Spain: July 1502 | British History Online

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

Citation:

'Spain: July 1502', 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/pp272-276 [accessed 27 November 2024].

July 1502



12 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 29.	Proceedings of the King of France. 327. Queen Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke de Estrada. Know that the King of France is on his way to Milan with an armed force, and has sent a force against us with the intention, it is said, of endeavouring to take from us our possessions there. He has also sent to the frontier of Perpignan many armed men, foot and horse, and has commanded that ban and reban be proclaimed. (fn. 1) All the time this was going on we were at ease here, for we did not believe that he would break the agreement which he had made and sworn.
	Necessity for the conclusion of the marriage between the Prince and Princess of Wales. Payment of the dowry. Arrangement of the household. But now you must see of how great importance it is that there should be no delay in making the agreement for the contract of marriage of the Princess of Wales, our daughter, with the Prince of Wales who now is. It is the more necessary, as it is said that the King of France is endeavouring to hinder it, and is intending to obtain the said alliance for his daughter, or for the sister of Monsieur d'Angoulême. Therefore, without saying anything about this, since it is already known for a certainty that the said Princess of Wales, our daughter, remains as she was here (for so Doña Elvira has written to us), endeavour to have the said contract agreed to immediately without consulting us ; for any delay that might take place would be dangerous. See also that the articles be made and signed and sworn at once, and if nothing more advantageous can be procured, let it be settled as was proposed. In that case let it be declared that the King of England has already received from us 100,000 scudos in gold, in part payment of the dowry, and let that be made an obligatory article of the contract, with a view to restitution, in accordance with the former directions given you. Let it be likewise stipulated that we shall pay the rest of the dowry when the marriage is consummated, so please God that is, if you should not be able to obtain more time. But take heed, on no account to agree for us to pay what still remains of the dowry until the marriage shall have been consummated. See, moreover, that the King of England give immediately to the Princess of Wales, our daughter, whatever may be necessary for her maintenance and that of her people. Provide also that, in the arrangement of her household, everything should be done to the satisfaction of the King of England. Take care that Doña Elvira remain with her, and any other persons whom she may wish to retain, according to the number which was agreed upon for her service. Be very vigilant about this, and endeavour to have the contract made without delay and without consulting us. Do not, however, let them see you have any suspicion of hindrance, or show so much eagerness that it may cause them to cool. But set about it prudently, and in the manner which may seem best to you, so that there may be no delay in making the contract, and let us know immediately what you have done in it.
	Renewal of the treaty of amity with Henry VII. Notwithstanding that a league of amity has been concluded between us and the King of England, binding us to aid each other in the defence of our possessions, yet the treaty says, in what we possess at present, that is to say, what we possessed when the treaty was made. According to that treaty, therefore, he is not obliged to aid us in the defence of Apulia and Calabria, because we have obtained those countries since. Consequently, we desire that at the time when the treaty of marriage is made, you should say to the King of England that it is reasonable, since the treaty of kinship is being settled afresh, he should renew the treaty of amity in such a manner that, without altering anything in it except the date, all that we have mentioned may be remedied. The clauses of the treaty are very clear in this respect. If you think well of it, you may make use of the old treaty.
	Rupture with the King of France. Before you say anything to the King of England respecting the King of France, we desire that the affair of the treaty of marriage should be settled, so that the one matter may not hinder the other. On this account, it would be well that it should be done quickly. In case that you hear anything of the King of France, appear as if you did not believe it, until after the treaty of marriage is concluded. Afterwards you must show to the King of England the relation which we send you herewith of the matters between us and the King of France. Let the King of England know that he is sending against our frontiers of Perpignan a large armed force of infantry and cavalry, and that he has proclaimed throughout all our frontiers ban and rebam and that he is intending to attack us in our possessions.
	Mutual aid to be given. The King of England, our brother, knows that in accordance with the treaty of amity which has been agreed upon between us, we are bound to aid one another in the defence of our possessions. Learn, therefore, what it is which he desires we should do in the matter, and let us know.
	King Henry to be persuaded to attempt the recovery of Guienne and Normandy. If by chance the rupture between the King of France and ourselves should be already known in England, and there should be a disposition in the King of England to recover Guienne and Normandy by uniting himself with us, and we with him, in that case the King of the Romans will also be on our side. So, if you see that your negotiation will be benefited by it, and that the state of affairs between us and the King of France renders it necessary, endeavour to get the King of England to take part in it, saying that he will never have such an opportunity of recovering his own possessions. We believe that it would be well to make use of Doctor De Puebla for this negotiation. Therefore, if you think he will be of use, impart the business to him, and let him aid you in the way that may seem best. Try to induce the King of England to take, part in this matter, and use the skill that we look for from you, and the necessary diligence. If anything be said to you about it, listen and negotiate with prudence, and consult with us. But do not speak of it without being first certified of our rupture with the King of France.—Toledo, 12th July 1502. Signed : The Queen. Addressed : "By the Queen. To Ferdinand Duke de Estrada, her maestre sala, counsellor, and ambassador in England." Written in cipher of two different keys, which are constantly intermixed the one with the other. Only a fragment of one of these keys is extant. The deciphering is by the editor. Spanish.
