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know that Isabella would grant any favor to the man who accomplished Geoffrey's death. What makes this worse is that they are aware this would please John almost as much as Isabella, so long as Salisbury does not come to know his approval. Ordinarily this would not matter, Geoffrey being well able to take care of himself, but it is altogether too easy for a stray arrow or blow to be launched from behind in a battle." |
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Rather than alarming Joanna, the warning served to reconcile her a little to the situation that existed. Geoffrey had already left for Flanders with his father. Perhaps he would be better off there, even when it came to war, than at home. Had Geoffrey remained in England, John or Isabella could have found some cause to summon him to France. As it was, the king would let well enough alone, knowing that his brother's suspicions would be aroused by a singling out of Geoffrey. All in all, the letter left Joanna in a strange, uneasy mood. Her pride in the prowess of the English fighting men was flattered by John's successes; yet, had the king's attempt to bring his French barons to obedience failed, likely the attack in Flanders would not have been carried through. Joanna could only pray that Ian was wrong, that God was not directing John's moves, and that the Lusignans would somehow bring about John's defeat without involving Ian in the disaster. |
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Certainly, there seemed to be no immediate answer to Joanna's prayer. In the English camp in Flanders there was great rejoicing at the smoothness with which the plans to crush France were proceeding. Every move John made was successful. A feint toward the French army drove them to retreat again and permitted him to seize Ancennis. Then he marched upon Angers as if to encircle it and, when the defenders drew in upon the city, he struck west across the border of Brittany and attacked and took the seaport of Nantes. This contained a very rich prize, the person of Philip's cousin, Peter of Dreux, who ruled Brittany in the right of his wife, Alice. |
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Having thus secured a seaport closer and more convenient |
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