January 27, 1554

We leave for Chambord tomorrow. I must finish my Greek translation of the Anacreon poems for Ronsard. Then I am to try my own hand at writing one in the same metre. I am looking forward to going to Chambord. Francis is beside himself, so excited is he to see once more his favourite horses. The only problem is that it is so complicated whenever the court moves to a different château. There is much packing up to do, and now that I have my own household I must confer with my maître d’hôtel, Monsieur Jallet, for hours over what seems like a thousand and one details. We need additional carriages now that we are an independent household, for our servants must ride separately. Some of course ride on horseback, but Rufflets and Monsieur Jallet need their own conveyances. I think they might ride together in one. We also need to provide for an assistant for Madame Moillard, the seamstress. So many new gowns have been ordered for me that she cannot take on all the work in addition to her duties for Queen Catherine. Monsieur Jallet proposed that the assistant ride with the chambermaids, but I don’t think this is appropriate. I think women of stitchery believe themselves to be superior to women of the bedchamber, and this could cause problems. Madame de Parois has demanded her own carriage. Simply ridiculous! There is so much to think about, and all I want to do at this moment is please Ronsard with my translation. I think I shall invite him to ride in my carriage with me to Chambord. Unfortunately, Diane de Poitiers has gone back to Anet for a while. I hope she comes to Chambord for there is such fun to be had there – the hunting and hawking, and there is talk of a very grand ball.