Part 7 (1/2)
[Footnote 83: The following description of the Queen is written by a Catholic hand: ”Seremissima Maria Regina quinque ac viginti circiter annorum, figura corporis parva, sed venustissima, crine c.u.m suo Rege consimili [dark chestnut] const.i.tutione corporis prima, de qua hac virtutum Epitome quod formosissima, quod in aetatis vere, quod Regina, in Aula deliciis, et voluptatibus affluente, atque etiam Religionibus dispari, nec vel lerissimam offensionem dederit.”--Archives of the See of Westminster: Status Angliae, 1635.]
[Footnote 84: The official list of the clothes, jewels, furniture, etc., which the Queen brought to England and from which the above account is taken, forms part of MS. Francais, 23,600. Among the furniture are mentioned ”trois tapis de velours” and ”deux grands tapis de Turquie.”]
[Footnote 85: Robert Herrick: ”Corinna's going a-Maying.”]
[Footnote 86: The evidence of Father Philip on this point is conclusive.
See Con to Barberini: Add. MS., 15,389, f. 196.]
[Footnote 87: He was in England at the time of Ba.s.sompierre's mission.]
[Footnote 88: Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 43.]
[Footnote 89: In a secret article of the treaty between France and England, made in 1629, it was recognized by the King of France that it was inadvisable that Henrietta should have a large French household. Aff.
Etran. Ang., t. 43.]
[Footnote 90: Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 43.]
[Footnote 91: Fontenay-Mareuil to Richelieu (apparently). ”Vos actions sont en telle veneration par tout le monde que le Roy de la Grande Bretagne anime d'un si bon exemple s'est enfin resolu de ruiner la Cabale qui estoit en sa Cour dont il estime que le Roy ni vous Monsieur ne serez pas marris puis-qu'elle avoit este fondee par M. de Chasteauneuf et sur les mesmes desseins que celle de France tres prejudiciables aux deux royaumes.... 14 April, 1633.”--Aff. Etran, Ang., t. 45.]
[Footnote 92: Richelieu thought that Mme. de Chevreuse, swayed by her love for Holland, induced Chateauneuf to act against Weston, whom Holland hoped to supplant.]
[Footnote 93: This clique was considered ”Puritan” as against the ”Protestantism” of Portland. See chap. IV.]
[Footnote 94: ”Pere Philippe qui possede la conscience de la Reyne de la Grande Bretagne est subject du roy son Mary et establi par luy de sorte qu'il est impossible d'y prendre aucune confiance pour les interests de France a laquelle il ne se tient point oblige.”--Letters of Fontenay-Mareuil, French Transcripts P.R.O.]
[Footnote 95: Her son James was born October 14th, 1633.]
[Footnote 96: ”La Reyne de la Grande Bretagne ne fait que commencer aussy a se mesler des affaires laquelle bienque son Mary layme extremement il fault de l'humeur qu'il est quelle use de grandes maniers avec luy et quelle y aille tres doucement.”--Letters of French Amba.s.sador (Senneterre). May 24th, 1635. MS. Francais, 15,993.]
[Footnote 97: ”J'ay beaucoup loue et remercie la Reyne de la Grande Bretagne de son election qui est un esprit qu'elle doive conserver a elle pour prendre plus de part dans les affaires quelle n'a fait iusques ici.”--Letter of Senneterre, February, 1636. MS. Francais, 15,993.
”Al futuro applica poco confidata tutta nel Re. Bisogna che prema piu di guadagnare li ministri dello Stato de quali pu essere Padrona volendo.”--Con to Barberini, Aug. 25, 1636. Add. MS., 15,389, f. 196.]
[Footnote 98: ”... La reyne d'Angletera qul prendra entierement Vostre party sy vous luy donnez la liberte du chevalier de Jars.”--Fontenay-Mareuil to Richelieu. Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 45.]
[Footnote 99: MS. Francais, 15,993.]
[Footnote 100: The Queen's Grand Almoner, Du Perron, was the intermediary in this matter. Windbank's name is not mentioned in Du Perron's letters, but there is little doubt he is intended. Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 46.]
[Footnote 101: Aff. Etran. Ang., t. 46]
[Footnote 102: Sir Robert Ayton]
[Footnote 103: William Habington.]
CHAPTER IV
THE QUEEN OF THE CATHOLICS
They knew not That what I motioned was of G.o.d; I knew From intimate impulse and therefore urged The Marriage on, that by occasions hence, I might begin Israel's deliverance, The work to which I was divinely called.