At a glanceKnown key applied · partial (23% of the cipher)
- The letter
- Queen Isabella to her ambassador in England, Hernán Duque de Estrada, Segovia, 20 August 1503, with duplicates of September and 3 October.
- Where
- Archivo General de Simancas, Patronato Real leg. 53 doc. 69, formerly Tratados con Inglaterra leg. 4 ff. 65–67, on PARES. Bergenroth calendared it in 1862 as a despatch he could not decipher.
- The cipher
- A homophonic alphabet, with several symbols for each vowel, together with a nomenclator of two- to four-letter code groups for words.
- Method
- Known key applied: on Tomokiyo’s suggestion, the Cifra general de los Reyes Católicos printed by Galende Díaz in 1994. It fits at once, and about 480 code groups all make sense in context. The three copies were transcribed and collated.
- What it says
- France has opened war in Naples, Aragon, Guipúzcoa and Galicia. Henry VII is bound by treaty to help defend Spain, and Estrada is to ask him for two thousand English foot. It is not about Catherine of Aragon’s marriage.
- Still open
- From recto line 12 on, most lines are mostly unread and cannot be built into sentences (decoded, not read): about half of the 154 runs of letter symbols: on the 988-pixel images a symbol is eight to ten pixels high. With a higher-resolution copy from Simancas the key should decipher the whole letter.
- Credit
- Satoshi Tomokiyo suggested the key; the key itself is Galende Díaz’s 1994 edition.
01 Where the letter is
Bergenroth cited it as S. E. T. c. I. L. 4 ff. 65, 66 and 67: Secretaría de Estado, Tratados con Inglaterra, legajo 4. That series now sits in Patronato Real, Capitulaciones con Inglaterra, leg. 53, and PARES records 2207985–2207991 are docs. 66–72, all letters of 1502–03 to Estrada. Doc. 69 (dated only “1503” in PARES) has eight images:
- images 1–2 (pencil f. 322): copy X, 46 lines and 11 on the verso, closing “en madri[d]? a … de setiembre”, endorsed by Estrada as received at Durham House on All Saints’ Day, by the ship Jorja (George): Bergenroth’s no. 380, f. 68;
- images 3–4 (f. 323): copy Y, closing “en Segovia a xx de agosto de diii”, its dorse marked “Leg. 4 f. 65”. This is Bergenroth’s no. 369;
- images 5–6: address leaves;
- images 7–8: copy Z, closing “en Segovia a tres de otubre de diii”, endorsed “en la casa de Durã[m] a ocho de março de diiii. Recebida de uno de Salusbery”: Bergenroth’s no. 381, f. 69. Tomokiyo listed it under 3 October and noticed it was not in Estrada’s usual cipher.
The three copies begin with the same words and carry the same text with different line breaks. Isabella’s letter of 3 October in Estrada’s cipher (Bergenroth no. 385, now PTR 53/71–72) explains Z: “in case you may not have received [our letters of 20 August], I have ordered that the duplicate of it should be sent to you along with this letter.” Bergenroth calendared no. 380 (f. 68) as Isabella’s 3 October letter on the ratification of the marriage treaty, “deciphered by the editor”, and no. 381 (f. 69) as “the same despatch”. The leaves carry the August text in the other cipher, so he must have deciphered the ratification letter from its other copies (ff. 74–77) and filed these two duplicates under it by their date and endorsements. The letter he could not decipher was in his hands three times over. That filing probably also gave the catalogue entry its subject, the marriage.
cog ya, S A B E Y S, xix el, bof rey de Francia, zok nos, R O N P I O … Image: Archivo General de Simancas, PTR leg. 53 doc. 69, image 3 (copy Y, f. 323r), via PARES.
02 The key
The Cifra general de los Reyes Católicos (Real Academia de la Historia 9/15 ff. 7–9) is printed by Juan Carlos Galende Díaz (1994, appendix doc. 1): an alphabet of symbols with several forms for each letter, and 683 code groups of two to four letters beginning v-, x-, y-, z-, b- and c-. It was transcribed here for the Great Captain’s letter of 1500 in BnF Espagnol 318 (targets/esp318/keys/cifra_general.txt) and is applied here unchanged.
Bergenroth’s “two keys of cipher” is this mixture of code groups and letter symbols; no second key is needed. Estrada’s usual cipher, which Bergenroth did decipher (Tomokiyo lists groups such as cab, gam, raf, ru), does not occur in the letter. The scribe has two habits that affect transcription: the v- codes are written with a b-like v (vib Aragón, vud agora, vil ayuda), and a final z is written like a 3 (yiz los, zez por, ziz para).
03 What the letter says
From copy X, collated with Y and Z (targets/estrada1503/reading_X.md). Recto lines 1–11 and 14–15 build sentences; they are written out in PTR53-69_reading.md with the code groups given as their key values, [..] for a run not deciphered and [?word] for a doubtful word:
Ya sabeys [co]mo el rey de Francia nos ronpio los dias passados la guerra en Napoles si[n] le dar causa alguna para ello; y que fezimos con el toda quanta justificacion [..] en el mundo pudimos para escusar la guerra, buscando todos los medios que se podian [..] para ello; y nunca lo pudimos [..] quanta [..] fezimos y [?requerimientos] con harto [..] [?siendo] [..] su [..] y en nuestro [..] Narbona; y agora no cierta[mente] contentandose con aquello ha en[..]biado todo su poder por mar y por tierra a las fronteras de nuestros reynos, la mayor parte a la de Rosellon y a la otra frontera de [Fuen]terrabia para nos hazer toda la guerra que pudiere en ellos, como nos ha ya rompido la guerra por el reyno de Aragon y por la provincia de Guipuzcoa, como en el reyno de Galizia, con cierta armada de mar …
… de toda la flor de la gente de Francia ha fecho la mayor armada que el ha podido y la tiene [junta] en Lenguadoque para entrar en Rosellon …
The rest of the recto and the verso is decoded, not read: the partial reading (texts/PTR53-69_partial_reading.md) has unread runs in nearly every clause. Phrases that hold in it include “el rey de Inglaterra nuestro hermano es obligado por virtud de lo […] entre nos y el, de nos ayudar para defender nuestro […]”, “no queremos afrontar […] armas […] que se declare […] por nos ha […] si los franceses entran en nuestros reynos” and “los dichos dos mil peones”.
In English: the King of France broke the peace in Naples without cause, though the monarchs gave him all the justification in the world. He has now sent his whole power by land and sea to their frontiers, most of it against Roussillon and the rest against Fuenterrabía, and has already opened war in Aragon, Guipúzcoa and Galicia. The flower of France is gathered in Languedoc to enter Roussillon. From the partial reading, and confirmed by the letter of 3 October below: Henry VII is bound by treaty to help defend Spain; so far the monarchs have not pressed him to declare himself, and now Estrada is to ask him for two thousand foot soldiers and ships to carry them. Lines 17–30 turn to the Spanish response (the grandees, troops, the Navarre frontier) and are too broken to paraphrase with confidence.
yiz xor xik zod P E O N E S, los dichos dos mil peones. Image: Archivo General de Simancas, PTR leg. 53 doc. 69, image 2 (copy X, f. 322v), via PARES.The check is the next letter. On 3 October Isabella wrote again, in Estrada’s usual cipher (PTR 53/71–72; a 19th-century clear copy is bound with it). It opens “Por otras nuestras cartas de veinte de agosto … habréis visto como el Rey de Francia había comenzado a nos romper la guerra … y como por entonces no queríamos afrontar al Rey de Inglaterra nuestro hermano a que se declarase por nos … hasta ver que los franceses entraban en nuestros reynos”, sends a duplicate of the August letter, and repeats the request for “dos mil peones ingleses escogidos”, adding that the French had now entered the counties of Roussillon and laid siege to Salses.
