Spain: December 1525, 21-31 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 1, 1525-1526. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1873.

'Spain: December 1525, 21-31', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 1, 1525-1526, (London, 1873) pp. 537-551. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol3/no1/pp537-551 [accessed 24 April 2024]

December 1525, 21-31



22 Dec.	306. Lope Hurtado de Mendoza to the Emperor.
M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp. No. 56.	Wrote on the 20th inst. through the Imperial ambassador at Lyons, (fn. n1) explaining the cause of his not going to Turin, as previously arranged, and announcing that the Marquis del Guasto was sending to Spain Captain Nofre del Monte and the rest of those implicated in Mons. de Labret's flight from prison. Since then the Marquis, perceiving how awkward it would be if the prisoners were taken [by the enemy] at sea, has changed his mind, and keeps them here at the camp until His Majesty's pleasure be known. But he now forwards by post a copy of the proceedings, that the criminality of his accomplices, if he has any, or his own innocence (limpieza) may be fully appreciated at Court. The Marquis is in despair at what has happened and at the pecuniary damage sustained thereby. Antonio de Leyva's convalescence has likewise been retarded through it.
	Some time before the death of the late Marquis [of Pescara], in the presence of his nephew the Marquis del Guasto, of the Abbot of Najera, of Juan de Urbina, and himself [Lope Hurtado], Leyva called his attention to the necessity of keeping a vigilant guard over the prisoner. To that end Nofre del Monte had been sent to Pavia with a larger force, and the former governor, Clavero, removed from his office. But when treason is at work there is but little remedy against it.—Milan, 22 Dec. 1525.
	Signed: "Lope Hurtado."
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial, Catholie Majesty of the Emperor, our Lord."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1525. From Lope Hurtado, 22 Dec."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 2.
22 Dec.	307. Don Fadrique, Bishop of Siguença, (fn. n2) to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 36, f. 395.	Madame d'Alençon arrived here last Saturday, and on Sunday next, after dinner, left for ........ (fn. n3) She was received with all the honours due to her rank and in obedience to the Emperor's commands. As she expected hourly a courier from Court announcing the conclusion of the treaty between His Imperial Majesty and the King, her brother, she told the Bishop, on her departure, that if the messenger met her on the road she would let him know what news he brought from Court. At Sant Saloni, seven leagues from this city, Madame d'Alençon wrote to say that the messenger had arrived and delivered into her hands a letter from the King, her brother, announcing that peace had been concluded. (fn. n4)
	The Consuls of Perpignan had written to him (the Bishop) the enclosed letter, whereby it appears they had very different news.—Barcelona, 22d of December 1525.
	Signed: "Don Fadrique, Bishop of Siguença."
	Addressed: "To the most Invincible, Catholic Cesar and most Powerful Lord, the Emperor and King, our Master."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1525. From the Bishop of Siguença, 22d Dec."
	Spanish. Original. p. 1.
23 Dec.	308. The Abbot of Najera to the Emperor.
M. D. Pasc. d. G. Pa. r. a. l. Hist. d. Esp. No. 58.	Wrote on the 15th inst. announcing M. de Labret's flight from Pavia. From the inquiry instituted since it would appear that the prisoner let himself down by a rope ladder prepared by one of the halberdiers of his guard, who went off with him. He took the road of Laco Maggiore, Arona, and through the country of the Switzers to France. Two men have been taken up at Pavia as implicated in the prisoner's escape, his own valet de chambre and his barber, whom the Marquis of Pescara and Antonio de Leyva were thinking of sending [to Spain] with Captain Nofre del Monte, that they might all be examined there; but the insecurity of the journey by land or sea, now that the truce is about to expire, has made them change their mind, and they will be kept here under arrest until the Emperor's pleasure be known. A copy of the evidence is forwarded. No culpability is attached to the Captain, except excessive confidence in the person of one Loyasa, much trusted by the late Marquis of Pescara, and against whom Antonio de Leyva had frequently warned him, declaring in his (the Abbot's) presence that the charge of a prisoner of the condition and class of Mons. de Labret could not be safely intrusted to a youth (mancebo) like Loyasa, known to be a gambler and a man of immoral habits. The Marquis confessed the truth of the observation, but, out of kindness and unwillingness to show suspicion of the man, maintained him in his charge. Two days before the Marquis' death, by order of Guasto and Leyva, a guard, picked out of the best men in this camp, was sent to Pavia, though too late to prevent the prisoner's escape. Nobody can describe the sorrow of those generals and of the rest of the Imperial functionaries when they heard of it.
