MA student Adrian William Jaime (St. George campus) has co-authored a new scholarly publication alongside Professor Mairi Cowan (Department of Historical Studies, UTM) and Valeria Tapia Cruz. This is the result of a research project Adrian first began as an undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (ROP) student.
The article, “Tudor England and Stewart Scotland Through Spanish Eyes: A Complete Transcription and Translation of Pedro de Ayala's Letter of 1498 to King Ferdinand of Castile and Queen Isabella of Aragon,” presents a full transcription and English translation of a key diplomatic document. Led by Jaime, the project offers new insights into late fifteenth-century diplomacy, monarchy, and cross-cultural exchange.
At the heart of the publication is a remarkable historical source. As Professor Cowan explains:
This letter provides a vibrant first-hand account of Scotland and England at the end of the fifteenth century. It is an important historical source for researchers and students interested in James IV, King of Scots; Henry VII, King of England; John Cabot's voyages to North America; even the boldness of Scottish women, whose headdresses are described as the most beautiful in the world.
For Jaime, one of the most compelling aspects of the project was the complexity of working with the original document:
What I found most exciting was the translation process itself. Working through a fifteenth-century Spanish diplomatic letter required grappling with obscure vocabulary, ambiguous phrasing, and encrypted passages that comprised nearly a third of the document. Small interpretive choices could significantly shape the text’s meaning. I was especially struck by how much important historical detail —ranging from marriage negotiations between monarchs to North American exploration— had been obscured in earlier translations. It was deeply rewarding to help produce a version that makes the source clearer and more accessible to future scholars.
The publication highlights the depth of research opportunities available to students and the long-term impact of faculty mentorship. What began as an undergraduate research project has evolved into a significant scholarly contribution, showcasing both Adrian’s sustained commitment and the collaborative environment fostered between the Department of History at St. George and the Department of Historical Studies at Mississauga.