The history of the administration of Cardinal Ximenes, great minister of state in Spain written originally in French, by the sieur Michael Baudier of Languedoc ... and translated into English By W. Vaughan.

CAP. XV. (Book 15)

THough the Cardinal had surmounted the op∣position of the Flemmings against his Au∣thority, triumphed over the Envy of the Court, and the Threats of the greatest part of the Gran∣dees of Spain; there remained an important victory to be gained over three potent Enemies, who like a triple-headed Monster stood up against him, with a boldness he was obliged to humble, and bring to the ground: The first was Mendoza Duke of Infantado, his Capital Enemy for the Rupture of the Marriage between his Nephew and the Cardinal's Niece: This hatred was in∣flamed by the loss of a Cause at Law, whereby a Burrough of the Duke's demeans, was rejoyned to the Church of Toledo, from which it had been dismembred. And as the Syndic of the Church went to take possession of it, the Duke himself gave him the Bastonado. This Outrage offended the Cardinal at Madrid, who told many. He would teach the Duke more Reverence to Justice, make him loose his Dukedome, and undergo the punishment he deserved. The Duke was netled to the quick at these Threats, and, to declare his resentment, sent to the Cardinal one of his Atten∣dants to tell him, That he was a dissembling Monk, meanly born, and raised to the fortune he possessed by the subtlety and hypocrisies natural to his Frock. This Envoy arrives at Madrid, goes to the Cardinal, and shews him that he was a Domestick of the Dukes, received wages from

him, and ate of his bread, and therefore subject to his Commands; that he had given him one to tell him such words which peradventure would Anger him, and therefore before he spoke them, he desired his leave to do it; and that he would not impute the offenee to him: The Cardinal gave him leave to deliver his message, which he did word by word as the Duke had commanded: The Cardinal nothing moved, made Answer; My Friend, you are employed in a very foolish Embassie: Return to your Master, and I am perswaded you will find him wiser than when you left him, and repenting his follies. Which was true; for the Duke much troubled that passion had so far blinded his reason, sharply rebuked his principal Domesticks, that they had not withstood his Choler, and prevented the sending of that message to the Cardinal. Velasco Constable of Castile, who knew the inconsiderate rashness of the Duke, advised him to a Reconci∣liation with the Cardinal; returned to Madrid; and intreated the Cardinal to pardon the Duke, and impute these words to the blindness of pas∣sion, and not esteem them the sense of his mind. The Cardinal Answered, that when Mendoza would in person begg pardon, and confess with his own mouth he deserved punishment, he should not find him inexorable. Velasco disposed the Duke to do it: A day and place were ap∣pointed for the enterview. Fountain Caralla, within two Leagues of Madrid, was chosen for that purpose; where the Cardinal came attended with some of his Domesticks: The Constable and the Duke came also. But being upon the

place, the Duke forgot the Conditions of the En∣terview; and, instead of performing them, with a bold Countenance, and haughty expression, having saluted the Cardinal, told him, Provided I violate not the Laws of Religion, and pay the King the obedience I owe him, I little value the displeasures of others, slight their Checks, and scorn their Affronts. These words of pride, sounded strange in the Cardinal's Ears, who ex∣pected a better temper, according to the Consta∣ble's Promise; and, made this Answer: Mendoza when you fail in the one or other, you shall know me to be the grand Inquisitor of Spain, and the King's Lieutenant General in all his Estates; and in these qualities, I will cause you to be pu∣nished according to your demerits. The Con∣stable, seeing their hatred inflamed, not reconciled; and troubled at the huffing of the Duke, repro∣ved him sharply for it; and having brought him by discourse to an acknowledgement of his fault, inclined him to expiate it in the instant he had committed it, making him cast himself at the Cardinals feet, and begg his pardon, whereupon the Cardinal embraced him, and took him up.

The very instant this was doing, they heard a noise of Soldiers, and a Volley of Muskets, shot at the door of the house. Horrour seized the Constable, and the Dukes pride was turned into fear. Both apprehended a train laid for their Li∣berty or Lives: but 'twas a Pannick fear, and the cause appeared to come from John Spinosa Cam∣pina of the Regiment of Guards, who having understood that the Cardinal was with two Grandees of Spain, without any Guard to attend

him, rann thither with the Guards under his Command. The Cardinal reproved him for comming without order, and having taken leave of the Constable and Duke, with a countenance full of respect and friendship, returned for Ma∣drid.