04 What remains
- Runs of letter symbols: 154 stretches in
reading_X.md, about half the cipher tokens of each copy. The alphabet has several symbols for each vowel, and on 988-pixel images they cannot be told apart reliably. Three copies were collated, and runs deciphered in one copy were carried over to the others. The next step is a higher-resolution reproduction from Simancas; with that, the printed key should decipher the whole letter. - Code groups: none unknown.
zer,zegandboe/bueare uncertain in two places each. - The later notes on copy X (All Saints’ Day) and at the foot of copy Z (“a ocho de março”) are only partly legible.
Grades: the code groups are C (the key confirms them in context); the letter runs quoted above are C where they complete a word from both sides and M where marked […] or bracketed.
Full texts
The transcription and the decryption of every document on this page, so that the reading can be used and checked. Short files are shown here; all are in the repository.
Isabella to the Duke of Estrada, Segovia, 20 Aug 1503: copy X recto ll. 1-11 and 14-15 read in part
Isabella tells Estrada that the King of France broke the peace in Naples without cause, has sent his power by sea and land to the frontiers of Roussillon and Fuenterrabía, and has opened war in Aragon, Guipúzcoa and Galicia; the King of England is bound by the treaties to help defend what is theirs, and Estrada is to ask for two thousand English foot with ships. About half of the letter-sign runs stay unread at the resolution PARES serves. reading_X.md gives code groups with their values and the letter runs as read; the sign-level transcription exists only for copy Y lines 1-10 (work_Y.md).
Builds coherent sentences, but under the read bar of 95% of words read as sense (89% here); the holes are marked in the reading.
Transcription
# Isabella to Estrada, Segovia 20 Aug 1503: reading (copy X, collated with Y and Z)
Copy X = PTR 53/69 images 1-2 (pencil f. 322r-v, dated "en madri[d]? … de setiembre"); Y = images 3-4 (f. 323r-v, "xx de
agosto", the letter Bergenroth calendared as S.E.T.c.I. L. 4 ff. 65-67); Z = images 7-8 ("Duplicada", 3 Oct).
The three carry one text under one key. Line numbers are X's (46 lines recto, 11 verso).
Notation: `code=value` from Galende's *Cifra general* (`targets/esp318/keys/cifra_general.txt`); UPPER CASE = a run of
single letter signs, read; `[..]` = a stretch not read (sign shapes not resolved at 988 px); `[?word]` = doubtful.
Clear text is in «…». Grades as in README Conventions are given in NOTES.md.
## Recto (f. 322r)
1. cog=Ya SABEYS [CO]MO xix=el bof=rey de Francia zok=nos RONPIO yiz=los DIAS PASSADOS yaz=la yui=guerra xuy=en zin=Napoles
2. baq=si[n] LE xap=dar CAUSA ALGUNA ziz=para ELLO; Y bob=que FEZIMOS xe=con EL biz=toda bue=quanta
3. JUSTIFICACION [..] xuy=en xix=el za=mundo PUDIMOS ziz=para ESCUSAR yaz=la yui=guerra,
4. BUSCANDO boz=todos yiz=los MEDIOS bob=que SE PODIAN [..] ziz=para ELLO;
5. Y NUNCA yuy=lo PUDIMOS [..] bue=quanta [..] FEZIMOS
6. Y [?REQUERIMIENTOS] xe=con yor=harto [..] [?SIENDO] [..] bep=su [..] Y xuy=en
7. zam=nuestro [..] zeo=Narbona; Y vud=agora zik=no xeb=cierta[mente] CONTENTANDOSE xe=con vek=aquello yoo=ha xuy=en[..]BIADO
8. TODO bep=su zoy=poder zez=por zub=mar Y zez=por TIERRA A yez=las yub=fronteras xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos, yaz=la zae=mayor zo9=parte A yaz=la xup=de ROSELLON
9. Y A yaz=la zop=otra yub=frontera xup=de [FUEN]TERRABIA ziz=para zok=nos HAZER biz=toda yaz=la yui=guerra bob=que PUDIERE xuy=en ELLOS, COMO
10. zok=nos yoo=ha cog=ya ROMPIDO yaz=la yui=guerra zez=por xix=el bel=reyno xup=de vib=Aragon Y zez=por yaz=la zey=provincia xup=de GUIPUZCOA, COMO
11. xex=en el bel=reyno xup=de yil=Galizia, xe=con xeb=cierta vac=armada xup=de zub=mar; vud=agora [..] SOBRE [..] xe=con bep=su vil=ayuda
12. xuy=en CADA [..] SE [..] yoo=ha [..]
13. [..] buy=tal RESISTENCIA bob=que xuy=en zom=ninguna xoq=dellas [..] yuy=lo bob=que [..]
14. xup=de biz=toda yaz=la FLOR xiq=de la yak=gente xup=de yib=Francia yoo=ha yi=fecho yaz=la zae=mayor vac=armada bob=que xix=el yoo=ha PODIDO Y yaz=la
15. TIENE [JUNTA] xuy=en LENGUADOQUE ziz=para ENTRAR xuy=en ROSELLON
16. Y ya=fazer xix=el DAÑO bob=que PUDIERE [..] xo=como vid=a lo menos bob=que bux=se JUNTAN [..] bel=reyno Y A bob=que
17. [..] zik=no boz=todo [..] bep=su SOBERBIA bux=se [..] bob=que xit=entre xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos ziz=para zok=nos ya=fazer yaz=la
18. yui=guerra xuy=en xox=ellos xe=con boz=todo ziz=para xix=el [..] xuq=dellos xup=de zec=mas xiq=de la yak=gente bob=que [..] xuy=en yaz=la [..]
19. A xup=de vik=aquella yub=frontera xup=de [..] yoo=ha [..] yaz=la yak=gente bob=que
20. xe=con [..] xup=de zem=nuestra [..]
21. GRANDES xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos [..] ceh=yr xuy=en [..] xe=con ALGUNA yak=gente
22. xup=de bep=su [..] zes=desde(?) bob=que bux=se [..] xix=el NUMERO xup=de [..]
23. [..] bob=que xe=con [..] ziz=para xez=esto zek=merced ceb=va [..] xup=de xaf=cavallo [..] xup=de [..]
24. [..] xup=de yaz=la yub=frontera xup=de zao=Navarra ziz=para bob=que bek=aquello bob=que [..] zer ziz=para boe=quanto bed=quales [..] bob=que
25. PUESTO [..] bue=quanta yui=guerra bob=que [..] bic=quiera xuy=en boc=qual QUIERE [..] xik=dos [..]
26. bid=quier bob=que bux=se [..] zem=nuestra yak=gente zo9=parte [..] zez=por ALGUNO [..] bob=que [..]
27. [..] xiq=de la [..] yiz=los yob=franceses, Y xix=el [..] xiy=es [..]
28. [..] boz=todo xup=de [..] xo=como xiy=es bil=razon, zik=no [..] baq=si yaf=fasta que [..]
29. [..] boy=tiempo xo=como bux=se [..] bob=que [..] boy=tiempo [..]
30. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestro bix=servicio(?) bob=que xix=el [..] xo=como baq=si [..] yoo=ha [..]
31. boz=todo yuy=lo bep=su[yo] xox=ellos bux=se [..] beq=solamente ziz=para caf=vuestro [..] bob=que [..] xix=el bag=rey de Inglaterra zam=nuestro
32. HERMANO xiy=es zuo=obligado zez=por cof=virtud xeq=de lo [..] xit=entre zok=nos Y xix=el, xup=de zok=nos vil=ayudar ziz=para [DEFENDER] zam=nuestro
33. [..] ziz=para yaz=la DEFENSA [..] zez=por bob=que zik=no [..] bob=que zik=no [..]
34. [..] xix=el [..] zez=por zop=otra [..] baq=si [..] zez=por vel=amor [..] xaq=del [..]
