During the first five years of her married life Margaret lived in
somewhat retired style in her duchy of Alençon, while her husband took
part in various expeditions, and was invested with important functions.
In 1513 he fought in Picardy against the English and Imperialists,
commanded by Henry VIII., being present at the famous "Battle of Spurs;"
and early in 1514 he was appointed Lieutenant-General and Governor of
Brittany. Margaret at this period was not only often separated from her
husband, but she also saw little of her mother, who had retired to her
duchy of Angoulême. Louise of Savoy, as mother of the heir-presumptive,
was the object of the homage of all adroit and politic courtiers, but
she had to behave with circumspection on account of the jealousy of
the Queen, Anne of Brittany, whose daughters, Claude and Renée, were
debarred by the Salic Law from inheriting the crown. Louis XII. wished
to marry Claude to Francis of Angoulême, but Anne refusing her consent,
it was only after her death, in 1514, that the marriage was solemnised.

It now seemed certain that Francis would in due course ascend the
throne; but Louis XII. abruptly contracted a third alliance, marrying
Mary of England, the sister of Henry VIII. Louise of Savoy soon deemed
it prudent to keep a watch on the conduct of this gay young Queen, and
took up her residence at the Court in November 1514. Shortly afterwards
Louis XII. died of exhaustion, as many had foreseen, and the hopes of
the Duchess of Angoulême were realised. She knew the full extent of her
empire over her son, now Francis I., and felt both able and ready to
exercise a like authority over the affairs of his kingdom.

The accession of Francis gave a more important position to Margaret and
her husband. The latter was already one of the leading personages of the
state, and new favours increased his power. He did not address the King
as "Your Majesty," says Odolant Desnos, but styled him "Monseigneur"