Venice: August 1518

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.

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'Venice: August 1518', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 450-454. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp450-454 [accessed 24 April 2024]

August 1518

[Aug.] Mantuan Archives. 1051. [Cardinal Wolsey to Silvester de Giglis, Bishop of Worcester, English Ambassador at Rome.]
Anonymous fragment of a letter, giving an account of the entry of the Legate Campeggio into London.
On receipt of the news that the Pope had deprived Cardinal Adrian of his grade and benefices, the writer sent a Knight of the Garter to Cardinal Campeggio at Calais, where he was honorably greeted by the Governor. On the 23rd July Campeggio embarked for England, &c., &c (fn. 1)
[Latin, 1½ page.]
Aug. 2. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 180. 1052. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory;.
Owing to the plague, had been unable to obtain audience either of the King or of Cardinal Wolsey. On the 29th July Cardinal Campeggio made his entry into London in great state, though neither the King nor Cardinal Wolsey were present, from dread of infection (per suoi respetli). Obtained Wolsey's permission to meet Campeggio, and the Spanish ambassador did the like. On subsequently visiting the Legate, was received in a very gracious manner. He expressed the greatest affection toward the Signory, whose subject he styled himself in right of his see of Feltre. Reminded him of the Signory's affection for his late father. On the 3rd the Legate was to go to Greenwich, where he would be received by the King.
Lambeth, 2nd August 1518.
[Italian, 1½ page, or 35 lines.]
Aug. 5. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 181. 1053. The Same to the Same.
The two Legates (Wolsey and Campeggio) had gone to Greenwich, where the King was. Had been invited to the ceremony. The King went as far as the lower hall to meet them, dressed in his royal insignia, with the greater part of the prelates and barons of the kingdom. He then walked between them to the upper hall, where the throne had been prepared, and two benches, one on the right hand and the other on the left. At the right of the throne were all the prelates and the two primates, according to their grades. The Legates were seated on two gilt chairs, a larger and a lesser one. On the former sat the Legate of York, and on the latter Campeggio. Then came the reverend Spanish ambassador (the Bishop of Elna) and the rest of the prelates. To the left were all the three Dukes (Buckingham, Norfolk, and Suffolk), and other lords and barons, the first place being assigned to him (Giustinian).
The Cardinal of York, hat in hand, and standing, (the King likewise being on his feet,) delivered a Latin oration, stating the cause of his mission, and the goodwill of the Pope towards the King, using the following form of speech:—“Sanetissimus Dominus noster colit, obserrat de veneratur Majestutem cestram.” The King replied also in Latin, most elegantly. Then the brother of Cardinal Campeggio delivered a very elegant Latin oration, to the effect that the Pope had sent these two Legates to arrange peace between the Christian powers, and an expedition against the Turk. To this an answer was made, in the King's name, by one of the attendants of the Cardinal of York, who declared that the King was well disposed both towards peace and towards the projected expedition.
This ended, the King and the two Legates entered a chamber alone, and remained there together for about an hour. The Legates then came forth, and went towards their barge, unaccompanied by the King. It was said they would return to Greenwich on the 8th instant.
Had received confirmation of his statement that the French envoy lately in London was come to negotiate the marriage [of the Dauphin and Princess Mary], and that two very great personages were coining as ambassadors from King Francis to ratify the contract, on condition that King Henry should restore Tournai.
Lambeth, 5th August 1518.
[Italian, 2½ pages, or 56 lines.]
Aug. 5. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 220. 1054. Marco Minio to the Signory.
In the last consistory the benefices of Adrian were given to Cardinal Wolsey, who had written to the Pope about the agreement then on the eve of conclusion between England and France, telling him that, provided he would deprive Adrian and give his bishopric to him, Wolsey, confirming him in the post of legate in perpetuo, he would cause the honour of this alliance to be attributed to his Holiness.
To this the Pope replied that he had already deprived Adrian and conceded the benefices to Cardinal Wolsey, and that it was not the custom to create legates perpetual, but that he would from time to time confirm him in that post, so that he would obtain his intent. In the consistory, when in the act of conferring the see, the Pope said that everybody ought to be content, as this proceeding would produce a good result, not specifying it further to them, but merely saying that “he had something good in his pocket.” (fn. 2)
Rome, 5th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 6. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxv. pp. 463–4. 1055. The Venetian Ambassador in France to the Signory.
Angers, from 21st to 25th July.
Marriage of the daughter of the King of England to the Dauphin; the alliance negotiated by Villeroy, secretary for England. King Henry to restore Tournai, and to give 366,000 ducats dowry. Should the King of England die without a heir male, his daughter to inherit the kingdom. The two Kings to have an interview. They had stipulated perpetual peace; the most Christian King withdrawing his protection from Scotland and giving its government to the King of England, to whom he had appointed three ambassadors.
[Italian.]
Aug. 7. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 221. 1056. Marco Minio to the Signory.
