Venice: May 1529 | British History Online

Pages 209-213

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 1529



May 6. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 166, St. Mark's Library.	453. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	Cardinal Triultio tells me he has letters from his brother, dated the 23rd ult., purporting that should the Emperor enter Italy King Francis was determined in like manner to come with a very large army, but on condition that the Italian powers give him a good number of troops, to which the King of England had fully assented.
	His brother also told him that the merchants of Lyons had news from Spain of the conclusion of the bargain between the Emperor and the King of Portugal about the navigation of the Indies, and that thereby the Emperor would obtain from 300,000 to 350,000 crowns.
	Rome, 6th May 1520.
	[Italian, 1¾ page]
May 6. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 167, St. Mark's Library.	454. The Same to the Council of Ten.
	Yesterday at vespers, when seated beside the Imperial ambassador, he mentioned to me this treaty of peace [between the Emperor and France], saying he was informed that an ambassador from England had arrived at the Emperor's court about this matter, and that perhaps the Duke of Savoy would go in person to Spain to bring it to a conclusion.
	Rome, 6th May 1520.
	[Italian, 1 page.]
May 9. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 169. St. Mark's Library.	455. The Same to the Same.
	I hear from Cardinal Triultio that he has letters from the Court of France dated the 27th ult., alluding to the negotiation for peace, which was said to be in the hands of Madame Margaret and the King of England, and drawing very close. (fn. 1) From Spain he was also informed that it was near conclusion; he tells me that the Duke of Savoy and Madame Margaret were conducting it.
	He also told me that the ambassador Navagero was ill of a very dangerous fever, from which may the Almighty deign to relieve him, and preserve for the service of the State so excellent a nobleman.
	Rome, 9th May 1529.
	[Italian, ¼ page.]
May 9. Sanuto Diaries, v. 1. p. 228.	456. Report of the Death of Luther.
	Note by Sanuto.
	Through the German warehouse, (fn. 2) by letters addressed to the merchants there, it is reported that in the Diet of Spires, where they also discussed the Lutheran faith, it has been determined to do nothing further for the present, until the coming of the Emperor, everybody being allowed to follow what doctrine he pleases, either the Roman or the Lutheran. They have elected as superintendents for these affairs, the Duke of Saxony, the Marquis of Saltzburg, and the Bishop of Augsburg. They also discussed a levy of troops for the defence of Germany against the Turks. Moreover, in Saxony, Friar Martin Luther, who was married, and leaves — children, has died. (fn. 3)
	[Italian.]
May 14. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 170, St. Mark's Library.	457. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	So great were the annoyance and vexation experienced by the Pope at the frequent audiences given him before his last relapse, and most especially from those which he gave to the English and Imperial ambassadors, concerning the divorce, that although since my last of the 9th he has constantly improved in health, he will nevertheless not admit anyone, or give the slightest audience, and I believe he will persist in this seclusion until after the Whitsuntide holydays.
	I was told this morning by D. Jacopo Salviati that there are letters of the 11th and 12th ult. from the Nuncio, who writes from Spires that the Diet was about to decree that the mass and other divine services now abolished by Luther were to be continued in the ancient fashion, and according to the custom of the universal church, until the session of the next Council. How true this may be I know not, but the determination would be excellent.
	Rome, 14th May 1520.
	[Italian, 3¼ pages.]
May 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. 1. p. 290.	458. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
	The French ambassador, the Bishop of Bayonne, arrived in haste in London. The King, who was taking his pleasure here and there in the island, and Cardinal Wolsey, who was doing the like, came to London to give audience to him. Went to Cardinal Wolsey to learn what the Bishop had brought back, but was unable to have audience. Will endeavour to inquire, etc. Encloses a letter written by the Emperor to a certain prelate on the Spanish frontiers (a quelli confini) dated 20th February, announcing his (the Emperor's) resolve to proceed into Italy.
	The King is dissatisfied with the Pope about the divorce, but nevertheless perseveres in choosing to have it settled.
	London, 15th May. Registered by Sanuto 29th May.
	[Italian.]
May 21. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 172, St. Mark's Library.	459. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	Cardinal Triultio has received from Lyons some particulars about the Diet which is being held at Spires. They are contained in a letter which the electors and princes of the Diet are sending to the Emperor, the document having been sent from Spires to Captain Morello, the French agent in Switzerland, who forwarded it to Pomponio Triultio, from whom his brother the Cardinal received it. Therein the members of the Diet announce having seen what the Emperor wrote to them, both about the steps to be taken concerning the faith, and also with regard to the Turkish invasion of Hungary and Germany.
	With regard to providing for the faith, they say the only provision is to call a Council General, the Pope himself summoning it, and the Emperor doing his utmost to have it held within a year, and in some city of Germany, such as Metz, Cologne, Mayence, or some other; and should there be no means of holding a Council General, the Emperor to assemble a “congregation” in Germany of all the States (de tuti li stadi) and he himself to be present at it, for the avoidance of many scandalous proceedings which might occur in his absence.
	Rome, 21st May.
	[Italian 4¼ pages.]
May 24. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 173, St. Mark's Library.	460. The Same to the Same.
