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| 15th April. |
14. Doctor De Puebla, Spanish Ambassador in England, to
King Ferdinand The Catholic.
[Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Tratados con Inglaterra.
Legajo 5. f. 31. Autograph in cipher. Deciphered by Almazan. The few
words printed in italics had been left undeciphered by Almazan, and are deciphered
by the Editor. The key is extant.]
Muy alto y muy poderoso principe Rey y Señor,
despues de por mi bessados los Reales pies y manos de
V[uestr]a Alteza le fago saber que recebi la carta de V[uestr]a Alteza de
xv de Março que este correo truxo la qual me embio la Señora
princessa de gales martes de la semana sancta xxx de Março,
y despues de sacada de la cifra en claro y por mi vista luego
otro dia miercoles de las tinieblas me fui al Señor Rey de
ynglaterra a Richamonte viij millas de londres donde falle
que todavia estava retraido a causa de la dolencia passada que
ha tenido bien peligrosa de una esquilencia que vj dias dizen
que estovo que cossa del mundo no podia comer ni bever y
llego a tal estado que por muchos se dudo de su vida. mas
agora a dios gracias Su Alteza esta bueno pero aun no se dexa
ver sino de pocos y como supo mi venida luego mando que
entrase y estove con el bien dos horas largas comunicandole
mostrandole y declarandole por estenso lo que V[uestr]a Alteza me
escrebia de lo qual todo mostro mucho plazer y dando inmensas
gracias por ello a V[uestr]a Alteza. y al fin dixome que ya
yo veya los dias en que estavamos de la semana sancta que
oviese paciencia fasta aquellos pasados y assignome el segundo
dia de pascua para me oyr y entender y no alçar la mano desto
fasta tomar algund buen expidiente en ello. y assi lo fize y me
fui a londres y volvi el segundo dia de pascua y dende aquel
dia fasta viij. dias continuos no passo dia dellos que al Rey no
fablase en secreto y despues a el y a algunos de su secreto
Consejo juntamente. y quanto a lo de la prorrogacion del dote
crea Va. Alteza que he tenido mucha altercacion en fecho y en
derecho pero en fin el Rey de inglaterra se determino de
fazerlo como V[uestr]a. Alteza me lo escrebio y lo vera por su carta
firmada y sellada que aqui a V[uestr]a. Alteza enbio, y pareceme que
sin empacho escrive alli a V[uestr]a. Alteza lo que en aquello con el
se tratava lo qual crea V[uestr]a. Alteza ser verdad segun lo escrive
y muchas veces de palabra me lo dixo jurandome que por la
fe de su corazon aquello era verdad, y vea Va. Alteza si cumple
a su servicio mostrar esta carta del Rey de ynglaterra al embaxador
del Rey de francia que hay esta. y no me contente con
sola una carta que aqui embio mas suplique le que otra tal en
sustancia diesse a la Señora princessa y assi me lo prometio de
fazer y de justificar las causas escusatorias de no haver pagado
la dote. y en quanto a lo del tiempo no pude acabar que fuesse
mas largo de fasta San Miguel que son cinco meses y medio
de aqui alla y porque Va. Alteza dize que muy presto sera
plaziendo a Nuestro Señor en Castilla y que sin dilacion lo
mandaria luego proveer y ahun porque a la princessa se le fazia
mucha dilacion no me quise mas en ello detener. suplico a
Va. Alteza reciba mi voluntad que esta ha seydo y es tal en
su servicio que a ninguno del mundo dare ventaja.
a V[uestr]a Alteza suplico en este tiempo de la prorrogacion
mande complir los c. escudos y en lo del apreciar de las
joyas de oro y plata en aquello no habra mucha diferencia porque
es como habeis contadas pero en lo de las joyas de piedras
preciosas bien soy cierto que no se tomaran aqua sino a mucho
menos precio de lo que alla se piensa y esto por algunas causas
que aqui dire. la una porque a fama de rico son venidas al Rey
de inglaterra muchas piedras preciosas de el Rey Alonso de
Napoles y de el Rey Don Fernando su hijo y de otras partes
y las ha habido por poco precio. y lo otro que en la postrera
capitulacion que fernan duque concluyo no se pudo otra cosa
acabar sino que aquellas joyas fuessen tassadas y apreciadas
por lapidarios deste Reyno juramentados del valor por que se
podrian vender y sufriose esto deste aprecio assi por no poder
mas como porque estaban aqua muy metidos y puestos en
pensamiento por sus leyes municipales de haver en lugar de
c.√. escudos cc.√. como Va. Alteza terna bien dello memoria.
digo todo esto porque Va. Alteza mande proveer de tal manera
que no aya falta en el cumplimiento de esta prorrogacion y
he pensado que quando el aprecio destas piedras preciosas
fuesse tan baxo que las hubiessen aqua de tomar en prendas
de lo que las tasasen o apreciassen y dar espacio de un año
para se las poder quitar o dexar y durante el dicho año pensaria
Va. Alteza en lo que de (fn. 3) debiesse fazer sobre ello. suplico
a Va. Alteza no se sepa que yo escribo cosa desto porque me
pornian en mucha confusion y mala voluntad del Rey de
inglaterra y mucho mas de la Señora princessa si supiessen
que esto tal escrebia a Va. Alteza.
