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7 Sept.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
Henry inquires
after news
from Spain.
Peace with France.
226. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella.
Wrote a long letter a short time ago. This letter will,
therefore, be short.
The King has not yet returned from his progress in the
country, but has inquired in a letter what news had arrived
from Spain, especially respecting the peace with France.
Answered him that, as he is aware, Spain has carried on the
war against France only for the sake of the Pope and the
Church. As all the property of the Pope has been restored to
him, there remains no longer any reason for the continuation
of the war, except, perhaps, the claim which England has on
France, or that of the Archduke on Burgundy. When, therefore,
the Spanish ambassadors in France saw that the English
ambassadors had concluded peace with the King of France,
and that the ambassadors of the Archduke had done the same,
they thought it would be entirely unreasonable in them to
continue the war. But the peace which they have concluded
is different from former treaties of friendship between Spain
and France. The clause which has been formerly used,
"friend of his friend, and enemy of his enemy," is not
contained in the last treaty. On the contrary, England is expressly
included and excepted. The right to assist England is
fully reserved to Spain, and it is expressly said that such
assistance is not to be considered as a breach of the treaty.
Does not know whether he has told the truth to Henry ; but
has seen letters to Italian and Catalonian merchants which
contain all the particulars. The King has not yet answered. |
Flanders.
Has been asked by the Bishop of Cambray, in the name of
the Archduke, to continue his good offices respecting the
negotiations between England and Flanders. The English
commissioners, and the ambassadors of the Archduke, are
unable to conclude anything, when left to themselves. They
had come to his lodgings, and asked him to write his opinion
respecting the matter in dispute. Did so, and it was directly
sent to Henry. His proposal has satisfied both parties. Hopes
it will be approved by the King. Has received a letter from
the Archduke. (fn. 1) Would accompany the King if he had not
been ill during the last thirty days. |
Alliance of Spain
with England.
Begs their pardon for having exceeded his powers with
respect to the conclusions sent by the last messenger. Did so
after repeatedly considering the whole case. The conclusions
come to are binding on Henry, but are only proposals to them,
which they may accept or reject. Has clearly explained this
to the King and the Council, and said that he was most
strictly ordered not to exceed his instructions in any respect
whatever. His powers and his instructions say expressly, "except
and include." As neither the one nor the other is done in the
last conclusions, it is clear that they are not binding on Ferdinand
and Isabella, unless they ratify them. Does not know
whether he would have consented to the clauses of the last
conclusion, if he had already known of the peace concluded
between Spain and England.—London, 7th of September '98. |
Duchess Margaret.
P.S.—After this letter had been written, letters arrived from
the Duchess Dowager in Flanders to Henry. She asks his
pardon, and assures him of her obedience. It is not yet known
what the King will answer. Henry wishes the Archduchess
(Juana) or her chaplain to write in secret to him (De Puebla).
They most probably do not know this, otherwise they would
have done it. Thinks that the Duchess Dowager has written
to Henry, because Henry has insisted much with the
Archduke that the clause against her should be rigorously
executed. As the Archduke was unable or unwilling to do it,
they adopted this expedient. It seems to be the best
way, because the other (to execute the clauses of the treaty
against the Duchess Dowager) was decidedly, and moreover
most decidedly, rejected by the Archduchess (Juana).
The Bishop of Cambray is negotiating the whole affair with
great secrecy.
Addressed : "To the very high and powerful Princes, the
King and Queen of Spain."
Some portions of the letter are in cipher, which is
deciphered by Almazan, Secretary of State. The few
words left undeciphered by Almazan are deciphered
by the editor.
Spanish. pp. 5. |
25 Sept.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
Henry is in
the country.
227. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella. (fn. 2)
Has received their letter of the 24th of July, together with
a transcript of the papal bull. The King was at that time
absent on his progress in the country. The ambassador from
Milan has sent a message to the King, begging leave to wait
on him during his progress. The King, however, has answered
that he does not like to be disturbed, and has asked the
ambassador to await his return if the business be not very
pressing. Such being the disposition of Henry, would not
like to go to him, even if his eyes were entirely healed,
especially as the treaty between Spain and France is already
known in England. |
Alliance against
France.
Has sent a letter to Henry respecting the subject which they
urge. (fn. 3) The answer which he has received is enclosed. Their
letters arrived just at the right moment. |
Princess of Wales.