informed by the French ambassador of the alliance between France and England, by the marriage of the Dauphin to the Princess Mary. Terms of the agreement: the surrender of Tournai; 300,000 ducats to be paid by the King of France at the rate of 25,000 ducats annually; and 300,000 ducats to be placed to the account of dower.
Rome, 7th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 11. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 182. 1057. Sebastian Giustixian to the Signory.
The two Legates had gone to the court on the 8th. Went likewise to hear some news, but no business was transacted. Mass was performed and a grand banquet given to the Legates and all present, the pomp being very great, and the court more sumptuous than he (Giustinian) had yet seen it. Less respect for the Papal see could scarcely have been shown, as he would declare in his Report.
The French ambassadors were daily expected for the conclusion of the marriage of the Dauphin to the Lady Mary, and no one doubted the fact, although the ministry did not choose to admit it. Preparations were being made for jousts and other entertainments in their honour.
The Spanish ambassador (Bishop of Elna) had announced a victory gained by his King in Barbary.
Unable to negotiate with Cardinal Wolsey, as both he and the King hesitated to come in contact with him, because of the plague; but on the expiration of 40 days, which had nearly come to an end, would not fail to do his duty as heretofore.
Repeats his demand for recall.
Lambeth, 11th August 1518.
[Italian, 1½ page, or 39 lines.]
Aug. 14. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 222. 1058. Marco Minio to the Signory.
At Rome the agreement between England and France was distasteful to the Spaniards.
Rome, 14th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 14. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 223. 1059. The Same to the Council of Ten.
The Pope had said to him, “We have letters from Augsburg, dated the 1st. The Catholic King will be elected King of the Romans, and this he has obtained by dint of money; he has bribed the electors, and the Archbishop of Treves, amongst the rest, will have 300,000 florins. It is money that will make him King of the Romans.”
Rome 14th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 19. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxv. p. 482. 1060. The French Alliance.
The Christian King had proclaimed the perpetual peace with the King of England, for their mutual defence against enemies on both sides the Alps.
[Italian.]
Aug. 19. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 224. 1061. Marco Minio to the Signory.
A Diet was to be held at Zurich for audience of the French ambassadors. Some proposed Shearing the Imperial ambassadors first, hoping that the envoys of Spain and England might arrive, as Cardinal Wolsey had promised to send an ambassador.
Rome, 19th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 20. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 225. 1062. The Same to the Same.
Cardinal Campeggio had crossed to England, and been received with much honour. The confederacy with France being made, King Henry and Cardinal Wolsey were well inclined towards the expedition against the Infidels.
Rome, 20th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]
Aug. 20. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 183. 1063. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
Return of the French secretary Villeroy to England. He would be followed in a few days by three ambassadors. The Cardinal of York had stated that the marriage was not yet settled, as England wished the general peace to be concluded in the first place. The proposed articles purported that the Pope, the Emperor, and the Kings of France, Spain, and England made a perpetual peace and confederacy, for the purpose of undertaking an expedition against the Turks. It seemed that Venice was included only by France. The clauses had been already drawn up, and a copy transmitted to the Legate in France, whilst a similar guarantee from the French court was in the hands of Villeroy. If the King of France consented, the clauses would then be forwarded to the Legates with the Emperor and in Spain.
Had heard that Tournai was to be surrendered either by virtue of the treaty of peace, or because its surrender was an item in the marriage contract. Tournai was to be restored to England if the marriage did not take place. The King of France was to give a certain sum of money for it. If any one of the confederates invaded the territories of the others, all were bound to take up arms against him. According to report there were many other secret articles.
Lambeth, 20th August 1518.
[Italian, 2½ pages, or 56 lines.]
Aug. 23. Misti Consiglio X. v. xlii. p. 88, tergo. 1064. Decree of the Council of Ten and Junta.
Payment to Antonio Suriano, doctor and knight, appointed ambassador to England, of 600 ducats, at the rate of 120 ducats monthly, for his own expenses and those of his attendants, for five months.
Ayes 23. Noes, 4. Neutrals, 0.
[Italian, 17 lines.]
Aug. 27. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 226. 1065. Marco Minio to the Signory.
The Pope had stated that the Kings of France and England were well disposed towards the Christian expedition. The Pope had assisted in drawing up the exordium of the treaty between France and England.
Rome, 27th August 1518.
[Extract, Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. In accordance with the letter published in “Veterum Scriptorum et MonumentorumHistoricorum, Dogmattirorim, Moralium Amplissima Collecting,” torn. III., pp. 1290, 1291, 1292, 1293 (Paris, 1724), edited by the Benedictine monks of S Maur, Edmund Marteme and Uisino Durancl. The Benedictines omitted the close of the letter, which will be found in the Appendix to this volume, No. 1356. The Mantuan extract commences with the words, “Allato praleredt de Had' priratione,” as printed at the head of the second of the three columns containing the monastic version of this document.
  • 2. “Ch'el haveva de buon uella sua tascha.”