Venice: October 1519 | 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 1519', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 2, 1509-1519, (London, 1867) pp. 556-565. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol2/pp556-565 [accessed 24 April 2024]

October 1519



Oct. 6. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 5.	1282. Return of Sebastian Giustinian.
	Arrival at Venice on that day in a heavy rain of Sebastian Giustinian, who had been Venetian ambassador in England during five years and three months (sic). (fn. 3)
	On the afternoon of the 7th the Council of Ten sat, and Sebastian Giustinian went to shake hands with the Doge, who chose him to take his seat as counsellor, so he went into the Council of Ten.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 7.	1283. Call of the Senate to hear the Report of England by Sebastian Giustinian, and for the perusal of letters received during the last few days.
	Report made accordingly by Giustinian, which (being no longer a member of the Senate) Sanuto was unable to write in detail, but he adds, “This is the summary as I heard, and he spoke a long while.” [Then follows a blank space, nor does the summary exist in the Diaries.]
	[Italian.]
Oct. 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 8.	1284. Letters Patent from Henry VIII. acknowledging ratification by the Signory of the clause concerning Venice, in the peace between France and England.
	London, 20 July, 1519.
	[Latin. Copy. Already calendared from the “Commemoriali”]
Oct. 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 8.	1285. Motion made in the Senate by the Counsellors, Chiefs of the Forty, and Sages, that in consideration of the services of Sebastian Giustinian, there be given him as a free gift the chain worth 450 ducats, which he received in the name of King of England from Cardinal Wolsey. The motion was negatived, because it required four-fifths of the votes.
	1st ballot:	ayes,	108;	noes,	83.
	2nd ”	”	111;	”	81.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 10. Senato Terra, v. xxi. p. 59.	1286. Present from Henry VIII. to Sebastian Giustinian.
	The great toil, inconvenience, peril and expense incurred by the noble and well beloved Sebastian Giustinian, knight, our ambassador, who has returned from England after a legation of fifty-seven months, will have been thoroughly intelligible to this council from his report; and as the right reverend Cardinal of York gave him, in the name of the King of England, a gold chain worth 540 ducats,—Put to the ballot that the said Sebastian Giustinian be permitted to enjoy the aforesaid gift as his personal property, in remembrance of his deserts and labours above mentioned.
	Ayes, 108, 111. Noes, 83, 81. Neutrals, 0.
	Motion lost, because it required a majority of four-fifths.
	[Italian, 14 lines.]
Sept. 10. MS. in St. Mark's Library, Class VII. no. MCCXXXIII.	1287. Report of England by Sebastian Giustinian. (fn. 4)
	Had been absent on his mission fifty-seven months. Returned thanks to the Senate for the honours conferred on him during his absence.
	Left Venice on 10th January 1515, and went straight to Lyons, where he found Messer Piero Pasqualigo, with whom he proceeded to Paris, where they arrived on 15th March. On the departure of the ambassador of the Archduke (Charles), King Francis gave them a most gracious audience in the presence of the princes of the blood, and other lords and barons. Around the throne stood the King of Navarre, and other grandees. Oration by Giustinian.
	Pasqualigo then went to Flanders, (fn. 5) and Giustinian to England. King Henry delayed the audience till St. George's Day, when he was wont to celebrate the festival of that Order, of which he was abbot, and the late Emperor Maximilian prior. The order numbered 24 members. The King was dressed in a mantle of purple velvet, lined with white damask, with a hood of miniver, and the device of the order on his hose. The King was surrounded by all the dukes and barons, the Cardinal (fn. 6) of York being also present. Oration by Giustinian, to which a reply was made.
	His legation proved very irksome to him, owing to the enmity between France and England, and the close alliance between the Signory and France. The King and Cardinal and others had the worst possible opinion of the Venetians. “Vocabant nos piscatores, raptores sine fide” on account of the infraction of the league with Spain. They styled the Venetians “tyrannos,” and used every possible ignominious epithet. (fn. 7) The King and Cardinal were anxious to make peace between the State and Maximilian, and to detach it from the King of France until England and France made peace, of which many persons considered Giustinian to have been the primary cause.
