The old Duke looked at his glowing young wife with doting tenderness and Henry was charmed not only by his welcome but by the fascinating Duchess Joanna; and during the weeks that followed, when banquets and jousts were given in his honour, he did not have to pretend that he was enjoying his stay in Brittany and this was not only because for a man in his position it was good to have a sanctuary. It was something more. He found the society of the Duchess Joanna very delightful indeed.

Joanna was a woman of great strength of character. Perhaps a childhood such as hers had been helped to develop this. Because of her father's recklessness and his attempts to claim the throne of France the family had lived in constant danger.

Her grandmother, daughter and only child of Louis X, had married the Count of Evreux and through him had come the kingdom of Navarre which her father Charles had inherited. But what was the kingdom of Navarre when but for this Salic law he would have been the King of France. Charles had married Joanna, the daughter of King John of France, and to them were born two boys, Charles and Pierre, and the girl who was Joanna.

The children had had a stormy childhood all three having spent some time as hostages for their father's behaviour. They had been held by the regents of France, the Dues de Berri and Burgundy; and they had been in great peril when their reckless father made an attempt to poison their captors. This was foiled and Charles' agent was discovered and put to death. Charles himself, however, escaped punishment. It seemed possible then that the retaliation demanded would be the death of the hostages but the Dues had no wish to be revenged on children. All the same they had been in a desperate situation.

When Joanna was sixteen she had been married to the old Duke of Brittany. The Dues of Berri and Burgundy had thought this advisable for their great dread at that time had been that the Duke might make an alliance with England and this seemed a good use to which they could put their hostage. So Joanna was duly presented to the old Duke who immediately fell victim to her youthful charms. Joanna was not displeased. It was comforting to be made to feel so important as she was and to have gifts showered on her and fine jewel-encrusted clothes to wear. She was determined to enjoy being Duchess of Brittany and if it meant taking the old Duke as well, as long as he continued to dote on her she could endure that.

Then it had seemed that Joanna was settled, her future secure. The old Duke was more and more devoted and whenever he was parted from his bride he was restive and eager to return to her.

Her father was pleased by the match but he had no intention of paying the enormous dowry which he had promised. "The old Duke is so infatuated by my daughter he won't miss a few pieces of gold," he reasoned. And he was right, for the Duke was indeed so delighted with his marriage that he made light of the missing dowry.

Charles seemed almost disappointed. He so much enjoyed a quarrel and the last thing he wanted was a peaceful existence. He had for some years been suffering from a distressing complaint which stiffened his limbs and gave him considerable pain and the only way in which he could take his mind from his suffering was to create alarming situations that caused others stress.

Being amused by the Duke's devotion to his daughter, he thought it would be fun to prod the self-confidence of the uxorious husband.

There was one knight at his Court of whom Duke John had once been particularly fond. This was Oliver de Clisson, a great nobleman who had brought honour to Brittany through his chivalry and bravery both on the battlefield and in the jousts. He was of tall stature and exceedingly handsome in spite of the fact that he had lost an eye in battle in the Duke's cause. At that time there was a certain restraint between the Duke and Clisson which was due to the Duke's tendency towards friendship with England, while Clisson felt that it was better for Brittany to support France. Recently Clisson had been to Paris to discuss plans for a possible invasion of England should the opportunity arise and the Duke was displeased that he had done this.

It seemed to his wicked father-in-law, Charles the Bad, that now was the opportunity to play an amusing game. The Duke of Brittany was turning from Clisson on political issues, so Charles thought he would introduce an element of mystery and romance into the situation.

It was easy. He talked of his daughter to the Duke and there was no subject which pleased the Duke more.

"It delights me" said Charles, "to see your fondness for the girl. She is handsome, would you say?"

"I would indeed," replied the complacent husband. "I would go farther. I'd say you would not find a more handsome lady if you searched the whole breadth of France aye and of England too."

"It is good to see a man so pleased with his marriage. I hope it may remain so. Aye, that is my earnest prayer"

"I thank you," said the Duke. "I intend to see that it does remain so."

