The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria

Name: The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria
Author: Tremayne, Eleanor E.

Tremayne, Eleanor E.

Margaret, of Austria, Regent of the Netherlands, 1480-1530; Netherlands -- History -- Charles V, 1506-1555

In a long despatch to Juan de Lanuza, his ambassador in Flanders,
written in March, King Ferdinand says that he hears that Madame
Margaret does not approve of the mission on which Quintana (his
secretary) was sent to the emperor. Quintana was sent to find out the
emperor's wishes about concluding a truce with France for one year
between Austria, England, and Spain.... Had he believed that Madame
Margaret entertained a different opinion from that of the emperor, he
would have consulted her first. Not knowing that she would disapprove
of the treaty, and considering delay dangerous, he had sent Quintana
to the emperor, and ordered that as soon as he arrived, Luis de
Gilaberte should go to Madame Margaret, and inform her of what was
going on. As the truce is now signed according to the orders of the
emperor, it must be observed....'

'In addition to the commission to conclude a truce with France... the
emperor ordered Quintana to propose in his name to the King of France
a marriage with Madame Eleanor of Austria.... King Ferdinand says that
he is astonished to hear that Madame Margaret opposes his plans, as
he is only following her father's counsel, and thinks she must be
imperfectly informed of the true nature of this affair.... Madame
Margaret, he says, dwells on the great difference of age between the
King of France and Madame Eleanor. Lanuza is to tell her that in
marriages of great kings difference of age is never taken into
account. The King of France has no son and no heir. A son of Madame
Eleanor's would, therefore, be the heir to the throne of France. It
would be of incalculable advantage to Prince Charles if his sister's
son were King of France. Madame Margaret is mistaken if she thinks it
a disadvantage that Madame Eleanor is so thin. Thin women generally
... bear more children than stout ones. If the King of France were to
marry Madame Eleanor, Austria, France, England, and Spain would form
but one family, of which the emperor would be the head....'

'Ferdinand hopes that Margaret will not dissuade the emperor and the
King of England from ratifying the truce with France, and wishes that
the marriages (Prince Charles's and his sister Eleanor's) might be
concluded in her presence and under her guidance. He goes on to say
that Madame Margaret is a very pious and virtuous lady, and he expects
that she will act like a good Christian, and prefer peace rather than
war and bloodshed.... Should it be necessary, he must speak with
Madame Margaret's confessor in secret, and ask him to use his
influence with her....' Ferdinand ends the despatch by saying that 'he
hopes Margaret will help him to secure incalculably great advantages
to the emperor, himself, and to Prince Charles.'

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

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

In a long despatch to Juan de Lanuza, his ambassador in Flanders,
written in March, King Ferdinand says that he hears that Madame
Margaret does not approve of the mission on which Quintana (his
secretary) was sent to the emperor. Quintana was sent to find out the
emperor's wishes about concluding a truce with France for one year
between Austria, England, and Spain.... Had he believed that Madame
Margaret entertained a different opinion from that of the emperor, he
would have consulted her first. Not knowing that she would disapprove
of the treaty, and considering delay dangerous, he had sent Quintana
to the emperor, and ordered that as soon as he arrived, Luis de
Gilaberte should go to Madame Margaret, and inform her of what was
going on. As the truce is now signed according to the orders of the
emperor, it must be observed....'

'In addition to the commission to conclude a truce with France... the
emperor ordered Quintana to propose in his name to the King of France
a marriage with Madame Eleanor of Austria.... King Ferdinand says that
he is astonished to hear that Madame Margaret opposes his plans, as
he is only following her father's counsel, and thinks she must be
imperfectly informed of the true nature of this affair.... Madame
Margaret, he says, dwells on the great difference of age between the
King of France and Madame Eleanor. Lanuza is to tell her that in
marriages of great kings difference of age is never taken into
account. The King of France has no son and no heir. A son of Madame
Eleanor's would, therefore, be the heir to the throne of France. It
would be of incalculable advantage to Prince Charles if his sister's
son were King of France. Madame Margaret is mistaken if she thinks it
a disadvantage that Madame Eleanor is so thin. Thin women generally
... bear more children than stout ones. If the King of France were to
marry Madame Eleanor, Austria, France, England, and Spain would form
but one family, of which the emperor would be the head....'

'Ferdinand hopes that Margaret will not dissuade the emperor and the
King of England from ratifying the truce with France, and wishes that
the marriages (Prince Charles's and his sister Eleanor's) might be
concluded in her presence and under her guidance. He goes on to say
that Madame Margaret is a very pious and virtuous lady, and he expects
that she will act like a good Christian, and prefer peace rather than
war and bloodshed.... Should it be necessary, he must speak with
Madame Margaret's confessor in secret, and ask him to use his
influence with her....' Ferdinand ends the despatch by saying that 'he
hopes Margaret will help him to secure incalculably great advantages
to the emperor, himself, and to Prince Charles.'

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria

The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria

No reviews yet