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: November 1553', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 441-446. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp441-446 [accessed 20 April 2024]
November 1553
| Nov. 2. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. | 825. Report of the Piedmontese Gentleman Vincenzo Parpaglia, Abbot of San Saluto or San Salutore, Secretary of Cardinal Pole, who sent him to the French Court from Trent, on the 2nd October 1553 (fn. 1) |
|---|---|
| Arrived in Paris on the 15th October; announced his commission to the Nuncio. The King [Henry II.], having already heard from Pole that he was appointed Legate to their two Majesties, was ready to give him (the Abbot) audience, and would be glad that Pole should come. On the 18th October, he went to Villers-Cotterets, where the King was, and applied to the Cardinal of Lorraine, who immediately presented him to his Majesty, to whom he delivered Pole's letter. The King replied that the Pope's election of Cardinal Pole pleased him, and that his coming would be most agreeable to him, and that he would embrace him as his good cousin and great friend; and he would be most cordially and honourably received in his kingdom. The Cardinal of Lorraine confirmed this assurance, adding that it was thought Cardinal Pole should come first to the King, and that this would please his Majesty, for no other reason than that he might see him and enjoy his company sooner. With regard to the peace, he said the King would always willingly listen to his Holiness and make the peace, provided the terras be reasonable, but that he would not condescend to anything unworthy, having shown to the world his means of defence and offence; therefore the Emperor must not hold to the articles lately proposed by him, which were inadmissible. The like was said to him by Cardinal Farnese, who added that their sole reason for wishing Cardinal Pole to come, was to benefit England, his Majesty being very desirous of aiding the re-establishment of religion there, and of reconciling England to the Apostolic See; wherefore Farnese exhorted Pole to come forthwith, as he would find the King most ready to perform every good office in this especial business (in questo special fatto). | |
| On the 22nd [October] was despatched by the King with his reply to the Cardinal, and unasked his Majesty caused him to receive safe-conducts for Pole, should he have to pass through his kingdom, evincing the wish for him to come immediately. He in like manner received letters from the Cardinal of Lorraine and Cardinal Farnese; and on that same day departed towards Peronne and Cambrai, and entered Flanders, arriving at Brussels on the 24th without any opposition or impediment whatever. On hearing that Don Juan de Mendoza had been sent by the Emperor to Pole, to exhort him to stop until he had fresh advices from Rome from the Pope; thought it his duty to go to the Bishop of Arras, whom he acquainted with the commission received by him from his Cardinal to go to the King of France and tell him of the legation conferred on Pole for the negotiation of the peace between their Majesties, and with the King's reply, purporting that he would willingly listen to the Cardinal. | |
| The Bishop expressed surprise at his having crossed from the French towns to those of the Emperor, it being expressly prohibited for any one to pass; and he evinced some displeasure at this, and at length inquired whether he (the Abbot) wished to speak to the Emperor, or that the Bishop should acquaint him with his arrival, and with the reply received by him from the King of France. Answered he had no commission from his Cardinal to speak, nor to do anything else but return to him; and on hearing that the Emperor had sent to delay Pole's coming, thought he should not err in letting the Bishop know why he went to France, and the King's answer. Went that same day to Louvain on his own private business, and on his return again waited on the Bishop of Arras, to hear, as they had sent to stop Cardinal Pole, and as the French wished him to go first to them, whether the Emperor would think it fitting for him to go to France before coming to his Imperial Majesty, as Arras had told Antonio Fiordibello, Pole's agent, that the Emperor would have been better pleased had Pole gone first to the Court of France. The Bishop instantly said no; and that he (the Abbot) was to persuade Pole to follow the advice given him in the Emperor's name by Don Juan de Mendoza; and that were he to consent to stop until he received further instructions from his Holiness, it would greatly please his Majesty, who, as soon as he could, and in a few days, would let the Cardinal know when he could go to him and negotiate according to his commission. Thereupon he quitted Brussels, and arrived at Dillingen on the 2nd November 1553. | |
| Dillingen, 2nd November 1553. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 8. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date of time in MS. | 826. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal San Clemente. (fn. 2) |
| By reason of the virtue and merits of Messer Hieronimo da Imola, Doctor of Philosophy, resident since many years at Rome, Cardinal Pole has loved and respected him; and as the Cardinal San Clemente has always evinced courtesy and favour not only with regard to Pole's personal interests, but also respecting those of his friends and servants, he most earnestly requests him to afford Messer Hieronimo all such favour and assistance as he requires for the affairs of the University (nelle cose del studio), that his labours may be duly acknowledged; which Pole will consider an especial favour. | |
