Spain: January 1547, 1-15 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 8, 1545-1546. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

'Spain: January 1547, 1-15', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 8, 1545-1546, (London, 1904) pp. 539-544. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol8/pp539-544 [accessed 19 April 2024]

January 1547, 1–15



1547. 1 Jan. Simancas. E. R. 874.	376. Juan de Vega to the Emperor.
	Your Majesty will learn from Don Juan de Mendoza's letters the progress of the commission entrusted to him, in accordance with the instructions given to him, and sent to me in your Majesty's letters to me of 28 October and 5 December last.
	It is quite evident that the reason for the Pope's recent efforts for peace is his idea that if peace be secured he may avoid helping your Majesty any further; employing for the purpose his usual artifices and arguments twisted to his own ends. The last time Don Juan and I went to see him, which was on Wednesday, 29th December, Don Juan politely and respectfully urged upon him the need for promptitude in settling the business upon which he had come, at the same time deploring the delay that had already taken place, and the little progress made since Cardinal Farnese's return, which we had always been assured was the only thing they were waiting for. The Pope, in his reply to this, founded his excuses and his avoidance of further aiding your Majesty upon the talk of the necessity for peace. He dwelt so long on this point that to repeat it would be prolix, and his arguments were to a great extent too irrelevant for me to reproduce in writing, though I had a good mind to tell his Holiness that they were so. The gist of all his talk was that he had always desired peace, and following the footsteps of Christ, he had always striven to bring it about, as occupying His place on earth, however unworthily. If peace had been hitherto, desirable, it was now more urgently needed than ever, in order that German affairs might be successfully settled. He set forth that, though your Majesty was now on the top (supra), this being the expression he used, much still remained to be done. The Turks, he said, were arming, and the King of France would unite with the Lutherans; and the best remedy for it all was to make peace, especially since the French appeared now to desire it, and his Holiness hinted thus that he had recently been informed of this tendency anew. He said that he, having always kept himself neutral by the best means in his power, now found himself in the thirteenth year of his Pontificate. The French were suspicious and rash, and he did not wish to give them cause for believing that he fed and promoted wars by providing resources to your Majesty, which would make them think that he would be a bad instrument for arranging peace, now, he said, vitally necessary. I replied that peace in the abstract was good for its own sake, and praised him for his efforts at pacification, and for the prudent considerations he had set forth, especially about the Turk and the King of France, but I thought it would even be more prudent to prevent the occurrence of the dangers suggested, which might be done by aiding your Majesty liberally, so that you might promptly subjugate the Germans and impose peace in that part of the world. I said that your Majesty was rather more than “on the top” in the straggle, for the principal ringleader, both in point of position and criminality, the late Duke of Saxony, had been soundly punished, and the Landgrave partially so, the former having lost his territories and electoral dignity, and the latter his assumed authority, since he had taken to flight. As to the rest of Germany, some of the insurgents had surrendered and others were seeking your Majesty's mercy. As soon as this German matter was settled, the Turk would take care what he did and peace would be then so much the nearer. The signs of it were, I said, already visible; for the King (of France) was more inclined to it than before, now that your Majesty's affairs were more prosperous. His Holiness, I said, no doubt meant well; and we all wished for peace, but we differed as to the process by which it might be attained; and I could not avoid saying that it was an indecent and reprehensible action for the King of France to ask the Pope, out of consideration for him, to cease helping your Majesty in an enterprise so advantageous to the faith and the interests of religion. He immediately denied that the French had made any such request to him. But as I have written to your Majesty, I have positive knowledge that, not only have they done so, but his Holiness has promised them to withhold assistance to your Majesty. His Holiness again turned to the subject of peace, endeavouring to refute the arguments I had used, although he spoke more moderately than before. I replied as before; praising peace in principle, and saying that your Majesty had always loved it, and still did so; but I had no authority, nor had Don Juan, to deal in the matter. I urged the Pope to settle the matter entrusted to us, and to write to your Majesty as he pleased about peace.
	The day before we saw the Pope, I had a letter of advice from the Cardinals of Trent and Jaen, of which copy is enclosed, saying, that the day previously a meeting of the Cardinals who are appointed a Commission on the matters of the Council, had been held, where it was decided, Cardinal Morone alone dissenting, that the decree on the article of justification should be published. Morone set forth the many difficulties and disagreed with the rest. In view of your Majesty's letter to Don Diego de Mendoza, and the instructions to Don Juan, I thought that, unless the Pope was spoken to on the subject—which he seemed himself to wish to keep secret—he might allege later that not even your Majesty's ambassador, or anyone else, had referred to it or pointed out the need for deep consideration in the matter; and I therefore decided to take action.
