Secrets & Mysteries of the Sephardim
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“Yes, Isabel,” Philippa answered.
Fernando felt his heart and temples beat heavily. The effects of the root infusion ceased immediately. “Of course, come in,” Fernando replied in a raspy voice, trying to rise and assume a sitting position in bed. He was dizzy from sitting up too quickly and grabbed the back of a chair. The nurse, noticing this, sprang to his side and promptly arranged cushions behind his back so he could sit up comfortably. When the dizziness passed, he saw Isabel sitting on a chair beside his bed.
“Infante Fernando,” she said in a gentle voice. “You do not need to get out of bed. You still look weak. Let me help you to lie down.”
Before Fernando could answer, Isabel suddenly appeared at his bedside. With smooth, almost airy movements of her hands, she spread the fluffy pillows. She held the back of Fernando’s head with her left hand and his right hand with her right and said affectionately, “Lie down, infante Fernando. You'll be much more comfortable that way. There. Take your time. Slowly.”
When he laid down comfortably, she carefully and skillfully removed her hand from under his head and tried to free her right hand, but Fernando gently took it and pressed her palm to his chest. “Move the chair closer to the bed, Isabel,” he asked. “While you were close to me and touching me, my illness was noticeably receding. I think you have healing properties. Please leave your hand in my hand.”
Philippa nimbly pulled Isabel's chair closer to the bed and invited her to sit.
“Thank you, infanta Philippa,” Isabel said as she sat in the chair.
“I'll leave you to Fernando then, OK?” Philippa asked.
“Thank you, Philippa, for bringing Isabel here.”
When Philippa left, Fernando turned to the nurse, “You can leave, too.” When they were alone, Fernando put Isabel's hand to his lips, kissed her, and said, “Isabel, I must confess something to you. I am ashamed to tell you this, but I lied to you last time.”
“What do you mean, infante Fernando?” Isabel asked perplexedly.
“I lied to you that I hadn't written poetry in a long time.”
“Fernando, I should not condemn you for this, but rather I should admire you. After all, you hid it from me because of your modesty. And, Fernando, it seems that this kind of talk on this subject is not good for you. For your health, you must have only positive emotions now. I suggest this trivial misunderstanding be forgotten for the time being.”
“Oh no, Isabel, please. I won’t feel at ease until you forgive me for my cowardice.”
“What does that have to do with cowardice, infante Fernando? And why should I forgive you at all? It seems to me that I don’t understand you.”
“The fact I hid the truth from you was not modesty,” Fernando explained. “I was afraid that once you knew the truth, you would perceive it incorrectly.”
There was silence. Isabel took Fernando's hand in both of hers and said, “So those poems at my door were yours?”
Fernando nodded. “They are mine. And everything written in them is true. I fell in love with you when I saw you on stage, Isabel. It was instantly clear to me that you were my destiny. And my happiness, if you accept my love, or my unhappiness if you reject it. It depends only on you. So tell me, Isabel, what do you want me to be, happy or brokenhearted?”
“Oh, infante Fernando,” Isabel answered excitedly. “I do not know what to say. You are very kind and honest, and I could certainly fall in love with you. But I am afraid to. If I fall in love with you and we are told we cannot marry, I will be heartbroken.
“And between us, there are many barriers, she said. “You are the king’s son, so your fate is not in your hands. I’m sure you know better than I that marriages of princes and infantes are decided at the national level and mostly for political purposes. Love plays a secondary role. I feel we can’t have a future together for that reason.
I’m the daughter of the owner of a small island,” she continued. “And not the whole island, but only a part of it. I am of no value to the country from a political standpoint. Therefore, no one will approve of our union.
“So, infante Fernando, I beg you, try to control your feelings for me. Such love is in vain and will only lead to torment. Please do not torment yourself or me.”
“If I get permission for our union, Isabelle, will you reciprocate my love?” Fernando asked. I will ask Uncle Pedro to grant my request for our union. And if he approves it, we can get engaged at the same time as Afonso and Isabella.”
