Spain: February 1529, 16-28 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 2, 1527-1529. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1877.

'Spain: February 1529, 16-28', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 2, 1527-1529, (London, 1877) pp. 894-909. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol3/no2/pp894-909 [accessed 9 May 2024]

February 1529, 16-28



16 Feb.	626. The Emperor to Muxetula.
S. E. L. 1,554, f. 633. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 52.	Your despatches dated the 21st of August, 25th and 27th of October, 22nd and 28th November [of last year], and 13th of January have come to hand. We are aware of your good services at that Court, not only in persuading His Holiness to return to Rome, but also in wisely conducting other affairs and negotiations entrusted to your care.
	What you tell us about the rebellious barons of Naples is very praiseworthy, and a good proof of your zeal in your service. As soon as the French are totally expelled from that kingdom We shall take care that justice is done, and the traitors punished as they deserve.
	With regard to the business of our aunt, the most Serene Highness the Queen of England, We fancy that you are not sufficiently well informed, because We know for certain that Cardinal Campeggio took to England express orders from the Pope to proceed at once with the trial, as you will see by the enclosed copy of his instructions. (fn. n1) We know also that the said Cardinal [Campeggio], who was the bearer of a Papal brief in his credence addressed to the Queen, advised her at the time to go into a convent, which step, he said, was greatly recommended by His Holiness to prevent greater scandal and trouble. The Queen, however, looking to her own honour and reputation, refused, and though she did not dare remonstrate at the time, and state whom she suspected of this suggestion (alegar el lugar sospechoso), and not having by her either documents or advocates and solicitors to defend herself properly,—especially as the case was of such a nature, and the King himself the promoter of the suit,—yet there is no reason whatever for having a case of this sort and of so much importance tried [in England], the place not being secure for the Queen, nor one to which We can safely forward the original brief of dispensation which is in our possession. We consider that our own request—being, as we are, so closely allied to the Queen, and so much interested in maintaining the validity of the dispensation, as well as in upholding the power, authority, and pre-eminence of the Holy See to grant such privileges—is sufficient, and that it is our duty, though the Queen, desirous of avoiding scandal, had not applied for it, to claim in this instance the protection and favour of the Holy See, and to request that the case be tried before his sacred consistory, and the commission given to Cardinal Campeggio revoked. We, therefore, command you to beg His Holiness in our name to have the cause brought before his Court, notwithstanding any contrary steps taken by the new English ambassadors to prevent a thing so just and reasonable.
	Respecting the commission which Don Iñigo de Mendoça, our ambassador in England, has given you to search in the registers [of the Dataria] for the draft of the brief of dispensation above alluded to, do this by all means; but even if the register should be missing, this would be no impediment to the establishment of the Queen's right and justice, for We have already sent her an authentic copy of it, informing her at the same time that the original brief was, and is, in our possession.
	Your last despatch of the 13th January mentions the Pope's dangerous illness, at which We are very much affected, considering the troubles into which Christianity might be plunged by his death, and the schisms likely to arise in the Church. Should His Holiness be alive, as We have no doubt he will be on the receipt of this letter, since he was better on the 16th of December, We command you to wait on him, conjointly with Cardinal Santacroce and Doctor Miçer Mai, who must already have declared our intentions and proposed the means for him to carry out his. (fn. n2) Should God our Lord have ordered otherwise concerning him, We wish you to know that our intention and will is to have no party Pope elected, but one who may be a common father and shepherd of the Christian flock. Say then and declare to all [the cardinals], that on no account, either from fear of our armies,—for which the Prince [of Orange] will give all the securities demanded,—or from any other scruple whatsoever, is the college to break up and quit Rome, but, on the contrary, it is to proceed to the election of a new Pope in a free and canonical manner, not yielding to passion or private affection, but looking solely to God's service and the good of Christianity.
	Bishop of Utrecht, &c.
	Though Miçer Mai may have arrived, We wish you still to remain some little time at Rome instructing him about the affairs of that embassy, and not to quit without first consulting the Prince of Orange.—Toledo, 16th February 1529.
