Eleanor of Castile arrives in England, 1255

On this day (or thereabouts) in 1255 Eleanor of Castile, the new wife of the future Edward I, arrived in England for the first time. The young couple had been married in Burgos, Spain, the previous November, when Edward was fifteen and Eleanor just twelve. The contemporary chronicler and monk of St Albans, Matthew Paris, saw it as yet more evidence that his country was going to the dogs...

'About the time of the feast of St Denis [9 October], when the king [Henry III] was returning from the north of England to London, in order to be present for the feast of St Edward, Eleanor, the sister of the king of Spain and wife of Edward, arrived in Dover in great pomp, and with such a numerous revenue that their arrival was looked upon with suspicion by all England, and fears were entertained that the country would be forcibly taken by possession of them.

 

The king thereupon gave orders that she should be received with the greatest honour and reverence at London as well as at other places; but especially London, where her arrival was celebrated by processions, illuminations, ringing of bells, songs and other special demonstrations of joy and festivity. On her approaching that city, therefore, the citizens went to meet her dressed in holiday clothes, and mounted on richly caparisoned horses.

 

And when the noble daughter-in-law of the king arrived at the place of abode assigned to her, she found it, like the dwelling of the bishop of Toledo, hung with palls of silk and tapestry, like a temple, and even the floor was covered with arras. This was done by the Spaniards, it being in accordance with the custom of their country; but this excessive pride excited the laughter and derision of the people. Serious and prudent persons, pondering over future events, were deeply grieved on a careful consideration of the pleasure manifested by the king at the presence of any foreigners. Indeed, the honours shown to the Spaniards, excited the wonder and astonishment of all, and no wonder. The English, therefore, lamented that they were held in less esteem than the people of any other nation by their own king, and with sorrow perceived that their irreparable ruin was imminent.'