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11 May.
Pat. R.
22 Hen. VII.
p. 1. m. 8. |
518. Henry VII.
Confers the place of Custos, or Master of the Hospital at
Shirbourn on his beloved Rodriguez Gundisalvi De Puebla,
ambassador of Spain, to hold it during the King's pleasure.
—Westminster, 11th May 1507.
Latin. 27 lines.
Printed in Rymer. |
15 May.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 5. f. 74. |
Reasons of the
peaceful policy
pursued by Henry.
519. Henry VII. to Pope Julius II.
After his accession, by the grace of God, to the Crown of
England, has had nothing more at heart than the common
peace of Christendom. Has, therefore, concluded
treaties of friendship with almost all the Catholic Kings
and Princes, and is besides related to all of them by consanguinity
or affinity.
Has not adopted his policy of peace because he has been
wanting in valour or vigour, in military talent or resources, in
soldiers or arms. God be thanked, such has not been the case.
But has always been contented with what he possessed, and
has never nourished aspirations after conquests, nor even of
regaining, by force of arms, such possessions as he is entitled
to claim by right. Another cause of his peaceful policy had
been that the effusion of Christian blood was repugnant to his
very nature. On the other hand, has been always inclined
to shed the blood of the enemies of the Catholic Faith, the
Turks and other Infidels, in order to avenge all the injuries
and cruelties committed by them on Christians, and to reconquer
the Holy Sepulchre. |
Proposals of Henry
for a general war
against the Infidels.
Begs the Pope to employ all his great authority in restoring
peace to Christendom, a thing which does not seem to be very
difficult in this conjuncture. As soon as that shall be effected,
the united power of all Christian Princes might be directed
against the Infidels. Hopes he will invite all Christian
Princes to send ambassadors to Rome, where the necessary
preparations of the holy expedition would have to be concerted,
the chief commander or commanders elected, the number of
soldiers and ships, of engines of war, of horses, &c., the place
and time of meeting, the country of the Infidels which would
have first to be invaded, the time, how long the war ought
to last, &c., would have to be fixed. |
Begs the Pope to
further the project.
Is ready to take part in the war, and to exhort other
Christian Princes to do the same. There never has been so
good an opportunity of making war upon the Infidels as at
present, as the Pope is wise and strong in body and mind,
and the Kings and Princes are disposed to obey him. The
Holy Father will earn eternal glory if he avenge the humiliations
of centuries on the detestable Infidels.
Hopes to receive soon a letter from the Holy Father,
informing him of the time when he ought to send his
ambassador.—Greenwich, 15th May 1507.
Latin. Copy. pp. 8. |
19 May.
B. M.
MS. Vitel.
C. XI. f. 53. |
520. King Ferdinand Of Spain to De Puebla.
Has received his letters, and those of the King of England,
dated the 15th of April. Is very glad to hear such good
tidings of Henry, and requests him to continue to write
respecting the health of the King. |
Postponement of the
payment of the
marriage portion of
Princess Katharine.
Thanks the King for having granted a fresh postponement
for the payment of the marriage portion of the Princess
of Wales. Promises to send the money as soon as he arrives
in Castile without waiting for the expiration of the term
granted for the payment. Intends to write more at length
by the person who will convey the money to England, and
will therefore say nothing further at present.
[A paragraph follows, which begins "In respect to the
marriage of the King of England, my brother," but it is not
continued.]
Encloses a letter for the King of England in answer to the
one he had received from him. Sends likewise the revised
credentials for the Princess of Wales, to enable her to act in
his [King Ferdinand's] name. He must therefore communicate
to her the contents of the letters sent to him, while she,
on her part, will communicate to him those which she has
received.—19th May 1507.
Signed only by Almazan.
Addressed : "To Doctor De Puebla, his Counsellor and
Ambassador."
Printed in Gairdner's Memorials, p. 424.
Spanish. Copy. pp. 2. |
19 May.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 5. f. 99. |
521. King Ferdinand Of Spain to Henry VII.
Has received his three letters of the 12th of April, and the
letters of the Princess of Wales and of De Puebla. Thanks
him for the postponement of the payment of the marriage portion.
Is preparing for his return from Naples to Spain,
and promises to send the money as soon as he shall have
arrived in Castile.
Concerning the other business, has written much in detail
to the Princess of Wales and to De Puebla, who will make
communications to him.
Indorsed : "With Melchior. Draft of the letter to the
King of England. Naples, l9th May 1507."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 2. |
19 May.
S. E. T. c. I.
L. 5. f. 98. |
522. King Ferdinand Of Spain to De Puebla.
Has received his letters brought by Melchior. Is pleased
that he has communicated to him the good news concerning
the King of England. |
Opinion of Ferdinand
respecting the
proposed marriage
between Henry
and Queen Juana.
Does not yet know whether the Queen of Castile can be
persuaded to marry at all ; but if she marries, her husband
shall be the King of England, and no other person. The
conditions which the King of England offers are as favourable
as possible. Besides, the said King is a Prince of great virtue
and experience. It would be a consolation to him at his hour
of death to know that his daughter, his grandchildren, and
his kingdoms would remain under the protection and guidance
of such a man as King Henry. The only reason why his
reply to the King of England is not a definite answer, is,
because it is necessary first to speak with the Queen of
Castile. |
Marriage of the
Prince of Wales.
Title to the Crown
of Castile.
Is astonished to hear what the ambassador of the King
of France has told the King of England respecting the marriage
of the Prince of Wales, and the title to the Crown of
Castile. The King of France has written to him, and promised
not to make any communications to King Henry with
regard to the said marriage, without his consent, because it
would be a bad service to undo the marriage of his daughter.
As to the title to the Crown of Castile, has never written
nor even thought such a thing as the French ambassador
has said. Hopes that the King of England is animated by
the same sentiments towards him as he harbours towards the
King of England, and that Henry will aid him in this
business of the marriage of the Princess of Wales, and in
all other affairs, whatever Prince they might regard. Love
engenders love. If the King of England favour him, he will
still more favour the King of England with respect to his marriage
with the Queen of Castile, and in all other things. If
De Puebla persuade the King of England to remain true to
him (Ferdinand) he will render a service to Henry himself.
Wishes to receive a letter signed by Henry, and containing
his consent to the postponement of the payment of the marriage
portion.
Contained under the cover which bears the indorsement :
"Drafts of letters for England. Naples, 19th May 1507."
Spanish. Draft. pp. 3. |
