The Chronicles of Enguerrand De Monstrelet
Chapter IV
John of Montfort Duke of Brittany, Dies.
The Emperor departs from Paris.
Isabella, Queen of England, Returns to France.
[A.D. 1401]
At the beginning of this year, John of Montfort, duke of Brittany, died and was succeeded by his eldest son John, married to a daughter of the king of France, and who had several brothers and sisters1. About the same time the emperor of Constantinople2 who had made a long stay at Paris, at the charges of the king of France, set out, with all his attendants, for England, where he was very honourably received by king Henry and his princes; thence her returned to his own country3.
Many able ambassadors had, at various times, been sent from France to England, and from England to France, chiefly to negotiate with the king of England for the return of queen Isabella, daughter to the king of France, and widow of king Richard II., with liberty to enjoy the dower that had been settled upon her by the articles of marriage. The ambassadors at length brought the matter to a conclusion, and the queen was conducted to France by the lord Thomas Percy, constable of England, having with him many knights, esquires, ladies and damsels, to accompany her. She was escorted to the town of Leulinghem, between Boulogne and Calais, and there delivered to the Waleran count of Saint Pol4 , governor of Picardy, with whom were the bishop of Chartres and the lord de Heugueville, to receive her. The damsel of Montpessier, sister to the count de la Marche, and the damsel of Luxembourg, sister to the count de St. Pol, with outher ladies and damsels sent by the queen of France, were likewise present. When both parties had taken leave of each other, the count de St. Pol conducted the queen and her attendants to the dukes of Burgundy and Bourbon, who with a large company were waiting for them on an eminence hard by. She was received by them with every honour, and thence escorted to Boulogne, and to Abbeville, where the duke of Burgundy to celebrate her return to France, made a grand banquet, and then taking his leave of her went back to Artois. The duke of Bourbon and the rest who had been at the feast conducted her to the king and queen, her parents. She was most kindly received by them; but although it was said that she was honourably sent back, there was not any dower or or revenue assigned her from England, which caused many of the French princes to be dissatisfied with the king of England, and pressing the king of France to declare war against him.
Notes:
1: John V. duke of Brittany, had issue, by his several wives. John VI his successor, Arthur count of Richemont and duke of Brittany in 1457, Giles de Chambon and Richard count of Estampos. His daughters were married to the duke of Alenqon, count of Armagnac, viscount of Rohan, &c, John VI, married Joan of France, daughter of Charles VI.
2: Manuel Palcologus
3: "The emperor of Constantinople came into Englande to require ayde against the Turkes, whome the king, with sumptuous preparation, met at Blacke-heath, upon St. Thomas day the apostle, and brought him to London, and paying for the charges of his lodging, presented to him giftes worthy of one of so high degree" STOWE, 326
4: Waleran de Luxembourg III count of St. Pol, Ligny and Roussy, castellan of Lille, a nobleman of very extensive and rich possessions, attached to the duke of Burgundy, through whose interest he obtained the post of grand butler 1410, of governor of Paris and constable of France 1411. He died 1415, leaving only one legitimate daughter, who, by marriage with Antony duke of Brabant, bought most of the family-possessions into the house of Burgundy.
