Venice: May 1518 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1867.

'Venice: May 1518', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 441-444. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp441-444 [accessed 27 April 2024]

May 1518



May 1. Minio's Original Letter Book. M S. penes me. Letter no. 188.	1027. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	Was asked by Marc' Antonio Colonna whether he had heard of the confederacy in negotiation between Spain and England. Said he knew nothing whatever about it, when Colonna rejoined he knew it by way of England, not by letters from Cardinal Wolsey, but from one who was his spirit. (fn. 1) On the same day, met the English ambassador, who said his King was willing either to keep peace with the King of France, or to go to war. Considered this very strong language, and was of opinion that the confederacy between England and Spain, as mentioned by Marc' Antonio Colonna, would take place.
	Rome, 1st May 1518.
	[Extract, Italian.]
May 2. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 170.	1028. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Having received the Signory's missives of the 4th and 30th of March, went to Cardinal Wolsey, who was taking his pleasure in the country. The Cardinal said he had been informed that the Duke of Guelders, at the instigation of the King of France, had made an unsuccessful attack upon certain towns in Flanders. He added that this was not the way to prove a desire for concord amongst Christians, in order to attack the Infidel; and that, moreover, the King of France was devising many hostile projects against England and other countries. Suggested that the rooted enmity between the Duke of Guelders and the Easterlings on the one hand, and the Flemings on the other, might alone account for hostilities, without attributing them to the King of France.
	Promise of Cardinal Wolsey to cancel a law requiring that every butt of malmsey imported into England should be accompanied by ten bows, as the consul, Hieronimo da Molino, was afraid it would give great trouble to the galleys then on their voyage. The Cardinal also promised to despatch the affair of the malmsey duties at the end of Easter term.
	London, 2nd May 1518.
	[Italian, 2¼ pages, or 47 lines.]
May 5. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 190.	1029. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	A messenger was despatched with a brief from the Pope, together with letters from the College of Cardinals collectively, and from other Cardinals individually, exhorting Cardinal Adrian to go to Home, as the Pope had promised that he might remain at Rome in safety.
	Rome 5th May 1518.
	[Extract, Italian.]
May 12. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 171.	1030. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Arrival of an ambassador extraordinary from the Catholic King. (fn. 2) He and the ambassador in ordinary (the Bishop of Elna) had had a long audience of Cardinal Wolsey. King Henry was at a distance. Learned from this new ambassador that the Catholic King was on good terms both with France and England, but his confederacy with England was much the closest of the two. The ambassador declared, with great warmth, that were King Henry or his realm offended or invaded by any potentate, the Catholic King would employ all his forces against the assailant. He also said that he knew King Francis was allying himself with the King of Denmark, and added, in rather an angry tone, that were King Christian (fn. 3) to meditate any movement against England, the Catholic King would annihilate him, although he was his brother-in-law. Probably the mission of this ambassador had been caused by some project which the Kings of France and Denmark had formed against England, and which had come to the knowledge of the Catholic King, who had thus assured King Henry of his good will. The ambassador alluded to the discord between the Emperor and Venice, and stated that the Catholic King was very desirous for a reconciliation between them.
	Had been absent from Venice for 42 months, a long period for a man of 58 years of age. At the end of June the King and Cardinal Wolsey were going to York, where they would not receive ambassadors. According to report they would remain there during the whole of November. Requests, therefore, that he may be enabled to return.
	Lambeth, near London, 12th May 1518.
	IItalian, 5½ pages, or 120 lines.]
May 12. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 191.	1031. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	Had been told by the Pope that the Emperor had demanded the appointment of the Cardinal of Gurk as legate, and that his Holiness meant to grant it, but chose his own legate to arrive in Germany first. The Pope said he purposed to do the like in England, as King Henry chose the Cardinal of York to be appointed legate. His Holiness remarked, “These two Cardinals are themselves the Kings, so that we must content them.”