	Spanish. Original draft. pp. 3.
16 Feb.	627. The Emperor to Cardinal Santacroce.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 44, f. 33. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 55.	Your despatches of the 10th and 13th ulto. have been duly received. We are glad to hear that Your Reverence has reached Rome in safety, but We grieve at His Holiness' sudden and dangerous illness, as advised by Your Reverence. His loss at the present time, when he seemed better disposed towards us, would be indeed a great misfortune, not only for us, but for the whole of Christendom, should the bad passions and intrigues of certain parties succeed (fn. n3) in creating some schism [in the Church]. Yet as We have not since heard from Rome, We trust that the danger has passed away, and that the Pope is well again.
	We are glad to hear that Your Reverence has found an opportunity of assuring the assembled cardinals that it is not our intention, in case of His Holiness' demise, which may God forbid, to promote or help in any way the election of a party Pope, but only that of one who may be the common Father of the Faithful. You may assure them in our name that, should a new election take place, they need not for fear of our arms quit Rome, and select some other spot for their meetings, for We now write to the Prince of Orange [Philibert de Chalon] to give all possible securities that the College of Cardinals shall not be disturbed in its election. And as Your Reverence says that the Prince has hitherto been found very ready and disposed to fulfil our orders and instructions respecting the delivery of the hostages and fortresses, We have no doubt that you will find him equally so to follow your advice and that of other experienced ministers in these matters, for We repeat our only wish is that, should the present Pope die, the election be made at Rome independently, and without pressure from any of the belligerent powers. Even if he (the Prince) should delay the delivery of the fortresses until the declaration of the new election, there will be no harm done, as no inconvenience could thereby arise that could not be immediately remedied by fulfilling towards the new Pope the terms promised to his predecessor. (fn. n4)
	Your Reverence's oration to the Pope and to the Sacred College of Cardinals, and the declaration which the former made in consequence, have met with our entire approbation. May His Holiness live to fulfil his holy intentions! Your Reverence did right in bidding Juan Antonio Muxetula to remain at his post until the arrival of Miçer Mai. We now command him expressly not to quit Rome without permission from the Prince of Orange.—Toledo, 16th February 1529.
	Since the above was written another letter has been received, dated the 16th ulto., wherein Your Reverence announces His Holiness' gradual recovery from his past illness. We rejoice at it, as you may imagine. May God restore his health completely, and grant him as long a life as We wish him, arid as is required for the welfare of Christendom!
	The Pope's holy determination to undertake so toilsome a journey as this of Spain in order to visit us, and ensure the establishment of a good and lasting peace between the Christian Princes, is one that We cannot sufficiently applaud and commend. We thank His Holiness most sincerely for it, but let him come as soon as possible, as We are presently going to Barcelona to meet him, and such is our desire to see him, and such our anxiety to procure the blessings of peace, that We might perhaps be obliged to go on, and thus spare him the trouble of coming to us.
	We are sorry to hear that Rome and its neighbourhood are suffering from want of wheat.
	As Master Davalos must have arrived [in Rome] by this time and delivered our message, We need not add that Your Reverence's private business is in our hands, and what We intend doing in it for the present. We shall never forget the promises we made you before parting.
	The Siennese have no reason to complain of and be displeased with us, for in reality We have neither granted nor refused their demands. The real truth is that our time has been so much taken up by more important affairs that We have had no leisure to think about them.
	The Papal Nuncio (Baldassar Castiglione) at this our court died the other day. We have felt his death much, for he was a very fit person to maintain friendship between His Holiness and us. We beg you to see that the heirs of the said Nuncio, and principally his nephew, Miçer Ludovico, now at our court, and of whose good qualities and virtues We have been informed, be treated [at Rome] with due consideration, and held as persons possessing our esteem and confidence, and fit to obtain ecclesiastical benefices from the Apostolic Chamber.
	Respecting the business of our aunt, Her most Serene Highness the Queen of England, We can only repeat here the substance (fn. n5) of what We write to Miçer Mai, &c.—Toledo, ——February 1529.
