Spain: May 1528, 1-20 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 2, 1527-1529. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1877.

'Spain: May 1528, 1-20', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 2, 1527-1529, (London, 1877) pp. 673-688. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol3/no2/pp673-688 [accessed 25 April 2024]

May 1528, 1-20



1 May.	414. The Same to the Same.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 304.	As stated in his despatch of the 6th ulto., Agoslino Centurione, the brother of Stefano, refused to accept the bills of exchange unless he was first paid the 11,240 ducats which Don Ugo borrowed. The affair has since been arranged, and the brothers have commenced payment. Has received up to this time 22,300 in specie, and 28,000 in wheat, out of which 3,400 were the other day lodged in the Treasury for the pay of the Germans who came from Spain [with Lannoy]. Giuliano de la Speça (Spezia) is going to Lucca and Genoa for the remainder, and Thomasso de' Fornariis has also paid in a considerable sum.—Naples, 1st of April 1528.
	Signed: "Perez."
	Addressed: "To His most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1528. Perez."
	Spanish. Original. pp. 2.
1 May.	415. Francisco de Tovar to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 298.	Petitions the Emperor to confer the command of the company of men-at-arms, vacant by the death of Don Ugo de Moncada, on the Duke of Malfa (Amalfi), whose services during the present war are notorious.—Naples, 1st of May 1528.
	Signed: Francisco de Tovar, por toda la compañia
	." Spanish. Holograph. 1.
1 May.	416. Cardinal [Pompeo] Colonna to Campeggio.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 338.	Acquaints him with the disastrous affair at Salerno. Six Imperial galleys attacked six of Andrea Doria, commanded by his nephew, Philippino. After one of the bloodiest battles ever fought 'in these seas in our times (la piu crudele et sanguinolenta che fosse facta mai in mare alli tempi nostri), in which great numbers (una infinità de persone) were slain on both sides, the Imperial galleys were defeated with the loss of Don Ugo, Cesaro Ferramosca, Petro Urias (Pedro de Urries), and others; the Marquis del Guasto, Ascanio Colonna, Signor Camillo [Colonna], my nephew, and several more being taken prisoners.—Gaeta, 1st of May 1528.
	Indorsed: "Copia de una lettera del Rmo. Colonna al Rmo. Campeggio legato a Roma."
	Italian. Contemporary copy. 1.
2 May.	417. Secretary Perez to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 308.	Yesterday, the 1st inst., Don Ugo's death was officially announced in Council and his post declared vacant. All present voted unanimously for the Prince [of Orange], and the viceroyalty was offered to him. He declined at first, but was so pressed by the councillors that at last he accepted. He has already entered upon his functions and despatched Count Burrello to Sicily.
	Giuliano della Speça (Spezzia) left yesterday.
	Secretary Seron, whose death was reported, is still alive, though dangerously wounded, in the hands of the enemy.
	Yesterday a great skirmish took place close to the gates of Capua (Porta Capuana), in which the French lost at least 200 men. A rumour is afloat that the enemy have upwards of 300 scaling ladders, and also that they have intelligence within this city. We are on the alert, and measures have been taken to investigate the truth of the report. The other day four Neapolitan peasants were hung on suspicion of bringing poison (tosigo) to throw into the wells.—Naples, 2nd May 1528.
	Signed: "Perez."
	Addressed: "To His most Sacred, Imperial, Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1528. Perez."
	.Spanish. Original. 1.
3 May.	418. Count Matddalone to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 312.	Though he has often written both from Naples and Gaeta of the imminent danger in which those two cities, and indeed the whole kingdom, is, he (the Count) will not let this opportunity pass of again sending tidings to the Emperor, as Cardinal Colompna (Colonna), who is now here, is sending a vessel to Spain with the news of the awful disaster which has befallen Don Uuo (Ugo) and the galleys.
	There is urgent need that His Imperial Majesty send us a fleet of galleys sufficiently large to cope with that of Andrea de Oyra (Doria). Has no doubt the Emperor has been badly advised ; that ministers and agents have written from these parts, saying, "When the army comes, it will do this and that;" but the fact is that experience has shown that the army has done more harm than good, for in the first place it was the cause of the loss of almost the whole of Lombardy by its not going thither when it was its duty to go, and it has again caused the almost total ruin of this kingdom by not hastening to its relief, for when it came the enemy was already in possession of the greater part of the Capitanata of Puglia as far as Sanseveri, Macera, and Foggia. After staying a few days at Troya it has since retired to Naples, where the panic caused by its arrival is so great that thousands of families have left the city with their moveable property.
