Spain: January 1500 | British History Online

Pages 213-216

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

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January 1500



1500. 11 Jan. B. M. MS. Eg. 616.	249. De Puebla to Ferdinand and Isabella. England has never before been so tranquil and obedient as at present. There have always been pretenders to the crown of England ; but now that Perkin and the son of the Duke of Clarence have been executed, there does not remain "a drop of doubtful Royal blood," the only Royal blood being the true blood of the King, the Queen, and, above all, of the Prince of Wales. Must forbear from importuning them any more on this subject, as he has written so often concerning the execution of Perkin, and the son of the Duke of Clarence.
	Marriage of the King of Scots. Dowry offered by Henry. Has been afraid the King of Scots would not consent to wait four or five years for his marriage, the time which would have to elapse before the daughter of the King of England became marriageable. As however, the King of Scots has declared his readiness to wait, there remains nothing more to be arranged in that affair, except the amount of the dowry. The King of Scots demands as much as DCCCLXXV (Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain) would have (fn. 1) given him. The King of England, on the contrary, offers only twice as much as King Edward IV. had agreed with the father of the present King of Scots to give him, a sum which does not come up to one half of what the King of Scots expects. Does all in his power to promote the conclusion of this marriage, because it is advantageous to all parties. Such marriages are not often broken off on account of the dower to be paid. "Your Highnesses may believe that "if the arrival of MCCXVIII (the Archduchess Margaret of Austria) does not alter the will of DCCCCXXI (the King of Scots) the thing is done, especially if your Highnesses were to write urgently to the King of England and the King of Scots." Is afraid the cipher in the other despatch concerning the King of France was false. Is therefore anxiously expecting the return of his servant from Spain, although, according to the instructions shown to him by Don Juan Manuel, the cipher was right, and the treaty has been concluded as desired. Should something have happened since, as well in reference to MDXXXIX (Milan) as to that which DCCCLXXXI (the King of France) constantly solicits, they must not on that account postpone sending the despatched (ratified) treaty (fn. 2) ; for, after the conclusion of the treaty, and the arrival of the Princess, things will be very different in England. Does not venture this assertion at random (a beneficio de natura), but because he has been informed so by the King of England and those who are most intimate with him. Begs them to send everything without delay and well despatched, as has been explained in a memoir sent to them, and a duplicate of which is enclosed in this letter. Delay would not produce any advantage to them.
	Coming of the Princess Katharine to England. Sums spent for her reception. They have written to him that the Princess is to come as soon as the Prince of Wales shall have accomplished the fourteenth year of his age. Afterwards Don Juan Manuel came and told the King that the Princess would be sent next spring to England, without waiting for the accomplishment of the fourteenth year of the age of the Prince of Wales, if the state of health of the Queen would permit it. Don Juan made the same declaration to him in writing. The sums spent in preparation for the reception of the Princess are enormous. Begs them them to write where and in what what month the Princess is to embark. Did not like to accept the bishopric or the marriage offered to him by the King of England, because it seemed to him that a true servant of theirs ought not to do so. Begs them to pay him his salary.—London, 11th January 1500. Addressed : "To the very high and mighty Princes, the King and Queen, our Lords." Indorsed by Almazan : "To their Highnesses, by Doctor de Puebla, 11th January 1500." The few ciphers are deciphered by the editor. Spanish. pp. 2. Printed in Gairdner's Letters, &c., vol. I. p. 113.
20 Jan. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	Marriage of Princess Katharine. 250. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla. Have received all his letters and other papers which he sent by his servant. His later letters, in which he describes the marriage ceremonies in the chapel of Bewdley, and announces the conclusion of the treaty of alliance, have likewise come to their hands. Commend his industry and skill. Send a letter for Henry, of which a copy is enclosed for his information. Hope that great advantages to both countries will flow from this matrimonal union. Send the ratification made by the Princess of Wales of her marriage with the Prince of Wales. He must send a similar ratification made by the Prince of Wales.
	Alliance. Are pleased with the treaty of alliance, and have ratified it without any addition or alteration, except that they have included in it the King of Portugal, who is so nearly related to them that he may be considered to be a part of themselves. In the clause speaking of the Princes who are excepted, the only addition made is, that this exception permits them to assist the said Princes in defending their dominions. That can scarcely be called an alteration, because neither in form nor in substance is anything changed. It is only the same thing a little clearer expressed. Henry must ratify this treaty exactly in the same form, and in the same words, as the clauses now stand. He must not give their ratification out of his hands before he has received the ratification of Henry.
	The Turks and Venetians. Have received news from Italy to the effect that the Turks have destroyed the fleet of the Venetians, taken great portions of their dominions, and even conquered Lepanto. The Venetians are no longer able to withstand the Turks in those parts. Have, therefore, decided to send a fleet in aid of them against the enemies of the Christian Faith. Beg Henry also to send a fleet against the Turks. He must tell him so, and without loss of time write what Henry promises, and what he does.—Seville, 20th January 1500. Addressed : "To Doctor De Puebla." Spanish. pp. 3½.
20 Jan. S. E. T. c. I. L. 3. f. 26.	251. Ferdinand and Isabella. Ratify the treaty of alliance concluded on the 12th of July 1499, (fn. 3) by their ambassador Doctor De Puebla, with the commissioner of Henry VII., Thomas, Bishop of London. The following paragraph is added :—"It is also our will that the most Serene Prince, Emanuel, King of Portugal, our beloved son, shall be included in this treaty."—Seville, 20th January 1500. Latin. pp. 2.
20 Jan. P. R. O.	252. Ferdinand and Isabella. Ratify the treaty of alliance concluded in London, the 10th July 1499.—Seville, 20th January 1500. Latin. pp. 5, in print. Printed in Rymer.
20 Jan. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	253. Ferdinand and Isabella to Henry VII. Have received his letter in which he speaks of their alliance and the marriage of their children. De Puebla has also told them of the extraordinary love which he has shown towards them in all things. Hope their friendship will continually increase. Have ordered De Puebla to speak to him in their name.—No date. No address. Inclosed in the letter of Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla, of the 20th January 1500. Spanish. Copy. p. 1.
27 Jan. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	254. Ferdinand and Isabella to Doctor De Puebla. Send two copies of their ratification of the treaty ; the one containing some slight alterations concerning the Princes whom they except, the other in which not a single word is changed or added. He must try his best, and persuade King Henry to accept the first ratification. If that, however, should be impossible he may exchange the treaty with the simple ratification. Are persuaded that if he act with his usual zeal and dexterity he will succeed in persuading Henry to render them a service by which he himself loses nothing. At all events the one or the other treaty must be exchanged without loss of time. The space of six months stipulated for the promulgation of the treaty seems to be too long. Henry must publish it within one month after the exchange has taken place.—Seville, 27th January 1500. Addressed : "By the King and the Queen to Doctor De Puebla, of their Council, and their ambassador in England." pp. 2.
27 Jan.? S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	255. Ferdinand and Isabella. In order to increase still more the friendship which exists between them and Henry, King of England, they express their entire satisfaction with the treaty which has been concluded, &c. It is only the beginning of the ratification of a treaty, ending with an "&c." and "inseratur." It is inclosed in the letters of the 20th and 27th of January 1500. Latin. Draft. p. 1.