For five years, Clemence had been the center of Adam’s existence. Her unexpected death and the arrival of Etienne left him stunned and bewildered as well as upending the normal life of the Niel-Valluy household. After some days, he returned to the shoemaker’s shop and resumed his former routines. During the following months, he went through the motions of learning the craft, visiting the tavern, living with the family, participating in village life and attending church but his spirit was gone. He was aware, as if from a great distance, that the attitude of his acquaintances and other villagers toward him shifted. Before he had been an object of their pity and derision because of the rumors about Clemence; now, ennobled by her death and his own suffering, they admired his fortitude and treated him respectfully.
Meanwhile, Madame Niel’s spirits soared. She could talk of nothing else but baby Etienne, visiting the blacksmith’s home daily to see the babe and anticipating the day he would be weaned and ready to come home. This happened suddenly when Etienne was six months old. Madame Mallet’s husband, Maxim the blacksmith dropped dead one morning while working in his forge. The village rallied around poor Madame Mallett, now a widow with four young children. Madame Niel swiftly intervened. Of course, it would be too much for the young widow to continue as wet nurse! Overruling all protests, the widow actually needed the little stipend paid by the Niels, Madame Niel bore Etienne back in triumph to his rightful home. Thereafter, Madame Niel managed all care and nurturance of the baby. She organized the household around the needs of the “precious child”, so much so, that Adam and his father-in-law took refuge in the workshop, only emerging for the midday meal.
Adam always addressed his mother-in-law as Madame Niel. Her husband called her by her given name, Liesbeth; Clemence had addressed her as Mama but everyone else in the village knew her as “Ma Cheri” for everyone was “my darling” and received a warm hug and a kiss on both cheeks. At this time, she was about 50 years old and still possessed much of her youthful flamboyance. Adam knew, from comments in the tavern, that the locals considered her a strikingly beautiful woman in her day. She had a beautiful singing voice and she sang often. Monsieur Niel, usually taciturn about his wife, once commented that she sang the Kyrie Eleison like an angel. Perhaps, Adam thought, she would have sung more sacred music if given the opportunity. She attended mass daily but also frequently visited the tavern where she was always welcome especially when she consented to sing. She had an extensive repertoire of sacred hymns, folk songs and bawdy ballads. Adam had seen grown men weeping in their drinks as she sang Adeste Fideles at Christmas. These public displays embarrassed Adam and he seldom stayed at the tavern when she was performing.
Adam maintained intermittent communication with Jean Paul through letters written and sent by the priest. They had three younger siblings. A sister, who married and then died from complications from her pregnancy a couple of years back, a brother who was killed in a brawl between rival gangs of dockworkers the September after Etienne’s birth and a brother, who was always sickly and died the following year. About the time of Etienne’s second birthday, Adam received word that his revered father was dying and wished to see him. For the first time since the Spanish invasion, Adam returned to Calais. By this time, Calais was French again as part of the general peace settlement but he could still see the ravages of war and siege in burned out or abandoned buildings near the citadel. Jean Paul had a comfortable home near the harbor gate, where he cared for his parents and growing family. Adam was with his father in time to say good-bye and consoled his mother. He stayed with his family for several days after the funeral. Jean Paul urged him to find a new wife that would bring him happiness and provide a mother for Etienne and many more children. Adam agreed to consider it. The visit home, in spite of the sadness of losing his father, was beneficial. He returned to Sainte Marie Kerque with slightly lifted spirits.
For more on period music and song see Note #8 in:
This painting by David Teniers the younger (1645) captures the spirit of tavern life in the 17th Century, showing conversation, dancing, a variety of ages and always the little dog.
Image courtesy of WIkiMedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Teniers_II_Taverna_s_paroi_Tanz_(1645).jpg
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