ytem en lo del casamiento de la Serenisima Reyna de Castilla
Va. Alteza lo escribio tan excellente y prudentisimamente
que al Rey y aquellos pocos de su secreto Consejo parecio muy
bien y ciertamente a lo que puedo comprehender no hay rrey
que sea mas al proposito de Va. Alteza que el Rey de ynglaterra
si la Señora Reyna hubiesse de casar, agora estuviesse
sana o enferma que se me figura que teniendo tal marido como
al Rey de inglaterra podria cobrar la sanidad mejor que otro
alguno, y Va. Alteza ternia la gobernacion cierta y segura, y
si su enfermedad fuesse incurable no seria inconviniente estar
aqua y no me parece que estiman en mucho su enfermedad porque
supieron de mi que para haber generacion no no (fn. 4) tiene
enfermedad alguna. en este negocio el rrey de inglaterra dice
quanto a lo primero dar infinitas gracias a Va. Alteza por todo
lo que en este caso con tan intimo amor y buena voluntad
escrive. lo otro que porque Va. Alteza escrivio a la Señora princessa
que despues de llegado en Castilla seria bien quel Rey
de ynglaterra enbiase embaxada a tratar este casamiento
parecio al Rey y a su Consejo que despues que Va. Alteza con
la gracia de dios sea en Castilla y aya comunicado sobre este
caso con la Señora Reyna y que si Su Alteza estuviere inclinada
a querer oyr su enbaxador en este matrimonio o cosa que le
parezca que en tal caso escriviendo aqua Va. Alteza que a la
ora enbiara su embaxador a Castilla con poder bastante no solo
para capitular y tratar con Va. Alteza en este casamiento y en
todo lo mas que se ofreciere mas ahun para concluyr con la
Señora Reyna por palabras de presente. dixome el Rey que
mas onesto seria desta manera enbiar su embaxador que no si
hubiesse de yr y fuesse no gratamente recebido ni bien oydo
ni por ventura aceptado de la Señora Reyna. pues como Va.
Alteza dize no sabe su voluntad suplico a Va. Alteza muy
humilmente que despues que aya fablado con la Señora Reina
le plega escrevir su voluntad de lo que por mas servido se
tuviere y si mandare que vaya embaxador sin dilacion yra, y
yo trabajare que sean los embaxadores personas muy aceptas
al servicio de Va. Alteza. y por questa resolucion que Va. Alteza
escrivio era para se alla capitular no me quise aqua mucho
entremeter en las condiciones sino solamente oyr lo que me
dezian de do conocia y veya ellos estar desseosos e inclinados
a que si a V[uestr]a. Alteza pluguiese y pudiesse acabar que la
Señora Reyna quisiesse venir a permanecer a ynglaterra que
en todas las otras condiciones estaria mucho al proposito de
Va. Alteza. y sobre todo desean que Va. Alteza libremente tenga
toda la gobernacion y administracion de los Reynos de Castilla,
que era lo que parecia a Va. Alteza como se havian de repartir
por que dize que lo primero era razon que se sacasse lo que era
menester para los gastos de Va. Alteza y de los Reynos de
Castilla y para el y para la Reyna una cierta suma que a V[uestr]a.
Alteza justa le pareciesse. yo bien creo que si en estas dos cosas
V[uestr]a. Alteza se puede determinar que en todo lo al no habra
dificultad y caso que V[uestr]a. Alteza no pudiesse acabar lo de la
estada de la Señora Reyna en este Reyno podriase responder que
en los principios seria raçon quel Rey de inglaterra primero (fn. 6)
a Castilla y con esto bien creo no se deternan de fazer la voluntad
de V[uestr]a. Alteza.
ytem estas cartas que V[uestr]a. Alteza con este correo aca embio
han aprovechado a dos cosas. lo uno que gratamente se ha
tomado buen expidiente en lo de la prorrogacion que no en
poco lo he estimado segund las tramas que han andado. lo otro
que estaban diputados embaxadores del Rey de ynglaterra
para partir presto al Rey de francia y vistas las cartas que
V[uestr]a. Alteza me escrivio fueron revocados y tardaran fasta
saber lo que Va. Alteza en este negocio determina.
otro si muy poderoso Señor sepa Va. Alteza que desde el
dia que supe que era de Castilla partido V[uestr]a. Alteza fasta oy
he estado muy doliente y cercano a la muerte a do he gastado
mucho que por Nuestro Señor en esta embaxada de mas de
haberseme anegado el primer fijo que tove he vendido quanto
en este mundo gane y herede que solo un palmo de tierra no
me quedo, y en tanto que tenia que vender no me daba
mucha pena de estar sin proveymiento de V[uestr]a. Alteza que
dios guarde y de la Reyna que santa gloria aya agora pues
yo no tengo de salario la meytad que qualquier otro embaxador
de Va. Alteza y teniendo tanta costa como el que mas
y estando Va. Alteza fuera de españa no le tengo de supplicar
por salario syno solamente me faga merced al presente de algund
poco de socorro lo qual recibere en tanta merced como
en otro tiempo cient tanto. N[uest]ro Señor la vida y Real estado
de Va. Alteza acreciente y prospere con muy mas Reynos y
Señorios y complimiento de sus deseos en todo amen. De londres
a xv de Abril de Dvii.
