Appendix: Miscellaneous 1498

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 1498', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 6, 1555-1558, (London, 1877) pp. 1603-1604. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol6/pp1603-1604 [accessed 24 April 2024]

Miscellaneous 1498

Sept. 3. Lettere di Principi esteri. Archives of Modena. 72. Henry VII., King of England, to his very dear brother and friend the Lord Hercules, Duke of Ferrara, Modena, &c.
The prudent and circumspect Biasio de Biasio, who was sent to us by you a short while ago, being now on his return to your Highness, we can by no means allow him to depart hence without our letters, although we wrote to your Sublimity recently both about his coming to us and on account of your letter and choice present of two falcons.
Inasmuch as the said Biasio asked us to empower him to cross over to our Lordship (Dominium) of Ireland, and to purchase hobbies (equos obinos) for your Highness, and bring them with him, not only did we grant his petition very willingly, but also recommended him very strongly to our Lord Deputy there, desiring him to render every sort of assistance and favour, both for the purchase of the said horses and for their transport, and for whatever else he might require.
The said Biasio has now returned with some amblers (cum nonnullis graduariis equis), which we hope are good and high couraged; but from the present turmoil and constant wars of the wild Irish amongst themselves, there is forsooth a great scarcity there of good horses, so that had we ourselves any fine ones we should have immediately made your Sublimity partaker of them; but of those we possess, although not such as we could wish, we send your Highness two, not as a gift, but that you may accept them as a certain pledge and testimony of our especial and fraternal love for you, for if there is anything else in our dominions which can either gratify or please your fraternity, scruple not to demonstrate it to us, as there is nothing in our power which we would not most readily do for your Highness, whose felicity and prosperity rejoice us like our own. May your Highness be as happy as you can desire, and any assurance of the well-being of your State and your affairs will always prove most pleasant to us.
Cambridge, 3rd September 1498.
(Signed) Henricus.
[Latin.]
Oct. 19. Despatches from England. Archives of Modena. 73. Biasio de Birago to Duke Hercules of Ferrara.
Wrote to him Antwerp announcing his arrival there, and today got safe to Basle, where he must remain three or four days for the need of some of the horses, which are 12 in number. Is endeavouring to find money to get to Milan; requests that pecuniary supply may be sent him in advance, as the cost is great, amounting to four ducats per day, exclusive of duties and safe conducts, which consume much money, so that for want of it he is sometimes in despair.
Basle, 19th October 1498.
(Signed) Servitor et famulus Blaxius de Birago.
[Italian.]
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