Page:The Queens of England.djvu/200

 i68. THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. Queen Joanna proceeded from the royal city of Winchester to London, where great preparations were made in honor of her arrival. At Blackheath she was met by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and City Companies, who, with every demonstration of joy, conducted her to the capital. After passing one night at the palace of the Tower, the queen was conducted with the same pomp and ceremony to her residence at the palace of Westminster. The ceremony of coronation followed, upon the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1403. Queen Joanna was enthroned not on the same seat with the king, but in a separate chair of state. Her robes were the most becoming and graceful, and in her hand she bore the orb and- cross. Few queens consort have been crowned with more splendor than the dignified and matronly Joanna of Navarre. The dower assigned to her by parliament was the same as that of Anne of Bohemia, first wife of Richard the Second, amounting to 10,000 marks per annum. Peace was never long maintained between France and Eng- land. The disposition for war was a continual annoyance to the new queen, who was thus often compelled to behold her nearest relatives engaged in mortal combat against each other. The son of Joanna was also so much under the control of the court of France that he had often to appear in arms against England, or to remain entirely neutral. Joanna was the first widow who had worn the matrimonial crown since the Conquest. She was about three-and-thirty years of age, and had a large family. Still her influence over the mind of Henry was great ,and his love for her continued unaltered. By her friendly interference much evil was pre- vented, and at length a truce was concluded with the Duke of Brittany, which promised'to be of the most essential benefit to both countries. King Henry bestowed upon his beloved wife many rich and valuable possessions, and appointed her the new Tower, ad- joining Westminster Hall, in which to hold her public courts and perform such other acts as devolved upon her as queen con- sort. He also granted her some lead mines in England ; and at her request bestowed upon her son Arthur the earldom of Rich- mond, for which he rendered his homage to the king. Queen Joanna caused a splendid alabaster tomb to be pre-