Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/318

174 ACCESSION OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. I'ART Isabella's confessor, and Dr. Diaz de Madrigal, one '- of her council, assisted at this affecting ceremo- ny ; and the reverend father, in a copious exhorta- tion addressed to the youthful novice, assured her " that she had chosen the better part approved in the Evangelists ; that, as spouse of the church, her chastity would be prolific of all spiritual delights ; her subjection, liberty, — the only true liberty, partaking more of Heaven than of earth. No kins- man," continued the disinterested preacher, " no true friend, or faithful counsellor, would divert you from so holy a purpose." ^^ kin""'of "'^ Not long after this event, King Alfonso, penetrat- portugai. g^ with grief at the loss of his destined bride, — the "excellent lady," as the Portuguese continue to call her, — resolved to imitate her example, and exchange his royal robes for the humble habit of a Franciscan friar. He consequently made prepara- tion for resigning his crown anew, and retiring to 36 Ruy de Pina, Cliron. d'el between the courts of Castile and Rey Alfonso Y., cap. 20. — Faria Portugal, and to have been a prin- y Sousa, Europa Portujruesa, torn, cipal cause of those frequent infer- li. p. 421. — Pulgar, Reyes Ca- marriages between the royal fami- t61icos, cap. 92. — L. iIarineo lies of the two countries, by which speaks of the Scnora rnny ercclcn- Ferdinand and Isabella hoped to ie, as an inmate of the cloister at detach the Portuguese crown from the period in which he was writ- her interests. Joanna affected a ing, 1522. (fol. 168.) Notwith- royal style and magnificence, and standing her "irrevocable vows," sul)scril)cd herself " I the Queen," however, Joanna several times to the last. She died in the palace quitted the monastery, and main- at Lisbon, in 1530, intheC'Jthyear tained a royal state under the of her age, having survived most protection of the Portuguese mon- of her ancient friends, suitors, and archs, who occasionally threat- competitors. — Joanna's history, ened to revive her dormant claims subsequent to her taking the veil, to the prejudice of the Castilian has been collected, with his usual sovereigns. She may be said, precision, by Sefior Clemencin, consequently, to have formed the Mem. de la Acad, de Hist., torn, pivot, on which turned, during her vi., Uust. 19. whole life, the diplomatic relations