The same panegyrist tells us of Margaret’s favourite occupations, mentioning that when she was alone in her room she more often held a book in her hand than a distaff, a pen than a spindle, and the ivory of her tablets than a needle.  He then adds:  “And if she applied herself to tapestry or other needlework, such as was to her a pleasant occupation, she had beside her some one who read to her, either from a historian or a poet, or some other notable and useful author; or else she dictated some meditation which was written down.” (2)

     1 Oraison funebre, &c., p. 60.

     2 Ibid., p. 68.

Margaret’s time was far from being wholly occupied in this manner, for she actively assisted her husband in carrying out improvements and reforms in Beam.  The result was that the country, naturally good and fertile, but left in bad condition, uncultivated and sterile through the carelessness of its inhabitants, soon changed its appearance owing to the efforts of Henry and his wife.  From all the provinces of France labourers were attracted who settled there and improved and fertilised the fields.(1)

     1 Vies el Eloges des Dames illustres, vol. ii. p. 272.

Henry d’Albret also devoted himself to the placing of the country in a proper state of defence, and fortified several of the towns.  Navarreinx, commanding the valley of the Gave of Oloron, was virtually rebuilt by him and transformed into a perfect stronghold, as was evidenced during the religious wars, when it successfully withstood the artillery of Terrade, the Catholic commander.  Long afterwards, when Vauban inaugurated his new system of fortification, he came to Navarreinx, and on seeing the ramparts raised by Margaret’s husband was so favourably impressed, that instead of levelling them to the ground he contented himself with adding to them and making various improvements.  Henry d’Albret was also anxious to refortify Sauveterre, which the Prince of Orange, with one of the Imperial armies, had captured in 1523, when he half-demolished the old castle of Montreal, then the most formidable citadel in Beam.  However, as time and money were lacking, Henry had to abandon his plans, and the ruins left by the Imperialists, the ivy-clad keep, and mutilated bridge over the Gave soon fell into irremediable decay.(1)

     1 M. Paul Perret’s Pyrenees francaises, vol. ii. p. 303.

IV.

Margaret’s attachment to her daughter—­Refusal of Jane to marry the Duke of Cleves—­Intervention of Margaret—­The wedding at Chatelherault and the fall of the Constable de Montmorency—­Margaret and her husband at Caulerets—­The “Heptameron”—­Illness and death of Francis I.—­Margaret’s anxiety and grief—­Her “Marguerites de la Marguerite”—­Jane d’Albret’s second marriage—­Death of Margaret at Odos or Audaux——­Her funeral at Lescar—­Destruction of her tomb.