Link LinkWhen the queen heard this account, she knew not what to say, or what measures to adopt, for the barons had already withdrawn themselves by the king's command, and she had no resource or advisor left but in her dear cousin Robert d'Artois: and he could only advise and assist her in secret, for, as the king had forbidden it, he could not act otherwise. He well knew, that the queen had been driven out of England through malice and ill will, at which he was most grieved. This was sir Robert's opinion; but he durst not speak of it to the king, for he had heard the king say and swear, that whoever should speak to him on her behalf should forfeit his land, and be banished the kingdom. He was also informed, that the king was not averse1 to the seizure of the persons of the queen, her son Edward, the earl of Kent and sir Roger Mortimer, and to their being delivered into the hands of the king of England and sir Hugh Spencer.He therefore came in the middle of the night, to inform the queen of the peril she was in. She was thunder-struck2 at the information - to which he added, "I recommend you to set out for the empire, where there are many noble lords who may greatly assist you, particularly William, earl of Hainault, and his brother, who are both great lords, and wise and loyal men, and much dreaded by their enemies."
The queen ordered her baggage to be made ready as secretly as she could; and having paid for everything, she quitted Paris, accompanied by her son, the earl of Kent, and all her company, and she took the road to Hainault. After some days she came into the country of Cambray. When she found she was in th territory of the empire, she was more at her ease, passed through Cambresis, entered l'Ostrevant, in Haunault, and lodged at the house of a poor knight called Eustace d'Ambreticourt, who received her with great pleasure, and entertained her in the best manner he could; insomuch that afterwards the queen of England and her son invited the knight, his wife, and all his children, to England, and advanced their fortunes in different ways3.
The arrival of the queen in Hainault was soon known in the house of the good earl of Hainault, who was then at Valenciennes. Sir John, his brother, was also informed of the hour when she alighted at the house of the lord of Ambreticourt. This sir John, being at that time very young, and panting for glory like a knight errant, mounted his horse, and, accompanied by a few persons, set out from Valenciennes for Ambreticourt , where he arrived in the evening, and paid the queen every respect and honour.
The queen was at that time very dejected, and made a very lamentable complaint to him of all her griefs; which affected sir John so much, that he mixed his tears with hers, and said, "Lady, see here your knight, who will not fail to die for you, though every one else should desert you; Therefore I shall do every thing in my power to conduct you and your son, and restore you to your rank in England, and by the grace of God, and the assistance of your friends in those parts; and I, and all those whom I can influence, will risk our lives on your adventure and for your sake; and we will have a sufficient armed force, if it please God, without fearing any danger from the king of France." The queen, who was sitting down, and sir John standing before her, rose, and would have cast herself at his feet, out of gratitude for the great favor he had just offered her; but the gallant sir John, rising up quickly, caught her in his arms and said, "God forbid that the queen of England should ever do such a thing! Madame, be of good comfort to yourself and your company, for I will keep my promise - and you shall come and see my brother, and the countess his wife, and all their fine children, who will be rejoiced to see you, for I have heard them say so." The queen answered, "Sir, I find in you more kindness and comfort that in all the world besides, and I give you five hundred thousand thanks for what you have said and offered me. If you will keep what you have promised me with so much courtesy, I and my son shall be for ever bound to you, and we will put the kingdom of England under your management, as it in justice ought to be.
After this conversation, sir John de Hainault took leave for the night, and went to Douay, where he slept in the abbey. The next day, having heard mass and taken some refreshment, he returned to the queen, who received him with great joy. She had finished her dinner, and was going to mount her horse, when sir John appeared. The queen of England quitted the castle of Ambreticourt, and, in taking her leave of the knight and his lady, she thanked them for their good cheer, adding, that she trusted a time would come, when she and her son would not fail to remember their courtesy.
The queen then set off, accompanied by sir John, lord of Beaumont, who, with joy and respect conducted her to Valenciennes. Many of the citizens of the town came out to meet her, and received her with great humility. She was thus introduced to William, earl of Hainault, who, as well as the countess, received her very graciously. Many great feasts were given on this occasion, as none knew better than the countess how to do the honours of her house. This earl William had at that time four daughters, Margaret, Philippa, Joan and Isabella: the young king Edward paid more attention and court to Philippa than to any of the others; the young lady also conversed more frequently with him, and sought his company oftener than any of her sisters. The queen remained at Valenciennes during eight days the good earl and countess Joan of Valois; in the mean time the queen made every preparation for her departure, and sir John wrote very affectionate letters unto certain knights, and those companions in whom he put the most confidence, in Hainault, Brabant, and Bohemia, beseeching them, from all the friendship that was between them, that they would accompany him in this expedition to England.
There were great numbers in these countries who were willing to go with him for the love they bore him, and many who refused, notwithstanding his request; and even sir John himself was much reproved by the earl, his brother, and by some of his council, because it seemed to them that this enterprise was much of a hazard, on account of the great division and enmities which at the time subsisted among the great barons and commons of England; and also because the English are always very jealous of strangers, which made them doubt whether sir John de Hainault and his companions would ever return. But, notwithstanding, all their blame and all their advice bestowed upon him, the gallant knight would not change his purpose, saying, that he could die but once; that the time was in the will of God; and that all true knights were bound to aid, to the utmost of their power, all ladies and damsels driven from their kingdoms comfortless and forlorn.
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