35. zik=no xap=dar [..] xup=de NINGUNO [..] ziz=para yuy=lo xaq=del [..]
36. [..] bob=que ziz=para xiz=esta [..] baq=si yoo=ha xup=de zag=me [..] bob=que yaz=la yak=gente
37. xup=de cef=vuestra [..] ALGUNA [..] zik=no bud=queremos AFRONTAR [..] vec=armas [..] bob=que bux=se DE[CLARE]
38. [..] zez=por zok=nos yoo=ha [..] baq=si yiz=los yob=franceses ENTRA[N] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos; vud=agora beq=solamente
39. bud=queremos bob=que [..] zez=por yaz=la [..] ziz=para bob=que zok=nos [..] xup=de [..]
40. [..] xuy=en xa=caso bob=que [..] bor=sobre [..] ziz=para xuy=en xaz=este xat=embaxador [..]
41. xup=de bux=se [..] baq=si [..] bob=que zuz=plazer baq=si [..] xuy=en cif=vos zez=por xix=el [..] bob=que yuy=lo yoo=ha
42. [..] xup=de beo=rogamos bob=que xiy=es yuy=lo bob=que yoo=ha [..] xix=el xox=ellos baq=si xuy=en xa=caso bob=que yiz=los yob=franceses xuy=en [..]
43. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos, baq=si zok=nos vil=ayudara xup=de vap=buena [..] zik=no xup=de bob=que zif=manera
44. zok=nos vil=ayudara [..] QUANTO [..] xeq=de lo [..]
45. [..] xup=de bob=que zif=manera [..] bob=que xup=de xem=deve ya=fazer xo=como xup=de caf=vuestro [..]
46. [..] bob=que [..] bux=se DA xuy=en yet=Inglaterra A yaz=la yak=gente
## Verso (f. 322v)
1. xup=de [..] bob=que ceb=va yud=fue [..] xaq=del bel=reyno Y yoo=ha [..] zok=nos zez=por bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] bob=que [..]
2. xix=el bep=su [..] xup=de xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..] zag=me [..] xuy=en boc=qual boy=tiempo bux=se PODRA [..]
3. [..] boy=tiempo [..] xez=esto boz=todo bux=se [..] bue=quanta yak=gente
4. [..] zok=nos [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] cef=vuestra yor=harto zal=navios [..] ziz=para xuy=en bob=que [..]
5. [..] yiz=los xor=dichos xik=dos zod=mil PEONES baq=si [..] ziz=para zer [..] xuy=en bob=que boy=tiempo [..] zer bob=que xuy=en
6. [..] bob=que [..] xe=con xox=ellos bob=que zok=nos [..] veo=bien [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se
7. [..] zud=mejor bob=que [..] xup=de boz=todo zok=nos xuy=en [..] yaz=la bost=respuesta yuy=lo
8. [..] bob=que [..] zez=por [..] ziz=para bob=que xez=esto boz=todo xup=de
9. zif=manera bob=que bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se [..] xup=de [..] yiz=los xox=ellos(?) xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..]
10. [..] xup=de zif=manera bob=que [..] xo=como [..]
11. [..] xup=de vub=agosto xup=de [..] (the same closing cipher line stands in Y and Z, apparently naming the August letter), then clear: «en madri[d]? a [..] de setiembre» (Y: «en Segovia a xx de agosto de diii»; Z: «en Segovia a tres de otubre de diii»), the royal rubric, and below it Estrada's endorsement «…dia de todos santos del suso dicho año en la casa de Dur[ham] … Martin Sanches de … Jorja» (Bergenroth no. 380: received at Durham House on All Saints' Day, ship George).Transcription
# Working transcript, copy Y (f. 323r-v, "Segovia a xx de agosto de Diii") Sign notation (ASCII): a/a4/ap/U# = A forms; r = B (tau); # ## +o = C; d (round) -o o- = D; h h- ho qk = E; m = F; k = G; 8 B = H; 3 3+ 3u 3p L = I; n np = L; p p+ = M; q qo q- = N; b(v-shaped) e = O; f ff f+ = P; 4 4u = Q; 7 =7 = R; 9 S- 2o phi = S; t t- to = T; d(tall) ### = U; x = Z; o o+ = Y. Codes in lower case with value. v-initial codes are written like b (bib = vib Aragon, bud = vud agora, bek = vek aquello). Code-final z is written like 3 (yiz, yaz, zez, ziz). | Y line | transcription (tentative) | reading | |---|---|---| | 1 | cog 9arhophi xix bof zok 7eqf3e yiz 93a4S- fa2 9ap o-b [8] yaz yui xuy | Ya sabeys [como] el rey de Francia nos ronpio los dias passados la guerra en | | 2 | zin baq n h xap ## U# d 9 a a4 n k d q ap ziz qk n n b S- o bob m h x 3 p b xe ho n? biz bue g | Napoles, sin le dar causa alguna para ellos; y que fezimos con el toda quanta | | 3 | L ### S- t 3 m 3+ + a4 +o 3u b q [qk? 8] xuy xix za ff e d 3 p+ b phi ziz h 9 +o d 9 a4 7 | justificacion [..] en el mundo podimos para escusar | | 4 | [n ap yui?] r ### 9 ## a q phi b boz phi yiz f+ h -o 3u b 9 bob 9 h- B b -o 3p a q | la guerra, buscando todos los medios que se podian | | 5 | x? e d 9 t a 7 ziz ho n n b o+ qo ### q ## ap yuy ff e b d 3 f b 9 [bue bue] ap qk m h x 3 p b S- | [.]estar? para ello, y nunca lo podimos [..]; [a?] fezimos | | 6 | o 7 h- 4u d qk 7 3 =7 xe yor S 3ag 9 3 d b 9 3u bep d h q b ap 3t a4 o xuy | y requerir con harto(?) ... su ... en | | 7 | zam ff h 7 3+ d a -o x zeo o vud zik xe t h q t a q o d? 9 qk vek yoo xuy x3 ap q | nuestro ... Narbona; y agora, no contentandose con aquello, ha enbiado | | 8 | boz bep zoy zez zub o+ zez bric U# yez yub 9 xup zam S-bel ? yaz zae zo9 U# yaz xup 7e9h###nbq | todo su poder por mar y por tierra a las fronteras de nuestros reynos, la mayor parte a la de Rosellon | | 9 | o+ U# yaz zop yub xup yud qbqk7a4r3ap ziz zok yoo x h o 7 biz yaz yui bob ff d d 3 ho 7 qk xuy xox ##bo | y a la otra frontera de Fuenterabia, para nos hazer toda la guerra que pudiere en ellos, [como?] | | 10 | zok yoo cog 7bqf3de yaz yui zez xix bel xup vib o zez yaz zey xup kd3fdx+o###ap ##bo | nos ha ya rompido la guerra por el reyno de Aragon y por la provincia de Guipuzcoa, [como?] |
Decryption
# Isabella to Estrada, Segovia 20 Aug 1503: reading (copy X, collated with Y and Z)
Copy X = PTR 53/69 images 1-2 (pencil f. 322r-v, dated "en madri[d]? … de setiembre"); Y = images 3-4 (f. 323r-v, "xx de
agosto", the letter Bergenroth calendared as S.E.T.c.I. L. 4 ff. 65-67); Z = images 7-8 ("Duplicada", 3 Oct).
The three carry one text under one key. Line numbers are X's (46 lines recto, 11 verso).
Notation: `code=value` from Galende's *Cifra general* (`targets/esp318/keys/cifra_general.txt`); UPPER CASE = a run of
single letter signs, read; `[..]` = a stretch not read (sign shapes not resolved at 988 px); `[?word]` = doubtful.
Clear text is in «…». Grades as in README Conventions are given in NOTES.md.
