Around the second half of the 14th century, the time of the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death, Gaston III ruled the county of Foix and the viscounty of Béarn which separated from France, both located in the Pyrenees bordering Spain. On the Spanish side, the Kingdom of Navarre and the Kingdom of Aragon bordered Béarn, while the county of Barcelona bordered Foix. Gaston III had one son, Prince Gaston, from his marriage to Agnes, sister of King Charles “the Bad” of Navarre, as well as at three other illegitimate sons (Bernard, Yvain, and Gratien). According to French author and historian Jean Froissart, his court was one of immense wealth and very prosperous in the region. Being a guest of the Count for 12 weeks, he was able to chronicle life in Gaston’s court, as well as inquire about the sad fate of the ruler’s son and heir apparent, Prince Gaston, a topic that was taboo to talk about. I transcribed the account in Anniversary Gregg for the blog.
Attachment: the-piteous-fate-of-prince-gaston.pdf