Calendar of State Papers, Spain: Supplement To Volumes 1 and 2, Queen Katherine; Intended Marriage of King Henry VII To Queen Juana. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1868.
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'Queen Juana: September 1507', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain: Supplement To Volumes 1 and 2, Queen Katherine; Intended Marriage of King Henry VII To Queen Juana, (London, 1868) pp. 111-126. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/supp/vols1-2/pp111-126 [accessed 25 April 2024]
September 1507
| 7th September. |
19. Doctor De Puebla, Spanish ambassador in England, to
King Ferdinand The Catholic. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Tratados con Inglaterra. Legajo 5. f. 33. Autograph. Deciphering by Almazan.] Muy alto y muy poderoso principe Rey e Señor, despues de por mi besados los Reales pies y manos de V. Alteza le fago saber que recebi con este correo sus cartas en Valencia escritas a xxij de Julio y a la sazon el Rey de ynglaterra era ydo a andar por su Reyno de floresta en floresta a sus caças y monterias que no estaba un dia sosegado donde otro de manera que me fue forçado de fazer saber al dicho Rey la venida deste correo y suplicarle me ficiese saber donde su Alteza me podia oyr. y tanbien enbie a la Señora princesa las cartas que le enbiaba. y el Rey luego sin dilacion delibro de se yr a una villa que se llama Vdestoc cinquenta e cinco millas de londres adonde me certefico seria a xxvj de Jullio y que alli podia yr y que sin dilacion me oyria e despacharia. lo qual por mi sabido provey lo necesario de cavallos y de todo lo mas para mi y para todoslos mios como aquel dicho dia de xxvj de Jullio pudiese ser en la dicha Villa de Vdestoc donde por dios verdadero me fue necesario comprar diez cavallos con todo el atavio que convenia a mi y a los mios demas de lo que yo y ellos teniamos. lo qual fue necesario por estar con el Rey enbaxadas del papa y del Rey de Romanos y del Rey de francia y de flandes y de dinamarca y escocia. y el dicho dia de xxvj de Jullio yo llegue a la dicha Villa de Vdestoc y otro dia siguiente me oyo el Rey y le declare la carta de V[uestr]a Alteza y me oyo muy por estenso y despues de me aver oydo y comunicado por termino de dos oras y media o tres dixome que el queria delibrar y aver su Consejo. y esto paso aquel dia. y dentro de quatro dias despues de le aver yo dicho muchas cosas y razones invencibles a mi ver determinose absolutamente haser la voluntad de V[uestr]a Alteza en lo do la prorrogacion segund V[uestr]a Alteza me lo escrivio y segun vera por la carta del Rey de ynglaterra que aqui va de manera que aquello esta muy bien, y lo que V[uestr]a Alteza deba fazer para el tienpo soy cierto fara su devido y lo que acaso convenga, pero con todo quiero aqui dezir mi parescer que pues estos seys meses tiene podria V[uestr]a Alteza proveer como por cedulas de canbio para el dicho tienpo se conpliese la dote, que en esa corte ay mercaderes que cualquiera dellos tiene aqui credito para poder conplir con este Rey fasta en contia de cientmill ducados en especial interviniendo dilacion de cinco o seis meses. y con la tal dilacion se podra hazer alla el canbio a muy buen precio, al mas dando alla ducado para que lo den aca o por ventura a mejor precio. y si en esto Va. Alteza se determinase yo procuraria como venidas a mi las cedulas de canbio luego sin dilacion alguna se tomasen las manos el Señor principe y la Señora princesa por palabras de presente y dentro de pocos dias se celebrasen las bodas con la solepnidad que al caso conviene. y si Va. Alteza por algunos misterios a mi incognitos esto no le paresciere bien umillmente le suplico me perdone y no la voluntad que esta no puede ser mejor en lo tocante a su servicio, en prueba de la qual quiera considerar que quien no quiso casar con rico casamiento ni menos obispar por solo temer de enojar a Va. Alteza si lo tal procede de fiel servidor en especial que juro por dios verdadero quanto en este mundo tenia de casas y heredades todo lo e vendido y gastado sin me quedar un palmo de tierra y estar adebdado mas de lo que me es licito de dezir en especial con esta dolencia de trece meses. con fisicos y boticarios se gasta en este Reyno cosa increible la qual dolencia y enfermedad supitamente me vino el dia que supe la salida de Va. Alteza dese Reyno, pues si Va. Alteza supiese mi firmeza en su servicio quando aqui estuvo el Rey Don felipe que Santa gloria aya bien se ternia de mi por servido. por todo lo qual humilmente suplico a Va. Alteza y sus Reales pies y manos beso me mande socorrer y proveer de alguna cosa porque lo e bien menester fasta tanto que yo enbie alla presona (fn. 2) mia a solicitar lo que me es debido segund aquello esta puesto en los descargos y casi difinido despues del fallecimiento de la Reina mi Sobera (fn. 4) Señora que Sancta gloria aya. los mercaderes que pueden dar las dichas cedulas de canbio para este Rey son francisco de negro florentin y agustin de grimaldis y agustin de bivaldis y agustin ytalian hermano de pantaleon que cada uno