The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-02-16

lie would make brooches Of the piece
Which be was bound ~ keep,
But none cared for his little fleece
Becanse his goods were sheep.
MARGARET OF ANJOU.
The Record Of n stormy Life.
From her cradle to her grave, Marga-
ret Of Anjou-the last Of our ProvcncM
Queens-was the heroine OF tempestu-
Gus misfortune and romance, aud for
five-and-twenty years played conspicu-
GUS part in England's history. During
her soionrn 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 Margaret's position as
an English Queen consort was one Of
constant anxiety, danger and difficulty !;
occasionally relieved, it is true, by .
few brilliant CLEANS Of royal splendor
aud neutrality-suspicious. that only served
to bring into greater prominence her
overwhelming calamities.
The illustrious King Rane Of Anjou,
rich in titles but not in wealth, was the
father OF the peerless Margaret; while
her mother, isabella, was adirect descend
ant Of The renowned Charlemagne. and
a Princess highly endowed with beauty,
eloquence, energy ard virtue. Princess
Margaret was born 23rd Of March, 142D,
at Pont.a Mousson-her mother dover
palace, one Of the granaest castles in
Lorraine. When but years old the
baby Princess commenced her appren-
ticeship to sorrow and adversely; Tor at
this early age her father WAS taken captive
while engaged III . struggle respecting
her mothers patrimoav III Lorraine; and
the anxious and dlstraugnt Isabella,
while clasping Margaret to her breast,
murmurs Of alarm.
Margaret was twice betrothel during
her infancy, firstly to the Count st. Pol,
secondly to the Count de Nevers; but
both these projected alliances fell
through. When !. little over Il years Of
age her youthful attractions We're the
theme Of general admiration.
The courts Of France aid Burgundy
rang with her charms" the learned
ch,onicler, Barante, declared. There
was no Princess i'll Christendom more
accomplished than my Lady Margaret
Of Anlou.
The young bachelor King, Henry VI.
of England. having heard Of her peer
less beauty aud lofty spirit. sent q trusty
emissary to the Court Of Lorraine to Oh
tam 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 particu-
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.
cision 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 a valuable instrument in pro.
noting his own political influence and
power.
1.-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 rs to the choice of q COnsOrt fOE
their royal kinsman.
Henry himself, however, was deeply
enamored by her pictured charms. He
resolved to obtain Margaret at whatever
cost; and. rs 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 tht
nobility. was dispatched to France st
espouse the Lady Margaret Of Anjou, q,
proxy for his sovereign" The festivi
ties, lasting eight days, we're carried ou
with great magnihcence.
At the close Of the festivities Margare'
took most affectionate leave of her par
ents, kindred and friends; and the livel,
emotions called forth on her departure
for England in the charge Of the Duk'
and Duchess of Suffolk were eloquent o
the love and admiration universally fell
for her.
Her landing in England was heralde,
by terrific storm. 1.-THE cliffs Of Al
bion were first visible to her amid flashe
Of lightning. and the shores resounde,
with peals Of thunder" On arriving q
southampton she was seized with dan
gerous illness-supposed to have beel
small pox-and the anxious young Kim
awaited her recovery with the creates
Impotence.
The beautiful Margaret, then in he
18th year, even suffered from poverty
b.th in her own home and in that {
her adopted country. Miss Stricklan
relates:
"Her bridal wardrobe was SO scantil
furnished that King Henry was undo
the necessity OF supplying her withNrra
suitable to q Queen Of England befoI
she could appear in that character"
ne lupO6cElSIcu htdUc u tic uAClOua
treasury-cs nsed chiefly by the dil
astrols wars with France and the u,lse
tied state Of the country-added
King Henry's difficulties in raising Ii
necessary funds to meet the expense
upon his marriage. He was con
PEELED to pawn nearly all his privat
jewels and household plate, many Of th
jewels being pledged to his great uncl,
the rich Cardinal Beaufort. j"
On the 22d Of April, 1445, the roy,
nuptials were celebrated at Tchfiel
Abbey, with great splendor, and on Ii
23th Of May following Margaret ".
crowned at Westminster, when !"
tournament was held which lasted thru
days, the lists occupying the entire spat
between the Palace Yard aud the Sane
nary"
Humphrey, Duke Of Gloucester. fint
ing his opposition to Henry's marriae
with Margaret had been useless, WI
one Of the first To treat the youn