Note 279 — Chapter IX · 1584-1588

Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, had married a Portuguese princess, and his children had a better right to the Crowns of Portugal and England than Philip had. The English Catholic refugees in Flanders were already suggesting that the young Prince of Parma should marry Arabella Stuart and reign over England when it had been conquered. Farnese himself was approached by different English parties, even by the moderate conforming Catholics in Elizabeth’s Court during the negotiations, with a view to divide him from the Spaniards on this question of the succession. The Spanish officers, after the defeat of the Armada, failing to understand the tactical reasons that kept Farnese inactive, openly accused him of treachery. There is no doubt that Farnese was hurt, and justifiably so, at the contemptuous disregard for his children’s rights, but he was certainly loyal to Philip.