Venice: October 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: October 1518', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 461-472. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp461-472 [accessed 20 April 2024]

October 1518



Oct. 1. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library. Letter no. 190.	1081. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	The French ambassadors bad promised him that they would reject the clause concerning the disputes between the Emperor and Venice; and on that day (the 1st October), they had informed him that everything relating to the peace and betrothal had been concluded on the day preceding, and that the Signory had been included without the conditions alluded to. Inquired of them whether in the treaty mention had been made of Sultan Selim, who, doubtless having spies throughout Christendom, would become acquainted with the fact, and accelerate his hostile movements. Being answered that the preamble stated the object of the peace to be an attack upon the Turks, he therefore suggested the omission of this paragraph, and purposed giving the same hint to Cardinal Wolsey.
	Lambeth, 1st October 1518.
	[Italian, 4 pages, or 89 lines.]
Oct. 2. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxvi.p. 68, 69.	1082. Gian Giacomo Caroldo, Venetian Secretary at Milan, to the Signory.
	Casale, 25th September.
	The agreement with En eland might be said to be concluded. The Bishop of Paris was already in England. The Switzers were urging King; Francis to renounce the alliance with England.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 2. Commemoriale, v. xx. p. 159.	1083. Clauses of a Confederacy against the Turk.
	Between Francis I., King of the French, and Henry VIII., King of England, made at the instigation of Leo X., and including the Pope, the Emperor Maximilian, and Charles, King of Spain.
	[Articles as in Rymer, v. xiii., p. 624, date London, 2nd October 1518.]
	[Latin, 8 pages.]
Oct. 2. Senato Mar, v. xix. p. 73, tergo.	1084. Flanders Galleys.
	Motion made in the Senate, in consequence of the death of Andrea Priuli, Captain of the Flanders galleys, that the confirmation of Vicenzo Zantani to be governor and vice-captain of the galleys be repealed, as having been decreed contrary to law and custom; and that on Sunday next the Grand Council do elect a captain of the Flanders galleys. The person thus elected to reply on the following morning-before 9 a.m., and, having accepted, to depart from Venice within eight days, under penalty of losing the captaincy, and of being ineligible to any other captaincy for ten years, and of a fine of 500 ducats. To join the galleys wherever they may be, and continue the voyage according to the commission of the late captain, and the auction contract for the Flanders galleys. To be at liberty to go as captain on the next Flanders voyage, after the one of which the command had lately been assigned to Giovanni Moro.
	The captain elected to bring the present galleys from Antwerp or Hampton is to receive from the masters the customary pay, perquisites and emoluments; and to receive 100 ducats in Flanders or England, to be raised by an average. Vicenzo Zantani to fill the post of the deceased captain until the arrival of the captain to be elected by the Grand Council.
	Ayes, 81.
	Amendment to the foregoing motion:—
	To abide by the act already passed; and that the following letter, destined by the Signory for Vicenzo Zantani on the 30th September, be approved by the Senate.
	Ayes, 87. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 0.
	The kinsfolk of Vicenzo Zantani, and the partners of the galleys, withdrew.
	Letter from the Signory to Vicenzo Zantani, vice-captain of the Flanders galleys.
	The Senate having yesterday confirmed his election, made by the Council of Twelve at Antwerp, to be governor and vice-captain of the galleys there, charge him to attend to their command with diligence, and not to interfere in the command of the galley which lately belonged to him, under penalty of felony. To assemble the Council of Twelve, and elect a master in his stead.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 5. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 192.	1085. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	On the 3rd October the general peace had been proclaimed in St. Paul's Church. The King was accompanied thither by the two Legates (Wolsey and Campeggio), all the ambassadors, and the lords and prelates of the kingdom. A solemn mass was celebrated by the Cardinal of York, with unusual splendour. After the Chief Secretary, Richard Pace, had delivered an elegant oration, the King, the Cardinal of York, and the French ambassadors proceeded to the high altar, where the articles of the peace were read, and sworn to by both parties, but in a tone audible only to themselves, which was tantamount to their having cancelled the words of the preamble concerning the expedition against the Turks.