The second of the three powerful Grandees, whose boldness and envy the Cardinal was to grapple with, and overcome; was Giron, Lord of Vienna, who was alwayes of the contrary par∣ty, and Ringleader to those that opposed his Authority: Giron was of a lively spirit, bigg words, bold in his raillery, smart and cutting in his Reparties: Coming one day to the Cardinal's Chamber-door, he asked the Usher, Friend, what is King-Ximenes a doing? Spain had been govern∣ed by a King of that name, who was so dull and sottish of spirit, and so grosly vitious, that no day passed without some instances of his extra∣vagancies; which gave his Subjects cause to ask one another often, What is King Ximenes a do∣ing? Another time, this Lord having been in Treaty with the Cardinal, about some affairs of importance, and taking his leave, the Cardinal scarce moved his Cap at parting, Giron turn'd about and asked the Servants, Whether their Ma∣ster had a scalded head: These flights added to many attempts against his Authority, provoked the Cardinal to Resentment upon occasion, which fell out patly: For Giron was in suit against Gut∣terio Quixada for the Burrough of Villas Herma∣nos, which Giron had usurped; In the suit the weakest went to the Wall, and suffered under the oppression of the greater; Giron having drawn it

at such length that Quixada's purse being too shallow, could not have Justice: he complains to the Cardinal, telling him, that, as the King ought to do Justice to his people, so ought the King's Lieutenant: the Cardinal did it, and, by Judge∣ment of the Court of Valladolid, Giron was en∣joyned to restore to Quixada, the Burrough of Villas Hermanos: A Senator of Valladolid went upon the place to execute the Judgement, and put Quixada in possession: Giron makes up a party, sends his Son and Servants to the place; where they received the Commissioner, and gave him the Bastonado. An information was drawn up of this insolent Rebellion, and sent to the Cardinal and Council, who decreed the offen∣dours to be Arrested; cited them by sound of Trumpet to appear, and proceeded against them as Traytors: The Grandees of Spain, who saw Giron in the high way to destruction, sent two Gentlemen of note to the Cardinal, to intreat him, not to ruine a person of Giron's quality: That it was his interest to preserve the Grandees; and, to destroy them, as he did was to destroy himself, as being by his dignity of Arch-bishop of Telodo, as Primate of the Prelates, so first of the Grandees of Spain, and having precedence of all; The Cardinal's answer was, He would protect honest men, and punish the wicked contemners of Ju∣stice, and disturbers of the publick peace.

When they saw the Cardinal inflexible, they sent to Charles in Flanders, mis-re∣presented the matter, and obtained a prohi∣bition to stay execution of the Judgement, till he came into Spain: Upon receipt of the prohibi∣tion,

the Cardinal and Council, sent to Charles, informed him of the truth of the Crime, sent him the Process, and remonstrated to him, that having been appointed by God the Guardian and preserver of the Laws, he ought to give Justice liberty in her functions and freedom, and to do her duty; intreated him to consider the Consequence of this Affair, that if such Enormities were to∣lerated, there should not be one King only in Spain, but as many Kings, as there are puissant great Ones: Charles, in Answer to the Cardinal and Council, writ, He had been mis-informed, and that it was his intention, Justice should be done: The Judgement against the Offenders was Executed. The Cardinal sending Regiments of Horse and Foot, against Villas Hermanos, where Giron's Son, and several Young Lords of his qua∣lity, Sons of the Grandees of Spain, were assem∣bled with some Forces, and had added new in∣solences to the former Rebellion, having caused the Effigies of the Cardinal to be drawn through the Streets in his pontifical habit, with a Trumpet before it, to publish the Ignominy: But when they saw the Assailants, they left their sport, and betook them to their heels: The Walls of the Town were beaten down to the foundations, and they plowed up, the houses fired, and the places they stood on, sowed with salt, in token of ma∣lediction. Seven men of the place, who had said they knew no Lord but Giron, were whipped by the hangman; and with them some of Giron's Domesticks on a holy day, that so important an execution might not be retarded: To make Quixada amends, and repair his damage in the

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loss of the Town, they adjudged him Giron's Estate, and proceeded further against his family and person. To take from the Rebels all hopes of mercy, this execution was confirmed by Let∣ters Patents from Charles in Flanders. This brought Giron to reason: he humbles himself to the Cardinal and desires mercy; and to make his prayers more effectual, all the Grandees of Spain joyned with him: The Cardinal by Letter inter∣ceded to Charles for a pardon; that in bringing him to an exemplary humiliation, and forcing him to begg pardon in person, he had sufficiently punished him; that the Grandees acknowledging their faults, and truly humbled, were not to be treated with the severities usual in other mens Cases.

