Spain: March 1529, 16-20 | 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: March 1529, 16-20', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 3 Part 2, 1527-1529, (London, 1877) pp. 927-935. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol3/no2/pp927-935 [accessed 24 April 2024]

March 1529, 16-20



16 March.	651. Secretary Perez to the Emperor.
M. Re. Ac d. Hist. Salazar, A. 44, f. 60.	Wrote last by way of Genoa in date of the 3rd inst. Encloses duplicate. The Viceroy came back on the 9th, after settling the affairs of Aquila and Abruzzo. Hears that, besides the 100,000 levied as a contribution on that city, the Viceroy has had 20,000 more from private persons, and that he left orders for the trial and execution of nine or ten citizens who had been most instrumental in the rising of the province. The works of the citadel were already begun, and a gentleman of the Prince's suite named Betrian, (fn. n1) an Aragonese by birth, had been appointed to direct the works, and be the governor. On his way back [to Naples] the Viceroy encountered a most furious storm of wind and rain. Upwards of 60 persons perished, besides several horses and mules. The Viceroy's life was in danger, and he escaped only by miracle. Ascanio Colonna and Don Fernando Gonzaga came with him.
	(Cipher:) Since the Viceroy's return [to Naples] nothing else has been thought of except the march of this Imperial army on Lombardy. Both Knight Commander Rivadeneyra, who is now here on behalf of Leyva, and Erasmo Doria, who resides for his uncle Andrea, keep incessantly reminding the Prince of it. The Council of Sumaria is also doing everything in its power to hasten it. They find, however, that if the bulk of the army goes to Lombardy there will not be a sufficient force left to prosecute the war in Pulla (Puglia), and that is the reason why they have applied for reinforcements from Spain.
	(Common writing:) The Marquis del Guasto wrote on the 3rd inst. from a place three leagues distant from Monopoli, which he was about to attack on the ensuing day. No further news has been received since. Some Venetian galleys, about 20 in number, though not in very good order, had anchored close to Vesta (Vieste), and landed 300 men to reinforce the garrison of Monopoli.
	(Cipher:) Has reason to believe that the Viceroy will soon send Commander Rivadeneyra and Erasmo Doria with his final resolution, and that money will be sent to Leyva, that he may maintain his ground until this army reaches Lombardy.
	(Cipher:) Until now neither Civittà Vecchia nor Ostia has been delivered as agreed, though Miçer Mai, the Imperial ambassador, writes confidently that the delivery is to take place soon. New difficulties had arisen about the bulls of the new Spanish Bishops, the Pope and the College of Cardinals insisting upon the word "supplication" being used instead of "presentation."
	Alonzo Sanchez, the treasurer, has arrived, but not yet entered upon his functions as such. Soria is at Piacenza. He writes on the 2nd inst. that Leyva has been very ill, but was now better. He wished him to go to Genoa and procure money from Thomasso de' Fornariis.
	(Common writing:) Leyva writes that three days before one of the King of France's chamberlains, called Mussiur de Yserne, had passed through the Duchy on a mission of his master to the Duke of Ferrara, the object of which was to beg and entreat that he would take the command-in-chief of the League. The same individual was to go to Venice, and tell the Signory not to lose courage, but strengthen their army in Lombardy. He himself would send 12,000 Germans under the leadership of the Duke of Bertinberg (Wurtemberg) and other captains, and his ally the King of England was about to invade Flanders. Leyva, however, thinks that the Duke [of Ferrara] will not accept the charge, and that the Venetians will not stir so soon in that direction, for it is reported that a sum of 7,000 ducats, which the abovementioned Frenchman was taking to them, has been seized by St. Pol for his immediate wants, besides 3,000 which the King of France was sending to Count Guido Rangone, who, though he gave the Viceroy Ins word of honour not to serve under the French, is about to join them with a small force, pretending that the six months of his engagement have already passed.—Naples, 16th March 1529.
	Signed: "Perez."
	Addressed: "To His most Sacred, &c"
	Indorsed: "To the King. 1529. From Secretary Perez."
