September 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, September 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/28/2017
The Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II and Isabella I signed Royal decree as King and Queen of the Spanish Empire, dated 26 March 1498. Signed in large bold writing, "Yo el Rey" (I the King) and "Yo la Reyna" (I the Queen). Intriguing document suggests a corrupted electoral process in the city of Villadolid, possibly at the hands of its Mayor, Dr. Alfonso Ramires de Villaescusa, to whom the letter is addressed. The Monarchs instruct de Villaescusa to appoint the count of Ribadeo as a named representative of the city; de Villaescusa was not friendly with the count of Ribadeo and would supersede him as the Regidor of Villadolid several years later. The count of Ribadeo was a key figure to the Edict of Expulsion in 1492, which forced all practicing Jews out of Spain if they failed to convert to Christianity. In a famous and historical letter regarding the Edict, Ferdinand wrote to the count on 31 March 1492, the same day the Edict was issued, insisting that the Jews must be expelled to stop the "evils and harm which come to the Christians from participating with and conversation with the said Jews," who continue to "pervert" them. Because of the Edict, many practicing Jews joined the "Converso" (Jews who had converted to Christianity) community; the recipient of this letter, Dr. Alfonso Ramires de Villaescusa, had a daughter who married into the Converso community, which continued to be discriminated against after the Edict. Single page document measures 8.5" x 9.25". Folds, light foxing, and irregularly trimmed edges. Overall very good to near fine given age. Accompanied by a COA from University Archives.
Letter translates in full, "Dr. de Villaescusa, our municipal royal representative in the town of Villadolid. It has been reported to us that the municipal councilors of that town are not in agreement about the election of their parliamentary representatives and that some of them have given their votes to the count of Ribadeo, and since the count is the person that he is, we would like him to be one of those named as representatives of that town. We therefore order that you find a way to bring this about. And regarding the salary, let there be given what seems to you to be just for the person who is to have it. From the town of Alcala de Henares, on the 26th day of the month of March of the year 98. / Yo el Rey / Yo la Reyna". At lower right, "By order of the King and of the Queen / Francisco de Madrid."
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Signed Royal Decree From 1498 as King & Queen of Spain -- Regarding an Official Involved in the Edict of Expulsion -- With COA From University Archives
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