ABSTRACT
All the pro-Spanish faction had to do was to bring over to their side the Catholic King’s favourite, Robert Carr, and they would be almost invincible. Relations between Somerset and Pembroke had never been very cordial. There was no room in Pembroke’s scheme of things for an all-powerful favourite, especially one who tried to monopolise the King’s patronage and was allied to the pro-Spanish Howards. With the ruin of the King’s first favourite, Somerset, in 1615, the power of the Howards continued to wane, and the stock of James’ second favourite continued to rise. Archbishop Abbot’s entreaties finally made her give in, and she reluctantly put her required stamp of approval on the new favourite. Gondomar returned to England in 1620 and quickly wooed and won the favourite for the pro-Spanish camp. Financial necessity again forced the King to call parliament, and this parliament only further increased the growing rift between Pembroke, the King and his favourite.
