Spain: June 1505 | British History Online

Pages 353-361

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

Citation:

June 1505



11 June. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 83.	430. Henry VII. to King Ferdinand. De Puebla has shown him the despatch in cipher, dated Arevalo, the 6th of May. It fills six pages. The same ambassador has given him a literal translation of it. Thanks him for his love and good opinion. Will keep all the plans and secrets communicated to him "in the shrine of his heart." Loves him more than any other Prince, and would, in similar circumstances, confide his innermost thoughts to Ferdinand, since Ferdinand has now confided his secrets to him. Has had a long conversation with De Puebla, who will send a detailed report. Is ready to confirm the new and stricter alliance, and is contented with the marriage portion of the Princess Katharine. Will have more deliberations with De Puebla on these subjects. —Richmond, 11th June 1505. Addressed : "To the most serene and mighty Prince, Don Ferdinand, King of Spain, &c." Latin. pp. 3.
22 June. B. M. MS. Vitell. C. XI. f. 49 b.	Marriage portion of the Princess of Wales. Salaries of her household. 431. King Ferdinand Of Spain to De Puebla. Has written on the 6th of May from Arevalo, and received his letters of 1st and 24th of April, together with the letters of the King of England and the Princess of Wales. Has likewise received a certificate of the nuptials, the letter about the freighting of the ships, and the draft for a new and more intimate alliance. He is to inform the King of the pleasure the marriage has given him, and that the remainder of the marriage portion will be paid in the manner agreed upon. No receipt having been given of the gold, plate, and jewels taken by the Princess as part of her portion, she and Doña Elvira must see that nothing be lost of the said treasures, estimated at 35,000 scudos. The remainder, amounting to 65,000 scudos, will be paid when the Prince of Wales completes his fifteenth year. He must learn whether the King will undertake to pay the salaries of the Princess's household, and must endeavour to have everything that is requisite liberally provided for the Princess and her household. He must also tell the Princess that she ought to revere, and be very obedient to the King, as is her duty, and as being a means of making him love her more, and of doing more for her. As all her expenses and those of her household will be defrayed by the King, his wishes ought to be consulted in everything, so that he on his part may do all that is fitting. He must speak with, and consult the Princess and Doña Elvira about the matter, and afterwards obtain the assent of the King to whatever they think should be done.—Segovia, 22nd June 1505. Spanish. Copy. 2½ pages of print.—Printed in Gairdner's Memorials.
22 June. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 92.	More intimate alliance between Spain and England. 432. King Ferdinand Of Spain to De Puebla. Is willing to conclude a new and more intimate alliance with the King of England, and to do everything by which their friendship can be increased, but makes the two following conditions. In the first place, neither of them must begin a war against any Christian Prince without being seriously provoked ; and, secondly, the terms of the treaty must be equal for both parties. The clauses of the projected treaty which have been sent to him from England are unequal. They state that he himself shall be obliged to make war against France as often as Henry VII. is at war with that country, whilst Henry does not bind himself in the same way. If the King of England wishes to secure the assistance of Spain against France, he must bind himself to render the same service to the King of Spain. Should the King of England begin war because his two rebels (fn. 1) are not delivered up to him, in such a case would not only assist him, but would make war against any Prince, without exception whatever. Thanks King Henry for his good wishes, and for the services he has spontaneously offered him if obliged to defend his right to the Regency of Castile, although the King of England was already obliged to assist him in such emergency. Thanks King Henry likewise for what he had said respecting the Queen Juana, namely, "that she should be at liberty." (fn. 2) Would like to have not only those things of which he has spoken, but also his help.
