Pages 66-69
Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1862.
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Citation:
August 1495
| 5 Aug. S. E. R. L. 847. f. 63. |
Bull of the Pope
against the king of
France. 102. Bull of Pope Alexander VI. 1. Had often admonished the King of France not to come to Italy. 2. Charles had nevertheless come with a great army, and seized upon the patrimony of Holy Church, while his soldiers had committed many murders, robbed and burnt houses, &c., in Rome and in the neighbourhood. 3. Charles took with him, to the great scandal of the Apostolic Faith, Zizmo, brother of the "tyrant of the Turks," who has died in captivity. 4. Charles occupied Terracina and Civita Vecchia, and entered Sicily on this side the Pharo, which belongs to the Church. 5. He had proposed to Charles to march against the Turks, but this proposal had been rejected. After Charles had taken possession of Naples he returned to France with his great army, committing horrible cruelties, murdering women and children in the churches, and behaving more furiously than even the Turks. 6. Through his entry into Pisa, Sienna, and other towns, he had violated the jurisdiction of the Holy Roman empire, which is under the protection of the Holy Roman Church. 7. Charles had fought a bloody battle against the Venetians and Milanese, who had defended their territory, and 8. Has ordered new levies in the whole of France. "If I were to remain quiet, I should be like a dumb dog who cannot bark, and I therefore cite thee, Charles, before our Court, together with thy counts and barons, thy captains and knights, and every one of thy soldiers who are with thee in Italy, and all thy abettors and confederates, also all those who, in this affair, are giving or shall give counsel, favour, and assistance to thee, of whatever rank, condition, or dignity they may be, whether ecclesiastics or laymen, to see and hear the pains and penalties pronounced against the disobedient."—Given at Rome in the Palace of St. Peter, 5th of August 1495. Indorsed : "Translation of the brief of the Pope to the King of France." Spanish translation. pp. 4. |
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| 22-24 Aug. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2. |
103. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla. Have received his letter of the 21st of July sent through Pedro de Salamanca, merchant, and another letter sent soon afterwards by a servant of his. None of the other letters of which he speaks in his last have arrived. Will, henceforth, always send duplicates of their letters by the next messenger, and continue sending them until it be known that one copy at least has reached his hands. He is to do the same. |
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Respecting the
entry of Henry VII
into the league. Henry wished to have been included as a member of the league. That was impossible, because the Pope, having the King of France before the gates of Rome, had pressed so much for the conclusion of the league that their ambassadors had not had even time to communicate with them ; but he may still become a member of the league if he wishes it. Nothing more is necessary except to say so, and to write a simple letter to the Pope declaring his adhesion. A copy of the treaty, by which the league was concluded, is enclosed. Have made marginal notes on it, expressing their opinion with regard to the accession of Henry to the league. The aim of the league is to preserve the patrimony of the Church and the dominions of the confederates. Henry will therefore gain much by entering it, for he will thereby tie the hands of the King of the Romans, so that he will no longer be able to assist the person who calls himself Duke of York, or any other enemy of his. |
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King of the
Romans. The King of the Romans is inclined to be reconciled to Henry, and to turn him (fn. 1) out. Have written to their ambassadors at the court of Maximilian to use every means in order to procure his reconciliation with Henry, and to inform De Puebla of what they have done. He is to acquaint them also with what he has done. It seems to be a favourable moment for the reconciliation of Henry with the King of the Romans, now that the latter has got rid of the so-called Duke of York, that being a thing which Henry seems to have desired. |
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Duke of York. Are very glad to hear that the person who styles himself Duke of York had not invaded England, but had gone away. Henry is more at liberty now to do what it becomes him to do, and the so-called Duke of York seems to have turned out to be an impostor (burla). |
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Marriage of the
Princess Katharine. They are very much pleased with the marriage between the Princess Katharine and the Prince of Wales. De Puebla is to put the treaty concerning it in writing, but must not sign it before he has communicated with them. The reconciliation of Henry and the signing of the treaty of marriage must take place at the same time. |
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King of France. Have already written that they are much pleased with the assurance of Henry that he is quite at liberty to make war or peace with the King of France. Henry must be very careful that the King of France do not make himself still more powerful than he is, because it is impossible to trust in his friendship, and because he keeps his promises so badly, even to friends. Henry must be on his guard against his enemies in England and abroad. But if he enter into an alliance with Spain, with the King of the Romans, and with the other members of the league, and especially with the Pope, he will have power to do what he likes in England, and even in France. He ought to enter into the league, arm his realm, and be ready to make war upon France as soon as Spain and the King of the Romans begin war. De Puebla is to communicate all Henry does, and all tidings about England and Spain, in common writing, without cipher. Alvarez will communicate the news from Spain and Italy to him. If De Puebla do not think it expedient to speak of the war against France, he may in that case only speak about the entry of Henry into the league. Respecting the merchants, De Puebla is to do his best. There is not sufficient time to make a copy of the treaty of the league. It will be sent by the next messenger. The essence of it is that all the members of the league must succour the Pope and the Church, and assist one another in the defence of their states. Henry would be acting wisely by entering into it, and by arming in order to be ready for war, not only with France, but also with the so-called Duke of York. If Henry be willing to enter the league, he must, in his letter to the Pope, declare his simple adhesion, without adding anything else. In case, however, that he desire to have some of the clauses altered, he may write a separate letter to them about the matter, and they will take care that the conditions on which he is accepted shall be according to his wishes. The Pope, the King of the Romans, Spain, Venice, and Milan represent a great portion of Christendom, and if Henry enter into a league with them, he will have to help them all against France (which in one year has robbed the Pope, the King of the Romans, and Milan,) until his expenses have amounted to 50,000 gold ducats ; (fn. 2) on the other hand, he will be assisted by them all to the same amount, if the King of France or the so-called Duke of York should make war upon him. This assistance will prove to be most valuable to him. |
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Alliance with the
King of the
Romans. Besides this general league there ought to be a more special alliance concluded between them, the King of the Romans and Henry, in order to provide for the case of aggressive war against France. If one of the allies invade France in person, or by a captain, the other allies are bound to do the same, and to make no peace until France shall have restored to them all that she has taken from them, and made amends for all insults offered to them. (Marginal note : This was concluded by the King of the the Romans, then by the King of England, and afterwards by Spain.) Though it is known that the King of the Romans is willing to be reconciled with the King of England, his conditions are not known. The Spanish ambassadors at the court of Maximilian will communicate them to De Puebla. Great despatch is necessary. Henry must write immediately to the Pope, declaring his adhesion to the league. He must also openly proclaim it. The conditions shall be arranged afterwards. His entry into it will give him great advantages as respects the internal affairs of England, and at the same time benefit his allies. De Puebla must obtain from Henry all that is set down here, and send messengers to Spain daily. Tarazona, 22nd of August. |
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Ambassador of the
King of Scotland. After the above despatch had been written, an ambassador from the King of Scotland arrived in Spain, and is now only two leagues distant from their residence. Are very glad that this embassy has been sent, because they will induce the King of Scots not to aid the so-called Duke of York. In order to make more sure of him, they will persuade him to enter the league—if Henry should like it. Henry must, without delay, make them acquainted with his wishes. No date on the draft. On the ciphered despatch : "Tarazona, 24th of August." Draft. Spanish. pp. 12. The despatch went in cipher. The ciphered copy is extant. |