Spain for the Sovereigns Read Online Free PDF

dash her from it.
    His eyes were flashing; he was ready for battle.
    And so he waited; and, when at length he was told that the Queen was ready to receive him, he met Cardinal Mendoza coming from her apartments.
    They acknowledged each other coolly.
    ‘I have been waiting long,’ said the Archbishop reproachfully.
    ‘I crave your pardon, but I had state matters to discuss with the Queen.’
    The Archbishop hurried on; it would be unseemly if two men of the Church indulged in violence; and he was feeling violent.
    He went into the audience chamber.
    Isabella’s smile was apologetic.
    ‘I regret,’ she said placatingly, ‘that you were forced to wait so long.’
    ‘I also regret,’ the Archbishop retorted curtly.
    Isabella looked surprised, but the Archbishop considered himself especially privileged.
    ‘The waiting is over, my lord. I pray you let us come to business.’
    ‘It would seem that Your Highness prefers to discuss state matters with Cardinal Mendoza.’
    ‘I am fortunate in having so many brilliant advisers.’
    ‘Highness, I have come to tell you that I can no longer serve you while you retain the services of the Cardinal.’
    ‘I suggest, my lord, that you go too far.’
    The Archbishop looked haughtily at this young woman. He could not help but see her as she had been when as a young Princess she asked for his help. He remembered how he had set up her young brother Alfonso as King of Castile while Henry IV still lived; he remembered how he had offered to make Isabella Queen on Alfonso’s death, and how she had gently reminded him that it was not possible for her to be Queen while the true King, her half-brother Henry, still lived.
    Had she forgotten what she owed to him?
    ‘I pray,’ murmured the Archbishop, ‘that Your Highness will reconsider this matter.’
    ‘I should certainly not wish you to leave me,’ said Isabella.
    ‘It is for Your Highness to choose.’
    ‘But I choose that you should remain and curb your animosity towards the Cardinal. If you will be the Cardinal’s friend I am assured that he will be yours.’
    ‘Highness, it is long since I visited my estates at Alcalá de Henares. I may shortly be asking your permission to retire there from Court for a while.’
    Isabella smiled sweetly. She did not believe that the Archbishop would willingly go into retirement.
    ‘You are too important to us for that to be allowed,’ she told him; and he appeared to be placated.

     
    But the Archbishop was far from satisfied. Every day he saw Cardinal Mendoza being taken more and more into his mistress’s confidence and, a few weeks after that interview with the Queen, he made an excuse to retire from Court.
    He had, however, no intention of retiring to his estates. He had decided that, since Isabella refused to be his puppet, he must set up one in her place who would be.
    He was well aware that there were certain men in Spain who were dissatisfied with the succession of Isabella and would be ready to give their allegiance to the young Princess Joanna La Beltraneja, who many preferred to believe was not illegitimate – for if she were the legitimate daughter of the late King, then she, not Isabella, should be Queen of Castile.
    He called to his house certain men whom he knew to be ready to rebel. Among these was the Marquis of Villena, son of the great Marquis, the Archbishop’s nephew who, before his death, had played as big a part in his country’s politics as the Archbishop himself. The present Marquis might not be a brilliant intriguer like his father, but he was a great soldier, and as such thirsted for battle. He was very rich, this young Marquis, and because he owned vast estates in Toledo and Murcia he could raise support from these provinces.
    There were also the Marquis of Cadiz and the Duke of Arevalo.
    When these men were gathered together the Archbishop, making sure that they were not overheard, announced his plans to them.
    ‘Isabella has assumed the crowns of Castile