Queen Juana: September 1520, 11-20 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain: Supplement To Volumes 1 and 2, Queen Katherine; Intended Marriage of King Henry VII To Queen Juana. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1868.

Citation:

'Queen Juana: September 1520, 11-20', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain: Supplement To Volumes 1 and 2, Queen Katherine; Intended Marriage of King Henry VII To Queen Juana, ed. G A Bergenroth( London, 1868), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/supp/vols1-2/pp223-233 [accessed 27 November 2024].

September 1520, 11-20



14th September.	57. The Cardinal Of Tortosa to the Emperor Charles. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Comunidades de Castilla. Legajo 1. f. 194. Autograph.] A Su Magd. del Cardenal. xiiij de Setiembre con el Doctor Guevara. Sac. Ces. R. C. Mt., Despues de haver escrito a viiij del presente a V. Mt. havemos recebido ciertas nuevas a xij del mesmo que en burgos han hechado y fecho sallir de aquella ciudat por fuerça al condestable haziendole dexar en ella todas sus armas y escopetas y polvora sin que le dexaron comer. y desto fue la principal causa por no haver diz que querido permitir que los dos mil honbres que la dicha ciudat avia fechos hiziessen lo que les mandasse la junta de Avila. y a mas desto tomaron toda la hazienda del doctor Çumiel el qual fidelisimamente procuro el servicio de V. Mt. y el bien publico de la dicha ciudad, y cierto no se hombre de la condicion deste a quien V. Mt. deva mas que a el y assy sera bien que V. Mt. le mande escrevir alguna carta consolatoria y graciosa con ofrecimiento de mercedes. en el mesmo dia me vino el consejo de las ordenes diziendome que en ocaña y tambien en hucles hay alteracion en el pueble y que temen que si de presto no se proviese se juntarian con la rebellion de las otras universidades y por esto se ordeno que en vcles se devan salariar y pagar quarenta lanças para obviar y resistir a las malicias y rebueltas del pueblo y que para estos se devan conprar armas y porque el peligro estava en la mano hubose de proveer esto. si V[uest]ra Alt. no es servido que estas quarenta lanças se paguen de los dineros de la orden, mandemelo escrivir luego, que en la mesma hora las hare despedir, pero los del consejo piensan que si se rebellasen estos lugares mas tomarian de las rentas de lo que montaria el salario que se habria de dar a las quarenta lanças. el conde dalvadeliste que reduzio a la ciudat de Çamora a obediencia de V. Alt. ya esta en gran peligro. el obispo de Çamora ha juntado mucha gente y tiene ayuda y soccorro de la junta de Avila la qual ha de ser oy a xiij deste en Tordesillas, y entiende el dicho Obispo de sacar por fuerça darmas al conde de Çamora. y en verdat me desplaze que este puesto en tanto trabajo assy por no tener V. Alt. persona en estos Reynos que mas le haya servido como por no poderle nosotros soccorrer con gente ni con dinero. sobre lo qual ninguno de los del conseio por el temor que tienen de las comunidades ha osado aconsejar que se escriviesse a los escopeteros que ayudassen al dicho conde con sus dineros. echan fama por todo el Reyno que la Reyna nuestra Señora esta con cunplido seso y bien dispuesta para mandar como lo estava la Reyna doña ysabel su madre de gloriosa memoria y amuestran tener fin a que todo el pueblo este persuadido que no se hayan de obedecer ni cunplir los mandamientos de V. Mt. sino solamente los de la Reyna su madre. a xj deste el Secretario del marques de Villena fue a los oficiales de la contaduria con una cedula de V. Mt. para que assentassen aquel quento de maravedis en los registros, y despues que le llevaron con buenas palabras en dilaciones en fin llanamente ge lo negaron diziendole que no lo havian de hazer con mandamiento de V. Mt. por el peligro que correrian que se les cortassen las cabeças si la tal merced assentassen y registrassen. en el mesmo dia hable a los desta villa para que nos dejen yr azial Reyno de Navarra para entender en la defension daquel Reyno a que los franceses no se lo hocupen ni entren en el, porque se dize que hazen gran exercito y otras cosas, mayormente que a contemplacion destos Reynos Vuestra Alteza ha dejado de embiar los tres mill alemanes que para la guarda y conservacion del dicho Reyno havia destinados V[uest]ra Mt. yrnos ascondidamente et hospite insalutato crea V. Alt. que no