	The ceremonies being ended, the King and the rest went to dine in the palace of the Bishop of London. Then the King returned to Durham House accompanied by all the aforesaid. From thence the Cardinal of York was followed by the entire company to his own dwelling, where they sat down to a most sumptuous supper, the like of which was never given either by Cleopatra or Caligula. The banqueting hall was so decorated with huge vases of gold and silver, that he (Giustinian) fancied himself in the tower of Chosroes, where that monarch caused divine honours to be paid him.
	After supper, a mummery, consisting of twelve male and twelve female maskers, made their appearance in the richest and most sumptuous array, being all dressed alike. After performing certain dances, they removed their visors. The two leaders were the King and the Queen Dowager of France, and all the others were lords and ladies, who seated themselves apart from the tables, and were served with countless dishes of confections and other delicacies. Large bowls filled with ducats and dice were then placed upon the table for such as liked to gamble. Shortly after, the supper tables being removed, dancing commenced, and lasted until after midnight.
	On the 5th the bridal entertainments had been celebrated at Greenwich, being attended by the two Legates, the ambassadors, lords, and prelates. The decorations were very sumptuous. The King stood in front of his throne. On one side was the Queen, (Katharine) and the Queen Dowager of France (Mary). The Princess (Mary) was in front of her mother, dressed in cloth of gold, with a cap of black velvet on her head, adorned with many costly jewels. On the other side were the two Legates, and others, according to rank.
	The Reverend Cuthbert Tunstall, Privy Councillor, delivered an oration, after which the Princess was taken in arms, and the French ambassadors asked the consent of the King and Queen to the marriage contract. Both having assented, the Cardinal of York placed on her finger a small ring, in which a large diamond was set, supposed to have been a present from the Cardinal, and the Lord Admiral (of France) passed it over the second joint. The bride was then blessed by the two Legates, and mass performed by the Cardinal of York. The whole of the choir was decorated with cloth of gold, and all the court was in exceedingly rich array.
	After these ceremonies were ended, the King and all the company went to dinner. The King received the water for his hands from three dukes and a marquis, (fn. 1) and then water was also given to the Legates and others according to their rank. At the royal table the two Legates were seated on the right hand, at some little distance from the King; and on the left were two of the French ambassadors (namely, the Lord Admiral and the Bishop of Paris) the Dukes of Buckingham, Norfolk and Suffolk being seated at the inner side of the table. The other two French ambassadors, the Spaniard, the one from Denmark, and he (Giustinian), with marquises and other lords and prelates, dined in another chamber. After dinner the King and the Cardinal of York, with the French ambassadors, betook themselves into a certain room, to conclude some matters which remained for settlement, and all the rest departed.
	Lambeth, 5th October 1518.
	[Italian, 3½ pages, or 72 lines.]
Oct. 5. Misti Consiglio X. v. xlii. p. 119.	1086. The Council of Ten and Junta to Sebastian Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	Transmit copy of a letter written by them on public affairs to the Venetian ambassador in France. Should he understand that the King of England purposes mentioning the Signory in any league against the Turks, he is to acquaint his Majesty, at a private audience, with the position of the Venetian maritime territory, at the mercy on every side of so formidable a sovereign, who would first of all ravage the Venetian provinces and ruin the whole of Italy, the Signory having been for many and many years the bulwark of Christendom. Is to urge further that the ships and merchants of Venice would be the first to perish; and to represent to the King the readiness of the State to act for the benefit of the Christian commonwealth, they having of yore fought single-handed to their own detriment.
	When congratulating the King on the peace, to confute the opinion entertained in England, that the Signory is not well pleased with the alliance between the two crowns.
	Ayes, 27. Noes, 1. Neutrals, 0.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 7. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxvi. p. 84.	1087. Antonio Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	Nantes, 9th August.