	On the 20th inst. Hernançis (fn. n5) arrived with the Imperial letters of the 3rd and the bills of exchange for 60,000 ducats, which were sent forthwith to Genoa for acceptance. The sum, however, is insufficient to pay the money borrowed by the late Marquis, as well as by Guasto and Antonio de Leyva.
	Encloses estimate of expenses and amount of debt up to this day, that His Imperial Majesty may judge of the wants of this army. Has written to Soria to procure in the shortest possible time 6,000 ducats, which he (the Abbot) has negotiated with a view to appease the clamouring demands of the Spanish infantry; for yesterday morning upwards of 200 of them rose in mutiny, saying they were dying of hunger, and demanding, if not all the arrears due to them, at least enough for their daily support. In the absence of Leyva, still confined to his bed by disease, the Marquis del Guasto went up to a monastery out of this city where the mutineers had assembled, and with no small difficulty and on promise of one month's pay, persuaded them to return to their banners. These are bad beginnings indeed, and unless the Council of Naples remits us funds to pay the men-at-arms the residue of their debt from August last up to this month of December, he (the Abbot) cannot see what is to prevent the most lamentable excesses on the part of the soldiers.
	The rents of this Estate for the ensuing year are now being farmed out to the highest bidder, with a stipulated subvention. (fn. n6) Hitherto no offers have been made, owing to merchants and bankers not knowing whether there will be war or peace, and whether the Emperor intends to keep this Duchy or give it to the Duke, (fn. n7) as is rumoured, or to some other Prince. Should we succeed in farming out the said rents the Emperor can calculate on receiving monthly from the taxation (daçios) of this city and others in the Duchy a sum equal to about 10,000 ducats, which will be reduced to one half if this Imperial army is to continue quartered in the Duchy, which is, to speak the plain truth, a most insufferable burden for the inhabitants of this Estate. They feel it the more that they see no signs of His Imperial Majesty coming to a decision. The Duke's party in particular, and those who would help him if they could, are daily showing letters [from Spain], stating that the Emperor wishes the Estate to be for the Duke (Sforza), and have told the Pope's Legate that, innocent or guilty, the Duchy would be adjudicated to him (Francesco Sforza) at the Pope's will. And although this may have been said merely with a view to gain time and not to exasperate those who wish for a similar result, it is nevertheless true that they are much encouraged by the said promise, whereas those who sincerely wish the Emperor to be their supreme Lord are hesitating in their manifestations. This, besides Madame d'Alençon's return [from Spain] without being able to conclude a peace, is the reason why the above-named contractors are so very slow in making reasonable offers, and why the oath of allegiance now being taken in some of the parishes (perroquias) proceeds so slowly. It is to be hoped, however, that, notwithstanding the advice of some of their deputies, who would willingly postpone the said oath, all the parishes will comply with it, thereby escaping the dangers and miseries of war, to which they have been subjected for so many years past, when they may rightly say: Noli me tangere quia Cœsaris sum.
	The Duke of Milan, perceiving that Thomas del Mayno could not obtain a safe-conduct to go to Spain by land, and dared not go by sea, decided on sending another gentleman- in-waiting, named Cipion de [la] Tela, who was permitted to leave the castle a few days ago on condition of not returning thither. After holding a conference with the Marquis [del Guasto] and with Antonio de Leyva, he (Cipion) asked permission to return to the castle and see the Duke, his master, which was granted on condition of his not coming out again, since it was evident that the Duke's intention was to obtain information by his means rather than to send him [to Spain]. No other application of the sort has been made since.
	The work at the trenches will soon be finished and the castle so completely surrounded that nobody will be able to go in or out. This might have been accomplished long ago had not Leyva, who took the works under his care, been seized with tertian fever, from which he has not yet completely recovered. Guasto, Lope Hurtado—who, at the express request of the Marquis, has delayed his intended journey to Turin—Juan de Urbina, and the rest of the Emperor's servants and officials have done all they could to supply that general's deficiency.
