Spain: September 1498 | British History Online

Pages 195-199

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

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September 1498



7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	Henry inquires after news from Spain. Peace with France. 226. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella. Wrote a long letter a short time ago. This letter will, therefore, be short. The King has not yet returned from his progress in the country, but has inquired in a letter what news had arrived from Spain, especially respecting the peace with France. Answered him that, as he is aware, Spain has carried on the war against France only for the sake of the Pope and the Church. As all the property of the Pope has been restored to him, there remains no longer any reason for the continuation of the war, except, perhaps, the claim which England has on France, or that of the Archduke on Burgundy. When, therefore, the Spanish ambassadors in France saw that the English ambassadors had concluded peace with the King of France, and that the ambassadors of the Archduke had done the same, they thought it would be entirely unreasonable in them to continue the war. But the peace which they have concluded is different from former treaties of friendship between Spain and France. The clause which has been formerly used, "friend of his friend, and enemy of his enemy," is not contained in the last treaty. On the contrary, England is expressly included and excepted. The right to assist England is fully reserved to Spain, and it is expressly said that such assistance is not to be considered as a breach of the treaty. Does not know whether he has told the truth to Henry ; but has seen letters to Italian and Catalonian merchants which contain all the particulars. The King has not yet answered.
	Flanders. Has been asked by the Bishop of Cambray, in the name of the Archduke, to continue his good offices respecting the negotiations between England and Flanders. The English commissioners, and the ambassadors of the Archduke, are unable to conclude anything, when left to themselves. They had come to his lodgings, and asked him to write his opinion respecting the matter in dispute. Did so, and it was directly sent to Henry. His proposal has satisfied both parties. Hopes it will be approved by the King. Has received a letter from the Archduke. (fn. 1) Would accompany the King if he had not been ill during the last thirty days.
	Alliance of Spain with England. Begs their pardon for having exceeded his powers with respect to the conclusions sent by the last messenger. Did so after repeatedly considering the whole case. The conclusions come to are binding on Henry, but are only proposals to them, which they may accept or reject. Has clearly explained this to the King and the Council, and said that he was most strictly ordered not to exceed his instructions in any respect whatever. His powers and his instructions say expressly, "except and include." As neither the one nor the other is done in the last conclusions, it is clear that they are not binding on Ferdinand and Isabella, unless they ratify them. Does not know whether he would have consented to the clauses of the last conclusion, if he had already known of the peace concluded between Spain and England.—London, 7th of September '98.
	Duchess Margaret. P.S.—After this letter had been written, letters arrived from the Duchess Dowager in Flanders to Henry. She asks his pardon, and assures him of her obedience. It is not yet known what the King will answer. Henry wishes the Archduchess (Juana) or her chaplain to write in secret to him (De Puebla). They most probably do not know this, otherwise they would have done it. Thinks that the Duchess Dowager has written to Henry, because Henry has insisted much with the Archduke that the clause against her should be rigorously executed. As the Archduke was unable or unwilling to do it, they adopted this expedient. It seems to be the best way, because the other (to execute the clauses of the treaty against the Duchess Dowager) was decidedly, and moreover most decidedly, rejected by the Archduchess (Juana). The Bishop of Cambray is negotiating the whole affair with great secrecy. Addressed : "To the very high and powerful Princes, the King and Queen of Spain." Some portions of the letter are in cipher, which is deciphered by Almazan, Secretary of State. The few words left undeciphered by Almazan are deciphered by the editor. Spanish. pp. 5.
25 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	Henry is in the country. 227. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella. (fn. 2) Has received their letter of the 24th of July, together with a transcript of the papal bull. The King was at that time absent on his progress in the country. The ambassador from Milan has sent a message to the King, begging leave to wait on him during his progress. The King, however, has answered that he does not like to be disturbed, and has asked the ambassador to await his return if the business be not very pressing. Such being the disposition of Henry, would not like to go to him, even if his eyes were entirely healed, especially as the treaty between Spain and France is already known in England.
