for crusades was now
entirely exhausted in Europe; but it was still thought a necessary piece
of decency to pretend zeal for those pious enterprises. Henry regretted
to the nuncio the distance of his situation, which rendered it
inconvenient for him to expose his person in defence of the Christian
cause. He promised, however, his utmost assistance by aids and
contributions; and rather than the pope should go alone to the holy
wars, unaccompanied by any monarch, he even promised to overlook all
other considerations, and to attend him in person. He only required,
as a necessary condition, that all differences should previously be
adjusted among Christian princes, and that some seaport towns in Italy
should be consigned to him for his retreat and security. It was easy to
conclude that Henry had determined not to intermeddle in any war against
the Turk; but as a great name, without any real assistance, is sometimes
of service, the knights of Rhodes, who were at that time esteemed the
bulwark of Christendom, chose the king protector of their order.

But the prince whose alliance Henry valued the most was Ferdinand of
Arragon, whose vigorous and steady policy, always attended with success,
had rendered him in many respects the most considerable monarch in
Europe. There was also a remarkable similarity of character between
these two princes; both were full of craft, intrigue, and design:
and though a resemblance of this nature be a slender foundation for
confidence and amity, where the interests of the parties in the least
interfere, such was the situation of Henry and Ferdinand, that no
jealousy ever on any occasion arose between them. The king had now the
satisfaction of completing a marriage, which had been projected and
negotiated during the course of seven years, between Arthur, prince
of Wales, and the infanta Catharine, fourth daughter of Ferdinand and
Isabella; he near sixteen years of age, she eighteen. But this marriage
proved in the issue unprosperous. The young prince, a few months after,
sickened and died, much regretted by the nation.

{1502.} Henry, desirous to continue his alliance with Spain, and also
unwilling to restore Catharine's dowry, which was two hundred thousand
ducats, obliged his second son, Henry, whom he created prince of Wales,
to be contracted to the infanta. The prince made all the opposition
of which a youth of twelve years of age was capable; but as the king
persisted in his resolution, the