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  1. Calendar of State Papers, Venice
  2. Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526...
  3. Appendix: Miscellaneous 1489

Appendix: Miscellaneous 1489

Pages 632-634

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1869.

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Miscellaneous 1489

1489. April 2. Archives, Venice, Library. 1474. Pope Innocent VIII. to Pietro Fanelli, of Sezza, Priest of the Diocese of Terracina.
Absolves him from all penalties for having conceded false letters to Selibert Andrews (Seliberto Andreœ), authorizing him to preach the Word of God in the kingdom of England, so that all Christians hearing his sermons and masses were to be made partakers of certain indulgences, obtained from the Pope.
Rome, 2nd April 1489, 5th year.
Endorsed: Absolution for falsification of Apostolic letters. (fn. 1)
[Original, paper. Latin, 60 lines.]
[1489 ?]. July 21. Archives, Venice, Library. 1475. John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Pope Innocent VIII.
A few days ago there arrived in London, to exercise the office of Collector, the Pope's most worthy “scriptor,” Dom. Adrian Castellense, from whom he received several letters from his Holiness. The first recommended Dom. Adrian, whose deserts are of no ordinary nature. The second contained an order from the Pope concerning the restitution and remittance of certain letters from his Holiness authenticated by the leaden seal, and conceded to moderate and restrict the right of sanctuary in England. These letters never reached the Archbishop's hands, but were delivered at once to the King, with whom they have remained ever since. From the Pope's third letter, the Archbishop readily comprehends his anxiety to make peace between France and England. For its establishment and perpetuity the Archbishop has exerted himself to the utmost. The King is so averse to the effusion of Christian blood, that he wishes for peace, although most disadvantageous for him; as the Papal Legate, the Bishop of Concordia, may have heard from the King's own lips. But such an unbridled rage for domination has seized the French, that not content with their own boundaries, they daily annex neighbouring kingdoms to their own empire, as the provinces belonging to the King of the Romans, the King of Spain, the Duke of Burgundy, and to the orphan Duchess of Britanny. In consequence of this, not from his own will, but from the necessity of defending the oppressed and those who are orphans, his Majesty is provoked to war, and the more so because, whilst the present peace was in course of negotiation, they fraudulently and dishonorably made preparations for a most fierce war against the most noble orphan the Duchess of Britanny.
Concerning the case of Sir John Kendal, knows that he has great merits which have long bound him (Morton) to his interests; and Kendal is in the Pope's service, (fn. 2) Morton's love for him is increased. Will therefore take care that everything shall redound to his honour and advantage; but the King resents his having assumed the name of his priory (fn. 3) without asking his Majesty's advice or tendering him the oath of allegiance. (fn. 4) Notwithstanding, believes that by reason of the King's singular devotion towards the Pope, he will bear everything more tranquilly.
Recommends to the Pope Dom. John de Giglis as a most obedient servant, and most devoted son. In all matters committed to him he has always evinced so much discretion as never to give the slightest offence. His merits are well known to the Pope.
Lambeth, 21st July [no date of year].
(Signed) Most humble creature,
Jo. Cantuar.
[Original, parchment. Latin, 26 lines.]
Aug. 14 Archives, Venice, Library. 1476. John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Pope Innocent VIII.
On the 6th of August the ambassador of the King of Naples arrived in London, bringing a present of certain horses for his Majesty (the King of England). He did not announce the commission given him, but should he undertake to negotiate anything detrimental to the honour and advantage of the Pope and the Apostolic see, Morton will do his utmost to prevent him from attaining his object, which he (Morton) will speedily notify to his Holiness. (fn. 5) Is of opinion that the attempt to move the King against the Roman See will be vain, his Majesty's devotion towards it being such that he would not tolerate so much as a word the least offensive to the Pope's dignity.
Has no intelligence of these parts worth communicating, save that the truce between the English and French having been broken,—and this he writes with great sorrow,—all things are now ferociously transacted (aguntur) by fire and sword; for, as he has frequently written to the Pope, the French, not satisfied with their own boundaries, strive constantly to deprive the orphan Duchess of Britanny of her inheritance by force of arms, so that his Majesty of England is compelled to go to war against his will.
Lambeth, 14th August [no date of year].
(Signed) Most humble creature,
Jo. Cantuar.
[Original, parchment. Latin, 9 lines.]
[1489 ?] Dec. 3. Archives, Venice, Library. 1477. John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Pope Innocent VIII.
Received the Pope's letter in recommendation of Sir John Kendal. Will exert himself in Kendal's behalf, and do all he can to obtain for his affairs the King's favour. Prays the Pope's favour for himself, as he is the Pope's most unworthy creature and formation (facturam). Nothing has happened in these western parts of the the world worthy of being written to his Holiness, save that the King's most illustrious Majesty is preparing for war against the King of the French. Great calamities will thus be caused to Christendom. Prays God to suppress these dissensions so that a true peace may be established, to effect which he will do his utmost.
Lambeth, 3rd December.
(Signed) Most humble creature,
Jo. Cantuar.
[Original, parchment. Latin, 7 lines.]

Footnotes

  • 1. The name “Hier. Balbanus” is inscribed on the margin of the draft, and was perhaps the signature of the Datary.
  • 2. “Quod sunclitatis restrœ rebus inserviat.”
  • 3. “Nomen prioratus ipsms usvrpaverit.”
  • 4. In the Plumpton Correspondence (Camden Society publications, 1839, p. 118), it is stated that the “exact date “ of Sir John Kendal's nomination to the priory of St. John's “is not ascertained; the earliest discovered is the year 1491.” The Archbishop of Canterbury now shows that already in 1489 the title had been assumed by Sir John Kendal, somewhat to the displeasure of Henry VII., who, however, subsequently employed him diplomatically, as mentioned by Lord Bacon (Life of Henry VII., p. 418 ed. London, 1854). In vol. i., Venetian Calendar, it is seen that abroad Sir John Kendal was styled “Prior of England “ as early as the 19th April 1485.
  • 5. On St. Peter's day (29th June) 1489, Pope Innocent VIII. excommunicated Ferdinand I., King of Naples, who seems to have sent immediately to Henry VII., to complain of this act.