Home › Philosophy › Philosophy: Castile

Philosophy: Castile

Mary, third daughter of Henry VII., after being wooed by the Prince of Castile, was married, from motives of mere state policy, to Louis XII. of France. When the Earl of Worcester went over to Paris to arrange the marriage, he wrote a letter to Wolsey, describing how the French king had shown him a chest containing fifty-six pieces of rubies and diamonds, and another goodly coffer full of collars, bracelets, and beads. "All these are for my wife," said Louis, "but she shall not have them all at once, as I would have many kisses and thanks for them."

In 1504 (Oct. 12th), that great and distinguished sovereign, Queen Isabella of Spain, made the celebrated testament which reflects so clearly the peculiar qualities of her mind and character. It concludes with an affecting passage of conjugal tenderness:--"I beseech the king, my lord, that he will accept all my jewels, or such as he shall select, so that seeing them, he may be reminded of the singular love I always bore him while living, and that I am now waiting for him in a better world; by which remembrance he may be encouraged to live the more justly and holily in this."