing to wear the cross on hisshoulder; as he proved, sixteen years later, when he undertook hisill-fated expedition to Tunis, and died, on a bed of ashes, amid theruins of Carthage, looking up to heaven, and exclaiming with his latestbreath, 'I will enter into Thy house; I will worship in Thy holytabernacle!'
Meanwhile the saint-king appeared inconsolable, and refused to becomforted. Even the affectionate welcome accorded him by his peoplefailed to dispel his gloom or cheer his soul. Day and night he broodedover his defeats and disasters, and sighed dolefully as his memoryrecalled the humiliation to which, in his person, the cause ofChristianity had been exposed at the hands of the Moslem.
Fortunately, at that time, Henry, King of England, being at Bordeaux,offered Louis a visit; and the saintly monarch, rousing himself towelcome his royal brother-in-law, made preparations for his reception.Moreover, when Henry's approach was announced, Louis mounted and wentforth to meet his guest; and, ere long, the King of England with amagnificent train appeared in sight.
Henry was considerably older than Louis. Indeed, he had now attained theage of forty-seven. But his frame was vigorous; he had always enjoyedrobust health; and, as he had taken life easily, time and trouble hadnot wrought so much havoc on him as on the French monarch. He was of themiddle height, and compactly built, and would have been accountedhandsome, but that one of his eyelids hung down in such a way as toconceal part of the eyeball, and rather spoiled a face which otherwisewould have been pleasant to look upon. But, such as his person was,Henry did not neglect its adornment. He had all a Plantagenet's love ofsplendour, and the gorgeousness of his dress was such as to excite thewonder of his contemporaries. By his right hand rode his spouse, Eleanorof Provence, sister of the Queen of France, no longer young, but stillpreserving, in face and form, much of the beauty and grace which, twentyyears earlier, made the name of the second daughter of Raymond Berengercelebrated at the courts of Europe.
Behind the King and Queen of England, on a black steed, which hebestrode with remarkable grace, rode their son, Edward, taller by thehead and shoulders than other tall men, and already, though not out ofhis teens, renowned as one of the bravest and handsomest princes inChristendom. With him was his very juvenile wife, Eleanor of Castille,whom he had recently espoused at Burgos, and brought over the Pyreneesto Bordeaux, on his way to England.
But the procession did not stop here; for, as the chronicler tells us,'the King of England had in his own retinue a thousand handsome horses,ridden by men of dignity and rank, besides waggons and sumpter cattle,as well as a large number of choice horses, so that the unusual noveltyof the array caused great astonishment to the French.'
The meeting of the two kings was all that could have been desired by themost enthusiastic advocate of the French alliance who could have beenfound in England; and, 'at sight of one another, they rushed into eachother's arms, and after mutual greeting, entered into conversation.'Naturally enough, the first subject on which they touched was thecrusade from which Louis had just returned; and the saint-king seemedrelieved to meet with a man to whom he could, without derogating fromhis dignity, unbosom his griefs.
'My friend,' said Louis, mournfully, 'you cannot imagine how pleasantyour voice is to my ears; let us enjoy ourselves in talking together,for never, perhaps, shall we have such an opportunity. In truth,' addedhe, as they rode on side by side towards Paris, 'it is no easy matter totell how much bitterness of spirit I endured while on my pilgrimagethrough love of Christ.'
'I believe it, Louis, my cousin,' said Henry quickly.
'And yet,' continued Louis, 'albeit everything turned against me, Ireturn thanks to the Most High; for, on reflection, I rejoice more inthe patience which God granted me, than if the whole world were to bemade subject to my rule. And yet, my friend, when I think of all mymishaps, my heart saddens and my soul is heavy.'
'Cousin,' said Henry, kindly, 'beware of casting yourself into alife-wearying sorrow; for holy men will tell you that it is thestepmother of souls, and that it absorbs spiritual joy, and generatesprejudice to the Holy Spirit. Recall to your mind the patience of Job,the endurance of Eustace.' And Henry proceeded to relate much that heknew, and much that he did not comprehend, of the history of both, andhow, in the end, God rewarded them.
'My friend,' said Louis, 'if I were the only one to suffer the troubleand disgrace, and if my sins did not fall on the church universal, Icould bear all with equanimity; but, woe is me, through me the whole ofChristendom is enveloped in confusion and shame.'
'And, cousin,' said Henry, 'I perceive that you still wear the symbol ofthe cross on your raiment.'
'I do,' replied Louis, 'because I have not concluded my pilgrimage; Ihave only suspended it; therefore bear I the sacred symbol. And youalso, Henry, you have taken the cross, and vowed to fight for the HolySepulchre.'
'Cousin,' answered Henry, gravely, but frankly, 'when I heard that youwere a prisoner in the hands of the Saracens, I did take the cross andvow to go to the rescue; but now that, by God's grace, you are atliberty, I cannot but think that it is my duty to remain at home andminister to the welfare of my subjects.'
