de Coucy

[Gandalfus]

John, Duke of Lancaster, set about finding a match for his recently widowed son, Henry Beaufort. Philippa de Coucy, former wife of the Duke of Ireland and Gaunt's own niece was his first angle for approach; he asked after her frequently, hoping to meet with her and discuss her prospects for marriage. After all, she had recently returned to the royal court after a lengthy stay with the Lady Ufford.

[Oznerol]

Philippa de Coucy was the daughter of a legend, Enguerrand de Coucy, formerly known as the Earl of Bedford. There was no man as tall, strong, or reknowned as the old Lord of Coucy, who had battled all over Europe: against peasants, ambitious kinsmen, quarrelsome italians, the enemies of his French sovereign and even the thrice-be-damned saracens. The so-called greatest knight in France, that is of Christendom, had once been married to the as formidable Isabella, daughter of old King Edward. Philippa was his second, but not last, daughter. The unfortunate lady, grandaughter to a sovereign and born in English soil, had been as unlucky to be married to the earl of Oxford. Spurned for a Bohemian lady, she sought shelter in Lady Ufford's roof, his troublesome husband's own mother. Lady Philippa was nothing short of being considered a princess, not only of England, but also of France. Moreso, her grandmother had been Catherine of Austria, the King of Roman's grandaughter by his son Leopold, duke of Austria, whose brothers and heirs Philippa's father had battled for a contested inheritance. Philippa herself was tall for a woman, ruddy of body, fair-haired, her blue eyes warm and cheerful, despite her husband's malice and mistreatment.

The lady had found a host in the king, who probably felt remorseful over his treatment of Philippa, who was none but his first cousin. Now, the lady was pleased to welcome the duke of Lancaster, her fair hair carefully braided and combed, her skin spotless and wearing a gown that had seen better days but was noneless splendid. She was comely, but clearly had something of her mother in Philippa. Maybe, Robert de Vere had changed wife because the former couldn't be subdued. She offered a white hand to Lancaster.

"My uncle of Lancaster"

Who rarely raised his voice to defend her virtue.

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster pressed his lips to the offered hand without much thought, as if performed by instinct.

"Dear niece. It warms my heart to see thee well, considering the news that reached me in France of my royal nephew." She'd grown much since they last spoke. Isabella was always father's favourite, of all his children; Old Edward had let her marry de Coucy for love, a luxury afforded only to her out of all of his many children. Philippa resembled her greatly, in his eyes, though that could be just a twinge of nostalgia; he couldn't even recall the colour of his sister's hair anymore. "Have you heard from your father? He has not graced this isle in many years." Old Enguerrand de Coucy had embarked on campaign some years ago, seemingly never at rest.

[Oznerol]

"I have not, my father is not a man to be concerned by such things as home, children or wife. Even if he loved my mother, tenderly, he never was at ease in the same place for long"

Said Philippa.

"I last heard he went with Bourbon to Berbery and did many deeds worth his fame, in the name of God"

Few men were as famously strong as Coucy, who was in the pink, even if he was fifty. And, considering how many christians he had killed along the years a crusade was a good change. Philippa thought about her father for a moment, focusing again on Gaunt.

What does he want?

She wondered, her eyelashes trembling.

"I am gladdened by your visit, have not you remarried not long ago? Congratulations, uncle. But I bet that doesn't bring you here, is there something I can do for you?"

To his mistress noneless. But... meh. Could be worse.

[Gandalfus]

"Yes, I remarried, to the Lady Swynford." Lancaster nodded, gently smiling. It seemed everyone lived in fear of him, even when he tried his damnedest to appear genuine.

A pause. "Have you yet considered remarriage, dear niece? I know the Lord Oxford mistreated you, devil he is..." ​Gaunt cleared his throat, as if to try and mask the words. One could never tell who was listening.

[Oznerol]

"I do not want to speak about that miscreant. He anulled our marriage! How dared he! I am the Duchess of Ireland!"

She was adamant on styling herself like that.

"Do you have any matches in mind, uncle?"

Great. The first time I've seen him in years...

[Gandalfus]

"If you were thinking of marrying again, I could arrange something." Lancaster replied, casually, as if discussing something entirely trivial. "Eligible sons, and so forth..."

[Oznerol]

"Elegible?!"

Her voice cracked a little. She knew what was coming. Her hands nervously twist the gown's edge.

[Gandalfus]

Oh Christ. He'd forgotten how bloody irritating women could be. Isabella, especially, had been a real . Father had let her get away with everything...

"Yes, eligible." Gaunt tried to keep his temper. "Every woman needs a husband, just as every man needs a wife. It is God's will."

[Oznerol]

"God wills it"

She granted, bregudgingly. Philippa wouldn't need one if her husband had behaved, to start with.

"I do believe His Lordship has a clear candidate in mind..."

[Gandalfus]

"Well... My own dear son Henry does lack a wife, my lady." Lancaster allowed himself a wry smile. "I would be honoured if you did consider courting him, he is most eager to meet with you."

Old Gaunt had seen to it that the Duke of Ireland was sent far away from court, to Ireland. He couldn't stand the sight of the vain Oxford. "A much better husband than the previous one, I should think."

[Oznerol]

"Oh, yes indeed. He would make a fine husband, one close in upbringing and birth. One that will respect me as his lawful wife"

Said Philippa. Better than being married to that clown. And uncle Gaunt could do wonders in court, maybe he will manage to get a proper dower for her.

"I accept this proposal of yours. Of course, if the pope grants us a dispense, for we are close kin"

ooc: you rolled critically, so... incest galore.

[Gandalfus]

"Excellent." Lancaster looked visibly pleased with this outcome, being resolved so quickly. He was confident that the Pope could be convinced. "I shall secure thee a dispensation, do not fear."

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster sends the following letter to the pontiff in Rome, delivered by courier:

Holy Father,

Greetings and blessings. I hereby submit a humble request for a Papal dispensation to allow my dear son, Henry of Beaufort, to marry his first cousin by the paternal blood, Philippa de Coucy. They have shown a strong desire for matrimony that I cannot dissuade them from, and so, with thy holy blessing, desire for them to be wedded legitimately before the eyes of God.

Thy humble servant,

John, Duke of Lancaster, Lord Protector of England.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The response to the Duke of Lancaster was most receptive. The long time piety of Richard II had seemed to pay off nicely as Pope Boniface IX gave a dispensation, allowing Henry Beaufort to wed his cousin, Philippa de Coucy.

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