Venice: April 1554 | British History Online

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.

Citation:

'Venice: April 1554', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 5, 1534-1554, (London, 1873) pp. 477-486. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol5/pp477-486 [accessed 12 May 2024].

April 1554



April 4. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	871. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal di Monte.
	Wrote to him from St. Denis on the 12th ult., (fn. 1) announcing his arrival there, and how the King had let him know that on account of Passion week, (fn. 2) during which he purposed, as usual, abstaining from any business, Pole should be pleased to delay his coming to him until after the holidays. Did not think fit to make any further reply, but as he chanced to have compiled a discourses (discorso) on this affair of the peace, in order not to lose the occasion and opportunity afforded by the season, he sent it to his Majesty under cover to the Constable, telling him that as he could not then have audience of his Majesty in person, he thought he might confer with him by means of this writing, but referring himself to his Excellency, in case he thought fit to give it to the King, as he wrote back he had done, and that his Majesty had read it with interest and seemed to be pleased with it, as he himself indeed subsequently said to Pole. A copy of this discourse (fn. 3) will be given to Cardinal di Monte with this letter. The Archbishop of Vienne, who, on hearing of the King's determination about Pole's going to Fontainebleau, wrent back [from St. Denis] to the Court, returned on Good Friday, being sent by his Majesty; so Pole departed from St. Denis on Easter Monday [26th March], and on the 29th (fn. 4) arrived at Fontainebleau, accompanied by the Cardinal de Chatillon, who, having been called by the King for this purpose, joined him near Melun.
	He was also met, at his Majesty's desire, by the Duke of Lorraine and by Mons. de Guise, and by all the other personages of the Court, and immediately on alighting was taken to the King, who received him most graciously. After presentation of the papal brief, and when his Majesty had read it, Pole explained to him the Pope's great wish for peace between him and the Emperor, owing to the need of it for Christendom, and for the individual good of their Majesties; which desire was such that, had he not been prevented by age and indisposition, his Holiness would willingly have undergone any toil in his own person for this holy purpose; Pole adding such other words on the subject as seemed fit to him at this first interview.
	The King, in reply, evinced great pleasure at the Pope's paternal disposition, and also commended Pole, saying in short that for his own part he was anxious for peace and the common weal. On taking leave of his Majesty, Pole went to the Queen [Catherine de' Medici], and after saluting her in the Pope's name, exhorted her to perform such good offices as might be anticipated from her piety, which she seemed well-inclined and ready to do.
	On the same evening the Constable [Anne de Montmorency] came to visit Pole, and had a long conversation with him, in which he commenced by testifying at great length to the good-will and desire of his most Christian Majesty, entertained and demonstrated from the commencement, not merely to preserve but to augment his friendship with the Emperor; and after saying much in justification of what the King had done, he spoke of himself, saying that under all circumstances he had ever been desirous of peace and favourable to it, (fn. 5) mentioning the causes, both public and private, which then, and now more than ever, induced him thus to do. Of this Pole showed himself convinced, and said he was certain that this last war was neither commenced nor well conducted by his advice, through which, coupled with good management, the forces of France had shown themselves much greater than before, (fn. 6) and that his Excellency having been the chief instrument to the King's honour in the management and execution of the war, (fn. 7) such help was now expected from his prudence and piety, for the conclusion of a good peace, as would obtain yet greater honour and benefit for his Majesty, and all Christendom also.
	The Constable then invited Pole to propose some suitable arrangement (qualche partito conveniente), offering himself as ready to assist and favour the business with all his might. Told him that from the Emperor he had nothing but a testification of his goodwill in general about the peace, his Majesty having shown him the demand he made in the time of the former legates, to which no reply had been given, so he was expecting it, and if it were such as evinced a disposition to come to some good settlement, Pole said that in that case the Emperor would show by deeds that he was not averse to peace; so it merely remained for Pole to exhort his most Christian Majesty to make such a reply as would render his good-will intelligible, and serve as a good beginning for this negotiation, instead of preventing it; and he said that as the Constable was better acquainted than anyone else with all the particulars of the claims made by these two sovereigns, it seemed becoming for him to devise and propose some arrangement, reasonable and acceptable for both parties, in which case Pole would not fail performing such office as his position required by recommending to either side such modifications as seemed to him expedient to facilitate the conclusion of the affair. The Constable, however, again repeated that Pole was to suggest some specific agreement, promising that he also would do the like; and as Pole always persisted in the same proposal, Montmorency departed, but seemed satisfied, as he moreover evinced more largely (largamente) when talking with the Nuncio, always, however, again inviting them to make some specific proposal (qualche particular propositione).
