Maurice remained with the Swedes some months. In January 1641 his
mother informed Roe that he was at Amberg in Bavaria. In the next
month she was able to report of him at greater length. "I have had
letters from Maurice, from Cham in the High Palatinate. He tells me
{51} that Banier has intercepted a letter of the Duke of Bavaria, to
the Commander of Amberg. He writes that he understands that there is
in Banier's army a young Palatine; and he should take good heed no
bailiffs, or other officers, go to see him or hold any correspondence
with him... Maurice is still very well used by Banier, who now makes
more of Princes than heretofore, since he has married the Marquis of
Baden's daughter."[6]
In June 1641 Maurice returned to Holland where he found life going on
much as usual. Hunting and acting continued to be the principal
Palatine amusements. "I did hunt a hare, last week, with my hounds; it
took seven hours, the dogs never being at fault," wrote Elizabeth
triumphantly; "I went out with forty horse at least, and there were but
five at the death... Maurice, Prince Ravenville, the Archduke, and
many another knight, were entreated by their horses to return on foot.
I could not but tell you this adventure, for it is very famous
here."[7] In another letter she tells how her daughters acted the play
of "Medea and Jason", and how Louise, who played a man, looked "so like
poor Rupert as you would then have justly called her by his name."[8]
It is not unlikely that Louise impersonated Jason in her brother's
clothes, and so enhanced the likeness.
The family had, by this time, almost despaired of "poor Rupert's"
release; but it was nearer than they thought. King Charles, after
labouring for three years in vain, had at last succeeded in rousing the
sympathy of France, and, when he despatched Sir Thomas Roe, in 1641, to
plead Rupert's cause at Vienna, it was with a reasonable hope of
success. "I hope, by the solicitation of Sir Thomas Roe, we shall see
our sweet Prince Rupert here. He {52} hath been so long a
prisoner!"[9] wrote one of Elizabeth's ladies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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