conviene, mayormente que nos han de responder en contrario de lo que querriamos. dizese que han consultado con la junta de Avila y que esperan respuesta de lo que han de hazer. muchos dizen que no nos dexaren yr. detienen los libros de Vozmediano y quieren raçon de todos los oficiales de tan grandes sumas de dinero que por V. Mt. se han sacado destos Reynos. el guardian confessor de la Reyna nuestra Señora teme que el no sea difamado alla en que algunos digan a V. Mt. que el induzga a la Reyna en mandar o entremeterse de la governacion. lo que cierto si se hablasse, no se havia de creer en ninguna manera por ser este padre de tan buena conciencia y honesta y Santa vida. pero es cierto que este error viene de los mesmos criados y servidores de la Reyna a los quales ha movido a ello el gran odio que tienen al marques de denia. hele escrito que diga dos cosas a la Reyna. la una que nunca se penso que fonseca la huviesse de sacar de aquel lugar por fuerça ni ponerla en otro. mas como esta espantada destas mentiras que han levantado induzenla a consentir lo que quieren y quando dizen a Su Alteza manda esto, respondeles si. y luego lo toman por auto de notarios. la otra es que procure y le diga secretamente que no firme. espero que lo hara si ya el recelo que tiene de perder el amistad de los capitanes questan en Tordesyllas no le constriñe. a xij del mesmo hablando con don Pedro giron entre otras cosas le dixe del fundamento que se esfuerçan tomar las comunidades, es a saber sobre los mandamientos de la Reyna como de persona que estuviesse en si. y respondiome como otras vezes que lo avorreceria en gran manera y para satisfazer asimesmo por lo que deve al descargo de su consciencia que en todo lo que pudiere se esforçara para que aquello no passe adelante. ajunta para la deffension de su persona alguna gente y para que mas libre y sueltamente pueda hablar sobresta materia. es cosa de maravilla que en toda castilla la vieja apenas hay lugar en donde pudiessemos estar seguros y que no se adheresca y junte con los otros rebelles. los grandes nos ofrecen sus lugares el conde de benavente el duque de albuquerque el marques de villena y el condestable pero a opinion de todos si nos fuesemos a lugar de señorio mas se alboratarian las comunidades y no seria honrra ni servicio de V. Mt. porque pareccria que seriamos hechados de su tierra. tambien nos conbida el duque del Infantadgo a guadalaiara que es de V. Al. ofreciendonos toda defension. mas los del conseio piensan que no seria lugar harto seguro. a todos se han de dar muchas gracias de sus ofrecimientos mayormente al duque de alberquerque que siempre ha sydo primero en ofrecer hun lugar suyo que se dize cuellar el qual segun entiendo seria harto comodo. el hijo del dicho Duque me dixo que ha sido falsamente acusado delante de V. Mt. por lo que dixeron que el havria induzido a los desta villa a que hiziessen lo mismo que los otros rebelles. y cierto ha allegado tantas cosas y tan conformes a lo que siempre he visto en su desculpa que no puedo creher que no diga verdat. a los del conseio no se les puede satisfazer con las postas y cartas que a V. Mt. tengo embiadas sin que embie uno de su gremio para que explique a V. Al. con orden todo lo que aqui ha pasado. quisiera mas yo que escusassen esta costa pero como todos juntamente lo instavan con tanto fervor no me parecio que acerca dello debia contradezir a sus votos. en su instrucion dizen que se me deve juntar alguno natural destos Reynos paral govierno dellos pero a mi me parece mas util y convenible, que absolvendome V. Al. desto cargo lo encomiende del todo ad algun natural para que con ello se satisfaga cumplidamente a lo que las ciudades allegan ser contra las leyes del Reyno que el govierno este en poder de estrangeros. y cierto yo huyo este cargo y con el no podria cumplidamente servir mucho tempo a V. Al. ni satisfazer con lo que se deve a su auctoridat rreal y honrra. el Rey de portugal se ofrece a V. Al. no solamente como hermano mas ahun como padre. tiene todo su rreino aparejado con armas y ofrece ayuda y qualquier cosa que justamente se pueda pedir del. debe V. Mt. especiales gracias dello y no comunes sino intrinsecas y como se deven al grande amor y voluntad que amuestra a V[uest]ra mt. aqui en ninguna manera podemos haver dinero para embiar correos, y este otro dia se buscaron dineros para despachar un correo a navarra y no los pudimos hallar. al