Ximene recovers John from the battlefield and closely followed by Du Guesclin takes him to Don fernandino’s safe house where she obtains skilled medical attention.

a nurses John back to health after his close to death experience on the battle field and as he recovers, at Ximene’s request he helps her learn to use weapons.

The header graphic is of course “The Accolade” by Edmund Blair Leyton.

A key part of the second story about Ximene and John is that she sees herself head of a state independent of the lands governed by the Black Prince or those covered by the king of the Franks.

For John Stanley this creates a challenge to his concepts of chivalry.

This can only be resolved within the feudal system by a  formal transfer of loyalty. Thus he finds it necessary to swear allegiance to Ximene and in return she creates him as ” First Knight of Occitan”

It is a turning point in the story, but one which creates as many problems as it solves.

Guillaume de Machaut and agnes de navarre le voir dit peronne john chaucer wine merchant sauterne customer of ximene as selene

The principal guest is placed on the host’s right. Traditionally the principal guest’s wife would be placed on the host’s left, the host’s wife being placed on the right of the principal guest.