Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Floating text 7 – Letter 23
JACOBUS D…i gratia magnae Britannis, &c. Rex, …ides defensor, &c. Omnibus ad quos hoc praes…n… scriptum per…encrit salutem. In quantum inter mult… … q…c in tract… de Matrimonio, inter Charissimuns Filium Nostrum Carolum Wal…ae Principem, & Serenissima… D… minam Donnam Matiam, Screnissi… Prin…pis & per-d…l…ct… sratris nostri Phillippi quarti Regis H…spaniarum Sororem contin…ntur, conventum est, quod Nos juramento N…stro approbar…mus, r…t…sque …aceremus Articulos infra ad verbum expressos.
1. Quod nulla lex particularis contr… Catholicos Romanos lat…. sub qua alij Regn…rum Nostrorum Vassalli non compraehenduntur, & ad cujus observationem omnes ge…ralit…r non …bligantur▪ ne…non leges gen…ral…s sub quibus omnes ex aequo compraehenduntur, modo ejusmodi sint quae Religioni Romanae repugnent, …llo unquam tempore …llo omnino modo, aut casi… directè, vel indirectè, quoad dictos Catholicos Romanos ex…cutioni mandabitur; & essiciemus ut Consiliarij nostri idem praestent juramentum, quantum ad illos perti…et, & … ad exe…utionem quae per manus eorum & ministrorum s…orum solet exerceri.
2. Quod nullae aliae leges imposterum de integro f…rentur contra dictos Catholicos R…m…no▪ sed tolerat…o perpetua exercij Rel…gio…s Catholicae Rom…n… inter privatos p…rictes per …mnia nostra Regna & Dom…n… quod int…lligi volum…s tam in Regnis nostris Scotiae & Hibe…ae quam in Anglia, ijs concedetur modo & …orma prout c…pitulatum, declaratum & concessum est in Articulis tractatus de Matrimonio.
3. Quod n… per Nos, nec per al…am ullam interp…sitam personam direct… vel indire… privatim vel publicè rem ullam cum S…r…uissima Domina I…f…nta Donna Ma…ia tractabimus, quae repugnet Religioni Catholicae Romanae: illique nequaquam p…s…d…bimus, ut in substanti… vel form… …idem unquam renunciet, aut delinquat, aut ut agat aliquid ijs quae continentur in trac…atu de Matrimonio rep…gnans a…t contrarium.
4. Quod authori…atem Nostram interpone…us, f…ciemusque quantum in Nobis erit, Parliamentum omnes & singulo A… ticulos ra…one hujus Matrimo…ij in …vorem Catholicorum Romanorum inter Serenissi…os Reges capitulatos approbet, con…i… met, ratosque …aciat, & ut dictum Parliamentum revocet abrogetque leges particul…res contra dictos Catholicos Romanos latas, ad …ujus observationem reliqui item subditi, & vess…lli non obligantur, n…cnon leges etiam generales, sub quibus omnes ex aequo compraebenduntur, nimium quoad Catholicos Romanos, modo ejusmodi sint, uti dictum est, quae Religioni Cathocae Romanae repugnent, & quod imposterum non consent…emus ut dictum Parliamentum ul…o u…quam tempore alias de integro contra Catholicos Romanos sanciat aut conscribat,
Nos omnia & singula capitula praecedentia rata & grat… habentes▪ ex certa s…ientia Nostra quate…is Nos, Haeredes vel Success…res nostros concernunt approb…mus, ratifie amus, landamus, & inviolabiliter, sirmiter, bene, & fideluer tenere, observare, & perimplere, tenerique, observari & perimpleri facere cum effectu, bona …ide, & verbo Regio promittimus per praescntes, omni exceptione, seu …ontradictione cessante, cademque sacris Evangeliis per Nos tactis …irm…mus, non obstantibus quibuscunque▪ opinio…bu…, sententiis, au… legibus in contrarium: in praesentia illustrissimorum Dominorum D. Jonnis de Mendoza Marchionis de Inoiosa & D. Caroli Coloma Regis Catholici Legatorum extraordinariorum, Georgij Calvert Militis, unius Secretariorum nostrorum …rim…riorum, Edwardi Conway Militis alterius Secretariorum nostrorum primariorum, Francisci Cottington Baronetti, Filio nostro Principi a Secretis, Francisci de Carondelet prothonotarii Apostolici & Archidiaconi Cameracensi. Dat in Palatio nostro Westmonasteriensi 20. die Julij, Anno Domini millessimo sex centessimo vigessimotertio, stilo Angliae.
Copi… collata & vera. Jacobus Rex.
