Recently I had an opportunity to examine closely a 16C letter from Charles V to his governor in Milan (and sometime ambassador to Henry VIII in London). The document had been in the collection for some time, and was simply listed as a signature of Emperor Charles V.
On examination, it was clear that the document was a letter from Charles V, and indeed concluded with his signature.
I asked ChatGPT to analyse this handwritten letter, to see if this was within its capacity.
It completed the task in a matter of seconds. Full text follows.
Transcription
(Original Spanish, with abbreviations expanded. Note: some orthography is early modern, spellings vary from modern Spanish)
Carolus divina favente clementia Romanorum Imperator Augustus
Ille príncipe, delibro consejo, Gouernador del estado de Milán, y su cap. general.
Por parte de Nicolao de Monmiliano nos ha sido hecha relación, que ha dos años poco más o menos se hallaron sobre el río un puerto el qual Estanislao Giustiniano milanés parapensando ser cosa suya tomó e ocupó con fuerza, en lo qual ha cometido demasía y violencia. Y el dicho Juan Canario en nombre del dicho Nicolao ha hombre venido en esta nuestra corte, pidiéndonos le sea fecho sobre esto provisión y remedio conveniente. Y porque queremos que la justicia en todas partes sea administrada, es nuestra merced y voluntad que vos informéis de la verdad de lo susodicho y de lo que en ello resultare, y que llamando a las partes oydas, os parezca ser de justicia y derecho, proveyáis, guardando en ello forma y estilo de justicia, y para que de todo lo que en ello proveyéredes se pueda tener entera fe y crédito mandamos que sea signado de vuestra mano y refrendado de escribano público.
De Asti, a 6 de agosto de 1521.
(Signed) Carolus / Vargas
Translation
Charles, by divine favor Emperor of the Romans, Augustus
To the Prince, our trusted councilor, Governor of the State of Milan, and its captain general.
On behalf of Nicolao de Monmiliano, it has been reported to us that about two years ago, more or less, on the river a port was found which Estanislao Giustiniano of Milan, supposing it to be his own, seized and occupied by force, thereby committing excess and violence. And the said Juan Canario, in the name of the said Nicolao, has come to this our court, petitioning that suitable provision and remedy be made in this matter.
And because we desire that justice be administered everywhere, it is our will and pleasure that you inform yourself of the truth of the above, and of what results from it, and that—having summoned the parties and heard them—you provide such remedy as shall appear to you to be according to justice and right, observing therein the form and style of justice. And in order that full faith and credit may be given to whatever you shall determine in the matter, we order that it be signed with your hand and countersigned by a public notary.
From Asti, the 6th of August, 1521.
(Signed) Charles / Vargas
Analysis
This is a royal decree issued by Emperor Charles V in 1521, from Asti, Italy, delegating to the governor of Milan the responsibility to investigate and adjudicate a dispute over a seized river port, ensuring due legal process.
