Venice: September 1528 | British History Online

Pages 166-170

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:

September 1528



Sept. 1. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 403.	343. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory.
	The Duke of Guelders has defeated the troops of Flanders, who were besieging a certain town. 2,000 barefooted Spaniards had arrived in Flanders.
	London, 1st of September. Registered by Sanuto, 21st September.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 2 Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 348.	344. Audience in the College Hall.
	The English ambassador came about a certain benefice obtained by him in the Venetian territory.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 16. Sanuto Diaries, v.xlix.pp. 41–44.	345. The Proposed Single Combat between Francis I. and Charles V.
	Public notarial instrument, witnessed on the 16th September 1528, in Paris, by the Cardinal Legate Salviati; Dom. Hercules of Este, Duke of Chartres and Count of Gisors, eldest son of the Duke of Ferrara; Dr. John Clerk, Bishop of Bath, John Tayler, vice-chancellor of England, and Sir Francis Bryan, (fn. 1) ambassadors from the King of England; Giovanni Statilio, Bishop of Alba, (fn. 2) ambassador from Transylvania and Hungary; Sebastian Giustinian, Knight, ambassador from the Doge and Signory of Venice, and Hironimo Canal, his secretary; Dom. de Taberna, LL.D, ambassador from the Duke of Milan; and Julian de Soderini, Bishop Xanctonensi (sic), ambassador from the community of Florence;—which instrument is of the following tenour.
	On the 10th of September 1528, the King being in the great hall of his palace at Paris, on a platform, in sumptuous array (come in el suo trono) as on his throne, and accompanied thus:—First of all on his right hand, seated on chairs, were the King of Navarre, Duke of Alençon and of Berri, Count of Foix and Armagnac; and on the same side, on a bench, the Duke of Vendôme, Peer of France, Lieutenant General and Governor of Picardy; Dom. Hercules of Este, youthful son of the Duke of Ferrara, Duke of Chartres and Montargis; the Duke of Albany, Regent and Governor of Scotland; the Duke of Longueville, Lord Chamberlain; and near them on another bench the president and counsellors of the court of Parliament, and behind them many gentry and men of letters. On the other hand, seated on chairs alike, the Papal Legate Cardinal Salviati; the Cardinal of Bourbon; Bishop and Duke of Laon, Peer of France; the Cardinal of Sens, Chancellor of France; the Cardinal of Lorraine, Archbishop of Narbonne; the ambassadors of the King of England, Defender of the Faith; the ambassadors of the King of Scotland, the ambassadors of the Signory of Venice, the ambassadors of the League of Upper Germany, and the ambassadors of the Signory of Florence. On another bench were the Bishop of Transylvania, ambassador from the King of Hungary, the Bishop and Duke of Langres (sic), Peer of France; the Bishop Count of Noyon, Peer of France; the Archbishop of Lyons, Primate of Gaul (de Galia); the Archbishop of Bourges, Primate of Aquitaine; the Archbishops of Auch and Rouen; the Bishops of Paris, Meaux, Lisieux, Macon, Limoges, Unbres (sic), Ansduarus (sic), and Tarbes; and near them were the Masters of Requests and councillors of the Grand Council. At the foot of the King's throne stood the Grand Master and Marshal of France, Count of Altro-more [Outremer], (fn. 3) and Mons. de Brion, Admiral of France, Lieutenant General and Governor of Burgundy; and behind the throne were many knights of the order [of St. Michael], including Mons. d'Aubigni [Robert Stewart], Captain of 100 spears and of the Scottish Guard; the Count de Brion; Monsr. de Fleuranges, Marshal of France, (fn. 4) Louis, Duke of Cleves, the Count of Carpi, and others; behind whom were the Count d'Etampes, Provost of Paris, and many other gentlemen of the King's chamber; and near them were the Count of Tremouille; Mons. de Guimene, son of the Count de Rosaii (sic); the son of Mons. de Fleuranges; Mons. de la Roche; Mons. Donasti (sic), Grand Master of the Meres and Forests; Mons. de Lude, etc., etc.; besides whom there were the steward of the pantry, officials, cup-bearers, seneschals, carvers, and other domestic attendants in great number, and 200 gentlemen of the King's household, besides many others. On the edge of the platform stood the captains of the guard, and the Provost of the palace; and in front of the King's throne, each with one knee on the ground, were the grooms of the chamber. At the foot of the steps of the platform were the provosts of the merchants and the sheriffs of the city of Paris; and in the lower part of the hall (a basso di la sala), the doors of which remained open the whole time, a multitude of people of divers nations.
	The Emperor's herald entered, clad in his coat (cotta) of arms, accompanied by Mons. de Monchini [Moncheney], Chief Steward of the household; by Mons. de Nansti (sic) of the Guard; by Messrs. de Pompadour and Morgni, and by several heralds of France, of Denmark, and of Scotland, who were then at the Court.
	To this herald from the Emperor elect, the King said,—
	“Herald! dost bring the security for the battle field, such as a challenger like thy master should give to a defender like myself” The herald replied, “Sire! be pleased to give me leave to perform my office.” Thereupon the King rejoined, “Give me the patent for the battle field, and I will then give thee leave to say whatever thou wishest on the part of thy master.” The herald then said, “His most sacred Majesty;” and again the King exclaimed, “Show me the patent for the battle field, for I imagine the Emperor to be as noble a Prince as he styles himself, and incapable of such great hypocrisy as to send thee without this security for the battle field, after what I sent to tell him; and this thou knowest well, for my safeconduct states that thou art to bring this security.” The herald replied that he thought he was bringing what would satisfy the King, who continued— “Herald! give me the patent for the field, give it me, and if sufficient I accept it, and then thou shalt say what thou wilt.” The herald replied that he was commanded by his master not to give anything until he had first of all said certain things according to his instructions. The King then rejoined, “Thy master cannot lay down law in France; and things have come to such a pass that there is no longer need of words, and thou must be aware that I did not send thy master words by herald; but what I announced to him was in writing, signed in my own hand, which needs no other reply than this security for the field; without which I have determined not to give thee audience, as thou mightest say things which would be denied thee; whereas my speech and battle do not concern thee, but solely the Emperor.” (fn. 5)
