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.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
Citation:
'Queen Juana: November 1520, 1-10', 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/pp288-302 [accessed 27 November 2024].
'Queen Juana: November 1520, 1-10', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain: Supplement To Volumes 1 and 2, Queen Katherine; Intended Marriage of King Henry VII To Queen Juana. Edited by G A Bergenroth( London, 1868), British History Online, accessed November 27, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/supp/vols1-2/pp288-302.
"Queen Juana: November 1520, 1-10". 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. Web. 27 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/supp/vols1-2/pp288-302.
November 1520, 1-10
| 1520 (?) November (?) |
67. Fray Francisco De Leon (?) to the Cardinal Of Tortosa. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Comunidades de Castilla. Legajo 2. f. 166. This document seems to be one of the letters of Fray Francisco to the Cardinal of Tortosa, which the Cardinal sent to Lope Hurtado de Mendoza to read to the Emperor. The date and signature are cut off in order not to betray the name of the informant. Apparently holograph. See the letters of the Cardinal to Lope Hurtado, dated 4th of September, and 13th of November 1520.] [En la Carpeta—Escrilo por Cisterer secretario del Cardenal :] Esto se ha de leher solo a su Magd. Reverendisimo y muy Ylle. Señor, porque V. S. Rma. este informado de todas las cosas daca que combienen all servicio de la Reyna Nuestra Señora y del enperador Rey Nuestro Señor su hijo le ago saber que todos estos dias los procuradores que aqui estan le han suplicado y le suplican a Su Alteza con mucha ynstancia para que aya de firmar algunas provisiones que le dizen que son muy necesarias y aun le han inportunado muchas vezes representandole muchas cabsas por que le dizen que ay necessidad y Su Alteza les Responde siempre que ha enbiado a llamar a los del consejo que aqui venieron el otro dia mandado de Su Alteza, y que comunicado con ellos proveeria como combenia y sobresto entre otras cosas le dixieron que estos Reynos estan destruydos e principalmente por Respeto de losdel consejo y otras personas, que aconsejaron mal al Key nuestro Señor y que por esto porque pensavan ser gravemente castigados como merecian avian huydo a partes que no se podian aver, y aun V. S. Rma. aunque por ser estrangero no podia ser governador se avia ydo escondido a Rioseco, y que alli se avia juntado con los malhechores, y procuraban de juntar gente de grandes y todo lo que podian, y asimismo el Señor condestable por ciertos poderes nuevos que el Rey Nuestro Señor le avia enbiado, y que todo ello hera en mucho deservicio de Su Alt. y para abrasarse estos Reynos y que por tanto, que pues que con su firma se podia todo remediar, mandasse firmar aquellas cartas que alli le mostravan. e su Alt. les respondio que estava informada de V. S. que hera estrangero hera buen ombre, de muy buenos deseos y vida y que los del consejo eran del tienpo del Rey Catholico. no podia ser que fuesen malos a lo menos que algunos avia que heran buenos, y que por esto queria hablar y comunicar con ellos porque heran personas espirmentadas y sabian la forma de la buena governacion del tienpo de los Reyes Catholicos, y que si alguno dellos hera malo que Su Alteza le mandaria castigar, y que en quanto a la gente que dezian que se juntava por el condestable y otros orandes que no creyesen que hera para hazer ningund mal nl dapño sino que seria para servicio de Su Alteza, que asy lo solian sienpre hazer los grandes y cavalleros de sus Reynos en tienpo de los Reyes sus Señores, porque heran leales y que sienpre fue muy leal la casa del condestable. a esto le dixieron los procuradores quel condestable que Su Alteza pensava que no era bivo y que el que es agora es don yñigo su hermano. su Alteza les dixo que lo mismo haria el que los sus antecesores. sobre todo lo suso dicho todavia le tornaron a suplicar muchas vezes y Su Alteza les dixo que en su camara estavan ciertas mugeres que no convenian para su servicio, que aquellas hechasen de ally y despues Su Alteza veria y proveeria en ello. y asy sacaron las dichas mugeres, y el dia siguiente le dixieron que pues le avian quitado las mugeres le suplicavan firmase. y Su Alteza asentada en su estrado estuvo con ellos hablando muy grand rato, leyendole las provisiones que le llevavan para firmar. y despues que acabaron de leer todo, les dixo que las provisiones antes que se firmasen de Su Alteza se habian de señalar en las espaldas de los del consejo y que despues las avia de firmar Su Alteza, y que por esto y por otras cosas tenia necesidad de comunicar con los del consejo, y que ya su Alteza avia enbiado por ellos que presto vernian, y esto dixo porque Su Alteza mando secretamento a un criado suyo que les fuese a buscar, pero nunca fue. y los procuradores tornaron a dezir de los del consejo lo susodischo, y que alli estavan otros letrados y personas que sabian y tenian