hee wanted Judgment as well as years neither was hee of a Talent fit to govern by these prejudicial Censures of their Prince which were for som time generally noised abroad amongst the People likening him to his Mother Som that never had seen him said It could not bee otherwise and that for that respect onely Xeures would suffer no bodie els to confer with him lest hee should too much discover his own imperfections Others that had been admitted to speak with him much vindicated his honor in that particular protesting That they found him verie discreet and of no mean capacitie That hee was no way guiltie of those pretended weaknesses but his Favorites infinitely to bee condemn'd neither was it to bee wondered at if hee suffered himself to bee governed by them in regard hee was but a youth and unacquainted with the Customs of that Countrie and the dispositions of the People Those that have near relations about the Persons of Kings ought to bee verie careful and circumspect how to avoid the occasions of Murmurings and Envie considering that Kings are like that Sun which diffuseth his light to all SECT IIII. THe whole Countrie of Castillia was imbrued with these factious discourses before they ever thought of the departure of their King and Emperor as will appear by the Letters which were interchangeably sent from Citie to Citie But when they heard of his resolution to bee gon and that his calling of a Parlament would enâ—reas their Contributions and Taxes they out-stript the bounds of patience The principal Causses of their Commotions were these three ensuing First to see the King go out of that Kingdom beeing alwaies accustomed to keep their Courts in Spain for when King Alonso the Wise deserted it out of an ambitious covetousness of possessing th' Imperial Scepter hee not onely lost that Kingdom but was incumbred with insurrections not of the Common people but of Kings and Princes thâ—t levied arms against him Their second grievance was To see all Offices and places of Honor Trust or Profit conferred upon strangers The third was an universal crying out That the Treasure of Spain was all transported into foreign Nations And wee may add for a fourth Reason That in that verie occurrence som evil Star dispersed the malignitie of it's influence over all Castillia Sardinia Sicilia and Austria which at one instant were all infected with the same poison as if they had all conspired and agreed together This they made the ground of their insurrections becaus their King left them to live in a strange Countrie becaus their wealth was exhausted and their Countrie impoverished to inrich foreigners and becaus the high Treasurer-ship was given to Xeures and the Arch-Bishoprick of Toledo to William de Croy his Nephew and all presentations to spiritual preferments and other Offices to strangers But that which they chiefly resented was the King's going to the Empire and had they really wished him ill in his own person they would not have been so sensible of his departure I cannot let pass with silence the audacitie of a certain gentleman of those parts named The Martial Don Pedro who refused to swear Alleageance to Charls as King alledging that in regard hee was not born in Spain nor descended from the blood of the Castillian Kings by the Father's side hee was not obliged to acknowledg him but like a true Castillian to keep strictly that Oath and Loialtie to his Countrie and the precedent Kings Upon which words hee was apprehended his goods confiscate and his person committed close prisoner in the Castle of Atienza The Emperor after this coming to Valladolid sent for him and promised him that if hee would yet take the Oath hee should not onely bee enlarged but bee restored to the quiet possession of his whole estate as formerly which favor beeing refused hee was thence carried to the Castle of Simancas where hee ended his life through his own indiscreet obstinacie Som men through a desperate fool-hardiness think it a piece of courage and gallantrie to precipitate themselvs into the most eminent dangers SECT V. THe Citie of Toledo extremely discontented at these Passages especially at the Emperor's going away without beeing known or seen wrote to the other Cities of Castillia this ensuing Letter A Letter from Toledo to the Cities of CASTILLIA Worshipful Noble and most Virtuous Sirs IN regard somtimes wee have written to you in particular you may wonder why wee now write to you all in general But considering the imminent necessitie that there is in this case and the danger that may ensue by deferring anie longer wee shall rather bee condemn'd as beeing too slack for not doing it before then thought importunate for doing it now You know and may remember how vehemently King Charls our Soeverign Lord's arrival in Spain was desired of all and how sudden is his departure from us his absence now is no less torment to Us then his Presence at that time afforded us delight and comfort the long continuance of his Roial Person in the Kingdom of Aragon and the small time hee hath vouchsafed to reside in this our kingdom of Castillia hath been a great occasion that the affairs of this kingdom are yet in so unsettled a condition And if his Majestie doth go away as hee hath determined the longer wee delaie the wors our case will bee Therefore Sirs our opinion is if you think good since the damage is universal That 't were convenient that wee should all meet and consult upon a remedie the business is of no small moment besides in manie other particular things Sirs wee finde an extreme necessitie of your advise and after your advise wee shall have as much need of your favor and helping hands Wee finde three principal things that require our convening that wee may advise upon som good cours for the expedition of them It will bee needful that wee dispatch som messengers to his Majestie humbly beseeching him First not to depart Spain Secondly that hee would by no means permit our Treasure to bee transported hence Thirdly that no strangers may bear office in this kingdom Sirs wee beg thus much favor of you that having read our Letter you forthwith send us your answer for it is necessarie that those who are to carrie our Messages should go together and make their Propositions all at once for our demands beeing in the names of the whole kingdom wee shall obtain a more significant and speedie Answer God keep his Majestie and preserv his Noble Person From Toledo this 7 th November 1519. The contents of this short Letter were much approved of by the Readers but in that Occurrence of time they were of dangerous consequence for the ill managing of the affairs of Castillia was generally much resented and this Letter bred no mean varietie of thoughts in the alreadie wounded hearts of the suffering People it did this mischief that all men suspecting wors evils unanimously said Since Toledo lift's
