Note 137 — BOOK II JOAN THE MAD (continued 2)

Denia’s account of the interview with Borgia (confirmed by the latter) is extremely curious. The priestly Duke said, as she would do nothing else, she might recite the ‘General Confession,’ and he would absolve her. ‘Can you absolve?’ she asked. ‘Yes!’ he replied, ‘with the exception of certain cases.’ ‘Then,’ said the Queen, ‘you recite the General Confession.’ This Borgia did, and asked her whether she said the same. ‘Yes,’ she replied; and ‘she then permitted him to absolve her.’ It will be seen that there was not much submission in this. Only a day or so afterwards she appears to have flown into a terrible passion because some new hangings and gold ornaments had been placed on the corridor altar; and she refused to eat until they had been removed, and the altar left plain as before.