de estos mercaderes tiene aqui su factor de muy grande credito y mucho conocidos del Rey de inglaterra. yten en lo del casamiento de el Rey de inglaterra con la fija de Va. Alteza el misterio proposito y ultimo fin del Rey de ynglaterra es que si Va. Alteza puede traer a su dispusicion semejante conclusion no dubdo el Rey de ynglaterra fara mas de la razon asi que a V. A. suplico mande proveer presto de escribir su voluntad mucho largamente. el dotor de la puebla espera de le fazer grande servicio y pareceme que es bien que Va. Alteza sepa la inclinacion e voluntad del Rey de ynglaterra es poder permanecer y residir en este Reyno en semejante casamiento dandole alguna cierta cantidad en cada un año segund me dijo que Va. Alteza ofrecia a el fijo del Rey de Romanos de las rentas de Castilla y este es el intento del Rey de ynglaterra pero si por otros misterios que convengan a Va. Alteza o por no se poder acabar con la fija de Va. Alteza conviniese que el Rey de ynglaterra oviese de yr a residir en Castilla escribalo Va. Alteza que presto sabra lo que el dotor de la puebla podra concluyr. por tanto a Va. Alta. suplico vea lo que al caso mejor le paresciere ser su servicio. otro si crea Va. Alteza que el consejo del Rey de ynglaterra desea en estremo poderse concluyr semejante casamiento aunque peores cosas se digan de la dolencia de la fija de V. Alteza y en este mismo proposito esta el Rey de ynglaterra. otro si muy poderoso principe Rey e Senor Sepa Va. Alteza que a lo que las tres embaxadas del Rey de Romanos y del Rey de francia y de flandes vinieron a este Rey fue lo ynfra siguiente : los enbaxadores del Rey de Romanos a dar quexas que el Rey de francia diziendo que procuraba con los electores del ynperio y con todos los alemanes poder de ser emperador y tanbien procurava por ynfinitas maneras como el cardenal de Ruan pudiese ser fecho papa, lo otro quel Rey de francia tenia deseo y ambicion ymensa de usurpar y tomar para si violentamente las tierras y señorios de su nieto, lo otro procurar con este Rey se metiese en guerra contra el Rey de francia, lo otro pedir dineros prestados a este Rey sobre buenas gajas de fortalezas, lo otro sobre casamiento con madama margarita con este Rey y no menos casamiento de su nieto con madama maria hija deste Rey. yten el enbaxador de flandes questa aqui que es don diego de guivara hazer saber a este Rey como el Rey de francia avia proclamado guerra contra todos los Señorios de borgoña y puesto gentes de guerra en ellos aceptando (fn. 5) a flandes e artues porque estas dos provincias siempre reconocen por Soberano Señor al Rey de francia y contino las apelaciones destas tierras ban al parlamento de paris. y pidiendo socorro de gente a este Rey para defensa de aquellos Señorios de borgoña y asimismo para proseguir la guerra contra el duque de gueldres en cuyo fabor el Rey de francia se muestra con todo su poder y estado. yten la enbaxada del Rey de francia lo que traxo a este Rey es darle a entender lo que el Rey de Romanos avia publicado en alemaña y en ytalia y francia de decir quel procurava de ser enperador y de faser papa al cardenal de Ruan diciendo el Rey de francia ser aquello un grand falso testimonio de cosa no pensada por el y que este Rey no lo creyese pero que en lo de gueldres era verdad quel le avia de ayudar a la defensa de sus dominios porque era obligado a ello. lo que el Rey de ynglaterra respondio a la enbaxada del Rey de Romanos fue que le pesava quel Rey de francia en tales cosas del ymperio y del papa se metiese y que en quanto en el fuese procuraria que se desistiese de tales cosas pues no eran justas ni razonables antes contra toda rason y justicia y quanto a las otras cosas pareceme que este Rey quiere guardar la paz y amistad del Rey de francia y mucho mas agora despues que vido y leyo las cartas de Va. Alteza y su buena amistad con el Rey de francia tiene (fn. 6) dando a Va. Alteza infinitos loores de le declarar llanamente aquello y certifico a Va. Alteza el enbaxada del Rey de francia conocio esta particularidad y me dio a mi grandisimas gracias diciendo que Va. Alteza avia mostrado su verdadero amor con su Rey y quanto a lo del dinero y casamiento con madama margarita y de su nieto con su hija madama maria fueron respondidas palabras generales duces (fn. 7) sin efecto alguno. yten al enbaxada de flandes en todo se le respondio palabras generales sin ninguna conclusion ni obra alguna. yten al enbaxada de francia lo que se le respondio fue que este Rey creya que no se meteria en semejantes materias delinperio y del papa y que en lo del ducado de gueldres y en los Señorios de borgoña al presente no se queria meter en ello pues aquello mas pertenescia a meterse en ello el Rey de Romanos y otros que no el. muy alto e muy poderoso principe Rey e Señor la Sanctisima Trenidad conserve y prospere la vida y Real estado de Va. Alteza con muy mas Reynos y Señorios y conplimiento de sus deseos en todo Amen. de Vdestoc Vigilia de Nuestra Señora de Setiembre de dvij. despues de todo esto escrito fable otra vez con el Rey y entre muchas platicas me dixo que no enbargante que al Rey de ynglaterra no pertenesca la defensa de los dominios de flandes como dicho me avia que el delibrava de enbiar luego mañana su enbaxada a el Rey de francia a le rogar y persuadir se abstuviese de semejante guerra y tanbien enbio seis palafrenes y ciertos lebreles a la fija del Rey de Romanos y me mostro esta carta en frances que aqui a Va. Alteza enbio inclusa y no tuve tienpo la poder intepetrar (fn. 8) y enbiar en castellano. muy humill siervo de Va. Alteza que sus Reales pies y manos beso. dottor de la puebla. [Rubrica.] |
