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| Feb. 1. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 156. |
1005. The Same to the Council of Ten. |
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Promise made to him by Michiel de Abbatis, that no letters should reach Rome from England, Spain, or the Emperor, without his being made acquainted with their contents. De Abbatis was
intimate with those who heard everything, and being considered an imperialist, they concealed nothing from him. |
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Rome, 1st February 1518. |
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[Extract, Italian.] |
| Feb. 2. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 161. |
1006. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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On the 20th January had communicated the newsletters to Cardinal Wolsey, who said, “By the grace of God I have so arranged the affairs of this kingdom, that his Majesty will act as a right Christian prince, and prove his valour against the Turk by deeds, and not by words.” The Cardinal then enquired whether he had heard anything from France respecting the military and naval preparations of the French King. Replied in the negative. The Cardinal rejoined that certain ships were cruising about, and another armada was understood to be fitting out in Britanny; that the King of France had engaged a great number of lansquenets; and that such preparations could only be made against England. He added that the English were therefore putting all their fortresses in order, mustering their troops, and arming their ships. Suggested that the armada might be intended either against the Duke of Savoy or for the affairs of Barbary. |
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The Cardinal replied, “Should it be thus as you believe, Domine Orator, write to the Magnifico your ambassador resident with the King of France, to contrive that he may declare against us, if such be his intention, like a magnanimous King, and tell us the reason; for it would not be to the honour of a Sovereign who thinks so highly of himself to embark in such an enterprise furtively and by stealth.” Promised to perform this office. |
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Dined with the Cardinal on Sunday, 31st January, when he discussed the same topic with the Cardinal and the Duke of Norfolk. |
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Had written to the ambassador [Antonio] Giustinian. |
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Warlike preparations were being made in England, and certain great personages had crossed the Channel either to Calais or Tournai, to guard against these movements [of France], or to ascertain the truth. |
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London, 2nd February 1518. |
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[Italian, 4½ pages, or 93 lines.] |
| Feb. 8. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxv. p. 194. |
1007. Francesco Cornaro, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Signory. |
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Valladolid, 11th and 14th January. |
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The King of France was raising troops for the recovery of Tournai. |
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Arrival of the Flanders galleys at Cadiz, on the—. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxv. p. 200. |
1008. Gian Giacomo Caroldo, Venetian Secretary at Milan, to the Signory. |
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February [13?], 1518. |
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Had been told by Gian Giacomo Triulzi the most Christian King
was endeavouring to make terms with the Cardinal of Sion, and to take 12,000 Switzers into his pay, and seize Tournai. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 17. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 162. |
1009. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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Had been several times to Cardinal Wolsey, to ascertain his wishes concerning peace or war, and elicited that a great number of lansquenets had been engaged in France, where all along the coast orders had been given to detain vessels for the King's use. The Cardinal believed that these preparations were made to secure the Duke of Albany's passage to Scotland, the faction opposed to him having risen, and cut to pieces some of his adherents; and for the purpose of invading Flanders. |
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On the 18th he was to discuss the repeal of the wine duties with Cardinal Wolsey. Richard Pace, the chief secretary, had admitted the justice of the demand; but he added that, although the Council exercised great authority, everything depended on the sole will of the Cardinal. |
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Had been informed by a person in authority that France was arming either against Flanders or Scotland, and that an embargo had been laid on vessels in the ports of the Catholic King. King Henry had also ordered vessels to be in readiness, and hired a number of others, amounting, it was said, to 80 sail. This fleet, according to report, was mustered by sending messengers to all the English ports, and chartering every vessel in them, the owners being bound to tell no one of their embargo. The militia had also been ordered to be in readiness. This account was doubtless exaggerated. As yet no money had been disbursed. |
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London, 17th February 1518. |
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[Italian, 3½ pages, or 78 lines.] |
| Feb. 28. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 163. |
1010. The Same to the Same. |
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Had received the State's missives of the 23rd January, with the Turkish newsletters, and letters from [Antonio] Giustinian, Venetian ambassador in France. The latter set forth the good will of the King of France, and his wish for peace. Communicated this intelligence to the King at Windsor on the 23rd February. It was very agreeable to the King, Cardinal Wolsey, and the Lords. The Cardinal complained that no compensation had been made to the Englishmen who had suffered insupportable injuries at the hands of the French, whereas full satisfaction had been given for the damages incurred by French subjects. |
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The King made no comment on the Turkish affairs, but remarked concerning the King of France, “If he bore me good will, he would not weigh me so lightly as he does by wronging my subjects, and not doing them that justice which I did by his. Let him write and declare to me his good will, and act like a true king; and if he bears me any rancour, let him say so openly, and I will do the like. But I perceive that although his ambassadors who came here used
language as bland and agreeable as could be desired, saying that they were not ashamed to demand peace in their King's name, and to desire union and a good undersanding with me, yet on their return justice was not administered to my subjects, who, on the contrary, when they presented themselves for compensation, received threats of being murdered, and have thus returned dissatisfied.” |
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The King also said that the Venetian ambassador in France had written to the best of his knowledge, but knew no more than the King of France chose him to know. |
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Informed the King that the marriage between the Duke of Urbino (Lorenzo de' Medici) and the sister of the Duke of Albany had been concluded and ratified, that the bridegroom was going to France in Lent, and that the marriage was to be consummated after Easter. The King said he had received very recent news to the contrary. He ridiculed the agreement of France with the Switzers, saying that much money might have been promised, but would never be disbursed. |
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The King caused the Princess (Mary) his daughter, who was two years old, to be brought into the apartment where they were. The Cardinal, he (Giustinian), and the Lords kissed her hand, pro more. Greater honour was paid to the Princess than to the Queen. On seeing the Reverend Dionvsius Memo, who was at a little distance, the Princess commenced calling out in English, “Priest!” and he was obliged to go and play for her; after which the King, with the Princess in his arms, came to him (Giustinian) and said, “Per Deum! iste est honestissimus vir, et unus carissimus: nullus unquam servivit mihi fidelius et melius illo. Scribaris Domino vestro quod habeat ipsum commendatum.” |
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Two ambassadors had been despatched from England to the Catholic King, namely, the Archbishop of Armagh (John Kite) and Lord Berners (John Bourchier). |
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The Cardinal had promised to appoint Richard Pace and Thomas More, as commissioners to negotiate the repeal of the wine duties. They are the most sage, most virtuous, and most linked with him (Giustinian) of any in England. Suspected this promise would not be performed, because Pace was known to be devoted to the Signory, and More to justice. |
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Earnest enquiries had been made of him (Giustinian) both by the Cardinal and many other Lords, when the galleys would arrive. Replied that he thought they would soon reach England. The King intended to go on board them. |
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London, 28th February 1518. |
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[Italian, 8 pages, or 170 lines.] |
