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FROM THE DUKE DE MEDINA DE LAS TORRES,
TO SIR RICHARD FANSHAWE.
Madrid, 27th of May, 1664.
"The Bull-feast will be on Thursday next; and by reason that your
Excellency seems desirous to be a spectator incognito, I have taken
care to procure you a shady balcony in the first story. I have
likewise ordered a window to be secured for your Excellency's retinue.
If there be anything more wherein I can serve your Excellency, I hope
you will freely command it, as I shall be always forward to serve you.
God keep your Excellency, and grant you the long life I desire."--
Ibid. p. 86.
To MR. SECRETARY BENNET.
Ballecas, 18/28 May, 1664.
The Duke of Aveiro had recovered, by final sentence, the 17th of May,
the two dukedoms of Maqueda and Najara. Maqueda he hath; for Najara he
hath not yet sued, but keeps it in the decks: then Maqueda is a great
deal better worth than I thought, valued by some at sixty thousand
ducats per annum, at forty thousand generally; and moreover his
sister, (as a domestic, who you know, of that family, tells me,) as a
consequent of the late sentence, will recover for, or towards, her
dowry, a deposited arrear of between three or four hundred thousand
ducats. She was lately, in all appearance, very near marriage with the
heir of the Conde de Oropesa; but quite broke off before this
sentence, upon point of alimony, and liberty of rewarding her own
attendants out of her own estate, in case of future dissension. I am
particular in the domestic concernments of this family when they come
in my way, though the passages relate nothing of interest of state, in
regard to that esteem or their persons, [Footnote: The following
passage occurs in Sir Richard's instructions: "You shall visit, in our
name, the Duke of Aveiro and his sister, assuring them of our
friendship and particular concernments for their persons, for the name
and royal blood of which they are descended, and promising them all
effects of it in our power, especially if the agreement between the
two Crowns give us an opportunity to have any part in the restitution
of their estates, with all other good offices, which shall happen to
be in our power."--Ibid. p. 17.] which his Majesty's instruction to me
on that behalf doth express, and knowing yourself to be particularly
an honourer of them.
Upon the 22nd current, Ascension-day at night, [Footnote: In 1664
Ascension-day fell on the NINETEENTH of May] after a play in the
palace, upon a slight occasion of snappish words, unless there were
something of old grudge or rivalship in the case, the Marquis of
Albersan, challenging Don Domingo Guzman, and he fought under the
palace, near the Marquis de Castel Rodrigo's house in the Florida,
where Don Domingo gave the Marquis that whereof he died. The next
morning they that knew the Marquis to be so near and dear to the Conde
de Castrillo as he was, and knew Don Domingo to be the Duke of St.
Lucar's son, knowing withal how well that Conde and Duke do love one
another, and how they do both divide the Spanish world between them in
power, will conclude this private accident hath an influence upon the
public; indeed so great a one, as hath seemed for some days past to
make a vacation in Court, that I may not call it an inter-reign, or
the dividing of a kingdom against itself.
For since, and upon, this accident, all seems of a light flame between
these duumviri, to so high a degree, that each crossing whatsoever the
other promotes, the most of others of quality take sides, and such as
appear neuters with the monarchy a monopoly in either of their hands;
weeping over the graves of the Conde, Duque, and Don Luis de Haro,
because they were absolute and sole favourites in their generations;
attributing to this very cause the seeming disproportion, if not
contradiction, between my reception in, and conduction from, Cadiz,
hitherto, and now my long demurrage so near the Court, for want of a
house in it, and prophesying already that this animosity and emulation
will gangrene into the substance, as well as accidents, of my embassy.
I do not here pretend to paint unto his Majesty the state of Spain,
but the populace of it; asking more time, by a great number of years,
to understand the former, though but in a competent measure, than I
hope his Majesty will give me: and if his Majesty would, God will not.