	Among the captains of this Imperial army who, by their excesses, have made themselves amenable to military law, one is Frederico di Capua, brother-in-law of the much lamented Marquis de Civita Santangelo, and himself in command of 100 light horse. Criminal proceedings have been instituted against him, which will be forwarded to Spain. He is now confined in the castle of Treço until he indemnifies those whom he has spoiled or injured. He (the Captain) comes of a good family, but is so scandalous (deshonesto) in his general conduct that he deserves censure and even punishment.
	The Archbishop of Capua writes from Rome to Bernardino della Barba, Papal Nuncio in this city, to say that he entertains great hope of His Holiness accepting the conditions brought by the warder of Pamplona. Something similar to this may be prognosticated from the despatches of the Imperial ambassadors at Venice and the announcement that the Signory somewhat suspect (estan celosos) the Pope in this affair, and that couriers are not so frequent as before between Rome and Venice.
	Having written at length by Juan Batista Castaldo about the letters which, in his (the Abbot's) opinion, ought to be written in the Emperor's name to the municipality of this city, and the orders to Naples for the payment of moneys borrowed, he need not return to the subject.—Milan, 23 Dec. 1525.
	Signed: "El Abad de Najera."
	Addressed: "To the most Sacred, Imperial and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1525. Abbot of Najera, 23 Dec."
	Spanish. Holograph. pp. 7.
23 Dec.	309. Lope de Soria, Imperial Ambassador in Genoa, to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A 36, f. 407.	Has answered the Imperial letter of the 31st Oct., the last received, and the duplicate of which accompanies this. Yesterday the bills of exchange for 60,000 ducats came to hand, were accepted, and shall be paid when due. He (Soria) must, however, observe that the greater part of that sum has already been sent to Milan at the express request of the Marquis del Guasto, Antonio de Leyva, and the Abbot of Najera. (Cipher:) Will shortly make them another remittance, but a fresh provision of bills from Spain will soon be required, for, according to letters received from that city, the Imperial army there is so discontented for want of pay that there is imminent danger of a mutiny among the soldiers who are either besieging the castle or encamped about Milan, a thing of all others to be avoided under the present circumstances.
	(Common writing:) With the bearer of the present, named Pedro Hernandez, has come another courier from the Duke of Sessa with despatches. This last is to go [to Spain] by sea, and will shortly leave for Barcelona.
	(Cipher:) News has been received at Genoa, by way of Lyons, that the French were raising a sum of 150,000 ducats to help the Pope and the Venetians in their war against the Emperor. He (Soria) does not attach much importance or give much credit to the news, for money is not so abundant in France just now, neither is the Pope, according to all accounts, very keen to commence hostilities.
	(Common writing:) Prothonotary Caracciolo and Alonso Sanchez write that the Venetians use very mild language and make all manner of promises, but are very backward and slow in the pending negotiations.
	Henry de Labret—the King of Navarre, as he styles himself—has fled from the castle of Pavia, where he was detained prisoner. He escaped on the night of the 13th inst., with the whole of his suite, and took the road to Switzerland. It is said that he was helped in his escape by some of the very soldiers who were in guard over him.
	At Provence several galleys are being armed, to the amount of twenty-five. The Emperor has only eight in this port, besides four more belonging to the Signory, an insufficient force to cope with those of the enemy, unless in the meantime some sort of agreement be made with the French King. As in case of war breaking out again the ports of the Signory, perhaps, too, of the city of Genoa itself, might be exposed to the incursions of the enemy, he (Soria) has sent [to Milan] to ask for six hundred infantry to man the said galleys, and both the Marquis del Guasto and Antonio de Leyva have promised to send the said reinforcement.
	Andrea Doria, notwithstanding the truce, perseveres in his hostilities against the Emperor's subjects, molesting the Lord of Monego (Monaco) and the rest as much as he can. Strong measures ought to be taken against his piratical acts. This Doge and Community continue faithful to the Imperial cause.
