Spain: June 1529, 11-15 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, Henry VIII, 1529-1530. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1879.

'Spain: June 1529, 11-15', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 4 Part 1, Henry VIII, 1529-1530, (London, 1879) pp. 77-89. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol4/no1/pp77-89 [accessed 20 April 2024]

June 1529, 11-15



13 June.	41. Miçer Mai, Imperial Ambassador in Rome, to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 848, f. 33. B. M. Add. 28,578. f. 355.	Wrote on the 7th instant by Martin (fn. n1), the Imperial courier, in answer to the Emperor's letter of the 16th ult^o. After which came the duplicate of the 22nd, commanding him to procure for the Empress [Isabella] the "spiritual jurisdiction over the Military Orders." As the Pope is now much better, and begins again to transact business, he (Mai) intends calling upon him to-morrow. Will attend to that business in particular, as well as to other private and personal affairs of the Emperor.
	Does not enclose the duplicate of his despatch of the 7th (cipher:) because this present one is forwarded through Florence in a most unsatisfactory manner, and he is in consequence very much afraid of its being intercepted, the Florentines just now playing all manner of tricks with all private as well as official correspondence.
	Diego Jayme wrote some time ago from Ostia to say that he would leave for Naples in ten days' time, and that if he (Mai) had any despatches they could be addressed thither for him to take to Spain. Set about preparing a long report of all the business transacted during the last month of May, but before it was half ready another letter came from Jayme announcing that he had received orders [from Naples] to go on board that very day, and sail straight for Barcelona, without touching at any other port. Indeed, so sudden was the departure of Diego Jayme from Ostia, that he did not even take an board the Archbishop of Capua (Schomberg) who was to go with him, and who has accordingly returned [to Rome].
	Leguiçamo goes to Genoa, and thence to Chamberi. If the ladies have not already ended their labours for the peace he is to pass through Cambray and embark in Flanders for Spain. This Leguiçamo takes with him a copy of the cipher which he (Mai) generally uses, and another of the deciphering key which Jean Lallemand gave him at his (Mai's) departure from Monçon (fn. n2), that his ciphered despatches may be better interpreted with the help of both.
	The Capuan (Schomberg) has left us rather unprovided, and his absence will be felt in certain affairs which had been entrusted to his especial care. He has, however, left behind him, with the Pope's permission and consent, two ecclesiastics to replace him in the transaction of business. One is Pietro Paolo Martin, once his own secretary, and now attached to the Pope's household, and another man called Balthasar del Pesce, both of whom are very desirous of serving the Empire, and have hitherto promoted as much as was in their power the Emperor's private and personal affairs.
	(Cipher:) The Pope shows great desire of being on intimate relations with His Imperial Majesty (muestra muy buena mente à la union de V. Md.) He (Mai) has spoken to him three or four times about it, and so have Miçer Andrea [del Burgo] and Cardinal Santa Croce, whenever they have had an opportunity. The Pope's invariable answer to such representations is, that he is only waiting for the return of the "Maestro di Casa" (fn. n3) from Spain. Wishing to know what he meant by that, he (Mai) asked him to explain. Was told that "he had sent his Nuncio to state the reasons he had for remaining neutral. If, after hearing them, the Emperor still wished him to declare himself more explicitly, he (the Pope) was ready to do so."
	Last winter the Pope used to say to them (Burgo and Mai) that the reason why the Italian confederates were opposed to the general peace was that they feared that the power of France once destroyed, the Emperor would turn his arms against them; and as they (the Italians) had a natural horror of monarchy they would do anything to prevent it. Now the Pope seems to think differently, for he says, "Let the peace of Italy be ensured, and France must needs join it willingly or by sheer force."
