_The retirement of King Henry to Bearn--Margaret’s intercourse with
her brother--The inscription at Chambord--Margaret’s adventure with
Bonnivet--Margaret’s relations with her husband--Her opinions upon love
and conjugal fidelity--Her confinements and her children--The Court in
Bearn and the refugee Reformers--Margaret’s first poems--Her devices,
pastorals, and mysteries--The embellishment of Pau--Margaret at table
and in her study--Reforms and improvements in Bearn--Works of defence at
Navarreinx--Scheme of refortifying Sauveterre._
Some historians have stated that in wedding his sister to Henry
d’Albret, Francis pledged himself to compel Charles V. to surrender his
brother-in-law’s kingdom of Navarre. This, however, was but a political
project, of which no deed guaranteed the execution. Francis no doubt
promised Margaret to make every effort to further the restitution, and
she constantly reminded him of his promise, as is shown by several
of her letters. However, political exigencies prevented Francis from
carrying out his plans, and in a diplomatic document concerning the
release of the children whom Charles held as hostages the following
clause occurs: “Item, the said Lord King promises not to help or favour
the King of Navarre (although he has married his only and dear beloved
sister) in reconquering his kingdom.” (1)
The indifference shown by Francis for the political fortunes of his
brother-in-law, despite the numerous and signal services the latter
had rendered him, justly discontented Henry, who at last resolved to
withdraw from the Court, where Montmorency, Brion, and several other
personages, his declared enemies, were in favour. Margaret apparently
had to follow her husband in his retirement, for Sainte-Marthe remarks:
“When the King of Navarre, disgusted with the Court, and seeing none of
the promises that his brother-in-law had made him realised, resolved to
withdraw to Bearn, Margaret, although the keen air of the mountains
was hurtful to her health, and her doctors had threatened her with a
premature death if she persevered in braving the rigours of the climate,
preferred to put her life in peril rather than to fail in her duty by
not accompanying her husband.” (2)