:Thomas More. The Search for the Inner Man

Abstract

Alexander Samson (ed.), The Spanish Match: Prince Charles's Journey to Madrid, 1623, Aldershot, Ashgate Publishing, 2006, pp. ix + 243, hb. £55.00, ISBN: 0754640876.Historical debates surrounding the purpose and political consequences of Prince Charles's journey to Spain in 1623 are well known and have experienced renewed fervour in recent years, most notably through the work of Glyn Redworth. Yet this collection promises a breath of fresh air in attempting to broaden our understanding of the ways through which this unusual historical event is perceived, portrayed and discussed. Abandoning political narratives, the contributors approach the subject from differing perspectives, ranging from art history to Hispanic studies. The volume's interdisciplinarity reflects the aim of its initiating conference, held at Stratford-upon-Avon in May 2003, that sought to enhance scholarly appreciation of the visit by combining the wealth of varied experience. The benefits of this approach seem to deliver the most when tightly focused around a specific theme; Charles's sojourn in Spain provides just this uniting focal point. Whilst the diplomatic backdrop of the marriage negotiations is never far from sight in the range of essays presented, the scope of manner in which new evidence and interpretive techniques are utilised offers much to researchers of this period. Yet in attempting to produce such a varied collection of research united by one event, there will inevitably be problems, not only with synthesis, but also with reiteration. Samson's designation of the essays into four informal sections sometimes imposes sub-thematic unity which is evidently forced. Conversely, however, it also has the effect of highlighting areas of repetition as we encounter a similar analysis of Abraham Remy's La Galatee.Reaction can be identified as a core theme in several of the essays, two of which redress neglect of the Spanish response to the visit in English-language work. Henry Ettinghausen takes the characteristic writing style of Andres de Almansa y Mendoza's coverage of Charles's trip as the focus of his essay whilst Jeremy Robbins expands this study to review the more general nature of the contemporary and retrospective Spanish literary response. The French reaction to Charles's unexpected journey is fascinating for the subsequent refashioning that the narrative underwent following the reorientation of English policy. Karen Britland investigates the French twist in the story of the failed Match that turned Charles's brief sighting of the young Henrietta Maria on his way to Spain in 1623 into a romantic love story. …