	Believes, in fact, that the Pope will now grant anything that may be asked of him, except money, which he has not, and which even if he had, he would not willingly surrender. Said in one of his late despatches that the Pope had undertaken to sound the ambassador of the Duke Francesco Sforza, now residing at this court. He has since broached the subject as adroitly as he himself (Mai) might have done. The result of the conversation has been that the ambassador, having no powers from his master, and surrounded as he is by such bad neighbours as the French and Venetian ambassadors, dared not open his mouth on the subject, or take any engagement. The Pope is now sending to Cremona a confidential messenger of his own, requesting the Duke to appoint some one with full powers to treat. If he does not (the Pope told him) Sforza will lose altogether the duchy of Milan, because even in the event of the King of France signing this peace for the sake of delivering his own sons from captivity, he will never consent to the Emperor becoming again lord of Milan.
	The last words of the Pope may have been said out of passion and anger against these Italians, who have ever since been hankering after Milan. His (Mai's) impression is, that peace once concluded and ratified, every one of them will be in terrible fear of His Imperial Majesty, not only as regards the money he will now have in store, proceeding from the ransom of the sons of France, but also owing to his increasing reputation, glory, and good fortune in war.
	The Pope likewise in a conversation with the ambassador of Venice, pressed him so hard and told him such things, that he (the ambassador) earnestly requested His Holiness to suspend his declaration [for the Emperor], that he might write to the Signory. The delay was granted, but no answer came. The Pope is afraid that the Venetians will not come to terms, unless compelled by sheer force, for they dread, above all things, the Emperor's increase of power, and consider themselves in great danger from it. They also allege, as an excuse, that they are the allies of France, and form part of the League, which they do not choose to desert under present circumstances. But since these excuses of the Venetians are only intended to forward their wicked plans, it may be God's pleasure to defeat them by causing the French to play only their own game, and abandon them altogether to their fate.
	Upon the whole, as the confederates do not trust each other, it might happen that whilst he (Mai) is writing these lines, the Venetians are trying to be included in the peace of Cambray. Suspects as much, and has accordingly written to Madame to inform her of all these dealings. But as he has no cipher with which to communicate with her, he has used that of the Provost of Utrecht (Balthasar de Waltkirch), who has just come [to Rome] for the affair of his bishopric. Even as it is, the despatch will go at a venture, as do the rest of them, for they all go through France.
	The Pope, as he (Mai) has frequently advised in other despatches, is very much hurt at his not having been told of the Cambray conferences. He says that the King of France first told his Legate [Salviati] of it, and advised him to go thither; after which he (the King) informed him of the whole business. He suspected that the Emperor had some reason to keep the matter secret, for not one of his ministers had said a word to him. Hearing this, he (Mai) tried to mend matters as well as he could by saying that some letters from Spain addressed to him, and which no doubt contained the Emperor's instructions on that particular point, had certainly been intercepted by the Florentines, and that was the reason for his not being acquainted with the fact before. However this may be, thinks it highly advisable that the Pope should in future be informed of the progress and probable issue of the negociations [at Cambray].
	Courtiers and politicians have been so perplexed of late by the news of Prothonotary Caracciolo's journey to Mantua at this present time that they have not rested until they have ascertained the object of his mission. The Marquis (Federigo Gonzaga) has told them that Caracciolo went to Mantua for the sole and express purpose of proposing the marriage of his son to one of the Emperor's daughters. He (Mai) must confess that he was sadly put out when he heard of it, for a step of this sort is likely to spoil the whole negociation, and drive the Pope to despair, not so much on account of the Emperor's daughter not being given to his nephew in marriage, which is, after all, the thing he most desires in this world, but because the Princess (Margaret) having been, as it were, promised to Allessandro de' Medici, it must be exceedingly galling to him to hear of her having been offered to another without giving him previous notice.
	That is why he (Mai) said the other day to the Mantuan orator, in the very presence of Miçer Andrea, "When a gentleman treats of marriage with his equal, the first thing he does is to keep the matter secret for the sake of his friend's honour and reputation. The Marquis [of Mantua] was not justified in making such haste (correr tanto), especially in a matter of which he had no certainty at all. He might have considered that the Emperor's greatness was of such a nature that whatever plans he conceived for the fostering of that same greatness would not, and ought not to be revealed to any living person." (fn. n4) The Mantuan ambassador showed regret for what has been done, for certainly he is a thorough gentleman. We shall see how matters can be set right.
