arbours. Beyond a white
crenellated wall is a castle which has been identified with
that of Pau. On fol. 1 of the same MS. the artist has
depicted Queen Margaret's escutcheon, by which we find that
she quartered the arms of France with those of Navarre,
Aragon, Castile, Leon, Beam, Bigorre, Evreux, and Albret.

The Court which Margaret kept in turns at Alencon, Nerac, and Pau does
not appear to have been so sumptuous and gay as some of her biographers
assert. Brantome mentions that the Queen's two tables were always served
with frugality, and Sainte-Marthe states that "she talked at dinner and
supper now of medicine, of food wholesome or unwholesome for the human
body, and of objects of nature with Masters Schyron, Cormier, and
Esterpin, her expert and learned doctors, who carefully watched her eat
and drink, as is done with princes; now she would speak of history or of
the precepts of philosophy with other very erudite personages, with whom
her house was never unfurnished; at another time she would enter into
conversation on her faith and the Christian religion with Monsieur
Gerard, Bishop of Oloron. Altogether there was not a single moment
that was not employed by her in honest, pleasant, and useful
conversation." (1)

The same panegyrist tells us of Margaret's favourite occupations,
mentioning that when she was alone in her room she more often held a
book in her hand than a distaff, a pen than a spindle, and the ivory of
her tablets than a needle. He then adds: "And if she applied herself to
tapestry or other needlework, such as was to her a pleasant occupation,
she had beside her some one who read to her, either from a historian or
a poet, or some other notable and useful author; or else she dictated
some meditation which was written down." (2)

1 _Oraison funebre, &c._, p. 60.

2 _Ibid._, p. 68.

Margaret's time was far from being wholly occupied in this manner,
for she actively assisted her husband in carrying out improvements and
reforms in Beam. The result was that the country, naturally good and
fertile, but left in bad condition, uncultivated and sterile through the
carelessness of its inhabitants, soon changed its appearance owing to
the efforts of Henry and his wife. From all the provinces of France
labourers were attracted who settled there and improved and fertilised
the fields.(1)

1 _Vies el Eloges des Dames illustres_, vol. ii. p. 272.

Henry d'Albret