Spain: December 1509

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1866.

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'Spain: December 1509', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 2, 1509-1525, (London, 1866) pp. 30-33. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol2/pp30-33 [accessed 25 April 2024]

December 1509

Dec. (?)
S. E. Pat. Re. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 132.
31. Miguel Perez Almazan (?) to the Secretary Of Margaret Of Austria. (fn. 1)
After his departure news arrived that the King of France intends to take possession of the cities of Verona and Vicenza in prejudice of the Emperor. The King of France is, moreover, forming plans to besiege Venice from all sides. If he should execute his designs, he would render himself master of Italy and perhaps of the whole of Christendom. The general opinion is that he will succeed in what he is about to undertake, if the Emperor and King Ferdinand do not combine in good time and take such measures as are requisite. They are the more obliged to do so, as the Prince Charles is their common son and heir.
Moreover, the King of England has sent a letter to King Ferdinand in which he manifests his desire to enter into a close alliance with Spain and the Emperor. If such alliance were concluded, the King of France would not be able to carry out any enterprise prejudicial to the interests of the allies. There is still time, with little effort, to prevent France from injuring the other Christian princes. At a later period the greatest energy would perhaps not suffice to curb her.
Writes him this letter in order that he may use his influence with Madame Margaret, and induce her to cause the alliance between the Emperor, Spain, and England to be concluded ; a task which is certainly not difficult for her, and the execution of which would secure to her everlasting fame. —No date. No signature.
Indorsed : "To the Secretary of Madame Margaret."
Spanish. Draft, written by Miguel Perez Almazan, First Secretary of State. pp. 1½.
3 Dec.
S. E. Pat. Re. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 134.
32. King Ferdinand The Catholic to Katharine, Queen Of England.
Wrote to her by the courier Peti Juan on the 28th of November. Sends her a duplicate of that letter, in order that she may see it in case the first courier should have met with an accident on the road.
John Stile has told him what the King of England has written to him (Stile), namely, that he wishes at once to conclude a most intimate alliance with him, the King of the Romans, the Queen of Castile, and Prince Charles, for the security and defence of their respective dominions. Should it be impossible to conclude this league at once, then the King of England wishes without delay to conclude an alliance with him (King Ferdinand) and the Queen of Castile, to which confederacy the King of the Romans may afterwards become a party.
Is very glad to hear that the opinions of the King of England exactly coincide with what he had written to England before he knew the wishes of the King. Has told John Stile this, and has ordered him to write to the King of England, his son, informing him that his desires shall be attended to. If the King of England wishes to conclude a most intimate and everlasting alliance with the King of the Romans, with him, (King Ferdinand), the Queen of Castile, and Prince Charles, he is ready to sign it as soon as possible. Could not do otherwise, since he loves the King of England with the same affection as he would love his own begotten son if he were alive. Sends his power to his ambassador Luis Caroz. Begs her to tell the King of England that he will always be ready to sacrifice his own person and the resources of his own states, and those of the states of the Queen of Castile, his daughter, whenever he can render thereby a service to the King of England. If they are sincerely united, and not in appearance only, their union will not only benefit themselves, but the consequences of it will be felt in the whole of Christendom and in the whole world. Notwithstanding, it is desirable to gain the friendship of the King of the Romans, and in order that the King of England may see how much he has his wishes at heart, he has despatched this courier for no other purpose than to take this letter and the letters of John Stile to England.
Indorsed by his Highness : "To the Queen of England Mansilla, the 3rd of December 1509."
Draft, written by Almazan. Spanish. pp. 2½.
12 Dec.
S. E. Pat. Re. Cap. c. l. Cas. d. A. L. 2. f. 48.
33. Treaty between King Ferdinand The Catholic and Maximilian, Emperor Elect.
1. The contracting parties promise to observe true friendship towards one another. The Pope, the Kings of France, England, and Portugal, together with the other confederates of either of the contracting parties, are included in this treaty.
2. General friendship and peace is to be observed, not only between the contracting princes, but also between their subjects, of whatever rank or description they may be.
3. To King Ferdinand belongs the government of the kingdom of Castile as long as his daughter Juana lives. If Queen Juana dies during the lifetime of King Ferdinand he is to have the government of the said kingdom of Castile till Prince Charles attains the age of five and twenty years. It does not make any difference whether King Ferdinand begets a son or sons by his present wife.
4. The Emperor elect binds himself to make Prince Charles ratify this treaty as soon as he attains the age prescribed by law for such acts of ratification.
5. Pope Julius and the King of France are guardians of this treaty.
6. King Ferdinand binds himself to pay, in the name of Queen Juana, 20,000 scudos a year, which are to be expended in the maintenance of Prince Charles and his sisters.
7. King Ferdinand is to pay Prince Charles 20,000 gold scudos ad solem in the town of Antwerp.
8. King Ferdinand binds himself to behave towards Prince Charles in all respects in the same manner as he would behave towards the Infante Juan if he were alive.
9. In case Prince Charles wishes to come to Spain, King Ferdinand is bound to send to one of the harbours of Flanders a well equipped fleet on board which the Prince may make the voyage. The Infante Ferdinand, however, must in such case go on board the same fleet to Flanders, and stay there as long as Prince Charles remains in Spain.
10. If Prince Charles prefers to go on board his own fleet to Spain, he is at liberty to do so. In such case, however, he is not permitted to bring over armed servants or soldiers in his company.
11. King Ferdinand will pay the Emperor elect 50,000 scudos ad solem, which money is to be employed by the Emperor in the conquest of such of his cities and towns as are held by the Venetians.
12. King Ferdinand binds himself to pay Madame Margaret the dower which was promised her when she married the Infante Juan.
13. King Ferdinand promises to pay the Spanish debts of the late King Philip out of the revenues of Castile.
14. If the daughters of King Philip (sisters of Prince Charles) marry, they are to have their dowers out of the revenues of Castile.
15. Both parties bind themselves to ratify this treaty.
16. The Pope and the Kings of France, England, and Portugal are to be asked to be conservators of this treaty of peace.
17. This treaty has been concluded in the presence of the Cardinal George of Amboise, who was the mediator between the contracting parties and the originator of this treaty.— Blois, the 12th of December 1509.
(Signed)
Murcurino de Gattinara.
Andreas del Burgo.
Robertet.
Latin. Autograph. Written on parchment. Red seal. pp. 15.

Footnotes

  • 1. This letter seems to be one of those which, according to the despatch of King Ferdinand to Queen Katharine of the 28th of November, he intended to write to the Archduchess Margaret.