Spain: July 1508 | British History Online

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

'Spain: July 1508', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509, (London, 1862) pp. 457-461. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol1/pp457-461 [accessed 26 April 2024]

July 1508



July (?) S. E. T. c. I. L. 806. I. 10.	586. King Ferdinand Of Spain to Gutierre Gomez De Fuensalida, Knight Commander Of Membrilla. (fn. 1) Has received his letters of the 3rd, 11th, and 13th of May. Has had much pleasure in hearing of the convalescence of Henry. The news of his illness had caused him much anxiety.
	Confidence expressed by Ferdinand in the fulfilment of the promises made by Henry. Membrilla has made a very proper answer to what Henry had said respecting the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, namely, that having once promised a thing nothing would induce him not to perform it, and that he makes a point of keeping faith with every one. Membrilla must assure the King of England, on his [Ferdinand's] part, that he considers him to be an honourable and virtuous Prince. Moreover, not only does he feel certain Henry will carry out what has already been settled, but that he will act in the same way with respect to anything that may hereafter be agreed upon between them. Another reason why he places confidence in Henry is, that in addition to its being so principal and necessary a characteristic of royalty to keep faith, it gives Henry great credit and authority in the world. Feels great love and friendship for Henry, which he will manifest by deeds whenever occasion offers. Has observed all that passed between Membrilla and the members of the Council of the King of England respecting the marriage portion of the Princess of Wales. Has also noted the manner in which they, as well as Doctor De Puebla, have comported themselves in the said negotiation, and which has much displeased him. The way in which Membrilla had replied to them was very proper, and also the manner in which he had conducted the business. He has, moreover, done well in communicating everything to the Princess of Wales, and doing nothing without her sanction.
	Conduct to be pursued by Membrilla respecting the Princess of Wales. Membrilla's principal object must always be to endeavour to have the nuptial ceremony between the Prince and Princess of Wales performed as soon as possible. He must see to this with the utmost diligence, because the other affairs of the Princess will be remedied thereby. He must not, moreover, allow the conclusion of the marriage to be delayed on account of what he says is wanting in the value of the plate and jewels, occasioned by the wish entertained in England to lower the standard, which, however, there is no just cause for doing. However, to make the matter more secure, sends him bills of exchange, by means of which whatever is wanting may be supplied, even should it amount to more than 3,000 scudos. But in whatever way the matter be managed, Membrilla must take care that the loss and injury accruing from the said low valuation should be as little as possible. Above all, his object must be to hasten the conclusion of the business, making use of everything which may serve to advance the progress of it. With this view, it would be well, even if Membrilla do not hold out to Henry a certain prospect of effecting his marriage with the Queen of Castile, that he should not deprive him of all hope whatever. On the contrary, he must say that if King Ferdinand should ever have it in his power to dispose of her in marriage, he knows that he would give her to no other Prince than him ; for that he holds him in the greatest esteem, and looks upon him as a Prince who keeps his word. Membrilla must also tell Henry that the Queen of Castile is still in the state she was, and that she has never yet consented to bury the corpse of King Philip, her husband.
	State of Queen Juana. Impossibility of doing more respecting her marriage with Henry. Moreover, as Henry has written begging him to allow Stile to deliver to the Queen of Castile the letters which he had written to her, and to permit him to speak to her on Henry's behalf, he had sent Stile to the place where she was, and left him with her. But the Queen being in the same state she was before, it had been impossible to draw anything more from her than a reference to the words she had formerly said. The state in which she is cannot be described by letters, nor how necessary it is, in order to obtain anything from her, to proceed in a roundabout way. Even then it is with difficulty obtained ; but to endeavour to obtain the object in a shorter way would only be to defeat it. Therefore, the business must be conducted in harmony with the state in which the Queen is, in order that it may not fail of success. Is sure that if all the wise men in the world were to meet and consult together, they could not do more in this matter than has been done. Has tried all he could to prevail on her to bury her husband, but has not succeeded. Each time she has replied that there was no hurry, and to drive her against her wishes would he entirely to ruin her health. It it necessary not to oppose her, for she has a very strong will, but to proceed by roundabout ways. If Stile write the truth, he will not be able to say anything beyond this. Membrilla must tell all this to Henry, and show him that nothing is concealed from him, and that all that can be done will be done in the matter. Has observed what Membrilla says to the effect that he believes the King of England is delaying the nuptials of the Prince and Princess of Wales until he sees what conclusion will be arrived at respecting his marriage with the Queen of Castile ; also whether the marriage of the Prince of Castile to the Lady Mary will be confirmed, and what will be the result of the enterprise of the King of the Romans. To the first point Membrilla must reply as he has been already directed. He must also, as if from himself, advise Henry not to delay the nuptials of the Prince and Princess of Wales, because if he do not keep faith in that particular, it will be imagined that he will not keep faith with regard to anything that may be settled for his marriage with the Queen of Castile.