## Recto (f. 322r)
1. cog=Ya SABEYS [CO]MO xix=el bof=rey de Francia zok=nos RONPIO yiz=los DIAS PASSADOS yaz=la yui=guerra xuy=en zin=Napoles
2. baq=si[n] LE xap=dar CAUSA ALGUNA ziz=para ELLO; Y bob=que FEZIMOS xe=con EL biz=toda bue=quanta
3. JUSTIFICACION [..] xuy=en xix=el za=mundo PUDIMOS ziz=para ESCUSAR yaz=la yui=guerra,
4. BUSCANDO boz=todos yiz=los MEDIOS bob=que SE PODIAN [..] ziz=para ELLO;
5. Y NUNCA yuy=lo PUDIMOS [..] bue=quanta [..] FEZIMOS
6. Y [?REQUERIMIENTOS] xe=con yor=harto [..] [?SIENDO] [..] bep=su [..] Y xuy=en
7. zam=nuestro [..] zeo=Narbona; Y vud=agora zik=no xeb=cierta[mente] CONTENTANDOSE xe=con vek=aquello yoo=ha xuy=en[..]BIADO
8. TODO bep=su zoy=poder zez=por zub=mar Y zez=por TIERRA A yez=las yub=fronteras xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos, yaz=la zae=mayor zo9=parte A yaz=la xup=de ROSELLON
9. Y A yaz=la zop=otra yub=frontera xup=de [FUEN]TERRABIA ziz=para zok=nos HAZER biz=toda yaz=la yui=guerra bob=que PUDIERE xuy=en ELLOS, COMO
10. zok=nos yoo=ha cog=ya ROMPIDO yaz=la yui=guerra zez=por xix=el bel=reyno xup=de vib=Aragon Y zez=por yaz=la zey=provincia xup=de GUIPUZCOA, COMO
11. xex=en el bel=reyno xup=de yil=Galizia, xe=con xeb=cierta vac=armada xup=de zub=mar; vud=agora [..] SOBRE [..] xe=con bep=su vil=ayuda
12. xuy=en CADA [..] SE [..] yoo=ha [..]
13. [..] buy=tal RESISTENCIA bob=que xuy=en zom=ninguna xoq=dellas [..] yuy=lo bob=que [..]
14. xup=de biz=toda yaz=la FLOR xiq=de la yak=gente xup=de yib=Francia yoo=ha yi=fecho yaz=la zae=mayor vac=armada bob=que xix=el yoo=ha PODIDO Y yaz=la
15. TIENE [JUNTA] xuy=en LENGUADOQUE ziz=para ENTRAR xuy=en ROSELLON
16. Y ya=fazer xix=el DAÑO bob=que PUDIERE [..] xo=como vid=a lo menos bob=que bux=se JUNTAN [..] bel=reyno Y A bob=que
17. [..] zik=no boz=todo [..] bep=su SOBERBIA bux=se [..] bob=que xit=entre xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos ziz=para zok=nos ya=fazer yaz=la
18. yui=guerra xuy=en xox=ellos xe=con boz=todo ziz=para xix=el [..] xuq=dellos xup=de zec=mas xiq=de la yak=gente bob=que [..] xuy=en yaz=la [..]
19. A xup=de vik=aquella yub=frontera xup=de [..] yoo=ha [..] yaz=la yak=gente bob=que
20. xe=con [..] xup=de zem=nuestra [..]
21. GRANDES xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos [..] ceh=yr xuy=en [..] xe=con ALGUNA yak=gente
22. xup=de bep=su [..] zes=desde(?) bob=que bux=se [..] xix=el NUMERO xup=de [..]
23. [..] bob=que xe=con [..] ziz=para xez=esto zek=merced ceb=va [..] xup=de xaf=cavallo [..] xup=de [..]
24. [..] xup=de yaz=la yub=frontera xup=de zao=Navarra ziz=para bob=que bek=aquello bob=que [..] zer ziz=para boe=quanto bed=quales [..] bob=que
25. PUESTO [..] bue=quanta yui=guerra bob=que [..] bic=quiera xuy=en boc=qual QUIERE [..] xik=dos [..]
26. bid=quier bob=que bux=se [..] zem=nuestra yak=gente zo9=parte [..] zez=por ALGUNO [..] bob=que [..]
27. [..] xiq=de la [..] yiz=los yob=franceses, Y xix=el [..] xiy=es [..]
28. [..] boz=todo xup=de [..] xo=como xiy=es bil=razon, zik=no [..] baq=si yaf=fasta que [..]
29. [..] boy=tiempo xo=como bux=se [..] bob=que [..] boy=tiempo [..]
30. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestro bix=servicio(?) bob=que xix=el [..] xo=como baq=si [..] yoo=ha [..]
31. boz=todo yuy=lo bep=su[yo] xox=ellos bux=se [..] beq=solamente ziz=para caf=vuestro [..] bob=que [..] xix=el bag=rey de Inglaterra zam=nuestro
32. HERMANO xiy=es zuo=obligado zez=por cof=virtud xeq=de lo [..] xit=entre zok=nos Y xix=el, xup=de zok=nos vil=ayudar ziz=para [DEFENDER] zam=nuestro
33. [..] ziz=para yaz=la DEFENSA [..] zez=por bob=que zik=no [..] bob=que zik=no [..]
34. [..] xix=el [..] zez=por zop=otra [..] baq=si [..] zez=por vel=amor [..] xaq=del [..]
35. zik=no xap=dar [..] xup=de NINGUNO [..] ziz=para yuy=lo xaq=del [..]
36. [..] bob=que ziz=para xiz=esta [..] baq=si yoo=ha xup=de zag=me [..] bob=que yaz=la yak=gente
37. xup=de cef=vuestra [..] ALGUNA [..] zik=no bud=queremos AFRONTAR [..] vec=armas [..] bob=que bux=se DE[CLARE]
38. [..] zez=por zok=nos yoo=ha [..] baq=si yiz=los yob=franceses ENTRA[N] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos; vud=agora beq=solamente
39. bud=queremos bob=que [..] zez=por yaz=la [..] ziz=para bob=que zok=nos [..] xup=de [..]
40. [..] xuy=en xa=caso bob=que [..] bor=sobre [..] ziz=para xuy=en xaz=este xat=embaxador [..]
41. xup=de bux=se [..] baq=si [..] bob=que zuz=plazer baq=si [..] xuy=en cif=vos zez=por xix=el [..] bob=que yuy=lo yoo=ha
42. [..] xup=de beo=rogamos bob=que xiy=es yuy=lo bob=que yoo=ha [..] xix=el xox=ellos baq=si xuy=en xa=caso bob=que yiz=los yob=franceses xuy=en [..]
43. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos, baq=si zok=nos vil=ayudara xup=de vap=buena [..] zik=no xup=de bob=que zif=manera
44. zok=nos vil=ayudara [..] QUANTO [..] xeq=de lo [..]
45. [..] xup=de bob=que zif=manera [..] bob=que xup=de xem=deve ya=fazer xo=como xup=de caf=vuestro [..]
46. [..] bob=que [..] bux=se DA xuy=en yet=Inglaterra A yaz=la yak=gente
## Verso (f. 322v)
1. xup=de [..] bob=que ceb=va yud=fue [..] xaq=del bel=reyno Y yoo=ha [..] zok=nos zez=por bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] bob=que [..]
2. xix=el bep=su [..] xup=de xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..] zag=me [..] xuy=en boc=qual boy=tiempo bux=se PODRA [..]
3. [..] boy=tiempo [..] xez=esto boz=todo bux=se [..] bue=quanta yak=gente
4. [..] zok=nos [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] cef=vuestra yor=harto zal=navios [..] ziz=para xuy=en bob=que [..]
