CHAPTER VI

MARIE D’ANJOU

“The little Queen of Bourges”--A master-stroke--A lovely bride, an ill-looking groom--An evil mother’s influence--Three fair witches--Yolande’s prestige--Woman’s power in France--Marie _v._ Agnes--Unhappy Charles VI.--The Châtelaine de Courrages--A gallows and a flagellation--Marriage of Charles and Marie--Impecuniosity--Never touched her below the chin!--Jacques Cœur’s loyal succour--Terrible disasters--A treacherous deed--Isabeau’s rage--Queen Marie’s speech--A lovely bevy of Maids of Honour--Outrageous fashions--Correcte’s crusade--“À bas les hennins!”--Scudding stones--Plain chapelles--A faint-hearted King--Queen Marie’s “I will”--Marie d’Anjou and Jeanne d’Arc--No place for the Queen!--Agnes Sorel, “la Belle des Belles”--Serge chemises--“The plaything of the most valiant King?”--Agnes’s four daughters--A loving son--Boxed her ears!--Agnes’s heart in gold--“Males femmes”--“Everything for France!”--Disasters and delirium--Marie in shade and shine--A pillion--Poor little Princess Margaret!--“A curse on life!”--A dissolute Prince--Slander and hypocrisy--The Bastard of Orléans--A tryst disturbed--The obscene Fête des Fous--A royal repast-Tours for delicacies--A famous pack of cards--The Queen as a business woman--Cocks and hens--Marie dies at Poitiers--“A good and devout woman” 174-215