| The bearer of this letter will acquaint Cardinal San Clemente with the latest news from England. | |
| From Dillingen, [8th November 1553 ?] | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 8. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. | 827. The Same to the Cardinal of Carpi. (fn. 3) |
| Has received the Cardinal's letter in recommendation of the Knight of St. John's of Jerusalem, who has however not presented himself, having probably heard that Pole had stopped at Dillingen, as may be known to the Cardinal, and will therefore not have cared to come thus far out of his way, without hope, for the present, of receiving any assistance at the Court from Pole, who would have rendered it, and will gladly do so, out of regard for the Cardinal of Carpi, should the opportunity present itself. | |
| Refers himself for the rest to his agent, who will communicate the latest news from England. | |
| From Dillingen, 8th November 1553. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 14. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. | 828. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal [Cristoforo] del Monte. |
| Yesterday by a courier express, who came from the Imperial Court at Brussels in three days and a half, Pole received Del Monte's letter of the 28th [October] acquainting him with the Pope's intention about his stopping, in conformity with that of the Emperor. Has thoroughly considered and understood the whole, nor will he swerve from the obedience due to his Holiness, as will be more particularly narrated to Del Monte by Pole's agent. Being obliged to stop, has been truly fortunate to find himself in such good and noble company as that of the Cardinal of Augsburg, most especially as had he proceeded farther he might have found himself in the midst of places infected with the plague, which still continues in all the towns on the Rhine and thereabouts, although in some places it seems to be slightly diminishing. At Dillingen during the last few days they have been in alarm on account of the Marquis Albert, (fn. 4) who had taken the field with 2,000 horse and 12 companies (insegne) of foot, and occupied some towns and places belonging to the King of the Romans; but it is now heard that the Duke of Brunswick, captain-general of the confederates his opponents, has made him retreat into a fortified castle of his own, with the loss of 100 horse between killed and wounded, and the rout of the infantry; so they are quite free from all fear of seeing him at Dillingen, most especially as all the neighbouring places are on the watch, and with fresh garrisons. The Lord God will provide for all their need, and they will take counsel according to circumstances, as Dillingen is not more than moderately secure (non essendo questo luoco più sicuro che tanto). | |
| From Dillingen, 14th November 1553. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 15 ? MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date of time or place in MS. | 829. The Same to Cardinal Morone. |
| Some benefices have lately fallen vacant in the church of Magdeburg, about which the Emperor has written in favour of a German, his councillor, named Bokhler, and the Cardinal of Augsburg gives assurance that he is Catholic and a very worthy person, so he supports his appointment to these vacancies; and as it is heard that the Pope has referred the matter to Cardinal Morone, Pole requests him to support Bokhler and oblige the Cardinal of Augsburg, from whose agent, Messer Annibale, he will hear further particulars. | |
| [Dillingen, 15th November 1553 ?] | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 17. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxviii. p. 176, tergo. | 830. The Doge and College to the Venetian Bailo at Constantinople. |
| The two Cardinals-Legates sent by the Pope, the one to the Emperor and the other to the most Christian King, to negotiate peace between their Majesties, perceiving the difficulty of effecting it, have departed on their way back, by order of his Holiness. | |
| The Queen of England was crowned on the first of last month, and proclaimed, to the universal satisfaction and gladness of the realm. | |
| Ayes, 148. No, 1. Neutral, 1. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 17. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta); v. lxviii. p. 177. | 831. The Same to the Venetian Ambassador in France. |
| Informed by their ambassador in England that eight French armed ships seized in the port of Plymouth the ship “Viara,” laden with wines, belonging to divers Venetian noblemen and subjects, bound to London, which having been taken to Dieppe and not yet unloaded, the Signory's ambassador in London obtained letters of favour from the French ambassador there to the Governor of Dieppe, and also wrote a full account of the affair to him [the Venetian ambassador in France] that he might do what was necessary with his most Christian Majesty for the vessel's release. Desire him, should the ship not have been yet released, to repair to the King, and let him well know in how great account they hold this matter, not merely on account of the loss sustained by their nobles and subjects, but by reason of the detriment done to commerce by so gross an injury in return for so many loving demonstrations made on every occasion towards the subjects and dependents of the most Christian King. | |