	Yesterday in chapel the Emperor's ambassador told me that Dom. Andrea dal Borgo had received letters of a recent date from the Diet at Spires, announcing its determination to give King Ferdinand 16,000 infantry and 4,000 horse for the expedition against the Turks. With regard to the Lutheran affairs, it was decided that until the next council, which will be held within a year, all persons are to follow their own fashion (ognuno deba far a suo modo) but on the other hand, that the masses are to be re-established in those places where the Lutherans suppressed them, because they were more powerful there than the Roman Catholics.
	This morning D. Jacopo Salviati spoke to me in favour of Paolo Luzasco, as likewise did Sir Gregory Casal.
	Rome, 24th May 1529.
	[Italian 4¾ pages.]
May 24. Sanuto Diaries, v. 1. p. 383.	461. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
	Narrates colloquies between himself and Cardinal Wolsey, and that in Spain a paper had been printed announcing the conclusion of a truce for eighteen months between the Emperor and the King of France. This caused King Henry and the Cardinal to complain greatly, but the French ambassador in London denied the fact, and pledged his head that it was invented by the Spaniards; so the King and Cardinal were pacified. The King is ill disposed towards the Legate Campeggio, on account of the Queen's marriage, which he will not annul. Has also heard on good authority that Cardinal Wolsey does not wish the divorce to take place, because, should the King take to wife the daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, according to his intention, her father, one of the chief personages in England, will deprive Wolsey of his repute. The King is very dissatisfied with the Pope, on account of this marriage.
	London, 24th May. Registered by Sanuto 18th June.
	[Italian.]
May 26. Sanuto Diaries, v. 1. pp. 279, 280.	462. Thoma Lippomaxo, Podestà, and Captain of Feltre, to the Signory.
	A trust worthy person who quitted Trent on Tuesday morning, the 25th, reports that on Sunday, the 23rd, the governor of the town desired the preachers of the convents to preach, and on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, to have processions made for the coming of the Emperor, and to pray that he may have the Divine assistance for the establishment of peace and quiet, and that he may prosper in this his coming to take the crown; so they preached and made the procession accordingly. He also said that at Spires the Archduke [King Ferdinand] had a procession made, and attended it in person, carrying the host, and that the Duke of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hesse would not attend the procession because they are Lutherans, and they stood at a window scoffing the procession, and using gross language (et dir parole, grande) and when the Archduke passed, Saxony withdrew, Hesse remaining at the window, jeering more than ever.
	The Emperor does not choose the affair of the Lutherans to be discussed at the Diets, saying he will hold a council about it; but in Germany Lutheranism has more followers than ever.
	Feltre, 26th May 1529. Registered by Sanuto 27th May.
	[Italian.]
May 28. Sanuto Diaries, v. 1. p. 408.	463. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
	Cardinal Wolsey told him that the Duke of Suffolk went to France about the adjustment, and they gave him instructions concerning the Signory's affairs.
	An envoy has arrived in England from the Lady Margaret. (fn. 4) Went to Wolsey to learn the object of his mission. The Cardinal replied that the envoy told him the Emperor had sent the “power” to Madame Margaret to conclude the general pence, but Wolsey said nothing would be done because the power contains certain points which will not be accepted, and the Emperor induced the King of France to negotiate, to prevent his making provision for Italy.
	London, 21st—28th May. Registered by Sanuto 25th June.
	[Italian.]
May 29. Sanuto Diaries, v. 1. p. 317.	464. — to the Marquis of Mantua.
	The English ambassadors hero (fn. 5) have letters from their King dated the 12th instant, recalling Sir Francis Bryan and Dr. Stephen, Master Peter Vannes and Sir Gregory Casal remaining, though Master Peter says he likewise will depart for England in a fortnight. The Pope has desired the Auditor [Ghinucci], who had been in Spain for the purpose of getting possession of the brief of dispensation for the marriage of England, made heretofore, (fn. 6) and which is in the custody of the Emperor, to return to England. (fn. 7) The King of England is sending the Duke of Suffolk and another personage to France, which, according to these English ambassadors, proves that there is small hope of peace, the Duke being a person to treat warlike operations, and not experienced in diplomacy; and it is understood that should his most Christian Majesty choose even the Duke himself to come into Italy by reason of his military repute, yet the Duke will act according to the commission from King Francis. (fn. 8) Affairs of the kingdom of Naples as usual. The Prince of Orange writes that very recent letters from Spain announce the firm intention of the Emperor to come into Italy, in which direction he has sent a part of his infantry. The Emperor much wished Doria to go to him, but Doria, considering how perilous his absence from Genoa might prove, has determined not to go, being convinced that his stay is more serviceable for the Emperor.
	Rome, 29th May. Registered by Sanuto 4th June.
	[Italian.]
May 31. Original Letter Book, Letter no. 175, St. Mark's Library.	465. Gasparo Contarini to the Signory.
	Master Bryan departed hence this evening; he is travelling post to Ferrara, and will proceed thence to see Venice before he returns to England. Sir Gregory Casal tells me that Bryan is much in favour with his King, so it would be advisable to give him good greeting. Dr. Stephen [Gardyner], the other English ambassador, will also depart tomorrow morning. There remain here the Rev. Dom. Peter Vannes, Cardinal Wolsey's secretary, and Sir Gregory Casal. Dr. Stephen and Bryan go away dissatisfied with the Court of Rome. (fn. 9)
	Rome, 31st May 1529.
	[Italian 3¼ pages.]