Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1862.
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'Spain: June 1498', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509, (London, 1862) pp. 150-153. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol1/pp150-153 [accessed 24 April 2024]
June 1498
| 5th June. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2. |
Ambassadors to
England 196. "Licenciatus Et Decanus" to De Puebla. Has received his letters of the 15th and 22nd of May. The embassy to England is making preparations for leaving, and will probably start after the feast of St. John. The Bishop of Cambray, and a literary man of the name of Thomas, are the ambassadors chosen. Another person is designated, most probably a knight. "A messenger sent by the little duck to the falcon returned a short time ago much pleased with the answer of the falcon. The little duck and the fuzarco (fn. 1) are so contented that they say nothing could better piebald than the fly with the falcon. Thus everything is going on well now, and it is in the mar-maid that it will be concluded in (or by) favour of the cuckoo and the young eagle." |
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King of France. The King of France is said to have anointed himself and gone for his nine days' devotion to a convent near Rheims. The Duke of Naples has gone as ambassador to him, but has been told that he cannot see the King until the nine days' prayers are over. The answer has not been to the taste of the Flemings. The Spanish ambassadors in France have probably accompanied the King to Rheims. The German ambassadors are daily expected. His masters are in good health. The Archduchess is pregnant.—Brussels, 5th of June '98. Address : "To ... noble Doctor ... ssador of the King and ... our Sovereign Lords, in London." Spanish. Holograph. Not signed. pp. 2. |
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| 15 June. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2. |
197. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella. I have written much in detail, by many and diverse routes, respecting all that has occurred here, as your Highnesses are aware. I have already informed you in my other letters that an embassy from France has arrived here. After having given audience to the ambassador the King of England told me that the message he had received was that the King of France wished to conclude a treaty of peace with him, as he already knew and had informed me. The King of France had moreover said that he had not sent an ambassador to any other country but England. The King of England observed that he was going to reply to the King of France this week, and would send an ambassador to him about the matter. I made the same reply that I have made at other times, namely that he must take heed not to lose such an opportunity as the present, since he would never have a better. For circumstances, I said, had altered now that Perkin was no longer in the hands of the King of France, as had been the case when he had made peace formerly with the King of France. I also reminded him of the prosperity and tranquility which prevailed in his kingdom, and the marriage treaty which he had concluded with your Highnesses, speaking as strongly as I could. I told him, moreover, that he was no longer under any obligation to the King of France as he had been once, but quite the contrary. Then I showed him a letter which I had received from Fuenterabia, in which it was said that an ambassador from France had arrived there on his way to your Highnesses. The King of England was strongly impressed by this, the King of France having told him the contrary as I have stated above. He told me that the ambassador he is about to send to the King of France is going in order to be on the watch, and to obtain information relative to the affairs of France, and to learn in what state they are. He is also to make the King of France understand, and be aware of what the claims of the King of England are, and the right he has to the kingdom of France and to Guienne and Normandy. But, above all, the ambassador is to acquaint him with the instructions of your Highnesses. Finally, the King of England said that neither your Highnesses nor he can conclude anything with the King of France, unless it be for the good of both parties, since both must be included in any treaty which may be made. He thinks it is very clear that no treaty can be made without this inclusion. Since then letters have come from the Seignory of Venice. Amongst them is a copy of one which the new King of France has written to them. They also state in what manner they have decided to reply, and that they intend to send an ambassador to him respecting the contents of the said letter. All this was told and shown to the King of England on the part of the Seignory of Venice. As soon as the envoys had spoken with the King they came to tell me what had passed between them and him, saying that it was by command of the Seignory they had come to communicate everything to me. |
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Spanish. Cipher. Deciphered by the editor. The rest of
the letter is deciphered by Almazan. Its contents are as
follows : De Puebla sees letters from Flanders every day, which state that the Archduchess is in good health. If the present King of France were to come to an understanding with Spain it would be well to find means for reconciling him with the King of England and his kingdom. If he were not reconciled with England, Henry would object to the conclusion of a peace between France and Spain. They will have already observed how Don Pedro de Ayala, after having been dismissed by the King, has notwithstanding remained in England six months and longer. He styles himself, moreover, the ambassador of their Highnesses to England, as well as, and even more than, to Scotland, and has dared to speak in that capacity to Henry. Has remonstrated with him, but in vain. De Ayala states that he has been furnished with letters and credentials from their Highnesses, and has shown him a letter from the Queen to Henry. Their Highnesses must decide, from what he has written, whether all this be for the good of their service or not.—London, 15th June 1498. Addressed : "To the very high and mighty (fn. 2) ... most Christian ... Queen ... Lords." Spanish. pp. 3. |
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| June? S. E. T. c. I. L. 2. |
Perkin Warbeck
taken. 198. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella. (fn. 3) "I wrote a long while ago to your Highnesses, supplicating you to give your opinion and advice as to how the King of England ought to deal with Perkin. Your Highnesses have not to this day, no doubt for some just reason and impediments, sent a word in reply, or written any thing. I say this because the said Perkin fled a few days ago, without any reason. Your silence causes much pain to me, because I am sure the King of England would do what your Highnesses might advise. God be thanked! Perkin is already captured. The same hour that he was arrested the King of England sent one of his gentlemen of the bedchamber to bring me the news. I have not yet had time to ascertain what will become of Perkin, because I am writing these lines at the same hour that the King of England sent me the news. I think he will either be executed, or kept, with great vigilance, in prison." Spanish. Holograph. Not signed. p. 1. |
| 27 June. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2. |
Capture of vessels
from Brittany. 199. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella. The very day of the date of this letter certain vessels from Biscay and Guypuzcoa, laden with iron for England, and wool for Flanders, entered into the harbour of the Danes, captured six vessels from Brittany there, and went in chase of others. Doubts whether this is according to their wishes. Londoño has arrived. Has sent his servant to bring him to London. Encloses a letter from the Dean of Jaen, the contents of which will be found to be agreeable.—London, 27th of June 1498. Spanish. pp. 1½. |