16 Feb.	628. The Emperor to Antonio de Leyva.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 44, f. 37. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 28.	Spectabilis et Magnifice vir, capitanee et Status Mediolani gubernator, fidelis noster et dilecte, &c.,—Your letters of the 25th and 29th November 1528 by the Prior of Barletta, and those of the 7th of January by Barahona, present bearer, have been duly received. We thank you very earnestly for the care you take of our affairs, and for your promptness in informing us of whatever you deem important for our service. Your advice respecting our journey to Italy has so far met with our approbation that We are actually preparing for it, and purpose leaving this town (Toledo) for Barcelona on the 1st of March. Already most active steps are being taken at Cartagena for the embarkation of a large force of infantry and cavalry that is to accompany us, as well as of a large quantity of wheat (pan) for the support of those forces, in case Italy should be, as is apprehended, in want of that article. The government of these our kingdoms during our absence is to remain in the hands of our beloved wife the Empress [Isabella], who is also to take care of our son Philip and of the Infanta [Doña Maria]. Without stopping on the road We purpose spending the Holy Week at Monserrate, and thence going to Barcelona to hasten the embarkation. The transport ships from Cartagena, the Sicilian and Neapolitan squadrons, as well as the galleys of Andrea Doria, are to meet us at Rosas [in Catalonia], whence We hope to sail on the 1st of May. Respecting our landing in Italy, although Genoa seems to us for many reasons a fit place for it, as you point out in one of your last despatches, We have not yet made up our mind where it will be, as counsel changes with time (tiempo muda consejo), and between this and the day of our embarkation things might happen to modify our opinion; but We shall take care to inform you and the Prince of Orange of our movements. Meanwhile We keep constantly writing to the Prince to organise his army, so that after leaving part of his forces before Barletta and Trani he may march with the remainder to Lombardy, where he may, in conjunction with you, inflict all possible harm on the enemy. Should, however, our arrival [in Italy] take place before the signature of the peace, which is now being negotiated, you and the Prince will take particular care to take up such positions with the forces under your command that the enemy cannot intercept our march towards you. In the event, moreover, of the war continuing, our brother of Hungary has been instructed by us to enlist 10,000 German infantry and 2,000 Burgundian horse, with 1,000 draft horses for the light artillery. As our orders were peremptory and the money duly remitted, We hope that this force will be by this time either descending into Italy, or so far on its way as to enter it at our landing. Should there be any difficulty about this, We fully authorise you to write in our name to the King of Hungary, and ask him to hasten the departure of the reinforcements, or if you consider that any portion of them is required in Lombardy, to ask for them at once. Your prevision and care in securing the friendship of the Grisons, that they may not oppose the passage of these troops over their territory, is highly commendable, as well as all other military precautions adopted by you, for certainly in our opinion the best way to obtain peace is to be fully prepared for war.
	With regard to the Marquis of Mantua (Federigo Gonzaga) We partake of your opinion that his present neutrality must be encouraged, so as to make him declare openly in our favour. Certainly an ambassador of his is now at our court as a mediator of peace between us and the King of France; but this must be said of him, that hitherto he has done or said nothing to prove his master's good intentions, though at the first audience he (the ambassador) asked for some military post for the Marquis that might enable him, as he said, to wage war on the Venetians, and take some important town from them ; yet in the note which he afterwards presented to our Council he only mentioned vaguely some military command wherewith he might employ himself in our service; after which, in conversation with one of our councillors, he hinted that the post of commander-in-chief of our forces in Lombardy would be acceptable. Nor were his overtures about the peace of a more definite nature, for he only brought us a memorandum in French, given to him in France, and containing only part of the offers rejected at the conferences of Palencia and Burgos. After this, the ambassador having suggested that, if required, he was ready to return to Italy by sea, not through France, We decided that he should take the sea route and embark with us at Barcelona, the more so that We were afraid of his reporting to the Marquis—as these foreign ambassadors are in the habit of doing—on what he has seen here in Spain, and the military preparations for our Italian expedition. All of a sudden, however, the Mantuan ambassador changed his mind, declaring that he would not go by sea, but through France. Were he to do so, he said, "his master, the Marquis, would be suspected; the confederates were still in force in Italy; they might fall upon and destroy him." This refusal of the Mantuan ambassador is likely to be the cause—as he has already been told by one of our councillors—of his master's application not being responded to as well or as quickly as he at first imagined. In short, as We cannot forcibly retain him at our court, should he insist upon taking the route of France against our will, We purpose that our answer to his master's overtures be thus conceived: "With regard to his offers of service We feel very grateful, and will seize the very first opportunity to make use of them. He is to consult you (Leyva) as to the manner in which he can best be employed in Lombardy or elsewhere. If after this the Marquis should allude to his desire of obtaining the command in chief of the Imperial forces, he is to be told with all courtesy that the Prince of Orange having filled that post until now to our great satisfaction, We could not, without injury to his honour, deprive him thereof; and that besides our shortly intended journey to Italy will make the said post unnecessary, as wherever We are We need no captain-general for our forces. You will tell him that the overtures of peace brought by his ambassador were of such a nature as to be unworthy of consideration, but that he will always find us inclined to an honourable settlement of all difficulties, and ready to show him favour."
