Chapter 1

Château de Carrouges

France, 1384

“Are you ashamed of me?” the beautiful young wife asked her much older husband.

The grizzled veteran fixed his wife with a curious look, half-smile, half frown, “Why in the name of God would you ask me such a silly thing, Marguerite?”

“We have been married for almost four years, Jean,” the pretty girl stated, as she pulled a wild strand of blonde hair from her cheek and stared at her husband with her gray-blue eyes. “In all that time, you have never introduced me to society. I stay here, month after month, being your loyal wife, managing your household, and warming your bed.”

“We had a party when we wed,” he countered, “don’t you recall?”

“Yes, I recall. It was an amazing party, my love,” she said, smiling sweetly at him. “But that was four years ago. The music and the dancing were delightful, but I miss that, Jean. I grew up surrounded by art, by fashion, and by festivities. I love you and will do as you say, but I need to hear music, to laugh, and to dance. I long to be around other people and to socialize. You know that I have never complained that you do not take me to court with you, as the other lords do with their wives, not once in four years. But, I’m asking you now, Jean, can we please go to the party at La Ferté-Macé, to celebrate the birth of Squire Jean Crespin’s son?”

“So that’s what this is all about,” Jean de Carrouges replied, grinning and pointing his finger accusingly at his young wife, the former Marguerite de Thibouville. “I already told you no. I’ve only recently returned from the campaign in Flanders, and there is already talk that I may be asked to lead an expedition with the Scottish in England. I am a busy man with many obligations. I have no time for parties and frivolities.”

“Is it that you are busy,” Marguerite asked, giving word to the thoughts she has been harboring, “or is it because of your loss of favor with the Count and your recent troubles?”

Jean de Carrouges was the last in a long line, in a wealthy and powerful Norman household. However, in the previous several years, Jean had fallen on hard times, losing power, position, and considerable wealth. He blamed his slide on two men: his feudal lord, Pierre d’Alencort, Count of Perche, and his former friend and fellow squire turned rival, Jacque le Gris.

For many years, Jean, following his father, had served the prior Count of Perche, Robert d’Alencort. Jean became a squire to Count Robert, where he became best of friends with a fellow squire, Jacques Le Gris. Unlike Jean, Jacques came from a poor family, who only recently gained nobility. The two squires were constant companions, serving together in campaign after campaign, against the British throughout Normandy. Under Count Robert, Jean was well-placed and respected and was on track to one day inherit all of his father’s domains, titles and wealth.

In 1367, the English burned and sacked Jean’s family estate, and the cost to build a new castle laid a heavy burden on their treasury. Jean was given the castle at Carrouges, while his father and mother lived in their more prestigious estate at Bellême or Campomesnil. He looked forward to the day his father would pass away and leave him everything. Unfortunately for Jean, that would not happen for many years.

In 1370, Jean married his first wife, Jeanne de Tilly, receiving a substantial endowment from her father, the Lord of Chambois. This influx of land and money helped alleviate much of Jean’s financial woes. Already heavy with child at their wedding, she soon gave him a son and heir. As a sign of his endearing friendship, and at the suggestion of his wife, Jean named Jacque Le Gris as his son’s godfather. There had even been a discussion of calling the boy Jacques.

Jean loved his wife and was happy with his life. He was gaining favor at court with the Count, who rewarded Jean for his military efforts against the English. He had an heir, and his financial prospects were promising. What more could a man want?

In 1377, Jean’s fortunes began to change. Count Robert died, and his older brother Pierre inherited Perche and all that came with it, including the services of the squires Jean and Jacques, as well as Jean’s father. Unlike Count Robert, Count Pierre was less warrior and more courtier. He was a cousin to the King and spent much of his time in Paris. Jacques found favor with Pierre, whose castle of Argentan was closer Jacques, allowing him to spend more time at court than Jean. Jacques was educated and fit the courtly lifestyle, being both a warrior and a cleric. Jean, on the other hand, was unable to read and write and was more at home on a horse, wielding a sword. He was steadfast, stable and one might say boring, while Jacques was flamboyant, enjoyed the company of many beautiful women, loved politics and dancing equally, and was socially adept.

Jean eschewed courtly life and was content to avoid it. Jacques preferred the excitement of the palace and neglected his military duties as much as he could. He was a large and fierce fighter, much larger than Jean, but preferred diplomacy to combat. Jean began to begrudge his friend’s rising place with the Count, making note of the gifts and honors the Count felt compelled to bestow upon Le Gris and not on him. Rumors said that Jacques le Gris attended the Count in his bedchambers nightly.

Jean spent much of his time away, in the field, commanding the Count’s armies against the English. While he was away, his wife Jeanne would attend the Count’s wife in court or travel to spend time with relatives and the wives of other nobles, including the wife of Jacque le Gris. She enjoyed the balls and feasts that always seemed to be going on in Argentan.

Shortly after Count Pierre inherited Perche, and after Jean had returned from an extended mission abroad, he ordered Jean away again on a three-month campaign against the English. Jean was exhausted and did not wish to go back so soon. He questioned why the Count was sending him, instead of Le Gris. His challenge was viewed as insolence by the Count, causing Jean to lose even more favor.

Before leaving, Jean and his wife had a bitter argument. She wished to spend the time while he was away in Argentan, but Jean was worried about the lurid stories he heard of court and the number of men, like his friend Jacques, who had no reservations about seducing married women. Jean was angry for several days following his departure, taking it out on the English.

One night near Carentan, as Jean prepared for the next day’s battle, he received a messenger from his estates. A sickness had swept through his lands in his absence, and his wife and son were deathly ill. He broke camp and returned home to find they had both died. He was a broken man, alone, with no heir and in his forties. In his mind, his future was bleak, with no hope for the life he had once envisioned. He responded by returning to the front and throwing himself into the conflict. It was also at this time that his friends noticed his growing hatred for Jacques le Gris.

Some say Jean had a death wish. It was a reasonable conclusion to draw. For almost half a year, he remained in the field, fighting in battles against the English at Beuzeville, Coutances, and Carentan. He gained a reputation among the English as a fierce warrior and commander. As the warring season drew to a close, Jean and what remained of his command withdrew and returned home.