Appendix: Miscellaneous 1556 | British History Online

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.

'Appendix: Miscellaneous 1556', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 6, 1555-1558, (London, 1877) pp. 1648-1658. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol6/pp1648-1658 [accessed 25 April 2024]

Miscellaneous 1556



Jan. 11. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	137. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	The most noble Pietro Contarini, son of the late Messer Zaccaria, came and told me that the Cardinal of Trani [Bernardino Scoto] had come to him by the Pope's order, because his Holiness had heard that at Gardone (fn. 1) certain heretics, in contempt of the [Roman Catholic] religion, had perpetrated the enormities described in the enclosed memorial, brought to me by the said most noble Contarini. The Pope sent for Scoto and desired him to send Messer Pietro to let me know of this heinous offence, as, owing to my infirmity, I could not go to audience, and to insist on my writing to your most excellent Lordships, in his Holiness's name, that you may make such demonstration as a case of this sort deserves. In accordance with your Serenity's pious and Christian mind, I answered him that I would willingly do so, and that the crime being true your Serenity would punish them condignly.
	Most excellent Lords, the Pope having the affairs of the religion so much at heart, as they in truth ought to be, not only to him, but to all Christian princes, I think it will be well for your Lordships to give me advice of what you shall do in this matter, so that when the opportunity offers I may let his Holiness know that such accidents are no less regretted by the most illustrious and Christian Republic of Venice than by any other potentate born and nurtured in the most holy faith of Christ, which in your territory you never allowed to be contaminated.
	Besides the causes assigned by me in the public letters for the arrest of Giulian Cesarino, I understand that perchance the chief of them was, that after a long negotiation about giving his niece, his sister's daughter, with a fortune exceeding 70,000 crowns, to Gioan Matteo Stendardo, the Pope's seneschal and nephew, Cesarino nevertheless now excuses himself on the plea of not having authority during the life of the heiress's mother. This has enraged his Holiness and Cardinal Caraffa, and the person who told me what I write in the public letters about the Pope's conversation with the Imperial ambassadors affirms to me that in his wrath his Holiness allowed the following words to escape him: “What pride and grandeur is it, on the part of this your Cesarin, in not having chosen to match with us?”
	Rome, 11th January 1556.
	[Italian.]
Jan. 29. Venetian Archives.	138. The Governors of Brescia to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	In reply to your Lordships' letter of the 25th instant about the burning of the doors of the church of Gardon of the Observantine Franciscan friars, and its being attributed to heretics, we inform your Excellencies that no complaint was made to us on account of heresy; but, as the said reverend fathers complained of the insolence done them by setting fire to the doors of their church, I “Podestà” (fn. 2) sent my judge of criminal cases to Gardon to make enquiry about this delinquency, and to draw up a process, which he did immediately, to ascertain who the malefactors were, but as the deed was done by night they have not been detected.
	A few days before the receipt of your letter, I “Podestà,” at the request of the said Franciscan friars, sent for the consuls of Gardon, who on their return thither said that in the presence of the reverend Warden they in the name of the municipality gave the said fathers four ducats on account of the restoration of the said doors, and that they were ready to supply the cost and to re-make the said doors, giving the said fathers the aforesaid four ducats received by them. To this the said Warden replied that he was content, not denying the receipt of said four ducats, on that account. It now appears that they said they received them as alms.
	Brescia, 29th January 1556. Rectores Brixiæ.
	[Italian.]
Feb. 8. Capi C.X. Lettere Secrete. Venetian Archives.	139. The Chiefs of the Council of Ten to Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome.
	Having received a reply from our Governors of Brescia about what took place at Gardone, as we wrote to you in a former letter, we now send you a copy of their answer, so that if requisite you may make use of it to assure the Pope and the Cardinals of the Inquisition that we are most careful and zealous that throughout our territory the affairs of the religion shall be held in such respect as is due, and that we do not fail to perform every work and office for the safe and immaculate maintenance of that same religion.