yntencion de servir, que ellos las señalarian las dichas provisiones. y quando esto la dixieron Su Alteza les dixo que estava enferma y quedava cansada, que ese otro dia veria y proveeria en ello como conbenia. y con tanto se entro en su camara. la mismia noche de noche se alboroto el pueblo y hizieron alarma deziendo quel condestable y mucho exercito de gente llegavan a la puerta. y con estas vozes entraron a Su Alteza y le dixieron que los enemigos estavan a las puertas y que querian entrar. por tanto que mandase su Alteza firmar syno que los tiranos le llevarian a Su Alteza y harian muchos males. Su Alteza les dixo con alguna alteracion que como vian hera de noche y que de su parte fuesen al condestable pues que dezian que estava a la puerta y le dixiesen que Su Alteza le mandava que hasta que fuese de dia estuviese quedo y no hiziese ningun mal, que en siendo de dia su Alteza le hablaria. y otra cosa no quiso proveer aquella noche. y el dia siguiente como per ... (fn. 1) que no creyo, no se porque, no hizo ninguna mencion su Alteza, y los procuradores tornaron a Su Alteza con la misma demanda. y Su Alteza les dixo que no se matasen ni le diesen tanta prisa, que muy presto saldria de palacio para yr a Santa Clara y a otras partes y despacharia todo lo que coubenia. e los procuradores le dixieron que aquello que pedian no hera cosa que sofria dilacion alguna por tanto que mandase firmar que entretanto no saldrian ellos de la camara. y con tanto su Alteza se yba a su camara. y ellos porfiavan que a lo menos firmase luego una carta para el condestable y para los grandes que no juntasen e hiziesen gente. Su Alteza les dixo que ya les avia dicho que el condestable ni otros no harian cosas que no devian que no tuviesen ningund temor dello, y asy se salieron no muy contentos del despacho y despues tornaron a Su Alt. y le dixieron que a lo menos fuese un Rey darmas de partes de Su Alteza al condestable y consigo llevaron al Rey darmas. y su Alteza les dixo que aquel Rey darmas no hera suyo ni le conocia. y asy quedo por entonces. y despues dixieron muchos procuradores que avian tornado a su Alteza y avia mandado que se enbiase al condestable mensajero que le dixiese que no usase de los poderes ni hiziese ningund dapño ni saliese de su casa sin que su Alteza le mandase, pero a esto no me halle yo presente. y despues del dia siguiente venieron aqui don pedro de baçan y don juan de Mendoça y otro de parte de Valladolid a hablar a su Alteza. y el segundo dia desdel corredor de fuera, estando Su Alteza retrayda en su camara, le dixieron desde tras de la puerta que la villa de Valladolid les enbiava a besar los pies y manos de Su Alt. y asuplicarle que, porque havian sabido que Su Alteza se queria salir de Tordesillas, que les hiziese mr~d que fuese a Valladolid, porque aquella villa estava muy aparejada para su servicio como hera razon etc. y su Alteza les enbio a dezir que se fuesen aora porque no estaba bien dispuesta que el dia siguiente les hablaria. y asy lo hizieron. y el dia siguiente a medio dia les hablo y dixo que Su Alteza les agradecia mucho su ofrecimiento y que sienpre tuvo tal confiança daquella villa y que no tenia determinado de salir por agora de tordesillas y que quando determinase de salir les haria saber. los clerigos que venieron para curar a Su Alteza estan aqui y trabajan en su officio todo lo que pueden de manera quellos por le curar y sanar y los otros por le hazer firmar dan toda la priesa que pueden. dios alumbre a Su Alteza para lo que fuere su servicio de Sus Altezas y bien de sus Reynos e para ello, en lo que ha podido ser, no ha faltado quien le aya avisado lo que es su servicio conforme a lo que V. S. mando. y lo mismo se hara daqui adelante dios queriendo. [Por aqui esta cortado el trozo de papel donde estaba el final de la carta original.] |
(Translation.) 67. [Written in the hand of Cisterer, secretary of the Cardinal of Tortosa :] This is to be read to his Majesty alone. Most reverend and very illustrious Lord, In order that your most reverend Lordship may be well informed of all the things which pass here and regard the service of the Queen our lady, and the Emperor our lord, her son, I let you know that all these days the Procurators who are here have begged, and still very earnestly beg, her Highness to sign some decrees, which they say are very necessary. They have even insisted on the urgency of them, alleging a great many reasons. Her Highness always answers that she has sent for her councillors, who, at her command, had been here some time ago After having conferred with them she would decide what is suitable. Amongst other things they [the Procurators] replied that it was just these councillors and other such people who had destroyed the kingdom by giving bad advice to the King our lord. Because they were afraid of being severely punished, as they deserved, they had fled to places where they could not be caught. Even your most reverend Lordship, being a foreigner [they said], could not be governor, and had now gone secretly to Rioseco to join the evil