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March (?)
P. Mon. Hist.
K. 1482. No. 38. |
162. King Ferdinand The Catholic to Pedro De Quintana,
his Secretary and Ambassador.
Wrote to him on the 16th February, and sent him the
despatch by Martin de Vi. (fn. 1) Gave him detailed instructions in
that despatch as to the manner in which he was to conduct the
negotiations which have been confided to him. Sent him by
the same courier his power to sign the treaty of truce between
the King of France on the one part, and the Emperor, the
Queen of Castile, the King of England, himself, and Prince
Charles, on the other part. Ordered him, however, before he
signed the treaty, to see the King of France swear that, if the
Emperor accepted the treaty, he would likewise accept it
without any modification of its clauses. The King of France
was further to bind himself to abstain from any undertaking
that could prejudice the Duke of Milan. Finally, explained
to him his opinion how, notwithstanding the clause of the
public treaty in favour of Milan, the King of France might
obtain possession of that duchy.
After these despatches had left, he received his letter, on
the 24th of February, with a copy of the projected treaty. Is
glad to learn that the King of France wishes to marry his
(King Ferdinand's) grand-daughter, Madame Eleanor, and to
give his second daughter, Madame Renée, to the Infante Don
Ferdinand in marriage. In other respects, however, the result
of his (Quintana's) negotiations is less satisfactory. The King
of France has raised difficulties about assisting the Emperor in
his enterprise against Venice, and the affairs of Gueldres and
Navarra remain in an unsettled state. The old truce finishes
at the end of the current month, and it is impossible definitely
to conclude so important a matter in such a short time. On the
other hand, it is most desirable to prevent the Emperor and
the King of England from renewing the war with France.
The best expedient seems to be to conclude a new truce, and
to negotiate meanwhile the definitive peace. He is, therefore,
to conclude a new truce, according to the commission
given him by the Emperor, and to continue his negotiations
respecting the peace. Wishes the truce to be concluded
very soon, in order to show the King of France his goodwill
and to spare him the trouble which the renewal of the war
by the Emperor and the King of England might cause him.
As soon as the treaty of truce is concluded he is to send it
to Don Pedro (de Urea), who is to see that the Emperor
ratifies it, and that he persuades the King of England to do
the same. He is to send him (King Ferdinand) the ratification
of the King of France. Promises to send at the same time
his ratification to the King of France.
He is to tell the King of France that he is perfectly satisfied
with the clauses of the projected treaty of peace, and that
he will henceforth honour him as a father and elder brother,
and at the same time love him as a son. His granddaughter
(Madame Eleanor) will have no small dower ; for if
the Prince (Charles) and the Infante (Ferdinand) should die,
she would succeed to all the realms of Castile and Aragon.
Moreover, he will persuade the Emperor to give Madame
Eleanor a large dower. Is ready, on his part, to give her
100,000 scudos, and, if that is thought insufficient, 150,000
scudos, or even 200,000 scudos.
Has done all that was possible to persuade the Emperor not
to insist on the destruction of Venice. As, however, the Emperor
obstinately insisted on carrying out his plans, it was necessary
to do his will ; for by gaining the Emperor over to his views
he prevents the King of England from renewing the war with
France. Besides, the Venetians are the perpetual disturbers
of peace in Christendom, and have shown their ill will towards
the King of France by choosing the Pope as umpire, and binding
themselves to do whatever the Pope may order. Thus,
as the Venetians have first forsaken the King of France, he is
no longer in honour bound to assist them. It is also to be
remembered that the Emperor is willing to give all the territories
of the Venetians which he has already conquered, and
which he may conquer in future, to the Infante Ferdinand
and Madame Renée, in consideration of their marriage. The
duchy of Milan and Venice united would form a powerful
kingdom.
Gueldres offers no real difficulty. If the Duke of Gueldres
does not conclude peace with the Emperor during the time of
the truce, all the allies, the King of France included, are bound
to assist the Emperor against the Duke.