	And as the Nuncio gave us to understand that a student of Nola is in prison at Padua on a charge of heresy, we have written to the Governors of that city for information on the subject, of which we have willed to give you notice, so that if spoken to about this, and not otherwise, you may be able to reply.
	[Signed] Hieronimo Da Leze, Capo Cons^o X.
	Domenico Moresini, C.C.X.
	[Italian.]
March 14. Original Letter Book, Venetian Archives. (4th letter.) (fn. 3)	140. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	At the visit paid me by the Count of Montorio, (fn. 4) besides what I write, he left the enclosed writings about those people at Gardone, saying that the Pope had willed to send me them, that I might perform an office with your Lordships worthy of your piety and religion, which would be to him one of the acceptable things he might expect from that most excellent Dominion. I replied in the first place that you always desire to oblige his Holiness, and that by natural instinct you are zealous in religion and the worship of God; and I then told him what your Lordships had written to me, viz., that no complaints had been made about heresy, that certain doors had been broken open (besrotte) (sic), but by night, so that with difficulty could it be known who the delinquents were; but the municipal local authorities awarded four crowns damages, with which those friars were satisfied. To this the Count of Montorio made no rejoinder, but today at audience the Pope repeated that I was to write to your Lordships what he had sent me word by his nephew, saying that the assiduity thus used by him with your Serenity, in matters relating to religion, was because he desired your grandeur and perpetuity, to attain which he saw no better way than that of giving you frequent opportunity to show yourself the friend of religion, and averse to impiety.
	His Holiness also said, “Magnifico Ambassador, what else is it, if not hatred and contempt of the faith, to break the doors of a poor monastery. That its needy inmates should have contented themselves with four crowns shows you their want of power (la sua impotentia), and therefore the poorer they are the more they ought to be favoured by the justice of those Lords. And with regard to the case having occurred by night, and that with difficulty could the truth be ascertained, well do we know that by rewards (taglie) etc., should it be chosen to use diligence, means would be found to discover those rascals, against whom if no accusation of heresy has been made, it is perhaps because the poor friars are afraid, but the delinquents are well known. We pray you, Magnifico Ambassador, beseech those Lords in our name that the cause of God be recommended to them.”
	Rome, 14th March 1556.
	[Italian.]
March 14. Council of Ten and Junta, Secret motions, File No. 9, Venetian Archives.	141. Motion made in the Council of Ten and Junta by the two Chiefs Catherinus Zeno and Hermolaus Barbaro.
	This Council has heard how earnestly the Pope demands Pomponio da Nola, now a prisoner at Padua, who, from what has been seen by his judicial examinations, persists in his perverse and diabolical heresies. (fn. 5) This individual, being his Holiness' subject, (fn. 6) and an obstinate heretic, and it being due to comply with his request:
	Put to the ballot that, for the gratification of his Holiness, the said Pomponio be sent to the Governor of Ravenna, that he may despatch him to his Beatitude.
	Ayes, 17.
	[Italian.]
March 14. Council of Ten and Junta, Secret motions, File No. 9. Venetian Archives.	142. Letter to Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, proposed to the Council of Ten and Junta by the two Chiefs of the Ten, Catherinus Zeno and Hermolaus Barbaro, and carried.
	The Pope's Nuncio having requested us in his Holiness' name, according to letters from Cardinal Caraffa, that for his Beatitude's gratification we will send to him at Ravenna one Pomponio, a student (scolaro) at Padua, who has been arrested as a heretic, that he may be taken to his Holiness, we have been content to gratify him, and this day, with our Council of Ten and Junta, we determined to send him to Ravenna, that his Holiness' will may be done. We desire you to announce this to the Pope in such form of words as of your prudence shall seem fit to you, and you will do the like with the right reverend Cardinal aforesaid, advising the Chiefs of the said Council of having executed this command.