	Begs the Emperor to send them succour, and if the Marquis of Saluzzo and the other Italian captains of the League have seized his estates, let the Emperor indemnify him with those of the Neapolitan rebels.—Date Caete, tertio Mai 1528.
	Signed: "Lo Comte de Mathalun."
	Addressed: "S. et Cath. Mti."
	Indorsed: "To His Majesty. LVII. From Count de Madalon. 3rd May 1528. Answered."
	Italian. Original. pp. 2.
4 May.	419. Henry Duke of Brunswick to Andrea Gritti.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 348.	"Henricus Junior Dei gratia Dux Praunuicensis (sic) et Lamburgensis," captain-general of the new Imperial army, informs Andrea Gritti, Doge of Venice, that by the Emperor's orders he is about to pass from Germany into Italy for the purpose of carrying on defensive and offensive war in that country. "His presentibus pro honore et dignitate nostra tuenda curare voluimus, etc."—Ex Tridento, 4th May 1528.
	Docketted: "Copy of the Duke of Brunswick's letter to the Venetians."
	Latin. Contemporary copy. 1.
6 May.	420. Alonso Sanchez to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 316.	(Cipher:) In pursuance of orders received from the King of Hungary, it was agreed that he (Sanchez) and His Highness' ambassador should together take leave of the Signory. The Bohemian ambassador, however, has since received fresh instructions; he is told not to move from Venice until new orders arrive. As he (Sanchez) wrote long ago on this subject, and has received no answer, he concludes that his letter has miscarried owing to the roads being intercepted by the enemy. Has now despatched a special and trusty messenger of his own with all possible speed and secrecy to Trent, to inquire whether there are any letters for him (Sanchez) either from Hungary, Flanders, or England, and to ascertain what has been the King's decision respecting the additional 6,000 men lately applied for, and the withdrawal of his ambassador from this place. Also to bring the last advices, if any, from Flanders and England, as there is a rumour here that the negotiations for peace have been resumed.
	Has likewise written to Soria and Leyva that in case of the 6,000 Germans being considered necessary for Lombardy or Naples, the former must send him (Sanchez), out of the money brought by Julian [Giuliano della Spezzia], enough to pay the enlisting price. For this purpose he (Sanchez) is getting ready to start at once for Germany, having already procured from the Duke of Ferrara and Marquis of Mantua the necessary safe-conducts to pass through their respective territories. Will wait six days more for Leyva's answer. Should he consider these reinforcements necessary he (Sanchez) will depart at once ; if not, he will join that general in Lombardy. At any rate his intention is to take leave of the Signory.—Venice, 6th May 1528.
	Indorsed: "To the King. From Alonso Sanchez. From the monarchia (sic) of Venice. 6th May 1528."
	Spanish. Deciphering in the hand of Secretary Garcia, pp. 2.
9 May.	421. The Same to the Same.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 318.	Wrote on the 25th ulto. (Cipher:) Since then letters from France have been received here announcing that King Francis, hearing of the reinforcements we are about to receive, was sending 400 men-at-arms and 6,000 German lansquenets under the command of Mons. de St. Pol. Of those nothing is known for certain. The last news is that a general muster had been passed, and that on the 3rd inst. the Duke of Bransbric (Brunswick) and Marco Sitig were quartered at Trent and the neighbouring villages with the infantry and cavalry. As it is almost impossible to receive any news from Germany, owing to the Venetians guarding all the passes so carefully, he (Sanchez) cannot say whether the reinforcements have made any progress since. Certain it is that the publicity given to the whole affair, and the delay in enlisting, has afforded the confederates plenty of time to prepare. Already this Signory have sent to Paris their Secretary, Andrea Rosso, who left by post on the 27th ulto. His mission, they say, is to urge the King of France to fulfil his promises. They, themselves, have despatched agents for the enlistment of Switzers and Germans. If so, His Imperial Majesty must already be aware of the fact. If the Duke of Bransbric (Brunswick) has no other forces under him than those originally appointed he certainly will not be strong enough to secure Lombardy and relieve Naples. If he goes straight to the kingdom without leaving a sufficient force in Lombardy the Duchy will be placed in jeopardy owing to the new French army. Lombardy once lost, the enemy will concentrate all his forces in Naples; whilst if the Imperial army remains in Lombardy the results will be most fatal, more money and provisions will be required, and there is no saying what will become of Naples. For this reason he (Sanchez) has applied to the King for a new reinforcement of 6,000 men. Whether he will send it or not remains to be seen ; his (Sanchez's) opinion is that, if war is to be carried on successfully, they must come. Hears that the King of France is just now urging the Duke of Ferrara to accept the command of his army in Lombardy, promising, if he does, to put no less than 30,000 troops, Frenchmen and Switzers. under him. Hitherto the Duke has refused. Cannot say what he will do hereafter, for he is terribly afraid of the Pope, who, it is generally asserted here, has already become the Emperor's ally, and if so the Duke is perfectly justified in his fears.