JAMES by the grace of God of great Brittaine▪ &c. King defender of the Faith. &c. To all to whom this present Writing shall come▪ greeting. In …s much as among many other things w…ch are contained within the treaty of Marriage betweene Our most dea…e Sonne Charles Pri…ce o… Wales, and the m…st renowned …ady Donna M…r…a. Sister of the most re…un…d Prince and Our welbeloved …roth…r Phillip … Ki…g of Spaine; it is agreed that W… by Out Oath shall approve the Articles under expresse… to a word.
1. That part…cular lawes made against Roman …atho…iques,NOTE. under which other vassals of Our Rea…mes are not compreh…nd…d, and to whose obse…vation all generally are nor obliged▪ as likewise generall la…s under which all are equally comprize… ▪ it so …e they ar… such which are repugnant to the Romish Religion shall not at any time hereafter by any mean…s or chance whatsoever directly, or indirectly, be commanded to be …ut in execution against the said Ro…an Catholikes; & We will cause that Our Coun…ell shall take the same Oath, as farre as it pe…aines to them and belongs to the execution, which by the hands of them and their Ministe…s is to to be exercised.
2. That no other lawes shall hereafterNOTE. be made anew against the said Roman Catholiques, but that there shall be a perpetuall toleration of the Roman Catholique Religion within private houses throughout all Our Realmes and Dominions, which We will have to be understood, as well of Our Kingdome of Scotland and Ireland, as in England, which shall be granted to them in manner and forme as is capitulated, decreed and granted in the Articles of the Treaty concerning the Marriage.
3. That neither by Us… nor by any otherNOTE. interposed person whatsoever, directly or indirectly, privately or publiquely, will We treat (or attempt) any thing with the most Renouned Lady Infanta Donna Maria, which shall be repugnant to the Romish Catholique Religion▪ neither will We by any meanes perswade her that shee should ever renounce or relinquish the same in substance or forme, or that she should doe any thing repugnant or contrary to those things which are containe… in the treaty of Matrimony.
4. That We will interpose O…r authority and will do as much as in VsUs …all lye,NOTE. that the Parliament shall approve confirm and ratisie all and singular Articles in favour of the Roman C…tholiques capi…ulated between the most renowned Kings, by reason of this Marriage; and that the said Parliament shall revoke and abrogate the particular lawes made against the said Roman Catholikes to whose observance also the rest of Our Subjects & Vassals are not obliged; as likewise the general lawes under which all are equally comprehended, to wit, as to the Roman Catholiques, if they be such as is aforesaid which are repugnant to the Roman Catholique Religion: and that hereafter We will not consent, that the said Parliament should ever at any time enact or write any other new lawes against Roman Catholiqu…s.
We accounting all and singular the preceeding Articles, ratified and accepted▪ out of Our certaine knowledge▪ as …rre as they concerne VsUs, Our Heires or Successors, approve, ratifie, applaud, and promise bona fide, and in the word of a King by these presents, inviolably, firmly, well and faithfully to keep, observe, and fulfill the same, and to cause them to be kept, observed and fulfilled without any exception or contradiction, and doe confirme the same by Oath upon the holy Evangelists, notwithstanding any opinions, sentences or lawes whatsoever to the contrary; in the presence of the most illustrious Don Iohn de Mendoza, Marquesse of Inojosa, and Don Charles Coloma, Extraordinary Ambassadours of the Catholique King of George Calvert Kt. one of Our chiefe Secretaries, of Edward Conway Knight, a…other of Our chiefe Secretaries, of Francis Cottington Baronet, of the Privy Counsell to Our Sonne the Prince, of Francis de Corondelet, Apostolicall (or the Popes) Protho…tory, and Arch-deacon of Cambray.
Dated at Our Pallace at Westminster the …0. day of July, An. Dom. 1623. in the English stile. Iacobus Rex. A compared and true Copy. George Calvert, then chiefe Secretary.
The forme of the Oath which the Lords of the Counsell tooke to the former Articles … this which followeth, (found among the Lord Cottingtons papers.)
Formula Juramenti a Consiliarijs Praestandi.
FGO…N jur… me debite pleneque observ…m, qu…ntum ad me spect…t, … Carolum, Walliae …, et serenissim…m Domin un Donnam Mariam Hispaniarum …. Iuro etiam quod neque per me, nec per Minis… aliquem inferiorem mihi …, lege … contra ….
