Pages 348-356
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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Citation:
December 1520, 11-30
| 15th December. |
77. The Cardinal Of Tortosa to the Emperor Charles. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Comunidades de Castilla. Legajo 2. f. 186. Autograph, enclosed in the letter of the Cardinal to the Emperor of the 15th December 1520.] En haviendo escrito esta tengo informacion de persona que en ello estuvo presente como dos dias antes que el cerco de Tordesyllas fuese la Reyna nuestra Señora fue importunada por lo[s] de la Junta que firmasse diziendole que sino firmava que no podrian dar de comer a Su Alteza ni a la Señora infanta, y estando cercados que toda aquella villa de Tordesyllas se quemaria y que los de V[uest]ra magt. llevarian presa a Su Alt. a la fortaleza de Benavente y cierto por milagro se escuso de lo hazer ahunque le presentavan las cartas que havia de firmar con penyola y tintero. hagalo saber a V[uest]ra Alteza para que extensamente sea certificado de lo que aqua passa. Dat. ut sup. V[ost]re tres hunble serviteur, el Card. dertusen. |
(Translation.) 77. When writing this letter I was informed by a person who was present that two days before the siege of Tordesillas the Queen our lady was importuned by the Junta to sign. They told her that if she did not sign they could not give her or the Señora Infanta anything to eat ; and when they were besieged [they said] that the whole town of Tordesillas would be burnt, and her Highness carried off a prisoner by the partisans of your Majesty to the castle of Benavente. By a miracle she refused to do it, (fn. 1) although they presented to her the letters which she should sign, together with the pen and the inkstand. I inform your Highness of this in order that you should know exactly what passes here. Datum ut supra. Your very humble servant, The Cardinal of Tortosa. |
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| 16th December. |
78. Lope Hurtado De Mendoza to the Emperor Charles. [Archivo General de Simancas. Estado. Legajo 7. f. 223. Abstract made for the perusal of the Emperor by the Secretary Covos.] de la de xvij. (fn. 2) de dizienbre. de lope hurtado. a xvj. (fn. 2) de dizienbre. lo que pasaron el almirante y el comendador mayor sobre lo que escrevio don pedro giron que lo dexassen en manos del almirante y suyas etc. y que syno lo querian hazer que se pasaria al exercito de V[uest]ra Alt. con la gente de cavallo etc. y que el almirante conde de benavente marques de astorga y los demas firmaron una carta para dexar la cosa en manos del almirante y de don pedro giron. que enbiaron a las cibdades los capitulos que el almirante les avia ofrecido antes de la toma de tordesyllas porque parecio al almirante que no se devia quitar nada dellos aunque avian sucedido en tanta ventaja las cosas de V. Al. por acabar con ellos. que el almirante trabaja y sirve mucho y que aquellos conplimientos que hizo con la junta agora parecen provechosos porque se conoce la vellaqueria de los traydores y aun algunos pueblos rebeldes van amansando. pero que tiene tanta gana de contentar a todos que teme que a de tomar algun assiento malo contra V. mt. que dos o tres vezes a dicho al almirante la creencia que V. A. le mando dezir al condestable y aun al conde de benavente y a todos los que alli estan. pero que nada aprovecha. que V. Al. deve escrivir al almirante que alargue la negociacion hasta su bienaventurada venida y certeficargela porque asi el como el conde de benavente y los que alli estan no creen que han de yr aun que el gelo jura etca. que viene don luys por las postas etca. que el conde enbia aguilera. que el almirante no a acebtado la governacion y que les dizen que secretamente despacha como governador y que desto esta algo enojado el conde de benavente y de otras cosas que a avido sobre poner gente en las fronteras y no le da parte dello y de otras cosas del conde de haro. el conde benavente se querria yr a su casa y que el le hablo dos o tres vezes con parecer del comendador mayor y que le respondio que como avia de estar el alli que era en ofensa de su persona que el almirante no queria acebtar la governacion y mandava mas que sy fuese Rey etc. y que en fin se tomo asiento con el que se enbiase a llamar al cardenal y a los del consejo y que estando alli corte que el estaria etc. y que sy no se hiziesse que todos se yrian a sus casas. que informado del el cardenal se ha determinado de yr a tordesillas y llevar a los del consejo y oficiales, y que desto pesara mucho al condestable porque quisiera el llevarle a burgos etca. que es V. Al. en mucho cargo al cardenal porque ha seydo martir en todo lo que a pasado etca. y que deve V. Al. embiarle cartas (fn. 4) privadas no enbargante los poderes del condestable y almirante que hagan los del consejo y oficiales lo que el les mandare porque segun lo que don Rodrigo ha requerido al cardenal teme que el condestable a de inpedir algunas cosas aunque en el ha hallado mas claro mas llano mas verdadero servidor de V. Al. que ninguno de los otros, y quel avisara de todo. lo que deve V. Al. al comendador mayor de Castilla. que la Reyna N[uest]ra Sa. esta muy buena y que llama muchas vezes al conde