With respect to Naples, he wishes that the renunciation of
the King of France should be clear and without reservation.
Does not want the King of France to assist him against
King Jean of Navarra, and will be satisfied if the King of
France will bind himself not to aid King Jean and Queen
Katharine against him. Could ask more of the King of
France, who has requested his aid in a war with England.
He is to tell the King of France that, without adding any
special clause to the treaty, the Emperor and he (King Ferdinand)
are bound to succour France if the King of England
attacks him ; for the obligation to assist him in a defensive
war is general. In case, however, the King of France should
not be satisfied with this general obligation of his allies, a
separate treaty, written on another paper, might be signed,
according to which the Emperor and he (King Ferdinand) would
bind themselves to do all they can to bring about an equitable
and durable peace between England and France and between
England and Scotland. If the King of England refuses to
accept such a peace, and attacks the King of France in his
realms, the Emperor, he (King Ferdinand), and the Prince
(Charles) are to succour the King of France in the defence
of his states. Tournay, however, is not to be mentioned
in this treaty, because the King of France will obtain
possession of it by peaceful means. Besides, as the Emperor
assisted the King of England in conquering it, it would
be against his honour if he assisted France to deprive the
King of England of it. As for him (King Ferdinand), since
he does not ask the aid of France in his enterprise on Bearn
and Foix, so the King of France ought not to demand his
assistance if he wants to reconquer Tournay.
About the clause respecting the Swiss nothing is to be
said.
Must insist on Count Pedro Navaro being set at liberty
The excuse of the King of France that he has given him to
the wife of the Duke of Longueville is futile.
He was right to ask the Emperor to send him his power,
without communicating to him the draft of the treaty ; for if
the Emperor had seen it all would have been lost.
Sends him two powers, one to be used in case the Emperor
consents to become a party to the treaty of peace,
the other to be made use of in case the Emperor rejects the
proposed peace. If he (King Ferdinand) is to conclude the
peace with France by himself, the negotiations must be carried
on with the greatest secrecy. Wishes, in such a case, that
the King of France should give up Madame Renée into his
hands, as security, until the peace is concluded.—No date.
No signature.
Indorsed : "The Catholic King to the Secretary Quintana."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 8. |
9th March (?)
S. E. Fl. L. 496.
f. 41. |
163. King Ferdinand The Catholic to the Knight Commander
Juan De Lanuza, his Ambassador in
Flanders.
Has received his letters of the 13th and 21st of February.
Madame Margaret does not approve of the mission on
which Quintana was sent to the Emperor. Empowers him
to answer her as follows.
Sent Quintana to the Emperor in order to hear what his
desires were, and with instructions to do what he wished. The
Emperor ordered and empowered Quintana immediately to
conclude a truce with France for one year, in the name of the
Emperor, the King of England, him (King Ferdinand), and
the Prince (Charles), saying that he would take it upon himself
to persuade the King of England to ratify the truce.
That was done by the Emperor quite of his own free will.
Had not written to him about the truce, or proposed it to
him. The Emperor thought the truce was necessary, in
order to arrange affairs touching peace with France and
the marriages, during the time of its duration. He (the
Emperor) wrote him a letter, from which it is clear that
his intentions are uniform with the instructions which
he (King Ferdinand) gave to Quintana. Thinks Quintana
has already concluded the truce with France in the name
of the Emperor, the King of England, him (King Ferdinand),
and the Prince (Charles). Had he believed that Madame
Margaret entertained a different opinion from that of the Emperor,
he would have consulted her before he sent Quintana
to the Emperor. Not knowing that Madame Margaret would
disapprove of the treaty, and considering that delay in negotiations
of such great importance is dangerous, he sent Quintana,
without loss of time, to the Emperor, and ordered that as
soon as he should have arrived, Luis de Gilaberte should go to
Madame Margaret, and inform her of what was going on. As
the truce is signed, according to the orders of the Emperor, it
must be observed, and nothing can be altered respecting it.
