Venice: May 1547

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1873.

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'Venice: May 1547', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 213-219. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp213-219 [accessed 25 April 2024]

May 1547

May? MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date. Printed in vol. iv. pp. 41–42. “Epistolarum Reginaldi Poli,” without any date of time or place. 505. Cardinal Pole to Pope Paul III.
Is averse to importuning the Pope by letter, but circumstances occasionally arise, rendering it necessary for him to do so, as in the present instance, when he has to return thanks for the gracious answer received by his agent at Rome, giving him hope, that the ambition of one single individual, who calls himself an Englishman, 'would not be allowed to exasperate the whole nation. Many causes induce him to deprecate such perverse and knavish ambition, especially because convinced that, if it were gratified, nothing could more easily and entirely alienate those English (and he believes them to be many, although they dare not openly declare themselves,) who still preserve the remains of devotion towards the Pope and the Apostolic See, or make them despair of ever again deriving any comfort thence, were they to know that their archbishoprics, especially the one nearest Scotland (with whom England has well nigh perpetual border warfare), were conferred at the will of the Scots themselves. This is what very greatly scandalized Pole with regard to the individual who canvassed the archbishopric, most especially as he could not be ignorant of the fact, especially if he be an Englishman, (of which the persons who wrote to Pole from Rome have great doubt); notwithstanding which, he showed very plainly that his cupidity exceeded his wish either to keep the people of England devoted to the Pope, or to benefit the common cause. Nor to gratify his ambition was he ashamed to molest the Pope and the Sacred College with supplicatory letters. The truth of his cause is disproved by his shunning the testimony of his countrymen, thus showing that he has nothing more at heart than to deprive or rather rob them of the archbishopric, which he dared not enter by the door. Has thought it right to acquaint the Pope with these particulars, that he may more easily judge whether reward or punishment should be adjudged to the man who canvassed this archbishopric so much at the risk of extinguishing the devotion of his country to the Apostolic See, and so imprudently violating all canon law.” (fn. 1)
[Latin, 34 lines.]
May 5. Miscellaneous Letters, Venetian Archives. 506. Alvise Mocenigo and Lorenzo Contarini, Venetian Ambassadors with the Emperor, to the Chiefs of the Ten.
Yesterday Messer Natale, the agent of Don Ferrante, came and told us that he had letters from Milan, dated the 22nd ultimo, and that by the same post Don Ferrante wrote to the Emperor touching Lodovico da l'Armi.
Regret not having had similar advices either from the Chiefs or the secretary at Milan.
5th May. From his Majesty's camp under Wittenberg.
[Italian. In cipher with contemporary decipher.]
May 6. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 36, tergo. 507. Mafio Bernardo.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
That it be intimated to the nobleman Ser Francesco Bernardo, son of the late Ser Benedetto, (fn. 2) that if he purposes saying, producing, or alleging anything whatever in favour of the memory, effects, and property of his uncle, the late Ser Mafio Bernardo, who was summoned on imputation of having published the secrets of the State, he, before the close of Monday next, must by word of mouth or in writing say, produce, and allege whatever he chooses, as after that term the case will be brought before this Council for its due despatch.
Ayes, 26. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 0.
[Italian.]
May 11. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 36. 508. Lodovico da l'Armi.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
That for the matters alleged Lodovico da l'Armi be proceeded against.
Ayes, 26. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 3.
Decree, that on Saturday next (fn. 3) he be taken between the Two Columns, where on a lofty scaffold his head shall be severed from his shoulders so that he die.
Ayes, 26. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 3.
[Latin.]
May 11. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 36. 509. Mafio Bernardo.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
That for the matters alleged the nobleman Ser Lodovico Erizzo, son of the late Sir Francesco, be proceeded against.
Ayes, 29. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1.
Decree, that on Saturday next he be beheaded between the Columns, ut supra.
Ayes, 29. No, 1.
[Latin.]
