“Pardon, your Majesty,” said the ambassador, “but the emperor will never permit that his son and heir should be exhibited before the court as a candidate for your Majesty’s hand, and perchance be rejected before the eyes of Europe. A man’s face is a token of the man, shall a portrait of the prince be sent you?”
The queen agreed, and the picture was sent. It portrayed a young man with blue eyes, yellow hair and beard, and a rather gloomy expression; but the face must have pleased the queen, for when Parliament again begged her to marry none but an Englishman, it was too late. Two days earlier she had in the presence of the Spanish ambassador taken a solemn oath that she would wed no other man than Prince Philip of Spain.
Nothing was talked of in the kingdom but the Spanish marriage.
“It is a poor business,” said one. “King Henry is but seven years dead, and his kingdom will soon be only a province of Spain.”
“Not so fast,” rejoined the other. “Spain is the richest country in Europe. I wish I had but the twentieth part of the gold that comes from the New World in one of those high-decked galleons of hers.”
“For the queen to marry Philip will bring it no nearer to us,” retorted the first.
“Why not, my friend? Will not freedom to trade help to fill our empty treasury? Spain is a strong ally. Let France and Scotland attack us, and it will be well to have a helper with ships and treasure.”
“Ships and treasure will not give us freedom,” declared the first. “Better be poor than be ruled by Spain. I’m as true a Catholic as you, but no wish have I to see the torture chamber of Spain brought into England. Philip’s own subjects detest him.”
Mary’s councilors soon ceased to oppose what she so plainly wanted, though it was whispered about that they were convinced by bribes rather than by arguments. An ambassador came from Spain to bring the engagement ring and to draw up the marriage treaty. The English people were angry and indignant, and the children played a game called “English and Spaniards.” Philip was one of the characters in this play, and there was always a pretence of hanging him. Nevertheless, the treaty was drawn up. It was agreed that no Spaniards should hold office in England. If the queen should have children, they must not be carried out of the land without the consent of the nobles, and they should inherit not only England but the lands of Holland and Flanders to which Philip was heir.
In spite of all these careful arrangements, the English became more and more enraged, and there were insurrections in various parts of the country. One was headed by the Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane’s father. Mary had supposed that if Suffolk was forgiven and his daughter allowed to live, he would be loyal from gratitude, but this was not the case. He went from one place to another, raising troops and proclaiming Lady Jane queen of the realm.