A Bunglesome Visit to Burgundy

[Pinkerton]

Although the newly appointed Earl of Kent had visited Burgundy in the past, during his youth, this time he had an official mission to accomplish, he had no time to spend shopping or wooing damsels.
His journey to Dijon was a quiet one, although Laurence made an effort to ask around for the rumours of the land and specially those concerning Edward Lancaster, the Duke of Bar.

He was welcomed by a small escort sent by the Duchess, and he was led to the ducal Palace. There he waited, quietly, for his turn to see the regent, Margaret of York.

[Gandalfus]

Kent is made to wait, for a time, within the palace itself, and is wined and dined at the expense of the dowager Duchess. Eventually, Grey is admitted by the chamberlain.
Margaret of York did not resemble the King as closely as his other siblings. She was tall, nonetheless, and despite being but a few years away from forty retained an air of grace and purpose that was both attractive and authoritative. The Duchess didn't seem warm or friendly, instead appearing rather aloof, stark blue eyes taking the measure of this man.

"I see you come from my nephew of England's court."

She didn't show any expression, nor did she say anything further. The Duchess was dressed all in black, following the latest fashions of Flanders. A collar of white roses clung to her thin neck.

--

Rumours say little, only that his reign is uneventful. Some say that a man known as 'le Clifford' had passed, though that was the extent of the news Grey could glean from the merchants of Burgundy.

[Pinkerton]

The Earl of Kent was dressed in his finest garnments, which were elegant but not extravagant. Grey prefered muted colours and thought that simplicity was key in fashion.
He bowed out of courtesy before the Duchess, she was higher in rank yes, but he owed no loyalty to her.

"Yes, your grace, I've come in King Edward's behalf. My name is Laurence Grey, Earl of Kent and Baron of Grey de Ruthyn. I've brought you a proposition."

She was the Duchess of Burgundy, regent of her child. Grey was fascinated by the woman, truth be told. A foreigner ruled Burgundy and she was a woman.

[Gandalfus]

Philip was certainly the foundation that Margaret's rule was built upon, an intriguing mirroring of the English Queen's own stranglehold on power. He was the font of her legitimacy, and she ruled through him completely. And effectively. With the help of her brother, Gloucester, she'd prevented the complete collapse of the fragile collection of fiefs that made up Burgundy during the previous war with France. The young Duke himself was barely seven, present in the background of the spacious hall upon a raised throne, not understanding but watching nonetheless. Already, the hooked nose of the Valois was very noticeable, the child peering down it with curiosity upon this newcomer from England.

"I'm certain you have, my lord Kent."

Margaret's hands, covered in ornate rings, were clasped. She closed the distance between them with long strides.

"And I shall hear it. But first, I wish for news from my dear nephew's court. It does not bode well to me that England appears less than stable."

Charles' widow's shift in tone was almost imperceptible. It was not confrontational, but a hint of disapproval lay within nonetheless.

[Pinkerton]

The Earl nodded. He had to watch his words, of course.

"I am not surprised we appear to be unstable, Duchess. First, our beloved King dies, his heir underaged still. You must have heard of this from your brothers of course, but there was a big disagreement over whom should be the regent. Only recently we settled the issue and just a couple of months have passed since the King was officially crowned."

Laurence stared at Margaret for a while

"But I know, without a doubt, that my King, your nephew, will bring glory and riches to England. He is a very smart lad. With the right advice, he will perform great deeds."

[Gandalfus]

"I heard, my lord."

Margaret replied, drily. She was especially close to Richard, who had wed her step-daughter Mary. But she didn't know Woodville, nor her son by Edward either. Ironically, it was perhaps apparent to Grey that Woodville being in control of England's government was not especially pleasant to this daughter of Richard Plantagenet.

"And I am certain he will, God bless him. With the right advice, as you say."

Her lips twisted into a courteous smile, but her eyes did not disclose any such pleasure. The Duke's ministers observed the exchange with caution; weaselly men, likely selected for their competence and loyalty to the Duchess rather than for their great pedigree. Burgundian nobles were fickle creatures.

"So, what is this proposal, my lord Grey? I presume you bring some message of import, to venture so far from England's shores."

[Pinkerton]

"The King plans to move against the Hansa. He will embargo their traders and seize their assets."

Grey paused. The woman was intimidating. Maybe being straightforward was the best.

"Hansa traders have monopolized the Baltic trade routes for too long. The opening of this new trade zone would be very profitable for merchants from England and from Burgundy, your grace. We thus propose to take joint action against the Hanseatic League, to force them to stop their monopoly."

[Gandalfus]

Margaret remained in silence, for a time, as if pondering the course of action. The Hansa were indeed troublesome, damaging the wool trade between England and France with their meddling. Perhaps it would appease the Flems, who had since the death of Charles been problematic for the Duchess to deal with.

"I shall consider it with my sons advisors, Lord Grey."

Margaret finally said, half-turning away from the ambassador from England.

"You may stay here in Dijon until you are summoned again. My seneschal will find you lodgings in the city suitable to your tastes, I am certain."

With that, it seemed the audience had been abruptly ended. Ruthyn would be found a sizeable house in the merchant's quarter of the city, one that had apparently fallen into the hands of the Duke after some wealthy noble or other had passed without heirs. All he had to do was await his summons, which would surely come soon.

