Appendix: Miscellaneous 1479

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 6, 1555-1558. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1877.

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'Appendix: Miscellaneous 1479', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 6, 1555-1558, (London, 1877) pp. 1599-1600. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol6/pp1599-1600 [accessed 26 April 2024]

Miscellaneous 1479

July 9. Ibid. 64. Biasio Birago to Hercules, Duke of Ferrara, Marquis of Este and Count of Rovigo.
Arrived in London on the 28th June. Was told in Paris that it was impossible to go to England either by Flanders or Picardy as the Flemings are all in arms, and spare neither friends nor foes, whilst Picardy swarms with troops, who have killed several merchants on the frontiers. Went through Normandy to a place on the sea called Dieppe, where he hired a ship for himself and his horses, and put to sea. By the grace of God he made the passage in eight hours. Never did he hear so many saints invoked, nor so many litanies, and Madonnas who had wrought miracles; vows were made to all of them; and he at length landed at Winchelsea. Two days afterwards he went to London, but the King was not there, though he arrived in a week, when Birago went immediately to Lord Scales [Anthony Widville] and told him the will and desire of Duke Hercules. Was presented by him to the King, who saw him willingly. He then adds, “I talked with his Majesty for more than an hour, and asked him for a passport, which I thus obtained, and in four days, please God, shall depart for Ireland, and hope to bring your Magnificence something agreeable. The Duke of Burgundy being dead, it is now intended to make election of a Knight of the Garter (di uno) in his stead, and I have so contrived with Biasio (ho tramato con Biasio) that I really believe your Magnificence will be a Knight of that Order (sarà del dito hordinj); the election is to be made between the King of Spain and your Magnificence, who will, I think, have the plurality of votes.
London, 9th July 1479.
(Signed) Servulus Blaxus Biragus.
[Italian.]
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