de benavente y al almirante para hablarlos, y esta dos o tres oras hablando con el que llama dellos, i que le dixo el conde que le avia preguntado si Su Al. firmaria si fuese menester y que le respondio que si quando saliese de alli. que V. Al. deve enbiar a mandar que el marques no haga mudança en lo de las mugeres porque dize que si las viese que harian alguna alteracion y que dirian los malos que lo hazian porque le avian echado los procuradores y que la tenian por fuerça. que entre el conde de benavente y marques de denia a avido algun enojo sobre la fortaleça de tordesyllas. la orden que tenian dada hera dexar en tordesyllas j [symbol] lanças y j [symbol] soldados y en Symancas d. peones y cc. lanças en torrelobaton c. lanças y ccc. soldados en la mota l. lanças y cccc. soldados en portillo c. lanças y cree que c. soldados. sy son desbaratados quitaran de la gente la que sea raçon. Reparavan bien a tordesyllas y a los otros lugares. que el Cardenal a deseado que V. Al. le de licencia para se venir y que no le pagan y que tiene necessidad que V. A. le favorezca y aun que sy fuere posible enbialle socorro etc. que çuaçola ha servido mucho. que los procuradores que prendieron se an dado sobre fianças y que el dixo que no se devia hazer sin licencia de V. Al. no a aprovechado y que a muchos a parescido mal esto. |
78. From Lope Hurtado. 16th (fn. 3) of December. What the Admiral and Comendador Mayor decided with respect to what Pedro Giron had written, viz., that they should leave it in the hands of the Admiral and his, &c., and if they should not like to do it, that he would come over with the cavalry to the army of your Highness, &c., and that the Admiral, the Count of Benavente, the Marquis of Astorga, and the others signed a letter to leave the affair in the hands of the Admiral and Don Pedro Giron. That they sent to the cities the articles which the Admiral had offered them before the fall of Tordesillas, because it seemed to the Admiral that in order to come to an understanding with them nothing should be revoked, although the affairs of your Majesty had taken so favourable a turn. That the Admiral works much and renders good services, and it appears now that the course he followed towards the Junta is advantageous, because the knaveries of the traitors become manifest, and some rebellious places begin already to be quelled. He wishes, however, so much to content every one, that it is to be feared he will conclude a treaty unfavourable to your Majesty. That he has two or three times informed the Admiral of the commission your Highness gave him to say certain things to the Constable, and even to the Count of Benavente, and to all who are here, but that it has been to no purpose, and that your Highness ought to write to the Admiral ordering him to postpone the negotiations until your happy arrival, and to certify it to him ; because he as well as the Count of Benavente and the others who are here do not believe that they are to go, although he affirms it by an oath, &c. That Don Luis comes with diligence, &c. That the Count sends Aguilera. That the Admiral has not accepted the office of governor, but, according to what he is told, secretly despatches [the business] of a governor, and that the Count of Benavente is somewhat annoyed by this and other things concerning the sending of troops to the frontier without giving him notice of it. And in consequence of other affairs with the Count of Haro, the Count of Benavente wished to go to his house, and that he, in conformity with the opinion of the Comendador Mayor, had spoken with him two or three times, but that he had answered, how could he remain there, as it was a personal affront to him that the Admiral would not accept the office of governor, and yet commanded more as if he were a king, &c. That at last a compromise was made with him that he should send for the Cardinal and the councillors, and that if court were held there he would remain, &c., and if not, he would bring about that all should return to their houses. That the Cardinal, when he was informed of it, decided to go to Tordesillas, and take with him the members and officers of the council, and that the Constable will be very sorry for it, because he wished to take the Cardinal to Burgos, &c. That your Highness is much indebted to the Cardinal, who behaved like a martyr in all that passed, &c. ; and that your Highness ought to send him private letters that the members and officers of the council should do what he orders them, notwithstanding the powers for the Constable and Admiral. For according to what Don Rodrigo has intimated to the Cardinal, he fears that the Constable intends to impede certain measures, although he has behaved more openly and frankly, and more as a loyal servant of your Highness, than any of the others. He will send information of all [that happens]. What your Highness owes to the Comendador of Castile. That the Queen our lady is bodily very well, and that she often calls the Count of Benavente and the Admiral into her presence to speak with them, and that she continues two or three hours speaking with the one of them whom she has sent for. And that the Count told him that he had asked her whether her Highness would sign if it