Muy humill siervo de V. Alta. que sus Reales pies y manos
beso
dottor de puebla.
[Rubricado.] |
(Translation.)
14.
Very high and very mighty Prince, King and Lord,
After having kissed the royal feet and hands of your
Highness, I have to inform you that I received the letter of
your Highness of the 15th of March, sent by this courier. The
Señora Princess of Wales sent it me on Tuesday of the Holy
Week, the 30th of March. After having deciphered and read
it, I went on Wednesday to the King of England to Richmond,
which is eight miles distant from London. I found
him still keeping his room in consequence of his last
illness, which has been a very dangerous quinsy. During six
days, it is said, he could neither eat nor drink, and he was in
such a state that his life was despaired of by many. Now,
thanks to God, his Highness is well, but he sees only a few
persons. As soon as he knew that I had arrived he ordered
that I should be introduced to his room, and I remained with
him rather more than two hours, communicating, showing,
and explaining to him in detail what your Highness had
written to me. He rejoiced much at everything, and gave infinite
thanks to your Highness. At last he said that, as I was
aware, we were in the Holy Week, and that I must have
patience until it was over. He appointed the second day
of Easter to hear and negotiate with me, and [he said] he
would not take off his hands from this business until a
good arrangement had been come to. I did as I was bidden,
went to London, returned the second day of Easter, and
during the eight following days not one passed on which I
did not speak in secret first with the King alone, and then
with him and a few of his privy councillors together.
As for the prorogation of the [payment] of the dower,
your Highness may believe that I had great disputes about
matters of fact as well as of law, but at last the King of
England made up his mind to consent to what your Highness
wrote to me. Your Highness will see his letter, signed and
sealed, which I send enclosed in this. I think he writes to
your Highness frankly respecting the negotiations which have
been carried on ; and your Highness may believe that
what he writes is the truth, as he has often told me by word
of mouth, swearing by the faith of his heart (fn. 1) that it is true.
Your Highness will judge for yourself whether it is convenient
to show this letter of the King of England to the
ambassador of the King of France who is staying there. I did
not content myself with the letter which is enclosed in this,
but asked him to give another similar one to the Señora
Princess, and he promised to do so, and to declare that your
excuses for not having paid the dower were sufficient. With
respect to the time, I could not obtain a longer adjournment
than until St. Michael's Day, which is five months and a half
distant. As your Highness says that, with the help of God,
you will be very soon in Castile, and then immediately provide
for this case, and as the Señora Princess became somewhat
impatient, I did not like to occupy myself any longer in these
negotiations. I entreat your Highness to acknowledge my
goodwill, which has been, and is in all things which regard
your service, such that in this respect no one has an advantage
over me.
I entreat your Highness during the time of the prorogation
to pay the one hundred thousand ducats. With respect to
the valuation of the jewels of gold and of silver, there will
be no great difference, for they are valued as you have put them
down in the account ; but the ornaments of precious stones
I feel sure, will be accepted at much less than is there (fn. 2)
supposed. The reasons thereof I shall state here. As the
King of England has the reputation of being very rich, a
great quantity of precious stones have been sent to him by
the King Alonso of Naples and his son the King Don Ferdinand
and other persons, and he has bought them at a very cheap,
rate. Besides, in the last treaty which Fernanduque concluded
it was impossible to obtain more than what the value of these
jewels was ascertained to be on the oath of dealers in precious
stones and gems in this country, according to the price at
which they could be sold. It was impossible to obtain better
conditions, because the people here had made up their mind,
owing to their municipal laws, to get two hundred thousand
scudos instead of one hundred thousand, as your Highness will
remember. I state all this that your Highness may give such
orders that there may be no default in the payment within the
time of the prorogation. I am of opinion that, if the said
precious stones should be valued at a very low rate, it would be
best to pledge them here for the price at which they will be
valued and appraised, on condition, however, that they may be
redeemed within the space of one year. During that year
your Highness can see what is best to do in this matter.
I beg your Highness not to say that I write anything of this
kind, because if the King of England, and much more the
Señora Princess, were to know what I write to your Highness,
I should be placed in a disagreeable position towards them,
and have to bear their ill-will.
Item.—Concerning the marriage of the most Serene Queen
of Castile, your Highness wrote so admirably and so prudently
that it seemed very good to the King of England and to
those few privy councillors [who are initiated in the matter],
and certainly, as far as I am able to judge, there is no King
who would be so convenient for your Highness as the King of
England. If the Queen were to marry him, whether she be
sane or not, I think that, having such a husband as the King
of England, she would sooner recover than with any other,
and your Highness would have the regency sure and undisputed.
