KATHARINE OF ARAGON to MUSCETULA [Catherine of Aragon and the papal brief]
25 Jan. 5211. KATHARINE OF ARRAGON to MUSCETULA.
Has received his letter with the other writings. Thanks him for his diligence in her service, and begs him to continue. Wishes to know what answer the Pope made to his petitions. Will commend his services to the Emperor. Desires credence for Inigo de Mendoza. Hampton Court, 25 Jan. 1529.
ii. Inigo di Mendoza to [the Same] Has received three letters from him, the last dated on the 13th ult., and also the protestation and supplication made in the Queen's matter. Muscetula could not have done better. His advice that the Queen should apply to get the cause revoked to Rome would have been taken long ago if it had been possible; but she can do nothing but what her husband desires. His Holiness, however, should see that in this kingdom she cannot defend herself, and for the honor of the Church the case should not be allowed to be decided out of Rome. The Pope has always written to his Legate, as you have informed us, that, not being able to draw the Queen into religion, the case should be suspended (que en el processo suspodiesse) until he receive a new mandate from his Holiness. A draft letter has been prepared with much trouble and difficulty, which the Queen may write with her own hand to the Pope, expressing her free will, on which I hope the cause will be removed to Rome.
Arrangements for communicating through cardinal Sanctæ Crucis.
The Queen had two dispensations from pope Julins. Of the first and principal the King has here an authentic copy, as the Emperor also has in Spain, but of the second they have none in England, and they will use every effort to get it from the Emperor; but his Majesty will, of course, take great care not to give it up, as in it consists the whole of the Queen's right. If the original or the register can be discovered at Rome, it would be well to get an authentic extract, or at least get it examined.
The Queen was compelled some days past to swear solemnly that she would use every effort to get the brief which the Emperor has, and they have made her write to the Emperor for it as urgently as if her life depended on it; but his Majesty must be informed that this was done entirely under compulsion.
Bids him inform the Cardinal Sanctæ Crucis that he has intelligence that the kings of France and England and the Cardinal make great suit to the Pope that he should go to Avignon, where they offer to go themselves, so as to arrange matters that the Emperor's journey into Italy may be prevented (que pidan la jornada del Imperador in Italia).