May 11. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 37. 510. Mafio Bernardo. Lodovico da l'Armi.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
That for the matters alleged the nobleman Ser Marco Antonio Erizzo be proceeded against.
Ayes, 25. No, 1. Neutrals, 4.
They decree (volunt) that said Marco Antonio Erizzo be confined for life in a fortress (in carcere forti), there to end his days; and that all his goods and whatever else he may possess be pledged (obligata) to the chest of this Council, for payment of the rewards promised by this Council for the discovery of this case, and also for payment of the costs of the captains, gaolers, and officials of the prisons, etc., and of other costs incurred in this case, both for himself and for Lodovico da l'Armi.
Ayes, 16.
First amendment.—
They decree (volunt) that he be confined as above and banished to the city of Famagosta, to the captain of which place he is to present himself twice every week; with all the other conditions, as in above-written motion, and moreover should he break bounds he may be captured and killed, even in foreign parts.
Ayes, 6.
Second amendment.—
They decree (volunt) that he be banished and confined for life in the islands of Cherso and Ossero, being bound to present himself twice every week to the captain of that place, and should he break bounds and be captured to be beheaded, with the fine and all the other conditions in the motion of the most Serene Prince, and also of the two Councillors and the above-written Chiefs.
Ayes, 8. Noes, 0.
[Latin.]
May 11. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 37. 511. Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
That considering the condemnation passed today in this Council on the persons of Ser Lodovico and Marc' Antonio Erizzo, sons of the late Ser Francesco, no one of the Erizzo family—nor any one who together with them is denied the right of ballot (expellitur a caqello) (fn. 4) —can be judge of any of the present members of this Council, nor of their brothers or children.
Ayes, 29. Noes, 0. Neutrals, 0.
Published in the Grand Council on the 12th May.
[Latin.]
May 11. Miscellaneous Letters, Venetian Archives. 512. The Governors of Brescia to the Chiefs of the Ten.
On the return of the Signor Camillo Avogaro and the Signor Hieronymo Martinengo from the duty done by them in bringing Lodovico da l'Armi from Milan to Padua, told them that you were satisfied with their promptitude and diligence on this service; and I, Captain [of Brescia], (fn. 5) went to Orzi-novi, and told the Signor Piero Martinengo, that what he did on this occasion had your utmost approval. We also repaid their expenses for the consignment of said Lodovico at Milan, and also on the journey, amounting in all to 779 livres and 8 “pizoli.”
Brescia, 11th May.
[Italian.]
May 12. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 4. 513. Motion made in the College, by Giacomo Duodo and Giovanni Barbarigo. Chiefs of the Ten.
That the rector (Piovan) of St. Luke's be told that should he choose to go and confess (andar a confessar) Lodovico da l'Armi, and remain with him until he is taken to execution leave will be given him to go. Should he not choose to remain constantly with him, provision to be made for sending him another confessor. Ayes, 11. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 3.
[Italian.]
May 12 [14?] Avogaria del Comun, Filza Necrologio. 514. Messer Lodovico Erizo, and Messer Lodovico da l'armi, beheaded by order of the most Illustrious Council of Ten. (fn. 6)
[Italian.]
May 13. Consiglio X., Criminal, y. vii. p. 38, tergo. 515. Mafio Bernardo.
Motions made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
To proceed against the memory, effects, and property (contra memoriam, res et bona) of the late Ser Mafio Bernardo, killed before the expiration of the period at which he was summoned to present himself.
— 13 13 Pendet 1o.
— 12 13
— 5 4
Ballotation of the foregoing Motion.
— 9 x 18 — 4. Capturn de non.
[Latin.]
May 14. Consiglio X., Criminal, v. vii. p. 38. 516. Lodovico da l'Armi.
Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
Put to the ballot,—
Whether the Captain Zambaptista Campana and Isepo da Trento have fulfilled their promise, and are deserving of the reward promised them in that case on the 17th January last in this Council as has been read.