“Oh, dear infante Fernando,” Isabel replied. Tears are beginning to well up in her eyes. “You are so passionately in love. You have no sense of time at all. You are trying to do things too fast. I don't know if I can love you as much as you love me before Afonso and Isabella’s ceremony. You have the right to inquire if there is a future for us, but I think it is too early to talk about an engagement. However, Your Highness, may I ask that we continue this conversation after you fully recover? It is not good for you to be so emotional in your condition.
“I suggest we talk about something else,” Isabel said, changing the subject. “Let's talk about your progress. You have achieved high success in all the major types of ballroom dancing. And you are ready to show your mastery at the next ball. When you have recovered, we will begin to study other kinds of dancing and …”
Someone knocked on the door before Isabel could finish her sentence.
“Infante Fernando, allow me to open the door,” said Isabel, rising from her chair and gently releasing her hand from his. Isabel opened the door. Duke Pedro and Duchess Isabella were standing at the doorway, with the nurse behind them.
“Allow us to enter, senhorita,” said the Duke, looking at Isabel curiously. He was waiting for her to introduce herself.
“Isabel Zarco,” she said with a curtsy and cleared the way with a slight step aside.
“Pedro, I told you about her. She’s the dance teacher,” said the duchess.
“Of course, I remember,” answered Pedro. “I have heard good things about you, senhorita – about your talent, charm, and beauty. But I had no idea you were so perfect. I am pleased that my wife and nephew made the right choice.”
He turned his gaze to Fernando and spoke to him as he moved closer to the bed. “Oh, my dear, Fernando, forgive me for being unable to visit you sooner. There were affairs of state that I had to attend to. The doctor informed us immediately after his examination that you are doing well and will probably be up and about in a day or two. How do you feel now?”
“I think I will feel better tomorrow,” Fernando answered. “I was a little dizzy after the fall, but I feel much better now.”
“That's wonderful,” exclaimed Duchess Isabella joyfully. “We have good news for you, which may cheer you up. Your brother and our daughter will be back in a couple of weeks. We're getting ready to meet them and organizing a gala evening with dancing. We hope you will be well enough and participate in the dance by then.
“I was told you are making extraordinary progress in your dance classes. Is that true, Isabel?”
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Примечания
1
Sephardic (or Sephardi) Jews, also Sepharadim or Hispanic Jews are a Jewish diaspora population associated with the Iberian Peninsula. The term, derived from the Hebrew Sepharad (lit. 'Spain'), can also refer to the Mizrahi Jews of Western Asia and North Africa, who were also influenced by Sephardic law and customs. Many Iberian Jewish exiles also sought refuge in Mizrahi Jewish communities, resulting in integration with those communities.
2
The Iberian Peninsula (/aɪˈbɪəriən/), also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, defining the westernmost edge of Eurasia. It is principally divided between Continental Portugal and Peninsular Spain, comprising most of the region, Andorra, Gibraltar, and a small area of Southern France (French Cerdagne).
3
A monarch is a head of state for life or until abdication. Therefore, a monarch is the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority and power in the state, or others may wield that power on behalf of the monarch. Usually, a monarch either personally inherits the lawful right to exercise the state's sovereign rights (often referred to as the throne or the crown) or is selected by an established process from a family or cohort eligible to provide the nation's monarch.
4
The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity in Western, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. From the accession of Otto I in 962 until the 12th century, the Empire was the most powerful monarchy in Europe.
5
A papal bull is a type of public decree, letters patent, or charter issued by a pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the leaden seal (bulla) traditionally appended to the end to authenticate it.
6
Tomás de Torquemada (Oct. 14,1420 – Sept. 16, 1498), also anglicized as Thomas of Torquemada, was a Castilian Dominican friar and first Grand Inquisitor of the Tribunal of the Holy Office (otherwise known as the Spanish Inquisition). The Spanish Inquisition was a group of ecclesiastical prelates created in 1478 and charged with the somewhat ill-defined task of “upholding Catholic religious orthodoxy” within the lands of the newly formed union of the crowns of Castile and Aragon. The lands of this newly formed royal union are now known as the Kingdom of Spain.
