It was different to call the mighty Duke of Burgundy to a meeting with the Dauphin and there murder him in cold blood.
When Michelle’s sister Katherine married the conqueror, when Henry declared that he would be King of France after the death of the mad old King, the new Duke of Burgundy decided that anyone who was the enemy of the Dauphin was his friend.
Thus a closer bond with the English was possible.
Now that King Henry was dead Bedford would proclaim Henry VI King of France and England. It was inevitable and well might the wretched Dauphin seek to raise forces against the English. His skirmishes were laughable. Bedford was a great soldier – not quite what his brother had been, it was true, but formidable. He would not make it too obvious to Bedford that he wished to be his friend.
For instance he did not go to the burial of the late King and the proclamation of the new one. That would have been asking too much of him. He did not wish to be seen taking second place to Bedford. But he admired Bedford; he would be a more staunch ally than that murderous Dauphin, now doubtless calling himself King of France.
Burgundy was surprised one day to find that Bedford had called on him. He glanced from a window and saw the Duke below. He must have arrived most informally. He was talking to someone, and he seemed animated and pleased.
He noticed then that Bedford’s companion was Anne. Burgundy studied his sister as though seeing her for the first time. She has a stately air, he thought; and she is comely. It struck him that Bedford seemed to think so too. He was talking to Anne with the utmost respect and somehow gave the impression that he regarded her as a very great lady.
That pleased Burgundy. So he should, of course; but he must not forget that Bedford was a very important man. Many would say the most important in France at this time.
Anne was eighteen. There had been offers for her but their father had always been too occupied with other matters to give them the consideration they deserved. There is time, he used to say; and as Anne showed little enthusiasm for them they had been set aside. He supposed it was now his duty to find a good match for Anne.
He went down to greet Bedford, trying to hide his wariness as he wondered what had brought the Regent to him in this informal manner.
‘I have long wished to talk with you,’ said Bedford. ‘There are several matters of importance which I want to lay before you.’
Anne inclined her head towards Bedford and smiling at him said she would leave him with the Duke.
Bedford’s eyes followed her as she disappeared.
‘Your sister is a charming and gracious lady,’ he said.
‘Oh, yes, I agree. It is good of you to come to see me. Have they taken your horse? Have you friends with you? Have they looked after you?’
‘Only a party of six. They are in the stables now. I do not imagine my affairs will take long.’
‘Then come in. You must refresh yourself.’
‘Thank you, my lord.’
‘You have come from Paris?’
Bedford nodded.
‘You will take wine now. I hope you will dine with us.’
‘I will take a little wine. Then I will be off. I want to be on my way before nightfall.’
Wine was brought and looking into his goblet Bedford began: ‘I would ask your advice. This country is in a sorry state.’
‘The country has fought a bitter war … and lost,’ said Burgundy.
‘I sometimes wonder if any country ever truly wins. War brings hardships.’
‘ ’Twere a pity your brother … and those before him did not consider this before making war on France.’
‘Alas, it was not only the English who were making war in France.’
The Duke nodded gloomily.
‘We want to undo the effects of war as quickly as we can. I want to bring prosperity back.’
‘You have yet to face the Dauphin who calls himself King Charles VII.’ Burgundy’s face grew dark when he mentioned the Dauphin’s name and Bedford noticed that with pleasure. There was a hatred there which would never pass. Bedford rejoiced in what had happened on Montereau Bridge; it had made Burgundy the Dauphin’s enemy for ever and any enemy of the Dauphin must be a potential friend for the English.
‘We will deal with him, my lord Duke. He is a nuisance, nothing more. I have no great respect for that young man.’
Burgundy was silent.
‘The currency has been greatly debased,’ went on Bedford. ‘I want to encourage trade. Rouen has been sadly battered.’
‘The siege all but destroyed it,’ agreed Burgundy.
‘Aye, a great and valiant people. My brother had deep respect for the citizens of Rouen.’
‘I know it. They would have fired the city rather than surrender it.’
‘And he was lenient with them. Like the great conqueror he was he was always merciful in victory.’
‘And what would you ask of me?’
‘Advice … and help.’
There was silence. Burgundy was no fool. He knew the reason for this flattering show of deference. Bedford wanted to make sure of his friendship. And yet they respected each other. They must do: Bedford to come here and speak almost humbly; and Burgundy to shed his haughty indifference enough to listen.
‘I want to let the people of Rouen know that I plan to revive the woollen trade. I want to make them prosperous again.’
‘That is the best way to win their favour, my lord.’
‘I thought you would agree. I want your help in doing this. I want you to advise me. You know these French better than I ever can. A prosperous country and an end to strife … that will be good for Burgundy no less than France.’
‘It is true enough.’
‘Then to reform the currency, to get the wool trade on its feet again. Then there are the silk weavers of Paris …’
‘You do not talk like a soldier.’
‘Nay, it will please me to have done with wars. Would that please you too, my lord? To live in peace and prosperity … is that not to be preferred to the ravages of war?’
‘If it can be achieved with honour, most certainly.’
‘I want you to help me achieve it with honour.’
Burgundy was pleased and he made no attempt to disguise the fact.
‘You speak good sense … Regent,’ he said, and Bedford felt he was getting on very well.
‘There is one other matter,’ he said. ‘Your sister.’
Burgundy narrowed his eyes and regarded Bedford somewhat sardonically. Now he understood the meaning of this show of friendship.
‘I have seen little of her, too little. But it is enough. She impresses me greatly. Perhaps I am a sentimental man. My brother was the same. He took one look at Katherine and was in love with her.’
Burgundy smiled but it was not an unpleasant smile. ‘I think, my lord, he was more than a little in love with the crown of France.’
‘There you speak truth. But he delighted in Katherine. He said he was the luckiest man on earth because he would have them both … the crown and Katherine. And let me tell you this, my lord Duke: if the King of France had had no daughter my brother would still have had the crown of France. Nay, he took one look at Katherine and was in love with her. Thus do I feel regarding your fair sister.’