The Courts of Love - Jean Plaidy [197]
There was conflict with France: Philip Augustus was demanding the marriage of Alais and Richard or the return of her dowry; he was threatening Normandy.
I knew now that Henry had no stomach for war. The old lion was tired, and tired men long for peace. Richard, caught up in religious fervor, although he hated his father, remembered the biblical injunction to honor his parents. John was with him, too, and that other Geoffrey the bastard, with William Marshal. With his sons and such men beside him, Henry’s spirits must have lifted a little. After all, he was at heart a fighter . . . one of the greatest of his day.
The two armies were drawn up facing each other. Richard told me about it later, so I had a clear picture of what happened. It was night in the camp when one of Richard’s men came to him and told him that a knight was asking to see him and when he was brought into Richard’s camp, he was amazed to see the Count of Flanders. He came from Philip Augustus, he said, to remind Richard that he could not fight against the King of France, his suzerain, to whom as Duke of Aquitaine he had sworn fealty. Richard replied that the King of France was at war with his father and that meant at war with him.
“It is of that matter which the King wishes to speak to you,” said the Count.
“Does the King of France want a truce?” asked Richard.
“He wants to speak with you.”
Richard was always fearless. He must have known what a risk he took. He went with the Count of Flanders through the enemy lines.
I knew of the relationship between Richard and Philip Augustus. Richard never kept anything from me. They had loved each other and there was a strong bond between them.
He said that when he arrived the King of France came out of his tent to greet him with such infinite tenderness that it was difficult to remember that they were on opposing sides; and when Richard asked what Philip Augustus wanted him for, he answered: “Friendship. Could I ever be anything but your friend?”
Richard went into the King’s tent. Philip Augustus was alone and unarmed. “Take off your armor, Richard,” he said.
Richard protested, saying that he was in the midst of his enemies.
“I would not allow any to harm you,” replied the King. “We should be together . . . not against each other.”
“Do you expect me to fight against my own father?” asked Richard.
“Has he not fought against you? He is betraying you, Richard. He has taken my sister, who was to have been your wife, and made her his mistress . . . and she a Princess of France! If she married you, you and I would be brothers. We must be friends. War destroys us both . . . and war against each other is unthinkable. The King of England is more your enemy than he is mine. Do you know he plans to disown you and set up another in your place?”
“I do not trust him, it is true, but he cannot do that.”
“Stay here.”
“No. I must go back but I will think of what you have said.”
They talked awhile. Then Richard left. Philip Augustus said that, if any harm came to him in the French camp, those responsible would have to answer to him.
The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Richard went to his father. He was shocked to see the King look so ill. He shrugged off Richard’s inquiries about his health. “I am well enough. It is always thus first thing in the morning. I grow better as the day wears on.”
“The King of France would be ready for a truce,” Richard told him.
“He would impose humiliating terms.”
“You would have to give up the Princess Alais.”
Henry blustered. “She is to marry you when the time is ripe.”
Richard gave him a steely look. “Methinks she may be overripe. Tell me. Why are you so reluctant to relinquish her?”
“I could have talked to Louis. He was more reasonable than his son.”
“Louis was continually asking for the marriage to take place when he was alive. The ripening process has taken a very long time.”
“Some time ago I