through all the streets and walls to the great hinderance of Commerce and destruction of the Citie In the same manner rose Siguenca Guadalaxara Salamanca Murcia and manie other places of importance where were divers things committed not unlike those which I have already declared which would bee an endless business for mee to describe particularly The seventh of Iune in this present year 1520 the Citie of Leon was verie quiet and stood much for the King's service for it seemed that Valladolid had written to them to know whether they had received anie Letter from Toledo concerning their business or not Whereto Leon made Answer That as yet they had received nothing in particular from Toledo touching that matter and that the Citie of Leon was fully determined not to do or consent to anie thing for the whole world that might bee anie disservice to his Cesarean Majestie or contrarie to the fidelitie they owed him especially the most Reverend Cardinal remaining Governor with the Lord President and the rest of the Council to whom that Citie was so much obliged â—t had been well for that Citie if they had continued in that minde SECT XLII THe 24 of Iune 1520 the Emperor beeing at Bruxels received information of all the passages in Toledo and other places and of the Letter which Toledo sent to Valladolid and their Answer Whereupon hee wrote to Valladolid giving them a full relation of his Voiage by Sea how hee was entertained by his Uncle and Aunt in England and that they had confirmed a most sure League of Peace and Amitie together That thence hee intended about the middle of September to bee at Aquisgran to receiv his Imperial Crown with manie other circumstances and at last That he resolved God willing to return into that Kingdom much sooner then hee had promised at the Parlament mean time hee incharged them Peace quietness and obedience to the Commands of the Cardinal his Governor President and Council c. and if there should arise anie mutinies or Commotion in anie other Towns that they out of their antient and well approved fidelitie would indeavor to pacifie and suppress them for they knew the love and affection which hee bore that Citie which might sufficiently appear by the favors hee had granted them in former Parlaments according to the Copie which hee sent with that Letter There was also a General Letter to all the Cities and Towns of that Kingdom who had Votes in Parlament but passion had gained such a transscendence over the hearts of the major part that they would not believ those Letters to bee from the Emperor but said openly that they were counterfeited neither did they anie waie abate their resentment of his so sudden departure out of that Kingdom leaving them by the counsel of his Favorites involved in so great a fire and with so much povertie and pain SECT XLIII AFter this came news to the Cardinal how the Citie of Guadalaxara was revolted in the same manner and taking up Arms like the other Cities of the Kingdom They chose for their Captain the Earl of Saldania eldest son to Don Diego de Vega y Mendoça Duke del Infantado and making use of his horses they pursued Diego de Guzman and Luis de Guzman their Commissioners in the late Parlament who for fear of their lives were fled from the Citie but not being able to overtake them they went to their houses which they razed and having plowed up the ground they sowed it with Salt saying That in regard they were Traitor's houses they must bee salted lest they should infect the rest with their infidelitie Thence they went to the Duke beseeching him to favor and assist them if not they would have him to know that no Grandee must staie within that Citie which hee and his son were enforced to grant to satisfie them but the Duke seeing the Citie in so great disorder and the Kingdoms all over inflamed with such Combustions sent an Express to the Cardinal desiring him since God and the King had constituted him in that Office to use all possible diligence and care to stop the current of those exorbitances and that without passion or affection hee would grant a general pardon for if hee suffered the sore to fester hee would not bee able to cure it when hee pleased That hee would take off the Subsidie That all Tallages and Impositions should bee reduced to the same estate as they were twentie five years past That Offices and benefices should be taken from strangers and conferred upon the Natives of the Countrie And that all this should suddenly bee performed The Cardinal was well contented with his Letter but durst not do otherwise then was ordered by the Council until hee received further Commission from the Emperor SECT XLIV THe Order from the Council was that Ronquillo a famous Judg in those times should presently march to Segovia with all the men hee could make and punish the Delinquents They sent with him a thousand Hors-men most of which were of the Guards under the Command of Don Luis de la Cueua and Ruy Diaz de Rojas who had Orders in case the Judg was not received into the Citie to batter and beat it down But when his coming was known in Segovia