was not well pleased with him And becaus they would bee informed how the Marquess did serv the Queen they sent to Maestro Fray Pablo a Dominican Frier a grand Commoner Commissioner of Leon and to the Commendador Almaraz Commissioner of Salamanca and El Bachiller de Guadalaxara And from these men's relation which was never the holier for the Frier 's having any part in it resulted a determination to turn the Marquess and his Ladie from the Queen Whereupon they were not onely cast out of their hous but driven out of Tordesillas with such strictness and precipitation that they had not one hour's time to take away their goods and housholdstuff and although they made their Requests to the contrarie they were no whit the more regarded In their places were presently put Donia Catalina de Figueroa wife to Quintanilla and som other women of the Town And the Marquess with his Ladie was enforced to repair to a small Village and suffer with patience this tribulation for their Prince's service The Iunta beeing set at Tordesillas they began to treat of the peaceable government and quiet of the Kingdom Soon after Salamanca Avila Madrid besides other places sent manie Companies of Foot and Hors paid at the charge of the said Cities with their respective Captains who had Orders to bee at the King and Queen his Mother's service and in favor of the Junta There was already so great a confluence of Gentlemen and Captaiâ—s that Tordesillas was not able to contein them although the Common Souldiers were quartered in the adjacent Villages The Citie of Valladâ—lid sent a thousand chois men well Armed under the Command of Don Diego de Quiniones a valiant and well-born Gentleman The Commissioners Gentlemen Captains with many grave and learned Friers beeing assembled in the Junta there was a motion made that they should send to Valladolid to seiz upon the President and the rest of the King's Council and to have them brought to Tordesillas or at least to take such order that the Citie of Valladolid should not back them or conceal them but should give waie that the Junta might apprehend and bring them away To this the report is there wanted no Votes neither were the Friers backwards in giving theirs alleging that the securing of those men was very necessary for the good of the Kingdom To this effect was dispatched a Dominican Frier who was a man of honor and great leaning with Letters of Credence to the Commonaltie of Valladolid and to the Infante of Granada their chief Captain The Frier having delived his Letter and Message to the Infantâ— hee thus answered Father as far as it concern's mee as beeing Captain of Valladolid I do obeie the Orders here sent from the Junta but it is convenient the whole Commonaltie should bee assembled that you may deliver your Message to them all together and receiv their answer Hereupon the Deputies of the Wards Jurates Common Council-men and other Officers were all ordered to warn the Inhabitants of their respeâ—tive quarters and parishes to make their appearance the next morning by nine of the clock at the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor which was done accordingly The Infante of Granada Don Pedro Giron and other Gentlemen beeing there assembled with the rest of the Commonaltie at the hour and place appointed the Frier went up into the Pulpit and with smooth fair language hee told them the substance of his Message saying That he came thither from the Lords of the Junta at Tordesillas who were the greater part of the Kingdom and were there assembled for the remedying of the distractions and mischiefs which abounded in that Kingdom as appeared by the Power Letters of Credence which hee had already shewed to that very noble Commonaltie of Valladolid and the Infante their Captain Yet becaus it was thought fit that a business of such weight as that wherewith hee was intrusted to impart to them should rather bee manifested to them all in that place then communicated to any members in particular and in regard they were then all assembled hee again notified those Letters unto them giving them to understand that the Lords of the Junta moved with a very holie zeal and desire of procuring the Kindom's good and his Majestie 's service had found it convenient to the end the Intent of the Junta might the better take effect that there should bee no Council Roial at all but that the President and the rest should bee sent prisoners to Tordesillas and to shew that their Intentions were holie and tending onely to the service of God and the King in the name of the Lords Commissioners of the Junta hee did assure the lives of the Council but not their goods and estates For they must know that whosoëver of that Council had offended his estate was liable to confiscation according to the qualitie of his delict and that the monie which should accrue should repair in part the dammages which they had occasioned Hereupon the Frier extended himself into manie Rhetorical expressions to cog the peoplâ— into a Consent urging that if they did otherwise it might bee the occasion of bringing