Pages 467-468
Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1862.
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Citation:
November 1508
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600. Edmund Wingfield to Margaret Of Austria. Henry VII. has it much at heart that the affairs of the Emperor, and the Prince his son, (fn. 1) should be settled to the greatest advantage in the approaching Congress of Cambray, and that their enemies should be entirely discomfited. |
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Alliance between
Spain and France.
Consequences of its
continuance. As long as the alliance between the King of France and the King of Arragon continues, it is to be feared that the principal enemy of the Emperor and Prince Charles will triumph. For if he be assisted by France, the King of Arragon will most probably be able, not only to keep the usurped government of Castile in his own hands, and the other dominions belonging to that kingdom, as long as he lives, but also to deprive the Prince of his right of succession. To prevent this, it seems to Henry that the best plan would be to exclude the King of Arragon from the treaties that are to be made at Cambray, and to sever the alliance existing between him and the King of France. The King of Arragon has usurped the Government of Castile only by means of the help of the King of France. If he were to be isolated, he would be unable to preserve it, and the Emperor would have it in his power, aided by those who are inimical to the King of Arragon, to take the government of that kingdom into his own hands. |
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Expedients for
preventing the
dangers arising
out of the alliance. Since it might be difficult to dissolve the alliance between the King of Arragon and the King of France, has bethought himself of some expedients which might be useful. The King of France, at divers times, has proposed to Henry that the Prince of Wales should marry the sister of the Duke of Augoulême, and that a treaty of alliance and friendship should be concluded between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Augoulême. The King of England has constantly rejected these offers, though the King of France has been ready to make great sacrifices. He would not even now accept them, were it not that they would be advantageous to the Emperor and the Prince. But as the King of France could not be induced to dissolve the alliance with the King of Arragon on any other terms, the King of England would condescend to accept either the marriage or the alliance. It is known that the King of France greatly desires this marriage and alliance, and it is therefore probable that, if he could obtain them, he would make peace with the Emperor, and give up his alliance with the King of Arragon. As she and the Cardinal of Gurk are to be present at the conferences of Cambray, he begs them to broach these matters to the Cardinal of Amboise. But it must be understood that it is to be kept secret, that these proposals come from the King of England. If it should be found that the King of France is inclined to enter into the negotiations, the Emperor must write to King Henry, and beg him to consent to either the alliance or the marriage. |
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A new alliance
proposed. If the King of France should abandon his alliance with the King of Arragon, a new alliance could be concluded between the Pope, the Emperor, the King of England, and the King of France, from which the King of Arragon would have to be excluded. Deprived of all assistance and succour, the King of Arragon would soon be expelled from Castile by the Castilians themselves, who tolerate him only through fear of France. The Emperor could thus easily obtain the government of Castile, and would not only be able to gain much thereby, but would also have it in his power to administer better justice, and to secure the succession to his son, Prince Charles. |
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Advantages
accruing from
these proposals to
the Emperor. Another important advantage to the Emperor would be that he would gain great reputation, and considerably augment his power. He could employ the army and navy of Castile against the Venetians, take vengeance on them, and reconquer all of which he has been deprived. The Emperor would, moreover, be enabled to proceed to Rome to his coronation. The King of England loves the Emperor and Prince Charles above all other Princes, and would therefore gladly take all the trouble of the negotiations concerning the peace between the Emperor and the King of France, and the alliance of the Pope with the Princes, upon himself. French. pp. 6, in print. Printed in Lettres du Roi Louis XII. Brussels, 1712. |