They were dressing him now in the long purple hose which were decorated with the fleur-de-lis and then the tunic and cloak which also bore the golden lilies of France.

How beautiful he looked. All must agree to that. It was not merely that she saw him through a mother’s eyes. He was going to be a great king – a greater king than his father, a greater king than Louis or Philip. People would mention his name with that of Charlemagne.

Was that a premonition, a hope, a plea to God? She could not be sure. She could only say with fervour: ‘God save the King.’

The Bishop had placed the crown on his head and he was mounting the steps to the throne now; he sat on the silk encovering which was embroidered with the fleur-de-lis.

There could have been few in the cathedral who were not moved by the sight of their young King.

The Bishop came first to kiss him and then followed the noblemen in order of precedence … there to kiss the King and give him the oath of allegiance.

Thibaud of Champagne was missing. Others were missing too.

Where were Hugh and Isabella de Lusignan and their neighbours?

Suddenly the thought struck Blanche that the source of the rumours concerning her and Thibaud of Champagne could have come from Lusignan.

She could clearly picture the mocking evil eyes of Isabella.

And as she listened to the cheering as the little King rode through the streets of Rheims, she knew that, although there were many loyal men to support him, he would have powerful enemies.


* * *

As soon as the coronation was over the Queen must give her thoughts to the imminent birth of another child. This proved to be Charles.

She had believed that it would be a difficult birth, for she had received such a shock during the pregnancy, but the child arrived promptly and in good health and she herself, knowing that a quick recovery was essential, made one.

At the coronation many had been moved by the appearance of the beautiful young King, but how many of them, she wondered, would remain faithful to him if they thought they could best serve their own interests by being otherwise.

That was something she would soon find out.

She was still a little weak from her confinement when Brother Guérin came to see her. His gravity alarmed her, for she knew Guérin to be a man of unswerving loyalty. He had given a long and trusted service not only to her husband but to Philip Augustus before him and both had recognised his worth. This man, a hospitaller, who lived humbly, though because of his position at court could have amassed great wealth, had had one desire: to serve France well. Philip Augustus had singled him out for his confidences and had appreciated his skills. Louis VIII had made him his chancellor, and Blanche’s one anxiety about him was that his health might fail, for he was old.

So when he came to her and his concern was obvious, Blanche knew that he did not bring good news.

She received him in a private chamber and there he came straight to the point of his visit.

‘There are certain to be ambitious men who seek to profit from a situation such as that in which we now find ourselves – a young king who is not of an age to govern, and there will be those who wish to take the reins of government into their own hands.’

‘Such as myself?’ she asked.

‘My lady, you are the Queen and the King’s mother. It is fitting that you should place yourself at the head of affairs. There are many loyal men and women who appreciate your worth.’

‘And you are one of them, Brother Guérin?’

‘I am indeed, Madam.’

Then I feel great comfort,’ said the Queen.

‘But, my lady, you are surrounded by enemies. Some of them are strong and very powerful …’

‘I know that Hugh de Lusignan is my enemy.’

‘I regret it,’ said Brother Guérin. ‘It would not have been so but for his wife.’

‘Ah, Isabella. She has been responsible for much mischief. I would to God she had never decided to bring her daughter out to Hugh. If she had stayed in England methinks we should have been spared much trouble.’

‘You must know, my lady, that much discontent has been fermented.’

‘And she is at the bottom of it. You do not have to tell me that.’

‘Lusignan and Thouars have been joined by Peter Mauclerc,’ said Brother Guérin quietly.

Blanche put her hand to her head and groaned. Peter Mauclerc was a troublemaker. It was a great misfortune that he was related to the royal house and had descended from the Count of Dreux, one of the sons of Louis VI. As a younger son he had not been so well endowed as his brothers. How much trouble came from impoverished sons whose parents had had more of them than goods to share out! This always seemed to have a bad effect on the person concerned. John Lackland, King of England, was an example – and even when such people gained possessions their characters seemed to remain warped and for ever rapacious.