"It is always well to hope," replied Charles with a hint of warning in his voice which startled the Duke as it was meant to.

"Why do you speak so?"

"Well, my friend, she is young and lusty I'll warrant. She is of my family and I know what we are. You are a fine man for your age ... for your age, my lord Duke."

Now the Duke was beginning to be really alarmed. "You know something. What are you trying to tell me?" he demanded.

"Well, perhaps I should say nothing ... It is just out of friendship .. "

The Duke, who could lose his temper, began to do so now. "Tell me what you know I" he cried and he faced the King of Navarre with an expression which clearly indicated he would do him some mischief if he did not speak quickly.

"I hasten to say my daughter is entirely innocent"

"What!" screamed the Duke.

"But there is no doubt in my mind how Clisson feels towards her. He is a bold fellow. He is capable of anything. Why he might even try to abduct her. It's clear to see what a passion he has for her."

The Duke was so furious that he could have struck the King down there and then.

Charles moved away with a helpless shrug of the shoulders. It was no use blaming him for the misdemeanours of the subjects of the dukedom. Perhaps he had been wrong to betray Clisson. He had thought in his friendship ...

"You did right to tell me," snapped the Duke; and Charles left him with his anger.

He was determined to curb his rage. He wanted to plan calmly. Clisson was already out of favour because of his policies and the fact that there had once been great accord between them only strengthened the Duke's anger.

He invited Clisson with two great friends of his, Laval and Beaumanoir, to dine with him at the Chateau de la Motte. They came unsuspecting and after the meal, at which the Duke had impressed them all with his affability, he told them that he wanted to show them some alteration he had made to the palace for the pleasure of his bride.

They expressed great interest.

"I particularly wish to show you the tower," he said and when they reached a narrow spiral staircase he let Clisson go ahead. The Duke was immediately behind and he paused to point out some delicate piece of tracery on the wall to Laval and Beaumanoir.

As he did so there was a shout from above. Guards had emerged to seize and fetter Clisson.

Both Laval and Beaumanoir were immediately aware that they had walked into a trap. Tor God's sake, my lord Duke," cried Laval, "do not use violence against Clisson."

"You would do well to go to your home while you are safe" retorted the Duke.

Beaumanoir protested: "What are you doing to Clisson? He is your guest."

"Do you wish to be like him?" demanded the Duke.

"He is a great man," was Beaumanoir's answer. "I should be honoured to be like him.

The Duke drew a dagger and held it to his face. "Then" he cried venomously, "I must put out one of your eyes."

Beaumanoir drew back in alarm. He and Laval saw that they were caught. If they attempted to rescue Clisson, they would find themselves the Duke's prisoners also. All the same Beaumanoir stood firmly and demanded to know on what grounds Clisson was arrested.

In a burst of fury the Duke shouted for guards to come and take Beaumanoir which they did. Meanwhile Laval slipped quietly away and out of the castle.

The Duke went to his private apartments and, still enraged, sent for the Sieur Bazvalen, a man who had served him well through the years and whose loyalty was without question.

"Bazvalen, my good friend," he said, "I want Clisson to die at once, and I want you to see that this is done"

Bazvalen drew back in horror. He knew Clisson well. This demand was too much to ask. He was no murderer. He had killed men in battle, it was true, but this was different.

"My lord ..." he began.

But the Duke waved his hand imperiously. "Let him be taken to a dungeon. Kill him, I care not by what means, and then open the trap door and let his body go into the moat."

Bazvalen could see that it was no use arguing with the Duke in his present mood or he would find himself in danger, but he was determined not to have the death of Clisson on his conscience so he went to Clisson and warned him of what he had been ordered to do and planned that he would return to the Duke and tell him that Clisson was dead and his body in the moat. In the meantime they would plan some means of getting Clisson out of the castle.

But when Bazvalen reported to the Duke he was overcome by remorse. His anger faded and he realized that he had condemned Clisson without proving his guilt. "You are without blame, Bazvalen," he cried. "You but obeyed orders. The sin is on my conscience. I have murdered Clisson."