5. [..] yiz=los xor=dichos xik=dos zod=mil PEONES baq=si [..] ziz=para zer [..] xuy=en bob=que boy=tiempo [..] zer bob=que xuy=en
6. [..] bob=que [..] xe=con xox=ellos bob=que zok=nos [..] veo=bien [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se
7. [..] zud=mejor bob=que [..] xup=de boz=todo zok=nos xuy=en [..] yaz=la bost=respuesta yuy=lo
8. [..] bob=que [..] zez=por [..] ziz=para bob=que xez=esto boz=todo xup=de
9. zif=manera bob=que bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se [..] xup=de [..] yiz=los xox=ellos(?) xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..]
10. [..] xup=de zif=manera bob=que [..] xo=como [..]
11. [..] xup=de vub=agosto xup=de [..] (the same closing cipher line stands in Y and Z, apparently naming the August letter), then clear: «en madri[d]? a [..] de setiembre» (Y: «en Segovia a xx de agosto de diii»; Z: «en Segovia a tres de otubre de diii»), the royal rubric, and below it Estrada's endorsement «…dia de todos santos del suso dicho año en la casa de Dur[ham] … Martin Sanches de … Jorja» (Bergenroth no. 380: received at Durham House on All Saints' Day, ship George).Reading
# Isabella to Estrada, Segovia 20 Aug 1503: copy X recto ll. 1-11 and 14-15, reading Rests on: `reading_X.md` (copy X, collated with Y and Z; code groups from Galende's *Cifra general*, letter-sign runs read on the PARES images). This file is the read part of it in running text, for the v3 verification (23 Oct 2026): the code=value tags reduced to the value, the letter runs (upper case there) written in lower case, a notation change only; letters supplied in brackets are holes; [..] a stretch not read; lines 12-13 are not read and marked. Spelling as read. ## Reading Ya sabeys [co]mo el rey de Francia nos ronpio los dias passados la guerra en Napoles si[n] le dar causa alguna para ello; y que fezimos con el toda quanta justificacion [..] en el mundo pudimos para escusar la guerra, buscando todos los medios que se podian [..] para ello; y nunca lo pudimos [..] quanta [..] fezimos y [?requerimientos] con harto [..] [?siendo] [..] su [..] y en nuestro [..] Narbona; y agora no cierta[mente] contentandose con aquello ha en[..]biado todo su poder por mar y por tierra a las fronteras de nuestros reynos, la mayor parte a la de Rosellon y a la otra frontera de [Fuen]terrabia para nos hazer toda la guerra que pudiere en ellos, como nos ha ya rompido la guerra por el reyno de Aragon y por la provincia de Guipuzcoa, como en el reyno de Galizia, con cierta armada de mar; agora [..] sobre [..] con su ayuda [... ll. 12-13 not read ...] de toda la flor de la gente de Francia ha fecho la mayor armada que el ha podido y la tiene [junta] en Lenguadoque para entrar en Rosellon [...]
Translation
<!-- English translation of PTR53-69_reading.md (Claude Opus 5.5, 23 Oct 2026): the read part of copy X (recto ll. 1-11 and 14-15), with the same holes: [..] a stretch not read, [?word] doubtful, letters supplied in [ ]; ll. 12-13 are not read. --> # Isabella to Estrada, Segovia, 20 August 1503: copy X recto ll. 1-11 and 14-15, English translation You already know how the King of France broke the war against us in Naples some days ago without our giving him any cause for it; and that we made with him every justification [..] we could in the world to avoid the war, seeking all the means that could [..] for it; and we never could [..] how much [..] we made, and [?demands] with much [..] [?being] [..] his [..] and in our [..] Narbonne; and now, certainly not content with that, he has sent all his power by sea and by land to the frontiers of our kingdoms, the greater part to that of Roussillon and the rest to the other frontier, of [Fuen]terrabía, to make on us all the war he can in them, as he has already broken the war upon us through the kingdom of Aragon and through the province of Guipúzcoa, as in the kingdom of Galicia, with a certain fleet at sea; now [..] upon [..] with his help [... ll. 12-13 not read ...] of all the flower of the people of France he has made the greatest army he could, and has it [gathered] in Languedoc to enter Roussillon [...]
Isabella to the Duke of Estrada, Segovia, 20 Aug 1503: copy X recto ll. 12-13, 16-46 and verso decoded, not read
A mechanical decode with holes in most sentences: shown so that the transcription and the key can be checked and improved, not as a reading.
Transcription
# Isabella to Estrada, Segovia 20 Aug 1503: reading (copy X, collated with Y and Z)
Copy X = PTR 53/69 images 1-2 (pencil f. 322r-v, dated "en madri[d]? … de setiembre"); Y = images 3-4 (f. 323r-v, "xx de
agosto", the letter Bergenroth calendared as S.E.T.c.I. L. 4 ff. 65-67); Z = images 7-8 ("Duplicada", 3 Oct).
The three carry one text under one key. Line numbers are X's (46 lines recto, 11 verso).
Notation: `code=value` from Galende's *Cifra general* (`targets/esp318/keys/cifra_general.txt`); UPPER CASE = a run of
single letter signs, read; `[..]` = a stretch not read (sign shapes not resolved at 988 px); `[?word]` = doubtful.
Clear text is in «…». Grades as in README Conventions are given in NOTES.md.
## Recto (f. 322r)
1. cog=Ya SABEYS [CO]MO xix=el bof=rey de Francia zok=nos RONPIO yiz=los DIAS PASSADOS yaz=la yui=guerra xuy=en zin=Napoles
2. baq=si[n] LE xap=dar CAUSA ALGUNA ziz=para ELLO; Y bob=que FEZIMOS xe=con EL biz=toda bue=quanta
3. JUSTIFICACION [..] xuy=en xix=el za=mundo PUDIMOS ziz=para ESCUSAR yaz=la yui=guerra,
4. BUSCANDO boz=todos yiz=los MEDIOS bob=que SE PODIAN [..] ziz=para ELLO;
5. Y NUNCA yuy=lo PUDIMOS [..] bue=quanta [..] FEZIMOS
6. Y [?REQUERIMIENTOS] xe=con yor=harto [..] [?SIENDO] [..] bep=su [..] Y xuy=en
7. zam=nuestro [..] zeo=Narbona; Y vud=agora zik=no xeb=cierta[mente] CONTENTANDOSE xe=con vek=aquello yoo=ha xuy=en[..]BIADO
8. TODO bep=su zoy=poder zez=por zub=mar Y zez=por TIERRA A yez=las yub=fronteras xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos, yaz=la zae=mayor zo9=parte A yaz=la xup=de ROSELLON
9. Y A yaz=la zop=otra yub=frontera xup=de [FUEN]TERRABIA ziz=para zok=nos HAZER biz=toda yaz=la yui=guerra bob=que PUDIERE xuy=en ELLOS, COMO
10. zok=nos yoo=ha cog=ya ROMPIDO yaz=la yui=guerra zez=por xix=el bel=reyno xup=de vib=Aragon Y zez=por yaz=la zey=provincia xup=de GUIPUZCOA, COMO
11. xex=en el bel=reyno xup=de yil=Galizia, xe=con xeb=cierta vac=armada xup=de zub=mar; vud=agora [..] SOBRE [..] xe=con bep=su vil=ayuda
12. xuy=en CADA [..] SE [..] yoo=ha [..]
13. [..] buy=tal RESISTENCIA bob=que xuy=en zom=ninguna xoq=dellas [..] yuy=lo bob=que [..]
14. xup=de biz=toda yaz=la FLOR xiq=de la yak=gente xup=de yib=Francia yoo=ha yi=fecho yaz=la zae=mayor vac=armada bob=que xix=el yoo=ha PODIDO Y yaz=la
15. TIENE [JUNTA] xuy=en LENGUADOQUE ziz=para ENTRAR xuy=en ROSELLON
16. Y ya=fazer xix=el DAÑO bob=que PUDIERE [..] xo=como vid=a lo menos bob=que bux=se JUNTAN [..] bel=reyno Y A bob=que
17. [..] zik=no boz=todo [..] bep=su SOBERBIA bux=se [..] bob=que xit=entre xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos ziz=para zok=nos ya=fazer yaz=la
18. yui=guerra xuy=en xox=ellos xe=con boz=todo ziz=para xix=el [..] xuq=dellos xup=de zec=mas xiq=de la yak=gente bob=que [..] xuy=en yaz=la [..]
