MAHAUT, COUNTESS OF ARTOIS 



As Mahaut had no biographer, and contem- 

 porary history merely treats her as if she were 

 one of many pawns on a chessboard, her 

 stewards' entries furnish the only materials from 

 which we can weave some outline of her life, 

 an outline, nevertheless, which enables us to 

 reason somewhat concerning her inner life, the 

 pattern, as it were, that is not wrought for the 

 world. 



When, in 1 302, Mahaut took over the reins of 

 government in Artois, Paris was the great centre 

 of art and literature as well as of the science of 

 the day, a condition largely due to the genius 

 of Philip Augustus, and fostered by succeeding 

 kings. Thither, from far and near, flocked 

 scholars, poets, and artists alike. Some of these 

 took up their abode permanently within its 

 walls. Others passed to and fro, thus creating 

 that constant interchange of thought which is 

 essential to vitality, so that it was said that u the 

 goddess of Wisdom, after having dwelt in Athens 

 and Rome, had taken up her abode in Paris." 

 There, at least twice a year, came Mahaut to 

 her sumptuous dwelling, the Hotel d'Artois, 

 situated near the Temple, and extending with 

 its gardens and its outbuildings to the walls 

 built by Philip Augustus. Here all who loved 

 the arts and learning were made welcome, and it 

 is interesting to think it possible, nay even prob- 

 able, that during one of her many sojourns there 

 she may have met and talked with Dante. 



Amongst the special treasures to be found 



89 