	Situation of affairs in Naples. The Pope is raising troops; the Duke of Ferrara also, to garrison Modena and Rezzo (Reggio).
	Monitory letters sent by the Pope to this Signory on account of the late impositions on their clergy. Cannot say what the Signory's answer has been, but fancies they will care little either for the Pope's letters or even excommunication.
	A bishop from Gascony (fn. n1) has lately arrived here as ambassador from France; he comes to replace (common writing:) Mons. de Bayus (the Bishop of Bayeux), who is still here, but now about to leave.
	The rumours about the Turk have a little subsided of late; yet they say that letters from Constantinople assert that he is preparing for an invasion.
	(Cipher:) After sending a number of gentlemen (gentiles hombres) to the defence of Verona, this Signory has just done the same with Padua and Treviso, whose gates are to be defended by Venetian gentlemen. (Cipher:) A new proveditor is being sent to Brescia, and every preparation made for war. Money they procure by all possible means, all merchants, whether native or foreign, having been compelled to furnish them with a loan, &c.
	As to provisions such stores have been made that wheat is at one ducat of gold per "estaço," whereas formerly it used to be at 2½. It will be even cheaper by the next harvest, for they will bring any quantity they want from Puglia. Now they get their saltpetre (salmitre) from Trani, which the other day surrendered to them with almost the whole of Puglia and land of Otranto, with the exception, however, of the latter town, Manfredonia, Gallipoli, and Brindisi.
	The Duke Francesco [Maria della Rovere] has lately sent a message to say he knows for certain that the Pope is siding with His Imperial Majesty, . que se le da en prenda, as he thinks he has no other means at hand of recovering what he has lost in this war. He is willing to abandon Parma and Piacenza to the Emperor, provided Modena and Rezzo (Reggio) be made over to him, so as to ruin the Duke of Ferrara, and ensure the possession of Ravenna and Cervia, as well as the submission of Florence.
	(Common writing:) It is said that the Duke of Branzuich (Brunswick) has sent a herald to Verona with a letter saying that he comes [to Italy] in command of an army of Germans to defend the Emperor's rights, and adding that as Andrea Gritti, the Doge of Venice, is one of the most bitter enemies to the Empire, he is bound to let the Signory know. The herald was detained by the Veronese, who forwarded the Duke's letter here, upon which the Signory (cipher:) gave orders for the most strict guard to be kept over that city and its immediate neighbourhood. The Bishop of Cisena (Cesenna) and four men of his suit have been arrested in the Veronese.
	(Common writing:) Leyva had sent Count Lodovico Beljoyoso with 3,000 men towards Genoa. Several towns have been taken, and especially one very important one close to that city. Letters have just been received from Lautrech's camp in date of the 29th and 30th ulto., saying that he was half a mile from Naples, and that the Imperialists had intercepted letters of Phelipin (Philippino) Doria, telling him the wretched state in which his galleys were, and begging him to send 400 hackbutiers to man them, as he could not possibly, if attacked, resist the Imperialists. It would appear that Doria sent this message in two different ways; one of the messengers fell into the hands of the besieged, who immediately put to sea with their six galleys, three caravels, and two brigantines, on board of which they placed about 1,000 infantry, hoping to surprise Philippino. Lautrech, however, having received the letter that came by the other messenger, provided Philippino with as many fighting men as he wanted, and the consequence was that after a sharp encounter, which lasted five hours, two of our six galleys were sunk, two more had to surrender, and the remainder took to flight. Don Ugo and Il Gobbo were slain; Guasto, the Prince of Salerno, and others of rank taken prisoners, &c. This happened on the 29th.—Venice, 9th May 1528.