The King of France has bound himself not to attack the
Duke of Milan. In addition to the commission to conclude a
truce with France in the name of the Emperor, the King of
England, him, and the Prince (Charles), the Emperor ordered
Quintana to propose in his name to the King of France a
marriage with Madame Eleanor. He instructed Quintana
to tell the King of France that, if he married her, his offers of
peace would be accepted, and even the King of England would
be more favourably inclined towards him. Is astonished
to hear that Madame Margaret opposes his plans, as he is
doing nothing except following the counsel of the Emperor, her
father. Thinks she is imperfectly informed of the true nature
of this affair, the advantages of which are so clear and so
great.
Although he wrote that the Prince (Charles) might marry
Madame Glanda, (fn. 2) and in consequence of that marriage gain the
duchy of Brittany, he did so, not because he liked the marriage,
but because the Emperor had formerly told him that he desired
it. It was not his intention to break off the marriage between
the Prince and the sister of the King of England. If the
Emperor and Madame Margaret had thought it advantageous
for the Prince to marry Madame Glanda, he would have
favoured that plan from love towards them ; but as he learns
that Madame Margaret does not regard the marriage with a
favourable eye, and is persuaded that the Prince ought to
remain faithful to his engagement to the sister of the King of
England, he will do what she thinks right.
Madame Margaret seems to consider that the renunciation by
the King of France of his rights on Naples is of little moment.
If she thinks so, she is mistaken. The renunciation would
secure to the Prince (Charles) the undisputed inheritance of
that kingdom, which could be obtained in no other way.
The affairs of Milan are in such a state that the King of
France might conquer that duchy in two days, whilst the
Emperor and he remained quiet, looking on. The Milanese
dislike their Duke. The other Italians and the Swiss would
do nothing to defend him. Speaks from certain knowledge,
and Madame Margaret ought to believe him. It would be a
great advantage to the Emperor, and to him, to Naples, and
to their other Italian states, if France, of her own free will,
ceded to them Milan and Genoa. The King of France would
thereby lose for ever his influence over Italy, which would
become entirely dependent on the Emperor and on him. They
would be her absolute masters.
Another advantage of this plan, which Madame Margaret
does not seem sufficiently to value, is that the Infante (Ferdinand)
could renounce his rights on the German inheritance
in favour of the Prince (Charles).
The conquest of Venice would, in consequence of the peace
with France, become such an easy task that, with little or
no aid from the Emperor, he could conquer it in the
course of next summer. Could there be any doubt about
the success of the enterprise if the Emperor, the King of
France, and he attacked Venice with united forces? The
dominions of Venice on the mainland are very rich, pay a
great revenue, and border on the Austrian dominions, and on
the county of the Tyrol. The possession of Venice would be
of incalculable advantage to the Emperor.
It is true that the King of France has not fulfilled his
former promises concerning the affairs of Gueldres. The
reason, however, is that he had concluded the treaty with
the Prince (Charles) alone. As, this time, the King of France
is to conclude the treaty with the Emperor, him (King Ferdinand),
and the Prince, he will not dare to break it. Moreover,
the marriage of the King of France with Madame Eleanor,
the delivery of the castle of the Laterna (in Genoa), and the
oaths of all the barons and cities in France would be additional
security for the good faith of the King of France.
Madame Margaret dwells on the great difference of age
between the King of France and Madame Eleanor. He is to
tell her that in marriages of great kings difference of age
is never taken into account. The King of France has no son
and no heir. A son of Madame Eleanor would therefore be
the heir to the throne of France. It would be an incalculable
advantage to the Prince (Charles) if the son of his sister were
King of France. Madame Margaret is mistaken if she thinks
it a disadvantage that Madame Eleanor is so thin. Thin women
generally become sooner pregnant, and bear more children
than stout ones. If the King of France were to marry Madame
Eleanor, the Emperor, the King of France, the King of England,
he, and the Prince (Charles) would form but one family,
of which the Emperor would be the head. He would be the
father of the King of France as soon as the King of France
had married his [grand] daughter. The King of England and
the Prince (Charles) would become brothers as soon as the
Prince was married to the sister of the King of England.
