—GEOFFREY CHAUCER, Troilus and Criseyde, II, 764–70 • 1356 • ON THE day the dowager queen was to depart, I awoke feeling sick to my stomach. Gwen suggested I ask Dame Tommasa to take my place in the hall, but I feared I might insult the dowager queen should I fail to bid her farewell. As it turned out, I need not have bothered. The Lady Isabella broke her fast in her chamber and remained there until the company was ready to depart. As we awaited the dowager queen’s appearance, I asked my mother-in-law whether we had offended Her Grace that she should so sequester herself on this last morning of her visit. “Her Grace is indisposed this morning. When she drinks too much brandywine she is beset with nightmares that shatter her sleep.” I wondered whether she dreamed of her late husband’s execution, but before I could pursue the topic a flurry of activity heralded Isabella’s departure. She did indeed look pale and exhausted, yet dressed for riding.