	On the same evening the Cardinal of Lorraine arrived at the court, and next day came to visit Pole, with whom he remained a long while, the conversation always relating in like manner to this affair of the peace, towards which he also seemed well disposed, and said he felt himself the more bound to promote it, besides other respects, being a Cardinal and member of the Apostolic See.
	On the day before yesterday (fn. 8) Pole was invited to dine with the King, who, after dinner, gave him a very gracious and leisurely (commoda) audience, at which Pole told him in detail what he had negociated with the Emperor and the Bishop of Arras at Brussels, and the reply they gave him, adding that it was now expected that his most Christian Majesty, in conformity with the good disposition evinced by him towards the peace, (fn. 9) should make such reply to the Emperor's demands, as to give certain testimony to the world of this his will; Pole having previously said that he would not further exhort the King to make peace, perceiving that without further exhortation the Lord God had so well disposed him. His Majesty in reply again thanked the Pope for this pious office, performed to effect the peace; and then commenced saying diffusely how much he had always wished for it, and how from the beginning he had not only been disposed to abide by the last agreement made by the King, his father, with the Emperor, but was also content to increase and augment his friendship with him, to effect which he attempted by many ways, some of which he narrated to Pole; but as they were not accepted, and as it did not appear that the Emperor ever held his friendship in account, an opportunity for war occurring subsequently, the peace was broken. And the King declared that it was not by his fault, nor because he had given cause for it, but that he entered upon this war provoked (spinto) by these causes, nor at present has he reason to wish for peace, but rather for the war's progress; and of what sort that progress has been the King said was well known; notwithstanding which, on account of the common weal, he will always be ready to make peace, provided he sees reciprocity on the other side, and that fair terms be proposed tending to this end.
	The King said all this very civilly (con molto bel modo), and with great moderation (e con gran modestia), never making any mention of the Emperor, save in honourable terms; and he also said that between himself and the Emperor there had not occurred those particular causes for enmity, which arose between the King, his father, and the Emperor, and made them even challenge each other; and that he himself has always esteemed the Emperor, with whom he was and is ready to form the best possible friendship (ogni buona amicitia), nor on his part will he fail to prove this by deeds. And with regard to replying to the Emperor's proposal, made through the Cardinal of Imola, as Pole requested, he said in the first place that was done at the time, but that he might speak about it to the Cardinal of Lorraine and the Constable, who would explain the King's mind more fully to him, repeating again, and confirming, his good disposition towards peace.
	On the morrow, which was yesterday, these two personages came to Pole, and the first to speak was the Cardinal of Lorraine, whose discourse was a mere introduction, he referring himself to the Constable, to whom he deferred both on account of his age and authority, and because his Excellency had the chief charge of these affairs. At the commencement of his discourse, the Constable expatiated even more than he had done the first time on the King's goodwill and inclination towards the peace, and then justified more in detail the cause of the war, by showing that the King had been compelled to enter upon it, repeating more distinctly what the King and his Excellency had told Pole previously. He also confirmed their goodwill towards peace; but with regard to the point of the reply which remained to be given, he said in the first place that it had been already delivered, alleging both time, place, and form. And having brought with him the Emperor's identical proposal, he requested the Nuncio, who was present, (and very opportunely assisted Pole, as he had done previously during the negociation,) to read it; and thus in the course of perusal the Constable purposed answering article by article, which Pole sought adroitly to prevent, by inviting the Nuncio to continue the reading, so as subsequently to obtain a more positive and coherent (più resoluta et unita) reply in writing to all the articles together, and not merely by word of mouth, as he feared they intended doing.