	And be it carried that notice of this decree be given to his Holiness' reverend Nuncio.
	Ayes, 23; no, 1; neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
March 14. Council of Ten and Junta, Secret motions, File No. 9. Venetian Archives.	143. Amendment to the foregoing Letter moved by Hironimo Zane, Chief of the Ten. (fn. 7)
	His Holiness' reverend Nuncio, resident with us, has several times requested of us, in execution of letters received by him from Cardinal Caraffa, to send to Ravenna one Pomponio da Nola, a student at Padua, arrested as a heretic (ritenuto per heretico), that he may be sent to his Holiness. As these judgments (questi giudicii) are very well regulated at Venice, and in each city of our State, where we proceed with all diligence and severity against the delinquents, to the honour of our Lord God, and conservation and increase of our most holy faith, it seemed very new to us to be requested that a person who could and ought to be despatched by the tribunal of Padua should be sent to Rome: so with our Council of Ten and Junta we charge you to have recourse to the Pope (debbiate conferirvi a Sua Santità), and to let him know how we proceed in ordinary in these matters in each of our cities, where it is fitting that the cases should be despatched, most especially as the sentences are passed according to the sacred canons and constitutions enacted (fatte) by that Holy See, assuring his Holiness that due diligence will be used at Padua, and that he will be expedited (expedito) and severely punished as justice requires.
	You will also perform the like office with Cardinal Caraffa, giving advice to the Chiefs of the Council of what reply is given you.
	Expulsi fuerunt Papalisti.
	Ayes, 3; noes, 0; neutral, 4.
	[Italian.]
March 19. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives. 2nd letter.	144. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	Whilst I was standing in the antechamber waiting for audience, Cardinal Caraffa entered, on his way to the Pope, and after congratulations on his convalescence, I stated to him what your Lordships ordered me by your letter of the 14th, concerning that scholar from Nola, imprisoned for heresy (per heretico), whom your Serenity, at the request of the Legate (sic—Nuncio), had despatched to Ravenna, that he might be given to his Holiness, which he was very glad to hear, and returned endless thanks to your Serenity for it, and having gone to the Pope before me, he gave him this news; so when I entered the audience chamber and made the same statement to his Holiness, he said to me, “Our Cardinal has told it us. Know, Magnifico Ambassador, that owing to the power given by the blessed God to the Signory, they can do us many favours (molti piaceri), but this one is the greatest we can expect from them, as it concerns the honour of God, so we thank them infinitely, and we beseech His Majesty to give them their deserts by increasing their State as much as they desire. We rejoice much to perceive this their care for the religion, which will be their preservation, for we have seen by experience that where heresy has entered, it is followed by the confusion of cities, provinces, and kingdoms. For the love of Christ, let those Lords not fail in religion, as His Majesty will have them under His constant protection. This scholar has the reputation of a very bad (tristo) and wicked man; by penance, those heretics (costoro) must be made whole, and if they are incurable (immedicabili), etsi resecandum, ne pars sincera trahatur. In the kingdom of Naples we have laid hands on the chief families there, and of those perchance related to us, making them do penance for their sin, and of such a sort that some of them would have preferred death, for we made them go in that little habit with the crosses, (fn. 8) to recant in public; so they with their follies are put to confusion, and the people shun all intercourse with them. Thus is the religion defended, and the sick sheep separated from this Christian flock, which the goodness of God has committed to us. So we tell you again that for such very great pleasure done us by the Signory and that most excellent Council of Ten, we remain obliged to them, and pray God to give them every happiness.”
	Rome, 19th March 1556.
	[Italian.]
