The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-02-17
MARGARET OF ANJOU.
The Record OF n stormy Life.

The Record. OF n stormy Life.
From her cradle to her grave, Marga-
ret of Aniou-the last OF our Provencal
Oueens-was the heroine OF tempestu-
GUS misfortune and romance, and for
fve-andtwenty years played conspicu-
GUS part in highlands history. During
her sojourn among the English arose that
deadly feud between the rival houses of
York and Lancaster, which eliminated
in the terribly devastating "War Of the
Roses" Thus Mnrgarets position as
an English Queen consort was one of
constant anxiety, danger and difficulty /;
occasionally relieved, it is true, by a
few brilliant CLEANS of royal splendor
and sunshine-gleams that only served
to bring into greater prominence her
rwhelming calamities.
The illustrious King Rene of Anjou,
rich in titles but not In wealth, was the
father OF the peerless Margaret; while
hermother, Isabella, was adirect descend
ant of the renowned Charlemagne, and
Princess highly endowed with beauty,
eloquence, energy and virtue. Princess
Margaret was born 23rd OF March, 1929,
at Pont-a .Mousson-her mothers DOVER
palace, one of the grandest castles in
Lorraine. When but 2 years old the
baby Princess commenced her appren-
ticeship to sorrow and adversely for at
this early age her father was taken captive
while engaged in struggle respecting
her mothers patrimony III Lorraine; and
the anxious and distraught Isabella,
while clasping Margaret to her breast,
gave vent to her grief in tears and low
murmurs of alarm.
Margaret was twice betrothed during
her infancy, firstly to the Count st. Pol,
secondly to the Count do Nevers; but
both these projected alliances fell
through. When little over Ii years of
age her youthful attractions were the
theme of general admiration.
"The courts of France aid Burgundy
rang with her charms" the learned
chronicler, Baante, declared. There
was no Princess ia Christendom more
accomplished than my Lady Margaret
of Anjou."
The young bachelor King, Henry vi.
of England, having heard of her peer
. less beauty and lofty spirit, sent trusty
emissary to the Court of Lorraine TO OBJ
tain a portrait of her. The gentleman
of Anjou intrusted with the duty OF
presenting the picture to the English
monarch described in glowing terms the
many attractions of this Incompatible
Princess, and his report was well Sec
onded by the painting. Both Henry's
great uncle, Cardinal Beaufort, and Mar
.garet's uncle, Charles VII. of France,
lent their influence in supporting Hen
rvs choice. The Cardinal in partcu-
lar was very anxious for the alliance.
He had educated his royal nephew, and
he saw clearly enough that Henry was
lamentably deficient in energy and de-
cjsion of character ; and, as Margaret
possessed these requisites in marked
degree, he hoped her influence in these
respects would prove beneficial for the
King. At the same time he also hoped
her youth and inexperience would rem
der her q valuable instrument in pro-
noting his own political influence and
power.
"The darling of the people" Duke
Humphrey of Gloucester, uncle to the
young King, was opposed to this ALI
ance with Margaret; consequently Car
dinal Beaufort and the Duke were at an
issue as to the choice of consort for
their royal knSman.
Henry himself, however, was deeply
enamored by her pictured charms. He
resolved to obtain Margaret at whatever
cost, and. as King Rene demanded the
cession of Maine AID Anjou as the price
of his daughters hand, Henry readily
agreed to the sacrifice, only too pleased
to secure this "dowerless bride whose
beauty and merits were allowed to out
weigh all the riches in the world"
The Duke of Suffolk, accompanied by
his Duchess and brilliant train of the
nobility, was dispatched to France "to
espouse the Lady Margaret of Anjou, as
proxy for his sovereign" The festivi-
ties, lasting eight days, were carried out
with great magniicence.
At the close of the festivities Margaret
took most affectionate leave of her par
ents, kindred and friends; and the lively
emotions called forth on her departure
for England in the charge of the Duke
and Duchess of Suffolk were eloquent Of
the love and admiration universally felt
for her.
Her landing in England was heralded
by terrific storm. "The cliffs of AL
bion were first visible to her amid flashes
nUnbnl0Q. bnu Tue SuOtcS ItSOluuett
with peals of thunder" On arriving mt
southampton she was seized with dam
gerous illness-supposed to have been
small pox-and the anxious young King
awaited her recovery with the greatest
Impotence.
The beautiful Margaret. then in her
!, 10Th year, even suffered from poverty.
both in her own home and in that OF
her adopted country. Miss Strickland
relates
"Her bridal wardrobe was so scantily
furnished that King Henry was under
the necessity of supplying her with array
suitable to q Queen Of England before