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28 Dec.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
113. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
Have received his letters of 9th of September, and 11th,
17th, and 30th of October.
Have written to him on the 14th of May, 20th of June,
21st of July, 22nd of August, 22nd of September. |
King of the
Romans.
"You are astonished that the King of the Romans should
have let the person who calls himself Duke of York escape
at such a time out of his power ; and you think that we have
arranged the matter badly with the King of the Romans,
because he did so much harm at such a conjuncture.
We should have been glad if we had been able to procure
what you had suggested, that is to say, not to let him out
of his power. But he was not at liberty to do any other
thing, as he wished to get rid of him, as we have already
written to you, and as you have already explained (to
Henry VII). You afterwards wrote to us that Rojas had
sent you a paper of the King of the Romans, in which a
clause is contained, that the King of the Romans shall not
be obliged to assist the King of England against him of
York. In spite of this clause, we think it would be advantageous
to the King of England to enter into the league,
for, if he does, the King of the Romans will at any rate
not be at liberty to assist his adversary. Although the
King of the Romans does not succour the King of
England at present against him of York, he will be persuaded
by us to do so afterwards. The King of England
must not be offended by this, for it would not be honest of
the King of the Romans if he not only abandoned him of
York, but also declared himself directly against him whom
he has kept at his court hitherto and always favoured. It
must be well understood that we will help the King of
England against him of York." (fn. 1)
"You say, you wish that the York were in our hands, and
that we should keep him. We shall, after the conclusion of
our alliance with the King of England, certainly be obliged
to render him all possible assistance. But if it be true what
you write, that the York is taken prisoner, there is no
longer any necessity for what you desire ; write therefore
soon how this affair has ended, and all other news from
England, not in cipher but in common writing. (fn. 2) It was
very right that you did not communicate our offer to the
King of England to be security for the strict fulfilment
by the King of the Romans of the clause concerning the
so-called Duke of York."
Do not send the power for the treaties of alliance and of
marriage between the Princess Katharine and Prince Arthur,
because the courier goes by land, and the roads are insecure.
Promise to send the power by sea with Salvador de Ugarte,
or another courier. But he may conclude the treaty of
marriage as it was formerly concluded, or, if possible, on
better conditions. |
Alliances to be
concluded.
Henry must conclude his alliances with Spain, Flanders,
and the King of the Romans at the same time. If the
alliance with the King of the Romans cannot be directly
concluded because he is now so far off, the alliance with
Spain and England alone may be signed. If Henry prefer
to enter the league before he conclude his separate treaties
with Spain, the King of the Romans, and the Archduke, his
wish may be gratified. But whatever is done, Henry must,
without loss of time, make war upon France." (fn. 3) |
Princess Margaret.
Henry has asked that the marriage between Doña Juana
and the Archduke should be concluded without loss of time.
This marriage and the marriage of the Princess Margaret with
the Infante of Spain are already concluded. "If the King of
England should now ask for the old Duchess to be sent away
from Flanders, we answer that we also have grave complaints
against her. She has never shown friendship to us.
Nevertheless, she is a woman, and it would be mean to ask,
or to grant her banishment. Our daughter is now going
to Flanders, and when she is there the old Duchess will
no longer occupy the same position nor enjoy the same
authority as hitherto. Tell the King of England to desist
from his demands."
Send an answer to the last letter of Henry. Henry has
complained of the treaty concluded by Venice and Milan
with France. Have already said that the Duke of Milan
has made the treaty only in order to obtain Novara, and
that Venice has never made peace with France.
Are astonished that the breves of the Pope have not yet
arrived in England.
Are pleased that Henry is ready satisfactorily to arrange
the business concerning the Spanish merchants in England.
He must never cease to watch the negotiations of France
in England. Henry must avoid all appearance even of
favouring France. He may rather declare war against the
King of France, even if he were not prepared to carry it on.
Henry wishes to know the state of things in Scotland.
Have sent their ambassadors to Scotland in order to prevent
the King of Scots assisting him of York, or doing harm to
Henry. Letters for the ambassadors in Scotland are enclosed.