Peter Mauclerc had acquired his nickname because at one time he had been in holy orders. He had long left that behind him, but it was remembered and since he was noted for his ill deeds he became known as Peter Mauclerc.

Since a marriage had been arranged for him with the heiress of Brittany there had been a rise in his fortunes. His countess had died leaving him three children – John, Arthur and a girl, Yolanda.

As soon as he had Brittany he began making the reputation which had earned him his name; and all knew that he was a man who must be watched for he was capable of deception, self-advancement and any villainy that he could think up to further his own ends.

So when Peter Mauclerc’s name was mentioned Blanche was prepared for trouble.

Well she might have been.

‘His first claim is to the throne,’ said Brother Guérin.

‘To the throne. He must be mad.’

‘Perhaps merely puffed up with pride,’ admitted Guérin. ‘He declares that the first Count of Dreux was not the second son of Louis VI but his first son.’

‘What nonsense. Had he been he would have been King!’

‘His theory is that that Robert of Dreux was passed over because his father considered him to be less clever and capable of governing than his brother Louis who, though younger, was made out to be the elder and as Louis VII inherited the crown. In which case he, as one of the descendants, claims the throne.’

‘But this is absurd. Even if it were true he has elder brothers who would come before him.’

‘He reckons that if he fights for the crown it will be his. He is preaching that no good can come to a country which is governed by a boy and … your pardon, my lady … but I tell you what he says … a boy and a woman.’

Blanche laughed derisively.

‘When a minor comes to the throne there will always be such nonsense. We could send troops to capture this man. What he talks is treason. He should be in prison.’

‘I am of like mind,’ said Guérin. ‘But he has acted promptly.’

‘In what way?’

‘He has allied himself to powerful men. Thouars, Lusignan, and I hear that Thibaud of Champagne has joined the malcontents.’

Blanche put her hands over her eyes. What a mistake to turn Thibaud from his lodgings! She had expected that he would be faithful to her. What a fool she had been! He was a poet. What he wrote in his verses meant nothing to him. He chose words for their beauty more than their meaning.

She noticed that Brother Guérin was watching closely. O God, she thought, does even he believe these rumours?

‘Hugh de Lusignan is the most to be feared,’ she said.

‘He was once a tolerant man.’

‘Oh, but he married,’ she cried, ‘and since then has no mind of his own. He is one who does what he is told. It is not Hugh whom he must consider but she who guides him in all things. That woman! She will lead him to disaster in time. I know it.’

‘At this time,’ said Guérin gently, ‘they are to be feared. I have not told you all. Mauclerc has betrothed his daughter Yolanda to the King of England.’

‘Brother Guérin,’ she cried, ‘pray tell me all quickly. The situation becomes more and more gloomy as you proceed to give me disaster piecemeal.’

‘That is all I have to tell you, my lady. I think you will agree that it is a situation fraught with foreboding.’

‘I do. Powerful barons rising against the King. And one of them allying himself through marriage with England.’

‘Forget not that Isabella is the mother of the King of England. Her sympathies will be with him.’

‘And where hers are so are her husband’s.’

‘’Tis true. If the English King were to choose this moment to attack us, he would find strong support here.’

‘And these are the traitors we know. How many are there who keep their secrets, Brother?’

‘One day we shall find out unless we can put an end to this.’

The last thing I wish is for my son to be plunged into war so early in his reign.’

‘The position is dangerous, my lady, as it always is when a young king mounts the throne. He has not yet proved himself. He is but a child. Ambitious men are waiting to seize power.’

‘I do not wish to go to war,’ said Blanche.

‘There is only one other alternative.’

She nodded. ‘Negotiations. That is the alternative I intend to use.’

‘Mauclerc’s claim … ?’

Blanche gave an impatient exclamation. That is the least important. Who will take that seriously? It is the Lusignans who are making the trouble. From the day Isabella of Angoulême married Hugh de Lusignan I expected it. She saps his spirit. She makes him go the way she wants him to.’