	Nicolao and Stephano de Grimaldo, Giovanni Battista, and Thomasso de Fornariis are doing much service by advancing money on the Imperial bills when required. They deserve both praise and thanks for their behaviour.—Genoa, 23 Dec. 1525.
	Signed: "Lope de Soria."
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1525. From Genoa. Lope de Soria, 23 Dec."
	Spanish. Original partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on the same sheet. pp. 2½.
27 Dec.	310. The Same to the Same.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 36, f. 413.	Since the departure of Pero Hernandez and the embarkation of the courier sent by the Duke of Sessa with the duplicate of his despatches, nothing new has occurred worth reporting. No advices from Rome or from any other place. (Cipher:) The messenger who was to have come from that city in order to notify to the commanders of the Imperial army, as well as to the garrison of the castle, not to fire on each other during the two months of the suspension of hostilities, had not yet arrived at Milan.
	On the 4th of November he (Soria) freighted a brigantine from this coast to take various despatches to Spain, and gave the master letters patent to show that the vessel was engaged in the Emperor's service. Has since heard that the said brigantine—obliged to put into the river at Narbonne from stress of weather—had been seized and the crew imprisoned by the authorities of that town. Among the passengers was Silvestrin, a messenger of the Duke of Milan. Strange manner, indeed, of keeping the truce! Andrea Doria is doing the same thing, wherever he is, molesting His Majesty's subjects as much as he can, and principally the Lord of Monego (Monaco).
	(Cipher:) His last letter contained the intelligence that the French were arming 25 galleys in Provence. The news has been confirmed since. If war is determined upon, the small fleet His Imperial Majesty has at this port must immediately be reinforced, or else it will not be able to keep the sea against the enemy. A fit commander is also wanted for the galleys,—Genoa, 27 Dec. 1525.
	Signed: "Lope de Soria."
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1525. From Genoa. Lope de Soria, 27th Dec."
	Spanish. Original partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering. p. 1.
29 Dec.	311. Commander Herrera to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 36, f. 375.	Three couriers started on the 17th instant, two by land and one by sea, with the Pope's answer and his own letters. Hopes that before the arrival of the present despatch one of them at least has reached its destination.
	Here, as well as in the rest of Italy, things are in suspense, and all are waiting for the Emperor's resolution. The intrigues of the confederates have ceased also, though on his (Herrera's) arrival at Rome they were brisker than ever. At Milan everything goes right, as appears by the advices of the Marquis del Guasto and Antonio de Leyva, the only drawback being the flight of Mons. de Labret, who has made his escape from Pavia.
	(Cipher:) Should His Imperial Majesty come to an agreement with the Pope, something must be done in favour of Cardinal Coluna (Colonna), who has absented himself from Rome only the better to serve the Emperor. (fn. n8)
	(Common writing:) Intends, shortly, to leave for Sienna, and hopes to arrange matters at that place so that the Emperor's service be accomplished and the Siennese satisfied.—Rome, 29 Dec. 1525.
	Signed: "Herrera."
	Addressed: "To the Sacred, Imperial, Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1525. From Rome. Commander Herrera, 29 Dec."
	Spanish. Original partly in cipher. No deciphering appended. p. 1.
Dec.	312. The Capitulation about Sienna.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 36, f. 372.	What I, Don Ugo de Moncada, Prior of Messina in Sicily, and Commander of Santa Euphemia, ambassador of His Imperial Majesty in Rome, do promise in his name and stipulate with His Holiness Pope Clement VIII. respecting the Signory of Sienna, its county and its outlaws (fuorusciti), and what His Holiness promises and stipulates in return is as follows:—
	1. The said outlaws (fuorusciti) shall be allowed freely to return to the territory of the said Signory and recover any property or goods which they or their agents might have in their possession. All sentences or embargoes upon the said property to be considered as removed. They (themselves) to reside at Sienna or quit it at will, and to be admitted to the offices and charges of the Signory on equal footing with other citizens; to obtain from the Signory and from me, Don Ugo de Moncada, in the Emperor's name, all proper securities for the fulfilment of the conditions as long as the government of the Signory, as at present constituted, remains in the same form and state which it had in old times under the protection and supreme jurisdiction of His Imperial Majesty.