	P.S.—It is reported here that Cardinal Columna (Colonna), in consequence of certain words he has had with the Prince of Orange, has suddenly left Naples and gone to Gaeta.
	(Cipher:) The want of union between his Imperial Majesty's ministers and commanders seems to be the principal cause of our misfortunes.
	In consequence of suspicions entertained by this Signory that the Duke Francesco (Sforza) was in treaty with Leyva a messenger has been despatched to him. The Duke, in order to calm their fears, proposes coming here (to Venice) and giving up Lodi and Pavia. Indeed it is asserted that already the latter of those cities has been garrisoned by 700 Venetians, the Duke having withdrawn the men he had inside, and sent orders to his commanders to obey the Signory's orders implicitly. If so the Venetians are sure to retain those cities as long as they can.
	The answer to the Pope's monitory letters respecting the taxes imposed on the clergy has been that they will consider the matter and send their reply. Hears from a confidant, who has it from various authentic sources, that the Duke of Ferrara (Alfonso d' Este) and his men have intercepted certain letters which the Pope had written to Germany. Whether this has any connexion with the arrest of the Bishop [of Cesenna], whom, they say, His Holiness was sending to Germany, he (Sanchez) cannot tell; all he can say is that the Bishop has been brought here.—Venice, ut supra.
	Signed: "Alonso Sanchez."
11 May.	422. The Same to the Same.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 42, f. 326.	The defeat at Salerno has turned out true. Has seen the copy of a letter which Cardinal [Pompeo] Colonna wrote from Gaeta on the 4th inst. to Cardinal Campeggio at Rome, informing him of Don Ugo's death, and of the Marquis del Guasto and Ascanio Colonna having been made prisoners in the engagement. Cesaro Ferramosca, the writer adds, had also died of his wounds. At first the Imperialists had the advantage, having captured four of the enemy's galleys.
	It is said for certain that the new army coming from Germany has already passed La Esclusia, and will be shortly in the Veronese.
	The Signory is now sending one ambassador to the Pope, and another to the Kings of France and England, (cipher:) but none to His Imperial Majesty.
	The French ambassador who has come lately is the Bishop of Lance. In his addresses to the Signory he has never designated the Emperor by his title, but merely called him "Carlos."
	(Common writing:) The Bishop of Bayus (Bayeux) is to leave this evening or to-morrow morning for Ferrara and Mantua.—Venice, 11th May 1528.
	Signed: "Alonso Sanchez."
	Addressed: "To the most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Spanish, Original partly in cipher. No deciphering. pp. 1½
13 May.	423. The Bishop of Trent.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 377.	The Duke of Saxony (George) and the Marquis Joachim de Brandenbroc (Brandemburg), both of them electors of the Empire, are still making preparations for war against each other in consequence of the flight of the Marchioness. "Il simile fa il Gran Graf per la parte que fauorisce Luterana contra il Cardinal de Magunça elettor." Yet, notwithstanding that the affairs of Germany are in such a state of confusion, every effort is being made to apply a remedy to its misfortunes.— Prague, 13th May 1528.
	Italian. Deciphered copy. 1.
14 May.	424. The Lieutenant of the Summaria of Naples.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 105.	Miger Antonio de Santo Felice, the president of the Summaria, has gone to Lautrec's camp, where he now is He has taken with him some of the members (razionales) of that body. As besides his desertion he is guilty of the crime of having already exercised the functions of his office in the French camp, causing the property and lands of his own son-in-law and of his father (consuegro), now in the Imperial service, to be confiscated and sold, has imposed taxes and made payments ordinary and extraordinary, it is but just that his own estate should be seized and distributed among the Emperor's faithful servants. Begs to be indemnified for his losses with the property of the said Miçer Antonio de Santo Felice, whether it consists in lands and houses or in seignorial rights (asi burgensaticos como feudales).—Naples, 14th May 1528.
	Indorsed: "Relacion de diversa cartas de Italia, de los meses de Mayo, Junio, Julio, y Agosto de 1528."
	Italian. Contemporary abstract in Spanish.
15 May.	425. Ferdinand, King of Hungary and Bohemia, to Don Martin De Salinas.
S. Pat. Re. Cap. c. 1. c. de Aust. Leg.6, f. 9. B. M. Add.28,577, f. 229.	Has written several times since New Year's Day ; the last on the 20th of April. Luys de Taxis and Latur (La Tour) arrived on the 22nd, and brought his (Salinas') despatch of the 4th February. Meanwhile Don Antonio de Mendoza and Don Pedro de Cordova, both of whom wrote from Flanders in date of the 17th March announcing their embarkation, must have landed in Spain. Some days previous Pedro de Azcoitia, who also took despatches, sailed in the Portuguese fleet. Wishes to hear of their safe arrival.
