Venice: July 1571

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.

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'Venice: July 1571', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 7, 1558-1580, (London, 1890) pp. 471. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol7/p471 [accessed 25 April 2024]

July 1571

July 2. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 512. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
The return of the gentleman who was sent to England is daily expected. When he comes back I shall be able to form a better opinion whether the marriage between the Queen of England and Monsieur, the brother of the King, will take place.
Paris, 2nd July 1571.
[Italian.]
July 10. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 513. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
The most Christian King departed yesterday from Monceaux, the palace of the Queen-Mother, which is two leagues distant from hence; and the order has been given that the Court is to go to Fontainebleau, and the Ambassadors to Melun; but his Majesty will first visit Paris. This decision has confirmed the opinion which had arisen, that the negotiation for the marriage between Monsieur and the Queen of England is not advancing, because it was first believed that the Court would proceed to Compiegne as being nearer England, but this voyage to Fontainebleau appears to be for a contrary purpose; and also because the gentleman of Monsieur, who was sent to England, has not yet returned to France. It is also certain that the King of Spain is doing his utmost in every possible way, both with one party and the other, in order to thwart this negotiation; and although the displeasure of the King of Spain may be one of the principal causes which induce these Majesties to desire to bring about the event, yet so many other objections have arisen that it seems most difficult to surmount them.
Meaux, 10th July 1571.
[Italian.]
July 23. Original Despatch, Venetian Archives. 514. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Signory.
The two envoys who lately went to England to negotiate the marriage of Monsieur, the brother of the King, with the Queen of England, have lately returned thence. I hear that they report the existence of many obstacles and difficulties, and above all the question of religion, the Queen refusing to consent that the persons who are to accompany Monsieur to England should exercise publicly the Roman Catholic religion from fear of an insurrection within her kingdom, because, seeing that the Catholics last year without any assistance rose against her, there was greater reason to fear that they would do so when they had the presence and favour of the French Catholics; and although Mons. de Foix and his colleagues propose by divers means to obviate this difficulty, such, for instance, as that there should be a place of worship assigned for the use of Monsieur's suite, where masses and other offices of the Church might be celebrated with closed doors, nevertheless, it is the opinion of those who are best informed that the negotiation will prove a failure.
Melun, 23rd July 1571.
[Italian.]
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