Appendix: Miscellaneous 1502 | British History Online

Page 635

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 1502



[1502.] [May ?] Miscellany, Library, Venetian Archives.	1479. Doge Leonardo Loredano to King Henry VII.
	The affection borne by him and the entire Senate towards the renowned and glorious family of the most serene Kings of England was, and always is, such that nothing either prosperous or adverse can befal his royal Highness without its being shared by the Signory. Therefore, on hearing of the death of his Serenity's son, they were inexpressibly grieved, and by so much the more as he came to an untimely end when offering a rare example, worthy of the royal succession, and from which his noble father might hope the best. This mutual disaster would grieve them much more, if they did not bear in mind the common law of nature, to which there is no exception; and they derive comfort from the orthodox dogma (orthodoxa sententia) of their most holy religion, which teaches them that, by the hidden counsel of his wisdom, God calls to himself those who please him. Thus do they firmly believe has it happened to his Majesty's son, owing to his singular and excellent qualities and rare mental endowments.
	His Majesty, being most sage, must therefore mitigate his grief, and utterly renounce mourning; and they exhort him to bear in mind that he is a most Christian Prince and King, appointed by God over his family as his vicegerent in that most flourishing realm, to govern human society, and to guide it for the attainment of such things as lead to immortality. In order that this may be effected as required by the King's state and condition, and that he may the more freely exert himself for the advantage of Christendom, they earnestly and cordially beseech his Majesty thus to do, and pray God very long to keep him safe and prosperous.
	[Undated draft. Latin. Writing and paper of the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century.]