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DE BOHUN. 215
which, down to 1516, was called "the great park." And it is recorded
that when Queen Elizabeth was here, she had a new chariot (purchased
in France by a clerk sent over for that purpose), to enable her to roam
about at pleasure therein.
Here the young lady was, her brother-in-law fondly imagined, safely
immured.
But Lady Mary Fitz-Alan, their maternal aunt, was induced to
enter the plot, and she, having paid the ladies a visit at Fleshy Castle,
persuaded the younger one to accompany her to Arundel Castle, the
residence of her uncle. There John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and his
son, the Earl of Derby, were already guests and the young and inexperienced
girl was soon fascinated by the young man, who is described as then
a gay and gallant youth, endowed with every accomplishment. A few days
;
effected a sudden revolution in the destiny of Mary de Bohun, and the destined
nun became the bride of one of the handsomest cavaliers in Europe.
Vehement, though fruitless, was the indignation of the Earl of Buckingham
when, on his return, he discovered the trick which his brother and
nephew had played upon him ;
and it is said that he " became melancholy,
" and never loved the Duke of Lancaster as he had before done."
The Earl and Countess of Derby lived at Peterborough Castle, where
her literary attainments and love of music, and her skill in playing the
guitar, rendered her very popular. Minstrels, whether English or foreign,
were always welcomed when they presented themselves before the gate,
and handsomely rewarded for their performance.*
Four sons and two daughters were born in the course of a brief but
happy wedlock ; but, soon after the birth of the two daughters, Philippa,
the countess, died in July, 1394, at the early age of 26.
Four years later, 1398, "Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster,"
was dead, the weak and unfortunate Richard II. was deposed, and the
Earl of Derby elevated to the throne as Henry IV.
His after-life and character seem rather a contrast to the tenderness
and love of that young wedded life. Perhaps it was as well for Mary de
Bohun that she was thus
" early taken away from the evil to come," for
religion, and
she was a good woman, distinguished for her devotion to her
her memory was fondly cherished by her son, Henry V. Two months after
his accession to the throne, he caused an image of her, newly devised and
made, to be placed over her tomb at Leicester ;
and in the higher, nobler
traits of his character, I venture to trace qualities
derived from his mother.
Perhaps, if she had lived, she would have supplied the influence which
was so terribly lacking in his earlier years. At any rate we may condone,
for the want of this, that course of conduct which seems so unworthy
of the heir of
a throne.
* History of Blanche, daughter of Henry IV. (E. Green), vol. iii. p. 306.