Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1869.
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'Venice: October 1520', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 3, 1520-1526, (London, 1869) pp. 89-92. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol3/pp89-92 [accessed 19 April 2024]
October 1520
| Oct. 8. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 302. | 128. The Venetian Ambassador in France to the Doge and Signory. |
|---|---|
| Envoys have arrived from England about the renewal of the truce with Scotland, which expires on St. Andrew's Day. Mons. d'Aubigni is going as Regent of Scotland, in lieu of the Duke of Albany, with the consent of the King of England. | |
| Paris, 8th October. Registered by Sanuto, 29th October. | |
| [Extract, Italian.] | |
| Oct. 9. Misti Con- siglio X. v. xliii. p. 212. | 129. The Council of Ten and Junta to the Ambassador in France. |
| Warn him not to invite King Francis into Italy, as the King of the Romans does not mean to come, on account of the great disturbances in Spain. The coming of the most Christian King can prove to be nothing but a cause of disturbance, by provoking the King of the Romans also to follow him. He will have seen, by the letters to the State from the ambassador [Surian] in England, that King Henry and the Cardinal by no means approve of the coming of the most Christian King into Italy. | |
| Ayes, 25. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0. | |
| [Italian, 34 lines.] | |
| Oct. 18. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 354. | 130. Antonio Surian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory. |
| Mons. de Rochepot alias Montmorency, ambassador from King Francis, has arrived. He is come because King Henry was displeased about the proposed fortifications at Ardres. The most Christian King has sent to tell him he renounces the project; but lest it be said that he desisted at the suit of the Imperial ambassadors at the French Court, Montmorency was to announce that the works were suspended on account of the winter season. | |
| He was commissioned, in the second place, to learn the mind of King Henry about the most Christian King's passage into Italy, and, should he go, to recommend his children and his kingdom to King Henry, about which nothing was said by ray lord the Bailly [of Caen], the English ambassador in France. | |
| Was informed by the French resident ambassador [Marigny] that Cardinal Wolsey had told him it was not well for King Francis to come into Italy at present, because the Emperor on his part might do the like, whereas he had apparently no intention of doing so. The ambassador replied that King Francis had not been into Italy for many years, and that his presence there was required for a variety of affairs; so Cardinal Wolsey said nothing more to him. | |
| Thirdly, Mons. de Montmorency was the bearer of some portraits (alcuni desegni) and presents for the King, the Princess [Mary], and the Cardinal, who is a fish not to be caught save with a golden hook. (fn. 1) | |
| Has also understood that he came to acquaint King Henry with an embassy from France to the Emperor, showing him the instructions, and inquiring whether anything should be added; King Henry having made a similar announcement to King Francis when he sent his ambassador to the Catholic King in Spain. | |
| Mons. de Montmorency was gone to Hampton Court, where Cardinal Wolsey is building a palace. He had been to the King, who was not yet come back to London, where Mons. de Mangna [sic; Marigny] had been, and confirmed the account of Dom Philibert's negotiations concerning the Emperor, the Signory, and the Duke of Guelders. | |
| Cardinal Wolsey had been occupied with the Spanish ambassadors, and is also ill of his usual colick attacks. Had, therefore, been unable to obtain audience of him. | |
| Dissatisfaction of the King and Cardinal with his most Christian Majesty. This was caused by the Imperial ambassadors, and by the refusal of King Francis to allow the exportation of grain to England, where there was a scarcity, owing to which the city of London had sent two delegates to King Francis to obtain the “permit.” Also, because it was heard that the Duke of Albany had arrived at Lyons from Italy, and was returning to Scotland, having an understanding with the Duke of Suffolk [Richard de la Pole], who resides beyond seas. Moreover, the fortifications of Ardres made the King give ear to the suggestions of the Imperial ambassadors. At this present, however, Mons. de Montmorency has much tranquilized the King and Cardinal, by giving assurance that the works at Ardres shall be suspended and that the Duke of Albany will not cross over to Scotland; and owing to presents received, Cardinal Wolsey is content. | |
