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.
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