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| Feb. 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxiii. p. 432. |
838. Marino Giorgio, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Signory. |
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Dated 3rd February. |
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Conversation held by him on that morning in chapel with the English ambassador, who said he had received letters from his King dated 15th January, expressing dislike to the interview between the three sovereigns, and that he would contrive that the Emperor should first of all hold a conference with himself. The ambassador asked the opinion of the Signory. Replied at length. |
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After mass spoke with the Pope, who said, amongst other things, “Lord Ambassador, we are very apprehensive lest this conference between the three sovereigns prove to be another League of Cambrai, and that they purpose plundering Italy a second time, and dividing it between them, to your detriment and ours. The Emperor would fain have Florence for himself; and I can tell you that Mons. de Chièvres went to Cambrai before the Lord Steward of France, and that the King of England has sent 12,000 crowns to the Emperor, who, I swear to you, requested me on the last day of December to join his league with Spain and England; so that we know not what these negotiations signify.” Replied that Venice had nothing to fear, most especially after the surrender of Verona; and that should anything be meditated, a conference was unnecessary. |
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The Court of Rome could only rule by sowing discord, and the Popes had thus obtained the Papal States. |
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[Italian.] |
| Feb. 10. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 117. |
839. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
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Had received news from Badoer of Mons. de Lautrec's entry into Verona, with Griti and his army, and of its consignment by the King Catholic's agent to Lautrec, who was to surrender it to Griti two days afterwards. |
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Could not go to Greenwich by water owing to the thick ice, and the journey by land was also difficult, the roads being frozen and dangerous. Rode thither notwithstanding, and acquainted the King with the news, after hearing mass with him. He was quite surprised, and repeated several times, “How can this be?” On being told that the intelligence was contained in letters of Badoer, and in one from Griti, dated Verona, the 11th January, he
seemed to believe it, and said, with much hesitation, “Verily, the Emperor has been deceived by the King of France, I know not how.” Inquired what this deceit could be. The King replied, “I do not know for certain, but I suspect it, and things uncertain ought not to escape from the lips of a King.” He stated that he himself was content, because the tiling had taken place with the consent of the Emperor; adding, “Let who will be deceived, your Signory, who has obtained Verona, is not that one.” |
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The same day sent his secretary to the Cardinal, but could not obtain an appointment. Sent him again on the morrow after, when the Cardinal chose to hear the news from the secretary. He was extremely astonished, and made the secretary show him the date of Badoer's and Griti's letters. He remained some time in amazement, and then inquired particularly about the characters of Lautrec and Griti, the condition of Verona, and the strength of both armies. He said he rejoiced at the news, but spoke coldly, and with evident insincerity. The secretary also informed him of the successes of Sultan Selim, to which he listened attentively, but made no reply. |
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The news had proved very disagreeable to the whole English court, with the exception of the Bishop of Winchester. |
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Would be unable to converse with any of the Lords until after the 15th February, because certain councils were being held concerning the affairs of the whole kingdom, which kept them occupied all day. |
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Two commissioners were come to London from the Duke of Albany, to conclude a truce until St. John's Day, [the 24th] June, whereas the English insisted on its lasting until St. Andrew's Day next (30th Nov.). All the articles for the maintenance of peace be tween the two kingdoms had been agreed to. Having invited the Scottish commissioners to dine with him, hoped to obtain from them the articles of the peace, according to their promise. Was told by them that, besides the draft of the preliminaries, the King had given them aletter to the Duke of Albany demanding that the Queen should be permitted to return into Scotland, as was stipulated by the preliminaries, with an additional clause, to the effect that she should be at liberty to take with her as companions as many persons as she chose. The commissioners said this would not be granted, as it would enable the Queen to create disturbance in the country, which was as much under Albany's control as if he were King. Inquired why England wished the truces to last till November. The commissioners replied, because the English ministry were apprehensive of an attack on Tournai and Calais by France, and therefore sought to secure themselves against Scottish aggression. |
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London, 10th February 1517. |
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[Italian, 4½ pages, or 102 lines.] |
