Spain: September 1507 | British History Online

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

Citation:

'Spain: September 1507', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 1, 1485-1509, ed. G A Bergenroth( London, 1862), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol1/pp425-433 [accessed 27 November 2024].

September 1507



3 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 55.	537. Henry VII. to King Ferdinand Of Spain. Congratulates him on his happy return to Spain, and thanks him for having written as soon as he arrived at Valencia. Wishes to hear very often from him.
3 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 55.	Henry consents to a postponement of the payment of the dower. Has heard what De Puebla has said respecting the postponement of the payment of the dower. Consents to a new postponement of the payment for six months. His ambassadors are ready to set out for Spain as soon as the will and intentions of King Ferdinand in the other matter shall be known. Begs he may be informed of all that concerns the King of Arragon, and is ready to lend him any assistance in his power. The letter is not extant. The extract of it is made by Almazan.
3 Sept. B. M. Egerton MS. 616. f. 30.	538. Henry VII. to Almazan. Has received the letter of King Ferdinand, dated Valencia, the 20th July. It would be impossible to express the joy it has given him, reputing, as he did, all the successes of Ferdinand as his own. Is rejoiced to hear of his prosperous voyage and of his arrival in his own dominions. Commends the diligence shown by Almazan in writing to him, and thereby showing his desire to gratify him. Begs he will always persevere in the like good mind towards him. Is writing to Ferdinand in reply to the matter shown him by De Puebla. Desires him to inform the King that he will satisfy him, in so far as he is able, in all things.—Woodstock, 3rd September, 1507. Addressed : "To the noble and excellent Miguel Almazan, Secretary to the King of Arragon, &c." Indorsed by Almazan : "To me, from the King of England, 3rd September 1507." Latin. p. 1. Printed in Gairdner's Letters and Papers, I., 338.
6th Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 7.	Necessity to which the servants of the Princess of Wales are brought. 539. Alonso De Esquivel to Almazan. Would not mention his great necessity if there were any other means to remedy it. Begs him to remind the King in what poverty the servants of the Princess of Wales live. Thinks he has a right to ask at least his salary. Is obliged to sell his clothes. Has seen the Princess of Wales only three times since Doña Elvira has left her. Doña went away in a "horrible hour." But such things are better suited for conversation than for letters. On the 30th of August Don Diego de Guevara arrived as ambassador from Madame de Savoy (fn. 1), and from the estates of Flanders. He asked assistance against the King of France, who threatens to conquer Burgundy. An ambassador from the King of France has likewise arrived. The subject of his mission is, however, not known. —Woodstock, 6th September 1507. P.S.—Don Diego de Guevara left on Saturday, the 4th of September. Addressed : "To the very noble Lord, Miguel Perez Almazan, Secretary of the King our Lord, and Knight Commander of Valdericote." Indorsed : "To me, from the Knight Commander Esquivel, 6th September 1507." Spanish. Holograph. pp. 5.
Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 8.	Arrival of an ambassador from Madame de Savoy. 540. Alonso De Esquivel to Almazan. Don Diego de Guevara has come to Henry VII. as ambassador from Madame de Savoy and the Estates of Flanders. He has remained four days at Court, and left on Saturday, 4th of September. Some say that he came to ask succour from Henry against France ; others, however, pretend that he came to negotiate a marriage between the King of England and Madame de Savoy. The ambassador of the King of France has left on the 6th of September. Has received some money from his family ; but if he pays his creditors, no more than fifteen ducats will remain to him. —No date. Inclosed in the letter of the 6th of September 1507. Spanish. Holograph. pp. 2.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 57.	541. Katharine, Princess Of Wales, to King Ferdinand Of Spain. This letter has been much delayed, because the King of England goes from one hunting place to another, and remains nowhere time enough to despatch business. At last he stayed some time at Woodstock. De Puebla is so ill that he is obliged to be carried in a litter from his house to the palace.
	Reasons why Henry had consented to the postponement of the payment of the dower. The King of England has given a favourable answer, and consented to the postponement of the payment of the marriage portion, in the manner asked from him. He loses nothing, however, by it ; on the contrary, he is the gainer under the present circumstances. He says that as long as the marriage portion is not paid, he does not think himself and the Prince bound by the marriage contract. Hers is always the worst part. The King of England prides himself very much on his magnanimity in waiting so long for this payment. Because he knows that the accomplishment of his wishes depends on her father, his words are kind, but his deeds are as bad as ever.