those that were quiet and peaceable before jealousies and fears distracting their ill-tempered mindes rose and associated themselvs with the others and in particular one principal Gentleman of the Citie called Don Hernando who had written to the Cardinal that hee kept the Citie the Fort and the great Church for the King and that hee had driven the Commonaltie into the Suburbs and moreover that there was great partialitie and difference amongst them upon whose advice and intimation the Judg was sent directly thither but when they heard in what manner hee came Don Fernando the Common-people agreed so together that the Gates were shut against him and the towns-men all up in Arms. Ronquillo perceiving their strength and resistance to bee great retired himself to the Town of Arevalo and the Cardinal sent to him to return to Valladolid until the Council should take further order therein But the Judg did otherwise and from thence went to Santa Maria de Nieva five Leagues from Segovia where hee made his Requests and Protests to those of the Citie began by Criers to publish Acts and Writs against them requiring them to submit to Justice or to appear and give a reason why they would not Whereunto those of Segovia 'mongst whom at first there was no person of credit or respect but onely a furious and indiscreet Rabble not onely not obeied nor answered but after som daies spent in parâ—ying and treating without fear or wit they sallied out to the number of four thousand men almost all on foot on purpose to meet Ronquillo and fight with him and in this manner they marched towards the place where hee was quartered Hee with his Captains came presently
Groyn should not bee exacted from those Cities which continued in their obedience to him nor from those which were willing to submit and bee reduced for it was his will and pleasure graciously to forgive it them This grace hee did likewise to the whole Kingdom That the Roial Revenue should bee allowed for the Taxes as during the Reigns of other Catholick Kings his Ancestors Hee resolved also to abrogate the sale farming and enhauncement of all Taxes and Impositions which indeed were very great and besides hee sent to offer and certifie That no Office in that Kingdom should bee conferred upon anie whomsoëver unless hee were a Native which if hee had granted when hee was desired these Commotions had never happened Of all this were ingrossed his Majestie 's Patents and Commissions of sufficient power Yet notwithstanding these three things were the principal grievances and most important reasons that Toledo and the other Cities alleged for excuse of their tumultuous risings The granting all these demands was not available enough to quiet their Commotions and reduce them to obedience for the Contrivers and Ring-leaders who had seduced the people into those mischievous practices finding profit in fishing in that troubled water hindered all they could that these graces of his Majestie might not com unto the people's knowledg and when they were known they gave out that they were vain promises and onely fained or framed by the Council becaus they were not able to do any thing els untill they had divided the people and then that they would fall upon them SECT XVIII ABout this time Letters were brought to Toledo from all the Cities concerning their Iunta or Assemblie and they all agreed it should bee as Toledo desired Don Pedro Lasso whom Toledo honored so much since his return from the Groyn where hee shewed such obstinacie in his resolution that they received him with great Solemnitie giving him the stile of the Deliverer of that Countrie Was appointed for the chief Commissioner of that Citie with him they sent Don Pedro de Ayala and two Iurates besides other Deputies of the Common-People Who resolved to take their Iournie the same daie Iohn de Padilla went to the succor of Segovia The Citie of Avila was pitched upon for this Assemblie more particularly becaus it was situate in the middle of old Castilla and the Kingdom of Toledo The Cities which made this Assemblie were Toledo Madrid Guadalaxara Soria Murciâ— Cuenca Segovia Avila Salamanca Toro Zamora Leon Valladolid Burgos Cuidad Rodrigo The Commissioners of all these Places beeing assembled they chose their Secretaries and other Officers correspondent The Assemblie was held in the Chapter of the Cathedral Church Don Pedro Lasso Commissioneâ— from Toledo and the Dean of Avila who was a native of Segovia were chosen Presidents Upon a table in the Chapter laie a Cross and the Evangelists whereon they made oath everie one to live and die in the King's Service and in favor of the Commonaltie And those that refused to do this in Avila were not onely ill treated in words but had their houses pulled down But this fortune onely befell one Gentleman named Don Antonio Ponze Knight of the order of Sant jago and son to the Prince Don Iohn his nurs The rest fearing the Peoples furie condescended and collogued with them to save their lives which were in no small danger In the middle of the Commissioners of this Assemblie was placed a little form whereon did sit a certain Cloath-worker named Pinilles with a wand in his hand and no Gentleman Commissioner or Ecclesiastick durst offer to speak one word untill this Cloath-worker had given him the sign by pointing to him with his wand So that those who took upon them to remedie the Kingdom were commanded by a mean inferior fellow a Cloath-worker Such was the violence and blindness of the Common People's passion The first thing they Ordered was to take awaie the staff from the Corregidor of Avila next they sent Letters to the Alcalde Ronquillo charging him not to set foot in the land of Segovia and condemning him to great penalties if hee did the contrarie SECT XIX HAving alreadie related the manner of the Commotions of the Cities and principall Towns of the Kingdom with their general Assemblie at Avila I will now tell you the successes of those unadvised and indiscreetly