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: December 1550', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 332-334. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp332-334 [accessed 26 April 2024]
December 1550
| December? MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date of time or place. | 689. Cardinal Pole to the Prior of the Monastery of St. Paul, in Rome. |
|---|---|
| Not having had any intelligence from the Rev. President, concerning what took place at the Chapter, nor any reply to certain letters written by him, most especially to what he wrote in recommendation of Messer Sebastiano . . . . . he expected, as mentioned by him to the Prior, that some of the abbots of the Order on their way through Rome would be charged to supply the omission by word of mouth. But the Rev. Abbot of Subiaco (Subito) [sic] whom he supposes to be the last, having now passed without letters or any other commission, he has chosen to acquaint the Prior with this, that he may write about it to the Rev. Father President, giving him to understand that should the affairs of the Chapter have had a good result, it would have pleased him to have been acquainted with the fact by the President, to congratulate him on it, as was his wont in former years, and also that he might be enabled to answer Messer Sebastian, who, as the Prior knows, remains suspended, until through Pole's medium it be ascertained what has been done in his case. With regard to the Father Abbot of St. Paul, he by several letters has requested Pole to consent to his return to Rome. In reply, announced his wish for all the monks of the congregation to know that as for himself individually, he shall always be content with any determination they may make, though on the other hand, for the benefit of the congregation, he cannot but lament whenever he sees anything take place of a contrary nature. Certainly thought it desirable both for Father Don Prospero and for the congregation that some honourable and fitting post should be assigned him, as he always complained of the climate of Rome; and it was also seen by experience that he was less suited to the management of St. Paul's Monastery than he would have been to that of any other place; this being the opinion of Pole, who also believes that the “Padri diffinitori” have received similar information through several channels. | |
| Is therefore the more surprised at their not having communicated to him their reasons for making this decree, as there may be some sufficient cause, with which he is as yet unacquainted, though, be this as it may, Pole will always be glad to see him, should he return to Rome, and in the meanwhile is sorry to find St. Paul's Monastery without its Abbot, Prior, and Cell-keeper (Cellerario). | |
| Father Don Mattheo of Brescia wrote to the Cardinal of Urbino from Braia, requesting him to obtain Pole's consent to the return of Don Prospero to Rome. Is surprised at this on two accounts. In the first place, to himself individually, it does not matter in the least whether one monk or another come to Rome; and secondly, because it does not seem fitting to him to employ any other medium than their own, for intercourse between the Prior of St. Paul's and himself; and the letter of Don Marco [Mattheo?] was written at such a time, that had Pole chosen to answer it, his reply would not have arrived until after the dissolution of the Chapter. In short, assures the Prior, that whatever is for the benefit of the congregation will always be most to his satisfaction, as may he thinks be already clearly known to all the monks by facts; and amongst other advice given by him to the monks—always to that end—was the following, that they should have especial care, both at Monte Cassino, and in Rome, to appoint not only good honest men, but experienced persons, suited to negotiations in these parts. Bene valete. | |
| [Rome, December? 1550.] | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Dec. 6. Original Letter-book, Venetian Archives. | 690. Matteo Dandolo, Venetian Ambassador at the Court of Julius III., to the Signory. |
| Ascanio Colonna is harassed (travagliato) by the Pope on account of his son Fabritio, who makes many demands of his said father Ascanio, under favour of Don Diego, who, on this account likewise, does not quit Rome. The Pope sent several times for Signor Ascanio from his estates, and at length, when he came, required him to give Fabritio at least 12,000 crowns annual revenue in landed property, that he may convey thither his wife, the daughter of Ferrante Gonzaga, and secure the dower to him (et assicurargli la dote), and also pay his debts, which amount to 25,000 crowns. Signor Ascanio seems content to make over the estate to him, and to give security for the dower, but not to pay his debts, as they were contracted by gambling and other dishonourable proceedings. The Pope has appointed the Cardinal of England [Reginald Pole], Camillo Ursino, and Don Diego, to mediate an adjustment between them; and a great personage, a Frenchman, complained to me of the Pope's wishing to enforce the cession of territory to Signor Fabritio, who will be here fortified at the gates of Rome, in the name of the Emperor and as his vassal. He told me he had complained of this to the Pope, and that from France and other places he was informed that the Emperor purposes making himself master of the whole of Tuscany, and that the former confidence and good understanding between these Imperialists and the Duke of Florence no longer exists; and that his Most Christian Majesty has appointed 24 captains, and chooses to be prepared should the Emperor die, as they understand he is ill; nor does this French personage believe that King Maximilian intends by any means to cede the [Imperial] dignity which belongs to him. | |
| Rome, 6th December 1550. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Dec. 18. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. | 691. The Same to the Same. |
| Cardinal Crescentio tells me that [in congregation ?] they were silent about Barbaro's embassy in England, a place deservedly odious; so for the love of God let him come away immediately, as it would be too great an ignominy for this Holy See, were a person elected to such a Patriarchate to remain there any longer. (fn. 1) | |
| Rome, 18th December 1550. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Dec. 27. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxvii. p. 83. | 692. The Doge and Senate to the Venetian Ambassador at Rome. |
| Received his letters of the 18th, 19th, and 20th, and are acquainted with the very loving office performed by the Pope in consistory by proposing the renunciation of the Patriarchate of Aquileia. | |
| In consequence of what he tells them about the good offices of the Cardinal Crescentio, and his authority and favour with the Pope, have thought fit to write to him, as by the enclosed copy. To present the letter, and to inform him that according to his suggestion, they are writing to their ambassador in England [Daniele Barbaro], to take leave of the King, and return to their presence forthwith. | |
| To give thanks in like manner to such other Cardinals as he may think advisable. (fn. 2) | |
| Ayes, 195. Noes, 3. Neutrals, 2. | |
| [Italian.] | |