	Behaviour of the King Archduke. The King Archduke repays his love with ingratitude. While Queen Isabella was alive, asked the Archduke and the Archduchess to come to Spain, and to be sworn as Infante and Infanta of Spain. When they came, took the greatest pains to have them sworn, not only as Princes of Castile, but also of Arragon and Sicily. Afterwards Queen Isabella was taken ill. The Archduke, ensnared by the French, intended to return to Flanders during the illness of the Queen, notwithstanding that the French were preparing to make war at that time upon Spain, and were ready to besiege Salsas. Had a long conversation with the Archduke, and told him that he ought not to leave Spain in such a contingency, because— 1. If the Queen should die, the Archduchess and he could, if they were on the spot, directly enter upon the pacific possession of the kingdom. 2. It would be said that he had left Spain from fear of the impending war with France. 3. Being heir of Castile and Aragon, his absence would be prejudicial to him. In spite of these remonstrances, however, and the representations of the Queen, the Archduke had returned by land through France, and had thus delivered himself into the hands of his enemy and the enemy of Spain. The French had, before that time, been almost conquered in Naples. But when they heard that the Archduke was in the power of the King of France, and had concluded a treaty of peace with him in his own name, as well as in the name of the King and Queen of Spain, they began to make more resistance. Certainly, the Archduke had no commission to conclude peace in his name and in the name of the Queen. When the French afterwards attacked Spain and besieged Salsas, the Archduke did not lend the least aid to Spain. Had borne all with the greatest patience, because of the Archduke being his son.
	Proposals made to the Archduke. The French were repulsed, and Salsas was relieved. Proposed to the Archduke to help him with all his forces to reconquer Burgundy and the other countries of which France had taken forcible possession. Intended also to compel the King of France to give Milan back to the King of the Romans, a thing that could have easily been done in that conjuncture. All those offers were formally made by himself, and the Queen of Spain, to the Archduke and the King of the Romans, who deliberately answered that they would accept none of them. They said that they had no quarrel with the King of France. Seeing such a disposition in the King Archduke and the King of the Romans, concluded a truce with France for three years, in which all the allies of Spain, and especially the King of England, were included. At the same time the King Archduke concluded an alliance and peace with France, "amicus amici et inimicus inimici," without excepting or including Spain. The clauses of this treaty were most advantageous to France and unfavourable to Spain, especially with respect to Naples.
	Conduct pursued by Ferdinand at the death of Isabella. Notwithstanding this new insult, continued, like a good father, to love the King Archduke. When the Queen was suffering from her last fatal illness, directly wrote most loving letters to the King Archduke with his own hand, telling him to keep himself prepared for his journey to Spain, and informing him daily by the quickest messengers of the state of the Queen's health. In the first moments after the Queen's death, his grief was boundless. Nevertheless the first thing he did was to go to the Great Square of Medina del Campo, and there, before all the people, to renounce his principal title, (fn. 3) and to give it to the Queen Archduchess and her husband, the King Archduke. Ordered them to be sworn as King and Queen of Castile, Leon, Granada, &c. Wrote the same day to the King Archduke, and asked him to come to Spain without delay.
	Treaty made by the Archduke with France. Had hoped to find consolation in the company of his children, but had been much mistaken in his expectations. For the King Archduke, and his father the King of the Romans, just at that moment of grief and sorrow, concluded a new alliance with France, declaring that they were friends of his friends, and enemies of his enemies, without excepting even the Pope. They signed the treaty with their own hands and swore it. The King Archduke conferred personally with the Cardinal of Rouen (fn. 4), and consented to clauses most prejudicial to Spain and to the Queen Archduchess. He, moreover, persuaded his father, the King of the Romans, to invest the King of France with the duchy of Milan, without even asking the restitution of Burgundy and of the other countries. Has received no explanation of his behaviour from the King Archduke, but still hopes, as stated in his letter of the 6th of March, to convince him by means of personal intercourse that he has done wrong. All this is to be communicated to Henry with the greatest secrecy. Considers Henry as his brother, and hopes to be comforted by him. At all events the King of England will see that it is not his fault, if some differences should arise between himself and the King Archduke. He must write as soon as he receives an answer from Henry respecting his marriage with the young Queen of Naples.
	No trust to be placed in Doña Elvira Manuel. Henry must confide nothing to Doña Elvira Manuel, sister to Juan Manuel, because he cannot be trusted. Don Juan Manuel has betrayed both the King of Spain and the King of England. To mention only one of his perfidious acts, it was he who did all in his power to prevent the extradition of the rebel brothers Suffolk. He often dines and sups with them, and treats them as his friends. Promises to do all that the King of England desires with respect to these rebels.—Segovia, 22nd June 1505. Indorsed : "Secret instructions from the Catholic King." Latin. Draft or copy. pp. 2.