raised Tumults And in regard one of the most notorious Actors in these tragicall disorders was Don Antonio de Acunna Bishop of Zamora who is famous to this very daie for the strangeness of his disposition and manner of the death hee suffred which was not suitable to the dignitie of a Prelate but very answerable to his Actions since it was done with very great justification of the Emperor and by the Autoritie of Pope Clement the 7th as appear's upon Record in the Arches of Simancas which I have seen you shall briefly hear who this Bishop was and what his conditions During the time of Don Iohn the second his raign in Castilla lived in that Kingdom Don Luis Osorio de Acunia a Gentleman of eminent note and account father to Don Diego Osorio and this Don Antonio de Acunia to whom his father dying left the Arch-Deakonship of Valpuesta besides other meanes In these times hee beeing in service to their Catholick Majestie 's was sent by them Embassador into France after which the Bishoprick of Zamora was conferred upon him The King was not very well pleased with him becaus hee was of a turbulent Spirit a lover of broils impatient adventurously bold and one that did take more upon him then his profession and degree required Hee was naturally inclined to Arms his ambition was to make himself Lord and Master of Zamora where the Earl of Alva de Lista then lived son in law to the Duke of Alva a stout gallant Gentleman and a great lover of honor The Bishop and the Earl meeting about certain affairs betwixt them they grew to such odds that very good Mediators were not able to pacifie them Zamora beeing in Rebellion and paying no obedience but to the Junta or Assemblie the Bishop on one side and the Earl on the other used all means possible to draw the people to thâ—ir factions The Earl was better beloved and bore the greater sway in the Citie so that the Bishop was forced to leav it It made him half madd to lose his hous and so desperate seeing his Enemie prevail so far against him That hee presently went to Tordesillas where the Commissioners of the Iunta were then assembled with whom hee joyned in confederacie desiring them to assist him and furnish him with forces to beat the Earl of Alva out of Zamora They all received him with great respect and contentment thinking it an honor to their caus to have so eminent a Prelate amongst them they gave him men and Artillerie wherewith hee marched back towards Zamora The â—arl beeing informed of the manner of his
this Salarie bee paied out of the proper Inhabitants Revenue of each Town or Citie that doth send the said Commissioner according as they shall bee taxed by the Council Iustice and Regidores of the said place Item that the said Commissioners may choos and entertain one or more Lawyers beeing at Parlament as they see occasion to whom the Cities or Towns are to paie a competent Salarie but may change them as often as they pleas And that the said Lawyer may not demand or receiv any gratuitie from their Majesties or other person in their names as is above instructed and ordered for the Commissioners neither may any Lawyer at all bee entertained by the Commissioners but with the good liking and consent of the Kingdom Item that their Majesties would revoke and declare to bee void all gratuities of what qualitie soâ—ver which were given to the Commissioners of the last Parlament held in the Kingdom of Galicia and that neither they nor their wives children heirs or Successors may injoie any part or parcel thereof under penaltie of losing their goods for the publick reparations of the Citie or Town whereof they were Commissioners Item that thenceforwards to perpetuitie the Cities and Towns that have Vote in Parlament may meet and assemble every three years by their Commissioners who are to bee chosen out of the three States as is aforesaid And that it may bee done in the absence and without licence from their Majesties or the succeeding Kings to the end that beeing so assembled they may procure and see that the Contents of these Articles bee punctually observed and that they may discours of and provide other things which may bee expedient for the service of the Roial Crown and the publick good of the Kingdoms Item that the said Parlament beeing ended the said Commissioners may bee obliged within fourtie daies to return to their Cities or Towns and give an account of what they had done in the said Parlament under pain of losing their Salarie and beeing deprived of their Office which their Majesties might dispose as vacant Concerning Coin THat no monie bee transported out of these Kingdoms either Gold or â—ilver coined or to bee coined Since it is forbidden by the Laws of the Kingdom under pain of death confiscation of goods and other Penalties For the contrarie having been done especially since his Majestie 's coming into these Kingdoms the Countrie is impoverished and destroyed Item That forthwith monie bee coined in these Kingdoms of a different rate and value then that of the neighboring Countries and that it bee of a base alloy two Caratts under the rate of the finest Gold which may countervail in weight and value the Crowns of Gold that are made in France By which means it will not bee carried out of the Kingdom Alwaies provided that whosoëver should bee indebted any quantitie of Maravediz before the time of publication of the new coined monie might bee obliged to make paiment in the coin which was then currant or to make up the value thereof in monie of the later stamp Silver Coined THat a mark of Silver out of the Mint may bee of the just value of two thousand two hundred and fiftie Maravediz and no more Copper Monie THat new copper monie may bee coined and in regard too much Silver mixed with it is but lost into everie Mark should bee cast onely the quantitie of one of the new Ryals Item That the monie of Silver mixt and Copper which is made in other Countries is much less worth then it passeth for in this Kingdom and the profit