Chapter II

Indisposition of the Duchess of Buckingham--The King’s
Regard for her and her Child--Archbishop Laud’s Encomium
on her Character--Queen Anne’s Chain presented to the
Duchess of Lennox--Effrontery of the Countess of
Buckingham--The Duke’s Deportment on his Return from
Spain--More dignities conferred upon him--King James and
the Clergy--The Royal Instructions for the Performance of
Divine Service in Spain--Public Prejudice against the
Spanish Match--The Wallingford House Cabal pronounce in
Favour of a French Alliance--Popular Indignation against
the Spanish Ambassador--Competition for Precedence between
the Ambassadors of France and Spain--Character of the Lord
Keeper Williams--His Opposition to the Proceedings of
Buckingham--The Countess of Buckingham embraces the
Catholic Faith--Controversy between the Dean of Carlisle
and the Jesuit Fisher--Breach between Buckingham and
Williams--The King manifests his Displeasure with
Buckingham--The Spanish Court and the English
Alliance--Conduct of the Infanta after the Departure of
Charles--Preparations for the Marriage--A Commission
appointed to inquire into the Conditions of the Spanish
Treaty--The Lord Keeper in Favour with the
King--Parliament counsels James to break the Treaty with
Spain--Popular Rejoicings, and Disappointment of the
Catholic Party--The Illness of Buckingham--Painful
Illustration of the Bigoted Spirit of the Age--Inojosa
accuses Buckingham of Treachery against the King--The
Prophecy of Gamaliel Gruys--General Desire for War with
Spain--Proposed Alliance of Prince Charles with Henrietta
Maria of France--Restoration of Buckingham to the King’s
Favour 55

CHAPTER III.

Decline of the King’s Health--Case of Lord
Middlesex--Proceedings in both Houses--Sir Edward Coke’s
Exaggeration--Buckingham’s Participation in the
Affair--Middlesex steals away to Theobald’s, and is
followed by Charles--Found Guilty--Confined--Buckingham’s
Dangerous Illness--Arthur Brett--Death of the
King--Ascribed to Buckingham 133