ABSTRACT
The peace of Cateau-Cambresis brought to an end almost half a century of wars between France and Spain over the Italian lands, and the start of a new era in the relations between the two neighbouring countries. With the marriage agreement between Philip of Spain, recently a widower for the second time, and Elizabeth of Valois, daughter of Henri II, the international scene changed to a notable degree. The entry of Elizabeth of Valois into the Court at Toledo was preceded by entries into several different cities, which took the opportunity thus offered to promote their individual needs and interests. The next entry took place in Guadalajara, the city chosen to celebrate the royal nuptials. Here, Elizabeth entered as the king's fiancée and left as the queen of Spain. Though the queen's virtues were glorified, the message was clearly directed to the king, 'the missing main character', addressing his interests and policies.
