Venice: July 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: July 1532', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 4, 1527-1533, (London, 1871) pp. 342-345. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol4/pp342-345 [accessed 17 March 2024]

July 1532

July 2. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 324. 784. Marco Antonio Contarini to the Signory.
In the Diet of Nuremberg it has been decided that the Lutherans are to live without molestation usque ad faturum concilium. For this concession, the Lutheran Princes will contribute to the succour against the Turks, and the four principal towns, Ulm, Nuremberg, Augsburg, and Strasburg, as well as the others, will give more than the subsidy assigned them.
Ratisbon, 2nd July. Registered by Sanuto 17th July.
[Italian.]
July 7. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 318. 785. Advices received at the German Warehouse.
The Lutherans at the Diet of Nuremberg have made an agreement with the Emperor thus: they are to retain their religion (fede) for two years; the Emperor promising them a Council General, which is to be summoned within a year, and to assemble in the course of the second year. Should the Pope choose to be present, the Council to be general; if not, it is to be a national Council. On these conditions they will give the Emperor assistance against the Turk.
Augsburg, 7th July. Registered by Sanuto 13th July.
[Italian.]
July 10. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 355. 786. Carlo Capello to the Signory.
On the 6th received the Signory's missives of the 2nd and 8th June, with the advices of Turkish affairs, which had arrived in England a week previously by way of Rome. Sent to communicate these news to the King, as he (Capello) was indisposed.
His Majesty is carefully fortifying the Tower of London; there are about 1,000 men at work there daily, under the direction of Sir William Kingston; they are gradually destroying the old walls and rebuilding them.
Yesterday the King quitted Waltham and went to Risdon (sic) 19 miles from London. He will proceed, hunting and amusing himself, as far as Nourgam (sic) [Nottingham?], 124 miles (sic) hence; and then return by another road, at the end of September. He is accompanied solely by the French ambassador. He is in constant and hourly expectation of the reply from France; and here it is said publicly, that the Kings of England and France have an understanding with the Lord Turk, and are making secret preparations.
On the 5th instant here, in London, a priest was hanged, having been first drawn through the town at a horse's tail, for having clipped the King's coin. Thirty women besought the King to pardon him, but were refused. The fact is very remarkable, as he was put to death without being degraded, contrary to the will of the Bishop; a thing, they say, never done in this island since it embraced Christianity.
London, 10th July. Registered by Sanuto 22nd July.
[Italian.]
July 12. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 380. 787. Ricio and Panizoni, Milanese Secretaries, to the Duke of Milan.
The people of Strasburg, who have hitherto adhered to the Zuinglian doctrine, have joined the Lutheran towns and Princes against the Turk, giving them 1,000 infantry and 200 horse at their own cost. Their doctors, including Capitano (sic) and Bucer, coincide with the Lutherans about the Sacrament, and will allow every one to communicate under both forms or under one, according to the dictates of their consciences. This result has not pleased the doctors of Zurich, from fear lest worse follow. The Anabaptists multiply in many of the Swiss cantons, especially in Berne, and to apply a remedy (besides having drowned six persons here, viz., four men and two women), the Bernese Government consented to have a conference held at Zostinghera (sic) [Zoffingen ?], which was attended by the Bernese doctors and many of the Anabaptist leaders. The conference lasted 12 days, and the Anabaptists alleged many authentic reasons in favour of their opinion, but were unable to confute the arguments alleged against them by the doctors of Berne; so it was settled that the parties should abide the decision of the Government of Berne, which will soon be proclaimed. The affairs of the Christian faith cannot but proceed favourably, having such worthy and learned judges.
Baden (in Switzerland), 12th July. Registered by Sanuto 30th July.
[Italian.]
July 20. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 461. 788. Carlo Capello to the Signory.
On the 14th instant the King received letters, dated the 5th, from his ambassador with the Emperor, Dr. Solemer (sic), full of loving expressions about the divorce, and requesting assistance against the Turk. It is supposed that the King will not reply until he has communicated with France.
His Majesty is at a distance of 40 miles from London, and will apparently not move to any great distance thence. He is amassing money, and hastening the fortification of the Tower of London.
Bequests the appointment of his successor, that he may return home for the education of his children.
London, 20th July. Registered by Sanuto 26th August.
[Italian.]
July 21. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. (fn. 1) 789. Bull of Clement VII. for John Scott, Layman of the Diocese of Glasgow. (fn. 2)
Is induced to accede to his pious demands. His competitors and enemies who sought to obtain certain estates and possessions belonging to him by inheritance, and certain adherents of theirs, having thrown him into prison, he was sustained in said prison during 33 days without food and without drink or human consolation, remaining comforted solely by our Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed Virgin Mary. and by St. Ninian, bishop and confessor, whose miracles in Scotland become daily more and more resplendent. Having been released from that prison, and revived with meat and drink, and his competitors and enemies persecuting him more rabidly, he was driven to take refuge in the Monastery of Holyrood. He remained there without food and drink for 106 days, and in the meanwhile made a vow that if released from such distresses and tribulations, he would visit the Sepulchre of Christ at Jerusalem, and the places of the Holy Land, as also the body and relics of St. Ninian. deposited in the church of Whitehern (in ecclesia Candidœ Casœ), (fn. 3) without eating flesh or fish. Shortly afterwards, being freed and at liberty, he visited the relics of St. Ninian, and then directed his steps towards Jerusalem, traversing the kingdom of England, where he suffered much adversity.
