Philip of Spain, King of England by Harry Kelsey

Author:Harry Kelsey [Kelsey, Harry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Historical
ISBN: 9780857720955
Google: UhCMDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2011-11-30T01:11:52+00:00

Fig. 20 Philip in 1555, when he became King of Spain

The repeated references in diplomatic correspondence to Philip’s impending return to England make it obvious that he received similar messages from Mary and answered with promises to return quickly.18 What else he might have said is unknown, but the Venetian ambassador in London told his government, “She is constantly comforted by letters and messages from His Majesty.”19 In one case Philip sent Ruy Gómez de Silva to England and Spain on official business with these special instructions: “First of all go to England, where the Most Serene Queen, my very dear and much loved wife, resides, and give her the letter that you are carrying, written in my hand.” He told Ruy Gómez to talk to Mary about his return to England and other business, but we are left to guess about the contents of the personal letter.20

Biographers of Philip and Mary, confronted with this absence of reliable information about Mary and lacking any love letters by Philip, usually say that Mary was warm and loving, while Philip was cold and impersonal. This is probably unfair to both of them. If Philip could have returned to England for brief visits, as most critics say, it is also clear that Mary might easily have made a brief trip or two to Brussels. But each had an overwhelming sense of duty. Philip understood he should not leave the Low Countries until his sovereignty was well established and peace with France was assured. Mary had much the same feeling about her duties in England.

Even so, Philip did not live in Brussels as a recluse. He was young and popular and perhaps not as faithful as he should have been. After a period when Mary did not hear from him for several days, she learned that he had been ill. In a panic she sent her chamberlain to visit him and find out how he was. As it turned out, he had been only slightly indisposed and had recovered quickly. But a certain Madame d’Aler, who was said to be quite pretty, had caught his eye. Philip went to her house twice for weddings, followed by masked dancing. According to the Venetian ambassador, Philip was “much in love” with her. When Mary’s chamberlain returned home, he decided not to tell Mary about the parties and the romance, knowing this would only distress his queen.21

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