'And yet,' urged Louis, 'we are told that he who will not take up hiscross and come with me, is not worthy of me; and I know you, Henry, tobe a man who, albeit you are negligent in punishing Jews and heretics,are distinguished for attention to the things that belong to youreternal peace, and by your devotion to the Lord.'
'In truth, cousin,' replied Henry, not sorry perhaps, to leave thesubject of the crusade, 'I am regular, at least, in my religiousexercises; for it is my custom, every day, to hear three masses, withthe notes, and, as I wish to hear more, I assiduously assist at thecelebration of private masses; and when the priest elevates the Host, Iusually hold the hand of the priest and kiss it.'
'Nevertheless, my friend,' remarked Louis, 'I cannot but deem that theattention ought not always to be devoted to the hearing of masses, butthat we ought to hear sermons as often as possible.'
'Mayhap,' said Henry. 'And yet, by God's help, I would rather see afriend often than hear of him, even although I should hear nothingspoken of him but good.'
As the two kings conversed they entered Paris side by side, and thesight which met the eyes of the English might well, indeed, raise theiradmiration. The city, with its squares and bridges and churches andhouses built of gypsum, was splendidly decorated with bowers of leavesand flowers; many of the mansions were three and four storeys in height,and the windows were crowded with people of both sexes, gaily dressed,and excited with the spectacle. Everything wore a holiday guise; and thecitizens and the scholars of the University, especially those of Englishbirth, suspending their readings and disputations, came forth in crowds,carrying branches of trees, and attended by bands of music. Everybodyappeared eager to accord the royal guests a hearty welcome; and Louis,after thanking the scholars for showing his friends so much honour,turned to Henry.
'My friend,' said he, 'I place Paris at your disposal. Where will you bepleased to take up your abode? There is my palace in the middle of thecity; or, if you prefer taking up your residence at the Old Temple,which is more roomy, it shall be so arranged.'
'Verily,' answered Henry, 'I think I must choose the Old Temple; for Ihear it is roomy enough to lodge an army, and my company, as you see, issomewhat numerous; and there it is my purpose to give a banquet on themorrow, and I trust that you and your princes and nobles will honour itwith your presence.'
'After which,' said Louis, 'you must come as my guest to my palace. Nay,nay,' continued he, as Henry sought to excuse himself, 'let it be so:for it is proper for me to perform all the duties of courtesy andhospitality. In my own kingdom I am lord,' he added, with a smile; 'andI will be master in
my own house.'
'On my faith,' said Walter Espec to Guy Muschamp, as gallantly thebrothers-in-arms rode in the train of the saint-king, 'this is a greatday for England!'
'In truth it is,' replied Guy, gaily. 'Methinks there are Englishmenenough in Paris to take the city.'
CHAPTER XLIV.
THE FEAST OF KINGS.
ON the day after the arrival of Henry and his queen in Paris, thatmarvellous banquet, described as 'the feast of kings,' was given in thegreat hall of the Old Temple; and a mighty entertainment it appears tohave been, if we are to judge from the description of the chronicler,who tells us that 'never in times past was there given such a rich andsplendid banquet, even in the time of Esther, or of Arthur, or ofCharles.' Besides three kings--those of Navarre, and France, andEngland, with their queens--there were present eighteen countesses, andtwenty-five counts, and twelve bishops; not to mention a host of nobleknights and ladies--knights illustrious for their valour, and ladiescelebrated for their beauty.
As the guests were ranged according to their rank, some difficulty aroseas to who was to preside. Henry requested Louis to assume the post ofhonour; but Louis protested.
'It is more fitting,' said he, 'that the master of the feast shouldoccupy the chief seat.'
'Not so, my lord king,' urged Henry. 'It is more becoming and properfor you to sit in the middle; seeing that you are my sovereign and willbe so, for the reason is plain.'
'Henry,' replied Louis, in a low voice, 'would that every one couldobtain his right without injury. But in your case,' added he, alludingto Henry's claims on Normandy and Anjou, 'the pride of the French wouldnever permit it. But enough of this.'
Now it happened that the great hall was, according to the continentalcustom, hung around with as many bucklers as the four walls would hold,and among them was the shield of Coeur de Lion; and when the feast wasdrawing to a close, the company began to look around and examine them.
'My lord,' said the Count of Anjou, jocularly addressing Henry, 'whyhave you invited the French to dine with you in this house of allothers? See, there is the shield of the lion-hearted King Richard. Imarvel that your guests have been able to eat without fear andtrembling.'
Now this remark, uttered as it was in a tone of irony, was calculated toexcite unpleasant sensations, and to recall disagreeable reminiscences;and Henry looked mortified, and Prince Edward threw his magnificent headdisdainfully backward. But Louis, ever on the watch, hastened to soothetheir rising ire.
'Would to God, Henry!' said he, earnestly, 'that the twelve peers ofFrance and the barons would agree to my wishes. We should then beinseparable friends.'