The Pope therefore grants to him, and to one companion to be chosen by him, licence to visit Jerusalem and the Holy Land. As his own means (vires) do not suffice, the Pope remits to all Christians who shall have supplied him and his companion with necessaries, so many seven years, and the like number of fasts enjoined them as penance.
Rome, at St. Peter's, 1532, 21st July, 9 pont.
Signed: Friar Bernardo.
[Latin.]
July 27. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 410–411. 790. Jacopo Banitio, Dean (Decano). to—.
Nothing has been done with the Lutherans; disagreement about eight principal articles, besides others which are impertinenti.
First, they demand to adhere to the “Confession” of Augsburg, until the council general be held.
Secondly, they will not obey the Anabaptists and the “Sacramentarians, perchè sono specie di herosie.
Thirdly, that the subjects of other princes and of the Empire be not forbidden to join their sect.
Fourthly, that the monks (monachi) and nuns, on renouncing their profession, be left at liberty, and be not compelled to resume it.
Fifthly, that the suits, processes, and awards concerning the despoiled churches and the seizure of the property belonging to them, and its restitution, be not confirmed, and that the judgment of the Imperial Chamber in this matter be suspended.
Sixthly, that their preachers be allowed to preach both in campo and wherever they please, without being hindered by any body.
Seventhly, that the plundered Church property remain to them, and that no one prosecute them on that account. (Setimo, che come e dito li beni ecclesiastici rapidi, li restino. ne possa venir contra di l'horo sopra. zio).
Eighthly, that they be not subject to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction with regard to church ceremonies.
These are the principal articles, besides many others, which the Lutherans will not renounce, and which the Catholics will not admit.
The Emperor has given orders for the printing of the Lutheran confession made at Augsburg, as likewise of the Catholic confutation issued there, to the dissatisfaction not only of the Lutherans, but also of the Catholic Princes.
Trent, 27th July. Registered by Sanuto 7th August.
[Italian.]
July 28. Lettere del Collegio (Secreta), File no. 13. 791. The Doge and College to Carlo Capello, Venetian Ambassador in England.
By letters dated the 11th instant, from their Captain-General on the sea, are informed that on the 5th the Turkish fleet had arrived at Modon.
Will acquaint him with the future movements of the fleet, to notify to the King.
[Italian.]
July 31. Sanuto Diaries, v. lvi. p. 461. 792. Carlo Capello to the Signory.
On the 25th letters were received from Rome, dated the 13th. They hope to make an end of the business, and quite despair of obtaining the King's wish at Rome; so his Majesty greatly resents the Pope's conduct, and complains openly, saying that by giving him hopes of the divorce, the Pope procrastinated. During the. last two days, the King has been with the Duke of Suffolk and his sister the Queen [widow of Lewis XII.]. Tomorrow he will come to within 30 miles of London, and in a few days will be at Greenwich.
His Majesty has commenced taking the revenues of many abbacies and priories, which will amount in all to 50; the friars and canons will be sent separately to divers other monasteries, and the priors and abbots are deprived (si deponeno.)
Here everybody says, and it is heard in all quarters, that the King of Scotland is preparing for war against England, with the favour and assistance of the Welsh and Irish (col favore et a aiato di quelli di Llans (sic) et Hirlanda); a thing which it is hard to believe, by reason of the dependence of the Scottish King on his most Christian Majesty; yet many persons give it credit, and it proceeds from the new compact made with the Emperor. Mons. de Rochambeau (Rozimbo) late ambassador from the Emperor, on returning from Scotland, spoke to him (Capello) in honourable terms of the King. The Scots have made many incursions into the English territory, perpetrating numerous acts of incendiarism; but no preparations are visible (in England ?), save that they are hastening the fitting out of some ships, and they lately inspected and tried the artillery.
London, 31st July. Registered by Sanuto 26th August
Note by Sanuto, that in one of his letters Capello mentioned the composition by an English doctor of a work concerning the divorce; and when printed and placed in a shop, all the copies were disposed of (spazate) immediately.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. The translation was made from the original Diaries, which are not paged.
  • 2. Another hull of a similar tenour, dated Bologna, dated 6 id. Feb. 1532, 10 pont., is printed in Rymer, XIV. 447. There is an allusion to John Seott in Mr. Froude's History of England, vol. i.; pp. 294–295; ed. London, 1856.
  • 3. The church of Whitehern was situated in Galloway, and the relics of St. Ninian were preserved at Whitehern until the Reformation.