Milan: 1459

Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts in the Archives and Collections of Milan 1385-1618. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1912.

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'Milan: 1459', in Calendar of State Papers and Manuscripts in the Archives and Collections of Milan 1385-1618, (London, 1912) pp. 19-21. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/milan/1385-1618/pp19-21 [accessed 26 March 2024]

1459

1459.
Jan. 10.
Registro
Missive
Ducale.
Vol. 44.
Milan
Archives.
27. Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan to Henry VI, King of England.
We have learned that Melchior and Blasius Gradi, father and son, citizens and merchants of Milan, of whom the former resides at Genoa and the latter at this renowned city of ours, have 86 lasts of woad in England with Symon Catanemy, with this mark upon it, as appears by their letters and by Symon's books. Of this woad Symon has sold a part and will soon receive payment. However, he is unable to dispose of the remainder, although he has found a purchaser, because it has been sequestrated as being the property of Genoese merchants, so they say. We are persuaded that your Majesty has no intention or inclination whatever to take any steps against our subjects, or to allow them to suffer any penalty, inconvenience or delay because of the wrong doing of the Genoese. We therefore earnestly beg your Highness to cause any measures taken about this woad to be revoked and to have it restored to our said merchants so that they may dispose thereof as they please. This will cause us the greatest satisfaction and we shall be ready to cause the same to be done for your subjects in our dominions.
Milan, the 10th January, 1459.
[Latin.]
Aug. 24.
Potenze
Estere.
Roma.
Milan.
Archives.
28. Antonio Guidobono, Milanese Ambassador to Pope Pius II. to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
Messer Jacomo da Lucha, his Holiness's secretary, informed me that his Holiness had been advised to-day from England and France that the English were sending a most notable embassy here which will make serious complaints about the King of France; and on hearing of this the latter king was also preparing to defend himself and make demands. In consequence this visit of the said ambassadors will be very long. His Holiness thinks your Highness might come here to despatch (spazare) the diet and return in time to receive these ambassadors. He pressed me hard, and I promised to write to your Highness.
Mantua, the 24th August, 1459, at the second hour of the night.
[Italian.]
May–Sept.
Sezione
Storica.
Autografi.
Vescovi.
Milan
Archives.
29. Francesco Coppino, Bishop of Terni, to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
The pope having gone to Mantua (fn. 1) to provide for the defence of Christendom against the Turks, thinks that all should contribute to this common cause and would like your Excellency to enter that diet. He proposes to levy a general tenth for the purpose from religious and secular alike, to be paid in three years. He wishes to inform you that the King of Sicily has agreed to this, and he hopes that you also will consent. He would prefer not to accept your proffered loan of 50,000 ducats, as it might cause confusion.
[Italian.]
Oct. 29.
Potenze
Estere.
Roma.
Milan
Archives.
30. Ja. Bishop of Modena and Otto di Carreto, Milanese Ambassadors at the Papal Court to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
This morning the ambassadors of Duke Albert, the emperor's brother, presented themselves in public consistory and made liberal offers against the Turk. Those of the King of Poland have arrived at Rome and are expected to enter to-morrow or the day after. Those of the emperor should have reached Rome by now and they say that those of the King of France should be there. They also say that those of the King of England and the Duke of Britanny should be here about the same time, so that we shall soon have many stately embassies. (fn. 2)
Mantua, the 29th October, 1459.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Pius II. entered Mantua on the 27th May, 1459. The Duke of Milan arrived there in the middle of September (Creighton: Hist. of the Papacy, ii., pages 379, 383). This letter must therefore have been written between these two dates, probably nearer the former than the latter.
  • 2. Gregory Heimburg represented Albert of Austria at the Congress of Mantua. Henry VI. of England nominated an embassy with the Earl of Worcester at its head, but it never came. Creighton: Hist. of the Papacy, ii., pages 392, 393.