Book of the duchess: an attempt to murder Michael

Number 24: Guillot, by means of his satellite Pierre le Grand, makes an attempt to murder Michael

The plot episode 23 (summarised from the text of Lorna’s novel)

Instructed from afar by Guillot, Pierre le Grand made an attempt on Michael's life.

Duchess Jacqueline arrived on the scene just after Michael had disarmed his assailant. She showed such relief that Michael was safe that he finally understood Jacqueline's feelings for him, and they embraced.

On the same day, Guillot’s new army reached the city walls of Vannes.

Lorna’s remarks

Improvements again. Michael really is sitting on his stool (see number 19) and his arm is resting on the table - not three feet away from it. The simple and careful background compares and contrasts with numbers 5 and 7, and this is an early example of unreliance on the familiar colour of Michael’s clothes. Pierre le Grand has appeared before. Some attempt has been made to depict areas of light and shade with some success. Very little of this was copied.

Difference of status is suggested rather than emphasised in the badge on Michael’s breast. In the former picture he was wearing Jacqueline’s coat of arms, which has also appeared in numbers 17, 18, 22 and 23 as that of the duchy. Now he wears his own and hers quartered. This is probably not heraldically legal for he has not married her yet. However, it implies reconciliation.