the whole Kingdom to destruction for if there was both a Junta and Council the Junta governing contrarie to the sens of the Council and the Council abrogating what should bee enacted by the Junta what could bee exspected but confusion and utter ruine Hereunto hee desired their speedie answer becaus hee was to return to Tordesillas They forthwith replied That it was a business of no small moment and required great consultation yet if hee would stay till night hee should have their answer They divided themselvs into several Assemblies to consult hereupon and they were generally of opinion that it was a difficult and strange attempt for them to dissolv a Council of so great Autoritie beeing constituted by their King especially that Citie having received in particular so manie Immunities and other favors from them and they â—eeing so good friends that the Council had in a manner entrusted them with their persons it were an act of high inhumanitie and baseness to laie violent hands upon them On the other side they thought that they were bound in conscience not to leav undone the Commands of the Junta in regard their Commissioners were there they had acknowledged their power and had sworn to obey whatsoëver should there bee ordered or enacted In the end they agreed to give the Frier this answer That if the Junta did desire to apprehend those of the Council they should send their own Captains and souldiers to do it for Valladolid would have no hand in either helping or hindering them in that design neither would they favor the one side or oppose the other The Frier and those Captains and other Officers which came with him from Tordesillas beeing satisfied with this Answer The Frier reckoned up those of the Council whom the Iunta demanded which done it was agreed
thing from the Roial Crown and if anie should desire Iustice of him for their grievances that hee would give order to have it don them Hee answered That hee would do therein according to his Oath and would redress all those that came to complain 6. That whatsoêver the Catholick King and Don Philip his father had given away by waie of Dowrie or Legacie hee would command to bee fulfilled for the repose and discharging of their consciences Hee answered That hee would provided that it might bee don without prejudice to the Roial Patrimonie Sixtie seven more Articles they propounded which becaus they are more at large specified hereafter I shall forbear to trouble the Reader with them in this place His Majestie gave so gracious an answer to them all thanking the Comâ—issioners in a very courteous manner that they remained very well apayed and satisfied The Subsidie which they granted him in this first Parlament according to Fray Antonio de Guevara's relation was one hundred and fiftie millions of Marauediz Aâ—d Pero-Mexia saith it was six hundred thousand Duâ—kets tâ— bee raised the three first years The Parlament beeing ended there was celebrated a Iust or Turnamâ—nt Royal in the chief market place of Valladolid five and twentie against five and twentie Som Spaniards and som Flemish Noblemen who strove to out-view each other aswell in the ricâ—neâ—s of their habits and livâ—ries as in feats of arms Seven of them were killed and som hurt therefore it was commonly said That for a Combat in earnest the loss was not great but for a jest it was too much After this solemnitie which â—ontinued certain daies the King having visited his moâ—her Donnia Iuana and the Queen Germana leaving all things in good order in Castillia departed â—ith his Court for Aragon taking his sister Donnia Leonor and the Queen Germana with him Hee made the town of Aranda in his waie whither his brother the Infante Don Fernando was returned with small contentment becaus they made such haste to pack him out of Spain There the King remained som few daies during which time the Infante was dispatched for Flandâ—rs as was before determined for the Kiâ—g â—ot beeing yet arrived in Castillia som men of note about the Inâ—ante's person put thoughts into his head of succeeding his grandfather in the Crown and it was greatly to bee feaâ—ed that the Casâ—illians wâ—uld have declared for him to the prejudice of Don Carles hee beeing of their Countrie and his brother a Fleming besides his name Fernando was enough to gain him the affection and hearts of all Spain for his Grandfatâ—ers sake whose memorie was held in great honor and adoration amongst them But God disposed it otherwise for the good and quiet of those Kingdoms Don Fernando beeing fitted with attendants and all necessaries for his voiage the King continued his progress into Aragon hee was received in Saragosa with very great solemnitie and joie the 15 of Maie 1518. The Castillians expressed much discontent at the departure of the Infante Don Fernando and began to murmur every where they beeing of opinion that hee ought not to bee sent out of the Kingdom until his brother were married and had children They were likewise distasted and the Aragoneses also at the present Government for they could not endure that strangers