	Bad opinion entertained of De Puebla by the Princess of Wales. De Puebla often speaks to her about the good intentions of the King of England. Answers him, on such occasions, that she cannot understand who prevents the King from executing his intentions except it be De Puebla himself. Begs him not to believe what De Puebla writes, if it is not in accordance with her own letters. "De Puebla is more a vassal of the King of England than a servant of your Highness." He must praise what he has commanded. As long as there is not another ambassador in England he must believe nothing except what she writes. Begs another ambassador, who possesses the qualities which are mentioned in her former letters, may soon be sent. Begs him to deliver her from her painful situation. Has been in the greatest difficulties, especially since she has received the 2,000 ducats from him. Did not know whom to pay first. Has recovered the plate which was pledged, and paid some small debts. Nothing remains for her servants and women. Begs he will send her more money. From the King of England she receives nothing.
	Impatience of Henry respecting his marriage with Queen Juana. The King of England is very impatient to have an answer respecting his intended marriage. It is most inconvenient to him to wait, because he has other marriages in view. The King of England says he fears that the affair will be much protracted, and the answer of the Queen of Castile unfavourable. Tells him that he must be patient ; the King her father has scarcely arrived in Spain, and such a delicate business as this cannot be hurried.
	Cardinal Ximenes. The King of England asked her to write to the Cardinal, (fn. 2) and ask his services in this matter. Answered the King of England she had received such strict orders to keep the whole business secret, that she did not dare to speak about it, even to the Cardinal. Proposed, however, to write to the Cardinal a letter, and to recommend to him in general terms a business which King Ferdinand would communicate to him. The King of England was quite satisfied with this expedient. The letter to the Cardinal is enclosed. Has written it only to please the King. If the Cardinal is not a very trusty servant it would be best to destroy the letter. He and Almazan will laugh at her writing in cipher. Took heart to write in cipher, because she does not dare to write the truth in plain writing, as this letter will go by a courier of De Puebla.—Woodstock, 7th of September. Indorsed by Almazan : "From the Princess of Wales, 7th September 1507." Written in cipher. The deciphering is by Almazan. Spanish. pp. 5.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 56.	542. Katharine, Princess Of Wales, to Almazan. Has written a letter in cipher. Did not dare to entrust any other person with the ciphering. He will find great difficulties in deciphering the letter, and will be obliged rather to guess, than to use the key. Begs him not to forget what she has written to him in her former letters.—Woodstock, 7th of September. Addressed : "To Miguel Perez de Almazan, Secretary." Indorsed by Almazan : "7th September 1507." Spanish. Holograph. p. 1.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 33.	King Henry at Woodstock. 543. De Puebla to King Ferdinand Of Spain. Has received his letter, dated Valencia, the 22nd of July. When that letter arrived, the King of England was hunting in the country, going from forest to forest, and from one mountain to another. He did not remain a single day quiet in the same place. It was therefore necessary to send a messenger, and ask him where he wished to hear the news that had come from Spain. The King sent back a reply without delay, saying that he would be, on the (fn. 3) 26th of July, at Woodstock, and remain there in order to despatch business. Made the necessary preparations for going to Woodstock, for which purpose it was necessary to buy two more horses and harness. A new outfit for himself and his servants was the more wanted, as the King of England was accompanied by ambassadors from the Pope, the King of the Romans, the King of France, from Flanders, Denmark, and Scotland.
	De Puebla's audience of the King. The payment of the dower postponed. Arrived on the 26th of July at Woodstock. Had, on the next day, an audience of the King, which lasted two hours and a half, or three hours. The King said he must consult with his council before giving an answer. Spoke to the King on the following days, and gave him such convincing reasons, that he determined, on the fourth day, to do all he was asked. King Henry has written a letter by which he consents to the postponement of the payment for six months. During this time bills of exchange ought to be sent from Spain to London. There are merchants in Spain, each of whom possesses sufficient credit in London for a bill of exchange of any one of them for the whole sum of the marriage portion to be accepted in London.
	Marriage of the Princess of Wales. As soon as the money is paid, the marriage of the Princess of Wales with the Prince of Wales will be contracted per verba de prœsenti, and a few days afterwards the wedding will take place.
	De Puebla wants money. Is the most trustworthy servant the King of Spain has. Has not accepted a rich wife and a bishopric, only because he has been afraid of doing something that might have been disagreeable to his masters. Rendered the most signal services on the occasion of the presence of King Philip in England, and did even more than he is permitted to say. Has spent all his property in the service of the King, and begs, therefore, at least that his salary may be paid. It has remained unpaid ever since the death of Queen Isabella. His last illness has cost him incredible sums of money. No one in Spain would believe him if he were to tell how expensive physicians and chemists are in England. The merchants who could give bills of exchange are, Francisco de Negro, a Florentine, Augustin de Grimaldi, Augustin de Bivaldi, Augustin the Italian, brother of Pantaleon. Each of them has an agent in London.