doers, who were collecting the tenantry of the grandees and other people [under the command] of the Constable, who had received new orders from the King our lord. All that, they said, was done to her prejudice, and would kindle civil war in her kingdoms. As her signature would remedy all evil, they begged her to sign certain letters which they showed her. Her Highness said that she was informed about your Lordship, who, although a foreigner, was a good man, harbouring the best intentions, and [leading an irreproachable] life. As for the councillors, they were of the time of the Catholic King, and could not be wicked, at least not all of them. She wanted to speak and to confer with them, because they were experienced persons, and knew how the good government of the Catholic King and Queen had been carried on. If some of them should be found to be bad, her Highness would see that they should he punished. With respect to the troops which the Constable and other grandees were said to be assembling, [her Highness told them] that they ought not to believe that it was to do any wrong or evil, but only to serve her Highness as the grandees and cavaliers of her kingdoms had always done during the reign of the King and Queen her parents. They were loyal, and especially so the house of the Constable. An observation was made that the present Constable was not the same person whom her Highness had known, but his brother Don Iñigo. Her Highness replied that he would act in the same way as his predecessors. The Procurators continued their prayers, and at last her Highness said that in her rooms were certain women who ought not to be in her service. If they would dismiss them she would see what she could do. The women were dismissed. Next day the Procurators said to her Highness that as they had sent away her women, they implored her to sign. Her Highness, seated in her state room, spoke a long while with them, and they read to her the decrees which they had brought with them to be signed. When they had finished reading them she observed that such decrees must be signed first by her councillors on the back of the paper, else she could not ratify them by her signature ; and this [she added] was one of the reasons why she wanted to speak with the members of her Council. She had already sent a messenger to call them into her presence, and they would soon arrive. In fact, she had given such an order to one of her servants, who, however, did not obey it. The Procurators renewed their complaints of the Council, and said that there were other persons very learned and perfectly able and willing to serve her. They would sign the decrees. Her Highness on hearing this declared that she was unwell and tired, and that she would on another day see and decide what was best ; and having pronounced these words she retired to her cabinet. The same night there was a tumult in the town produced by the rumour that the Constable with a great army was near the gates. They [the Procurators] hastened to the palace, and entered where her Highness was, saying that the enemy was at the gates ready to force them. [They begged her] to sign a proclamation, else the tyrants would take her away and do her much harm. Although somewhat disturbed, she said that, as they saw, it was night, and that they might go and tell the Constable in her name that until day he should remain quiet, and do no harm to anybody ; next day she would speak with him. She refused to come to any other decision that night. Next morning her Highness did not mention what had occurred, as though, I do not know why, she did not believe [in the rumour]. When the Procurators renewed their entreaties, her Highness told them not to be too much concerned and too hasty. Very soon she would go out to Santa Clara and to other places, and despatch all the business which was pending. The Procurators declared that their business could not suffer any delay, and that, until she would sign, they would not leave the room. She then retired to another apartment, but the Procurators persisted in their demands that she should at least sign a letter to the Constable and the grandees, ordering them to desist from enrolling soldiers. Her Highness, repeating that neither the Constable nor the others would do any injustice, admonished them not to be afraid. They went away very little satisfied. After some while they returned with a king-at-arms, begging the Queen to send him to the Constable. Her Highness replied, "That is not my king-at-arms. I do not know him." Thus the affair ended ; and afterwards many of the Procurators said that they had returned to her Highness, and that she had ordered that a messenger should be sent to the Constable to tell him that he was not to use his forces, nor do any injury, and that he should not go forth from his house unless her Highness should order him. At this, however, I was not present. The following day arrived Don Pedro de Bazan, Don Juan de Mendoza, and a third person, to speak with her Highness in the name of the town of Valladolid. Next morning the