The third puissant Enemy of the Cardinal, among the Grandees of Spain, was the Duke of Alva, of great Authority, of a great Family, Illustrious in blood, abounding in Riches, power∣ful in Friendship and Allyance: the Cardinal had his opportunity to bring him to reason, as well as the others. The Duke of Alva, in King Ferdinand's life time, in whose favours he had a great share, obtained for Diegolus third son, the Priory of St. John in Spain, of the Order of Knights then at Rhodes, now at Malta; a Dignity of great re∣venue, and equal Authority in the Kingdom: Antony Alstuniga of an illustrious family, was at that time in Legal possession; but the Duke of Alva, upheld by the Authority of the King, and the great master of Rhodes, took it from him by force, contrary to Right, and the Laws of Spain, and setled his Son there; who enjoyed it peaceably

for six years, till Ferdinand's death: Astuniga seeing the Duke's credit buried with that Prince, had recourse to Justice, and summons the Usurper to a Legal Tryal: The Process was decided at Rome, and Diego enjoyned to make restitution of the Benefice. Astuniga returns into Spain with the Decree, implores the Cardinal's protection, whom he knew to be the Defender of Justice, and obtains it: Charles in the mean time, informed of this difference, looked upon it as of importance to the State, writes to the Cardinal and Council, to put the Benefice in a third hand till farther or∣der. The Duke of Alva refuses to obey his Com∣mand, believing it an invention to outt him from the Priory, calls the other Grandees of Spain his Friends to his Assistance, and fortifies Consabrona the principal place of the Priory: The Cardinal seeing him act the King in Spain, resolved not to endure it; he commands forth a thousand Horse, and 500 Foot of his Guards, in the Suburbs of Madrid; but at the instant falls sick to the danger of his life: Madrid, and all the Realm of Castile made publick Prayers for his Recovery, on which, as then, depended the peace of Spain. He Re∣covers, and finding the Duke of Alva unwilling to obey, resolves to force him, but, by the way, pro∣posed him a fair accommodation: And it is re∣markable, this great Minister never took the way of Rigour, till he had first tryed that of Sweet∣ness, and found it ineffectual to perform the duties of Justice, in his Administration: He proposed to the Duke, That he should give the King a Gentleman of his Family, to be answerable to his

Majesty for the places of the Priory that should be put into his hands, and to surrender them to the King if there should be cause, when he had declared his Judgement; by which means the Duke might have remained Master of the Priory, and the Revenue. The Duke stormed at this pro∣posal, and thinking that to accept it, would have been to part with his own, rejected it. The Cardinal sends a leight Army to besiege Casa∣brona; the Duke also sent thither a thousand Foot, and some Horse with Victuals and Money: The Cardinal's Troops met them by the way, engaged, and defeated them, took their money and Victuals, and marched to the place they were to invest. The Duke of Alva's Son was within, with a great number of young men of his Age, most of them Sons of the Grandees of Spain; All the Nobles of Toledo, that had attained the age of 21 years, assisting in the Defence. The Herald summoned them to open their Gates, and obey the King; their Answer was high, though not a word spoken; for they set on the Walls of the place, Biers covered with black, to signifie tacitly their resolution, rather to dye than yield. The Duke of Alva this while was anxiously distract∣ed in his thoughts. On the one side, he saw the shame that would attend his suffering a Piece of such convenience and profit to his Family, to be wrested out of his hands, and that his labours and great preparations would end in Affronts and greater Disgraces: On the other side, he beheld the thunderbolt hanging over his head, ready to fall upon him to the ruine of his person and his

house. His Estate was already Confiscated by Decree of the Council, which gave him fearful apprehensions of the Cardinal's severity, as a man whom he knew intire and immoveable in his resolutions.

The example of Villas Hermanos, was fresh in memory, and the image of it in his thoughts troubled him; representing him as miserable as his friend Giron. He resolved to bow, rather than break; goes to Madrid, humbles himself, makes means of Reconcilement to the Cardinal, causes his Son to obey, renders the place, and obtains of Charles the moiety of the Priory for his Son, the other moiety being left for Astuniga, and enough for both. Another difficulty arises in the enjoyment of the Benefice: The great Ma∣ster of Rhodes who had unjustly outed Astuniga, to invest Diego in the place, would not acknow∣ledge any Prior but Diego, gave him all the Au∣thority of Grand Prior, and sent him Orders for a general Assembly of all the Knights of the Order in Spain; Diego summons them, and would have had them assembled without other Authority than his; the Cardinal hinders it, sends for him, and tells him, If you were in the Isle of Rhodes, you might do your pleasure; but in Spain where I command, know, you must come to me and have my permission.

Thus he reduced to reason the three Grandees of Spain, who had most opposed his Authority; who having made a great noise, had experience to their shame of the greatness of his Judge∣ment, the height of his Courage, and his mar∣vellous

Address, being compelled to throw them∣selves at his feet, whose head they slighted, and had in contempt. The Fable of the Giants destroyed by Thunderbolts, and buried under the Mountains they had accumulated, instructs a Mi∣nister of State, sometimes to use force and severity against potent men, who, to trouble the publick peace, would by destroying his Authority attain the King's.