March 21. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	145. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	Having detained the foregoing letter until the 21st, the Pope's Secretary Comendone, together with the reverend Friar Michele, Commissary of the Inquisition, (fn. 9) came to me in the name of his Holiness and of Cardinal Caraffa, telling me that as his Holiness saw the most illustrious Republic so inclined towards the conservation of the religion, they would give them a fresh opportunity for satisfying themselves, which was this, that there being in prison at Capo d' Istria a certain Aurelio Vergerio, the nephew of Pietro Paulo Vergerio, whom he resembles, being also perhaps a yet greater heretic than he is (et forse anco peggior nelle heresie), your most excellent Lordships should be pleased to place him here in their hands, than which neither the Pope nor the Cardinal could receive nor expect any greater or more important favour.
	Rome, 21st March 1556.
	[Italian.]
March 28. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	146. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	I have as yet been unable to execute the orders contained in your Lordship's letters of the 21st, about the Vicar [Aurelio Vergerio] of the Bishop of Bergamo [Vettor Soranzo], who has been cited hither to the tribunal of the Inquisition, because its right reverend members have been occupied with several other matters relating to their office; so I did not press for audience of the Pope to speak about this affair, as you charged me, until I had conferred with the members of the Inquisition. From my experience of his Holiness' disposition, I know that with difficulty he will be induced to oblige your Serenity in this matter, as he would consider it an infringement of the authority and jurisdiction of this See, about which he shows himself very zealous, and choosing to have this reputation, he listens unwillingly to all those who seem to him to propose anything to the contrary, but I will do what is my duty to obtain the object desired by your Excellencies.
	Rome, 28th March 1556.
	[Italian.]
[March ?]. St. Mark's Library, Cod. XXIV. Cl. X. pag. 73 verso.	147. Cardinal Pole to the Cardinal of Mantua.
	Thanks him for the announcement of the truce in Piedmont Hopes it may lead to peace.
	[London, March, 1556 ?]
	[Italian.]
April 4. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	148. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	During this Passion week I have not had time to speak about the business enjoined me by your Lordships relating to the Vicar [Aurelio Vergerio] of the Bishop of Bergamo [Vettor Soranzo], except with the Cardinal of Carpi [Rodolfo Pio], in whose name moreover the citation was made, and to whom I stated what is contained in my commission, without omitting any of the reasons in your most prudent letters. He answered me, having first premised that he desires nothing more earnestly than to gratify the Signory in all things, that he had been for a very long time indisposed, as I knew, and that he therefore could not remember the details of this case, but that he would indeed tell me that here this warm office on the part of your Lordships would be interpreted to proceed from such favour as a nobleman with so many relations and friends as the Bishop of Bergamo may be supposed to have at Venice, and that he [Vettor Soranzo] having erred, as I might know, and having confessed his errors, suspecting that this vicar of his [Aurelio Vergerio] may say that he [Vettor Soranzo] has returned to his first bad opinions, in which case he would be supposed to have relapsed, therefore sought to have this office performed, but that, be this as it may, he, the Cardinal of Carpi, will omit no opportunity of letting me know his desire to oblige the most illustrious Signory. I thanked him for all his demonstrations in favour of your Serenity, assuring him that with you neither favour nor respects took effect in any matter, and least of all in this one of religion, Venice having been born Christian and acknowledging daily so many favours from the grace of God, but that what you demanded was mere justice in execution of the authority conceded to the tribunals in partibus, which would not fail, as they never have failed, severely to punish those who have been and shall hereafter be found culpable. The Cardinal rejoined, that I was to perform an office with the other members of the Inquisition, that he promised me scrupulously to examine the process, in which, should he find nothing of much moment, he would do everything to oblige me. After these Easter holidays I will apply in like manner to his fellow inquisitors. When I communicated the news-letters from Constantinople to Cardinal Caraffa, as in my public letter, he said he had been advised by the Nuncio that Vergerio, about whom I had been requested in his name to write to your Lordships, was now a prisoner at Venice, and that the Nuncio had been given almost certain hope that he would also be sent hither, than which neither the Pope nor he could expect or receive any greater favour.
	Rome, 4th April 1556.