	Alliance against France. Has sent a letter to Henry respecting the subject which they urge. (fn. 3) The answer which he has received is enclosed. Their letters arrived just at the right moment.
	Princess of Wales. Preparations for war with France. Is glad that they have informed him of their intention not to send the Princess of Wales to England as soon as was expected, because otherwise he would have acted in a different way, and committed an error. The principal reason why he had asked their permission to go to Spain was to urge the speedy sending of the Princess of Wales to England. Will henceforth change his line of conduct as to this matter, although the King and Queen of England and the mother of the King desire much to see the Princess of Wales as soon as possible in England. They flatter themselves that she will come next year, now that the Pope has dispensed with the age of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The earlier she comes, they say, the easier will she learn the language and assume the customs of the country. The King has, besides, another reason of great importance. He wishes, by the arrival of the Princess of Wales, to be entirely secured against troubles in England, so that he may begin war with France. He swears that everything is already prepared for the war in question, and that he has not bound himself in any respect by his recent treaty with France. But they have now made peace with the King of France, and perhaps do not wish Henry to go to war with him. Is, nevertheless, not a little afraid King Henry will do so.
	Pedro de Ayala. Kisses their hands and feet for the favour they have done him in expressing their intention to recall Don Pedro de Ayala. It is for their own good.
	Flanders. Has already told them that the ambassadors of the Archduke, and the English commissioners, were unable to concert anything between them ; that they had, therefore, come to his house, and asked him to give his opinion on the subject in writing ; that he had done so, and that his opinion was sent to Henry. His proposals have contented the ambassadors and the commissioners, and have been approved by the King, who has made no alteration in them. The King sent two doctors of his Council to him, to say that "since such is the opinion of De Puebla, it shall be done." Hoping that the Archduchess would hereafter cause an arrangement to be made that would radically cure the evil, Henry dismissed the Bishop of Cambray very graciously, and wrote flattering letters to the Archduchess. Knows that he will soon receive letters from the Archduke, the Archduchess, and even from Henry, urging him to go to Flanders about this business. Is resolved not to do so without express orders from them, especially as the affair can, most probably, be satisfactorily arranged without his leaving England.
	Duchess Margaret. Henry has held a great Council on the subject of the letter of Madame Margaret. (fn. 4) The conclusion that was come to is, "since the Archduchess (fn. 5) and her Council so decidedly reject the measures which the ambassadors of King Henry demanded should be taken against Madame Margaret, a courteous answer must be written to her on the subject." The Bishop of Cambray takes the answer to Flanders, and is very well satisfied. This messenger will take a letter from Henry to them. Begs them soon to send an answer to it. It would be a great comfort to Henry and to his kingdom to know that he is included and excepted in their treaty with France.
	Milan. Intends to assist the ambassador of the Duke of Milan, as much as possible, in the affair concerning the marriage of the son of the Duke to a daughter of the King of England.— London, 25th of September 1498. P.S.—Has heard that the. Duke of Milan would be content with any of the daughters of the King of England, and that he would make no difficulties respecting the marriage portion. Thinks that, notwithstanding their intimate alliance with France, this marriage would be of considerable advantage to them, especially if concluded through him. Addressed : "Altissimis potentissimisque Principibus Regi et Regine dominis dominis ... Regi et Regine Hispaniarum." By far the greatest portion is written in cipher, which is deciphered by Almazan, Secretary of State. Spanish. pp. 5.
25 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	228. De Puebla to Almazan. Has received his letter, with a copy of the bull of the Pope. Has received another letter, written on the 8th of August. Is astonished that his letters to Spain have not arrived. Is always very careful in sending them ; and if he be in fault, it is not from carelessness, but from too great zeal. Begs him to send an answer soon to the letter he despatches by the messenger. Prays God soon to re-establish the health of the Queen. Is glad that the King and Queen of Portugal are sworn as Infantas of Spain.—London, 25th September 1498. Addressed : "To the virtuous Miguel Perez D'Almazan, Secretary to their Highnesses." Indorsed : "To me, from Doctor De Puebla, 25th September '98." Spanish. Holograph, pp. 2½.