	After the above was decided and written, the Mantuan ambassador called again and offered to abandon his project of a land journey through France, and return to Italy by sea, provided the following two conditions were granted: the first was that his master, the Marquis, should be empowered to treat with Venice, and induce her to desert the League and join her forces to his, so as to expel the French from Lombardy. The better to calm the fears of the Venetians, and secure their co-operation for this enterprise, the Marquis, he suggested, ought to be authorised to promise in the Emperor's name that, as soon as the French should be ejected from Milan, the Duchy should be divided into two portions as the Pò runs, leaving to Venice that part which is now in the hands of the confederates, and giving the Cremonese to the Marquis.
	The other condition was that, in order the better to remove the suspicions of the French, it should appear as if We had compelled him to return to Italy by sea, for which purpose Marco Pio, the Ferrarese ambassador, who had left for France under a safe-conduct, ought to be overtaken and obliged also to take the sea route, &c.
	These proposals of the Mantuan ambassador could not possibly be accepted, as it was evident that he only aimed at ascertaining what our plans and intentions were respecting the Italian Princes. It was, therefore, decided in our Council to detain the Mantuan at our court, and not let him proceed on his journey by land or sea, until We ourselves embarked at Barcelona, the more so that We hear that his master, the Marquis, has publicly announced there [in Italy], as well as here [in Spain], that he is about to enter into a treaty of alliance (concertarse) with France, and marry the daughter of Mons. de Labret, which intelligence has since been confirmed by the ambassadors of the Marchioness of Monferrato (Margaret) and of her son, the Marquis (Bonifacio), who assert that the Marquis of Mantua (Gonzaga) had sent a chaplain of his to Casale to renounce and break off, before a public notary and witnesses, his engagement to a daughter of the Marchioness [Margaret].
	Should, therefore, any overtures about the dismemberment of the Duchy, above alluded to, be made to you, either on the Signory's side or on that of the Marquis of Mantua, you are to treat the matter as if you were ignorant of it, and had no suspicion whatever of the Marquis' double dealing in this particular. You will tell them that you do not think it probable that We shall ever consent to the said dismemberment unless the justice or injustice of the Duke Francesco [Sforza] be previously established and declared. But that in the event of the said Duke being judicially deprived of his estate as having no right whatever to it, then in that case, and provided it was thought expedient for the pacification and repose of Italy, and to remove the suspicions and fears generally entertained by Italians of our intending the said Duchy for ourselves or giving it to our brother (Ferdinand). We might allow and tolerate the aforesaid dismemberment in the manner most compatible with our honour and interests. This, however, must be stated merely as a private opinion of your own, and not as if it came from us.
	Your idea of sending a trusty man to France, along with the agent of Monferrato, that he might report on the affairs of that country, was an excellent one, and We beg you to do the same whenever an opportunity offers itself. It is always important to know what our enemies say about us. As to the advices which you say have lately come from the Duke of Savoy, purporting that the troops now being raised in our Spanish dominions are destined to accompany us to Italy, they are quite correct. The Duke had an agent here who saw the preparations made, and who, on his return to Savoy, divulged the fact.