The white balloting box for the ayes, that they have kept their promise and are therefore entitled to the reward.
The green for the noes.
The red for the neutrals.
And if they demand absolution for some murderer, he to be bound to have the peace certificate, (fn. 7) according to the tenour of the law.
Ayes, 24. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 4.
[Italian.]
May 27. Miscellaneous Letters, Venetian Archives. 517. Alvise Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador with the Emperor, to the Chiefs of the Ten.
Received their letters of the 20th ultimo yesterday, the delay having been caused by the conveyance of the packet to Flanders and the time required for its return hither. Has written to the postmaster at Trent complaining of this.
Cardinal Sfondrato has not yet arrived here, although it is understood that he was at Inspruck some days ago; and the Nuncio with the Emperor told the Florentine ambassador that he had written to the Cardinal, recommending him not to come on to this Court, until his Majesty is domiciled in some city.
Yesterday, when with the Emperor, told him he had letters from the State, announcing that the scelerat (quel scelerato) Lodovico da l'Armi had been consigned to them, and thanked his Imperial Majesty extremely for having been pleased to order this consignment, which was beyond measure agreeable to the Signory. His Majesty was very glad to hear this, and said, “Now the Signory has Lodovico in their hands, they can do what they please with him.”
Went to the Bishop of Arras, and thanked him for his good offices with the Emperor in this matter. His lordship answered, laughing, “Have I not indeed constantly told you that I cannot put men to death? nor does it become me to do so” He also alluded to the goodwill which both he and his father [Nicole Perrenot, Seigneur de Granvelle] bore to the Signory.
27th May. From the Imperial camp near Wittenberg.
[Italian. In cipher, with contemporary decipher.]
May 31. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxv. p. 114. 518. Motion made in the Senate concerning the Ambassador appointed to England.
It being fitting that our beloved noble, Domenego Bollani, ambassador elect to the most Serene King of England, should depart on his legation :
Put to the ballot, that the ambassador aforesaid depart on his legation within the next five days, under penalty of one thousand ducats.
Ayes, 60. “Captum de non.”
Noes, 88.
Neutrals, 2.
[Italian.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Amongst the printed letters of Cardinal Pole, this one relating to the archbishopric of York is preceded by another, also addressed to the Pope, alluding to the death of Henry VIII., and I therefore date it accordingly; but as Edward Lee, Archbishop of York, died in 1545, it was probably written in that year, by so much the more as his successor, Robert Holgate, was Lord President of the North, on which account, perhaps, Henry VIII. conferred on him the Archbishopric of York.
  • 2. In Mr. Turnbull's calendar, date 16th April 1547, it is stated that on that day Bernardo told Harvel he was labouring with the Senate for the recovery of his goods, probably the property of his uncle Mafio Bernardo, and he also acquainted him with a report that Da l'Armi would “be delivered out of prison,” [at Milan] “with surety of 20,000 crowns, which the Cardinal of Trent hath caused to be made for him, and that he should be departed for England. This he thinks not credible.” It has been already shown (entry, dated 30th April) that Da l'Armi was brought prisoner from Milan to Venice on the 29th April.
  • 3. The second Saturday in May 1547 was on the 14th, so the Council of Ten passed sentence on the preceding Wednesday; but the “Necrologio” of the Avogadori di Comun dates the execution 12th May, on which day the Chiefs of the Ten gave permission for a priest to attend Da l'Armi until his execution; and I therefore infer that it took place, as ordered, on Saturday the 14th May.
  • 4. “Capello” in Venetian signified the balloting urn from which the ballots were extracted. There is a very well designed receptacle of this sort preserved in the Ducal palace, and which bears the arms of Doge Griti.
  • 5. Brescia was governed by a Podestà, and a Captain.
  • 6.
  • 7. Before a murderer could be legally pardoned, it was necessary for him to obtain a peace certificate from his victim's kinsfolk.
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