Venice: April 1541 | British History Online

Pages 96-100

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:

April 1541



April 6. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	246. The Same to the Same.
	The Cardinal of Mentz arrived here unexpectedly early one morning in order that no one should go out to meet him, and he came with a most splendid company. On that same day he went to the Emperor, and on the morrow visited the Cardinal Legate Contarini; and whereas heretofore this same Elector and the Cardinal Saint Sixtus, who was then Apostolic Legate, wrangled greatly about precedence, so now on the contrary he is most gracious and respectful with the present Legate, and although Elector, and Cardinal, Primate of Germany, and of the most noble house of Brandenburg, besides having many other titles which are now for the first time all centered in one sole person, he shows himself as obedient and respectful as possible to the Legate and the Apostolic See.
	Every day lately the Emperor has been endeavouring to adjust the disputes between the Duke of Bradenburg and the Landgrave, and to be appointed arbitrator in this matter, lest from the hatred and mortal enmity between the parties they have recourse to arms, even in his Majesty's presence!! Although it is well nigh impossible to arrange the business, his Imperial Majesty has somewhat quieted the Landgrave, so that they have been able at any rate to commence the Diet, in which it was feared that some great turmoil would otherwise have taken place; and although some other Electors and Princes and Bishops have still to arrive, yet is the Emperor so anxious to depart hence that he would not wait any longer, and went yesterday, in the name of the Holy Ghost, to hear mass, with such Princes and Bishops as are already here. The right reverend Legate went beforehand to the church, where he awaited his Majesty on a gilt throne in advance of the Emperor's on the opposite side nearer the altar, so that he really seemed the Pope in person. The Cardinal of Mentz also went in a litter to await the Emperor, and accompanied the Legate to the high altar, and when his Majesty arrived turned back as far as the door to meet him. After the mass had been sung by the Bishop of Ratisbon the Legate gave the benediction. The Landgrave of Hesse and the Count of Hainault (the Duke of Saxony's envoy) were not in the cathedral, not choosing to be present during the mass, and they waited for the Emperor in the town hall, which had been prepared for the session of the Diet.
	On the termination of the mass, the Emperor with all the Princes (the Cardinal Legate Contarini remaining in the Cathedral) went to the town hall, and the Count Palatine Frederick announced in his Majesty's name in German (the Emperor not speaking that language fluently) that he had summoned all the Princes of Germany to this Diet to provide for the affairs of the religion, and for the common weal of the Empire, as by a writing which would be read to their lordships, whom he requested to listen to it attentively, that they might be enabled to counsel and decide as should seem fit to them for the benefit of the Christian religion and of the empire. Thereupon Navia (il Navia) read a long writing recapitulating all that the Emperor had done since the year 1531, when in the like manner, the last Diet was held here at Ratisbon. That in the first place the Emperor went in person to Vienna to fight the Turks, and had not Sultan Solyman taken flight (fugito), he [the Emperor] would have demonstrated how anxious he was to hazard his life for the benefit of Christendom. He next went into Italy to arrange with Pope Clement about the Council, according to his promise at the Diet. After this, he proceeded to Spain and made the Tunis expedition in person against Barbarossa, as well known to the whole world; returning again to Italy, to urge the present Pope [Paul III.] to call the Council which did not take place for the causes well known to the Princes Electors. On hearing that the King of France had commenced hostilities against the Duke of Savoy, who as one of the Princes of Germany is under his protection, being also his Imperial Majesty's brother-in-law, the Emperor went into Provence to assist the Duke, always endeavouring through the Pope, first at Rome, and subsequently at Nice, to make peace with King Francis, to effect which he exposed himself to danger, by going in person to Aigues Mortes; and then he went to Spain. He constantly laboure I by sea and land, defensively and offensively, to act against the Turk, as was notorious to everybody; and when be heard subsequently that the affairs of Germany were in great confusion on account of the religion, that the Low Countries had commenced rebelling, that Denmark had already separated herself from Germany, and that the Swiss Cantons might be supposed to have well nigh followed this example, as they unscrupulously took pay from aliens, and served them against the Empire, he therefore set out for Germany, it being his wish to come through Italy, but seeing the importance of speed, he again incurred peril, travelling alone postwise through France, to remedy and obviate all these disturbances. So he prayed these Princes to consult and determine what should be done for the benefit of the Christian religion, and the welfare of the Empire, and to provide against the Turks, who now evidently intended again invading Austria; and concerning the affairs of the religion, whether they approved of His Majesty's appointing learned and suitable persons to confer together, and subsequently reported to the Diet the course recommended by them.
