Spain: October 1500 | British History Online

Pages 243-247

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

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Citation:

October 1500



3 Oct. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	287. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla. We wrote duplicate letters to you on the 21st of August, by Martin Sanchez de Zamudio, who was to convey them by two different routes. By those letters you will see that we have read the despatches which you sent us respecting the postponement of the departure of the Princess of Wales, our daughter, until the Feast of St. John Baptist next ensuing. We received much gratification from the intelligence, since it will not then be so hazardous a season of the year in which to travel as is the winter. We sent you a duplicate letter for the King of England in reply to the one he wrote to us respecting the matter ; we also wrote similar letters to you, as you will see by the duplicate of the former despatch which is now sent. Since then we have received your letters of the 11th and 13th of August, and likewise those of the Knight Commander of Haro, in which he enclosed (a draft of) the letter which had been asked for by the King of England, and which we sent.
	Additions to the marriage articles. Having reflected upon what you say in your letter, it appears to us that it would be well you should not at present speak to the King of England respecting the matters which we desired you should endeavour to have subjoined to the marriage articles. But the things which we are now about to mention are so reasonable, that they could not be more so, and they are as follows:— Firstly, since the Princess of Wales had already arrived at the legitimate age, a marriage celebrated by her on the 22d of the present month of September would be valid without dispensation. Nevertheless, though it had already been redered valid as it had been performed by dispensation, still, as you are aware, it is usual, when a marriage takes place by dispensation, on account of the parties not having attained the proper age for contracting it, that it should be performed over again on their attaining the legitimate age. Therefore the Prince and Princess ought to go through the ceremony again as soon as they meet. Consequently, on the arrival of the messenger (fn. 1), you will see that the ceremony be immediately performed afresh by verba de prœsenti.
	Attestation of the marriage ceremony to be sent to Spain. We sent you, under cover to the Knight Commander of Haro, authority for this from the Princess of Wales, and we have now written to the said Commander to the effect that if he have not sent it you ere this, he shall do so immediately. When the ceremony of the marriage has taken place with the Prince of Wales in person, send us an attestation of it, in which mention shall be made that the said Prince of Wales has arrived at the legitimate age for contracting the said matrimony ; and have it signed by his own hand, and sealed with his seal. Let the King also send it to us, and let him state that the ceremony has taken place. The ratification of it, however, by the King is not necessary, when the ceremony shall have been performed afresh, as we have already said. Neither shall you endeavour to obtain any further postponement of the journey of the Princess beyond the term you state. On the contrary, you shall tell the King of England from us, in accordance with the other letters we wrote to you, that if the weather should prove propitious for her journey, we will send the Princess over without waiting for the conclusion of the period of postponement which has been agreed upon. Speak of this to the King.
	Marriage portion of the Princess. The second thing which you have to obtain is, that the King of England should consent that the thirty and five thousand crowns which the Princess is to take with her in jewels and gold and silver, should be received as an instalment of the first payment. It appears to us that this is a very reasonable stipulation. Because, as she takes them immediately, it is but reasonable they should be at once received on account. Moreover, in accordance with the treaty which was made at Medina del Campo, it was understood that they were to be given on account of the first payment.
	Jewels and plate to be assigned to the Princess. As you wrote to us that you had improved upon the treaty in our behalf, we did not think it necessary to look over it. believing that it was as you had said, until a little before we wrote to you about it. Carefully, however, as we have examined it, we have not been able to discover whether the said sum will be received on account of the first payment. See, therefore, that, as you wrote, it be looked upon as being an instalment of the first payment, and that the Princess be not despoiled of the said jewels, gold, and plate. And obtain that the rule usual in such cases be adhered to. And if it be agreed that one part of the portion shall be paid in gold, still the plate and jewels must belong to the Princess, who takes them for her own use and enjoyment. Moreover, there is no reason why the King of England should not grant liberally to the Princess of Wales what he grants to his own Princesses.
