When she received the letter Philippa went at once to her daughter in the palace of the Tower and there told her that she must make ready for a journey.
The Princess Joanna, who was with her sister, listened apprehensively. Poor Joanna, she dreaded being sent to a bridegroom. She would never forget her unhappy experiences in Austria and feared that one day they would be repeated. She knew that negotiations were in progress to marry her to the son of the King of Castile and she lived in terror of hearing that she must prepare to leave for Spain.
Isabella felt quite different. She was so sure of herself, so certain that she was the most fascinating creature in the world that she had no doubt of her ability to charm anyone.
‘Your father wants us to leave at once,’ the Queen said. ‘No, not you, Joanna. You will remain here with the others. Isabella is to be married to the Earl of Flanders.’
‘Only an Earl! ‘ cried Isabella, dismayed.
‘My dear child, this is a most important marriage. Your father is most anxious for it. The Flemings have a great influence, particularly now when your father has to win his French crown. He is particularly anxious for this marriage because it means you will be within easy reach of him. There. That is what he said.’
Isabella was placated. ‘I knew he would not want me to be too far away.’
‘So now we shall make sure that you are properly provided for. I must see the seamstresses without delay.’
Isabella was elated.
She was fourteen, old enough for marriage, and had supposed that a bridegroom would soon be found for her. She had expected a grander one it was true but it would be pleasant to be not too far from her father and she was sure that this Earl of Flanders must be overcome with delight at the prospect of marriage with the eldest daughter of the King of England.
So, in a state of great excitement she made her preparation. Inordinately vain of her appearance she revelled in the beautiful garments which were made for her, for she had inherited her father’s love of finery, and she could scarcely wait for the journey to begin. With her she was taking a company of ladies of the Court, many of whom had husbands or sons serving in the King’s army, so it was a time of happy reunion for them.
Edward welcomed them ashore and when he saw his daughter he was overcome with pride and emotion.
There would be great rejoicing in the camps throughout the temporary town Edward had built outside the walls of Calais, and if it seemed strange to rejoice and celebrate a betrothal at that spot when so near, within the walls of the city, the people were starving and were waiting anxiously for rescue, Isabella did not think of it.
She was the beloved daughter of the great King of England and her bridegroom elect would fall in love with her as soon as he set eyes on her. She was absolutely sure of that.
She might have been disturbed if she could have known the circumstances in which that bridegroom now found himself.
Having been brought up at the French Court, young Louis was in outlook a Frenchman, and Philip realizing his importance as a pawn in the marriage market had always shown friendship towards him. Louis had enjoyed the elegance of the French Court which seemed to him so much more attractive than that of Flanders, and he thought like a Frenchman, dressed like a Frenchman and acted like one. The French King had sung the praises of Margaret of Brabant. Louis had met her and prompted by the wily Philip had found her a girl to his liking.
He would marry her, he promised himself; and indeed he had thought he would.
Then had come the battle of Crécy. Louis would never forget that day for he had ridden out with the French army beside his father at whose side he had been when the English arrow had pierced the Earl’s heart and it was in his son’s arms that Louis the elder had died. He would never forget the agony on that once proud face; he would continue to hear the groans from those distorted lips; he tried not to think of the blood his father’s blood.
‘Oh God,’ he had cried, ‘how I hate the English.’
He would always remember that it was an English archer who had robbed him of his father.
He was astounded when the representatives from the main towns of Flanders visited him and told him that they were in favour of a marriage with Isabella, daughter of the King of England.
‘Marry the daughter of my father’s murderer!’ he cried aghast. ‘You must be mad to suggest it. I never will.’
‘My lord,’ explained the burghers, ‘a union with England will be good for Flanders. We need English wool if we are to keep our weavers working. The marriage is necessary to the prosperity of the country.’
‘I have already agreed to marry Margaret of Brabant.’
‘That is what the French want, but my lord, the English are more necessary to our country than are the French. This marriage with Isabella is important. She is a lively girl of considerable beauty. You will not be disappointed.’
Louis’s eyes blazed with anger. ‘I will not be forced into a marriage which is distasteful to me,’ he said.
‘My lord, my lord,’ they cried, ‘how can it be distasteful when you have not set eyes on the girl? She has a charm and beauty unsurpassable, so we have heard.’
‘From her father doubtless. That murderer who comes here and tries to snatch the crown of France from its rightful owner ‘
The burghers were dismayed. The feared trouble ahead. Louis must see reason.
‘My lord,’ said the leading burgher sternly, ‘you should watch your words. If you arouse Edward’s wrath this could be disaster for Flanders. You have become too much the Frenchman and it would be well for you to remember that that is not the country to which you owe allegiance.’
‘I will hear no more of this,’ said the young Earl haughtily. But the burghers had surrounded him almost menacingly. ‘What means this?’ cried Louis.
‘It means, my lord, that you are not free to leave this castle.’ ‘What! You would make a prisoner of me!’
‘Not a prisoner, my lord. You will be free to hunt and hawk. But there will be guards with you as we do not want you flying back to your friend, the King of France—who is no friend to your country. We Flemings must look to the English. We shall keep you here with us until you see reason and agree to a betrothal with Isabella of England.’
The Earl was furious with rage but he could see that he was in the hands of his subjects and he must bide his time. He must listen to their wearying diatribes. In the meantime he could enjoy his favourite sports.
But marry the daughter of his father’s murderer, never!
Resentfully he submitted to the kind of luxurious captivity he was offered. But though he might enjoy the comforts to which he had been accustomed he was constantly aware of the irksome presence of guards. He realized that these had been selected with the greatest care. There was not one among them who could be seduced into plotting against those who held him. Every one of the men set to watch over him believed fervently in the need for alliance with England.
A few months passed in this way and then Louis capitulated.
He sent for the chief members of the Council and told them that he had changed his mind. He would agree to a marriage with Isabella.
He was congratulated on his sound good sense. He would find the Princess a delightful creature. Everyone sang her praises. She was the most beautiful Princess in the world. He would never regret having shown such good sense.
Messengers were sent to Edward and it was at this stage that he told Philippa to bring his daughter to Calais.