	Was at Prague attending to certain business of the kingdom of Bohemia, and preparing to go to Ratisbon to hold the Diet of the Empire there, when the Emperor's order came to suspend the sessions of that body. What the cause for so sudden a resolution may have been he (the King) cannot guess, since neither he (Salinas) nor the provost (preposito) of Waltkirck, nor Montfort, the groom of the Imperial Chamber, who has also arrived [from Spain], and departed only five or six days before the Provost, has written a word about it. It must be some very important one to have caused the Emperor to order the suspension of the Diet without giving him previous notice.
	If Taxis, the courier, was correct in his statement, the Emperor told the Provost, before he started on his mission, to exhibit the orders he had for the members of the Imperial Government (Regimiento) assembled at Spires, which he (the Provost) neglected to do. He would have lost nothing by making that communication. We might have advised and given information on certain matters and facts of which those lately come from Spain seem to have no cognizance at all.
	Had We been consulted, We might, before the Diet was suspended, have taken our measures, because matters concerning the Faith are, as we have often had occasion to write before now, in a very precarious state. We could perhaps have found some redress for this evil, and perhaps too obtained resources wherewith to defend our patrimonial estates, and the Empire also, against the Turk. We likewise intended to procure the co-operation of the Diet for the government (regimiento) of the Empire, since, engaged as We are in war, it becomes at times impossible for us to attend to it.
	We are afraid that the visits which the Provost of Valdkirck (Waltkirk) is to make in the Emperor's name to the various Princes of the Empire will be anything but profitable in the present state of affairs, and that is another reason why it would have been advisable to consult us, lest His Imperial Majesty's interests should suffer by it.
	You shall, therefore, take care to inform us by return of post what may have been the Emperor's motive in ordering the suspension, because We do not hesitate to say that the measure has been a subject of surprise and scandal to many people. After weighing our reasons His Imperial Majesty might again order the convocation of the Diet, and send us the edict (despacho ó recaudo), that We may make use of it if the occasion be favourable, or else keep it in our possession until a more suitable opportunity.
	Respecting the practices and intrigues (praticas y tramas) now carried on in various parts of the Empire We have written at length, and yet a volume would not suffice for what we have to say. Now, very recently, [Elizabeth] the wife of the Marquis Joachim [the First] of Brandenbourg has run away from him, and gone to live with her brother, the King of Denmark. (fn. n2) The Marquis had received him (the King) as a guest at his house, done him honour and paid part of his debts, treating him in every respect as his own brother ; in return for which, and for all favours received, the King has tried to convert his own sister to the Lutheran sect, and persuade her that she can, and ought to follow any creed she chooses. As the Marquis [of Brandembourg] did not agree to this, the King secretly took away his sister and lodged her with the Duke of Jassa (Hesse), who, being a zealous heretic, has peremptorily refused to let her go back to her husband unless she is allowed to profess in public the Lutheran faith. Owing to this cause there exists now a most terrible feud between these two Princes, so much so that it is feared they will shortly take up arms, as the Marquis intends declaring war against the Duke. We have been trying to make peace between them, and induce the Marchioness to return to her husband, and to the faith of her fathers. Cannot say whether We shall succeed, because one of the parties, the Marquis, looks upon it as a case of honour (caso de honra), whilst the Duke considers it a point of law (por caso de ley), to which he pretends subjecting the former before he restores his wife to him (fn. n3) The King [of Denmark] ;has lately been here pleading all manner of excuses for what he has done, though none sufficiently plausible to wash out the stain upon his reputation. We have given him suitable advice, but he will most likely reject it, for he is not as wise and prudent as could be desired.
	Meanwhile the Landgrave of Hassia (Philip) is indulging in his usual whims and fancies (pensamientos y fantasias), with the assistance and favour of the Duke of Jassa (Hesse?) and of some Imperial cities, and other followers of the new sect. He is said to be making great military preparations, as one who meditates some great enterprise, such as becoming King of the Romans, or causing the Duke of Jassa (Hesse?) or his son to be nominated to that dignity. It is also supposed that he will declare war against the Archbishop of Maguncia (Meintz). Indeed the news has come, though We do not believe it, that his army has actually laid siege to Francfort, and taken possession of a town in the neighbourhood.
