This Day in History: 1396-10-26

On 26th October 1396, Richard II met Charles VI of France near Ardres, outside Calais regarding his proposed marriage to Charles’ six-years-old daughter, Isabella of Valois; Richard was twenty-nine. John of Gaunt, lord of Pontefract, and the Duke of Gloucester escorted Charles’ brother, the Duke of Orleans and uncle, the Duke of Berry. After formal meetings on the following two days, Charles handed over Isabella to Richard on the 30th and she was escorted to the English camp by Gaunt’s and Gloucester’s duchesses, Katherine Swynford and Eleanor de Bohun.