mastre de postas se deve gran suma e ya no tiene cosa con que pueda bistraher. (fn. 8) de mi penuria huve de dar y emprestar ciento y cinquenta ducados para que se despachassen Rodrigo niño y el correo que le acompaño. lo que gastare el doctor guevara los contadores diz que lo tomaran de los dineros de la guarda hasta que de otra parte se pueda haver. a mi no se me pagan mis salarios y de lo mio propio no tengo con que pueda sostener tantos gastos. suplico a V. Al. me de licencia para yrme honestamente con tiempo oportuno para que despues no estuviesse aqui con deshonrra suya, no teniendo yo con que mantener mi familia. el marques de comares fue a Cordova por ciertas alteraciones que se ofrecieron alla en dias passados y las apaziguo y allano y todavia esta en aquella ciudat gastando de lo suyo para que la justicia este obedecida en ella como lo esta, y porque el dicho marques embia a suplicar a V. Al. que le haga merced de una carta de hidalguia para uno que se dize diego de montoro que ha servido diz que mucho tiempo en la guerra de africa y de navarra de lo qual amostro informacion que por ser muy larga no se embia, suplico a V. Al. haga esta merced al dicho marques y me mande enbiar el despacho della para que ie la remita, que por parecerme questo se deve hazer por muchos respectos. no lo escrivo a V. Mt. aparte porque no se creyesse fuesse para complimiento de partes. el comendador mayor de Castilla embia a V. mt. la provision señalada de hun abito de Santyago para don Diego de mendoza nieto del duque del Infantadgo que lo ha procurado con mucha instancia, y pues diz que V. mt. ie lo ha prometido, y vehe quanta razon es que se tenga todo respecto a su persona y servicios, suplico a V. mt. la mande despachar y embiarmela para que la remita al dicho duque que me ha requerido mucho sobrello. y porque esto toca a el y lo tiene por propio no va aparte. guarde Ntro Señor la vida y rreal estado de V. Mt. luengamente y con toda prosperidat. en Valladolit a xiiij de Setienbre de mil y quinientos y veynte. V[ostr]e tres humble serviteur, el Cardl. dertusen. [Sobre :] S. Cesee. R. C. Mti.	(Translation.) 57. To His Majesty. From the Cardinal 14th September. By the Doctor Guevara. Sacred, imperial, royal, and catholic Majesty, After having written to your Majesty on the 9th of the present month, we received fresh letters dated the 12th of the same, by which we were informed that in Burgos they have turned the Constable out of the city, and driven him away by violence, forcing him, however, by refusing to give him food, to leave all his arms, firelocks, and powder to them. The principal cause of all this, it is said, was that he was willing to prevent the two thousand men whom the city had enlisted to do what the Junta in Avila had ordered. Moreover, they have confiscated all the property of the Doctor Çumiel, (fn. 1) who loyally took care of the interests of your Majesty and the public weal of the city. Certainly, I know no man of his condition to whom your Majesty owes more than to him, and it would be good if your Majesty would send him a consolatory and gracious letter, with promises to reward him. On the same day came the council of the Orders, and told me that in Ocaña and also in Ucles the people had revolted, and it is to be feared that if this case is not speedily provided for they will join the rebellion of the other cities. It was therefore decided to raise and pay in Ucles forty lances, and to buy arms for them, in order to prevent or to resist the malice and the violence of the people. As the danger was so evident it was necessary to do so. If your Highness does not approve that these forty lances be paid from the revenues of the Order, (fn. 2) write to me immediately, and I shall disband them within an hour's time. The councillors, however, are of opinion that if these places should again rise in rebellion they would confiscate all the revenues out of which the pay for the forty lances is to be taken. The Count Alba de Liste, who reduced the city of Zamora, is in great danger. The Bishop of Zamora has assembled a great number of soldiers, and is succoured by the Junta in Avila, which is expected to day, the 13th, to be in Tordesillas. The intention of the bishop is to expel the count from Zamora by force of arms. I am much grieved indeed that he is in such great trouble, because there is no other person in these kingdoms who has rendered your