S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 80.	Treaty between England and Spain. 433. Thomas Ruthal, Secretary to Henry VII. Sketch of a more intimate treaty between Henry VII. and King Ferdinand of Spain, consisting of three clauses :— 1. A treaty of friendship and alliance between England and Spain is now in full force. But circumstances may happen under which both parties would wish to conclude another and more stringent treaty of alliance, not only for the preservation of their present dominions, but also for the recovery of what they formerly possessed, and what has been taken from them. The freedom to conclude such a treaty would, however, perhaps, be lost if both, or one of the parties, were to conclude new treaties of friendship with other princes. The King of England, who is now living in peace with Louis King of France, and King Ferdinand who has concluded a truce with the said King of France, bind themselves, therefore, severally not to conclude any new treaty of friendship, alliance, &c. with Louis, King of France, his heirs and successors, without the express consent of the other party, given by letters patent under the great seal, and signed by the consenting King with his own hand.
S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 80.	Conditions to be made. The King of England is, however, to be at liberty to enter into negotiations with King Louis concerning his right to the crown of France, and respecting the other claims which England has upon that kingdom. King Ferdinand is likewise to be permitted to negotiate with the King of France respecting his retention of Naples and Roussillon. But as soon as either of the contracting parties conclude a treaty with France, the above-mentioned consent of the other contracting party is required. 2. Either contracting party is to further the honour and interest of the other contracting party in all negotiations with France. 3. Both contracting parties are to promise, by a most solemn oath, punctually to fulfil this treaty.—No date. (fn. 5) Signed : Thomas Rowthale, Secretarius Regius. Latin. Holograph. pp. 4.
S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 81.	Duplicates of the same paper, written and signed by Thomas Ruthal.
S. E. T. c. I. L. L.	434. Ferdinand King Of Spain. Notes for a treaty with Henry VII. (fn. 6) The title of King of France is to be given to the King of England.
S. E. T. c. I. L. L.	Conditions of a treaty between Spain and England. Spain and England are to favour and assist one another, in whatever country it may be. Each party is to assist the other with armed forces in defending all the dominions which they at present possess, or in future may acquire. They are to do all in their power in order to avert injury from one another. Neither Spain nor England is to show favour to the enemies of the other contracting power. In any treaty of peace which either party may conclude, the other party is to be included. All vessels belonging to Spain and to England are to give security that they will keep the peace with the mayors or other officers of the ports from which they sail. Orders are to be issued that the mayors, &c. strictly enforce this obligation on all Spanish and English vessels. The mayors, &c. shall take care that the subjects of one of the contracting parties be indemnified within forty days, if injured by subjects of the other contracting party. If Spanish or English subjects break the peace, the treaty is not to be considered as dissolved, but reparation is to be made. This treaty is to be proclaimed within six months. The last clause is to contain a paragraph according to which the question is to be left open what Princes are to be excepted or included, until the Princess of Wales shall go to England. No date. No signature. Spanish. pp. 2. [The paper is written in the hand of Almazan.]
27 June.	Protestation of the Prince of Wales against his marriage. 435. Henry, Prince Of Wales. His protestation against his marriage with Princess Katharine of Spain. Declares before Richard, Bishop of Winchester, that he has been contracted in marriage during his minority to Katharine, Princess of Wales. As he is now near the age of puberty, he declares that he will not ratify the said marriage contract, but, on the contrary, denounces it as null and void. [Signed] Per me, Henricum Walliæ Principem. This declaration was made and read by the Prince of Wales on the 27th of June 1505, before Richard, Bishop of Winchester, in one of the lower chambers of the Palace of Richmond, in the eastern portion of it. James Read. Giles Dobney. C. Somerset. Tho. Rowthal. Nicolas West. Henry Marney. Latin. pp. 2, in print. Jeremy Collier's Ecclesiast. Hist., edit. Barham, vol. IX. p. 66 ; and Lord Herbert's History of Henry VIII. In both books the document is printed at full length. Collier quotes the Cott. MSS. Vit. B. XII. as his authority. I have, however, been unable to find the document in the Cott. MSS. It may have been destroyed by the fire.
June.	436. Henry VII. Instructions to, and report of, Francis Marsin, James Braybrooke, and John Stile, concerning the old Queen of Naples and the young Queen, her daughter. I. After delivering to the Queens the letters from the Princess of Wales, to note well the estate that they keep.