	His Imperial Majesty has been occasionally informed of the state of affairs at Perugia ever since Malatesta, its present lord, declared in favour of the League; for owing to its vicinity to the frontiers of Naples, that city might become in time a focus of danger (padrastro). He (Mai) has continually kept soliciting the Pope to send some one thither, going as far as to offer in his own name and in that of his colleague, Andrea del Burgo, no less than 10,000 men, and double that quantity of ducats, in order to have the nuisance put down. Could never persuade the Pope to follow this advice, which had two objects, namely, to prevent that city from falling into the hands of the enemy, and being converted into a sort of advanced post against Naples; and secondly, to oblige the Pope to declare against the League.
	Since then, however, it has been ascertained that the Florentines and the confederates were sending troops to Perugia, and that Bracobalon (Braccio Baglione), Malatesta's sworn enemy, has taken the field against him. This latter captain has served for many years in the Imperial army. He is now attacking Perugia, and it is reported with money and men furnished by His Imperial Majesty. Whether the report be true or not he (Mai) cannot say, but he has told His Holiness of it, and spoken so warmly on the subject that he owned he would be glad to hear of Braccio's success and Malatesta's discomfiture, provided the feat was accomplished quickly and in a decisive manner. (fn. n5)
	Next day Jacopo Salviati called and proposed that the undertaking should be carried out in the Pope's name, and asked what help we [the Imperialists] were prepared to give. Answered him that it was too late; they ought to have done it when he offered them men and money. Now that Bracalon (Braccio Baglione) was so far advanced, they had better not interfere with him, but let him do his deed. The undertaking over, he (Mai) had no doubt that the same obedience he now professed to the Emperor he would observe towards His Holiness, for such were Your Majesty's wishes and orders. This last observation silenced him (Salviati), and there was no more talk about it.
	The day after Sanga came and said that Baglione's men were actually wasting the lands of the Church, and that the Pope had been so shocked at the news that he would most likely change his mind respecting that affair. Could not repress his anger when he heard Sanga speak thus. Told him, "I am aware that His Holiness is rather too prone to change his opinion, but in the present case he comes too late. Let things remain as they are; we will do our best to protect the Pope's interests, and it strikes me that it is at any rate far preferable for His Highness to have some of his lands wasted by Baglione than to let the Florentines, his sworn enemies, seize Perugia, and its surrounding fortresses."
	Has written to Braccio and to the others, requesting them to do no harm on the territory of the Church. Is, however, afraid that his remonstrances will be in vain, for he hears that they have already taken possession of Spoletto, and of another town within the estates of the Church, and will most likely go on wasting the land until the Pope entirely loses patience. The truth is, that the Italians under Braccio are the most unruly set of soldiers ever seen, and God only can stay their excesses. Has written to the Prince about it, and will do his best in this affair, though after all, if Perugia is preserved, which is the most important point, it matters little if part of the country round it is wasted by the troops.
	The ambassadors of France and England went yesterday to the Pope, and spoke very warmly about this Perugia affair, the measures lately taken, indicating, as they said, that His Highness was decidedly in favour of the Emperor. The Pope's answer was so shaped that they all left the room in disgust. There is still another circumstance which has caused the confederates to lose much ground here at Rome. When the news of the conferences of Cambray arrived the Pope caused prayers and processions to be made for the peace. As customary in such cases, Miçer Andrea and he (Mai) attended, but none of the ambassadors of the League came, which has been a cause of great scandal to the Romans.