	For one day the King showed him the Princess (Mary), then two years old, in her nurse's arms. He drew near, knelt, and kissed her hand, for that alone is kissed by any duke or noble of the land, let his degree be what it may; nor does any one see her without doffing his bonnet, and making obeisance to her. The King then said to him, “Domino Orator, per Deum immortalem, ista puella nunquam plorat;” and he replied, “Sacred Majesty, the reason is that her destiny does not move her to tears; she will even become Queen of France.” These words pleased the King vastly.
	A few days later, when conferring with Cardinal Wolsey, announced the receipt of letters from his colleague in France, Messer Antonio Giustinian, expressing, on behalf of King Francis, a wish for peace and union with England. The Cardinal rejoined, “If this is true, France has a son, and our King has a daughter, were it wished they might be affianced.” Wrote these words to Messer Antonio, and several letters passed between them on the subject.
	Finally, Villeroy was sent to England by the King of France, and commenced negotiating for peace by means of this marriage, and the surrender of Tournai: so that at length the French ambassadors came over, namely, the Bishop of Paris, Admiral Bonnivet, and Francis de Rochecouart, Seigneur de Champdenier, who, after much discussion, concluded perpetual peace between the two crowns, including almost all the potentates of Christendom, both parties designating the Signory. Had very great difficulty in preventing Cardinal Wolsey from inserting a clause referring the disputes between the Emperor and Venice to arbitration: succeeded at length; being also assisted by the French ambassadors, especially by the Bishop of Paris and Admiral Bonnivet, the same who was a prisoner in Venice, and seemed very friendly towards the Signory. (fn. 8) The Legate Campeggio also showed himself throughout as favorable to the Signory as possible.
	King Henry was 29 years old, and much handsomer than any other Sovereign in Christendom,—a great deal handsomer than the King of France. He was very fair, and his whole frame admirably proportioned. Hearing that King Francis wore a beard, he allowed his own to grow, and as it was reddish, he had then got a beard which looked like gold. He was very accomplished and a good musician; composed well; was a capital horseman, and a fine jouster; spoke good French, Latin, and Spanish; was very religious; heard three masses daily when he hunted, and sometimes five on other days, besides hearing the office daily in the Queen's chamber, that is to say, vespers and compline. He was extremely fond of hunting, and never took that diversion without tiring eight or ten horses, which he caused to be stationed beforehand along the line of country he meant to take. He was also fond of tennis, at which game it was the prettiest thing in the world to see him play; his fair skin glowing through a shirt of the finest texture. He gambled with the French hostages to the amount, occasionally, it was said, of from 6,000 to 8,000 ducats in a day.
	He was affable and gracious; harmed no one; did not covet his neighbour's goods, and was satisfied with his own dominions, having often said to the ambassador, “Domine Orator, we want all potentates to content themselves with their own territories; we are satisfied with this island of ours.” He seemed extremely desirous of peace.
	He was very rich. His father left him ten millions of ready money in gold, of which he was supposed to have spent one half in the war against France, when he had three armies on foot; one crossed the Channel with him; another was in the field against Scotland; and the third remained with the Queen in reserve.
	His revenues amounted to about 350,000 ducats annually, and were derived from estates, forests, and meres, the customs, hereditary and confiscated property, the duchies of Lancaster, York, Cornwall, and Suffolk, the county palatine of Chester and others, the principality of Wales, the export duties, the wool staple, the Great Seal, the annats yielded by church benefices, the Court of Wards, and from new years' gifts: for on the first day of the year it is customary for his Majesty to make presents to everybody, but the value of those he receives in return greatly exceeds his own outlay.
	His Majesty's expenses might be estimated at 100,000 ducats, those in ordinary having been reduced from 100,000 to 56,000, to which must be added 16,000 for salaries, 5,000 for the stable, 5,000 for the halberdiers, who had been reduced from 500 to 150; and 16,000 for the wardrobe, for he was the best dressed sovereign in the world. His robes were very rich and superb, and he put on new clothes every holiday.
	The Queen (Katharine) was the sister of the mother of the King of Spain (Joanna of Castile), now styled King of the Romans. She was 35 years old, and not handsome, though she had a very beautiful complexion. She was religious, and as virtuous as words could express. Giustinian had seen her but seldom.