| Despatch by the King and Cardinal of the Imperial ambassadors who had returned to London. One of them, Mons. di Rachia [De la Roche], is going back to the Emperor, and the Bishop di Monte [i.e. the Bishop of Elna] remains. The reply purports that King Francis will raise no other fortifications at Ardres, and that the Duke of Albany will not go to Scotland. These ambassadors brought Cardinal Wolsey the bulls for the bishopric of Badajos, free of all cost to him. The Cardinal would not accept them, saying he does not choose it to be said that by payment for him of these bulls, and by his acceptance of these presents from the Emperor, his honour is sullied. Understands that no reply was made to these ambassadors concerning the descent of King Francis into Italy; but with regard to the privileges authorizing merchants, the Emperor's subjects, to import goods into England, the King consented to grant them for goods coming (le cosse che veniva) from the Emperor's own towns, but not such as were purchased elsewhere and brought to England; so that they have concluded nothing. They had, however, held private conferences with Cardinal Wolsey. | |
| Requests the Signory to elect his successor. | |
| The French ambassador, Mons. de Montmorency, had been despatched with very affectionate letters for King Francis. First of all, that should he go into Italy, King Henry accepts the protection of his children and his realm; and in any need will never fail him with all his might, and even take the field in person. The departure of Mons. de Montmorency took place from Greenwich on the 14th, so that the general belief in England was that they most Christian King would go to Italy. | |
| The Swiss secretary [Michael Sanderus, Dean of Breslau,] who has arrived in London, says the Switzers will declare against France. He is the creature of the Cardinal of Sion, and is come on his business, the King having promised him assistance. The secretary has brought some costly trappings for mules, as a present for Cardinal Wolsey. | |
| The Emperor's resident ambassador [the Bishop of Elna] suspects King Francis will invade Navarre. | |
| Last evening the King and Queen arrived at Westminster. Today they dine with the Cardinal at Hampton Court, and then go to Greenwich. | |
| The truce between the Kings of England and Scotland expires on St. Andrew's Day. The most Christian King sends an ambassador to Scotland to prolong the truce for five years, or for such additional period as shall seem fit to the King of Scotland. | |
| Dated 18th October. Registered by Sanuto, 14th November. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 21. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 326. | 131. The Venetian Ambassador in France to the Signory. |
| Had been told by the Magnifico Robertet that the King would arrive for the festival of All Saints, and that Mons. de Montmorency, according to his letters, was satisfied with the King of England, because he said he meant to be the good brother of his most Christian Majesty, and against all [his enemies?]. | |
| Blois, 21st October. Registered by Sanuto, 7th November. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 21. Sanuto Dinries, v. xxix. p. 368. | 132. Antonio Surian, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Signory. |
| Cardinal Wolsey told him of the good offices performed by the King in favour of the Signory, because the Emperor through his ambassador in France, the Provost Philibert, was negotiating a new confederacy with King Francis, to the exclusion of the Signory. On hearing this, King Henry wrote to King Francis that he ought not to treat of such a subject. He also wrote to the Emperor that this was not the way to remain at peace, and the Emperor excused himself by saying that Dom Philibert had received no commission from him to this effect, and that what he said to King Francis was spontaneous. The Cardinal likewise said that King Henry had written to King Francis not to give ear to calumnies against the Signory, who had kept faith by him, adding, “Our King did this by reason of his ancient friendship with the State, and because of the reciprocal confederacy; and he loves the Signory.” He then expressed his belief that the Emperor would not come into Italy, and said it would be well to keep the conversation secret. | |
| London, 21st October. Registered by Sanuto, 20th November. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Oct. 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. xxix. p. 368. | 133. The Same to the Same. |
| Last evening there arrived from Antwerp the 60 carpets destined as a present for Cardinal Wolsey, to whom he sent his secretary to announce the intelligence. The Cardinal sent back word that he was very glad, and that the carpets were to be brought to him. Today accordingly he went to his lordship, accompanied by the consul, Hironimo da Molin, and they presented the carpets to him in the Signory's name. These were accepted graciously, and the Cardinal inspected them one by one. They were very beautiful, and pleased him much, and he said the present was worthy of a much greater personage than himself; thanking the Signory vastly, making many offers of service, and saying he would not be an ungrateful Cardinal, but stand the Signory's man in anything and everything. (fn. 2) | |
| The envoy from the Cardinal of Sion, who came to get the 3,000 crowns annual pension promised by the King to the Cardinal, had been despatched with no other reply but that the pension was ad tempus. | |
| An ambassador had arrived from the Duke of Savoy to acquaint the King with the marriage of his son to the daughter of the King of Portugal. | |
| The King was to be back at Greenwich for All Saints Day. | |
| London, 23rd October. Registered by Sanuto, 20th November. | |
| [Italian.] | |