ABSTRACT
The Third Earl’s active commitment to the arts did not blind him to the fact that, central though they were to his interests, they could not be divorced from the politics of the age. By 1621 he was determined to use his extensive political influence at Court, in the Privy Council, and in both houses of parliament, to soften the impact of or even to thwart James’ designs. On 30 January 1621, financial necessity forced the calling of the third parliament of James’ reign. Pembroke, whom Gondomar considered as ‘always the mortal enemy of Spain’, was averse neither to sponsoring anti-Spanish propaganda nor to building up his influence in parliament to counter the Spanish threat. The Commissioners for Spanish Affairs – a body constituted of the twelve leading Privy Councillors – between Christmas 1623 and New Year’s Day 1624 voted in favour of summoning parliament.