	Spanish. Holograph partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on separate sheet (fol. 62). pp. 4.
16 March.	652. Cardinal Santacroce to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 848, f. 141. B. M. Add. 28 578, f. 89.	To-day, the 6th of March, a packet of letters has been received from the Imperial ambassador in England of the 25th of February. There is inside, one from the Queen to the Pope, closed and sealed, asking him, as it is presumed, to have her case tried here [at Rome]. The Queen having complained that she had no liberty to defend herself in England, it was resolved that she herself should write an autograph letter to the Pope, stating her wishes. That has been done, as it would appear, with great difficulty, and is most probably the subject of her missive. The Queen writes to him (Santacroce) commanding him to put her letter into the Pope's hands with the greatest possible secrecy, as she does not want anyone to know of it. The Pope, however, is not well enough now to treat affairs of this kind; as soon as he recovers the letter shall be given to him.—Rome, 16th March 1529.
	Spanish. Original.
16 March.	653. Miçer Mai to the Emperor.
S. E. L. 848, f. 26. B. M. Add. 28 578, f. 112.	The Pope is getting better, and begins already to transact business, though still with difficulty. Needs not say that both Miçer Andrea del Burgo and he (Mai) profit by this improvement in his health to proceed with their negotiations. Neither do the ambassadors of France, England, Venice, or Milan lose their time; they wait upon His Holiness or his ministers as often as they can. Is nevertheless sorry to say that the negotiations with His Holiness are not so smooth as could be desired; hopes, however, that little by little he (Mai) will be able to overcome all difficulties, though the task is by no means an easy or agreeable one. What renders it more laborious is the recent news of the Emperor's journey, which these people cannot stomach (no la pueden tragar por acá).
	(Cipher:) Cannot deny that the Pope shows at the present moment some sort of good-will towards His Imperial Majesty, and has a due idea of his power and wisdom (de su potentia y su prudentia), differing herein from the confederated Princes, who hate him most intensely. Yet at the same time he is afraid of them, and, considering both parties as his natural enemies, would like to see the ultramontanes, as he calls them, fairly out of Italy. Such are in reality the Pope's sentiments as expressed to Santacroce at his departure for Spain last year, though that cardinal adds that the Pope also told him that, were he compelled to choose between the Emperor and the King of France, he certainly would keep to the former. On the other hand he seems to be afraid of the disorderly administration in Spain, where, he says, promises are never fulfilled. (fn. n2) Has told him so three or four times. The other day he (Mai) was shown a letter which the people of Perugia had written to the Pope, informing him that one ambassador from France, and another from Florence, had offered them help and assistance against the Imperialists, whom they described as "istos crudelissimos barbaros qui indifferenter debacchantur tam in amicos quam inimicos." So it was that when Monsieur de Baury (Waury) passed through Rome with Rivadeneyra, and suggested that, if the Pope approved of it, both might go as commissaries and take charge of Piacenza, the offer was positively declined on the plea that, were such a thing allowed, it would be equivalent to breaking the neutrality, which, after all, is his principal defence, not only as regards his own vacillating policy, but also against the offers and threats of the confederates.
	A letter from Count Balthasar [Castiglione] mentioning the troublous and dangerous state of Germany, as well as the preparations the Turk is making, seems to have infused new courage into these people, as they imagine that the Emperor's journey may still be prevented, or that in the event of a peace they will obtain better terms. The other day a letter of the Venetian ambassador in France (fn. n3) was intercepted, in which he wrote that the news of that Infidel's warlike preparations was far from being disagreeable to King Francis, as he thought his affairs might be improved through it Moreover, three days ago, as the Pope was telling the Venetian orator here that his Signory was bound to keep off the Turk from Europe, as after all he was the enemy of Christianity, the Venetian observed that it was true, but that the great danger to Italy, and principally to Venice, which was the first on the frontiers of the Empire, was still nearer at hand.
