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| April 12. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 168. |
1022. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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Had paid several visits to Cardinal Wolsey. On the 11th he asked for Turkish news. The Cardinal then showed him a commission empowering Bishop de' Gigli to make truces, peace, and league with all the Christian powers, with a view to an expedition against the Turk; and nominating the Pope as arbiter of all disputes. The Cardinal enquired whether Venice wished for peace or war with the Emperor. Replied, according to information received from the reverend Spanish ambassador, that he believed the Signory was negotiating with the Emperor. The Cardinal said that the King of France was the greatest obstacle to this reconciliation, and that he had corrupted the Emperor's counsellors, and cajoled the Emperor himself both with money and promises. He added that, if the Signory chose, the King of England and himself would mediate to effect this peace. |
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Did not accept this offer, because the negotiation was in the hands of the French King, and because the intelligence was incredible, although the Cardinal stated that he had received it through a personage who enjoyed no less authority than himself,—probably the Cardinal of Sion. Alluded to the French King's evident friendship towards the Signory. Cardinal Wolsey rejoined, “Don't be surprised, for you have often been deceived by the King of France/' Remarked, “Alius fuit Ludovicus, alius Franciscus.” The Cardinal replied, “Omnes sunt Galli.” |
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Again requested the repeal of the wine duties. The Cardinal promised a fortnight thence, when the members of the Parliament would assemble, to introduce him (Giustinian) into the Parliament, to hear what he had to say on the subject, and to arrange the matter according to justice and their opinion. |
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London, 12th April 1518. |
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[Italian, 4 pages, or 86 lines.] |
| April 13. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 184. |
1023. Marco Minio to the Signory. |
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Session of the consistory on the preceding day, when the three Cardinals appointed as legates to France, Spain, and England set out. |
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In the same consistory the Pope pronounced a decree against Cardinal Adrian; and when several Cardinals informed his Holiness, that Cardinal Adrian was willing to obey him, and to go and reside in the Colonna towns, or in Germany, or at Carpi, the Pope caused a letter to be read from the King of England, urging him to deprive (privar) Cardinal Adrian according to the promise given to his Majesty. The affairs of Cardinal Adrian were in a bad way. |
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Rome, 13th April 1518. |
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[Extract, Italian.] |
| April 20. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 169. |
1024. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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Had been unable to communicate to Cardinal Wolsey the newsletters which accompanied the Signory's despatches of the 3rd March. The reverend Spanish ambassador (the Bishop of Elna) had spoken to the Venetian secretary of the goodwill which the Catholic King bore to the Signory, and of his desire to reconcile Venice to the Emperor. He added, “Would that your confederates did the same, as then all dispute would be at an end.” This was meant to be an imputation upon King Francis. The Spaniard had doubtless been instigated to speak thus by the Cardinal. Would acquaint the Cardinal with the fact that the Imperial ambassador had already reached the French King for the purpose of making this arrangement. The Cardinal's news was probably derived from the Cardinal of Sion, in whose name the report was circulated by one Dom. Matheo Becharia, an outlaw, a native of Pavia, who resided with the Emperor, and had lately arrived in England. |
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In June the King and Cardinal Wolsey were going to the confines of the kingdom, some said for change of air, whilst others asserted that the Cardinal wished to visit his diocese of York, which was on the Borders, whither he durst not go “sine magno præsidio.” Believed he was going for the affairs of Scotland. It was reported that he would remain in those parts until October or November. |
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Everybody was in great expectation of the arrival of the galleys, owing to the recent fine weather. The King said that immediately on their arrival he should go on board them, as he was at no great distance from Hampton. |
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Bequests the immediate despatch of his successor, in order that he may take leave of the King before his departure for the Borders. |
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London, 20th April 1518. |
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[Italian, 2½ pages, or 51 lines.] |
| April 20. Lettere del Collegio (Seereta). File no. 6. |
1025. The Doge and College to Sebastian Giustinian. |
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Arrival on the preceding day of his letter of the 29th March. Were glad to learn the intention of Cardinal Wolsey to unite his sovereign with the most Christian King. Commend his (Giustinian's) policy, it being the intention of the State that he should always conciliate the two crowns to the utmost, but not interfere too eagerly. For the future to act with his usual prudence and moderation and temper, so that neither the King of England nor the Cardinal may have reason to complain, nor yet the King of France suppose that he failed to employ his good offices for France, according to the intention of the State. |
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The Venetian ambassador in Spain had been told by the French ambassador that he had asked the King of Spain's views, as the King of France intended to recover Tournai and Calais. Could with difficulty believe this intelligence, and desire him to keep it very secret. |
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[Italian.] |
| April 29. Minio's Oiginal Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 187. |
1026. Marco Minio to the Signory. |
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The Pope was about to examine the followers of Cardinal Adrian, as to what garb Cardinal Adrian wore when he quitted Rome, and who was in his company; and also the Roman courtiers
who were lately at Venice, as to what they had heard there about Cardinal Adrian. Cardinal Adrian's affairs seemed to proceed adversely, although the Pope had stated he was acting unwillingly against the Cardinal, but had been urged to do so by the King of England, to whom he had written that if Adrian did not return to his allegiance, he would deprive him of his church preferment, but that if he would return to Rome forthwith, he should have the guarantee both of the Emperor and of the King of France for his safety. Had intimated this to the followers of Cardinal Adrian, that they might act accordingly. |
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Rome, 29th April 1518. |
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[Extract, Italian.] |
