Note 113 — BOOK II JOAN THE MAD

Although, as was usual, Philip’s Italian physician vehemently denied that there were any indications of poison on the remains, there can be but little doubt that Philip was murdered by agents of Ferdinand. The statement to that effect was freely and publicly made at the time, but the authorities were always afraid to prosecute those who made them. See ‘Calendar of Spanish State Papers,’ Supplement to Vol. i., p. xxxvii. There were many persons who attributed Philip’s death, not to Ferdinand, but to the Inquisition, which Philip had offended by softening its rigour, and suspending the chief Inquisitors, Deza and Lucero; but this is very improbable.