	The Legate Campeggio had written to the Legate Bibiena at Nantes, that the peace would comprise the Pope and the four sovereigns; that Tournai would be restored to France; and that the King of England had demanded that France should renounce the protection of Scotland, and not seek an understanding with the Switzers. To these demands King Francis would not consent.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 9. Mantuan Archives.	1088. Princess Mary.
	Anonymous account of the entertainments made in England when the French ambassadors went there to conclude the marriage of the Dauphin of France with the Lady Mary.
	The French ambassadors arrived in England with great pomp, and the King did them extreme honour. Was present when they made the oration to the King and tendered him obedience: his Majesty treated them graciously.
	Last Sunday the Cardinal of York sung mass in St. Paul's Cathedral. The large chapel and the choir were hung with gold brocade, wrought with the King's arms. Near the altar was a pew (camaretta) formed of cloth of gold, for the King, and in front of it a small altar quite crowded with golden images one foot high, with a cross of pure gold to correspond; all the rest of the ornaments being of silver gilt. At this altar two low masses were said before the King, whilst high mass was being sung.
	On the other side of the high altar was a chair, raised six steps from the ground, surmounted by a canopy of stiff brocade hanging from the wall down to the chair, for the Cardinal of York. On the same side, farther removed from the altar, was another chair, raised three steps, with a similar canopy, for the Legate Campeggio. In the centre of the church a wooden platform was raised, reaching well nigh from the great gate to the choir.
	The King entered the cathedral with the two Legates, all the ambassadors, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and about 12 bishops, with some six abbots, besides dukes, marquises, and earls. At the mass, all the bishops and abbots wore jewelled mitres, taking their places beside the Legates; the ambassadors with the other great laymen being on the King's side. His Majesty's upper garment was a robe of crimson satin lined with brocade, and he had a tunic (saione) of purple velvet powdered with precious stones, viz., a stone and a large pearl, alternately; the stones being rubies, sapphires, turquoises and diamonds, all of the best water and sparkling. The King wore a collar thickly studded with the finest carbuncles as large as walnuts.
	Mass being ended, the Legates in their mitres went out of the choir, and from a scaffold simultaneously gave their benediction to the people, and then returning to the altar, did the like again to the King and the others; after which, Sir Richard Pace made a good and sufficiently long oration, delivering it excellently; whereupon the King, together with the three French ambassadors, namely, the Admiral of France, the Bishop of Paris, and another, flanked by the two Legates, swore at the high altar perpetual peace between the Kino; of France and the Kino; of England, both the King and the ambassadors taking the oath upon the Gospels, “et tacto corpore Christi.”
	The King then gave a dinner in the Bishop of London's palace to the Legates, ambassadors, bishops, and all the courtiers. In the evening the Legate Cameggio and the French ambassadors supped with the Legate of York; and at the end of the supper the King came to him disguised, with the Queen Dowager of France, and 12 other lords also in disguise, each with a lady, and performed a dance before him, after which the King discovered himself, laughing and drinking and making good cheer; and the entertainment being ended, and the King departing, every one went home.
	On Tuesday, the Cardinal of York again sang mass before the King and Queen in his Majesty's chapel, in the form ut supra. Before the mass, the King, the Legates, and the French ambassadors, in the Queen's chamber, performed the espousals between the Lady Mary and the Dauphin François.
	The Lady Mary was three years old, and talking with the ambassadors, she said to the Admiral, “Are you the Dauphin of France? If you are, I wish to kiss you (ve voglio basare).”
	After the mass, the King, being between the two Legates, signed on the high altar the marriage contract, for delivery to the three French ambassadors, they having already done the like for the King'; and on that day in like manner they dined with him at a great entertainment.
	On Thursday afternoon a joust was performed, at which the Legates and ambassadors were present, the King himself jousting, and shivering eight spears; and in the evening they all supped together. The joust being ended, the Admiral of France gave the King a handsome horse.
