jueves, 2 de agosto de 1554

Edad:
27 años

Carta del Emperador al príncipe Felipe

The Camp,

Whenever any one has left here for England, we have sent you news of the war, so you will have heard that we have left Namur and proceeded to this place. All we need tell you now is that we have increased our forces and advanced a little towards Cambray with a view to attacking the King of France's camp, as we had determined to do; but news are now coming in from various parts that he has raised his camp, and though we are not certain which way he is moving, it seems he is retreating in the direction of St. Quentin, presumably to disband his army, or most of it.

We will let you know what we decide to have done with ours; but the effort we have made to drive him out of our dominions has cost this country dear, the season is far advanced, the rains coming on and the country so exhausted as to be unable to support a great army this year. Moreover, were you to leave England and come hither, as we recently wrote you in the light of events as they were then, it ought to be at a time when you might gain reputation in the eyes of England and all the world. On the whole, therefore, we think you had better stay where you are and be with the Queen, my daughter, busying yourself with the government of England, settling affairs there and making yourself familiar with the people, which it is most important you should do for present and future considerations.

So we pray you to stay, for thereby you will give us pleasure, and there is no reason to fear that by so doing you will suffer any loss of reputation, for the situation is entirely different from the one that moved me to send for you, and had it not changed I would not urge you to remain in England, where your presence is greatly needed. I trust that if the war lasts much longer there will be some good opportunity for striking, with God's help, a great blow at the enemy in your presence, as I am sure you would be glad to be here at such a time.

Decipher. Spanish.

Fuentes

Simancas, E.508.

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 13, 1554-1558

Edited by Royall Tyler.

Published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1954.

 

 

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