the vanitie of anie earthly Crowns Having received this repuls hee agreed with Lewis King of France that hee should make the match betwixt him and Madam Germana daughter to Gaston de Foix and to the said French King's sister which was concluded upon this condition That King Lewis in stead of her Dowrie should grant and pass over to Don Fernando the right which hee pretended to the kingdom of Naples and that if the Queen should die before him without issue hee should succeed and inherit the same title but if shee should survive Don Fernando that Lewis should repossess the said claim These Articles beeing confirmed they made a Peace betwixt France and Spain for a hundred and one years but it scarce continued so manie weeks and Don Iuan de Silva Earl of Cifuentes with the Vice-Chancellor of Aragon went into France to attend and conduct her Majestie into Castillia SECT IV. THe Castillians in mean time beeing very desirous to have their Natural Sovereign amongst them importuned by frequent messages and invitations Donnia Iuana and her husband to return and bring their Children with them into Spain Whereupon Don Philip having provided a Fleet for the purpose they departed Flanders leaving the Prince Don Carles under the care and tuition of the Emperor Maximiliano and Donnia Margarita widdow to the Duke of Savoye and at last though tossed with much storm and tempests by the waie they landed safe at the Groyne in Galicia Don Fernando hearing of their arrival went to meet them betwixt La Puebla de Sanabria and Asturianos This interview occasioned no small discontent betwixt these Princes for Kings will admit of no competitors or Companions no not of their own châ—ldren in matters of Government and Command Whereupon Don Fernando forsaken by all but onely the Duke of Alva and the Earl of Altamira with som few others took his waie to Villafafila and Tordesillas and King Philip with his Queen to Venauente attended by all the Nobles and flower of Castillia besides strangers to the number of above two thousand hors One caus of their discord was about the title and inscription of Commissions Patents and other dispatches Roial which at last was determined and agreed that all things should pass in the names of Don Fernando Don Philip and Donnia Iuana But this style was soon altered by the unexspected dâ—ath of Don Philip which hapned at Burges hee had but seven daies of sickness which was thought to bee a surfeit and past from this life to the eternal on fridaie the fifth of September annoâ—â—0â— â—â—0â— beeing aged but twentie eight years and having enjoied the Kingdom of Castillia a year and ten moneths lacking one daie hee commanded that his heart should bee carried to Bruxels his bodie to Granada and his bowels to remain there His death was much lamented by the Emperor his Father for besides that hee was his onely son hee was one of the handsomest men of his time therefore hee was called Philip the Fair and the nobleness of his minde was answerable to the feature of his bodie Donnia Iuana his Queen was so sensible of his loss that with the extremitie of sorrow and her incessant weeping shee became in a manner distracted An old woman in Galicia seeing him at his landing and beeing told who hee was said That hee should bee a longer time and travel more leagues in Castillia beeing dead then living which proved so for the Queen carried his bodie with her from place to place and would not suffer it to bee buried for manie years after Hee left two sons Don Carles and Don Fernando both Emperors and three daughters all mightie Queens Donnia Leonor first reigned in Portugal and afterwards was married to the King of France Donnia Catalina was wife to Don Iohn the Third King of Portugal Aunt and Mother-in-law to Philip the Second of Spain And Donnia Maria had for her husband Lewis King of Bohemia and Hungaria SECT V. IN mean time Don Fernando beeing married to the Queen Germana and distasted in Castillia retired himself into Aragon from thence beeing upon his â—ournie to Naples the Castilliâ—ns gave him notice of Don Philip's death and of the necesâ—itie that there was of his Roial presence but hee refused to return beeing incensed against som of them for their ingratitude to him By the death of Don Philip and the absence of King Fernando divers tumults and seditions arose in the kingdom the people refusing to obeie the Magistrates and Officers of Justice and the Nobles wanted not factions and partialities amongst them to trouble and disquiet the Countrie and almost everie Citie throughout the Kingdom was infected with the same contagion Som crying up Charls or Don Carles others Fernando no small number stood for Maximiliano but verie few made anie mention of Donnia Iuana who whether out of a sens of her own disabilitie or overcom with melancholie for her husbands deceas had retired her self at Tordesillas refusing to govern or trouble her head with State-affairs Whereupon with the consent of most part of the Peers and Nobles of the Realm the Cardinal Ximenez Don Bernardino de Velasso Lord high Constable and Don Pedro Manrique Duke of Naxara took upon them the administration of Government for the present they made Don Alonso Suarez Bishop of Iaen President of their Council assisted by Doctor Tello el Licenciado Polanco and other learned Lawyers They called a Parlament wherein they ordered to send to Don Fernando desiring him in the name of the Queen and the whole Kingdom to return and undertake the Government for his Daughter and Grandchilde Which hee beeing more readie to accept then they to offer did not refuse but returned answer that having setled the business which had called him to Naples hee would satisfie their desires And after som time leaving Don Iuan de Aragon Earl of Ribagorsa his Vice-Roy hee embarqued himself for Spain with his Queen Germana Don Gonsalo Fernandez de Cordova commonly called the gran Capitan and a great train of Spanish Gentlemen that attended him in his voiage Beeing arrived at Valentia the Queen Donnia Iuana went to meet him whom hee received with signs of much affection and fatherlie tenderness which shee answered with all the honor and due obedience that could bee exspected from an observant Daughter for although the excess of sorrow had weakned her intellectual faculties yet shee never lost her respect to her Father but paied him with all humilitie and filial dutie neither was shee ever heard to utter anie mis becoming words which is common to people tainted with her infirmitie The eighth of October the King and Queens came to Arcos where Donnia Iuana desiring to staie Don Fernando went with his Court to Burges leaving her a good number of Noblemen and Ladies besides guards suitable to the dignitie of her person Som years after Don Fernando left the troubles of this transitorie life to enjoie the quietness and bliss of the
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
other rents in their own Countries Item in regard his Majestie had given away the Archbishoprick of Toledo before hee was received and sworn King in the Parlament at Valladolid That his Majestie may make a new presentation of the said Archbishoprick and confer it upon a Native and Inhabitant of the Kingdom of Castilla who may deserv it beeing a person of learning and conscience answerable a Divine or Civil Lawyer for the bestowing it on the Nephew of Monsieur de Xeures contrarie to the Laws of the Kingdom hath been and is very prejudicial to the Kingdom and the said Dignitie hee beeing under age and absent and although hee were a Native of the Kingdom it was not fit nor just to give it him That the Revenue of the said Dignitie was transported out of the kingdom wherewith if hee were a Native and resident in the said dignitie hee might entertain manie Nobles and Gentlemen in his hous as hath been the custom formerly And if his Maâ—estie would bee pleased to graâ—ifie the said Nephew of Monsieur de Xeures with som other lands in his own Countrie It might very well bee done Item that all Letters of Naturalization whatsoever that have formerly been given may bee revoked and never anie granted hereafter And if anie should bee granted although with derogatorie clauses and by an absolute power that they may bee respectively received but not fulfilled That there may bee no penaltie for the non-performance of anie such supplication and whosoever should bee strict therein may bee apprehended and severely punished by the Justices of the kingdom where hee was taken Item that the Judges Notaries and other Officers of the Ecclesiastical Courts may not have or demand more fees then those of the Secular Courts according to the â—tatutes of the kingdoms And if in anie case the Apostolical Autoritie bee requisite their Majesties may bee pleased to send to their Embâ—ssador to procure it from his Holiness and send it Item that the Archbishops Bâ—shops and Prelates of the kingdoms may reside in their own Diocess the greatest part of tâ—e year whereoâ— if they fail that they may lose proportionably a paâ—t of their fruits to bee emploied for the building or repairing of their Churches for by reason of their beeing absent the Divine Service is not performed as it ought to bee That his Maâ—estie send for a Bull to this effâ—ct from his Holiness within the space of one year And if his Majestie did not send for it within the said term that the kingdom might have power to demand it and take by his Autoritie out of the fruits of the said dignities as much as would diffraie the charges of the Journie and sollicitation to procure it Item forasmuch as his Holiness at his Majesties râ—quest had sent a Licence to the Archbishop of Granada purposing that whosoever should have his said power although secular persons might judg and give sentence in som cases against Priests in criminal matters That his Majestie would bee pleased to caus the said Licence to bee enrolled within six months and send a Copie thereof into these kingdom to excuse and avoid the scandals which arise thereby Concerning Regidores THat henceforwards their Majesties or their Successors never give or grant anie Licence to the Regidores Veyntiquatros Iurados and other Officers of the Council of Cities Towns or Villages of these kingdoms to live with or have anie dependance upon Noble-men That all Licences to this effect whatsoever granted in former times may bee revoked That the Laws of the Kingdoms may bee herein observed and executed That whosoever shall procure or make use of anie such Licence may bee deprived of his office And that their Majesties dispose thereof as beeing vacant but that hee or his children may never re-injoy it Item That the Regidores of the Cities and Towns of these Kingdoms who are Lawyers may not execute the office of Advocates nor plead in the said Cities or Towns but for them and their Commonalties Alienation of Goods or Lands from the Royal Crown THat his Majestie command effectually to restore the Towns Villages Forts Jurisdictions Revenues and all other Rights whatsoever to the Cities and Towns of his Royal Crown which they had formerly in their possession and which the most illustrious Queen Donia â—sabel our Ladie commanded in her will to bee restored And to the end this may bee effected and the wills of the Catholick King Don Fernando and his Queen Donia Isabel may bee fulfilled That executors may bee appointed with sufficient power to perform the same within six months without further delaie Item to the end this may remedied henceforwards That their Majesties or Successors for no reason or caus neither in paiment or satisfaction of services or anie other waies whatsoever may alienate anie thing from the Royal Crown or Patrimonie and in case anie alienation bee made that it may bee restored Concerning Forts and Alcaydias or Governments THat the Forts and Alcaydias of the strong holds of these Kingdoms may not bee given to anie forreiners but intrusted to the Natives and Inhabitants of these Kingdoms although they may produce letters of naturalization And that the same order bee observed herein as in the Dignities and Ecclesiastical preferments Item That his Majestie take away all command or governments whatsoever of Castles and Forts possessed by strangers or transferred by them for monie to anie natives of these Kingdoms Item that Antonio de Fonseca may bee dispossessed of the offices and command hee hath in these Kingdoms in regard of the great mischiefs and scandals which they suffer by his occasion Item that the Forts and Alcaydias may not bee given to anie Noble-men or persons of high birth and qualitie And that the Alcaydes or Commanders thereof may take the oath of fealtie to his Majestie and give securitie to the Cities and Towns where they are that by or from the said Forts they shall receiv no dammage or prejudice Item that his Majestie give order forthwith and every two years from this time forwards to visite and repair as occasion doth require the Forts and places of strength upon the frontiers of these Kingdoms Concerning Cloath THat the Cloath that is imported from other Countries may bee of the same size and goodness as those which are wrought in these Kingdoms according as it is ordered by the Statutes and Act of Parlament That the said Act may bee executed aswell upon forreign Clothes as those which are made in these Kingdoms That what deferring of the time of the Act or Licences soëver have been granted to sell and disperse them in these Kingdoms may bee revoked and declared void That hereafter no such Licences bee granted but in case there bee that they may not bee fulfilled And that without stopping or arresting them the Justices may proceed according to the Act under pain of losing their offices and paying one hundred thousand Maravediz towards the reparations and charitable uses of the Citie
and obscure extraction SECT XXXV FOwer hundred Lanciers of the choisest men of those that câ—me from the conquest of the Gelves mutined and would have gon awaie becaus they did not receiv the paie which was promised them from Valladolid and they demanded moreover paiement of their arreares ever since the death of the King Don Fernando which amounting to fortie Duckets a man at least made the summe of eight thousand Duckets The Citie not having monie to satisfie their demands yet loth to let them go becaus they were stout well disciplined souldiers and wel armed caused all their Gates to bee shut whilest they went to procurâ— them monie In the first place they searched the Cloister of the Benedictans where they found six thousand Duckets which som particular persons had deposited there thinking it more secure then in their own hands After which they went to other Religious houses Colledges in like manner Insomuch that at last with what they took up by waie of lone they got enough to give them satisfaction Thus was that Citie guiltie of their own torment and trouble by maintaining a fire-brand for tâ—ey deserved no other name in their own bowels But that which seemed most grievous to them was That they were daily so molested and affronted by that paultrie Garrison of Simancas Therefore they flatly told those of the Iunta that either they should go themselvs or give them their men for Valladolid was resolved to unroost those Harpyes At length Valladolid seeing themselvs reduced to so great want and povertie for they had no way to gain a peny all Trading and Commerce lost the roads were so unsecure that if they did but peep as it were out of their houses they were in danger of beeing kill'd taken â—risoners or at least plundered and that their War was not in earnest to the purpose neither had they any hopes of peace they wrote a Letter to the Cavaliers in these terms Valladolid's Letter to the Cavaliers Illustrious Sirs WEe received a Letter from you whereby any man of the least judgment or understanding may plainly see that your actions do absoluâ—ely contradict what you express in words And for a further manifestation that the peace which you publish is directly opposite to your actual proceedings you have introduced an abominable War in these Kingdoms under the notion of obedience to their Majesties battering and forcing the place where the Queen residâ—d seizing on and imprisoning â—er servants and the Commissioners of the Kingdom permitting her Court to bee ransack't the Churches to bee robb'd women violated the high-waies stopped the Iustice of the Kingdom which was the Chancerie to bee taken away and other horrid things which never were seen or heard of before whereby experience sheweth us that the offers of Peace which you have and do make us are onely forms and a policie to wearie out divide and procure the utter destruction of the Kingâ—om Beeing sore aggrieved at and for the disservices dammages and troubles which our Sovâ—reign Lord the King his Kingdoms have and do daily suffer and sâ—eing that with this dissembled Peace which you cunningly publish may bee brought to ruine and perdition wee are in the minde to persevere in that which wee have begun and maintein the name of faithful and loial subjects in discharging our duties to our Sovereigns and in executing what wee are obliged to perform to our selvs and our Countrie not forgetting what 's past wee suffer with chearfulness all these troubles and afflictions which are worthie of acknowledgment before God and his Majestie our Sovereign since they pass as obligations which wee owe them Wee hope hence â—orwards that all the oppressions and waies which you have used to divert and withdraw us from this holie purpose shall not weaken or dis hearten us but rather strengthen and encourage us the more to resist and fight against all those that havâ— been the causers and so detestable initiators of the miseries of these Kingdoms â—â—d we trust in God that â—e wil speedily shew som heavie judgment upon the â—â—â—â—ntors of such pervers actions that they may alone suffer the punishment of â—heir crimes not wee nor those of the holie Junta for whosoever will seriously and judiciously consider it shall see that there is no fear of blame where is faithfulness and truth neither doth passion dare to presume wherâ— the publick good is preferred before the particular nor ambition wherâ— men without consideration of either honor life or fortâ—nes expose themsâ—lvs to divers hard censures and obloquies But their actions rather â—mbolden and strengthen them to continue so just an undertaking the obteiâ—ing whereof will procure us the perpetual Peace which wee desire Yoâ— know Sirs that the producer of Peace is War if our forefathers had not fought and spilt their blood wee should never have enjoied that happâ—â— Peace which wee had during the time of the reign of King Don Fernando and Donia Isabella of glorious memorie That war is laudablâ— which tend's to the libertie of the King and Kingdom And abominable iâ— that Peace whose end is subjection oppression and slâ—verie Therefoâ—â— our purpose and intention is That our King may bee free enjoie his Kingdoms as our Sovereign Lord not subject nor over swaied by any evil favorites nor fals or cheating Counsels That his Revenues and Roial Patrimonie may not bee usurped or lavishly wasted but preserved or usefully expended for the good of his Kingdoms to the end hee may bee beloved obeied and faithfully served And out of this love obedience and respect wee wish desire and humbly beseech his Majestie to seek a remedie for his Roial Crown and his Kingdoms that under God hee onely may bee ouâ— Lord our King onely mightie onely rich his own and our onely helper anâ— redressor whom onely we may fear serv â—onor and obeie to whom onely wee may asscribe the glorie and render a due acknowledgment for our publick good and to whom onely wee may address our complaints and grievanâ—â—s which if you would but seriously weigh and consider you would not so condemn and oppose our holie proceedings nor the sacred end at which weâ— aim And since wee cannot accomplish our desire in a peaceable manner it is but reason wee should endeavor to obtein them by war in regard it is just and holie our end beeing to finde everlasting Peace So it cannot bee said that the Kingdom is caus of this War but those disturbers who hinder us from enjoying and procuring the universal good which wee seek after for which they must render a strict account to God and their Majesties besides all the dammages slaughters extortions and other grand mischiefs which will all lie upon their score The true peace is that 〈◊〉 and the other Grandees ceas from disturbing or hindering the universal 〈◊〉 which wee labor with all our force and might to procure For the effecting and settling of which Peace the Truce which your Lordships did
the reputation of him whose chief aim in this labor was to procure you both profit and pleasure as beeing Your affectionate Servant J. W. THE CIVIL WARS OF SPAIN THE FIRST BOOK SECT I. IN the year of our LORD 1500 which was according to the Hebrew account five thousand four hundred sixtie and one years after the Creation of the World from the Universal Deluge three thousand eight hundred and five from the Coming of Tubal to inhabit and people the then desolate Countrie of Spain three thousand six hundred sixtie and three from the Conquest of Cesar one thousand five hundred thirtie and eight from the Entrie of the Goths into Spain one thousand eightie and six and lastly from the Dominion of the Moors in that Countrie seven hundred eightie and six years Alexander the sixth then beeing Pope of Rome The Christian King Don Fernando and Donnia Isabel having reigned twentie seven years converted the Mezquitas or Moorish temples into Châ—istian Churches and purged the whole Kingdom of Paganism and Jewish Cerimonies beeing also the year of Iubilee at Rome for their comfort and to drie up the tears which sorrowful Spain ceased not to shed for the deceaâ— of tâ—eir Prince Don Iuan or Ioâ—n onely Son to the Catholâ—â—k King and Donnia Isabel his Queen and â—he Infanta Donnia Isabel their eldest Daughter who was married to Don Iuan or Iohn the Second King of Portugal in the Citie of Gant upon the Apostle â— t Matthias his daie beeing mundaie 25 Febâ—uarie was born Charls the fift Emperor and King of Spain begotten by Don Philip or Philip surnamed El Hermoso or the fair Arch-Duke of Austria on to the Emperor Maximilian the First and Donnia Maâ—ia sole daughter and heir to Charls Duke of Burgundie who had for her porâ—ion besides the said Dutchie of Burgundie the Dukedom of Brabant Flanders Limbourg Haynaut Hâ—lland Artois Zealand and Cueldres with other places thereunto belonging and Donnia Iuana second daughter to the fore-naâ—ed Don Fernando and Isabel. The Prince Don Miguel de la paz son to Don Iuan of Portugal and Don Fernandos eldest Daughter Isabel who by the right of his mother was to inherite the Crown of Castilla was yet living when Charls the Fift came first into the World the news of whose birth with the particulars of the place and time beeing carried into Spain his grandmother Donnia Isabel I know not by what prophetick spirit presently said Cecidit sors super Mattâ—iam meaning that the succession of those Kingdoms should fall upon Charls who was born upon that Saint's daie as it did and hee became the most potent Prince of the Christian World For Don Miguel de la paz dying in Julie following in the same year 1500 the inheritance of the Crowns of Spain descended to Donnia Iuana mother to the fortunate Prince Don Charls or Charls then bearing the title of Duke of Luxembourg SECT II. IN the year 1501 the Catholick Queen Donâ—ia Isabel of Castilia beeing fallen into a languâ—shing diseas and past hopes of â—ecoverie shee desired to see Don Philip and Donnia Iuana â—er daughter before her deceas Whereupon they took their waie through France where they were received and feasted in a Princely manner by King Lewis the Twelfth who treated with them concerning the marriage of his Daughter Claudia to their son Charls One of the Articles was That in case the said marriage should not bee consummated tâ—rough anie default of the said King of France the Emperor should invest and settle the Dukedom of Milan upon their son Don Carlâ—s Duke of Luxembourg And it so happened afterwards that the said match was broken off by tâ—e â—aid King Lewis which is a great Plea for the Crown of Spain against the Kings of France in the pretention of Milan Beeing arrived at Toledo where the Catholick King and Queen exspected them on Sundaie 22 Maie in the Cathedral Church they were sâ—orn Princes of Castilia and Leon Don Fernando and Donnia Isabel assisting at the Ceremonie with the Cardinal Don Diego Hurtaâ—o de Mendosa Don Fray Francisco de Xmenez Archbâ—shop of Toledo Don Bernardino de Valasâ—o Lord hâ—gh Constable of Castilia and Leon the Duke del Infantadâ— Duke of Alva Duke of Bejar Duke of Alburquerque and a mulâ—itude of other noblemen after which solemnitie the King went to Saragosa and the Queen with her Daughter and Don Philip went to Torisos Fuensâ—lida Casâ— Rubios and theâ—ce to Madrid from whence after â—om time Donnia Iuana went to Alcala de Henaâ—es where shee was brought to bed of the Infante Don Ferdinando or Ferdinand hee was baptized with exceeding great solemnitie by the Arch Bishop of Tolâ—do the Duke of Naxara and the Earl of Villena were his Godfathers and Madame de Luin his Godmother Which Ceremonie beeing past and Donnia Iuana throughly recovered shee and her husband whose presence was most earnestly desired in Flanders repaired both thither by the waie of France And beeing at the Citie of Lyons hee concluded the Peace betwixt his father Maximilian the Emperor Don Fernando King of Spain and Lewis the French King who again moved him about marrying the Duke of Luxembourg with his daughter Clavia who was to inherit the Dukedom of Britanie yet hee was the first occasion of breaking that agreement SECT III. IN the year 1505 a Parlament beeing call'd at the Citie of Toro in presence of the King Don Fernando with all the Grandees of the Kingdom and the Commissioners or Burgesses Donnia Isabel the Queen beeing deceased at Medina del Campo the Princess Donnia Iuana then beeing in Flanders was declaâ—ed Queen of Castilia and Leon and her son Don Carles heir and successor after her to those Kingdoms which pacified divers turbulent â—pirits and stopt the current of manie troubles and mischiefs that was like to overflow that Countrie This news was brought to Donnia Iuana then newly brought to bed of the Infanta Donnia Maria who was afterward married to the unfortunate King of Bohemia Lewis son to Uladislaus after whose death shee was Governess of Flanders for manie years and proved nothing inferior to her Brother in courage and other princely endowments onely shee was a woman Don Philip remaining still in Flanders with his Queen there grew such differences betwixt him and Don Fernando that finding an advantage in their absence Don Fernando sent Don Rodrigo Manrique his Embassador to the King of Portugal desiring him to give in marriage La Excelente otherwise called La Vâ—ltraneja thinking by virtue of her right and his powerful assistance to oppose Don Philip and make himself King of Castillia which argued no less weakness then Ambition in the Catholick King But the King of Portugal was so discreet as not to satisfie his desires aâ—d although hee had given his consent La Veltraneja would never have condescended thereunto for besides that shee was well stricken in years shee was altogether given to her devotion and valued not
his Mother Donnia Iuana was living who was right heir to the Crown and that hee first should swear to maintein and observ the fundamental Laws and Customs of the Kingdom especially that no Offices or places of Benefit or Trust either Ecclesiastical or Temporal should bee conferred upon anie that were not Natives of that Countrie But at last all beeing agreed both the Grandees and Commissioners of the kingdom took the Oath the Cerimonie was in this manner On Sundaie the 7th of Februarie 1518 the Prince accompanied by all the Embassadors and Nobles of his Dominions having heard Mass in St Paul's Church at Valladolid was seated in a chair before the Altar and Adriano Cardinal of Tortosa holding the Evangelists in his hands Don Garzia de Padilla read with a loud voice the contents of the Oath which don the Infante Don Fernando swore first upon the book then went to kiss the King's hand but the King refusing to give his hand embraced him and laid his cheek to his brother's After that the Infante took his Sister Donnia Leoner by the hand and led her to swear and afterwards to kiss his Majestie 's hand but the King arose and kissed her cheek then they passed on the King's right hand and Don Fernando stood close to his chair bare headed Immediately came the Infante of Granada with the Arch-Bishop of Santiago the Bishop of Granado and other Prelates to take the Oath after them followed the Grandees and Nobles there present to whom the Infante Don Fernando held the Book Don Garzia read the Oath to the Nobles and likewise to the Commissioners of the several Cities who having sworn went all to kiss his Majestie 's hand After all which the King swore upon the same holy Evangelists to keep and fulfil all and everie thing and Article which hee had promissed and agreed of with the Commissioners Moreover was added if at anie time it should pleas God to restore the Queen Donnia Iuana his mother to her perfect health and abilitie to rule her Kingdom that hee should desist from the Government and that onely shee should reign That in all Writings Letters Commissions or publick Acts whatsoëver during the said Donnia Iuana's life her name should bee set in the first place and then his And that hee should bee styled onely Prince of Spain This don Te Deum laudamus was sung with great solemnitie and varietie of musical Instruments The Commissioners of the Kingdom beeing all assembled in Valladolid made a very discreet speech to the King in answer to that which the Bishop of Badajos and Don Garzia de Padilla had propounded in his Majestie 's name intimating that amongst themselvs they should seriously consider and weigh those things which were important to the good preservation and increasing of those kingdoms The Commissioners desired with very valid and good reasons That his Majestie would put in execution the holie and Catholick Propositions which hee had expressed in favor of his kingdom and the Subjects thereof And that they might enjoie the fruit of his so virtuous and holie desires they came to put him in minde how by a decree and express order from Heaven hee was chosen and called to bee King whose office was to govern well and to govern well was to administer Iustice giving to everie one that which is his and they desired that his chief ends and intention might tend thereunto for although Kings do possess divers other qualities and things recommendable as their linage dignities power honor riches delights estimation c. none of all these make a King according to right but onely the administring of Iustice And for this onely and in the name thereof the holie Ghost hath said That kings do reign That Iustice and the ruling therewith do require that when the Subjects sleep their kings should watch And that it was his part so to do for in effect hee was as an hireling to his Subjects for that caus did they give him part of their fruits and estates and serv him with their persons if need requiring it bee his pleasure to call them That by a certain tacit contract the King is obliged to do Iustice to his people which is a thing of such excellencie and Dignitie that God hath made it one of his own attributes calling himself the Iust Iudg that God beeing so great a friend and lover of Iustice would likewise bee a friend to him that should bee careful in preserving and administring thereof That the charge of him that is to judg beeing of such high importance hee whom God hath called to manage a Scepter hath need of som assistant therefore it is necessarie that the King should have som inferior Ministers that may bear a part of that weightie burthen and incessant cares which accompanie the Roial dignitie the supream Power still remaining in his own hands That a good King ought to choos and seek out such men for his Ministers as Moses did when hee received a command from God to elect seventie and two men out of his people who might assist him in the Government and eas him of a part of the care and troubles wherewith hee was surcharâ—â—d those men were to bee wise of mature years fearing God enemies to Covetousness and all other passions which may blinde and pervert the understanding That although they doubted not to finde all these perfections in his highness yet they humbly desired him to ratifie the ensuing Articles 1. That the Queen Donnia Iuana his mother might have a Court and attendants suitable to the Dignitie of her person as beeing the Queen and Ladie proprietarie of those Kingdoms whereunto hee answered That hee thanked them and assured them that hee had nothing in greater recommendation then what concerned that particular as they should finde by effects 2. That hee would bee pleased to marrie with what convenient speed might bee it beeing very requisite for the good of the kingdom that hee should leav a prosperous issue to rule manie years over them the King replyed That hee would consider thereupon and do that which shall bee most conducing to his honor the benefit of his Kingdoms and the succession thereof 3. That the Infante Don Fernando might not go out of the kingdom until hee were married and had children the king made answer That hee was not more careful of anie thing in the world then of the advancement of his brother the Infante and that hee would order nothing to bee don concerning his person but what should bee for his advantage and the good of those kingdoms 4. That hee would bee pleased to speak Spanish for by practising hee would the sooner learn and better understand his Subjects and bee understood by them Hee answered That hee was well contented and would strive so to do and the rather becaus they desired it in the name of the Kingdoms so afterwards hee did speak Spanish with them and others 5. That hee would not alienate anie
