The Return to Rennes
The friendly reception which the young Duke everywhere met as he
reëntered Brittany made the home-coming very dear to him. The situation
had changed, as he now realized, and the people had great expectations
of his future. When he came to the gates of cities, the people went out
to meet him with welcomes and good wishes. Arthur showed interest and
kindness for all, and the Duchess gave him precedence everywhere and
rejoiced at the enthusiasm manifested for him, both by high and by low.
Upon their arrival at Rennes they received sad news. Bertha was no more.
She had died after a brief illness. It was the first real sorrow in
Arthur’s life, and his grief was hardly less than that of Höel and Alan,
who felt as if their happiness were forever lost. It separated Arthur’s
present life from his past life, and served to concentrate his thoughts
upon the future. All the news from the great world, into which he had
had a brief glance, now became of interest to him, especially everything
concerning the Crusade. As time passed, wandering pilgrims and minstrels
came and told of events in the morning-land,—of Richard’s exploits
before Acre and Ascalon,[13] and of his heroic conduct in times of
danger, which had won for him the name of “Lion-hearted.” Then news
ceased to come for a long time; but suddenly the report spread that
Philip Augustus had returned to France with only a remnant of his army.
It seemed incredible at first, but they soon found that it was true, for
the Duchess received a letter from Paris in which Philip urgently
requested her to come there with Arthur. She hesitated, however, for her
safety in Brittany was not imperilled. The King’s letter surprised them
all, particularly Arthur, who had a presentiment that it foreshadowed a
turning-point in his life.
One evening a pilgrim appeared at the castle gate and desired to speak
with the Duke. The latter had just returned from the chase and was
standing in the anteroom as the stranger entered.
“Rest yourself, holy man,” said Arthur, “and then tell me your errand.”
“Allow me to speak with you in private,” replied the pilgrim. After
Arthur had dismissed those standing about, the pilgrim whispered a few
words to him.
Hardly had he done so before Arthur made a loud outcry, and rushed into
the terrified Duchess’s apartment, exclaiming, “Richard is a prisoner!”
As he knew nothing more about it, the Duchess, after summoning Höel, had
the pilgrim brought to her, and asked him for the particulars. As soon
as the latter removed his palmer’s hat, Höel recognized him as Count
Guntram, one of the Crusaders in Richard’s army. After the first
greetings he told, at Arthur’s request, the story of the events which
led to the abandonment of Palestine. Forsaken by his allies, whom he had
alienated by his haughtiness of manner, Richard realized when it was too
late that he could not rescue Jerusalem with his army alone. He withdrew
reluctantly from the Holy City, and decided to return. His vessel was
separated from the others and wrecked upon the Italian coast. Too
impatient to wait for the rest of the fleet, he undertook to retreat
with a few companions. As they had to traverse a hostile country, they
adopted the garb of pilgrims, but they could not elude the sharp
scrutiny of spies. Richard fell into the hands of the Duke of Austria,
whom he had greatly offended during the Crusade, and the Duke consigned
his distinguished prisoner to Henry the Sixth, Emperor of Germany.[14]
His fugitive companions were making their way to their homes.
Arthur, completely absorbed in Richard’s fate, contemplated plans for
his deliverance, and had no doubt that all the princes would unite with
him to rescue the prisoner. Guntram, however, gloomily shook his head,
and said: “Richard is imprisoned in the strong castle of Trifels[15] on
the Rhine, and there he will remain until he is released for a heavy
ransom. Think rather about yourself and your own affairs, noble Prince.
Your Uncle John, hoping that Richard will never return, is preparing to
attack Brittany and get you into his power as soon as possible. Make
your escape at once, lest all the noble scions of the house of
Plantagenet fall, and John remain, to the misfortune of the world.”
Knight Guntram frequently repeated his warning before he left the
Duchess’s court, and the impression it made upon his hearers was soon
strengthened by indications of its truth.
The country gradually began to grow restless and excited. The
coast-dwellers removed into the interior, for English vessels had been
seen, and they feared a landing. A letter also was received from Queen
Eleanor, in which the Duchess was warned not to make any claims upon
England for her son’s rights, as they would not be recognized. In the
event of Richard’s death, John, who was now sharing the sovereignty with
Eleanor, would certainly succeed to the throne.
In view of the manifest danger to the Duke’s rights it was decided that
they must seek the protection and help of Philip Augustus. Accompanied
by their nearest and most devoted attendants, Duchess Constance and
Arthur once more set out, this time upon an eventful journey. Mourning
over the fate of their country and their own fate as well, they left
their beloved Brittany. Hardly had they crossed the frontier when John’s
troops poured into the country, beat back the mercenaries of Philip
Augustus, and placed his banner above the gates of the city. The people
mournfully submitted to his yoke, hoping in their secret hearts for the
return of their legitimate ruler.