	Has been trying to persuade the Colonnese and the Orsini to come to some sort of mutual agreement, that each party may gather the harvest without molestation from the other. Hopes he will be successful, inasmuch as, though the sowing was scanty in some places, they will this year reap forty for one. The same can be said of the Sienese and their quarrel with Count Pitigliano. His Imperial Majesty may rely upon these two questions being soon settled in a satisfactory manner. From the spies he has among the Neapolitan "fuorusciti," he has learnt that with the assistance of some of the Orsini faction they were about to undertake an expedition to some place in Naples similar in its kind to that which they directed last year against Lanciano. Could not learn what their destination was, but has reason to believe that owing to the discovery of the conspiracy and to the arrest of three of the principal "fuorusciti" who were brought here the other day in irons, the undertaking has been postponed, if not abandoned altogether.
	The Duke of Ferrara (Alfonso d' Este) has here [at Rome] a resident Secretary. Although not a man of great importance, Miçer Andrea and he (Mai) have decided to sound him about his master's projects. Dared not do it before on account of the Pope, but now that an opportunity offers itself intends to profit by it.
	The Archbishop of Rosano, who goes as Nuncio to Germany will take his departure in three days hence, with the bulls for the bishopric of Elna.
	Abbacy of Novocastro for a servant of the King of Hungary. Will speak to the Pope and cardinals about it.
	Provost of Our Lady of Utrecht now at Rome for affairs of his bishopric.—Rome, 13th June 1529.
	Signed: "Mai."
	P.S.—Since writing the above, letters have come of very recent date from the King of Hungary, stating that the Kings of France and England were sending a sum of money to the Vayvod, not to say to the Turk. His Highness had made present of the money to the person who conveyed the information, and placed guards on the roads to seize the cash on its passage.
	Has also heard from Leyva, in date of the 22nd of May, that Caracciolo was still at Milan, and had not left for Mantua, owing to St. Pol having refused him the safe-conduct he had applied for. So that the paragraph of this despatch wherein his journey and the probable object of his mission to Mantua are referred to, must be considered as not having been written.
	Hears from various sources that the Germans serving under the Imperial banners are in treaty with some secret agents of the confederates, who offer them great rewards if they will only desert their banners and go home. Has written to the Prince about it.
	Spanish. Original. pp. 19.
15 June.	42. Miçer Miguel Mai to the Emperor.
S. E. L. No. 848, f. 33. B. M. Add. 28,578, f. 354.	Wrote on the 7th instant by Martin, the courier, in answer to the Imperial letter of the 16th ult^o. Then came the duplicate in date of the 22nd, to which he (Mai) can at present make no reply, as this is by no means a fit opportunity to ask any favour from the Pope. However, if the occasion offers itself, he (Mai) will not let it pass. Is to have an audience to-morrow, will then make the attempt, and as His Holiness is already much better and fit to transact business with his cardinals, feels sure that this matter of the Empress (fn. n6) and other ecclesiastic affairs of minor importance will be properly attended to.
	(Cipher:) Does not enclose, as usual, the duplicate of his last because this packet goes by way of Florence where, as stated in former despatches, all manner of tricks are played with the foreign correspondence. (fn. n7)
	Diego Jaime wrote the other day from Ostia that he would embark at Naples in ten days' time, and that he (Mai) was to prepare his official correspondence accordingly. Has since heard that he (Jayme) has been ordered to sail immediately and keep to the high seas without touching at any port whatsoever. That is why the present despatch and other papers do not go by that conveyance. What the reason may be for Jayme's sudden departure and for the orders he has received of not touching at Naples, he (Mai) cannot guess, for certainly the sea being now entirely free from enemies, it was, in his opinion, far more advantageous to have daily information from those parts through his means.
	Mentioned also in his last that the Archbishop of Capua (Schomberg) had returned from Ostia owing to Leguiçamo (fn. n8) not choosing to wait for him. He is now going to Genoa, thenee to Chamberi, and from Chamberi to Cambray, if by that time the ladies have not concluded their business. At any rate, whether the ladies have the Archbishop with them or not, the negociations are not likely to suffer from his absence.
	(Cipher:) The Archbishop, who is one of His Majesty's most faithful servants, is to proceed to Barcelona. He takes with him a copy of his (Mai's) deciphering key, of which a transcript was duly forwarded to Spain, and likewise another copy of that which Jo. Aleman gave him at his departure from Monçon, that all the paragraphs in his (Schomberg's) correspondence which are in cipher may be properly read.