Highness so great services, and we cannot assist him either with soldiers or money. From fear of the commons none of the councillors dared to advise to write to the gunsmiths (fn. 3) to help the said count with their moneys. They spread a rumour throughout the kingdom that the Queen our lady is perfectly sane, and as able to command as the Queen Doña Isabel, her mother of glorious memory, was. They do not conceal that it is their intention to persuade the whole people that the orders of your Majesty ought not to be obeyed or executed, but only those of the Queen your mother. On the 11th of this month the secretary of the Marquis of Villena went to the officers of the treasury with an order of your Majesty, asking them to enter the one million of maravedis in the registers. After having put him off with promises, they at last openly refused, saying that they could not fulfil the order of your Majesty, because they were in danger of having their heads cut off if they booked and registered that grant. I spoke the same day with those of this town, asking them, among other things, to let us go to the kingdom of Navarra, to occupy ourselves there in the defence of the kingdom, and in preventing the French, who are said to enlist a great army, from occupying or invading it, especially as from regard for the feelings of these kingdoms (fn. 4) your Highness had forborne to send the three thousand Germans whom your Majesty had destined to form the guard and defence of that kingdom. (fn. 5) Your Highness may believe that it would be unbecoming to leave secretly and hospite insalutato, especially as they will give us an answer contrary to our wishes. (fn. 6) It is said that they have consulted the Junta of Avila, and wait for the answer as to what they are to do. Many say they will not permit us to go. They have detained the papers of Vozmediano, and ask an account from all the officers of the great sums of money which have been exported by your Majesty from these kingdoms. The guardian confessor to the Queen our lady fears that some people may defame him there (fn. 7), telling your Majesty that he induces the Queen to assume the command and occupy herself in the government. Certainly if that should be said it ought not to be believed at all, as this father is a very conscientious man, and leads an honest and holy life. It is, however, sure that this erroneous opinion comes from the very officers and servants of the Queen, who are influenced by their great hatred of the Marquis of Denia. I have written to him to tell two things to the Queen. The first of them is that she must never believe that Fonseca was to carry her off by force, and put her into another place. She is so frightened by these lies, which they have invented to induce her to consent to what they wish, that if they say to her Highness, order this, she answers yes ; and directly they have a decree drawn up by notaries. The other thing is, that he is to procure and secretly to advise the Queen never to put her signature to a paper. I hope he will do so, if the fear of losing the friendship of the captains who are in Tordesillas does not prevent him. On the 12th of this month I spoke with Pedro Giron, and mentioned, among other things, the grounds on which the commons give themselves airs to found [their pretensions], that is to say, on the orders of the Queen, as though she were a person of sound mind. He answered me as he had done on other occasions, that he abhorred it in the highest degree, and to satisfy his conscience he would use all his power that it be no longer done. He assembles some soldiers for his personal security, and to be in a position to speak more freely and without restraint on this subject. It is really to be wondered at that in the whole of Old Castile there is scarcely a village where we could stay in security, and which does not make common cause and combine with the other rebels. The grandees, namely, the Count of Benavente, the Duke of Albuquerque, the Marquis of Villena, and the Constable offer us their places ; but it is the opinion of all that, if we went to one of the estates of the grandees, the rebellion of the commons would become worse, and, besides, it would not redound to the honour and service of your Majesty, because it would appear as though we were turned out of your territories. The Duke of Infantadgo invites us to Guadalaxara, which belongs to your Highness, and