even more ruthless, jealous and petty than their predecessors. As always, Henri showered them with gifts and benefices. He married Joyeuse off to Queen Louise’s sister, and Epernon was granted several bishoprics and made Governor of Guyenne. Even the Queen Mother feared to offend him.
The duc d’Epernon was reckless and bold, with a fondness for practical jokes, and much the favoured courtier. Joyeuse never quite achieved the same power over the King, for all he was more aristocratic, which resulted in a bitter jealousy between the two. They were jealous too of Margot, knowing how Henri had always adored his sister and wished to control her. They saw her as a new rival.
When, in his bid for a crown, Alençon made an attempt to capture the city of Antwerp, the two favourites convinced Henri that Margot was responsible by supporting her younger brother in this latest bid for power. She denied involvement, but was not believed. Alençon’s men became trapped and were mercilessly butchered, resulting in yet another disastrous campaign in what became known as the Folly of Antwerp. Guise offered to go to his assistance but the King refused to give his consent. His bitter jealousy over her preference for their younger brother still grated.
Early in 1583, Margot moved into Rue Culture Sainte Catherine and began to keep open house for poets and artists. She held parties, soirees, dancing and feasting, very much as she did at Nérac. Most exciting of all, so far as Margot was concerned, she was again thoroughly involved in a scandalous affair with Champvallon. She was determined to live life in her own way and if she was aware of the risks she took, she gave no sign of it.
She had few friends around her: no Bussy who had once supported her in her ventures, no husband or brother at her side. Alençon was still in Flanders, and failing. Not even Madame de Curton, her dear Lottie, to guide her. Even Guise could no longer be entirely trusted since he pursued his own ambitions for the crown, something she’d always been aware of but was now too dangerous to ignore.
And her anger with Navarre urged Margot to be reckless. She could not forgive him for the Fosseuse incident where he had blamed her for the death of the infant. And now he seemed willing to plot with Philip of Spain in a bid to divorce her. What would happen to her then she dare not even consider. Margot had never been one for discretion but the growing dangers gathering around her, made her, if anything, even more rash. She laughed them all off. Life was for living, after all.
Rumours flew about court, instigated and spread by the mignons , that she had smuggled her lover into her room in a trunk. True or not, she did permit her beloved Champvallon to visit her regularly, and to lodge at the house with her from time to time. She had been heartbroken a few months earlier when he’d declared his intention of marrying a high born widow, even if it were only in order to pay his debts. But she forgave him in the end. A marriage was for financial or political reasons, an affaire was personal. Theirs continued as normal, in spite of his new wife.
Paris was highly entertained by the goings on of their royal family.
Such gossip didn’t trouble Margot in the slightest, for she was enjoying herself far too much. Perhaps life was too good in the French Court, or she held a few too many parties and sumptuous dinners, for she began to put on a little weight, which led to the inevitable rumour that she was pregnant by her lover.
Margot’s old feud with her brother the King now took a far more serious turn. Henri chose an evening when the entire court was present, so that everyone might witness the scene, to accuse her of this transgression.
‘I see that you have brought your immoral ways with you,’ as if the French Court were a picture of chastity and rectitude.
‘I think you must be judging me by your own standards, brother,’ Margot sharply rejoined. ‘Or else
The duc d’Epernon was reckless and bold, with a fondness for practical jokes, and much the favoured courtier. Joyeuse never quite achieved the same power over the King, for all he was more aristocratic, which resulted in a bitter jealousy between the two. They were jealous too of Margot, knowing how Henri had always adored his sister and wished to control her. They saw her as a new rival.
When, in his bid for a crown, Alençon made an attempt to capture the city of Antwerp, the two favourites convinced Henri that Margot was responsible by supporting her younger brother in this latest bid for power. She denied involvement, but was not believed. Alençon’s men became trapped and were mercilessly butchered, resulting in yet another disastrous campaign in what became known as the Folly of Antwerp. Guise offered to go to his assistance but the King refused to give his consent. His bitter jealousy over her preference for their younger brother still grated.
Early in 1583, Margot moved into Rue Culture Sainte Catherine and began to keep open house for poets and artists. She held parties, soirees, dancing and feasting, very much as she did at Nérac. Most exciting of all, so far as Margot was concerned, she was again thoroughly involved in a scandalous affair with Champvallon. She was determined to live life in her own way and if she was aware of the risks she took, she gave no sign of it.
She had few friends around her: no Bussy who had once supported her in her ventures, no husband or brother at her side. Alençon was still in Flanders, and failing. Not even Madame de Curton, her dear Lottie, to guide her. Even Guise could no longer be entirely trusted since he pursued his own ambitions for the crown, something she’d always been aware of but was now too dangerous to ignore.
And her anger with Navarre urged Margot to be reckless. She could not forgive him for the Fosseuse incident where he had blamed her for the death of the infant. And now he seemed willing to plot with Philip of Spain in a bid to divorce her. What would happen to her then she dare not even consider. Margot had never been one for discretion but the growing dangers gathering around her, made her, if anything, even more rash. She laughed them all off. Life was for living, after all.
Rumours flew about court, instigated and spread by the mignons , that she had smuggled her lover into her room in a trunk. True or not, she did permit her beloved Champvallon to visit her regularly, and to lodge at the house with her from time to time. She had been heartbroken a few months earlier when he’d declared his intention of marrying a high born widow, even if it were only in order to pay his debts. But she forgave him in the end. A marriage was for financial or political reasons, an affaire was personal. Theirs continued as normal, in spite of his new wife.
Paris was highly entertained by the goings on of their royal family.
Such gossip didn’t trouble Margot in the slightest, for she was enjoying herself far too much. Perhaps life was too good in the French Court, or she held a few too many parties and sumptuous dinners, for she began to put on a little weight, which led to the inevitable rumour that she was pregnant by her lover.
Margot’s old feud with her brother the King now took a far more serious turn. Henri chose an evening when the entire court was present, so that everyone might witness the scene, to accuse her of this transgression.
‘I see that you have brought your immoral ways with you,’ as if the French Court were a picture of chastity and rectitude.
‘I think you must be judging me by your own standards, brother,’ Margot sharply rejoined. ‘Or else
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