Letters. 1412. Letter XXXIII. [his mother] Catherine Daughter of John of Gaunt Queen of Castile and Leon (age 38), to her brother [his uncle] Henry IV (age 44).

Most high and powerful Don Henry, by God's grace king of England and France, lord of Ireland, my most dear and beloved, and with all my heart, and with my entire mind, most cherished brother and lord, I, undoubted Queen of Castile and Leon, mother of the king and his guardian, and Governor of his realms, send to recommend myself to your favour and benediction, and much to salute you as him, to whom I pray that God would give as much health and life with honour as you yourself desire.

Most dear and beloved brother and lord, I entreat that by all means, as continually as you can, you will certify and let me know of your health, and life, and good estate and of the Queen (age 42) your companion, my dearest and best-loved sister; and of the Prince of Wales (age 25), and the other princes your sons, my dearest and best-loved nephews; by which you will do me most singular pleasure and honour, and it will be a thing which will greatly please me, since it ia one of the most principal things of this world at which my heart is most joyous and consoled. And since, dearest and best-loved brother and lord, I know well that you will be pleased with the same thing, I certify and let you know, that, at the time when this letter was written, the said king my son (age 6), your dearest and best-loved nephew, and I, and the infantas [his sister] Donna Maria (age 10) and [his sister] Donna Catalina (age 9) my daughters, your dearest and best-loved nieces, are well, and in good disposition of our persons; praise to God, who thus grant us to continue, and by his same grace grant it to you at all times.

Moreover, dearest and best-loved brother and lord, we give you to know that, having seen your writing which you sent me by John de Samora, your messenger, and understood its contents, whereas I find there how you complain that the truce was past some days before a prolongation was fixed for another following year, according as he will make relation to you. About this, and, moreover, about the coming of your ambassadors, who should come to join themselves with those whom the king my son should send, to see and determine upon the damage and mischief which those who are injured have received of their own goods, f send to you the said John de Samora, who will speak of some things that he will have to say to you from me, and of others which have been already confirmed in my name, which he will tell you. Wherefore, dearest and best-beloved brother and lord, I request you that it would please you to give faith and credence to the things that he will say to you on my part in this matter. Dearest and best-loved brother and lord, may the Holy Trinity ever have you in his holy keeping! Written in the city of Valladolid, the 30th day of July. I THE Queen.