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
the Earl of Aranda answered the Earl of Venavente in such harsh and bitter tearms that all the Palace and the Grandees of the Court were com almost to daggers drawing So that the King had much to do to pacifie them commanding everie one of them to repair to their own houses and not to stir abroad upon pain of death But his Commands were not fully obeied that time for night beeing com divers of both parties met in the streets and manie of them were sore wounded and questionless the dispute had been more bloudie if the Arch-Bishop had not left his supper and com out with other Noblemen to part them The next daie the King made the Earls of Venavente and Aranda friends which don the Aragoneses were brought to reason and beeing willing to conform themselvs with the Castillians they took the same Oath and acknowleged the King to bee their King and Lord jointly with Donnia Iuana the Queen his mother as had been don in Castillia SECT VIII IN the beginning of the year 1519 the Parlament of Aragon beeing ended the King went to visite his Dominions of Barcelona and would have don the like in the Kingdom of Valencia if his occasions had permitted Beeing at Barcelona news was brought him that Maximilian the â—mperor his Grandfather died at Belsis the 12th of Januarie 1519 whereat hee was not a little troubled all the Court was forthwith put into mourning and his Obsequies celebrated with very great solemnitie according to the honor and greatness of his person who was one of the most virtuous and wel-deserving Emperors that ever had command in Germanie hee was of a most noble and generous disposition pious and valiant The ten first years of his age hee could make no use at all of his tongue insomuch that the Emperor Frederick his father thought hee would bee dumb or a fool But coming to mature years hee gave great evidences of very rich endowments of his soul. Hee died of a Flux in the sixtie third year of his age having governed the Empire twentie five years after his Father 's deceas Francis the First of France stood in competition with Don Carles for the succession to the Imperial Crown and left no waie unattempted to corrupt the Elâ—ctors and make them of his partie But the major part after manie long and serious debates thinking it more fit to continue that Dignitie to the Hous of Austria who were Natives of that Countrie then to transfer it upon a strange Prince made the election in favor of Don Carles King of Spain to the great contentment of all Princes and people of Germamie The Electors of the sacred Empire at that time were Alberto Archbishop of Maguncia or Mâ—ntz Hertnao Archbishop of Colonia Ricardo Archbishop of Trâ—ues Frederico Duke of Saxonia Lewis King of Bohemia and Hungaria Ioachim Marquis of Brandeburg Lewis Count Palatine of the Rhyne The Election beeing past in Franckfort and published all over Germanie the Electors sent Frederick Duke of Baviers into Spain to his Majestie in mean time they ordered all matters concerning the Empire and made Casimire of Brandeburg Captain General of the Imperial forces until the new Emperor should com to receiv his Crown Whilst these things passed in Germanie the King celebrated in Barcelona the feast of the Order of the golden Fleece there the Lord high Counstable of Castillia Don Innigo de Velasco Don Iadrique de Toledo Duke of Alva Don Alvaro de Zunniga Duke of Vejar Don Fadrique Enriquez Lord Admiral of Castilla Don Estavan Alvarez Cesorio Marquis of Astorga received the Order But the Earl of Venavente refused it saying that hee was a right Castillian and cared not for anie badges of foreign honor those of his own Countâ—ie beeing as good and in his opinion far better The Duke of Cordona in the Kingdom of Aâ—agon and the Prince of Bisâ—â—gnano a Neapolitâ—ne stood not upon those nice tearms but accepted the Order as a particular favor from his Majestie About the same time the Queen Germana finding more contentment in the Companie of a Husband then in the solitarie condition of a widow was married with great solemnitie to the Marquis of Brandeburg brother to the Elector who though of a very illustrious extraction was so incomparably inferior to the Majestie and greatness of her former husband Don Fernando that her judgment was much censured for her chois and the Courtiers thought so slightly of her that divers would not give her the style of Highness until his Majestie commanded it who assisted personally at the solemnitie thinking thereby to endeer thâ— Elector of Brandenburg the more to vote in his behalf At the beginning of Julie in the same year arrived at Barcelona Frederick Duke of Baviers brother to Lewis Duke of Baviers Elector and Count Palatine with the dispatches from the Electors and having delivered his embassage the Chancellor Mercurino de Gatinara answered that his Majestie did receiv very willingly the â—lection of the Empire which the seven Princes Electors had conferred upon him that hee would take that weightie and honorable care upon himself out of the great affection which hee bore his native Countrie and that hee would endeavor with all convenient speed to settle his affairs in Spain and make a voiage into Germanie Thus the Empire beeing setled upon Don Carles of Spain and the King of France deprived of all his hopes notwithstanding the vast summs of monie and presents wherewith hee thought to purchase the Elector's Votes his envie and choler grew beyond the bounds of moderation and hee resolved forthwith to act what mischief hee could and interess the power of all other Princes his Allies against the Emperor Elect. SECT IX WHilest the King or Emperor Elect was at Barcelona hee demanded the Catalanes to receiv and acknowledg him their King which they refused for a while neither would they consent that hee should call anie Parlamemt in their Countrie but at last they were perswaded to reason and swore Alleageance to him as Castillia and Aragon had don The Emperor upon notice of his Election and solicitation of the Princes of Germanie for his going hither had not the leisure to visit the Kingdom of Valencia as hee intended therefore hee desired that those of that Kingdom would swear and acknowledg him King without obliging him to bee personally present in regard it was imposslble for him to perform that journie at that time by reason of his new and unexspected occasions which called him another waie But they would not hearken to anie such motion and scornfully made answer that they were as good as Aragoneses or Catalanes and since hee had spent two years time in those Countries why could not hee staie two moneths at Valencia The Emperor beeing readie to depart from Barcelona sent Cardinal Adriano to Valencia to pacifie that Kingdom and gave Commission to the Infante Don Enrique and the Arch-Bishop of
Saragosa both his Unckles to call a Parlament in his name ordering that the monie which should bee granted him therein by waie of Subsedie should bee all distributed amongst the aggrieved and needie of the Kingdom Don Alonsa de Cordona Admiral of Aragon and the Duke of Gandia with several other persons of account gave their Votes to acknowledg and swear his Majestie their King But the rest told the Cardinal Adriano and wrote besides to the Emperor that they would lose their wives Children and Estates rather then the Liberties and Privileges of their Countrie whereat the Cardinal much displeased returned to Court leaving the Citie of Valencia in great distraction the out-rages and disorders whereof shall bee hereafter more at large related SECT X. IT was agreed and his Majestie toke Oath in the Parlament at Valladolid That no Offices should bee given to strangers nor the kingdom surcharged with new Impositions but should continue in the same manner as was ordered by the Catholick King at a Parlament which hee called in Burgos Yet there was nothing less observed or wors kept then these Articles for the treasure of the kingdom was publickly exhausted and Offices were daily given to the Flemings who sold them to those that would give most monie and likewise divers spiritual livings were so bestowed which the Castillians seeing and taking notice how small account was made of the Grandees and Nobles Natives of that Countrie they began to bee distasted and muttered out manie things in a discontented manner which ought not to bee rehearsed These murmurings began from the time of his Majestie 's departure from Valladolid to Aragon which was in March 1518. And beeing in Barcelona som troubles arose about Segovia and Avila by reason of certain persons that had farmed the Customs and Roial Revenues which enhaunced the charges of the Countrie whereat those Cities much aggrieved the contrarie having been promised by the Emperor Elect in Parlament They acquainted the Citie of Toledo with their grievances and desired that all the Cities of the kingdom should make a joint-complaint thereof to his Majestie and appoint their Commissioners to importune him for a redress desiring him to stand to the Ordinances of Parlament made in Valladolid and to grant what hee then refused moreover that hee would visit the whole Kingdom before his departure into Germanie Whereunto the Lord Chancellor in his Majestie 's name made answer That hee would very speedily send an Express to give the Citie of Toledo thanks for their expressions of fidelitie to him and satisfie them more fully But the Empire beeing without Head hee could not defer his going thither to receiv the Crown and settle the Government which don hee would make all convenient haste back again into that Kingdom of Castillia whose good hee tendered in a very particular manner The Commissioners beeing answered the Chapter of Toledo as beeing the Chief of the Kingdom presented their grievances to his Majestie concerning the Tenth which the Pope had granted to him through all the Churches of the Kingdom complaining that it was a new heavie and intolerable tax and not onely grievous to the Ecclesiasticks but prejudicial to all his kingdoms That in former times when the said Kingdoms were over-run by Moors and Infidels although there were manie and bloudie wars which continued until the blessed reigns of the Catholick King Don Fernando and Donnia Isabel of glorious memorie his Grâ—ndfather and Grandmother who conquered the Kingdom of Granada and extirpated the Moorish race which wars were very necessarie and of extraordinarie expence yet there were no Tenths raised nor demanded It beeing an unheard of thing and a request as unjust as insupportable much less reason had his Majestie to require anie such thing of the Clergie his case beeing far different and his wars nothing so important That hee should rather encourage the Clergie to praie for his good success then diminish anie thing from their subsistence Praiers beeing of more avail then anie Martial Discipline as appears by the holie Scriptures wherein it is read that the victorie is more certainly obteined by the praiers of devout Priests then by the force of Horsmen and Arms. But if his Majestie 's temporal Revenue was not sufficient to maintein a just war in such case hee might demand assistance of the Church-men as far forth as the present necessitie did require wherein they would willingly supplie his Majestie making Levies amongst themselvs and rather abate their own subsistence then suffer him to bee disfurnished which they should not bee able to do if his Majestie in the verie beginning would exact a Tenth from them Divers other reasons they alleged in their Petition to his Majestie whereunto there was no time to give answer SECT XI MEan time the Emperor Maxmilian beeing dead and Charls the Fift beeing long before hee went thither to to take possession the People of Austria having lost all fear and respect of autoritie fell into the greatest disorder and mutinie that had been within compass of the memorie of man turning out and discarding all antient Officers of Justice and constituting others of their own combination the like they did with Ecclesiastical benefices The Loial Partie which was the fewer in number durst not open their mouths fearing the furie of the seditious vulgar who had possessed themselvs of all the Arch-Duke's Revenues and were grown to such a height of arrogancie that they sent to the Emperor beeing at Barcelona to ratifie and confirm what they had don for the publick Weal and good Government as they termed it of that Countrie and to allow the new Officers of Iustice whom they had constituted But the Emperor returned them such an answer as made them understand that hee knew himself to bee Arch-Duke of Austria and not they These distractions and perturbations continued in that Countrie almost two years after which his Majestie returning into Germanie pacified all those dissentions and factious spirits setled the Government and received the Imperial Crown as shall bee expressed hereafter Finis Libri Primi THE SECOND BOOK SECT I. IN this and the following Books I am to relate the the Insurrections or rising of the People commonly called Communidades or Communalties which continued in Spain from the year 1519 to 1522. A Subject truly very sad and unpleasant and which I would willingly pass under silence becaus som Illustrious Families Noble Cities and principal Towns of the Kingdom were interessed therein which never had been disobedient to their Kings but alwaies esteemed for their loialtie Neither do I conceiv that they thought anie waie to disserv his Majestie but rather to releas him out of that oppression as I may term it in which his Favorites held him And it is manifest in that they so earnestly importuned and petitioned that their King would not go out of the Kingdom that they desired and delighted to see and enjoie his Roial presence which was no sign that they intended to
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
up the hand som great disaster must befal this Kingdom They all returned their answers although the Citie of Burgos disapproved their general meeting Granada answered that they should do better to exspect another opportunitie and carrie a more specious form Salamanca and Murcia were not backwards in their promises and fair offers but they did not agree in that particular touching the general Assemblie yet all wrote that they would send their Burgesses as Agents who in the Parlament should bee conformable to the Toledians Sevil answered neither yea nor no. These answers puff'd up the Spirits of the Toledians and Hernando de Avalos brother to Don Iohn de Ribera who was chosen for Procurador that is Burgess and Commissioner associating himself with Iohn de Padilla were the chief sticklers for that Caus and although the Emperor wrote to them no reason would satisfie but they answered that they understood in so doing to do him service SECT VI. SOon after was publisht through the whole kingdom the Emperor's determination to go into Germanie to receiv the Imperial Crown Everie one lamented his departure out of a presaging fear that those so long contracted fogs of murmuring Discontent condensing more and more through the privation of his resplendent presence might at last break forth into som furious storm of intestine Commotions to the ruine of their whole Countrie Which Consideration meeting with the complaints and general grievances of the whole Kingdom they began at length to mutter out their resentments in these following words That the King shewed verie small affection to that Countrie and despising it as too mean for him would betake himself wholly to Germanie That Xeures had robbed Spain of all her Treasure That the King beeing at Burgos Capital Citie of Castillia did not staie one week there That Xeures would not have the Parlament to bee in Valladolid although all the Grandees and divers others of the Kingdom had petitioned for it That Don Pedro Giron had given the King som unbeseeming Language which hee thought good to put up becaus hee was not man enough to punish his temerarious audacitie That Xeures had called a Parlament but for no other end then to charge the Kingdom with a new Cessment of four hundred thousand Duckets From these and such other seeds of discontents sown amongst the Common People grew suddenly a multitude of turbulent Imaginations in their factious hearts and the seditious Clergie casting the oil of their pretended Religious Doctrine into the fire of the People's ill-grounded zeal made the flame blaze the higher pricking them daily forwards with their sacrilegious Exhortations in the Pulpits in these or like words Why do you that are a Free born Nation suffer such exorbitancies Why do you suffer strangers to reap the fruits of your labors in your own Countrie You have not yet fully paid the Cessment that was granted to the King in the last Parlament and yet hee will impose more Taxes on you till hee hath swept this kingdom clean and quite beggar'd us to inrich his Germane Nation and there 's Xeures who was but a private Gentleman in Flanders hath made himself one of the richest men in the world by the spoils of us Castillians SECT VII THe Emperor beeing at Valladolid and the People's mindes much distracted with these several grievances hee sent for the Corregidores Regidores and all other Publick Magistrates to his Palace Upon their appearance hee told them that beeing then to go into Germanie to receiv the Imperial Crown hee was in great distress for want of monies to defraie his charges to which hee desired they would not onely give their consents but bee assistant in the raising of three hundred Millions of Marauediz which might bee easily don in Castillia by waie of Subsidie and Pole-monie everie Town paying according to their qualitie and Cessments Presuming that if those of Valladolid subscribed the other places of the Kingdom would not bee backwards to answer his exspectation And in case they did satisfie his desires therein hee promised to grant them all the Favors their Burgesses or Commissioners should demand of him in Parlament There was present at this Conference the Arch-Bishop of Santjago the Bishop Mota the Earl of Venavente the Marquis of Astorga and Xeures who was never from the Emperor's elbow Those of Valladolid desired som time to give in their answer but they said They could see no possibilitie of effecting what the Emperor demanded of them Thence began tumultuous meetings in the streets Conventicles and outragious murmurings insomuch that they were even readie to rise in arms against the Flemings At last Valladolid returned the Emperor this answer That they humbly desired his Majestie would bee pleased to staie and make his residence in their Countrie and that upon those terms hee should not onely command the three hundred Millions hee desired but they would furnish him with much more and if need required they would not stick to part with their lands and goods but fell their Children also to do him service But in their opinions that hee should go away and deprive the kingdom of his Roial Person besides that vast summe monie which hee desired to carrie into forreign Countries seemed verie unreasonable and they would sell nothing to further anie such designe neither did they believ that God required they should paie him anie such obedience Upon this answer of Valladolid there were several meetings and Consultations but they prevailed nothing But the Emperor's Favorites against whom Castillia was chiefly incensed Viz. Xeures Don Garzia de Padilla and Mota Bishop of Badajos went again to the Magistrates desiring them that they would consider well upon his Majestie 's demands since the performance thereof was so important to his present service and so easie for them to accomplish that the necessitie of his going to receiv the Imperial Crown was extremely urgent and redounded not a little to the reputation and honor of that Kingdom That they should look upon what Castillia had furnished to King Alonso the Wise when hee went into Germanie upon a pretended claim of the Empire and how much more reason they had to do the like now which they might well do the Kingdom beeing in a far better condition That the King undertook not that voiage as Don Alonso did upon a doubtful matter his business was already most certainly concluded and agreed upon This was closely followed for during the three daies time which the Emperor staied in Valladolid The Gentrie Magistrates and Burgesses of the Town with Bishop Mota whom the Emperor had sent to entreat them to condescend to his desires did nothing els all daie and night but go from the Court to the Town-hous and back again the Bishop of Osma Don Alonso Enriques and som of the Magistrates were of opinion that they should do well to satisfie his Majestie 's desires Others stood strongly to the contrarie and turned their Opponents out from their consultation with manie
reviling words calling them disloial disobedient and other injurious names this beeing known amongst the Common People inflamed amain their furie Their boundless Rage suddenly broke into an Ocean of inconsiderate and bitter expressions The third daie that his Majestie was there It beeing divulged to and fro in the Citie that the Magistrates had consented to and subscribed the Emperor's demands The People cried out That ought not to bee suffred The Emperor beeing informed of all these passages was very much perplext and gave order presently to prepare for his departure It is râ—ported that hee said hee desired no more then that consentment and those subscriptions which som of the Magistrates had given in As for the rest who had refused hee should take his time to bee even with them So hee departed upon a sudden though the Towns-men thought hee would not have gon in regard Valladolid and divers other Cities of Castillia had sent to beseech him with much humilitie and earnestness that hee would bee pleased to forbear a while and not leav them so soon fearing the disasters which afterwards befel them The Emperor gave them a gracious answer thanking them for their good wishes but hee said it was expedient for him to depart without anie further delaie for the good and advancement of that Kingdom and hee promissed them that assoon as hee had received the Imperial Crown hee would com back again at the farthest within three years This did not satisfie the Gentrie of the Kingdom nor the Cities nor the Commons of Valladolid who grew excessively out of Temper SECT VIII BEfore wee pass anie farther it will not bee improper to set down what was don at Toledo in this Interim Wee have seen the Letter which they wrote the last year 1519 to the other Cities of the Kingdom They wrote another to Valladolid bearing date the 8th of June of this year 1520. declaring to the same effect as in the former the great necessitie into which the absence of their King would plunge the Countrie and the great inconveniences that were likely to proceed from that occasion That it was expedient that all the Cities of the Kingdom should make an Assemblie and consult what were best to bee don in a case of such high consequence That they would consider of the manner and place of meeting That they would conform themselvs to Valladolid and that Valladolid should communicate the matter to the bordering Towns and Cities That Toledo would presently put it in execution for they were and ever would bee at his Majestie 's service for the good of the kingdoms and their Republicks The fifteenth of June Valladolid returned this answer That they would very willingly condescend to such an Assemblie if they thought they might justly and lawfully do it and that they remained well assured of the zeal and good affection which Toledo expressed to the King's service and the publick good But such kinde of meetings they alleged were prohibited by the Laws of the Kingdom without his Majestie 's permission and admit they were not forbidden at that time however they were unlawful in regard his Majestie was absent and by reason of the scandal which might arise from thence especially there beeing a Governor for his Majestie in the Kingdom and a Person of such note and value besides the Lord President and those of the Council with whom they and the other Cities of the kingdom might communicate their necessities and grievances And Valladolid conclude's thus So Wee beseech your Worships that you would pleas to let these Assemblies ceas becaus out of the desire wee have to do you service It would griev us very much that that Citie should give anie occasion of scandal Becaus all that should proceed from thence would bee imputed and laid to the charge of those that were assistant at anie such Iunta And if you think that there is anie necessitie to provide for or that you desire to remedie anie thing touching this Kingdom or that Citie send your messengers or Commissioners to the Governor and those of the Council and wee will procure them a free arrival hither protect them while they staie here and obtein them a safe conduct back again to which wee doubt not but the Governor will easily condescend and wee will also join with them in all that is just and lawful And becaus wee believ according to your great Prudence and Virtue you will receiv our Intention with the same zeal and affection as wee declare it wee enlarge our selvs no further in this particular So God keep you c. SECT IX THese private Treaties increased daily the publick resentments and the more in respect of the King's demands and his so unexspected determination to leav that Countrie The principal of those that declared themselvs in Toledo with demonstrations of the greatest zeal to the Common good were Iohn de Padilla Don Pedro Lasso de la Vega Son to Don Garzilasso de la Vega Chancellor of the Order in the kingdom of Leon and Hernando de Avalos all gentlemen of noble extraction and allied to the chief Nobles of Spain These gentlemen who were chief Commissioners in the Iuntas and Assemblies which were held in the Citie exclaimâ—d exceedingly against the ill government That the King was carried away by strangers not considering the miserable condition in which hee left that Kingdom then they repeated all the Contents of the Letters which Toledo had sent to th' other Cities adding divers other things that had been produced upon new occasions which they amplified and aggravated with more bitterness then need required And That Toledo which for her greatness had been the Metropolitan Citie of Spain in time of the Goths was more then ordinarily obliged to seek out a remedie and set a Period to so great evils They urged moreover that it was most expedidient that forthwith Letters should bee dispatched to all the Cities of the Kingdom that had Vote in Parlament to incite them to assemble in som place convenient for their treating upon the forementioned remedies That there should immediately bee sent a Petition to the King beseeching him not to depart the Kingdom but that hee would bee pleased to give som Order for the remedying and better managing of Affairs That in case his Majestie would not the Kingdom intended to indeavor it and would more narrowly see into that which concerned the Common good These and divers such like things were that daie there propounded And in â—egard they carried a specious apparence of the Publick Good which was so generally desired throughout the whole Kingdom the Major part of the Assemblie was of opinion That it was most fiâ—ting and convenient so to do But som dissented though they were the fewer in number fearing that if the affairs were carried on in that manner although under colour of the Common good they would produce very sad consequents neither were they satisfied of the lawfulness of the