messengers sengers being in the corridor outside spoke from behind the door to her Highness, who was in her room, and told her that the town of Valladolid had sent them to kiss her hands and feet, and humbly to beseech her that, as it was said she wished to leave Tordesillas, she would do them the favour to go to Valladolid, which was well prepared to receive and to serve her, &c. Her Highness sent somebody to tell them that she was unwell, and that they should return the following day. They did as they were ordered. Next clay at noon her Highness spoke with them, and said that she was much pleased with their offer, and had always had a good opinion of that town, but that she had not yet decided on leaving Tordesillas. If she should come to such a decision, she would let them know. The priests who came to cure her Highness are here, and endeavour, according to their office, [to do] as much as they are able. Thus the one party to cure and heal her, and the others to make her sign, use all possible haste. May God enlighten her Highness, as well for her own benefit as for the good of their Highnesses, and of their kingdoms, and her own. Where it has been possible there has not been wanting one who has advised for her good, agreeably to what your Lordship commanded, and the same will be done henceforward, God willing. [Here is cut off the piece of paper on which the date and signature were written.] |
|---|---|---|
| 1st November. |
68. The Cardinal Of Tortosa to the Emperor Charles. [Archivo General de Simancas. Patronato Real. Comunidades de Costilla. Legajo 2. f. 164. Autograph.] A su Magt de Cardenal de Tortosa. primero de Noviembre 1520. S. C. C. R. Mt. Despues de haver escrito a V. Mt de mi salida de Valladolit y de otras cosas que hasta estonces se havian ofrecido vinieron el obispo de Çamora con su caballo y cossalete y fray Alonso con alguna gente hasta el monasterio de prado con trato que tenian concertado con algunos alborotadores daquella villa para meterles dentro della con la gente que trahian y con pensamiento de proceder contra el infante de granada, y contra otros servidores de V[uest]ra Magd, y en haviendo sabido esto la dicha villa como ya havia concertado y estava determinada en que el dicho infante sea capitan general della y no don Pedro giron pusieron sus buenas guardas a las puertas y todos muy apercebidos acordaron de resister y no consentir la entrada dellos, y assi se fueron. y juntamente con esto tuvieron los de la villa sus diligencias en hazer y tomar pesquisa con quien se habian concertado, y plugo a nuestro Señor de encaminarles en ello de manera que hallaron que los principales dellos despues del vera y cerero que estan ausentes eran un barbero y otro bonetero. y luego prendieron al bonetero e hizieronle deposar, y como no pudo negar la verdat confesso muchas cosas por las quales luego a la hora le ahorcaron. en este medio el Barbero se dio recaudo en salir de la villa y fuesse al dicho monasterio de prado, y en el mismo punto dieron alla tras del mas de mill hombres de la villa y cercaron el monasterio y con toda diligencia le buscaron y hallaron, y luego le sacaron, y con pifalo y atambor le metieron de noche dentro de la villa y le llevaron a la carcel, y como ya tenia fecho y cerrado el processo el corregidor de la dicha villa con los alcaldes de la chancilleria le sentenciaron a muerte e hizieronle confesar y con mas de cinquenta hachas en la misma noche le sacaron y ahorcaron en la plaça pregonandole por traydor y alborotador con gran voluntad y sosiego de todo aquel pueblo. lo que este barbero havia confessado es que havia traydo provissiones de la junta sobre los medios que havian de tener para prender los del consejo y que el fue el que tuvo el trato con el obispo de Çamora para la entrada de la villa e tenia la puerta para ello, y que fue a repicar la campana de San Miguel contra el infante e otras muchas cosas que por excusar prolixidat se dexan de dezir aqui. crea V. Mt que la sentencia que se hizo destos dos alborotadores ha sydo y es gran parte para reduzir aquel pueblo al estado debido. y ahunque sin estos havian prendido a seys o syete otros pues no les hallaron muy culpantes le (fn. 3) soltaron, ca en las mesmas culpas huvieran hallado gran parte daquella villa, y si castigaran a estos fuerales forçado de castigar a todos los otros, y assy les parecio dissimularlo mayormente pues se van reconociendo y emendando lo passado con toda demonstracion de voluntad en el servicio de V[uest]ra Mt. y en obedecersus Reales mandamientos. el dicho Infante lo haze muy bien y sc ha puesto en muchos peligros en servicio de V[uest]ra Alt. y crea V. Mt. que aunque es capitan de Valladolit que iamas se hizo con su voluntad desconcierto alguno en aquella villa, pero como no era parte para estorvarlo erale forçado no contradezir la opinion del pueblo y dissimular muchas cosas que quisiera poner en egecucion para en castigo de los malos. por lo qual sera bien que V. Alt. le mande escrevir alguna buena carta graciosa. en estos dias he henbiado a Valladolit gomez de Santyllan