| To urge the King to cause the said ship with its cargo to be immediately released, and compensation made for the losses incurred, and that stringent orders be given to prevent the repetition of similar attacks on the ships of the Republic's subjects and ministers, and that for the future their vessels be not molested in French harbours, but treated as becomes the good friendship between his most Christian Majesty and the State. The perpetrators of the outrage to be also duly punished, in proof of the good understanding between his Majesty and the Signory, and to show the respect with which the King means them, their subjects, and their affairs to be treated; and in this matter they both expect and desire an ample demonstration from his Majesty. | |
| To remonstrate with the Constable and the Admiral, and with such other persons as necessary, and so far as compatible with the Republic's dignity. | |
| Ayes, 156. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 18. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. | 832. Cardinal Pole to the Emperor Charles V. |
| Has received his Majesty's letter of the 19th [October] and what the Pope caused to be written to him by the Cardinal [Cristoforo] del Monte. Although he holds all the opinions and counsels of the Emperor in such great respect and esteem as is due, and though the Pope desires him thus to do, especially in this matter relating to England, yet nevertheless, being compelled to tell the Queen what he thinks in reply to her demand, he deems it his duty to do the like by the Emperor. Does so the more willingly, as it seems to him that Divine Providence presents a very fitting instrument for the performance of this office in the person of the Rev. Father Friar Pedro Soto, (fn. 5) the bearer of the present letter, and who will tell the Emperor Pole's opinion and his own likewise (le dirà il senso mio et suo insieme) with regard to this subject. Requests the Emperor to hear him graciously, as his very sincere devotion and love for his Majesty, and that of Pole likewise (who yields to none in wishing him all prosperity and grandeur, to the honour of God and the benefit of Christendom), deserve; and referring himself for the rest to Soto, he humbly kisses the Emperor's hand. | |
| From Dillingen, 18th November 1553. | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 18 ? MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date of time or place in MS. | 833. The Same to the Magnifico Piero Contarini. |
| Although he would gladly have seen Contarini a second time, he is unwilling to cause so much inconvenience to him and others, who so constantly need his charitable assistance. Prays him, therefore, to rest content with having now performed this office by letter, and to pray, and obtain the prayers of others, that God may grant such completion as is hoped for, to the miraculous work of his hand, which Contarini justly considers a univeral cause of rejoicing seeing that the Divine Providence has demonstrated itself in those parts, where of late years it has been the least acknowledged, and has thus chosen to regard (esaudir) the blood of so many martyrs. | |
| Has written to the Doge according to Contarini's suggestion, as he will perceive, and cannot but greatly marvel that so many impediments and delays should be found in so clear a case of right, and to the detriment of so many souls. Salutes Contarini's brothers, and prays God to preserve and prosper them and Contarini himself. | |
| [Dillingen, 18th November 1553 ?] | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 18. ? MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x. No date of time or place in MS. | 834. The Same to the Doge of Venice [Marc' Antonio Trevisan]. |
| The Bishop of Verona having conferred the Archpresbytership of Lonato on Pole's chaplain, Messer Pier Francesco Zini, quite unknown to Pole, being moved thus to do solely by his knowledge of Zini's good and sufficient qualities, Pole, so far from impeding this election, favoured it, although he thus deprived himself of such a servant; and he now hears that although the Bishop's right to confer the benefice has been recognized and approved by the Pope, the adverse party does not cease thwarting its collation, greatly to the cost of Zini, and to the detriment of the souls of his parishioners, who in the meanwhile remain without a rector. Requests the Doge to order the Commissioners appointed for the cognizance of this case to report upon it to the Doge without further delay, that it may then be despatched with such speed as is required by right, which Pole will consider a particular favour. | |
| [Dillingen, 18th November 1553 ?] | |
| [Italian.] | |
| Nov. 25. Lettere Secrete, Capi Consiglio X., File no. 6. | 835. The Chiefs of the Ten to Giacomo Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in England. |
| By his letters of the 29th ult., perceive that English affairs are proceeding prosperously for the Crown, especially with regard to the religion. Are glad to hear this, and commend his diligence. Understood the commencement of his negotiation with Commendone, and its result (successo); so, perceiving it to continue, they desire him adroitly to decline this business, and withdraw from it entirely, so as not again to meddle by any means; without letting it appear that he has any order from the Signory. | |
| Ayes, 17. No, 1. Neutrals, 0. | |
| In the College, in the presence of the Chiefs of the Ten, the noble Soranzo being absent. (fn. 6) | |
| [Italian.] | |