	When the writing had been read, the Constable again said that there was no occasion to make any further reply; to which Pole rejoined, showing on the contrary that it was necessary both to reply and to make the answer in such a form as to render manifest to everybody the goodwill of his Majesty. This Pole urged to the utmost, setting forth to them what he had negociated with the Bishop of Arras, from whom he had endeavoured to obtain [the assurance] of some intention, which might give hope of being able to modify their proposal in such parts as needful (che fussero convenienti), and in conformity with the answer made to him by their Lordships; coming to the conclusion that it was for France to make this modification, and that the reply to be given them would prove consistent, provided they proposed reasonable terms, and showed that on this side they had really the wish to make a good and lasting peace. (fn. 10)
	Pole, therefore, repeated that it was necessary to make a fresh reply, and such as to testify the goodwill both of the King and of their Lordships; about which they at length said they would speak again to the King, and that they hoped in this respect Pole would be satisfied.
	His secretary, Fiordibello, whom he left at Brussels with orders to await the Nuncio's arrival, and to follow after his first audience of the Emperor, has brought him the Pope's brief, addressed to the Queen of England, together with Cardinal di Monte's letters of the 28th February in reply to Pole's of the 28th January and 12th February. Pole hopes that the missing packet about which the Cardinal writes will have arrived subsequently, and that he will also have received the last letters which Pole wrote, on his departure from Brussels, and from St. Denis.
	On the second day after his arrival at Fontainebleau, there made his appearance unexpectedly, one of the sons of his sister (fn. 11) [Ursula], who has allowed himself to be induced by evil counsel to quit England, with his brother-in-law and another gentleman, solely on account of dissatisfaction at this marriage made by the Queen (per la mal contenteza de questo matrimonio della Regina); and he had the audacity to present himself to Pole, who, on hearing the cause of his departure, expelled him his presence instantly (subito lo scacciai da me), desiring his (Pole's) attendants not to associate with him. This circumstance has greatly displeased Pole on many accounts.
	This evening, the King sent to Pole, by one of the Royal secretaries, a certain writing in reply to the Emperor's proposal, of rather an irritating tenour than otherwise (più tosto irritativa che altramente), and which he will transmit in a few days by a messenger express, acquainting the Pope at the same time with what little else he may be able to elicit from the King, of whom he is to have audience tomorrow preparatory to his (Pole's) departure; and at any rate, he has determined that the best thing for him to do is to proceed towards Brussels, should the French ministry say nothing to the contrary, without sending any other messenger in advance, save on arriving at Cambrai, with the intention of making a final effort, if possible, to bring the negociation to some commencement with one side and the other, avoiding to the utmost all cause for mental irritation.
	Next Sunday, the 8th (God willing), Pole purposes making his public entry into Paris, being invited thus to do in the name of his Majesty, who also chooses him to publish the jubilee; and they also, with all courtesy, invite him to make use of his powers (facultà), offering to have them published; and on the morrow he will set out for Brussels, where be hopes to arrive before the 20th instant.
	Having written thus far yesterday evening, he went this morning to take leave of the King, from whom, although he used every endeavour, he was unable to obtain any of the points (particolari) desired by him, as he will acquaint the Pope in detail by the messenger to be sent hereafter; and, in the meanwhile, he humbly kisses Cardinal di Monte's hand, requesting him, with due reverence, to kiss in his name his Holiness's feet.
	From Fontainebleau, 4th April 1554.
	[Italian.]
April 4. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	872. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal Morone.
	“Our” Fiordibello brought him Cardinal Morone's letter of the, 28th February, written in reply to several of Pole, and together with it was the supplementary brief for the powers (facultà) to confirm the Bishops and perform other necessary acts in England, concerning which he will say nothing further, referring himself to what Ormanetto is writing to Messer Giovanni Francesco. Will continue to follow the prudent and loving suggestion of Cardinal Morone about writing to the Palace; and thanks him much for the affection demonstrated as usual in his favour in this and all other matters. Subsequently, on his way hither to the Court, he received Cardinal Morone's other letters, dated 19th March, giving advice of the receipt of all his other letters written from Brussels.