(Translation.) 19. Very high and very mighty Prince, King, and Lord, After kissing the royal feet and bands of your Highness I have to inform you that I received by this courier your letters from Valencia of the 22nd of July. The King of England was hunting in the country, going from forest to forest and from one chase to another. He did not remain a single day quiet in the same place. It was, therefore, necessary to let the King know that the courier had arrived, and to ask him where his Highness would give me a hearing. I sent also to the Señora Princess the letters which came for her. The King decided without delay to go to a town which is called Woodstock (?), fifty-five miles distant from London. He informed me that he would be there on the 26th of July, that I might go there, and that he would give me a hearing without delay, and despatch my business. When I knew this, I bought the horses necessary for me and my servants in order to be in the said town of Woodstock on the 26th of July. I swear by the true God I was obliged to buy ten horses and all the outfit needful for me and my servants, in addition to what I and they had already. That was necessary because the King was accompanied by the ambassadors from the Pope, the King of the Romans, the King of France, from Flanders, Denmark, and Scotland. On the 26th of July 1 arrived at the said town of Woodstock. Next day the King saw me, and I explained to him the letter of your Highness. Having heard all the details and conferred with me for two or three hours, he said to me that he wished to consult and see his council. This is what happened on that day. On the fourth day, after I had told him many things and given many reasons, which in my opinion were unanswerable, he decided to do absolutely all that your Highness wished. With respect to the prorogation, that which your Highness ordered to be written to me [will be done], as you will find by the letter of the King of England which I enclose. Thus this business is in a prosperous state. I feel sure that your Highness will do in time what you ought to do, or whatever perhaps may be convenient. Nevertheless I wish to state my opinion. As you have six months' time, your Highness can provide during that period for the payment of the dower by letters of exchange. At that court (fn. 1) there are merchants every one of whom has sufficient credit to be able to pay the King as much as one hundred thousand ducats, especially after the lapse of five or six months. During that time the exchange could be effected on very favourable conditions. The ducat would be accepted there for what it is worth here, and perhaps for more. If your Highness should be determined to do this, I would procure that as soon as the letters of exchange arrive, the Señor Prince should marry the Señora Princess per verba de prœsenti, and that within a few days their wedding should be celebrated with all the solemnity befitting the occasion. If your Highness for some reasons, which are unknown to me, should not like this, I humbly beg you to pardon me, for my intentions cannot be better than they are in all that concerns your service. You may consider it as a proof thereof that I refused to marry a rich wife and to accept a bishopric, only because I was afraid that it would displease your Highness. Surely that is a proof that I am a loyal servant, especially as I swear by the true God that all I had in this world, of houses and inheritances, I have sold and spent, and that not as much land as could be covered with the hand remains to me. I am more in debt than I can say, especially in consequence of this illness of thirteen months. To physicians and apothecaries one pays in this country incredible fees. My illness and infirmity attacked me suddenly on the day when I heard that your Highness had departed from that kingdom. If your Highness knew my constancy in your service, when King Philip who is now with God was here, you would acknowledge that I have rendered you services. I therefore kiss your royal feet and hands, and beseech your Highness to assist and to grant me something, for I am much in want of it ; so much so, that I was obliged to send a servant of mine there (fn. 3) to ask for what is due, and what is assigned to me in the books of account, but which has almost been forgotten since the death of the Queen, my sovereign lady, who is now with God. The merchants who could give the bills of exchange for this King are Francisco de Negro the Florentine ; Augustin de Grimaldis and Augustin de Vivaldis, and Augustin the Italian, brothers of Pantaleon. Every one of them has an agent here who enjoys great credit, and they are well known to the King of England. Item [in cipher].