1509.
9 March.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 5. f. 59. |
Conduct pursued
by Spanish ambassador.
Treatment of the
Princess Katharine
by Henry VII.
State to which she
and her people are
reduced.
Baseness of the
ambassador's
behaviour ;
reasons of it.
Manner in which
the confessor of the
Princess is treated.
Evil forebodings of
the Princess.
603. Princess Of Wales to King Ferdinand Of Spain.
Has seen from his letter to his ambassador that it is his
intention to send a prelate to England to conclude the negotiations.
Thanks him for doing so, as things are daily becoming
worse, and her life more and more insupportable. Those who
are at present in England are of no use to her. However
sufficient for their office the persons might have been whom he
has hitherto sent over, they have not advanced his interests.
Believes he already knows what has been the conduct of the
King of England towards the ambassador. He had not
wished either to see or hear him ; the reason being, as she
thinks, that he did not know how to treat matters. For
Doctor De Puebla is accustomed to behave with the greatest
gentleness towards Henry, while the ambassador bears himself
very audaciously towards him and his Council, especially in
this matter. As she is constrained to submit to them, no one
can be of use who does not behave with moderation. Entreats,
therefore, that he will not forget the business about which she
has written to him many times, but immediately give directions
as to the way in which he desires her to live. It is impossible
for her any longer to endure what she has gone through, and
is still suffering, from the unkindness of Henry, especially since
he has disposed of his daughter in marriage to the Prince of
Castile, and therefore imagines he has no longer any need of
him [Ferdinand]. King Henry tries to make her feel this,
notwithstanding that in secret he must know, if he do not
attend to his [Ferdinand] wishes, the best and greatest
good he can have will fail him. All this, however, causes her
great pain, as being against his interests, and she cannot allow
it to pass without making him acquainted with it. God
knows how much she is grieved to have thus to trouble him,
and always to have to write him such annoying letters. Her
necessity has risen to such a height that she knows not how
she shall be able to sustain herself, now that even her household
goods have been sold. When she spoke a few days
before to Henry respecting her wants, he told her that he
was not obliged to give her people food, or even herself ;
but the love he bore her would not allow him to do otherwise
than provide for her. From this he will see to what a state
she is reduced, when she is warned that even her food is only
given her as alms. One of the things which she takes most
to heart is to see her people in the ruined state they are.
For though some of them have not served her as they ought,
it weighs upon her conscience not to be able to pay them,
and send away such as are a cause of annoyance to her,
especially Juan de Cuero. What annoys her the most is that
she cannot do what she would in the matter of her confessor,
whom she considers to be the best that ever woman had. As
she has often said, it grieves her that she cannot maintain
him in the way his office and her rank demand ; he having
served her during all her troubles with so much loyalty.
Thinks it her duty to let him know how basely his ambassador
has behaved towards the confessor. It is a thing very
contrary to the interests of Spain, and on that account also she
has been greatly annoyed. The reason of it all is, that the
ambassador has attached himself very strongly to Francisco
Grimaldi, and to a servant of hers named Francisca de Caceres,
who, by means of the ambassador's favour, are about to marry,
contrary to her wishes. Situated as she is, felt obliged to conceal
her feelings. Has also been forced to give a bond for the
payment of a certain sum of money. Is sure he would not be
angry if he knew the cause. On account of the annoyance the
woman has caused her, sent her away, and the ambassador
received her into his house and at his table. Moreover, on
account of the office he filled as his representative, it did not
seem right that she should be brought into such a position
with the merchant Francisco Grimaldi as she had been. For
the ambassador was every day giving her to understand that
Grimaldi wanted to go away and carry off the money provided
for the marriage portion, unless she gave him some portion
of what she had promised him. But she owed him nothing.
Because her confessor had given her advice in this matter, the
ambassador had been angry with him, and said that he was
intermeddling in the affairs of the embassy. But by all that
she holds dear, assures him such is not the case. Had only
sent him to ask for the treaty, which she wished to look at,
but which the King did not desire her to see. On account of
this the ambassador had said things which she would not
write. Entreats him, however, to write to Membrilla, and to
say that he does not think it right her confessor should be so
treated. For in consequence of what the ambassador had
said, the confessor was every day asking for leave to depart,
and she does not think he will remain unless he be constrained
to do so. Begs he will write to King Henry in his behalf,
for he is the greatest consolation she has in her troubles,
and she is now in such a state she feels almost desperate.
Entreats him to succour her immediately, otherwise she
fears something may happen which neither he nor King
Henry will be able to prevent. Implores him to send for
her immediately that she may go to Spain, and spend the
short remainder of her days in serving God, which would
be the best thing that could happen to her.—Richmond,
9th March.
P. S.—Requests him to give the messenger money to enable
him to return to England. In order to provide him with
money for his journey has been obliged to sell some of her
household goods. Is forced to do the same thing in order to
buy food, because, if she should be unwell when it is fasting
time, it would be impossible, even if she were dying, to get
any flesh to eat in the palace of Henry ; for they look upon
those who eat meat as heretics.
Addressed : "To the very high and very powerful Lord
the King, my Lord."
Indorsed : "Letter of the Princess of Wales to the Catholic
King. Richmond, 9th March 1509."
Spanish. Holograph. pp. 6½. |
20 March.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 5. f. 60. |
Loyalty of the
confessor of the
Princess.
604. Princess Of Wales to King Ferdinand Of Spain.
The ambassador has sent to tell her how necessary it is
to send a messenger in all haste to him, many things having
been discovered. But fearing that some of them may not
be true, begs that if anything should have been written to
him respecting her household, and especially her confessor, he
will not credit it. For, by her salvation, she assures him the
confessor serves her very loyally. A few days before, had
written to him, but it would take reams of paper to repeat
all that the ambassador has said against her and the honour
of her house, through the affection he feels for her former
servant Francisca de Caceres. Thinks he would rather die
than see what she has passed through. Will not believe
he looks on her as his daughter unless he punishes the said
ambassador, and sends him word to confine himself to the
affairs of his embassy, and not to meddle in those of her household.
Begs him to see to this before her life is sacrificed, as
she fears it will be soon, owing to the trials she has to endure.
—Richmond, 20th March 1509.
In cipher. Deciphered by Almazan. The original letter
in cipher is not extant.
Spanish. pp. 1½. |
| No date.
S. E. T. c. I. L. 2. |
605. De Puebla.
A List of the State Papers left by Rodriguez Gundisalvi
de Puebla, to Gonzales Hernandez, and Ruyz Diaz
de Puebla.
1. Two ratifications of the treaty concluded between De
Puebla and the Bishop of London, on the 26th [blank] 1500.
2. A ratification of the treaty of marriage between the
Princess Katharine, and Arthur Prince of Wales, dated 4th
February 1498.
3. Commission of the Princess Katharine to De Puebla, to
conclude the marriage with Prince Arthur, dated 12th of
March [14]99.
4. Ratification of the marriage treaty by the Princess
Katharine.
5. Ratification by Ferdinand and Isabella of the marriage
treaty of the Princess Katharine, dated 4th February 1498.
6. Power to treat, given to Doctor De Puebla, and dated
12th March 1496.
7. Commission of the Princess Katharine to conclude her
marriage per verba de prœsenti.
8. A duplicate of the same power.
9. A commission of the King of England to conclude the
marriage of Prince Arthur with the Princess Katharine.
10. A duplicate of the same commission.
11. Another commission of the King of England to conclude
the marriage of Prince Arthur with the Princess Katharine,
dated 18th July 1497.
French. pp. 3.
[It seems that this list was made by a Commissioner of
the Emperor Charles V. at the time of the divorce.] |
