between the King of Navarre and the favorite. The
latter was sometimes disquieted thereby. "Fear nought from my son of
Navarre," said John; "he durst not vex you, for, if he did, he would have
no greater enemy than myself." John did not yet know his son-in-law.
Two years later, in 1354, his favorite, Charles of Spain, arrived at
Laigle in Normandy. The King of Navarre, having notice thereof,
instructed one of his agents, the Bastard de Mareuil, to go with a troop
of men-at-arms and surprise him in that town; and he himself remained
outside the walls, awaiting the result of his design. At break of day,
he saw galloping up the Bastard de Mareuil, who shouted to him from afar,
"'Tis done." "What is done?" asked Charles. "He is dead," answered
Mareuil. King John's favorite had been surprised and massacred in his
bed. John burst out into threats; he swore he would have vengeance, and
made preparations for war against his son-in-law. But the King of
England promised his support to the King of Navarre. Charles the Bad was
a bold and able intriguer; he levied troops and won over allies amongst
the lords; dread of seeing the recommencement of a war with England
gained ground; and amongst the people, and even in the king's council,
there was a cry of "Peace with the King of Navarre!" John took fright
and pretended to give up his ideas of vengeance; he received his son-in-
law, who thanked him on bended knee. But the king gave him never a word.
The King of Navarre, uneasy but bold as ever, continued his intrigues for
obtaining partisans and for exciting troubles and enmities against the
king. "I will have no master in France but myself," said John to his
confidant: "I shall have no joy so long as he is living." His eldest
son, the young Duke of Normandy, who was at a later period Charles V.,
had contracted friendly relations with the King of Navarre. On the 16th
of April, 1356, the two princes were together at a banquet in the castle
of Rouen, as well as the Count d'Harcourt and some other lords. All on a
sudden King John, who had entered the castle by a postern with a troop of
men-at-arms, strode abruptly into the hall, preceded by the Marshal
Arnoul d'Audenham, who held a naked sword in his hand, and said, "Let
none stir, whatever he may see, unless he wish to fall by this sword."
The king went up to the table; and all rose as if to do him reverence.
John seized the King of Navarre roughly by the arm, and drew hi