—As for the marriage of the King of England with the daughter of your Highness, the intention, will, and final conclusion of the King of England are, that if your Highness can offer him the said marriage, I do not doubt he will do more than can be reasonably expected. I therefore beseech your Highness to write your resolutions without delay, and much in detail. I, the Doctor de Puebla, hope to be able to render great services, and think it is right that your Highness should know the wish and will of the King of England. He wishes to remain and reside in this kingdom after the marriage, and to receive a certain sum of money, to be paid every year out of the revenues of Castile, the same, he told me, as your Highness had offered to the son of the King of the Romans. Such is the wish of the King of England. If, however, for other reasons of your Highness which I do not know, or because the daughter of your Highness cannot be persuaded, it should be thought desirable that the King of England should go to reside in Castile, your Highness must say so, and you will soon see what I, the Doctor de Puebla, can do. Meanwhile I entreat your Highness to consider what best suits your interests. Your Highness may believe that the council of the King of England desires extremely that this marriage should be concluded, even if worse things were said of the insanity of the daughter of your Highness. The King of England entertains the same sentiments. [Common writing.]—Item. Very mighty Prince, King, and Lord, your Highness must know that the objects for which the three embassies from the King of the Romans, the King of France, and from Flanders were sent are the following : the ambassador of the King of the Romans came to complain of the King of France, saying that he had entered into negotiations with the Princes Electors of the empire and all the other Germans, about his being made emperor, and had employed means without end to have the Cardinal of Rouen made Pope. Moreover [he complained] that the King of France had an immense ambition, and desired to usurp and take by force the countries and dominions of his grandson. Further, he endeavoured to induce this King to declare war against the King of France. Moreover he asked this King to lend him money on good security, consisting of fortresses ; and, lastly, he spoke about the marriage of Madame Margaret with this King, and about the marriage of his grandson with Madame Mary, daughter of this King. The ambassador from Flanders is Don Diego de Guevara. [He has come] to inform this King that the King of France has declared war against all the dominions of Burgundy, and has forcibly invaded them, with the exception of Flanders and Artois, because these two provinces always recognise the King of France as their sovereign lord, and the appeals go from them to the parliament of Paris. He asks succour from this King to defend the dominions of Burgundy, and also to continue the war against the Duke of Guelderland, in whose favour the King of France has declared with all his power and might. Item.—The embassy from the King of France came to tell this King that what the King of the Romans had published in Germany, Italy, and France, viz., that the King of France desired to be made Emperor, and then to make the Cardinal of Rouen Pope, is a gross falsehood. He has never entertained such an idea, and this King ought not to believe it. As for the Duke of Gueldres [he said] it was true that he was to assist him in defending his dominions, being obliged to do so. The King of England replied to the embassy of the King of the Romans that he was very sorry that the King of France should meddle in the affairs of the empire and of the Pope, and that he would do as much as he could to persuade him to desist from such things, which were neither just nor reasonable, but rather against all right and reason. As for the other things, it seems to me that this King wishes to keep peace and friendship with the King of France, especially since he saw and read the letters of your Highness, [by which he learnt] on what perfectly friendly terms your Highness lives with the King of France. He gave unbounded praise to your Highness for having so plainly informed him of this, and I assure your Highness that the ambassador of France was aware of this circumstance and thanked me very much, saying your Highness had shown that you were a true friend of his King. And as for the money, and his marriage with Madame Margaret, and that of his (the Emperor's) grandson with his daughter Mary, the answer consisted in general and courteous words without any significance. Item.—The answer to the ambassador from Flanders was nothing but vague generalities without coming to any conclusion or effect. Item.