	[Italian.]
April 10. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives	149. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	I spoke yesterday with the Cardinals Trani [Bernardo Scoto], Motula [Scipione Rebiba], and Reumano about the affair of the Vicar of Bergamo [Aurelio Vergerio] as enjoined me, and in accordance with my statement to the Cardinal of Carpi. The Cardinal of Trani answered me that it was necessary to propose this matter in their Congregation, and that all due respect would be had for your Lordships' request, inquiring of me whether I would be satisfied if this dispute were referred to the tribunal at Venice, and on my replying affirmatively, he turned towards the other two cardinals, saying, “I know that the tribunal of the Inquisition at Venice does severe justice, and I also know that what is agreeable to the most illustrious Signory ought to be done”; which the other two having confirmed he told me besides to speak also with the others. This morning I performed the like office as earnestly as I could with Cardinal Puteo. After having assured me that he would never neglect any opportunity for gratifying and serving your Serenity, he replied that I must propose the matter in Congregation, and that he would favour it, so that as soon as they met I was to send him notice of it, as he would not fail to do his utmost. It remains for me to canvass the Cardinal San Giacomo [Santiago of Compostella, Juan Alvarez de Toledo], which I have been unable to do hitherto, as he is suffering much from gout, and transacts business with no one; as soon as possible I will communicate to his Lordship the orders received from your Excellencies, and should Congregation assemble without him, I will urge the despatch of this affair, and give advice of the result.
	Rome, 10th April 1556.
	[Italian.]
April 18. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	150. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	On the 14th instant Congregation of the Inquisition assembled in the house of Cardinal Carpi, being unable to meet as usual in the palace of Cardinal San Giaeomo owing to his indisposition. There were four Cardinals present, Motula being absent, having to prepare for his Legation, (fn. 10) and San Giacomo from illness. I sent one of my attendants to hasten the affair of the Vicar of Bergamo [Aurelio Vergerio] as enjoined me by your Excellencies, desiring him not to depart thence until he heard the decision, and he told me that when Congregation adjourned, he spoke with Cardinal Carpi, who said to him, “Tell the ambassador that nothing has been settled, although the matter was mooted, and it will be debated at another Congregation.” On the morrow, to learn farther particulars, I sent my secretary to Cardinal Trani [Bernardo Scoto], who, muttering like a person on his guard perhaps about speaking, said to him, “They spoke about the affair which the ambassador recommended to me in the name of those Lords, and had respect for his recommendation and for the reasons assigned by him to me, but an impediment of some importance was discovered, viz.: that this Vicar of Bergamo [Aurelio Vergerio] having been given (dato), by a papal brief sent hence, as a sort of keeper of the Bishop there [Victor Soranzo, Bishop of Bergamo], when once the authority of the Pontiff has interfered in this business, as he gave the Vicar this charge, it seems reasonable and becoming the authority of a Pope that he should come to this city to answer the charges brought against him (a render conto di quel che li vien opposto), besides which, any titled individual, not only a bishop's vicar, ought to come to Rome, and does so always, according to custom; and as the matter in question has encountered this difficulty, it is postponed until another Congregation, that the other cardinals [of the Inquisition] may also be present;” adding, “I will not fail in like manner as I have not failed hitherto in doing what is possible for the gratification of those Lords; and then shrugging up his shoulders, and by his gestures, he gave but little hope of being able to obtain anything.
	Rome, 18th April 1556.
	[Italian.]
April 30. Filza Lettere sottoscritte, Mar Serenissima Signoria, Venetian Archives.	151. The Doge and Senate to Giovanni Michiel, Venetian Ambassador in England.
	There having taken place (as known to you) the death of our late beloved noble, Francesco Bernardo, Knight, (fn. 11) who had divers affairs and merchandise in England, we wish you when with his brother and executor, Ser Marco Bernardo, who is there, on being requested, to render him, both with their Majesties and such other persons as requisite, all rightful favour for the recovery of what lawfully belongs to him, as we are sure you will do.