	The arrangement of the supper was as follows:
	One table traversed the hall, and two others extended lengthways down the hall from the two horns (fn. 2) of the centre table, at the middle of which sat the King the Queen of England on his right hand, and the Queen Dowager of France on his left. Next to the Queen of England came the Legate of York, then a duchess, then the Admiral of France, with another lady beside him, next to whom came the Spanish ambassador, followed by another lady, and then the Venetian ambassador, &c. On the other side, next to the Queen Dowager of France, sat the Legate Campeggio, on whose other side was a marchioness; then came the Bishop of Paris and another lady, then the other French ambassador and a lady, the ambassador of Denmark in like manner pairing with a lady; then the other dukes, marquises, and bishops followed in succession, being separated by ladies in the same fashion.
	On the buffet were 82 vases of pure gold, of various sorts, the smallest being the size of a tall glass, one foot high, and amongst them were four drinking cups two feet high, and four similar flasks, and two salt cellars, which were not used for the service of the table, though all the guests drank out of gold, and the silver vessels were innumerable.
	The supper being ended, the King, accompanied by the whole party, with the exception of the Queen on account of her pregnancy, came into a large hall on the ground floor, where a royal throne (una regale) had been prepared, with a table in front of it, and there sat the King with the whole court. A comedy was recited there, thus—
	First of all sundry Turks came forth with drums, and an individual on a winged horse, who made a long speech in substance as follows:—
	“I am the horse Pegasus, who, having heard of this peace and marriage, flew to announce it to the whole world, and about this the whole world is singing. I, however, know not how to sing, but these two children will do so;” and accordingly the children, who were about 12 years old, sang an excellent composition about this matter. When they had finished singing, the Pegasean horse said, “You will now see a fine castle. We shall see who will be able to explain it;” and immediately after a curtain had been lowered, a handsome triumphal car appeared, with a castle and a rock, all green within and gilded (Jeaurata). Within the rock was a cave all gilded, the gates being of wood with silk curtains, like a recess; (fn. 3) and within the cave were nine very handsome damsels with wax candles in their hands, all dressed alike, looking through the veil, like radiant goddesses, so handsome were they. Outside the cave, seated about the rock, were nine youths all in one livery, besides musicians, who were not visible. On the rock was an olive tree with the Pope's arms, and a fir tree with the Emperor's arms, and a lily with the arms of the King of France, and a rose tree of roses with the arms of the King of England, and a pomegranate tree with the arms of the King of Spain. Between the olive tree and the rose tree was a little girl of about three years old, dressed as a queen, and prostrate, one hand touching the base of the olive tree, and her feet at the foot of the rose tree, with a dolphin in her lap; and the rider of the Pegasean horse delivered the following explanation:—
	“That rock is the rock of peace; the Queen and the Dauphin thereupon signify the marriage. The olive I have given to the Pope, because it signifies peace, and it becomes his Holiness, as he is the commencement of this peace. Then I have given the fir to the Emperor as it is the tallest of trees, and the strongest, and therefore becoming him. The lily I have given to the King of Prance, it being written that the “fleur de lys” was given him from above; so to the King of France be the lily, which being beautiful and odoriferous, deservedly becomes him. The rose I have given to the King of England, because it is his emblem, having three properties: it is beautiful, of very beautiful colour, and very good odour; these qualities never failing the rose, which therefore right well belongs to him. To the King of Spain I have given the pomegranate, because it is round, and he in like manner is well nigh lord of the whole globe. The pomegranate being of golden colour, signifies that he is rich. And as all these personages rejoice at this peace, as also does the whole world, I planted the trees on the rock of peace/'
	The Turk replied, “Thou speakest not the truth: I, who am of this world, rejoice not at it.” The other rejoined, “The whole world rejoices” Thereupon the Turk said, “I will now show thee whether I have soldiers in the world;” and so some 15 armed men appeared on each side and fought a tourney, which being ended, the triumphal car returned in front of the King, and the music of lutes and other instruments played beautifully; after which they took back the car to its place. The youths descended from it, and each of them holding a damsel by the hand, performed a very fine dance; and when that was ended, one hundred courses (imbandisone) of eatables, made neither of meat, nor of eggs, nor of cheese, nor of fish, though how made would be long to narrate, were served. These dishes were put on table before the King, and after his Majesty and the grandees had partaken of them, there was a scramble for the rest (tutte forono messe a sacco). After this silver shakers (squash d'argento) with comfits were brought, the shaker with confections for the King being more than six feet (palmi) long, and the others exceeding four feet in length; and the King threw the comfits upon the scaffolds to the Frenchmen. There was a buffet, on which were 52 large silver vases or drinking cups, more than five feet (palmi) high each, all gilt, and these the King gave to the Frenchmen; and the collation being ended, he took off a royal robe of stiff gold brocade lined with ermine, and gave it to the Admiral. The entertainment lasted until two o'clock in the morning; and on Friday morning the Frenchmen took leave of his Majesty, and on Monday departed to their own country.
