The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part C.: From Henry VII. to Mary
David Hume · en
Dorset began to suspect that the interests of his master were very
little regarded in all these transactions; and having no orders to
invade the kingdom of Navarre, or make war any where but in France, he
refused to take any part in the enterprise. He remained therefore in his
quarters at Fontarabia; but so subtle was the contrivance of Ferdinand,
that even while the English army lay in that situation, it was almost
equally serviceable to his purpose, as if it had acted in conjunction
with his own. It kept the French army in awe, and prevented it from
advancing to succor the kingdom of Navarre; so that Alva, having full
leisure to conduct the siege, made himself master of Pampeluna, and
obliged John to seek for shelter in France. The Spanish general applied
again to Dorset, and proposed to conduct with united counsels the
operations of the “holy league,” (so it was called,) against Lewis: but
as he still declined forming the siege of Bayonne, and rather insisted
on the invasion of the principality of Bearne, a part of the king of
Navarre’s dominions which lies on the French side of the Pyrenees,
Dorset, justly suspicious of his sinister intentions, represented that,
without new orders from his master, he could not concur in such an
undertaking. In order to procure these orders, Ferdinand despatched
Martin de Ampios to London; and persuaded Henry that, by the refractory
and scrupulous humor of the English general, the most favorable
opportunities were lost; and that it was necessary he should on all
occasions act in concert with the Spanish commander, who was best
acquainted with the situation of the country, and the reasons of every
operation. But before orders to this purpose reached Spain, Dorset had
become extremely impatient; and observing that his further stay served
not to promote the main undertaking, and that his army was daily
perishing by want and sickness, he demanded shipping from Ferdinand to
transport them back into England. Ferdinand, who was bound by treaty
to furnish him with this supply whenever demanded, was at length, after
many delays, obliged to yield to his importunity; and Dorset, embarking
his troops, prepared himself for the voyage. Meanwhile the messenger
arrived with orders from Henry, that the troops should remain in Spain;
but the soldiers were so discontented with the treatment which they had
met with, that they mutinied, and obliged their commanders to set sail
for England. Henry was much displeased with the ill success of this
enterprise; and it was with difficulty that Dorset, by explaining the
fraudulent conduct of Ferdinand, was at last able to appease him.