should bear so great swaie in their Countrie that all businesses must pass through the hands of Xeures and his friends who had the name of beeing over-greedie and covetous the same brand was laied upon the rest of the Flemings that attended his Majestie But that was no wonder for all Prince's Favorites bee they never so just and well deserving are generally envied and abhorred by most people They said moreover that the King was wilful untractable disdainful and gave small testimonies of affection to the Spanish Nation with divers other such like discontented speeches which are mentioned more at large hereafter But to saie the truth the King was no waie to bee blamed for hee was so young that of necessitie hee must suffer himself to bee directed by those who had bred him up from his infancie Time made the Spaniards plainly see when hee came to riper years that hee loved respected and esteemed them above all other Nations which appeared by his placing them in offices of the greatest Honor and Trust not onely in Spain but in Italie Flanders and Germanie SECT VII THe King having been som daies at Saragosa the Parlament began which continued so long that hee was forc'd to remain there eight moneths there the grand Chancellor dyed not much lamented by the Spaniards who abhorred the verie memorie of him and hee cared more for his gold then for their favor or displeasure This Monsieur de Laxao left a very bad name behinde him in his place by his Majestie 's command succeeded Mercurino de Gatinara a man of singular wisdom and learning a friend to Iustice and Equitie and a great Iurisconsult The Grandees of the Kingdom of Aragon beeing assembled in the Arch-Bishop's Palace who was unckle to the King they desired him to let them understand his pleasure for they were very willing and desirous to serv him as they had don his Predecessors but conditionally that they might enjoie the antient Customs and Privileges of the Kingdom the King answered they should But considering the indisposition of the Queen his mother hee willed and required them to acknowlegd him their King as those of Castillia had don Whereunto the Iurados or Iurates in the name of the kingdom replied they would though it was against the Laws his mother beeing yet living So that his Highness would bee pleased to swear the Infante Don Fernando Prince of Spain the same daie as they should swear him King not that the Infante should remain Prince and heir to the Crown but onely until such time as hee should bee married and God should bless him with som hopeful issue to succeed him whereunto if his Highness would not consent they would swear him Executor and Administrator of the Queen his mother's estate and if hee would not condescend to this they told him in plain terms that they had no leav nor power to do otherwise and although they had they would not put it in execution for that would much prejudice and damnifie their exemptions The King was much displeased at their peremptoriness and answered them not one syllable the Grandees of Castillia beeing present grew out of patience at the Aragoneses sawciness and the Earl of Venavente told the King openly that if his Majestie would take his Counsel hee should make them com under the yoke that hee would venter his life and fortune to serv him in that design that his Majestie 's onely waie was to rais a powerful Armie and subdue that Kingdom by force of Arms and so hee might impose upon them what Laws hee pleased not such as they desired and fancied At which words
Agreement and Cessation of Arms whereby they might live quietly and not to do anie act of Hostilitie to each other Don Gonzalo Chachon having informed the Cardinal Governor of this Treatie by his consent it was concluded and Articles on both sides were drawn in form signed and delivered in presence of the publick Notaries of the Citie So those of the Fort lived quietly leaving the Towns-men to the confusion of their Commonaltie The nobleness of the Gentrie in imitation of their Ancestors desirous to serv the King beeing as a firm Bulwark and secure Guard against their indiscreet furie This made Avila gain the renown of Loial SECT VIII NOt onely the fore-named Cities were infected with this spirit of Sedition but divers other small Towns and Villages were tainted with the same Contagion where the diseas raged with such unnatural furie that there was neither Law nor respect betwixt Fathers and the Children som being of one opinion the others contrarie In a certain Village called Medinâ— near the Palomera de Avila lived a Byscainer Priest half a fool who was so affectionated to Iohn de Padilla that everie Holie daie in the Church hee used to saie I recommend unto your praiers Brethren The most holie Commonaltie desiring God to preserv and support it that it may never fall I recommend unto you likewise his Majestie the King Don John de Padilla that God may prosper him as also her Highness the Queen our Ladie Donia Maria Pacheco that God may powr down his blessings upon her for verily these are the true Kings the rest are all but