I have learned by the yet invincible ignorance of some Foreign
Ambassadors to England (an open-breasted country!--how apt they are to
mistake), who (begging the question, in the first place, of their own
personal abilities) can never be convinced that Mas vee el loco en su
casa, que el cuerdo en la agena.--Whilst I am writing, I am called to
entertain the Count de Marcin, [Footnote: John Gasper Ferdinand de
Marcin, Count de Graville, Marquis de Claremont d'Antrague, &c.,
Captain-General of the Spanish Service, was Lieutenant-General of
Charles the Second's forces by sea and land, and was elected a Knight
of the Garter in 1658.] who is upon the way from Madrid to find me out
in this obscurity, contrary to the style of Spain, but suitable to the
freedom of a soldier, and of a subject of his Majesty, as to his most
noble Sovereignty of the Garter.--Ibid. p. 90.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY DENZILL LORD HOLLES,
AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY IN THE COURT OF FRANCE.
FOR HIS MAJESTY'S SPECIAL SERVICE.
[See MEMOIRS, pp. 170, 171]
Madrid, June 10/20, 1664.
MY LORD,
After a long progress from Cadiz to Ballecas, a village one league
distant from this Court, and almost as long a parenthesis there--which
the French Court will say was no elegant piece of oratory, nor the
middle at all proportionable to the beginning with me, whatever the
end may prove--upon the 8th instant I arrived happily at my journey's
end howsoever; where, as speedily then as myself could possibly in any
measure be ready for it, namely, upon the 18th, both stilo loci, I
received my public audience of entrada at the King's palace, in the
same form, neither more or less, as my predecessors have ever done;
and only two days having since intervened, as by the account doth
appear, within two or three more from the date of this, the King
removing to-day unto the Buen Retiro, I do expect my first private
audience.
Being thus fixed, after long running, in the centre of my negotiation,
I do presume to beg from your Excellency, and hereby to begin on my
part, a mutual correspondence; first in order to the service of our
Royal master, whereunto we are both obliged in common; secondly, to
that of your Excellency, whereunto myself in particular.
To begin with what concerns my embassy, being so much a fresh man as
your Excellency sees I am in this Court, visible it is by what
proceeds, I can as yet have nothing to descant or touch upon, but
matter of ceremony only from and towards me, divisible into two
considerations; the first, in reference to the past, of which I have
already said the same hath been, as from, and to, other Ambassadors,
in all this and all other ages; the second, in reference to the
present concurring Ambassadors, and other public ministers of this
Court; and now upon this branch I shall, with your Excellency's
patience, if I may presume so much, dilate myself so far as to the
heads only of what hath past, in fact, as followeth.
I need not tell your Excellency, because it differs not from the
custom of all or most Courts, until abuses thereof enforced an
alteration in some, that in this, always heretofore, Ambassadors and
other Foreign Ministers upon the place, did send their families to
accompany new comers to their first public audience, and this went
round. Therefore, accordingly, I was now, in my turn, to expect this
function towards me, as I did. The Master of the Ceremonies thereupon,
who is a man new in his place, advertised me in writing, that this,
since Henry the Eighth's time, was never practised to, nor by,
Ambassadors of England. Finding this matter of fact utterly mistaken,
I replied. Soon after he brought me a message from the King, that I
should not expect this ceremony; but still upon the same misgrounded
supposition, therefore unto this likewise I replied. Finally, his
Majesty, having weighed my last reply, by the Secretary of State for
the North, Don Blasco de Loyola, coming to my house the evening before
my audience, signified to me, that for certain reasons, whatsoever was
heretofore in practice of that kind, it must thenceforward be no more,
from or towards English, or any Ambassador whatsoever in this Court,
the which being his Majesty's own order, in his own kingdom, and
equally indifferent to all, my answer to the Secretary was--That for
the present I saw no further cause of reply, but would and did submit
thereunto.