	Marriage of King Henry with the Queen of Castile. (The following paragraphs are written in cipher.) As for the marriage of the King of England with the daughter of your Highness, the will and determination of the King of England is, that if your Highness can offer him the said marriage, he on his part will make greater concessions than can be reasonably expected. I therefore beseech your Highness to write, without delay, your resolutions much in detail. I (fn. 4) hope to be able to render great services, and think it is right that your Highness should know the wish and will of the King of England. He wishes to remain in England after the marriage, and to receive a certain sum of money to be paid every year out of the revenues of Castile. He would be satisfied with as much as your Highness offered to the son of the King of the Romans. (fn. 5) Such is his wish. If, however, the daughter of your Highness could not otherwise be persuaded to consent to the marriage, or if it should be thought desirable for other reasons that the King of England should come and reside in Castile, your Highness must say so without loss of time, and I will see what can be done. Meanwhile your Highness may determine what best suits your service. Your Highness may believe that the Council of the King of England desires extremely that this marriage should be concluded, and would still desire it even if worse things were said of the insanity of the daughter of your Highness. The King of England entertains the same sentiments on this subject.
	Ambassador of the King of the Romans. The ambassadors of the King of the Romans, of the King of France, and the ambassador from Flanders, have come to England for the following purposes : The ambassador of the King of the Romans complained that the King of France has entered into negotiations with the Prince Electors of the Empire, and with other Germans, with the intention of having him made Emperor, and the Cardinal of Rouen (fn. 6) Pope. He further said that the King of France intended to usurp the dominions of the grandson (fn. 7) of the King of the Romans, and begged the King of England to make war upon France. Besides, the King of the Romans wished to have money lent to him by King Henry, offering good fortresses as security. Lastly, the ambassador spoke about the marriage of the King of England with Madame Margaret, and of the grandson of the King of the Romans with the Princess Mary, daughter of the King of England.
	Ambassador from Flanders. The ambassador from Flanders, Don Diego de Guevara, told the King of England that the King of France had declared war against all the seigniories of Burgundy, and invaded them with an army, excepting, however, Flanders and Artois, because those two provinces always recognize the sovereignty of the King of France, and the appeals from their tribunals go to the Parliament at Paris. He asked of the King of England succour against France and the Duke of Gueldres.
	Ambassador of France. The ambassador of the King of France complained of the King of the Romans, because he had published lies about his master, saying that the King of France wished to be made Emperor, and intended to make the Cardinal of Rouen Pope ; things which had never entered the mind of the King of France. Respecting the Duke of Gueldres, he said that the King of France was obliged to succour him, and intends to do his duty.
	Answer of Henry VII. to the ambassadors. The King of England answered : 1. To the ambassador of the King of the Romans, that he would be very sorry if the King of France meddled in the affairs of Germany, for he had not the least reason or right to do so. He would send an ambassador to the King of France, and exhort him not to interfere in Germany. It seems that the King of England wishes to remain at peace with the King of France, especially since he has been told that Spain is now on such good terms with France. As for the loan and the two marriages, the King of England answered very politely in general phrases, without any significance. 2. The answer to the ambassador from Flanders consisted only in evasive assurances of friendship. 3. The ambassador of the King of France was told that his master had no right to meddle in the election of the Emperor and the Pope. As for Burgundy and Gueldres, King Henry said it was the business of the King of the Romans and not his.—Woodstock, Eve of Our Lady, in September (fn. 8) 1507. P.S.—Has again spoken with the King of England, who has told him that, though not obliged to defend Burgundy, he would beg the King of France to desist from attacking that country. The King of England sends six horses and some greyhounds to the Archduchess Margaret, and a letter, a copy of which is enclosed. No address. Spanish. pp. 8.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 55.	544. De Puebla to King Ferdinand Of Spain. Is an extract made by Almazan from the preceding letter of De Puebla to King Ferdinand of the 7th of September 1507. All the matter concerning the marriage of Henry VII. with Queen Juana is entirely suppressed.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 34.	Docility of Henry. His promises. 545. De Puebla to Almazan. Has persuaded the King of England, by the irrefutable reasons he has used, to consent to the postponement of the payment. King Henry grew at last as docile as a child. If his marriage with Queen Juana could be concluded, he would be a much better son than the Archduke was. The King of England promises wonders, and his love is incredibly great. He esteems all other marriages offered to him by the King of the Romans and by the King of France as nothing. As soon as he receives letters stating that the marriage may be concluded he will send his ambassadors with full power. If the affair should come to nothing there will at least be nothing lost.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 34.	Invalidity of the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The marriage of the Princess of Wales with the Prince of Wales is not valid as a marriage per verba de prœsenti, because the Prince of Wales was not of age, and this defect has not been dispensed with. But as soon as the dower of the Princess arrives in England the marriage per verba de prœsenti and the wedding shall take place. Begs he may be excused if his letter is full of errors. His writing is so bad ; and besides the Princess of Wales (fn. 9) has been very angry with him on account of the postponements. Begs him to write very often to the King of England, who reads his letters with the greatest pleasure, and esteems him very much. Begs that money may be sent him.—Woodstock, Eve of Our Lady, in September. Addressed : "To the very noble Lord, Miguel Perez Almazan, Secretary, &c." Plain writing intermixed with cipher. Spanish. pp. 3.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	546. Henry VII. to Katharine Princess Of Wales. Has read with great pleasure her letter. Thanks her for her kindness in inquiring after his health, and for expressing so ardent a desire to see him again. Enjoys perfect health, and leads a very agreeable life in the company of some nobles and a great number of gentlemen. Spends his time in hunting and hawking. Intends soon to go to Woodstock, and thence to London, when he hopes to find her in good health.
