The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of AustriaTremayne, Eleanor E.
History
The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria
Tremayne, Eleanor E.
Margaret, of Austria, Regent of the Netherlands, 1480-1530; Netherlands -- History -- Charles V, 1506-1555
On Trinity Sunday, the 11th of June 1514, her niece, Isabel of
Austria, was married by proxy to Christian II., King of Denmark, who
had succeeded to his father's throne the previous year. In a long
letter to Maximilian Margaret gives an interesting account of the
wedding:--
'BRUSSELS, _the 12th of June_.
'Monseigneur,--... After the arrival of the Danish ambassadors
on Wednesday last they had their public audience on Thursday,
and visited Monsieur and Mesdames and delivered their king's
messages with many good words; they then withdrew until Friday,
when I sent the Chancellor of Brabant, the President of
Burgundy, and other deputies to call upon them.... The next day,
which was Saturday, they expressed a great desire that the
marriage should be solemnised on the following day, which was
Trinity Sunday, on which day the king their master held the
festival of his anointing and coronation. But, Monseigneur, it
was very difficult to arrange such a solemn function in so short
a time, for it could not be as honourably held as I should have
wished, but, anxious to please them and gratify their desires, I
agreed that the said ceremony should be held on Trinity Sunday,
which was yesterday, and I did my best to have everything
arranged and put in order. The parties assembled on the said day
between ten and eleven o'clock, with as much state and honour on
our side as was possible, owing to the short notice, in front of
the great hall of this house, where Monsieur de Cambray gave the
promises and performed the espousals by word of mouth, as was
right between the King of Denmark... and Madame Isabel, my
niece, whom it certainly did one good to look at. The said
promises given, they went to hear high mass in this hall; and
the ambassadors were seated according to their rank, he of Spain
beside Monseigneur, to the great content of all, but those of
England were not there because "on ne les scavoit accorder."
And when evening came, supper was served and every one sat down
in order, and after supper there were dances and tourneys until
very late, when they retired to put the bride to bed... as is
the custom amongst great princes. Thus all was very solemnly and
duly accomplished, to the great delight of the said ambassadors,
who thanked me very much at their departure; as they had
fulfilled their mission they were anxious to hasten their
return, and I believe they will guard your honour and that of
this house as much as possible....'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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