	9th October 1518.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 10. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 193.	1089. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Entertainments had been given at Greenwich during two days, consisting of stately jousts, banquets, and comedies.
	On the 9th went to the Bishop of Paris to hear the contents of the clauses, which, with the consent of the Lord Admiral, the Bishop caused to be read to him; that is to say, those relating to the peace, but not to the betrothal. The peace was to last for ever. The Pope, the Emperor, and the Catholic King were included as principal confederates. Should one of the confederates be invaded by another, the rest were to take up arms against the invader. The nominees of the King of England were the Pope, the Emperor, the Catholic King the Kings of Hungary, Portugal, and Denmark, the Doge and State of Venice, the State of Florence, the Duke of Eerrara, Mantua, Duke Lorenzo of Urbino, all the House of the Medici, and the Switzers. The nominees of the King of France, in addition to the foregoing, were the Kings of Scotland and Navarre, the Duke of Pomerania, Duke of Lorraine, Guelders, Savoy, and the Marquises of Montferrat and Saluzzo.
	It had seemed very strange that the Spanish ambassador should have been present, in a secret place, at a consultation held between the Cardinal of York and the French ambassadors, from which Cardinal Campeggio was excluded. Pretended therefore to the Bishop of Paris that he had heard many people complain of it, as it was suspected that the Spanish ambassador sought to embroil matters. The Bishop replied, that the Spaniard had sought to impede what had been already settled, but did not succeed; and that they told him he could ratify if he had a commission from the Catholic King, but if not, the term of four months would be given him for ratifying. This information was confirmed by the Reverend Richard Pace.
	Would visit the Cardinal of York, and endeavour to hear the articles read a second time, and to learn the conditions of the marriage and of the surrender of Tournai. Doubted whether the Cardinal would gratify him, as he was a very reserved person, and seemed to place little trust in any one.
	The King had made very liberal presents to the French ambassadors; to the Lord Admiral a very rich robe of cloth of gold, lined with cloth of silver, several pieces of plate valued at 3,000 crowns, and three palfreys; to the Bishop of Paris, plate and 2,000 crowns; to Mons. S. Danie (Champdenier) and Mons. Villeroy, plate of the value of 1,000 crowns each; to the gentlemen in waiting on the King of France, plate and apparel worth 500 crowns each; and to the other gentlemen of the embassy, 4,000 crowns to be divided amongst them. A very handsome suit of horse harness was to be sent to the King of France.
	The departure of the ambassadors was delayed until the arrival of a courier from the French Court, and in the meanwhile they would be banqueted by the Duke of Suffolk and other lords.
	Lambeth, 10th October 1518.
	[Italian, 5 pages, or 105 lines.]