He is to tell Madame Margaret that the King of England
wishes the King of France to bind himself in this treaty to
pay him the yearly pension he used to pay him formerly, as
well as to help him in settling the government of Scotland,
and in concluding peace with the King of Scotland according
to his wishes.
The reason why war was begun with France no longer
exists. The Church is not now in danger, and the schism
is suppressed. It would, therefore, be unchristian to make
war with so great and powerful a country as France,
which is quite strong enough to defend itself against any
enemy. France and Castile made a common war upon his
father, and Aragon alone sufficed to repel the enemies from
her frontiers. How much more would France be able to do
so! The only result would be that the whole of Christendom
would be disturbed, and a successful war with the Infidels
become an impossibility. Begs her to be a good daughter,
and not to oppose the conclusion of the peace.
As the truce with France, for one year, has been concluded
at the command of the Emperor, she ought not to dissuade
the Emperor and the King of England from ratifying it.
Expects from her, on the contrary, that she will do what she
can to persuade the Emperor and the King of England to
ratify the truce without delay. The Emperor has already
taken upon himself to procure the ratification from the
King of England. Wishes that the treaty of peace and the
marriages should be concluded in her presence and under
her guidance.
Madame Margaret is a very pious and virtuous lady.
Expects that she will act like a good Christian, and prefer
peace rather than war and bloodshed among Christians. Should
it be necessary, he must speak with the confessor of Madame
Margaret in secret, and ask him to use his influence with her.
Monsieur de Bergues and the Governor of Bresse might also
render him good service. The whole affair must, however, be
kept strictly secret, and especially no Italian must hear anything
of it.
Artieta and Martin de Lanuza, his brother, have not yet
returned, nor has he received the letters which contain the
particulars of the arrest of Juan Manuel.
On the 8th of December, wrote to Don Luis Caroz, his
ambassador in England, to Don Pedro de Urea, and to him
about the treaty concerning the war with France which
was concluded when the King of England was in Flanders.
Sent back to them the treaty signed by him. Made
only one alteration in the treaty, concerning the pay of
the 6,000 German troops. Ordered them, however, not to
deliver the treaty, either to the King of England or to the
Emperor, until he should send them an authorization to do
so. As the courier went by sea, it is not to be wondered
at that he arrived late. He is to tell Madame Margaret the
exact day when the courier sailed from Spain, and she will
see that he did not intentionally cause any delay when the
war with France was decided upon. Postponed all other considerations
to his desire to do the will of the Emperor, of the
King of England, and of her. But as the King of France has
since given satisfaction to the Church, as the Queen of France
has died, and as the King of France has made the Emperor
and him such advantageous overtures, he has again done the
will of the Emperor, and is willing to bring the negotiations
of peace with France to a satisfactory and speedy conclusion.
Hopes Madame Margaret will help him to secure incalculably
great advantages to the Emperor, to him, and to
the Prince (Charles).
Indorsed : "Despatch to the Knight Commander Lanuza."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 11. |
13 March.
P. A. d. E.
Mon. Hist. K. 1639.
No. 25. |
164. Treaty between Maximilian, Emperor Elect,
Henry VIII., King Of England, King Ferdinand
The Catholic, and Prince Charles, on the one part ;
and Louis, King Of France, and James, King Of
Scotland, on the other part.