	The affairs of Germany, however, are in a most dangerous plight.
	The Landgrave, though young, is no contemptible enemy; he proclaims himself defender of the Lutherans, and this being now considered a righteous cause in Germany, it is to be feared that the number of his friends and abettors will by far exceed that of his opponents, and that most of the Imperial cities will be, as I have said above, on his side. We have written, to all of them about it, "poniendo la medicina y remedio que puedo." Augusta (Augsburgh), Nuremberg, and Ulm have answered that they will do nothing against the Emperor's interests ; this notwithstanding, matters are in a very critical position. We are doing all We can to extinguish this fire, but We doubt whether We shall succeed, for it has already spread far and wide.
	The Imperial arms in Naples are not so prosperous as might be expected. Alonso Sanchez writes that the French have taken possession of Barletta and several other fortified places, which is not a good sign. There is no news either of the Imperial fleet having reached those seas. In Lombardy things were in a better state, and Leyva managed somehow to keep the confederates at bay.
	The reinforcements passed muster on St. George's day at Trent, and We have no doubt are by this time in Italy. But We cannot refrain from pointing out three things which are indispensable to the success of this expedition, and of which We wish you to remind His Imperial Majesty, namely, the appointment of a commander-in-chief; bills of exchange ; and frequent letters, so that the Emperor's generals and ministers may not be in the dark, and therefore unable to act.
	The news of the Turk intending to come in person is every day confirmed through our spies, though We have no letters from our ambassadors sent to treat about a truce.
	Monforte tells us that he proposed to Count Felix de Viertamberg (Felix of Wurtemberg) to raise 6,000 Germans and conduct them to Spain. The Count took some time to answer, and then excused himself by saying he was not in a situation just at present to accept such a charge. We think, as he does, that this is not the time for making levies in Germany, because our best men are in Italy, and this country is now so troubled by discord and civil wars between its Princes that those who remain will find work enough on their hands. Besides which Germans are so attached to their country that they will much prefer two florins here to six in Spain. To please the Emperor, however, We shall do on our part anything that is required.
	Thank the Emperor for his offer of promotion to Castillejo —Prague, 15th May 1528.
	After writing the above We have been informed that the Landgrave [of Hesse], owing to the secret representations which our agents have addressed him, has changed his mind, and now excuses himself by saying that he never thought of invading [the Archbishop's dominions] ; whence there is reason to conclude that, though he may still attack the Archbishop, he will not undertake anything against [the Catholic Princes of] Germany. No reliance, however, can be placed in the words of a man, who is as capable of one thing as of the other. Indeed, in the three or four days which have elapsed since the duplicate of this letter was sent, We have been positively informed that he adheres to his original plans.
	Signed: "Yo el Rey é Infante."
	Addressed: "To Martin de Salinas, at the Court of the Emperor."
	Spanish. Original, pp. 10.
16 May. S. E. Port. L. 368, f. 159.	426. Lope Hurtado de Mendoza, Imperial Ambassador in Portugal, to the Emperor.
	Mons. de Rœulx, &c.
	Merchants [of Lisbon] have told the King that the Emperor has had letters from Italy announcing the evacuation of Lombardy by the Imperial army and its retreat to the strong places in the kingdom of Naples. Begs to be informed of the truth, whatever it may be, that he may tell the King, treating him with perfect confidence, that being the only way to secure his (the King's) co-operation with the Emperor in the affairs of France as well as those of England. With regard to the latter, it was expressly understood that he (the Emperor) was to inform the King of Portugal of anything that occurred to the Portuguese navy, &c.—Lisbon, 16th May 1528.
	Addressed: "To His Sacred. Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Indorsed: "Received on the 24th of May. Answered on the 25th."
	Spanish. Holograph, pp. 2.
17 May.	427. Alonso Sanchez, Imperial Ambassador in Venice, to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 346.	Wrote yesterday announcing the storming of Pavia by Leyva. The news has since been confirmed; 3,000 men detached from the Milanese army escaladed the walls and took the city by storm. The garrison were made prisoners of war, but Cesaro Fragoso was not among them.
	No news whatever of the German reinforcements, which are said to be already in the Veronese. Neither is there any from Lautrech's camp before Naples, except that his men are dying by thousands from the plague. The Signory, the other day, had letters, and their not having been published is rather a sign that things there do not go much to their satisfaction.
