The Court of Philip IV.: Spain in DecadenceHume, Martin A. S. (Martin Andrew Sharp)
Philosophy
The Court of Philip IV.: Spain in Decadence
Hume, Martin A. S. (Martin Andrew Sharp)
Philip IV, King of Spain, 1605-1665; Spain -- Court and courtiers; Spain -- History -- Philip IV, 1621-1665
[Sidenote: Peace with England]
And thus the juggle went on for months, until at last Charles I.,
himself sorely needing peace, gave way and sent instructions to
Cottington to make a treaty with Spain, leaving all questions still
unprejudiced, like the agreement of 1604, with which this book began.
Thenceforward all was straight sailing, for Olivares had once more
worked his way, and attained the peace that was necessary for Spain,
and yet pledging Philip to nothing. Whilst yet the final terms were
being settled, with which Rubens was to be sent to London, news came to
Madrid of the birth of a son and heir to the King of England. On the
15th June, Philip received Cottington in full state to congratulate him
upon the news. Never in the brightest time had the old palace of
Madrid put on a braver aspect, for now that in the essential matter of
peace the King had gained his point, in that of ceremonial rejoicing he
Was determined there should be no shortcoming. Surrounded by a full
gathering of grandees in gold chains, Philip stood under his canopy
dressed in his military garb, almost English in fashion, as he stands
in the Dulwich Gallery portrait, with a splendidly embroidered scarlet
{225} ropilla doublet, a broad lace collar and "paned" hose, his breast
covered with rich jewels and with a great feather in his hat. As Sir
Francis Cottington approached him the King expressed his joy at the
news. He was as glad, he said, as if the son had been his own; and he
had prayed upon his knees for the happiness of the young prince. Then
the delighted Englishman visited the two Infantes to receive their good
wishes, they being, as Cottington says, "no less brave in attire" than
their brother. In the afternoon another state visit was paid to the
Queen, and to the baby Prince Baltasar Carlos, "in cap and feathers and
loaded with charms and jewels." Solemn proclamation of the news was
made by heralds in the public squares; the Calle Mayor and the Plaza
were illuminated as bright as day with wax torches, and a great
firework display was made before the palace. Every religious house in
Madrid held a solemn service of thanks, and all the priors visited the
English ambassador with their congratulations. Four days afterwards,
one of the big royal bull-fights, in honour of the birth of a Prince of
Wales, was given by Philip in the presence of Cottington in the Plaza
Mayor, at which twenty bulls were killed, with many horses and three
men.[10] At length the treaty of peace, the real object of all the
plausibility, was settled. Olivares had won the game again. England
and Spain were at peace, with the Palatinate still unrestored, and
Cottington left Spain, that he knew so well, outwitted for the second
time by the bland procrastination of Spanish diplomacy.
{226}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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