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| June 6. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 174. |
1038. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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King Henry was going on board the Venetian galleys in three or four days. Would go there likewise to meet his Majesty. A report had prevailed for some time of the pregnancy of the Queen. Had been assured of it by a trustworthy person, who heard it from the King's own mouth. It was an event most earnestly desired by the whole kingdom. |
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The Spanish ambassador extraordinary had been despatched by the King and Cardinal to Flanders, where he would remain until the arrival of the Infant (Don Ferdinand), who was expected hourly. |
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Had held a conversation with the reverend Spanish ambassador resident (the Bishop of Elna) respecting the arrangement of a general confederacy of the Christian powers. The Spaniard said Venice was closely allied with France; on the other hand the Emperor was bound by ties of blood and confederacy both to Spain and England, who are pledged to take up arms for the Empire; was therefore very desirous that the Signory should not hesitate to disburse money for this general union, as, if she omitted to do so, all the other powers would believe her to be intent not on peace but on war. |
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Had learned with regret that the despatch of his successor had been delayed. |
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Lambeth, 6th June 1518. |
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[Italian, 2¾ pages, or 63 lines.] |
| June 7. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 175. |
1039. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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A courier was come from Rome to Cardinal Wolsey, who, according to report, had been appointed legate a latere, a grade which he very much desired. It was said that he had made a very handsome present to the messenger. |
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Was about to leave for Hampton to meet the King. |
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Lambeth, 7th June 1518. |
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[Italian, ¾ page, or 16 lines.] |
| June 8. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 198. |
1040. Marco Minio to the Signory. |
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Cardinal Medici had stated that the most Christian King would obtain a levy of Switzers, but they said they were expecting envoys from the Emperor and from the Catholic King. Rejoined, they ought rather to say, “From the King of England.” The Cardinal replied, “The Catholic King likewise would give them a certain sum of money. It is possible they circulate these reports to obtain better terms from the most Christian King, for one of their chiefs told me that they are often compelled to act thus; though it is very credible that the Emperor and the King of England will make every effort to detach them from friendship with France.” |
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Rome, 8th June 1515. |
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[Extract, Italian.] |
| June 16. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 176. |
1041. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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Had been at Hampton, where he arrived on the 9th. Next day went out of the town with the captain and the masters of the galleys to meet the King. The captain on horseback delivered a brief Latin speech, well suited to the time and place. The reply, by the King's order, was made by a counsellor, one of the finest scholars in the court. They all accompanied the King to his dwelling, and then took leave. |
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On the 11th the Lord Admiral (Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey,) acquainted them with the King's desire that the crew of the flag-galley might not be on board during his visit, as it had been reported that the galleys were infected with plague; moreover, that all the powder should be disembarked, and that no cannon should be fired during his stay on board. This request was complied with. |
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After dinner the King and the whole court went on board the flag-galley, which had been royally prepared, with a spacious platform decorated with every sort of tapestry and silk. On either side of the platform were four rows of tables, served with all kinds of confectionery, for there were upwards of 300 persons present. The King passed down the centre, and when he got upon the poop, a variety of dishes, containing sponge cakes and other confections, were produced, and, after they had been tasted by the King, distributed amongst the barons, lords, and other great personages. The rest of the company were placed at the table, which they cleared of the confections; and the glass vessels which had held the wine were also distributed amongst them. The King several times praised the arrangements. |
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Then the officials of the galleys performed feats on slack ropes suspended from the mast, to the great wonder of spectators unaccustomed to witness such feats. After this the King departed. Next day he chose to have all the guns fired again and again, marking their range, as he is very curious about such matters. He praised everything. In the evening fireworks were let off. |
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On Saturday, after dinner, the King departed from Hampton, and went to the palace of the Bishop of Winchester. Before his departure he asked him (Giustinian) for Turkish news. He also enquired what was the state of the negotiations between the Emperor and Venice. Recommended to the King the interests of the Venetian merchants, because many scandalous reports had been circulated by malignant persons. |
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Lambeth, 16th June 1518. |
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[Italian, 3¾ pages, or 82 lines.] |
| June 21. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 177. |
1042. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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Had that day obtained audience of the Cardinal, who had been absent a long while. Congratulated him on his new dignity of legate, and communicated to him the newsletters from the Levant contained in the Signory's letters of the 20th April. The Cardinal seemed to hold the legation in small account, because (as the King had stated at Hampton) it was only to last during the stay in England of the Legate Campeggio, who had arrived at Calais, and was expected daily. The Cardinal expressed his satisfaction that Sultan Selim was occupied with the Sophy, as he could not therefore meddle with Christendom either this year or the next. |
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The Cardinal then complained, first, that only one galley had landed her cargo at Hampton, instead of two, as was expected; the other two having gone over to Flanders. Secondly, that in former years the galleys used to come so richly freighted that a small addition to the value of their imports sufficed to defray the cost of their exports; but this time they were so poor, that the whole of the imports would not equal the value of one sixth part of the homeward cargo, which must consequently be paid for with the funds of other persons than Venetian merchants. He therefore intended to forbid the Venetian merchants to ship merchandise of a greater value than their own effects. |
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Replied to the first complaint that the old custom was observed of unloading one galley at Hampton, the others proceeding to Flanders according to a very ancient agreement between that country and Venice. To the second, that the galleys were not so poorly freighted as it was slanderously reported; that remittances were being constantly made from Venice to England; and that sundry merchants, not accustomed to frequent this mart, had already come by land. Added that if the outward cargoes were less valuable than of yore, the reason was twofold. First because the spices were not saleable in England at the same price as formerly, owing to the competition with Portugal; and secondly, that nine years had elapsed since the galleys had last visited England, and the merchants were afraid to venture. |
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The Cardinal, however, again expressed his determination to see how the outward cargo of the galleys was made up. He had promised most positively to take him (Giustinian) before the Council, and obtain audience there for his arguments respecting the wine duties. The Cardinal said he wished the captain and masters of the galleys to allow him to purchase some choice carpets and other articles. Believed he could not be accommodated; whereas, if he had received twelve or fifteen small handsome carpets, he would have been extremely satisfied. |
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A French secretary and a herald had arrived, on account of the claims for damages made by the French and English, and because of certain fugitives from Scotland suspected of rebellion, who, according to the conditions existing between King Henry and that country, were not at liberty to remain in England. |
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Arrival in Flanders of the Infant Don Ferdinand. |
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Lambeth, 21st June 1518. |
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P.S.—Detained until the 24th. |
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One of the grievances which greatly harassed the Venetian merchants, has been redressed by Cardinal Wolsey—ad vota: alia pendent adhuc, and I also pendeo inter spem et metum.
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[Italian, 5 pages, or 123 lines.] |