	Audience had by the English ambassadors of the old and young Queen of Naples. The ambassadors arrived at Valencia the 22nd of June. Next day had an audience of the Queen. Delivered the Princess of Wales' letters ; the Queens giving their thanks with a grave, stedfast countenance. The Queens have their lodgings severally by themselves, though they keep their estates and households jointly in the King's palace, and they maintain a noble, sad rule and order among their household. II. To mark the estates and households kept by the Queens, and to note whom they have about them. The principal points are answered in the first article. Suits are made daily unto the said Queen's court of lords spiritual and temporal respecting matters and causes such as might be brought to a King. III. To note the manner of ordering their estates ; and the discretion and wisdom the Queen may show in her answers to the ambassadors. Ever since the young Queen came to Spain, she and her mother have kept their estates together. On the delivery of the letters the old Queen replied for herself as a noble, wise woman, and afterwards the young Queen with a sad, noble, sewred countenance, not speaking many words. IV. Whether the young Queen speak any other languages besides Spanish and Italian. She understands both Latin and French, but does not speak them.
	Description of the young Queen. V. To note well her age, stature, and features of her body. Her age is 27, and not much more. Could not come to any perfect knowledge of her stature, by reason of her wearing slippers after the manner of her country. A man could not lightly perceive the features of her body, for that she wore a great mantle of cloth. VI. To mark her visage, whether painted or not, fat or lean, sharp or round ; cheerful, frowning, or melancholy ; stedfast, light, or blushing. Is not painted ; of a good compass, amiable, round, and fat ; cheerful, not frowning ; a demure shame-faced countenance ; of few words, but spoken with a womanly laughing cheer and good gravity. VII. Clearness of skin. Very fair and clear. VIII. Colour of hair. Seems to be of a brown colour. IX. Eye-brows, teeth, and lips. Eyes greyish brown ; brows like a wire of brown hair ; teeth fair, clean, well set ; lips somewhat round and full. X. Nose and forehead. Nose a little rising in the middle and bowed toward the end. Forehead not perfectly to be discerned, for that her kerchief came down to her brows. XI. Complexion. Fair, sanguine, and clean. XII. Arms. Round, and not very small ; in length of a good proportion. XIII. Hands. Right fair ; somewhat full and soft. XIV. Fingers. Right fair and small, and of a meetly length and breadth. XV. Neck. Full and comely, not mis-shapen. XVI. Breasts. Somewhat great and full, and trussed somewhat high. XVII. Whether any hair on her lips. As far as could be perceived, none. XVIII. To endeavour to speak with her fasting, and that she may tell them some matter at length, so that they may see whether her breath be sweet. Could never come near to her fasting, but at other times have approached her visage as nigh as they conveniently could, but never felt any savour of spices, and believe her to be of a sweet savour. XIX. To note her height. Seemed not to be of high stature ; but by reason of her clothing, and being somewhat round, and well liking, she appeareth somewhat lesser. XX. To enquire whether she hath any sickness of her nativity, blemish or deformity. Having considered that such secret causes be to all persons unknown, save to her physician or apothecaries, had applied to Pastorell, who is in a manner physician to both Queens, and who made answer that he had served her many years, and she had ever been in good health, of a noble nature and complexion.
	Sentiments of the King of Arragon towards her. XXI. Whether she be in any singular favour with the King of Arragon, and whether she resemble him. He right well loveth and favoreth her. It is a common saying in all Spain that she is to be married to the King of England by means of the King of Arragon. Somewhat resembles him in the fashion of her nose and complexion. XXII. To enquire the manner of her diet. Is a good feeder, and eateth well her meat twice a day ; drinketh not often ; most commonly water, sometimes cinnamon water, and sometimes ipocras, but not often. XXIII. To enquire for some cunning painter who may draw a picture of the young Queen, to agree as nearly as possible in every point and circumstance with her very semblance ; and if at the first or second making thereof it be not made perfect, then the same or some other most cunning painter shall renew it till it be made agreeable in every behalf to her very image. No answer made to this article. XXIV. To enquire what jointure she hath, or shall have, and to know the value thereof.
	Her jointure. Have been informed by one Martyn de Albystur that the value of her jointure is 30,000 ducats of yearly rent, secured to her and her heirs by King Ferdinand of Naples, while the old Queen has 40,000, but the Great Captain, Gonsalo Ferdinando, having confiscated their property in Naples, the King of (fn. 7) Castile pays them 15 or 16,000 ducats yearly for their expenses. English. 16 pages of print. Printed in Gairdner's Memorials.