	Returns thanks to Cardinal Morone, for the office performed with his Holiness on account of his appointments (mei provisioni), praying him to kiss the Pope's feet in his name for his Holiness's graciousness in providing for his need even by extraordinary means. Has availed himself of the very prudent suggestions of Cardinal Morone with regard to the most Christian King and the French Ministry, in proposing and treating the affair of the peace, concerning which he will say nothing more, as, together with the present letter, he is sending him a copy of what he writes to Cardinal di Monte, and of the reply given to Pole by his most Christian Majesty, (fn. 12) which he will send to Brussels.
	The coming of Pole's nephew to Fontainebleau has greatly troubled him, and he would have felt it still more had not the Almighty in this matter, as in everything else, not disdained to comfort him through the faith which he has in His divine providence, whereby it was ordained that, when he left Dillingen to go to England, Pole determined not to give him any letter of recommendation, either to the Queen or to others. (fn. 13) As Pole has to return to Brussels about this affair of the peace, he would think it very desirable for the Nuncio in France not to depart, Pole, as stated, having found him very adroit, and an able instrument to negotiate with his Majesty and the French Ministry (et con questi altri Signori). This Pole mentions, having heard that the Pope seems to purpose sending another in his stead; and therefore he notifies this his opinion to Cardinal Morone, that he may speak about it to his Holiness.
	From Fontainebleau, 4th April 1554.
	[Italian.]
April 5. Parti Comuni, Consiglio X., v. xxi. p. 99.	873. Embassy to England.
	Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta.
	That out of the moneys appointed for ambassadors 250 ducats be paid to the nobleman Ser Lorenzo Soranzo, son of Ser Francesco, on account of moneys disbursed by his brother Ser Jacomo Soranzo, knight, the Signory's ambassador in England, for carriage of letters, fees to couriers, and other expenses.
	Ayes, 24. No, 1. Neutrals, 2.
	His father, Ser Francesco, member of the Junta, withdrew.
	[Italian.]
April 6. Deliberazioni Senato (Secreta), v. lxix. p. 14.	874. The Doge and Senate to the Bailo at Constantinople.
	The ambassador of the Queen of England has been recalled from Brussels by her Majesty, as she purposes sending him with other personages to Spain to the Prince the Emperor's son, the English advices stating that these personages were to depart immediately. (fn. 14) The Prince will come speedily to consummate his marriage with the Queen, and the French are fitting out and arming ships and other vessels in several places off the coast of Brittany, along which the Prince will pass, and they are mustering a large number of infantry in those parts, and according to report the Marquis of Brandenburg has entered the service of the most Christian King.
	Ayes, 169. Noes, 2. Neutrals, 2.
	[Italian.]
April 8. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	875. Cardinal Pole to Pope Julius III.
	Deems it his duty to give the Pope a more particular account of all that has passed hitherto, both in the matter of the negociation about England as also about that of the peace, than can be transmitted by letter. For this purpose, has made choice of the gentleman the bearer of these credentials, (fn. 15) of whose good and rare qualities the Pope will have heard from Pole's agent, and Pole himself has had experience of him. Beseeches the Pope to give the messenger full credence for whatever he shall announce in Pole's name, and to acquaint him subsequently with his Holiness's pleasure with regard to the doubts raised by Pole.
	From Paris, 8th April 1554.
	[Italian.]
April 20. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	876. Cardinal Pole to Cardinal di Monte.
	His last, dated the 10th from St. Denis, were sent through Dr. Chizzola, and previously from Fontainebleau he wrote an account to Cardinal di Monte of all his negociations at the French Court; and then continuing his journey back to Brussels, was met three days before his arrival by some gentlemen in the service of the Queen of Hungary, and afterwards by that same Mons. Adambri (sic) who accompanied him on his way towards France. Then on his arrival, which took place yesterday, he was met, according to the Emperor's order, by the Duke of Savoy and the Bishop of Arras, who were also accompanied by Don Ferrante [Gonzaga], he having arrived at Brussels two days previously.
	Pole expects to have speedy audience of the Emperor, and will give full notice of the whole to the Pope either by letter or by a messenger express.
	From Brussels, 20th April 1554.
	[Italian.]
April 22. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	877. Cardinal Pole to Pope Julius III.