Animated by the desire to stay the effusion of blood, to
secure the general peace of Christendom, and to direct the
efforts of Christian princes towards the conquest of the Holy
Sepulchre, now in the possession of the Infidels, François,
Duke of Valois and Count of Angoulême, in the name of the
King of France and the King of Scotland ; and Pedro de Quintana,
Ambassador of King Ferdinand of Aragon, &c. (who has
empowered, him in his own name and in the name of the
Emperor elect), Prince Charles (according to letters patent
given by the Emperor on his behalf), King Henry of England
(whose consent the Emperor has promised to procure), and
Queen Juana (according to the public instrument dated
Mayorete, the 16th of February 1514), conclude a treaty of
truce and abstinence from hostilities, which is to last during
one year after the date of this treaty. The conditions are the
following :—
1. The contracting parties bind themselves not only to
abstain from all hostilities towards each other, but also not
to assist directly or indirectly the enemies of any one of them.
2. None of the contracting parties is to molest the Duke
Maximilian Sforza, who is a subject of the Emperor, or the
duchy of Milan.
3. The subjects of each of the contracting princes are at
liberty to carry on commerce in the dominions of all the other
contracting parties.
4. No subject of any of the contracting parties is to be
oppressed or injured in the dominions of any of the other
contracting princes.
5. The couriers and messengers of any of the contracting
parties are at liberty to travel through the dominions of all
the other contracting parties.
6. This treaty is to be published in all the cities, towns,
and seaports of the contracting parties.
7. The contracting princes promise to ratify this treaty
and to swear to it without delay.
Power of the King of France, dated Orléans, the 12th of
March 1513.
(Signed)
Loys.
Robertet.
Power of King Ferdinand, dated Mayorete, the 16th of
February 1514.
(Signed)
Yo el Rey.
Miguel Perez Almazan.
This treaty is dated Orléans, 13th March 1513, and
signed—
Françoys. (Seal.)
Pedro de Quintana. (Seal.)
Indorsed by Almazan : "The truce."
In a modern hand : "Por esta scritura parece que los
Franceses cuentan un año menos que los Españoles el
nacimiento de Jesu Cristo." (fn. 3)
Latin, with the exception of the power of the King of
France, which is written in French. Autograph.
pp. 12. On paper.
Printed in Rymer. |
21 March.
S. E. Pat. Re.
T. c. I. L. 5. f. 18. |
165. John Stile, English Ambassador in Spain, to King
Henry VIII. (fn. 4)
[I ask] the pardon of your Grace for my playn and
unkuneying wryteyng, as wel at thys present as at al other
tymys. For of answer to your hyy Lord, &c. as [half a
line unintelligible], (fn. 5) for as much as that of a long tyme and
seson I have nor had any maner of knowlych from your Hynys
of your gracyous plesure, nor of your yntendyd purpose of
warre or peas with your ennemy of France and syn[ce] the
[one word illegible] parteying from hens of your chapellan,
the Doctor Wyllyam Knyte I have wrytyn and sent unto
your Hynys systen or sevyntynte Mars begun, and messenyers
and advys certefyeyng unto your Grace that al [some words
illegible] and thereof tys be here and myte for thayr and
your [one word illegible] fader as ys ther for any natural love
or kyndnys to thayr fryndes, and wyth subtyl secrete and
desvys [one word illegible] and sendeying of letters and messengers
that yt pasyth my pore understanding also, and yt
plese your Grace, many other beter learnyd men.