	The Cardinal of York had been styled Orion in a work composed by the ambassador. (fn. 9) He was of low origin, and had two brothers, one of whom held an untitled benefice, and the other was pushing his fortune. He ruled both the King and the entire kingdom. On Giustinian's first arrival in England he used to say to him, “His Majesty will do so and so.” Subsequently, by degrees, he went forgetting himself, and commenced saying, “We shall do so and so.” He had then reached such a pitch that he used to say, “I shall do so and so.”
	He was about 46 years old, very handsome, learned, extremely eloquent, of vast ability, and indefatigable. He transacted alone the same business as that which occupied all the magistracies, offices, and councils of Venice, both civil and criminal; and all state affairs were managed by him.
	He was pensive, and had the reputation of being extremely just. He favoured the people exceedingly, and especially the poor, hearing their suits, and seeking to despatch them instantly. He also made the lawyers plead gratis for all poor men.
	He was in very great repute; seven times more so than if he were Pope. He had a very fine palace, where one traversed eight rooms before reaching his audience chamber. They were all hung with tapestry, which was changed once a week. Wherever he was, he always had a sideboard of plate worth 25,000 ducats. His silver was estimated at 150,000 ducats. In his own chamber there was always a cupboard with vessels to the amount of 30,000 ducats, as was customary with the English nobility. He was supposed to be very rich indeed in money, plate, and household stuff.
	The archbishopric of York yielded him about 14,000 ducats, and the bishopric of Bath 8,000. One-third of the fees derived from the Great Seal were his; the other two were divided between the King and the Chancellor. (fn. 10) The Cardinal's share amounted to about 5,000 ducats. By new year's gifts he made about 15,000 ducats.
	Bath was the see which belonged to Cardinal Adrian (Castellesi), for whom when the Signory desired the ambassador to intercede, Wolsey was greatly incensed, but was pacified at last. At first he used to lavish all possible abuse on Venice, but at present he extolled her to the skies, and lauded the extreme justice of the Signory, saying that thereby, and from merely observing the good order maintained in her towns, a wayfarer arriving in them would at once become aware that he was in the Venetian territories, even if he knew not exactly where he was.
	Wolsey was very anxious for the Signory to send him 100 Damascene carpets. The slightest hint given by the Signory to the London factory would induce that body to take the expense upon themselves. This present would easily settle the affair of the wines of Candia.
	No one obtained audience from the Cardinal unless at the third or fourth attempt. As he adopted this fashion with all the lords and barons of England, the ambassador made light of it, and at length had recourse to the expedient of making an appointment through his secretary, who sometimes went six or seven times to York House before he could speak to the Cardinal.
	It was the custom for ambassadors, when they went to the court, to dine there. On Giustinian's first arrival in England they ate at the Cardinal's table, but at present no one was served with the viands of the sort presented to the Cardinal until after their removal from before him.
	There were about 21 other archbishoprics and bishoprics, and some 180 abbacies of the orders of St. Benedict and Bernard, that is to say, Cistercians. One single tenth from these abbacies yielded the King 70,000 ducats.
	There were three dukes, one marquis, and twelve earls. First of all the Duke of Buckingham, who had a rental of about 30,000 ducats, and was very popular. It was thought that, were the King to die without heirs male, he might easily obtain the crown. The Duke of Norfolk, whose rental amounted to 12,000 ducats, had likewise some hopes of the crown, and was very intimate with the Cardinal. The Duke of Suffolk had a rental of 12,000 ducats, and his wife was the King's sister, and widow of the late King Lewis of France. He also had great hopes of the crown in right of his wife.
	King Henry had made believe, especially to the French hostages, that he greatly regretted that King Francis had not been elected King of the Romans. It was thought, however, that intrinsically he was in favour of Spain, though most anxious for a third person to be elected instead of either one or the other. On account of this election, the King accredited the Cardinal's chief secretary, Dom. Richard Pace, who was also Lord Chancellor, (fn. 12) and appeared to be very devoted to the Signory. When returning towards Venice, the ambassador met him at Dover, coming back from Germany, when he mentioned several particulars concerning the election. He stated that for half a day the Duke of Saxony had been elected King of the Romans; that when the Marquis of Brandenburgh was nominated, his own brother, the Archbishop of Mayence, rejected him, for love of the King of France; and that finally the Catholic King was elected with the consent of all. The Queen of England, being a Spaniard, evinced satisfaction at the success of her nephew.