were necessary, and that she answered she would as soon as she had left this place. (fn. 5) That your Highness ought to order that the Marquis does not make changes concerning the women, because it is said that if that were done they would make a rebellion, and say they were badly treated, because the Procurators had turned him out, and that she (fn. 6) was detained by force. That the Count of Benavente and the Marquis of Denia quarrelled about the fortress of Tordesillas. The orders which have been given are : to leave in Tordesillas 1,000 lances and 1,000 foot, in Simancas 500 foot and 200 lances, in Torre Lobaton 100 lances and 300 foot, in the Mota 100 lances and 400 foot, in Portillo 100 lances and he believes 100 foot. If they (fn. 7) should be beaten they would make reasonable reductions. They repaired Tordesillas and other places. That the Cardinal desires that your Highness should give him leave to return, that he is not paid and is in great want, that your Highness should show him favour, and even if possible send him succour, &c. That Suasola has served well. That the Procurators who had been taken prisoners had been released on securities, that he had said that ought not to be done without the permission of your Highness, but without effect. That that seems bad to many. |
| December. |
79. Lope Hurtado De Mendoza to the Emperor Charles. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Comunidades de Castilla. Legajo 2. f. 181. Contemporary official deciphering.] el almirante esta ganoso de asiento con los de la Junta como quiera que fuese dize que lo haze por el mal aparejo que ay de sostener la gente que aqui esta. hizo a la Reyna que delante del e de muchos cavalleros dixesse que mandava que toda la gente de la Junta se derramase y mandolo tomar por testimonio para enbiar a requerir con el a don pedro giron y a las cibdades. el conde de benabente y el marques de Astorga y conde de Miranda y el comendador mayor no se hallaron alli. y sabido entendio luego el comendador mayor en remediarlo y asi fueron al Almirante y el testimonio se rasgo no por boto suyo antes estava enojado y aun estando assy dixo que a la Reyna tenia por cuerda. enojase cada dia mil veces de que temo que algun dia aya cosa sobre los conciertos que sea muy dañosa. escrivale V. Al. encomendando gelo todo a el y Rogandole que pues ya lo ha puesto en tan buen estado que trabaje que se conserve sin que se asiente cosa contra las prheminencias (fn. 8) Reales. escriva V. Alt. de su mano algunos Renglones que todo es menester para el y al conde de benavente encomendandole mucho mire que en esto no se haga cosa desordenada por la necesidad que ay, porque si el quiere nada se puede hazer que sea malo porque todos los otros que aqui estan haran lo que de parte de V. Al. se les dixere, y certifiqueles V. Mt.su venida e que si lo que aca ay con que se sostiene el exercito no bastare que V. Alt. mandara proveer de alla, porque debaxo de dezir que no ay con que se sostener, he miedo que hiciesen algo. y aun si pudiese enbiar algund credito lo ternia por mejor y sobre este articulo mande V. Alt. escrevir luego con posta porque conviene. el marques de denia viene aqui con mas pasion de la que era menester segund el tienpo. esta muy mal que esto ya muchos les ha pesado tanto de su venida como averle saquearon (fn. 9). V. Mt. le deve mandar que se tenple mucho e trabaje con amor de contentar los criados de la Reyna Nuestra Señora e de servir a la Serenissima Infante y la Marquesa mejor que lo solia fazer, porque dizen que la tenia mal contenta y que agora les ha pesado de su venida y aun que la Reyna Nuestra Señora no ha holgado con el, y pues esta contenta Su Alt. de haver hechado las mugeres que no cure de hazer mudança hasta la venida de V. Mt. sino sostenerlo en el estado en que esta, porque dizen que trae determinacion de rebolvello todo y segun la pasion que tiene y la mala voluntad con que le reciben, creo que no seria bueno lo que hiziesse. el Almirante esta agora en acebtar la governacion que dize que la terna entretanto que se haze correo a V. Mt. para que le enbie los poderes como los pide. ni querria que la aceptasse ni que V. Mt. le enbiase los poderes porque no tiene sosiego para tal cargo, que cada dia muda el pensamiento en mill cosas y todavia tiene fin a fazer por el Reyno. si lo acebtase V. Mt. mandara proveer lo que conviene. el conde de haro haze el oficio de capitan como las otras cosas. como ay aqui muchos Señores son malos de concertar, para lo que es menester especialmente el Almirante y el conde de benabente que tienen unas salidas por donde ay muy mala orden en este exercito y la gente muy mal mandada como es de muchos que es el mayor temor que tenemos. cada ora se tiene por mayor ventura tomar este lugar porque segun la manera que ay creo que todo se perdiera si esto no se acertara que esta muy desordenado todo. a unos parece que seria bien que el cardenal e algunos del consejo y contadores viniesen aqui, y que de aqui se usase de justicia y de hazienda, y que el condestable sostuviese lo de burgos con las montanias y otros que este lugar quedase proveydo, y con la gente que era menester para guardarle, y que los governadores consejo y contadores se juntassen en burgos. para esto ay un gran inconveniente estar el marques de denia tan mal quisto aqui de los criados de la Reyna nuestra Señora y de todo el lugar, y que si quedase otro agraviarseia. V. Md. lo mande mirar todo y mandar proveher lo que mas fuere su servicio. |
