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1497.
1 Jan.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 3. f. 4. |
167. Ferdinand and Isabella.
Ratify the treaty of marriage concluded in London on the
1st October 1496.—Burgos, 1st January 1497.
Latin. pp. 2. |
1 Jan.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 3. N. 10. |
168. Princess Katharine.
Empowers De Puebla to contract in her name, and as her
proxy, a marriage with Prince Arthur, per verba de prœsenti.
—Burgos, 1st January 1497.
Latin. |
Jan. 1 (?)
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 3. f. 2. |
169. Henry VII. to Ferdinand and Isabella.
If Arthur, Prince of Wales, should die before his father, and
have male issue begotten from his marriage with Princess
Katharine, the eldest of his sons shall be created Prince of
Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester. The succession
to the throne of England after the death of the
present King of England shall be secured to him, notwithstanding
any other sons the King of England has or might
have.—No date. (fn. 1)
Addressed : "To the most serene and powerful Princes
Ferdinand and Isabella, by the grace of God, King
and Queen of Castile, Aragon, &c., my cousins and
most beloved friends."
Latin. pp. 1½. |
10 Jan.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
170. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
The King and Queen.
We have seen your letters in cipher, of the dates of the
7th of October and 7th of November, and all the other
despatches and letters which you sent us by Juan Daza, who
conveys this letter to your hands. |
Conclusion of the
marriage treaty.
Having noted the contents of your despatch, we are of
opinion that you have acted rightly as regards the manner in
which you have conducted the affair of the marriage treaty.
We also approve of the reasons which moved you to make a
speedy conclusion of the whole business. We are well
pleased with your management throughout, and look upon it
as a service done to ourselves. |
Betrothal of the
Princess Katharine
and the Prince of
Wales.
We have, therefore, had the ratification made out in
proper form, as you will see, and sent with this despatch.
Moreover, we think well of what you have written respecting
the Prince of Wales and the Infanta Doña Katharine being
betrothed, notwithstanding that they have not as yet arrived
at the proper age. We have accordingly sent a form of authority
from the said Infanta, drawn up in the best possible
manner, in virtue of which you will make the contract of
betrothal in her name, at the time, and in the manner which
is most agreeable to the King of England. If he approve of
it, conduct the affair secretly as you did that of the contract
for the marriage, until we see what becomes of the affairs of
Scotland. For if you act otherwise no advantage will accrue
from the publication of it. Say so to the King our brother. |
Supplication to be
addressed to the
Pope.
We saw the supplication addressed by the King to the
Pope to obtain a dispensation for the age of both parties, and
the despatch which he wrote, relative to the affair, to his
ambassador in Rome, and it has all been done in proper
form.
It is our opinion that the same request should be made on
the part of the Prince. Therefore, let it be your endeavour to
obtain it, and let his supplication be sent to Rome, whilst we
also will send ours and that of the Infanta, so that the matter
may be done by every one of us conjointly. When the dispensation
is procured, then the betrothal may take place.
Confer with the King of England about the affair, and come
to such an agreement with him respecting it as may seem
best. |
Affair of the
alliance to be
insisted upon.
It would be satisfactory to us that the alliance should be
strongly insisted upon. As, however, you say that the King
of England has agreed to it, you must endeavour to have that
business despatched immediately as well as the other. Webelieve
that, in conformity with what you wrote, you will manage the
affair well, and that you will improve upon the articles and
conditions of the amity and alliance, while you do not exceed,
on the other hand, our commission and commandment. Moreover,
we trust you will do everything suitable, and with the
attention that the importance of the matter in hand necessitates.
It likewise appears well to us that at the delivering
up of the ratification which we now send you, you should
obtain the instrument containing the articles of the friendship
and alliance, and send it to us that we may immediately conclude
the ratification of that, as well as of the other matter.
All this ought to be completed in one instrument, or at any
rate in two, it does not much signify. Let this be done now,
and afterwards what may seem better. |
Measures taken by
Ferdinand and
Isabella to reconcile
the Archduke and
Henry.
