Great Britain -- History -- Henry VI, 1422-1461; Margaret, of Anjou, Queen, consort of Henry VI, King of England, 1430-1482
ladies whose marriage brings them into entirely new circumstances and
relations would do well to follow. Nothing is more dangerous than the
attempt in such cases to bring from the old home influences in any
form to be introduced with a view of sharing the control in the new.
[Sidenote: Opinions in England.]
In consequence of the discreet course of conduct that Margaret thus
pursued, and of the effect produced on the court by her beauty, her
vivacity, and her many polite accomplishments, public opinion--that
is, the opinion of the outside world, who knew nothing of her secret
designs or of her real character--turned very soon after her arrival
in England entirely in her favor. As has already been said, the
general sentiment of the nobles and of the people was strongly against
the match when it was first proposed. They opposed it, not because
they had any personal objection to Margaret herself, but because, in
order to prepare the way for it, it was necessary to make peace with
France, and in making peace, to grant certain concessions which they
thought would weaken the power of the English on the Continent, and,
at any rate, greatly interfere with the farther extension of their
power there. But when the people came to see and know the queen, they
all admired and loved her.
[Sidenote: Henry's character.]
[Sidenote: Margaret's character.]
As for the king, he was perfectly enchanted with his bride. He was
himself, as has already been said, of a very sedate and quiet turn of
mind; amiable and gentle in disposition; devout, fond of retirement,
and interested only in such occupations and pleasures as are
consistent with a life of tranquillity and repose. Margaret was as
different as possible from all this. Her brilliant personal charms,
her wit, her spirit, her general intellectual superiority, the
extraordinary courage for which she afterward became so celebrated,
and which began to show itself even at this early period, all combined
to awaken in Henry's mind a profound admiration for his wife, and gave
her a great and rapidly-increasing ascendency over him.
[Sidenote: Her popularity in England.]
The impression which Margaret made upon the people was equally
favorable. England, they thought, had never seen a queen more worthy
of the throne than Margaret of Anjou. Some one said of her that no
woman equaled her in beauty, and few men surpassed her in courage and
energy. It seemed as if she had been born in order to supply to her
royal husband the qualities which he required in order to become a
great king.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE STORY OF LADY NEVILLE.
[Sidenote: Intrigues.]
[Sidenote: A romantic story.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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