These Crosses, and the unwillingness of the great Ones, to acknowledge the honour he had acquired in Spain, with the ingratitude of the people, whose ease he affected, and procured the happiness they enjoyed; gave him sensible dis∣pleasures, and made him call to mind the tran∣quillity and sweetness of his Religious life in the Monastery of Castanet. Neer which, there was in view a little hill covered with Trees, where he often went to search, under their shadows, the light of truth in Holy-Writt, and after some hours reading, kneeled, and with hands and heart lift up to Heaven, conversed with God in Prayer and Meditation; then retiring immediately into a little Cabbin, made with his own hands, in imitation of, those Angels of the Desart, the ancient Hermits, he fed his body with Bread and Water, but his Soul with plentiful repasts of spi∣ritual delicacies: The holy pleasures of this so∣litude he panted after, amidst the Crosses and oppositions he encountered in the State; saying often to his greatest Confidents, If I might ob∣tain leave, how willingly would I change this Palace for my Cabin at Castanet; the Authority

of Governour of Spain, for the silence of that solitude; and my Mitre of Toledo, and Car∣dinals Cap, for the habit of that poor place. A Minister of State, hath not in the troubles of Affairs, a more solid comfort than that of Piety, which is the Policy of Heaven (if any be exer∣cised there) as well as part of the Politicks of this World.

Charles, often advised by the Cardinal to come into Spain to enjoy his Crown, and dissipate by his presence the Troubles that daily grew up, at last leaves Flanders, and by an Express to the Car∣dinal, gives him notice he was Embarqued; The Cardinal goes from Madrid, and advances with the whole Court to meet his Master, making choice of the Burrough of Alcande, scituate on the Banks of the River Guadalayer to attend his coming; and taking with him Prince Ferdinand under a strong Guard, on which depended the peace and safety of Spain; in his journey he passed through B••zeguillas, a Village on a Hill, and Dined there; but the worst Dinner he ever made: (for there the Spaniards generally believe) he had that venomous Dose of Lingering Poison which destroyed his life; which is the more probable, for that the Provincial of the Obser∣vantines of St. Francis, being on his way with some of his Order, to go to the Cardinal, a man on Hors-back came to them with his face muffled up in a Hand-kerchief to prevent their disco∣very, and said; Fathers, if your business be to the Cardinal, make haste to him before he Dines, and advise him, not to eat of a Pigeon that shall

be served in to him, for 'tis poysoned; Marquine the Provincial arrives at Bozeguillas, and recounts to the Cardinal, what the strange Gentleman told him. The Cardinal having thanked him for his Care of him, made him this Answer; Father, if I have been poysoned it was not this day, but a while ago reading at Madrid, a Letter from Flanders, when me-thought I drew in poy∣son by my Eyes; since which, I protest, I feel my self dye every day: Nevertheless I am not so well assured of this, as to exclude all doubt of the truth thereof; We are all under the Conduct of Gods Providence, which takes away, and restores our health, as he judges most necessary for our Salvation. Let's obey then those holy Decrees that are irreversible.

But when his malady came on him, he returned to his former opinion, telling his Physitians, that he should perish by the Treason of those Wretches, that attempted his life. The Spaniards write, that after Dinner at Bozeguillas, his ma∣lady heightned so apparently, that putrified mat∣ter broke out under his Nails; yet this could not hinder him from imploying the small portion of life that remained, in the service of the State. He had written to Charles, that it concerned him to command from his brother Ferdinand, Alvarez Osorio, the Dominican, Bishop of Astozia, the Prince's Tutor; and Peter Gusman, Grand Prior of the Order of Calatrave his Governour, who apprehending the Arrival of Charles in Spain, might give the young Prince Counsel to the disservice of the King, it being long reported

that these men would never brook the Flemings whom they hated, and to avoid a meeting would retire to Arragon with Ferdinand, and cause him to be Crowned King of that Kingdom: But he was designed by Heaven for greater Fortunes, and was Emperour after his Brother Charles the fifth, and had the Royal Crowns of Hungary and Bohemia, in right of Queen Anne his Wife, Heiress to Ladislaus, and Lewis, her Father and Brother, Kings of those Kingdoms; he had four Sons, and eleven Daughters, of whom Joan d' Austria was marryed to Francis de Medicis, great Duke of Tuscany; of which Marriage was born, Mary de Medicis, Queen of France and Na∣varr, Wife of Henry the Great, and Mother of Lewis the thirteenth late Regnant; a Princess of eminent Vertue, singular goodness, and incompa∣rable magnanimity, maternally descended from the Houses of France and Austria, as well as those of Hungary, and Bohemia: for, the Emperour Ferdinand her Grand-father, was younger Son to Mary of Burgundy, only Daughter of Duke Charles, and Isabel of B••urbon.