con cartas e instruccion de todo lo que me ha parecido cunplir al servicio de V[uest]ra Mt. con lo qual y con el traslado de la carta que tambien les he embiado sobre la venida de V. Mt. a mas del buen zelo y principio que tienen en castygar traydores espero en nuestro Señor que havra aprovechado y que las cosas de aquella villa se despacharan presto y muy bien. a xxv. del passado recebi cartas de Tordesyllas en que me escriven que la Reyna nuestra Señora esta en grandissima manera fatigada que es la mayor lastima del mundo. y no me maravillo segun el acatamiento y buen tratamiento que aquellos de la Junta hazen a Su Alteza en le haver quitado las mugeres y en inportunarla de dia y de noche a que Su Alt. firme. y no dude v[uest]ra Alt. que si pudiessen haver firmas de Su Alt. ahunque no fuesse sino una sola como por otras le tengo escrito pornian gran rebuelta en estos Reynos a mas de la que hay. ahora poco ha querian tentar y se davan mucha prissa en querer sacar de tordesyllas a Su Al. y todavia segun entiendo persisten en ello. y luego en la mesma hora apercebi y escrevi ad algunos grandes y cavalleros que estan cerca daqui y tambien a Valladolit, y cierto me ha respondido muy bien sobrello y esta determinada aquella villa en defenderlo y en no consentir ni permitirlo en manera alguna, de manera que creo que la junta no saldra con ello. el conde de benavente entro en esta villa a xxx. de Octubre con dozientas lanças y otros tantos escopeteros y a mas destos traxo mil infantes con sus picas y otras armas. el dia siguiente vino el marques de Astorga con dozientos lanças y con dos mil infantes muy adreçados y en orden. y con el marques vinieron el obispo de Astorga y el conde de Altamira, y dos o tres dias antes que estos cavalleros llegassen se hizo en esta villa alarde de la gente que el almirante tiene presta, que son cient lanças muy buenas y lucidas y quinientos infantes con razonable artilleria, pero Sin estos el almirante conde de benavente y marques susodichos tienen apercebido todo el resto de la gente de sus tierras. al conde de Albadeliste esperamos de dia en dia que tambien dizen que viene muy en orden. el almirante me ha escrito lo que vera V. Alt. por las que van con esta. creo que sera aqua dentro de ocho o diez dias. el Condestable pienso que havra escrito ya a V. Mt. el concierto que ha tomado con Burgos y segun lo que me escrive espero que dentro de muy pocos dias nos veremos y estaremos juntos. estoy certificado que viene muy poderoso a mas de lo que la gente que vino de los Algerves le ha acudido. El marques de Denia me escrive que verna tambien luego con buen tropel de gente. tambien esperamos de cada dia muchos cavalleros particulares. el obispo de Burgos me ha escrito que hara venir de Coca cient lanzas que hay en aquella fortaleça y creo que tambien se verna por aqua, ahunque yo lo impidire todo lo que pudiere por escusar escandalos, y porque la salida de la batalla siempre es dudosa y en donde quiera que se hallasse (fn. 6) la victoria todavia redundaria en daño del Reyno y assi en deservicio de V[uest]ra Mt. yo entiendo que el marques de Villena esta muy tufado de alguna fama que diz que anda en esa corte que es muy contraria de la voluntad y desseos que tiene paral servicio de V[uest]ra Alteza. sera bien que V. Mt. le mande escrevir muy graciosamente y dissimular lo passado que cierto en esta sazon puede servir mucho a V. Al. la revocacion que V. Mt ha fecho en quitarnos el poder para perdonar y convocar cortes cierto en este tiempo no cumplia y todos los prudentes se maravillan dello ahunque no lo osamos dezir a muchos por el escandalo que vernia al Reyno, y dizen que los que lo han aconsejado a v[uest]ra Alt. no lo han mirado como conviene, ni han harto ponderado lo que pasa ahora en estos rreynos. y tambien pregonan que tenemos poder para castigar y no para gratificar a nadie. Suplico a V. Al. que no enbargante lo que acerca desto ha mandado escrevir que de nuevo otorgue el mesmo poder de perdonar y convocar cortes al condestable y almirante, que para mi no solamente no lo quiero pero ahun recibire mercet que del todo me libre deste cargo y en verdad Señor que conviene que se me quite antes que la necessidad me fuerçe de haberlo de dexar. el Rey de Tremecen a quicn V[uest]ra Mt. restituyo en su estado en que se le havia apoderado Barbarroxa y despues se le torno a alçar con el Reyno hun hermano menor suyo que se llama Muley Macot es muerto cerca de Oran donde se retruxo por miedo del dicho su hermano. el qual dicho Muley Macot que ahora posehe el rreyno embyo a pedir la misma paz y capitulacion que su hermano tenia con V[uest]ra Alt. la qual se hallo en poder del secretario Çuaçolo, que la assento diz que lope hurtado, y conforme a ella despachamos y embiamos los poderes necessarios dirigidos al marques de Comares que es capitan general de aquel Reyno. escrivolo a V. Mt. para que lo sepa y le embio con esta una carta que el dicho Rey le escrive que creo que es sobre ello. la Bulla sobre lo de la Ynquisicion no me parece que se ha ahun revocado. suplico a