—The answer to the embassy from France was that this King hoped that he [the King of France] would not meddle in the affairs of the empire and the Pope. As for the duchy of Gueldres and the dominions of Burgundy, he said that at present he would not meddle in these affairs, as they concerned the King of the Romans and others rather than him. Very high and very mighty Prince, King, and Lord, may the most Holy Trinity preserve and prosper the life and royal estate of your Highness, and grant you many more kingdoms and dominions, and the accomplishment of all your wishes. Amen. From Woodstock (?) on the eve of the nativity of our Lady, September of '507. After I had finished this letter I spoke again with the King, who amongst many other things told me that, although it did not concern the King of England to defend the dominions of Flanders, as he had told me, he would, nevertheless, send an embassy to-morrow to the King of France to beg and persuade him to abstain from such a war. He sent also six horses and some greyhounds to the daughter of the King of the Romans, and showed me this French letter which I enclose for your Highness. I had no time to translate and send it in Spanish. Your Highness' humble servant kisses your royal feet and hands. Doctor de la Puebla. [Sign manual.] |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Sept. |
20. Doctor De Puebla, Spanish Ambassador in England,
to the Secretary Almazan. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Tratados con Inglaterra. Legajo 5. f. 34. Holograph. The cipher is deciphered by Almazan.] Muy noble Señor, aqui escrivo al Rey nuestro Señor lo que V. M. vera y en sustancia es que en lo de la prorrogacion fise y procure con este Rey fuese contento de aquello platicando primero tantas cosas y rasones ynvencibles que si aqui las oviese de dezir seria largo proceso pero en fin veo a este Rey tan bien edificado como propio fijo, y por dios verdadero que si alla se pudiese concluyr el casamiento para el Rey de ynglaterra seria muy cierto por cierto (fn. 9) muy mejor que fue el archiduque pues si v[uestr]a merced supiese los ofrecimientos y caricias deste Rey es cosa maravillosa, so cuya esperanza todo quanto se le offrece de partes de el Rey de Romanos y de el Rey de francia y de otros estima en nada y con mucha razon y si plaze a dios que esto pueda en conclusion venir grandisima cosa me parece seria y con las primeras cartas que de alla vengan en que se diga la buena ynclinacion del dicho matrimonio sin dilacion yra alla su enbaxada de el Rey de inglaterra con entero poder para lo poder fazer y concluir y quanto todo esto oviese de cessar no se ha perdido nada. en lo del casamiento de la Señora princessa si el Rey Nuestro Señor me enbia cedulas de canbio para que se pague la dote en fin del mes de Marzo y aceptadas las cedulas yo espero en dios de trabajar como luego que aquellas cedulas sean venidas dentro de pocos dias se tomen las manos por palabras de presente el Señor principe y la Señora princesa que segund derecho pues no vino la dispensacion del suplir de la hehad estos desposorios de fasta aqui tienen fuerza solamente de palabras de futuro y demas de se luego tomar las manos dentro de pocos dias mediante Nuestro Señor se celebraran las bodas con toda la solepnidad que convenga y en la carta que a su Alteza escrivo nombro los mercaderes ginoveses y florentines que pueden conplir con semejante canbio que se me figura ser esto muy conviniente a servicio de Su Alteza. en merced recebire si algund yerro en estas mis cartas viere lo quiera suplir por que cierto ni el lugar donde estas se escriven ni el escritorio no eran a proposito de lo poder bien fazer y aun lo otro que tenia yo mayor pena de contentar a la fija (fn. 11) sobre esta prorrogacion porque no le podia de cosa mas pesar y me dava a mi la culpa pero ya al fin la satisfize y contente. a V. Md. suplico y pido de merced que en todos los despachos que aca vinieren quiera tomar pena de escrivir a este Serenisimo Rey que por Nuestro Señor Su Alteza faze mucho fundamento de sus cartas por saber sus buenas nuevas y ser persona de mucha virtud y sin lisonja alguna. otro si yo escribo a Su Alteza suplicandole por su ynmensa virtud y caridad quiera socorrer de proveer al doctor de puebla que juro por dios verdadero so cierto lo a bien menester mas que aqui a mi me es licito ni onesto de dezir. puedese mandar proveer con una cedula no de la manera que dicho e tocante a la paga de la dicha dote sino que despues de presentada esta cedula la ayan de conplir dentro de seys o siete meses. Nuestro Señor la vida y estado de V[uestr]a mr~d acresciente y prospere a su santo servicio amen. De Vdestoc vigilia de Nuestra Señora de Setienbre. a servicio de V. mr~d. doctor de puebla. [Rubricado.] [Sobre :] Al muy noble Señor el Señor Miguel perez de almaçan Secretario del Rey Nuestro Señor y del Su Consejo. |