Preparations for
war with France.
Is glad that they have informed him of their intention not
to send the Princess of Wales to England as soon as was
expected, because otherwise he would have acted in a different
way, and committed an error. The principal reason why he
had asked their permission to go to Spain was to urge the
speedy sending of the Princess of Wales to England. Will
henceforth change his line of conduct as to this matter, although
the King and Queen of England and the mother of the King
desire much to see the Princess of Wales as soon as possible
in England. They flatter themselves that she will come next
year, now that the Pope has dispensed with the age of the Prince
and Princess of Wales. The earlier she comes, they say, the
easier will she learn the language and assume the customs of
the country. The King has, besides, another reason of great
importance. He wishes, by the arrival of the Princess of
Wales, to be entirely secured against troubles in England, so
that he may begin war with France. He swears that
everything is already prepared for the war in question, and
that he has not bound himself in any respect by his recent
treaty with France. But they have now made peace with
the King of France, and perhaps do not wish Henry to go to
war with him. Is, nevertheless, not a little afraid King Henry
will do so. |
Pedro de Ayala.
Kisses their hands and feet for the favour they have done
him in expressing their intention to recall Don Pedro de
Ayala. It is for their own good. |
Flanders.
Has already told them that the ambassadors of the Archduke,
and the English commissioners, were unable to concert anything
between them ; that they had, therefore, come to his
house, and asked him to give his opinion on the subject in
writing ; that he had done so, and that his opinion was sent to
Henry. His proposals have contented the ambassadors and
the commissioners, and have been approved by the King, who
has made no alteration in them. The King sent two doctors
of his Council to him, to say that "since such is the opinion
of De Puebla, it shall be done." Hoping that the Archduchess
would hereafter cause an arrangement to be made
that would radically cure the evil, Henry dismissed the Bishop
of Cambray very graciously, and wrote flattering letters to the
Archduchess. Knows that he will soon receive letters from
the Archduke, the Archduchess, and even from Henry, urging
him to go to Flanders about this business. Is resolved not to
do so without express orders from them, especially as the affair
can, most probably, be satisfactorily arranged without his
leaving England. |
Duchess Margaret.
Henry has held a great Council on the subject of the letter
of Madame Margaret. (fn. 4) The conclusion that was come to is,
"since the Archduchess (fn. 5) and her Council so decidedly reject
the measures which the ambassadors of King Henry demanded
should be taken against Madame Margaret, a courteous
answer must be written to her on the subject." The
Bishop of Cambray takes the answer to Flanders, and is very
well satisfied.
This messenger will take a letter from Henry to them.
Begs them soon to send an answer to it. It would be a great
comfort to Henry and to his kingdom to know that he is
included and excepted in their treaty with France. |
Milan.
Intends to assist the ambassador of the Duke of Milan, as
much as possible, in the affair concerning the marriage of the
son of the Duke to a daughter of the King of England.—
London, 25th of September 1498.
P.S.—Has heard that the. Duke of Milan would be content
with any of the daughters of the King of England, and
that he would make no difficulties respecting the marriage
portion. Thinks that, notwithstanding their intimate alliance
with France, this marriage would be of considerable advantage
to them, especially if concluded through him.
Addressed : "Altissimis potentissimisque Principibus Regi
et Regine dominis dominis ... Regi et Regine
Hispaniarum."
By far the greatest portion is written in cipher, which is
deciphered by Almazan, Secretary of State.
Spanish. pp. 5. |
25 Sept.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 2. |
228. De Puebla to Almazan.
Has received his letter, with a copy of the bull of the Pope.
Has received another letter, written on the 8th of August.
Is astonished that his letters to Spain have not arrived. Is
always very careful in sending them ; and if he be in fault, it
is not from carelessness, but from too great zeal.
Begs him to send an answer soon to the letter he despatches
by the messenger. Prays God soon to re-establish the health
of the Queen.
Is glad that the King and Queen of Portugal are sworn as
Infantas of Spain.—London, 25th September 1498.
Addressed : "To the virtuous Miguel Perez D'Almazan,
Secretary to their Highnesses."
Indorsed : "To me, from Doctor De Puebla, 25th September
'98."
Spanish. Holograph, pp. 2½. |