Venice: March 1541 | British History Online

Pages 93-96

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1873.

Citation:

March 1541



March 13. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	241. The Same to the Same.
	The Right Rev. Legate [Gasparo] Contarini arrived at the Carthusian monastery on the day before yesterday, and yesterday he made his entry in great state, having been met by well nigh the whole Court, including Mons. di Prata [De Praet ?], and the Bishop of Arao [Arras ?], in the name of the Emperor, many bishops, all the ambassadors, save those from England, and the Frenchman, who was somewhat indisposed. The clergy likewise went to meet him, and at the gate he was received under a canopy, which is not usually done, unless to the Emperor. He then went to the cathedral and sang the “Te Deum laudamus “ after which he went to his habitation, where he received presents from the municipality of Ratisbon, from the bishop, and from many others, his popularity being such as to defy exaggeration, many persons being heard to exclaim “Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini” and everybody seemed to rejoice at his coming. God grant that he may be an instrument destined by Him to effect something beneficial for the affairs of the religion. He is lodged in the palace where Cardinal Campeggio resided, and which forms the centre of the Emperor's palace (per mezzo quello di Sua Cesarea Maestà,) and his Imperial Majesty has appointed his audience for today.
	Ratisbon, 13th March 1541.
	[Italian.]
March 17. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxi. p. 67.	242. Motion made in the Senate for the appointment of an Ambassador to England.
	Since the return from England of our nobleman, the Ambassador Carlo Capello, knight, who left his secretary there, the election of his successor has been delayed from day to day until now, and thus the laudable custom of keeping an ambassador from our state at the English Court—as the other powers do—has been interrupted.
	On many very fitting accounts, both public and private, and for many very reasonable causes, it cannot but be profitable and convenient to elect an ambassador to the King of England; and by so much the more, as the secretary resident there during the last eleven years requests leave to return.
	Put to the ballot, that an ambassador be elected to the most Serene King of England, he receiving for his expenses 140 golden ducats per month, like the others, without being (fn. 1) bound to show any account, and to keep eleven horses, including those of his secretary and servant, and four footmen, and to depart when and with such commission as shall seem fit to this Council.
	Ayes, 79.
	Amendment.
	That the present matter be deferred, on fitting accounts.
	Ayes, 96. Noes, 6. Neutrals, 3.
	[Italian.]
March 23. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	243. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	All the princes here, both spiritual and temporal, ask me about my successor, Messer Marin Giustinian, who is well known to then, and they greatly wish for him here by reason of his experience and intelligence in these matters, and especially the ecclesiastical doctors, who say it would be very fitting for him likewise to be here, as he has long treated the subject. Dom. Giovanni Cocleo has dedicated to him his work on saint worship (De veneratione et invocatione sanctorum), which I send herewith for delivery to him. (fn. 1)
	Ratisbon, 23rd March 1541.
	[Italian.]
March 26. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	244. The Same to the Same.
	Yesterday the Count Palatine Otho arrived here, and tomorrow the Landgrave is coming with 340 horsemen. As yet nothing more is heard about the Duke of Saxony.
	The other day, when talking with Duke Ludovic of Bavaria, he said to me, “Ambassador, we understand that the Cardinal Legate here is a Venetian, your countryman, and of your own family. Tell him in our name to defend the affairs of the religion stoutly, and not to have regard for anything, as we also will do the like; and do you likewise act thus.”
	I answered his Excellency that I would do as enjoined me, though it was unnecessary, the Cardinal Gasparo being as ready and active as possible in this matter; and in truth all who listen to his right reverend Lordship are astounded at the facility and grace (galantaria) with which he confutes all these articles; and although the nuncio Poggio was a skilful and very experienced statesman, as well acquainted as any one with all the affairs of this Court, yet to say the truth he was no great theologian, whereas now the Pope has his Legate here, and for nuncio the Bishop of Modena, also a learned man, and who understands this matter and has negotiated it constantly; so that they praise the Pope to the skies for having sent Cardinal Contarini hither.
	I for myself believe and maintain what Holy Mother Church believes, in which belief I shall persist until death, and I have extreme satisfaction in hearing the right reverend Legate discourse, it seeming to me that no one understands these matters better than he does; but really afterwards, when talking with these Lutherans—for I am compelled to associate with them likewise—they adduce so many arguments and have such a flow of language that I confess ingenuously to your Serenity that I know not how to answer them, this not being my profession. I mention this because, were my successor Giustinian here, it could not but prove very greatly to the honour and glory of our noble, holy, and Catholic Republic, to have another defender of the religion, and one who is capable of vigorously confuting these heresies, about which I know not how to utter a word. Your Serenity would thus please the Pope, the Emperor, the Dukes of Bavaria, and other Catholic Princes, and all these Bishops; and indeed on the day before yesterday the Bishops of Bamburg and Augsburg inquired of me when Giustinian would arrive, as his presence here would be greatly to the purpose as he understood these negotiations marvellously, and excelled in these matters, they having known and been very intimate with him. It would therefore be for the honour and advantage of the State to send him immediately, as he will arrive in very good time, the Protestants having so long delayed their coming hither that the Diet will not commence until after Easter, and although the Emperor remains most unwillingly, he nevertheless being here, cannot depart. The Legate came hither from Trent in a litter in twelve days, so any ambassador from Venice will have plenty of time for the journey. The Pope has sent to this Imperial Diet the aforesaid Legate Contarini, the most Christian King has sent Dr. Rhaimond, who has already arrived, and the ambassadors from the King of England are the Bishop of Winchester and another [Pate?], who, although opposed to the Pope's temporal interests (che sebene nelle cose del Pontefice sono contrarij, tamen nelle altre sono con Catholici), are nevertheless with the Catholics in the other matters and defend them stoutly; so that the Signory likewise cannot but do well to send Giustinian.
	The nuncio Poggio departed on the day before yesterday, and the Emperor gave him a gold cup full of crowns, worth in all 4,000 crowns.
	Ratisbon, 26th March 1541.
	[Italian.]
March 29. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	245. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	The Landgrave of Hesse made his entry in Sunday with a very handsome retinue all armed, and yesterday he had public audience of the Emperor. It is incredible how all flock to see him, whereas no one stirs for a sight of the other Princes, and they do the like by Melancthon, he having come with the councillors of the Duke of Saxony, who it is thought will either not attend the Diet or arrive at its close. Melancthon has apologized to me about a pamphlet or epistle which has been published with a dedication to the Venetian Senate. He tells me it is not his, but composed by others and published in his name, as is the case with many other works, nor would he have dedicated it to the Senate without some occasion. I said this was of little importance, but that I indeed prayed God to render him his instrument to produce some good effect for the Christian religion. He answered me that he was an insignificant person (un picciol homo) and could do but little, though so far as was in his power he wished solely for some good result.
	Yesterday when at the house of the Cardinal Legate [Gasparo Contarini], the Papal Nuncio, the Bishop of Modena, inquired of me when my successor [Giustinian] would arrive, saying that his presence here would be much to the purpose, he, the Nuncio, knowing very well how great his ability is with regard to these matters of religion.
	Letters from England state that the King has had the Lord Deputy of Calais and some twelve other persons arrested, and it also seemed that on the frontiers there, the understanding between the French and English is not so good as it might be, by reason of certain fortifications which the most Christian King is building in those parts.
	Ratisbon, 29th March 1541.
	[Italian.]