The like signification was at the same time sent to all other
Ambassadors and Foreign Ministers here that they would not send, the
which, in compliance therewith, they forbear, all but the French, who
upon the very morning, the hour of my audience approaching, sent four
of his gentlemen, with one of his coaches, to accompany me. The
Marquis de Malpica, mayor-domo of the week, and Captain of the German
guard, in behalf of the Marquis of Salinas, proprietor thereof,
happening to be my conductor, with his guard, did a little expostulate
with those gentlemen, why they came contrary to his Majesty's order;
who replied, their Lord did receive no orders but from his own master,
who had sent him very strict ones to perform, I think he said this
office in particular, at least, in general, all offices of amity to
the Ambassador of the King of England, his Christian Majesty's most
dear brother and ally. In fine, accompany me they did, and very
civilly comported themselves, both unto the palace, which was
customary, but now forbid, and home again, which was never done
before, by the family of any Ambassador, to any other whatsoever in
this Court. They did insist that their Ambassador's coach should
precede my second coach, which was not denied them, being a civil
expedient practised in all or most other courts; the ordinary style of
this, and practised, by these individual French themselves towards
public ministers of the lowest rank, as they avowed to me the same
morning, in the presence both of the Marquis and the Master of
Ceremonies, and expressly a majori, that whenever I should send in the
like case to accompany a new comer from France, the same measure would
never be scrupled towards me.
For this obliging piece of gallantry to the King of England's
Ambassador, endeared by the singularity, by the opposition of the
Spanish Court, and by the supererogation of his followers extending it
in part beyond the example of others, when the same was in custom, I
wrote my thanks yesterday unto his Excellency, who answered, that if
he had not had the orders of the King his master to pay me the
respects he did, it would have sufficed for obliging him thereunto, to
know that the King of England's Mother is his Master's Aunt. My Lord,
there are in this Court, who seem of opinion, that this excess of
courtesy from the French Ambassador, is not sound within, looking one
way and rowing another; which, say they, will shortly appear. For my
own part, I am quite of another mind; and hitherto I am sure, in
farther demonstrations of kindness and civility, he followeth suit
with the forwardest, if in that he was the single unfollowed
precedent. I am, my Lord, your Excellency's most faithful, and ever
most obedient Servant, RICHARD FANSHAWE.--Ibid. p. 106.
To MR. SECRETARY BENNET.
[See MEMOIRS, p. 171 and p. 175.]
Madrid, Wednesday, the 15th June, 1664, English Style.
"I write this, being just now returned from my first private audience
of his Catholic Majesty, which was given me in the Buen Retiro, and
therein did deliver myself in the sense of my instructions and
directions; not in many words, because the King's weak state of body
will not allow it; but with much plainness and humble freedom,
concerning the languishing and desperate condition in which the peace
and commerce between the Crowns and nations have long lain gasping,
and expecting an utter dissolution, by frequent violations of articles
in several manners."--Ibid, p. 113.
Madrid, Wednesday, 25th June, 1664.
In the first place, having procured his Catholic Majesty to be
prepared to expect it, I delivered myself in English, and in the
express words of my instructions, only changing the person, as
followeth, viz.
'The most Serene King of Great Britain, my Master, hath charged me,
after kissing your Majesty's feet with due reverence, to represent
unto your Catholic Majesty, that some unhappy accidents intervening,
have occasioned his not performing this part towards your Majesty
sooner, in return of those congratulatory embassies which your most
Serene Majesty sent unto him immediately upon his late happy
restoration to his kingdoms. His most Serene Majesty commanded me to
add farther, that neither those accidents, nor any other, of what
nature soever, have been, or can be able, to lessen his esteem of your
royal person and friendship, or the obligations he had to your most
Serene Majesty in the time of his adversity; and that therefore your
Majesty may assure yourself, that his Majesty will be ready in all
times to make proportionable returns.'
