Venice: May 1528 | British History Online

Pages 136-140

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

Citation:

May 1528



May 2. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 5.	275. Audience in the College Hall.
	The Ferrarese ambassador exhibited letters from his colleague at Orvieto, addressed to the Duke of Ferrara, informing him that the Pope was departing for Viterbo, (fn. 1) and that he was apprehensive of the coming of the Lansquenets. The Signory's ambassador [Gasparo Contarini] was anxiously expected, and friar Nicolò [Schomberg], Bishop of Capua, who came from Gaeta, and has had private conferences with the Pope. The English ambassador [Sir Gregory Casal] did not approve of his coming. (fn. 2)
	[Italian.]
May 6. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvi. p. 270.	276. Note by Sanuto.
	The ambassador Giustinian having said that the most Christian King should attend to the affairs of Italy, the Lord Chancellor replied, “The Duke of Guelders has made an attack and killed 2,000 Spaniards; should the King of England choose to attack, we also must do the like here.”
	[Italian.]
May 9. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 292.	277. Audience in the College Hall.
	The English ambassador [Prothonotary Casal] came, and the letters were read to him announcing the defeat of the Imperial armada between Majorca and Minorca, whereupon he congratulated the Signory.
	They also notified to him the declaration of war sent to the State by the Duke of Brunswick.
	[Italian.]
May 11. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), File 8.	278. The Doge and Senate to Marco Antonio Venier, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	Continuing their method of acquainting the King and Cardinal with what takes place in Italy, state that the enemy mustered upwards of 20,000 infantry and 2,000 horse. Their Commander-in-Chief, the Duke of Brunswick, despatched a page (uno ragazo) to the Signory's fortress (loco) of Chiusa, with letters patent, as by enclosed copy. The Warden of Chiusa sent the page to the Governors of Verona, to await a reply, and the Signory charged them to dismiss him without further answer.
	The Duke of Brunswick's letter shows how ill-disposed they are towards the Republic, and they have already reached the Venetian frontier, in the direction of Chiusa, and the places on the Adige; the rest of the army is following, amply provided with all military stores. The Signory is doing everything possible for defence, having upwards of 11,000 Italian infantry, besides the 6,000 Lansquenets expected from France, and is endeavouring to obtain other ultramontane troops; but is aware that such vast expenditure will be unbearable without the assistance of the confederates and friends; so knowing that, success in Lombardy will secure victory in every other quarter, whilst on the other hand were the enemy to force the Venetian passes, the result would secure for them the Milanese, the Signory therefore urges the King to share the cost for Lombardy. Although his Majesty is put to expense by crossing the Channel and invading Flanders, yet he should not fail to succour Lombardy. To impress on the King and Cardinal the excessive cost incurred by the Signory in garrisoning the Venetian cities and places, in keeping up two armies and a fleet, and assisting the Duke of Milan with money, arms, and ammunition, which would suffice to exhaust any treasure, however immense. To urge the King to share their expense. The victory of the French armada, under the command of Filippino Doria, in the waters of Naples, should encourage the King to give assistance.
	Ayes 157. Noes 2. Neutrals 1.
	[Italian.]
May 12–19. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 399.	279. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Arrival on the 13th of the Venetian Secretary, Andrea Rosso, who had audience of the King; present also, the ambassadors from England, Milan, and Florence, as confederates. Rosso requested succour on account of the Lansquenets. The King replied that he had already sent Lansquenets and spears under Mons. de S. Pol and Mons. d'Aubigni, referring the Secretary for further particulars to his Council. Attended the Royal Council subsequently. The King and the Lord Steward had gone to hunt. The Lord Chancellor said commissaries had been sent already to raise the Lansquenets, 4,000 of whom would soon be under arms. Mons. de—was at Baden, where the levy was being made, to complete the amount of 8,000, to be at Ivrea on the 10th of June. His most Christian Majesty declines assistance in this matter from the King of England, lest, in case it be necessary to wage war in those parts, he excuse himself on the plea of having contributed for the Lansquenets. So they are subsidised by his most Christian Majesty, the Signory, and the Florentines.
	Poissi, 12th, 14th, and 19th May. Registered by Sanuto, 28th May.
	[Italian.]
May 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 318.	280. Note by Sanuto.
	Heard from Sir Gregory Casal, at Orvieto, that the Prothonotary Gambara, now there on his return from England and France, is being sent by the Pope as Governor of Bologna in his Holiness's name. On this day the English ambassador had audience of the College.
	[Italian.]
May 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 399.	281. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory.
	In consequence of the negotiations on foot for an agreement through Madame Margaret, a suspension of hostilities and truce with Flanders has been stipulated.
	London, 15th May. Registered by Sanuto, 28th May.
	[Italian.]
May 16. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File 11.	282. The Doge and College to Marco Antonio Venier, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	In their letter of the 11th, acquainted him with the march of the Germans as far as the Adige.