	(Common writing:) We feel rather sad and dejected (cipher:) in consequence of the Capuan's departure, but, with the Pope's consent, he has left two ecclesiastics in his place, who wish to be useful to His Imperial Majesty, and have hitherto rendered very good offices. One is Pietro Paolo Martyr, once the Archbishop's secretary, and now in the Pope's service; the other Baltasar del Pere. (fn. n9) They were both presented by me and accepted by the Pope.
	(Common writing:) The Pope still perseveres in his good intentions towards His Majesty, and wishes for peace and alliance.
	At the last audience Miçer Andrea del Burgo and he (Mai) made an attempt to speak about the advantages of his alliance and the consequent pacification of Italy. Without him (they observed) this was impossible, and even with him a work of considerable difficulty. It was God's pleasure that on this occasion the Pope should express himself in very different terms from what he did last winter. For then he said to us that Italy did not consent (no se daba) because she believed this peace to be intended solely for the destruction of France, in order that the Emperor might afterwards seize Italy and obtain universal monarchy. Now we find him better disposed, for he says, "No real danger can be apprehended for Italy on account of this peace, because should France now refuse it they will be obliged in the end to accept, whether they choose or not."
	Has always said that this man (the Pope) is to be gained little by little (se ha de ganar poco a poco). Now that we are pretty sure of him, he will give anything we ask for except money, which he really has not; even if he had he would not willingly part with it.
	We requested him to speak to the ambassador of the Duke Francesco [Sforza], which he did, and so well that I myself could not have done it better, as I afterwards learned from His Holiness' mouth. However, as the ambassador had no powers to treat, and dares not open his mouth, surrounded as he is on all sides by such bad neighbours as the Venetians and French, he was by no means explicit. (Cipher:); The Pope is now secretly sending a confidential messenger to ask the Duke for full powers to his ambassador here that he may treat with us. He thinks that the Duke will send the powers required. Otherwise, whether peace be concluded or not, he is sure to lose Milan for ever, for although King Francis may accept hard terms in order to obtain the liberty of his sons, he will never look favourably on Your Majesty's possession of the Duchy.
	The Pope held also a conference with the Venetian ambassador, and spoke to him so warmly and so pressingly on the subject of this peace, that he asked for three days time to write home. (Cipher:) The answer has since come, though it is anything but satisfactory, for the Pope tells me that they (the Venetians) fear Your Majesty's aggrandisement, and do not feel secure.
	(Cipher:) The Pope has often complained to us of not having received information of the meeting of the [ladies] at Cambray. The King of France (he says) had written to his Legate to go thither, and had besides dispatched an ambassador to apprize him of it. When the Emperor acquainted him with the fact the meeting was no longer a secret, and the negociations had actually begun. I excused myself as well as I could, saying that letters from the Emperor ordering me to communicate that intelligence to him had been intercepted by the Florentines, and that explained why the first news he had came from France.
	(Common writing:) A rumour has been lately afloat that Prothonotary Caracciolo had come to Mantua. His leaving Milan at such a time as this seems quite a novelty, and as these Italians are so imaginative and restless a thousand inquiries have been made in every possible quarter. (Cipher:) The report is that the Marquis has written to his ambassador here that he believes the object of the Prothonotary 's journey to Mantua to be for no other purpose than to treat of a marriage between his son and one of Your Imperial Majesty's daughters, and that he might tell the Pope so, which he (the ambassador) immediately did. I confess that I was so shocked by this intelligence that I gave up all (pensé desesperarme) hope of a speedy conclusion of the affair in hand, for if the Marquis' assertion be true, it would be tantamount to ruining the negociations and driving the Pope to despair, not so much on account of his nephew, whom he ardently wishes to marry into the Imperial family, but because he would consider it an affront that a boon offered to him should be afterwards given away to another without letting him know first.
