The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-16

A N unnatural father and refrac- "A tory son led to the most interest ( A ing trial in Spanish history, when King Philip II of Spain condemned to death his son, Don Carlos, for treason in 156S. Don Carlos affections became alie- mated from his father by his disappoint- ing him of his promised match with the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Henry II of France and Catherine de Medici This princess left France with the iuten- ton of being welded to Don Carlos, but wed her, the father stepped in and made her his own queen.
 Naturally, such a termination would lead to an unhappy marriage, but it was probably the only way that poor old Philip could connive in order to placate the insult and anger to his neighboring 8 state. To further anger his father Don Carlos tried to invcigle Don Juan, a son of Charles V, into a scheme against his father, but Don Juan timidly refused, and in order to ingratiate himeslf more firmly with Philip he revealed the scheme to the King Then to furthei asgravate matters, Don Carlos wrote a book en- titled, "The Great and Marvellous Expe- ditions of King Don Philip" in which he held his father up to ridicule and finally engaged in a conspiracy with the rebels in the Netherlands and was to have put himself at their head.
 When delegation arrived from Elan ders on a secret mission to confer with
  Horn were placed in prison, and in searching the former letter was discov- cred from Don Carlos. This led to an en- tire arrangement between father and son, and Philip determined upon the lat ter's arrest. He was seized while in bed by his father who also opened his casket and carried away all his papers.
 Philip called council and communi- cated to them what Nurse had been taken with Don Carlos, contenting tim- self with telling them in general that he was determined to t'Ist step by mo- tives of the utmost ,mprf.ance. In the same style he addressed himself to all the ambassadors and promulgated the news of bis extraordinary proceedings oyer all his Gominions.
 King Philip wrote letters to all the princes of Europe informing them of the sreasorable actions of his son Philip did not judge Don Carlos of any capital crime, as would be inferred from his let ters, but the unfriendliness of his son weighed so heavily upon him that he would not enter the gates of Madrid dur ing the whole time of Don Carlos con- finement.
 Philip mustered up all the evidence that he could draw together Of this state crime, and received from all quarters a variety of depositions which accused the prince of favoring the rebels of Flanders. He then held what he called his court of conscience" He called to his assistance several eminent doctors of divinity and questioned them as to what punishment Don Carlos deserved for the crime that was proved upon him. Their sentiments were divided. Some were of the opinion that his transgression ought to be par doned, enforcing their decision with cogent arguments; but others alleged weighty motives as to why he should be severely punished
 Finally Philip sent for the fathers of tlle Inquisitloa and abandoned his son othe judgment of that tremendous trib- unal, with an order that they should not show any more regard for him than to the meanest of his subjects, nor lay any stress upon the dignity of his birth, the splendor of his rank. or the authority which he bore in the monarchy.
 In a few days an indictment was drawn up in obedience to the King, who consti- tuted himself his sons accuser. By the sentence they pronounced, Don Carlos was declared heretic, guilty of con- spiracy against the life of his father. and they condemned him to remain in prison. Cardinal Spinosa represented to the King that no cage was strong enough to con fine this bird, and that he must either dispatch him soon or set him at liberty.
 Then the populAce began to mSrmur and the King became alarmed for fear there would os an uprising. Tho only ching he could see to ayqid trouble would