V[uest]ra Mt. mande escrevir de muy buena tinta a su Santd. sobrello para que se revoque sin mas dilacion y a don juan manuel que lo solicite y procure y piense V. Mt que quanto mirare en el servicio de Dios y en el enxalçamiento de su Santa fe tanto mas le guiara y endreçara en sus cosas. despues de escripto lo dastaqui recebi dos cartas de V[uest]ra Mt. de xv. del passado, y quanto a lo de mis trevaxos crea V. Mt. que no son pocos y que hago todo esfuerço en los passar ahunque mi hedat los havia bien poco menester, y si la venida de V[uest]ra Alt. ha de ser muy presta no sera con tanta brevedat que la necessidat que della hay en estos Reynos no la requiera con mas celeridat. y quanto a lo de la suspension de mi poder y de los del consejo hasta que otro governador e yo estemos juntos en verdat no ha parecido, aqua bien, e ya dizen que los del consejo de V[uest]ra Mt. endreçan a ella los negocios de Spaña como hombres que juzgan cosas vistas de lexos, y assi muchas vezes vienen de alla provisiones que ni cumplen al servicio de V[uest]ra Alt. ni al bien publico de sus Reynos. en lo del dinero paral gasto de mi casa cierto no se de donde haver ni buscarlo y si hallo alguno crea V. Mt. que solamente me abastara para muy poco tiempo y assy me sera imposible sostenerme aqua. destos frailes que andan seduciendo e incitando los pueblos con sermones se ha prendido uno que se dize fray Benardino de la orden de San Agostin que casi es tan maligno como el fray Alonso, pero yo le he fecho poner a muy buen recaudo y espero que havra su castigo debido. tambien me ha embiado otro prisionero el conde de Albadeliste que le presento una provision de la Junta por la qual le mandavan que no hiziesse gente ni se juntasse con los otros cavalleros que estan en servicio de V. Mt. y assy havra el buen hombre su pago. y quanto a las provisiones que la junta despacha, crea V. Al. que ahunque vayan en nombre de V. Mt. y de Su Alt. que siempre que se trata de mandamientos no los hazen sino en nonbre de la Reyna nuestra Señora. la junta de Tordesyllas me ha escrito lo que vera V[uest]ra Al. mas yo les he respondido otramente de lo que quiça ellos pensavan y como cumple al servicio y auctoridat de V. Mt. al conde de Benavente al marques de Astorga al conde de Albadeliste y a don hernando enriquez y al adelantado de Galizia hermanos del almirante y a gutierre de fonseca y a don Juan de Ulloa conviene que v[uest]ra Alteza les mande escrevir agradeciendoles mucho lo que han fecho y hazen en su Real servicio, y exortandoles que lo continuen como dellos se tiene confiança. Guarde nuestro Señor la vida y Real estado de V[uest]ra Mt. luengamente y con toda prosperidat. En Medina de Rioseco primero de Noviembre a las once horas de la noche 1520. V[uest]ra tres humble serviteur el Carl. Dertusen. [Sobre :] S. Cesee. R. C. Mti. |
68. To his Majesty. From the Cardinal of
Tortosa. 1st of November 1520. Sacred, imperial, catholic, royal Majesty, After having informed your Majesty of my departure from Valladolid, and of other things that had happened until then, the Bishop of Zamora, on his horse and in his coat of armour, and Fray Alonso with some troops, came as far as the convent of the Prado, (fn. 2) hoping that they and their soldiers would be admitted into that town, and could proceed against the Infante of Granada, and other servants of your Majesty, as they had concerted with some rebels of the town. When the town [council] knew it, as they had already decided and determined that the Infante should be their captain general, and not Don Pedro Giron, they kept very good watch at the gates, and, all very well armed, decided to resist and not to permit them to enter. Thus, they went away. At the same time the [town council] diligently inquired who the persons were that had entertained intelligence with them, and God was pleased to direct their efforts so well that they discovered that the principal persons in this affair—next to Vera and the wax chandler, who are absent—were a barber and a bonnet maker. They arrested the bonnet maker, and made him give evidence. As he could not deny the truth, he confessed many other things, for which he was hanged on the spot. Meanwhile the barber took precautions to leave the town, and went to the convent of the Prado. More than one thousand persons of the town followed him, surrounded the convent, searched it with great diligence, found and took him away, and with pipes and drums they brought him back to the town whilst it was already night, and put him into prison. As his process was already made out and concluded, the corregidor of the town and the alcaldes of the chancery passed sentence of death on him. They made him confess, conducted him with more than fifty torches to the square, and hung him there the same night, declaring him traitor and rebel, with the consent and to the great satisfaction of the whole people. What this barber has confessed is that he had brought orders from the Junta about the measures to be taken for the imprisonment of the members of the privy council ; that it was he