and gain thereof remaineth in forreign Nations who carrie away our Gold for their base monie That six months beeing expired after the coining of the said new monie publick proclamation might bee made to prohibit the taking or receiving any of the said foreign mixt Sâ—lver and Copper monie Item That the old monie which is now currant in no wise may bee made away given or sold out of the Mint-hous directly or indirectly at any higher rate then now it goe's under penaltie that whosoëver shall bee defective herein may lose his monie and third part of his estate to the end that it may bee all coined to make new monie Item In regard before the new monie bee all coined and especially in the beginning those who make a trade of transporting monie out of the Kingdom may indeavor and bee apt to convey much away That new searchers may bee placed in all Ports by Sea and Land and such as may applie their whole care and diligence to the well executing of this particular and nothing els provided they bee persons of trust And that whosoêver shall bee found guiltie of this fact may bee punished and condemned to death if convinced without any further process That there may bee no reclaiming or remission of this penaltie and punishment but if those who are incharged therewith bee slack or negligent in the execution of their office that they may suffer the same punishment And to the end this may bee the better effected that whosoâ—ver shall declare or discover it may have the one half or moitie of the monie so seized Transportation of Corn Leather Sheep and Woolls THat no Corn or the Leather of Sevilla may bee transported out of the Kingdom That the Mercedes or gratuities and taxes which were given and imposed in some parts of these Kingdoms of levying certain duties for giving licence to transport Corn out of the said Kingdoms and Leather from the Citie of Sevilla may bee revoked and declared to bee void For besides that the said taxes bee unlawful they are very hurtful and prejudicial to these Kingdoms and the Citie of Sevilla And that their Majesties may never hereafter give the said licence for monie or for any imposition Item That henceforwards no sheep or hogs alive or dead or any other cattle may bee transported out of the Kingdoms For this hath been the caus that flesh leather and tallow are raised to above double the price of what they were wont to yield and if the said cattle bee not carried a way these commodities will return to the same rate they were at formerly which will bee a great benefit to the Kingdoms And if any bee found a delinquent herein That the one half of his goods and estate may bee confiscate to their Majesties one fourth part given to the accuser and the other fourth part imployed for reparations and publick uses of the Citie or Town whereof hee was Inhabitant Item That the Merchants Clothiers and other trades of the Kingdoms may take to work and spend therein one half of all woolls bought by Natives or Strangers to send out of the Kingdoms paying the same price as they had done for them if they had given readie monie And if they had taken them upon trust giving securitie to paie at a certain daie that the Merchants and others might have them upon the same conditions giving the like securitie
Leases of Abbie-lands may remain taxed for ever and no higher for they may not bee raised nor abated at anie time since such was the pleasure of the most Illustrious Queen Donia Isabel our Ladie and Sovereign as appear's by her last Will and Testament And it is better for the augment of the Roial Revenue as well as the good of the kingdom for there was more gold and silver brought to his Majestie 's Exchequer by the simple Penie-rents then by these racking enhancements considering the breaches and failings which have been and are amongst those that farm the Subsidies neither is that burthensom to the kingdom Item That the people may take in the said perpetual Tax the said Customs and Thirds and be obliged to rent the Situados that there was upon the said Customs and Thirds restoring to their Majesties the over-plus having paid the Situados and rights at the accustomed places and summons By this means their Majestie 's servants and retainers would bee duly paied and all those bribes and selling of Librancas would bee saved neither would there be any need of so many Officers their Majesties might spare great sums of monie much wages and a multitude of discharges or bills of receipt which were given to Officers more then needed Item That the Queen and King our Sovereigns and their Successors in these kingdoms bee contented for ever to have and rais their Customs by and according to the fore-mentioned imposition and no otherwise in regard so they are certain and not variable neither will there bee anie thing diminished of the Revenue there still accruing to the Crown other profitable rights as Fines Confiscations of goods the Salt-pit-rents the Mountain-Tributes Subsidies Customerships and Puertos secos besides currant monie taxes and ordinarie paiments of the kingdom with the rents of Maestrazgos And that which com's from the Indies Isles and Firm-land amount's to so great a sum that thereby his Majestie may sufficiently maintein his state without pressing the Kingdom in Parlament and out of Parlament to grant any other extraordinarie Subsidies whereby the people is much aggrieved and tâ—eir Roial Consciences can bee no less burthened with the oppression and great dammages of these kingdoms Item That all the Inhabitants of the Cities Towns Villages Burroughs and Lordships may enjoie the said perpetual taxes in general that none amongst them may rent or farm any particular part thereof at a higher rate then the said taxes nor â—hat anie more sesments bee made amongst the Inhabitants of the said places then what shall bee necessarie for the recovering and gathering of the said taxes Item that everie Citie or Town that is chief of the Countie do caus a Chest to bee set in som secure