19. A xup=de vik=aquella yub=frontera xup=de [..] yoo=ha [..] yaz=la yak=gente bob=que
20. xe=con [..] xup=de zem=nuestra [..]
21. GRANDES xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos [..] ceh=yr xuy=en [..] xe=con ALGUNA yak=gente
22. xup=de bep=su [..] zes=desde(?) bob=que bux=se [..] xix=el NUMERO xup=de [..]
23. [..] bob=que xe=con [..] ziz=para xez=esto zek=merced ceb=va [..] xup=de xaf=cavallo [..] xup=de [..]
24. [..] xup=de yaz=la yub=frontera xup=de zao=Navarra ziz=para bob=que bek=aquello bob=que [..] zer ziz=para boe=quanto bed=quales [..] bob=que
25. PUESTO [..] bue=quanta yui=guerra bob=que [..] bic=quiera xuy=en boc=qual QUIERE [..] xik=dos [..]
26. bid=quier bob=que bux=se [..] zem=nuestra yak=gente zo9=parte [..] zez=por ALGUNO [..] bob=que [..]
27. [..] xiq=de la [..] yiz=los yob=franceses, Y xix=el [..] xiy=es [..]
28. [..] boz=todo xup=de [..] xo=como xiy=es bil=razon, zik=no [..] baq=si yaf=fasta que [..]
29. [..] boy=tiempo xo=como bux=se [..] bob=que [..] boy=tiempo [..]
30. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestro bix=servicio(?) bob=que xix=el [..] xo=como baq=si [..] yoo=ha [..]
31. boz=todo yuy=lo bep=su[yo] xox=ellos bux=se [..] beq=solamente ziz=para caf=vuestro [..] bob=que [..] xix=el bag=rey de Inglaterra zam=nuestro
32. HERMANO xiy=es zuo=obligado zez=por cof=virtud xeq=de lo [..] xit=entre zok=nos Y xix=el, xup=de zok=nos vil=ayudar ziz=para [DEFENDER] zam=nuestro
33. [..] ziz=para yaz=la DEFENSA [..] zez=por bob=que zik=no [..] bob=que zik=no [..]
34. [..] xix=el [..] zez=por zop=otra [..] baq=si [..] zez=por vel=amor [..] xaq=del [..]
35. zik=no xap=dar [..] xup=de NINGUNO [..] ziz=para yuy=lo xaq=del [..]
36. [..] bob=que ziz=para xiz=esta [..] baq=si yoo=ha xup=de zag=me [..] bob=que yaz=la yak=gente
37. xup=de cef=vuestra [..] ALGUNA [..] zik=no bud=queremos AFRONTAR [..] vec=armas [..] bob=que bux=se DE[CLARE]
38. [..] zez=por zok=nos yoo=ha [..] baq=si yiz=los yob=franceses ENTRA[N] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos; vud=agora beq=solamente
39. bud=queremos bob=que [..] zez=por yaz=la [..] ziz=para bob=que zok=nos [..] xup=de [..]
40. [..] xuy=en xa=caso bob=que [..] bor=sobre [..] ziz=para xuy=en xaz=este xat=embaxador [..]
41. xup=de bux=se [..] baq=si [..] bob=que zuz=plazer baq=si [..] xuy=en cif=vos zez=por xix=el [..] bob=que yuy=lo yoo=ha
42. [..] xup=de beo=rogamos bob=que xiy=es yuy=lo bob=que yoo=ha [..] xix=el xox=ellos baq=si xuy=en xa=caso bob=que yiz=los yob=franceses xuy=en [..]
43. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos, baq=si zok=nos vil=ayudara xup=de vap=buena [..] zik=no xup=de bob=que zif=manera
44. zok=nos vil=ayudara [..] QUANTO [..] xeq=de lo [..]
45. [..] xup=de bob=que zif=manera [..] bob=que xup=de xem=deve ya=fazer xo=como xup=de caf=vuestro [..]
46. [..] bob=que [..] bux=se DA xuy=en yet=Inglaterra A yaz=la yak=gente
## Verso (f. 322v)
1. xup=de [..] bob=que ceb=va yud=fue [..] xaq=del bel=reyno Y yoo=ha [..] zok=nos zez=por bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] bob=que [..]
2. xix=el bep=su [..] xup=de xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..] zag=me [..] xuy=en boc=qual boy=tiempo bux=se PODRA [..]
3. [..] boy=tiempo [..] xez=esto boz=todo bux=se [..] bue=quanta yak=gente
4. [..] zok=nos [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] cef=vuestra yor=harto zal=navios [..] ziz=para xuy=en bob=que [..]
5. [..] yiz=los xor=dichos xik=dos zod=mil PEONES baq=si [..] ziz=para zer [..] xuy=en bob=que boy=tiempo [..] zer bob=que xuy=en
6. [..] bob=que [..] xe=con xox=ellos bob=que zok=nos [..] veo=bien [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se
7. [..] zud=mejor bob=que [..] xup=de boz=todo zok=nos xuy=en [..] yaz=la bost=respuesta yuy=lo
8. [..] bob=que [..] zez=por [..] ziz=para bob=que xez=esto boz=todo xup=de
9. zif=manera bob=que bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se [..] xup=de [..] yiz=los xox=ellos(?) xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..]
10. [..] xup=de zif=manera bob=que [..] xo=como [..]
11. [..] xup=de vub=agosto xup=de [..] (the same closing cipher line stands in Y and Z, apparently naming the August letter), then clear: «en madri[d]? a [..] de setiembre» (Y: «en Segovia a xx de agosto de diii»; Z: «en Segovia a tres de otubre de diii»), the royal rubric, and below it Estrada's endorsement «…dia de todos santos del suso dicho año en la casa de Dur[ham] … Martin Sanches de … Jorja» (Bergenroth no. 380: received at Durham House on All Saints' Day, ship George).Transcription
# Working transcript, copy Y (f. 323r-v, "Segovia a xx de agosto de Diii") Sign notation (ASCII): a/a4/ap/U# = A forms; r = B (tau); # ## +o = C; d (round) -o o- = D; h h- ho qk = E; m = F; k = G; 8 B = H; 3 3+ 3u 3p L = I; n np = L; p p+ = M; q qo q- = N; b(v-shaped) e = O; f ff f+ = P; 4 4u = Q; 7 =7 = R; 9 S- 2o phi = S; t t- to = T; d(tall) ### = U; x = Z; o o+ = Y. Codes in lower case with value. v-initial codes are written like b (bib = vib Aragon, bud = vud agora, bek = vek aquello). Code-final z is written like 3 (yiz, yaz, zez, ziz). | Y line | transcription (tentative) | reading | |---|---|---| | 1 | cog 9arhophi xix bof zok 7eqf3e yiz 93a4S- fa2 9ap o-b [8] yaz yui xuy | Ya sabeys [como] el rey de Francia nos ronpio los dias passados la guerra en | | 2 | zin baq n h xap ## U# d 9 a a4 n k d q ap ziz qk n n b S- o bob m h x 3 p b xe ho n? biz bue g | Napoles, sin le dar causa alguna para ellos; y que fezimos con el toda quanta | | 3 | L ### S- t 3 m 3+ + a4 +o 3u b q [qk? 8] xuy xix za ff e d 3 p+ b phi ziz h 9 +o d 9 a4 7 | justificacion [..] en el mundo podimos para escusar | | 4 | [n ap yui?] r ### 9 ## a q phi b boz phi yiz f+ h -o 3u b 9 bob 9 h- B b -o 3p a q | la guerra, buscando todos los medios que se podian | | 5 | x? e d 9 t a 7 ziz ho n n b o+ qo ### q ## ap yuy ff e b d 3 f b 9 [bue bue] ap qk m h x 3 p b S- | [.]estar? para ello, y nunca lo podimos [..]; [a?] fezimos | | 6 | o 7 h- 4u d qk 7 3 =7 xe yor S 3ag 9 3 d b 9 3u bep d h q b ap 3t a4 o xuy | y requerir con harto(?) ... su ... en | | 7 | zam ff h 7 3+ d a -o x zeo o vud zik xe t h q t a q o d? 9 qk vek yoo xuy x3 ap q | nuestro ... Narbona; y agora, no contentandose con aquello, ha enbiado | | 8 | boz bep zoy zez zub o+ zez bric U# yez yub 9 xup zam S-bel ? yaz zae zo9 U# yaz xup 7e9h###nbq | todo su poder por mar y por tierra a las fronteras de nuestros reynos, la mayor parte a la de Rosellon | | 9 | o+ U# yaz zop yub xup yud qbqk7a4r3ap ziz zok yoo x h o 7 biz yaz yui bob ff d d 3 ho 7 qk xuy xox ##bo | y a la otra frontera de Fuenterabia, para nos hazer toda la guerra que pudiere en ellos, [como?] | | 10 | zok yoo cog 7bqf3de yaz yui zez xix bel xup vib o zez yaz zey xup kd3fdx+o###ap ##bo | nos ha ya rompido la guerra por el reyno de Aragon y por la provincia de Guipuzcoa, [como?] |
Decryption
# Isabella to Estrada, Segovia 20 Aug 1503: reading (copy X, collated with Y and Z)
Copy X = PTR 53/69 images 1-2 (pencil f. 322r-v, dated "en madri[d]? … de setiembre"); Y = images 3-4 (f. 323r-v, "xx de
agosto", the letter Bergenroth calendared as S.E.T.c.I. L. 4 ff. 65-67); Z = images 7-8 ("Duplicada", 3 Oct).
