It’s launch day for Courage! Courage gathers fifteen historically-based short stories by a variety of award-winning authors — and you can pre-order the e-book now so it lands in your hands the moment it releases.
→ Order the e-book and paperback: https://mybook.to/COURAGE-Anthology
I’m working on a novel about a fictional 16th-century woman artist caught up in the dramatic last months of Anne Boleyn’s life. As part of the research for that book, I found a passage from the French royal building accounts that describes artist Jean Clouet’s wife, Jeanne Boucault, journeying from Paris to Fontainebleau in 1537 to deliver paintings to the king.
I was immediately captivated by the image of this woman riding to court, carrying the precious portraits through inclement weather, protecting them during stops at inns and river crossings, and delivering them safely to King François I’s lavish Renaissance court.
Did she make the journey often? Why her? Did she have a hand in the creation of these portraits? Many women did contribute to the artistic output of their families’ workshops. What was it like for this daughter of a Tours goldsmith to enter King François I’s world?
I decided to make this unsung wife of King François’s favorite portrait artist the star of The Portrait’s Secret, my story for the Courage anthology. Digging deeper into history, I managed to uncover a few more precious details about her. Jeanne (or Jehanne) Boucault (also Foucault…yes, records from six centuries ago are inconsistent) was not only the daughter of a skilled goldsmith. Her mother came from an illustrious family of royal metal workers and armourists. Because I love artist Hans Holbein the Younger’s jewelry designs, I decided to give this artsy-craftsy couple mad drawing skills, too. And, in turn, I had them bestow their talents upon their daughter.
Next, instead of having Jeanne Boucault ride to court in 1537 to deliver portraits to the king as stated in the royal building accounts, I turned the clocks back a year to 1536. In that year, Anne Boleyn was executed. Her powerful network of French friends and allies would have quickly learned the news. I imagined Anne de Pisseleu d’Heilly, Duchesse d’Étampes (King François’s official mistress), would have been shaken by the events in Tudor England. After all, she would have crossed paths with Anne Boleyn, as Anne was a lady in waiting for Queen Claude (King François’s wife) during her years in France. Whether they were well acquainted is a mystery, but it’s possible.
Another woman who features in my next novel is Queen Marguerite of Navarre, at that time the most powerful woman in France. François I’s sister, she often stood in for Queen Claude at court events. My research found that Marguerite and Anne de Pisseleu were friendly. As an ardent religious reformer and intellectual, Marguerite was also a strong influence on Anne Boleyn. A few letters from Anne to Marguerite survive, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that Anne was a big fan of Marguerite.
With an abundance of rich fodder at hand, I crafted a story about Jeanne Boucault (I call her Minette in the story for reasons explained in the narrative) carrying portraits to court in June of 1536. But instead of delivering them to the king, she takes them to Anne de Pisseleu d’Heilly. The king’s mistress shares the terrible news about Anne Boleyn’s death, and Minette summons the courage to propose an audacious plan that would give her reason to return to court.
I’m not sure if Minette will appear in my forthcoming novel, but she has a place in my heart now. History is full of courageous women, yet only a few of them are recorded and honored. I’m grateful for the breadcrumbs left in the margins of history that led me to this brave Frenchwoman and her long-ago ride to court.
That night, rain hammered relentlessly on the rooftops of Paris. Minette barely slept, worrying about the journey to come. But at dawn, the skies were clear. It would be a fine day to travel.
Jean, dressed warmly against the morning chill, went with Minette into the lane and helped her into the wagon. Upon the box sat the driver, a strong-hewn man who had served the household faithfully for many years. The panel rested in a stiff leather case, cushioned with blankets and straw. Minette carried the miniature on her person, in a wool-stuffed pouch around her neck. The manservant swung into his saddle bearing a short sword and a dagger; he was a capable horseman and no stranger to this road, having ridden it often in Jean’s company.
“I’ll pray for your safe return. And Fanou’s,” Jean told her, taking her hand in his. “He’ll likely be back before you.”
She tried to return his smile. “Perhaps. Try to rest while I’m gone. And eat. I want to see you fatter when I return.”
“I’ll do my best.” He turned to the manservant, then the driver. “Bring my wife back safely to me, and remember that she’s carrying our child. There will be an extra coin in it for you both upon your swift return.”
Minette’s mind went to the strongbox. She’d taken much of the remaining coin for the journey. Now it was up to her to replenish their coffers.
After a long day of bone-jarring travel on muddy roads, they lodged in Melun. Cook had packed bread, cheese, and sausages to save the cost of tavern meals. The men lodged above the stables, and Minette slept fitfully on a lumpy straw-stuffed mattress in a cheap, noisy room above the kitchen. The next morning, they were delayed at the Seine crossing, where a crush of travelers waited.
Two merchants ahead of them traded complaints about mud and high water, then talked of a recent visit to London. Minette caught slivers of the conversation. “On dit que la Reine d’Angleterre . . . la putain du roi. . . a perdu la tête,” said one of the men. Minette puzzled over the words, sure she had misheard them.
The Queen of England . . . the king’s whore . . . lost her head.
Minette leaned forward, straining to hear above the clatter of hooves and the shouts of impatient drivers. What had this queen done to deserve the label of whore, and had she truly lost her head?
The gates to the bridge opened, and the crowd surged ahead. Caught up in the press of horses and wagons, Minette cast aside the man’s words. Gossip about foreigners meant nothing on a day when so much was at stake for her family.
All that mattered now was the moment when she could deliver her precious cargo into the hands of the duchesse and receive a heavy purse in return.
Courage: Tales of History, Mystery and Hope brings together fifteen historically-based short stories by a variety of award-winning authors.
→ Order now: https://mybook.to/COURAGE-Anthology
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Can’t wait!!!! Looks FAB!
Thank you! Launch day is today!