7
Infante D. Pedro, Duke of Coimbra (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpedɾu]; English: Peter) (Dec. 9, 1392 – May 20, 1449) was a Portuguese infante (prince) of the House of Aviz, son of King John I of Portugal and his wife, Philippa of Lancaster, daughter of John of Gaunt. In Portugal, he is better known as Infante D. Pedro das Sete Partidas [do Mundo], “of the Seven Parts [of the World]” because of his travels. Possibly the best-traveled prince of his time, he was regent between 1439 and 1448. He was also 1st Lord of Montemor-o-Velho, Aveiro, Tentúgal, Cernache, Pereira, Condeixa and Lousã.
8
Coimbra is a city and a municipality in Portugal. Coimbra District in the Centro Region, Portugal. It was the capital city of the country during the 12th century.
9
Isabella of Urgell, Duchess of Coimbra (Spanish: Isabel) (March 12, 1409 – Sept. 17, 1459) was a Catalan noblewoman of the Urgell branch of the House of Barcelona. She was the wife of Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra.
10
Infante, (masculine), feminine infanta, the title borne from the 13th century by the children of the Spanish and Portuguese monarchs. The title infante was borne by the sons of the sovereign, and the title infanta was given to the daughters and to the wife of an infante.
11
Afonso V (Jan. 15, 1432 – 28 Aug. 28, 1481), known by the nickname the African (Portuguese: o Africano), was King of Portugal from 1438 until he died in 1481, with a brief interruption in 1477. His nickname refers to his military conquests in Northern Africa.
12
João the Great (Portuguese: João) (April 11, 1357 – 14 Aug. 14, 1433), also called John I or John of Aviz, was King of Portugal from 1385 until he died in 1433. He is recognized chiefly for his role in Portugal's victory in a succession war with Castile, preserving his country's independence and establishing the Aviz (or Joanine) dynasty on the Portuguese throne. His long reign of 48 years, the most extensive of all Portuguese monarchs, saw the beginning of Portugal's overseas expansion. John's well-remembered reign in his country earned him the epithet of Fond Memory (de Boa Memória); he was also referred to as “the Good" (o Bom), sometimes "the Great" (o Grande), and, more rarely, especially in Spain, as "the Bastard" (Bastardo).
13
Edward (Portuguese: Duarte) (Oct. 31 1391 – Sept. 9 1438), also called Edward the Philosopher King (Duarte o Rei-Filósofo) or the Eloquent (o Eloquente), was the King of Portugal from 1433 until his death. He was born in Viseu, the son of John I of Portugal and his wife, Philippa of Lancaster. Edward was the oldest member of the "Illustrious Generation" of accomplished royal children who contributed to the development of Portuguese civilization during the 15th century. As a cousin of several English kings, he became a Knight of the Garter.
14
Eleanor of Aragon (May 2, 1402 – Feb. 19, 1445) was Queen of Portugal as the spouse of Edward I of Portugal and the regent of Portugal as the guardian of her son. She was the daughter of Ferdinand I of Aragon and Eleanor of Alburquerque.
15
A regent (from Latin regens ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state pro tempore (Latin: “for the time being”) because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated, or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy, or the throne is vacant, and the new monarch has not yet been determined.
16
Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu and Beja (or Fernando, Portuguese pronunciation: [fɨɾˈnɐ̃du], Nov. 17, 1433 – 18 Sept. 18 1470) was the third son of Edward, King of Portugal and his wife, Eleanor of Aragon.
17
Pedro of Coimbra (also known as Peter the Constable) (Portuguese: Pedro, pronounced [ˈpedɾu]; c. 1429 – Granollers, June 30, 1466), sometimes known as Peter V of Aragon, was the son of Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, who became the fifth Constable of Portugal and third Grand Master of the Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz.
18
João or John, Prince of Antioch (1431–1457), was the second son of Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, and Isabella of Urgell, Duchess of Coimbra.
19
James of Portugal (Sept. 17, 1433 – 27 Aug. 27 1459), also known as James of Coimbra, James of Lusitania, was a Portuguese infante (prince) of the House of Aviz and a bishop and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
20
Infanta Isabel of Coimbra (Isabella of Portugal) (March 1, 1432 – Dec. 2. 1455) was a Portuguese infanta and Queen of Portugal as the first spouse of King Afonso V of Portugal.
