[74]. “Life of James II.” Rev. J. S. Clarke, from original Stuart MSS. in Carlton House, 1816.
[75]. “Original Papers containing Secret History of Great Britain,” arranged by James Macpherson, 1775. Extracts from writings of James II. himself.
The Princess Mary and her train remained for some months in France, as before mentioned, and it was during the stay in Paris that Frances Stanhope, one of her ladies, was converted to Rome, and Queen Henrietta was present at her profession in the Jesuit Noviciate Church. At this time the Queen’s capricious favour seems to have veered in the direction of her second son, probably on account of his service in the French army.
During this Paris visit Sir Richard Browne, father-in-law to John Evelyn, was writing to Hyde in the month of May: “I have as yett been onely once at our Court where by misfortune I could not kisse ye hande of yr faire daughter.” They were old friends, and the friendship lasted for years.[[76]]
[76]. Evelyn’s “Correspondence.” Sir E. Hyde to Sir R. Browne, Bruges, 18th August 1656: “We expect the Duke of York here very speedily.”
Meanwhile the Duke of York, utterly weary of inglorious ease, again took up arms, though reluctantly, at this time in the Spanish army under the exiled Condé. He had received a sort of apology from Mazarin for the treaty with Cromwell, which however he frankly acknowledged to be unavoidable. It was, as has already been said, a prime object with the Protector to foment disagreements between the royal brothers, and he persuaded the Cardinal to offer James a command of troops in Italy.[[77]] Charles on this summoned his brother to Breda, and bade him take an oath of service to Spain and also dismiss his governor, Sir John Berkeley, who was secretly an agent of Cromwell. The Duke of York, however, probably resenting dictation of any kind, left Flanders hurriedly, to his brother’s great wrath; on which Hyde, justly apprehensive of a breach between the two, interfered on behalf of the younger brother, begging that at any cost he should be recalled, and Ormonde was sent after the truant. James listened to his persuasions so far as to consent to return, on condition that his household was not meddled with, and the offending Berkeley was given a peerage, it is hard to see why, being created Baron Berkeley of Stratton. On this occasion the Princess Mary went to Bruges to assist in bringing about the reconciliation between her brothers, and in the month of May the Duke of York was given the command of certain regiments newly raised, and in the succeeding month finally made up his difference with Charles. At the battle of the Dunes he displayed extraordinary valour, a quality which distinguished him throughout his career as a soldier. Condé, who might certainly be considered a judge of such matters, placed it on record that “if there was a man without fear, it was the Duke of York.”
[77]. “Charles II.” Osmund Airy.
In this campaign James had now the company of his younger brother Henry, Duke of Gloucester. In that poor boy’s short and stormy life there was indeed little space for anything to be called happiness. He, contemptuously called “Master Harry” by his gaolers, had been released by the Parliament some years previously, and having landed at Dunkirk was first sent to Lady Hyde at Antwerp, but he arrived in Paris in 1653.[[78]] He had become—he was but ten years old—terribly spoilt by bad company, but he quickly improved in his new surroundings, and later, Morley at any rate thought highly of him.[[79]] No sooner, however, had he taken up his abode with his mother than she, regardless of the dying commands of his father, set to work with all her might to win him over to the Church of Rome, fancying no doubt that with a child of Gloucester’s tender years her task would prove an easy one.
[78]. Sandford’s “Genealogical History.”
[79]. Dictionary of National Biography.