Oct. 12. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no.194	1090. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Had ascertained from the Legate Campeggio that of the five principal parties to the treaty such as were absent were bound to ratify it within four months; should they fail to do so, they would then be merely included as adherents. The difference between the principals and adherents was this, that should any foreign power attack one of the principals after the ratification of the treaty, all the other principals were bound to attack the aggressor at the common expenses; whereas, should one of the mere adherents be attacked, the confederates were to succour him at his own expense. So the adherents would derive no benefit from the confederacy.
	Had also made enquiry concerning the separate clause stipulating that, if the shores of the Spanish, French, and German Ocean were invaded, France, Spain, and England were in that case to fit out fleets for defence at the common expenses. Supposed this clause to relate to a Turkish attack, but was told by Campeggio that when he remonstrated against the neglect of any defence for the Mediterranean, Cardinal Wolsey replied that the clause had no reference to the Turk, whose affairs would be negotiated at another time and in another form.
	Mons. de la Bastie remained in London as French ambassador.
	Lambeth, 12th October 1518.
	[Italian, 2¾ pages, or 58 lines.]
Oct. 12. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxvi. p. 90.	1091. Antonio Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	Ancenis, 24th September.
	Had been told by the Great Bastard of Savoy that the Admiral, having embarked for England, encountered a storm and lost his consort ship, on board of which were, many French noblemen, and he himself was obliged to put back with his own.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 19. Minio's Original Letter Book, MS. penes me. Letter no. 241.	1092. Marco Mtnio to the Signory.
	Had been informed by the Pope that the Catholic King had certainly five votes, and that the Duke of Saxony, who had hitherto withheld his assent, had promised to make a greater demonstration than the others at the next diet appointed for Martinmas at Mayence. The Pope therefore considered the affair well nigh settled, and said that the difficulty consisted in this,—that the entire sum of money promised had not yet been provided.
	The confederacy between France and England had taken place, and at the ceremony of ratification Cardinal Wolsey sang the mass.
	Enquires whether news had reached Venice of a new league which was in course of negotiation between the Emperor and the King of Spain as principals, and to which the Kings of France and England adhered. They gave the Pope four months' time wherein to join this confederacy, and the other powers were to send their ambassadors within eight months to request and pray for admission. This was told to Minio by the Pope, who, with a sneer, exclaimed again and again, “We send to request and pray!” The word “pray,” however, was omitted in the notification made to the Pope.
	Corneto, 19th October 1518.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Oct. 25. Original Letter Book, St. Mark's Library, Letter no. 195.	1093. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory.
	Had received the State's missives of 17th August and 1st October, announcing the truce between the Emperor and the Signory. This news had previously reached him through another channel. On the 23rd received three other missives of the 5th, 17th, and 28th September, enclosing newsletters, which he had been unable to communicate, because both he and Cardinal Wolsey had been unwell.
	On the conclusion of the peace and betrothal the reverend Spanish ambassador, who had resided in England four years, had requested dismissal of the King. He intended to depart in a fortnight. This proceeding was attributable solely to the dissatisfaction of the Catholic King.
	The four ambassadors destined for the French court, namely, the Lord Chamberlain (the Earl of Worcester), the Bishop of Ely (Dr. Nicholas West), the Grand Prior of St. John's (Sir Thomas Docwra), and the Captain of Guisnes (Sir Nicholas Vaux), were preparing for departure. They were accompanied by a number of great personages as advisers, who were not mentioned in the commission; besides other gentlemen, who went to honour the legation. In all there were 600 horse. They would depart in eight or ten days, and after the ratification with the King of France, Tournai would be formally surrendered. Pecuniary compensation was to made by the King of France.
	Within a month, or rather more, the Queen was expecting her delivery, which was looked forward to with great anxiety by the whole realm. “God grant she may give birth to a son, so that, having a heir male, the King may not be hindered from embarking, if necessary, in any great undertaking.”
	Understands that an accident has befallen his successor, calculated to delay his return. Hopes he will not scruple to depart in winter.
	Lambeth, 25th October 1518.
	[Italian, 2¾ pages, or 56 lines.]