Charles judging the Remove of Osorio and Guzman, necessary for his Service, Commanded it, and writ to the Cardinal to that purpose; The Master of the Courriers, who received the dispatch, instead of delivering it (as addressed) to the Cardinal, carried the Pacquet to Dean Adrian, who opened it, though not directed to him, and gives to Ferdinand his Brother's Letter, where the young Prince saw the King his Brother's Com∣mand for Removing Osorio and Guzman; He went

to the Cardinal, and with tears in his eyes en∣treated him not to make any change in his Fa∣mily, till his Brother's Arrival in Spain; that Guzman and Osorio were very faithful to him, and had great affections for him, that they were given him by the hands of King Ferdinand his Grand-father, and his Grand-mother Queen Isabel; That to take them from him, were to condemn the Judgement, and vilifie the Memory of two Princes whom the whole world had honoured: The Cardinal though surprized, as not knowing of the Affair (which Adrian had discovered) to remove the Odium from himself, exhorted the young Prince to obey the King his Brother, on whom depended his Fortune and Grandeur, that he ought to preferr the interest of Charles, be∣fore that of his Domesticks, and to conform to his will. Ferdinand seeing that he gained nothing on the Cardinal's spirit, gave him in choler this reparty; Since you are resolved to destroy me and mine, when you might have pleasured me in forbearing a little while to execute what is writ to you from Flanders, I will take order, my Servants shall not be Ruined, as you have designed. The Cardinal was moved at his threats, but being Resolute and Couragious to maintain the interest of his Ma∣ster, told him, Sir, You may do what you please; but before the Sun set to Morrow, though all Spain stood against me, the King shall be obeyed, and you shall obey him the first of any. Ferdi∣nand ne••••ed at these words, retired towards Aranda; The Cardinal sent after him, and gave the charge of his Person, and of the Town to

Cabanilla and Spinosa Captains of the Guards, commanding them to be up all night with their Troops, and not permit a person of the Princes Family to go out of the Town: They obeyed him, and on the morrow Osorio and Guzman were dismissed, and the will of Charles was ex∣ecuted with Fidelity and Courage; the principal qualities of a Minister of State, in Affairs which concern the interest of the King with the Princes of his blood.

Some Grandees of Spain seeing the Cardinal proceed with absolute Authority against the Infant Ferdinand and themselves, demanded of him a fight of his Commission; The Cardinal pointed to the Soldiers of his Guards, and told them, Those Folks there with the will of the King, are the power I have to command Castile: then twisting on his finger the Cord of his Order wherewith he was girt, This, said he, is sufficient to chastise proud Vassals, and bring them to Rea∣son. A little after, he caused some Cannons to be discharged, and a Volley of Musquet-shot, which was the last Answer, but more terrible than the first: This stopped their mouths, and struck fear into these men who had been more curious than wise. Scarce had the Cardinal ended this impor∣tant Affair of Ferdinand's Family, when a Cour∣rier brought him news, Medina Sedonia was taken by Peter Giron, Son of Giron, Lord of Vienna, who took up Armes, made himself Master of the Field, and Siezed that place into his hands in Re∣venge of the injury of Villas Hermanos: the Car∣dinal sent against him some Troops of the Militia

then afoot under the command of Count Quig∣nonio de Luna, with order to take the Rebel and bring him alive or dead. Another Courrier at the same time arrived from Charles, to inform him of a design of the Turks against Oran; For having set Sail from Flanders, the ninth of Sep∣tember, 1517. he met with some Corsayres by the way, who informed him that an Army of Turks were upon their March to Oran: this obliged him to advertise the Cardinal, praying him to pro∣vide for the safety of that place with all Diligence possible, as a Piece of great convenience for the Rendevouz of the Forces he designed to send to Africk, for extending Christianity unto those Pa∣gan Countries. The Cardinal by the same Cour∣rier assured him of his best care for preservation of Oran, commended his design, and advised him to pursue it; that of so many Monarks who in past Ages had worn the Crown of Spain, they only added a constant felicity to a long Reign who had laboured most in the propagation of Religi∣on: But Oran for this time had only an appre∣hension of the Turkish Armes: for the Moors of Africk, fearing the violences of the Turks, ob∣structed their Passage, and defeated their Army.

In the mean time Charles after a happy Voyage came to Villadichosa in Spain, with the Princess Elenor his Sister, afterwards Queen of Portugal, and since that Queen of France by Marriage with Francis the first: He gave the Cardinal notice of his Arrival, and demanded his advice about his En∣try into the Kingdom, that he might make it like a King, and be received of his people according

to his desires and dignity. The Cardinal advised him to Receive courteously such as came to meet him, to compose his Countenance, and order his Discourse and Habit, suitable to the mode of Spain; to send his Brother Ferdinand into Ger∣many, for that his presence in Spain was useless to his person, and might prove prejudicial to his Authority; that it concerned him to use his ut∣most dexterity in executing this Resolution; to impute the cause to Maximilian his Grand-father, and to appear much displeased at the separation; the people of Spain having a passionate love for Ferdinand, as bred amongst them, and a perfect Spaniard in Language, behaviour and inclinati∣ons: That he would not come to any resolution against the Sicilians, who had Massacred their Senators, till he had first weighed the Condition of his Exchequer, and the forces of his Kingdom. That he would advance further into Spain, and make haste to Madrid.

