Aug. or
Sept. (?)
S. E. I. L. 806.
f. 19. |
126. King Ferdinand The Catholic to Luis Caroz De
Villaragut, his Ambassador in England.
Has sent despatches to him by Pedro de Lanuza, and
afterwards, on the 8th of July, by Pedro Beltrian by land,
viâ Flanders, and by sea by Lope de Mena, servant of Don
Pedro de Urea. Has received no answer from him to all these
letters.
The most efficacious succour he can give to the King of
England is by means of his army in Italy. Has ordered his
viceroy to concert the necessary measures with the Emperor
and the Pope, and to invade France by way of Savoy.
The Emperor, however, must first make peace with the
Venetians. Otherwise, Italy would remain without defence.
The King of England must use his influence with the
Emperor, in order to bring about an arrangement between
the Emperor and the Venetians. It would be impossible
for him (King Ferdinand) to form an army in Spain in
such haste, and to attack France without delay on the
Spanish frontiers. In addition to making war upon France
in Italy, he will invade France on the frontiers of Spain as
soon as the treaty with England concerning the conquest of
Guienne is concluded.
The French have made new offers to him. Is, however,
determined never to conclude peace with France, except with
the participation and previous consent of the King of
England and his other allies. If the French have told a
different story, they are trying to deceive the King of
England.
He must persuade the Emperor and the King of England
to write to the Pope continually, and inform him that they
remain allies of Spain. The Emperor and the King of
England must further assure the Holy Father that the
principal object of their alliance with Spain is the defence
of the Church, and the suppression of the schism. The Pope
ought therefore, they are to tell him, to enter their alliance,
and thus provide for his security and for that of Italy. The
power of France must be lowered, or she will always offend
the Church, disturb Italy, make war on the Christians, and
thus prevent the enterprise against the Infidels. Hopes that
the Pope will contribute to the pay of the Spanish infantry
in Italy and that he will censure the French, if he (King
Ferdinand), the Emperor, and the King of England press
him hard to do so.
If the Pope answers that the King of France has abandoned
the schismatic council, the Emperor and the King
of England are to say that that is not sufficient. The
King of France must confess his sins, abjure them, and do
public penance, according to the established laws of the
Church. If that were not done "the Pope would harbour in
his bosom the snake which would poison the whole Church."
France is always ready to make new assaults on the
Church as soon as circumstances permit. Begs the King of
England to believe that the article respecting the Pope is a
very essential part of their league. The accession of the Pope
to their alliance would give it a colour of justice.
The French hope to cut off the English from their provisions
and to wear them out in sieges of fortresses and in small
actions. The King of England must, therefore, take the
greatest care to provide his army with all that is necessary.
Want of provisions often forces armies to place themselves
in dangerous positions, or to abandon their plans.
Moreover, begs the King of England not to divide his army
into small detachments, but to invade France with a compact
body of troops. The French are superior to the English in
the art of war, and would do them much harm in a series of
small engagements.
Has established a regular service of two swift vessels, which
are to sail to and fro between Calais and Guipuzcoa as long
as the King of England remains in France. He is to send
news continually by these vessels. He must write all about
the war, the person of the King of England, and the Emperor
who will soon join the English army with a certain number of
troops.—No date. No signature.
Indorsed : "Don Luis Caroz."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 5. |