7 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 2.	Poverty of the Princess of Wales. Learns by her letter that she is in want. Has already ordered that two hundred pounds should be paid to the officers of her household. If she is in want it is therefore the fault of her servants. Has written to William Holibrand, and ordered him to send directly an account of how the money is spent, and at the same time, and without delay, to pay anew as much money as she wants for her person and servants, so that she may not only not suffer from indigence, but be able to live honourably. Loves her so much that he cannot bear the idea of her being in poverty.—Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 7th September. Addressed : "To the most illustrious Lady, Katharine Princess of Wales." Latin. pp. 3.
16 Sept. A. G. de D. de N.	547. Maximilian, King Of The Romans, to the Archduchess Margaret. Has received her letters, by which she has requested him to come to Flanders to conclude a new alliance with England. Has been prevented from doing so. Begs that the King of England may be amused with false hopes, and prevented from concluding an alliance with the two Kings.
16 Sept. A. G. de D. de N.	Archduchess Margaret. The King of England will not consent to have her marry the Prince of Wales. If she would marry the King of England, it might be arranged that she should remain Governess of the Netherlands, and pass three or four months every year in her own country.—16th September 1507. French. pp. 2, in print. Printed in Correspondence de l'Empereur Maximilian I., &c. Publié par M. le Glay. Vol. I. p. 10.
15 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 3. f. 67.	548. Henry VII. to King Ferdinand Of Spain. Thanks him for his letter, and promises to send an ambassador to the King of the Romans and to the King of France, in order to assist the Pope in his work of reconciliation. Is ready to make war upon the Infidels. No Prince in Christendom can be more ready to serve in so holy a cause. —Langley Manor House, 15th September 1507. Indorsed : "Letter of the King of England to the Pope, 15th September 1507." Latin. Copy. pp. 4.
27 Sept. S. E. T. c. I. L. 5. f. 55.	549. Henry VII. to King Ferdinand Of Spain. After his last letter had been despatched De Puebla made communications to him of no small importance. Has been pleased to hear them, and has given a full answer to De Puebla, who, no doubt, will send a detailed report. Wishes that as soon as he is able to form a definite opinion on this matter he should communicate it to him. Begs very much that this affair may not be delayed. If it could be concluded, great advantages, not only to Spain and England, but also to the whole of Christendom and the glory of God, would follow. The original letter is not extant. This extract is made by Almazan. Spanish. p. ½.
29 Sept. B. M. MS. Egerton, 616. f. 25.	550. Henry VII. to King Ferdinand Of Spain. Sends him a duplicate of his last letter. De Puebla has since spoken to him about a matter of no small importance, and which it gives him great pleasure to hear. Has communicated his answer to De Puebla, who, no doubt, will give a true relation of it. Hopes he will let him know as soon as he has it in his power to come to a decision. Does not doubt that if the matter can be concluded, it will be to the glory of God, the welfare of Christendom, and the advantage of their own states.—Woodstock, 29th September 1507. Addressed : "To the very serene and mighty Prince, Ferdinand, by the grace of God, King of Arragon, &c." Indorsed by Almazan : "To his Highness, from the King of England, 29th September 1507." Printed in Gairdner's Letters and Papers, I. 339. Latin. p. 1.