Author: Fredrick Isham Year: 1865-1922 Genre: Humor Under the Rose opens among the various jesters of King Francis' court, as they welcome a guest,
the jester of the Duke of Friedwald. It seems that the King's niece, Louise, has become engaged to
the Duke, who is one of the leading vassals of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles. This marriage will
cement an alliance between France and the Empire, which have been at war for decades. The Duke's
jester quicky makes an impression, and makes an enemy of the dwarf Triboulet, who had considered
himself Francis' favorite.
Soon the Duke's jester becomes a favorite of the Princess Louise, and it's clear pretty quickly that
the two might be falling in love. This is an issue, of course, because Louise must marry who the
King desires she marry. This also seems an issue for Jacqueline, her maid, and also a part of the
"jester's court". Jacqueline is a gypsy girl, it is thought, who was found in the castle after Francis
had taken possession, and sent its previous owner, the Constable Dubrois, into exile (where he soon died).