And if her infirmity should prove incurable, it would
be no inconvenience if she were to live here. For it seems to
me they do not much mind her infirmity, since I told them
that it does not prevent her from bearing children. The
answer of the King of England is, firstly, to thank your
Highness very much for all you have written on this subject
with so much love and goodwill ; secondly, as your Highness
wrote to the Señora Princess that after your arrival in
Castile the King of England should send an embassy to enter
into negotiations about this marriage, it seems to the King
and to his council that when your Highness, with the help of
God, has returned to Castile and consulted the Queen about
this subject, and her Highness should be inclined to hear his
ambassador about this marriage, or something similar, your
Highness must write to him, and he would immediately
send an ambassador to Castile with full power not only to
conclude with your Highness this marriage and whatever else
might occur to you, but also to contract marriage per verba
de prœsenti with the Queen. The King told me that this
manner of sending his ambassador would be more honourable
than if he were to go and then not be well received, or not
heard, or even not received at all by the Queen. As your
Highness writes that you do not know the wishes of her
Highness, I most humbly beseech you that after having
spoken with the Queen you would be pleased to write what
your will is, and if you should say that an ambassador may be
sent, he will go without delay. I shall see that the ambassadors
be persons very much disposed to the service of your
Highness. As your Highness wrote that the treaty should be
concluded there (fn. 5) , I did not think it proper to say much on
its conditions and have listened only to what they said to me.
I conclude from it, and it is clear that, if your Highness
could persuade the Queen to come and live in England, they
would in every other respect propose conditions very favourable
to your Highness. And above all, they wish that your
Highness should retain the government and administration
of the kingdoms of Castile entirely in your hands, and that
[the revenues] should be divided as might seem best to you.
Firstly, he thought it was reasonable to deduct from them
as much as was necessary to cover the expenses of your
Highness and of the kingdoms of Castile, and to pay to the
Queen such an annuity as you should think just. I feel sure
that, if your Highness would concede these two points, there
would be no other difficulty. If your Highness should not
be able to persuade the Queen to live in this kingdom, it
would be well to answer that at first the King of England
should stay at Castile. If that is done, I think they will
make no difficulty about doing what your Highness wishes.
Item.—The letters which your Highness has sent by this
courier have produced a favourable impression in two respects.
In the first place, a good and gracious settlement has been
come to with respect to the prorogation, which I do not a little
esteem, considering in what state things were here. Secondly,
ambassadors of the King of England had been appointed to
go to the King of France, but in consequence of the letters
which your Highness wrote to me they were recalled, and are
to wait until it is known what your Highness decides about
this affair.
One thing more, Señor. Your Highness must know that
since the day I was informed of the departure of your Highness
from Castile until this day I have been very ill and near
death. I have spent much money. During the time I have
held this embassy it has been the will of God that not
only my eldest son should be drowned, but also that I should
be obliged to sell whatever I have acquired or inherited
in this world. Not an inch of land has remained to me.
As long as I had property to sell, I did not much mind
being left without any provision from your Highness, whom
God preserve, and from the Queen, who now enjoys holy
glory ; but although at present my salary is only one half
of that of any other ambassador of your Highness, and my
expenses as great as those of any one of them, yet as your
Highness is absent from Spain, I do not ask you to pay
me my salary, but beseech you only to do me a favour, and to
order that a small part be given to me, which I should esteem
as high a favour as a hundred times more on another
occasion.
May our Lord preserve the life and royal estate of your
Highness, and prosper and augment it with many more kingdoms
and dominions and the accomplishment of all your
wishes. Amen.
From London on the 15th of April '507.
Your Highness' very humble servant kisses your royal feet
and hands.
Doctor de Puebla. [Sign manual.] |
| 15th April. |
15. Doctor De Puebla, Spanish Ambassador in England, to
King Ferdinand The Catholic.
[Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Tratados con Inglaterra.
Legajo 5. f. 32. Autograph. The words printed in italics are in cipher and
deciphered by the editor. The key is extant.]
Muy alto y muy poderoso Catholico principe Rey y Señor,
despues de por mi besados los Reales pies y manos de b~ra
Alteza le fago saber que oy de la fecha me embio a pedir la
Señora princesa todo el despacho que para vuestra Alteza
tenia escripto diziendo que pues V[uestr]a Alteza le havia embiado
el correo perote y en su emboltorio las cartas para mi que
asi hera razon en su emboltorio oviese de yr todo el despacho
que yo a V[uestr]a Alteza embiase. y asi lo hize. despues pense de
escrebir esta en emboltorio de un mercader luques por algunos
respetos que aqui dire. lo uno porque V[uestr]a Alteza sepa toda la
substancia de lo que escribo en el emboltorio de la Señora
princesa. lo otro para que sepa la causa por que alli embie el
dicho despacho y lo otro y mas principal por la que dios no
quiera si el dicho correo fuese ympedido por la gente de
guerra del Rey de francia que tan tendida anda por italia que
a lo menos V[uestr]a Alteza pudiesse saber en substancia todo lo que
aca se ha fecho y ocurre.
