At her signal, the servitors entered the chamber in a line, each bearing succulent-smelling dishes: mussels and eels in garlic and wine, salty mutton, fat chickens, the tasty local beans known as mojettes , ripe goats cheeses, and figs. All were offered in turn to the duchess and her lords, as the ewerers came around with tall flagons of red wine. Then a toast was drunk to the happy conclusion of the marriage negotiations and the future prosperity of Poitou. Tomorrow might bring war, but for now they would enjoy the feast!
It was May, with the palace gardens in colorful bloom, when Henry FitzEmpress rode proudly into Poitiers
grumble about itthat these men paid only lip service to their allegiance, and that their allegiance to her would go flying out of the window if it ever came between them and some land or fortress they coveted. And by the look on Henrys face, as he bade Hugh and Guy rise and be merry, he needed no warning of their perfidy.
Last, but by no means least, there came the staunch Saldebreuil of Sanzay, Constable of Aquitaine, whom she had appointed her seneschal in reward for his loyalty and staunch service. Henry smiled at him and slapped him heartily on the shoulder as the good man bent to receive the kiss of greeting.
Eleanor was pleased to see Henry playing his part to perfection, doing his best to win over her lords by deferring to this ones wisdom and experience, or praising that ones renowned prowess in the field of battle or the tourney lists. She was amazed at his store of knowledge, especially of her domains. He had gone to a great deal of trouble to make himself accepted here. And most of them were responding in the proper manner and saying all the right things. It was the most promising of beginnings.
Later, after the last vassal went back to his place and wine had been served, Eleanor led Henry and her courtiers into the gardens, where they could relax in the warm sunshine in the shade of apple and peach trees. As the nobles rested on turf benches and talked of politics and warfare, young gallants sought out the duchesss damsels and sang songs to them, their eyes bright with the expectation of favors to come later, when the velvet summer night had stolen over the land.
Henry walked with Eleanor beside a flower-filled lawn enclosed by low trellises.
Tell me, do you miss being a queen? he inquired, taking her hand.
Need you ask? Eleanor countered. What I have nowshe waved her hand to indicate her throne, her lords, and her surroundings, then looked him directly in the facemore than compensates.
I will make it up to you a thousandfold, Henry promised. I will make you Queen of England, the greatest queen that godforsaken land has ever known, I swear it. And then I will make you the sovereign lady of half Europe!
I have all my faith in you, Eleanor told him, caught up in the heady excitement of this imperial vision, and exulting at the prospect of the glorious future, when all their hopes and ambitions would, God willing, be realized.
Think of it, Henry enthused, visibly elated. When England is mine, all Christendom from the Scottish border down to the Pyrenees will be under my hand! Louis will be raging with envy, but there will be nothing he can do about it. Our domains will dwarf his beggarly royal demesne.
Our domains. Those words should have thrilled Eleanor, but coming from Henrys mouth, there was something about them that suddenly unsettled her. For all her need of him, she was suddenly aware that she did not know him well, and it was possible that, in marrying him, she might after all be surrendering her autonomyand that of her people. Despite the warmth of the day, she felt a little chilled, but resolutely suppressed the thought, shocked at herself. They would be a partnership, she and Henry, from first to last, and their aims would be as one. That had been implicit from the first.
Greatness and power, Henry was saying, lie in land and a rulers strength. Louis has neither.
Yet he is still our overlord, she reminded him.
So the fiction goes! Henry grinned.
Eleanor smiled. I should be scandalized.
Oh, I am sure you are! But remember, my dear love, you are marrying into the Devils own family. Do not expect us Angevins to be virtuous.
How could I, when your brother Geoffrey tried to abduct me on the way down here?
What? Henry almost roared. That little rabbit? Ill cut his balls off.
Eleanor could not suppress a giggle. Surely you of all people dont blame him for being an opportunist, my lord?
Its a family trait, Henry muttered.
Does our marriage find favor with your Norman lords? Eleanor asked.
Yes, and with those of Anjou and Maine. They know it will bring prestige to my domains, and trade too. They are all agog to see you. I sang your praises, never fear.
And your mother, the Empress? Eleanor had heard a lot about the formidable Matilda.
She is content, Henry said shortly, with little conviction. She thinks it makes sound political sense for us to marry. And you will charm her, I am sure.