John, of Austria, 1547-1578; Spain -- History -- Philip II, 1556-1598
Moreover, Philip II did not restrict himself to making these promises
privately to D. John, or only by word of mouth; he also made them in
writing in two letters which he sent to him in Flanders. Here are the
two important documents, which should be read with the greatest
attention, because they contain the standard of D. John's loyal conduct
in that appointment.
"By another, which goes with this, you will see what I think
about the English business. In this I have desired to tell you
that the good-will I always have towards you as a brother is
such and so great that, after the service which I wish to render
to Our Lord in converting this kingdom to the Catholic religion,
I wish more than you can estimate, that this should succeed as a
way in which I can prove how much I love you; and as a sign and
proof of this, from this moment, I assure you that, the business
of this kingdom settled, it will be my delight to see you in
possession of it, marrying you to the Queen of Scotland, if she
be still alive, freeing her and setting her on her throne, which
seems to be her desire, and it will be more than due to him who
has delivered her from all this peril and placed her in freedom
and possession of her throne; even if your rank and quality were
not equal to hers, your bravery makes you well deserve each
other. And though if this happens there are some things to
settle and agree about, it seems to me useless to do so before
the time, and it suffices, at present, to tell you, as above,
what are to be the ways and conditions which seem to me best for
my service and for the welfare of our affairs and States."
The other letter of the same date, alluded to in the one above, says:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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