Soverayn Lord, kynd natu [paper gone] reson ynfor [paper
gone] that the Kyng your fader of Aragon [paper gone]
wold not yn anny waye conclude anni thyng wyth your
ennemy that may stand contrary to the plesure and honore
of your Hynys, as that he dod the last yere wyth makeyng
of trucn wy[t]h your ennemy of France, the whych has
sayd thenne exscuseyd by [two words illegible] re [paper
gone] of hys grete desyse and no wayes [ink entirely gone],
and it it plese your Grace [two words illegible] payeyth (fn. 6) for
hys exscuse that the [paper gone] forceyd for [here two
lines run into one another, so that the cipher which belongs
to one of them cannot be distinguished from the cipher
belonging to the other] that the Pope and the Ytalyans
wo [paper gone] and [ink entirely effaced] the Frenche
Kyng and wyth the Suyseners ayenyst (fn. 7) Themperour and
your say[d] fader : so yt ys, and yt plese your Grace that thys
one and twentyth of Marche, the Kyng your sayd fader sant (fn. 8)
for me for to com to hys presence, and then the sayeyng of hys
Mayesty to me was so at [one word illegible] welly he had
laboryd to the Popys Hynys and to Themperour that a peas
shuld be made by Themperour and the Venyschyans, for that
the sayd peas is now determynyd and made by the Popys
Holynys, how (?) be that and it plese your Grace the sayeyeng
of your sayd fader was that under the colore of the treaty
of the sayd peas bytwyxt Themperour and the Venyschyans
the Pope, and the Ytalyans wold have made certayn tyrants
and treatys wyth the tyrants [one word illegible], and with
the Sysseners as aforesayd ayenyst Themperour and your sayd
fader of Aragon to whryng (?) the rear of Napalys and other
thyngys yn that partys of Ytaly.
Of the whych yntendyd The[mpe]rour by the sayeyng of your
sa[y]d fader Themperour had more playner knowlyche than
he had the whych Hys Maesty sayeyth that yt was no lytyl
dysplesure to Themperour and yn lykewise unto Hys Grace.
Hys sayeyng also, yt plese your Grace, your sayd fader's
sayeyng to me was that he had sent Kyntana, (fn. 9) hys secretary
clerke to Themperour for the mater of the Venyscheans, as
before I certyfyed unto your Hynys, and when that Themperour
had the knowlyche of thentent of the Pope and of the
Ytalyans Themperour wylyd and commandyd the sayd
Kyntana for to retorne to the Frensche Kyngy's corte, and by
colore move to the Frensche Kyng of maryage to be betwyen
him and the Lady Elyyor, (fn. 10) syster to your good brother the
Prynce of Castyl, and then further for the move of a peas or
truys for to be betwyxt your Hyyhnys, Themperour, the
Kyng your fader of Aragon, the Prince of Castyl, and the
Duke of Myllan, and the sayd Frensche Kyng, to the whych
and yt plese your Grace as that the Kyng your sayd fader
hath sayeyd the Frensche Kyng made stronye for to agre
fyneally ; at the last the sayd Kyng was agreabyl and consentyd
there unto for a trues to be for the space of one hole
yere complete betwyxt your Hyhnys, Themperour, the Kyng
your fader of Aragon, the Prynce of Castyl, the Duke of
Myllan, and the sa[y]d Frensche Kyng. Then, and yt plese
your Grace, I demandyd of the Kyng your sayd fader yf had
he gy[ve]n a rytye or commysyon yn the name of your
Hygnys to the sayd Kyntana for to make or take any peas or
truys wyth the Frensche Kyng, and the answer of the Kyng
your fader of Aragon was that Themperour had gyvyn to the
sayd Kyntana an [one word illegible] and atoryte so for to
do, Soverayn [Lo]rd, in case that yt be and can stand so wyth
the onore and plesure of your Grace, and for the suerty (fn. 11) of
your royal asstade was the truys hutyl, and faytheful su[ink
blot] and servant to your Hyuhnys I wyl ther [an ink blot
and one word illegible] and what I wyth the contrary by
most the [paper gone] harte and mynd t [ink blot] your fader
the Kyng of Aragon scygld (fn. 12) ofte [paper gone] Itey [ink partly
effaced and paper partly rotten]s and not oonly make no
faulte yn hymself, but also for to persuade and move Themperour
unto to the same in lyke wyse, whych schalt be a
much greavyor (fn. 13) dede and favor for to be reputeyd yn al the
warld whych God [one word illegible] that he schuld do
so, and mani a mani yereys [one word illegible] of the
makeyng of the [paper gone]d truys, and be yt [one word
illegible] yn thayr myndys consyderyng to at your Hyghys
hath al [one word illegible] so royal and grete preparatyon
for the warys, and so grete advantagys on your ennemys.