Citie 's assembling such Iunta's without the King's licence and autoritie Antonio Alvares de Toledo an ancient gentleman of that Citie Lord of Cedillo and som others which leaned to his faction were of this opininion either out of desire to do the King service or becaus they could not agree with the rest for such kinde of sidings have produced a world of mischief in all places or that like prudent men and free from passion they fore-saw with clearer eies the danger that would ensue th'assembling of the Cities without the King's Autoritie They gave their Votes against writing to the Cities declared against all publick or particular meetings in that kinde and said openly that in case there were a necessitie of rectifying anie thing they should in an honest and humble manner petition the Emperor to take it into his consideration Whereto those of the contrarie Judgment made several replies After long debate and contention about this matter at last those few which were of the most safe and wholesom opinion protested and required according to that which they had voted that the Corregidor and Citie would take an especial care what they did as for their parts they absolutely disapproved of Iohn de Padilla's and the other Gentlemen's Propositions The Governor Don Lewis Porto Carrero Earl of Palma beeing present adhered to this Opinion but was backwards in expressing himself in regard hâ—e had married the sister of Don Pedro Lasso who was of the contrarie Partie neither did hee answer one syllable to the other 's Protest or Requests Yet the business was so imbroiled that no resolution could bee given that daie This difference and contention amongst the chief men of the Citie beeing noised abroad the people began to mutinie and divide themselvs into Parties and Factions But the Major part inclined to the worst Opinion beeing allured and drawn on with the fair pretence of the Commâ—n good Those few who prudently perceived the contrarie gave the Emperor forthwith notice of all these passages in the Citie and Antonio Alvarez de Toledo in particular who had great intimacie with the Bishop of Palencia Mota This Advice came to the Emperor's hands just upon his departure from Aragon to Valladolid But soon after at another meeting in Toledo the Major part voted that they should write to the other Cities of the Kingdom as formerly had been propounded and that they should send to the Emperor two Regidores and two Iurados or Iurates of the Citie humbly to demand of him as shall bee set down hereafter Yet they were contradicted and the contrarie required by the same men that had opposed them before but to no purpose Whereupon the dispute grew so hot amongst them That Iohn de Padilla who stood for the Commons and Antonio Alvarez de Toledo who opposed and condemned his opinion as wicked and dangerous drew their daggers at each other in the Assemblie Don Pedro Lasso de la Vega Don Alonso Suares and two Iurates were appointed to go from the Citie to the Emperor who having put themselvs in equipage forthwith departed Letters were presently dispatcht and sent to the other Cities although the same distemper and factions were already brewing in divers of them before they were delivered At that same time was brought to Toledo from the Emperor a Summons to assist in the Parlament which hee had call'd in Galicia And according to the custom of Toledo which is for the Regidores and Iurates that are present to draw lots and one of each to go upon whomsoëver the lot fall's It was Don Iohn de Silva's chance who afterwards was Marquess of Monte-Mayor to go as Regidor of Toledo and Alonso de Aguirre as Iurate To whom becaus they held the opinion of the contrarie Partie The Citie would not give a full and general Power according to the Emperor's Commands but an especial and limited one to see and hear what the Emperor desired and with an injunction to give them advice thereof to the end that from time to time the Citie might order them what to do and that in no case they should grant anie Subsidies or anie thing els Which Power Don Iohn de Silva would not accept nor go to the Parlament upon those tearms exspecting they should give him the full and usual Power and that the Emperor should send his Command to that effect There was such trouble and opposition in this business that hee could never obtain that Power neither did they go to the Parlament SECT X. THe Emperor returned an answer to Antonio Alvarez de Toledo and the others who had given him notice of the several Passages thanking them for their fidelitie and acknowledging the good service they had don him therein charging them moreover to persevere but with rhe greatest wariness and discretion that might bee To the Corregidor Don Lewis de Palma hee wrote likewise reprehending him of his lukewarmeness and small resolution and gave him order what to do thenceforwards but hee did not punctually obeie his Majestie 's Orders nor observ the manner which was most convenient for hee was a man of too milde a disposition which suit 's very ill with those who are to govern especially in cases of that nature Whereupon som few daies after hee gave up his Command and the Emperor sent Don Antonio de Cordova the Earl of Cabra's brother to take his place but hee came too late to applie anie remedie to those disorders Thus the affairs of Toledo wax't wors and wors and the audaciousness of the People was grown to such a height that they made new Assemblies everie daie in favor of that which they called Communaltie by consent and order of Iohn de Padilla and Hernando de Avalos who were the chief Incendiaries and favorers of these disturbances Toledo excepting against the fore-mentioned Commissioners agreed to constitute others with an especial power to present certain articles to the Emperor which they had by waie of Instruction from the Citie touching the general good of the Kingdom Don Pedro Lasso and Don Alonso Suares were appointed to go as Regidores of the Citie and Michael de Hita and Alonso Ortiz as Iurates The Contents of their Commission were these That they should beseech the Emperor not to depart the Kingdom representing unto him the Inconveniences which might arise by his absence in regard the Kingdom of Castillia could not live without their King beeing not accustomed to bee under anie particular man's Government That hee should not give anie Office or Charge in that Kingdom to anie stranger and that hee should take those away again which hee had so bestowed That hee should not take anie monie out of the Kingdom for anie person in the World becaus they had already contributed so much that the Kingdom was reduced to great povertie That in the Parlament which hee had now assembled hee should not demand anie Subsidies especially if hee continued in the resolution of departing
the Kingdom That the Parlament should bee adjourned and held in Castillia and not at Santjago nor in the Kingdom of Galicia That the Offices and Governments should not bee vendible That som good order should bee taken in the Inquisition which might tend to the service and glorie of God and that no bodie should bee molested That the grievances and wrongs of private Persons of the Kingdom should bee righted and repaired These were the principal heads of the demands Toledo then sent to his Majestie but the Commotions increasing gave them the boldness to add new matter to their Petition as you shall see hereafter SECT XI I Have declared already the combustions that were in Valladolid and the Emperor's determination to depart thence purposing to take his waie by Tordesillas to visit the Queen his mother Which beeing known and noised through the Citie moreover that hee would carrie his mother out of the Kingdom with him the Citizens and Common People were so much troubled at it that they vented divers as bitter exclamations as a furious passion could dictate to their disturbed mindes But the chief Burgesses Deputies and other Officers met in Consultation at the Monasterie of St Paul to take order for investing their Commissioners with a general Power to grant what the Emperor should demand in Parlament to petition his Majestieâ—om â—om things in their favor and to kiss his hand before his departure While they were thus assembled on Mondaie morning Don Pedro Lasso with his Companions arriveing the same daie at Valladolid and beeing alighted went to visit them But Alonso Ortiz his fellow Commissioner who resided in Court said in regard the Emperor was gon to Church to praie for his good journie to Tordesillas that hee thought it convenient for them to go first to the Palace for perchance his Majestie beeing informed of their arrival would vouchsafe to staie a little and give them Audience In this interim som Inhabitants of Valladolid beeing told of the Toledo-Commissioner's coming went to salute them desiring that they would indevor to procure som Remedie against those miseries and grievances under which the Kingdom then so much groaned Hereupon it was agreed amongst them that the Towns-men should presently put themselvs in a readiness to oppose and hinder the Emperor from going out of the Kingdom or depart that Citie in which attempt Don Pedro Lasso offered to venture his fortune with them if they would stand to him and that they should seiz upon Xeures and som Flemings of the chief of his Majestie 's Council and Bed-chamber binding first those Towns-men with a solemn oath not to desert him in that enterprize Beeing pricked with this over-dilligent itch of putting in execution the orders and Commands which their Citie had imposed upon them before they went to kiss the Emperor's hands which had been the right waie beeing accompanied with a gang of Common People and som Deputies of the Wards who by this time were come in to them they went directly to the Monasterie of St Paul to salute and communicate their design with the chief of the Citie there assembled To whom they made a speech signifying the Causses of their comming and what they intended to desire of his Majestie in behalf of their Citie justifying their demands and coloring them with the most specious pretences that could bee And indeed as at first their meaning was their affection and zeal to their Prince were such that their thoughts I believ differed nothing from their expressions until things were brought unto such a pass that there was no hopes of remedie and that those that had the power or the wisdom made a breach through their miseries as did Don Pedro Lasso and divers other gentlemen And at the last they desired that as they had written and offered to the Citie of Toledo they would send their Commissioners with them to make a Joint-demand of the same things which Salamanca and other Cities desired for a Petition beeing countenanced by so manie Cities would bee much more available Their speech beeing thus ended by the general consent of the Assemblie Don Hernando Enriquez brother to the Lord Admiral returned them this answer That as yet they were not fully determined what to do and for that caus they were there assembled That they would resolv upon that which should tend most to the King's service and the good of the Kingdom That they might do what they saw good The Commissioners of Toledo perceiving Valladolid otherwaies inclined then they exspected went forthwith to the Palace leaving them in consultation SECT XII THey came to the Emperor's Chamber of presence just as hee was risen from dinner With his Majestie were the Marquis of Villena the Earl of Venavente the Earl of Miranda the Duke of Alburquerque the Earl of Haro the Earl of Castro the Earl of Palma the Marquis of Brandenbourg the Archbishop of Santjago the Bishop of Palencia Monsieur de Xeures and Don Pedro Giron the Earl of Urenia's eldest son It hapned as those Commissioners came in Don Pedro Giron was talking with the King so loud that everie one might hear him Hee said that his Majestie might remember that beeing at Barcelona the first of March anno 1519 hee did him the honor to give him a writing under his hand wherein hee promissed that at his arrival in Castilla hee would command the Judges to examine and determine according to Law the right which hee pretended and claimed to the Estate of Medina Sidonia as the portion and inheritance of the Ladie Mencia de Gusman his wife Daughter to the Duke Don Iohn deceased and that his Majestie beeing since at Burgos hee had again refresh't his memorie by waie of Petition that hee had don the like there in Valladolid and yet his Majestie was upon his departure without giving anie order for the performance of that which hee had promised under his hand and hereupon hee fell into a vain of very presumptuous language such as savored of too much sauciness and audacitie Amongst other things hee said That since his Majestie did not do him Justice hee intended to right himself with his own hand and that for so great an injurie and without reason so publick and so known as his Majestie had made it to all the world by suffering him to bee so abused against Equitie or Justice and contrary to that which his Majestie did owe to his own Royal word hee having so punctually performed all the duties that could bee required of his Loialtie hee had now no more to saie or do but onely to let his Majestie understand That for fault of the remedie which hee did not give him and for the great injurie which hee now did him hee could and would make use of all those provisions which the Laws of the Kingdom of Spain did ordain in favor and for the redressing of oppressed and injured Gentlemen and to this effect it was sufficient to ask his Majestie 's permission
no ground for this tumult it was presently appeased and the people were ashamed and sorrie for the irreverence and disrespect they had shewn the Emperor The Officers of Justice of Valladolid began to make diligent inquirie who had rung the Bell or who gave order for the ringing of it But the Portuguez could not bee found so others paied for him Som had their feet cut off Som were whipped Som banished and their goods confiscate Som others had their houses pluck't down There was whip't amongst others a Goldsmith a man of good account a Citizen of the Town becaus it was proved that hee had received som Letters from the said Portuguez som other Goldsmiths and som officers of the Town beeing also taken were very much afraid that they should bee brought to the like publick shame and punishment But the Emperor beeing informed of the good intention of that Citie towards him and that what they had don was not out of malice or anie premeditated design to do him anie injurie hee sent an Order for releasment of the prisoners and commanded that there should bee no more said of it The Dean having apprehended and clap't in prison three Priests of St Michael's Church the Judges of the Court in the Emperor's name required him to deliver them the said Priests in regard they were accused to have given their consents to the ringing of the Bell. They were accordingly delivered and carried upon three great Mules with Irons upon their legs through the chief streets of the Citie until they came to Fuen-Saldania's Fort which then stood for the King and was kept by the sons of Don Iohn de Vivero Viscount of Altamira becaus hee had unworthily made away his wife and there they remained manie daies until the Emperor was satisfied of the truth SECT XIV THe Emperor came to Tordesillas soundly wet and durtie and no bodie with him but Xeures the rest could not keep pace with him and having refreshed himself there one daie hee continued on his journie to Villalpando where hee had appointed the Commissioners of Toledo to attend him They beeing com thither before met with the Commissioners of Salamanca who were Don Pedro Maldonado who was afterwards beheaded and Antonio Fernandez Regidores of that Citie with them were their Messingers also viz. Iohn Alvarez Maldonado and Antonio Enriquez who were chiâ—fly sent to underfeel what instructions those of Toledo had in all particulars and had order to conform themselvs in all points to the Messengers of that Citie At Villalpando a Town belonging to the Lord High Constable did these Commissioners and others exspect his Majestie 's coming Upon Sundaie after they had been at Church they went to the Palace to the end the Emperor should give them audience while they were attending his Majestie 's pleasure in the Hall came to them Don Garzia de Padilla and MoÌ„ta Bishop of Palencia who wished them in the Emperor's name but they thought it was from Xeures to tell them the message they had from their Citie Don Pedro Lasso and Don Alonso answered That their Citie had commanded them to speak to his Majestie and though they importuned them never so much they would not declare unto them their business Thereupon the Bishop and Don Garzia returned into the King's Chamber but after a little time came out again and told these Commissioners that if they would not give them an account wherefore they were com before they kissed his Majestie 's hand they should not have audience The Commissioners seeing there was no remedie conâ—ented to impart the substance of their Message to them which done it was agreed that at two a clock in the afternoon if they returned to the Palace they should have audience They suspected that this diligence and earnestness of the Bishop's and Don Garzia'â— to know their business was becaus the Emperor at that time beeing very young and not much versed in State-affairs Xeures who was verie discreet and politick had put them on to urge it before they were admitted to the end hee might prepare the Emperor to give them an answer The Commissioners returned at the hour and delivered their message to the King but would not consent that anie others should bee present onely the Bishop and Don Garzia the substance of their discours was as â— have said They insisted chiefly that his Majestie ought not to go out of the Kingdom and conluded with this Article saying however if hee did resolv upon his departure that hee would command such order to bee left for the Government that the Cities of the Kingdom might have their share therein And likewise that hee would bee pleased to demand no Subsidies at all and other things reasonable enough as wee shâ—ll see hereafter Which indeed were so just that a Dore-keeper nam'd Duranges wep't to hear them considering the great reason the Castillians had to complain But it availed them little at that time for they were then discountenanced and not treated according as their's and their Ancestor's good service had deserved The Emperor told them onely that hee had heard them and would give order for their answer The same hee said to those of Salamanca who spake to him afterwards and in effect desired the same things as the Toledians had telling him moreover that they had order from their Citie to conform themselvs in everie thing with the Commissioners of Toledo To whom the Emperor sent word by the Bishop Mota and Don Garzia de Padilla That in regard his Council was at Venavente whither hee was to go within two daies they should not fail to meet him there to receiv their answer which they did accordingly The Emperor beeing arrived at Venavente Don Pedro Lasso and his Companion presented themselvs for their answer Whereupon the Emperor commanded his Council of Iustice and of State to assemble who having considered the circumstances and manner of those Commissioners jointly gave their opinion that they deserved rather to bee punished then to receiv anie good answer or satisfaction to their demands wherefore the Emperor sent for them into his chamber and with a severely frowning Countenance as Don Pedro Lasso afterwards declared told them that hee was not pleased with what they did and that if hee did not consider from what Parents they were descended hee would have them punished according to their deserts for medling with what they had undertaken and that they should go to the President of his Council who would tell them further what they were to do They began to excuse themselvs but the Emperor not willing to hear them retired himself Then Don Garzia de Padilla taking them aside gave them a notable schooling and reproved them sharply for what they had done telling them that their boldness in insisting so much to the hinderance of a journie which so deeply concerned not onely the honor and reputation of the Emperor but also the securitie and preservation of his Estate was beyond the thought
hours together and the result of their conference was That it seemed they took it verie ill to bee thus forbidden the Court therefore it was agreed that in testimonie of their obedience they should go onely four or five leagues from Santjago and should leav som bodie in their steads to put him in minde to sollicite the Emperor to revoke their banishment The next daie beeing Tuesdaie in the morning they went away lâ—aving Alonso de Ortiz onely to sollicite Xeures and to put him in minde of what was agreed betwixt them and to tell him that Don Pedro Lasso and Don Alonso Suarez were gon to Padron four leagues from Santjago in obedience to his Majestie 's Commands Alonso de Ortiz returned to the Palace and meeting Covos hee desired him to help him to the speech of Xeures Xeures beeing com forth Ortiz beseeched him to perform what hee had promised to those gentlemen Xeures told him that hee had moved it alreadie to the Emperor but could not prevail And that for ought hee saw there was no remedie but that they must obeie the extremitie of his Commands Ortiz replied that they should have a care what they did therein and that it would not redound to the Emperor's service not so much becaus those Commissioners were of the chief gentrie of the Kingdom as that they were deputed and sent by the Citie of Toledo who must take upon their accompt what trouble or injurie soever they suffered in regard they had done nothing beyond or contrarie to that which their Citie had encharged them for the good of the Kingdom Xeures answereâ— that they had not shewn the respect which they oweâ— to their King and for that they deserved the punishmenâ— which hee had inflicted upon them and much more Ortiz replied That since hee had the greatest privacie and freedom with his Majestie hee was the more obliged to see to this matter and to consider with attention that the whole Kingdom knew that Toledo had sent those gentlemen to treat of that which concerned them all and that seeing them thus banished the Court they would not think it was for anie disrespect to his Majestie for if any such thing were they deserved double punishment but that they were turned out of the Court that they might not solicite the Kingdom 's good and thereupon they would bee all scandalized and such mischiefs would insue as they would not bee able to remedy when they listed Whereto Xeures very formally thus replied what lightness is this of Toledo what lightness I say is the King no King why doth no body think of putting Kings in and out at their pleasure Alonso Ortiz answered again that hee wondred hee should speak so much against Toledo it beeing of such consequence that it was reputed the best and most considerable Citie of the Kingdom and had the greatest priveleges and immunities which the natives did enjoie for the notable services they had don to the deceased Kings Therefore it could not bee thought that Toledo treated or intended anie thing but what might suit with his Majestie 's service Moreover if hee pleased to look upon what gentlemen had gon into Flanders to serv his Majestie against King Fernando's will venturing there not onely their own lives and fortunes but their friend's and Kindred's also hee would finde that the most of them were of Toledo And that those of that Citie were the cheif means of paying the subsidies to King Phillip And since that Citie produced such gallant men hee ought not to beleiv that It 's intention ever was other then to do his Majestie service The Secretary Francisco de los Covos heard all this discours These and divers other means the Toledian Commissioners used by favor of som great one 's about the Emperor to obtain a revocation of their banishment but nothing would do for Xeures and other Castilians of the privie Council opposed it Don Alonso Suarez prudently considering that their business was foyled and in danger of beeing utterly lost performed what hee was commanded and never after put himself into those troubles neither did hee meddle during all the commotions of Castilla whereby hee lost nothing Don Pedro Lasso did the like though late not understanding sooner that hee disserved the King Thus ended the Embassage of Toledo which was so boldly and couragiously performed by these gentlemen Before the Emperor departed from Santjago hee installed Knight of the Order the Earl of Santisteuan the Marquess of Villena's son The ceremony was celebrated with great solâ—mnity at the great Altar in Santjago's Church SECT XIX ON Tuesday in the Holie week before Easter a Post came from Toledo with an express to recall their Commissioners This Post was dispatch't before there was any notice of their beeing banished from Court Hee brought letters to his Majestie som from the Assemblie of the Citie others from the Chapter of their Cathedral Church and from the Monasteries and Fryeries humbly begging therein a favorable treatment of their Commissioners not as yet knowing what had passed Moreover they mentioned how Don Antonio de Cordoua the Earl of Cabra's brother their Governor then beeing at Toledo had produced certain orders from his Majestie to Iohn de Padilla Hernando de Avalos and Gonsalo Gaytan whereby they were commanded to make their personal appearance at Court within a certain time under penaltie for default The reason that Toledo gave why these gentlemen did not obey was that they were emploied about som affairs concerning the publick good and that their absence would bee prejudicial to the whole Citie And therefore they beseeched that his Majestie would suspend his command for the present The gentlemen that stayed at Padron sent this dispatch with the instructions they had from Toledo to Alonso Ortiz who remained at Court Hee presently went to the Monasterie of San Salvador half a league from the Citie where the Emperor had retired himself for the Holie week and desired to enter to deliver the letters to his Majestie but hee found no admittance Meeting Secretarie Covos hee acquainted him with his business and told him that hee had letters to deliver to the Emperor from Toledo Covos told Xeures this who forthwith sent for Ortiz and bad him give him the letters But Ortiz desired to bee excused for hee had order to deliver them into the Emperorâ—s own hands and to none els Xeures told him that the Emperor having received the Sacrament that morning was yet at his devotion and hee could not speak with him Then they fell to discours again about those gentlemen's banishment and grew so hot at it that Xeures went away distasted and Ortiz remained with small satisfaction A little after Covos came and told Ortiz that Xeures called him Ortiz went and Xeures told him that resolvedly hee could say nothing as touching their banishment so without any more words hee went into another room Ortiz stayed behinde with Don Garcia de Padilla who blaming exceedingly the
knowing the strength and scituation of that Citie besides considering the heat of the people's fury and that the mischief would bee greater if they had the impudence to affront him in Person as it was probable they would fearing to bee punished for what they had don already That their fury beeing most violent in the beginning which time alone could mitigate and appeas their first impetuosity would soon bee over as most commonly it is observed in such commotions which kindled with a little fire and without any grounds are allayed again with as little water Besides all these allegations Xeures had a longing desire to bee in his own Country verifying in that this saying That wheresoever the Treasure is there is the heart also Moreover the Emperor had a particular necessitie for a thousand reasons which neerly concerned the reputatâ—on of his person not to defer his departure but rather to hasten it all hee could beeing exceedingly urged by the Princes Electors and that hee might not give his enemies anie time to hinder the Election of the Empire the King of England beeing then likewise in expectation of som interest therein And besides it was of no small consequence for him to bee gon before the King of France was joined with the King of England who were reported to meet the first of Iune at Calis These considerations setled the Emperor's determination of going into Germanie his Council supposing that the business of Toledo would go no further no body imagining what afterwards did ensue SECT XXX THings beeing in the condition I have declared The Commissioners of Toledo never came to the Parlament which was concluded by them that were there who granted his Majestie the subsidie hee desired which was two hundred Millions of Marauediz to bee payd in three years whereunto som would not consent and those that did had trouble and displeasure enough from their Cities for it Salamanca Toro Madrid Murcia Cordoua and Toledo opposed whose Commiâ—sioners had no hand in the granting it neither came they into the Parlament-hous One of the Commissioners of Leon refused it the other consented Of those that did allow it som were induced thereto by their own particular interests few out of zeal or affection to his Majestie 's service The Emperor beeing ready to depart onely staying for a winde and his desire granted for matter of subsidie although som of his Council were of opinion that hee should not receiv it as Don Alonso Telles Lord of La Puebla de Montalvan Bishop Mota and Francisco de Vargas His Majestie sent for those Grandees of the Kingdom that were then there who were Don Diego Lopez de Pacheco Marquis of Villena Don Inigo de Velasco Constable of Castilla the Earl of Venavente the Duke of Alburquerque the Duke of Medina Celi the Marquis of Astorga the Earl of Lemos the Earl of Monterrey and the Commissioners of the Kingdom then present to whom hee sayd hee was then ready to depart beeing neerly concerned in the election of the Empire and that God willing hee would sodainly return In mean time hee left governor of those Kingdomes the Cardinal Adriano Bishop of Tortosa one of his Council who was a person eminent for his learning and good conscience and hee required and commanded them to assist and favor him that his Kingdomes might bee well governed The major part of these gentlemen disliked this motion for som reasons whereof one was that the Cardinal was a stranger but som approving it the Emperor took no notice of the opposers neither did hee admit of any replies SECT XXXI THe Emperor being at the Groyn divers requests were made to him in the Kingdomâ—s name as followeth That his Majestie would bee pleased to return speedily into those Kingdomes and govern them in his own person as his predecessors had done For nothing that they could ask him would bee so satisfactorâ—e and acceptable to those Kingdoms as his safe and speedy return in regard Spain was not accustomed to bee without their King neither could they bee governed by any other with the peace and quiet which is necessary and expedient That assoon as hee should com back hee would bee pleased to marry for the universal good of the Kingdoms that they might have the seed of his Roial Person to succeed him in regard his age did require it That the Queen's Court might bee put into such order as was suitable to the dignitie of Her Roial Person and the honor of those Kingdoms That Shee might have Officers of trust about her who should bee well treated and incouraged with good rewards That at his return hee would bee pleased to bring with him no Flemings French or other strangers to have any Office of importance in those Kingdoms but that hee would advance and employ the natives of that Country who would serv him with much loyaltie and affection That those Kingdoms beeing at Peace and under his Majestie 's subjection hee would not bring anie souldiers of Forreign Countries for defence thereof or to bee guards of his own person Alleadging that in that Countrie the People beeing very warlike and of courage enough to conquer other Nations what might they think could bee the reason but his distrust of them if hee should take strangers for his guard That Hee would govern and settle his hous in such order as the Catholick Kings his forefathers and other Kings his Predecessors had done That no wages or pensions should bee given to the Wives or Children of anie Courtiers that were not in service unless in acknowledgment and recompence of services done by the Father deceased hee would gratifie the surviving Children That in regard there were many superfluous Offices added in the Queen's houshould which were not of former times they should bee all taken away again and no Salaries allowed for them That no Grandee should have anie office in the King 's or Queen's houshould as in relation to the Exchequer or Treasurie That whilest his Majestie was absent the Salaries of his Domesticks should bee payed out of his own Revenue That the Governors they were to have during his absence might bee Natives of either of those Kingdomes of Castilla or Leon. That such Governors might have powâ—er to confer anie Offices or dignities of the Kingdom except Bishopricks Lievtenantships and Commanderies of Orders That neither the King nor anie Noblemen should give billets for lodging and in case they did that the People should not bee obliged to reciev them unless they listed But when his Majestie goeth his progress That there should bee lodgings and furniture provided for his familie and Court gratis so that hee make no longer stay then fifteen dayes in a place if more afterwards hee should pay And that his guard and Souldiery bee lodged and quartered according to the usual manner That there should bee one hundred lodgings and no more provided for his Majestie 's familie at the Charge of the Place where hee shall stay That there should