Are pleased with the answer of Henry to the ambassadors
of the Archduke. What he has said is only just. Spain
has begun the reconciliation between England and Flanders,
and must therefore be permitted to carry the negotiations
to the end.
Have not received the letter of the Doctor, who is privy
counsellor to Henry. He must inquire what has become
of that letter. Fernand Alvarez writes more particulars.
—Tortosa, 28th December 1496. (fn. 4)
Indorsed : "Draft of the letter to Doctor de Puebla which
went from Tortosa by Juan de Valmarada, courier,
by sea. He took two other copies to Diego de Soria, to
be forwarded by land to Flanders, and from Flanders
to England."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 4. |
28 Dec.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
114. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
The same despatch written in cipher.
There are some alterations in the wording, but the substance
is exactly the same.
Spanish. Written in two different keys of cipher, one of
which is extant. |
28 Dec.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
115. Ferdinand and Isabella to Henry VII.
Have sent their instructions to De Puebla, who will make
communications concerning the negotiations now pending.—
No date.
Spanish. Draft. p. ½. |
28 Dec.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
116. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
Send him a despatch similar to that which was sent with
Salvador de Ugarte.
Alvarez will write the news from Spain.—No date.
Draft. Spanish. p. ½. |
28 Dec.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
Tidings to be sent
from England.
117. MCCCIX. (Guide) to Alonzo De Compludo, Agent of
Diego De Soria in London. (fn. 5)
"Sir, I have received your letters directed to me and to the
Directors of the Company, who are much pleased that you
have so ably and so minutely given all the commercial news
from there. For they are disposed to act here (in Spain) according
to the sales there (in England). You must, therefore,
communicate to them the prices of iron and of other merchandize
at least once a month, or even every day, in order
that our masters may sell here according to the prices there.
You know that though there are not more than two fairs at
Medina, there is every day and every hour opportunity for
selling as one likes. For this reason our masters have told
me to go to this residence and to open a shop, in order to
receive your letters and to write you what passes here.
There are three copies of the letters which the Directors of
the Company write you. I give two of them to Diego de
Soria. He will send them each separately CCCLXXXVIII
(with) a DLXVIII (courier) by land. The third copy goes
by Juan de Santa Gadea by sea. But I doubt whether he
will be able to sail before the fine weather sets in, for the
sea is so very rough now. I do not, therefore, send you
DCCCCXXXIX (the) MDCCLXXXVII (power) which you
have desired, hoping that a person of trust will soon be
sent MDCCXCIIII (by) MCCCCLXXXVIII (sea). But
you can, in virtue of the letters and instructions which
you have already received, execute the sale of the iron
and the purchase of cloth, just as though you had received
the MDCCLXXXVII (power). I assure you that the
money has been kept back for no other reason but from
fear of the insecurity of the roads. It is hoped that Salvador
de Ugarte will soon come and bring it to you, and if he
delay much another courier will do it. You know money
cannot be confided to all persons. Nevertheless, in order to
enable you to inform us what you have bought I will write
to Diego de Soria to send you one thousand maravedis.
He will send you with this despatch his bill of exchange. |
News from Spain.
The news from Spain is that the King and Queen, our
lords, have been in Arragon, and concluded in person their
parliament of Arragon, which has voted a good number of
troops for three years. They have come to this town of
Tortosa, where they hold the courts of Catalonia ; and in
San Mateo, seven leagues from here, sit the courts of
Valencia. It is expected that they will obtain here in a very
short time many more troops than in Arragon, perhaps three
times as many, and likewise for three years. They have
already five thousand lances, most of them men-at-arms.
They will further assemble in the month of March in Castile
twenty thousand lances, ten thousand men-at-arms, ten
thousand horsemen, and one hundred thousand foot. May
God give peace to Christendom, and may these troops be
employed against the Infidels. |
King of Portugal.
You know already that the King of Portugal has died,
which is a fatality in such a time and at such a conjuncture.