As to this last point, the Flemmings relished it not, but resolved to retain Charles in the remote parts of the Kingdom, till the Cardinal's death, which they were advised must shortly follow: they desired nothing less than that this man should come to speech with the King, apprehending a discovery of their rapines by his generous liberty and integrity to the King. But Charles received those Counsels, as lights for his Conduct, and sent an Express to convey his thanks, confessing himself much obliged by his cares, his prudence, and fidelity. The Cardinal by the same Envoy Returns Answer, That the services he had done

him, were of duty; That he esteemed it his glory to have sustained the Envy of almost all the world in serving him; That the predominant passion of his soul was his desire to see his Majesty, and to put into his hands the Kingdom more sound and intire, than he had received it, at the beginning of his Administration.

All Spain went to meet their new King: the Constable Velasio was attended with seven hun∣dred horse; the Council made haste to tender him their duty, and thinking they had no more to do with the Cardinal, now Charles was arrived in Spain, they took their journey without adver∣tising the Cardinal. But he out went them by his Courriers, whom he sent to the King, desiring his Majesty not to suffer a disorder of so ill example in the State; that the Council the principal body of it should thus separate from their head, and intreating him to command them back to Aranda: Charles did so, commanding the Coun∣cil to return the way they came, and go to the Cardinal; that it would be more acceptable to him to see them together with him. This put them in great disorder; for, having with them their Wives and Children, they could not return without much inconvenience: They sent to the Cardinal, entreated him he would be pleased to permit them to attend his Majesty in the place the Courrier found them. The Cardinal impa∣tient of Contempt, and highly offended at the slight offered him, made no shew of Resentment, but resolved not to bate them a step of their re∣turn to Aranda; answers them, That he was glad

they were all in health, that they all knew how punctual he had alwayes been in causing the obe∣dience due to the King to be exactly performed. And since his Majesty had advised them to re∣turn to Aranda; it was his advice, They should obey him with all the diligence in their power. They, as they parted rashly, returned shamefully:

The respect due to a Minister of State is to be preserved even to Jealousie, as that that main∣tains his Authority which Slights and neglects destroy.

At this arrival of the King in Spain, the people were much moved, and hotly demanded an Assembly of the States of the Realm. The Cardinal was of opinion it ought not to be granted so soon, but that the King must be first Received, and Affairs setled in a quiet Posture, saying, It was of great concernment that Kings at their coming to the Crown should be received of their people with extraordinary reverence as a matter of great importance to their Authority: This advice was slighted, but the neglect cost Spain dear. All the Kingdom was in trouble and the State in danger by the contests that arose about the place where the Estates should convene; at last it was agreed, the King should come to Valladolid for holding the Assembly.

There the envy of the Cardinal's enemies mustered all its force to affront his Person, and attacque his Authority. The harbingers of this great Minister having taken up a house for him, the Marshals of the Kings Lodgings, being Flemmings, set on by the Grandees, took it

from them, and for reason told them, This Lodg∣ing must be marked for Queen Germain; The Cardinal Jealous of his Authority, and impatient of Affronts, having discovered the practises of the Flemmings, disputed it with them, and carryed the Lodgings.

But he must shortly dislodge from the Court, and the world, though with the same honour he had lived there: the Flemmings enter into a Cab∣bal, to outt him the Court. Mota Bishop of Badaos, a dignity he owed wholly to the Cardinal's favour, to please Xeures, the Kings favourite, (as the Spaniards say) and his own interest, advised Charles to remove the Cardinal from Court into his Diocess of Toledo. Charles who was no less obliged to the Cardinal than to him who gave him the Crown of Spain, forgot the services of this Grand Minister, followed Mota's advice, and by his inconstancy confirmed the Proverb, that Services of great ones are no inheritance; having sent a letter to the Cardinal the tenour whereof was this.

My Lord Cardinal, I hold on my journey by Jurdefillas; whereof I thought fit to advertise you, that you may come to M••jados the Bishop of Segorges House, where I desire to see you, and to receive your good Counsels, not only for the conduct of my Estate, but the ordering of my Family, which I will regulate according to your sage Advice. This is the last help I can receive of you in my Affairs; for, your long Services de∣serve repose, and your Age requires it; and I grant it willingly, and advise you to retire to

your house, to enjoy it with more pleasure. God alone can give you a just recompence for your long travels in the conduct of this King∣dom; as for me I shall never forget them, and will ever pay you the respects due from a good natured Child to a careful and bounteous Fa∣ther.