quanto a lo de la porrogacion de la paga del docte fizose
como V[uestr]a Alteza me enbio a mandar abiendo el Rey por justificadas
las causas de no aver cunplido fasta agora la dicha dote
lo qual el Rey embia a V. Alteza dos cartas sobre ello firmadas
y selladas que soy cierto bien se contentaran dellas. verdad
sea que en el termino de esta paga no pude mas termino alcanzar
de fasta Sant Miguel que son cinco meses y medio por
lo que largamente V[uestr]a Alteza vera por las otras mis cartas.
yten en lo del casamiento de la Reyna de Castilla con el
Rey de inglaterra desea saber la llegada de V[uestr]a. Alteza en
Castilla y luego sin tardanza enbiara embajada y porque
espero en dios el correo perote no habra impedimento y alli
vera muy por estenso Va. Alteza todos los negocios no me
quiero en esta mas detener sino que la Santisima Trenidad
conserve y prospere la vida y Real estado de V[uestr]a Alteza con
muy mas Reynos y Señorios y cumplimiento de sus deseos en
todo Amen. De londres a xv. de Abril de dvij. de puebla.
doctor. [Rubricado.]
[Sobre :] Al muy noble Senor el Señor Miguel Perez de
Almaçan Secretario y del Consejo del Rey ñro Señor. (1) |
15. Very high and very mighty Prince, King and Lord,
After having kissed the royal feet and hands of your Highness
I have to inform you that to-day the Señora Princess sent
for me and asked for the whole despatch which I had written
to your Highness, saying that, as your Highness had sent the
courier Perote to her, and that the letters for me were in his bag,
it was natural that my despatch to your Highness should also go
in his bag. I did as I was commanded. Afterwards I thought
it right to send this letter in the bag of a merchant from
Lucca. The reasons which induce me to do so I shall state
here, viz., in the first place, I wish to inform your Highness of
the whole substance of my letter which I send in the bag of
the Señora Princess ; secondly, I wish to state the reason why
I send the said despatch ; and, thirdly and principally, I wish
that, as war is raging in Italy, and this courier might be
arrested by French soldiers (which God forbid), your Highness
should know in substance all that is done and occurs here.
As for the prorogation of the payment of the dower, I did
what your Highness ordered me, and the King, considering the
reasons for its not having been paid up to this time to be
sufficient, sends your Highness two letters, signed and sealed,
which I am sure will be found satisfactory. It is true I could
not obtain a longer postponement of the payment than until
St. Michael's day, which is five months and a half distant.
Your Highness will find the details in the other letter.
Item.—Concerning the marriage of the Queen of Castile
with the King of England he wishes to be informed of the
arrival of your Highness in Castile, and he will then without
delay send an embassy. Hoping in God that the courier
Perote will have no difficulty, and that your Highness will see
all the details of this negotiation, I shall no longer detain you,
and wish only that the most Holy Trinity may guard and prosper
the life and royal estate of your Highness, and grant you
many more kingdoms and dominions and the fulfilment of all
your wishes. Amen.
From London on the 15th of April, '507.
De Puebla, Doctor. [Sign manual.]
[Addressed :] To the very noble Lord Miguel Perez de Almazan,
Secretary and Counsellor of the King our lord. (fn. 7) |
| 15th April. |
16. Katharine, Princess Of Wales, to King Ferdinand
The Catholic.
[Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Tratados con Inglaterra.
Legajo 5. f. 50. Holograph.]
Muy alto y muy poderoso Señor,
las cartas de V[uestr]a Alteza receby con el coreo que estas lleva
y vynyeron tan frescas que me fue doblado la merced y plazer
que con ellas uve las manos de V[uestr]a Alteza beso por el cuydado
que de my muestra que todo mes byen necesaryo para amansar
las furyas daca que an sydo artas para venyr a este
prolongamyento del dote asta el tyempo que va asynado que
por la carta del Rey V[uestr]a Alteza vera. plega a dios que baste
este termino que ha dado para poder se cumplyr por que sy
asy no fuese byen se podrya dezyr que serya peor lo postrero
que lo prymero y aun lo que yo querya es que sy posyble
fuese no se aprovechase V[uestr]a Alteza de todo el espacyo que se lo
da porque fuese enmienda de la falta pasada ell anticipar de
agora. yo aunque dygo esto byen se que no puedo dar a V[uestr]a.
Alteza mas pryesa de la que se tyene por dycho de darse. mas
digolo porque querya que tuvyese V[uestr]a. Alteza manera que no
me agan aca entender que me an echo de no nada por que es
muy malo de sufryr tanto menosprecyo syendo yja de V[uestr]a.