	The Pope has publicly announced during the last few days that he is going to the Emperor [in Spain] and to France also; likewise that he is about to send for the Cardinal of England (Wolsey), that they may both with their authority and prudence help towards the conclusion of peace, one of them acting the part of St. Peter, the other that of St. Paul. The Cardinal's answer, they say, has been that he approves of the idea, and will do his utmost to assist and help in the undertaking; but that he (the Pope) must take care not to be deceived by the Emperor's professions. Since the Pope's convalescence, it is added, this idea has gained ground, and is now spoken of as completely fixed. He (Mai) does not implicitly believe in anything these people suggest or say. Thought from the very first that all this was but a wicked stratagem (malicia) invented for the purpose of hindering, if possible, the Emperor's journey, which is now much talked of, but it may be after all the Pope's own device; for it is well known that Leo (the Tenth), when the King of France announced his visit, went out of Rome, met him at Bologna, and made such a treaty as prevented his nearer approach; and Pope Julius II., when the French wished him to hold a general council, summoned one first to prevent the other.
	Called yesterday on the Pope in company with Miçer Andrea del Burgo, who addressed him in the name of his master, the King of Hungary. Took occasion of this to observe that although he had no instructions from the Emperor to treat about general peace, but only of peace with him (the Pope), he did not hesitate to say that his master was equally well disposed towards the other, provided the conditions were just and honourable, and such as befitted his greatness. Begged the Pope to send him an answer in writing as soon as possible, which he promised.
	Ostia and Civittà Vecchia will be restituted without fail this Passion week, these cardinals having at last come to terms with Don Alonso de Cordoba on the subject.
	(Cipher:) It is now quite certain that the resolution taken by some of these cardinals to quit Rome sede vacante, and make the election elsewhere, was not in reality owing to the fortresses not being restituted, as they gave out, but entirely to the instigations of the Cardinal of England (Wolsey) who, having lost all hope of being elected at Rome, wished to take all his colleagues to Avignon, where he considered himself sure of the election. That was the real motive; the other was only a pretence. The Pope is aware of this, and has felt very much the roguish conduct of the cardinals, and the extreme weakness of Santa Croce, who was so carried away by their deceitful arguments, that he did not scruple to say to him (Mai), in the presence of several of his colleagues attached to the French party, that he (Santa Croce) would be the first to quit Rome. (fn. n4)
	The bull for the Crusade is not yet ready. Suspects that these people want money for the grant. Has told them that, whatever they may do, they will get none, as it is not the custom in Spain to bestow money on such occasions.
	Has said nothing yet about the marriage of the Duke Alessandro [de' Medici]. Would not mention it in his memorandum, because it is better that the Pope, who really wishes for it, should ask for it first. So much so that he has lately abandoned the project of marrying him to the daughter of the late Vespasiano Colonna, still under his keeping and guardianship, though the Colonnese claim her to dispose of her hand.
	The Prince [of Orange] has asked the Pope's consent for a marriage between Don Fernando de Gonçaga and a daughter of the Duchess of Camarino. Spoke yesterday to the Pope, who spoke fair, but nothing more. Fancies that he will delay his consent until he sees whether Alessandro [de' Medici] marries Margaret or not; for in case of this marriage not taking place he will like his nephew to marry the Colonnese lady.
	Has begun to solicit the reserves for the Lord [Bishop] of Monaco and for Martino Centurione; but as the Pope has lately declared that he will not grant any more reserves of that kind, he (Mai) is much afraid that neither Agostino Grimaldo nor Centurione will get theirs.—Rome, 16th March 1529.
	Signed: "Mai."
	Addressed: "To the most Sacred, Imperial, and Catholic Majesty."
	Spanish. Original partly in cipher. Contemporary deciphering on separate sheet pp. 13.
16 March.	654. The Same to the Same.
S. E. Roma, L. 848, f. 27. B M Add 28,578, f. 122.	Has not said anything in former despatches respecting the Emperor's projected journey, because the measure itself is very important, and he was not sure of his own judgment. Now that he has a better knowledge of men and things in Italy, will venture some remarks on the subject. If the Emperor delays his glorious coronation until he has the good-will of all parties, the ceremony will not take place at all. So changeable is the condition of these Italian Princes, and so various their interests, that they will never unite in their assent, but, on the contrary, will join their efforts to prevent the journey, if they can. Unless the coronation take place with the consent of the majority, the undertaking is by no means an easy one; and yet this is perhaps the time most suitable for it, for although the enemies of the Empire are numerous and threatening, and might declare themselves on the occasion, this must be said, that there has hitherto been no visible sign why they should be more dreaded now than formerly.
