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  1. Calendar of State Papers, Venice
  2. Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533...
  3. Venice: May 1530

Venice: May 1530

Pages 241-244

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.

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Citation:

May 1530

May 9. Sanuto Diaries, v. liii. p. 142. 576. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
The King inquired if he had received a reply to the letter written by him to the Signory. Answered in the negative.
The meeting of Parliament has been adjourned until the 6th of June, and if during this interval sentence of divorce be not passed at Rome, the King chooses the Parliament to despatch the business.
London, 9th May. Registered by Sanuto 29th May.
[Italian.]
May 12. Sanuto Diaries, v. liii. p. 152. 577. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
The King has called a Parliament in which he proposes discussing the divorce from his wife, and will execute their resolve.
Cardinal Wolsey was at . . . . . [Peterborough?]
London, 12th May. Registered by Sanuto 2nd June.
[Italian.]
May 12. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X. Filza 3. 578. Divorce Case.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta, by the councillors (with the exception of Georgio) and chiefs, for a letter to Marco Dandolo, LL.D., and knight, residing at Padua. (fn. 1)
Will remember the request made to the Signory in the name of the King of England concerning the divorce, and also what the Emperor wished in this matter, as demonstrated to the State by his ambassador. As they are again urged by both sides to decide, the Council of Ten and Junta rely on his prudence and address, and that he will accomplish their object and act with the greatest secrecy. Charge him to confer with Dom. Pietro Paulo Parisio, and express their approval of the reply he gave to the agents of the English King, declining to give an opinion on this case (fn. 2) for the reasons prudently alleged by him, considering the personages concerned therein, to whom it was desirable to avoid giving any offence, because in so serious and uncommon a business an opinion given in favour of the one party must of necessity provoke great resentment in the other against the counsellor, who could never rid himself of the indignation and peril which he might subsequently incur from the offended party.
To exhort him to persevere, giving it to be understood that he will not change his mind; and as he values the Signory's favour, he is not to let it appear that this proceeds from him (Dandolo).
He (Dandolo) is to confer with Dom. Francischino Da Corte, and with all the other jurisconsults and theologians who lecture in ordinary at the University of Padua and receive salary from the Republic, whose names will be noted hereunder. (fn. 3) Speaking with them apart one from the other, he (Dandolo) is to acquaint them with the greatest secrecy in the name of the Council of Ten and Junta, with the Signory's aforesaid wish that they should not interfere in this matter, whether at the suit of the King or of the Queen; to ascertain whether any of them have given counsel's opinion in this case of the divorce; and, if not, to charge them to decline giving an opinion, on the plea of private interests, and to avoid displeasing the parties interested. Should they have already advised on this case, but have not yet pronounced their opinion, to enjoin them to suppress the same, and avail themselves of the above excuse. To warn them to do this as of their own accord, not letting it appear (as they wish for favour with the State) that this injunction proceeds from the Signory. As additional security, to put each of them on oath, not to tell anyone soever that this proceeds from the Signory. The answers received from each of the professors are to be addressed by letter to the Council of Ten; and if for the stronger expression of this their desire he (Dandolo) should think fit to exhibit this missive to them, he may do so.
Put to the ballot, that the Rev. Dom. Francesco Georgio (in the original “Zorzi”) do abstain from giving any advice or interfering in this matter, and that the College be authorized to communicate this resolve of the Ten and Junta to the Imperial ambassador, the chiefs of the Ten being present at the announcement. (fn. 4)
Ayes, 19. Noes, 1. Neutrals, 2.
[Original draft, Italian.]
May 17. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X. Filza 3. 579. Divorce Case.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta by the Councillors Paulo Donato and Lorenzo Bragadino, and by the chiefs, for a letter to Marco Dandolo, LL.D., and knight, residing at Padua.
Satisfied to learn the professors, to please the Signory, conformed to their request, but surprised to hear of the change made by Dom. Mariano da Siena from his original proposal to comply with the Signory's resolve, to that of publishing the opinions and reasons assigned in favour of one side and the other, without however declaring his judgment further, a proceeding of consequence to the Signory, he being a professor at that university and in their pay. The Republic being anxious to maintain friendship and goodwill with all the sovereigns interested in the business, the Council of Ten and Junta desire him (Dandolo) to charge Dom. Mariano not to give counsel's opinion, the Signory's intention and wish being that his name may not appear in this divorce case, either on one side or the other, as in this affair he may adduce many excuses such as his wisdom will suggest to him, and, above all things, imply that he was neither exhorted nor induced to take this step by the Signory. He (Dandolo) will regulate himself in this matter: if Dom. Mariano does as desired it will be a great satisfaction to them; should he act otherwise, he (Dandolo) to exact from Mariano profound silence with regard to this injunction proceeding from the Signory; telling him, besides, that he is not to say a word about this to the other professors, the Signory's intention being that none of them do know of [their colleagues?] having been asked about this, so that the thing may pass with the greatest secrecy, as is their chief wish and intention.
Of the execution of this order Dandolo is to give notice to the Chiefs of the Ten.
Ayes, 14. Noes, 8. Neutrals, 3.
[Original draft, Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Marco Dandolo had been Ambassador Extraordinary to Charles V. and Clement VII. at Bologna, in January 1530, but in December of that year, when at Padua, he did not hold any public office, and the Council of Ten and Junta merely applied to him because he was an able statesman and negotiator, and well lettered. In the third vol. of the Venetian Calendar, entry 1258, p. 543, it has been seen that in April 1526 Cardinal Wolsey wished for a rare book which belonged to this Marco Dandolo, who had held many high offices under the Republic, and died 15 May 1535, aged 77 years.
  • 2. “II voler consegliar a detta causa.”
  • 3. There is no list of names on the draft.
  • 4. “Et sii da facultà al Collegio nostro de posser comunicare la presente nostrà deliberatione al maguifico Orator Cesaveo, intervenendo li Capi di questo couseglio.”