Arrival of Hugh O'Donnell to Blois

I was soon to arrive at the Chateau Blois to meet with Queen Claude of France after her kind invitation.

I am interested to meet this Hugh O'Donnell from Ireland as I have heard that it is a rough country with unrefined people but he seems to have exceptional manners.

I arrived at the Chateau of Blois and as I dismounted my horse I saw standing before me whom I could only imagine was the French Queen. I dropped my head before her and kiss her hand.

"Your Majesty I thank you for inviting me to your wonderful country and thank you for the escort.

I don't know what I was expecting but Hugh O'Donnell seems to be an elegant and charming man.

We are delighted to welcome you my lord, I hope your journey was reasonably pleasant as it was a long way for you to come?

I usher the young man and his entourage into the main hall where there are refreshments before I will have them shown to their quarters.

I smile at the French Queen as her kindness was indeed being shown.

"Indeed the journey has been a long one and quite tiresome too but I thank you for the escort that I received on my way here. You have a beautiful kingdom.

I look at the young handsome man and think what a kind face he has.

The roads can be quite treacherous and we wanted you to arrive safely. Please have some fine French wine and then my servants will show you and your entourage to your chambers and I trust you will be comfortable here during your stay. My husband the king will join us later and we have arranged some entertainment for your party this evening.

I smile towards the French Queen

"Your Majesty is indeed very kind and I thank you greatly. I am looking forward to this evening and is it okay for my brother to join us too?

I wasn't aware that your brother was with you, but of course he must come along.

What an amiable young man Lord O'Donnell is and he also has a brother. I wonder if his brother has come to France to find himself a wife too.

Our son Henri, the Dauphin of France, will join us later and I would like to introduce him to your brother and yourself.
I believe that you will be similar in age and on a similar quest?

I make the question into a statement in the hope that Lord Hugh will enlighten us as to the purpose of this visit with his brother along too.

I looked at the Queen of France and I smiled and spoke.

"Indeed your majesty I am older by one year compared to my brother James but I come here as does he in the hope of finding happiness and a bride and an alliance with France.

I hope for this as recently I had a horrible experience with the sister of the King of England for whom I was to marry then all went wrong and I would rather not speak of the matter. I must say this Your Majesty that the portraits do not lie about your beauty it is astonishing and the whole of France would be jealous by such beauty.

I only recently became King of Ireland and I hope to find a French bride.

The young king of ireland and his brother are indeed charming and handsome and I hope that they will find suitable wives here.

I am flattered by your wonderful compliments king Hugh. I am pleased to hear that you and your brother look to France for your future consorts and I am sure that we have many well bred, noble and beautiful ladies here that you will admire.

Tell me how are you finding Ireland to rule?

Just then I see Francois approaching so I hold out my hand for my husband to kiss.

I look towards the Queen of France and then I see the King approaching as I answer her question.

"Ireland is indeed much harder than I thought it would be and being such a small nation I do have threats to my throne especially from England. I wanted to approach France as I would trust no other to be a great ally to my kingdom and I do find your country the most beautiful Queen Claude.

I must warn you my brother he is very picky when it comes to marriage he is always unhappy but I believe with a French bride he will change his mind. I seek a marriage for myself here too with hope also that it can be a happy one and that I can secure my line in Ireland. I thank you again for your kind invitation.