Chapter 7 : The Sixth Star or Splendour of the Crown of Goodness of the MOTHER OF GOD
She is a true model of generosity towards her children
Continuing our translation of the 1845 reprint of Fr François Poiré’s Triple Crown of the Mother of God (1643 French edition).
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| Notre Dame des Grâces, Cotignac (Poggi, 2020) |
§ 5. The Gratitude of the Mother of God towards certain Kings, Queens and other Rulers
Edward I
27 John’s son and successor was Edward I[1], the eleventh king of Portugal, and he followed his father’s example, as we shall see.
He was so devoted to the Queen of Angels and the day of her Assumption (which had been so propitious for his father) that he could not be persuaded to choose any other day for his anointing as King. This was despite the protests of astrologers, of whom the principal was an old Jewish soothsayer who warned that his reign would have ill luck if he did not choose a different day. He sought guidance and help from the Queen of stars and the Mother of good fortune, trusting that she would take him under her special protection. This is exactly what she did, making him outstanding in all the qualities that raise a great Prince in the estimation of his people, such as : in his handsome looks, his physical health, his strength, his courage, his mind, his learning, his eloquence, his wisdom, his reputation, his esteem and his children – to sum up: in everything that could humanly be desired, with the exception of a long life. This was curtailed by some evil men using a poisoned letter with the result that he passed from this life to the next aged thirty-seven and in the fifth year of his reign. We may in fact wonder whether she who had undertaken to guide him during his life foresaw the risk of a false step that he might take and accordingly chose Him at a time when he was still ready to be taken up into heaven, even though he would be missed on earth. After she had received his spirit (as we may safely presume on the basis of her faithful kind-heartedness), his mortal remains were entrusted to the Holy Virgin by being placed in the Church of Our Lady of Batalha.
Footnotes
[1] Vasconcellius, in Regibus Lusitaniæ Anacephalæosi 13.
Alfonso V
28 This devotion towards the MOTHER OF GOD seemed to pass by way of inheritance to Alfonso V, Edward’s son. He was known as the African, like the invincible Scipio of old. He acquired fame for the destruction he wrought on the Mahometans in Africa, as well as for the signal victories he won against them and the cities he liberated.
He was the only one to achieve success in the Crusade that Pope called for against the Turk. He launched his campaign in the year 1458, having at the outset an army of only 25,000. He would never have pursued this project except under the guidance of her who is the Commander-in-chief of the Church’s armies and the result was that he received her help in hundreds of encounters. Before attacking Asilah, one of the most important strongholds on the Berber coast, he made a vow to the Holy Virgin that if she were to help him capture that city he would have a life-size statue made of himself, fully armed and mounted on horseback, to serve as both an ornament and a monument in a Church that would be dedicated in her name. The outcome of this engagement proved that his prayer had been granted, for he had no difficulty in taking the city, with scarcely any losses on his own side. The enemy lost 2000 killed in action and nearly 5000 prisoners were taken. He left the spoils of victory (worth more than 800,000 écus) entirely to his soldiers, without touching any himself. He honoured his vow straight after the battle, offering his own weight in silver to the Church of Our Lady of the Bush, in accordance with the promise he had made. Apart from this, he built a beautiful Church in honour of the Virgin commemorating the Assumption because it was on this date that the fleet sailed from Portugal bound for the Berber coast. This shows how auspicious this day was for the Princes of this Royal house. The news that Asilah had been taken no sooner reached Tangier than the terrified inhabitants abandoned the city, taking all the possessions they could carry and leaving Alfonso free to enter it unimpeded.
It is not possible in the space available to do justice to all the graces and favours that this Prince obtained from Heaven through his hereditary devotion to the MOTHER OF GOD. Suffice it to say that she helped make him one of the great Princes in all history. He was endowed with a lively and brilliant mind, he was one of the best speakers in his kingdom, a great lover of letters and friend to men of learning, very modest in his lifestyle, chaste in his demeanour, brave in time of war, slow to anger, a keen peace-maker, friendly and generous towards everyone, but especially solicitous for men who had been taken prisoner – whence he was given the glorious title of Redeemer of captives. I have similar material on other Princes who have worn the same Crown but I think we have spent enough time in Portugal and other kingdoms now await us.
St Edward
29 St Edward, the honour of England and a perfect model for good Kings, had scarcely emerged from his childhood when he was forced to quit his country in order to flee from the Danes who had descended upon England. He immediately placed himself under the protection of the MOTHER OF GOD who received him with open arms and who took such care of him that he was able to return to his country safe and sound after the storm had passed[1]. Even though his was a gentle and kind-hearted disposition (so much so that he could scarcely be moved to anger), she helped him to maintain ascendancy over his subjects in such a way that he was never wanting in any respect the authority necessary for a good Sovereign. Thanks to the graces received from the same Virgin, he maintained perpetual chastity in his married life and became so remarkable in all the virtues that eventually he was officially included in the ranks of the Saints.
Footnotes
[1] Thomas Walsingh., in Hist. Anglicana.
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| The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century. |
SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.
Totus tuus ego sum
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam.
© Peter Bloor
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