	In England they did not make use of men at arms, so that they could not raise 100 in the whole island. The real military force of the country consisted in its infantry, which was supposed to amount to 150,000 men, whose peculiar weapon was the long bow. When they took the field, their arms consisted of a breast plate, bow, arrows, sword, and two stakes—one before and one behind—with which they made their pallisadoes or stockade; but all their prowess was in the bow. They insisted on being paid monthly, and did not choose to suffer any hardship; but when they had their comforts (commoclità), they would do battle daily, with a courage, vigour, and valour that defied exaggeration.
	Giustinian alluded to certain English pilgrims, who had come to Venice to take passage for Jerusalem at Ascension-tide, when they were present at the banquet given by the Doge, who greeted them so lovingly that they said they should remember it for ever.
	He praised Messer Andrea Griti for the renown he enjoyed amongst the nobility of England, and lauded his predecessor the Magnifico Messer Andrea Badoer.
	The Spanish ambassador in England (the Bishop of Elna) had borne the State the worst possible will. Mons. de Rieux, ambassador from Lady Margaret, also evinced great hatred to the Signory on account of the ill treatment which he experienced while prisoner in Venice, though he expressed himself much obliged to Messer Giovanni Antonio Dandolo for his kindness.
	Giustinian next spoke in praise of the merchants of Venice established in London, and first of all of Dom. Girolamo da Molin, congratulating his uncle, Messer Alvise, about him, and saying that even the King himself was fond of him, and called him.—. (fn. 13)
	Dom. Lorenzo Pasqualigo, brother of Messer Luigi, had made a very large fortune. Dom. Nicolo Duodo managed the affairs of the Pisani and others, and was a most upright man; he had property worth 30,000 ducats.
	Giustinian moreover lauded the luckless Alberto Bavarino, who, though stricken by the present catastrophe, enjoyed so high a character in England, that when differences arose there, the disputants made him their referee.
	King Henry was a heavy creditor to the Florentine merchants, to whom he lent money in order that they might extend their trade. Sometimes they owed him as much as 300,000 ducats. By this means the King was able to benefit his favorites, without loss of capital. He empowered them to collect his credits, and they compromised with the debtors, who allowed them a certain amount of interest.
	On leaving England, Giustinian went to the French court. King Francis chose to hear all the English news in detail, especially with regard to the intention of the King of England about maintaining the peace. Giustinian assured him that King Henry was very anxious for its preservation, and still more so was the Cardinal of York, who considered himself its first promoter and author.
	King Francis then proceeded to catechize Giustinian about King Henry personally, item per item. Extolled King Henry to the utmost. King Francis next asked what sort of a statesman he made. Avoided giving any answer, for to bestow praise on this score was impossible; but being repeatedly questioned on the subject, at length said that King Henry devoted himself to pleasure and ease, and left the cares of State to the Cardinal. Thereupon King Francis rejoined, “By my faith, the Cardinal must bear his King light good will, for it is not the office of a good servant to filch his master's honour.”
	Was told by the Duchess-mother (Louise of Savoy), that the King of England was four years older than her son, and that the King of France was 25; so the King of England was 29.
	King Francis and the Duchess, his mother, were very unpopular all over France. The Duchess was supposed to have invested much capital throughout the country, and was intent on hoarding, for the purpose, it was said, of aiding the King in the event of any sudden need. Besides the revenues appointed her, she had received the 100,000 ducats which the Catholic King was bound to pay the King of France annually for the kingdom of Naples.
	The Queen of France (Claude) was universally loved.
	The King of France showed Giustinian his two sons, the Dauphin and the Duke of Orleans, and promised ever to maintain his alliance with the Signory.
	On quitting Paris, Giustinian proceeded to Milan, where he lodged in the house of the secretary Caroldo. He then went on to Brescia, where a present was made him on behalf of the municipality. (fn. 14) A small sum of money would suffice for the completion of certain walls at Crema.