20. Very noble Lord, With this I write to the King our lord, what your lordship will see. The substance of it is that I persuaded the King to consent to the prorogation. He alleged at first so many facts and insuperable reasons that it would be a long process to state them here. At last, however, the King became as well minded as a true son (fn. 10), and by the true God, if the marriage of the King of England could be concluded, he would most certainly be a much better one than the Archduke was. If your lordship knew all the promises and all the love of this King, you would be astonished. Under the influence of his hope, he esteems as nothing all that is offered to him by the King of the Romans, the King of France, and others, and with good reason, for if it please God that this should take effect, I think it would be a very fine thing. As soon as the first letters from thence mention that there is an inclination to conclude the said marriage, an embassy from the King of England will leave without the least delay with full power to negotiate and to conclude the affair. Even if all this should come to nothing, nothing would be lost. Concerning the marriage of the Señora Princess, if the King our lord sends me letters of exchange for the payment of the dower towards the end of the month of March, and if these letters of exchange are accepted, I hope in God to procure that within a few days after the arrival of these letters of exchange the Señor Prince and the Señora Princess shall marry per verba de prœsenti. According to law the marriage which has been concluded has only the force of a marriage per verba de futuro, because the defect of age has not been dispensed with. Moreover, they will not only marry within a few days, but with the help of our Lord the wedding will also be celebrated with all becoming solemnity. In the letter which I write to his Highness, I mention the names of Genoese and Florentine merchants who could pay the said letters of exchange. I imagine this would be very much to the interest of his Highness. I should be thankful if you would correct any error in these letters. Neither the place where I write nor the writing-desk are such as to enable me to write well. I was very desirous besides to satisfy the daughter (fn. 12) with respect to the prorogation. She was very anxious, and imputed the fault to me, but at last I have satisfied and contented her. I beg your lordship to write to this most serene King by every courier whom the King our lord sends here. His Highness values your letters very highly and [wishes] to have your good news, and besides he is such a virtuous person and without falsehood. Item.—I write to his Highness imploring him by his boundless virtue and charity to be pleased to assist and to provide for the Doctor de Puebla (fn. 13), for I swear by the true God I know that he stands in greater need of it than it is permitted or modest to state here. He can be provided for by a letter of exchange ; not such a one as those which I have mentioned when speaking of the payment of the dower, but one payable within six or seven months after presentation. Our Lord preserve the person and estate of your lordship, and augment and prosper it for His holy service. Amen. From Woodstock, the eve of the nativity of our Lady, in September. Your lordship's servant, Doctor de Puebla. [Sign manual.] [Addressed :] To the very noble Lord, Miguel Perez de Almazan, Secretary of the King, our Lord, and counsellor. |
| 7th September. |
21. Katharine, Princess of Wales, to King Ferdinand The
Catholic. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Tratados con Inglaterra. Legajo 5. f. 57. Deciphering by Almazan. The ciphered despatch is not extant.] Muy alto etc. tomar al Rey de ynglaterra mi Señor en este tiempo que es el de sus caças ha tardado tanto el despacho del correo por que nunca ha assentado en lugar a do con el se pudiesse negociar fasta agora, en especial estando el dotor de la puebla en disposicion que de su casa a palacio ha de ir en litiera que esto faltaba para que fuese del todo bien cunplido. el Rey de ynglaterra ha dado liberalmente el despacho segun me dixo como V[uestr]a Alteza se le demanda y segun lo que conozco antes huelga que no le pesa destas prorrogaciones puesto que muestra otra cosa, porque el en ello no pierde nada antes gana, si bien V[uestr]a Alteza lo mira, porque segun el ha dicho en tanto que con el no cumplieren piensa que tiene a mi atada y a su fijo suelto, y no es de edad para que le pese porque espere, assi que syenpre es para my la peor parte porque como a V[uestr]a Alteza tengo escrito estas dilaciones doblan mis trabajos porque no le parece que es nada sufficiente que yo pueda pasar con no cumplirse con el lo assentado ni se le de nada de los inconvinientes que para ello ha habido ni hay. lo que por agora muestra es glorificarse desta grandeza que faze en esperar tanto tiempo porque por lo que V[uestr]a Alteza tiene entre manos de su negocio esta mas a raya que suele en sus muestras por que no se estorbe, mas en sus obras nunca hay mejoria ahun no se lo que sera. que assi le respondo yo al doctor de la puebla quando me dyce la voluntad que el Rey de ynglaterra muestra. digole que no se quien se la estorva de ponerla en obra sino no ser el para negociallo. por esto yo suplico a V[uestr]a Alteza que en lo menos que el dotor de la puebla escriviere sino fuere conforme a lo que yo digo no le de v[uest]ra alteza credito porque el es mas vassallo del Rey