	[Italian.]
May 2. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	152. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador a Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	I am assured that Signor Matheo Stendardo, the Pope's seneschal and nephew, has had it intimated to the kinsfolk of Signor Giulian Cesarino, that if they give him Cesarino's daughter in marriage, he will effect his release from Castle St. Angelo, and that his State shall be restored to him; and a person who knows tells me that should this release be true, the mother will give her to him, even should the Signor Giuliano dissent from it, owing to her great desire to see him out of prison.
	Rome, 2nd May 1556.
	[Italian.]
June 24. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	153. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	To save time in the execution of your commands about priest (Pre) Bortolo, the notary of the Holy Office (at Venice), knowing that Congregation of the Inquisition was to assemble today, as it does every Thursday, I sent my secretary to the Cardinals Puteo and Trani, who on hearing the affair (la cosa) said they would not fail me, but that I must speak to Fra Michiel [Ghislicri], he being better informed than any one else; so I sent to tell his paternity that I wished to say a word to him before he went into Congregation. He came willingly, and owing to the earnest suit preferred by me, according to your orders, he took the thing in good part, and said that he would tell his Holiness and the Inquisitors about it, and would then let me know their decision, which was, as the said Father reported to me, that the Pope and the Cardinals are ready to satisfy your Serenity, but delayed until another Congregation, awaiting letters on the subject from the Nuncio which have not yet arrived.
	Besides what I write in the public letters, the Duke of Alva, through his agent, has informed all the Spanish personages that within a week they must endeavour to remove themselves from Rome. I cannot learn what is to happen, nor will I weary your Serenity with the many reports in circulation.
	Rome, 24th June 1556.
	[Italian.]
Aug. 1. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	154. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	In today's conversation (fn. 12) the Pope told me that he had been advised from Flanders that the Emperor and the King of England had greatly caressed your Serenity's ambassador, making him many promises, but that he replied that the Signory took much amiss that their Majesties should wage war on the Pope, which his Holiness said he thought was by the Republic's order, so he thanked your Serenity and professed himself obliged to you.
	Rome, 1st August 1556.
	[Italian.]
Aug 22. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	155. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	That student of Nola, whom your Excellencies sent hither, (fn. 13) was lately burned alive on Piazza Navona, exhibiting so much constancy that it surprised every one. After hearing the process, which they read to him, he said, “Pray read me the sentence,” and having heard it he thanked God, and said, “This is what I have always demanded of my Lord. Vivat Dominus meus in œternum.”
	Rome, 22nd August 1556.
	[Italian.]
Nov. 7. Original Letter Book. Venetian Archives.	156. Bernardo Navagero, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to the Chiefs of the Council of Ten.
	I thank your Lordships for telling me what the Pope wrote to the most Christian King about intending to continue the war in any event, and that to maintain it he purposed giving your Serenity Ravenna and Cervia, and Bologna to the Duke of Ferrara. In the public letters I have said what I know about this alienation, and my belief is that the Pope's frequent proposals to me (as I have written) of Sicily, which he does not possess, to induce your Serenity to expel the Spaniards thence, will have perhaps made him offer Ravenna and Cervia, they being his as they were heretofore yours, he knowing that those two places are adapted to the Signory, nor will I fail in assiduity to give all necessary information on the subject from time to time. The fact is that here there is very great scarcity of money, without which wars cannot be waged, nor can it ever be projected to amass sufficient treasure and not find it inadequate to the need. To ascertain the secret thoughts of crowned heads is difficult, as they vary and adjust themselves to the times, but from so many public letters of mine, and from those Secretary Capella and I have written, I do not believe that any one can doubt how averse the Pope is to the agreement; so the words may be true which the ambassador in France writes were written by the Pope to the most Christian King.
	Rome, 7th November 1556.
	[Italian.]