Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.
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'Venice: March 1528', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533, (London, 1871) pp. 125-129. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol4/pp125-129 [accessed 19 April 2024]
March 1528
| March 2–11. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 145. | 249. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory. |
|---|---|
| Are expecting the French ambassador, Mons. de la Morette, to make arrangements for waging an active war on the Emperor. In Flanders war has been proclaimed against France and Guelders. | |
| The English have heard of Mons. de Lautrec's victories, and wish their continuance. The Imperial ambassador [Mendoza?] is in custody in London. | |
| Cardinal Wolsey told him (Venier) that the Emperor wishes to make peace with the most Christian King,—that he will leave the present Duke in the Milanese, but insists on having Genoa and Asti, and a million of gold to be paid forthwith, whereupon he will release the Dauphin, after which the most Christian King is to consign the towns held by him in Burgundy to the King of England, until payment to the Emperor of another million of gold, on receipt of which he will release the Duke of Orleans; but he will not release the Duke of Orleans until the departure from Italy of Mons. de Lautrec. | |
| The King and Cardinal say this had been announced to them by a special envoy from the Emperor, but that the King would send six proposals [for approval] to France, which, should the Emperor wish for peace, he could not do otherwise than accept; but first of all King Henry chooses the most Christian King to be satisfied with them. | |
| London, 2nd, 8th, 10th, and 11th March. Registered by Sanuto, 5th April. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 4–5. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 57. | 250. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
| Has conversed with Madame [Louise] the King's mother, with his sister the Queen of Navarre, with the Lord Steward [Anne de Montmorency], and with his Majesty himself, about Ravenna and Cervia; they all desire the Republic at any rate to have those cities, and have written to the [French] ambassador in England to tell King Henry to be of the same mind. They will wage war briskly against the Emperor, and will muster 26,000 foot, 2,000 men-at-arms, and 1,200 light cavalry, with a sufficient park of artillery. | |
| Poissi, 4th and 5th March. Registered by Sanuto, 13th March. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 8. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 55. | 251. Pomponio Triulzio to Dom. Evangelista Cittadino. |
| Staffileo departs on his way to the Pope as ambassador from the King [of France?] and from the King of England. Two English secretaries [Gardiner and Fox] passed through Lyons three days ago on their way to the Pope, to obtain the dissolution of the marriage of the present Queen (delta Regina moderna), and authority to make another [matrimonial alliance?]. Believes that Staffileo is going on no other mission but this. | |
| Encloses a news-letter, dated Antwerp, 26th February, thus,— | |
| The King of England sent two of his agents to commence the suit (la lite), and according to report he has obtained a very favourable sentence. The King of France likewise is doing his duty; nor does he doubt obtaining all he wants ere long, as the Emperor seems to neglect his own affairs, and to be very unpopular (et che resti in molta contumacia). | |
| Lyons, 8th March. Registered by Sanuto, 13th March. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 47. | 252. Audience in the College Hall. |
| The English ambassador came to demand possession of the bishopric of Cividal di Belluno, given him by the Pope. The abbacy of Verona, of which possession was given him by the Council of Ten, has been conferred by the Pope on the Prothonotary Gambara. | |
| The Doge replied that the Pope gave the bishopric to Dom. Ant. Barozi when he entered the castle [of St. Angelo?]. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 12. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File 11. | 253. The Doge and College to Marc' Antonio Venier, Venetian Ambassador in England. |
| Enclose copy of what they wrote to their ambassador in France, so that he may act in accordance with the Signory's intentions; they thus giving constant proof of their observance towards the King and Cardinal. He will perceive the state of the present expedition against Naples, and of the preparations of the Germans against Italy, together with news of other Italian events, as also what is reported from Constantinople; all which he is to communicate as usual to the King and Cardinal, and to urge them to wage war briskly against the Emperor in those parts. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 18. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 147. | 254. Sebastian Giustinian to the Signory. |
| The King will wage a terrific war, and not listen to negotiations. The Duke of Guelders has taken a town belonging to the Emperor. The Pope's ambassador, the Bishop of Pistoia, on his way to Spain, went to Lyons for an interview with the Lord Albert of Carpi. The King will not allow him to go to Spain. The English ambassador, the Bishop of Bath, is expected in Paris, as also news of the arrival in England of Mons, de la Morette, who was sent to make arrangements for the war, although the King of England has made a two-months' truce with Madame Margaret so far as concerns the affairs of Flanders, in accordance with ancient custom, so that the merchants may leave the [respective] countries. The Prothonotary Gambara, returning from the English Court, takes back word to the Pope that the King of England is content that the Pope do negotiate the peace. He wished also for the most Christian King's consent, and that the Bishop of Pistoia should be allowed to go to Spain for this purpose. He (Giustinian) objected, telling the Lord Steward and Madame, and the King, that the Pope's mediation ought not to be accepted, as he would demand Ravenna, and Florence for the Medici, and deprive the Duke of Ferrara of Modena. The King said this was true, and therefore did as mentioned above. | |
