Dynastic Marriage in England, Castile and Aragon, 11Th – 16Th Centuries
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Dynastic Marriage in England, Castile and Aragon, 11th – 16th Centuries Lisa Joseph A Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Masters of Philosophy The University of Adelaide Department of History February 2015 1 Contents Abstract 3 Statement of Originality 4 Acknowledgements 5 Abbreviations 6 Introduction 7 I. Literature Review: Dynastic Marriage 8 II. Literature Review: Anglo-Spanish Relations 12 III. English and Iberian Politics and Diplomacy, 14 – 15th Centuries 17 IV. Sources, Methodology and Outline 21 Chapter I: Dynastic Marriage in Aragon, Castile and England: 11th – 16th Centuries I. Dynastic Marriage as a Tool of Diplomacy 24 II. Arranging Dynastic Marriages 45 III. The Failure of Dynastic Marriage 50 Chapter II: The Marriages of Catherine of Aragon I. The Marriages of the Tudor and Trastámara Siblings 58 II. The Marriages of Catherine of Aragon and Arthur and Henry Tudor 69 Conclusion 81 Appendices: I. England 84 II. Castile 90 III. Aragon 96 Bibliography 102 2 Abstract Dynastic marriages were an important tool of diplomacy utilised by monarchs throughout medieval and early modern Europe. Despite this, no consensus has been reached among historians as to the reason for their continued use, with the notable exception of ensuring the production of a legitimate heir. This thesis will argue that the creation and maintenance of alliances was the most important motivating factor for English, Castilian and Aragonese monarchs. Territorial concerns, such as the protection and acquisition of lands, as well as attempts to secure peace between warring kingdoms, were also influential elements considered when arranging dynastic marriages. Other less common motives which were specific to individual marriages depended upon the political, economic, social and dynastic priorities of the time in which they were contracted. An analysis of the marriages of the monarchs of England, Castile and Aragon, as well as their heirs who lived long enough to marry, but died before they could inherit their kingdoms, will show that most dynastic marriages were arranged with neighbouring dynasties. As well as political and geographic considerations, dynastic marriages had to fulfil a variety of social expectations, and this thesis will determine how potential spouses were identified from among the sons and daughters of Europe’s ruling families, and the process through which the marriage was arranged. Finally, by using the marriages of Catherine of Aragon with the Tudor princes, Arthur and Henry, as well as the dynastic marriages of their siblings: Isabel, Juan, Juana and María Trastámara and Margaret Tudor, it is possible to explore, in practice, how dynastic marriages were arranged and how they were influenced by wider trends in Western European politics and diplomacy. This thesis will therefore demonstrate that dynastic marriages were arranged for a variety of reasons, although the production of a legitimate heir and alliance building were the most important considerations. Further, as the discussion of Catherine of Aragon’s marriages highlights, those arranging dynastic marriages had to take into consideration the shifting diplomatic situation in medieval Europe. 3 Statement of Originality I certify that this work contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution in my name and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text. In addition, I certify that no part of this work will, in the future, be used in a submission in my name, for any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution without the prior approval of the University of Adelaide and where applicable, any partner institution responsible for the joint-award of this degree. I give consent to this copy of my thesis, when deposited in the University Library, being made available for loan and photocopying, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I also give permission for the digital version of my thesis to be made available on the web, via the University's digital research repository, the Library catalogue and also through web search engines, unless permission has been granted by the University to restrict access for a period of time. Lisa Joseph 4 Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who helped to make this thesis a reality. In particular thanks must go to my supervisors Claire Walker and Katie Barclay for their invaluable guidance and advice throughout this journey. Without their patience and motivation this thesis would not have been possible. Further thanks must go to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for their funding of this thesis, without their generous contribution this research could not have been undertaken. I would also like to thank my parents, John and Cathy, for their unconditional support and proofreading skills. 5 Abbreviations C. S. P. Simancas Calendar of Letters and State Papers Relating to English Affairs, Preserved Principally in the Archives of Simancas, Volume I: Elizabeth, 1558-1567, ed. Martin A. S. Hume (London: 1892). C. S. P. Spanish Calendar of Letters, Despatches, and State Papers, Relating to the Negotiations Between England and Spain, Preserved in the Archives at Simancas, and Elsewhere, Volume I, 1485-1509, ed. Gustav A. Bergenroth (London: Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, 1862). C. S. P. Milanese Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts, Existing in the Archives and Collections of Milan, Volume I, 1485-1618, ed. A. B. Hinds (London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1912). C. S. P. Venetian (+ Vol.) Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts, Relating to English Affairs, Existing in the Archives and Collections of Venice, and in Other Libraries of Northern Italy, Volume II, 1509- 1519, ed. Rawdon Brown (London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, 1867). Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts, Relating to English Affairs, Existing in the Archives and Collections of Venice, and in Other Libraries of Northern Italy, Volume VII: 1558- 1580, ed. Rawdon Brown (Liechtenstein: Kraus Reprint, 1970). Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts, Relating to English Affairs, Existing in the Archives and Collections of Venice, and in Other Libraries of Northern Italy, Volume XV: 1617- 1619, ed. Rawdon Brown (London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1909). Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts, Relating to English Affairs, Existing in the Archives and Collections of Venice, Volume XXXII: 1659-1661, ed. A. B. Hinds (London: 1931). 6 Introduction The widely-utilised practice of dynastic marriage in the medieval and early modern periods ensured that Europe's monarchs were frequently connected by an intricate web of family alliances. Disagreements between families, therefore, could become disagreements between kingdoms. Further, traditionally familial problems such as infertility and child mortality could lead to national crises, such as a disputed succession or a civil war. Despite this, dynastic marriages continued to be contracted by monarchs and their heirs. Historians have debated the function and value of dynastic marriage in the relationship between monarchs and kingdoms. In the scholarship to date, the only widely accepted motivation for such marriages is the production of legitimate heirs, although political alliances, the promotion of peace, territorial expansion and protection, and an increase in wealth or power, have also been seen as possible important factors. This thesis will argue that for English, Castilian and Aragonese monarchs, the creation and maintenance of alliances was the most significant motivating factor in the contracting of dynastic marriages. Other influences such as the creation of peace, territorial acquisition and protection and the recognition of a newly established dynasty by other monarchies will be shown to be important motivations on occasion, dependent on the domestic and international situation at the time. Catherine of Aragon’s marriages with the Tudor brothers, Arthur and Henry VIII, will be used as a case study to analyse the importance of these factors in dynastic marriage in Anglo-Spanish diplomatic relations in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. When defining dynastic marriage, historians such as Benjamin Curtis and Heinz Duchhardt take the approach of first defining a dynasty. Curtis states that the definition of a dynasty is “a kinship-based political organisation promoting the interests of a family across generations, which claims a right to power grounded in medieval notions of lineage and inheritance.”1 Duchhardt argues that a dynasty is a “cross-generational [alliance] of individuals constituted by land ownership and sovereign rights, and whose members married partners of equal rank and social standing to maintain and expand their existing social and power-political position.”2 A key element for this thesis is Duchhardt’s concept of a multi- generational, kinship-based group distinguishable by their sovereign rights. “Multigenerational” includes a reigning monarch, their legitimate children, and any 1 Benjamin Curtis, The Habsburgs: The History of a Dynasty (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2013), 3. 2 Heinz Duchhardt, “The Dynastic Marriage,” European History Online, August 4, 2011, < http://www.ieg- ego.eu/en/threads/european-networks/dynastic-networks/heinz-duchhardt-the-dynastic-marriage