Tyrants These praiers continued for three weeks together after which Iohn de Padilla with his Souldiers passing that waie som of them were quartered in this Priest's hous who drank him up a little barrel of wine killed his Hens and took away a young wench that he kept with them The Sundaie following beeing in the Church hee said to his parishioners You know Brethren how John de Padilla passing here his souldiers quartered in my hous truly Beloved they have not left mee one Hen they have eaten up all my Bacon they have drunk mee a whole Barrel of Wine and have taken my Katherine away with them therefore I charge you henceforwards not to praie God for him but for our Sovereign Lord Don Carlos and the Queen Donia Juana for They are our true Kings I do relate som of these fopperies that you may see how foolish and blinde men were at that time and indeed no better could then bee exspected for certainly som malign star had predominance for two years over those parts which made men fall into such unheard of extravagancies SECT IX THe Citie of Soria was ingaged in no less mischief then the other Cities by the rising of the Common People If I should undertake to particularize the riotous disorders of evâ—rie several place my work would never be at an end In short none of those that treated of Commonalties made anie bones of killing their neighbors plucking down their houses and committing a thousand exorbâ—tances like rash unadvised men without sens or judgment as to discompose the form of Government displace the Officers of Justice taking their staves from them and naming other Judges without considering or reflecting upon the end that followeth such like disorders nor how to bee preserved in them The Citie of Toro and Ciudad Rodrigo took likewise the Engagement of the Commonaltie They turned out the Officers of Justice established by the King and put others in their places And those Gentlemen that had most power drove their Antagonists out of the Citie Which factious bandyings one against another in revenge of particuler grudges and quarrels were the chiefest occasion of kindling the people's furie and it might justly bee said that they were private seditions and tumults not Rebellion against their King for there was no such word amongst the Gentrie nor the Common people SECT X. LEon had done wisely if they had continued in the same good resolution wherewith they answered Valladolid concerning the Treatie of an Assemblie which Toledo desired But as I have often said the factions and parcialities that were in everie Citie did more harm then anie thing els in these Commotions The Guzmanes were so highly distasted at their beeing put out of Don Fernando the Infante his service that a little thing would have made them raise a Commotion in that Citie where they were very powerfull beeing of an Ancient and Noble extraction They had some difference and spleen against the Earl of Luna who was sent Commissioner from that Citie to the Parlament that was held at the Groyne who having consented to the Subsidie was not well received at his return and it is reported that Ramiro Nunnâ—z de Guzman spoke thus to him They saie you have granted the Subsidie and gon beyond your Commission if that bee true you deserve to bee severely punished The Earl hereupon answered Ramiro Nunnez I have done what I ought and what I was Commanded to do neither have I exceeded my Commission one title So from one thing to another at last they fell into a great passion and Ramiro Nunnez said to the Earl I will make you know with this my Sword against yours how you are a Traytor and have Committed Treason against this Citie Thereupon they both drew and this unfortunate controversie divided the Citie into two factions For these two families beeing the chief and most Ancient of the Citie had each of them manie friends kindred and abbettours but in regard the Earl was out of favour with the people and Ramiro Nunnez much beloved and followed by a great multitude they fell upon the Earl and his partie with such furie that they killed thirteen of his men there were manie on both sides wounded The Earl was beholding to the swiftness of his hors or else hee had born his dead followers companie This news was brought to Valladolid and the Cardinall highly resented it but knew not how to remedie it seeing the fire so generally kindled throughout the kingdom that of the eighteen Towns of Castilla which had Votes in Parlament fifteen were risen for the Commonaltie and had chosen Commissioners or Burgesses to goe to the Iunta or Assemblie then held in Avila The Cardinall derived the fault of all this mischief upon Monsieur de Xeures for giving the Emperor so ill counsel as to demand that Subsidie and the worst of all was that hee never received it The Cardinal was out of heart and perplext with continual fears not thinking himself secure in Valladolid by reason of these troubles and heart-burnings of the people which no fault of the King 's but the covetousness of his insatiable Counsellers had occasioned I have alreadie told you that one Subsidie they desired was three hundred millions and another time six hundred millions in all nine hundred millions of Maravediz therefore let no man marvel at the great difference of