It weighs much upon our minds that, on account of the
reasons which you stated to us, there does not subsist between
the King of England and the Archduke the harmony which
is fitting, and which we desire to see. It imports much to us
all to make very sure of the King of England, and not less,
but more so, of the Archduke, so that he may be obliged to
keep his faith and the word which he has plighted, together
with what has been agreed upon and capitulated with him.
We have, therefore, ordered letters to be sent immediately by
two different routes to Rojas, in order that he may endeavour
to obtain what we desire. We have also agreed to send
either the one or the other messenger to the Archduke for
this sole purpose, desiring him to use his best endeavours
that every occasion of difference between them may be taken
away, and that he keep, as is reason he should, the agreement
he has made with the King of England. For we
ourselves, seeing that we are connected with both of them
in the bonds of such close amity and kinship, ought to endeavour,
as much as we can, to bring about a good understanding,
and to establish a conformity of policy between
them. All this you can say to the King of England on
our part, whilst you endeavour to induce him to be of our
opinion. |
King of France.
It gives us much pleasure to know that the King of
England is so willing to induce the King of France to
relinquish his foolish attempts and enterprises. Of a truth we
value his willing mind in our behalf, and he may feel sure
that we will not deceive him in the matter. For if he
were our own brother even, it would not make any difference
to us, and so you may say to him. |
Resolution of
Henry to enter
into the league.
Reasons why
Henry should
make war on
France.
You shall also communicate to him the great pleasure it
gives us to hear of the good and holy determination and
resolution he has made to enter into the league. We are
the more gratified as we have heard from Rome that it was
without his making any conditions, which confirms what you
wrote. For you said that the manner in which it was done
would much content him when he saw what good effects
would result from it in regard of his advantage and honour,
and that of all those of the league. It is not worth while
to say that to him, for the thing is self-evident, and therefore
you must always insist, in the way that may seem most
advantageous, upon his immediately making war upon
France. In this affair he ought not to allow himself to be
restrained by what his council will cite to him concerning
the past, since at this time, and as many times as he may
undertake anything against France, he can reap nothing
except honour and profit, as has always been abundantly
and for a long time past, proved. It will, moreover, be much
more the case if he make war at a season like this, in
which it will be such a worthy proceeding in respect of the
Pope, and of the Church of Rome, of which he is so devoted
a son. By his entry into the league, he will also oblige
those who belong to it to assist him and in such a manner
as has never been done before, and will hereby give the enemy
so great an overthrow that, of necessity, his pride will be
abased for a long time to come.
By means of these and other like arguments you must
always endeavour to obtain that, in whatever he may take in
hand against France, it may not be with a view of merely
inspiring fear, but of obliging the King of France not only
to cease to make war on the Pope and the Church, but on
all those of the league, forcing him to entreat and desire
peace with them all. Moreover, the King of England should
always insist upon the King of France ceasing altogether
from making war, not only on the Pope and the Church, but on
all those belonging to the league.
The King of England is right in considering that not more
than the third, or so much as the half of the crusade of his
kingdom should be required of him. You must say to him
that he ought, at his own pleasure, to send to the Pope on his
part, and that we will send to our ambassador, who will
request the same thing from his Holiness on our part.
As to what you suggest, that we should give orders respecting
the many requisitions sent about grievances of old standing,
it is well said ; although, as concerns matters of not very
old date, every one ought to have it at heart to see that
justice be done and administered to the injured parties. In
the older cases the custom is, when alliances are made, to
constitute judges for the one side and the other, that after
the complaints have been heard they should arbitrate upon
them among themselves. The like course ought to be
followed in this case if it should appear well to them in
England. |
Alliance with
Denmark.
As to the proposition of entering into an alliance with the
King of Denmark, he being such a King as he is, and held in
such great reputation, it is our pleasure that you should
negotiate and confer respecting the matter with his ambassador,
in his name, but with the necessary exceptions. Whatever
you take in hand, do it immediately, so that we may
inform you of our intentions. We will, moreover, send you
authority to make the treaty.
We have received the command which the King of England
gave to his vassals and his fleet about the business
respecting which I, the Queen, wrote to them, and which has
been properly arranged. |
Duke of York ;
evidence respecting
his birth and
parentage.