	Of your readiness to serve under the Prince of Orange as commander-in-chief, and implicitly obey his orders, We felt sure. No harm can result therefrom to your honour or well-established military reputation. We are convinced that the Prince will never command anything without your approval, and that he will follow your advice in everything.
	With regard to the grants and confirmations which you say "will be made in future with moderation, and in the most convenient form," We know not what to think of such declaration, having never allowed any such grants to be made in our name, but, on the contrary, having refused to confirm those made in the estate of Milan by the Duke of Bourbon or by yourself, insisting always that until the justice or injustice of the Duke Francesco Sforza was openly proved and established We did not intend interfering in those matters. We have hitherto dissembled and allowed those upon whom such grants have been bestowed to retain them, without approving or disapproving of your acts and the Duke's; and this We have done out of regard for you, and from fear of being called an unjust Prince (por no aquerer la voz y fama de principe injusto); but We have never given any hope to the parties. We marvel much, therefore, that, under the excuse of the said grants and confirmations that We are supposed to have made, a number of people have arrived at this our court, in representation of the Castellan of Mus (Giangiacopo de' Medici), of Count Philippo Torniello, and others, bearing letters of commendation from you, and asking for the confirmation of pensions and lands which they assert have been granted by you. We cannot answer these people in different terms from other applicants. We cannot confirm any alienations of territory or grants made in the estate of Milan until the justice or injustice of the Duke Francesco be duly established. It is to be presumed that the said applicants or their agents will not be pleased with this our answer, and that when they hear of it they will be inclined to desert you (desampararos), and, with what you have already given them, go over to the enemy. As this, however, would be highly injurious to our interests under present circumstances, and especially before our own arrival in Italy, We will delay an answer to their applications until the very time of our embarkation at Barcelona, that they may not be advised of it and commit treachery previous to our arrival in Italy.
	Having some misgivings that the aforesaid error originated in some mistake of the clerk who copied the instructions given to Rivadeneyra—especially as We had seen the letter which you addressed to Jean Lallemand by Barahona, advising him of the grant of an annual pension on that Duchy, amounting to 1,000 ducats, payable by Francisco Dada (d'Adda), banker of Milan—We ordered the said draft to be carefully inspected, when it was found that the following words had been intercalated without our knowledge, ...., "as it has been verbally related to you." The said Jean Lallemand being now in prison for various misdemeanours, We believe that it must have been he who, for his own profit and for the sake of the pension he expected to get from you, had the said words inserted by the clerk. We wish you to command Rivadeneyra in our name to write down the very words which were told him by mouth (de boca), besides those contained in the instructions, and who spoke them to him. We command you also to write very explicitly on this point, and let us know what the aforesaid Rivadeneyra told you verbally respecting the affair of Jean Lallemand and his pension of 1,000 ducats, as well as the grants and confirmations which it is stated you were to make in the estate of Milan. And let this be done as secretly as possible, and come by the next post.
	The agreement entered into with the Germans, Spaniards, and Italians of that army, and the way in which you have managed to keep them on under your banner, appears to us excellent. We thank you for your exertions and the trouble you have taken in the affair. The accounts sent by Barahona have also been received, as well as your estimates of the money wanted monthly for the support of that army from the 1st of January. Now in this estimate We find that the pay of the Germans alone is put down at 18,500 ducats per month, which is nearly double the sum usually spent for such a service; for if We are rightly informed—and Barahona himself owns it—the number of Germans does not exceed 3,000, and their usual pay three cr. per month, which would make 9,000 cr. Now, as a charge of this sort is most unusual and cannot be overlooked, We wish to know on what authority the said Germans have been paid double their usual allowance, or whether there be some error in the accounts.
	As to remitting funds in specie or bills of exchange for the support of the forces under your command, We fear that the thing is exceedingly difficult, if not altogether impossible. We want all our resources for this Italian expedition, and cannot divert any of the funds that the Cortes have voted for that purpose, and which come in very slowly. But We shall send you a ship laden with wheat, wherewith to feed your men, and pressing orders shall be sent to the Prince of Orange to succour you from Naples, and to our brother [Ferdinand] to hasten the departure of the Germans and Burgundians.