bee no lodging allowed for those of the Council Judges nor anie such like Officers That the King should not give general or particular billets for the lodging of anie That the taxes and impositions should bee reduced to a certain number and the Pole-monie set at a just and moderate rate whereby the People might perceiv the grace and favor his Majestie did them That the subsidies granted by the Commissioners at the Groyn should not bee received nor demanded neither should there bee anie â—ew taxes or extraordinary tribute imposed upon the Kingdome without som evident necessitie and that it were thought requisite for the good of the Kingdom and his Majestie 's service That the King should not â—end any instructions to the Cities or form of granting Powers nor nominate any particular men for Officers but that the Cities and towns should have the freedom and libertie to bestow and confer their Powers upon such men as they should finde zealous for the good of their Republicks That the Commissioners in Parlament should have the libertie to meet when and where they pleased and to discours and confer freely with one another That such Commissioners during their emploiment should not receiv of the King anie Office favor or gift whatsoever for themselvs their Wives Children or kindred under pain of death and confiscation of goods and that those goods should bee employed for the publick reparations of the Citie or Town whereof they were Commissioners to the end that they should bee the more careful to do onely that which was most expedient for the glory of God the service of his Majestie and good of the Kingdom That everie Commissioner or Burgess should have a competent allowance from the place whose persons they represented That the Parlament beeing ended the several Commissioners should return within forty dayes to give account of what they had done under pain of losing their wages and emploiment That no gold or Silver coyned or to bee coyned should bee transported out of the Kingdom under pain of death In regard the contrary having been done the Kingdomes were impoverished and destroied That there should bee monie coyned differing as well in value as stamp from that of the neighboring Countries and that it should bee of a base alloy two Carats under the rate of the finest gold That in Weight and value it should bee answerable to the Crowns of Gold which are coyned in France Becaus that would bee a means that it should not bee transported Manie other artickles were given in touching gold and silver the particular favors and rewards of the King and other matters of justice But that which they insisted most upon was that the Councils should bee strictly looked to That the Chancery and other Courts in the Kingdom should bee visited or reviewed from six to six years and that all suits should bee dispatched in order and determined whithin a certain time without any delay That there should bee no appealing from Court to Court but that each case should bee decided at it's own Tribunal That no Counsellor or other whosoever should enjoie two offices but should apply himself to one onely These and manie other things the Nobles and Commissioners of the Kingdom desired but they fell into the hands of Strangers the King beeing young and full of thoughts of his Voiage and possession of his Empire So they remained And in regard these and other such like propositions were slighted and layd aside though presented with much zeal and affection the whole Kingdom burst out and slipping in one they fell into the Precipice of manie inconveniences as it is commonly seen They desired one thing verie Holie in the Chapter concerning Ecclesiastical dignities and pensions That they should not bee conferred upon strangers and that the acts of Naturalization which had been made should bee revoked That in the Ecclesiastical Courts there should bee no more duties payed then in the secular and that they should observ the same Statute Which I would it were well seen unto in these times There were likewise som complaints and Petitions given in against Pedrarias de Avila a gentleman of good note and quality brother to the Earl of Punio en Rostro and who had done great services yet hee was accused by som of his enemies and charged for having put manie to death unjustly at the discoverie of the Indies and committed divers Robberies and Tyrannies There were seaven consultations hereupon and Pedrarias was quitted by them all and the Emperor himself taking particular notice of the services which hee had done at Oran in Africa and the taking of Buxia besides other places in the Indies freed him notwithstanding these fals and passionate accusations and confirmed him in the government and charge which formerly had been conferred upon him and gave him som rewards besides But all this was not sufficient to stop the mouths of his enemies who gave occasion to strangers not onely of speaking ill but also of writing against this gentleman who was valiant in his own person and of antient extraction in this Kingdom And others not knowing to the contrary have followed them in the prejudicial censure of this nation and the Nobilitie thereof SECT XXXII TO the grief of those gentlemen who took ill Cardinal Adriano's beeing Governor by a general consent of the Council and Don Antonio de Rojas Arch-Bishop of Granada then President Hee was confirmed Governor of Castilla and Navarra jointly with those of his Council who were Don Alonso Tellez Lord of la-Puebla de Montalvan Hernando de Vega Chancellor of the order in Castilla Don Iohn de Fonseca Bishop of Burgos Don Antonio de Rojas Arch-Bishop of Granada and President of his Majestie 's Council of Justice and Francisco de Vargas Treasurer general these were to reside at Valladolid Antonio de Fonseca Lord of Coca was appointed Captain General of the kingdom and Don Iohn Brother to the Bishop of Burgos his Treasurer Don Iohn de la Nuza was Governor of Aragon Don Diego de Mendoza brother to the Marquis of Zenete Vice-Roy of Valencia All being thus ordered for the Government of the kingdom and the winde coming faire upon Saturday the 19.th of May at Sun-set The Emperor commanded to bee Proclaimed That all the mariners and his retinue should goe on board that night for the next day in the morning hee would set saile Sunday the 20.th of May before day hee did his devotion and received the Sacrament after which hee tooke ship Don Alonso de Fonseca Arch-Bishop of Santjago Don Iuan de Fonseca Bishop of Burgos Don Inigo de Velasco Constable of Castilla and Leon Don Diego Lopez Pacheco Marquis of Villena Don Alonso Pimentel Earl of Benavente Don Iohn Osorio Marquis of Astorga and divers other persons of quality waited on him to the Sea-side Those that imbarked with him were Don Fadrique de Toledo Duke of Alva the Marquis of Villa Franca and his son Don Hernando de
lose the credite of being feared In summ of all that I have spoken I say that my determinate will and opinion is that an Alcalde de Corte who is in nâ—ture of a Iudge of Oyer and Terminer here in England should goe to Segovia and what hee ought to doe in this although I know it my Sacred Orders doe not give me leav to express I onely say thus much that the Iudge ought to do wors to them by Iustice then they did to Tordesillas without Iustice. Let all that I have said in this consultation bee under your most Reverend Lordship's correction and if these Lords bee of any other opinion I shall bee content to conform my self to them for in matters of weight and moment a man is not to defend his own opinion but to follow that which is most expedient for the publick good SECT XXXVII THe second that was remarkeable in this Consultation was Don Alonso Tellez Giron who in those times was esteemed a man of a good Conscience a vertuous life of a generous ofspring and chiefly in the opinion which hee delivered very circumspect for hee would never give any counsel unless hee had considered the matter throughly before hand Don Antonio de Rojas having ended his speech Don Alonso Tellez began Saying The discreet Opinion of Don Alonso Tellez Giron IT chanceth often-times amongst the most expert Captains that being upon the point of giving battle they differ in the manner and order of their Combate and if such men take oath of their dissenting opinions I say that kind of discord proceedeth not from any particular difference betwixt them but that each one of them thinkes that what hee sayes is the best and most secure way to gain the Victorie that day This I say most Reverend Lord Cardinal in order to my Lord Arch-Bishop and President his Speech which was very good and beseeming a Prelate that is desirous of the publick good But if hee and I doe differ in the meanes which is to bee used for the remedying of so great a scandal wee shall not I am confident in our intentions be dissenting I swear by the faith of a Christian and a Gentleman and by this Holy habit of Santjago which I wear that my soul desireth nothing at this present more then that wee may hit upon the right way of rectifying and providing for Segovia For my mind giv's me that if wee miss our aim in this first enterprise we shall not bee powerful enough hereafter to execute Justice Hee that is to give his sens in such occurrences ought not only to see to the remedying of mischiefs but to bee circumspect and warie lest the fulfilling of his Vote should bee the occasion of a greater Inconvenience For it may bee already which God forbid thinking to tile Segovia wee have untiled it and so bewetted all Spain Vndoubtedly those of Segovia offended God in destroying his creature and the King in murthering him for his cause They scandalized the Republick by hanging him in that manner And accordingly if it were of no further consequence nothing could bee more just then that the more cruel and barbarous they have shewd themselvs in that murther the less pitie wee should shew in chastising them I would say in this case that wee are able to punish Segovia or we are not able and so likewise Toledo of their rebellion and to speak the truth to my best sens to chastise Segovia or correct Toledo is yet too soon For being as we are but newly come to the government we should grant som privileges and libertie to the People at first to win their obedience and afterwards chastise them that we may bee feared Put case wee are not powerful enough as I believ we are not to quell that high couraged stubborn People if my Iudgment fail me not I hold for most certain that if Segovia lose their respect to us the like we shall find through all the Cities of Spain Moreover you know my Lords that it hath been averred to us that there was never a Gentleman nor Citizen at the murther of Tordesillas and that those Teazers which had committed the fact were fled already The Judge whom wee shall send thither to seem that hee doth somthing must rob the Poor chastise the Innocent disquiet the Rich defame the Noble and chiefly scandalize the bordering People so that the untimely punishing of one man's death may bee an occasion of destroying all Item you know My Lords that the King our Lord had the ill will of all his Subjects for the ill Government of his Tutors and certainly those of this Kingdom desire to express their discontents Me think's we should rather provide for and hinder the manifestation of the ill intentions of Castilla then to stand so much upon the rigorous chastising of the Carders of Segovia for it is the part of wise men to dissemble and defer the punishment of faults already past and forthwith apply a remedie to a present evil Item Segovia cryeth out and desire's that if Fifty or a Hundred weavers committed that outrage the whole Citie should not lose its Innocence And in my Judgment we should bee very injurious and unjust if we should declare a whole Citie Traytors when but few are guiltie and I know the King hath manie faithful servants in Segovia therefore wee should commit a great offence therein Besides it is as much the Propertie of Clement Princes to pardon many wicked men for the respect of som few good as it is the Practise of cruel Tyrants to condemn many good for a few evil Item it is sufficiently known that Toledo is in Rebellion and beeing as it is so powerful a Citie wee cannot exercise Justice upon it Now if wee doe chastise Segovia wee cannot do it so much dammage as wee shall do favor to Toledo thereby For all those whom wee take now for enemies wee make friends to Toledo And by this means there will bee manie favorers of their Tyranie and but few to assist our Justice Item it is to be considered that the Citie of Segovia and the Town of Medina del Campo by reason of the Cloaths of the one and the fairs of the other Those two People used alwaies to bee like Brothers My end in saying this is becaus the best Artillerie the King hath in Castilla is at Medina and if the business were come to that They would sooner give it Segovia for their defence then to us to punish them And by this means Segovia will get the Artillerie and wee shall lose Medina Item Segovia hath not taken the Fort as yet nor disobeyed the Justice nor shut the Gates nor taken up Armes And if a Judge go thither to chastise them perchance wee shall the Guiltie beeing fled away for fear of punishment give occasion of fear to those that are Innocent and they put themselvs into a defensive posture thereupon And this will bee the way to make those whom wee have as yet
Ladie Isabel de Rojas his wife and his children so hee presently got out of their hands and that same night took his waie towards Cordova leaving his hous to the charge care of Don Pedro de Cartagena Lord of Olmillos who had married the Ladie Marie de Rojas his daughter to the Dean of Burgos Don Pedro Xuarez de Velasco and Francisco Sarmiento who was his kinsman These Gentlemen repaired forthwith to Don Diego Osorio's hous where they found his wife and daughter very disconsolate for his absence and fearing the People's threatnings who hearing Don Diego was gone assembled together and came with intent to break open the hous plunder it and pluck it to the ground But these gentlemen beeing advertised of their design stood all in the gate with their swords and daggers drawn threatning to cut in pieces whosoëver durst attempt to break in and vowing that they were resolved to lose their lives upon that account This resolution of their's daunted the Assailers so that none offered to stir but went all quietly away Don Pedro Xuarez de Velasco went along with them for Bernal de la Rixa the Cutler their Captain bore him much respect becaus hee had received a son of his nam'd Valoradico to be a singing-boie in his Church Xuarez's getting the good will of this Cutler was of such importance that by his means hee knew all the secret dealings and intentions of the Communalty and was admitted somtimes into their Assemblies They went by Squadrons up and down the Citie committing manie outrages and insolâ—ncies like men distracted and without judgment An humor took them to burn down the Carthusian's wood and as they were going with this resolution Don Pedro Xuarez met them by the waie and told them that it would bee very well done of them indeed to set that wood on fire but the world would bee so rosted with the heat that it were better to keep the wood till winter and not to burn it in the field to no purpose so hee turned them back again from St Paul's Bridg. They were so audacious as to assault the Lord Constable's hous hee beeing Chief of that Citie and having heard that the Dutchess Donia Maria de Tobar Marquess of Berlanga a Ladie of great worth had threatned them they came one daie in great number thither and having environed the hous they shot off a piece of Ordnance which beat down a corner of the Tower so they entred into the hous the Dutchess was forc'd to hide her self in som secret by-place They went also to Garci Ruiz de la Mota his hous who had been Commissioner in that last Parlament brother to Maestro Mota Bishop of Badajos and Palencia with intent to kill him but not finding him for hee was fled they burned and pluck't down his hous where were consumed great number of Writings as Deeds and Charters and manie other papers concerning the King and Kingdom which hee had in keeping That which they burned in Mota's hous was valued above three Millions when they carried it to the place where they made the Bonfire into which they cast all the moveables they could finde in the hous as pure linnen rich tapistrie-hangings cloaths houshold-stuff and manie chests or trunks full all which they burned without making benefit of anie thing which was a wonder considering the condition of such mean people In the like furie they went and pulled down the hous of one of the King's Harbingers named Garci Iofre who though hee was a Frenchman born had been a long time in the King of Spain's service and the Emperor's Hee was married and had his dwelling in that Citie they were incensed against him for no other reason but becaus the Emperor had given him the command of the Hous and Castle of Lara which Burgos pretended was theirs and they demanded it of him but becaus hee told them that hee had received that Castle of the Emperor and that hee could not deliver it to anie but his Majestie they went to kill him neither stopped their furie there for poor Iofre being unfortunately there that daie beeing returned from France whither hee went by the Emperors command with the French Embassador and seeing how they plucked his Houses down hee went to Lara saying That hee hoped in God to bee revenged and to build up his Houses much better with those Rascal's monie then they were when they pulled them down and that hee should make morter of their bones and temper the chalk with their blood This being known in the Citie by the report of a Collier to whom Iofre spoke it by the waie they sent som men on hors-back privately after him who overtook him in a little village called Vivar del Cid three leagues from Burgos where drawing him out of the Church they apprehended him had cut him in pieces there but for som Gentlemen who qualified them for the present yet they would not let him go out of their hands but brought him to Burgos back again and clapt him into prison where with blows and thrusts they soon dispatched him and beeing dead they tied his feet together and dragged him first to his own door striking and pinking his bodie with their swords all the waie then they drew him through all the streets and at last hanged him with his head downwards Don Inigo Fernandez de Velasco Lord High Constable who was at Villalpando being informed hereof by a Letter from the Cardinal wherein hee desired him for the love of God to go speedily set som remedie and order in that Citie went presently to Burgos and out of affection in regard those of his familie for manie successions had been born in that Citie he took upon him the staff and office of Governor which the Inhabitants most willingly embraced there hee continued som time whose presence was the onely remedie and means to hinder the enraged people of that Citie from committing a thousand other Insolencies What happened afterwards you shall hear hereafter SECT XLI A Certain Judg nam'd Hernan Gomez de Herrera whose wife and familie was in Madrid took that occasion to go from Valladolid thither but being arriv'd the People began to mutinie saying That hee was com thither to take examinations against Toledo at which nois manie People assembled presently together and went in a tumultuous manner to apprehend him in his hous but hee having notice thereof used means forthwith to bee secretly conveied out of the Citie so hee escaped with fear enough for if the Common-people had light upon him they would have given him hard measure Thence the disorderly Multitude went to Francisco de Varas his hous one of the Council and took away all the Arms they could finde as Fowling-pieces Arquebusses Cros-bows Arrows Pikes four hundred Corslets and manie Halberds which they put into a strong place for their own defence when occasion should require they set Guards all the Citie over watching and going their rounds
which was thus hee privately commanded certain fire-bals of pitch to bee made and flung into St Francis street thinking that the people would presently run all thither to quench the fire and quit the gates by which meanes hee might enter and seize upon the Artillerie but it succeeded not according to his exspectation for the fire began to rage exceedingly in so much that St Francis street and the linnen draperie was quite through of a flame yet the inhabitants shewed so much courage that although their houses goods and children were burning before their eyes they would not depart from the Artillerie fighting with Antonio de Fonseca and his men until they had driven them quite from the Town Fonseca was very angrie and ashamed that hee could not effect his intention and no less grieved for the great harm and damage the fire had done which hee intended not The Monasterie of St Francis was burnt to the ground with all the rich ornaments and librarie besides great store of Monie Cloath Silks Clothes of Gold and Silver and other rich commodities which divers Genua and Segovia Merchants had layed up there all consumed to ashes And nine hundred houses more in whâ—ch not so much as one bed was preserved It was a lamentable thing to see how the poor people women and children went crying and groaning up and down the streets having no hous left to go into nor any thing to cover theiâ— nakedness calling upon God for justice against Fonseca In this sad condition remained Medina more inflamed with the fire of wrath in their hearts then their houses were with the bals of pitch The Corregidor durst not stay becaus hee had been with Fonseca Whereupon the people began to call an Assemblie of the Commonaltie and took the same form of government as the other Cities did They wrote forthwith to Iohn de Padilla and the other Captains declaring their miseries and imploring their assistance to revenge their losses upon those that had sided with Fonseca against them and their chiefest spleen was against the Town of Arevalo becaus Fonseca had carried his men thence Arevalo feared as much from those of Segovia and in it self there were partialities and sidings thereupon som taking the Commoners part others the Contrarie Medina wrote likewise to the other Cities imparting to them their calamities Segovia answered their Letters expressing manie thanks for their defending so couragiously the Artillerie and exceeding sorrow for the great losses they had susteined SECT LIII ADriano the Cardinal of Tortosa beeing a holie man was grieved to the soul at the disaster of Medina and in excuse of himself hee wrote a Letter to them expressing his sorrow in good and Saint-like tearms Whereunto they returned an answer giving his Eminence thanks for his resentment of their miseries and making a large relation of the cruelties of Fonseca and his Souldiers besides the great losses they had susteined by fire which they esteemed to bee of so high value that they doubted the King's whole Revenue for som years would not bee enough to make them reparation And at last they desired his Eminence would bee pleased to condemned and declare for Traitors and disturbers of the Kingdom Antonio de Fonseca Gutiere Quijada and that bloodie robber as they called him Iohn de Avila and disband their men with Command that everie one should repair to their own home and not burn the houses of his Majestie 's faithful Subjects for under colour of serving the King they did him great disservice therein Finis Libri Secundi THE CIVIL WARS OF SPAIN THE THIRD BOOK SECT I. ANger supported on the shouldiers of Autoritie is like lightning from heaven Antonio de Fonseca Captain General of the Kingdom was inraged beyond the measure of discretion against Medina Hee burned like a flash of lightning their houses and their goods but hee incensed their hearts and wills much more like men in despair to commit a thousand absurdities And to revenge the furie of his passion all the people of the Town took Arms dispersed Letters of their grievances through the whole Kingdom desiring vengeance and hee that could do most mischief was held the bravest fellow Amongst these broils and mischiefs there was one particularly noted for his courage and boldness a Cloth-worker by trade his name was Bobadilla a mean fellow dull but cruel of disposition hee was followed as their Captain by divers that were undone and therefore grown furiously passionate First hee fell upon Gil Nieto who had been his Master cutting and slashing till hee had killed him then hee killed a Book-seller called Tellez next a Regidor of the Town called Lope de Vera. And so hee and his Associats served all those whom they knew or did but imagine had anie hand in Fonseca's coming to demand the Artillerie or had consented to the delivering of it They pluckt down the houses which Don Rodrigo Mexia had there and committed divers other cruâ—lties and outrages This active audaciousness of Bobadilla got him very much credit and esteem amongst the people and hee Lorded it and took so much upon him that from that time forwards nothing was done but what hâ—e would so hee commanded and governed as Head of the people Hee presently took a great hous set Porters at his Gates and gave himself the style of Lord. Such Heads as this Cloth-worker was had the Commonalties in other places as Villoria a skinner in Salamanca and Antonio Casado in Segovia and others such like who beeing bold and without honor or shame were followed and esteemed by the common and meaner sort And indeed divers Gentlemen were to blame herein who did very much harm som by kindling and fomenting the fire secretly others publickly not with design to do the King anie disservice but by reason of parties and factions amongst themselvs som siding with the Commonaltie purposely to destroie others so that it was more their particular factions and seditions then their disobedience to his Majestie that occasioned all these disorders Medina soon after this disaster sent Letters to Valladolid conteining a most pitiful relation of their unfortunate and deplorable condition with high exclamations against the crueltie of Antonio de Fonseca and Ronquillo SECT II. THe Emperor wrote to Valladolid giving them thanks that they had preserved Peace and quietness in that Citie and for the good entertainment they had given in his absence to the Cardinal his Governor and those of his Council Whereunto they returned an Answer the 8th Iulie 1520 with manie acknowledgments of his favor praising God that hee had given them such a Prince and Emperor who they hoped should conquer the Holie Land and bee a great Defendor of the Church as the Emperors and Kings his forefathers had been And moreover they beseeched with all humilitie his Sacred Majestie forasmuch as that Citie had not onely shewed their Loialtie in serving with their Arms the Kings his Ancestors as Don Alonso the Eleventh Don
The Cardinal made them a thousand congies and excused himself saying that hee never commanded Medina to bee burned nor had any hand in the other mischiefs quite contrarie it grieved him to the very soul to hear what Fonseca had done And beeing desired by the Citie and thinking it to bee convenient himself hee commanded to bee proclaimed publickly that all those that were with Antonio de Fonseca should leav him and return to their houses and hee sent his express order to the same effect to Antonio de Fonseca commanding him to disband his men reserving onely what was necessarie for the guard of his own person in regard it was not possible to maintein an Army in those parts having no means nor place where to raise monie for their subsistance Fonseca was inforced to obey conforming himself to the time so taking a partie of hors with him hee went out of the Kingdom for all in that Countrie were his deadlie enemies and hee had no mind to bee surprised by them in Arevalo or either of his Towns of Coca or Alaejos but leaving them well fortified and his son Don Fernando in Coca hee passed into Portugal and thence by Sea into Flanders with the Judge Ronquillo SECT IV. ABout this time Caceres in Estremadura and the Citie of Iaen in Andaluzia where as yet the diseas had not broke out began to cry up the Commonaltie So that Don Rodrigo Mexia Lord of Santa Eufemia who had a great partie beeing born in that Citie labored and used all means possible to hinder the people from the outrages and mischiefs which were done in other Cities and not beeing able to bridle and restrain their furie otherwise hee took upon himself the charge of the Justice and Commonaltie Manie other Gentlemen made use of the like prudent dissimulation not beeing able to do otherwise Badajoz also beeing in the like distemper was quieted by his good industrie they of Badajoz took a fort from him that kept it for the Earl of Feria There is no reason why the Andaluzians should bee held any better then the Castillians for in all places the dissentions were much alike and their demeanors as if the common people had agreed and contracted together som yeares before SECT V. UBeda and Baeza were divided into two parties between the Venavides and the Caravajales both noble and ancient families in Castilla Don Luis de la Cueva cozen german to the Duke of Alburquerque was Captain of the Venavides Caravajal Lord of Todar which is a Village two leagues from Ubeda commanded the other partie In these factions there was so much animositie that one daie Don Luis de Ubeda coming in a litter for hee was an old man was set upon by Caravajal Lord of Todar attended by an hundred hors who gave him so manie thrusts with his lance that hee killed him in his litter This done hee was carried back to Ubeda where the manner of his death beeing related to his son Don Alonso and their kindred to revenge his father's death they went to the Village of Todar where they killed and cut the throats of all they could lay hands upon and afterwards set fire to the Village in manie places that some that hid themselvs in their houses were fain to leap out at the windows to avoid the fire The destruction and crueltie was so great that they reckoned of killed and burned about two thousand persons men women or children and onely the ruines of some houses in the village remained But indeed though these Gentlemen were Loyall like Noble persons yet it was so that in this there was more of passion and particular grudge and hatred then anie matter of Commonaltie For neither the Venavides nor those of la Cueva ever were Commoners or pretended to disserv the King But in these places with the occasion of the Kingdom 's beeing in a hurly-burly they made use of the Common Interest to revenge their private passions And it is apparent that if these Gentlemen did follow the Commonaltie as wishing it well yet they were none of their Captains SECT VI. CUenca in imitation of other Cities rose also and committed the like disorders In this Citie was Captain of the Commonaltie one Calaborra and with him a Bridle-maker whom the whole Citie obeied as their Lords And there beeing a person of principal note and power in the Kingdom Luis Carrillo de Albhornoz Lord of Torralva and Berreta they so much slâ—ghted him that hee was inforced to dissemble and sumâ—on all his reason and prudence to persuade his heart to brook it Their audaciousness grew to that pass that hee riding upon his mule through the street a Rascal of the Common sort struck him over the buttock saying in a scoffing manner Go thy waie Luis Carrillo hee was glad to let this pass the times not permitting him to do otherwise Luis Carrillo was married to Donia Inez Varrientos de Manrique a Ladie of a Masculine courage who desiring to revenge the injuries and affronts done to her husband and to stop and take off the opprobrious taunts of the people she invited the Captains of the Commonaltie to Supper and having well loaden their heads with wine shee caused them to bee carried to sleep in several chambers and beeing dead with sleep and the vapors of the wine shee commanded her servants to cut their throats and hang their bodies out at the windows next the street SECT VII AVila was the seat where all the Cities made their Assemblie Here they did such disorders as the loyal Citie of Avila ought not to have permitted The Common people were the onely Actors thereof for the Gentrie still persevered in the fidelitie of their Ancestors And becaus Antonio Ponce like a loial Gentleman would not swear to follow the Commonaltie they began to pluck down his hous but did not beeing hindred by som other Gentlemen The rest as in other Cities did swear and took the Engagement of the Commonaltie som willingly som becaus they did not rightly understand themselvs and others out of fear They would have pluckt down the hous of Diego Hernando de Quiniones becaus hee had granted the Subsidie beeing their Commissioner in the last Parlament but som good men intervening hindered the executing of their Purpose They had possessed themselvs of the Fort if Don Gonzalo Chachon Lord of Cassarruvios seeing the Commotions in most parts of the Kingdom and that Toledo had taken the Fort from Don Iohn de Silva and Segovia would have done the like to the Earl of Chinchon had not prudently and with dissimulation provided it hee beeing Governor thereof with Munition Arms and men taking them in by night and hiding them by daie The Fort beeing thus Ammunitioned when the Common-people ple flocked thither to take it they found greater resistance then they exspected And the Citie perceiving they might bee much damnified by the Fort and those of the Fort likewise by the Citie they treated of an
