Articles of Marriage, between the King of Great Britain, and the Princess Henrietta Maria of France.
THe Negotiation was so fortunate, that the King consented to all those Articles which were demanded in behalf of the Catholicks, and accordingly, his Ma∣jesty gave command to his Embassadours, to accord it, and on the 10th. of No∣vember, they were signed by them with the Cardinal, upon these conditions: That the Kings Sister should have all manner of liberty to increase the Roman Catholick Apostolick Religion, together with all her Officers and their children; that to this purpose, she should have a Chappel in every of the Kings houses, a Bishop and twenty eight Priests, to administer the Sacrament, Preach Gods Word, and doe such other Offices as their Function required.
That the children which should be born of this marriage, should be brought up in the Catholick Religion untill the age of 13 years by the Princess.
That all the Domesticks which she carried into England, should be French and Catholicks, chosen by the most Christian King, and they dying, she might take o∣thers into their place, French and Catholicks, by and with consent of the King of Great Brittain.
Moreover, that both the King of Great Brittain, and Prince of Wales his son, should bind themselves by oath not to attempt, by any means whatsoever, to make her change her Religion, or to force her to any thing which might be contrary to it, and should promise by writing upon the faith and word of a King and Prince to take order, that all those Catholicks as well Ecclesiastick as secular, which had been imprisoned since the last Act made against them should be set at liberty.
That the English Catholicks, should not be any more hunted after for their Re∣ligion, nor constrained to swear any thing contrary to the Catholick Religion, and that such seizures of their Goods, as had been made since the last Act, should be restored to them.
And generally, that they should receive more liberty and favour, in respect of the Alliance with France, then had been promised them upon the Spanish Treaty.
This was as much as could be desired for the present, in behalf of Religion, until the Princess (who was indued with all the qualifications both of Body and Soul, which could render a Princess beloved) should have acquired a good power over King James his spirit, and the Prince of Wales her husband, and so finish the re∣mainder, which the King expected both from her zeal and behaviour, with the more confidence, because Ladies have a great hand over their husbands, and Father in Law, when they are once intirely loved by them.