The English ministers intended to be offensive, but they were disarmed by the courtesy of Egmont, who charmed every one. In ten days the business connected with the treaty was concluded. The treaty itself was sent to Brussels to be ratified, and the dispensations from Rome, and the necessary powers from the Prince of Spain, were alone waited for that the marriage might be concluded in public or in private, whichever way would be most expeditious. The Queen cared only for the completion of the irrevocable ceremony, which would bring her husband to her side before Lent.[1]
The interval of delay was consumed in hunting-parties[2] and dinners at the palace, where the courtiers played off before the guests the passions of their eager mistress.[3] The enemies of the marriage, French and English, had no time to lose, if they intended to prevent the completion of it.
1554.Jan. 10.When the Queen's design was first publicly announced, the King of France directed No-
- ↑ The Bishop of Arras to the Ambassadors in England: Granvelle Papers, vol. iv. p. 181, &c.
- ↑ The 10th day of January the ambassadors rode unto Hampton Court, and there they had as great cheer as could be had, and hunted and killed, tag and rag, with hounds and swords.—Machyn's Diary.
- ↑ After dinner Lord William Howard entered, and, seeing the Queen pensive, whispered something to her in English; then turning to us, he asked if we knew what he had said? The Queen bade him not tell, but he paid no attention to her. He told us he had said he hoped soon to see somebody sitting there, pointing to the chair next her Majesty. The Queen blushed, and asked him how he could say so. He answered that he knew very well she liked it; whereat her Majesty laughed, and the Court laughed, &c.—Egmont and Renard to Charles V.: Rolls House MSS.
