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Margaret, Queen of Navarre, 1492-1549

"The Tales Of The Heptameron, Vol. I. (of V.)"

She is constantly to be found at Alencon, Fontainebleau, and
Paris, being frequently with the King, who did not like to remain
separated from her for any length of time. He was wont to initiate her
into his political intrigues in view of availing himself of her keen
and subtle mind. Brantome, referring to this subject, remarks that her
wisdom was such that the ambassadors who "spoke to her were greatly
charmed by it, and made great report of it to those of their nation on
their return; in this respect she relieved the King her brother, for
they (the ambassadors) always sought her after delivering the chief
business of their embassy, and often when there was important business
the King handed it over to her, relying upon her for its definite
resolution. She understood very well how to entertain and satisfy the
ambassadors with fine speeches, of which she was very lavish, and also
very clever at worming their secrets out of them, for which reason the
King often said that she helped him right well and relieved him of a
great deal.


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