these sums for in effect no bodie could rightly understand what they would have had yet they saie the Emperor desired no more then the ordinarie Subsidie that his Predecessors the Catholick Kings had which was two hundred millions everie year and that the over-plus they stole from him and the Kingdom contrarie to his will or knowledg SECT XI THe affairs of Spain were so imbroiled and men so inconsiderately raving that it seemed as it were a scourge from Heaven which threatned no less destruction to that Countrie then that during the reign of Don Rodrigo They trusted in Southsaier's Prognostical judgments of the succeeding mischiefs Som Divels invented I know not what Prophecies which they father'd upon Saint Isidorus Arch-Bishop of Sevilia others upon Frier Iohn de Roccacelsa and one Merlin besides others which they said were of Saint Iohn Damascenus and other Doctors that of Saint Isidorus was his complaints or lamentations over Spain I have read all those ill presâ—ges of calamitie and destruction to Spain which so much affrighted and dismaied the people and I find them onely idle things which deserv not the setting down here unless it were to make us wonder at the facilitie and weakness of men in those times to give credit to anie such like fopperies The ignorant people were particularly besotted with one which pourported That there should reign over Spain a Prince called Charles who should destroie the Kingdom and make the Cities desolate but hee should bee overcom and driven out of the Kingdom by an Infante of Portingal and that the said Infante should reign over all Spain and mee think's wee see the contrarie Such follies doth blinde passion work in thoughts of ignorant and indiscreet people SECT XII TOledo wrote to the other Cities the last year 1519 inviting them to assemble and consult of what was most meet and expedient for them to supplicate the Emperor before his departure out of the Kingdom And in regard that Assemblie went not forwards and that now things were in such disorder that the breaking out was universal through the whole Kingdom yet they did not well understand nor trust one another so for the begetting a better intelligence amongst them and to the end they might the more firmly establish the Commonaltie which thâ—y called Holie Toledo sent other Letters to all the Cities of Castillia pressing them with manie powerful arguments to send without delaie their Commissioners to the Holie Assemblie at Avila and not to return them anie such excuse as formerly becaus such kinde of Congregations and Assemblies were condemned by strangers for in that Holie Assemblie nothing was to bee debated but what concerned the Service of GOD. And that they might studie or invent Remedies against the Seven sins of Spain treating first Of their fidelitie to the King their Lord. Secondly the Peace of the Kingdom Thirdly the Remedie or settling of the Roial Patrimonie Fourthly the grievances of the Natives Fifthly the Injustice done by Strangers Sixtly the Tyrannies w th som of their own Countrie-men had invented Seventhly the intolerable Impositions taxes which that Kingdom suffered Urging moreover that they should not value what censure passed upon them amongst their enemies for so doing in regard wicked persons are alwaies ready to blast with opprobrious tongues all good and religious actions which presupposed although things should fall out contrarie to their exspectations or desires and that they should bee in danger of their persons theiâ— houses should be plucktdown their goods taken away and at last should lose their lives In such case they were to esteem disgrace a favor danger securitie povertie riches banishment a glorie loss profit persecution a crown death life for nothing is so glorious for a man as to spend his life in the defence of the Republick After all these and divers other persuasive arguments they desired each Citie to give ful credence to their Messenger who had instructions to treat further with them SECT XIII THe fifth of Iulie 1520 the Lord Deputie of Murcia made a complaint to the Cardinal and Council how the Citie beeing risen had killed their Governor a Judg and one of the Sheriffs besides several other persons and that the people were all in Arms and so disorderly that becaus hee went about to pacifie and allaie their furie gently and in a peaceable manner representing to them the foulness and enormitie of what they had don they drove him out of the Citie and placed Guards and Rounds which committed very great disorders Hereupon it was ordered by the Council that Leguizama a Judg of Oyer and Terminer should go thither with large powers taking Officers along with him and that the neighboring towns should furnish him with men sufficient to bring them to reason Leguizama the Judg beeing arrived at Murcia entred peaceably into the Citie Hee intimated his orders to the Chief Justice Gentlemen Council and Assemblie of the Citie requiring their favor and assistance Which at first they did obey and the Judg began to make his privie search and examination whereby hee found som guiltie which hee gave order to apprehend This pleased not the People who began to think of turning him out of the Citie Hee sentenced a Shoomaker to bee whipp'd who beeing brought through the streets the Beadles still whipping him the people mutinied and manie beeing armed they rescued the prisoner with great nois and hubbub which done they went into a hous to consult what they were to do The Judg perceiving that presently betook him to his heels and fled into the Marquess of Velez his hous who then was in the Citie The Marquess hearing that the Judg was gone to his hous hee would not staie with him but presently took hors and rode out of the Town as fast as hee could to Mula a Citie ten leagues from Murcia The Judg made all haste possible after the Marquess and overtook him in the field a good waie from Murcia where hee shewed him his Orders charging him in the King's name under pain of Death and Confiscation of all his Estate to go back again with him into the Citie and to aid and assist him to do Justice The Marquess answered him very angerly for hee had desired him before to bee very careful how hee proceeded to consider the times and not to be too rigorous but he would not follow his counsel saying Iudg Go make these Requests to such men as your self is not to mee for in respect I am very much a servant to his Majestie I give you this answer and no other But to obey and shew the reverence I bear to the Roial Crown in whose name you require mee to return with you let your Notarie publick com after mee and I will give him an answer to what you demand of mee With that hee turned the reins of his Hors and rode on towards Mula The Judg went back to Murcia and set up his Hors in the same
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
enemie's advance thought not fit to stay for him but quitting the Fort went and associated himself with the Cavaliers of the Loyal Partie as you shall hear Thence forwards the Bishop stuck close to the Iunta and the Farl as eagerly followed the King's counsel each of them so much favoring their Partie that there were not anie two more remarkable then they The Bishop was threescore years of age but as vigorous and lively as if hee had been but five and and twentie I was acquainted with one that knew him and received orders from him who told me that hee was excellent at handling his arms That hee had more then foure hundred Priests under his command all well armed and valiant men and that hee still charged at the head of them himself Saying Here my Priests The rest hereafter SECT XX. I Have told you in what manner Segovia was fortified the resolution of the Inhabitants the relief which they received from manie places notwithstanding Ronquillo's endeavors to hinder it how Toledo incouraged them with promises both of men and monie Madrid Guadalaxara and Salamanca did the like making their case their own Medina del Campo secured them their trading offering to bear what loss soëver they should sustein either of persons or goods At last the Citie of Avila seeing what Ronquillo did against Segovia and the adjacent Towns that hee entred into the Villages belonging to Avila taking killing and executing Justice in a severe manner and that by order of the Cardinal and the Council hee had taken from Segovia all the Places and Towns under its jurisdiction commanding them not to obey or bee anie waie subject to that Citie neither to furnish them with provisions anie more then if they were their enemies under pain of death and confiscation of goods giving them power and Autoritie to keep Justice amongst themselvs as beeing a distinct jurisdiction and other priviledges to the distruction of that Citie They assembled in Council and agreed to send a Petition in the name and with the subscriptions of the Officers of Justice the Regidores Gentrie Religious Persons and of all the Commonaltie humbly beseeching the Cardinal that hee would bee pleased to set a remedie to those disorders and not proceed with so much rigor against Segovia for that Citie would bee reduced sooner by fair means then by such severitie That hee would command Ronquillo to rais his Siege and that hee should not molest nor use such crueltie against Segovia The Cardinal and those of the Council did not weigh much this Petition of Avila which so incensed that Citie that thereupon they sent them word peremptorily that since they would not rectifie those disorders they were resolved to seek their own remedie Mean time Ronquillo was at Santa Maria de Nieva making what preparations hee could against Segovia making incursions into their territories and laying Ambuscado's for those that came out of the Citie It happened that two young men coming out of Segovia fell into the hands of Ronquillo's Guards who asking them whence they were and whither they went They answered That they were of Salamanca that they came from Segovia and were returning to their own homes At first the Guards were in the minde to let them go becaus they seemed to bee but poor fellows yet afterwards they laid hands on them and brought them before Ronquillo who asking them who they were whither they went and whence they came They said they were Carders who seeing Segovia streightned and trading dead they were upon their return to their ovvn houses Hee examined them severally concerning the manner of Tordesillas his death and they agreed not in their relation Ronquillo thereupon began to press them further demanding more and more more questions till at last one of them confessed he fetched the rope vvherevvith they dragged Tordesillas along the streets and the other that hee plucked him by the hair Upon this confession hee condemned them both to death one to bee dravvn and quartered the other vvho said hee pluck't him by the hair had first his hand cut off and then vvas hanged It seemed a dirâ—ct Judgment of heaven to put those men into the hands of the Justice and that they should confess vvithout torture SECT XXI AFter this Ronquillo met vvith one Francisco Peralta a sufficient man and vvell beloved in Segovia but not thinking fit to execute Justice upon him presently sent him prisoner upon on an Ass to a Castle belonging to the Bishop of Palencia But meeting by the waie a man that was very zâ—alous for the caus of the Commonaltie and satisfying his curiositie by telling him the occasion of his imprisonment through his means hee was rescued by the Common People of Duenias and taken away from the Alguazil that had charge of him who had so much a doe to escape with his life and Peralta after courteous entertainment in the Town had a hors given him vvheâ—evvith hee went to Burgos which then was declared for the Commonaltie Iohn de Padilla you have heard marched out of Toledo at the head of two thousand men well armed and having passed the Port de la Tablada hee came within sight of Segovia where in a Plain not far distant hee pitch't his camp the next daie hee sent a Trumpetter to Ronquillo with a peremptorie message to bid him get him gon if not that hee would forth with put in execution what the Citie of Toledo had Commanded him Hereupon Ronquillo retreated to Antonio de Fonseca at Arevalo and so they fled both together not beeing able to withstand Iohn de Padilla's Forces SECT XXII THe Cardinal President and those of the Council labored all they could to persuade the Queen Mother to signe certain orders which they would send throughout the Kingdom against the disturbers of it becaus the greatest Autoritie which those of the Junta pretended to have was to saie that whatsoever they did was for the Queen's service whose that Kingdom was and other things to that purpose The President therefore and some of the Council went to Tordesillas and spake publickly with the Queen who was very merrie with them but complained saying that for fifteen years past shee could never know the truth of anie thing then turning towards the Marquis of Denia shee said this Marquis told mee the first lye At which words hee fell upon his knees and with tears in his eyes hee said it is true Madam I did tell you a lye but it was to moderate the violence of your passions and now I give you to understand that the King your father is dead and I did bury him Shee answered Bishop believ mee All that I see or hear mee thinks is but a dreame The President answered Madam in your hands under God lyeth the remedie of this Kingdom and your Highness will do a greater miracle in Signing what wee demand then ever did San Francisco Shee bid them go to bed and come againe next daie The daie following
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
that everie Deputie of a Ward should take four or five of the said names in writing and go with a Notarie publick to their respectivâ— houses or lodgings requiring them to meet the next daie in the cardinalâ—s hous where hee should tell them what further they were to do Which beeing done accordingly those of the Council that could not escape â—as divers did failed not to com to the Cardinal's Pallace where the Fâ—ier with his Captains about him notified and commanded them in the name of the Iunta to go with them to Tordesillas and to execute no more the offiâ—e of Counsellors that beeing there they should know further what they were to do and that there was no fear of their lives but their goods and estates he could not promise to secure Whereunto they made answer That they held their Offices and Charge from his Mâ—jestie's own hands whom they had served and did serv and that although they were taken they would not go with them unless they were carried away by force This was the best answer the Frier could get at that time so hee returned to Tordesillas but was not long before hee came back again to Valladolid with other Letters and Orders as shall bee seen hereafter SECT XXV IN this coniuncture arrived an express from Flanders vvitâ— dispatches from the Emperor Letters for the Cities of the Kingdom and his Majestie 's Commissions and Orders to Don Inigo de Velasco Lord high Constable of Castilla and Leon and Don Fadrique Enriquez Lord Admiral of Castilla autoâ—ising and Commanding them joyntly vvith the Cardinal Adriano to undertake the charge and care of governing and managing the affaires of that Kingdom untill his returne In his Letters the Emperor declared his exceeding sorrovv and discontent for the troubles and insurrections in that Kingdom notvvithstanding the great affection hee alvvaies expressed tovvards them That his good vvill vvas so ill requited and his favors no better accepted That they had failed in that fidelitie vvherevvith like good and Loyall Subjects they had alvvaies served the Kings his Predecessors Yet hee could not bee persuaded but some particular persons for their private â—nterests had been the occasion of all those disorders And That in regard one of the principal things at which the Kingdom was aggreived had been his conferring of the government upon a stranger although the prudence and uprightness of the most reverend Cardinal of Tortosa could not in all reason but give them satisfaction to stop the current of those disorders which increased daily in that Kingdom and to provide for the good government thereof and the Peace of his Subjects with great deliberation and advice during his absence which should not bee long hee had ordered and appointed to rule joyntly with the Cardinal as vice-Vice-Kings and Governors of that Kingdom the Lord Admiral and Lord high Constable of Castilla beeing both persons indued with wisdom and other parts requisite for so high a charge and that they should take upon them all the care trouble c. And that he had given them particular charge if the Kingdom was anie waie aggriev'd to send for the Commissioners or Burgesses of the Cities that they might demand redress before the Governors And withall hee Commanded the Cities to bee obedient unto them The Emperor wrote also to the Lord high Constable endeering him by the acknowledgment of his former services to undertake and execute with like fidelitie resolution and cheerfulness the joynt charge with the Cardinal and the Lord Admirall of pacifying the present tumults and insurrections reducing his Subjects to their former obedience and the governing and managing the affairs of that Kingdom until his return Dated in Bruxels the 9th of September 1520. SECT XXVI IF these Noble-men had been made governors before the Emperor's departure out of Spain questionless the Commotions had never come to that height But they were now too far gon beyond their recoverie for although some were very well pleased with this Election others were not The Lord high Constable as wee shall see was not very well beloved in Burgos The Cardinal with the President and Council were not onely not beloved but extreamely hated and abhorred in manie Cities Onely in Valladolid the Cardinal was much respected and honored neither would they consent to his departure out of the Citie although hee often desired it but they offered themselvs all to bee at his service esteeming him as it were a Saint and they kept guards at the Gates of the Citie lest the Cardinal or anie of the Council or Judges should goe away Yet for all their guards El Licenciado Zapata made his escape in a Benedictan Munk's habit having shaved his crown and his beard and divers others of the Council likewise who durst not attend the determination of the Junta perhaps their own ill consciences did accuse them and filled their hearts with the apprehension of danger which onely make the sinners flie though no bodie doth pursue them And indeed in offices and charges of that nature some men are monstruously insufferable SECT XXVII FEw daies after the Dominican Frier was returned to the Junta and had given an account of his indeavors at Valladolid concerning the suspending of the Council Roial and the apprehending of the Counsellors They sent another Frier Alonso de Medina Professor of Divinitie of the Order of St Francis with second Orders from the Junta to Valladolid Where beeing arrived hee caused the Commonaltie and Officers of the Citie to assemble at the Monastrie of St Francis which beeing done accordingly the Frier went up into the Pulpit and shewed the Letters of Credence which hee brought from the Iunta in whose name hee told them they were againe required to send those of the Council-Royall Prisoners to Tordesillas and that those of the Council of Warre who were fled and absented themselvs should thenceforwards bee payed no Salarie nor enjoy any of their Revenues But that they should all bee punished according to their severall deserts And that her Highness the Queen's pleasure and absolute Command was it should bee â—o in regard it was found expedient for the good of the Kingdom Otherwise the offenders and wicked Counsellors the Perpetrators of so manie evils in the Kingdom should escape unpunished and the poor oppressed People remain without Justice Many other reasons hee aleadged which were not unpleasing to the People who were filled with a desire of seeing the punishment hee mentioned inflicted And having ended his discours hee produced and read aloud to them a copie signed by three publick Notaries of what passed between the Queen and the Commissioners of all the Cities and Towns in the Kingdom that had Votes in Parlament Who beeing altogether in her presence gave her to understand by the mouth of the Doctor Zuniga of Salamanca the grievances of the Kingdom having been pilled and polled by strangers since her â—ather's death and out of the sens of their opression
Guards went away the daie before by two and two After which time hee sent to entreat the Citie to suffer his goods to bee brought unto him assuring them that his going away should bee no waie prejudicial to them that hee was in a manner enforced so to absent himself from them both for respect of his Majestie 's service and that hee had not left him wherewithal to defraie his charges in the Citie but wheresoëver hee was they might bee confident hee would do all that might be for theirâ— and the whole Kingdom 's good Valladolid with much complement and civil expressions sent him all his Linnens and other houshold-stuff to the Town of Rioseco whither hee was gone in exspectation of the Lord Admiral About this time there were great differences betwixt those of the Commonaltie and their Captain the Infante of Granada They would have killed him manie of them coming violently against him with their Arms and giving him very reproachful and abusive language As hee advanced into the market place with above six hundred Lances to apprehend Alonso de Vera they saie it was a Bridle-maker and som such like audacious fellows that were the occasion of stirring the people to this insolent attempt The Iunta beeing much displeased â— ereat ordered that the Infante of Granada should leav the Office of Captain becaus it was too great a charge to allow him everie month 30000 Maradiz alleging moreover that none but a native of the Citie ought to execute that Command But the Infante giving notice of his discontent by command of the Iunta this matter was put to Votes and hee having the major part on his side it was ordered that hee should bee confirmed in his Office but withal that hee should pardon Alonso de Vera with the rest that had offended him and strict command was given that the people should make no more meetings nor demand any thing from thenceforward with Arms in their hands but by waie of Justice and Reason That presently under pain of one hundred lashes all those Vagabands and fellows that had no professions should avoid the Citie This was proclaimed in Valladolid on St Luke's daie SECT XXXII WHil'st the Commonaltie of Valladolid was in consultation whether the Infante should continue in his Charge or not arrived a Commissioner from the Junta desiring that Citie in their names to agree and bee all as one and not to give waie to their particular passions which might breed division among them to the great weakning and disenabling of that Citie for they were now to consider that they had manie enemies who had already begun one of the highest and greatest attempts in the world That if their hearts were not united stirred up therewith they with their wives and children should bee reduced to most wretched slaverie That with couragious mindes and upright desires they ought to prosecute this matter and bee assistant to those Gentlemen who were already engaged therein and boüy them up out of that gulf of miserie whereinto they were plunged For the Lords of the Iunta considering that Valladolid was the most noble principal Citie of all Spain and that it had been the principal autor of their good as in former times exposing and hazarding their lives and fortunes to many eminent dangers They thought it great reaâ—on to give them an account of what they had done in the Iunta To whiâ—h effect they had sent to let them know how that neither night nor daie they ceased laboring in the advancement of the service of God and the King and the publick good of the Nation neither eating nor drinking in quiet but still watching with much care and studie how God and the King might have their due respect and honor and the Kingdom bee preserved in libertie Renouncing all private affairs leaving houses goods wives and children at random to attend and applie themselvs with more fervencie to procure the people's good without Interest That before the Iunta sate at Tordesillas they all took a solemn oath that no man should procure for himself wife children friends or kindred anie Lands Offices or benefits whatsoëver to the end that they might loiâ—lly and without Interests serv the publick That every one of the Iunta was a Gentleman and as free as the King himself from all the tributes taxes that were imposed upon the meaner subjects that neither for respect of what they might hope to gain or to free themselvs of that which others did paie they had exposed themselvs to so great hazard beeing no more then fiftie that did help or any waie advance this business which so nearly concerned all That without them the Iunta could do little the case bâ—eing weightie and dangerous That they trusted in God within eight daies the Iunta would have taken such a cours that Castilla should enjoie as much peace quietness and plentie as formerly for they wanted nothing but the Articles of the several Cities of the Kingdom to extract the best out of them which should bee printed and and sent through the whole Kingdom that every one might see the good which proceeded from the Iunta The Articles which were purged in the Iunta whereby they thought as they saie here to remedie and restore Castilla to its former condition shal bee punctually set down in the following Book In Valladolid they much rejoiced at this discours and were highly taken with the promises made them by the Iunta which filled them with a thousand good hopes but within seven months they found them all fruitless They offered willingly their estates and goods and to expose their lives in the defens of the Holie Iunta as they called it SECT XXXIII THe Cardinal and those of the Council prudently desired first to proceed with mildness and endeavor by fair persuasions to quench or at least mitigate the furie of that unnatural â—ire to that effect they sent to entreat the Iunta to assemble rather in Valladolid where the Council then was that there things should bee remedied to their liking and content Those of the Iunta having intelligence of this message sent one to meet him that brought it before hee could reach to Avila with command to charge him in their names under pain of death not to com into the Citie The Council seeing that they could prevail nothing by fair means sent to command and require the Junta not to assemble at all in regard it was a thing forbidden by the King and the Laws of the Kingdom without their Sovereign's leav That if they had anie thing to desire they should repair to the Council at Valladolid and they would join with them in Petition to the Emperor for the obteining and fulfilling their demands This also they refused to hear and sent the like message back to the Council by the Commendador Hinestrosa to whom they denied both audience and entrance into the Citie From that time forwards the Junta called them of Council Tyrants