Oct. 27. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxvi. p. 117.	1094. Antonio Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
	Ancenis, 13th October.
	Told by the King that the agreement with England was concluded, the Signory having been mentioned by both parties. The peace was between the two crowns, place being reserved for the Pope, the Emperor, and Spain, “as principals.”
	The King had showed him a letter from his two ambassadors in England, dated the 4th October, announcing the conclusion of the agreement and marriage, a copy of which was enclosed.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 31. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxxvi. p. 136.	1095. Nicolo Sagudino, Secretary to the Venetian Ambassador in England, to Alvise Foscari.
	Lambeth, 30th September 1518.
	The Lord Admiral (of France) and the other French ambassadors came across on 16th September. They entered London thus: first, the wagons loaded with chests and other baggage; then 70 sumpter mules, as usual; then eight French gentlemen dressed in silk, and many of them in cloth of gold, accompanied by an equal number of English lords and knights in most sumptuous array, very well mounted, with handsome chains; then came the four ambassadors, accompanied by the great personages of the kingdom, and followed by the Scotchmen of the French King's guard on horseback, accompanied by 30 of the guard of the King of England; then the pages of the French gentlemen and others; then some 400 English horse; the entire amount of cavalry, which made the entry, being 1,400, half English and half French.
	On the 25th the Venetian ambassador visited the Admiral, and ho (Sagudino) acted as interpreter. The Admiral asked after Dom Andrea Griti. Amongst the company were Mons. de la Motte and Count Ugo de' Pepoli, who had accompanied these ambassadors.
	On the 26th the French ambassadors went to Greenwich for audience in rich array. In the English Court there were upwards of 400 gentlemen, knights, and lords, dressed in silk and cloth and gold, with chains of unusual size and massiness (grosezd). The King was seated at the extremity of a hall, in very rich attire, better than he (Sagudino) had ever seen him in. On the right hand were the Legates, Wolsey and Campeggio. The French gentlemen placed themselves behind the benches on which the great personages of the realm were seated. The King embraced the ambassadors lovingly, and they were seated in front of him. Silence having been proclaimed, the Bishop of Paris delivered a Latin oration, to which the Chief Secretary, the Bishop of Ely, replied. The King then embraced all the French gentlemen one by one, and as they were in great number this greeting occupied more than a quarter of an hour. When it was ended, the King withdrew into a more retired chamber with the Cardinal of York and the four ambassadors, and the others returned home.
	On the 29th the ambassadors went again to the Court, to a grand banquet, and another was given them by the Cardinal of York. The Frenchmen changed their sumptuous slashed dresses daily, and went about London in bands on their mules, a fashion which was not usual amongst the English. The peace would be published on 3rd October.
	Letter from the Same, dated 10th October.
	On Sunday, the 3rd, the English lords and knights and the ambassadors assembled at a palace (fn. 4) where the King was, distant one mile from St. Paul's, whither he proceeded with 1,000 horsemen, all most richly clad. In the evening, after the banquet, at which the twelve nymphs made their appearance, there was dancing; and. they played at the English game called mumchance. After midnight, when all had departed, the King remained to play high with some Frenchmen.
	On the 5th the ambassadors went to Greenwich at 8 a.m. to celebrate the espousals of the Princess Mary. They assembled in a hall. Oration by D. Cuthbert Tunstal, privy councillor. The Princess was in her nurse's arms by the side of the Queen, her mother. In the evening, besides the royal dinner, there was also a supper and much dancing.
	The ambassadors were to leave on the 13th. Handsome presents made them by the King, worth from 15,000 to 16,000 crowns. During the first day's joust the King was in a gallery with the ambassadors, dressed in. a robe of gold brocade, lined with brocade of silver, when Mons. de St. Meme said jestingly, “Sire! I never saw a robe more to my liking than that which your Majesty is now wearing;” and thereupon the King gave it him.
	That day, the 10th, the ambassadors were going to banquet with the Duke of Suffolk.
	[Italian.]