place wherein they may put or gather the Roial Revenue and that they see to and provide that which shall bee necessarie for the estate of the Kingdom And chiefly to have a care that the Queen our Soveâ—eign â—adie's familie bee maintained and furnished with all things suitable to the Dignitie of her Royal Person and the honor of the Kingdoms next to paie the Searchers Counsels and Chanceries with other ordinarie offices of the Kingdom and beeing payed that it remain stated in the offices of the Puertos Secos mountain-Tributes and Customerships and in case any bee wanting in the hous of the Contratacion of Sevilla And the remainder of the Revenue and Royal Patrimonie to bee kept in the treasure and delivered to his Majestie when it shall pleas God that hee return into this Kingdom or to supplie his necessities and those of the Kingdom if any real and urgent occasion doth require it Item That the residue or any thing that is unpaied of the Revenue after ten years may not bee farmed or recovered For by recovering debts of so long standing may arise great extorsions and grievances on the Natives of the Kingdom or their sureties children and heirs who after so many years can not perchance produce the discharges and acquittances that had been given Concerning Commissioners or Burgesses of Parlament Subsidies THat the Subsidie granted to his Majestie by some Commissioners at the Parlament in the Citie of the Groyn bee neither demanded nor received nor any other imposed hereafter Nor that any other impositions or tributes extraordinarie bee layed upon the Kingdom by their Majesties or any of their Successors Item That when any Burgesses or Commissioners are to bee sent to Parlament the Custom of each Citie is to bee observed in the state of the Regimiento moreover one is to bee sent from the Chapter or Clergie another from the state of the Gentrie a third from the State of the Commonaltie and every State to elect and nominate their Commissioner severally in a distinct assembly Which Commissioners are to bee payed by their own Citie or Town except the Commissioner of the Clergie who is to bee maintained by the Chapter Item When any Parlament is called and the Cities and Towns which have Vote bee summoned to send their Commissioners That their Majesties or any their Successors in these Kingdoms send not to the said Commissioners any Power Instruction or Command in what manner and form their Powers are to bee granted nor appoint or nominate any particular persons to bee Commissioners But that such Citie or Towns may have free libertie to grant Powers according to their own sence and to such persons as they shall think most convenient for the good of their Republick Item Wheresoëver the Parlament bee assembled That the Commissioners may have the freedom to meet confer and discours with one another as often as they shall think good and that no President bee ordered to com amongst them for that would hinder them from attending to those things which particularly concern the Cities and the good of the Republick which they represent Item that during the time of the Commissioners beeing at Parlament nor before or after their return to their houâ—es as having been or beeing Commissioners in the said Parlament they may not receiv directly or indirectly under what colour or pretence soêver any present or gratuitie from their Majesties or their Successors in these kingdoms of what value or qualitie soëver neither for themselvs their wives children or kindred under pain of death and confiscation of goods which goods may bee emploied for the publick reparations of the Citie or Town whereof any such Delinquent was Commissioner For they beeing free from Covetousness and without hopes of receiving anie bribes in that nature will bee more attentive and zealous for the service of God the King and the publick and more careful to perform what was encharged them by their Towns and Cities Item that the Commissioners may onely have the bare stipend which shall bee allowed them by their Cities or Towns and that the said stipend or Salarie bee competent according to the condition and qualitie of the person and the place from whence hee is emploied as Commissioner And that
Town or Village where their Residence is Contribution IN regard it is ordeined by the Laws of the Land that certain Towns and Villages which now are under the possession of som Noblemen should proportionably as the rest of their neighboring Cities and Towns bear a share in the Tributes and Contributions and Taxes for Hedges Bridges Fountains Watchmen Suits in Law Defences and enlargement of Territories yet by the favor of Noblemen and persons of great qualitie to whom they belong they do not observ or fulfil his Majesties Commands herein That henceforwards they may bee obliged to perform them and in case of default to lose their Offices and all the Salarie thereof and that the Lords of the said places may not oppose or do any thing to the contrarie under pain of losing the Lordship and proprietie of the said places or Towns which afterwards shall bee as Crown-Lands never to bee alienated from the Royal Patrimonie GENERALS FOrasmuch as his Majestie in the Parlaments which hee called at Valladolid and the Groyn did grant som things which for the profit and publick good of the Kingdoms ought to bee effected That his Majestie command all provisions and power necessarie for the performance thereof to bee given to the Cities Towns and other places of the Kingdoms Item that his Majestie give order to proceed rigorously against Antonio de Fonseca Alcalde Ronquillo Gutiere Quixada El Licenciado Iuanes and the rest that had any hand in the burâ—ing and destroying of the Town of Medina del Campo And that his Majestie approve and allow of what the Kingdom shall do concerning the confiscation of their or any of thâ—â—â— estates and goods Item that their Majesties approve the Assemblie which the Cities and Towns of the Kingdoms have made and do make