beeing Sunday they returned in the morning much time was spent in controversie whether they should kneel or sit before her but the President telling her that those of the Council ought not to bee treated in that manner shee commanded they should sit but chairs beeing brought in shee cryed out no chaires but bring a form that was the custom in my mother's daies onely give the Bishop a chair Six hours they were with her in private and the result of all was that they should return to Valladolid and consult with the rest of the Council what orders they should issue out which done shee would sign them They came to Valladolid and in the interim Iohn de Padilla arrived at Tordesillas as you shall finde hereafter those of the Council were presently afraid to bee taken and some report that hee sent a Captain in persuite of those that came from Tordesillas SECT XXIII THe same daie that Valladolid rose up publickly in Arms which was Wednesday the 29th of August Iohn de Padilla having beaten Ronquillo from Segovia Iohn Bravo and Iohn Zapata with the men which they brought from Toledo Segovia and Madrid arrived at Medina del Campo Which the Towns-men taking as a great favour went out to receiv them with their flags and mourning colours besides manie teares which moved these Captains to great compassion especially when they saw the Town reduced to ashes they comforted the People the best they could and Iohn de Padilla took thereupon occasion to tell them Gentlemen If you had reflected well upon the Letter which I sent you giving you notice that Foâ—seca was raising forces with intent to fetch the Artillerie thence peradventure you had not been suffâ—rers in so high a nature Those of Medina wondred that they never had heard of anie such Letter and after divers circumstances it was found out that the Regidor Gil Nieto had received and concealed it from the people whereupon they grew to an excessive passion and whilest this was yet in agitation Gil Nieto unfortunatly came amongst them Some of whom discoursing of the Town-affairs said to him If there were no Traytors in Medina the miseries wee suffer never had befallen us Who are those Traytors replyed Gil Nieto At which words started up Bobadilla the Cloth worker and with a great Oath answered you are one of the Traytors then drawing his sword hee violently flew upon him and with one blow separated his head from his shoulders which done and having found in his bosome Iohn de Padilla's Letter they flung him out at the windows of the Regimiento upon the Souldiers pikes which stood below Hee was afterwards taken up and interred by his friends and kindrid Iohn de Padilla remained five daies in Medina and the Tovvn having given him tvvo great peeces of Ordnance hee departed thence vvith his men for Tordesillas Hee pretended that hee went thither to kiss the Queen's hands and give her an account of what passed in Castilla Others said that hee went audaciously to seiz on her and take her into his power Beeing arrived hee drew up his Armie in Batalia charged his Ordnance and remained in that Order until hee had given notice of his coming to her Highness and the Town The Queen presently gave order they should go forth to receiv him which the Town did in the best manner and with the greatest companie they could and as they were even ready to meet hee commanded his two Guns to bee shot off with great showting and nois of Trumpets The Salve being past they took Iohn de Padilla in the midst of them and so entred the Town with the greatest applaus that might bee imagined after hee had rested himself a while hee went to the Pallace where the Queen received him very graciously gave him Audience and asked him who hee was To which hee answered That his name vvas Iuan de Padilla son to Pedro Lopez de Padilla vvho had been Captain General in Castilla and served the renovvned Queen Donia Isabella her mother and that also hee came to tender his service to her Majestie with the people of Toledo That hee did give her to understand that since the deceas of the Catholick King her father there had been and were in that Kingdom great disorders mischiefs and dissentions for want of a Governor Although the Mightie and Illustrious Don Carlos her son had governed Spain yet by reason of his sudden departure the Kingdom was risen in such Commotions and Disordrous manner that all Spain was ready to bee destroied and that now hee was com with a certain Armie of Toledians to serv her Highness whom hee desired to see and know what Commands shee had to laie upon him for hee was ready to spend his life in her service The Queen was much astonished to hear such things and said shee never knew any thing of it before For shee had been sixteen years shut up within a chamber under the Guard of the Marquess of Denia and wondred to hear anie such stories but if shee had known of her Father's death shee would have gon