Venice: April 1532

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: April 1532', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533, (London, 1871) pp. 331-334. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol4/pp331-334 [accessed 17 March 2024]

April 1532

April 3. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. pp. 34, 35. 756. — to the Duke of Mantua.
At this Court there are now but two matters to write about—the Turkish invasion and the English divorce case. Concerning this last, the Imperialists, on behalf of the Queen, urge its despatch; the English, in the name of the King, dispute the business; and I believe that on this account, Consistory will be held today in the presence of his Holiness, but not indeed that any decision will be formed, as it is an affair of too great moment.
Rome, 3rd April. Registered by Sanuto 16th April.
[Italian.]
April 4. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 34. 757. Diet at Ratisbon.
Advices from Ratisbon, received by way of Mantua, announce the departure thence, on the morning of the 4th, of Monsigneur Belansom for France, and of Baron Falconetto for England. It is also said that two others will be sent to Rome and Venice, this being done on account of the Turkish affairs, which have been much talked about within the last two days.
Since yesterday the Emperor has been in very good health.
Ratisbon, 4th April. Registered by Sanuto 10th April.
[Italian.]
April 5. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 89. 758. Carlo Capello to the Signory.
The King is using all study and diligence to settle the divorce case in Parliament, which has been ordered to meet on the 15th instant, and is drawing up a writing in his defence and justification to be read in Parliament, and of which the copy will also be sent to Rome. The King is expecting information about the Turk from the Signory, although the greater part of the ministers do not attach much importance to it.
Is told by persons who have arrived from Hampton that the galleys will be ready to put to sea in the course of the month.
London, 5th April. Registered by Sanuto 2nd May.
[Italian.]
April 8. Parti Secrete, Consiglio X., Filza 3. 759. Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
Put to the ballot,—That the letters from the ambassador in England, and from the ambassadors with the Emperor, be communicated to the Senate, with injunction to secrecy.
Ayes, 20. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.]
April 13. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 145. 760. Carlo Capello to the Signory.
On the 10th a courier from Rome arrived in London with letters dated 23rd March, together with a confidant of Sir Gregory Casal's, who is the bearer of fair promises made by the Pope, who requests the King not to proceed farther about the divorce as he hopes the affair will be arranged with the consent of the Emperor. The King has determined to reply that they will wait during the whole of May, on the expiration of which period they will indubitably decide the case here; and until then they will prolong the session of Parliament, which meets daily, awaiting the letters from Rome, whither the King has not yet sent his reply to the letters of 23rd March.
On Easter day at Greenwich an Observantine Franciscan friar [Peyto ?], (fn. 1) in the presence of the King, gravely reproved such as repudiate their wives, declaring that by no means could they be saved; and although appearing to speak generally, he threatened the island with excommunication, saying that the ruin of kingdoms always proceeds from the evil councils of flatterers.
On the Sunday of the Apostles—his Majesty being present—a priest [Dr. Corren ?] also preached, vituperating the marriage of the Queen, and, without any reserve, styling it iniquitous and unbearable before God; whereupon the guardian of the Franciscans [Elston ?], the fellow friar of the first preacher, stood up and publicly to his face told the priest that he lied, and that he (the Franciscan) was ready to confute him at the moment by holy writ. So the guardian was put in custody, and today it is said he has been sent to the Tower.
London, 13th April. Registered by Sanuto 2nd May.
[Italian.]
April 23. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 167. 761. Carlo Capello to the Signory.
Received the Signory's letters of the 8th January and 11th March, with the advices from Constantinople. Went to the Court, and by the King's order conferred with the Duke of Norfolk, to whom communicated the advices, and justified the Signory for having exacted a loan from the clergy, about which the Duke appeared to know nothing, but was not sorry to hear it, because at the last session of Parliament the annats payable at Rome were abolished.
At the moment of his arrival at the Court, one of the chief gentlemen in the service of said Duke of Norfolk, with 20 followers, assaulted and killed in the sanctuary of Westminster Sir (D'no) William Peninthum (sic) chief gentleman and kinsman of the Duke of Suffolk. In consequence of this, the whole Court was in an uproar, and had the Duke of Suffolk been there, it is supposed that a serious affray would have taken place. On hearing of what had happened, he (Suffolk) was on his way to remove the assailants by force from the sanctuary, when the King sent the Treasurer [Thomas Cromwell] to him, and made him return, and has adjusted the affair; and this turmoil displeased him. It is said to have been caused by a private quarrel, but I am assured it was owing to opprobrious language uttered against Madam Anne by his Majesty's sister, the Duchess of Suffolk, Queen Dowager of France.
The affair of the divorce becomes daily more difficult. The Bishops of France and of this island replied lately that they could not assent to it without the Pope's consent, because, when created, they swear not to oppose the Pope's wishes; and the King's desire increases; whilst by letters from Rome it is heard that in all the debates the Queen may be styled King of this island, by reason of the love the people bear her, for her goodness and wisdom.
Yesterday, Monseigneur Falconetto arrived here in 15 days from the Emperor, to demand assistance against the Turk. He went this morning to the Court with another Imperial ambassador resident here.
London, 23rd April. Registered by Sanuto 31st May.
[Italian.]
April 26. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File no. 13. 762. The Doge and College to Carlo Capello, Venetian Ambassador in England.
Repeat their approval of all his proceedings.
Transmit summaries of letters from Constantinople, dated 21st and 24th ult., for communication to the King, as usual.
[Italian.]
April 28. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 167. 763. Carlo Capello to the Signory.
In order to hear some news, visited Monseigneur Falconetto, who is come about the preparations of the Lord Turk [Sultan Solyman], and spoke to the King, who in reply made great promises of not failing to do the needful, but said that as he was closely linked in friendship with his most Christian Majesty, they must consult together about the amount and nature of the assistance.
It is said the King asked Monseigneur Falconetto whether he had any commission to speak about the Queen. He said No, and that he was merely to return with the answer. His Majesty said it seemed to him very strange, that for a woman the Emperor should oppose him and do him an unkindness. This afternoon went to visit the French ambassador, who told him the like, and that this Falconetto asked for pecuniary assistance; and the Frenchman said that were the most Christian King to stir in this matter, he would march in person, and be captain-general, as his power is such, that after conquering the rest of Christendom, he might vanquish the Turk; but that the Emperor and the King of the Romans have caused these disturbances by not surrendering the kingdom of Hungary to King John [Zapolski].
Has been assured that the most Christian King is preparing secretly to come into Italy with a very great force immediately on any movement by the Turk, and has sent 50,000 crowns to the chiefs of the Switzers, according to an understanding with the King of England and other princes.
London, 28th April. Registered by Sanuto 31st May.
[Italian.]
April 29. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 102. 764. Marco Antonio Venier to the Signory.
It was reported at Rome that the most Christian King urged the Pope to send the young Duchess (la Duchessina) [Catherina de' Medici] to some Italian city, whither his Majesty would despatch his son, the Duke of Orleans, to consummate the marriage. His Holiness said this was not true, and that he was not more urged than he had been heretofore; and that he was sending the young Duchess to Florence to avoid the summer heat of Rome, she having departed today.
At the last Consistory, it was determined with regard to the English divorce case, that as the auditors of the Rota had been present at the debates, they were to give their opinion, and then at the next Consistory the matter should be determined (si termenaria); an intimation being made to the parties that if they wish to say anything more—apart from the conditions—they would be heard.
Rome, 29th April. Registered by Sanuto 10th May.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. See Hume, vol. iii., p. 189.