| Poissi, 18th March. Registered by Sanuto, 5th April. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 18. Parti Secreta, Consiglio X. File 2. | 255. The Council of Ten and Junta to the Venetian Ambassador and Vice-Bailiff at Constantinople. (fn. 1) |
| Have heard of the arrival at the Porte of an ambassador from the Vaivod, King of Hungary, his proposal, and the reply given him by the “Gran Signor,” whose intention to lend assistance to the Vaivod [against Ferdinand] was pleasing to the Signory. The French and English ambassadors with the Emperor, being unable to arrange the release of the sons of the King of France, proclaimed war against the Emperor in the name of the League. There-upon the Emperor ordered the arrest of the two ambassadors from France, of the one from the Signory, and of the one from the Florentines, all of whom were taken by 30 arbalast-men and 60 Lansquenets to a castle five leagues from Burgos; the English ambassador being detained in his lodging. In consequence the Kings of France and England are making preparations for war against the Emperor, both in Flanders and Spain. | |
| [Italian.]. | |
| March 22? Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 184. | 256. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory. |
| Transmits a letter from Cardinal Wolsey to the Signory, about restoring Ravenna and Cervia to the Pope. (fn. 2) | |
| London, 22nd? March. Registered by Sanuto, 17th April. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 20. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. pp. 176, 178. | 257. Juliano Soderini, Florentine Ambassador in France, to the “Signori Dieci di Libertà et Pace.” |
| Two days ago his most Christian Majesty summoned the Emperor's ambassador, who said that on the receipt of letters from the Emperor, acquainting him with the declaration of war, he had determined to ask dismissal, but was arrested without cause; wherefore he requested a safeconduct. The King replied he had caused him to be arrested from no fault of his own, but on account of the violation of the laws by the arrest of the ambassadors in Spain. This course he regretted, but for his honour could not do otherwise; and now understanding that on his release the ambassadors of the confederates would be set at liberty, he would send him to Bayonne to receive the safeconduct on the return of the others. But as after hearing the declaration, the Emperor had uttered several things against his Majesty's honour, the King requested the ambassador to deliver in reply a letter signed by his own hand, with a verbal message, that whereas the Emperor had said his Majesty was his prisoner and could not declare war against him, he marvelled thereat, as before and since his accession to the crown he had been in many battles, in none of which he ever found the Emperor; inferring that those who go to the wars are more liable to similar misfortunes than such as remain in towns well fortified; saying moreover that the Emperor not having been in person at the battle [of Pavia ?] it was impossible for the King to have given the Emperor the presupposed promise; and that in having said that the King had broken the word given him, he lied by the throat. At the close of the letter it was proposed that in lieu of an answer the Emperor should choose the field [for a single-combat], so that his most Christian Majesty might defend his honour as a gentleman. If the ambassador refused to execute the mission, the King said he would send the Emperor a herald, to whom should safeconduct be denied, he protested that the dishonour must rest with his Imperial Majesty. With regard to the King of England the King said that, as he was most valorous (virtuosissimo), he had no need of others to defend his honour, but in case of indisposition or other accident King Francis would always risk his person for the King of England, considering him more than his brother, and not only a new and good kinsman. | |
| Today there arrived the Bishop of Bath, (fn. 3) a prudent and able negotiator, besides being trusted by the King and Cardinal. He guaranteed the success of the League, if an attack be made in Guienne and Flanders; but it seems to him impossible for England and France (costoro) to defray the cost. Possibly he is come to persuade France to raise difficulties, or to abandon the war north of the Alps (di qua), to unite the whole force in Italy, in accordance with the wish of Florence. This seems the more probable considering how unwillingly, on account of their trade, the English go to war with the Flemings. Delay therefore on the part of Mons. de Lautrec will not be perilous, as there is a hope of his being supplied with men and money. | |
| Notwithstanding the above, within 10 days 1,000 English infantry will have crossed the Channel to commence operations; but they can retire easily, or be employed elsewhere than in Flanders. Mons. de Guise departed to engage from 4,000 to 8,000 Lansquenets, which France will obtain with less difficulty than the Imperialists. | |
| Paris, 29th March. Registered by Sanuto, 15th April. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| March 31. Sanuto Diaries, v. xlvii. p. 248. | 258. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory. |
| An ambassador (fn. 4) has arrived from Madame Margaret, to obtain a safeconduct for another whom she will send to Spain, to negotiate peace, which [she says?] is thwarted by the King of France, who does not keep the promises made by him to the Emperor. The King replied supporting his most Christian Majesty's arguments, but gave the safeconduct, with the following condition, that should nothing be concluded before the end of May, he will go to war. To this the ambassador consented; and the King likewise sends an envoy to Spain. (fn. 5) | |
| London, 31st March. Registered by Sanuto, 2nd May. | |
| [Italian.] | |