The three carry one text under one key. Line numbers are X's (46 lines recto, 11 verso).
Notation: `code=value` from Galende's *Cifra general* (`targets/esp318/keys/cifra_general.txt`); UPPER CASE = a run of
single letter signs, read; `[..]` = a stretch not read (sign shapes not resolved at 988 px); `[?word]` = doubtful.
Clear text is in «…». Grades as in README Conventions are given in NOTES.md.
## Recto (f. 322r)
1. cog=Ya SABEYS [CO]MO xix=el bof=rey de Francia zok=nos RONPIO yiz=los DIAS PASSADOS yaz=la yui=guerra xuy=en zin=Napoles
2. baq=si[n] LE xap=dar CAUSA ALGUNA ziz=para ELLO; Y bob=que FEZIMOS xe=con EL biz=toda bue=quanta
3. JUSTIFICACION [..] xuy=en xix=el za=mundo PUDIMOS ziz=para ESCUSAR yaz=la yui=guerra,
4. BUSCANDO boz=todos yiz=los MEDIOS bob=que SE PODIAN [..] ziz=para ELLO;
5. Y NUNCA yuy=lo PUDIMOS [..] bue=quanta [..] FEZIMOS
6. Y [?REQUERIMIENTOS] xe=con yor=harto [..] [?SIENDO] [..] bep=su [..] Y xuy=en
7. zam=nuestro [..] zeo=Narbona; Y vud=agora zik=no xeb=cierta[mente] CONTENTANDOSE xe=con vek=aquello yoo=ha xuy=en[..]BIADO
8. TODO bep=su zoy=poder zez=por zub=mar Y zez=por TIERRA A yez=las yub=fronteras xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos, yaz=la zae=mayor zo9=parte A yaz=la xup=de ROSELLON
9. Y A yaz=la zop=otra yub=frontera xup=de [FUEN]TERRABIA ziz=para zok=nos HAZER biz=toda yaz=la yui=guerra bob=que PUDIERE xuy=en ELLOS, COMO
10. zok=nos yoo=ha cog=ya ROMPIDO yaz=la yui=guerra zez=por xix=el bel=reyno xup=de vib=Aragon Y zez=por yaz=la zey=provincia xup=de GUIPUZCOA, COMO
11. xex=en el bel=reyno xup=de yil=Galizia, xe=con xeb=cierta vac=armada xup=de zub=mar; vud=agora [..] SOBRE [..] xe=con bep=su vil=ayuda
12. xuy=en CADA [..] SE [..] yoo=ha [..]
13. [..] buy=tal RESISTENCIA bob=que xuy=en zom=ninguna xoq=dellas [..] yuy=lo bob=que [..]
14. xup=de biz=toda yaz=la FLOR xiq=de la yak=gente xup=de yib=Francia yoo=ha yi=fecho yaz=la zae=mayor vac=armada bob=que xix=el yoo=ha PODIDO Y yaz=la
15. TIENE [JUNTA] xuy=en LENGUADOQUE ziz=para ENTRAR xuy=en ROSELLON
16. Y ya=fazer xix=el DAÑO bob=que PUDIERE [..] xo=como vid=a lo menos bob=que bux=se JUNTAN [..] bel=reyno Y A bob=que
17. [..] zik=no boz=todo [..] bep=su SOBERBIA bux=se [..] bob=que xit=entre xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos ziz=para zok=nos ya=fazer yaz=la
18. yui=guerra xuy=en xox=ellos xe=con boz=todo ziz=para xix=el [..] xuq=dellos xup=de zec=mas xiq=de la yak=gente bob=que [..] xuy=en yaz=la [..]
19. A xup=de vik=aquella yub=frontera xup=de [..] yoo=ha [..] yaz=la yak=gente bob=que
20. xe=con [..] xup=de zem=nuestra [..]
21. GRANDES xup=de zam=nuestros bel=reynos [..] ceh=yr xuy=en [..] xe=con ALGUNA yak=gente
22. xup=de bep=su [..] zes=desde(?) bob=que bux=se [..] xix=el NUMERO xup=de [..]
23. [..] bob=que xe=con [..] ziz=para xez=esto zek=merced ceb=va [..] xup=de xaf=cavallo [..] xup=de [..]
24. [..] xup=de yaz=la yub=frontera xup=de zao=Navarra ziz=para bob=que bek=aquello bob=que [..] zer ziz=para boe=quanto bed=quales [..] bob=que
25. PUESTO [..] bue=quanta yui=guerra bob=que [..] bic=quiera xuy=en boc=qual QUIERE [..] xik=dos [..]
26. bid=quier bob=que bux=se [..] zem=nuestra yak=gente zo9=parte [..] zez=por ALGUNO [..] bob=que [..]
27. [..] xiq=de la [..] yiz=los yob=franceses, Y xix=el [..] xiy=es [..]
28. [..] boz=todo xup=de [..] xo=como xiy=es bil=razon, zik=no [..] baq=si yaf=fasta que [..]
29. [..] boy=tiempo xo=como bux=se [..] bob=que [..] boy=tiempo [..]
30. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestro bix=servicio(?) bob=que xix=el [..] xo=como baq=si [..] yoo=ha [..]
31. boz=todo yuy=lo bep=su[yo] xox=ellos bux=se [..] beq=solamente ziz=para caf=vuestro [..] bob=que [..] xix=el bag=rey de Inglaterra zam=nuestro
32. HERMANO xiy=es zuo=obligado zez=por cof=virtud xeq=de lo [..] xit=entre zok=nos Y xix=el, xup=de zok=nos vil=ayudar ziz=para [DEFENDER] zam=nuestro
33. [..] ziz=para yaz=la DEFENSA [..] zez=por bob=que zik=no [..] bob=que zik=no [..]
34. [..] xix=el [..] zez=por zop=otra [..] baq=si [..] zez=por vel=amor [..] xaq=del [..]