abroad and set som remedie to those mischiefs So forgetful and void of Judgment was the Queen Then shee said to Iohn de Padilla Go you now I command you take the charge and execute the office of Captain General in the Kingdom and give you order for all things as need shall require until I provide otherwise This said shee retired into her chamber and Iohn de Padilla returned to his Quarters well attended and very jocund for the favour the Queen had done him in giving him that Commission Manie times after this Iohn de Padilla had conference with the Queen and she seemed to give Audience to him and others of the Iunta very willingly They told her once that the King her son had done great damage to the Kingdom whereunto shee answered That her son was not greatly in fault for hee was but a youth but the Kingdom rather ought to bee condemned for suffering it Then shee commanded that the Assemblie of the Kingdom should bee kept there that shee would autorize it Hereupon an Order was forthwith issued out That Proclamation should bee made in Medina and other places for all the Commissioners that had assisted in Parlament at the Groyn to make their appearance and render an account at Torâ—esillas under pain of death SECT XXIV THe Iunta was yet held at Avila whither was sent an Order from the Queen commanding them to remove to Tordesillas which they presently obeied for it was their only waie so to do The Queen understanding nothing what belonged to businesses The Antagonists of the Junta gave out That those Dispatches which were produced and publshed in the Queen's name were fals and the testimonies likewise made by counterfeiting hands The Junta took a resolution to turn the Marquess of Denia out of the Queen's service for the ill opinion hee beeing a loial subject conceived of the Commoners alleging that shee
Earl of Haro spent all the night in placing his Guards and taking order for securing of the place Nine or ten of the Commissioners of the Cities were taken and imprisoned the rest fled som to Medina others to Valladolid where they arrived so mangled and stript that 't was a pitie to see them The Doctor Zun̄iga of Salamanca Suero del Aguila and Gomez de Avila Commissioners of Avila were released at the request of som Grandees who engaged for them In this manner was taken the Town of Tordesillas but not the Iunta nor the good will of the revolted Cities whose furie was hereby more enflamed Amongst the dead in the field were found divers dangerously wounded and som Gentlemen as Don Diego Osorio son to the Marquis of Astorga who was shot through the arm Don Francisco de la Cueva hurt in the face with a stone the Earl of Venavente wounded in the Arm with an arrow the Earl of Alva had his hors killed under him and divers Commanders and other persons of account The King's Standard was shot and tattered with two musket bullets the Earl of Cisuentes holding it in his hand However that daie's work was of exceeding great importance and was the means of giving a glorious end to these miserable distempers although not so suddenly For hereby the Common people were disabused the allegations and excuses of those of the Iunta appearing to bee no less fals then malitious for to give a more specious lustre to their forgeries and gain credit with the People they cunningly gave out that the Queen was perfectly well and in her right senses and that all they did was by her order which was nothing so whereby the blinde ignorant Commonaltie ran themselvs headlong into the precipice of those disasters which I have and hereafter shall relate The glorie of this memorable exploit was properly to bee attributed to the Earl of Haro's valor who contrarie to the Votes of divers others would assault Tordesillas in stead of following their Armie to seek satisfaction for having been out-dared by them to fight and blocked up in Rioseco according to the others opinions and propositions SECT VIII THose of Valladolid were in great fear when they heard that Tordesillas was taken lest the enemie should fall next upon them in regard they had disobliged the Cardinal the Council the Lord Admiral the Earl of Venavente and other Nobles in not admitting them and favoring so much those of the Iunta that it was generally reported that Valladolid alone did maintain them Few men able to bear Arms were left in the Citie for they had sent all to the Armie in a manner but those that were left stood upon their guard Whilest Valladolid was in this fright came a Post from Don Pedro Giron and the Bishop of Zamora with letters wherein they said That they knew not neither did they think that the Cavaliers in Rioseco would have attempted to take Tordesillas nor have offred that affront or disrespect to the Queen beeing there That they could have no intelligence of their design becaus they had stopt and taken all the Messengers and Travellers that might give notice of their march thither and that when they did know it and were prepared to go succor the Town news was brought them that the Cavaliers were carrying the Queen away to Burgos which made