HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 393 



tended. And that all mandates and grants were 

 expedited in the name of Joan his daughter, and 

 himself as administrator, without mention of Philip 

 her husband. And that King Ferdinando, how 

 soever he did dismiss himself of the name of King of 

 Castile, yet meant to hold the kingdom without 

 account, and in absolute command. 



It appeareth also, that he flattered himself with 

 hopes, that King Philip would permit unto him the 

 government of Castile during his life ; which he had 

 laid his plot to work him unto, both by some coun 

 sellors of his about him, which Ferdinando had at 

 his devotion, and chiefly by promise, that in case 

 Philip gave not way unto it, he would marry some 

 young lady, whereby to put him by the succession 

 of Arragon and Granada, in case he should have a 

 son ; and lastly, by representing unto him that the 

 government of the Burgundians, till Philip were by 

 continuance in Spain made as natural of Spain, 

 would not be endured by the Spaniards. But in all 

 those things, though wisely laid down and consi 

 dered, Ferdinando failed ; but that Pluto was better 

 to him than Pallas. 



In the same report also, the ambassadors being 

 mean men, and therefore the more free, did strike 

 upon a string which was somewhat dangerous ; for 

 they declared plainly, that the people of Spain, both 

 nobles and commons, were better affected unto the 

 part of Philip, so he brought his wife with him, than 

 to Ferdinando; and expressed the reason to be, 