	After the perusal of this paper, the Cardinal of Mentz and the Envoys of the other Electors withdrew to one side, and the rest of the Princes and Bishops to another, and having conferred together for a short while, they answered the Emperor that as the writing was long, they requested him to give them a copy, that they might consider it, and then reply as necessary. So it was arranged for them to send (this morning) their secretaries, to whom the writing should be read again, that all might have a copy, and but little else will be done until after the holydays, as we are well nigh in Passion week.
	Ratisbon, 6th April, 1541.
	[Italian.]
April 11. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date. Printed and dated in v. iii. pp. 17–19. 'Epistolarum Reginaldi Poli.”	247. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal Gasparo Contarini.
	Congratulations on his safe arrival and honourable reception at Ratisbon. Is also glad that at the first conference the Emperor showed himself well disposed to adjust the controversies which disturb the Church. This proves that most prudent sovereign hopes to succeed in his purpose, the more as the Turks have turned eastward, for which God be praised. Yesterday by the Pope's order his (Contarini's) letters to Cardinal Farnese, to this same effect, were read in Consistory. The Pope commended his prudence, and all applauded. Would fain give him good news from Rome in return, but cannot, as they have war at the gates. (fn. 1) With regard to the Marchioness of Pescara, (fn. 2) supposed by him (Contarini) to be a suitable mediator for the suppression of her brother's obstinacy, she tried all means to divert him from war to obedience, and having failed in her object, had recourse to prayer, and withdrew into a nunnery at Orvieto, whence she writes to him (Pole) that her days pass happily. This verily is true happiness, to think of God and not of the world; wherefore purposes persevering in prayer, that his (Contarini's) prudence may render him successful in this important negotiation.
	Rome, 11th April 1541.
	[Latin. 78 lines.]
April 13. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Marks's Library.	248. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	On the 6th, I wrote about the proposal made in the Emperor's name in the Diet, and now send a copy of it translated into Latin.
	The members of the League of Smalkald, that is to say the Protestants, after having held several consultations together, at length gave the Emperor their reply in writing, the “Obedients” or Catholics doing the like, although it seems that amongst these “Obedients” there is some difficulty. From what I understand, both parties will assent to his Majesty's appointment of such persons as may seem fit to him that they may confer and negotiate some form of concord, and then state the whole to the Diet, for the adoption of such resolutions as expedient, and God grant that they may benefit the Christian religion.
	Ratisbon, 13th April 1541.
	[Italian.]
April 22. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date of time. Printed in v. iii. pp. 22–24. “Epistolarum Reginaldi Poli,” dated 22nd April 1541.	249. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal Gasparo Contarini.
	Together with the Cardinal of Rimini, explained to the Pope how fitting it would be to send him (Contarini) two months salary. The Pope considered it perfectly just. Today his Holiness was the first to speak about it to him (Pole), inquiring whether the money had been remitted, and when answered in the negative, being also told that not even had the order been issued, he had it despatched immediately. With regard to his (Contarini's) other demand for permission to pass two months in his diocese, (fn. 3) to avoid the summer heat, from which he suffers greatly; discussed the subject first with Cardinal Farnese, to prepare the way, and then spoke to the Pope, who granted the request, saying that should he go into Cisalpine Gaul, as he apparently intended, Contarini might easily meet him there if necessary.
	Rome, 22nd April 1541.
	[Latin, 43 lines.]
April 25. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	250. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	Passion week and the Easter holydays prevented the Emperor from naming the members of the conference until the 20th, the persons appointed being as by the enclosed copy; (fn. 4) and today, in the name of God and Messer St. Mark, these Doctors are to meet and commence negotiations.
	Last evening, letters arrived from Rome, with an account of all that has taken place hitherto between the Pope and Ascanio Colonna. The Lutherans here, and indeed many others of the Court, cannot bear that the Emperor should so zealously defend the Pope's interests here, to the detriment of all his own affairs elsewhere, whilst the Pope on the other hand is intent on nothing but to effect the ruin of one of his Majesty's adherents.
	Ratisbon, 25th April 1541.
	[Italian.]
April 29. Original Letter Book of Francesco Contarini in St. Mark's Library.	251. Francesco Contarini, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Signory.
	The Emperor has been hunting for three clays, having also done the like some days previously, and he was accompanied by the Dukes of Bavaria, and the Duke of Brunswick. They are to arrive at the Carthusian Monastery outside this city tomorrow evening, and will remain there Sunday and Monday to keep the birthday of the Empress, and on Monday evening will come to see what has been done by the controvertists appointed by him, who have already held three meetings, and according to report commenced with the article “De justificatione,” concerning which the Catholics hope that the Protestants will agree with them. The articles are in number fifteen, as by the enclosed list. (fn. 5)
	Ratisbon, 29th April 1541.
	[Italian.]