	In conclusion he praised his secretary, Nicolò Sagudino, who he said did not gamble, and dressed modestly.
	Post omnia, he mentioned the chain, worth about 100l., which he had received from the King of England, and requested it as a present from the Signory. “Bene dixit, sed non bene persuasit.”
	[Italian. 15 pages, or 445 lines.]
Oct. 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 12.	1288. Antonio Sueian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory.
	Dated 25th September.
	Conversations with Cardinal Wolsey. The King wished to maintain peace between France and the Emperor, but should King Francis wage war on Spain, he could not but assist Spain, because the Emperor had spent much, and was without money. Arrival in England of an ambassador from the Emperor, a Dominican friar, (the Bishop of Elna,) who had been there before in the same capacity; there was likewise an imperial secretary (John de la Sauch), both having come to ask the King for a loan of money for his return to Germany. The Cardinal said that the King was much the friend of the Signory.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 14. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 15.	1289. Doge Leonardo Loredano to Lorenzo Cardinal Campeggio, Legate in England.
	Alludes to the hereditary good will between the Campeggio family and the State, confirmed to the Signory by his loving letter from London, dated 26th July, and by the testimony of Sebastian Giustinian, during his embassy in England.
	Ducal Palace, 13th October 1519.
	[Latin. Copy.]
Oct. 22. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 24.	1290. Antonio Surjan, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory.
	London, 15th September.
	The Emperor on his voyage to Flanders would hold a conference with King Henry about going to Rome to take the crown, and should he pass through the Milanese, the King would wish him to give security against damages
	Revolution in Denmark, whose King had written for pecuniary assistance to his brother-in-law the Emperor, who being unable to accommodate him, he had been assisted by the most Christian King, which was taken amiss in England as an indication that France meant to have Denmark with her also, as well as Scotland.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 22. Minio's Original Letter Book. MS. penes me. Letter no. 398.	1291. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	Was despatching the present courier for the sake of transmitting two bulky packets of letters from the Flanders and Barbary galleys, which had been sent to him by the Secretary Dedo at Naples, with very urgent injunctions to forward them.
	On the 23rd October the. Pope was to be at Monte Rosulo, 20 miles from Rome, and would then come on, being expected to hasten his return for the celebration of the marriage of his niece, the sister of Cardinal Cibo, to the Count of Caiazzo, who had arrived at Rome for the purpose.
	Rome, 22nd October 1519.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Oct. 27. Minio's Original Letter Book. MS. penes me. Letter no. 401.	1292. From the Same to the Same.
	Announces the return of the Pope to Rome on the preceding Tuesday. On the following Thursday Minio went to the palace, and found that the Pope was closeted in his chamber with “ Madona” Alfonsina, mother of the late Duke Lorenzo, (fn. 15) and with Cardinal de' Medici, where they passed the whole of that day.
	Rome, 27th October 1519.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Oct. 29. Minio's Original Letter Book. MS. penes me. Letter no. 402.	1293. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	Returned to the palace on the preceding day, and told the Pope he was come to pay his respects and congratulate him on his safe return and evident good health, and that he (Minio) had delayed the compliment to avoid being troublesome. The Pope replied immediately, “We know that you were here yesterday, but it behoved us to remain with Madona Alfonsina. “'Et recens fert ærumnas Danaum;'”
	—which words the Pope uttered with the tears in his eyes, giving Minio a few details on the subject, and saying that the little girl of the late D. Lorenzo was fair and plump. (fn. 16)
	Home, 29th October 1519.
	[Extract, Italian.]
Oct. 30. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxviii. p. 24.	1294. Lorenzo Pasqualigo.
	Arrival by land from London, on the 28th, of Lorenzo Pasqualigo, who had resided there during 22 years, and was become very wealthy.
	[Italian.]
Oct. 31. Minio's Original Letter Book. MS. penes me. Letter no. 404.	1295. Marco Minio to the Signory.
	Transmits letters received in the past night from the Venetian Secretary at Naples, containing some from the Flanders and Barbary galleys, which last had been detained by the Spanish fleet.
	Rome, 31st October 1519.
	[Extract, Italian.]