The former Duke of Beja, first son of the brother of our
Queen, is now undisputed King of Portugal. The crown
belonged to him by right, and besides the departed King
left it to him in his will. He left to Don Georges, his
natural son, to whom it was thought he would leave the
kingdom, nothing, but only recommended him to the new
King. Portugal is now as dependent on the will, and as
obedient to the orders of our lady the Queen, as Andalusia.
If, therefore, the factors of the Company who stay at
Lisbon write to you, you may answer them, and send them
merchandize just as to Burgos.
If the DCCCCLIII (marriage of Princess Katharine)
and DCCCCLII (the marriage of Prince Arthur) are concluded,
you must write it, and I promise you that this
and what DCCCLV (De Puebla) (fn. 6) did in the affair of
DCCCCXXVII (the Constable of Navarra) (fn. 7) will be paid,
and is much to my taste. Therefore make haste and conclude
the business, but at the same time must MMXXXIIII
(begin) MCCCVII (war) DCCCXCIIII (between England)
MCCCXXIX (and) DCCCLXXXIIII (France).
This country is very dear, and it is therefore impossible
to sell as much of the merchandize which was brought as is
desired. Nevertheless, I am pleased to stay here, in order
that you may hear every day from us, and you must likewise
not be sparing of messengers.
The enclosed sealed letter is for the factors in
DCCCCXXII (Scotland). As you know their names
write the directions on it, and send it directly. As soon as
you receive an answer from them send it to me. God
preserve your life.—Tortosa, 28th December 1496.
"Your MCCCIX (Guide)."
Addressed : "To Alonso de Compludo, factor of Don
Diego de Soria in Londres." (fn. 8)
Spanish, and cipher. |
| P. R. O.
Fr. R.
11 & 12 Hen. VII.
m. 16. (15.) |
118. Henry VII. to Thomas, Bishop of Winchester.
Commissions Thomas, Bishop of Winchester, John Dynham
of Dynham, William Warham, Doctor of Law, Robert Middleton,
Richard Guildford, and John Rysley, to confer with
De Puebla, ambassador of the King and Queen of Spain, and
to arrange various particulars respecting the marriage of
Princess Katharine with Prince Arthur.—No date.
Latin. pp. 2. |
| S. E. T. c. I.
L. 5. f. 76. |
119. Richard, Duke of York, (Perkin Warbeck,) to Lady
Katharine Gordon (?) (fn. 9)
Most noble lady, it is not without reason that all turn their
eyes to you ; that all admire, love, and obey you. For they
see your two-fold virtues by which you are so much distinguished
above all other mortals. Whilst, on the one hand,
they admire your riches and immutable prosperity, which
secure to you the nobility of your lineage and the loftiness of
your rank, they are, on the other hand, struck by your rather
divine than human beauty, and believe that you are not born
in our days, but descended from Heaven.
All look at your face, so bright and serene that it gives
splendour to the cloudy sky ; all look at your eyes as brilliant
as stars, which make all pain to be forgotten, and turn
despair into delight ; all look at your neck, which outshines
pearls ; all look at your fine forehead, your purple light of
youth, your fair hair ; in one word, at the splendid perfection
of your person ;—and looking at, they cannot choose but
admire you ; admiring, they cannot choose but love you ;
loving, they cannot choose but obey you.
I shall, perhaps, be the happiest of all your admirers, and the
happiest man on earth, since I have reason to hope you will
think me worthy of your love. If I represent to my mind
all your perfections, I am not only compelled to love, to
adore, and to worship you, but love makes me your slave.
Whether waking or sleeping, I cannot find rest or happiness
except in your affection. All my hopes rest in you, and in
you alone.
Most noble lady, my soul, look mercifully down upon me
your slave, who has ever been devoted to you from the first
hour he saw you. Love is not an earthly thing, it is heaven
born. Do not think it below yourself to obey love's dictates.
Not only kings, but also gods and goddesses have bent their
necks beneath its yoke.
I beseech you, most noble lady, to accept for ever one who
in all things will cheerfully do your will as long as his days
shall last. Farewell, my soul and my consolation. You, the
brightest ornament of Scotland, farewell, farewell.
Indorsed in Spanish : "From the Prince of Wales to the
Princess of Wales."
Latin. Copy. |