the same trade as the former his name was Sorolla a pestilent audacious villain who amongst other wicked facts went to the Citie Hall when they were consulting about the Election of Iurates and with a confident impudence told those of the Regimiento in the name of his Confederacie that if they did not admit them to bee of the Regimiento those stones should flow with blood And his threats were accomplished for they made their Election according to the rights and custom of the Citie Whereat the people were so enraged that they committed those outrages which shall bee set down hereafter In this distemper and extravagant hare-brainedness Don Diego de Mendosa found the mindes of the people in Valencia when hee came to bee their Governor Sorolla Vicente Periz one Iohn Caro and other leading men of the Confederacie understanding that the Vice-Roy had been fully informed of their demeanors and of the state of things but yet dissembled the knowledg thereof out of fear considering what power and credite their Confederacie had with the people they complotted that Sorolla should hide himself in his own hous and that the rest should go up and down the Citie and acquaint all his friends and allies that the Vice-Roy had sent for Sorolla and that as they were informed hee either had already hanged him or was then about it and that for manie respects they ought not to let such a man suffer who was the defendor and mainteiner of the publick good This report beeing thus cunningly spread through the whole Citie so incensed the people's mindes that in an instant all was up in Arms Drums beating and Colours flying and in this manner they marched to the Vice-Roy's hous crying out Let the Vice-Roy die if hee deliver us not Sorolla The Vice-Roy and som Gentlemen that were in the hous at that time with him besides his servants defended the windows and doors where the assault was hottest all daie long and night beeing com as God would have it a good woman one of Sorolla's neighbors who having seen him in his hous and hearing that the people were storming the Vice-Roy's â—alace for hanging Sorolla shee went to the Bishop of Segorbe who lived close by and told him that shee had seen Sorolla safe and sound in his own hous but a little before Hereupon the Bishop went presently to Sorolla's hous which hee caused to bee broken open and finding where hee had hidden himself hee chid him throughly for his mischievous villanie but hee excusing himself said hee durst not go out of his doors The Bishop immediately gave order to saddle his mules and riding upon one himself and Sorolla on the other with manie Halbards attending him hee carried him quite through the Citie to the Vice-Roy's hous to the end the people might see Sorolla was neither dead nor a prisoner in the Vice-Roy's hous The Confederates seeing him alive with much joie they raised their siege which had continued all daie and almost all night After this they rescued a man likewise condemned to death for hainous crimes whom in regard hee had manie friends and kindred in the Cite the Vice-Roy had commanded to bee hanged assoon as he had confessed lest his friends should petition for him before hee was dead The thirteen Sindicos and Sorolla gave out that this man was condemned and to bee executed wrongfully which the people hearing went preâ—ently all armed to the prison and released him Tâ—en beeing possessed that the Vice Roy was about raising men to subdue them they environed his hous and put him to his shifts that hee was forced to send his Ladie out of the Citie and hee not daring to staie long after her with much ado escaped riding behinde another Gentleman upon a mule Hee having left the Citie in this manner all the Nobles and Gentrie followed him with their wives and Children retiring every one to their own houses The Vice-Roy beeing of kin to the Earl of Cozentayna carried the Vice-Queen to his hous The other Gentlemen having left their wives and children in secure places with what arms horses and men they could get togetâ—er repaired som to the Vice-Roy others to the Infante Don Enrique and to the Duke of Segorbe Don Alonso agreeing all unanimously to adhere to the Emperor's service against the Rebels All these Gentlemen's houses within the Citie the people plucked down or burned and plundered their goods a thousand more abominable mischiefs they did which I am ashamed to relate so cruel and unruly is that Beast the Common People when it hath broke the bridle They armed all the slaves and received manie Moriscos for souldiers From Cozentayna the Vice-Roy went to Xativa the Inhabitants of that Citie desired him to give them leav to muster upon St Bartholomew's daie which hee denying they marched out of the Citie in despight and contempt of him and mustered before his face The Vice-Roy hereupon fearing a second trick of Valencia retired into the Fort which those of Xativa perceiving they proclaimed that no bodie under pain of death should furnish him with victuals or anie provision whatsoëver Hereupon hee went from thence to Denia becaus if hee was pursued by land hee might escape thence by sea Those of Valencia hearing that the Vice-Roy was fled to Denia after that Xativa had rebelled against him resolved to seiz upon all the King's Revenues and Customs which to effect they went to the Custom houses and broke the Records took away the Books and spoke words which were wors then their deeds Those of Valencia seeing themselvs masters of the Citie the Vice-Roy and all the Gentrie beeing gone they ordered the Government thereof They appointed thirteen persons to govern and defend it whom they call'd the Thirteen of the Confederacie These Thirteen chose for the General of their Armie Iohn Caro who was a Sugar-baker and held intelligence with the whole Kingdom Insomuch that assoon as the news was heard of the Rebellion of Valencia and Xativa and that the Vice-Roy was fled presently the Citie of Oribuela the Marquisat of Helche did the like and at length there was no Citie or Town but rebelled also in imitation of Valencia treating the Gentrie and nobler Citizens with the like dis-respect and tyrannie And the Gentrie with their servants arms goods and all they could get joined together in their King's service So that which is a thing worthie of note and esteem there was not one Gentleman nor person of any birth or qualitie through that whole Kingdom that sided with that vile Commonaltie but valiantly and unanimously ventured their lives and fortunes in their Prince's service although hee was out of the Kingdom they suffered patiently their houses to bee pulled down their goods to bee burned their towns destroied and all to shew their fidelitie to their King The Citie of Oribuela chose for their Captain one Palomares who made himself so absolute Lord of those people beeing but a poor Serving-man that oftentimes hee
the nature of the Common people to follow the strongest partie he advanced higher into the Countrie with his Armie which daily increased insomuch that before hee could reach Valencia hee had above eleven thousand men and thirteen pieces of Ordnance wherewith hee encamped at a place called Paterna within sight of Valencia and sent the Citie a Summons which beeing surrendred upon Articles and the Vice-Roy repossessed of his Command the Marquis returned with his Armie to Murcia After his departure the Articles beeing not well performed the Confederates retired themselvs to Xativa where they chose for their Captain one Vicente Perez a fellow whose trade was to gather Acorns They assaulted and entred the Fort it beeing ill provided Besides the aforementioned there were divers strange presages in Valencia of these prodigious disorders amongst others upon a Tuesdaâ—e the 27 of Maie in the evening a Thunder-bolt fell upon a Church called El Asseu de Valencia which threw down one of the Pinnacles and burst the Clock in pieces Upon a Fridaie morning in the same month fell a sudden storm of hail with most terrible Thunder-claps after which in a ground betwixt the Countie of Oliva and Dutchie of Gandia were found three stones which fell from the skie in colour and make like flints Fray Antonio de Guevara Chronicler to his Imperial Majestie and Bishop of Mondoniedo reporteth that hee saw one of them hung in a chain in Santa Maria Church a league from Oliva which weighed no less then five and twentie pounds The passage which I am now about to relate is so remarkable that men cannot but admire the blindness which possessed the miserable people that affected these novelties and Insurrections There was nothing more certainly known in Spain then that the Prince Don Iohn onely issue male of his father and mother the Catholick Kings and immediate Heir to these Kingdoms died at Salamanca to the exceeding grief and resentment of his parents and all Spain and in those daies there was no further scruple or question thereof But since in the time of these unhappie Commotions the Confederates of Valencia were so besotted that a strange mean fellow of no accompt who came in a fugitive manner out of Africa and associated himself with them that they received him and beleiving or seeming to believ him to bee the Prince Don Iohn they swore allegeance to him as King and hee Commanded and ruled over them for two years until hee met with the end hee deserved as shall bee seen hereafter In the year of our Lord 1512 a certain Merchant of Biscaya named Iuan de Vilvao or Iohn of Bilbo went to trade at the Citie of Oran In the ship which carried him and his commodities hee light upon a passenger who addressing himself to him told him that hee could write and read in several languages and that if hee pleased to give him any competent subsistence hee would bee glad to serv him as his factor and teach his children the Merchant entertained him and took him on board with him at Cartagena thinking himself the happiest man living that hee had so luckily met with a man of such abilities to instruct his children and follow his business besides This fellow was of a low stature thin-faced of a sallow complexion hee had a terrible look his eies beeing of a black and green color little hair and thin upon his head his beard wors furnished hee was a man of verie few words in his Conversation somwhat too strict and austere seemingly intemperate in his diet a great eater but drank little hee spoke Spanish Arabick and Hebrew It never was known directly who his father was onely hee confessed while hee was under the lash that hee was a Jew's son and that hee was Circumcised but never Baptized for his father carried him into Barberie in the same year the Jews were driven out of Castilla Hee remained in this Merchant's hous until the year 1516 which vvas four years and to ingratiate himself the more vvith his Master hee told him thenceforvvards hee vvould call himself by his name Iuan de Vilvao But the Merchant having occasion to absent himself often from his hous leaving his wife children and goods all in charge with this servant one time at his return from Castilla hee was told by his neighbors that Iuan de Vilvao his man was a slepperie companion and that in his absence hee was too familiar with his wife others said hee had abused his daughter Hereupon without any further examination hee turned him presently out of his hous not declaring anie occasion or reason hee had for so doing becaus hee could not have his servant punished otherwise without bringing his own honor in question At that time there was a young man Corregidor of Oran who not knowing wherefore the Merchant had discarded his servant Iuan de Vilvao entertained him to bee his Steward The Corregidor having a handsom young wench which hee kept privately in his hous Iuan de Vilvao used all means possible to gain her acquaintance and affection and withall to persuade her to learn witchcraft for amongst other good qualities this wicked fellow was a great Practitioner in Negromancie The young maid beeing little pleased with his sollicitations resolved at last to acquaint the Corregidor how hee importuned her and that hee would persuade her to learn witchcraft but chiefly that hee had made her promise to give him poison that so they two might with more freedom enjoie each other's affection The Corregidor was much startled and amazed hereat for hee thought his hous and Paramour as secure with Iuan de Vilvao as if hee had committed her to the custodie of an Eunuch and therefore hee did not absolutely credit her accusation of him but afterwards observing with a more strict eie the carriage and demeanure of his â—teward hee was confirmed and satisfied of the truth especially when hee found the spells and poison which he was to use Hee committed him to the publick Gaol whence upon a market daie hee was fetch 't out set upon an Ass with his sorceries about his neck and whipped through all the principal streets of the Citie The people were all astonished that hee should bee so close a villain for every bodie had a very good opinion of him After this beeing banished Oran hee returned into Spain and dis-embarked upon the Coast of Valencia just in the time of these disastrous troubles Hee by his juggling inventions begat himself a great esteem and credit first amongst the Confederates of Algecira Afterwards hee came to Xativa under the name of Don Henrique Manrique de Ribera and beeing a subtil Impostor and the Confederates simple and besotted with passion hee wrought so much upon their blinde credulitie that they made him their General and by little and little hee so inveagled them that they held him for their God and their King Vicente Periz who was Captain General of the Confederate Rebels of Valencia made great
submissions to him saying that God had sent him to give them libertie and that hee would procure them much monie and arms Those of Xativa adored him as their Redeemer and called him El Encubierto or the man disguised saying God had sent him for the redressing of the oppressed People Hee made them believ that hee was the Prince Don Iohn Son to the Catholick King and Queen deceased and that for certain â—ecret causes and Revelations of God's Judgments it was convenient for him not to bee publickly known in the world for long time past but now since the Kingdom 's were in so distressed a condition and in so great necessitie of their naturall King to own and defend them and settle them in the same peaceable Government as they injoyed during his Father's Reign hee desired to reveal himself unto them and that it was God's will also This those wretched Confederates beleiving followed and honored him as if hee had been their God Thus having gained the affection and esteem of these Rebels hee conferred with divers of the Citie of Valencia of la Huerta and other places thereabouts inticing them to put in execution what that Tyrant Vicente Periz had alreadie moved Hee dealt likewise with some places of Aragon and Catalunia which were alreadie tottering and half at least inclining to Commotion ingaging them that at the same instant if possible as hee should make his Attempts upon Valencia they should all rise in arms and secure those parts for him Within Valencia hee had his intelligencers and instruments whom hee imployed to murder the Marquis of Cenete then Governor of the Citie These were so faithful to him in this treacherous design that hee wanted not assistants to convey him over the walls into the Citie whereby hee might the better contrive his plot seeing the disposition of the place and having a more free communication with the inhabitants allure and draw to his byas more complices to strengthen his partie and execute his wicked intention This was so cunningly carried that if God had not otherwise disposed it the whole Kingdom at that time ran a notable hazard of beeing absolutely destroied The Citie of Valencia as I have told you beeing in so miserable a condition the Religious men with other good and loial people went to petition the Marquis of Cenete who then was in the Camp to take upon him the Government of that distressed Citie Which hee did like a noble man as hee was The people expressed so much contentment and comfort in his presence that in all the Monasteries and Churches they sung with great solemnitie the Te Deum laudamus and all the bâ—lls rung out in testimonie of an universal joie The Marquis was a man of such courage and resolution that when throughout the whole Citie of Valencia no bodie durst so much as name God King or Iustice hee took divers of the rebellious disturbers and hanged them So that they began to bee affraid and sculked in corners Soon after having notice of a band of these Confederates which were fled from Valencia hee marched out against them and meeting them about Monviedro hee brought away their Colors having routed and put them all to flight Amongst divers great hazards which the Marquis ran of losing his life by the insolence or treacherie of these Confederates one I shall give in particular A monstrous disorderly multitude of these wretches beeing gathered together in Valencia fell like a furious storm upon the Marquis his hous with huge clamorous out-cries and â—lashing of weapons not understanding each other's minde nor knowing what they would have The Marquis hearing the nois went down to quiet the tumult beeing well provided and attended but his Ladie seeing him engaged amongst a throng of such vile respectless people and fearing lest hee should bee murthered by them took such a fright that her weak Constitution beeing not able to resist the violence of that sudden apprehension shee presently expired Vicente Periz Captain of the Rebells with a numerous Armie intrenched himself and planted his Cannon within sight of Valencia where hee remained som time In his Camp hee had a bell at the sound whereof a numberless gang of thievs such as his Armie was composed of ran out of the Citie to him And had not the Marquis been very circumspect without question they had suprised the Citie but finding little probabilitie of effecting their design upon Valencia they marched towards Monviedro thinking to make the Vice-Roy rais his siege thence but within two daies after Monviedro was surrendered to him which was of no small importance for thereby hee had an open and free passage to receiv succour out of Castilla The Marquis hearing that the Confederates were marched towards Monviedro with their Cannon and having intelligence of their intentions followed them but with no considerable force and meeting some of his own foot companies which having been much galled by their Cannon and small shot were retreating towards Valencia quite disheartned hee strove to incourage them as well as hee could representing to them the service of God and their King but prevailing not with them howëver heâ— advanced and set upon the enemie crying aloud Let the King live and the Traytors die and without fear of their muskets or Cannon which played fiercely upon him hee charged into the middest of them God whose caus hee fought preserving him and striking their baser hearts with fear insomuch that hee had them all at his mercie Yet his nobleness and generositie was such though they deserved it not that hee commanded his men who were very busie in killing to forbear further execution crying out Let them not die let them not die having thus quite routed these Mutiniers hee returned to Valencia with the spoil and all their Artillerie where hee was received with joy and tears The Vice-Roy afterwards beeing before Xativa with intent to reduce it to the Emperor's subjection the Rebels dealt so cunningly with some of his Souldiers who sowed the same dissention in his Camp as was within the Town that by certain signs they understood each others intentions and they agreed at one and the same time to fall upon the Loyall Partie and murther them and having taken their Artillerie to storm Valencia sack it and kill all that were for the Emperor in it This conspiracie was discovered but there was no remedie to hinder it neither in the Vice-Roy's Camp nor in Valencia for the Confederates were very numerous and the Loyall Pâ—â—sons but a small Partie The Marquis at the intreatie of the honest people of Valencia went to the Vice-Roy's Camp before Xativa where hee found more disorder then was reported and the infection less curable then hee imagined The sign that these Conspirators had agreed upon was that in the night at a certain hour those of the Camp should cry out Paie Paie Mutinie Mutinie and those within the Citie should answer Paie Paie Mutinie Mutinie The Vice-Roy and
the Gentlemen with him in the Camp desired the Marquis to venter himself and indeavor by going into the Citie and reasoning with the people to defer the execution of this horrid treason Although it seemed an act of great timeritie as indeed it was for him to expose himâ—elf to the furie of a â—eople so mutinous and bent upon mischief yet the Marquis valorously did as hee was required And it was miraculous how his presence and fair deportment pacified the inhabitants minds and brought them to submit to reason The Adversaries beeing mad at the good success the Marquis had wrought within Xativa conspired how Vicente Periz their Captain might secretly convey himself into the Citie and gathering as manie of the people as hee could together apprehend the Marquis This was effected and Vicente Periz with a multitude of well armed men went to assault the Marquis who beeing but slenderly provided and weakly attended and seeing a squadron of these thievs advance towards him dissembled and made as if hee knew them not asking them thus Are you our friends do you com to serv the King To which they answered neither yea nor no but seemed to bee daunted at the very sight of the Marquis Hereupon with much seeming affection hee spake aloud Nay then my boies Viva el Rey viva el Rey which said hee fell upon them and took away their Arms. Presently upon this the rest of the enemies discovered themselvs and began to fight discharging their Cross-bows and Musket-shots as thick as hail against the Marquis and his men which the Marquis seeing hee cried with a loud voice O you Traitors now force is requisite and flinging down his staff hee took a pike and saying God preserv the King and let the Traitors die hee fell in amongst them fighting so desperately that before his men could com to second him hee had made them turn their backs but at last being over-powered and wounded in the left arm hee was taken prisoner and carried by the people into the Castle where at that time the Duke of Calabria was also prisoner who received the Marquis with much honor The Marquis was afterwards put into a Dungeon under St George's tower where they kept him close prisoner som time thinking thereby to make the Vice-Roy his brother condescend to what they listed But at last hee was released and perceiving the Countrie to bee infected beyond hope of remedie hee retired to his own hous Those of Valencia found a great miss of him and seeing most of the people of the Citie becom of the Confederacie Vicente Periz having possessed himself of la Huerta and other places thereabouts the Iurates and Chapter of the Church called el Asseu sent to beseech him that hee would bee pleased to condole the miserie of that Citie and bee tender of the King's service The Marquis was at Ayora a town of his upon receipt of this message hee took his waie towards Valencia Thursdaie 27 Februarie 1522 the Tyrant Vicente Perez trusting to the multitude of his partie within the Citie took the boldness to enter into Valencia with intention to plunder it and kill all that should resist him and having intrenched and fortified himself within the walls to that effect it struck great terrour into the loial partie But the Marquis well Armed came to a large place called la Placa del Asseu and caused to bee rung that bell which they used to ring in Uproars to the end all those of the loial partie might repair thither to him where hee staied until noon having used all fair means possible to pacifie without blood-shed the advers partie but seeing nothing could avail hee took a view of his men and what Arms they had and finding his no competent force to encounter Vicente Periz who had made himself very strong hee betook himself to his invention and policie which succeeded so advantagiously that Vicente Periz came short of his design all his men beeing dis-banded and returned to their own dwellings This was a happie daie for Valencia for if Periz his plot had taken hee had been absolute master of the whole Citie and ever after that daie was called the Thursdaie of Vicente Periz Yet staying within the Citie hee rallied again and what with those of Valencia what with the fresh supplies which were sent him from Xativa and Algezira by the disguised Prince Don Iuan or Iuan de Vilvao who went thither to that purpose Hee was so strongly recruited that hee gave the Marquis Battle in the streets of Valencia and had won the daie undoubtedly if the Marquis had not shewed as much policie as resolution In the Combate the Marquis pursuing Vicente Periz who was glad to take his heels was knocked down by a great pot full of earth which a woman flung from the top of a hous upon his head which though it killed him not out-right did stun and bruis him very sore Hee was presently taken up again by his servants but his partie supposing him to bee dead lost courage and withal the advantage they had gained of the enemâ—e which hee perceiving assoon as hee was com again to himself ran amongst them saying If the Marquis bee dead the King is alive These words put new vigor into the hearts of his despairing men who following the Marquis gave a fresh charge to the Confederates so hot that they were glad to hous themselvs which proved no Sanctuarie for there they were killed and taken not beeing able to make resistance Vicente Periz had his head presently struck off This Victorie quieted the Citie of Valencia vvhich vvas so infected vvith the poison of Rebellion that in the very Cloisters and Monasteries there was as much division and passion as elswhere insomuch that one part praied God to favor the Confederates the other to give the Cavaliers the Victorie The disguised Prince exspected a quite contrarie success hoping by the death of the Marquis and the routing of his partie to reign victoriously in Valencia but God who had otherwise decreed the Event made him likewise fall into the hands of the Marquis the 19th of Maie 1522 who commanded him to bee hanged drawn and quartered and his head to bee set upon the point of Lance. And thus that villanous head was crowned who of an infamous Jew and abominable Sorcerer would have made himself King of Spain After this grew several other Commotions in that Kingdom but nothing near so dangerous which I shall omit now to particularize in regard I am called away by those of Castilla SECT XXXVI THe Earl of Salvatierra and other Mountaniers infected the people of the Mountains of Burgos as far as Alava and Vitoria with other places of la Rioxa and Burgos was very near revolting also All which was opposed by the Lord High Constable not becaus the Emperor commanded him so to do for hee received no orders from his Majestie to that effect till afterwards but moved with the magnanimitie of his own
and the Alcalde Ronquillo to sack and make desolate the Citie of Segovia notwithstanding they sent to excuse and submit themselvs to the Council and that becaus of their so rigorous proceeding they sent to Toledo and other Cities for assistance who before they raised any forces to succour them desired the Cardinal and Council by waie of Petition to deal more favorably with those of Segovia but receiving no satisfactorie answer they sent an Armie into the field They aggravated the crueltie of Antonio de Fonseca in burning Medina whereby the Town was endammaged above two millions of Ducates and which occasioned the rising of divers other places They declared how the Queen had commanded the Iunta to remove from Avila to Tordesillas That they had undertaken the care of the Queen's person and put the Marquis of Denia and his Ladie from her holding them destructive to the advancement of the publick good They alleged reasons for dissolving the Council which his Majestie had settled before his departure And why they paied their Armie out of his Majestieâ—s Revenues At last they desired his Majestie would bee pleased to grant and confirm all those Articles which their Embassadors should present him from the Kingdom the intent and scope of them beeing meerly for his good and the peaceable Government by regulating and repairing the miseries and great dammages that had been occasioned through the evil Counsel of those which thitherto had abused and mis-led his Majestâ—e urging moreover that for the benefit of the Publick and the improving of his Roial Patrimonie it was necessarie and expedient that until such time as his Majestie should appoint other persons of better temper and uprighter intentions to reside in his High Council then the former were his Majestie should give power to those Cities and Towns which had Vote in Parlament to provide and see to the Administration of Justice and other things wherein those of his Council ought to have been more circumspect and moderate And also that hee would revoke the Commissions and Autoritie which hee had sent to the then ruling Governors becaus they were men whom the Kingdom could not endure Besides this letter to the Emperor they sent another to those of the Citie where hee then was desiring them to join with them in supplication to his Majestie and procure his consent and approbation of all the Kingdom 's desires in regard they tended to his Majestie 's service the publick good of the Kingdom the increasing of his Roial Patrimonie and were exceedingly conducing to a peaceable and quiet government Dated from Tordesillas the 20th of October 1520. Under the the Letter was written I Lope de Pallares Secretarie of the Parlament and Iunta of the Kingdom caused this to bee written by their Command SECT II. ARTICLES Of The KINGDOM DON CARLOS and DONIA IUANA c. To our Infantes well-beloved Children Brothers and Dukes Greeting Know yee that for the remedying and repairing the great dammages and exorbitancies which have been and are in our Kingdoms of Castilla and Leon by reason of the former evil Counsel and Government of our said Kingdoms The Commissioners or Procuradores of those Cities and Towns that have Vote in Parlament are assembled as becometh our Loial Subjects and Servants with zeal to our servicâ— and the publick good of our Kingdoms fulfilling that which the Laws of our Kingdoms oblige them to do And by special Command from us the Queen are com to Tordesillas to take care and provide for the reparation and remedie of the said dammages and exorbitancies To which effect they have made and ordeined certain Articles which are conducing and expedient for our service the good Government of the Kingdom and the increasing of the Revenue and Partrimonie Roial The Tenor whereof is as followeth MOST HIGH AND MIGHTIE CATHOLICK PRINCES QUEEN AND KING OUR SOVEREIGNS That which the Cities Towns Villages Commonalties and Natives of your Kingdom of Castilla and Leon do desires your Majesties will bee pleased to grant for a perpetual Law is here ensuing That which concern's his MAIESTIES ROIAL PERSON FIrst These Kingdoms humblie supplicate your Majestie will bee pleased speedily to return into these Kingdoms and beeing com to remain ruling and governing them For staying here your Majestie may give Laws and Command over the whole World as your Predecessors have done And nothing of all that which they desire of your Majestie will bee so pleasing to these Kingdoms although you should grant them much more for they hope your Majestie will condescend to all these things then your speedie coming to them For it is not the custom of Castilla to bee without their King neither can they bâ—e governed by others in peace and quiet which is very necessarie for your Royal service Item These Kingdoms humbly beseech your Majestie at your return to bee pleased to marrie it beeing necessarie for the universal good of these Kingdoms that there should bee some issue to succeed your Royal Person as they desire your Majestie 's age now requiring it And that you would bee pleased to take a wife according to the Vote and good lâ—lâ—king of these your Kingdoms for so shee shall bee of some Countrie in amitie with them as is most convenient for your service and the contentment of your Royal Person That which concern's the Royal Familie THat our Ladie and Sovereign the Queen's Royal hous bee put in such order and estate as is becoming her Royal Person and the honor of these Kingdoms That the Officers about her bee persons of qualitie That her hous bee sufficiently provided of all thing befitting her dignitie for so her Highnâ—ss will bee well pleased with these Kingdoms and they obliged Item That his Majestie would bee pleased at his return into these Kingdoms to bring neither Flemings French nor other strangers whatsoëver to bear any Office in his Royal Familie But that hee would confer all such Offices upon Natives of these Kingdoms there beeing multitudes of able and sufficient persons who will serv his Majestie with much affection and loyaltie and that his heirs and successors for ever should continue the like order Item That neither his Majestie nor his successors bring in or entertain any forreign souldiers for the guard of their Persons or defens of their Kingdoms in regard there are war-like and courageous men enough amongst the Natives not onely to defend their own Countrie but to conquer others as they had done heretofore Item That his Majestie beeing in these Kingdoms and having none but Natives about him would bee pleased to order his Familie in all respects as Don Fernando his grandfather and Donia Isabel his Queen and the rest of the Catholick King 's his Progenitors of glorious memorie had done before him For in so doing hee would save a number of unnecessarie expences which were made in his table and houshold and this would palpably appear for his Majestie will find that in the dishes for his own table and
