In the Royal Court
5. Travelling with the Rich and Famous
In Arévelo and in the royal court, young Iñigo learned the manners and morals expected of a Spanish nobleman. He enjoyed jousting and sword-fighting. King Ferdinand was a frequent visitor to Arévelo with his court. So the young knight from Loyola may have had hopes of a life in court at the service of the King.
Iñigo was rather impulsive, hot-headed and prone to get into fights. Though he never married, he enjoyed the company of women and did not always behave with them in ways the Church would have approved of. It is rumoured that it was because of an affair with a woman that a man from Galicia, Francisco de Hoyo, followed Iñigo around the country for many years and attempted to kill him more than once. Certainly one of the women at court seems to have provided Iñigo with subject matter to dream of during his convalescence.
Lyrics
The lady of my dreams, so beautiful and pure,
She lives in distant lands, alas;
She spares no thought, no love for me,
She lives in distant lands, alas;
She dreams no dream at all for me.
So I must search to reach her,
Go through great trials and many fights,
My purpose is to win her,
My wealth I’ll spend to give the best to…..
So I must ride to find her,
Go to far lands, through forests dark;
My purpose is to win her:
My honour is to wholly Serve…
But I’ll give all to find her;
Go down false trails and subtle trails,
My purpose is to win her
My pride will be to make her mine.
A thought to ponder
Riches, power and mixing with important people can be seductive. They can bring an arrogance and sense of entitlement that shows little respect for those considered of lesser importance. Consider both people who have no time for those who they feel beneath them and people in important positions who have surprised you in their openness and respect for simple folk?
Do you treat everyone as a beloved child of God?
Scripture for the Day
As a way of praying today’s Scripture we suggest, Imaginative Contemplation.
Luke 3:7-14 NRSVACE
John the Baptist said to the crowds that came out to be baptised by him,
‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees;
every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’
And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them,
‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none;
and whoever has food must do likewise.’
Even tax-collectors came to be baptised, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’
He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’
Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’
He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation,
and be satisfied with your wages.’
Music for Today
May it be – Enya
Purchase more of the music of Enya