As to the evidence in the affair of York, we do not send it
to you with this despatch, because the copy we have is authenticated
by only one notary, and is written in the Castilian
tongue. For it seems to us that it would cause embarrassment
to send such a document in a language which is not understood
in England. But we will send immediately to have it
translated into Latin, and signed by three notaries. As soon
as it arrives we will forward it to you immediately and very
carefully. |
Archduchess
Juana.
We have read the copy of the letter which the King of England
wrote to the Archduchess, our daughter ; and throughout
it all his prudence, together with the love and affection he
bears towards us, are clearly seen. We believe what you
affirm, that it is not your fault that you have not written to
us for so long a time, notwithstanding that so many English
ships have arrived by which we have received nothing, nor any
answer from you to the many letters which we have written
to you. Six or seven months having thus passed away without
hearing, we had good reason to think the blame was
yours. But now that you have sent us such welcome news
everything is right. Still we would that from henceforth you
should write to us constantly, and inform us of all that you
may hear respecting Flanders. For although you may imagine
that we receive in due course intelligence from the Archduke
and the Archduchess, our children, you should not on that
account delay to write us all that you yourself may know.
In point of fact, the latest news we have had from
Flanders was contained in the last letter which we received
from you.
It is a cause of displeasure to us that our ambassador Don
Pedro De Ayala was not in Scotland at the time when his
going thither might have been of service in preventing the
King of Scots from invading England. Had he been there he
might also have endeavoured to reconcile the two Kings, or to
bring about some extension of the truce, during which truce
the King of England might have made some suitable treaty.
As we have been hoping to receive the intelligence we wish
to have about the Duke of York, we have again written to
him [Don Pedro de Ayala] all that was fitting respecting
everything. Write to us yourself particularly, with regard
to all which you think ought to be done.
The despatch which Don Juan Daza takes is the ratification
of the authority of the Infanta Doña Katharine, our
daughter, of which mention has been made above. There is
also a letter writen by my hand, I the Queen, for the King
of England, about the affair respecting which he wrote to
me. A gracious answer is also hereby sent to the Bishop of
London, with whom we are much contented, because of the
manner in which he has acted in the debates respecting our
affairs. Lastly, there is a letter from my ambassador to the
Latin secretary of the King of England, thanking him much
for his great affection, and for what he has done in our
service, and offering him presents. Do what you can to
further his welfare and his promotion with all good will
—Given at Burgos, 10th January 1497.
I, the King.
I, the Queen.
By the command of the King and Queen.
Signed : Johan de Coloma.
Indorsed by De Puebla : "From their Highnesses, 10th of
January." In cipher :— "I received this and another
despatch the last day of Whitsuntide, brought by
a servant of De Coloma.
Spanish. The despatch is in two keys of cipher, mixed up
with one another. One of the keys (in Latin numbers)
is preserved, the other is not extant. The deciphering
is by the editor. |
10 Jan.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
171. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
The same despatch. The only difference consists in the
ciphering, which is in some portions different.
Spanish. Written in two keys of cipher. One key of the
cipher is extant. |
15 Jan.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
172. Ferdinand and Isabella to Doctor De Puebla.
Have seen his letter brought by Juan Daza. Are pleased
that the marriage is concluded. The clauses are entirely to
their satisfaction.
Send the ratification of the treaty. Have altered nothing
in it, except that they have placed their names before that
of Henry VII., as it is the custom. Henry must give in
exchange for this his ratification of the treaty. Though it is
not the custom in England to sign such papers, Henry
is expected to do so in this case. The treaty must be kept
secret because of Scotland.
Directly after the exchange of this treaty, the treaty of
alliance must be concluded.
The customs on Spanish merchandize must be reduced. If
that cannot be obtained, will consider themselves at liberty to
impose higher duties on English commerce in Spain.
Enclose letters to Henry and to the Bishop of London.
Have had no letters from him since the 10th of July. Expect
he will write oftener ; if possible, every day. A trustworthy
person in Bristol may be selected to receive and forward their
letters.
