" It seems that shortly afterward the Queen returned to
Chinon, and that in the middle of January, 1203, the enemies at Angers
were discovered to be planning an attempt to capture her there. John
hurried to Le Mans, only stopping at Alencon to dine with Count Robert
and endeavor to secure his suspected loyalty by confirming him in all
his possessions. No sooner had they parted, however, than Robert rode
off to the French court, did homage to Philip, and admitted a French
garrison into Alencon. While John, thus placed between two fires, was
hesitating whether to go on or to go back, Peter des Preaux succeeded
in getting the Queen out of Chinon and bringing her to her husband at
Le Mans; thence they managed to make their way back in safety to
Falaise.
This incident may have suggested to John that it was time to take some
decisive step toward getting rid of Arthur's claims. According to one
English chronicler, some of the King's counsellors had already been
urging this matter upon him for some time past. They pointed out that
so long as Arthur lived, and was neither physically nor legally
incapacitated for ruling, the Bretons would never be quiet, and no
lasting peace with France would be possible.
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