Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan and Lorraine, 1522-1590Cartwright, Julia
History
Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan and Lorraine, 1522-1590
Cartwright, Julia
Christine, Duchess, consort of Francis I, Duke of Lorraine, 1521-1590; Europe -- History -- 1517-1648
Henry now became seriously alarmed. He complained bitterly to Castillon
of the way in which he was reviled in France, not only by the vulgar,
but by the Cardinal of Paris and members of the Council. And he sent
Cromwell to Chapuys with an imperative summons to come to Court without
delay. The Imperial Ambassador obeyed, and came to Whitehall on the
Feast of the Three Kings. Henry was on his way to Mass, but he stopped
to greet Chapuys, and complained once more of the Queen of Hungary's
interminable delays and of the scandalous treatment of his Ambassadors.
Chapuys made the best excuses which came into his mind, and assured the
King that Mary was only awaiting the Emperor's instructions as to the
Papal dispensation, and that he would hear from Spain as soon as the
Palatine had reached Toledo. To this Henry vouchsafed no answer, but
walked straight on, to the door of the chapel.
During Mass Cromwell entered into conversation with Chapuys, and told
him that the Pope had thrown off the hypocrite's mask, and was doing
his best to kindle a flame in Italy. Before the Ambassador could reply
he changed the subject, and said he saw clearly that the Emperor
intended to marry his niece to Cleves or Lorraine. Chapuys laughed, and
remarked that the Duchess could hardly be given to both Princes, but
added in all seriousness that his master knew the difference between
the King of England and these suitors. After dinner Henry seemed in
a better temper, but told Chapuys in confidential tones that he was
growing old, and that his subjects pressed him to hasten his marriage,
and that these vexatious delays were all due to the French, who boasted
that the Emperor could do nothing without their consent.
[Sidenote: FEB., 1539] A COLD FROST]
"He seemed in great trouble," reported Chapuys, "and it is
plain, as everyone about him tells me, that he is very much
in love with the Duchess of Milan. He told one of his most
intimate friends the other day that he would gladly take her
without a penny.... And just now the French Ambassador asked
me if it were true that he had sent her a diamond worth 16,000
ducats."[232]
At the same time Chapuys heard that Henry was negotiating with the
German Princes, and offering his daughter Mary to the young Duke of
Cleves, in order to prevent him from marrying the Duchess. "He is so
much in love," wrote Castillon, "that for one gracious word from her I
believe he would go to war to recover Denmark."[233]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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