79. The Admiral is inclined to conclude peace with the Junta on any conditions. He says he wishes it, because there are no means to sustain the troops which are here. He caused the Queen to declare in presence of a great many cavaliers that she commanded all the troops of the Junta to be disbanded. Of this [order] he had an attestation drawn up, and sent it to Pedro Giron and the cities. The Count of Benavente, the Marquis of Astorga, the Count of Miranda, and the Comendador Mayor were not present. As soon, however, as the Comendador Mayor heard of this affair, he took care to remedy it. They went to the Admiral, and the testimony was destroyed. He did not consent, but, on the contrary, was rather annoyed ; and whilst he was still in that state of mind he said that he was persuaded that the Queen was sane. He grows angry a thousand times every day, the consequence of which, I am afraid, will be that some day a very disadvantageous peace will be concluded. Your Highness ought to write to him, and, committing to him the whole affair, beg him that, as he has already placed it in so good a condition, he will preserve it in that state, and see that no peace be concluded in prejudice of the royal prerogatives. [I beg] your Highness to write him some lines with your own hand, for that is very necessary. And, to the Count of Benavente [your Highness ought to write] also, much recommending him to take care that in consequence of the want of money nothing unreasonable be done. For if he does not wish it, nothing that is bad can be done, because all the others who are here will do what your Highness tells them. Your Majesty should also assure them that you are coming, and that if all that can be procured here does not suffice to sustain the army, your Highness will give orders to send more from there. For, under the pretext that here are no sufficient means wherewith to sustain the army, I am afraid lest they should do something. If a letter of credit could be sent it would be much for the best. On this subject your Highness should write immediately by post, for it is necessary. The Marquis of Denia comes with more passion than was necessary. That is very bad in these times, and many are already very dissatisfied that he has come and have him [one word utterly unintelligible] (fn. 10). Your Majesty should command him to be much more moderate, and to endeavour to be amiable and satisfy the servants of the Queen our lady, and to serve well the most serene Infanta. And the Marchioness too ought to behave better than she was in the habit of doing. It is said she did not satisfy her [the Infanta]. Now all are discontented at his coming, and even the Queen our lady has not been pleased with him. As her Highness is glad that her women have been dismissed, it would be good if he did not make any changes until your Majesty comes, but only continue the state of things as it is. It is said that he is determined to change everything ; and according to his passion, and the ill will with which he is received, I believe anything he did would not be good. The Admiral is now disposed to accept the office of governor. He says that he will hold it provisionally, and that a courier will be sent to your Majesty for such power as he desires. I am of opinion that your Majesty should not accept him, nor send the powers, because he has not sufficient steadiness for that office. Every day he changes his mind in a thousand respects, and it is still his intention to do by the kingdom (fn. 11). If your Majesty accept, suitable orders must be given for this case. The Count of Haro fulfils [the duties of] his office of commander in chief as he does other things. As there are many noblemen here, it is difficult to keep them united in those things which are necessary, especially the admiral and the Count of Benavente, who have more their own way. The consequence thereof is, that the discipline of the army is bad, and the troops are very badly commanded. This causes much fear to many. Every hour the advantage of having taken this place is better understood. According to the present state of things, I believe that all will be lost if order is not soon restored. The disorder in everything is very great. Some are of opinion that it would be good if the Cardinal and some of the councillors and auditors would come to this place, and if the affairs of law and finance were despatched here, that the Constable (fn. 12) ought to support Burgos with the mountaineers (fn. 13), and others [think] that this place (fn. 14) ought to remain well garrisoned with as many troops as are necessary to guard it, and the governors, the council, and the treasurers should assemble in Burgos. There is, however, one great inconvenience in this. The Marquis of Denia is so much disliked by all the servants of the Queen our lady, as well as by the townspeople, that if he remained another would be aggravated (fn. 15). Your Majesty must decide all this, and order what is best for your service. |