Note 606 — Chapter V · THE KINGDOMS OF ARAGON.
Reading edition
Relazioni Venete, Serie I, T. V, p. 85.
This is virtually the same as the formula given by Antonio Pérez in his Relaciones, written in 1598: “Nos que valemos tanto como vos os hazemos nuestro Rey y Señor con tal que nos guardeys nuestros fueros y libertades y sino No!” (Obras, Ed. 1654, p. 163). The learned Javier de Quinto (Discursos políticos, Madrid, 1848) had not seen Soranzo’s statement when he proved that this formula was invented by Hotman in his Franco Gallia, first printed in 1573. On the other hand there is nothing of the kind in the oath of allegiance taken to Charles V in 1518, though he was obliged first to swear to observe the fueros and privileges of the land.—Argensola, Añales de Aragon, Lib. 1, cap. lx.
A good account of the ancient constitution of Aragon will be found in Swift’s “Life and Times of James the First, King of Aragon,” London, 1894.