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
'Whereupon I answered that I had never had will so to do, and
that I was too much unhappy in husbands; but he would not
believe me. And after, by two times, in presence of the
personage that ye know, he returned to say the same words,
saying more, "I know well, madame, and am sure that my fellow
shall be to you a true servant, and that he is altogether
yours, but we fear that ye shall not do in likewise, for one
shall force you to be again married; and that ye shall not be
found out of this country (_i.e._ in this country) at my
return." That which I promised to him I should not do; and for
that he desired greatly thereof to be more assured, he made me
to promise in his hand that howsoever I should be pressed of my
father, or otherwise, I should not make alliance of marriage
(with) prince of the world, at the least unto his return, or the
end of the year. The which I did willingly, for I think not to
again never to put me where I have had so much of unhappiness
and misfortune. And afterwards made his fellow to do the same,
who, as I believe and seemeth me, said of adventure, as his
master me showed again, that he should never do thing, were it
of marriage, or to take lady nor mistress, without my
commandment, but would continue all his life my right humble
servant; and that it was to him enough honour, so much honestly,
and of so good sort as was possible. And these words were said
at Tournay in my chamber one night after supper, full late. The
other time was at Lille, the day before that they should depart,
that he spake to me long at the head of a cupboard, he and his
fellow, of the departing, which was not without displeasure full
great of all persons. And again, after many devises and regrets,
he made me to reconfirm in his hand, and the same of his fellow,
the like promise aforesaid. And the said personage in my hand,
without that I required him, made me the semblable, and that for
always he should be to me true and humble servant; and I to him
promised to be to him such mistress all my life as to him who me
seemed desired to do me most of service. And upon this there was
no more words of this affair, nor hath not been since, if not
some gracious letters, the which have been (enough or I know)
evil kept.'
Further as to the words.
'And I promise you, my lord the ambassador, that this is the
truth, and I know not other thing. I cannot tell if the king,
which was "trwcheman" (interpreter), because of the love which
he beareth him, might have taken it more forward for to
interpret more his desire, but the thing is such, and truth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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