Venice: November 1524 | British History Online

Pages 389-393

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1869.

Citation:

November 1524



Nov. 2. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvii. pp. 89, 90.	891. Martin Luther.
	“Report” made to Paulo Nani, bailiff of Verona, by a trustworthy person who had been in Germany.
	Was told' by a person who came from the fair of Igna (sic) that the entire population there was exasperated against the Archduke Ferdinand about the affairs of Martin Luther, because he, the Archduke, had caused one of the chief personages there who held to the Lutheran sect to be beheaded, and imprisoned certain others; issuing a decree, moreover, throughout the country that no one do adopt Luther's creed under pain of being sacked (sachigiati). Therefore the whole country was in an uproar, complaining of this, and saying that they chose to follow what creed they pleased.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 6. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 302, St. Mark's Library.	892. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	On the 23rd of October the Chancellor departed from Valladolid for Tordesillas accompanied by the ambassadors of England, Poland, and Florence.
	The Englishman [Sampson] had to communicate a letter from his King, dated the 28th of September, relating to the passage of his troops across the Channel for the invasion of France.
	The affairs of these ambassadors took the Chancellor to Tordesillas, but he also went to hold a cabinet council as to the course to be pursued in consequence of the retreat of the Imperial army from Marseilles into Italy.
	The Chancellor remained at Tordesillas 13 days, and had but three brief interviews with the Emperor, who from listlessness caused by his malady, which is most irksome, avoids all business, especially such as is unpleasant. The Chancellor returned yesterday. Whilst he was at Tordesillas news arrived there of the march of the King of France with his army towards Italy. The whole Court is to arrive at Madrid on the 21st.
	Business of every description is much impeded by the Emperor's quartan ague, which however diminishes daily.
	Valladolid, 6th November 1524.
	[Italian, 4 pages.]
Nov. 6. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 303, St. Mark's Library.	893. The Same to the Council of Ten.
	After the Chancellor's departure from Valladolid, it came to my knowledge that the chief provision suggested by him was that the Emperor should give the investiture to the Duke of Milan for the sake of encouraging the population of Lombardy against the French, and to satisfy the other Italian powers.
	Before quitting Valladolid for Tordesillas the Chancellor addressed a memorandum to this effect to the Emperor and the Council, and received an answer, purporting that all his fellow ministers approved it. He therefore departed with the certain hope of carrying his point, especially because some days previously Don Juan Manuel took leave of the Emperor, resigning his post of privy councillor on the plea of advanced years, so that he was compelled to take rest and renounce business; but in my opinion he resigned because he found he had less authority than he considered his due.
	When the Chancellor arrived in person at Tordesillas and discussed this measure at the council board, all the ministers were unanimous, so it was reported that the deed of investiture had been drawn and that the document would be transmitted by this present courier. I hear that the Chancellor's grandson, Mons. de Traponis, purposes conveying it to the Duke of Milan himself.
	Being acquainted with these facts, and knowing that Don Juan Manuel was absent, I determined to return to Tordesillas and give the Milanese secretary to understand that, in accordance with the injunctions of the State, I had a hand in the business.
	I had intended to set out tomorrow, the 7th, but yesterday, the 5th, the Chancellor unexpectedly returned. In the course of conversation with him, in order to learn how the affair stood, and to be able to tell the Milanese secretary that I had broached the topic, I said, “I have heard that the Emperor proposes to give investiture to the Duke of Milan, a measure which would encourage the population of Lombardy, and render the rest of Italy grateful.”
	The Chancellor answered, making rather a wry mouth, “Nothing came of it.” (fn. 1) He said nothing more; so I infer there is difficulty in conceding this investiture.
	Valladolid, 6th November 1524.
	[Italian, 1 page.]
Nov. 18. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 305, St. Mark's Library.	894. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	Was told today by the Chancellor that the Emperor was at a palace called the Pardo, a place convenient for the chase, distant two leagues from Madrid. No mention whatever is made of the quartan ague, a proof that it continues as usual.
	Tomorrow will commence his journey to Madrid with the Chancellor.
	Valladolid, 18th November 1524.
	[Italian, 1 page.]
Nov. 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvii. p. 180.	895. Antonio Surian, Podestà of Brescia, to the Signory.
	His very great friend, Dom. Richard Pace, the English ambassador, has arrived at Brescia from Mantua, and is lodged in his palace.
	Brescia, 23rd November. Registered by Sanuto on the 25th.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvii. p. 182.	896. The Same to the Same.
	The English ambassador, Pace, is still lodged in the palace.