	However, as Lope [de Soria] tells me that he (the Marquis) is now in treaty with the Venetians I dared not allude to the case for fear of doing mischief, (fn. n10) for after all His Holiness, as I say, has opened the door to conciliation, and we must do everything in our power to meet him half-way. Nevertheless, I could not help saying to the ambassador the other day in the presence of Miçer Andrea [del Burgo], "When a gentleman (hidalgo) treats of a family alliance with another of his class it is important that both should keep the thing secret for their own honour. The Marquis, your master, ought not to run so fast, especially as he is not sure of his affair. He should consider that the Emperor's power is many-sided, and that there are many more secrets in it than we can imagine." The ambassador, however, much regrets his indiscretion. He is a perfect gentleman, and I have no doubt that everything will be put to rights in the end.
	I have frequently, and almost by every post, mentioned the danger in which Perugia is placed, owing to Malatesta, its present ruler, having suddenly embraced the side of the French and of the League. As the vicinity of that city to the kingdom of Naples makes it a constant danger, I am incessantly warning the Pope and the Neapolitan Council on this point. The Pope evidently does not see his way clear to put a stop to the nuisance, for although I once promised him 10,000 men and 10,000 ducats, which I hoped to borrow in Your Majesty's name, and Miçer Andrea [del Burgo] made him similar offers on his master's behalf, we could never persuade him to take this affair in hand. (Cipher:) Our object in so doing was to help the Emperor's cause, and at the same time induce the Pope to take up arms so that he might become in the end the enemy of the League.
	It would appear that the Florentines and the confederates are now sending reinforcements to the Perugino, where Baglione, who has been all these years serving in the Imperial armies, has lately risen to oppose Malatesta, with the assistance and with the money, as it is rumoured, of Your Imperial Majesty. I have told the Pope that I know nothing about the matter, and that if it were so, I should not be sorry for it. The Pope answered, "Nor I either, if the thing were done well and quickly."
	Next day Giacopo Salviati came to me and said he thought the undertaking should be on the Pope's account, and if so (he asked) how far were we prepared to help him. My answer was that it was too late; they ought to have accepted my offers of money and men when I first made them. Now that Braccio had taken the thing upon himself and advanced against Perugia, he ought to be left alone. Once master of that city he could not fail to do homage for it to the Pope, as he had done to the Emperor all his life. To these remarks Salviati answered nothing; but Sanga having told me next day that Baglione's men were committing excesses and wasting the lands of the Church, and that His Holiness was very sorry to hear of it, and might most likely change his mind, I could not remain silent, but said in rather an angry tone of voice, "How very easily does His Holiness change his mind when it happens to be for his own good." I fancy, however, that it will be too late to stop Baglione's men, and that you had better leave them alone and not interfere with their doings in a matter which is so much to His Holiness' advantage. If they go on ravaging the lands of the Church we will do our utmost to prevent it. Let the job be done, no matter by whom. At any rate it is far preferable that these people should do it than the Florentines, who are the Pope's enemies, and after all would most likely commit still greater ravages." I wrote to them by a trusty messenger, but too late, for when my letter arrived Braccio had already entered and sacked Spoletto and another town in the Papal estates, which will most likely drive the Pope to despair, for the truth is that these Italian bands have been so contaminated by bad example that nothing can equal their insolence. (fn. n11) Nevertheless, I have written to the Prince of Orange, and will do whatever more is necessary to stop this evil, for it is highly important that the bands sent for the recovery of Perugia do not exceed their orders and sack the towns belonging to the Pope. I hear that the ambassadors of France and England waited the other day upon the Pope, and spoke to him about this Perugian affair, and the signs he himself was giving of good-will towards Your Majesty. The Pope, it appears, answered them in a manner that seemed to them unfavourable. Aware of this, I requested Miçer Andrea to call at the palace, and suggest, as if it came from him, that this was the time (cipher:) to declare himself, and not wait until Your Majesty's arrival, when nobody would show him any gratitude for the move. Andrea's mission was unsuccessful, for the Pope, as I said before, when hard pressed excuses himself by saying that he is expecting his "Maestro di Casa" with an answer, which I hope, with God's help will arrive within eight days.