He must write all he hears of the Archduchess and the
Archduke. He may make an arrangement that the letters
from Flanders shall be sent to England, and from England to
Spain.
Whatever he can learn about the Spanish ambassadors in
Scotland must be communicated directly to them.
Alvarez will tell him the favours which are granted to
him.—Burgos, 15th January 1497.
Indorsed : "Letter of their Highnesses to Doctor de Puebla
from Burgos, 15th January 1497."
Spanish. Draft, pp. 5½. |
3 Feb.
S. E. I.
L. 806. f. 4. |
Arrival of the
Princess Margaret
at Southampton.
173. Henry VII. to Princess Margaret Of Austria. (fn. 2)
Most illustrious and most excellent Princess, our dearest
and most beloved cousin. With all our heart we send to greet
you, and to recommend ourself. We have received through
the most renowned, most prudent, and most discreet ambassador
of our most beloved cousins the King and Queen
of Spain, at our court, the letters of the admiral and
ambassador of the said King and Queen, who accompany
your Excellence. By them we are informed that your Highness,
enjoying the best of health, has entered with your
whole fleet and suite our harbour of Southampton. Our
subjects of that neighbourhood had already communicated to
us the arrival of your Highness. As soon as we heard of
it, we sent our well beloved and trustworthy vassals and
servants, the Seneschal of our palace, and Sir Charles
Somerset, our captain and guardian of our body, and also a
doctor utriusque juris, and keeper of our Privy Seal, to
see, visit, and consult you in our name, and to tell you
how agreeable and delightful to us was the arrival of your
Excellence in our dominions, especially as it has pleased
God to give you and your company (to whom we recommend
ourself likewise) good health and cheerful spirits.
Our servants are to place at your disposal our person, our
realm, and all that is to be found in it. They are to provide
you with whatever you wish, and serve and obey
you as ourself. You will more fully learn our intentions
from them and from the letters of the Spanish ambassador
who resides at our court.
The following is written by the King himself :—
Dearest and most beloved cousin. Desirous the more to
assure your Excellence that your visit to us and to our realm
is so agreeable and delightful to us, that the arrival of our
own daughter could not give us greater joy, we write this
portion of our letter with our own hand, in order to be able
the better to express to you that you are very welcome, and
that you may more perfectly understand our good wishes.
We most earnestly entreat and beseech your Highness from
the bottom of our heart, to be as cheerful as though you
were with the dearest and most beloved King and Queen of
Spain, our cousins, and that you will stay in whatever part
of our realms as cheerfully and without fear as though you
were in Spain. In all and everything you want, do not
spare us and our realms, for you will render us a great
and most acceptable service by accepting anything from us.
—Palace, Westminster, 3rd February.
Spanish translation. |
Feb.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 806. f. 4. |
Proposal of Henry
to visit the Princess
Margaret.
174. Henry VII. to Princess Margaret Of Austria.
Most illustrious and most excellent Princess, our most
noble and most beloved cousin, we have received to-day the
letter of the 2nd inst., which your Highness has written
from the harbour of Southampton, and are much pleased
with it. We are also very glad to learn the good news
contained in your letter and the letter of the illustrious
ambassador, whom our dearest cousins, the King and
Queen of Spain, your most pious parents, have ordered to
accompany you. He informs us of your prosperity and
good success. We, on our part, have sent to inform you
of our inviolable friendship, and to tell you how agreeable
in every respect your arrival in our harbour has been to
us. On Friday we sent you our servants and domestics,
with injunctions to serve you in the same way as they serve
ourselves ; and a short time after they had left we wrote
to your Excellence a letter with our own hand, to give
you a hearty welcome in our harbour. We beseech you
to have a cheerful face and a glad heart, to be happy and
enjoy yourself as safely as though you were our own
daughter, or had already reached the dominions of our said
cousins the King and Queen of Spain, your pious parents.
