In the meantime, Margaret's engagement with St. Pol was broken off on account of the prospect of an alliance with the King of England. She had become a beautiful girl, and had created quite a sensation at the court of her {285}aunt, the Queen of France, by her wit and accomplishments. When Henry VI. heard of her charms he sent a gentleman to find out if they had not been exaggerated, and at the same time to bring him a correct portrait of the Lady Margaret. The messenger returned with an eloquent description of her, partly because it was really deserved, and partly because he, as well as many persons of both the English and the French nations, hoped that this alliance would bring about a lasting peace between their countries. Henry was then in his four-and-twentieth year, good-looking, with a cultivated, refined mind, and excellent morals. [[A.D. 1444.]] In 1444, commissioners met to arrange a treaty of peace, which was to be strengthened by the marriage of Henry and Margaret. When King René's consent was asked he gave it on condition that the dominions of Anjou and Maine were returned to him. This was granted by Henry and his council, and neither money nor lands were required for a dowry with the bride, her beauty and talents being considered sufficient "to outweigh all the riches in the world." There was some opposition made to this marriage by the Duke of Gloucester and his party, who did not want peace with France, nor a daughter of the house of Anjou on their throne; but it was all arranged in spite of them, and the Duke of Suffolk sailed from England with a splendid train of nobility to conduct Margaret to her future home. The marriage ceremony was performed at Nancy in presence of the bride's parents, the royal family of France, and a large number of nobles and ladies. King Henry was not present, but Suffolk stood in his place, and married the Lady Margaret in the name of the Sovereign of England. King René gave a grand tournament in honor of the {286}marriage, and all the princely knights and gallant warriors wore garlands of daisies out of compliment to the bride, who had chosen this flower for her emblem. The festivities lasted eight days, and were attended by most of the nobles of France, England, and Burgundy. Margaret's sister, Yolante, was married at the same time, and this is how it was managed: she had been engaged to Frederic of Vaudemonte for more than nine years, but as her father had been forced to agree to this engagement when he was a prisoner he never intended to fulfil it. But the lover was not to be put off any longer, so he made a plan with some of his daring young friends to carry off his lady-love while the tournament was going on. King René was very angry at first, but soon forgave the young couple, and the festivities continued with fresh spirit.