	Andrea Doria wishes very much to land on the coast of Provence, and asked for permission to borrow 20,000 or 25,000 ducats, wherewith he says he can raise 8,000 hackbutiers. With these, and 2,000 men of the Genoese and the Spaniards lately landed [in that port], besides the crews of his galleys, Doria maintains that he is able to inflict great injury on the French. If this plan is disapproved, he says that with such a force, and some assistance from you, he can very easily reduce Alessandria [della Palla], which would be a great advantage in the present state of the war. If you think that the intended expedition to Provence will distress our enemies, and improve your position in Lombardy, and will not be an obstacle to Doria's galleys being at Barcelona towards the end of April, ready to escort us to Italy, We authorise you, in union with the said Doria, to prepare and plan the aforesaid expedition, and borrow from 20,000 to 30,000 ducats, to be paid at one of the fairs of these kingdoms, at the longest possible dates, and lowest rate of interest. And in case of the expedition to Provence being abandoned, and that of Alessandria decided upon, you shall take care to inform us, as soon as possible, that your bills and those of Doria may be honoured when presented, for We would not for the world injure our credit in a thing which concerns that captain.
	The agreement made with the Lord of Monigo (Monaco) We approve entirely. You are right; nothing can be so important to our interests as to get possession of that port and castle, and, therefore, We beg you to give all your attention to seeing that it is arranged in the best possible manner, for which end We enclose you a copy of the memorandum sent by the Lord Bishop. Though the demands made by his agent at this court seem to us rather exorbitant, especially in what concerns the lands and estates in Spain,—which We should have preferred giving in Milan or Naples,—yet We hope that through your means he will be brought to reason. If you could so manage that he consents to receive half the indemnity in the kingdom of Granada, and the other half in Italy, this arrangement would suit us best; but if you cannot, and he insists on having the whole of it in Spain, let it be so, on condition that one half of the stipulated indemnity consists of villages and vassals in the aforesaid kingdom of Granada, and the other half "en juro perpetuo de heredad." As Lope de Soria will soon come to Spain, with our permission, on a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Moncayo [in Aragon], you will direct him to pass through Monaco, on his way to Genoa, that he may see Agostino Grimaldo there, treat of this affair with him, and bring us his final resolution.
	Respecting the Marquis of Monferrato, (fn. n6) whom you reported in your last despatch as being in delicate health, and your wishing to know how you were to act in case of his dying, We have nothing to answer, the Marquis having since recovered his health, and sent an agent to this our court for the purpose of offering his services. Your suggestions about the marriage of the Marquis and his sisters, as well as the information received from your confidential agent at Vercelli, will be taken into account. In the meantime this and other matters are left to your discretion, with this proviso, that we do not wish for a decisive step before our arrival in Italy.
	With regard to the Marquis of Monte Sarchio, since We have not yet disposed of any part of the property belonging to the rebellious Neapolitan barons,—which is to be valued first, and distributed afterwards among those who, like you and him, have served us well,—We intend to leave matters just as they are until our arrival. The letter you asked for Giovan Paulo Sforza is here enclosed. You will make the best use of it for our service.
	The differences which you say exist in Switzerland on account of the Lutheran sect, some of the cantons having determined to follow it, might, after all, be advantageous for us, as We might ultimately favour and help those who profess our Holy Catholic Faith. If you could send thither a trusty and confidential agent, who would manage to fan the fire of discord among them, so as to prevent either party from giving help to our enemies, or at least induce them to remain neutral, considerable advantages might be gained thereby. Barahona will explain to you how and in what manner.—Toledo, 16th February 1529.
	Spanish. Original draft. pp. 7.
