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As a matter of fact, Escovedo had asked for the command of Mogro, the fortress commanding Santander, in the spring of 1577, and Perez told Philip that the place should be strengthened, for the protection of the harbour, but not entrusted to Escovedo. Don John's loyalty could never have contemplated the use of the place as a keep to be held in an attack on his King.
Another matter on which he pressed me then was that I should obtain for himself the governorship of the Castle of Mogro, which commands the port of Santander, an ambition this which intrigued me deeply, for I confess I could not fathom what it had to do with all the rest. And then something else happened.
He opened out the vista of his dreams, that having blackmailed me on the one hand, he might now bribe me on the other. Once England was theirs, he aimed at no less than a descent upon Spain itself. That was why he wanted Mogro to facilitate a landing at Santander.
He was eager, joyous, believing all accomplished, such was his faith in my influence with Philip. "And now, Mogro for me, and England for Don John. About it with dispatch." "The King is in retreat. We must wait some days." "Till Easter, then." And he held out his hand. I took it limply, thus clenching the bargain of infamy between us. What else was there for me.
Oppose me, betray me for I am going to be very frank and the King shall hear things from me that will mean your ruin and hers. You understand?" Then came his demands. First of all the command of the fortress of Mogro for himself. I must obtain him that at once.
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