	(Cipher:) Fears the almost universal hatred which the excesses of the soldiery has caused, more than all the confederated armies put together; but fancies that the Emperor's arrival will be an efficacious remedy to this evil, inasmuch as he cannot fail to come to Italy with a powerful army, and plenty of resources, &c. If so, he will \| be supreme lord of Italy; otherwise he will be entirely without means of subsistence (no terná que comer), and his army will be starved, for there is no wheat in Italy for friends or enemies. To be frank with His Imperial Majesty, he (Mai) does not hesitate to say that the very night of his arrival at Rome, Muxetula having earnestly inquired what he knew respecting the Emperor's intended journey, and he (Mai) having returned no definite answer, as he could not tell then what the Emperor's intentions were, Muxetula observed, "My private opinion is that the measure cannot be beneficial to the Emperor, and that if he comes now [to Italy] he will do more harm than good." When Monsieur de Baury (Waury) arrived [at Rome] Muxetula repeated his inquiries, but without gaining further information, as Baury could not or would not tell him. Muxetula s a very good sort of a man, very quick and intelligent, but is considered here to be far too confident, (fn. n5) so much so that according to Andrea del Burgo the other day the Pope proposed to send him to Spain to negotiate for him at the Imperial Court. As there is some probability of the mission being offered and accepted, he (Mai) considers it his duty to warn the Emperor's ministers thereupon. Muxetula is a good servant of the Empire, and ought to be munificently rewarded; but were he to receive any commission from these people the utmost caution must be used.
	(fn. n6)
	Will always tell the truth, without sparing anyone. This Cardinal Santacroce has rather dishonoured by his private conduct the dress of his order and ecclesiastical dignity. That, however, is no business of his (Mai's); suffice it to say that the contempt which his acts have brought upon him, is a sufficient punishment for his levity. For this reason, though he (Mai) gives him his share in the negotiations, he has to use the greatest precaution. The past cannot be mended; but, as a man sincerely attached to the Emperor, he (Mai) will no longer trust to him. Such is Capua's advice, for Santacroce is generally supposed to be the secret friend and ally of all the cardinals of the French party; he frequents their society, dines with them, makes them presents (los trata y presenta), and they laugh at his simplicity. This is generally known at Rome, and the people make fun of him. The other day the Bishop of Leche (Lecce) came to him and mentioned this fact, as if he (Mai) were not aware of it already, adding that, if there was no Imperial ambassador at Rome, he would take upon himself the task of writing to the Emperor, and informing him of the ridiculous figure which the Cardinal is making. Firmly believes that all this is nothing more than sheer levity on his part (liviandad), and perhaps also some hope of securing the votes of his colleagues for the next election, as he must naturally consider himself the candidate of the Imperialists. This must be the reason why he has been heard to say in public that should the cardinals, who complain of the non-restitution of the fortresses, go out of Rome for the purpose of electing a new Pope, he (Santacroce) will be the first to follow them. This threat of the Cardinal became so public throughout Rome, that La Valle threatened also to quit, saying that since the Imperial ministers, whom this affair concerned most particularly, would not do their duty, he himself would go away, as he was unwilling to take such a burden on his back, when those who were in duty bound to assist, left him in the lurch (en los cuernos del toro). He (Mai) has had the greatest difficulty to persuade La Valle to stay, and not quit Rome. Spoke also rather sharply to the Cardinal (Santacroce), who, after all, being, as he really is, a good servant of the Emperor, and not at all a badly intentioned person, took no notice of his words, and made no reply. The Archbishop of Capua (Schomberg) has since told him (Mai) and Burgo that he has seen letters addressed from France to Joan Joachin, the ambassador stating that King Francis, hoping that the Cardinal (Santacroce) would pass through his kingdom on his return from Spain, (fn. n7) had prepared great gifts and numberless presents of gold and silver vessels to give him, trusting that, when at Rome, he would take care of his affairs. This might well be either treachery (bellaqueria) on the part of the writer, or imprudence (liviandad) of the ambassador himself, who perhaps placed faith in some words (palabrillas) uttered at the time; God knows where and for what purpose.