	(Cipher:) Andrea del Burgo writes to say that the Prince of Orange is very anxious for the German reinforcements to push on towards Naples, where he says they are more wanted than ever. Andrea is so situated now that he can easily communicate both with Leyva and with the Duke of Branzuich (Brunswick), but since the 26th April, the date of the Prince's last letter, no more has been heard on the subject.
	The English ambassador is daily pressing this Signory to restore Ravenna and Cervia to the Pope. He tells them that, besides its being for the promotion of God's service, it is very strange that they should retain in their possession what does not belong to them. Should they at once restore to the Pope what is his own, it might lead to his re-entering the League, &c. Cannot say what their answer has been, but fancies that they have pursued their wonted system of delay. Gaspar Contaren will depart for Orbieto to-morrow as ambassador to the Pope, to try and persuade him to return to the League. He is to try and persuade His Holiness that the retention by them of Ravenna and Cervia is, for the present beneficial to him and to the League, that being the only reason why they keep them during the present war. He is to ask for permission to raise levies in the territory of the Church, and also to collect from the clergy in their dominions the tax lately imposed.
	Miçer Francesco Cornaro, once Venetian ambassador at the Imperial Court, has been created cardinal by the Pope. He (Sanchez) went to compliment him on the occasion.
	Hears that Cardinal Campeggio is soon to go to England as Papal Legate, and, as some say, to annul the King's marriage (descasar á aquel Rey).
	Encloses copy of the letter which the Duke of Branzuich (Brunswick) has written to the Signory. (fn. n4) —Venice, 17th May 1528.
	Signed: "Alonso Sanchez."
	Addressed: "To the most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Spanish. Original mostly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on separate sheet, pp. 3.
17 May.	428. The Same to Gattinara.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 345.	Wrote yesterday announcing the storming of Pavia by Leyva, a piece of intelligence which so affected the French ambassador that he went up to the Signory and complained bitterly that it was their fault for not sending money and provisions to the army of the League, or keeping sufficient forces in the field. (Cipher :) At his first reception the said ambassador, as he (Sanchez) hears from various sources, spoke in very bad terms of the Emperor, laying on him the, blame of all the evils of this present war, and calling him ambitious and so forth. No small part of the blame was imputed to your most illustrious Signory for his advice in these matters. —Venice, 17th May 1528.
	Signed: "Alonso Sanchez."
	Addressed: "To the most Illustrious Sir, the High Chancellor, my Lord."
	Indorsed: "To the King, From Alonso Sanchez 27th May."
	Spanish. Holograph partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on the same sheet .. 1.
18 May.	429. Count Policastro to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 105 vº.	Begs to remind the Emperor that his father, Count Policastro, died in his service, and that he himself has always remained faithful, as the Prince of Orange was pleased to testify by his letter of the 6th. His father having left a vacancy in the Collateral Council of Naples, he does not hesitate to apply for it, since others, with less services than he, have obtained greater reward.—[Naples], 18th May 1528.
	Indorsed: "Relation de diversas cartas, &c."
	Italian. Contemporary abstract in Spanish.
20 May.	430. Secretary Perez to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac. d. Hist. Salazar, A. 43, f. 351.	Albornoz, who was to be the bearer of his despatch of the 2nd, is still here. As he is not expected to sail before tonight or to-morrow morning he (Perez) has time to inform the Emperor of occurrences since that date.
	A letter has come to Cardinal Colonna, by way of Orbieto, announcing that on the 27th ulto. the German reinforcements under the Duke [Henry] of Brunswick had actually entered Italy. They consist of 14,000 stipendiary troops, besides 6,000 volunteers (aventureros), 1,700 horse, and 2,800 pioneers (gastadores), eight pieces of ordnance and numberless muskets (mosquetes y tiros ligeros), plenty of scaling ladders, and abundance of gunpowder and ammunition, besides provisions for one month. The Duke, who is their commander-in-chief, has three or four marquises under him, some in charge of the infantry, others of the cavalry, and so forth. This is a very good piece of news for us, and we expect daily the confirmation of it. It is reported that they are advancing, and that the Venetians, far from opposing their march, have already abandoned Vicenza and other places, the better to defend their own territory, for which purpose they are concentrating their forces round Padua. The Duke of Urbino (Francesco Maria della Rovere) is still at Verona.