	No sooner did the Pope hear of the meeting at Cambray than he ordered processions to be made for the favourable issue of the conferences. Andrea del Burgo and I were as usual invited, and went thither by appointment. The ambassadors of the League did not attend, a thing which has scandalised all the Romans, whilst our going thither has been considered as a proof of Your Majesty's good intentions. As the processions for peace go from place to place, and the confederates do not attend them, it is to be inferred that they do not wish it to come from the hands of God, but prefer trusting to their wonted intrigues for obtaining it (cautelas y vellaquerias.) That is the very reason why God cannot fail to grant it most certainly to Your Majesty, for evidently these people are as little to be trusted as regards honesty and fair dealing, as they themselves affect to trust Your Majesty's generosity.
	I fancy that an agreement will soon be made between the Colonnese and the Orsini, as well as a suspension of all hostilities during the present harvest, which, I hear, is so abundant this year that for every bushel (fanega) sown they expect to reap forty.
	Has likewise brought about a truce between the Sienese and Count Petillano (Pitigliano), so that for the present those two affairs are not likely to give trouble.
	In order to bring about the above truce between the Colonnese and the Orsini, and also to ascertain what were the plans of the latter, and in fact of the Leaguers in general, I have been obliged to bribe and pension this year some of the emigrants from Naples. In this manner I heard on the 1st ins.. that a party of Neapolitan fuorusciti, accompanied by certain of the Orsini, whose names I could not learn, were preparing an expedition similar to that of Lanciano. As the conspirators kept the thing secret I could only learn the name of the place on the frontier which was to be attacked, as well as the day and hour fixed for the departure of the "fuorusciti." I spoke to the Pope, who had guards posted at the gates and on the road, where two or three of them were arrested. We shall now know for certain what their plans were, and what assistance they expected from the Neapolitans. At any rate, their design is frustrated for the present; but I cannot help thinking that had we not been too quick for them they might have carried out their undertaking (y creo yo que si la hizieran sallieran con ella).
	It is the custom, whenever an emperor comes to Italy, for the Pope to send two cardinals to welcome and compliment him. Santa Croce has been elected already, and two more are to be appointed.
	The Duke of Ferrara (Alfonso d' Este), has a secretary here, who, though not a very important man, might be useful for enabling us to learn beforehand what line his master, the Duke, intends following. Circumstances and fear of the Pope have hitherto prevented our making overtures to him, but since the Pope himself has given us an opening it is our intention to sound him.
	Two tenths, or one year's rent of all ecclesiastic revenues, are likely to be granted by the Pope in Flanders, with the proviso that the money is to be spent exclusively in armaments against the Turks.
	The Archbishop of Rosano, who goes as Nuncio to Germany and Hungary, will leave in three days.
	The bulls for the Bishop of Elna had already been expedited when the Imperial orders came.
	The King of Hungary has written to the Pope and cardinals respecting the abbey of Novocastro. I have spoken to Sanctiquatuor, whom I again recommend to Your Majesty, for he is doing good service just now, and has always been a faithful servant of the Empire. The Provost of our Lady of Utrecht (Waltkircke) is also here; we give him all the help we can. Since the above was written letters have been received from the King of Hungary (Ferdinand), stating that on the receipt of information purporting that the kings of France and England were about to send certain moneys to the Vayvod of Transylvania, not to say to a still more important person, he (the King) had caused guards to be placed oh the roads, and granted the whole sum to the informers in case of seizure.
	Lope de Soria has also written to say that he had letters from Leyva of the 22nd of May, advising that owing to St. Pol having denied him a safe-conduct, Prothonotary Caracciolo, whose journey to Mantua had been announced for the purpose of treating with the Venetians, had not left Milan.—Rome, l5th June 1529.
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Spanish. Original mostly in cipher, pp. 19.