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oclaim himself a papist。 As days passed； excitement increased； for hundreds who held positions in the army； or under the crownmany of whom had fought for the king and his fatherby tendering their resignations； now proved themselves slaves of what a vigorous writer calls the 〃Romish yoke： such a thing；〃 he adds； 〃as cannot； but for want of a name to express it； be called a religion。〃
Public agitation steadily rose。 Evelyn tells us； 〃he dare not write all the strange talk of the town。〃 Distrust of the king； fear of his brother； hatred of popery and papists； filled men's minds and blinded their reason with prejudice。 That the city had seven years ago been destroyed by fire； in accordance with a scheme of the wicked Jesuits； was a belief which once more revived： the story of the gunpowder plot was again detailed。 Fearful suspicions sprang up and held possession of the vulgar mind； that the prosecutions suffered by protestants under Queen Mary might be repeated in the reign of the present monarch； or of his brother。 That heaven might defend the country from being overrun by popery； the House of Commons besought his majesty to order a day of fasting and humiliation。 And by way of adding fury to the gathering tempest； the bishops； Burnet states； 〃charged the clergy to preach against popery； which alarmed the court as well as the city； and the whole nation。〃
The king therefore complained to Dr。 Sheldon； Archbishop of Canterbury； that the discourse heard in every pulpit throughout the capital and the kingdom was 〃calculated to inflame the people； and alienate them from him and his government。 〃Upon which Dr。 Sheldon called the bishops together； that he might consult with them as to what answer he had best make。 Whereon these wise men declared 〃since the king himself professed the protestant religion； it would be a thing without a precedent that he should forbid his clergy to preach in defence of a religion； while he himself said he was of it。〃 The next action which served to inflame public prejudice against catholicism； was the marriage of the Duke of York to a princess professing that faith。
Soon after the death of his wife； it was considered wise and well his royal highness should marry again。 Of the four sons and four daughters the duchess had borne him； three sons and one daughter had died before their mother； and the surviving son and another daughter quickly followed her to the tomb； therefore； out of eight children but two survived； Mary and Anne； at this time respectively aged nine and seven。 It being desirable there should be a male heir…presumptive to the crown； the king was anxious his brother should take unto himself a second wife。 And that a lady might be found worthy of the exalted station to which such a union would raise her； the Earl of Peterborough was sent incognito to report on the manners and appearance of the princesses of the courts of Neuburg and of Modena。 Not being impressed by the merits of those belonging to the former； he betook himself to the latter； where； seeing the young Princess d'Este； then in her fifteenth year； he came to the conclusion no better choice could be made on behalf of the duke than this fair lady。 On communicating this opinion to his royal highness and to his majesty； the king commissioned him to demand the hand of the princess in marriage for his brother。
Difficulties regarding this desired union now arose。 The young lady； having been bred in great simplicity and ignorance； had never heard of such a country as England； or such a person as the Duke of York； and therefore had no mind to adventure herself in a distant land； or wed a man of whom she knew nought。 Moreover； she had betrayed an inclination to spend her days in the seclusion of a convent； and had no thought of marriage。 Her mother； the Duchess of Modena； then regent； by reason of her husband's death and her son's minority； was anxious for so advantageous an alliance。 And being unable to gain her daughter's consent； she sought the interference of the pope； who wrote to the young princess； that compliance with her mother's request would 〃most conduce to the service of God and the public good。〃 On this； Mary Beatrice Eleonora； Princess d'Este； daughter of the fourth Duke of Modena； consented to become Duchess of York。 Whereon the Earl of Peterborough made a public entry into Modena； as ambassador extraordinary of Charles II。； and having agreed to all the articles of marriage； wedded her by proxy for the royal duke。
Meanwhile； news that the heir to the crown was about to wed a papist spread with rapidity throughout the kingdom； carrying alarm in its course。 If sons were born of the union； they would； it was believed； undoubtedly be reared in the religion of their parents； and England in time became subject to a catholic king。 The possibility of such a fate was to the public mind fraught with horror； and the House of Commons； after some angry debates on the subject； presented an address to the king； requesting he would abandon this proposed marriage。 To this he was not inclined to listen； his honour being so far involved in the business； but notwithstanding his unwillingness； his councillors urged him to this step； and prayed he would stop the princess； then journeying through France on her way to England。 This so incensed him that he immediately prorogued parliament； and freed himself from further interference on the subject。
On the 21st of November； 1673； the future duchess landed at Dover； where the duke awaited her； attended by a scant retinue。 For the recent protestations； made in the House of Commons against the marriage； having the effect of scaring the courtiers； few of the nobility； and but one of the bishops； Dr。 Crew of Oxford； ventured to accompany him； or greet his bride。 On the day of her arrival the marriage was celebrated； 〃according to the usual form in cases of the like nature。〃 The 〃Stuart Papers〃 give a brief account of the ceremony。 〃The Duke and Duchess of York； with the Duchess of Modena her mother； being together in a room where all the company was present； as also my Lord Peterborough； the bishop asked the Duchess of Modena and the Earl of Peterborough whether the said earl had married the Duchess of York as proxy of the duke？ which they both affirming； the bishop then declared it was a lawful marriage。〃
This unpopular union served to strengthen the gathering storm； Protests against popery were universally heard； an article in the marriage settlement； which guaranteed the duchess a public chapel； was broken； and the duke was advised by Lord Berkshire to retire into the country； 〃where he might hunt and pray without offence to any or disquiet to himself。〃 This counsel he refused to heed。 Until his majesty should command him to the contrary； he said； he would always attend upon him； and do such service as he thought his duty and the king's security required of him。 His enemies became more wrathful at this reply； more suspicious of popery； and more fearful of his influence with the king； They therefore sought to have him removed from his majesty's councils and presence by act of parliament。
Consequently； when both Houses assembled on the 7th of January； 1674； t