We pray your Highness, with all our heart, to dispose of us
and of everything that is to be found in our realms, and to
spare us in nothing, even if the thing is not to be had in
our dominions, and to order any service which we are able
to execute. For, by doing so, you will bestow on us a
signal and most acceptable favour. As we hear that the
wind is contrary to the continuation of your voyage, wishing
that your Highness would repose and rest, our advice
is, that you take lodgings in our said town of Southampton,
and remain there till the wind becomes favourable and the
weather clears up. We believe that the movement and the
roaring of the sea is disagreeable to your Highness and
to the ladies who accompany you. If you accept our proposal,
and remain so long in our said town of Southampton
that we can be informed of it, and have time to go
and to see you before your departure, we certainly will
go and pay your Highness a visit. In a personal communication
we could best open our mind to you, and tell
you how much we are delighted that you have safely arrived
in our port, and how glad we are that the (friendship)
with you and our dearest cousins, the King and Queen
of Spain, your most benign parents, is increasing from
day to day. We desire to communicate to you in the best
manner our news, and to hear from you of your welfare.
May your Highness be as well and as happy as we wish.—
From our Palace at Westminster ... of February, in
the year ninety-six.
Spanish translation. |
28 March.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
175. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
Have received his letters in cipher and in common writing,
of the 14th and 28th of December, and 15th of January.
Have received by the same couriers, Juan Aguado and Juan
de Obregon, three letters of Henry, a copy of the brief
of the Pope to Henry, and the treaty signed by the Bishop
of London.
Are pleased with the letter of the Chancellor of Denmark,
and with what has been negotiated with him. |
King of the
Romans.
Have read all the observations of Henry respecting the
King of the Romans and the Archduke as to their having
been comprehended as well as excepted in the treaty. Have
seen also the answer given by him to the King. He must
tell him that though in theory there is a difference between
excepting and comprehending persons in a treaty, there will
be no difference in fact, at least as far as England is concerned.
Have not concluded the marriages with the children of the
King of the Romans, not because they esteem them more than
the marriage with Prince Arthur, but only because one marriage
must be concluded before the other. The friendship
they feel for Henry is as sincere as though he were their
brother. |
Marriage treaty.
Agree to the clauses of the treaty of marriage, which, as
he writes, are much improved. Are satisfied with the stipulation
that the Princess Katharine, when she becomes Queen
of England, is to have the third part of the revenues of the
kingdom, besides her dowry as Princess of Wales. Henry
has been very liberal in all respects. Thank him for having
promised to take off all extra burdens from Spanish commerce
in England, and even to grant exceptional privileges to
Spanish merchants. The King will soon see, by experience,
the advantage of his liberal measures. The Spanish people,
who believed they had been treated with injustice in England,
had hitherto entertained no friendly sentiments towards him.
Henceforth all will be altered, and the Spaniards will be his
stoutest supporters. |
Henry must be
dissuaded from
making way on
Scotland.
Have read his conversation with Henry respecting the
affairs of Scotland. He must dissuade the King from making
war upon Scotland. It would be well that Henry should once
more take into consideration the business of the so-called Duke
of York. "In feats of arms no one can trust to the number
of his soldiers and followers, since it so often happens that
the few conquer the many. The stronger one is, the more
must one justify one's cause and have God on one's side, as
he may see from our example. We always did what we
now advise him to do, and, God be praised, we have succeeded.
We forbore to begin war upon Portugal as long as
we could avoid it, and perhaps a little longer than was becoming.
But we acted in the way we did to justify our cause
before God and the world, and in order to be excused from
shedding the blood of Christians. Though the war seemed
to be an easy undertaking for us, we did not like to employ
all our forces in it, and the result has shown that we were
right. We advise the King of England, our brother, to do
the same. He must not stake his right and his fortune
on so hazardous an enterprise. He knows by experience how
quickly a kingdom may be won and lost. Great as his
power perhaps is the result of the war is doubtful. It seems
to us that he ought not to let slip the occasion now offered to
him of arranging his affairs. The King of Scots has at
present less to hinder him, and may do what the King of
England desires, with respect to him who is now in Scotland.
For the King of Scots seemed formerly to be under some
obligation to him, (fn. 3) since he had come well recommended
to Scotland. Such obligations no longer exist, since he
went away without being advised to do so, and (the King of
Scots) looks upon him since his return almost as a prisoner.