Alteza aunque no lo merezca ser, y por esto querya que la
persona que aquy vynyese fuese tal que supyese hablar lo que
es raçon en el tyempo que ay necesydad de ablar. en esto ya
V[uestr]a. Alteza me dize lo ara como se lo suplyco yo por la causa
que pedy a Don pedro es porque me parece que tyene abylidad
para lo que quysyere azer y tan byen porque tyene espyryencya
de lo daca y quyen lo daca conoce tyene la mytad
del camyno andado asy que a el u al Comendador de la Menbrilla
olgarya que v[uest]ra Alteza enbyase mas no a hernan duque
aunque a estado aqua. lo que yo en este caso a V[uestr]a. Alteza
torno a suplycar es que la persona que aquy uvyere de venyr
cualquier que sea tenga espyryencya y mucho saber y estado.
esto autoryze porque crea V[uestr]a. Alteza que no ay cosa que
mas aga u desaga en los estados Reales que los enbaxadores
especyal para este Reyno que es apartado de todos los ostros
y quyere mas cyrcunstancyas en todas las cosas que otra
nacyon nynguna. a lo que V[uestr]a Alteza me dize que este que
vynyere verna de todo tan byen ynformado que no aya aca
revuelta nynguna yo asi lo creo mas sy byen V[uestr]a Alteza a
leydo mys cartas en todas le echo saber lo que avra en esta y
es que con mys muchas necesydades y el largo tyempo que an
durado me asy (fn. 10) necesaryo socorrerme a la plata y que falta
parte della a esta causa y faltara en tanto que V[uestr]a Alteza no
me proveyere, porque aunque a los myos yo los dexo echos pedaços
y con tan sobradas myseryas que es verguença pensallo
lo de mi persona no lo puedo asy desymular y pues no tengo
de do avello es me forçado de lo cumplyr de lo que tengo, asy
que sabyendo V[uestr]a Alteza esto de my tan a la larga como se lo
tengo escryto no se como me manda que se conserven enteramente
el oro y la plata porque ara falta en el dote y aun porque
esto V[uestr]a Alteza remedyese lo se (fn. 11) yo echo saber en todas
mys cartas asy que no hay duda syno que a my pensar que con
lo daca no avra entero cunplymyento del dote sy V[uestr]a Alteza
no provee en acrecentar en lo que se a de traer. todo esto digo
a V[uestr]a Alteza porque estando de todo ynformado venga este
dote de manera que no se gaste mas tienpo en concertalle que
se ha gastado esperandole. tan bien suplyco a V[uestr]a Alteza que
enbye algun socorro a estos myos y les aga algunas mercedes
porque todos y todas ya no saben que hazer ny yo se que les
dyga porque en verdad sy en servirme a my Vuestra Alteza
recybe servycyo no creo puede aver personas a quyen en mas
obligacyon Vuestra Alteza sea pues despues que en este Reyno
entre como a V[uestr]a Alteza tengo escrito syenpre me han servydo
con esperança de remedyo y este nunca le a avido asta el dya
de oy y todavya me sirven con tanta voluntad como si
cada dia les yciese mercedes. espero yo y asy lo tengo por
cyerto pues V[uestr]a Alteza vyene a Castilla se las ara y les dara
junto lo que merecen. de la venyda de V[uestr]a Alteza uelgo tanto
que no me deja sentyr el trabajo que se le ofrece por seguyrse
del tanto byen pues dexado el descanso y consolacyon de la
Señora Reyna que es causa tan pryncypal uelgo de ver aquel
Reyno en quyen fue sucesora la Reyna my Señora en poder
de V[uestr]a Alteza porque no dexe destar en la prosperydad y
segurydad que le dexo. asy mysmo por my espero desde ay
remedyara V[uestr]a Alteza myjor todo lo que me toca. en lo que
yo a V[uestr]a Alteza enbye a suplycar sobre lo del Confesor yo ya
estoy desto muy byen proveyda mas suplyco a V[uestr]a Alteza que
porque yo e scrito al general de San francysco de oservancya la
necesydad que aquy ay de un par de frayles letrados españoles
los aga V[uestr]a Alteza venyr para que esten aquy. en lo que V[uestr]a
Alteza me enbyo a mandar de su parte dixose al Rey. en
respuesta de lo de la Reyna quysyera tanbyen saber escrybyr
en cyfras como supe sacallas mas tengo por myjor escrybillo
yo en claro que no fyarme en nadye. lo que se me respondyo
es que a V[uestr]a Alteza se le tyene en mucho la voluntad que
desto muestra mas que en lo del enbyar del enbaxador que
el no se determyna syno tuvyese alguna certynydad prymero
de venyr a efecto lo que quyere y da para esto tal razon que
sy el enbyase sobre ello y no se ycyese que le serya gran
deshonor, puesto que a my asy no me lo parece, mas el quyere
enbyar segun me dixo sobre algun concyerto echo y dyce que
sy V[uestr]a Alteza lescrive azyendole saber la voluntad que alla ay
para esto que sy muestra ser la que el quyere que luego
enbyara enbaxador que lo lleve a V[uestr]a Alteza todo asentado y
capytulado lo que el a dicho, y asy mysmo que lleve a V[uestr]a