	Begs His Imperial Majesty to forgive him if he has been too bold. Is very sorry to have to speak in this manner of his own colleagues, and especially of a man like the Cardinal, whom he respects and honours as the Emperor's minister; but the fact is that his conscience does not allow him to omit one single circumstance likely to promote the Emperor's better service.
	Spanish. Original almost entirely in cipher. Partial deciphering by .,. Bergenroth in Add. 28,578, fol. 119-21.
17 March.	655. Cardinal Santacroce to the Prince of Orange.
S. E. L. 848, f. 139. B M Add 28,578, f. 123.	Would write oftener, were it not that the Emperor's service is at times better done by communicating with this ambassador [Miçer Mai] as to the state of the present negotiation. A few hours before he sat down to write this present letter the Pope sent for him (Santacroce), and they had a long conference together, the substance of which is this: the Pope said, "Since I willingly place myself in the Emperor's hands, both person and estate, I am very much offended at his not believing implicitly in what I say" His (Santacroce's) reply was, "Neither the Emperor nor his servants desire to interfere with Your Holiness' person and estate, except to serve the former and preserve the latter." Begged him, moreover, to explain what he meant by saying that he placed himself at the Emperor's discretion. His answer was, "I mean exactly what I say; by applying for his galleys to convey me to Spain, I place my person in the Emperor's power. My estate I also leave in his hands, for during my absence it will remain entirely at the mercy of the Prince [of Orange], or whoever may be the commander-in-chief of the Imperial armies. From this conversation he (Santacroce) gathered that the Pope would be sorry if private matters of small importance should in the present state of the negotiation embitter the minds of the other contracting parties, and prevent the conclusion of the mutual peace proposed. (fn. n8)
	Omits for brevity's sake his own answer to the above remarks and objections of the Pope, for, as the Prince [of Orange] may naturally suppose, it was such as befitted a zealous minister of His Imperial Majesty.
	The negotiation, therefore, commences under very good auspices, both as regards God's service and the Emperor's honour. The only bar to it is the doubt whether the proposed League will be carried into effect or not, because not only the news from England, but the opinion also (juicios humanos de acá) of many Italians here is against the probability of the League being concluded. Yet all this is very insignificant if compared with the good to be expected should the Pope sincerely adhere to the two aforesaid objects, for in fact if he is the Emperor's true friend he cannot be expected to do more than he does, and if on the contrary he dissembles and does not love him, he cannot afford greater securities for not doing mischief than by placing his person and estate, as he says, at the Emperor's discretion. Thus he (Santacroce) sees no harm in the negotiation being conducted as briskly as possible on this basis, and brought to conclusion; provided, however, the Pope means what he says, and will act as he speaks. Meanwhile, and pending the negotiations, no extraneous matters, however important, should be introduced. Such is his (Santacroce's) advice for the present. Should the Emperor's journey be decided upon, and officially announced, he may change his opinion.
	(In the Cardinal'. own hand:) The Pope tells me that most likely before this letter reaches Naples a chamberlain of his will leave post-haste for Spain, and make two requests in his name, viz.: that your Signory should take care of the estates of the Church during his absence from Rome, and that an order should also be sent to Andrea Doria to convey him in his galleys. I scarcely know what to say about this request of the Pope, and whether he is really in earnest or not, for at times it is almost as dangerous not to believe [a man's saying] as it is to believe him implicitly. I find that some people to whom the Pope's intended journey is not agreeable think more of their own private passions and interests than of the Emperor's service.—Rome, 17th March 1529.
	Signed: "Sancta + Cardinalis."
	Spanish. Original partly holograph, pp. 3.