These things thus acted in England by the King. I shall next informe you what was acted in Spaine by the Prince,bMercu…e francois Tom. 9. An. 1624. p. 8. 9. Pope Gregory the 15. before his death and granting of the Dispen…ation, had obliged and charged the conscience of his Catholique Majesty, to see the execution and accomplishment of all the conditions required by his Holinesse in favour of the Catholiques of England, Ireland and Scotland, cPopes know how to make good …argaines.fo… the Di…pensation to which he had assented: His Majesty hereupon called an Assembly of Divines to consult with, what he ought to doe fot the discharge of his conscience in this regard. Their resolution was, First, that the Prince of … promise upon his Oath for to performe the conditions, … should doe the like. Secondly, that the promis▪ … should be presently made betweene the Prince of Wales and the most …; but that the consummation of the Marriage and delivery of the … …ould not … all be execu…ed untill the month of May in the following yeere 1624. to the end that they might experimentally see during this time, if the fore said conditions required by his Holinesse should be faithfully accomplished. This last condition seemed very rigorous to the Prince, but the King of Spaine promised him to procure that the time should be abridged. As to the first, the Prince of Wales tooke an Oath to his Majesty to observe the foresaid conditions, and signed them with his hand: and he likewise swore and signed this by way of overplus,NOTE. To permit at all times, that any should freely propose to him the arguments of the Catholike Religion without giving any impediment; and that he would never directly nor indirectly permit any to speake to the Infanta against the same. A very strange, dishonourable, ensnaring Oath, exposing the Prince to all seducements and seducers from our Religion without the least impeachment on the one hand; and debarring his Highnesse and all others▪ so much as once to open their lips to speake against Popery, or to attempt the conversion of t…e Infanta to our Religion on the other hand.
These later strange Articles in favour of the Roman Catholiques (originally contrived by the Pope himselfe and his Cardinals) being thus sworn & signed by the King and Prince gave great distaste to those of the Protestant party in England who had notice of them; wherupon King Iames soon after perceiving the Spaniards jugling with him▪ and that this Match notwithstanding all the former Articles sworne and sealed, might receive a rupture (though at first he was so confident of it, that he said openly in Court; dThe V… cal… forrest, p. 126. 127.That now al the devils in hel could not hinder the Match) therupon made this Protestation (sent to Salisbury) by way of explanation of the latter Articles (found among Secretary Windebanks and Cottingtons papers) sufficiently ma…ifesting the verity of the said Articles▪ printed long since, Cum Privilegio, in the French Mercury (one of the truest Histories in this latter age, how ever the Author ofePag. 34. 44, 45. A Royall Vindication, in answer to the Royall Popish Favourite▪ lights it as most false, fabulous) and making a kind of Commentary on them.
Whereas his Majesty obligeth himselfe by oath, that no particular Law now in force against the Roman Catholiques▪ King Iames his Protestation.to which the rest of his Subjects generally are not liable, nor any generall Lawes which may concerne all his Subjects equally and indifferently, being such neverthelesse as are repugnant to the Roman religion, shall be executed at any time, as to the said Roman Catholiques in any …anner or case whatsoever, directly or indirectly: And that his Majesty shall cause the Lords of his Pivy Councell to take the same oath in so much as concernes them, or the execution of the Lawes afore mentioned, so far forth as the same appertaines unto them, or any officers or Ministers under them.
And whereas further his Majesty obligeth himselfe by the oath, that no other Law… shall hereafter be enacted against the said Roman Catholiques, but that a perpetuall toleration to exercise the Roman Catholique Religion within their private houses shall be allowed unto them; throughout all his Majesties Kingdomes and Dominion…;NOTE. that is to say, as well within his Kingdomes of Scotland and Ireland as of England, in manner and forme as is capi…ulated, declared, and granted in the Articles concerning the Marriage.
His Majesty intendeth really and effectually to performe what he hath promised touching suspention of Lawes against his Roman Catholique Subjects, but with this protestation: That if they shall insolently abuse this his Majesties high grace and favour to the danger of imbroyling his State and government, the safety of the Common-wealth is in this case suprema Lex, and his Majesty must notwithstanding his said oath, proceed against the offenders, yet so, as that before he doe it, the King of Spain… and all the world shall see he hath just cause.
And whereas also his Majesty obligeth himselfe by the like oath, that he will use his power and authority, and procure as much as in him lyes, that the Parliament shall approve, confirme, and ratifie all and singular the Articles agreed upon betwixt the two Kings in favour of the Roman Catholiques, by reason of this Match, and that the said Parliament shall revoke and abrogate all particular lawes made against the said Catholiques, whereunto the rest of his Majesties Subjects are not liable. As also all other generall lawes, as to the said Roman Catholiques, which concerne them, together with the rest of his Majesties Subjects, and be repugnant to the Roman Catholique Religion: and that hereafter his Majesty shall not give his royall assent at any time unto any new lawes that shall be made against the said Roman Catholiques. His Majesty hath ever protested and doth protest, that it is an impossibity which is required at his hands,NOTE. and that he may safely and well sweare it, for he is sure that he is never able to doe it.