This Letter of dismission by the trouble it gave the Cardinal cast him into a Feaver which brought him to his Grave, though some Spa∣nish Historians say, that the Courrier who car∣ryed it, finding the Cardinal desperately sick de∣livered it not, but that (the Feaver holding him eighteen hours after, whereas the Physicians advertised him, he could not live above six hours) he brought back the Letter to the Council, and delivered it to Adrian. Others write, that he received it on his death-bed, and called for pen, ink, and paper to answer it; but that, having written three or four Lines, his strength failed him, the pen dropt out of his hand, and he soon after breathed his last. These Lines, or piece of a Letter were never published, as if fate had been unwilling to discover to the world any thing imperfect to which this man had put his hand. Certain it is, the Cardinal perceiving he must shortly dye, made an End worthy his good life, Mustering up the force of his Spirit, in the weakness of his body, and discoursing piously and learnedly of the mercy of God, the incon∣stancy of the World, and the Vanity of the Court; imbracing the Crucifix, bedewing his face with tears, he begged pardon from God for his

sins, and having protested he had not laid out one Rial of the Revenues of his Benefices for the advancement of his Kindred, he received the Christian-Viaticum, the Holy Eucharist, repeating often those words of David, My God, in thee have I put my Trust, and went to enjoy in Hea∣ven those Crowns which God gives them, who govern people with prudence, integrity, and piety. This happened on Sunday the ninth of November, 1517. in the 80th. year of his Age, having worn the Mytre of Toledo 22. years, and governed Spain, as many, under Ferdinand, Isabel, Joan, Philip and Charles: His body was interred in the Colledge of St. Idelphons in Alcala D' He∣nares, which he had built; his Tomb of white Marble, and his Effigies of the same are to be seen at this day, with this Epitaph worthy his illu∣strious Actions, which comprehends in short, both what he did before his Glorious Administra∣tion, and his Acts in the State,

Condideram Musis Franciscus Grande Lycaeum, Condor in exiguo nunc ego Sarcophago. Praetextam junxi Sacco, Galeamque Galero, Frater, Dux, Praesul, Cardineusque Pater. Quin virtute Mea junctum est Diadema Cucullo, Cum Mihi regnanti paruit Hesperia.

He was tall, and streight of Stature, of a seri∣ous Look, carrying in his face natural Gravity, his voice was Masculine and firm, his Visage Long and Meagre, his forehead Large and with∣out Wrinkles, midling eyes somewhat deep set

in his head, but very lively; his Nose long and aquiline; his Teeth jutting out a little toward his Lipps, which gave the Courtiers occasion in Raillery to call him, The Elephant: a piece of Buffonnery wherein they spoke more truth than they were ware of; for an Elephant must he needs have been in strength, who carryed the weight of so many Affairs, and so great Crosses. Twen∣ty eight years after his death, as they were digging the Grave his body lay in, they drew out his Bones, and his Head, once the Palace of the greatest Judgement that ever appeared in Spain, the Scull whereof was all of a piece, without Suture, the mark of a strong Brain; but withal the cause of the continual Head-aches he was subject to, by the vapours wanting vent.

This is the Pourtrait of his body: that of his mind is already drawn in those many illustrious Actions, and sage Counsels it produced: yet like the Painters finishing Touches, we'll add some observations to the body of our past Story. He expressed himself in few words, but handsome and very significant, his Answers were clear and very intelligible; and when he discoursed of any business, he never went from the point; his En∣tertainments were serious, saying often with the Roman Orator, We were not born to trifle away time, in sports and playes, but to imploy our selves in serious Matters and Affairs of Weight. His Study was his Pleasure; and Discourses of Divinity his Recreations after Meat.

True it is Melancholy was his, as most great mens predominant humour: but when it troubled him,

he retired from business, and appeared not to any but his most intimate Familiars. This disco∣vered it self in some notable passages of his life, as the Baptizing the Moors of Granada, with the Laver, and his design to Conquer Africk. What he had once resolved on, he executed with incre∣dible promptitude: Salust had taught him that lesson which he would often repeat, That nimble Execution ought to tread on the heels of delibe∣rate Resolutions. No man more impatient of contempt and slights offered against his Authori∣ty, none more apt to endure Liberty of Speech.