20 Feb.	629. Martin de Salinas to the King of Bohemia.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. C. 71, f. 206 v..	Pedro de Ascoytia left Madrid for Flanders four and a half months ago. Since then Secretary Gabriel Sanchez, Noguerol, (fn. n7) the Emperor's steward, and Monforte, his gentleman in waiting, have also left with despatches. They have all, however, been detained in port, owing to stress of weather. Sanchez wrote on the 11th inst. to say that all attempts to set sail had been in vain; they had been obliged to return to port.
	On the first day of Lent His Imperial Majesty resolved upon going to Barcelona, and embarking for Italy on the 1st of March. Great preparations are now being made to that end, as His Highness will see by his brother's letter.—Toledo, 20th February 1529. (fn. n8)
	Addressed: "To the King."
	Spanish. Original draft. 1.
22 Feb.	630. The Emperor to Leyva.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 44, f. 37. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 44.	Since We wrote last (fn. n9) your despatches of the 18th, together with letters of Count Belgiojosso of the 31st, and of Giuliano della Spezzia and Andrea Doria of the 1st of February, have come to hand. Considering our resolution to procure bills of exchange, and not to make use of the credit granted to Andrea Doria, except in the form and manner contained in our letter of the 16th, and not exceeding the sum of 30,000 ducats expressly named, We cannot help wondering that, without waiting for our answer to the "consulta," you and the above-mentioned captains have proceeded to draw upon our Treasury for so great a sum, and at so short date that it will be impossible for our treasurer to honour the said bills at once, unless the funds destined for our Italian expedition be diverted, and our journey retarded. We find, besides, that instead of limiting yourselves to the sum specified by you and Count Belgiojosso in your despatches, the bills drawn, four in number, amount to the sum of 43,652 gold ducats, of which 35,000 are payable 10 days after sight, and the remainder at 30 days. Besides which, the bill of the 35,000 is drawn by Andrea Doria and Count Belgiojosso conjointly, which makes us suspect that when the latter signed the bill he paid no attention to the sum, for otherwise he would have consulted you, knowing, as he did, that he was only authorised at the most to draw for 25,000. We also find that the three bills drawn by Andrea Doria amount altogether to 8,652 ducats; and as he only says in his letter to us that he has spent the money for the support of the new Spanish infantry, which must have been provided for in some other way, We really do not know how to account for the enormous difference between the estimates made by Doria, the Count, and yourself, and the sums actually drawn at so peremptory a term. Until a proper explanation be forwarded respecting these bills We have refused acceptance, though We have made arrangements with the holders of them to pay them an interest until they are reimbursed.
	We command you in future not to draw upon us or borrow money in our name; not to use any further the credit sent to Doria, observing that the permission given to you in our letter of the 16th of spending 20,000 or 25,000 cr. for one of the two undertakings, that of Provence, or that of Alessandria, must be considered as altogether exhausted (esperada y consumida). in consequence of these bills now drawn upon us, for We consider that what with the 20,000 bushels (hanegas) of wheat which are about to be sent to you, and which you can sell at very high prices, and what with such taxes and duties as may be levied in the estate of Milan, you have enough to keep your ground until our arrival.
	The assistance which, according to your last despatches, you are ready to lend to the Marquis de Saluzzo and Count della Mirandola, must be understood without any detriment of our interests in Italy, or dismemberment of our estate, for you must bear in mind that our principal object is to keep matters as they are until our landing in Italy. If in the meantime the King of France, as he gives out, should enter Italy, it might come to pass that the affair of the duel might be accomplished much better than he seems to wish, since he prevented our herald from doing his office, or delivering our answer; a very unusual thing for a King or Prince, or even for a gentleman to do. (fn. n10) —Toledo, 22nd February 1529.
	Spanish. Original draft. pp. 3.
[24] Feb.	631. The Emperor to the Count of Vismont.
S. E. L. 6, f. 24. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 24.	In credence of "Gundisalvus Ferdinandus" (Gonçalo Fernandez), his chaplain; (fn. n11) "nobis æquè fidus et gratus," who will disclose his intentions, and report his willingness to help him. "Experieris profecto haud ingrato Principi operam tuam navasse. Vale"—Datum Toleti, —— Februarii 1529.
	Latin. Original draft. 1.