With this, and the delivering to his Catholic Majesty, first my Latin
credential, then the respects of the whole Royal Family of England, in
general words, and particularly a letter from his Royal Highness;
also, his Majesty's leave first asked, presenting my comrades one
after another to do their obeisance, I made my retreat in the
accustomed manner.
The like respectively, immediately after, in the Queen's side, to her
Majesty, unto whom I presented his Majesty's letter, and afterwards
two others from their Royal Highnesses; then a compliment to the
Empress, so treated as to title, but ranked as to place, because not
yet espoused beneath the Queen her mother, and would have been also,
(had his Highness been there present, as was intended, but that it
proved either his sleeping or eating hour,) beneath her brother the
Prince; all which seemed very graciously accepted; and here no English
at all was spoken. Lastly, a dumb show of salute, as you know the
custom to be, after the Queen and Empress, to every particular dame;
and in the close of this ceremony, as well towards their Majesties as
the ladies, my comrades had all of them leave to follow me.
The evening, and near that time it was before we had gotten home and
eaten our breakfast, was wholly spent by me in expected visits to the
Duke of Medina de las Torres, and the rest of the Council, the
President of Castile (quatenus such) only excepted by me, as likewise
by all other Ambassadors of the first class used to be. This is the
reason why, for haste, having only a piece of the night for my own
before the post departs, I write to you bare matter of fact in this
misshapen way hitherto; and in another point, perhaps of more import
in the consequence than all the rest, I must be forced, for the same
reason, to go yet less, only touching thereupon very briefly for the
present.
You well know a custom of this Court, and I believe of most others
likewise, till abuses thereof enforced an alteration in some, that
Ambassadors and other Foreign Ministers upon the place, send their
families to accompany any new comers to their first public audience;
and this went round, Accordingly, I was now to expect this function
towards me, as I did.
[Sir Richard then repeats precisely what he stated in his Letter to
Lord Holles.--See pages 254, 255]
So that hitherto, as to this action, they can have nothing to boast
of, but an excess of civility towards the crown of England, or the
person of our Royal Master. In return whereunto, his Majesty, in my
humble opinion, will think fit to command me, or whosoever shall
succeed me, to perform the same office towards the successor of this
French Ambassador. As to both points, which make it worthy of peculiar
estimation, that is to say, with an exception in this one particular
only, though his Catholic Majesty should continue his present general
rule to the contrary; and although also, even whilst his compliment
was generally practised, it was not by any extended so far as to
accompany any Ambassador back to his house; and this the rather, if it
shall be found that the French Ambassador, conforming hereafter to the
general rule, as to all others, shall have made the English Ambassador
his single exception in the case. The experiment will now soon be
made, a new Venetian Ambassador being daily expected here; though
possibly he may not have his audience so very soon after, but that, in
the interim, I may, upon this clear, though brief, stating of all
actions and circumstances to me, as yet appear above ground in this
matter, receive his Majesty's particular directions and cautions how
to carry myself in all events, the which I am exceedingly desirous of;
and, in default thereof, will, with all fidelity, proceed and work
according to the best of my understanding.
If it be not already clear enough from the premises, you may be
pleased to take notice, that no one stranger went with me but those
French in the Ambassador's coach, which, without any least dispute
whatsoever, did give place to my principal coach, as mine did to that
which brought the Marquis, being the King's proper coach, a thing not
formerly usual upon these occasions.--Ibid. p. 117.
SIR RICHARD FANSHAWE TO THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR.
I humbly thank your Excellency for the civility you showed to the
King my Master, and the honour you did me, in sending your coach and
domestics to accompany my entry; and whereof I retain so lively a
sense, that I am just going to acquaint my Master with it, not
doubting in the least but it will meet with that esteem from him which
your Excellency so highly deserves. My instructions, indeed, were to
observe a more than ordinary intimacy and amity with your Excellency
at this Court, which I shall always continue to do, and whereby I
imagine we may not a little contribute towards the good and welfare of
both kingdoms. I kiss your Excellency's hands, and wish you a long and
prosperous life, being, My Lord,
Your Excellency's most obliged and most humble servant,
RICHARD FANSHAWE.--Ibid. p. 123.