to the end they may repair and remedie the exorbitancies and grievances of the Publick to make and ordain these Articles and all which they have done in order to the suspending of those of the Council and Officers of their Majesties Familie and Court placing and displacing Officers of Justice taking and demolishing of Forts pulling down of houses killing of men tumults and uproars and judging and sentencing other matters of the Kingdoms their endeavors in taking away all that might stop or hinder their proceedings herein and any other excess whatsoever as in the order and form of the premisses is conteined The assembling the people raising of Arms and the punishment which certain Cities and Commonalties have inflicted upon the persons houses and goods of â—om men whom they esteemed enemies to the publick good of the Kingdoms And that their Majesties acknowledg to bee well emploied all and every the sums of monie which they have taken out of the Roial Revenue and other things and disbursed in paiment of the said men and Armies or otherwaies in prosecution of the above-said premisses And whatsoever taxes they had imposed and recovered to that effect or expended in any kinde That their Majesties would command all to bee remitted and absolutely pardoned as also not onely their Assemblies and Councils of the Cities and Towns of the Kingdoms but likewise that every particular person or persons that had been active therein might bee free from anie trouble or question therefore in anie Courts civil or criminal That their Majesties would revoke and declare void all and everie information or informations commands sentences and provisions which those of the Council or the Alcalde Ronquillo or any other Judg whatsoever had made or given against any of the Cities or Towns of the Kingdoms or against any particular persons and that for this caus they nor any of them might bee deprived of their privileges or offices but might remain free and indemnified In regard they were moved thereunto out of their respects to their Majesties service and the publick good of the Kingdoms and for the encreasing preserving of the revenues and Patrimonie Roial in order to the obligations and duties which they owed to their natural Sovereigns according as the Laws of the Kingdoms have ordeined And that his Majestie would grant autorize and confirm the said Articles as a perpetual and inviolable Law for ever and that he would promise swear by God and his holie Evangelists never to revoke or consent to the revoking or altering of them or do or suffer to bee done any thing contrarie to their true intent and meaning in Parlament or out of Parlament And that hee would not demand of the Pope or other Prelate whatsoever any dispensation or absolution for the said oath and promise SECT III. THese Articles were sent to Flanders by those of the Iunta to bee delivered to the Emperor Antonio Vazquez de Avila carried one Copie of them and Maestro Fray Pablo a man of an exemplarie life and holie intentions onely blinded with a zeal for his Countrie seeing the Kingdom ruined another They went several waies but neither of them durst appear before the Emperor and som saie they never came into Flanders Antonio Vazquez de Avila arrived at length at Worms in Germanie which the Emperor hearing commanded him to bee apprehended and imprisoned in a Fort but after som time beeing better informed hee gave order to releas him Fray Pablo and Sancho Zimbron who went together hearing before they came to the Emperor how Antonio Vazquez had been welcomed went no further then Bruxels These Articles were applauded and held for holie things amongst the Commonaltie they said The Emperor must bee verie cruel if hee did not confirm them That those of the Iunta deserved an immortal Crown and a never-dying fame for their pains and care in making such excellent and holie Ordinances whereby their Kingdoms should bee made the happiest and most opulent in the world SECT IV. THe Lord Admiral beeing desirous to compose these differences and disorders of the Kingdoms before they broke out anie further resolved to go and convers with those of the Iunta at Tordesillas and beeing at Torrelobaton hee sent to them desiring that they would give him the libertie and safe conduct to go to them Those of the Iunta answered That they knew very well that his Lordship came to speak with them concerning the Commonalties of the Kingdoms but they desired him not to put himself to the trouble of coming thither until he had dismissed those Gentlemen with their souâ—diers out of Medina and his own lands those of the Council likewise in regard they disserved his Majestie and hindred the good of the Kingdom which don they should be very glad to serv him and shew him all the respects due to his person The Admiral replied that hee was well contented to discharge all those souldiers and send away all those of the Council except the Cardinal and the Lord High Constable of Castilla who were the Governors and principal men of the Kingdoms Those of the Iunta would not bee satisfied unless they were all sent away Whereupon they sent two Heralds