	In the past night his (Surian's) wife gave birth to a son; will have him christened by the Signory's Captain-General the Duke of Urbino, and by the English ambassador Pace, and no others.
	Dated 23rd November, at the 13½ hour. Registered by Sanuto on the 26th.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvii. p. 183.	897. Report concerning Richard Pace, the English Ambassador, communicated to the Signory by Antonio Surian.
	The Rev. ambassador Pace, who has lodged in my house during the last two days, departed this morning at daybreak, and rode to Logrado (sic), where he dined with the Duke of Bourbon, and having now returned, tells me as follows:
	That the Duke of Bourbon, having returned from Soncino, says that the Viceroy told him he should not come to Brescia either today or tomorrow.
	The reason why the Duke chose to confer with Pace was, that having understood that Pace was to return forthwith to England, he wished him to inform his King of the state of the Imperial affairs in the Milanese, thus, that within five or seven days the Imperialists would take the field with 10,000 lansquenets, 6,500 Spanish infantry returned from the expedition in Provence, 5,000 Italian infantry, 1,200 spears, and 1,500 light horse, which they have between the Ghiara d'Adda, Lodi, and Cremona.
	His firm hope is that the Signory's troops will quickly take the field and join his command.
	To this effect they have sent to Venice, and are daily expecting a favorable reply from the State, being confirmed in their hope because the Signory has constantly given them their word and firm promises that they will not fail.
	Whether the Signory come forward or not, the Imperialists will take the field with from 20,000 to 22,000 infantry, 1,200 spears, and 1,500 light horse, and will march to Pavia to raise the siege, risking their lives for the defence of the Duke of Milan and the honour of the Emperor. They will also send some troops towards Marignano to threaten Milan and create a stir there.
	The 4,000 lansquenets demanded by Bourbon heretofore, who have been with the Emperor during the last two years, are now being sent by him for the expedition against Provence, and Bourbon has ordered them to land in Languedoc, to harass those borders and do as much mischief as possible.
	Bourbon likewise said that they would not fail to attack France in some other quarter, without however explaining himself, and appearing indeed to have as yet no proof of the fact.
	Whether the French undertake the Neapolitan expedition or not, the Viceroy will by no means decamp or renounce his present enterprise, for if he is able to liberate the Milanese, the invaders of Naples, whether they succeed or not, will of necessity fare badly; and on the other hand, the loss of the Milanese [by the Imperialists ?] would entail that of Naples.
	Concerning the advices about the Pope and his alliance with France, the report is general, but the Imperialists do not believe it.
	It is true the Duke of Albany has passed the Po with the troops, accompanied by Giovanni de' Medici, who has become French, but not (they believe) by the will of the Pope.
	With regard to the reported articles of this agreement, such as the marriage between the King's daughter and the son of the Magnifico Lorenzino, the whole proceeds from the Datary [Matteo Giberti, Bishop of Verona], who wishes it, but it has not been concluded.
	When the French crossed the Po Cardinal Salviati wrote apologetic letters to the Duke of Milan and the Imperialists, assuring them that this march did not proceed from ill will on the part of the Pope, as they would soon be convinced, and that they were therefore not to take the thing amiss; so the Emperor's commanders-in-chief believe the Pope to be still neutral.
	The Imperialists immediately sent the Abbot of Nagera back to Rome to ascertain the Pope's intention in this matter, and to learn thoroughly whether he is French or not.
	Pace is to go to Inspruck to the Archduke Ferdinand, and confidently hopes that he will make an ample demonstration by aiding the Imperialists with a good supply of troops. Pace says they will have no lack of money, as their friends will write to them to raise as many troops as possible, hinting but not affirming that they will be supplied with money by his English King. I do not know whether this is credible.
	Pace assured me that on arriving in England, whither he is riding post, he will not cease urging his King to make a powerful demonstration by invading France, at the latest in the spring, and taking the command in person. He added bushels of bravadoes (sachi de grande bravarie).
	He (Pace) says that the Duke of Bourbon has requested him to acquaint the King of England with all this discourse, and with this account of the Milanese affairs, beseeching his Majesty to ponder well how important it would be for him were the French to prosper in Lombardy, making themselves masters of the duchy of Milan and of the kingdom of Naples, and consequently of all Italy, as such would be the result; and how much it matters to England that France should not become so powerful; wherefore the King should not brook such injury, and provide against it betimes.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 29. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 306, St. Mark's Library.	898. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	Arrived at Madrid with the Chancellor on the 27th.
	On the 28th, the day of the Emperor's quartan ague, he chose to hunt at the Pardo. In the evening the Archbishop of Capua arrived unexpectedly; so late today the Emperor returned here.
	Madrid, 29th November 1524.
	[Italian, 2 pages.]