	Marriage of Prince Charles ; what Membrilla is to say respecting it. As regards the marriage of Prince Charles, Membrilla must say that King Ferdinand had indeed wished that before such a matter had been concluded, Henry had imparted it to him ; but that the marriage appears to him to be a desirable one, and if his opinion had been asked, it would have been favourable. At all events, from henceforth he shall look on the Lady Mary, the Princess of Castile, as his daughter. But until the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales has taken place, does not wish that any writing of his should appear, confirming the marriage of the Prince of Castile with the Lady Mary. If, however, Henry will not allow the nuptials of the Prince and Princess of Wales to be celebrated unless the said marriage be confirmed, then Membrilla must promise that he will confirm it. But if the said confirmation should not be required, he must confine himself to speaking fair words, saying that his master thinks well of the marriage.
	Enterprise of the King of the Romans. As regards the enterprise of the King of the Romans, in so far as anything can be known respecting it, he is making war on the Venetians on two sides, but without success. At present, it is said, he has gone to a diet in Germany. (fn. 2) Believes he will do nothing of importance. After considering all these points he cannot think that it is on account of them Henry is delaying the nuptials of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
	Declaration of Ferdinand with regard to the Princess Katharine. Cannot believe what Membrilla says, that, should Henry decide not to conclude the marriage of the Princess of Wales, and should he ask for his daughter back, she would not be given up. For he cannot believe that, besides breaking his faith, Henry would wish to convert him and the Queen of Castile into his mortal and perpetual enemies. "For the love I bear the Princess of Wales, and the esteem in which I hold her, are so great, that, if such a thing were to happen, which God forbid, I would risk my person and my kingdom, and that of my daughter the Queen, with the greatest readiness, in order to make a worse war on the King of England than on the Turks. The King of England must keep faith in this matter, or, if not, the world may perish. This I say, in order that you may know my determination."
	Reported marriage of the Prince of Wales. Health of Hen. VII. As to what he says about marrying the Prince of Wales in France, thinks it is all pure invention. For, not only has the King of France written to him to say he would do nothing in the world in that matter which might turn to his (Ferdinand's) prejudice, but, should it be desired, he would command his ambassador to join with the Spanish ambassadors in speaking to Henry concerning the nuptials of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The King of France has, moreover, written to say he has been informed that the King of England is in the last stage of consumption, and that he therefore thinks it will not be worth while to do much in the matter before the death of the King.
	Message Membrilla is to deliver to the Prince of Wales. In any case, whether the said nuptials be concluded or delayed, or whether Henry act well or ill in the matter, Membrilla must speak kindly to the Prince of Wales. He must dwell on the great love which King Ferdinand bears him, and assure him that he may command him and his realm in everything, as well as the Queen of Castile. In a word, he must make use of all the means in his power for bringing the marriage to a speedy conclusion. He must, moreover, endeavour to please and satisfy the Princess of Wales in all possible ways. Membrilla must send word by the present courier about everything that is taking place. If the nuptials, please God, be celebrated, as he hopes they may be, Membrilla must send him the tidings post haste, for it is a matter which he has at heart more than any other.—No date. Spanish. pp. 22.
23 July. A. G. de D. de N.	Reasons which had induced the Emperor to consent to the marriage of the Archduke Charles. 587. Maximilian, King Of The Romans, to the Archduchess Margaret. Has received her letters, in which she begs him to alter the instructions given to his ambassadors, who are to go at the end of this month to England. Cannot do so. She knows that the principal reason which has induced him to betroth Prince Charles to the Princess Mary is to get a good sum of money from the King of England. The King of England has promised 100,000 crowns, but has requested that, in the security to be given by the towns of Flanders, each town should be responsible for the whole sum. But the utmost that the towns can be induced to do is that each town would be responsible for a certain portion. If the King of England is not content with this proposal, it will show that he loves money more than his friend, and the marriage of his daughter with Prince Charles shall not take place. Should, however, the towns of Flanders be, after all, willing to sign the bonds in the manner the King of England wishes, he will not object —Calcar, 23rd July 1508. Latin. pp. 4, in print. Printed in Correspondence de l'Empereur Maximilian I. Publié par M. Le Glay. Vol. I. p. 74.