A Priest of Osma desired of him a Judge extra∣ordinary to determine a suit he had depending, and pressed him earnestly, as the chief of the Council, to grant it; the Cardinal answered, The ordinary Judges should do him right, that he must content himself with them, and abide sa∣tisfied with their Decree, that he knew not where to find better in all the Cities of Spain. Is it possible (said the Priest) that the pittiful Burrough of Torrelagine should give a Primate to all Spain, and so many Cities not afford a compe∣tent Judge for a small suit? The Cardinal find∣ing him so free in his expression, thought he had belonged to some Grandee, who had set him on to speak these words, and asked him, Who was his Master? My self, said the Priest, and I be, no other: You say well, replyed the Cardinal, you cannot have a better; and having given a Judge as desired, dismissed him. Contrera a Spanish Priest Preached one day before the Cardinal, and, with more Zeal than Discretion, inveighed

against Rich Habits, not considering how ne∣cessary they are to procure Reverence from the people to persons in Authority and Eminent Dig∣nity; and turning to the Cardinal, he reproved him in the face of the Congregation for wearing a Robe lined with rich Furrs. The Cardinal took this Reprimande very patiently, and after Sermon invited the Preacher to Dinner, and commended his Sermon. Some write that af∣ter Sermon he took the Preacher aside into the Vestry, and having opened his Bosome, shewed him a hair Cloth under his Robe; but I dare not affirm it, lest I seem to condemn the most solid Judgement of that Age, of Levity. Time was one of the things most in his Esteem, and knowing that the Loss of it was irreparable, he was a very niggard of it, and loath to lose a moment: he was alwayes Trimmed by Night, for fear of spending any part of the day on the necessities of his person, which might be di∣spatched another time. And as he was Trimmed, it was his course to have some serious Book Read to him. He took an ineffable delight to bestow Benefices in his Gift, on persons Capable, who sought them not, nor knew of the Vacan∣cies; and severely rejected such as begged them of him, as failing in the respects due to his person. The way to miss a promotion from him, was to begg it of him. One of his Al∣moners had advice of a Vacancy very conveni∣ent for him; and, knowing that if he moved not the Cardinal for it, he might bestow it on one he never thought of; and that to begg it,

was to lose it; he presented himself to his Master, and bespoke him thus: My Lord, such a Benefice is void, To desire it of you, were to violate your Laws, and the prohibitions you have made in that behalf, which I will never do, nor came I to that purpose, but humbly to crave your Directions how to obtain it. The Car∣dinal liked his address, and answered, You shall have it with a good will, get the Writings dispatched, and the Benefice will be yours; and instantly commanded his Secretary to provide them.

But as he was severe in rejecting the impor∣tunate requests of his Domesticks, he was no less ready to acknowledge their Services, but would have his favours prevent their demands, to engage them with more grace, and strong∣er obligation. 'Tis observed of this great Minister, that never Man served him in or out of his Family, who was not largely Re∣warded. God made man Free-born: Fortune hath Robbed him of that Liberty, by reduce∣ing him under Servitude of great Ones, who are guilty of Ravishing from him, what is most precious, his Liberty, and his Time; un∣less they restore them the fruits of the one, and the other by way of recompence in ample rewards, which alone can repair the loss of this letter, being otherwise irrecoverable.

The Cardinal was apt to resent Injuries, and Affronts, but no man more thankful for Pleasures done him, which he never forgot. Brunet the Spaniard, mentioned in the begin∣ning

of this Story who assisted him in his Voy∣age to Rome when the Robbers had left him only his Tongue to begg, is a pregnant In∣stance: this man came to see him in the time of his greatness. The Honours, the familiarity, and intimate privacy the Cardinal afforded him, put the Court into Admiration. No per∣son in Spain, the King only excepted, having received so much respect from him: He labour∣ed to retain him neer himself, he sent him pre∣sents, promised him what entertainment, offer∣ed him what preferment he pleased, courted his acceptance of Bishopricks, and great Offices; ••or raising his Fortune: But Brunet, who pre∣••erred the repose of a mean Condition, before ••he troubles of the great dignities of the World, ••aving thanked the Cardinal for the honours he ••id him, the offers and promises made him, ••etyred home to enjoy there that tranquillity he ••esired, in those conveniencies whereof he had ••••fficient to satisfie him.

Monsieur Xeures, who envyed the Reputation ••f this great Minister, and feared his liberty of ••peech to King Charles against him; and after him, ••••e Cardinal Granvel, on consideration of the ••randeur of his Actions, averr the Cardinal ••••••ued of Royal-blood, though Time, which no ••••ss Conceals, than Discovers the best of things ••••th hid his Extraction, it being in their Opini∣•••• impossible a Private man should be capable of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great things, unless he had in him the Seeds of ••••ose vertues which are proper to Monarks, ••••d were descended of mighty Potentates.

But such was the life, and such were the Actions of Francis Ximenes, surnamed, for the effects of his prudence, The Cardinal of Spain, whose Counsels are to this day observed in that Kingdom, and his Vertues serve the World for Directions in the Conduct of State. For if the Pourtraicts of great Persons have the property to make the spe∣ctators to imitate their qualities, their Vertues are excellent guides to lead us aright by their il∣lustrious splendour in the wayes of this World.

THE END.