who had entered into negotiations with the Bishop of Zamora about his admission into the town ; that he had occupied the gate for that purpose ; that he had rung the bell of San Miguel [to produce a tumult] against the Infante, and many other things which I do not state here to avoid prolixity. Your Majesty may believe that the sentence against these two rebels has contributed and contributes a good deal towards reducing this town to due obedience. Six or seven others have also been arrested, but as they did not find them very culpable they released them ; for a great portion of the townspeople were implicated in this criminal affair, and if they had punished these they would have been obliged to punish all the others. They therefore thought it best to ignore it, especially as the [guilty] have begun to understand and amend the past, with great demonstrations of goodwill towards the service of your Majesty and obedience to your royal commands. The said Infante behaves very well, and has exposed himself to great dangers in the service of your Highness. Your Majesty may believe me that since he has been captain of Valladolid never has any fault against your service been committed in that town with his consent. As he, however, is not strong enough to prevent all, he is forced to abstain from opposing public opinion, and must leave many things undone which he would like to do, in order to punish the evildoers. It would be good if your Highness would write him a kind and gracious letter. Some days ago I sent Gomez de Santillan with letters and an instruction to Valladolid concerning all that in my opinion would be beneficial to the service of your Majesty, together with which I have also sent the copy of the letter concerning the coming of your Majesty. I hope in God they will show their goodwill and intentions not only by punishing traitors, but that this mission also will produce some good effect, and the affairs of that town be soon and satisfactorily settled. On the 25th of last month I received letters from Tordesillas, in which they write me that the Queen our lady is so very much worn out that it is the greatest grief in the world. I do not wonder at it, considering the reverence and good treatment she receives at the hands of the members of the Junta, who have deprived her of her women, and importune her Highness day and night asking her to sign. Your Highness ought not to have any doubt, that if they could obtain signatures from her Highness, and if it were only one, as by other letters I have already written, they would cause great tumults in these kingdoms, greater indeed than now already exist. A short time ago they endeavoured and were in great haste to try whether they could not carry off her Highness from Tordesillas, and they persist still in this purpose, as I am informed. Directly I was made aware of it, I wrote to some grandees and cavaliers who are staying in the neighbourhood, and also to Valladolid. [Valladolid] certainly has answered me very well on this subject. That town is determined to oppose it, not to consent to or permit it on any condition ; so that I think the Junta will not be able to carry out their design. The Count of Benavente entered this town (fn. 4) on the 30th of October with 200 lances, as many sharpshooters, and, moreover, he brought with him 1,000 foot, with pikes and other arms. Next day came the Marquis of Astorga with 200 lances and 2,000 foot, well armed and well disciplined. With the Marquis came the Bishop of Astorga and the Count of Altamira. Two or three days before these noblemen had arrived the men whom the Admiral keeps ready in this his town were passed in review. They are 100 very good and brilliant lances, and 500 foot, with corresponding artillery. Besides these troops, the Admiral, the Count of Benavente, and the said Marquis keep in readiness all the other men on their estates. We expect the Count Alba de Liste from day to day. It is said that he comes very well prepared. The Admiral has written to me what your Highness will learn from his enclosed letters. I think he will be here within eight or ten days. I hope the Constable has already written to your Majesty about the treaty he has concluded with Burgos. According to what he writes to me, I expect we shall see each other in a very few days, and stay together. I am assured that he comes [with a] very strong [force] over and above the troops from the Gelves which have joined him. The Marquis of Denia writes me that he also will soon come with a goodly troop of soldiers. Besides, we expect daily many cavaliers. The Bishop of Burgos has written to me that he will order to come from Coca 100 lances who are in garrison in that fortress. I think he will come in person. I do what I can to prevent it (fn. 5) in order to avoid scandal, and because the result of a battle is always doubtful, and, on whichever side the victory may remain, attended with losses to the kingdom and injury to your Majesty. I hear the Marquis of Villena is very angry that a certain rumour, stating that he is very much