Alteza su poder para que aga por el todo como lo ordenare V[uestr]a
Alteza. tanbyen me dixo que la determynacyon de lo que en
este se puede azer que querya que V[uestr]a Alteza se lo yzyese
saber lo mas presto que ser pueda porque la duquesa de
Saboya es ya venyda a flandes y que espera ally y que sy
esto otro se aze que dexara aquello aunques bueno por lo
myjor mas que sy no que no querya perder estotro por que
le vyene byen. esto fue lo que me respondyo. en lo de tener
secreto y asy lo dixe todo al pye de la letra como V[uestr]a Alteza
me escribyo. de my yo lo certyfyco a V[uestr]a Alteza que lo
este que por que mas lo estuvyese me puse yo mysma a
sacar las cyfras syn nynguna ayuda aunque syendo nueva en
el ofycyo. en lo que dyce V[uestr]a Alteza de my que muestre que
solo dyos puede desazer lo que esta echo en verdad yo syenpre
he tenydo ese cuydado destar sobre avyso en eso y asy lo e
siempre mostrado y aun para mas confirmallo byen pocos dyas
ha dixe al dotor de puebla entre otras cosas sobre el estar de
la manera que estava para que el lo dixese al Rey como lo
sentya aunque lo dysymulaba y que sobre todo lo que mas
grave se me azia era ver al pryncype tan de tarde en tarde
que me parecya gran crueldad estando todos en una casa pasarse
cuatro meses syn velle. dyxome el dotor que sobre esto
le respondyo el Rey que antes lo azia el por mas byen myo
porque sabyendo V[uestr]a Alteza esto se dyese mas pryesa a enbyar
el dote asy que en nada no ay mejorya por agora, en lo que
V[uestr]a Alteza manda que entretanto tenga la manera que vyere
ser necesarya yo lo echo asta quy con el myjor tyento que a
my a sydo posyble y por azello he sufrydo ser martyr y asy
lo sere todo quanto V[uestr]a Alteza mandase pues byen puedo
jurar que yo lo ago mas por servycyo de V[uestr]a Alteza que por
lo que a my mysma me toca. a çavallos espero como V[uestr]a Alteza
me lo escrive con quyen entyendo olgar por saber mas por
menudo nuevas de V[uestr]a Alteza y al dotor e dicho y avysado
escryba a V[uestr]a Alteza lo cyerto de lo daca syn echalle nyngun
açucar con que se encubra. a me dicho que asy lo ara. yo por lo
que querya que lo yzyese es porque no de a V[uestr]a Alteza esperança
a my costa de lo que no tyene syno que dyga la verdad
porque se remedye en lo porvenyr lo pasado. Nuestro Señor
la vyda y muy Real estado de V[uestr]a Alteza guarde y acrecyente
como yo deseo.
de Rixamonte a xv de Abryl. muy servydora de V[uestr]a Alteza
que sus manos besa.
la pryncesa de gales.
[Sobre :] Al muy alto y muy poderoso Señor el Rey mi
Señor. |
16. Very high and very mighty Lord,
The letters of your Highness I received by the courier
who is the bearer of these. They were of so recent a date that
your favour and my pleasure were doubled. I kiss the hands
of your Highness, thanking you for the care you take of me.
All this has been very necessary to appease the fury which
was raging here before the payment of the dower had been
prorogued. The date of the prorogation your Highness will
learn from the letter of the King of England. God grant
that this period may be long enough, and that before it is over
the payment may be made, for, if that should not be the case,
it might well be said "the last is worse than the first."
What I wish is, that, if possible, your Highness should not
wait for the end of the term which has been granted, as an
anticipation of the payment would atone for the last default.
Although I beg this, I know very well that I cannot urge
your Highness more than you urge yourself, but I speak of it
because I wish your Highness to take some means to prevent
these people from telling me that they have reduced me to
nothingness. It is very difficult to endure such humiliations,
being the daughter, although an unworthy one, of your Highness.
I therefore wish that the ambassador who is to come hither
should be a man who dares to speak an honest word at the right
time. Your Highness has already informed me that you will
do what I have asked, and the reason why I wish that Don
Pedro (fn. 8) should be sent is, because I think that if he wishes to
do anything, he has all the ability to do it. Besides, he knows
this country. Whoever knows this country has overcome one
half the difficulties. (fn. 9) Thus, I should be glad if your Highness
would send either him or the Knight Commander of Membrilla,
and not Fernanduque, although he has already been here.
I once more beg your Highness that the person who is to come,
whoever he be, may be a man of great experience, knowledge,
and high station. All this would give him authority.