	After disposing of the questions referred to above, I told his Holiness that I had to mention a matter of the highest importance, and I only did so in the best interests of himself and your Majesty. In order to mollify and prevent him from getting angry at what I had to say, I continued that from Cardinals Trent and Jaen, and Don Diego de Mendoza, I had learnt that the Council intended to declare and publish the article on Justification; and from your Majesty's communications I knew the many objections that existed to the publication of the article at present; or indeed that anything should be done in the Council hurriedly, before your Majesty had time to bring the Germans to agree to it, and for the prelates and others to remedy the religious troubles; the state of religion being such that the only cure possible was by means of the Council. If this article were published, I said, it would look like a condemnation of these people (i.e. the German dissentients) without hearing them. Don Juan added some words to the same effect, and concluded by saying that we spoke in all love and charity—convinced that his Holiness would act for the best. He replied that he was ignorant of what your Majesty had written on the subject, or else he had forgotten it, thus hinting that he was under the impression that the objections we had brought forth were founded on the article itself, and passing over the arguments we had used to prove that our objection was to the time and manner of promulgating it. I replied that there was no objection to the article being adopted; for we believed what the Church believed; but the objection was to the mode of procedure, as we had submitted to his Holiness, and your Majesty had pointed out in Don Juan's instructions, &c.
	He seemed to take note of what I said, and we thought that he would act cautiously, avoiding publishing the article so soon as the people thought. But the matter remained doubtful, and the Pope told us to show what the instructions said on the point, and Don Diego's communication, to Cardinals Cresentio, Sfrondrato and Ardinguello, after which the question would be considered.
	Don Juan and Marquina afterwards went to see these Cardinals, and read the instructions etc. and your Majesty's letter to Don Diego, saying that your Majesty wished the matter to be dealt with in a way that would enable the best results for religion to be obtained from what had been done by force of arms in Germany. Cresentio discussed the question at great length with Don Juan, and the impression left upon us is that they are still undecided how they shall act. They seem, indeed, to be frightened, and this confirms what I have said before to your Majesty, that the more boldly they are spoken to about the Council the more tractable they are, and, to say the truth, I think that the same course might be adopted in other matters as well. The Pope hinted—and the Cardinal afterwards told Don Juan plainly—that he intends to send an envoy to your Majesty respecting the peace (i.e. with France), and also, as it seems, respecting the continuance of the enterprise (against the Protestants). He is acting in accord with the French ambassador and his adherents here, and I learn from two trustworthy sources that the French do not believe that the Pope really desires peace or that he will be a means of bringing it about. They think his present action in the matter is mainly prompted by a desire to find a pretext for avoiding the giving of further aid to your Majesty. These same people, however, say that the King of France is more anxious for peace than ever, a sure sign that he dreads what may happen if it be not made.
	Soon after the news came of the rout and flight of the enemy, the King of France wrote to his ambassador, instructing him to assure the Pope that it had not been a flight, but simply a stragetical retreat, and that he must not imagine that the Smalkaldic league was weak. The French party in Rome are still saying the same thing.
	Rome, 1 January, 1547.
	Note.—A letter from Don Juan de Mendoza to the Emperor of the same date gives similar information to the above. He dwells at great length upon the various excuses and devices adopted by the Pope, Cardinal Farnese, etc., for the purpose of delaying the granting the additional subventions which the Emperor requested. The letter is not reproduced here, as all the points are more clearly set forth in Vega's letter and in Don Juan's previous letter (page 531).