Thus the reasons for his having hitherto backed him no
longer exist. We therefore think that the King of England
should not reject the offers of the King of Scots, if he wish
to make peace, and, if he will deliver him who is now
staying at his court, or will promise to keep him in such a
manner that no danger need any longer be feared from
him. The ill-advised affray in England must be forgotten.
Tell all this in our, and also in your, name to the King of
England, and assure him that we would act in the same
way if we were in his place." |
Archduchess Juana.
Are sorry that the Archduchess has not answered the letter
of Henry, and that he is offended. The reason probably is that
she has no Latin secretary. Her first chaplain, however,
could have written the answer. He must send letters to
the chaplain, and not to Rojas, who has nothing to do with
this affair.
Send duplicates of the ratifications of the treaty, and of
the power of the Princess Katharine.
Henry has promised in his letter that the Princess
Katharine shall have the third part of the revenues of the
kingdom when she becomes Queen, and the same has been
certified by the Bishop of London. It is, however, utterly
impossible to have this promise incorporated in the treaty,
because no secretary is at hand who could do it. The addition
must therefore be made in England. Promise to ratify it.
As the King wishes to publish the treaty, it may be
done two months after the receipt of this letter. |
Brief of the Pope.
Have seen the copy of the brief of the Pope to Henry.
Are pleased with it, not only on account of the entry of
Henry into the league, but also on account of the exhortations
of the Pope not to make war upon Scotland. The
reasons given by the Pope against the war coincide with
their own reasons.
Are pleased that Henry VII. is as virtuous and docile
as he writes that he is.
Have seen the letters of the Emperor Georgiano, and of the
Danish Ambassador. He may enter into negotiations with
the latter. |
Archduke.
He must do all in his power to bring to an end the quarrels
between the Archduke and Henry.
Are pleased with his industry in sending their letters to
Flanders, and to their ambassador in Scotland. |
Don Pedro de
Ayala.
Since Henry is dissatisfied because their ambassador in
Scotland, the Prothonotary Don Pedro de Ayala, has believed
what the Scotch have told him, he must appease the King
by any reasons he likes to give.
Are pleased that Henry has punished French pirates for
their cruel treatment of Spanish subjects. The business of
John Bedia will be arranged.
Do not like to write anything respecting the disposition of
the King of Scots, or the credulity of which Don Pedro de
Ayala is accused. He may say whatever he thinks fit to
Henry on this head, or whatever the King likes to hear.—
Burgos, 28th of March 1496. (fn. 4)
Heard, after this letter had been written, that Ferdinand
de Artiaga (messenger) had been detained because
he had found no vessel ready. Have given orders for his
speedy departure.
[On the same paper, but written in a different hand
(most probably by De Puebla himself, who wrote very
seldom, and whose writing is exceedingly difficult to read),
are the following notes, which seem to relate to a later period,
since Ferdinand Duke (de Estrada), who went to England
after the death of Arthur, and negotiated the marriage of
Katharine with Henry VII., is mentioned in them :—]
Has received the letters. Would be better pleased if a
letter in Latin were inclosed, such as from Master Pedro
Santebino from Sicily or from Pasamonte.
Must send directly for the dispensation.
The Archduke has sent to treat for peace.
As with the former messenger about p[er]q'no (perquino?).
The comprehension in the treaty with the Archduke
was good.
The letters of Pedro de Ayala which were intercepted by
the King. Clauses of the peace with Scotland.
The rings not to be forgotten.
Friar Juan, nephew of Arocas.
Latin.
Three treaties of peace, two in Latin, one in Spanish,
were negotiated with Ferdinand, the Duke, the King of the
Romans, and the Archduke.
When negotiating with the Council about the third part of
the revenues, much esteem was shown him. Has been
believed to be of great authority.
Permission to go to Flanders.
Sends the provisions of [blank] and about the customs
and prices.
News of the Archduke and Archduchess and of Gueldres.
Did not like to write. Duke of Saxony, &c.