	2. The said outlaws (fuorusciti) to be free and exempt from all charges as well as from all actions brought against them during the time of their exile; and all proceedings, mandates, prohibitions, and disqualifications issued against them by the government of the Signory to be equally annulled, so that they (the outlaws) may be peaceably reinstated in the enjoyment of their civil rights, though not in the government of the Republic, which, as aforesaid, is to remain in the hands of the present rulers. And in case the said fuorusciti should be found guilty of the crime lesœ Majestatis or other offences touching the Imperial service, I, the said Don Ugo de Moncada, pardon and forgive them in the Emperor's name, and promise that they shall never be molested on account of the said offences.
	3. I likewise promise that the said fuorusciti, their lawful heirs and successors, shall be fully reinstated in all their property, whether moveable or immoveable, which might have been taken from them during their exile by the officers of the Republic or by private individuals, on condition, however, that the said fuorusciti will place proper security in the hands of the Illustrious Vespasiano Colonna that they will not contract or take engagements [with other parties] against the Imperial interests, or against the form of free government as it now stands.
	4. The command of the forces, infantry as well as cavalry, which the Signory has raised for its protection, shall be given to the said Vespasiano Colonna, who is to promise to His Holiness that, on his departure from Sienna, he will appoint a fit captain to keep the said men in order, provide for the security of the place, as well as for the maintenance of peace between the citizens and the fuorusciti. The said Vespasiano, or the captain he may appoint, shall keep the said forces in strict obedience to the Republic.
	5. His Holiness is to give a safe-conduct to Julio Colonna— at present in command of the forces—for him to go either to Lombardy, to join the Imperial army, or to the kingdom of Naples, or wherever suits him best; the said Julio to be accompanied by any number of men who may choose to follow his banners.
	6. The aforesaid Vespasiano Colonna to promise and give security, in the Emperor's name, that the articles of this treaty shall be faithfully observed by him. He is, moreover, to obtain a reciprocal promise and security that at no time, or in any way, is the Signory or government of Sienna to be molested, either by His Holiness or the Florentines; besides which, the said Vespasiano Colonna, properly empowered Toy me, Don Ugo de Moncada, will take care that the Signory take a similar engagement to the Florentines, as will appear from the attested copy of this present treaty, with my own signature and seal appended, whereof the said Vespasiano is to be the bearer.
	7. His Holiness gives his solemn promise that from the 13th of July of this present year, and 24 hours upwards, the troops of the fuorusciti now marching on Sienna shall receive orders not to advance. Should, however, the Pope's messenger arrive too late, and after the army of the fuorusciti had entered the town, in that case His Holiness is to see that the said fuorusciti fulfil the conditions of this present treaty or of the former one made and ordained by His Holiness conjointly with me, the said Don Hugo de Moncada; and His Holiness will, besides, issue a brief sanctioning and permitting the above clauses.
	8. I, Don Hugo, promise that within the period of four months, to be counted from the date of this instrument; I will cause the present treaty to be approved of and ratified by the Emperor, my master, and in the meantime will hold it as valid and good. In proof whereof, I hereby affix my signature and seal.
	Addressed: "Magnifico nostro Amantissimo Domino Martino Centurioni, oratori nostro apud Cæsaream Catholicam Majestatem."
	Indorsed: "The Capitulation relating to the affairs of Sienna."
	Italian. Contemporary copy. pp. 4
Dec.	313. Memorandum drawn at Madrid by the Archbishop of Capua, and the Answers made to it by the Emperor's Ministers.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 36, f. 417.	Art. 1.—Considering the great want of a general and lasting peace between the Princes of Christendom, that they may effectually turn their arms against the Turk and extirpate the growing heresy [of the Lutherans]; considering also the small profits to be derived from a war in the prosecution of which His Imperial Majesty finds great difficulties, His Holiness, moved by the paternal love and affection he bears to the Emperor, begs and requests bun to attend to the following representations, and accept the said peace, which, if not so advantageous to him as he might wish, is at least as honourable and reasonable as it is in his power to bring about.