them turn towards Valladolid thinking that waie to intercept them And that now beeing at Villagarzia they thought good to acquaint them with their motion to the end they might receiv provision and orders thence to prosecute their design Promising since that the Cavaliers had taken Tordesillas and begun the War with fire and sword that they would do the like if Valladolid was so contented These Letters confirmed the Peoples jealousies of Don Pedro Giron insomuch that they cursed him in private and in publick saying hee was a Traytor and had sold them Moreover they wrote to this effect to Don Pedro That in regard hee had clouded his reputation by not succoring Tordesillas to vindicate his honor hee should forth with go and laie siege to it and shew himself what hee was That his Armie on one side and those of Valladolid on the other besides the rest of their Associates might joyntly take their full revenge for so insupportable an affront They wrote in like manner to the Bishop and other Captains but Don Pedro took no great notice thereof neither did hee make any other shew then that hee would go to Valladolid himself Divers disorderly Captains like sheep without a shepherd with their Companies came and took up their Quarters at Villanubla two leagues from Valladolid Others went to Valladolid with their plunder 'mongst others two horsmen brought in a thousand Sheep others fiftie others two hundred Mules Mares and Carts loaden with linnen and all manner of housholdstuff taken from the poor Countrie-men to the value of above three Millions of Maravediz which they sold in the Citie for little or nothing a Wether was sold for two Ryalls an Ewe for one and a Cow for two Duckets But the mischief was the greater in that the poor shepherds and husbandmen having ransomed their cattle and goods before they had gon half a league the Souldiers would plunder them again spoiling and robbing friend and foe as much as they could By which exorbitancies they began to see how much better it would have been to have satisfied their King's demands although the tax was somwhat heavie But so great acts of disobedience never passed long without such just punishments Their outrageous impudence grew to such a height that without any reverence or respect they robb'd and spoiled the very Churches as if they had been Infidels Women were not secure in their houses nor men by the high waies Valladolid to prevent further disorder in this kinde Commanded that those straggling Souldiers which were to the number of six hundred should return to their Colours at Villanubla where their Captains were and there they gave them ten daies paie more to endear them to go before Tordesillas whither also marched with all expedition men from Salamanca Toro and Zamora in great numbers thinking to catch the Cavaliers in the Climm But they lost no time in fortifying themselvs repairing the Walls as was but need scouring and clearing their ditches and laying in provisions of Victuals and Ammunition SECT IX FAme soon carried the taking of Tordesillas through the whole Kingdom which was diversly resented according to the disposition and inclination of the hearers as is usual amongst a divided people Assoon as notice thereof was brought to Quintanilla who commanded before Alaejos hee raised his siege and returned in all haste with his men to Medina del Campo fearing lest that might also bee surprised The Nobles in Tordesillas sent for the Cardinal who remained in Rioseco with those of the Garrison Don Rodrigo de Mendoça Earl of Castro who came to Medina de Rioseco with
the several Cities with the Bishop of Zamora and Iohn de Padilla agreed to draw all their forces into the field to stop all correspondence betwixt Valladolid and Tordesillas that the Treatie might not go forwards and to destroie and spoil all the Towns or houses they could thâ—t belonged to any of the Gentrie in Tordesillas With this resolution the Bishop of Zamora Iohn de Padilla with his Toledians Iohn Zapata with those from Madrid Iohn Bravo Captain of the Segovians and Francisco Maldonado who commanded the men of Avila and Salamanca went to the Iunta desiring that they would appoint a Captain General over them all and it is reported out of craft thereby to render him more odious to the Common People that they press'd to have that office conferred upon Don Pedro Lasso which plot was imputed to Iohn de Padilla who never was Don Pedro's friend The Iunta to satisfie them did name Don Pedro but hee desired som time to think upon it before hee would accept it and those that bare him no good will began to divulge his beeing made General in a disparaging manner saying It was more honor then hee deserved in regard hee had given them so much reason to suspect his fidilitie for holding correspondence with the Governors to sell them and that Iohn de Padilla was much more fit for that Command This was so much buzz'd amongst the people that they began to murmur highly against Don Pedro. The mutinie growing to such an height that Don Pedro and his friends not thinking themselvs secure