the heart, and have neither relative nor friend in the world from whom
I can seek advice or consolation. And the King of Navarre is on his
part so amazed and grieved at it that I have never seen him before so
provoked. I cannot imagine whence comes this great boldness, of which
she had never spoken to us. She excuses herself towards us in that she
is more intimate with you than with ourselves, but this intimacy should
not give rise to such boldness, without ever as I know seeking advice
from any one, for if I knew any creature who had put such an idea into
her head, I would make such a demonstration that you, my lord, would
know that this madness is contrary to the will of the father and mother,
who have never had, and never will have, any other than your own." (1)

The rebellion of Jane did not prevent the marriage, which was solemnised
at Châtelherault on July 15th, 1540. According to some authorities,
Francis was so determined upon the alliance that he required the Duke
of Cleves to enter his bride's bed in the presence of witnesses, so that
the marriage should be deemed beyond annulment.(2)

1 _Nouvelles Lettres, &c._, p. 176.

2 Henri Martin's _Histoire de France_. The marriage,
however, was not really consummated (_Nouvelles Lettres,
&c._, pp. 236, 237), and it was eventually annulled by Pope
Paul III., to whom Francis applied for a divorce when the
Duke of Cleves deserted his cause for that of Charles V.

It was at Châtelherault on this occasion that Margaret triumphed over
the Constable de Montmorency, who in earlier years had been her
close friend, and with whom she had carried on such a voluminous
correspondence. Montmorency had requited her good services with