	Ans.—Though His Imperial Majesty is under no difficulty whatever in prosecuting the war, as His Holiness supposes, having obtained greater advantages over, and inflicted heavier losses upon, his enemies than he could have expected to do; though he hopes, with the concurrence of his friends and allies—on whose co-operation he relies—to achieve still greater things and obtain fuller satisfaction, yet he is more inclined than ever to listen to any honest proposals that may be made to him, and make peace on conditions equally acceptable to himself, the King of England, the Duke of Bourbon, and the rest of the confederated Princes.
	Art. 2.—To the said effect His Holiness advises the appointment of certain persons on each side, to meet under a safe-conduct at any place [in Italy] which might be named, sufficiently empowered to suspend hostilities and fix also the time and place whereat other deputies (compromisarios), of higher rank and authority, may meet and deliberate on the conclusion of a general peace and the welfare of Christendom.
	Ans.—His Imperial Majesty is pleased to grant that a meeting of the sort proposed by His Holiness be celebrated at Home, where persons shall not be wanting properly qualified to represent his interests, and with sufficient powers to come to an agreement.
	Art. 3.—The better to obtain the said desirable object, His Holiness again sends the Archbishop of Capua (Fr. Nicolao Schomberg) with instructions to treat of peace among the Christian Princes and sanction any appointment by the Emperor of the persons who are to compose the Congress.
	Ans.—No person could be so acceptable to His Imperial Majesty as the Archbishop of Capua himself, whose ability and good intentions are so well known that no better appointment could be made under present circumstances.
	Art. 4.—The shortest way would be for the Emperor to refer to His Holiness, if the rest of the allies did not object to it, and place confidence in him, as he (the Pope) might then bring the parties round to his own opinion or induce them to conclude a truce of longer duration.
	Ans.—His Imperial Majesty once before gave a commission to that effect to Mons. de la Roche. (fn. n9) The same might now be renewed in favour of the person or persons appointed to succeed him, for the Emperor has the same confidence and trust in His Holiness as in his own self.
	Arts. 5 and 6.—To the said end and to effect a meeting between persons of lower rank—who, as above stated, are to meet together and fix the time and place for the conferences—His Imperial Majesty might send a trusty and faithful person, with sufficient powers and instructions, who, passing through France with a safe-conduct prepared at Narbonne, might, whilst at Lyons, collect ample information about the affairs of Italy, and regulate his conduct accordingly, after holding conferences with Madame the King's mother, who, as is well known, is very desirous—like the King, her son, and all the nobility of France—to come to an agreement with the Emperor.
	Ans.—His Imperial Majesty is willing to appoint a fit person to represent him at Rome and treat of the said affairs. That person to be provided with full powers and instructions, but not to go through France, as proposed.
	Art. 7.—Should the Emperor for a time remove his court to Barcelona or to any other town in the vicinity, so as to be nearer to the countries where the said business is to be discussed, great activity might be added to the negotiations; besides which, in the event of war, the Emperor could better attend to the affairs of Italy and increase thereby his power and reputation.
	Ans.—His Imperial Majesty thanks the Archbishop for his advice, which he has no doubt proceeds from his zeal and good intentions, but as his departure for Catalonia depends upon certain affairs which are still unsettled, he cannot think of going thither at present, though if his health and business permit, he will not fail to comply with the Pope's wishes.
	Indorsed: "Answer given to the Archbishop of Capua (fn. n10) at Madrid, Dec. 1525. To be forwarded to Rome."
	Spanish. Contemporary copy. pp. 2.
Dec.	314. Answer to the Ambassador of France.
K. u. K. Haus- Hof- u. Staats Arch. Wien. Rep. P. C. Fasc. 223, f. 107.	The answer to be made to the French ambassador in the Emperor's name:
	The Emperor has been informed that Mons. Robert de la Marche (fn. n11) and the Sieur de Flourenges, (fn. n12) his son, have recruited in the dominions of the most Christian King upwards of .......... (fn. n13) men, cavalry as well as infantry, to invade the countries and annoy the subjects of the Holy Empire.
	Also that the most Christian King is daily remitting money to Messire Charles de Gheldres (fn. n14) to carry out his instructions.
