Little did James and Charles know that in spite of extravagant claims made by Gondomar, his influence at the Spanish court was limited, as Charles soon found upon his arrival in Madrid. Gondomar, who was adept at self promotion, could see that a successful result would be the pinnacle of his career, while for James to secure an alliance with Spain without the need for bloodshed would be seen as an outstanding success. Negotiations to bring about a marriage between Charles and the Infanta of Spain had been dragging on for a decade with scarcely any progress Charles felt that he had waited long enough and so plotted with the Duke of Buckingham to force the issue, one way or the other.Īn important figure in all this was the Spanish ambassador to London from 1613, the Lord of Gondomar, who slowly developed close friendships with both Charles and his father James I, and encouraged them to pursue the match. Cogswell ( Blessed Revolution 11) notes that 5 October did find its way into almanacs.The Charles referred to is the future King Charles I while he was still Prince of Wales, and the poem is inspired by his clandestine visit to Spain in 1623 and one of the most bizarre episodes in British history, known as the Spanish Match. His A New almanack and prognostication was published annually during the early Stuart period. ġ8 Jefferey a Neave: Jeffere Neve (or Le Neve) was an almanac writer. ġ7 John a Stowe: John Stow (d.1605), chronicler and antiquary. ġ6 those that from a ladder fall: those that are hanged (about whom many a “lamentable song” was printed). ġ5 say the masse by candle light: reference to priests and Catholics who perform mass in secret at night. The phrase is biblical (see, e.g., 1 Samuel 2.10). ġ3 exalts on high his horne: celebrates his victory or deliverance. ġ1 his brothers: presumably the London aldermen. Of the early modern English “vocabulary of celebration” ( Cressy) and were thus similar to those used at the installation of Lord Mayors of London. ġ0 not for a Mayor: the festivities for the return of Prince Charles-church bells, bonfires in the streets, drums and cannon salutes-were part ĩ disguise: Charles and Buckingham left England disguised in false beards and simple clothes as Jack and Tom Smith. Match negotiations in 1623 as the work of Puritans. The poet is dismissing criticism of James’s conduct of the Spanish Ĩ Puritans: mocking term for the godly, sober, hotter sort of Protestant. ħ so many wives at home: perhaps a (relatively friendly) dig at Buckingham’s reputation for womanizing. Ħ Dutches: Katherine (Kate) Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham. Quick links to other poems within this sectionĢ fift / Of good November: 5 November was commemorated as the anniversary of the discovery of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up King James and the Housesģ fift day of October: Prince Charles and Buckingham arrived in England from Spain on 5 October 1623. Then let him give his loyall subjects leave, leave etcīy John a Stowe, 17 and Jeffery a Neave, 18 a Neave etc. His love unto his mistress for to show, show etcĪnd have no worse luck then hee had now, now etc. God blesse our Prince, and if hee chance 65 When the sunne shines as cleare as day: day etc.Īnd turne agayne, or els ere it bee long, long etcĪnd put into a lamentable song, song, song etc Then surely hee would never hope, That either hee or els the popeĬould make here a Romish plantation, 14 etc.Īnd say that wee are blindly ledd away away etc. The jollyty of our English nation nation etc 50 I would his Majesty of Spaine were here a while to se 45Īnd every one exalts on high his horne 13 his horne etc Their minde in the mouth of their Recorder, 12 corder etc.Īnd hung downe their heades like men forlorne forlorne, etc. It is not for a Mayor, 10 or such a toye a toye, a toye etcĪnd melt away themselves for very joye, joy etcīut that it rain’d, had mett him all in order, order etc Hee went away from hence in a disguise 9 disguise etc. Give leave unto our king to bee wise be wise, be wise, etc That our prudent King was very much to blame to blame, to blame etcĪnd went about to play an after game game, game etc Perhappes you heard of it before before, before, etcĪnd I am very gladd therefore, therefore, therefore etcĪ Duke 5 hee is, a Dutches 6 is his wife, his wife, his wife etcĭoe what hee could, to last him all his lyfe? his lyfe, his lyfe etc To make us sing and drinke merrily, ly, ly, ly.Īnd will you knowe the reason why? why, why, why. “Of Prince Charles his voyage into Spayne” The poem appears to be a song, but unfortunately no evidence of tune or performance survives. A variant source gives a more accurate title for this song: “Upon Prince Charles his arrivall from Spaine.
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