	By Dr. Chizzola, who was despatched on Pole's departure from St. Denis, he gave the Pope full information both of the affairs of England and of the peace, and his Holiness will have seen in writing the reply given him in the King's name. Having arrived at Brussels on the 19th, as he wrote to Cardinal di Monte, he yesterday, the 21st, had audience of the Emperor, to whom he narrated as delicately as he could the result of his negociations in France, and the reply which was at length given him, endeavouring to mitigate it to the utmost, but without exhibiting the written document. In conclusion, Pole said he returned the more willingly to his Majesty, knowing that his stay in France might have been somewhat injurious to the quiet of England, concerning which matter he mentioned the coming of several Englishmen to France, including even his own nephew, and all that it had behoved him to say and do in this case.
	The Emperor, in reply, did not seem to receive this proposal from the King in a way to give hope of what is desired, showing that he did not in the least believe that the French were acting sincerely. As Pole had stated to him how the King said he had never been otherwise than inclined to remain united with his Imperial Majesty, and that he had several times endeavoured to link himself more closely with him, but the wish not being reciprocated he was at length compelled to proceed to hostilities, yet was he not, nor should he ever be otherwise than inclined to this amity, most especially as between them there never had been those causes for enmity which arose between the Emperor and his most Christian Majesty's father; to this the Emperor replied, that of yore from the King his father he had not in the course of many years received so many and such grievous injuries as King Henry had done him within a brief period. In short, he said nothing to indicate his approval of Pole's return, and the regard which he had evinced for the affairs of England by coming back to Brussels, but remarked that as Pole was unable to do anything further it would have been better for him to remain in France, or should that have appeared to him unbecoming for the above-mentioned reason, which his Majesty seemed to hold in account, that he should “have gone on his way,” (fn. 16) which were his precise words; and this they say suspecting that Pole's return may subject the Emperor to some reproof. (fn. 17)
	Pole concluded by praying the Emperor of his piety and prudence to ponder the whole affair better, and not to lose the opportunity for doing that good towards which he is disposed; and with this he took leave of his Majesty.
	Had thought it would be well for the Nuncio to go to the Bishop of Arras to perform such good offices as possible with him, but the Nuncio chancing to be present when the Bishop visited Pole, who commenced talking to him about what he had already discussed with the Emperor, the Bishop interrupted him, saying it was unnecessary to make further repetition, as his Majesty had acquainted him with the whole, and that by no means could any other reply be expected than the one already given him. To acquaint the Pope with the whole more commodiously than he could by letter, he has thought it well to send him his auditor, Messer Nicolo Ormanetto, who knows every particular, and to whom he requests the Pope to give the same credence as he would to Pole himself.
	From Brussels, 22nd April 1554.
	[Italian.]
April 24. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	878. Cardinal Pole to Pope Julius III.
	The Pope will be fully acquainted with everything by Pole's auditor, so he has nothing else to say to his Holiness save to beseech him not to have the slightest scruple with regard to Pole himself individually, and to remain very sure that he will be most perfectly satisfied with whatever the Pope shall be pleased to command him; and he has been induced to write this letter fearing lest his Holiness's great graciousness might cause him to do otherwise, which on no account would Pole wish; and he humbly kisses the Pope's most holy feet.
	From Brussels, 24th April 1554.
	[Italian.]
April 26. MS. St. Mark's Library, Cod. xxiv. Cl. x.	879. Cardinal Pole to Monsignor Santa Croce, Nuncio in France.
	Arrived at Brussels on the 19th instant, and on the 21st had audience of the Emperor, to whom he narrated the summary of what he had negotiated in the Pope's name with his most Christian Majesty, and what he had brought back. Although Pole did not fail to make the statement in such form as seemed to him most expedient to obtain the result desired for the common weal, yet could he not comprehend from the Emperor's words that there is either desire or hope for any negotiation about the matter of the peace. So perceiving that for the present he can do nothing, he acquainted the Pope with the whole and awaits his orders, not ceasing to pray God to point out the means, which man cannot discover, for pacifying these two great sovereigns for the consolation and safety of Christendom. Subsequently, Pole caused the written reply which he brought with him to be delivered to the Bishop of Arras, from whom he has heard nothing further; and this he notifies to the Nuncio, that he may no longer remain in suspense, and that it may be communicated to his most Christian Majesty and the other personages of the French Court.
	From Brussels, 26th April 1554.
	[Italian.]