Lot 37
CHARLES II Letter signed and subscribed ("Carolus R"), to his nephew Charles II of Spain, recalling his controversial ambassador Sir William Godolphin, Whitehall, 16 November 1678
17 December 2020, 12:00 GMT
London, KnightsbridgeSold for £1,020 inc. premium
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CHARLES II
Letter signed and subscribed ("Bonus frater consanguineus et amicus/ Carolus R"), to his nephew Charles II of Spain, recalling the British ambassador in Madrid, Sir William Godolphin ("...which legateship it has seemed good to us to terminate and recall his person to ourselves..."), and assuring him that he will be replaced with another suitable ambassador straightaway ("...may the said minister fulfil the function of our legate and do with trustworthiness and industry all such things as have been able especially to conduct to the establishing of greater firmness and permanence of the friendship between us..."), 1 page, in Latin, with integral address leaf, remains of paper seal, light dust-staining, some small repaired tears, address leaf trimmed at lower edge, folio (340 x 220mm.), Whitehall, 16 November 1678
Footnotes
'THE ESTABLISHING OF GREATER FIRMNESS AND PERMANENCE OF THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN US': CHARLES II RECALLS HIS CONTROVERSIAL AMBASSADOR FROM THE SPANISH COURT.
A successful and trusted career diplomat, described by Samuel Pepys as 'a very pretty and able person, a man of very fine parts and of infinite zeal' (Timothy Venning, ODNB), Sir William Godolphin had been appointed ambassador to Spain in 1671 but soon became the subject of suspicion back in England for his alleged Catholic sympathies. Although he officially denied it, he had converted to Catholicism after a serious illness soon after his arrival in Spain and openly employed Catholics in his household. The situation came to a head in September 1678 when Titus Oates accused Godolphin of being a popish agent and Charles II was forced by the Commons to send this order to recall him to face charges. Godolphin, however, sensibly refused to return to England at a time when thirty-five other persons accused by Oates of conspiracy were executed, and remained in Madrid until his death in 1696.