The life and times of George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, Volume 2 (of 3): From original and authentic sourcesThomson, A. T., Mrs.
History
The life and times of George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, Volume 2 (of 3): From original and authentic sources
Thomson, A. T., Mrs.
Buckingham, George Villiers, Duke of, 1592-1628
Notwithstanding this remonstrance, James continued to give audience to
the Spanish ambassadors, though sometimes disputes ran high, and loud
expostulations were addressed even to his Majesty by Inojosa; at other
times, the Pope’s envoy, the Jesuit Maestro, was admitted whilst
Buckingham was at Newhall, and jealousies were thus fomented.[125] The
Duke was about this time ill of fever and jaundice; and reports were
spread of his having had something given to him in Spain that was
undermining his health; he was, in short, harassed by debts, harassed by
the Spanish treaty, and doubted by the King. Superstitious fears never
seemed to have had much hold on him; yet in James’s time, wiser men than
Buckingham (not to specify the King himself) were agitated by omens and
prophecies. In the spring of this eventful year, one Gamaliel Gruys had
prophesied that two great cedars would fall in England; these were, he
said, the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Keeper. An hour after this
prophecy was spoken, news arrived of the death of the Duke of Lennox.
The augury, therefore, might be thought to refer to him. This idle
speech was deemed worthy of investigation;[126] and the prognostic was
judged by many to have had special reference to the events which time
too surely disclosed. Nevertheless, in proportion as the favour of the
Monarch declined, that of the people seemed to be restored to the Duke.
Footnote 125:
Nichols, 970.
Footnote 126:
State Papers, vol. clix., Nos. 45, 46.
The King, at this epoch, must have had some difficulties in arranging
his different audiences. The ambassadors from the States, and those from
Spain, were obliged to be conducted by different ways to the presence
chamber, that they might not meet, and the very chamber and bed which
had been prepared for the reception of the Infanta at St. James’s, were
allotted to Count Mansfeld, the ambassador from the Protestant party in
Germany, who, notwithstanding a protest from the Spanish ambassador, was
graciously received, and royally entertained by the King.[127] James
found it impossible long to resist the influence of his favourite, and
accordingly the Duke soon perceived that he was again welcome at court;
and a complete triumph was gained. Thus dishonourably and discourteously
ended the famous treaty with Spain, for the accomplishment of which
James had risked the best interests in Europe, and of his own family,
and upon which so much time, trouble, and money had been expended. The
voice of the people certainly called for the result.
Footnote 127:
Nichols, 790.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account