And last of all, his Majesty protesteth, that this which he now undertakes to doe and is sworne, is meerly in respect and favour of the Marriage intended betwixt his Sonne and the Infanta, and unlesse the same doe proceed, he doth hold himselfe, and so declareth by this Protestation, acquitted and discharged in conscience of every part of his Oath now taken, and that he is at full liberty to deale with his Roman Catholique Subjects, according to his owne naturall lenity and clemency, and as their dutifull loyalty and behaviour towards his Majesty shall deserve.
These Articles being thus sealed and sworne eMercure Francois, An. 1624. pag. 29, 30.Don Carlos Coloma the Spanish Ambassadour laid the first stone for a Chappell which was to be built for the Infanta at the Princes Pallace at Saint James, which building was advanced with all expedition, to the great regreet of many Protestants, and to the contentment of most Roman Catholiques, to see a Catholique Church built in the Metropoliticall City of the Realme by publike authority, after one hundred yeeres space, during which, they did nothing else but destroy such Churches. All Catholiques that were Prisoners throughout England, Ireland and Scotland were released, all Pursevants and Informers established to search for, apprehend, and prosecute the Catholiques, were prohibited to attempt any thing against them: They had all free ingresse into, and egresse out of the Realme without taking the Oath of Supremacy, having onelyonly a passe-port: They resorted freely to heare Masse at the Spanish Ambassadours Chappell in so great number, and so publikely that they were sometimes two or three thousand persons, so the French Mercury truly records. Besides, the Papists grew so insolent, that they had open Masses and Sermons in divers private houses about London and elswhere. Among others their fSee M. Gee his foot out of the Snare.meeting at Black-fryers in a large chamber at a Sermon on the fifth of their November is most remarkable, where Drury the Priest that preached, and neeere an hundred Roman Catholiques were slaine and smothered with the fall of the floore of the chamber (which they over-burthened with the multitude of people) and many sore hurt and bruised, to their great astonishment.
gMercure Francois, ibid. p. 30, 31.The Marriage was now thought to be compleated; the greatest enemies of this alliance submitted themselves to the Kings will▪ you could see nothing but the picture of the Infanta within mens houses and in the streets. A Fleet was prepared to goe to attend the Prince and Infanta at the Port of Saint Andrew in Biscay: His Majesty had also assigned the Dower of his faire future Daughter, and had sent to the Marquesse of Buckingham the title of Duke of Buckingham; and to the Duke of Lenox, the title of the Duke of Richmont. In fine, all seemed to be done in England, but things went as slow as Le…d at Rome and in Spaine.
But here comes in the new hPag. 43, 44anti-dated Loyall Vindication of the King, and demands this silly question by way of objection; If King James and the Prince had really condescended ane sworne both to the generall Articles of the Marriage (being such as the Pope with his Cardinals of the Conclave had approved) and likewise to those private Articles (being so infinitely advantagious and for the weale of the Roman Catholike Religion) how could the match (being fully concluded on all parts) be broken off?
Had this Objector well remembred that of the Poet; Multa cadunt inter calicem Supremaque labra: he would never have demanded so frivolous a question, to evade such a palpable matter of fact▪ as the sealing and swearing of these Articles, so publikely knowne in the Courts of England and Spa…ne. But to give him a full answer, as the Spaniard never really intended this match; but to worke his owne mischievous designes by confirming …nd protracting the treaty about it, …o …e tooke this occa…ion to interrupt it:
*Mercure Francois, p. 539.Pope Gregory the 15. soone after the dispensation granted, departed this life, which the Spaniards promised should be no remora to the match, as is evident by this letter of the Earle of Bristoll to Mr. Francis Cottington▪ then Secretary to the Prince.