'I believe it, Louis, my cousin,' exclaimed Henry, quickly.
'I grieve, my Lord knows,' continued Louis, 'that our feelings ofaffection cannot be cemented on all points; but I cannot bend theobstinacy of my barons; and therefore I perceive plainly that you willnever recover your rights.'
'Nay, the future is with God and his saints,' said Henry; who, pacificas he was, by no means relished the idea of the Plantagenets beingperpetually excluded from their inheritance. 'Meanwhile, cousin, thereis peace between us, and let not the feast flag.'
'Henry,' said Louis, pausing, as he approached a painful subject, 'itgrieves me sore to think that, of all the English who landed with me atDamietta, few, indeed, escaped the carnage of Mansourah. Nevertheless, Ihave brought home with me two English squires, who are anxious to returnto their own country, and whom I would fain recommend to your graciousprotection.'
'Cousin,' said Henry, responding with readiness and sympathy, 'for yoursake I will both protect and honour them.'
Walter Espec and Guy Muschamp were immediately summoned, and, marchingup the great hall between the tables, approached the two kings and benttheir knees.
'Both of them,' explained Louis, mildly, 'have rendered good services,and encountered great perils, and undergone great sufferings for thecross. One saved my brother, the Count of Poictiers, from captivity; andthe other saved my kinswoman, Adeline de Brienne, from still worseevils.' And the king looked towards the noble demoiselle, who, princessas she was, felt her heart beat rapidly, and was under the necessity ofmaking a strong effort not to betray the interest which she felt in thefortunes of the young warrior, with whose fate, she had convincedherself, since the rescue at Passe-Poulain, her own was strangelyintermingled.
'Wherefore,' continued Louis, 'I would fain, ere parting with them, givethem a token of my appreciation of their piety, and the courage theyhave shown in hours of danger and disaster, as I have already admonishedthem how to act towards their God and their neighbour. Kneel.'
And as they obeyed, Louis gave each of them three blows on the shoulderwith the flat of his weapon, mentioning the name of each, and repeatingthe formula--'In the name of God, of St. Michael, and St. George, I dubthee knight. Rise up, Sir Walter Espec, and Sir Guy Muschamp.'
And as Walter and Guy rose to their feet, blushing with this new andunexpected honour, Louis added--
'And now you will accompany your king to England, and lose no time inwinning your spurs, so as to justify me, in the eyes of men, for havingthus distinguished you.'
'By St. George, cousin,' said Henry, laughing, 'I fear me that theirpatience will be put to the test; for at present I have not an enemyagainst whom to lead such redoubted warriors.'
'My lord and father,' said Prince Edward, interposing, 'if the youngknights will enter my service, I will undertake to find them enough ofwork to keep their swords from rusting.'
'I doubt it not, Edward,' replied Henry, seriously, 'I doubt it not;'and, turning to Louis, he added by way of explanation, 'I have gifted myson with the principality of Wales, and recommended him to employ hisyouth in bringing the natives to obedience; and I know enough of theWelsh to be aware that he has before him an arduous duty. Now, younggentlemen,' said he, addressing Guy and Walter, 'will you take servicewith the prince, and go to war under his banner?'
'In truth, my lord,' answered Walter, 'nothing could be more to my mindthan so to do.'
'And what say you, most doughty warrior?' said Henry, looking towardsthe heir of the Muschamps.
'My lord,' replied Guy, cheerfully, 'we are brothers in arms; and, assays Walter, so say I.'
And when Henry and Queen Eleanor left Paris, and took leave of Louis andhis court at Chartres to return to Bordeaux, Walter Espec and GuyMuschamp rode off in Prince Edward's train; Guy, laughing as he thoughthow much his new dignity would add to his importance when he reached hisfather's castle, and Walter, casting many a look behind to catch a lastglance of Adeline de Brienne.
And so ended the adventures of the Boy Crusaders.
* * * * *
FOOTNOTE:
[1]Transcriber's Note: Although, generally, handwritten notes are notpreserved in the final text, the proofreaders so enjoyed this edition'sinscription that it was retained. An image can be seen in the htmlversion.
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
All instances of "Richard Coeur de Lion" used an oe-ligature. As thiscannot be represented in a plain text file, it is instead noted here.
Both Djedile and Djedile were used in this text.
Page 60, "Icingla" changed to "Icinglas" (blood of Icinglas)
Page 65, words obscurred in original, "per xity" changed to "perplexity"(in some perplexity)
Page 65, " l" changed to "will" (will ever be such)
Page 206, "Geoffery" changed to "Geoffrey" (Nile, and Geoffrey)
Page 242, "Lovis" changed to "Louis" (King Louis from Acre)
Page 281, "Posse-Poulain" changed to "Passe-Poulain" (the rescue atPasse-Poulain)
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Boy Crusaders: A Story of the Days of Louis IX. Page 44