And, yt plese your Grace, the Kyng your fader of Aragon hath
answeryd and commandyd me for to certify unto your Hyunys
by this my wryteyng that thys grete deseys that yt do plese
your Hyunys for to be contentyd for to kepe thys truys now
of late taken wyth the Frensch Kyng for the space of one
hole yere, on the whych he sayeyth that your Hyhnys Themperour
may make an alyage with the Frensche Kyng, the
Pope, and Ytalyans, and yt shal be trouse that may stand
most to the onorys and suertyes of your royal astatadys (sic)
of the [ink blot] mater I doute not but that the Kyng your
sa[y]d fader at thys tyme by hys letters and unto your Hynys
and to hys ambassador by thys messenger makeyth ryhte a
amply relacyon of the same, and of a [some letters illegible].
Soverayn Lord, I cannot saye for what polycy that yt was
sayed, but yt ys not syx days that here yt was openly spoken
that the Kyng your fader of Aragon wold thys yere make
war to the Frensche Kyng, and also no longer tyme pasyd
then yeysterday yt was cryed here yn thys town by a
comone cryer that everry Fransch [ink blot] are of thayr
pasyng into France, for that the truys bytwyxt Spayn and
France schal be esteryd (sic) on the fyrst day of Apryel next
comeyng, and on the nyntyth day of February that last past,
my servant, Rychard Prous, departeyd from hens wyth my
letters towardys your Grace, and cyth I send other my letters
to your Hynys tochyeyng the ambassadors of Scotland and
Hob a Barton, whych were bound ynto France, and by force
of wetheryng aryvyd at the parte of the Groyny wyth the
cyrcomstancys of the sayd mater and copys of letters that
the sayd Scot ys sent to the Kyng your fader of Aragon ; and
in the most sutyl wise that I can or maye I beseche your
Hynys that I may have some knowlych of your gracioust
plesure, for the wych knowlych I do and schal thynke long,
for I do lyychere with a hevy harte and mynd, seyng the unkyndnys
of thys pepyl here, and thayr dyssemulacyons as yt
knowyth.
Almyghty God perserve your royalyst asstade long for
to endure ; wreytyn yn the town af Madryl and corte of
your fader the Kyng of Aragon on the one and twenty day of
Marche yn the fyveyth yere of your nobylyst reyne, by the
most humyl and faythful servant of your Grace, John Stile.
[In common writing] J. Stile.
Addressed : "To the Kyng's most nobille Grace of England
and France, our soverayn Lord."
English. Holograph in cipher. Deciphered by the editor. |
March (?)
S. E. Cord. ast.
L. 1. 2c f. 242. |
166. King Ferdinand The Catholic to the Princess, his
Beloved Daughter (Margaret Of Austria).
Thanks her for all the great services she has rendered, as
well to himself as to his brothers, the Emperor and the King
of England, and to his son, the Prince (Charles). She is the
most important person in Christendom, since she acts as
mediator in almost all the negotiations between the princes
of Christendom.—No date. No signature.
Indorsed : "Drafts of the Catholic King. 1514."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 2. |
End of March (?)
P. Mon. Hist.
K. 1482, No. 33 bis. |
167. King Ferdinand The Catholic to Pedro De
Quintana, his Secretary and Ambassador to the
King Of France and the Emperor.
He is to speak to the King of France as follows :—
Is determined to carry on the present negotiations until
peace be concluded between the Emperor, the King of France,
the King of England, and himself. The sooner that can be
done the better it will be. Deals openly with the King
of France, and begs the King of France, likewise, to deal
openly with him. What they are now negotiating must be
kept strictly secret till the treaty of peace is definitely
concluded. If the King of France were to make the present
negotiations public, he would expose himself to the suspicion
that he does not wish for peace, and had other ends in view ;
for those who might think themselves aggrieved by the
peace would certainly do all in their power to prevent
its conclusion. They would certainly not prevail with him,
but they might be successful with the Emperor and the King
of England.
