Venice: April 1531 | British History Online

Pages 278-281

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:

April 1531



April 1. Sanuto Diaries, v. liv. p. 405.	662. Lutheran League (Note by Sanuto).
	The King of England, the King of Denmark, the Duke of Saxony, the Marquis of Brandenburg, and many other free towns—all Lutherans—have leagued together against the Pope.
	[Italian.]
April 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. liv. p. 478.	663. Lodovico Falier to the Signory.
	A friar, whilst preaching a panegyric of the Virgin in a certain church, some Frenchmen . . . . . .
	London, 15th April 1531. Registered by Sanuta 12th May.
	[Italian.]
April 20. Sforza Archives, Milan.	664. Augustino Scarpinello to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
	Congratulates the Duke on the restoration of the Castle of Milan and the city of Como. Desires to be provided for, as his means and expedients are exhausted. Wishes to be recalled if of no use. If he be of use, the Duke should maintain more friendly and constant communication with the King and certain persons who have influence with him. A mere occasional letter is considered as an affront rather than a compliment.
	Parliament was prorogued, many days ago, (fn. 1) until the month of October. The acts which it passed have been in part publicly printed, in part not, though even these last are known to many . . . . . . [illegible] . . . . . . this most serene King are more content to be able to avail themselves of the enactment than with its publication, especially with regard to ecclesiastical matters.
	On the prorogation of Parliament it is understood that mention was made of the divorce, when the Bishops of London and Lincoln confuted malignant opinions, which insinuated that the King sought this divorce from a false and libidinous motive; demonstrating that his Majesty acted from an upright, just, legitimate, and holy cause, approved by the greater part of the men who in the Christian world are learned in canon and civil law. To this, two other Bishops, St. Asaph and Bath, replied intrepidly, saying what they thought about the truth, and notifying it in writing and by word of mouth to the King. [They also said] that, if faculty were given to discuss this matter, they would not fail to speak the same; and thereupon silence was enjoined to all parties, though every opportunity is readily seized to expedite the business.
	Messer Joan Joachino, having returned from his most Christian Majesty, Mons. de la Guiche, who had remained here in the meanwhile, departed on the 17th instant. Before his departure he held many and long conferences with his Majesty, though not of much importance, being merely about private affairs. Since his return from France, Joachino seems less elate than before.
	His Majesty is now staying at Greenwich, and comes often to Westminster, having designed (designato) new lodgings there, and a park adjoining York House, which belonged to the late Cardinal Wolsey. The plan (designo) is on so large a scale that many hundreds of houses will be levelled, well nigh all of which belong to great personages.
	The Queen still follows the King; the Princess is at Richmond, and was lately very ill from what the physicians call hysteria (è stata molto male de matre secundo medici dicono).
	London, 19th April 1531.
	Signed: Augustino Scarpinello.
	Addressed externally: Ill^mo et Exc^mo Dño Dño Duci Mediolani.
	[Italian. Original.]
April 21. Senato Terra, v. xxvi. p. 125.	665. Embassy to England.
	The scarcity of money in the Exchequer of the Council of Ten preventing the payments to Marco Antonio Venier, LL.D., ambassador elect to Rome, and Carlo Capello, ambassador elect to the King of England:
	Put to the ballot,—That a loan of 2,105 ducats, from the moneys of the “mezza, tansa persa” be granted to the Council of Ten.
	Ayes, 155. Noes, 20. Neutrals, 7.
	[Italian.]
April 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. liv. pp. 475, 476.	666. The Mantuan Ambassador at the Imperial Court to the Duke of Mantua.
	The Papal Nuncio departed for Italy on the 15th of April, although by a commission, received two days previously from Rome, he was to go to England; but being seriously indisposed he would not accept the undertaking. Has been told that on the road at Brussels he received a fresh repetition of the order, which made him hesitate greatly, and well nigh compelled him to go thither; but the intelligence was not received from a source sufficiently authentic to allow him (the Mantuan ambassador) to affirm it. On his departure he received a present of 1,500 golden ducats from the Emperor.
	Nothing at all is being said about the Council, to arrange which Gambara came to the Imperial Court. The replies from France are not positive. Gambara is not supposed to take back any firm determination.
	Ghent, 23rd April. Registered by Sanuto 10th May.
	[Italian.]
April 26. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X., v. vii. (liv.), p. 18.	667. Embassy to England.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	Put to the ballot,—That the Proveditor for the Mint pay to the ambassadors Venier and Capello the residue of the sum decreed them.
	Ayes, 24 Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian.]
April 29. Sanuto Diaries, v. liv. p. 482.	668. English Intelligence received at the Imperial Court.
	Anonymous letter from Ghent addressed to—.
	The Emperor's departure from this place will not take place so soon as reported, because the inhabitants of Bruges have informed him they are so impoverished by the inundations as not to have the means of supplying even what is required for the horses; so his Majesty is still in doubt what he shall do, and here nothing is thought of but the discussion of remedies whereby to dyke the waters, as unless provision be made the same need will occur annually.
	It is heard from England that the King purposes publishing a multitude of counsel's opinions, obtained by him in favour of his divorce.
	Some of the servants of the Bishop of Rochester died lately, he being considered in that kingdom a very religious and worthy man; and although he had always publicly advocated the Queen's cause, the King nevertheless invariably showed him great respect; and there being a suspicion of poison, and that it had been destined for the Bishop himself, he made a strong complaint about this to the King, who ordered the arrest of a cook who was suspected of the crime, he being in the Bishop's service; and after racking him severely he was put to a cruel death, though it is said that he made no confession, save that as a jest he put some purgative powder in certain viands.
	Ghent, 29th April 1531. Registered by Sanuto 15th May.
	[Italian.]