[Pinkerton]

Grey was surprised that the audience had ended so unexpectedly, but there was little he could do.

He spent most of his time reading some books he had acquired in the city and playing chess with an old acquaintance of his father. All, while waiting the summons of the regent Duchess.

[Gandalfus]

Ruthin was left to his own devices for a few days, whilst normal business continued within the ducal court, which, until the end of the year, would remain located in Dijon.

Eventually, Lord Ruthin is informed by a man in the colours of the Duke that Philip and his retainers shall be partaking in falconry a few miles south from Dijon. Margaret has personally requested Kent's presence.

[Pinkerton]

Although Grey had read about falconry, he had never practised it. He borrowed the required equipment from his father's friend and asked him for basic guidelines. The old man was not very helpful but thanks to him and his books Laurence knew just enough not to embarass himself in front of the Burgundian nobility.

He made his way to where Philip and his retainers were preparing themselves.

[Gandalfus]

A large throng of nobles had assembled, glorious birds of prey upon their arms. A retainer was helping the duke with his own bird, a male falcon that was dwarfed by Margaret's own beast. Kent fell in with the rest, with the duchess riding off at the head; perhaps she had forgotten his presence amongst the host of other peers and dignitaries...

It was not so, for Ruthin was called forward to Margaret's side.

"My lord Grey, I am glad you could join us."

Her voice was a little softer and more pleasant than it had been a few days previous. York's daughter seemed more at ease away from the stuffy, formulaic atmosphere of Dijon's audience chamber.

[Pinkerton]

The Earl of Kent rode to her side and admired the animal on her arm

"A wonderful bird, your grace." His borrowed falcon looked like a pigeon at the side of the Duchess'

"And a most wonderful pastime you've acquired. Falconry is a very noble art."

[Gandalfus]

"Does my nephew of England enjoy such a sport? I do not know if it is still well practiced there."

Margaret spoke in fine French, not at all accented, in a voice that was pleasing to the ears. The Lady of York had not been to her homeland for many years, so much so she perhaps considered France her home now.

All the while, they were trotting deeper into the forest. Within the trees lay more game for the birds of prey, after all. Margaret nodded to a retainer, who gave the order to halt. Attendants took the birds away, to prepare them for flight. Burgundy's widow dismounted gracefully, in a flowing motion, and cast her eyes upwards towards the tree line.

"You should tell me about England, my Lord of Kent."

Her voice was a little longing, tinged with nostalgic memory.

"I have not been there for so long, not for any length of time. I wish to know about my nephew's court."

She offered him a wry smile.

"Is it as fine as my son's? I know they are desperate to mimic us."

Everything concerning Burgundy was all the rage across the channel. The clothing, the formulaic courtesy...

[Pinkerton]

"He is more inclined to intellectual pursuits, your grace, but I do not know if he practises falconry. Perhaps you should gift him a bird, I am sure that would incline him to learn."

Falconry was big in England too. There was something about the animals; noblemen were attracted to their majesty. Grey himself admired the beasts as well.

"England is England, Duchess. Nothing much has changed. There are squabbles, there will always be squabbles. Nobles are proud and will hold a grudge till they are buried. But I am sure that happens here too."

His French was understandable but accented. Too many years spent in Wales.

"I am the latest incorporation to the King's court, your grace. You are asking the wrong man." Grey politely smiled. "You and the young Duke should visit our island. I am sure Edward would be delighted to see his aunt and his cousin. You could teach us a couple of things about fashion, surely."

[Gandalfus]

"Yes, I'm sure he'd be delighted to meet his dear Aunt. We have heard so much about her."

Margaret smiled, enigmatically. The birds were being released, swarming upwards to seek out their prey.

"But nothing from one who is so greatly in her favour. Come, you must be, for she sent you here."

[Pinkerton]

"I have been sent here because of my wife, most likely, your grace. Surely you know that."

Grey decided to play along a little bit.

"There has been little opposition to the Queen since she took over the regency council. That's a bit, suspicious, don't you think? She has angered plenty of people. Important people. I dare say they are waiting, plotting against her. I am sure there are those who would just like to get rid of her and rule in the King's name. Those do not frighten me."

He paused

"I am afraid of those who would turn to a claimant to act against her. Those who would like to see the rose turn red."

The Earl of Kent then smiled

"I really don't know what the Queen is thinking though. These are my thoughts on the matter."

[Gandalfus]

"Ah, yes, the gnat of Lancaster. He lives on my doorstep, you know."

Margaret chuckled a little. She even managed to laugh with grace.

"Yes, I hear that my brothers have been excluded." The duchess gave him a long, chiding look. "It isn't something that sits well with me, my lord. My brothers are the blood of my father, who would have been King had he not been murdered."

Suddenly, the tone she used was much more firm, though a slight curl of the lips remained.

[Pinkerton]

"I am rather young, your grace, but I know of what happened to your father."

Grey was indeed very young compared to the Duchess. A pup talking to a lioness.

"The Queen would be unwise to exclude your brothers of the Council for too long. They are two of the most powerful men in England, and surely their advise would help the King. But you must understand why she did what she did. You are after all, the regent of your child."

[Gandalfus]

"I am. And if my son died, the line of his grandsires would end. He is alone, but for me, surrounded by many who wish to do him harm."

Her tone suggested that the situation in England was very much different to that in Burgundy.