James I and the Spanish Match, with a prospect of London

CUSTOS, Dominicus.

Abilltung wie königliche Maistät in Engelandt Die Artickel Dess Spanischen Heyraths Jur: Bekreftiget Anno 1623.
Augsburg, c.1623. Coloured. 275 x 325mm.

Evidence of a crack in the printing plate (as the example held in the British Museum).

Four scenes: James I signing the Spanish Match treaty in the Chapel Royal; James dining with the Spanish ambassador; James I in procession; and a prospect of London, with the Norman St Paul's Cathedral.
In 1614 the Count of Gondomar arrived in London as the Spanish ambassador to the Court of King James, his purpose to stop English privateers attacking Spanish shipping in the Americas and prevent England joining the Thirty Years' War. In return he promised Spain would cease supporting opponents of James's rule in Ireland. To sweeten the deal he proposed the marriage of the Spanish Infanta to Charles, Prince of Wales (later Charles I), promising a dowry of half-a-million pounds. James, who desperately needed money, was enthusiastic, but Parliament refused to accept any deal and James dissolved it in fury. It eventually transpired that the Infanta had no intention of marrying a protestant, and Spain was just stringing out negotiations to stop England entering the war. In 1625 Charles married Henrietta Maria of France instead.

BRITISH MUSEUM: 1870,1112.212.
Stock ID : 18200