12 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 30.	328. Queen Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke de Estrada. A duplicate of the same letter, written in the same cipher. There are a great many mistakes in the deciphering of this copy.
12 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 31.	329. Queen Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke De Estrada. A triplicate of the same letter, in the same cipher.
12 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 32.	330. Queen Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke de Estrada. A fourth copy of the same letter, in the same cipher.
12 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 33.	331. Queen Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke de Estrada. A fifth copy of the same letter, in the same cipher.
12 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 34.	332. Queen Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke de Estrada. A sixth copy of the same letter, in the same cipher.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 40.	Rupture with the King of France. 333. Ferdinand and Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke De Estrada. Since we wrote what is contained in the letters of which the duplicates have been sent to you, you will have been informed of the state of affairs which subsists between us and the King of France ; namely, that being, as we were, so at ease about peace, we learnt by sure intelligence that the King of France had sent a great number of armed men against our frontiers, and especially against those of Perpignan, together with the siege trains of all the kingdom, in order to come and make war on our kingdom of Spain.
	Succours demanded from King Henry. Tell this to the King of England from us and say that, in accordance with the love and amity which subsists between us, whatever touches him affects us, and whatever affects us touches him, and that openly and publicly the King of France wishes to attack us, and to make war upon us and our kingdom, with all his forces, without any cause or reason. Remind him also that, on account of the amity which has been established between us and he is bound to aid us in the defence of our possessions. We, [therefore, pray him to fulfil immediately that which he has agreed to with us, and sworn that he will perform, and to get ready an armed force in his kingdom, so that, on our sending for it, it may come quickly to our aid, in the manner which is stipulated in the treaty. Obtain and solicit this with much earnestness, industry, and diligence, in accordance with the importance of the business, not raising your hand from it until the King has made such preparation.
	Marriage treaty. If the marriage treaty be in such a state that it can be settled without much delay, settle it, and afterwards speak of this matter. But if the affair of the marriage be delayed, speak at once of this business, and write to us immediately respecting all that you are doing in it, and about everything else, and inform us of the opinions and intentions of the King of England, our brother.—Toledo, 18th of July 1502. Signed : The King. The Queen. Signed by M. P. Almazan. Addressed : "To Ferdinand, the Duke." The letter is written in two different keys of cipher. Only a fragment of one of the keys is extant. The deciphering is by the editor. Spanish.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 41.	334. Ferdinand and Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke De Estrada. The duplicate of the same letter, written in the same cipher.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 42.	335. Ferdinand and Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke De Estrada. The triplicate of the same letter, written in the same cipher.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 44.	336. Ferdinand and Isabella to Ferdinand, Duke De Estrada. A fourth copy of the same letter, with slight variations, not in the words, but in the ciphering.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 37.	Rupture with the King of France. 337. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla. You have already seen what we have written to you respecting the state of affairs between us and the King of France ; namely, that being, as we were, so at ease about peace with France, we were made to learn by certain messengers that the King of France bad sent a great number of armed men against our frontiers, especially against those of Perpignan, and that an army is gathered together from all parts of the kingdom, in order to come and make war upon our country of Spain.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 37.	Demand for aid from King Henry. Tell the King of England this from us, and say that, in accordance with the love and amity subsisting between us, whatever touches him touches us, and whatever affects us affects him, and that the King of France openly and publicly desires to attack us and make war upon us and our kingdom with all his forces, a thing unthought of by us, and without excuse or reason. Say also that, on account of the amity which has been established between us and him, he is bound to aid us in the defence of our possessions. We therefore pray him to fulfil that which he has agreed to, and sworn that he will perform, and immediately to get ready an armed force in his kingdom, in order that, when we send for it, it may be ready to come and aid us in the manner stipulated in the treaty. You shall solicit this with such earnestness and insistance and diligence as the case and the importance of it require, not raising your hand from it until the King of England has made such preparation.—Toledo, 18th July 1502. Signed : The King. The Queen. Signed by Almazan. Addressed : "To Doctor De Puebla, &c." Written in two different keys of cipher, which are intermixed the one with the other. The keys are not extant. The deciphering is by the editor. Spanish.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 35.	338. Ferdinand and Isabfxla to De Puebla. The same letter, with slight variations in the cipher.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 36.	339. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla. The same letter, and the same cipher.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 38.	340. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla. The same letter, and the same cipher.
18 July. S. E. T. c. I. L. 4. f. 39.	331. Ferdinand and Isabella to De Puebla. The same letter, written in the same cipher.