those that are made for the fâ—vorites and great persons of his familie is daiely spent one hundred and fiftie thousand Maravediz and that the table-expences of Don Fernando the King and Donia Isabel who were excellent and powerfull Princes besides the Prince Don Iohn whom God receiv in his glorie and the Infantes with a multitude of attendants amounted to no more then twelv or fifteen thousand Maravediz per diem And hence proceed's his Majestie 's wants and the impoverishing of the People and Commonalties by â—ubsidies and other taxes imposed upon them Item In regard it hath been and is a very excessive charge to allow wages to such as are not domestick's That hence-foâ—wards there bee no Salaries given to any Courtier 's wives or children or any other persons whatsoëver noâ— in immediate service or shortly to bee entertained and admitted But if any man should die in his Majestie 's service in satisfaction or equivalence thereof hee might allow a pension or stipend to the wife or children of the deceased although they bee not of age to serv. Item In regard after the most â—llustrious Queen our Ladie Donia Isabel his Majestie 's Grandmother was taken with the sickness whereof shee died divers superfluous offices were crept into the Royal Familie which never were before That whosoëver injoyed any such office or offices might forthwith bee discarded and bee allowed no Salarie And all such superfluous expences bee imployed for necessarie uses more conducing to his Majestie 's service Item That in his Majestie 's houshold no Grandee might have any office concerning the Revenue or Royal Patrimonie and if any enjoy any such office at present that it maie bee taken from them For this is very inconvenient and maie greatly impaire the said Patrimonie and Royal Revenue Item That during his Majestie 's absence from these Kingdoms his houshold officers and other persons who have relation or attendance upon his Majestie bee payed out of the Royal Revenue Concerning GOVERNORS THat In regard in his Majestie 's absence it is requisite to have one or more Governors in the Kingdom such Governor or Governors might bee Natives of the Kingdoms of Castilla and Leon appointed and chosen with consent of the Kingdoms and that with their beeing Natives may concur the other qualities which by the Law established by the King Don Alonso called Ley de La Partida is required That the said Law may bee observed and fulfilled to perpetuitie As also the Order of Election and Provision with the Conditions which dispose in what case a Governor or Governors are to bee chosen as in respect of minoritie absence or whatsoëver other occasion Item that the Provisions Orders or Commissions which his Majestie had given in those Kingdoms contrarie to the above specified form might be declared void and that hee would command those and every of those Governors whom hee had autorized to forbear the execution of that office Item that the Governor or Governors beeing constituted in the abovesaid manner and form may bee invested with power to confer dignities offices administration of Justice and to redress grievances And this not onely in the Kingdoms of Castilla but also in the Isles and firm land alreadie discovered or to bee discovered and that they provide them within ten daies That they may present Dignities and places Vacant and do as much therein as the King himself in person but not give any gâ—ft or gratuitie out of the Royal Patrimonie nor any tâ—ing thereunto belonging Concerning BILLETS THe lodging by Billets which is practised no where neither amongst Infidels nor Christians but in this Kingdom beeing a thing most exorbitant and whence have proceeded and do proceed inconveniences and dammages so excessive that a small volume cannot contain them and his Majestie 's subjects suffer thereby not a little aswell in their honors and lives as in their estates That for ever henceforth they may bee freed from so abominable and prejudicial a servitude And that in these Kingdoms no such Billets bee given in any kinde neither by the King 's themselvs nor any Lords Noblemen or Prelates whatsoëver and in case any should bee given That the People may not bee obliged to accept of them unless with their own conâ—ents they paying for their lodgings as shall bee agreed upon with the owners or inhabitants of the houses whither such Billets shall bee brought or directed But in his Majestie 's progresses That lodging and linnen should bee allowed Gratìs for those of his houshold and Court so that hee exceed not the term of six daies in one place which expired they should paie for their lodging according to the ordinarie rate and custom Likewise That the Souldiers of the Guard should have free quarter after the usuall manner Item That their Majestie 's the King's Princes and Infantes his predecessors had given and allotted convenient lodgings for their Royal Persons and Familie and to the number of seventie but no more for the officers which were of necessitie to bee neer the Palace were appointed in the same Citie or Town where the Court was and in such houses as the Council Iustice and Regidores of the said place should finde convenient and suitable to the conditions and qualitie of the persons to bee lodged and the said seventie lodgings to bee paid according as the said Council Iustice and Regidores should rate or tax them And that for paiment hereof all the Cities Towns Villages or Burrougsh should contribute without exâ—mption according to the cessment made by the said Council Iustice and Regidores without troubling or asking leav of his Majestie insomuch that under colour thereof there should bee no more cessed or gathered then what the rent of the said lodgings would amount to under penaltie of the Law Item That these lodgings which are allowed for his Majestie 's familie are not intended for those of the Council for the Alcaldes of his hous and Court nor the Alguaziles or other Judges or Officers whatsoëver nor the High Treasurers or any such like for these are to paie for their lodgings by the order and form before mentioned Item That his Majestie or the Kings or Princes his Successors might not give anie Billets in general or particular or other Command whatsoëver that the Inhabitants of such Cities Towns or Villages should furnish lodgings contrarie to their own wills and consents And that in case any such Billet general or particular by waie of intreatie or command should bee given it might bee received with respect but not fulfilled neither the Owners or Inhabitants of the said houses bee obliged to accommodate the bearers thereof Coâ—cerning Customs Taxes the Revenues Roial Pole-monie and Fee farms THat the Customs and Thirds which belong to the Crown may bee reduced to the same number and quantitie as they were instituted by the Catholick King Don Fernando and Donia Isabel Anno 1494. That at the same rates and value all the Cities Towns Villages with their several Lordships and
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
levie or recover any thing of that which some Cities Towns Villages and Corporations have expended in their own houses in feasting Bull-baitings or acts of Charitie although they do it from an ancient custom by vow or what other waie soëver they can pretend Item That the monies levyed by the Cruzadas and Compositiones which were granted for the war against the Moores costs and charges of the Armies which had been or are to bee raised against the enemies of our Catholick faith and to releiv the Kingdoms and Cities of Africa may bee expâ—nded and imployed to the same end for which they were granted and that they may not bee granted hereafter upon any other pretence whatsoëver nor the said monie or any part thereof may bee given or bestowed as a Merced or gratuitie upon any bodie becaus besides the publick dammage men's Souls are indangered by the not imploying it to the use for which it was granted Which if it were applyed to the proper and right intent the Royal Revenues would remain free for the service and augmentation of the Royal estate Item That the Mercedes and Librancas of any monie of those said Bulls Cruzadas and Compositiones which have been given to any particular persons as well natives as strangers may bee revoked and made void Concerning the Indies Isles and Continent THat henceforwards for ever no Mercedes may bee made of Indians whereby the Gold or any other Commodities may bee taken thence to anie person or persons of what qualitie soëver That these which hitherto have been may bee revoked for by that means their Majestie 's Roial Patrimonie hath been and will bee much damnified in stead of beeing advantaged by reason of the great quantitie of Gold exhausted thence Besides that they are used more like Infidels and slaves then Christians as they are Item that the hous of Contratacion at Sevilla for the Isles and Continent of the Indies may remain for ever in the said Citie and not bee removed to anie other Citie or place within this Kingdom or without In regard the said Citie of Sevilla is so famous and fit a place for it and it would bee a great hinderance to these Kingdoms and a disservice to their Majesties if it should bee altered Concerning Mercedes THat their Majesties or the succeeding Kings may not make anie Merced of goods confiscated or to bee confiscated or of anie part or parcel thereof to anie Judg or Judges who have given or are to give Sentence in the said Causes That the said Judges or anie of them may not receiv anie such Mercedes either in paiment or lieu of their Salaries or for Ayuda de Costa or in anie other kinde whatsoëver directly or indirectly either for themselvs or their wives children friends or kindred for by this means they beeing free from all covetousness and interests may with more equitie and Justice proceed and give their Sentence That whosoëver shall do the contrarie may bee obliged to restore four times as much into his Majesties Exchequer and that they may for ever remain incapable of enjoying the same or anie other publick Offices Item that their Majesties or their Successors may not give or make anie Mercedes or Librancas of goods and monie which hath not been brought into their Exchequer or in their own hands for by this means they will know what they give and how they endammage themselvs which not knowing they easily grant the said Librancas and Mercedes as their Majesties had given away in that nature great quantities of pearls and monie which if preserved had been sufficient to have mainteined their Roial Houshold without making such shifts as they were driven to by taking up monie at Interest or demanding Subsidies of the Subjects and Natives of their Kingdoms Item that their Majesties or their Successors may not give or grant anie Merced of goods demanded in their Majesties names or of the Roial Crown of these Kingdoms concerning which there is anie Suit depending unless sentence bee first pronounced against the possessors thereof and that they bee absolutely condemned That whatsoëver hath been done to the contrarie heretofore may bee revoked Otherwise it would hinder the free Administration of Justice according to right and equitie And that whosoëver should receiv or procure anie such Mercedes may for ever bee held incapable and unworthie of receiving for themselvs or others anie Merced from their Majesties or their Successors in these Kingdoms Item that their Majesties may pleas to revoke all Mercedes whatsoever which had been made or granted since the death of the Catholick Queen Donia Isabel as well by the Kings Don Fernando and Don Felipe as by Don Carlos our present Sovereign And whatsoever Confirmations have been made of anie Towns Villages Vassals Jurisdictions Salt-pits Mines of Gold and Silver Copper Lead Tin or Allum In regard besides that they are contrarie to the Laws of the Land the most illustrious and Catholick Queen Donia Isabel our Ladie did absolutely prohibit and forbid them when by her last Will and Testament shee left the government and rule of these Kingdoms to the charge and care of the Catholick King Don Fernando And that all this may bee applied to the proper use and benefit of the Roial Crown of these Kingdoms and that those persons who have obteined anie such Mercedes may make no further use of them hereafter Item forasmuch as since the deceas of the Queen Donia Isabel have been made divers Mercedes and manie Patents and Privileges of Gentilitie given for monie to several persons without anie just caus or consideration of services done to their Majesties that might deserv the said favour whereby the Towns Commonalties and those which paie the taxes have been much damnified and injured That their Majesties may revoke all such Patents Mercedes and Privileges whatsoever and those to whom they were given may not anie waies enjoie them And that henceforward no such Mercedes Patents or Privileges may evâ—r bee granted or bee in force to benefit those to whom they were given And that this may never bee derogated or abrogated with anie claus general or particular or by anie ordinarie or absolute Power Item forasmuch as contrarie to equitie and the tenour and foâ—m of the Laws of these Kingdoms have been granted and made divers Mercedes of the Reversion of Offices Benefices Dignities and other things in the hands of men yet living That their Majesties may revoke all of them without exception that hitherto have been made or granted either by their Majesties or their Predecessors That nothing in this nature bee ever granted hereafter and if anie should bee granted that they may not bee fulfilled nor take effect notwithstâ—â—ding any derogatorie clauses with penalties and confirmations whatsoever but to the end they may bee resisted and bee of no value that they may bear no penalâ—ies at all And that whosoever shall procure anie such Merced may bee made incapable of anie place in Court or
two whole daies they kept him besieged and Don Diego Sarmiento the Earl of Salinas with the Dutchess and the Countess their wives After this seeing himself the object of the people's malice and every hour in danger to lose his life hee conditioned with the people to let him go freely with all his familie out of the Citie Which beeing granted hee went to a Town of his called Briviesca This example of the People of Burgos made other places commit the like audacities against their Lords as Haro against the Earl of Haro Son to the Lord high Constable Duenias against the Earl of Buendia and also Naxara against the Duke although that Citie doth allege and prove that they rose not for the Commonaltie but for the King whose subjects and tenants they saie they are The Lord high Constable beeing at Briviesca very full of care and sorrow to see the Kingdom in so great distempers and so little probabilitie of any remedie about the middle of September arrived Lope Hurtado de Mendoça with dispatches and orders from the Emperor importing that hee should bee Governor of Castilla and Navarra joyntly with the Cardinal and the Admiral of Castilla Which having read hee presently accepted the Government of the Kingdoms But becaus the Commission was for them all three hee could not so suddenly execute the Command For the Cardinal was as yet at Valladolid and the Admiral in Catalunia in the Countie of Cabra whither the dispatches were sent to him who was of opinion to defer the acceptance of that Charge until his return into Castilla and to use som means in the interim to agree and accommodate the differences of the Commonalties as you have already heard Which difficultie beeing related to the Emperor beeing on the waie to Aquisgran where hee was Crowned hee sent other Letters dated the 17 October following with special command to the Lord High Constable that having assembled som of the Council hee should alone with them execute the charge of Governor of the Kingdoms provide for the remedying of the present disorders until such time as the Cardinal and the Admiral could com to join with him which hee did as shall appear hereafter SECT VII THe Lord High Constable seeing the remedie of the Kingdoms to lie upon his account although hee was much offended with those of Burgos without seeking any reparation of honor prudently endeavored by fair means and treatments full of courtesie to appeas that people and reduce them into the Roial waie of doing their Prince service for it was of no small importance for him at the beginning of his Government to gain that Citie and settle himself in it beeing the chief of Castilla and a place of such greatness and esteem Hee kept intelligence with som principal Gentlemen of Burgos by whose industrie the Citie was so well disposed and ordered that within a short time after hee became master of it This was the first symptom of the Countrie 's health and an Antidote against the desperate poison which had so infected the whole Kingdom The Lord High Constable together with the Citie committed to the Charge of Don Diego Lopez de Castro the government of the Castle of Lara with the territories thereof hee having first taken the Oath of Fealtie as hee was a Gentleman according to the order and manner of Castilla to keep it for the Emperor From this time forwards Burgos began to have an ill conceit of the Iunta disliking more and more their proceedings especially their ill treating of the Cardinal and those of the Council and sent to their Commissioners to com away from Tordesillas After which they wrote to Valladolid in testimonie of their Loialtie encouraging and persuading those of that Citie to do the like in order to their due obedience to his Majestie and the pacification of the Kingdoms SECT VIII THose of Valladolid beeing ill satisfied with the letters which they received from Burgos returned them no answer esteeming them people of small resolution or constancie and not fit to bee trusted Those of Burgos sent letters likewise to those of the Junta telling them manie things by way of exhortation and advice amongst the rest That they should leav the Queen in her free libertie to do what shee pleased and to let things remain in the same condition the Emperor had left them with other circumstances which were contradictoâ—ie to what formerly they seemed to desire Whereby it appeared that they declined the Interest of the Junta and favored the Lord High Constable's Partie Som other places of the Kingdom also began to bee more moderate by the Letters and promises which they received from the Cardinal and other Gentlemen of note SECT IX IN the Citie of Valladolid the people were still divided by several factions some transported with a blind zeal presâ—ed for obedience to those of the Iunta thinking whatsoever they ordained was good and holie others desired with no less earnestness that the Lord high Constable with those of the Council might bee re-admitted into the Citie deeming whatsoever was enacted without them to bee wicked and unjust And hereupon they spoiled and murthered one another like people without sense or reason Whereupon they wrote to the Lord Admiral who was their Countrie-man and neer neighbor giving him account of the troubles of the Kingdom and especially of the mischiefs which they feared would befall that Citie in particular Whereunto hee sent an answer with an extraordinarie sens of sorrow to see the danger whereunto the whole Kingdom was brought counselling and admonishing them to have a care left they lost themselvs Moreover in regard that Citie had been noted particularly for their Loyaltie to their King and for the relation hee had to it by his birth it grieved him to the soul to see it in such extream distraction which hee feared would not bee so easily remedied with several other expressions of affection and tenderness for their welfare But Valladolid did not set much by his admonitions at that time But afterwards though late they were better advised and they found in the Admiral the mercie which they did expect as shall bee set down hereafter SECT X. THe Letters from Burgos with the sedulous and prudent endeavors of the Lord high Constable made those of Valladolid to bethink themselvs a little and with a kinde of remors for what was past to begin to understand reason although the greatest part but not the best stickled hard to keep the Citie in obedience to the Iunta to the end they might compass their own ill designes After this the Lord high Constable sent to notifie his Commission to bee Vice-Roy and Governor together with the Cardinal and Lord Admiral to all the Cities of the Kingdom where it might conveniently bee done which beeing proclaimed in most places was obeyed Whereupon hee sent to all his kindred and friends ordering them to rais what forces they could possibly and dispatched messengers to all the Grandees
of the Commonaltie meerly for his own ends and that by means of these troubles and commotions hee might get possession of the Dukedom of Mâ—dina Sidonia which as hath been already said hee pretended was his right This Election did not digest well in Padilla's stomach who till then had executed the office of Captain General and presumed it should bee confirmed upon him and for his sake neither the Commissioners of Toledo nor of Madrid would give their Votes for Don Pedro. Iohn de Padilla beeing informed of all these passages before that Don Pedro Giron came to take his staff pretending I know not what occasion rode poste to Toledo and his men seeing their Captain gone would staie no longer in the Armie but the next daie took the same waie after him Notwithstanding all this Don Pedro Giron accepted the Charge and came to Tordesillas with fourscore Lances of his own appointed a Randevous for his Armie wherein hee was much assisted by the industrie and diligence of the Bishop of Zamora who brought to the service of the Iunta near five hundred men with arms of the antient Guards of the Kingdom for the rest were gone to the Lord High Constable hee brought moreover seventie Lances of his own and almost a thousand Foot four hundred whereof were Priests of his own Bishoprick besides the people of Zamora whom hee had at his devotion for by favor of the Junta hee had driven the Earl of Alva out of Zamora and made himself Master thereof Every daie came fresh supplies from the other Cities both of Hors and Foot all well armed and with them som Gentlemen and Commanders From Salamanca came Don Pedro Maldonado with about a thousand Foot Other Cities appointed those who were their Commissioners in the Junta to bee their Captains As Leon chose Gonsalo de Guzman son to Ramiro NunÌ„ez and the Citie of Toro Don Hernando de Ulloa who were their Commissioners and so likewise did other places Thus those of the Junta grew from daie to daie more powerful beeing resolved to end the business by force of Arms. Their mouths were all filled with reproachful and threatning language especially the Common-people's who called the Grandees and Gentrie of the Countrie Traitors enemies of the Kingdom saying they had destroied taken away their estates which availed them nothing but who can restrein a multitude Amongst other impertinencies they said That the Queen should do well to marrie the Duke of Calabria Don Hernando de Aragon son to Frederick last K. of Naples who since the time of the Catholick King had been kept prisoner in Xativa in the Kingdom of Valencia I believ this was onely put upon those of the Junta and that they neither did nor thought any such thing But the truth is their passion was grown to such an height that they never so much as named the Emperor in their Proclamations though they had sworn Allegiance to him as their King but all passed in the names of the Queen and Kingdom Insomuch that the hatred and enmitie betwixt the two parties became implacable and both made all preparations possible for a war In short time those of the Junta had put their forces in a readiness and equipage to march unto the field as was determined SECT II. 'MOngst these occurrences arrived the Lord Admiral at Medina de Rioseco where hee was met and received by all the Noble-men and Gentle-men who were com thither to the Cardinal with their Souldiers all armed and drawn up in Battle-Array Hee expressed much gladness to see so many gallant men and persons of such eminent qualitie Yâ—t hee had no intention to wade through blood to the accomplishment of his desires but rather by fair means if possible to settle the disturbed State of the Kingdoms which to effect hee left no stone unturn'd and at last hee obtained that three or four of the Commissioners of the Iunta should give him a meeting at Torrelobaton where they consumed five or six daies in treating but all his reasons persuasions and fair promisses could bring them to no reason Before they would harken to any proposition of his they demanded that the Lord high Constable should renounce and leav off the exercise of Vice-Roy and Governor which hee had begun to execute And whilest the Lord Admiral was thus treating with them the Iunta commanded a Proclamation to bee made against the Lord high Constable and the Earl of Alva de Lista as is before mentioned and other Noble-men And Don Pedro Giron with the Bishop of Zamora had orders to draw their Armie into the field which was seaventeen thousand Foot besides good store of hors and much Artillerie which had been brought from Medina del Campo Whereupon the Lord Admiral despairing of any Peace protested against them and returned to Rioseco beeing resolved to accept the Government joyntly with the Cardinal and the Lord high Constable in regard those fair conditions of agreement which hee offred were slighted and rejected Don Pedro Giron Captain-General for the Iunta and the Bishop of Zamoraâ— with his Souldiers and band of Priests marched out the 2â—th daie of November 1520 and quartered their Armie that night in Villabraxima Tordehumos Villagarzia and other places about Rioseco with intent to starve or drive the Cavaliers thence And indeed if the Commoners had been men at that time they might have done it From their head-quarters at Villabraxima they wrote to the Citie of Valladolid giving them an account of their advance and that before they fell upon Rioseco they would send a King at Arms to require the Lord Admiral and those of the Town of Rioseco to cast out those thievs and destroyers of the Kingdom as they called the Cavaliers if not that they would use means to take them and hinder the Cardinal's Government it beeing a thing contrarie to the Laws and Rights of the Kingdom SECT III. AFter this the Armie of the Iunta by waie of justification sent their Heralds or King 's at Arms to the Lord Admiral with the other Noble-men and Gentlemen then beeing in Rioseco requiring them not onely to leav that place but to go out of the Countrie and desiring those of the said Town to confirm themselvs to those of the Commonaltie in favor of his Majestie but this message was so ill resented that the Heralds found but sorrie entertainment being apprehended and disarmed by order from the Earls of Venavente and of Alva de Lista which beeing known by the Iunta's forces they presently advanced towards Rioseco The Bishop of Zamora marched in the Van with five thousand men fully resolved to do all the mischief hee could to the Cavaliers Hee was no sooner com to Villabraxima but the two hundred lances which the Marquis of Astorga had placed there took their heels flying with such disorder and haste that some of them lost their Arms before they could reach Rioseco and left the Place cleer for the Bishop who entering said Let