de ynglaterra que servydor de V[uestr]a Alteza y el no puede facer sino loar lo que ha en lo dado (fn. 14) de que pluguiese a Dios V[uestr]a Alteza estoviesse informado de la verdad de como passa. lo que yo a V[uestr]a Alteza suplico es que mire por mis cartas passadas como debe ser lo presente y que provea con la diligencia que vee que es menester y que de nadie no se fie ni nada tenga por cierto Va. Alteza en este caso sino lo que yo lo escribiere fasta que V[uestr]a Alteza enbie aqui embaxador cual yo le pido que entonces no habre yo menester fablar sino que diga el lo que viere y lo remedie. por esto yo suplico a V[uestr]a Alteza que no se descuide en esto que tantas veces por todas mis cartas tengo suplicado a V[uestr]a Alteza que es que la persona que aqui V[uestr]a Alteza hubiere de embiar sea con las condiciones que he dicho por que si asi es espero muy cierto que no sera lo pasado. asi mismo suplico a V[uestr]a Alteza que tenga manera para que yo salga de tanta necesidad y deudas como tengo que cada dia me vienen afrontar pidiendomelas en especial despues que V[uestr]a Alteza me embio los dos mil ducados me he visto en la mayor confusion del mundo que no sabia a qual necesidad socorriese antes. mas fize lo que me parecio que era mas necessario desempeñar la plata que tenia empeñada y pague algunas deudas que era verguenza devellas. y despues desto proveerme a mi de lo muy necessario no tuve con que poder socorrer a los mios. digo a V[uestr]a Alteza estas particularidades que de razon no habia de decir por que V[uestr]a Alteza de manera que se aclare de donde tengo de ser proveida y assi mismo los mios y mias que estan del todo perdidos. yo a todo no se que remedio le de sino facello saber a V[uestr]a Alteza por que con esto espero lo habra todo. en lo del casamiento del Rey de ynglaterra mucha priesa me da para que yo la de a V[uestr]a Alteza diciendome que en todas maneras querria que no hubiesse dilacion en la determinacion de la respuesta que se le ha de dar por que le es a el mucho inconviniente por esperalle los casamientos que a V[uestr]a Alteza tengo dichos y que cree que ha de haver mucha largura en la respuesta de la Reyna de Castilla y que le serya a el muy dañoso. yo digole quan fresca es la llegada de V[uestr]a Alteza y como el negocio no es de qualidad que en llegando se pueda despachar. muchas causas que hay que para ello le doy mas que de V[uestr]a Alteza este cierto que no es menester dar yo priessa mas de la que V[uestr]a Alteza sea cargo y que de lo a V[uestr]a Alteza possible puede estar descuydado. assi mismo me mando y encargo mucho que escribiesse al Cardenal pidiendole que hoviesse este negocio por encomendado por que es persona que podria estorbar o ayudar. yo le respondi que el estaba tan conforme con la voluntad de Va. Alteza que todo lo que V[uestr]a Alteza hoviesse por bien havria el y tanbien que no sabia si V[uestr]a Alteza havria por bien que yo declarase este negocio por que lo principal que me mandaba V[uestr]a Alteza era que fuese muy secreto y que yo no queria dar mas parte de la que V[uestr]a Alteza diesse sera mejor que le escribiesse yo encargandole generalmente sus negocios sin señalar sino remitirme a V[uestr]a Alteza. dixome que era muy bien mirado y que assi me lo rogaba que lo fiziese en todas maneras y yo mas por complacelle que por habello gana escribo al Cardenal. suplico a V[uestr]a Alteza que sino es mucho su servidor que no se la mande dar que yo sobre tal caso contra mi voluntad le escribo, mas con yr a manos de V[uestr]a Alteza me descuydo. no hay mas que a V[uestr]a Alteza diga syno que bien creo con mis cifras dare que reyr a V[uestr]a Alteza y almaçan que facer en sacallas mas antes me quise atrever a esto que al peligro que se podia seguir de lo contrario yendo las cartas por via del doctor de la puebla que se me teme de escrebir yo a V[uestr]a Alteza la verdad. N[uest]ro Señor etc. de Vldastoc a vij de Setiembre. la princesa de gales. |
21. Very high, &c. [The difficulty] to catch the King of England my lord in this his hunting season, has much delayed the despatch of this courier. For until now he has never remained in any place where business could be transacted with him, especially as the Doctor de Puebla is in such a condition that he has to go in a litter from his house to the palace. With respect to that which was still wanting to complete the payment [of the dower] the King of England has given a very liberal answer, and, according to what he has told me, [granted] all your Highness' demands. Judging from my knowledge of him, he is rather glad than sorry for these prorogations, although he would make us believe the reverse. He does not lose anything thereby ; on the contrary, if your Highness considers it well, he is the gainer. For, as he has told me, as long as he is not entirely paid, he regards me as bound and his son as free. He [his son] is not yet so old that delay is disagreeable. Thus mine is always the worst part ; for, as I have written to your Highness, these delays double my difficulties. To him it seems that it is by no means sufficiently [bad] that I suffer by the non-fulfilment of the treaty ; he takes no notice of the inconveniences which I have had and still have. What he now does is to glorify himself for his magnanimity in waiting so long. Because your Highness has his business in your hands, he keeps himself apparently more within bounds than usual, in order that you may not oppose him ; but in his deeds he has never improved. What will be in the future I do not yet know. This is what I answer to the Doctor de Puebla when he speaks to me of the goodwill the King of England now shows. I say to him that I do not know who prevents him from fulfilling his good intentions, if it is not he [de Puebla] who carries on the negotiations with him. I therefore beseech your Highness not to believe what the Doctor de Puebla writes to you, if it is not in accordance with what I state. For he is more a vassal of the King of England than a servant of your Highness, and he cannot do otherwise than praise what he has bedaubed with mud (fn. 15). Would God your Highness were truthfully informed of how affairs are carried on. What I beg your Highness to do is to read my former letters, and thereby judge what the present state of things must be, and then to give such orders as may seem right to you. Your Highness must trust no one, and consider nothing as true in this case, except what I write to you, until your Highness sends such an ambassador as I have asked for. Then I shall no longer be obliged to write, and he may state what he sees, and remedy it. I, therefore, beseech your Highness not to neglect what I have so often begged of your Highness in my letters, that is to say, that your Highness should send a person who possesses those qualities which I have named. If you do so I firmly hope things will not continue as in the past. I also entreat your Highness to find means for me to be delivered from my painful situation, and get rid of my debts. They come every day to affront me, and to ask [payment]. Especially since your Highness sent me the two thousand ducats I am in the greatest difficulties in the world. I did not know which wants to satisfy, and thought the most necessary was to redeem the plate which I had pledged, and pay some debts which it would have been shameful not to pay. Besides, I had to buy things most necessary for myself, so that I could not pay my servants. I tell your Highness all these details, which I would rather not state, in order that your Highness may find means to ascertain by whom I and my men and women are to be provided for. They are in absolute misery. and I know no other remedy than to inform your Highness of it, hoping that you will amend all. With respect to the marriage of the King of England, he urges me much that I should press your Highness, saying to me that at all events he wishes that there should be no delay in the answer which you have to give him. It would be a great inconvenience to him to wait on account of the marriages which I have mentioned to your Highness. He says he fears that there will be much delay in the answer of the Queen of Castile, which would be very prejudicial to him. I tell him to consider how short a time it is since your Highness has arrived, and that the affair is not of such a kind that immediately on arriving it could be settled. As many reasons as there are, and more, I give him, [and say] that he may confide in your Highness, that it is not necessary to urge your Highness more than you do yourself, and that he may be easy about everything which is in the power of your Highness to do. He also commanded and insisted much that I should write to the cardinal, (fn. 16) asking him to consider this affair as recommended to him, because he is a man who can much oppose or much favour it. I answered that he conforms himself so much to the wishes of your Highness, that all which your Highness may think right he would also consider to be right, and that I did not know whether your Highness would approve my speaking of this business, and as your Highness had above all commanded me to keep it secret, I could not communicate to him more than your Highness would tell him. I offered to write to him [the cardinal], recommending to him his [the King of England's] affairs in general, without stating any particulars, and referring him to your Highness. He said I had very well considered it, and he asked me to do so at all events. More to please him than because I wish it, I write to the cardinal, and beg your Highness not to give him [the letter] unless he is very much devoted to your service. I write on this subject against my will, but as [the letter] will come to your hands I am easy. I have nothing more to tell your Highness, except that I think my cipher will make you laugh, and Almazan will have great difficulty in deciphering it. But I preferred to try it rather than expose myself to the danger which would have been the consequence if I had not done so. As my letters are forwarded by Doctor de Puebla I am afraid to write the truth to your Highness. From Woodstock (?), 7th of September. The Princess of Wales. |