35. zik=no xap=dar [..] xup=de NINGUNO [..] ziz=para yuy=lo xaq=del [..]
36. [..] bob=que ziz=para xiz=esta [..] baq=si yoo=ha xup=de zag=me [..] bob=que yaz=la yak=gente
37. xup=de cef=vuestra [..] ALGUNA [..] zik=no bud=queremos AFRONTAR [..] vec=armas [..] bob=que bux=se DE[CLARE]
38. [..] zez=por zok=nos yoo=ha [..] baq=si yiz=los yob=franceses ENTRA[N] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos; vud=agora beq=solamente
39. bud=queremos bob=que [..] zez=por yaz=la [..] ziz=para bob=que zok=nos [..] xup=de [..]
40. [..] xuy=en xa=caso bob=que [..] bor=sobre [..] ziz=para xuy=en xaz=este xat=embaxador [..]
41. xup=de bux=se [..] baq=si [..] bob=que zuz=plazer baq=si [..] xuy=en cif=vos zez=por xix=el [..] bob=que yuy=lo yoo=ha
42. [..] xup=de beo=rogamos bob=que xiy=es yuy=lo bob=que yoo=ha [..] xix=el xox=ellos baq=si xuy=en xa=caso bob=que yiz=los yob=franceses xuy=en [..]
43. [..] xuy=en zam=nuestros bel=reynos, baq=si zok=nos vil=ayudara xup=de vap=buena [..] zik=no xup=de bob=que zif=manera
44. zok=nos vil=ayudara [..] QUANTO [..] xeq=de lo [..]
45. [..] xup=de bob=que zif=manera [..] bob=que xup=de xem=deve ya=fazer xo=como xup=de caf=vuestro [..]
46. [..] bob=que [..] bux=se DA xuy=en yet=Inglaterra A yaz=la yak=gente
## Verso (f. 322v)
1. xup=de [..] bob=que ceb=va yud=fue [..] xaq=del bel=reyno Y yoo=ha [..] zok=nos zez=por bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] bob=que [..]
2. xix=el bep=su [..] xup=de xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..] zag=me [..] xuy=en boc=qual boy=tiempo bux=se PODRA [..]
3. [..] boy=tiempo [..] xez=esto boz=todo bux=se [..] bue=quanta yak=gente
4. [..] zok=nos [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra [..] cef=vuestra yor=harto zal=navios [..] ziz=para xuy=en bob=que [..]
5. [..] yiz=los xor=dichos xik=dos zod=mil PEONES baq=si [..] ziz=para zer [..] xuy=en bob=que boy=tiempo [..] zer bob=que xuy=en
6. [..] bob=que [..] xe=con xox=ellos bob=que zok=nos [..] veo=bien [..] bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se
7. [..] zud=mejor bob=que [..] xup=de boz=todo zok=nos xuy=en [..] yaz=la bost=respuesta yuy=lo
8. [..] bob=que [..] zez=por [..] ziz=para bob=que xez=esto boz=todo xup=de
9. zif=manera bob=que bag=rey de Inglaterra bux=se [..] xup=de [..] yiz=los xox=ellos(?) xik=dos zod=mil PEONES [..]
10. [..] xup=de zif=manera bob=que [..] xo=como [..]
11. [..] xup=de vub=agosto xup=de [..] (the same closing cipher line stands in Y and Z, apparently naming the August letter), then clear: «en madri[d]? a [..] de setiembre» (Y: «en Segovia a xx de agosto de diii»; Z: «en Segovia a tres de otubre de diii»), the royal rubric, and below it Estrada's endorsement «…dia de todos santos del suso dicho año en la casa de Dur[ham] … Martin Sanches de … Jorja» (Bergenroth no. 380: received at Durham House on All Saints' Day, ship George).Reading
# Isabella to Estrada, Segovia 20 Aug 1503 (PTR 53/69, copy X): partial reading of recto ll. 12-13, 16-46 and verso The part of `../reading_X.md` that the reading audit found decoded, not read (copy X recto ll. 12-13, 16-46, verso ll. 1-10), converted on 23 Oct 2026 to a running text: each code group is given by its value in Galende's *Cifra general* (`targets/esp318/keys/cifra_general.txt`), the letter-sign runs as read, `[…]` for a stretch of signs not read at PARES's 988 px, `[?word]` doubtful. Nothing was added; the order is X's line order. Recto ll. 1-11 and 14-15, which read, are in `../reading_X.md`. ## Reading en cada […] se […] ha […] […] tal resistencia que en ninguna dellas […] lo que […] y fazer el daño que pudiere […] como a lo menos que se juntan […] reyno y a que […] no todo […] su soberbia se […] que entre en nuestros reynos para nos fazer la guerra en ellos con todo para el […] dellos de mas de la gente que […] en la […] a de aquella frontera de […] ha […] la gente que con […] de nuestra […] grandes de nuestros reynos […] yr en […] con alguna gente de su […] [?desde] que se […] el numero de […] […] que con […] para esto merced va […] de cavallo […] de […] […] de la frontera de Navarra para que aquello que […] zer para quanto quales […] que puesto […] quanta guerra que […] quiera en qual quiere […] dos […] quier que se […] nuestra gente parte […] por alguno […] que […] […] de la […] los franceses, y el […] es […] […] todo de […] como es razon, no […] si fasta que […] […] tiempo como se […] que […] tiempo […] […] en nuestro [?servicio] que el […] como si […] ha […] todo lo su[yo] ellos se […] solamente para vuestro […] que […] el rey de Inglaterra nuestro hermano es obligado por virtud de lo […] entre nos y el, de nos ayudar para defender nuestro […] para la defensa […] por que no […] que no […] […] el […] por otra […] si […] por amor […] del […] no dar […] de ninguno […] para lo del […] […] que para esta […] si ha de me […] que la gente de vuestra […] alguna […] no queremos afrontar […] armas […] que se declare […] por nos ha […] si los franceses entran en nuestros reynos; agora solamente queremos que […] por la […] para que nos […] de […] […] en caso que […] sobre […] para en este embaxador […] de se […] si […] que plazer si […] en vos por el […] que lo ha […] de rogamos que es lo que ha […] el ellos si en caso que los franceses en […] […] en nuestros reynos, si nos ayudara de buena […] no de que manera nos ayudara […] quanto […] de lo […] […] de que manera […] que de deve fazer como de vuestro […] […] que […] se da en Inglaterra a la gente de […] que va fue […] del reyno y ha […] nos por rey de Inglaterra […] que […] el su […] de dos mil peones […] me […] en qual tiempo se podra […] […] tiempo […] esto todo se […] quanta gente […] nos […] rey de Inglaterra […] vuestra harto navios […] para en que […] […] los dichos dos mil peones si […] para zer […] en que tiempo […] zer que en […] que […] con ellos que nos […] bien […] rey de Inglaterra se […] mejor que […] de todo nos en […] la respuesta lo […] que […] por […] para que esto todo de manera que rey de Inglaterra se […] de […] los [?ellos] dos mil peones […] […] de manera que […] como […]
05 Sources
- Archivo General de Simancas, Patronato Real leg. 53 docs. 66–72, via PARES (doc. 69, doc. 72).
- G. A. Bergenroth, Calendar of State Papers, Spain i (1862), no. 369 and p. xii (British History Online).
- J. C. Galende Díaz, “La escritura cifrada durante el reinado de los Reyes Católicos y Carlos V”, Cuadernos de Estudios Medievales y Ciencias y Técnicas Historiográficas XVIII–XIX (1994), pp. 159–178, app. doc. 1.
- S. Tomokiyo, Spanish ciphers during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, Cryptiana (Estrada’s ciphers).
- The key as used: BnF Espagnol 318,
targets/esp318/keys/cifra_general.txt.
Notes, profile and reading: targets/estrada1503/ in the repository.