Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-02-19
PRINCESS JEANNE.

had everything that love could think
OF or money could buy. Her name
was Jeanne d'Albret and she was
born in the royal palace at Fontain-
bleau in France. long before France
became republic. The king OF
France. Francis l., was the uncle OF
Jeanne. her mother being the kings
only sister. Margaret Jeanne's mo-
Their lived in Navarro and her hus-
band was king OF that country. Little
Jeanne though only a baby, was a
very important parsonage. She was
heir to the crown and kingdom of Ma
varre. and to great wealth in lands
money and jewels.
The mother of Jeanne wished very
much to take her to her own homo in
Navarro. but the king of France would
not allow the child to leave his king
dom. He said she must stay there
and marry his eldest son. and become
the queen of France Navarro was
between France and Spain, and the king
OF Spain. Charles ", wanted to bar
gain for her. while she was in her
cradle, to be the wife of his son
Philip who was to become king oil
Spain. What these two great kings
wanted was Jeanne kingdom and her
dches. They did not care for her.
SO Queen Margaret had to leave the
baby princess in France. when she
was only few weeks old. She COM
mitted her to tho care OF Madame dc
Silly. wise and noble lady. who took
her TO a palace at Louray, where she
remained for the first FIVE years of her
life
Although she was only a baby. she
had great many officers and servants
to attend her lords and ladies IN wait.
ing, and official carriages, horsemen
footmen and out-riders too numerous
to mention. Madame de Silly was IN
trusted with the education of the prin-
cess, and as soon as she could talk she
employed teachers for her.
When she was only five years old
the king of France became alarmed
lest her father the king of Navarro
might send trusty officers to steal her
away. So he had her and her house.
hold removed to Plessis les Tours
This strong old castle mad been
made very secure by Louis XII. who
being in fear of his life. spent his last
days there lest he should be muir.
dered, as he had been very wicked
and cruel king. There was strong
wall around the castle the gates were
of iron, and all about the grounds
were traps and pitfalls so that if any
one approached at night he would be
caught in a trap or fall into pit.
This gloomy old castle was surrounded
by great dark forest infested with
wolves and other wild animals.
The Princess Jeanne could not rnn
about and play with freedom. Her
ies-in-waiting or her governess or
teachers were with her all the while.
Then she had to study very hard.
She was told over and over again that
she was to be great lady like her
mother; that her mother was beautiful
and graceful could converse in six
different languages. and embroider
beautifully; and that she would be
Obliged to study very hard if she
wanted to be a grand lady like her
mother
The learning to embroiGer was a
very hard task. She listened with
wonder to the accounts given OF her
mothers work in the palace IN Ma
varre. She was told the truth, for
there were crimson velvets hanging
embroidered from the ceiling to the
foor that tvera most ,ropda,f,,l ~ h.
hold. which her mother had worked
She had also to learn court manners;
how to receive kings and queens and
foreign ministers, and how to act on
state occasions. Sometimes members
OF her household would represent
these characters when she was being
drilled.
face was fair. her hair fine brown and
glossy; her eyes dark violet and she
was dressed in silks and laces every
day, and had a great many fine, costly
jewels. But she knew she was a prs.
oner for state reasons, and longcd TO
get away from the gloomy old forest
and castle, and be with her father and
mother She lived in constant fear
lest her uncle would barter her away
in marriage to some ignoble person.
or something else dreadful would
happen.
Very few persons came to the old
Castle OF Plessis. Once in q great
whilo the king visited her. One day
the news came to her that Henry
heir to the throne OF France, was TO
be married. against his will. to Cath
crime de Medici. All these years the
king had been holding her in France
on the plea that she was to be mar
ried TO Henry and become queen OF
France. But the pledge was broken.
In due time Henry and Catherine were
married. Then she was more anxious
to escape from Plessis to her own
people than ever
One day she heard the hunter
horns the braying OF the hounds and
the storming OF the outer gate OF the
castle. and soon the king and his ret
inue OF lords and attendants appeared
before the castle door,
Jeanne ran joyfully to meet the
king. She was only twelve years old,
and was small and slender for her age
at that time. She threw her arms
about his neck and thanked him for
his coming, and entreated him to al
low her to visit her mother. He did
lot promise but seating himself and
drawing her to his side. he said:
Il have news for you Jeanne.
-ame to inform you that you are be-
.rothed and are soon to be married