	Household of the Princess. The third thing which you have to obtain is that the King of England should consider it right that the persons whose names are set down in the list sent with this letter, and signed by Almazan, should remain in the household of the Princess, and in her service, and that they should retain the posts and offices assigned them therein. It also seems good to us that the Princess should take the majority of them with her, and the remainder she may send for afterwards as the King of England may wish.
	Nuptials between the Prince and Princess of Wales. The fourth thing which you have to obtain is, that immediately on the said Princes meeting together, the nuptials between the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales shall be celebrated. For this, you can say, is a matter very easily to be accomplished ; it is, moreover, a reasonable thing, and one which is usual. We have asked nothing here but what is reasonable, and have put aside the principal matters by which you say the King of England might be scandalised. You must not, therefore, cease to request him to grant his consent to the matters which we have told you to endeavour to obtain, nor is there any reason why the King should deny it. But as you are of yourself sufficient to bring all to a good conclusion, there is no necessity for the Bishop of Galavay to come hither. You must, however, set about the matter with much diligence and care, and do not lift your hand from it until it is fulfilled, and send us word respecting it with the necessary despatch. We have also sent you, herewith, our letters of credence for the said King of England, that in virtue of them you may speak on the abovesaid matters. You will see that the inclusion of the Kings of Scotland and Denmark is very suitable. We have sent you the answer of the Princess of Wales to the Prince of Wales, and do you tell him when you see him all that may seem good to you. You will also send the attestation respecting the said contract of marriage having been performed over again, after the 22nd of September. Obtain that letters be sent from the Prince to the said Princess. As regards your salary, we have given directions about it, and so the messenger will tell you. Respecting Don Pedro, orders will be given, as you will see.—3rd October 1500. I, the King. I, the Queen. Signed by Almazan. This letter was written in September, and finished the 3rd of October. Written in two different keys of cipher, neither of which is extant. The deciphering is by the editor. Spanish.
3 Oct. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	288. Katharine Princess of Wales.—List of the Officers and Servants of her Household who are to remain with her in England. First lady of honour and first lady of the bedchamber : Doña Elvira Manuel. To have the direction of her state rooms : Juan de Cuero and his wife. To attend on her in her private rooms : Doña Katharine Cardenas. Lady of Company to Doña Elvira : Doña Martina Mudarra. Two servants of Doña Elvira.
	Ladies of Honour. [Blank] the daughter of Don Pedro de Mendoza, brother of the Cardinal. Doña Francisca de Silva. Doña Beatriz, daughter of Doña Blanca. Doña Martina, daughter of Salazar. Doña Ines, daughter of Doña Ines, the nurse of the Princess of Wales. Lady of company to the said maids of honour, Katharine de Montoya. Two slaves to attend on the maids of honour. Servants in the rooms of the Princess. [Blank] daughter of Ines Dalbornoz. [Blank] niece of the treasurer Morales.
	Laundress. The wife of Andres Martines.
	Officers. Mayor Domo and First Chamberlain : Pedro Manrique. Master of the Hall : The Knight Commander, Alonso de Esquivel. Master of Ceremonies and Master of the Pages : The son of Pedro Manrique. Chief Cup bearer and Trenchant : The son of Doña Francisca de Silva. Secretary : Pasamonte.
	Chapel. Confessor [Blank.] First Chaplain : Alexander. Almoner : The Englishman. Chaplain : Pedro Morales, Chaplain of the Queen our Lady.
	Pages. The son of Pedro Suarez. The son of Doña Blanca. The son of Gamarra. The son of Diego de Vargas of the Chapel. Pedro de Velasco. Juan Sarmiento. Chief Butler, Marshal, and Warden of the Chapel : Medina. Sasedo. Vadillo.
	Gentlemen in Waiting. Zanquillos, who attends on the Princess. [Blank] the servant of Alexander. [Blank] the nephew of Juan Cuero.
	Equerries. Morales. Vitoria. Calderon. The nephew of Perazcona.
	Other Officers. Comptroller : Sarmiento. Cupbearer : Salvador. Keeper of the plate : Saravia and Pedro de Salozano his assistant. Quartermaster : Lope de Salozano. Cook : Hieronimo de Vega and two assistants. Chief waiter at table : The nephew of Juan de Mora. Clerk of the Household : Francisco de Merueña. Purser : Juan Daza. Baker : Ambres Martinez. Sweeper : [Blank]. Two squires to attend on Doña Elvira and the ladies. No date. (fn. 2) Signed : Mig. P. Almazan. Spanish.