I did some leisurely reading
during my vacation, and since I’ll be stopping by Reims again later on in the
year, I thought a novel that would illustrate the allure and mystique of the
Middle Ages would certainly put me in the mood.
French Royalty has a history as full of debauchery and bloodshed as
there has ever been one. Deep in the
throes of the Middle Ages, amidst war, plague, extreme weather and hunger,
monarchs and aristocrats lived lives of luxury, enrobed in silks, taffetas and
furs, adorned with priceless jewels that were passed on through
generations. It is in this world that
HRH Princess Michael of Kent anchors her first novel of what she named “The
Anjou trilogy”. It is not the first book
I read by Princess Michael, but it is the first fiction one, and I must say,
the book is as beguiling as its author.
The story centers about the
reign of Charles VI “le folle”, and
his insecure son Charles VII, but it is told from the point of view of the
astute Spanish Princess, Yolanda de Aragón, the renowned “Queen of the Four
Kingdoms”. When Yolanda left her native Zaragoza
in NE Spain, it was to marry Duke Louis II of Anjou in Provence, a claimant to
the throne of Naples. Louis II was also
cousin of the then current French King, Charles VI. The story develops around Yolanda’s influence
in the world of the King and of his heir, the future Charles VII, the King whom
Jeanne d’Arc helped, but got nothing in return other than a horrific death; and
whose mistress, Agnès Sorel, gave birth not only to 3 illegitimate daughters by
the King but also to the concept of the royal
mistress in itself; and who also died a very bad death. One can speculate Charles VII was indeed
cursed, and anyone who came near him would have a fatal dénouement. Personally, I find that the King’s
insecurity, due very much to his upbringing, and which the novel delves into,
had much to do with the conundrum of death that seems to have surrounded him.
The story begins
with Yolanda’s betrothal. Quite a long
one this one – 9 years, after which, Louis II of Anjou came home defeated and
without the throne of Naples. On the
eyes of Princess Michael of Kent’s, she made a good marriage and she and her
husband lived a happy, although quite unstable life. What with Louis having to consistently attend
last minute councils in Paris due to King’s ill health (it is now thought he
suffered from epilepsy), and his own fixation with winning back his Kingdom in Naples,
Yolanda was left to care for their 5 children and their magnanimous landholdings
throughout France.
But Yolanda also
had enormous power and influence over the future Charles VII, whom she nurtured
as her own, and to whom she gave Jeanne d’Arc and Agnès Sorel, for two very
different, yet very strategic reasons.
All of this, for the Kingdom of France, a Kingdom that did not give her
much in return.
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Faye Dunaway looks regal and plays a
masterful portrayal of Yolanda de Aragón
in the blockbuster movie “The Messenger” |
She did live a
life of luxury though. With several
palaces in the Loire valley, as well as the one in Tarascon in Provence, the
households could feed (and usually did) an army. Princess Michael takes us into the
aristocracy’s preferred method of transport at the time – boats, and describes
idyllic picnics by the river. Yolanda’s
palaces used to entertain constantly, and the kitchens had staffs of 30 or
more.
Early on in the
novel, we are privy to the beginnings of the wonderful tradition of foie gràs,
as when she first arrives at her castle in Angers, she is offered a tasting by
the Chef, of goose liver. The cook
explains that the geese are brought up in the farm, and then “the dogs chase
them to make them run and the alcohol enters their bloodstream – especially the
liver – before they meet their end” (pg. 39).
He also admits to mixing ground almonds into the final preparation.
Foie gràs is
something I have loved ever since I can remember. I have my mother to thank for having
introduced me to it at a very young age.
Notwithstanding the controversy that surrounds its production, in France
it is found all over, and any good
épicerie
stocks it or even offers their own. One
brand I discovered back in the 90’s is
LaComtesse du Barry. Just like the
name it is associated with, the maison offers the most delicious assortments of
foie gràs, either fresh or canned. I
used to be able to order them online, but since the new customs regulations,
the only way to bring them is in your suitcase.
My favorite are
the flûteaux de jambon, which are
none other than duck foie gràs rolls, saucisse-style, wrapped with the very
best ham. They used to make only one
version, but they now offer two, both with cooked ham, but one with extra
special jambon de Bayonne. It is this latter one I had as a special
treat these past few days, and the one that reminded me of Yolanda’s story with
her cook.
Although I doubt the company
makes their geese run after giving them alcohol these days, this is a wonderful
delicacy, which can be served with a simple green salad or a side of green
beans, and quite a few toasts for spreading or just making your own
canapé. A chilled Sémillon blanc or a
dry rosé will pair perfectly for a relaxed, luxurious holiday lunch or picnic. You can also make one of the cocktails I suggested here, especially the Sunset Rosé.
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The flûteau in all its glory, enrobed in its own gelée and duck fat.
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Alternatively, you can lounge in your own
backyard and have your own private moment of indulgence while having this
sumptuous feast and reading The Queen of Four Kingdoms. I guarantee you won’t
be disappointed by either.
