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Appendix: Miscellaneous 1518

Pages 583-586

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1867.

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Miscellaneous 1518

June 10. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me, Letter no. 200. 1349. Marco Minio to the Council of Ten.
Had been told by the Pope that the Catholic King had despatched an envoy with money to the Emperor, to aid his election as King of the Romans; that he was much inclined towards that grade, and suspected that the Signory would impede his project, the Pope adding, “Beware of quoting us.” Reply of Minio that the Signory had never even thought of thwarting the Catholic King, which the Pope professed to believe, and said that nothing certain could be stated by him about the will of the electors, as they were not yet gone to the Diet, and that his nuncio had therefore been unable to confer with them.
Rome, 10th June 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
June 23. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me, Letter no. 205. 1350. The Same to the Signory.
Was told by Cardinal de' Medici that the Imperial Diet would be held after St. Peter's Day, and that it would discuss the election of the King of the Romans. With regard to the wishes of the electors he said some were in favour of the Catholic King, the Emperor himself being of that mind, whilst others wished for his brother, the Infant[Ferdinand]; the most Christian King likewise being talked of, most especially on account of his matrimonial alliance with the Marquis of Brandenburg, (fn. 1) who would have for colleagues his brother the Archbishop of Mayence and the Count Palatine, who was extremely hostile to the Emperor.
Rome, 23rd June 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 14. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me, Letter no. 222. 1351. The Same to the Same.
Announces the receipt in Rome of letters from Germany, mentioning the arrival at Augsburg of two other electors of the empire, so that they were all there with the exception of the Elector of Brandenburg and the Archbishop of Cologne, who were expected shortly, and it was considered certain that the Diet would be held in August, and the Catholic King be elected King of the Romans.
Remark of Minio that he had already acquainted the State with the fact that the Catholic King had remitted a considerable sum of money for this purpose. Adds that it seemed to him a matter of the greatest importance the bestowal of the Imperial Crown on a sovereign already so powerful as the King of Spain, though the leading personages at Rome said that should he remain in Spain he would not obtain the requisite obedience in Germany; whilst, on the other hand, by residing in Germany, the obedience of Spain would fail him, though Minio was of opinion that a sage sovereign would so contrive as to retain the allegiance of both realms.
Rome, 14th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 14. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me, Letter no. 223. 1352. Marco Minio to the Council of Ten.
Writes that on the 12th of August the Pope said to him, “Know that Maximilian never acquainted us with his intention about the election of a King of the Romans, neither until now was anything written to Rome on the subject by the Catholic King; who at this present, not through his ambassador, but by an envoy bearing letters of credence, has requested us to write to write to our Legate in Germany to show him all possible favour, so that His Majesty may be elected King of the Romans.” The Pope then requested Minio not to say anything about this, as he was averse to its being known that he had announced the fact, evincing regret at such great increase of the power of the King of Spain.
Rome, 14th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 20. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me, Letter no. 225. 1353. The Same to the Signory.
Had been told on that morning by Cardinal de' Medici that they had letters from Germany dated the 10th, announcing the commencement of the Diet, the Archbishop of Cologne being the only elector absent; and according to report the Princes would condescend to the wish of the Emperor, and elect the Catholic King King of the Romans.
Rome, 20th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 28. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me, Letter no. 227. 1354. The Same to the Same.
When discussing the Imperial Diet with Cardinal de' Medici, was told by him that the election of the Catholic King as King of the Romans was not so certain as supposed, there being some dissension amongst the electors, the Cardinal saying, “Were the Catholic King to be elected, this would prove very important, but worse for France than for others; and Italy likewise would be ill off” He spoke at great length on the subject, showing that the Court of Rome was at that moment apprehensive of the election. Minio remarked that this demonstration was made after the arrival of the French envoy; so, supposing him to have brought some tidings concerning this matter, he endeavoured to elicit something farther from Cardinal de' Medici by saying, “But what can King Francis do in the business?” to which the Cardinal replied, “He has got the Count Palatine and some others besides; nor will he fail doing everything that this may not take place.” Rome, 28th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
August. Mantuan Archives. 1355. Cardinal Wolsey to Silvester de Giglis, Bishop of Worcester, English Ambassador at Rome.
(Paragraphs contained' in No. 1051, but not printed in the “Amplissima Collectio” of Martene and Durand.)
During the oration made to Cardinal Campeggio at the Cross in Chepe the guilds of the merchants and of the trades were present; and the procession then went on to St. Paul's Cathedral, where he was received with incessant prayers and extreme devotion by the Bishop of London, and many other bishops, abbots, and priors, in pontifical array.
These ceremonies being ended, and the due honours having been paid him, he was escorted to Bath House, belonging to the writer (ad cedes meets Bathonieñ), who had given orders for it to be prepared and decorated with elegant furniture, and everything necessary for him. Were he[Cardinal Wolsey] to write a full account of this solemnity, it would be no light task; but, in short, Cardinal Campeggio was so honorably received, that had the Pope come in person he could scarcely have been welcomed with more magnificent pomp; but the very loving manner in which Campeggio was treated by him he wishes his correspondent to learn from the letters of others, rather than from his own.
In addition to this, on the 3rd of the present month [August ?], Cardinal Campeggio, together with the writer, presented themselves to the King, who sent many lords and great personages to meet them. On arriving at the royal palace, immediately at the entry, His Majesty, with the royal insignia, came in state (vestibusque plane regiis insignitus, heroica forma nobis obviam prodit) to meet them, and on his knees did homage to both (genuflexus nos ambos devotissime veneratur); saluting and embracing them. He then led them into his privy chamber (ad regium snum cubiculum), and seated himself on the throne. The writer having spoken to him about the Legate's good will towards His Majesty, the King replied so respectfully (ita reverenter respondit), that, not so much from his words, as from his countenance and gestures, it might easily be seen how much filial observance he bears the Pope, and how ardent is his zeal for the welfare of all Christendom. Silence being then proclaimed, Cardinal Campeggio's brother (fr~) delivered an elegant oration, setting forth the Pope's extreme desire for the quiet of the Christian commonwealth, and for the propagation of the orthodox faith, to which a lucid answer was given, in the King's name, by the privy-councillor, Master Clerk, LL.D. (fn. 2)
[Latin.]
Sept. 17. File no. 6. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta). 1356. The Doge and College to Sebastian Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England.
Transmit summaries of letters received on that morning, by way of Rome and Hungary, concerning the events of the Levant, of no slight importance; for communication as usual to the King and others.
[Italian.]
Sept. 28. File no. 6. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta). 1357. The Same to the Same.
Although they had but little news from the Levant, enclosed nevertheless the summary of letters received from Constantinople and Ragusa, that he might communicate it to the King and Cardinals Wolsey and Campeggio.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. There was a project of marriage between Madame Renée, the sister-in-law of King Francis, and Gioachim of Brandenburg.
  • 2. One passage is omitted in the Mantuan MS., and occupies 54 lines in the printed edition: it seems to be a sort of apology for reproof previously lavished by Wolsey on Giglis for remissness in persecuting and fleecing Adrian; in like manner as the rest of the letter evidently had for object to make amends for the detention of Campeggio at Calais, being destined for the perusal of Leo X., and, indeed, for general publication.