the reverse of a zealous servant of your Majesty, is spread in that court. (fn. 7) It would be well for your Majesty to write him very graciously, and to ignore what has passed ; for in this conjuncture he can certainly render very good service to your Highness. The revocation of your Majesty, by which we are deprived of the power to pardon and to convoke Cortes, is certainly very unseasonable. All prudent people are astonished at it (we do not dare to tell it to many from fear of the scandal it would create in the kingdom), and say that those who have advised your Highness have not well considered what is convenient, and not weighed the things which are happening now in these kingdoms. They also say that we have power to punish, and not to reward any one. I entreat your Highness to revoke the order you have commanded to be sent, and to grant again to the Constable and the Admiral the same power to pardon and convoke Cortes. As for myself I not only do not desire this office, but should consider it a favour if I were relieved from it, and indeed, Señor, let it be taken from me before I am forced by necessity to leave it. The King of Tremecen, to whom your Majesty restored his kingdom, of which Barbarossa had possessed himself, and against whom afterwards the kingdom and a younger brother, who is called Muley Macot, rebelled, has died in the neighbourhood of Oran, whereto he had retired from fear of the said brother. This Muley Macot, who now possesses the kingdom, has sent to ask the same peace and treaty which your Highness had concluded with his brother. The treaty is in the hands of the Secretary Zuazolo, and it is said Lope Hurtado has concluded it. In conformity with it, we despatch and send the necessary powers to the Marquis Comares, who is captain-general of that kingdom. I write this to inform your Majesty, and send you with it a letter of the said king to you, which, I believe, speaks of this affair. I think the bull concerning the Inquisition is not yet revoked. I beg your Majesty to write with very good ink (fn. 8) to his Holiness on this subject, asking him to revoke it without delay ; and to instruct Juan Manuel to solicit and procure it. Your Majesty must not forget that the more you occupy yourself in the service of God and the exaltation of his holy faith, the more and the better will He guide and direct your affairs. When I had written what precedes I received two letters from your Majesty dated the 15th of last month. As for my labours, your Majesty may believe me that they are not insignificant, and that I make the greatest exertions to perform them, although at my age I should be spared them. Even if your Highness comes soon, it will not be as soon as the state of these kingdoms requires. As for the suspension of my power and that of the Council (fn. 9) until I and another governor are together, it has not indeed been well received. It is here already said that the Council (fn. 10) of your Majesty advise you in the affairs of Spain like men who judge things from a distance, and, indeed, orders often arrive here which do not benefit either your Highness or the public weal of these kingdoms. With respect to the money for the expenses of my household, certainly I do not know where to get it, and if I still have a little, your Majesty may believe me that it will last a very short time, and then I shall be unable to maintain myself. One of those friars who go about seducing and exciting the villages with their sermons has been caught. He calls himself Fray Bernardino, of the order of San Augustin. He is almost as malignant as Fray Alonso, but I have ordered him to be put in a very safe place, and hope he will have his due punishment. The Count Alba de Liste has sent me also another prisoner, who presented to him an intimation of the Junta commanding him not to enlist soldiers nor to join the other cavaliers who are in the service of your Majesty. Thus the good man will be paid. And as for the business which the Junta despatches, your Highness may believe that, although it is despatched in the name of your Majesty and her Highness, every time that orders are given they bear only the name of the Queen our lady. The Junta in Tordesillas has written to me what your Highness will see ; but I answered them differently from what they perhaps expected, and as the service and the authority of your Majesty require. To the Count of Benavente, the Marquis of Astorga, the Count of Alba de Liste, to Don Hernando Enriquez, to the Adelantado of Galicia, brothers of the Admiral, to Gutier de Fonseca, and Don Juan de Ulloa it is necessary that your Highness should write, thanking them very much for what they have done and do in the interest of your royal service, and exhorting them to continue as you always have expected from them. Our Lord guard the life and royal states of your Majesty long and in all prosperity. Medina de Rioseco, 1st of November, at 11 o'clock at night, of 1520. Votre très humble serviteur, The Cardinal of Tortosa. [Addressed :] Sacre Cesaree Regie Catholice Majestati. |