	Are put to great expense, but the Republic is willing to hazard all its forces, in the hopes that if the Italian undertaking succeeds, victory may result in every quarter. To prevent the Germans from turning the tide of prosperity in the kingdom of Naples, the confederates should not allow the Signory's forces to be crushed by excessive expenditure. The King of England, who is excellently informed, will surely aid the common cause by supplying such a sum of money as he shall think fit for the vast outlay they are obliged to make. In their last letter desired him to make this demand, and now add that the Germans, having crossed the Adige, spread themselves over the Veronese territory as far as Bardolino on the lake of Garda, and towards Cavagione. Are unable to say with certainty what road they will take. They march slowly, and await 3,000 Italian infantry, now being mustered in the Mantuan territory by Alvise de Gonzaga, Piro de Bozolo, and others. Giorgio Frunsperg has arrived at Mantua from Ferrara, on his way to meet the rest of the Germans. Have also been much disturbed because Count Ludovico di Belgiojoso, issuing out of Milan with 2,000 infantry, took the garrison of Pavia by surprise, the townspeople having also shown themselves in favour of the enemy; and the city was taken to the disadvantage of the Italian, expedition. Notwithstanding, the Signory will not fail in their preparations, nor do they despair of a good result, if assisted. To apply to the King and Cardinal for pecuniary assistance, to as great an amount as possible, for the undertaking in Lombardy, as, besides the numerous Italian troops in the Signory's service, there will also arrive ultramontane soldiers, and not only the 6,000 Lansquenets sent by the most Christian King (who pays but 1,000 of them, the rest being at the Signory's cost), but also many others from other quarters, requiring a vast sum of money. The succour should be immediate, the state of affairs not admitting of delay, as the King and Cardinal of their wisdom well understand.
	[Italian.]
May 17. Lettere del Collegio (Seereta), File 11.	283. The Doge and College to Marc' Antonio Venier, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	Think fit to acquaint the King with what befals them, and with their proceedings.
	Various accidents having postponed the despatch of their ambassador elect to the Pope, they now send him to notify to his Holiness their devotion towards him and the Apostolic See. The ambassador [Gasparo Contarini] departs tomorrow, and they hope the Pope will receive him graciously. According to the agreement lately ratified at Ferrara by the Legate Cardinal Cibo, on behalf of the Pope, and by the representatives of France and England, (fn. 3) and of the other confederates, the Signory had to consign to the Duke of Ferrara his house in Venice of which he was heretofore deprived by the late Pope Julius, and which is now occupied by the Papal Legate. (fn. 4) The Pope has resented this, and written to the Legate [Averoldi, Bishop of Polà] that should the house be taken from him, he is to quit Venice, and return to his Holiness.
	The Signory is surprised, as the Pope is well aware of the agreement at Ferrara between his Legate [Cardinal Cibo] and the agents of all the confederates. He should not prevent its execution, which they have however delayed until the departure of their ambassador, who will make such statement to his Holiness as fitting.
	The Pope has also complained of a subsidy demanded by the Signory in form of a loan from the clergy in their dominions, on the ground that ecclesiastics are too heavily taxed. The Signory acted thus by reason of the excessive cost incurred, and the clergy should assist in the common defence, especially as this is a loan bearing interest. The Signory is certain that the Pope on hearing their reasons and mode of proceeding will be satisfied. To communicate the above to the King and Cardinal.
	[Italian.]
May 19. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 351.	284. Note by Sanuto.
	The English ambassador had audience of the College, together with the French ambassador, and they spoke about. . . .
	[Italian.]
May 19. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 22.	285. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory.
	Received the letters from the Senate concerning Ravenna and Cervia; went to Cardinal Wolsey, and explained to him their contents, stating the Signory's reasons, (fn. 5) The Cardinal replied at great length, that those cities should be given to the Pope, and that he spoke solely for conscience' sake.
	London, 19th May. Registered by Sanuto, 5th June.
	[Italian.]
May 23. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), File 8.	286. Commission from the Doge and Senate to Gasparo Contarini, Ambassador on his way to the Pope.
	The Pope has informed the Viscount de Turenne, his most Christian Majesty's ambassador at Rome, that until he obtains Ravenna and Cervia he will not declare himself for the League. Both the English and French ambassadors at Venice exhorted the Signory to place Ravenna and Cervia in the hands of their kings, so that the Pope may have no excuse. The Signory rejoined that the Pope's adhesion to the League being beneficial both to himself and all Italy, any delay must be considered a tacit declaration, and that with regard to the two towns they had sent their ambassador, who would acquaint his Holiness with the Signory's rights, which are so evident that it will be impossible for him to wrong the State. They told the ambassadors that by placing not only Ravenna and Cervia but their whole territory in the hands of France and England, they would be as secure as if they held it themselves, by reason of their confidence in their Majesties, but in general terms declined making the consignment. To visit Sir Gregory Casal, the English ambassador with the Pope, in accordance with the respect they bear his King.
	Ayes, 120. Noes, 17. Neutrals, 6.
	[Italian.]
May 23. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), File 3.	287. The Doge and Senate to Sebastian Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in France.
	The Pope will not declare himself for the League until he has possession of Ravenna and Cervia. The Signory are surprised that the Pope should occupy himself with personal matters, which can but create disturbance, and consider he ought to put aside all individual passion and attend to the common weal of Christendom.
	Have informed the French and English ambassadors that the Signory's ambassador would soon be with the Pope and acquaint him with their reasons, which are so valid that they trust his Holiness will not wrong them.
	The French ambassador writes to the Viscount of Turenne, and the English ambassador writes to his brother, Sir Gregory, who is with the Pope, to perform such good office as they know is the intention of their sovereigns.
	Ayes, 138. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 3.
	[Italian.]
May 30. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 406.	288. Audience in the College Hall.
	The English ambassador [Prothonotary Casal] announced receipt of letters from England in accordance with those written by the Ambassador Venier, namely, suspension of hostilities stipulated with Flanders, to hold the fairs, that the merchandize may find a market (azio le merchadantic habbi locho); but they will not fail to make war on this account.
	[Italian.]