prepared to make resistance in case they should assault them in their houses as som gave out they would And they saie the very school-boys instructed by their masters so to do ran crying up and down the streets Let Iohn de Padilla bee General and not Don Pedro Lasso The Bishop of Zamora sent him word that his safest waie would bee to absent himself from the Citie or at least to retire into some secret place for the people were very jealous of him and in their furie would bee apt to do him some displeasure but this was onely a plot to entrap him Don Pedro very resolutely returned the Bishop this answer That hee had done nothing that hee was ashamed of or ought to run awaie for and that hee would not stir out of his hous if the people had any thing to saie to him there they should finde him The people's design upon Don Pedro Lasso beeing publickly known some principal persons of the Citie came amongst them and so handled the matter that they all retired to their houses and there was no harm done SECT XXXIV THose of the Junta beeing in consultation about the ordering of their Armie for there was no more thought of peace some said that it was very requisite that they should have a Captain General and although Iohn de Padilla had executed the office ever since Don Pedro Giron had left it yet hee had not his Commission from the Junta neither had the present Armie which the several Cities had raised acknowledged him Som stood for Don Pedro Lasso de la Vega but the major part of the Junta and all the Common people Voted for John de Padilla Hee seeing that they would make him their Captain General out of a feigned modestie refused it earnestly desiring them all to give their Votes rather for Don Pedro Lasso who was more worthie and capable of so high a Charge then hee not that hee declined their service however but hee would content himself with the Command of the two thousand men which hee brought from Toledo with whom and with his own person hee would serv the Commonaltie to the last breath The people hearing that John de Padilla was like to bee outed they came crying in a tumultuous mannertothe Junta and presâ—ing them to make John de Padilla their General for no man els should bee And thinking that Dom Pedro Lasso was the onely man that hindred the election of John de Padilla the multitude ran presently to apprehend him in his hous laying to his charge that hee had used means to reduce them to his Majestie 's service that hee had been caus that the Cavaliers had taken Tordesillas having been in the conspiracie with Don Pedro Giron But the Bishop and John de Padilla followed and staied them in the great market place Assoon as ever the rabble saw the Bishop and him they flocked round about them crying out Let John de Padilla live let the Bishop live long may live John de Padilla who take's away the taxes of Castilla In this manner did the multitude carrie him up and down the market place hooting and shooting as if they had been all mad insomuch that Iohn de Padilla could not speak to them if hee would have said any thing they kept so horrid a nois saying Hee should bee their General and no other Iohn de Padilla and the Bishop seeing this fond madness of the people withdrew themselvs into a hous out of a window whereof Iohn de Padilla spake to them in this manner Sirs You know how I came hither Captain for the Citie of Toledo in favor of the Commonaltieâ— of this Kingdom to serv you you must know likewise that Toledo is not inferior to Valladolid but a fâ—iend to it and all the other Cities of the Kingdom who all agreed to send mee to assist you and with the same affection and willingness I have performed my part and whil'st I have breath I will omit nothing wherein I may serv you and I thank you for your good wills to mee But the Lords of the Iunta have determined to choos a Captain General for thir Expedition Believ mee sirs it is most fit that place should go by Election and I assure you that I was the first man that made that motion for that is the best and safest waie moreover those Gentlemen know very well what they do Hee scars had uttered these words but they all cried out Wee will have none but John de Padilla and the Bishop Thus they continued for the space of a long hour and more Iohn de Padilla entreating them to give their consents that Don Pedro Lasso might execute that office for nevertheless hee should bee readie to spend his father's and his own estate besides the ventring of his life in that Holie Caus for the service of the Commonaltie But no reason would stop their mouths they still continued crying hee and non els should bee their Captain Which obstinacie of the people beeing reported to those of the Iunta they Voted Iohn de Padilla Captain General of â—ll their forces From that daie forwards Don Pedro Lasso began to relinquish the Commonaltie and divers of his friends did the like seeing how blind and void of reason the people were and how much prejudice they did themselvs in following a people so overswaied with passion and the greatest part of them too but men of mean