Chapter 27

Jean and his entire household moved to Paris, seeking an audience with the King. For weeks, they waited, spending time and money, in Paris awaiting the King. Jacque le Gris and Count Pierre had also come to the capital to deal with the matter. At some point, the King would hear Jean’s petition and decide whether or not to retry the case.

Marguerite was clearly pregnant, having a substantial bump appearing in her belly. She was depressed and seemed to be ill, either from the pregnancy or from her horrible guilt. Jean did not fare much better, still sick from his Scottish expedition, harboring a lingering cough and bouts of weakness.

The King had been advised by Count Pierre about the charges and warned about Jean’s unpredictable nature. The King was only seventeen and was very impressed with the romance of chivalry and knighthood. Sir Jean was known to him, for his bravery and the many battles he had fought in. When Jean had visited the King after his trip to Scotland, the King had rewarded him heavily and felt great respect for the older knight.

However, his uncles and advisors, who held the real power in France, cautioned the King to avoid hearing Sir Jean’s petition. They were worried that having such a high-profile matter could be a major scandal and hurt their desire to press the war with the Flemish. They advised him to delay the case until Sir Jean ran out of money and went home.

As time passed, Sir Jean gained support from other nobles, who sponsored his time in Paris and gave him loans to offset the costs of remaining in the capital. The King could not continue to refuse to hear his petition, so his uncles suggested that the King hear the matter, then refer it to Parlement, so that he would not be forced to make the decision. Let Parlement take the blame for the outcome.

So, Sir Jean was invited to present his petition for appeal to the King at his castle of Vincennes. Jean and his entourage traveled to the castle and waited for hours for the King, so see them. Finally, they were escorted into the throne room. The King looked to his uncles and smiled. He had memorized the speech they had written for him. He was ready.

Jacques le Gris was present with his lawyers. The Ladies Marguerite and Nicole were present as well, huddled in the back of the room with the De Carrouges group. Everyone waited nervously for the matter to be addressed.

Sir Jean was announced, and he stepped forward, then knelt before the King.

“Sir Jean,” the King spoke, “It is with sadness that I welcome you before me this day. I understand why you are here. I am truly sorry for any wrong that was done to your wife, but I urge you, Sir, reconsider the course you take.”

Jean raised his head. “Your Majesty, I thank you for your words and your advice. Unfortunately, my honor demands justice. I charge, that on January 18th of this year, the Squire named Jacques le Gris, with his accomplice Adam Louvel, did violently and without consent force my wife, the Lady Marguerite, to have carnal relations against her will. I further charge that the verdict rendered by Count Pierre d’Alencon in the matter was biased and unfair, driven not by the truth, but by his love of the accused, who serves as his personal chamberlain. This verdict is unjust and unjustified. Therefore, before God and King, I demand my right to appeal.”

The room was silent, save for the crackling of the fire in the large hearth. The Count of Valois, the King’s uncle, nodded to the king, urging him to recite the prepared speech.