DEATH OF QUEEN BLANCHE. 255

At first, indeed, the queen-mother, Blanche of
Castille, naturally anxious for her son’s release, fa-
voured the enterprise. But the priests, aware it
might be that the leaders of the movement had
ulterior objects in view, set their faces decidedly
against it, and the leaders of the shepherds retaliated
by stirring up the populace against the priests, and
by the massacre of several ecclesiastics. On hearing
this, Queen Blanche changed her policy, took part
against the shepherds, caused their leader to be
beheaded, and their army to be dispersed. More-
over, the populace, who had at first held the shep-
herds in high honour, began to suspect them of
imposture, and slaughtered them without mercy;
and all was still doubt and dismay and confusion,
when messengers brought to Sajecte news that Queen
Blanche had breathed her last.

Louis was profoundly affected when he heard of
his mother’s death, and mourned sadly for two or
three days, without speaking with any one. How-
ever, at the end of that time, he was visited by
the papal legate, and sent for the Lord of Joinville;
and Joinville, who was on the point of going into a
meadow to amuse himself with martial exercises,
entered into conversation.

‘ Ah, seneschal,’ began the king, mournfully, * I
have lost my mother.’

‘Well, sire,’ said Joinville, calmly, ‘I am not
surprised at such an event, seeing that she was no
longer young, and that to all of us death must come
some time; but, sire, I am surprised that so great a
prince should grieve so outrageously; for you know