offers to defend us there. The members of the council think, however, it would not be a safe place to stay in. All are to be thanked for their offers, and especially the Duke of Albuquerque, who has been the first to propose to us one of his places, called Cuellar. According to what I hear, it would be convenient. The son of the said duke has told me that he has been falsely accused before your Majesty of having induced this town to do the same as the other rebels, and certainly he has alleged in his justification so many things which are in perfect conformity with all I have seen that I cannot doubt that he speaks the truth. The members of the council are not satisfied with the letters and despatches which I have sent to your Majesty, and wish me to send one of their own number to explain to your Highness point for point all that has passed here. I should prefer to avoid the expense, but as all of them insisted so strongly, I thought it was not right to contradict their wishes. They say in their instruction that I ought to share my office of governor with some native of these kingdoms. I, however, am of opinion that it would be best for your Highness entirely to release me from my duties, and give the office to some Spaniard. The complaints of the commons that it is against the laws of the country that a foreigner should be governor would thereby be entirely satisfied. I certainly do not wish this office, and could not satisfactorily serve your Highness for any length of time, nor perform what is due to your authority and honour. The King of Portugal behaves towards your Highness not only like a brother but even like a father. The whole of his kingdom is put under arms, and he offers succour or any thing else that justly could be expected from him. Your Majesty must thank him very warmly, not only as it is commonly done, but very truly, and as his great love and goodwill towards your Majesty deserve. Do whatever we may, we cannot get here as much money as is necessary for paying the couriers. The other day we tried to obtain the money for sending a messenger to Navarra, and could not find it. To the postmaster we owe great sums, and he has no longer wherewith to continue [the postal service]. I was obliged to lend out of my poor means one hundred and fifty ducats for despatching Rodrigo Niño and the courier who accompanied him. The treasurer took the money which the Doctor Guevara is to spend from the funds destined for the pay of the guards, until it can be replaced in some way. My salary is not paid to me, and from my own means I cannot sustain so great an expense. I beseech your Majesty to give me leave to retire in an honourable manner, when a good opportunity offers itself, so that I may not stay here in prejudice to your honour, and unable to maintain my servants. The Marquis of Comares went to Cordoba to appease and settle certain disturbances which had taken place there. He is still in that city, spending his property to make the law respected, and has been successful. The said marquis begs your Highness to do him the favour to grant a letter of hidalgia for a certain Diego de Montoro, who is said to have served a long time in the wars of Africa and Navarra. He has delivered to me a memoir, which I do not send because it is very long. I beg your Highness to grant this favour to the said marquis, and to send your letter to me that I may deliver it to him. I think you should do so for many reasons. I do not write a separate letter on this subject, because it would expose me to the suspicion of partiality. The Comendador mayor of Castile sends to your Majesty a paper, signed by him, conferring the knighthood of Santiago on Don Diego deMendoza, grandson of the Duke of Infantadgo, who has solicited it very urgently. As it is said that your Majesty has promised it, and as it is advisable not to disregard his person and his services, I beseech your Majesty to give orders that it be despatched, and sent to me for delivery to the said duke, who has much insisted with me on this subject. As this regards him, and he considers it as his own affair, I do not write a separate letter about it. May our Lord guard the life and royal estate of your Majesty a long time, and in all prosperity. From Valladolid, 14th of September, 1520. Votre très humble serviteur, The Cardinal of Tortosa. [Addressed :] "To his sacred, imperial, royal, and catholic Majesty."