	Letters from Milan, of the 3rd inst., announce that on that day the vanguard [of the Germans] left in the direction of Naples. It is expected that Leyva will come with them, for he has written to a friend of his, in this city, to procure him five or six Spanish pages, and keep them in readiness against his arrival [in Naples], which he said would take place soon. His Imperial Majesty can hardly imagine with what anxiety this succour is expected by all of us, as well as the fleet from Spain, for not only are Philippino's five galleys continually blockading this port and city, so that we have not the means of sending out a single boat, but Lautrech is known to have come on board that captain's galley to hold a conference, at which Secretary Seron, still a prisoner of war, is said to have been present. This last intelligence may not be true, but it is certain that Count Philippino, at Lautrech's request, has kept him (Seron) on his galley, instead of sending him to Genoa, as he did Ascanio [Colonna] and the Marquis del Guasto, and that he refuses to fix a ransom, &c.
	The day on which Lautrech went to visit Count Philippino a sally was ordered [from Naples], in which the French were defeated with tremendous loss, our men pursuing them till within their intrenchments. They still go on firing against the city. On the 14th inst. they fired from 70 to 80 big guns, which did no harm, though one cannon-ball happened to hit the house where the Prince of Orange is quartered, and traversed the hall where Alarcon, Count Burrello, and others were sitting. Though not one of them was hurt, they were covered with dust and rubbish. He (Perez) was also in the room at the time, and escaped miraculously, for the ball certainly passed within four feet of him, and a Spanish captain was wounded by the stones and masonry thus dislodged. The Prince, notwithstanding, still keeps his quarters, and will not move elsewhere.
	(Cipher:) What with the money found in Castil Novo and Castil del Ovo, and about 3,070 ducats received on account of the letter of credit of Thomasso de' Fornariis, one month's pay has been issued to the Germans. Has duly advised Domenico Fornariis of this, and, when necessary, will make use of the credit.
	(Common writing:) Has related in a former despatch that Prospero Colonna and Sarra (Sciarra), the brother of Ascanio [Colonna], had laid siege to the citadel of Pagliano, where the widow and daughter of Vespasiano [Colonna], as well as Luigi Gonzaga, who now sides with the French, were shut up. The Abbot of Farfa (Napoleone Orsino) having gone to the assistance of the besieged, the two Colonnas (Prospero and Sciarra) did not wait for them, and evacuated the town, which the Abbot immediately occupied with his bands. But if the Spaniards who came from Sicily to Gaeta are as fortunate as hitherto, they will be in sufficient number, added to the Colonnese, to take Pagliano and dislodge the Abbot, for they have already taken and sacked Traietto, Fundi, the towers of the Garigliano, and several more towns which were for the French. The enterprise, moreover, will be greatly facilitated by the stay of Cardinal Colonna at Gaeta.
	With the last arrivals from Gaeta Leonardo de' Grimaldi came, and brought 12,515 ducats in specie. Lautrech has ordered the inhabitants of Gaeta to evacuate the city. It is presumed that he intends going there himself with the whole of his army the moment he hears of the arrival of the Germans, an event which, according to the testimony of prisoners, who fall daily into our hands, is very much dreaded by the enemy.
	(Cipher:) Whilst writing the above Agostino Centurione has called to say he has letters from Genoa, of the 5th inst., announcing that the brother-in-law of Thomasso de Fornariis has taken himself off (se ha alzado). As he was the partner of Thomasso in all contracts, it is well that the Emperor should be informed in time.
	The Papal chamberlain mentioned in former despatches as having come to Naples for the purpose of announcing the siege of Civittà Vecchia by the French, left for Orbieto the other day. The answer given by the Prince has already been stated. Now it appears that the Collateral Council propose sending Juan Antonio Muxetula to Orbieto to represent the Emperor until the appointment of an ambassador.
	(Common writing :) Count Burrello has not yet departed, but will most probably sail for Sicily to-night. He takes the duplicate of this despatch, as well as that of the one which Balançon took.
	(Cipher:) There is in this city of Naples abundance of wheat and water; all the mills are in order and at work. There is some fear, however, that wine and fresh meat will be soon exhausted; and besides, since the taking of Puzzuolo by the enemy, forage for the horses is very scarce. Yet we are con fident that this state of things cannot last long. What the Germans feel most is the want of wine; we Spaniards care not for it, and go without contentedly.—Naples, 20th May 1528.
	Signed: "Perez."
	Addressed: "To His Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Spanish (fn. n5) Original partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering between the lines, pp. 3.