21
Infanta Beatrice of Coimbra (1435–1462) was the fifth child of Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, and Isabella of Urgell.
22
Infanta Philippa of Coimbra (1437–1497) was the youngest child of Infante Peter, Duke of Coimbra, and Isabella of Urgell. She became a nun in the Convent of Odivelas, where she died in 1497.
23
Aragon is an autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces (from north to south): Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza. The current Statute of Autonomy declares Aragon a historical nationality of Spain.
24
In the Medieval Kingdom of Portugal, the Cortes was an assembly of representatives of the estates of the realm – the nobility, clergy, and bourgeoisie. It was called and dismissed by the King of Portugal at will, at a place of his choosing. The Cortes, which brought all three estates together, is sometimes distinguished as Cortes-Gerais (General Courts), in contrast to smaller assemblies which brought only one or two estates to negotiate a specific point relevant only to them.
25
João Gonçalves Zarco (c. 1390 – Nov. 21,1471) was a Portuguese explorer who established settlements and recognition of the Madeira Islands and was appointed first captain of Funchal by Henry the Navigator.
26
A lady-in-waiting or court lady is a female personal assistant at a court, attending to a royal woman or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe, a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman but of lower rank than the woman to whom she attended. Although she may either have received a retainer or may not have received compensation for the service she rendered, a lady-in-waiting was considered more of a secretary, courtier, or companion to her mistress than a servant.
27
A Moor, in English usage, is a Moroccan or, formerly, a member of the Muslim population of al-Andalus, now Spain and Portugal. Of mixed Arab, Spanish, and Amazigh (Berber) origins, the Moors created the Islamic Andalusian civilization. Subsequently, settled as refugees in the Maghreb (in North Africa) between the 11th and 17th centuries.
28
The Kingdom of Castile (/kæˈstiːl/; Spanish: Reino de Castilla) was a large and powerful state on the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region. It began in the 9th century as the County of Castile (Condado de Castilla), an eastern frontier lordship of the Kingdom of León. Throughout this period, the Castilian kings made extensive conquests in southern Iberia at the expense of the Islamic principalities. With their southern acquisitions, the Kingdoms of Castile and of León came to be known collectively as the Crown of Castile, a term that also came to encompass overseas expansion.
29
Don Afonso I of Braganza (Aug. 10, 1377 – Dec. 15, 1461) was Braganza’s first duke and the eighth count of Barcelos. He founded the House of Braganza, Portugal’s most influential and wealthy dynasty. His descendants became high-ranking nobles, imperial officials, and, finally, kings of Portugal and emperors of Brazil.
30
The sarabande evolved from a Spanish dance with Arab influences, danced by a lively double line of couples with castanets.
31
A caravel (Portuguese: caravela]) is a small, maneuverable sailing ship used in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen sails gave it speed and the capacity for sailing windward. Caravels were used by the Portuguese and Castilians for oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries, during the Age of Discovery.
32
Isabella of Portugal (Feb. 21, 1397 – Dec. 17, 1471) was Duchess of Burgundy and the third wife of Duke Philip the Good. Their son was Charles the Bold, the last Valois Duke of Burgundy. Born a Portuguese infanta of the House of Aviz, Isabella was the only surviving daughter of King John I of Portugal and his wife, Philippa of Lancaster.
33
The Duchy of Burgundy (/ˈbɜːrɡəndi/; French: Duché de Bourgogne) emerged in the 9th century as one of the successors of the ancient Kingdom of the Burgundians, which after its conquest in 532 had formed a constituent part of the Frankish Empire. Burgundy is a historical region in east-central France, but it has given its name to several larger political formations; at its peak, in the 15th century, the duchy of Burgundy was one of the most powerful states in Europe.
34
Philip III, byname Philip the Good or French Philippe Le Bon, (born July 31, 1396, Dijon, Burgundy [now in France]—died June 15, 1467, Bruges [now Brugge, Belgium]), the most important of the Valois dukes of Burgundy (reigned 1419–67) and the true founder of the Burgundian state that rivaled France in the 15th century.