24 Feb. S. E. Trat. c. Ing. L. 6, f. 24. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 47.	632. The Emperor's Instructions to Gonçalo Fernandez, his Chaplain, respecting his Embassy to Ireland.
	What you Gonçalo Fernandez, our chaplain, are to say to the Duke de Vismont is as follows:—
	1stly. You will, after delivering the letters of credence, inform him how some time ago a gentleman and officer of his household, called Galfrigidus, came to our court, and brought us a letter from him telling us of the good-will and desire he entertained for our friendship and alliance, and begging We would send [to Ireland] a proper person to treat with him, &c.
	You will inquire very carefully about the forces and powers of the said Count and of his friends, and where and how he is willing to employ them. You will ask a categorical answer on this point, and also ascertain from him what he expects from us. You will tell him that, as his offers have been unsolicited and voluntary, We expect that he will explain frankly his motives, and how and where he intends waging war against our enemies.
	Respecting the Count's proposal, that in case of concluding a treaty of defensive and offensive alliance with us, he should be named and included in any treaty of peace that We might hereafter make with the King of England, you will tell him that We have always desired, above all things, the friendship of England, not only for his own sake, but also on account of our close relationship, and the affectionate friendship (vecindad) which the Kings of Spain, my predecessors, have entertained for him; that We have also done everything in our power to maintain the said alliance and friendship, but that lately the King has declared for the King of France, and sent us a challenge, and, what is still worse, led away (as they say) by false and wicked persuasions, is now trying to get a divorce from our aunt, the Queen of England, (fn. n12) his legitimate wife, and give the kingdom of Ireland to his bastard son [the Duke of Richmond]. These are things which we can in nowise tolerate, as they might be the source of much scandal among Christian Princes, very detrimental to England itself, and besides injurious to the Queen and the illustrious Princess Mary, her only daughter and heir in that kingdom.
	Things having come to such a pass, We intend preventing the aforesaid evils as much as We can, and waging war on the King of England. We, therefore, accept the Count's services, and hope he will employ his forces and means against the common enemy, promising that We will sign no treaty of peace with England unless he is comprised in it with all his friends and vassals.—Toledo,——February 1529.
	Indorsed: "Yrlanda. Duke (sic) de Vismont."
	Spanish. Original drafts. (fn. n13) pp.2½.
25 Feb.	633. The Emperor to Shah Ismail, Sophi of Persia.
S. E. L. 1,555, f. 18. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 50.	Sends "Johannem Balbum," Knight of Hierusalem, to conclude an offensive and defensive alliance against the Turk, Begs credence for him. (fn. n14) —Toledo, 25th February 1529.
	Addressed: "Ad KaKam Ismaelem Sophi."
	Latin. Original draft. 1.
28 Feb.	634. Jehan Lallemand to Cardinal Wolsey.
f. 333.	Has duly received his letter, as well as the Emperor's order to make over to him the whole amount of his pensions on the bishoprics of Palencia and Badajoz. Will do everything in his power to have everything settled to the Cardinal's satisfaction, for he wishes above all things to be useful to him, as he has frequently told Monseigneur [Ghinucci], the English ambassador.
	Wants to know what sums were owing to him by the late Bishop of Badajoz, brother Bernardo de Mesa, as he will immediately make a claim upon his property before the Pope's Nuncio claims the spoils (espolios).
	Respecting the Palencia pension, the bishop owed more than he possessed, and the claim not having been established in due time after Sir Bernardo's decease, it will be now necessary to bring an action against the see to recover the sums due; but nothing shall be omitted on his part until the Cardinal has been paid the last farthing of his due.
	The present debt the Archbishop of Toledo has by him been requested to make good, and he has promised to pay it within a very few days, and for the future his Reverence may be sure that the pension shall be paid every term, and the money remitted to England in bills of exchange, or otherwise, as it will be his pleasure to command.—Madrid, the last day of February.
	Signed: "Jehan Lalemand." (fn. n15)
	Addressed: "A Monseigneur le Revme. et Illme. Monseigneur le Legat et Lieutenant General d'Angleterre."
	French. Original. 1.