9 Jan. Vienna. Imp. Arch.	377. Van der Delft to the Queen Dowager.
	My last letters were dated 24th ultimo, and I received your Majesty's letters with those from the Emperor on the 4th instant, an hour after those from Secretary Bave of 25th ultimo came to hand with good news from his Majesty. When I have an opportunity of access to the King, I will not fail to fulfil your Majesty's orders. There is however at present no possibility of my obtaining audience, owing to his indisposition. Captain Paulin has been unable to see him, and is far from pleased thereat. Some of the principal members of his suite, even, do not hide their suspicion that on the pretence that the King wishes to see and speak to Paulin before he leaves they have been kept here for two months out of artfulness. Nevertheless it is said that as soon as the courier they have sent to the King of France returns, they will have audience here. I have made most diligent enquiries to discover what it means, but have only been able to learn that it all depends upon the differences existing between them (i.e. the English and French). It is certain that a very intimate friend of his said “If Paulin had only listened to me he would not have pushed his negotiations so far as he has done, but would have left the ambassador to do it, and thus would have avoided this annoyance. It would be much more advisable that he (Paulin) should be by the side of our master (i.e. the King of France), who is making a port between Dieppe and Havre Neuf at a place called Fécamp, for the shelter of his galleys. The galleys, too, are being repaired, and 20 new ones being built at Marseilles.” (fn. 1)
	Yesterday a gentleman of the Chamber named Morrison (fn. 2) left here for Denmark. I understand that the object of his going is to keep the Danes friendly, and prevent them from giving assistance to the Scots. He also wishes to take measures for being able to raise troops there when they want them. I learn that they (the English) are taking the Scottish war very much to heart. They are making great preparations; but I perceive very clearly that they do not feel at all sure of the French. They are extremely suspicious of the French galleys, especially as fresh supplies are constantly being sent to Boulogne. And as in this last war England lost the flower of her men, they are obliged to employ foreigners. If the French attempt anything against them whilst the Emperor is in Germany, they (the English) will have no chance of obtaining either Germans or Spaniards. I believe also that they are thinking of getting men in Oestlandt and Neumark, and they are trying in Italy.
	Parliament is to open next week and the oath of allegiance as successor to the crown will be taken to the Prince, the son of this King, as soon as possible. The discourse here about it is variable.
	I received some time ago a letter from your Majesty ordering me to speak to the King in favour of a gentleman of Moravia called Stephen d'Assenberg, said to be a pensioner of the King, and directing me to aid the gentleman to the best of my ability. I would, of course, never willingly fail to do all that your Majesty may please to command; but nevertheless I have thought best to defer complying with your orders in this respect, until your Majesty is made aware of the difficulty I find in it. Before my first coming hither d'Assenberg had fallen into disgrace with the King and all the Councillors, for certain evil acts of his which they say injured them to the extent of several thousands of pounds sterling. After absenting himself for some time he returned, in hope that the late Duke of Suffolk would befriend him. When I first arrived here I found him in the midst of his suit, which in the end turned out completely fruitless; and he then departed from here for Oestlandt, and nothing has been heard of him for two years. I therefore doubt if the King would take in good part any attempt at intercession for a person with whom he is so deeply offended. I have also ascertained that all the members of the Council are against him, and for this he has only himself to thank; because whilst he was in favour with the King he was not sufficiently respectful to the Council, which was imprudent in a foreigner, and his business therefore offers many difficulties. I pray your Majesty to instruct me as to whether you desire me to importune at the present time in so unpleasant an affair.
	London, 9 January, 1547.
10 Jan. Vienna. Imp. Arch.	378. The Queen Dowager to Van der Delft.
	By the enclosed extract, you will see the discourse addressed to us by the French ambassador, and our reply to him. The only object seems to be to stir up a fresh war; and we think well to inform you of this, so that you may know what is going on here; redoubling your vigilance to investigate the proceedings adopted by the French ministers towards the King of England, and to sound the feelings of the King and his ministers as regards the Emperor's interests. If you learn that Paulin has taken leave of the King dissatisfied with the outcome of his negociations, you may tell Secretary Paget, in confidence, that the French ambassador here has given us notice of the retention of the Swiss and their captains, whom the King of France is raising in Germany for his service. These troops have been mustered and reviewed, and other mercenaries are being raised, though on the emphatic assurance of the King of France that they are not intended for service against his Imperial Majesty or his dominions. We are not inclined to give too much credence to these assurances; but still we should like the King of England and his ministers to know what is being done; though we do not believe that the preparations referred to are directed to his injury. But, nevertheless, the French are very cunning and cautious; and it is prudent not to depend implicitly on their words.
	Do not go beyond this.
	Be very careful to discover what the Protestant ambassadors who have gone by France to England are doing, and let us know. We have no fresh news from Germany, except that the Emperor has been reconciled to the Duke of Wurtemburg, who will be reinstated on conditions. Do not forget the Boulognais claims.
	Binche, 10 January, 1547.