18th September.	58. The Commissioners Of The Junta to the Junta Of The Commons. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Comunidades de Castilla. Legajo 1. f. 85. Autograph.] De los procuradores que estan en tordesillas. Recebida e leyda en M^a (fn. 9) a xviij^o de Setienbre. el correo llego oy martes antes de la una despues de medio dia y a la ora comunicamos el negocio con todos estos señores capitanes y con su acuerdo fuimos a palacio y dimos la carta y traslado de los capitulos de creencia al señor marques y firmado de nuestros nonbres. trabaxamos mucho por la Respuesta aunquel se excusaba mucho de la dar. aqui la vera v[uest]ra señoria y es mucho de menos que no antes de palabra nos dixo, tanbien que escriviesemos que a la ora que v[uest]ra señoria llegase a palacio el se saldria a una posada, y aun entonces su hijo don luys que estava presente dixo que aun quel saliese no podria salir la Señora marquesa. y tanbien dixo quel daba su fee como antes avie prometido que aunque la Reyna Nuestra Señora le mandase quedar que no quedaria. porque v[uest]ra Señoria este ynformado de todo les fazemos saber quel Señor marques nos dixo y antes lo sabiamos que avie metido un escrivano a la Reyna ñra Señora para le fazer saber como le quitaban de su servicio y a despedirse. esto dize el. lo que buenamente se puede creer es que entraba a procurar un testimonio como su Al. le mandava estar. la Reyna ñra señora no le quiso ni a querido oyr y le dixo que se fuese y no la hablase. parecenos que todos estos ynconvenientes y mas y aun por abentura los effettos dellos se an avido e avran con la dilacion deste negocio y que tornar el negocio a medio despues de la comisyon que v[uest]ra Señoria nos dio y de la creencia que nosotros le dimos que ha perdido abtoridad el mandato de V[uest]ra Señoria y que no se deve de fazer especialmente en negocio de tanta calidad, y toda la casa Real y comunidad desta villa tienen descontento. el marques y toda su casa no tienen mas movimiento que si nunca oviesen de partir. finalmente con entera determinacion vra S^a. enbie a mandar que devamos hazer y lo questos Señores capitanes ayan de executar porque no pierda mas abtoridad vra Señoria en este negocio. Ntro Señor las yllustres y muy magnificas personas de v[uest]ra Señoria prospere y su estado acreciente. de tordesyllas martes a las tres oras xviij de Setienbre. fray pablo. [Rubrica.] el comendador Almaras. [Rubrica.] El licenciado Alonso diaz. [Rubrica.] lo que fuere mande V. S. despachar esta noche. [Sobre :] A los yllustres y muy magnificos Señores los Señores de la Junta del Reyno. el despacho en todo caso sea esta noche con el mismo correo. no pudo partir hasta las quatro horas.	58. From the Procuradores who are in Tordesillas. Received and read in Ma. (fn. 10) on the 18th of September. The courier arrived to day, Tuesday, a little before one o'clock in the afternoon. We conferred without loss of time with the captains, and with their approval went to the palace, where we gave the letter and a transcript of our letters of credence, signed with our names, to the Señor Marquis. We had great difficulty in obtaining an answer from him. He delayed much to give it. There it is, and your Lordships may read it. It contains much less than the Marquis had already promised us by word of mouth. He asked us also to write to you that at the same moment that your Lordships should enter the palace he would leave it and go to other lodgings. His son, Don Luis, who was present, added that although he may go, the Señora Marchioness could not leave. Moreover, he gave us his word, as he had already promised us, that he would not remain even if the Queen our lady should command him to remain. In order that your Lordships be well informed of everything, we let you know that the Señor Marquis told us, and we knew it already, that he had sent an escrivano to the Queen our lady, in order to inform her that he was deprived of his office, and wished to take leave of her. That is what he says. What reasonably may be believed is that he [the escrivano] entered [the room of the Queen] to procure a declaration that her Highness commanded him [the Marquis] to remain. The Queen our lady would not do it nor even hear of it. She told him to leave her alone and not to speak to her. We are of opinion that these and other inconveniences, and perhaps even bad consequences have been and will be the effect of the delay which has occurred in this affair. To stop half-way after the commission which your Lordships gave us, and after we have delivered our letters of credence to him, would be to deprive your mandates of all authority, which ought not to be, especially in a case of so much importance. The whole royal household and the people of this town are dissatisfied. The Marquis and his family do not stir, as though they never intended to depart. Your Lordships must send us now at last very determinate orders what we have to do, and what these captains have to execute. Otherwise your Lordships will lose your credit still more in this affair. May our Lord prosper the very illustrious and very magnificent persons of your Lordships and increase your power. From Tordesillas, Tuesday 18th of September, at three o'clock. Fray Pablo. [Sign manual.] The Knight Commander Almaras. [Sign manual.] The licentiate Alonso Diaz. [Sign manual.] May your Lordships order that your answer be sent this night. [Addressed :] To the illustrious and very magnificent Lords, the Lords of the Junta of the kingdom. The answer should at all events be sent this night by the same courier. He could not leave before four o'clock.