Spain: June 1504 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1862.

'Spain: June 1504', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509, (London, 1862) pp. 325-327. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol1/pp325-327 [accessed 24 April 2024]

June 1504



26 June. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 16.	Duke de Estrada to go to Spain. 394. Ferdinand and Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke De Estrada. We have received all the letters you have written to us up to the 21st of April, and we will tell you, when you arrive here, what are our wishes respecting everything. For in order the better to negotiate these matters, we greatly desire to be informed by you, in person, respecting affairs in England. Therefore, leave the negotiations in the best state that you can, commending them to Doctor De Puebla, and, without waiting for him, come immediately hither to us. Take care, moreover, to be very well informed of all that is going on in England, so that, after having been made acquainted with everything, we may be the better able to provide accordingly.
	Doña Elvira Manuel. As regards the ushers, and all the members of the household of the Princess of Wales, our daughter, everything should be left to the discretion of Doña Elvira Manuel, as I, the Queen, wrote to you, by my letters of the 25th of April, the duplicates of which letters are enclosed. For, in a matter of this kind, there ought to be no consultation or delay, I having given such strict command when you departed hence that, in all these things, you should conform to her wishes, and should act in such a manner that the Princess of Wales should be induced to do all that Doña Elvira advised. So that if this be not done, take care that it be seen to immediately, for whatever delay may result from it will cause us much annoyance, and be a great hindrance to us.
	Delay in sending the dispensation. As for the dispensation for the marriage of the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales, our children, our ambassador who is at Rome has told us in many of his letters of the representations he made on our part to Pope Pius, and also to Pope Julius, who has granted it by word of mouth. But the Pope is delaying to send the despatch in writing, as he is waiting until the embassy which is coming from England to do him homage shall arrive. Our ambassador has therefore written to say he hopes to despatch it, at the latest, immediately on the embassy from England having arrived at Rome. We have, moreover, written to him, desiring him to urge the Pope to grant it immediately, and have told him not to cease from his endeavours to obtain it until it be despatched. We have also desired him to get the English ambassadors to join with him in this matter, telling him to aid the said ambassadors to obtain all such matters as affect the King of England.
	More intimate alliance between Spain and England. With regard to what the Doctor wrote to us, saying that, during the three years' truce which we have stipulated with the King of France, we should think of what it is fitting for us to do in England, and that it appeared to him it would be well that another and stricter treaty of amity should be concluded, we have to reply that many times before the Princess of Wales, our daughter, went to England, the King of England wrote to us, saying, that on her going there a stricter league of amity should be concluded between us. We, moreover, declare that, in conformity with the great love and union subsisting between us and the said King of England, our brother, we shall be ready to do all things which may be most for the .. (fn. 1) and increase of the said union and amity, with very good will. In order to do this, nothing more is requisite excepting that you should learn what it is the King of England desires with regard to it, because, as soon as we know, we will reply in such a way as will show the King of England what great love we bear towards him, and that we look on his affairs as ours.
	Affair of Suffolk. As to the affair of Suffolk, you shall tell the King of England that we immediately sent to the King of the Romans requiring that he should be delivered up to us. We did this with as much earnestness as though it had been our own business. And thus we are acting and will act, and will let him know all that may be done in the matter.
	Document for the lading of ships. With regard to what you mention, namely, that you believe the King of England desires that the document which we sent for the lading of the ships should be on parchment, and have a leaden seal attached to it, we have to reply that if the King of England say nothing more to you about it, nothing more will be necessary. But if he should mention it to you, give him to understand that it is a document (fn. 1) ... for ... our subjects, and that the custom [of our Chancery] is for such documents to be written in our language, and on paper. For it will be a great advantage for the edict made upon the treaty for lading ships (of which mention was made in the said document) to be written in the Castilian tongue, and on paper, as is the custom and habit here. Therefore, the document which we have sent is amply sufficient.
	Queen of Naples. As to the affair of the match between the Queen of Naples, our niece, and the King of England, we have already written to you what we think should be done. Moreover, although the King of England be a widower, and [has] children, (fn. 2) 2,000 dobloons will be given her as a marriage portion. Inform the King of England of this in the way that seems best to you, and learn clearly and decidedly his wishes in regard to it. —Medina del Campo, 26th June 1504. Signed : I, the King. Signed : I, the Queen. Addressed by the King and the Queen to Ferdinand, Duke de Estrada, their counsellor and ambassador in England. Indorsed in the hand of the Duke de Estrada : "Brought by Lope de San Juan, Doctor De Puebla's courier. I received it at Durham House, near London, on the Eve of the Feast of Our Lady." [14th August.] Spanish. Written in two keys of cipher. Only a fragment of one of them is extant. Deciphered by the editor.