without bloodshed to peace and due obedience to his Majestie should pass without mentioning for the eternal memorie of so noble a person and the honor of his generous familie who as it is well known was of the blood Roial Having advertisment that DonÌ„a Maria Pacheco Mendoça wife to Iohn de Padilla had a great hand with her husband and might contribute much to the withdrawing him from that imployment nay that hee had done the more by her instigation and spurring him on And that Pedro Lopez de Padilla his father was yet living in Toledo but very old and decrepit the Lord Admiral sent a Gentleman one of the Emperor's servants to them with instructions full of prudent and sage counsels and advice and strong arguments to convince and persuade them to induce Iohn de Padilla to moderate his over-violent passion and admit of a Treatie with him advising him not to bee so extreme careful and earnest in advancing the affairs of Valladolid as to forget his own assuring him that if hee would as then it was in his power but contribute his consent to the concluding of a Peace hee would not onely procure a pardon from his Majestie of all past-offencers but set him highly in his esteem and obtein divers favors and Mercedes to bee confirmed upon him and his children These and divers other good remonstrances hee gave Alonso de QuinÌ„ones to urge at Toledo to the above-named persons but hee might gave saved that labor SECT VI. THose of the Iunta hearing of the great Power which the Earl of Salvatierra had assembled in the Mountains wherewith hee had possessed himself of the Artillerie which was coming from Navarra to the Cavaliers and of the Forces which the Bishop of Zamora had in the Kingdom of Toledo besides those which were with Iohn de Padilla had their hearts at eas thinking their game cock-sure Moreover divers of the Kingdom who had look'd on till then seeing the Grandees so hard bestead took up Arms to make good the Caus of the Commonaltie And had things been as those of the Commonaltie could have wished they would have had partakers and abettors enough But there is no Law in this life for the good or the evil to overcom or bee overcom for favorable or an advers fortune Yet seeing themselvs in so good a condition and highly resenting the Proclamation which was published by the Governors against them and the Cities they resolved to paie them in the same coin They fulminated a Process as they pleased themselvs and having commanded a great Scaffold to bee erected in the chief market-place of Valladolid adorning it with hangings of rich cloth of gold and silk and steps and seats placed in good order on Sundaie the 17 of March 1521 all the Commissioners of the Iunta and Deputies with a great number of Attendants and sound of trumpets drums and other musick came and seated themselvs upon it Before them went the Kings at Arms with the Maces and Coats of the Kingdom and beeing placed in their throne their Attornie general read with a loud voice That they had made a process against the Admiral and Constable of Castilla the Earl of Venavente Earl of Haro Earl of Alva de Lista Earl of Salinas Maâ—quis of Astorga the Bishop of Astorga against the Secretaries and other Officers of the evil Council for so they termed his Majestie 's Council and against the High Treasurers and under Treasurers the Merchants and other Inhabitants of Burgos Tordesillas â—imancas and other places declaring them Traitors and breakers of the Truce expressing divers reasons especially the burning of Medina del Campo with the cruel and inhumane sacking of Tordesillas wherein they alleged the Cavaliers shewed neither respect to God nor his Saints nor the person of the Queen who was present and that two Souldiers without fear of God or their own consciences broke into a Church and stript the image of our Ladie and cut off one of her arms for greediness of som gold which there was upon it That som others took away the Custodia whereof one eat up the consecrated Hostia They ripped up a thousand more such like things which I shall now omit to rehears Thus our Spaniards treatâ—d each other beeing all of the same Nation and language and yet all this was for their King's service as they pretended and to free the Kingdom from Tyrants SECT VII AFter this the War grew very hot and their passions on both sides implacable and no daie passed without some sallying out of the Garrisons to robb and spoil each other Som Companies of musketiers having notice of provisions and munition that was carrying to Tordesillas marched out of Torrelobaton to intercept them Whereof the Earl of Haro beeing informed took a stout partie of hors with him and gave such a hot charge to Iohn de Padilla's men that hee left divers of them dead upon the place and took one hundred and fiftie prisoners which so scared the rest that they never durst quatch afterwards nor make any incursions upon his Territories as when they came first thither they boasted they would do Those of Medina del Campo roving in like manner on the other side the Earl of Haro with all the Nobles and Gentrie in Tordesillas except the Lord Admiral whom in respect of his age and charge of Governor they desired to staie with the Queen went one daie purposely to face it and scour the whole Countrie about it at whose appearing those of the Town sallied forth and skermished with them in which encounter some of them were sorely wounded others taken prisoners amongst whom was Alonso Luys de Quintanilla their Captain Son to Don Luys Quintanilla to whom as is alreadie said those of the Iunta committed the charge of her Majestie when they took Tordesillas Iohn de Padilla having intelligence from some Inhabitants of Tordesillas of the Earl of Haro's grand sallie Determined with his Armie to assault it in his absence and put the Governors to a rout and some report that hee had a promiss from those inhabitants to make one of the Gates for him Which beeing told the Lord Admiral and that Iohn de Padilla was alreadie upon his march hee sent word immediately to the Earl of Haro who lost no time after this notice but with all his gallant partie came thundring back to Tordesillas which Iohn de Padilla perceiving hee durst not prosecute his design but wheeled back to his Garrison of Torrelobaton After this they remained some daies prettie quiet without any encounter or action considerable For by reason of Iohn de Padilla's obstinate resolution of staying in Torrelobaton his Armie was so diminished that hee had not men enough left to make a sallie of any consequence Wherefore hee sent to Salamanca Toro Zamora and other Cities demanding fresh supplies On the other side the Governors agreed to put in effect what they had discussed amongst themselvs which was That the Lord high Constable coming
they having intelligence thereof soon railed their siege and returned to Toledo for fear of beeing put to the worst Some daies after Don Alonso de Caravajal brother to Don Diego beeing quartred with some light-hors-men at Maxcareque four leagues from Toledo six hundred Foot and fiftie Hors sallied out of the Citie and taking by-waies that they might not bee discovered by the Enemie's Centinels by break of day they fell upon the Village surprised Don Alonso and his men and carried them all prisoners to Toledo before any of their partie could com to rescue them They did several other such exploits and on the other side the Prior did them what mischief hee could The Governors were much troubled hereat but could not pass with their Armie to Toledo until they had quieted all the old Castilla But that which put them to the greatest plunge was the news of the King of France his Armie advancing into the Kingdom of Navarra It was told them that Padilla's wife with all her kindred in Toledo mainteined and fomented chiefly this humor in the Inhabitants therefore they resolved to send thither and use som means to get her out of the Citie believing that if shee were gon thence the rest might bee more easily reduced To this effect they sent a Captain with a few men disguised who offered himself to go to Toledo and carrie her out of the Citie by fair means or by foul Being arrived at Toledo hee went directly to the Fort where DonÌ„a Maria was desiring to speak with her But the people having some intelligence of his designe presently made an Alarme and came in great multitudes to the Castle where finding the Captain in discours with DonÌ„a Maria they straight laid hands on him and flung him out at the window which beeing high hee broke himself all to peeces with the fall after this they cut the throats of all those that came with him insomuch that the Citie was in greater disorder by this means then before In the moneth of September 1521. the French beeing beaten out of Navarra the Governors were in the minde to march with all their forces into the Kingdom of Toledo and subdue that Citie but they were again diverted by a second intelligence which was brought them that the King of France was come to Bayona vvith a very povverful Armie And Don Antonio de ZunÌ„iga vvho had begun that enterprise beeing desirous to bring his design to perfection drevv all his forces out of their Garrisons and pitcht his Camp before the Citie on the one side the River and Don Iohn de Ribera had his men quartred neer the Citie on the other Don Antonio had with him eight hundred lances which scoured all the Countrie about and had daily smart skermishes with the Toledians vvherein divers fell on both sides In this expedition vvas Don Pedro de Guzman third Son as you have heard to the Duke of Medina Sidonia vvho beeing yong and full of mettle and ambitious to shevv his valor engaged himself too far amongst the enemies by vvhom hee vvas taken close by the Castle of San Sernan so desperately vvounded that the Toledians vvere enforâ—'t to carrie him off the field upon a board hee not beeing able to go any other vvaies DonÌ„a Maria Pacheco beeing at a vvindovv in the Fort obsâ—rved vvith great attention all the passages of the fight and distinguishing Don â—edâ—o from the rest shee vvas much taken vvith him seeing â—im bâ—have himself so gallantly And beeing brought to the Fort shee vvent out to receiv him partly out of respect to Pedro's noble birth but chiefly out of a private inclination vvhich proceeded from the esteem shee made of his valor and animositie Shee treated him vvith much civility and demonstrations of affection commeâ—ding highly his provvess vvhereof her eies vvere vvitnesses and told him that his generositie vvas vvorthie of an eternal mâ—morie onely this was wanting him that his Valor was not emploied in the King's service and in favor of the Citie of Toledo for the Commonalties pretended in all the Cities That whatsoever they did was in order to his Majesties service DonÌ„a Maria would suffer none of Pedro's retinue to staie with him or any bodie els to visit him neither would shee permit him to write to Antonio's Camp But treating him with very great care and complements shee spared nothing that was necessarie for his recoverie his wounds beeing throughly cured shee endeavored to win him to their side promising that if hee would renounce the other partie they would make him General of the forces of Toledo But finding her time lost in persuading him shee resolved to get him exchanged for other prisoners which Don Antonio had taken of the Toledians which was done for the better effecting whereof those of Toledo gave Don Pedro his Parolle for eight daies to go to his Uncle's Armie having made him swear first that hee would return again in case hee procured not the libertie of those whom they demanded Amongst other exceptions which they made him renounce in the Oath they administred to him one was Thâ—t hee should not allege that those of Toledo were Traitors and therefore hee was not obliged to make good his Word or Oath to them which was fulfilled accordingly The Citie was very well provided for a long time and they had broken down all the Mills for twelv leagâ—es compass that Antonio's men might have no means â—o grinde their corn They took all the Plate of Silver and Gold out of the Cathedral Church which beeing coined did much enrich them and made them so stout that they said They would never consent to Peace unless there were first a pardon general granted for the whole Kingdom of Spain and that Don Pedro Lasso de la Vega were delivered into their hands for they said hee was the principal caus of all those Troubles and the onely man that put them upon that insurrection SECT XXIV THe Marquis of Villena beeing entred into Toledo by consent of the Citie began to bring them to a right understanding whereupon hee wrote to the Governors that they might follow their business in Navarra as for the Toledians hee would undertake to reduce them to their due obedience The Governors glad to bee eased of an affair of such care and trouble emploied all their industrie and force to resist the incursions of the French as shal bee said hereafter Hernando de Avalos and som othâ—r of the Inhabitants would gladly have received a pardon from the Marquis of Villena's hands therefore beeing sent to by them hee came accompanied with the Earl of Oropesa and som Hors and Foot but nothing could bee effected for the contrarie Partie mutinied in such a tumultuous manner that the Marquis was forced to go out of the Citie after hee had spent som daies time to procure a Peace The same effect had the endeavors of Don Diego de Cardenas Adelantado of Granada Duke of Maqueda who with the same
notable experience of his clemencie and valour and thenceforwards the Peace and quietness grew daily more and more in the Kingdom Those of Valencia hearing what his Majestie had done at Valladolid for the Kingdom of Castilla presently sent their Commissioners humbly craving the same grace and favor from the Emperor and in particular they desired his Majestie would bee pleased to remove thence their Vice-Roy Don Diego de Mendoça whom they abhorred exceedingly deriving upon him all the fault of their past Commotions by reason of the many Tyrannies and oppressions wherewith hee had overburthened the people But those Commissioners not coming in the name and with a general power from the whole Kingdom their desires were not granted at that time Whereupon the 12 of November Anno 1522 four other Commissioners were sent with full power from the Kingdom of Valencia to tender without reserv into his Majestie 's hands all their honors lives and fortunes that hee might dispose of them at his will and pleasure absolutely resigning themselvs to his clemencie and desiring onely that hee would give them another Vice-Roy for they could not endure Don Diego de Mendoça and that hee would change som other Officers Which the Emperor to satisfie them did placing in Diego's stead the Queen Germana and making Don Iohn Marquis of Brandeburg her husband Captain General of the whole Kingdom who died in the same year After which the Emperor considering the fidelitie and Roial descent of Don Hernando de Aragon Duke of Calatria who beeing a prisoner in the Castle of Xativa in the time of Troubles the People would have set him at libertie and made him their Captain General and married him to the Queen but hee discreetly refused their offer saying That hee would not go out of prison without the Emperor's consent sent for him to Valladolid where hee did him great honor and respect and having married him to the Queen Germana who was second wife to the Catholick King Don Fernando invested them in the Government of the Kingdom of Valencia SECT XXXII WHilest the Governors of Castilla after this Victorie at Villalar were reducing and settling Segovia and the other Cities of that Kingdom with intent to pass with their Armie to suppress and quiet the disorders of the Toledians The Duke of Naxara came to them at Segovia informing them that a powerful Armie of French under the command of Monsieur de Asparros brother to Monsieur de Lautrech Vice-Roy of Milan was entred into Navarra had taken Pamplona Stilla and divers other places and not content to have run all that Countrie over to which they seemed at first onely to laie claim and that not in King Francis his name but for Don Enrique de la Brit who pretended to bee right owner of the Kingdom of Navarra At last they declared themselvs what reallie they were open enemies and marched with all their forces to assault the Citie of LogronÌ„o their word was Vivat the King and flower de Luce of France and the Commonaltie of Castilla which was a great argument that some of them held correspondence with the King of France and gave him encouragement to send his Armie thither But the valour and policie of those of LogronÌ„o was such that the French were enforc't to rais their siege and go away from thence with no inconsiderable loss and the Governors beeing com to succor LogronÌ„o pursued them and after divers skirmishes they joyned battle in the Pyrenean mountain wherein the French beeing absolutely routed and their General taken prisoner the whole Kingdom of Navarra was presently reduced under the Emperors subjection Who perceiving the animositie of the French King and the means hee used to endammage him in several parts as well in Flanders as in Spain notwithstanding the conditions of peace made betwixt the two Crowns at Noyon resolved at last to paie him in the same coin and take his full revenge of him in Italie To which effect hee first sent Embassadors to Pope Leon desiring his friendship and assistance to drive the French out of Lombardy dispossess them of Milan and restore it to Francisco Sforza Son to Lewis brother to Maximilian from whom the King of France had taken that Countrie and to retake likewise Parma and Placentia which belonged to the Church Hereupon a yearly pension of ten thousand Duckets out of the Arch-Bishoprick of Toledo and as much in lands in the Kingdom of Naples was promised to the Cardinal Iulo de Medicis for Alexander de Medicis base son to Laurencio Son to Pedro de Medicis who was Duke of Vibino The Pope was so far from disliking the motion that hee prepared monie and men to assist the Emperor making the Marquis of Pescara Marquis of Mantua his General who joyning with Prospero Colona Captain General of the Imperial forces they laid siege to the Citie of Parma which after som daies resistance they stormed and sacked The Citie and Castle of Milan they took also after which the Citie of Pavia and all the rest of the Cities and Towns belonging to the State of Milan presently surrendered themselvs This done the Imperialists notwithstanding their Armie was much lessened monie growing short by reason of the Pope's sudden death besieged and took the Cities of Como and Alexandria upon the River Ada in Lombardie About the same time the King of France advanced into Flanders with a very powerful Armie to succor the Citie of Tornay which then was besieged by the Emperors forces but beeing repulsed by Henrie Earl of Nassau and Don Hugo de Moncada hee retreated and the Citie for want of relief was surrendred to the â—mperialists In mean time Francis the first of France nothing dismaied at the crosness of his fortune sent another numerous Armie against Spain building much upon the absence of the Emperor and the distractions in that Kingdom which entring into Navarra by Puerto de Ronces Valles took the Forts of PenÌ„ol and Maya and encamp'd before Fuente Ravia a strong place in the Countrie of Guipuzcoa four leagues from Bayona which after ten or twelv daies siege despairing of any succor Diego de Vera the Governor delivered upon condition that the souldiers should all march freely out with bag and baggage the Inhabitants not to bee plundred and have libertie to staie or go out of the Town as they pleased for which hee was afterwards questioned in Castilla SECT XXXIII HEnrie the eighth King of England whom the Emperor and King of France made Arbitrator of their differences having concluded that the French King was the Peace-Breaker sent the Duke of Suffolk who had married Marie sister to Henrie the 8th and Widow to Lewis King of France with a considerable force to join with the Imperialists under the Command of Florencio Egmondio Earl of Bura at the Siege of Hesdin in the frontiers of Flanders which after two moneths time they were compelled to rais by sickness and
the over-flowing of the River besides the unseasonableness of the weather enforced them to repair into their Winter-quarters But the Spring following they took the field again and marched near fortie thousand strong toward Paris spoiling and burning without mercie as they went which put the Parisians to a terrible fright At the same time the Lord High Admiral of France entred into Lombardie with an Armie of above fiftie thousand Combatants But the Venetians beeing joined with the Imperialists recovered all the places which they had gotten and drove them quite out of Italie Not long after the King of France came himself into Lombardie at the head of another mighty Armie thinking to carrie all before him but before the Citie of Pavia where hee had pitched his Camp his forces were all routed by the Marquis of Pescara General of the Imperialists and hee taken prisoner his Hors beeing kill'd under him The Prince of Navarra was likewise taken and committed prisoner to the Castle of Pavia whence hee made his escape the Prince of Scotland was kill'd barbarously by a Countrie-fellow to whom hee had discovered himself and promised a great reward to conduct him safe to Vigeven where his Train and Baggage was which fellow coming to relate to the Marquis his exploit exspecting som recompence hee commanded to give him a halter for his news and hee was hanged presently Divers other Noblemen and persons of qualitie were taken and many killed in that expedition The King after som time was carried into Spain by Don Carlos de Lanoy Vice-Roy of Naples upon his earnest request hoping to make his conditions the better with the Emperor if hee could speak with him himself Hee continued a Prisoner a year and upwards after which time hee was released upon Articles betwixt him and the Emperor whereof one principal was That hee should marrie the Emperor's sister DonÌ„a Leonor widow to Don Manuel King of Portugal and restore the Dukedom of Burgundie to the Hous of Austria for performance of their agreement his two eldest sons viz Francis the Dolfin and Henrie Duke of Orleans were at the same time as hee was set into France delivered as Pledges to the Spaniards But beeing in his own Countrie whether by persuasion of ill Counsellors or thiâ—king the conditions too unreasonable and hee not obliged to make good his promise having been forced thereunto in his imprisonment hee sent the Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux to the Emperors Court requiring him in regard it was not in his power to give away any part of his Countrie that hee would give his children their enlargement upon any reasonable ransom Which Embassage the Emperor with great indignation answered thus briefly That if the King of France could not perform the conditions as hee pretended yet desired to have his Sons at libertie hee should com back and take their places which was in his power to do and hee had promised by oath otherwise hee must not exspect to have his children so soon released Hereupon the French King giving waie to his vindicative passion left no means unattempted to incite the other Christian Princes to wage War in his favor against the Emperor And after som time having drawn Henrie the 8th of England to his Partie who had som other pretences to quarrel with the Emperor they both sent their Kings aâ— Arms with Letters of defiance to him into Spain and gave order to their Embassadors to return and leav his Court. Whereupon their private animosities broke out into a publick War which for a time continued more fierce and bloodie then the former but at last their differences were composed and an happie peace concluded between those two potent Princes by the no less ingenious then industrious endeavors of the most excellent Princesses DonÌ„a Margarita Arch-Dutchess of Austria Aunt to his Imperial Majestie and Madama Luysa Dutchess of Angulema and Anjou widow to the Duke of Savâ—y and Mother to the King of France Upon which agreement the young Princes were released after almost four years close imprisonment their Father sending for their ransom two millions of Crowns of Gold which summe of monie was put into one boat and they into another at Fuente Ravia with the like diffidence and ceremonie as was used when the King their father was exchanged for them At the same time DonÌ„a Leonor the Emperor's sister passed into France according to the Articles who was married by the Cardinal of Tournon to the French King with great solemnitie and expressions of joie Anno 1530. This Peace continued not long for Francis King of France who in all other Princely qualities and ornaments was rather surpassing then at all inferior to any of his Cotemporaries beeing transported with an insatiable ambition and envying the Emperor's greatness gave several meetings at Boloigne and Calis to Henrie King of England who having shook hands with Conscience and Religion and repudiated Queen Katharine Charls the Fifth's Aunt thinking the Emperor would som waie express his discontent and shew himself sensible of so greatâ—an affront resolved to give him further occasion of distaste And there they conspired to suscitate the Lutherans in Germanie and rais new factions in Italie against him and under hand they encouraged the Danes to rise up in Arms against their King Christian whom pretending a Truce and a desire to make an Accommodation with him they surprised hee not suspecting their treacherie and imprisoned him in the Castle of Sundiburgi in Holsatia where hee miserably ended his daies The said Princes had no other ground for this pâ—ece of malice but onely in relation to the Emperor becaus Christian was his friend and Allie having married his sister Ysabella and not content herewith at length finding fit opportunities they again declared open War against him the transactions and events whereof shal bee exactly represented in the Succeeding Book FINIS The birth of the Emperor Charls the Fift His title beeing a Child Anno 1501. Philip the 〈◊〉 â—wâ—rn Pâ—iâ—ce of Spâ—in The bâ—rth of â—he Iâ—fante Fâ—rdinand Anno 1505. The death of Isabel Queen of Spain Ferdinand's design to get the Kingdom of Castilia to himself The death â—f Philâ—p the Fair Duke of Burguâ—die anâ— Aâ—â—â—-Duke of Austâ—iâ— An old woman's Prophecie of him What Children Hee left The manner of King Ferdinand's death Dispute about the Government of the Kingdom Resolute carâ—iage and answer of Cardinal Ximeneâ— to the Nobles oâ— Spain Charls the Fiâ—â—'s coming into Spain Câ—rdinal Ximâ—â—es buried at Alcala anno 1517. Som were of opinion that hee was poisoned Charls the Fift's age when hee was received into Spain His Disposition Who Xeures was Differeâ—ces about the acknowledging of Chaâ—ls King of Spain The form of swearing Allegeance to him The Oath 〈◊〉 took 34 Mâ—â—auediz make 6d. A Duâ—ket make's 5â— 6d. The Infante's disâ—onâ—eâ—tment Charls the Fift received at Saragosa 1518. The Castillians and Aragoneses distasted Gatinara made Lord Chancellor of Spain Demands of the
eternal in the sixtie fourth year of his age having reigned and governed as King fourtie two years compleat Som saie it was the Dropsie that brought him to his end others report that his young Queen to quicken his Spirit and thaw the ice that contracted the blood in his aged veins gave him a certein provocative potion which instead of raising a part cast the whole bodie into the grave After his death arose manie differences amongst the Grandees concerning the Government Adriano Dean of Lovain and Tutor to Don Carles produced a Commission which the young Prince had given him to succeed Don Fernando in the Government until his coming into Spain this was opposed by Cardinal Ximenez who alleged that by virtue of his Catholick Majestie 's last Will and Testament hee was to bee Governor of the Kingdom until the Prince should com himself or give som special order to the contrarie that Adriano's Commission was dated long before Don Ferdinando's deceas therefore not valeable besides that hee was a foreigner which was sufficient reason to bar his pretensions But at last they agreed to govern both together until they received further order from Don Carles This joint-Government continued a great while during which time several Grandees of the Kingdom were much discontented and murmured that a Frier and a stranger in a manner of the same stamp should bee raised to such a height above them as to rule and command the whole Kingdom and them they alleged that Don Fernando had no power to substitute or appoint anie one to administer the Government of that kingdom in regard that since the Catholick Queen 's death hee was not King but onely Governor thereof himself and that considering Donnia Iuana would not undergo the trouble of the Crown according to the Laws of that â—and they agreed that the Duke del Infantado the Lord High-Counstable and the Earl of Venavente should examine the Cardinal by what autoritie and power hee took upon him to bee Governor of those kingdoms Whereunto hee boldly made them answer By the Power of his Catholick Majestie And they replying that the Catholick King had no autoritie â—o to do hee led them to a brest-work which hee had made about the hous where hee then lodged and shewed them a great rank of Artillerie commanding his servants to discharge them all which don hee told them this is the power by which I do and will govern Spain until the Prince our Lord com to take charge of it himself they were not very well satisfied with this answer neither did that manner of discours bode anie good to the Kingdom Notwithstanding the oppositions and murmurations of the Grandees and others in Castillia the Cardinal continued at the helm in despight of all until his Majestie 's coming into Spain which was anno 1517. At which time the Cardinal finding himself indisposed was retired into a Monasterie of his own Order at Aquilera whither his Majestie beeing received at Valladolid sent him a letter thanking him for his former services and requiring him to repair with those of the Council to Mojados where hee might consult with him concerning the present settling of his affairs after which hee should bee eased of the weightie burthen of that troublesom emploiment and have libertie to solace and retire himself This Letter was said to bee penned by the Bishop Mota who envious of the Cardinal's power and studying nothing more then which waie to eclips his greatness perswaded his Majestie to write to him in those terms which his Eminence having perused it struck him into a high distemper and the violent passion of his minde joined with the infirmitie of his bodie increased his fever in such manner that hee rendred his soul into the Creator's hands within eight daies after and was buried at Alcala de Henares in the College of St Illefonso whereof hee was Founder After whose death the Arch-Bishoprick of Toledo was given to Guillermo de Croüy Bishop of Cambray and nephew to Monsieur de Xeures his Majesties chief favorite which bred no small discontent amongst the Castillians seeing the principal Jewel of their kingdom bestowed upon a foreigner Yet the general report was that the Marquis of Villena with other Grandees of Castillia desired and earnestly importuned his Majestie so to do and that of himself hee had no such Intention neither did Monsieur de Xeures ever mention it And it is not to bee thought that those Noblemen tooke pleasure in seeing anie stranger advanced above them in their own Countrie But they were induced hereunto out of hopes to ingratiate themselvs thereby to the Flemings and chiefly to Xeures who had the King's ear above anie at that time Such is the force and power of over-swaying Ambition which so bastardiseth and adulterate's the hearts even of Noble-men that they will descend or stoop to anie thing to currie favor with a Prince's Minion Don Carles at that time could not reckon above seventeen years and a half at most from his Nativitie which was a verie tender age to undergo so weightie a charge as was that of ruling so manie and so considerable Countries especially those of Spain where according to their Laws and Customs it never had been seen that a Youth so young and one that had been born and bred in foreign parts should sit in their King's Throne Hee understood no Spanish neither was hee acquainted with the inclinations and dispositions of the people therefore although hee was verie ingenuous and of as excellent and sweet a nature as could bee desired in a truly Christian Prince hee could do no less then suffer himself to bee advised and guided by som of more mature years and experience And having been bred and tutored from his infancie by Guillermo de Croüy Lord of Xeures who was Duke of Sora in the kingdom of Naples and afterwards Duke of Arschot in Brabant a man of ripe age solid Judgment and eminent parts answerable to his birth beeing descended of the illustrious stock of the Kings of Hungarie and recommended to bee his Governor by his Grandfather Maximilian the Emperor hee committed himself with the management of all State-affairs wholly to his wisdom and Xeures in matters concerning Spain beeing a stranger to that Countrie was led by Maestro Mota a Native of Burgos Bishop of Badajos and som other Castillians who were more ambitious then virtuous SECT VI. AFter the reception of the Prince Don Carles in Valladolid which was most splendid and magnificent all the Procuradores del Reyno or the Commissioners of the Kingdom were summoned to assemble in Parlament wherein the Castillians were highly distasted becaus the Lord Chancellor a Fleming assisted as President for his Highness and that other strangers were admitted to sit in Parlament Som of the Commissioners took the oath of Allegeance to his Highness as King others refused to acknowledg him to bee their King as long as