where the Deputie and his kinsmen had been proclaimed Traitors they thought it a thing much conducing to his Majestie 's service and their own securitie to apprehend this Judg which to effect the sons of Don Fernando de Alava Governor of Bernedo and Iohn de Alava his cosen germane with twentie men besides other friends and servants went to the Judge's lodging took him and his servants out of their beds clap't irons upon them and carried them to the Fort of Bernedo and took away the Orders which hee brought from the Iunta wherein they gave the charge of Governor and Captain General to Don Pedro de Ayala Earl of Salvatierra from the Citie of Burgos to Fuente Ravia The Judg remained under safe custodie in the Fort in mean time the Gentlemen who carried him thither returned to Vitoria where they found the People much distempered and murmuring at those men's imprisonment SECT XIX 'MOngst these Occurrences came an Express from the Lord High Constable with Letters notifying to those of Vitoria and the Province of Alava the Orders which his majestie had sent him encharging him with the Government of the Kingdoms and commanding all his Subjects to obey him as their Vice-Roy and Governor But those of Alava beeing much inclined to the Earl of Salvatierra said That they were upon a certain agreement with those of the Province of Guipuzcoa which beeing concluded they would obey as far as they were obliged But the Deputie Diego Martinez and all his friends received the said notification with due respect The Citie of Vitoria returned an answer to the Lord High Constable but would not give him the title of Governor whereupon som words passed between Iohn de Alava the rest who bade him in scurvie terms go out of the Assemblie but he boldly answered Get you gon like Traitors and Rebels for which words they caused him to bee apprehended In this interim a Priest from the Earl of Salvatierra desired to have conference with those of the Assemblie which the Deputie Diego Martinez knowing privately stole out from the rest and laid hands upon this Priest clapt him in prison and having opened his packet hee found several Letters to Friers and other particular men desiring them to induce the people to denie their obedience to the Governors This bred a main disorder and libels were scattered about by the people yet Martinez Pedro de Alava with all those of their kindred and alliance resolutely determined to maintein his Majestie 's Interest pressing and requiring all the rest to subscribe also to his Commands if not they protested against them styling them no otherwise then Rebellious and disloial Traitors Of all which proceedings they sent information to the Lord High Constable and hee to the Council Roial who then resided at Castroxeriz Those of Vitoria seeing their fidelitie brought into question resolved to submit and sent their Letters to that effect promising all obedience to the Lord High Constable beseeching him to pardon their former extravagancies and inconsidtrateness and that hee would give order to burn those Informations which Diego Martinez de Alava had sent to him against them which hee did So by the diligence and resolution of Diego Martinez de Alava and other Gentlemen of his name and familie the Citie of Vitoria was reduced and continued afterwards their Loialtie and obedience to his Majestie All these passages were in the year 1520 and the beginning of 1521 The Lord High Constable seeing that no reason would satiâ—fie the Earl of Salvatierra endeavored to do him what mischief hee could Hee took from him the Town and Castle of Empudia and put a Garrison of his own therein who as you have heard were again forced to quit that and other places by Iohn de Padilla In which time the Earl of Salvatierra having picked up a number of people out of the Merindades besides his own servants and souldiers hee led them as far as the Monasterie of San â—an Salvador de OnÌ„a witâ— intent to go recover Empudia but beeing informed there that the Bishop of Zamora had already taken it hee changed his resolution and turned his Forces towards Vitoria threatning to burn it to the ground if they did not renounce their obedience to the Lord High Constable and deliver the Deputie Diego Martinez and his brother into his hands The Citie beeing not a little stagger'd and affrighted at these high menaces sent messengers to the Earl with great submissions which so much abated his furie that all the month of Ianuarie 1521 they remained unmolested SECT XX. HIs Majestie 's Royal Council beeing at Briviesca and hearing what notable service Don Pedro Xuarez de Velasco Lord of Cuscurrita and Dean of Burgos had done his Majestie in that Citie and how couragiously hee had behaved himself they sent for him Don Pedro not knowing what danger might befall took about twentie Gentlemen and servants on horsback with him all well armed with green Coates over their Armor that no bodie could discern any thing besides the hounds and hawks they carried with them made no creature suspect any other then that hee went out to take his pleasure Beeing arrived at Briviesca the Council gave him order to subdue the seven Merindades of old Castilla who were up in Arms. Whereof Don Pedro would have excused himself saying That it was not suitable with his Coat to command Souldiers for hee went in the habit of a Priest by reason of his Deanry But those of the Council answered that although hee were effectively a Priest much more having onely the habit of one hee ought to change his surplice into a suit of Armor especially in cases wherein the service of God and the King was so much concerned Don Pedro seeing it was in vain to expostulate any further resolved to put their Commands in execution and considering hee was the Lord high Constable's Son discreetly valiant and beloved of every bodie many Gentlemen and persons of qualitie offered themselvs to venture their fortunes with him Beeing arrived within a league of Medina de Pumar which was hard by those Commoners whom hee went to suppress they had intelligence of his approach and forthwith disposed themselvs to give him battle Don Pedro though hee had nothing neer so many men resolved however to conquer them or die in the combat So having passed over a wooden Bridg hee gave them so hot and furious a charge that they quickly shewed their backsides and scattering themselvs in a disorderly manner they sought their securitie amongst the Craggie mountains hee pursued them as far as hee could and staid some time thinking they might rallie but hee heard no more of them So hee returned Victorious and lost not one of his men SECT XXI IN the month of March of the same year the Lord High Constable seeing that they exceedingly wanted Artillerie in regard the Commoners possessed all that which was in Medina del Campo hee gave order to fetch