Indorsed : "I received this letter from Johan Daza
on the 22nd of June 1497. The date is the 28th of
March of the same year. Came in ciphers and is
deciphered, &c."
Spanish. The original is in cipher, and the deciphering
by Johan Tomayo, Secretary to De Puebla. pp. 10½. |
8 April.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
Truce concluded
between France
and Spain.
176. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
After their last letters had left, an embassy had arrived
from France with the answer to their proposals of a general
peace, or at least a general truce. The King of France
accepts a general truce, which is profitable to all the
members of the league. As the French ambassadors had no
sufficient power, Spanish ambassadors have gone to France.
The truce is concluded. It is to last till the 1st of
November. Have included Henry in it as their "relative,
friend, and ally." A copy of the treaty is inclosed.
It has been stipulated in it that both parties must name
their friends and allies, who wish to be included in the
truce, before the 15th of May. Their allies and friends,
however, live at a great distance. Have, therefore, included
them, without previously asking their opinion on the
subject. |
Inclusion of allies.
He must show the treaty to Henry, and ask him whether
he wishes also to be included in the definite peace which
hereafter will be concluded between Spain and France.
—Burgos, 8th April 1497.
Addressed : "To Doctor de Puebla, their ambassador
and of their Council."
Spanish. pp. 2½. |
8 April.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
Letters and messages
to the
Archduchess.
177. Henry VII. to the Archduchess (Juana).
Has written twice to her concerning his negotiations with
the Archduke. Sent his second letter by his French secretary,
who was ordered to tell her that she is loved by him as
though she were his own daughter. The same secretary was
directed to ask her advice respecting all his negotiations, and
to do nothing without her approval. Although all this was
clearly expressed in his instructions, the secretary has not done
so, because he is unable to speak either Latin or Spanish. He
has returned without concluding his business. |
Embassy from the
Archduke.
The day after Whitsuntide the ambassadors of the Archduke
came to England. Asked them whether they had a
letter from her. Received a negative answer, and suspected
directly that the negotiations would not end well, a suspicion
which has been only too much justified by the event.
English subjects, certainly, never before suffered so great and
so long continued injustice as they do now in Flanders. The
Spanish ambassador in England has persuaded him to delay
further measures against Flanders, and to write to her first.
Does it now, without the knowledge of his Council, who
surely would not have consented to it.—Palace of Shene,
8th April 1497.
Indorsed : "Letter from the King of England to the
Archduchess. From Shene, 8th of April 1497."
Spanish translation. pp. 8. |
14 June.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
178. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla.
Have just received his letters of the 5th of April and 19th
of May. Are glad that he has received their letters sent with
Fernan de Artiaga. Praise his industry.—Medina del Campo,
14th June 1497.
Addressed : "To Doctor De Puebla, their ambassador,
and of their Council."
Spanish. p. ¼. |
18 July.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 3. f. 7. |
179. Henry VII.
Ratification of the treaty, of the 1st of October 1496,
between Spain and England.—Shene, 18th July 1497.
Latin. |
18 July.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. f. 9. |
180. Henry VII.
Another ratification of the treaty between Spain and
England, dated Burgos, 1st of October 1496.—Shene, 18th
July 1497.
It is in Latin, signed by Henry VII., and countersigned
by Petrus Carmelianus Brixiensis. The great seal is
perfectly preserved.
Latin. |
18 July.
Fr. R.
12 Hen. VII.
m, 3. (28). |
181. Henry VII.
Another ratification of the treaty with Ferdinand and
Isabella, dated London, 1st October 1496.—Shene, 18th July.
Latin. pp. 9, in print, including the treaty.
Printed in Rymer. |
25 July.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
Duties on Spanish
merchandise.
182. Henry VII. to Ferdinand and Isabella.
De Puebla has spoken so often and so much about the
duties laid on Spanish merchandise in England, that it
seems impossible he can be acting according to their instructions.
All his other business together does not occupy
him so much as this subordinate subject alone. Thinks
that De Puebla does it in order to refute old calumnies
against him.
The effect of the duties is, that the Spaniards sell their
merchandise much dearer in England, and buy English cloth
and other things much cheaper than they otherwise could do.