	The herald then asked the King to give him a safeconduct to return, which the King consented to do, having spoken to the herald precisely as above; and then he called me, Giberto Bayard, Seigneur de Neuville, Viscount Montague, his councillor, notary, and secretary of State and of his chamber, and told me to note on his “fruante” [tablets?] that he on his part had not failed; that he had not received the patent, and that if given him in due form he would not refuse to do battle. The King then withdrew into his chamber, prepared for holding his Council, and the herald requested his Majesty to give him these things in writing, which was done.
	Given in the city of Paris, the day and year aforesaid. (Signed) Bayard.
	After the perusal of which instrument, King Francis asked the aforesaid Legate and the ambassadors whether they had heard and understood its tenour, and whether it corresponded with what had been done and said. To this interrogatory, the aforesaid Legate, Duke, cardinals, and ambassadors, appended a schedule, thus:—
	“The which things above written I read thrice to the said herald, and offered to give him the act signed with my own hand, and requested him to sign me a copy, to all which he gave me a refusal; and I then asked him to give me a copy of his verbal power (procura verbal), which he in like manner refused; so I therefore protest that should he make any protest verbal or other acts without communicating them to me, they would be false and contrary to the truth.
	“Done in the said city of Paris, 15 September 1528; and I was present.
	“And I, Stephen de Barozi, Priest, Bachelor of Laws, by Apostolic authority.
	“I, René Grimani, clerk.”
	Registered by Sanuto, 17th October 1528.
	[Heading in Latin. Text in Italian. Attestation in Latin. Schedule in Italian.]
Sept. 16. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 387.	346. Embassy to England.
	Note by Sanuto.
	This morning Lodovico Falier departed on his way as ambassador to England. He took for his secretary . . . . Morian.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 17. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlviii. p. 388.	347. Audience in the College Hall.
	The English ambassador communicated letters received from his brother, Sir Gregory Casal, dated Viterbo, the 13th, with the news contained also in the Signory's despatches.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 23. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File 11.	348. The Doge and College to Marc' Antonio Venier, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	On the 19th instant Pavia was taken by assault, although stoutly defended by the “Bisoños,” (fn. 6) in number some 2,500, including Spaniards, Lansquenets, and Italians. Upwards of 500 of these were cut to pieces, and many of their commanders captured; 1,500 have retired into the castle, which will be soon taken, as it is not strong. To acquaint the King and Cardinal with this victory, through which they hope for success in Lombardy.
	To support the Neapolitan expedition, have sent a considerable sum of money to their Proveditor-General in Puglia, and desired him to act in concert with the French, and employ the Signory's infantry and cavalry forces for the safe custody of the towns in that province. The most Christian King's agents having determined to send Renzo da Ceri and the Prince of Melfi, with 4,000 or 5,000 foot and 300 horse, to harass the enemy at Naples and prevent their march towards Tuscany and Lombardy, the Signory consented to supply them with galleys and ships for their passage into Puglia.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 24. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlix. p. 41.	349. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory.
	The King gave audience to the French ambassador [John du Bellay, Bishop of Bayonne], who demanded the money for the fifth payment according to the promise made. His Majesty said he was content.
	London, 24th September. Registered by Sanuto, 17th October.
	[Italian.]
Sept. 28. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 60, St. Mark's Library.	350. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	The Pope asked whether the Signory had ever given possession of the bishopric of Cividal to the Prothonotary Casal. Replied that it had not been given him, because the Reverend Zuan Barozzi had previously received the “placet” from his Holiness, whereby the claims of the Prothonotary Casal were invalidated; and that in fact his Holiness had been moved by compassion to support the family, which consisted of many brothers with small property.
	Told by D. Joan Joachino [Passano] that Jacopo Salviati favours France, and that he (Passano) should hope for some good from the Pope were it not for Cervia and Ravenna, which he cursed repeatedly as the cause of all the mischief, saying they ought to be deposited in the hands of the Kings of France and England. He added, “Know that the Pope is plotting your ruin, and would fain effect a union with these powers, for your destruction.” Replied that all the plots would assuredly prove vain by reason of the indissoluble association between the State and the most Christian King. He rejoined, “It is true, and I have said so plainly to the Pope.”
	Viterbo, 28th September.
	[Italian, 4¼ pages.]