He is further to tell the King of France that the Cardinal
of Gurk is secretly won over, and has promised to persuade
the Emperor to do whatever they wish. Knows that Gurk
has great credit with the Emperor. Has asked the Cardinal
to leave Rome and to go to the Emperor.
Reminds the King of France of what was settled between
them at their interview in Savona, namely, that immediately
after the conclusion of the peace a reformation of the
Church should be carried out by them, and a common war
with the Infidels undertaken. Hopes the King of France
will not forget his obligations towards God as soon as he
gets out of his present troubles. Promises to act in this
respect like a brother towards the King of France, and is
persuaded that God has permitted Christendom to be so
much troubled with war only because His Church has not
yet been reformed. If they subordinate their private
interests to those of God, God will amply reward them.
Has been informed by letters from Rome that the Pope
and Cardinals intend to close the Lateran Council in their
next sitting. Begs the King of France to tell the Pope not
do so, as many reforms of the Church are very necessary.
Has written in the same sense to his ambassador in Rome,
not caring whether the Pope be offended by his remonstrances
or not.
The Emperor and the Venetians chose the Pope as umpire,
and he pronounced his award on the 4th of March. The
Emperor is to have Verona, Brescia, and Bergamo ; the
Venetians Padua and Treviso ; Vicenza and Crema are to
remain for the space of one year in the hands of the Pope,
who is entitled to postpone judgment on the reserved points
for twelve months and longer, if he thinks it expedient to
do so. The Emperor is not to assist the enemies of the
Venetians, nor are the Venetians to help the enemies of the
Emperor. None of them is to make war upon the Duke
of Milan. The Venetians, moreover, are to pay the Emperor
50,000 ducats in two instalments, and 10,000 ducats more
in case the Pope should think it right for them to do so.
Tells him in secret that the Pope has bound himself not
to pronounce (on the reserved points) without his (King
Ferdinand's) express consent. Thus the peace between the
Emperor and the Venetians is, in fact, only a truce for one
year.
Has written to Don Pedro, (fn. 14) and ordered him to ask the
Emperor to sign the peace with the Venetians, although a
truce with France is concluded. Peace with the Venetians
would make it more easy to keep the negotiations with
France secret, and, as already mentioned, it would be really
nothing more than a truce of one year.
Has further ordered Don Pedro to see that the Emperor
ratifies without delay the truce concluded with France, and
induces the King of England to do the same. The King of
England may be told that one of the reasons why it is
necessary to conclude a truce with France is that he (King
Ferdinand,) and the Emperor have discovered a treacherous
conspiracy of the Italians to turn them out of Italy. To
prevent this, it was necessary to make peace with France.
Has, moreover, prevailed on the King of France to use his
influence with the Scots to settle the government of Scotland
in the way the King of England desires, and to have
peace between England and the Scots arranged entirely to
the satisfaction of King Henry. Besides, the King of France
has promised to pay the King of England the same sums of
money as he has been in the habit of paying him.
Has informed Don Pedro that the Cardinal of Gurk is
coming (to the Emperor), and has told the Emperor that it
would be folly to perpetuate war only in order to defend the
Duke of Milan, especially as the title to the duchy does not
even belong to the Duke, but to the King of France, who
was formally invested with it. To continue the war for the
defence of the Duke of Milan would deprive the Emperor
of the opportunity of conquering the Venetian territories.
Has recommended to the Emperor the greatest secrecy on
all these matters.
He is not to return before the pending negotiations are
brought to a definite conclusion.
He was right in not showing the papers which are deposited
with him, and is to take care that they are not stolen.
Should it be expedient, he may himself go to see the
Emperor, in order to obtain from him a definite answer
—No date. No signature.
Indorsed : "To the Secretary Quintana, ambassador in
France."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 5. |