Your Highness may believe that nothing contributes more
towards the prosperity or adverse fortune of kingdoms than
the choice of ambassadors, especially in this kingdom, which
is so isolated from all others, and requires in every respect
more circumspection than any other nation. Your Highness
tells me that the new ambassador will be so well instructed
about everything that no difficulty can arise here. I believe
it, but if your Highness has read attentively my former letters
you will remember that I informed you in them of the same
thing as I write in this, viz., that my necessities have been so
great, and have lasted so long a time, that I have been forced
to sell my plate. A portion of it is therefore deficient,
and will be as long as your Highness does not provide me
[with money]. Although I let my servants walk about in rags,
and they live in such misery that it is shameful to think of
it, I cannot so much neglect my own person ; and as there
are no other resources left me, I am forced to live upon
what I have. (fn. 12) Your Highness knowing all this, as I
have written all the details to you, I do not understand how
you can command me to preserve intact my gold and plate
because it is to form part of my dower. I have informed your
Highness of this circumstance in all my former letters, that
you may remedy it, and may know that there is not any doubt
that with what is here the whole dower cannot be paid
unless your Highness increases the amount which you are to
send hither. I tell your Highness all this in order that you
may be well informed, and make such arrangements for the payment
of the dower that no more time may be lost than has been
already in waiting for your [arrival in Spain]. I also beseech
your Highness to succour my servants, and to grant them some
favours. For all of them, men and women, no longer
know what to do, and I am at a loss what to say to them. If
it is true that your Highness considers services which I receive
as services rendered to yourself, I think there are no persons to
whom your Highness is more indebted than to my servants.
From the day that I arrived in this kingdom, as I have
written to your Highness, they have always served me in the
hope that things would be mended, and although nothing has
been remedied up to this day, they serve me still with the
same good will as though I granted them every day new
favours. As your Highness is returning to Castile, I hope
and take it for certain that you will give them at once all
that is due to them. I am so glad your Highness is returning
to Castile that I forget to think of your fatigues.
The advantages are very great. Not to speak of the comfort
and consolation of the Queen (fn. 13) , although that is also of great
importance, I rejoice to think that the kingdom to which
the Queen my lady (fn. 14) succeeded is to remain in the hands
of your Highness, and will lose nothing of the prosperity and
security in which she left it. Besides, I hope that, by staying
in that kingdom, your Highness will be in a better position to
remedy all that concerns me. With respect to the confessor
whom I begged your Highness to send me, I must inform you
that I have already a very good one. I have written to the
General of the Franciscan Observant Friars that some learned
Spanish friars are wanted here. I now beg your Highness to
send them. Concerning what your Highness ordered me to
tell the King in your name in answer to [his proposals] with
respect to the Queen, I wish I could write in cipher as well
as decipher ; but I think it better to write in common writing
than to trust to any one else. His answer is, that he values very
highly the good intentions of your Highness, but as for the
sending of an embassy, he would not like to do it before he
had some certainty of obtaining what he desired. The reason
which he gives is, that it would reflect dishonour on him if
he were to send [an embassy] and nevertheless it [the marriage]
could not be concluded. I do not think so. He, however,
told me that he is ready to send [an ambassador] about some
treaty which has been concluded, and says that if your Highness
will write and inform him of the intentions which prevail
there, and if they should be such as he wishes them to be, he
will immediately send an ambassador to your Highness, with a
treaty already drawn up and containing all he has promised,
and also with full powers to do all your Highness may
command. Moreover, he told me that he desires your Highness
to send him without loss of time a determinate answer,
and to let him know what can be done in this affair ; for the
Duchess of Savoy is already arrived in Flanders, and is waiting
there for him. If this (fn. 15) can be concluded, he will give up
the other. (fn. 16) Although it is also a good one, the first is still
better. But if that cannot be done, he would in such a
case not like to lose the other, which suits him perfectly
well. Such was his answer. Concerning the necessity to
keep it secret, I told him word for word what your Highness
writes to me. As for myself, I can assure your
Highness that I shall keep it, and in order to be more sure
I have myself deciphered your ciphering without any assistance,
although I am not used to such a thing. With respect
to what your Highness orders me, viz., that I should always
conduct myself as though God alone could undo what has been
done, I have, in fact, always behaved in this respect with
great circumspection and watchfulness. In order the more
to confirm it, speaking with Doctor de Puebla only a few
days ago about the present state of things, I asked him to tell
the King that I resented it much, although I concealed my
feelings, and that the most difficult thing for me to bear was
to see the Prince so seldom. As we all lived in the same
house, it seemed to me a great cruelty that four months
should have passed without my seeing him. The Doctor
told me the King had assured him that he did it for my good ;
for if your Highness knew this, you would make more haste in
sending the dower. Thus, nothing has improved. Your
Highness commands me meanwhile to do what I may
think necessary. I have done so up to this time as well as I
could, and although I have suffered martyrdom, I shall continue
to do all your Highness desires, more to serve your
Highness, than out of regard for my own interests In consequence
of what your Highness writes me, I expect Zavallos.
I shall be glad to learn good news of your Highness more
fully. I have told and ordered the Doctor to write to your
Highness the truth, and not to sugar it over or to conceal it.
He has promised to do so. The reason why I wish it is that
he may not give your Highness false hopes at my expense,
but that he may tell the truth, so that what has been bad
hitherto may be remedied in future.
Our Lord preserve the life and royal estate of your Highness,
and prosper it as I wish.
From Richmond 15th of April.
Your Highness' servant kisses your hands.
The Princess of Wales.
[Addressed :] To the very high and very mighty Lord, the
King my lord. |