To MR. SECRETARY BENNET.
Madrid, 2 July, 1664, Stilo Loci.
The herewith enclosed papers do contain my complaint of a studied
neglect put by a Venetian Ambassador, whom I found in this Court ready
to depart the same within a short time, upon the Ambassador of the
King of England, in not giving me a visit either of welcome or
farewell, as the custom of this and all other Courts do require in the
like case; the which I have thought it my precise duty to represent to
the King our Master, as knowing how highly the like neglect in the
Court of England, by a Venetian Ambassador also, with others, towards
an Ambassador, but of a Duke of Savoy, was resented; his then Majesty
himself, in his Princely judgment, condemning the omission, as will
here appear in the first place.
And lest this Venetian Ambassador should justify himself in this
towards me, as pretending to be aggrieved by me, because I am entitled
by his Catholic Majesty to the house of the Seven Chimeneas, which he
was possessed of, and endeavoured to entail the same upon his
successor, both against the decree of his Majesty and the consent of
the owner, I having both, I do likewise herewith, in the following
papers, make it clearly appear, that I did neither think of that
individual house, till it was already embargoed for me, nor pursue it
afterwards, as most men but myself would have done, being so destitute
of conveniences of dwelling as I then was, and yet am, merely out of a
respect I bear to the character of an Ambassador. So that, even in
this particular, which is all the colour he can have for excuse of not
visiting, I have just cause of a second complaint, but this second I
totally let pass.
The other being much taken notice of by this Court as a matter of a
more public nature, I humbly submit it to his Majesty's consideration,
whether, in his Royal wisdom, he may not think fit to expostulate it
with the Senate of Venice; in the mean time, his successor being
arrived, I intend to send just such a message to him as his
predecessor did to me; but have already declared, with the seeming
approbation of all, that I will never give to, nor receive a visit
from, this, or any Venetian Ambassador whatsoever, that shall be in
this Court while I remain here, unless the King my Master, being
applied to by the Republic, shall command it.--Ibid. p. 129.
To MR. SECRETARY BENNET.
Madrid, Thursday, 28th July, 1664, English Style.
You proceed expressing your gladness to hear I was housed in Madrid,
upon which, after my humble thanks for the favour, I must needs
observe the expression was very happy, if you rightly understand my
case, and happier if you understand it not. Housed I have been here,
that is, under a roof, these two months, making a shift with an upper
quarter; such a one, indeed, as the Duke of St. German contained
himself and family in; but a house I never had till this morning, then
I had delivered into my possession the Casa de las siete Chimeneas.
This house was defended, for the space of time I have mentioned,
against the King of Spain, and all his Aposentadores, [Footnote:
Aposentadores are persons belonging to the Household, whose duties
resemble those of the Harbingers in that of the Kings of England,
namely, to provide lodgings on his journies or progresses. The office
of Aposentador-Mayor is one of great honour and dignity.] by two
Venetian Ambassadors successively; the first was really leaving it
without any thought, as I am assured, of asking it for his successor;
then the Duke of Medina de las Torres, when I never dreamed of it, and
was in pursuit of another, procured it to be embargoed for me in
reversion; this the Venetian apprehends an affront to him and his
Republic; and whiles off the time of his stay here, to his great
inconvenience, in respect of the advancing heats and otherwise, till
he had got his successor up to him, marching furiously, who, contrary
to the King and Council's expectation and express decree, doth
amanecer in the Seven Chimeneas, fortifying himself there with his
privilege of Ambassador, and makes it point of reputation so to do
(patriaeq. suaeq.); in this security his predecessor leaves him about
six weeks since, not to be removed with all the King and the Duke have
been able to do, without imposition of hands, till the last night.