	Has heard also through some French prisoners in Navarre and Spain, the practices and designs of France for creating disturbances in those quarters, and setting up in the kingdom of Navarre a son of the late king, Jehan d'Albreth. His Imperial Majesty knows full well that neither of the above-named personages would dare to undertake anything against him or against the letter of the treaties unless expressly encouraged and ordered to do so by the said most Christian King. His Imperial Majesty takes this opportunity to remark that he himself has always kept the said treaties without infringing them in the least, and is disposed to observe them most faithfully unless the other contracting party breaks them first. If, however, the said Robert, or any other person, under any colour whatever, should bring on war or otherwise commence hostilities against His Imperial Majesty, his allies, vassals and subjects, or against the countries, lands and signories which they may at present hold or possess, the Emperor will consider the said act and aggression as an open rupture of the aforesaid treaties, and will act, with God's help and that of his friends and allies, whatever a Prince thus provoked and assailed is bound to act for his own protection and defence.
	Similar warnings to be addressed to the most Christian King through the Emperor's ambassador [in France], le Dom Provost. (fn. n15)
	Respecting the 100,000 cr., the Emperor has always been—and is still—willing to pay them. As to the overtures about which the Emperor's ambassador has written, and which you (fn. n16) have also brought forward, if not found to be objectionable, and there be no other difficulty ......
	Indorsed: "Respuesta del Emperador (fn. n17) al Embaxador de Francia, Dec. 1525."
	French. Original draft. p. 1.
Dec.	315. The Arrears of Pensions owing by the Emperor.
K. u. K. Haus- Hof- u. Staats Arch. Wien. Rep. P. C. Fasc. 223.	The following are the arrears of pensions owing by the Emperor to the Legate and other English Lords:—
		cr.
	1stly. There is owing to Monseigneur the Legate for a whole year of his pension, due on the 1st of May 1524, the sum of	9,000
	Ditto to the Duke of Suffock for a year of his pension, due on the 25th of June last	1,000
	Ditto to the Duke of Norfolk, Grand Treasurer and Admiral of England, due on the same day	1,000
	Ditto to Monsieur de Boulant (Boleyn) for a similar pension, due on the said day	1,000
	Ditto to Monsieur the Grand Chambellan for a similar annual pension, due on the 26th of June last, one year and a half, at the rate of one thousand cr. yearly	1,500
	Ditto to Monsieur le Marquis [of Dorset] for a similar pension for one year and a half	1,500
	Ditto to Monsieur le Grand Maistre for a similar pension for one year and a half	1,500
	Ditto to Messire Richard Wingfield for his pension due on the 26th of June, for one year and a half	1,500
	There is owing to Messire Guillame (William) Compton for his pension due on the same day, at the rate of 500 crowns annually, one year and a half, or	750
	Ditto to Monsieur the Bishop of London [Tunstall] for two years of his pension, due on the 26th of June last, at the rate of five hundred cr. annually	1,000
	Ditto to Thomas Henuache (Hennege) for one year's pension, due as above	200
	Making altogether	19,200
	It will be the Emperors pleasure to pay to Mons. de Praet, his ambassador in England, his ordinary salary for one year, due on the 17th September next, at the rate of ..... per day, amounting to the sum of	1,877
	Ditto to the Chamberlain for his salary up to Midsummer day, making in all	1,044
	Ditto to the same Chamberlain for money advanced to three couriers despatched for the service of His Imperial Majesty, two of them to Maistre Jehan [Le Sauch?], being at the time in the Isle of Wigch (Wight), and a third to Plemue (Plymouth), making in all	25
	The said Mons. de Praet has to acknowledge 8,150 cr. of the Sun, which His Imperial Majesty remitted to him in four bills of exchange, and out of which 990 cr. remained in his hands, so that there is to his credit, up to the above-said time, a sum of 912 cr., besides the 1,044 to which he is since entitled.
	It would be desirable for His Imperial Majesty to make a present to Maistre Brian Tucke, and henceforwards to allow him a suitable pension, equal, at least, to that of Mons. Hennache (Hennege), if not larger, for the reasons and motives which the said Mons. de Praet has already stated in another memorandum.
	Indorsed: "Note of the Pensions due, &c."
	French. Original. pp. 3.