GOOD Mr: Secretary, yesterday Master Clerke went from he…ce, but I wrote not by him, neither have I now much to tell you: Especially …or that I am in doubt whether these letters will finde you in England or not▪ Yesterday we had the …wes of the Popes death, but this King out of his ow…e mouth, and the Co…de de Olivares, and the Nuntio do assure the Prince, that this accident will neither mak… alteration, …or delay in his …usines, they being all of Opinion that it will be dispatched by the Dean of the Cardinalls & the Conclave. The Insanta is now by all the Court▪ and by this Kings approbation called la Princessa d… Inglaterra, and she m…kes not nice to take it upon he…. She now commeth Pu…liquely to th… Commody, and …teth by the Queene▪ and I am told, that as soone as two papers, which are already drawne, are signed by the King and Prince, they will giuegive her the right hand of the Queene, com a knefreda, which I conceive the Prince will not be displeased withall, for by that meanes it will …all out that the Prince and his Mistresse will ever sit together. This day Don Fernando de Giron invited my Lord Duke, my selfe and Sir Walter Ashton to di…ner, where we were accompanied by Don Augustin …exa, the Marquesse of Montes Cla…os, and the Conde de Gund…mar, and conceive we shall againe fall to good …ell…wship. You have heard that the Marquesse of Montesclaros, is made President … Hasi…nda, the other in the …unta began to speake invectively, and against the match, thereupon the King the same night discharged him of that place, and bestowed it upon Montesclaros
For …ine owne particular, I protest unto you the rate that I am forced to live at is such, and the necessity of those preparations, that I must make at the disposorios, for that our Nationbeginneth to loose much reputation for the …anner they l…ve in without Liveries or Coaches, or …orses, so that I am …orced to bolner por la honra, de la nation, and will make the best Lyvery in Spaine, and if his Majesty take not consideration of me I am undone. I l…ave all to the negociation, and if you settle not somewhat for me, I will dispaire of any good.
I hope we shall shortly see you, for I never longed more for any thing. God blesse yo… and send you as much happinesse as I wish unto you, and so I rest.
Ma…: Saint Iames … day, S…ilo Novo 1623. Your faithfull friend to s…rve you BRISTOLL.
Yet notwithstanding the Spanish Machiavils to puzzle the busines pretended that the dispensation,The vocall Forest p. 126. 127. Mercure Francois An. 1623. p. 539. An. 1624. p. 8. 9. 30. 31. 32. to 39. which the Pops Nuntio had in his hands at Madrid was suspended by the Popes death; and that there was a necessity to attend the election of a new Pope, who ought to ratify it. Moreover the Spanish Divins firmly insisted, that the espousals & consummation of the mariage ought to be deferred till the following yeare, proposing so many dificulties, that it was impossible for his Highnesse to condiscend unto them. Besides the King of Spaine demanded certaine Ports and Fortresses in England …or further security of performing those Articles, then what was formerly given, which seemed very unreasonable. Further; the extraordinary Embassadors of the Emperor and of the King of Poland proffered a marriage with the Infanta for the sonnes of their Masters, which gave some retarding to this affaire. The Conde of Olivares (the grand favorite of Spaine) and the Duke of Buckingham (I need not mention the occasion so well knowne, embraceing Nubem pro Iunone) entered into ill intelligence one with another: The Prote…tant party and Parliament in England, disliking the match, opposed it all they could here; and some of the Princesfollowers, who were Zealous Protestants, did the like in Spaine: Sir Edmond Vernie struck an English Sorbon Doctor, called Maillard, a blow under the eare, …or visiting one of the Princes Pages, sicke of a mortall …eaver whereof he died, and labouring to pervert him: which gave great offence, insomuch that they had much adoe to keepe him out of the Spanish Inquisition: Other of the English derided and mocked the Catholique Ceremonies and fashions of the Spaniard; which much retarded the businesse, and helped forward to dissolve the match; Besides, the Secretary of the Prince Palatine a…iving at Madrid under pretence of praying the Duke to be Godfather to one of his Highnesse Children, laboured to ingage the Duke (disgusted▪ …ormerly by Olivares) against the mariage, to promote the Palatines affaires. In fine, the Prince himselfe discovers that the Spaniard really intended nothing else but to abuse and tire him out with delayes, without hopes of any successe at last; whereupon he contrived how to get himselfe fairely off and returne for England with convenient speed*Mercure F…ancois An. 1623. p. 524 to 564▪ The Spaniards pressed the Prince to espouse the Infanta presently, but to delay the consummation of the mariage and the carying of her over into England till some further time the ensuing yeare. The Prince on the contrary was advised, not to espouse her at all unlesse the mariage were presently consummated, and he might instantly transport her into England: which the Spainards not yeelding unto, King Iames dispatched two Posts one after another to the Prince to hasten his returne into England, upon just and necessary reason with which the King of Spaine and his Councell being acquainted, after some debate, condescended that the Prince should depart t…ence the ninetenth of September following upon oath first given, as well by his Catholique Majesty as by the Prince, to accomplish the mariage, and to make the espousals ten dayes after the receit of the dispensation fro… his holinesse (Vrban the 8.) elected Pope, after many divisions then new among the Cardinalls about his election, to which end the Prince made a Pro…uration to the King of Spaine▪ and Donne C…los his brother to make the espousalls accordingly, which we left in the Earle of Bristolls hands, the Copy whereof I shall here insert.