Thus, the duties are paid by the English, and not by the
Spaniards.
The French, Flemish, Bretons, Portuguese, Venetians, Florentines,
Genoese, Siennese, those of Lucca, and other Lombard
merchants, import great quantities of goods into England,
and they all pay the same duties as the Spaniards. None
of them have complained.
It is true that Edward IV. made special concessions to Henry
of Castile. But that was done, as must be well known to them,
on account of some secret matter of such great importance
that, could it have been attained, a much greater sacrifice
would have been justified. Would, although those reasons
no longer exist, willingly grant as great and even greater
privileges to Spanish subjects, if he were not afraid of the
scandal it would create in England and abroad. Promises,
nevertheless, in celebration of the happy arrival of the
Princess Katharine in England, to lower the duties on Spanish
merchandise, in such a manner, that Spaniards will pay less
than they do now, and also much less than the other above
mentioned nations. |
Spanish ships.
Promises, without delay, to order that Spanish ships
wrecked on the coasts of England shall be better treated.
—In our palace, &c.—No place nor date.
Indorsed in the hand of Almazan, in Spanish : "Copy of
the letter of the King of England to their Catholic
Highnesses, of which Doctor De Puebla has spoken."
Latin. pp. 4. |
25 July.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 3. f. 12. |
183. Henry VII. to Ferdinand and Isabella.
The same letter as before, only signed by Henry VII., and
dated from the Palace of Shene, 25th of July 1497.
Address is lost.
Written on the back : "Nichil ad rem presentem."
Latin. pp. 3. |
23 Oct.
B. M.
Eg. MSS. 616. |
184. Henry VII. to De Puebla.
Has read his letter dated London, the 16th October, in
which he expresses his joy at hearing good news from him.
Has sent the wife of Perkin to the Queen, and holds Perkin
in his own keeping.
Has heard that the Scots are sending an embassy to him,
although not so honourable a one as had been expected.
The bull is not to be published before his return to
London. It must first be carefully examined.—Exeter,
23rd October 1497.
Addressed : "To our most beloved Rodriguez Gundisalvi
De Puebla, doctor and ambassador of the King and
Queen of Spain."
Latin. p. 1. |
3 Dec.
B. M.
Eg. MS. 616. f. 7. |
185. Elizabeth Queen Of England to Queen Isabella Of
Spain.
Though the friendship subsisting between themselves hitherto
has been very great, it will be now still more increased by
the marriage of Prince Arthur to the Princess Katharine.
Begs her to write very often about herself and the Princess,
and promises to do the like with respect to the Prince of
Wales.— Westminster, 3rd December 1497.
Addressed : "To the most serene and potent Princess,
Elizabeth, &c."
Latin. p. 1.
Printed in Wood's Letters of Royal Ladies. |
13 Dec.
Fr. R.
13 Hen. VII.
m. 20. |
186. Henry VII.
Promises to submit himself to the arbitration of the King
and Queen of Spain with regard to the breach of all treaties
between himself and Scotland as to invasion, robberies, &c.
committed by either side.—Westminster, 13th December.
Latin. p. ½, in print.
Printed in Rymer. |
14 Dec.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
187. Henry VII. to Queen Isabella.
Has received her and King Ferdinand's letter.
Thanks them for their love, and loves them so much himself
that it is quite impossible to imagine a greater or more sincere
affection. The marriage of their children will secure the
everlasting continuation of their friendship.
The friendship between them is so intimate that neither
letters nor signs can express it. Nevertheless, promises to
conclude a more intimate friendship after the marriage. |
De Puebla unjustly
reproached.
Has heard that De Puebla has been reproached for remissness
in his business. Gives his royal word that he has never
seen any ambasador "so industrious, vigilant, true, and
"adroit in all negotiations entrusted to him," as De Puebla.
Begs them not only not to believe the calumnies against De
Puebla, but also to reward him by some special and liberal
favour.—Westminster, 14th December 1497.
Addressed : "To the most serene and most excellent Princess,
Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queen of
Spain, &c."
Latin. pp. 3½. |