	Rome, 12th May 1518.
	[Extract, Italian.]
May 15. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxv. p. 319.	1032. Cardinal Adrian.
	Note by Sanuto, that Cardinal Adrian, who was residing at Venice, in the house of the Bishop of Paphos at Ca Pesaro, had received from Rome the prolongation of the summons from the Pope desiring him to go there, together with a safeconduct signed by the Cardinals and ambassadors, which arrived on the— (fn. 4) May; so he thought of departing and going to Rome, but subsequently did not go.
	[Italian.]
May 19. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 193.	1033. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	The demands made of the Swiss cantons by the King of France were to be answered in the Diet appointed for St. George's Day; and the anti-gallican faction was endeavouring to postpone any decision, as the only foreign envoy present there was the one from France, and they wished to give notice to the Emperor and to the King of England.
	In the last consistory all the acts against Cardinal Adrian were enforced, including the act peremptory, though they would await the Cardinal's reply. They had also discussed the appointment of two other legates, namely, the Cardinal of Gurk, in Germany, and the Cardinal of York, in England.
	Had been told by Hironimo Beltrame, that there were letters from London, announcing the failure there of the Frescobaldo bank for 300,000 ducats, one half of which sum was due to the King of England.
	Rome, 19th May 1518.
	[Extract, Italian.]
May 22. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 172.	1034. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Had again conversed with the Spanish ambassador, who told him that the Infant Don Ferdinand, the brother of King Charles, had embarked for Flanders, to assume the government of that province.
	Announces the receipt on that day of letters from the captain of the Flanders galleys (Andrea Prruli), which arrived at Hampton on the 19th May. The King was going there. Had given notice to the captain accordingly.
	Whilst writing, had received the Signory's letters of the 20th April. Had anticipated some of the instructions contained in them, and vouched less positively for the pacific intentions of France with regard to England.
	Lambeth, near London, 22nd May 1518.
	[Italian, 2¼ pages, or 51 lines.]
May 28. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 173.	1035. The Same to the Same.
	An individual, who styled himself the son of the late King of Cyprus, had arrived in London. Supposed him to be one of the two sons of the! late King Zacho (Jaques) who escaped from Venice, (fn. 5) but his (Giustinian's) secretary, who had seen this individual,
	declared be neither of these. He called himself Zuan da Luigano, legitimate son of a brother of the late King Zacho. He had been at the Court, but was held in small account there, because he begged for money (fn. 6) and personal favours.
	Had been informed this Cypriot purposed visiting him; would gve him a gracious reception, elicit what he could, and announce the result.
	The captain of the Flanders galleys had made preparation to receive the King with very great honour, should the King go to Hampton, which was doubtful. Would endeavour to ascertain the time of his visit, in order to be present.
	Lambeth, 28th May 15.
	[Italian 1½ page, or 34 lines.]
May 29. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 195.	1036. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	Return of the messenger of Cardinal Orsini, who was sent to Venice with a papal brief for Cardinal Adrian's safe residence at Rome. The brief was insufficient, for Cardinal Adrian required a guarantee from the ambassadors of the Emperor, of the King of France, and of the Signory. The Pope had made out another brief, according to this request, and the required guarantee had been given. A messenger had been despatched to present the whole to Cardinal Adrian.
	Rome, 29th May 1518.
	[Extract, Italian.]
May 30. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 196.	1037. The Same to the Same.
	Close of the Swiss Diet of the 9th. The Cardinal of Sion hoped the most Christian King would not obtain his intent, as the Cardinal had received letters from his envoy in England, that Cardinal Wolsey had received him well, and promised to subsidise the Switzers. The Cardinal of Sion had also received a letter from the Emperor, announcing his willingness to abide by the confederacy stipulated between himself, the King of England, and the Switzers, so that the Cardinal of Sion hoped to persuade the latter to observe it.
	Rome, 30th May 1515.
	[Extract, Italian.]