I dare confidently say nothing hath troubled both the Ambassadors so
much in this whole business, as that they could never draw me in to
make myself a party in the dispute; for as, at the first, I never
asked that individual house; so when promised and decreed to me, I
never insisted upon it, provided some other convenient one were found
out for me, or that I myself could find out such a one for my money,
and, effectually, about a fortnight since, did contract, under hand
and seal, with the owner, for the entire house where I am, upon
condition the Court did approve thereof; but the Duke told me, that
must not be now, how well soever it might serve my turn, for the King
would be obeyed in his own kingdom, and the Venetian should out. Upon
the whole, all circumstances which I have seen, considered, it is to
me apparent enough, that these Ambassadors of Venice, in this contest,
did nourish double ambition, either to carry the house against an
English Ambassador, or that an English Ambassador should carry it
against them; but my business throughout hath been never to come in
any competition or comparison with them.
This story I have been the longer in, because the matter thereof hath
filled this Court, and may do some others, with as much noise,
expectation, and, I do believe, secret sidings too, as it had been
some very weighty interest of princes or states.
The heats of this summer have risen here proportionable to what you
express of those in England.
"From a Letter to my Lord Holles, sent by mistake to my Lord
Ambassador Fanshawe."
Whitehall, May 26, 1664.
"It is truly observed by you, that Monsieur de Lionne doth you wrong
in not treating you with 'Excellency,' but then it is truly observed,
that that style is quite out of use in that Court, and so much, that
Frenchmen of any tolerable quality do not use it to their own
Ambassador here, or in any other Court."--Ibid. p. 141.
To MR. SECRETARY BENNET.
Madrid, Wednesday, ..th July, 1664.
"Upon Sunday the 3d, stilo novo, of July, 1664, being the day of
celebrating the Empress's birth, I attended his Majesty with the
parabien; also, in the Queen's apartment, her Majesty, the Prince, and
Empress: it was the first time I had seen the Prince."--Ibid. p. 142.
To MR. SECRETARY BENNET.
Madrid, Friday the 12th of August, 1664, N.S.
The design of the French courtesy in my public audience, even then
perceivable and perceived, is now full blown; that the King hath in
person expostulated with the Spanish Ambassador at Paris, why the King
his Master would offer, by an innovation in the Spanish Court at that
time, to bereave him, the said French King, of an opportunity of
vindicating his just precedence of the King of England, and in
pursuance thereof hath since sent letters to his Court to the same
effect, and to demand restitution of the former custom in first
entrances of Ambassadors from such others as they found here, which
demand this French Ambassador hath done and doth manage to that degree
of heat, with and in this Court, as, amongst other expressions, to
have plainly threatened, that if he were not satisfied in this point,
he would himself dispute the precedency with the Ambassador of the
Emperor, I cannot say with the Pope's Nuncio too, because that hath
not been told me, but the sequence is as if it had been so; for of
certain, both the Emperor's Ambassador and Pope's Nuncio, and more, if
not all, have addressed themselves to his Catholic Majesty, either by
word of mouth or memorial, or both, (the which I do rather believe,)
that since the French Ambassador did assume that liberty and privilege
to himself, as to send his coach and family to the English Ambassador,
contrary to the new order, it might be free for them to do the like to
all other hereafter. All these particulars I have had from the Duke de
Medina de las Torres; with this farther, that the French King enforced
his said demand with many presents; the Duke told me the matter is sub
judice, and not determined; therefore, yesterday, having obtained
audience, I presented to his Catholic Majesty, according to my late
intimation to your Honour, the herewith enclosed protest, or not
protest, as this or any other Court shall understand it, or rather as
the King our Master, in his princely wisdom, shall interpret or
command me to interpret the same, whose royal directions in the case,
long since to be foreseen, I shall now by every post expect, for my
better light, in case of revival of the former custom, which, by the
packing of the cards, I conceive to be most probable; keeping myself
in the interim that they come not upon my guard, the best I may.
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