not long after these events philip’s troops marched into brittany, where they met with a quiet reception; but when they attempted to establish themselves in normandy, they encountered violent resistance. the powerful barons there had made a complete surrender to the english government. they had accepted geoffrey as its representative and had submitted to him, but they would not recognize constance, for before her departure to england eleanor had won them over to her side. their followers were well armed, and stoutly resisted the french troops. in the numerous encounters which occurred the interests of the duke of brittany were no longer considered. the stake was the mastery of england or of france, and one or the other side alternately gained the upper hand.
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it was still quiet in brittany, and in constance’s vicinity h?el and his men kept good watch. longingly and often the duchess gazed at the child in her arms and wished that he could soon be a man to fight with sword in hand for her and her rights. thus they were living in apparent security at the castle in rennes, but really in continual fear of approaching dangers. the times were troublous, and the world was full of disquiet, but arthur passed his days pleasantly, in an atmosphere of love. life was all smiles for him. under bertha’s care and h?el’s devotion he became both gentle and courageous, and as he grew stronger nothing delighted him more than rivalry with alan in all knightly practices. the latter, older and stronger, was not only attached to the young duke by friendship, but by duty and devotion, and thus became both his companion and protector. they were inseparable, and shared everything in common. they roamed the woods and fields together with all the joyous enthusiasm of youth, but their greatest longing was to perform heroic feats. they were much more delighted to listen to h?el as he told them of his adventures and exploits at arms than to the chaplain, who was their instructor. with rapt attention they heard the story of how h?el and duke geoffrey rode together to normandy and other provinces, overcame the haughty barons, stormed their strong castles, and sent them to england to pay fresh homage to the king. arthur longed to be such a hero, and his dearest wish was to assist his mother in the restoration of the ancient authority. combining boldness and gentleness, he was specially fitted to rule, and it was his greatest pride that he was entitled to the position of ruler by birth.
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arthur was in his tenth year when the report reached them that king henry’s sons, incited by eleanor, had conspired to prevent his return from scotland. unexpectedly, however, he suddenly appeared in england and frustrated their plot. the news disquieted constance so greatly that she sent h?el for information. he had been absent several days, and his return was now eagerly awaited.
one evening the duchess was looking from her window, which commanded an extended view of the city and its vicinity. fatigued with riding and hunting, arthur had sought his mother, and was resting his head upon her shoulder. she turned to him and stroked his heated brow. bertha and alan were also present, and the room was very quiet. suddenly bertha stepped to the window and exclaimed, “there comes my husband with a stranger.” the two rapidly drew near, and dismounted in the castle-yard, whence, seeing the ladies at the window, h?el came to their apartment. bertha and the boys met him in the anteroom, at the door of which stood the duchess. “what news do you bring?” she asked.
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“bad news,” replied h?el. “king henry is dead.”[8]
the duchess silently motioned to the knight to enter, and seated herself. after bertha had taken the boys away, h?el began: “the king died of a broken heart, so the people say. he could not endure the thought that the queen had plotted his overthrow.”
“horrible!—and the princes?”
“richard threw himself at his father’s feet and begged forgiveness. prince john, on the other hand, hypocritically sought to clear himself of guilt. but the king knew only too well. ‘all three sons,’[9] he groaned, and fell unconscious.”
constance started, and h?el was silent. yes, the third one was geoffrey.
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“and did he die at once? did he leave no instructions concerning the kingdom? had he no thought for geoffrey’s son?” asked the duchess.
“they say he longed for his grandson and mourned because he had not been able to see him. he drew up his will and placed it in the keeping of the lord high chancellor. then he turned his thoughts to divine things, took the sacrament, and passed away.”
constance was silent for some time, then asked, “and does any one know the contents of the will?”
“it is sealed up in the royal exchequer and can be opened only in case the prince—no, king richard—shall die childless. only the confidential witnesses know its contents,” said h?el.
“king richard!” replied constance. “god be thanked it is richard who has come to the throne. he is noble and high-minded, and will protect us.”
“god grant it! would that he could soon come to france and restore order.”
“whence came the rider who brought the news?”
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“from rouen. english vessels have landed there, and brought norman knights who were in the scottish campaign. they will guard the country until he can come himself and take possession.”
“as soon as king richard comes to rouen, we will seek him there.”
“meanwhile,” said h?el, “i will make ample preparations to insure your safety.”
“is it not shameful,” said constance indignantly, “that the duchess of brittany should be insecure in her own country?”
h?el was awaited in the hall by the two boys, who plied him with questions. the death of king henry made a deep impression upon arthur, who already realized that his fate had rested in his grandfather’s hands. for the first time also he realized the insecurity of human greatness, and when suddenly the bells tolled in the city’s church towers, and the castle chapel bell added its solemn peals, he was greatly overcome, and held fast to alan’s hand.
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